Oct 24, 2025
"There it is. The reveal, the truth, the harsh truth about reality!"
"Being unloved and alone, sir?"
"Exa-well, no, not quite."
The doctor leaned back in his chair, then winced as his head touched the headrest.
"Careful, sir."
"Yes, yes."
The doctor sat up straight and looked at the monitor.
"Reathe is almost right. He's very, very close to being right."
His assistant looked confused.
"How is that?"
"Because a human; no, any sentient creature's natural state is one of being unloved and alone."
"That's not true."
"Isn't it? If a person appeared in an empty room, and stayed there from birth until death, then would they be naturally loved and accompanied?"
"I-I suppose not, but that's a hypothetical."
"Of course it is!"
The doctor clicked his tongue.
"And that is why Reathe is almost right. Sentient creatures have the potential to loved and accompanied, and in civilized countries, that is what happens to a lot of them. Not all; maybe not even the majority, but enough sentient creatures have felt love that would reject Reathe's ideas."
The assistant nodded solemnly.
"So he is almost right."
"Almost. But not quite."
The laboratory was quiet for a few moments.
"But... what about those who go unloved, sir?"
The doctor looked away, and his crest fell.
He stared at the monitor displaying Itsuki and Sayaka's reunion.
Something stirred in his chest for a moment.
"Sir? Did you hear my question?"
"Yes. Yes, I did."
He smiled sadly and looked at the monitor.
"I think Reathe proves his own philosophy. But we'll just have to see where this story goes, won't we?"
