Someone in Arknights, Starts as Griseo

"Look what I found!"

"You must be the little kid Alina brought back from outside. You're really cute."

As the dark figure made contact with Griseo, it didn't hesitate, scooping her into its arms and exclaiming excitedly.

"……!?"

Suddenly being hugged like that, Griseo snapped out of her daze. Her large purple eyes reflexively looked towards the "attacker."

However, the first thing Griseo saw wasn't a face, but a large hood with a big circle of white fluff around it… Only then did she see the face hidden beneath the hood.

Although she didn't recognize the person in front of her, Griseo recognized their clothes… and it was the kind of recognition that left a deep impression.

It was so striking that with just one glance, she knew this person was a member of the Yeti Squad led by FrostNova…

"Sister… Who are you?" Griseo didn't struggle out of the person's embrace, just looked at her curiously before asking seriously.

"Oh dear, look at me. Little one, you're just too cute, so cute I forgot to introduce myself."

When asked, the member of the Yeti Squad sheepishly released Griseo from her embrace. She then stood up straight and introduced herself with a beaming smile.

"My name is Lois, and I'm a member of the Yeti Squad led by Big Sister~ And you, little one?"

"I… am called Griseo, and I'm a painter."

Silently memorizing the name of the person before her, Griseo gave her first truly formal introduction since arriving in this world.

"Griseo is a lovely name~ But, little one, aren't you dressed a bit too lightly? Aren't you cold?"

After learning Griseo's name, Lois praised her generously. However, upon noticing the girl's rather scanty attire, her expression turned worried.

She unfastened her heavy winter coat and pulled the little loli in front of her into a tight embrace.

;?;

Suddenly enveloped in warmth, Griseo blinked slightly. Then, she struggled and stood on tiptoe to poke her cute little head out from Lois's coat and explained, "Mmm, it's okay… Griseo isn't afraid of the cold. But why are you here, Sister Lois?"

"Not afraid of the cold, huh… Well, never mind that, let's leave it for now. As for why I'm here, it's because I was curious~"

Looking at the little head peeking out from her embrace, Lois couldn't help but reach out and pat it before continuing her explanation:

"There have been rumors that Alina brought back her own daughter from outside, and Big Sister wouldn't tell us anything about you, so of course, I had to come and see for myself."

"Big Sister…?"

"The one who brought you food earlier. Since you're so interested in Big Sister, let's go see her again!"

As soon as she finished speaking, before Griseo could even agree, Lois tightened her grip on the little loli wrapped in her clothes and rushed out.

"Eh…"

Griseo was completely stunned by Lois's sudden action, forgetting even to struggle.

Honestly, whether before or after transmigrating, this was the first time she had ever met a girl as enthusiastic as Lois.

?;

Enthusiastic, energetic, and full of vitality, her body surrounded by a passionate red aura… Griseo felt both warm and intensely exhilarated.

Just as the little loli was still in a daze, Lois had already reached their destination.

"Big Sister, and everyone, look what treasure I brought!"

;?

ps: The quality of this chapter might be a bit poor. I've had some unexpected issues since yesterday. My tooth started acting up, and I went to the hospital for treatment today… It's likely to hurt for several more days, making it impossible to concentrate on writing.

On top of that, I still have to go out for driving practice. So, I apologize, but I'll probably only be able to update once a day until I reach the 30,000-word contract. Please bear with me.

Chapter 9: The Yeti Squad, I Will… Advance!

"Big Sister, and everyone, look what treasure I brought!"

Lois's shout immediately drew the attention of everyone sitting around the bonfire.

"?"

"?"

"Lois, where did you just go?"

"Treasure! What treasure?!"

"Hmph, hmph! The treasure is right here!"

Seeing the curious gazes of the Yeti Squad members, Lois let out a soft hum and gently patted her bulging clothes.

Then, before anyone could ask further questions, she softly pulled open her winter coat a little.

And then, the world's cutest Griseo, poked her little head out from Lois's embrace once more.

"……"

In that instant, everyone around fell silent…

The quiet didn't last long before everyone realized what was happening and crowded around, starting to chatter.

"Lois, when... when did you secretly have a child without us knowing!"

"Where did this kid come from? Wait... Lois, you didn't steal Alina's child, did you!"

"Wow, I can't believe it! But the little one is quite cute, let me hold her!"

"Get lost, if anyone's holding her, it should be me!"

"Alright, don't scare Griseo. And what do you mean 'steal'? I'm just taking the kid out to play!"

Looking at her unreliable friends, Lois took a step back, holding Griseo close, and said with annoyance.

"We wouldn't scare her!"

"Her name is Griseo, right? So hurry up and put the child down, you can't hog her all to yourself!"

As the Yeti Squad members were playfully bickering, a calm, clear voice sounded from behind them.

"Lois, put the child down."

"Okay, Big Sis..."

Upon hearing the voice, a look of helplessness appeared on Lois's face, and she obediently put the little loli down.

Lois could ignore everyone else, but the one who had just spoken was Yelena, the big sister of their Yeti Squad.

"Mmm..."

Her bare feet once again touching the soft, cold snow on the ground, Griseo gently wiggled her little feet, adjusting to the outside temperature.

Indeed, compared to the cold outside, she still found it more comfortable to be in Lois's warm embrace, surrounded by red and warm yellow.

"Hmm? Why is this little one wearing so little?"

"She's not even wearing shoes. Lois, you didn't just drag her out of bed, did you?"

Seeing Griseo's adorable appearance, the Yeti Squad members' hearts melted, but upon noticing her thin clothing, they looked at Lois with suspicion.

"Go away, go away. Little Griseo isn't afraid of the cold, and don't all crowd around here. Go back to your original positions." Hearing this, Lois put her hands on her hips and said to the people in front of her with annoyance.

"Mhm... I'm not afraid of the cold."

And after hearing Lois's words, Griseo cooperatively nodded and then earnestly explained.

;?;

"Is that so? How amazing!"

"Yeah, yeah, she's not afraid of the cold. Could she be like Big Sis?"

"Idiot, don't you think about it? If she were like Big Sis, how could Lois be holding her?"

Watching the members of the Yeti Squad playfully bickering, Griseo slowly widened her eyes... a hint of nostalgia flashed in them.

Because, in these people, she saw vast expanses of warm yellow... very warm.

Even in Griseo's memory, she had only seen such a rich warm yellow when she lived with everyone in the "Pursuing Fire Moth."

"Hmm...?"

Just then, Griseo suddenly sensed a scrutinizing gaze. When she looked through the gaps between the people...

She saw a tall figure in pure black armor and a cloak, a Wendigo, Patriot Bodegard.

Facing Patriot's scrutiny, Griseo showed no fear. She lifted her little head... and met his scarlet eyes directly.

After a moment of staring at each other, Griseo's aura suddenly changed. From innocent and pure, it transformed into the experienced, steady, and sharp demeanor of someone who had weathered many storms.

"Yeti Squad, I will... advance!"

Then, Griseo took out her paintbrush, raised it, and with a serious expression, majestically declared to the Yeti Squad members surrounding her.

"... Pfft, Little Griseo, you're so cute. Who are you imitating? Big Daddy?"

Lois, unaware of Griseo's true nature, couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing the adorable little loli.

Not just her, but the other Yeti Squad members who heard Griseo's declaration also burst into laughter.

"Pfft, hahaha, the little one really imitates well."

"Indeed, indeed, but she's just too cute."

"I have to say, her imposing manner is quite similar."

Patriot, however, did not feel offended by Griseo's sudden imitation of him. He simply watched quietly, lost in thought.

The color that had appeared this time came and went quickly. After breaking eye contact with Patriot, Griseo quickly reverted to her blank state and stepped away from him.

"Mmm..."

Returning to her blank state, Griseo first glanced at the Yeti members laughing beside her. Then, with her small steps, she walked past them and headed towards Yelena, who was sitting by the campfire not far away.

Although the Yeti Squad members gave Griseo a very good feeling, she still wanted to interact with Yelena. If possible, she wanted to paint a picture with FrostNova's color.

Stopping in front of Yelena, Griseo met her gaze with her solemn, large eyes and said earnestly, "My name is Griseo... I'm a painter. And you, sister?"

"... My name is Yelena, codename FrostNova. I'm the captain of the Yeti Squad." Seeing Griseo's seriousness, Yelena was taken aback for a moment before standing up and responding just as earnestly.

Yelena felt a desire to pat the adorable, serious child before her on the head. However, it was just a fleeting thought; she couldn't even offer a handshake, let alone pat her head.

Although Yelena had observed Griseo before and confirmed she truly wasn't afraid of the cold, not being afraid didn't necessarily mean she wouldn't get frostbite from contact with her.

Therefore, without knowing the full situation, Yelena wouldn't act on a whim if it meant potentially harming the child in front of her.

But just then, a warm, soft touch suddenly came from Yelena's right hand, which was hanging by her side…

ps: Two things happened today. One is good news for you, and the other is bad news.

The good news is that I said yesterday I'd only update once before signing the contract and twice after. Today, my contract was approved for review…

The bad news is that I messed up today… I forgot to sign my name on the contract, so it was rejected. I can only re-sign tomorrow. So, there's still only one update today, and two updates starting tomorrow after I sign.

All my teeth are aching. I spent the entire afternoon writing this chapter, and I feel the quality is still a bit lacking. If you have any issues, feel free to mention them in the comments.

Chapter 10: Talulah, You're the Leader!

"!"

Before her eyes could even register it, Yelena felt the warm touch on her hand. Her first reaction was to pull away, and she said sternly, "Don't touch me."

"Mm…"

Griseo didn't react much when her hand was suddenly pulled away. There was no disappointment, only a quiet gaze fixed on Yelena with her large eyes.

Others who didn't know Yelena might not understand, but Griseo understood perfectly. She knew that Yelena's strong reaction was simply out of fear of her getting frostbite.

"I'm sorry… Is your hand okay?"

Yelena looked at Griseo, whose hand she had just pulled away. The child wasn't crying or making a fuss, her expression hadn't even changed, and she was still quietly looking at Yelena. A hint of apology flashed in Yelena's eyes, and her voice softened involuntarily.

Hearing this, Griseo simply shook her head gently and then said with a serious expression, "...Are you very cold, Sister Yelena? I'm not afraid of the cold. I'll warm you up."

As she finished speaking, Griseo used her small hand, which had just been pulled away, to grasp Yelena's gloved hand again, which still radiated an undiminished chill.

And just as Griseo had always said, she truly wasn't afraid of the cold… nor were there any signs of her getting frostbite.

After observing for a while and confirming there were no abnormalities, Yelena's heart finally settled. Even so, she didn't dare to move her hand carelessly, simply letting the little loli hold it.