“I got it… I’ll wear it again.”
“Understood…?”
Following the Commander’s instructions, I put the coat back on.
There seemed to be no point in zipping it up… since there was nothing left to zip.
“This snow is a result of contamination… Isn’t that fascinating?”
“I don’t know the exact principle, but it is interesting.”
“This operation was wrapped up easily thanks to you.”
Suddenly, the Commander touched the snow and said that.
I hadn’t done much in this operation.
Compared to when I used to command almost everything, my contributions were certainly minimal.
But still, receiving praise from the Commander felt nice.
People generally like being praised, so it wasn’t strange.
“It was you, Commander, who did well. There were agents fighting outside and other people in the office too. I wasn’t the only one doing well.”
“…Yeah, that’s true.”
“In the end, my job is to assist you, Commander, and my part in this success is pretty much just that. I can’t participate in battles like the agents, I’m just helping with what you do.”
I couldn’t provide any actual protection.
What I could do was just help the Commander with work.
“Anyway… I wanted to thank you for your help once again. Just…”
“?”
The Commander trailed off mid-sentence.
What was he trying to say?
“When you think about it, do you see me as… a reliable person?”
“…Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“I just felt like asking.”
That came out of nowhere…
I couldn’t understand why the Commander would ask if he was reliable.
But.
“You are the most trustworthy person around me. But why did you ask…?”
“…It’s nothing.”
“…?”
It wasn’t particularly hard to answer, so I replied.
In reality, the Commander was the one I was closest to, having spent a long time together.
Of course, I had to trust him.
There had been many incidents so far, but I knew he wasn’t a suspicious or strange person.
If there was one thing that bothered me… it was just that I couldn’t read or hear the Commander’s real name…?
“I don’t know why you asked, but I always trust you. Even after what happened last time, you didn’t tell anyone else.”
Anyway, that wasn’t important.
There was no reason for me to call the Commander by his real name, and there were too many things I didn’t understand already.
I didn’t even know why I suddenly became Lindera, let alone something as simple as a name.
Plus, I couldn’t remember the Commander’s real name since it was right after becoming Lindera.
Since then, the Commander’s real name hadn’t come up in conversations or mentioned in documents.
“…Was that something said in a drunken state?”
“What did you say?”
He mumbled too quietly for me to hear.
If I had agent-like hearing, I might have caught it, but I was just an ordinary human.
“Just… never mind.”
“…?”
“By the way, I heard there’s some event happening at the headquarters. Did you hear anything?”
“Uh… What’s that about?”
“I heard the commanders and key figures from each district are gathering for a party… Didn’t you hear anything?”
“Ah…”
I hadn’t heard it, but I knew about it.
That was something mentioned in the game.
It was somewhat like a founding anniversary.
Just gathering for a party.
Literally.
It seemed like they weren’t inviting anyone below the vice commander level… but it was about time for it.
“I haven’t received any information about it. It seems like only those above the commander level are being invited.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, but the timing seems good. The operation just ended, and we’ll probably be free for a while…”
Going to a party shouldn’t be an issue.
Of course, since it wasn’t happening in Zone 7, we would have to travel to where the headquarters is.
Thus, the Commander would have to be away for a few days… but it shouldn’t be a major issue.
The Commander doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble anyway.
“Um…”
“You should have fun while you go. I won’t be able to go since I wasn’t invited…”
Even though I couldn’t go, I knew the Commander would have a good time.
He wasn’t the type to party hard, but he was handsome enough, so he’d manage to have fun.
I didn’t know exactly what kind of party it was, but parties usually had alcohol and women, right?
If there were women there, the Commander would definitely end up charming them and having a good time…
“…….”
“Lindera? Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
I wasn’t feeling that great, maybe because I was disappointed about not being able to go to the party.
To be honest, I felt pretty bad.
“No matter what kind of party it is, since there will be high-ranking figures, I’m sure those balding old men will want to introduce their ‘wonderful’ daughters to him. They’ll probably keep babbling about how suitable they’d be as a son-in-law…”
From just looking at the Commander, there was nothing lacking.
I’m sure those who are losing their hair would be very interested.
And their daughters would definitely be eyeing the Commander as well.
It’s common for women to fall for men just because they’re good-looking.
Being unnecessarily handsome…
“But don’t let their advances distract you. They’re the offspring of high-ranking officials, so they definitely have influence. For the Commander’s future, I’d recommend keeping a wall between you and any women you meet there… No, just do that.”
“…….”
I had unintentionally said too much.
Staring at the ground, not even looking at the Commander.
“…I’m sorry. I talked too much.”
“Uh… I didn’t expect you to worry about such things.”
“You’re going alone, so how can I not worry? You seem oblivious and don’t think deeply enough.”
“I guess that’s true. I have a capable vice commander by my side, so is there really a need to worry?”
Sure, when he was next to me, there was no need to worry.
But this time, only the Commander was invited…
“…So, be careful when you go.”
“Do I really have to?”
“…What does that mean? Are you saying you’d go mess around with women at the party?”
“No?”
“Then why…”
What was he getting at?
Was he deliberately saying these things to raise my spirits?
The temperature inside the suit was comfortably warm, but for some reason, my head felt hot.
“Are you going with me then?”
“…Huh?”
“Of course, I’ll be going with you. Were you expecting me to go alone?”
“No, it’s just… you were the only one invited…”
I was answering a bit dazedly.
I felt a little shaky looking at the Commander, my voice sounding foolish.
“Of course, I wouldn’t go alone…”
“I wouldn’t know anyone if I went alone anyway.”
“So… what…”
I couldn’t follow the Commander’s line of thought.
Going was certain, but the conversation felt like it was taking a weird turn.
“You can take a partner.”
“…Me?”
“Yep, Lindera. You.”
“Um…?”
I was a bit surprised when the Commander approached and said that.
I hadn’t expected him to say something like that.
A partner?
I didn’t even know there was such a thing.
The founding anniversary party from the game didn’t elaborate on it and only hinted that I had to go someday.
“Is that not what you want?”
“No, it’s not that….”
“Then it seems like we can go together.”
“Is that okay…? ”
“If I say it’s okay, what’s the problem?”
“Uh… um…”
Even if taking a partner was fine, considering it wasn’t a problem… but it felt overwhelming.
It was just… all of this was too sudden.
His invitation came so suddenly, and he approached me so closely.
-Thump… thump…
“Will you go with me?”
“……..”
“Lindera?”
“Y-Yeah, I’ll go… but can you step back a little…?”
I unintentionally took a step back, feeling embarrassed.
It just felt so weird.
Really…
“Thanks for going with me. Honestly, I had no one else to take.”
“Is that so…”
“Is it strange going with a guy? We’re not attending some fancy event, it’s just a party.”
“Well, that is true…”
“Among the women around, you’re the one I trust the most.”
“Y-Yes…”
I was just muttering dull responses.
For some reason, it was difficult to look at the Commander, and I was feeling something really strange.
My head was feeling even hotter than before, and I felt dizzy.
For reasons unknown, my heart was racing like crazy.
“Someone I can trust…”
“Why is that?”
“Ah, it’s nothing… never mind.”
Somebody trustworthy…
The Commander asked me that a moment ago.
What does that really mean?
A relationship where I can trust him to handle work…?
A friend who can keep secrets?
Someone I can entrust everything to without worry?
I tried to think about it, but no answer came to mind.
And it was hard to ask him about it too.
“…….”
“I heard the party is at the headquarters… It’s my first time there, so I’m a little excited.”
“Is that so…”
“You mentioned you’ve worked there before, so you can guide me.”
“I’ll do my best…”
We continued our leisurely walk while stepping over the snow.
I could easily find my way back from the footprints, and the area around the ship was quite lively.
As we strolled, the Commander excitedly kept talking, while I kept giving dumb responses.
“Oh, and since it’s a party… you also need to prepare a dress to wear.”
“…Huh?”
A dress…?
What is this, a romantic fantasy?
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