Naga/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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Yu Yeong

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Brianna Knickerbocker

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Hina Suguta

## Profile

Naga is a member of Dazzling Pearl, a Nikke squad of graduate students alongside Tia. The more mature of the two, it often falls on Naga to care for Tia like a mother would her daughter as she tends to forget things. When not studying or spending time with her squadmate, Naga can often be found in accessory stores where she is known to overspend on purchases. Naga is usually an optimistic person who serves as a voice of reason in stressful situations. While she's a student, her goal is to have the best school experience as she can. She has a hatred of exams and often stresses out when they are on the horizon.

### Nikke Backstory

The spiritual glue that holds Dazzling Pearl together.
She dotes on the forgetful Tia much like an older sister does to ensure that she remembers things.
Appears mature on a regular basis, but if an accessory catches her eye, she often indulges in impulse purchases and overspending.

## Story

### Character Story

#### Episode 1 - An Ideal Day for Naga

Naga's morning as a member of Class L starts as it usually does; getting glomped by Tia and having her get all cuddly. Naga is mildly concerned that her friend is this physically intimate with "Teacher" as well, but eventually decides it's fine as long as they're the only two subject to this.

During Naga's customary check to make sure Tia dressed properly, she notices that the latter has forgotten her stockings today. With a familiarity borne of long experience, Naga pulls out a spare set she packed and hands it over, much to Tia's gratitude.

A little later, Naga is checking to make sure Tia did her homework. After a moment's inspection, Naga is amazed that Tia managed to do five questions...out of the *fifteen* on the assignment. With a giggle and thanks from Tia for taking the time to check, the two students put their heads together to quickly get the rest of the work done. When they finish the last problem, the bell rings to signal the beginning of class. Naga reminds Tia to keep a good posture during the lesson, though given how Tia slouches the *moment* class begins, it would seem the reminder went in one ear and out the other...

As the day carries on, Naga continues looking after Tia, from notifying her of lunch time to reminding her to swap shoes when she gets home. Even after school, Naga is making sure Tia has bought all her needed snacks before they go. Tia is grateful for the assistance, though Naga simply takes it in stride as she's going to need the former's help tomorrow. There's going to be a sale at an accessory shop Naga likes, and she'll definitely need Tia's help to snag any good finds. Then something catches Tia's attention in her peripheral vision...who else could it be but the protagonist?

Tia wastes no time bounding over and wrapping the man in a big hug, startling him. Naga is hot on her friends heels with the usual admonishment, even though Tia's brain tends to let everything else slip away the moment she spies the protagonist. After some apologies, teacher and students bid goodbye to tend to their own matters.

On the way home, Tia and Naga are chattering about how today went quite well, and both of them (especially Naga) hope that every day can be this idyllic...

#### Episode 2 - An Unideal Day for Naga

The next day. As Marciana declares an end to class, Tia immediately grabs Naga for a hug. After the usual chiding, the two remember their plans to go to that sale. However, their plans are soon disrupted by an ominous parting announcement from Marciana. There will be a test in one week's time. As an oppressive silence falls over the classroom, Tia and Naga decide to book it.

Out and about, Naga is so out of it that it takes Tia calling for her three times to get her attention. It would seem it's a habit of Naga's to become despondent and stuck in her head when exams roll around, and this instance has gotten so bad she's nonverbally canceled their shopping plans. Tia is still insistent on spending time with her friend, though, and drags her off for something she feels she has to do...

Said thing turns out to be going all the way to the Outpost to see the protagonist. The man can see that Naga is clearly out of sorts, as her chiding of Tia's kinship is halfhearted at best, and she's not even trying to pry her friend off him. She brought her friend here in the hopes that spending time with the protagonist will help clear her mind and to relieve her anxieties about the upcoming exam. While Naga didn't want to be a burden to him, he wished to know what was troubling her. Wanting to head to the Maid Cafe to dig into some desserts, Tia leaves Naga with Teacher as she waves goodbye and skips on her merry way.

While a little miffed that Tia would leave her, Naga assured the commander that she was fine and could handle things on her own, though admits what her friend said was true. She was about to take her leave, but Teacher had something important to tell her; her shoes were on the wrong feet and he was worried they'd been like that all day. She only now realized that was the case and while trying to correct this issue, she trips while trying to do so only to be caught by the protagonist.

In his arms, Naga breaks down and being in her current position isn't making things any better. She wants Teacher to make things up to her by sparing some time so the two can talk.

#### Episode 3 - That Fateful Day: The Beginning

The two go to the Commander's room so they have a nice quiet place to chat. Naga begins by explaining that the M.M.R. Vocational School is not like most schools as it makes little sense for Nikkes to attend classes, unless they enroll to improve their battle performance. The students are under a lot of pressure to do well as failure could result in them getting expelled. Exams are held periodically to assess the quality of the Nikkes enrolled at the school, including the one Naga is worried about. Teacher was curious to know more, but her thoughts take her back to when she first entered the school.

A few years ago, Naga was one of many new freshmen attending the school. She was bright-eyed and full of dreams. Looking back on it now, she realizes how naive she was back then as she knew very little about the school system. Despite that, she quickly made friends and they wished to know what she wanted to do after she graduated. Naga wanted to become a teacher like Marciana and guide students of her own towards brighter futures. The two also ask the same question to another acquaintance of theirs, Tia. She on the other hand had no good answer for them. While she loves sweets and reptiles, she had no idea how to make a career out of either and needed to think about it more.

For a while, school life for Naga was a blast. The only difference between her curriculum and that of the regular students was that the Nikkes had supplemental training in addition to classes.

After class ended, Naga and her two friends agreed on heading to the mall to buy some new accessories. They also offered Tia to join them, but she had a date with some desserts lined up for her at the cafe so she left to fill her stomach. The group didn't know what to make of Tia and considered her a loner. Compared to how close the two are now, Naga and Tia were almost akin to strangers when they first met. They occasionally engaged in small talk and nothing more. Naga grew to learn that Tia was both cheerful and clueless in equal measure. Days went on until Marciana informed the class a test will be held next week. It will be taken in groups, cooperation will be the key to success, everyone who makes it through will pass, and more details will be shared the day of so they should focus on studying and training in the meantime. She also emphasizes that the test will focus on real-life exercises before leaving the room. While the students noticed how serious their teacher was while sharing this information, Naga was confident that as long as the three of them worked together, everything will be just fine. They also had a similar attitude and were ready to face it head on.

Having made it through the exam in the present, Naga's past self had no idea what she would be in for.

The test turned into a complete disaster. The three students had to fend for themselves as they were attacked by Raptures. One of Naga's friends warned her to run away before she was taken out and the other didn't last much longer. Left on her own with her legs deprived of energy, all Naga could do was fight back as best as she could. The trauma of watching her friends die right in front of her and being nearly killed herself has stuck with her to this day.

#### Episode 4 - That Fateful Day: The End

After the exam was over, those who survived returned to the classroom. The bright and cheerful expressions that they had before were replaced with sorrowful laughter, the sounds of crying, and others giving off blank stares into space. Of the 42 students that took the exam, only 18 made it out alive. Naga now fully realizes she and the others are meant to be sent to the surface to slaughter the Raptures or to die trying and is coping as best she can. Now understanding what Marciana meant by "real-life exercises", Naga regrets her actions and believes she sacrificed her friends so she could pass the exam.

Years go by and the Dazzling Pearl Nikke makes new friends. Having now experienced the test firsthand and fully understanding their purpose in life, she vowed to never let anyone she cared about perish because of her again so she trained harder than ever to make that happen. While her new friends had a similar mindset to her, they were worried Naga was pushing herself too hard. Despite their concerns, the three promised to pass the next exam together. One of her friends knew that their classmate Tia works just as hard as Naga when it comes to training, much to her surprise. Despite her absentminded nature, she has the best grades in the class and is very obedient towards the teachers. Mentioning the first test reignited Naga's post traumatic stress of the ordeal causing her to relive the horror she endured and causing her friends to worry about her more. Not wanting these new friends to meet the same fate as her old ones, Naga continued to train so that no one else would die for her sake.

A week before the exam, Naga wanted to continue training, even after just finishing up for the day, but bumped into Tia. She was heading home late as well because she fell asleep at her desk. Naga had an uncomfortable question to ask her, but Tia wanted to hear it anyway. She asked if anyone else from her group during the freshmen test survived and after she hesitated, Tia admitted she was the only one who passed with a smile on her face, though she admits to not entirely remembering what happened herself as this took place a few years ago. Naga did not like this response and questioned how she could feel that way towards her friends. Tia barely remembers any of her squadmates from that time so she doesn't know how close they were. Naga can't believe Tia is fine knowing people she bonded with have died right in front of her, with the latter not understanding the former's anger. After reaffirming her goal of protecting her friends during the next test, Tia felt that Naga was pretty cool in her resolve, something Tia herself lacked for others. Despite that, she would follow any instructions given to her and also wishes to pass the exam. Tia left not long after with Naga still unable to understand how she can act so casually. Even so, Tia's carefree nature provided the stressed Nikke some small comfort.

Days pass by until the date of the test draws near. Marciana explains this exam will be similar to the previous one, but unlike how determined everyone was before, everyone was more serious now that they know what is in store for them.

On the day of the test, Naga, her two friends, and Tia were partnered together in Class E, Group T. With her friends put in charge of covering the front, Naga and Tia were tasked with fending their rear. In spite of her usual mentality, Tia proved to be a useful companion during this assignment, even saving Naga from some Raptures. The four buckled down and took their duties with utmost seriousness. When everything was done, all four survived the exam and excitement and tearful relief was shared among them. Marciana called for them to step forward, or rather for Naga and Tia to do so. Only they passed so the others were escorted by another instructor. Naga was both confused and enraged at what was going on since they should've passed since they survived. Marciana explains that this test was meant to study which Nikkes had the ability to survive on the surface and those two lacked those skills.

Upon hearing those words, Naga's dream of becoming a teacher died.

#### Episode 5 - Life Goes On

That night, Naga sat quiet and alone at her desk until Tia offered to escort her home. Naga wanted to be left alone, but Tia could tell she was thinking about her friends. Naga believes she failed them again when she passed but they didn't. Tia reminded her that they didn't die but unfortunately failed the exam. Upon calling herself a coward, Tia shared Naga was the opposite and despite her friends not being with her, Tia was happy with all Naga has done for her. While Naga felt Tia herself did more for her, Tia admits that she gave her the strength to fight harder and it was because of that the two were able to pass. She has always looked up to Naga for her work ethic and her drive to protect her friends so she was overjoyed when the two were paired together. Naga just wanted to enjoy a normal school life like everyone else and upon learning this, Tia tried to help her experience this feeling by giving her the first of what would be many hugs. Though this caught Naga off guard, Tia knew she could have the school experience she always wanted. She hoped the two will see each other tomorrow and the days to come. They will have to endure more exams that will get harder as time goes on, but Tia hopes the two can have fun together before they graduate and even after they do, as best friends.

Just as all hope seems lost, Tia's warmth brought some solace to the remorseful Naga. More tests came, but Dazzling Pearl overcame each and every one together. Friends came and went, but Tia never changed.

Back in the present, Teacher wanted to know what was on Naga's mind. She shared that she was stuck in some old memories before continuing to explain the exams the students take will determine if they have the capability to survive on the surface and since they are always done in groups, it makes her nervous. Naga confesses to feeling morose when a test is about to begin, equating this feeling to being a small fish in a big tank that's able to see a large river nearby, but is unable to break the glass to get to it. She feels trapped and unable to escape this dreadful fate, but the protagonist is willing to help her overcome this. She thanks him for cheering her up and admits Tia had a good reason to get his help. Though some of her worries have faded, he is willing to hear Naga out when or if she ever needs to talk. She believes she will need to pop by whenever exams are approaching and he is perfectly fine with that. Naga appreciates how nice Teacher is and just this once, wants to indulge in what Tia often does to him. Without another word, Naga wraps the commander in a gentle embrace. With him and Tia by her side, Naga believes everything is going to be alright. She wishes every day was just like this one.

The protagonist hugs Naga back and comforts her as best as he can.

## References

Notes
1. ↑ Although her English character voice was initially credited as "Undetermined" due to a glitch, later updates would properly credit her character voice.

References