Story Reader / Affection / Hanying: Zitherwoe / Story
The setting sun in the west signals the end of a bustling day. It's time to return home and spend time with family. After a full day's work, you are finally home. Standing outside the yard, you take a deep breath and push the door open.
The yard turns out to be empty and quiet, devoid of any human presence. The only sounds you can hear are the gentle rustle of leaves falling to the ground and your own steady breaths.
The woman inside the house instantly turns around with joy at the sound of the door opening. She places down the half-finished needlework in her hand and walks briskly toward you.
...?
Hanying gazes at you with an expectant smile, making no move to initiate conversation. It seems that you have no other option but...
Hanying gives you a nod of approval. However, just as she is about to respond, something seems to cross her mind. She then places her hands on her waist, feigning annoyance.
Commandant, incorrect character settings! Sturddy's master was adopted by his teacher, and my role is the daughter of that teacher. They are supposed to be a close family, so Sturddy's master should view her as his real sister.
To aid Sturddy in completing his simulation, Hanying suggests a role-play scenario where you both act as if you're family.
If Sturddy is unable to generate a believable family scenario with the "family data" he has collected, resorting to people performing the roles could be a viable alternative.
From the fixed memory data and the information provided by Sturddy, both you and Hanying have gained valuable insight into his master's past.
Sturddy's master showed a talent for craftsmanship from a young age. He was adopted by a renowned craftsman in the town, and together they opened a small store. Their life was filled with industrious work and peaceful moments.
Sturddy was the last gift the craftsman left for his family before his passing.
...Following that, Master took over the store. The initial period was tough, with even the regulars stopping their visits. Just when things were beginning to look up, the outbreak of the Punishing Virus happened.
People panicked, destroying every machine in sight. To protect me, Master preemptively transferred my data elsewhere. If he hadn't done so, I would've long since been reduced to a pile of junk and scrap.
...So, when Master reactivated me on the Nighter, I had no idea what had happened to him. All I knew was that he yearned to leave the ship and find his family, and for that reason, he had been tirelessly amassing miles. It was during this period that the majority of his works were created.
The "family" that Sturddy's master was searching for is his foster sister—the only remaining family member. After some discussion, Hanying has agreed to take on the role of the foster sister in the simulation.
Of course, when I played games of make-believe with Pulao, she always said that one can truly embody a character only when one fully understands it!
And for the sake of the simulation, it's better to mirror the real-life scenario as accurately as possible.
Hanying casts a sideways glance at Sturddy, and to your surprise, the latter responds with a serious nod and even gives a thumbs-up gesture with his "handless" arm.
Then, as your foster sister, I should call you...
That's correct, Brother.
Hanying covers her face, chuckling in evident enjoyment. Since then, it would truly be a shame to spoil her fun.
Taking a deep breath, you suppress the final shred of embarrassment—which wasn't much to start with—and recommit to your roleplay with a more hard-core mindset.
Welcome home. How was business today at the market?
Hanying takes a seat on a weathered stone stool in the yard, beginning to prepare tea with a tea set that seems to have appeared from nowhere. You find your attention drawn to the grace encapsulated in her every move.
Anything wrong?
Really? That's awesome! I knew you had it in you. I'm sure it won't be long before you're opening your own store, just like Father did.
You pull out some Grubs from your pocket as today's earnings and extend your hand toward Hanying.
However, Hanying shakes her head, showing no intention of accepting them.
Keep them for yourself. I've been making custom clothes for wealthy families recently. They recognize my skills and have been giving me more business. There's no need for you to worry about me.
You don't remember any character settings about this girl being a good tailor, but since Hanying says so... you decide it's best to follow her lead.
Ahem... Anyways, you don't need to give me money from now on...
A smile graces Hanying's face, but it's immediately evident that the smile is strained, not entirely genuine. Despite knowing she is just acting, your heart can't help but ache for her in this mere moment.
That's okay. I'm planning to sell the store next month, so you don't need to worry about the expenses anymore.
He may no longer be with us in this world, but I still have you... "Don't dwell on the ghosts of the past; instead, focus on the present that's right in front of you." That's what he used to say a lot.
...We can no longer afford the steep rent, but I know how much you've always desired to be in the bustling heart of Kowloong.
That's enough. If you truly see me as your older sister, listen to me this time... I've heard about a Kua-Er class ship preparing for a long-term voyage, with tourists and merchants from all over the world set to be aboard.
I got you a ticket... I'm sure you will find a lot of opportunities there, and by then, your talent will lead you to your own stage where you shine brighter than ever.
There will come a day when you'll leave this place, this home, and find your own harbor where you'll plant your roots and grow...
A somber bitterness washes over Hanying's face as her voice softens. It appears as though her thoughts have wandered, dwelling on something beyond merely this narrative.
Even without understanding what prompted her change in demeanor, your body reacts faster than your mind—you instinctively yearn to erase the sorrow etched in her eyes.
Commandant...?
Your sudden action catches her off guard. A flash of surprise, one that doesn't align with her established character, briefly dances across her features.
You feel the urge to retract your hand, but Hanying softly holds it in response, her body suddenly leaning into you.
—Before you can react, you find yourself enveloped in her gentle embrace.
Don't be... Thank you.
Her soft voice resonates near your ear. There isn't much force in her embrace, yet you can distinctly feel the warmth and the emotions she tries to convey.
As she regains her composure, she promptly releases you and takes a step back, her face once again adorned with that tender smile.
I used to hug Pulao in the same way quite often... but now, she's outgrown the age where I can do so whenever I wish. That's why I... I apologize for my actions.
I see, so this is what humans refer to as "the forbidden..."
...But we're still in the dark about what happened to that brother and sister later, and how Sturddy's master ended up boarding the Nighter all by himself.
That's correct, Sister.
Hanying covers her face, chuckling in evident enjoyment. Since then, it would truly be a shame to spoil her fun.
Taking a deep breath, you suppress the final shred of embarrassment—which wasn't much to start with—and recommit to your roleplay with a more hard-core mindset.
Welcome home. How was business today at the market?
Hanying takes a seat on a weathered stone stool in the yard, beginning to prepare tea with a tea set that seems to have appeared from nowhere. You find your attention drawn to the grace encapsulated in her every move.
Anything wrong?
Really? That's awesome! I knew you had it in you. I'm sure it won't be long before you're opening your own store, just like Father did.
You pull out some Grubs from your pocket as today's earnings and extend your hand toward Hanying.
However, Hanying shakes her head, showing no intention of accepting them.
Keep them for yourself. I've been making custom clothes for wealthy families recently. They recognize my skills and have been giving me more business. There's no need for you to worry about me.
You don't remember any character settings about this girl being a good tailor, but since Hanying says so... you decide it's best to follow her lead.
Ahem... Anyways, you don't need to give me money from now on...
A smile graces Hanying's face, but it's immediately evident that the smile is strained, not entirely genuine. Despite knowing she is just acting, your heart can't help but ache for her in this mere moment.
That's okay. I'm planning to sell the store next month, so you don't need to worry about the expenses anymore.
He may no longer be with us in this world, but I still have you... "Don't dwell on the ghosts of the past; instead, focus on the present that's right in front of you." That's what he used to say a lot.
...We can no longer afford the steep rent, but I know how much you've always desired to be in the bustling heart of Kowloong.
That's enough. If you truly see me as your older sister, listen to me this time... I've heard about a Kua-Er grade ship preparing for a long-term voyage, with tourists and merchants from all over the world set to be aboard.
I got you a ticket... I'm sure you will find a lot of opportunities there, and by then, your talent will lead you to your own stage where you shine brighter than ever.
There will come a day when you'll leave this place, this home, and find your own harbor where you'll plant your roots and grow...
A somber bitterness washes over Hanying's face as her voice softens. It appears as though her thoughts have wandered, dwelling on something beyond merely this narrative.
Even without understanding what prompted her change in demeanor, your body reacts faster than your mind—you instinctively yearn to erase the sorrow etched in her eyes.
Commandant...?
Your sudden action catches her off guard. A flash of surprise, one that doesn't align with her established character, briefly dances across her features.
You feel the urge to retract your hand, but Hanying softly holds it in response, her body suddenly leaning into you.
—Before you can react, you find yourself enveloped in her gentle embrace.
Don't be... Thank you.
Her soft voice resonates near your ear. There isn't much force in her embrace, yet you can distinctly feel the warmth and the emotions she tries to convey.
As she regains her composure, she promptly releases you and takes a step back, her face once again adorned with that tender smile.
I used to hug Pulao in the same way quite often... but now, she's outgrown the age where I can do so whenever I wish. That's why I... I apologize for my actions.
I see, so this is what humans refer to as "the forbidden..."
...But we're still in the dark about what happened to the sisters later, and how Sturddy's master ended up boarding the Nighter all by himself.
Sturddy's memory doesn't hold any pertinent data. His old circuits only recall the time spent with his reticent master on the Nighter, along with a few scattered fragments from the distant past.
All he knows is how his master painstakingly reawakened him by acquiring mechanical knowledge, and then assembled his body piece by piece with components bought from the black market.
Even though he has been losing memory data as his body ages, he still has managed to persist far longer than anyone could have expected.
The escalating frequency of maintenance requests has made him realize that his body is nearing its limit. As a result, he decided to transfer the most crucial data into the bionic swallows.
Your simulation with Hanying has already contained everything Sturddy remembers about "Sister."
Your master and his "sister" come back home together like this, and you will never be apart again.
Hanying naturally takes your hand, and together, you approach Sturddy, who has been observing the simulation from the side.
His visual module, pre-adjusted by Hanying, captures a sight he has longed for: the long-absent family finally returning to him.
...
The command of the highest priority remained unfulfilled.
...
But I still want to thank you, for your effort in helping me.
I have a place to show you.
