I neither own the image on the cover nor own the Arknights franchise. The picture in the cover was NOT a commission and it is not related to me in any way. It belongs to Octodeco and is taken from their work Diagnosis: Life #14. Chapter Mostima VI . If you haven't checked their works yet I absolutely recommend looking it up, can find them on pixiv, their comics are absolute bangers. Now that I used that image I will try to make this fiction worthy of it.
"Health inspection is finished. You may go now."
"Thanks. I'll be taking my leave then."
"Don't forget to submit your work to my office before tomorrow."
He went on his way as he confirmed.
Following his return from an operation, he was met with an announcement summoning him to the Medical Department. Then said Medical Department took him to have a "Health Inspection" with Kal'tsit. While thankful for her help, even if the reason she helped him wasn't because of his well-being, he wished she didn't take every opportunity to scan his brain. What's more, she did the scans under the guise of "inspections" as if she made a mockery of him every time."
One would be rightly annoyed or perhaps angered by such chicaneries, but he paid no mind, as being underestimated worked only in his favor, for he had a master plan he had been working on for a while.
A plan he hoped he never had to commence. He wondered if they would act the way they acted before, or learn their lesson after what was coming.
Preparing for such a thing took a long time and effort just to gather the necessary pieces. This cruel, yet fantastic scheme couldn't bear fruit in just a few months.
Processing through the documents in his office, something attracted his attention. A six-digit figure was standing next to the "Collateral Damage done" writing.
"For heaven's sake, not again."
Although deploying Skadi facilitated the operations and took a load off his and other operations' shoulders, these numbers were starting to stack up. Standing victorious in the battlefield didn't mean much if Rhodes Island had these outrageous bills to pay afterward. He was given permission to resort to such means when needed, but the bills were approaching an amount they couldn't afford to pay. He pondered silently to himself. as he filled in the required information, then continued to another file.
Investigation mission. He got the details from workers before; Surtr also took part in it. Approved, signed.
Training facility new equipment notice. Signed.
Penguin Logistics' good delivery. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen them in a while. He contacted Texas before and learned how the gang, except Mostima, would be here soon. He wondered when she would arrive here. He asked around but had no luck finding any information regarding her visit. It brought back memories of when he ran in the halls searching for her. He had his snacks ready just in case if she ever happened to visit him.
Mostima was one of the few capable operators he didn't want to involve in his plan whatsoever. In fact, she was another reason he had decided to come up with such things. She had become an important part of his life after their time together, and he found himself wondering if she would return from her delivery jobs before he even knew it. But there was no helping it since he learned she wouldn't come anytime soon and returned to his work.
Human resources report. Signed.
Operation information. He filled in the report.
Repairment fees of the landship. Dear Ch'en blew a hole in the wall yet again. Signed.
Cutter's written request to enter the kitchen. Rejected. No force could ever let her in the kitchen again under his watch. Signed.
Soccer tournament. Approved, signed. How fun would it be if he opened it for bets, and then used some strings to change the tournament's result? While it would be chaotic and enjoyable for him, he dismissed the thought, as the majority would be rightfully disappointed. Not getting caught by other operators or Kal'tsit was something he could manage, but playing with other people's emotions for his engagement wasn't his style of doing things. Besides, Mataoimaru would be really sad if he did that.
Rhine Lab partnership report. He had to deal with the issue of the Mountain someday. He read the report. He filled in Ifrit's status and her state.
Oh shoot, it was time he assigned her and Red their homework.
...
...
...
"Silence, could you hand these to Ifrit? Tell her the deadline is in 4 days."
..
"Red, these are your homework. The deadline is in 3 days."
..
He liked the view in the reception hall. Occasionally, he would gaze at the constantly shifting scenery, freeing his mind from pondering the future or serious matters. It never failed to give him peace of mind. It occurred to him to stand there again, weeks after he did so. So he did. He stood there once more, looking at the sun. This time for over an hour. Standing, deep in thought.
Her delivery job ended earlier than expected and had some free time to work with. Her favorite way to spend free time was to stop by Rhodes Island for a while, as she very much enjoyed her time with the Dokutah. Whether it's her telling stories about travel, the countries, and sights she experienced or just idle talk, his company always eased her mind.
He had acted so cheerfully and never complained about anything. No wonder he was well-liked by everyone. He could be seen surrounded by girls or talking with the guys anytime he wasn't absorbed in his work. He spent most of his time working, and as a result, always looked tired. Nevertheless, he still kept everyone company. Every time she told him to get some rest instead, he assured her, saying he didn't need it.
Following the habit she developed, she entered Dokutah's office. After she entered the room with the card Doctor gave her, she started searching for him but he was nowhere to be found.
Dormitory, canteen, artificial farm, training room. She had passed through everywhere, but the only clue she found was Amiya telling her he must be in his office, which she couldn't deny because she didn't want to tell him he was potentially slacking off.
She became aware of the massive size of the landship more than ever as she continued her search. No wonder there were many vehicles inside it.
She wondered if this was how it felt to him, searching for her over and over again. Only to see her disappear in front of his eyes yet again. What a lonely thought... She felt apologetic.
Why was she looking for him anyway? She could come back later anytime. Paying him a surprise visit was on his mind for a while, as she found herself wondering about his reaction to her deliveries. So she looked in one more place before giving up.
Entering the place she never suspected him to be, she was met with a peculiar sight. A Doctor-like statue was looking out of the window, taking in the sight. Or was it a statue-looking Doctor instead? She forgot about any pranks she had thought of as she slowly approached him.
"Doctor. Doctor."
"W-aah!" there came a shriek.
"What are you doing here, Doctor? I thought you were a statue for a moment."
He hadn't thought her awaited arrival would be so soon. He had doubts he would give the same reaction if it was any other operator.
"You startled me," he stammered, a moment of silence following. "Welcome back, Mostima." A warm smile graced his face, hidden from everyone's view, but his eyes glittered with excitement as they met hers.
"Thanks, Dokutah. I'm back."
"I thought you weren't coming soon. Wanna come to my office? I have the snacks ready, I've got some good stuff this time."
"Huh, already? Doctor, you missed me that much? You're so sweet. Deliveries can't keep me away for too long when I know someone's eagerly waiting for me."
...
"Your office is the same as always." She saw a sight she expected but it still didn't lower her disappointment. She asked, concerned, "Doctor, are you still getting overworked to the bone?"
"Don't worry, I like it this way." It wasn't a lie; absorbing himself in his work shielded him from wandering off into dangerous thoughts. "So how was your delivery?" he asked, opening the drawer.
"It was alright, until some dumbass..."
...
Their chats went on for hours, laughing, smiling, pouting without a care in the world. He had forgotten about his work; she had forgotten the responsibility she carried behind her back.
"So how is Exusiai?"
"She's been doing great. She's used to Texas and is more willing to talk with others now. It was surprising how quickly she warmed up to everyone."
"That's a relief."
"Hey, Mostima, I've been meaning to ask, but can I rub your horns?"
"Daring now, are we? No can do, Dokutah, it's too soon for that." "Anyway, anything happened while I was gone?"
"Not much, we got reports of ghosts roaming around, walls were blown up, and a whole corridor was destroyed before me. Usual stuff over here."
"You have it rough, don't you?" Corridor being destroyed? It reminded her of a certain thing. "Dokutah, may I ask, was it Ifrit who... destroyed the corridor?"
Having sensed her intentions, he asked cautiously, "Why do you ask?"
She hoped it wasn't Ifrit, as this wasn't the first time she heard about how she burned things while Doctor was present. "Come on. Answer me~"
Either Ifrit or someone else would be subject to her wrath if he didn't act swiftly, so he answered her, hoping for the best. "It wasn't her fault; the medics gave her the wrong pills, so she couldn't help it. Please calm down."
She seemed to calm down, believing him. "Geez, Dokutah, don't go head-on into such dangerous things. What will we, the operators, do if you are gone? Get a hold of yourself."
She was pouting; how cute. "I will be more careful next time, I promise." He couldn't help but smile, an act that went unnoticed under his mask.
"Also, there is a soccer tournament coming soon. You want to join?"
"Changing the subject so skillfully, as expected of you. I don't know about joining, but it will make for a hell of a time watching it, that's for sure."
"I'm looking forward to it too. Let's watch it together when the time comes." "How long will you stay?"
"Aren't you lucky, Dokutah? I've got quite the day off this time. I'm staying here for a week or two. I guess even a wanderer needs a vacation every now and then."
"Really?"
"Doctor, I can notice your smile even from here," She spoke as she sat in the chair opposite.
"Of course, after all, you don't often come here, much less stay for that long."
"Ehehe." It was her time to blush.
An alarm interrupted their conversation.
"Oh, I have to submit these to Kal'tsit; wait for me here, will you?"
She looked at the window and noticed the sun had set and the moon had risen. "Doctor, I think it's time I go now; it's way past evening."
Doctor saw her out and went on his way to Kal'tsit's office to submit the documents.
I recommend reading this work on AO3 as this site makes it really hard for me to edit documents. The work goes in the name of "Rekindled Desires" and I should have a similar name there. Although I like this site more there are some little edits that I can do on AO3 easily but a pain in the ass on this site and even if those edits are small in length it's really important to the story
