もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

にじゅう | twenty

もののけ | kaiju | monster

20

THE SECONDARY SELECTION EXAM
(PART 2)

Soshiro

"COULD YOU REPEAT THAT, CAPTAIN?" I asked, my tone laced with disbelief as I felt a twitch in my eye and the veins on my forehead pulsing with barely contained annoyance. Maybe I misheard her; perhaps my ears were just playing tricks on me.

Ashiro sighed, not looking up from her paperwork. "I received a message from the Special Division's courier that the Lieutenant will pay a visit here in the Third Division next week," she repeated more clearly.

I could feel a laugh bubbling up at the absurdity of it all. Why the hell would the Lieutenant come here? As far as I knew, she had no business with us. "Did they mention what she plans to do when she comes?" I asked, my annoyance evident. Ashiro might have sensed my rising irritation.

"How could I know?" Ashiro replied calmly, still focused on her documents. "It's not our place to question the actions of our superiors."

I let out a frustrated breath, trying to contain the anger that simmered beneath the surface. "But this doesn't make any sense. She has no reason to come here. The matter regarding Kaiju No. 8 was over; we got permission from the General Director himself. But now—there has to be something behind this."

Ashiro finally looked up, her gaze steady and composed. "Regardless of our personal feelings, Hoshina, we are soldiers. It's our duty to follow orders, not question them."

"Why now? Why does she have to come here?" I began, my frustration seeping into my tone. "We have our own protocols, our own way of doing things. This is unnecessary interference. What's the point of her visit anyway? Is she here to oversee our operations? Or is this some kind of test? It's not fair to just drop this on us without any explanation—"

"Are we seriously going to argue about this, Hoshina?" Ashiro's voice cut through my rising frustration. I bit my tongue to stop the retort that was on the tip of it. Her patience with me was clearly wearing thin.

Ashiro sighed, placing her pen down and finally meeting my eyes. "Look, I understand that it's uncomfortable for you. Awkward, even. But remember who you are, Hoshina. You're the Vice-Captain. Your duty should come first, above personal feelings."

Her words hit me like a slap in the face. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me as I realized how my emotions had clouded my judgment. I looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "I know," I muttered, feeling my face heat up. "But it's not easy. She's... she's not just anyone."

Ashiro walked around her desk and stood in front of me, her eyes searching mine. "No, she's not. But she's also a superior officer, and this is a professional setting. If you can't handle this, how can you handle the responsibilities that come with your rank?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came out. She was right. As much as I hated to admit it, I was letting my personal feelings interfere with my duties. "You're right," I said finally, my voice subdued. "I need to be better than this."