Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Form?

Liskarm adjusted his glasses and didn't object. "Okay. But before the next mission, you'll need to complete Blacksteel's formal tactical coordination training."

Su Rui replied briefly, "No problem."

Jessica stood beside him, her tail wagging gently, her eyes full of joy.

Volume 14, Chapter 771: Su Rui's Guidance

Franka glanced at the two of them, then suddenly grinned. "Oh dear, it seems like ' Jessica and Su Rui ' will be a fixed duo in future mission reports?"

Jessica's face instantly turned red. "Franka!"

Su Rui remained calm, simply reaching out to gently pat her shoulder. "Let's go, it's time to go back."

As the sun set, Blacksteel's squad began their retreat. Franka and Liskarm walked ahead, discussing mission details in hushed tones; while Jessica and Su Rui lagged slightly behind, their shadows stretching long across the ruins.

Jessica glanced at Su Rui and whispered, "Thank you for your guidance today."

Su Rui turned to look at her. "You did a great job."

She smiled, her tail tip gently curling upwards.

Upon returning to the Blacksteel base, Su Rui's ID card was officially activated, his name was entered into the combat system, and his access level was locked at A-level.

No one questioned his origins, nor did anyone delve into his past.

In Blacksteel, strength is the best passport.

Su Rui proved herself with a perfect performance in a real game.

Three days after the mission ended, Jessica finally got the vacation she had been looking forward to.

She stood at the dormitory entrance, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, her tail wagging gently. Su Rui had just returned from the equipment room, holding a newly updated tactical data board. He looked up and saw Jessica, his steps faltering slightly.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Jessica took a deep breath and mustered her courage. "Su Rui, we... we're on vacation."

Su Rui blinked, seemingly still not quite understanding. "Hmm."

"I mean," Jessica blushed slightly, "We can go out together... if you'd like."

Su Rui paused for a moment, looked down at the data panel in her hand, then at Jessica's expectant eyes, and finally nodded. "Okay."

Jessica's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?"

"Hmm." Su Rui put the data tablet aside. "Where do you want to go?"

Thirty minutes later, the two stood on the most modern city street outside the Blacksteel Base.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tall buildings, people came and went on the streets, and the air was filled with the aroma of various foods. Jessica had changed into casual clothes—a simple white shirt and a light brown skirt, and the fluff on her tail was neatly combed. Su Rui, on the other hand, was still wearing her black trench coat, but she had left all her tactical equipment at the base.

"It's so lively here..." Jessica whispered, unconsciously moving closer to Su Rui.

Su Rui glanced around. "Hmm."

Jessica glanced at him furtively. "Have you... been to a place like this before?"

Su Rui shook her head. "No."

Jessica's heart skipped a beat. This was Su Rui's first real "shopping trip," and she was the only one by his side.

"Then, let's take our time browsing!" she tried to make her voice sound less nervous. "There's a really delicious dessert shop over here, and also..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly interrupted by a commotion. A group of children were chasing and playing nearby, and one of them accidentally bumped into Jessica.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" the little boy apologized hastily, but when he looked up and saw Jessica, he was stunned. "Wow! Are your ears and tail real?"

Jessica's face flushed instantly. "Y-yes..."

Su Rui silently blocked her path, looking down at the little boy. "Watch where you're going."

The little boy stuck out his tongue, turned, and ran away. Jessica breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Thank you..."

Su Rui glanced at her. "Aren't you used to being stared at?"

Jessica nodded. "Before... people would always look at me strangely."

Su Rui paused for a moment, then suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Come with me."

His hand was warm and strong. Jessica was stunned for a moment, then felt her heart skip a beat. She let Su Rui lead her through the crowd to a quiet coffee shop.

"There aren't many people here." Su Rui let go of his hand and pushed open the door. "Want to come in?"

Jessica nodded, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face, "Mmm!"

Inside the café, soft lighting cast shadows on the wooden tables. Jessica held a cup of hot cocoa, sipping it slowly. Su Rui sat opposite her, a cup of black coffee in front of her, without sugar or milk.

"Don't you like sweets?" Jessica asked curiously.

Su Rui shook her head. "I've gotten used to it."

Jessica hesitated for a moment, then suddenly pushed her cup a little closer. "Want to try mine?"

Su Rui glanced at the hot cocoa with colorful sugar sprinkles on top of the cream, then at Jessica's expectant eyes, reached out and took the cup, taking a small sip.

"... It's very sweet."

Jessica couldn't help but laugh, "Right? Sweet things make people feel better."

Su Rui handed the cup back to her and suddenly asked, "Do you often come here alone?"

Jessica shook her head. "No... actually, this is my first time here."

"Why?"

"Because..." Jessica's fingers gently traced the rim of the glass, "... no one was there to keep me company before."

Su Rui's gaze fell on her lowered eyelashes, and after a moment of silence, she said, "From now on, I'll take care of you."

Jessica looked up abruptly, her eyes widening slightly. Su Rui's expression remained calm, but something seemed to flicker faintly in her deep eyes.

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously, her tail wagging involuntarily. "Then, where do we go next?"

Su Rui looked out the window. "You can go wherever you want."

Jessica bit her lower lip and thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "I want to go to the movies!"

There were more people in the movie theater Jessica had expected.

She followed closely behind Su Rui, afraid of being separated from her by the crowd. Su Rui seemed to sense her unease and slowed her pace so she could keep up.

"What do you want to watch?" he asked, pointing to the movie schedule on the electronic screen.

Jessica looked up at the unfamiliar movie titles, hesitating slightly. "I... I haven't watched many movies. You choose."

Su Rui glanced at it and pointed to a well-rated sci-fi film. "This one?"

Jessica nodded. "Okay!"

When buying tickets, the ticket seller glanced at the two of them, smiled, and asked, "Would you like a couple's combo? It includes two drinks and a large bucket of popcorn."

Jessica's face instantly turned bright red to her ears. "I... we're not..."

"Yes." Su Rui handed over her credit card directly.

Jessica was stunned, and even after Su Rui returned with the tickets and the meal, she was still standing there in a daze.

"What's wrong?" Su Rui asked.

"N-nothing!" Jessica hurriedly shook her head, taking the popcorn he offered. "Let's go inside!"

The lights in the movie theater dimmed.

Where does chapter 772 of volume 14 rest?

Jessica, clutching her bucket of popcorn, carefully sat down next to Su Rui. A trailer started playing on the big screen, the deafening sound effects making her instinctively shrink back.

"Afraid?" Su Rui asked in a low voice.

Jessica shook her head. "It's just a little strange..."

Su Rui thought for a moment, then suddenly reached out and took the popcorn bucket, placed it on the other side, and then held her hand.

Is this better?

Jessica felt her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest. Su Rui's warm, dry palm completely enveloped her small hand.

"Mmm..." she responded softly, her tail quietly wrapping around Su Rui's wrist.

Jessica didn't really pay attention to what the movie was about. Her attention was entirely focused on the two people's clasped hands and the faint, reassuring aura emanating from Su Rui.

She only let go of his hand as if waking from a dream when the lights came on after the show.

"Is it pretty?" Su Rui asked.

Jessica nodded, though she didn't remember the plot at all. "It was great!"

Su Rui seemed to see through her thoughts, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "Lying."

Jessica's face flushed again. "I... I just..."

"It's okay." Su Rui stood up. "Next time, choose your preferred type."

The word "next time" made Jessica's heart skip a beat.

When I left the movie theater, it was already dark. The city's neon lights lit up one by one, illuminating the streets with vibrant colors.

"Are you hungry?" Su Rui asked.

Jessica rubbed her stomach, then realized they hadn't had dinner yet. "A little..."

Su Rui looked around. "What do you want to eat?"

Jessica hesitated for a moment, then suddenly pointed to a small shop in the distance with warm yellow lights. "That ramen shop looks good..."

Su Rui nodded. "Let's go."

The ramen shop owner was a kind middle-aged man who warmly invited Jessica and Su Rui to sit down when they entered.

"Are you two a couple?" the owner said with a smile as he handed over the menu. "We have couple's set meals, it's a great deal."

Before Jessica could explain, Su Rui spoke up, "This is it."

The boss walked away with a smile. Jessica lowered her head, her ears burning. "Su Rui, you... you don't have to always..."

"Don't you like being treated like a couple?" Su Rui asked.

Jessica looked up abruptly. "No! I just..."

Her words trailed off as Su Rui was looking at her quietly, his deep eyes holding a gentleness she had never seen before.

"Jessica," he said softly, "I'm so glad to have spent this time with you."

Jessica felt as if something had gently bumped into her heart, a feeling that was both bittersweet.

"Me too," she whispered in response, "I'm so happy."

The steaming hot ramen was served quickly. Jessica cautiously took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up. "Delicious!"

Seeing her satisfied expression, Su Rui picked up her chopsticks and said, "Mmm."

On the way back to base, Jessica walked slowly, as if she didn't want the day to end too quickly. Su Rui kept pace with her, and the two walked side by side on the quiet street.

"Su Rui," Jessica suddenly spoke, "Thank you for today..."

Su Rui turned to look at her. "Why are you thanking me?"

"Because..." Jessica kicked a pebble on the ground, "This is the happiest day I've ever had."

Su Rui stopped and turned to face her. The night wind ruffled Jessica's hair, and he gently tucked a strand behind her ear.

"Me too," he said.

Jessica looked up at him, the moonlight illuminating Su Rui's profile and outlining his perfect features. Suddenly, she mustered her courage and stood on tiptoe.

A gentle kiss landed on Su Rui's cheek.

"Goodnight, Su Rui." She said, blushing, and turned to run away.

But Su Rui grabbed her hand.

Jessica.

She turned around and saw Su Rui lean down and gently kiss her forehead.