Commendation
It was a peaceful weekend afternoon.
I heard a knock at the door, accompanied by familiar footsteps.
Captain? Are you home?
This is the town guard! Mind if we have a quick chat?
Do you have a warrant?
Ah! A warrant...? I don't!
Mm...
Oh! If you're an active criminal, I'm allowed in without one!
Want to commit a little crime real quick?
Are you serious?!
Eheh, hi there!
Mm-hmm, you've got that calming scent and look again today!
What's up, Annah?
Ah, well...
Captain, are you free right now?
It's the weekend, so yeah.
I knew it!
Remember those fun times we had before?
Like that one time you went all Fast & Furious like some tough guy, Captain!
I remember.
You're exaggerating a bit, but yeah...
Because of that incident, the NOA Public Security invited us!
They even want to give you the Brave Citizen Award!
The Brave Citizen Award?
Yup!
To honor your amazing civic spirit?
And apparently a high-ranking town guard from the Public Security is coming too...
If you're okay with it, they'd love to present it at the plaza!
Aren't you curious what the award looks like?
Mm, I'm not really into flashy stuff...
Oh...
Well, that's okay! I'll explain it nicely for you...
But I wouldn't want to put you in an awkward spot, Annah.
Huh?! You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?!
Hmm... Maybe I should learn how to play hard to get too...
A-anyway! The town guard will escort you to the venue, Captain!
Annah casually led me out the door.
This organization wishes to honor a citizen who voluntarily contributed to public safety...
W-whoa, there are more people than I expected...
Mm...! Yeah, your reputation took a slight hit during that nudist incident.
Maybe everyone feels a little bad for suspecting you.
That's probably why the town guard insisted on making this such a big deal!
Would the awardee and presenter please come forward?
Ah, Captain! They're calling you!
R-right.
I stood up and made my way to the podium.
With so many eyes on me, every second felt like an hour.
...But even after I stepped into position, no one else came up.
...Annah?
Aren't you supposed to come up here with me?
Instead of answering, Annah just gave me a cheeky smile...
...And stepped right up in front of me.
Ahem.
Then I'll begin the award ceremony.
The Brave Citizen Award!
In recognition of your dedication and service to the safety of NOA, we hereby present this commendation on behalf of the NOA Public Security.
Presented by Annah Crawford, Chief of the Town Guard.
...?
???
I took the certificate in a daze. Annah tipped her cap with a grin.
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.
As Chief of the NOA Town Guard, I offer you my deepest gratitude.
Uh... I'm honored...?
Yup! I'll be counting on you from here on out too!
Hehe, were you surprised?
You sure surprised me, ma'am.
Come on, don't call me ma'am!
Like I said, I'm supposed to be off duty now!
So, are you really some high-ranking officer?
Actually, not really.
The Town Guard is just a branch of the Public Security.
I joined the Journey partly to promote the Town Guard a bit more.
Well, that's the official reason, anyway...
But I do enjoy being out in the field.
I'm glad you're happy, at least...
...Hehe.
So, shall we head back, Captain?
There's still more of our Journey ahead!
Of course.
I headed back the quarters with cheerful Annah.
As for the Brave Citizen Award, it found a nice, neat home in a corner of my room.