You don't need an account to join in. Learn how to contribute, browse Bounties and join our Discord server.
Lind (GFL2)/Profile
| Lind (GFL2) | Story | Profile | Quotes |
"I can't sleep yet, I still have work to do..."
This article still needs to be completed. You can help us by contributing.
Journals
Record 1
Formerly known by her codename AA-12, Lind joined Griffin and set herself apart with her outstanding marksmanship and firepower. Due to her personality, she chose to stay behind in Griffin after it was restructured. However, her short temper and poor communication skills meant that nobody was willing to group up with her despite her tremendous firepower. It was only when QBZ-191 showed up that AA-12 gained a partner. Along with QBZ-191, she changed her name, going back to "Lind"—the one she used before joining Griffin.
Despite her laid-back appearance, Lind is actually a very thoughtful Doll with a rich inner life. This is also the reason why she often works herself up so much that she has anxiety attacks, resorting to sweets and sentimental late-night radio shows to manage her emotions. Her dependence on sweets means she is almost never found without any on hand, and conversely, she often gets extremely grouchy when she is forced to go without. She has no filter and frequently says exactly what she thinks, which has added impatience, insensitivity, and short-temperedness to her list of character traits.
In truth, her straightforward way of speaking is just a front. Lind's sensitive soul means that she is often plunged into despair, which makes it very difficult for her to establish relationships with others and makes baring her heart to them almost impossible. This is also why Lind deeply cherishes her friends in Frostfall and her reunion with the Commander—even if she'll never, ever tell them how much she values them. Deep in her heart, however, she will always cherish the feelings they inspire in her.
Record 2
"If I don't get picked..."
AA-12's eyes snapped open inside the Griffin repair pod. Her frame, which had malfunctioned from excessive sugar intake, had slowly regained functionality, and she was finally able to start thinking about the matter again.
"Guess I'll just die..."
AA-12 sat up, feeling through the pockets on her body. After finding several lollipops that were still in a consumable state, she opened them all up at once and stuffed them in her mouth.
"Why haven't they announced the names yet?" AA-12 sighed. Even though she knew there were three days until the list of names was made public, she kept spinning the lollipops between her fingers, as though it would give her some measure of solace.
After Griffin's restructuring, AA-12 submitted her request to stay because she couldn't be bothered to get to know new colleagues. However, the total headcount would be limited. As the deadline encroached, so too did AA-12's anxiety.
—What would she do if she didn't get chosen? How would she live after that?
The thought nearly drove AA-12's thoughts off a cliff.
Her only solace could be found in her lollipops, each dispelling her worries and frustration. However, it resulted in her consuming so much sugar that her frame had malfunctioned, which landed her in a repair pod time and again.
"Oh no... I'm feeling dizzy and my legs aren't responding to me..." Just as AA-12 finished all her candy and began rising to leave, she felt the familiar sensation of a frame malfunction hitting her again.
"No way... So soon? I didn't even have that much sugar today..."
AA-12 sighed again, as though accepting her fate, and then lay back down in her capsule.
"Eh, forget it... Spending the next few days in here until the name list is announced doesn't seem so bad..."
Record 3
When she was still in Griffin, AA-12 was a huge fan of a certain late-night radio show—"Confession Office".
Since her personality meant she couldn't build normal social relationships, she often found herself with pent-up worries that she couldn't unload anywhere else. This made radio shows the best choice for her.
She did her best to listen to each and every episode and even wrote in frequently to ease her worries.
The show disappeared after Griffin was restructured, but AA-12's anxieties were increasing day by day. AA-12 often missed it and sought a replacement for it.
Eventually, she found an abandoned BBS on the internet. Since it was abandoned, she didn't have to worry about anyone who knew her seeing her posts, but since she could still post, she could continue venting her frustrations there.
More importantly—
AA-12 kept looking forward to replies from a user named "Anonymous".
Record 4
"How many times has it been this month, AA-12?"
Helian laid the documents on the table in front of her as the beginnings of a headache set in.
"Eh, I've received so many complaints that I can't even remember them all. I mean, do you remember how many lollipops you've eaten in your life?"
Sitting opposite Helian, AA-12 frowned, a lollipop in hand.
"Unlike you, people don't eat lollipops like vampires drink blood... Similarly, people don't accumulate complaints the way you do."
Helian's tone was serious.
"Alright, I got it... Is there anything else?"
"AA-12, the only thing more explosive than your firepower is that temper of yours. I hope you can rein it in and learn to get along with others."
"But at this rate... even changing that is going to be..."
"I don't know if you've realized it yet, but nobody's willing to go on missions with you anymore."
"...Whassat mean?"
Those words shut AA-12 up.
"It doesn't matter how strong you are, the number of solo missions you can take on is limited."
In other words, Dolls who can't work with others were going to have limited career prospects. Without the income from that, her candy budget (which was already strained by Griffin's limited finances) was going to... decrease further.
It was then that AA-12 realized just how severe the situation had gotten.
"Still, there's one person who's willing to team up with you. I hope you'll get a hold of yourself and similarly grasp this chance." Before AA-12 could start to fret, Helian unveiled a ray of hope to her. "If you're lucky, you might be able to do more together..."
Who was it?
AA-12 didn't think too much about it. After all, as long as she had candy to eat and missions to complete, she could carry on like she had been while reminiscing about the past.
Besides, it was just another lecture about cutting back on sugar, and she'd heard those a million times already.
AA-12 thought to herself, unwilling to face Helian. She could barely even communicate with others, and even after finally managing to have QBZ-191 as her teammate, she still wasn't able to open her heart to her.
"Will you at least hear me out? What I'm trying to say is, while I SHOULD be monitoring your sugar intake, that's only just to minimize the damage it does to your frame and not to make you completely quit it. Want to try the 'Lollipop Reward' method?"
"...Say what?"
That seemed to pique AA-12's interest at last and she sat up from inside the repair pod. This was when she saw QBZ-191's warm smile—and the lollipop she was holding.
Record 5
With QBZ-191's help, AA-12 finally got her life back on track. Even after QBZ-191 started getting busy with more assignments, AA-12 managed to conquer her loneliness and anxiety and completed several missions by herself. She even managed to control her sugar habit just as she promised QBZ-191.
Even Helian noticed it.
And so, once QBZ-191's personality had matured, Helian offered them the chance to form a tactical squad. Thus, Frostfall Squad was born.
"Have you come up with a name already?" QBZ-191, now called Qiongjiu, said as she sat down beside AA-12. It had been several days since the founding of Frostfall Squad, but AA-12 still hadn't submitted a name of her own.
However, such an outcome wasn't a surprise for someone who overthought things like AA-12.
"I guess... sort of." AA-12 hesitated for a moment, but in the end she decided to tell Qiongjiu what was on her mind. "I was thinking of 'Lind'. What do you think?"
"I think you once told me that was the name you had before joining Griffin, right?" Qiongjiu pondered it. "Does it have any special meaning?"
AA-12 had thought about a new name for several days before deciding to go back to her previous one. Looking back, there didn't seem to be any deep reasoning behind the choice.
"It's a reference to the linden, or lime tree," Lind replied, "Although it doesn't seem to suit me..."
It was a tree that could produce sweet honey and light, strong wood suitable for making shields.
While the lab had given her that name, Lind found herself drawn to the meaning behind it. Not even Lind knew why she had done that.
"I see," Qiongjiu mused, like she understood Lind's thought process. She patted Lind on the shoulder. "I think it suits you very well."
Record 6
"..."
Inside the repair room, I looked at Lind, and she looked back at me.
She'd always been good at solo ops, but she had suffered a severe injury, so I rushed down to the repair room the moment she got back to the Elmo.
"So you're saying..." I paused for a moment, then decided to just ask her straight up. "This 'severe injury' was a frame malfunction caused by excessive sugar intake?"
Lind turned away from me inside the repair pod, unwilling to meet my gaze. Her only answer was a wordless "Mmh."
It wasn't like it was a tough mission or anything. She hadn't even gotten hurt, just suffered a severe anxiety attack during battle.
Then, she consumed a large quantity of sugar in a short time, leading to severe frame damage.
However, according to what I knew, her anxiety shouldn't have been that bad—
"Did something happen?"
Did she suddenly stop being good at solo ops?
"It's nothing, don't you have other work to do..." Lind obstinately refused to turn to look at me. However, my experience told me that she was probably feeling uneasy.
I coughed. "The place I went to this time had a great trade fair, and I managed to pick up some special sweets." This was still the best way to get her attention.
As expected, Lind immediately sat up inside the pod.
"I told you, I'm fine..." Lind accepted my gift, then immediately opened up a new lollipop and stuffed it in her mouth. "I might not be too used to moving around on my own anymore... especially since you were not around these days, Commander..."
Her voice trailed off as she ate the candy, to the point where I couldn't hear the end of her previous statement.
"Say what?"
"It's nothing..." Though she still looked grumpy, it would seem she had cheered up a lot.
"In that case, you'll need to keep an eye on your sugar intake like we agreed last time," I said, taking the opportunity to remind her of our promise.
Record 7
The situation was a little strange.
When I woke up, I suddenly realized that I was not in my room.
However, the dark and gloomy sensation was somewhat familiar.
"Huwaaahh... Commander... you're up?" In all honesty, I was a little startled when I saw Lind beside me speaking.
Hold on... wait a minute...
"Last night's radio show went on too late, so we fell asleep," Lind explained. "So don't look at me like that, we really didn't do anything."
"...That's not what I meant."
"Still, it was almost dawn by the time we finished up last night. Is it me or are the dark circles around your eyes really thick, Commander?" Lind seemed excited now, caught in the throes of a rare surge of energy. "Want me to help you put on some eyeshadow?"
"Wait, you can do that?"
"No way... did you not realize that? I've been applying it all this time."
...So those weren't dark circles around her eyes?
I fell silent for a bit. Lind seemed to realize what I was thinking.
"No, they aren't dark circles... This is makeup. Looks cool, right?" Lind asked as she pointed to her eyes.
That said, that was only her claim. Maybe it was just a lie to hide her dark circles.
—At least, that was what I thought until she applied it for me. I looked at myself in the mirror and finally believed what she said.
She might have taken a long time to apply it, but they were totally dark circles!
Record 8
Today was a day that was quite special for Lind.
It marked the two-month anniversary of "Operation Regulate Sugar Intake". After celebrating with Frostfall Squad, Lind invited me to her room.
But when I arrived, the brightness there made me doubt my eyes.
As a Doll who typically resided in dark corners, her room was always gloomy and gray. Yet for some reason, it was as bright in here as a normal room.
In addition, there was actually a small cake on the table.
"Tsk, is this so surprising? I can change too, you know," Lind muttered in annoyance as she presented me with the cake.
"Is this for me?"
Weren't we supposed to celebrate your reduction of sugar intake? How come the cake is in my hands now...
"Uh... I only managed to succeed because you've been helping me all this time." Lind averted her face while still handing me the cake.
"What does that mean?"
If she was going to be so vague about everything, there was no way I would be able to understand her.
"What do you mean, 'what does that mean'?! Do I have to spell it out for you? You domineering CEO! Pointy-headed boss!" As expected, Lind lost her temper upon hearing my question. "It... it means... it means thank you for your help!"
"Ah, I'm not good at fancy words and stuff. However, I only managed to control my sugar habit because I shifted my dependency to you, Commander. In any case, this custom-baked cake is for you."
"I hope that's clear enough for you!" Lind frowned, albeit with a lollipop in her mouth.
"But aren't you consuming sugar right now?"
"It's not like I can break the habit entirely, right? Just know that my intake is well within limits!"
After all, it's not like eating sweets was a bad thing as long as she didn't do it to excess.
"Mhm, alright, then. I'll accept this token of sincere thanks."
"Don't say it so directly..."
I ignored her protests and accepted the cake, then placed a big slice in my mouth.
—As expected, it was so sweet that I nearly passed out.
Memories
Sugar Radio 1
It's about time I Headed back—
(A gale sweeps over the Elmo's deck, kicking up an abundance of dust into the air. A red signal light faintly glows in the darkness, heralding the approaching Collapse storm.)
(But as i turn around and place a foot on the hydraulic lift platform, ready to leave, I spot a familiar figure in the night—)
...
Lind? The Collapse storm is about to catch us. We should head back—
(Weak moonlight illuminates her body, providing just enough light to discern how bad her condition is, though night crowds close around us.)
(She does not speak. Lind reaches out and grabs the hem of my clothes as if she was acting on instinct, stopping me from saying anything more.)...
?
What's going on?(I squat down to check on Lind, Luckily, she doesn't seem to have completely fallen unconscious yet.)
(Lind looks at me with her eyes half-closed. Her mouth opens and closes as if intending to speak, but she isn't able to utter a single word.)I see. You want this, right?
Ugh...
Are you even a Doll...?
(This doesn't seem like something that would happen to a Doll at all.)
(It's not strange for a human with hypoglycemia to be like this, but—)Ah... It's you, Commander.
Were you hoping for someone different?
...No, it's the other way around.
I thought that I was dreaming of... something that I kept thinking about throughout the day.
Huh?
No, it's nothing.
Aren't you going to say something? About why you came up on Elmo's top deck at midnight just to keel over and faint?
...
(The silent treatment again.)
(Is she staying silent because it's difficult for her to tell me, or is it just because she isn't conscious enough yet?)Never mind. I can kind of guess what it is even if you don't tell me about it.
(I hand her another piece of chocolate as I talk.)
(This isn't some kind of high-end chocolate; it's the kind that is filled to the brim with sugar. I don't imagine that many Dolls aside from Lind will enjoy this.)Your sugar addiction is acting up, I see.
The heck? Why do you ask if you already know...
You're right on the mark. I needed a sugar fix, but I wasn't able to find any sweets, so I came up to the deck to enjoy the wind and take my mind off things.
I didn't expect things to be this bad and I nearly crashed... Then you happened to show up.
I thought I was dreaming for a moment, and I thought I was back in Griffin...Do you miss our time in Griffin?
I would say so... At least, I could tune in to the late-night radio's "Confession Office" back then. That was a great soul-soothing show.
Let's go back for starters. A Collapse storm is heading our way, and the sooner we go back into the Elmo, the better.
...Yeah
So, what triggered your sudden need for a sugar fix?
Commander, what do you feel when you consume sweets, as a human?
...Is there something else I'm supposed to feel other than the sensation of sweetness?...Really? I know it's you we're talking about here, but wouldn't you also feel some joy in eating sweets?
Sugar intake increases the release of dopamine, resulting in feelings of pleasure that helps to alleviate anxiety.
Does this apply to Dolls as well?
As a Doll made for use in clinical trials, I have a feature-complete brain structure to the extent that I could be used in psychiatry experiments.
Anyway... Pain triggers the release of endorphins. It's a different pathway compared to sugar and dopamine, but it brings pleasure as well.(I nearly forgot Lind's past from before she became a Tactical Doll.)
(Because of that, she was made to recall such unpleasant memories, which were used to remind me.)...I'm sorry to have made you recall such unpleasant memories.
...It makes me even more disgusted to hear a serious apology when I'm trying to explain things in a proper way.
...
And don't look at me with such compassionate pity!
It was just a job. I don't mind it that much. Besides, I became used to pain in that period of time.Was that when you developed the sugar addiction?
...It's probably not wrong to put it that way.
After all, I became somewhat numb to both pain and dopamine... But I still needed some kind of way to alleviate my anxiety...(She turns her head away from me as she speaks.)
(The hydraulic lift platform brings us back into the Elmo's interior. I decide to accompany Lind back to her room out of concern.)Does this mean that you're feeling very anxious at the moment?
Eh?
If you're used to eating sweets in order to relieve your anxiety like you mentioned...
If you came out to "forage" for sweets because you remained unsatisfied after finishing everything you had in storage...
According to your explanations, you must be suffering from lots of anxiety, right?...Ngh.
Ahh, fine. I'll just give it to you straight.
I did, in fact, stew in my anxiety uselessly late into the night, and then I nearly fainted after failing to find any way to relieve it.
How did you deal with this in the past? Did you have any other outlets aside from getting a sugar fix?I'd probably feel better if that late-night radio show was still around...
You mean the... "Confession Office" radio show back in Griffin?
Hmm? You know about it too?
After the late-night radio show ended, I kept trying to find a replacement... Sadly, nothing really lives up to it.(Lind shakes her head.)
(We reach the door to Lind's room as we're talking.)Alright, then for today, I'll just-
If you really can't find a replacement, why not reboot the show yourself?
Re... boot?
But, Griffin has already...I know.
Which is why you can just name and run it from the Elmo. As for the host, why not give it a try yourself?Me...?
Hold on..! Wait a minute! Commander, this is way too spontaneous! And also...I'll help you out.
Or... Do you not want to do it?It's not that I don't want to... It's just that-
All good then.
Alright, Good night, Lind.
Sugar Radio 2
Lind?
...
Lind.
Ah... You're here, Commander...?
Eh? Huh??? Did I forget to turn it off?!
Y-you didn't see anything, did you...?
I kind of saw something along the lines of you wanting to give up on something.
Phew... Just that, then?
More secrets to hide?
Don't blow it out of proportion... Just things that I'd feel weird about if you saw them...
It's alright. Everyone has secrets. I totally understand.
I already said that it's not what you think!
Wait. Could it be that you have lots of secrets to hide, Commander?
Tsk. Now I'm rather curious...
If you're really that interested, I'm fine with letting you in on one or two once the radio show gets its reboot.
Reboot the radio show... (Sigh)
You've already spent a few days thinking about it, so I'm sure you probably have a good number of ideas for the radio show now.
Ah. About that. How do I put this...
It's not like I haven't been thinking about it, it's just that if I'm rebooting the radio show myself, it's...
Are your next words going to be something along the lines of "It's too troublesome, so let's forget about it"?
Eugh. You're right on the mark.
Planning this sort of thing isn't my forte... And I am even less familiar with how radio shows are run.
I really want to revive the radio show, but things don't complete themselves by wishing them into existence. It... can be quite depressing when we try to do things we're unfamiliar with. There's a high chance that it'll simply end in failure after I give my all into making it work...
"You might be overthinking this.
Well, I do have a feature complete brain structure as a clinical trial Doll, after all. Perhaps my mental state-if that exists, so to speak-has turned abnormal after all those psychiatric experiments in the past.
So that's probably why I'm so emotional and anxious about things-
Blech... I'm really not the kind of person who can get used to saying all these disgustingly proper things.
Commander... You need to take responsibility for this.
I never said that I won't, though.
...What's this?
I pieced a couple of old mixing consoles together to create a control panel for the new radio show. This is the key for it.
The channel might not be the most stable, and the coverage is not that broad either, but we'll definitely be able to tune in to the show within the Elmo.
No way... You already prepared all of this yourself?"
I agreed to help you and it wasn't that troublesome. That's all I have to say today, so don't feel so anxious.
Why... are you so nice to me? It's so weird... Why...
It's as if you know exactly what's on my mind...
...I think it would be nice for the Elmo to have its own radio show.
Anyway, don't stress too much about it.
Uh...
Wait, Commander! Showing off and leaving right away? That's playing dirty!
Then do you want me to stay here and listen to you try to thank me for the next ten minutes?
I won't do such a thing. But, um, at least let me say something back, okay?
Erm, well... I... Th... Thanks.
Phew... I managed to say it.
Can i go now that everything is said and done?
Hold on, Commander. I have a request.
Commander, could I invite you to appear on the first episode of the show as a special guest?
Sugar Radio 3
Good evening, everyone! Welcome to tonight's episode of the Elmo late-night radio show-
It's amazing, isn't it? Our radio show has already aired for... Uh, which episode is this again? Let me check...
Well, look at that-episode five already. I guess we have you loyal viewers to thank for keeping this show on the air.
So, as teased in the last episode, I brought in a special guest who was on air with me during the first episode-the Commander of the Elmo!
Hello, everyone.
Lots of our listeners were asking for the Commander to return to the show, so here he is!
Okay then. Without further ado, let us start the show proper-
Let's see, what kind of interesting submissions do we have today? Hmm... It would be great if there's something related to romance.
Oh? We seem to have lots of comments posted in the comments section. Let's start by reading them, then.
...
Commander?
Huh? Are you asking me to read them?
Many of our listeners have expressed that they wish for you to do exactly that. Could you help us with this for today?
...Alright.
Miss Host, could you please not talk like that? My friend tuned in and kept crying when she came back.
That's quite the exaggeration...
And... That friend of yours... Is yourself, isn't it?
Next one.
The show itself is great, but perhaps things will be better with a different host...
Hey, whose show do you think this is? If you don't like it, then...
Okay, Lind. Next one...
I hope the host will submit her action report ASAP. The deadline is near.
No way... That tone feels familiar. Could this be from my squad leader?
Next one...
A squadmate of mine used a vending machine invented by a genius (yours truly) and hasn't been seen buying a normal lollipop since! Ehe.
...I can't believe you actually have the nerve to say that!
Okay. This is the end of the comment-reading segment. Let's move on and look at the submissions for today.
Fine... Then let us have a look at the first submission-
The nickname of this contributor is, uh, what a familiar name, Faraway Star?
Dear Host, I would like to talk about my squadmates. I hope that you'll be able to find me an answer.
Two of my squadmates argue with each other on a regular basis due to pranks and such, and I feel very troubled... They did it on our previous mission too. Our squad suffered lots of damage because of an argument between them...
Why did you stop?
Well, It's just that, this doesn't feel like a normal radio show at all.
The only people who submit content are my squadmates, those who want to complain, or people with default usernames like User 317ZZ943B#@00...
No romantic problems and no gossip. Even if we get content about dissing people, it's always about dissing me.
I think this fits your style, though.
Maybe you're able to receive these kinds of comments and submissions precisely because you have a special style.
...Is that even a good thing?
I believe that much of those who tune in ARE in support of you.
These listeners are all regulars by now, right?
...
Fine. At least we can use these when we have a lack of submissions.
I don't even have to guess who those nicknames belong to... Uh, I mean, these individuals have been messing with me since the first episode.
But... Uh... If you guys really are supporting me, I'll keep on working hard on this...
Although we don't have a large audience, I'll still...
Agh, well, you get what I mean! Things like anniversary specials will have segments with thanks and all that!
So, I'm guessing Lind is thanking our audience for their support thus far?
Tsk. Don't say it like that.
Blech... How disgusting. I'm really not the type who should be saying this sort of thing, after all.
Um, looks like we received more submissions than usual due to our special guest today. Let us continue with the submissions, then!
Okay. With the end of the previous topic, let us begin the next by reading this submission-
What is the Commander thinking? It feels like he's been avoiding me for the last decade. I get why he did it, but why is he still unwilling to give me a reply? Am I that scary?
...
I have no idea whose submission this is, but there must be some kind of misunderstanding, I think? Moving on.
...Looks like you have plenty of secrets to hide after all.
Now, let's have a look at the next one-
A new, secret blend of coffee is now available at the café. I believe that this flavor profile will suit your tastes perfectly, and I eagerly look forward to personally brewing it for you... Commander.
Ahem. I'll try it out when I have the time. I promise.
It seems that our Commander is indeed quite the charmer!
Next-!
A radio show? How vintage. Yet, it has a certain charm to it...
Ooh... We finally have someone with good taste here! Let's see what they wrote next...
Just in time for this rare bottle of red wine that I came across recently. Commander, if you're interested in it, I will eagerly await a night spent listening to the late-night radio with you.
...
Wait a minute, my show is NOT a platform for you guys to set up dates on! Don't just casually extend this sort of invitation to a radio host's special guest!
Hold on, Lind! We're still on-air!
And that's all we have for tonight's late-night radio show! Thank you to all of you for tuning in, and see you next time!
That was... Tsk... Horrible.
Commander, are you this nice to every Doll you know?
I can't exactly just go around treating people badly...
Although an advanced Doll such as myself prefers solving problems in an advanced way, if you're an excessive flirt who enjoys picking at every rose you see... I don't mind adopting a more primitive approach.
An excessive flirt? Lind, I think you might be misunderstanding something.
How despairing... I thought I found myself a good replacement for sugar, a safe alternative to depend on. I just didn't expect... You're way too popular!
Take a breath, do you know what you're even saying?
You're the one who has no idea what you're doing. Tsk, are you this affectionate toward everyone?
Since we're being like this... We can probably assume that we're already in that kind of relationship, right? The special kind...
...What kind of relationship exactly?
Ah.
Well, that is, the kind where we're close to each other... Tsk, anyway, don't go overboard thinking about it.
Hold up. This is my dorm! Why am I the one who's running away?!
Haaah... But now that I've said something like that, I can't exactly just go back in. I'll go for a walk on the top deck...
Sugar Radio 4
Commander—
I accidentally uttered something like a confession to my boss after getting nearly broken by anxiety! What should I do?!!
I feel so disgusted towards myself… I have no idea how I can ever face my boss again. Maybe I should resign. I’m not suited for this job at all… I’m not great at social interactions either.
Perhaps your boss is feeling even more awkward about the situation, so maybe less work will be assigned to you for a while. Isn’t that a good thing?
That might be true, but I think I may have developed a dependency on my boss… I’ve almost started showing withdrawal symptoms now.
This is awful… I tend to be an overthinker, so now my anxiety levels are practically going to double.
Originally, the revival of the late-night radio show had eased my anxiety and dependence on sugar quite a lot.
But now, thanks to that guy with zero sense of self-awareness, all my efforts have gone to waste!
He charms people left and right without realizing it, and… I’m one of them.
Maybe it’ll be a good idea to just make your thoughts and feelings on the whole thing clear to him?
Could it be that he already assumes us to be a couple? Come to think of it, my bess never denied it.
I think you might really need to have a good talk with him.
The way you talk really reminds me of my boss.
But it does look like there’s no other way around it…
Meet me on the Elmo’s top deck. If you make me wait the whole night, I’ll make you regret it.
What’s up?
Commander, do you know the mechanism of addiction?
Dysfunction and imbalance in the brain’s reward system.
Pretty much… The hardwiring of adaptive behavior plays a part as well.
Back in the distant past, I was subjected to pain stimuli constantly for a long time as part of experiments during my clinical trial days. Because of that, I developed an addiction to sugar.
My frame was regularly sent for servicing due to excessive sugar intake, but as you’ve said, this is borderline unhealthy…
But I may have been exposed to something even worse recently, and I might be developing an addiction to it. This is really bad…
What have you been exposed to?
Just… Don’t be too far away from me. It seems that I have started to depend on you.
Is this your explanation of what you said last time?
Y…yeah. That’s correct.
Commander, the things that you’ve done for me… They are way more dangerous than any kind of sugar or pain. I’ve developed a dependency on you without knowing it.
So, now that I’m like this, I don’t think I was that wrong to describe our relationship as a special one…
Uh, but it’s not good to have too much of these “special” relationships, alright? Try not to flirt around with too many people, okay?
Just treat me a little more special and that will be enough for me… Though I won’t say no if you gave me even more special treatment.
If you dare leave me without my permission, or if you make it such that I can’t get a hold of you when I need you, I’ll end you with brute force before I die from anxiety, got it?
…I managed a real confession this time.
Anyway, that’s all I have to say. I’ll be going now, Commander.
Are you going to run after letting your feelings out?
I’ve always known about your anxieties, so I understand what you mean by all that.
Originally, I didn’t want you to think such wild thoughts, but now that seems to have been my mistake.
Since I promised to help you, whether it’s the radio show or something else, I will definitely do it.
Those are some bold claims…
You obviously have no clue about anything, Commander. You made me say all those… Proper-sounding things, yet the only thing you can do is pretend to be an idiot.
How do you know that I don’t understand?
If I told you that I knew how you felt and what you were planning all along, and if I told you I made up my mind to help you reboot the radio show a long time ago, would you believe it?
Hey, hey! …Why did you take it away from me? Don’t be violent!
You’ve gone into servicing three times this month due to excessive sugar intake after the radio show incident. Try to control yourself.
How do you even have the guts to say that?! Isn’t this all because you…!
If everything you just said was real, there should be a better way to alleviate your anxiety now, isn’t that right?
You mean…
Correct.
I’ll do everything you requested.
…
No way… Did you finally grow some braincells or something?
Wait. According to my experience listening to all those romance-related radio shows, I must be completely playing into your hands right now…
So, as a gesture of sincerity and for compensation… Erm, you should tell me one of your secrets.
That BBS… And that username… So you really are that user!
So… That’s why you kept saying that you knew it all along…
You saw everything that I typed—
Withdrawal Reflex
Private Meeting Logs
Commander, you've already seen the expense claim I submitted, right?
You know... the Elmo dorm room upgrade thing. I put in a request.
The rooms are too dark and it makes my eyes ache when I stay up all night so I'd like to improve the room lighting systems.
After all, I'll be spending a lot of time in my room, so... Could you approve it?
Oh, you agreed quickly enough. I'll look forward to the results of the upgrade, then.Rested Night I
…
I heard Mayling say that your room upgrade’s been done for several days now.
Not only did you get the smart lighting systems you wanted, you even got automatic HVAC and air purifier systems installed too—even if it’s not that enjoyable, it’s practical, at least.
…
…
Why are you staring at me… Is there something on my face?
No, it’s not just your face.
How shall I put this, you seem really frail recently, Lind.
Could it be that the improved lighting made your room so comfortable that it ended up making you pull even more all-nighters instead?
…Alright, I admit I’ve been spending more time up at night.
But it’s not because of the lights, though, it’s because there’s something wrong with the thermostat in my room.
It’s okay in the daytime, but at night it’s so hot that I can’t sleep, and I can’t manually adjust the AC either… How is that comfortable?
The temperature’s too high? But Mayling said the systems were all tested, and the other Dolls seemed quite happy with it—
…Ahhhhh.
Finally remembered? I’m not like those other Dolls…
I’m sorry, Lind.
I forgot that your body is different from other Dolls… your sensory modules are special and you’re more sensitive to temperature changes than other Dolls…
I’ll get Mayling to get new systems installed for you ASAP.
If you don’t mind, you can sleep in my room until the work is done.
…Bwuh? In, in YOUR room?
Yeah, since your frame is closer to a human body than most, I figure a human’s room ought to be better for you.
Even though you should be able to sleep in the common area too, I think my room is best due to privacy reasons.
But if you do that… then where will YOU sleep, Commander?
I’ll go sleep on the couch in the rec room.
I’ve napped there before several times, so it won’t affect your rest.
…Hah? The couch? Then why did you say misleading stuff like that… And here I thought, I thought you meant that we would—
We would what?
…An, forget it, it’s nothing! It’s just a couple of nights, so I’ll sleep in the rec room in the meantime—anyway, it’s decided! No objections allowed!
Rested Night II
Nghaaargh… How did things end up like this…
I talked to everyone, so there shouldn’t be anyone here tonight.
Will you be comfortable on the sofa? If not, we can think about other options.
The furnishings here are really different from my room, getting used to it will be hard… Speaking of hard, this sofa is a bit hard, don’t you think…
Do you take naps here? No wonder it smells like your jacket…
(Heaves) Crap, I was thinking about it so seriously that I almost threw up…
It’s not too late to change your mind. I don’t mind sleeping here.
Hah? I’ll pass.
And besides, since you approved it, I don’t want to refuse your kindness again.
But you look terrible now.
Yeah, I’m so frazzled that I could die! I knew I shouldn’t have gone for that upgrade or whatever!
Lollipops.
Give me lollipops—
…Why isn’t there a lollipop stash in the rec room?
I figured you’d need them, so I brought you some lollipops.
I don’t think there’s a lollipop stash in the rec room, so don’t bother looking.
Any kind of sugar will work, it doesn’t have to be lollipops. Don’t they even have ordinary candy here?
Wait a minute. “This Genius’ Love-Love Shooter Custom Tailored For Caretaker”—What the heck is this? A toy from Cheeta?
A limited-edition telescope lens… That’s probably from Tololo.
And then there’s a jade comb, a vinyl record, bike parts… it’s all over the place—
Why are there so many gifts for you in the rec room, anyway—
I mean, not all of them are gifts, right? A bunch of them are just things that the others are storing there temporarily.
So you’ll think of them when you see those items, right? Talk about sneaky.
Lind?
I’m going to put my lollipops here for a while.
Of course.
They’re for you only! I’m going to label them! Commander-exclusive lollipops!
As for the ones you’re holding… thank you, I’ll have them.
Rested Night III
Feel calmer now?
Yeah, the lollipops soothed my nerves a bit. But you heard it all just now, right?
Huh?
My snarking just now!
You mean, everything after “smells like your jacket”?
Ahhhhhh—I can’t believe the kind of crap I said when I was sugar-deprived late at night…
Ahhhh, why did I bare my feelings so directly—
There’s nothing wrong with that, right?
…In any case, you just heard something I didn’t want to say out loud.
To make up for it, you have to listen to the late night radio show with me before you go.
Sure, I can do that.
Now that you mention it, do you usually spend your nights this way?
Um, not always… Sometimes I listen to the radio, other times I post on forums…
In any case, as long as I have candy, I can stay up all night… it’s no biggie…
And you still have energy the next day?
That’s fine too, I can perk myself up by increasing my sugar ration.
And here I thought it was the interesting shows that helped you stay up at night.
…What kind of shows were you expecting to listen to, anyway, Commander!
Ah… Don’t tell me you were hoping for… the ones where people tell you how much they love you or something?
Wait, there are shows like that?
Nope, not at all, you’re imagining things. Submissions are anonymous anyway.
Still, sometimes the fake names they pick just suck, you can instantly tell who sent them in.
What kind of submissions are you talking about? Can I listen to them?
Even if the living conditions suck, I’m happy because I’m with the person that’s most important to me.—sent in by Glucose4Lyfe
…W-What are you looking at me for? It might not be me who left the message, you know!
Rested Night IV
Commander, is it true my room upgrade’s finished? Surely there won’t be any more problems now, right?
Yup, that was why I came to find you.
The new parameters have been uploaded based on my room’s data. You should be able to get used to it now.
You can move back in whenever it’s convenient for you.
So it’s been tuned to your personal habits… That should probably feel good…
Sorry, what?
Ah, I was saying—then let’s move right now! Honestly, Commander, why do you keep eavesdropping on people muttering to themselves…
That’s not eavesdropping, though.
It-it’s just a habit from being alone for so long.
As for you… why do you keep listening to every little thing I say, anyway?
Because I care about what you have to say.
…Don’t just SAY things like that!
Now I have no idea how to respond…
…Er, so do you need me to help you pack?
No need, it’s already done.
If you’d like to help, then go check if I’ve missed anything, like… like at the sofa armrest, that sort of thing.
At the sofa?
Is that… a radio badge?
Isn’t this a reward you got from the radio station stamp book challenge? Is this for me?
Wait, don’t open the note in front of me! Can you at least wait until I’m gone first?
Dear Commander, thank you for your help. I don’t want to say cringy stuff like this but when I’m with you, I don’t feel so anxious anymore.
…In any event, thanks.
I’ve received and accept your feelings, Lind.
Sweet dreams.
I’m getting insomnia! For sure!