AK-74U Costume Story

[There is one thing that everyone knows…]
[That this world is made up of huge coincidences and countless tiny mistakes.]

Light-Hearted Voice: AKS! Wake up, AKS! Wake up!

Calm Voice: 74U? 74U? It’s time to wake up.
Don’t forget your mission.

[Our meeting is a coincidence.]

Light-Hearted Voice: There’s little time left! 91! Go rough on her!

[And other than coincidences, all that’s left are mistakes.]





AKS-74U: Uwaaaah!—! My eyes!
You guys… pay me back for my eyes!

AS Val: You were asking for it, AKS! We set a time, didn’t we? I can’t believe you managed to sleep in until now!

AKS-74U: Even so, you didn’t need to turn all the lights on! My vision modules nearly exploded!

9A91: We couldn’t have woken you up otherwise, 74U. Hurry up and get ready, we’re running short on time.

AKS-74U: Ah? What time is it…
...What the heck, it’s not time to go out yet, is it?

AS Val: There’s 10 minutes left, aren’t you going to change?

9A91: We won’t be in time. Val, let’s pitch in.

AKS-74U: Ah? W-wait...
Don’t take it off all of a sudden, it’s cold! Don’t take that off, you mustn’t take that piece off aaaaahhhh—!


[……]

AS Val: *sighs* I told you, AKS really is unreliable.

9A91: However, 74U was the one who accepted the mission, so it can’t be helped...

AS Val: Yeah, nothing we can do about it.

AKS-74U: What do you mean, there’s nothing you can do about it...
You were the ones who put my name down because you didn’t want to take this mission...


9A91: That’s because you’re the only one in this dorm who has festival clothes ready, 74U.

AS Val: That’s right, we’d really like to take part, but, there’s nothing we can do...

9A91: Yup, nothing we can do.

AKS-74U: Like I was saying! What do you mean by that!?
These clothes of mine are just a festive outfit from my previous job.
Also, the parts aren’t all there, I can’t ensure that it’ll have the desired effect...


AS Val: Well, just make do. But don’t forget your earpiece. It’s the key item for this job. Here you go.
That should do. Now come out and let 91 take a look.

AKS-74U: Alright, take a look, you guys… how is it?

9A91: Half-assed.

AS Val: It passes, I guess.

AKS-74U: Can you guys be honest?

AS Val: You want the truth?

AKS-74U: Forget it, I’ll get embarrassed.
Still, just dressing up in pretty clothes won’t be enough. I probably need to say pretty words too, right? Like say… “Happy New Year?”

9A91: That’s way too lame. Let me teach you something stylish, 74U.

AKS-74U: Hah?

9A91: “Wan~ Shi~ Ru~ Yi!”

AKS-74U: What is that, some kind of foreign language?

9A91: Type 56-1 taught it to me, she said it was a way to wish people good fortune. “May everything you do go your way”... something like that.

AS Val: Mm, using it tonight ought to score bonus points, right?

AKS-74U: Hah… I hope I get to use it on myself first… after all, it’s not like everything… could possibly go my way.
Ever since I woke up, I haven’t been “Wan Shi Ru Yi”.
Also, there’s the matter of that radio, is it ready yet? Can it be used?

9A91: Transmissions are normal… for the time being.

AKS-74U: ...Didn’t this thing give off smoke when we were troubleshooting it  yesterday? Can it really hold out until the mission is complete?

AS Val: If you had updated your digimind’s information on friendlies according to schedule, we wouldn’t need to go to the trouble of messing with this.

AKS-74U: Aw… I’ve got problems of my own too.
I’ll leave the comms work to you, then. I’ll be heading out. Make sure you react fast when the time comes, don’t make me look bad.




[……]

[AKS-74U left the dorm and headed to another dorm block.]


AS Val: We’re lucky, comms have been normal up till now.
AKS, AKS, did you meet any other colleagues?


AKS-74U: No, at least up to now, things have been… “Wan Shi Ru Yi”.

9A91: 74U, completing this mission means that we must encounter a colleague and then wish them well.

AKS-74U: Hah, you come give it a try then. The two of you are so bossy but I’ll bet your digiminds will brick before you finish your third sentence.
Ah, maybe 9A91 might make it to her fifth, but—
Ehhh—! Someone’s coming, someone’s coming!

AS Val: What happened, 74!? Did you encounter a doll?

AKS-74U: Tall, brown hair, red eyes, dressed like she’s going to a concert, who is she?
Hurry up, hurry up, she’s found me already!

9A91: The doll with these characteristics is...

AS Val: Can you tell us more features of her appearance?

AKS-74U: Her chest looks to be around the same size as mine, she’s wearing a hair clip that looks like three lightning bolts — Hurry up, she’s coming over!

???: My, AKS-74U-san, how do you do.
Your clothes look nice, they’re very pretty.
Did you specially prepare them for tonight, AKS-74U-san?
Er… AKS-74U-san?

AKS-74U: Ah...

9A91: It’s M21, just call her M21, she doesn’t have a nickname.

AKS-74U: Ahhhh, M21-san! Er…
H-Happy New Year!

M21: Ahahaha, thank you.
However, today isn’t our new year, but “those guys’” new year. There’s a big difference in style.

AKS-74U: Ahhh, yes yes, you’re right.
Ah… although… I guess we’re feeling the same way, right?


AS Val: Sounds like she managed to bluff her way through...

???: Oi oi, M21, aren’t you going to keep an eye on M1911?  Looks like she’s been drinking too much again, M14 and the others can’t hold her down any more!

AKS-74U: Ehhh!?

M21: Drinking too much? If I’m not wrong, given M1911’s capacity for alcohol… getting drunk ought to be really difficult for her.

???: That’s why I said “looks like” Honestly, that girl, she ended up like that the moment she saw the Commander...

AKS-74U: *whisper* Crap, she was so short and she suddenly popped out from behind M21 so I didn’t see her at all!

9A91: 74U, what does she look like?

AKS-74U: *whisper* Small frame, blonde hair, dressed like a gambling hostess, her chest…
 *whisper* About the same as Val’s?
 *whisper* Come on, hurry up! They’re still discuss—

AS Val: AKS… she’s called… zzz zzz...
By the way, hers are padded, mine are… zzz….

AKS-74U: *whisper* Crap!

9A91: 74U, I… zzz… zzzz...


Petite Doll: After another three rounds, 1911 won’t have many pieces she can...
Huh? Who’s this? Let me think...

M21: THis is AKS-74U-san, M9. You’ve heard about her from Thompson, right? She showed her stuff during the evacuation operation.

AKS-74U: Ah, er, how do you do, M9-san, and… er… Happy Chinese New Year!

M9: Nice to meet you, AKS-74U-san!
You’re welcome to our dorm, want to come inside and have fun? The Commander’s there, and Thompson will be back soon.

M21: Yeah yeah, at least listen to a joke before you go!

AKS-74U: Ah, it’s alright, I still have a mission, I need to go walking around outside.

M21: You’re visiting for the Chinese New Year, aren’t you? I’ve heard that a lot of dolls are carrying out missions like that tonight.

M9: Haha, sounds really interesting!
Still, you’re a newcomer, right? Can you recognize everyone the first time you see them?

AKS-74U: I… of course… it’s no problem, my brain works fast, don’t worry!
Everyone, enjoy the festival! See you!

M9: Ah, thanks—
...She’s gone.
She doesn’t seem to want to get close to use.

M21: Still, people like that are quite interesting, aren’t they?

M9: Hah… she’ll probably get along with someone as half-baked as you, right?

M21: Haha, being too similar actually makes it harder to get along instead.
Especially during a festival like today’s… people like that should be able to recognize themselves more easily, right?





[……]

AKS-74U: Oi oi, 9A91, Val, can you hear me?

AS Val: AKS, are you alright?
The radio broke just now, 9A91 had to pound it before it worked again.

AKS-74U: I managed to bluff my way through.
There’s so many dolls, it’s hard to match names to faces...

AS Val: Go to your next stop. Let’s see...
Zzz… zzz...

AKS-74U: Hey hey, don’t tell me...

9A91: Zzz… sorry… zzz...
Just now… I think I used too much force… zzz...


[Krzzzz—!]

AKS-74U: What was that sound!? Did it break!?
Oi, 91? Val? Hey—!


Bold Voice: My my! If it isn’t 74U-san!

AKS-74U: Uwahhh!?
You, you’re...

Frivolous Doll: Hehe, happy new year, 74. Well, it’s not our new year, but any festival where you can drink is a good one!

Bold Doll: Or rather, any day you can drink...
What’s the matter, 74U-san?

AKS-74U:  Ah, that… errr… um… happy new year.

Frivolous Doll: What are you mumbling about? Say our names clearly.

AKS-74U: Ah? No, I said them… quite clearly, right?

Bold Doll: Hehe, that’s not the attitude you ought to have when meeting a sempai, 74.
Come come come, comrades, here’s the vodka!

AKS-74U: Ah… ah, I don’t...
(Wait a minute! That’s clearly the smell of industrial alcohol, right!?)

Frivolous Doll: 74U-san, don’t tell me you don’t drink?
While you might not drink like they do, at least you can drink a little, right?

AKS-74U: Drink… drinking… that’s...

Stern Voice: That’s enough, both of you.

Stern Doll: I just went to work on something else for a little bit and the two of you came out here to cause trouble.

Frivolous Doll: It’s a rare occasion, and besides, AK47 said she wanted to come out here, I was just keeping an eye on her.

AK-47: You were the one who wanted to join the commotion, Simonov.
Besides, shouldn’t we be getting people drunk in the streets since this is a festive occasion?


Stern Doll: I’m sorry, AKS-74U-san.  It seems these two brainlets have caused you trouble.
Were you doing your New Year visits? If you don’t mind, let’s go together.


Simonov: What about us?

Stern Doll: Get your asses back home. Sten and the others have been waiting at the door for a long time, so make sure you take good care of them. Also—
Type 92 said that if you dared to make Stem and AAT52 drink, she’d pickle you in medicinal wine.

Simonov: All right, all right, your friends are our friends, don’t worry and leave them to us.
We’ll see you at home then, Instructor and 74U-san!

AK-47: Seeya! We’ll drink when we’re free!

AKS-74U: Happy New Year, Simonov-san, AK47-san, see you again!

[…………]

Stern Doll: Where’s your next stop?

AKS-74U: I should be heading to … FAL’s place, I think.

Stern Doll: Do you know how to get there?

AKS-74U: I have a map, but...

Stern Doll: But you don’t know where she stays and you don’t know what she looks like, am I right?

AKS-74U: Eh? I...

Stern Doll: What’s my name?

AKS-74U: Er...
*sighs* You could tell?

Stern Doll: I could hear you talking to Val and 91.

AKS-74U: *shrugs* Alright… this sort of thing is embarrassing, even for me.

Makarov: Incidentally, I’m called Makarov.

AKS-74U: Hello, Makarov-san. And Happy Chinese New Year.
Ah… and I’m sorry, but you see, I was critically damaged earlier and I have had the chance to update my data on everyone.

Makarov: Oh—? Is that how it is?
I know you’re a doll who does your own thing, but not being able to recognize your colleagues at a glance kind of gets in the way of your work.
At the very least you ought to memorize the data of all the dolls in one block.

AKS-74U: I have a fixed team and several buddies. You know, Python and the others, and I update myself in time when missions come around.

Makarov: So is there any other reason for it?

AKS-74U: It’s true, there are a few unimportant reasons.

Makarov: Alright, it’s your business anyway.
Still, won’t you at least let me help you out with this New Year’s visit?

AKS-74U: Oh? So you really are as nice as the rumors make you out to be, Makarov-san?

Makarov: RIght now, you can’t do anything by yourself. You and I both know that. And I’m not the kind of doll who’ll let other people suffer just to soothe my anger and then laugh at them at the end.
Stay close to me. Whatever I call them, you follow suit.






[…………]

Makarov: Happy new year, 57-san.

AKS-74U: Happy new year, 57-san!

FN-57: My, isn’t that Makarov, and is that 74U? Happy new year.
FAL-san’s still dressing up inside, so I’m welcoming everyone in her place.


Makarov: Still dressing up? But the Commander’s still over at M1911’s place.

FN-57: That’s the thing, now’s the time for us to face off in earnest.
Ah, but I’m alright with anything, besides, whatever I say tonight goes, hehe...
49, hurry and get the festive chocolates  — ahhh, not the one on top, FNC’s already snacked on that one!

AKS-74U: (This team is filled with weirdos…)

[…………]

Makarov: Happy new year, Negev-san.

AKS-74U: Happy new year, Negev-san!

Negev: Happy new year, you two.
But let me get this out of the way first, we haven’t made any festive preparations.

Galil: Oh, really?
As I recall… wasn’t it because our clothes didn’t ship in time?

Negev: Wasn’t that Tavor’s fault for skimping on the shipping!?
Whatever, we did prepare some snacks.

Harsh Voice: Negev, do we have guests again?

Negev: Hang on, I’ll bring them in. You guys prepare the lanterns, Uzi will be back soon!

AKS-74U: (They made festive preparations in the end, didn’t they…)

Makarov: That voice… does your team have new members?

Negev: Hehe, nope.
To be precise… they rejoined us.
Come in and take a seat, I’ll introduce them to you—

[……]

Makarov: Happy new year, IWS-san.

AKS-74U: Happy new year, IWS-san.

IWS: Ah… ahhhhh!
Someone really came to visit! Everyone, stop for a bit!

M1 Gepard: 和。
大三元，清一色，门前清。
(TL Note: M1 Gepard is once again raping people in mahjong)


Glock: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Dammit!

SSG69: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I can’t do this anymore! I’m tagging out! Someone take my place

AUG: It’s too late, SSG69.
Makarov and AKS-74U, for your sake, do not step through this door.

AKS-74U: Ah… that’s fine, I’ll just deliver my gift. (Besides, I’m used to this sort of thing already)

[……]

Makarov: Happy new year, Hawk.

AKS-74U: Happy new Year, Hawk.

Makarov: Ah, 74U, in this case you can’t just follow me, you should add an honorific.

AKS-74U: Huh? Sorry, I didn’t—

Type 97S: Aiya, who cares about that, happy new year, happy new year!
So it’s Makarov, and isn’t this 74U-san? Welcome, welcome!

Type 64: Happy new year, ladies. Would you like salty waxed sausages?

Type 97S: Tch, eh, it’s the new year, I’ll let it slide.
Aiya, don’t just stand there, you two, come in and have a seat! Stop stuffing your face and call out Leader and the others, Type 56-1!






[……]

AKS-74U: We finally escaped...
They stuffed us with so much food that the box I took so long to empty filled back up again.

Makarov: Still, doesn’t this mean you’ve completed your mission objective?

AKS-74U: I’ve more than exceeded it. 91 and Val would be happy.

Makarov: DId you do this for them?

AKS-74U: I’m not a kind-hearted instructor, I only do things for my friends.

Makarov: Is that also why you refuse to update your database?

AKS-74U: ...


[After a long while, AKS-74U sighed.]

AKS-74U: I have some memories in my neural cloud which aren’t particularly... “legal”.
Ah, well, they’re not that illegal, just… they’re not suitable for retention.
So if I connect to the database, they’ll be patched over… which is to say they’ll be forgotten.


Makarov: It was during the withdrawal operation last time, right? You were the one who joined us back then.
It’s true that the data from back then will be more strictly vetted. We’re not the Griffin of the past any more. We have a lot of… restrictions.

AKS-74U: Work is work, and I’m not going to blame anybody.
But if I can keep those memories… I’d be willing to pay a small price for them.


Makarov: You know what the price is, and it’s only going to get higher and higher.

AKS-74U: Yeah… at the very least I envy you guys. Everything seemed to be going your way tonight.
Yeah, like this, that’s right… it’s “wan shi ru yi”... for everyone except me.

Makarov: Nobody can get their way forever.
These dolls have all gone through a lot of trouble or hurtful situations, but they overcame them in the end. That’s why they can laugh so happily tonight.
Everyone’s like you, just that you’re a step behind.

AKS-74U: Then what have you been through, instructor-san?

Makarov: ...
Farewells.

AKS-74U: ...

Makarov: DO you know what a farewell is?

AKS-74U: Probably not.

Makarov: “To say goodbye is to die a little.”
AAT52 told me that.
(TL Note: Partir, c’est mourir un peu by Edmond Haracourte)

AKS-74U: AAT52?

Makarov: She’s one of my teammates. She’s an idiot, so she probably copied it from somewhere...
Still, they have something to say about everything over there, and everything they say is right…
...So right that I it makes me want to die?


AKS-74U: ...Is it about your friends as well? What you’re talking about?

Makarov: Yes. She’s gone on to a more dangerous battlefield, she’s gained more reliable comrades, and she’s carrying out a more secret mission.
We still keep in touch, but… we’re no longer the same. You understand, right?

[AKS-74U nodded.]

Makarov: Change isn’t always a bad thing, but adapting to change… takes a while.
There’s nothing embarrassing about that. The embarrassing thing would be if I met her again and she’d grown, while I stayed the way I was, not gaining anything except for loss.
SO… what about you?

AKS-74U: Me…?
Haha… I don’t know if we’re friends or not.

Makarov: You’ve got a good personality installed in you, 74U-san. You can deceive almost everyone and every doll…
...Including yourself.
Run from it deny it, but don’t trick yourself by saying that you can accept it.

AKS-74U: Hmph...
No wonder Simonov calls you “instructor”.

Makarov: It’s just a suggestion. Maybe you might find a better way.

AKS-74U: Hah, I won’t tell you about it if I do.

Makarov: Seeing the way you lied to yourself and others during the visitation, I strongly doubt that “maybe”.
I’ll be heading off first, I need to see if AK47 and Simonov have torn the dorm down. You shouldn’t hang around too long outside either, it’ll be a big drain.

AKS-74U: Mm...
Although, Makarov-san?

Makarov: This will be the last question. Go ahead.

AKS-74U: Do you think “death”... is a good thing?


[Makarov looked back, the light behind her. She seemed to be smiling.]

Makarov: If it’s just a little… it’s not bad at times.





[……]

[…………]

???: Huh? IS that AKS-74U-san?

AKS-74U: Ah… you’re...


[AKS-74U smiled bitterly.]

AKS-74U: I’m sorry, I don’t know you. I haven’t updated my data, so I’m sorry...

MP5: That’s fine! I’m MP5! You’re AKS-74U, right?
I heard MP40-san mention you! Are you ready to go New Year visiting too?

AKS-74U: No, I just finished, I’m getting ready to go back.

MP5: Is that so, I just started, there’s a lot of things going on tonight...

AKS-74U: Really? Then are you happy?

MP5: Yup! That’s because I lost my pet and got him back again!


[MP5 patted the bionic piglet beside her.]

AKS-74U: Yet another “wan shi ru yi”...

MP5: Hm? Did you say something? Was it in a foreign language?

AKS-74U: Don’t mind it, MP5 — ah...
MP5-san… you’re often run errands for everyone and do logistics missions, right?

MP5: Yeah, what about it?

AKS-74U: Then do you remember...

AKS-74U: Er… do you remember a… a doll called HK416?

MP5: HK416...
Ah, of course I do, I resupplied her before.

AKS-74U: Is she in your dorm? I haven’t heard from her in a long time.

MP5: Ah… well, as for her...
She’s not in Griffin.

AKS-74U: What?

MP5: She should have resigned, right? Ever since we changed bases, we haven’t had a dorm for them—
...74U-san, you… what happened?

AKS-74U: ...
I thought we’d meet again, but in the end she… wasted all the preparations I made.
Haha, which means I’m pretty lucky, right?
On an out of step day like this, just as the price was beginning to overload.


MP5: 74U-san, are… you alright?

AKS-74U: I’m fine, I just suddenly realised something.
Turns out one of my affairs… turned out the way I wanted.

AKS-74U: Happy new year, MP5-san. And also, your new outfit looks very good.





[…………]


[Thinking back, the two of us merely went the same way for a while.]
[After walking the longest and most dangerous stretch, when we finally reached the endpoint, she didn’t follow me.]


AS Val: Ah, AKS, you’re back at last!

9A91: What’s the matter, 74U? Did you “wan shi ru yi?”
...74U?

AKS-74U: ...


[I now realize that this is the best time for me, and the best ending.]
[Our encounter was not due to any prettified reason. Much like the various encounters I had tonight, it was just a huge coincidence.]

AKS-74U: About that...


[Apart from coincidences, everything else is a mistake.]

AKS-74U: Now I just need to go a little bit further...

AS Val: Hm? What little bit?


[AKS-74U poked her head.]

AKS-74U: This bit. I’d like to update my database. Help synchronize with me, you two.

AS Val: Hmph, you finally thought things through?

AKS-74U: It’s just a little goodbye, don’t exaggerate it...

9A91: And after you say goodbye… will you be happy?

AKS-74U: I don’t know.
If meeting really is so good, then I wouldn’t mind giving it another go.

AS Val: Hehe, at least you’re looking happy tonight, no?


[So before this coincidence could become a mistake, I decided to let it die.]

AKS-74U: Yeah, because everything’s gone my way.
So, is there an option to make one thing go my way forever?