[https://x.com/artceister/status/2089547593340924339?s=46](https://x.com/artceister/status/2089547593340924339?s=46)

*Somewhere in Eden’s medical center, Marian lies still with her eyes close, taking in every piece of memory she has as the core inside her begins to resonate.*

*My promise……what was it?*

“So what are you doing here all by yourself?”

“H-huh? A-are you talking to me?”

“Mhm!”

“I….honestly don’t know. They just left me in here after running those tests.”

“Well that’s no good at all! Let’s break you out of here and teach those silly doctors a lesson!”

“I…can’t leave.”

“Why not?”

“Well…I don’t know that either, but they were talking about me being ”special” to them…”

“Special…how?”

“Well for starters, they gave me the name N.7.”

“Hehehehehe! What kind of name is that?”

“D-don’t laugh at me….”

“Pfffft sorry sorry sorry, but I’ve never heard of someone being named after a number before.”

“Yeah me neither….I wonder what makes me so special in the first place…”

Silence befalls the two children for a moment before the girl begins to speak.

“So I heard you passed the test for the academy…”

“Yeah, I did pretty well for someone who just got here, a little too well actually…”

“Oh? How so?”

“It all just sorta….clicked in my head. It’s like I already knew the answers before anyone else.”

“So you cheated?”

“N-no! Why would I do that?”

“Cheater! Cheater!” She sang happily while dancing with the teddy bear in her hands.

“S-stop it!”

“Heheheheh, not until you admit to cheating!”

“I-I told you, i didn’t cheat! I-I was just writing without thinking…”

“Hmmmmmmm….”

“S-seriously! I’m not-“

“I believe you.”

“Really?”

“Mhm!” She nodded “You wouldn’t be the type of person to resort to cheap tricks in order to get what you want.”

“W-well….thanks…”

*knock knock knock!*

“N.7, it’s time. Please step outside and let our soldiers escort you to the dorms.”

“O-ok…”

The young boy gets up.

“Well….i guess this is goodbye….ummmm..”

“Marian..”

“Marian. It was nice talking to you but I think we won’t be seeing each other for a while..”

“You’re leaving me already? And after mister teddy here just consummated our marriage!”

“W-what?!” His face turned bright red. “I didn’t agree to-“

“Hehehehehe! You should see the look on your face!”

“S-stop teasing me!”

“Ok ok I’ll stop….under one condition.”

“W-what is it?”

…….

“If we do happen to meet again someday and this is a big if…..I hope it’ll be with you as my Commander…”

The two remain silent for a few minutes before the boy finally speaks.

“O-ok. I’ll try and keep that promise, but nothing’s guaranteed.”

“Then if not as Commander and Nikke….then maybe as lovers?”

“Y-yeah sure we can- H-HUHHHHH?!” His face immediately turns crimson. “M-MARIAN!”

“Ehehehehehehehehehe! It’s a promise! No take backs!”

“Y-you-!”

*knock knock knock!*

“N.7, it’s time to go. Please step outside immediately.”

“I-I’m coming!”

The boy scrambles for the door and takes one last look at the girl before speaking..

“B-by the way, m-my name’s Uruoi…..you told me yours….so it’s only fair…”

“Uruoi……that’s a funny name.”

“H-hey…”

“But I like it. It’s…comforting for some reason….”

*zing!*

“N.7, they’re waiting for you outside. Please make your way to the exit doors immediately.”

“Ok ok, I’m coming! J-just let me say-“

*chu!*

He feels a peck on his cheek.

“D-did you-“

“Hehehehe!”

“W-wait-“

The door shuts as the young Uruoi was whisked away bh the soldiers who were stationed outside.

*Someday…..someday, when you end up as my Commander…..and there’s no one else there….*

“I promise to protect you…”

***No matter what it costs.***

[Marian Bond 39: Her Eternal Promise]