The words that arrived could not be read.

That is why you were needed.

... .. .

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Observation Base "Neighbor"

Just how many light-years away does one call a neighbor?

• A message that arrived from far, far away
• A person who visited from somewhere distant
• Someone laughing very close by

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The Unreadable Letter

Guest lives at the foot of Neighbor's receiving array.

The Neighbor Observation Base has received a signal from an outer star system.

From the day that broadcast aired, life began to change bit by bit. Base employees moved busily, new residents, staff, and experts were recruited, and even self-proclaimed experts of unknown origin appeared.

It seems they are desperate to decipher the signal they received.

. .. ... Even when living on the same planet, mutual understanding is difficult.

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Worldview

• A city developed in the near future. Earth's infrastructure enables lag-free communication and transport worldwide, and humanity is extending its reach into the vastness of outer space.

Observation Base "Neighbor"

• A base with a massive array built solely for observing communications from outer star systems.
• Until now, it only rarely received completely unintelligible signals. However, when a certain mechanic connected an old record player to the receiver, they succeeded in receiving a fixed-length message that appeared to be decipherable.
• The base is equipped with habitable private rooms for staff featuring shower rooms, a cafeteria, and a small courtyard, making it possible to live almost entirely within the facility. Some staff members are said to rarely step outside, completing all their shopping via mail order.
• In the town at the foot of Neighbor, various international restaurants, cafeterias, and shops for general goods and interior decor—mostly focused on delivery—are thriving. Most of these businesses were established for Neighbor staff and external inspectors. Knowing the staff and inspectors have money, they charge accordingly, but the local residents live with a spirit of mutual aid rather than profit-seeking among themselves.