A Distant Reverie

Chapter 102

As everyone went off to work on their own after training, Vesper took refuge in the cafeteria again. Marine's advice resounded in his head.

Too flat-footed, huh.

It hadn't even occurred to him that he was too stiff or that he wasn't using his entire body when performing the punches and kicks in Calli's training regiments. He was simply doing his best to follow along. He thought nothing of it given that his physical parameters were steadily improving day after day.

And yet, all it took was a single glance by Marine to discern that a flaw in his movements.

We should probably have her be more involved in these sessions. It helps us improve and she seems to be in her element. I can see a vestige of her old self when she's giving out advice.

Since her amnesia was stress induced, there wasn't much they could do to restore Marine's memory aside from giving her time and putting her in situations where she was comfortable. Having her provide instruction to everyone to improve their training seemed to made her more confident around the crew. Vesper racked his brain for more things that Marine might have liked over the course of their journey.

...There was that desert she brought for me after we arrived in Sol. She called it a panacea. She must have really liked it. I vaguely remember the taste and the texture. Maybe we can work with Cecilia to make something similar? Hopefully Suisei has a better memory of that desert than I do. It apparently came from the banquet that Kobo held to announce the Eden's subjugation.

He grimaced as he was reminded of his late pupil. The events of Sol felt like it happened years ago, but in reality, it had been less than two weeks since Lady Ouro pried them out of that world.

Vesper sighed, trying not to ruminate on the insanity of their journey.

"Why the long face?"

It was Shiori who plopped onto a seat beside him. The whimsical girl had a relaxed smile on her face as if she hadn't been running away from Calli and Cecilia just moments ago.

Is it just me or did she get sillier after yesterday? Shiori always had a bit of airheaded vibe to her, but Vesper thought she was usually more brooding at times. This playfulness was new. He wondered if she was purposefully acting this way to liven the mood.

In retrospect, a lot of unfortunate things had happened to the people of this compound in a short span of time. Kiara lost her arm. Marine lost her memories. The extermination of the Gnostic Group, while necessary, couldn't have been taken well by this crew. While they were competent, Vesper doubted that they were comfortable killing other people.

"...Are you sure you're supposed to be here? Where's Calli and Cecilia?" Vesper asked.

"Calli is busy retraining Marine in the Type-A Exo. Cecilia let me off once I told her that I will give two hundred percent effort next time."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're lying?"

"Hey, you never know! It's the future. Even I don't know what I'm going to do yet. Maybe I'll surprise you all!"

Vesper grunted in amusement.

"Marine is just amazing, isn't she? Her physical parameters haven't changed at all since her memory loss. She might be a genius in body awareness and kinetic sense."

"She really is. I'm a bit envious, frankly. I thought we would have to coddle her a lot more given the amount of memory she's lost, but somehow, she's already found her footing and a way to contribute."