Edited by: ASaltedFish
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Aster became the most awkward when people started crying. He just didn't know what to do when people cried. He, himself, barely cried. Actually, he wasn't even around people that often. Even in his previous life, his job was one where he was alone the entire time! He only saw his manager once a week to make sure everything was good to go.
He didn't know what to say so he didn't say anything to Airi, just letting her cry.
This offended Airi who was used to people coming to her side to comfort her when she was upset. Luckily, she still had some working brain cells to know that Aster didn't really know her and he had amnesia, so she couldn't even be angry with him for not comforting her.
"I'm sorry for crying. I'm just really sad that you forgot who I am. It's just, when I heard you got hurt, I thought my heart was going to stop. I'm so glad to see you are okay, even if you forgot who I am. We have plenty of time to help you remember."
Aster wasn't really good at reading in between the lines, but Ellery was.
[Tssssk. Always have to make it about you. I thought it was just my imagination, but you really are a two-faced bitch. What did I even see in you where I thought we could be friends?! Disgusting! I wish she would go away. I don't want to see her ugly ass face. You better ignore this green tea bitch after this. Make sure she knows that she has no part in our life.]
"I'm sorry… I don't know what to say." He couldn't say what Ellery said, so it was best just to say this.
"It's fine. I will come here every day to help jog your memory!"
[EWWW. Tell her you don't want her coming here because she makes you uncomfortable! Looking at her face makes me uncomfortable. For our sanity, chase her away.]
Even Aster didn't want to see her every day. Maybe it was the strong emotions he felt from Ellery, but he did feel uneasy being around her.
"I'm sorry… I think I would like it if you didn't come to visit me. I don't know why, but I feel uncomfortable around you. I don't know if we were really friends or not, but I don't think I would be friends with someone like you.
"Though I appreciate you coming to visit me, I think it would be best if you didn't come until I can remember who you are…"
Airi was stunned. It was the first time someone said, to her face, that she made them uncomfortable! How could he?! They were best friends and now her best friend told her she makes them uncomfortable?
"Well, if that's how you feel, then so be it." Airi stood up angrily. "Let's just not be friends from here on out." With that, she stomped her way out of the room.
If he remembered after this incident, she would definitely make it known that he made HER uncomfortable and that she would never be friends with him ever again!
She was only friends with this person because he was an A-ranked guide with S-rank potential. If not, she wouldn't have made friends with this poor, no family, manner-less bitch!
Aster could hear her stomping down the hall. Apparently, she was really angry with what he said.
[HAH. Seeing her so fucking angry and offended is the best thing ever. The look on her face was priceless! Good job, Aster! It seems I don't have to teach you how to defend yourself from people like that.]
Aster didn't mean for that to happen, but if Ellery was happy, then so be it. He wasn't really good at understanding people, nor was he good at talking with them. Even in his past life, he didn't have any friends because no one could stand him.
He was glad that Ellery accepted him for who he was. It made his heart a bit warm. He came to appreciate Ellery being with him while he navigated this unknown place.
[Don't worry, Aster. I will protect you from scheming snakes from now on! By the time I leave, you will be an expert in dealing with people.]
Aster gave a nod and a smile. 'Then I will be in your care from now on!'
Since Aster and Ellery were stuck in the same body, Aster felt they were already good friends and brothers. Even though they just met, it felt like they had known each other for years. That was why he was so comfortable with Ellery.
[For now, let me show you the ins and outs of my terminal because the social worker couldn't really show you too much. Be sure to recover well!]
The terminal was a watch-like device that seemed to be implanted into his arm. He couldn't take it off. He was also told it was waterproof, so he didn't have to worry about it getting damaged.
The terminal was used as an ID and could connect him to the Starnet, the Interstellar era's version of the internet. The Starnet connected thousands of planets in this galaxy!
That day, he spent all his time exploring the wonderful terminal that connected him to the rest of the interstellar universe.
*****
Over the next week, Ellery slowly taught Aster the ways of interstellar society and his own life before the accident. He also had to go through physical therapy because he had been lying down for so long.
Ellery had lots of friends from the Gardening Club that he was a part of. They contacted him and visited him even though he couldn't "remember" who they were.
Gardening, shockingly, was extremely popular, especially for guides. Guides who wanted to make extra income would sell special herbs that were used in Spiritual Stabilizers, or Stabilizers for short.
Normal people could also plant these herbs since their bodies released spiritual energy, but they couldn't control them like Guides or Sentinels. The energy they released was fixed across most people. Most ordinary people released spiritual energy around Rank D and C. Some though, had a lot more energy than others. They couldn't make stabilizers, but they could grow the special plants if they released enough spiritual energy. It was a slower process, but it was a good way to make money as spiritual stabilizers were always in demand regardless of grades.
The Stabilizers were split into grades: grades D-A and then S and above. Guides can make stabilizers only for their current rank or below. Rank D guides could only make rank D stabilizers though, and they were the most common rank for guides and sentinels. The next most common ranks were ranks C-B. You only needed to be ranked C in terms of spiritual energy to control mechas, so a lot of sentinels and normal folks were in the military. Rank C sentinels also experienced corruption at lower rates than the higher-ranked sentinels. Lower ranks meant less power but it meant that their spiritual energy would not get as corrupt as the higher-ranked sentinels. Lack of strength could be supplemented by mechas.
As for Rank S guides and sentinels, they were extremely rare and powerful. Rank S sentinels had to use special mechas to control their powers, but they were always the strongest people on the battlefield. Unfortunately, they didn't live very long as there weren't enough S-ranked guides to help them. Sometimes, an A-ranked guide could calm their spiritual sea, but their compatibility had to be very high.
Anyway, the gardening club taught club members how to take care of the special plants that were used in stabilizers. Six different plants were used to make stabilizers. These plants were graded just like stabilizers because they would be graded depending on who took care of them. Even if they were graded high, if the person making the stabilizers was not of the same rank or higher, they could not bring out the full potential of these plants. People could still make lower-ranked stabilizers with these plants though.
As for cases where someone made higher-grade stabilizers than the plants themselves, it could happen because the guide would supplement a lot of the energy for the stabilizers. Their control had to be perfect though, so it wasn't done that often.
[Do you understand? We can even sell the plants themselves as not all guides like to garden. It's a great way to make and save money to create stabilizers.]
'I understand! We can live a leisurely life by selling stabilizers and plants. I won't have to leave the house-'
[Stop right there, kiddo. I'm an extrovert! I have to leave the house and hang out with my friends often.]
'I don't like leaving the house… I don't mind hanging out with friends from time to time but…'
[Hmm… We can compromise. You have to go hang out with friends at least once a week! You can also invite friends over if you don't want to leave the house that week.]
'I understand…'
If Aster had red panda ears and a tail, they would have been wilted. He knew that this was originally Ellery's body and Ellery was an extroverted person. He just felt exhausted around people. It was like they were draining him of his energy. He needed plenty of sleep to recharge himself.
But he knew that Ellery would feel depressed without people around.
Having an introvert and extrovert soul in one body… It was going to be a challenge.
As Aster was talking with Ellery, Dr. Liu walked into the room.
Dr. Liu gently asked, "How are you feeling today, Mr. Aster? Do you remember anything?"
[Tell him you don't remember anything.]
It wasn't a lie. Aster could not see any of Ellery's memories. If Aster wanted to live on his own without Ellery, he would need to learn everything from scratch. That's why, it was best to tell people he couldn't remember anything. He wouldn't be able to remember anything anyway.
"I don't remember anything."
Dr. Liu felt a bit helpless but he understood. Even with their current technology, the brain was complex and it would take time for him to remember. Maybe he would never remember. It was a good thing he was alive though, so it might be best to move on even without his memories. Society was kind to Guides and would help him.
"That's okay, Mr. Aster. Even if you don't remember, there are a lot of resources with the Guide Association that will help you readjust to daily life. Next week, you should be able to leave the hospital. If you need anything before then, please let them know."
"I understand, thank you, Dr. Liu."
"It's no problem at all. Well, I will leave you to rest now." And with that, he left the room, leaving Aster alone with Ellery.
With Aster alone once again, he sighed in relief. Being in the hospital drained him of his energy. Especially because Ellery was there with him. He was like a ball of energy that seemed to run around in his tired body.
Well, he was slowly getting used to it, though.
[Once you recover in a week, I can't wait to show you the house I live in.]
Ellery lived in his childhood home that his parents left him when they died. He had been living there by himself since his senior high school days. Since his school was also close to the military academy, he had been commuting from there since his first year. He was one of the few students who lived outside of the academy.
He also had four beautiful greenhouses with all 6 types of plants that were needed for the Spiritual Stabilizers. He also had a lovely vegetable garden for his personal use. Sometimes, he would sell some vegetables on his online store. Vegetables grown by him had some spiritual energy in them, so it was popular with sentinels who could cook.
[I hope my garden is alright…]
It's been more than a month since Ellery had been home… Hopefully, his garden was alright. He had an automatic watering system but… Hmm, Ellery still felt worried.