()||81BGM_Sunshine:Morning, December 25th. +I enter the banquet hall, where silence has settled back in after the hubbub from the previous night. +There isn't too much litter on the floor. Did someone clean up? +Just as I'm wondering who that would be, A T-Doll comes over to greet me. M21(2)M21||:Good morning, Commander! M21(2)Commander||:Oh, it's M21. Good morning. +What are you doing here? M21(2)M21||:A few girls fell asleep here last night, so I stayed behind to take care of them. +What about you, Commander? What brings you here? M21(2)Commander||:M14 asked me to come and collect the presents left behind by a few T-Dolls last night. +They'd be sad if they woke up to missing Christmas presents. M21(2)M21||:I see. +I've already picked them all up and put them on the table over there. M14...is kind-hearted as ever. M21(2)Commander||:So are you. +Taking care of the others all night. You haven't had much sleep, have you? M21(2)||:M21 looks a bit embarrassed. She drops her gaze and fiddles nervously with her hair. M21(2)M21||:Ahaha...I'm fine. +I only came very late at night. M21(2)Commander||:Because it's so cold outside, right? +And the dress you're wearing... I mean... M21(2)M21||:Yeah. That's why I only arrived just before the feast started. +It was really lively last night, and the food was great. But I felt sleepy after eating so much so I fell asleep, and woke up just as it struck midnight. +Then I couldn't go back to sleep... And since I had nothing to do, I just put some blankets on them and tidied up the place. M21(2)Commander||:...You're more talkative than I expected, M21. M21(2)M21||:Oh, huh? Really? +M-Maybe I'm still feeling festive from last night, that's why I'm talking so much... Haha... +Umm... You haven't had breakfast yet, have you, Commander? Would you like anything to eat? There are some snacks and cookies left. M21(2)Commander||<黑点1>:Sure. Let's have some together. ()||80<黑点2>BGM_Empty:M21 and I sit down by the tidied table. +M21 soon serves up two cups of steaming hot milk and several platters of snacks. M21(2)M21||GF_Memorial:Should we wake the others too, Commander? M21(2)Commander||:No, let them sleep. Who knows what would go wrong with their Neural Clouds if we wake them too early. M21(2)M21||:Come to think of it, did something happen before the feast? +They looked miserable when I arrived. M21(2)Commander||:It's good that you came so late. They kicked up quite a fuss last night. M21(2)||:I told M21 all about their attempted robbery on Santa Claus. M21(2)M21||:Is that so... M21(2)Commander||:Somehow you look...regretful? M21(2)M21||:Just a bit... It must've been really funny, right? +Ah, well... I'm not saying it's a right thing to do, but it just seems kinda fun... M21(2)Commander||:So you like things lively, eh...? M21(2)M21||:Well, not exactly... +Oh right, Commander, would you like to hear a joke? Should I tell you one? M21(2)Commander||:Sure. Let's hear it. M21(2)M21||:Since it's Christmas, let's have something festive. +Commander, would you be my Christmas? M21(2)Commander||:Uh...sorry? M21(2)M21||:Then I could "Merry you"! M21(2)||:...M21 bursts out laughing while making air quotes with her fingers. +...But then she freezes. M21(2)Commander||:... M21(2)M21||:Oh, I'm sorry! That was rude of me! +I've always been practicing with a wall and I forgot I'm now telling the joke to you, Commander! M21(2)Commander||:Does telling jokes require practice...? M21(2)M21||:I had wanted to make a few friends with it... +Looks like I messed it up... M21(2)||:M21 rests her head forlornly on the table. M21(2)M21||:M21? You okay? M21(2)M21||:Why do my jokes always fall flat...? +I really enjoy hanging out with others, but somehow I just feel like I can't fit in. M21(2)Commander||:M21... M21(2)M21||:It was the same last night... +I didn't have anyone to talk to, so I sat in the corner all alone and ended up falling asleep. +Is my Neural Cloud...not suited to fitting in with others? M21(2)Commander||:Don't be silly. M21(2)||:I tap her head gently with my knuckle. M21(2)Commander||:We're talking just fine, aren't we? +Don't think too much. Just show everyone your true self. M21(2)M21||:Hahaha...you're right. +I meant to tell you a joke, but ended up complaining... +I'm sorry, Commander. M21(2)Commander||:I should be the one to apologize. Sorry for not getting to know you better until today. +I think as long as you sincerely wish to make friends, try to loosen up a bit and just let things run their course... ()||:Before I can finish, voices speak up from the other end of the banquet hall. Grifon T-Doll()Griffin T-Doll||:Yaaaaawn... So tired... Grifon T-Doll()Griffin T-Doll||:Huh? Who put blankets on us? Grifon T-Doll()Griffin T-Doll||:Look, the commander's over there! And M21! ()||:The stirring T-Dolls come over and sit around us at the table. Grifon T-Doll()Griffin T-Doll||:Wow, there's even a big breakfast! Grifon T-Doll()Griffin T-Doll||:M21, it was you who took care of us last night, right? Thanks! Grifon T-Doll()Griffin T-Doll||:Your dress is gorgeous! Where did you buy it? ()||:M21 stares at the chattering T-Dolls around her, bewildered. Commander()Commander||:See? It's okay to let things run their course, right? ()||<黑屏1>:M21 finally smiles and gives me a firm nod. Commander()Commander||9:I've eaten my fill. +And I have some other things to attend to, so I'd better be on my way. M21()M21||:Commander! ()||:M21 stops me before I reach the door. M21()M21||:I'll work hard and learn how to tell funny jokes... +Once I've come up with new ones, will you hear me out? Commander()Commander||:Of course. It'll be my pleasure. M21()M21||:Then I'll hold you to it! ()||<黑屏1>:I leave the banquet hall and the T-Dolls' lively chatters behind. +This year's Christmas has come to an end in peace and tranquility. +I hope they've had a taste of real joy in this short period of respite - +I'm sure I'm not the only human with that thought.