Privaty

I suppose it's because there's hardly anything to do during rehearsal,

but it's dreadfully boring.

Event rehearsals are usually like that.

Especially when it comes to army events, they feel even more formal.

Still, Privaty, you got a medal at one of these events a while ago.

You, of all people, should know better.

I-I know that.

I'm not saying I dislike it.

It's just a bit boring to stand there and watch, that's all.

"Central Government Special Medal"...

It already feels like ages ago.

...

Huh?

What's wrong with it?

What is it this time?

Th-the medal's color looks a bit off!

Why's it like this?

The color seems off, you say?

Ahh...

It's gotten a bit rusty.

How did you let it get rusty?

You were going crazy over it not long ago, weren't you?

I-I couldn't have helped it, okay?!

I've been so busy all this time!

Ugh...

What am I supposed to do now...?

Will it go away if I wipe it off?

I don't think it'll come off if you just wipe it.

Aaaagh!

What now?

Wh-what should I do?!

The red stuff's spreading!

See? That's why I told you not to wipe it.

Wh-wh-what do I do now?

Maybe you could ask someone who knows how to get rid of rust.

Someone who knows how to get rid of rust...

!

I-I'll be right back!

I wonder who she's going to.

Well, duh... there's only one place she'd go.

C-Commander!

Help me!

C-can you take a look at this?

I tried to get the rust off this medal myself, but it didn't work.

Then Admi suggested I ask someone else for help...

So...

Th-the first person?!

I've been running around trying to find someone who could fix this, and I only came here because I had no other choice!

You're literally the last person I thought I'd ask!

No, it's not like that...

Actually, you are the first person I came to...

But if I said that, it'd sound like I'm leaning on you too much...

...

Wh-what?! You were just teasing me?!

I really trusted you and came running to you first...!

Don't get it wrong!

It's just a little rusty.

I've been busy, all right? I barely had time to take care of it.

I only wiped it with a cloth! The rust spreading isn't my fault!

B-but I really didn't know...

I thought it would come off if I just wiped it with a cloth.

Who would've guessed it would just make the rust spread?

So...

is there really nothing we can do...?

... Thank goodness.

So you actually do know how to get rid of rust!

...

Then what was with all that confidence...?

...

You're right.

What matters is that we give it a shot, however we can.

...

That didn't work.

What else can we try?

Is it working?

... Toothpaste didn't work either.

I guess we've tried everything we can think of...

...

*Sigh*

Do I just have to leave it like this?

It's so important to me.

Expert...? What expert?

Oh, Master.

And Miss Privaty too.

How good to see you.

Ade, sorry to drop by like this.

This way, please.

Might I offer you a refreshment?

Oh, we're not here for coffee today.

Rust removal, you say?

Why yes, I have attended to such matters before.

Hehe.

From your words, it seems you may require my assistance.

About that...

Is this your medal, Miss Privaty?

How exquisite.

Though... I do see a touch of rust...

Yes.

This medal means a great deal to me,

but it's gotten a bit rusty. I wanted to ask if there's any way to clean it.

Ah, I see.

Worry not, for I shall see to this rust immediately.

R-really?!

But of course.

As I mentioned earlier,

it's not uncommon to come across rust during cleaning.

In such instances, there is a remarkably simple remedy.

Might you be acquainted with citric acid?

?

Hehe, I can see by your expression that this is unfamiliar to you.

Citric acid has quite a few uses,

and it's remarkably effective at removing rust.

S-so if you use that, you can get rid of this rust right away?

Why, yes, of course.

Judging by the state of this medal...

I should think an hour... no, half an hour will suffice to remove it entirely.

Rust removal is not something one undertakes often.

I have heard of other products that might achieve it,

but we shall begin with citric acid.

Now then, Miss Privaty,

shall I attend to it for you myself?

...

No, that's okay.

If it pleases you, I'd be glad to take care of that...

Thanks for the offer,

but this is something precious to me.

I'm going to try it myself so I know how to take care of it going forward.

...

I see.

Very well.

Even if you prefer to do it yourself, would it be all right if I at least shared some of our supplies with you?

Oh, thank you!

I'd feel bad taking too much, though...

Hehe, please do not worry.

Even just a little will more than suffice to remove the rust.

If you would kindly wait a moment...

I can't believe it was that easy...

Coming to see you really was the right choice.

You're right.

If I'd tried handling this on my own...

I wouldn't have even thought of coming to the Maid Cafe.

I'd have just kept scrubbing at it or left it as it was.

I'm already grateful for your help today.

But I can't just rely on you for everything. I should handle what I can on my own.

Still...

If you insist, maybe I'll come find you when I'm in a bit of a pinch.

D-don't get the wrong idea! It's only because you said I could!

I-I've never felt like I couldn't.

I'll come by whenever I want, even without you asking.

Master, Miss Privaty...

My apologies for interrupting.

You're back sooner than I expected.

But why do you look so grim?

My sincerest apologies,

I searched the storage room most thoroughly...

N-no way...

But I'm afraid we've entirely run out of citric acid...

I sincerely apologize.

I never imagined we'd run out...

Don't worry about it.

It's not like it's your fault, Ade.

You should be able to find some if you visit Miss Yan.

We often procure supplies for the cafe from her as well.

Yes, Master.

If you are about to depart, shall I notify her in advance?

Then I shall notify her the moment you depart.

Well, howdy, Rookie.

Heard the news.

So you need some citric acid, huh?

Whatcha plannin' to do with it?

A medal?

This.

Ahh.

I've seen this 'fore.

It's that... whatchamacallit...

"Central Government Special Medal,"

right?

Sure do.

I see 'em every now and then doin' business.

But they don't just hand these out to anybody, ya know.

Of course not.

Only someone who has done something truly exceptional can earn this medal.

You been runnin' all over tryin' to get that rust off, and you didn't even know?

Anyway, the Central Government's real stingy.

If they're gonna give somethin', might as well make it outta gold, not steel.

It's not the material that matters.

What counts is what the medal stands for—a heart that never breaks.

That's why it's made of steel.

Jeez, you're scarin' me.

Don't make a face like that.

Sorry for being so serious...

But it's just that this medal means a lot to me.

Well, look at ya... a soldier full o' pride, huh?

Heh, my bad. Just forget I said that.

I weren't tryin' to insult ya.

It's fine.

So do you have any citric acid?

What, you think there's somethin' we don't carry?

Hold on just a sec.

Naturally.

It's even more meaningful for me

since I do work for the Central Govern—

Found it.

This the one you were lookin' for?

!

Th-thank you.

I can finally get the rust off with this.

How much is it?

It ain't much.

But...

Y'all got a minute?

Nope.

I've got to get this rust cleaned off right now.

That rust'll come right off, so what's the hurry?

If ya ain't got nothin' else to do, why don'tcha lend me a hand?

Do me that favor, and I won't even charge ya for the citric acid.

So, what do you need?

Let's hear it.

Ain't nothin' much.

I gotta make a delivery to the Maid Cafe by tomorrow, but my driver's down with the flu.

I just need y'all to drop some stuff off there.

Oh, and look, citric acid's on the list too.

Y'all just came from the Maid Cafe?

Bet they told ya to use the citric acid to get rid of the rust.

That's right.

Then why don't y'all just bring 'em their stuff to pay 'em back?

The cafe gets their order quick,

y'all get your citric acid.

Everybody wins, huh? Ain't a bad deal.

...

If nothing else, it was nice of Ade to help us.

I suppose we do owe her for showing us how to get the rust off.

Well then, looks like we got ourselves a deal...

Let's head on over to the warehouse.

All ya gotta do's take the ones with the red tape.

Wh-what in the world...?

You didn't tell us there'd be this many!

I didn't say there were only a few, either.

But all this...

How are we supposed to move it all at once?

Yer tryin' to move all o' that at once?

Ya can just make a few trips.

And heck, what's it matter how much there is?

Ya said yerself ya wanted to help the maid cafe, didn't ya?

Yeah, but...

Then, I'll be countin' on ya, thanks!

I've thought it over, and this is just ridiculous.

All this trouble for just one container of citric acid?

If we'd just paid for it, it would've been over ages ago.

Her reasons...?

Hah! Probably just thinking about how to squeeze every last penny out of people.

... Are you saying she gave us this task to lighten my burden?

...

I'm not exactly happy about why she thinks that,

but I'll take your word for it, Commander.

... I could have totally returned the favor properly.

I'm only doing this for you and Ade, just this once.

That being said... I may be fine with it, but are you, Commander?

You're moving all this stuff because of my medal.

You don't even need citric acid. That's why I asked.

B-be with...!

...

If you think it's fine, then let's take a short break.

Tired? Me? Please... this is nothing.

I'm just saying you should get some rest.

Take a good look at your hands.

Your hands look like that... and you say you're not tired?

Let's take a break anyway.

We'll finish this later.

Here, sit.

I brought two, so one's for you.

Why didn't you say anything sooner?

If you feel like you've been working too long, you should've said so.

I-I mean, if you push yourself and get hurt, how am I supposed to sleep?!

Earlier?

Ohh, that.

...

I earned this medal for having a perfect record on my missions.

Absolutely, 100%! Impressive, huh?

I was the first one to pull it off.

Well... it's not like I accomplished some grand, flashy feat,

but still!

It happened because I didn't give up and kept at it.

Honestly, more than anything, I was thrilled because it felt like someone actually recognized my effort.

My pride...

Wh-why would you think that way...?

...

N-nothing.

I-I'm done talking about the medal now.

I didn't mean to get all sappy or anything.

W-well, I do!

Right now?

Are you sure you shouldn't be resting more?

...

Okay.

Let's get this over with.

Ugh... f-finally done!

Master, Miss Privaty, you've been most kind.

Those boxes ought to have been our burden to bear...

I scarcely know how to convey my thanks for all the assistance you've afforded us.

We just carried a couple boxes. It was nothing.

I-it felt like a fitting way to repay you for teaching us how to remove rust.

Hehe, is that so?

In that case, I suppose we may say we've each had the pleasure of helping one another.

Oh?

It appears a note has been affixed to this box.

...

It states that the citric acid intended for you both has been included within, so you may simply take it with you.

Miss Privaty, if you please.

Citric acid...

Th-this alone is really enough to get the rust off?

Indeed, it shall be sufficient.

Your medal is scarcely tarnished,

and a spoonful or two dissolved in water will see the rust lifted quite neatly.

Once it has had some time, a gentle brushing with a toothbrush will finish the task...

At last...

I can get the rust off my medal!

Hehe, it seems she's far too delighted to be paying attention.

Allow me to mention this, merely as a precaution.

Citric acid is mildly acidic, and contact with bare skin may cause irritation.

Should you need to handle the powder, I would entreat you to wear gloves.

Beyond that, there should be no cause for concern whatsoever.

Certainly.

Is there something you'd like to know?

...

You truly are as perceptive as ever, Master.

Miss Privaty isn't always forthcoming,

but she's always mindful of those around her.

I imagined she might be wondering how best to express her gratitude.

All I wanted was to ease her burden, even just a little...

Have I perhaps overstepped?

I am most relieved that you think so.

... Even so, might I trouble you to keep this from her?

Hehe, my thanks to you.

Okay...

Shall we get started?

No, I've got this.

I want to do it myself.

Ugh... it just won't come off.

Ah, Commander.

This stuff's impossible to get rid of.

There's no way Ade would lie...

Could it be we grabbed the wrong thing?

?

I-is there another way to use this?

I thought you just rubbed the powder on it...

S-so that's how it's done...

I never would've guessed.

Okay...

I'm back.

Why wouldn't it be fine?

A little powder won't hurt anyone.

Th-they're fine, really.

It's nothing.

I-I suppose that's true for normal humans.

But it's fine, since I'm a Nikke.

N-not at all.

Th-that's because you keep rubbing my hands!

W-worried...

Ahem, well... if that's the case, I suppose I have no choice.

If you're really that worried, I guess it's fine if you hold them for a moment...

...

Pfft.

Just think about it.

Earlier, I was worried about your hands,

and now you're worried about mine.

... Honestly, I really don't get why you always put others first.

My hands are fine too.

You don't have to worry.

...

O-oh right, shouldn't the rust be gone by now?

L-let's go check it!

The color of the water has changed, so I think it's working.

Commander!

It's just like Ade said!

The rust is all gone!

Well, would you look at that.

It's practically good as new...

In front of you...?

Like this?

Oh, y-you were just putting the medal on.

When you raised your hands, I thought you were going to do something else...

I-it's nothing!

Anyway, the medal!

Why'd you suddenly pin it on me?

... You've been calling this my pride.

Why do you think that?

!!

Yes... this is my pride.

I've always thought of this as proof of my efforts.

But I never thought I'd hear you say that too, Commander...

I'm really... happy.

Just as happy as the first time I received this medal.

It feels like my pride has become even more special.

Really...

Thank you so much, Commander!

I will.

I'll take better care of it from now on, so my pride won't be tarnished.

... But if, despite my best efforts, it somehow gets rusty again,

... you'll help me like you did this time, won't you?

D-do you really mean it?

There's no backing out once you promised.

It's a promise you'll have to keep for the rest of your life...

Y-yes!

It's a lifetime promise, got it?

S-so that means I can ask you for help anytime, right...?

Then please stay where I can always see you.