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Tololo/Profile
| Tololo | Story | Profile | Quotes |
"I can't sleep yet, I still have work to do..."
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Journals
Record 1
Since Griffin's shining era, AK-Alfa has been like a lone star in the night sky, neither approaching nor moving away.
After the disbandment of Squad Grizzly, she joined the Frostfall Squad. At first, she felt like a solitary planet who had their sun snuffed out. She once closed herself off, refusing to accept the new appointment. Later, with the help of Helian and Qiongjiu, she finally realized that even a solitary planet needs to rely on the gravitational interactions between the stars to maintain its functions, allowing her to successfully integrate into the Frostfall Squad. During missions, Tololo is calm, rational and handles work cleanly and efficiently, never dragging things out.
Outside of work, Tololo prefers solitude. Her personal dormitory is filled with a large number of her favorite collectibles, including books, albums, photography collections, handmade models, etc... The most prominent positions are reserved for astronomy and science fiction memorabilia.
When the starry sky is clear, she can occasionally be encountered on the roof of the Elmo. She is always alone, carrying her camera, telescope, tripod...and her beer. When someone approaches, she rarely actively engages in conversation, unless the topic touches on an area she is interested in. She will then proceed to discuss her views and ideas with her fellow enthusiasts in a convoluted language, sipping beer all the while. Tololo seems unsociable, but in reality she simply has her own little world. Deep in her heart, she is also looking forward to a place that can accommodate and accept her.
Record 2
If stars were alive, would they be a herd species or solitary species?
At night in Griffin, in the usual gathering place of Squad Grizzly, Tololo pondered this question seriously. Beside her was the most popular science fiction novel at the time. The book's belly band seemed very new, indicating that the owner had never read it. M82, who would be the one to chat about the novel's plot with Tololo, had now left Griffin along with the other members of the Grizzly Squad, heading for the Green Zone. Tololo was the only one left. She was drinking beer alone in the now empty space, gazing at the starlit sky.
Since time immemorial, people have divided the stars into constellations. Each star can find its position in the 88 corresponding constellation regions. And in the universe, planets orbit stars, revolving in one star system after another...
So...stars should be a herd species, right? Bringing the beer can to her mouth, Tololo took a light sip of beer.
All this while, Helian had approached Tololo several times, expressing her wish for her to join Qiongjiu's squad. Helian's reasoning was sound. Different Dolls, teaming up and complementing one another could help improve the mission completion rate. It was difficult for the rational Tololo to turn Helian down. So, should this star move to another galaxy and enter another constellation? Looking at her former teammates' gathering place, at how that once vibrant energy was gone, and how their respective auras seemed to be gradually dissipating...
Tololo tightened her grip on the beer can.
Nay, stars are not alive. Stars are inorganic, and so the concept of being either herd or solitary does not apply. Stars are just stars, twinkling as lonely as can be in the distant sky.
Record 3
After bidding farewell to PzB39 at the auto repair shop, Tololo officially started participating in missions as a member of the Frostfall Squad. However... not all Dolls are as "simple" as the Dolls of Squad Grizzly.
"Tololo, I modified your spaceship model a bit. Don't be shy, take a gander!" Faced with Cheeta's prank, Tololo's expression remained very calm, and it was difficult to discern her emotions from her words.
"What is this?"
"I added 8 legs to your spaceship. Now it's an amphibious battleship, look!"
Tololo would never lose control in front of others.
"...Now that the meeting is over, I'll go back to my room ahead of you."
Tololo calmly turned and left, as if nothing had happened. But if one paid enough attention, they would notice that her shoulders were trembling slightly, and her footsteps had lost their usual steadiness.
"Cheeta, what are you doing! Stop messing with Tololo when you have nothing better to do!" came Lind's dissatisfied voice.
"It's because she always has that indifferent attitude and doesn't participate in group activities. This genius is just trying to help her adjust out of pure kindness."
"Kindness for a teammate, or a deliberate prank. You know very well which one it is. Come receive your punishment, then go apologize and restore her spaceship to its original state." Qiongjiu issued an order that left no room for argument.
"Leader, that's not it. Let me argue my case..."
In Tololo's eyes, both Cheeta, who loves playing pranks and teasing others, and Lind, who loses her temper and starts spouting nonsense whenever she's out of sweets, are far from the word "simple".
A knock came from the door.
"Tololo, it's me, Qiongjiu. Come out for a moment."
The dormitory door opened.
"Come over and explain yourself." At Qiongjiu's command, Cheeta obediently walked over.
"Here, your spaceship!" Cheeta handed over the model she kept behind her back with one hand.
Tololo was stunned to see the model - previously transformed beyond recognition - miraculously restored to its original state. There was a clanking sound, and the eight-legged "amphibious battleship" came crawling from the corridor in a bizarre way and stopped in front of Tololo. A small firework bloomed in front of Tololo with a "bang", and letters popped out one by one, spelling "Welcome aboard, Tololo!"
"You treasure your models so much, how could I possibly really dismantle them? By the way, I can take a look inside, right-"
"Hey! Cheeta, don't you know you can't just enter someone else's room?!"
"Is it okay?" Qiongjiu looked at Tololo with a smile.
Tololo hesitated for a moment.
"Mm."
Not being "simple"...doesn't necessarily seem to be a bad thing. Thinking this, Tololo opened the door to her room wide.
Record 4
In the Frostfall Squad, Tololo's sharp observational skills and keen sensitivity to emotional shifts and changes in the environment make her the final piece that completes the puzzle that is her team.
When on a mission, Tololo usually keeps a cold demeanor, rarely speaking or acting unless absolutely necessary. She moves through operations like a lone satellite drifting at the edge of a solar system, often so quiet that her presence is easily overlooked.
This very trait sometimes causes those around her to let their guard down, while her keen, ever observant gaze catches every movement, every shift.
Subtle gestures, tiny changes in expressions, emotional fluctuations, and even the faintest alterations of the environment - everything is processed by her delicate, finely tuned neural cloud.
Each piece of information is carefully analyzed and then... she uncovers the unseen "dark matter" concealed in the vastness of space that is any operation.
"Something's wrong. Where's the client?"
"He is... wait, he was in the car right behind us!"
"Damn it! Cheeta, pull back now! Lind, inform Tololo and have her locate the client."
"No need. I have already secured the client. Awaiting further instructions..."
Record 5
In the presence of unfamiliar faces, Tololo is a person of few words and even fewer judgements. Or rather, Tololo never proactively criticizes anyone, but on the ever so lively Elmo, she often finds herself involuntarily pulled into various disputes. Her detached and sincere nature makes her the perfect "arbiter".
"...The rift within the abyss... blurry echoes... resonance..."
"Huh? Who are you implying has a loose mind? You'd be useless without that 'Prism' of yours, Nemesis!"
"...The balanced meteor... collides with tangible soil..."
"Who's scared of who? Tell me, Tololo, in our last mission, which one of us responded quicker: me or Nemesis?"
"...While Krolik's swift arrival allowed to avoid further damage, objectively speaking, Nemesis was the first to provide support at the ambush site."
"What? Are you kidding me? Nemesis is just a... %&#@#%!" Tololo quietly let out a sigh.
"O brilliant and beautiful Tololo, tell me, in this impromptu performance, wasn't Sharkry better than Vepley♥?"
"Based on the audience's reaction, Vepley's performance garnered a stronger response."
"That's a lie! Sharkry doesn't believe that one bit!"
Asking Tololo for an opinion often requires courage, because she is always brutally honest.
Record 6
One afternoon, Tololo came to the ops room to report on her tasks.
"...That's all I have to report."
"Okay, got it."
After finishing the report, Tololo didn't leave immediately like usual. She glanced at the command desk a few times. After hesitating for a while, she finally asked:
"Commander, is that 'Civilization and Its Discontents' you have on your table?"
I looked in the direction Tololo was pointing, and indeed there was a book.
I recalled that it was a gift from an underground broker who sold us some supplies earlier.
Mayling said she couldn't understand it, so she brought it to me, and I ended up leaving it lying around in the ops room.
"-Oh, I think that's the title. I briefly flipped through it before."
"...What did you think of it, Commander?"
Tololo's speech sped up slightly, and she was looking at me with a hint of expectation in her eyes.
I rarely ever saw Tololo so interested in something.
I began recalling the contents of the book I read a few days ago in earnest.
"This book doesn't have much to do with commanding operations, but there was a sentence that left a deep impression on me: 'Civilization is built up upon a renunciation of instinct.' Having experienced the events of the past few years, I think this sentence carries a lot of weight..."
"As expected, the Commander can understand..."
"...Understand what?"
Snapping back from my deliberations, I looked at Tololo in astonishment. Tololo was looking at me, and her usually indifferent expression actually revealed a rare hint of a smile.
"But what I actually prefer is another viewpoint from this author: 'Within the human heart, there is both a desire for life and a desire for death. We pursue both light and darkness."
"Precisesly because of this, the society and order constructed by humans will be as history presents it today. At times, filled with war and destruction, with civilization fractured and literature and art all reduced to ashes; other times, however, able to give birth to new sparks from the burnt-out ruins and radiate an even more brilliant light."
"If human civilization was built entirely upon the Dolls' calculations, it would probably become more mechanical and dull."
Tololo suddenly seemed to have entered another dimension, talking non-stop about the ideas in the books, occasionally interspersed with her own thoughts and opinions...
A while later, Tololo still showed no signs of stopping...
"...Uh, Tololo, don't you still have to report to Qiongjiu?"
"Mm... Thanks for the reminder..."
It was as if Tololo had suddenly woken up from a dream and returned to our dimension.
"Commander, I have that author's corresponding books for the viewpoints I mentioned... I'll bring them over for you when I get the chance."
With that said, Tololo left the ops room without looking back.
Record 7
"Commander, this is my application."
Tololo handed me a neat-looking, formal application.
"...You want to use the roof of the Elmo?"
I stroked my chin.
"To stargaze?"
"Yes."
I put the application aside and looked at Tololo, who was as serious as the application itself.
"You don't need to specially apply for something like this. But can't you see the stars from the dormitory?"
"I want to photograph the starry sky. The roof is unobstructed, so it's better."
Tololo's expression remained calm, making it impossible to garner her determination on this matter from her face.
However, if it's just her photographing the starry sky alone, nothing should go wrong.
"No problem, then. Be careful."
"Okay."
I resumed my work, but Tololo didn't leave immediately. After a short while, she spoke again.
"Commander, I have another application."
"Hm? Really?" I picked up Tololo's application again. "But it only mentions that one request?"
Tololo nodded.
"Mm, I just came up with it."
I gestured for Tololo to continue.
"Commander, can you go stargazing with me?" Seeing my slight surprise, she added, "Protective suits and beer are all prepared. I'm really looking forward to viewing the starry sky together with you, Commander."
I looked at Tololo. Her expression was still blank, and I couldn't glean any other information from her face.
But one thing was clear—this most definitely wasn't a spontaneous idea.
Record 8
On a starry night, Tololo invited me to her dormitory.
The lights in the room were dimmed, the curtains were neatly tied up, and the moonlight was pouring in through the window. Through the porthole, one could see the myriad stars.
After entering the room, Tololo turned on the lights, revealing the full view of her dorm. All the bookshelves and display cases in sight were filled with various treasured collections related to Tololo's hobbies.
"With such a collection, you could open a small sci-fi exhibition hall here. Haha, I bet other Dolls visit quite often, right?"
"They rarely come over." Tololo handed me a bottle of beer.
"Is that so? Thanks. So what did you want to show me?"
I took the beer and found a place to sit, while Tololo walked over to the bookshelf and took out a photo album.
"Commander, if you want to see some photos, the ones in this album are the best. It contains the photos I'm most satisfied with so far, specially printed out." Saying that, Tololo handed me the photo album.
Not long ago, Tololo and I were watching the night sky together. Just then, a shooting star happened to streak across the sky. Tololo immediately grabbed her camera and captured the shooting star, which made me notice the camera she always carried with her.
I felt curious and asked to see the photos she usually takes. After hesitating for a while, she invited me to her dorm.
"Is that so? So these are the 'Selected Starry Sky Photos.' Now I'll absolutely have to enjoy them." I took the photo album and opened the beer bottle.
Tololo opened a bottle as well and sat down next to me.
"Mm, I'm very confident about this photo album, but I haven't shown it to anyone else yet."
"Why?" I began flipping through the photo album page by page.
"...Why... It's not really necessary to show it to others, is it?"
"Is that so?" I carefully flipped through the photo album. It contained various rare celestial phenomena that had occurred in recent years, and the angles from which Tololo photographed them were clearly thought through, making the starry sky appear extremely gorgeous under her lens.
Gulp... gulp...
Every so often, I could hear the sound of Tololo drinking beer.
"Commander."
"What is it?" I turned to look at Tololo. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol.
"I suddenly felt that if you're the only person that I share this photo album with, Commander... that wouldn't be so bad either."
Memories
Distance to Polaris 1
Thanks to an exceedingly rare downpour in the Yellow Zone, the night sky can be seen clearly. Since the roads are muddy and the Elmo is stuck, the Commander gave Tololo the permission to travel to a nearby abandoned observatory to stargaze. When she comes back, her good mood makes her more talkative than usual and she explains to the Commander the perspectives on life she gains from looking at the stars. She ends the conversation by saying she wishes to live like a comet that shines bright and leaves nothing behind.
Distance to Polaris 2
During a downtime near a Gree Zone, Tololo makes a trip to the planetarium of a nearby satellite city. When she comes back, she starts telling the Commander about the North Star and its role as a guide to travelers. The Commander compares Tololo to the North Star because of her rational attitude, but she compares herself to a comet that constantly changes course like a lost traveler under the influence of other bodies instead. She gifts the Commander a star projector and promises to give some thoughts to which star she could represent.
Distance to Polaris 3
The Commander is disturb in their paperwork by the declining light in the middle of the afternoon, which is caused by an eclipse. Tololo rushes to the control room to give the Commander eclipse glasses. After the eclipse is gone, Tololo explains what other phenomenons they could have seen with more equipment, but when the Commander asks why she didn't travel to a place with better equipment, Tololo replies she wanted to watch it with the Commander. Tololo reads quietly while the Commander resumes workout and realizes they no longer feel awkward to be with Tololo without talking. After finishing their paperwork, they talk about the book on comets she's reading. Tololo makes a poetic interpretation of comets seeking to approach the sun, thus becoming visible. The Commander remarks that wanting to approach the sun should cause comets to burn into it, and Tololo replies that comets are content to orbit the sun and shine while preserving their cold core. She leaves while wishing the Commander to dream about a nearby comet.
Distance to Polaris 4
Tololo and the Commander are out to watch an exceptional meteor shower thanks to a rare clear sky, but Tololo's mood is spoiled by wandering thoughts. She thinks about how meteors only shine briefly before being destroyed, how the seemingly permanent North Star wasn't always the same star, and a comet might be swept away from the sun it's orbiting and be lost in the universe. The Commander finally grasps Tololo's metaphors and promises the Elmo will always be her home. They resume watching the meteor shower and Tololo hopes that "the comet" and "the sun" can reunite to watch the meteors in the future.
Beyond the Universe
Private Meeting Logs
Commander, the VR game adaptation of the movie "Final Universe" has just entered open beta and I've been looking forward to it for some time now...
But I need to buy the deluxe edition box set of the game to get a slot on the beta and its proprietary VR dive gear.
I'll do my best to win that slot, so would you mind playing the beta with me?
Thank you. Everything feels so fresh when you have a gaming partner. I'm... very happy about this.Wandering Binary I
Commander, you’re here. I can't believe I’m entering the world of my favourite sci-fi universe with you… It’s like a dream come true.
I made a promise to you, Tololo, and I keep it.
Right, the game’s already loaded onto the VR equipment. Now all we have to do is wear the dive gear and we can begin.
Commander, do you need me to help you put it on? The dive gear is a little complicated, and the instruction manual said putting it on might take a while.Please do.
Commander, can you see the game’s login screen? How are you feeling now? Are you dizzy?
Everything’s fine.
That’s good, Commander. I’ll help you put on the control gloves now.
Let’s begin, Commander
Oh, I see… According to the game’s background, you’re the captain of the ship while I’m your Doll assistant. Is that right?
Hm?
Ah, I’m sorry, Commander, I always used to play games by myself, so I didn't pay attention to how roles would be allocated in multiplayer. It’s alright, all we need to do is restart…It’s okay, right? I’ve never experienced being a Doll before, so I might as well give it a try in a game. Looks like I’m your Doll now, Tololo.
B-but, this, this isn’t proper, is it? I’m the one who should be taking your orders, ah–
C-Commander, what did you just say–you, you’re going to be m-my, my Doll?Of course. Look at you. You’re the captain now. And that means I take orders from you, no?
If, if you think that’s okay, then, then alright. W-we’ll start.
Ah, what’s wrong? I’m not moving… Did the game hang?
Emergency Notice: The Final Universe server is experiencing load issues due to an excessive number of logins. The beta test is expected to resume next month. As compensation for this inconvenience, we will be sending in-game gems as–
H-how can this be happening?! It took so long for us to free up our schedules…It’s okay, Tololo. We can do other things even if we can’t play the game.
Tololo? Are you alright?
I’m fine, Commander. I’m just thinking about how to make your time with me more worthwhile.
Commander, I’m going to need you to trust me for this. I need you to use your imagination. Can you do that?Sure I can, but what are you going to do?
I’ve seen Final Universe many times and I’ve memorized the entire plot. Even if we can’t play the official game, I can orally narrate the events to you based on my memories.
If possible, I’d like to… experience the story with you, Commander.
And just as well, Commander… Don't the stars look beautiful tonight?So, we’re going to do this the old-fashioned way, huh… Alright then, I’m looking forward to this.
Wandering Binary II
Commander, I am the captain and you are my assistant Doll. Currently, the ship’s fuel levels are critical, and in order to reduce energy consumption, we have decided to use inertial coasting to drift toward the nearest spaceport.
But this situation isn't sustainable. Our onboard supplies will only last for three more days, so we’ll need to find a solution to our resource shortage first.
You and I must work together to survive in the boundless expanse of space.I see. I think I understand part of the game’s appeal now. Basically, it uses survival in extreme conditions to encourage the players to work together, is that right?
I’m still not entirely sure what the designer intended. That was just a narration based on my memories. For some reason… I have the feeling that this game’s developer might have been a Doll.
Alright, so now we’re drifting in space, Comm… No, right now, you’re my Doll. Do you have any questions?Are there any other Dolls on board besides you or me, Captain? For that matter, are there any other passengers on the ship?
Of course not, Commander. I only have one Doll, which is you, and we’re the only two people aboard this vessel.
Alright, next question. Is there an aquaculture or hydroponics deck aboard this vessel?
Our ship is a small vessel that was only intended to travel back and forth along established routes. In fact, we expended our fuel because we were forced to deviate from our course after being attacked by space pirates. Now, we’re out of effective comms range.
Currently, we are adrift.Does that mean we’re strong fighters, Captain?
Of course, my Doll. Our trust and deep bond have forged us into a combat unit which can defeat anyone in battle.
How much ammo do we have left? Are our weapons still usable? If we had to board a space pirate vessel and seize their supplies, what would the probability of success be?
That’s a lot of questions, Commander.
Tololo, you’re calling me Commander again, Shouldn’t you call me “my Doll”?
I kind of like being called that. I’d like to hear it more often.Commander… no, my Doll, I shall give you a name. Because you're always asking questions, I shall dub you–Sphinx.
It DOES suit you very well, Commander…And if the other person can’t answer my questions, do I then strangle and devour them? Am I that savage in your eyes, Tololo?
No, I’ve never thought that way before… You’re the nicest and kindest person in the world, Commander…
Also, I hope that you will only ask me your questions, Commander.Alright then, then have at you–Back to the game now. Since my name is now Sphinx, shall I call you Captain or Tololo?
Oh, my Doll, my lovely Sphinx.
I, uh, I am your captain, your m-master, your partner through thick and thin–Oh yes, Sphinx, allow me to answer your questions from just now…
Currently, we are dangerously low on fuel and have little in the way of ammunition. The chances of successfully boarding a space pirate vessel are 18% at best.
If we do not attack, then we shall spend three days in relative peace, but in return there is an extremely high chance that we shall both perish.
But if we do choose to attack, then there is a very high chance the attack will fail and there will be no long-term for us.I have one last question; how close are we to the nearest pirate vessel? Can we confirm their location within these three days?
I had you secretly install a tracker on their vessel during the previous battle. According to our sensors, they have not yet discovered it. Our ship is keeping a distance from them, so in short, we can fight at any time.
So we’ve got a big advantage, don’t we? In that case, your Sphinx wishes to spend two and a half days of happiness with you first. How about that?
Wandering Binary III
Two and a half days? So you’re not going to work hard to train and plan to improve our chances of success, and you’re not going to rule out non-combative solutions…
So it’ll be just you and me together during this time, Commander?
How romantic. It’s as though you turned this cruel story of survival into a tale of a couple holding hands as they float blissfully through a sea of stars. I wish I could play the game with you, Commander…
Still, this seems very much unlike your usual rational self, Commander. Is this something you’re doing just for me? The thought of that makes me even happier.The game’s still going on, isn’t it?
Right now, I am sphinx. Naturally, my actions will follow from roleplaying as Sphinx.
With a flex of my imagination, I have visualized the scene of you and me aboard the spaceship. If such a thing were to actually take place someday, I imagine you and I would be floating through space.
The cosmos is empty of everything besides the stars and enemies. And there is nothing left in this world other than me and you.
Given the circumstances, then considering that I am Sphix, I would choose to spend the last two and a half days of my life with Tololo. It is the most likely and most logical course of action.That is also the answer I would have chosen, Commander.
I know it’s wrong, and I understand it’s highly illogical, and that it’s not the choice a tactical Doll ought to make…
But compared to the prospects of dying after three days, the idea of spending this time with my Sphinx, my Doll, my Commander… it feels so satisfying for some reason.
I, Captain Tololo, accept your proposal. We shall spend our last two and a half days together before attacking the space pirates.
There are three hours left until the end of the day, What do you wish to do, Sphinx?Since you have given me the right to decide, then don't mind if I do, Captain. Take me on a tour of the vessel and then tell me what each room and each object means to you.
...Alright.
Keep up with me and don’t get lost, my most beloved Doll.
We’re currently in the ops room. From here, we can monitor the situation aboard the entire vessel. We typically work here and you usually wake me up, or help me work when I am truly tired.
Let’s keep going, Sphinx. We’re walking down a corridor with artificial gravity and we’ll soon arrive in the central hub of the vessel. This is where our combat stores are located. They keep us safe and ensure we have a future.
Up ahead is the training chamber. Here we can simulate zero-G combat environments, and its transparent walls allow us to see outside of the vessel.
…I always float around here after each training session, surrendering myself to the universe as I gaze upon the stars. In space, there is no left or right of up or down, but I suppose the side of me that faces the Earth counts as “down”. Sort of.Is Sphinx allowed to be here?
Sphinx is my most trusted assistance. Whenever I come here to relax, I always ask Sphinx if she wants to come in with me
Sphinx, would you like to experience this zero-gravity room with me now?
Make sure you hold my hand tight… otherwise you’ll lose your balance.I won’t let go of you, Tololo.
Alright, prepare yourself, then. We’ll be heading into “space” together.
Wandering Binary IV
Oh Sphinx, my Doll…
We are in space, with no clue as to our orientation. We don’t even know where Earth might be. We are the loneliest couple in existence, adrift in the cosmos.
I am a human captain, and you are my Doll assistant, but the distance between us is nothing before the vastness of the universe.
The makeup of our bodies, the status we hold in society, everything that the human world holds most dear is no longer important.
The only thing that matters is you and I. It is the only thing that is worth paying attention to in this final universe.
In my eyes, you are more majestic than the Milky Way which swirls overhead, more lovable than the newborn star in the distance.
By our will we have found each other, possessed each other, cleaved to each other, entrusted everything we have, everything we are to each other…
Even if the universe should perish in nuclear chaos, even if all the stars should wink out and fade into existence, none of that matters either…
My only regret is that time is flowing faster and faster… I want it to stop right now, at this very moment, so that it may become eternal.
But the greed within me is as bottomless as a black hole. Even if I indulged it for three days, ten years, or an eon… It would only fuel my desire further, the insatiable need to spend every waking moment by your side.
And so, I cannot imagine what will happen after three days…
Because our companionship is so natural, so in tune with the laws and rhythm of the universe, that it feels as though it has existed from its conception to this day.
So please, don’t leave me…Tololo?
...Just for today.
Tololo, what’s wrong?
I worked so long and prepared so much just for today… Just so I could show you what I see in Final Universe…
It shouldn’t end like this! We should have been floating in space, with me as your Doll holding your hand… telling you all these things, telling you how grateful I am.
Why, why did things go so wrong…Tololo, you don’t usually say this much.
That’s because I didn’t know how much of my thoughts and feelings my words could convey.
I always thought that words were unnecessary, that only actions mattered. However, it was because of you that I realized that there were some things which my actions couldn’t convey, so… I did my best to convey them.
Commander, it might seem as insignificant to you as a speck of dust, but for me, it is like a pearl that has gestated inside an oyster for years… And all I want is to present it in its most beautiful form to the person who means everything to me.(Tololo’s hands tremble as they tighter around mine. I know she is waiting for my answer.)
(I don't really want to correct her for drifting out of character, but perhaps she did that on purpose.)You have given me a great gift, one that is known as “your feelings”. I accept it in the spirit in which it was given.
And I will treasure it to my dying days.–Commander, is it really okay for you to say that?
I… I didn’t want to make you go that far…Tololo, does my answer make you uneasy?
...It’s not you that makes me uneasy, Commander.
I’ve never found any fault with you, but as for me…
I never once believed in the power of words–Or rather, I never once believed my words could convince others.It’s not like that, Tololo. Expressing your true feelings is difficult for everyone.
Really…?
Even so… some things still need to be said.
You don’t need a game, a simulated universe, or even the power of the stars for it… Because I see you. I hear you.Commander!
Oh captain, my captain, is it really safe for us to embrace each other in space?
This is an order from your captain, my clueless Doll Sphinx; hold your captain tight and don’t let go until the end of the universe.
...Yes, yes, I will.
Tea Time
About Sci-Fi Stories
I read a Sci-Fi story yesterday where the protagonist had the ability to freely travel through time. Would you time travel if you had the chance?
I don't know...To me, time travel is something like the Sword of Damocles. While it may promise to allow one to undo the regrets of the past, it feels like it could also wipe away the bonds of the past that are engraved into one's heart and soul as well.
Just thinking about it makes me waver between longing and fear. What would you do in my place, Commander?Wow, that topic got a lot heavier all of a sudden. I'll think about it carefully before giving you an answer.
About Her Hobbies
What do you usually do during your vacation days?
Well, assuming the night sky is clear I usually bring my camera outside to take pictures.
That way, I can immortalize fleeting moments of beauty, so not even the passage of time can destroy them.That sounds very romantic. Next time, bring me along when you go picture-taking.
About Movies
Do you like art films, Tololo? You strike me as someone who'd be keen on those.
Yes, because these movies are richer and more filled with emotion. Also, they're slower paced and have a somewhat meandering narrative, but that's just to better depict the inner world of the characters.
When the end card rolls, it's as if I've read an unfinished poem. I like this feeling of seeing possibilities that it can develop into.Then let's go watch one together the next time we get a chance.