NOISZ STΔRLIVHT/Story/Chapter 3.II

Release date: July 22, 2022

> *Hakuno is unable to deal with the sudden change alone. After talking to a friend, can she find her resolve again?*
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Take note that the events of this chapter depend on what the player chose in Chapter 3.I while Hakuno talked to Rhyme post-song. However, the chapter can be replayed with different options chosen to set another order of events for Chapter 3.II.

* Route A occurs if Hakuno is hesitant to allow Rhyme to see Hitori in Chapter 3.I, and decides to visit Hitori the next day.
* Route B occurs if Hakuno is hesitant to allow Rhyme to see Hitori in Chapter 3.I, and decides to get in some extra practice.
* Route C occurs if Hakuno decides to see Hitori with Rhyme in Chapter 3.I.

Note that Hakuno will back off from the "kiss him" option unless she has been nice to him via player-selected dialogue in previous chapters, and the player selects "kiss him" three times. However, the player can be locked out of this in a playthrough permanently if they do not arrive at this option and weren't nice to him in previous chapters. Resetting story flags in Chapter 5.I will allow the option to be available in the next playthrough if the correct choices are made.

# Characters

* Route A
* Route B
* Route C

# Story

* Route A
* Route B
* Route C

Hakuno worries about Hitori, and decides to visit him. The two sit together in Sumire's room, and Hakuno assures Hitori that she wants to be there for her best friend. They recall the time they first met in middle school, when Hitori protected Hakuno from two girls; despite denying himself a hero as Hakuno calls him, Hitori talks about the desire to protect, and wanting to protect Sumire and Hakuno.

Hitori speaks of feeling lonely in Sumire's absence, and there is a lull in the conversation. Hakuno has the option to either hug him, headpat or kiss him; no matter how the scene progresses, the two sit together for a while in happy silence until a Noise Beast attacks, and Hitori steps back to allow Hakuno to dispatch it.

Hitori is inspired by seeing Hakuno summon the ability to use the NOISZ once more, and the two go and get food.

Meanwhile, Producer sits at her desk doing paperwork; a news report about Firebird comes on, noting that the police are suspicious of Eito Hojo being the only fatality. She decides to call Beyond, concerned that Sumire will be viewed as a suspect. The two discuss the high possibility of her being Firebird, and Beyond tells Producer that Antiphon can simply end the police investigation with its influence over them.

Beyond also notes that Producer's job as an accountant was real. The Producer is hesitant to believe her because of her memory being tampered with. In response, Beyond explains that, while real memories can be removed, false ones cannot be added, saying that the human brain rejects them like a dream. She says the issue with Sumire will likely sort itself out soon, and ends the call as Producer continues filing paperwork.

Hakuno decides to get some extra practice in, and heads to the office.

Meanwhile, Producer sits at her desk doing paperwork; a news report about Firebird comes on, noting that the police are suspicious of Eito Hojo being the only fatality. She decides to call Beyond, concerned that Sumire will be viewed as a suspect. The two discuss the high possibility of her being Firebird, and Beyond tells Producer that Antiphon can simply end the police investigation with its influence over them.

Beyond also notes that Producer's job as an accountant was real. The Producer is hesitant to believe her because of her memory being tampered with. In response, Beyond explains that, while real memories can be removed, false ones cannot be added, saying that the human brain rejects them like a dream. She says the issue with Sumire will likely sort itself out soon, and ends the call as Producer continues filing paperwork.

Hakuno enters shortly afterwards, and Producer expresses surprise that she's coming in on a weekend. Hakuno says she's concerned about her own performance and wants to stay on the ball, and the two chat for a while; however, a Noise Beast cuts it short. Resolving to get better and protect her friends, Hakuno activates her NOISZ and deals with it.

Afterwards, Hakuno decides to see Hitori, and Producer continues filing paperwork.

Rhyme and Hakuno visit Sumire's house together. After getting to know the situation with Hitori, Rhyme says how excited they are to have a new member of the Flaming Pride Friendship Squad. Hakuno explains Sumire's absence, and Rhyme reassures them both that Sumire will be fine. They mention that Hakuno has gotten through being stuck in her own brain. She compares her situation with Shion to Hitori's.

Hitori admits to worrying about being without Sumire and thanks Hakuno and Rhyme for supporting him.

Rhyme suggests that the three of them head to the mall to get Hitori some new clothes, but as they do so, a Noise Beast appears. Hakuno offers to fight it, but Hitori worries about her recent inability to summon the NOISZ. She insists on fighting it to show Sumire firsthand that she can find her way out of her own head. Hakuno successfully summons the NOISZ and dispatches the Noise Beast.

After the fight, Rhyme is slightly confused by Hakuno's sudden excitement but seem happy about it. Rhyme insists they head out for the mall.

Meanwhile, Producer sits at her desk doing paperwork; a news report about Firebird comes on, noting that the police are suspicious of Eito Hojo being the only fatality. She decides to call Beyond, concerned that Sumire will be viewed as a suspect. The two discuss the high possibility of her being Firebird, and Beyond tells Producer that Antiphon can simply end the police investigation with its influence over them.

Beyond also notes that Producer's job as an accountant was real. The Producer is hesitant to believe her because of her memory being tampered with. In response, Beyond explains that, while real memories can be removed, false ones cannot be added, saying that the human brain rejects them like a dream. She says the issue with Sumire will likely sort itself out soon, and ends the call as Producer continues filing paperwork.

# Drops

* Song: Unknown Civilization
* Moonstone Gem x5
* Ashes x100

# Song

Chapter 3.II's song is Unknown Civilization, as Hakuno in her Stray Cat style in Routes A, C and D, and STΔRLIVHT STΔGE in Route B, where she visits the office for some extra practice.