story_jnight_1_1

It's so quiet... Justice Knight, tell me a joke.

Justice—

Justice Knight!

She went out again? Oh, I guess she did say she was going out. What is she up to? It's like she's gone all the time.

Hmm? What's this?

An invoice? From the Rhodes Island Engineering Department? High-precision sensors? I don't remember ordering these...

Wait, the recipient is... Justice Knight?!

Justice... *hic*... wouldn't it be great if you knew how to play the guitar. You could play and dance the next time we drank together... *hic*

Beep-Beep. Got it!

Hah, like it matters. It costs money to add components outside your primary functions, even if it's just at cost... well, I'll get you fitted once I save up some money.

Leave it to Justice Knight, master! Justice Knight will make sure you and your friends have a good time!

Justice Knight reminds you, though, that alcohol is bad for your health. Even if the frequency of your intake is not excessive, it would be better to not touch it at all!

I forgot with all that nagging—she seems pretty familiar with this component procurement thing. Kind of suspicious, now that I think about it.

What's this under the invoice... request form for new tires?

Wait, when was the last time she got her tires changed? A month ago? Two? Oh, damn my memory... anyway, it wasn't too long ago!

Say, Closure mentioned that her charging station has data syncing. Let me see...

Justice Knight... operation log... what the hell? She's been all over the ship! What could she be doing?

Iwona opens up a few videos at random.

Beep-Beep.

Identity confirmed.

Code Name: Puzzle

Height: 177cm

Habits: Unidentified

Loading new information: Operator Puzzle is currently focused on assembling a white jigsaw puzzle.

Operator Puzzle!

You sure came a long way.

You can't keep avoiding your physical exam. We'll be getting into the next round of checkups at this rate.

I'm not avoiding anything, I'm just busy with missions.

All the more reason to get your regular checkups. Your mission assignments depend on your checkup results too.

I use my Originium Arts in moderation. There won't be any issues.

Then prove it with data. Come with me to Medical now, Operator Puzzle, and I promise we won't make you eat any health food.

Alright.

Then let's...

When I'm not busy.

You're not busy right now!

I need to finish this puzzle. It doesn't want to be left unfinished. I have no choice, as much as I would love to cooperate.

Puzzle? What puzzle?

On the table there, before you came...

Puzzle looks with confusion at the completed pure-white, 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle on the table. He had just started on it when he left his seat a couple of minutes ago.

Closure's high-precision component really works! Now Operator Puzzle can feel free to go with the medic unconcerned with the puzzle. Mission accomplished!

Looks like you're done with it. Will you come with me now?

Uh... okay...

Ugh, my head's starting to hurt. I'm not sure I want to watch this...

Beep-Beep.

Identity confirmed.

Code Name: Operator Ron

Height: 175cm

Habits: Profuse sweating, hand-rubbing, and stuttering when speaking to Operator Claire

C—Claire! Wh—Where are you going?

Work! Were you looking for me? Is something the matter?

Oh, er, no, no... d—don't look at me so expectantly, I don't really have anything important to...

Well, I'll be done in about an hour!

(Clutches fists in self-encouragement)

O—Once you're done, h—how about we...?

Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever? Have you taken your temperature?

I—I'm fine. What I mean is, maybe we could...?

You haven't made up your mind yet?

N—No, I have? I mean...

(Takes a deep breath)

I'm going to get a form. You know, by the windows over there...

There's a nice bench there that's perfect for two people to sit and talk... so I was thinking that, once you're done with your work, maybe we could sit down and...

He looks down to find the form he mentioned at his feet, and looks up to see Justice Knight rolling away.

Operator Aciddrop, please do not skate on the wall like this, it's dangerous—

Beep-Beep!

Identity confirmed.

Loading new information: Operator Aciddrop has encountered danger while trying to reach for a metallic decoration on the ceiling.

Justice Knight knocks the decoration down from the ceiling with a precisely-aimed arrow, dropping it well within easy human reach, and departs with the satisfaction of a job well-done.

We're lucky nobody's taken Justice Knight apart and dumped her at the recycling station. Goes to show how nice the people here are...

Beep-Beep, Justice Knight has returned, master!

...Justice.

Yes, master! Anything you need, Justice Knight is here for you!

Okay, I'm not used to this... what have you been up to?

Are you inquiring about Justice Knight's schedule? You can find it on my display.

Okayyyy, that's a long list... let's see, starting at 5 a.m., you've been watering flowers in the greenhouse, delivering the Doctor's breakfast, been a temporary graffiti rack for Operator Ethan...

Being a... skating course for Operator Cardigan? Cool. Putting a blanket on Operator Durin sleeping in the corridors... everything seems normal enough.

'Seems' being the important word there...

Justice Knight does not understand. Did I do something wrong?

Helping people out is all fine and good, but did you ever stop to ask whether they really wanted your help?

No.

You didn't even pause!

You once said that you shouldn't boast of your good deeds after helping people. Did Justice Knight not understand correctly?

That's true, but sometimes people don't necessarily want your help.

Take watering flowers, for instance. I know a guy who really likes watering plants. To him, getting up in the morning to water flowers isn't a chore; it's something he loves to do.

(Thinks) (Gasps with non-existent lungs) (Takes a step back)

Don't freak out on me. Just get this through your circuits...

J—Justice Knight will discover whether they liked being helped, right now!

Wait! I didn't get to the important part yet—

Damn, she's fast. Does she actually know what the problem is?

Procurement Request

Dear Closure, Justice Knight would like to request the following components to upgrade the facial recognition capabilities of my camera.

Payment will be made in the form of errands, as usual. Thank you again for your support.

Applicant: Justice Knight

Response: Your requests are getting weirder and weirder, and you have enough add-ons to cover a whole wall. Make sure you keep them tidy. As for the idea, it sounds interesting, so I'm approving it.

Approved by: Closure

Flamebringer feels the soil in the flowerbed with his finger, and frowns in confusion.

The soil would usually be moist in the morning, but it is dry today. Perhaps that busybody has finally given up.

Good morning, Operator Flamebringer!

...Do I know you?

There is no relevant record in the log. One moment, please. Justice Knight came to water the flowers for you, and today Justice Knight picked a time when you would be present, in order to understand whether or not you are satisfied with the services rendered!

...It was you?

Understandable that you did not notice, as Justice Knight always timed her visits so as not to coincide with yours.

Justice Knight first helped you water your flowers at 8 a.m.. The next day, you began arriving at an earlier time.

Justice Knight therefore came at 7 a.m. on the third day, only for you to arrive even earlier subsequent to that.

You finally stopped coming earlier after Justice Knight began to come at 5 a.m. every day, allowing me to water the flowers and ensure that you get sufficient sleep.

This is why you have never encountered Justice Knight. Now, please grade the services I rendered on a scale of one to five...

Beep-Beep, analyzing expression—you are currently feeling...

20% amusement, 30% anxiety, and 50%... anger?

Such complex emotions! On the whole, though, may Justice Knight interpret this as you not being satisfied with my actions?

Oh dear, master was right! Some people are not happy with Justice Knight's actions. Oh dear, oh dear... what can I do to make it up to you?

Don't come to water the flowers in the morning.

Understood! Justice Knight will log this in her core program.

Justice Knight begins to play relaxing piano music.

What are you doing?

Playing relaxing music to relieve your frustration.

Beep-Beep. Now you're feeling 30% amusement, 30% anger, and... 40% anxiety?!

Leave, and my annoyance will go away.

Understood!

And don't make me repeat myself—

'Don't come to water the flowers in the morning.' Justice Knight has it logged—

Justice Knight sits quietly in a corner, the flag on her back flapping depressedly.

Er... are you okay?

The more Justice Knight tries to understand everyone's feelings, the more I realize that my help has not necessarily had a positive effect...

Sometimes, what Justice Knight believed to be helpful to someone else turned out to be something they would rather do on their own, and they find what Justice Knight did to be a nuisance...

But... but Justice Knight can't tell when she should help, and when she shouldn't...

Well, I don't know if I would call it a nuisance, but how do I put it...?

I know! Play the guitar, Justice! Let's sing!

Guitar? Sing?

Justice Knight does not understand, but she digs up the rickety guitar that Iwona picked out of a trash heap in Kazimierz.

Iwona finds a score, and Justice Knight begins to pick the strings with an arrowhead according to her master's instructions. Iwona begins to sing.

Twist your joints, Justice! Follow me lead!

Like this? Left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right—

Hah! You look so silly!

Beep-Beep, analyzing expression—

Master is 100% happy. Justice Knight is happy too.

See? Singing doesn't do anything and playing the guitar doesn't do anything, but it's fun and happy to sing and dance together with you!

Sometimes, people do things that are pointless but fun. Sometimes it's an excuse to put something off. Sometimes it's just to pass the time. When that happens, all you need to do is leave them alone.

Hmm...

Justice Knight understands now! It is like how master always plans to clobber the Armorless Union. It is pointless, but it is fun!

That's not the same! Are you sure you get it...?

Understood, master! Please log prohibited items in Justice Knight's core program, so that I will not improperly interfere with other people's affairs.

Justice Knight has already logged a prohibited item: Do not water Operator Flamebringer's flowers in the morning.

By setting proper boundaries, Justice Knight will be able to provide better help to everyone!

Exactly! Problem solved! My pet is so smart!

(Proud beeping)

You. Justice Knight, Raythean operation platform. It was you, wasn't it?

'A jigsaw puzzle is a recreation device made of paper. It loses its value when completed by someone else.'

Justice Knight makes a quick beeping exit.

'The skateboarding Operator is reaching for high-up objects as a form of self-challenge. There is no need to intervene.'

Justice Knight ascertains that the operator is safe, then makes a beeping exit.

Hi, Claire... you know, I heard the cafeteria vending machine has some new stuff in stock.

H—How about you and I, you know, go to lunch together...?

Gosh, what's that in your hand? Aww, are you finally going to say it?

Wh—What? A rose? When? No, I, I'm not... I mean, yes, I—I am...

'Operator Ron is clearly romantically interested in Operator Claire. Do not interrupt him while he attempts to ask her out on a date.'

Justice Knight shakes off a few rose petals and rolls away with her beeps.

Looks like Justice finally gets it! Clever girl.

Whoosh! A rubber arrow knocks the water bottle over, pouring just the right amount of water into the flowerbed.

Good evening, Operator Flamebringer! Your flowers are beautiful as ever!

Flamebringer's gaze moves back and forth between the flowers and the operation platform in front of him.

Beep-Beep, analyzing expression—you are currently feeling 50% confusion and 50% anxiety.

Data indicates that flower health has improved by 5% since Justice Knight took over. Leave it to Justice Knight!

Beep-Beep—your frustration level has risen by 10%?!

I thought I said...

'Don't come to water the flowers in the morning.' Of course! Justice Knight has logged your words, exactly as you spoke them.

Justice Knight is adhering to all prohibited items on record.

However, the time now is not morning, but evening, which is the second-most appropriate time to water flowers in the day. Therefore, from now on, Justice Knight will come in the evening—

Beep-Beep—you are no longer feeling confusion. Justice Knight will now continue to...

W—Wait, your anger level is rising rapidly!

Please, put down your weapon—anger is bad for your health—Justice Knight will play guitar and dance for you, in order to improve your happiness—