Hesta froze. "Cooperate on what exactly?"
"In the Habitable Zone, I'm responsible for fire support. Out in the Wastelands, though, I can do much more," Arnold replied. "In Wasteland operations, there are no civilians to evacuate, no property to protect. It's far more efficient to eliminate enemies from long range with artillery than to engage in close combat. In those battles, we're often the main strike force. Only when the Chelate Creatures surge past the final defensive line do some of the Mercury Needle operatives need to step in—to prevent any unexpected incidents."
"…Final defensive line?"
"You'll learn about it later," Arnold said with a knowing smile. "The farthest engagement line, the fire restriction line, the final defensive line… Once you start your tactical training, you'll study all of it."
Hesta smiled faintly. "Understood."
A few base workers jogging past greeted Arnold as they went. He nodded in return. Hesta noticed that many people here seemed to know him well—Arnold had clearly been teaching at the base for a long time.
"I have another question, Instructor," Hesta asked. "Do all the base instructors provide one-on-one training sessions like you do? I haven't seen any other new recruits so far. When do they usually train?"
Arnold chuckled. "Originally, we were supposed to be on break this year."
"…Originally?"
"According to the Third District's recruitment cycle, we take a year off every three years. If Chiba hadn't brought you here, there wouldn't have been any new trainees this year."
Hesta blinked, surprised.
So it wasn't that she hadn't met other new recruits—there simply weren't any. This year, she was the only one.
---
That evening, around seven or eight, Hesta stepped out of the shower.
She had already treated the scrapes she'd gotten earlier that afternoon, but the wounds had become extra sensitive after soaking in water. Every step up the stairs sent a fine, burning sting through her knees.
"Pretty relaxed, aren't we?" a familiar voice came from behind her.
Hesta didn't even need to turn to know who it was.
She turned anyway, looking down at Shawn, who stood several steps below her.
Their eyes met—and Shawn immediately noticed the subtle change in her demeanor since the last time they'd spoken. She wore the base's new dark-green training uniform with black shorts, a far more neutral look than the outfit she'd worn in the corridor that day. The nervous, fragile alertness she'd once had was gone.
"Don't you have drills today?" she asked.
"Not everyone has to waste their time on those exhausting physical sessions," Shawn said, folding his hands behind his head with a lazy grin. "They have muscle. I have brains."
Hesta didn't reply.
Leaning against the wall, one foot propped on the other, Shawn's posture was casual, almost mocking.
"Has anyone ever told you that your hair looks beautiful?" he asked suddenly.
"What?" Hesta thought she'd misheard.
"No wonder people used to pay big money for Hesta women's hair. But why don't you grow it out? Girls should have long hair—especially girls with gorgeous red hair." Shawn straightened and took a step up the stairs. "Can I touch it—"
"No." Hesta's tone was cold. "Take one more step and I'll call for help."
Shawn stopped.
Perhaps it was the height difference, but from her vantage above, Hesta's calm gaze made him feel as though their roles had reversed—and the realization amused him.
"Who are you going to call? Mrs. Lovett?" Shawn smirked. "Your dear Liz isn't coming back tonight."
"She's not," Hesta agreed. "Which is why there are some things I can only say now."
"Oh? Did I hear that right? You've got something to tell me?"
"Yes," Hesta said quietly. "I hope you'll stop giving me trouble. If there's something about me that annoys you, I'm sure we can find another way to resolve it. Maybe we could talk it out… I'm willing to talk."
"Well, that's just perfect," Shawn replied, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the wall. "Because my greatest wish right now is to be your friend. But tell me, can I really trust you?"
"Why not?"
"What if you lure me somewhere private and attack me when I least expect it?"
Hesta tilted her head slightly. "...I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Didn't you just search 'how to fake an alibi' yesterday?"
"I didn't." Hesta's denial was calm and smooth.
"8:32 p.m.—'where to buy small concealable knives'; 8:45—'how to fabricate an alibi'; 9:12—'if a minor commits intentional homicide, what are the consequences?' In just over half an hour, you opened more than fifty pages." Shawn's voice remained flat as he recited the list. "So, Miss Hesta, why exactly were you searching for those things?"
A subtle change crossed Hesta's face.
Shawn noticed her hands had clenched tightly at her sides, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"…How do you know that?" she asked quietly.
"I saw it," Shawn raised his hand, tapping his temple. "With these eyes."
"So you did steal my browsing history."
Shawn only smiled.
"How dare you…"
"It's no big deal," he replied calmly. "Just a little hobby of mine."
"Fine." Hesta looked away. "Then tell me—what exactly do you want from me, Shawn?"
"Me? Nothing at all. I just want to know if all Hesta women are as serene as you are."
Hesta's brow furrowed.
Shawn spread his hands. "People always compare women to flowers, but whether it's back in Hekla or here, all I ever see are women like Sophie Morley—bitter old maids—or like Liz, cold iron-hearted soldiers. Not a trace of softness among them."
"Is that so," Hesta replied, her tone edged with impatience. "I happen to think that's a good thing."
"Whatever you say, Hesta," Shawn shrugged. "Anyway, let's be friends. The moment you got your computer, you looked up the Hekla Wastelands. That means you're interested in me—just like I'm interested in you. We could talk about your past, for example, about—"
"I refuse," Hesta cut him off sharply. "Friends don't spy on each other's every move. Friendship is built on respect."
Shawn looked disappointed. "You sound just like Liz right now. Don't be like that… do we really have to turn this into hostility? There's no other way? I was complimenting you."
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing left to say," Hesta said softly. "Because I didn't hear any compliment in your words."
(End of Chapter)
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