In the previous chapter of In the Middle of Two Sides…
Sanae:
"I remind you that even though he's young, he's still your boss now. If you ever raise a hand to him for no reason, Kaede... not just me, but the rest of the group will turn on you..."
Kaede just looked at her. And just before she could answer, a figure appeared behind them. Not a branch broke. Not a leaf moved. It was...
(Begin)
It was Gendō Fushimi, the chief guardian. The silence thickened as mud as Gendō Fushimi approached. The chief guardian was wearing his purple ceremonial cloak, and although he carried no visible weapons, his mere presence was enough to make the atmosphere heavier.
Gendō (serious, low voice):
"I need to speak with you, Miss Kaede Minazuki... urgently."
Kaede didn't blink. He simply nodded and, without taking his eyes off Gendō, spoke without turning around.
Kaede:
—…Sanae, I think you should catch up with Kouta…
Sanae hesitated for a second. Her gaze shifted from one to the other, as if reading an invisible language between them.
Sanae (pressing her lips):
—I… yes. I'll see you at camp…
She left, but not without turning around one last time. The seriousness of the moment left a pang in his chest.
Gendō waited until the sound of Sanae's footsteps disappeared into the trees.
Gendō (direct):
—Kaede. My internal investigation has revealed that… there is a traitor in the squadron.
Kaede narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms with restrained tension.
Kaede:
—Do you have a name?
Gendō:
—No. But I have patterns. Decisions made during missions that don't add up. Delayed reactions. Convenient mistakes. And a doctored report after the confrontation with Mikami Hōzuki.
Kaede:
"And you think he's one of us?"
Gendō (staring at her):
"I don't think so. I know it."
There was a heavy pause. The wind blew with a sudden force that stirred the dry leaves in the clearing. Gendō walked slowly to a fallen log and sat down, as if what he was about to say needed weight on the ground.
Gendō:
"But I won't make it public yet. If the traitor knows we know, he'll shut down. What I need is for you to observe. Precisely. You know that team better than anyone."
Kaede (cold):
"Are you implying that one of my own betrayed me?"
Gendō (bluntly):
"I'm not implying it." I'm saying, if it's not one of your own... it's someone you let in.
Kaede swallowed. Her mind scanned faces, gestures, words. They were all familiar. But even familiarity can be a mask.
Kaede:
"And what do you expect me to do?"
Gendō (standing up):
"Nothing... yet. Just watch. And if you notice anything, don't tell Kouta first. Tell me."
Kaede (resolved):
"Understood."
Gendō looked at her for a moment longer, then turned away without saying goodbye.
The head warden walked back down the path, noiselessly through the undergrowth, until he bumped into someone. Kouta was there, sitting on a rock, still panting from his recent training. He had a towel around his shoulders and his knuckles bandaged.
Gendō stopped in front of him.
Gendō (emotionless):
"You're stronger than I thought. But you're still a wide-eyed child."
Kouta looked at him, unsure if it was praise or criticism.
Kouta:
"Is that a compliment or a warning?"
Gendō bowed slightly, his somber eyes shining in the moonlight.
Gendō (enigmatic):
"Sometimes... the enemy isn't the one who wields the sword... but the one who forges it."
With that, he turned and walked away into the gloom.
Kouta froze. Something about that sentence unsettled him. As if she were speaking of a traitor... of something that was rotten from the start. Who forged the sword? What does she mean? Is she referring to me? The previous squadron commander? Kaede? Even Adeus?
Kouta looked down at his own bandaged hands. And for the first time in a long time, he doubted whether those hands… were forging something wrong… something that would cause the fall of their harmony… His resolve grew even stronger. If someone plans to betray them, they must become even stronger, smarter, and more prepared. So he headed towards…
To be continued…
Kouta: 1,400
Haruto: 750
Yui: 540
Tetsuya: 670
Sanae Hoshizuki: 370
Soldiers:
Attack Team:
(Attack Leader) Kaede Minazuki: 560
Reiji Tsukino 2: 435
Souta Amagai: 480
Defense Team:
(Defense Leader) Naoya Kirishima: 380
Tama Kudō: 300
Yuzuki Sera: 350
Defense Team Support:
(Support Leader) Riko Hanekawa: 255
Hajime Igarashi: 210
Variable Tactics Unit
Masaki Dōjima: 315
Asuka Renji: 240