High School Soldier
Inner war: live bullets

The first day of a peaceful holiday, he said.

**

Soldiers pray above all for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars.

Nio was suddenly familiar with the life on the battlefield that he had been through for almost 6 years.

He probably had the same dream as the other soldiers. As one of the soldiers who served in the great war, a peaceful life seemed to exist in a dream only. However, it was on the battlefield that Nio was forged, until he was no longer a teenager with a bleak future.

Although he and Team 12 – with the addition of several girls from other worlds – have set foot in Indonesia, Nio's mind returns to the battlefield full of memories. Even after he had gained the chance of not being in battle for a month, his thoughts on war had yet to disappear. He would gain free time for a month, but the world of war was very clear in his memory. That battlefield was the most terrifying thing that humans created, a place where blood and corpses ruled.

Nio and his comrades had passed through the imperfect Gate, returning from a task that approached the simulation of life in hell.

In other words, Team 12 only temporarily returned to normal life before returning to ‘real soldier life’. In other words, they gained a moment of rest before returning to the chaotic and bloody battlefield.

The sound of gunfire and the shouting of the enemy soldiers who were killed no longer existed, instead they heard the voices of a number of TNI and Police members who were chatting casually at the facilities within the Forbidden Area. No more enemies firing, monsters attacking suddenly, and battle fumes. In this peaceful life, they saw people enjoying it with calm faces.

The 12th Team remembered how hard they struggled with rifles and grenades, without the help of heavy weapons. They did not have enough time to enjoy peaceful days, except the day after the enemy launched a futile attack. Even soldiers who enjoyed peaceful days might not last for a month if they had to live with Team 12 inside a fortress or moat.

The 12th Team remembered that as far as the eye could see, there were only enemy troops launching aggressive attacks. They make every effort so that these peaceful days can last as long as possible.

Another world is a picture of a world that cannot be understood unless one has fought there. The point is, you can only understand by fighting there.

“They are enjoying peaceful days with ordinary, I am very envious.”

“They seem to have rarely fought in previous wars.”

“But, aren't they part of the extra squad that will be leaving in one month?”

Hassan, Yogi, and Agus talked to each other as above. They are envious of TNI and TRIP members, as well as Polri who can talk to each other without feeling restless. However, their chatter reminds Team 12 that it was the life after the war they dreamed of. What made the 12th Team dislike the chatter of additional recruits was that they underestimated the enemy too much. The Indonesian military officials seem to believe the TNI contingent in other worlds can defeat the enemy with just an assault rifle and a pistol, by utilizing the soldiers who he said ‘rela sacrificed’.

According to the people who were enjoying these peaceful days, how many lives were lost in the muddy battlefields of other worlds?

Thanks to the people who wanted peace, Nio and co were showered with gunfire and battle magic from the enemy forces. However, there are some groups who say the TNI contingent in other worlds is not enough to fight with evidence of a war that has not ended after many years. Nio and comrades could only smile kindly when they thought of the group saying so without gratitude, continuing to treat the teenage fighters like live bullets with unlimited stock.

The next agenda after the results of the 12th Team examination and the girls from other worlds out was to let them to tour the city. In addition to the 12th Team, Hevaz, Edera, Huvu, Zariv, Lux, and Ebal who returned from another world, there are several more people who visited Indonesia with the permission of the TNI contingent. They declare themselves to be from the Yekirnovo Kingdom, and visit as backup magicians for the magicians who serve in the Karanganyar Garrison as Liaison and Gate opening from this world to another world. The robes that had hoods covering the face made Nio somewhat suspicious of the new witch, and they carried a large enough box that the contents were unknown to him.

The Forbidden Area remains under the jurisdiction of the TNI and the Ministry of Defense, so that almost no civilian vehicles cross the entire road in the area. Girls from other worlds inevitably have to keep staring in awe at the new scenery they rarely see with the possibility of being able to see it again once in a lifetime. But for Hevaz and Edera, this was their second time in the world.

As everyone passed through the Forbidden Area, the center of Karanganyar City seemed clear of war memories even though some propaganda posters were embedded on the side of the wall. Streets remained filled with vehicles, and pedestrians and street vendors crowded the sidewalks.

“Now, you want to go directly to the station and airport or get around this city first?”

The question came from Nio who saw his subordinates trying to adapt back to the polluted urban air.

“For members living outside Java Island will go directly to the airport, and directly to the station for members living in Java Island,” replied Hassan.

But, one of the 12th Team members seemed unconcerned about the flight schedule or the train departure that was getting closer. Zefanya's face showed a calm expression, and did not rush as the other team members quickly entered the delivery bus to the airport and station.

After promising to meet in the Forbidden Area one day before returning to another world, all members of Team 12 – except Nio and Zefanya – waved with happy expressions as the bus moved to the destination of each passenger.

The reaction of his subordinates who were about to return to their respective hometowns was excessive and caused personal problems for Nio.

“Zefanya, do you still want to go around this city? If so, I will accompany you..”.

“Please hold!” Hevaz suddenly responded to Nio's words to Zefanya like that in a high tone. Of course some people recognized Nio and some of the girls in the man's entourage, but they chose to continue the steps to avoid a small mistake that could potentially lead to conflict was not necessary.

“What's up? Though Lieutenant Nio had good intentions to introduce me to his hometown. Then, in order to save my money, I asked Lieutenant Nio for permission to stay at his house until the holidays are over,” Zefanya replied in a defiant tone, causing a small spark of hostility between the two girls.

“No! Your request I refuse!” nio's answer was not even heard by Zefanya who was still at odds with Hevaz.

Thanks to the minor infighting, the girls other than Zefanya and Hevaz took the opportunity when they were both in a minor conflict. The view of the riders and pedestrians (pedestrians) towards Nio who was surrounded by many girls was filled with an aura of hostility for Nio.

Nio did not wear a field uniform that was rarely washed, so Nio was similar to an ordinary tall man. But, the buff that covered half of Nio's face made people think, “Who is this guy?”. The gray hoodie he was wearing did not cover his athletic body, and the buff covering his face meant covering Nio's identity, though, so people think of Nio as a criminal who kidnaps many girls to be employed at night entertainment or something. It was the easiest conclusion that many Indonesian internet citizens used, which led to the news of birds being very popular.

Very undisclosed identity makes it difficult for Nio to say, “These girls are my friends,” or “They are my brothers” because the girls are obviously not from Indonesia. Maybe Nio can say, “They are all my girlfriends, who will entertain me all night”, , but Nio wasn't the one who would casually say such an answer or the police and the women's protective organization would raid his home hours after he said so.

If people stare at him like a kidnapper, Nio can pretend to be a tour guide for the girls. However, it is highly unlikely that any traveler would hug their hands and attach their body to their tour guide. But, that way at least the people's suspicions towards Nio were reduced.

As Nio led the way of the girls, the pedestrians looked at him with curious gazes.

The men wanted to know how Nio was approached by many women, while the women wanted to know the beauty secrets of the girls except Zefanya. No woman confidently wanders the city with some body parts wrapped in bandages like Zefanya.

Nio wore a gray hoodie, cargo pants, and field shoes that had not been washed for six months, wearing a black buff mask, and he walked with his body upright so that it emitted a mysterious aura whether he was an ordinary teenager wearing a mask to avoid the virus or a member of a secret organization in disguise. The clothes Zefanya wore were not much different from Nio, but he was wearing a coat that should be worn during winter and sneakers. On the contrary, the girls of the world wear enough daily clothes ‘aneh’ for the person who first saw it.

“It should be with Mr Nio only me, but you are threatening Indonesian officers to come!”

“Hah? Why are you guys making trouble so hard?!”

Nio looked at Hevaz with a dumbfounded face as the girl was still debating something with the girls.

Hevaz later said, “The first to ask permission to come home with you is me, but they followed my steps by saying words that threatened your boss.”

“No, I do not threaten Mr. Nio's superior. I'm just saying if we're not allowed to come with Mr. Nio, he'll probably face the difficulties that plague his vacation,” who answers is Zariv, and the otherworldly girls except Hevaz respond with a nod.

“I thought you were really threatening the officers,” Nio responded with a calm face, though he imagined the faces of the superiors and their actions for Nio if that really happened.

When he saw Nio's restless face, Hevaz thought of scaring him, but he decided not to do so in order to avoid everyone's anger.

The shops on the sidewalk that Nio and the troupe went through sold a variety of electronics, DVDs, and other entertainment items. During the war, it used to be crowded by street vendors and fun-loving teenagers, but now it has not been around since the Forbidden Area was established. The road to the north towards Pancasila Park should be crowded with grocery stores and minimarkets, and one would easily find all sorts of necessities there.

Some might say that the Forbidden Area should have been established in a larger city, rather than Karanganyar which was designated as a city less than fifty years ago. The answer is “No. This is because someone who is influential in Indonesia's relations with other world nations lives in Karanganyar. After all, it was difficult for a witch to rebuild Liaison to another place, because it would require a great amount of magical energy. Karanganyar is relatively safe, although since the arrival of another world contingent there have been several threats from outside countries.”

The threat of foreign agents is far more troublesome than the invasion of the Alliance's monster army, according to Nio. Thus, there is an assumption that war zones are much safer than this peaceful world.

**

“Is there anything interesting here?” ask a man who has a big camera on his shoulder.

“It seems hard to find a good thing in this small town,” replied a young woman who followed the path of a man and a woman behind her.

Today, one of the news-seeking teams of a private TV company is touring the center of Karanganyar City. Three men consisting of cameramen, assistant cameraman, and female journalists. They go around asking the people they meet to say about a number of minor threats from overseas agents, thus making the otherworldly contingent uncomfortable. However, almost all people's responses are the same.

Most of the people interviewed by the journalist would reply, “It is better to leave the matter to TNI”, but the news needs an answer more than the superiority that the military organization has. The material presented must leave a good impression on the audience, but the majority of people want to know the activities of the TNI in other worlds.

Although many cases can be made hot news one month in a row, it has the potential to spread abroad, unfortunately Sonia does not have ‘power’ and ‘power’ to make a report about a major domestic case.

A few months since the disappearance of Beautiful, but a lot of information about the whereabouts of the girl that Sonia cannot use. He knew someone from TRIP, as well as his savior when taken prisoner by the Luan Empire forces. Teen officer Nio Candranala once said that Indah is fine, which makes Sonia think the man knows the existence of Indah.

After all, journalists can do various jobs at once in addition to looking for news to be aired. Sonia decided to work with various parties to produce the latest information, as well as news about Indah. He considered if one day Nio returned from his assignment in another world, then he would try hard to make Nio say all about the existence of Indah even though it was a difficult thing.

Sonia and her two colleagues keep going, looking for people who seem to care about the threat of foreign agents to the otherworldly contingent.

“See, what crowd is it?” sonia's female companion pointed at a group of teenage boys who were crowding, and muttered something.

The gathered teenage boys were still wearing their white-gray uniforms. A number of pedestrians who were supposed to be walking leisurely also seemed to take things seriously. The cilok trader tried hard to make the crowd buy his merchandise, but people pay more attention to something that seemed important than buying food to fill the stomach and line the cilok of a trader.

“Are any agents caught in the Forbidden Area?” ask the cameraman.

“Camerament, please keep recording,” pinta Sonia.

As Sonia and her two comrades walked closer to the crowd, the group of people split apart and a man with several girls walking behind him was seen.

Nio's initial plan was to buy a small meal to reduce his hunger, and shut the girls' mouths so as not to make trouble later. If the bus came on schedule, he would not have to act as the bodyguards of the girls, thus making him force the crowd to stay away from the girls.

“Please stand at a distance of 2 meters from each girl yes. Don't swarm and urge girls like debt collectors.”

If only Nio was escorting the girls, of course no one would care about him. Company 402-32 must be carrying out its duties, so it is almost impossible to help Nio secure the girls from the crowd of men who may be some of them are acute genital criminals who have not been successfully arrested by the police.

He used to receive missions to escort Queen Sigiz and entourage from other worlds, so permission to shoot people who threatened the safety of the target was allowed. Of course Nio had a personal weapon hidden in a secret place. Of course he would not openly threaten the crowd using his weapon. Instead, he partially opened the buff mask that covered part of his severely injured face, resulting in some people becoming frightened or uncomfortable with the wounds on his face.

Nio can use severe wounds on his face compared to his ‘asli’ pistol to fight the crowd.

After confirming that the girls behind Nio were from another world, Sonia's team recorded their report. The news they got could potentially be aired on a special segment for an hour, as the arrival of another world contingent was quite rare.

“A number of women from other world are warmly welcomed by people. The man accompanying them was one of the famous officers of TRIP, First Lieutenant Nio. I don't know what he's doing right now with the otherworldly women, but it seems he has a special assignment.”

Sonia ignores a group of high school students who ‘passenger narciss’ on her report recording. He has tried his best to get useful information, although recordings of the National Meeting a few years ago are often re-examined by a number of national and private TV stations. Behind Sonia, it appeared that a number of people were doing some disturbing poses.

“Mbak Sonia..”

Unbeknownst to Sonia, the entire crowd began to spread out and continue their respective activities. However, there are still shop employees who take photos without the permission of the girls and Nio.

“Mbak Sonia, do you hear me?”

Actually, Nio was standing behind Sonia. But her thin presence was not realized by the girl, and the codes of her two colleagues she considered a joke. Nio's form seemed defeated by the girls from another world who became stars in Sonia's report.

“Sonia!”

Nio reprimanded in a loud tone while patting the girl's right shoulder. After she realized someone was bothering her, Sonia hurriedly looked back.

Sonia let out a voice with a restless smile, “Oh, Lieutenant Nio..”.

“What's Sonia's mother doing here? But sorry, I can't let you record girls without their permission,” said Nio.

“Ah, yes...we suddenly see you and the otherworldly girls. Girls who are buying peels will not be popular news, such as one of the celebrities who can not peel the skin of the skin of the skin.”

Zariv saw Nio talking to a womanizer, and they both seemed to know each other. As well as the girls, they released threatening auras if Nio did not immediately walk away from the woman.

“We already have a heavy competitor, why should there be additional people?”

“How many women should like Mr Nio?”

“I don't know why, but it seems like Mr. Nio likes it if there are many women nearby.”

Nio did not hear the conversation between Hevaz, Ebal, and Edera. Even so, he still watched around with utmost vigilance. He had to go the extra mile to escort the girls from another world because he was only alone, and Zefanya might not be able to help much without her sniper rifle.

“Tuan Nio... Mr. Nio…! Can I eat this spicy chewy food again?”

Of course the chewy food that Huvu said was the lilok that Nio had bought before, thus making his seller show a happy smile. Of course, getting a beautiful buyer from another world, and instantly liking his homemade lizard in the first bite was legendary level luck.

Since Nio brought enough money, he let the otherworldly girls and Zefanya buy snacks until satisfied.

“See, they immediately like local food even though they first tried it,” Sonia saw other world girls who visited one by one street hawker with pleasure, which marked her victory.

“Then, do I have to comply with your request so that you can interview all of them?” ask Nio.

The desire of the girls to taste the local food must be a kind of behavior of tourists ‘norak’ after a long time did not feel the unique food.

“Of course I have to follow every procedure from you in order to interview the girls from the other world.”

“Mr Nio, stop talking to that woman, and tell me what pink food is this?!” Ebal pointed to the cotton candy dealer.

“You must love that sweet snack. You can all take it.”

The otherworldly girls are happy with Sonia's answer and their nature changes when previously hated Sonia, Zefanya also wants to feel it. There is Nio who bears all the costs of other world girls while in Indonesia, so that makes Nio have to check the contents of his wallet with a fretful face.

“If you want to take care of every procedure in order to cover the girls, let's move to my house only.”

Nio recalled that rare news such as the appearance of girls from other worlds would be hunted by many journalists. Before that happened, he had to give Sonia and her comrades some conditions so as not to invite uproar at home and abroad about the arrival of the girls from another world, or the threat from overseas agents repeats itself and disrupts Nio's precious holiday period.

After getting approval from Nio, Sonia's group follows Nio after the otherworldly girls and Zefanya are satisfied to feel all the hawker foot five, and spend almost all the money in Nio's wallet. Fortunately, the man still had a lot of savings in his savings that could give the girls snacks for an entire year. As a man, Nio has the instinct that shopping with girls will only bring bad luck if he has no experience of it.

For Sonia's matter, Nio looked at the beautiful sister calmly even though her heart was not. His feelings tell him that maybe Sonia will ask him about the existence of Indah, thus making Nio confused. As he did in the face of the battle, Nio had prepared everything even though not all plans would be in accordance with the reality that occurred later.

When he saw that there were several high school students and SMK or equivalent students coming home, Nio felt that Arunika had also returned from her teaching place. He knows the place where Arunika went after working with Tania. He leads the group to a bus stop, as his guess says there Arunika is. Nio was sure, his return without news would make Arunika surprised and moved. Nio had already imagined the reaction of Arunika and the others when he came home without telling him beforehand.

On the battlefield, where no one knows whether tomorrow is still alive or not makes the warriors in the other world uneasy to be unable to meet their loved ones. Plus the limited communication between Indonesia and the other world, which makes people can only imagine the bad possibilities faced by TNI soldiers in other worlds.

But, for the family of the soldier, the news if the fighter is still alive is the happiest, although it does not rule out the possibility tomorrow will be sad news.

After seeing her return from the battle even though she was injured, Nio imagined Arunika at first would be confused speechlessly, frozen in place, standing up, then ran and hugged her tightly like a couple who had been in a long distance relationship for years.

But, Nio lost his confidence when he saw the unexpected before his eyes.

“Who is that person?”