Chapter 12: Convenience Store Red (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 12: Convenience Store Red (11)
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
In life, people hear many things and give many answers. We call that conversation, and every living creature survives by repeating this process.
Among all the things I’ve heard in my life, the question I found most inconsiderate was whether I had a girlfriend. I’d rather they ask if I didn't have one. Asking if I did felt like they were forcing me to say, "I might look like I have one, but I actually don't."
And then, when I’d say I didn't, they’d always follow up with, "Really? I thought you would."
It’s fine for people who actually have partners to ask that.
But why do they always have that triumphant look in their eyes and that deceptive attitude, as if they’re gloating? Of course, it might just be my twisted personality making it seem that way. But if that’s how I feel, what am I supposed to do about it?
However, as of a few days ago, I no longer get stressed by that question. Now, I’m in a position where I can proudly say, "Yes, I do."
Yubin, who shows a reliable and strong side as Hunter Killer’s Red but is actually quite cute once you get to know her, has become my girlfriend. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to confidently announce, "This is my girlfriend," to everyone at Spacetro, but at least I can finally say I have one.
So, what is my girlfriend doing right now?
She was currently beating the crap out of my Spacetro colleagues in black suits about thirty meters ahead of me.
As for why I was thirty meters away? That requires going back about five seconds into the past.
Today was a scheduled duel. After giving Yubin the excuse of "fieldwork," I arrived at the scene with my Spacetro colleagues.
For once, all five members of Hunter Killer had arrived first, and my eyes naturally drifted toward Red in her crimson suit.
Even if we were dating, she didn't know who I was behind the mask. Besides, work is work, and personal life is personal life. How can a person function in society if they can't draw a clear line between the two?
With that resolve, I drew my sword and charged at Red—only to be punched in the face and sent flying thirty meters.
That happened exactly five seconds ago.
"She seems to have more energy than usual. Did something good happen today?"
We had been texting until this morning, but nothing particularly great had happened. We just had the usual "What are you doing?" and "Have you eaten?" kind of talk. It seemed I wasn't the reason for her good mood.
"Ugh!"
A colleague who had been kicked by Red landed right next to me.
"You alive?"
His combat ability was only at this level, but his body was sturdy. I didn't think for a second that he was actually dead.
"Do I look dead? Dammit, my solar plexus hurts."
We hadn't slept together since that day at the motel. We were both tired, and we both had work to focus on. I’m not a monkey; I’m not the type of person to constantly chase pleasure just because I’ve tasted it once.
"Today, I'll definitely...!"
Right now, we were in the middle of a duel. It was only right to be "Spacetro A" rather than "Yubin's boyfriend." I picked up my sword from the ground and ran toward Red again.
The sight of Red kicking, slashing, and punching my colleagues grew closer. Give me an opening! I thought sincerely as I swung my sword. The next thing I saw was the sky.
"Huh?"
Red had dropped low and caught my chin with an upward kick, sending me airborne. It hurt so much I almost wished I’d just blacked out. I could feel my colleagues watching me float through the air.
I was finally a man with a respectable girlfriend. I had become one of those ordinary people you see everywhere.
But unfortunately, I was also one of those rare humans who got hit by their girlfriend's full-force punches and kicks.
"Guh...!"
I hit the ground. Today’s result was our usual defeat.
*
"Uuu... huff... hic!"
Today, as always, Luche was crying in the passenger seat of the crowded van. I felt a bit bad for her since she cried every time we lost, but today, I felt more pity for myself.
"Is your chin okay?"
"Are you crazy? How am I supposed to know if my face is okay while I'm wearing a helmet?"
When I snapped back at my colleague, his reaction made it feel like I could see his expression right through his visor.
"...Yeah, you definitely hit your head or something."
It wasn't normal to ask if someone's face was okay while they were wearing a helmet. My other colleagues looked at me with genuine concern.
"I'm fine, man. It was a joke. A joke."
It had been such a dangerous moment that I thought my jaw might have actually shattered, so the joke didn't quite land as intended. Regardless, the van drove toward headquarters in a relatively amicable atmosphere.
Back at headquarters, the only thing left for regular soldiers like me was to change clothes and head home.
As usual, I went to the locker room, took off my helmet, and put it in my locker.
"Doesn't look like there's a mark?"
A colleague changing next to me looked at my chin. I touched it just in case. It felt a bit tender, but there didn't seem to be any visible injury.
"That's a relief. A couple of days of rest and the pain should be gone."
"Red was brutal today."
Even while changing in the locker room, we always chatted. We lost every day as if it were natural, but to keep from getting used to the feeling of defeat, we forced ourselves to act bright and talk.
Since it was right after a duel, most of the conversation revolved around the fight.
"Red is always brutal."
Red’s momentum was always overwhelming. No one on our team had ever been able to handle her. Even Luche, when she engaged Red in close combat, couldn't match that intensity.
"But didn't they say Lady Luche used to be part of an elite unit?"
"Yeah. Apparently, she was an ace in space combat."
"Is it because we're on the ground that she can't show her true strength?"
Before coming to Earth, I worked on a ship and knew a bit about the pilots who went out in fighters for space battles. Since we often had to receive supplies from ships other than our own during battle, it was good to memorize the names of the main units.
That was when I first saw Luche’s name on a list. Of course, I didn't actually meet her until I came to the Seoul Branch.
When one colleague spoke in a tone that suggested Luche’s skills were lacking, every eye in the room fixed on him. Mine included.
"Hey, you! Do you have any idea how hard Lady Luche works?"
"No, I know! I was just saying, why are you guys like this?"
"I don't care if you're a comrade, I won't forgive anyone badmouthing Lady Luche!"
"I wasn't badmouthing her!"
"Kill him!" "Yeah! Kill him!"
They started scuffling among themselves, eventually putting the guy who spoke up into an armbar.
I watched the armbar and started counting.
"10! 9! 8!"
"I give! I give up!"
The guy in the armbar tapped the floor, but we had no intention of letting him off easy.
"There is no giving up!"
Even though he hadn't meant it maliciously, he was only forgiven after everyone gave him a good smack on the back. Feeling refreshed, we began to head home one by one.
I finished changing and stepped outside, only to find Luche standing there in civilian clothes.
"Is the reporting finished?"
Her eyes were red and swollen, likely from crying her eyes out during the debriefing.
A while ago, the Branch Manager had scolded Luche for the continuous losses, though he felt bad and bought her dinner a few days later. It seemed the pressure of reporting another loss had brought her to tears again.
I could practically see the Branch Manager trying to comfort her and telling her not to cry.
"Yeah. Is your chin okay?"
Her voice was still trembling as she worried about me—I had been the one sent flying right past her after getting hit. From my perspective, I was more worried that Luche might fall into a depression if she kept crying after every loss.
"No injuries. It hurts a little, but it'll be fine soon."
"That's good. I'll be changing your surveillance target soon."
"Pardon?"
My thoughts couldn't keep up with the sudden statement. I was so flustered I had to process what I just heard one more time.
"Because we aren't getting any results with Red."
"When... when would the change happen?"
"I haven't decided yet. When would be good for you?"
Even if she asked when would be good, honestly, I wanted to stay as I was. It felt more comfortable that way. Should I just take this chance to report my relationship with Yubin? No, that would be incredibly foolish.
"This week... no, let me try until next week. Just in case."
A regular soldier like me is supposed to follow orders without a word, even if notified the day before. The fact that she was telling me in advance was something to be grateful for, and letting me choose the timeframe was a sign of her consideration for me.
In that case, the only way I could repay that consideration was... to report the current situation.
But I couldn't bring myself to do it. What had progressed was my relationship with Yubin, not my knowledge of Hunter Killer’s internal affairs.
"...Come to think of it, the atmosphere inside Hunter Killer seems quite bad."
The only thing I had discovered while investigating as "Red's boyfriend" was the internal atmosphere she had mentioned while pretending it was a different workplace.
"Oh? how did you know that?"
"I noticed it while keeping watch, but it's just a hunch for now. I'll look into it more until next week."
"Okay. Let me know if you find anything."
Luche sniffled, patted my shoulder, and headed toward her office.
With the sudden news that I only had about a week left to monitor Yubin, various thoughts filled my head.
"Where will I go once the target changes?"
If the target changed, I’d likely have to move and change my residence. Luche, who had been walking away, stopped and turned around.
"Where would you go? You should stay there for the time being. We don't have the budget for another security deposit."
If I was staying in the same place, I didn't have much to worry about.
"Is that so?"
"Don't go moving using your own money. I'll look into getting some support funds."
"Just look into it for now. I can decide on moving later."
Luche nodded and went into her office. I headed home with a much lighter heart.
*
At the same time, on the 3rd floor of the Earth Defense Union Seoul Branch headquarters.
"~♬"
The other team members were staring at Red, who was humming an unknown melody while packing her things.
"Did something good happen today?"
"Huh? No~"
The atmosphere and tone were so unlike her usual self that the team members exchanged glances, wondering if something was wrong with her.
"You were incredible during the fight today, too."
Pink looked in the mirror, adjusting her pink hair as she recalled the duel from earlier.
"Was I?"
"You were definitely different than usual."
Yellow, who had just finished showering in the stall next to the locker room, noticed the strange atmosphere but said nothing, simply taking her clothes out of her locker and changing.
"Are you leaving early again today?"
"......"
When Red asked Yellow, who was in the middle of changing, she simply nodded without a word.
"Give me a proper answer once in a while."
Seeing Red speak with a smile, Yellow momentarily wondered if she had made a huge mistake and looked at the other team members. They just shrugged, signaling they didn't know why Red was acting like this either. Unlike her usual self, Red finished packing quickly.
"I'm heading out first."
Red, who was usually the last to leave, was the first to finish her preparations today.
"What about the report to the Team Leader?"
"I asked Blue to handle it."
In response to Pink's question, Red—who had left today's report entirely to Blue—hopped onto the elevator that had just arrived. The remaining team members in the locker room couldn't hide their bewildered expressions.
"What's up with her today? Green, did you hear anything?"
"No, nothing in particular..."
"Maybe something good happened."
Yellow finished changing and left the locker room. Pink and Green decided to let it go, thinking anyone could be in a good mood for a day.
*
Just as I reached my house, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. It was a call from Yubin.
"Hello?"
—"Oppa!"
Her energetic voice nearly blasted my eardrum, making me reflexively pull the phone away.
"Yeah. What's up?"
—"Are you home?"
"Yeah. I'll be there in a bit."
—"Then I'll stop by my place and then head over to yours!"
"Okay... wait, what?"
Was everyone determined to fluster me today? I didn't know why these startling moments kept happening.
—"I'll be there in an hour!"
Yubin hung up. I stood there for a moment, clutching my fading sanity, and thought about the state of my room.
"I'm screwed."
All items related to Spacetro were kept at headquarters. There were only my personal daily necessities at home, so I wasn't worried about being caught.
However, a man living alone is a creature that leaves laundry unfolded within arm's reach, does recycling "whenever," and only throws out the trash when the bag is overflowing. There are exceptions, of course, but I was the quintessential image of a bachelor living alone, and I knew my room was currently a disaster zone.
I welcomed my girlfriend coming over. It was sudden, but definitely a good thing. It was a good thing, but... could I start cleaning now and finish before Yubin arrived?
I sprinted the rest of the way home at full speed.