Yeah, she thought. He was a good man, and he deserved—at least, a little bit of happiness in this world. However, he was unlucky because he was born in poverty.
"I'm sorry," said Yu, noticing the silence of the young doctor. "I do not mean–"
"It's okay, Yu," said Alina. "I understand what you're feeling and what you've been through all this time."
Yu smiled as he continued on his way. This planet is indeed dark. Without the light from a parent star, it would be impossible for life to exist on its surface. But Yu continued to walk, descending a valley that seemed to have been the impact of a meteor several million years ago, perhaps.
"About that big door you found, Yu."
"Yeah?"
"What did you find behind that door?"
The smile on the man's face grew wider. Even though Yu didn't notice, Alina saw his smile that is in the real he is lying on the special chair in front of her. The young doctor smiled, shaking her head slightly.
Yu returned to his memory when he was in a corridor under a stretch of sand, in front of a large door with his ear pressed against it.
"I found a swimming pool."
"A swimming pool?" repeated Alina.
"Well…"
Little Yu tried to push the big door because he didn't hear anyone's voice behind the door, nor any other strange noises.
He had to put all his strength into being able to open the door. It seemed like something was holding the door from the other side. After a long effort, little Yu was finally able to open the door even though it only opened a little, but it was enough for a kid his age to pass.
Right. In that section held by the items piled up, fell from the shelves and cabinets on both sides near the door. Also, the sand piled up there.
The boy was flabbergasted when he was in the room. The room was quite spacious with a dome-shaped roof supported by a steel frame. There are one or two gaping holes in the roof, from which the sunlight can enter and illuminate the spacious room.
The room itself was octagonal, looking like an extravagant aristocratic lounge—well, it used to be.
Of course, some dirt and sand could be seen piling up in several places covering the carpet floor, especially the spot under the two gaping holes in the roof. The carpet that is covered the floor already looks dull, even moss has covered most of the surface of the carpet.
There was a large wooden cupboard against one of the walls. Every shelf in the cupboard was filled with books. Some of the books were on the floor, mossy and rotten.
Then on the wall to the right of the bookcase, there was a large glass cabinet that contained various types. Ranging from gold, silver, to porcelain items with unique shapes. It looks like it's the collectibles of the owner of this room in the past.
Yu also saw another glass cabinet filled with bottles of various shapes and sizes. Looks like the bottles contain alcohol, he thought.
A long table full of carvings was also there. On the table, there were several electronic devices that Yu had never even seen before. A gun, two kinds of daggers, and a bottle of drink that was only half left with the lid open.
Then there are two sets of sofas in different positions. One is near the wall, next to the bookshelf, complete with a glass table. However, that one sofa set was in very bad condition because it was under one of the holes in the roof. Well, the rain must have caused the growth of moss which eventually made the sofa set rotten.
While another set of sofas looked still very good, Yu stepped in that direction. At least, there is one long sofa and two short sofas that are neatly arranged, also with a glass table.
I could use that as a comfortable bed, the boy thought.
As he approached the sofa, Yu was even more stunned when he saw that there was a pond in the middle of the room. And what is even more surprising, the pool is moon-shaped and has very clear water.
"Wow!" said Alina. "Looks like you found a treasure."
Yu smiled. "Well, you can say like that. I even found a home theater set in that room."
"Did you?"
"Yeah. It's just that it can't be used."
"It can't be used because it's broken or you just don't understand how to use those devices?"
Yu laughed. "Well, that seems to be the case. I've tried tinkering with it, but it doesn't work for the devices to turn on. After all, there is no power source for all the devices I encountered in the room."
"Isn't that weird?" said Alina.
"Weird? What weird?"
"You said the room was like the rest of the nobles, didn't you?"
"Yeah, it does look that way to me. You'll understand if you see for yourself."
"What I mean," said Alina. "You should also understand that in a room like that there will usually be a backup power source. This is a common thing for us—aah, I mean, done by nobles."
Yu smiled hearing the beautiful doctor who felt reluctant to call herself a noble. This further adds to Alina's good side to Yu.
"Maybe it's like that," said Yu. "It's just, well… what can I say? I don't understand such things. After all, I was eight at the time."
Alina laughed softly, the laughter that Yu heard was so captivating, made his mind wander, and made his chest flutter.
"Yeah, you're right," said Alina. "I'm sorry I laughed at you."
"Naa," Yu smiled again. "I really like hearing your laugh."
"Hey!"
"I'm dead serious," said Yu. "Your laugh is so sweet."
"Oh my God," said Alina. "In this condition, you're still trying to tease me."
Yu laughed. "But, this is serious. You don't have to apologize. I'm used to receiving such things."
"Come on, Yu, I didn't mean it."
"I know."
"Never mind, just forget it!" said Alina. "Tell me, what did you find on that planet?"
"Hmm, nothing!" said Yu. "Looks like this planet is a dead planet. No life to be found here. It's not even detectable at all with this device in my hand."
"Hey," Alina smiled as she nodded. "Since when did you get to use that thing better?"
"Since I told my story to you earlier."
"I don't believe it!"
Yu laughed softly. "I mean, what's the point of having something that you're not using, right?"
"Well, I guess you're right. You're a very fast learner in one particular thing, I see."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Of course. You deserve it, Yu."
"Ah, I see, huh? Thank you, Doctor Alina."
"You're welcome, Mr. Annoying!"
Yu laughed again at the young doctor's words. He kept walking from one dark corner to another. Lights up every surface he expects there to be a form of life. Whether it's just moss, mold, or little bugs—whatever it is. Yu felt compelled to be the first to discover all that.
Well, it's all just a game of his right brain activity triggered by that special serum.