Ultimate Librarian

Ultimate Librarian FTEs

FTE 1
UL: Ah, MC-san. Is there something you require from me?
Should I hang out with <UL>?
>>Yes
UL: I was just sitting down with some tea and a good book, care to join me?
I spent some quiet time with <UL>
I think we both had a good time Etc etc.
MC: UL-san, you must really like books considering your talent and everything.
UL: Of course, books are the most important objects in the world. It is how we bring knowledge from one generation to the next, and how we can see how people in the past lived and worked.
MC: But a lot of stuff is stuff you can find on the internet these days, so there are less libraries huh?
UL: Most books these days are digital yes. However, I prefer the physical copies. There’s nothing like the smell of an old book, or a new one for that matter. There’s just something about having the book in your hand that does not compare with a computer screen.
MC: I think I can kind of get that. But some old books can get damaged easily huh?
UL: Not if one follows the proper guidelines. Too many times I have seen someone complain about a book being damaged when they themselves did not properly care for it. Honestly if people followed the rules of handling a book then we would not have to deal with such things
There she goes again about the rules.
MC: You really must love rules too huh UL-san.
UL: You mistake me MC-san. I do respect the idea of rules as a guiding principle, but I do not endorse blindly following rules that would harm people or oppress them. Rules like the ones Monokuma has in place for instance. We must make efforts to resist these rules and come together as a community.
MC: I don’t think anyone likes those rules huh? Having to kill someone to escape….
UL: Such evil must be resisted, but I believe that the students of this school will not give in given proper guidance. We need not worry about such things if no one does anything immoral. If people followed a code of morality immoral things may not happen.
MC: Is…damaging books immoral to you as well?
UL: Indeed, it is an act of great disrespect to everyone who made it. Not only does is disrespect the writer, but the printer, the binder, even the trees used to make it. As a librarian it is my duty to protect these books, not only for their sake but for the sake of future readers. As I shall protect the students of this school from themselves.
MC: Haha, you sounded a bit like a superhero there.
UL: (embarrassed sprite) A…hero huh? H-how foolish…
Hmm, she seems distracted by something.
UL: A-anyway, this talk was most enlightening MC-san. Let us do it again some other time.
MC: I’d like that UL-san.
UL-san seems strict, but she’s actually pretty kind if you think about it.

FTE 2
MC: UL-san, about what we were talking about last time.
UL: Ah yes, about books being damaged. I can take you through the reconstruction of old books. It really is a fascinating process.
MC: Ah…well actually I was talking about the code of motality.
UL: I-I see…well what is it you wish to know.
MC: What exactly do you mean by that? How do you decide what is moral and what isn’t?
UL: Well it isn’t that simple. While some rules may seem obvious they can become distorted due to circumstances.
MC: Like what?
UL: Well, we both agree killing someone is immoral correct?
MC: O-of course!
UL: But what if that person was trying to kill you? Or someone you care about?
These are not the questions I expected the Ultimate Librarian to give me.
MC: Well…I don’t know. I think if it was me I’d probably look for another way. But if it was someone I care about being threatened I…. well I don’t want to think about it but I might do it.
UL(smiling sprite): Hmm, so you place the lives of others above yourself. That is admirable. In my opinion being morally right means to care about things other than yourself. I cannot abide selfishness, not when it comes to knowledge, wealth, books or even friends.
MC: I suppose being selfish is a good example of being morally wrong.
UL: Indeed, if you are selfish you make only yourself happy, and when you are in trouble or sad you will find no one to help you.
MC: Ah, there was a character in a book I liked as a child who said something like that.Let’s see, it was about a girl who dressed up as a knight and protected the people of the kingdom…
UL(Surprised sprite): THE KNIGHTLY LADY OF ABLERTSHIRE!?
MC: That’s it, do you know it?
UL(Nervous sprite) Ah…ah…I may have read it when I was a child.
MC: Oh what a coincidence. You know, the girl in the book reminds me a lot of you.
UL (Surprised sprite): W-w-w-w-w-wha….uh…h-how foolish. I am nothing like a knight at all.
MC: Really? But you’re always looking out for us. Even if you seem strict it’s only to keep us safe.
UL: Still, such actions are common sense. Not chivalrous, anyway knights like the ones in those books are mere legend. Nothing exists like that in real life. It would be foolish to wish for something like that to be real.
MC: I suppose…but…
UL: Good day MC-san. It was pleasant speaking with you.
It doesn’t sound like she found it plesant. I wonder if it was something I said.

FTE 3
UL: MC-san, is there anything else you would like the lean about books? I have a lot of material on the evolution of the printing press and…
MC:  The thing is I  want to talk with you more about that book.
UL: Th-the Lady Knight? Why on earth would you want to speak with me about such a childish thing?
MC: Well you read it when you were young right? You must have enjoyed it if you remember it after all this time.
UL: That…is true. However that was just when I was a child. Now that I am an adult I can look at it with more critical eyes and see how foolish it all was.
MC: I don’t think it’s foolish. I thought it was a wonderful book. The Lady Knight was so brave and strong, and she always saved the prince from danger.
UL: That is precisely why it is ridiculous. Women could not become knights in medieval times, or even now. The book is filled with anachronisms. And no man would feel good about having a woman come to his rescue.
MC: Well, even if that is all true it’s not bad to dream about such things right?
UL (pained sprite) To dream…is foolish. To escape to such childish imaginary lands, to believe in chivalry and to dream of defeating dragons. It’s true, the book was one of my favourites growing up, and it even influenced the person who I am today. However, when you become an adult, you must stop believing in such things.
Could it be…
MC: UL-san…did you dream about becoming a knight?
UL (Surprised sprite) Wh-what! Of course not, I am the Ultimate Librarian. I will not be subject to such flights of fancy!
MC: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with dreaming about such things. After all we all need a little escapism in our lives. Anyway, you’re already like a knight.
UL(Embarrassed sprite): Wh-what on earth do you mean?
MC: You always make sure we’re safe and you look out for us when it looks like we’re in danger. I think that book influenced you a lot more than you think it did.
Ul:….
UL: You really think that?
MC: Yes, I know it. You’re a good person UL-san. You want everyone in this school to be safe.
UL:…yes I do. I hate this killing game and what it does to people. And if I could I would destroy Monokuma and free everyone. But I cannot, a knight could but I cannot. I am far more powerless than you think I am MC-kun.
UL-san looks so serious. I wonder what made her dislike the book she used to love so much?

FTE 4
UL: MC-san, do you remember what I told you about The Lady Knight?
MC: Um…you used to enjoy it when you were a child but now you no longer do?
UL: Indeed, as a child I loved it so much. I must have read it over 100 times. I would act out the scenes from it alone in my room. I…did not have many friends at the time, but the characters in that book felt like better friends than I could ever hope for at school.
MC: So…what made you dislike it.
UL: ….
UL: One day, I was in the library. In those days the library was my private place to get away from everything. It was there I discovered how amazing books were, how they could teach me new things or take me away from my boring life. However, that day was different. A group of girls were in the library with me using one of the school computers. They saw the book I was reading and took it from me.
MC: The Lady Knight.
UL: Precisely. When they saw what kind of book it was they started mocking me, saying how childish it was to be reading a book like that in middle school, how girls couldn’t become knights and how knights don’t exist these days. Soon the entire school knew about my love for the book, and I was mocked for it. I realised then how far off my dream of knighthood was, how I would never rescue a prince, nor would I ever defeat evil.
UL: I realised how foolish I had been, no matter how much I wished for it I could never become a knight. My classmates showed me just how far off my dreams were, just how foolish it was for me to sit there and dream. Therefore, when I entered high school I distanced myself from such fantasy books. I reinvented myself, so I would only read proper, adult novels and leave the children’s literature and fantasy sections alone.
MC: Do you enjoy those adult novels.
UL: Of course, I love their rich characters, their realism, their morality. Yet still I find myself thinking back to that book. You know the author recently released another one, and I found myself wishing to read it. But I cannot go back, I cannot keep indulging in foolish fantasies.
MC: Why not? There’s nothing wrong with fantasy.
UL: Hmph, but if I were to be mocked for reading such a thing…
MC: You can stand up to them now. I’ve seen it, you don’t take anything lying down. If you stand up to them and say why you love the book then I’m sure they’ll back down. I believe in you.
UL: (Smiling sprite) You truly are foolish you know that? But perhaps….I shall try it. When we get out of here of course.
Yes, we are going to get out of here! We will all escape together

FTE 5
UL: MC-san, I have been thinking about The Lady Knight recently.
MC: Ah, how there’s a new one coming out huh? Maybe we can read it together.
UL: Yes, I would love that. But more than that, I was thinking about how much joy it brought me when I was just a little girl. I remember seeing some girls read it in the libraries where I worked, and how happy they looked. In fact, I think it was that book that made me want to become a librarian in the first place, so people could have a place they could read whatever books they wanted.
MC: That’s wonderful UL-san.
UL: So, I have decided, in addition to reading the new Lady Knight, I shall also begin writing something.
MC: Eh? You plan to write something?
UL: Of course. After speaking with you I realised that despite my love of books I have never written anything myself. I realised that maybe there are girls like me out there who have big dreams, but reality is getting in their way. Perhaps it is time for me to provide someone with a little foolish escapism too, and of course to impart lessons on them.
MC: That sounds wonderful, I think you’d make a great author. You could even become the Ultimate Author!
UL: I’d hardly be an Ultimate, but if I could make one person happy with my book that would be okay.
MC: Well, I believe in you UL-san.
UL: Thank you MC-san.
UL (Voiced) It was because of you I was able to realise just how important that book was to me. That makes you important to be too.
UL(Voiced) I hope you don’t find this a selfish request, but please continue to support me from now on.
MC: I will, you’ve supported us after all, so I’ll support you!
UL: Haha, I’m glad to hear that.