I deliberately raised my voice in a bright tone to compliment Julieta. So I ended up getting a great attacker and defender thanks to that.

Right? Everyone was surprised to see what you could do, Julieta. They all wondered where the vice-captain managed to find a talent like you.

I was a bit of an elite among the recruits, and youre no less than me. Honestly, without Julieta, those six months in the dungeons wouldve been much tougher.

Quick on the uptake, Sevi and Nova each joined in to have their say too. Thanks to the warm atmosphere, Julieta nodded in thanks with a brighter face than before. She said, My parents will be surprised too when I get to the capital. Theyd never have even dreamed that the daughter they chased out would become one of the Dark Knights. Its embarrassing to say, but my big brother always applied to join every year. He got rejected every time.

It was a common story. At the very least, Juns home environment was also similar. I smiled bitterly and said, Your parents failed to see their childs strengths.

Still, I think Ive finally found my path being with the Dark Knights. I used to always get scolded if I used my strength Its all thanks to you choosing me, Vice-captain.

I should be saying that, not you. Im grateful that you followed me, Julieta, even though I worked you so hard.

I reached out to pat Julieta on the shoulder. It was about as wide as mine but firmer, giving off a sense of dependability. The girl stared at me for a moment, then sighed and suddenly lamented, I wish I had a decisive personality like yours, Vice-captain

Like me? I turned round-eyed, feeling puzzled.

Yes. Youre not even that much older than me yet you seem really mature. And you hardly ever lose your cool too.

My mental age was probably past 30 if counting the years I lived in the first playthrough. To be honest, getting older didnt necessarily make you mature. Of course, I did understand what Julieta was worrying about. But did it matter that she didnt have a decisive personality when she had the decisive strength to crack somebodys head? In fact, that was probably why Julieta suffered the least backbiting out of all of us in the special unit. I laughed out loud and replied exaggeratedly. Hardly lose my cool? My back is breaking, I tell you, having to deal with the captain suddenly acting up sometimes.

Youre right It must be very hard going out with the captain.

I became speechless for a second then. Had Julieta just cracked a joke? But she tilted her head at me, looking like the very definition of seriousness. Even Sevi and Nova seemed like they agreed with her. I had planned on just letting things be until people began to talk about it. Who knew Id get the chance to clear things up so quickly? Letting out a deep sigh, I began to explain with a resolute glint in my eyes. Alright. Ill take this opportunity to get rid of the misunderstanding well and clear.

What?

Im not in that kind of relationship with the captain. Im not his lover. Im not going out with him.

What?! The kids turned wide-eyed at my bombshell revelation.

Nova asked urgently, Youre really not dating?

Thats what Im saying. The captain even said hed introduce me to a man later on.

Lies!

Mayer had definitely said something along those lines, so I wasnt wrong. I was the only one to protect my reputation so I made up my mind and went on to explain earnestly.