Kanata, who was standing out in various places, was approached by what seemed to be a salaryman from a weapons trading company.
Today’s curriculum ended without any major issues.
I considered taking a taxi back to the hotel, but I changed my mind and decided to take the subway.
Ligrit’s subway is apparently safe, and there’s no need to waste money.
Lilith told me that wasting money is something a fool would do.
The Officer Curriculum is almost a month long, so the difference between taxis and subways will be quite significant.
There seemed to be an entrance to the subway near the Joint Operations Headquarters, so I thought I’d head there.
As I started walking towards the subway entrance, someone called out to me.
“You are Sergeant Amakake, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
The man who called out to me was an Izuruha, around his mid-thirties, with slightly graying hair, wearing a suit and carrying a business bag.
He looked like a typical salaryman. I wondered what a legitimate salaryman would want with me, a member of the Garden mafia.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Takeomi Momochi, Assistant Manager at Pendulum, a comprehensive weapons trading company.”
He said this and handed me a business card.
“Ah, thank you. I don’t have a business card…”
“Please don’t worry about it. For soldiers with a moniker, your reputation is your business card. Forgive my impoliteness, but I would like to take some of your time. What are your plans for today?”
“I don’t have any particular plans… what is this regarding?”
“I would like to discuss the development of specialized equipment for Sergeant Amakake.”
Specialized equipment! When you say specialized equipment, do you mean like those things where a Zaku’s head gets horns!
“Y-yes. But isn’t it too soon for a new recruit like me to have specialized equipment?”
“No, no, you seem to be interested. How about we discuss the details at my office?”
Hmm, is it okay to just go ahead and talk about this sort of thing?
As long as I don’t make any decisions, it should be fine.
“I’ll listen for now.”
“Yes, we are grateful just to be able to speak with you. Please follow me to the car.”
I decided to go to Pendulum Company in Mr. Momochi’s car.
Pendulum Company seemed to be renting a ground-floor space in a medium-sized office building.
A rented office, huh. Ares Heavy Industries, the industry giant on the Alliance Army side, had a massive headquarters building next to the Shangri-La Hotel.
Well, a company doesn’t have to be huge to be good.
I was led to Pendulum’s lounge and was offered coffee.
“This is delicious. Good coffee.”
“Sergeant Amakake, you prefer strong coffee, don’t you? I’m glad it suits your taste.”
Mr. Momochi said this casually and took a sip of his own coffee.
“…Did you look into me?”
“Of course. Knowing our customers’ preferences is fundamental to business.”
I don’t understand business fundamentals. I changed from being a university student to a soldier.
“May we get to the point right away?”
“Yes, please.”
“As I mentioned earlier, the matter concerns the development of specialized equipment for Sergeant Amakake. What kind of gun are you using at the moment?”
“The Ares Man-Eater. It’s the officially adopted firearm of the Alliance Army.”
“The Man-Eater is a good gun. It’s easy to handle without any quirks and is difficult to break. It’s a rival company’s product, but it deserves to be the officially adopted firearm. However, I believe Sergeant Amakake should be using an even superior weapon.”
“But my shooting relies on FCS, I’m not that skilled.”
I understood that well during the shooting training this afternoon. In reality, I was vastly inferior to Shion, who specialized in sniping, and even compared to Danny.
“However, humans grow. There are significant advantages to getting used to a good gun from now on.”
“I agree, but wouldn’t the benefit to your company be minimal? I’m a new recruit, someone who could go either way. It’s more likely not to be an advertisement for your company. You should avoid risk after my abilities are proven.”
“That would be too late. Our Pendulum Company is about sixth in the industry. Sergeant Amakake, you seem to have a sharp mind, so you understand the implications, don’t you?”
I’m being flattered. But I understand.
“So it’s a preemptive investment, anticipating the risk.”
“Precisely. If we were to make offers to soldiers who have already established their abilities and reputation, like Ares Heavy Industries does, we wouldn’t be taken seriously. The weak have their own way of fighting. Furthermore, Sergeant Amakake, while a new recruit, is an elite of the Asura Unit and a subordinate of the Alliance’s Ace, Marika of the Scarlet Eye, which makes us want to invest in your future.”
“I see. Being a subordinate of Marika-san might indeed be appealing.”
“Sergeant Amakake, you seem to dislike being compared to your uncle, and I apologize if this offends you, but the name recognition of being the nephew of that Ice Wolf is also, frankly speaking, appealing.”
This Mr. Momochi seems to know me well and is trying to understand me.
…I want any equipment that will help me survive, especially if it can compensate for my weakness in shooting.
Alright, I’ll go with it. It’s probably thanks to Marika-san and Agito’s name value, but at least this person was the first to approach me.
“May I contact our Commander? It’s not wise to make a decision on my own.”
“Oh! So you are considering our proposal positively!”
“Yes, it’s an all-benefit situation for me, and I’m impressed by Mr. Momochi’s thoughtfulness in researching even my coffee preferences. For soldiers, weapons are partners we entrust our lives to, so I want careful consideration.”
I contacted the Commander. The Commander’s answer was simple and clear.
“Take what you can get.”
So straightforward, just like the Commander.
“I have received the Commander’s permission. May I hear the specifics?”
“Yes, with pleasure. Before we discuss, I would like to take measurements of Sergeant Amakake’s body, hand size, muscle strength, and so on. We will discuss how to proceed with the development of specialized equipment while looking at that data.”
With no particular plans and free time, I decided to have various measurements taken at Pendulum Company.
Following the consultation after the physical measurements, we decided to start with the development of a specialized gun.
This was because my intention of wanting a gun that would compensate for my weak shooting skills aligned with Pendulum Company’s intention of targeting new recruits who are not yet skilled shooters.
“We will begin designing the prototype immediately. Once the sample is ready, we will deliver it to your hotel so you can give us your feedback.”
“Understood. Thank you. I hope we can have a long and fruitful relationship.”
“We will strive with all our sincerity to ensure you have a long-lasting relationship with our company.”
I wonder if he knows I might die in battle soon. Mr. Momochi is a good person.
I shook hands with Mr. Momochi and left Pendulum Company’s premises.
The sun had completely set by the time I returned to the hotel.
I’ll go back to my superior room, take a shower, and then review today’s lessons.
After that, it’s back to exploring izakayas. I’m really becoming quite picky about my drinks.
When I returned to my superior room, I found a sealed envelope on the floor.
…A letter for me. And it was delivered directly to my room. I hope it’s a love letter.
I picked up the envelope. The address on the front read “To Kanata Amakake.” On the back… it said “From Kotomi.”
As expected, it’s from a woman. Let’s see, I’ll open the envelope and check the contents.
“I have something important to tell you. Meet me tonight at 11 PM at Warehouse 2, Block D-11, at the Black Dragon Bridge pier. Come alone without telling anyone.”
It’s an invitation for a rendezvous. What should I do?
It doesn’t seem like a trap. I have a feeling about who it might be, and if it were a trap, it would be more subtly laid.
The sender, Kotomi, seems confident that I will come alone without telling anyone.
That confidence… is correct, Kotomi.
Happy New Year.
This is my first post from the shrine grounds. I look forward to your continued support this year.
