-1: 28
"It's a bit strange to be drinking during the day, but honestly, I think we all need this." I grabbed a dusty bottle of wine and started pouring drinks for everyone.
Anis, Rapi, Neon.
Marian, me, and Endless.
...Ah, did Endless even drink?
She was completely synthetic, so-
"Understood." Endless nodded and immediately downed the glass.
...Well, guess that answered that.
Anis opened her mouth, looking like she wanted to scold Endless. But she shook her head and said, "You know what? Yeah." She chugged her glass as well and said, "Pour me another, Commander."
"Of course, Anis." I refilled her glass and looked around the room.
We had relocated to my personal bedroom in my office, sitting around a small table I'd dragged in from the adjacent lounge.
Considering my bedroom was meant for just me, it was pretty cramped. Especially since there were six people inside.
But it was also cozy and intimate. Vulnerable, in a way.
After all, since we were all here, running away would be difficult. You'd have to squeeze past people to escape.
I sipped on my wine glass and said, "So. It's been... roughly a month now since we all met. Since then, we've become quite close, right?"
A safe opening.
That was the best course of action here.
Neon sipped on her wine and then stuck out her tongue. "Blegh! Bitter!"
Rapi smiled at her, sipping on her wine. "Mm, you get used to it." She shifted her gaze to me. "Thank you, Commander."
Marian sipped on her wine too, quiet and ruminating on her thoughts.
...Yeah, nobody picked up on my question.
Seems like everyone was lost in thought. That, or waiting for me to lead the talk.
In that case...
"Alright, let's cut to the chase then." I set my glass of wine down and said, "Marian loves me. And apparently you girls do too?"
Like a sudden downpour.
That was how fast the atmosphere turned frosty.
Anis let out a bitter laugh and said, "Right to it, huh, Commander? Well, I guess that's like you."
Marian tensed, reflexively squeezing herself closer to my side.
Rapi paused, staring into my eyes, mixed emotions clear on her face.
Neon though... she tilted her head and said, "Well, duh! Of course I love Master! You're like the best big brother ever!"
Ah, that clears THAT up at least.
It was good that Neon saw me as a family member instead of as a romantic interest.
She felt like a little sister to me, so that definitely resolved any future awkward things there.
"N-Neon?!" Anis snapped her head towards Neon and said, "That's not what we're talking about! Wait, no... this entire time you were just...!"
Neon adjusted her glasses, making them glare while a smug smile was on her face. "Of course! Operation success... A true spy conceals her intentions until the decisive moment!"
"Why you...!"
"Anis." Rapi spoke up. "The rules."
Anis froze. Then she let out a long sigh. "Right. No attacking each other for telling the truth. But still... dammit. I got tricked."
"Yep~" Neon laughed.
Anis's right eye twitched.
Whether it was intentional or not, Neon's words lightened the atmosphere a bit.
...Ah, considering she just winked at me, it was definitely intentional.
Note to self: reward her later. Maybe by putting her in charge of R+D for a plasma beam. That's another thing that should exist with the current tech that doesn't yet... and it IS more 'firepower...'
"Commander." Rapi spoke up. "...What do you see us as?"
Marian tensed, clenching her fist against her skirt.
It was a loaded question. One with numerous implications.
But I answered it head on. "Family at the minimum. More, if possible. But that depends on Marian."
Rapi paused.
Anis pursed her lips.
Neon nodded, like she was satisfied with my answer.
And Marian finally relaxed. Though, she still looked worried. "Commander..." She looked me in the eye and said, "...You're really putting this on me?"
"Mm." I shifted my gaze towards Anis and Rapi. "I'm sure you two have a good read on me by now, right? You should know, I'm a man who takes actions with results that are certain. Right now, it's only the 'possibility' of more. I'm sure your emotions are strong, and I don't discount them. But I personally am the sort of person who can draw the line on my own emotions. Right now, I love you as family. There's the possibility of more, but unless Marian allows it, that's where it will stay. Because I've chosen Marian and she's chosen me."
Anis pursed her lips and said, "That's not fair, Commander. It's just pushing the responsibility on us."
Rapi hesitated. Then she said, "...Is that a no then?"
"It's not a no. It's a request to assess your own emotions." I sipped on my wine and gestured at us all. "We're here to talk about it. But it's still also early. Is it really love and affection you're feeling? Or is it just goodwill after being deprived of it for so long?"
Anis stared at me. Then she crossed her arms and said, "...Aren't you being a hypocrite?" She shifted her gaze to Marian. "If that's true for us, what about Marian then?"
Marian flinched. "That's..." She hesitated. Then she sat up straight with conviction and said, "Even so, I choose Commander. Even if these emotions aren't completely love... I've already chosen him. So I won't back down from my choice."
Anis's eyes flashed and she said, "Well, what if I want to choose him too, huh?! It's not fair! You barely knew him longer than I- Than we did!"
Marian tensed, clenching her hands into fists.
Rapi sighed. "Anis-"
"No, Rapi." Anis shook her head. "I want to know. What makes Marian so special? Why can't it be us too? Why..." Anis clenched her fists and murmured, "Why is the only person who treats us human choosing someone else?"
Neon coughed. "Um... Maybe we should talk about something-"
Marian spoke up, her voice soft. "You're right, Anis."
Anis glanced over. "...Right about what?"
Marian hesitated. Then she said, "...It hasn't been fair. Commander said it, right? We aren't our body, our minds, our thoughts... we're what chooses. And..." She glanced back at me. Then she glanced at the others. After a long exhale, she nodded before saying, "Okay. Let's take a step back. It hasn't even been a month yet since we've known each other as the Brave Squad. So... let's start there."
Anis slowly lowered her arms and said, "...So what? You want us to just... forget that you've already had him? That he chose you?"
"No." Marian shook her head and looked at me. "...Commander."
"Yes, Mari?" I spoke up after letting them have their say.
Marian looked me in the eye and said, "...Is it possible for you to choose 'us' instead of just me?"
Anis tensed.
Rapi pursed her lips.
Neon looked worried about how the situation would unfold.
Endless... was just watching.
Which meant it was on me. And the next words I said would change everything.
So I didn't answer carelessly. Instead, I paused, assessed the situation, thought about it... And then I said, "Possible? Yes. But do you want me to?" I looked at all of them. "...This goes to how you view 'love' you know? For me, I think it's possible since love is an 'action' in my eyes. I can 'choose' to love you by acting in ways that make you feel loved. But if the ways you feel loved clash, then it won't work. It'll feel like you're stealing from each other."
Rapi placed her hand on her chin, lost in thought.
"Ooh!" Neon stuck up her hand. "Are you talking about love languages, Master?!"
Endless's violet eyes lit up. "Ah. Commander is talking about allocation of resources. There is only 'one' Commander, but if the way you love each person differs and does not overlap..."
"...Then it should be fine." Rapi murmured. "Hm."
I nodded. "Right. So." I refilled everyone's glasses of wine and said, "What makes you feel loved? I know for Mari it's physical touch and quality time."
Marian blushed and nodded. "Y-Yes, Commander." She smiled and placed her hand over her heart. "That's how I feel loved."
Anis finally relaxed. As she did, she stopped to think about it and murmured, "I'm not sure... What is this 'love language' thing anyway you're talking about?"
"Ooh!" Neon held her hand up again. "Can I explain it, Master?"
I smiled. "Sure, Neon."
"Okay!" Neon clapped her hand. "So, basically! Everyone has a certain way they feel loved! There's words of affirmation, like compliments, saying 'I love you' outloud, and other things! There's quality time, just sharing moments together! There's receiving gifts, where getting things from that person makes you feel loved! Then there's acts of service and physical touch! Doing things for each other and being clingy!"
Anis froze, as if Neon's explanation had cut deep in her core. Then she relaxed, mulling it over. And finally, she quietly said, "...I guess... N-No laughing! But..." She glanced at me and looked away. "...Words of affirmation and quality time? I-It would be nice to hear someone say they love me and spend time with them..."
Rapi's face turned a bit red. But she nodded and said, "As for me... I suppose it would be acts of service and gifts?" She let out a relaxed smile and said, "The sentiment matters more to me."
Neon looked excited and said, "Then it works out! Master can love all of you without making you feel like you have to fight for him!"
Marian relaxed. "That's... true, isn't it?" Marian laced her fingers with mine and said, "...We're not taking from each other then." She leaned against me. "...I don't mind having you just at night."
Rapi hummed. "I'm usually busy in any case. But knowing I'm loved via gifts and the like..." She gave me a warm smile. "Knowing I'm in your thoughts would be enough."
Anis huffed. "...This is ridiculous. We're grown women negotiating how to love the same guy."
Neon laughed. "Well... you could always just NOT love Master too."
Anis's face turned red. "Sh-Shut up." She looked at me, then looked away. "...You know I can't do that. But fine." She looked at me from the side and murmured, "...If Mari gets night, I want day. And... say you love me too. Again and again until I believe it."
I opened my mouth, prepared to say just that.
And then Endless spoke up. "Confirming. Successful defusing of love-polygon drama bond. As expected, Commander defies the odds once more."
"Pft." Anis stifled a laugh.
Rapi raised her hand to cover her smile.
Neon ACTUALLY laughed, doubling over and clutching her side.
Then Marian gasped and said, "Endless!" She couldn't hide her bright smile as she said, "You can't just SAY that!"
...Well. I guess that works out...?