Nikke: Nullable Type

After everyone calmed down, Chief Andersen sent me a text to come in for a meeting, so I headed off to meet him.

Apparently, the girls had more feelings to sort out, so they told me to go alone while they had a girl talk.

Of course, it was still dangerous for me to head into the Ark alone, so someone had to go with me.

Since Suri was patrolling, and since Nami was doing administrative things, that left Hana to escort me.

And so there we were, heading down the elevator in the Outpost, back into the Ark.

"Huh." I looked around at the flashing elevator lights. "I never thought about it much, but there are multiple of these around, aren't there?"

Hana gave me a bright smile and said, "Yes, Commander. This elevator in particular was constructed by the Mighty Tools squad while you were out the last week."

I blinked. "...They built a whole elevator shaft, elevator system, and all that while I was gone? In a week? All the way down to the Ark?"

Hana tucked a strand of her light brown hair behind her ear. "Amazing, isn't it? Miss Liter is the best at construction. Without her, I doubt that something like this would be possible. In fact, she's the one who's responsible for getting the Outpost back in working conditions."

"...I HAD noticed that the place was fixed up more..."

When I had first arrived at the Outpost with the others, it had been a whole abandoned ruin with only a few operational facilities.

Recently though, it was starting to look more like a proper city, complete with a hotel, shops, and even that maid cafe I saw mentioned in Nami's notes.

Hana raised her hand to cover her mouth as she laughed. "Well, you HAVE been quite absent from the Outpost recently, Commander."

Seeing her do that, I couldn't help but stare at her.

It was... not quite freaky, but definitely eye-catching? Hana REALLY looked like Monika. The emerald eyes, that ponytail, the hair color... and even those mannerisms. It was almost like Monika had stepped out of her visual novel and into reality.

Hana noticed my gaze and shifted in place, a bit uncomfortable. "Commander, I'm flattered by the attention, but-"

"Oh, nope. Cutting it off right there." I crossed my arms in an X. "Not interested in you that way."

I had MORE than enough on my plate with Marian, Anis, and Rapi, thank you very much. And when you threw Endless into the mix too...

Yes, hard pass.

"I was just noticing how much you looked like that old friend of mine, Monika."

Hana blinked. Then she visibly relaxed. "That's good. I, um... did not fancy my odds getting tossed into that vicious competition for your attention..."

"Don't blame you. Anis and Marian have, uh... strong personalities."

Hana chuckled. "Strong is putting it nicely... Although Miss Rapi has quite a strong personality as well. You should be careful, you know? She seems prim and proper, but once you get to know her..."

"...Should... I be concerned?"

It was sounding like Hana implied Rapi might ALSO jump me at some point...

Hana shook her head. "Not concerned. More like... be aware that she's the type to have strong emotions but put on a blank face? To bottle it up? That sort of thing."

"...Got it."

Hana smiled. Then she reached her hand up to her face before pausing. "Right. No visor..."

I looked at her, frowning. "Is that a problem?"

"Not really, Commander. Since you're the leader, your words take priority. But it's usually common practice for us mass-produced Nikke to keep our visors on at all times." Hana glanced towards her reflection in the elevator glass. "...We all share faces, you see? It can be a bit disconcerting meeting someone with the exact same appearance as you."

I blinked. "Is it? I think that I'd be fine if I met someone with my face."

"...Really?" Hana tilted her head to look at me.

Again, a bit freaky. 100% Monika vibes.

Maybe Mustang was a fan of Doki Doki? Was that even a thing in this world?

...I should double check on that, because it would explain a lot.

"Hm." Hana stared at me. Then she let out a small smile before saying, "Well. Commander is that sort of person. Even if your appearance changes, you're firm in who you are. So it wouldn't matter, right?"

"Yep." I nodded, glancing at my own reflection.

Light brown hair and striking blue eyes, both visible beneath an armored helmet. Matte white plate armor covering my body, along with a sword and shield from Rapture components...

It wasn't me. This body wasn't mine.

But it WAS me. Since I was operating it.

The form didn't matter. What did was the fact that I was still here.

Shifting my gaze back to Hana, I smiled and said, "Even if I lost everything I was, if my will remains, then it's still me, you know? There are some things that persist even if your memories, body, and thoughts are scrubbed away."

Hana paused, mulling over my words. "...Hm. Something like the soul, is it?"

"You could call it that." I nodded. "It's just what makes you 'you.' I mean, you're a mass-produced Nikke, yes. But you're not a 'copy.'"

That was the key factor here.

Hana, Nami, Suri... they were all mass-produced Nikkes. But they clearly had their own personalities.

Even while their memories were wiped...

Ah, well, Suri was the exception.

But even while Hana and Nami had everything about them scrubbed away, there was still something inherently 'them' that persisted.

I'd seen some other iDoll Ocean and iDoll Flower series Nikke before while going around the Ark with Rapi and Marian the other time. But although they looked similar to Nami and Hana, the mannerisms were definitely different.

Like, Hana here was 100% acting like Monika would. Thoughtful, empathetic, listening, and also mulling over the wider implications of things.

Nami was also more outgoing than the other iDoll Ocean Nikke I'd met. And DEFINITELY better at administrative work than them too.

Hana smiled at me. "Careful, Commander. You do realize that talking like that is how you're in this mess, yes?" She chuckled and said, "In a world where us Nikke are treated as toy soldiers sent to die for humanity without reward..." Her emerald eyes softened as she smiled at me. "Such warmth can be addicting."

"...Drawing the line here. Sister is the closest you get."

"Pft." Hana laughed. "That's fine. My type is more like Boss anyway. Flamboyant, flashy, and unabashedly bold."

"...You like Mustang?" I blinked. "...I suppose we all have our types..." I rubbed my chin.

Hana blushed. "W-What is that supposed to mean, Commander?!"

"Nothing. Just surprising. You seemed like the type to appreciate quiet soft men, not... well, Mustang."

Hana huffed. "Rude. You don't seem me judging your tastes. After all, your type is CLEARLY the well-endowed sort."

I shrugged. "It's true. I like big boobs."

"Pft." Hana laughed and said, "Not bothering to hide it, huh? Guess I'm safe then." She waved at her modest chest. "I'm not as 'gifted' as my seniors."

"Well, medium IS premium. But don't worry, you're also not my type."

"Rude." Hana let out a teasing smile. "Then what IS your type, Commander?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I smiled back at her. "The sort who are utterly, completely, and lovesickeningly devoted to me."

"...I knew it." Hana laughed. "You're a terrible man."

"Well, I never said I was a GOOD man."

"Fair point."

The doors on the elevator opened, revealing the Ark spreading out before us. Once again, the futuristic architecture came into view, followed by a small group of mass-produced Nikke to verify our identities.

I noticed some other iDoll Flower types included among them and then paused to move towards Hana's side. When I did, I re-did her hair into a fancy French bun.

"C-Commander?"

"There." I nodded. "Now you're 'you' and no one else."

Hana huffed, her ears red. "You can't just do a girl's hair without her permission, Commander!"

"I can if she's my sister. And it's too late now. I've adopted you, Nami, and Suri as my surrogate family members."

Hana rolled her eyes. "Doing whatever you want again... I pity my seniors. They're going to be in such a mess over you in the future. I can feel it."

I laughed. "Maybe. But come on. We can't keep the Deputy Chief waiting."

Spoiler

Hana

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Nami

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Suri

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