Chapter 4:

First Step in the Burrows✰

Stillness:re (Disaster✰Days)


…Oh? We’re still here?

Alice: “Y-You…”

Gray: “U-Umm… Sorry? Maybe I shouldn’t have— Ack! Why are you flicking me?!”

Alice: “You idiot! Are you genuinely telling me you knew the entire time?! Why didn’t you say something?!”

Gray: “B-Because I didn’t want to steal your thunder! I know how much you hate that, so I tried to avoid talking about it!”

Alice: “Grrrrr… You literally just stole it anyway! Aghhh!! This is such a nightmare! And don’t you DARE make a pun about my last name, got it?!”

Gray: “W-Why would I do something to piss you off even more?!”

Alice: “Oh, so I’m pissed off, huh?! Wow! I wonder why! Of all the— How did you even find out?! Tell me or I’ll flick you to death right here and now!”

Gray: “Y-You’re uncle just hinted at it a couple of times, that’s all! You know how bad he is at keeping secrets…”

Alice: “That son of a— So he’s out of town constantly, leaves a damn coffin in my room, and tells you our family’s CENTURY LONG kept secret?! I swear… I’m gonna…!”

Gray: “I’m… Glad he wanted me to know, though.”

Suddenly, the rain began to pick up ever so slightly, prompting Gray to take out his umbrella and cover himself and Alice once again. All of the previous tension and intense emotions melted away with the rain, despite not a single drop striking either of them.

Alice: “...And why’s that?”

Gray: “I mean… You’re special to me, so I wouldn’t want to not know something about you. Secret or not, I want you to feel like you can trust me with your whole heart… If that’s something you would want, of course.”

Clearly flushed, Alice looked to the side as if to avoid eye contact.

Alice: “...Dodge.”

Gray: “Hm? —Ackkk! Shoulder… I thought we were done!”

Alice: “Heh… Just keeping you on your toes, dork. Sorry, you were just being really sweet and I… I don’t know, I guess I got overloaded? If that makes sense.”

Gray: (Cute…) “I get it, don’t worry. Hey, maybe you can make it up to me by answering a super stupid question.”

Alice raised an eyebrow as the rain around them ceased entirely.

Alice: “...I’m honestly tempted to say no, but go ahead.”

Gray: “So… About the whole blood drinking thing…”

Alice: “Believe it or not, we don’t need to. I mean, maybe if we’re super injured and need more blood, but drinking blood isn’t something we do on a daily basis. Here, you can ask me as many questions as you want at the cafe tomorrow, alright?”

Gray: “Y-Yeah, no worries!” (See? I knew it was a dumb question! Too cliche, Gray!)

And with that, the duo began their walk back home through the dew-glistened city.

Alice: “Hmm… Although…”

Gray: “...Although?”

Alice glanced over at Gray and smiled somewhat devilishly.

Alice: “I wouldn’t exactly mind biting you, though. Nina and Emma would be cute, but I can’t imagine anyone else having a better reaction than yours, dork.”

Gray: “Wha— H-Honestly, where do you get off saying stuff like that? Quite the dangerous girl, this one…”

Alice: “I wouldn’t exactly say I’m all that dangerous. It’s more or less that you’re just easy to tease. Like, comically so.”

Gray: “Ugh… That’s it! No umbrella next time!”

Alice: “What, would you rather see me drenched instead? Hehehe…”

Gray: *sigh* “Alright, I walked into that one.”

✰✰✰

After their encounter with the mysterious knight a week before, the Paranormal Research Club continued on as usual. With the addition of their new member, that is. While Gray hasn’t fully adjusted to Asterism-related missions, he is slowly but surely warming up to it all. Currently, both Nina and Gray can be seen playing a penguin-themed FPS game called PengBlast against one another while Alice watches from a nearby couch. Their location? Cafe Starlite, a local coffee shop owned by the Axis Foundation that conveniently closes at 11 in the morning. Sara acts as its proprietor while Nina and Alice dorm there.

Gray: “Umm… Alice?”

Alice: “Yeah? What’s up?”

Gray: “Nothing, you’re just staring a bit, that’s all. With daggers, in fact.”

Nina: “Y’know, she might still be a little peeved from the whole ‘stealing her thunder’ thing. That kind of feeling doesn’t exactly wear off fast for her.”

Alice: “Wha— Nina! Why would you even tell him that?! We had the whole thing resolved…”

Nina: “As if!”

Alice: “Grrr…”

Gray put down his control between rounds and looked back at Alice.

Gray: “Well, is there anything I can do to make—”

Alice: “Ask me stupid cliche Vampire-related questions.”

Gray: “...Really?”

Alice: “Yes, really.”

Nina giggled to herself while Gray cleared his throat before speaking.

Gray: (This girl…) “Alright, does sun burn your skin?”

Alice: “Nope, but higher UV does make me pretty fatigued.”

Gray: “Okay, but what about garlic?”

Alice: “Allergic, but it won’t kill me or anything.”

Gray: “Wooden stakes?”

Alice: “Would hurt, but nothing too crazy.”

Gray: “Coffins…?!”

Alice: “Don’t sleep in them, but we do feel inclined to collect them.”

While Gray restlessly racked his brain for questions, all while still focusing on playing the game, Alice proudly snickered to herself.

Alice: “Never mind, I feel much better now.”

Gray: “Of course you do. Also, while we’re on topic, are there any other Vampires besides you and your uncle? Just curious.”

Alice: “It’s mostly just us… Well… And Mikael… But I don’t really understand how he’s even a Vampire to begin with, so he’s not up for discussion right now.”

Gray: “I do hope he’s alright after last week, though. I cannot even begin to imagine the fall damage…”

Nina: “Y’know, I can’t actually recall a time when he didn’t bounce back almost immediately. He’s kinda like a ball of slime if it were really chuuni.”

Gray: (Insane description, but I kind of get it…) “W-Wha—?!”

And with that, Nina had finally beaten Gray in a match of PengBlast after losing over 100+ times consecutively.

Nina: “Woohoo! Finally! This one’s for all my underdogs out there!”

Gray: “I-I swear I peeked that corner…”

Alice: “Guess what, dork, you didn’t.”

As he glanced to the side, Gray noticed a devious yet stupidly charming expression sweep over Nina’s face.

Nina: “Hehe… So, can I claim my reward~? You do remember what you promised if I took a game off you, right?”

Somewhat flushed, Gray glanced to the side to avoid eye contact.

Gray: “Y-Yeah, I do…”

About thirty seconds later, Gray could be seen resting his head on Nina’s tights-covered lap while she gently and blissfully played with his hair. While initially trying to act like it was no big deal, the androgynous teenager was clearly enjoying it quite a bit.

Gray: “...Enjoying yourself, Madame President?”

Nina: (Ahhhh! Tsun! So tsun!) “Just a bit, yeah… This is honestly a lot sweeter than I could’ve ever anticipated, so I think I’ll enjoy it all I can…”

Gray: “I-It’s not uncomfortable or anything, so yeah… Alice, has she always been like this?”

Alice: “Nope, she’s just specifically extremely hopeless for you. Like, you should’ve heard what she was saying last night about—”

Suddenly, Nina loudly cleared her throat and glared back at Alice.

Nina: “D-Don’t listen to her, she’s way too honest!”

Gray: “Nina…”

Nina looked down at Gray with a slightly confused expression.

Nina: “Hm?”

Gray: “Maybe it’s a bit awkward to ask, but why are you so attached to me? I really don’t mind it in the slightest, quite the contrary, but I just feel like I haven’t done anything to earn this level of affection… I’m not rambling, am I?”

Nina smiled sheepishly and continued to brush Gray’s hair.

Nina: “Y’know, I was wondering if you were going to ask… It might sound crazy, but you remind me a ton of one of my favorite romance options from a VN I played when I was in middle school. I have a ton of amazing memories playing that game, so I guess they all flooded into my mind when we met? I know it’s silly, but I’m pretty sure that’s why I feel the way I feel. I-In addition to you being super sweet and reliable, of course!”

Gray chuckled to himself and smiled up at Nina.

Gray: “You know what? I’ll take it. Are you sure there isn’t any other reason, though?”

Nina gazed down at Gray with eyes filled with endless adoration. However, upon being asked the second question, she seemed like she wanted to say something, but the words would not leave her mouth.

Nina: “...N-Nope, just the game thing, so no worries.”

Gray: “If you say so, Madame President.”

Nina: “Aghh! See, Alice? You did start a trend!”

Alice: “You’ll get over it. Besides, it’s pretty cute, so you don’t really have any reason to complain.”

As Nina pouted slightly, Alice stood up and stretched her arms before letting out a brief yawn.

Alice: “Anyways, while you two keep playing games and being stupidly adorable, I have to go work.”

Gray: “Oh yeah, I forgot you got that part-time job at the HoshiMart near school.”

Nina: “Good luck, Alice! Hope you don’t have any angsty customers!”

Alice: “Half of them are scared of me anyway, so it’s no biggie.” (Am I really that scary?) “Hm?”

After feeling her pocket vibrate, Alice took out her smartphone and answered the call.

Alice: “Hm? Yeah, I don’t mind. Do you guys mind if I put this on speaker? It’s Sara.”

Gray: “Yeah, no worries. We should probably take a break anyway…”

Nina: “Hehe… Are you just saying that cause I finally took a game?”

Gray: “N-Not even! Honestly…”

Alice held out her smartphone with the speaker now on.

Sara: “Tch! Damn van! You could’ve taken that turn! Oop. Sorry, you guys, traffic is just crazy right now. Basically, are you three fine taking the train to Kousagi Station and checking things out? There was a call about some weird happenings, and Emma and I can’t get out of this traffic, so can you guys handle it? It’ll be super quick!”

Nina: “I don’t see why not! Are you on board, Gray?”

Gray: “Sure, I don’t mind. I probably need way more experience than I have, so the more missions the merrier. Nina and I can go together if you still need to head to work, Alice.”

Alice: “Eh, I can just work the night shift instead. I rarely sleep more than five hours anyway, and my boss is also afraid of me… So I’ll just send him a text and I’m sure it’ll turn out okay… Although… I would have to deal with ‘the rats’ if I take the night shift…”

Gray and Nina looked at one another, somewhat worried.

Gray: “...Dare we even ask?”

Alice: “I’d prefer if you didn’t, thanks. But yeah, I can go. How about we meet at the station to catch our train in about an hour? That would give us plenty of time to freshen up and get ready.”

Gray: “Sounds good to me.” (Maybe I’ll finally wear it…)

Nina: “Yep! I’m on board!”

Sara: “Well, it’s decided, then! This technically is an unofficial mission, so try to keep as low a profile as physically possible. I already sent Alice your train tickets, so good luck! Break a leg… But not literally!”

After hanging up the phone, Sara glanced over at Emma, who was now slouching in the passenger seat of the former’s truck.

Sara: “Okay. It’s done.”

Emma: “...I feel really bad, but… I doubt we’re leaving anytime soon… This traffic is actually miserable…”

Sara: “You said it, sister… So, is it true that you and Nina snuck a maid outfit into Gray’s bag while you were shopping—”

Emma: “I-I had nothing to do with that! He did look cute trying it on… But Nina snuck it in, not me!”

Sara: “Pfft…”

Emma: “Saraaaaaaa!”

And with that, the traffic jam began to let up ever so slightly.

✰✰✰

About an hour later, Gray could be seen standing in Northeast Estella Station donning his new casual outfit that Nina and Emma picked out. It was comfortable and slightly stylish, oddly fitting.

Gray: (I didn’t get the wrong station, did I? Maybe I’m too early? Maybe I’m thinking too much?)

Nina: “Sorry for the wait, Gray!”

From zero to one hundred, Nina had appeared in an instant.

Gray: “Phew, glad I didn’t get the wrong station. I know you and Alice already changed, but I really wanted to give this outfit a spin after you and Emma helped me pick it out. It still looks good, right?”

Nina: “Mhm! More cutieful than just good, honestly. Although I would’ve totally loved to see you in that maid outfit again… Hehe…”

Gray: “I-I mean, I can wear it around the cafe one day if you want me to… And serve you tea if you’d like…”

Nina: “Y’know, I think that would be lovely. I’m obviously trying to hold in my excitement, but you get the point. Also, I meant to ask, but what do you think of my outfit?”

Gray: “Hmm… The tights and shorts definitely give a sporty vibe, while the hoodie also adds a layer of casual comfiness… W-What I’m trying to say is that it fits you perfectly.”

Nina giggled and nudged Gray’s shoulder lightly.

Nina: “You really are the sweetest… Alice always tells me it’s a bit reserved considering my body type, but I’ve always loved dressing more comfortably anyway. I don’t even know what she meant by ‘my body type’ anyway…”

Gray: “F-First off, I’m definitely going to word this weirdly, but I think Alice meant that you’re… I don’t know… More… Developed than most girls our age?”

While initially somewhat surprised and flushed, a sheepish yet devious smile soon swept over the blonde girl’s face.

Nina: “Duh, of course I know that, silly. It’s nice to know that you’ve noticed, though… Maybe I’m not the only person with ‘silly’ thoughts every once in a while.”

Gray: *sigh* “Alice was definitely right about you being a little dangerous… Not that I really mind much. If anything, I think it adds to your overall charm. It’s definitely gap, that’s for sure.”

Nina: “W-Wait… You think I have… Gap? Like… A moe gap?”

Gray: “Yeah, of course you do. I mean, I play VNs too, so of course I’d know the term.”

At this point, all of Nina’s possible defenses have been blown away like cardboard.

Gray: “...Nina?”

Nina: “S-Sorry… Just… Give me a sec…” (Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.)

???: “Ah, there you two are.”

Walking up to the duo was Alice, who had also changed into her casual attire.

Gray: “Looks like someone’s a little late…”

Alice: “Yeah, yeah. I needed a snack before we left, so yeah… Madame President, why are you making a face like that?”

Nina: “B-Because, you two are so adorable! Gray’s outfit is already stellar, but I forgot how much I liked yours too… Nice shoulders, by the way…”

Alice: “G-Get your head out of the gutter! Come on, you two, we have a train to catch!”

Nina: “A-Ahaha. Yeah, we do have to do that, don’t we?”

Gray: (Maybe Sara sending us on this mission was a lapse of judgment after all.)

While boarding the train with the others, Gray noticed a black-haired woman wearing a personalized maid outfit that appeared combat-ready. She glanced over at him once before vanishing into a crowd.

Nina: “Gray? Is something up?”

Gray: “N-No worries, it’s nothing.” (Why was she wearing… Never mind…)

✰✰✰

About twenty minutes later, Nina could be seen resting her head on Gray’s shoulder while Alice sat across from them. By now, the sun was beginning to set slightly, bathing the train car in fading sunlight. No one but the trio was sitting in this specific traincar. This moment was all theirs, after all.

Alice: *sigh* “She really is so spoiled. I initially kinda disliked that part of her, but eventually I realized that she just wanted to be appreciated wholeheartedly.”

Gray: “Don’t worry, I figured that out too. I don’t mind it, really. Even if I don’t get what she sees in me, I still want to live up to her expectations the best I can. Same with you, of course.”

Alice smiled sheepishly.

Alice: “Dork… You really are too sweet for your own good. Also, since it’s technically just the two of us, did you have any more Vampire-related questions? Just wondering.”

Gray: “Hmm… It might be a sensitive topic, but what… Happened to the other Vampires?”

Alice: “I mean, it’s not exactly all that complicated of a story. The Vampires who initially arrived on Lumen already had weaker blood than their ancestors, and that blood only got less potent as time went on. And with that, our vampiric impulses became weaker as well. Uncle and I may be tough as nails and a good bit stronger than a normal human, but even we don’t have to drink blood anymore. Unless we’re super injured and need regeneration fuel, but you get the point.”

Gray: “That… Makes a lot of sense, actually… Is there any way to increase the vampiric aspect in blood?”

Alice’s smile was slowly sullied.

Alice: “Nope. It’s impossible, really. Eventually, Vampires will cease to exist entirely. And since Uncle and I are the only ones left, we’re surrounded by people who live generally shorter lives than us. I don’t know… I personally have always just hoped that I’ll die before anyone—”

Gray: “Alice.”

Alice: “...Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all gloomy…”

Gray: “It’s alright. But I just want you to know…”

Bathed in ephemeral sunlight, Gray spoke from the heart.

Gray: “As long as I’m alive, I’ll never abandon you. Not that you would ever let that happen anyway, but you get the point. Besides, who would endlessly tease you about being afraid of stars and comets if I weren’t around?”

Alice: “Hehe… Idiot. Sounds like a plan… Yeah. Also, since Nina’s already been conked out for half an hour, do you mind if I rest a bit too? On your lap, obviously.”

Gray: “Y-Yeah, go ahead. I don’t mind, really…”

After getting up and walking over, Alice rested her head on Gray’s lap and looked up at him.

Gray: “Comfy?”

Alice: “Mhm. I’d say so. Just wake me up when we get to the station, okay?”

Gray: “I got you, don’t worry.”

Alice smiled and closed her eyes.

Alice: “I know I can be a lot to deal with, but I really need you two… Just… Please never go anywhere, alright? I… Just…”

However, she had already drifted off.

Gray: (...I won’t. I promise.)

???: “Quite the heartwarming little group, aren’t you three?”

Seemingly arriving without a sound, the maid from before appeared in the seat that Alice was originally sitting in. Her black hair was styled in a bob cut, and her inner hair had hints of blue streaking down. Her blue eyes were slightly distorted, as if hiding something behind them. Gray could feel her overwhelming presence the second she appeared in front of him.

Gray: “Y-You’re… The girl from earlier.”

Hilda: “Hilda Stratos, at your service. As per Sensei’s orders, I have been sent to retrieve a certain ‘something’ at Kousagi Station. Running into the Research Club wasn’t expected, but I’m glad to see you three in good health.”

Gray: “...Wait a minute. You’re part of Nova Works, aren’t you? Sara mentioned before how one of their members is a maid outfit-wearing assassin. That’s you, isn’t it?”

Hilda: “Perhaps. To not waste any of your precious time, I’ll get straight to the point. Somewhere hidden inside Kousagi Station is an Android girl leftover from Dr. Quinn’s USAGI Project. My mission is to kill her, and if any of you cuties interrupt me, I’ll be forced to kill you too. No hard feelings, of course.”

While initially taken aback, Gray’s resolve became clear.

Gray: “No hard feelings or not, I can’t let you kill someone. I’m sorry, but it looks like I’ll just have to find her before you do.”

Hilda giggled and crossed her arms.

Hilda: “Full points. I would have honestly been pretty disappointed if you just let me do what I wanted. Let’s see if you three have what it takes, shall we?”

As the sun flashed through the cabin, Hilda soon vanished just as Nina woke up on Gray’s shoulder.

Nina: “Hehe… We there yet?”

Gray: “Y-Yeah, almost.” (What was with her, anyway?)

✰✰✰

As the trio exited the train, they found themselves looking around Kousagi Station, which was mostly abandoned. Not a single other citizen could be seen walking around, only Hopplins.

Gray: “S-So many…”

Alice: “Pfft. I knew you were gonna lose it.”

???: “U-Um, you three…”

Leaning on the side of the train was a young conductor with a sharp and tidy appearance.

Nina: “Oh! Thanks for the safe ride, Mister Conductor!”

Tidy Conductor: “Just doing my job, folks. I do have to ask, though… What kind of business do three teenagers have all the way out here on a school night? Not interrogating you or anything, of course!”

Alice: “We’re just on an unofficial message for the Foundation, so no biggie. You don’t have any reason to trust us, though, so if—”

Tidy Conductor: “Actually, never mind. I think I have a good idea who you three are, so no need to identify yourselves or anything.”

In a single motion, the conductor hopped back on his train and prepared to get going.

Tidy Conductor: “Godspeed, you guys! Thanks for all the hard work you do! Oh, and enjoy your camping trip too!”

Gray: “Y-Yeah, of course! …Wait, camping trip?”

Nina: “Have a safe ride back! …W-Wait, how will we get back?!”

Alice: “That was the last ride here for the day, so maybe Sara can pick us up? If she and Emma are out of traffic, that is.”

The trio all stood in silence for a moment.

Gray: “...I am not looking forward to that walk home.”

Nina: “D-Don’t jinx us!”

After entering a nearby abandoned train, the trio began to walk and look around for anything suspicious. Oddly enough, every aspect of the train was rabbit-themed, from the seats to the tables to the chandeliers.

Alice: “Gray… Are you sure they didn’t make this train for you?”

Nina: “Lots of Hopplins… Rabbit-themed everything… I think we might’ve stumbled into a Graytopia… Hehe.”

Gray: “I-I won’t deny it, this place is pretty cool.” (I should’ve brought my Hopplin hoodie, but that’s besides the point.) “So, Alice, did Sara ever say what we were looking for exactly? Or just a general investigation?”

Alice: “She texted me on the way to the station that she actually wanted us to retrieve an Android girl? Seems kinda weird to me, but I guess we’ll just have to look around till we find her.”

Suddenly, the conversation Gray had with Hilda flashed through his mind.

Nina: “...Gray?”

Gray: “...Have you two ever encountered a crazily intimidating maid before?”

Alice: “Hm? Wait, are you talking about Hilda?”

Nina: “We’ve encountered her before, but it's definitely been a while. Despite her polite disposition, she’s a trained assassin who will stop at nothing to complete her missions. No one in Nova Works puts up a fight quite like she does… Why do you ask, though?”

Gray: “Well… She kind of talked to me on the train and told me that she’s looking for the Android girl too and if we try to stop her she might kill us and—”

Alice reached over and covered Gray’s mouth with her hand.

Alice: “First off, dork, Hilda probably just said all that to intimidate you since you’re new. Even someone of her caliber wouldn’t dream of taking on three trained Adepts at once. She’s an agent of the shadows, not a powerhouse berserker.”

Nina: “Besides, all we have to do is beat her to the punch, right?”

Gray smiled before taking a deep breath.

Gray: “You’re right, my bad for doubting. Also, Alice, did Sara mention what kind of Android we’re looking for? They aren’t often manufactured anymore, so I’ll likely know the type.”

Alice: “Sara mentioned that the Android we’re looking for, the Shadow Execution Nail, was one of the last built during the USAGI Project.”

Nina: “Professor Quinn built them a while back. He used to work for the Foundation before an incident took his life… Alvis Quinn, his son, disappeared soon after, never to be seen again. It was a huge loss for the Foundation’s research power, considering how crazily talented they were. I honestly wish I got to meet them…”

The second Alvis was brought up, Gray noticed Alice’s attitude turn significantly solemn.

Gray: (...I’ll hold off on asking about that for now.) “The Foundation really does deal with so much… I can definitely understand why Sara would want us to recover a USAGI model, though. They were built to annihilate Asterisms and possess some of the most adaptive AI the world has seen.

Nina: “OOoooh! Am I really getting a fourth partner?! I can’t—”

???: *static* “Analyzing…”

Suddenly, Gray heard a familiar voice call out to him, the same one that he heard on Gloria High’s third floor right after Alice and Nina left on the knight mission. Before he could even realize it, he was transported somewhere else entirely. The place in question being the train’s derelict ballroom.

Gray: “W-Wha— Where did those two—”

???: “Interesting. It seems my cries for help did not fall on deaf ears.”

Sitting under an aged stained-glass window, a cloaked green-haired girl who appeared to be about Gray’s age sat motionless. Her body appeared to be mostly mechanical despite how human she looked. Two headphone-like devices covered her ears, acting as some kind of communication devices. As the Android girl opened her strikingly realistic yellow eyes, a half smile slowly swept across her face.

Gray: “You… You’re the one who was calling me, aren’t you? Even a week ago.”

S.E.N: “Correct, Gray Haven. I am the Shadow Execution Nail, nicknamed ‘Sen’ by the professor who originally created me. I have lost a significant amount of my data, so I hope you will bear with the gaps in my memory for now.”

Gray: “N-No worries. First off, Sen… Are you alright? You seem like you’re unable to move from the neck down.”

Sen: “Alas. I am currently out of energy entirely. I will recharge over time, but I doubt I will be able to move for a little while. Could you perhaps carry me, Gray? I am very light.”

Gray: “Y-Yeah, I think I can. I’m not particularly strong, but if you say you’re light…”

A few seconds later, Gray could be seen carrying Sen out of the ballroom with her piggybacking on him.

Gray: “Whoa… You didn’t say you were this light…”

Sen: “USAGI models are designed to be glass cannon fighters, so it is only natural.”

Gray: “I guess that makes sense… Also, Sen, how did you know my name? And how did you get here to begin with?”

Sen: “While the latter I cannot recall, I… Hm… You just seemed like a Gray to me. It is a gender neutral name, and you appear to be very androgynous, so I essentially took a shot in the dark and struck gold.”

Gray laughed to himself lightly.

Gray: “You know… I’ll take it. A-Also, sorry if I seem a little nervous… I haven’t exactly carried anyone before.”

Sen: “I understand, truthfully. Luckily, my breasts are quite small, so they will not push up against your back in an erotic manner.”

Gray: “U-Um… That’s sweet of you!” (I can’t tell if this girl has a mind like Nina or is just a bit too honest for her own good.)

???: “Ah, there you two are!”

Gray immediately froze upon hearing that voice. There, fully clad in her battle-ready maid outfit, was Hilda, walking slowly toward him and Sen with a long nata-like cleaver in her right hand.

Sen: “Gray, it appears that a very dangerous woman is approaching us.”

Gray: “Y-Yeah, no kidding… Hold on tight, alright?”

Hilda: “Quite the disobedient little pup, aren’t you? No matter, it looks like I’ll have to get her from you the hard way now. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure not to hit that lovely face of yours—”

……

RELEASING CURRENT RESTRICTIONS. 25% POWER OUTPUT. ACTIVATING CODENAME: STILLNESS:RE.

Hilda: “Huh?”

Gray: “Sorry about this.”

In an instant, Gray used his Frame to dash behind Hilda as his eyes glowed a striking azure. After that, he simply continued running using the burst of momentum.

Hilda: “Hehe… Sensei was right, he really is special.”

✰✰✰

Around the same time, in the same train, Nina and Alice could be seen looking around for their seemingly spirited-away partner.

Alice: “Honestly, why would he just vanish like that? This place isn’t a Distortion, but I can kinda get the feeling it has aspects of one.”

Nina: “Regardless, Gray has to be around here somewhere— Oh! Hi, Gray!”

Clearly out of breath from running, Gray still had Sen latched on to his back.

Gray: *pant* “S-Sorry for vanishing, I really didn’t intend for this to all happen!”

Nina: “I-It’s no problem, but…”

Alice: “That’s her, isn’t it? The Android girl…”

Sen: “Yes, that is me. Unfortunately, we have more important matters to attend to—”

Suddenly, something came crashing down through the train’s ceiling. After the dust settled, Hilda revealed herself.”

Nina: “Hilda…”

Hilda: “Long time no see, cuties. Sadly, I have a mission to complete, so this fun little chat will have to—”

In an instant, Alice drew blood from her right hand and threw three crimson daggers in Hilda’s direction. Reacting almost instinctively, the battle-ready maid pulled out three needles of her own and tossed them in a way in which they would clash with Alice’s. After that, an awkward silence filled the rabbit-themed train car.

Hilda: “Hmm… It seems that I have bitten off a bit more than I can chew. Majorly, in fact.”

Alice: “Um, you think? What made you think you could attack all three of us at once in such a small space?”

Hilda: “Fair point… It would be a different story if C were here with me, but alas…”

Hilda quickly put away her weapons before letting out a brief sigh.

Alice: “Good observation, now take a hike.”

Gray: “...Why did you even come here looking for Sen to begin with? I’m honestly pretty curious at this point.”

Nina: “Y’know, I’d like to know too, but I doubt we’ll get an answer—”

Hilda: “The USAGI unit? Nova Works’ leader and my master, Sensei, wanted to weaponize her since she is among the last of her kind. I will let you three know something, though. That girl is nothing but trouble. Alden Quinn was a lunatic who tampered with the idea of artificial life to a genuinely obsessive degree. He lived just as he died, a fool till the very end. Does the Foundation honestly believe that—”

Gray: “Hilda.”

The maid immediately went silent.

Gray: “That’s enough. Regardless of Sen’s past or who created her, she doesn’t deserve to hear such hurtful things when she doesn’t even remember anything.”

Hilda: “...Forgive me. I spoke too harshly, it seems.”

After taking out an odd-looking device, a teleportation rift appeared in front of Hilda.

Hilda: “So, will you three take the chance of that girl bringing about your downfall?”

Nina: “...I think we will, actually. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing we’ve done, that’s for sure.”

Alice: “Nina does have a point. Taking huge risks is kinda our whole thing, at least most days.”

Sen: “...Blushes.”

Gray: “Y-You just said it instead of doing it!”

With a kind yet pitying smile on her face, Hilda walked through the rift and disappeared entirely.

Nina: “Jeez, how can someone be that pretty, scary, and polite all at once?”

Alice: “As true as that all is, I think an introduction is in order…”

After regaining some of her energy, Sen slid off Gray’s back and stood beside him.

Sen: “As I told Gray earlier, I am the Shadow Execution Nail, or ‘Sen’ for short. While I have been out of action for some time now, I would still like to aid the Axis Foundation in any way I can. It’s what the professor… No… It’s the choice I have decided to believe in.”

Nina: “Hehe… Nina Edith, at your service, Senny!”

Alice: “Alice Nightmare, if you were wondering. We can be a bit of a handful to work with, but I hope you won’t mind helping us out from time to time.”

Instead of responding to Alice, Sen simply eyed her up and down.

Alice: “U-Um… W-What’s up?”

Sen: “Alice. While slightly more developed than I, it seems that you would also be easy to carry on someone’s back. This makes us ‘piggyback buddies’, I fear.”

Alice: “Y-Yeah! I desperately need context, but I’m still on board!”

After a lightbulb went off in her mind, Nina glanced over at Gray with a mischievous smile.

Nina: “Hehehe… Mind if I join them too—”

Gray: “Nope! Don’t even think about it!”

Nina: “C-C’mon! Whyyyyyy?!”

Gray: “Y-You know why! I shouldn’t even have to spell it out—”

Suddenly, the quartet heard an explosion nearby.

Nina: “W-Wha—”

Standing near the end of the train car were two squid-like Asterisms accompanied by a large chimeric serpent. The floating snake let out a screech that echoed throughout the train.

Gray: “A Basilisk?! I mean, we are kind of out in the middle of nowhere. Maybe we should—”

Sen: “That won’t be necessary.”

From inside her cloak, Sen drew a green and white blade that appeared similar to a mechanic katana. Seconds later, wind began to gather and compress around the blade, causing the pressure around Sen to spike drastically.

Gray: “S-Sen?”

Alice: “So she does have a Frame…”

Sen: “Despite the fact that I have forgotten so much, it seems that my synthetic muscle memory remains the same…”

In a singular, lightning-fast motion, Sen cleaved the Basilisk and its cohorts into pieces with a slash of cutting wind.

Nina: “N-No way… she one-shot a B danger level Asterism?!”

Gray: (So an even stronger heroine has entered the fray, huh? Looks like things won’t be slowing down anytime soon…)

Alice: “C-Come on, no need to show off that hard!”

After noticing that the others were staring, the Android girl smiled and winked in their direction.

Sen: “What? A little starstruck, are we?”

Re_Stella
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