[Hathaway's Flash] Vol.02 Ch.11

Chapter.11 A Girl & A Woman

　"The place was terrible, which is why I came back. The Count doesn't matter to me anymore."

　Gigi's sudden appearance during the frenzied preparations for the unit's deployment to Australia left even the unflappable Kenneth at a loss for words.

　As the coordinator for the special police under the jurisdiction of Criminal Police Chief Hundley Yeoksan in Davao, Kenneth was busy preparing defenses for the Adelaide Conference, transporting barrier equipment to Adelaide, and conducting a diversionary operation in Davao. Just as he was contemplating his next move, Mace Flower arrived on the same flight as the ministers from Hong Kong, with Gigi in tow, who had been expelled from the base.

　Despite his tough exterior, Kenneth couldn't help feeling worn out. "I get it, but I can't deal with you right now," he said.

　"Are you headed to Adelaide?" Gigi asked.

　"Yes."

　"Well, I guess I'll lay low at Hathaway's place then. The Count won't come all the way to Menado to find me, will he?"

　"Maybe," Kenneth replied, unsure.

　Although he had no choice but to bring her to his office, Kenneth was troubled by her persistence. "How about this? Menado is on the way. You could come with me on the carrier," he suggested.

　"Wow, I didn't know that geographically," Gigi replied.

　"Where did you leave your luggage?" Kenneth asked as he climbed the stairs to his office, idly swinging his riding crop. Oblivious to the pleasing sound it made, he didn't notice the slight pause in Gigi's response.

　"I found a luggage storage place in Hong Kong. It's still there," Gigi said.

　"Would you like me to have it sent over? You have the baggage tag, don't you?"

　"I'm not sure. If Hathaway gets mad, I might have to go back to Hong Kong."

　"If that happens, come to me. We'll figure something out."

　"But I don't want to go to Davao. Something scary happened there yesterday."

　"That was an isolated incident. There won't be any more occurrences. The Adelaide Conference won't last forever either."

　Kenneth introduced Gigi to the orderly who opened the office door.

　"Hello."

　The guard seemed puzzled by Gigi's innocent greeting and carefree nod.

　"…?"

　Kenneth, who had entered the room before the soldier, glanced at Gigi as he exchanged a couple of words with the female secretary.

　"Should I step out?" she asked, wondering if it had to do with military matters.

　"Are you leaving?" asked a woman as the door to the office in the back opened, revealing the tall figure of Mace Flower.

　"Oh... there was confidential information. Captain, I'll just find something to do myself."

　Gigi, who immediately recognized Mace, said this not in a servile manner.

　"Huh? No, you're fine."

　"But..."

　"Gigi Andalusia, right?" Mace inquired with an alluring smile that sent shivers down Gigi's spine, reminding her of the lingering scent after a passionate encounter.

　While not necessarily inappropriate for adults, Gigi felt uneasy that Kenneth was involved. It seemed as though Mace and Kenneth were too close, and Gigi felt compelled to defy Kenneth, who appeared to be compromising in this situation.

　"Yes... I've been relying too much on the Captain... Hehehe... You know how things are," Gigi replied vaguely, and Mace seemed to understand. Gigi also resented Mace's patronizing demeanor and resolved to push her away.

　"Shall we head out, Captain?"

　"Oh, yes. I'm taking Gigi part of the way. Hold tight a bit."

　"Of course."

　As Kenneth retreated into his office, Mace and Gigi sat down on the sofa in front of the secretary. Mace motioned for Gigi to take a seat.

　"Have you been in Davao all this time?"

　"No, I just returned from Hong Kong today..."

　"Oh, so I got here before you. I was accompanying some important people from Hong Kong and was sent back to Davao, which caused my vacation to be canceled."

　"When it comes to Mafty countermeasures, the higher-ups prefer to use people they know, right?"

　"You seem to be well-liked by everyone here, don't you?"

　"That's what I hated. The Captain saved me from that, to be more precise."

　"I see... Is it because men act like children?"

　Gigi resented Mace's probing questions. She ignored what Mace was saying and continued with her own thoughts.

　"I wanted to test the Captain's luck as a soldier, so I stayed by his side."

　"Luck...?"

　"Yes, even I want to live a normal life."

　"Hmm, so that's why you're into middle-aged men?"

　There was some bite in those words.

　Gigi sensed that Mace was the type to prey on men.

　Gigi casually leaned forward towards Mace, not minding that her lips brushed her hair, and said, "The Captain must be great in the sack, huh? I bet he even asked you for oral and anal, didn't he?"

　Gigi chuckled, feeling Mace's neck twitch.

　"...!?"

　As Mace's upper body recoiled, her left hand flew towards Gigi's cheek.

　Gigi didn't dodge, and a loud slap resounded.

　The secretary looked up in surprise, but seeing Gigi unbothered and gazing at Mace, whose left hand hung limply, it was unclear what had just transpired.

　Without any indication of a physical altercation, it was difficult to imagine the events that had just unfolded.

　Gigi, who had braced herself for the blow, bore the stinging pain that resonated through her.

　"What's your deal!?" Mace demanded, her lips quivering as she glared at Gigi's reddening cheek. Then, she abruptly stood up.

　"I'm leaving."

　"Please do," Gigi replied, flopping heavily into the sofa.

　"…!"

　Just after Mace closed the door facing the hallway, Kenneth emerged from the office.

　"What happened? What was that loud noise?"

　"Mace said she's leaving."

　"Back to Hong Kong, right?"

　"Yes…"

　As Gigi stood up, she turned her slapped right cheek towards Kenneth and wrapped her arm around his.

　"Did you drive her away?"

　"Yeah…"

　"I thought so..."

　"Can I replace her?"

　"Well, our tastes are a bit different, I guess. I'd like to think I'm not as old as the Count yet."

　Kenneth handed some notes to the secretary and led Gigi out into the hallway.

　"Sorry about that… But now's not the time for her. She'd just drain your energy, Captain."

　"If you say so, it must be true…"

　"You can touch my butt and breasts if you want?"

　"Well, I appreciate that."

　Kenneth didn't hold Gigi responsible, perhaps because he shared a similar understanding with her. Instead, he might have even felt appreciative for being told he couldn't control his adult male side during the operation.

　Together with Gigi, Kenneth boarded the Big Carrier.

　It was the last of the three flights scheduled to depart that day.

　In the cabin behind the cockpit, there were plain seats for about ten people, typical for a military aircraft. The officers who had arrived earlier seemed uncomfortable, unable to say anything when they saw Captain Sleg bringing Gigi instead of Mace.

　"…"

　Like on the Haunzen, Gigi was accustomed to the cold stares of people like this. She gave a faint smile and greeted the officers on her left and right while taking her seat at the rear.

　Kenneth approached the cockpit after the main engine started, then returned to the cabin.

　"How is it? Your first time on such a bare-bones aircraft?"

　"Yes… It's nerve-wracking."

　"Is that so… What do you think? Will it go well?"

　"Are you talking about the whole operation? Or this transport aircraft?"

　"Both, everything, really."

　"I'm not a fortune-teller, you know? But, I think it'll go well. You might be able to capture something from Mafty… You might capture something from Mafty… or maybe not. It could even end up underwater."

　Gigi mused, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at the shimmering concrete apron outside the window.

　"Underwater? Will something sink?"

　"Hmm... There might be something that would benefit the Captain."

　"If that's the case, then we might have a lot to be thankful for from earlier, right? But if not, then it might not go so well?"

　"Yes, that's right. Relationships between men and women can be like that..."

　Gigi whispered those words into the Captain's ear, mindful of the officers in the front seats trying to eavesdrop.

　"I'm glad you mentioned that. Fortune favors the bold, you know. I'm counting on you."

　Kenneth patted Gigi's knee before returning to the cockpit.

　Soon after, the carrier took off, joined the formation with the three following aircraft, and headed south.

　"…!"

　Gigi, resting her entire body on the thin seat, felt the exhaustion of the nonstop journey from Hong Kong to this aircraft.

　The fact that she had acquired a ticket to Davao through a dubious route made her uneasy, all the while feeling the pressure of needing to determine her next move if Kenneth didn't meet with her. And looming over everything was the presence of Mace.

　Eventually, she succumbed to sleep.

　"Gigi!"

　Kenneth's voice woke her up.

　"I wanted to talk to you when we passed Menado, but you were sleeping so soundly that I decided not to. We're almost in Australia."

　"Really?"

　The window still showed nothing but the vast expanse of the sea. Gigi looked back at Kenneth, wondering what he was trying to say. He seemed pleased.

　"I thought I should be the first to tell you, Gigi..."

　"...!"

　Gigi felt sore from sitting in the hard seat for so long.

　"We sunk one of Mafty's ships. It's confirmed. It happened just as you said it would, Gigi."

　"That's good, then."

　Gigi didn't consider the possibility that Hathaway was on that ship.

　In fact, he was, but at the time, she didn't feel that possibility at all because Kenneth was hoping for a positive development in the situation.

　"Are you certain?! Captain!"

　The two officers sitting in front of them stood up.

　"Yes, it's not a hundred percent certain, but it's the ship we call M-3. What did they call it in Mafty's code?"

　"The Valiant! Is it true!? Really?"

　"Mafty's supply lines have been significantly compromised. Captain, you've made it happen!"

　"Indeed, it's all thanks to the Penelope. Lieutenant Aim finally stepped up and did something that resembles actual work."

　"What?! The lieutenant?!"

　"Exactly. It's about time I introduce this young lady to everyone. She's the one who foresaw our success. If it weren't for this outcome, I'd have been too embarrassed to present her like this, so I've been on edge until now."

　"Ah, I see... I've heard rumors, but...!"

　"Gigi Andalucia, is it?"

　"Well, whether you believe it or not is up to you, but as a commander, I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure my men's survival in combat, even if it means offering prayers for their safety. Who knows, perhaps this kind of omen can give us an advantage. So, cut me some slack."

　The cabin filled with voices of recognition and admiration for Gigi's prophecy, as if they had known her all along.

　At that moment, Gigi was officially recognized by the Circe Unit.