Meanwhile, on my office, I took a sip on my newly brew coffee while I sat on my office chair.
In front of me are some papers for formalities. Since I now own this five story after all, naturally paper works are always present.
Unless its illegal, I have no choice but to sign every single paper or else things could go sideways.
Of course, unless kisha step in. But I rather have her as a backup.
...
As I was signing some papers, someone knocked.
"Hm?"
"Commander its me, aliya."
"Come in."
I replied, then the door open. I was greeted by my beautiful assistant as she step inside. Her movements were graceful and respectful at the same time. Probably because she is inside my office right now.
"What is it? Did something come up?"
She shook her head, which made me tilt my head. Not waiting any seconds, she suddenly asked me something unexpected.
"I just want to ask... Why did you do that?"
My eyes darted at her eyes as she tilt her head. I can see the confusion through that red beautiful eyes of her. Honestly, she has to be one of the most beautiful eyes ever.
"Dodge what?"
"Ria... Remember our first encounter with her? She..."
"Ah!"
I interrupted her explanation since I finally got what she was pointing out.
"That? Well, I trust her. Why did you asked that?"
"Trust... Her?"
There it goes again, the confusion in her eyes settle as she seems to question why.
"Why? Isn't that your first meeting with her? So how? How did she gain your trust commander?"
That's because I know her character through the game— is what I would say. I mean, come on now. Why would I be so stupid, putting my life on the line for something I am not certain of?
That's not reckless, your being dumb.
Throwing away your life, expecting it to be different when in reality, its entirely different. If I didn't know her character, I wouldn't suggest to prove myself on that way.
"How? Hm..."
I acted like I was thinking my answer when I already have them.
"Guts?"
Her eyes widden a little, shock by my unexpected answer.
Its like, you're throwing away your life for something as simple as 'guts'? That's not reckless, that's just out right being dumb you know?
"Look, I can be here all day, explaining some stuff you wouldn't get. But at that time, my guts tell me to trust her. To lean on her and see if she would catch me."
My mouth slowly raise, smiling gently.
"And look what it resulted. I gained her trust, and she's one of my angels now."
"But!... What if that didn't work? What if that bullet actually pierced through your head?... You know I wouldn't be able to live my life without you on this planet!..."
Her unexpected outburst made me flinch. Even me, who's a aliya die-hard fan, didn't expect she has this kind of mindset.
Though, the last part were whispered, I could tell its all about being concerned by my being, which mad eme appreciate her even more.
"Calm down aliya. If that actually pierces my head, then it pierces my head."
"What?... But commander!..."
I wave my head to calm her down before I calmly replied.
"You might not get it but, some things are worth sacrificing for. Like—"
I pointed where her heart is and smiled. She stayed silent as she let me continue my explanation about this absurd topic of me almost dying.
"—Someone's trust."
I saw her eyes widden again, shocked by my answer for the fifth time.
Seriously, even if I didn't know ria from the game, I would still do the same thing all over again.
That is because, in order for you to receive their trust, their respect, their impression for you, death is one of the things you could offer.
After all, who wanted to die?
Well, let's not include those suicidal people.
My point is, its okay to offer your life. What's not okay is the regret why you didn't later on. Hence, why I would do it with or without my knowledge of the game.
"I... See."
From the tone she used, it seems like she still didn't get anything. Well, that's okay. From her perspective, one's life, specially somone as important as mine, is not worth trading for.
So naturally, this kind of mindset didn't suit with her. Hence why she's still lost about this hole ordeal.
"Well, is that all you want to ask? If you still have some, go ahead. I'll try to answer them if I could."
"Um... That is all commander. It just bugged me ever since you did that and... I want to get it off on my head."
"Glad to know. Did it worked?"
"Yes... But I am trying to make it sense through my perception commander."
"Well, take your time. Some topics like this shouldn't be tread lightly after all. Since it includes perspectives and emotions, it should be considered important."
I saw aliya nodded before bowing and excusing herself. I watched her as she leave my office.
I wonder... Will you still do it?
*Bang!*
My thought were interrupted by a loud door getting slam down to the side. The culprit, it was none other than our tsundere angel.
*Thud*
Lia.
"W-what was that about commander?! You stood in front of a bullet and let it hit you?!"
"Hm?"
I sighed and wave my hand to calm her down.
"It was not a big deal okay—"
"It is commander!! What if you get hurt?! Worse, die?!"
I saw her tears slowly dropping from those two beautiful eyes. I curse myself for explaning it like that and quickly rush on her side. I patted her head and gently remove those tears that shouldn't be there in the first place.
"I know. I was reckless at that time. So please forgive me this one time alright?"
*Sniff!* *Sniff!*
"P-promise me you won't do it again..."
"I promise. With all my life and on my name."
She slowly lighten up as I asked her.
"You were listening earlier"
She stopped, realizing her mistake and quickly pull herself away from him in order to avoid getting caught and get punished.
"U-um... Y-yes..."
I sense she was about to lie but it was meaningless. She already yelled out everything me and aliya just discussing prior, meaning she heard everything.
I extended my right hand and caress her smooth cheek. She look up and saw my gentle and warm smile that made lia settle further on my chest.
"Don't worry. I'm not mad or disappointed alright? You can go ahead and eavesdrop, I won't stop you. That goes the same for the rest of my angels."
"Why commander? I thought commanders wanted to hide some things? Specially from their angels?"
"Then, they are not a true commander, lia."
"Huh?"
I saw her eyes widden in front of me as I felt her embrace got tighter. She couldn't grasp how my mindset work since she didn't grew up beside me like aliya.
No
Even aliya would find it strange. After all, she grew up along side this body, while I took over it. She knew its personality and behaviour, yet it seems like she didn't care.
No. Its not like she didn't care, its just that she didn't feel like expressing it as she seem satisfied on who I am right now.
But lia didn't. Hence why she's confuse and shock right now.
"Listen lia, you will never see someone like me ever again. I promise you that."
I am right.
The well known commanders that showed up in the game can be summarised by one word.
Arrogant
Yes. Those fools, good for nothing, nagger are very very very very arrogant. Every time you encounter one, you'll be nagged unless you skipped it. Its like they know everything and felt like they are in control.
Not only that, they also love to abuse their authority on other lower commanders or even angels.
That's why rogue angels exists. Because those people couldn't lower their own pride.
"I see..."
Though confuse, she set it aside for now. Though, she would soon understand why.
"Anyway, is that all? Is there anything you need?"
"Ah!"
She jumped out and panic.
I was right. She has some business but forgot when she started to eavesdrop on us. Typical her.
I smiled.
"Stop smiling commander! I'm doomed! I forgot about ******"
"The what now?"
"The ******!!"
"Ah. I see, then its over there."
I pointed at the corner of my office. Lia immediately ran towards it and tried to find ******.
Well, I guess that's it.
———————————————————
The end of Extra Volume.
———————————————————