Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 3] Calm down, and aim well. You are about to kill a man (2)

[Episode 3] Calm down, and aim well. You are about to kill a man. Revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara (2)

　Despite it being such a lighthearted suggestion, I was too nervous to sleep much last night. If I had known it would be like this, I should have built up some immunity. At my age, this is my first time going out with someone of the opposite sex.

　I mean, I can't help it...

　Until high school, I was under strict parents and constantly kept under surveillance, and since becoming an aviation student, I have focused solely on becoming a fighter pilot. I had many invitations for dates, but most men would leave after one glare from me.
　
　But he was different. It's been a little over a month since we met, and he's the first man who hasn't given up despite me brushing him off this much. Although, I don't think I'd ever want to sue him for sexual harassment.
　Yes, I had to admit that I didn't mind it. As a superior officer, he gives precise instructions and is a man with no complaints. Is it just an excuse to think that it wouldn't be bad to touch upon his private life just once?

　Before I knew it, I had unconsciously worn a skirt shorter than usual. The person I'm meeting is a legendary womanizer who once made his name famous within the Air Self-Defense Force.

　Just as I was thinking about whether I had made a mistake, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Yo, good morning.”
“Oh, g-good morning...”

　He wasn't in his familiar pilot suit, but in a sophisticated outfit that looked like it had stepped out of a fashion magazine. I've seen him in casual clothes before, but knowing that he chose this outfit to meet me makes my heart suddenly race.

“It’s kind of refreshing to have a girl arrive before me, ten minutes before the meeting time.”
“Arriving ten minutes early is standard, isn't it?”

　I tilt my head, not understanding the meaning of his words.

“Hehe, I love that about Yuuhi.”
“W-wait, what are you saying all of a sudden?”
“Alright, let's go.”

　He smoothly offers a ticket, and I'm confused. I have my IC card, after all.

“Oh, thank you. I'll pay.”
“As if I’d let a girl pay on a date. This is the Kadoma family policy. Remember that.”
　Saying that, he casually took my hand, and Yuuhi had no choice but to follow.

　It was Saturday morning, but the train to Yokohama was reasonably crowded, and Toshio found a space at the end of the car and positioned himself to shield Yuuhi from other passengers. We were still holding hands, and what's more, we were close. I hadn't held hands with a member of the opposite sex since a campfire in elementary school. I looked down so he wouldn't notice my face, which had turned bright red.

　Hey, hey, isn't that guy incredibly handsome? I could hear young women talking, clearly directed at Toshio, and I felt a little annoyed. Why? I don't know.

“Um, Toshio, you’re quite stylish today...”

　To hide my embarrassment, I brought up a topic that felt tacked on. Toshio looked at Yuuhi with a blank expression for a moment, but then smiled softly and tugged at the collar of his shirt.
“Hmm? This? The bottom is Unishiro, the top is GUP. A second lieutenant's take-home pay is limited, so I cover for that with how I wear it.”
“I-is that so?”
“More importantly, Yuuhi, you look really cute today.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, even more than usual.”

　I could feel my ears turning red at his words. The difference from usual is that I'm wearing natural makeup. I don't usually wear makeup because I sweat so much during flight training, but I basically love fashion.
　However, this was the first time I had put on makeup while thinking of someone, and my heart soared because he had effortlessly picked up on the difference and complimented me.

“It’s dangerous if you don’t hold on tight.”

　His hand slid around my back, forming something like a light embrace. My mind was completely blank. His movements were so natural that they didn't even give me a chance to push him away.

Y-yes, that's right. It's crowded, so if I push him away, it'll be a nuisance to the other passengers!

Every time the train swayed, his sturdy chest pressed against my forehead. Before long, when his hand that had been on my back moved to my head, Yuuhi, as if prompted, rested her head on his chest. While desperately reciting excuses in her mind. *

Wow! Amazing! The ocean is so beautiful!

We had arrived at Hakkeijima Marine Paradise. The refreshing sea breeze felt pleasant.

You just finished your first voyage the other day, didn't you? Besides, Yuuhi, you're from Shimonoseki, right?
The ocean looks different when you see it at times like this.
I suppose that's true.

I felt a sudden flutter at his gentle smile and looked away.

Do you come here often, Toshio? I mean, with the girl you were with in Ebina, or the girl you were with in Yokohama the day before yesterday...

Even though I meant it as a lighthearted remark, my chest ached with a sharp pain.

Hmm? I've never been here with them. Didn't I tell you they were just friends with no strings attached? The last time I came here was with my girlfriend back in high school, I think.

Girlfriend... well, that makes sense. I feigned composure and looked up at him.

...What happened with that girlfriend?
She dumped me.
Huh?
She found another guy. She said it was hard being with me because of the jealousy and such. Like, what is that supposed to mean? Since then, to be honest, I've been afraid of getting too deeply involved with girls.

I was taken aback by Toshio's unexpected response. It wasn't hard to imagine that the heartbreak he experienced back then was the reason he started hitting on women indiscriminately.

Did I just step on a landmine? But still...

That's why, for me, love is something I haven't felt in a long time. And it's the first time I've ever experienced love at first sight.

His face clouded over for a moment, but he quickly regained his usual carefree expression. Although I breathed a sigh of relief at that, Yuuhi lowered her gaze to our joined hands.

...Hey. I still don't really understand this 'no strings attached' thing. Every girl has feelings, so I don't think what you're doing is right, Toshio.

Perhaps, no matter how much Toshio tries to set up defensive barriers, those girls surely don't think it's 'no strings attached.' I can tell just by looking at their eyes.

I'm sorry, I'm saying such high-and-mighty things without knowing anything. Of course, I understand how you feel about being betrayed, Toshio, but you shouldn't do the same thing to others.

Toshio looked at me with a surprised expression.

Did I make him angry? But I want him to realize it. Because I believe that the person who passionately talked about his goals as a pilot back then is his true self.

...Yeah, I guess so.

His face softened.

I really wasn't wrong. Falling for Yuhi.
He looked genuinely happy. My heart skipped a beat at the word "love." That's right, I have to confirm this.

...Hey.
Yeah?
Why did you fall for me? You didn't even know me well, it was love at first sight, right?

It was a question I'd wanted to ask for a while. Why, out of all the women he could have, did he choose me—someone who is blunt and mocked as a witch?

Oh, was it my looks after all?
...I'm going home.

He instinctively grabbed Yuhi's wrist as she turned on her heel in anger.

Whoa, don't get the wrong idea. Sure, Yuhi, you're incredibly cute, but I've dealt with plenty of model-tier beauties in my time.

I thought he was mocking me, but I met his eyes and saw he was completely serious. That was true. He wasn't the type of man to be swayed by looks alone.

Yuhi, you're short and look delicate. A girl like that is a fighter pilot, and the best guy in Chitose to boot. It's a world that's tough even for a man like me, so I figured you must have gone through hell to get here.

He spoke with affection while looking at the wrist he was holding.

It was also the first time a girl had glared at me the moment we met, and I figured you'd lived your whole life with your guard up. When I thought about that, I just felt an irresistible urge to protect you.

Did he really come to that conclusion in an instant? Still, there wasn't a hint of insincerity in his words. Perhaps it was the intuition of a fighter pilot, someone who has to make split-second judgments every moment.

But, I...

I don't want a man to protect me. I've carved my own path until now.
I lowered my voice and said it as coldly as I could.

Isn't that fine? Wanting to protect you is my own business. It's a natural feeling for a man to want to protect the girl he likes. No need to overthink it.
I intended that as my best resistance, but he was several steps ahead of me.

I'm not asking for us to jump straight into a romantic relationship. Let's start by deepening our friendship as wingmen.

Once he said that, I had no reason to resist any further.

...Yeah.

I gave a small nod. A total defeat. But, it didn't feel bad. My heart skipped a beat once again.

So, first up is the whale shark! Over here, this way!

Toshio pulled Yuuhi by the hand with a boyish smile on his face. The conversation, which she had worried might not continue in a private setting, never faltered, and he led the way the entire time. She was surprised to find that when she was with him, she could naturally be a girl.

Yeah, this must be what they call a womanizer's technique. Careful, careful.

She snapped back to reality and repeated the warning to herself. For Yuuhi, who wasn't used to romance, she had no idea how much she could trust his seemingly guileless smile, but she felt absolutely no discomfort with him invading her personal space.

After playing at Hakkeijima, they traveled a bit further to have dinner at a French restaurant with a view of the Minato Mirai nightscape. When they returned to the station in front of Sagamino, Yuuhi, feeling reluctant to part ways, invited him to a casual izakaya under the guise of a 'thank you.' He was very happy about it, but when he tried to pay for the entire bill again, she stopped him with all her might.

That was today's event. In her arms, she was holding the large white dolphin plushie he had bought for her. Sitting on her bed, she carefully traced each interaction she had with him.

It was a fact that she had a lot of fun being with him. She gently stroked her right hand, which had been held by his until the very end. Saying goodnight to him after he walked her to her apartment felt a little lonely. But that, in turn, was frustrating.

You idiot, Toshio!

Yuuhi shouted that, then flopped onto her bed while hugging the white dolphin plushie, closing her eyes gently as if to soak in the lingering emotions.

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Next Episode Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 4] A commander must enter into their subordinates, feel with them, and think with them (Part 1) | Kyo

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Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 1] It is important for a commander to be optimistic first (Part 1) | Kyo