It appears Kanata’s induction ceremony is being held. Kanata has resolved to change, but will he escape his lonely existence here?
I woke up to my alarm app, as usual.
I took a bottle of mineral water from the small refrigerator and drank it all in one go.
Apparently, my welcome party is scheduled for 6 PM today.
Honestly, I might not actually be welcomed, but there’s no point in thinking about things I can’t control.
I’ve successfully enlisted. I even have a beautiful and well-built superior officer now.
It’s a good development, wouldn’t you say? Maybe too good.
…Now, what should I do from here?
I was always a loner in high school and university. I lived my life avoiding interaction with others as much as possible.
Even if I had tried to connect with people, I might not have succeeded.
But then again, I never even tried to connect, so it’s only natural that I was a loner.
The “Namihei Loneliness Law” was a causality I created myself.
…I’ve decided. I’m going to change.
I might not be able to change. But I can at least try.
In my original world, I could have lived a life of proud solitude. I don’t think a lonely life is necessarily a bad thing.
However, in this world, I probably won’t be able to fight and survive on my own.
So, I will change. I’m not trying to become a saint beloved by everyone.
I want to be someone needed, even if it’s only within the very narrow world I can see.
Without someone to save me from dire situations, I’ll likely meet my end stuffed into a body bag.
…So I won’t run away from interacting with people anymore. That’s what I’ve decided.
Until the welcome party, it’s training time, just as Marika-san told me yesterday when we were shopping.
She said my fundamentals are completely lacking.
I’m being overwhelmed by my physical abilities and psychic powers, and my priorities are all messed up. She advised me to master the basics first.
I practice what I was taught in a small training room where I can train individually.
I repeatedly practice basic swordsmanship, the suburi. Then, martial arts forms, which I memorized from a computer program before going to sleep last night.
I repeat them diligently in front of the mirror. For the time being, it’s all about basic training.
I continued this until 5 PM. My enhanced body doesn’t falter even with strenuous training.
When my internal alarm signaled 5 PM, I returned to my room and took a shower.
Rose Garden has a large public bath with a jacuzzi, but I don’t feel like going there now.
I’m nervous. Marika-san has over a hundred subordinates. Will I be able to fit in?
Alright, let’s go. I’ve already decided, haven’t I? I won’t run from interacting with people in this world.
I took a light deep breath in front of the cafeteria and walked in with my chest puffed out.
Crackers sounded, welcoming me.
“Welcome to hell, newbie!”
“Boy, did you bring a coffin? You might need it soon.”
“Be careful, bullets don’t always come from the front.”
Quite the welcome. But it was like this in the army in the movies I watched in my old world.
In fact, if it were silent, I would have been more confused about how to react.
Since the reception was as I expected, I calmed down a bit.
“Asura’s Ace Unit, does that mean you’re aces in arguments?”
“Watch your mouth, brat. I’ll beat the harshness of life into you!”
A giant Caucasian man, over 2 meters tall, stepped in front of me.
Marika-san, who was sitting a little further back, slammed the table, and the clamor stopped instantly.
“Vodka, leave that for later.”
The giant shrugged and returned to his seat.
Marika-san stood up and walked over to my side.
“This is the new recruit, Corporal Kanata Amagake. As you can tell by his face, he’s Agito’s nephew.”
A girl who looked like a Japanese doll stood up.
“I don’t think we should let relatives of Captain Gammon join the unit. He’ll surely cause trouble.”
Voices chimed in agreement.
I had prepared myself for this, but it’s still happening.
Marika-san scanned her subordinates with a sharp gaze, and those who had followed fell silent.
As expected of Marika-san, she has perfect control over her subordinates. I’ll follow her forever.
“Agito was like that, so I really hated him too. But Kanata is the one I decided to put in the First Company. If anyone still has a problem, come forward.”
No one stepped forward. Naturally, who would dare oppose Marika-san?
It seemed the ruffians of the First Company felt the same.
“I’m too lazy to introduce all of you, so just the Company Captains. The rest can introduce themselves later.”
As Marika-san said this, a man in his late twenties, with slicked-back hair and narrow eyes, stood up.
“I am Rasen Isaribi, Lieutenant. I am the Deputy Leader of the First Company and also the Captain of the Second Company.”
Ah, Rasen-san. So he’s the number two.
Next, the displeased Japanese doll-like girl spoke.
“I am Hotaru Tomoshibi, Warrant Officer. Captain of the Third Company.”
She didn’t have to sound so displeased. Her face clearly said, “Die quickly.” I’m disliked.
Next to stand was an old man. He had long white hair tied back at the nape of his neck.
“I am Gengorou Tagame, Lieutenant. It’s a bit of a burden for an old man, but I serve as the Captain of the Fourth Company. Call me Gen-san. Nice to meet you, young man.”
Yes, nice to meet you too. Thank goodness, there’s finally a friendly person.
The last Company Captain was a man sitting next to Gen-san, who looked like a bookish chairman.
“I am Shurinosuke Utsusemi, Warrant Officer. Captain of the Fifth Company. Shurinosuke is long, so Shuri is fine. New recruit, I’ll overlook things within the Garden, but I won’t stand by if you disrupt discipline on the battlefield. Keep that in mind.”
So he’s the serious, chairman type that his appearance suggests. It’s kind of amazing that even this earnest character has given up on enforcing order within the Garden.
To summarize the self-introductions:
First Company: Marika-san, Captain. Overall Commander, with attractive large breasts and a great behind. Super big sister, wonderful, and invincible.
Second Company: Rasen-san, Lieutenant. Deputy Leader, a seemingly straightforward man with slicked-back hair and narrow eyes.
Third Company: Hotaru-san, Warrant Officer. Japanese doll-like. Estimated A-cup. Hates Agito and me.
Fourth Company: Gen-san, Lieutenant. A kind-looking old man. The only one friendly to me.
Fifth Company: Shuri-san, Warrant Officer. The bookish chairman type with glasses.
It seems these five Company Captains each lead twenty subordinates.
And there are about twenty staff members who are not combat personnel. It’s quite a large group.
After that, it turned into a drinking and singing feast.
It wasn’t really a welcome party for me. Marika-san said the main reason was just to have an excuse to make a racket, and she was right.
Still bound by the “Namihei Loneliness Law,” I, the guest of honor, sat alone drinking orange juice.
But a savior appeared. It was Gen-san.
“Are you enjoying yourself, young man?”
“Uh, Lieutenant Tagame, I am…”
“I told you to call me Gen-san. Honestly, no one here cares much about rank. Especially with the Commander being who she is.”
“I think that’s questionable for a military organization.”
“Then do you prefer a strict and formal army, young man?”
I shook my head. I dislike stuffiness too. It’s suffocating. My family was like that.
“You know, young man, you’re Ice Wolf’s nephew, aren’t you?”
“Yes, it seems my uncle has a bad reputation here. What did he do?”
“I’m not good with gossip, you see. Especially bad rumors.”
“It’s fine. It doesn’t matter to me what kind of person my uncle is.”
“Indeed, but not everyone may see it that way. It will be a harsh reality for you. However, if there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll always lend a hand.”
What, is that sweat in my eyes? Even in this world, there are humans!
“Thank you. I’ll ask for help if I can’t handle things.”
“Nonsense, old people live to meddle.”
Just then, a white man with long hair holding a beer can approached.
“What, the rookie isn’t drinking? Or can’t you drink?”
“I haven’t installed the alcohol decomposition app. How about you?”
“I’m Axel. Nice to meet you.”
“Axel-san, don’t you have a last name?”
“Axel is a nickname. My real name is Alexei Lycanov. Axel for short. I’m a Lieutenant and the leader of the Rigger team.”
In my old world, he’d be of Russian descent.
“Rigger, the meaning is indeed… Right. Do you operate winches?”
“I do that too. But in the army, we call those who operate combat vehicles Riggers. I can handle anything with a steering wheel, from Land Battleships to tricycles. Driving and repairs are my specialty.”
In my old world, I got a driver’s license, but I’m pretty much a paper driver.
I have a lot to learn from Axel-san.
“I look forward to working with you. I lack confidence in those areas.”
“You bet. I usually take care of my cute babies in the hangar, so feel free to visit anytime.”
“Yes, I’ll stop by soon.”
Then Axel-san whispered in my ear.
“I was headhunted by Marika-san from another unit a while ago. Were you too, Kanata?”
I whispered back.
“I was headhunted by the Commander.”
“The Commander has good taste, doesn’t she? She’s got E-cups, right?”
“Yes, I suspect she’s an E-cup too. Maybe an F-close E.”
“Good taste, brother. But the best breasts on this base belong to Marika-san. After all…”
“They’re ideal rockets, a miracle descended to Earth.”
Axel-san and I high-fived like Kakyoin and Polnareff.
It was the moment my soulmate was born.
When it comes to Shochu, I’m more of a barley shochu person.
