High School Soldier
7. Must be honest

January 17, 2321, at 16:16 WIB.

**

The troops who had finished training gathered together to form a circle which was also a barrier for these two people.

“Why do they both do this so often?” ask a soldier from Squad 3.

“No idea, but the commander fight with him is quite interesting right?” reply partner.

“Yes so,” replied his friend.

Everyone from each company who witnessed the ‘lag’ match train between Nio and Herlina said something like that.

There are even some who bet for the win of one of them both.

What is certain is that the money placed is only 500 rupiah and 1000 rupiah. More than that, the soldiers will run out of money.

Because the soldiers were not paid with money, but rather with the facilities provided in the underground city.

Dormitories, food and other needs are met in this place. At least for foodstuffs the soldiers grow and take care of their own food.

Let's go back to Nio and Herlina who are ready with their own equipment.

Especially for Nio. He had to wear full combat gear so as not to get hurt again when dealing with Herlina.

While Herlina only needs other protective arm guards so that her movement is not inhibited.

Although the soldiers in the main army in the underground city admitted that Nio's direct combat ability was quite great, but it was not enough to make Herlina ‘sweat’.

On average, the two of them fought for about 5 minutes. With Nio without a win at all.

The only thing he got was a body full of sweat and new wounds.

“Alright, I will be the referee this time. The rules are still the same that if one of you drops the sword then he will lose, he will lose,” is clear Squad Commander 6 who became the referee of the match this time.

Because when Nio and Herlina first did battle training they both almost had an all-out fight before Arunika stopped their fight.

“Ready!” replied Nio firmly.

“I'm ready!” herlina replied firmly as well.

All the soldiers who were watching started cheering. Only a few people did not witness this because they were tired of judging if Nio would lose again.

“Definitely Nio who lost again,” said Jo.

“Not necessarily, why does Nio constantly accept that he loses continuously?” replied Rio.

The two of them then returned to their respective dorm rooms without witnessing the match practice.

Most who watched this match were more supportive of Herlina who had more wins.

On Nio's side, no one had favored him. Only a few people expected that Nio would not throw his wooden beams again.

The referee started raising his hand and then lowered quickly while saying firmly, “Start!”

Nio was still in his place while directing his wooden beam forward equivalent to the chest.

Herlina dashed quickly towards Nio's left and prepared for a horizontal slash.

“Heh, it turns out you've grown huh?” chirps Herlina when her attack can be arrested by Nio.

“Measurey learn!” replied Nio while pushing the wooden block with Herlina backwards. He was already very upset with Nio's reply and said, “Don't blame me if you don't get a sekardus instant noodles.”

Hearing the word ‘mi instant’ makes the spirit of Nio peaked. Although it was only Herlina's boo but she managed to make Nio fight earnestly with her.

As they performed their first match training Nio was like an undead that did not even dodge the weakest attack from Herlina.

Now he said in his heart, “Damn, why did I accept his challenge again.”

Nio just realized his mistake. Because lulled with the lure of instant noodles enough to stock up a month he took for granted a challenge from Herlina.

Nio had to finish this match practice whatever the end result was.

Nio counterattacked by slashing a block of wood at Herlina's feet. But Herlina was able to jump backwards avoiding the attack of Nio who was saying, “Cih.”

Herlina smiled in satisfaction and counterattacked by quickly shaking off her wooden beams.

It was enough to make Nio in trouble and had to fend off the fast attacks that were bound from Herlina.

Nio's patience had already reached its limit due to being too exhausted.

Nio kicked horizontally towards the foot of Herlina who was unprepared for the attack. As a result Herlina fell backward and Nio's left shoulder had to be willing to be attacked by Herlina.

The wooden beam that Herlina was holding was of course falling.

Everyone who watched was shocked by Nio who managed to take down Herlina.

Nio was satisfied and brandished the end of his wooden beam to the front of Herlina's face and said, “Now the result is 12-1 right?”

Nio was satisfied with the 1 point he earned despite still losing 11 points to Herlina.

“Alright, I lost,” Herlina said.

The referee announced the name of the winner in a tone of disbelief, “Pe-winner Nio.”

Everyone was just complaining with the defeat of their army commander.

No one is betting on Nio's win. Of course their money must be handed over to Nio as the winner.

“Maybe it's not just an instant noodle box that you'll receive,” Herlina said as she grabbed Nio's hand that was extended towards her.

“What do you mean?” ask Nio.

“Looking at your prowess now maybe the Student Army will be looked up to,” Herlina replied with a smile.

“You are greater than me,” refutes Nio and continues his words, “I only practice swords by looking at videos only.”

Herlina held back her laughter and said, “I don't care what way you train.”

Nio scratched his non-itchy nape while permeating what he said just now.

That's a terrible word from a Nio.

“Already, I want to go home,” Herlina said as she waved her hand at Nio.

While walking he runs into Nike and Rika who just returned from the Weapon Development site.

Because Nike and Rika as well as a few other people are working to develop weapons. The goal is only to get protection from otherworldly forces that are increasingly threatening.

“You must have competed with the Captain again right?” ask Rika.

While Nike still looked timid and chose to take his eyes off Nio with a nervous expression.

“Ya, but this time I won,” Nio replied proudly.

“Hah, are you kidding me?” the word Rika who does not believe in the words of Nio.

“Just ask Herlina,” answered Nio lightly.

Nio turned to Nike who looked smiling to himself.

Nike is happy to believe that Nio has won his match practice.

“Hei Nike do you believe Nio's words?” rika asked with Nio's soft face.

“Y-yes that is,” answered Nike while smiling shyly towards Nio.

“Tuh, Nike only believe,” said Nio with a happy face and said again, “Well yes, I want to go home first.”

“Ya,” answered Nike and Rika together.

**

Nio Dormitory is close to the underground plantation.

This dormitory is a two-story building and there are 12 rooms for Student Army soldiers.

Nio's room is at the very end of the second floor.

Upon entering his room, Arunika was not in his room.

“I forgot,” said Nio sadly.

Then he turned to the plantation where there were still some people there.

One of them is Arunika who is picking chili.

“Nio, why are you home?. Aren't you training to fight again with the Commander?” asked Arunika in a seductive tone.

“Already, and I won this time,” said Nio with a proud face.

Smiling Arunika said, “Truely, with what can I believe your words?”

“Just ask the commander,” Nio said in an annoyed tone because his brother also seemed to distrust his words.

“Iya-iya I believe,” said Arunika while lifting a bucket full of red cayenne pepper.

“Come home,” take Arunika.

“Iya. Let me just take it,” Nio said as she snatched the medium-sized bucket her brother was holding.

Arunika did not refuse and let Nio help her bring her a bucket that was heavy because it was full of chili.

Arunika destroys the plantation because there are no more activities he did while with Nio in the underground city.

There are no schools left in the present. Education is only centered on citizenship and military education for those who join the military Union.

Arunika cannot actually be in a special underground military city. However due to his status which was a family of soldiers he could be allowed to stay in the dormitory with Nio.

All the soldiers who still had families also lived with his family. But there are still many soldiers who lost their families during the attack of other world troops.

Nio is one of the lucky ones in this place.

Nio put a bucket of chili to the special storage of groceries in this dormitory.each dormitory has its own plantation, that's why there is food storage in the dormitory.

**

Nio sat in front of his brother at the dining table.

The dorm room is quite small, just enough for one bed and a place to cook. For bathing and urinating, a special bath is provided. Of course the place is differentiated for women and men.

The dining table is placed under the bed. That means no chair.

And if you finish eating the table will be stored at the end of the room for a bed for Nio. He would not let his brother sleep on the floor.

“I heard there was a meeting, what did it discuss?” asked Arunika on the sidelines of their dinner.

Nio paused for a moment to think about the answer later.

“You have to answer honestly,” continued Arunika with a facial look like when entering the teacher mode that was terrible for Nio.

Sighing Nio answered his brother's question, in “6 months we will be sent to face the enemy forces.”

Arunika's hand immediately limped and made the Spoon he was holding fell down.

“Do you joke, I know you like to joke but don't miss like that!” gertak Arunika's.

“I'm not kidding,” Nio replied with a heavy heart.

After that Arunika tears flowed which made Nio feel guilty for having answered honestly.

“Just relax, I'll be back alive,” Nio said

But Nio's words did not make Arunika calm at all.

Arunika approached Nio's side and placed her shoulder on Nio's shoulder.

He was still worried about Nio even though he had witnessed Nio's development since entering the military and serving in the Student Army.

But Nio for Arunika is still an 18-year-old teenager who only knows how to fight carelessly.

“For those 6 months, don't let me be your sister,” said Arunika who made Nio surprised.

“What do you mean?” nio asked because she felt her brother was talking about something that would make her sad.

“Treat me like a girlfriend or something,” explains Arunika.

Nio smiled and said, “Eh!”