Ethan’s Side
The day to carry out our mission in the North had finally arrived.
Before we launched into the operation, the Counters and I gathered in front of the elevator.
"Is this a Counters-only mission this time?"
"Perfect. I’d rather you watch your words, anyway."
"That’s true."
"We’re heading to the research base in the North, right?"
"Right."
The research base. That was our destination for completing the mission.
"Hmm… As far as I know, you can’t get in there without an access pass."
"Access pass?"
"It’s a research base, but its defenses are solid."
"So we’d get riddled like a beehive."
I felt my face freeze in real time. No idea why such an important item hadn’t been issued in advance.
"Didn’t you receive one separately from Vice Commander Andersen?"
"…Hang on here. I’ll go grab one right now."
I thought, if they’d handed out passes when briefing us on the mission, I wouldn’t have to go through this unnecessary hassle, grumbling inwardly as I headed for the deputy commander’s office.
"No. There’s no need, no."
"??"
Suddenly, a human voice echoed as a dazzling, spotlight-like glow spilled out.
"…What, what is this? Suddenly there’s light coming from somewhere…?"
"…Hold on. Could that mirror-ball light mean…?"
But before Anis could finish her sentence, something wrapped in blinding light burst out.
"Yes! It’s none other than Da! I’m Mustang, C! E! O! of Tetra Line, responsible for The Ark’s entertainment, Da! Everybody, say ‘Entertainment!’ En-ter-tain-ment!!"
….
….
…Wow.
…Is the guy nuts?
For a moment I couldn’t trust my eyes. A man in an eye-catching outfit had just appeared out of nowhere.
His flashy outfit was one thing, but more than that, I remembered what he’d said.
Tetra Line’s CEO? He just looks like a madman.
No doubt the three major CEOs of The Ark are all unmanageable oddballs. Honestly, of the lot, Ingrid’s the only one who seems sane.
"Oh no! Anis! Where did the applause go, Yo?"
"…Ah, hello, boss. Long time no see."
Anis greeted Mustang, as if they already knew each other.
Now that I thought about it, Anis was a Nikke produced by Tetra Line. With that in mind, it wasn’t surprising they knew each other.
"Your face looks good, Yo."
"Haha… Really…?"
"So, shall we Return now?"
"Hmm… No, not yet…."
I was puzzled by the meaningless conversation. It clearly meant something, but since it was a personal matter, I didn’t pry for details.
"Oh… All right, Anis. I can wait, yo. You… You’re Commander Ethan?"
"…But?"
Having finished his conversation with Anis, Mustang’s gaze naturally turned to me.
By the way, I wondered what on earth he was thinking, dressing in such a flashy, bizarre outfit.
"Hm… Your look’s good. You’re heading to the research base in the North, right, Yo?"
"Yeah. But I was just about to head to the deputy commander’s office because of the access pass."
"Oh! I see, Yo! But there’s no need for that, Yo!"
"What?"
I barely had time to register what he meant when Mustang pulled out a card from his pocket.
"I’ll give you the access pass, Yo! But this pass is kinda special, Yo!"
"Uh… why is music suddenly playing from somewhere?"
"Indeed. But more than that, what’s up with that access pass?"
I was wondering what he’d done to that pass to speak like that when Mustang continued.
"Watch closely, Yo. Commander Ethan! I won’t show it to you twice, Da!"
Then Mustang began dancing to the music playing. The moment I saw that dance, I felt like replacing both my eyes with new ones—it was that grotesque.
"Oooo!"
"Enjoying the show, Yo? Now take a look at this pass, Yo."
I shifted my gaze as he said and saw the access pass in Mustang’s hand. For whatever reason, the pass in his hand was glowing.
"You have to perform that move I just did to activate the pass!"
…
Even though we’d just met, I managed to hold back the stream of curses I wanted to hurl at his face. It was so shocking I thought I’d misheard.
He actually expects me to do that pathetic dance? Is the bastard insane?
I’d been through all kinds of shit, but this was a level of shock I’d never experienced.
If my drill instructor or squad members heard about this, they’d be rolling on the ground laughing—I didn’t need to see it to know it.
"My company! This pass is packed with Tetra Line’s technology, Yo!"
"Wow! Technology!"
"…What a waste of tech."
Neon joined in Mustang’s cheerful vibe, Anis grumbled in displeasure, and Rapi remained silent.
"Here you go, Commander. As for the dance just now, if you want, I can show it one more time, yo."
"…I’ll pass."
"Oh. You can memorize a dance like that in one go, Yo? Very good."
My head was spinning in dizzying disbelief, but in any case I got the access pass from Mustang. Now entry to the research base was possible.
"Um, boss."
"Yeah."
"Thanks, but why did you suddenly…?"
"Good question, my Anis. Counters. You might not know, Man, but you’re hot in The Ark right now. Very hot."
"Us?"
I asked again at his puzzling words. No, thinking back, it made sense that we’d draw attention for various reasons.
For example, that power plant we visited recently…?
"As someone leading entertainment, it’s good to create the spotlight for those who’ll become future stars, yo. …And I also wanted to see in person the ones Ingrid liked."
"Huh? What did you say at the end?"
"Hm? Nothing. Now, good luck with the mission, Yo. En-ter-tain-ment!!"
At the loud shout, Mustang’s figure vanished. It struck me that, no matter where you go, there’s always someone with a screw loose.
…
…
"The CEO of Tetra Line really is something else!"
"Ah… my eyes hurt."
"…Let’s just go up first."
I felt already worn out even though we hadn’t started the mission.
"Haah… Instructor, this is how hard my life is."
Ahem, that’s life. You gotta dive right in.
…What was that? I think I almost smiled for a moment.
Must be your imagination, kid.
The instructor’s voice ringing in my head somehow sounded like he was fighting back a laugh. Damn, I knew this would happen.
Author’s Side
"Checking comms. Can everyone hear me clearly?"
Across the vast expanse of the surface—specifically, the snow-covered plains in the North—Shifty’s voice came through the radio.
But no one responded to Shifty’s transmission. The Counters—specifically Anis and Neon—were too busy at the moment.
"Anis! Catch!"
"Woah! How could you throw it all clumped up like that?!"
"Bigger snowballs pack more firepower!"
"You don’t understand. In a snowball fight, size isn’t king. It’s production. You make them fast and throw them fast."
As if inviting everyone to watch, Anis quickly scooped up snow from the ground and rolled it into a perfect sphere.
"Like thi…s!"
"Ah! It’s cold!"
"Ahahaha!"
"Ohohoho!"
Watching Anis and Neon playfully clashing snowballs, it was clear both were hyped up.
Meanwhile, Rapi, watching them, let out a small sigh.
It seemed she hoped they’d remember they were here on a mission, not a vacation.
"…Um, sorry to butt in during your snowball fight, but can you hear me?"
"I can hear you."
"Okay, thanks. Glad even Rapi replied. The Ebla particle concentration up North is low. I won’t activate the purification sequence then."
"Shifty. How’s the route to the research base?"
Ethan, who was checking the route, immediately asked Shifty.
"I’ve checked, and the road to the research base isn’t difficult. No special obstacles, and the route is straightforward. The problem is snow and ice. There’s no way to know within The Ark how deep or thick the snow and ice are. So proceed carefully. Especially watch the ice."
"Huh? Why is the ice dangerous?"
"Umm… about that…"
Rapi spoke up to explain the reason, as Shifty hesitated.
"Because Nikke are heavy. It’s uncertain whether the ice can support our weight."
"…Hearing that from a woman’s mouth is just terrible."
"…Yeah, I’m sorry."
That was among the top five secrets a woman would absolutely never want to admit, even if it meant death.
It was a taboo phrase for a woman, so Shifty gave Ethan a death-stare for making her say it.
"Then let’s head out. Anis, Neon, stop now and…"
Thwack!
With a clear impact sound, a snowball thrown from quite a distance struck Rapi’s face dead on.
"Oh? That hit me."
"Wow, Anis. Were you a baseball player back in the day? Hitting me from that distance."
"Am I talented or what?"
With the warm atmosphere between the two, Rapi’s gaze shifted back to Ethan.
"…Let’s go, Commander."
"…Rapi. You’ve got snow up your nostrils."
"…Hmph."
Rapi supposedly blew the snow out of her nose with a snort.
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