“You’re not outside with the others,” Mechamaru’s familiar tone, flat and robotic, makes the statement sound more like a declarative than an interrogative,

“I thought you of all people would be taking advantage of the sunshine.”

He doesn’t turn his head to acknowledge you, as you seat yourself at the desk beside him.

It’s okay, though.

The fact he spoke at all is enough — it means that you’re getting closer to the person behind the puppets, with every passing day.