Upon Returning Home As A Military Major General, I Was Told To Attend School, Even Though It’s Quite Late Now - Chapter 123

Chapter 123. Haoti Hospitality

“Haha! This miso soup is crazy good! Damn, I’m tearing up a little.”

“It’s just instant, though.”

“No, I haven’t had miso soup in years. And it’s red miso, tastes just like home. Classic Toshiaki choice.”

Having finally been let out of the cell, we were invited to join Commander Sara Kobako for a meal, seated in a circle.

Commander Sara made instant miso soup, brought by Toshi-nii, and was happily enjoying the rare treat of Japanese food.

“Ugh… This traditional Haoti dish… the smell is still as intense as ever…”

“Yuu-sama… are you sure it’s safe to eat this soup?”

“The soup’s color is… green…”

Meanwhile, we were served the traditional Haoti dish.

It’s a soup made from fermented river fish caught in the river flowing around Junker Fortress, with both the broth and ingredients smelling something like fish sauce or nam pla, but dozens of times stronger.

I can handle gamey meat in the jungle with some spices to mask the flavor, but fermented dishes are not my strong suit.

“Haha! So, Major, you’ve had Haoti cuisine before. As a Japanese person, it’s quite a challenge to accept this flavor, right?”

“Well, it’s a meal we’ve been graciously served, so I’ll eat it.”

Commander Sara was subtly implying I didn’t have to force myself, but I brought the green soup to my lips anyway.

When working with people from other cultures, trust is paramount.

Showing respect for the other side’s culture in such a visible way is an important ritual.

“Hrgh…”

“Ugh…”

But whether it suits your palate is another matter entirely.

Hayami-san and I forced ourselves to swallow it, but the unique aftertaste lingered in our mouths, so we quickly drank from our water bottles to wash it down.

“The saltiness is strong, but it’s edible.”

“………”

Meanwhile, gluttonous Misuzu seemed to have a broader range of tastes. Maybe it’s because she’s from the mainland and has eaten similar dishes growing up.

As for Toshi-nii, he was trying to maintain a poker face, but the sweat pouring from him made it obvious he was struggling.

“Now then, let me get straight to the point, Commander Kobako.”

“You don’t have the courage for a second bite, so you’re diving into the main topic already, huh?”

Commander Kobako smirked, adjusted her posture, and faced me squarely.

“Ugh… as expected of Toshi-nii’s sister. Sharp as ever…”

“Well, since it’s my brother’s job to play the role of polite guest, that’s fine.”

“Wait, sis!”

“Lieutenant Kobako, keep eating. That’s an order from the Commander.”

“Toshi, Yuusuke… you two are going to pay for this later.”

Toshi-nii, grumbling as he shoved the dish back, allowed me to finally get to the main reason for our visit to Junker Fortress.

“Commander Kobako, do you have any intention of returning to Japan?”

“………”

Commander Kobako smiled softly and took a sip of her miso soup in silence.

Even though I spoke in Japanese, for some reason, the adjutant standing behind Commander Kobako flinched. The adjutant was clearly Haoti, but… could they understand Japanese?

“I assumed I was already considered MIA back in Japan.”

“Your name has become far more well-known than expected outside of Japan.”

“I see. A foreign female soldier commanding a fortress for an independence militia… it does tend to stand out, doesn’t it?”

Commander Kobako gave a bitter smile, while Toshi-nii, holding his bowl of Haoti soup, grimaced as he watched her intently.

“I came here as part of a special operations group. At the time, the Haoti military was underdeveloped, so I trained them myself.”

“So, that’s part of what special ops do, huh?”

“People often say that special forces are dozens of times stronger than regular soldiers, but it’s not just about combat skills. It’s about training locals and multiplying their strength.”

“Then, it seems you’ve more than fulfilled your mission, Commander Kobako.”

“That may be true… but I’ve grown attached to this place…”

“Have you developed feelings for it?”

“Something like that. But I’m relieved.”

“Relieved because of Toshi-nii’s miso soup?”

“No. I’m relieved that the Major didn’t issue an immediate order for me to return, but instead asked for my intentions.”

Commander Kobako said this as she finished her cup of miso soup.

“We’re all adults here. I expected this might happen.”

I pulled some documents from my pack.

“This is your retirement form. Once you sign it, you’ll officially be a civilian.”

“……Can you give me until tomorrow to decide?”

Commander Kobako took the documents from me and hesitantly asked about the deadline.

“Of course. Take your time.”

Toshi-nii’s sister is someone who was entrusted with the command of an important fortress, proving her worth with bold leadership, yet the decision to sign wasn’t immediate.

In reality, it was akin to abandoning her homeland.

“Yuu-sama, are you sure about this? The mission was supposed to be to rescue Captain Kobako.”

“It’s fine. I don’t want to drag her back by force.”

With Hayami-san’s teleportation ability, we could return his sister to Japan instantly.

But clearly, Commander Kobako had stayed here of her own volition. If that’s the case, it should be her choice to leave the military.

Given the current state of world affairs, with the war nearing its end, I doubt the upper echelons of Japan’s military would raise much of a fuss.

“Your kindness is appreciated.”

Commander Kobako bowed her head. I noticed Toshi-nii watching his sister with a somewhat conflicted expression.

“So, what about you, Toshi-nii?”

“……I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You could cry, ‘Nooo, Sis, come back to Japan with me!’ and cling to her if you want, you know?”

“Like I’d do that!”

“Oh, we’ll be heading back to Japan soon, but why don’t you stay at Junker Fortress? It’s fine. Without us around, you can hang out with your sister all you want.”

“Yeah, we can chat all night over some Haoti soup, Takahiko.”

“No way, I’m done with Haoti!”

Maybe because he was in front of his sister, Toshi-nii was showing more emotion than usual, and the atmosphere lightened as everyone laughed.

“Ah, the enemy’s here.”

But that peaceful moment was short-lived.

At the same time as Misuzu’s mutter, the blaring sound of alarms echoed throughout Junker Fortress.