Story Reader / Festival Event Story / The Destined Surprise / Story
A cool breeze lifts the dark velvet veil over a small table without a sign at a corner of the shopping street in the early morning.
On the table are sage, crystals, and neatly arranged cards in an arc. On one side sits a mechanoid in white, and on the other, a human.
You place the cards you've drawn from the deck and place them before the mechanoid.
Please allow me to confirm your query before we have your cards analyzed—it's "How is the day going to go," correct?
Not long ago, Haicma contacted you, saying she was researching card divination and hoped you could help with data collection... except you never expected her to set up a stall in the shopping street to offer free readings to passersby.
It's still pretty early during the day, but behind you, there is already a line of customers waiting, a few of whom are mechanoids.
I need you to reach out one of your hands and place it in my palm.
Haicma holds your hand gently while her other, mechanical hand brushes over the cards you've drawn.
So these are the cards you've drawn, huh... It's your birthday today, no?
One way to enhance the mystery of divination is to express surprise at the right moment and spice that up with certain real-life details.
Did my performance just now make the divination seem more credible to you?
Of course, I will take your feedback into serious consideration.
Now, let's go through the cards... Hmm, you woke up very early today, for something special, perhaps something out of your daily routine.
Soon, you'll be rushing to your next location, where you'll be meeting many different people. I'm certain you'll be busy at the very least.
All sorts of interesting events will keep you busy until night. I don't think you'll even have time for a nap today.
Your birthday isn't lonely at all. It almost looks like a diplomatic event. Anyway, you'll have a fulfilling and even somewhat tiring day.
Fortunately, our divination also comes with an energy cleanse, which can help you feel happy and less tired. I'll set up the project for you.
Haicma slowly closes her eyes. When she opens them again, it seems as though she has called up some sort of data.
...A hunter shoots at a fox but the hunter ends up dead.
Do you know why that is?
Because the fox says, "Hunters that try to kill foxes die like losers."
You just laughed, didn't you? I think it's a joke that brings joy. The last three people who heard it laughed out loud.
Haicma shifts her gaze over, focusing on the corners of your mouth.
My records show that you are an exceptionally perceptive person.
...But it seems to take you longer to react when you face me.
As Haicma gathers the cards on the table, the cards pile into layers and rustle in her hand.
Things always take me by surprise when I'm with you, Not only that, I've experienced emotional logic disruptions multiple times.
Understanding my feelings for you is like calculating the principles of card divination. I haven't reached the bottom of that even with all my computing power.
A mechanoid's "mind" only considers the rationality of actions, but I think meeting you today is something I "wanted" to do.
When Haicma loosens her grip, a card falls back onto the velvet table.
Actually, I just took a look at your authorized, shared schedule and found some free time to meet you today. A reasonable time arrangement greatly increases the success rate of the plan.
The card has a completely different design from that of the others, with a small cake with candles in all sorts of colors painted in the middle.
As the card falls, the "bystanders" who have been waiting behind suddenly gather around. Someone shouts "Three, two, one"' and everyone shouts blessings together.
Happy Birthday!!
The velvet on the table is pulled away, and a small cake identical to the one on the card slowly rises from the hole in the table.
Looking at the cake, both you and Haicma quickly meet each other's eyes. She breaks into a smile and pushes the birthday cake toward you.
Don't think you could have ever seen this coming.
Your existence itself is a miracle born from the universe. Happy Birthday, and... good morning. I hope you have a wonderful day.
