Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
Anyone who has turned 18 and has no major criminal record can make friends with people using Gestalt's matching system.
In a society increasingly connected through communication rather than personal relationships, providing convenience for citizens to communicate is our duty.
Isn't it our job to bridge gaps for strangers so they can break out of their old circles?
Says Trillard, who has been actively promoting civilian use of certain Gestalt functions.
Gestalt's matching system, huh...
Watanabe was going to turn down this offer, being one of those who aren't entirely familiar with breaking out of their old circles to make friends with complete strangers.
Establishing one's identity before communication is a deeply ingrained habit since primitive times and isn't easy to break.
Might as well try. Not bad if you end up with a couple of new friends, no?
I mean, none of your friends from school or the racing club chose to become soldiers, did they?
How did you know?!
I didn't even know your life was so rich until Ballard told me.
Did you look into me?!
Watanabe looks at Ballard in disbelief.
Occupational habit, and you didn't exactly hide it.
You never told me any of this, so I was actually quite surprised when I first learned about these things.
I'm just glad you didn't turn into one of those people who shave both sides of their head, paint their eyes black, and wear clothes that look splattered with paint.
That's quite a huge mix of several generations' worth of stereotypes right there...
But you'll definitely need friends if you're trying to go down this path of your own choosing.
Which is why you want to give the Gestalt matching system a try.
Just give it a shot.
Through his terminal, Watanabe accesses the matching system in a breeze.
Dear citizen, hello and welcome to the Gestalt matching system.
You are exercising your legal rights under Chapter 3, Article 291 of the Citizen Welfare Act.
Please read the following terms and proceed after confirmation.
Watanabe quickly scrolls through the long privacy terms and usage rules and clicks confirm.
Retrieving citizen database. This will take a few moments... Confirming information... Matching...
Before the AI says another word, Watanabe interrupts it with the confirm button.
Matching complete. Would you like to enable privacy mode?
Hmm... sure, since I'll be interacting with strangers, no?
Understood, privacy mode enabled.
Thank you for using the Gestalt matching system. Enjoy yourself.
After a brief system tone, a greeting comes through the speaker.
Hello, can you hear me?
Five days have passed since Watanabe's birthday, and he's ready to head to the Oasis new recruit training camp.
It's a series of modern training camps in the desert, and Watanabe is heading to the second squad.
Sorry, I can't see you off.
It's okay, Dad. I'm not going to kindergarten.
Seeing family members off to the military has been a long-standing tradition in the family.
I believe you have what it takes to cope with whatever comes your way, but I'll still be blessing you from above.
...Never thought I'd hear something so sappy coming from you, Dad.
I'll just chalk this up to you being sentimental out in space. Wait for my good news.
Yeah.
After ending the satellite call, Watanabe is about to put his suitcase on the luggage rack...
When someone beside him lends a hand.
Thanks.
The person sits back in their seat.
The person looks familiar, but Watanabe can't seem to recall who they are no matter how hard he tries.
Are you reporting for duty at the Oasis, too?
While the person seems young, they seem well-trained. Well-trained by Ballard himself, Watanabe senses the same aura in the way this person carries themselves.
Why do I have to deal with this on my first day?
Watanabe's brief encounter with the stranger doesn't make a significant impression on him, but what happens after he arrives at the camp is enough to mark the day as unusual.
Enough with your BS. Either you get in the simulation pod yourself, or I'll tie you up and put you in.
I'll write a report worse comes to worst. No one bothers reading those things anyway, though, so I usually just ask my lieutenant to write them.
I see Ballard trained you for 8 years, huh? Want to show me what you got?
