Chapter 75 of 100

Chapter 75

9 min read2,252 words

"Well, that's about it."

"That idiot..."

This time, the proposal for the establishment of the instructional battalion that we applied for was approved, and I got to hear the thoughts of that guy, recorded by Lieutenant Kuga, who became our teacher and superior. ...Honestly, I can't even describe it.

"Hmm. It's just like him, I guess."

"No need for resolve, huh?"

"Not just unnecessary, but a hindrance, apparently?"

Yeah. I understand why you'd be surprised by how casually he spilled information about the machine's operation. I get it, but...

"Before that, worrying about a false sexual harassment accusation first, what!?"

"Exactly."

I won't say it's useless, but that's not the first thing to worry about, right!?

Really. What does that idiot think resolve means?

But then again, if you think about it, it's just like him.

So, as Lieutenant Kuga said, for us, this was a big gamble.

To put it in perspective, even my parents at home thought, "Throwing away a position you should have gotten to bet on a mass-produced model is insane!" and tried to persuade me to change my mind multiple times.

It wasn't just me; the other three felt the same way.

But in the end, our opinions prevailed. And it was because a big catch, Lieutenant Kuga, who is more of a big fish than a mere inspector, joined as an assistant.

At this point, we were no longer seen as "naive girls who are fooled by something that's neither fish nor fowl" but as "test pilots who will carry the future of the division."

Of course, the military was apparently planning to establish something similar to an instructional battalion next year even if we hadn't stepped forward.

I don't know what my father thinks, but at least within the Sixth Division, the deployment of the mass-produced model is being expedited.

But it's also a fact that if it's deployed and can't be operated properly, it's meaningless.

That's why the military aimed to approach the mass-produced model from a different direction than the regular pilots currently in the military.

That's the instructional battalion. We're ahead of the game in that sense.

By the way, when this plan was revealed, the other three didn't particularly object.

Well, if we can handle the mass-produced model, it will benefit the division, and most importantly, there are currently no pioneers in the military who can handle the mass-produced model.

That's why it was clear that if we could become those pioneers, it would be a plus for us and our respective families, who were sent to reinforce their positions.

That's why we decided to switch from the familiar Kusanagi model, and it became the first step toward the establishment of the instructional battalion.

(...That's the official reason, but the real reason is much simpler.)

I saw that guy fight the demons and thought... I couldn't help but think...

"I don't want to die."

It might be questionable as a soldier, but there's no reason to blame me for it.

After all, who wants to die in vain? I certainly don't.

And my parents admitted, "If I had been on the Kusanagi model and fought that demon, I would have been killed instantly."

Dodge and evade? Exploit a gap and crush it with a 32mm? No way, no way.

The demon I saw back then wasn't the kind of opponent that could be handled with such simple techniques.

The Kusanagi model simply lacked the mobility and firepower.

Of course, my current inexperience is also a factor.

But even accounting for that, I can't envision a scenario where I could fight the demons with the Kusanagi model.

They say you don't encounter demons easily, but it's not like the possibility is zero.

Moreover, the enemy isn't just demons. There are many medium and large monsters. These are the ones we will definitely encounter.

And if you know how many pilots were killed in the last large-scale offensive, you can't live in peace without worrying about the future.

...The harsh reality was even worse than I thought, and the heavy fear of death. What alleviated that, even a little, was that guy and the mass-produced model he used.

The fact that that guy could fight the demons even in a machine he wasn't used to.

The fact that Lieutenant Kashiwazaki avoided an attack from a large monster, counterattacked, and managed to take down several monsters before being killed.

These two facts gave me hope that "if I can handle the mass-produced model, I can fight the demons" and "at least I won't die in vain."

That's why my declaration to lead the establishment and participation in the instructional battalion was more of a grasp at hope than a gamble.

(If it's called a gamble, then it is. But...)

I'm convinced that this choice is the one that gives me the least chance of dying and the most opportunity to earn military merit if successful.

Takaguchi must have thought the same, which is why she didn't object.

After all, she knows that guy's strength.

She's also heard about how to use the mass-produced model and probably doesn't see this choice as a gamble.

As for Hashimoto and Ayase... I wonder?

If they followed the flow of me creating and Takaguchi riding, that's true, but it wouldn't be enough to convince their families.

Ah, no, Hashimoto has always been interested in that guy.

Considering that, being assigned to the same unit as him might be a dream come true for her?

(Come to think of it, the same goes for Ayase, right?)

If Hashimoto, who gained information and experience from the Fifth Division's expeditionary force, wants to apply it to the Fourth Division, her family probably won't object.

After all, even if they are "promising young talents with a bright future," in the end, only one person is taking the gamble.

Considering the return on success, it's more than worth it.

That said...

"To be honest, I was surprised that that guy seemed to take it more seriously than I thought."

This is important. Because if he just went through the motions and we ended up with "couldn't learn to operate it," it would be a disaster.

But from the way he casually revealed the key points, it seems he's taking the guidance seriously. Even if we can't operate it properly, at least we can get data that says "this method doesn't work."

...It's not the worst outcome, and as a test pilot, it's not bad. I hope.

"Yeah. It's also good that he has no intention of sexually harassing us."

That's true, but that's not what I'm getting at.

"Yeah. Maybe we should appreciate his thoroughness in preparing a strategy to prevent false accusations."

Ah, that's a valid point. Yeah, I agree.

"Hmm. What would happen if someone tried to buy information by getting physically close?"

...Is that really "pure"? No, but if you have nothing to offer, maybe it's unavoidable?

"I understand your feelings. But the important thing is not your opinions on sexual harassment or honey traps. Well, those are important too, of course."

"..."

Ayase's words were met with a comment from Lieutenant Kuga.

Right. This is a briefing, not an HR meeting.

"Let's get back to it. As you heard, Kawaue isn't concerned about information leaks. But information related to the mass-produced model should be strictly managed. You understand that, right?"

"..."

Right. He says it like it's no big deal, but the information about the mass-produced model is highly confidential. If it leaks, severe punishment is inevitable. It's not that he doesn't understand the importance of the information... probably because the mass-produced model isn't his real machine.

I think he probably believes that "if the information about the mass-produced model leaks, it won't affect him."

He might even think, "If they get distracted by the information about the mass-produced model, that's fine."

Indeed, if it hides the truly important information, it's not a problem for him.

But for us, who will entrust our lives to the mass-produced model, it's different. It's literally a matter of life and death.

That's why we won't allow any leaks of information.

"Let me make this clear. The information you obtain in the instructional battalion must remain within you until I give permission. You are also forbidden from reporting to your respective families. Understand?"

"..."

Of course. You never know where the leak might come from. I don't think the military will interfere, but there's a possibility that politicians might tell foreign dignitaries out of consideration.

There are people like the Third Division, who are losing their position within the military, and someone who welcomed the demons with the dignitaries. We should be cautious.

"Very well. With that in mind, I have an announcement regarding future training."

"..."

"First, about the machines. The production of the mass-produced model is being expedited, but it will still take time to provide one for each of you."

That's true. Compared to the Kusanagi, Yawata, and Yuiti models, which have been recognized as the main weapons on the battlefield, it's natural to prioritize them over the mass-produced model, which has proven its effectiveness against large targets but lacks operators.

"Therefore, for the time being, you will use simulators for your training. Understand?"

"..."

It's so obvious that there's nothing to say. But that was as far as we could stay calm.

"However, there are always exceptions."

"Exceptions? Ah, maybe a few actual machines were prepared with the establishment of the instructional battalion?"

Lieutenant Kuga could do that, right?

The military must have some expectations for him too.

"!"

"..."

My one comment made the other three react, and I realized I had made a mistake.

If there were enough machines for everyone, that would be fine. But if there weren't enough...

"Hey, there are machines? And I have a dedicated one?"

Takaguchi... you're losing your cool.

"Hmm, hmm. If there are actual machines, I think they should be shared among all of us, not monopolized by someone."

Hashimoto... Ah, right, you lost to Takaguchi in the competition.

"True. Having a machine or not really affects motivation and enthusiasm."

Ayase... Well, you haven't lost to anyone, but you haven't won either. Considering that, it's better to share, right?

We all think the same, don't we? After being told there's a limit to the number, and then hearing about "exceptions," it's hard to believe there are enough for everyone.

So, Takaguchi wants a dedicated machine.

The other two feel the same, but they also think that based on current evaluations, it's likely to be assigned to me or Takaguchi. So they want to share it somehow.

I think the simulator is enough for training, but...

(No, I can't. I can't betray my feelings. If there's an actual machine, I want it, and if it's a dedicated one, I want it even more.)

My classmates, who were once "fellow comrades in the same unit," suddenly became "rivals competing for the machine."

"...As a pilot, I understand your feelings. But the story isn't over yet."

"..."

Lieutenant Kuga sighed and continued, looking at us who were sizing each other up.

"The instructional battalion has a total of three machines."

"!"

Three machines? So one is left over? No, that's not right.

"One of them is mine. The rest will be shared among you."

"I see."

"That's..."

"Alright!"

Indeed, there's no choice but to share. The remaining two machines, minus the one for that guy, means only one in practice.

Takaguchi looks disappointed, but it's a fair judgment in a way. There's no choice but to accept it.

...I thought the same thing at one point.

"...That's what I wanted to say."

"Huh?"

"..."

What? I have a really bad feeling about this!

"Special arrangements have been made for Itoya. ...By Saigo Heavy Industries."

"Huh?"

Saigo Heavy Industries? That's the factory that has an exclusive contract with that guy, right? Why?

"..."

Wow! They all suddenly look at me like an enemy!

"...Ah, I remember, Itoya was the one who first invited us, right?"

"Yeah. I remember that too. So, what?"

"Using us as stepping stones, or something?"

No way! I did think about involving them to gather data, but not like that!

"I don't know anything about it! I didn't cut in line!"

I don't want to be blamed for something I didn't do!

"...But it seems like you're handling it pretty well, doesn't it?"

"...You've seemed pretty calm from the start."

"...Yeah. It's hard to believe you didn't do anything with this."

"No, I really didn't do anything!"

"..."

"Don't read too much into it!"

I didn't do anything, and neither did my family!

If anyone did something, it was probably that guy!

So I'm not to blame!

--- After that, the questioning from the three of them didn't stop until Lieutenant Kuga intervened.

Lieutenant, you're the only one who knows the situation, so please stop them quickly. You can get to know the personalities of your future subordinates through team-building activities later.

That said...

After being released from the three who were seriously trying to kill me, I resolved in my heart to "definitely punch the root cause of this situation, [a certain man]!"

Lieutenant? There's no way you can punch him.

Thank you for reading.