𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 ♥︎

Chapter 34: Acting Career

The next day...

Power has been restored in The Ark. The citizens have rushed out of the bunkers and back into their homes.

Fortunately, there were no casualties besides the Nikkes.

.  .  .

The citizens gathered in the center of the park, where a large stage was set in place. With a nice tall stand and a microphone above it.

It was a celebration carried out by the government to raise the morale of the population.

First, they had Noise up on stage, so that everybody could get into the mood.

Then, they had celebrities like Blanc, Noir, and Rupee come up and get everybody into a talking mood.

And now, Andersen's turn has come up, and he is supposed to give a speech.

I... Can't really tell what he's saying from all the way back, but it's motivational nonetheless.

''And now, I invite a close friend of mine, that many of you might know as The Miracle Commander, up on stage so he could give us a quick few words.''

...

Eh?

Wait, me?

''Commander, let's go.'' Rapi took my hand. ''I'll accompany you as security.''

Ah... Fuck, I'm getting nervous now...

So many people...

''Get up there, Dad. I'm sure you'll do fine.''

What if I don't?

''Then... You'll be beheaded.''

A...

Sigh...

A bead of sweat rolls down the side of my face as I take Rapi up on her offer, letting her walk me towards the stage.

As we go up the stairs, I almost trip. Fortunately, Rapi is there to catch me.

It feels as if she monitors my every move. It wasn't even a second after that bad step that she immediately caught me.

She feels...

''Cautious?''

Yeah, let's use that word.

''Can you even blame her at this point?''

No.

No, I can't.

We walk up to the stand where Andersen resigns his spot, leaving me upfront and Rapi by my side.

I tap the head of the microphone a few times before the ear-piercing sound plays from the speakers.

... Some people wince.

''Ehe... You can still keep it up.''

...

What do I say?...

Act 1: Because

Rapi ran through the empty streets of The Ark, left dark due to the power-saving function that was active at that moment.

The government took this opportunity to let the power sources take a rest, while also preserving equipment and energy.

Even so as the battle up on the surface had ended, civilians were still ordered to stay back inside the bunkers, due orders from many Deputy Chiefs including Andersen.