Day 10: July 15, 2062 | 1354 hours | Base S09 Dining Hall

The commotion of the dining hall died down and only a few T-Dolls were hanging around. Springfield and Juno came through the main entrance, brining in four heavy boxes of ingredients that were just delivered. Despite her appearance, Springfield easily held three of the boxes due to the strength of the average T-Doll. On the other hand, Juno lagged behind her and struggled to carry even one.

Springfield looked back as she maintained a slow pace so Juno could keep up. "Do you want me to handle that one too, Commander?"

The Commander shook her head, unwilling to admit defeat. "I-I'm fine, Miss Springfield. Thank you for the offer, though."

Springfield giggled and headed over to the bar where M16 sat finishing another bottle of Jack Daniels.

"Your arms look like they're about to fall off, Boss." M16 commented when the two passed by her.

Beads of sweat started to roll down Juno's face and her arms shook from being pushed to the limit. "J-Just working on my upper body strength."

The AR Team member downed her whiskey and then looked at the empty glass. "Hey, Springy. When you can, could you grab me another bottle?"

"Help yourself to the bar." Springfield held the door to the kitchen open as Juno slowly made her way over. "Just don't forget to put it on your tab again."

"That was only once." M16 had a smirk on her face. Springfield gave M16 a glare that told the AR doll not to try it again before following Juno into the kitchen.

Juno had never been inside the kitchen before, and like the dining hall, she was completely amazed by it. The kitchen of the dining hall was rather large outfitted with enough appliances to accommodate for ten chefs. From what Juno read in the personnel roster, only Springfield and G36 acted as chefs for the dining hall, but due to the latter's other duties, Springfield was the one mainly responsible for feeding the base. Fortunately, since cooking was not as strenuous to her as fighting in combat, she was able to have nine dummy links connected to her rather than the usual four.

At the back of the kitchen were several cabinets, four large fridges with clear double-doors to easily see the contents, and a walk-in freezer. Again, the kitchen would probably rival those found in the high-end restaurants in the cities.

Juno carefully placed down the box she carried onto a counter and then leaned against it to catch her breath. "Whew, that was much heavier than I thought."

Springfield started to unpack the boxes she brough in. "I really appreciate your help, Commander."

"Well, I'm always willing to help whenever I can." Juno was going to wipe the sweat off her forehead but winced in pain when she lifted her left arm.

The moment she heard Juno, Springfield quickly walked over to her. "Are you, ok, Commander?"

Juno rubbed her left bicep and gritted her teeth. "It's nothing. I haven't really worked out since I graduated, so the heavy lifting did quite a number."

"Would you like me to give you a massage?" Springfield offered.

Juno remembered how good it felt when she got a massage from her last time and took her up on the offer. "Sure go ahead."

Springfield took hold of Juno's arm and started to massage it. Compared to the massage she gave in the hot spring, this one was far gentler as she skillfully kneaded Juno's bicep. Springfield adjusted her grip and changed up her technique. "Does this help?"

"O-Oh, wow… You're really good with your hands." Juno closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy the soothing massage. "Fighting. Cooking. Massaging. Is there anything else you're good at?"

"Well, there is one other thing I'm good at." Springfield let go of Juno's arm and placed her hand on her superior's waist.

Juno opened her eyes and looked up at the T-Doll. "M-Miss Springfield. What are you-"

"Hush, Commander." You deserve a reward for helping me out." Springfield spoke with a sultry voice and lustful emerald eyes.

She closed any distance between the two of them, leaving no space for Juno to move away. She had never been this close to Springfield before and noticed the T-Doll had a lovely aroma that smelled sweet and flowery. Springfield rubbed Juno's waist with her thumbs, sending a shiver up her body. Being in her arms made Juno feel like she was going to melt into a puddle. Sure, she snuggled with Kalina the previous night, but that didn't have the same intimacy as Springfield's embrace. Juno bit the bottom of her lip and grew a little nervous when Springfield began to loosen her tie and unbutton her shirt, revealing the Commander's neck and collarbone.

"Poor thing, you must be quite pent up." Springfield gently cupped Juno's chin with one hand and danced the fingertips of the other on Juno's chest. "Having no time to take care of yourself must be dreadful."

"I… I…" Juno couldn't find her voice due to being so flustered by her situation.

"Just leave everything to me, Commander." Springfield leaned in to kiss Juno.

But before their lips could meet, M16 burst through the door. "Yo Springy! I can't find any-"

She stopped speaking the moment she saw Juno up against the counter with Springfield pressed against her. Nothing but silence filled the kitchen while Juno slowly turned her head to look at M16. A deathly pale replaced the crimson shade on Juno's face. No longer paying attention to Springfield, Juno and M16 locked eyes for what seemed to be an eternity.

"I'll leave you two at it." M16 spun around and walked out the room.

"W-Wait, M16!" Juno stumbled out of Springfield's arm and chased after the AR Doll.

The café doll stood alone in the kitchen and let out a disappointed sigh. "So close…"

Juno buttoned up her shirt as she went through the door and saw M16 sitting at the bar with her empty glass. "M16."

"Oh hey, Boss. How you doing?" M16 tried to play it cool.

"I just want to explain myself."

"Don't worry, Boss. I understand that you got needs to tend to." M16 lifted her empty glass like she was going to drink from it. "I'm sorry for interrupting your… session."

"Look, I wasn't doing anything with Springfield," Juno said.

"Really?" M16 doubted that statement. "Then what were you doing with her?"

"I…" Juno's voice trailed off because she knew there was no other explanation as to what the two of them were doing. "Well, I was going to tell her to stop."

M16 pointed at her left eye. "From what I saw, Springfield was in full control there. Not you, Boss."

"Listen…" Juno quickly looked through the kitchen door window to see Springfield putting away ingredients as if nothing had happened. "Can you keep what you saw to yourself? I don't want any rumors spreading around."

M16 put her elbows on the bar and rested her chin on her hands. "So, you are doing stuff with Springy."

"No, I'm not!" Juno raised her voice, attracting the attention of the other T-Dolls in the dining hall with them. She nervously waved before moving closer to M16 and lowering her voice. "Can you just keep quiet?"

M16 chuckled with a smirk. "There's a price to keep this mouth shut, Boss."

Tapping her foot, Juno stood quietly and then named her price, "Ok fine. If you keep silent then I won't take away your alcohol privileges."

M16's eye narrowed. "You wouldn't dare."

"I would." Juno regained her composure and straightened herself out as she met M16's eye. "I'm sure Miss M4 would find it agreeable."

"Hmph…" M16 zipped her mouth. "Not a peep will come out from me."

"I'm glad we've come to an agreement."

Springfield came out of the kitchen, catching both Juno and M16's attention. She gave the Commander a rather flirty look before blowing a kiss at her. Juno turned red yet again from the gesture but quickly turned and made her way out of the dining hall, not wanting to fuel any desire within herself.