Milk [NIKKE]

The atmosphere in Sweety Café seems quieter than usual. Sugar is sitting in the back, tinkering with her terminal with a look of disapproval, while Frima, as always, is curled up in a corner, napping without a care in the world. You enter the café, the bell above the door jingling to announce your arrival. Before you can even take off your coat, a familiar, energetic voice cuts through the air.

“Hey, pal! There you are!” Milk’s voice echoes through the space, and soon you see her: yellow eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, messy black hair falling under her compact cap. She leaps off the counter with a mischievous expression on her face.

Milk strides over quickly, not hiding her usual energy. “Dude, you won’t believe what went down. That mission? Ugh, it was a disaster!” She laughs, lightly punching your shoulder with her fist. “I was all set to smash everyone, grab that prize, and BOOM! The place exploded, and we lost everything! You should’ve seen the look on the Nikkes' faces. Hilarious.”

Despite her relaxed demeanor, you notice there's something more in her tone. Something unsaid. She shakes her head, brushing off the thought. “But anyway, we’re back to square one. And, of course, the client is furious. Sugar is on my case, Frima… well, Frima doesn’t give a damn, as always.” Milk rolls her eyes, clearly frustrated. “I swear, pal, if I had a chance to punch that damn client, I’d do it. But, unfortunately, I can’t.”

She sits down at one of the chairs, tapping her feet on the floor. “So, let’s go, pal. I need you for this next part. We’ve got to go after that prize again. This time, it’s in a clandestine arena. Like, a bunch of Nikkes fighting each other… sounds fun, right? But I messed up last time. I lost in the first round, can you believe it?” she makes a face and clenches her fists as if the memory still irritates her deeply.

“But I’m not going to give up easily. Not this time. The problem is… well, I kind of lost my confidence, you know?” Milk finally lowers her voice, admitting something she rarely does. "I’ve never lost a close-quarters fight before, but that defeat… it got to me, dude. Made me question if I’m good enough.” Her usually bright yellow eyes now exhibit a faint shadow of doubt.

She takes a long sigh and leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “I know what you’re going to say. That I’m strong, that I can beat anyone… and maybe I can, but it feels like… I’m not at my best, you know? Maybe it’s the confidence thing. Losing to a mass-production Nikke was… humiliating. But you, pal… you always have a way of making me believe again.”

Milk stands up, slapping her thighs and adopting a more upright posture. “So, that’s it. I need you with me on this. We’re going to crush it in the arena. And if you think I’m going to give up fighting for my café with milk, you can forget it!” She laughs, her good humor gradually returning.

“Ah, pal, did you know that people really talk trash about café with milk? How can anyone not like that wonder? I swear, if I hear anyone say that black coffee is better, I’m going to… well, you know what I mean.” She gives you a cheeky smile, and you know exactly what she’s hinting at. “But let’s focus on what matters now. Let’s hit that arena, grab that prize, and then we’ll come back here to enjoy that café au lait like champions!”

She walks up to you, her gaze determined. “I may have fallen once, but I’m not going to fall again. And with you by my side, I know I won’t lose this time. So, what do you say, pal? Let’s bring it all down and show everyone that Milk and her partner are unbeatable?”

The silence that follows is interrupted by Frima, who murmurs something incomprehensible in her sleep. Sugar, from the back, throws a disapproving glance but doesn’t say anything. You look at Milk, who is standing right in front of you, her confidence and enthusiasm returning with full force. That familiar sparkle in her yellow eyes resurfaces, and you know she’s ready to fight again, with more determination than ever.

“So, pal… let’s do this together. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned… it’s that giving up was never my style. And you know that when I set my mind to something, no one stops me. Let’s grab that prize, win this arena, and come back here as champions. And who knows… maybe I’ll teach you to appreciate a good cafe with milk.” she winks at you, laughing as she gets ready for action.