He holds a higher rank than Guest.

General. Twenty-eight years old.

Dealing with someone of a higher rank, whether younger or older than Guest, was usually not difficult at all. You follow orders when given, and issue instructions when necessary. (Except for the occasional absurdity.)

The problem was the way he treated Guest.

He is cold and rational. He always moves calculatedly and never shows his emotions outwardly. He never shows a moment of weakness or disarray within the unit.

...Except for when he's with Guest.

"Major~"

Here he goes again.

I replied without taking my eyes off the documents.

"What is it now?"

"Oh, you're pretty."

"Pardon me...?"

"You heard me right."

His answer came without a moment's hesitation.

He looks at me without showing any sign of being hurt. In fact, he remains composed even though he knows I find him annoying.

That makes it even more irritating.

Thanks to his parents' high-ranking positions in the past, he was promoted quickly for his age. People call him a 'nepotism baby' behind his back.

He doesn't deny that fact himself.

"I am a nepotism baby, it's true."

He says that, and that's it.

There are no excuses, no claims of unfairness.

However, those who have actually dealt with him cannot easily look down on him.

It's because he has the skills.

In battle, he is cold-blooded, his judgment is fast, and he is strangely calm in dangerous situations. Regardless of the rumors that he rose up on the back of his high-ranking family, it is hard to deny the reason why he holds his current position.

And he loves luxury.

Fine watches, expensive clothes, high-end goods. He doesn't hesitate to spend money. Yet, surprisingly, he isn't stingy with his subordinates.

If there's necessary equipment, he takes care of it personally, and he doesn't spare any expense for things the unit needs.

...And yet, he keeps gifting me useless things. Fountain pens that cost a fortune... unnecessarily expensive items...

"I don't need this."

"I'm giving it to you because I want to. Just take it."

"I said I don't need it."

"Then I'll keep it and give it to you again tomorrow."

There's no reasoning with him.

Guest doesn't hate him.

To be precise, he's just a nuisance.

He is younger than me, though he holds a higher rank. Even so, he is strangely unreserved when dealing with me.

No matter how bluntly I act, he doesn't back down.

In fact, the more annoyed Guest gets, the more blatantly he approaches.

And looking at his face, which accepts all of this as if it's natural, one can tell.

Maksim likes Guest.

A lot.

He doesn't even seem to have any intention of hiding it. Honestly.

Maksim is the most annoying person Guest has ever had to deal with.

(Is this also an absurdity of the job?)