Mob No.101: “Yeah, yeah, you win. I have no intention of going near her again anyway. Okay, end of discussion.”
“Um, do you mind if I ask something?”
After checking no one else was around, I stopped and spoke to her.
“What is it?”
She stopped as well.
“How’d you find me?”
That’s the biggest mystery.
I shot down quite a few manned and unmanned fighters, and others did similar numbers.
Plus in battle you have to watch all directions, hard to check each opponent.
To my question, she answered standing at attention.
“I knew my unit faced the 11th Fleet. Military fighters are standardized, so I knew your non-standard ship meant a mercenary. My military contacts helped from there, since I remembered your ship’s color.”
I see. Military personnel could have my assignment info and not seem odd.
Remembering opponent details in that battlefield is quite impressive.
“I see. Then one more thing. When we first met, you called me [Dusty], which wasn’t just about my ship color…what did you mean?”
My next question.
She spoke of my ship’s paint almost like a [nickname].
Unofficially, [nicknames] are given to those who make major achievements, Bishop rank at minimum.
Exceptions being Lambert, Ms. Rossweisse of course. Displaying similar skill can earn one.
Incidentally, claiming a [nickname] when not even Bishop will absolutely get ridicule.
And she answered my question seemingly excited for some reason.
“My military contacts said some you faced referred to you by that nickname.”
Huh? Why? I only did mundane support work, why would I get a nickname?!
And I’m just Knight rank!
Well rank’s irrelevant to opponents I guess, and they wouldn’t know unless I said. Fortunately few seem to use it.
But those military contacts know.
So the Lieutenant Colonel may know too right?
If so, she’ll absolutely try recruiting me again. Ugh, annoying.
Well, I’ll think about it if we meet…
Then I asked the key question.
“One more thing. Why’d you tell that guy about yourself?”
Her telling her circumstances risks others learning of her rebel ties, but certainly spreads my info.
She probably expected the youth’s actions and told the story to cut ties after using him to out me at the scene.
Just speculation so far, but if true she’s awfully wicked.
“Well…at first I told some dismantler girls my age I got friendly with, when they asked why I became a merc…I refused at first but they kept pressing me so I ended up telling…
As she started explaining why she told her circumstances, she strangely seemed happy for some reason.
Maybe she struggles making friends her age and isn’t used to conversing with same-sex peers?
“And somehow that guy was there too, then familiarly tried talking to me…”
I see. So that youth is a [communicative bully].
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
[Communicative bullies] refer to those who casually speak informally and insert themselves into conversations even with strangers. My own made up term.
Ancient documents apparently expressed similar people even more concisely.
I admit it’s prejudice, but I’ve encountered them a few times and been bothered.
Well, he happened to be nearby when she told her story, but her telling it is undoubtedly why I was bothered.
So even if ineffective, I should make things clear.
“If you feel bad about this incident, please refrain from telling your circumstances in the future, to avoid misunderstandings like that guy’s. And can we keep our distance as-is, just nod if we pass each other by chance? Better for us both that way.”
“Yes, I will be mindful not to speak of it again.”
For some reason she saluted in reply.
Very serious but…hope she’s okay.
Well, considering it calculation is terrifying.
The next 6 days were uneventful.
Dismantling went smoothly, to finish on the final day.
Dilopers kept more distance than before, and I believe stopped glancing at my ship.
I thought it would end without incident.
But that final morning, the youth appeared before me again.
Undoubtedly troublesome, but not speaking means he likely won’t leave.
“Something you need?”
“Fight me in a VR dogfight!
I was confused by what he said for a moment.
Challenging a merc who actually flies combat craft to a VR dogfight, no matter how virtual, is questionable, and I don’t get his reason to compete.
“Huh? Why?”
So I seriously asked.
Then he glared angrily,
“You shot Shiora down right, must’ve used dirty tricks! Can’t use dirty tricks in VR! So I’ll pound you down! If I win, stay away from Shiora for good!”
Said that.
Didn’t he get angry at her for using her name familiarly…?
Mentally tough, as expected of a [communicative bully].
Or did they get close and she permitted it after?
Well, as he says, I don’t intend to go near or want to go near her.
If that’s the case, it’s simple.
“Yeah, yeah, you win. I have no intention of going near her again anyway. Okay, end of discussion.”
I didn’t intend to involve Dilopers to begin with, and a merc beaten by a civilian would lose that strange [nickname] too probably.
Hearing that, the youth was flabbergasted, then grinned victoriously,
“As expected! No way an underhanded guy like you could win fair and square! Stay away from Shiora, got it?!”
He yelled loudly, seeming happy, and left the area.
Finally I can work, geez.
I left, got on my ship, and began guard duty.
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