"What brings you here?"
I said it casually, but I was paying attention to every word. I really didn't want to bring another punishment upon myself. If it were someone else giving me punishments, I wouldn't mind. But getting one from him? No, thank you.
"How are you feeling?"
The general finally spoke after addressing every single side and thing in the room first.
Why is he talking to me so politely?
I don't like it when he talks to me like this. But then again, I don't like him when he uses that cold tone of his either.
It's not his fault. I'm probably just malfunctioning.
"I'm feeling fine. I guess."
I simply gave him the first answer that came to mind.
"Just give a straight answer. Don't guess." He sighed particularly louder than necessary. Yeah, I get it; you want me to hear that…
"I'm okay. Alright."
He then came forward and put a bag of medicines on the bed.
"Show me your foot. It needs ointment over it."
How's that your concern? "You don't have to do it. I can do it myself."
I know I'm being harsh, but no matter what, I just can't bring myself to be polite to this guy, even when he's helping me.
Yesterday, after injuring my hand, I was told to return to my room. And, right at the doorstep, I managed to slip. Again.
And, of course, the General came to my aid.
"What is wrong with you? Can't you even walk straight?"
At that moment, I couldn't decide whether I felt more humiliated or embarrassed. It wasn't my fault that I was born clumsy. Still, I stubbornly resisted his help.
"OK."
I expected him to say something like, "I'm helping you. What's with the attitude?" But instead, all I got was an "Okay."
He really is hard to predict.
I also expected him to stand up and leave, but instead he said, "Rest so your foot can heal properly. Then you can continue training with the others."
A lazy person like me should be thinking of schemes like, Just pretend your foot is still injured for a whole week and enjoy the rest.
But that would also mean getting bored.
I had to intervene. "No. My foot is fine. I'll join the training tomorrow."
"Okay, but I'll check it first. Only then will you be allowed to join. Got it?" He says after eyeing me up and down.
"Yes, sir."
After seeing me salute, he stood up and left.
I think I heard wrong about him. I was told that he didn't talk much, which, honestly, he pretty much does.
Maybe people meant he doesn't talk much to everyone else. Because with me, he seems to have plenty to say. He asks questions, gives instructions, corrects me, checks whether I'm injured, and somehow always has something to add whenever I think the conversation is finally over.
Then again, perhaps I'm just noticing it more because I'm the one he keeps talking to.
Still, for someone who supposedly doesn't talk much, the General certainly has a strange way of proving everyone wrong.
He's quite harsh when it comes to giving punishments, and he doesn't forgive easily. Well, that part is true.
He's a cold person? I'm not so sure about that one.
He treats us well, or at least, he treats me well. The others certainly don't seem to agree. They're not exactly happy with him, and after seeing how they react to him, I can't help but wonder if I'm somehow getting special treatment.
I really don't know what to believe anymore after meeting him in person.
As for whether he's actually treating me differently, that's something I'll have to keep my eyes open for. Perhaps I'm imagining it. Or perhaps there really is something different about the way he treats me.
Either way, I suppose I'll find out.