Story Reader / Event Story / Stellar Narratives / Story
Constellia
Underground Arcade
Underground arcade, Constellia.
Your fingers move quickly across the screen, keeping up with the rhythm as colorful notes fly toward you. The crisp tapping sounds blend into a seamless rhythm. As the song reaches its final part, you stay focused, hitting the last few beats with precision. Perfect!
As the vocals fade, the screen switches to the results page. You finally let out a breath, the tension in your body easing.
Cleared it?
The pink-haired Construct sitting beside you spins once on her stool. Then, with a push of her foot, she rolls toward you with a loud squeak from the stool's wheels, bumping right into your side.
Lemme see... hey, that's a pretty good score. This song isn't easy. For a first try, I'd say you did great.
Teddy's praise is straightforward, but something about the smile behind her words feels a little too familiar... and just a bit suspicious.
...Hmm?
She blinks innocently, full of confusion and charm. But you've known her long enough not to fall for that act so easily.
You've been to a few festivals with Teddy before. And every single time, she's found some way to prank you. Everything might seem normal now, ever since she dragged you here to this rhythm game arcade...
But hoping Teddy will behave is like hoping pigs will fly. There's only one conclusion: she's cooking up something big.
Ugh... Really, Commandant? Is that how you see me?
When I found out the mechanoids restored a Golden Age rhythm arcade, I thought of you first. I wanted to experience it with you.
I even spent forever picking a song. If it were too hard, you might give up. Too easy, and you'd get bored. It took me a while, but I finally found one that I thought you'd really enjoy.
And what do I get in return? No thank you. Just suspicion. That really hurts, you know...
Yep.
Come on, it's a special holiday. Letting a day like this pass without doing anything would be such a waste, don't you think?
But I didn't expect you to be so curious about my little surprise. Well then... how about we make a bet?
She pats the arcade machine beside her.
Same song as before. The bet is whether or not you can beat the score you just set. If you break the record, you win. If not, I win.
Whoever wins gets to make one request. The loser can't say no. What do you say, Commandant? You could even make me spill everything I've planned for today.
And don't worry, I'll stay out of it completely while you're playing. No tricks. No interference. Fair and square.
Teddy may be a schemer, but when she makes a promise, she keeps it. If she says she won't mess with the machine, then she won't.
Breaking the record... honestly, you've got a good shot. You've already played through the beatmap once. As long as you focus, it should be doable.
Why so hesitant? Don't tell me you're scared, Commandant?
Not scared. Just curious. Curious why she would suggest a bet that clearly puts her at a disadvantage. Does she have a trick up her sleeve?
If you really want to know what she's planning, there's only one way.
You step up to the arcade machine again. The results screen from your last game is still glowing. One tap on "Try Again" and the new round will start.
Teddy props her chin on one hand, watching you with a knowing smile. She doesn't even take out her terminal. Looks like she really meant it—no tricks this time.
Hold on a sec, Commandant.
Just as you're about to press the button, Teddy's voice interrupts you.
It's nothing important, I just remembered something. You've just heard that song from beginning to end. What did you think?
You were mostly focused on the notes. As for the melody... there was a nice blend of traditional Kowloong style with a modern beat. The drums were crisp, and it was easy to get into the rhythm.
Did you notice the vocals near the end, Commandant?
Vocals...? You think so. The volume was pretty low, and it came during the most note-heavy part. You barely had a chance to listen to the lyrics.
Of course. I wrote it.
Yeah. I composed this song in my free time. It was meant as a gift for you, on the Double Seventh Festival. Then earlier, when I was picking a track for you to play, I thought, why not use my own?
So I used a program I made to turn it into a beatmap and uploaded it into the machine. Watching you play... it looks like it turned out well.
Oh, and I happened to find a forum post about traditional Kowloong music around that time. There were a few phrases that caught my attention. I tweaked the lyrics a bit, recorded them with my own voice, and added them to the song.
Actually... what I really wanted was to use this song to say something. Something I didn't quite know how to say aloud...
As that playful smile returns to her lips, something clicks in your mind. But before you can react, she's already pressed the "Try Again" button.
Now focus, and really listen this time, alright? Commandant!
The screen resets. Music starts to play, and colorful notes begin sliding along the tracks. You're quick to respond, fingers tapping with practiced precision. "Perfect" after "Perfect" fills the screen.
The game has already begun. Time to give it your all and try to beat your score.
The notes come slowly at first, giving you space to ease into the rhythm. But Teddy's earlier words still echo in your mind, and part of your focus starts to drift toward the music itself.
The melody is gentle and fluid, with soft chime-like tones that fall somewhere between ancient bronze bells and wind chimes, layered over a modern electronic beat. It's romantic in a way that feels unmistakably Teddy.
{226|153|170}~{226|153|170}~
Next to you, she sways lightly to the rhythm, eyes half-closed, humming softly under her breath.
Midway through the song, the notes begin to pour in faster, glowing with bursts of light. But now that you're familiar with the beatmap, your fingers stay in control, striking with precision. Then, the vocals begin.
Bright lanterns shine upon the Magpie Bridge as yearning thoughts await release. Brush meets ink as melodies convey the feelings I cannot speak.
The singing is airy and delicate, almost like a whisper. In your mind, an image starts to form: a girl sitting alone by a window, beside the lantern-lit Magpie Bridge. She taps her fingers against the table, pouring all her hopes and feelings into a handwritten song.
A thousand words stir within me, my heart trembling like a startled deer. All transformed into a single phrase, waiting for you to hear.
The voice is gentle, loaded with feelings. You can almost see the girl pausing as she writes, struggling to put emotions into words, gathering courage for just one final line...
But then a problem becomes clear. The vocals are almost buried beneath the rest of the music. And right now, the screen is flooded with a stream of high-speed notes.
If you focus on the lyrics, your accuracy will drop. If you go all-in on the score, the tapping sound will drown out Teddy's message entirely.
An impossible choice. Should you listen to the feelings hidden within the song, or focus on winning this challenge?
The game matters, but what she's trying to say through this song matters even more. Your fingers start to slow as you shift your attention toward the upcoming melody.
Just as the vocals begin to rise, right before you're about to hear that final, unspoken phrase, two small hands suddenly reach around from behind and cover your ears.
Silence follows... You miss the last few notes. The song ends with a few imperfect hits, and the final score falls short of your previous record.
No good. That's not how I want to say it. It deserves more than this.
Don't give me that look. I really did mean to let the song speak for me. But when I saw how hard you were listening, I realized it wasn't enough. Something that important shouldn't be tossed out in the middle of a noisy arcade.
You slowed down. That was the deciding moment. Most of the scoring weight was in that section, so technically, I win. Which means, Commandant, you owe me one request.
Special words need a special moment. Ferris wheel, aquarium, theater... just spend today with me until we find the right one. And when the time comes, I'll say what I couldn't just now. Out loud, just for you.
The vocals are precious, no doubt, but the song isn't going anywhere. You can always listen to it again later. Right now, what matters more is the outcome of your bet, and that request you're not allowed to refuse. Your fingers fly across the keys, striking the final note with perfect precision.
The final score screen pops up—a new record!
You're so decisive, Commandant. You didn't get distracted by my little surprise at all. Fair enough, I accept my loss. Now you can ask something of me. Need time to think it over?
No need. After everything that just happened, you already know exactly what you want to ask. Some things... they just shouldn't be left unsaid.
A knowing, slightly satisfied smile spreads across Teddy's face, as if everything has gone according to her plan all along.
Of course. But, Commandant... would you give me a little time to get ready?
Special words need a special moment. Ferris wheel, aquarium, theater... Let's find that perfect moment. And then, I'll say everything clearly, with my own voice. Okay?
