Story Reader / Affection / Camu: Crocotta / Story
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Training goes increasingly smoothly after that. As a commandant, you have gradually become accustomed to keeping Camu's reckless powers under control.
Hah, that felt—
Bet you wanted to hear me say that, huh?
Camu grins, as if satisfied.
I don't get all excited just because of a few compliments. I know I'm good.
I can unleash more of my harder moves now. You've exceeded my expectations, Commandant.
Oh yeah? You should be sobbing in gratitude to have my approval.
I'll soon be able to stand on the battlefield with those Constructs, yeah?
See? Ain't it fun working with me?
Stop being so formal. I want the truth.
Camu raises his chin, a glint of pride reflecting off his dark pupils.
Camu freezes, as if shocked by your action.
His face scrunches up, as if he just drank a tequila with salted lemon slices. He seems to be pondering whether to punch you or thank you.
Are you treating me like Kamui now?
Or are you trying to find out what happens to people who rile me up?
Do I really have to attend this?
I'm technically not even a member of Gray Raven. Why do I have to come to this presentation?
In that case, I'm getting golden egg fried rice, the nightmare spicy one.
Not unless you make it up to me.
The restaurant with human food we went to last time... Let's go there again.
That's more like it. I'll do it, then.
...
Camu does not look too happy. You seem to have become better at sensing his discomfort after spending all this time with him.
...Hey, scoot over. I want the seat next to yours.
Stop apologizing. You're a Commandant. Commandants don't apologize.
And it's not like I'm worried about the crowds. It's just that I saw some pieces of trash there.
You gaze in the direction he's indicating and see the squad that Camu got in a brawl with.
They are sitting one row behind you. For some reason, their commandant is absent. You immediately recognize the tall, broad brunet tank-type Construct, one of the three you encountered the other day.
You accidentally meet his eyes while peering at him and quickly look away.
Tch, what a buzzkill.
Camu forces himself to sit back tight and stop fidgeting.
You thought the presentation would end uneventfully until someone taps you on the back.
You turn around and almost knock into the Construct, who is leaning forward.
Hey. Small world, huh?
Didn't expect to run into you guys here.
So he lied, huh? You're indeed his commandant?
My commandant got injured and reported, but nothing happened to YOU.
Very unfair, don't you think?
So you admitted to it just like that...
Like Commandant, like squad member. You're really more of a scumbag than you look.
Camu, who has remained quiet, finally speaks.
Bastard, if you say one more word—
The veins on Camu's forehead are throbbing as he clenches his fists.
Hm, your Corrupted seems quite docile today. How did you manage to tame him?
All elite squads of Babylonia are present in the conference hall. Hassen is delivering his speech up there on the stage.
Camu is like a bomb that could go off any moment, but you really do not want him to get into trouble. It is already hard enough for him to stay still in the crowd when so many unfriendly eyes are on him.
No matter what, you cannot allow another fight to break out.
Apologize to my commandant.
...
You hear Camu take a sharp breath and quickly interject before he can explode.
I'm sorry.
If you don't apologize, I'll—uh, what?
You want an apology, right? I'm sorry.
Want us to visit your commandant with flowers later?
Uh... You...
...If you say so...
Camu simply smirks, maliciously.
Don't get me wrong, I don't feel sorry at all for punching your idiot Commandant. If given the chance, I'd have thrown a few more punches.
I apologized only because my commandant wanted me to.
...Huh?
The Construct turns to you, confused.
I obey every single word of my commandant's. Now, I wonder if YOUR commandant would like it if you start a fight with a Corrupted on the conference?
If I were you, I'd do the sensible thing and shut up.
After all, if my commandant weren't beside me... who knows what I'd do to any unattended figures.
A-are you threatening me now?
Yep. You'd better pray that my dear commandant is by my side every time you and I meet in the future.
Or I promise to chop your head off as soon as I spot you.
You need something, Commandant?
I'll stop since my commandant said so.
The Construct stares, eyes wide in fear. You have no idea if he is feeling threatened by Camu's words or his strangely affectionate actions.
After that, the Construct leaves in a hurry.
That's all he's got? What a wuss.
?
Say what? Idiot?
Oh. You mean dear Command—
—You really think I'd call you that?
I was just being mushy on purpose to weird him out. I learned this tactic from you humans.
Don't flatter yourself.
You mean when I said I'd chop off that Construct's head?
Oh? You like it when I call you that?
Dear Command—
—You really think I'd call you that?
Don't flatter yourself.
I was just being mushy on purpose to weird him out.
I hate those ranks and titles.
I'll just call you [player name]. Or Gross. Short for Gray Raven's Boss.
What about "my bosom friend" then?
Sounds weird too...
That sounds weird now that I'm thinking about it...
I'll think it over and let you know when I decide what to call you.
Camu simply turns away and stares blankly at the podium.
...
...Your hand.
Your hand... It was warm.
I know. It's just been a long time since I last felt that.
We don't have the senses of taste and touch in our M.I.N.D.
...!
...It really is warm.
It's soft, too... unlike other things that radiate heat.
Camu's fist relaxes as he murmurs, letting your human hand land in his robotic one. For some reason, even a Construct like him can sense the warmth from your skin.
So that's how it feels to have a body.
Camu closes his eyes, as if trying his best to remember this moment.
I used to be a human once upon a time. But all I remember in my M.I.N.D. is something cold... and horrid.
I feel much better in my current form. More powerful, much safer.
But... it's still the first time I've touched the human body in a while.
In that case...
When are we gonna go get that golden egg fried rice, nightmare spicy?
You're the only one who'll gain weight from that anyway.
Human food might not provide me energy, nor will it stimulate my taste buds the same way it does to humans'...
But I like it.
The youth snorts, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Hey, you won't go back on your promise, huh?
I knew you wouldn't dare.
...Now?
Rulebreaker much?
The corners of Camu's lips twitch a little. The two of you bend down in the back row as the presentation goes on and sneak out behind the chairs.
You feel a stern gaze from the podium as you sneak out, but... who cares?
