"Phew~ Finally fixed."
In the garage behind the video store, Mo Wang, surrounded by tools, looked at the abandoned Bangboo he had picked up yesterday.
"Mmm-hmm? Mmm-hmm!" (Huh? It's really fixed!)
The little Bangboo wiggled its body and found that it was as good as new. The other Bangboos in the house looked at Mo Wang with admiration.
"Hmph, you don't have to look at me like that. Repairing Bangboos is a piece of cake for me," he said, rubbing his nose.
But in reality, it wasn't that easy. Abandoned Bangboos were a common sight in New Eridu. While many people treated them like family, they were, after all, mass-produced products. And with new models constantly coming out, many people would just toss their old ones aside.
Finding replacement parts for the older models was a nightmare. Even Enzo, the guy next door, would get a headache whenever he saw the old junk Mo Wang brought home. But thankfully, Mo Wang's NIKKE-self was a professional Bangboo manufacturer. No parts? He'd just make them himself.
"Mmm-hmm~! Mmm-hmm!" (Thank you, Master! Now I can work again!)
The soft and cute little Bangboo jumped into his arms, and Mo Wang's heart melted. *Bangboos are the best. They're affectionate and capable. So much better than pets," he mused, holding up the newly repaired Bangboo. What kind of person would abandon such an adorable little thing?
"Hmm? Speaking of pets... did I forget something? Oh, right! I think our shop has a cat."
He blinked, suddenly remembering the shop's little black cat, Kuro.
"Where has Kuro been lately? I haven't seen the little guy around. Don't tell me..."
Mo Wang checked the time and headed out of the garage.
...
In a dark alleyway, a suspicious-looking silver-haired woman held a strange bag, speaking in hushed tones that would make any passerby want to call the police.
"O beast of pitch darkness, I have brought you the latest goods, as promised. One hundred percent pure."
However, her client was not some shady criminal looking for contraband, but a sleek, glossy little black cat.
"Meow~ Meow!"
The little black cat, Kuro, sniffed the bag she offered, then calmly lifted a paw, signaling her to put the goods down.
"I've brought the goods, as agreed, so..." the young woman began, reaching out a "demonic claw" toward the cat.
"Meow~ Meow!"
In response, the cat lazily rolled over, exposing its soft belly and flicking its tail, signaling that she could now begin her "service."
"Ugh... so... so cute!"
The silver-haired girl—Number 11—had stars in her eyes. She gingerly sank her fingers into the cat's fluffy fur, gently rubbing its belly. Kuro closed its eyes, purring contentedly.
Number 11's expression grew more blissful by the second, and she even let out an unconscious "meow~" of her own.
"Meow~ A little... a little more to the left...!"
Number 11 was completely lost in the joy of petting the cat, so much so that she didn't hear the faint footsteps approaching the alley's entrance. Not until—
Click~
A sound broke the trance. Number 11 froze, her fingers still mid-scratch on the cat's belly. She slowly turned her head—
Mo Wang stood at the mouth of the alley, holding a bag of cat food, a complicated expression on his face.
The air froze.
"..."
"..."
Kuro tilted its head, looked from the petrified Number 11 to Mo Wang, and then calmly licked a paw with an air of "you humans are so troublesome."
"I... I was just looking for my cat," Mo Wang said, quickly averting his gaze. "Didn't see a thing, really."
He turned to leave without a second's hesitation, his pace twice as fast as usual.
But in the next instant, Number 11 was in front of him, slamming a hand against the wall in a fierce kabedon.
"Are you planning to... silence me?" Mo Wang asked, his eye twitching as he stared at the fresh handprint on the wall next to his head. A direct hit would have turned a normal person's head into a watermelon.
"Why... are you here?" Number 11 demanded. Though her face was an emotionless mask, her trembling voice betrayed her inner turmoil.
Who would have thought that this top soldier of the Defense Force, the youngest member of the former Silver Knights, was a massive cat person? And that she'd make that face while petting one?
"Answer me! Pitch-Black Demon Dragon!" she pressed when he didn't respond.
"Uh, if I'm not mistaken, this is my backyard? And that's my cat," Mo Wang deadpanned. This girl was petting his cat outside his house and asking him why he was here? "Also, why did my title change again? Wasn't I the 'Crimson Magician' last time?"
"Do not concern yourself with such details. As my partner, it is common for your title to change, Your Excellency, the Crazed Murderer."
"Heh, you dare say that to your actual squad mates?"
"Meow~!"
Kuro, seeing its master, trotted over and began affectionately rubbing against Mo Wang's leg.
"Beast of darkness! Wh-why!"
Number 11's eyes widened in disbelief. She had paid with the most expensive cat food just to earn the right to rub its belly, yet this man got all the affection for free.
It was like the goddess you'd been pursuing finally agreed to a date after you emptied your wallet, only for her to run off with another guy who paid nothing.
"Because he's my cat," Mo Wang said, picking up Kuro and noticing it had gotten fatter. This little guy has been eating well on the streets of Sixth Street, hasn't he? What a player. "And for the record, I'm his master."
This wasn't a goddess running off with a rich guy. This was a classic NTR plot, where the protagonist's girlfriend goes on a date with someone else for a gift.
"So, didn't you say you had something on today? How do you have time to be here petting cats?" Mo Wang asked after she had calmed down.
"Today's operation starts at eleven tonight, so I had some time."
"So you came all the way here just to pet a cat?" Mo Wang was speechless. Had she really fallen that far?
But seeing her like this, he couldn't help but sigh. As ridiculous as it sounded, he was genuinely happy to see her becoming more... human.
Compared to the girl he first met, who was interested in nothing but missions, this Number 11 was clearly more of a person than a tool.
A kuudere, white-haired girl who loves extra-spicy ramen, gives people random chuunibyou nicknames, and loves petting cats... who could possibly resist that?
"So? Need my help with the mission today?" he asked.
"No. This is a secret Defense Force mission. Non-personnel are forbidden," she replied, shaking her head.
"Another 'secret mission'?" Mo Wang felt the urge to roll his eyes. He knew this was most likely a setup to get rid of her. He had zero goodwill towards the Defense Force.
They were useless when you needed them, and they were always singling out Number 11 for the most dangerous jobs without backup, essentially sending her on suicide missions.
All because her very existence was a walking, talking reminder of the Defense Force's dark past. Many higher-ups wanted her dead to cover their tracks.
"Tsk, I guess I wasn't clear enough. Looks like the people I threatened before are getting ideas again. Maybe I should just get rid of them all this time," Mo Wang muttered.
"What did you say?" Number 11 asked, looking up from the cat.
"Nothing, just talking to myself. This time, you're listening to me. I'm going with you, or at least let Trigger go with you," he said, his expression serious.
"No. The commander gave a direct order. I must go alone," she insisted. "Well, it's time. See you next time, Mo Wang."
With a nod, she turned and left.
"This girl is still so stubborn," he sighed, watching her leave.
I guess I'll have to make some arrangements.
Mo Wang pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hey, it's me."
"Yeah, same old story. You know about 11's mission, right? Do me a favor, follow her, keep her safe."
"Don't let her be so reckless this time."
After hanging up, he let out a long sigh, and his face turned cold.
"It seems some people just don't know when to quit."
"If anything happens to her this time, you'll all see what happens."
In his arms, Kuro shivered, startled by the sudden change in his master's demeanor. The little cat couldn't understand why the gentle human who played with it every day had suddenly become so terrifying.
And in their high-rise offices, the top brass of the Defense Force had no idea what kind of storm their casual order was about to unleash upon the city.