Mica: Snow Buddy/Story

Spoilers!*"Your greatest villain Drake shall warn you, SPOILERS AHEAD!"*The following article or section contain **spoilers!** Viewer discretion is advised.

Overview**Story**VoicelinesGallery

## Behind the Scenes

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Kim Ga-ryung

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Corina Boettger

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Aimi Terakawa

## Profile

**Mica** aside from being a reserved member of the Heavy Weapons artillery squad, The Carronades, has become a part-timer for the Snowfield Hot Spring under the tutelage of Ludmilla.

### Nikke Backstory

Mica, who decides to stay at Snowfield Hot Spring and help with the daily chores,
swaps out her heavy clothes for something lighter.

## Story

### Character Story

*Canonically set after the events of NEVERLAND*

#### Episode 1 - Mica has Changed

While spending their time at the Toy Store, The Carronades, Mica and Belorta, discuss what they should sell. Belorta wants to put a bunny doll that makes cute noises when its belly is pressed for sale. Mica was intrigued and after squeezing it, sparks came out of it and an adorable sound followed suit. Belorta was pleased that another one of her pranks went off without a hitch, but Mica was only slightly startled. She was more enamored by the sparklers coming from it and felt the customers would love the doll. Belorta felt similarly, but was surprised by her response.

Later that day, Belorta was curious why Mica was still wearing the outfit Ludmilla gave her. While she was worried Mica planned on moving to the north to work at Snowfield Hot Spring, she wants to wear it since it was a gift and others have said it looks good on her. She offers to let Belorta wear it since she feels it's more comfortable than it looks, but she doesn't feel they should be wearing such clothing while at work. While Mica was a bit bummed, her reaction got Belorta's attention again.

Later on, Belorta baked some bread for Mica in the shape of a heart and the latter couldn't wait to try some. After taking a big bite, she learned that Belorta filled it with hot sauce. Mica scolds her friend for pulling another prank and warns her that she could give others a stomach ache if she does this to other people. In spite of her hot mouth, Mica enjoyed the bread and offered to make some more with her. Again, Belorta was left speechless.

Having noticed changes in Mica's behavior, Belorta explained the situation with Old-Timer who hasn't seen anything different about her. Belorta could tell their time at Snowfield has changed Mica and her more timid characteristics like being startled by pranks and her tendency to panic whenever Belorta is not with her have vanished . She even expresses her opinions loud and clear and didn't even bat an eye when Belorta informed her she was going to see the protagonist. The man in question believed these were positive changes for Mica to undergo, and while Belorta agrees, she still misses how her friend used to be. Wanting him to fully understand how her friend has changed, she wants him to accompany her to the Toy Store to experience this new Mica. He questions if she has talked about this with Mica beforehand, and while she had, Mica felt the same as always. From an old saying she heard, Belorta is worried that her friend's attitude shift means she's close to death and while the commander's response left her more puzzled than anything, he was a little surprised to see Belorta so frazzled, and because of Mica no less. While that comment made her a bit miffed, she still wants his help returning her friend to her former self. Since this is new territory for her, she has no idea what she's doing. Old-Timer doesn't know how much help he'll be, but Belorta figures all he has to do is tell Mica to act like her old self since she likes him.

Curious of Mica's personality shifts, he agrees to check on her.

#### Episode 2 - Mica All Grown Up?

The two return to the Toy Story and while Belorta expected to find Mica huddled in the corner due to being left alone, she was bright and cheerful. This was the first time she got to see the commander since they returned from Snowfield and the two were happy to see each other again. Him mentioning the Hot Spring fueled her desire to return. Ludmilla allowed her to visit any time, but she doesn't know when she has the time to go. Old-Timer offers to join her when she does, a request she would happily grant. His arrival reminded her that she also had a gift for him and she headed to the back to retrieve it. So far, he hasn't noticed any significant changes to her personality. Belorta can tell her friend is more relaxed and has matured, something he can sort of see. She has a scheme to help prove her point and the protagonist agrees to indulge her.

After some time, Mica returned with a stone she bought from the mall because it reminded her of Old-Timer. Before she could give it to him, Belorta warned her of a large bug crawling near her. Instead of freaking out, Mica calmly looked down and didn't see anything. Belorta then told her it was under the drawer so Mica confidently went after it, with no luck. Belorta felt she made her case plain to see given how she's not a blubbering mess and is cool and collected. The protagonist was still not entirely convinced Mica was that much different. Mica was upset that Belorta lied to her and after learning what that was all about, she still asserts that she's the same person as she was before.

The two agreeing with Mica's assessment made Belorta break down. She became upset that neither of them could see Mica had changed and when the commander failed to calm her down, she left to go figure some things out. Her response made the two question if Mica really was different. Mica wanted to follow her, but Old-Timer felt it would be better to give her some space to help her calm down for now.

#### Episode 3 - Mica's Growth

The two waited for Belorta to return to the Toy Store for a long time, but she never showed up. She hasn't responded to their messages either. Mica was growing worried since she had never seen Belorta act this way before and realizing inaction would do them nothing, she was determined to find her best friend. The protagonist suggested heading to the A.C.P.U. to file a missing person's report, but she felt doing so was unnecessary. She believes Belorta was probably at one of her favorite places and he offered to aid her search, which made her happy.

Their first stop was a fast-food restaurant that Belorta regularly dines at. The food here normally helps her recover when she's upset. Mica inspects the place for any sign of her friend, but couldn't find anything. She then asks a waitress if she had seen Belorta. She had no idea who she was talking about from her description, but after mentioning her regular order of 10 hamburgers at a time, she immediately knew who she was referring to. Turns out, Belorta never came today. She asks her to contact the police if she does stop by but her assuming something terrible had happened caused Mica to become inebriated. Old-Timer gave her his business card and she agreed to keep an eye out for her. Mica appreciated him covering for her, but he felt she handled herself very well. Since Belorta was not here, the two went somewhere else.

Their next location was the Shopping Mall and while the commander felt finding Belorta in this crowded place would be no easy task, Mica knew they didn't have a choice. Without any hesitation, the girl who would shudder at the thought of meeting new people scoured through the mall, asking everyone and anyone she could if they saw Belotra. Her inquiry again turned up nothing so the two moved on.

The next destination was the park because this is a regular spot where Belorta pulls her pranks. From their search, it was clear to Old-Timer that Mica thoroughly understood her friend, something that comes as no surprise to her given how much time they spend together. They were interrupted by Poli who was on patrol. Mica explains what happened to her friend to her, but the officer hasn't seen Belorta all day. She agrees to contact her if she does bump into her and mentions that she can tell Mica has changed from when they last met, both physically and mentally. From the time the commander introduced the two of them, Mica no longer comes off as reserved and is now beaming with confidence. Poli assures her change can be a good thing and after remembering she has to meet up with Miranda and Quiry, she takes her leave.

Poli sharing Belorta's sentiments made Mice think they may be right. Old-Timer has noticed that Mica was not as timid as she used to be and finally understands Belorta's point. He assures her nothing that has happened to her was for the worst and is certain that Mica has become an adult. From the time they spent together, he knew the old Mica would ball her eyes out if her friend had disappeared and deduces this was what Belorta was talking about. Since Mica knows more about Belorta than anyone else, the reverse should also be true, which was why she was able to pick up on her minute adjustments.

His comment helped Mica come to the realization of exactly where Belorta is.

#### Episode 4 - Mica's Mindset

This whole time, Belorta was huddled up in her room and was still upset neither Old-Timer nor Mica herself could see how much the latter had changed. Belorta reflected on her actions and figured she was acting stupid. She always wanted Mica to grow up but now that she has, it's difficult for her to accept this new person as her friend. She then grew frustrated that Mica aged so rapidly and wished this new version of her friend grew out of her over time so she could've adjusted to her better. Mica no longer falls for any of Belorta's pranks and she worries one of the joys she has with her is gone. This thought session made her realize she was more childish than she thought and made her question what Mica and the protagonist thought about her blow up. Looking back on it now, she can't help but feel embarrassed.

She then hears some knocking on her door. Mica's voice comes from the other side and she asks to come in if she's around. Belorta intentionally stays silent and hides under the covers. Mica and Old-Timer enter the seemingly empty room and don't see Belorta anywhere. Mica figured this was where she would be since this is where the two go when they have nothing to do. Their quiet was disturbed by something rustling from under the blanket. In unison, they nod to each other, knowing where Belorta was without needing to say a word, and tease that they would be leaving since she wasn't around. After making some loud steps and closing the door, Belorta reemerges from her hiding place, having nearly deprived herself of oxygen, only to find the two were still in the room.

Belorta was surprised the two pulled a prank of their own on her and the two confessed they pretended to leave with Mica sharing she knew this was the place the two would regularly chat if something was on their minds. Mica reveals that they have come to take Belorta back to the Toy Store so that business could return to normal. Belorta refuses to leave until Mica returns to her old self. Mica confesses she finally understands what she meant by being different from who she was. She remembered their previous conversation about how Belorta wanted Mica to escape the trauma they endured at Angel Orphanage and it made her realize she has something precious to her she fears she could lose. Despite having used to be living in the past, Mica knew the world was changing around them, something that became very apparent after the two returned from Snowfield. From now on, Mica has made protecting Belorta a priority. But despite how much she has grown, Mica is still the same person deep down, even though her friend is put off by it.

Mica extends Belorta her hand and the two ask her to join her back at the Toy Store with them. Despite all the uncertainty, there is one thing Mica knows for sure. She has always needed her friend by her side, and she always will going forward. Mica apologizes for not noticing how she has changed and Belorta forgave her. She agrees to join them because they were so "insistent". Because her friend has grown up, Belorta wants to become more of an adult than her because that'll be the only way she falls for her pranks again. The epiphany that she too could change came as a silly afterthought to Belorta, but a pleasant one. Mica was a bit miffed by her friend, who gleefully dashes out of their room and acts as if nothing has happened. As she runs out, all Mica does is wistfully smiles behind her.

The Carronades are there to comfort each other and have become even closer now than ever before.

#### Episode 5 - NEVERLAND

A few days after the Carronades made up, Old-Timer was visited by Mica who wanted to spend time with him today. He was surprised Belorta wasn't with her and she shares that her friend has been busy coming up with new pranks to torment her with which is why she decided to come alone. He assured her he would be happy to spend some alone time with her and her visiting him without her friend unprompted was a bit of a shock for him. Since she was bored and Belorta was occupied, Mica wants to spend the day with the protagonist, something she realized the two have never done before until now. Though she thought he was busy, he made it clear he had plenty of free time so the two could do as they wished together. As for what she had in mind, Mica had a full day planned out for them. Attending a concert at the park, seeing a movie and eating popcorn, and having a feast were all on her itinerary. She realized she was acting inconsiderate and asked Old-Timer if there was something he wanted to do. Him sitting silently staring at her made her a bit uneasy, but he was taken aback by how much Mica has grown.

Mica jokes that she hasn't gotten any taller, something she isn't opposed to, but the commander was content with who she had become. She remembered something from a book she was reading about a place where you could live as a child forever. She used to be stuck in this fictional reality, but she knows that she can't stay like that for her entire life. If she's going to protect those she cares about, Mica must leave that world behind. Now that she's free, she hopes she can help Belorta escape as well. After explaining how she intends to help Belorta mature, the protagonist pats Mica on her shoulder and assures her she has truly become an adult. Though she doesn't think that's the case, he's ready to get going so the two can enjoy their day out. Before they left however, Mica asked to hold his hand, which he offered up without any hesitation.

Though she may appear flustered with their hands locked together, she was the one to take the lead out of the Commander's room.

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