Centi

B-Boss...

I've, uh... got something to tell you.

Don't freak out, okay? Just listen.

I... um...

The thing is...

Actually...

Boss, I...

...

... Centi.

Centi, wake up.

Mm...?

Centi, you slacker!

How late are you going to sleep in?!

It's time to wake up!

Wh-whoaaa!

L-Liter?!

How long have you been here?

From about the time you started mumbling in your sleep and waving your hands around.

You've been spacing out a lot lately.

Have you been having bad dreams or something?

Bad dreams?

...

I don't know!

I already forgot!

What, in these last few seconds...?!

Well then, it mustn't have been that important.

Now, if you've come to your senses, start getting ready.

We shouldn't keep him waiting any longer.

"Him"? Wait, do you mean...?

Yeah, that's exactly who I mean.

Let's go see Greenhorn.

Ooh...!

Is he really here?

I'll get ready right away!

Give me a sec!

...

Sorry to have kept you waiting, Greenhorn.

Hey, Boss!

Good morning!

Good, this should do nicely.

We get things done so much more quickly when you're here helping, Boss!

Aw, don't be so modest.

In times like this, you're allowed to brag a little.

And since we finished ahead of schedule,

how about we grab a meal together?

Haha, I'm glad to hear that!

I'll get everything cleaned up here in no time, so hold on for just a sec!

...

Hold your horses.

We've got one more job left.

What? Really?

I thought we finished everything we had for today.

I forgot about this one.

Oh?

This is quite the interesting job.

A first even for me, perhaps.

Yeah, I'm curious too!

Tell us!

Hmm...

They're asking for a pendant.

A pendant?

If they included a design, then we can pump one of those out in no time...

Oh, this is no ordinary pendant.

What do you mean? What kind of pendant is it?

The instructions specifically say to put your whole heart into crafting it.

Yeah.

They want it filled with all the excitement of a first love.

Wait, those are all the instructions?

Yup, that's all it says.

But that's so abstract!

And of all the emotions, they just had to pick love...

Heh, don't worry yourself too much about that.

You've got the greatest authority in the field standing right beside you.

Ooh! I can always count on you, Boss!

I don't see anyone else standing next to her. Do you?

Ack!

... Let me try that again.

Whew... Okay, just put love into it.

The excitement of a first love...

Ugh... This one's no good, either.

Boss, can I ask you something?

I keep thinking about what I like as I try to cut and shape this pendant,

but it just isn't coming out right.

What even is the "excitement" of a first love?

Is it not enough just to like something?

Your heart races, and you feel warm and cozy...?

Hm... There is something that comes to mind...

Did you hear that, Boss?

We exceeded their expectations!

Not at all!

No matter how hard I worked on it, it wouldn't have meant a thing if I'd been going in the wrong direction!

But you nailed that part for me, which meant I could trust in the process and run with it.

Hey, Boss! You seem awfully chipper.

Happy about the bonus we got from the hotel manager?

!!

Me too!

Honestly, I feel like you and I are practically one unit now, Boss!

Centi.

...

... Centi?

...

...

!!

Wh-whoaaa!

B-Boss, what was that just now?!

That jolt you just gave me?

Y-you did something...

Are you sure you didn't zap me with a Nikke taser or anything?

I definitely felt something...

The hospital?

Yeah, you've been zoning out more than usual lately.

Your health takes top priority. Go get checked out.

Really...?

Hm... Well, if you two insist,

I'll go get a checkup!

It's not like I can make a pendant in this state anyway.

!!

N-no, Boss!

I'll go by myself. Be back soon!

Wrong?

No, it's more like you set things in motion.

Don't worry. Just wait.

Things will sort themselves out in due time.

Boss... what do you think of me?

Be honest.

C-c-cute...?

D-do you really mean that?

A friend, huh?

Ha... Haha.

Th-that's right! We're a great fit as colleagues, aren't we?

...

Centi.

Are you asleep?

Centi?

!!

M-Mary?

Oh, you woke up!

I came by to let you know the test results are in.

Wh-what'd you find?

There's gotta be some malfunction with my heart, right? A part that needs replacing?

All your readings are perfectly normal.

Right now, you're healthier than pretty much anyone.

... What?

Th-that doesn't sound right...

What about everything I've been feeling?

Hmm, you say your heart's been racing,

and you've been feeling unusually sensitive. Is that right?

Could you go into a little more detail about what was happening when this occurred?

... That's everything.

Hehe. I see what's happening.

In my professional opinion as a doctor,

the problem you're having has nothing to do with your body,

and everything to do with right here.

Hm...?

I still don't really get what you mean.

Hehe. Your heart is fine physically. The problem is more... emotional, let's say.

Emotional...?

Wait, so my heart really isn't working right?! It's broken?!

There's no need to worry.

This is a kind of ailment that everyone gets at least once.

It doesn't require any major treatment. With time, it'll slowly heal on its own.

But... Mary!

I can't handle any jobs at the workshop like this!

At least tell me what it's called!

Hehe... All right.

The illness you're suffering from is called...

lovesickness.

The illness you're suffering from is called...

lovesickness.

... What?

What's "lovesickness"?

Hehe. Tell me, is there anyone your heart keeps turning toward?

I don't...

...

!!

Someone just came to mind, didn't they?

B-but... No way...!

B-Boss is the person I respect the most...!

Oh my.

!!

M-Mary... I can explain...

What you just heard wasn't...

Centi.

As a doctor, there's nothing more I can do for you,

but there's one piece of advice I can offer.

What's that?

Don't deceive yourself.

Sometimes all you really need is to be more honest with your feelings.

She said that, huh? She's right, you know.

So why are you holed up in here?

You've got your solution, and it's simple.

... I don't know.

This is the first time I've ever felt something like this, so I don't know what to do...

...

... Liter.

Do you think I can use this feeling to make the pendant?

Heh... Is that all you can think of, even at a time like this?

...

Let me ask you this, Centi.

Do you really understand what you're feeling?

!!

I... I...

It's not something someone else can tell you. You have to figure it out for yourself.

I think you'll find it's hard to put your heart into something if you don't understand your own feelings.

I see...

Then I think it's still going to be hard for me.

...

Hm... Well, you can't force it.

All right, I'll lend you a hand.

A squad leader can't very well sit idly by while one of her squadmates is struggling now, can she?

R-really?!

You're the best, Liter!

Hey! C-calm down!

Hey there, Bo...

I-I mean...!

Hello! How are you...? Haha...

Sorry about being... err... I apologize for being late!

Hahaha... Were you waiting long?

S-sorry...!

Did I freak you out... err, I mean... Did I startle you?

Haha... Hahaha...

Yeah, what?

Err, I-I mean...!

Yes? You called?

Oh! Uh...

First, we need to fix how you talk. It's too... tomboyish.

It is?

Yeah.

Seeing how Greenhorn is a man and all, don't you think he'd prefer someone who speaks a little more feminine?

Oh...! You think so?!

Then lay it on me! How should I talk?

L-Liter said you'd prefer this...

Y-you do?

Erm... I see.

All right then, Boss. You got it.

Right.

Remember what Liter said? That to finish the pendant,

I need to understand more about what a first love is like.

...

S-so that's why I asked you, Boss.

We're going to see a movie?

Ooh...

I never would've thought of this.

Great idea, Boss!

Oh, looks like it's starting.

... Hm?

Boss, did you see that just now?

The title, I mean.

I don't think this is a romance...

It sounds more like a horror movie.

...

Um...

B-Boss...

Could you let go?

It kinda hurts...

N-no worries. You don't have to apologize...

...

It... It actually made me happy.

It felt like you were relying on me.

I think it made me more excited than a romantic movie would've...

I don't know if I should say this,

but seeing you all scared like that, I thought you looked kinda...

cute...

Haha...

It did mean I couldn't focus on the movie, though.

Nah, it's fine.

Not like you did it on purpose or anything.

Hm...

Actually...

Can I pick where we go next?

Something just popped into my head,

and I thought it might be nice if we go there together...

Ahhhh.

That really hit the spot. I was thirsty.

?

What is it?

Wh-what're you doing...?!

!!

Aackk...

...

...

...

*Gasp...!*

*Huff... huff...*

Seriously, Boss!

You scared me!

I thought I couldn't breathe there for a second!

Haha... Of course.

There were a few things that really took me by surprise today,

but thanks to that, I think I get what you mean about your heart racing, and that warm and cozy feeling...

Or I'm at least starting to get it.

Huh? Right now?

...

... All right.

I'll give it a shot!

Phew...

It's finally done.

Liter, could you take a look?

Hm, let's see here...

Hmm...

... How is it?

...

This isn't the workmanship I've come to expect from you, Centi.

The general look of it is crude because you decided to use metal.

And the finish is sloppy, like it was done by a novice.

There's a real sense of inexperience here.

...

I see...

...

Hmph, there's no need for that.

It may not be much to look at, but that's not what matters right now.

Huh? What's that mean?

It means...

I think you did good in taking what you envision as a first love,

and pouring it into this pendant.

Liter...!

Right? This is all thanks to you, Boss!

Oh yeah!

The client's name should be written on the order form!

Hm? What is it?

What...?

!

You're right.

There's really nothing written here.

I have no idea.

This is the first time it's ever happened...

...

Of course the client's name isn't written on there!

That's because the client for this job...

was me.

What?!

B-but why would you order something like this...?

Wait...

Are you in love with someone right now? Is this your first love, Liter?!

Of course not, you goof! That's not what this is at all!

Erm...

I've seen how you've been struggling lately,

and as your leader, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

...

That pendant...

I want you keep it, Centi.

You ended up understanding your own heart better,

which means what I set out to achieve is as good as done.

Now, heheh...

There's only one thing left for me to do.

...?

The rest is up to you two now.

I'll leave you to it.

...

Hahaha... Liter, I swear...

Can you believe it? Her being all sneaky like that?

...

Err, ahem!

B-Boss.

About this pendant...

I feel like I need to give it to the person I was thinking about while I was making it.

Would you, uh... accept this gift from me?

Wh-why are you thanking me?!

If you hadn't been here, Boss, I never could have finished it!

Anyway, all I mean is... thank you.

Thank you for teaching me about what a first love feels like...

...

Ahem!

I'll be heading home now.

Does it feel hot to you in here? My face is getting really warm... Hahaha...

Y-yes?

Huh...?

Here...?

...!!

N-no! I mean, how could I ever tell y...

Err... I'm not trying to say that you're not, b-but...

If a tomboy who didn't even know what first love was suddenly blurted out something like that...

wouldn't it put you in an awkward spot, Boss...?

Huh...? Boss? What're you doing?

W-wait just a second...!

I-I'm not ready for that just yet...!

!

Erm...

...

Boss.

Are you sure you're not put off by, uh... y'know...

a rough, tomboyish girl like me...?

!

...

Um...

I dunno if I should be saying this, but...

I...

I like you, Boss.

And there's something I know for sure now.

It's you, Boss. You're the one.

No matter how difficult the job,

no matter how exhausting the operation...

those moments... they seem to sparkle because I was with you.

You've become someone I can't live without.

...

So I'm hoping...

would it be okay...

if I got a little more involved in your life from now on...?

I just... want us to be a bit closer than before.

R-really?!

Wow...

Th-that makes me so happy!

Sure thing!

Leave it to me!

I really like you, Boss!