Dr. Kal'tsit told me if you ever chose to place me at your side, it means you've decided to protect me. But maybe you're just as clueless as I am with her riddle, Doctor. Still, I'm sure she must've said it for a reason.

Tasty food, manga, and video games… I see them all as poetry scattered under the starry sky. I intend to relish them all on my journey... and eliminate anything that threatens their existence.

Ah, Doctor! Perfect timing! Please try this special sashimi I made. With my secret technique, the nutrients and vitality of the ingredients are best preserved.

Oh, this? It's a classic arcade game that used to be popular in Higashi. Want to have a go, Doctor? Here, just move that yellow mouth to eat and grow. However… until you've absorbed enough nutrients to grow strong, you'll only be prey to others.

A sense of justice? No, You got me wrong, Doctor. I don't really care much about bad guys. It's just… for some reason, good people always let them get away with bad things. What if... someone came along and got rid of them? No one would feel bad for them, right? Everyone would just be happy.

Hmm… I still don't get your point, Doctor, but I just need to take out the ones you say are bad, yes? After all, I know the Doctor is a good person. What if you're the bad guy? Don't ask me that! I would be crushed. Even if you are, I really, really don't wanna…

There's something on this ship that's both familiar and strange... gentle, yet hostile. It's making me uneasy, Doctor.

Doctor, what does it feel like to hold the lives of others in your hands? If it were me, their warmth would make me tremble with excitement. Hm? Oh, I was talking about you as a commander, holding everyone's lifeline.

The food and nutrients we take in sustain and shape us. So sometimes I wonder... if we ate the same food and did the same things, would we gradually become the same? Doctor, would we?

It's time to take a little break, Doctor. Come here, lie down. I'll go grab a blanket.

Ah, hello there, Doctor. Dr. Kal'tsit tells me you're my commander from today on! It's too bad I don't count as an official operator, but as long as you need my help, I'll do whatever I can.

I need to digest and absorb all this, right? I'll do my best.

I've earned your approval? Does that mean I can go to more places with you and get rid of more bad guys?

On one rainy day, I received an unexpected gift that changed me, but I was not taught how to face the future… Doctor, if it were you, would you have shown me the path yourself?

I should stay hidden, even from my teammates? Understood, I'll do as you say, Doctor.

I will protect you from the shadows, Doctor, as well as everyone else in our squad.

The deployment plan and secret missions for this operation... Mhm, all confirmed.

Are they the enemies? They don't look half bad.

Your orders are my beacon.

Ready whenever.

You always help me find my place.

Be bold, Doctor, trust what the mind says.

Looks like a piece of cake.

Thanks for the treat.

These tentacles are illusions? Why delude yourself?

Evildoers need to be culled. They always will be culled.

What a tough nut to crack. It'll take some time to digest this battle.

There are fewer bad guys out there now, and it's all thanks to you, Doctor!

Huh? Doctor, why'd you let some bad guys through? I'll go clean them up for you.

If it's only to cover everyone's retreat, I can do that… No, just saving everyone is not enough, the bad guys still need to be eliminated…

Shall I whip up something tasty to help everyone unwind?

Hmm? What's up?

Achoo! Ugh... Why does it feel like someone's looking right through me...

Arknights.

Happy New Year, Doctor! We've all grown by another year, and I've absorbed plenty of nutrients. I really hope everyone can keep evolving and become even better.

Did you miss me, Doctor?

I dunno where it came from… But they say if you mix a little of yourself into a cake, then whoever eats it will go crazy for you. Sounds… sick, right? Wait, Doctor, don't run away! I didn't put anything weird in this birthday cake, I swear!

Doctor, when you look at me now, what do you see? Am I still just a kid, or have I grown strong enough… maybe even stronger than you? If that were true… Then shouldn't I protect you instead?