#mlqc analysis

MC has found her miracle: "A plan that will make Victor regret." Anna questions if it will work - MC herself isn't sure, but is convinced that they should at least give it a try. City News had asked if the production could start on the same day as the call - also providing a contact at the police station in the process. Receiving the memo from Anna, MC reads a name, location, and telephone number. The name, in particular, sounds familiar to her - Gavin. Finally, in a swift response to MC's nervousness, Anna reassures her that "he's a cop, not a criminal."

This "I'm going to be working for someone who was absolutely trying to kill me continues. Once at the police station it all comes back to MC/Youran with the infamous goodbye please meet me date letter. MC/Youran is going in to this meeting with the idea that Gavin is still some sort of criminal who is now secretly furious with her for not answering his letter. Which couldn't be further from the truth.

Soon enough, MC suddenly feels the urge to run away - pinning all of her uneasy feelings in the past few days onto this singular moment - as she recalls his face, "a blood-soaked letter," and the realisation that both of them went to same high school.

Kiro

Starting off with Kiro there's a lot of the fun loving and cheerful attitude. She not only has the celebrity freak out panic of that is the idol Kiro and Kiro is talking to me moment, but it's quickly pushed down in favor of being silly. The hiding from view by both of them practically getting on the floor to sharing a bag of chips and exchanging the limited edition card.

Never one to waste an opportunity MC/Youran is quick to offer Miracle Finder as a place for Kiro to come on as a guest star. Not only bringing back some much needed audience numbers, but also a popularity PR stunt that could have Miracle Finder set. There is so much confidence to meet a famous person and immediately try to sell them on appearing on your (admittedly failing) show.

MC: Anna, I got a plan! You said before there are countless ways to get a show popular. MC: How about... for the last show, we put everything we have into getting one, giant superstar to come on. I looked at that radiant star on the screen. MC: Let's invite Kiro!

MC/Youran even gets Kiro to make a joke about his evol (even if she doesn't know it at the time). By mentioning how Kiro has a superpower that makes everyone fall in love with him. He plays along and asks if he's supposed to go on stage and compel the audience in to loving him. Something we later learn he is very capable as both Kiro and Helios.

"Your fans say you have the superpower to make everyone fall in love with you," she goes on, "an episode like that would definitely attract viewers, right?" Kiro smiles wide, "so wait, now I get to be one of the superhumans on Miracle Finder? But... then what would I do? Stare at the audience and think, 'love me... love me...'?" 

Even though Kiro isn't able to go on the show he makes sure to give it his full enthusiastic support on the internet. Causing the show to trend.

Just going off of MC/Yourans "first" interaction with Kiro you can see there's a playfulness between the two of them. A camaraderie that is almost too perfect for two people who haven't met before. When you remember that this may be MC/Youran's first remembered meeting with him, but it isn't his with her it makes so much more sense.

MC/Youran doesn't see "Kiro the Superstar" or "Loveland Idol Kiro" because that isn't who he is with her. He shows a softness that is probably reserved for his friend her shared green apple candy and teddy bears.

The naturalness to their dynamic is because while MC/Youran may not remember, he does. If he couldn't pay her back then for the comfort and support she gave him at the time when they were children, he will do so now as an adult.

Victor

Let's start with the fact that when Anna tells MC/Youran that Victor is some cutthroat investment mastermind that MC/Youran immediately has a vision of him as some gangster. Which is objectively hilarious when you remember that Victor was essentially the childhood victim of an actual gang/evil organization with MC/Youran.

Anna: Did you meet the CEO of LFG, Victor? MC: No... I couldn't even get past his assistant. MC: All we have now is one last episode of Miracle Finder. Anna: Oh... Still, they probably spared you some heartache. I've heard the CEO is a real terror. Anna: If you'd met him today, I doubt we'd even have a final episode to make. Hearing those words, somehow a gangster boss image popped in my mind, like in The Godfather. MC: ... Really?

I think the primary trait that is seen with MC/Youran and Victor is this burning determination and a lot of foot-in-the-mouth. We've all had moments where we fantasize about telling someone off, making them see our point, and winning the argument. MC/Youran actually does that. She essentially storms the building, baits him in to meeting with her, and then gambles support that - at the time - she has absolutely no way of guaranteeing.

This is after he saves MC/Youran from being run over by a car with nothing more than "stay out of danger".

"Who are you?" she asks again, blushing slightly. "You don't have to know," he answers, "and you better forget what I said just now." How could someone forget such a strange encounter? "I still have to thank you for saving my life," she offered, but he replies with a warning in response. "You should be careful. Someone can't come save you every time." He put her down on the sidewalk, and he was gone before she could thank him again.

Which is funny considering Victor is spending Loveland knows how much money on a PI trying to track down his sandbox park friend who saved his life. Only to save said friend and immediately decide being the biggest idiot in the city by putting distance between MC/Youran and himself is going to keep MC/Youran out of danger.

Victor wants to help MC/Youran and the best way he can think of doing that is keeping her away from everything that could bring back their shared tragic past. In fact, of all the LIs, Lucien is the only one who is actively trying to push MC/Youran towards discerning the truth. Though he does have the whole "Black Swan Agenda" thing going on.

Gavin

Technically Gavin appears before Lucien. Even if he is watching from the sky and MC/Youran doesn't see him at the time. Which makes me think that if Victor didn't step in and freeze time, Gavin likely would have had wind (or himself) save MC/Youran.

"Agent B-7, energy wave detected in Loveland. Sending coordinates. Target locked. Proceeding immediately." From his high vantage point, he watched the girl walking along the street.

Lucien

What an iconic first meeting. To start off we know nothing about him and MC/Youran starts it off by insulting said professor.

"Miracle Finder? Oh, I've heard of that," he replies. "Do you want Mr. Lucien for your show?" She started to tell him that Professor John had recommended Lucien, but the young man cuts her off and tells her that her choice of topics are "problematic." Trying to hide her anger, she retorts, "Thanks for your advice. Perhaps you don't know our show that well."

Lucien absolutely plays MC/Youran for his entertainment. Not only by provoking her but by insulting the show that she is trying to save. The show that is her last remaining connection to her father.

"Hello, professor Lucien!" she greets the researcher standing before MC. Lucien nods to the girl with a smile, and MC can hear a phone ringing in his pocket. Freezing up, MC hangs up the phone and looks up at the brilliant young professor standing in front of her. "Would you like to talk inside my office?" he offers, a mischievous joy in his eyes.

Don't forget that Lucien not only knows who MC/Youran is, he has been specially looking for her given her nature of possessing the Queen evol gene. I've always felt this was more of an Ares-playing-Lucien moment. He's using MC/Youran for his personal entertainment because he has all the information and cards at his disposal.

"I never imagine you'd be so young..." she said, her face flushed. Mentally, she kicked herself for judging him by his appearance. "It's alright," he replied, smiling cryptically. "I didn't introduce myself."

You could make the argument that the entire office meeting is more Ares than Lucien. He's testing MC/Youran. Seeing how much we know and evaluating us based off it. He asks if MC/Youran believe in superpowers - subtly checking our knowledge of evols. Then goes in to the Red Queen Hypothesis. Which comes out to the humans having existed outside of natural selection. There's a hidden implication here that evolvers are the solution to this. At the end of it he tells MC/Youran:

"When you're in danger," he leaned in so close that there was almost no space between them, and he whispered into her ear, "trust your instincts."

This is both a warning and a threat. MC/Youran needs to start becoming more. Stepping in to the Queen evol and using it for more than just precognition.

After the last episode of Miracle Finder ends Lucien tests MC/Youran again. He gives MC/Youran the information she was looking for regarding evolvers, but not by being direct. Instead he decides to reference the (unremembered) traumatic event from MC/Youran's childhood. Likely hoping that it will trigger the memories once MC/Youran starts investigating.

Lucien says that 20 years ago, there were rumors of a British scientist who was able to identify a unique gene by dissecting several people with super powers. The expression of that gene, the ability to use a super power, was called Evol, and those who were able to use Evol were called Evolvers. Eventually, the scientist was sentenced to life imprisonment for his inhuman experiments, and all of his research was deemed classified. Lucien explains that he is also doing research related to the topic of superpowers, and he hopes to one day discover the truth. He jokes that if MC is able to find any real super humans while making Miracle Finder, they are welcome in his research center. When MC pauses cautiously, Lucien laughs and asks, "What are you thinking? My research is all completely legal." MC apologizes and says that letting her imagination run wild is an occupational hazard. 

I'd say that this was a good example of MC/Youran having great instincts. The immediate assumption of Lucein performing human experimentation isn't too far from the truth. Given his own personal background and the position that he holds in Black Swan.

It's also interesting when you consider this is MC/Youran's first meeting with Lucien. She doesn't know he is Black Swan and certainly not one of the Twelve.

It feels like he's trying to gauge how much of her past she actually remembers. By bringing up not just evol in general, but the "research" that she was an active (and unwilling) participant of not once but twice.

Their initial dynamic together isn't one of push-and-pull like with the other 3 main LIs. It's more of a chess master or puppet master guiding MC/Youran. He does care, and shows it more in the anime, but initially Lucien appears to have more of a fascination with MC/Youran over a protective/caring feeling.

I do believe he does start to develop feelings greater than an admiration for her evol and what she can do to benefit Black Swan once fully awakened. But until MC/Youran starts to know more and gets a more even footing with him, it's very uneven. This could by why earlier interactions with him feel more stilted and, at times, sinister.

He is hiding something (several somethings) and while he hints and implies, he doesn't outright say anything that gives MC/Youran the answers she is looking for. They have a very anime isekai relationship title going on. The whole "My Neighbor is part of the Secret Organization that kidnapped me TWICE as a kid is now a professor and working with me while being my LI"

Victor

Going back to Victor, after failing to get Goldman to let MC/Youran speak to him. MC/Youran makes the meeting happen. Nothing is going to stand between MC/Youran and the funding needed to keep the show going.

Victor and Goldman walk by, discussing work, but MC has trouble seeing him through the crowd, though she says his voice is familiar, in some way. Victor stops in his tracks and turns to MC. "Why are you here?" he asks. After a moment, MC glances up from her seat and sees Victor staring straight at her. "Y-y-y-you!" she stammers clumsily, shocked to learn that the CEO of LFG standing before her was also the same mystery man who had saved her from an oncoming taxi, and the man who had first brought Evolvers to her attention.

It's important to note that his voice is familiar. I would go as far as to say not just from him saving MC/Youran's life earlier from the car - possible planned forced awakening of the Queen evol - but maybe from their shared childhood as well. Considering that the pudding holds a special memory even though we don't know why (childhood treats before terribly traumatic life saving).

Mc/Youran in a rage induced confidence tells Victor that he should support Miracle Finder because if he doesn't it will be his biggest regret. This is funny considering that at this point Victor's biggest regret is that he couldn't save his friend (MC/Youran) from sacrificing herself saving his life.

MC recollects herself and presents Victor with a proposition for a development plan, handed in after 2 weeks, that he "would regret passing up" - he simply says nothing, smiles again, and reduces the time limit to 1 week. MC has finally managed to strike a deal with Victor. In a moment of relaxation, MC loses her grip on the door, slamming it onto her hand in the process. Victor holds back his laughter and opens the door again, sarcastically remarking that "to stay alive itself is the biggest challenge" for MC - to which MC retorts against with a defiant "we'll see!" as she leaves.

One of the reasons MC/Youran feels comfortable mouthing off to Victor - and not just in an induced "you will listen to me so help you" rage. Is because there is a familiarity there. Not just from him saving her life from the car, but because of the way he acts with her.

Victor has a coldness that melts away as soon as they're not where others are. He created a restaurant that serves the special pudding they would share, so there's clearly a lot of unresolved everything happening. He also has a fairly large guilt complex going, but that's a separate theory/analysis.

The banter the two of them share is interesting because it's not the playful banter that Kiro has, or the hesitant and nostalgic one Gavin has. Unlike the more taunting and secretive one Lucien takes, Victor has dynamic with MC/Youran that flips between professional and personal so fast the lines blur. One moment they're yelling over quarterly reports and the next he's making a special meal at his secret restaurant.

It's because of that strange relationship that MC/Youran feels comfortable pushing back against him. Standing her ground and being assertive. Of all of them to receive the limited amount of sass, I would say Victor gets the most of it.

Gavin

Aware of the reputation he had at school and the fact that MC/Youran has no poker face to speak of. He can clearly see that MC/Youran is more on the terrified end of the spectrum.

Gavin jokingly remarks that "you probably thought I would be in jail rather than a police station, right?" but the intended lightheartedness in his words fail to reach MC.

Gavin later gives MC/Youran a bracelet that is for protection but also a reminder of a past that they share. A past that involves MC/Youran unknowingly saving his life and what came after that.

Gavin: And take this. A bracelet glimmered in the setting sun, swinging in a beautiful pendulum as it fell into my palm. MC: What is this? I look down at it. It's a silver chain with a delicate golden gingko leaf attached. Memories set to piano music from when I was 16 come flooding back, like an old forgotten melody. The late autumn when the gingko leaves started to fall was always my favorite time of year in high school. That oft-remembered afternoon, and the music sharply rising to a climax... Outside the french window, the gingko leaves suddenly dance to the piano melody and roar up into the sky. That moment takes my breath away. The scene is so deeply engraved in my memory, it's still vivid after 6 years.

He also saves MC/Youran later. Remembering Lucien's words, MC/Youran takes a leap of faith off a building and is saved by Gavin. This is a great parallel to MC/Youran unknowingly saving Gavin from a fall off a building. He gets to repay the favor even if MC/Youran is unaware of it.

Lucien: When you are in danger, trust your instincts.Without hesitation, I ran in the direction the wind was coming from. The man with the blade gave chase. Gavin's Voice: jump!I jumped. The wind got stronger and stronger and lifted me into the air. The scene of the alley below was scattered in the wind. Under the setting sun, the sky is warm and fuzzy.I'm in the arms of Gavin. His arms are strong and warm, calming my throbbing heart instantly. The light of the setting sun made his face appear so handsome that I dared not look at him. This high above the city, it's a bit cool, but his embrace is warm...

Also the sheer determination and faith MC/Youran has to put her faith in someone that she previously thought had a rather sketchy reputation is wild. There's that recklessness again. If she's not in danger, she's throwing herself towards it.

While their relationship does suffer initially from the whole misunderstanding in their school days, they have the most solid relationship. It's one that she can remember clearly - even if MC/Youran doesn't have all the facts.

There's that reminiscent quality to them that makes it easier for them to fall in to a routine once she trusts him. He is the only one she has accurate and conscious memories of. A person doesn't just jump off a building without having trust in the other person. There's not even hesitation there. MC/Youran fully believed that Gavin would catch her or find a way to keep her safe. She trusted her instincts and they led her to trusting him.

Kiro

Just then, my phone buzzed. I received a private message from a friend. Kiro: Found you, Miss Chips.

I love this for so many reasons because Kiro is just one of many who is looking for MC/Youran. He remembers MC/Youran from before even Victor met MC/Youran. Back in the facility with sour green apple candy and only each other for comfort.

Aside from adding to the mood of the story, the symbolism can also be used to narrative effect, showing us how MC is interpreting a character’s actions or motivations.

For example, we can look at how MC sorts through her feelings about Kiro/Helios in Chapter 29. Sun imagery pervaded previous chapters that centered Kiro while moon imagery is associated with Helios. In CH29, MC uses the harmony between the sun and moon as a metaphor when she accepts that Kiro and Helios are one and the same. This adds depth to what MC is feeling about Helios and also serves to contextualize the relationship between the two identities. (Note: I just love the idea that Helios has the same “sunshine” as Kiro but that he reflects it in a subtle way rather than being overwhelmingly positive like Kiro. This dynamic is only ever implied by the imagery and symbolism but it’s so perfect.)

In particular, though, I want to talk about some of the symbolism associated with Lucien and what we can learn from the way these symbols interact with one another.

Light and Shadow

One motif that is very present when the story is focused on Lucien is the balance between light and shadow. (Note: It’s very on the nose at times but executed well, I think, so I’ll give them a pass.) This motif is introduced far before Lucien’s betrayal is ever revealed, as early as his first meeting with MC. (Note: I literally wasn’t sure when the motif was first introduced but I went back to Lucien’s first scene and SURE ENOUGH, there it is. I love how consistent the writing is in this regard. The motifs are handled so well and so intentionally.)

During Lucien’s first scene in the game, light shining in from the window obscures his face. Far ahead of the betrayal, light and shadow are symbolically playing at obscuring his identity from MC. The light/shadow motif is used at first to symbolize Lucien being duplicitous, without much hinting toward his internal struggle. Later, when it’s clear that Lucien is struggling with a choice between metaphorical “dark” desire to continue his mission and “light” of protecting MC, light is used to hint at that internal conflict. An example of this is below, from Lucien's first standoff with Victor in Chapter 11.

Notably, though, sometimes, the “light” represents MC directly while the “shadow” represents Lucien. After Lucien’s internal conflict and desire to protect MC is first touched on in Chapter 16, the two are symbolically juxtaposed by scene-settings back-to-back in the last two units of CH16. 16-24 opens with a description of Lucien’s dark, gloomy room and 16-25 opens with a description of the lamp on MC’s desk casting a bright light. (Note: MC’s Evol is also represented by light often, so I think this imagery for her works even beyond its juxtaposition with Lucien.)

The same thing happens again when MC comes back from the Eternal Winter world, Lucien’s office is described as dark and shadowy when he is alone and then it’s cast in an “ephemeral glow” as soon as MC steps into the room.

Mirrors

A large part of Lucien’s character arc is his failure to properly make sense of his own identity, this struggle is represented by mirrors/reflections. Often, mirrors are shattered or distorted, implying an added difficulty of perception.

Because of the expectations that have been put on him from a young age, Lucien is very disconnected from his own identity. Even with Black Swan set completely aside, because of his savant-like personality and inability to relate to others, Lucien doesn’t view himself as a human being. Beyond that, there is also a struggle between the two identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” implied.

I think that the answer to this struggle is MC understanding Lucien and having clarity about who he is as a person. Light reflected in mirrors represents this concept symbolically in the Mirror Painting date. (Note: I believe this date is only currently available in the CN server, I read this translation) In this date, Lucien and MC paint each other and then use mirrors to reflect light onto the painting when it’s displayed. After being painted and, therefore, symbolically seen by MC, Lucien is finally allowed to turn away from the mirrors and stop worrying about who he is. The mirrors that represent his struggle with identity are able to add depth to a beautiful image when paired with the lights that represent MC’s understanding.

Shattered and Distorted Glass

This goes hand-in-hand with the mirror motif but is worth mentioning on its own because the symbolism is slightly different. While distorted mirrors imply difficulty for Lucien to perceive himself, distorted glass implies a difficulty for others to perceive Lucien. Shattered glass also represents a fractured relationship between the identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” in a few scenes.

On the wall of the abandoned Ultima Bioresearch Lab, MC finds a quotation written on the wall from the Bible. “For now we see through a glass, darkly. The truth is projected into the hearts of men through a glass lens. It’s distorted, blurry, and one-dimensional.” (Note: I’m assuming that this verse was translated from the Chinese dialogue and not transcribed from an English Bible translation, because this is, at the very least, not a popular translation of the verse that I’m familiar with. Ironically, it’s more popular to translate “glass” here as “mirror” so there goes this whole section LMAO.)

Because of the way it’s presented, I think that this image of distorted glass represents not how MC actually perceives Lucien but, rather, how Lucien believes he perceives her. Obviously, this is also foreshadowing the betrayal so, in a way, he’s correct in asserting that she is not seeing all of him. But, on the whole, this distorted glass imagery is delivered in a way that implies the distortion more as an insecurity on Lucien’s part rather than the reality of MC’s vision.

Rainbows

Keeping with Lucien’s themes of paradox and duplicity, one of his main motifs is the appearance of rainbows, despite the fact that he is colorblind. This is, again, representative of MC’s “light” being transformative to Lucien because the rainbows appear when they are together. I think that, rather than being a symbol for Lucien alone, rainbows represent Lucien’s relationship with MC. It’s a sort of combination of MC’s light imagery and Lucien’s refraction/distortion imagery. In the right circumstances, they can create something beautiful together.

It’s also implied throughout the story that Lucien is able to see colors when he’s around MC, so he is truly only able to appreciate the beauty of rainbows when he is with her. (Note: It’s unclear how this works but I think that it’s a side-effect of his Evol mimicking hers. There’s a footage mission where it seems like Lucien has to ask MC to look at something before he can tell the color of it so I think that he is somehow able to see the world through her perspective, possibly by using her Evol to have real-time visions. Does this make sense? Who knows, but I refuse to accept it just as soulmate magic!!!!)

If you haven’t, I highly recommend reading Lucien’s “Rainbow Luck” R&S. (Note: A recording is available here!) In this story, told from the perspective of Lucien’s pen, Iridescent, MC and Lucien see a rainbow together and it’s implied that this is Lucien’s first time being able to see a rainbow because MC is there. (Note: Iridescent as a name itself is an instance of Lucien’s rainbow motif.)

(Note: Lucien's Moments also features a rainbow paperweight at Bond Level 40.)

So, was no one going to warn me on how badly I was gonna bawl my eyes out after reading this Rumors and Secrets? To tell me how emotionally deep this was gonna cut? Another reason I hate PG for putting this stuff in R&S (ಥ﹏ಥ)

After I was done reading this, it felt as if my heart had shattered to a million tiny little pieces, as well as grow three sizes at the same time. I've always known Kiro was extremely selfless and forbearing, despite the harsh past he's been through, but the way they brought it out in this R&S? It made me an emotional mess.

Apparently, this R&S explains a lot of what Kiro's been doing behind the scenes. It had a little bit of everything thrown in. From Kiro's past, to his relationship with Key, his feelings for MC, as well as a bit of insight into his role in the story.

Also, the character development is so obvious.

"In his hands was a computer with a flashing red light, which was the "key" handed to him by his master just now.

This key could open the most important "door" in the world, which would inevitably be coveted. That was why he could trust no one. Only judgment as accurate as machines could guide everything to the right path.

Kiro gripped onto the computer, with the last words of his master echoing in his mind.

-We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light."

-R&S: Parameter Error

In terms of plot, this R&S contains the retelling of the events that occurred in the Behind the Curtains chapter 0-3 and main story Chapter 8, but told from Kiro's perspective.

In the Behind the Curtains plot, Key gives Kiro the "key" to unlocking an important "door" that many people wanted passage to, such as Uncle John.

John: Quickly! Give me the passage key!

?? (Helios): How did you know about that?

An undisguised look of ferocity appeared in his eyes.

John: Discovering that took me 20 years time, but luckily it wasn't too late. No matter what Hades or Ares could do, it is I who will have the last laugh!

-S1 Chapter 17: Beyond Oblivion

This key could be the key to the Black Cabin, but the thing is that it was never explicitly stated. All we know was that this "key" was used to open a very important "door." A door that Kiro had opened only once in order to bring back MC from the Eternal Winter World. And this where I draw my conclusion:

Kiro has never "abandoned" MC.

In Kiro’s Box World: Hidden Action, he was half beaten to death because he helped MC escape at the TV Tower, in his R&S: Snooper, he helped MC in the shadows by getting rid of people who were targeting her life, in his R&S: Night Watchman and R&S: Parameter Error, he helped MC come back to the OG World by opening a door that almost crushed his soul.

He may not be physically present with her, but he’s always been supporting her from the shadows, where no one could see. After all, if it wasn't for him, she would have never even made it back to the OG World.

And he almost died doing it.

We caught a glimpse of it in his R&S: Night Watchman, and was again reinforced in this one. Just... more painfully (ಥ﹏ಥ)

??: This code is the key to opening all doors.

??: You must use it to open a door, and see an important person.

The string of code seemed to be a signal. The figure composed of digits started to float away, and the electronic voice started to flicker and fade from the computer.

??: After this code disappears, you will be this world's last key... You must remember the key's mission...

Even from the emotionless, synthesized voice, Kiro could hear that this was goodbye. He tried to get him to stay.

.........

The digits forming that silhouette were all but faded. His final words came through hazily, yet incredibly determined.

??: Kiro, you must remember. We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light.

-Behind the Curtain 0-3

"He lowered his head and pressed his lips gently to the girl's hair. He whispered a promise in her ear even though she couldn't hear him:

"Don't worry. I've hidden the key. The gates will only open for you."

Kiro had already braced himself when he received the code, but the side effects of Key were much more severe than expected.

In order to save the girl out of the endless winter, he had opened the door once-only once, and it nearly broke him.

A tremendous amount of information poured into his body like a torrent. Every inch of his bones was wailing in agony, as if his body would be crushed the next second.

Scenes flashed before Kiro's eyes, as if he had become one with the information. Each code warned him of parameter errors that required an immediate end to the operation.

Kiro fell on one knee as his legs buckled."

-R&S: Parameter Error

Becoming the key itself meant that Kiro's body was subjected to excruciating pain every time the so-called "door" was opened. Which was why he had never dared to use that key before. Only MC had the privilege of using it. He was willing to go through that torturous pain only for her.

And so, to bring her back, he opened the door.

Honestly, Kiro's soul probably would've broken right there and then when he did it.

But, like a miracle, he soon felt MC's presence.

"At the moment when he was about to lose his consciousness, a pair of hands seemed to reach out to hold him tight - these hands were delicate and soft, which he held numerous times when facing crises and sharing joys together.

"MC."

The moment Kiro uttered the name, he gained the strength to fight against this torrent. He pulled himself up from the ground. The scene in his eyes began to fade, and he was back in his room.

Kiro looked at the screen panting heavily. The progress bar on the screen was now full.

The door had been opened. She was back."

-R&S: Parameter Error

Their souls touched and embraced, and so, Kiro got the strength to survive.

Honestly, this makes the angsty reunion he and MC got in Chapter 28 even more heartaching. Somewhere behind the scenes, where no one could see, this boy almost lost his life bringing his beloved back to the OG World, but she never knew. No one knew. So his pain went by unnoticed.

It makes sense because Kiro has always hid his suffering from MC, but it still hurts :'(

It was only with Kiro when Key would turn from his quiet self and reveal his true nature. It was also precisely this which made Kiro feel as if his master never disappeared. That silver-haired man still lived on in the codes. He must be waiting to meet him somewhere.

-R&S: Parameter Error

Key is still very much a mystery, but I love how they gave us a little more insight on him, and his relationship with Kiro.

Apparently, Kiro was the only one Key trusted enough to put his walls down around him like that. It was with him that Key was free to be himself, just like how MC is for Kiro. And now I know where Kiro acquired his mischievous streak from HAHA.

Aside from that, the other thing that I wanna talk about is the story that Kiro narrates to some children within this R&S.

He tells a story of a young boy who was best friends with an elf girl, and the young boy had an incredibly pure love for the girl.

But then the boy found out that the girl would have to eventually leave him because she couldn't stay on the earth for too long and so he grew incredibly sad.

Not wanting to separate from the girl he travelled to the depths of a forest to seek help from a powerful wizard.

Sadly, even though the wizard was the most powerful in the world, he couldn't make the girl stay. But to reward the boy for his courage, he gave him a magic key that could open the door to the elves' world.

Sounds familiar, right? There are some specific details that cannot be explained at the moment, but might be alluding to something, such as the "elves' world" (this may or may not be a reference to the "New World" that is often brought up in the main story and Kiro's R&S), but for the most part, this is pretty much a parody of Kiro and MC's story.

MC was the elf girl, Kiro was the young boy, and the powerful wizard seems to be Key. But what has me concerned was how Kiro ended the tale.

When one of the children asked if the boy could visit the elf girl since he had the key to their world, all Kiro did was smile and agree that it would be nice if that were possible :(

So were the boy and the girl eternally separated?

Unfortunately, we never come to know how the tale ends.

"The music video told the story of a young man who sent his love to the ideal place while he himself waited in the dark."

-R&S: Parameter Error

Kiro: But what he wants most is for you to be a fairy, free of all cares.

Kiro: Not getting hurt, not getting worried, whose only responsibility is receiving signals of joy and happiness.

-S1 Chapter 28: Apocalypse Park

Kiro: Don’t feel bad.

Kiro: You're... the girl I want to always be happy, my Miss Chips.

-S1 Chapter 36: Final Battle Kiro's Route

The very next day after narrating the story, Kiro's new single gets released, titled "Key in Fairytale."

The music video for this song told the story of a young man who sent his beloved to the best place while he himself waited in the dark. It was a sad story that portrayed a boy's selfishly selfless love for his beloved. And the most popular lines in that song were...

"...'Cause I'm the steadfast tin soldier under the tower; 'Cause love is the key that unlocks everything."

These words may seem simple at first, but the depth behind them was enormous. And remember, these were lyrics written by Kiro himself.

I'll be dividing this into two parts.

PART 1: "...'Cause I'm the steadfast tin soldier under the tower."

"The Steadfast Tin Soldier" was a story written by Danish author Hans Christian Anderson and told the story of a tin soldier's love for a paper ballerina.

For his birthday, a boy received a set of 25 tin soldiers. Our protagonist, the tin soldier, doesn't end up with a happy start to his life. You see, he was different from the other soldiers in the set because he was missing a leg. He had been the last one to be cast and there had not been enough tin to make him whole.

Kiro was autistic when he was a child. He was also an orphan so he didn't know who he was. He was very much incomplete ever since he was born. And hence, why he identifies himself in that tin soldier.

But that's not the only reason.

Despite, his weakness, the tin soldier "stood as firm and steadfast on his one leg as the others did on their two." This is evident in how, despite Kiro's many insecurities and weaknesses, he has never given up and has always walked firmly on the path that he believed in. To “stand in darkness as he defended the light.”

Moving on.

The tin soldier fell in love at first sight with a paper ballerina who he found to be a kindred spirit because they both stood on one leg. It's similar to how Kiro fell in love with MC the moment he laid eyes on her at the orphanage.

But this is where things start taking an ugly turn for the tin soldier.

After the tin soldier gets pushed out of the windowsill by a jealous jack-in-the-box who also loved the paper ballerina, he ends up on the street. Two boys find the soldier, place him in a paper boat, and set him sailing in the gutter. The boat and its passenger wash into a storm drain, where a rat demands the soldier pay a toll.

Despite the trauma from all of this, "The poor tin soldier stood as steady as ever, he did not flinch," just as Kiro faced every danger head on, no matter how broken, scared or terrified he was. For example:

“That man’s hands were hung high up, scars running like winding pythons on his arms. He fell upon his knees, his messy clothes getting full dark red bloodstains. He kept still, looking as if dead or in a sound sleep, totally integrated into the darkness. Kiro didn’t move until a gun reached his gold hair. He looked up silently, without any fear in his eyes.

With the sound of a “Crack”, the gun was loaded.

“Why did you help her?” The masked man uttered coldly again, “Answer me, traitor.”

Keeping silent, Kiro cocked his head to let the dark muzzle aim at him between his eyebrows. He looked at the man in front, seemingly with no fear of him, no fear of guns, and no fear of death.”

-Kiro’s Box World: Hidden Action

I highlighted the word “seemingly” because it tells us that it only appeared as if Kiro wasn’t scared of death. In truth, he really was scared, but he couldn’t show weakness since those people could use it against him. Not to mention how his hands trembled and the paleness of his face when he separated from MC up on the rooftop. I mean, it’s only natural to be afraid of death. Kiro wasn’t suicidal. He NEVER gave up on life, even as a child subjected to experiments. He was self-sacrificial, but he wasn’t suicidal.

Anyways, back to the story.

Sailing on, the boat was washed into a canal, where the tin soldier was swallowed by a fish. When this fish is caught and cut open, the tin soldier finds himself once again on the table top before the ballerina. When he sees that she's still standing there after all his time away, "he almost cried tin tears—and would have, had it not been so undignified," reflecting how Kiro too is unwilling to show weakness in front of others, silently repressing his longing and loneliness. Bian Jiang, his CN voice actor, puts it really well:

“He’s very manly. He never reveals his tiredness or negative sides in front of MC. He carries gargantuan matters by himself. But this really causes one’s heart to ache.”

-Bian Jiang, Kiro’s Official Artbook

“We understand Kiro. He’s someone who will pretend that there’s nothing bothering him when he faces difficulties. He isn’t willing to show his weaknesses either. Because of this, I hope you can understand him more, and empathise with him.”

-Bian Jiang, CN Qixi Greeting

You know why you only got a text from Kiro saying "Welcome back ^^" after the pain he went through getting you back from the Eternal Winter World?

This is the reason why.

During that whole reunion, all of his true feelings were suppressed. Not because he couldn’t bring himself to be weak, but because he felt he needed to be strong.

As for the tin soldier, tragedy didn't end there, but this is the most beautiful part of the tale.

Right after reuniting with his beloved ballerina, a boy chucks the soldier into the stove, and it's the end for him. His paint begins to melt off, and he knows he won't last long. However, he maintains eye contact with the ballerina even during his final moments: "He could feel that he was melting; but he held on as steadfastly as ever to his gun and kept his gaze on the little ballerina in front of the castle."

However, a wind blew the ballerina into the fire with him and they perished together. And when the maid came over to clean the stove, she found something.

It was a little tin heart.

Nothing of the tin soldier remained, except a symbol of his unyielding love for the paper ballerina.

This is Kiro.

A boy whose life was plundered by fate since the day he was born, whose body was torn and ravaged by darkness and evil. A boy who stood brave in the face of adversity, and never gave up, no matter what was thrown his way.

And whose heart beat steadily, steadfastly and passionately for only a single girl.

Even when he was burning in a pit of fire, his body covered in wounds, constantly being subjected to pain and despair... he would still become a little bear to heal her, sing her songs to comfort her and even smile for her to give her hope and strength.

"'Cause he was the steadfast tin soldier under the tower."

"The boy now stood in front of the door with the key from the wizard weighing down his pocket.

He would not hesitate anymore.

Love could make errors occur in otherwise stable parameters, but it was love that gave him the courage to open the door.

A screen popped up in front of him, with an electronic voice asking him to enter the key.

The man’s lips raised slightly as he deftly entered a string of words:

For My Queen."

-R&S: Parameter Error

MC: I was saying, I’m not worried, because even if you go to another world, I’ll find you, just like you found me.

Kiro was a bit stunned, and a strange light swirled in his limpid eyes, making it difficult for me to discern his emotions.

Kiro: Alright, but I won’t hold you to that.

-S1 Chapter 36: Final Battle

Kiro: For the sake of her smile, I keep thinking there are some things I should just shoulder alone.

-3rd Anniversary Interview

Part 2: “’Cause love is the key that unlocks everything.”

This statement goes hand-in-hand with what I said earlier. Kiro’s love is selfless, almost selfishly so. He doesn’t care about what happens to him, as long as his Miss Chips was safe and happy. The reason he could endure the darkness and bear all the pain by himself was because his love for MC was what gave him courage to carry on.

That was why he could open that door and bring her back. It wasn’t the key that opened that door, it was Kiro’s love for her. After all, if he hadn’t had the courage to open that door in the first place, MC would have never made it back to the OG world.

Drawing back to the story Kiro told the kids earlier, both that and the MV titled “The Fairytale Key” delivered the same message: “We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light.” Kiro would keep MC safe even if that meant forever being trapped in darkness himself.

Kiro: Yeah... that illness changed my perspective a lot. I accept fate, but I still try to change it.

Kiro: More and more, I clearly know what I want.

.........

Kiro: Actually, my real goal is...

MC: What?

Kiro: You know what, I can’t tell you yet. You’ll know one day.

-Kiro’s Phone Call: Unsolved Mysteries

That being said, that’s not how Kiro wants their story to end. If him being trapped in darkness while MC was in the light was their fate, he would accept that. But at the same time, he’s also determined to change it, if possible.

This is why his parting with MC at the end of S1 becomes so meaningful and sad. The beloved girl left for the ideal place, while Kiro himself remained behind. But that’s not how things temporarily end for them. After MC leaves, Kiro turns into Helios and goes off somewhere. 

Kiro knew what MC was going to do, and what would happen to him. He knew he was going to forget her after she turned back time, and he was scared. He was scared of the fact that they may not be able to meet again, because Kiro’s not willing to leave everything up to fate. He wanted to write his destiny himself. 

It draws back to something he said in S1 Chapter 19: 

MC: So you believe in things being “ordained by fate” like most little girls do?

Kiro: Yes, but I only believe the “first encounters are arranged by fate” part. Whether you meet again, that’s up to you.

-S1 Chapter 19: Pure White Winter

That’s why when they parted, Kiro promised MC the she “will see him again.” Because even if she couldn’t find him, he would make sure that at least he found her.

Again.

“At that point, he suddenly realized that a pawn was awaiting orders. He paused midsentence and stared at the young man at the bottom of the stairs.

3684 was no longer a weak orphan. As a successful experiment in the B.S project, he was a rising star in the outside world. Yet, this blonde young man maintained a meek posture before them, as if he was deaf to their discussion.”

-R&S: Parameter Error

““And how do you know that you yourself are not affected by my Evol?”

Shocked by these words, the man hurriedly turned around to look toward Kiro. Seeing the straight back of this golden-haired boy, he suddenly had an inkling that their ‘experimental subject’ might be slipping out of their control. But then he quickly decided that he was overthinking it and snorted:

“A puppet is always a puppet.”

As if catching the man’s muttering far behind him, Kiro slightly lifted a corner of his mouth in a smirk.”

-R&S: Thriving in the Sun 

“After numerous twists and turns, no one would have foreseen that the pawn would one day become the final chess player who would lead them back on track towards Black Swan’s ultimate goal.”

-R&S: Parameter Error

The last thing I want to talk about is Kiro’s growth. This boy has had one of the most beautiful and significant character progressions that I’ve seen in any piece of literature so far. And even now, he’s still growing.

In order to fulfill the mission his master gave him, he climbed up the ranks of B.S. with his own power. He overthrew the previous leader, and established control over Black Swan.

Kiro

Andrew Bates' voice as Kiro is quite fitting because as Kiro has a voice that's a tad higher than the rest of the guys, Bates' voice range and flexibility allow the execution of the little signature switches in tones that Kiro has, especially with the huskiness that we can hear that appears with his Helios persona. From the first line, I thought this was done really well, and it's nice to see that both men- previous VA Sean Chiplock and Andrew Bates are from Los Angeles, CA!

Lucien

The first impression that I got straight away was that his accent was slightly different from previous VA Bill Rogers' one. Anthony Hansen also comes from Los Angeles, while Rogers was born in New York. Hansen had to demonstrate a voice register much lower than his normal voice to fit Lucien's character. It's also much more softer-sounding, and I can't wait to hear more of Lucien's lines!

Gavin

Alan Adelberg did a fantastic job with Gavin's voice. It's a bit lower than previous VA Joe Zieja's voice, but I guess we can say that Gavin matured and now sounds like this!

Zieja had revealed that they don't listen to the Chinese dub before recording and additionally, when casting for the first time, the production crew don't know exactly what voices they're looking for. But in this case, the production crew probably did, and the new VAs may have used the old voice samples as a guide for the characters’ ideal voices to appeal to existing expectations from players. This could be said for why they may sound very similar in terms of character voice styles.

Victor

The one I was most excited about when the new crew got released! Eliah Mountjoy's sounds less deep at first than previous VAs, but it also gives a more 'natural' sound to his voice. His second line is lower-sounding, much closer to Victor's deep voice we are accustomed to.

- Late Autumn Date: MC is dedicating the rest of her life to Gavin and they share one really steamy make session. This was plus-minus around the same time as his birthday, so we should actually get it in the ENG server soon.

- Same Path Date: This date belongs to an AU for the Double Seventh festival. This date ends with Gavin saying “I helped your village resolve the flood. In return, I will take the most beautiful lady on the altar.”  

- Return from Afar Date: Aside from being one of my favorite dates, Gavin takes MC to a venue which is used for fake weddings and brings a gem with him.

-  Deep Longing Date: A wholesome fluffy date where Gavin and MC visit a Scandinavian country for Xmas.

- Obsession/ When the Galaxy Falls Dates: If you haven’t seen these yet, then I wouldn’t spoil these for you. One word describes these: Perfection

- Blessings Date: Another AU date with Gavin proposing to MC.

So as you can see, during last year, MC and Gavin’s relationship has gradually evolved into a firmly established, long-term relationship which is slowly entering the “future plans, engagement/marriage” phase. Taking that into consideration, the rational move for Gavin’s birthday would be something that fits into the pattern and scheme of the dates in the last 12 months. Papergames could’ve done so many other things or even just enrich the date with the elements suitable for current Gavin x MC dynamics.

- For example they could’ve switch the badge with the actual badge that Gavin had sent to his father, perhaps even going one step further and explaining how MC retrieved from his father, accompanied by a small dialogue between MC and Gavin’s father. Allowing us to have an insight on his father’s approach to things and maybe add a sparkle of humanity into him, thus presenting the fans a tiny bit of relief.

- The date mentions kids being around the playground, where MC and Gavin hang out. Wouldn’t that be a nice detail, if they’ve spent some with the kids. Picture this: one of the girls ask Gavin if he would play  piggy back ride with her and Gavin offers her playing the pilot, him being the plane and MC watching him from afar. He would then fold a paperplane for her and give her a pep-talk.

- What about adding his younger brother into the mix? Yes, I know that PG has changed their mind about Shaw being the younger brother. However Gavin still has a younger brother in the canon story. Wouldn’t that be nice touch if his brother had given him a call or just sent him a small box with trivial things to show Gavin his feelings? Both the R&S and the date are lacking emotions and quite dull if you ask me.

- Since Gavin opened up about his memory with the competition, why not take MC to the gravestones of his grandparents and his mother? They are so intimate and far in their love and trust, they should visit places that mean more to their story. Not just an old airbase to which Gavin doesn’t have any personal bond. 

- The matching outfits don’t have any specific back-story to it. That’s why neither Iridescent nor the edited Caelum mean anything for the players. Funny thing, for Gavin and MC we have so many alternative options! Loveland High uniforms, STF uniform, STF drill track suits, motorcycle outfits/ or helmets or hell matching jerseys from a team, because Gavin and MC help them for a fundraising event. So many options!

- Last but not least, the dialogue between Gavin and MC is not romantic enough for a couple spending the fourth birthday together. Gavin and MC are together since four years! Sure, the older a relationship gets, the every-dayish it becomes. But this is MLQC, we are in a fantasy world and me as a player want to read a neverending romance-story. 

I’m not saying its a bad date, but the way its written, it would be more suitable for a regular SR karma. I was just expecting more depth and intimacy from Gavin’s birthday karma. What MC does is also a very nice gesture, but it doesn’t look like an action one would do on her boyfriend’s birthday. Papergames usually pays much attention to previous events and sew threads between them. However everything in this date feels random: The location, the dialogue, the cake, the gift, everything. 

Plus they don’t even kiss, are you kidding me?! Who doesn’t kiss her bf on his birthday?!

You see, dearest anon, I was quite felt let down by this year’s Gavin birthday event in CN server because I had very high expectations :/

Theseus adalah seorang pahlawan dalam legenda Yunani. Kisahnya yang paling banyak disebut-sebut adalah ketika ia menjadi korban persembahan untuk Minotour. Alih-alih menjadi korban, dia malah mengalahkan makhluk setengah banteng tersebut.

[Gambar: Theseus membunuh Minotaur, lukisan pada vas, oleh Pelukis Kleophrades, abad ke-6 SM. Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum]

Sebagai penghormatan, warga Athena menyandarkan kapalnya di dermaga untuk dijadikan semacam monumen. Setiap tahun, mereka melayarkan kapal tersebut untuk memperingati jasa-jasa Theseus. Setiap tahun pula, terjadi kerusakan pada kapal tersebut. Tukang kapal pun memperbaikinya dengan mengganti bagian yang rusak dengan bagian yang baru.

Plutarch, seorang filsuf Yunani, mengajukan suatu eksperimen pemikiran. Jika setiap tahun, satu Kapal Theseus mengalami penggantian satu bagian, maka, sebut saja pada tahun keseribu, seluruh bagian kapal tersebut sudah diganti dengan bagian yang baru.

Pertanyaannya, apakah kapal pada tahun keseribu itu masih sama dengan Kapal Theseus yang mula-mula? Apakah kita masih bisa menyebutnya sebagai Kapal Theseus?

Pertanyaan serupa juga ditemukan dalam teks kuno Buddha yang berjudul Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa yang kemudian diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Cina menjadi Da zhidu lun (大智度論). Dikisahkan, seorang pengembara bertemu dengan dua iblis pada suatu malam. Iblis pertama meretas bagian tubuhnya satu persatu lalu menggantinya dengan bagian tubuh mayat. Saat si pengembara tersadar, dia bingung tentang siapa sesungguhnya dirinya.

Sebenarnya, mempertimbangkan latar belakang Shaw, saya pikir akan lebih masuk akal jika dia merujuk pada filsafat Cina atau Buddha. Namun, di SMS ini, dia merujuk pada filsafat Barat. Hmmm, kenapakah?

Kembali pada persoalan Kapal Theseus. Dalam filsafat budi (philosophy of mind), persoalan ini berkaitan dengan identitas diri. Kapal Theseus merepresentasikan seseorang yang mempertanyakan identitas dirinya dalam kerangka waktu. Sebagai manusia, kita terus bertumbuh dan berkembang. Saat baru lahir, kita adalah bayi, lalu berubah menjadi anak-anak, kemudian menjadi remaja, dewasa, lalu menjadi tua. Dalam rentang waktu tersebut, manakah yang merupakan diri kita sesungguhnya? Apakah diri kita saat anak-anak sama dengan diri kita saat dewasa? Yang manakah yang merupakan diri kita? Bagaimana kita mendefinisikan diri kita?

SMS di atas dimulai oleh MC yang menanyakan apakah Shaw masih marah karena dia melihat fotonya semasa kecil.

Tentu saja Shaw menolak dikatakan marah karena hal remeh seperti itu. Dia juga mengatakan bahwa dia sendiri sudah lupa tentang foto itu. Di sini agak ambigu, menurut saya, apakah yang dilupakannya? Keberadaan foto itu atau keberadaan anak di dalam foto tersebut?

Gambar di foto tersebut adalah Shaw saat masih kecil. MC menanyakan apakah anak dalam foto tersebut adalah benar-benar Shaw. Alih-alih menolak atau membenarkan, Shaw malah balik bertanya, "Kenapa? Tidak bisa membayangkan aku dengan ekspresi seperti itu?"

Anak di dalam foto tersebut terlihat sangat bahagia. Dia tampak sedang cekikikan (giggling). Saya membayangkan gambar seorang anak yang tersenyum lebar hingga seluruh giginya kelihatan.

Namun, Shaw mengatakan bahwa dia pun tidak familiar dengan ekspresi tersebut. Mengapakah? Apakah dia lupa bahwa dia pernah jadi anak yang sangat bahagia? Ada apakah dengan masa kanak-kanaknya?

Sampai di sini, saya jadi bertanya-tanya. Apakah Shaw selalu mepertanyakan identitas dirinya? Siapakah dia sebenarnya? Apakah si anak cekikikan dalam foto itu, ataukah dirinya yang sekarang?

Di akhir SMS, tampaknya dia sudah sampai pada kesimpulan, "Aku bukan lagi anak yang cekikikan di foto itu. Cuma itu saja yang kamu perlu tahu."

Yeah, Shaw mungkin mewakili anak-anak muda yang selalu galau tentang dirinya. Siapakah dia sebenarnya?

Hmm, seseorang yang berhasil melalui krisis identitas dan berhasil memutuskan identitas diri sendiri di usia dua puluh tahun. Menarik sekali anak ini.

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