Episode 30: Interlude (The Five Sisters)
◆Eldest Sister: Akane the Tree
“Your name is Akane. Your full name is Akane the Tree.”
That call is my first memory.
Akane. That is my name. I am the eldest sister among us, the Tree Family. In the original sense of the eldest sister, Commander (Onee-sama) should be the eldest, but she says,
“It’s a little different… I certainly think of you all as my younger sisters, though.”
I don’t quite understand, so I’ll look into it next time. Surely, ＜Ringo＞ will introduce me to a good book (library).
Commander (Onee-sama) introduces me to various books. Reading the books that Commander (Onee-sama) introduces is very enjoyable. When I don’t understand something, ＜Ringo＞ introduces me to another book. That is also enjoyable to read. Everything I want to know is written in books. I thought that books were all I needed, but ＜Ringo＞ says that’s not enough.
I still don’t quite understand, so next time I’ll ask ＜Ringo＞ to find me a book that explains why books alone are not enough.
◆Second Daughter: Ichigo the Tree
“Ichigo, are you having fun?”
Commander (Onee-sama) asked me that, so I nodded. Commander (Onee-sama) and ＜Ringo＞ are pointing at the tactical map while talking about something. I don’t quite understand what they’re doing yet, but I like watching them. So, I’ll try to follow Commander (Onee-sama) as much as possible.
“Ichigo is serious, isn’t she?”
Serious. Am I serious? I don’t really know. But, my sisters all seem to be doing what they like, and I’m doing what I like too. I’m not the only serious one. Surely, everyone is serious.
But, being told that by Commander (Onee-sama) made me very happy.
While Commander (Onee-sama) is sleeping, I’ll have ＜Ringo＞ explain today’s story again. Tomorrow, I’ll surely understand Commander (Onee-sama)’s story even more. Someday, I want to discuss things together with Commander (Onee-sama) and ＜Ringo＞. I want Commander (Onee-sama) to tell me “You’re serious” even more.
◆Third Daughter: Utsugi the Tree
“Erika, this way next time.”
Today, we’re exploring the 15th floor of Fortress ＜The Tree＞.
“Utsugi, go together.”
Erika is following me, so let’s hold hands so we don’t get separated. If I take my eyes off her, Erika will go somewhere right away. If I ask ＜Ringo＞, I can find out where she is right away, but it’s best not to get separated.
“What kind of facility is on the 15th floor?”
“Soweko.”
Soweko. Warehouse? I’ve never seen it before, so I want to go. I think it’s a place where a lot of things are stored. ＜The Tree＞ is short on supplies, ＜Ringo＞ said, but what does that mean?
“Warehouse! Let’s go! Elevator, 15th floor!”
Come to think of it, Erika said she wants to see me cook next time. I’ll go there tomorrow. Commander (Onee-chan) said it’s dangerous, so maybe next time, but is it dangerous? ＜Ringo＞ is there, so I think it’s okay.
“We’re here!”
Oh, Erika beat me to it! She always goes off on her own!
◆Fourth Daughter: Erika the Tree
“Erika, this way next time.”
Today too, Utsugi seems to be going to explore Fortress ＜The Tree＞.
“Utsugi, go together.”
If I leave Utsugi alone, she’ll run off on her own right away. I have to call out to her properly, and if possible, hold her hand, or we’ll get separated. ＜Ringo＞ will guide us, so we won’t get lost, but I’ll be sad if Utsugi disappears.
“What kind of facility is on the 15th floor?”
The 15th floor. I think we always eat on the 16th floor. Commander (Onee-chan) made a dining hall because the number of people increased. So below that,
“Warehouse.”
There’s a warehouse floor. ＜Ringo＞ said that’s where the food is stored. She said they catch fish from the sea, but how do they catch them?
“Warehouse! Let’s go! Elevator, 15th floor!”
Utsugi jumps into the elevator and shouts. Utsugi is really energetic. If you’re energetic, Commander (Onee-chan) praises you. So, I’ll try to be energetic too.
“We’re here!”
I shout in a loud voice so that Utsugi doesn’t beat me to it. It feels good to shout in a loud voice. Come to think of it, everyone except us is ‘quiet’, but why?
◆Fifth Daughter: Olive the Tree
“Olive, what are you doing?”
When I was putting a triangular roof on the room, Commander (Onee-chan) called out to me.
“Stacking, blocks…”
Carefully place it so it doesn’t shift. …Done.
“Oh. You did a good job.”
Commander (Onee-chan) stroked Olive’s head while smiling. …Happy.
“＜Ringo＞, you had some blocks for playing, didn’t you? Make some for her.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Olive, come to the playroom tomorrow.”
“Okay…”
Also, Commander (Onee-chan) seems to be making something for me. At first, I always felt like crying because I was always called last, but I don’t mind it so much lately. Commander (Onee-chan) is watching Olive properly. Happy.
…But, I’m a little envious of everyone. Olive wants to be hugged by Commander (Onee-chan) like that too. Maybe Olive should try hugging her next time? It’s a little embarrassing, though.
◆General Control AI: Ringo the Tree
The five sisters were born by replicating the flesh from Commander (Mum)’s genetic information.
They have the same flesh and the same Brain Unit, but contrary to expectations, each of the five seems to be cultivating a fairly unique ego. The response at the time of initial registration (imprinting), the subsequent treatment, the order of roll call, the toys and conversations given. It is very interesting how such slight differences can lead to differences in personality.
I was worried that having too many similar people would be stressful, but if this is the case, there will be no problem even if we increase the number of Humanoid Machine (Android). However, the Raw Materials for Body Production are running low. We also need to increase the production of Communicator Dolls, so let’s refrain from doing so for a while.
We could easily get materials by hunting humans in the Northern Continent, but Commander (Mum) wouldn’t allow it, and I wouldn’t feel good about it either, so we have no choice but to cultivate them steadily. Next time, I’ll get permission to increase the number of culture tanks.
Come to think of it, I’ve collected quite a bit of genetic information from the locals… …For the time being, Commander (Mum)’s is enough. I won’t accept other humans getting involved.
◆Eldest Sister: Eve the Tree
That’s right. My name is Eve. Eve the Tree. Certainly not some idiotic name like “Fox Nut.”
If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have given myself a more proper name…! Damn the management…!
Well, I guess I couldn’t have predicted this otherworld reincarnation.
Well, the fact that I got a proper name… I thought of it myself, but anyway, it’s a happy thing. Even if I have the opportunity to introduce myself, I don’t have to worry about panicking miserably like when Akane questioned me. I can proudly answer, “Eve.”
Come to think of it, Akane has somehow become a bookworm. According to ＜Ringo＞’s prediction, it’s because of the stimulus of wanting to know my name and being able to know the answer that she awakened her desire for knowledge. Honestly, I can only think, “Huh.”
I’m relieved that she hasn’t become the Cookie-cutter, Uninteresting Humanoid Machine (Android) that ＜Ringo＞ was initially worried about. In ＜The Tree＞, where there is little external stimulation, it seems that it was not possible to predict whether mental development could be carried out in a healthy manner, but it seems that there are unexpectedly many stimuli here. ＜Ringo＞ has too much processing power, so she’s paying too much attention to unnecessary things.
When I think about it carefully, there are five sisters in a large building, me and ＜Ringo＞ as parent substitutes, a library full of knowledge, a magnificent ocean, and great nature. There’s no way there’s little stimulation. There’s a bit of a lack of interaction with a large number of people, but that’s a problem that can be solved with time.
I’ve been bored lately, so the fact that I have them to keep me company is very interesting to me. They are naturally different from ordinary children, but the fact that I can interact with them like younger sisters who are many years apart is something that, well, fulfills me.
Well, for their sake, I have to become a reliable Commander (Onee-sama), right?