12000 YEARS LATER.

Kira felt awful about running into the poor girl like that and it showed on his expression as he offfered a hand out to help her up.

“Still…I feel awful. You sure you’re not hurt or anything?”

“Honestly - It’s fine! Don’t worry about it. It was just an accident!” Noriko hesitated - glancing at his hand, then towards the man; before taking it, and pulling herself up.

Seeing her so awed was, well, really fucking cool! He loved that feeling, of having someone so taken by the machine that was his pride and joy. Hearing her talk about herself, if only briefly right now, was interesting, too. Pilots weren’t something he met a lot of. Frankly, the type he hung out with most were other bikers and the occasional present or former delinquent. Old habits, as the saying went.

“I wouldn’t mind that. But, hold up - you said you’re a pilot? That’s a new one for me. How long you been doin’ it?”

Noriko hesitated - she always got embarrassed when people asked her about the nature of her job as a pilot. After all, it was certainly an important job - she just couldn’t divulge everything about it to the public. Hell, if she announced loud and clear her and Kazumi were the representatives for Japan, who knows what trouble she’d get into - Particularly with Coach, of course.

“W-Well... I haven’t been an actual pilot for long. But, I’ve been training for around six years, now? “ Noriko giggled. “I’m from an All-Girl’s Academy in Okinawa, so seeing just how busy Neo-Tokyo is gets me a little nervous. I’m here for a conference.”

Quickly changing the subject, she blinked slightly, coughing into her fist.

through her own will and practice and dedication she became a great pilot. she became a legend, not through being a prodigy, but by working day in and day out to chase her dream

gunbuster isn’t about some chosen hero with magical powers. noriko’s a girl who gets to where she ends up, as a hero for the whole world, because she worked day in, day out to gain the skills she needed. it sucks we don’t have many anime where the heroes work their asses off for where they end up anymore

“Noriko… Okay, I got it!” That smile on her face seemed almost infectious, making him feel warm all over just from looking at her. It was hard - near impossible - not to like anybody who had a solid eye for quality like his motorcycle possessed. And Noriko was proving his point with ease. Kaneda stretched out a bit, running fingers across the instrument panel. He’d have to do something about that little bit of dust, in a moment or two.

“So, tell me a little about yourself. A fan of motorcycles in general, or didja just happen to see mine and fall in love with it?”

“ Well... I like ‘em in general, but yours is on a completely different level.” Noriko nodded enthusiastically. “ I’m a pilot actually, so I know a thing or two about modifying stuff - even if it’s on a larger scale, it’s amazing how skilled you are! Eheh, I hope I can learn to get as good as you someday.” Embarrassed, she rubbed the back of her neck.

Hands locked behind her back, she circled around his motorcycle - it was certainly one of a kind!

“Hey, expert or not, you know what looks good to you. And if you think my bike qualifies for that, then I’m sold on your judgment.”

Grinning ear to ear now, he swept fingers through his hair before shaking it out. Maybe it was getting a little long again. And when he got thanked for his own compliment, Kaneda found himself easily riding the wave of it. A little rub to the ego never hurt.

“Oh yeah, before I forget - name’s Kaneda. Call me that, everybody does.”

“ It’s nice to meet you, Kaneda-kun!” Her lips upturned into a smile - this guy seemed really cool! Of course, she adored  the praise too - of course, since it was something she wasn’t particularly used to. Most guys seemed to turn up their nose and laugh when Noriko expressed her love for engineering. (But of course, when she someday becomes the greatest pilot in space, she’ll show them what’s what!)

“Mhm! I’m no expert, but I guess I’ve got an eye for some good engineering.”

The pilot nodded insistently, laughing lightly in response to his compliment - having gotten accustomed to being demeaned by her fellow students at her former academy, and her Coach’s tough love, it felt nice to be called something nice for once.

After a particularly arduous day of training, the young pilot couldn’t help but collapse onto her bed, softly sighing to herself - her legs felt as if they were on fire! She couldn’t particularly complain, though; after all, this was her dream.