The Journalist

Part 27: Slapped By Words

I pulled So's body with all my might until I felt the veins on my neck popping out. We can't get caught. We can't be caught! But how? Some of them have been climbing and heading towards us.

So managed to climb up and directly hit my body. The veil attached to my neck expanded to cover the back of my head as I lay to the ground. This position keeps me under him while he's above me.

I hissed, feeling the weight of So's body overpowering me. Moreover, he was indeed thick-bodied.

"So, get out of the way! We have to leave!"

He raised both of his arms as a focus. At the same time, a light shot towards us. I pulled So's collar until her body came down.

"Do push-ups, quick!" my orders to So.

"Hey, who's there?" What are you doing?!" Someone speaks in an American English dialect.

So immediately did a push-up movement over my body that made us look like we were having sex. The man who had highlighted us immediately turned around quickly, even hurriedly descended down to invite his friend to leave.

I smiled at her side. They must have thought we were having sex in the bushes. Yes, this is an ordinary sight that I accidentally saw when setting up a tent around the plateau. This impromptu idea was terbesit because I know westerners do not like to disturb the biological activities carried out by someone. However, it would be different if it were discovered by extremist groups, maybe our lives would end up being beheaded.

Wait, why didn't I realize what I used to see was a form of harassment for female refugees? All this time I was too innocent to think it was an act of liking between them.

"So, I know where they took those women! Let's just go back! They'll definitely be more vigilant tonight."

We got out of the camp and found a place to camp. Not far from the location, we found a military campground with a United Nations flag flying. Yes, we also choose to set up tents around there for security.

"Isn't that Ayano guy there?"

I reflexively turn my head when someone says my name. Not far from where I stood, there was a group of men in uniform looking at me, among them was Yoshizawa. Just like Yoshizawa, they were my old friends in the Japanese self-defense force. Even we were stationed in a single army where I had become their leader.

It turned out that this was a Japanese Self-Defense Forces camp that was sent specifically as a UN peacekeeper. Seeing Yoshizawa assigned to this place, somehow my heart calmed down a little. Don't tell me I wasn't distracted when Yuna's friends recognized her better than I did. Don't think I'm not hot when I find out that guy always brings food for my girlfriend. Yes, I also have a sense of jealousy, although I did not show it in front of Yuna.

"Yo, it turns out that this is really Ayano-san!"

Of course I'm happy to meet them. However, we have both struggled on the job. Pass through all obstacles and strategize together. With an expanding smile, I approached them intending to say hello.

"Why do we have to meet this loser here!" The voice of one of them stopped this step while simultaneously obliterating my smile.

"You're exaggerating he's not a loser, just crazy attention!" one of them was accompanied by their exploding laughter.

"He's also thick-faced. I heard she's still dating the commander's son after humiliating her father in the press."

I received all those scornful sentences. There is no anger at all.

I'm unmoving. Watch them one by one. They used to be under my command before Yoshizawa took over. Even while still in training, I once defended desperately from seniors and coaches who treated them like animals. Funny thing is, now they're turning against me. It made me realize one thing. In order to uncover the hidden truth, there is always an expensive price we have to exchange.

Ever since my writing that unpacked the dark side of the Japanese Self-Defense Force recruiting dormitory, a stamp like a traitor, a loser and a thirst for attention has been given to me. I must also be willing to accept the hatred of my former squad members. It seems that people prefer the culture of hereditary bullying rather than breaking the chain. They choose to maintain the good name of the institution that has actually been damaged, rather than making a thorough repair.

"Already, already, you guys are outrageous! Is it worth a soldier?" Yoshizawa's voice stopped them for a moment.

"Did you forget, because of him .. we all became scornful of other troops! No one wants to join us! For years we've been a sidelined army because of it!" One of them said while pointing at me.

"Go back to your tents," Yoshizawa said firmly. Seeing his troops still in place, he shouted loudly. "Go back to the place! It's orders!"

"Ready!" they answered in unison, then left me and Yoshizawa.

"Arygato, Yoshizawa-san. You are indeed the most loyal friend."

Yoshizawa pulled me over. We walked in the darkness, climbing up the barren land full of rocks and weeds. No one speaks from us. However, climbing a cliff was a hobby of both of us. He kept walking and I kept following him. He stopped, turned towards me while throwing a cold gaze.

"Ayano-san, please let Yuna go!"

"Eh?" I jerked.

"If you don't, I'll take Yuna from you!"

I was shocked to hear those words coming out of Yoshizawa's mouth. Did I not hear wrong? Even so, I still laughed, as if his words contained a joke.

"I'm serious! You're smart, you can guess what happened. Don't think of me as your friend like I used to, because I only look at you as my opponent right now."

My face turned serious. However, it did not last long. I then smiled weakly while pocketing both of my hands. "Just do! Take Yuna away from me if you can!" my challenge was full of confidence while turning the body.

"Give up and let him go!"

I looked up while grinning a rough breath. We threw gazes at each other with serious expressions imprinted on each other's faces. "Yoshizawa-san, first .. You're being too forthright with your opponent. That's not good for yourself. Second ... You must have been desperate to ask your opponent to give up what he has. If I may judge, you're not a good negotiator."

Yoshizawa looked at me. "I'm not negotiating with you. This is an ultimatum from the commander I have to tell you. Are you not aware? As long as you've been in contact with Yuna, you've been cracking the father-son relationship. Have you ever positioned yourself as Commander? Or trying to be in Yuna's position?" He looked at me while shaking his head rhythmically. "No! You only think about yourself. You only trust your reason and your vision. It's not wrong for friends to think you're the most selfish person. Since Yuna continues to be by your side, then do you consider your relationship to be okay? Since Yuna never talked to you about it, do you think Yuna is happy to continue having a relationship with you? No, he was tormented for having to continue opposing his father!"

I'm stumped. The words Yoshizawa launched sounded cold and gripping. Just by blurting out those words, he was able to intimidate, making me mute and stupid so that he could only remain silent without being able to refute.

"Leave Yuna! Your relationship has no future! I think Yuna also realized that, just that maybe she didn't have the heart to leave you," she said.

.