[SFW VERSION]
🌹 There's something wonderful in those who stare death in the face. Even in a world wracked by relentless calamity, flowers blossom between a sea of corpses, the shapeless crimson rivers marched over by mechanical instruments of mass...
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"Commander... nooo," whined Anis.
"Master... my... fireworks," whined Neon.
"I'm so sorry... Commander," whined Rapi.
All three Nikkes moaned in agony and squirmed on the floor. When the sound of gunshots finally went cold, all you heard were the dramatic whines of your squad. Embarrassed, you sheepishly looked over to Ingrid who wore a sour, piercing expression that you could feel deep in your bones.
"I've didn't think it was possible," someone else said and you listened to the sound of the sliding door coming open from behind you. "To think such pathetic rust buckets could actually exist!"
You didn't need to turn around to know that was Syuen, someone who wasn't even supposed to be near the simulation room. But of course, she yet again weaseled her way in and most likely watched the whole performance unfold without your permission.
"I almost have to agree," said Ingrid. "If your squad can't discern simulations from reality, there's an issue." You didn't dare talk back as the woman left your side and started toward the panel on the wall. After a few seconds of her entering in a code, the door to the simulation battleground came sliding open. You stared blankly from it to the large pane of glass that allowed you access to the Nikkes' battles, wondering if you really truly wanted to go in there right now.
With both Ingrid and Syuen there as witnesses, you didn't know how much your reputation as a Commander could take — not when your squad had just put on a humiliating performance like that.
Not only that, but the brain scan.
The built-in mechanism extracted your squad's final thoughts as their 'death' approached. There, in the corner of the room, a large screen picked up every image on their mind, every word they wish they could have said out loud.
Apparently, as Anis died — or believed she was dying, she thought of kissing you with a swig of soda in her mouth.
Neon thought of showing off her grand festive fireworks to you and only you.
And Rapi simply thought of looking into your eyes.
It was so, so very embarrassing.
"What a mighty squad you've got, Hotshot," Syuen laughed as she strolled past you and into the simulated battlefield with Ingrid.
You wanted to tell her to shut up but quickly decided against it and reluctantly followed the women.
As soon as the three of you were inside, the simulation dissolved — a dull gray stretch of land littered with death and Rapture bodies vanished. The dim sky faded out. In its place was left the box shaped room, stark white, totally empty except for you, Ingrid, Syuen and the Nikkes.
"Look at 'em!" Syuen howled with laughter. She pointed at the three Nikkes who were all still sprawled out on the ground, their eyes closed tight as they continued to feel their fake deaths.
Ingrid groaned, knelt down beside Rapi and tapped her on the cheek. "Up, get up," she said. "All of you get up. Now."
As soon as she said that, Rapi opened her eyes. She gazed at the ceiling, trying to figure out where exactly she was, then she turned to Ingrid.
Anis and Neon did the same, slowly sitting up.
Syuen crossed her arms. "Buncha dramatic pigs. How do you manage to die in a simulation?"
"Simulation?" Anis whispered, rubbing the back of her head. As everything came back to her, she looked up and over to you. With her eyes now set on you, they went wide as saucers and she scrambled to her feet. Without hesitation she broke into a full sprint toward you.
"Commander!" Anis shouted. You barely managed to step back before the Nikke pulled you into a bear hug that you thought might crush your rib cage. "Oh thank God! Commander...!"
You gagged, trying to pry free from her arms but to no avail — her emotions had gotten the better of her. Tears had started rolling down her cheeks.
"Tight! Too tight! Agh—!"
It only became worse when Neon followed suit with Anis, hopping up and running to join in on the hug.
"Master...! I thought I was dead, and... and—!"
No surprise. She was sobbing too.
Both Nikkes crushed you with their arms. At some point your ribs would just give in and you'd be a goner, and that kind of death was totally lame. If this meant today was your last day to live, to ultimately be choked out by your Nikkes' tearful embrace, so be it...
You closed your eyes and accepted your fate.
"Alright, enough!" Ingrid's voice boomed and all of a sudden you were no longer being crushed. She pulled both Anis and Neon off of you, holding their arms tight like a mother to her rowdy children.
You had a moment to breathe. You gasped for air, bent over and let out a coughing fit.
"Anis, Neon, you're coming with me." Ingrid continued to pull the Nikkes away, practically dragging them as though they were toddlers. "Looks like all of you need to undergo some extensive training, because you failed the easiest stage of this simulation and that's outright embarrassing."
"Nooo! Commander...!" Anis whined aloud, holding out her arm like she was reaching for you.
"Masterrrr!" Neon did the same.
But nothing stopped Ingrid. She took them right out of the simulation room even as they wailed and sobbed to stay with you.
You had just finished rubbing your aching chest when Rapi got to her feet and placed a hand on your shoulder. She leaned in, trying to observe every patch of skin on your face.
"What?" you asked.
"Are you hurt, Commander?" Rapi said. It seemed she still hadn't grasped the fact everything was a simulated procedure.
"It was just a simulation," you sighed. Rapi continued to stare at you for a moment longer, attempting to gauge the possibility of any injuries you might have suffered. Soon she realized there would be none and promptly turned toward the exit.
"Beat it, you bucket of bolts! Catch up to Ingrid already and quit standing around!" Syuen tried to order the Nikke, but of course Rapi would always turn to you for confirmation before setting off.
You looked her in the eyes and gave a sheepish smile. "Go on."
Rapi was off, leaving just you and Syuen standing in the empty room. The CEO looked up at you, hands on her hips.
"We both know this wouldn't have happened if Matis were in the simulation instead of your team of misfits."
Your smile faded and you glared down at that ugly smug face.
