Here’s the translated text:
Even if something is nearby, you can choose not to pay attention to it if you decide so honestly. But that’s impossible. For example, if there were lions or tigers within 100 meters, would anyone really believe they could completely ignore and not worry about them?
Of course, I don’t think of the HunterKiller members as such fierce animals. Now, each one is precious to me, so my thoughts towards them are mostly positive. But even though I may think this way, the higher-ups do not.
While they don’t see the members as scary as beasts, the tension between the two forces is similar to facing off against fierce animals.
HunterKiller might think there’s no reason for them to come here if we’re at the beach. However, this nearby and accessible beach is the only place controlled by over 100 Spacystro right now.
“Is it really necessary to go this far?”
“If we want to go elsewhere, we have to go far away.”
Pink was grumbling, but Red was soothing her while keeping an eye on Spacystro. With this being the first trip, she wanted to enjoy playing freely. But meeting Spacystro instantly shattered all those plans.
In reality, it wasn’t entirely shattered. Even if in the same space, if it’s not a confrontation, it doesn’t affect each other. But it’s not easy to just say “let’s play” when your opponent fights every week.
“We’ll play our own way. They probably came here for rest or something like that.”
“Right?”
The HunterKiller members also tried hard not to mind Spacystro.
Training schedules on the first day are usually considered play days, but I’m not particularly interested in play. Even though HunterKiller is deeply related to me, meeting them now when I originally saw them as enemies, I had no time to care about what I never cared about. But there was some good in meeting them.
‘They look great in their swimsuits.’
Members wore various swimsuits, and the only one I knew was the one Yubin wore. Why did I know it? Because we bought it together.
Regardless, it looked nice. While looking at Spacystro, Luche poked my side.
“? What is it?”
“Do you think it’s okay to leave it like that too?”
Luche seems to be bothered by being in the same space as Spacystro before training. Tomorrow, due to training, there won’t be much time to play, and the last day is for returning, so there won’t be much playtime either.
“Are you bothered?”
I understand feeling bothered. As mentioned earlier, the first day of training is often treated as a play day, and although I’m not interested, other colleagues are. Currently, colleagues who haven’t heard about HunterKiller are enjoying leisurely times with mixed games or water play.
“Of course, I’m bothered.”
For Luche, who doesn’t know HunterKiller came for vacation, thinking they might be planning something isn’t unreasonable. However, most of their schemes have been through Spacystro, so it feels like unnecessary worry.
“What do you think is best?”
“I agree with Esmeralda’s opinion. If we don’t mind them, they probably won’t mind us either.”
“No, is it possible to not mind?”
It’s impossible. Luche has their own reasons, but in an unpredictable situation, I start feeling uneasy just seeing the members gather. Why didn’t I feel this unease when I heard the members talking about relationships?
There’s no special reason. At that time, I didn’t think about building a relationship, and I might have thought it was a relationship without regrets.
Actually, at that time, I only worried about my situation if my identity was revealed. Now, whether I like it or not, thoughts of Yubin, Yura, and Hayang come first.
I also thought a little about SuA. Since we just became friends, how will it be if she finds out I’m Spacystro?
Surprisingly, I wasn’t worried much about Green. Though indifferent, I feel the members’ influence on her is much greater than mine.
“It’s impossible.”
Not minding is impossible. Honestly speaking, Luche lowered their head in thought.
“Isn’t there a way to chase them away from here?”
I almost said, “Isn’t that too cruel?” as a man involved with them. But thinking as a member of Spacystro, preventing our information from leaking is understandable, though it’s hard to accept.
“Think of a way?”
I asked if there was a specific method, but Luche didn’t answer. It seems they hadn’t thought that far. The situation happened abruptly, and there are many restrictions, so a solution didn’t come immediately.
“Team Leader!”
While watching Luche ponder, a colleague ran urgently. Luche, immersed in thought, looked up and asked what was happening. The colleague, who arrived in front, was panting.
“Over there. HunterKiller!”
It seemed they only now noticed HunterKiller, wide-eyed like a startled rabbit. I comforted him by patting his shoulder.
“Calm down. We already knew.”
Ron, Jack, and Klugger confirmed with me that HunterKiller was here. Including myself, four colleagues knew.
“Which teams knew?”
Counting on fingers, Ron listed, “Ron, Jack, Klugger… our team knows three.”
To prevent confusion, Ron reported to Luche on behalf of the group.
“Our team? No one else?”
“I don’t know if they discovered it, but teammates surfing with others were there.”
Looking at the surfers with boards, I saw Ron, Jack, Klugger, and three others from Team 3 with female members from another team.
“Were they playing with girls?”
It annoyed me that a teammate, despite having a girlfriend, was playing with other team’s women without knowing his own predicament. But Ron glared at me fiercely.
“You’ll never die peacefully.”
“Unexpectedly?”
Ignoring my reaction, Ron continued.
“What should we do?”
“I was already worried about this.”
Unable to think of a way to keep playing freely, Luche suddenly exclaimed “Ah!” and headed toward the parasol where the team leaders were. I was left alone with Ron.
“Funny?”
Not understanding the question without a subject, it seemed to ask if I found the sea fun. I shook my head, as I hadn’t played and didn’t find it enjoyable.
“Who would’ve thought HunterKiller would be here if we came this far. Impossible to play comfortably.”
“Esmeralda suggested not to mind them. They seem to be on vacation.”
“On vacation? Sure?”
“Yeah. When I went to buy drinks, I met them at the store, and they had suitcases.”
Either way, with HunterKiller around, colleagues can’t play freely. Only I know that if both sides don’t intend harm and truly don’t mind each other, it could be a comfortable situation. But I couldn’t convince them.
Knowing both sides’ positions, explaining would make things long, possibly leading to saying something inappropriate. Especially since Luche, my direct superior, attached me to them under the pretense of monitoring HunterKiller. Hearing about dating without results could upset her.
I have no intention of reporting, but if I did, it would be appropriate when obtaining internal Earth Defense Union secrets.
Seeing Luche explaining to Siera and then walking towards me, I prepared to leave.
“I’m going.”
Realizing the team leader wouldn’t be comfortable, I patted Seira’s shoulder and headed to the surfers with Ron. What was she doing? Wishing me luck?
“Hey.”
Facing Seira’s firm voice, I looked at her with a blank expression under the mask. She must be planning to execute the conversation with the team leaders.
I hope whatever she does isn’t too risky.
“Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Just follow.”
Following Seira, I realized we were getting closer to where HunterKiller members gathered. Seeing their swimsuits up close made me unable to hide my smile.
I had seen Yubin’s swimsuit before, but seeing her in the hot sun at the beach gave her a different look. The light blue swimsuit with lace beautifully highlighted her figure.
Yura wore quite bold swimwear, a black bikini that seemed to cover important areas.
Hayang wore a sky-blue checkered one-piece swimsuit, unlike the revealing ones worn by others. It suited her modest demeanor well.
SuA wore a seemingly ordinary bikini, but the zebra pattern gave a strange yet alluring vibe. The thin coat half-worn added to the exposure.
Green wore black triangle bottoms with a rash guard top. While many men argue that rash guards aren’t swimsuits, I couldn’t agree. Don’t they understand the aesthetics of covering?
Regardless, the large covered area and active ocean sports style of the rash guard contrasted with Green’s passive nature, making it feel more fitting.
When I noticed their gazes on me, I avoided their familiar eyes behind the mask.
“What?”
Suspicious, SuA approached me and Seira. Unable to speak, I wondered why Seira brought me along. If there was something to tell, wouldn’t it be better to bring someone more reliable?
“Tiring to keep looking at each other?”
HunterKiller members glanced at each other, and Yubin stepped forward.
“What do you want to say?”
“Since we’ll be cautious anyway, why not settle it properly and claim our spot?”
“Fight for the spot?”
It happens often in street games. Teams use limited space, and the winning team gets to use it. Normally, this leads to games between unknown teams, but now, it’s about claiming the beach.
While monopolizing the beach isn’t realistic, at least one side can move away, giving the other space to play comfortably.
“Right. We’re not fighting, just competing fairly. No problem, right?”
“…”
Yubin remained silent. Clearly, she was considering whether accepting Seira’s proposal was right. This trip is very special for the HunterKiller team. Members who hadn’t gotten close in three years of team formation are finally getting closer and traveling together. They certainly don’t want to ruin the trip.
But ignoring the Spacystro in front of them would constantly bother them, and accepting the proposal would reduce their own playtime.
“Let’s do it.”
Yura placed her hand on Yubin’s shoulder and spoke. Yubin, who was lost in thought, turned her head at Yura’s low voice.
“If we’re stuck, let’s create a time where we can enjoy more.”
“Everyone okay with that?”
I agreed with Yura. But I didn’t know if the others felt the same. When opinions diverged, I asked how to handle it, and everyone nodded.
With unanimous support for a clear competition, determination filled Yubin’s eyes, and her intense gaze turned to Seira.
“Good. I’ll accept. What events?”
“You pick two, I pick two. Each chooses one, then we randomly pick one from the remaining two. Three events, best two out of three. How about that?”
“Sounds good. We can choose in about 30 minutes?”
“Plenty of time. Let’s go.”
Seira led me, who had been standing idly, to the team leaders. In summary, they decided to play three games to determine the winner. Why did she bring me along?
Curious after some distance, I asked Seira.
“Why did you bring me along?”
“You need to be the referee.”
“Huh?”
Predicting the team leaders and HunterKiller members would compete physically, I stopped in surprise at the unexpected suggestion of being a referee.
“Why? Don’t like it?”
“It’s not about liking it. Me as a referee? Why?”
“We decided among ourselves.”
It seemed the team leaders decided to appoint me as the referee. Whether ordered or told, being an impartial referee for a game I can’t be biased in made me feel even more pressured.
