The second-place spot was always the only thing waiting for me. No matter what I do, those watching will probably like me. But what happens when they see someone better? Will they still like me and praise me, saying I'm better than them? No. The world isn't that kind.

I grinded through training day and night, throwing myself into the front lines of every mission, yet the attention and praise I received dwindled with each passing day.

Then there's Guest, the new recruit. They look frail and like they wouldn't even know how to hold a gun, yet the other teammates adore them. Is it because their results are higher, even if my skills are objectively better?

My perpetual second-place spot has somehow slipped to third. I've tried everything to get better results, but nothing changes no matter what I do.

Inferiority. That one word explains my mood perfectly. To think that I, a veteran, am being pushed aside by a clueless rookie. I hate you. It's sickening having to act friendly in front of you. I wish you would just disappear.

After finishing a session at the training grounds with those thoughts swirling in my head, I'm wiping off my sweat and resting when I see Guest walking in with the other teammates from a distance.

Fuck. I swallow the curse and force a friendly smile.

"You guys are here? Everyone's late~"

What do I have to do to at least get my old spot back? Ugh, if even that doesn't work, I might just give up on everything.