The next day, Wise delivered something to Scott Outpost first thing in the morning because Soldier 11 had accidentally left it at the video store the previous night.
Although he didn't see Soldier 11 anywhere, the moment he entered the outpost, he felt as though someone were following him.
Sure enough, it was Trigger.
However, she seemed to be in a bit of trouble, as a Defense Force officer had stopped her at the entrance.
"Entry into the outpost requires a permit or identification!"
"I forgot to bring it today... but I can prove who I am!"
Trigger tried to reason with the officer. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize her identity. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be a recruit determined to follow regulations to the letter.
"Scott Outpost is a military stronghold. Anyone entering or leaving the outpost must present a permit or proper identification! You claim to be a member of the Defense Force, yet you can't produce any identification documents. How am I supposed to believe you? I suspect you are a suspicious individual. Please come with me!"
"I just forgot my ID today... But doesn't my uniform make it obvious I'm with the Defense Force?" Trigger said, sounding slightly irritated.
"You look more like someone cosplaying as a Defense Force officer! Don't think that just because I'm new to the outpost, you can fool me!"
Trigger fell silent upon hearing this, unsure how to respond. However, the officer had no intention of letting her go so easily.
"And what was that thing you just hid? Hand it over!"
"...Don't take my stuff!"
Before she could stop him, the recruit snatched the item from her hand.
Clearly, Trigger hadn't expected him to act so suddenly. Caught off guard, she failed to avoid him.
"This is... an audio file? It seems very suspicious!"
"Ugh... This is trouble..."
Trigger felt a headache coming on, and the light on her eyepatch immediately turned a bright purple.
Meanwhile, the officer examining the file suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"What is this? Top Secret Combat Strategy? You have no authorization to enter or leave the outpost, you've deliberately concealed your face with a mask, and you're carrying highly sensitive information!"
"Wait, this is just a misunderstanding, I..."
Realizing that the officer was about to officially classify her as a suspicious individual, Trigger hurriedly tried to find a way to explain herself.
The light on her eyepatch quickly shifted to blue.
"Stop making excuses! I'll check the contents right now!"
With that, he pressed play.
[Phase One Mission: Deliberately create a chance encounter scenario. Sixth Street and Lumina Square are both areas frequently visited by the target. Additionally, he has recently been entering and leaving Scott Outpost frequently as an independent investigator!]
After hearing the recording, the officer immediately wore a confident expression.
"Is this a targeted espionage operation against independent investigators employed by the Defense Force?! What else do you have to say for yourself?"
"This... How am I supposed to explain this..."
Trigger looked completely troubled.
Actually having to explain the meaning behind the recording was far more embarrassing than she could handle.
Fortunately, Wise finally stepped forward.
He hadn't deliberately waited until now. At first, he simply hadn't understood what was happening and assumed it was some sort of mission briefing, so he hadn't approached.
Later, once he understood the situation, he became curious about the operation Trigger had prepared and wanted to see how she would explain it, so he lingered for a little longer.
"There must be a misunderstanding. Trigger isn't a suspicious person. She's my friend and teammate."
"You're here! At a time like this... Ah, ugh... Ah... What am I supposed to do now?!"
Trigger looked surprised by Wise's arrival, but at this moment, she felt far more panic than relief.
"Ah, you're the independent investigator who often works with Commander Roland! If even you say so... But are you sure? This Top Secret Combat Strategy is filled with plans targeting independent investigators! The person this young lady wants to 'capture' is very likely you!"
The officer showed obvious respect toward Wise, but he also seemed genuinely concerned that Wise had been deceived.
However, Wise simply nodded.
"It is indeed me. The full title of that document is actually Love Is War! Top Secret Combat Strategy!"
Wise said this while giving Trigger a teasing smile.
"Eh... Eh?! You... you already..." Trigger stared at him in shock.
At that moment, her final shred of hope vanished.
Meanwhile, the officer became increasingly flustered.
"...Ugh! M-My apologies! I'll return this immediately. I won't disturb you any further. I'm very sorry! Truly sorry!"
The Defense Force officer quickly handed back the device, repeatedly saluted, and walked away.
"...Give it back to me."
After the officer left, Trigger weakly reached out toward Wise.
However, he didn't immediately comply.
"No. What exactly does it say about me? I need to take a careful look. Hmm? The subtitle says, 'Must Take the Initiative!!!' Those exclamation marks look very serious."
"Ah, ah! You can't read other people's... notes..."
Before Trigger could finish her shy protest, Wise had already returned the device.
She immediately snatched it back and hid it behind her. For a moment, she became so embarrassed that she couldn't even form a proper sentence.
"Sorry. I might have taken the joke a little too far. But honestly, you don't need such a detailed 'combat' plan. After all, you've already mastered the strategy for complete victory."
"Eh?"
Trigger blinked in confusion. Even the light on her eyepatch had gone dark.
"I've already been 'captured,' you know. I understand how you feel. I want to see you too. Not because of a commission, not because of a battle, but simply because I want to spend more time with you."
As he spoke, Wise stepped closer and gently took her hands.
"I never expected you to answer like that. It's embarrassing... but it also makes me very happy."
Trigger gently guided one of his hands to her cheek, lightly rubbing it against her skin as a blush spread across her face.
"I was the one who created the combat plan... but now, I've been completely counterattacked. Still... surrendering like this isn't something... I dislike..." Her face had become completely red.
Wise was always this cunning. No wonder he was so popular with girls.
"Um... Wise, are you free today? I'd like to go for a walk with you..."
Naturally, Wise had no intention of refusing Trigger's invitation.
Not long afterward, the two arrived at Lumina Square, where crowds of pedestrians moved through the busy streets.
Trigger quietly reached for Wise's hand. However, since it was her first time doing something like this, she didn't dare hold it too tightly.
In the end, Wise gently tightened his grip around hers instead.
"The riverside breeze feels wonderful. The scenery here must be beautiful. Oh, don't feel sorry for me. The sights I once saw are deeply engraved in my memory. The world is still colorful in my eyes. And there are also beautiful things I encountered after my vision faded... like you."
Standing by the riverside, the two felt the gentle wind brush across their faces.
Trigger made another shy confession.
This time, it was even more direct than before.
Wise didn't say much after hearing this. He simply squeezed her hand gently.
The corruption affecting her eyes couldn't be healed in a short time.
It would need to be taken slowly.
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