Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 4] A commander must enter into their subordinates, feel with them, and think with them (3)

[Episode 4] A commander must enter into their subordinates, feel with them, and think with them. German Wehrmacht Field Marshal "Desert Fox" Erwin Rommel (3)

"This country once committed a mistake that would not escape the condemnation of future generations. It treated human lives as if they were scraps of paper, and plunged many people into the depths of sorrow and misfortune."

Toshio's eyes, usually so carefree, were serious. I can understand it now; this is likely his true self.

"We in the Self-Defense Forces must not repeat such mistakes. The ideal is to win without fighting. This is a study for that purpose."
"...I'm sorry. I'm just no good, aren't I... I'm really sorry!"

I had only been able to see things on the surface, as always. I was made to realize my own shallowness once again.

"There's no need to apologize. This is actually a very difficult, universal problem, you know."

His expression softens.

"Superiors are strict not because they want to throw their weight around and show off their power. In the military, a moment of carelessness can lead to death. They are strict precisely because they genuinely want to protect their subordinates' lives. But subordinates rarely realize that sentiment until they are actually in that position themselves."

Sincerity as a superior. Come to think of it, there was something I had been curious about for a while.

"Hey. Toshio, you're my superior, technically, but you never yell or get angry, do you? Why?"

He brings his tea to his mouth while giving a wry smile at Yuuhi's words.

"Technically, huh... Well, that's because Yuuhi, you're a very smart girl. In fact, you can understand various things just by me explaining them like this, right?"

Toshio crossed his arms on the table and looked up at Yuuhi.

"Besides, we're close in age, and we're peers as pilots. If you were ordered around by someone like that, would you be able to accept it?"
"That is... if it were an order..."

I am at a loss for words as he peers into my face.

"If it were someone with the seniority and track record of Captain Katsuno or Vice-Captain Mizushima, I could accept being ordered around. But if it came from someone like me, you'd only feel a sense of rebellion at your core."

I certainly cannot deny that. Even though Toshio is a genius pilot whose name is renowned throughout the unit, it is true that I held suspicions about him until I got to know his character.

"That's why I have to be at least stronger than my subordinates. I have to study more than my subordinates. On top of that, I have to constantly think about how to get them to understand, while gauging the distance between us."

Had he really thought it through to that extent? I can only feel admiration. And I am made to realize once again the difference between us, not just in piloting skills.

"You really are amazing, Toshio."
"I'm not amazing at all. I'm grateful to old man Katsuno. Thanks to him entrusting me with such an excellent girl, I can't let my guard down for even a second every day. Yuuhi's presence takes me to even greater heights."

I look up at his words. That's right. Toshio had always treated me as a full-fledged pilot and an equal partner.

“Of course, both publicly and privately.”

My shoulders slumped.

“That last part was unnecessary. I actually respected you for a second.”

It had started. The usual routine. And he was being so cool, too.

“It’s not unnecessary. I’ll live for my love for Yuhi and the vast sky for the rest of my life.”
“W-what is that? Are you an idiot?”

Toshio laughed, “Ahaha,” and leaned in toward me.

“So, how about we go hang out for a bit? Want me to show you around the yard place?”
“No way! You have important studies to do, right? I can look around by myself!”
“I can’t just let a cute wingman who went out of her way to run errands for me on her day off go home like this.”
“Hey, what kind of misunderstanding is that!? I was just shopping while I was out!”
“Besides, how could I leave you alone, Yuhi? Weird guys would just swarm around you.”
“Don’t underestimate me. I can fend off a pickup artist.”
“I hate it when other men talk to you, Yuhi! I don’t even want them breathing the same air. I’ll knock out anyone who gets close!”
“Okay, okay, I get it! I won’t go shopping today! I’ll just go home quietly, so bring me here after the SOC is over. That’s fine, right? Okay?”
“Is that… finally an invitation for a date from you, Yuhi?”
“No, it’s not!! If I didn’t say that, you wouldn’t go back to the dorms quietly, would you!!”
“Whoa, I’m super pumped now! I’m going to do my best for the next two months.”
“Listen to what people are saying!”

Just a moment ago, I thought he was acting like a respectable superior officer, but now he was acting like a child. I sighed and pressed my temples, but couldn't help but burst out laughing.

“Thanks for today, Toshio.”
“Huh? Why are you thanking me? I’m the one who should be thanking you…”
“It’s fine. Well, I’m going now. Good luck with your training.”
“Yeah.”

Toshio nodded happily. After leaving the cafe and parting ways with him, I headed home as promised.

“Two months from now, huh.”

The cold air of early spring was still biting, but noticing that I was humming to myself, Yuhi quickened her pace to hide her embarrassment.

*

When I peeked into the office, Mizushima was doing paperwork at his computer.

Since the incident last week, things had been awkward and we hadn't spoken, but today we had full flight schedules in both the morning and afternoon. There was no way things could stay like this.

Yuhi took a deep breath and entered the room.

“Good morning!”
“Oh. Morning.”

Mizushima glanced at Yuhi and then returned his gaze to his computer. As I was wondering how to approach the demon deputy commander, who was as difficult to talk to as ever,

“You look like you have something to say. Let’s hear it.”
He prompted me himself.

“Yes.”

Yuhi stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry for acting on my own during the ACM the other day!”
“…Why are you apologizing? You didn’t follow my orders, but you achieved results. Isn’t that right?”

Mizushima asks, still facing the screen.

"No! It is true that I achieved results. But that was merely something I obtained by luck as an extension of my own meager experience, and it added nothing to my foundation."

I was able to think about many things this weekend. The one who gave me the impetus was, of course, Toshio.

"On the other hand, I missed a valuable opportunity to learn from the vice commander's wealth of experience by rejecting his methods. The opponent is never uniform. That is why a beginner like me should have been more humble and learned much more from the methods of my seniors."

Mizushima raised his head and glared sharply at Yuhi.

"Did you learn that from Toshi?"
"No, not directly. But Second Lieutenant Kadoma guided me so that I could realize it for myself."

That's right. Toshio, who is close in age and experience, chose to engage with Yuhi through mutual improvement. On the other hand, Mizushima, a veteran and one of the best warriors in the Self-Defense Force, tried to impart his own experience to Yuhi.

Both were different approaches based on their respective distances, born from a desire to seriously train their subordinate and a desire to seriously protect their subordinate's life, by engaging with Yuhi in earnest.

Mizushima snorted and sank back into his chair.

"He's a good superior."
"Yes. I think so too."

Now, I can nod to that honestly.

"Do you want to win? Against him?"

A question that, before, would have had no answer other than yes. Yuhi slowly shook her head.

"I want to fly with my head held high. Right beside him."

The corners of Mizushima's mouth rose.

"The summit you are aiming for is far higher, you know?"
"I know. That is why I cannot afford to stand still here."

Mizushima nodded deeply at Yuhi's words and straightened his posture.

"Alright, I'll train you thoroughly today as well. So that you can hold your head high, even if just a little."
"I look forward to it!"
"Go to the briefing room first. I'll be there once I finish this."
"Yes!"

Yuhi gave a ten-degree salute and left the room.
With the fresh start with Mizushima successfully concluded, her steps felt light for the first time in a while.

Toshio is probably working hard right now, too.

His presence, which was steadily growing within me. For some reason, that felt a little comforting now.

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