Chapter 28 : I’m buying clothes for the commander!

When Maru was snuggling in Nunu’s arms, being playfully squeezed and squished.

“Hmm…”

The commander was checking various news while holding his chin with his hand and flipping through his phone screen.

The “Commander Bulletin Board,” where commanders from areas A to Z gather.

Most of the posts were trivial stories like how their command was bad, or how someone pulled a 5-star character.

Real-time image of our command being flooded, jpg

“Guys, what should I do?”

[A photo of the command filled with water]

[A picture of someone standing precariously while holding a computer in a flooded command]

“Our command has opened a water park. Is this flooding or something else?”

“Ugh, I really need to escape this basement as soon as possible. It’s driving me crazy.”

“Crazy, while writing this post, G appeared, going to deal with it. If I don’t come back, send backup.”

• 1 Recommend – 0 Disrecommend –

Comments:

• Looks like the G district command is overrun again, poor guys.
• If you know that, send some help, the G-type monsters here are so numerous it’s driving me crazy.
• Not our command, good luck.
• Argh…
• You should blame yourself for being assigned to such a place.
• I feel like quitting.
• How does everyone know it’s the G district? Isn’t it anonymous here?
• The flooded basement command could only be from A or that place.
• Crazy, this is the A district! Even here, the cockroach-type monsters are increasing, save me!
• Huh? Is that real?

Sometimes, among all the trivial posts, there are bits of useful information, so it was worth browsing.

By the way…

Recently, there have been some changes in the appearance of monsters overall.

Just like in the post, cockroach-type monsters, which usually didn’t appear in the A district, have started showing up.

• A slime monster appeared in the Y district. Can it be kept as a pet?
• A-level danger giant monster near the E district has been defeated. Proof here.

At least, it seems that high-danger monsters, which usually appear with months of intervals, have started showing up more frequently.

It was a bit too suspicious to just brush it off as a random occurrence.

…Should I tell my senior?

Although I’m just a humble rookie commander, my senior is different.

Maybe they’ve already noticed the suspicious activity and moved on it.

Ding, ding.

The commander, who had sent a long message to a saved contact under the name ‘Senior,’ grinned and returned to the “Commander Bulletin Board.”

Since the information gathering was done, it was time to indulge in his small hobby.
That hobby was…

• “Hey guys, I came to post Maru’s photos again.”
  Hahaha
  [Photo of Maru happily jumping up and down]
  [Photo of Maru sleeping soundly on a pillow]
  [Photo of Maru smiling brightly while holding the commander’s hand]
  [Photo of Maru with puffy cheeks after eating chicken skewers]
  Hahahahahaha
• 12 Recommend – 2 Disrecommend –

Comments:

• Why don’t I have a Maru? Why don’t I have a Maru? Why don’t I have a Maru?
• Sorry to hear.
• Wow, crazy cute! It looks like a little animal, it’s driving me insane! Its cheeks look so soft, I just want to squeeze them.
• I’ve touched it, aren’t you jealous?
• I will kill you.
• Where are you from, just say it straight.
• Wa-ka-pya-huk-nong L?

After uploading the photos of Maru he had saved, the commander watched the reactions.

It had only been two days since he started this, but thanks to Maru’s cute appearance and soft vibe, Maru had already become the mascot of this community, the “Gell-ju.”

So, while the commander was having fun teasing other commanders, Maru, the real star, was just smiling contentedly as she continued to be petted.

…

“Ah, Maru, you woke up?”

When the commander regained consciousness, he saw the back of the commander’s head.

What had just been a traditional market area had now turned into a supermarket.

What was going on? Did I faint for a moment?

“Hehe, I wonder how badly Maru wanted to be petted…”

“…Really? Did I do that?”

“Well, it’s hard to believe, but I have a video here, do you want to watch?”

“…No thanks.”

A bell was ringing in my head.

That video on the phone should never be watched. If I do, it won’t just end with a blanket kick.

…Maybe it was just a mistake and I accidentally fell asleep.

Yeah, that seems best.

Logically, who would faint just from a petting session? That’s too ridiculous.

Right?

“Well then, now that Maru’s awake, how about some shopping?”

“Sounds good!”

“…Yeah.”

I nodded with a strange feeling in my gut.

Oh, right. I asked about the tteokbokki and fried food we got earlier, and apparently, they ate it all already.

They ate all of it, the three of them? That was at least five servings!

“…At least they didn’t leave any, so it’s a relief. If they had, I wouldn’t have been able to face grandma.”

“Let’s go to the men’s clothing store over there.”

“Yes.”

The commander, looking very excited.

That’s weird. Don’t guys usually hate places like supermarkets?

I, and my friends, always hated shopping for clothes.

But here, the commander was smiling happily while picking out clothes.

It was really strange.

“Hey, how about this? I like the color.”

“…I’m not sure, not really my style.”

“Hmm, how about this? Doesn’t it look okay?”

“…Are you really going to wear that?”

“Uh… then, Maru, what do you think?! I think this is really nice!”

No matter what, wearing tight-fitting spandex pants is a bit too much, isn’t it?

That’s totally an old man’s fashion.

“I think the one next to it would suit you better.”

“That’s totally awful.”

“Ah.”

“Oh, I see….”

I said the opposite of what I meant.

“…Just kidding. I think the one next to it would suit you better.”

“This one? It’s too plain…”

The commander, holding a light cardigan and jeans, tilted his head as if he didn’t like them.

But no way. That’s exactly what suits an old man.

“Hey now. Simple is always best.”

“Really…? Well, if Maru picked it, then I guess so.”

“Of course!”

“At the very least, I’m not a fashion terrorist. Honestly, this is a hundred times better than hiking clothes, right?”

“That dusty suit and those hiking clothes… Your taste is really something else, Commander.”

“I think I should take this opportunity to buy all of the commander’s clothes.”

“Our commander has a decent face, but his fashion sense is a complete disaster.”

“I’ll just pick everything for you. Bring that one over too.”

“Uh, uh? I think just this one is fine…”

“Hey now. You need clothes you can wear every day too.”

I firmly shook my head.

“You can’t just wear that dusty suit all day long. It’s awful.”

“Oh my, how cute. Are you out shopping with your dad and older sisters?”

As I wandered around the store picking out clothes for the commander, a store clerk approached and greeted us.

But seriously, why does everyone always assume we’re family whenever I’m with the commander?

And this time, even Nunu and Bada in the back got included in the family.

“She said ‘older sisters.’ Haha. Hahaha.”

Sigh.

I’m too tired to even argue anymore.

“Yes. Ah, uh… I’m shopping with my dad.”

“Huh?!”

The moment I called him “dad,” the commander clutched his chest.

You’ve heard it before, so why are you acting surprised again?

Seriously, everyone’s so weird.

“Wow, your daughter must really love you. She’s even picking out clothes for you.”

“Of course! Maru adores me so much, she wants to stick by my side all day long!”

“Oh my, is her name Maru? That’s such a cute name! Wow, how are her cheeks so soft?!”

“…Mmph.”

The clerk stretched my cheeks, marveling at their softness.

Like mochi, my cheeks stretched out, becoming chewy like mozzarella cheese.

…Somehow, every time someone touches them, they seem to stretch more and more.

No way, right? That’d be ridiculous.

“Oh my, excuse me…”

“Hmph.”

The clerk quickly let go when she noticed my grumpy expression.

I swear I heard someone behind me muttering, “Well, of course,” or something weird like that.

“Hmm, then how about these? They’re perfect for outings.”

“Yes, yes.”

As expected of a store employee. She quickly regained her composure and switched to her business tone.

She introduced comfortable clothes that were all actually pretty nice.

She focused on making the outfits look youthful while minimizing the “old man” vibe.

Thankfully, she had good fashion sense.

Now, I don’t even need to pick out his clothes anymore.

…Maybe I should take a nap.

The commander’s back is sturdy and warm—perfect for sleeping.

When else would I get to nap in a place like this?

Hehe.

Time to head to dreamland!

“Um, excuse me…”

Just as I was about to fall asleep, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder.

I lifted my head and saw the same store clerk from before.

What now? Just pick out the old man’s clothes, lady.

I’m going to sleep.

“Maru, could you come down for a moment?”

“What? I want to stay here.”

“Um, but if your dad is going to try on clothes, our Maru needs to get down…”

Ah.

Well, I guess there’s no choice.