Narrator:Last time, Nikolai got stopped by a girl named Novel asking him about a video of him defending Nikke. That's been happening every day since he got Cafe Sweetie on his team. Let's see how he deals with her after a week.

*Nikolai wakes up, and sees Novel searching through his dorm*

Nikolai:"Ah! W-What the?!"

Novel:"Ah, good morning, commander. Or should I say...traitor! You're planning something, and it has to do with getting Nikkes on your side...but I wonder what..."

Nikolai:"Ugh...for the seventh time, I'm not 'planning' anything, I'm just tired of Nikke's being treated poorly."

Novel:"But no normal commander would think that way, it's impossible."

Nikolai:"Maybe I'm a good person because I treat Nikkes like normal people then."

Novel:"Nonsense, I'm getting nowhere with you. Guess I should Interrogate your Nikkes then."

Nikolai:"Uh...how about no, please?"

Novel:"Ugh...but how am I going to write a report about you otherwise?!"

Nikolai:"A report? About me?"

Novel:"Yeah, you're the hot-new-thing on the outpost."

Nikolai:"Have I really gotten that popular?!"

Novel:"Yeah, which is why I'm going to get to the bottom of your case. See you later!"

*Novel ran away from Nikolai*

Nikolai(mind):I've gained a lot of popularity, huh...seriously? What did I do to get this much attention?!

*Nikolai looked on his phone, and saw his face and name on every social media. He clicked on a video*

???:"Hello Lupins! This is Rupee's Shopaholics Anonymous! Today we're going to be discussing a man that has blown up on like every news article and stuff with just a single video. He's a commander that works for the Ark, and no I'm not talking about the oldie. This isn't 5 years ago, but this commander is the exact same deal as what the oldie used to be. He's sympathetic towards Nikkes and is cute to boot too!"

Nikolai:"S-Seriously?!"

Nikolai(mind):That made it happen?! What do I do about this? Are people going to protest against the Ark?!

*Nikolai heard footsteps approaching him, and saw a small group of armed men. In front of the group was a girl with blue twin-tails and hazel eyes*

???:"My name is Privaty, and I'm with the Central Government. You are commander Nikolai Rolan, correct?"

Nikolai:"Uh...yes."

Nikolai(mind):Central Government? What's that? Do they work for the Ark?

Privaty:"Ugh...you are under arrest."

Nikolai:"Huh?"

Privaty:"Will you please come with us?"

Nikolai:"I-I'm sorry, but what did I do exactly?"

Privaty:"Please don't resist."

Nikolai:"I'm just asking a question!"

*Privaty approached Nikolai, and handcuffed him*

Privaty:*Whisper* "I'm sorry."

Nikolai:"H-Huh?"

Privaty:"Take him away!"

Nikolai:"W-Wait, please stop! Ugh!"

*The group of men knocked Nikolai out, and carried him away. He later wakes up in large cell*

Nikolai:"What...why is this happening?"

Nikolai(mind):This all happened so fast! First my sudden popularity rise, now I got arrested?! Why?!

Nikolai:"What did I do to deserve this..." *Sniff*

???:"You probably have a lot of questions."

*Nikolai looked and saw Privaty sitting on the other side of the bars*

Nikolai:"Why am I in here?" *Sniff* "What did I do?"

Privaty:"First, would you sit up and stop crying. You look pathetic."

*Nikolai sat up, and wiped his eyes*

Nikolai:"I'm sorry."

Privaty:"Jeez...how did they make someone like you a commander?"

Nikolai:"Some...unforeseen circumstances."

Privaty:"I see...so you were forced into the military. I'm guessing that means you didn't go through the military academy."

Nikolai:"Didn't know there was one."

Privaty:"That explains it. Of course! You just didn't go through the academy, therefore you treat Nikkes nicely."

Nikolai:"Huh? I'm sorry, that doesn't sound right."

Privaty:"Really? Every commander in the Ark sees Nikkes as nothing but disposable weapons, yet you don't. Seriously, the thought didn't even cross your mind?!"

Nikolai:"I guess not, the only commander I've meet since I became one was the creator of the Counter's squad. Wait, he treats Nikkes kindly like I do too. He went through the academy, why does he treat them nicely too?!

*Privaty suddenly went silent*

Privaty:"Amnesia, the old commander that created the Counter's squad was hit with amnesia when his plane was shot down during his first mission."

Nikolai:"Amnesia? I see...so that means he forgot everything at the academy."

Privaty:"Hence why he treats them nicely."

Nikolai:"But...what does the academy do to the commanders to make them bad people?"

Privaty:"'Bad people'? Hehe, the military academy basically forces the idea of Nikkes being treated as weapons down every commanders' throats. The training brainwashes them into thinking that they are saviors of humanity, making them become self-centered."

Nikolai:"Wow...I'm kind of glad I didn't go through that."

Privaty:"Really? You wouldn't be here if you did."

Nikolai:"Why am I here anyway?"

Privaty:"I'm part for the Central Government, their top-squad Triangle. We believe that Nikkes shouldn't have have equal rights."

Nikolai:"Oh god..."

Nikolai(mind):Triangle, huh...everyone in the Central Government fights against Nikke equality. What a terrible government.

Privaty:"And since you are treating Nikkes like humans, you're disrupting the peace in the Ark."

*Privaty looks around, and Nikolai noticed nobody in the room*

Privaty:"At least that's what I would say. I'm just honestly tired of arresting good people."

Nikolai:"But you still do it?"

Privaty:"Well, yeah. It's my job."

Nikolai(mind):That's dumb.

Nikolai:"I'm guessing you don't line your job then?"

Privaty:"Well..."

Nikolai(mind):Why is she hesitating?

Nikolai:"It's fine, I guess humans have trouble expressing themselves too."

Privaty:"Huh? Oh, I guess you're right."

Nikolai:"I've been surrounded by Nikke ever since I joined the military. Not that I'm complaining but it's nice to talk with a human sometimes."

Privaty:"Right, a human..."

*Nikolai looked around his cell, trying to find a way to spend time. Then Privaty started talking again*

Privaty:"What's your deal anyway?"

Nikolai:"Huh?"

Privaty:"It's just...you don't act much like that other commander. He's much more mature and prideful."

Nikolai:"That the first time someone said I was 'different' from him."

Privaty:"Seriously?! You're nothing like him though. He didn't look as weak as you."

Nikolai:"It's kind of nice to not be compared to him for once. One big thing that sets me apart from him is that they call me cute."

Privaty:"Well...I mean they're not wrong."

Nikolai:"Heh, thanks."

*Nikolai's smile made Privaty blush*

Privaty:"T-That wasn't supposed to be a compliment. You're just so weak that you're cute, that's all..."

Nikolai:"Hmm..."

*Nikolai looked around the giant cell again*

Nikolai:"Why didn't you introduce yourself before you arrested me? That would've been a much better impression."

Privaty:"Well...that's..."

Nikolai:"Another dead-end for that question, huh? That's fine. Let's just formally introduce ourselves now then."

Privaty:"Huh?"

Nikolai:"It's nice to meet you, Privaty."

Privaty:"L-Likewise."

*Nikolai stuck his hand out of the cell, and Privaty reluctantly shook his hand*

Nikolai:"Better, right?"

Privaty:"Sure..."

Nikolai:"Hmm...oh yeah, these bars are ruining the moment, huh..."

Privaty:"You think?!"

*Nikolai went back to sitting down, and he heard footsteps approaching*

Privaty:"Looks like you have a visitor. Goodbye, Nikolai."

Nikolai:"See you later."

Nikolai(mind):Despite her being part of an evil government, she doesn't seem that bad  at all. Maybe she can start working at the Ark and become a commander.

*Privaty disappeared, and the footsteps kept getting closer. Nikolai saw Andersen walking towards his cell*

Andersen:"Commander Nikolai, I knew the central government would do this eventually. Don't worry, you've been released upon my authority."

*The cell door opens, and Nikolai walks out*

Nikolai:"Wow...how did you...wait, why did you do that?"

Andersen:"You've got so much potential, Nikolai Rolan. I just want to see that potential bloom."

Narrator:And we have to stop right there, find out what happens to Nikolai, now that he has been put in and released from jail in a single day, next time!

Hey bros, it's me, the author! Did you guys thought nothing bad could happen to the MC? Well, guess you were wrong. I don't have any announcements for the story except for get ready for the next chapter to be very lore-heavy, if this episode wasn't lore-heavy enough. So far in the game...after 50 pulls for the swimsuit Mary, I still don't have her! WHY?! I'm struggling for scraps here, and I haven't gotten a single SSR in this banner! AGHHHHHHHHH! *Inhales* Anyway, here's the meme of the week:

Rapi is still best girl, and I'll see you guys next time!