Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Masterstroke (6)
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Lina Chaplin had fallen into deep contemplation.
It was about what to wear for today's date—no, her outing with Michael.
"What should I wear?"
In Lina's hands were two different outfits.
One was a simple dress she usually wore for casual outings, the other a bright blouse.
Lina and Michael weren't in a romantic relationship.
But she was a woman who had devoted her entire life to the path of an officer.
She had never experienced a crush, let alone been touched by a man's fingertip.
She didn't even have experience holding a private conversation with a man.
She had no idea what to wear when going out with Schumacher.
"I want to get closer to the battalion commander."
In truth, Lina was born with a certain loneliness.
Female officers and NCOs weren't uncommon in the Imperial Army.
At first, she had thought about befriending them...
But most came to the army not to live seriously as soldiers, but to find love and marriage.
The NCOs tried to lure naive lieutenants into marriage.
Female officers tended to chase after classmates from good families or with money.
Their values were completely different, making friendship practically impossible.
"Outside the army, I have friends and my nanny, but here, aside from the battalion commander, the other men..."
Young lieutenants around her age kept glancing at her chest.
Even Lina, who had never dated, could tell they were blatantly hitting on her.
Michael had never given her such looks or made advances.
"The battalion commander is a young man too, so he probably prefers brighter clothes."
Lina chose a white blouse and a navy skirt.
The skirt was a bit long but clung slightly to her figure.
"Perfect."
Having selected her outfit, Lina left home much earlier than the appointed time.
She just wanted to see Michael even a little sooner.
She didn't quite know what that feeling was.
I'd been taught that if you have a date with a woman, you should arrive thirty minutes early as a matter of courtesy.
In my past life and this one, I'd spent my whole life buried in books and never even held a girl's hand...
But I'd picked up some advice from school seniors and close acquaintances along the way.
So I'd just follow their advice to the letter.
"No way Lieutenant Lina has a crush on me, right?"
Whether then or now, workplace romances were extremely rare.
This was the army, and I was her distant superior.
Sure, dramas had young bosses falling for female employees, but that didn't happen in reality.
"Has Lieutenant Lina not arrived yet?"
As I looked around near the meeting spot, I spotted her.
White blouse and navy skirt.
It suited her striking red hair, which stood out anywhere, giving off a vibe like she was from another world entirely.
"Major."
At her words, everyone's gazes turned toward me.
They all looked at me with utter bewilderment.
Then they started slowly approaching me.
In a world without internet or TV, my face wasn't widely known.
I could walk around bare-faced without my identity being exposed...
'But there's no one else who made major at twenty-five.'
"Lieutenant Lina!"
If I got caught by the crowd here, I'd be stuck for at least an hour.
Being treated like a war hero or idol was fun once or twice.
But every time like this was a problem.
"Yes?"
I quickly walked toward where Lina was.
I grabbed her hand firmly.
We had to escape fast.
If they caught us together, it might end up plastered in the Imperial Gazette.
"Run! Follow me!"
I dashed toward a place that seemed deserted.
As we ran frantically, the people chasing us faded from sight.
"That was close."
"I'm sorry, Major."
"No need to apologize. But outside, don't call me Major. We're just out for coffee and a chat, right?"
Lina's expression shifted subtly.
She puffed her cheeks slightly and turned her head away.
But we weren't flirting or dating.
I had to make that clear.
"I'm already famous as a war hero in the Empire... Imagine if word got out that I was at a cafe with you."
"The Imperial Gazette would run a story saying we're dating with marriage in mind."
"Exactly. What a hassle for you—not to mention the Chaplin family."
"My father would probably be over the moon..."
For some reason, Lina turned her head away again.
"So what should I call you outside?"
"Anything but Major or Battalion Commander."
"I'll call you big brother."
"Sure, go with that."
A faint smile bloomed on her face.
"Big brother is a term not allowed for other officers or soldiers. In my family, there were only younger brothers, so I'm happy to have someone I can call big brother."
"Let's go."
Lina and I were superior and subordinate.
Feeling good about being called big brother was separate—surely she didn't see me as dating material?
"There's a cafe nearby, big brother."
Lina walked lightly toward the cafe.
This was my first time at a high-end cafe in this life.
So I decided not to hide my ignorance.
Common sense said the man should lead on a date with a woman.
But better to leave it to Lina than pretend to know and end up in an awkward spot.
"Truth is, this is my first time at a place like this. Can you help me out?"
"Really your first time?"
"I'm an orphan, and I only just became an officer. I couldn't afford places like this."
"I see. Then..."
Lina ordered a caramel macchiato for herself and an espresso for me.
"You don't like sweet things, big brother. So instead of your usual Americano, I got you something stronger."
"Thanks."
"So you've never gone out with a woman before?"
"Of course not. The academy held dances and such to give us chances with girls... But no noble lady wanted to marry a poor orphan like me."
Marriage was reality.
Dating was the same in our Empire.
Come to think of it, if I didn't start focusing on women soon, I'd end up a confirmed bachelor.
I'd barely talked to women my whole life—let alone held hands.
The difficulty was too high for me.
My mind grew heavy, but Lina's face brightened considerably.
"Surprising. You're handsome and so dashing, big brother. They had no eye for women."
"It's the opposite since I got the Golden Eagle Medal."
"Even without medals or honors, I think you're plenty attractive, big brother."
"Thanks for saying that."
I might have zero dating experience across both lives...
But I could tell if someone was lying or just being polite.
Lina wasn't lying to me now.
She genuinely thought highly of me.
As we talked, a waiter cautiously brought our coffee.
The espresso's bitter yet smooth aroma wafted over.
"Are you two a couple by any chance?"
Of course not.
We were just superior and subordinate.
Lina's shoulders shook as she replied.
"You don't need to ask that, do you?"
"Understood. Our master chef has a special couple's dessert. Would you like to order it?"
"Yes."
Did she call me here to try that special cake?
"Right away."
The waiter left after those words.
"Did you want to come here for that couple's dessert?"
"My sister who stopped by three years ago said the desserts here are amazing and I had to try them."
"I see."
Lina added something after that.
"Well, truth be told, you're the only one around me I can talk to this comfortably. Other men just stare at my chest or come on too strong."
"Female officers..."
"They all came for marriage and hate me."
The Imperial Army had female officers.
They existed, but physical standards were the same as men's, and unless they were special cases like Lina, most aimed for marriage discharge.
So unless very exceptional, they did admin support and left around second year as lieutenant upon marriage.
Lina was pretty with a great figure.
Of course the marriage-hunters resented her.
"Must be tough."
"You see me as a person—Lina Chaplin—not just a woman, and you make time to teach me so much."
"Your growth leads to mine."
"I'm always grateful."
As we chatted like this, I forgot something important.
Even I, who only knew romance from books, knew that line.
"Lieutenant Lina, that outfit looks great on you. It really suits you."
At my words, Lina shrugged her shoulders.
Then clenched her fists tight.
"I'm glad you think it looks pretty, big brother."