Thanks to nanomachine treatment, I was discharged the very next day.
In this world, as long as you’re still breathing, they can fix just about anything. If you die, they simply manufacture a clone—for the sake of your family and society, supposedly. It’s also implied that these clones aren’t exactly the same as the original person.
It’s a cruel system.
But back to the matter of my discharge. When I went to handle the paperwork, a representative from the Military Accounting Department showed up and took care of everything for me. Apparently, the military was footing the bill because my injuries were considered "honorable wounds."
Incidentally, neither my parents nor any of the girls from school showed up.
Can I cry? Is crying allowed?
I didn’t care about my parents, but the fact that not a single girl came to visit really stung. I could brag about putting my life on the line, sure, but... that "fetish exposure festival" had been a disaster. What face was I supposed to show them now?
It was rough.
The accountant was a slender, middle-aged guy with glasses. Definitely not "heroine" material. Yeah, I knew it. Sexy, glasses-wearing older sisters don't actually exist in this reality! You lied to me! I’ll never forgive you!
Still, the old guy was considerate. When I prepared to take the bus back to the student dorms, he called a taxi for me instead. I couldn't help but wonder why I was getting this VIP treatment.
While waiting for the taxi, I loitered in the general hospital lobby. Suddenly, a notification pinged on my mobile terminal—a device that looked like a smartphone but functioned more like a portable PC. I pulled it out, and the message projected via augmented reality.
It was from home.
[Strong-arm the Imperial Princess into securing me a promotion.]
"Idiot. Drop dead."
I deleted it instantly. My family "problem" was a non-issue. They were incompetent and lacked the initiative to be anything more than a minor nuisance. No wonder the original Leo had turned out so warped.
At least pretend to worry about my health, even if it's a lie. Come visit me, even if you're busy. It’s because you can’t grasp basic human emotions that the Marquis House is in such a decline. People judge whether you’re capable of important, promotion-worthy work based on things like this. Dad, you’ve probably been flagged as a "weirdo" at the office and everyone is avoiding you.
The taxi arrived just as my temper was peaking. I climbed in, still fuming, and stared out the window. There was no driver; AI-controlled unmanned taxis were the standard here. Floating along on some mysterious power source, the ride was smooth and comfortable.
The cityscape reflected in the glass looked like a massive metropolis. However, this entire city—including the Imperial Officer Academy—was contained within a space station. While it would have been cheaper to just terraform an entire planet into a school, the common sense of this world dictated that building a space station was more sophisticated, civilized, and environmentally conscious. Apparently, drones were used to collect space debris after construction.
Never mind that in a few months, we’re going to be frantically fortifying planets all over the galaxy!
After a short drive, I arrived at the dorms. Since the military had already covered the fare, nothing was deducted from my Imperial Military Bank account. I stepped out without even needing to tap my terminal for payment. This game world was strangely detailed in the most random places.
When I reached the boys' dorm, I found all my belongings piled at the entrance. Including the... private items.
Is this some new form of bullying? I’m pretty sure you guys threw in some stuff that isn't even mine just to mess with me, didn't you? Did I really do something to make you hate me this much? I’m gonna lose it. I’m gonna scream and cry like a little girl!
I’d better apply a mosaic filter over these in augmented reality before someone sees.
"Student Leo!"
I locked eyes with an instructor, a man in his fifties, who was standing by my luggage.
"Perfect timing. Come here."
"Um... am I being expelled, by any chance?" It was the only logical conclusion. I had, after all, broadcast my fetishes to the entire known galaxy.
"Haven't you heard? You're marrying into the elite. Orders came down from high-up in the military to have you packed and ready, since you’ll be moving in together."
Wait, living with the Imperial Princess? Right now?!
I have things here I absolutely cannot show that brat! If I bring in that blow-up doll that was on display in the lounge, she’ll kill me! Seriously, I’m going to murder the person who packed that!
"As for the... uh... 'secret items' for boys..."
"A warrior's mercy," the instructor said, his eyes filled with profound kindness. "I shall dispose of them for you."
Farewell, the dreams of youth... Farewell, my night life!
I offered a tearful salute.
Since this was an officer academy, I didn't have much. The textbooks were all electronic, so it was mostly just clothes. I packed my military uniforms, formal wear, socks, toiletries, and underwear into a bag, and I was set.
"Your ride is coming. Wait here."
I stood at "at ease" and waited.
Then, I saw the other boys trickling out of the dorm. I thought they were coming to see me off, but instead, every single one of them raised a middle finger and started booing.
"Getting married to a beauty?! Unforgivable!"
"Drop dead!"
"I’ll kill you next time I see you!"
Ah, so that’s the play. Fine.
"You lot can drop dead! Die young without ever using that useless thing between your legs! Go bald, you losers!"
"Stuuuuupid!"
"Shut up! You’re the ones who are stuuuuupid!"
"Knock it off, it’s embarrassing," the instructor barked, settling the chaos.
As we all stood there lined up, my ride finally arrived. It was a limousine. The door swung open, and the Imperial Princess herself stepped out. We all snapped into a salute.
"Yo! I’ve come to fetch you, Dear Groom. Let’s head home."
She actually showed up in person!
"Y-Yes... Home?"
"Yeah, I bought one. Enough talk, get in."
I climbed into the car. I expected the male students to riot, but they had suddenly gone quiet. What was going on?
Then, a massive, athletic-looking guy yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Leo! We only made it out alive because of you! I'll follow you for the rest of my life, so make sure you get promoted, you hear me?!"
As if on cue, the rest of the boys joined in, shouting, "Get promoted!"
Just a little... just a tiny bit, my chest felt warm.
"I think I’m gonna cry."
"You have good friends, Dear Groom," Veronica noted.
As we pulled away from the boys' dorm, I saw rows of girls in military formal wear lining the road.
"Salute Acting Captain Leo!"
At Claire’s command from the center of the line, every single one of them saluted the passing car. Even though I’d only been a "pretend" captain during the training...
I wasn't hated after all.
"My, you’re quite popular. I feel like I might just go crazy with jealousy."
"We aren't in a relationship that warrants jealousy yet," I reminded her.
"I suppose that's true. I'm looking forward to attending school with you."
"Yes, please enjoy your hard-earned school life."
"Kakahahaha! Do you think that's all? I intend to form a Personal Guard as a subordinate branch of the Imperial Guard."
"A what?"
"It's a secret."
What was she planning now?
"But understand this—it is all for your sake, Dear Groom."
Veronica placed her hand over mine.
See, this is the kind of thing that's totally unfair. It's a classic heroine move.
She's actually gonna make me fall for her!