Humiliation

Yatogami Long Yi's disciple—this identity carried considerable weight.

Needless to say, the pressure on Momonosuke was immense.

"Not bad."

As he personally draped a Marine officer's coat without rank insignia over the boy's shoulders, Koby sincerely felt the ceremonial weight of an era being passed down.

In just five or six years, he had risen from a newly enlisted private to a field-grade officer, and now he was personally dressing the next generation in that special Marine uniform.

The pink-haired young man's eyes grew slightly misty.

"There he goes again, Lieutenant Colonel Koby, getting all sentimental."

"If he were a girl, Lieutenant Colonel Koby would probably be the kind of woman who cried all the time."

"Hey, what are you gossiping about behind someone's back? Oh, it's Lieutenant Colonel Koby? Then it's fine."

Seeing Koby's expression, that unruly group of Marines began joking again.

"Shut up, all of you!"

Having been struck at his sore spot, Koby's face reddened slightly. He growled, then turned his head away, seemingly unwilling to let Momonosuke, his junior, see him lose composure.

"Brother Koby, why can't the coat be worn properly? Why does it have to be draped over the shoulders? Is that some mandatory rule?"

However, Koby's concern seemed unnecessary. Momonosuke paid no attention to the expression on his face, instead repeatedly tugging at the officer's uniform with confusion.

"?"

Hearing Momonosuke's question, Koby was also momentarily stunned.

Draping the coat over one's shoulders was not a rule, but most officers liked to wear it that way.

If he had to explain it, it was probably...

The Marines' traditional sense of style?

"Ahem, Momonosuke, you should know that when your senior brother first set out, Mr. Karp personally gave him this uniform.

Now, he has asked me to personally give it to you.