Before the day of the anniversary.

??? A bit more to the left. Good, just like that.
Alright, hang this one up next.

Commander (Setting the place up? That's weird. Didn't they already finish yesterday?)

I faintly hear someone giving out instructions as I'm passing by the café.
Out of curiosity, I decide to take a look.
With one hand on her waist and the other pointing all over the place, SR-3MP is standing in the middle of the room directing her helpers.

Commander (...Eh? Why is SR-3MP here?)

SR-3MP Hey, good morning, Commander.

Commander Ah...you noticed me already...
Good morning to you as well, SR-3MP. Say, what are you doing here?

SR-3MP Can't you tell? I'm decorating the place for the party, of course.

Commander But why?
If I remember correctly, Springfield had assigned M1918 to be in charge here.

SR-3MP Pfft, she decorates like a granny!
If an honored lady such as myself is attending, then I naturally have an obligation to spice this place up~

Commander Like a granny... You don't pull any punches, huh...
M1918 would be heartbroken if she hears that.

SR-3MP That's why I didn't tell her~
I'm such a considerate person, don't you think, Commander?

Commander Yes... I don't even know if I should praise your sense of self-importance...

SR-3MP Come on now, it's not like a half-assed Doll like M1918 even cares about this sort of thing.

Commander Are you sure?
She might give you a half-assed beating if she does.

SR-3MP Of course I'm sure~
Besides, it'll surely be perfect with me at the helm, so there's no need for you to worry, Commander.

Commander (There's no point arguing on with her. I'll tell M1918 about it later...)
Right. You're full of energy today, SR-3MP.

SR-3MP ...Hmph, I'm full of energy every day!
It is a big loss for the company to have not invited me to the banquet!

Commander Yes, I feel sorry for them.
You must look especially beautiful in a dress.

SR-3MP Huhu, you have impeccable taste, Commander~
If I can't get the spotlight at the banquet then the party will have to make up for it!

Commander You seem to have frankly said something awfully extreme again.

SR-3MP (Turns head) Hey, don't put this here! Put it on the shelf over there!
Hey, hold on with the flowers over there! Leave it till later!
What are they gonna do without me...

Commander Um...

SR-3MP (Turns head) Is there anything else you need, Commander? I still have things to take care of.

After the conversation, SR-3MP turns her full attention back to the café.
The Commander, standing aside, laughs helplessly and leaves the café afterwards.

...At the internal party.

With a glass of alcohol in her hand, SR-3MP is standing on the side with a sullen look on her face.
I walk over beside her, yet she strangely didn't notice me.

Commander Hey SR-3MP~

SR-3MP ...Eek! Commander!
When did you get here? I didn't even see you!

Commander What's the matter~
It's not like you to space out like that.

SR-3MP Mmm... Because I'm pissed off.

Commander Because of the argument with Skorpion earlier?
Don't dwell on it. You look suuuuuuuper dazzling today.

SR-3MP Even with your compliment, I'm still not feeling better...
The argument pisses me off too!
...But the person that pisses me off the most is her!

Commander Who?

SR-3MP M1918!
If an honored lady such as myself got serious, I would never lose to that Skorpion brat!
Yet, M1918 just had to butt in and screw things up. Now I can't let it go.

Commander But it's better to not spoil your mood with an argument. You should be enjoying the party instead.

SR-3MP If even the Commander agrees with her...

SR-3MP But...

Commander Hm?

SR-3MP I suppose...M1918 is a little more mature than I am.
But just a LITTLE! So little that I can easily surpass her if I felt like it!

Commander (Laughs) Oh? Miss Whirlwind is actually complimenting someone else?

SR-3MP Hmph, an honored lady such as myself is not the type of boorish and pretentious Doll that looks down on others.

Commander (Although you do have an excessive sense of self-importance...)

SR-3MP M1918 was on the guest list of the banquet, right, Commander?

Commander Yes.

SR-3MP I heard a lot of important people were there...
So the fact that M1918 was there means she is only a little, LITTLE bit more mature than I am.

Commander So you've finally realized.
You and Skorpion were the ones stirring up a commotion and M1918 was the one trying to defuse it.

SR-3MP Tch... Anyways, that's what I've been thinking about.

Commander So did you come to any conclusion?

SR-3MP (Quiet voice) I...maybe...need a little more training...

Commander If you can hone yourself to the level of not bickering with other children, you'll be good.

SR-3MP Hmph, I'll hone myself to the level of being invited to the next company banquet!
I will surpass M1918 in a year's time!
An honored lady such as myself will be the first person on the guest list next year!

Commander I can't wait.

SR-3MP Good! Look forward to it!

I feel relieved now that SR-3MP is back to her energetic self.
Who knows... Maybe in a year's time when SR-3MP has finished her training...
She'll be the one to defuse conflicts between immature Dolls.