The Art of Explosion
KABOOM!!
Nyahaha! Petra Construction, assemble!!
Look, look! Isn't this amazing? Hurry up and check it out!
What's all the racket this early in the morning...
Look! Our story made it into the Bellaskiver Times!
What?! Let me see that!
I wanna see too.
All negative rumors surrounding Petra Construction have been confirmed false.
The falsehoods were spread by a senior employee at Kemet Industries...
Thanks to an anonymous source who submitted an audio recording, the truth has now been revealed.
Anonymous source...?
*Stare*
It's the Captain.
Yup, definitely him.
...I don't get it.
...L-let's just keep reading, okay?
Kemet Industries has terminated the employee, citing misconduct and workplace harassment...
I don't care about that part! Skip to the very end! The last line!
Meanwhile, those who once misunderstood Petra Construction have begun returning with apologies.
All eyes are now on Petra Construction's next move.
...That's the end. That's what you wanted me to read?
Ugh, seriously, Marcille, you've got no sense for these things! Tanya, looks like we'll have to teach her ourselves!
Huh...? Tanya? Where'd you go? Tanya!
Mm. I'm chasing a butterfly.
Hard words aren't fun. Butterflies are fun. Mm.
Ugh... You two are totally missing the point here!
All right, listen up! Cute Petra's about to educate you both, so pay attention!
The most important part of any article is at the very end!
The most important part...?
So, in our article, what would that be?
...All eyes are now on Petra Construction's next move?
Exactly! That's the part! So what do we do now?
...?
You've gotta strike while the iron's hot!!
...That happened not too long ago.
As Petra hoped, Petra Construction quickly caught a wave of new clients and began working at full speed.
On top of that, Petra's new invention, the safety first bomb, received rave reviews.
Never one to waste momentum, Petra insisted it was time for aggressive marketing, and dragged me off to the shopping district.
I figured she'd shop for clothes or makeup... but instead, she stopped in front of a store selling industrial materials.
Hmm... Which one should I get?
For aggressive marketing, showing how safe the safety first bomb is would be best...
But this one's bad for the environment... and that one's too unstable. So pass.
This one's... tricky to handle, but maybe if I combine it with that, it'll work.
Oh, and if it's cute enough to match Petra's cuteness? Even better.
...You're being unusually careful.
Hmm? Of course I am, Captain!
Petra might look delicate, but she's got a surprising depth of expertise in explosives ♪
Joking aside, she fixed her eyes on the materials.
Her gaze has turned deeply serious.
You know... at first, Petra just liked watching things blow up. The boom! was... kind of cathartic, I should say?
But working with you and the others taught me something, Captain.
Petra's bombs aren't just for explosions. They're essential for building something beautiful.
The people beside me now are precious... too precious for me to ever hurt.
So if we're going to keep building safely and happily, I need bombs that are both stronger and safer.
That's where Petra found the best way to make use of my talents
I'm super smart, right?
...
Huh...? Captain, your stare's kind of intense...
Don't tell me you fell for Petra again? Seriously ♡ If you keep this up, I might just marry you ♡
She was still lighthearted as ever, but...
I just think you've grown a little these past few days...
H-huh?! What's that supposed to mean?!
Don't tell me... you're finally seeing Petra as a woman? You think I'm sexy now? Is that it?!
...I'm talking about what's inside you.
Hmm... I see. Mm-mm ♪ Gotcha, gotcha.
...?
Nyahaha! So what you're really saying is, you fell for Petra's inner beauty again!
Mm ♡ Should I just accept your love, then ♪?
...
Nope. Not just yet!
Petra's still the CEO of Petra Construction! There's too much left to do!
First, I've got to beat Kemet Industries once and for all...
Then I'll build a huge house where all of us can live together!
That's Petra's final goal. Creating a home where everyone can smile. Together!
And... then...
And...?
A-and... I-I hope that the house also has a room for you too, Captain...
S-so... um!
What I mean is... When that day comes... I want you to propose to Petra again properly...
Because by then, I'll be a woman who's just as amazing as you are!
When that happens... if you ever feel down on yourself again, Petra will be there to remind you...
T-that Petra... l-l-likes you...!
I couldn't help but smile at the sight of Petra turning deep red after she blurted it out.
I'll remember that when things get rough. But...
"Again"? When did I ever propose to you...?
!!!
You big silly dummy!! That's not what's important at all!
...?
Ugh, Captain, seriously... I bet you've made plenty of girls cry before Petra!!
Still pouting and blushing like a kid, Petra stomped off toward the shelves, and I followed, smiling quietly.