pudd

Don't worry about it, I'm making some adjustments.

Um...

Here... we should be almost done.

Next is to connect the power supply module... Celica, can you check the screen?

The data... they're stabilizing.

Alright, problem solved.

Thank you... Was there something wrong with my design...?

Oh, no, just a minor issue. The system's operating environment exceeded the universal voltage stabilizer's control range, and the power surge blew out some components.

I replaced all the damaged parts and adjusted the voltage stabilizer's circuitry, so there shouldn't be any more problems in the future.

To think I've been working overtime just to fix a simple problem I couldn't even diagnose...

It's not your fault; who'd expect such a simple problem from such a complex machine.

*sob*—

Ah, don't beat yourself up over it... Here, you'll feel better after some hot cocoa.

This is... coffee... *sob*...

Sorry!

Pudding... Am I just not cut out to be a electrical engineer?

Let's not be hasty!

At the very least, I think you're really talented at this, and you're a hard worker, too.

But I always mess up at work...

Instructor Dobermann always says that rookies have to fail in order to grow.

Last time it was the coupling circuit, and this time I couldn't even find such a minor fault...

If you look at it another way, you can technically call this progress.

But I still have to work overtime to clean up my own messes...

It's alright, I'm always working overtime too.

But it's different with you, Pudding.

Huh?

You work overtime to help us balance out the workload and smooth everything over.

I mean... you're skilled enough to turn Closure's wild ideas into actual, production-ready blueprints.

You can calculate an entire project's specs just from the data, without conducting any on-site surveys, accurately enough to build an equipment installation setup in the workshop.

I have to give it my all just to finish my assignments, but it's probably child's play for you, Pudding.

Celica, I...

Sorry, I'm not too good at comforting people.

But I'm sure you've just hit a stumbling block. I've run into difficulties before too, and my grandpa taught me how to face them.

Whenever I feel like giving up, I just recall the happiest I've been while working. As long as I keep at it, I know I'll experience that joy again.

So... maybe you can try that, too?

The happiest I've been... have I ever enjoyed it...?

Pudding.

Hm?

What... what's your happiest moment like? I want to know.

Me? Let me see... I wish I could say it's whenever I finish my tasks ahead of schedule, but honestly it'd have to be...

Probably when I went to Sami with a Columbian engineering team as a student.

You've been to Sami? The mysterious land in the north, with all its ancient icefields and majestic mountains?

I've been there plenty of times as a child, because of family circumstances.

I've only read about it in books. Is the landscape really full of oddities beyond imagination?

Actually, most of my trips were for family vacations, so we never went too deep. My impression of Sami is just a land of pure white.

Except for the one time I followed the engineering team into a wetland settlement.

A trip to the wetlands is as damp as it sounds, so it's hardly a vacation spot, but... it's special to me.

Wow.

Even now, I can still remember the moment the first electric lamp lit up in the settlement. The smiles of the Sami people are deeply etched in my mind.

It was the first time I truly understood how technology had the power to reshape people's lives, and bring them... happiness.

And then I wondered, what if I became a professional electrical engineer, and continued building bridges to the future, just like I did then?

Bridges... to the future.

Hehe, all you have to do is figure out what you want, and then work hard at it. I mean, I'm an electrical engineer now, right?

Oh, I just remembered. If you're interested in Sami, I have one more thing...

Here.

This is...

A snow globe souvenir from a Sami resort. It has a miniature model of a Sami settlement inside.

Thanks...

The young Engineering operator stares at the snow globe in her hands, lost in thought.

...Yeah! This is it!

Was that directed at me?

Pudding, thank you so much! I get it now!

Ah, no, I just shared my thoughts, that's all...

I, Celica Wilson, will not give in so easily! From now on, I'll strive my hardest to improve myself, and at the very least, become independent!

Um... Well, I'm glad you've cheered yourself up at least.

I must act now, and focus on finishing my remaining work!

I'll also—

Suddenly, I'm very interested in something related to you!

M-Me?

I just remembered, but haven't you been on this landship for a long time? Closure mentioned that your skills have improved a lot since you first arrived.

Have you ever thought of going back to Sami to experience your happiest moment again?

Go... back to Sami?

(Places a letter on the table)

*sigh*

...This topic again. Father mentioned our old holiday trips, and hopes I can go back with them when I'm on vacation.

Pillow, do you dream of Sami too?

I dreamed of it yesterday night.

I was looking down from someplace high up, at the wetlands, at the Myrkwood, at the snow-covered Fjal Vetrtonn, and finally at an endless icefield.

Everywhere I looked matched up with what I remember.

The roadside grass sleeping within a blanket of snow, the night pulling over the aurora like a curtain, and the icefield breeze blowing their time away.

I also dreamed of the gift shop where I met you, Pillow.

You and your friends were crowding the shelf, with snow globes as your neighbors.

The snowflakes were floating, falling on the small hut in the settlement. I waved my hand and a light lit up the roof.

What do you think? Should we go back to Sami?

Although...

Help... Is there anyone out there...?

Anyone... please help me...

I'm so scared.

I know my parents are waiting at home for us to set off for Sami together, but it might be dangerous on the way back.

Huh? We'll have friends escorting us home?

But even so... what if the engine suddenly catches fire, or the aircraft hits a fowlbeast mid-air and breaks down?

The scariest thought is probably that I'll trip over a rock just when I step outside, and then I fall right onto a piece of sharp debris...

No, absolutely not! I can't go out that far anymore...

Dreams... dreams are much safer, don't you agree?

Let's have another dream, Pillow.

We're clocking out, Pudding. See you tomorrow.

See you.

Don't overdose on coffee, okay? You're a hard worker, but you should still take care of your health.

You're the only one who works overtime in the workshop, ever since Celica left.

Celica... left? No wonder I haven't seen her in a while.