Chapter 39: I Really Can't Remember
Ahh... It's so hard. And I'm still embarrassed! Joachim screamed inside his heart.
This bizarre and ridiculous outfit still doesn't fit me at all. The body is a yellow fish, but why is the head supposed to be mine? I want to hide it. No matter what, I want to flip it over and make it unrecognizable.
But Karl didn't grant Joachim's request. Not even a mask, glasses, or even changing the hairstyle was allowed. The reason was that he had to be 'Joachim' himself.
“Ahhh! Please help me! You guys!”
Eventually, Joachim couldn't endure it and asked the other three for help. Since they were taking turns doing this, he thought they would agree.
But he was wrong. And so was his judgment.
“Ah, it's fine, it's fine. We just need to do this for thirty minutes.”
“That's right. That's right. We're not going to burn or freeze you like others.”
“How nice it is to receive everyone's stares. Huh? It's enviable! So, hang in there, Joachim.”
“You bastards! How can you still be friends after doing this?!”
“Just not today and tomorrow.”
Joachim realized he was completely alone. It was an unavoidable path. Especially since they were all experts at 'tanning' while he was the only one who was a soldier. If he had known, he would have made friends with the fire.
“Sigh...”
With a sigh, Joachim headed toward the booth again today. Then, as if he had fully adapted, he bobbed here and there to draw attention.
Um, it seemed kind of fun while doing it... No, it wasn't. Had he gone crazy?
Less than on the first day, but still today, he heard words like 'Is that Joachim-senpai?'
Yeah, it's me. Since it's me, stop whispering. Don't point with your fingers either...
Suddenly, he wondered what reaction his family would have if they saw this appearance. Would they scream? Or get angry? No, maybe they would laugh saying it's funny.
Then suddenly, Joachim discovered a strange customer.
...Military uniform?
If he wasn't mistaken, yes. The woman with red hair was definitely wearing a military uniform. He had seen it from afar during military ceremonies and in the training camp, so he remembered clearly. Moreover, there was a very flashy silver medal on her chest.
Is she here because of what happened yesterday and to find Karl? If so, she wasn't a pleasant visitor. It was pointless to stir things up. Karl was usually a good guy, but once he got angry, he was really scary.
At that moment, Joachim was watching the red-haired visitor with concern.
“Master.”
...Master? Wait, who is Master? Is there a professor here? No?
“I came.”
The person the woman was addressing was, surprisingly, Karl who had just taken a fish bread order. Joachim, watching the scene, involuntarily looked at Selena reflexively.
A very beautiful appearance that didn't match the military uniform. Plus, the voice that gave off a very intimate feeling right away, and the title. If Selena's reaction in that situation was good, that would be unbelievable.
“...”
Uh, um. It seems like a big problem. This really doesn't seem good.
*
“Lavrenti?”
At first, he couldn't recognize her immediately. At that time, both of them had shabby appearances. Moreover, at that time, unlike now, she had really short bob hair. So much so that some squad members at the time thought she was actually a man and said lewd things.
Then, since the opponent's face didn't look good, they asked about gender, and she revealed she was a woman.
“Yes, it's me.”
Lavrenti. Lavrenti. A person from another unit I met briefly. After that, our assigned areas changed, so we parted ways, and we haven't met since. Since the meeting was very short, she wasn't someone I deeply held in my heart. Just thought of her as another comrade who passed by, hoping she was safe.
When I heard that the Gganf had attacked her side, I thought 'I hope she's safe'.
But I never thought I'd see her again in such a place.
“I was worried you might have forgotten, but you remember?”
“Because the memory from that time was quite intense. Our guys made a mistake... Rather, what are you doing here?”
“I retired. As a sergeant like Master.”
And, I received this too. Although it's much lower than Master's, right?
Lavrenti said that with a shy smile and pointed to her chest.
“Eh...”
If I'm not mistaken, the thing shining there is the Silver Star Medal. She fiddled with it, saying it's much lower than the Medal of Honor I received.
But in reality, even that Silver Star Medal is very difficult to receive. Moreover, Lavrenti wasn't even an NCO from the start, but a soldier like me. How did that soldier who was swept away in one battle get such a medal? It wasn't just any achievement. It must have been a great feat. As someone far from her battlefield, I don't know what it is.
“The Silver Star Medal, huh.”
“Yes.”
I didn't congratulate her. Instead, I conveyed that she had worked hard. No one who returned from the battlefield or anyone who received a medal wanted to hear such words.
“If this medal was also received thanks to Master, would you believe it?”
“Me? What did I do?”
“Actually...”
“Hmph! Hmph!”
Just as Lavrenti was about to open her mouth, a very loud cough suddenly came from behind. Turning my head, I saw Selena with her arms crossed, glaring at this side.
“Karl.”
“Eh? Eh. Selena. Why?”
“Let's talk later, don't you see the people waiting behind? Everyone's not saying it but they're uncomfortable waiting for when you'll move.”
Ah, right. I was doing business now. Damn. Leaving customers like this.
“Lavrenti. Sorry, but the next story can wait a bit. So, are you buying?”
“If it's something designed by Master, I'll definitely believe and follow. Please put one of each menu.”
Following his request, I put one fish bread of each type in the envelope. Lavrenti took it, turned around, and said she'd come back after closing time.
“Hmm...”
But why is that guy calling me 'Master'? That he received the medal thanks to me is another thing. There are too many things to ask.
“Alexander.”
“Eh, Selena. Why?”
“Swap places with Karl.”
“Aah?! I just did a shift change and was resting!”
“Swap. Right now.”
“Yes.”
I sat back on the chair after only 10 minutes of swapping with Alexander. Sorry, Alexander. I'll do more for you later instead.
“Here.”
Selena, who sat me down by offering a seat, sat on the opposite side with her butt. Then, with arms crossed, she slightly leaned her chest forward and opened her mouth.
“Now, let's properly talk. Who was that person just now?”
Although Selena seemed suddenly why, I decided to answer honestly. Her expression suggested that 'why are you asking that' wouldn't work.
“Lavrenti. A person from another unit I met briefly during the height of the Luzens war.”
“Is that all?”
“Unfortunately, that's all. Originally, since the units were different, we met only once.”
“...Then why is that woman calling Karl 'Master'?”
Would you believe me if I say that's the most curious thing? What is Master? It's someone who gave good guidance in any way to an existence like me. But I really didn't teach or pass on anything to Lavrenti. Instead, I just bowed my head saying 'Sorry for covering up our squad members' mistake!'
Ha, suddenly I'm getting unjustly accused. Why do those kids cause trouble and I take responsibility? Idiots. They knew there were female soldiers in the Empire army and still did that nonsense.
“...I don't know.”
“You don't know?”
“Even though it sounds like a joke, it's true. I really don't have any clue.”
Then Selena made a dumbfounded expression.
“You say you can't remember, but that person is being really polite to you, calling you Master, Master. How can you not remember even in this situation?”
“I know how foolish I look right now. But I really don't remember.”
“Oh my...”
At first, it was a slightly scary atmosphere, but now it returned to usual Selena. Instead, she seemed to feel a bit sorry for Lavrenti. Saying I did too much, and such. Looking at it this way, isn't the thing I don't know a favor bestowed by the heavens?
“...By the way, she said she received the Silver Star Medal thanks to me.”
“Silver Star Medal?”
“Yeah. Silver Star Medal.”
If we go by order, it's the Medal of Honor, the Cross of Valor, and then the Silver Star Medal. But all three of them, no, all medals below are extremely difficult to receive, proving valor and being a member of the proud Empire army. Lavrenti said she was much lower than me and was embarrassed, but there's no need for that at all.
“If we were both soldiers, even if not as much as Karl, she must have done quite a bit... Do you know anything?”
“I don't know. Because my frontline was completely different.”
“What did you hear from rumors?”
“What do you mean, rumors about soldiers rolling on the battlefield? What do they know? The outside news is more curious.”
Ah, like rumors that someone from the neighboring unit got a medal for doing well~ I don't care about any of that. Just what kind of meal is coming out today. Was there a separate reported surprise attack? I just want to know if the night watch was not the advance guard but the retreat guard, or something like that!