While we, sitting in the back seat, were bickering,
“Umm…”
The commander was making a serious face in the front seat.
Why is he suddenly acting like that? Was there something suspicious about the battle earlier?
…Huh? How did I know he was driving, you ask?
It’s simple.
I can just glance at the rearview mirror. The small mirror in the middle of the car.
I even saw a strand of white hair on the commander’s head.
“Something feels off. Why were those ants here just now?”
“Maybe it was one of the ones nearby? They might have smelled the humans and rushed over.”
“If that’s the case, it’s even weirder. Normally, there are surveillance nets around the command post, so as soon as anything comes near, a disposal team would be dispatched.”
Hmm. I don’t know. No, Nunu! Stop aiming for my chin and stretching your arm towards it!
Recently, Nunu has been trying to touch me all the time.
I don’t know how she knows, but when I’m on guard, she stays still with a very gentle expression…
…But the moment I shift my attention even a little, she starts touching me.
Thanks to that, I’m about to go crazy.
Aside from being overly physical, she’s actually a very kind and gentle person, so it’s hard to say I don’t like it. Honestly, I feel like I might lose my mind.
“Sigh…”
“Did some of the few monsters near Area E’s command post get pushed here? But it’s too far for that. Why…?”
It seems the commander is still deep in thought. He’s been talking to himself a lot since earlier.
He’s still driving, right? He keeps turning his head side to side, and it’s making me nervous.
Something feels off. It would be better to hurry. Hmm, well, I’ll need to close the window and drive, so Maru, it’ll be a bit uncomfortable, but bear with it for a little while.”
“Okay.”
I nodded in agreement, signaling that I too was uneasy and wanted to move quickly.
After a while, we parked right in front of the building marked as the command post of Area E.
The command post in Area C was underground, but this one seems to be above ground. It was really easy to find.
“Wow…”
But why is it so big?
It’s not just big, but it’s also extremely tall. I had to look up so much that my neck started to hurt, and only the roof was visible.
There was a huge fox statue on the roof. I couldn’t see its face due to the sunlight…
The building was easily about five stories high. There were also small fountains and flowers planted all around the area.
The trees standing in between were neat and without branches, so it seemed like someone was continuously maintaining them.
This command post seems like it’s quite wealthy.
To have a garden like this…
“This command post looks really nice.”
“Ugh, I guess so.”
Thanks to that, our commander looked like his energy had drained completely.
He was walking with his shoulders slumped, and he looked so pitiful.
In contrast, Nunu seemed unaffected and casually made a comment while following the commander.
Commander!
I quickly ran to the commander, who looked down, and grabbed his big hand.
Maru…
Then, the commander turned his gaze and looked into my eyes.
Ugh. He looked so exhausted, I thought he was a zombie.
Come to think of it, he said he works until late every night.
I gave the commander a bright smile, meaning to cheer him up.
At times like this, actions speak louder than words.
Hehe.
“Cheer up, Dad. We’re here for you~” is the kind of feeling it gave.
“Ugh.”
But then, while I was smiling, the commander placed his other hand on my head.
Suddenly, my head felt heavy, and I couldn’t help but make a strange sound.
The commander’s hand was so big. It was so large that it covered my whole head, and I couldn’t see his face.
“I think I understand how Nunu feels.”
…?
Although I couldn’t see his expression, it felt like he was smiling brightly too.
It was just a feeling I got.
“Let’s go, Maru. We’re a little late.”
“Okay.”
The commander, who had been still for a moment, seemed to have recovered and quickened his pace.
It’s a bit disappointing that he didn’t pat my head.
Anyway, I naturally tried to let go of his hand, but the commander tightly held onto it and didn’t let go.
There’s quite a height difference, so it must be uncomfortable for him.
Does he not mind?
“Wow, I also want to hold Maru’s small hand.”
“Okay.”
For some reason, Nunu, who had been casting envious glances from behind, joined us, and we walked with our hands held together.
Looking at us, we kind of looked like a family going on a trip.
I don’t really like the fact that I’m the daughter, though.
Really.
And, at the entrance to the Area E command post.
Knock knock
We successfully arrived, but there was one problem.
“Why isn’t the door opening?”
Are we supposed to enter here?
“Umm. It definitely said here in the email…”
“Hello! Is anyone there?!”
No matter how much I knocked or called, there was no response.
If someone was inside, they should have answered by now, but why is it so quiet?
Could it be that they’re ignoring us because we’re a minute late? If that’s the case, I’m going to give them a piece of my mind.
I’m going to smack their butt.
I’ll smack their calves too.
I will!
“Commander! What should we do? I really want to wash up…”
“I didn’t expect this situation either. What should we do?”
“Ugh…”
“Should we just break it?”
Nunu had already placed her fist on the door, asking for an opinion.
If one of us nodded, it seemed like she would break the door immediately.
“Oh, no, Nunu! Isn’t that a bit too hasty?! Let’s wait just a little longer, okay?”
At that moment, when the commander was desperately stopping Nunu,
Ding dong~
“You’ve been waiting long. Give the password.”
Suddenly, the sound of a doorbell rang, and a voice from behind the door asked for a password.
It sounded like someone was speaking from behind the door, but it’s pretty much the same.
“Password? Commander, did we receive a password in the email?”
“Password? This is the first I’m hearing of it…”
Just in case, I asked the Commander, but he looked like he had no idea.
But then, there’s no one else who would know.
“Shouldn’t we at least try saying something? Like, ‘We’re here because of a request email’ or something like that.”
“I’ll give it a shot. Ahem. We’re from the Command Headquarters of Sector C…”
“The password is incorrect.”
The Commander, who had been trying to speak politely, suddenly stopped mid-sentence and looked dumbfounded.
Wait, then what exactly is the password? Where are we supposed to get it…
“The password is incorrect.”
So, what is the password?
“Open sesame?”
“The password is incorrect.”
“One, two, three, four.”
“The password is incorrect.”
“I love you, Maru.”
“The password is incorrect.”
“…Nunu, do you happen to know the password?”
“The password is incorrect.”
I wasn’t talking to you!
“The password is incorrect.”
Ugh.
The other side maintained a calm attitude, as if they wouldn’t allow any questions except for stating the password.
This is driving me nuts.
We came here to deal with a monster, and now we’re stuck with this nonsense?
Are we even going to get in today?
At this rate, we might spend the whole day going back and forth like this.
“I don’t know any password either…”
Nunu shook her head, admitting she had no idea.
If we can’t get in like this, we’re in big trouble.
I really don’t want to spend the night out here, covered in monster goo. Just thinking about it makes me feel gross.
“Commander, what are we going to do if we can’t get in?”
“Hmm…”
When I anxiously tugged at the Commander’s sleeve, he made a troubled expression.
The Commander must be flustered too.
To complete the request, we need to get inside and check things out, but suddenly we need a password?
Going back to the headquarters like this means no living expenses.
In the end, we’d have to resort to loading and unloading cargo just to make ends meet…
Honestly, I didn’t expect to be stuck in a situation like this before we even got started.
This is so unfair.
Why is this happening to me?!
“I’ll give it a try.”
Huh? All of a sudden? What are you planning to do?
“I have a good idea.”
A good idea? What could it be?
I sat down with a thud and stared at Nunu.
“If you don’t know the password, I can’t let you in.”
“Just open the door, please?”
“The password is incorrect.”
Why does Nunu’s voice sound so scary all of a sudden?
…It’s probably just my imagination.
“From the sound of your voice, it doesn’t seem like you’re the commander here. How about you just open the door?”
“The password is incorrect—”
—BANG!
“…incorrect.”
“You’re really not going to open it? If you keep this up, you’ll only be hurting yourself.”
Oh my god.
When I looked at Nunu’s fist, I saw a massive dent in the center of the door, which had looked incredibly solid before.
Just how hard did she punch it to leave a hole like that?
How strong is she?
I thought this before, but… is Nunu really an assassin?
“CHEF.”
“Th-The password is incorrect.”
Wait. Is the person on the other side shaking?
“So that’s how you’re going to play it, huh.”
Wait, wait! Don’t break it! I’ll get in so much trouble if you do!
—Click.
Finally, with a trembling sound, the lock disengaged.
As the door slowly opened…
A figure appeared behind the door.
Hiccup.
…A blonde girl with cat ears and a tail was sitting on the ground, sniffling and looking about to cry.