It seems Kanata’s love for Lilith has entered pathological territory.
After returning to the curriculum, I met Danny and the others for the first time in a while. Shion had become more distant and wouldn’t even make eye contact, but I decided not to dwell on it. There’s no way to share values with everyone; if you don’t click, you don’t click. On the other hand, it seems Kotone’s transfer to the Asura Unit has been officially decided, so the Rose Garden will likely be lively again. I invited Danny to join us too, but he said he wouldn’t transfer as he respects his current unit’s captain. Since Danny respects him, he must be a real man. Or, knowing Danny, he might be a woman. The curriculum has now concluded, and the exam the next day also passed without a hitch. Hopefully, I managed to pass. I don’t want to add any more debt to the Commander’s balance sheet.
“Let me get straight to the point. You passed. I’m glad I didn’t have to go through any trouble.” The Commander told me the results in his office in the Penthouse, as he always did, while smoking a cigarette. “Woo-hoo! Dodged owing the Commander a favor!” “See? Warrant Officer can do it when he tries.” “It’s all thanks to an excellent tutor. Thank you, Lilith!” I ruffled Lilith’s hair to show my appreciation. “It’s good you’re happy, but there were some subjects you barely passed. Don’t get cocky!” Lilith stuck her tongue out at him, “What a weird old man! A pass is a pass, whether it’s barely or perfect. All that matters for exams and qualifications is passing!” “That may be so, but considering the future…” “Shut up! I’ve had enough nagging from Maganejime!” Maganejime… Shuri went back to her hometown in the Village of Hiding Fire. Did things work out with Hotaru? We haven’t been in touch for a while because of everything that’s been going on. Should I try contacting her tonight? No, I can see her when I return to the Garden. I want to see her face and hear her story directly. “Kanata, we’ll be leaving here tomorrow morning, but you will stay.” “Huh? Are you leaving me behind?” “You have a duel with that Woman of Absolute Zero, right? Brigadier General Hinkley has prepared the stage. Go to the Hinkley Division training facility tomorrow night at nine. Your Warrant Officer insignia has already been prepared. Don’t lose, okay?” “Then why can’t we just return to the Garden the day after tomorrow? Why are you leaving the Warrant Officer behind?” “I was asked a favor by Brigadier General Hinkley and accepted it. It’s a job only you can do. You’ll return after you’ve handled Brigadier General Hinkley’s request.” “A job only I can do? What is this request from Brigadier General Hinkley?” “You’ll hear the details directly from the Brigadier General.” “Understood.” “Then I’ll stay too. I’m worried about the Warrant Officer being alone. I must fulfill my responsibilities as a guardian!” Aren’t the guardian and ward reversed? No, Lilith is more level-headed than me. It’s a pathetic thought, but it’s the truth. “No. Lilith will return to the Garden with us!” “I don’t wanna! No!” “Lilith, don’t be selfish! This is an order from Commander Iska!” Lilith puffed out her cheeks and turned away, “If I say I don’t want to, I DON’T! I’m not Commander Iska’s subordinate or vassal! The only one who can order me is the Warrant Officer!” Is she entering brat mode? Retracting my previous statement, I’m the more mature one. And Lilith, no lying. You turn down even my requests depending on your mood. The Commander, exasperated by Lilith’s bratty behavior, spat out his cigarette to the filter and tried to persuade her. “…Lilith, think calmly. We’ve been away from the Garden for over three weeks. What do you think my desk in the command room looks like?” It’s probably a skyscraper of pending documents, isn’t it? “I bet there’s a mountain of paperwork you’re sick of. Poor you. Ask Himu-himu for help.” “Major Himnon has been appointed the head of the newly established Military Discipline Consultation Room. He’ll also be concurrently serving as the head of the Logistics Department. For a while, he’ll be busy with the establishment preparations and handover, so he won’t be able to help me.” He’s ruthlessly overworking Major Himnon, isn’t he? Well, Major Himnon excels in legal matters and logistics, so he’ll likely be happy to do the work. “That’s Commander Iska’s problem. It has nothing to do with me. Hohoho.” “…Kanata, do something.” Me? No, wait. This might be a good opportunity. “How about a bartering transaction? I’ll persuade Lilith. In return, clear the Commander’s balance sheet debt.” “The whole debt is impossible, how about a quarter?” “Half.” “A third.” “Deal. So, Lilith, head back and help the Commander.” “It’s not ‘help’! What benefit will you offer me, Warrant Officer?” Tch, what a greedy child. Has Olsen’s ghost possessed Lilith? “How about a day of slave rights?” “That’s not a bargaining chip. You’re already my slave.” “Wait! Since when did that happen!” “Since we met. The Warrant Officer, enchanted by me, is my love slave for life.” She’s completely dependent on me, like a Lilith in every household, but I didn’t know she was my slave. “Please, I’m begging you. Okay?” “No! If you insist, lick my toes.” I heard you loud and clear! I was careless, you little brat! I suddenly grabbed Lilith’s slender ankle, pushed her down, and started to pull off her socks. “Wha?! Warrant Officer! Wait, wait! Are you serious about licking them?!” “It’s cheaper than a day as a slave. What cute little feet you have~.” “Kyaaa! Pervert! Warrant Officer is a real pervert!” “Hahaha, you just noticed now! But it’s too late! I’ll savor the taste of these floral feet!” Lilith pressed the sole of her free foot against my cheek and desperately tried to pull my snorting face away from her sock-less foot, but her lightness was no match; it had little effect. “Nooo! Your snorting is on my fingertips! Warrant Officer, calm down! Stay, stay!” Me, snorting hard, couldn’t be stopped with words! “Hihhihi. Well then, I wonder what they’ll taste like?” “Alright! I’ll help! I’ll help Commander Iska!” “Yes, yes, good girl. Then, I’ll begin!” A bang echoed, and sparks flew before my eyes. It seems I was kicked in the back of the head with a military boot. “That’s enough! I get that Kanata has perverted tastes, but please refrain from displaying them in front of me!” “Ouch. Commander, you just kicked me hard, didn’t you?” “If something so grotesque was about to happen right before my eyes, wouldn’t it be natural! …When was the last time I got goosebumps? What a terrifying pervert, Kanata.” “…Marika is unlucky to have a subordinate like you, Kanata, who would lick a little girl’s feet with such glee.” “…But they’re Lilith’s feet. Wouldn’t you want to lick them if you were a man?” “Absolutely not! I’m a woman!” “That can’t be! You damn pervert!” Branded as a lolicon and now a pervert, I left the Penthouse with Lilith, whose feet were cute.
“If you’re leaving tomorrow morning, then it’s goodbye to Ligrit for a while. Today is your day off, so why don’t we go out somewhere, Impure Warrant Officer?” “It’s Warrant Officer, okay? I’m all for going out.” “A pervert who seriously tried to lick my feet is impure, obviously. If it were someone else, they would have been completely freaked out.” As expected of my Lilith, she doesn’t seem completely freaked out by that level of perverted behavior. As we decided to go out, we found Marika-san and Natsume at the hotel lobby. “Marika-san!” “Oh, Kanata. Going out with Lilith?” “Yes, are you two going out too?” “Yeah, we’re leaving tomorrow morning. I’m going to buy clothes for Natsume.” “Hmph, buy your own clothes, kid.” Natsume, being called a kid by a kid, had no standing. Natsume, as if to crouch instead of stand, dropped to her knees and grabbed Lilith’s cheeks with both hands, pulling them left and right. Lilith, not to be outdone, grabbed Natsume’s cheeks back and pulled them left and right. …The epitome of a childish quarrel. “Hey, stop fighting like children in the hotel lobby! It’s annoying!” Natsume and Lilith released each other’s cheeks, glared, and turned away with a hmph. …Get along, please. “Kanata, if you’re going out, want to come with us?” “Sure, we weren’t really planning on going anywhere specific.” “Hey! Are you going to invite pests to our date again?” “Don’t say that, kid. I need your help with something too.” “I won’t lend it for free.” “How about I treat you today?” “That’s a fair price. Alright. Let’s go.” Yay! Going out with Marika-san, Natsume, and Lilith!
The four of us went out, and in the morning, we went shopping at the renovated Lavian Rose. Lilith looked very pleased to receive an haute couture dress as a reward for her nagging. Afterward, we went to an art gallery, and Marika-san purchased an impressionist masterpiece. She said she wanted to display it in the Garden’s private salon and wanted Lilith’s opinion on the painting selection. Lilith, being intelligent, had a deep understanding of art. I wasn’t surprised anymore. From there, we went to an aquarium and were soothed by the sight of cute marine life and fish. Natsume, you might have been trying to hide it, but I know you love rockhopper penguins. I also saw you lie poorly about going to the restroom to buy a penguin strap at the souvenir shop. You really wanted a penguin plush toy too, didn’t you? It’s okay to not hold back, just enjoy life with a smile. Lilith, who loves deep-sea fish, saw an anglerfish and said she wanted to eat anglerfish hot pot, so we all went to eat. It was delicious sake, with Marika-san pouring me drinks while I snacked on the anglerfish liver. …It was the best day. I wish days like this could last forever… Ah! Could this be it! This must be what ‘Rea Ju’ (living the fulfilling life) is!
Am I climbing the stairs to becoming ‘Rea Ju’?! Right, God!
Tonight, I’ll have sliced tongue with lemon juice. I’ll have YEBISU beer.
