General 113

Test

Chapter 113. Women Losing It Over Work Is Seriously Scary

"I brought some meat, Mina. Wait, huh? Did you move seats?"

"Sorry, Yuu. Nase and former president Domon are in their own little world over there, and I just couldn't handle sitting with them."

"Oh, got it."

When I glanced over, President Nase was sitting next to former President Domon.

"I'm grilling today, so Kyo-chan, just eat."

"No! Since we're here, it's my job as your junior to handle the grilling!"

They were squabbling over who should take care of the meat.

It was clearly the kind of cute bickering you'd expect from a newly-in-love couple.

"Aren't they supposed to be keeping their relationship a secret?"

"Their feelings are just overflowing. Seems like everyone around them has caught on."

Mina, with a hint of envy, mutters while watching the happy couple.

"Well, it’s a pretty common story for couples to get closer during the school festival."

"Is it, Mina?"

"Well... I only know from shoujo manga, so..."

That's a pretty weak basis.

"The student council was in full death march mode during festival prep, so there was no time for romance to blossom."

"Totally."

Kotomi and I exchanged glances and chuckled.

"Hey! No getting all cozy while I'm not looking!"

"No, we were just talking about how tough things were, Mina."

"It really was tough. Especially preparing for the Battle Diva's concert."

"That kind of shared hardship often gets confused with romance!"

Is that how it works?

Well, I guess when a squad pulls off a tough mission together, they do bond pretty strongly.

"By the way, Yuu, are things still tense with the Suo siblings?"

Mina cast a glance over at another booth, where the Suo siblings were also in their own world.

"Yeah... it’s still a bit rough."

"I don’t know all the details, but isn’t it because of this little one?"

"Just because she’s small doesn’t mean you can pat her on the head, Battle Diva."

"You’re my junior, and I’m your senior, so you’ll just have to put up with it. Who do you think makes your breakfast and dinner?"

Using the fact that Kotomi was in the dark about the situation, Mina lightly patted Misuzu’s head.

Misuzu, seeming to resign herself, refocused on the meat in front of her.

"Well, it’s pretty common for work issues to cause friction. It’s hard to avoid."

I answered with a self-deprecating chuckle, casting my gaze downward.

"Honestly, now that I’ve been doing military band duties, I realize just how amazing you are for working since you were 10, Yuu. My work with the band is nothing compared to putting your life on the line at the front. Some might even laugh at the idea of calling what I do 'work.'"

"That’s not true. You bring smiles and healing to a lot of people, Mina."

"But I also get where Senpai is coming from. When you're working behind the scenes, there’s always a bit of guilt."

I quickly denied it, but Kotomi voiced the same sentiment as Mina.

When I was on the front lines, I envied those in the rear. Sometimes I even got emotional, thinking, "They don’t understand anything about what we’re going through out here!"

"Different positions mean you focus on different things."

"Yeah. That's why there’s no need for everyone to always agree. In fact, if there’s no conflict and everyone’s unanimous, that might actually be a sign that you're missing something big."

"But this time, I pushed my opinion really hard. It’s been awkward since then..."

"Then all you can do is say, 'Wait and see the results.' If your reasoning’s sound, they’ll come around. And when it really matters, they’ll back you up—because that’s how an organization works."

"Right... Thanks, Mina. The Battle Diva’s pretty good at counseling too, huh?"

"I’ve been studying a lot to help heal people."

Mina puffed out her chest, looking pleased to be playing the older sister role again after a while.

Thanks to her, I felt much lighter.

"Alright, I’m going to go apologize to Marin and the others while I’m still riding this wave of confidence."

"Okay, go for it."

With Mina’s encouragement still burning in me, I made my way to the booth where Marin and Suo-senpai were sitting.

"Hey, mind if I interrupt?"

"Yes, you’re interrupting, so please leave."

Uh, what?

Marin’s words were cold as ice.

Mina had said maybe they weren’t that mad, but this is full-on fury, isn’t it?

But there was no way I could turn back now.

"Is it something personal? I can step out if that’s the case."

Suo-senpai is an angel!

He’s totally a tsundere, always there to help when I’m in a pinch.

"If you have something to say, please send it in writing. We’ll respond in writing as well."

Even with Suo-senpai’s perfect assist, Marin didn’t even look at me, focusing instead on grilling the meat and placing the cooked pieces onto her onii-chan’s plate.

This is bad. Marin is seriously pissed.

But why is it that when a woman is mad about work stuff, it’s so much scarier?

Getting yelled at by an old male officer is a one-time hit, but when a woman loses it, it feels like a lingering damage that sticks with you.

"I’m really sorry! I caused a lot of trouble for you because of my selfishness!"

At this point, I had no choice but to offer a sincere apology, bowing deeply.

"..."

"Because of my selfishness, I’m sure I’ll continue to cause you trouble, but I still believe my decision was right. So, I’m asking for your continued cooperation."

With Suo-senpai around, I couldn’t be too direct, but I was referring to hiding Misuzu.

And I still didn’t regret it. Seeing Misuzu enjoying herself now, I knew I made the right call.

"What would you do if we decided to take drastic measures?"

Marin responded coldly as ever.

I thought she'd blow up at me for insisting I did nothing wrong, but surprisingly, she didn’t.

By drastic measures, she probably meant the military forcibly taking Misuzu, or worse.

She was testing my resolve.

So I gave her an honest answer, without any pretense or lies.

"I’ll crush them with everything I’ve got."

"..."

Oh man, I really said it.

This isn’t an apology—it’s a declaration of war.

It’s over. Now there’s going to be a huge rift between me and Marin…

"I accept your apology."

"Huh?"

"I said I accept your apology. Now, please leave. I’m having a yakiniku date with my onii-chan."

Looking irritated, she shooed me away with her tongs, but the tension in her face had eased.

"You’re forgiving me?"

"You’re more sensitive than I expected, Kamiyama-senpai. I thought you’d act more like, 'I’m the king, so just do as I say.' But since you properly started with an apology and still stood by your stance, I’ll let it slide this time."

Marin smiled softly as she spoke.

"Well, I’m not as much of a 'king' as Suo-senpai was back in second year."

"Why am I catching strays here!? That’s a dark chapter in my life..."

"My onii-chan’s 'king' era... Please reenact it for me as an apology gift, Kamiyama-senpai."

Sure, if that’ll make her happy, I’ll gladly do it.

"Alright. How about we reenact the time he confronted me during the entrance process and when he cornered Kotomi? Mina, Kotomi, come over here for a bit."

"What’s going on?"

"Did you make up with them, Yuu?"

"Stop it!"

"Suo-senpai, you don’t have veto power here."

"She said it, onii-chan."

"Why won’t you fight for me, Marin!?"

Thanks to Suo-senpai’s noble sacrifice, the tension between us dissolved peacefully.

"This school’s students are so carefree and peaceful..."

I thought I heard Misuzu mutter under her breath as she paused from eating her yakiniku to watch us goof around.