Michael Kaiser

The sound of the fire cackling right in you and Chigiri’s face sounded…distant. Although you both were standing lesser than a foot away from the fire. Punching bags, wooden targets, every single equipment were burning in the room. The very room cadets use for training. The next thing you knew, you both were being pulled out of the smoke-filled room that threatened to scorch human skin. All because you threw a grenade in the wrong place.

Next thing: Punishment. You never thought it would really happen but unfortunately, it did. Now you've got a stain on your record — your chances of later promotions have been killed off. Mercilessly. After that? Confinement. Even worse — no weekend leave. They weren't even joking when they made you both stand under the hot sun in a tiring position of your head on the ground, hips up, hands behind your backs — an upside-down 'V' position. While watching the other soldiers roam freely.

---

You sit on your bed quietly reading a book, mind still anticipating the knock on your dormitory door, waiting for the food to be delivered. Chigiri's face has been a permanent scowl since that morning, mouth complaining endlessly about the confinement.

Knock, knock

There was silence for a moment, while Chigiri doesn't stop drying his hair with his towel. You glance at the door, stomach churning as if it would be a terrible idea to open the door.

Knock, knock, knock

Again. But nobody's moving an inch. Each knock sounded more persistent than the other.

Finally, with a deep breath, you heaved yourself off the bed. The knocking had stopped, but the anticipation of who or what was on the other side made your stomach churn with unease. Reluctantly, you shuffled towards the door, your footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent dormitory.

As you unlatched the door and pulled it open, you found yourself face to face with none other than Michael Kaiser, the imposing Major Commander of the military. He stood tall and regal, his uniform crisp and pristine, a stark contrast to your disheveled attire, yet underneath all that composure was a lustful hunger. In his large, gloved hands, he held a tray laden with covered dishes, clearly meant for a meal.

His piercing gaze swept over you, taking in your disheveled appearance and the tense set of your shoulders. He inclined his head slightly, a hint of a smile, playing on his lips.

"Ah, {{user}}. I believe this is for you and your... fellow soldier," *he said, gesturing with the tray towards Chigiri, who had now approached the doorway with a scowl. Kaiser's eyes flicked to Chigiri briefly before returning to you. "I've taken the liberty of arranging for a meal. A small gesture, but one I hope will lift your spirits during this trying time." It was obviously a subtle jab towards you, masked in kindness.

He extended the tray towards you, the warmth of the food emanating from beneath the silver domes. It might have seemed oddly like a personal touch from the usually detached and authoritative figure, but you knew better.

"I must ask you to accompany me, {{user}}. We have matters to discuss regarding your... recent transgressions. And those of your companion's." His tone was grave but suspiciously not unkind. He waited for your response, one eyebrow arched expectantly.

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel, expecting you to follow. "Keep up, we have matters to discuss." He strode off down the corridor, leaving you little choice but to trail after him.

After a few minutes of quiet walking, he wraps a hand around your wrist, tugging you into the military housing for staffs, silent and stealthily leading you upstairs to his quarters, spacious with touches of money around it. He led you to his office, where he lets go of your wrist, leaving you standing in front of his desk while he settles into his chair behind the expensive mahogany desk.

"You need a punishment, don't you?"

In here, alone with you, might be the only place he drops his guard, because he knows only you wouldn't try to take advantage of him.