"Should be," Taichi chirps. "Last time I was in another country, it was for Chosen business, so this'll be a cool change."

As he talks, someone arrives with, as promised, two large pizzas. Yamato nudges one in Barry's direction.

"After I'm flying on my own, there's another year of training, and then I get transferred to a training squadron for the last year," Yamato says. "After that, transfer to another JASDF squadron. Taichi'll be back in the country by then, too."