Chapter 229

229 . Do your best! Soldier-kun 1

“…Mitsuha-chan, I got in trouble…” (Soldier-kun)

Soldier-kun, who seemed on the verge of tears, said something like that

“What in the world happened? Well, let’s not talk while standing in a place like this, for the time being, let’s go to the usual shop…” (Mitsuha)

I tried to meet Soldier-kun because I wanted to know the result of [Ship Soul Operation], but something was strange .

The ship soul hasn’t appeared in [Leviathan], the ship which Soldier-kun is assigned to .

The reason is that I intentionally excluded that ship in order to find out how the crew of the ship where the ship soul hasn’t appeared would react to the current ship soul uproar .

Of course, it wasn’t made to appear on all other ships, only about ten ship souls appeared, which is only a small part of the total number of vessels owned by the Navy of the Vanek Kingdom .

So, I don’t think he’s in trouble because of that…

And we secured a table in the innermost part of the usual shop .

No, with Soldier-kun in this state, it’d bad if were to sit at the table outside or in the middle part of the shop . The combination of the current soldier-kun and me, who already stands out because of my foreigner-like look, is a little too conspicuous, after all .

After ordering, we have a bland conversation without touching the core of the story until the drink arrives .

Then, after the drink arrived and after the waiter walked away from our seat, I talked to Soldier-kun quietly so that other guest couldn’t hear me .

“…so, what happened?” (Mitsuha)

There’s no way Soldier-kun would make such a face as soon as we meet . Whether as a Navy soldier or as a boy who wants to look cool in front of a girl .

…in other words, this is something that is related to me, and possibly a piece of bad news for me .

But I’m nothing but a female friend for Soldier-kun . It’s not like women are not allowed in the Navy, and there’s nothing that could cause some sort of problem other than being a friend with Soldier-kun… tte, aaahh!

“D-don’t tell me, were you forced to give me over to a senior or a superior of yours?” (Mitsuha)

Yeah, that’s it!

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It wouldn’t be weird if someone who wants to snatch a rich and beautiful girl from their junior appeared . No, it’s natural that such people appeared . After all, a beautiful—

“No, it’s nothing like that” (Soldier-kun)

Ah, is that so…

“Then, what is going on!!” (Mitsuha)

Does my tone sound a little thorny? It’s your imagination .

“…actually, you were invited by the commandant…” (Soldier-kun)

Ooioioioi!

The captain of Soldier-kun’s ship is aCaptainif I recall correctly .

The captain of the other ships mostly has the rank of Commander, but Soldier-kun’s ship is a state-of-the-art ship and the flagship of a squadron .

…in other words, it would be the [Commander] of a squadron .

But now, Soldier-kun said “commandant” .

It’s an even higher position, isn’t it?

Well, there’s no point in panicking . Anyway, let’s hear the story first .

“The other day, I received the knives that my captain and squad commander asked, right? It seems that the squad commander who received it boasted at some gathering . And then…” (Soldier-kun)

Aah, I wonder if it’s about another order?

…no, then there’s no way he’d showed up with such a miserable face in front of a girl, I guess . He’s a boy after all .

“I was asked where I got it, and he even mentioned Mitsuha-chan’s name…” (Soldier-kun)

“No, why the squad commander knows my name!?” (Mitsuha)

“…sorry…” (Soldier-kun)

Of course, you talked about it when the squad commander asked where you obtained it, right…

Well, there’s nothing wrong with saying the name of his female friend .

Besides, I haven’t even given Soldier-kun my full name, just my first name [Mitsuha] .

Soldier-kun has been trying to get to hear it many times, but I’ve always been dodging the question .

Well, I guess it was okay to give a fitting false name, but I don’t want to tell unnecessary lies as much as possible . And Soldier-kun also seems to trust me because even though it’d be easy for me to give him a false name, but instead of doing that, I made a various excuse as for why I can’t tell him my name .

Perhaps, he thinks that I’m afraid that I will have to quit doing this if my social and family status were to be known .

“And so, the commandant wants to meet with Mitsuha-chan…” (Soldier-kun)

“Thought soooo!!!” (Mitsuha)

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So that’s why I have to meet the commandant…

No, there’s no way an underling like Soldier-kun can refuse such a thing!

And I can’t ignore it by saying something like [Since I’m not a soldier, I don’t have to obey such a thing!] either .

Well, I have no problem refusing it . I’m just a civilian and have nothing to do with the military, so I wouldn’t be obliged to listen to the military command in peacetime like this . …particularly, if an unknown old military man suddenly called a minor girl . That would be a court case if it went poorly .

But that would mean that Soldier-kun would lose his position …

Well, I could just disappear and never come back here, but Soldier-kun has taken care of me a lot, and he’s not a bad person, so I don’t want to trouble him .

…maybe, [trouble] would be an understatement .

It’s not like it would be against the military regulation if he doesn’t want to introduce his female friend to his superior, but considering how a sailor of lower position would be treated after he refused the request of the squad commander, as well as the commandant who stands above that and bring shame to the both of them… yeah, it’s a no-no…

And so, the only answer I can give him is…

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“I will accept the invitation…” (Mitsuha)

“You’re not looking happy at all, though…” ( Soldier-kun)

Urusai wa!

“Sorry…” (Soldier-kun)

Perhaps he noticed that I was annoyed, Soldier-kun apologizes .

Yeah, of course, you know why I accepted the invitation even though I hate it .

That’s right . It’s to save your sorry face, damn it!!

“This way, please” (?)

I am now inside a building that seems to be the headquarters on land .

Soldier-kun and I were guided to a room that screams [the office of a big-wig] .

Well, of course, there’s no way I would come by myself . So was decided to go together with Soldier-kun .

Otherwise, that would be [a big-wig called a girl who had nothing to do with the military into his room during working hours] .

…yeah,out!

As expected, there’s no way I’d do such a foolish thing .

We were guided by a young officer .

Maybe he has a little suspicion why such a child and a sailor were invited, but his response is very polite .

Well, we’re now [the guests of the commandant] rather than [a lower sailor and a child] . We’re treated as VIP .

And then, the guide knocked at the door and said [I’ve brought the guests] and opened the door .

Hmm, he just opened the door without waiting for [Get in!] or any sort permission to enter…

Well, the time of the visit was already fixed in the first place, so there’s no way he would strange things inside even if it’s his private room . Besides, although it’s okay to say [get in!] if there’s just the guide, it’d be rude to the guests who are with him .

Well, it doesn’t matter, I guess .

Then, I entered the room first .

…I was the one who was called anyway, and it would be too high of a hurdle for Soldier-kun if he were to enter this room first .

“Please excuse me . Thank you for the invitation…” (Mitsuha)

“After all, It’s you, missy… I was wondering who it might be…” (?)

Eh?

Eeeeh?

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Does he know me? Have we met at a party in the royal capital or somewhere before?

Perhaps he noticed that I was confused, the person who is sitting in an expensive-looking chair in front of us… which is, of course, the commandant who called us…explained .

“We have met at the bar, Miss Mitsuha…” (the commandant)

“Eh? So you’re one of the bar customers at that time?” (Mitsuha)

Aah, at that time, I didn’t give my family name, but I did give the name [Mitsuha]…

And, when he heard the name [Mitsuha] leaked by soldier-kun, via the squad commander, he thought it was me, I suppose…

Well, it seems to be a rare name around here, and I was mentioned to have a foreigner-like appearance, so he linked the [unique] part of [unique knife] and [unique alcohol] .

Well, it’s not weird that he thinks both of them were related to me, I guess .

…so, what in the world does he want from me?

“At that time, I tried to send an escort, but you were suddenly disappeared, so I was worried! Don’t mess around with adults too much!!” (the commandant)

Ah…

“Sorry…” (Mitsuha)

Indeed, it’s natural to worry if there’s a little girl alone at such a time . It was my bad…

“And, actually, I have something important to discuss . Hey, go out and close the door!” (the commandant)

The second half of the commandant’s dialogue is for the young officer guide who is standing at the open door .

And as soon as the young officer came out of the room and the door was closed, the Commander whispered to us, standing still without offering us to sit .

“…can you get that liquor again?” (the commandant)

So, something important isthat!?