Side Phase: Maps, the Rain, and Macarons

Side Phase: Maps, the Rain, and Macarons is a Robotics;Notes short story that was released on September 29, 2012 in Japan, four months after the release of the original visual novel. It was published in the Robotics;Notes Official Materials Guide - Childhood Dreams collection book.
==Synopsis==
The short story takes place over January 22 and January 23, 2020, during the events of the original story. It follows Toshiyuki Sawada and Misaki Senomiya on their latest venture in the process of thwarting the Committee of 300's villainous world domination plot, Project Atum. Throughout the story, the reader is also introduced to Sawada's backstory: this includes his relationship with new character Nishina Ema, the story behind the scar on his back, and how he came to enjoy macarons.
Eventually, Sawada and Senomiya's respective mettle and dedication to their goals are tested in a formidable make-or-break situation that serves as a dramatic lead-in to the climax of the original story.
==Characters==
*Toshiyuki Sawada: The main protagonist. Head of the HUG Testing Department at Exoskeleton Company and a double-agent working to thwart the Committee of 300's latest scheme, Project Atum. Alongside his partner, Misaki Senomiya, he approaches the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center's chief analyst, Hiroshi Kawarazaki, in hopes of gaining his assistance in stopping the Committee.
*Misaki Senomiya: Sawada's partner, PR spokesperson for Exoskeleton Company, and a HUG test pilot. In contrast to how she acted in childhood, Senomiya is typically rather curt and serious—in her PR role for Exoskeleton Company, however, she is all smiles for the sake of sales numbers.
*Nishina Ema: A spirited woman working for the Analysis Department at the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center. She was a friend of Sawada's in high school, and in the past, they would go on "Macaron Dates." She has a strong interest in reading maps.
*Hiroshi Kawarazaki: The chief analyst at the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center, responsible for monitoring Japan day in and day out via satellites. He does not trust Sawada completely, but after Sawada leaked accurate information to him about the upcoming robot uprising in November of the previous year, he has come to trust Sawada's warnings.
== Trivia ==
* Sawada's liking of macarons and his inability to hold his liquor is referenced in Robotics;Notes DaSH.
Category:Side Materials