"C-Commander, what are you saying?"
"You mean..."
"Did you, did you confess to me?"
Like a boiling kettle.
Privaty bit her lips softly, her face flushed, frozen in her chair, her whole mind was dizzy.
Grim picked up his coffee cup, indifferently covering his slightly raised lips.
Privaty's reddened face turned out to be very cute.
"You, you have to say something!"
"Why are you just smiling? So this is just a joke, right?"
"Honestly, Commander, don't make a joke like this again next time!"
Privaty seems to realize that Grim is teasing her.
He turned his head in annoyance, but the corner of his eye was still staring at Grim, looking as if he wanted to be persuaded by Grim.
Grim could only put on a regretful and sad expression " " I'm sorry, I thought Privaty liked me, it turned out that I was presumptuous."
"W-wait a minute!"
"It's not like that, me, me... I don't hate the Commander!"
"But, if you want to confess, you have to choose the right time and place, right?"
"If you suddenly do something like this, I, I'm not mentally prepared!"
"....."
"Commander... I really don't mean that, you don't Hate Me, Do you?"
Privaty explained frantically.
Grim took a sip of his coffee, smiled, and shook his head: "it's Okay, let's change the subject."
"Phew, that's great."
"What do you want to say? The latest TV series on Ark?"
Privaty's pounding heart finally calmed down.
He didn't know why, but every time Grim teased him a little, his heart, which was supposed to be strong and indifferent, felt like there was a little deer living inside, pounding nonstop.
Is this what is called Love?
"TV series? I'm usually very busy, so I don't have time to watch TV."
"Is there an event you can recommend to me?"
"Then how about... a drama about a Nikke and a Commander in love? You want to watch it?"
Privaty sent a link to the TV series to Grim's phone.
Grim goes with the flow, clicks on the link, projects the screen onto the big screen in the consultation room, and enjoys it with pleasure.
[Summoning love at the end of the Surface]
[Production Company: Tetra Entertainment]
"Arena, you can't die!"
"I'm Sorry, Commander, but my essence has almost reached its limit."
"Wait."
"We're almost back to the Ark!"
"Commander, have you forgotten? We are all deserters, sinners who want to escape the Ark and elope. If we come back, I'll most likely forget about you..."
"But if I don't have you, Arena, what is the meaning of my life?"
"We have to go back... Even if you can't remember me anymore, I will always take care of you..."
"To be continued..."
Since this drama is a short drama for testing, the first episode ended quickly, but the response in Ark turned out to be good, even sparking a wave of discussion.
Some say Nikke is a steel monster, and it's better to kill yourself than to fall in love with a monster.
Some say Nikke is no different from humans, and Ark is the real culprit.
The others feel they cannot relate to the Commander in the plot because they have been attacked by Nikke whose mind has been altered.
Grim glanced at the chaotic comment section and couldn't help shaking his head: "Tetra really knows how to stir up a sensation."
Privaty didn't see any emotion on Grim's face, so she asked hesitantly, "Commander, what do you think of this drama?"
Grim stroked his chin and said " " Not bad."
"The only drawback is that they didn't ask me to act in it."
"You're short of money, right? Do you want a promotion or something?"
"Not both. I have a huge Outpost, and the daily electricity bill alone has almost bankrupted me. In addition, many stores are at a loss."
In this regard, Grim specifically criticized the Belorta and Mika toy stores.
Nikke is not a child, they rarely buy plush toys, and there are many such store buildings in the Outpost.
He really had sacrificed too much to support this family.
"Oh, is that so!"
"If you are really short of money, next time, I will ask the Central Government to allocate more for you. Privaty twisted her hair with her fingers and said gently, "but, I have a small request."
"What request?"
"I didn't win a coupon from the last fundraiser."
"Can I have it?"
"Privaty, do you think I'm such a person? Grim's face turned grim, frightened Privaty and immediately changed his tone: "No, you can't give it? It's okay, even if you can't..."
I mean, how can one be enough?! As long as Privaty wants to help me apply for more supply quota, I'll give you one every month!
"Huh?"
Grim pulls out a blank paper coupon from the drawer and instantly writes The Commander's general coupon for the dumbfounded Privaty on the spot.
Holding a heavy Commander coupon in his hand.
From surprise then surprise again, then surprise again, Privaty's flushed little face clearly revealed her inner thoughts to Grim.
"Commander, since you have already said it, I will definitely help you."
"Oh, by the way... in a few days, it's a special day. I wanted to ask, Did you have any free time that day?"
Privaty's gaze fell on the calendar on the table, and her left index finger nervously twisted a strand of her hair.
In eight days, Valentine's day for Ark will arrive.
According to tradition, on this day, boys and girls will give gifts to their crush, and then, taking advantage of the opportunity, ask them out on a date.
If a reciprocal gift is received, it means that the other person also likes it.
If the other person agrees to a date, then there is no need to say anything else; they must cleanse themselves and, under cover of darkness, run to that person's house to enjoy the forbidden fruit to their heart's content.
"A special day?"
"Is it Tree Day?"
"No, it's Day After Tree Day!"
"Oh, you mean that day."
"I might be free."
Grim made no definitive statement.
After all, he couldn't be sure if he would suddenly accept the mission that day.
"Maybe it's free, so maybe you don't have any plans, right?"
"Hmm, will Privaty give me a gift?"Grim asked with a smile.
"Wait a minute, I, I didn't say I would give you a gift!"
"Really? But I really wanted it, because I had never received a gift before."
"Really, Commander? You're not kidding, are you?"
"If you really want it, I will definitely prepare it for you. Privaty lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito under her flushed face: "anyway, no matter what, as long as you ask, I... I will..."
"No, I won't say it!"
"Yulha told me to go back to work. See you later, Commander!"
Unable to say all she wanted, Privaty fled out the door like a defeated dog and abandoned her armor.
Thud!
Closing the door behind her, Privaty leaned against the door of the consulting room, her heart pounding as she thought of her bold statement just now.
The sentence he wanted to say just now was, "as long as you ask, I will do anything."
However, wouldn't saying that be too out of control?
What if it scares the Commander?
Privaty stood at the door, feeling uneasy for a moment, and as soon as she turned her head, she saw a tidy in the corridor.
As soon as the two met, a faint scent of gunpowder wafted through the air.
"Neat, why are you here?"
"Just to ensure the safety of the Commander."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, please respect yourself, Privaty. A hint of almost imperceptible jealousy flashed in neat's eyes: "Yulha couldn't reach you just now, so she had to tell me to come see you."
"So, there's nothing you can say to defend your mischief?"
"I've done all my work before coming here, so I don't skip work."
"Don't try to defend yourself, don't try to defend yourself. Neatly stepped forward and said in a somewhat serious tone: "please return to the Triangle Squad immediately. After all, if there are no problems, do not come here every other day."
"Why?"
"The Commander has been very tired lately, and I hope you don't increase his burden."
"Neat, the place I want to go is my freedom."
"If your freedom means leaving all your problems to the Commander, then I suggest you leave that freedom to someone else."
Privaty bit her lips softly.
But a moment later, the corners of his mouth curved again.
Privaty showed a triumphant smile and said, "neat, you always beat me in military school. And every time you win, you behave so calmly, as if we are not on the same level."
"But this time, I'm pretty sure I won."
Neat: "..."
Neat: "What do you want to say?"
Privaty: "what I want to say is, Who the Commander likes is his own business. Even if he's your boss, his personal life has nothing to do with you, right?"
"Since your relationship is just superiors and subordinates, don't interfere too much, okay?"
Rapi was silent for a moment.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he had indeed acted out of selfishness earlier.
After all, he was Nikke who was with Commander The longest, and Privaty? A Nikke who joined in the middle of the road, wasn't even part of the Counterattack Squad, what was his right to interact with Grim unconditionally like that?
But the thing is, Privaty is right, and NEAT can't argue with that, either by reason or sentiment.
Looking neatly fell silent to hear the answer.
Privaty smiled and said, "that's it for now, I'm going back to work, neat."
"See you next time."
"…"
Neat stared at his distant back for a moment before turning around and entering the consulting room.
Hearing the sound of the door, Grim, who was washing a cup by the sink, turned around and asked, "neat? Something wrong?"
"Commander, a few days off. Did you have any free time that day?"
"Hmm, I should be free."
"I will prepare a gift for you. Then you'll take it, right?"
Rapi earnestly asked for it.
"I will accept it."
Grim nodded. It turned out to be neat, Nikke was with him the longest. How could he refuse her kindness?
Rapi looked relieved when he heard his approval, a relaxed expression on his face: "Thank you, Commander."
"Then I'll go on patrol."
"Wait a minute, shouldn't I be the one to say thank you?"
Click.
Without answering, Rapi had already closed the door.
Grim doesn't understand why Rapi is suddenly being so competitive. He could only shake his head and continue the consultation that afternoon.
…
"Commander, The Light is still good. How about another drink?"
Twilight.
As the clear sky gradually dimmed and Grim was about to leave his job, a drunkard lay in the consulting room, swaying while holding a wine glass, constantly sipping wine.
Grim sighed. He put down his wine glass and said to Nikke who was wearing a bamboo hat: "Scarlet, I'm off work."
Scarlet belched drunkenly, her gaze fixed on Grim for a moment. Suddenly, a mischievous smile appeared on his slightly drunk face: "according to human habits, after work, shouldn't one drink to relax more?"
"Commander, don't be shy. Today I bring you a fruit whose name is 'strawberry'. You should also immediately buy wine. It's a good time, so we should drink a little."
Grim took a bottle of freshly purchased red wine from the shelf and filled the glass in front of him: "Scarlet, it's not that I don't want to have a little drink with you. You come every other day, and Outpost's wine is almost gone because of you."
"Burp!"
Scarlet belched drunkenly and said slurred: "the wine glass is supposed to be empty. Throw away the Old, welcome the new. Since the glasses will always be empty, why not drink to your heart's content while the years are still beautiful?"
"Commander, you must understand that one must enjoy life to the fullest when things are going well."
"Today, don't think too much, just two words."
"Fill it to the brim!"
"Gurgle gurgle~"
Scarlet raised her glass and gulped it down with gusto, another glass of red wine running out. In a daze, this legendary Pilgrim almost got drunk like a puddle of mud.
"This is the twenty-seventh glass. You still want a drink?"
"Don't ask too much, just fill it."
"Don't you dare throw up on my floor."
Grim shook his head and poured another glass for Scarlet.
This Scarlet, obviously an alcoholic, but his tolerance is very bad. Every time he came to The Outpost, he must have drunk heavily.
And this afternoon, he's here again.
As usual, he took the fruit out of his chest, as a snack to accompany his wine. Then he starts drinking until he gets very drunk, and may also vomit on the floor.
"Commander, why don't you drink? Scarlet picked up the refilled wine glass, her hazy, drunk eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Grim: "could it be that you're bothered that there aren't any beautiful women accompanying you?"
"Speaking of beautiful, isn't there one in front of me?" Grim took a sip of red wine and smiled.
"Hehe, the Commander is indeed smart to speak. No wonder Nikke is so crazy about you..."
"But I always feel like the Commander seems to be thinking about something today?"