“…It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve smelled dirt.”
“Definitely seems that way.”
Before I knew it, the construction of the garden had begun.
It was a bit surprising that they were making a real garden, rather than just plopping a few plants here and there.
Of course, right now it was just a massive pile of dirt.
“I’m looking forward to using this whole space as a garden more than I thought.”
“It’s going to be bigger than the originally planned size, but isn’t that better than being smaller? There’s not a blade of grass around.”
“That’s true. I don’t think bigger will hurt.”
After all, bigger is always better than smaller.
It was common sense that more is better than less.
Being taller is preferable to being short, too.
It was generally true for most things.
“…Yeah.”
“So, do you think the garden will be finished by the time we get back?”
“I don’t know. The last stamina… it took some time to build the gym, didn’t it?”
“Oh.”
Thinking about it, it had taken a while to set up the gym, so this garden would naturally take even longer.
In fact, it would probably take even more time than the last facility addition.
There’s no way the required time for the gym and the garden would be the same, right?
It would take a bit to go to headquarters and come back.
But honestly, I didn’t think the garden would be finished in the meantime.
“Are you preparing well?”
“Well, for now.”
“Because of someone, I have to go there and wear a dress. Make sure you’re properly prepared.”
“…I know.”
As long as they know.
“Let’s get going. It’s time to head out.”
“…Yeah.”
We exited the indoor construction site of the garden into the corridor.
The smell of dirt we had been breathing in moments ago was gone, replaced once again by the unique scent of the ship’s interior.
Though to call it a scent was a stretch, as it barely had any aroma at all.
For now, we were walking slowly with the commander.
Under normal circumstances, we would have just been going about our usual work, but today there was little to do, and since we had to head to headquarters soon, we were simply at leisure.
It felt a bit strange to leave most of my tasks unfinished and just focus on preparation.
But, since we were a bit far from Zone 07 for a change…
“Commander, have you ever been to headquarters?”
“Me?”
“Yes, I’ve been there a few times in the past, but I don’t remember it well.”
It wasn’t just that I didn’t remember; I had no memories of it at all.
But it wasn’t wrong, as Lindera had spent her childhood around headquarters.
“Um… I don’t think I’ve ever been there directly. My previous workplace wasn’t even headquartered.”
“Is that so?”
Thinking back, my last workplace was Zone 03.
I had no experience working at headquarters.
“So this will be your first time then.”
“Yes.”
“Um… For me, it’s almost like my first time too. I’m a little worried about how things will go there.”
“We won’t be there long, so what’s to be worried about?”
Although the commander wasn’t wrong, worry was still worry.
After all, I was going to have to stay at headquarters for a few days, and I had never done that before.
Regardless of the party being just for a day, we had to stay for several additional days.
“I’m sorry that the boss suddenly told me to go in a few days…”
“It can’t be helped. I guess I was a nuisance to you, too, because of my parents.”
“That’s true.”
“Isn’t that a bit quick to admit?”
“It wouldn’t be incorrect, would it?”
It wasn’t wrong that I had suffered because of the commander’s parents.
Whether it was through our relationship cosplay or other usual things, nothing about it was ordinary.
Still, I felt a bit sorry that the boss had made me stay at headquarters for a few days.
Though the commander typically just played games on the weekends, which meant he basically enjoyed resting indoors.
Forcing him to stay for several days at headquarters felt a bit… regrettable.
It wouldn’t be a problem if I had two cars, but the issue was that I didn’t have a license.
“Please take care of me.”
“…Alright, just move a little to the side.”
“What’s wrong? It’s not like it’s any different than usual.”
“…It’s a big difference.”
“What did you say?”
He seemed to mumble something, but I couldn’t hear what it was.
I didn’t get why he suddenly whispered like a mouse.
“It’s nothing. How about we just go to the room and get our bags together?”
“I’ve packed everything.”
“…Sigh.”
“Commander, have you packed everything?”
“Not yet…”
“…Didn’t I tell you to pack since last week?”
I had clearly told him to pack well ahead of time.
With our departure planned for tomorrow…
“Let’s go pack.”
“…Yeah.”
*
We entered the commander’s room like that.
I had instructed him to pack his bags, yet here he was unprepared.
“Sigh…”
“…Sorry.”
“Let’s get the clothes packed first, alright?”
“Okay…”
Even though I tried to think positively, I was baffled by how the commander hadn’t done anything I told him since last week.
He was definitely the type to work well when under supervision…
Thinking about it, that seemed spot on.
Whenever we worked together, the more I pushed him, the better he performed.
I guessed this was no different.
“Let’s start with the suit…”
“…Sure.”
“Why are you being polite all of a sudden?”
“…I don’t know, just feels that way?”
“Don’t say weird things. Quickly open the wardrobe.”
“…Got it.”
The commander opened the wardrobe after hearing me.
Since we were going to be staying there for a few days, just one outfit wouldn’t do.
Plus, we couldn’t wear the same clothes to sleep either.
So, we needed to prepare different types of clothing.
“…What about this?”
“Why do you have a checkered shirt?”
“Is it that bad?”
“Very much so.”
I had never seen him wear that before. Why on earth was there a checkered shirt in there?
Even when I was a man, I would never have worn that.
“Just white and black shirts.”
“…Okay.”
“Now for the pants.”
“…Sure.”
Let’s aim for two light shirts for outside wear.
After all, he wouldn’t be wearing just shirts, so two would be sufficient.
There should be a hoodie that I saw last time.
“Just don’t take out the skinny pants. Grab something suitably baggy.”
“…I don’t wear those either.”
“I’m just saying, just in case. Get the pants you usually wear.”
“…Alright.”
“Make sure they’re black.”
“…I was about to grab them.”
“Quickly take those out and hand them over.”
I needed to put them away too.
Like that, I started adding the commander’s shirts and pants into the suitcase one by one.
But as I looked inside, I felt a bit shocked.
“…How is there nothing in this suitcase?”
“Oh.”
“Seriously… You didn’t prepare anything at all?”
“…I was going to do it today.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow morning. What do you mean, today?”
“……..”
“…Sigh.”
“Sorry.”
“Just be aware of it.”
If he hadn’t said anything serious today, things could’ve been a mess.
We were supposed to leave tomorrow morning, and he hadn’t done anything to prepare.
“Next up, pajamas.”
“…I don’t have pajamas.”
“Don’t you have something to wear to bed?”
“…Just a t-shirt.”
“…Go get it.”
“Okay…”
*
Preparation.
Complete.
“If I hadn’t helped you yesterday…”
“…I know.”
“Please, next time just prepare… quickly.”
“…Got it.”
“Just be aware of it.”
Carrying one suitcase each, we moved to the parking lot.
If I hadn’t asked the commander yesterday if he had packed his bags, there’s no way we could have left on time.
All of a sudden… was it really just my issue that the commander felt lazier than I expected?
“…Don’t look at me like that.”
“If you don’t like it, just prepare properly next time.”
“…Got it.”
Hearing the commander’s reply, I withdrew my glare.
At least he was responding well.
Thinking back, the commander had been pretty good at answering me even yesterday.
“Lindera!!!”
As we walked, we met Midori, who was already waiting in the parking lot, along with Dolores, who was gently waving her hand.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Huh? Not really?”
“Then that’s a relief. It seems like you’re… ready.”
“Yes, just put your bags in the trunk and hop in. The route has already been set, and everything you need is in the vehicle.”
“Thank you.”
It was kind of amusing that these two were better prepared than the commander, who was supposed to head to headquarters.
Of course, given that the commander was already plenty scolded by me, I didn’t express that thought.
If I scolded him further here… it could hurt a bit.
Besides, he had prepared everything yesterday.
“If anything happens, please contact the office number.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary. We’re just heading for a company anniversary party.”
“Still, you can’t be too sure. Commander, you understand, right?”
“I don’t think I need to worry. The person I’m going with is quite picky.”
“Who’s being picky?”
Why was I getting this type of response?
I wasn’t the picky one.
“Clearly, the commander is just lazy.”
“That sounds about right. Anyway, while I’m gone, just relax. We’ll meet again around next week.”
“Yeah!”
“Okay.”
With that, the commander and I got into the car.
Naturally, the commander took the driver’s seat.
Of course, there was an autonomous driving system, so he didn’t have to sit there at all.
“Have a good trip.”
“Buy something delicious on your way back!”
“Got it. You both just head inside and rest for now. Besides, you don’t have much work anyway. Just take it easy today.”
The commander opened the window and spoke with the two of them.
Since we wouldn’t be able to meet for a while while at headquarters, it made sense to chat a bit before heading out.
“Dolores, Midori, if you need anything, feel free to use the card in the commander’s seat.”
“…Lindera?”
“It’s a corporate card, but we don’t use it much since we rarely go out to eat together… so why not take this chance?”
“Alright! We’ll have a great time!”
With that, I started raising the window.
Well, it was about time to take off now.
“Why are you allowing them to use the corporate card?”
“Ahaha.”
“…Well, if they have fun, I guess that’s what matters.”
“Yes, indeed. Now let’s get going.”
“I feel like we’re going to have a rough journey ahead. Is it just me?”
The commander sighed lightly as he said this.
Well, I had teased him quite a bit yesterday and today.
“You’re the only one thinking that.”
I reclined the passenger seat as I replied.
I didn’t think there was much to worry about, to be honest.
In fact, I thought the journey would just be fun.
Since becoming Lindera, I hadn’t gone outside the zones apart from missions, so naturally, I was only looking forward to it.
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