Chapter 11

[20XX July 7]

Dan Ning was not someone who enjoyed idle conversation.

After briefly discussing his relationship issues, he never brought up the topic again.

From the perspective of a Starfarer, everything that happened between him and that dominant species male named “Zhao Lin” was undoubtedly worthy of study. However, I had no intention of prying into his private matters.

Dan Ning continued to take care of me as usual. Out of respect and gratitude toward him, I didn’t want to dissect his psychological parameters and distill them into a dry written report for The Alliance to scrutinize.

In any case, there were so many biological individuals on this planet—I could always collect samples for analysis after adapting and integrating here.

[20XX July 8]

Another workday for Dan Ning.

Once again, I updated my information through his computer.

This time, the keywords I searched for were “homosexuality” and “love.” After filtering through the acquired data, I gained a rough understanding of the differing perspectives within the dominant species regarding same-sex relationships.

I must say, the stark disparity in approval rates made me worry for Dan Ning.

This kind of concern was something I had never experienced before in my interactions with other civilized beings.

As a profession that straddled both scientific research and adventure, Starfarers were bound by many prohibitions: To preserve the natural development of newly discovered civilizations, Starfarers were forbidden from interfering in any way with a new planet’s natural progression. They were also not allowed to evaluate new civilizations based on the values of their own kind. The final analysis report submitted to The Alliance had to exclude all subjective judgments.

These requirements were stringent, and in practice, all we could do was try our best to avoid including personal opinions in our reports. But it was indeed rare for a Starfarer to develop personal emotions toward an individual of a species on a new planet.

—Of course, very few of my peers ended up in a situation like mine either.

Prolonged close contact with the same intelligent biological individual, accepting their protection, and participating in their daily life—only silicon-based lifeforms could go through all that without developing personal feelings.

Thus, I wasn’t worried about the routine hearing The Alliance would hold after my rescue.

I was only worried about Dan Ning. If my understanding of the gathered information wasn’t mistaken, his life would be quite lonely and difficult.

[20XX July 9]

A day off.

There were no plans to go out today, so Dan Ning spent it lazily.

While watching TV with him to pass the time, I suddenly realized something:

During the entire period I’d been under his protection, he had never once contacted his “family.”

This bothered me somewhat.

[20XX July 10]

While Dan Ning was asleep, I found his phone.

The touchscreen technology of the communicator was primitive, and the terrible sensitivity combined with my mimetic paw pads was nothing short of a disaster.

Especially when I accidentally pressed “Call” and couldn’t cancel it.

The ringing tone sounded as I repeatedly tapped the “End Call” button with my front paws—to no effect.

But the call was never answered. The text displayed that the recipient from “Home” had hung up.

I realized then that my earlier worries hadn’t been unfounded.

[20XX July 11]

My focus on Dan Ning had caused me to somewhat neglect energy accumulation.

Over the past week, the energy conversion rate had fallen short of expectations.

There was still nearly half the required energy left before I could activate the Biocomputer’s restructuring program. I needed to improve my efficiency.

[20XX July 12]

Dan Ning was doing fine. Nothing particularly noteworthy happened.

[20XX July 13]

Dan Ning said it was hot and bought me an “ice pad.”

Though I didn’t actually need it, the fact that he’d gotten me a gift still pleased me.

[20XX July 14]

Dan Ning came back very late today, carrying a pungent smell on him.

He noticed my aversion to the odor and didn’t touch me. (“Does Chocolate hate the smell of alcohol? Then I’ll try not to drink at the next business dinner.”)

[20XX July 15]

Dan Ning took the day off and stayed in bed the whole time.

My lack of knowledge regarding the basic physiological parameters of the dominant species left me torn between diagnosing him with a “hangover” or an “illness.”

The fact that my mimetic form couldn’t provide him with any of the services he might need made me restless.

Fortunately, this time, he wasn’t actually sick.

[…]

[20XX July 29]

Energy is nearly replenished.

I’ve already begun looking forward to the moment when, after my second transformation, I finally meet Dan Ning properly.