Chapter 41

1.

Joint operation with C&C.

It was a request filled with risks from various angles.

Nevertheless, the reason I accepted it was because I thought this would be a good opportunity for me. The practical experience of using a shield, building a rapport with C&C for future expeditions, and most importantly, a decent amount of remuneration.

Despite the hazardous risks, the client being the Seminar organization made this a request worth considering.

Further yet, the quick camaraderie that blossomed with the C&C members I met solidified my belief that accepting this request was indeed a good decision.

However,

There was one decisive issue that swayed my mind. Namely –

“Junior, you need to wear it.”

“…No.”

“It’s a C&C activity rule. Hurry up and take your clothes off.”

“Bu, I said no…!”

“For something as trivial as a maid’s uniform, why are you putting up such a fuss!”

“How is it trivial!”

Maid’s uniform.

It was an insurmountable wall for me with a male mindset.

Thus, it caused my resolve to falter.

2.

The situation arose as the brief meeting to discuss this operation concluded.

Unlike the other club members enjoying refreshments in the neatly cleaned-up meeting room, Asuna took it upon herself to enthusiastically give me a tour of the clubroom, eventually reaching the storage area.

Upon finding spare maid uniforms there, Asuna immediately lit up with excitement and began urging me to try one on right away. Naturally, I, a man at heart, expressed resistance and refused. But Neru and Akane jumped in alongside her, soon transitioning from encouraging to outright pressuring me into wearing the uniform.

“If miniskirts bother you, we have long-skirted maid uniforms here too.”

“This one’s too inconvenient with its long skirt; just wear the short one. There’s nothing to be so shy about with only women around.”

“I want to see Hiro in a maid’s uniform!”

Damn.

As I cursed internally, I grimaced and continuously wiped my face dry.

“Can’t I just go as I am?”

“Fu fu, that won’t do.”

“Would it even work?”

“No way!”

Naturally, my rejection was met with dismissal, sending me spiraling into despair.

So, you’re telling me to wear a frilly maid’s uniform and go into battle?

This isn’t a proper uniform; it’s outright cosplay!

Of course, I don’t mean to denigrate cosplay. However, there’s a huge difference between watching others do it and doing it myself. How could I, someone who was male in my past life and is now a woman by chance, get used to something like a maid’s uniform?

Considering these circumstances, I tried to give several reasons to refuse, but the outcome was always the same.

Namely, because of Akane’s insane maid uniform knowledge.

When I said I didn’t like the short skirt, she brought a long one. When I said I didn’t like the exposed chest, she produced a Victorian-style maid uniform. Anytime I refused, citing another reason, she had a corresponding maid uniform ready.

Insane. Why are there so many different types of maid uniforms?

Akane, why do you know so much about maid uniforms?

‘What’s a swimsuit maid uniform, for crying out loud?’

As we engaged in this discussion over me wearing a maid uniform for a few minutes, Karin, who had originally been quiet, joined in too, shifting the dynamic to an overwhelming 1 vs 4.

“Why won’t anyone take my side!”

No matter how much I cried out, their response was the same.

“Just give up already, bastard.”

“Fu fu, you should just accept it.”

The unwavering determination of the C&C members.

Realizing that trying to persuade them was futile, I swiftly turned around to escape, but…

“Where do you think you’re running off to?”

“Fu fu! I won’t let you escape!”

The C&C agents swiftly approached to prevent my escape.

In the end, I was forcibly stripped and made to parade in front of them for nearly half an hour in various maid outfits.

“Kyaa! So cute!”

“She looks good, doesn’t she. It’s the figure, isn’t it?”

“Mm. That’s right. It really suits her.”

“Pu hahaha! Kyahahaha! Hey, it truly suits you! Hahaha!”

Three of them said it suited me, one of them laughed.

You don’t need to be told who the latter is, do you?

“……Shit.”

That day, I felt as if some part of me as a man had been utterly destroyed.

3.

The day after, operation day.

“Junior, you’re here?”

“…Yes.”

“Kikik. Still sulking about that? It’s just a maid’s uniform, after all.”

Arriving at the rooftop of a building near the power facility which was the location of the request, I approached the already present C&C members to greet them. Naturally, I was still dressed in the maid’s uniform.

“Ah! As expected, a mini-skirt looks good on Hiro!”

Also dressed in a short-skirted maid’s uniform just like Asuna, who insisted strongly, I ultimately ended up wearing a maid’s outfit similar to hers, despite attempts to slightly increase the skirt length in a small act of resistance. Still, the short skirt left my legs feeling exposed.

“You could happily wear a school uniform, though.”

“That’s different…! Besides, the Millennium Academy uniform is not this short…”

While skirts are the norm for the Millennium Academy’s school uniform, they aren’t as short as a maid’s outfit. Not to mention, they extend straight downward rather than flaring out to the side.

Moreover, after wearing it for several months, I’ve grown accustomed to it. In my opinion, there’s no comparison between the school uniform and a maid’s outfit.

“Aah, I get it. My ears hurt.”

“Eep…!”

My claims were clearly dismissed by Neru, who perceived it merely as the stubbornness of a junior.

Neru chuckled upon seeing my disgruntled expression,

Akane and Karin praised how it suited me,

And Asuna busily took pictures, exclaiming how cute I looked.

“Alright, say cheese~!”

“…”

I suspect my face is currently as red as a tomato. I repeatedly wiped my face dry while sighing.

I resolved to quickly wrap up this mission and head home, planning on taking a break for some time.

“…Let’s just get this started.”

“Right. I was thinking the same. Let’s briefly run through the briefing and start. At this rate, the junior might explode.”

“Don’t joke around about that…”

“Kikik. Understood.”

With a smirk at my suggestion, Neru commenced the briefing.

Although she teased me, she seemed serious about starting, switching to a stern expression as she delivered a concise briefing.

A brief summary of the request, an outline of the operation,

And essential pre-mission knowledge.

The power facility, which spans four floors, is fortified by battalion-level forces both inside and out.

It’s reportedly equipped with tanks and air drones, so it could be compared to a battalion-level academy force.

This mission location, originally used by a corporation for financial consulting purposes, is an odd yet fully-equipped facility housing both offices and power generation facilities.

A few days ago, it was attacked and unlawfully occupied by members of the Helmet Group, mercenaries, and delinquents.

Their objective is none other than to seize the Millennium Network server and siphon off excess funds.

It’s currently in the process of losing funds, hence the dispatch of C&C by Seminar.

“Make sure not to interfere with the generators. If you mess with it and the server goes down, Seminar will have to make amends.”

“Okay~”

“Understood, Leader.”

The C&C members responded to Neru’s caution.

Yet it seemed Neru didn’t fully trust their words, as she lazily nodded her head with an indifferent expression.

Since I’ve been here, word has reached me that C&C’s operations usually conclude with explosions, prompting a wry smile.

“The mission is simple, there’s no need for stealth. Just sweep them all away.”

The strategy was rough, but there was no evident dissatisfaction from the others. Was it because of their trust in each other or did they simply view this mission as too easy?

There may be some things about this operation that I don’t know.

Just as I was thinking this, the briefing shifted to how to divide the teams.

“Let’s decide the internal and external teams now. Asuna, Akane, and Karin will handle the inside.”

“Understood! Leader!”

“Understood, Leader.”

“Yes, Leader.”

The A team designated to handle the troops inside.

“And externally, me and the Junior. The two of us will suffice. What do you think, Junior?”

“Enough.”

“Ho! Quite the brash response, isn’t it? Good. Let’s prepare.”

And thus, the B team designated to handle the troops outside, the team I was assigned to.

We split into two teams, each taking our respective positions.

Standing on the rail of a building with an unobstructed view of the target power facility, I prepare to steady my breathing moments before the operation kicks off.

Neru smiled as if delighted by the prospect of the task ahead,

Akane solemnly drew her pistol,

Asuna stretched with a refreshing smile,

Karina, with her golden eyes gleaming, scanned the interior of the building.

And I,

“One hand for the shield, the other for the firearm.”

Like them, I rested a foot on the railing holding both shield and weapon, and smiled.

“Of course, Senior.”

“Good. I knew you would be prepared.”

With a smile towards Neru, she responded by grinning menacingly and shouted out loud,

“Well! Let’s kick off the operation!”

At Neru’s signal, we leapt off the roof and began our descent.

The operation had properly begun.

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