testingphase | Room 4

Room 4

[The room, once you've entered it, has a number of ear buds laid out on a table.]

Now, pop those ear buds in and we'll begin the test! Failure to comply will result in desyncing and forcing your team to pay for a replacement body.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The robot said we couldn't be direct, but since Aoko already asked... Did any of you get arrested for murder?

I did.

[Double takes]

You did?

Well, I was falsely accused, but yes, I was arrested for it.

Oh... What happened?

My coworker was killed by a wasp, but I'd seen too much, and was no longer an elite, and had been speaking out against the city, so the city found it an ideal time to arrange for me to disappear.

...So that's the kind of corruption you spoke about.

Yeah. That's what I meant.

...Well, you know what! You're smart, and brave, and you care about others, you've got a good head on your shoulders. I know I've only known you a little while, but I believe you can help your city.

A-ah--!

[oh gosh ducks his head] Thank... you. I hope that's enough.

Even a little bit can do a great deal.

In contrast, I think a little bit is often easily forgotten. As much as I want to believe otherwise.

Maybe sometimes. Maybe most of the time... But, sometimes all you need is that spark, sometimes that's enough to get things moving.

That depends on the form of inertia. But as long as the options seem to be 'continue as it is' or 'be destroyed', I need to look for a way for change to occur instead.