Chapter 52

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"Got it. Understand?"

"Yeah, I get it."

It had been a while since I last came to school, and I noticed it was strangely more decorated, so I was saying things like "Wow, this is something," when I got called by my homeroom teacher. I ended up being explained the current situation by Mr. Igeta, who was there.

Of course, the talk about the Self-Defense Forces is something I interpreted on my own—apparently, even in this world, military personnel seriously build snow statues—so please don't hold it against Mr. Igeta for using such terms.

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"Then, what do I need to do?"

I understood the situation. If the cultural festival is a mission, I, as a student, need to work hard.

"You don't need to do anything."

"Why!?"

Not that I want to do anything in particular. If I can get away with it, that's great, but if I really do nothing, it might affect my school life in the future, right?

Specifically, I might be bullied or ostracized for not helping during the cultural festival.

"Hmm."

When I expressed my concerns, I got a sigh in return.

"...There are many things I want to say, but let's start by correcting this misunderstanding."

"Huh?"

At this point, my homeroom teacher, who had been listening to Mr. Igeta, chimed in.

"First of all, do you think there are students who can bully you?"

"There might be...?"

Like Mr. Watanabe, Mr. Kasahara, and Mr. Kobata.

"Hah. Who would bully someone who has achieved overwhelming military success, been knighted by an allied nation, and promoted to the rank of sixth class, and is now officially part of the First Division and a lieutenant?"

"How...? By force? No, that's impossible. I'd crush them. Even if they use their authority, I'm still under scrutiny. If they intervene poorly, it won't just affect me but the people around me."

So, the only option left is harassment, right?

"Like slashing my shoes or damaging my textbooks?"

My desk and chair are school property, so they'd target my shoes, textbooks, or clothes.

"You'd definitely take revenge. Besides, you don't even study at your desk."

"Yeah, that's true."

Indeed, if they did something, I'd retaliate. Plus, I keep my shoes, textbooks, and clothes stored in a magic crystal.

"Even if you were ostracized, ignoring you would mean losing access to information. Personal feelings and orders from home, which do you think we prioritize?"

"Yeah, that's true."

I'm not entirely convinced, but I am a point of interest for the military. I have information on the growth of the prototype, the operation of mass-produced models, and the test results of the exoskeletons. No one would give up the opportunity to get that information.

I, for my part, have the tolerance to ignore those who dislike me as long as they don't act on it.

Actually, I don't plan to do anything to Mr. Kobata or Mr. Kasahara. Mr. Kasahara seems to be having a tough time, but that's under the jurisdiction of Ms. Saiko, not me.

"Besides, the order to not involve you in anything comes directly from the teacher, or rather, the command from a lieutenant colonel. No one would dare to object to that."

"That's true. But if I were ostracized by my classmates now, would it really be a problem?"

"...No, it wouldn't."

After all, I'm already a lieutenant. My relationships with others were already thin, and I could even drop out of the military academy and just complete the officer training.

However, these are reasons why I won't be bullied, not reasons why I don't need to work.

Honestly, I don't want to do the tedious work for the cultural festival, so this order is appreciated, but it feels a bit off.

"Since you don't seem convinced, let me be clear. If we assign you work, there's a possibility you won't be able to respond in an emergency. The military doesn't accept that risk."

"In an emergency? Ah, Kyushu?"

"Not necessarily just Kyushu, but yes."

The Second Division, which should protect Kyushu, suffered a devastating blow. The Sixth and Eighth Divisions, which were sent as reinforcements, also suffered heavy casualties. They are currently reorganizing, but it's difficult to replenish the pilots.

So, reinforcements are being sent from the Seventh and Ninth Divisions. If another attack like the last one comes, they would be annihilated.

That's why they need to keep me available.

Strictly speaking, it doesn't have to be me, but I'm the only one who can operate the prototype. They can't afford to lose the mass-produced models every time they face an attack.

...I didn't expect the mass-produced models to be so ineffective. I didn't think they would be sent to the front line with such low training.

According to Ms. Saiko, it's reasonable given that the models are only about two months old.

So, the military wants to keep me ready to act at any time.

"That's the idea. It wouldn't make sense to assign work to someone who might disappear at any moment, right?"

"True."

Considering the time and effort it would take to hand over the work, it's more reasonable not to assign it in the first place.

"Also, you've become too famous."

"Huh?"

"If you're famous, shouldn't you be used to attract visitors?"

I'm a civilian, not part of the military. I'm not only excelling in the military but also being recognized by the head of state of an allied nation. The military, which wants civilian support, should use me as a figurehead, right?

That was my question, but it seems my value is even higher than I thought.

"...People will target you."

"Ah, I see."

The clear enemies would be the coexistence faction, anti-war politicians, and nobles. Maybe even the media influenced by them.

It would be easier to crush them all, but that's not possible. They are too big to use as bait, so it's better to keep them at a distance.

"Still, you'll be at school. Of course, you'll have work. You'll mainly be handling simulations and interacting with visitors."

With simulations, I don't have to show myself to the visitors, and there's no need for preparation. But I will still be working on the day of the event.

"I see. I understand. One more question?"

"What is it?"

"Actually, I've been wondering about this."

"What?"

"Couldn't the teacher have explained this alone? Why did Mr. Igeta have to explain it?"

I'm curious!

"What? You thought it was something more serious?"

Of course, I'm curious.

"It's because I'm your supervisor, obviously."

Mr. Igeta snorted and puffed out his chest. I looked at the teacher, and she nodded in agreement.

When did this happen?

Did I do something that required a supervisor?

Most of the trouble is caused by Ms. Saiko, right?

The one who needs a supervisor is her, right?

These thoughts flashed through my mind.

But since the teacher agreed, this is a fact that can't be changed.

"I don't understand."

"That's just you."

"Yeah, that's true."

"..."

My whispered resistance was easily dismissed.

The teacher called Mr. Igeta because she wasn't sure about the distance to keep with Keita.

Mr. Igeta was originally in charge of Keita, but with the lieutenant colonel's approval, he could prioritize or even monopolize Keita's information without complaints from others, so he gladly accepted the role.

The others also thought Keita needed a supervisor, so there wasn't much opposition. (There were suggestions like rotating the supervisor daily or weekly.)

Only Keita was confused.

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Thank you for reading.

By the way, a bit of promotion.

On October 27th, the second volume of the manga adaptation of "Ordinary Job's Slow Life in Another World," which I wrote the original story for, was released. I also wrote a one-shot SS, so if you're interested, please pick it up.

Additionally, on October 14th, the fourth volume of my novel "Pseudo-Canon: Romance" was released. It's a story set during the early stages of the Three Kingdoms period, focusing on the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition. If you're interested, please give it a read.

Thank you.