Ch 51: Training, chatting, and dressing up, sometimes escorting.

AUthor Notes: My left elbow has recovered quite a bit.

(Tl Notes: He's fullly cured, so don't worry. Instead, woes for his busy schedule.)

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How many years has it been since the sounds of construction echoed across the entire outpost?

Amidst the distant noise of heavy machinery shaping the foundation, Moore was at the shooting range. Wearing body armor over his short-sleeved shirt, he gripped an assault rifle, wearing noise-canceling ear muffs on both ears, waiting for the signal.

By his side, Rapi stood, and eventually, she calmly approached him and held a buzzer near his ear.

"─Standby!"

About a second after Rapi's command, the buzzer resounded. In an instant, he swiftly turned around, aiming the muzzle of the assault rifle at the metal targets set up behind him and began firing.

He shot four targets on the spot and then moved while shooting from cover. Firing short bursts every three rounds at the five targets placed 50 meters away, he quickly changed the almost-empty magazine and moved to the next position.

He repeated the process, being careful not to slip on the spent bullet casings littering the ground. Sometimes, he added shooting while moving before finishing multiple rounds of the course. After completing it, he shook his head left and right to clear his narrowed vision, engaged the safety of the assault rifle, and removed the ear muffs.

"What's the time?"

"─1 minute 15 seconds. It's not bad, I think."

Perhaps there was a matter of getting used to it, but he had reduced the time by 15 seconds compared to the initial attempt. According to Rapi, it was not bad, especially considering he was still recovering from his illness.

"...I can shave off another 10 seconds."

"...Please don't push yourself too hard."

"I don't have that luxury. During this vacation, I have to move as I did before or even better... I don't want to inconvenience you all." 

---I never considered you as a bother.

Rapi wanted to reply her opinion earnestly, but before she could, Moore covered his ears again with the earmuffs he had taken off.

He changed the magazine of the assault rifle, and when he turned his back to the targets, Rapi approached and brought the buzzer closer.

"─Standby!!"

A second later, the buzzer sounded, followed by the gunshots.

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"─Sorry for making you accompany me even during your vacation."

He must have fired at least two thousand rounds that day alone. Occasionally, he took breaks for disassembly and cleaning, but the training continued. The projected sun overhead was gradually sinking.

"Please don't worry about it. It's something I enjoy doing."

Leaving the shooting range and heading towards the headquarters building, Moore glanced sideways at Rapi walking beside him.

Although temporary, her hair was dyed red under the evening glow, and he squinted his eyes while searching his pocket for a cigarette.

As he lit one, Rapi naturally extended a turbo lighter in front of him.

"...Oh, no, I'll ask when we get there. It might be inappropriate here."

He implied that he would smoke only after they arrived. Understanding his message, she nodded slightly and tucked away the lighter.

The walk back was mostly silent, with little conversation between them. Along the way, a patrolling armored vehicle slowed down and stopped when they recognized him. A mass-produced Nikke seated in the passenger seat opened the window and saluted. Moore returned the salute.

"On duty, no abnormalities!!"

"No abnormalities, understood... Eagle. I'm on vacation, so you don't have to be so formal."

"Ah, I can't do that. Apologies."

"...You're too work oriented. I'll send some treats to the guard post later. Have everyone enjoy them during their break."

"Ohhh~~Beer?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Ouch!"

The mass-produced Nikke leaned out of the window, her eyes shining with anticipation, but Moore made a fist and lightly tapped her helmet in an exaggerated manner. She rubbed her head as if it hurt, although it probably didn't. Moore just shrugged at her theatrics.

After seeing off the vehicle as it drove away, they started walking again, and Rapi spoke up.

"It seems you get along well with the mass-produced Nikkes."

"Is it too close for comfort?"

"No, quite the opposite. I think it's wonderful."

He expected her to scold him, so Moore was a bit perplexed by her unexpected words. While he didn't think Rapi saw things in strictly black and white terms, in the past, she would have surely emphasized the importance of maintaining proper distance.

Perhaps she had changed. As he contemplated this, he bit onto the unlit cigarette, walk with Rapi at his side, and continued moving.

By the time they reached the headquarters building, the makeshift sun had completely set. In the illumination of the streetlights in the small parking lot, Rapi offered him the turbo lighter once again.

Even though there was no wind, he seemed to have developed a habit of cupping his hands around it, creating a windbreak. With a click, the lighter sparked, and a blue flame shot out, illuminating the tip of the cigarette and filling the air with a purplish smoke.

"... Thank you, as always."

"You're welcome."

After lighting his cigarette, they both withdrew their hands and faces.

It seemed he was going to smoke before entering the headquarters. While leaning his back against one of the parked vehicles, Moore began inspecting the assault rifle in detail.

He checked for any missing parts from the muzzle to the buttstock, pulled the charging handle to inspect the chamber, ensuring there was no ammunition. He pulled the trigger, making a dry click sound, signifying an empty chamber.

"Rapi, you can go back to the dorms first if you want."

Having finished the detailed inspection and released his hands from the assault rifle suspended by the sling, Moore informed Rapi, who was still right in front of him. However, she shook her head gently from side to side.

"I'll stay a little longer."

"... Anis is one thing, but you're becoming quite overprotective too, aren't you?"

Vacation had begun, and two weeks had already passed, but the girls in command found various reasons to stay by his side, not willing to leave him alone.

Neon was relatively better, but she, too, would invite him to the shooting range and encourage him to progress in firepower. Perhaps this was still their usual routine.

—If I take my eyes off him, he might easily die.

This was the evaluation they all shared about him, and it wasn't necessarily wrong.

Moore had never hesitated to continue fighting, even when his limbs were severely injured to the point of amputation. His morale and fighting spirit never wavered; if anything, they seemed to have increased.

Predictions of what might have happened if he had continued fighting passed through their minds. Because of this, he was starting to receive overly protective treatment.

"No, it's not like that..."

"Well, whether it's good or bad, I can't help but be thankful that you all don't leave me alone—huh?"

Suddenly, his mobile device, stored in the pocket of his combat suit, vibrated. He pulled it out, unlocked it with his fingerprint, and opened the app. It was a message from the Counter Squad's group chat.

It seemed that Rapi had received a message on her mobile device as well. She opened her device and checked the message.

"... It appears the pistol rounds were safely deposited."

"So it seems."

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Anis: "The train is tooo crowded~٩(๑`^´๑)۶"

Moore : "That's unfortunate."

─ Unread Messages ─

Anis:  : "I've deposited the data at the data center."

Neon : "The analysis might take a little time."

Moore: "Thank you."

Moore: "Are both of you planning to return to the outpost like this? It's a rare vacation. Go have some fun."

Anis:  : "Seriously!? ヽ(=´▽`=)ﾉ"

Anis: "Then how about going to the Royal Road~? I want to see the new accessories! (⁠◠⁠‿⁠・⁠)⁠—⁠☆"

Neon: "I want to buy a magazine!"

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"─Commander..."

"─Ahh well, We're on vacation. It's actually unhealthy to be cooped up at the base."

"──...If you say so."

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Rapi:"Commander has said this, but..."

Rapi:"Don't get too carried away, okay?"

Anis:"Oh, so that means we can go have fun, right?（・∀・）"

Neon:"Got it! (*^_^*)"

Anis:"Then, I'll take my time for a few days〜"

Anis:"Oh, right. Rapi."

Rapi:"What?"

Anis:"Take care of Commander for us, okay? (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧"

Neon:"I Leave it to you!く(｀･ω･´)"

Rapi:"Understood."

Moore:"What the heck am I to you all !?"

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After the exchange in the group chat, he sighed and put his phone back in his pocket. Rapi in front of him did the same.

"...You don't need to worry so much," he said.

Wanting to speak her mind, Rapi was about to say something to him, but just then, Moore's phone, which he had just put away, vibrated again.

This time, it wasn't an incoming call on her phone. It seemed to be a personal message for him.

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Anderson: "How's your vacation going?"

Moore: "I'm focusing on my training."

Anderson: "...I see."

Anderson: "If you're enjoying yourself, that's all that matters."

Anderson: "I have a favor to ask. I want you to accompany me for a bit starting tomorrow evening. Do you have the time?"

Moore: "I'm on vacation, so I can make time anytime."

Anderson: "Good. I'll send you the address of the meeting place later. I'll appreciate it if you could wear your military uniform tomorrow."

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"...What? Military uniform?"

"...Is there something wrong?"

Rapi, noticing the furrowed brows indicating Moore's confusion, asked him while looking at the screen of his mobile device.

Instead of replying, he turned his wrist and showed the screen to her.

"...What do you think?"

"...Just seeing this, it's hard to say..."

The exchange was unclear, leaving both Moore and Rapi with furrowed brows, unable to comprehend Anderson's intentions.

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Moore: "Your Excellency, may I ask how far should I accompany you tomorrow?"

Anderson: "Ah, I'm sorry. I've been invited to a shipboard party of the Admire. I'd like to ask you to be my escort."

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"...Admire?"

"Don't you know? It's the name of an amphibious versatile battleship."

"...Amphibious? Versatile? Battleship?"

Rapi spun out a name that somehow tickled his curiosity, but question marks floated above Moore's head.

She might somehow understand what he was trying to say too. She nodded in silent understanding.

"...I have many questions, but... an escort... well, I don't mind, but Your Excellency surely has capable personnel around him as well,right?"

"Isn't it because he's valuing the Commander highly?"

"...I'm not sure if I should be happy or not."

He let out a deep sigh. He wished he hadn't readily agreed, but now it felt too late to decline. 

"I will accompany you. Is that alright?"

"...No, there's no need for you to come. Besides, Rapi is on vacation."

"Your words, Commander, but you're on vacation too."

It was an irrefutable argument. Rapi, sensing his hesitation, pressed on.

"And Vice Commander Anderson specifically requested an escort. There might be some perceived danger. Having more firepower wouldn't hurt."

"...That's true, but..."

––She couldn't send the Commander alone to a place where danger was easily anticipated.

After all, there was a very high chance he would die easily if she let his guard down. She couldn't afford to be careless. Rapi continued to insist on accompanying him, but Moore had his own concerns.

"...There's one issue. Probably, at a party, especially one attended by His Excellency, it's a gathering of the upper echelons, right?"

"Yes, we expect an increased risk of terrorism."

"Well, yes, but... that's not it. I mean, His Excellency and I might not mind, but... it's just..."

He hesitated. While Rapi found it unusual, she quickly understood what he was struggling with.

"...You're concerned that me being a Nikke might upset someone, yes?"

"Well, in simpler terms..."

With a sigh, he nodded affirmatively to Rapi, who had sensed his concern.

It might sound strange, but there were indeed people who didn't take kindly to Nikkes. Not taking kindly was still better than complete indifference. Moore, who had no experience with upper-class circles, might not understand, but in a sense, it was expected that such gatherings would attract individuals who embodied all the negative aspects of the Ark community. Taking Rapi to such an event felt uncomfortable for him.

On the other hand, Rapi didn't mind incurring displeasure herself, but she didn't want it directed towards the Commander, Moore. However, it was also not ideal to let him go alone.

"...Then, how about this?"

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The next day, Moore was at the Royal Road. Adhering to Anderson's instructions, he wore his military uniform, appearing somewhat out of place inside a boutique located on the Tetra Line Capital facing the Royal Road, becoming somewhat of a stain on the wall.

As always, he glanced at the wristwatch wrapped around his left wrist, the dial facing inward, to check the time. The meeting with Anderson was scheduled for 5:00 PM. The current time was 4:00 PM.

There was still some time left, but he had been waiting for about 60 minutes already.

And what he was waiting for was, needless to say, Rapi's dress-up.

Lacking knowledge of women's social attire, he had left it to the shop assistant. But he couldn't help but interfere, suggesting changes and adjustments to Rapi's outfit repeatedly. This had happened around 30 minutes ago, and Rapi and the shop assistant had disappeared into the depths of the store. It was common knowledge that selecting women's outfits and doing makeup took time, but it seemed to be taking longer than Moore had expected.

Rapi's proposal had been to "pretend to be human and act as his bodyguard." Moore reluctantly agreed to it after being pushed into it, and he had sent a confirmation message to Anderson. Surprisingly, Anderson had responded with approval, with a reminder to adhere to the dress code.

Recalling the whole sequence of events, Moore let out another sigh, likely nearing the end of his patience.

Just before he became too absent-minded, he intended to take in some nicotine and tar. He was about to leave the wall he had leaned on and head outside when it happened.

"Commander, I kept you waiting."

"Have you finished? Quite some ti...me..."

"...Is something wrong?"

"...Who might you be?"

In response to Rapi's voice, Moore turned around. Just as he let out a sigh of relief that the ordeal was over, his gaze fell upon her, and at that moment, even his right eye, supposedly made of artificial material, widened.

Is 'transformed' the right word to describe it?

Rapi was clad in a black off-shoulder dress made of fabric that looked incredibly pleasant to touch. Her shoulders and décolletage were exposed, and there was a deep slit in the skirt, occasionally revealing her long, white legs. This attire was vastly different from her usual clothing.

However, despite all the trouble she had gone through treating her like a dress-up doll, his first words upon seeing her were, "Who might you be?"

Well, to put it simply, that's just rude.

"...Commander, it's me."

"...Ah, I guess I didn't mishear. You looked so different; I didn't recognize you."

"Does it not suit me? The shop assistant even did my makeup for me..."

"...It suits you so well that I didn't recognize you. It suits you perfectly."

Seemingly having passed the test, Rapi let out a relieved breath.

"I'm glad."

"Yeah... alright... I need to properly escort you to the meeting place now."

"Escorting you is my duty as a bodyguard. I also have my pistol hidden like this—"

Casually, Rapi reached for the slit in her dress to reveal her pistol, but Moore's hand stopped her just in time.

"...Is your pistol hidden there? I get it now... Please, don't. I prefer you without it."

"...Understood."

Sensing that Moore was genuinely urging her to stop, Rapi nodded obediently.

Moore had paid for the dress, accessories, and makeup in one go. Looking at the receipt, he couldn't help but be astounded. He had arranged for the dress she wore today to be delivered to the outpost base via courier. It seemed it would arrive by the end of the day.

With the shop assistant bidding them farewell, Moore, dressed in his military uniform, and Rapi appeared on the Royal Road. As they prepared for the upcoming formal event, perhaps thinking about it, Moore let out a sigh.

"...Let's somehow get through this."

"Yes..."

Moore addressed Rapi with a word and put on his military cap. He then took off the square sunglasses framed with a metal frame that he had hung on his breast pocket. By wearing the earpiece without being connected to any radio equipment and covering his eyes completely, he was the epitome of a junior soldier escorting some young lady.

"Shall we go? I will escort you, milady."

"...That way of speaking is a bit... No, please do."

Nonchalantly, Moore moved to the side closer to the road. Taking half a step ahead of Lapi, he lightly bent his elbow and extended his arm. Indicating for her to put her hand in the gap under his arm, she looked perplexed for a moment. However, she eventually sighed, slid her hand into the space under his arm, and gently placed her hand on Moore's forearm.

Despite the difference in their body sizes, Moore's stride was wider. Yet, for today, they began walking together, adjusting their pace to Rapi's, heading toward the meeting place with Anderson.

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Author Notes: I wonder if Captain Moore has some French or Italian heritage in him for his escorting skills. (In terms of escorting, of course.)