"... we should be going, now. We're in a massive hurry..."

  "J-Just a bit longer..."

  "... fine."

  ...

  Chouko and Shortcake, after all of... that... swiftly flee straight to the bottom floor, rushing down four floors of stairs as quickly as they could. The power in the building remains off, with not a soul besides them remaining- and the two are in an incredible hurry, with an uncertain life-or-death time limit to adhere to.

  In this rush, Chouko thought about the hug... thought about the android as a whole. Taking occasional looks back at Shortcake every so often as they descended down the stairs, keeping a very... close eye on the android's expression.

  Each time Chouko looks, she takes immediate notice that Shortcake's cheeks and nose were lightly coated with blood, the android accidentally smearing her face in it when she hugged Chouko. Assuming that its hug is intentional, Shortcake- doesn't seem to have an aversion to messes. This does make sense, after all. Shortcake is an American android designed to care for children, and they are quite messy.

  However, the frightened expression is still on her face... which could still correlate to death.

  And this continues to be a thought on the forefront of her mind- as the two make it to the ground floor, seeing the dead corpses of Griffin and some- random guy.

  "... hm," Chouko noises, just... letting out a sigh. Doubt lingers in her mind, following that... "breakdown" of hers. Slight moral hesitance as she comprehends that Griffin is dead. What ultimately upsets her about it isn't the moral concept of preserving life, but rather- the android's reactions.

  The android seeing Griffin... doesn't change anything. Shortcake's expression doesn't shift all that much, beyond just normal fright. Chouko notes this to be the same expression as before, a simple default reaction to be expected if a bleeding corpse came back to life and attempted murder. Beyond that- if the face isn't changing, then Shortcake doesn't seem to share any special opinions on Griffin in general. No special grief or emotions to it.

  So Chouko thinks... her gruesome revenge causes the same amount of fear that Griffin does. And that's curious.

  Speaking of- on that topic, the topic of Griffin somehow coming back to life... other concerns now come to Chouko. She doesn't know how it's possible, beyond some nonsense tech explanation that lets people do that- no, the question to ask is, how common is it for someone to come back to life?

  So Chouko squints her eyes and slowly- turns to peek into the first floor. Peeking into the remains of the front lobby, eyes looking into a room of rubble chunks. The gaping hole in the ceiling isn't getting any better- in fact, it just continues to crumble further...

  ... and the deep, metallic scent of blood oozes in the air.

  A smoky, metallic- intense smell that Chouko was desensitized to- but... a smell that had the android on the verge of gagging.

  Chouko sees and stares at the hulking, bulky brute still collapsed in his own rubble, the entirety of the second floor office collapsed down into the front lobby- Chouko very- VERY much found herself just- walking very cautiously around the man. Griffin is one thing, given his now purely theoretical intellect and strategy... but Steele is another. Having him somehow- "revived" and charging at her is something very- very unfavorable...

  "U-Uhm- a-aren't we in a h-hurry...?" Shortcake asks, uncomfortably- looking around the room. "W-Why are we slowing down?"

  "... because, caution. We don't want a repeat of our earlier... surprise," Chouko answers, referring to Griffin- and having a very- wary look on her face as she stares- STARES at Steele. Seeing him continuing to lie limp in a pool of his own blood. "... especially not against that one."

  "That... one...?" Shortcake asks as she looks over towards Steele... the light in her eyes dimming. "O-Oh... h-him..."

  "...?" Chouko stops walking the moment Shortcake stops. An eyebrow raised, curiously looking back at the android. "What is it?"

  Shortcake stares at Steele for the longest while, before looking to Chouko with her eyes lighting back up. "W-Well, I was... b... being extra careful... m-more cautious and s-stuff..."

  "Ah... I see."

  Chouko feigned "cluelessness" in that moment. She knows full well Shortcake interacted with Steele, otherwise the android wouldn't have been brought up to the top floor to begin with. Chouko takes special note of how dim Shortcake's eyes were when she stared at Steele, and compared that to the bright gaze when looking at her.

  Is it... truly as simple as "Shortcake associates emotions with people on first impressions?"

  Shortcake's directly interacted with the Executioner and Steele, possibly roughly so... and she didn't have a lot to associate with Griffin. Maybe...

  ... no. No. That doesn't make sense for two reasons.

  Firstly, Shortcake was- beaten, kicked, thrown against the ground by a fully visible Griffin along with Steele... if Shortcake operated on first impressions, she'd feel disdain towards both Steele and Griffin- and yet, the disdain seems more focused on Steele than it is Griffin. Is it some sort of tech nonsense that judges people based on how much they beat her?

  Secondly, Shortcake's first impression of Chouko is her screaming bloody murder. That first impression should be engraved into Shortcake's mind. It would make sense to reason that Shortcake saw Chouko committing bloody murder and remembers that first impression, but if that were the case- Shortcake wouldn't just be terrified, Shortcake would want nothing to do with Chouko. Shortcake would be trying to flee, and- and Shortcake would have just fled when Griffin's body went after the woman...

  ... tch. It shouldn't be this complicated to understand the android's thoughts, its current feelings and such. And yet, Shortcake perplexes her. Completely confuses her far more than any other actual human. Profiling this android is- it's something Chouko doesn't understand yet. Every hypothesis Chouko comes up with, each one more likely than the other- she immediately second guesses herself.

  Shortcake is a combination of human psychology and robotic programming... and Chouko only understands one of those things. Shortcake's managed to confound her, psychologically, and Chouko doesn't understand a single thing about robot code.

  The only thing that would make sense is that this android is...

  ... is...

  ...

  ... the two, after that pause - fortunately not subject to a surviving Steele - carry on and walk. Entering through one of two doors that were not leading to the upper floors, the other of which was presumably the receptionist's office.

  Chouko and Shortcake wander through the door, walking down a hallway. Two doors on the left, two to the right, and a large entryway to some sort of warehouse straight ahead. The lights remain as dark as ever, ominously so.

  "..." Tensely, Chouko starts to walk forward. "Shortcake... look around. Left, right, behind us- I want you to shout loudly, the moment you notice someone or something move."

  "S-Shout? H... How come?" Shortcake asks, tilting her head.

  "The volume will quickly let me know something's happening," Chouko explains, walking forward. "Consider it... more caution."

  "R-Right... o-okay..."

  Careful steps. One foot after the other, Chouko taking carefully slow steps and slow breaths to quiet her own movements. No signs of creaking or such... as her eyes glance left and right.

  Meanwhile, Shortcake's steps are less careful. Sure, the android takes a step each time Chouko takes one, but the material of its shoes creates a bit more noise against the floor. Sneaking was not its specialty in terms of just walking...

  ... but... the two simply walked down the hallway, with not a soul in sight. No one left alive to see or hear them, no one to take care of... in the hallway, at least.

  The two make it to the warehouse, and witness it to be... for lack of a better term, fully stocked. Several trucks with crates and goods next to each one, an utter mess that seems to indicate the warehouse was completely vacated for one reason or another. The warehouse door is wide open with several cases of tire tracks, indicating that at least one mercenary - if not multiple - fled the scene at a swift pace.

  Chouko and Shortcake stand high above to see all of this, witnessing the sight from a metal platform with thin stairs headed down. Chouko rests an arm on the railing to look over the whole scene, surveying what she could and seeing not a soul left... at least, not in the open.

  The only source of light Chouko possesses in this expansive warehouse is the outside light. Rather than complete pitch-black darkness, some of the night sky peers in through the open door... and there's no guarantee Shortcake's any better with what light her eyes can emit. No, it's... tch...

  A vacated warehouse is the best case scenario, despite leaving countless possible witnesses to her. If it wasn't fully vacated, then it simultaneously leaves several witnesses... and some people behind to ambush her. Either outcome, just... tch.

  "... Shortcake. Do you see anyone?" Chouko whispers, speaking quietly.

  Shortcake stares out, looking out into the warehouse and glancing about. Her pink gaze flickering multiple times, on and off. "... n... no, I... I don't see anyone yet..." Shortcake whispers.

  "Well... hopefully we see them real soon..." Chouko mumbles, holding her gun in hand. The old saying... no news is good news... doesn't apply in this case. Her eyes narrowed and glaring into the warehouse, tensely surveying the area over and over again, trying to find any sign that a person is hiding away...

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  For a brief moment, Chouko catches a glimpse of Shortcake as she surveys. The android seemed to be copying her, looking around as well. Its face still seemed frightened, pairing well with the tense look Chouko's face had...

  ... but- time is of the essence. Being frightened and tense for minutes on end is unwise. Chouko couldn't afford to be any more careful, not with the unknown just waiting to attack. So... she takes a moment to retrieve the Executioner's keys.

  Out of these keys present, one was a temporary key for the drawer- which Chouko removes and tosses aside, in the event this key had a tracker inside of it. That leaves a couple more keys to things, which- one of them was a manual remote for a car. One that has buttons to signal the car in question.

  There were a few cars among the trucks... which Chouko deduces belong to the mercenaries. Having a personal car out in the open for anyone to spot is a dead giveaway that "oh, the office has mercenaries" if anyone recognizes the car. One of the cars must be the Executioner's...

  Which one that is... well, Chouko presses the lock button on the car. Holding the remote out and pressing the button. Two presses, and the car- sounds out twice. Sounding out a signal to alert the two of its presence... all the way on the other side of the warehouse.

  "..."

  "C-Chouko? ... i-is something the matter?"

  "..." Chouko- sighs, shaking her head. "Shortcake, listen. Over there is a car that we're going to be using. It's our only means of escape."

  "R-Right, that makes sense... so... let's-"

  "Get going? Sure. Issue, however," Chouko interrupts, immediately informing the android of that caution on the front of her mind. "Someone in this warehouse could- ambush and attack us if we're not careful. There's too many trucks and boxes in the way, anyone could be hiding in here... quiet, just... just waiting for the perfect moment to take us out."

  "I... I-I see... d-do you want me to go ahead a-and retrieve the car...?" Shortcake asks, tilting her head as she surveys the warehouse as well.

  "Well, that would be..." Chouko begins to respond, before- looking back to Shortcake. "You... You'd be putting yourself in danger, Shortcake."

  "W-Well- i-it's just an idea," Shortcake answers, fiddling her thumbs. "Y-You could keep watch and- uhm- d-do the... do the thing with your, uhm... g-gun... if..."

  "..."

  How does she interpret this?

  The android genuinely being helpful, or... the android trying to obtain a means of escape, abandoning Chouko in the meantime?

  Tch...

  "Fine." Chouko... takes a moment to retrieve her defense baton from the knapsack, and hands it to Shortcake for its self defense. Sure, the android doesn't seem to possess much skill or- physical strength to make the most out of it, but it's better to hold onto it for safety rather than Shortcake being empty handed.

  A better choice for the android would be holding Chouko's gun, but...

  ...

  ... the baton will do. "Hold onto this and- and try to defend yourself with it. Swing it like you did the blond man from earlier."

  "U-Uhm- o-okay! I got it!" Shortcake answers, fidgeting and shaking as her fingers coil around the baton. The metallic baton sinks into the palms of Shortcake's cushiony hands, like holding it against a pillow...

  "Right, and- also, keep your back against the wall so no one can sneak up to you- and keep an eye out. Shout loudly if you see anyone," Chouko instructs, gesturing to the wall right next to the door. "I'll- tell you when it's safe to come down."

  "O-Okay...! L-Loud and clear..." Shortcake responds, her eyes flickering a little. Back pressed against the wall, looking past the railing of the platform.

  With Shortcake on guard- Chouko makes her way to the car. She walks down the stairs, and begins her careful walk to the car. Hand firmly on her gun, taking the slowest steps possible at first... eyes looking around, glancing side to side...

  She looks up to Shortcake for a moment, seeing her from the ground. Watching as the android looks around, both hands gripping the baton- looking back and forth between the doorway and the warehouse's floor. The android has yet to see anyone, so... hm.

  ... Chouko takes a deep breath, takes one more look around, and- makes a sprint for it. Running quickly, eyes gazing left and right. No further invisible men here, she just makes a sprint for it- presses the unlock button on the car again, and opens the door up. Pulling the door open and using it as temporary cover, ducking behind it and cautiously looking around.

  No ambush yet... so Chouko stands up, and... well, she's kept her thoughts secret, and now has a close enough view to examine the car in detail.

  Chouko didn't know enough about cars to identify anything- major, other than the fact this was a Mercedes-Benz. The symbol on the front suggested as much, a circle divided into thirds.

  The car in particular is a black-painted four-door SUV... one of those big cars, rectangular ones. Possible to assume it's armored, but safer to not think about it until it becomes relevant. The car seems relatively new and well-kept, as if it were purchased almost... recently.

  And this car being the Executioner's, for many... many reasons... sickens her.

  Chouko glares at this car with overwhelming anger, knowing the price tag that would go into one of those things. Mercedes-Benz is a luxury car company, after all. And if he does own this... all of that money to own such a vehicle is money earned from the bastard's jobs... all his jobs. Blood money that paid for a life of luxurious cars...

  A car he would bring to a location like this is one of three things: exceptionally useful, valuable in a personal way, or disposable. Disposable meaning- it's one of multiple cars, and he doesn't care whatsoever if this car ends up damaged- the money he's used must be... immense. Countless things he must have carelessly spent money on.

  In fact, hiring dozens of mercenaries to work for him is... it...

  ... tch. If it wasn't for the fact this was an emergency, Chouko would not dare go anywhere near that thing.

  The car is fine, of course. Chouko holds nothing against Mercedes-Benz- just this car in particular. Unable to rid herself of these feelings, still able to see the bastard's face before her, Chouko... cracks a maniacal grin. This is still a car belonging to the most repulsive, wretched, despicable piece of-

  "I-Is it s-safe to come down yet?!" Shortcake calls out.

  "Ah-" Chouko looks back to Shortcake, face returning to normal. Eyes blinking a couple of times as she- nods. Snapped out of her thoughts. Staring up at Shortcake, looking at her the best she could from this distance. "Not yet-! I need to check this car for- traps!" Explosives, alarms, bugs- the works.

  "O-Okay... I... okay..."

  From what she can tell, the android is visibly- shaking. Both hands holding the baton tightly, its frightened expression worsened. Morbid terror in Shortcake's pink eyes as it frantically looks around like a scared puppy.

  Chouko... Chouko just takes note of this, and... needed to search the car quickly.

  Quickly, Chouko then drops to the ground, checking underneath the car- then does a quick survey around the car. One brief look in case any mercenary seems... smart... enough to trap the car with some explosive, or- hiding underneath it or whatever...

  ... none in sight. At least, on the outside.

  "Alright. Shortcake- come on down now, be as fast as you can!" Chouko calls out, beckoning the android down before examining the inside of the car.

  "O-Okay!" Shortcake starts to walk down the stairs as well, heading over.

  Chouko keeps a careful, cautious eye out for both Shortcake and herself. She looks behind her, back at Shortcake... behind her, back and Shortcake, rinse and repeat- still ever so cautious about any hiding mercenaries. Covering the android the best she can with what limited view she had...

  ... until the android makes it, scurrying over and quickly lunging at Chouko. Wrapping its arms around Chouko once more, clinging to her.

  Chouko tensely holds her gun, making sure to focus and- not- use it whatsoever. Allowing Shortcake to hug her after this, just- easing up...

  Shortcake... doesn't seem to operate well when she's on her own, Chouko's realizing. The android's fear is worsened when it is left by its lonesome... it was alone when disguised as Chouko, uncertain of its fate. It was alone in the Executioner's office when Chouko was running rampant. And it was - essentially - alone on top of that metal platform.

  The android's more frightened when it's alone than when it's with Chouko, the idea of being- on its own being more terrifying than being with a murderer. Each time it hugs her, it shows fright and terror in its body language. Moreso its body than its face, really... it hugs, it reaches out for her hand, it clings to her arm and such.

  In other words... the android has a strong case of...

  ...

  Separation anxiety...

  Its programming... is designed with separation anxiety in mind. Chouko's eyes widen at this as she looks down, as she stares at the top of this android's blood-soaked hair.

  As it fidgets while hugging her, Chouko- starts to shake as well. This hug feels like she's being constricted. Not physically, as the android can- easily- be overpowered... moreso- morally. Mentally. Emotionally.

  The same way Chouko's mind was sent down a destructive spiral of regret the first time she saw this android... Chouko tensely, tensely stares at it for the longest while. Looking to Shortcake with a revelation that... that...

  "It's... u... uhm... c... can... can I- uhm- come with you t-to your room...? I- I'm- I'm, uh, I-"

  ...

  Is...

  Is this android....

  Is this android truly... easier to understand... if Chouko treats it like- her child self...?

  It cannot be that easy. It really cannot be that. Chouko thought about this possibility both on the truck AND that office building. She isn't the type of person capable of caring for a child in such a way, whatsoever.

  Especially not- herself...

  ...

  Chouko... takes a deep sigh. The two of them are still in the midst of lightless, enemy territory... they needed to leave. "... Shortcake, get... get in the car. We're leaving," Chouko tells the girl.

  "O-Okay..."

  Shortcake pulls away from the hug and- walks to enter the back seat of the car. Climbing in and sitting in the middle seat.

  Chouko, meanwhile, just... gets into the driver's seat. If there is any consolation for what has happened tonight, the Executioner and his hells-tormented soul will have to watch two people covered in his and his mercenaries' blood sit in his nice, expensive luxury car... ruining the seats.

  The two sit quietly in the car for a while, doors closed as Chouko puts the key into the ignition. Starting to drive the car away.

  Still no mercenaries in sight... they've probably long-since fled from the scene. Chouko remains ever so vigilant, however, as she- drives out into the streets of Indianapolis...

  ... yawning... slightly... as her eyes flutter.

  "... a-ah- Chouko-"

  As the two leave the building, Shortcake quickly calls out to Chouko and shakes her shoulders-

  Chouko's eyes widen as she hits the brakes, stopping the car right away. Two seconds away from crashing the car into a wall.

  Shit... right... she was taken in the midst of the night, a gunshot wound in her shoulder after traveling through an entire four story building... the adrenaline's finally wearing off and she's on the verge of passing out.

  "I- I can drive us," Shortcake informs Chouko, a nervous look on her face. "L-Let's trade seats-"

  "No, no, I..." Chouko instructs, sighing. "I'm the only one of us that can drive elusively if we're followed..."

  "I-In that case, uhm... I'll- keep you awake and watch out, too!" Shortcake then climbs through the middle gap between the car seats, sitting right next to Chouko now in the passenger seat. Its nervous face looking forward, resting a hand atop Chouko's shoulder.

  Chouko's eyes flutter for a bit, and... and nod... "Sure... okay..." A faint gasp sounding out as her vision wavers, distorts and fades.

  "... u-uhm- how about some music? L-Let's turn on the radio."

  "Sure... sure."

  Chouko lets out another yawn as Shortcake operates the system, turning on the-

  "... g-GHK- CHANGE IT, CHANGE IT!" Chouko roars out, screaming her lungs out and shaking.

  Shortcake's eyes widen in- confusion, watching Chouko glaring violently at the radio. "H-Huh?! O-Okay! Okay!" Quickly, Shortcake changes it.

  Chouko... reacted to it harshly. Sharply. And the reason being... the radio was tuned to a... a classical music station. And by sheer coincidence, a few notes of a certain- song played. The notes feeling like poison, bile on her skin... the girl shaking with her hands tightly on the steering wheel, her breath hyperventilating a little.

  That- certainly woke her up... h-hearing... Clair de Lune...

  ...

  The Mercedes-Benz remains still for a while as Chouko... gathers her composure back. The car put into park so that Chouko could forcibly wipe the tears off of her face, angrily doing so... frustrated and enraged. Irritated...

  "..." Shortcake lets out some slight whimpers as the two are now listening to... country music. Retreating and- just going back to keeping a watchful eye out...

  Chouko... just... recovers after a bit, listening to the- country song. "R... Right... let's... go..."

  With that, the car is... off. Finally driving away from the bodies of the office building, headed to who knows where.

  "... s-so, what's the plan...?" Shortcake- asks... "Where are we... headed?"

  "..." Chouko shakes her head. "I... honestly don't know... I guess... first, we're cleaning this blood and mud off of us... then, we're finding somewhere secluded to hide away for the night."

  "O-Okay... uhm... alright..." Shortcake noises, reaching- reaching out to hold the steering wheel. Deciding to help Chouko by holding onto it, to make sure she's driving carefully and that the car remains stable and straight.

  "..."

  The two of them are left in an awkward silence.