M14 costume story

[On the morning of the 35th of December.]
[Right now, Griffin still had not fully woken from dreamland following yesterday’s celebrations.]
[Only a few workers responsible for daily chores were moving through the sprawling base. Even those dolls who were typically early risers were nowhere to be seen.]

Commander: Whew… it feels good to get some fresh air outside…
It’s really cold, though.

[The colorfully-decorated Christmas tree remained standing in the middle of the small plaza.]
[In its vicinity was a familiar doll, dragging a huge red sack behind her as she moved around.]

Commander: Who’s there?
...Is that M14?


[Upon hearing my voice, M14 lifted up her sack and ran over.]

M14: Good morning, Commander!

Commander: What are you doing out here so early?


[I glanced into the half-open sack, which was filled with exquisitely-wrapped gift boxes.

Commander: What’s with these presents?

M14: M14’s been collecting the presents we dropped last night!
Springfield-nee said we could do it later, but M14 wanted to give everyone a surprise when they woke up in the morning!
You’ve got to have a present by your pillow when you wake up on Christmas morning!

Commander: I see… thank you for your hard work, M14.

M14: Heehee, it’s no problem!
M14’s happy as long as everyone’s not upset!

Commander: In that case, let me help you.

M14: Huh? Is that alright? Don’t you have work to do, Commander?

Commander: There aren’t any urgent tasks now. I’m guessing our bosses are resting too.
I’ll help you collect them as a warmup.

M14: Sure, sure, we’re always motivated when you’re around, Commander!


[M14 and I split up and gathered the presents that the dolls had dropped throughout the base yard.]0

Commander: I’ve finished checking my end.

M14: M14’s done on her side too!

Commander: Well, that bit of exercise worked up a sweat...
Let’s go take a break by the vending machine.

M14: Roger! Let’s head over!


[I met M14 again at the rest area near the vending machine.]

Commander: Mm… Colt really cleaned this place out.


[I bought the last two cans of fruit juice. I handed one to M14, and then sat beside her.]

Commander: This was all that was left. I don’t know if it’s to your taste.

M14: M14 loves this flavor of fruit juice!
That goes double since it’s from the Commander!

Commander: Haha, well, that’s good.

M14: M14 feels she’s been very lucky recently.
Springfield-nee treated us to fruit juice yesterday, and today it was the Commander’s turn.

Commander: Really? Springfield gave you a treat yesterday too?

M14: Yup, Springfield-nee even talked to us about our plans for Christmas Eve and stuff.

Commander: Springfield talked to you about your plans for Christmas Eve?

M14: Springfield-nee asked us if we had anything special going on for Christmas Eve.
And then I told her that everyone wanted to rob Santa Claus!

[When I heard that, I nearly sprayed out a mouthful of juice.]

Commander: Ahem… so you told her just like that?

M14: Of course. If Springfield-nee asked about it then it must be really important, right?


[So that was where Springfield had obtained her intel.]

Commander: Alright… and after that?

M14: Springfield-nee said that she’d add a new secret event to go with our plan!
But because M14 knew about their plan, I couldn’t join the Santa Claus robbery.


Commander: ...Good thing you didn’t take part.


[If the other dolls found out… M14 would have a really bad time.]
[The way she dumped the contents of her mind without anything in the way of formalities or pleasantries was the polar opposite of Colt…]

Commander: M14, you mustn’t tell anyone else about this.

M14: Huh? Why?

Commander: Er… because it’s a surprise that Springfield prepared for everyone.
It would be meaningless if everyone knew it was planned ahead of time, right?


M14: But… isn’t Christmas over?

Commander: In any case, you’re not to tell the other dolls.
That’s an order.

M14: Got it! M14 will carry out that order!


[Fortunately, she was easy to handle, but was her innocent personality a strength or a weakness..]
[I shook my head, and helplessly finished the rest of my juice.]

M14: Right! We haven’t recovered the presents from the banquet hall.
M14 actually forgot! But everyone's about to wake up, what to do, what to do...


Commander: Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle the banquet hall.

M14: But you’ve been working for so long, Commander...

Commander: It’s not a big place, so not too much stuff will have dropped there.
You should hurry and give the presents to the others, Santa Claus.


[Upon hearing my words, M14 - who had been a little crestfallen earlier - cheered up immediately.]

M14: Is M14 Santa Claus too?

Commander: Of course you are. Anyone who gives out presents is Santa Claus.

M14: Then let’s head out!
Commander,  please take care of the presents in the banquet hall!

Commander: No problem. Run along now.


[M14 ran off to the doll dorms, but she stopped halfway to turn around and wave to me.]

M14: Commander, that juice was delicious! Thank you!


[I waved goodbye to her, and watched her delighted form vanish at the end of the path.]