Xia Yu led three Androids in from outside the mall ruins; though he was the one leading, he was being protected in the center of a triangle formed by the three.
After all, he was a fragile human, a being who could be injured by the slightest bump or touch.
"Hmm? A combat-type Android based on my prototype?"
The moment she saw 2B, A2's fist tightened; that face and frame, identical to her own, made her recall the tragedy from back then.
Noticing A2's emotional instability, Xia Yu patted A2's shoulder, telling her to relax.
Feeling the human's comfort, A2 gave a cold snort and turned her head away, no longer staring at 2B and the others; only a human could persuade her, otherwise, no one else would have stood a chance.
If she had encountered 2B and the others alone, she definitely would have given 2B a couple of slashes.
"2B! That's... an Android!" 9S exclaimed in shock the moment he saw A2, "And... isn't that a YoRHa-type!"
Although 2B was also shocked, she was naturally cold-faced, so her expressionless demeanor made her seem even calmer at this moment.
"Yo, have you two eaten yet?"
Feeling ignored, Xia Yu pushed aside Popola, who was guarding him, and greeted them as he walked forward.
The pushed-aside Popola looked shocked, with a hint of sadness mixed in; it was her, clearly she was the first—whether it was meeting the human or the time spent with him—why could the human push her aside so easily!
As her sister, Devola only had to look at Popola's shocked expression to understand what she was thinking.
So Devola stepped forward, reached out to take Popola's hand, and gave her a firm look.
This was the benefit of sisters being in sync; with just a look from Devola, Popola instantly understood her meaning.
That's right, they couldn't be so passive anymore; if they didn't take the initiative, after losing to A2 they'd lose to 2B, then to 9S, and then there'd be nothing left to lose—they could only blame themselves if they became losing heroines!
Books passed down from the old world had described their current situation: the "blonde twin-tailed losing heroine." Although they didn't have blonde hair or twin-tails, they didn't intend to become losing heroines either.
They had never hidden their warped loyalty; it was just that the human hadn't noticed.
To secure a place in the human's heart, Popola and Devola exchanged a look and secretly made up their minds; in any case, their bodies had all the necessary parts, even simulated body fluids—they lacked nothing.
A certain someone had no idea that a simple, unintentional push would cause the twins to resolve to let their feelings warp.
Xia Yu had only just taken a few steps when 2B and 9S's pods suddenly flew toward him as if they couldn't wait.
Xia Yu also stopped in his tracks, looking curiously at the two pods circling around him.
After circling for a moment, the square heads of the two pods simultaneously projected a red scanning light.
"Analyzing..."
"Analyzing..."
"Analysis complete. Speculated individual: Human. Compositional analysis correct. X-ray comparison of internal organs correct. Data synchronization complete. Lacking genetic map comparison. Probability of individual being human is as high as ninety-five percent."
"Affirmative."
"Hmm..." Listening to the two pods talking to themselves, Xia Yu frowned slightly and suggested, "How about you two download a language plugin first?"
"Analysis: Old world language, Chinese. Commencing download of Chinese language system. Downloading..."
"Affirmative. Commencing download of Chinese language system. Downloading..."
The two square-headed pods began downloading the language plugin from the network; before Xia Yu could even move, the pods had already switched languages.
"pod 042, happy to be of service."
"pod 153, happy to be of service."
"Oh, hello." Seeing the pods speak Chinese, Xia Yu also raised his hand in greeting.
These two pods also developed their own sapience and self-awareness in the late stages of the game; in one of the endings, they were even the ones who saved the deceased main trio—A2, 2B, and 9S.
How should he put it? As expected of the Nier World, even pods could develop a sense of self. However, Xia Yu had always felt that in the pairing of Androids and pods, the Android was the actual assistant.
"Human? Did the pod just say 'human'?"
At this time, 2B and 9S also came before Xia Yu. Although they couldn't understand Xia Yu's words, they had heard the analysis before the pods switched languages.
A suspected human existence—but weren't all humans at the "Council of Humanity" on the moon? Why would a suspected human appear on Earth!
"Sir, may I ask who you are?"
Although it hadn't been confirmed yet, 9S had already switched to honorifics. After all, 2B was a cold-faced beauty of few words, so he was the only one left to negotiate.
Of course, his curiosity was also at play; his interest in knowledge about humans could be described as enthusiastic. The fact that he hadn't excitedly ripped off his tactical visor at the presence of a suspected human showed he was being quite calm.
Hearing 9S's inquiry, Xia Yu looked thoughtful, then turned to the pods and said, "Why don't you install the Chinese language plugin for him? Also, why does he think I can understand him?"
pod: "..."
pod 042: "153, please install the language plugin for the user."
pod 153: "042, please install the language plugin for the user."
"These two little things are quite fun."
As the language plugins for 2B and 9S finished installing, Xia Yu's strangely-toned words became clear and easy to understand. Hearing Xia Yu's words, 9S was the first to answer.
"Sir, these are the pods equipped by the YoRHa Unit. Um... may I ask if you are truly human?"
"Well... if my own self-perception isn't wrong, then I am undoubtedly human."
Hearing this definitive answer, 2B and 9S's simulated hearts instantly began to beat faster. The "Love Humans" program, etched into the deepest parts of their systems, reacted immediately. However, at that moment, a communication signal suddenly rang from pod 042.
The next moment, a light screen was projected.
"Bunker calling 2B and 9S. We have detected the black box signal of the wanted criminal 'A2'. The one in front of you is... is..."
The Commander, who had been issuing orders just a moment ago, suddenly seemed to jam, stuttering and unable to say a complete sentence.
Because the Commander couldn't quite make sense of the situation; why was A2, a wanted criminal, with the [Popola & Devola] models?
Furthermore, 2B and the others were actually talking to another unknown male Android. But before the Commander could ask, pod 153 spoke up.
"Observed suspected human individual. Comparison data collected. Temporary lack of genetic sample comparison. Upload data to the Moon Base?"
This time, pod 153 used the future language, so everyone present except Xia Yu understood.
The Commander on the light screen was even more stunned, but 9S was the first to react: "Upload immediately!"
The next moment, the Commander's communication was cut off.