Ex-Machina on a Dimensional Journey

The puppet fell silent for several seconds. He did not mind the other party's attitude; after all, it meant they truly regarded him as a companion.

Although Xiu Er would not deliberately try to grow closer to others, she would not reject such a pleasant way of getting along.

"Come to think of it, Xiu Er, had you been traveling alone before this?"

After explaining the work and placing the documents in his hands into the "Completed" section, Roman turned the topic toward her.

"...Negative. I have previously traveled alongside companions."

"Eh, is that so?"

Roman was somewhat surprised. Though it sounded rather rude, given habits like Xiu Er's, he truly had not expected her to have once had companions.

"Then what kind of person was your 'former' companion?"

He spoke casually, one topic after another. That was how small talk worked, constantly jumping between all sorts of meaningless subjects.

Xiu Er naturally disliked such "meaningless conversations," but while waiting for someone, she did not mind this way of talking.

"Answer, he..."

The puppet raised her head slightly. Several brief strings of data flickered through her brilliant golden eyes.

"They were 'optimistic' people."

"..."

Xiu Er's answer was so brief that Roman had not even noticed she was finished speaking.

It was only after he finished reviewing the document in his hands that he realized.

"Um... Ah, that's all?"

"Yes."

The puppet nodded, paying no attention to his somewhat awkward expression.

"Ahaha, th-that's how it is."

At that moment, Roman felt both helpless and speechless.

But "optimistic" people...

Perhaps only someone as cheerful and optimistic as Fujimaru Ritsuka could get along well with this puppet.

In any case, even Roman himself could not guarantee that he would be able to keep his composure around Xiu Er.

Knock, knock, knock—

Just