Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Recruit Interviews
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The moment the Platoon Leader stepped in, a chill began to settle over the barracks.
No distinction between Privates First Class, Corporals, or Sergeants. Everyone wore a sour expression, openly showing their discomfort.
"What the hell? Dropping by like this during personal maintenance time."
Even Sergeant Rachel straight-up grumbled at the Platoon Leader.
Rank-wise, the Platoon Leader outranked her, of course. Platoon Leaders were usually Second Lieutenants, a world apart from a Sergeant.
Sergeants were just enlisted, while Second Lieutenants were officers. But reality was...
"Oh, uh... Did I bother everyone? Sorry... I just wanted to, you know, offer some encouragement..."
She was outranked by experience.
Too little time in the unit.
Even as an officer, she had way too much to learn. Yet she had to lead the troops with some semblance of authority. Must be hell.
"Huh?"
The Platoon Leader looked over at me and Mino. We'd just been getting hazed under the guise of a "reporting ceremony" moments ago—poor recruits that we were.
"You two are the recruits who said they'd arrive today, right?"
Ahem—ahem—
The Platoon Leader cleared her throat and greeted us first.
"Let's, uh, get along from now on. If anything tough comes up, feel free to come talk to your Platoon Leader anytime...!"
But her demeanor was worlds clumsier than the Supply Sergeant's or the Company Commander's. It felt like watching a kid awkwardly imitating their parents.
And in truth, the Platoon Leader was pretty small, like a child.
Most women in this world were tall with killer figures, but she had this noticeably petite build.
If she'd been born on Earth, she'd probably pass as average.
Being relatively lacking compared to the other women, she seemed to catch extra flak for it.
With no silver tongue or confidence to boot, getting proper officer respect from the troops was a lost cause.
Her droopy dog ears were downright pitiful. Even her fluffy tail, dragging on the floor, hung limp and lifeless.
"I'm off to shower. Handle feeding and washing the recruits yourselves. See ya, Platoon Leader."
"Huh? Oh, yeah...!"
Sergeant Rachel grabbed her shower gear and bolted from the barracks.
Her salute was half-assed as she breezed past, and the Platoon Leader couldn't even muster a reprimand—just stood there sweating bullets, letting the seniors go.
"I'm heading out too. I'm soaked in sweat and reeking. At ease~"
"Right, yeah... At ease..."
At least Corporal Clara threw a salute. But judging by her stiff expression, the showers were about to turn into a roast session on the Platoon Leader.
I could guess what went down between them.
They'd been too swamped with work alongside the Platoon Leader to even greet new recruits—way longer than expected.
Normally, recruit arrival day gets some slack with a few pulled off duties, but the Platoon Leader must've screwed up somewhere, forcing everyone to stick around.
"..."
With the veterans gone, an icy silence blanketed the barracks.
Me, Mino, and the two Privates First Class could only eye each other warily.
The Platoon Leader's slumped shoulders and teary eyes made the vibe even more awkward.
"Th-they just really wanted to shower quick, I bet... Heh heh."
She forced a smile and addressed the remaining Privates First Class.
The Corporal-and-up crew ignored her outright, but us greenhorns couldn't show outright dislike.
So she was trying to make a good impression on us, at least.
"Guess I should head out too... Yeah... Keep up the good work, everyone...!"
She played it cool. Made her even more pitiable.
Her voice cracked with barely contained tears. She could've burst into sobs right then, and no one would've batted an eye.
"Uh, th-thank you for your service... At ease...!"
"Right, Private First Class Sika! At ease!"
Even so, she returned the salute crisply till the end as she left.
"..."
The silence lingered long after she was gone.
A good minute. No, two?
"...Jeez, why's that shorty such a mess."
"Tell me about it."
Only then did the two Privates First Class start murmuring.
But just for a moment.
Knock knock knock!
Another knock out of nowhere.
"Um, hey. It's the Platoon Leader."
The pitiful Platoon Leader—we thought she'd left—poked her head back in.
"I was thinking... maybe we should just knock out the recruit interviews now. Easier that way... Heh heh..."
She called over me and Mino.
"Uh, um, everyone, have a seat! Make yourselves comfortable."
"Yes, ma'am!"
She led us back to the admin office.
Less than an hour since we'd been doing paperwork between Corporal Liv and the Supply Sergeant.
"Let me greet you properly again...! I'm the 1st Platoon Leader. Welcome to the unit!"
Suddenly, we were having a one-on-one with the Platoon Leader. Wasn't on today's schedule, but she'd dragged us here on a whim.
"It's a great unit, so don't worry too much. The people are all nice, and the work feels rewarding. You'll have a fulfilling two years ahead."
Not buying it.
Those dark circles under your eyes kill any credibility.
"Uh, hold on. Where'd I put the interview log? Huh... It was right around here somewhere..."
The Platoon Leader sweats profusely, prepping for the interview.
Something's off. She wants to look cool in front of us recruits, but every move falls flat.
Can't even find one sheet of paper without calling for the Supply Sergeant. Pathetic.
"S-Supply Sergeant...!"
This is fucked.
Doesn't even say "Ma'am." Just "Supply Sergeant."
No excuses. Total washout of a Platoon Leader.
Trying way too hard for her skill level. Pitiful and heartbreaking.
"Recruit interview log... where'd I put it..."
Wouldn't you normally ask an admin clerk in this situation?
"The recruit interview log?"
The Supply Sergeant's face slowly appeared on the monitor. Still smiling through this mess—talk about poise.
"I'll print one out for you~"
"Ahh. Yeah. Thanks."
The admin clerk at the desk next to her, eyeing the Supply Sergeant amid this farce, started to stand...
"Supply Sergeant, ma'am, I'll pri—print it."
But the Supply Sergeant just shook her head with a beaming smile.
"It's fine~ Just finish that thing I asked earlier~"
Her drawn-out tone sent chills down my spine for no reason. But the Platoon Leader, oblivious, didn't even register it.
Left the admin troops glancing nervously instead.
Even oblivious Mino was alternating looks between the Supply Sergeant and Platoon Leader. Yeah, that's normal...
Whirr—
Ten sheets started printing from the magic printer device.
The Supply Sergeant, who'd been standing there sipping her tea quietly...
"All done~"
Grabbed the stack and clacked over in her heels, placing them right on our table before breezing out, relieved.
"Ah, okay...!"
The Platoon Leader prepped the recruit interviews nonchalantly. Supply Sergeant or not, she was desperate to impress us.
Ahem—ahem—
"Alright. Everyone take one?"
Even whispering calmly like that, her inherent awkwardness wouldn't fade.
"Oh! And if you have any requests for your Platoon Leader, write those down too. I'll help however I can...!"
Not the most reliable woman, but she was genuinely trying to look after me and Mino.
Made me think we owed her some effort, seeing her sincerity.
Felt like no one else would treat her right if not for us recruits.
"No missions for the next two weeks—it's recruit protection period. And I've handled most of the busy stuff with your seniors, so..."
Every line was gold.
Listening quietly, unease started creeping in.
"From now on, just focus on bonding with the unit. Got it...!?"
Her face lit up with pride.
Loved what she'd just said. Looked like she'd rehearsed it before meeting us.
And sure enough, on her desk nearby sat a book.
Title:
[How to Become Someone They Can Rely On]
Colorful sticky notes crammed in the corner made my heart ache. Wonder how many days she prepped that line.
"Got it! Thank you, ma'am!"
I couldn't hold back the pity and nodded for her sake.
Her effort deserved praise, at least.
"...I'll work hard to become a good soldier like you, Platoon Leader."
Nothing more tragic than unseen effort.
"Huh? Wha?"
First compliment ever—she jumped like she'd been shocked, then flailed her hands like a broken machine.
"Ah, uh! Y-yeah! Th-that attitude will get you there. Yup yup!"
"...!???"
Mino shot me a baffled look from the next seat. What bullshit is this?
But Mino...
Can't be helped...
If not for recruits like us, she'd have nowhere to get any respect...