Upon Returning Home As A Military Major General, I Was Told To Attend School, Even Though It’s Quite Late Now - Chapter 128

Chapter 128. My Dream Is To Become A Grumpy Old Man

“Good morning, Mina. Ugh, it’s cold.”

“Winter’s almost here.”

As usual, I meet Mina, who’s waiting by the front door, and we head to school together.

By the way, Hayami-san, who lives with us, had to leave early for work, and Misuzu hasn’t finished breakfast yet, so it’s just the two of us today.

“Shouldn’t we put this away since it’s winter already?”

Mina glances at the Shisa statue by our front door, a gift from Suo-senpai.

“It’s supposed to stay all year round as a guardian deity. Though, since it’s from Okinawa, it feels more like a summer thing.”

“Hmm. Maybe I’ll bring a Santa hat and put it on next time.”

“Hat aside, it’s getting cold enough to need gloves.”

Walking beside me, Mina blows warm breaths onto her cold hands, shivering.

“This time of year, even the water when you cook feels icy.”

“Keeping hands and feet warm is important—gloves are a must.”

Saying that, I spread my hands, showing off the military-grade gloves I’m wearing.

“Your gloves look really warm, Yu. It’s rare to see a guy pick white gloves.”

“These are made to endure snow marches. Though, anything below -20°C becomes too much even for them.”

“-20°C…?”

“It doesn’t just feel cold—it’s painful and numbing.”

In snow marches, the cold is scarier than any enemy. Frostbite can leave irreparable damage.

“So, Yu, does that mean you can ski?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m great at it, but I’ve crossed three mountains on military skis before.”

“That sounds like expert-level stuff… Hey, Yu, I have a little suggestion.”

Mina fidgets with her hands and looks up at me.

This is her usual sign when she wants something.

“What is it, Mina?”

“Winter bonuses are coming soon, right? So, how about we go on a ski trip together?”

“Feels like déjà vu from our summer trip to Okinawa…”

“Back then, we got caught by everyone, but this time, it’ll be just the two of us!”

Mina pouts, making her determination clear.

“Wouldn’t a group trip be more fun for skiing?”

“Well, yeah, I want you all to myself, Yu, but there’s another reason, too…”

Looking embarrassed, Mina touches her index fingers together.

“Because of my Nordic roots, people assume I’m great at skiing. The instructors even asked me to help teach, but I’ve actually never skied before.”

“Really? I thought Milia-san had taught you.”

“Nope. My mom grew up in the countryside and used to ski cross-country around the mountains there, but she didn’t understand the point of paying to ski at crowded resorts, so she never took me.”

I see…

It’s kind of like how some people from the countryside can’t understand why city folks dream of rural life.

“So, you couldn’t turn down their request to help with ski lessons, huh?”

“Please, Yu! The only way I can secretly get good at skiing is if you help me!”

With her hands clasped in prayer, Mina pleads earnestly.

“Alright, alright. If it’s like that, let’s go.”

“Yay~!”

Mina jumps in joy.

We’re still on the way to school, so some office workers passing by give us curious looks. But Mina, too excited, doesn’t notice.

“Now that the war’s over, we can finally travel in peace.”

“Didn’t you just go to the jungle the other day, though?”

“Well… yeah, sporadically. That one was kind of personal.”

The recent affair at the Junker Fortress involved Toshi-nii’s sister, so I couldn’t help but get involved.

“But I don’t think there’ll be any more missions that need someone like me.”

“Really?”

I’m mostly deployed on major battlefields.

Now that the conflicts have settled and we’ve signed peace agreements with the Eastern Federation, any remaining skirmishes can be handled by local forces.

“My abilities aren’t exactly subtle. But Mina’s Tiger Howl ability is useful even outside of combat—it really enhances your singing.”

“Don’t you miss the battlefield, Yu?”

“Not at all! My dream is to sit around, eat, nap, and brag to rookie soldiers about how tough things were back in my day.”

“Oh… I see.”

Mina seems a bit hesitant, perhaps feeling guilty that she still has a role as a singer with the military band, even after the war.

“I’ll probably focus on that once I graduate. I guess I’ll be stuck in the music division.”

“It’s funny how things change. You joined the academy planning to fight on the frontlines.”

“That’s all thanks to you, Yu. But I still plan to make those who drafted you pay one day.”

“Let it go. I don’t want you getting in trouble for avenging me.”

“You’re so kind, Yu. But I have the perfect way to get revenge—everyone wins.”

“A perfect revenge?”

I can’t imagine what she’s planning, so I ask.

“I’ll become a famous idol, and at the height of my career, I’ll marry you and retire.”

“Wait, hold on, Mina!”

She just casually mentioned marrying me, but isn’t that something we both need to agree on?

“That way, the military officials will lose face, and I’ll publish a tell-all memoir after quitting.”

This isn’t good.

Mina’s revenge fantasy is getting out of hand, and she won’t listen to me.

When she’s like this, it’s better to let her blow off steam.

She’s probably just exhausted from her idol activities.

Probably…

As I listen to her wild schemes, the school gate comes into view.

“Hm?”

I stop in my tracks.

“What’s wrong, Yu?”

“There’s a crowd at the gate… looks like reporters.”

The group holding cameras and video equipment catches my attention.

“Strange. I thought they weren’t allowed near the school. Could it be they found out about our relationship?”

There’s no such relationship, but before I can correct her, the reporters notice us.

Mina’s silver hair stands out even from afar.

With a rush, the crowd surges toward us. I quickly pull Mina behind me.

“W-wow, Yu, protecting me like this… You’re so cool! This must be the start of our wedding announcement…”

Mina’s daydreaming again, so it’s up to me to deal with the reporters.

Damn it. Why are they all violating the agreement at once?

My question is soon answered by the barrage of inquiries.

“Are you Major General Kamiya?”

“Is it true you’ve been serving since you were 10 years old?”

“Were you really kidnapped by the military and turned into a child soldier?”

The reporters crowd around me, ignoring Mina completely.

Surrounded by microphones and cameras, I stand there, stunned, unable to process what’s happening.