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chapter 62
“What did Grandma say?”
Leto clutched Noah, who had just returned to the command office, and poured out his worries.
“You didn’t say anything unnecessary to her, right?”
“I brought you a gift, star candies,” Noah said, holding a heavy paper bag with both hands up to her face.
“…Star candies?”
The crew murmured at the mention of star candies.
“Wasn’t it alcohol?”
“Or maybe meat…”
“What are star candies anyway…”
Their disappointment came from the gift being less impressive than expected. Being active military personnel, who ate and moved a lot, the letdown was even bigger.
“They say one bottle costs 100 Pi,” Noah added.
At that, everyone quickly stopped complaining and took a gift for themselves.
“Well, we can eat one after training when we’re tired.”
“If there are a few left, can I take another? My wife likes these kinds of things.”
“If we sell them in smaller portions…”
The high price dictated the way it would be used.
No one knew why a jar of star candies the size of a fist was worth so much, but the crew quickly decided how to use their gifts.
Leto was no exception.
“I’ll give one to my sister-in-law.”
Having taken his share, Leto asked Noah once more.
“Did you really not say anything?”
“When he asked if I was being well treated, I said I was living well.”
“Well, I am pretty good at that.”
“Anyway, just a little compliment…”
He immediately got carried away.
Noah sighed deeply and packed her share of the star candies, planning to split them evenly with As.
“…Noah.”
Leto had quietly approached from behind and whispered in her ear.
Startled, Noah turned around and saw Leto’s face, more serious than ever.
“I just want to say this in case you’re wondering…”
Leto spoke sincerely.
“I’ve never gone on a formal meeting with Grandma’s granddaughter.”
“…Huh?”
Noah answered in a dazed tone at the sudden statement.
But Leto, seemingly misunderstanding something, desperately tried to explain his innocence.
“It’s true. Since I started dating until now, I’ve never met or been with anyone else besides you.”
Ami, standing nearby, grumbled.
“Ugh, why is there so much fuss about chicken feathers next to me?”
“It seems fun, just let them be,” Celine said, stopping Ami from intervening.
Leto continued.
“I’ve really only ever seen you. I did make things hard for you, but I never met anyone else.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Noah replied.
“You believe me, right? I don’t know what Grandma said, but it’s only you for me.”
“Okay, you can stop now.”
“If you really don’t believe me, tonight…”
“Stop it!”
Noah, unable to take it any longer, pressed on his temple without distinguishing between work and personal matters.
Even though it was audacious for a subordinate to oppose a superior, no one blamed or stopped Noah.
“…Hmm?”
At that moment, Ami tilted her head.
“…”
She looked at Noah with a strange expression. Listening to the couple’s cheesy conversation, she sensed something odd.
‘Could it be…’
Had he still not said it?
After sending Noah back, the next person naturally called was Leto.
It was to get up to speed on what had happened in the navy during his absence.
“I’ve only been away for three months, and accidents couldn’t wait?”
“One of them was left for me by the Admiral…”
“Don’t talk back.”
“….”
Leto pressed his lips tightly.
“By the way, how did that trash Ephelena end up here?”
“I bribed the Countess of Ephelena on behalf of the 7th Fleet Commander…”
“I told you to keep your mouth shut.”
“….”
“Have they announced that they accepted the bribe yet?”
“….”
“Not answering this?”
“How am I supposed to respond?”
While Admiral Adbello had a heated conversation with Leto, the secretary began handling practical affairs.
“Organize the documents on that issue and submit them within two days. Also, I plan to visit the training ground today, hmm, it’s urgent, so directly after lunch…”
The secretary was getting a grasp of real tasks. They took over the duties again, praised the soldiers for their hard work, and encouraged them to keep going.
“Director…!”
“We missed you!”
“Welcome back!”
“Waaaah!”
While the top two officers growled at each other, the secretarial staff shared a warm and affectionate reunion. The navy remained peaceful today.
“….”
Everyone, except one.
“I feel ten years older…”
Driving his red horse, Leto looked just as exhausted as his words suggested.
Fearing someone might stop him, Leto rushed to the parking lot as soon as his workday ended.
Seeing this, Lieutenant Colonel Ice felt relieved that the Admiral had finally returned.
“Considering you look ten years older, you aged very gracefully.”
“Noah…”
Moved, Leto regained his spirits.
Noah thought her husband seemed too naive. Just a few compliments from her and he perked up like this.
“But it’s good now that you’re back, right?”
“Well, I guess.”
Leto grumbled, though he didn’t say he disliked it.
“You’re like Grandma, skilled at teasing others…”
“You’re no different.”
Noah recalled again that Leto had picked up the habit of sarcastically teasing and scratching at others from someone.
‘I didn’t notice before…’
Growing closer to him and feeling more relaxed, she could even make such observations.
“…What are you laughing at?”
Seeing her giggle quietly, Leto laughed along, feigning nonchalance.
He reached out his hand, and Noah grabbed it, intertwining her fingers with his.
After a day dealing with his superiors, Leto felt as relaxed as a sunny morning.
“If I feel like this now, I could fly in the sky.”
“Flying in this car would be a direct trip to heaven…”
“Shall we try?”
“Don’t joke about that…”
Thanks to driving slightly faster than usual, the red horse quickly reached the Bello estate atop the hill.
“Brother-in-law!”
Clare, who had come outside early, jumped to greet them.
“Sister-in-law!”
Leto quickly kneeled on one knee and opened his arms wide.
“Brother-in-law!”
Clare ran quickly toward him.
“…Next to her, my sister!”
Clare dove onto Noah’s legs.
Leto, ready to lift and spin her, froze, staring at Clare in shock.
“Hehe, I tricked you!”
“Clare, you shouldn’t tease your brother-in-law.”
Noah explained that Clare was sensitive and easily hurt.
“…The power of love.”
As, standing at the door, shook his head. Noah’s infatuation was almost frightening.
“But it seems like teasing Brother-in-law is fun.”
“You shouldn’t do that.”
“Yes.”
The kind-hearted Clare nestled back into Leto’s arms.
“Brother-in-law, lift me high and spin me!”
“No, I’m sulking, so I won’t do it.”
Though pouting, Leto was already having fun playing with Clare.
“Kyaa! Kyaaa!”
Meanwhile, Noah, who had entered the house first, received important news from As.
“…What?”
“They called at lunch. They’re coming here.”
“Oh my…”
“Did you explain it to your husband?”
“No?”
“Oh my…”
Despite the awkwardness, As’s face reflected anticipation for what was about to happen. Noah felt the same.
“Leto.”
Noah spoke to Leto, who entered holding Clare.
“Grandma said she’ll be coming soon.”
“Grandma?”
“I just heard it too.”
“Right! Grandma and Grandpa are coming today.”
“Grandpa too?”
Not the time, Leto put Clare down and hurried to wash up.
He quickly cleaned off the dust like in the military and asked Noah for advice while changing clothes.
“Sister-in-law, should I comb my hair back?”
“It’s cool either way.”
“What would Grandma like?”
“Not combed back.”
Clare shared Grandma’s preference.
“Grandma likes handsome young men.”
“That’s me, then.”
“I think Grandma will like you. I saw a picture of Grandpa before, and you look a bit like him.”
While Clare briefly went to her room to get the photo, Leto asked Noah.
“I’ve never heard about Grandpa.”
Thinking he had passed away, Leto cautiously said.
“I didn’t say it on purpose….”
Noah carefully chose her words.
“He’s quiet and stays a step back. You’ll see when you meet him.”
“You mean his presence is so minimal, you forget to talk about him.”
“The master is just so intense.”
As, who had appeared, gave a weak smile, saying Leto would understand when he met him.
“…I get the idea.”
Even from what she’d heard, Leto could picture Grandma’s personality. Surely, she wasn’t easygoing.
But Leto was confident.
“I’ve already dealt with the worst grandma as my superior.”
No matter which grandma came, he could handle it.
“….”
As quickly covered his mouth and ran to check the food in the oven.
“….”
Noah simply nodded in agreement.
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law!”
At that moment, Clare appeared holding a framed photo.
“This is our Grandpa.”
“You should say this person is Grandpa.”
“This or that!”
While Clare and Noah bickered, Leto admired the young handsome man in the photo.
“…Wow.”
Even another man would naturally be impressed.
“So handsome, yet invisible?”
“Grandma is very powerful. She’s the Admiral,” Clare boasted.
“But where have I seen…”
Leto felt the young man in the photo looked oddly familiar. Not just familiar, he felt like he had seen him today.
Ding dong—.
“Grandma!”
At the sound of the doorbell, Clare jumped up and ran to the entrance.
Following her, Leto exhaled tensely.
“I’m so nervous.”
“Don’t be….”
Otherwise, you’ll regret it, Noah sincerely warned.
By the time they reached the hall, the grandparents had already entered and were receiving Clare’s enthusiastic greetings.
The heartwarming scene made Leto’s heart melt.
“Oh, our little puppy!”
But upon hearing Grandma’s voice…
