Leaning on his chin, he sat absentmindedly, his gaze scanning the contents of the document in his hand.
“So, this is how it’s used.”
He had been reviewing the training evaluation points and the training materials from previous sessions. Having conducted a preliminary survey, he thought it would be helpful to look at the training conducted by other teams in the training grounds to create a diverse environment, so he had searched for the materials and was now reading through them.
“This is frustrating.”
Up until now, he had rarely been fully responsible for a single task during his many activities. But recently, it seemed like the number of tasks he had to take full responsibility for had increased.
How did it come to this? he wondered, but when he traced back through time, he realized that all of this was the result of his own actions, so he couldn’t blame anyone.
He didn’t even feel like blaming anyone. He thought he had to take responsibility for the many things he had done. The one saving grace was that he could handle things within the scope of the experience he had accumulated.
Still, taking on total responsibility is no easy task. Even during the operation to raid the radio base, he had taken on the role of overall responsibility, but at that time, the abilities of the people who executed the operation with him were so good that it went smoothly.
There were people who could fully cover the areas where his physical abilities fell short, and although his role was the most important, it was also the least dangerous.
In fact, the most dangerous tasks were handled by his girlfriends and the team leaders who dealt with the endless onslaught of robots at the radio base.
But this time is very different from then. While the team leaders are providing assistance, since they are also participating in the training, he has to take charge of most of the training design.
In previous training sessions, the team leaders designed and participated in the training, and since they knew a lot of information, there were no competitive elements between the teams.
But this time, it was decided to proceed with the training based on competition between the teams, so it’s not possible to provide much information to the participating teams.
And it was also me who proposed this inter-team competition.
“Sigh.”
A sigh naturally escaped him, but since the water was already spilled, there was no other way but to do his best to design the training.
“That’s a deep sigh.”
His mind was so absorbed in the document that he didn’t notice the approaching presence, but he felt a warm sensation on the back of his head accompanied by a voice. He could immediately tell that it was Angelique who had approached.
“There’s a lot to check.”
“It must be tiring, right? Since we’ve been conducting training based on absolute evaluation, there probably isn’t much data.”
The team leaders always planned the training schedules, and among them, Angelique was the most influential.
Having served as a commander for quite some time, Angelique knew a lot about designing various training programs. Similarly, if Esmeralda, who has also been a commander for a long time, is well-versed in the air force, then Angelique is well-versed in the infantry, which is the difference between them.
“Is there something you’re looking for?”
Wondering why Angelique had suddenly come, he turned his chair to face her. Angelique, dressed in casual clothes, was smiling warmly as usual and holding a bundle of documents.
“Not exactly looking for something. I have something to give you.”
“Something to give me?”
As soon as he received the bundle of documents, he checked the cover first. Seeing that the cover was blank, he tilted his head, and Angelique spoke with a smile.
“There were some training materials left from when I was in the Motherland, so I brought them. I thought they might be helpful.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best to make good use of them.”
Any additional material is helpful. Even though it’s just Angelique’s past training materials, using them alone provides training information, but training is always conducted by referencing numerous previous training sessions.
There are certainly training sessions designed independently, but they say there’s no greater asset than experience. Utilizing existing materials saves much more time than starting from scratch.
And even if you review previous materials like this, it doesn’t mean you can unconditionally adapt to the training situation. Both training and real combat are always in a state of tension, and you never know what variables might arise.
Experience improves responsiveness, but that doesn’t mean you can respond to everything.
Just as he was about to look through the materials Angelique had given him, he turned his head at the sound of the door opening in the distance.
“Hello.”
A few members of Team 1 entered the office and greeted Esmeralda.
It was the first time he had seen her since the preliminary survey. Her demeanor was no different from before the survey.
Her steady posture and sharp gaze. Her cold expression could make even acquaintances nervous.
“Hello, Captain Esmeralda.”
Esmeralda, who had entered the office, was heading to her room and happened to pass in front of him.
“Yes. Good morning.”
When he greeted her, she gave her usual response. Nothing had changed.
At least on the surface. Internally, things had changed a lot.
The momentary glance directed at me. The trembling lips when she replied. The strangely quickened pace as she passed by. Each of these made me feel a sense of discomfort, clearly indicating that things were different from before.
I think others probably wouldn’t notice. Sharing emotions just by making eye contact is something only possible between people who’ve shared something deep within their hearts.
Esmeralda entered her room, and Angelique, who was next to me, looked back and forth between me and Esmeralda’s door.
“Did something happen?”
“!”
For a moment, I almost gasped. I tried to stay as calm as possible, not letting anything show, and I looked at Angelique.
“No. Why?”
The moment I answered, I thought I was done for. My tone wasn’t as relaxed as usual when speaking to Angelique, and my gaze was unstable. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before I’d be found out.
“Just… Esmeralda seems a little different than usual.”
“Is that so? Maybe she’s not feeling well?”
I couldn’t even bring myself to look Angelique in the eyes. Just lying to her, who’s always been so nurturing, made me feel guilty.
“……”
Angelique stared at me without saying a word. If she’d said something, I could’ve made up an excuse, but since she didn’t, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything either.
“Is everything okay with the team leader?”
“Everything okay?”
This is it. She’s definitely going to think something happened.
Trying to change the subject, I ended up asking if everything was okay. Even I knew it was a stupid question.
Asking if everything was okay after hearing her ask if something had happened clearly shows I was conscious of her question.
“I’m okay. Siera’s been acting a little strange lately.”
“Team Leader Siera?”
“Yes. She’s not exactly acting strange, but it’s more like she’s changed somehow.”
I hadn’t spoken much with Siera recently. After we talked about each other, the frequency of our conversations had dropped drastically. In fact, it’s safe to say there’s been none at all since then.
So, I had no idea what Siera had been thinking lately or what she’d been up to in the past few days.
Considering the various events that happened, she had been a friend for the longest time, and I knew she’d always been concerned about me, so Angelique’s comment about Siera seeming different made me concerned.
“Specifically, how?”
“Not in appearance, but she’s become more cautious in her actions. She hasn’t been clashing with Luche.”
Since we hadn’t been talking, I had no clue what could have caused this.
Could something really have happened to her during the time we weren’t in touch?
“Did something happen between you and Siera?”
Angelique asked me in a confident tone. It was a question, but she clearly thought something had happened between us.
But there was nothing between me and Siera; in fact, there hadn’t been anything at all.
So, I didn’t know anything and could only shake my head in response to Angelique’s question.
“No. Nothing happened.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s just that lately, it’s been harder to talk to Siera.”
“What was the last thing you talked to Siera about?”
“It’s a bit long if I have to explain. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
And so, sitting in the corner, I told her about the conversation I’d had with Siera not too long ago. Her awkward way of expressing herself and how she liked me. And how I found out everything despite not noticing at all, and how we opened up to each other.
“So, something did happen?”
“Huh?”
After that conversation with Siera, nothing had happened, so I didn’t know the cause of Siera’s change. But Angelique said the mere fact that we had that conversation could be the cause.
My inability to have a proper conversation with Siera and Angelique’s observation of Siera’s internal change are likely connected.
“That’s a relief. I thought you two had fought.”
“Fighting is a common occurrence.”
Angelique, who’s seen me argue with Siera more times than she can count, didn’t deny my statement and nodded with a smile, perhaps reminiscing about the past.
“What should I do?”
It’s not that I’m eager to become close friends with Siera again! The many things she and I have been through have always been resolved with time. The only difference now is that Siera herself said she wanted to take more time, and all I have to do is wait.
But I don’t want to keep going on like this. Being awkward with her, who’s been my oldest friend and is like family to me, is worse. It’d be more comfortable if she’d just talk to me like before, even if it’s awkward.
“Siera asked for a bit more time, right?”
“Yes. She said that.”
“Then we have to wait.”
“Is that the only way?”
“If A had actively approached Siera and tried to talk to her, it might have been resolved……”
Angelique’s words trailed off. I think I know why she stopped herself mid-sentence. She couldn’t picture me actively approaching Siera and starting a conversation.
I can’t imagine that scenario either.
Me and Siera. Neither of us is the type to actively initiate conversations with each other. We carry on with casual remarks, and if the thread breaks, we end the conversation.
Then we’ll have the same kind of conversation again as usual.
This is the way we’ve treated each other for a long time. Thinking about it now, it’s a wonder our relationship hasn’t fallen apart sooner.
“It’s going to be tough, isn’t it?”
“It will be.”
I agreed with her. I hate keeping things awkward, but just imagining doing something I’ve never done before makes my face burn.
“Then let’s think about how to resolve this.”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
I’m used to consulting her. It’s been a frequent occurrence for a long time.
Even though I have to design the training, once the topic of Siera came up, I couldn’t concentrate on the training anymore.
First, I decided to talk to Angelique and figure out how to resolve this awkward situation with Siera.
