''So to begin with, I suggest 932 must be the first place.''
While saying this, I remembered her performance in the meeting room and during my conversation with 686—if you can even call it a conversation, of course.
220 waited for a second.
''Tell me why.''
I exhaled quietly.
''So to begin with, her physical abilities are extraordinaryly advanced. Even while she wasn't focussed, she can avoid fast objects like nothing. Her speed and core is abnormal.Do you know who else wears a t-shirt and short in a cold air like that?''
220 stapped for a second. And started spinning her fountain pen.
''Sensible. She could be good for carrier.''
She started writing and drawing... I guess.
She made long and short lines. And drew a circle. And wrote again.
She cleaned her throat.
''So for the second person, I suggest 369.''
''Good idea.''
''You won't object?''
''Did you forget? we already planned to invite him 2 days ago.''
She paused for a second.
''How did I forget such crucial thing... idiot.''
She really have forgotten. So, even a top one could forget. That makes me no different from others... Except 104 Probably. No-- not probably. It's certain.
''Don't call yourself like that. Everyone can forget things.''
''I can't''
I can't? What kind of answer is that?
I looked into her eyes. She was looking somewhere else.
Then--
She started scribbling again.
Faster this time.
The sound of pen scratching against paper became strangely aggressive.
...
Something was definitely wrong.
At least I could sense that.
''Is something wrong?''
''What makes you say that?''
That's her typical answer.
''I can't... What did you mean by that?''
''I meant... I started to forget things much easier compared to the past. That's why I am reminding myself not to forget this time.''
She scratched her nose.
''Alright.''
That didn't convince me. But I decided to be quiet.
I adjusted my eye patch.
''How's your eye?''
''The swelling isn't gone. And it still hurts. But it's bearable now.''
I stopped for a second. still adjusting the patch.
''Getting used to living without something is harder than expected. My balance is off nowdays.''
''I understtand. But you dont have any abnormalities or extra diseases right?''
Why she was asking that?
''I... Don't have any.''
That was clearly a lie. I hoped she hadn't noticed it.
''That's good.'' She said.
Close call.
''So for the third person, do you have any idea.''
I stopped for a while.
''I know someone.''
''Who?''
''The new first rank. New 104. The perfect score.''
She looked at me. Glancing me with weird expression I couldn't recall.
''So you say the top one could help us to explore around? He looks like he have no experience at all.''
I stayed quiet.
''Prove.''
She said with a serious tone this time. And leaned forward.
''I talked to him. He is capable of realizing there is a election system without reading the rules.''
She raised her eyebrows as she heard me.
''Really?''
''Absolutely.''
She couldn't hide her astonishment.
''So how would he help?''
''Prediction.''
''Of what?''
''Structure, baseplates, turns, threats. He would be our foresight tool.''
She stopped for a second. Then--
''Accepted.''
She turned the page and started writing and drawing again. The sound became more intense now.
What is she drawing actually?
''What are you doing?''
She didn't answer. Abnormal.
Is she trying to ignore me?
But She didn't even changed her posture.
At least for this statement, her posture must have changed.
I looked closer this time, still scribbling.
I got an idea.
I reached out her scattered tools and maps. I guess.
And in an instant, I felt a sharp pain in my hand.
''--Ouch!!''
I looked my hand, confused.
Thin blood dripped slowly.
''What is your objective??''
''I should ask you that.''
''...''
''I hate it when someone touches my stuff. Unless, of course, I see sense.''
''You sould have told me about that.''
''You already know that.''
What is she saying?
I already know something?
I dont remember experiencing this before.
Altough...
I tried to recall.
...
Nothing.
As if I was trying to collect pumpkin seeds from a pomegranate.
The harder I searched, the less sense it made.
She exhaled quietly. And reached her pocket one more time.
Later, she pulled out a cotton piece.
And handed me over.
''I should have been more gentle.''
I pressed down the cotton.
''Wait. You stapped me with the pen right?''
''Yeah. There is no doubt.''
''What about the ink? It must have entered my bloodstream by now.''
She paused.
''No need to worry.''
She looked sure with this.
She handed the expensive pen over.
''Look. There is a mechanism. you can cut out the ink stream by pulling it.''
She was right.
Just as I about to test it--
Something flew me nearby.
''What the--''
My hearth was ponding.
The screwdriver flew me nearby.
''I could have died.''
''But you didn't.''
Is that a joke?
But... Does a joke have to be deadly?
''Stop it! I don't want to lose my other eye!''
220 was simply looking her nail. Doesn't caring at all.
''That is your problem.''
I was going to say something, but I restrained myself.
''So you really don't remember?''
Here it goes again.
''Remember what?''
''Do you think I'm a person who will be forgotten?''
What is she on??
''I Don't even have a slightest idea what are you saying...''
She looked at me a little annoyed as she heard it.
''Nevermind.''
There is two possibilities.
Either she is drunk or I am stupid.
Each of which doesn't make any sense. I am sure she is aware of what she is doing. And I am sure what I am doing.
Weird--
No.
Thats beyond weirdness. That's something else.
Screw the pomegranate idea.
That now feels like swimming in a solid concrete.
I slowly lended the pen back.
''Please don't throw anything. And don't lend me something ever again.''
And I bend down to pick the screwdriver. And lended back slowly.
''Anyways, Let's forget What happened. I don't want to think aimlessly about that.''
She nodded. And I continued.
''From the start, I wanted to say what are you writing.''
She tried to hand me over the notebook.
I quickly pushed her hand back.
''Hell no! I don't want to die.''
''if I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have missed.''
She is right.
''Thank you. You can show me from faaar away.''
She showed me her notebook from a distance.
What is this?
[Consent form]
Name:932.
Role:Scout.(Role cannot be changed in any circumstences except someone is deceased.)
Features:932 demonstrates high levels of speed and endurance. She has a strong interest in sports. The fact that she doesn't get cold in cold weather is an indication that he has been working since he was little. She has established a sports-related committee, and Aetheris is perfectly suited for this command.
Signature:----(This gap needs to be filled by the participant itself.)
Tools He/She wants to bring:
Tool one:----
Tool two:----
Extra tools:-----(Optional.)
Ps. Once the participant signatured, there is no turning back.
Participants photo:[Drawing of 932.]
...
"Consert form huh? Looks like a great idea."
I pressed tight again to my hand.
"It is. This makes our committe more serious now."
From now, things started to feel real.
"Can I give a recommendation?''
"..."
She paused and leaned closer.
"First, I suggest you to make ID cards for each participant.''
She paused for a second. Then, She started pulling out triangle things.
''I already made them.''
Incredible. She really did plan everything.
But something lingered in my mind. I decided to ask.
''Why triangle?'' I said. ''Rectangle could be better.''
She started spinning one of the triangle plastic cards.
''That's for the symbolism of the aetheris.''
''Symbolism??''
I stood up for a second to clean up my back and where I sit. She started speaking while I was standing and not looking at her.
''Three sides.''
I started looking at her. She stopped spinning the card.
''Expedition,''
She spinned the card once again and pointed her finger on the corner.
''Task distrubution,''
Her finger stopped at the last corner.
''Trust.''
She placed the card down and looked directly at me.
I sat down. The astonishment was clearly visible on my face.
''You thought about that too?''
She didn't show any admiration for the praise.
''Anyways, I Agreed someone in printing station located at 3rd floor, bottom section. 5 points for each print on the triangle cards.''
Already? When did she plan all of this?
2 days ago at least.
That means she distrubutes her ideas late.
Like a country distrubutes its technology to their citizens late.
Maybe that was the reason.
Or maybe she simply didn't trust people enough.
Knowing 220, both explanitions sounded equally plausible.
Suddenly--
A soft, automated voice floated through the corridors:
''Attention all participants. Your estimated time ran out. Please come to the meeting room and scan your ID cards''
I closed my eyes and exhaled.
220 was in an hurry. Collecting every piece she left behind.
I stood up and started walking. The crowd getting bigger each second.
''Wait.''
220 said. I didn't turn back.
''Don't forget to look at the message.''
I walked away.
That was clearly a day with action.
My head lightly aching with every pulse. Cold made it worse.
Let's see what happens now.
...