mizuki

I'm very sorry, Dr. {@nickname}, but I still believe it's not yet time to give you the whole explanation.

Full elucidation would only serve to add to your current worries, and therefore impact your judgment in many areas.

Regardless of whether you see yourself as a commander, or as a guide.

Not comprehending also adds to my worries.;Having unknown personnel aboard disturbs my judgment.

Which is why I haven't concealed the Medical Department's plans for, and stance towards, the subject. Moreover, we invited you into this discussion as early as possible.

As for your proposal to exempt the subject from some of the agreed upon restrictions, you will be briefed on the various risks this poses to you.

While it may not address all of your doubts, I would still like for you to listen to the staff and I's opinions at the meeting.

They'll be here soon.

Our brothers will be here soon! Don't get so full of yourself!

I wasn't planning to. But I doubt your friends can make it, because they all went lights out before you did. Just like the guy next to you.

But the kids you took should be waking up right about now.

An underground cellar is no place for a dozen children to be sleeping. They should be at home, in bed.

You...!

Tch, listen to yourself. 'Home'.

What home, huh? What home are they ever gonna have?

Like hell a spoiled Leithanian brat who dresses like a freak would know how those kids live!

Huh? I'm not Leithanian. My name's 'Mizuki'. Even you can tell that sounds Higashinese, right?

Oh, and if we're talking about 'homes', I think I've got a little right to speak, at least.

After all, my home was destroyed by bad guys when I was really young. A bunch of criminal scum who robbed others. Just like you, how about that?

Hff...

What the hell do you understand, brat? I-It's not like I wasn't trying to help those kids too!

You don't even know why the Singases sent those kids here!

So they could perform, duh? Make Bolívarians familiar with Leithanian culture?

'The people here eat, sleep and breathe what the Columbians do, yet all their influence comes from Leithanian culture.'

I've been sick of your True Bolívarians pretexts since forever ago.

Heheh, hahahahahah! True Bolívarians...

The people who chose this city never identified with Bolívar in the first place. Even if they did, it'd get rubbed outta them sooner or later.

The people who come here, whether Bolívarian, Columbian, or Leithanian, are all here for goddamn son-of-a-bitch money!

You think they're here to watch Leithanian musicals and poems?

They're just looking for good performers with nice voices and pretty faces to amuse them at their dinner parties!

But the Leithanian bastards knew that from the start. They used these kids as goddamn props to make their goddamn deals.

Guess you've got it all figured out.

I do. How could I not? Our line of business ain't nothing more than fighting in a rich man's world.

All they gotta do is cough up some cash and we're behind them, babysitting their goddamn pets! Of course we all eventually see through that rotten bullshit.

And those kids... they're no different.

Sure, you're both struggling, but you can't deny that you're using them as tools for your own profit too.

And these 'children' weren't using the bigshots of Dossoles either? They never exploited them for any goddamn benefit?!

Must be nice to still be able to nitpick this stuff while crawling around on the ground. The children never kidnapped anyone to use as chips in their deals.

Wha... What the hell is...? Don't you come any closer!

Goddamn bastard, why can't I move? You little bitch...

And bad guys beyond cure, like you, should just—

As described in the meeting, he's already become an entirely different form of life, a type of organism that transforms and reconstructs itself to seek a way forward.

I assume you understand that life depends on finite resources for survival. Moreover, these organisms must consume vast quantities to achieve their transformations.

Simply put, they are currently caged by their finite environment, actively reducing their own consumption in order to continue their race. Hibernating beneath the tides.

But there may come a day when we must compete with them, over all that is required to survive.

Just as we hunt the vermin that ruin our village stores, so too will we snatch their lives away. Or, perhaps, we will instead become the nutrients stowed in their folds.

If so, you don't need me to choose.;But you still put the choice in front of me.

I imagine you've already noticed. Unlike the rest of his kin, the subject has drifted beyond identifying with his race. He has his own thoughts and bewilderments.

If not, we might not be having this discussion at all.

These creatures' transformations and evolutions were originally meant to propel their race's development.

But perhaps the subject cannot truly be called the same. Not the same as one of those lifeforms, nor as you or I.

Stop it!

He's... He's the same as us!

H-How did you get here?

...I planned all of this.

I slipped out a few nights ago, and used my singing to transmit mental suggestions with Originium Arts, getting all the dead-drunk Bolívarian mercenaries to take the bait.

The pub's guards were obsessed with buying the explosives thanks to the information I leaked, too.

So, even if I didn't come save you...

I wrote a message for the police ahead of time, set to send by terminal on a timer.

If they try him... then I'm an accomplice.

Tch, stupid little choir kid... You trying to sympathize with me? Is this a joke?

Man, this is turning into a real headache. I just wanted to get you all back so I wouldn't waste the ticket I ordered for that upcoming music program.

So... in this situation, do you still count as a bad guy, mister?

Heh, cut the bullshit, Leithanian dog. Kill me or whatever, that's up to you.

But if you Leithanian shits dare touch those kids or snatch them back, then even death ain't gonna stop me from being your worst nightmare!

I told you, I wasn't sent by the Leithanians.

By now, these people must be fed up with life in this city and all the endless fighting.

I'm so sorry I used them in my own selfish escape plan...

But maybe they're the same as me... We all just want to escape this city, to escape our own homes.

Augh, seriously...?

Fine, I'll back off and stop meddling. Otherwise, I'll start to seem like the bad guy.

But I don't think your plan would've worked without these people's greed.

So just to be safe, I'll let them nap for a little longer, while you guys get away.

I'll be watching him.

Maybe I never realized it,

but ever since recovering my life, I've always seen myself and others as 'different'.

But if so, who would be 'the same'?

Who would be truly willing to treat me as 'the same'? Or... to become 'the same'?

Even if this is all true, I'm still...;I'll be watching him.

I have never called your ability into question, Dr. {@nickname}.

I have complete faith that you can guide his transformation and reconstruction in a direction we would consider 'good'.

But is it appropriate for us to transform a person like this? Simply because we can? Simply because we maintain that one specific form of survival is the proper one?

Is it at all different from altering the subject's personhood in pursuit what we maintain is a finer form of life?

This isn't an interrogation, Dr. {@nickname}. I simply want to know if you've ever had the notion that 'our own form of life is superior'.

I'll give him the freedom to choose.;I won't interfere in his way of thinking.;I'll take responsibility for my own conduct.

This may sound somewhat arrogant, but even possessing choice is often a luxury we don't have, let alone bestowing it.

But it is indeed an improvement over interfering with others simply because you can.

Mere interaction necessarily gives rise to interference, even if it is not one's intent. Even if it is not through spoken language.

When you decided you'd treat the subject as an Operator and communicated with him as such, you were already bound to influence one another.

That's the answer I most wanted to hear, yet also the one that most concerns me.

The operators trust, love, and respect you, and entrust their lives to you on missions, all because of your willingness to step forth. Because only you can do that.

I have not the slightest doubt that you can bear your ever-increasing responsibilities. But there may come a day when they contradict each other, conflict with each other, and drive you to make an unwilling choice.

However, as you've resolved yourself to do so, I will not stand in your way.

I often warn the operators you command that, should they approve of you, they ought not harbor too many misgivings about you.

Not just because it would hinder effectiveness in combat, and numerous other projects. But because for many people, this place is their home.

Goodbye then, Dr. {@nickname}. Don't keep those who trust you waiting outside for too long.

Ah...

Doctor, Dr. Kal'tsit said I'd be officially under your command starting today!

It's a pity I still can't be a formal Operator, but as long as you need my help, I'll do whatever I can.

Mm.;......;I'll work to get you formal Operator status too.