Chapter Text
After Rapi was gone, an entirely new character stood now before us. Apparently she was one of the most iconic Nikke who fought against the Raptures around 500 years ago. She was Red Hood of the Goddess’ Squad.
In many ways she is the exact opposite of Rapi. Loud, boisterous, bold, confident and not afraid to speak up her mind, usually with a perky smile on her face. Not to mention she had a presence of strength and badassery, whenever she appears her allies know everything is going to be alright and her enemies shudder, with that comes her own beauty.
Appearing with tall height and a defined figure with an ample set of curves to underline her unique charm as a strong warrior lady but undeniably a woman, attractive and beautiful at once. Her golden eyes, her long crimson red hair, jacket and scarf and her leather bra and pants decorate her alluring figure and exude power and sexiness. I was instantly captivated.
Despite not having much to do with Nikke or people in general with a demeanor like hers, it was quite refreshing and we immediately got along well and I started to like her quite soon as we grew closer over the last couple days and weeks.
However, it was evident that our time together would be limited since to bring Rapi back that would mean – again – certain death for the crimson haired Nikke. Red Hood was well aware and willing to go these lengths to grant Rapi, her former student who felt like a little sister figure for her the chance to continue enjoying her life with me and the Counters.
For her last wish, she wanted to visit her hometown before then fully relinquishing control to Rapi again. After we did that, I convinced her to stay with us a couple days longer so we could return to the Outpost and show her around. More importantly, I wanted to have a meaningful first and last date together before really saying goodbye.
There, I would soon discover that behind her bold and confident exterior also hides a cute and bashful side underneath.
“The first one to arrive at the Commander’s room gets to drink all the soda in the fridge!” Neon challenged Anis to a race and already ran off.
“Hey! Not fair! They’re mine!” the short-haired Nikke picked up the pace and ran after her.
“Those rascals…” I thought.
Now, only me and Red Hood walked relaxed together.
“So this is the Outpost? Must be pretty fun having your own private base to lead.” Red Hood was mildly impressed upon entering the place.
“It is not my own technically. Chief Andersen just gave me the main responsibility to look after this place.”
“Here, Nikke can chill and vibe around and feel free to walk around without encountering another human being, except me of course.” I casually acted like a tour guide.
“Wow. What a paradise this is.” she smirked.
“From what Rapi told me you as the commander have access to the only warm shower in the whole place tho right?” she teased me.
“Yeah that’s a thing here, which is why Anis for instance and also some other Nikke tend to frequently barge into my room and use the shower for themselves.”
“How scandalous of them ~ But to be honest, I’d do the exact same if I were in their shoes.”
“If I told you I wanted to take a shower here, what would you do Handsome?” she challenged me and subtly yet noticeably insinuated moving things a bit forward with me.
“I usually like to let the user enjoy some privacy since it is such a rare occasion to let actual warm water rinse over their whole body. And usually around that time I’m often busy with some late-night paperwork anyway.” directly falling for that bait would be too easy so I decided to play it cool first to draw her out of their shell more.
“Hmmm… That sure is sweet of you… But I would really like someone to accompany me while showering. I do tend to get lonely quickly… ~” she successfully did.
“If that is your wish m’lady then I’ll gladly look after you – if you are scared of shower ghosts that is…” I twitted her by intentionally misinterpreting her invitation.
“Oh Shaddap! ~” she boxed my shoulder playfully and couldn’t help but laugh, since she quite liked my answer.
We continued going for that walk, Red Hood clearly enjoyed looking around the park alleys, being introduced to the Outpost, watching the other Nikke vibing while we were walking towards the commander’s room. From a nearby street, a little, twin-tailed police officer noticed us.
“Hey Commander. What’s poppin’?” Miranda greeted me while she was patrolling around the area, making sure the streets were safe.
“Oh hi Miranda. I am with a friend here, showing her around the place here. Everything alright around here?”
“No worries Commander, since I as a responsible police officer made sure to thoroughly patrol around the area day and night and did not detect any abnormalities today. Today was a peaceful day for us!”
“Haha, that’s good then. Keep up the good work.” I headpatted her to which she grinned.
“Thanks I will, have fun you two!” the twin-tailed Nikke responded cheerfully.
After saying goodbye we continued walking towards our destination until Red Hood broke the silence briefly after.
“A friend huh?” Red Hood questioned.
“Kinda, she is just an officer from the A.C.P.U., our police department. I sometimes had to help them a bit around but she is more like a colleague to me I’d say.”
“No, I was talking about me Handsome.”
“Is that really aaaaallllll you see me as? ~” she neared her face towards mine smirking and with her golden eyes she gazed into mine.
“Ohhh that’s what you meant. That depends on what you want me to see you as.”
“Duh.”
Red Hood then halted her walk and stood to watch above at the artificial night sky of the Ark, the silver light which should imitate the moon illuminated her pretty face and her long crimson hair.
I did the same. There was a short silence in the air where we stood next to each other.
“It was really nice to travel to back my hometown. It had been so long, the nostalgia hit so hard. Even though I didn’t imagine it being like this.” she broke the silence.
“Thank you for making it possible for me. I really enjoyed the time with you guys, I can see why Rapi holds y’all dear to her.”
“Also, you are a good guy Handsome. In some way, you remind me of my old commander too. Now I know, the Nikke you will tend will be in good hands.”
The bitter fact we both and all of the Counter’s knew that it was clear, since Red Hood technically ‘died’ already – and miraculously re-appeared again, soon her consciousness would fade again and Rapi will fully inherit her legacy.
“Hey, don’t make such a long face handsome. After all, I am dead already. I am nothing more than a corpse, this body of mine was already inherited by Rapi. It is not right for me to take her opportunity to enjoy a good life away from her after she had to go through so much.” she tried to cheer me up, but it was clear she was also a little sad herself.
“You are not! Don’t speak so gloomy about yourself. Also if so, I haven’t ever seen a corpse that beautiful.” I tried to lighten the mood with unexpected rizz.
“Woah! Hahaha you’re flattering me now in this epic dramatic farewell speech? You are such a rizzler Handsome ~” she was taken aback and locked her arm around mine.
“I am serious. If there was just a way I could have you both alive. I heard a guy with some green crystal on his chest managed to do the same with his partners. Tho I’m sure they weren’t Nikke.”
The Nikke did not respond to it, instead contemplating in her mind about the time she had with the Goddess’ Squad and also what she recently experienced, traveling around with me and the Counters’.
“Red Hood.” I grabbed her wrist.
“I want to visit the surface again with you. I want to take you out stargazing. I want to get to know the woman who is so important to Rapi better.” I asked her out.
“Ehh ~ Is this a date? I might be old but I still know a thing or two about this stuff.”
“Yes, indeed.” I replied with dry honesty.
“Wow… Hehe, this is a new one for me…” she spoke to herself silently but still audible while bashfully looking away, “Ahem… I mean, I’m down, let’s do it!” she tries to regain her composure back.
“Hold on, don’t tell me… you never had a date before? Being a member of the Goddess’ Squad sure must’ve been very time-consuming, having to sacrifice your private and love life for the sake of humanity’s safety. How noble of you!” I half-joked and trolled her.
“Hmpf, is this what I get for fighting so hard for humanity? It’s not my fault that I was so busy fighting Raptures.” Red Hood pouts jokingly.
“Just kidding. There is no shame in trying things out for the first time. Even for a Goddess’.”
“Also you did well, so it’s my turn to handle things here and your job is to let yourself relax and enjoy a good time with a certain handsome commander in front of you.” I smirked while pointing my fist and thumb towards me, clearly hinting that I was meant.
Red Hood was struck with awe by the helping hand I offered her, that charming offer of a handsome man who would lead her into a good time, finally letting her be able to leave the responsibility.
“You know just the right thing to say Handsome.” she accepted.