Is She Your Girlfriend?
Yuna returned to Terminus Station with Jinwoo, but as soon as she stepped off the shuttle she received an urgent contact. There was no time to breathe—she had to head straight back to the Icarus Far East Branch.
She made a beeline for Commander Gideon’s office.
*What on earth is this about? Why call me in so suddenly?*
The familiar faces were already waiting inside: her squadmates Laser and Titan, and Doctor.
“You’re late. Were you dragging your feet because you hated to leave Driller behind?”
Yuna brushed off Laser’s remark without a second thought and gave Gideon the proper salute.
“I apologize for being late.”
Gideon rose from his seat with a gentle smile.
“No emergency, so don’t worry.”
He slowly scanned each of the four squad members.
“The reason I called you all in so early is that a special order has come down from Headquarters.”
*A special order?*
Laser’s eyebrows twitched.
His personal mecha was still not fully repaired.
If a deployment order came right now, he would have to grin and bear it in a mass-produced unit—humiliating.
*No, it’s not about the mecha. I learned that lesson the hard way from that guy Driller.*
Laser burned the painful memory and its hard-won insight into his mind.
Gideon continued.
“Headquarters wants it framed as a kind of charity project to improve the public image. We’re sending educational support to the Central Academy.”
“Eh? You want us to teach those little brats ourselves?”
Laser asked in disbelief.
“That’s right. You are our most outstanding squad across all branches. That’s why we specially selected you—everyone should be proud.”
At those words, the discontented expressions on the squad members’ faces gradually softened into faint curiosity.
“Anyway, it’s not a simple waste of time. The Central Academy gathers the most valuable talent that will shoulder the future of Icarus. This is the perfect opportunity to raise our branch’s status and leave a good impression.”
Yuna raised her hand carefully and spoke.
“Commander, when you say educational support, what exactly are the duties?”
“I need to wait for the detailed curriculum from Headquarters, but it seems we’ll be dividing up specialist fields and giving lectures.”
*L-Lectures…?*
Yuna swallowed hard without realizing it.
Because of her extreme shyness and taciturn nature, she had only just started to feel comfortable conversing with her squadmates.
Now she was supposed to stand before hundreds of students and give lectures?
It was like being struck by lightning from a clear sky.
Gideon did not seem to notice her inner turmoil. He fixed his gaze on her and continued.
“And one more thing. Instructors who receive the highest evaluations from the students will receive an especially special award from Headquarters.”
His eyes locked on Yuna.
“A perfect, free vacation with all reporting procedures bypassed.”
*Vacation! And a perfect free vacation without any reports!*
At that moment, Yuna’s eyes widened and sparkled brighter than ever.
“Anyway, please cooperate with each other so we can successfully complete this educational support mission. Pass on the curriculum the moment it arrives. You’re dismissed.”
Before the commander finished speaking, as soon as they stepped out of the office, Titan bounced with excitement, shoulders rolling.
“Vacation! And no report required!”
“Vacation is one thing, but not having to write a report feels way too good.”
Doctor chimed in.
“You all look excited about that vacation, don’t you?”
Titan looked at everyone cheerfully.
No one answered, but their eyes burned with heat.
“Hehe, silence is the positive answer.”
Titan slipped his sunglasses up and chuckled.
Cooperation was no longer a word in their dictionary.
*****
“…So you’re asking me to help prepare the lecture?”
[Yeah… Sorry, but there’s no one else I can ask. Really.]
Yuna’s voice sounded drained even over the phone.
“No, what are you squadmates doing? Isn’t that the team’s job?”
[That’s… No one’s spoken in the group chat since a while ago. Everyone’s blinded by the award…]
“Damn, cold friends.”
After hearing Yuna’s full explanation, I honestly felt rather troubled.
What could I say? Could I actually help with lectures at the academy?
I hadn’t even learned corporate combat rules yet and was still learning from Nyx.
“I don’t think I can help much.”
[…No way. You can do anything. You’re incredibly capable, right?]
Disappointment seeped plainly into Yuna’s voice.
She must have thought I was some kind of universal problem-solver.
It made sense, really. After all, the things I had shown in past incidents were far from the ordinary mercenary image.
“Fine… I’ll do what I can.”
[Really? Ehehe! That would make me so happy. My field is actual combat tactics and handling irregular battle situations. The academy wants lectures that aren’t just stiff theory but real stuff you can use right away in battle.]
“Not just theory, but real fighting…”
[That’s why I can’t get a feel for it. You know I’m completely clueless about this…]
“I don’t know either, but…”
[And what should I wear? Should I stick to the pilot suit like usual? Or a neat suit and tie… what color would look good?]
The cool, composed Yuna was gone; an indecisive little kid was now panicking.
“Yuna. Calm down first.”
[E-Eh, yes. Sorry.]
“When exactly is the lecture?”
“A week from now.”
“We don’t have much time.”
No matter how I squeezed my knowledge, I concluded I couldn’t give her substantial help.
I didn’t know anyone particularly skilled at lectures or education either…
*Nyx, maybe? Military background, she’d probably be great. Or Kaien? No, that’d be rude to a busy person.*
[Hey, Jinwoo? You still there?]
“Yeah, sorry. I’m here. I was just thinking about how to help.”
[No, don’t worry. I feel bad making you go out of your way.]
“No, I understand your position. You’re doing it for Icarus’s image, right?”
Yuna fell silent for a moment, then answered belatedly.
[Yes… that’s right.]
“Give me a little time. I’ll ask around among the people I know if anyone can help and contact you again.”
[Thank you so much, Jinwoo. I’ll wait.]
*But Nyx… it’s payback time. I should at least try talking to her.*
*****
Nyx was sprawled on the bed in the temporary quarters Kaien had provided.
She had only intended to rest her tired body after training, but sleep refused to come.
*Damn… it still hurts.*
She unconsciously touched the spot near her left breast.
Right where Jinwoo’s hand had reached out without warning.
It had been called an accident during sparring, but the feeling remained etched vividly in her mind.
*No one has ever touched me like that… Especially not a man.*
Nyx pulled the blanket over her head. Her face burned.
“Ugh…!”
The physical pain had long since faded.
But the unbearable embarrassment and shame from that moment kept scratching at her nerves.
She kicked uselessly at the air several times.
*Why does that guy’s face look so decent… and it makes me even more annoyed!*
The face of Jinwoo flashed into her mind.
An unusually balanced appearance among the vicious mercenaries here.
*Even apologized…*
The spot on her chest grew hot and restless at the same time as an oddly suffocating sensation pressed in.
Her head spun with emotions she had never felt before.
“Ha… I don’t know! I should just prepare the materials.”
When she buried herself in work with pure focus, the messy thoughts would fade.
She stood up abruptly, sat at the desk, and turned on her data pad.
She had been reviewing the combat rules she had memorized during her military days and the recently revised federal regulations, preparing to explain the content to Jinwoo.
Ting-ting-
Suddenly a loud alert rang from the terminal.
The moment she checked the sender, Nyx bit her lower lip without realizing it.
[Sender: Kang Jinwoo.]
She took a short breath, cleared her throat, and connected the call as casually as possible.
“…What is it?”
[Ah, Nyx! Not that, but I have something to ask. Is now a good time?]
“Anything.”
Since Jinwoo had saved her life, refusing his request was difficult.
Of course, if it were something absurd… then she would refuse firmly.
Nyx placed her hand on her throbbing left chest.
[Actually, do you know anything about real combat tactics, handling irregular battle situations, or lecture methods and experience?]
“I do know, but why the sudden question?”
[Well… a friend of mine is giving a lecture on that topic at the academy this time. Since it’s completely new, they desperately need someone to help. After thinking about it, I thought of you.]
*Me? Only me…?*
Jinwoo’s careless words had completely different meaning for Nyx.
*To this man… could I be… a little special?*
[Nyx, I know you’re busy, but could you help a little? Please. I really need it.]
Nyx barely managed to answer after regaining her senses.
“…Simulations are usually the most effective. There are scenario-specific combat simulation modules. I’ll send them to you. They’re specially designed for lectures, so they should definitely help.”
[Really? Can I have those? Aren’t they classified military data?]
“The regular Union Army has been disbanded for a while now. What good is that? Just use it.”
[Wow, thanks a lot. If you ever need anything from me, don’t hesitate to ask.]
Nyx hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke.
“Actually, there’s one thing I’m curious about. Is it okay to ask?”
[Eh? What? Ask anything.]
[Uh… that Scarlet. That woman… is she your girlfriend?]
Her face felt like it would burst with heat the moment she said it.
But it was a question that had been nagging her all along.
A talented technician with a beauty that seemed to have a close connection with Kaien.
A woman who had rushed all the way to Terminus Station in one step the moment Jinwoo was in trouble.
And the way they had embraced each other like long-time lovers the moment they met.
[No. Scarlet is just a colleague. An extremely skilled technician.]
The sharp, clear answer from Jinwoo made Nyx mutter in a tiny voice.
“…That’s good to hear.”
Huff!
Startled by her own words, Nyx quickly clapped a hand over her mouth.
Her heart pounded wildly.
The awkward silence was broken by Jinwoo.
[What did you say? I didn’t hear.]
“Ah, nothing! I said nothing at all! I-I’ll send the simulation modules right now!”
[Eh, ah? Yeah, thanks! Really, thank you. Then… see you tomorrow!]
“Yeah.”
The moment the call ended, Nyx buried her face in her hands.
Her heart was burning as if it would explode.