A Cuter Side Than I Thought?
Training's over, so I have to wash up thoroughly.
That's the only way to feel refreshed!
The bed is a sacred, mystical, pure place. Just lying down in it washes away the day's fatigue and gives you the drive to hustle tomorrow.
Slipping into that bed all grimy? That's straight-up evil.
So with training done, I planned to scrub clean and lounge in bed all cozy.
But what the hell? Chores piled up today of all days.
Mostly hauling gear. Not like we're prepping for war—why the sudden mountain of supplies?
Couldn't just bail without looking suspicious, but damn, it was a pain.
Still, I pitched in moving the Defense Bureau's endless crates.
I'm not slacking every day, plotting laziness. I'm actually pretty diligent, you know.
I get the necessary stuff done.
Specifically, I helped the doc with experiments. Assisting meant handling ampoules—perfect for sneaking some.
I checked Emma's body daily too. On the doc's honor, not to mess around. Health checks matter, so I gave her a quick once-over.
And how much have I helped 1st Squad? Specifically... I cooked sometimes, tagged along on missions... uh, tons anyway.
1st Squad should be grateful for their diligent, all-purpose secretary me.
If it weren't for that personnel eval, I wouldn't hustle this hard! Such a shame.
Hauling crates, a sudden doubt hit me.
I'm on the doc's shitlist now—do I really need to bust my ass holding this position...?
I pictured a bright future: kicked out for slacking by the Defense Bureau.
Relocate to some quiet rural village no one visits.
Flat broke now, but I'd snag a job easy. I'm a lovable cutie, after all.
Worst case? No sweat! I've got plenty of combat chops to survive! Nah, not robbing folks—there's demand for all sorts.
Sell rare relics scavenged outside? That'd pay nice!
Money sorted!
Next, imagined the fallout.
No one'd hunt me down. Not like I have long ties, and no reason to chase a slacker from the Bureau.
The doc... wait, what about him? Normally he'd drop a discarded subject, but... why the bad vibe?
Something tells me that pathetic, gloomy, inferiority-complex-ridden doc won't let me go easy.
If he learns I'm holed up in some backwater, he'll sneak in and slice me up!
Nah, he won't move himself.
He'd hire assassins, send goons daily till I drop! Old-school in this era, but possible for him.
Assassins don't even need to be human.
Decision made: Defense Bureau's safer. Better than playing his childish games, anyway.
I hauled ass without complaint. Ended up grimy all day, skipping the wash.
Smelled like a 30s dude—made it worse.
Supplies seemed endless; day flew by hauling nonstop.
Now I really needed to wash and crash. Didn't plan such a packed day—got swept up.
Soaked in the hot bath. Warmth spread through me.
Post-scrub, heat up proper. Till your whole body steams, fatigue hits hazy—exit, sleep. Perfect day.
Long hair half-submerged. Knew dipping it wasn't polite, but alone? No harm!
Waited till late anyway—my reward.
This bath was mine. No one could stop me no...
-Clunk.
Bathhouse door burst open.
Eek! Everyone should've been asleep—why now?
Ruling the world this tough? Conquest's quick; governing's hell.
I ducked my head low.
Half-sunk hair now bobbed like a water ghost—whatever, not the point.
Hid my face best I could, peeked to see who.
Normally no biggie, but another girl in the women's bath? Awkward.
Never been a bathhouse regular; this life, solo bathroom queen. Private, secret space for me.
Even social folks need privacy—no trespassing! Not that I rented it out!
"What the—scared me!"
"Rookie. Hi."
Lucky or not? Familiar faces: Lira and Nova. Pitbull and cyber girl.
I glared silently.
Nova waved blankly. Lira gawked, spooked.
Nova hopped in no hesitation. Lira eye-fought me, sighed, joined.
Hmph, ridiculous. Who's sighing here?
I scooted away sneaky.
"Rookie."
Nova stared.
"Here."
Towel offered. For what?
"Hair. Damaged."
Bubbling hot water bugged her floating strands, huh. Heat fries hair, sure—but mine's fine.
Enforcers can't regrow bald spots; I can! Glossy locks anytime!
But couldn't snub Nova-chan's gesture.
While I pondered, she crept closer. Extra bold today. Backed to the edge—no escape...!
Nova-chan's tiny pale hand fiddled my hair.
Bundled neat in seconds. Pro move—not her first.
Wrapped towel perfect...
But... ngh, somehow... Nova-chan's a girl too. Duh, obviously. I mean... glimpses of private bits.
Wanna duck head, but even that felt risky now.
Weird feeling...!
Like heading down no-return road.
"You. Quieter than usual?"
"I'm always quiet."
"Hmm...?"
Lira sidled up, odd look. Freaks out normally—why close in here?
Post-zombie-apology, less prickly, but not this buddy-buddy?
"Your ears red too?"
"Nope?"
Pfft, nonsense. Hot bath heats you up. Natural if ears flush.
"You... embarrassed?"
Lira eyed me like a curiosity. Beast-level thinking. Where's she getting that wild idea?
-Squish.
"Eek...!"
Someone groped me! Pervert! ...All girls here, though?
Glanced: Nova staring hard. Her hand at my waist.
I rolled eyes, conflicted. Force her off? Heartbreaking. Stay put? My hands wandered free.
"You got a cuter side than I thought?"
"No? Not at all."
"Really? Normally you'd brag pretty~ cute~ nonstop."
True. Never thought I'd deny my own charm.
"Nera. Cute."
Nova-chan said my name first. Touching—but my body shivered for other reasons.
-Squeeze.
"Hah!"
She hugged tight finally. Hugged Emma loads, but first time hugged back—this life, anyway! In a bath too? Unthought.
Meaning... embarrassment maxed; couldn't stop trembling.
Girls this close normally?! Guy-guy? Horrid, skip imagining.
What to call this? Supreme bliss?
But all good in moderation. Overdose dopamine fries brains; failure mothers success, but all failure? Misery.
This contact great, but too much now. First-time factor amps it.
Ugh, Nera can't take more. Tactical retreat!
"Rookie. Wait."
Back to rookie.
Why's Nova-chan so clingy today!
"Yeah, senior says wait a sec."
Lira grinned sleazy.
Pride stung.
Thought I observed Lira from Bureau safety; turns out I'm just her mockable bunny!
"Tomorrow. Early rise."
Pushed Nova's hand sneaky. Long stray ended; courage sparked in darkness.
"Why?"
"Linkers. Purge."
"But early op needs prep... oh."
Flashed: all-day supplies. Guns, ammo, rations—thought war with new sector, but nah.
Unfinished business: linker pack from last mission. Underground assassins—gotta clean 'em before they snipe enforcers.
Knew it'd come—why forget?
Blame Carlos overworking me.
Wasted rare free time on dumb training.
Don't even need it—I won't die! Confident survival!
"Story over? I'm out."
Start's half the battle. Nera, disarmed by Nova-chan hugs? History.
Traced arms success; pried free tearfully.
"Little. More. Stay?"
Nova-chan looked up.
Usual blank face, but tone seemed pleading—my imagination?
She grabbed my finger. Barely-there grip—flick away easy.
So I froze. After peeling that soft pale skin—what now?!
Thud.
Legs buckled. Said nothing; Nova clung again.
O. Oh. Ooooh... Stay like this, lose speech—baby Nera mode.
"You know senior's cute too? Obeys no fuss."
Dare-talking beast too chatty.
"Weak to aegyo? Lemme try... why that look?"
Oops. Fierce glare slipped.
"What look?"
"Can't pinpoint... super rude."
"Mirage. Steam haze. Hallucinating?"
And I misheard.
Seriously, talk sense.
Humans have roles; beasts theirs.
Humans fear the incomprehensible. Rage efficiently counters fear—hides hurt.
Point: even mild Nera snaps at that.