The meeting room was too bright for my taste. Fluorescent panels hummed overhead, casting that sterile, military glow that made everything feel tenser than it needed to be. I sat slouched in my chair at the long steel table, tapping a pen against the edge.
Arata stood at the head of the room, arms folded behind his back, gaze sharp enough to pin everyone down. The entire Ginther squad was assembled, even the three wide-eyed newcomers. My shoulders sagged. Please don't be as miserable as the last batch…
"Good day, everyone," Arata began, his voice clipped, cold. "We have our new squadmates. Treat them like your own brothers." His eyes flicked over to the rookies lined up in front. He gave a small hand gesture, the kind only he could make look like a command. They shuffled awkwardly to find seats.
The first to move was the stuttering girl. She took a seat beside Miyu and Hina, fumbling with her chair as though the thing might bite her.
"H-hey, m-my name is Nanami," she stammered, then promptly bit her tongue.
I winced in sympathy. First impressions weren't her strong point, apparently.
Before the silence stretched too long, Hina leaned forward with a smile so bright it could have powered the base's backup generator. "Oh! I'm Hina, and this is Akane—my protector!"
"Protector," huh? That word wasn't just casual, not with the way Akane placed a steadying hand on Hina's shoulder, her eyes sharp enough to cut glass.
I leaned back in my chair, watching the dynamic. How does Hina still have that much energy after years of gate work? If I bottled that optimism, I could retire early.
Then Miyu's soft voice floated into the conversation. "I'm Miyu, Takumi's little sister. Nice to meet you."
My heart swelled. Oh, Miyu… you called yourself my sister? So touching. After everything that's happened, to hear that… My chest tightened. For one wild second, I'd throw myself into hell just to keep her smiling like that.
But—better not dwell on the past. That rabbit hole had claws.
Still, Miyu's words had another effect: Akane's protective aura sharpened. I swear I could feel the jealousy radiating from her seat. It was like sitting too close to a furnace. My instincts whispered: Don't. Get. Too. Close. To. Hina. Otherwise, Akane might just slit my throat while I slept.
On the bright side, Miyu already had a partner by her side now. That made me happy in its own way.
While I was lost in thought, the last of the newcomers slid into a seat beside me.
"Hello, strategist," she said with a polite bow of her head. "I'm Reina. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Her voice was calm, refined—like polished steel.
"Yeah. Same here," I replied, offering my hand.
She took it lightly. The handshake wasn't firm, but it had poise, discipline. She carried herself like someone from a family with wealth—or at least long tradition. A noble aura surrounded her, subtle but undeniable.
I squinted. Did she come from a chaenoble family? Rich bloodline, military academy type? Has to be. I made a mental note: after this mission, I'd comb the database for her records.
And maybe… maybe I could dump some of my strategist workload onto her. She did look the part of an assistant, after all. If I played this right, I could stay laid-back and let her do the paperwork. Efficient delegation, I'd call it. Not laziness.
While I mulled over my escape plan from responsibility, my attention drifted to the far corner of the room.
That's when I noticed Takeru, the last of the newbies. He hadn't taken a seat at all, instead leaning casually near the window. But what froze me was who he stood beside.
Shizuki.
The sniper, the ghost of our squad. He was practically part of the air—half the time, I forgot he was in the room until I turned and nearly tripped over him. Yet Takeru had found him immediately, and now they were both standing there in silence.
No words exchanged. No introductions. Just a shared nod.
It was eerie, almost like watching two shadows recognize each other.
Seriously? They already understand each other like that? I rubbed the back of my neck. I spent two years building that silent trust with Arata, and these two achieve it in five minutes? Is this what people call telepathic understanding?
Fascinating. And a little annoying.
Across the table, the rest of the squad observed in their own ways.
Hina bounced in her chair, whispering excitedly to Miyu about snacks she wanted to share later. Akane sat stiff and silent beside her, eyes never leaving Hina's side—as if she expected the air itself to attack her girlfriend. Nanami fidgeted nervously, pulling at her sleeves, glancing around like she wanted to shrink out of existence.
Reina folded her hands neatly, posture perfect, scanning the room with a composed expression. She looked like she was silently grading everyone.
Arata's cold gaze swept over all of us. He didn't speak for a long moment, just letting the weight of his presence hang heavy. That was his way—forcing silence until everyone focused only on him.
Finally, he said, "Assignments will be restructured. With these three additions, Ginther will expand its operational coverage. Details will be distributed after the mission briefing tomorrow."
No wasted words. He turned on his heel, already moving for the door.
Classic Arata.
I leaned back, blowing out a quiet sigh. So much for a quiet day.