()||8BGM_Room:Griffin Control. NPC-Helian(0)Helian<通讯框>||8:...Simply put, the client would like Griffin to stage a burglary.+We will steal the "Star of Glory" from a public venue and secretly return the jewel. NPC-Helian(0)||8:Helian notices my bewildered eyes. NPC-Helian(0)Helian||8:That should be enough to make outsiders abandon their schemes for the jewel, leaving the client free to live their twilight years in peace. NPC-Helian(0)||8:Even though the client's message has been appropriately censored, they're still prominent enough that I could easily discern their identity.+She's an old lady who survived the Collapse and World War 3.+A vast fortune left behind by her husband, her excellent eye for investments, and a healthy dose of luck ensured her fame on the list of the world's billionaires.+The huge jewel mentioned in the file is so big that it could not be made into a ring or some other jewelry. Surely the client must have had a hard time in ensuring its security... NPC-Helian(0)Helian||8:This operation will take place on the client's 80th birthday, when she exhibits the jewel at a cocktail party.+That will be next week...on the same day as our company's own anniversary. NPC-Helian(0)Commander||8:So, about the anniversary celebration... NPC-Helian(0)Helian||8:We'll run it as originally planned. Your participation in this operation will be considered as overtime with additional pay.+In addition, HQ will be sending two Dolls to take part in the operation. They will be responsible for the safekeeping and delivery of the jewel.+As for how this show will be run, that is entirely up to you. NPC-Helian(0)Commander||8:Do I need to discuss the plan with those two Dolls beforehand? NPC-Helian(0)Helian||8:There's no need. They will carry out their own mission. All you need to do is make it seem like a theft.+While this is last-minute overtime, do consider it as a sign of the company's faith in you, Commander. ()||8:...And so the transmission ends.+While I would be getting extra pay, missing the anniversary celebration is a bit of a shame.+In addition, making a gigantic diamond that is worth more than I could save in an entire lifetime "disappear" is no easy feat. 指挥官()Commander||8<黑点1>:What a troublesome jewel... ()||139BGM_Empty<黑点2>:One week later.+At the cocktail party. UMP9(5)UMP9||139BGM_Moon:Hello? Big sis, you're ready? Gotcha, I'll head over right now. UMP9(5)UMP9||139:We're about to begin, so I'll be heading off now. UMP9(5)Commander||139:Right, it's just about time for the operation to start.+...Indulge yourself at next year's party to make up for the missed celebration. UMP9(5)UMP9||139:Heehee, I was waiting for you to say that, Commander... UMP9(5)||139RunStep:UMP9 skips ahead and vanishes into the bustling cocktail party. ()||139:A moment later, my parched throat makes me consider getting a martini from a nearby Doll server, but then I hear a deliberately hushed female voice from behind me. ？？？()???||139:"I've brought misfortune." 指挥官()Commander||139:...+"What a shame."+ "My motto is to treat ladies nicely." ()||139:Before I could look back, the owner of that voice has already circled around in front of me. UMP45(4)||139:She looks like a mirror image of UMP9, except for that ominous smile of hers... UMP45(4)UMP45||139:My, you remembered.+Does that mean you took notes, Commander? UMP45(4)Commander||139:How could I forget? If it wasn't for you all... UMP45(4)UMP45||139:Stop, hold it right there. Keep it secret.+It's enough that you remember me. UMP45(4)Commander||139:You all went missing for a long time after that. Were you called out for another mission? UMP45(4)UMP45||139: Are you testing me? UMP45(4)Commander||139:...+Alright, I don't want to talk about work either, so let's change the topic.+What made you decide on that dress tonight? UMP45(4)UMP45||139:You mean...this? UMP45(4)||139:Unlike her sister, UMP45 is wearing a deep purple evening dress.+Though she has a large ribbon at her waist to complement her stature and looks, it could not conceal the air of maturity radiating from her. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:No particular reason... I just picked something out from the client's cabinet, just like 9. UMP45(4)Commander||139:You two are sisters, yet your standards for fashion seem to be completely different from each other. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:We've only met a few times and you're already confident enough to comment about my nature? UMP45(4)Commander||139:You have a point...+I'd like to be able to hang around you two more often. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:Being around us for too long will make saying goodbye more difficult. UMP45(4)||139:UMP45 narrows her eyes. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:This isn't my world. UMP45(4)Commander||139:... UMP45(4)||139:UMP45's gaze drifts outside the window.+Is she trying to leave this topic and this place behind?+I don't know, but I don't want things to end like this. UMP45(4)Commander||139:...Do you not like the atmosphere? UMP45(4)UMP45||139:Perhaps you might call it...envy? UMP45(4)Commander||139:Why don't you try blending in? The atmosphere's important too. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:Blending in...? UMP45(4)Commander||139:Just this once. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:... UMP45(4)||139:Beep. UMP45(4)||139:UMP45's eyelids flutter, then she looks away from my face. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:I'll have to give it a pass, Commander. UMP45(4)Commander||139:(Sigh) I'll invite you earlier next time. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:Next time?+Yes, next time... UMP45(4)Commander||139:Next time won't be too far off. UMP45(4)UMP45||139:But it won't be for long either. UMP45(4)||139<黑屏1>:She doesn't look back at me. UMP45 quickly vanishes into the sea of people. ()||97<黑屏2>BGM_Empty:...Several hours later.+The chaos at the party has settled down, and the guests are exiting in an orderly fashion under the direction of Griffin T-Dolls. ()||97:They do not seem very panicked at all. In fact, they seem to be chattering in front of the lavish manor, discussing the curious sights they had seen earlier.+I head in the opposite direction of the guests into the vacant manor. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:Were you waiting for me, Commander? Have you seen 9 already? UMP45(4)Commander||97:I told you that next time wouldn't be too far off.+So you've already handled the cleanup, right? UMP45(4)||97:She pulls up her skirt and shows me the transparent container strapped to her inner thigh.+Although it's made of reinforced glass, the container could not fully block out the sparkling shine of the massive jewel within. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:Just as you said, the jewel will find its way safely back into the hands of the client, so don't worry. UMP45(4)Commander||97:You know, if I were in your place, I'd be happier in completing this mission. UMP45(4)UMP45||97BGM_Wake:(Laugh) That's like telling a depressed person to cheer up, or telling someone with a broken leg to get out more often. UMP45(4)Commander||97:(Shrug) Guess I'm just that empathetic. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:I'm sorry, but there's no point being nice to me. UMP45(4)Commander||97:"My motto is to treat ladies nicely." UMP45(4)UMP45||97:I should remind you that the operation is over, Commander. UMP45(4)Commander||97:You mean I can't keep using it as my motto? I might even have it engraved on my tombstone. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:(Laugh) I can't imagine the manner of death that would lead to that being carved onto your tombstone.+And besides, I said I wasn't worth it, so why are you so concerned about me? UMP45(4)Commander||97:That's because UMP9 looked really happy. I wanted you to have fun too, like her. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:Have fun? UMP45(4)Commander||97:Yes, it's too sad to sacrifice your precious vacation to work all day without enjoying yourself in the slightest, isn't it? UMP45(4)UMP45||97:...+So that's the reason? UMP45(4)Commander||97:What?+According to the organization regulations, Griffin Dolls are scheduled for R&R between missions.+If you would like to take some time off to relax, why not request for more special leave? UMP45(4)UMP45||97:...+I don't think that's possible...+After all, we're pretty busy most days. UMP45(4)Commander||97:So you'll be out on a mission again, huh? UMP45(4)UMP45||97:I can't be sure of my schedule, so I can't give you a definite answer...+...And I can't thank you either. UMP45(4)Commander||97:I-Is that so...+Still, we're on the same side, given that Griffin stole our vacations!+For next year's anniversary, I'm planning to postpone all missions so we can have a nice, big celebration on the company's dime to make up for this year's overtime. +Want to come, UMP45? UMP45(4)UMP45||97:...+Commander...+You really don't know anything? UMP45(4)Commander||97:You...+...Do you want me to know? UMP45(4)UMP45||97:No...+That's fine... UMP45(4)||97:UMP45 backs up a few steps. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:That would be for the best.+I should go. UMP45(4)Commander||97:You got other things to take care of? UMP45(4)UMP45||97:I told you, this time won't be for too long. UMP45(4)Commander||97:Then how about next time?+Like I was saying... UMP45(4)UMP45||97:... UMP45(4)||97:UMP45 looks back and slightly lifts her scarred eyelid. UMP45(4)UMP45||97:I'll think about it.+Next time, I'll try to blend in a little more... UMP45(4)UMP45||97<黑屏1>:Just a little bit...for just a little longer... ()||9RunStep<黑屏2>:Only after she leaves that I realize that was a smile on her face. ()||9:I can't discern how much sincerity is contained in that mysterious Doll's smile.+But when UMP45 left, she was not walking slowly and silently. Rather, the echoes of her heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the air... ()||9<黑屏1>:I look forward to hearing those echoes again, except hopefully, they'll be the echoes of someone coming back.