[Translation by Roureem]
Algernon and a Summer Dream
Bold text belongs to the AI (Helmet's synthetic voice), regular text belongs to the cyborg (Algernon).
Some time after the incident with the Dragon Palace, Player was asleep in the Shinjuku Academy dorms.
| 3 options (Same Response)
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| ...a call this late at night?
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...myeh...still sleepy
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Huh? Algernon-senpai...?
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A sudden notification sound from your phone tore through the midnight silence.
While still half asleep, you touched the screen of your phone that shone like the sun's reflection on the water's surface.
In that instance, everything was swallowed by light. When you closed your eyes, you started to hear the sound of waves.
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????:( face)
...ey. ...can...ear me? ...answer me...Player...
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Your five senses feel that your surroundings have changed. You slowly open your eyelids.
| 3 options
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| Algernon-senpai?
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Is it already time for the cleaning committee group meeting!?
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I'm sorry for being la...wait my watch sto--??
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I commend that simple faithfulness to your job. ...relax, you aren't late.
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In fact it's not even time for the school's morning cleaning! Well so long as we're in here that time won't come.
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That's because this place is isolated from the outside world's flow of time, you know?
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Now then, sorry to call you out so suddenly like this newbie. As you've guessed, this is the Dragon Palace, a resort where time has stopped!
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We were just here the other day at this resort, but we were busy with work so we couldn't play, right?
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I heard the reconstruction was finished,
so I suggested to my buddy that we come play around!
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And since it was a good time, I tried inviting you along. That's good enough for an explanation, right buddy?
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If I don't listen to what the rat says every so often he won't stop chattering in my ears. That's all.
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Aww, come on. I mean, no amount of time will pass no matter how long we're in here!
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If you wanna have a more efficient break, there's nothing better than this! But we can't take anything back physically though.
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Shut up rat, I know. That's why I agreed to your suggestion after all.
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Anyhow, if I have to be with the rat during his break time it'd be more efficient to have you with us newbie.
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How to clean, the knowledge you need as a cleaning committee member... There's plenty of things to discipline you on.
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Sighhhh...hey buddy, you must have other ways of phrasing invitations don't you?
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But I totally get how excited you are about finding someone who can keep up with you who isn't me! Right? Right!?
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...shut up. Don't go guessing how I feel.
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Well if I have to summarize for my shy buddy here, he's inviting you on a date!
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...don't go translating what I say, rat. How about I stick tape over the speakers?
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Aww come on, don't go making such scary threats buddy. You'd have me like a rat in a trap...oh that's a good one huh!?
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Is not. *Sigh*...that's it for explanations. You understand now, newbie? Follow me.
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I heard that! Did you hear that!? Did you hear him say "follow me"!? Oh my god that's the first time I've heard Buddy say tho--mmph.
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| You're really taking me on a date!?
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S-senpai...?
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Don't go falling for the rat's wheedling. I just told you to come with me. That's it.
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Now shut up and come along. Or do you not listen to your senpais at school?
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| 3 options
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| I'll come quietly.
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I'm so happy for a date!
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So...a three person date?
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Awwww, but that's no fun! Date! Date! Date with Budd--mmmm.
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He's finally quiet now. ...now let's go newbie.
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...look, they said they were happy about this! Come on, what now buddy? What now?
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...I don't even want to talk about it. A senpai says jump and and a kouhai says how high. That's...all there is to it.
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Yes. It's very unfortunate, but this helmet (re: rat) is in charge of an important part of the unit that is me.
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Yep! If you tell me to come along for a date then I'll gladly do so! If I don't get in the way that is.
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Pay attention to what you're saying, rat. I'm just saying there are no other choices.
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Eheheh...whoops I made him mad. Squeak! Well anyways, don't mind if I'm a part of this!
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Wow, we were so busy earlier before that we didn't have time to look around, but this place is pretty fancy huh?
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It's just what you'd expect from the Dragon Palace facility, right? If you're looking into things for amusement, it looks like they have everything!
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They've got night time pools, terrace cafes, and souvenir shops too! Hey look they've got some show on over there!
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Hey hey, Buddy, Player, where do you want to start first from?
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| 3 options (Same Response)
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| The night pool looks cool.
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Let's go see the souvenirs after the cafe!
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I wanna see the show too...
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Hmm, I see. Mkay, how about we go see everything then!?
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I'm the biggest senpai here so that's my decision. Buddy, newbie, are you okay with that?
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...I don't care either way. I'm just along for the ride. Let's get going.
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Let's start with the night pool! Seems like a good place to stretch and get a taste for more grown-up stimulation, right?
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Algernon:( face)
...yeah, splash!!
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Sitting in a swim ring, drink in hand, drifting wherever you want in the big blue sea, the sounds of the water, chasing after one another!
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A freedom you can't experience in reality! This is the real pleasure of being in a virtual world, isn't it?
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Whatever you imagine comes to life! It feels great! Like I have my body back!
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...that's excellent. Go on and refresh yourself...
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...Player. You've got some nerve to splash your senpai...!
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Ahahaha! Good going newbie! Run as hard as you can, that's what Buddy likes!
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Buddy has always wanted someone who can run as fast as he can for a long looong time, you know?
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After you all take a break at a cafe, you head over to a nearby souvenir store.
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Wooow, looky looky Player! There's so many kinds of souvenirs! ...not that we can take any of it back!
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Doesn't a souvenir store like this give you a sense of nostalgia somehow?
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...we're supposed to have lost our old memories, so don't you think that's strange, buddy?
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There's...nothing to talk about regarding our situation in front of the newbie, rat.
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| But I do get those feelings a little.
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I don't have any memories either.
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...Player. Right, you also don't...right.
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Ohh hey look, you got a lot of Buddy's Kouhai points! Seems like your affection choice was right, huh newbie?
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...ah, they're selling ice cream further in! You wanna try some, Player?
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...it's inefficient to take in excessive calories at night. Having a drink and ice cream one after another is--
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Don't worry, it's all virtual! You should understand that mu--ah.
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I see now. You were being considerate of the newbie's health weren't you? Huh? Huh?
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...stop making fun of me over every little thing.
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Oh no no, I'm touched. You've got a good attitude as a senpai, buddy!
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...Player. If there's something you want, then take it. I can treat you at least once as your senpai.
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I'm not familiar with recent music. Though...this song isn't bad.
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Ooh, so you like these kinds of songs buddy? That's some good taste there!
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Say, I wonder if I've ever listened to music with you while relaxing like this before.
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We're always so busy with work, so I really, really have to thank the Dragon Palace...
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Now then people, let's listen quietly for the time being...
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| 3 options
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| (Slowly appreciate the song and dance)
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(Hold his hand)
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(Put your hand on his thigh)
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For a moment the cyborg body shakes, and Algernon quietly places his hand atop of yours.
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Man that was some pretty worthwhile time spent. Don't you think so buddy? Player?
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| 3 options
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| It was fun since I was with you two!
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It was okay.
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Anything's fun if I'm with Senpai.
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Whew, this time the newbie is making the approach! I wonder how my buddy will respond?
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What, going silent? ...weak. How about you show some of that assertiveness from work, buddy?
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What next? If there's somewhere you want to visit then...w-what's that!?
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| Bug slimes...no wait.
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Is there something up with those slimes?
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Those aren't normal slimes. Those are Cleaning Units...a kind of robot.
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Look closely, they're neatly cleaning each of the upper walls in turn. I can see those movements truly are efficiently done.
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| The upper walls in turn?
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Hmm. I see.
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The theory behind cleaning is to start high and work down in turn.
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Dust often sticks to walls, so remember that you need to clean that before you get to cleaning the floor.
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Some of the dirt is standing out like this. ...alright, I'll pitch in a bit.
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Algernon takes his deck brush out after saying that, then begins cleaning nearby along with the slimes.
You follow along after and begin cleaning the surroundings.
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Ah, that's good [Player]. Looks like you remember what I've taught you...good job.
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...that reminds me. I wonder if Hephaestus made these slimes?
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Like, to keep the bug slimes from forming again they're picking up and managing unneeded trash?
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For once I think Buddy is getting chatty, but then the topic is about cleaning...squeak.
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Blargh, so cleaning really is when my buddy shows his true nature the best, huh?
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He could just spit out "your swimsuit looks great" or something to you but...nada.
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...hey newbie. You mind if I ask you a favor?
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...so buddy talks only about cleaning, but I'd like for you to keep getting along with him.
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| I'm having fun too.
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I'm happy if I can help with what Senpai likes.
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...tee hee. Doesn't that just delight you buddy?
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| I'd like to know more about you, Algernon.
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I'd like to know a lot more about you, Senpai.
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When Algernon heard those words, he begins speaking in short bursts as his cleaning hands keep moving.
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It's not that I'm only interested in cleaning. A long time ago, even I...have gone to a concert once.
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...do you remember the last song from the medley from before? It's an arrangment of a symphony called La Mer.
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A tune that expresses the flow of time--things you'd call songs and music. There was a time when...I was interested in those things too.
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| La Mer?
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A tune that expresses the flow of time...
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Songs and music...a fleeting thing that promises things that will disappear the next moment.
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I didn't understand their value at first. I thought, what was the point in something that will disappear for sure?
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But someone told me that "that's okay." That I just needed to accept and feel it...
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...in a city in my home world, that was what the person I was escorting said at the first time I went to a concert.
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Everytime we use our full speed, we leave behind some of our old memories. Because of that, I don't remember much of the past anymore.
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Even most of those concert memories are gone now. The title and those few words are all that's left.
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| 2 options (Same Response)
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| Was it...a significant other?
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Maybe it was...a date?
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...it's an old story. Maybe they're happy out there somewhere now.
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We just lived in different speeds. That's all it is...
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Since then...I don't think there's been any times where I thought on my own about listening to music.
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| 2 options
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| (Hold his hand)
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(Gently hug him)
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| 3 options (Same Response)
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| I'm here with you now, Senpai.
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I'll show you that I can catch up.
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Let me chase after you. I can do it.
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Algernon stops cleaning, then takes another look at your face and calls your name.
In an abrupt and clumsy move, Algernon hugs you close, pressing his body against yours.
| 2 options (Same Response)
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| Algernon...!?
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S-senpai...!?
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...sorry, was that too fast? I'm always forward.
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Right, even back then-- I was always...hasty.
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At that concert, I was pushy with the invite... and I was shot down. That's the feeling I'm getting.
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It's...already a hazy memory though.
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| 3 options (Same Response)
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| (Look at Senpai's face)
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(Gently move yourself forward)
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(Gently rub your hand on his back)
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Even when you looked into his helmet, his expression said nothing.
But from the contact between skin and skin... you feel something like trembling. Just a bit.
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I'm still going to run at full speed. So...be ready for that and follow me.
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...I'm not good with words. For anything more than this...I'll express it in a song.
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There...should be something in it that will stay with your heart.
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At the bottom of the virtual sea that does not exist in reality, the cyborg's eyes peer through the visor and waver as they look at you.
The only witnesses to this is the flowing ocean foam...
