General 27

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Chapter 27. Our Social Studies Field Trip Destination Is, Of Course, The Military!

"At lunch break, what were you guys doing in the club room? It was quite noisy." 

The homeroom teacher remarked.

After school.

Mina and I were called by the president, Domon, and we headed to the student council room.

"We were just taking a nap." 

I replied nonchalantly, and Kotomi, who stood next to President Domon, avoided eye contact.

"Well, that's fine. Let's get to it. The Soul Armor Research Club needs your help with the student council's tasks."

"Huh?"

"I heard that from your advisor, Hayami-sensei."

"...Oh, that matter. Got it, got it."

It was a way to let Kotomi, who is part of the student council, come and go to our club room. 

However, it seemed like a genuine cooperation between the student council and us had formed.

"To be honest, the student council is always short-handed. We see it as mutually beneficial."

"Understood."

Essentially, the Soul Armor Research Club was considered a subordinate organization of the student council within the school, a fact we tried to hide after losing a duel and having to share our club room.

As long as we have the club room, there's no complaint. 

In terms of providing activity reports to maintain that club room, cooperating with the student council also benefits the Soul Armor Research Club. 

So, let's follow along quietly.

"About the upcoming events. We have a social studies field trip planned."

"Oh, are we going to visit a factory or something?"

"No, we'll be visiting a military base."

"I see."

This school is quite different from ordinary schools in various ways.

"By the way, the field trip destinations rotate every year among the three grades. Last year it was a private company, so this year it's the military. For someone like me who's interested in the private sector, it feels like a waste of time." 

Vice President Nase commented, dripping with sarcasm.

"But is there a role for the student council during the social studies field trip? Isn't it handled by the instructors?"

"The military base we're visiting this time also has a military academy. They are hosting an exchange program alongside our field trip."

The military academy, which allows enrollment from the age of 15 and guarantees a path to becoming a military officer, is essentially an elite school.

"Oh, that sounds exciting!"

"Looking at past records, they haven't always welcomed us warmly."

President Domon grimaced as he flipped through old files.

"So, what are we supposed to do?"

"Kohou, you just need to be friendly at the exchange event. You look good enough, right? Just perfect." 

Vice President Namese quipped sarcastically.

"Ah, the council lacks charisma, is that it?"

"What? You have something to say about our numbers?"

"Stop bickering at the exchange event." 

President Domon intervened with a mix of exasperation and resignation in his voice, witnessing the ongoing banter between Mina and Vice President Nase.

"While the formal exchange part is important." 

President Domon explained, "These events always stir up trouble."

"Well, we're all young and full of ambition, after all. We all have our elite pride."

"It's irritating to be told that by an underclassman like you, but you're right."

Basically, clashes were expected between students from the elite Special Soul Armor Academy and those from the military academy who would become officers in the future. 

Even among adults, there were issues on battlefields and military bases.

The soldiers with soul armor abilities, a special combat force, often looked down on regular soldiers. In turn, regular soldiers mistreated them out of envy, causing quite a bit of trouble with insults and complaints exchanged between the two groups.

Since even adults couldn't get along, it was clear that students would face similar challenges.

"So, I'd like to leave handling such issues to you, Kamiya."

"Isn't that usually the responsibility of the Discipline Committee?"

"The Discipline Committee was corrupt, so we disbanded it last year."

"It seems like you're having a hard time, President Domon... Well then, consider it done."

"Thank you."

Being in the military, visiting a military base wasn't anything special.

I hoped the food at the base would be good, though. While I thought that, I dragged Mina, who was still bickering with Vice President Nase, out of the student council room.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

On the day of the social studies field trip.

The weather was perfect.

"Ugh, the long bus ride is tiring, Suou-senpai."

"Why do I have to tour with you..."

As I stretched my back to relieve the tension, Suou-senpai muttered in a frustrated tone.

"Senpai, you don't have anyone to tour with, right? It works out well since I don't either. Let's get along as loners."

"Don't meddle in my affairs! And besides, you have Kohou and Hinoura."

"Mina and Kotomi insisted on touring just the two of me and one of them, and it almost turned into a Soul Armor battle right there. Now Hayami-sense and President Domon are lecturing them."

"What are they up to..."

Despite being scolded for causing trouble in the student council room recently, it was unexpected that those who should have been regulating were causing problems themselves.

President Domon seemed exasperated.

Suou-senpai and I toured the base together and observed.

But it was more of following the unit guides since they were leading us.

While the explanations about the base's facilities and equipment were boring for the students, they became excited when we reached the Soul Armor Unit area.

"Other than the regular facilities, we also have the Soul Armor Unit area here."

"Oh!"

Suou-senpai, who also possessed a Soul Armor ability in the sword category, watched with shining eyes. Even after the demonstration, he enthusiastically asked questions to the performers.

"Senpai, I thought you were from a civilian faction? You seem quite interested in this."

"...To tell you the truth, I wanted to join the military's sword unit since I was a kid."

"Is that so?"

"Because of the embarrassment of losing to you, I've been abandoned by the higher-ups in the faction. Thanks to that..."

"Now you can pursue your childhood dream again. That's a good story."

"It's not that simple when it's coming from you."

The sword unit plays a vital role in VIP protection and infiltration missions, among other things. Since I specialize in blowing things away, this kind of covert activity also appealed to my sense of coolness as a guy.

"Well then, how about lunch?"

"I was looking forward to this!"

I heard that the cafeteria during these trips serves luxurious meals, so I was excited.

"Is that the cafeteria? And who's at the entrance..."

Mina and Kotomi were standing at the entrance to the cafeteria. Their contrasting beauty, with Mina being a tall silver-haired exotic beauty and Kotomi a petite and cute girl, attracted attention.

As the young students moved to the cafeteria, they glanced at the two girls.

"Finally done with the lecture?"

"Thanks to that, we hardly saw the Soul Armor Unit... I wanted to join the military." 

Mina expressed her disappointment.

Fortunately, they didn't cause any trouble at the military base. Given their aspirations to join the military.

"Wow, tough luck there, Kohou-senpai. I'll be able to visit the military again in my 3rd year, 3 years from now, so it's fine for me."

Indeed, alternating between military and civilian visits each year means that Kotomi and I will visit the civilian sector in our 2nd year. And then the military again in our third year.

"Oh? Hinoura-san, are you so proud of being just one year younger? When you join the military, you'll have to give special guidance as a senior officer."

Mina teased Kotomi with a smile, bordering on harassment.

"My, Kohou-san. You're treating me like an old lady just because your rank is higher. Also, didn't both of you say you'd stick with me today?"

""Oh! Hayami-sensei."""

Mina and Kotomi froze as they heard the voice from behind. It seemed they had enough after the lecture earlier, and the potential quarrel got averted thanks to Hayami-sensei.

"Instructor Hayami is beautiful but intimidating," I remarked.

"Well, in a different way, yeah," Senpai Suzumori muttered, to which I gently disagreed.

People sometimes have unconventional preferences.

"Having a private conversation?"

"N-No, nothing! Lieutenant Hayami."

"Is that so? Well then, let's go. Shall we have lunch together since we're here?"

""Yes! We'd love to, thank you!""

Since we were on a military base, I had to be more conscious of our roles as students and a teacher, so I complied obediently.

Suou-senpai, being more military-minded, also followed Lieutenant Hayami's orders without question.

"Hehe, since I'm overseeing the students, I can use the regular soldier's cafeteria instead of the officer's mess hall. Alright, Kamiya, Suou, go ahead and secure seats."

""Yes!""

Ah, that was her plan. Being younger among the officers, Lieutenant Hayami must have had her challenges.

Following orders, Suou-senpai and I entered the spacious cafeteria, and I scanned for empty seats to accommodate everyone.

Oh! There seem to be oddly vacant seats over there.

As I headed to secure them, I noticed why that area had empty seats.

There was a rank insignia draped over the chair next to a lone officer eating.

A high-ranking officer. It's a pass even though there are empty seats.

As I turned to leave,

"Hey, there's space here. (Chewing)"

The officer unexpectedly called out to us while chewing food, displaying poor manners.

But, as a mere private among the soldiers, I couldn't ignore the officer's invitation.

"Yes, we'd be delighted to..."

I inadvertently froze as I put on a diplomatic smile to respond to the officer.

"Oh, if it isn't Kamiya! Long time no see. (Chewing)"

"Toshi-nii?!"

The officer, chewing with his mouth full, waving his hand was someone I knew very well.