Story Reader / Floating Record / ER03 Left Unsaid / Story
It has been a very long time since an external force stirred up these forgotten waters.
Fragments of memories have been abandoned in this place, but there has never been a way to connect them.
These hidden pearls in the ocean depths can finally be retrieved by their owner because of a coincidental encounter.
Alright, one more time from the top! Five, six, seven, eight—
Nora, keep it straight! No, you're still bending it. Lock it tight!
You're doing it wrong, too, Jenny. Alright, stop it.
Bambinata, come here. Demonstrate to your classmates.
Yes, Miss.
...
Look carefully, you lot. Bambinata is the most accurate one among you. Pay attention to the details in her wrist movement!
The music she has familiarized in her M.I.N.D. plays again, and Bambinata closes her eyes, her body moving elegantly according to the melody.
Even though this "dance" is only a combination of twelve basic moves, Bambinata still manages to turn it into a seemingly carefully choreographed dance.
As the song ends, Bambinata's body returns to its original position, following the last note. She opens her eyes as if a puppet is brought to life once more.
Brilliant, Bambinata. You can go back now.
The teacher gently pats Bambinata on the back, her eyes filled with recognition and affection.
This is the first Construct student she has taught in her whole career.
Petra specifically mentioned to her how special Bambinata was before the girl even stepped into the classroom.
Still, even a teacher like her had to take a while before she accepted Bambinata and stopped seeing the girl as someone strange, and it took her longer still to discover Bambinata's aptitude in ballet.
Not to mention how much time she has had to spend beyond the classes to guide the other students, all curious about Bambinata and talk about the Construct girl privately.
I told you all in the first session that great ballet dancers you see don't just get their fundamentals right. The aura and soul they bring to ballet are equally important.
This is the last session this term, and I want to remind you that your practice doesn't stop at repeating the moves. Familiarize yourselves with music, and spend time making those details in your movement more elegant.
Alright. One more time before class is dismissed. And five, six, seven, eight—
After the practice is over, the teacher gives each student specific notes about what they can work on before they leave. In the end, Vanessa and Bambinata are the only ones left.
I'm proud of you, Vanessa. You improve a lot every session.
Your fundamentals are one of the best in the class. What I'll recommend, however, is to listen to music more. Not to remember the melody but to enjoy it and discover what you want to express through your movement.
And you, Bambinata. I know that you have some... physical advantages, but I still believe that you are meant for ballet. Keep at it if it's possible, yeah?
Alright, get changed and go home. Don't forget to close the door when you're gone, okay?
The teacher waves goodbye and leaves the classroom with the files in her hands.
...
Are you also practicing for two extra hours today, Nessa?
I'll let you know when we're done practicing.
Vanessa knows that she cannot let up even with the teacher's approval.
"Be the one who is worth the most"—right now, Vanessa cannot surpass Bambinata in the teacher's mind, no matter how much she has improved.
Sighing, Vanessa grabs the bar and starts practicing from position one.
Meanwhile, Bambinata watches Vanessa's every move like always.
Hey... I have a question for you.
Yes?
...D-do you have any secret tricks?
...Secret tricks?
Bambinata looks a little confused before shaking her head after some thoughts.
Then you must have a way to dance better, don't you?
Hmm... Bambinata never thought about that.
Bambinata! Are you hiding something from me?!
You must find it funny that I have to stoop so low to ask you, don't you? I was the one who showed you the moves originally, and now it's the opposite!
That's not it! Bambinata won't keep anything from you, Nessa. It's just that... no one ever asked Bambinata about her progress...
M-maybe it's because Bambinata is a Construct?
That was what I thought, which is why I've been practicing the fundamentals way more than you. But the teacher just said you're meant for ballet, even beyond your physical capabilities...
So what is going through your mind when you dance? What were you thinking about when the teacher asked you to demonstrate just then? Rhythm?
Hmm... Nothing.
She does not think about techniques deliberately. She just follows the ebb and flow of the music and pursues the sunlit figure dancing in her M.I.N.D.
What?
You don't recall the moves in order?
Bambinata doesn't...
—How dare you dance better than me, then? Argh, it pisses me off.
Wait a minute... You can't be—do you like ballet, Bambinata?
Before Bambinata can respond, Vanessa comes up with the conclusion for Bambinata, as if she needs it to be the correct answer.
That must be it. Otherwise, how would you dance better than I do?
Can't believe you like ballet. No wonder you're a bit better dancer than someone like me who hates it... Hmph.
With that, Vanessa stops speaking and starts practicing again.
Is that so? Does Bambinata... like ballet?
But... what does liking something look like? And who makes Bambinata like ballet?
It is not an unfamiliar word, but Bambinata has never used it before.
Bambinata tries to search for things she "likes" from the available memory data in her M.I.N.D., but this detached observation cannot help her fully understand the term.
And since she cannot find the memory data of her being commanded to like something, the search results are giving her anxiety.
Panic.
Bambinata looks at Vanessa's reflection in the mirror, and behind Vanessa stands the motionless <//SELF>.
Bambinata starts to look closely at her own body in the mirror for the first time.
Is that the expression when one likes something?
She does not look different from how she normally looks.
Is that something she can do without being commanded?
She does not know.
Will liking ballet fill up the blank figure in her heart?
Bambinata cannot answer for sure.
Three days later.
You can't even get first place in an extracurricular activity like this. Tell me how you could possibly distinguish yourself from others in the future.
I don't want to be a ballet dancer, anyway.
Look at the world you're living in. You don't get to do what you want only.
I sent you to ballet classes so that you have an extra talent and talking point when you go into the world and meet others. Every child of someone who is somebody on Babylonia holds a handful of these bargaining chips.
Your father and I spend so much time and effort on your future just so your bargaining chips are worth a little bit more. You're not a child anymore, Vanessa. When will you learn?
...
I sent Bambinata with you just to keep you company. Now the teacher says that Bambinata is the most talented one in the class.
Petra sighs heavily as she says that. Bambinata stands nearby with her head lowered, avoiding looking at anyone as if she has done something wrong.
I wonder why we even bother.
The teacher said I improved a lot last time. Didn't she mention that?
What use is that? "Improvement" is just a way to console the mediocre students.
The excellent ones can always demonstrate their worth in the end and convince everyone. Receiving words of encouragement simply means what you showed wasn't impressive enough.
But the teacher approved of me, and you said this is just an extracurricular activity...
You still don't get it, Vanessa. Perhaps your life here is too comfortable.
Do you know what the outside world looks like? You get turned into a machine if you're lucky, and your days are numbered if you're not.
The only reason you can grow up on Babylonia is because of what this family is worth. The same applies to you. If you want to live a relatively safe life in the future, you have to be worth your privileges.
Doing scientific research like your father and I is the safest route. You don't have to face the danger on the frontline, and your research can bring you fame and fortune.
Socialize with people with high status during public events. When you need it, you can transfer the values they bring to the table onto you.
Just remember this—only a good outcome justifies the journey. Otherwise, it becomes a wasted opportunity.
Vanessa cannot find a better way to rebut her mother, so she stays silent, keeping what she wanted to say to herself.
The opening door breaks the silence in the room. Raymond finally has a day off, having been away for his research for a long time.
I'm back—eh?
Petra briefly explains the results Vanessa and Bambinata got from the ballet classes.
Nessa—
I told you to stop calling me that last time, Father. Stop treating me like a child.
Raymond has missed a lot of Vanessa's childhood due to his work. He may not understand why his daughter stops wanting to be called her pet name, but then again, that is not a subject within the purview of his study.
More often than not, he allocates the problems in the family to the person in charge of it—Petra.
Oh—I'm sorry I forgot. So, I understand what's happened more or less.
You said we didn't listen to what you wanted in the past, Vanessa. If you're saying you don't want to do ballet anymore, you don't have to.
Isn't that a whole term wasted?
Even we have to adjust our research direction if it's heading down the wrong path, don't we? There are other options beyond ballet.
...What about Bambinata?
Bambinata? She'll join you on whatever you're doing next.
But the teacher said she's meant for ballet! Aren't you happy that she got first place?!
Vanessa hesitates for two seconds. Remembering how Bambinata looked dancing in the classroom, she quietly voices her hypothesis.
And... Bambinata likes ballet.
A well-behaved child such as Bambinata was only following her parents' wishes.
Petra's words are a simple statement, but she still turns toward Bambinata, awaiting her compliant response.
Bambinata understands that her place should be decided by the person in charge of the family. But what she should do is clashing with Vanessa's expectations.
Bambinata wavers for a brief moment before making what she believes is the right choice.
...Yes, Mother.
Then it's decided. Go to rest, kids. Petra, I have a research model I want you to inspect.
The adults start heading toward the laboratory, discussing things the children do not understand. But the gloominess in the room does not dissipate just because their parents are gone.
Why didn't you say you like ballet?
Bambinata can't be sure...
Despite being fully prepared for a furious Vanessa, Bambinata's voice still shakes as she speaks.
...I'm so annoyed with you right now.
Did Bambinata do something wrong...
What's wrong is that—you've done nothing wrong.
...?
Bambinata tries her best to understand what Vanessa is saying. What other options does she have except for "doing the right thing"?
Fantastic. Now you don't get to dance. Father and Mother might have let you continue if you would just tell them you liked it.
The teacher said you're meant for it, after all.
What about you, Nessa?
Me...? I'm not meant for it, so I have to try something else. Next time, I'll get first place.
Then Bambinata will also...
Here you go again. Do you want to stick with me, or are you only doing so because our parents make you?
...Is there a difference between them?
Seeing how angry Vanessa looks, Bambinata quickly nods and answers.
Bambinata wants to stay with you, Nessa.
...I can't understand you. You would sacrifice what you like for this?
Sigh. Anyway, I won't lose next time! Remember that!
Bambinata will remember it!
Feeling the pressure around Vanessa slowly fading away, Bambinata smiles, not realizing it.
