Omen
—The guys from the South American branch are a bit strange in the head, the guys from the African branch are unpredictable, the guys from the Australian branch are somewhat unlucky, and the guys from the European branch are utterly and completely unlucky.
My uncle had said this with amusement at some point. It was shortly before the joint training with the Europeans. At least, what he said about the Europeans wasn't wrong. Though his judgment was somewhat biased, it was clear that the European branch guys were unbearably unlucky.
You could point out an example of this right away. So, would what he said about South America, Africa, and Australia also be correct? That was something he still didn't know. Perhaps he'd never find out about the African or Australian branches. After all, Jeong Tae-ui would be leaving UNHRDO not long after the joint training with South America ended. These days, he was just hoping to make it to that day in one piece.
"The South American branch, huh? Those guys are a bit off in the head, right? There's something about those South American guys. Haven't you noticed when you watch them play soccer? They're passionate hotheads with a flower blooming in their heads, just like that."
Listening to what Carlo said, Jeong Tae-ui nodded in agreement and slapped his knee. Indeed, that's what "a bit off in the head" meant. It was a highly racist remark, but suddenly, it made perfect sense. The passionate hotheads with a flower blooming in their heads would be extremely angry if they heard that.
Alta, sitting diagonally across from him, frowned and muttered gloomily.
"South America... I've got a grudge against those guys. Last year, during the joint training, some South American guy who used my room broke the bamboo pillow I had been saving. If that guy shows up this time, just watch. I've been holding a grudge since last year."
"If that guy comes here and you end up going to Australia, then it's no use holding a grudge."
Tou made a very reasonable point, but it seemed Alta didn't hear it.
"Well, after we draw lots tonight, we'll see what happens to Alta. We'll have to wait and see who comes from the other side."
"Letting go of a grudge isn't an easy thing."
"Besides, if you're unlucky, you might try to resolve your grudge only to end up holding an even bigger one. Remember what happened with Xin Lu? He ran into the guy who threw him down during the sparring match and tried to throw him back in revenge, but he couldn't handle the guy's weight and ended up getting pinned down instead."
"Ah, I remember. That's when he sprained his ankle and was limping around for a while, right?"
Even though a lecture was going on, murmurs and chuckles were heard all around. Xin Lu, who heard this from a distance, barked out something in protest, but no one paid attention.
Jeong Tae-ui smiled faintly.
As the joint training with South America approached, Jeong Tae-ui felt more at ease. Not for any special reason, but because when an external enemy approaches, it naturally brings people together internally. His previously prickly colleagues were now too fired up with determination to have time to point their swords at him.
Yes, this is nice. If they don't bother me until the end of the joint training, that'd be great. And once the training is over, all these rough waves will be over too.
Jeong Tae-ui nodded with satisfaction. Moreover, it was easy to tell from the atmosphere. The joint training with South America was nothing compared to the one they had with Europe not long ago. Back then, as the training drew nearer, everyone became tense and went around with grim expressions, but this time, they were burning with determination, like they were preparing for an official sports event. Even though they were still fierce rivals, there wasn't any of the typical antagonistic behavior, and compared to Europe, South America might as well have been their best friend.
