3 3 301 DialogEnable Just like Noan expected, the incident in the library quickly attracted nearby patrolling Constructs.
4 4 301 The interrogation and investigation lasted the entire morning. Noan was finally released when Gray Raven's commandant was awakened and testified that it was not the drink's fault. He walks back to the preparation room.
10 10 301 1 Palma What a rare sight. I thought you were always free? 1
11 11 301 Noan Sorry, I... 2
12 12 301 —If he tells them what happened, Commandant Simon will probably become depressed again.
13 13 301 Noan I spent some time with the Gray Raven Commandant outside. 2
14 14 301 Palma Can't you think of some other excuses for being late? 1
15 15 301 Noan Um, I was asked to bring this cookie from Zone L to Commandant Simon. 2
16 16 202 1
17 17 201 1 500201 -400
18 18 301 1 He takes out the cookies and gives both to Simon.
19 19 301 Simon Noan, I have already heard about the incident in the morning. 1
20 20 301 Simon They contacted me the moment you were brought over. After all... 1
21 21 301 Noan Will you be held accountable if something really happens? 2
22 22 301 Simon nods in silence.
23 23 301 Simon So I went to check with Chief before you came back. 1
24 24 301 Noan ... 2
25 25 301 Simon I'm not going to blame you. It wasn't your fault. Even if you tried to hide it from me... I know you just didn't want me to worry. 1
26 26 301 Simon Still, I wish you can tell me and trust me if possible. We are teammates, after all. 1
27 27 202 1
28 28 201 1 500522 -400
29 29 301 1 Palma Teammates? Really? Your attitude betrays you. Noan and you are actually identical in some way. You both look so kind and helpful, but you always shut people out. It's impossible to talk to you. 1
30 30 204 2 9
31 31 301 Noan What? 2
32 32 301 Palma Don't you realize it? Sometimes, you look like you are so concerned about passing your trouble to others. So you always keep a distance from people. 1
33 33 204 2 11
34 34 301 Noan I think you are no different in that aspect. 2
35 35 301 Palma Tsk. 1
36 36 301 Noan But Commandant Simon isn't like what you said. 2
37 37 301 Palma Alright, fine. Everything is a mission. 1
38 38 301 Palma Sorry to keep a rising star like you away from the battlefield. It's all our fault. 1
39 39 202 1
40 40 201 1 500201 -400
41 41 204 2
42 42 301 1 Simon No, they assigned me to a restructured squad because they were concerned about my health. 1
43 43 301 Noan All those problems will disappear once we get used to one another. 2
44 44 202 1
45 45 201 1 500522 -400
46 46 301 1 Palma Hmph, what an optimistic fool. 1
47 47 204 2 1
48 48 301 Noan I'll take that as a compliment. 2
49 49 301 Palma snorts and stops talking.
50 50 204 2
51 51 202 1
52 52 201 1 500201 -400
53 53 301 1 Simon Thanks, Noan. But... Chief gave this gift to you. You shouldn't give it to me. 1
54 54 301 Simon gives one of the cookies back to Noan.
55 55 301 Noan Gift? 2
56 56 301 To him, the cookie was just a piece of food that commandant casually handed over. It carries no special meaning and should be given to someone who appreciates it more.
57 57 301 Noan As a Construct, I no longer need to eat. You should have it. I remember you said it tasted good. 2
58 58 301 Simon ...Is this your habit? 1
59 59 301 Noan What? 2
60 60 301 Simon You are too used to showing your kindness, even if something is supposed to be yours. 1
61 61 301 Noan But... 2
62 62 204 2 16
63 63 301 It's just a piece of cookie.
64 64 204 2
65 65 301 Simon I brought this up not just because of the cookie, but of all the things that happened lately. 1
66 66 301 He lets out a sigh as if he can read Noan's facial expression.
67 67 301 Simon You are always easy to approach and gentle. Whether you are treated kindly or badly, you can accept it with ease. 1
68 68 301 Simon When you first came to Dark Aries, I felt you were just like a lake. 1
69 69 301 Simon I felt like all those observations and experiments were stones thrown into a lake. After some splashes and ripples, there was no further reaction. 1
70 70 301 Simon Maybe that's your strength... That is how you are able to stay calm until now. 1
71 71 301 Simon Unlike Palm... Um, I mean it's easier for me to talk to you. 1
72 72 202 1 2 1
73 73 201 1 500522
74 74 301 1 Palma Ha... 1
75 75 202 1 1
76 76 201 1 500201 -400
77 77 201 2 500506 400
78 78 301 1 Simon But that also gradually alienates you from other people. 1
79 79 301 Noan ...Me? 2
80 80 301 Simon I'm not blaming you. I know you don't want to see this happen. 1
81 81 301 Simon The affiliation with Ascendants, the abnormality in your frame, even the rumors in ACA related to the name "Noan"... 1
82 82 301 Simon Compared with all that, I prefer to trust my own decision after spending all this time with you. 1
83 83 301 There is a hint of bitterness in Simon's tone. He never purposely keeps a distance from Noan, but his mission and duty force him to always be on guard.
84 84 301 Simon I tried to stop them from monitoring or suspecting you. Sorry, I couldn't change anything in the end... 1
85 85 301 Simon I know I'm probably asking too much, but I don't want you to lose yourself in this stressful environment. 1
86 86 301 Simon You shouldn't be treated that way. You were a hero who saved them... 1
87 87 301 Noan It's okay, I understand. There are too many unknowns and abnormalities in my frame. It's only a necessary precaution. 2
88 88 301 Simon ... 1
89 89 301 Simon I can't really change anything. 1
90 90 301 Simon But if someone can see the real you, and is able to disregard all the restrictions to lend you a hand... 1
91 91 301 He picks up the cookie and places it in Noan's hand solemnly.
92 92 301 Simon I know eating is not necessary for Constructs. But even if it is only a small nice gesture... 1
93 93 301 Simon Can you please not pass it on to others? It's not a stone thrown into the lake. 1
94 94 301 Noan ... 2
95 95 301 Simon Otherwise, you would be rejecting someone that is willing to believe in you. 1
100 100 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 After the regular meeting, Noan stays back alone in the preparation room of Dark Aries. Looking at the cookie in his hand, he gets lost in thought.
101 101 301 It is not a rare treasure to the humans living in Babylonia.
102 102 301 The cookie is made in the shape of a smiley bear, with colorful candies on it. It is sealed in a transparent, shiny box.
103 103 301 In the old days... Whether he was in the lower cabin levels or wandering, he could only get very limited food.
104 104 301 Most people could hardly find enough things to eat, let alone make them in such a delicate form.
105 105 301 Before he came here, Noan had never seen any food like this.
106 106 301 All the instant soup, cans, hardtack or even grass and bark he gathered were nowhere near tasty. He was only eating to survive.
107 107 301 When Noan became a Construct, he was truly delighted because he no longer needed to eat, nor would he ever suffer from hunger. He could finally give his food to others who needed them more.
108 108 301 Give non-essential supplies to those who need it most. This is the principle that Noan learned from the crowd. Back then, they must help one another to survive.
109 109 301 So he did not hesitate at all when giving the cookie to Simon.
110 110 204 1
111 111 301 Noan It's a... gift... 1
112 112 301 If accepting this gesture of kindness can earn him a moment of relief in this abyss of depression...
113 113 301 Noan ... 1
114 114 301 He opens the delicate box. Before he can take out the cookie inside, a note drops out.
115 115 301 Noan ...? 1
116 116 301 Is this why Simon insisted to return the cookie to him?
117 117 301 Slightly confused, he picks up the folded note. There is a line of small text on it.
118 118 304 AniZhuanchangBegin —Nobody will forbid you from drawing here. Your work is beautiful. Please don't throw it away. 000000ff Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/BgStory00.png 1 1
119 119 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Noan ... 1
120 120 204 1 16
121 121 301 Noan falls into a long silence staring at the note.
122 122 301 After what seems an eternity, he finally understands that all his actions—giving food to others, hiding his drawings, responding to hatred and rumors with kindness—all have one reason behind them.
123 123 301 Noan ...I'm still trapped in my old habits. 1
124 124 204 1
125 125 301 He already made up his mind to take this opportunity to embrace a new future.
126 126 301 But once he finds himself in an environment where he is watched and monitored, the self-defense instincts that he once gave up have come back again.
130 130 301 1 Palma Don't you realize it? Sometimes, you look like you are so concerned about passing your trouble to others. So you always keep a distance from people. 1
