story_broca_2_1

...Anything interesting going on, Aosta?

Wait, no, Aosta's out in the field.

I'm bored. Why won't anything interesting happen?

Got any ideas, Broca?

Hm?

Hm.

...What day of the week is it again?

Tuesday.

I'm done. Heading back.

It's Wednesday, though. Something's going on with him.

He's hiding something from me.

Now THAT is something interesting.

I should see what he's up to—

No, he wouldn't tell me if I asked. What I should do is—

There.

Broca's room is not particularly tidy for an operator.

Not that it is exceptionally messy, but it is filled with things. Parts, plans, and tools are scattered over the floor, on the desk, and even on the bed.

It is more workshop than dorm room.

Most prominent is the workbench in a corner.

Broca had earned recognition for his skills after joining Rhodes Island, and the Engineering Department had prepared a work area for him in its workshop.

But he turned the offer down, preferring to work in his own room.

So the Engineering Department instead provided him with a workbench and soundproofed his room.

Normally, Broca gets straight to work after returning to his room.

But he does not do so today, instead sitting on his chair and taking a look around the desk.

Numerous designs have been placed around the desk, all depicting his multi-function drill.

It's so hard to give up on any of these designs—

But I just got some new ideas today. I should make a few more versions.

Alright, let's get to work—

Operator Broca, please report to the Engineering Department immediately.

The Engineering Department? Did they finally get those materials I asked for?

I should go check.

Bravo, got him out of the way.

If Aosta were here, he'd shake his head over how simple-minded the guy is.

But I don't think being simple is so bad.

Alright, now, let's see what he was up to behind my back.

Huh? What's with these designs—

Ooh, this drill can be extended. Nice.

But I think I prefer the one with built-in speakers that can play heavy metal.

Mamma mia! This one's a masterpiece! It transforms from a drill to a chainsaw! Just like in that video game we played together!

I knew it...

It was you!

Welcome back, Broca.

Stop looking at them!

These plans aren't half bad.

Very creative.

And here I thought you were hiding in here 'cause you were up to something shady.

I wasn't trying to hide them. It's just that I had a lot of ideas...

This drill's been with me since I was in Siracusa. It's like another arm for me.

I just wanted to tinker with it a little.

So why hide it? Isn't your bro just like your arm either?

You don't use your bros to hold it steady when you take a leak.

Hey, I'm open to that too, just saying.

Seriously, I've thought this through. Once we're real old, we could—

Vaffanculo.

What I'm saying is that these are all just whatever dumb ideas came to mind!

I never planned on showing them to anyone!

Does it matter?

Of course it does!

Didn't we swear to keep no secrets between us?

That's not the same thing! If I wanted to show them to you, I would!

Well, I already saw them.

And since I have, why not let me help you mod your drill? Aosta's not around and I am SO bored.

Vai a cagare!

Hey, open the door, Broca!

What's the big deal?

I don't get it. Why even hide it? It's just a drill.

Well, I'm not taking no for an answer. Just you wait, Broca!

Okay, back to work.

Damn Chiave, that cretino.

How am I supposed to focus on the design now?

That completely killed my mood.

Dammit.

Guess I'll go for a walk. Maybe that'll give me some inspiration.

Whenever Broca has trouble focusing, he comes to the Convalescent Garden that Perfumer tends to.

The pleasant aroma surrounds him the moment he steps in.

He finds a corner to sit down, and then begins to take in the sweet air.

He takes a few breaths, and feels his mind calm down.

What if, when the drill's spinning—

Let's make it give off a sweet scent!

You—

What?

What are you doing here?!

I saw you come this way, so I followed you.

But I bet you were thinking the same thing, right?

No, I wasn't.

But you were talking about the drill, right?

You heard wrong.

Yeah right. Besides, we're bros. I know you. We were definitely thinking the same thing!

Even if we were, we definitely aren't now!

Why not?!

Because you said it first.

What? C'mon bro, since when were you so picky? It's not like this is the first time we've modded something together.

It's not the same, bro.

This time, I chose to mod it on my own. It's not the same.

Well, what's the difference then?!

The wind is strong on the deck. There are a few operators standing in the distance, but it would be fair to describe this place as 'empty'.

Broca is among those who like to come here at this hour.

He enjoys the emptiness, the solitude.

Of course, he also has another aim today.

He took a dozen different passages, made eight wrong turns, and spent time in six activity rooms before arriving here.

...I hope Chiave doesn't show up this time.

Broca stands by the handrails, letting his mind go blank, feeling the wind rip through his hair.

He resolves to think about nothing until dinner.

By then, Chiave should hopefully have given up.

But things rarely go as planned.

A hand taps him on the shoulder.

Why, Chiave?

Chiave is standing behind him, holding several designs in his hand.

I've been thinking, bro. You made so many designs, so I should show you some of mine.

That's why I drew a couple just now. Wanna take a look?

That's not what I need, bro.

Then what do you need?

Nothing. I need nothing from you. I just wanna mod this drill on my own, maybe get creative with it.

That's the part I don't get. Why do you have to do it on your own?

Because—tch, how do I explain it to you?

Just say it. I won't laugh.

That's not the problem.

There are just some things I can't say out loud.

Well, how am I supposed to know if you don't tell me?

I'd have thrown you off the deck by now if we weren't bros.

Fine... 'cause I think the designs are nothing special. Like a kid's doodles.

I'm just messing around. It was never meant for anyone else.

And now you know.

So that's what this was about.

I knew you lacked confidence, bro, so I guess it's not too surprising.

But you've been at Rhodes Island for a while now, and everybody here knows what you can do.

Be confident.

...That's not really it, but thanks anyway. Don't often get to hear you say something nice like that.

I wasn't done.

Besides, I think your ideas are great!

Which is why I've made up my mind—

I'll show your designs to the folks in Engineering. Getting their approval would be a huge for you, right?

Wait, that's not...

Hold it right there, Chiave! I'll skin you alive!

Damn, I'm too late.

The plans on the workbench had disappeared.

I'm gonna request a new lock first thing in the morning, and I'll never give Chiave a spare keycard again!

Where'd he go—

Oh, right, of course, Engineering! Gotta keep my cool.

Phew—that was a long mission.

Finally, time to relax—

Aosta! You're back!

What's the matter?

Chiave's making a presentation in the Engineering Department. He's telling everyone to stop by.

Huh?

Vulcan.

Nothing good ever happens when you show up.

Hah! I brought lots of interesting designs today.

Look at these—

Thank goodness, made it in time.

C'mon, Broca, don't be so shy.

It's not what you think—

Stop pretending, I know exactly what you're thinking.

Merda, the hell you do—

Everyone's gonna see your designs today!

Absolutely not!

Er, what happened?

Aosta! You're back!

I came because I heard Chiave was giving some kind of presentation.

So why does it look like you two are about to start punching each other?

Listen, Broca/Chiave is—

Alright, I see what's going on.

You be the judge, Aosta. Who's in the right here?

I'll hear you out first, Broca. What do you want here?

Chiave.

What's the matter?

I finally get it.

The only way out of this mess is to beat you up so bad you're stuck in bed for three days.

Hmph, getting cocky now, are we?

You forced my hand.

You do know what you're saying, don't you?

I'm dead serious.

...Alright then, bring it on!

Cazzo!

I didn't do anything to piss Broca off recently, did I?

Nope.

Does he not want to be bros with us anymore?

You're overthinking it.

Well, there are a lot of interesting folks on Rhodes Island. If he wants to go solo, I guess I should give him my blessing.

It's not like that.

But—

We've come all the way from Siracusa together. I can't let the team fall apart that easily.

If he's getting any ideas, he's got to beat me first.

And I'll give it my all to stop him!

Right, Aosta? Why are you giving me that look?

I'm just thinking that nothing's changed with either you or Broca after all these years.

That so?

Yeah. Lasagna's on the lunch menu. You wanna fill up?

I'll get a few more drinks.

Hell yeah! Can't beat a bro up on an empty stomach!

You've eaten, haven't you? I'm not pulling any punches today.

Neither am I.

There's still time to back out of this.

No. We're doing this, Chiave.

Because you'd never give up on 'helping' me if we don't, would you?

Of course not! You and Aosta are my bros. I can't just leave you alone.

You're saying you don't need my help? You don't need your bros anymore?

...You and Aosta are still my bros for sure.

Then let us help you!

Er, could you keep me out of this?

Us being bros has nothing to do with it!

I'm allowed to want to solve my own problems!

You stubborn cretino!

You're the stubborn one!

Looks like my fist and my spanner will have to remind you that the Chiave Gang is inseparable!

Then my fist and my drill will have to tell you that even bros need some personal space!

Well, I never needed any, you stronzo!

But I do!

What the... my stomach—

My stomach... it hurts...

Aosta... you set me up—

...Sorry, Chiave.

Aosta, is he still angry?

Of course he is, after what you said.

He even asked me if he pissed you off recently.

...*sigh*

I know he honestly wants to help me.

But...

That's just the kind of guy he is. Everything he has, he wants to share with the people around him. He doesn't understand that some people need their own alone time.

He wouldn't be Chiave if he listened.

True.

Which is why I need your help.

In a corner of the Engineering Department, Chiave lies feebly on a bench, gazing up at the ceiling while holding his stomach, giving the impression that he has never been so bewildered.

Aosta sits by him with a bag in his hands.

Broca got you some medicine from Medical. Take it and you should feel better tomorrow.

Dammit.

I still don't get it.

Shouldn't bros share everything with each other, no matter what?

Bros, lovers, family... Even in relationships like that, people keep secrets from each other.

Sometimes, we even keep secrets from ourselves.

You might be the only person on Terra who'd ask a question like that.

So you're keeping things from me too?

Yeah.

Then what do I do? Do I just have to accept it?

Maybe—

In the distance, Broca is standing at the door to an Engineering workshop, ready to go.

He takes one concerned glance towards Aosta and Chiave. Aosta nods to reassure him.

Broca lets out a sigh of relief, then brings his drill into the workshop along with the materials he prepared.

But maybe sometimes all we have to do is to wait.

Then, we greet our bro with a smile.