Story Reader / Festival Event Story / The Destined Surprise / Story
Prologue
>Gray Raven Lounge, Babylonia.
That's the entire operational plan. If you have any questions, now's the time to ask.
Regarding the first point, you've explained very clearly why we're transitioning from team operations to individual operations, Lee. I have no questions.
But about that second point... To give Commandant a birthday surprise from just the three of us as Gray Raven before we start the individual operations...
Lee's explanation was to "make up for the lack of team spirit due to individual operations." Certainly, a birthday is best celebrated with everyone together...
But to limit the participants to Lucia, me, and you, Lee, while doing it in the name of Gray Raven...
There are indeed some, uh, messy reasons for this.
Based on past experience, the commandant is likely to forget about today again. And since these are individual operations...
Lee expressionlessly taps a few times on the terminal.
Whoa! Does that mean the first one to give Commandant a birthday surprise gets a special reward?!
A one-of-a-kind gift? Interesting.
Ta-da! Here is the hidden easter egg of Operation Commandant's Birthday Surprise: the first one to surprise the commandant gets a bonus cutscene! Now, I declare that Operation Commandant's Birthday Surprise begins!
Huh? What are you all talking about... Whatever. A contest, is it? The rest of you better step aside, because I'm going to win!
...Everyone seems very excited.
To prevent things from getting out of hand, Chrome and I decided to add a birthday surprise for the commandant before we start our individual operations.
So... did anyone have any objections?
Who do you think those people are? Of course they did. I just turned them all down for valid reasons.
Lee remains silent for a moment as Lucia and Liv look at him.
Because [player name] is the Gray Raven Commandant.
Of course...
I bet the commandant would be very happy to hear you say that, Lee.
...
...There's no need to speak of it.
We just need to think about how to make the birthday party great.
Let's think for three minutes. We'll then share our ideas.
What kind of birthday surprise to give the commandant is something the three of them are willing to spend all their computing power to figure out.
Lee leans against the wall, deep in thought.
Liv stares blankly at the supply crate on the ground, a finger instinctively resting against her lips as she ponders.
Lucia wanders slowly around the room, unknowingly arriving at the commandant's desk and noticing the cluttered documents on it.
Her fingers lightly brush the desk as if she can see the commandant working tirelessly here.
We must—must—make this birthday surprise perfect!
We'll give the commandant a big...
...Surprise...
...
Birthday... What's wrong, Lucia?
Noticing Lucia's strange expression as she lingers behind the desk, Liv asks concernedly.
Ah, no, it's nothing. I just accidentally knocked something over. L-let me pick it up.
Hm?
Commandant! What are you doing here?!
Despite her lowered voice, you can still feel Lucia's confusion.
It is understandable. If the person whose birthday surprise you were planning for suddenly showed up, you would be just as flustered as Lucia.
The folder in your hand and the scattered documents on the floor prove to Lucia that you have not been hiding on purpose.
Why didn't you say something, then, Commandant?!
You were still under the table, so you thought you would greet them after you stood up.
You felt like pranking them, so you wanted to wait before you jumped out and scared them.
And then you overheard something you probably should not have.
Speaking of which...
So you've been here the whole time, which means you heard everything we just said...
I...
Time's up. Let's start sharing our thoughts.
Okay... Hm, Lucia?
Don't mind me. You two keep talking.
Commandant...
To prevent things from getting more chaotic, all you can do is give Lucia a look that says "It's up to you now."
I-I'll do my best...
Lucia stands up and smiles awkwardly at Lee and Liv, who have remained silent as they stare at her, and she gestures in the air.
I dropped something under the table... I was picking it up... and...
Oh, right. Do you have any ideas, Liv?
Me?
I hope this birthday can have a homely feeling.
Liv's voice carries a hint of hope and nostalgia.
I feel like this kind of request would be too embarrassing to say in front of the commandant...
Ha... Haha...
What do you think, Lee?
Surprises can lower a target's psychological defenses and force them into a blank state, making it easier to evoke subsequent emotions.
I'm wondering if there's a way to increase the level of "surprise" so that the "joy" Commandant feels afterward is intensified.
Increase the level of "surprise"?
Maybe you can tell Commandant that Lucia or I have fallen, and then...
I don't think that's a good idea.
The "surprise" shouldn't have any obvious negative elements, or it would conflict with the "joy" that follows, reducing the overall effect.
How to make the "surprise" just right is still a problem I haven't solved.
Maybe we can all think about it together, right, Lucia?
Uh... The surprise? I'm pretty surprised right now.
Are you really okay, Lucia?
I-I'm fine... Wait, you don't need to come over!
Feeling something is off, Liv walks toward Lucia with a puzzled look.
Lucia hurriedly crouches down and blocks the front of the table.
What are you hiding behind you, Lucia?
I-I... What am I hiding?
Liv tries to peek behind Lucia, who quickly adjusts her stance to block Liv's view. They go back and forth like this several times until Lucia, exhausted, makes a mistake...
Liv's and your eyes meet.
...!
Seeing your gesture, Liv quickly covers her mouth with both hands.
Her voice has not escaped, fortunately, but Liv's wide eyes are definitely questioning why you are here.
So you've heard everything we just said, Commandant...
How can I... stay calm...
And Lucia, you...
What are you two doing over there?
Finished pondering, Lee suddenly realizes he is the only one left in the room. Upon a closer look, he finds Lucia and Liv hiding behind your desk for some reason.
What should we do, Commandant?
At this point, should we just come clean?
Hearing this, Lucia peeks out from behind the desk.
Lee, what I'm about to say might scare you.
Liv also peeks out.
This might surprise you, Lee...
You think you can surprise me?
Putting ourselves in the commandant's shoes, huh... It's a good idea. If something can startle me into that blank state, it should work on the commandant too.
But both Commandant and I have been through a lot. We can stay calm no matter what happens.
So, I doubt anything you're showing me will make me feel...
Surprised...
You sit down in your chair in the Gray Raven lounge, explaining everything to the three before you.
Lucia stands behind you with her hand on the back of the chair. Nearby, Liv stands with the folder in her hands, while Lee leans against the wall, his hand on his forehead.
All of them look uncomfortable.
Talk about what? How to surprise someone who already knows the surprise?
...It's my mistake this time. I haven't prepared for unexpected accidents.
You always know how detailed their plans for your birthday are, but you always thought they just did the planning in private discussions. Now that you are looking at the fully filled whiteboard...
You finally realize how elaborate their plans are...
Huh?
Commandant...
...
No.
The three of them interrupt you in unison before you can finish.
Commandant's birthday surprise can't be simple.
That's right, Commandant. Don't even think about making things easier.
Besides... it's not entirely impossible to surprise someone who knows about the surprise...
Lucia, Liv, come over here.
As the three huddle and whisper to each other, you try to eavesdrop but fail to hear anything before they finish their discussion.
Alright, let's proceed with this plan!
Got it!
Liv runs out with the folder you were supposed to submit, while Lee takes out a box he prepared with various decorative items, and Lucia approaches you with a smile...
She then reaches out and covers your eyes.
Just sit here and wait for your surprise, Commandant.
...
You gradually understand what they meant by surprising someone who knows about the surprise.
Does it look right from your side, Lucia?
It's perfect!
I'm back. Where should I put this?
Just place it on that table over there. I'll adjust it later. Oh, Liv, stand right here... Alright, that's good.
With your sight obscured, your hearing has become sharper.
You hear the sound of ornaments rubbing against the walls as Lee decorates the room. You can tell Liv is moving back and forth and placing something. Occasionally, you will hear Lucia answering their questions.
Based on this information and the layout of the room, you are starting to have a rough idea of what is happening, but the details are still unclear...
This curiosity builds up, creating anticipation.
I can't do that, Commandant.
Just wait a little longer. We're almost done.
The sounds of decorating gradually diminish until it falls completely silent.
Commandant...
With a whisper, Lucia stops covering your eyes and instead holds your hand, gently pulling you.
Commandant, happy birthday!
The room is softly and cozily lit. Balloons float gently on the ceiling, each with a birthday ribbon swaying slightly.
The small lights hung on the walls are designed to correspond with the balloons on the ceiling, making the room neither crowded nor empty.
Lucia holds your hand, her smile radiant.
Liv stands on the other side, smiling happily and clapping gently.
Lee stands slightly behind with a cake. Despite his usual cool demeanor, there is a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Judging by the commandant's expression, our surprise operation seems to be a success.
Isn't this nice?
Hurry, Commandant! Make a wish and blow out the candles!
Lucia takes the cake from Lee and, together with Liv, holds it in front of you. You are about to remind them to put it on the table, but seeing their happy faces, you let it go...
If you have to make a wish... you will go with that one...
Happy birthday! Let's hear it again, but louder this time!
...
Saying "Happy Birthday" always feels joyful, no matter how many times you say it.
Lucia and Liv exchange glances before looking at Lee. Lee sighs lightly and nods.
...Sure.
Then, all three of them look at you.
Commandant, happy birthday!
...
The birthday celebration ends quickly, but you wish it would keep going. Lucia hands you a tissue, signaling you to wipe the cream off the corner of your mouth.
Don't look so regretful, Commandant. The real birthday surprise is just about to begin.
You've finished all your work today, so just relax and enjoy.
I'll handle anything that comes up, so don't worry, Commandant, and we'll clean up the room. Don't even think about helping! That's not your job today.
This day belongs to you, Commandant.
