Where is this place?
I clearly remember falling asleep while being held by Nunu, but why is the scenery not the E Zone command center, but our command center?
Did I sleep that long? Have we already returned to our command center?
Why is my body so dirty?
“Maru, it’s time for the logistics support.
“Yes, what? But, it hasn’t even been an hour since I went…!”
“I’m sorry. But in order to cover the cost of the pudding you ate, you’ll need to go on about three more missions.”
“This doesn’t make any sense…
No matter how much I tried to plead, the commander’s attitude was firm.
It feels like I’m going to die from exhaustion, but there’s nothing I can do. For someone like me, who can’t even go on a mission, this is the best I can do.
…Wait a minute. What’s this?
I feel like I’ve experienced this before.
Was I always like this?
“Wow, Maru.”
“Nunu!”
Nunu was wearing a stylish uniform and getting ready for a mission. The dagger she was holding had also become much more luxurious.
It looks like Nunu has already received the modifications they were talking about recently.
As expected of her.
“What is it? We’re busy, so go away, kid.”
“But…
Just as I was waddling toward Nunu, someone with a large build stopped me.
They were so big that no matter how much I looked up, I couldn’t see their face.
“Don’t be like that. Oh, by the way, Maru, the commander was looking for you earlier.”
“Me?”
“I heard something about a mission… Wouldn’t it be a good idea to check it out?”
“Huh. A mission… a mission?
Could it be that we’re finally going on a mission?
All the logistics support I’ve been doing finally paid off. It’s time to go!”
“…Ru, Maru!”
“Eh?
I closed my eyes and opened them again, and the scenery instantly changed.
It was a deep forest, not the command center.
When I came to my senses, five strangers were staring at me from behind.
“Maru, what’s going on? We need to leave soon.”
“Umm… but where’s my weapon?”
I noticed that my fox rain was missing. I must have forgotten to bring it by mistake.
Hehe, I can’t believe I forgot this. I must be so excited since it’s been such a long time.
“Quickly, lead the way.”
“Uh, okay?”
“Don’t you know? You just need to keep up while we gain experience.”
Wait, did everyone bring the affinity items?”
“The commander gave them to us, so of course we brought them.”
The five of them took something out of their pockets all at once.
It was something small and round.
It was pudding.
“Hey, that’s my snack…”
“What are you talking about? Just hurry up and let’s go.”
Ah, no.
It’s delicious.
“Mmm, sweet.”
“I can bear everything else, but not my pudding.
Absolutely not!!!!”
And then I woke up.
“Hah, heh…”
For some reason, I tried to calm my breath as it came out in short bursts and looked around.
I saw the fluffy backrest of a sofa and a big TV. Then I saw a small sign that said [E Zone Reception Room].
…Where did everyone go?
Where’s the commander, Nunu, the sea?
“Ugh…
I’m scared. I know it’s a nightmare, but it feels so scary and lonely.
I just want someone to stay by my side…”
“Hum~”
Over the backrest of the sofa, I heard Nunu’s voice from somewhere.
I got up from the couch and looked over, and I saw Nunu in the kitchen, wearing an apron and cooking.
“Nunu…”
I ran straight to Nunu.
I didn’t want to think about anything else. I just missed the warm embrace of Nunu.
“Oh, Maru, you woke up already…”
“Nunu, Nunu…”
“Huh?”
I immediately hugged Nunu. The faint peach scent was sweet.
“My Maru must have had a bad dream.”
Nunu hugged me and gently patted my back.
The rhythmic sound of her pats made my stiff body slowly relax.
I snuggled deeper into her warm embrace.
Ah.
Nunu’s warm body gradually melted my loneliness.
“Ugh, Nunu…”
“How bad was the nightmare for Maru to be like this… You’re such a good kid.”
“Sniff.”
“Sniff? What do you mean? I didn’t cry, so why the sniff?”
“…It’s just a little dust got in my eyes. I’m not crying.”
“It’s okay. It’s okay.”
“Yeah…”
“Still, it’s nice to be here like this. Sharing body heat with Nunu, it feels like my body and heart are melting.
Thanks to that, my gloomy mood has gotten better, and there’s a smile on my face now.”
“Hehe.”
“Hehe.”
“Oh, I told you before, but if you cry and laugh, your bottom will grow horns.”
“What?!”
“Ah. Looks like Maru’s horns are already growing.”
I urgently checked my bottom.
“It’s soft. No, wait, that’s not it.”
“Hehe, just kidding. But it looks like you’ve calmed down a lot.”
“…Nunu unnie. You scared me.”
Nunu unnie didn’t say anything more.
She just hugged me tightly with a playful smile.
I rested my head on her shoulder and hugged her back.
Just like that, we held each other for a while.
After exchanging this affectionate warmth a few times, I started to feel embarrassed.
…What did I just do?
Crying out for my sister like a child who had a nightmare.
Well, it’s true that I had a nightmare and that I’m in a child’s body.
But still… I’m a man. A real man who doesn’t give in to things like this.
Ah, yeah. At least I didn’t cry out loud in an ugly way, so I still have a chance.
Anyway, that’s that.
“Maru, are you still feeling uneasy because of the nightmare? Should we not watch a movie today?”
“Huh? Oh, no! I’m really fine!”
Unnie misinterpreted my sigh and asked me with a worried look.
Of course, I was still a little shaky, but I couldn’t let that ruin our time together.
I also wanted to grant unnie’s wish, since she had been looking forward to watching a movie with me.
Plus, I made a promise.
And a real man never breaks his promises!
“Wait, I’ll go get some popcorn and cola.”
“Okay…”
Right?
“Hehe, no need to look so down. I’ll be right back. If you’re really nervous, just watch the TV for a bit. I’ll be quick, okay?”
As I reluctantly nodded, unnie patted my head for a moment. Her hand was soft and gentle.
I closed my eyes and savored the feeling for a bit, but then unnie turned on the TV and walked to the kitchen to prepare the popcorn.
When the ticklish sensation disappeared, I felt a bit disappointed, so I tried patting my own head.
…Meh, not the same. Unnie’s touch is better.
So Nunu unnie was making popcorn, huh? I hope it’s caramel flavor.
Breaking news. Recently, an increase in mercenaries has been causing trouble for the command units.
The news played on the TV.
So even in this world, they air news at 9 PM.
The content was surprisingly ordinary—rising prices, worsening global warming, the usual stuff.
Recently, the number of “Ungae-type” monsters has been increasing rapidly, causing major disruptions in agriculture…
Ungae is causing trouble again, huh?
“Hmm? Maru, what did you just say?”
“Huh? Unnie?”
Startled by the sudden voice beside me, I turned to see unnie holding a big tub of popcorn.
Huh? Wasn’t she in the kitchen just now? That was fast.
Can you say that again? I didn’t hear you properly.”
Oh, I wasn’t talking to you, unnie. The news said that Ungae is causing trouble lately.”
“…Say that one more time? From the news part.”
…? What’s going on?
I didn’t say anything wrong, but why is unnie acting like this all of a sudden?
All I did was repeat what was on the news…
Seriously, what is it? I tilted my head in confusion.
They said Ungae is causing trouble lately.”
Can you shorten it a little more?
“…Ungae is troublesome?”
A little more. Please!”
“…Ungae?”
The moment I said it, Nunu unnie suddenly shouted, “That’s it!” and stomped her feet excitedly.
The popcorn tub in her hands shook dangerously, as if it would spill at any moment.
“Unnie, the popcorn…”
“Maru, now say it over and over again!”
But unnie ignored my warning and just stared at me intensely.
She’s way too close. This is embarrassing.
“…Wait a second.”
“No way.”
“Huh? Why not?!”
“Because that’s the sound babies make…!”
I almost created the most embarrassing moment of my life. I’m so glad I realized in time.
“But I really want to hear Maru say ‘Ungae’…”
“…What are you even talking about? I’m not doing it!”
Hearing my firm refusal, Nunu unnie’s expression turned pitiful, her eyes drooping sadly.
“Really?”
“No matter how sad you look, the answer is still no…”
“…Really really?”
Her eyes drooped even more, and big teardrops started forming.
It looked like she was trying to use my sympathy to get her way.
But no chance! I saw right through her plan. The genius Maru won’t fall for it.
“The popcorn is going to get cold. Let’s watch the movie first.”
“Hicc…”
Ugh.
She looked at me with those big, sad puppy eyes.
“…”
“Maru…”
…Ah, geez.
I lost. I lost.
Sigh.
“Fine… I’ll do it after the movie, okay?”
“Yay! Maru, you’re the best!”
Well, saying “Ungae” a few times won’t kill me…