0850 hours, 3 July 0145...

Antonio and I gathered in a massive garage that resembled a hangar near the main Cleanser Squadron's headquarters. Parked inside were pickup trucks, light tanks, APCs, and mech suits.

I noticed 10 dead infected androids amid the cargo when Christine got out of the pickup. I approached Christine and Lorenzo as they reached for the goods and asked them.

"Christine! It seems like you've completed your job with no struggles at all."

Christine gave me a knowing look and nodded in response.

"Absolutely. These belonged to Crescent, by the way."

With a hint of surprise, I questioned her again after nodding in agreement.

"Ok. How were you able to evade their infection during the intense battles?"

Lorenzo approached me and boldly used hand gestures to elaborate.

"Our frantilos have a unique mechanism that weakens the virus's infection. Spouting biblical verses over our weaponry and ourselves was like casting away the Scorching Virus from those unfortunate androids."

After hearing Lorenzo's explanation, I nodded and raised an eyebrow. But Antonio suddenly walked up to us and inquired about Lorenzo.

"Christine enjoyed her first hunting trip with you, right?"

Christine would look away from Antonio every time they met, and I already knew why. Following this, Lorenzo enthusiastically elaborated on Antonio.

"Bellissimo and beyond! She went absolutely bonkers while performing a stylish side-flip and firing her bow collaterally at the four androids!"

Antonio nodded and arched an eyebrow in response, as Lorenzo's explanation took him aback. But then, I could see Christine's disgruntled face turn into a scowl as she abruptly strode away from Antonio.

"I'm thirsty."

Antonio extended his hand as if to stop her just to communicate with her. But nonetheless, I answered him while holding his chest.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it."

In silence, I followed Christine to find out where she was going.

***

Christine stood in front of the vending machine, inserted a penny, pressed the Iced Green Tea button, and took the bottle out of the dispensing tray.

Looking to her right, she offered me a treat.

"Wanna drink?"

"Blueberry juice."

Christine inserted another cent as she selected the blueberry juice and took it from the machine. She smiled as she gave it to me, and I gratefully took it.

I casually leaned against the wall, unscrewed the bottle top, and sipped deeply, allowing the refreshing beverage to alleviate my stress. But Christine abruptly shattered my brief solace when she asked.

"Tsuyuki, is there anything I can do to help?"

As I tossed the empty bottle of blueberry juice into the nearby trash can, I looked across at her with a response.

"Well, the only thing I could have asked for is to hear your thoughts regarding the enormous pressure from Antonio."

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My comment left Christine puzzled, and she asked for further explanation.

"What do you mean by that?"

I launched into a detailed explanation with a hand gesture.

"Antonio is notorious for overwhelming you with countless responsibilities, often without consideration for your well-being. He married you with personal intentions, and he has been abusive toward you ever since he found out your slight mistake."

But my explanation only confused Christine; she glanced at my side and cocked her eyebrow.

"Is that supposed to be a question or what?"

Concern crept into my voice as I asked my query.

"Are you willing to give up everything for this squadron without any second thoughts? And are you prepared to handle the immense pressure that Antonio and this squadron will put on you?"

But Christine reacted without hesitation, shrugging her shoulders and smiling slightly.

"I'm not entirely sure because anything could happen in the meantime."

In my skepticism of Christine's claim, I furrowed my brows and lowered my eyes to the floor. She continued after that.

"Honestly, you've always taken so much care of others that you've completely ignored your own needs. Just like what the Pope told you yesterday."

"Because I am faithful, they'll realize that the world isn't revolving around them."

I averted my gaze as my thoughts became filled with uncertainties and worries. Following that, she continued to go farther.

"The same thing should go for you, Black Vulture Leader."

"And don't be shy about assigning us some of your tedious tasks; where could I make good use of practice materials."

But I persisted in challenging her concept, which only deepened my perplexity.

"Do you realize you might be underestimating the squadron's motives? Could they be manipulating you into believing a false narrative?"

Upon finishing her drink, she responded by gently elevating her shoulder.

"The future is uncertain. And only God knows what will happen."

In response to her words, I gave her a little nod. As she tossed an empty bottle into the trash, I unexpectedly asked a question.

"If I may ask, do you have a crush on anyone?"

She glanced over her shoulder as she cocked her eyebrow in confusion.

"Crush? What's that?"

The fact that she was unfamiliar with the term "crush" took me by surprise. It's possible that Christine's religious devotion is the cause of her unfamiliarity with contemporary culture. So I used a hand gesture to clarify.

"It was someone with a distant feeling toward another. For example, you have strong feelings for that person but are too timid to express them."

Christine nodded while raising an eyebrow at my explanation. After that, she described her experience.

"I have one, but I just don't really care that much."

"When I was thirteen years old, I spent my first few years at Minerva Medical Academy. In the quiet backyard of the gym, I saw a handsome blonde boy doing the middle school syndrome moves."

"All by himself, he performed stylish martial arts movements while proclaiming his spell, which said, Banishment in this world!"

"So, hearing his spells urged me to employ them in combat, which acts like my morale booster."

"Actually, the spell was a reference to the fantasy anime series Heaven's Falls. Because I've seen the anime so much, the mage girl heroine Mille Migliana has become a prime inspiration for my middle school syndrome."

In response to her fascinating explanation, I nodded solemnly. I inquired once again.

"Do you recognize that boy?"

She lowered her gaze and answered while slightly shaking her head.

"I... don't know. But based on the color of his hair, I'm guessing Scott. But it may be someone else as well. Sorry to say."

And with that, I asked her out again.

"So, you still have a crush on Scott, correct?"

The only response Christine could muster was a timid chuckle. Since we usually don't talk openly about our experiences, it was refreshing to do so.

A startling vibration in my tote bag alerted me to a call from an unfamiliar number. To answer it, I retrieved my phone from my backpack.

"Who's this?"

The caller then replied with a cheerful tone that caught me off guard.

"Tsuyuki, it's been months! How have you been?"

I knew who it was the moment I heard his voice. Nobody else except Sergeant Adipati! And why did he suddenly decide to give me a call? So I indulged in a conversation with him.

"Sergeant Adipati? Oh, I'm doing fine. How are you?"

"I'm good as well. And I also have something to show you."

"What is it?

"I've shared my location on the message app, so meet me at the underground bar."

"What is it you wish to share with me?"

"You'll be sorry if you missed it, believe me."

"Fine, Sergeant. I'll be right there."

"Be careful out there, Tsuyuki."

Just after I concluded my call with Sergeant Adipati and placed my phone in my tote bag, Christine approached me and inquired.

"Who's that?"

I responded while closing the tote bag's zipper.

"It's Sergeant Adipati. Do you know him?"

She reacted with a dismissive shake of her head.

"I'm sorry. I don't."

Just before I leave the headquarters for someplace else, I give her a quick tap on the left shoulder, and she also responds with a gentle smile as she cushions my right arm.

"Well, I have to meet him down in the underground bar for a crucial meeting. I'll be back."

"Take care, Tsuyuki."

I left the headquarters and was on my way to meet Sergeant Adipati at the underground bar, which is just about 0.45 kilometers away.

And I have to prepare for the worst to give them hell.