01. Text

[hopefanatic]

There's something I've been thinking about for a while so I hope all of you will be patient enough to indulge me.

A good deal of fantastic and seemingly-impossible things happen in this place, ranging from all of us raising dragons to encountering killer plants like ones out of an old horror movie. I know that I don't just speak for myself when I say that a lot of the things we encounter here simply don't happen where I'm from... In fact one could even call all of it downright impossible and against the laws of nature and physics! I mean, the moons changing us into animals? Some mysterious space society that we've "mysteriously" encountered right when they need our help? It almost sounds like a video game!

Which brings me to the question I'd like to pose to all of you...

How do you know that any of this is reality?

Comments

[hopefanatic]

[That "probably" isn't encouraging him, but he also didn't bring this up to have his mind changed.]

"Fundamentally different"? Are you so certain that you would recognize that sort of thing?

[1upzero]

[She herself wasn’t completely sure, after all a simulation would make more logical sense.]

Yes.

I don’t know how to explain it though. There is something missing. There is no support system, and Oniisan isn’t here. The environment is too detailed and too large. There are other processes that are required that just don’t exists.

[Of course her programming could have been changed, since she should have been deleted anyway, but she felt pretty sure of it.]

It’s a feeling....

[hopefanatic]

But if something as advanced as you could exist doesn't it also stand to reason that there could be countermeasures taken to ensure that you wouldn't notice? After all, it would defeat the purpose of everything if it could be picked out that easily.

I'm sorry if I can't accept "a feeling" so easily, but you'll have to understand that some things don't add up if you look at it from a logical standpoint.

[1upzero]

It is true, a lot of things don't add up, and, it would make the most sense if it were a simulation.

However, even if it is, I don't believe we are in the same place. This is definitely not related to The Neo World Program, or anything the Future Foundation could do. I want to keep an open mind before having theories, because it might make understanding the truth more difficult.

[hopefanatic]

It's good to have the opinion of someone directly involved, I had thought that might be the case but figured you would know better than me.

[But of course he couldn't have just... Asked her, like a normal person.]

Who said I'm not keeping an open mind? I'm just posing a question. I think it's only right to make people consider all the possibilities, wouldn't that make it much easier?

[And it might push people to search for the truth harder, whether or not they agree.]

[1upzero]

Of course.

Considering them all will make learning of this world easier.

Though, I do hope we were whisked away to another world, trapped in a simulation would be....

[Too soon.]

[hopefanatic]

It would be pretty despairing, wouldn't it?

[1upzero]

It would be over used.

[hopefanatic]

That's true, too! It would be hard to be impressed by someone repeating the same tactic.

[1upzero]

Exactly, so it must be something more spectacular!

[hopefanatic]

I appreciate your initiative for originality Nanami-san, it's so refreshing!

[1upzero]

Thank you?

[She was a bit unsure, but, if he appreciated it that was alright.]

[hopefanatic]

There's no need to thank me, your insight is always valuable! Since you'd be the one most likely to notice anything interesting please don't hesitate to tell me if something catches your eye.

[1upzero]

I'll definitely keep an eye out.

Though, thinking of this place and it's rules. Why is something so valuable created through touch?

It's a particular type of mechanic.

[hopefanatic]

Well there's definitely a specific type of genre that something like that falls into.

[not that he likes the idea of being part of that genre.]

But is there something else odd about it to you? Is it just that it seems too easy?

[1upzero]

Well, where does it come from? Why are those specific interactions what generate it? Is it something about contact with each other causing a reaction? If so, why are the levels different depending on intimacy?

If it's intimacy, does that mean emotion is really the catalyst? And if so, why is nothing generated when feeling emotions? Is it a combination of emotion and physical contact?

Is it an exchange of energy that turns whatever we have inside of us into something else?

Or is it really just thrown in eroge mechanics with an off on switch in preferences.

[hopefanatic]

From the limited experience I've had myself it seems to be just specific to contact without much distinction for the level of emotion involved. If it was based on that sort of thing I'd really be out of luck!

This might not be a relevant connection, but what was the qualification for us getting Hope Shards? I know the intention was for us to bond, but was there some quota of data in the programming before we could be given one? I feel like it would be difficult to quantify "bonding", but I'm also not a programmer... Or you!

[1upzero]

Talking to each other and getting to know each other. Time spent. Trust earned.

Probably....

Usami san would know....

[And then she felt sad. Would she ever see her again?]

Then what makes each action different from the other? Why is a kiss more than hand holding? Why is sexual intercourse more than a kiss? I thought maybe it was related to emotions.

I'm not very good with this sort of thing.... I don't understand it.

[hopefanatic]

I would say that maybe there's a difference because they're trying to encourage people to build up to sex itself, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would either never progress or would simple skip ahead. So it wouldn't be a very useful progression system.

And that makes two of us!

[Of course his reasons for not being good with it are different, but the point stands.]

[1upzero]

Why is that though? Isn't it about building up a relationship and earning love points until you get to that point?

Though... if I think about it, sometimes that is the method of accumulation to begin with, or simply events that are encountered unprompted.

Does that mean that the mechanics of this world are to encourage the greater gain and level optimally?

I feel like I need practice to learn this method better.

[hopefanatic]

Some people aren't really interested in love, they prefer instant gratification. Or they just aren't necessarily wanting that sort of relationship.

I guess at this point it's hard to tell what specifically they're trying to encourage aside from generating Chroma.

You're not having trouble, are you?

[1upzero]

So there are other reasons than as a result of affection earned and to create babies. Here, the point would be Chroma?

Most things can be handled with holding hands, but I haven't had enough experience to upgrade yet. The mechanics are not simply outlined to follow for it.

Have you had issues Komaeda kun?

[hopefanatic]

Well there's nothing wrong with just holding hands, it's a gesture that can definitely influence bonding and spread plenty of hope.

I guess you could say that. I keep offering to help people if they need Chroma, but I keep getting rejected... It seems like no one here is quite so desperate as to want someone like me.

[In actuality he's been trying to get people to "use" him but everyone is too nice and won't do it.]

[1upzero]

[She can picture how he might be phrasing it and why people might decline.

But, it gave her an idea.]

Komaeda kun! Let's practice together!

[And raise their experience points!]

[hopefanatic]

Together?

I'm honored, but I definitely don't think I'd be worthy of practicing with Nanami-san in any capacity. Even my first kiss was pitiful!

[Which he... Said to the guy's face. And then continued to talk until he shut him up.]