Story Reader / Floating Record / ER04 The Floating Reverie / Story
ER04-1 Her Shape
>Even amidst the teeming crowd, the drumstick and dual clappers in the storyteller's hands stand out with startling clarity.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Nestled against a gray tile wall, the stall beckons with its warmly lit lantern. The light, a blend of soft yellow and vibrant red, illuminates a big word written on it—"Tea."
In the vibrant tapestry of a night market during this season, it is wise to savor the tea last. It serves as a refreshing finale, cleansing a stuffed stomach and ensuring that one does not carry the lingering aroma of market food upon returning home.
The stall waiter does not wallow in rejection. Instead, he swiftly redirects his energy, darting toward the other pedestrians meandering by.
Grab something to eat? Hawthorn berries or snacks?
I haven't made up my mind yet.
She shakes her head.
Take your time, the night is still young. You can think about it when taking a look around.
We're only at the entrance of the market. There's much more waiting for you inside.
You seem to know this place really well.
Yeah, I know everything about this market—what each stall sells, where to find the tastiest food, and even the names of the stall owners.
Let's go further inside. The night is still young.
Fresh tanghulu here!
Fresh flowers here!
Is the street always this bustling after the shows every night?
The dance troupe is located at the very south end of this street. After the performances conclude, everyone here, whether as a dancer or an audience member, becomes a diner once they set foot in this alley.
Only the most seasoned and nostalgic patrons know the true charm of heading straight to the tea stall after the performance. They savor the tea, indulge in a few snacks, listen to tales, and then head home, their hearts and stomachs equally satiated.
By the next morning, the street finally succumbs to tranquility. Yet, as the afternoon rolls in, the vibrant energy returns with people gathering once more. As 6 o'clock approaches, the crowd starts to disperse, some heading toward the night market, while others return home.
It's a bit tiring, but also very fun!
That's the spirit.
Mrs. Gongsun, the sword dance instructor, is known for her strictness, but her sword dance is second to none in the city.
Got it! I will do my best to learn from her!
Isn't this ■■? What a rare sight at the night market.
...Nice to see you.
I came with my little sister to kill some time.
I've been hearing good news about your troupe, and it looks like your sister's lighting up the stage just like you! Guess there's something to be said for city life over ship life, eh?
Just so you know, that offer I made before still stands—I'll pay you twice as much if you ever feel like switching jobs.
That's... really not needed. I'm quite happy with how things are at the moment. But we do appreciate your generous offer, thank you.
The rotund man manages a laugh, a pipe cradled in his hand. He gestures toward the interior of his stall, prompting a waiter to swiftly emerge, a bag of delicacies in hand.
Here, I've got some appetizers from Six Hearts and dim sum from Peishilin. Take them back home. Don't have a kid going hungry at this age, eh?
You're planning on staying at the night market a bit longer, aren't you? These would also make a nice breakfast for tomorrow morning.
We... we can't take them for free.
Don't be shy now. Take these; they didn't set me back much.
It's okay, but don't forget—
Thank you!
Isn't she a sweetheart! Alright, I won't keep you two any longer. I've got more prep to do—it's a bustling night in town!
The man gives a wave, his sizable belly nudging the greenish-gray curtain in front of him. He then disappears into the stall right after.
Look, Sis! It's a HUGE bag of food! This one, the one wrapped in lotus leaves—it smells amazing!
Let's save these for tomorrow morning!
Why? The food won't taste as good if we eat it too late.
Because we are staying for the night market tonight, and then we can enjoy all the food together tomorrow morning.
Sugar painting!
The hustle and bustle of this narrow alley extend all the way to the end, nestled amidst the spectacular nocturnal view of Kowloong.
The night is still young.
Hello there! Would you like some sugar paintings? Our maple and malt syrups are freshly made. We have animals, plants, and some story characters!
Take a look and see which one you like!
Hmm... There are so many options. I just can't decide!
Pick whichever one you like.
I'll take this!
This one has just been painted. It's two Grubs. Let me pack it up for you.
Two Grubs? (Take out two Grubs from the pocket)
But... where did you go?
The sugar painting she took away is indeed nowhere to be seen at the stall anymore.
Not far from here, she is walking between a man and a woman, her back turned this way.
Does the sugar painting taste sweet? Daddy wants a bite too...
Mm!
What's your age, huh? You shouldn't be snatching food from a little kid.
Miss... is this yours?
A somewhat indifferent voice echoes from behind.
The voice belongs to a handsome young man, with another person standing beside him. They seem extraordinarily close.
Th-the thing on my neck... It's gone?
Is this yours?
The young man repeats his words, this time with a softer tone.
A fan?
However, the hand fan reveals nothing but pure blankness.
I believe this is what you dropped earlier. Keep it well this time.
Mechanoid... Humph.
Kowloong isn't restraining your freedom, even providing shelter for you. And your way of showing gratitude is by scattering your things all around?
The young man shakes his head, pointing toward the distance for the person standing next to him.
Huaxu, let's go. There's more over there that you haven't seen.
Huaxu...
The figure next to the young man follows him away.
Mom! Take this!
You don't want to eat it anymore?
Because it's really sweet! And this, Dad can have it.
Oooh, the sugar is melting... So sweet!
<THE CHILD ACCOMPANIED BY HER PARENTS>?
Go join them. Life must feel very happy living with your own parents like this.
Yeah, go join them.
<GO JOIN THEM>
...
...
Would you like a cup of tea?
Nestled against a gray tile wall, the stall beckons with its warmly lit lantern. The light, a blend of soft yellow and vibrant red, illuminates a big word written on it—"Tea."
...
Grab something to eat? Hawthorn berries or snacks?
Hawthorn berries are those sweet and sour fruits, right? I'll have some.
Hm?
So they are put together on a bamboo skewer like this, huh? Let's see... Yas! Home run! You wanna try some?
<A QUESTION NEVER HEARD>
Try some... Wanna try some?
The girl picks a tanghulu from the dessert stand next to the tea stall and eagerly takes a bite.
Whoa! Wh-what a bizarrely sour taste! Definitely one of the top 3 sourest sweets I've ever had.
Wait, this never happened before...
<WE> never buy tanghulu here. We will get a bag of food, grab some night snacks, and then buy a sugar painting with two Grubs.
But it's not bad to have something sour once in a while! You'll never know unless you give it a try.
Or, does your friend prefer something sweet?
<FRIEND>?
Right, your friend, because you seem to have been waiting for someone.
Nanami too, once waited for her friends in a place so far away, they couldn't even reach her. It felt very lonely.
So when I saw you, I couldn't resist coming over to talk to you.
Oops... I should've told you this earlier. Please don't be mad at Nanami!
It's... okay.
<LONELY>?
Or to say... <REAL>?
Where did the <REAL> feeling come from?
Nanami... is that your name?
Bingo, Nanami is Nanami! What's your name?
<MY/?>... <NAME>?
You're just a tool, and this simulated AI right now is just a test... You don't need a name.
Don't need a... <NAME>?
...But you can't live without a name.
Can't live without a <NAME>?
That's... your...<NAME>... belongs to you... and no one else.
<MY/?>... <NAME>?
A name like <NANAMI>?
Nanami, did you... find your friends?
Well, since they couldn't come over, Nanami drove a huge robot and went to look for them!
Went to... look for them?
No, this is not <REAL>.
A warm sensation emanates from the tips of fingers.
The <GRAY-HAIRED/?> girl holds <MY/?> hand.
Sis! Let's go there!
Is <THERE> <REAL>? What is <REAL>?
Find <HER>.
...After finding Mom and Dad, let's go look for...
<LOOK FOR>.
Beyond the program... Beyond the command.
<I/?> am heartless.
Sis?
She awaits on the other side amidst the crowd.
The people next to that figure are long gone, leaving the figure alone.
I'm sorry...
Yoyo?
