S1019B

.......

It's evident no one -

- taught me that showing my face is the barest courtesy when initiating conversation? I was taught, actually, but I'm not in there with you to give you an in-person greeting.

I'm not a customer here at the Grand Magasin. I'm one of what is called the "Giants" - the pillars that keep Sisyphe standing.

A "Giant," you say... Hm, what's that? A -

- faction? Not really. The daily operations of the Grand Magasin rely entirely on us Giants' management. We don't even get to take PTO when we want to.

Oh yeah, you might hear some of its customers calling out to disembodied "Voices" as you make your way through the Grand Magasin. That'd usually be us speaking, the "Giants." Though there might be some exceptions.

... You.

Are you reading my mind?

*chuckle* Of course not. The questions were just so predictable that I couldn't help myself, that's all.

E-excuse me...

Sinclair gingerly sidled into the conversation.

If you two were in a romantic relationship... once, does that mean...

He meant it quite literally - our relationship burned with mutual yearning, the kind doused only by immediate gratification... And we never squandered so much as a single moment to get things steamy between the two of us. Until Meursault one day up and left N Corp. forever without so much as a proper goodbye.

You did, didn't you?

I did.

Lemme ask again, now that we've gone through a round of Liquidation. Did you return because you missed me?

As it is basic courtesy one extends to an old flame...

"I missed you."

Hehe, fine. That's good enough for me.

I don't know what game you two are playing, but...

If you're a Giant, and if the Giants are akin to overseers of this "department store," is it within your authority to release us from here?

... She cannot. She will not, even if it were within her ability to do so.

Right... Of course you'd know.

Outis glared askance at Meursault.

So this new coworker of yours - she's always like this, huh? So untrusting.

.......

I am a Giant of the Grand Magasin - protecting and maintaining the Grand Magasin is my job. I can keep you company with stories about this place, but...

... I can't pick out just the 13 of you like it's a crane game.

Still have to follow the rules and conditions, hm? Then you have nothing to offer us but the illusion of omnipotence. Unremarkable.

<... She won't always have her eyes on us. She still has a department store to manage, after all.>

I'm starting to get a clearer picture, Executive Manager. Each "Giant" must also be responsible for overseeing an aspect of this place.

Oh? Looks like she's more than just a paranoiac... Pfft, your friends each have something special about them, huh?

.......

Um... May I ask you a question, Miss Jeanne? Why did you let us hear your Voice? Was it just because you were happy to see Meursault...?

At work, I'm usually... all by myself.

I sit in one corner of this moderately-sized room that isn't too big or too small... staring into the unbearable vastness of the Grand Magasin like it's the most normal thing in the world to do.

... And?

You know, sometimes...

... Sometimes I just want to talk about this feeling with someone.

Care to elaborate -

Time to bid each other adieu. I know you're dying to see me, but try to exercise some restraint for now.

.......

... I know you're still here.

... Boo, boring.

I'm used to dealing with the likes of you.

Hey, don't take it too seriously. It's not often that I get to fool around like this at work.

Leaving for real now - tchao.

... It doesn't feel all that real.

<What doesn't?>

That Meursault of all people used to be romantically involved with someone.

Our relationship entailed elements that are no different from what is conventionally expected from "romantic partners."

We went on dates and spent time together.