Despite the darkness of the night, the bright winter moon illuminated the forest without a single light.
The black suit, optimized to hide in the dark, was enhanced with infrared detection-blocking features to avoid any possible detection.
“How does everyone feel about their suits?”
While approaching the large warehouse visible in the darkness, I checked on the condition of others. I felt no discomfort as I was wearing my original suit again, but the team leaders who had worn normal suits for a long time would feel quite different.
Especially, the HunterKiller team, who had only worn hyper-human suits until now, would likely experience even greater discomfort.
“It’s not bad. Feels a bit stuffy though.”
“It’s the only thing we could get quickly and without suspicion while preparing this operation in secret.”
We had chosen the most convenient and quickest option available, so despite the outdated discomfort, there was no other choice.
“Then we’ll have to bear with it.”
Yura’s thin laughter could be heard through the communication device on the helmet.
“Is there anything suspicious around?”
Everyone heightened their senses to continuously check for potential dangers. There was nothing noticeable in the quiet forest.
The towering warehouse building stood out amidst the eerie silence, creating a sense of pressure.
“Weren’t there any security devices?”
“Even if they’re not visible, they’ll notice us when we enter.”
We checked all entrances but saw no signs of security devices. If this were truly a transmission base, entering would trigger detection.
Although visible items couldn’t be helped, we hoped there were no infrared detection devices. More importantly, we hoped this place was indeed the transmission base. The operation was planned considering the possibility of discovery, so having this warehouse as the base would be advantageous.
“Then let’s each team enter and meet inside.”
Including me, ten people were involved in this operation. We formed teams of two and planned to enter through separate entrances to find the entry points.
Team One consisted of Esmeralda and Green.
Team Two was Siera and Pink.
Team Three was Luche and Blue.
Team Four was Angelique and Yellow.
The last, fifth team, was me and Red.
I structured the teams considering their combat roles and operational capabilities to maximize efficiency. However, I hoped there wouldn’t be any conflicts due to individual personalities.
Upon reaching the side door of the warehouse, I examined the surroundings and peeked inside through a nearby window.
The dark warehouse was silent, with no signs of life.
“There’s nothing here?”
“The outside is the same.”
While I was checking inside, Red looked outside, but both places were empty.
“Let’s go in.”
I grabbed the doorknob and tried to open the locked door, but it didn’t budge. I used the lock-picking kit I prepared in advance to open it.
As soon as the door opened, I entered and waited for Red to come in before closing the door behind her.
The inside was pitch-black, with no visibility. In contrast, the moonlit exterior was much brighter.
Using the night vision feature on my helmet, I secured a clear view.
Inside the warehouse, there were numerous objects: cardboard boxes, wooden crates, and metal containers.
If this place was indeed a transmission base, there must be a control room for managing equipment. Initially, I didn’t think the control room would be on the ground level.
The warehouse was vast, making it difficult to navigate if one got lost, but crucial facilities were likely underground.
“Let’s look for an entrance.”
Moving slowly and quietly, Red and I searched for an entrance to the underground area.
At the same time, Siera and Pink discovered an entrance to the large warehouse.
Siera approached the door first and entered, followed by Pink, who then slung her gun over her shoulder.
“What do you see?”
“Nothing at all.”
Siera, after entering, found something unusual inside, but upon gaining a clearer view, she saw nothing.
“If you were a researcher here, what would you do?”
Pink’s question redirected Siera’s attention from the front to the person behind her.
“It’s a simple path, but the entrance might be hidden where it’s not easily seen.”
“Right?”
Pink leaned against the wall, checking for approaching objects by carrying her gun forward.
Siera also searched the area and climbed onto a large container box.
“I don’t see anything.”
“Of course not.”
After hearing Pink’s response, Siera checked the surroundings from atop the container, realized there was nothing above, and considered the possibility of being detected below, then descended.
“We need to search around. We should consider corners too.”
“Why bother?”
Siera stopped and turned her head at Pink’s unchanging reply.
“What?”
Despite the helmets, they could tell their eyes met.
“Do you only know how to repeat yourself?”
Siera took issue with Pink’s repetitive responses, which made Pink tilt her head in confusion.
“Is there a problem?”
While the responses themselves weren’t bothersome, the casual attitude bothered Siera.
“We understand that we’re not liked, but our goal is to successfully complete the mission.”
“Yes, but it seems like you’re misunderstanding something.”
“What?”
“You don’t dislike ‘us,’ you dislike ‘me.'”
Even though they were with members like A, the directness of Pink’s speech wasn’t outwardly apparent. Pink had always been straightforward, even during her initial meeting with Yellow.
In recent times, Pink’s overall happiness had increased, making her more relaxed in conversation, except with Siera.
On the day Red hacked the director’s computer:
A left home first, and the HunterKiller team members, including Siera, heard stories from Red.
They heard about Siera and the past of A from Siera.
Red had hesitated about sharing these stories but decided it was best to share everything experienced and heard with the team.
At that moment, Pink developed a strong negative impression of Siera.
“So you plan to keep this attitude?”
“There’s no need to be overly friendly.”
From the start, the atmosphere between them was poor.
Pink openly showed discomfort, and Siera felt resentment towards the obvious discomfort.
“Do you know anything about me?”
“Yes. You’re the one who attacked our leader unexpectedly, not on the day of the match.”
Siera knew Pink was aware of her confrontation with Red and that she belonged to the HunterKiller team. Since it was true that Siera attacked first, she had no excuse.
“But thanks to that, I ended up living with A.”
Siera learned about A living at Yellow’s house during their first gathering. Luche suggested holding a meeting at Yellow’s house, and A facilitated it.
During the meeting at Yellow’s house, they realized A lived with someone else.
“What’s your complaint?”
There was no intention to resolve discomfort before the mission. Siera disliked Pink just as much, and the entire HunterKiller team, including Pink, did not particularly like Siera.
However, the thought that they merely didn’t like her had quickly soured due to Pink’s attitude.
“It’s odd that you boast about A having a girlfriend when you’re just sitting back.”
Siera visibly reacted under her helmet.
Pink’s comment wasn’t solely because of Siera attacking Red. Through conversations with Red, Pink learned about Siera’s behavior and words towards A.
While some details might have been inaccurate since Pink hadn’t heard them directly from Siera, the information conveyed by Red matched closely with what A had told Red.
“So you want me to give up?”
“There’s no need to give up. I can still hold onto my feelings.”
Pink, confident in her feelings for A, understood the feelings of those who liked him.
“I support polyamory.”
The HunterKiller team had led unhappy lives until meeting A. After meeting A, their expressions and actions changed, allowing them to experience happiness.
Since they wanted to share this great happiness, Pink supported A’s polyamorous relationships.
Wearing a helmet, Pink suddenly approached Siera and removed her helmet.
Pink, usually smiling, now had a stern expression.
“But I don’t want to yield to you.”
For Pink, the enemy was no longer Spacystro. Even before, Spacystro was an enemy in public matters, but after meeting A, Pink’s private matters became intertwined with A.
Now, anyone harming A was considered an enemy.
Regardless of Siera’s feelings, Siera was an enemy to Pink for hurting A.
“That works out well.”
Seeing Pink, who had removed her helmet and was glaring at her, Siera also removed her helmet. Her narrowed eyes and intense gaze were directed at Pink.
To Siera, A was a precious person. A had helped her overcome her shyness and had been by her side for years.
The time when A relied on Siera and vice versa was irreplaceable.
But over time, Siera had taken actions that hurt A, and she acknowledged her mistakes.
However, she didn’t want to be lectured by the HunterKiller team for admitting her faults.
She had spent more time with A and wanted to hold onto her position, which remained unchanged.
“What can I do? I’m not planning to give up.”
“That’s serious. I don’t want to see you getting closer to A anymore.”
“Are you planning to take A somewhere?”
“No. I’m going to join Spacystro.”
Hearing Pink’s words, Siera couldn’t speak. She first thought she had misheard and then recalled Pink’s words.
“I don’t mind if any member of ours does anything with A. It’s fine even if they kiss in front of me or have sex without me. I know I can spend time with A.”
Pink’s emotions were more openly displayed. This wasn’t just about discomfort or dissatisfaction.
It was about the hostility and anger towards a woman who had hurt her man.
“Even if more women join A, it’s fine. Whether it’s ten more or a hundred, it doesn’t matter. But I can’t accept you.”
“Do you have the right to decide? Ultimately, the choice is A’s.”
The wrinkles on Pink’s furrowed brow smoothed out, and her expression softened. A smile appeared on her lips.
“I think I have enough rights as a girlfriend. Oh… maybe you don’t understand because you’re not a girlfriend?”
Siera’s face twisted as she narrowed her eyebrows.
