Here’s the translated text:
As I searched the internet for recent news, I felt that people’s interest was gradually waning.
Although various posts were still being uploaded to different communities and SNS, I could clearly sense that the frequency had significantly decreased.
On the contrary, my girlfriends were going through the tiring process of being investigated again, but their mental fatigue seemed to have lessened over the past day or two.
Of course, I couldn’t conclude that everything was fine just because I perceived it that way, but I felt slightly relieved.
The reason I was thinking so positively was that I was in a situation where I needed to get permission for an overnight stay for the first time.
I hadn’t been staying out overnight before, but when I met my girlfriends while hiding my identity, I would go out almost every day.
The biggest difference between then and now was that my girlfriends knew I belonged to Spacystro, and currently, I was living with them.
To be more precise, Yubin and Hayang weren’t living together yet, but they spent their days off at SuA’s place, which made it practically like living together.
Therefore, this was the first time I would be staying out overnight since moving in with my girlfriends.
Even though it was for work-related pre-inspection, the fact that I would spend a day away from home remained unchanged.
Though I felt it wasn’t such a big deal, my heart was racing and my eyes kept checking the clock for the time my girlfriends would return.
Every second felt unbearably long. I couldn’t think of a good way to break the silence.
Then I realized, “It’s not because of me that this is happening. I should just say things as they are.”
As if in response to my thoughts, the sound of the door lock signaled the arrival of my girlfriends.
I waited in the living room for them to come in, and greeted them as they entered.
“Welcome back.”
Their expressions clearly indicated they had something to say. I wasn’t good at keeping a poker face.
Even though I thought I hadn’t done anything wrong, talking about the overnight stay made me nervous.
“Yeah. Did you eat?”
“Not yet.”
“I’ll prepare it right away.”
Yura asked about eating, seemingly suspicious of my strange behavior. I had forgotten that I hadn’t eaten while waiting for my girlfriends.
Hayang went straight to the kitchen, and the girls dispersed to their rooms to rest after putting away their clothes.
“…”
I was left alone in the living room. I heard Hayang bustling around in the kitchen, but it didn’t register. It seemed impossible to find the right moment to speak.
In solitude, I realized why it was hard to bring up the overnight stay. In the past, I frequently met other girlfriends while hiding my identity, which was unacceptable by their standards.
Fortunately, they found out after everything happened. Otherwise, it could have caused a huge problem.
Now, I was dating my girlfriends, and some of them were wary of Luche.
I showed my feelings towards someone else first, so I couldn’t blame anyone.
I subconsciously knew that Luche would be wary if I went on a pre-inspection trip for 1 night and 2 days.
After calming down and thinking, I realized this pre-inspection wouldn’t be just the two of us, and Luche would find it difficult to join anyway. Siera seemed to be wary too, but she probably wouldn’t go either.
“Okay.”
I decided to discuss it after dinner and waited patiently for the girls to finish their baths. I helped Hayang prepare dinner since I felt idle.
It was a regular evening.
After the much-anticipated dinner,
“I might not be home for a day this week.”
My casual statement made my girlfriends’ gazes slowly turn toward me, as if in a horror movie scene.
“Where are you going?”
Hayang spoke first. Her usually warm voice sounded somewhat stiff.
My confidence that everything would be okay vanished instantly, but I thought they might listen if I explained calmly.
“I need to go for pre-inspection training at headquarters. I’ll probably leave tomorrow and return the day after…”.
I thought it was an unproblematic explanation, but seeing my girlfriends silently drinking beverages after dinner made me tense.
“A one-night, two-day trip?”
Relief washed over me when Yura, who showed no signs of suspicion, met my eyes.
“Yeah. With the team.”
I added unnecessarily to avoid any suspicion of going alone with someone.
As expected, my girlfriends seemed to think it was a solo trip, and their tense expressions relaxed a bit upon hearing it was a group trip.
“Luche is coming?”
Yubin asked sharply after taking a sip of water.
“No. Luche is busy with a conflict and can’t come.”
I deliberately spoke calmly to avoid giving the wrong impression by raising my tone or showing panic.
“Siera?”
“Siera isn’t coming either.”
I informed them that those who might be wary weren’t going. However, the girls’ expressions didn’t improve, suggesting they still had concerns.
Only Yura seemed amused by the current situation.
“Is it right to send someone who needs to fight to train?”
I regretted my words. I had only considered getting permission for the overnight stay, but reflecting on the situation, it seemed like I said, “She needs to train to become stronger for the fight, so let her go.”
It was natural that I couldn’t answer easily.
“Still, we won’t be competing with our team right now.”
“But that doesn’t mean we’ll never compete in the future.”
Since I always made a clear distinction between public and private matters, it felt awkward discussing public matters in a personal setting.
Usually, I treated each other as girlfriend and boyfriend, and during competitions, as Team HunterKiller and Spacystro.
Even during preparations for previous operations, I tried to keep personal emotions out of the meetings.
But now, I was discussing Spacystro while in a relationship with my girlfriends. Though it wasn’t unprecedented, it felt uncomfortable today.
“Will it work out?”
While I wanted to do my best in my role, if my girlfriends didn’t agree, I wouldn’t go. Choosing not to go on a pre-inspection wasn’t a problem since it was my decision.
Carefully observing their reactions, I asked Yubin, who looked at the other girls before turning to me.
“Where are you going?”
“Just a moment.”
I immediately took out my smartphone to show them the accommodation and training locations.
Although it could be a breach of confidentiality, since we had already performed joint operations, it didn’t seem odd. More importantly, not showing them would prevent me from getting permission.
“It looks nice.”
“It’s pretty here.”
“The night view is also beautiful?”
One by one, they commented on the photos. The location was indeed chosen for its beautiful night view.
And the look they gave me.
Now I understood. From the beginning, it wasn’t about the pre-inspection itself.
When I said I was going somewhere, they assumed I would go to a nice place. This had been proven last summer when we trained there.
Despite being cautious, the girlfriends who visited the training area had felt how nice it was.
So, in conclusion, the girlfriends wanted to travel.
I understood. Recently, they had many tiring days, but they hadn’t really taken proper rest.
“Let’s go together next time.”
Their expressions brightened at this.
SuA didn’t outwardly show it, but her gaze suggested she was pleased.
“Okay. It’s a group trip, and Luche and Siera aren’t going, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
They still seemed concerned about Luche and Siera.
They firmly stated that Luche and Siera weren’t going, and although they were tense, they seemed to have received permission to go.
“This week, there won’t be any competitions. You can relax a bit.”
“But I’m not sure if I can truly relax.”
Yu-ra looked melancholic at the void, and all I could muster was an awkward smile.
It had been a long time since the last competition, and now it was canceled again.
While the context of resting without competition was similar, the essence was different. Previously, they rested while anticipating the next competition, whereas now they could rest knowing there would be no competitions for a while.
Given how busy my girlfriends were, it might be hard for them to truly relax, but I hoped they could at least feel a little lighter.
“It would be a relief if we don’t get criticized.”
“That’s also a concern.”
Every comment made me realize there was no room for rest.
Although I couldn’t recover all the money embezzled during the investigation, normal salary payments were now being made. But if the news came out that Team HunterKiller wouldn’t be competing this week, there would surely be criticism.
I was preoccupied with the investigation, but would people understand?
There were many things to worry about, but I believed it was right to focus on my own tasks as much as they focused on theirs.
The next day.
At headquarters, preparing the materials needed for the pre-inspection, Esmeralda approached me.
“Ai. How did it go? Did you get permission?”
“Yes. As a condition, we agreed to go on a trip together next time.”
“Thank goodness.”
Esmeralda smiled, relieved that I had received permission. Since I was in charge of designing the training, she seemed reassured that I could go without issues.
“What’s the schedule for tomorrow?”
“In the morning, we’ll gather at headquarters and depart. Some will take a minibus, and I’ll pack some luggage in my car.”
“Will the Team Leader be going alone?”
“Probably not.”
“If the seat is available, I’d like to sit next to you.”
“Is that okay?”
“As long as you’re not against it, Team Leader.”
Though it was a work-related pre-inspection, even if it was work, driving alone was quite boring.
I thought having someone next to me would make it less monotonous, so I suggested going together, and Esmeralda nodded.
“Then, I’ll prepare some documents to check tomorrow.”
“Got it. Oh, have you booked the accommodation yet?”
“No. I’ll do it shortly.”
“No, there’s a lot to do. I’ll handle it. Take a break.”
“Thank you.”
I accepted Esmeralda’s offer to book the accommodation and reviewed the documents again.
Since it was a pre-inspection for the training site, I needed materials that could be used there.
Busy as ever, I organized the documents, and the next morning arrived.
Since it was officially approved, I felt no burden going on the pre-inspection.
I went to Esmeralda’s car and grabbed the documents and mock training equipment to check.
After loading the trunk and backseat with items, I got into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt.
“Nice car.”
“I wanted to get a suitable one, but they insisted I take one appropriate for my rank.”
“Esmeralda, this seems fine.”
“You’re teasing me?”
“Absolutely serious.”
Before departure, we chatted playfully, creating a friendly atmosphere.
Though it had been a while since I spent such time with Esmeralda, I felt no awkwardness, and the pre-inspection seemed to proceed as planned.
