My Futanari Lover

16-III

The squad was back in the helicopter. The human members sat in the front seat and controlled the craft while the inhumans sat in the passenger seat. The excitement the three inhumans shared in the morning was nonexistent. Sorrows adorned their faces. Everyone's heads were bowed down.

The mood was depressing, to say the least.

"Captain..." Staricor broke the uncomfortable silence. He needed to bring up the topic. I'm sure everyone's thinking about it.

Nanashi raised his head. "Yes?"

"About... what happened back there." Staricor furrowed his brows. "Was this the first time you had to...?

"No." Nanashi crossed his arms. "I've lost count by this point."

"Oh..." His answer left a sour taste in Staricor's mouth. He didn't hesitate to shoot. Not once.

"Was there no other option, Nanashi?" Violette rubbed her hands together. "Couldn't we have saved him...?"

"He would have turned... there was no saving him." Nanashi replied dryly. "He had to be put down. All of you know that."

"How would you know that? I refuse to believe that!" Staricor clenched his fists. "They aren't humans like us. There must have been another way!"

"Believe me. I've been on these missions for years." Nanashi sighed. "I wouldn't have done what I did if–..."

"Do you know what you did, Captain?" Staricor rose from his seat. "Do you feel anything... anything at all?"

"Staricor, please..." Evelyn grabbed his arm. She was just as upset as him but taking his anger out on Nanashi wasn't the wisest idea.

"These missions aren't always exciting." Nanashi sighed. "Sometimes, you'll have to make hard decisions. Bear the responsibility no one else can."

"... Is that why you took us on this mission?"

Staricor placed his fist against his forehead. I always thought it was an odd choice for a first mission. Did he take the inhumans on this mission to teach them the harsh reality? Did he already foresee this happening? No, Captain couldn't possibly know...!

"You were going to face this sooner or later." Nanashi bowed his head, his lips curling down. "... I hope it was a valuable experience for you three."

"Nanashi..." Violette gently held his shoulder. Right now, she sensed sadness from the usually stoic inhuman.

"After today, you three are free to go on your own missions without my supervision." He closed his eyes. "Not all missions... have desirable conclusions."

Staricor reclined back to his seat. Is this his way of teaching us...? Before the mission, he expected to take on dozens of infected. It's why the Nightmare Squad was created. To allow them to fight fire with fire. But seeing a survivor in their final moments...? How many times did Nanashi have to go through this? Has he always bottled these experiences? I don't think he's ever told the sisters, either.

"Most of the INValids were once human..." Nanashi stared at his palm. "There isn't any other option besides..."

Staricor understood that. Every INValid they've killed were once people leading daily lives–people who had their own dreams and struggles just like everyone else. It's hypocritical of me, isn't it? He didn't hesitate killing them. Not one bit. Because it was either us or them.

"... I'm sorry, Captain." Staricor lowered his voice. "I didn't realize what these missions entailed."

"You'll learn." Nanashi nodded. "Keep it in mind moving forward."