"Mmm... How did I... Major!" Slowly waking from her slumber, Cima Garahau felt incredibly relaxed. It had been a long time since she had slept so comfortably, but memories suddenly flooded back, interrupting that comfort and causing her to sit up abruptly, looking around in a panic.
She found herself sleeping on the bed in Yang Hui's office, flustered and alarmed. But upon seeing that her clothes were still neatly in place, she suddenly felt a bit disappointed.
"Awake? Did you sleep well?"
"Major! I... I... I..."
At that moment, Cima Garahau noticed Yang Hui sitting right at his desk, watching her with a smile on his face. Cima jumped off the bed, standing straight as a rod, nervously trying to explain herself while also wanting to ask questions.
"Hahaha..." Watching Cima Garahau's adorable, flustered state, Yang Hui couldn't help but laugh happily.
"Major, I... you... I... why..."
"Why did I drug you? Or why didn't I take advantage of you?" Yang Hui asked Cima Garahau with a teasing expression.
"Mmm..." Cima Garahau shyly lowered her head, her face quickly flushing red, almost as if it were about to burst.
"Come here."
Cima Garahau shuffled toward Yang Hui with her head down, moving very slowly, only a few centimeters at a time.
But Yang Hui wasn't in a hurry either, quietly enjoying this cuteness that belonged solely to him. The distance of just two or three steps took Cima Garahau several minutes to cover. Then Yang Hui patted his leg and said to Cima Garahau in a domineering tone, "Sit."
"Mmm..." Cima Garahau's face flushed even redder, filled with anticipation but too afraid to move.
"What? Not listening to me?"
"N-no... I wouldn't dare!"
"Sit."
"Mmm... Yes..." came a tiny, mosquito-like reply. Cima Garahau stiffly followed Yang Hui's command and sat on his lap. But the moment she touched him, her entire body went soft, leaning into Yang Hui's embrace.
"M-Major..."
"Look up at me."
His tone remained undeniably domineering, yet it made Cima Garahau obediently lift her head, her large eyes filled with mist as she gazed at Yang Hui.
"Such a beautiful face. Why keep it lowered?"
"Y-yes... M-Major... I..." As Yang Hui gently brushed aside her disheveled hair, Cima Garahau felt that domineering warmth and lost all ability to speak, unable to form a complete sentence.
Yang Hui pinched Cima Garahau's chin, admiring the beautiful face so close to his own. "Cima, do you want me to be sad?"
"No! I don't want the Major to be sad!"
"Then don't push yourself so hard from now on, understand? It hurts me to see you like that."
"Mmm... M-Major~ Mmm!"
Just as she felt her entire body was about to melt, the face she had longed for suddenly drew closer, his lips sealing hers, accelerating the melting process. Her body tensed, and her hands tightly gripped Yang Hui's clothes.
After a long while, their lips parted. Cima Garahau's eyes were misty, filled with the unique emotions and desires of spring.
"Did you remember what I said?"
"I... I remember... But... but... do I really deserve this?" Cima Garahau was happy. The man she admired had just kissed her, domineeringly claiming her as his possession. Yet she was also unfortunate, because she felt she didn't deserve it—because she had committed unforgivable sins, haunted by the spirits of countless innocent victims.
"Why wouldn't you deserve it?"
"Because I... I..." That was the pain Cima Garahau could never let go of—poisoning an entire Colony's residents without knowing, then being framed and betrayed by her superiors. She was the most unforgivable villainess in the world.
"Remember this, Cima. You are mine. My person. It doesn't matter what they think, or what you think. Only what I think. Understood?"
"Major..."
"Understood?"
"U-understood..."
"If you understand, then remember it. Never forget it for the rest of your life. You are mine, my possession. So you don't need to care about others' opinions, and you are not allowed to. You only need to listen to me."
"Yes... yes, Major. I am the Major's possession. I only need to listen to the Major."
"Mmm, good girl. You deserve a reward."
"Mmm~!"
...
A long while later, Cima Garahau left Yang Hui's office with flushed cheeks and wobbly legs. Compared to when she first arrived, she now appeared even more radiant and beautiful, enveloped in an aura of happiness and confidence.
Inside the office, Yang Hui licked his lips in reminiscence. "Being domineering once in a while isn't so bad either, heh. Graham, Flit, Creuset—I've got that domineering CEO style now too! You guys have no right to tease me anymore! Hahaha..."
...
Two days later, the training of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was interrupted. Everyone gathered in the operations conference room, waiting for Yang Hui's arrival. When Yang Hui entered the room with a stern expression, everyone stood up and saluted.
"At ease."
"Sit!"
Everyone sat down, backs straight, awaiting Yang Hui's next words.
"Everyone, latest intelligence. Yesterday at 0900 Earth time, Zeon launched their second descent operation. The target is North America—yes, the North America not far from us. Simultaneously, in space, Zeon has transported a large number of HLVs to the Dozle Fleet. What this means, I don't need to explain further, right? Amuro."
"Yes." The named Amuro turned off the lights and transmitted the data to the conference room's holographic projection.
"Due to their previous failure, Zeon has increased their airborne forces and adopted a blitzkrieg-style group assault. They rapidly captured key cities like NY, DC, and Hughes. The Federation's first line of defense has completely collapsed with heavy losses. Remaining forces are gathering at the second line of defense. However, given Zeon's troop strength and determination, they will likely break through by tomorrow at the latest. Therefore—"
"Major!"
"Idiot! It's not question time yet!"
Since this was their first major briefing, Liddell Wolf and the others didn't know Yang Hui's habits and interrupted mid-sentence. Seeing Yang Hui's expression darken slightly, Ford Romfellow beside him quickly pulled Liddell Wolf's hand down and quietly began educating the newcomers about Yang Hui's preferences.
"Let this be the last time." After the conference room quieted down, Yang Hui continued, "Our unit's mission is to continue training. We will not participate in the North American defense operation. However, due to the urgent situation, the intelligence department has paid a heavy price in agents to obtain information about Zeon's third descent operation. In seven days, their targets will be the mining areas in South Africa, eastern Australia, and the Philippine region. At the same time, they will launch large-scale operations at multiple locations on Earth. That will be... when we mobilize."
After waiting two or three seconds and seeing that Yang Hui had nothing further to add, Ford Romfellow raised his hand to ask, "Major, may I ask why we are not participating in the North American defense operation?"
This question was on everyone's mind. Jaburo Base was located in South America, neighboring North America. If Zeon were to occupy North America, wouldn't Jaburo Base be right under Zeon's nose?
"Because I don't want my subordinates to go to the battlefield unprepared and die."
"We are ready!" Everyone present stood up and saluted Yang Hui, expressing their determination.
"Good! Your determination is commendable, but determination alone won't keep you alive on the battlefield! You haven't even started practical machine training yet. Are you going to the battlefield just to add to the enemy's achievements?"
Faced with Yang Hui's questioning, the newcomers lowered their heads. Even Jung and the others turned away in frustration and resentment.
"My subordinates don't rely on mere passion, but on ability. They earn military merits on the battlefield—merits that can never be earned enough—and then return alive, laden with glory!"
"Yes, sir!" (Multiple voices)
"So, if you want to join the battle sooner, show me more effort! Complete all my training courses and meet my standards!"
"Yes, sir!" (Multiple voices)
"Due to the urgent war situation, your assessment time has been moved up. Everyone starts their assessment today. Those who pass can begin practical machine training ahead of schedule. However!"
The excitement and determination of the newcomers were abruptly halted by the two heavily emphasized words.
"The Twelfth Independent Technical Division's readiness for combat will be determined by the last person to complete the training, not the first. Remember that clearly!"
"Understood!" (Multiple voices)
"Dismissed!"
After the meeting, everyone rushed out of the conference room. It went without saying—they were all eager to head to the training grounds to prepare for the assessment. For them, this was a difficult trial, but also an opportunity to prove themselves.
They understood Yang Hui's meaning. He was emphasizing the unity of the entire unit, demanding that they not only focus on improving themselves but also help their lagging teammates. Yet, who wouldn't want to start practical machine training first? Even in the most united teams, competition exists.
Yang Hui was quite satisfied with this. Competition drives progress. The military is not a charity—it doesn't need kindness, but the spirit of wolves: the unity of the pack, their bloodthirstiness and wildness. As long as the competition was healthy, he was even willing to add fuel to the fire.
"Amuro, aren't you going?" Yang Hui asked the only person left by his side, Amuro.
"I'm your assistant. Even if I pass the assessment, I can't participate in combat." Amuro pouted, with dissatisfaction and indignation practically written all over his face.
"Brat." Yang Hui laughed as he ruffled Amuro's hair. "The adults aren't all dead yet! Why are you kids in such a hurry?"
"Please stop teasing me, Major! I'm not a child anymore!" Amuro shouted in frustration.
"A little brat whose feathers haven't even grown yet, pretending to be an adult?"
"They have grown! I checked just yesterday!"
"Oh really? Drop your pants and let me see?"
"Major! Please don't make jokes like that!"
"Hahaha." Yang Hui chuckled, patting Amuro's shoulder, his expression shifting as quickly as turning a page, becoming serious. "Amuro, combat is never limited to the front lines."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm." Yang Hui pointed at the holographic projection of the tactical map, indicating the Federation's defensive deployment as he asked Amuro, "There are two issues with the Federation's combat deployment. Find them and tell me."
Just one thing—tomorrow holds a surprise!
(End of Chapter)