Thirteen (1)
It’s been quite a while since the pain subsided.
When I looked around the room, there was a desk, where the prince and Hitachimaru were working. Not just a sofa, but a desk too? What’s going on with this room?
The prince suddenly glanced in my direction, and our eyes met. He came closer and asked,
“Good morning. Want to eat porridge? Do you want some water?”
I nodded enthusiastically.
I’m going to live here forever. What a blessing.
As I watched the prince leave the room, I noticed a sharp, disapproving look from Hitachimaru.
Oh, sorry, Hitachimaru. It’s just a little while that I’ll be here. You can keep aiming that gun if you’re worried. Even if you shoot me, it won’t be a problem.
The prince quickly returned with porridge and water, but it seems he’s going to feed me today too. He placed a cushion on behind my back. It was so soft and comfortable. What is this. Is this what happiness looks like?
“How’s the pain? Is it a bit better?”
I nodded in agreement.
It’s good to hear that, the prince said and patted my head. It feels really nice. I can’t help but feel content.
“What’s your name?”
In my mind, I replied, “I’m Thirteen~”. But I have no intention of speaking out loud. After all, I’m an enemy, and I wouldn’t want to be interrogated about military secrets or anything. If they think I can’t speak, they won’t question me.
“Aren’t you going to tell me your name? How old are you?”
“I don’t know~” I thought. I don’t keep track of my age~
But I am an elite Combat Doll, and I’ve survived on the front lines for three years, so I must be in my late teens, right~?
I have no idea, though.
Perhaps angered by my silence, Hitachimaru came over to the bedside.
“Pretending you can’t speak, huh? I know you can talk. You even said the water was delicious before. You talk in your sleep, too.”
Seriously? I talk in my sleep?
Oh, embarrassing.
I don’t remember saying that water was delicious. Sorry, Hitachimaru. But I really can’t speak, at least when I’m awake.
“Tell me when you feel like it. I’m Hiiro, 22 years old.”
Hiiro.
What a beautiful name~ I couldn’t help but mutter.
“So, you can talk after all. Now, I’m going to ask you a lot of questions,” Hitachimaru said as he sat down on the sofa. He asked about how many Combat Dolls there were, how we were created, and how we differed from humans, especially in our agility. But of course, I ignored all of it.
… He said he’d give me candy if I just told him my name, and when he put the candy in my mouth, it was so delicious that I couldn’t help but say, “Thirteen.” That was a bit embarrassing.
I couldn’t quite lick the candy properly, and saliva spilled from my mouth. What a waste. This food is so delicious, it makes me keep saying, “How can food be so delicious?” I’m so happy.