NIKKE: Max Bonded but System Gone

Privaty's ears started fuming steams when she heard Green whisper something.

"Com-Commander, what are you saying? Could it be that you're c-c-confessing to me?"

Privaty's face turned as red as a boiling kettle. She bit her lip, sitting stiffly in her chair, her mind spinning in a daze.

Green calmly took a sip of his coffee, the rim of the cup conveniently hiding the slight curve of his lips. Ah, just the joy of teasing a tsundere was just refreshing. Privaty looked unexpectedly adorable with her flushed face.

"Say something, Commander! Why are you just smiling like that? So this is a joke, right?" Privaty pouted cutely, "Moe~! Commander, don't make such jokes next time!"

Privaty seemed to realize that Green was teasing her. She turned her head away in frustration, but her eyes couldn't help sneaking glances at him, as if silently hoping for him to comfort her.

Seeing this, Green put on a mock expression of regret and heartbreak.

"My apologies. I thought Privaty liked me. I must have been mistaken."

"W-Wait! That's not it! I... I don't dislike you, Commander! But if there's going to be a confession, shouldn't it be at the right time and place? Pulling something like this out of nowhere... I-I wasn't mentally prepared!"

Privaty wanted to clear her name only to realize she was fumbling again.

"..... Commander... I didn't mean it like that! You don't hate me, right?"

Privaty panicked, trying to explain herself.

Green took another sip of coffee, smiling as he shook his head.

"Nope, I don't dislike you but let's change the subject."

"Phew, that's a relief."

"So, what do you want to talk about? The latest Ark TV dramas?"

Privaty's rapidly beating heart finally calmed down.

She didn't know why, but every time Green teased her just a little, her strong and prideful heart turned into a pounding deer, racing uncontrollably.

Was this what love felt like?

"TV dramas? I don't have much time to watch them but I do watch."

"Do you have any recommendations?"

"Um. How about this... A show about Nikkes dating their Commander? Interested?"

Privaty sent Green a link to the drama on his device after bit of her internal struggle. She just hoped for Green to pick her hints after watching the drama. However, oblivious to Privaty, he already knew her feelings long ago.

Anyway, he played along and opened the link, projecting it onto the large screen in the consultation room.

The title read:

[Crying Out Love at the Edge of the Surface]

[Produced by: Tetra Entertainment]

"Mari, you can't die!"

"I'm sorry, Commander, but my core... it's reaching its limit."

"Hold on. We're almost back to the Ark!"

"Commander, have you forgotten? We're deserters trying to escape the Ark together. If we go back, I might lose all my memories of you..."

"But without you, Mari, what meaning does life have? We have to go back... Even if you forget me, I'll always watch over you..."

[To be continued...]

Since it was a preview episode, it ended quickly. However, within the Ark, the short drama unexpectedly caused a wave of heated discussion.

Some said Nikkes were just monstrous steel beings, and the idea of loving them was absurd.

Others argued that Nikkes were no different from humans and that the Ark itself was the real villain.

There were also those who couldn't empathize with the Commander in the story, especially after being attacked by brainwashed Nikkes in the past.

Green skimmed through the chaotic comment section and shook his head.

"Tetra sure knows how to stir up controversy."

Privaty, unable to gauge Green's emotions from his expression, cautiously asked, "Commander, what do you think of this drama?"

Green rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Decent, but nothing groundbreaking. The only thing missing was casting me in the lead role."

"Are you short on money, or do you just want some self-promotion?"

"Both, perhaps. Running such a large forward base costs a fortune just in utilities. On top of that, many shops here are operating at a loss, especially that toy shop."

Green specifically criticized Belorta's and Mica's toy shop.

"Most Nikkes aren't children. They rarely buy plush toys. Moreover, there are plenty of stores like that in the base."

To keep the base afloat, Green truly sacrificed a lot.

"I-I see... If money's really that tight, I could file a request with Central Government to allocate more funds for you," Privaty said softly, twirling her hair. "But I have one small request."

"What's your request?"

"The last crowdfunding raffle ticket... I didn't win anything." Privaty, once again, turned red, "Could I have one?"

"Privaty, do you think I'm that kind of person?" Green's face darkened, startling Privaty into hurriedly backtracking.

"N-No? If not, that's fine too. I didn't mean to—"

"I mean, how could just one be enough? If you're willing to help me secure more resources, I'll give you one every month!"

"Huh?"

Green pulled out a blank voucher from his drawer and immediately wrote a Commander's General Voucher on the spot, handing it to the dazed Privaty.

Holding the weighty voucher in her hand, Privaty's face went through a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, shock, and joy—until her flushed cheeks betrayed her thoughts entirely to Green.

"Commander, since you've said this much, of course I'll help you. By the way... in a few days, there's a special day coming up. I wanted to ask if you'll be free then?"

Privaty glanced at the calendar on the desk, nervously twirling a strand of her hair with her left index finger.

In eight days, it would be Valentine's Day on the Ark.

Traditionally, this was the day when boys and girls gave gifts to their crushes and often used the occasion to invite them on a date.

If a gift was reciprocated, it meant the feelings were mutual. If the invitation to a date was accepted, well... that could lead to more intimate moments under the cover of night.

"A special day? Is it Arbor Day?"

"No, it's the day right after Arbor Day!"

"Oh, that day." Green faintly scratched his chin, "I might be free."

Green didn't commit completely; after all, he couldn't be certain whether any urgent tasks would arise.

"Might be free, meaning you don't have anything planned, right~?"

"Hm, is Privaty planning to give me a gift?" Green asked with a smile.

"Wait a second, I-I never said I was giving you anything!"

"Is that so? But I'd really like one. After all, I've never received a gift before."

"Eh! Really, Commander? You're not joking, are you? But if you really want one, I'll prepare something for you," Privaty said, lowering her head as her face turned redder. Her voice became soft as a whisper.

"Anyway, no matter what, if you ask me for something, I... I'll— Not, I am not saying it!" Before turning red and exploding from all the head, Privaty decided to escape. "Yulha's calling me back to work! See you next time, Commander!"

Before finishing her sentence, Privaty fled like a defeated soldier, closing the door behind her with a thud.

Leaning against the door, she clutched her chest, feeling her racing heartbeat while replaying her bold words in her mind.

Just now, she almost said, "If you ask me, I'd do anything for you."

But wasn't that too forward? What if the Commander was frightened by her eagerness?

As Privaty stood there agonizing over her slip, she turned and found herself face-to-face with Rapi in the corridor.

The atmosphere immediately grew tense, as though sparks were flying between the two.

"Rapi, what are you doing here?"

"Ensuring the Commander's safety, of course."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean," Rapi's eyes glinted with barely concealed jealousy, "you should exercise some self-restraint, Privaty. Yulha couldn't reach you by phone and had to ask me to find you. So, do you have no explanation for skipping out on work?"

Rapi folded her arms and tapped on the ground as if demanding answers from her lazy junior.

"I finished everything before I came here. I wasn't skipping work."

"Skipping is skipping. Don't bother justifying yourself."

Rapi took a step closer, her tone more serious. "Please return to the Triangle Squad immediately. Also, if it's unnecessary, stop coming here so often."

"Why?"

"The Commander has been very tired lately. I hope you won't add to his burdens."

"Rapi, where I go is my own business. It is my freedom."

"If your 'freedom' means dumping your worries onto the Commander, then I suggest you leave that kind of freedom to someone else."

Privaty bit her lip. But moments later, a sly smile crept onto her face.

Grinning triumphantly, Privaty said, "Rapi, back at the academy, you always beat me. Every time you won, you acted so composed, as if I wasn't even on your level. But this time, I'm certain—I've won."

Rapi narrowed her eyes before her voice grew colder. "What are you trying to say?"

"What I mean is, who the Commander likes is his own business. Even if he's your superior, his personal life doesn't really concern you, does it?" Privaty flicked her ponytail, grinning, "If the two of you are just superior and subordinate, maybe you shouldn't meddle so much." 

Rapi remained silent for a while, unable to retort. As much as she didn't want to admit it, her actions just now were clearly driven by personal feelings. 

After all, she was the Nikke who had been with the Commander the longest. And Privaty? She was just a latecomer, not even part of the Counters Squad. What gave her the right to interact with Green so casually? 

However, Privaty's words stung because they were true. By any measure, Rapi had no grounds to argue. 

Seeing Rapi rendered speechless, Privaty smiled. 

"That's all I wanted to say. I'll get back to work now, Rapi. See you next time. Bye~!" 

With a smug face, Privaty walked off. First, it was Anis, and now Privaty. Although she knew they weren't doing anything wrong, she still wanted to beat them for some reason.

Rapi stared at her retreating figure for a while before finally turning to enter the consultation room. 

Hearing the door, Green turned from the sink where he was washing a cup. 

"Rapi? Do you need something?" 

"Commander, in a few days, there's going to be a special occasion. Will you be free that day?" 

Green acted like thinking before answering.

"Yeah, I think so." 

"I'll prepare a gift for you. Will you accept it?" 

She sounded unusually formal. 

"I'll accept it," Green nodded. After all, it was Rapi—his longest companion among the Nikkes. How could he possibly reject her kindness? 

Hearing his agreement, Rapi seemed to exhale a breath of relief, her expression softening. 

"Thank you, Commander. I'll head out for patrol now." 

"Wait, shouldn't I be the one saying thank you?" 

Click. 

No response; Rapi had already closed the door behind her. Green shook his head, unsure why she seemed so intense all of a sudden. Afterward, he resumed his afternoon consultations. 

---

"My Lord, the daylight is still ample. Why not enjoy another drink?" 

As dusk fell and the sky dimmed, Green was preparing to leave work when he found an inebriated Nikke lounging in his office, swaying as she raised a cup and gulped down wine. 

Green sighed, setting down his own glass. 

"Scarlet, I'm about to clock out." 

Scarlet, letting out a hearty hiccup, let her gaze linger on him before her slightly flushed face broke into a mischievous grin.

Scarlet, a Pilgrim from the surface and a wanted Nikke by the Ark. In usual cases, there was no way she would be able to even communicate with Green but since he was on Outpost, the outermost layer of the Ark where Ark's jurisdiction is next to none, Scarlet could easily slip and escape without pulling any uproar.

"According to human customs, isn't after-work time meant for drinking and leisure?" Scarlet chuckled, her eyes showing laziness, "My Lord, don't be shy. I've brought you this fruit called 'strawberry.' Grab a bottle. Such good times call for a drink." 

Green sighed before grabbing a recently purchased bottle of red wine from the shelf and filling her glass. 

"Scarlet, it's not that I don't want to drink with you, but you've been coming here so often that the outpost's liquor supply is running low." 

"Hic!" 

"Wine glasses must empty so they can refill. Out with the old, in with the new. If they'll be empty eventually, why not savor them while the days are golden?" Scarlet hiccupped again, her words slurred yet oddly poetic. "My Lord, you must understand—life is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest. Therefore, for today, no need for overthinking. Only two words matter.

Fill it!" 

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

Scarlet downed another glass of wine. Soon the famed pilgrim was nearly reduced to a drunken mess. 

"That's the 27th glass already. Do you still want more?" 

"Don't ask. Just fill it." 

"Just don't throw up on my floor." 

Green shook his head and poured her another glass. He had a feeling that he would be wiping Scarlet's rainbow water later on.

Scarlet, despite being a notorious drinker, had terrible tolerance. Every time she visited, she'd end up utterly stoned. 

As usual, she had pulled some fruit from her chest pocket to pair with the wine, only to get hopelessly drunk and—more often than not—end up vomiting on his floor. 

"My Lord, why aren't you drinking?" Scarlet asked, her hazy eyes narrowing as she held up her refilled glass. "Could it be because there's no beauty to keep you company?" 

"If it's beauties you're talking about, isn't there one right in front of me?" Green replied, sipping lightly from his glass and smiling. 

"Haha, My Lord sure knows how to charm the maidens. No wonder those Nikkes are so smitten with you..." Scarlet raised her eyes, "But I have to say, it seems like you have something on your mind today."