The trip back to base felt shorter than the trip to the battlefield — maybe because this time, I wasn't screaming for my life.
The dropship's engines hummed softly, the rhythmic vibration a strange kind of comfort after the chaos of our first mission. Across from me, the girls lounged in their seats, chatting casually like we hadn't just risked our lives fighting nightmare fuel.
Rina stretched, cracking her knuckles. "Man, that was fun! Did you see that big guy's face when I crushed his skull?"
Mira sipped tea, completely unfazed. "They didn't have faces, Rina. Technically, they were just magical constructs."
"Yeah, but you felt the terror," Rina replied, grinning.
Eira hummed, combing her long silver hair with her fingers. "Such wonderful teamwork today~! I can already see the promotional posters: 'Charm Battalion—Defenders of Humanity, Destroyers of Evil!'"
I raised an eyebrow. "Do we actually get posters?"
"Not officially," she said, smiling. "But unofficially? I make my own."
Liri zipped around the cabin, scattering glitter everywhere. "We did amazing! Sparkle stats: 100% victory, 0% deaths, 3% friendly panic!"
"I feel like I was all three percent," I muttered.
Celia Frostwind stood near the cockpit, arms crossed, eyes on the horizon. Even relaxed, she looked composed—like a statue that could yell at you for breathing wrong.
When the engines slowed, she turned to us. "Mission complete. Good work, everyone. Debrief at 1900 hours. Dismissed until then."
"Wait," I said, blinking. "Dismissed as in… free time?"
"Correct. But no leaving the base perimeter."
Rina laughed. "That's fine by me! I'm hitting the gym."
Mira adjusted her glasses. "I'll file my after-action report."
Eira beamed. "Bath time!"
Liri gasped. "Bath time!?"
I frowned. "Bath time?"
Celia's gaze flicked toward me, cool and calm. "We have shared facilities. Try not to cause trouble."
That should've been my warning.
---
Part 1: Back at Base
The Charm Battalion's headquarters sat at the edge of a canyon, carved into a massive metal complex overlooking the wasteland. It was half-bunker, half-spa—clearly designed by someone who thought, "Yes, luxury and warfare should definitely mix."
When I walked through the automatic doors, the smell of soap and fresh food hit me. The halls were lined with holographic panels showing tactical data—and also, for some reason, motivational posters of Celia giving serious stares with captions like "Discipline is adorable."
I wasn't sure if I should salute or laugh.
Our dormitory area looked cozier than I expected: soft lights, individual rooms, even a lounge with a coffee machine. I collapsed on a couch with a groan.
"I survived my first mission," I muttered to no one in particular. "I deserve… I don't know, a medal. Or a nap. Or ten."
Liri landed on my shoulder, grinning. "You did great today, Haru!"
"Haru?"
"Shorter! Cuter! Nicknames boost morale by 20%!"
"Pretty sure that's not scientifically proven."
She puffed out her cheeks. "It's fairy-proven!"
Before I could argue, the door slid open and Celia walked in, carrying a data pad. "Private Sakamaki. A word."
I stood up instantly. "Uh, yes, ma'am!"
She looked me over, expression unreadable. "You exceeded expectations in battle. However, your form, reaction time, and combat focus remain poor."
"So… half a compliment?"
"Eighty percent criticism. Twenty percent encouragement."
"...I'll take it."
Her eyes softened slightly—just barely. "Still, that synchronization surge you triggered… I've never seen anything like it. We'll need to test it further."
"Right. Just… tell me before you make me glow again."
Celia nodded. "Understood. Dismissed."
As she left, I noticed something small—a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
It lasted half a second, but it was there.
Maybe I was imagining things, but… I think that was progress.
---
Part 2: The Bath
Later that evening, after filing some reports (mostly consisting of me writing "I didn't die" in several boxes), I decided to explore the base. I eventually found a sign that read:
> PUBLIC BATHING AREA — MALE & FEMALE SECTIONS
Finally. Civilization.
Hot water, steam, quiet. Exactly what I needed.
I grabbed a towel and stepped into the men's section—empty, thankfully. The room was enormous: marble floors, glowing runes around the pool, and soft ambient music. I sank into the water with a sigh that could cure depression.
"This," I whispered, "is heaven."
I let the warmth melt my exhaustion away. My brain finally had time to process everything.
A few days ago, I was a nobody playing games in my room. Now, I was fighting monsters, synchronizing magic, and somehow not dead.
And despite all the insanity… part of me didn't want to go back.
I was still pondering that when I heard voices.
Female voices.
On the other side of the wall.
"Ahh~ this is the best!" Rina's voice echoed. "Hot water after battle hits different!"
"Please refrain from splashing," Mira said coolly. "I detest turbulence."
"You detest fun," Rina replied.
Eira's voice floated in, melodic as ever. "You two sound like an old married couple~."
"Shut it, songbird!"
I froze.
No way. No way they were that close to my wall.
Liri giggled faintly. "Heehee~ bubbles!"
Celia's calm tone followed. "Fairy, if you tamper with the bubble jets again, I'll reassign you to latrine duty."
"Eep!"
I sank lower into the water, trying not to exist. Don't move. Don't make noise. Pretend you're soap.
Then I heard footsteps. On my side.
Someone had entered the men's bath.
I looked up—and nearly died of shock.
"Yo, Haruto! Mind if I join you?"
It was Rina.
In a towel.
"RINA!? THIS IS THE MEN'S SIDE!"
She blinked. "Is it? Oh. Whoops. The signs are color-coded. I'm red-blind."
"That's not how color-blindness works!"
"Relax, rookie. I'm just here to talk!"
"Then talk from the other side!"
Before I could even process that, the door slid open again.
Mira stepped in, fully dressed but holding a bucket. "Rina, you took the wrong door again, didn't you?"
"Maybe."
Eira poked her head in, eyes sparkling. "Oh my~ mixed bathing? How bold!"
Celia's voice echoed from down the hall. "If any of you step into the wrong section again, I will—"
"Captain!" I shouted, panic rising. "Help!"
Too late.
The door opened.
Celia walked in, towel over her shoulders, completely calm… until she saw me surrounded by chaos.
Silence.
You could've heard a pin drop—or in this case, a drop of water.
Then Rina said helpfully, "So, uh, this looks bad."
Celia's gaze could've frozen lava. "Sakamaki. Explain. Now."
I pointed wildly. "They came in here! I didn't—this isn't—HELP!"
The fairy popped out from Rina's hair. "Group bonding~!"
"LIRI, NOT HELPING!"
Celia sighed the sigh of a woman who regretted every career decision she'd ever made. "All of you—out. Now."
Rina shrugged. "Fine, fine. Fun's over."
As they filed out, Mira gave me a sympathetic look. Eira winked. "Next time, invite us properly~."
When the door closed, I sank into the water again, face burning.
"Why is my life like this?" I muttered.
---
Part 3: Aftermath
Later that night, I sat alone in the lounge, nursing a cup of synth-coffee and a heavy sense of doom.
Sure enough, Celia arrived. She didn't say anything at first, just poured herself tea and sat opposite me.
"I've filed the report," she said finally. "No disciplinary action. This time."
I exhaled. "Thank you."
"However," she continued, "your ability to attract chaos is… impressive."
"I swear I didn't do anything!"
"I believe you." She sipped her tea. "It just seems to happen around you. Like gravity."
"Great. I'm a chaos magnet."
Celia chuckled softly—barely audible, but definitely a laugh.
It was so rare I almost forgot to breathe.
Then she looked out the window, her expression softening.
"The girls trust you, you know. Even after one mission."
I blinked. "Trust me? I almost fainted out there."
"Yes," she said, meeting my eyes. "But you didn't run. You stayed. That matters."
There was a weight in her voice I hadn't heard before. Not authority—something gentler. Tired, maybe.
"Command isn't easy," she added quietly. "Every name on my roster is a life I have to protect. Every mission could be the last."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.
I didn't know what to say, so I said the only thing that felt right.
"You're doing great, you know. They all look up to you."
Celia blinked, surprised—like no one had ever said that to her.
"Thank you," she said softly. Then, standing, she added with a faint smirk, "Just… stay out of the women's bath."
"I didn't—!"
She walked away before I could finish, laughter trailing faintly behind her.
---
Part 4: Lights Out
When I finally made it back to my room, I found a note taped to my door in glittery handwriting:
> "To Haru, our favorite rookie! Don't worry, we forgive your accidental bath party! Let's do karaoke next! ♡ — Liri"
I groaned. "I'll never live this down."
But when I stepped inside, the exhaustion of the day caught up with me. I collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
So much had changed.
A week ago, I'd have laughed if someone told me I'd be fighting monsters with a squad of magic-wielding girls.
Now, I couldn't imagine not being part of it.
Yeah, they drove me crazy.
Yeah, they ignored rules, caused chaos, and somehow found new ways to embarrass me daily.
But… it felt like I belonged somewhere for once.
And maybe—just maybe—that was worth all the insanity.
I closed my eyes, drifting toward sleep, when the lights flickered.
A faint hum echoed through the base. Then Celia's voice came over the intercom:
> "All units, report to briefing room immediately. Unidentified energy surge approaching the perimeter."
I sat up instantly.
Peace was over.
"Guess rest will have to wait," I muttered, grabbing my gear.
As alarms blared across the base, I ran through the corridors, Liri darting beside me with excitement in her wings.
"Another mission already!?"
"Yup!" she chirped. "Told you the fun never stops!"
I couldn't help but grin despite the fear.
She wasn't wrong.
> That time I got drafted to war with only cute girls on my squad… was about to get even crazier.
---
[To be continued in Chapter 4: Midnight Alarms and the Mysterious Signal!]