NIKKE: Max Bonded but System Gone

The sound of water filled the steamy shower room. Sitting on a stool, Anis squeezed some shampoo into her palm and gently worked it through her hair. As the warm water cascaded over her, washing away the suds, the flicker of longing she felt for the Commander slowly faded along with the streams of water.

As a "veteran" Nikke, not a mass-produced model, Anis had encountered many "Commanders" before.

Some charged into battle wielding guns, shouting, "Die, Rapture!"—only to die in the web of enemy fire. Others were so timid they'd collapse in fear, wetting themselves at the mere sight of Rapture. No matter their personality, all those self-proclaimed Commanders shared a deep-seated bias and arrogance.

"Nikkes? Just disposable tools abandoned by the upper echelons. What does it matter how many die?"

"I don't want to die! Sacrifice as many Nikkes as needed to save me!"

"Just a bunch of scrap metal. Don't bother me unless it's important."

Anis had heard these sentiments countless times, to the point where she'd grown numb. Yet today, reflecting on this topic again, her long-dormant emotions felt heavy once more.

"The Commander is human but what am I to him? Same as others? Scrap metals, tools or just a weapon?"

Anis stepped up to the shower mirror. She gazed at her own artificially created body, a tinge of self-doubt and sorrow flickering in her eyes.

"I'm a Nikke. From the moment of my creation, I've been the property of the Ark."

Anis's eyes flickered and her lips twitched.

"No human rights, no status. Even if I get to stay by the Commander's side now, in the end, I'm just a humanoid weapon destined to work for the Ark until I die... Commander, would you really like someone like me?"

Facing the mirror, Anis gently caressed her cheek. Thanks to the Ark's advanced technology, a Nikke's skin now felt almost indistinguishable from that of a human girl. However, for the Nikkes themselves, the world constantly reminded them of the reality: they were "just" Nikkes.

"I've been bathing more and more frequently lately."

Before meeting Green, she didn't have any such habit of taking a shower this often. Even though she is from the same Tetra Line that makes axillary Nikkes, she was a fighting type. Hygiene was just a norm to keep her human senses alive.

"Why is that, I wonder?"

As she dried her hair with a towel, Anis didn't voice the answer aloud but deep down, she already knew.

When a girl likes a boy, she always tries to look her best. And why would a Nikke be any different? Anis had liked Green for a long time—probably longer than she herself realized.

"Commander might just be the weirdest one the Ark has ever sent. Hehe!"

She chuckled, recalling a vivid memory.

"Like that one time, during a fight, my legs got blown off. He was so worried he almost cried. On the way back, he checked with Rapi at least ten times about my condition and even awkwardly applied some ointment to my wounds."

Laughing, she wiped a tear from her eye.

"What a clueless guy! Doesn't he know I'd just get a new body and be fine? But..."

She stopped before a smile popped on her face.

"That's exactly why I like him."

Anis closed her eyes, lost in the memory of that unforgettable day. That day, after returning from the surface and replacing her damaged body, she'd snuck into the command center to surprise him. But when she pushed the door open, she saw Green's dark under-eye circles and haggard face.

"Commander, I'm back."

"Anis!"

That night, Green stood up, tears shimmering at the corners of his eyes, and gave her the biggest hug. Those arms wrapped tightly around her felt like a warm beam of sunlight, making her feel something she hadn't felt before—warmth.

From that moment, Anis knew: Green was different from other Commanders. He'd somehow made her long-lost heart skip a beat.

"But I'm not strong like Rapi or Neon. My personality's bad, I leave socks everywhere, and my room's always a mess."

Sigh.

"Could the Commander ever really like someone like me?"

Click.

Anis turned off the shower faucet and wiped the droplets from her skin. She casually threw on a tank top and shorts before stepping out of the bathroom.

In the office, Green was sitting in his chair as usual, staring absentmindedly at the TV. A stack of unsigned documents lay on the table, but nothing seemed to capture his attention.

Taking a deep breath, Anis prepared to calm herself and greet him. But before she could, Green suddenly turned his head, squinting with a mischievous smile.

"Anis, you know, the shower room isn't very soundproof. Next time, don't mutter to yourself in there."

"Eh?!!!"

Anis's heart sank. Her pale face flushed as red as a ripe peach.

"Commander, y-y-you... you heard everything?"

This was bad. Her secret feelings had been completely overheard. How could she possibly face him now?

"Commander, I'm sorry! I just remembered I have something to do tonight—really sorry, but I have to go!"

Anis felt her face burning like it was on fire. Despite being known for her thick skin, her flirtatious banter in the Nikke group chats, and her daily claims that the Commander was her man, when it came to a real confession, she was far too timid.

"Don't expose a lady's mask!"

Because beneath that mask, Anis was lazy, dejected, and messy—sometimes even envious of her friends. A real disaster.

As Anis hurried to escape, Green reached out and firmly grabbed her arm.

"Anis. I stocked up on some sodas for you in the fridge. I wasn't sure what flavors you'd like, so I got a mix."

"I know, Commander. I'll grab them tomorrow!"

"And yesterday, I ordered some snacks from the Ark. I made sure to get your favorite pot pie."

"Commander, you don't have to tell me all this right now. If there's nothing else, can I please leave?!"

Her face still burning, Anis couldn't bring herself to turn around.

She tried to brush him off, but the next moment, Green bent down and whispered softly in her ear, "One more thing, Anis. I like you too."