"Caroline—ah, do you mind having a nickname?"
I asked her.
"Hmm—not really. Why?"
"Caroline's kinda long. It's a nice name, but explorers often use nicknames for people with longer ones."
In the First Unit, they called Wilcox "Will" and Lucretia "Lucre."
"Ohh, got it. No attachment to the name—so go ahead! Pick a cool one!"
She agreed lightly.
(Caroline... Carol, maybe? Hmm—too straightforward... Then—)
"How about Carol?"
"Ooh—Carol! Clean and nice! Okay, starting today—I'm Carol!"
"...No, that's the nickname. Your full name stays Caroline."
She seemed to like it. Good.
"Orun-san! In that case—give me one too!"
Logan pleaded with sparkling, puppy-like eyes.
"Logan isn't that long."
"Come on—please!"
He insisted even when I said it wasn't needed.
He really wanted one...
"...Fine. How about Log?"
"Log... The name Orun-san gave me..."
He muttered, looking deeply moved.
...It's just a nickname. Your real name hasn't changed.
Well—if it makes him this happy, I don't mind.
Sophia watched enviously.
Being left out would feel lonely.
"Sophia—how about Sophie?"
She blinked in surprise at my sudden suggestion.
"Too basic? Hate it?"
"N-No! I'm really happy! Sophie... ehehe..."
She beamed—pure joy.
Glad she liked it.
"Then—Orun-san, I'd like a different way to call you too..."
Logan suggested.
"Nah—I'm fine. Short name. No need to shorten."
Shortening Orun would be "Oru" or "Run"... kinda gross.
"No—not shortening. I'd like to call you Master!"
He said it with straight, earnest eyes.
...He was dead serious.
This really Logan? Personality flipped hard...
"Ah! Log—wait, Logan only?! No fair! I wanna call big bro 'Master' too!"
"If you want—fine. ...Sophie too?"
When I asked—
"N-No... I-I'd prefer... just Orun-san..."
She blushed crimson—voice tiny.
"Totally fine."
And so—the Tenth Squad's nicknames were set.
Next—party name?
Not urgent—but we'd need one eventually.
From the vibe—I'd probably end up deciding.
Better start thinking now.