Kanata sees Lilith off as she heads to the research facility. It’s a temporary farewell, though she’ll be back soon enough.
The matter with Lilith was settled yesterday, though it came at a precious cost for Ore.
Of all people, the one he shared his first kiss with was a ten-year-old child.
Lilith had intended to go all the way, even involving tongues.
Lilith, Lohengrin – he could only describe them as terrifying.
For now, Lilith needs to visit the research facility at least once.
He’s not sure how long she’ll be gone, but perhaps he should go see her off. If not, he fears the consequences. Lilith is the type to hold a grudge, no doubt about it.
The plan is to head to the research facility via helicopter from the Commander’s Building’s rooftop helipad.
When he arrives at the helipad at the scheduled departure time, Shuri is there with Lilith.
The escort helicopter has already arrived.
“Ciao, Corporal.”
Lilith seems to be in a good mood.
“Lilith, don’t cause any trouble over there.”
“I’ve also strongly advised her on that. The common sense of the Rose Garden is the uncommon sense of the Alliance Army.”
Shuri really does love her sermons.
“Yes, yes, I’ll be the best girl. Right, Corporal? You know my personality by now, don’t you?”
“…Ah, I feel like I didn’t want to know.”
“That’s why I think I’ll cause you trouble when I get back.”
“…I don’t want to, but I’m prepared.”
“So let’s make a promise. I’ll bother you without hesitation. So you can bother me without hesitation too. That’s the deal.”
“An equal exchange of trouble. Understood. It’s a promise.”
Shuri glares suspiciously and adds a condition.
“Don’t cause any trouble for the unit!”
Kanata and Lilith reply simultaneously.
“Impossible.” “Impossible.”
“Hey! I’m being serious!”
“That’s why I answered seriously. Corporal, here’s the first trouble. Here you go.”
Lilith hands Kanata a memo. It’s densely packed with a shopping list.
“Get all this by the time I return from the research facility.”
“Kanata, I’ll handle getting these. You’re probably not used to the base yet.”
“I appreciate that. Let me know the total cost later.”
Shuri’s meddling is truly helpful in situations like this. He takes the memo, indulging her kindness.
“Well, I need to get going. Oh, right, Corporal. Yesterday was intense, wasn’t it? It was quite good.”
“Whaaat? What was intense! Don’t say anything that could cause a serious misunderstanding!”
Kanata nervously looks at Shuri. She’s bright red, steam practically coming off her.
See, Shuri doesn’t get those kinds of jokes! Read the room!
“Kanata, I hope this isn’t true, but…”
“It’s not! Lilith is just a crude joker! Believe me!”
“…Kanata, you’re always talking about breasts! You can’t be trusted when it comes to women!”
“Lilith, this isn’t funny at all. You’re not planning to go to the research facility like this, are you!”
“Oh, I just meant I talked a lot in my sleep? Hey, Glasses, what did you think I meant? You’re so perverted. You have that kind of face.”
“Gah! … Ka-n-a-ta! Why did you bring someone like this into the First Unit!”
“Huh! It’s my fault!”
“If it’s not your fault, whose fault is it!”
“Alright, alright, that’s enough. You two virgins should get along.”
Who’s a virgin! … I am, though.
Shuri seems speechless, her mouth opening and closing.
Aren’t Shuri and Lilith the worst possible match?
A stickler who can’t take a joke vs. a little devil girl whose very existence is a joke.
Wow, they’re more than just oil and water. Kanata won’t take responsibility. He won’t, he really won’t.
Lilith, as she boards the helicopter with great flair, says,
“Then, revoir (Auf Wiedersehen). My short, uncircumcised, premature-ejaculation team.”
…He wants to disband that triple-threat team immediately.
Taking the two of them by surprise, the helicopter takes off.
Shuri puts a finger to his temple as usual.
“…Kanata, do you understand what I want to say?”
“…I do. But can we do it later? The Commander has summoned me.”
“The Commander? That’s serious, we need to go quickly. I’ll postpone the lecture.”
“Yeah, and while we’re at it, can you teach me how to maintain my sword later? I overused it during the Kidnap Operation, and the blade is getting rusty. They seem to have a sharpener in the Garden, but I want to learn myself. I can’t rely on a sharpener on the battlefield. Vodka said you have skills that rival a professional sharpener.”
“That’s an admirable mindset. I’d be happy to teach you. Come to the courtyard after you’re done with the Commander. I’ll have things prepared.”
Shuri is truly earnest and caring.
And although he lectures a lot, he always practices what he preaches.
Normally, someone who talks too much is disliked, but Shuri has charisma, so that’s not the case.
In fact, some of the thugs in the First Unit intentionally provoke Shuri to get him to lecture them.
They do it for their amusement. Lilith seems like she’d be the same type.
Kanata parts ways with Shuri and heads to the Commander’s office.
The Commander is, as usual, approving documents. It must be tough being a manager.
“Kanata, regarding Lilith, it’s alright to disclose her name and face, correct?”
“Yes, Lilith herself said she’d use sympathy to her advantage, so it’s not my place to say anything.”
“Then I’ll immediately send the recording of Lilith’s superb acting to the public relations department. It’s a masterpiece. Would you like to see it?”
“I’d like to.”
The Commander hands him a tablet. He plays the recording.
…Lilith was truly an actress. The intonation of her voice, the occasional tears, the melancholic expression—it was perfect.
She said she was confident in her acting, but he didn’t expect this much.
It would be a lie not to be swayed by this. He might have cried too if he hadn’t known Lilith’s true nature.
“I’d like to nominate her for this year’s Alliance Army Best Actress award.”
In his previous world, she might have won an Oscar.
“If I were on the selection committee, I’d give her the grand prize. She’s a terrifyingly talented girl. Oh, and public relations wants to interview you as well.”
“Me? For what reason?”
“You broke the record for Combat Cell infiltration rate in a solo operation. Plus, you’re the Ice Wolf’s nephew. You’re certainly newsworthy.”
“You’re not expecting me to aim for Best Actor, are you?”
“I don’t expect that much. But you will participate in the interview. Your balance sheet with me is extremely unfavorable, Kanata. We need to fill those holes a little.”
He wants to refuse, but he doesn’t think he has any power to reject it.
“It irks me to cooperate with the people who paraded Natsume around, but it’s unavoidable.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Those who paraded Natsume around are no longer here.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, they were very enthusiastic about improving the Alliance Army’s image. I thought I’d lend my meager support. So, I let them cover an assignment on the front lines. Those who were sent to exceptionally dangerous battlefields have, quite fortunately, been promoted by two ranks.”
“…You’re joking, right?”
“Do you think I’m joking? They were people who loved the Alliance Army deeply, so they must be rejoicing in the afterlife that they could help improve the Alliance Army’s image at the cost of their lives. It’s good to do good deeds. I felt quite pleased about it too.”
This is serious. How terrifying. He’s genuinely scared of this person.
“…Yes, it’s good to do good deeds, isn’t it? As expected of the Commander, your magnanimity is unparalleled.”
“You’re not just flattering me for nothing. I almost forgot the main reason I called you here. Kanata, as of today, you are promoted to Sergeant. I’ll skip the ceremony because it’s a hassle. Nobody does that here anyway. Here’s your new insignia.”
The insignia is tossed to him. Is there any army this careless?
“Uh, but I’ve only been in actual combat once…”
“When you came to the Garden, I told you. If you prove useful, I’ll reward you generously. I’ve read the report from the Kidnap Operation. In my assessment, while Marika is undoubtedly first in military achievements, you are second. You eliminated the garrison commander and greatly contributed to the capture of Type X. It’s only natural to reward your achievements. Accept it with pride.”
“Yes, then I won’t refuse.”
“Marika also told me to promote you quickly, and this is also a form of compensation. I intend to promote you further in the future. To that end, achieve more military merits.”
“Compensation?”
“I tried negotiating, but it was impossible to give Lilith a salary. Apparently, there are too many issues.”
“That’s understandable. So this is compensation.”
“That’s right. Oh, and by the way, your account has been credited with the normal combat merit bonus of 500,000, plus 4,500,000 as a personal gift from me, totaling 5,000,000 Credits. Please confirm it.”
“5,000,000! I can’t accept that much!”
“Money is never a burden, no matter how much you have. This amount also includes Lilith’s settlement allowance and immediate living expenses. Lilith appears to have been a noble young lady, so her indulgences are likely extravagant. So don’t be modest.”
“Y-yes, then I’ll gratefully accept.”
“That’s all. You’re dismissed.”
And so, Kanata was promoted to sergeant.
His wallet is also warmer. He should buy something. Investing in himself and his equipment is necessary for survival.
Shopping is fine, but he must be careful not to incur the Commander’s displeasure.
He doesn’t want an end like those public relations people who paraded Natsume around.
They are being given time that cannot be bought with money, even though it can be read for free, so I want to write an interesting story.
