At the initial encounter, even though she was a Nikke, his presence was undoubtedly terrifying for her.
With those sharp eyes, it seemed like he could see through everything, and she couldn't help but feel that way.
So, unconsciously, she avoided him. Looking back now, she realizes she did something regrettable.
However, the resolution came unexpectedly, triggered by a casual incident, she believe.
During the marches on foot and the breaks in between while moving towards the front lines, the occasions when he and his comrades sighed and muttered may have been the trigger.
-- Envious, they said.
She and her fellow Nikkes, possessing specs surpassing humans, genuinely seemed envious to him. Or perhaps, they may not have felt envious at all.
No fear or admiration, just plain envy.
The memory of Red Hood bursting into laughter with her bare stomach exposed followed soon after.
Even Dorothy, when her smile overflowed inadvertently.
-- So, you laugh like that. It's the first time I've seen it. I didn't know because you always had a calm face.
Holding the lit cigarette between his fingers, the commander drew circles with the purple smoke he exhaled. Snow White, beside him, observed it with keen interest.
Dorothy often laughed - elegantly, with that as a preamble, but that was common sense within the Goddess Squad.
That he, being the commander, did not know - well, he wasn't the commander when they first met - it probably was evidence that she had been avoiding him.
It took quite a detour, but the trigger for her to initiate communication undoubtedly came from that.
-- I'm a bit slow to catch on. Everyone's so beautiful.
During a game of chess they were playing face to face during their spare time, his rare confession made her blink her eyes several times. It was an unexpected remark despite his usual composed demeanor.
-- I'm just consciously creating an attitude of composure. I didn't receive a regular education as an officer.
So, he was putting on airs - that's what he said. she had assumed he graduated from an officer academy, making his surprising background all the more memorable.
In that game, a mistake was made, and she lost - Dorothy remembered, allowing a slightly wry smile to surface.
And so, they spent several years together after that. Both lost comrades. No, he probably lost more comrades, friends, and brothers.
.
.
.
....The final mission, the last operation—the Ark Guardian Operation. There's no need to elaborate on its outcome.
-- It's just a matter of will.
Even after enduring and sacrificing lives for humanity, why does he still choose to fight when betrayed by the very people he protected? When she asked that question, she vividly remembered the tone of his response and the slight shrug of his shoulders.
For humanity, for the world, for the future—there could have been countless reasons. However, ultimately, it might have been a ridiculously simple and straightforward reason.
There was a hint of resignation on his face, but there was unmistakably a somewhat cheerful demeanor and atmosphere.
Dismissing the command— the last order issued with a deep, calm voice that still echoes in her ears.
-- ... Now, go. live.
And peacefully—having spent several years together, she also remembers the unfamiliarly soft and gentle voice that spoke those words.
-- Don't die, please.
As Rapunzel and Scarlet tried to carry the unconscious Snow White away, she, looking at the backs of the three from a distance, uttered an unusual wish given the circumstances.
There was no response. Only the now-familiar scent of tobacco tickled her nostrils.
Strange, considering she used to dislike cigarettes so much. Getting used to things is terrifying—she, who had stopped, turned around once.
Reflected in amethyst eyes was the back view. Clad in body armor and helmet, holding an assault rifle, a broad back walking away.
She felt an urge to reach out.
Don't go, she wanted to shout.
The memories of that day still echoed within her like a lingering sound.
"---...Fuhhh... I suppose...I loved you."
She realized it after that battle, and Dorothy shrugged her shoulders in the spacious garden bathed in gentle sunlight. For those who had known her for a long time, it was a gesture reminiscent of someone.
-- I want to see you. Just once more. One more time...
A small, heartfelt sigh escaped, and the wind carried it away somewhere.
----
.
.
.
.
"──W-Wait...! Then give me more honey(Information)...!"
"──I see. Well then, fine."
Bravely, or perhaps one could say with a certain bravado, Papillon faced the giant wolf in front of her. It could also be described as putting on airs.
But that didn't go well.
Moore seemed to lose interest easily.
Adjusting the sunglasses he had just missed putting on, he sent a hand signal to the squad again, showing a sudden change as if to leave her behind.
"W-Wait...!"
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Papillon, too, hurriedly caught up with him.
Looking up at Moore, who boasted a robust and muscular physique even through the combat uniform and body armor, she opened her mouth.
"Major, you're not interested?! This is information about the land on the surface that has never been reclaimed in the history of the Ark! People who have survived for decades, monopolizing that land!?"
"──Unfortunately, I'm not that interested. Want to know the reason?"
Despite being presented with such an enticing bait, the giant wolf continued to walk calmly.
Asked during this, Papillon nodded in response.
"I see. ──Then, I won't tell you."
"Why──!?"
Is he good at being pompous? Papillon couldn't help but let out a slightly hysterical voice, and at that moment, he covered her mouth with his right hand, holding the grip of the assault rifle.
"Don't bark. Do you want to attract Rapture? If that's your wish, we'll use you as bait, and we'll move forward, understand?"
Papillon, looked down upon through Moore's deep brown eyes behind the sunglasses, stiffened for a moment. Soon after, she pushed away his hand covering her mouth and looked up at Moore with a determined glare.
Seeing that, he let out a slightly larger sigh and then called out to Rapi, who was leading the way.
When he mentioned taking a short break, she turned around, nodded, and conveyed her understanding.
The rest area was immediately prepared. More accurately, it was selected.
In ancient times, during the first invasion that turned into ruins, this place was globally known for a coffee chain's interior for short breaks. There was no way to order delicious coffee brewed into a cup, and the friendly staff, the selling point of the store had been absent for a long time, and the interior was in a state of disrepair.
(Tl notes: Starbu*ks? ....Pricey coffee.)
When the store would reopen was anyone's guess— fortunately, Moore sat down on a bench that seemed somewhat usable, and he took out a soft pack of cigarettes and an oil lighter. He lit one of the cigarettes he had bitten.
"Commander. It's a no-smoking zone, you know?"
"...The staff doesn't come to warn me. Let's get a pass."
Cracks ran through a plate attached to the wall, and the concrete, with paint peeling off, was exposed to the surface. It had an illustration indicating a no-smoking area.
While Anis pointed to it and spoke, Moore, seemingly unconcerned, crossed his long legs and leisurely exhaled purple smoke.
Soon, as if to say, "Sit here," Anis sat next to him, and the sofa creaked. It seemed to be at its limit with the combined weight of him and Anise.
Realizing that Rapi and Neon sat separately on different sofas, leaving some space, and entered a temporary break.
"Are you planning to stand there? It's about 15 minutes, but it's valuable time. Use it wisely."
Moore took a chocolate bar from his backpack on the floor. He tossed a wrapped one to Anis, then to Rapi and Neon—finally, he overthrew it to Papillon.
Papillon, who received the casually thrown chocolate bar, gave a refined sniff, then moved closer to the sofa where Moore and Anis were sitting, grabbing a stool seat.
Not forgetting to cross her long, well-fleshed legs adorned with garter belts and stockings, she consciously made sure to be in his line of sight—
-----
.
.
.
.
"Commander, do you want some too? Here, aaah."
"...I'll take a bite, but... I'm not a fan of overly sweet things..."
──What the hell am I witnessing?
Anis, sitting next to Moore, unwrapped a chocolate bar and offered it to him. Reluctantly removing his cigarette, he leaned in, took a bite, and chewed. This scene unfolded before Papillon's eyes.
It's fine that they get along, but haven't they forgotten that there are others around?
"So, will you tell me the reason?"
"...Reason?"
While munching and moving his mouth, he tilted his head with the helmet still on.
Not understanding what he meant, even Papillon, known for her composure, couldn't hide her frustration in her expression.
"The surface that the central government is hiding──"
"Ah, the continuation of the previous conversation?"
Seemingly satisfied now, Moore swallowed the chewed chocolate bar, then took a few sips of water from the water bottle he pulled out next. He lit another cigarette.
"...Considering that there were humans surviving outside the Ark, it's not that strange. I've thought about it. Simply, It's not a big surprise for me."
"...Hah?"
What is he talking about? Seeing Papillon's bewildered expression, he exhaled the purple smoke that filled his lungs, nonchalantly.
"...Do you know the world population before the first Rapture invasion? It seems there were about 8 billion humans."
"...Yes. I know that, but..."
"About 8 billion. It's true that Rapture painstakingly pushed humanity, with that much population, to the brink of extinction as a species. But... considering that such a population was literally killed off is more unnatural."
Along with the faint sound of tobacco leaves burning, his calm, low voice echoed in the desolate interior of the store.
"It's not like there weren't similar underground facilities worldwide that didn't reach the level of the Ark. Or, one can't definitively say that there are no survivors of humanity quietly living in the mountains, continuing to survive over generations."
Certainly, the emphasis is on survival as a result of avoiding the threat of Rapture and piling up miracles, but the possibility is not zero.
"So, there's not much surprise. Do you understand?"
"...What about the point of surviving over many generations? What kind of technology are they using? How does it compare to the Ark?"
"...I'm not that interested. I'm not a scientist. I'm a soldier. I'm interested in the fact that they survived as a result, but I'm not particularly curious about what kind of technology they're using."
He was known to be rigid, like a picture-perfect military man, but this was beyond expectations.
Or perhaps──he might be aware of his own boundaries.
"...Well, it's time to leave. Rapi, I'll leave the lead to you."
"Understood. There's about 2 kilometers left. Let's proceed with caution."
Moore stood up, making the sofa creak. In response, Rapi also got up.
While finishing a brief discussion, Moore extended his left hand towards her. The chocolate bar's wrapper, along with the other wrappers, was handed over to Moore. Anise and Neon, who were a bit late, also stood up and handed their wrappers to him.
"We're leaving. Hurry up, finish eating, and get up."
As he inspected each of their firearms and magazines, Moore glanced sideways at Papillon.
His composed expression irritated him, somewhat comparable to Rapi's. The smoke seemed to surround him even more.
She snorted again, quickly finished the cheap-tasting chocolate bar, stood up, shoved the remaining wrapper at him, and promptly left the store.
---
.
.
.
"...Master, are you okay?"
"...We're under the influence of Evra particles. We won't be contacted by the Ark, but just in case. Keep an eye on it."
Neon, adjusting his hat, looked up at her mentor and inquired. Responding to his disciple's concern, Moore threw a sharp gaze through his sunglasses at the figure leaving the store.
"If what we're looking for comes to her attention, undoubtedly the dignitaries, including General Burningham, will start moving."
Burningham is undoubtedly a servant of humanity as a whole. There is no doubt about that, and Moore acknowledges it. However──
"For the sake of humanity, huh. Most things can be forgiven under the guise of convenience or exemption. I don't like it."
Especially the incident with Marian──even without mentioning it, they could sense what happened.
Throwing the cigarette into a portable ashtray, Moore exhaled the remaining purple smoke. As he did, Rapi lightly tapped the backpack he was carrying, passing by.
Following suit, Anis and Neon lightly tapped their backpacks from both sides, urging him to move forward.
"...It's okay. Let's go."
With no complaints about the concern from his subordinates, Moore, feeling a sense of gratitude for their actions, gave the order to depart.
----
Author's note: Next time, will the two who are possibly the strongest beings among the current living humans meet? I'm worried about whether the research facility will collapse... (What are you talking about?)
At the initial encounter, even though she was a Nikke, his presence was undoubtedly terrifying for her.
With those sharp eyes, it seemed like he could see through everything, and she couldn't help but feel that way.
So, unconsciously, she avoided him. Looking back now, she realizes she did something regrettable.
However, the resolution came unexpectedly, triggered by a casual incident, she believe.
During the marches on foot and the breaks in between while moving towards the front lines, the occasions when he and his comrades sighed and muttered may have been the trigger.
-- Envious, they said.
She and her fellow Nikkes, possessing specs surpassing humans, genuinely seemed envious to him. Or perhaps, they may not have felt envious at all.
No fear or admiration, just plain envy.
The memory of Red Hood bursting into laughter with her bare stomach exposed followed soon after.
Even Dorothy, when her smile overflowed inadvertently.
-- So, you laugh like that. It's the first time I've seen it. I didn't know because you always had a calm face.
Holding the lit cigarette between his fingers, the commander drew circles with the purple smoke he exhaled. Snow White, beside him, observed it with keen interest.
Dorothy often laughed - elegantly, with that as a preamble, but that was common sense within the Goddess Squad.
That he, being the commander, did not know - well, he wasn't the commander when they first met - it probably was evidence that she had been avoiding him.
It took quite a detour, but the trigger for her to initiate communication undoubtedly came from that.
-- I'm a bit slow to catch on. Everyone's so beautiful.
During a game of chess they were playing face to face during their spare time, his rare confession made her blink her eyes several times. It was an unexpected remark despite his usual composed demeanor.
-- I'm just consciously creating an attitude of composure. I didn't receive a regular education as an officer.
So, he was putting on airs - that's what he said. she had assumed he graduated from an officer academy, making his surprising background all the more memorable.
In that game, a mistake was made, and she lost - Dorothy remembered, allowing a slightly wry smile to surface.
And so, they spent several years together after that. Both lost comrades. No, he probably lost more comrades, friends, and brothers.
.
.
.
....The final mission, the last operation—the Ark Guardian Operation. There's no need to elaborate on its outcome.
-- It's just a matter of will.
Even after enduring and sacrificing lives for humanity, why does he still choose to fight when betrayed by the very people he protected? When she asked that question, she vividly remembered the tone of his response and the slight shrug of his shoulders.
For humanity, for the world, for the future—there could have been countless reasons. However, ultimately, it might have been a ridiculously simple and straightforward reason.
There was a hint of resignation on his face, but there was unmistakably a somewhat cheerful demeanor and atmosphere.
Dismissing the command— the last order issued with a deep, calm voice that still echoes in her ears.
-- ... Now, go. live.
And peacefully—having spent several years together, she also remembers the unfamiliarly soft and gentle voice that spoke those words.
-- Don't die, please.
As Rapunzel and Scarlet tried to carry the unconscious Snow White away, she, looking at the backs of the three from a distance, uttered an unusual wish given the circumstances.
There was no response. Only the now-familiar scent of tobacco tickled her nostrils.
Strange, considering she used to dislike cigarettes so much. Getting used to things is terrifying—she, who had stopped, turned around once.
Reflected in amethyst eyes was the back view. Clad in body armor and helmet, holding an assault rifle, a broad back walking away.
She felt an urge to reach out.
Don't go, she wanted to shout.
The memories of that day still echoed within her like a lingering sound.
"---...Fuhhh... I suppose...I loved you."
She realized it after that battle, and Dorothy shrugged her shoulders in the spacious garden bathed in gentle sunlight. For those who had known her for a long time, it was a gesture reminiscent of someone.
-- I want to see you. Just once more. One more time...
A small, heartfelt sigh escaped, and the wind carried it away somewhere.
----
.
.
.
.
"──W-Wait...! Then give me more honey(Information)...!"
"──I see. Well then, fine."
Bravely, or perhaps one could say with a certain bravado, Papillon faced the giant wolf in front of her. It could also be described as putting on airs.
But that didn't go well.
Moore seemed to lose interest easily.
Adjusting the sunglasses he had just missed putting on, he sent a hand signal to the squad again, showing a sudden change as if to leave her behind.
"W-Wait...!"
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Papillon, too, hurriedly caught up with him.
Looking up at Moore, who boasted a robust and muscular physique even through the combat uniform and body armor, she opened her mouth.
"Major, you're not interested?! This is information about the land on the surface that has never been reclaimed in the history of the Ark! People who have survived for decades, monopolizing that land!?"
"──Unfortunately, I'm not that interested. Want to know the reason?"
Despite being presented with such an enticing bait, the giant wolf continued to walk calmly.
Asked during this, Papillon nodded in response.
"I see. ──Then, I won't tell you."
"Why──!?"
Is he good at being pompous? Papillon couldn't help but let out a slightly hysterical voice, and at that moment, he covered her mouth with his right hand, holding the grip of the assault rifle.
"Don't bark. Do you want to attract Rapture? If that's your wish, we'll use you as bait, and we'll move forward, understand?"
Papillon, looked down upon through Moore's deep brown eyes behind the sunglasses, stiffened for a moment. Soon after, she pushed away his hand covering her mouth and looked up at Moore with a determined glare.
Seeing that, he let out a slightly larger sigh and then called out to Rapi, who was leading the way.
When he mentioned taking a short break, she turned around, nodded, and conveyed her understanding.
The rest area was immediately prepared. More accurately, it was selected.
In ancient times, during the first invasion that turned into ruins, this place was globally known for a coffee chain's interior for short breaks. There was no way to order delicious coffee brewed into a cup, and the friendly staff, the selling point of the store had been absent for a long time, and the interior was in a state of disrepair.
(Tl notes: Starbu*ks? ....Pricey coffee.)
When the store would reopen was anyone's guess— fortunately, Moore sat down on a bench that seemed somewhat usable, and he took out a soft pack of cigarettes and an oil lighter. He lit one of the cigarettes he had bitten.
"Commander. It's a no-smoking zone, you know?"
"...The staff doesn't come to warn me. Let's get a pass."
Cracks ran through a plate attached to the wall, and the concrete, with paint peeling off, was exposed to the surface. It had an illustration indicating a no-smoking area.
While Anis pointed to it and spoke, Moore, seemingly unconcerned, crossed his long legs and leisurely exhaled purple smoke.
Soon, as if to say, "Sit here," Anis sat next to him, and the sofa creaked. It seemed to be at its limit with the combined weight of him and Anise.
Realizing that Rapi and Neon sat separately on different sofas, leaving some space, and entered a temporary break.
"Are you planning to stand there? It's about 15 minutes, but it's valuable time. Use it wisely."
Moore took a chocolate bar from his backpack on the floor. He tossed a wrapped one to Anis, then to Rapi and Neon—finally, he overthrew it to Papillon.
Papillon, who received the casually thrown chocolate bar, gave a refined sniff, then moved closer to the sofa where Moore and Anis were sitting, grabbing a stool seat.
Not forgetting to cross her long, well-fleshed legs adorned with garter belts and stockings, she consciously made sure to be in his line of sight—
-----
.
.
.
.
"Commander, do you want some too? Here, aaah."
"...I'll take a bite, but... I'm not a fan of overly sweet things..."
──What the hell am I witnessing?
Anis, sitting next to Moore, unwrapped a chocolate bar and offered it to him. Reluctantly removing his cigarette, he leaned in, took a bite, and chewed. This scene unfolded before Papillon's eyes.
It's fine that they get along, but haven't they forgotten that there are others around?
"So, will you tell me the reason?"
"...Reason?"
While munching and moving his mouth, he tilted his head with the helmet still on.
Not understanding what he meant, even Papillon, known for her composure, couldn't hide her frustration in her expression.
"The surface that the central government is hiding──"
"Ah, the continuation of the previous conversation?"
Seemingly satisfied now, Moore swallowed the chewed chocolate bar, then took a few sips of water from the water bottle he pulled out next. He lit another cigarette.
"...Considering that there were humans surviving outside the Ark, it's not that strange. I've thought about it. Simply, It's not a big surprise for me."
"...Hah?"
What is he talking about? Seeing Papillon's bewildered expression, he exhaled the purple smoke that filled his lungs, nonchalantly.
"...Do you know the world population before the first Rapture invasion? It seems there were about 8 billion humans."
"...Yes. I know that, but..."
"About 8 billion. It's true that Rapture painstakingly pushed humanity, with that much population, to the brink of extinction as a species. But... considering that such a population was literally killed off is more unnatural."
Along with the faint sound of tobacco leaves burning, his calm, low voice echoed in the desolate interior of the store.
"It's not like there weren't similar underground facilities worldwide that didn't reach the level of the Ark. Or, one can't definitively say that there are no survivors of humanity quietly living in the mountains, continuing to survive over generations."
Certainly, the emphasis is on survival as a result of avoiding the threat of Rapture and piling up miracles, but the possibility is not zero.
"So, there's not much surprise. Do you understand?"
"...What about the point of surviving over many generations? What kind of technology are they using? How does it compare to the Ark?"
"...I'm not that interested. I'm not a scientist. I'm a soldier. I'm interested in the fact that they survived as a result, but I'm not particularly curious about what kind of technology they're using."
He was known to be rigid, like a picture-perfect military man, but this was beyond expectations.
Or perhaps──he might be aware of his own boundaries.
"...Well, it's time to leave. Rapi, I'll leave the lead to you."
"Understood. There's about 2 kilometers left. Let's proceed with caution."
Moore stood up, making the sofa creak. In response, Rapi also got up.
While finishing a brief discussion, Moore extended his left hand towards her. The chocolate bar's wrapper, along with the other wrappers, was handed over to Moore. Anise and Neon, who were a bit late, also stood up and handed their wrappers to him.
"We're leaving. Hurry up, finish eating, and get up."
As he inspected each of their firearms and magazines, Moore glanced sideways at Papillon.
His composed expression irritated him, somewhat comparable to Rapi's. The smoke seemed to surround him even more.
She snorted again, quickly finished the cheap-tasting chocolate bar, stood up, shoved the remaining wrapper at him, and promptly left the store.
---
.
.
.
"...Master, are you okay?"
"...We're under the influence of Evra particles. We won't be contacted by the Ark, but just in case. Keep an eye on it."
Neon, adjusting his hat, looked up at her mentor and inquired. Responding to his disciple's concern, Moore threw a sharp gaze through his sunglasses at the figure leaving the store.
"If what we're looking for comes to her attention, undoubtedly the dignitaries, including General Burningham, will start moving."
Burningham is undoubtedly a servant of humanity as a whole. There is no doubt about that, and Moore acknowledges it. However──
"For the sake of humanity, huh. Most things can be forgiven under the guise of convenience or exemption. I don't like it."
Especially the incident with Marian──even without mentioning it, they could sense what happened.
Throwing the cigarette into a portable ashtray, Moore exhaled the remaining purple smoke. As he did, Rapi lightly tapped the backpack he was carrying, passing by.
Following suit, Anis and Neon lightly tapped their backpacks from both sides, urging him to move forward.
"...It's okay. Let's go."
With no complaints about the concern from his subordinates, Moore, feeling a sense of gratitude for their actions, gave the order to depart.
----
Author's note: Next time, will the two who are possibly the strongest beings among the current living humans meet? I'm worried about whether the research facility will collapse... (What are you talking about?)
