Here is the translated text:
When A was burdened with much of the training design. While team 3 had other schedules going on without A.
Since the match with HunterKiller team was paused, some adjustments were made within Spacystro Seoul Branch regarding the match. Team 3 was to compete against another team from the Earth Defense Union instead of HunterKiller team.
Though they occasionally competed, there was less data compared to when they competed with HunterKiller team, so Luche examined past match records and pondered over new tactics before the match.
“Aah…”
Luche, sitting at the desk, slumped forward onto the desk while looking through the data.
Working was no different than usual. Since A didn’t always come to work, it didn’t change even if he wasn’t in the office.
However, A was currently working in Team 1 rather than Team 3.
Although still belonging to Team 3, the change in workspace greatly affected Luche’s work efficiency.
“What is Senior doing?”
Though visible right away by taking the elevator to the first floor, Luche didn’t want to disturb him since she knew how taxing his work was.
“Is Team Leader there?”
“Yes, come in.”
Upon hearing the voice after knocking, Luche lifted her body that had been lying down. The one who entered was Theo, holding a tablet used for work.
“The match venue has been contacted. There’s nothing wrong with the vehicle either.”
“Got it. What about Klugger?”
“He said he’ll come this afternoon.”
“Alright. Thanks for your hard work.”
Despite Theo’s report, Luche’s expression remained gloomy. There was no problem with the reported content, and Theo knew that Luche’s bad mood wasn’t due to the report.
“Where is A?”
“A? Isn’t he working on the first floor?”
“That’s what I know… but…”
Luche usually didn’t show her feelings towards A in front of other subordinates. She only revealed her feelings towards A to him alone, and although some people occasionally noticed, she tried not to openly display them externally.
However, as mentioned earlier, the change in workspace significantly impacted Luche. When Luche was still a biroid, A was her trainer, and they seldom spent time apart during that period.
It was almost as if they never spent time apart, and even after joining Team 3 on Earth, they worked in the same space for the past 10 years.
There was a long gap between A’s training role ending and Luche joining Team 3, but it was unavoidable. During that time, Luche eagerly awaited the day she would meet A again, so not being able to meet immediately wasn’t a significant issue.
Meeting wasn’t a problem now. Just like before, it’s just a matter of taking the elevator to the first floor. However, Luche felt a strange distance due to the change in workspace.
In reality, nothing had changed, but Luche’s heart felt differently.
This change in Luche’s heart led to her emotions towards A becoming more evident.
“Why don’t you go down to the first floor if you miss him?”
“You might get in the way of his work.”
“Aah…”
Theo could somewhat understand Luche’s feelings.
Theo, who had watched A from the moment he was Luche’s trainer, knew how Luche felt about A.
Not just Theo, but everyone who worked with them back then knew too.
They learned that Luche was A through Lloyd, and they felt frustrated that there was no progress between A and Luche.
Ultimately, thanks to Lloyd, A realized Luche’s identity, and although some changes occurred afterward, no real progress had been made.
“A probably won’t care much.”
“It’s because he doesn’t care that it’s a problem.”
“Aah.”
Luche’s meaning didn’t require further explanation.
Given that Theo had worked alongside A for a long time, he understood A to some extent.
If Luche went to find him, A would surely welcome her warmly and engage in conversation. The issue was that Luche’s visit would cause her to prioritize urgent work over immediate tasks.
“Will the match be alright?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Actually, it might be easier since it’s not against HunterKiller team.”
Though he asked in case the match would be affected, Luche’s expression assured him that there wouldn’t be any issues. Despite feeling a sense of detachment from A, she was a seasoned veteran who had participated in many matches.
She didn’t want personal matters to affect the match, and if A found out that the match was affected due to his absence, it would make things harder for her.
“I’ll send Klugger straight to the office when he arrives.”
“I appreciate it.”
After bidding farewell, Theo sighed as he left Luche’s room.
He had no desire to interfere in A’s love life, whether he chose this or that, and whatever the outcome, it was his responsibility.
However, given their close relationship and the many people involved in his love life, he couldn’t help but think about it.
“There’s nothing I can do about it anyway.”
Theo couldn’t do anything. He couldn’t force a choice on him nor take the consequences for him. He could only hope for the best outcome as quickly as possible.
Currently, A was busier than anyone else, making it difficult to discuss anything related to Luche or Siera. Initially, he thought it best to wait until training ended, and craving a cigarette, Theo headed outside.
Arriving at the smoking area near the headquarters, Theo sat on a bench, took a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it.
After inhaling deeply and exhaling white smoke, he squinted to better see someone approaching from afar.
“Klugger?”
Klugger, who was supposed to arrive in the afternoon, was climbing up the hill toward the headquarters.
Noticing Theo’s gaze, Kluger waved his hand.
“What are you doing? Smoking alone?”
“Yeah.”
As Kluger slowly approached, he started a casual conversation, and Theo responded appropriately while finishing his cigarette.
“You were supposed to come in the afternoon, right?”
“I hurried a bit. If I delayed the discharge procedures, the waiting time would increase.”
“How was resting in the hospital? Was it comfortable?”
“Aah… There were many things.”
Observing Kluger’s despondent smile while staring into the void, Theo tilted his head in confusion.
Given Kluger’s lack of activities in the hospital, Theo couldn’t understand what “many things” meant.
“What did you do?”
“I’ll explain later. Where’s A?”
“He should be in the Team 1 office. Did you receive the match schedule?”
Klugger had planned to stay in the hospital to monitor Silver’s movements, but due to an abrupt change in Team 3’s schedule, Luche requested his early discharge. Realizing the importance of not missing crucial movements, he decided to leave.
Although Kluger had been resting for a while, he wasn’t entirely unaware of the situation at headquarters. Important news was promptly delivered, and he received information about the critical match involving Team 3 on the same day.
“A was assigned to halt the match and is now handling training design.”
“Training design? Him?”
Hearing that A was in charge of training design, Kluger’s expression wasn’t pleasant. Recalling the days when he and A, both rookies, underwent training together, Kluger felt uneasy.
Although both had changed since then, A had never directly designed training programs.
Though Kluger had something to say to A, knowing the heavy responsibilities A had taken on, he decided to hold off on sharing his thoughts for now.
“No major incidents happened in my absence?”
“Plenty.”
Theo’s stern expression hinted at past hardships. He wasn’t completely unaware of the recent developments in Team 3.
Predicting the situation when personnel changes were announced, the current state was far worse than anticipated.
“Can’t Team Leader handle it alone?”
“Team Leader is also overwhelmed. Do you know about A’s girlfriend?”
“Yeah. I haven’t heard directly, but I had a hunch.”
Klugger’s eyes narrowed sharply at the mention of “girlfriend.” Theo, seeing his serious expression, sighed deeply.
“It might have some impact. The person involved seems indifferent, but what can you do? Team Leader is human after all.”
“Of course. I didn’t think A would do such a thing.”
Contrary to Kluger’s serious tone, Theo burst into laughter.
“Exactly. It’s A.”
Klugger suspected that A had developed feelings for a hyper-human woman, which might have influenced his actions against Spacystro. Luche’s influence also confirmed his suspicions.
Moreover, the critical mission being a match and the decision to halt it added to the complexity.
While they couldn’t know the team leaders’ thoughts on assigning A the training design role, considering the current situation, Theo believed his initial thoughts were correct.
Theo had only assumed A would have a relationship with either Luche or Siera, and the fact that A had five hyper-human girlfriends made the situation amusing.
“There’s no law saying A can’t have a girlfriend.”
Having seen countless instances of people forming relationships on invaded planets, Theo found it surprising that it was A. However, he accepted it as not impossible, while Kluger looked puzzled.
“It’s still not acceptable, especially for A.”
Klugger knew A’s clear objectives and believed no one understood them better. Having been with A throughout his military career, he couldn’t comprehend A deviating from his goals.
Initially, Kluger doubted A’s intentions, but recent circumstances made it undeniable.
Theo nodded. Knowing Luche and Siera had feelings for A, Theo assumed Kluger shared the same understanding.
Thinking that A should have focused on Luche and Siera first, Theo realized people had different perspectives.
“Indeed. A has gotten involved in more than a couple of things.”
“So… I’m not sure. For now, we’ll have to observe since there’s no severe punishment from higher-ups. We need to watch for a while.”
“Really? That makes sense.”
Though Theo wondered if reporting a girlfriend was necessary, he recalled A’s oversight in reporting investigations related to hyper-humans, leading him to accept Kluger’s statement.
“I’ll go see Team Leader first. I’ll finish my cigarette and follow.”
“Okay.”
Klugger entered the headquarters first, and Theo, watching his retreating figure, tilted his head in puzzlement.
“Something feels off?”
Though the conversation seemed smooth, something felt misaligned, yet Theo dismissed it and finished his cigarette.
