37: Numbers tell us everything.
At the round table, 37 gazes at the beautiful dodecagram treat in her hand, then at the long line of visitors outside the ice cream shop.
37: We graphed the foot traffic in every museum hallway, the composition of people walking through them, and compared the impact of other related facilities on foot traffic ...
37: And then we found the coordinates of these numbers in the real world.
37: The refreshments area housing the ice cream shop is in the passage connecting exhibits B3 and C2, but this passage is narrow, so most people visit all of Zone B, then take another route to get to Zone C.
37: People looking for a refreshments area feel like they have better options—the hallway to the office area takes space, so this refreshments area also lacks a restroom.
37: Visitors with children are important customers for an ice cream shop, but this refreshments area is in the opposite direction of the play area.
37: And so on. I've found what's behind the numbers, the hints they've given us.
37: Behind the numbers are people. Their habits, thoughts, and subconscious actions lead to this result.
37: Honestly, it feels strange and ... counterintuitive. It's completely unlike my usual way of observing the world.
37: I always observe the phenomenon first, then look for the numbers behind it, not the other way around. I don't know if it'll help my research, but ...
37: I see them now.
Seeing his new friend daydreaming again, X shrugs and continues.
X: In short, 37 told us the answer behind the numbers. The subsequent steps were elementary.
X: Our key issue was the shop's disastrous location, so we needed a robust publicity campaign to direct people to our hidden gem!
Medicine Pocket: Actually, linking the marketing with the special exhibition was my idea. Ezra, if there's a prize going to the hero who brought more visitors to your exhibition, don't forget who's responsible.
X: And our therapist helped as well. She suggested some new ice cream flavors. See those orange bits? They're candied lemon peel.
Mesmer Jr.: I just heard people around the office mention they like this kind of thing.
37: It was a great idea, Mesmer! They're like lucky little numbers scattered on a plotted line!
Ezra: And thus, the "Star of Wonder" ice cream was born.
Ezra takes the last bite, feeling the refreshing ice cream melt in his mouth, waltzing with the crispy cone.
Ezra: It's delicious, really. And your story has been so inspiring.
Ezra: Before you came along, the only people that would visit the exhibitions here were fellow researchers in similar fields. But thanks to this ice cream, we've attracted more people than ever!
Ezra looks behind him.
Among the streams of visitors are scholars, locals, and tourists who seem to have traveled from near and far, flanked by young kids.
Some talk passionately in front of the exhibits, some quietly read the descriptions, bursting up with sudden realizations, and others simply admire the beautiful displays.
But they all share happy smiles, and every pair of eyes looking at the exhibits lights up.
Ezra: I've been feeling a bit nervous. Today is my first public speech since being appointed curator of the museum.
Ezra: I've tried some tips to help ease my nerves, like imagining the audience as potatoes or mushrooms. But I think something you said will help most, 37.
Ezra: Behind the numbers are people. They came from all over for the special exhibit. They're real people with a real love for knowledge. They're not potatoes or mushrooms.
Ezra: That's the real trick to this.
37: Is your speech about to start?
Ezra: It is. Would you do me the honor of joining my audience?
37: Of course! I'd love to!
The young researchers rise from the round table and escort their friend to his proving ground.
37: Wow, there are as many people here as in our lecture hall.
Ezra: Oh no, I'm losing my nerve again. Maybe I should try imagining everyone as mushrooms? No, that's avoiding the issue, and it's rude.
37: Why would you be nervous? No matter who listens or how many people there are, the content of your speech remains the same, doesn't it?
37: The Truth doesn't change, and that's all we should be accountable to.
Ezra: You're right. Miss 37, very right. We worked hard to get this Miracle Stone ready for display. I can't sell it short. Phew!
X: You must exhibit the same spirit you demonstrated while ascending that snow-capped mountain, my friend. Your task today is trivial in comparison.
Medicine Pocket: If you need to, keep an eye on us; I have ways to keep you too busy to be nervous.
Mesmer Jr.: You'd better not have any bad ideas running around that mind of yours. Go on, Ezra, imagining everyone as mushrooms can be your fallback plan.
Ezra: Thanks, friends. I'm on now!
As the young curator steps up to the center of the stage, the murmurs surrounding him subside.
Ezra: Welcome, everyone! I sincerely thank you all for coming.
Ezra: I haven't been the curator of the Laplace Museum for long, but I'm honored that my call has been answered from all over the world.
Ezra: You have different identities, live different lives, have different passions ... but our wishes and ideals are the same.
Ezra: That is, to spread knowledge, to share experiences, and to let the vastness and beauty of the world be seen by all.
Applause ring out. The young curator has earned their respect and trust through his remarkable achievements.
People listen to him with excited murmurs, already anticipating the surprises he will unveil.
Ezra: Many precious exhibits have been sent to the museum, their owners generously lending or even donating these treasures, so their splendor can be appreciated by all our visitors here.
Ezra: This number far exceeded my expectations. I must admit, while it's an honor, the extensive appraisal work has been a challenge for us.
Ezra: But fortunately, with the help of many knowledgeable friends and colleagues, it was a challenge we overcame. I am truly fortunate to have such passionate and considerate companions.
The young man in the center of the exhibition hall looks toward a corner of the venue, smiling and nodding.
Medicine Pocket: Hmph, no need to thank us, although we did do a good job, didn't we?
Mesmer Jr.: Quiet, you.
Medicine Pocket: Hey!
37: Haha, you're all too funny!
The whispers draw a few eye rolls, and the young researchers quiet down. The speech continues.
Ezra: All the donated specimens we've received are invaluable. Each one is unique.
Ezra: But among them, we unanimously believe this piece holds the most remarkable significance, and for that reason we created a special exhibition to highlight it.
Ezra extends his hand, directing everyone's gaze to a pale blue, semi-transparent crystal placed at the center of the stage.
Ezra: The Miracle Stone—from an ocean of crystals that cover Neptune's surface.
Murmurs and exclamations of wonder rise as people gaze at the beautiful crystal.
Ezra: Structurally, it is a diamond. In fact, it is not much different from the cut diamonds we know.
Ezra: Instead, its uniqueness lies in the fact that this beautiful stone comes to us from 4.5 billion kilometers away.
Ezra: As with previous attempts, Voyager 2 carried an arcanum space teleportation formula—an attempt to obtain material samples from other planets.
Ezra: But as many know, these previous attempts had failed.
Ezra: Although arcanists have always suggested that spatial distance was not the true reason for the formula's failure, ultra-long-distance space teleportation was still considered impossible.
Ezra: Unfortunately, during the 1980s, space agencies worldwide stopped equipping their probes with these arcanum formulas to lower costs.
Ezra: Yet, we still had a chance. When Voyager 2 flew past Neptune, it succeeded where the others failed, bringing us this gift from a distant planet.
Ezra: Many mysteries surrounding this beautiful diamond from afar remain unsolved.
Ezra: We all know Voyager 2 reached its closest point to Neptune on August 25, 1989, but this diamond was teleported back much later.
Ezra: Is the arcanum ultra-long-distance teleportation formula so different from ordinary teleportation that it causes a noticeable time delay? For now, with only one case example, we can only speculate.
Ezra: Still, according to the space center's report, this beautiful stone appeared, and the complex and precise formula appears to have finally succeeded.
Ezra: At the same time, the detection system also found arcanum traces not belonging to the original formula. They left a faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation before disappearing, and we haven't detected any similar arcanum fluctuations since.
Ezra: Several researchers claimed to have heard a beautiful melody when the Miracle Stone appeared. The melodies they hummed were astonishingly consistent, making it hard to believe they simply hallucinated the sound.
Ezra: However, we couldn't find any recordings matching their descriptions on any of the space center's detection devices ...
Ezra: With so many uncertainties surrounding this stone, people often ask—is it real?
Ezra: Could this really be a diamond from Neptune? From the second-farthest planet from the sun in our solar system? What secrets does it hold?
Amid the expectant gazes, the young curator shakes his head.
Ezra: Of course, we have no definitive answers for now.
Ezra: Voyager 2 still sends signals to Earth, but aside from the miraculous "teleportation successful" data written into its records, it cannot elaborate on its achievements.
Ezra: The only certainty is that this diamond indeed appeared at the teleportation circle's reception point.
Following his gaze, the audience focuses again on the beautiful crystal in the center of the room.
Ezra: The space center researchers were extremely careful, and after finally confirming it posed no danger, the Miracle Stone was prepared for exhibition, allowing us all to behold its brilliance.
Ezra: It is a miracle, jointly brought to us by the union of science and arcanum, and a wondrous mystery waiting for us to unravel.
After a hard-fought battle, the young curator returns to the refreshments area, surrounded by his friends. They sit down again at the round table.
Ezra: How did I do?
Ezra: I wrote my speech out ahead of time, but I accidentally skipped over a lot of parts when I actually got up there on the stage.
X: Your concerns are unwarranted, Ezra. Your exhibition and your speech received universal acclaim.
37: I don't know much about astronomy, but I found your speech to be inspiring. You remind me of a friend from my home.
37: He's a bit like you, often quiet and reserved, and never keen on being the center of attention, but when he speaks in front of a crowd, everyone stops what they're doing to listen.
37: Oh! I almost forgot!
37's exclamation draws looks from her friends, except for Mesmer Jr., who quickly realizes what she means.
Mesmer Jr.: Your letter.
37: I haven't written back to 6 yet! Let me see. 6 won't mind if it's a little rough. I think I can tear a few pages from this notebook and use it as letter paper.
X stops her before she can harm her notebook.
X: Hold on now. I recall there's some Laplace-issued stationery and envelopes in Medicine Pocket's room. Why don't you use them?
X: It is better to receive a letter with respectable presentation.
Medicine Pocket: What's the big idea—promising people my stuff without asking me? It's not that I mind, but do I even have any of that stuff?
X: You do. I saw them in your, I want to say, pile of junk? Come on. Let's retrieve them together.
Medicine Pocket: Did you just call my office a "pile of junk"?
The two walk off, bickering. The kind curator watches them with concern.
Ezra: Uh, they won't fight, right? Oh, no, they're already arguing. Maybe I should follow.
Desert Flannel: Found him. He's over here.
Spathodea: There he is! Hey, Ezra!
Ezra: Spathodea! And Desert Flannel too! What brings you here?
It looks like the young curator has other guests.
Spathodea: I missed your exhibition last time because of that fight, so I thought I'd surprise you today!
Spathodea: And wow, I mean, there were so many people! Such a big event, and you're the host. You're amazing, Ezra!
Desert Flannel: We just listened to your speech. Very impressive, little curator.
Ezra: Thank you! I'm so glad you came.
Friends always have endless things to discuss after a long time apart. Ezra finally takes Mesmer Jr.'s advice, apologizes, and leaves to greet his friends from far away.
The real-time star map on the ceiling still shines brightly, and only the therapist and the girl favored by numbers remain at the round table.
Mesmer Jr.: What do you think of the diamond from Neptune?
37: Why are you asking?
Mesmer Jr.: You haven't expressed your opinion on it, and you often have a different perspective from most people. I suppose I'm curious to know where you stand on this "Miracle Stone."
37: It's beautiful, like the garnet we saw that day, with the same orderly, solid structure.
37: Though I don't quite understand why people favor diamonds over other isometric minerals, or why this one is considered more special than any other.
37: Space and time exist only in the phenomenal world. An object's essence isn't determined by where or when it originated.
Mesmer Jr.: So, you don't think all that much of it?
Mesmer Jr. recalls a word used on the promotional poster.
Mesmer Jr.: Maybe besides its astronomical significance, people admire this stone for the "fantasy" it represents.
37: You mean because it comes from far away, people value it more than similar items from much closer? That doesn't seem fair.
Mesmer Jr.: For most people, yes. Emotional preferences lead us to make less objective judgments.
The girl appears contemplative.
37: Like how people didn't come to this ice cream shop. Those were also emotional preferences, fleeting thoughts, not solid, objective reasons.
37: Honestly, I don't really understand it.
Though the girl solved the ice cream mystery with numbers, she still doesn't truly understand the people behind them.
It isn't her fault. A bird is destined to never understand the feelings of a fish. If others are all trapped in a cave, this is the girl that is born to see the vast starry sky on the other side of the rocky walls.
Asking her to focus more on the stifling cave around her would be asking too much.
Mesmer Jr.: Fine.
The therapist decides to give up. Just as she has been telling herself from the beginning. This is none of her concern.
But suddenly, she recalls a story.
A story she heard long ago, when she was at the SPDM with her old friends.
Mesmer Jr.: 37, do you know how Neptune was discovered?
37: Huh?
