Story Reader / Affection / Lee: Hyperreal / Story
So, is this how you hurt your ear and why you terminated your mission early?
I've received the data analysis report. It suggests that the issue is due to abnormal data leaking from the new frame.
I've kept some data samples, but I can't confirm where the abnormal data comes from and what it's for at the moment.
The only thing I can confirm is that it is causing a unique M.I.N.D. disorder in Lee's M.I.N.D.
And the way the disorder manifests is—
Asimov holds up his coffee cup and gestures toward Lee with a nod. Lee is pretending to be calm by casually looking around.
The M.I.N.D. shard of Lee's childhood has temporally taken over his frame. As for the age of the shard, I'd say... nine? Can't be much older than that.
Curious about this unique M.I.N.D. disorder, Asimov takes another look at Lee.
Nine and a half, excuse me.
Lee pouts, seemingly displeased that Asimov has underestimated his age.
I understand what you were talking about, but that's impossible. I'm standing right here, so how can I just be a M.I.N.D. shard...
Frowning, Lee does not finish his sentence as he looks down at his clearly older-than-nine-and-a-half-year-old body.
That's the truth, Mr. Nine-and-a-half.
You didn't travel through time, and you weren't kidnapped. I believe you didn't have a device like this where you came from, did you?
Asimov points toward the intricate machine that just printed out the report. Intrigued, Lee begins to observe it carefully.
There isn't much to do.
Even though they are all equipped with specialized frames, Lee's situation is different from what happened to Liv.
Power comes at a price. We have hypothesized that something like this would happen.
This is just the beginning of our study on specialized frames. As the technology advances, so do our responses.
...Are you doubting me?
Asimov takes out a nightmarishly thick folder and motions you to flip it open.
Specialized Frames Adaptation Instructions, 5th Edition, Page 126, Section 3, Part 8.
"Hypothesis on Eighteen Possible Manifestations of M.I.N.D. Disorders".
Just trust me.
That said... Lucia, then Liv, and now Lee...
The shadows and complications of the specialized frame seem to have always been hovering above Gray Raven without a break.
Asimov seems to have thought of the same thing, and the room falls briefly silent.
His frame is running properly, so I don't recommend external treatment. As soon as he has processed the disorderly M.I.N.D. shards within him, he will revert to who he was.
But young Lee must feel like he "took a nap and woke up in the future."
There are plenty of uncertainties with a M.I.N.D. shard disorder. Nine-and-a-half here could last for a whole week, or some shards of another age might show up.
Theoretically, all these shards will eventually merge. But if a particularly dangerous shard who doesn't recognize you or Gray Raven shows up in the interim, things can still get pretty perilous.
Since your squad is under maintenance right now, perhaps you can leave Lee with me for some research?
Not bothered by your answer, Asimov takes another sip of coffee when he suddenly remembers something.
Although Lee's main personality isn't in control, this is still happening to him. Once his M.I.N.D. has sorted the different shards, he will also gain the memories the other shards make while controlling the body.
Any more questions?
Hmm... We don't have the data for it currently, so I can't give you an accurate timeline.
Based on the rate the M.I.N.D. shards are compiling, my educated guess would be a week from now.
But I can't guarantee that the disorder will end afterward. Bring him here for another inspection in one week.
The maintenance period is still going on for a while. A week should be fine.
Thinking that, you take another glance at Lee. He has already circled the device twice, and he is turning toward Asimov now.
Excuse me... Sir? The one with the bags under his eyes? Can I touch this device?
Lee is looking a little anxious, standing quite formally with his hands behind his back. It seems that his love for engineering started at this age...
No.
Asimov takes two steps back and places his coffee on the desk.
Perhaps not expecting to be rejected outright, Lee pauses before continuing to ask.
I've disassembled a data analyzer before. I know how it works internally. I won't break yours.
I just want to see the differences between this input port and mine...
No.
Grabbing his coffee with the other hand, Asimov instinctively pushes the folders and equipment on his desk farther away.
Being rejected twice, Lee turns away toward the wall, expressing his anger with silence.
Even an emotional fluctuation couldn't bring him back. It seems that this M.I.N.D. shard has penetrated quite thoroughly, having no memories of anything beyond his time.
...I really can do it...
Lee turns around and stares right into Asimov's eyes, unwilling to give up.
I'll write a report about Lee's current status and send it upstairs so they can assign him missions accordingly.
Is that all? You can go, then. I still have to track down the source of those data.
Asimov quickly dashes away as if avoiding something and shuts the door to the inner laboratory.
It takes you considerable effort to bring Lee back to the Gray Raven lounge without drawing any attention. Entering the room, you find Lucia and Liv standing by the door, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.
Commandant... How is Lee?
You briefly explain to them what is going on. Liv turns to look at Lee worriedly.
So Lee is only nine years old in his mind right now?
Nine and a half.
Oh, of course. I didn't mean to offend. It's just...
This Lee is still a child.
Is he scared?
Noticing how Lee moves toward you subconsciously, Lucia kindly takes a few steps back with Liv.
Being thrust into an unfamiliar body and a new environment must be frightening for a nine-and-a-half-year-old boy.
He seems to trust you more, Commandant. Perhaps it's because you were the first one he saw when he woke up.
We'll have to count on you to take care of Lee, Commandant.
Celica was here asking about how the mission went... Leave that to Lucia and me.
As they gently close the door behind them, the lounge falls silent for a moment.
...I'm sorry.
Lee stands next to the door, his eyes fixed on the gap underneath it, and he fiddles with his fingers uncomfortably as he quietly speaks.
...I saw the records on the Construct File issued by the World Government in that room. I suppose everything you said was true.
I still don't know why I became a Construct, but I believe I was the reason you got injured, so...
I'm sorry.
Lee apologizes earnestly, and his "sorry" echoes in the quiet room.
Lee looks up, surprised to find himself forgiven this easily.
You head to the pantry and remember having bought some milk for your coffee previously.
"Ding!" The comforting smell of warm milk immediately fills this corner of the room.
Despite knowing that Constructs do not need to eat, you cannot help but prepare the milk upon seeing the young Lee following you, desperate to prove his worth.
I can do a lot of things. I can assemble a spectrometer like that, I can repair the electronics, and I can...
The headstrong and determined Lee looks at you, and you have never seen his adult self make this expression before.
Speaking of which, you do not recall hearing anything about Lee's childhood or seeing any photos from his youth...
You take the warm milk out after deciding against taking a photo of this moment with your terminal.
A child has no need for this much guilt. Hopefully, Lee's M.I.N.D. will recover sooner after resting.
...According to the analysis of my parents' DNA, I don't need to drink this nutritional composite solution to grow taller.
But still... thanks.
Lee sits by the coffee table with his hands courteously placed on his knees, looking like a giant, well-behaved pet.
...Alright.
The sky grows darker. The loud talking outside the lounge reminds you that it is almost time for dinner.
By the time you finish the files on your desk, it feels like a century has passed.
Stretching your neck as you leave the office, you find Lee leaning on the sofa and sleeping. You almost thought he was attacked—
Luckily you did not press the alarm.
This Lee is still a boy, isn't he... Now that you think about it, you have almost never seen Lee asleep.
Whether during battles or maintenance, Lee is always the calm and dependable one who is prepared for unexpected surprises. Seeing him sleeping so soundly in such an exposed and vulnerable way is a first for you...
Even though you know Constructs cannot catch a cold, you still pull the blanket on the sofa over him. Glancing at the table nearby, you can see white foam clinging to the edge of the cup. He finished the milk.
So, young Lee also says one thing but does another...
The gentle light softly envelops the quiet room.
