It seems that Kanata, who usually has no luck, will be able to go on a date with Marika.
After leaving Volcano Pizza, Marika-san and I head towards the motorcycle parked in the lot in front of the store.
I couldn’t properly eat pizza because of the trouble with Shion. The two left in the store will probably clean up, but…
Marika-san straddles the motorcycle and beckons me to sit on the back seat.
“Get on, let’s go for a ride along the coast.”
Taking her up on her offer, I sit behind her without hesitation and wrap my arms around Marika-san’s waist.
“Here I go! Hold on tight!”
With a sudden start that lifts the front wheel, I hastily tighten my grip on her waist.
The crimson motorcycle, speeding along, arrives at the coastal highway in less than ten minutes.
Marika-san is first-rate at everything she does, including being a Rigger.
The setting sun sinking into the ocean is beautiful. I feel it even more strongly because I’m with Marika-san.
After racing along the highway for a while, Marika-san rides into a service area for a cigarette break.
“Marika-san, there’s an observation deck. Want to go up?”
“Forget it, I’m not a kid. Or are you saying ‘fortune favors the bold’?”
“It’ll be fine, just this once. We won’t be able to see the sea when we get back to the Garden.”
“Can’t be helped, I guess.”
Marika-san puts out her cigarette in a portable ashtray and takes my hand, leading me towards the observation deck.
Alright, it’s starting to feel a bit like a date now.
From the top of the observation deck, we could see the entire bay of Ligrit.
A huge tanker is sailing out towards the setting sun.
The sea breeze feels good against my cheeks. It’s been a while since I felt the sea breeze.
“Kanata, about becoming a squad leader, are you okay with that?”
I think it’s rude to talk about work during a date.
“Lilith said that being ordered to take the Officer Curriculum meant just that. So it’s true, isn’t it?”
“It is. You’re cunning and tenacious. So you should be good at keeping your subordinates alive.”
Is she praising me or scolding me? It seems like she has expectations for me, though.
“If you have expectations, I will meet them. If there’s no retreat, I advance. I might run away from life to survive, but I’ve decided I won’t run from my life anymore.”
“You’ve changed a bit. You met Princess Mikoto last night, was that the reason?”
“…Maybe.”
Huh? Marika-san, why do you look displeased?
“Don’t get conceited just because you received various gifts. You were probably encouraged by those ‘warm words,’ but the princess of Terukyo won’t save you on the battlefield. …I am the one who will hone your fangs. Don’t forget that?”
“Yes, Mom. No need to remind me.”
“Good, if you understand. Have you enjoyed the sea breeze enough? I have a dinner meeting with Brigadier General Hinkley. Shall we go?”
“Dinner with the Brigadier General?! I wasn’t told!”
“That’s why I’m telling you now. Is there a problem?”
“…No.”
When we descended from the observation deck and returned to where the motorcycle was parked, Marika-san tossed me the key.
“Why the key?”
Marika-san sat on the back seat and said,
“I’m telling you to drive. You can do it, right?”
“I can, but is it okay? It’s your motorcycle.”
“It’s not mine, it’s yours.”
“Huh? I don’t remember buying a motorcycle.”
“It’s a gift from Iska. A reward for being headhunted.”
Ah, I see. The Commander is generous and thoughtful, isn’t she? Despite her arrogant personality.
“If that’s the case, I shall gratefully accept it. I shall name it Flora.”
“…I knew you’d do it, you’re naming it after a woman again.”
It’s fine, isn’t it? I decided I’d name my on-road motorcycle Flora.
Still, if I had known I would be transported to another world, I should have shed tears and chosen one route to clear.
The scenario writer should have prepared a “two beautiful girls” route for indecisive people like me.
While enjoying the view of her “rocket breasts” from behind, I rode the motorcycle to the seafood restaurant where we were meeting Brigadier General Hinkley.
With the navigation system, I won’t get lost. It’s really convenient to have the route guidance directly in my eyeballs.
“Pirate’s Nest,” the restaurant chosen by Brigadier General Hinkley, was just like him.
Inside, it was filled with soldiers; it seemed the Hinkley Division had booked the entire place.
Brigadier General Hinkley’s subordinates welcomed us with whistles and cheers.
“Whoa, here come the thugs from the Asura Unit!”
“Thanks for the other day. You saved my life.”
“Hey, Scarlet Eye sister. Won’t you spend a night with me?”
What? You want me to spend a night with Marika-san? Should I glare at you with my Wolf Eye?
Just like that, Marika-san and I were quickly surrounded by the subordinates of Brigadier General Hinkley.
The Brigadier General’s subordinates have a mentality close to that of the Asura Unit.
“Be quiet! You’re preventing our guests from getting to their seats! Scatter at once!”
The Brigadier General, who was drinking rum with high-ranking officers at a table in the back, raised his voice.
Since the cordon was lifted, we approached the table where Brigadier General Hinkley was.
“We have arrived, Brigadier General, accepting your invitation.”
No matter who the other party is, Marika-san is still Marika-san.
Brigadier General Hinkley downed a bottle of rum in one go and handed a brand-new bottle on the table to Marika-san.
Marika-san glanced at me, then threw the bottle she received into the air.
Oh dear, my drawing sword art, Fourth Slash, Koryu, is still in practice.
I focused my nerves, aimed at the spinning bottle in the air, and drew my treasure sword Kirabu!
All right, it was successful. I successfully cut off the mouth of the bottle.
Marika-san caught the rum bottle, glanced at the cut surface, and took a sip with a satisfied expression.
“Kanata, your sword-drawing technique is becoming quite decent.”
“I’m making progress every day.”
“Good skill. Kenrou, Marika’s subordinate, wasn’t it?”
I received words of praise even from Brigadier General Hinkley, who was crushing walnuts with one hand as a snack.
“My name is Kanata Amakake. Pleased to meet you.”
“Oh, this is my favorite place. I’d say, ‘Please relax and make yourselves at home since I’ve booked it all,’ but I have something confidential to discuss. Let’s talk in the back room.”
Saying that, Brigadier General Hinkley headed for the door at the back of the restaurant, and we followed.
Unlike the pirate tavern interior, the back room was calm and tastefully decorated.
There were sea maps and a ship’s wheel on the walls; it seemed to be modeled after a captain’s cabin.
On a cozy table, there were cold appetizers like smoked salmon and caviar, along with various alcoholic beverages; the hospitality was well-prepared.
“Well, please sit. Does the wine brand suit your taste?”
“It’s passable. I’ll accept it thankfully.”
Marika-san gave a curt rating, then quickly opened the full-bodied wine with a wine opener and transferred it to a decanter to avoid disturbing the sediment.
“I shall strive to receive a passing grade next time. Kenrou, open the vodka. Vodka goes well with caviar.”
I agree, vodka and caviar are a perfect match.
I poured vodka into the Brigadier General’s glass and then into my own.
“Then let’s toast. To us and the glory of the Alliance Army.”
“To glory.” “May there be glory.”
The sound of glasses clinking echoed in the room.
“So, Brigadier General, what is it you wanted to discuss?”
“First, let me thank you. It’s thanks to you that we were able to turn a losing battle around. I avenged my subordinates and saved face. I owe you one.”
“Tell Iska, thanks. We were just following orders.”
“The matter concerns Commander Midou. What is she trying to do?”
“She’s trying to seize power. We are her pawns.”
“And he wants me as a pawn, is that it?”
“I think so. Otherwise, she wouldn’t mobilize all the thugs to support her, would she?”
Brigadier General Hinkley took out a cigarette, and I lit it for him.
Since there were many smokers around, I had bought a pure silver lighter.
“You’re thoughtful, young man. You can smoke without concern.”
“I don’t smoke. This is just a prop for carrying tea for others.”
Marika-san, with a look of exasperation, said,
“Kanata, you’re really petty, or rather, you give off a small-time vibe…”
Leave me alone. Seizing opportunities to score points is my way of getting through life.
“Getting back to the topic, what does Commander Midou intend to do by seizing power?”
“She says she’s going to change the world.”
“Changing the world, that’s a big claim. How does Commander Midou intend to change the world?”
“Who knows? I don’t know that much either. But Iska is Marshal Asura’s daughter. She must have the Marshal’s ideals within her heart. Whatever world Iska creates, it will surely be better than the current situation where the Mechanist Army and the brass hats of the Unified Operations Headquarters are in control, so I’m cooperating. I’ve known Iska since we were kids.”
Even though Marika-san has known Commander for a long time, the Commander is terrifying because her true intentions are hard to read.
I can feel Iska’s desire to realize the ideals Marshal Asura aimed for, but it seems like she won’t shy away from any means to achieve it.
The Commander loves underhanded tactics.
“That’s true, no matter how she changes it, it can’t get worse. I’ve always been a lone wolf, but perhaps it’s time for me to submit, huh… Let’s go with Commander Midou. Please tell her that.”
Brigadier General Hinkley exhaled cigarette smoke along with his words of resolve.
Alright, things went according to the Commander’s plan. Brigadier General Hinkley is a seasoned, battle-hardened warrior; it seems I can rely on him.
I’m on the “Umakkachan” side over “Sapporo Ichiban.”
