Come to think of it, if the Third Division is going to be reorganized with support anyway, it’s natural that they’d want to provide as much support as possible to strengthen their own influence.
By the way, led by Isotani-san’s family, most of the families of those in A-class apparently agree with this policy.
“Lastly, there are those who say ‘At this point, family doesn’t matter, we just want to earn military achievements.'”
“That’s rather, how should I put it…”
I don’t know whether to call it brave or simple-minded. As a soldier, I think it’s admirable, but considering the politics afterwards, it could also be called irresponsible.
“And you see, Saori’s family follows this last policy. It’s like they’re saying ‘We won’t get involved in other people’s disputes, so don’t get involved with us’? It’s a policy of ‘following the victor’ regardless of politics. For other factions, it means they’ll earn military achievements on their own while everyone else is engaged in political struggles, so they have a certain amount of freedom, but in exchange, they’re kept at a distance by the others. Right?”
“That’s right.”
Muto-san eagerly affirms Isotani-san’s confirmation.
It’s precisely because their policy is to not get involved with other families’ policies that they can’t put pressure on others.
“I see…”
“Of course, I can voice opinions to them through my family. But as for the effectiveness…”
“It’s bound to be questionable, isn’t it? After all, her faction is the one purely seeking military achievements the most.”
“…Yes.”
“I see. So that’s how it is.”
For Muto-san’s family, what’s important is that people from the Third Division faction earn military achievements, and they don’t care about “who within the faction” does it.
So they want information about mass-produced units to earn achievements. They might even want information about me, the pilot of the prototype. Some might not hesitate to break into my house for that.
Considering this, my earlier statement about “eliminating anyone who interferes and annihilating intruders with traps set in the house” might have sounded like a provocation, saying “I’ll kill you if you come.”
Of course, I didn’t mean it that way. I honestly just want to avoid trouble.
But no matter what I say, as long as there are actual interests at stake, they probably won’t give up easily. Or rather, if things continue like this, it might look like I’m the one provoking them.
(I never thought Muto-san’s family would be the most dangerous. That was close. I need to stop her family first. But even if I say stop them, I have no idea what to do or how to do it.)
I want to hold my head in my hands at this situation that’s too tough for a mere student.
“Um, I have a suggestion, or rather, a request to improve the situation.”
As I was thinking about how to persuade Muto-san’s family, Muto-san herself spoke up. And apparently she has a “request.” From Muto-san, who could harass me in various ways if she wanted to, though kidnapping might be going too far, a “request” can only mean one thing.
(I guess she’s deliberately trying to create a debt of gratitude.)
Yeah. I’m glad to have such a kind young lady as a classmate.
There’s only one way to respond to the thoughtfulness shown by such a kind young lady.
“I’ll do what I can for you.”
I can’t leak information, of course. There’s not much I can do, but I guess there’s something?
“Then… could you please teach me any tips on how to move that machine?”
“Huh?”
She’s asking so apologetically that I thought it would be some troublesome request, but it’s just that?
“Hey, you!”
“I’m fully aware that this is an ill-mannered, no, an unreasonable request. But if you teach me that, the others from different houses won’t have time to bother you, Keita-san. … What do you think?”
“… I see.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
If you can’t move it, you should ask someone who can. It’s obvious.
Moreover, how to move the machine isn’t something we need to keep secret, as we even exchange opinions about it in class. I’ve taught Mogami-san when I was asked, and Mogami-san answers straightforwardly when military personnel ask.
Muto-san looks apologetic and Isotani-san raises her voice probably because they think the machine’s operation method is classified technology.
Indeed, if you rephrase it as “how to move the world’s only machine,” it might be valuable information.
(But, personally, I don’t intend to keep it secret.)
Mogami-san is also delighting in a “serves you right” attitude, but he certainly doesn’t want Japan to lose.
Also, if more people can handle the mass-produced type, it means my importance diminishes.
By teaching the tips, I can create a debt with the Third Division faction and the military, and there’s a possibility that the mass-produced ones might precede me on the battlefield.
Which is more important, monopolizing military achievements or personal safety? That goes without saying.
Besides, monopolizing achievements is nothing but trouble.
So, my answer is simple.
“I don’t mind. I’ll even present some ideas that I and Mogami Heavy Industries’ engineers are considering. If you use those, at least you won’t be unable to move it anymore.”
Seriously. In exchange, it’ll become less flexible though.
You’ll have to figure that part out yourselves.
“You?”
“… Is it really okay?”
“Yes. Besides, this is also for Japan’s sake.”
“… Thank you very much.”
“In return, please don’t meddle with me, okay?”
“Of course! We’ll do everything we can!”
“Very well. It’s a deal then.”
“…”
Isotani-san seems to want to say something—though she’s glaring at Muto-san—she’s keeping her mouth shut. It’s originally a deal between me and Muto-san, and moreover, she can’t argue when it’s said to be for the country’s sake.
Just to clarify, it’s not like I haven’t thought this through.
The premise is that this deal was made in the presence of someone other than Isotani-san, meaning someone not from the Third Division faction, and externally, it will appear as if I “gave away valuable information just to suppress the Third Division faction’s grudge.”
This will make the Third Division faction members feel like an ordinary person who doesn’t know their place has obediently complied, which should somewhat reduce their frustration. To other divisions, I’ll appear as a victim who was threatened by the Third Division faction.
That reputation will benefit me in the future.
Moreover, I’m also in trouble if the mass-produced type doesn’t move. So, if you think about it, I’m buying my safety and future by providing information I was originally planning to offer anyway, it’s a bargain.
(This should do for now. Well then, where should I start?)
And so, while secretly rejoicing in securing the safety of myself and my sister, I began selecting the information to provide to them—I might as well tell Isotani-san too—as I looked back and forth between Muto-san, who was happily smiling in front of me, and Isotani-san, who remained expressionless without moving an inch.
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