Story Reader / Floating Record / ER03 Left Unsaid / Story
Hmm... Mistress?
Bambinata opens her eyes, but Vanessa is not around her as expected.
There is no record of the room she is in or how she traveled here in her memory data.
Has someone moved her physically while she was trapped inside the abnormal data? Is Mistress safe, then?
Unlike carrying out a solo mission, being separated from Mistress has sent Bambinata's M.I.N.D. into a panic.
Has Mistress decided to leave Bambinata here because Bambinata was performing poorly?
To confirm her mistress' status and quell her doubts, Bambinata tries to send a message to Vanessa's terminal. Only then does she realize that some kind of interference is hindering her from controlling her frame.
Forcing herself to calm down, Bambinata inspects her surroundings. This is a large hall, unlike the rooms they searched. Candles, lamps, fire—small light sources light up parts of the area, forming an incoherent picture.
Failing to enhance her visual module by increasing the computing power, Bambinata can only search for a way out in the spots that are lit up.
Baby sis is awake, Mother.
Struggling to enter a battle stance, Bambinata does not expect another mechanoid dressed as a caretaker to appear behind her. The shadow the mechanoid casts is so large that it fully envelopes Bambinata.
Child. Become, my child.
Good children, must become, family.
Doris, Dottie, together.
A Corrupted? That can't be. Bambinata isn't detecting a high concentration of the Punishing Virus...
An uninfected mechanoid and an early experimental Construct? You—
Doris, you must answer Mother properly. Otherwise, you'll become one of the naughty children.
As your older sister, I don't want you to become a naughty child. It'll break Mother's heart and mine.
Naughty children, require, punishments.
Good children, become, family. Doris.
The caretaker mechanoid wraps her arms around Bambinata, her hand caressing Bambinata's chin.
Recalling how her mistress often takes time to carefully maintain her frame, Bambinata desperately wants to get away from the unfamiliar hand, knowing full well where she belongs.
Mistress named me "Bambinata". No one can alter that!
She tries to send another message, but the transmission disappears into the ether as if falling into a pit.
Doris, doesn't need, others.
You're wrong! Mistress' commands are Bambinata's purpose!
Doris, doesn't follow, rules.
The Punishing Virus?! How—
Her words are interrupted by an intense pain from her Inver-Device, as if giant spikes are being nailed into her skull. Bambinata cannot think or compute.
She can barely feel her Inver-Device running. The virus tears her consciousness into pieces, sinking them into the very bottom of her M.I.N.D.
The plummet devours all her senses, blinding and deafening her. In her Deep M.I.N.D., she finds no trace of pain or worry.
Cocoons slowly arise sparsely inside the infinite darkness, their number gradually growing.
They slowly surround Bambinata, hovering where she can easily reach, seemingly inviting her to catch them.
She pokes one near her, and the cocoon bursts, the unfamiliar memory data inside enveloping Bambinata...
Since the preparation for the adoption started, Bambinata has been removed from the experiments and maintained by a specific researcher.
The person adopting you is a renowned doctor. His wife used to work with us too. With their help, maybe you'll stop forgetting things one day.
Bambinata will stop forgetting?
That's right. You won't suddenly forget who you are and what you're supposed to do.
That's okay, because all of you will be there to remind Bambinata... Will people stop taking care of Bambinata if Bambinata starts remembering things?
Life is very long, longer still for a Construct. You will inevitably run into something you have to handle alone. If you can remember, you can survive on your own... Sigh. Why do I even bother? You won't understand.
At least your future parents are on Babylonia. Chances are you won't end up like the experimental Constructs here, spending your whole life being studied until you're discarded.
Then what should Bambinata do?
What should you do...? You should be a good girl and behave.
—But why does Nessa still hate Bambinata?
...I hate you!
Mother and Father have been spending all their time with you ever since you arrived! I said I didn't want a sister!
Are they trying to replace me with you? Is it because... I don't behave well?
Or because I didn't get first place during the last exam?
But I tried my best... Everyone else said getting third place was very impressive... Sob, liars...
Vanessa starts mumbling until she crouches down and sobs.
—Even someone like Nessa, who is loved and well cared for, is also scared of losing her place?
She is also scared of becoming worthless if she loses her purpose, just like Bambinata?
Perhaps somehow catching some resemblances of herself in Vanessa, Bambinata recalls how her mother strokes her hair and reaches for Vanessa's head carefully.
What are you doing?! I don't need your pity!
Sorry... Bambinata just thought it would make you feel better.
...
Although she cannot tell how Vanessa feels for sure, Bambinata reaches out again, seeing that Vanessa has stopped scolding her.
Do Mother and Father hate me?
Of course not. They even mentioned earlier that they wanted to make you a great doctor someday!
Mother said that as long as the experiments on Bambinata make progress, she could unlock the secrets of the M.I.N.D. and the Inver-Device with Father, and that would bring you a bright future.
Bambinata never wanted to steal Mother and Father away from you... Bambinata is only here because of the value she can provide.
Bambinata is only needed to secure your future. Bambinata exists for you, Nessa.
Is that so? But I don't know anything about the mind-device-something. Hold on! Were you just bragging about spending a whole day with Mother and Father?
T-that's not what Bambinata meant...
Hmph. Forget it! Pinky promise that you won't tell anyone about me crying today!
Looking at the pinky finger Vanessa has extended, Bambinata does not know how to react.
You don't know how to pinky promise? How stupid.
Vanessa grabs Bambinata's hand, and the soft human finger shakes the mechanical pinky.
Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye! Alright, you've made a promise now, so you can't say anything. You hear me, Bambinata?
Bambinata won't say anything, Nessa.
If she recalls correctly, that is the first time Vanessa calls Bambinata by her name.
Her artificial skin can still feel the unfamiliar touch. After this strange "ritual," Bambinata makes a note to herself in secret not to break a promise she has made to Vanessa.
Oh no! We have to clean up the broken frame, or we're going to get an earful! Go grab a vacuum cleaner!
Ah! Okay!
...
Her memories are bluntly cut off there and then. The clear visuals slowly fade back to the silent darkness.
Bambinata's consciousness returns to the void, and the many data cocoons once again gather around her.
Data cocoons... Is the amnesia the reason they are splintered into incoherent pieces?
With a newfound expectation, Bambinata touches a second cocoon, and another memory begins to play.
Activation successful. Look at your mother's fingers, Bambinata.
Alright, the visual module is working. She's conscious.
How are you feeling, Bambinata? Any discomfort or strange sensations?
...
Who... are you?
We are your parents. Your name is Bambinata. Something went wrong with you, and your mother and I are trying to find out why you're sick.
Bambi... nata...
The girl is seemingly used to this kind of situation. Not showing any fear, Bambinata quietly repeats what she has been told.
How's the chip running?
It's running fine. I'm taking a data snapshot and keeping it on file.
You may feel a little heat behind your head in a second, Bambinata, It's perfectly normal.
Okay...
Don't worry. We're trying to insert a chip that will help you store your memory data. Just behave and don't move.
The data snapshot is done. Here.
The efficiency of this chip can still be greatly optimized. The results are quite a ways from our expectations, even for a prototype.
Our previous tests were focusing on her M.I.N.D. stability. Developing the memory chip was an impromptu decision. The simulated model was quite far off from our base data, to begin with.
The experiment results they sent weren't complete, which must have affected the simulation. We'll iterate on it as we go. It just needs to help collect data now. We should focus on solving the more important problem.
We've also figured out why her frame shuts down. It was a programming conflict left behind from a previous test, and that has been fixed.
Let's call it a day. We'll let the frame run with the chip for a while and see how it goes.
Here, Bambinata. Stand up.
Having put back the tools and equipment, Petra opens the door to the laboratory to find a startled Vanessa standing outside. The girl immediately pretends she is just walking past.
Nessa, shouldn't you be doing your homework right now?
I've finished today's work already, Father.
Can't you do more, then? See, break time is still 20 minutes away.
Your problem is you never have any initiative. The Smith boy was already recognized as a genius when he was your age.
Your mother is right, Nessa. You shouldn't be wandering around when you should be studying.
I'm not wandering about...
Vanessa wants to clarify something, but in the end she just lowers her head silently.
Right. Bambinata happens to need to overwrite her data on you. Bambinata, this is your sister, Vanessa.
Overwrite?
Vanessa does not seem to understand the word, and Petra and Raymond do not appear to intend to explain it. Bambinata can see Vanessa observing her with confusion, hoping to find an answer.
Hello... Nessa.
...You don't remember me?
Sorry...
That's fantastic. I don't need your apology.
With that, Vanessa runs back to her room.
Did Bambinata say something wrong?
That's Vanessa. I never know what she's up to next. If only she was as well-behaved as you.
I wonder when she'll understand that everything we're doing is for her future.
Bambinata carefully considers Petra's words. If everything her parents do is for Vanessa, Bambinata should obviously give everything for her sister as well, being a "well-behaved" daughter.
But the way Vanessa looks at her... Did she do something wrong in the past?
It's almost lunchtime. You can rest on the sofa.
Yes, Mother.
Despite not being tired, Bambinata still follows Petra's instructions and sits squarely on the sofa.
Petra prepares lunch and calls the rest of the family to the dining table one by one.
Raymond slowly walks down from the second floor and sits on a dining chair. He is still obsessed with his calculations, his fingers writing something on the table.
Petra knocks three times before Vanessa finally comes out of her room unwillingly, intentionally avoiding looking at Bambinata.
Bambinata, Constructs don't have to eat.
Noticing Petra entering the room, Bambinata sits up even more straight.
Okay...
You can walk around the house while we eat, or rest on the sofa if you're tired.
Understood. Bambinata will sit right here.
Alright, then. Once Vanessa is done with her lunch, you can both take a nap together. Although you're not at the point where you need to power down, there's no harm to sufficient rest.
Keeping a similar resting schedule to Vanessa will get you two familiarized quicker. You're sisters now, after all.
With that, Petra pats Bambinata on her shoulder and turns around, heading toward the dining table.
Watching Petra leave, Bambinata notices Vanessa stealing a glance at her. But Vanessa turns away immediately, realizing Bambinata is watching.
Nessa seems to dislike Bambinata. Bambinata must not do anything she despises starting today.
Realizing that, Bambinata looks away.
Lunch does not last too long. Vanessa returns to her room after the meal while Bambinata still sits in the same corner of the sofa.
Only when Petra finishes putting away the cutlery does Bambinata leave, having received a command to "nap in the bedroom."
Outside the light gray door to the bedroom is a magnetic decoration with Vanessa's name. Knowing that she is about to step into a space that once only belonged to one person, Bambinata holds onto the doorknob nervously.
She enters the room with the slightest movement possible, and she finds a duvet all crumpled up in the middle of the giant bed.
As Bambinata wonders where to lie down, Vanessa rolls to one side of the bed from underneath the duvet, leaving the other side empty.
...
Bambinata slows down her motion to avoid disturbing Vanessa. Right as she gets near the bed, Vanessa suddenly sits up, startling her.
Can you lie down already?! Why are you so slow?!
Vanessa turns around and lies down after that.
As if receiving permission, Bambinata lies down in good posture where Vanessa moved away from.
Right before she enters sleep mode, Vanessa throws a corner of the duvet toward her, covering Bambinata.
Cover your tummy, or you'll catch a cold. Didn't Mother tell you? A good girl like you couldn't have forgotten about it already, could you?
Mother hasn't told Bambinata about this yet. Perhaps it's because Constructs can't catch a cold?
...Whatever! Just cover yourself!
Of course. It is done, Nessa.
Vanessa does not turn around to check, instead just acknowledges Bambinata's words with a hum.
Bambinata somehow gets the impression that Vanessa is a little bit more at ease. Recognizing that, her tensed body also relaxes miraculously.
Why does she feel this way?
Her existence is to be commanded. Bambinata requires guidance.
But unlike the instructions Bambinata received in the past from others, Vanessa's harsh words seem to hide something softer underneath.
Bambinata holds onto the soft duvet as though it is the subtle shade that lies beyond Vanessa's words.
You... don't remember me?
Sorry...
Stop apologizing. I just want to figure out what's going on.
Father and Mother only said that they had put something inside Bambinata to help Bambinata remember. Bambinata... doesn't recall the rest.
You're not scared?
Scared? Perhaps she was scared in the beginning, but that is no longer an emotion this frame holds.
Throughout the cycles of resets, Bambinata has learned that as long as she can find someone to give her purpose, she will know where to go and how to act. And that takes away the fear.
It's okay. Father and Mother will tell Bambinata what Bambinata should do. So will you, Nessa.
I don't have the time to tell you anything... Argh! Look at the time! We've got half an hour before we have to wake up. Go to sleep! Quickly!.
Okay. Bambinata will remember that.
You can't remember a thing even after you made a pinky promise...
Right as Bambinata enters her sleep, Vanessa seems to mumble something by her side. But before she can figure out what Vanessa said, Bambinata's consciousness once again fades to black.
