ceylon

No, no thanks.

What did you buy?

An automatic teapot. You just need to follow the instructions and put in some water and teabags. It'll keep the water at the right temperature and always make the best possible cup of tea.

I've heard about those! Hm, I wonder what kind of Arts Unit is behind that process? Would it be okay if I opened it up to read the instructions?

*Sigh*. Just take it and do your research. No need to give it back, either.

Huh? I thought you were buying it as a gift?

Uhh...

It's for you.

You can laugh all you want. I didn't expect such a coincidence either.

Pff.

I'd be really happy if you made your tea with this instead of by hand when you have afternoon tea with our classmates from now on. I'm sure they'll be too.

Thank you.

But Christmas is still a month away, and our holidays start in two weeks.

(Takes a deep breath)

This isn't a Christmas present. It's an apology gift.

Huh?

Please don't look at me so confused. It'll only zap what little courage I mustered to do this.

I'm sorry, I was scared to talk to you before.

Er, actually, it isn't just me. Everyone is a little scared of you.

Huh? Why would you be scared of me? ...Is it because I want to cure the Infected?

No, no, of course not! I didn't even know that until you mentioned it today! I just thought that you put in way too much work!

You come from a scorching hot city, but you climb out of bed at six to snatch yourself a seat at the library in the dead of winter! It's almost terrifying how self-disciplined you are!

Remember how we ran into each other in the hallway at ten this morning? I was heading to the canteen for breakfast, and you had a stack of books in your arms. When we greeted each other, I felt like your eyes were saying 'who would wake up at this hour?'

Anyway, your eyes are like an ice-cold mirror. Whenever I see you, I see just how lazy I am reflected back at me.

Do I really seem so cold?

D-Don't get the wrong idea! It's a compliment.

—Right, is it fine if I ask you a question?

Are you perhaps really close friends with an Infected?

Eh?!

...Yes, I am. She's really dear to me.

Is she well?

Her condition has been very stable. Nothing can bring her down. Not even Oripathy.

That's good to hear.

Also, she's not in Victoria, so... the regulations here don't apply to her. If you want to—

No, no. I mean no ill will, and I don't think it's bizarre or anything.

We're Originium researchers. Any of us could one day become infected because of an accident during an experiment or observation. Perhaps even deliberately.

We know what it is, or at least we're closer to knowing than most.

Thank you, Rinz.

*Sigh*. I should be the one thanking you.

Just like you have a dream to cure Oripathy, which led you to come all the way to the Victorian National University, even I have a tiny dream of my own.

I know that all scholars dream of accomplishing what's never been done. I know we'll have to walk this road to the end before forging a new path forward on our own, but... I'm not ready for it yet.

Accomplishing what's never been done...

—Fortunately, I have a fine role model like you around me.

Is that so? Can... Can I really become someone like that?

Just take the compliment. And don't give me that look.

No, please pay it no mind. I just thought of something else... I think I finally realized something.

Oh, and I must insist on returning your gift. We simply didn't know each other well enough. That's nothing to apologize for.

Uh, about that, I hadn't got to the important part yet.

Actually, the reason I wanted to apologize is that I was too scared of talking to you to tell you that the Originium sample we collected from the Catastrophe ground zero had a rare reaction.

What?!

I'm not too confident in my own experimental methods and observations. I kept thinking that maybe it was nothing special and I just didn't recognize it.

But it'd be so embarrassing to ask you to take a look and have you tell me that to my face!

Which is why, even though I knew you would be more interested in its progress than any of us, I didn't dare to tell you—

We need to run! It's only three minutes until the next bus back to the university!

As long as we can sneak inside the laboratory before it closes for the day, we can stay there overnight!

Er, isn't that against the rules? S-Slow down! You're going to rip my arm off!

Master, a letter from Lady Ceylon.

Hm? This one sure took its time to arrive. You were just about to head there to escort her back.

Let me guess: she didn't mention me at all. As always.

Although she has already memorized its entire contents by heart, Schwarz subconsciously looks down at the letter again.

'Since winter began, there has been a fireplace in the library that seems to run on Originium Arts. It's very pleasant to read books there now. My checkout records for this term have gotten so, so long.'

'Ever since I got to know my classmates better, I have gotten a lot of help from them too. Before, I never thought too deeply about it while searching for a cure to Oripathy, but everything that perplexed me has been resolved now.'

'Indeed, I realized how to break the code of Oripathy. Trust me, I will get there very soon.'

'I have attached a card for Father. Please hand it to him.'

Aside from the letter, the envelope is empty. The international Messenger's postmark states that this letter was posted three days after it was signed off.

(Lady Ceylon must have been fascinated by something else and forgot about the letter.)

No, Master. She wished you a happy holiday and said she is looking forward to joining you at the dining table on Christmas.

Is there really no possibility, director?

You know as well as I do that the remains of the Infected cannot be taken out for a funeral.

What about the ashes?

Even the ashes must be processed to ensure that there is no risk prior to being removed.

We've only recently established this office. The relevant facilities are not yet up to scratch.

How long will it take?

Even if I submitted an application now, it would take at least six months for it to be approved by the landship and for the equipment to arrive.

...Do you realize how cruel this is?

I was both her doctor and her only friend, but I couldn't even be by her side in her final moments.

Then, her remains were quarantined.

And now I need to submit an application just to get her ashes back?

And this will take <i>months</i>?

Please, don't make this difficult.

You know why we have these rules. We wrote some of them together.

I've been working with Rhodes Island for a year now. I'm only asking for this one thing.

I couldn't travel with her when she was alive. The least I can do is take her ashes on a journey, now that she's gone.

It was her final wish.

We're doctors, Hourglass. We have a responsibility to others.

Are we supposed to act like emotionless robots just because we're doctors?!

I don't want to argue with you about this, Hourglass.

I understand that you're grieving. I—

If the day comes when this happens to Schwarz...

Would you still be trying to convince yourself with the same rules?!

You—!

Disposition is about to begin.

Please enter your identification code, then enter the cremation chamber to begin the process.

*Sigh*...

Normally, all dispositions are handled by the office director, meaning me.

If you want, I can let you handle this. Just this once.

...But I'm afraid that's all I can do.

...No.

I never got to say goodbye in her last moments. Now I'll never fulfill her final wish. How could I face her now?

...I see.