-2: 72
As we walked through the streets of the Ark, I noticed people actively saluting me and the others as we passed by...
"The Valiant's returned!"
"I heard from a friend they reclaimed a building on the surface!"
"Do you think he's really the Legendary Commander?"
...And also overheard them saying some interesting things.
I glanced at Eternity and said, "News got out about our exploits, huh?"
Eternity nodded. "Deputy Chief Burningum has worked with Mother to seed public opinion regarding you and the exploits of the Brave Squad. According to both, it has done well in stabilizing what had been trending towards disharmony."
"I can see that."
Looking around, I saw that everyone was smiling and waving at me and my girls.
Although there were a few sour faces in the mix, they kept quiet.
Rapi looked around, stunned. "...So this is what it should have been like for Red Hood and the others..."
Marian leaned against me while she waved. "This is nice, isn't it, Commander?"
Neon adjusted her glasses and puffed out her chest with pride. "As expected! They recognize how great Master is!"
Suri adjusted her visor, casually scanning the crowds for threats with it. "...This is weird too. Commander... Do you have a mild mind control ability or something? First the Raptures, now the crowds..."
Neon laughed. "Master doesn't need that! He just has charisma!"
Rapi chuckled. "Red Hood DID say that And- The Legendary Commander had a knack for it. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Well." I saw a few people copy the salute I used during my speech, with a fist upturned against their heart. The classic Attack on Titan salute. "It resolves a few issues at least."
Since public opinion seemed to be mostly on my side at the moment, it reduced the issues we had.
I could be certain that whatever terrorist organization was stirring things up last time would be cautious at least. With the way things were now, attacking me would galvanize people instead of terrify them.
But...
I leaned in close to Eternity and tapped on her arm. Morse code.
'The issues from last time. Are comms still compromised?'
Eternity tilted her head.
Marian frowned, immediately wrapping herself around my left arm, jealousy clear on her face.
Neon laughed. "Ooh~ Is Mari jealous?"
"Yes."
"E-Eh?"
Rapi sighed. "Commander. Could you NOT flirt with women in public...?"
Although she said that, I could see the concern and caution in her eyes. It seemed that Rapi had caught onto to my subtle communication with Eternity.
Eternity hummed and said, "It's unclear, Commander."
Unclear... meaning that the issue from last time had stopped. But that they weren't sure if that unknown party gave up, or was biding their time.
"Got it. Appreciate you, Eternity."
Eternity let out a warm smile. "It's okay, Commander. We're family, aren't we?"
Marian froze, her eyes flashing violet as they pointedly looked at me.
Neon gasped. "That's right! If Endy is Master's, then Eternity is DEFINITELY-"
Rapi pinched the bridge of her nose. "Could we not do this? At this rate, Anis will-"
"COMMANDER?!"
Hearing Anis's voice, I let out a deep sigh.
Of course.
Of course it would happen like this.
===
A nearby restaurant called Meet & Meat. Apparently, one that was significant to T.T. Star where they'd performed at in the past.
...I didn't get why idols were performing at a place called Meet & Meat considering just how, uh, not seiso the implications of that were.
But apparently, Anis, Nami... who was apparently Anis's old friend Riss somehow, Mint, and Prika were there to talk about a small guerilla concert to practice and build up hype for the big one that Mustang was arranging.
And we just happened to be walking past while they were there.
Which led to this awkward situation of running across Anis in her idol uniform while flanked by Mint and Prika, both also in idol uniforms and very pretty, as well as Nami, who was dressed up in a suit.
Anis's face was a bright red with embarrassment as she instinctively reached up to cover her chest, which was DEFINITELY being put on ample display. "W-W-What are you doing here?! I thought you were on the surface!"
"Hoh~?" Mint tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear and gave me a once-over. "Mm... so this is the prince that stole our Anis's heart and gave back her light, huh?"
Prika gave me an appreciative nod. "9/10. Would be 10... but too many girls." She eyed Rapi, Marian, Eternity, and Neon.
But then she paused on Suri.
Mint noticed as well and looked over at Suri.
Suri froze and quickly ducked behind me.
...Oh, right.
Anis noticed their reactions and quickly pivoted the conversation. "A-Anyway! Commander! You've gotta warn a girl!"
I walked over and poked her cheek, deliberately attracting attention to me. "And who's the one who disobeyed her commander to head to the Ark on personal business, hm~?"
"H-Hey! Stop that!" Anis blushed. "I'm an idol right now!"
"Well, you're mine first."
Mint gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "A-Anis?! The scandal!" She said that, but she sounded delighted instead.
Prika laughed. "Oh, he's got you good, hasn't he?"
"Shut up!" Anis blushed and looked around. Then she stole a quick kiss before saying, "I'm busy right now, so go do whatever you're doing! But you owe me! I want my time too!" After that, she side-eyed Marian.
Marian stuck her tongue out.
I sighed and said, "Alright, alright." I smiled and pecked Anis on the cheek. "Love you. Have fun." I waved at Nami. "And... congrats on getting your memories back, Nami?"
Nami blushed. "Y-Yes, Commander. Um... Thank you for being accommodating?"
"No worries. Honestly, we've kind of become a bit too concentrated in firepower anyway, so it's probably better that Anis is here with you and the others..."
Since we were a bit delayed on the reports, the upper brass only really knew that the big hitters on our team were just Matis. But considering all the tech we had, plus Red Hood, Rose, Endless, and a few others...
Well.
'Honestly, I'm surprised no one's bugged me about it yet.'
Either Deputy Chief Burningum had more sway than I thought, my 'dad' had pulled a ton of strings, or Enikk was actively concealing intel.
Maybe all three.
'Still...'
This wouldn't last forever.
Now that news about me reclaiming the 5th Weapons Depot was spreading, it would only be a matter of time before somebody tried something stupid...
Nami nodded and said, "Understood, Commander! Then... good luck with your... meeting? Is that what you're doing here?"
"Well, as a commander I have to show my face to the upper brass every now and then, you know?" I chuckled and waved at her. "Tell Mustang I said hi. And nice to meet you, Mint, Prika- Wait. Prika? Star Anis, Mint, Prika... Are you Paprika? Oh my GOD are you girls all named after spices? No, ARE YOU THE POWERPUFF GIRLS?! Sugar, spice, and everything nice?!"
Anis groaned. "Of COURSE you would make that connection..."
Mint giggled. "Well, I don't know about these power puff girls... but we are sugar, spice, and everything nice." She pointed at Prika. "Sugar." Then she pointed at Anis. "Spice."
"Hey!"
After that, Mint pointed at herself and let out a sweet smile. "Everything nice~"
I stared at her.
Mint stared back.
Then I said, "Okay, I can believe Anis being an idol now if you're the center."
Mint's eyes sparkled. "You realized I was the center? Wooow. Commander, you have some taste~"
Anis shot me a harsh side-eye.
I laughed and said, "Alright, alright. Going now. Try not to overwork yourselves~"