HK416 leaned at the kitchen doorway, silently watching Lux cut the chicken by candlelight.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why what?" Lux stopped and looked at her.
"Based on this morning's operation, you're not an idiot. You should know the best choice."
"After seeing you enjoy human food, I'm convinced the tactical rations are probably just subpar products—barely enough for survival."
"No one likes that. You should keep the better food for yourself. Even so, we Tactical Dolls wouldn't mind."
"You misunderstand. Our loyalty declines very slowly. As long as you don't issue a suicidal command, we won't betray you."
HK416 explained calmly.
"I'm not trying to farm your loyalty… though I wouldn't mind improving affection."
"For what, then?" HK416 pressed.
"If I say it's because you look cute while eating and I want to see more of that expression… I'm selfish. Everything I do is for me. You can understand—I like beautiful girls"
"…Commander, you must take responsibility for saying that."
HK416 stepped closer; a dark, oppressive aura seemed to emanate from her.
"Responsible… but I'm delusional. I like everyone. I can't like only you."
Lux thought for a moment, then stubbornly spoke his truth.
HK416 was yandere; lying now might cause bigger problems later.
"You may like whoever you want. My demand for responsibility is that you must return to me."
"You may mate with any Tactical Doll or human woman; I won't interfere. If you order, I can even assist."
"But remember, if you ever abandon me, I'll eliminate any interfering women and then commit suicide. Don't take this lightly—I am an elite Tactical Doll fully capable of this."
Her face displayed a manic, intimidating smile.
"Of course, I swear to protect you with everything before that day comes."
"Now retract that malicious joke, and I can act as if nothing happened."
After this emotional outburst, HK416 stepped back.
"Such a fantastic yandere declaration! I always wanted to be with you! So… please stay with me to protect me!"
"I see. Now I suspect your mind is abnormal, Commander. Even without such words, I would protect you until the last moment. Taking such risks with no gain… I can't tell if you're foolish or wise."
HK416 smiled wryly.
"How is there no gain? HK, your smile just now is the best reward. Even in this bleak world, I hope we can live happily."
"Then let's seal it with a vow kiss!"
HK416 grinned manically again, slowly closing the distance toward Lux.
"Eh? Here in the kitchen?"
"Do you have any objections?"
"No, I just thought it would be somewhere more… romantic. Although it's not anything to boast about, it's still my first kiss."
HK416 let out a pleasant laugh and quickly cornered Lux against the wall, forming a classic wall-push posture.
"What a coincidence, Commander. I'm also a first-kiss virgin. Then, first come, first served. Your first, I'll take it now."
HK416 firmly cupped Lux's face and pressed her lips against his.
The soft sensation transmitted from her lips to Lux's brain. Then HK416's tongue forcefully parted his teeth, entwining with his tongue, while sweet saliva filled his mouth. Lux's consciousness seemed to be immersed in a strange, intoxicating fragrance.
After a while, HK416 slowly released him.
"Thank you for the treat, Commander. I love you. Remember, no matter what, don't ever abandon me. Otherwise… you know the consequences."
Her expression returned to normal, revealing a beautiful smile Lux had never seen before.
"Don't worry. Even if I die, I'll die with you."
Lux promised sincerely.
"…Just this one thing. Please don't do that. If that day comes, I hope you can leave me behind and survive with the protection of the other Tactical Dolls."
A shadow crossed HK416's face.
"Don't worry. As we gather more supplies over time, we should be able to avoid risks. I'll do my best to make sure that day never comes."
"You didn't answer my question directly, Commander."
"You should know. No matter how human-like we appear, Tactical Dolls are not human. We are nothing more than commodities."
"At best, we exist to replace human labor… substitutes for human work."
HK416 stared at Lux persistently.
"Wait, I have a question. Why do you sometimes call me 'you' and other times use the formal 'Commander'?"
Lux forcibly changed the subject.
In reality, as a loser who had considered suicide just the day before, he didn't dare imagine the situation HK416 had described.
Lux knew he was no strategist capable of predicting and avoiding all dangers, and he didn't have the courage to face this bleak world head-on.
So he chose to evade.