Alive || 86: Eighty-Six [ vers. ENG ]

realization

Back then, in the 86th district, Charlize had developed interesting techniques for ignoring certain words, such as those that might hurt her, or those that weren't worth listening to. Sometimes she kept her eyes on the skies, other times she played with the earth or whatever was lying on the ground. Among other things, she diverted her attention to something trivial.

However the officers' academy was far from the 86th district. Military discipline wasn't something she could just wave away. But keeping up a constantly interested false front was a much harder task than it looked. So of course she often ended up getting scolded by an instructor or two. And maybe she'd had to do a chore or two as punishment. The only good thing about it was that she'd never received corporal punishment.

"I'd never have guessed you had a problem with authority," Theo said with a mocking smile.

Sitting together in the academy cafeteria, Charlize was facing Theo. He was slouching. With his elbow on the table, he rested his head weightless, resting his cheek against his open hand.

"... I do listen to Shin's orders."

"Yeah well, that doesn't count."

The teenager simply shrugged. She preferred to keep her attention on the dessert on her tray. There were two choices for this meal. One was a seasonal fruit tart and the other was a slice of moist cake with a cream, the smell of which had convinced her to choose it. However, now that she only had a piece left, she regretted having eaten so quickly without savoring it.

She took the last piece from her dessert plate and brought it to her mouth. Yet, instead of smiling as she had done with every mouthful, she ate it with a pain she couldn't hide. Her eyes showed great sadness. Her lips were tightly pressed together, the corners of her mouth pointing downwards. With each of her sighs, it was as if she were blowing out a part of her affliction.

Theo laughed at her disproportionate reaction. He sat down properly.

"Stop making that face. You can have mine if you want."

"I'm fine. There'd be no point."

"Whatever."

He didn't hesitate. He wolfed down half the cake in one bite.

Charlize watched him, barely concealing her astonishment. Of course she would have liked to eat her share. As always, her mouth had spoken before her mind made up its mind.

Out of pity, or simply because he wasn't heartless, Theo gave her the other half he had left. The teenager's eyes lit up almost instantly. She thanked him before finishing the cake.

"By the way, about what you said... It's not that I have a problem with authority. It's just that I'm a bit bored."

"You know... you're really...."

"Amazing...?" she replied proudly.

He watched her silently, trying to unravel the truth in her words. Unfortunately, after five seconds of reflection, he came to the terrible conclusion that his long-time comrade was serious.