Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Fortune of Spring / Story
Hunger... It does feel like that.
Constructs don't need to eat. I have long forgotten how hunger feels.
Still, I don't understand why Nanami is doing this.
Without answering Lucia's question, you just take out an apple from the basket and hand it to her.
...Okay, I will.
Lucia carefully lifts the apple with both hands, moving it close to her mouth.
She opens her mouth but cannot find a good angle to bite. Her action seems awkward, as if she has forgotten how to eat food.
Eventually, she puts the apple between her jaws, then bites into it—
Crunch.
The rich aroma of isoamyl acetate spreads into the air along with the crisp sound.
Lucia chews the apple in her mouth, then swallows it down.
For a second, she is stunned—
She then takes a second bite, chews, and swallows—
Followed by the third bite, chewing, and swallowing...
In the end, Lucia no longer chews the apple. She simply repeats the biting and swallowing actions.
...
...
No one has made a sound. Everyone just quietly watches her eat the apple and listens to the "crunch" sounds.
Only a few brown apple stalks are left on the table.
No... thanks...
I haven't felt this full ever since the outbreak of Punishing.
It's a... nostalgic feeling.
Lucia closes her eyes as if she is enjoying the once-lost sense, but soon opens her eyes again. She looks determined as usual.
In this virtual space, Nanami gives the human senses back to Constructs not to weaken them, but to make them enjoy the same happiness as humans.
Appetite is one of the most basic needs. Constructs were deprived of this happiness to succumb to the cruel reality.
But in Nanami's imagination, such compromise should not be tolerated. That is why she returns this feeling to Constructs, so they can enjoy the same happiness as humans in the following traditional activities.
It is called satisfaction.
If that was also a hint, Nanami's next trial should have something to do with food, right?
There aren't any ingredients in the kitchen. We don't have the currency here to buy food either...
A "beeeeeep" sound interrupts Lucia. Tiger has already started the arcade and completed a game before anyone can realize.
The screen shows "You Win", followed by lots of cheerful sounds.
A lot of coins flow out of the machine.
What are these...
Lucia picks up a few coins.
The pattern on the front of the coin is difficult to be recognized. It barely resembles the head of a tiger.
It says "universal token" on the back.
She was well prepared.
Meooooow!
Hearing your words, Tiger gets even more pumped up. It bashes the screen, trying to make the machine spit out more coins.
You quickly grab Tiger before it causes more damage. It finally calms down after some patting.
Lee and I will take care of the shopping. Commandant, Liv, please stay put.
I'll take care of Commandant and Tiger.
Alright, see you later.
Commandant, could you pass me the detergent?
Thanks.
Meow!
That's not food, Tiger.
After Lucia and Lee left, Liv proposed to wash the dinnerware and flatware before they came back.
There are dishwashers everywhere in Babylonia, but this kitchen is rather "primitive." Only the basic cleaning tools are provided.
You and Liv have to use the kitchen sink to manually wash the plates.
Liv is doing her part with ease, while your biggest contribution is probably to prevent Tiger from making a mess.
Knock-knock.
Someone is knocking at the door.
Are they back already?
Commandant, could you open the door please?
You wipe your hands dry and go to the door. As you open it—
Happy New Year's Eve!
Wish you a great fortune!
Red... Red—
Thinking back about your experience with door-knocking salesmen, you immediately take the most appropriate action—
You hear someone rapidly knocking on the door again.
Don't shut us out! You will block all your fortune away!
Fortune Kid has messed it up.
Huh? Is it because of me?
You were stuttering too much when you said your greeting. That's why they shut the door.
"Red packet please" isn't a greeting!
You should have taken out "that" in the beginning.
You didn't remember our duty, Fortune Kid.
We must not fail our duty...
Our duty is to sell the goods!
You open the door again after learning why they are here.
We should just... Oh hi! Would you like some couplets? We were thinking of offering you a discount.
Here they are. I promise you'll love these couplets!
Ahem, let's take a look first.
He opens a pair of couplets.
Top: The Year of Water brings fortune and wonder
Bottom: The Year of Tiger roars brilliance and vigor
Horizontal: A world of happiness
What do you think? Good omen, isn't it?
Now you can get them for this figure only.
The Golden Boy shows three fingers.
