“I’ve narrowed down the agents to participate in this external exploration activity.”
“There are quite a few new agents.”
“That’s right. The existing agents all have their own tasks, and the new arrivals are more specialized.”
Of course, we had to carry out new activities with the new agents.
Wasn’t that the whole point of bringing them in?
Naturally, not every single person was designated for the external exploration; we randomly selected one veteran for the team.
“I had to select Easter for this role, even though I won’t be able to enjoy her coffee for a while… I think she’s the best fit for this task.”
“Easter does manage the agents well.”
“Yes, I’m concerned since they’re all quite different… but I believe they’ll do well.”
“Any other differences?”
“Nothing so far.”
Last time, introducing the new recruits to the ship went smoothly, and they seemed to adapt well on their own.
There was no need to fuss over them, as the only thing left to do was prepare for the upcoming external exploration activity.
Finally, a feeling of something new… or not. I just thought there’d be more work to do.
“Ugh…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Why am I the one who has to plan the route?!”
“That’s because you seem to have the least to do.”
“That may be true!!! But this important task should really be handled by Lindera, right?!”
“…Wasn’t I the one who assigned the staff?”
“Guh…”
The external exploration activities from the game required the player to directly set the path to gather items.
Well… it felt more like an automated hunting system than a real activity.
Of course, even though it was automated, you could get quite a few items and sometimes crucial ones, so it was a decent enough content.
“Easter, Aihihorn, f77, Flu…”
The Commander was seated, reading from the list.
Although it was farming content, there was combat and physical activity involved, so we had properly distributed healers, tanks, and damage dealers, which posed no problem at all.
Besides, due to realistic reasons, we included Easter, so I figured it would go smoothly.
It was a decision made after pondering alone in my private quarters yesterday.
“Let’s proceed with this.”
“Yes, I’ll inform them.”
In any case, we had finished the preparations for the external exploration activity, and all that was left was to enjoy the results when they returned.
Since the activity was inherently simple, it was just a matter of sending them off.
*
“Ugh…”
“Tired?”
“Yes… just deciding on the personnel for the exploration yesterday.”
At first, staying late wasn’t a big deal, but lately, I felt more physically drained.
I definitely expected my period to come soon.
It wasn’t confirmed, but it had been quite some time since my last one… I couldn’t help it.
Honestly, it was a relief that it came after I had done my work.
When my period came, I’d have no choice but to take it easy.
“Rest a bit. You’ve been working hard, haven’t you?”
“That’s why I’m just here like this.”
“I see, you look comfortable.”
I was reclining against my chair differently than usual.
If I stayed like this for long, my back would hurt, but I didn’t mind too much.
It felt too comfortable.
Given how tired I was, it was more unpleasant to sit up straight.
Now that I had only a few tasks left, it really wasn’t a big deal.
“Yawn…”
“Want some coffee?”
“The coffee you make is too sweet, it ends up tasting bitter…”
I wondered just how much sugar he added.
It felt like it might mess with my taste buds.
Given that he always chose overly sweet treats for snacks, I could understand, but this was too much.
“If I were to bite into the Commander’s flesh, I’d taste sweet syrup.”
“…That much?”
“You really add way too much sugar. I’m genuinely worried you’ll end up with diabetes or high blood pressure.”
I was seriously concerned.
I might indulge in caffeine, but I definitely didn’t add copious amounts of sugar like the Commander did.
He basically consumed it in a disgustingly sweet way.
“Ah.”
“What’s going on?”
“Remember, we started making the gym not long ago. It’s not complete yet, but it will be done soon. Let’s go there.”
“…With you?”
“Of course. Who else would I go with?”
Isn’t it common sense that if the Commander goes, the Vice Commander follows?
Even if we had a long way to go, the Commander still had a lot to learn.
To keep using him in this valuable role, he had to be healthy.
His eating habits were troubling, but I figured exercise might solve that.
“When it’s completed… let’s go together. I might not have exercised before, but wouldn’t it be better than just spending weekends in the Commander’s room?”
“…Do as you wish.”
“Wow… junk…”
“Not easy, huh?”
I heard some sounds, but I was too tired to pay attention.
It probably wasn’t anything important… just a soft mumble.
“Gah…”
Maybe I really should change my chair.
I’ve been feeling more tired just sitting here lately.
Of course, knowing my period was about to arrive probably played a part in that.
It was just a natural bodily function, so I decided to let it go.
It wasn’t going to be something easily resolved anyway.
“My back hurts…”
“…”
“I just realized, the Commander has never complained about back pain, and I’m kinda jealous. If I had a sturdy back like the Commander’s, I’m sure it’d be nice.”
“You could just work out together and strengthen it.”
“Hmm… that’s true.”
Thinking about it, exercising together with the Commander wouldn’t only be an opportunity to foster better eating habits.
My miserable back and shoulders might also improve over time.
At least, it would probably be better than doing nothing.
If not, honestly, I wouldn’t have a reason to work out…
“Hmm.”
“Why do you look like that?”
“Just nothing.”
If I’d known it would turn out like this, maybe I should’ve expedited the gym construction a bit more!
I had been taking my time since there had been a lot of work lately, but there were still agents available without much to do.
If I had tasked those agents with moving stuff and constructing the gym… that would’ve cost more in labor.
It would probably be cheaper to use the new recruits from headquarters to redesign parts of the ship than to hire them as workers.
When thinking in the long run, it was indeed best to leave the ship’s interior decorating or remodeling to HQ.
“…Please make me some coffee.”
“But you said you wouldn’t drink it?”
“Just make it.”
I felt tired and just wanted it done.
I’d initially refused the Commander’s offer, but I still wanted to drink it.
“Sigh… I’ll make it, just keep resting.”
“Thank you.”
Even though the Commander was clearly showing his discomfort, the situation was kind of amusing in a way.
Indeed… he isn’t a bad guy.
I knew that the Commander and everyone in the office generally had good character.
Of course, I didn’t initially like Dolores too much, but I eventually came to see her as a decent person.
“But you said you exercise, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Um… Have you both ever exercised together?”
“…No.”
Why did Dolores suddenly ask that?
I thought about it for a moment but wasn’t sure of her intent.
Sure, I had never been to the gym, but I didn’t know about the Commander’s history either.
“Then… wouldn’t it be possible for you two to get hurt while exercising together?”
“Hmm…”
“There’s no other reason, but in a gym, form is essential, and it’s best to have someone nearby when using machines…”
“Ah.”
I realized I had forgotten about that since I’d never been to a gym.
Accidents can happen at the gym, so it’s definitely better to have a spotter.
For instance, someone could get pinned down while trying to lift heavier weights or face some sort of harassment from gym enthusiasts if they were not lifting properly.
Such things can happen at gyms, and I hadn’t considered them seriously.
“Hmm… You’re not wrong.”
“What are you two talking about?”
“Oh, Dolores said she needs someone to help her while working out. So, I was just thinking.”
“Help?”
“Yes.”
Neither the Commander nor I would lift extremely heavy weights anyway.
Neither of us was very athletic, after all.
If we tried to lift something heavy right now, it would probably just throw out our backs.
Considering how my back hurt at the moment, lifting something heavier would definitely make it worse.
It’s not like sitting at a desk all this time did my back any favors.
“Hmm… But do we have an agent for that?”
“I have no idea.”
“I know most of our agents are stronger than us, but will anyone show up on the weekend?”
“I really don’t know.”
Since I didn’t know about that part either, there wasn’t much I could say.
It wasn’t like I knew all the agents or their specialties.
There probably weren’t many agents around here who would double as gym helpers.
At least, none of the agents I commonly interacted with seemed to fit that role.
“Hmm…”
“Hmm…”
Originally, I had only planned to work out with the Commander, but now a dilemma arose.
Sure, working out just the two of us would be more comfortable, but it’s good to be prepared for unexpected situations too.
Since neither of us had worked out extensively, it might be better to have someone who could help.
“But… can’t Dolores assist instead?”
“?”
“Isn’t that correct?”
Maybe…?
I quietly looked at Dolores after Midori made her unexpected suggestion.
“Um…? Me?”
“Yep!”
“Uh… are you sure you’re not just saying that because you don’t want to go out on weekends…?”
“…Cough!”
…It seemed like she was just looking for an excuse to avoid going out.
There wasn’t really a compelling reason involved; it felt like she was trying to pass off the responsibility.
Well, if it were Dolores, she’d likely manage to help out well enough.
For now, since there was nothing urgent to discuss, I decided to sip my coffee and focus back on work.
“…Commander, less sugar, please.”
Of course, the Commander’s coffee was still ridiculously sweet as always.
He must have added less sugar than he typically would, but it still tasted too bitter.
“…I put in just the right amount.”
“Still too bitter.”
Regardless, the coffee the Commander made was excessively sweet to the point it was unpleasant.
I guessed making my own coffee would probably be better.
Entrusting coffee-making to a sweet-toothed Commander was… definitely not a great idea.
“From now on, I’ll handle the coffee myself.”
“…Is it really that serious?”
“Yes, it really is.”
Seriously.
The taste of coffee I was having right now was so bad it was hard to think about the gym at all.
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