Chapter 8: The shape of life and the shape of happiness

"Push," I said. Part of the wall opens with a sound.

Ritimiele turns toward you and changes the color of the body's hair.

"It seems that Kite is very happy to have chosen that'superpower'. The agent is urging us to take Kite as soon as possible."

"Oh my goodness."

Do you feel disappointed or angry about the changes to your plans? Kite, who had not yet fully grasped the emotions and changes in the hair on Ritimiele's body, was unable to comprehend his inner thoughts.

Either way, I'm sure I'll greet the agent, so it's just a matter of arriving early or late. I followed Ritimiele, who began to walk.

"Let me know. I'll adjust it at any time, sir!"

"Thank you, Mr. Dirganar."

He heard Dirganar's worried voice in the background.

Somehow, I felt my body getting lighter and lighter.

Just as I was beginning to adjust to the effects of the remodeling on my body, I noticed Ritimiele's hair moving in front of me. At the same time, the emotion next to me sounded like a warning.

"Master Kite. Gravity continues to decrease little by little. Take caution to avoid hitting your head.

"Sorry, I guess the remodeling has paid off."

"Sorry. The representative is from a race that has adapted to life in a low-gravity environment, so the gravity in the living room is fixed at a low level."

"Oh, that's right."

Ritimiele's speed remained constant, but as he explained, his body began to float.

"Maybe Ritimiele, too?"

"Yes, I feel that gravity on Earth is a little heavy. "In the Federation's living space, gravity on the body is lighter than on Earth."

Apparently, Ritimiele's speed was a little stronger than usual after responding to Kite.

I started to notice that the weight on my body had become lighter. To avoid drifting, change your gait to a staggered one.

Then, behind me, I heard the sound of something hitting.

The emotion hovering behind me vanished when I turned around.

As I looked around in surprise, I heard an emotional voice from above.

"Master Kite. They seem to be more advanced in gravity control technology."

"That's right. Can you go down?"

It appears that the output of the gravity unit has been suppressed, and emotion slowly descends to Kite's head.

Although he was observing the change in gravity, his unit's output probably couldn't keep up.

It's not strong enough to break if it hits the ceiling, so it's probably just a low priority.

The creaking sound coming from inside could be the embarrassing sound of emotion.

"There's nothing wrong with that, Master Kite." Don't worry."

"Very good. We need to be careful with each other."

It's so light that it feels like it's going to soar after just a small step.

During the conversation with Emotion, Ritimiele transformed her hair into a vibrant color.

"Yes. In fact, I was going to introduce them little by little, starting with employees who are less likely to live there. However, I also struggle with the agent's capricious behavior.

Kite, who knew he was the cause, couldn't respond to those words.

My body was in a state where, no matter what I did, it seemed to float. The destination seems close.

At the end of the slow turn, I saw a dead end.

"We've arrived. Well, I want to inform you in advance."

"Yes"

"I think Mr. Kite probably doesn't feel comfortable with the appearance of the agent."

"I understand?"

"Even if you think it's scary, I'd appreciate it if you didn't object too much."

"Of course."

Ritimiele was the first to reply to Kite. If the Earthlings chosen as opponents didn't face much backlash, it wouldn't be surprising if the other inhabitants looked different from our common sense.

I'm prepared. When I nodded, the wall opened.

I caught sight of the creature on the opposite side.

"... Jellyfish?"

The names of the creatures that lived in the earth's oceans fell out of Kite's mouth.

Space jellyfish.

Such expressions ran through Kite's mind.

The representative, Terapora Panesio, is a creature that closely resembles a jellyfish on Earth.

"I want to say hello again. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kite. We appreciate this meeting."

"Oh, yes"

I see. It makes sense that they don't have vocal cords.

Instead, it is surprising that jellyfish live in space as intelligent life forms.

"Then why are you muttering like a jellyfish?" Are there creatures similar to the ones we live on Earth? If that's the case, it's too good."

"Eh, yes. Emotion? Do you have any image data about jellyfish?"

"Show saved images.”

Emotion creates a very high-pitched sound while displaying an image in the air.

When Ritimiele saw this, the hair on his entire body began to change color.

The thing shown is a creature that closely resembles Terapora Panesio. It is a jellyfish.

"This is......!"

"Definitely, they look very similar. Where on earth do they live?"

"They live in the ocean. I don't know much about their ecology, but..."

"Under the sea! It is true that, under Earth's gravity, it is impossible to survive in the air without the constant use of extreme force. Under the sea, it's a blind spot."

A representative lamented.

I heard they are observing this area, but I wonder if they are checking underwater.

"We observe the Earth, but only at the level of observing intelligent life's overall activities." If you look closely at that individual, you'll see something. Yes, there is a possibility of emotional transfer."

"Is it that scary?"

Kite contemplated the answer to the question in his mind. I don't plan to express it verbally or face-to-face, but it wouldn't be surprising if someone could read my thoughts.

In other words, despite observing Earth's activity to some extent, he has not yet turned his attention to animals and plants other than humans.

"In general, that understanding is fine. In addition, we are the only ones who can read minds; other employees can't. Please don't feel bad."

"If we must be cautious, mere Terapora Panesio residents are enough."

"I guess so. Of course, I don't usually do things like this."

Given that it is a jellyfish, it makes sense that the first representative would be "we." Despite appearing as a single entity, it is actually a collection of numerous individuals. Although they look similar to jellyfish on Earth, I think there are many differences.

At least on Earth, jellyfish do not communicate with humans by shaking the air.

"You're really smart, Kite. Yes, we are a collection of countless individuals. Please treat us as living beings; each of us is like a terminal."

"Is it really scary? I remember that some jellyfish on Earth were like that."

"It's the same after all. We believe they are happy. I would like to interact with you one day if I have the chance."

"Happy? Are they smart enough to feel it?"

"If you don't develop your intelligence, you won't be able to survive. Do you think such a life is inherently happy? It seems to us that people who can live a satisfying life with just enough intelligence to survive are actually happier."

I've heard about the space jellyfish's theory of happiness. I feel like I can empathize with it, but I can't.

Kite becomes suddenly concerned that she might be experiencing hallucinations during her time in Goodbye. Perhaps it was a near-death experience. Only when this type of thinking appears does the national team not make interceptions.

The Ritimiele next to me was displaying flashes of her body hair. It appears that you've been unable to keep up with the ongoing conversation, despite the assumption that your mind is readable. I took a quick bite in my mouth, but neither disappointment nor gratitude seemed to make me feel like I was hallucinating. it hurts.

In any case, my understanding of Terapora panesio has deepened, but for now, I'm just talking about jellyfish. What is the main theme?

"Hmm, you're being impatient, Kite. I think it's a wonderful experience to gain new knowledge through conversation with an undiscovered intelligence."

"I agree with that, but I don't think there's any reason to rush to overturn Ritimiele's plans."

"Of course, that's not all. Now let's get to the main topic."

The agent moves one of its tentacles, bringing it closer to Kite.

The way emotion whispers to Kite that it's not toxic is sweet. Would it be better if I touched it with my index finger?

"There's a reason why we look at the earth. I decided that it would be better to prioritize that explanation."

"I understand?"

However, this reason carries a slight political overtone. Mr. Kite will not have the authority to explain anything until he receives official League membership. Will you understand?"

"I understand"

Obviously, bureaucratic and cumbersome procedures are the same on Earth and in space.

And why is Earth being watched? We determined that keeping this matter under wraps would negatively impact Kite's relationship with the staff. I understand this too. It's similar to my earlier conversation with Ritimiele, but if there's something hidden, the conversation tends to lack excitement.

When Kite nodded, the representative grabbed his right hand with a tentacle and spun it around. I wonder if it was a handshake.

"That's helpful, Mr. Kite." We invite you to join the League Federation starting now. For my first time as an Earthling, I hope you enjoy it."

"Ah, representative!?"

Ritimiele said in a panicked voice.

At the same time, I felt a sense of buoyancy in my body that was incomparable to before.

I was surrounded by rainbow-colored light. Kite instinctively embraces the weight of emotion.

"Master Kite! I discovered a strange type of force field; there is no way to analyze it."

"From now on, make sure a trip into space is completely safe!"

After hearing the agent's voice, the scene changed. An artificial celestial body swiftly soared through space.

The pressure on the body is not very great. What can I say? It's the same movement as what you see in a classic movie. My heart is filled with excitement as I wonder if mankind's imagination will achieve the same quality as the universe.

"Mr. Kite. I've tried to recreate your preferred moving scenario. We'll be here soon, so rest assured until then."

It dissolves immediately. It is ruined in many ways.