Don't Wish Upon a Shooting Star - Chapter 2

The war had come to an end, and Greta no longer had any intention of flying planes, so it was time to say goodbye to the base.

Greta shouted in her heart towards the familiar base. Goodbye! Take care! Adios! She wanted to sing a song, but she compromised by doing it secretly only in her head.

If someone were to overhear, it would be terribly embarrassing…….

Even if joyful places call me―

My resting place is only my small home―

Oh― love my― home―!

“Captain Holt!”

Ah, startled. Greta quickly erased her expression and turned around. Facing her ‘serious superior face’, which was her own verified expression, her subordinate saluted and said,

“Director Atkinson is calling for you.”

“The Director?”

Even for someone like Greta, it was inevitable to feel a sinking feeling in her chest the moment she heard the title ‘Director’. It was clearly something like instinct. Why would such a big shot call for me……?

Director Atkinson was someone she never had the chance to meet face-to-face even during the most intense periods of aerial combat. Why would such a person…….

Ah, that’s right. Greta quickly understood and calmed herself. It must be because of the retirement application I submitted. He probably intends to persuade me not to leave. Thinking that way, she had nothing to fear anymore.

Greta nodded, still maintaining her ‘serious superior face’.

“I understand. I’ll go see him now, you may leave.”

The unfamiliar subordinate, whose name she couldn’t even remember clearly, saluted again and left.

Greta also walked quickly towards her destination while thinking hard. If they don’t approve my retirement, what should I say in protest? I’ve done enough? Would the Director accept such words?

Nah, no way. Why would they stop me when I’m volunteering to leave? If the approval really doesn’t come through…… Greta was thinking of running away. Really! It was true!

She had no intention of staying even a day longer.

Should I try shedding some tears if they say no…….

Greta, as she headed towards the Director’s office, was more solemn than when she was about to engage in any fierce aerial combat. Finally standing in front of the door, Greta knocked with a completely stiff face.

“Director, it’s Captain Holt.”

“Come in.”

Surely, they’re not really planning to say no, right?

She entered the office after thoroughly preparing herself mentally.

But there was someone who had been called in before Greta.

The moment a familiar back entered her view, Greta’s expression crumbled. Why is that guy here?

The old Atkinson gestured towards the confused Greta.

“What are you doing? Come here and sit next to Lieutenant Collins.”

Although she didn’t understand why Percy had to be here too, Greta followed the order anyway.

Maybe it’s not because of her retirement application after all…….

If so, should I consider that fortunate?

“Why did you call for me, sir?”

“I received a report that you applied for retirement, Captain.”

Damn, it is about that after all!

Greta tried hard to resist the urge to look towards Percy. Why on earth is that guy necessary for my retirement?

Are they trying to use him as bait……?

“Director, I…….”

“To get straight to the point, our military is willing to approve your retirement. Of course, losing a war hero like you is a very regrettable thing. It’s truly unfortunate. In fact, I didn’t expect you to want to leave the military so quickly.”

Although the explanation was long, the conclusion was that they would accept Greta’s request. Greta barely managed to maintain her poker face while suppressing the urge to smile.

“I believe I have fulfilled my duty sufficiently.”

“Your achievements in this war were remarkable. Our military highly values that point. Do you have any plans after retirement, Captain?”

Why is he suddenly asking that?

Although she had an ominous feeling, she had no choice but to answer.

“I plan to slowly think about it and build a new life in my own way.”

“Any marriage plans?”

She felt like she might choke. Greta finally couldn’t hold back and asked in return.

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking if you have someone you’ve promised to marry.”

What’s this? Why is the topic of marriage coming up here? In the Director’s office of all places, talking about marriage……? Is this small talk? It must be small talk, right? She was surely overreacting due to being too nervous.

Greta answered lightly.

“No, I don’t.”

“You don’t?”

“No, not yet.”

The next thing might be a long speech about quickly finding a good husband, starting a family, and having children to serve the country once again.

This is why I hate talking with senior officers. Their thought processes were more outdated than a dust-covered biplane in a warehouse.

However, contrary to expectations, Atkinson didn’t start a speech.

He didn’t seem to want to give advice about marriage and childbirth either.

Greta soon realized. This wasn’t small talk at all. He was taking an attitude as if giving orders to a subordinate.

“Before officially approving your retirement application, there’s a condition we need to set.”

“A condition…… you say?”

“The state…”

He took a breath and continued.

“Wishes to arrange Captain Holt’s marriage.”

What?

“In other words, your marriage partner has been decided.”

My marriage partner…… has been decided……?

Greta’s head slowly turned to the side. Her adjutant was staring at the Director with a pale complexion.

It was quite unusual. She had never seen Percy make such an expression throughout the entire war.

Surely not, right? This was an inappropriate, bad joke.

Just as she was about to erase the crazy thought that had crossed her mind, Atkinson delivered the final blow.

“A request has come down for you to marry Lieutenant Collins.”

“Director, I don’t think this kind of joke is very appropriate.”

“This is no joke. I never thought I’d give such an order in my lifetime, but this is really happening. The state wants you and Lieutenant Collins to marry.”

“If you don’t intend to approve my retirement, please just say so.”

“Captain, calm down and listen to me.”

Now Percy was looking down with a completely hardened face. Seeing the expression of the adjutant who had been designated as the ‘husband candidate’, her mind that was about to drift away quickly regained its place.

“Due to your great achievements in this war, the support for you has become tremendous. You know that, right?”

“……I do.”

“Everyone knows your name. They know about your plane too. The whole country knows that it was you who led the war to victory. Through Captain Holt’s existence, the people are gaining the strength to live on.”

It was true. Even Greta had nothing to refute about that.

“You are no longer just an officer. You’ve become close to a symbol. The state’s opinion is to add more meaning to that symbolism. It’s an opinion to ‘utilize’ the influence you have a bit more…….”

“But…… Collins is my adjutant. We only flew together for missions, there has never been any progression in our relationship beyond that.”

“Is that really so?”

The Director pushed something across the desk. It was none other than the newspaper most widely read by the people of the Empire. Greta picked up the newspaper and looked at the article and black-and-white photograph printed on the front page.

Love of the Century Bloomed in War

‘Partners Who Brought Peace Promise a New Life’

Under the large headline was a photograph, as big as a door, of Greta and Percy embracing each other and kissing.

There was no room for doubt. Anyone could see it was her.

It felt like someone had hit the back of her head with a huge hammer.

When…… was this taken……?

“Director, this was really a meaningless act.”

Greta couldn’t hold back and protested with a hollow laugh.

“It’s just, we won the war, and the enemy country declared surrender…… We were just happy…… There were no emotions when we kissed! Right, Percy? Say something!”

But the damned Percy Collins didn’t say anything. He just silently looked down at the desk like a petrified person. Greta was bewildered. Why isn’t he protesting? For a moment, he looked unfamiliar to her.

It was as if a different man was occupying the place of the adjutant she trusted the most.

“Whatever happened between you two, it’s not my business and I don’t really want to know. What I need to care about is the fact that this photo was taken. And the fact that it was published on the front page of the newspaper for all to see.”

Atkinson’s gaze felt as if it was piercing through Greta.

“I’m not trying to reprimand you. What I want to say is that now that this has leaked to the outside world, it won’t end as just a simple scandal.”

“Director…….”

“This isn’t a scandal. It’s a fait accompli that all the people of the Empire want to believe. People are as enthusiastic about this great love story as they love you. How do you think the atmosphere would be if we explain here that this was just a simple misunderstanding? Above all, it seems the state has decided to push this love story.”

Atkinson showed a truly regretful expression towards Greta, who couldn’t continue speaking.

“I’m sorry, Captain. But this marriage has become inevitable. Now that the state has intervened, it has gone beyond the realm of what you can control.”

“…….”

“You are a hero. Heroes should have a narrative, and that’s what the Empire wants, at least. I won’t explain at length. Your retirement application has been approved on the premise of your marriage to Lieutenant Collins.”

Now Greta was as dumbfounded as Percy.

This…… must be a dream, right……?

As if to shatter such a thin hope, Atkinson added,

“You two are officially in love. This is the last mission given by the state.”