After the Blood Moon Fades/Dialogue

* After the Blood Moon Fades
* Side Missions
* Memory Fragments

There was no light, but I could hear a voice urging weakly.

“Go… \*pant\*… now…”

“Hurry… leave… this place…”

It was the unforgettable past, the beginning of the story.

“How I wish to taste ice cream and touch a HOMU plush’s face…”

“But this will do. I’m content.”

In my memory, she smiled and looked at the brightly lit city.

She emphasised that she was content smilingly, but her eyes spoke of regrets.

“Please dance with me, right here.”

The young girl extended her hand under the moonlight.

It was a lonely memory from old times, what regrettably could have been.

“Vampires believe in neither god nor fate. But you who came to me must be the biggest miracle in my life.”

“I believe we… will meet again no matter how far apart we are.”

“I don’t care, I’ll wait for you… Vampires live long, so we’re best at waiting…”

My heart was beating wildly, with the phantom pain scorching my grey matter…

Why did you make such a solemn promise to me? It was only the first time we met, was it because…?

But thank you for trusting me.

I’ll go see you for a promise we made long ago.

As long as I keep recalling the past, I will never forget them.

As long as I keep going, I will see you again one day…

*[CG plays wherein the Captain sees A-872 suffering, yet is interrupted by Rita as it was apparently a dream:*

***Luna Kindred:** Stop there!*

***Luna Kindred:** That’s enough… that's good enough.*

***Luna Kindred:** Human, please… don’t…*

***Rita:** Breathe, Captain…*

***Rita:** Feeling better now?*]

**Rita:** You’re sweating a lot. Did you have nightmares again?

I opened my mouth to call Rita, but I couldn’t make a sound.

My body felt heavy as if it had been dehydrated, my throat was dry, and my temples were throbbing… I was used to waking up from my dreams like this.

When did the dream… begin? I didn’t know.

All I knew was that I had had this dream over and over again.

Every time, it came to an abrupt end when I was about to touch her.

**Rita:** Here, have some tea.

The rosemary’s fragrance soothed my breathing as the warm liquid ran down my throat.

**[CHOICE] =** The tea you make is always refreshing.

**Rita:** Is it? I’m glad you like it, Captain.

**[CHOICE] =** What did you add into the tea?

**Rita:** It’s a secret. I’ll tell you someday.

She looked at me calmly, with a mysterious smile as usual.

**Rita:** Please rest some more. We are about to arrive at our destination, and the road ahead is a long one.

**[CHOICE] =** Destination?

**[CHOICE] =** …

**Rita:** Captain, don’t you remember?

**Rita:** Miss Bronie discovered the coordinates of the bubble universe where Miss Luna is by chance. Although it may be a trap, I don’t think you would miss any clues.

**Rita:** So please look out the window.

**Rita:** We are now above Soukai City. We’ll be landing in a few minutes.

**Rita:** After landing, Miss Bronie needs to make some preparations, so I will be walking you around the city.

**Rita:** I’m going to prepare myself. Call me if you need anything.

I nodded, not looking away from the window.

The occasional white waves stirred up on the sapphire sea were blindingly bright, and thick cumulonimbus clouds were slowly drifting across the sea. The view felt as serene as a dream.

…Finally, I am here.

I stood up, figuring that I might have a better view on the bridge. I didn’t expect to overhear whispers coming from the end of the corridor after opening the door.

Although the speakers kept their voices down and ended the communication in a hurry, I managed to catch some words.

**???:** …Not much time is left for you to choose. Act once you’re done thinking.

The person on the other end of the phone seemed to be giving orders. I think I’ve heard this voice before… Who could it be?

After a while, I heard a voice that I was more familiar with.

**Rita:** Understood.

With the help of the Captain and her companions, Sirin the Magic Girl lifted the curse on the Miracle Stone to rescue TeRiRi and her two seniors.

The Magic Girl case was settled, but Kongming’s whereabouts still remained unknown. Meanwhile, the Captain had unexpectedly obtained the only clue about a certain girl…

…However, that girl had left marks on the different Theresas across various bubble universes, as if plotting some sort of grand plan.

To find Kongming and uncover the girl’s secrets, the Captain and his companions set off to the girl’s bubble universe based on Bronie’s coordinates.

**Captain:** Luna, this time, we’ll finally meet.

--

#### Familiar City

The air was still and stuffy.

The chirping of cicadas went hand in hand with sweltering heat waves and dazzling sunshine.

**Captain:** (The same summer as it was then… The sunlight is too harsh.)

“…Not much time is left for you to choose. Act once you’re done thinking.”

The voice I overheard echoed in my mind. Not much time is left? Act immediately? What does this have to do with Rita?

And that voice is very concerning.

**Rita:** Captain, are you still feeling dizzy?

**Captain:** Don’t worry, I’m fine.

Soukai City… I didn’t expect the leads on Luna would lead us back here.

Memories of that summer flooded into my mind, and now…

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (I don’t feel hungry, but why am I still…?)

**Rita:** Captain…

**Captain:** (Rita’s expression… Did she hear it? I need to change the subject.)

**Rita:** Captain, do you have any recommended restaurants?

**Captain:** Why are you asking about that?

**Rita:** It is useful to know the local specialties that represent a city. Captain, I take it that you know this place quite well.

**Captain:** You have a point. That reminds me…

Looking toward the downtown area, I quickly located a restaurant from my fuzzy memories.

**Captain:** There’s a place called “HOMU’s Joyful Dining”.

**Rita:** It’s near the beach, has a conspicuous signboard, serves fast food… Hmm…

**Rita:** Let’s go there and grab a bite.

**Captain:** Hmm?

Rita smiled gently.

**Rita:** Relax, Captain. There are only the two of us here. Or do you not want to have afternoon tea with me?

**Captain:** Of course I do.

**Rita:** Good. I’ll send our coordinates to Miss Bronie. Shall we go now?

**Rita:** Unfortunately, this ladder is also broken.

**Captain:** But not too broken. It can be fixed.

**Rita:** Good idea. Good news is that there’s a small construction site ahead that has all the tools and resources we need to fix it.

**Captain:** And… the bad news is?

**Rita:** The site looks empty, so we have to do it ourselves.

**Captain:** This is…

There was a strange device by the road.

**Rita:** It’s a geospatial anchor. Looks like it uses the nature of bubble universes to fold space and…

**Captain:** …That’s all Greek to me.

**Rita:** Hmm… In other words, we can use it to teleport.

**Captain:** Oh, a portal? I know portals!

By the road, a child holding a drink as red as blood was talking and gesticulating to the crowd.

**Boy in Trousers:** Have you heard? Vampires have appeared in Soukai City!

**Captain:** Is this information reliable?

**Boy in Trousers:** Absolutely! The grandfather of the deskmate of the third niece of my seventh uncle tells us about vampires all the time!

**Boy in Trousers:** There are vampires wandering in nearby alleys and on the rooftops in the southwest corner! If they bite you, you’ll turn into a vampire monster, too!

**Captain:** (Alleys… Rooftops…)

**Boy in Trousers:** It’s real! People in HOMU’s Joyful Dining have also sighted them!

**Rita:** Well, then it may be more than an urban legend.

**Boy in Trousers:** Right? Thank you for believing me. I’ll tell everyone about this! To keep them away from those places!

As the child bounced away, the drink in his hand spilled, leaving red spots on the ground.

**Captain:** (This… looks like tomato juice.)

**Rita:** Captain, we came to the right place. It’s likely that she is here, but is she still the person you remember?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** She won’t change. I will always believe in her, just as she has always believed in me.

**Captain:** Let’s go check out HOMU’s Joyful Dining first.

At the door of the diner, an enthusiastic employee handed us a flyer.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Oh, dear customer, can I interest you in our freshly launched Bloody Tomato Combo here at HOMU’s Joyful Dining?

**Rita:** Blood-like tomato juice with a hamburger loaded with ketchup. It’s worthy of the name.

**Captain:** (The child must have gotten his drink from here.)

**Rita:** Captain, let’s dine here as we wait for Miss Bronie.

**Captain:** Sure. By the way, have you heard of urban legends about vampires?

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Vampire rumors… You’ve asked the right person.

The employee nervously raised her sleeve. There was a scratch on her arm, and it looked new.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Last night, when I was on my way home, a black shadow darted into me, leaving me this scratch.

**Rita:** This scratch… looks…

**Captain:** It looks like a normal scratch…

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** No, I think it has something to do with vampires!

**Captain:** …Well, it’s possible.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** But that’s all I know. If you’re interested, why don’t you come on in and order a Bloody Tomato Combo? It’s so hot outside.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (Is this a new marketing method…? I don’t think I can ask more information out of her.)

**Rita:** Captain, aren’t you hungry? Let’s go in.

**Captain:** Okay.

**Captain:** (I might as well find more clues myself.)

Crimson trails were left on the walls in one of the restaurant’s corners. On closer inspection, they were just crayon doodles.

Seems like it’s a must for every vampire restaurant to use red to achieve the right atmosphere.

After observing for a while, I didn’t find any useful clues, so I settled down at a table.

Energetic music was playing on repeat. The restaurant was drenched with vampire-themed decorations to attract customers.

They aimed to maximally stimulate the appetite of customers, but I just stared at the food on the plate, not feeling hungry at all…

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (Back then, I also ordered these hamburgers…)

**Kallen:** HOMU’s Joyful Dining has great burgers, but they aren’t as good as the onigiri of Yae Village.

Looking at the layout of the restaurant, those memories came alive.

**Captain:** (Besides, this restaurant…)

**Himeko:** Sorry about the delay. Met an… old friend on the way.

**Captain:** Responsible Soukai City police volunteers don’t use those kinds of excuses.

**Himeko:** Ahh… But I did pick up some interesting intel.

**Rita:** Captain, it is very impolite to be distracted in front of ladies.

**Captain:** Uh, I’m sorry… I…

**Rita:** However, no table manners prohibit eating in front of ladies, Captain.

Amused by her rare humor, I immediately caught her drift.

**Captain:** Okay, I’ll focus on the meal now.

But when I grabbed a hamburger, the tangled memories played in my eyes again.

“I’m glad to see you didn’t forget our promise.”

“But, sorry. Unfortunately, I may be unable to keep my promise to you.”

**Rita:** Captain, instead of brooding alone, you can try venting out.

**Captain:** Guess I can’t hide anything from you… It’s about the dreams I’ve had recently.

**Rita:** …I see.

**Captain:** Nothing I saw and heard in my dreams was from my memory, but it felt so real, as if I’ve been wandering to realise a promise and would stop at nothing.

**Rita:** So, Captain, do you suppose Miss Luna acted that way in your dream out of an intense obsession?

**Captain:** …

I’d like to say yes, but it’s been too long since I met her. Besides, who am I to judge where she’s gone and what she’s experienced?

Who am I… to judge?

**Rita:** I can see you’re very concerned about Miss Luna.

**Rita:** But we are here to find out what she plans to do and prevent her from doing anything more dangerous.

**Rita:** As for why she does it… We may learn that after we stop her.

**Captain:** …You’re right, I was too anxious.

**Rita:** It’s worse that you forgot your purpose.

I picked up the underlying meaning, so I forced myself to unwrap the hamburger.

**???:** Why aren’t you guys eating?

Two little hands suddenly appeared, one grabbing the soda and the other the hamburger.

**Bronie:** It’s better to arrive at the right time than early. Thanks for the treat.

**Captain:** Bronie, you’re fast…

**Bronie:** Am I? I was delayed on my way… Alright, come on out.

Behind Bronie, a purple-haired girl poked her head out.

**Rita:** Miss Sirin, we meet again.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Bronie said you needed help, so…

**Bronie:** Hey, I never said that! You’re the one who was worried sick, and urged me to pick you up as soon as things settled in Crescent Moon City.

**Sirin:** Hey…! Bronie, shut it!

**Captain:** Sirin, I’m happy you came to help me. It’s just…

**Sirin:** Hmph, if you think you could ease me out by saying “it’s too dangerous” or “it’s my own business”, you’re underestimating my resolve and efforts so far!

Sirin turned her face away awkwardly, her puffed cheeks slightly rosy.

**Captain:** I see… Thank you, Sirin.

**Bronie:** That’s the spirit! Nom… Sirin, try this hamburger, it’s super!

**Sirin:** No, I’m not eating what you’ve bitten!

**Rita:** Miss Sirin, we ordered the recommended combo for you. It comes with a Magical Girl toy… look.

Sirin glanced at it reluctantly.

**Sirin:** (Wait a minute… The burger bun is pink! Aaaah this bat-shaped wand is so cute too!)

**Bronie:** See? I told you Sirin would love it! Wait, I’ll go order more combos to fill all of our stomachs!

**Sirin:** I want another Magical Girl toy! Bronie, wait up!

Sirin’s upstanding hair shook a little. She and Bronie ran in tandem to the counter.

**Captain:** Sirin looks livelier than before.

**Rita:** Yes, and you’re much more relaxed than you were a moment ago.

Rita looked at me smilingly. I realised I had already taken a few bites of the hamburger in my hand.

**Rita:** Seems that you’ve regained your appetite.

**Sirin:** So, did you find the lead on Luna in Soukai City?

Sirin tilted her head at us while biting her straw.

**Rita:** Yes. Captain and Miss Luna first met in Soukai City. But she’s quite difficult to locate. She was last seen… before Miss Bronie was born…

**Bronie:** Hey, what does that have to do with me?

**Captain:** In short, it dates back a very long time. I’m just as surprised to hear from her again…

**Bronie:** But the clue came in a fishy way.

**Sirin:** Hmm? What do you mean?

**Bronie:** It all came too easy! Think about it, we weren’t able to locate some of the Theresas in other bubble universes just because of the distance limits…

**Bronie:** I’ve been searching for Luna for a long time to no avail, regardless of how much I optimised the programs and machines. And the same person has to return to Soukai City when we begin helping Theresa?

**Bronie:** And…

**Bronie:** Judging by the time, the bubble universe where Soukai City was located should have perished long ago, or… have started to deteriorate…

**Sirin:** But it looks fine. Will my bubble universe end up like that…?

**Sirin:** Will it…?

**Rita:** Well…

Sirin put the wand toy she was clutching on the table and pushed it back to Rita.

**Sirin:** Here you go. I don’t want any toy sets. I’m not a child, I want the truth.

Rita looked at me, and I nodded.

**Captain:** Sirin, all the bubble universes floating in the Sea of Quanta will eventually perish, just as everything will return to dust, but there’s still a long time before that day comes.

**Captain:** And the toy is a thank-you gift. You know I wouldn’t lie to you.

**Sirin:** Really? Then…

**Sirin:** Then I’ll accept it, but with one condition… since our mission is so dangerous, you need to give me another one after it’s over.

**Captain:** That’s a promise.

Rita, who would only drink wine or tea, raised a glass of soda and signaled to us.

The light passed through the red sparkling juice, casting a blush on her fair wrist.

**Rita:** Let’s have our meal first. As for the specifics, we can play it by ear. What I mean is…

**Rita:** This trip may have unexpected rewards.

**Captain:** …

--

#### Alley in Memories

**Bronie:** So many monsters in Soukai City. Was it this way already when you came before, Captain?

**Captain:** No, I didn’t see this type before.

**Sirin:** Hey, can we get to the business at hand first and chat later?

**Boy in Trousers:** Cooool! Whoosh! Bam! And the monsters fell!

**Bronie:** Wow, that was awesome, Captain!

**Sirin:** So awesome!

**Captain:** I know, I know, quit it you two. Kid, were there so many monsters on this street before?

**Boy in Trousers:** Isn’t it normal for monsters to roam about? But they’ve never attacked humans before. What went wrong today?

**Boy in Trousers:** I wish Miss Police Volunteer was here. She’d have wiped them out. I haven’t seen her for days.

**Captain:** (Police Volunteer? Could it be her?)

**Captain:** Kid, do you know where to find this Police Volunteer?

**Boy in Trousers:** Nope, but I used to see her in the bar street. By the way, aren’t you guys too strong to go looking for her?

**Captain:** (So he doesn’t know…)

**Boy in Trousers:** If I were so tough, I wouldn’t have fled like a rat when chased by the vampire last night…

**Captain:** Vampire? You didn’t mention that.

**Boy in Trousers:** Well… I didn’t mean to keep it from you, I’m just not sure what it was.

**Boy in Trousers:** Last night, I stayed up late with my buddies in the swimming pool. To get home quickly, I risked taking the alley, where rumors of vampires were often heard.

**Boy in Trousers:** And guess what! I met a suspicious figure with red eyes… Super scary! Luckily, I’m a fast runner.

**Bronie:** Look at the map. Was this the alley you passed through?

**Boy in Trousers:** Yeah, I think so.

**Captain:** This place was… Let’s go there!

**Boy in Trousers:** Wait, I’m not done yet! I… I only have this HOMU-chip with me, please take it. Thank you for your help.

**Bronie:** Shiny. Nice, I’ll keep it. Goodbye, kid!

**Boy in Trousers:** Goodbye!

**Drunk Man:** Argh! What should I do? Why can’t I find it anywhere? I shouldn’t have drunk… last night. Hic.

The man had bloodshot eyes and reeked of alcohol. Obviously, he didn’t have a good rest last night.

**Sirin:** Sir, excuse me, would you mind stepping aside?

**Drunk Man:** I can’t find it! Let alone two of it! Where the heck is it?! I’m done for.

**Bronie:** I don’t think Mr. Out-Of-His-Mind would listen.

**Captain:** Maybe he will if we help him find what he’s lost.

**Drunk Man:** What?! You’ll help me find it? Great!

**Bronie:** …

**Captain:** You only hear what you want to hear, don’t you?

**Sirin:** You’ve been waiting for people like us!

**Drunk Man:** I think I lost it in the alley down the road where you came from. Please help me.

**Captain:** Alright, let us through after we do.

**Bronie:** The alley that best fits Captain’s description is just up ahead.

**Bronie:** …But after all these years, can we really find clues there?

My memory was like an inky sea, stirring violently from time to time.

This alley didn’t look creepy in the day thanks to the speckled sun. It just felt secluded.

The solitude reminded me of that summer night, and that frail girl…

**Luna:** \*pant\*… \*pant\*…

**Luna:** Go… \*pant\*… now… Hurry… leave… this place…

The alley where I first met the vampire girl was not as quiet as it used to be.

**Captain:** You’re right, finding clues about her here doesn’t mean he’s still here…

Although I knew it perfectly well, I somehow took a step forward.

**Captain:** But I still want to look around here. Even if the hope is slim, I don’t want to give up.

In the alley, a shoddy silver bullet-shaped toy lay on the ground, seemingly a parody of the weapon used to fend off vampires in stories.

If you lose your toys, you can look for them; if you lose your virtue, you will leave your toys everywhere.

Something flickering in the corner caught my attention.

**Captain:** Huh, this is…

…A shard of red glass.

**Captain:** (Did it fall from somewhere? I don’t see any buildings nearby with red windows. Wait… it’s just an ordinary shard of glass.)

I couldn’t help but pick up that particular shard and observe it.

**Captain:** (Crimson or blood red? At a closer look, it does seem rather special…)

As soon as light passed through the glass, light spots appeared within the translucent inside of it.

**Bronie:** Hey… Captain, aren’t you coming?

**Captain:** …

**Rita:** Wait, Captain, you…?

I was so absorbed in the light spots that all sounds faded away. Gradually, there was only one thing that I could hear and see…

…

…

**Girl:** Thank you for fulfilling my wishes.

**Girl:** Could you entertain one last selfish request of mine?

**Girl:** Please dance with me, right here.

**Girl:** I always wished that someone would say those words to me…

**Girl:** I…

**Captain:** …!

**Captain:** (This is her memory!)

**Rita:** Captain…?

**Captain:** It’s her.

**Sirin:** Miss Luna? Captain… Did you see something?

**Captain:** I’m not sure how, but this shard contains her memories. It must be left here for a reason. She’s probably nearby. I must…

…Find her.

Looking around, I didn’t see anything.

Somehow, when I thought of it, my heart would beat violently, and I clearly felt something sharp was standing between me and her.

Every time I wanted to be near her, it stung me… Why? Was it fate that was preventing me from finding her?

No, I don’t care about those insubstantial things… Nothing can stop me.

**Rita:** Captain, you don’t look very well.

**Captain:** Don’t worry. I have a hunch that we’re going in the right direction. Come on, let’s go to the rooftop of that building.

**Rita:** I see… Don’t push yourself, Captain.

**Captain:** I know, Rita. Don’t worry.

--

#### The Promised Place

**Bronie:** The road to the building is blocked. The lock is so heavy, can’t open it without a key.

**Sirin:** I don’t see any guards here, either…

**Captain:** Let’s find a resident and ask how to get in.

**Frail Resident:** How’s… it… going? Did you… find… the… key…?

**Captain:** Stop playing dumb. You took the key, didn’t you?

**Frail Resident:** Stop… joking… around…

**Captain:** The children over there told us that you’re actually an athlete. You’re pretending to be sick, aren’t you?

**Frail Resident:** What? You saw through me?

**Bronie:** Hmph, suddenly your voice is as loud as a bell. Why did you lie to us?

**Frail Resident:** For Soukai City’s sake, of course! Don’t you crooks dare to release the devil!

**Bronie:** The devil? What nonsense are you talking about?

**Frail Resident:** Legend has it that behind the door you want to open is the vampire that will doom Soukai City! I’ll never give you the key!

**Captain:** Another rumor about vampires? We just want to have a look up that building.

**Rita:** That’s right. We’ll take responsibility for anything that happens.

**Frail Resident:** No… Not a chance! Because…

**Frail Resident:** Arrrgh…

The man suddenly gave a loud, shrill cry. I sensed something had appeared next to me, so I turned and saw a terrible monster staring at us.

**Frail Resident:** The devil is real!

**Monster:** Eradicate… the… outliers…

**Bronie:** Tsk, where did it come from?

**Rita:** A big secret seems to be buried here.

**Sirin:** Is this the so-called devil of doom? Weak as a kitten.

**Frail Resident:** S-So strong.

**Rita:** Actually, I’m more concerned with its growl. It seemed to be saying…

**Captain:** Eradicate the outliers.

**Rita:** You noticed too, Captain.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (These Honkai beasts… Are you trying to stop me from advancing? But why…?)

**Captain:** (No, I don’t believe it.)

**Captain:** I think this is a rejection from the bubble universe.

**Bronie:** Similar to what happened to you and Miss Kongming last time? Hmm, it’s actually possible.

**Captain:** We must go forward if we want to know the truth.

**Sirin:** That’s right. So the guy over there, can you give us the key already? That so-called devil has been defeated by us.

**Frail Resident:** O-Okay.

**Frail Resident:** I left the key in the swimming pool to the north. Go get it yourselves.

The wind rose.

This time, instead of taking away a shred of the stuffiness, it only annoyed me.

I looked down at the city, but even the familiar view couldn’t soothe my nerves.

**Captain:** Soukai City seems a bit strange today.

**Bronie:** Hmm? How?

**Captain:** I feel time passes unnaturally fast… What’s more…

**Captain:** This Soukai City is different from what I remember. Is it my imagination?)

**Captain:** Let’s look around first. Maybe we can find some clues.

**Captain:** (Back then… This is where…)

“You do not have the right to impose questions upon me, human.”

“But I guess I can make an exception for you…”

“Reveal your name, human.”

…

…

“Let’s make a deal, human.”

“I will tell you the story of a girl related to this incident.”

“You, on the other hand, must help me… no, her, fulfill a wish.”

…

…

“Well then, let us start with our protagonist’s name.”

“Her name is…”

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (She must still be waiting for me. I must find her.)

**Captain:** (But… this rooftop is more spacious and decorated differently than I remember. Is something wrong with my memory?)

…

“I can take you there if you want.”

“I don’t have a lot of cash on me… but I guess I can still treat you to some ice cream.”

“Then we can head to HOMU World. There’s plenty of HOMU toys at that place.”

“The night is still young. I’ll be with you.”

“Oh, let’s meet here tomorrow night as well.”

“If we can play every attraction tonight, we can do it tomorrow night, and the night after that…”

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (This time, I will surely fulfill her wishes.)

**Captain:** (I should be able to see HOMU World from here. When that time comes, I’ll… Wait, why…?)

**Bronie:** Hey, Captain, dodge!

**Captain:** Hmm?

Bronie pulled me aside, and almost immediately, a huge blade brushed past me.

**Captain:** Sorry, I zoned out.

**Bronie:** Yeah, yeah, let’s get rid of them first.

**Bronie:** We can’t predict them. Looks like they’re after us.

**Captain:** Yes, but in the Soukai City from my memory, this isn’t a thing.

**Sirin:** How do you know this is the Soukai City from your memory? Everything in this world feels wrong to me.

**Captain:** …You’re right, something’s going on here.

(Strange vampire rumors without a clue.)

(Monsters coming out of nowhere to stop us from advancing…)

(And this rooftop… is different from what I remember.)

**Luna:** And what’s that place with all those colorful lights?

**Captain:** That’s HOMU World. You can take the ferris wheel to see the cruise ships on the sea.

…

**Captain:** Tomorrow, let’s go to HOMU World tomorrow, okay? Just give me one more day…

**Captain:** (There are so many more things I want to tell you.)

**Captain:** I’m certain we can see HOMU World from here.

**Bronie:** Huh? But from the data I can find, no amusement park has ever been built in Soukai City, let alone one with such a unique name.

**Bronie:** …If it’s HOMU, I’d definitely remember it.

**Bronie:** Captain, you sure you didn’t misremember?

**Captain:** I’m sure. And this is not the only oddity I noticed…

**Captain:** I’ve been tracking Luna with the premise that she’s a vampire, but based on what we’ve garnered so far, the rumors and clues in Soukai City aren’t tied to her.

**Captain:** And the kid mentioned that those monsters don’t normally attack residents, but they attacked us twice along the way.

**Bronie:** Didn’t you say it was a rejection from the bubble universe?

**Captain:** I suppose I was wrong. Those monsters appeared not because the world was rejecting us, but because someone was deliberately stopping us from advancing.

**Bronie:** Then the person behind this is powerful. Maybe they’ve been watching us before we came to this bubble universe.

**Bronie:** Maybe they’re watching us right now.

**Rita:** …

**Sirin:** In any case, they deliberately spread rumors about vampires in order to…

**Captain:** Keep the residents away from certain places in the city.

**Sirin:** But this is so strange. There seems to be no concept of “magic” in this bubble universe, but I…

Sirin looked into the distance thoughtfully, her eyes wavering.

**Sirin:** But I can feel a special energy fluctuating in some streets… Since we left the restaurant, entered the city, and came across the citizens.

**Captain:** In which direction are those streets you mentioned, Sirin?

**Sirin:** Probably over there.

**Rita:** …

**Bronie:** Hmm? We’ll have to check them out. Let’s go, Rosemary. Hey, come on.

**Rita:** Coming.

--

#### Strange Fluctuations

**Sirin:** Yes, the strange fluctuations I sensed are… coming from this spot.

Before us lay a violet mist that appeared to enshroud a metallic component of sorts.

**Captain:** As far as I can recall, Soukai City has never had such an object before.

**Rita:** Perhaps this bubble universe was modified, thus explaining the differences from how you recall it, Captain.

**Bronie:** Does this match our previous discussion? The fact that this bubble universe, which should have been destroyed, is not only still present but perfectly intact, strongly suggests that Luna, in all likelihood, intervened in some way.

**Rita:** However, what sort of modifications could prolong the lifespan of this bubble universe?

**Bronie:** Good question. But rather than dwelling on that, it might be more beneficial to investigate this strange device first.

**Sirin:** I don’t think we should touch it so soon.

**Bronie:** Hmm…?

Suddenly, the whole of Soukai City seemed to shake violently. The sky darkened, and the once sweltering day turned into a cool night.

…Just like that night.

**Sirin:** I said don’t touch it!

**Bronie:** Hey, just to be clear, I haven’t done anything.

**Captain:** Might this be used for manipulating time?

**Bronie:** Shall we give it a knock?

Bronie reached out and knocked on the device, but nothing happened.

**Captain:** Maybe we’re not meant to control it. Given the shift from day to night was so abrupt, the residents must’ve noticed it as well.

**Captain:** Just to be safe, let’s go investigate where we’ve been to. First of all…

**Captain:** Let’s go to the alley the child mentioned, where he claimed to spot a mysterious person with red eyes.

--

#### World in Flux

**Bronie:** Hey there, kiddo, didn’t you go to play with your friends? What brings you here?

**Boy in Trousers:** Huh? Who are you guys?

**Captain:** Hello there, little buddy. Do you need any help?

**Boy in Trousers:** Uwaaaah! Who are you people?! You really startled me!

**Captain:** You don’t recognise us?

**Boy in Trousers:** I don’t think we’ve met before. Besides, my Mum told me not to talk to strangers!

**Captain:** But we actually saved you once. Look, this is the HOMU-chip you gave us.

**Boy in Trousers:** This… this is my HOMU-chip… How did it end up in your hands? Are you a ghost?! Ahhhhhhhh!

The young boy screamed and scurried into the depths of the alley.

**Sirin:** Odd, it’s as if he… no longer recognises us?

**Captain:** Could it be that he ran into an accident on his way here?

**Drunk Man:** Hic! Bring me more…

The man up ahead was staggering, his bloodshot eyes unsettling in the darkness of the night.

**Bronie:** Hey, look. The person up ahead looks kinda familiar.

**Sirin:** Looks like the guy who refused to get out of our way unless we found his stuff. Seeing him like this in the middle of the night is pretty creepy. I wonder if that kid was scared by him.

**Captain:** But how come he’s back here again?

**Bronie:** Those people were acting weird… What on earth happened?

**Captain:** (They don’t remember us, and this place isn’t quite the same as it was during the day…)

**Captain:** Let’s follow him.

**Bronie:** Do you see that?

**Sirin:** Yeah. That guy dropped something again.

**Captain:** Why do I have the feeling that the two things he dropped…

**Rita:** Look exactly like the ones we gave him earlier today, Captain.

**Sirin:** What on earth is happening… Why are the events that have occurred playing out again?

**Bronie:** What’s even more baffling is that everyone seems to be completely oblivious to the recent day-to-night transition.

An unfamiliar world, reversed day and night, reset memories, rumors aimed to divert attention…

**Captain:** (I’ve got it now… Darn it, why did it take me this long to realise?)

**Captain:** I believe time wasn’t fast-forwarded to tonight; instead, it was reset to last night.

**Sirin:** Are you suggesting that the device’s purpose is to send us into the past?

**Bronie:** No, reversing time is nigh impossible and doesn’t really add to the stability of the world.

**Bronie:** Captain, when you encountered that Theresa, you were in the process of observing this world, right? And you also experienced a pseudo time rewind.

**Captain:** Indeed, through conscious projection, I relived that particular night multiple times. However, I wasn’t able to attain a perfect ending.

**Bronie:** So it does share some similarities with Kongming’s experience.

**Bronie:** Based on these experiences, I have a bold hypothesis…

**Bronie:** The device’s function, similar to how you “rewound time”, is anchoring time to a specific period, so you can relive it again and again until you save the world from destruction.

**Captain:** It’s possible. This bubble universe could be trapped in a loop. That device resets everything to its initial state at some point in time.

**Captain:** And this is why someone deliberately spread rumors to divert attention, and dreadful monsters were deployed to deter us from approaching that area.

**Sirin:** Doesn’t this mean the residents here are trapped in a loop, forced to relive the same day over and over again?!

**Rita:** Shall we reveal the truth to everyone, Captain?

**Captain:** It’s worth a shot. Perhaps the more people become aware of the loop, the higher the chance of drawing out the person behind it.

**Captain:** I have a suitable candidate in mind. She stays in one place regardless of the time, making her quite easy to find.

**Captain:** Let’s go to HOMU’s Joyful Dining.

HOMU’s Joyful Dining was brightly lit. The employee was standing at its entrance and warmly welcoming passersby.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Oh, dear customer, can I interest you in our freshly launched Bloody Tomato Combo here at HOMU’s Joyful Dining?

The enthusiastic employee handed me a flyer featuring coupons.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Why not get a combo for your little sisters? And to sweeten the deal, a limited-edition toy wand is included as a gift… the kids love it.

**Bronie:** Who’s that guy’s little sister, you say?

**Sirin:** I’m not a kid!

**Captain:** While it’s true that the combo sells well, it’s not every day you see someone buy six and another two of it. Do you truly not remember us?

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** I apologise, dear customer, but it’s truly my first time seeing you all.

Confusion overtook her, wiping the smile off her face.

**Bronie:** She doesn’t remember us. Time really has been reset.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Time has been reset? What are you talking about, customers?

**Captain:** You might not believe it, but you’re stuck in a loop.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** A loop?

The employee gazed at us, momentarily frozen in place. Within her dazed eyes, a profound fear suddenly emerged.

**Bronie:** I guess it is too much to take in at once. That’s alright. Maybe we can sit down and talk it over.

**Employee Handing Out Flyers:** Oh dear! An animal, no, a monster! A monster’s going to eat us!

**Captain:** Hey, calm down…!

When I was about to grab the panicking employee, a roar from behind left me no time to worry about her.

**Captain:** It feels a bit contrived for a Honkai beast to appear now of all times, doesn’t it?

**Rita:** Fufu, it seems that the loop is a secret that can’t be revealed.

**Rita:** Be careful, these monsters are not the same as the ones we met before.

**Bronie:** They’re highly aggressive and they’re coming right at us.

**Sirin:** So what? Just take down every single one of them.

**Sirin:** How come they keep coming nonstop?

**Bronie:** Too many of them. That’s bad…

**???:** I think…

**???:** You might need help?

**???:** Hey, you people over there! What’s the hush-hush business at this hour of the night?

“Run.”

My body responded a few seconds ahead of my mind, as if I was about to be captured and interrogated in the next minute.

**Captain:** (The impression Himeko left on me at that time is still too deep…)

I thought strangers like us would arouse Himeko’s suspicion, yet she didn’t push us like she did in our previous encounters.

Instead, she was… gentle to us.

**Himeko:** Don’t be afraid. I’m Soukai City’s Po… Police Volunteer, how can I assist you?

**Bronie:** No worries, we’re just hanging, right?

**Sirin:** That’s right, and we don’t have any reports to make either.

**Rita:** …

**Captain:** (She really doesn’t remember anything at all.)

**Captain:** Um, thank you, Miss Himeko… It’s getting late, so we’ll just head back home.

I turned to leave, but she intercepted me, her eyes locking onto mine.

**Captain:** Miss Himeko, do… do I appear suspicious to you?

**Himeko:** Well, you do seem rather suspicious. For example… how do you know my name?

She took out a notebook and a pen from her pocket and began listing our suspicious points.

**Himeko:** Firstly, you loitered in the streets at midnight and immediately wanted to go home upon spotting me. Very abnormal behavior.

**Sirin:** Oh come on, you’re being overly cautious! Can’t we just remember that it’s time to go home?

**Himeko:** Secondly, you pestered and even attempted to assault a staff member at HOMU’s Joyful Dining. Are you threatening her?

**Bronie:** Hey hey, threatening her won’t do us any good!

**Himeko:** Thirdly, you mentioned the loop, right?

**Captain:** …?!

**Captain:** Well then, Miss Himeko, what’s your opinion on the loop? You don’t look surprised.

**Himeko:** Why should I be? On the contrary, I find you suspicious individuals have a point.

**Bronie:** You trust us?

**Himeko:** Trust you? No, rather, I hope that you all can trust me.

**Bronie:** Oh?

**Himeko:** In fact, I’ve been investigating this matter… whether Soukai City is truly caught in a loop or not.

As she said the word “whether”, the confidence in her eyes dimmed.

**Himeko:** Unlike the others, when Soukai City’s time is reset, my memories remain intact, therefore I’m aware that those events occurred.

**Himeko:** Just as you’ve mentioned, the people here are trapped in an unchanging loop.

**Rita:** Well, since we are all investigating Soukai City’s anomalies, why don’t we find a place to sit down and have a proper conversation?

**Rita:** We’ve come across some findings that might just be the answers you’re looking for.

**Himeko:** …

**Captain:** Sorry, we can’t prove our identity, but please trust us… we’re earnestly searching for the source of Soukai City’s anomalies.

**Himeko:** No, it’s not your identity that I have doubts about. It’s just… I don’t think I’ve seen the three ladies, but you…

**Himeko:** Have we met before?

**Captain:** …Have we?

**Himeko:** I can’t explain it. I might just be mistaken.

She flipped her ponytail and offered us a smile.

**Himeko:** Follow me, I’ll take you to a place.

**Captain:** I didn’t know there was such a place like this in Soukai City.

After crossing a long bridge, we arrived in another area of Soukai City. Along the way, we told Himeko everything we had gone through since coming here.

**Himeko:** It sounds like you’re quite familiar with Soukai City. Have you been here before?

**Captain:** …Nope.

**Himeko:** I still can’t shake the feeling that we’ve crossed paths before. Strange, I can even remember exactly which cat is walking on which street at what time…

My bitter smile in the alley where she fell still haunted me. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I tried to break free from those persistent nightmares.

**Captain:** (At least this time, I won’t let anything happen to her. I should confess all to her, but now isn’t the right time to catch up…)

**Captain:** How could that be? You’ve asked me many times already. If I had really seen a dashing hero like you, I’d remember it clearly!

**Himeko:** Y-You smooth talker.

**Bronie:** Speaking of which, do you know anything about those monsters?

**Himeko:** Well… I’m still investigating. However, what I can confirm is that whenever someone deliberately acts against the loop in Soukai City, those monsters will show up and attack constantly.

**Captain:** That’s indeed the case. We were actually about to tell the employee that she’s in a world that repeats itself.

**Himeko:** You should save your breath. When the loop resets and the clock strikes six in the evening, the residents will forget whatever you said to them.

**Bronie:** The clock… What’s that?

**Himeko:** Oh, I forgot to fill you in. There are three pendulum clocks scattered across Soukai City. To some extent, they determine the loop cycle.

**Bronie:** Clocks that control time loops? Fascinating.

**Captain:** So, if we stop these pendulum clocks, could we potentially alter or even break the time loop in Soukai City?

**Himeko:** While it’s not yet certain, my hunch is that if the pendulum clocks are controlling the loop cycle, then starting with them will likely provide us with insights into this matter.

**Himeko:** Nevertheless, every attempt I’ve made to further investigate the pendulum clocks has been thwarted by those pesky monsters. Therefore, as probable as your hypothesis sounds, I can’t vouch for its correctness.

**Bronie:** If you ask me, we won’t know until we try.

**Captain:** Himeko, could you take us to the pendulum clocks?

**Himeko:** No way, that’s incredibly dangerous! Once we approach the pendulum clocks, the monsters will attack us tirelessly.

**Bronie:** Hey, we live for the thrill! If the reward is right, there’s no challenge we can’t overcome. And don’t worry about the funds, this guy will foot the bill.

Bronie winked at me. I sighed.

**Captain:** Please lead the way, Himeko. Who knows, in a world that operates on its own set of rules, we might be the unpredictable variables.

**Captain:** And having us by your side means your attempt to solve the loop won’t be thwarted by monsters.

**Sirin:** Besides, given the situation, do we have any options other than trying our luck there?

**Rita:** Since we’ve come this far, Miss Himeko, wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t give it a try?

**Himeko:** …

**Himeko:** Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me completely.

**Bronie:** Alright. It’s settled then, Miss Himeko?

**Himeko:** Let’s go. I know the precise location of the first pendulum clock.

--

#### On the Other Side of Soukai City

**Frail Man:** Restricted factory, authorised personnel only!

**Captain:** Um, your boss sent us to pick up a delivery. Did he not tell you about it?

**Frail Man:** Is… Is that so?

**Frail Man:** Maybe, but I’m just a temp… Fine, if you need the key, go over there and ask.

**Frail Man:** The administrator of this warehouse also oversees that mountain forest, so he should have all the keys you need.

**Captain:** Alright, we’ll go find him. Thank you.

**Sirin:** You’re quite the storyteller, eh?

**Captain:** Why thank you for the praise.

**Bronie:** Let’s go. When we get to the administrator, you’ll do the talking.

**Sirin:** What’s going on? The fog ahead is too thick to pass, and I don’t see any forest.

**Sirin:** Something’s not right… This fog is fluctuating like magic.

**Bronie:** Oh? You’re saying this fog might be one of Soukai City’s anomalies?

**Sirin:** I don’t know why we were led here, but my gut tells me to stay out of it.

**Captain:** In other words, we… were deceived.

**Rita:** I suggest we return and confront him.

**Bronie:** You don’t say! Let’s go ask why he tricked us into going to this place!

**Bronie:** Got you!

**Frail Man:** Don’t hit me, please! Ouch, that hurts! I surrender, can’t I surrender?

**Bronie:** What are you talking about? I haven’t even touched you.

**Frail Man:** I apologise for misleading you… Look, here’s the key… Catch!

**Sirin:** Hey! Don’t throw the key all of a sudden! Hey, stop!

**Bronie:** What an escape, I’ll give him that. He’s a sly one.

**Himeko:** Anyway, we got the key. With it, we can unlock the factory gate. Let’s proceed, Captain.

**Bronie:** How intriguing! This is a finely crafted piece, just not very good at doing its job.

**Sirin:** Look, it runs slower than regular clocks.

A colossal pendulum clock stood before me. However, its pendulum, which should be swinging back and forth with ease, was swinging sluggishly, as if being held back by some unseen force.

**Himeko:** Do not be fooled by the pendulum clock’s slow pace at night. It spins much faster than you think at day-night transitions.

**Captain:** Rapid day-night transitions, prolonged nights like this… Are these all dictated by the time displayed on its dial?

**Himeko:** Impressive. With so little information, you were able to guess what I was about to say.

**Captain:** In a general sense, clocks serve as metaphors for our comprehension of time. However, in Soukai City, time is subject to the hands on the pendulum clocks. This is what “pendulum clocks control time loops” means.

**Himeko:** Yes, when the hour hand points to six for the second time, the looping day will start again.

**Bronie:** Yet, for someone aware of being trapped inside a perpetual loop, living through the same day over and over again must be hella tedious.

**Himeko:** That’s why I’ve made numerous attempts to break the loop. Unfortunately…

**Himeko:** I tried to tell others that “we’re all living in a world that repeats itself” just like you did. And the result is… what you saw.

**Himeko:** Informing familiar colleagues, shouting on the streets, throwing flyers like crazy… I’ve lost track of the number and manner of my attempts. But once the loop restarts, it’s like none of that ever happened.

**Himeko:** …Like all the efforts I made never existed at all.

**Captain:** …

I’ve seen Himeko angry, vigilant, teasing, and even talking drunk on the rooftop. Yet I’ve never seen her gutted like this.

Time and time again, I made futile attempts. I pursued relentlessly, only to witness tragedy unfold before me.

Denial, disappointment, and denial again, is my going in circles in a tragedy not a loop in itself?

**Captain:** Himeko…

**Himeko:** Yes?

**Captain:** N-Nothing. So what happened next? Regarding this pendulum clock, what are your thoughts?

**Himeko:** Ever since I realised the connection between these pendulum clocks and Soukai City’s loop, I’ve been searching for ways to stop it. As you know, they all failed.

**Himeko:** After so many loops, this is the first time I’m standing before the pendulum clock.

**Himeko:** Each attempt I made to approach the pendulum clock was disrupted by monsters that appear out of nowhere. They remind me of insistent suitors.

**Captain:** Yeah, the insistent type’s not for you.

**Himeko:** Hah, then do you know any eligible guys to introduce to me?

**Captain:** …

“Hey, when this is all over… I will need you to find a good man for me.” I don’t know why, but that line from Himeko popped into my mind.

On that summer night of beer and breeze, I brushed it off as her tipsy joke. Little did I know that she was referring to a tomorrow that would never come.

**Himeko:** Hey, hey, why did you suddenly space out? D-Don’t tell me you find it difficult to find a nice guy for me?

**Captain:** Of course not! I promise to find the perfect guy for you. If you have any requests, just let me know!

**Himeko:** Haha, you’re certainly taking my joke to heart. But don’t do it in this city that keeps resetting memories, or my date would start with self-introductions every day!

Seeing Himeko join in on the joke, a sense of relief washed over me. Despite no longer residing in her memories, my hope that she would forever be the enthusiastic and candid police volunteer remained unchanged.

**Captain:** I assure you that the matter is in good hands, Himeko. There’s strength in numbers. We’ve already reached the first pendulum clock, and I’m confident that we’ll soon crack the loop!

**Himeko:** Absolutely, compared to investigating solo and fretting about being jumped by monsters, your involvement already marks a breakthrough!

**Himeko:** Time is of the essence. After I climb onto the pendulum clock, if any monsters appear, make sure to guard my back, alright?

**Himeko:** Wait, on second thought… you should go instead. I have more experience dealing with monsters, after all.

**Bronie:** No need for all that trouble, Miss Himeko. Tracker, it’s time to shine!

In response, the drone emitting a soft blue glow swiftly flew to the top of the pendulum clock and began to scan. In the meantime, we huddled around Bronie’s holo screen to observe the progress.

**Sirin:** I can’t see clearly. Bronie, move it closer.

**Bronie:** It is clear. Oh, you’re not having trouble understanding, are you? Don’t worry, little Sirin, I’ll teach you!

**Sirin:** …

**Bronie:** Look, this is the escapement, and this is the mainspring that powers the pendulum. I’ll have the Tracker fly closer for a better look of the structure. How do you like it? Is it much clearer now?

Click…

The instant the sound was made, the colossal pendulum clock in front of me abruptly stopped, and the boundless night outside the window was instantly bathed in twilight as it should.

However, in a matter of seconds, the pendulum clock resumed its ponderous sway, and the afterglow dissolved into the thick night. I could hardly believe my eyes.

**Himeko:** Did the pendulum clock actually stop?!

**Bronie:** Wow, Sirin, your magic has become so impressive! You should keep up the good work and shut down the clock!

**Sirin:** That wasn’t me! I just tried, and my magic is completely… ineffective against this bizarre pendulum clock.

I looked at Bronie’s holo screen, trying to figure out what just happened.

**Captain:** It seems there’s a jammer resembling a data barrier outside the pendulum clock’s driver, which caused the Tracker’s scanning signal to impact the pendulum clock’s operation.

**Bronie:** Is that so? Let me check…

**Bronie:** Ha, how fascinating! Who would have thought I’d get to work on such an antique? I’m almost moved to tears.

**Rita:** Alright then, we’ll leave the task of hacking into the pendulum clock’s data barrier to you, Miss Bronie.

**Bronie:** Well, well, you’ve finally decided to chime in, Miss Rosemary. I was beginning to wonder if Sirin had cast some sort of silencing spell on you.

**Sirin:** I’m not that bored, you know! And if I were to use that spell… I’d definitely use it on you first!

**Bronie:** That’s not gonna work, little Sirin.

**Captain:** Bronie, how long will it take to hack into the pendulum clock?

**Bronie:** It won’t take much time. After all, I am no no. 1 hacker. But of course, if you’re willing to offer a more generous reward, it might even be faster!

Bronie winked at me, then started tapping on the screen while humming a tune.

I scanned my surroundings, searching for any indicators of potential attacks. Yet, at present, an unsettling tranquility pervaded… so tranquil, it was almost incredulous.

**Captain:** (Himeko mentioned that once the pendulum clock detected anomalies, monsters would emerge. Despite Bronie’s Trackers guarding the perimeter of the factory, caution is still advised.)

**Captain:** (However, what concerns me more is…)

**Rita:** You seem to have something to speak to me about.

**Captain:** Urm, it’s just that I expected the usual Rita to provide some advice or insights, but today you’re unusually quiet.

**Rita:** Hehe… In my view, everyone’s efforts are commendable. As for you, Captain, you don’t require my counsel at the moment. You simply need to trust your own instincts.

**Rita:** However, besides these concerns, it seems we now have a tougher challenge at hand. Some uninvited guests have breached Miss Bronie’s security blockade.

\*Thud\*

Chaotic and ominous footsteps reached my ears, prompting me to instinctively glance out of the factory windows… sure enough, in the moonlight, the monsters have surrounded us.

**Captain:** They’re here.

**Sirin:** Bronie, take position behind me quickly!

**Bronie:** Haha, that’s so sweet of you, Sirin! While I work on the hacking, I’ll leave the task of protecting me in your capable hands!

\*Click\*

**Bronie:** Mission accomplished! Time to wrap things up! Hmm, perhaps it’s more like a break?

**Captain:** Is everybody alright?

**Himeko:** No worries, I’ve become accustomed to this a long time ago.

**Captain:** They’ve retreated for now. Is it because the pendulum clock was damaged?

**Himeko:** It seems the malfunctioning pendulum clock has lost its value for them to protect. But has the loop been terminated?

Gazing at the daunting darkness outside, I shook my head while holding the timer in my hand.

**Captain:** Cearly, we’re still caught in the loop. Based on the way it was in Soukai City, the current sky shouldn’t be as deep into the night.

**Himeko:** The way it was in Soukai City? Sounds like you’ve been here for a long time.

**Captain:** Uh, in fact, I’ve gone through a lot of intel beforehand! Himeko, you mentioned that Soukai City had a total of three pendulum clocks, correct?

**Himeko:** Ah, yes… So, are you implying that unless we completely destroy the three pendulum clocks, the loop of Soukai City won’t come to a stop?

**Bronie:** Bingo! I’ve just found that these pendulum clocks are seemingly interconnected by some force. Destroying one of them isn’t enough to completely shut down the loop.

**Bronie:** However, this triple safeguard is, for me, just child’s play.

**Sirin:** Then what are we waiting for? Let’s proceed and shut down all the remaining ones.

**Captain:** Himeko, do you know the locations of the other pendulum clocks?

**Himeko:** Well… truth be told, I couldn’t have found there were three of them if not for the chimes.

**Himeko:** As for the other two, I can only rely on the hourly chimes to gauge their approximate locations. Whenever I attempt to pinpoint their exact positions, those troublesome monsters always get in my way.

**Rita:** Is it because those two pendulum clocks are situated relatively far away from your initial routine within the loop?

**Himeko:** Probably so. Within this loop of Soukai City, when things deviate too far from their original trajectories, they will be hunted by those monsters. It’s almost like a correction mechanism.

**Himeko:** If that’s the case…

**Captain:** Huh?

**Himeko:** I probably can’t continue the journey ahead with you.

**Captain:** Why?

**Himeko:** If my deviation from my original path would attract monsters, then as we head out to locate the other two clocks, my presence might lead us to even more monsters…

**Rita:** However, without you as our guide, you’d still be worried for us if we go straight ahead to break the pendulum clocks which draw monsters, wouldn’t you?

**Rita:** Besides, when it comes to dealing with those monsters, aren’t you the most experienced and proficient one here?

**Captain:** Let’s go together, Himeko. Unraveling the loop has long been your wish, hasn’t it?

**Himeko:** My wish…

**Himeko:** You’re right, for without breaking the loop, that unresolved case will forever remain an enigma, untouched by resolution.

**Captain:** Now that’s the responsible vigilante I know.

**Himeko:** …Not anymore.

**Captain:** What did you say?

**Himeko:** Nothing… Let’s head to the second pendulum clock now.

\*Beep\*

The alert from Bronie’s screen interrupted our conversation.

**Sirin:** W-What’s that sound?!

**Bronie:** Don’t be afraid, little Sirin. It’s just the alert from my Trackers.

**Sirin:** Have they spotted any monsters?

**Bronie:** Uh, it appears there’s a bit of a snag in the program. Let me check… Hmm, it’s not a difficult issue, but it still requires a bit of time to pinpoint the problem. It would be nice if there were a spot to recharge, you know.

**Sirin:** And then perhaps a chilled drink to go along with it?

**Bronie:** Yep!

**Himeko:** By the way, my place is nearby. If you don’t mind, you can come over for a visit or something.

**Rita:** Well, this does appear to be the most plausible approach.

**Captain:** Well then, guess we’ll have to trouble you, Himeko.

**Himeko:** Haha, you’re so welcome! After all, you’ve helped me more than enough!

--

#### Take a Break

The night stretched on endlessly, a far cry from the vibrant Soukai City of my memories. There wasn’t a single soul in sight on these streets.

Now and then, a few cats and dogs darted past us, hunching to the ground, contributing to the spine-chilling atmosphere of the eerie midnight.

**Sirin:** That cat… It can’t see us?

**Himeko:** Hmm, as long as you don’t touch it, it can only repeat what it had done on that day following the same route.

**Himeko:** At first I was terrified, but now… Ha, if I knew who was behind all this, I’d grab them by the collar and find out why.

**Bronie:** Repeating the same day over and over… like a rerun of a TV show being replayed again and again. You slide the progress bar and the characters jump right to that point in time.

**Rita:** Heh, that’s an interesting analogy. Well, is there some sort of hand sliding along the progress bar here in Soukai City?

It felt like the comment was for Bronie, but somehow Rita’s eyes fell on me, as if asking the question…

**Captain:** (Is she the one who put Soukai City in a loop?)

**Captain:** (Why choose to put Soukai City in a loop? A forever looping bubble universe… what’s the point?)

I remember the neon lights on the rooftop, and the rosy moon on the summer night. Has that innocent yet heartbreaking wish turned into something I can’t make out?

“Meow!”

**Himeko:** Hey, watch out!

**Captain:** Huh?

Himeko pulled me out of my thoughts. A cat dashed past me with swift steps, ignoring me like any other living thing here.

**Himeko:** If you touch the cat, monsters will be drawn over.

**Captain:** So that’s how you trigger the rule…

**Sirin:** How long is it gonna be? These streets make me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

**Himeko:** It’s alright. My home is right ahead. Wait!

**Himeko:** Ah, sorry, I’ve got something to take care of. Please give me a sec. Sorry again!

As though she had suddenly remembered something, Himeko had panic written all over her face. She ran to a nearby apartment, and kept us outside with the excuse that she was preparing for something.

**Captain:** Hey, you alright, Himeko?

**Himeko:** I’m fine. Just some minor problems… Ah!

Bang!

Unable to withstand the weight anymore, the book shelf knocked the half-closed door open, crushing all the books and bottles and jars by our feet.

**Himeko:** Wait… ah, never mind, just come in.

Still, she tried to make an effort to remedy the situation.

**Himeko:** Hey, no peeking at the mess!

**Captain:** As if I have another choice!

I tried hard to find a foothold in Himeko’s room, carefully stepping around documents scattered all over the floor like a soldier getting through a minefield.

It was more like a disorganised storage room than a living space.

**Himeko:** Everyone, make yourselves at home! Haha…

\*Crack\*

Obviously, the more effort Himeko made, the messier it became. Just when she finished sorting out a pile of files, any pile that had already been sorted would collapse at her feet, just like a row of dominoes.

**Himeko:** Hahaha… I didn’t even know I had so much stuff.

**Rita:** Don’t worry, Himeko, we’re just waiting for Bronie to finetune the equipment. We’re deeply grateful for the shelter you provided us in this looping city.

**Bronie:** Yeah, no need to trouble yourself, Himeko. It takes no time for this genius hacker to set the rig up right.

Bronie sat on the pile of books casually, while Rita stood by my side as gracefully as ever, giving Himeko a gentle smile.

**Himeko:** …Sorry you had to see this. Want something to drink? There’s orange juice in the fridge. The type that doesn’t go bad.

**Himeko:** I’ll grab it for you. Would you like some ice? Ah!

Some empty tins fell onto the floor with a clang.

**Captain:** Uh, Himeko, we’ll just help ourselves. Sirin, up for some orange juice? What are you looking at?

**Sirin:** Something interesting.

**Himeko:** Ah, uh… wait, that’s not for kids!

**Sirin:** …I am not a kid!

Standing before the blackboard in the corner, Sirin turned around with a pouty face, revealing the investigation details up on the board.

That’s…

**Captain:** The Soukai City serial vampire events?

**Himeko:** Huh? You’ve heard about them too? My colleagues say they’re just rumors.

**Captain:** (“Heard about” is an understatement. I used to be your suspect.)

**Captain:** Before coming to this bubble universe, I did some digging. There were multiple cases of night assaults in Soukai City, and every victim claimed they were attacked by vampires.

**Himeko:** I’ve looked into them. Nothing but hearsay. Anything else?

**Captain:** (Hearsay? Could it be… the serial vampire events never took place in this looping bubble universe?)

**Captain:** Uh… that’s all I know.

How could I not know? I knew the frail girl in the alley, the canine tooth flashing beneath the lips, and the cold, desperate touch on the neck. Would the start of everything be the end of everything too?

But I kept my mouth shut. In my silence, Rita smiled in the most unnoticeable way.

**Himeko:** What a pity. Thought you could offer more.

**Himeko:** In fact, I’ve always believed the monsters in Soukai City are closely connected to vampires, but everyone turns a blind eye and acts like I’m the freak.

**Himeko:** Speaking of… do you believe in vampires?

**Captain:** …

**Bronie:** Ha, of course they’re real. Just like how this kid with cat ears here is a Magic Girl. Anything is possible.

**Sirin:** …The self-professed “genius hacker” hasn’t fixed the equipment yet?

**Bronie:** Almost done. Just so everyone can take a break and talk about vampires.

**Captain:** It’s hard for people to conceive what lies beyond their own perception, but nothing can be known for certain, just like how you never supposed there’d be a world stuck in an infinite loop, and yet here we are!

**Himeko:** Yeah, if someone told me I was in a world that was stuck in an infinite loop, I’d definitely put them in a nuthouse.

**Himeko:** Right, that’s why people here always give me this weird look whenever I say “loop”.

**Himeko:** As for the case, based on what we know so far, I’m just chasing a laughable urban legend.

**Himeko:** Even though there’s always a voice in my head telling me vampires are real, and I have this feeling that I need to stop it before things get worse.

**Himeko:** Vigilantes act on proof, but I don’t have anything that can prove vampires are real. They’re dangerous, and I need to get to the bottom of this…

**Himeko:** Are you also of the opinion that I’m obsessed with this crazy theory?

**Captain:** Of course not. You make up your mind and you follow through to the end.

**Himeko:** Ha, thank you. Pity that my colleagues and boss see things differently. They take me for a delusional fool.

**Himeko:** I got demoted and now just run boring chores and clean up after my boss. He said keeping me busy would get rid of my ridiculous thoughts.

**Captain:** (Problems at work messed up her life… maybe that’s why Himeko’s place looks completely different to my memory.)

**Himeko:** So I quit. Oh, I forgot to say, the day that keeps getting replayed is the day I resigned.

**Himeko:** I slapped his face and yelled at him to “Get someone else to clean your mess! Goodbye!”, and walked out the door.

**Sirin:** So everyday, you get to hit your boss and he won’t remember it the next day?

**Himeko:** Yeah, pretty much.

**Bronie:** Whoa, that sounds like heaven!

**Captain:** …No, I don’t think so.

**Bronie:** Ahem, I mean, I’d do the same in your shoes!

**Captain:** If the world is stuck in a loop, then your investigation is going nowhere.

**Captain:** Relax, Himeko, maybe we can free the city from the loop. See? It’s already ⅓ of the way done!

**Himeko:** Ha, that’s promising! I trust you, Captain.

**Captain:** When it’s all over, I’ll take you somewhere special and we can have a drink. The night view is great, and you can drink Bronie’s special cocktail.

**Himeko:** Haha, that would be a sweet offer if I hadn’t quit drinking.

**Captain:** You quit drinking?

**Himeko:** Sounds like you know I used to be a big drinker. You’re quite the enigma.

**Himeko:** I stopped drinking a long time ago. Alcohol numbs me, and I need to keep it together while I’m stuck in such a messed-up place.

**Captain:** Sorry. How about…

**Himeko:** But how can I turn you down? That’d be rude of me.

**Captain:** Huh?

**Himeko:** When it’s all over, buy me a drink, at the place you mentioned.

**Captain:** Sure, you got it.

\*Beep\*

**Bronie:** Ha… break’s over. Come on, Himeko, let’s head to the second pendulum clock.

--

#### The Second Pendulum Clock

Following Himeko, we arrived at the suburban wasteland, where an abandoned house stood conspicuously out of place.

**Captain:** Himeko, are you sure this is the right place? It seems deserted around here.

**Himeko:** It can’t be wrong. Each time the hour strikes, I can hear the sound of a clock chime coming from this direction.

**Rita:** This building seems to be the entrance to an underground cellar. If my instincts are on point, there should be a large space below.

**Himeko:** The wine cellar… Now it’s coming back to me. This place should be the grandest garden in Soukai City.

**Captain:** Garden? But isn’t this place a wine cellar?

**Himeko:** Flowers can be used for winemaking, don’t you know? All of their beverages are actually brewed from flowers grown on their premises.

**Himeko:** The owner’s crafted red rose wine is truly exquisite, and their coconut flower wine with its sweet and tangy refreshing taste plus a subtle coconut fragrance… uh…

**Himeko:** Sorry, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been around alcohol. Being in a wine cellar all of a sudden has caught me off guard… Haha, never mind me.

**Rita:** Hehe… Miss Himeko is so adorable, don’t you think?

**Himeko:** Ahem… back to the matter at hand. Going by the previously heard chimes, the second pendulum clock could be situated within this cellar.

**Captain:** Let’s go and have a look.

**???:** May I ask… who you are? Why are you sneaking around in my grandfather’s old wine cellar? I… I, Romeo, will uphold my family’s dignity and expel you from this place!

**Himeko:** Sorry, but we have no ill intentions. We’re simply searching for an item and will leave as soon as we find it.

**Romeo:** Searching for something? I recently cleaned up the cellar and I am about to have it renovated. What might you be seeking?

**Captain:** Did you? Well then… sir, have you come across an item resembling a pendulum clock?

**Romeo:** Ah, yes, I’ve seen it. I was actually quite puzzled because it appeared to be rather valuable, but it wasn’t listed on the to-sell list my grandfather provided.

**Rita:** That’s great to hear, sir. I believe that’s what we’re looking for. Would you be kind enough to lead us to it?

**Romeo:** Oh… that won’t do. Since it’s from our family’s wine cellar, isn’t its ownership rightfully ours?

**Captain:** Wait… you’re not gonna make us go through an application process, are you?

**Romeo:** That won’t be necessary. If you’re willing to help me gather a particular flower from the mountains, I’d like to make a trade with you.

**Captain:** Here’s the flower you wanted.

**Romeo:** Thank you. It’s just as beautiful as I thought. Whenever I laid my eyes on it, the urge to pluck it and use it as a proposal gift for her would cross my mind. Sadly, I never managed to succeed…

**Romeo:** I promised her that I’d find her after sunset, hoping that by then… the mist would have dissipated… I know she must remember our promise…

**Captain:** (Can he also remember what he promised us?)

**Romeo:** How strange… Why do I remember its location and how it looks… This should be the first time I’ve seen this flower.

**Sirin:** Hey, what are you brooding over? When will you open the door to the cellar for us?

**Romeo:** Sorry, I was just a bit too carried away with excitement.

**Captain:** …

**Romeo:** Well, since you’ve fulfilled your promise, it’s time for me to fulfill mine. I’ll unlock the door for you right away.

**Bronie:** Trackers, it’s your turn now.

As the drones flew to the top of the pendulum clock, the ominous growls from monsters started to echo around.

**Sirin:** Tsk, seriously, do they have to show up every time?

**Bronie:** Likewise, I’m counting on you again this time. Keep them occupied for just a bit longer, and it’ll be done soon.

**Bronie:** Nice and easy. Trackers, you’ve done a good job.

**Sirin:** It’s not nice at all. I’m so tired.

**Bronie:** Yeah, kids do get tired easily.

**Sirin:** Who are you calling a kid, huh?

**Captain:** Ahem…

**Captain:** You’ve also noticed, haven’t you? The number of enemies is increasing, just as Himeko predicted.

**Bronie:** Doesn’t it mean we’re going the right way? The emergence of these monsters is a direct result of us disrupting the loop. They seek to eliminate us as external factors and restore the proper course of the loop.

**Rita:** It seems we need to pick up the pace. Miss Himeko, could you take us to the third pendulum clock now?

**Himeko:** Certainly. The third pendulum clock is likely situated within Soukai City’s auction house. Let’s go.

**Captain:** Much obliged.

--

#### The Third Pendulum Clock

**Captain:** As expected, the pendulum clock is inside, but the security is quite tight.

**Himeko:** It is an auction house, after all. It houses a vast collection of invaluable treasures.

**Sirin:** Is it possible to disable it using technology?

**Bronie:** You mean hacking into the system? Sure, but the security measures are highly intricate. Unless we find a backdoor, hacking in might take a whole day.

**Sirin:** But if we’re unable to disable the pendulum clock here, the security system will reset with the loop by the next day.

**Bronie:** Bingo. Technology isn’t all-powerful, after all.

**???:** Oh, what have I just heard? Are you guys planning to break in and steal something?

A boy in a black hooded cloak suddenly interjected into our conversation.

**Captain:** You heard it wrong! That’s not what we’re doing!

**Abelard:** Heheh, no worries. I’m Abelard, an expert in hacking. Listen up, I’ll now tell you about the backdoor that can incapacitate this security system.

**Captain:** So, you actually wanna join us?

**Abelard:** Let me make this clear. I’m not engaged in any theft. I’m here solely to share some intel with you in exchange for a little favor.

**Captain:** What do you want?

**Abelard:** It’s actually quite simple… I just need you to visit the bookstore and grab a comic book for me. I’ve been eager to read its final chapter for quite some time!

**Captain:** Then just go buy it yourself.

**Abelard:** It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but the comic book’s author kept delaying the release, and the disjointed plot points really got on my nerves. So, I couldn’t hold back and ended up venting my frustration at the bookstore. The store manager got so upset that… they closed the store.

**Sirin:** You’re really into comics, huh?

**Captain:** So, where should we go to buy that comic book for you?

**Abelard:** Well, the plaza nearby is a gathering spot for comic book enthusiasts. Right now, I happen to have a copy of “The Vampire Knight and the Human Princess” in my possession.

**Abelard:** Take this book with you and exchange it with them. You’ll surely be able to get what I want in return.

**Captain:** Why don’t you go there yourself?

**Abelard:** Given that I’ve stirred up enough trouble to get the bookstore closed, won’t showing up there just make me a target for a beating from fellow comic book enthusiasts?

**Captain:** You have a point… Alright then, it’s just a comic book after all. We’ll bring it back for you.

**Abelard:** Remember, the comic book you’re looking for is “PIP SQUAD EPIC”!

**Captain:** What a weird name… Well, I’ll keep it in mind.

After handing the comic book to Abelard, he was absolutely thrilled. He couldn’t contain his excitement as he crouched down by the street, flipping through the pages one by one.

**Captain:** Abelard? So, can you now tell us how to tackle the security system?

**Abelard:** Ah…?! The hero is actually the supervillain? And the heroine just vanished without explanation… What? The story is suspended here again?!

**Abelard:** Noooooo! I’m not accepting this!

Abelard, as if drained of strength, crumbled to the ground, gazing skyward and releasing a profound, pained lament that echoed with anguish.

**Captain:** (I kinda regret giving him that comic book now.)

**Captain:** Abelard? I do empathise with your sorrow, but I really need to know how to disable the security system of the auction house.

**Abelard:** Have you not seen how miserable I am? Why are you still interrogating me at this moment? You’re so cold-blooded!

**Captain:** …

**Bronie:** It appears that employing some unconventional means to soothe his pain is in order. Trackers, get ready.

**Abelard:** Oh, no need for that! Don’t know why, but all the pain has gone away now.

For some unknown reason, Abelard suddenly regained his vigor, springing back to life like the devil.

**Abelard:** Come here, I’ll tell you… Get closer, I don’t want others to overhear us.

**Bronie:** Just say it. My computer has already been connected. At which level can I find the backdoor?

**Abelard:** The main control switch for the security system is located in the corner of the plaza. Pulling the switch will cut off the power, and with no power, the system will be paralysed. I’m heading there now to cut the power for you!

**Bronie:** So, your solution is to simply trip the switch?! How can this security system not even have power-off protection? Can it really work?

**Abelard:** Of course, I did it once before! Uh… It seems like I might have slipped up… You didn’t hear anything, alright?

**Captain:** Fine, we’ll trust you.

**Bronie:** Trackers, let’s hope this is the last time.

As the drones hovered over the pendulum clock, the menacing growls emanated from the shadows of the vault.

**Himeko:** We’ll take it from here!

\*Click\*

**Bronie:** Done! Finally, the third one is taken care of as well… this should be the last one, right?

**Captain:** Hooray!

**Himeko:** We really did it!

**Sirin:** Humph, not bad.

**Rita:** Bronie, why are you gazing at the panel?

**Bronie:** After this pendulum clock stopped… Soukai City seems to have undergone some peculiar changes…

**Captain:** What is it?

**Bronie:** I was a little concerned about the high wall we encountered earlier, so I dispatched drones to keep an eye on it.

**Bronie:** At least now, the unreasonable obstacles we ran into on the map have all disappeared.

**Himeko:** In other words, Soukai City might be undergoing some changes that we didn’t expect?

**Sirin:** Like areas that were previously inaccessible… are now open to us?

**Bronie:** Exactly. Especially… the fog that previously blocked our path to the forest is gone.

--

#### The Hidden Pendulum Clock

**Captain:** What is this place?

**Sirin:** Just a moment ago, a surge of energy similar to magic teleported us here.

**Rita:** Teleportation? I actually feel more like we’ve returned to the starting point of a loop.

**Captain:** Rita, are you suggesting that once we got here, we became trapped in a loop where every time we reach that building, we get teleported back to the starting point?

**Rita:** It’s just my conjecture based on everything we’ve experienced so far.

**Captain:** So, in other words, the loop hasn’t truly been broken… This force is currently impeding our progress.

**Himeko:** But all three pendulum clocks have been shut down.

**Bronie:** What if there are more than three of them?

**Himeko:** Huh?

**Captain:** Bronie, have you found anything?

**Bronie:** Those three pendulum clocks are indeed interconnected by some mysterious force. But upon calculation, the energy they contain hasn’t reached the expected threshold.

**Rita:** Which means, within the current Soukai City, there might be one or more things capable of controlling the rules of this loop.

**Sirin:** Could it be some hidden pendulum clocks?

**Himeko:** But… I’ve been in Soukai City for so long and never came across a fourth pendulum clock.

**Captain:** Perhaps we should consider another approach… within this world, is there anything that’s beyond the reach of the rules, apart from the pendulum clocks controlling the loop?

My words had barely faded when all eyes converged on Himeko in unison.

**Himeko:** You mean… me?

**Rita:** Indeed, Miss Himeko is the only person we’ve encountered in this world who can remain unaffected by the loop.

**Captain:** Speaking of which, Himeko, I was so focused on breaking the loop that I totally forgot to ask how you discovered that you were in it.

**Himeko:** Perhaps it’s because… the events that occurred one day would happen the next, and the conversations of those around me kept repeating as well.

**Captain:** Can you remember when you first noticed that?

**Himeko:** I only realised the loop was there after quite some time had passed, and it took me a while to verify. So, I can’t be certain about the exact moment or place I managed to break free from the loop.

**Captain:** …

As I dashed forward, the taste of blood in my mouth drowned beneath the pungent scent of gunpowder. In the frozen air, my body kept plummeting… echoes of resistance, guilt, regret, and self-reproach reverberated through my mind.

An idea suddenly took shape in my mind: “Himeko had been in that alley… Perhaps that’s where she broke free from the loop.”

**Captain:** Maybe we should investigate the alleys in Soukai City.

**Himeko:** Huh? Why the alleys?

**Captain:** It’s more of an instinct. I have a feeling that we might uncover something quite extraordinary there.

**Captain:** However, time is running short. If the loop restarts, all our efforts might very well be in vain.

**Captain:** So, we can’t put all our chips on the alleys. Bronie, given the potential connection between the pendulum clocks, can you use the available data to estimate the whereabouts of the concealed clock?

**Bronie:** Oh, I got you. But it’ll take some time.

**Sirin:** Shall we split up now?

**Captain:** Yes. Since I’ve… investigated Soukai City before, Himeko and I will head to the alleys first.

**Captain:** Sirin and Rita will join Bronie in data analysis here to determine the location of the hidden pendulum clock. The area blocked by the forest became accessible only after the tampering of the three clocks. It might have something to do with the concealed clock.

**Rita:** Please rest assured, Captain, Sirin and I will ensure Miss Bronie’s safety while she analyses the data.

**Sirin:** Hmm, I’ll take care of her.

**Bronie:** Hey, Captain, how about a little competition to see whether you and Miss Himeko find the hidden pendulum clock first, or we do?

**Captain:** …See you later, Bronie.

**Bronie:** Hey! Don’t go so fast, Captain!

**Bronie:** Hmph, jumping the gun won’t do you any good, I assure you. I won’t be bested!

With faint moonlight cast upon the narrow alley, I followed Himeko closely and kept looking around.

What am I waiting for? What am I going to say to her if she really shows up? It’s like I have a lot of questions for her, but I don’t know how to start.

**Captain:** (But she’s not here today.)

I shook my head, not knowing if I should feel relieved or disappointed. I started to look for clues as to the hidden pendulum.

**Himeko:** Ah, no sign of a hidden pendulum. Nothing special here.

**Captain:** Himeko…

**Himeko:** What?

A crow swooshed past Himeko. Had I failed to pull her over, we would have run into a mob of monsters just for touching the crow.

**Himeko:** I was so focused on the pendulum that I almost forgot. Thank you…

Her face suddenly tightened up.

**Captain:** Himeko? Are you alright?

**Himeko:** “Himeko…”

**Captain:** Huh?

**Himeko:** You know, in my memory, on that day and in this vacant alley, there was someone anxiously calling out to me.

**Himeko:** I worried it might be related to the stuff with the vampires, so I lifted my hand and tried to check the time, only to find my watch was going much slower than I remembered. And even creepier still was…

**Himeko:** I knew there was something wrong with the time, and I was sure the watch wasn’t broken, but unconsciously, I had somehow taken it for granted.

**Captain:** So, the moment when you left the loop was when someone called your name?

Himeko stayed silent for a long time while she stared at me.

**Captain:** Himeko?

**Himeko:** …It was you, wasn’t it?

**Captain:** Huh?

**Himeko:** The voice was you, right, sir?

**Captain:** Wait, what did you just call me? You-You remember everything now, Himeko?

**Himeko:** Hmm, seems like a lot of things have happened, but I’m not sure that they’re my memories. Perhaps, certain things did happen to me, but I didn’t experience them myself.

**Captain:** Something happened to you but you didn’t experience it?

**Himeko:** …I’m dead, aren’t I?

**Captain:** …

**Himeko:** On that day, I… no, she was ready to die when she came here.

**Himeko:** At that time, it was Master Kallen who told me everything about A-872…

**Himeko:** But in the alley, she was the first one to soften up.

**Himeko:** She kept saying it was her fault. I didn’t know what to say to comfort her, and you kept calling me.

**Captain:** I was worried about you, and I regretted not understanding what you meant when you were drunk on the rooftop. I was trying to find you.

**Himeko:** Come on, stop it. Making up my mind was hard enough, and I’m not letting you talk me over!

**Himeko:** Ha, I thought I was ready, and that death was but a moment. It was only then that I got to know that a moment could be longer than a lifetime.

**Himeko:** In that moment there were my Dad’s smiling face when I was admitted by Caltech at 15, the fiery passion to become a Valkyrie, and the smell of the breeze and beer on the summer night at 19.

**Himeko:** Master Kallen told me to take the call, and that I wouldn’t want you to live in regret, so I should at least give you a proper goodbye.

**Captain:** But you only said one sentence over the phone… You think that was a proper goodbye?

**Himeko:** Haha, you’re still as childish as ever.

**Himeko:** I know you well, your determination and stubbornness, so I said to Master Kallen…

**Himeko:** Let’s end all this, before ol’ hot head gets here.

**Captain:** …

**Himeko:** Because I wanted to die a human. At least when you saw me, I’d still be how I looked when we first met.

**Captain:** Himeko…

**Captain:** I tried a million times to find a way to save all of you from the tragedy.

**Captain:** Again and again, I’d reset the time and come here, hoping to achieve a different outcome through my observations and experience.

**Himeko:** …That’s why there are so many different stories about you in my memory.

**Captain:** Sorry, Himeko, there was no way to explain certain things to you back then.

**Himeko:** Ha, even if you did, I might still find it hard to trust you, a suspected vampire.

**Captain:** Hahaha, looks like living in this looping bubble universe has opened your mind to some strange possibilities.

**Himeko:** So, in the story where I died, the stuff with the vampires did occur, but in the world I now live in, they’re only rumors.

**Captain:** …Yeah, vampires exist in that world, but in this Soukai City, she… the vampire hasn’t hurt anyone yet.

**Captain:** There aren’t any bite marks on the monsters, and no citizens became victims.

**Captain:** The boy we saved mentioned that the monsters don’t usually hurt people. The reason he was attacked was likely because we confirmed what he thought about the vampire rumors and it caused a change.

**Captain:** Back at HOMU’s Joyful Dining, monsters appeared because we tried to tell that waiter the truth about this world.

**Captain:** If I’m correct, the monsters do not come from vampire infections. Rather, they’re a defense mechanism of this world…

**Captain:** When outsiders like us appear, the defense mechanism of this world will activate to remove us.

**Himeko:** Sounds like you’ve got a lot of experience with these sorts of things.

**Captain:** I’ve seen things like this many times.

**Himeko:** So, what is true about the vampire rumors?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** I’m not sure. Based on what we know so far, there probably isn’t any vampire in the city.

**Himeko:** So the investigation only came from obsessions in my memory…

**Captain:** No. There is no vampire in the city, but the vampire rumors didn’t just pop up out of nowhere… someone has been spreading them only to keep people’s attention away from something really important.

**Himeko:** You mean, the rumors are used to cover up the truth that the world is in an infinite loop?

**Captain:** So, your investigations are not a wild goose chase, and we’re getting closer and closer to the truth.

**Himeko:** …Thank you, sir, for telling me this.

**Himeko:** Well, if I’m alive in this world, does it mean your observations have made a difference and changed the outcome?

**Captain:** …No, there’s still unfinished business for me, and I’ve come here to settle it.

**Himeko:** …It’s about the vampire, right?

**Captain:** Yeah. She might have turned into something I don’t understand, but I made a promise to her and I intend to keep my word.

Beep… beep…

The communicator interrupted my thoughts. A hologram of Bronie popped up the moment I took the call.

**Bronie:** Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve got good news!

**Bronie:** Congrats to the genius hacker on winning the top prize in the Finding Hidden Pendulums Competition!

**Captain:** You found it? Bronie, you’re amazing!

**Bronie:** Uh-huh, it’s right where we found that the bubble universe was tampered with.

**Captain:** Right! We saw the sudden shift from night to day there.

**Bronie:** Bingo! Hey, Rosemary, stop nudging me!

Bronie was nudged aside by Rita. Rita began to speak while Bronie mumbled in the background.

**Rita:** Has anything come out of your investigation, Captain and Himeko?

**Captain:** Well, Himeko just recalled everything, but she seems to have multiple overlapping memories, and it might be related to me coming here to observe too many times.

**Rita:** Hehehe, you’re keen as ever, Captain.

**Rita:** Just like Himeko’s overlapping memories, this bubble universe has generated parallel outcomes due to your observations.

**Captain:** (And that’s why the living Himeko has the memory of falling down in the alley back then?)

**Rita:** The coexisting possibilities have rendered the Soukai City bubble universe unstable, so…

**Captain:** It needs to maintain stability through the loop. But who installed the pendulums and made the loop possible?

**Rita:** Hehehe, you’re still in the old habit of asking questions to which you know the answers.

I looked up at the boundless dark. In the loop, Soukai City has obsessively painted the heavens with the color of night.

Why is the night in Soukai City so long?

**Captain:** (Is it because it was also a dark night when I made that promise?)

**Captain:** Since Ether Anchors are special to bubble universes, for this bubble universe, the pendulum controlling the city’s loop is actually the Ether Anchor, right?

Seeing that I switched the topic, Rita gently smiled and let it slide.

**Bronie:** Too early to tell. We can only say they’re closely connected. After all, there were no Ether Anchors in the pendulums we looked into.

**Bronie:** Maybe it’s in the fourth pendulum, or maybe it’s behind the barrier before us. Don’t overthink. I’m sending the coordinates of the fourth pendulum to you.

**Rita:** Wait, Bronie. Before that, I have a question for Himeko.

**Himeko:** Huh? Me?

**Rita:** Hehehe, no need to be nervous. I’ll take whatever answer I get. Since you belong to this bubble universe, I think you need to know…

**Rita:** The bubble universe is sustained by the loop. If the loop breaks, the bubble universe will become unstable again.

**Himeko:** …You mean, Soukai City will be destroyed right away?

**Rita:** Hehe, not exactly. Just like the others, Soukai City’s bubble universe will slowly decay into oblivion. It might take hundreds of years.

**Himeko:** …

**Himeko:** I think, instead of worrying about the remote possibilities, it’s better to give the real living and breathing people in this world their lives back.

**Himeko:** Life should keep going forward. Repeating the same day forever… that isn’t living.

**Himeko:** Tomorrow, hope, and future… these words have been lost in this world for too long…

**Himeko:** So, I must break the loop.

**Rita:** I see.

Contrary to my expectation, it only took Himeko a brief moment to accept the fact that her bubble universe would eventually die.

Perhaps too many unusual events had prepared her for the worst.

**Captain:** Since Himeko has decided, we should had to the fourth pendulum right now.

Once again, we arrived at the spot where we witnessed the transition from day to night. The device still stood there, yet this time, I heard the steady ticking sound: tick-tock, tick-tock… At its top, a delicate pendulum clock had been elevated.

**Captain:** As we suspected… this is the fourth pendulum clock.

**Sirin:** Hello there, can you hear me?

**Captain:** Wow, Sirin, you sure do sound… quite energetic. And yes, I heard you. We’ve located the fourth pendulum clock, but why are you and Rita the only ones there? Where’s Bronie?

**Sirin:** Well, she said she couldn’t wait to see your downcast look, so she’s gone to find you already.

**Captain:** Bronie’s come to find me?

**Sirin:** “He’s definitely going to get sour because I outdid him this time!” Humph, childish. And Bronie called me a kid!

**Captain:** Thank you, Sirin, great imitation show. However, it’s true that only Bronie can hack into these pendulum clocks.

**Bronie:** Hehe, glad to hear those nice words you said about me! Well, did I arrive just in the nick of time?

**Captain:** Yep, you’re my lifesaver, Bronie.

I glanced up at the pendulum clock before me, and Bronie was expertly tinkering with her equipment nearby.

**Captain:** It seems that only after the other three pendulum clocks are hacked does the fourth hidden one appear.

**Himeko:** Hey, hacker, go ahead and do what you gotta do. We got your back.

Himeko raised her sword, cautiously scanning her surroundings. Unexpectedly, this time, there were no monsters in sight at all.

**Bronie:** It’s done! Now the hidden pendulum clock has been cracked as well.

**Captain:** Bronie, you’re unbelievable!

**Bronie:** Humph, don’t forget you’re looking at a genius hacker.

\*Beep\*

**Sirin:** We can enter the building now! It seems you’ve taken care of that pendulum clock.

**Bronie:** That’s music to my ears!

**Sirin:** Sadly, it’s not that easy. You’ll know once you return.

**Sirin:** You’re back. How did it go?

**Captain:** Thanks to Bronie’s expertise and Himeko’s protection, we managed to avoid being swarmed by those persistent monsters.

Returning to the spot where we parted ways with Sirin and Rita, the barrier that once impeded our progress was now gone. However, the open expanse ahead was riddled with the very monsters that had chased us all the way.

**Bronie:** It seems all the monsters we missed on our way back are gathering here, waiting for us. Are we so very sorely missed?

**Captain:** Haha, yeah, what a happy reunion.

**Rita:** Hehe, since they’re all here lying in wait, it means what we’ve done so far has been quite effective.

**Himeko:** So, is everyone ready?

Himeko tightened her grip on her weapon, her expression growing solemn as she focused on the impending tough battle.

**Sirin:** Yeah, like always. Let’s get this show on the road!

When the monster fell, the horizon began to glow with the first light of dawn. By my side, Himeko lifted her head and stared at the dawning sky.

**Himeko:** …Is it over?

With the long-overdue sunlight touching my eyes, the boundless dark was washed away by the summer sun. Bronie glanced at the time on the equipment and yawned in relief.

**Bronie:** Ha… it’s gonna take some time. We can’t say the loop is over, but our work is pretty much done.

As the night faded, the entrance to the tunnel nearby emerged in the sun. Things over here have come to an end, but our journey is still ongoing.

Himeko reached out her hand trying to catch the sunlight.

**Himeko:** It’s a new day, right?

**Captain:** Hmm, with the pendulums taken care of, the loop will end soon and Soukai City’s time flow will return to normal.

**Himeko:** I imagined a million times how the loop would end, but when it truly happened, it felt unreal.

**Captain:** Relax, it’s only a matter of time before Soukai City returns to normal. What’s your plan?

**Himeko:** My plan? Nothing involving vampires happened in this world, but in my memory, Master Kallen told me A-872’s reasoning.

**Himeko:** Whether it’s for the Soukai City in memory or the Soukai City in the loop now, I hope she can shoulder this responsibility… Sorry, sir, she must be important to you, right?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** Himeko, let’s go stop her together.

**Himeko:** Huh?

**Captain:** To be honest, I had been investigating her before this, but the more I got to know, the more confused I became about her intentions.

**Captain:** Maybe she had good reasons, or maybe she was caught in a difficult situation… but there’s no excuse for her to run from her responsibility.

**Captain:** As you said, she’s important to me, so I’ll face the consequences together with her and stop her before it’s too late.

**Captain:** Come on, Himeko, let’s get to the bottom of this.

**Himeko:** …

**Himeko:** Yeah! After all, we were the best detective duo in the city. Soukai City’s Holmes and Watson.

**Bronie:** Alright, all hands on deck. We need to hurry. There’s no telling if she’s gonna stir up even bigger trouble.

**Rita:** Heh…

**Bronie:** Quit laughing like that, Rosemary. It’s creepy.

**Rita:** You miss important clues when you’re too hasty, Bronie.

Following Rita’s eyes, I saw a gleaming stone where the monsters vanished. It would have been easy to miss if I wasn’t paying close attention.

**Sirin:** That’s… another Miracle Stone?

**Bronie:** Let me see… uh, it does contain the power to control the pendulums, but…

**Rita:** It’s not the complete Ether Anchor, only a broken fragment.

**Captain:** …A fragment?

**Sirin:** So there are more Ether Anchor fragments in this bubble universe? Where are they?

**Captain:** Argh…

The sudden pain interrupted my thinking and everything in view became blurred. I tried hard to breathe and regain control over my body.

**???:** Sir?

**???:** Hey, what’s going on with you?

Everything faded away. I heard them calling me, and I struggled to tell them I was fine, but the sudden agony deprived me of the last bit of strength.

**???:** Human…

**Captain:** It’s you…

The violent dizziness numbed my limbs and once again, I was cast into the crimson mist.

**???:** “Hurry… Go…”

**Captain:** Luna…

**???:** “Hurry… leave… this place…”

**Captain:** Where are you?

**???:** …

**Captain:** Where are you?! Answer me!

Her voice disappeared, and my world sank into darkness.

### Act 2 - The Wish She Made

#### Welcome the Future

*[CG plays wherein Captain once again sees A-872 suffering:*

***Luna Kindred:** That’s enough… that's good enough.*

***Luna Kindred:** Human, please… don’t…*]

I saw the fire devouring the blood moon again.

The fiery air drained the last bit of air from my lungs, and my legs couldn’t carry my leaden body any farther.

**Captain:** But she’s crying.

The rampant flames consumed everything. My arm stretched towards her burned red-hot, yet my heart felt ice-cold.

**Captain:** I have to save her.

Heat waves pounded against my chest as crimson flames blurred my vision. The searing tongues of fire nearly melted my outstretched hand.

**Captain:** I must save her…

**Mysterious Voice:** Feeling anguish over other people’s plight. You haven’t changed a bit.

**Captain:** Who’s talking?

A familiar fragrance wafted near, lessening the pain somewhat.

I had heard this voice before.

**Captain:** I remember your voice, but… I can’t recall your name.

**Mysterious Voice:** Fufu, don’t worry about it. You remember what to do, right?

**Captain:** I do, but I can’t leave right now.

**Captain:** She’s still weeping here, right in front of me. I can’t just leave her!

**Mysterious Voice:** Well, that’s something you can solve after you wake up.

**Captain:** …

**Mysterious Voice:** Do you not trust me?

**Captain:** No, I trust you.

**Mysterious Voice:** You’re always so gentle and innocent. Well then, follow me, please.

The perfume of rosemary drifted by and the flickering flames receded, until…

The sight before me gradually cleared up. I smelled fog in the winds and heard the crackling of a campfire at my side. Only then did I realise I was leaning against a tree.

**Captain:** \*cough\*…

**Sirin:** Ah, finally! Are you alright?

Hearing my coughing, Sirin, who had been pacing around not far away, immediately came to inspect me carefully.

**Captain:** \*cough\*… I’m fine. I’m used to it now.

**Sirin:** Is it possible to get used to fainting? You’re an odd one.

Seeing that I was unharmed, Sirin walked to the other side of the campfire with her arms crossed.

**Rita:** How do you feel, Captain?

**Captain:** I feel… well, pretty good. What about Bronie and Himeko? Where are we?

**Rita:** Relax. Your questions will be answered, one by one.

**Sirin:** We’re surrounded by a fog and stuck in a forest.

Sirin shook her head impatiently. I looked up and saw the outline of a castle in the fog.

**Captain:** Is that a castle? Could she be in there…?

A sharp pain radiated from my chest, causing me to bite my lips.

For some reason, I had a strong feeling that I would see her there soon.

**Sirin:** She must be hiding in that conspicuous building, right? Ugh, I hate this. The castle is right in front of us, but we just can’t find a way inside!

**Rita:** That’s why Miss Himeko and Miss Bronie are searching for a path to the castle.

Rita glanced at Sirin, then back at me, appearing troubled.

**Captain:** Is something wrong, Rita?

**Rita:** It’s been ages since I heard from them.

**Sirin:** What?

**Captain:** What’s going on?

Rita clenched the communicator and shook her head with concern, signalling that she couldn’t reach Bronie and Himeko at all.

**Sirin:** Oh, come on! Why did she rely on some stupid machine to find the way? And she calls herself a genius hacker? I shouldn’t have bought that after she made that huge position error last time!

**Captain:** I should go look for them. \*cough\*…

**Rita:** Captain, you’ve just woken up. You’re not fit to move yet…

**Sirin:** Yeah, just stay there!

**Sirin:** She’s right, you should get some rest. Rita, keep an eye on this guy. I’ll go find Himeko and Bronie.

**Captain:** No, I can’t let you go alone!

**Rita:** I’m counting on you, Miss Sirin.

**Captain:** Rita?!

My weak body couldn’t keep up with them. Rita quickly handed a communicator to Sirin.

The purple-haired girl took the communicator, waved to us with her back turned, and disappeared into the thick fog.

**Rita:** Don’t worry, I’ve already sent Miss Sirin’s location to Miss Bronie. She just replied that she’d receive her immediately.

**Captain:** So… Himeko and Bronie’s signals were there this whole time.

**Rita:** Fufu.

**Captain:** Did you send Sirin away so we could talk in private, Rita?

The elegant witch let out a small sigh, but immediately resumed her trademark smile, as if I was imagining it.

**Captain:** You’ve been quieter than you usually are on this journey, Rita. Is there anything you want to tell me?

**Rita:** Fufu. I’d like to hear your opinion on the situation, Captain.

**Captain:** The situation? We’re obviously trapped in fog but still looking for a way to the castle.

**Captain:** We don’t know where to go yet, but we’ll get out of this fog and get into the castle sooner or later, or so I believe.

**Rita:** You’re as determined as always, even when our thoughts are trapped in this fog.

**Captain:** I thought you were gonna say, “Fufu, you’re so optimistic and naive”.

**Rita:** …

**Captain:** Hey, aren’t you gonna refute that?

**Rita:** Fufu. Why would I? You are indeed optimistic and naive.

**Rita:** You trust others unreservedly. Whether it’s a strange girl who approaches you without notice or an unexpected visitor who claims to be your enemy, you work with them open-heartedly.

**Captain:** Haha, I think you’ve got it backwards. It’s them who work with me, a complete stranger, open-heartedly.

**Captain:** The trust is mutual, I guess. To gain others’ trust, you have to trust them first, eh?

**Rita:** Maybe that’s how you see it. But in reality, it’s not that simple.

**Rita:** Sometimes, the person we trust is just in our imagination, and that’s why we feel betrayed when they reveal their other side.

**Captain:** Hmm, that makes sense, but your idea of “trust” isn’t the same as what I believe or want to believe in.

**Rita:** Oh?

**Captain:** Even if I know I’d see their other side one day, I believe I’d still choose to trust them.

**Captain:** That’s the “trust” I believe in.

**Rita:** So, despite not knowing what you will face in the castle, you hold onto this trust?

**Captain:** Yes.

**Rita:** I see.

I gazed at the castle shrouded in fog, so close yet so distant.

**Captain:** I don’t know what she’s planning to do, but I know she’s waiting for me. Simple as that.

**Captain:** I’m here to fulfill our promise. I hope I haven’t kept her waiting for too long.

**Captain:** I hope she won’t mind me coming to see her this late, or maybe she will? It’s fine either way.

**Captain:** Locating the bubble universe she’s in took too long.

**Rita:** Fufu, luckily, you located her easily this time.

**Captain:** Yes, lucky me.

A faint smile graced Rita’s face. Amid the crackling of the campfire, her eyes fell on me. I felt like something was about to emerge in my mind.

Before I could say anything, Rita spoke again.

**Rita:** Assuming everything has been resolved and you have found her, what will you do?

**Captain:** I’ve never really thought about that. My focus has always been on finding her.

**Captain:** Hmm…

**[CHOICE] =** I’ll take her for ice cream.

**Captain:** I’ll take her for ice cream. She’ll love it. And this time I’ll bring plenty of coins. Enough for her to taste every flavor.

**Captain:** If she likes it, we could even open a restaurant that sells ice cream and a limited number of chocolate truffle steaks.

**Captain:** Erm, but with my cooking skills… we might go bankrupt. Maybe I’ll have to get a part-time job to balance the books.

**[CHOICE] =** I’ll take her to HOMU World.

**Captain:** I’ll take her to HOMU World to ride the roller coasters.

**Captain:** Erm, but that might scare her… In that case, we can ride a merry-go-round instead. It’ll look so beautiful when it lights up at night.

**Captain:** But on second thought, she’s always jumping on and off of rooftops, so she can’t be scared of heights.

**Captain:** Oh, I’ll also win her the biggest HOMU doll we can find. But chances are that she’s better at gaming than I am.

**Captain:** That reminds me. I should learn some moves from Bronie first.

Future. What a beautiful term. Even though the moment it flashed across my mind had declared its unattainability, its radiance still captivated me.

When I thought of these things, I forgot all my pain.

**Rita:** Your dreams are really uplifting, Captain.

**Captain:** But before that, there are still many things I need to do…

**Captain:** I want to ask her why she kept evading me, why she did those things to the Theresas in different bubble universes, and why…

**Captain:** Kongming must’ve discovered her purpose and decided to leave the ship alone… I have to stop her before things get even worse.

Rita simply listened by my side. Seeing me fall silent, her lips slowly parted.

**Rita:** You know, sometimes, stopping is just one of the many bad solutions.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** Is that directed at her, who’s trying to stop me from finding her by escaping to different bubble universes, or… me, who’s trying to stop her from putting the Theresas in a worse bind?

**Rita:** Don’t get me wrong, Captain. What I’m saying is, for things that aren’t yet clear, any solution could lead to undesired results.

Indeed. I didn’t understand her purpose, nor know where my actions might lead to.

**Rita:** Especially when it comes to resolving certain issues. It feels like we’re tossing a coin with challenges on both sides. No matter which side it lands on, things might not turn out as expected.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** But, if that coin is tossed enough times, it might produce a third result.

**Rita:** You’re saying?

**Captain:** Time and time again, I tossed the coin with bitter outcomes on both sides. Countless failures, countless frustrations. Amidst a sea of absolutes, I searched for the slightest coincidence.

**Captain:** Finally, I tossed out a third possibility.

During those wavering nights, I stubbornly ran after her. After countless attempts, we finally got what we wanted.

And the girl who once smiled at me under the lanterns was waiting there for me as well.

**Rita:** Is it your past experiences and that success that made you optimistic about finding the third possibility?

**Captain:** Haha, Rita, maybe you’re unaware, but I’m not someone who can confidently face any situation.

**Captain:** It’s more like I’ve never considered giving up searching for a third possibility…

**Captain:** …When faced with two extreme outcomes.

**Rita:** I see… You’re always so gentle and determined.

**Rita:** In fact, for them, or maybe for us, you are the third possibility to suddenly emerge in a dilemma, Captain.

**Captain:** Huh?

**Rita:** So, please keep moving forward as steadfastly as you always have.

**Captain:** Thank you, Rita.

**Rita:** I’m supposed to accompany you to the third possibility, but I’m afraid I must leave you temporarily.

**Captain:** Rita, where are you going?

As she slowly stood up, the campfire’s warm glow made her smile look more enigmatic.

**Rita:** Don’t worry, I just have some personal matters to deal with. Once everything is settled, I’ll explain them to you.

**Captain:** I… I don’t understand.

**Rita:** Fufu, that confused look on your face is so adorable.

As she turned and walked into the fog, I instinctively tried to get up and pull her back, but I was too weak to do so.

**Captain:** \*cough\*…

Rita turned back at the sound of my coughing and sighed resignedly. Seeing my breathing gradually steady, her expression softened a bit, and her lips curled into that gentle smile again.

**Rita:** Don’t worry, this will all be over soon.

Then she walked away, disappearing into the boundless fog.

**Captain:** (As expected, she didn’t tell me anything.)

**Captain:** (I’m so worried about her.)

I gazed at where Rita disappeared, then at the distant castle, hoping she and everyone else would be safe.

**Bronie:** Hey, did you sleep well?

Before long, Bronie and the others returned to the campfire and greeted me casually.

**Sirin:** Where’s that woman? The signals from Bronie and the others didn’t disappear at all. Darn it, she played me again. What does she want?

**Captain:** Rita said she needed to deal with some personal matters.

**Himeko:** She left alone?

**Bronie:** Hah, that sounds like something she’d do! Don’t worry, she’s not someone who goes down easily.

**Sirin:** Why can’t she just put our minds at ease? Did she say anything about those personal matters she’s dealing with?

**Captain:** No, but I’m sure she has her reasons for leaving.

**Captain:** What about you? Did you find anything in the forest?

**Himeko:** Yes, we found a note.

**Captain:** A note?

Himeko took out the note and handed it to me. The paper was unremarkable, but an elegant-looking line was written on it.

**Captain:** “Those who enter the forbidden grounds, death will follow in their wake, shadowing them until the end.” Is that a warning that bad things will happen to those who enter this forest?

**Bronie:** Hah, interesting. Sending a threatening letter is so yesterday.

**Captain:** Where did you find this note?

**Sirin:** That strange-colored bat over there brought it to us in its mouth.

**Captain:** A strange-colored bat?

Only then did I notice a small bat perched not far away on a tree branch. It tilted its head from time to time as it studied me with black, beady eyes.

**Bronie:** Pretty unique, huh? You don’t often see bats in this wilderness, and it’s standing upright on a tree branch.

**Himeko:** If it wasn’t for this little bat leading the way, we might not have found our way back here.

**Bronie:** Actually, my Tracker also…

**Sirin:** Hey, do I need to remind you about that time the Tracker led us to a dead end?

**Bronie:** Uh, well… Oh yeah, Captain, how are you feeling? Can we set off now?

**Captain:** Thank you for asking, Bronie. I’m fine.

As I stood up, the bat on the tree branch flapped its wings and started flying ahead of us.

**Captain:** Is it… leading the way?

**Bronie:** Bingo! That’s how we got back here.

The little bat flew ahead of us leisurely, occasionally turning around to glance at us. The bushes rustled behind us, and the fog in front of us seemed to thicken.

**Captain:** I don’t know why this bat is behaving like this, but it’s our only hope.

**Captain:** Let’s see where it takes us.

--

#### Suburbs of Soukai City

**Himeko:** Huh? The path ahead is blocked by rocks. How can we follow the bat now?

**Sirin:** What do we do? We don’t have wings.

**Bronie:** This path was probably blocked by a landslide. We just need to figure out how to clear the rocks.

**Sirin:** That’s easier said than done…

**Captain:** Don’t worry, Sirin, we have the tool right in front of us.

**Sirin:** Tool? You mean that big cannon?

**Captain:** It doesn’t matter why a cannon is here. All that matters is that it could work.

**Sirin:** Can this thing still fire after being exposed to the elements for so long?

**Himeko:** Well, let’s try it and find out.

**Captain:** It worked!

**Sirin:** It actually worked!

**Bronie:** You seem way too excited for someone who doubted it would work, Sirin.

**Sirin:** I… I thought it would work from the beginning!

**Himeko:** The rocks have been blasted apart, but some are still blocking the road. We might have to clear them by hand.

**Bronie:** Not a problem. Let’s do it.

**Himeko:** Is this… another note?

**Bronie:** Ugh, I hope it’s not another boring threat.

I picked up the note in front of us and read it…

**Captain:** “A bird trapped inside a cage beyond the blood moon. Why enter the confines with broken wings?”

**Captain:** Looks like it’s comparing us to caged birds, and saying there’s no need to put ourselves in trouble by coming here.

**Bronie:** The first note said, “Those who enter the forbidden grounds, death will follow in their wake, shadowing them until the end”. That also seemed like a warning about the danger ahead. How are these two notes linked?

**Captain:** I think we need more information to figure that out. I don’t know what these strange notes mean, but let’s continue exploring anyway.

**Sirin:** I think there’s something on the ground. Is it another note?

I followed Sirin’s finger and saw another note.

**Captain:** This time, it says something different from the previous one.

**Himeko:** What does it say?

“A lone boat rocks under the moon high above. The moon’s reflection on the river resembles a scimitar, leaving people no escape like the lone boat.”

**Captain:** This note seems to be warning us that the situation has no escape. I wonder who wrote these.

**Sirin:** Whoever it is, they’ve really underestimated us. They’ll need more than a few notes to stop us.

**Captain:** Well, regardless, we don’t have a reason to back down now. Let’s keep moving.

When the last monster fell in front of me, my body suddenly felt heavy.

People seemed to forget about pain when highly concentrated, so when I relaxed, pain washed over me.

**Captain:** Phew…

I quickly adjusted my breathing and prayed my companions didn’t notice. But as I tried to walk, my legs trembled uncontrollably.

**Bronie:** Hey, are you alright?

**Captain:** Ah, yeah… I’m fine! Let’s keep moving.

**Bronie:** Acting touch is a bit immature, Captain.

**Captain:** I’m not acting tough, really, let’s just go.

Bronie ignored my wild gesticulations to show that I was fine. Instead, her fingers danced across the blue holo screen and her little robots scanned me once more.

**Captain:** \*sigh\*…

While Bronie’s gadgets often saved our hide in a pinch, I couldn’t help but resent this advanced technology at this moment.

For it had easily exposed my lies.

**Captain:** So… how am I?

**Bronie:** Do you want me to be euphemistic? It’s terrible. Awful, in fact!

As soon as Bronie’s words came out, both Himeko and Sirin looked at me with concern. I sighed deeply and burst into a coughing fit in front of them.

**Captain:** \*cough\*… I thought you’d console me and tell… \*cough\*… white lies to make me feel better… \*cough\*…

**Sirin:** Be quiet. You know Bronie.

**Bronie:** I’ll take that as a compliment, Sirin. But, Captain, you should know better than to lie about your health.

They helped me sit down and gave me some water. The searing pain in my chest made me gasp for air.

**Captain:** \*cough\*… Maybe you should say something to distract me… \*cough\*…

**Bronie:** Huh? Distract you? Okay, erm… There once was a popsicle…

**Captain:** \*cough\*… I really can’t take bad jokes right now, Bronie.

**Bronie:** I’m out of ideas, then. It’s up to you guys.

Bronie shrugged and looked at the other two. Sirin sighed, her brow furrowed as she looked at me.

**Sirin:** Ever since we got our hands on that shard of an Ether Anchor, I’ve been wondering why the Miracle Stone here is different.

**Captain:** \*cough\*… Is it because it’s just a shard?

**Sirin:** Exactly.

**Bronie:** So, that raises one question… where are the other shards of the Ether Anchor now?

**Himeko:** The Ether Anchor you’re talking about is an object that can control the rules of a bubble universe, right?

**Captain:** Yes. The rules of Soukai City’s looping are governed by the Ether Anchor shard, which controls the pendulum clocks. As for the rules of the entire bubble universe, the one controlling them is…

**Captain:** …Her.

**Sirin:** Do you remember what that ninja said? She doesn’t need to feed on blood anymore.

**Captain:** The power of the Ether Anchor allowed her to break the rule of needing blood to survive. And in turn, she has written new rules in this bubble universe.

**Captain:** Now she might actually be the Ether Anchor itself… but… I can’t say for sure.

**Captain:** How did she obtain this Ether Anchor, how did she know it could eliminate her need for blood, and why did she break the Ether Anchor into shards?

**Captain:** \*cough\*…

Countless questions raced through my mind, and I anxiously wished to know the answers.

**Bronie:** Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy. We’ll find out when we meet her.

**Sirin:** If she’s the Ether Anchor itself, then there’s one more thing for us to worry about.

**Captain:** …Those two that are also searching for the Ether Anchor? That ninja said we’ll be enemies the next time we meet, I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

**Sirin:** Hmph, who knows what trouble those two will cause?

**Captain:** I’m more curious about who’s pulling their strings. Not everyone can employ such talents to work for them.

**Captain:** Looks like we need to pick up the pace, or they’ll put us on the back foot. Let’s get going.

**Himeko:** But are you in the condition to move?

**Captain:** Thank you, Himeko. I feel much better now.

**Bronie:** Captain’s been talking without wincing for a while now. Must be recovering. Nice job at distracting, Sirin!

**Sirin:** I… I don’t need your compliments.

**Bronie:** You clever girl. Why didn’t we think of such a great topic!

**Sirin:** …I was just, like, chatting.

**Bronie:** Haha! Whenever Sirin replies so modestly, it means she wants to hear more compliments.

**Sirin:** Stay there, BRONIE!

The laughter of Bronie and Sirin echoed through the forest. As we got up to continue, the bat that had landed nearby shook its wings lightly and continued to guide us forward.

As we left, I noticed the sound coming from behind the bushes had once again stopped.

**Himeko:** I can’t shake the feeling that the bat was watching us the whole battle.

**Captain:** Where could it be leading us?

**Bronie:** Hah, it flew away again, but at least it didn’t forget to drop us a new note. How considerate.

I picked up the note and read it…

**Captain:** “Lost in the chaotic mountains, praying time could turn back; crows will mock the desperate regret, and death will answer the painful denial.”

**Bronie:** This is basically saying that if we don’t leave now, we’ll regret it!

**Sirin:** Seriously, who’s leading us here and leaving all these confusing death threats? That’s just twisted!

I read the notes in my hand under my breath and pondered.

The first note said, “Those who enter the forbidden grounds, death will follow in their wake, shadowing them until the end.”

The second note said, “A bird trapped inside a cage beyond the blood moon. Why enter the confines with broken wings?”

The third note said, “A lone boat rocks under the moon high above. The moon’s reflection on the river resembles a scimitar, leaving people no escape like the lone boat.”

**Captain:** (Leading the way while also intimidating us? This is too contradictory.)

I didn’t see anything special in these notes. Perhaps some new clues could broaden my thinking.

**Bronie:** Tsk, this situation isn’t as interesting as I thought!

**Sirin:** More like not as good as we thought.

I suppressed my exhaustion. The scene in front of me started to blur. I tried to focus my vision and looked down from the high platform.

**Captain:** Why are there so many monsters? \*cough\*…

My feet suddenly felt light. Just as I was about to fall face-first, Himeko, who stood by my side, quickly saved me.

**Himeko:** Are you alright?

**Captain:** Thank you, Himeko. I’m okay.

**Sirin:** In this state, fighting those monsters head-on is a bad idea.

**Captain:** Sorry, Sirin, but I can still…

**Sirin:** Save it. You need to think about yourself more.

**Captain:** Fine…

**Himeko:** Bronie, can you check if there’s somewhere we can rest nearby? We need to adjust.

**Bronie:** No problem!

Bronie’s fingers deftly moved across the holo screen, and we suddenly received a signal from the Tracker.

**Bronie:** There seems to be an abandoned campsite south of here. We can head there to rest!

**Himeko:** Alright, let’s go there.

--

#### Providential Guidance

The campfire before me crackled, its dancing flames radiating a golden light that brought me a sense of comfort.

Himeko sat beside me, slightly anxious as she checked on me. I managed to force a reassuring smile.

**Captain:** Don’t worry, Himeko. Honestly, I’m much better now!

**Himeko:** Really? You’re not just trying to comfort me, are you? You better not be acting tough again!

**Captain:** Ah, I’m genuinely feeling better. Why wouldn’t you believe me?

**Bronie:** Hey, look what I found!

**Sirin:** I found it first!

Bronie’s and Sirin’s voices drew our attention. Ever since we had arrived at that abandoned campsite, they had been curiously searching around with the hope to find useful items.

**Captain:** Is this… a box of boots?

**Himeko:** They look pretty now. I don’t understand why someone brought so many pairs of boots to go camping with. Was it so hard to walk in this forest that they needed extra boots?

**Bronie:** They’re not ordinary boots!

Bronie winked mysteriously, before she put a pair of boots on right in front of us.

**Bronie:** Watch closely!

!!!

Bronie suddenly hopped like a little rabbit, excitedly showing off. Clearly, Sirin, who was watching her bounce up and down, was also eager to try.

**Bronie:** These boots have special elastic chips! Isn’t that cool? With these, we can jump onto the high platform we saw earlier.

**Bronie:** And to think I was wondering how to get the Trackers to take us up there.

**Sirin:** Just having these elastic boots isn’t enough. What about the monster mob up ahead?

**Bronie:** Uh… good question.

**Captain:** Well, even though these boots can help us reach high places, they can’t help us take down those monsters guarding the area.

**Himeko:** Have you found anything else apart from these boots?

**Sirin:** Yes, I found another note near the box. This is the fifth one, right?

Sirin handed me the note, and as I tried to read it, I realised it wasn’t actually words.

**Captain:** Is this… Bach’s Minuet in G Major?

Unlike the warning-filled notes before, the fifth note was a musical score.

**Bronie:** Did they notice that sending threatening letters wasn’t working, so they switched to some music to add variety?

**Captain:** Did the bat bring this note to you this time as well?

**Sirin:** Well, it was hovering near the box, and then Bronie and I noticed the fifth note by the box.

**Himeko:** It sounds like the bat wanted us to notice both the boots and the note.

**Captain:** Why does the bat keep bringing us intimidating notes and attempting to halt our progress, yet still guide us through this misty forest?

**Sirin:** Who knows what’s going on in its head? Does it want us to leave or not?

An almost imperceptible rustling sound came from the nearby bushes, as if the wind was rushing through them.

**Captain:** Well, judging from the results, it has clearly been guiding us in the right direction. In this foggy expanse where it’s so easy to get lost, it’s definitely helped us more than it’s hindered us.

**Himeko:** So you think those notes are…

**Captain:** Perhaps they’re not meant to intimidate us, but to guide us.

I put the five notes on the ground in order, pondered for a moment, and then my gaze landed on the final musical score.

**Captain:** This note is the most special one, but what does it mean?

**Himeko:** Music can convey emotions and can also send messages.

**Captain:** Yes, but this piece only has two bars, so it might be more appropriate to consider the connections between the musical notes rather than the emotions conveyed by the melody.

**Sirin:** The connections between the musical notes?

The disjointed threads of thought slowly came together in my mind, and ideas gathered like converging streams, surging forth.

**Captain:** If we look at the adjacent notes as a sequence of numbers…

**Captain:** …And use the commonly used piano C1 key as the base, or number one, the D1 key as two, and so forth, then use the second octave C2 key as eight, and the D2 key as nine.

**Himeko:** The first four notes of this minuet are the D2 key from the second octave, and the G1, A1, and B1 keys from the first octave.

**Captain:** In other words, the numbers are nine, five, six, and seven.

**Captain:** The first note says, “Those who enter the forbidden grounds, death will follow in their wake, shadowing them until the end.”

**Bronie:** The ninth word is “follow”.

**Captain:** The second note says, “A bird trapped inside a cage beyond the blood moon. Why enter the confines with broken wings?”

**Sirin:** The fifth word is “the”.

**Captain:** The third note says, “A lone boat rocks under the moon high above. The moon’s reflection on the river resembles a scimitar, leaving people no escape like the lone boat.”

**Himeko:** The sixth word is “high”.

**Captain:** The fourth note said, “Lost in the chaotic mountains, praying time could turn back; crows will mock the desperate regret, and death will answer the painful denial.”

**Captain:** The seventh word is “mountains”.

**Captain:** “Follow the high mountains”.

We turned to look behind us. Sure enough, there was a high mountain south of the campsite.

**Sirin:** What’s on that mountain? A secret passage leading to the castle, or a mechanism that activates something?

**Himeko:** Now that we have these high-jump boots, we can easily reach the mountain’s peak.

**Bronie:** I’ll scout out the path ahead first!

Trackers flew towards the high mountain. Soon, images appeared on the screen.

**Sirin:** It seems like there are only some monsters. Besides that, nothing particularly noteworthy.

**Captain:** Since the clues from the notes are leading us there, we must go and see what’s on that high mountain.

The bat tilted its head on a withered branch, as if listening to our decision about going to the high mountain. It then flapped its wings and circled around us.

**Bronie:** There might be some tough battles ahead. Can you handle it?

In response to Bronie’s concerned look, I gave her a reassuring smile and then focused my gaze on the screen in her hands.

**Captain:** I’ll be fine. Also, judging from the terrain around the mountain, I think we can handle the situation without being detected.

**Sirin:** You mean… we sneak in?

**Himeko:** It does seem like a suitable place for stealth combat. Let’s try to avoid unnecessary complications by dealing with them stealthily.

**Bronie:** Alright, the objective is set, and the plan is ready. Let’s go!

Bronie happily winked at me and, along with Sirin, cheerfully strided forward while holding the high-jump boots.

Meanwhile, the rustling sounds in the bushes seemed to have faded away in the wind.

**Captain:** (Was that… another bat?

The monster fell with a heavy thud. Bronie clapped her hands casually, gesturing for us to look at the screen in her hands.

**Bronie:** This is the footage from the high platform earlier. Did you notice anything?

**Captain:** The monsters… they’ve disappeared?

**Himeko:** Could the monsters on this mountain somehow be connected to those guarding the high platform?

**Captain:** Well, perhaps this is the reason the notes led us to this mountain. Let’s use the high-jump boots to check out that platform.

**Bronie:** Roger!

**Sirin:** By the way, where did that bat go?

I looked around… the bat was nowhere to be found. Even the rustling sound of the wind passing through the bushes had vanished, just like the monsters.

**Captain:** It must have gone home.

I looked ahead. Not far away, the castle loomed in the crimson mist, as if being consumed by the fiery glow that filled the sky.

The castle was right in front of us. My body felt so cold that it had become numb, yet my heart was beating wildly.

**Captain:** Almost there.

--

#### Castle Gate

The ancient castle stood tall amidst the wilderness, tranquil and silent, without even the faintest sound of the wind.

I subconsciously looked up… several bats happened to be fluttering their wings in the red moonlight, creating a loud flapping sound that seemed especially resonant at this moment.

I couldn’t help but shiver, not from being startled by those cowardly bats, but because of the invisible sharp object that seemed to pierce me again, keeping me from her.

**Captain:** (You are here, right?)

**Captain:** (This time, I will find you.)

\*thud\*

A muffled sound broke the frightful silence. I turned my head… Bronie had stepped on the castle’s iron gate.

**Bronie:** Another locked door. The people in this world seem to be in the good habit of always closing the door behind them.

**Sirin:** Look, there’s a lever here, probably for controlling the gate.

**Bronie:** Oh, little Sirin. You are so smart!

**Sirin:** You… never mind. I just wanted to say that this lever seems to be jammed and unable to be activated. We need to find out why.

**Captain:** Wait…

I noticed there was a folded note inserted at the top of the lever. I took it down and unfolded it, reading the words on it.

**Captain:** “To activate the lever of the main gate, you first need to activate the three mechanisms in the garden on the eastern side. However, attempting to enter the castle will also undoubtedly require paying a corresponding price.”

**Captain:** “If the only possible ending is loss, do you really have the courage to make a choice?”

**Himeko:** Another note? Although it seems like it’s giving us a hint at first glance, the latter part sounds like a scare tactic.

**Himeko:** It seems that there really is someone observing from the shadows. Is the person trying to help us get into the castle, or discourage us from proceeding?

**Bronie:** I can only sense confusion and contradiction from this note. If they don’t want us to enter the castle, why would they go through all the trouble to guide us here?

**Captain:** (Choice… contradiction… could it be…)

**Captain:** (No, I can’t be sure for now. Let’s first find a way to enter the castle.)

**Captain:** Regardless of the mysterious observer’s intentions, we have only one goal: move forward.

**Captain:** Let’s follow these instructions and search for the three mechanisms.

Boom!

As the three keys were inserted into their respective keyholes, the main gate opened like a large, horizontally stretched mouth, revealing a deep and dark passage inside, as if ready to devour anything that entered.

**Bronie:** Finally.

**Bronie:** I wonder who resides in the castle, a princess or a demon lord?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** We should get going.

**Bronie:** Sorry, Captain. I hate to admit this, but the person you’re after did awful things to all Theresas.

**Bronie:** We might have to prepare ourselves for the worst.

**Captain:** I understand. I will make my choice…

**Sirin:** Are you alright? Your face is getting paler, and you’ve been coughing along the way.

**Himeko:** Don’t overexert yourself, sir.

**Captain:** I can still manage. Don’t worry about me.

**Captain:** Now that we’ve made it this far, there’s no way I’d turn back. I must find her and ask her why she did all this.

**Captain:** I’ve made my choice, and regardless of what happened when we were separated, I must…

**Captain:** Save her.

The rosy moon quietly rose behind us, illuminating the path ahead. I took a deep breath and moved on.

I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing, but the increasingly clearer pain felt by my body kept reminding me:

We’re about to meet.

It was another quiet night, with the breeze carrying the fragrance of roses… Now, she could tell what was happening inside and outside the castle just by her nose, since she had long grown used to it.

It was not akin to a cage loaded with books, an alley with nobody at night, or a balcony bathing in the moonlight… This was the castle that belonged to her alone, filled with toys she loved or had grown tired of.

She was the absolute master of it, and its master should feel content, but…

She had been standing here all day long.

…

**Luna:** Hmm, any news?

…

**Luna:** I see. Earlier than I expected, but it doesn’t matter.

…

**Luna:** It might be hard, but they have to be stopped.

She gave orders casually, but her gaze never strayed from the distance, as if she was talking to another self in the void.

…

**Luna:** Hmm, go ahead.

She was alone again on the dark balcony.

**Luna:** Human… You are indeed stubborn.

Suddenly, she remembered hearing his stories or catching glimpses of him when she was traveling across the bubble universes.

She had long expected a reunion here someday, but…

**Luna:** How can you be so careless? Take a moment to focus and try to think about what it is I’m doing here. Otherwise, everything I’ve done…

**Luna:** Everything I’ve done…

**Luna:** Will be for nothing…?

She looked out at her territory. Every branch and bloom meticulously planted and arranged to her preference now made her feel bored and lonely.

**Luna:** Idiot. Such an idiot.

**Luna:** Your kindness only satisfies yourself. After all these years, you still fail to understand that.

Over the many years, she had learned restraint. Her heart was restless, but she looked perfectly calm.

To give herself a bit of relief, she nipped at a rose… the stagnant aroma of the air was disturbed, revealing a slightly bitter scent different from the rose.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.

**Luna:** But it seems you’re not the guest I was expecting.

--

#### Intruder

**Luna:** You stormed in without an invitation… how unladylike.

**???:** You try hard to play an evil mastermind without the determination to do whatever it takes… You’re not so much of a villain, are you?

Without a trace of panic, the girl walked under the moonlight with perfect grace. The soft light all over her only made her seem more poised and collected.

…Such a tone is truly offending for the host.

**???:** Nice to meet you. You may refer to me as “Rita”, or call me by my codename “Rosemary”.

**Luna:** …

**Rita:** Oh? Judging from the look on your face, I don’t seem to be a stranger to you, Miss Theresa.

**Luna:** Hmm, I’m flattered by how much you know about me. You must have put in quite an effort, but how could you not know I hate that name with a passion?

**Luna:** Or, are you trying to anger me on purpose?

**Rita:** I very much regret that, Miss Luna.

But there wasn’t even a flicker of fear or regret on her face.

**Luna:** Well, would you like to be taught a thing or two about proper manners by a villain like me?

**Luna:** Good moves befitting a lady.

**Rita:** Thanks for the compliment, Luna.

**Rita:** Only, you need not go easy on me. A lady never complains about the host’s manners.

**Luna:** …Hah.

**Luna:** Phew… phew…

**Rita:** Not a surprise…

The hint of a smile faded from Rita’s face. She stared at Luna calmly while Luna did the same.

**Luna:** (What on earth is she up to? I can’t see through her at all, and I hate this feeling…)

**Rita:** When I first began my research on you through dream particles, you were strong enough to observe the Theresas in multiple bubble universes… what incredible power you had!

**Rita:** Now, I’m still no match for you in fighting, but…

**Luna:** “But”? A lady should never hem and haw.

**Luna:** You should be happy to see my current dilemma. What a wicked lady you are.

**Rita:** Your strength has weakened a lot.

**Luna:** What does that have anything to do with you?

**Rita:** It doesn’t, indeed. But I suppose it may have something to do with one of my companions. Tell me I’m wrong, Miss Theresa.

**Luna:** …!

**Rita:** Just like you, my friend’s health has been deteriorating rapidly. I’ve never been one to believe in coincidences, and I tend to assume that these two things are somehow related…

**Rita:** …Is that why you are so restless?

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** You’re indeed a master of verbal manipulation, but unfortunately, I’m an evil and frightening vampire rather than a gullible human girl. I won’t fall for your trick.

**Rita:** Oh? Since you’re immune to my “verbal manipulation”, how about I tell you a story, Miss Luna?

**Luna:** As the price for breaking into the castle? A mere story is far from enough.

Rita paid no mind to Luna’s sarcasm and began to tell the story as if she didn’t hear it…

**Rita:** It’s a story about the rose and the mignonette.

**Rita:** A young girl who was just learning to garden tended to her garden with utmost care. She loved both the beauty of the rose and the fragrance of mignonette.

**Rita:** Thus, she planted them in the same garden. However, she soon found that the rose hindered the growth of the mignonettes, while the withered mignonette in return made the beautiful rose wilt.

**Rita:** Not only that, the whole garden was to end up ugly and barren, without a trace of its former liveliness. Right then, the rose made her choice.

**Rita:** She drew her roots out, with her leaves furled and her receptacle drooping. She…

**Luna:** That’s enough!

She clenched her weapon in her hands, trying desperately to sound tough.

**Luna:** You should leave.

**Rita:** How could a gardener’s experience and daydreaming upset Miss Luna so much? Or…

Rita took a step forward instead.

**Rita:** Does Miss Luna sympathise with the rose that made such a decision?

Immediately, Rita felt a pricking sensation on her exposed skin.

**Luna:** I said, you should leave.

**Luna:** Don’t make me repeat myself for the third time, or you may end up like this glass panel.

Lifting her skirt, Rita bent slightly and curtsied slowly, before saying goodbye as if sincerely thanking the host for the hospitality.

**Rita:** Till we meet again, Miss Luna.

Then, she walked out of the living room, disappearing into the darkness of the hall.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** Hey! Whatever your tricks are, I will never succumb to them and let you meddle with my business! You’re not welcome in my castle!

The furious echoes bounced off the walls, chasing away uncompromisingly each and every person who tried to interfere or dissuade, until they quieted down under the moon and in the shadow.

In a heartbeat, she had already composed herself.

**Luna:** “Siren” is indeed a suitable name for her.

**Luna:** No…

A predictable fit of dizziness washed over her, but it was much more severe than she had initially expected.

**Luna:** Did that woman do something to me when we were fighting or talking all that nonsense…?

She inhaled deeply, the rich floral fragrance calming her down quickly.

**Luna:** I can’t allow myself to see that guy in such a bad state.

After brushing the tips of her braids with the comb, she continued to dust her petal-like skirt hem.

**Luna:** Hang in there. It’s time to go.

**Luna:** Kongming, you can’t wait to see me, right?

**Kongming:** Miss Luna, you ask me this question every single day.

**Luna:** Oh, you are the most interesting companion I’ve ever had, so of course I cherish your company!

**Kongming:** Did the guest just now tire you out so quickly?

**Luna:** …?

**Kongming:** Ugh, poor Rita, even you could be rejected.

**Luna:** Kongming, you’ve been colluding with her?

Cold and faint moonlight leaked through the window. Kongming didn’t utter a word, just staring at the broken window, as if seeing off an acquaintance or waiting for their arrival.

Kongming confused and intrigued Luna all the same. Thus, Luna moved closer to her like a purring cat, as always.

**Luna:** Kongming, when did you invite your good friend to come here?

**Luna:** Oh, right. I remember that you have a fantastic communicator that enables the user to see the other person’s face with just a click. Kongming, have you brought it into the castle in secret?

**Luna:** Kongming, Kongming, where do you keep the little communicator? Tell me now, pretty please?

**Kongming:** Rita could naturally see through your thoughts without any help from the others. Besides…

**Kongming:** …Your thoughts are simple ones in nature, and that’s why you were chosen by the “predator” and worked for them without being aware.

**Luna:** …

With neither a retort of anger nor a gasp of surprise, Luna just snapped out of her cute kitten form for a second before going back to her usual childish self.

**Luna:** It seems that Kongming still treats me like a child. So unfair!

**Luna:** I’m certainly no longer a child who knows nothing. Be it mocking me blatantly or secretly for being the “prey”, or thinking you took advantage of me, I knew them all right from the start… Being treated like this, even I have my limits.

**Luna:** Kongming, you’re such a naughty girl. I’m warning you for the first time. Don’t do that again.

Kongming’s eyes brightened up, but she didn’t seem to mind Luna’s words.

**Kongming:** Miss Luna, what if I told you that there is actually a solution to this desperate situation?

**Luna:** Hmm, I know that you always want to appear smarter than the others, Kongming. But not everyone is willing to buy it, you know?

Kongming completely ignored Luna’s words, just staring at her while going on…

**Kongming:** All along, you only cared about that person and Theresa. Therefore, for you, it’s bound to be a situation where “one side must be sacrificed”.

**Kongming:** But you apparently can’t bring yourself to do that.

Kongming’s expostulation failed to evoke even the slightest remorse from Luna.

**Luna:** What have I just said? You act too much of a know-it-all.

**Luna:** Silly me. For a moment, I even thought you could really surprise me. Kongming, put that fan of yours down. You’re not smarter than me.

Kongming chuckled.

**Kongming:** Granted, you have covered each and every possibility for that person, but you neglected his feelings.

**Kongming:** Think about it. How would he feel after realising what you’ve done… Of all people, no one knows how he is better than you.

**Kongming:** A gentle soul, a person who remembers and keeps all promises. Could someone like that ever enjoy a life built on the sacrifice of other lives comfortably upon learning the truth?

**Luna:** Fine, fine. Looks like you do want to keep me here for some chitchat… Go on then, I’m all ears for your good idea.

**Kongming:** I’ve experienced death before.

**Kongming:** The world I was in had always been trying to kill me, time and time again.

**Kongming:** It was he who fought the whole world trying to save me and change the course of my fate every single time.

**Kongming:** That’s the very reason why I believe he’d make the same choices out of stubbornness and persistence for you, for me, and for those of “us” at present.

But Luna just giggled while shaking her head, as if she had heard a tale as old as time.

**Luna:** Is that all, Kongming?

**Kongming:** …

**Luna:** Don’t make that face at me. I don’t like it.

Leaving the cell, Luna locked the door tightly with the chains again. She paused for a moment, like something suddenly occurred to her.

**Luna:** But your affection doesn’t matter anymore, since we probably will never meet again, right?

With a broad smile, she lifted her head to watch Kongming who was standing by the window in the cell. Her eyes twinkled with excitement.

**Luna:** “Bye”.

A burst of buzzing noises came up… The signal was poor, but Luna continued anyway.

**Luna:** Now, I’m going to fulfill my own wish.

**Luna:** “Bye”.

**???:** Mmm.

**Luna:** Huh? I’m bidding you farewell, don’t you understand?

**???:** It’s indeed time to terminate the deal between us.

**Luna:** Aren’t you surprised?

**???:** I’ve been expecting this day. After all, we’ve had different objectives from the beginning.

**???:** You and I only joined forces because of temporary mutual benefits. An alliance like that will only fall apart over time.

**Luna:** Does that mean you’ve predicted the outcome from the start?

**Luna:** You broke my heart, for real. I thought we could be more honest with each other.

**???:** But if what you said is true, I can save myself the trouble of learning about your little party by some other means, right?

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** That’s a little rude, don’t you think?

**Luna:** Humph, all you need to do is take me where I want to be, as I’ve brought back all that you want.

**Luna:** An alliance so firm ends up falling apart under our mutual suspicion. What a big bad villain you are.

**???:** Save your breath. Don’t you have your own wish to fulfill, Miss “Theresa”?

**Luna:** You’re just as insufferable as that woman. You even anger me with the same approach.

**Luna:** However, I won’t fall for it twice.

**???:** You’ve grown up.

**Luna:** Have I? Thank you.

**Luna:** Please keep this friendliness for me until we meet again… Though there won’t ever be a next time.

Another wave of irritating current noises.

**Luna:** Didn’t even let me finish… Humph… How annoying…

**Luna:** Is it really okay, to end everything like this…? I keep thinking he would come out of the blue and stir up trouble.

Careworn with anxiety, she leaned her weight on the handrail. The more intense the pricking pain, the more it meant…

He had come eventually, and was drawing nearer.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** Doesn’t matter.

**Luna:** I have already made up my mind, so I prepared myself to face and accept all the consequences.

Her gaze traveled through the garden and the court under the night sky, searching for any traces the person she had been missing day and night could have left just now.

**Luna:** As long as it’s for you, I have nothing to be afraid of, even if I’m fighting…

**Luna:** …The rules of the world.

--

#### Into the Castle

The castle was not as spooky and scary as I had imagined. Instead, every nook and cranny screamed loneliness and naivety, with impractical designs everywhere seemingly existing solely to fulfill the owner’s imagination.

I looked around, hoping to find some trace of other invaders, but it turns out that mysterious person watching us from the dark was pretty careful; she didn’t leave behind a single clue.

**Captain:** …

**Bronie:** Are you also looking for that mysterious person?

**Captain:** …How’d you know?

**Bronie:** Tsk. I can’t blame the other two for asking something like that, but you? How are you going to underestimate a genius hacker’s perception like that?

**Sirin:** C’mon, Bronie.

**Bronie:** Just joking. See? Himeko is as cool as a cucumber.

**Himeko:** The appearance of those tiny bats we saw along the way doesn’t seem like a coincidence to me.

**Himeko:** Plus all those clues leading us to the castle’s real entrance… Even if I hadn’t seen the mysterious person leave in a rush, I should have realised that they’d have to be nearby.

Himeko’s voice was low. She hadn’t been looking around like I had.

**Bronie:** I’d really love to meet this mystery person.

**Himeko:** Shush, quit looking around, or you risk scaring them off.

The corners of Bronie’s lips curled a little, as if to apologise. Then she gave Sirin a discreet nudge.

**Bronie:** Sirin, is there some kind of magic to make someone visible right away?

**Sirin:** Hmph, magic doesn’t work like that.

**Sirin:** Besides, I’m not familiar with this godforsaken place. Using magic willy-nilly may attract unwanted attention.

**Captain:** But, we can now all agree that…

**Captain:** This mysterious person isn’t looking to hurt us, but guide us.

**Bronie:** True. There’s no rhyme or reason to the hints they’ve given us, but if they didn’t want to meet us, or can’t risk exposing their identity to others, then it all makes sense.

Everyone sank into silence for a moment… Can’t we just tell whoever owns those bats to show themselves?

**Captain:** No. As long as we keep going, the opportunity to make the mysterious person show themselves will come sooner or later.

**Himeko:** Hmm? Are you absolutely certain?

**Captain:** …Of course not, but it looks like we have to take some risks to find out how much the mysterious person really cares about us.

**Captain:** Huh… Nope, it’s not working.

Even with all my strength, I couldn’t make the locked stone door in front of me budge.

**Bronie:** Captain, do yourself a favor and stop wasting your strength. Leave it to a pro.

**Himeko:** What do you mean “pro”…?

**Bronie:** Obviously it’s…

**Bronie:** Sirin, put that amazing magic of yours to use!

**Sirin:** Hey! Why’s this on me again? And, since when am I a lockpicking pro?

**Bronie:** Well, isn’t there some kind of magic that can unlock any door with just a tap? Like, in the comics or games. Or you can summon a giant fireball and just blow the door off.

**Bronie:** Anyway, you must have some tricks to open this ancient door, right? You can always try picking the lock if you don’t.

**Sirin:** Well excuse me, but we’re not in a comic or a game. I’ve already told you that magic doesn’t work like that.

**Sirin:** And, if I really could do all that, why don’t I just create a portal and teleport you all directly to the center of the castle?

**Himeko:** Based on past experience, we need a key to open this door. But we don’t have a key on us right now, so what should we do?

**[CHOICE] =** We wait for the key to look for us, of course.

**Captain:** Ugh, if only we had the key. That would make this so easy.

**Sirin:** Thank you for stating the obvious. But the question is: where can we find the key?

**Captain:** Just wait for it to fall from the sky.

**Sirin:** What kind of nonsense are you talking about?

**[CHOICE] =** I say we give the door a good hard punch.

**Captain:** Yeah, it’s just a matter of force!

**Sirin:** Huh? You’re not making any sense.

**Bronie:** What do you plan to do? Captain? Don’t do anything stupid!

In spite of everyone’s discouragement, I gave the door a solid punch.

…!

Yep, just like I thought; that really hurt! And the door hasn’t budged an inch.

**Himeko:** Are you… okay? We can figure something out. Don’t just act on impulse.

**Captain:** I’m fine.

Rustle…

**Himeko:** Hmm? Isn’t that…

From behind a statue in the corner, one of the tiny bats had showed up again. Waving its wings at us, it made a beeline for the side road.

**Captain:** Looks like my assumption was right, the mysterious person isn’t going to let us get stuck here.

**Himeko:** So, that’s what you think… In that case, it’s even clearer now that the mysterious person doesn’t want to hurt us.

**Bronie:** Where does that bat want to take us though? To find the key?

**Captain:** I think so. Let’s follow it and see.

**Sirin:** This must be the key we’ve been looking for. Finally.

**Bronie:** Be careful! The Trackers are detecting something wrong with how the stone tile under the key is placed. It could be a trap. Give me a moment and I’ll see what I can do.

**Himeko:** How come? Does the mysterious person want to lead us to a trap?

**Sirin:** Why else would they always be hiding in the dark all this time?

**Captain:** …

“No, if that’s true, they wouldn’t need to wait until now.” Thinking like that, a dangerous idea suddenly emerged in my head.

**Captain:** I know how to make the mysterious person show themselves, but it might put us at risk.

**Bronie:** Risk? Captain, are you going to just take the key?

**Captain:** Yes. If the mysterious person really wants to help us, they’ll show up when we’re in real danger.

**Sirin:** But what if we’re wrong? What if their real intention is to lead us to a trap?

**Bronie:** That changes nothing, because the genius hacker will come to your rescue.

**Himeko:** If you’ve made your decision, we’ll face the consequences together. But, if you’re too weak for it, leave it to me.

**Captain:** I’m fine. I won’t go down so easily. Besides, how can I let you pay the price for my actions?

**Sirin:** Well… Be extra careful then, and don’t try to go playing the hero. We still have a lot on our plate afterward.

**Captain:** No worries. Just give me a little room.

**[CHOICE] =** Take the key.

I nodded to myself slightly, and took a deep breath.

The second I took the key, I could feel the stone tile below spring back from the lack of pressure.

The tiles around the room began to collapse and a current of water came gushing from underground, blocking our way out.

**Captain:** I knew it…! Watch out, everyone!

**Bronie:** Phew… That was a close call.

**???:** Are you alright?

**Captain:** Thanks a lot, mystery lady… Or should I say, Kallen.

**Kallen:** …

Wielding two pistols, she took notice of our astonished and confused gaze. And then…

**Himeko:** Master Kallen, it was you helping us in secret!

**Kallen:** You guys…

Kallen’s gaze darted around, and eventually fell on me. She sighed softly, on her face was a look of frustration and relief.

**Kallen:** You were willing to take that risk just to call me out in the open.

**Captain:** I apologise for meeting you under such circumstances, but I wanted to express my gratitude in person.

**Kallen:** …

**Bronie:** Are you upset now that we’ve seen through you…

**Sirin:** I don’t understand! You acted all mysterious and had us running around confused this whole time, but in the end, you actually know each other. Why not just be honest from the start?

**Himeko:** Yes, Master Kallen. You can trust me completely, I…

**Kallen:** I don’t deserve to be addressed as Master any longer, so just call me Kallen. As for the reason I remained behind the scenes, it’s because this thing has been gradually getting out of my control, and I don’t want to involve more innocent bystanders.

**Kallen:** Better to9 stay on a certain day and live forever than lose my life in vain and exist as nothing more than an addition to the archives of missing people…

**Himeko:** …

**Kallen:** Himeko, I took the liberty of deciding for you.

**Himeko:** Kallen, I really appreciate your help. I know I’m just a regular investigator at Schicksal, nothing special.

**Himeko:** But, ever since I submitted my notice of dropping out, I’ve accepted my fate as someone who will push themselves for other people’s sake.

**Himeko:** Instead of continuing living in blissful ignorance, I want to try my best to reach the truth.

**Himeko:** Y’know, on that day I keep reliving, I always feel endless regret for spending the entire day without getting anything done, instead of being grateful for every breath I got to take.

**Kallen:** Himeko, I…

**Himeko:** Please, trust us, Kallen. We’ll make a really good team, right?

**Captain:** That’s right. If you had just wanted to keep that secret, you wouldn’t have gone through all the effort to drop hints for us. It seems to me that you could definitely use our help.

**Captain:** And I came to find her. So, please tell us what you know.

**Captain:** After all that time apart… I can’t wait to know what she’s been up to.

**Kallen:** Alright then…

Kallen began to tell us everything that she knew.

She had followed the orders of the girl who had been her sister once, going back and forth through multiple bubble universes to steal everything related to the Ether Anchors.

She aimed to kill her sister, fighting with everything she had to save the Theresas.

And, when facing her sister, she couldn’t bring herself to snuff out her life, but instead, she believed that someone could one day help her evade the inevitable…

The everlasting dilemma and anguish turned into teardrops, hidden deep within her heart.

**Kallen:** I know nothing about her exact purpose, but she must have been falling into the abyss inch by inch…

**Himeko:** Kallen, you…

**Sirin:** It’s such a tangled web of emotions.

**Bronie:** They are sisters after all, so I can understand what she must have felt. But claiming you don’t want innocents involved while guiding us in secret, isn’t that a bit of a conflict of interest?

**Kallen:** …

**Kallen:** You’re right… Maybe I’ve been craving someone to save us from the start.

**Kallen:** Even if it’s just me and me alone, I’m still a coward who doesn’t dare to confront my inner thoughts head on.

**Captain:** You could have just asked for our help directly.

**Kallen:** I think you must have also felt it, that it’s an endless pit from which there was no leaving unscathed.

**Kallen:** With more and more Ether Anchors in my hands, the difference in strength between me and… and A-872 only grew wider. And, I also began to notice she had a powerful force to back her up.

**Kallen:** Knowing all of that, you’re still willing to help me?

**Captain:** I am.

…What other answer could there be?

**Captain:** I have long been accustomed to risking my future for the mere illusion of hope.

**Kallen:** You…

**Sirin:** Goes to show, our Captain is really just an idiotka who just doesn’t know when to quit, so long as there’s a glimmer of hope.

**Himeko:** Just like me. Our leader is someone willing to go to great lengths for others without any thought of reward.

**Bronie:** Yup, I, the genius hacker, also chose this employer. That should tell you a lot.

**Kallen:** How foolish…

Kallen slumped with an exaggerated sigh, but when she looked up again, the sincere and resolute smile from the first time we had met had reappeared.

**Kallen:** But thank you…

**Kallen:** I know nothing about her intention, but she has brought here many children who look just like her.

**Kallen:** They may have something to do with her plan. Before you look for her, I think you can rescue them first.

**Bronie:** Oh? Maybe we’ll even be able to find Miss Kongming. Have you seen anyone carrying around a feather fan?

**Kallen:** I’m sorry, but she won’t let me near those cells. The only ones that I know anything about are in the outer sphere.

**Captain:** That’s fine. We’ll just take things one step at a time. Perhaps we can get new leads from those Theresas we’re going to save.

**Kallen:** Alright then, let me show you the way.

--

#### Save Theresa

**Sirin:** There’s someone that looks just like TeRiRi’s carbon copy. Captain, is she the one you’re looking for?

**Bronie:** I’m afraid not. Apart from Miss Kongming, the other Theresa our Captain wants us to find is someone with ruby eyes.

**Captain:** This Theresa must be from another world.

**Kallen:** Right. She’s imprisoned a lot of Theresas here. Every day I… understand less and less.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** Let’s get this Theresa out of here first, and she can probably give clues to Luna and Kongming’s whereabouts.

**Himeko:** Excuse me, miss, are you okay?

**Theresa:** Hmm? Who are you people?

**Bronie:** Who we are isn’t important now. You just need to know that we’re here to help you. How do you feel, Theresa?

**Theresa:** How do you know my name? Although, I guess it’s not that strange, since I’m a famous detective on campus who can take on any case. Except for that one mysterious girl…

**Theresa:** …Wait, are you really here to save me?

**Sirin:** Aren’t you a famous campus detective? Shouldn’t you be clever enough to figure that out?

**Theresa:** …There’s that question again. Forget it, I don’t need to explain myself to you.

**Theresa:** But, can you really get me out of here? The owner of this castle absolutely hates intruders like you, just so you know.

**Captain:** The owner of this castle… Is she a girl with ruby eyes who looks like you?

**Theresa:** Yeah. Oh, I get it. You know each other, and you’re here looking for her, right?

I nodded gravely.

**Theresa:** Judging from your expression, she must hold a special place in your heart… Since your heart is pounding so fast.

**Theresa:** In fact, she’s always felt lonely underneath her cool exterior.

**Sirin:** Huh, one second you couldn’t even guess what we were up to, and now you’re talking like you know everything.

**Theresa:** Because, for your information, I have a degree in psychology, not mind-reading.

**Bronie:** Enough, knock it off. We still need to help the other Theresas out. I wonder where Miss Kongming is being kept.

**Theresa:** Is there anyone else you’re looking to help? I can lead the way.

**Captain:** You know where they’re being kept?

**Theresa:** Isn’t that obvious? This girl isn’t half as clever as she’s pretending to be.

**Theresa:** All it took were a few tries to figure out the general direction of the other cells. I’ll show you the way there now.

**Captain:** Awesome! Thank you so much. When we’re safe, we’ll be sure to send you back to your world.

**Theresa:** My world… Mmm, yeah, I’ve been gone for so long, it makes me wonder how my task givers are doing…

**Theresa:** I remember there being a cell this way.

**Bronie:** Shoot, the door looks locked.

**Theresa:** Whoa, March Hare! You’ve finally come to rescue me!

**Bronie:** I am here to rescue you, but please don’t call me that. Just “Haxxor” will do.

**Bronie:** Can you open the door from the inside?

**Theresa:** If I could do that, then why am I still trapped here?

**Theresa:** The door isn’t here. These are just iron bars. It must be somewhere else.

**Himeko:** Sounds like a design feature to protect the castle from invasion.

**Captain:** In that case, we’ll have to make a detour.

**Theresa:** Thank you so much. By the way, I saw that girl hide a key in a box in the lower room. It won’t be the key for the cells, but you might have a use for it at some point.

**Captain:** Got it. Let’s go get that key first then.

**Theresa:** Phew, thanks, March Hare. We should have a tea party together sometime.

**Bronie:** I told you I’m not… You know what, forget it.

**Sirin:** Haha, y’know Bronie, March Hare is a lot cuter than Haxxor or whatever.

**Captain:** This isn’t the time for chitchat. Let’s get going.

**Guardian Familia:** Stop there…!

**Kallen:** Oh no, they’ve found us.

**Himeko:** You go first. I’ll deal with them!

--

#### Head to the Tower

Himeko began firing off rounds to block the path. The sound of gunshots began fading in the distance.

The number of Theresas we saved was too large to keep track of, but I remembered Kongming wasn’t among them.

Afterwards, it was Bronie who asked Kallen to look after me, while she and Sirin managed to keep us out of harm’s way.

The monsters were drawing closer. In order to deal with the looming threat, my companions took the lead and cleared a path for me.

To make the best use of their efforts, I did everything I could to tag along behind Kallen, dragging my heavy body forward with sheer willpower.

Thump, thump, thump…

The now erratic beating of my heart was all I could hear.

And the only clear way ahead was now blocked by a giant monster.

Meanwhile, the others were still dealing with the monsters behind me and hadn’t kept up.

**Captain:** Ahem… Kallen, how are you doing?

**Kallen:** I’m fine, but you… look pale.

**Captain:** Haha, kind of you to notice. It’s because I slept poorly last night.

**Kallen:** …

**Captain:** Let’s keep moving.

Swallowing the knot in my throat, I kept dragging my feet forward… Before anything else comes after us, we have to clear the way ahead.

**Kallen:** What are you talking about? Are you really going to be able to handle this?

**Captain:** We’re running out of time, Kallen. The only enemy we have left to face is the one in front of us. Things will only get worse if the castle guards catch up to us.

**Captain:** Come on, let’s do this together.

The danger where we had just come from seemed to be drawing closer; everything was driving us forward.

Kallen looked calm. This wasn’t the first time she had been in this sort of situation.

**Kallen:** Alright, let’s go.

**Captain:** This Honkai beast seems tougher than the previous ones…

**Captain:** Is it just my imagination?

**Kallen:** Just slightly tougher. Don’t worry, just leave it to me.

**Kallen:** A-872’s kindred was with her longer, so I know better.

**Captain:** Wait, Kallen, it’s becoming stronger? How come?

**Kallen:** Shoot, what went wrong?

**Kallen:** Could it be that this Honkai beast is connected to another being? Maybe…

This weird, powerful creature was able to heal completely whenever it was hurt, while Kallen and I were hanging on by a thread.

Thud…!

The pain from behind came faster than I could register, and I knew I had been knocked into a wall.

**Captain:** Why… Why does nothing work against it…?

I probably had a concussion as my vision became dim… My ears were the only things working, and all I could hear was…

**Kallen:** Captain… Captain…

It was Kallen’s voice. Why was it coming in on and off?

**Kallen:** Ugh, insufferable…

**Kallen:** Ah!

She was still fighting. Was Kallen… hurt?

All I saw was a blur. Bracing myself against the wall, I stood up and began searching blindly for something to use as a weapon.

**Kallen:** Ha… Just like I thought. Now I got it.

**Kallen:** Leave it to me from now on… Don’t worry, Captain, it’ll all be over soon.

What did she say just now?

I tried to pull myself together, but when I opened my eyes again…

**Captain:** Kallen…!

Right before the Honkai beast attacked, Kallen stood in its way.

**Kallen:** You… Go now!

**Kallen:** Next time, I might not be able to hold it off.

That bullet wasn’t lethal, but it did slow the Honkai beast down. Perhaps, it had reached its limits, too.

**Kallen:** Get out of here… Please.

**Captain:** No way, we still stand a chance to take this thing down. We’ll leave together, rest up quick, and…

Kallen shook her head softly.

She was so busy with the Honkai beast’s attacks, I couldn’t make out the expression on her face.

**Kallen:** Captain, this is our only chance. I have to say.

**Kallen:** Does this gun look familiar to you? There’s a special bullet in it. Please… take it.

**Captain:** What are you planning to do? Haven’t we already agreed to find Luna together and stop her?

**Captain:** But here you’re forcing me to make another choice? I’ve had enough of this!

**Kallen:** Captain, you’ve probably already realised by now…

**Kallen:** I can’t kill this Honkai beast… Not while I’m still alive. I don’t know what A-872 has done, but just like the bond between me and her before everything was shattered, my life and this beast’s are fused together.

**Kallen:** The answer is obvious. I must die with it together here, whether it’s to stop her or to protect you.

**Kallen:** And, the very reason I can still control this body is built on countless… countless Theresas’ sacrifices… Death will redeem me to you and all those innocents. It’s okay.

**Kallen:** I already know that there’s no way out of this situation.

**Kallen:** So please, use that bullet to atone for our sins.

**Kallen:** It’s my choice and mine alone… Forgive me, Captain, for not fulfilling my promise.

**Captain:** Don’t be stupid, Kallen! You’re just afraid of facing her!

**Captain:** You couldn’t even call her by her name. Do you really think you can sever your bond when you’re still stuck calling her “A-872”?

**Captain:** Do you really believe you can dull the pain in your heart any more by leaving that choice to me?

**Captain:** Your whole so-called sacrifice is simply a cop-out!

**Captain:** You people always think sacrificing yourselves will fix everything rather than taking the hard way forward… The way that leads to a happy ending for everyone!

**Captain:** To go out on your own terms and leave behind nothing but sorrow and torment…

**Captain:** I’m over how selfish you all are!

**Kallen:** …

Kallen was silent, her eyes brimming with muddled emotion.

**Captain:** She is your little sister. Even if she’s calling herself something else, or has changed, your relationship is the same. If she knew her sister had tossed the decision of her life and death to another person without any care…

**Captain:** She’d be crushed.

**Kallen:** My… sister… She’s my sister, that’s the very reason why I can’t…

**Kallen:** I can’t make that choice.

**Kallen:** I can’t bring myself to think about her dying… but I also can’t stand to think about letting her have her way.

**Captain:** Don’t you see? That’s because you’ve been carrying this weight all by yourself this whole time. You hesitate and worry because you can’t accept what the two choices might bring.

**Captain:** You keep thinking about sacrificing yourself to tackle the problem, because asking others for help has always been such a foreign concept to you.

**Captain:** But this time, it’s different.

**Captain:** This time, you have me by your side and we can face her together. We can have a third option, to create a new future.

**Kallen:** …

**Kallen:** How come… How come you haven’t left yet…?

**Captain:** Because I made up my mind a long time ago to never, ever give up on anyone.

**Kallen:** Idiot…

**Captain:** I’m not letting you sacrifice yourself, Kallen.

**Kallen:** …

**Kallen:** You really are dumb… just like her.

**Kallen:** Naive, stubborn, never backs away when she has her eyes set on something.

**Kallen:** And that’s why she…

With a lot of effort, I pushed myself up while keeping an eye on Kallen’s expression and the situation at hand, and approached her inch by inch.

If I can’t dissuade her, I need to at least make her think twice before deciding… Since she doesn’t want me to die.

Right at that moment…

**Himeko:** Back off!

Kallen shielded me first, and behind her, a sharp blade cut a silver arc.

The Honkai beast paused for a moment… I knew that it could still attack at any second. Behind us, Sirin cast her protective magic, tracking the enemy’s each and every move.

**Kallen:** Himeko, you…

**Bronie:** Perfect timing, huh?

**Bronie:** What, got a big bad monster in your way? Now that the gang’s all here, let’s teach this thing a lesson!

**Kallen:** …

**Himeko:** Well, we can’t let Kallen steal the show, can we?

**Captain:** Be careful, everyone, and don’t get carried away. There’s something special about this Honkai beast. We aren’t able to kill it.

**Bronie:** No problem, we’ll just give it a good thrashing until there’s no fight left. It’s not much of a threat with all of us here.

**Captain:** It’s connected to Kallen’s life force, so if we attack it, Kallen will also be in danger.

**Bronie:** Tsk. Nothing but parlor tricks. I can try to find out how to unbind them, but it’s going to take a while.

**Himeko:** Since it’s blocked the only way forward, we’ll have to do something to draw it away.

**Bronie:** Maybe we can go around it? Isn’t there some kind of secret passage in this castle?

**Captain:** …Just like that, Kallen. See? Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We can’t let little problems like these get in our way.

Everyone quieted down and was staring at Kallen who was frozen at the side.

**Kallen:** Ugh… Haha… Sorry, but you are really… Hahaha…

**Kallen:** I admit that I was wrong. I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t hesitate if my sacrifice could end all of this…

**Kallen:** But you’re right about it being a cop-out. It’s extremely selfish and doesn’t take anyone else’s feelings into account.

**Kallen:** I should be braver, learn to ask for help, explore other solutions, and confront in person… the sister I love so much and the only family I have.

**Kallen:** Follow me. I know a secret passage, but I must warn you that there will be even more dangers there. I can’t promise it’ll work.

**Bronie:** You never know until you try, right? If we’re lucky, we may make it out in one piece.

**Kallen:** …

**Himeko:** If that doesn’t work, let’s continue with the plan Bronie and I had.

**Bronie:** Yep, if we can’t change the situation, we can always change our mind. Just take it slow and see what happens. With our Captain here, there’ll always be a way.

**Captain:** Yeaaaah! That’s me, the legendary almighty Captain, a regular walking encyclopedia of good ideas.

I threw up my hands with mock exasperation, and finally the tiniest hint of a smile emerged on Kallen’s face.

**Captain:** So, we’re counting on you to lead the way, Kallen.

**Kallen:** Okay. Thank you, Captain.

Following Kallen’s lead, we searched for a path that would get us out of this dilemma. Before long, we found ourselves at the castle’s periphery.

To our surprise, instead of swarming with enemies, it was eerily empty.

**Captain:** Ahem… Kallen, is it normal that this place is left this unguarded?

**Kallen:** …

**Kallen:** It’s anything but.

**Kallen:** Before, Theresa had arranged for plenty of guards to be here, but why have they all disappeared now?

**Bronie:** Maybe they were taken out?

I agree. Before Bronie said anything, I came across small signs of a fight.

**Captain:** And whoever did this clearly knew what they were doing, because there isn’t a lot of evidence of a struggle. Those guards must have been killed before they even knew what hit them. It almost reminds me of…

**???:** …

**Sirin:** Who’s there?

Sirin cast a magical attack on the trees ahead. The figure hidden in the trees dodged it effortlessly with a quick leap. Her movement stirred the air, and with it came a gentle breeze carrying the smell of flowers.

**Himeko:** It’s rather uncouth to skip your introduction when you meet someone for the first time, you know.

That figure seemed hesitant but took a step forward nonetheless. With her shadow falling beside her feet, she finally came into our view.

**Bronie:** Rosemary? Why are you…?

**Rita:** Looks like I can skip my introduction after all.

**Sirin:** Why are you hiding here?

**Rita:** Because I want to tell you the latest news…

Under everyone’s puzzled and irritated gaze, Rita behaved like another person. She wielded the purple scythe, spoiling for a fight with us.

**Rita:** …Your short journey ends here.

**Bronie:** Hey, calm down, Rosemary. Are you insane?

Rita’s gaze never once strayed from me.

**Captain:** Rita, must we fight each other too?

**Rita:** Captain, I only interfere with your decision this once.

**Rita:** I hope that you could leave the castle right away with them. As far as I know, it’s the wisest choice.

**Captain:** You already knew what my answer would be, and yet you still picked up your weapon.

An unfathomable smile appeared on her fair face.

**Rita:** Captain, forgive me.

**Bronie:** Hmph, Miss Rosemary, so this is all you’ve got, I see.

Sirin tugged at the corner of Bronie’s clothes.

**Sirin:** We have numbers on our side. Nothing to boast about…

**Rita:** I have lost, but I still won’t let you pass.

**Captain:** Rita, Kongming and her, they’re somewhere in this castle, right?

**Rita:** …

**Captain:** So, the reason you intercepted us here is because you’re afraid that once I lay my eyes on her, the…

**Rita:** Not quite, Captain.

She cut me off abruptly. Rita, who was usually elegant and composed at all times, displayed a hint of urgency in that instant.

**Rita:** I stop you here solely because from the very start, I “didn’t belong to the Hyperion”.

**Rita:** Switching sides at the opportune moment was my plan all along.

“Didn’t belong to the Hyperion”… Indeed, from the moment she appeared before me as “Irene Adler”, every encounter between us seemed to be part of her scheme.

Her past, her motives, why she traveled with us, it all seemed to be shrouded in secrecy. Yet, all the secrets paled in comparison to her own enigmatic nature.

However, even if “not belonging to the Hyperion” wasn’t a lie, it was a feeble excuse at this moment.

She could weave countless reasons to deceive us, yet she chose to reveal the truth now only to shield me from a fact I’d rather keep hidden from others.

But I’ve made up my mind. I must find Luna and rescue Kongming, so there’s no reason for me to give up now.

**Captain:** So, you wanted to show us another side of you that “doesn’t belong to the Hyperion”.

**Captain:** But I’ve noticed this long ago. From the very beginning, you came to the Hyperion under someone’s orders.

**Rita:** …

**Rita:** Well, Captain, you are so perceptive to others that it can be quite vexing at times.

**Rita:** Since you grasp the dynamics between us, there’s no need for me to delve into further explanation.

**Rita:** Unless I fall here, I won’t let you pass.

**Captain:** No matter what purpose you had in mind, when we set out, you’ve made your choice. Rita, are you truly acting under someone’s orders to obstruct me here?

**Rita:** …

**Captain:** Even if you don’t belong to the Hyperion, you’re still a trusted ally. After all, we knew each other long before you set foot aboard the Hyperion.

**Rita:** If you’re referring to the small favor at the manor, consider it a mere greeting for our first encounter.

**Captain:** No, Rita, our first meeting didn’t occur when I projected myself as that novelist. It happened during my initial consciousness mapping, correct?

**Captain:** You’re the “first” person who got to know me, aren’t you? You witnessed everything that happened to me in Soukai City, so you should understand my determination better than anyone.

**Captain:** That’s why you’re blocking my way, isn’t it?

**Captain:** Not because you “don’t belong to the Hyperion”, but because you “already belong to the Hyperion”. You know me better than anyone else. You know that I’ll do whatever it takes to find her, and save her.

**Captain:** So… that’s why you don’t want me to go any further, right?

**Rita:** Heh… Seems you’ve realised it long ago.

**Rita:** Now I am the one who is too dull. I can’t even provide a single answer to your questions at a time like this.

**Rita:** However, Captain, if I were to tell you that form the very first time we met, I already had “ill intentions”, would you still believe me?

**Captain:** Well, upon reflecting, almost every time I projected myself, “Rita” was there. Perhaps it’s not the exact same “Rita” who currently stands before me every time, but she has never acted as my adversary, not even once.

**Captain:** So even now, I still have faith that you are our ally. Rita, I need you, please help me find her.

**Bronie:** Although I don’t want to admit it in this situation, Captain is right…

**Himeko:** Even if it was our first meeting, you’ve helped me before.

**Rita:** …

**Bronie:** And the astute Kongming, who can see all outcomes, never truly took precautions against you.

**Sirin:** Yes. I can’t speak for the others, but you did help me.

**Kallen:** Given the current circumstances, we indeed need more hands.

**Bronie:** Yeah, sort of an ally.

**Captain:** Do you remember? Not long ago, you inquired about how to achieve a gratifying resolution when confronted with two equally demanding situations.

**Rita:** Yes. You provided a quite impressive answer.

**Captain:** However, I am inclined to believe that a “third outcome” truly exists. I perceive things as having more than just two sides, as do human hearts.

**Captain:** I respect your secrets and continue to trust in you. Together, we will discover a path to avoid the impending destruction. I have done it before, so please have faith in me.

**Rita:** Well, based on what you have mentioned, it seems that I too am in search of that “third outcome” just like you.

Rita elegantly lifted her skirt and performed a graceful curtsy, evoking memories of our first encounter… a delightful meeting unburdened by any worries or concerns.

**Rita:** Similar to how Master Kongming now trusts you, I have never doubted your determination, Captain.

**Rita:** It can be quite challenging to change that inevitable outcome. That is why I am here. But, it seems like I wasn’t necessary.

**Rita:** Since you insist on moving forward, then I am prepared to join you and match your determination.

**Captain:** Hold on, you’ve seen Kongming? Where is she?!

**Rita:** …

**Rita:** Rest assured, Captain, Master Kongming is quite safe currently, but you must hurry. She entrusted a message to me…

**Rita:** “The weight of a choice cannot be measured with a scale. Even if neither side’s weight can be borne, a choice must be made.”

**Rita:** “But whatever choice you make, I will face it with you. So, please hurry, you still have a chance to stop her.”

**Captain:** So, does that mean… I should go find Luna immediately?

Rita didn’t reply. She simply swung her sickle, parting the bushes behind her, and revealing a grassy and overgrown hidden path before us.

**Rita:** Let’s go, everyone, we’re about to meet that lady.

As we continued down the hidden path, I could clearly feel my fatigue.

Perhaps everyone had noticed it too, so I tried to be more spirited and energetic.

They must have understood my resolve and directed concerned glances at me.

My legs grew increasingly sore, and as we approached the tower, my vision dimmed… My mind grew hazy… Yet, that sharp sensation persisted, as if it was piercing through me.

Suddenly, crimson smoke enveloped us, seemingly obstructing my progress.

But I cannot stop here.

**Captain:** This must be… Luna’s room…

**Captain:** A room that has long held her residence…

**Captain:** HOMU… She still likes HOMU so much.

**Captain:** Even though the HOMU has become old, been washed so many times, its tag and stitching totally worn… you still hold it close to your heart like this.

**Captain:** Wait, you…

The huge HOMU doll was sitting on the couch, its soft and furry body wrapped in delicate arms.

**Captain:** Is that you, Luna?

I rubbed my eyes to ascertain what I saw again and then incredulously spoke her name. I saw the girl on the couch tightly hugging the HOMU, her eyes shut, not responding.

**Captain:** Are you alright? Luna, look at me, you…

I’m so clueless! Is she still mad at me? Or could it be that she’s been through too much on her own, and has exhausted herself? Or maybe, has she been hurt?

**Captain:** I’m sorry I’m late. I’ll take you to the hospital. You’ll be okay just like before. Don’t be scared. I’m here with you.

Summoning my courage, I reached to hold her hand. A small hand, so cold.

**Luna:** Human…

I finally heard her call me. I raised my head, and she opened her eyes too. Our gazes met.

Not those distinct red pupils, but darkness…

A deep, nightmare-like darkness…

**Mysterious Voice:** Captain…

**Mysterious Voice:** Captain… Can you hear me? Captain…?

**[CHOICE] =** Who are you?

**[CHOICE] =** Where am I?

**Mysterious Voice:** Captain, I’m sure you remember, we’re in Miss Luna’s castle.

**Mysterious Voice:** It’s just that… your location is somewhat… unique…

**[CHOICE] =** I must find Luna.

**[CHOICE] =** I must leave this place.

**Mysterious Voice:** True to your reputation, Captain, your determination is unwavering.

**Mysterious Voice:** However…

**[CHOICE] =** Where is Luna?

**[CHOICE] =** How do I escape from here?

**Mysterious Voice:** Your body is already…

**[CHOICE] =** No, I’m fine.

**[CHOICE] =** I must leave this place.

**Mysterious Voice:** If that’s the case, Captain…

**Mysterious Voice:** Follow my voice, and you’ll find your way out…

**Mysterious Voice:** You must follow closely…

…

As consciousness returned, fatigue and pain surged, and I reflexively opened my eyes wide.

**Rita:** Captain…

**Captain:** Rita, is that you? Did you save me?

I struggled to survey my surroundings…

**Captain:** That’s odd. Did I faint in this room?

**Himeko:** To be precise, sir, it was before you entered the room… You just collapsed, and no matter how we tried, we couldn’t wake you up…

**Bronie:** Yeah, and it took Rosemary a lot of effort to enter your dream and interfere with your consciousness.

**Sirin:** Given her dedication, I forgive her.

**Kallen:** But why do you still look so…

It was only then that I noticed, since regaining consciousness, Rita’s face still wore an anxious expression.

**Captain:** Rita, what’s wrong…?

She gave a bitter smile. Once again, I felt the weakness in my body.

**Rita:** You should be well aware, that during our confrontation just now, you were on the verge of blurting it out.

**Himeko:** Hey, what are you two talking about? The Captain’s condition hasn’t improved at all?

**Bronie:** Both of you have been acting all secretive since a while ago. Aren’t we all allies? What’s going on?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** Bronie, I’m fine. It’s just that I’ve encountered a situation similar to the one with Kongming before.

**Captain:** I’ve meddled with the world’s workings too much, I must bear the corresponding cost…

**Bronie:** No, last time, it was because you repeatedly projected into the past… Wait, you’ve been to this bubble universe before, so…

**Captain:** Yeah, I did the same thing for Luna before. It’s just… I wasn’t able to save her then.

**Captain:** Because I interfered too many times, the threads of fate between me and them might have already intertwined. Once I cross paths with them in the bubble universe, the rules of the world attempt to erase us.

**Kallen:** So your increasing weakness now is because you’re getting closer to Luna?

**Captain:** Probably.

**Sirin:** Why didn’t you mention this earlier? And what you’re doing now, how is that different from throwing yourself into the jaws of death?

**Captain:** I must save Kongming, and I must save her too.

**Sirin:** You could have left this to us! You didn’t have to come along at all!

**Captain:** No, she ended up like this because of me. I must ask her myself.

**Captain:** Because I don’t believe that she’s been doing all this out of her own free will.

**Captain:** And if I don’t come… she might escape again. She…

**Captain:** She must also be hoping for our reunion.

**Sirin:** Still! You shouldn’t be so stubborn!

Sirin pouted in frustration, something flickering in her eyes.

**Captain:** I’m sorry, Sirin. It’s my responsibility. I must take it on.

**Captain:** After all, I’ve played the role of a decent detective novelist in the past.

Recalling that strange experience from back then, I felt better. And with everyone’s help, I slowly straightened up.

**Rita:** You should rest a little longer.

**Captain:** No need. I’m much better now.

**Captain:** Vampires don’t believe in gods… nor in fate…

**Captain:** I won’t submit to so-called fate either. I’ve found an answer once before, and this time, I will do it again.

**Captain:** I must stop her before she does something irreversible.

**Rita:** I see. I will stand by you till the end as before.

Rita signaled to Himeko and helped me up. She held my left arm, and as if unintentionally, she leaned in close to my ear and whispered…

**Rita:** Captain, I shall say this only once. Every choice from now on must be approached with the utmost caution…

**Rita:** That person wishes for me to assist you in reaching Miss Luna, thereby bringing about that irretrievable outcome.

**Rita:** But since you’ve made up your mind, in the face of dilemmas devoid of right answers, do remember your original intent… the purpose that propelled your journey.

**Captain:** Who is that person?

She looked away, not saying another word.

**Kallen:** We’re almost there…

**Kallen:** But… Captain, should we rest here for a moment?

**Captain:** It’s alright. I can manage. What’s most important is to prevent Luna from making irreparable decisions.

**Captain:** I believe her determination isn’t any less than mine. So, before she takes action… \*cough\*

**Rita:** Captain! Are you alright?

**Bronie:** Captain’s condition seems to be getting worse… In other words…

**Himeko:** We’ll surely find this Luna if we go up the stairs.

**Sirin:** I’ve been waiting for this moment for too long! Finally! I have no doubt we will take her down!

**Captain:** No… I have a request for you. Can I handle what comes next on my own?

**Captain:** She wields immense power from the Ether Anchor now. Rushing in as a group might lead to danger.

**Captain:** Besides, our goal isn’t to be her enemy, but to persuade her to abandon her plans.

**Sirin:** But… You alone?

**Kallen:** Let me go with you, Captain. I am the one who should bear the weight of all decisions. If it truly comes to the worst situation, at least I can help you…

She gripped her gun, and I understood that the bullets it held were no different from the one shattering that night.

**Captain:** No, Kallen. I understand your resolve now. You’ve long borne the responsibility of decisions made, and that is what truly matters.

**Kallen:** …

**Captain:** At this point, I won’t allow her to make decisions by herself. Grant me this chance to speak with her alone.

**Kallen:** Okay… Then I will wait here, until you bring her back to us. I will offer my apologies to her myself.

**Captain:** \*Pant\*… Believe me, this time, I will find an answer that satisfies everyone.

**Kallen:** Alright.

**Bronie:** If she won’t listen, call for us to help.

**Sirin:** That’s right. Make sure she understands that you are not alone!

**Captain:** I will.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** The path ahead…

**Captain:** I must tread it alone…

**Captain:** Luna, at last…

**Captain:** …I’m about to meet you.

**Captain:** I’m about… to meet you… Luna…

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** You sure are persistent.

**Luna:** Human, do you like this castle?

**Captain:** Luna, I’m here…

**Luna:** My toys, those that I like and dislike, seem to fancy you a lot.

**Luna:** And my older sister left me for you too.

**Luna:** They all left with you.

**Luna:** Why are you looking for me now?

**Luna:** “Amazing, well done!” Did you want to hear something like that?

**Captain:** …

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** I’ve said it, so why are you still here?

**Captain:** Because you haven’t told me… why you did all this.

**Luna:** Hm? Why did I capture all the Theresas? It’s simple…

**Luna:** I hate them. They look just like me, but they are far luckier and freer than me.

**Luna:** They can easily have what I want; they don’t know anything that I went through.

**Luna:** And one of them even… With you, she even…

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** Forget it, it’s pointless to talk about this. Anyway, I’m very happy and free now. I can do whatever I want, and there’s always someone to accompany me.

**Luna:** If you didn’t come looking for me, that would have been much better. Those few that you released were my favorite playmates.

**Captain:** …Don’t lie anymore, you can’t deceive me.

**Captain:** Those Theresas told me that you’re still very lonely now… You took all the Theresas away because of me, right?

**Luna:** …

**Captain:** Ahem… I know that I’ve interfered with the world’s progress many times, that’s why my body is becoming weaker…

**Captain:** As I got closer to this place, that stabbing pain in my body felt increasingly prominent, and you definitely also…

**Luna:** Stop talking, human!

**Captain:** Now, you also feel this pain, just like me. As we are both “singularities of the world”, I cannot accept your right to die for me.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** Human, don’t be conceited. I am a vampire, a detestable and frightening vampire. Why would I sacrifice my life willingly?

**Luna:** That’s not all, I continue to hunt and feast on humans to sustain my life. For example, those few that you released.

**Captain:** Be it them or all the Theresas I’ve met in other bubble universes. You left your bite marks on their bodies, but you’ve never hurt them fatally.

**Captain:** And as someone who controls the Ether Anchor, you’ve long lost your thirst for blood.

**Captain:** I know very well that you chose to attack. What are you going to make those Theresas do, with your vampiric abilities?

**Luna:** …

**Captain:** Luna, there’s still time for everything. Whatever it is, I can share the burden with you.

**Luna:** My sister, and that woman… They must have told you everything they knew.

**Luna:** I am a creation that defies all laws of nature, and after I was born, I hurt too many lives.

**Luna:** But in reality, I don’t care about all that. I just wanted to get something… My wish…

**Luna:** I don’t care about the universes! As long as I can fulfill my wish, they can disintegrate for all I care. I only care about…

**Luna:** So, you can keep your self-proclaimed kindness and get out of here quickly. That’ll be best for both of us.

**Captain:** This concerns the both of us, I definitely won’t leave you alone. No matter what happens, I’ll face it together with you.

**Luna:** Both of us? A vampire only cares about herself. You and all those Theresas are merely toys to me.

**Luna:** But it’s fine if you want to stay, I will get rid of all the Theresas now. You can witness that self-absorbed Kongming vanish.

**Captain:** You won’t… I’ve said it before, Luna, you cannot deceive me. You don’t want to do that at all.

**Luna:** …Is that so?

**Captain:** Admit it, we are the same. We’ve been anticipating our reunion. You can hear it too, right?

**Captain:** Even though our bodies have weakened so much, our hearts are still beating heavily.

**Luna:** Human, you’re really good at saying things that you shouldn’t say. If you say that, you’ll…

**Luna:** …Make me waver in my painstakingly gotten determination.

**Captain:** So, come and hold my hand.

**Captain:** Release the remaining Theresas, and I won’t let you make the choice alone.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** Human, you can’t possibly think that we still have a choice, can you?

**Captain:** !!!

I abruptly fell into terrifying darkness. An agonising pain started from my chest and quickly spread across my entire body.

**Luna:** Human… your condition is deteriorating rapidly…

**Luna:** If you didn’t come looking for me, perhaps we wouldn’t be in so much pain, but now…

**Luna:** Unless you resolve to act, everything… will be too late… I must vanquish all the ▇▇▇, and you must make your choice right away…

**Captain:** I… I won’t give up, you… don’t need to do this either.

**Luna:** I suddenly feel that a so-called “choice” is… never made out of our own volition…

**Luna:** If you really want to fulfill my wish, then…

I felt her coming closer to me, her warmth against my ear, as she spoke those gentle yet brutal words.

**Luna:** Human, kill me. That would be the greatest gift you can give me.

**[CHOICE] =** Is this really all we can do? Luna…

In a sea of blackness, I saw nothing, and gradually, heard nothing… as if the darkness seized my limbs, pulling me into an even deeper abyss.

**Captain:** Ugh… I can’t break free. No, now, I must…

I sought to grasp onto something to stop my descent, so I strained with all my strength to feel the changes around me. But all I fumbled for was the chilling weapon at my waist…

**Captain:** What… How can this be…? There must be something else nearby…

Kallen’s gun had been discreetly placed by my waist, harboring that fatal bullet.

Someone has taken hold of my hand, sending warmth and tenderness akin to that summer night in my memories. I should have realised sooner…

Actually, she had never changed.

Now, she was just as fragile as me, in pain and tormented. My thoughts came to a stop and my senses dulled, to the point that I only realised when she was trembling as she helped me pull the trigger…

I was really going to lose her.

**[CHOICE] =** Pull the trigger.

**Captain:** If we are fated to vanish because of the laws of the universe, why must you be the one to leave?

My vision turned dark, and I took out that pistol with the remainder of my senses. Yet, I felt a peculiar power block in front of a certain target.

**[CHOICE] =** No! I won’t accept it!

**Captain:** I don’t care about the laws of the universe. I only know that, this time, I will save you!

I did not pull the trigger, yet a tender hand took hold of the gun in my stead.

**Luna:** You can’t do that, human. You don’t have the right to reject.

**Luna:** Allow me to be reckless once more. You must live for a long time. Only then, can you always, always remember me.

Bang!

The gunshot resounded loudly and pierced through the chaotic darkness before my eyes, changing it to a devastating scarlet red.

**Captain:** !!!

**Captain:** Why? Luna… What have I done?

**Luna:** Human… You only fulfilled my wish… Now, you’re… safe…

**Captain:** No, we’re going to the Hyperion, we’re leaving this place.

**Captain:** There are medical provisions on the battleship. Your injuries can be treated. You’ll be fine, these days, I’ve been…

**Luna:** Human, don’t waste your energy… This is inevitable…

**Captain:** I can still map consciousness, I can return to the past and find a way to save you. I’ve already failed once, this time, I’ll definitely…

**Luna:** Idiot… Don’t rely on that sort of thing all the time. You know that… this time… you can’t change the past anymore… Because…

**Luna:** Because you’re involved in it now…

**Captain:** No… I’m sure I can still…

**Luna:** Enough. Right now, I’m… really happy… Really, very happy… to see the real you…

**Luna:** Human, do you still remember?

**Luna:** We… once danced under the moon…

**Luna:** At that time, you agreed to my selfish request… and danced with me.

**Luna:** It was the first time someone was willing to listen to me… to fulfill my ridiculous wish…

**Luna:** And because of that… I had a new wish…

**Luna:** Haha… We can’t go back to the past now…

**Luna:** If I were just an ordinary Theresa, how…

**Luna:** Nice it would be…

**Captain:** No! It shouldn’t be like this!

I fell into darkness once again, as if something had been taken away from my body.

**[CHOICE] =** I’m already standing here, I refuse to let you decide our future alone.

I’m already standing here, I refuse to let you decide our future alone.

A sea of darkness consumed my vision, and even dominated my sense of hearing and touch.

I struggled as much as I could, and fumbled around in the endless darkness. I must hold that hand…

**Captain:** I understand how you feel, but I cannot accept it! Absolutely not!

**Captain:** If you’re looking for that gun and that bullet, I regret to tell you that I returned them to Kallen before coming up here.

**Captain:** Because I don’t intend to sacrifice anyone this time, be it you or me!

**Luna:** Sigh…

A soft voice rang mysteriously and entered my disorganised thoughts. My senses suddenly returned to normal, or rather, they became sharper than ever…

I caught the intense fragrance, heard the mournful sobbing of a girl, and saw the pristine white gown dancing in the wind…

**Luna:** Human, you really are such a gentle person…

**Luna:** You are completely incapable of hurting me, even though I am cruel and reckless…

**Captain:** Because I’ve always believed in you. You don’t truly wish to do those things.

**Luna:** Your presence is the greatest miracle I’ve encountered in my lifetime. But in order to fulfill my wish, you’ve observed my fate so many times.

**Luna:** Unwittingly, you’ve been cursed by me.

**Captain:** Observing your world is my wish, it has nothing to do with you. There’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself for my sake.

**Luna:** But it is also my wish to die for you. Human, you are the one who gave me a reason to live on. This time, I want to give you the chance to survive.

**Captain:** No… Luna, there must be another way!

**Captain:** I will find a way to separate our destinies, even if I must defy the laws of the universe again! Please… give me a bit more time…

**Luna:** As I expected, you do share my thoughts. That’s why I’m doing this.

**Luna:** For you, I must eliminate all potential threats, even if it’s the world’s rules or…

**Luna:** An outcome you can’t accept.

**Captain:** Wait, what are you going to do?

I reached out my hand, trying to grasp the tender, delicate wrist of the girl, but…

**Captain:** Luna!

My hand passed through her arm and made no contact.

**Captain:** What have you done? Why?

**Luna:** Human, though it pains me, it’s time to bid farewell.

**Luna:** If I do not disappear, you’ll definitely try to change everything through consciousness mapping again and again.

**Luna:** But that’s too perilous. I don’t want you to risk it again for me. So…

**Luna:** Since you won’t hurt me, I can only leave of my own accord.

**Captain:** No, no, stop…

**Luna:** Don’t worry about me. I’ve long prepared myself for this moment…

**Luna:** Even without that bullet, I’ve found a way to vanish on my own terms. However, at this moment, knowing that you discarded that gun from the start, I’m truly…

**Luna:** Truly happy…

**Captain:** No! I’ve worked so hard to find you. It can’t end like this!

**Captain:** I haven’t fulfilled your wish yet. We haven’t gone to the amusement park, sat on the Ferris wheel, opened a restaurant, or shared a black truffle chocolate steak together So…

I tried to hold on to her, but like the reflection of the moon in water, if I tried to touch her, she would shatter, disintegrate, and vanish even quicker.

**Captain:** Please, don’t go…

**Luna:** Enough, human. Don’t say this kind of thing when we’re parting ways and fulfill my final wish, okay?

**Captain:** …What? What are you saying?

**Luna:** Tell me, do I look pretty today?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** Yes… Your white dress compliments the moon tonight.

**Luna:** It’s wonderful to know that you’ve noticed.

**Luna:** Though erasing me from your memory might be better for you, I just couldn’t resist putting on this gown. I want to remain in your memories in the most beautiful way.

**Luna:** You’ll always remember me, won’t you?

**Captain:** I’ll never forget. I’ll remember you forever…

**Luna:** Then I have no regrets.

**Luna:** I must depart now. Back to the place where I should be…

**Luna:** It must be like a storeroom cluttered with odds and ends, containing many, many versions of me…

**Captain:** Then I will find you again!

**Luna:** Please don’t, human. You’ve done more than enough for me. You must live a long life, and remember my face well.

**Captain:** I don’t care how long it takes me! I don’t care where you are! I will find you. And we will…

**Luna:** Thank you for staying with me for so long, I’m truly glad…

*[CG plays wherein A-872 fades away into nothingness:*

***Luna:** Alright, I know.*

***Luna:** Thank you for staying with me for so long.*

***Luna:** I’m so happy…*]

### Act 3 - The Future She's In

#### Kongming

“Thank you for staying with me for so long, I’m truly glad…”

**Captain:** Luna!

She vanished before my eyes. The already eerie and frigid castle fell into complete silence.

Everything was gone… The scene before me grew crystal clear, yet I could no longer find any trace of her existence, only…

**Captain:** …?

A crystalline fragment lay upon the stone floor, bathed in moonlight that refracted into shimmering brilliance.

**Captain:** Is this… what she left behind?

**Person in Black Robe:** Good, we’ve arrived at the right moment.

**Captain:** Who’s there?

Following the direction of the voice, I noticed a colossal ship moore by the castle’s terrace.

Before the cabin door stood a figure in a hood, accompanied by a familiar girl.

**Captain:** Delta?!

**Delta:** Apologies, Captain.

Delta stepped in front of me, and I saw another person take a few steps, bending over to pick up the fragment.

**Person in Black Robe:** I knew it, A-872, you’re quite the trickster.

**Captain:** Put that thing down!

**Delta:** Calm down, Captain.

**Captain:** Delta, you…

I got up suddenly, stumbled a few steps, and finally lost my footing, ending up on the ground.

Then, a strong force pressed down on my shoulder. I looked up and met Delta’s cold stare.

**Delta:** I told you, Captain. Calm down.

**Delta:** Don’t just rush in. You’re no match for that person.

**Person in Black Robe:** You still want to keep chatting with your new buddy, Delta? But with matters like this, you could offer the Captain a little insight, like…

**Person in Black Robe:** “They’re all self-centered, leaving indelible scars on their loved ones while chasing their own satisfaction. Don’t worry, time heals everything.”

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** Your sense of humor knows no bounds.

**Person in Black Robe:** Alright, since you don’t think it’s funny, let’s hit the road.

**Person in Black Robe:** All the Theresas vanished along with A-872. We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. Can’t just let it slip away.

**Captain:** !!!

A shiver crawled up my spine.

**Person in Black Robe:** Why are you looking so surprised? Didn’t you know this already?

**Person in Black Robe:** A-872 used the Ether Anchor to crack open the seams linking different worlds, wiping out all the Theresas, including herself.

**Person in Black Robe:** I didn’t think she’d be so extreme and thorough. Quite touching, really.

I’ve got no time to waste on this person.

I struggled my way towards the door. If I could get back to the Hyperion as quickly as possible, there might still be a chance to salvage things.

**Person in Black Robe:** Thinking of running back to the Hyperion to start consciousness mapping? Don’t be foolish. This is a tragedy. When the curtain falls, is there really any possibility of turning the tide?

**Captain:** …

**Person in Black Robe:** Moreover, consciousness mapping doesn’t change a thing. It merely gives you the qualification to be an “observer”, not a savior.

**Captain:** Why do you know all this?

**Person in Black Robe:** You rely too much on consciousness mapping, to the point that in the face of a genuine dilemma, you’re always imagining a third option appearing.

**Person in Black Robe:** But no matter how many times you choose, the outcome remains unchanged. The only thing we can rely on is ourselves.

**Person in Black Robe:** What’s impossible won’t become possible just because you say “I can do it”.

**Person in Black Robe:** You’re just repeating attempts over and over again, traversing through pain.

**Captain:** Who are you, really?!

**Person in Black Robe:** I’ve been through this situation countless times, which is why I’m here to advise you, to suggest facing reality and giving up sooner.

**Captain:** I don’t know what you’re talking about or what you’ve been through. But even if you’re stronger than me, I won’t give up…

**Captain:** Even if the old you and I were at the same crossroads, we were two different types of people. I would take a different path.

**Person in Black Robe:** Is that so? What a shame…

**Delta:** That’s enough talk. Let’s go.

**Person in Black Robe:** …

**Person in Black Robe:** Well, Delta, you’re absolutely right. So, farewell, my friend. I hope you can indeed find your own path, just like you said.

**Captain:** You…

The one in black swiftly walked into the murky shadows of the night. Once ensuring I wouldn’t catch up, Delta promptly followed.

Luna, Kongming, and all the Theresas…

…have vanished…

And the reason for all this is…

Me…

**Bronie:** Captain? Captain!

**Captain:** Bronie…

Bronie’s concerned voice pulled me back from my scattered consciousness. It turned out I was back in the castle.

**Sirin:** Captain, what on earth happened up there? In an instant, all the Theresas disappeared!

**Captain:** I failed… Luna erased herself, along with all the Theresas…

**Captain:** They’re all gone…

**Kallen:** What are you saying? She…

Kallen sat on the ground in a daze, taking a while to recover her senses.

**Kallen:** I’m sorry. I was just in shock… I should’ve anticipated her plan…

**Bronie:** Oh no, then Miss Kongming and the Arc City…

**Sirin:** And TeRiRi!

**Himeko:** Captain…

She kept away from me all this time… capturing and imprisoning Theresas from various bubble universes, connecting her life to theirs…

**Captain:** (Darn it, why didn’t I figure out sooner what she was truly up to?)

My body’s discomfort appeared even before we arrived at Soukai City. Even if we take Luna to the Hyperion, we’re still not safe.

After all, she killed me with her own hands. We not only face the constant threat of pursuit within the boundaries of those rules, but also the looming fate of rapidly approaching annihilation whenever we come into close proximity with one another.

In addition to that, as I’ve been meticulously tracing Luna’s remnants within the vast expanse of the Sea of Quanta, the rules governing our existence acknowledge any semblance of Theresa that I identify within the bubble universes as a signal foretelling my impending demise.

Any bubble universe I’ve pinpointed, whether I’ve personally set foot in it or not, will be affected by those rules. That’s why those Theresas encounter all sorts of trouble, and that’s why Luna chose them as targets to link with herself.

The Sea of Quanta is vast beyond imagination. The bubble universes I’ve identified are merely a drop in the ocean. The incidents occurring within them can’t cause any ripples, which is how this unbelievable plan can proceed smoothly.

At this moment, I finally understand the different mysteries that have haunted me, but it’s all too late.

**Captain:** I’m sorry… I have underestimated things. I didn’t protect them well enough.

It’s my fault, all my fault… I’m the one behind everything Luna has done…

I dragged everyone down…

**Kallen:** Captain, you’ve done your utmost… Perhaps, this is just the fate for her and me.

**Himeko:** After all we’ve done, and yet…

**Sirin:** Darn it, we went to such lengths to get here, and for what?

**Bronie:** If we had known, we should have gone to Kongming first…

**Rita:** Captain, now is not the time for self-blame.

During that moment, gentle words accompanied by the fragrance of flowers had reached me, so faintly that only I could hear them.

**Rita:** If you don’t pull yourself together soon, it might really be too late.

**Captain:** Rita, what else can we do? I’ve missed the chance to save them.

**Rita:** Captain, you’ve met him, right?

**Captain:** …?!

**Captain:** Rita, the person you mentioned before, is that the one called the Ferryman?

**Rita:** Yes…

**Bronie:** What have you two been hiding from us? Who is this Ferryman?

**Kallen:** It seems Luna was working with that guy before, and he even gave her an Ether Anchor. With that power, both she and I could freely travel through the Sea of Quanta.

**Captain:** When Luna disappeared, she did leave behind an Ether Anchor. The Ferryman appeared around that time and reclaimed it. And Delta was with him…

**Bronie:** Darn it, Delta…!

**Captain:** Rita, earlier you said he wanted me to meet Luna. What’s his motive? What does he have to do with all this?

**Rita:** As far as I know, Miss Luna’s goal was to ensure your safety. With his help, she roamed within the floating bubble universes on the surface of the Sea, marking different Theresas.

**Rita:** And that person, using Luna’s actions, compelled her to gather Ether Anchors for him.

**Himeko:** So, have you known him for a long time?

**Rita:** …

**Rita:** Yes. The Ferryman is an old acquaintance of mine.

**Rita:** You should have already guessed. In this mission of yours, I’ve been in touch with the Ferryman, and it’s me who passed on your whereabouts to him.

**Captain:** As I mentioned before, no matter what, you’re my partner. But Luna… searching for Ether Anchors for the Ferryman?

**Captain:** Delta and Kasumi are also under the Ferryman’s command…

**Rita:** Compared to those two, Miss Luna is more straightforward. She dashed around purely after her own desires, perhaps more willing to be used without seeking anything in return.

**Rita:** I chose to leave at that time because I wanted to confirm Miss Luna’s true plan and your determination.

**Captain:** So, you already knew she would erase all the Theresas?

**Rita:** No… I had thought she would erase herself only when you two crossed paths, that’s why I wished for you to not press on.

**Rita:** Yet her final act proved far more thorough than I had imagined. Even if we hadn’t arrived here, she would have taken the same course for your sake.

**Captain:** No, something’s amiss. If the Ferryman has been gathering Ether Anchors and has realised Luna’s intentions, why did he give her those Ether Anchors? Was it to sway her allegiance, or simply to aid her plan?

**Captain:** Does the Ferryman somehow benefit from wiping out all the Theresas?

**Rita:** I really have no idea.

**Rita:** He’s a lot less talkative than before.

**Bronie:** How can I put it? Rosemary, he distrusted you early on, right?

**Rita:** It’s possible, but, knowing him…

**Rita:** Rather than distrust, it’s as if he knew the heavier his burdens, the less he’d be understood.

**Rita:** “The energy born of vast Ether Anchors…”

**Rita:** “Carve a crevice in the world amid boundless oceans…”

**Rita:** “Travel a path longer and farther than the Red Sea, reshaping the withering leaves into an enduring bedrock of stability and eternity…”

**Sirin:** Does he want to manipulate the rules of the bubble universe? That’s impossible!

**Captain:** Can a bubble universe destined to crumble truly be reordered?

**Captain:** Not to mention, the Ferryman has gathered up plenty of Ether Anchors. How could he possibly rewrite the corresponding bubble universes one by one? How would that even be possible?

**Captain:** No, that’s not right. Soukai City is the prime example. Using loops to maintain the stability of a bubble universe… This wasn’t Luna’s idea. It’s the Ferryman’s! It’s his experiment!

**Bronie:** When I handed over the Light Curtain’s Core to that ninja, she told me that no bubble universe can escape the fate of destruction.

**Bronie:** While the bubble’s burst has no impact on the entire Sea of Quanta, it equals total annihilation for the bubble universe itself.

**Bronie:** To actually reorganise the rules of the bubble universe, that guy must be insane…

**Kallen:** But… do we really have the time to care about all of that…?

**Kallen:** We can’t even save the Theresas, so why bother with all of this?

**Captain:** …

**Rita:** What’s your take on this, Captain?

**Rita:** If we really do choose to throw in the towel, then all hope is lost.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (Right. I’m just not willing to accept such a horrible ending.)

**Captain:** Rita’s choice to spill the beans now… There’s got to be some reason behind it. Gotta think this one through…)

**Captain:** (The Ferryman’s plan, what on earth is its connection with the Theresas? What’s the endgame?)

**Captain:** (Supposing that burning an Ether Anchor really packs enough punch to rewrite a bubble universe’s rules, before all that, we’ve got to string together bubble universes matching their corresponding Ether Anchors. But, Ether Anchors themselves can’t do this.)

**Captain:** (…!!)

**Captain:** (So the Ferryman’s been waiting on Luna to be the launchpad, using the rules’ rejection of me and him to erase every single Theresa linked to her in an instant! Suddenly, the fates of those bubble universes are intertwined!)

**Captain:** (The Ferryman’s trying to use Luna’s connection with the other Theresas to poke a hole in the World Rift. So, he’s going to swipe the Ether Anchors of all those bubble universes I’ve flagged!)

**Captain:** (Or maybe each time I’ve flagged a bubble universe, it's all thanks to that puppet master’s nudge, making sure their little plan is carried out smoothly!)

**Captain:** (Darn it. Sacrificing people’s lives like mere kindling for a pipe dream. That’s horrible!)

**Captain:** (I just couldn’t get behind that sort of scheme, and besides…)

**Captain:** (I promised everyone a satisfying ending for all. The pact between us… and her, remains…)

“I’ll tell you the story of a certain girl linked to the events. But, in return, you’ll need to help me… no, help her in fulfilling a wish.”

“You once told me, ‘I’ll stay by your side no matter how hard it gets’… So today, please make good on your promise.”

None of my promises have been upheld. Now isn’t the time to stop…

Everyone has put their trust in me. I can’t fail now.

It’s not time to give up… not today! There must be a way to change things.

I have to figure out which piece of the puzzle I haven’t considered yet… I must rise to the occasion now; I know I can…

Giving everyone a fulfilling ending… that’s my commitment to them.

**Captain:** (Even if I can’t reverse what’s happening through consciousness mapping, we still have our own strengths to rely upon.)

**Captain:** (So now, what can I do?)

“Whatever choice you make, I will face it with you. Please hurry, you still have a chance to stop her.”

**Captain:** A chance to stop her… Right! The note Kongming left for me.

I hastily retrieved the crumpled note from my pocket, carefully unfolded it, and reexamined the message I’d read countless times.

**Captain:** “Those who can see through the game shall survive. Those who can follow their heart shall prevail.”

**Rita:** Any thoughts, Captain?

**Bronie:** What’s this? A message left by Kongming?

**Himeko:** But it sounds like some general advice; not much help for the current situation.

No, no, she wouldn’t have just left me some advice for no reason. She foresaw the endgame between me and Luna, she must have left behind a move for when all seems lost, instead of just fading away.

**Captain:** Do you know where Kongming is being held, Kallen?

**Bronie:** Why would you go looking for Kongming in a place like this?

**Captain:** No, we still have a chance. Kallen, I’m going to her room, where she used to stay. She must have left something for me.

Kallen’s expression turned slightly surprised and then caring.

**Kallen:** I’m sorry, Captain, I really wish I could help. But I don’t know where the person you’re talking about is being held.

**Rita:** It’s alright, Kallen. I know where Master Kongming is held. I mentioned it before, I saw her when we all parted ways.

**Rita:** I will guide everyone.

This situation hasn’t gone according to what I had hoped.

I’m still not ready to give up just yet.

I believe that even until the very end, Kongming feels the same.

There must be something I can do.

Can’t give up now. It’s not time to throw in the towel yet.

**Rita:** This is the room Miss Kongming used to live in.

**Kallen:** Apart from playing with Theresa in the living room, she must have been confined here most of the time.

The night mist gathered, making the small room even colder. Until she disappeared with Luna, she’d been trapped in a prison, waiting for me.

Our silence hung heavy… Moments seemed to drag by…

**Bronie:** This is a joke, right?

**Bronie:** Kongming? The one known for her unparalleled strategies… Is this how it all… ends?

In a frantic search, Bronie rummaged through the desk and bedding, desperately hoping to find any lingering clue or sign that Kongming may have managed to escape her confines, and that she would reappear when she was needed most.

**Himeko:** If she suddenly vanished like all the Theresas we rescued…

**Himeko:** In that case, anyone would find it hard to cope…

**Bronie:** But this is Kongming we’re talking about! She’s smarter than all of us combined. She surely would’ve thought of something… She can’t just disappear like this. She just can’t!

**Bronie:** Otherwise, Theresa, she might truly never…

Bronie’s voice trailed off. It was the first time I’d seen her in such a distraught state. And Sirin, unable to contain her emotions any longer, turned away and sobbed uncontrollably.

Racked with immense frustration, we searched the room together, but…

**Sirin:** All I found were a few stacks of discarded paper…

**Rita:** On the chessboard are some scattered pieces… Hm, what’s this…?

We immediately gathered around to study the chessboard, trying to glean some meaning from it. I never truly grasped Kongming’s chess mastery, which is a real shame. But…

**Captain:** This seems like a simple stalemate, probably not a clue.

The flicker of hope we had painstakingly ignited now vanished like steam.

**Rita:** …

**Bronie:** Is this truly how it ends?

**Bronie:** All we’ve done… Everything I’ve done… All meaningless in the end?

**Sirin:** Bronie, let’s keep searching, okay?

Sirin set down a hefty stack of rough-edged paper from her embrace, and gently shook Bronie’s shoulder as she consoled her.

**Captain:** …

I refused to accept it either. It just shouldn’t be like this.

I picked up the scattered papers, remnants of Kongming’s final presence in this world. Even if they prove useless…

**Captain:** “Theresa… originally a bubble universe akin to myth and fairytale, visited by the Hyperion. Specific location as follows…”

**Captain:** “…However, it’s noted that the bubble universe is under the dominion of the ‘Red Queen’ who has formidable abilities. But her power fluctuates greatly depending on the day. Her show is on today, so now’s a good opportunity to take Theresa back home.”

**Captain:** “Teri Teri… originally an obscure bubble universe, with undefined features…”

**Captain:** “…But from her muddled speech, it can be roughly deduced that the birth of the bubble universe she belongs to is relatively recent, and its energy isn’t particularly stable. The Hyperion has located it but didn’t visit it, which is a clue for potential location…”

…Why did she jot down so much of this?

I flipped through the rough pages filled with scripts, detailing many Theresas’ information along with the author’s synthesised conjectures.

**Captain:** “Register of Theresas”? These are the notes left for me by Kongming?

My muttering caught the attention of the others.

**Kallen:** What are you looking at, Captain?

**Sirin:** So these are words! What have you found?

**Bronie:** Quite messy, but relying on what she taught me, I can make out…

**Bronie:** It’s… records of all the Theresas that Luna encountered.

**Himeko:** If the Theresas were still around, they could be sent back to their original bubble universes. But now…

**Captain:** …

Theresa, bubble universe, Ether Anchor, Ferryman… A multitude of information converged in my mind, and I desperately contemplated the meaning of it all over and over.

I can still move, think, and take action, so now is absolutely not the time to give up.

**Captain:** …Linking…

**Bronie:** Huh?

**Captain:** …I get it! It’s linking!

**Captain:** The Ferryman needs to use the linking among the Theresas to interlink the bubble universes for him. So until he ignites the Ether Anchor, these linkings must go on!

**Bronie:** In other words, at least for now, the Theresas haven’t completely vanished?

**Rita:** As long as we can track energy fluctuations through these linkings, we have a chance to locate them, and even reconstruct them in reverse…

**Sirin:** Just like dream particles! If we can capture their dreams, there’s still time to reawaken them!

My proposal finally reignited hope among everyone, dispelling the heavy air between the iron bars.

**Himeko:** But now that these Theresas have vanished, how do we trace the linking?

**Captain:** No, there’s still one person left.

**Captain:** It’s this person’s observations that intricately entwined their fate with Luna’s and Kongming’s, thus triggering the bubble universe rules’ repulsion.

**Captain:** It’s this person’s pinpointing that pulled in some Theresas from other bubble universes, leading Luna to link all these Theresas together.

**Captain:** That person is… me.

**Captain:** If we consider the linking among the Theresas as positive links, then there must be a corresponding negative link between me and the Theresas. That’s why our existence repels each other, accelerating the annihilation.

**Bronie:** As long as Captain serves as the origin point and uses the clues Kongming left about each Theresa to track corresponding energy fluctuations, then maybe…

**Captain:** …It’s worth a shot, eh?

**Bronie:** Oh Kongming, you’re quite the crafty one! Leaving behind a trump card like this so you could stage a comeback! And Captain, you’re no slouch either, catching on to such a vague hint!

Bronie excitedly perused the “Register of Theresas” left by Kongming. She was so thrilled that her hands were trembling slightly. Suddenly, she froze and looked astonished.

**Bronie:** Wait… this record doesn’t include all the Theresas. One is missing.

**Captain:** Yeah… Herself.

**Bronie:** Kongming… Why didn’t she write about herself?

Bronie cautiously met my gaze as though looking for confirmation.

**Captain:** If we follow the pattern of the other entries, after describing each Theresa’s traits, there should be information about their corresponding bubble universe. But for Kongming…

**Rita:** Master Kongming can no longer return… That’s the biggest difference between her and the other Miss Theresas.

**Captain:** …

I closed my eyes in anguish. In my hand, I clenched the note she left behind; in my mind, memories long buried in dust now began to surface.

“Once wasn’t enough, so you tried ten times more, hundreds of times more…”

Perhaps due to countless failures, I had grown numb to disappointment. It’s better that way.

For the sake of this ephemeral dream, I will invest every ounce of strength I have to hold onto that warm, tender hand.

I took out the note Kongming left behind.

**Captain:** “Those who can see through the game shall survive. Those who can follow their heart shall prevail.”

**Captain:** Follow your heart, my heart…

My heart is in those countless failures, searching for a tiny glimmer of possibility. So…

**Captain:** We can’t stay stagnant. At the very least…

I touched the rough-edged paper.

**Captain:** We can’t let Kongming’s intentions go to waste.

I surveyed everyone, their expressions varied.

But when their gazes fell upon these pages, their sorrow was replaced by determination.

**Rita:** This is what Master Kongming wanted…

**Sirin:** Exactly. If we don’t at least try, then we’ll never have a chance. And now, while the traces left by the Theresas are still somewhat clear, we can’t come back empty-handed!

**Kallen:** I want to try also. After all, this all happened because of me, and I’m the one who shouldn’t give up.

**Captain:** I absolutely won’t watch anyone else sacrifice themselves before my eyes again. Even in this situation, there must still be something we can do!

**Captain:** Everyone, follow me.

--

#### Revive Theresa

**Kallen:** Will this plan really work?

Just a moment ago, we discussed a concrete plan to save the Theresas.

It will take all our abilities combined. Furthermore, it seems even more far-fetched than the already-daunting task of resurrecting Theresas…

**Captain:** We have to at least try. We can’t let the Theresas wait too long.

The tension there in that tiny room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

**Sirin:** Rita, are you ready?

**Rita:** Yes, when Miss Sirin uses dream-capturing magic to manifest dream particles, I’ll catch them right away.

**Sirin:** I’m still quite nervous. This is the first time I’m using magic to trace someone’s existence. I’m not sure if my magic is strong enough…

**Rita:** Relax, Miss Sirin. You need to trust in your abilities, and also trust in Captain and the Theresas’… Um, how should I put it?

Rita seemed to be searching for a more gentle word. I gave her a wry smile, shaking my head.

**Captain:** My presence, in any bubble universe I’ve located, is mutually exclusive with the Theresas. It will definitely create a very strong energy fluctuation.

**Captain:** Just trust your instincts. Hasn’t your magic worked miracles before?

**Sirin:** …

Sirin took a deep breath, revealed a nostalgic smile, and nervously flipped through the Register of Theresas.

**Bronie:** Just relax, Sirin. Look, it’s not just you. I’ve projected firearms countless times, but this will be my first time projecting a whole person.

**Bronie:** The Theresas may have disappeared, but we can still remember them, and Captain is still here. This means that the connection between the Theresas and the Captain hasn’t been completely erased.

**Bronie:** In any case, it’s worth a try.

**Captain:** Yes, it has to be worth a try. After all…)

**Luna:** I must leave now. Back to where I ought to be…

**Luna:** It must be like a storeroom packed with all sorts of things, containing many, many versions of me…

**Captain:** (That’s right. Her purpose was to protect me, so she used her own link to exile the Theresas to a place where they couldn’t reach me.)

**Captain:** I believe in Kongming, and her.

**Captain:** Some good ol’ reverse engineering might just bring them back from this storeroom.

**Bronie:** I’ll thoroughly scan the memories, appearances, and personalities of the Theresas within the dream particles. That should give us accurate data…

**Bronie:** But if you ever encounter Cioara in the future, please don’t betray me.

**Sirin:** Alright, I’ll do my best.

**Captain:** Sirin, you can do it!

**Sirin:** …

Accompanied by Sirin’s faint chanting, her body seemed to attract fireflies, gathering one tiny white light after another.

They formed a magical, star-shaped light that gently landed in Sirin’s palm.

Before long, the dazzling white light emitted by the sphere burst forth in the center of the room.

**Theresa:** Huh, according to the Mercurial Hatter’s invitation, her afternoon tea party starts at this time, right?

**Theresa:** But why hasn’t the Mercurial Hatter arrived yet? Or anyone, for that matter…

**Theresa:** Hello, girl over there. Were you also invited to the tea party?

**Theresa:** Great! I’m Theresa, delighted to meet you! Come, take a seat.

**Theresa:** Oh, you’re named Theresa too? What a coincidence! It seems the Mercurial Hatter set us up to meet!

**Theresa:** Then… Let’s raise our cups together! From today onward, Theresa will be Theresa’s good friend!

The warm tea quietly turned cold as Theresa leaned on the table, lost in a sweet and heavy dream.

**Luna:** I’m sorry. I really like you, but please forgive me… Please forgive me…

This is a memory belonging to Alice dressed in the sky-blue dress and wearing a black ribbon headband, or perhaps to Theresa.

**Sirin:** I did it! Captain, Rita, I did it!

**Rita:** Okay, now it’s my turn!

Soon after, Rita took the star-shaped light. The chaotic interior of the sphere gradually became more distinct, with fragments of memories floating within.

**Bronie:** Tracker, perform a scan.

The girl’s fingertips danced across the keyboard of the laser projection device. After issuing the command, all the information about Theresa had transformed into data and was displayed in front of Bronie.

**Bronie:** (Phew… These memories have already faded, so they might not be usable anymore… No, even faded memories are still memories. Cancel the delete operation!)

**Sirin:** Take it easy, Bronie.

**Bronie:** Once we find Kongming, I definitely want to ask her how she’s been able to stump my powers.

**Bronie:** …

Bronie held her breath and focused. Her projection ability, usually so effortless for her, felt unusually difficult at this moment.

Thankfully, as Bronie inputted the command and executed it, in the corner of the prison cell, the cowering little form transformed from a black shadow to the physical presence of the spirited young girl from the dream.

The girl immediately opened her tightly shut eyes and anxiously surveyed her surroundings.

**Theresa:** Oh, it’s you, March Hare!

**Bronie:** Yes, it’s me. We’ve come to take you out.

**Theresa:** Out? Wait a minute, how did I end up back here again?

**Himeko:** Don’t be nervous, Miss Theresa. I’m a Police Volunteer from Soukai City. I received a report and came to take you home.

**Theresa:** Huh, wait a minute, where did the other Theresa go?

**Theresa:** Although I’m not sure what I did wrong, she was angry with me and hasn’t come to see me again. But I still want to go home with her.

**Himeko:** Uh…

**Kallen:** Please don’t worry, Miss Theresa.

**Kallen:** The other Theresa… Right now, she’s brainstorming new ideas for a tea party, saying she wants to surprise you. So, go home and wait patiently. When she’s ready, she’ll definitely come find you.

**Theresa:** Wow, that’s great! Please tell her to come find me in the Red Queen’s garden. I’ll introduce her to my friends there!

The girl in the sky-blue dress gleefully held the hands of Himeko and Kallen, eagerly heading towards the exit. I saw Himeko looking uneasy, exaggeratedly mouthing a message to me…

**Himeko:** (Are we really sending her back? That’s the Red Queen!)

**Captain:** (Yep. That’s the world where she truly belongs!)

Before we could finish, the two were taken away by Alice, who dragged them out of the castle.

**Rita:** That went much smoother than expected.

**Sirin:** But she believed the lie so quickly and then bid us all a happy farewell… How naive…

**Captain:** (“Farewell”…?)

**Captain:** This is a world where we’re all forced to part ways all too often. But maybe, none of us are good at saying goodbye.

**Kongming:** “Not good at saying goodbye”… Huh… Someone said the same thing to me a long time ago.

A conversation from long ago, so distant that I wouldn’t intentionally recall it, yet it surfaced unexpectedly at this moment.

Was it a coincidence, an overwhelming sense of yearning, or…

**Rita:** Captain?

**Rita:** Can… Can we move on to the next cell now?

**Captain:** Yes. Let’s not waste any time. We mustn’t keep Theresa waiting too long.

**Sirin:** Here we go.

After some chanting, the familiar white glow came into view.

**Theresa:** My name is Theresa, and I’m a detective who can crack any case!

**Theresa:** What would you like to… Whoa!

**Theresa:** You look just like me.

**Theresa:** Sorry, kid, but you’re too young to be moaning about your boring life.

**Theresa:** Of course I’m not telepathic. I’m just a detective, not a magic girl. I am able to see through you because I’ve met lots of clients like you.

**Theresa:** Anyway, the solution will never come to you if you wallow in despair and give up.

**Theresa:** You want a hug? Alrighty, as long as it makes you happy.

The incisive detective leaned against her chair and took a nap, as if she had finished her work early.

**Luna:** I’m sorry. I lied. I didn’t get bored of the world that person lives in. I just want that person to be able to live a better life…

Theresa bolted upright in bed.

**Theresa:** So sleepy… I’m exhausted.

**Theresa:** Huh? When did I get back here? And why are you…

**Bronie:** Detective Theresa, time to deduce!

**Theresa:** …Not you again.

**Himeko:** Forget about that. Miss Theresa, we’re sending you home.

**Theresa:** How’s the girl doing?

**Kallen:** She…

Kallen had grown tired of making up a new story every time. Besides, this Theresa was more than likely to see past any falsehood, and it didn’t help her feel better either.

**Theresa:** What can I do for her?

**Captain:** We appreciate the help, detective. Since we can get you out, we can save her as well.

**Theresa:** You’re a bit of a rag-tag bunch, though.

**Theresa:** I guess it’s not the worst thing in the world. By the way, write to me if you’re so sure.

With a wave of her hand, Theresa stepped out of the cage along with Himeko and Kallen.

**Kongming:** All our problems should be solved once we send you back. After all, it’s my fault that you were summoned to our world.

**Kongming:** The fluctuations in the formation plunged me onto a deserted island. For the past three years, I’ve been monitoring you… But for some reason, I always see that person in you.

**Kongming:** Now, I can finally say with full certainty…

**Kongming:** You are that person. The week I spent with you nearly changed my life.

Hearing her words made me think that I couldn’t let her down.

As more Theresas were rescued, bits and pieces of their past coalesced and clarified the memory with Kongming.

I didn’t know if my mind was playing tricks on me, or if it was genuine. Deep down in my heart, I hoped that everything would be okay, before it was too late.

Using the information recorded in the notes, we located all of the Theresas in the correct order.

However…

**Bronie:** Is Kongming really leaving herself with no way out?

I frantically flipped through the notes, but there was only information about every one of the Theresas we’d managed to rescue.

**Sirin:** Darn it! Why aren’t there any clues about her in here?

**Bronie:** What is Kongming thinking? Did she really forget about herself?

**Captain:** Wait, Bronie.

I went over Kongming’s list again.

**Captain:** This place…

**Captain:** It’s blank.

It felt like it was intentionally left for someone, and whoever wrote this entry hesitated.

**Bronie:** Indeed. Such a huge space must have been left on purpose, right?

**Sirin:** Could she have been in a hurry and not had time to finish?

**Captain:** Or maybe she didn’t know what to write down. After all…

**Captain:** Kongming can’t get back to her bubble universe anymore…

**Sirin:** …

**Bronie:** Miss Kongming… who would have thought that you would one day make such miscalculations as well?

**Captain:** …?

**Sirin:** What’s the big deal? As long as she has a beloved place in mind, we’ll get her back.

**Bronie:** She’s spent the majority of her time not in her original bubble universe, but elsewhere.

Bronie flashed her distinctive smile, and I knew exactly what she was thinking.

**Captain:** In that case, I’ll be her anchor this time around.

**Captain:** Sirin, let’s try one more time! Use me as a beacon and get Kongming back!

**Sirin:** On it! But Captain, we need you to provide enough anchors related to Kongming.

**Captain:** Sure. I’ll show you our history.

Even if you had left me no clues, I could still find you within my memories of our past.

Not just my memories, the experiences we went through together were indelible.

“You once said to me, ‘I’ll stay by your side no matter how hard it is’…”

“I now ask you to fulfill your promise, Captain.”

**Captain:** (I promised that I would always be there for you, but as it turns out, you’re the one who’s fulfilling it.)

**Captain:** (Despite all that has transpired, you have never left my side.)

“Even if you gave up on me now, I would not hold a grudge against you. How could I ever hate you?”

**Captain:** (Back then, it was as if I was drowning and grasping at straws. I didn’t even have time to think about how I could rescue you.)

“You don’t have to take responsibility for everything. I’ll always be there for you, to share your burdens.”

“You taught me how to trust a person.”

**Captain:** (Because of you, I believe I can save others. And this time, I’ll keep my promise, too.)

**Captain:** (I’ll bring you back. I’ll bring a happy ending for everyone.)

“Mr. Assassin~ I want that~ Please buy it for me~”

**Captain:** (…It’s been a long time since you’ve called me that. And it’s almost impossible to hear you speak that way now.)

“I remember that there’s a tradition… If you write your wish on the sky lantern, it will bring your wish to the heavens above.”

“Do you have a wish to write on the lantern?”

**Captain:** (Let’s light lanterns when you’re back.)

Meanwhile, Sirin was gathering thousands of memories and condensing them into a ball of light. It was resplendent, like a lantern meant to light Kongming’s way back home.

Please, Big Dipper, please guide this lost adventurer…

*[CG plays wherein Sirin manages to bring Kongming back.*]

**Captain:** Kongming, Kongming?

As I held Kongming in my arms, her eyes opened ever so slightly.

**Kongming:** …

Her eyes regained their former limpidity.

**Kongming:** Mmm…

**Kongming:** You did it… You brought me back.

**Captain:** Of course! You’re indispensable to me!

The weakened Kongming hugged my neck tightly, with unexpected strength.

**Kongming:** I knew it. I knew you could make it…

**Captain:** Kongming, wait…

**Bronie:** Ahem, Miss Kongming?

**Kongming:** …!

…With a sudden realisation, Kongming pushed me away.

**Captain:** …!

**Kongming:** Ah, Captain, are you okay?

**Kongming:** Sorry, it’s my… No, it’s because she popped out of nowhere and scared me half to death.

**Bronie:** Hey, what’s so weird about having other people around?

**Kongming:** Regardless, don’t do that again.

Despite her angry retort, Kongming let out a lighthearted chuckle as she turned back to me.

**Kongming:** Huh? What’s that look for? Do you not want me to come back?

**Captain:** No… I was just wondering why you left a blank space for yourself in the notes, when you could have clearly written how we can save you.

**Kongming:** Oh? Is that what you think?

Her initial expression, which read of shock, changed to something more inscrutable.

**Kongming:** I didn’t leave that space for me.

**Captain:** Huh? That means…

**Kongming:** I trust you. I knew you wouldn’t need any clues to save me. That blank space…

**Kongming:** Stands for the last Theresa.

--

#### Culprit

As we did before, we returned to where she disappeared.

**Kongming:** Since you can be an anchor to reconstruct me, this might work for her too.

**Bronie:** So your plan was to treat yourself like a lab rat? Was this within your expectations too, Kongming?

**Kongming:** I just wanted to be sure of a few things. I couldn’t guarantee that this was a flawless method after all.

**Captain:** If it wasn’t, then…

**Kongming:** You’ll live the rest of your life filled with regret.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** I believe your plans are always flawless.

It brought me the utmost comfort to see that Kongming had come back to me safe and sound. Which reminded me…

Everything would get better. We were already seeing hope through Kongming’s return.

**Kongming:** Don’t jinx it. I can’t be sure if it will actually work. After all, she…

**Sirin:** Let’s see. We’ve already tried so many times. I bet this would work on Luna too.

**Captain:** Thank you, Sirin.

**Sirin:** Why are you standing on ceremony? You don’t need to… ANyway, thank me after it’s done.

**Sirin:** I shall build a bridge for you, the girl under the crimson moon. All you must do is traverse through the haze of this dreamland and return to the moonlight…

Sirin stood on the patio and began to chant in a low voice, beckoning to her broken dream.

…

…

**Sirin:** …?

**Captain:** Is something wrong, Sirin?

I knew the answer the moment the luminescent ball made of dreams failed to appear in Sirin’s palm.

**Sirin:** How strange… I’m unable to detect any traces of dreams here…

**Captain:** What? But those…

**Sirin:** Those cages are packed with Theresa’s dreams. So…

Rita inhaled deeply, her hand stopped in the air. She sensed something I could not see.

**Rita:** Indeed. I cannot see things with the same rapidity as Miss Sirin, but I do have the same feeling. There’s nothing here.

**Captain:** What’s going on?

**Captain:** What went wrong?!

**Kongming:** …

**Kongming:** Calm down.

**Captain:** I… I don’t understand…

**Captain:** Why did this work on everyone else but Luna?

**Kongming:** …

**Kongming:** Tell me, between the other Theresas, myself included, and this… Luna you speak of, what’s the difference?

**Captain:** Hmm… Maybe that she’s a vampire? She lives in a castle? Oh, and maybe it’s got something to do with the lost Ether Anchor fragment.

**Kongming:** You idiot. Isn’t it obvious?

**Kongming:** Those Theresas didn’t want to vanish into thin air, and neither did I.

**Kongming:** But, she had made up her mind to leave this world when she began planning her death.

**Captain:** What?

**Kongming:** She rejected this world and every other one she has been to. After all, Sirin can use magic to connect with Theresa’s old memories before they came to the castle.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** No wonder… She said that it wasn’t a farewell, and that she wanted me to remember our memories…

**Captain:** So, she had long planned to leave here…

**Kongming:** …

**Kongming:** You fool, what’s the point in crying now?

**Captain:** I’m sorry, I just…

**Kongming:** I’m not putting the blame on you.

**Kongming:** All I want to say is…

**Kongming:** What if there was another way?

**Captain:** …?

**Kongming:** Since she’s trying so hard to avoid being pulled back into the bubble universe, why don’t we go to her instead?

**Captain:** Go to her?

**Kongming:** You heard me. When we were erased from this world, there was a vague sense that we were being pulled into a void.

**Kongming:** I thought that was our dreamland, where we could not feel anything. Only time continued marching forward. However, the concept of time should not exist in dreams.

**Kongming:** Time and space were in shambles there. It was as if… thousands of different bubble universes were clashing with each other.

**Captain:** You mean you were in the entangled bubble universes?

**Kongming:** No. Accurately speaking, we weren’t inside any specific bubble universe, but between them, like a rift between universes.

**Kongming:** Because she’s not in any of the bubble universes, you won’t be affected by Luna anymore. In the same way, you won’t be able to force her back into this world.

**Kongming:** To reach the rift between worlds, you require sufficient amounts of matter and energy as mediums, neither of which we have.

**Captain:** World rift… Wait… Rita mentioned that before…

**Bronie:** Rosemary once told me about that guy who collected a bunch of Ether Anchors. Apparently, he was attempting to crack the world rift open. If he succeeded, perhaps we could do the same thing.

**Himeko:** If we were to gather the required amount of Ether Anchors, we could follow the link left by Luna and open a way to the world rift.

**Himeko:** We’re not exactly spoiled for choice, though. The only Ether Anchor fragment we have on hand is the one from Soukai City.

**Kallen:** …

**Kallen:** I know some places with Ether Anchors.

After a moment’s hesitation, Kallen broke the silence and took out a shiny fragment.

**Luna:** Phew… It’s done!

**Luna:** Now, everyone lives in the same repeated cycle, and no one will notice me. That human’s idea actually wasn’t half bad.

**Luna:** …Don’t you think so, sister?

**Kallen:** …?!

**Kallen:** S-So, you already noticed me.

**Luna:** Yeah. With the Ether Anchor, I no longer require blood to sustain myself and I’m capable of things that I couldn’t even have imagined in the past. I’m still not a fan of sunlight, though.

**Luna:** So you see? I’m no longer that needy little kid always hiding behind your back. I’m sustaining an entire world’s stability!

**Kallen:** Mmm…

**Luna:** Huh?

**Luna:** Sister, why do you look so pale?

**Kallen:** Nothing, I…

**Luna:** You must be suffering.

**Luna:** Here, take it.

**Kallen:** Is this… what that person wants from you? Why is there only one left?

**Luna:** Take it. I’m unsure as to how it will affect you, but I’m willing to bet it’ll do something good.

**Kallen:** I can’t accept this. What about that person?

**Luna:** Let me worry about that.

**Luna:** All you have to concern yourself with is staying alive.

With mixed feelings reflected in her eyes, she recalled her memories.

**Kallen:** Luna split the Ether Anchor into three, and handed the strongest fragment to me.

**Kallen:** You need the Ether Anchor more than any of us, Captain. Use this.

**Himeko:** Wait, Kallen. What will happen to you if the Captain takes the Ether Anchor?

**Kallen:** …

**Captain:** You connected with Luna. She’s gone, yet nothing happened to you.

**Captain:** That means that you two have been disconnected, and this Ether Anchor fragment is your new lifesource.

**Kallen:** You may be right… Maybe this was all part of her plan.

**Kallen:** That being said, maybe she had a backup plan. You guys take it. I’ll find another way to survive.

**Captain:** This is too risky. I will not put your life on the line.

**Bronie:** Don’t be silly, my friend. That guy wouldn’t have spent so much effort collecting a bunch of Ether Anchors if one piece was all it took to crack the world rift open.

**Kongming:** So we’ve still got a fighting chance. That guy… is called Ferryman, right? He has what we need.

**Himeko:** Right! If we can find that guy and snatch those Ether Anchors from him, we may still have a chance to save Miss Luna and put a stop to this entire nefarious scheme.

**Captain:** Ether Anchor fragments… That’s it!

**Captain:** When the Ferryman came to snatch Luna’s Ether Anchor fragments, he came on a huge ship. I wanted to go after him with the Hyperion, but I couldn’t locate that ship.

**Captain:** Since this fragment shares the same source as the fragment from Soukai City and the one from the Ferryman, you should be able to locate the Ferryman through their shared energy channel, Sirin.

**Sirin:** I see… That might just work. Let me try.

**Captain:** (Is this the one last chance you’re giving me, Luna?)

Sirin reached out and touched the fragment in Kallen’s palm, chanting in a low voice. Shortly after that, she found the answer…

**Sirin:** It’s located… near the beach we just saw on the way here!

**Captain:** Alright then, let’s hit the road! Unless I’m mistaken, the Ferryman is already lighting up the Ether Anchor. We’d better be quick!

**Sirin:** Got it!

In order to change the order, one must trigger multiple consequences and connect the chosen bubble universes together…

So that’s why the Ferryman was trying to light the Ether Anchor up when…

Luna simultaneously erased all of the Theresas from the world, and triggered heavy consequences in this bubble universe.

But we will stick to each other, we still stand a chance.

I’ve made up my mind. This time, I’ll rely on my own power to arrive at an ending where no one will be hurt.

By the sandy beach of Soukai City, a massive ship was anchored. Its hatch was wide open, as if welcoming us.

**Kongming:** The Ferryman intentionally stopped the boat at a place that’s easy for us to find, so he’s probably waiting for us.

**Captain:** This might be a good thing for us… at least we don’t have to go through a lot of trouble finding him.

**Sirin:** But this ship gives me an ominous feeling…

**Bronie:** Are you scared, Sirin? It’s not too late to back out now. Once we go in, there might be no turning back.

**Sirin:** I-I’m not scared! Without me, do you really think you guys can rescue that Theresa?

**Rita:** Indeed, among us, only Miss Sirin can perform magic to achieve that.

**Sirin:** That’s right. So I can’t just leave you all on your own.

**Captain:** Then we’ll be counting on you.

**Bronie:** Hey, don’t forget that the most crucial part still relies on you.

**Bronie:** So put your back into it! Your fate is in our hands now.

**Captain:** Certainly, leave it to me. The plan must succeed.

**Himeko:** I’ve checked the situation behind the hatch. Aside from it being dimly lit, there’s no sign of enemies. We should be able to go in directly.

**Kallen:** No traps? It’s almost too safe…

**Rita:** Please rest assured, Miss Kallen. Their plan has reached its final step. There’s no need to use such methods to stop us.

**Sirin:** How can you be so calm? Which side are you really on?

**Rita:** I’m sorry, Miss Sirin. I’m just trying to alleviate unnecessary worries for everyone.

**Captain:** We’ve already come this far. There’s no other choice.

**Kongming:** Indeed. The Ferryman is aware of our intention to board this ship. Nevertheless, we have no alternative but to proceed and enter into his scheme.

**Sirin:** Well, things will be simpler this way.

**Sirin:** Since he has such confidence in his plan, let’s beat him at his own game.

**Bronie:** Still, we should be cautious. We’re not sure what cards he has up his sleeve. Based on our previous encounters, neither the ninja or Delta were easy to deal with.

**Kallen:** In any case, we’ve decided to board this ship. There’s no time to waste. The sooner we find him, the better chance we have to stop him.

**Captain:** Yes, let’s get going.

As Himeko said, we passed through the hatch and entered the ship without any obstruction.

Unlike what we had imagined, the interior of this ship was dilapidated, as if it could collapse at any moment.

**Bronie:** Is this really his lair? It looked quite sophisticated from the outside, but the inside is pretty… ancient.

**Bronie:** Gotta say, it’s quite a miracle that this thing can still move.

**Captain:** Other than being run-down, this place reminds me of the Hyperion.

**Bronie:** It’s more like… identical?

**Sirin:** Strong magical fluctuations. I sense the space here is very unstable.

**Kongming:** Sirin, can you pinpoint the source of the fluctuations?

**Sirin:** Over there.

Sirin pointed her hand towards the closed hatch ahead. If this ship had the same structure as the Hyperion, that should be the location of the bridge.

**Captain:** I believe that’s the bridge. He’s there.

**Himeko:** Let’s go find out.

**Captain:** Sure.

--

#### Rickety Ship

**Kallen:** The hatch seems to be locked. Uh… Ugh! It can’t be opened.

**Kongming:** Rita, you’ve been on this ship before, right?

**Rita:** Yes.

**Kongming:** How can we open this door? Or is there another way for us to reach the bridge?

**Rita:** This is the only path to the bridge. The door can’t be opened becuase the ship’s power system has been cut off.

**Captain:** I see. So if we restore the power system, the door will open.

**Rita:** Theoretically, yes.

**Bronie:** There should be something like an energy pod here, similar to the Hyperion. Once we reach that, we should be able to restore the power system, right?

**Captain:** Rita, do you know where the energy pod is? Can you lead us there?

**Rita:** Of course. Everyone, follow me.

**Himeko:** Hmm… Ugh! Kallen, give me a hand here.

**Kallen:** Ugh! No, the door on this side is locked as well.

Himeko and Kallen used both their hands, trying to force the door open, but it didn’t budge.

**Captain:** Rita, this side is locked too.

**Rita:** Indeed, without a power supply for the ship, this door won’t open.

**Kongming:** Then what should we do? Is there another path?

**Rita:** Through the side door over there, there’s another passage leading to the energy pod’s back door. It’s quite old, and should be easier to open.

**Rita:** But when we passed by earlier, the side door seemed locked as well.

**Bronie:** Ugh, this is really inconvenient. Isn’t there any backup power supply on this ship?

**Rita:** There is, Miss Bronie. In fact, the ship should have portable energy sources for emergency use, but we don’t know where they’re kept.

**Sirin:** Wait a minute, there’s something glowing on the floor over there.

**Bronie:** Huh?

**Sirin:** Hmm… is this a battery?

**Rita:** It seems that we got lucky. This is one of the portable energy sources I was talking about.

**Bronie:** Looks like my words are good as gold today. So, with this, can we directly open the door to the energy pod?

**Rita:** I’m afraid not. The power of this emergency energy source isn’t enough to open it, but it should be enough to open the side door nearby.

**Kongming:** So, we need to go through the side door to reach the energy pod’s back door, right?

**Rita:** From what it looks like now, that seems to be the case.

**Himeko:** Alright then, moving forward is better than running around like a headless chicken. Let’s get going.

**Captain:** Yes, let’s check out the side door.

**Kallen:** We’re in.

**Rita:** This is the living area of the ship. Passing through that area below will lead us to the back door of the energy pod.

**Himeko:** Quite a series of blockades.

**Bronie:** I mean, seriously, there are so many doors here. Are we supposed to find an energy source for each one?

**Rita:** No, we can detach the energy sources from the doors that are already open. That should save us some effort.

**Bronie:** Even so, we don’t have enough of them. There are at least two locked doors over there.

**Rita:** There should be more stored here. Let’s search around.

**Captain:** I guess we’re left with no other option.

**Sirin:** What a messy room.

**Rita:** This is the ship’s storage room. Once you activate the cleaning system over there, it will automatically clean up the clutter.

**Kallen:** But with so much clutter here, it’s hard to get through.

**Rita:** Yes, let’s all think of a way together.

**Captain:** Huh?

**Rita:** This door is pressure-sensitive. It will open when a heavy object is placed on the switch.

**Sirin:** What if we remove the object?

Sirin took a step back from the switch, and the surrounding door rose again.

**Sirin:** Huh? Why did it close as I stepped off?

**Rita:** It seems that our combined weight happened to be enough to trigger the mechanism.

**Captain:** Does it have to be all of us?

**Rita:** Yes, but I remember there’s a special tool stored here that might help us activate such doors.

There is a display stand in the front, with a crown made of willow branches quietly placed at its center.

Perhaps it was because of the passage of time, but the once-green willow branches had turned dry and yellow, and were even covered in heavy dust.

I could sense its value, as well as its fragility.

**Sirin:** It’s old, but I sense a strong magical aura around it.

**Rita:** Captain, you should pick it up.

**Captain:** Are you sure? I feel like it’ll shatter with a touch.

**Rita:** It won’t come to that. I assure you, Captain.

**Captain:** Alright, I’ll give it a try.

I cautiously lifted it up, only to find that it had weight far beyond its appearance.

**Captain:** Hmm… it’s quite heavy. Wait, why is it glowing?

The dried willow branches began to emit a faint light. A horn-shaped object emerged from the center of the crown out of thin air. It grew larger and larger until it became a huge brick and dropped to the ground.

\*clang\*

**Captain:** That’s the power it holds?

**Rita:** Yes. Long ago, it helped people build towering walls to keep floods at bay.

**Rita:** Now, its power has weakened over time and can only create a brick.

**Captain:** I see. We can use it to trigger the mechanism.

**Rita:** Yes.

**Captain:** But Rita, I have one more question… does it have a name?

**Rita:** A name…? It does, in a way.

**Rita:** Back then, we called it Justice.

--

#### Deadly Game

**Bronie:** Are your ears covered?

**Kallen:** Um… isn’t this approach a bit too violent?

**Bronie:** Well, there’s no other way. Everyone, step back, and brace yourselves for impact…

**Bronie:** Trackers, start the detonation.

The smoke dispersed.

Under the drones’ strafing shots, a massive crack formed in the power system’s protective shield.

**Sirin:** You’ve made this place even more broken. You’d best be careful of any retaliation, Bronie.

**Bronie:** Don’t worry, if that guy truly cared about this ship, it wouldn’t have turned into this sorry state.

**Bronie:** Look, the door shaft is heavily worn, the smoke alarm system is broken, the maintenance records for the control system are from years ago, and even the screens are shattered…

Bronie attempted to activate the emergency power supply unit, but she kept shaking her head.

**Bronie:** This heap of junk is clearly of no value to that guy anymore.

**Rita:** …

**Himeko:** What has this ship been through, exactly?

**Captain:** It’s not that bad. Take a look at this timer on the wall. It’s still relatively new.

**Bronie:** Stop wandering around, Captain. Come give us a hand. This control lever is rusted, so we need to push it upwards with force.

I nodded and exerted all my strength to push the control lever to its limit…

The lights on the ship flickered to life, barely maintaining themselves in an almost extinguished state.

**Captain:** Let’s go, the door to the bridge should be open now.

**???:** …Heheh…

The sound of electric currents resonated, and disdainful laughter emanated from the broadcast within the energy pod.

**???:** Welcome. Since you’ve willingly come aboard this ship, I believe introductions are unnecessary.

**Captain:** You’re the owner of this ship.

**Ferryman:** Not quite the owner, just a humble boatman.

**Captain:** Ferryman…

**Ferryman:** I’m glad everyone is here. You’ve done well, Miss Rita.

**Rita:** …

In that instant, the air seemed to have frozen. We involuntarily turned our gaze towards Rita, but she didn’t say anything.

She simply stood there quietly, wearing her usual gentle smile.

**Captain:** You think saying that will get you what you want?

**Sirin:** Humph, nice try.

**Bronie:** Exactly, such tricks are out of date.

The voice in the broadcast remained unresponsive, only letting out another sneer.

**Ferryman:** Now that you’ve made your choice, let’s play a game.

**Ferryman:** You want to get to the bridge, yes?

**Ferryman:** In the engine rooms on both ends, there are some mechanisms. If you can take care of them, you’ll achieve your goal.

**Sirin:** Why should we believe what you said?

**Bronie:** Who cares about rules? We can find a way to go directly to the bridge and talk to you face-to-face.

**Ferryman:** Hehe… Without rewards as incentives, people naturally lose interest in games.

**Ferryman:** So, to make this more entertaining, I’ve prepared two welcome gifts for you.

The cracked screen lit up, splitting the image into two. Two familiar figures were pacing anxiously within the screen.

**Kallen:** Kasumi?!

**Bronie:** Delta…

**Ferryman:** They are just following my orders and guarding the mechanisms.

**Captain:** No, there’s something wrong. They seem to be enduring some sort of pain… What have you done to them?

**Ferryman:** Hehe, your observations are indeed keen.

**Ferryman:** You might not know yet, but there’s a drug that can enhance the human body in a short time. However, as a side effect, the subject will succumb to death within sixty minutes.

**Ferryman:** When you entered the ship, I told them that the final moment of battle was approaching, and convinced them to take that drug.

**Ferryman:** Injection vials that can neutralise the poison are stored in the engine rooms on both ends. They can be used to alleviate their pain.

**Ferryman:** Whether to use them or not is up to you.

**Sirin:** Aren’t they working for you? Why would you treat them this way…? Just reveal yourself already!

**Ferryman:** It’s precisely because they’ve been working for me, that the plan has progressed so smoothly.

**Sirin:** You wicked fox…

**Ferryman:** Oh, you flatter me.

**Ferryman:** Have you seen the timer on the wall? It displays the time they have left.

Thirty-two minutes remaining.

**Captain:** You…!

**Ferryman:** Unfortunately, you’ve wasted too much time.

The crimson numbers flickered, and in the midst of the conversation, the last digit changed once again.

**Ferryman:** So, what will it be? Play the game or come directly to the bridge? The decision is yours.

**Captain:** …

I tried my best to get a hold of myself. The Ferryman was undoubtedly buying time, but there was really only one choice.

**Captain:** Let’s split up and head to the engine rooms.

**Himeko:** Kallen, is the engine room this way?

**Kallen:** According to the map, yes.

Himeko and Kallen headed off, one ahead of the other, their breathing echoing through the empty corridor.

**Himeko:** I’ve got no idea where those mechanisms might be…

**Kallen:** We’ll have to look for them. You search this place, and I’ll go that way.

**Himeko:** Okay.

**Bronie:** Um, we failed.

**Himeko:** What?!

**Bronie:** We got the vials, and we planned to deactivate the mechanisms while the computer was analysing the liquid composition. But it turned out to be a waste of time.

**Bronie:** That old fox kept crucial information from us. The mechanisms in both engine rooms must be deactivated simultaneously. Otherwise, they’ll be automatically restored.

**Bronie:** So let’s do our best.

**Himeko:** …Okay.

**Kallen:** Are you nervous?

**Himeko:** Is it… Is it really that obvious?

**Kallen:** Your voice gave you away.

**Himeko:** Well, we’re still unsure about the kind of person we’re dealing with. That girl works for the Ferryman, and she should be quite dangerous…

**Kallen:** Her strength is indeed remarkable, but I think maybe she’s not so different from us.

**Himeko:** Do you know her?

Kallen nodded.

**Kallen:** Her name is Kasumi. I’ve met her twice on my missions.

**Kallen:** The first time, I approached her to deliberately pass on false information.

**Kallen:** She didn’t say much, and didn’t raise her guard against me. She treated me like a chance encounter, and even gave me a piece of candy.

**Kallen:** The second time, she saw through my false information, and searched for clues about me in a town.

**Kallen:** At the time, I desperately hoped they could save my sister. So I left a candy wrapper in a street corner, hoping that it could give me a chance at redemption.

**Kallen:** Even though she knew I lied to her and that I was nearby, she didn’t raise her weapon. We exchanged information, and she quietly listened to my story. Though she was still mostly silent, I could sense that she looked at me like I was someone she knew.

**Himeko:** Maybe she recognised you before you realised it?

**Kallen:** I don’t know, but I’m certain that her gaze was directed at me as if I were someone else. That gentle light in her eyes had nothing to do with me.

**Kallen:** Maybe to her, I was just a passing liar.

**Himeko:** Why not find out when you meet her later?

**Kallen:** Forget it, someone like me shouldn’t have friends to begin with.

**Kallen:** My life and my time… they are just borrowed things. Having survived till now, I dare not ask for more.

**Himeko:** What you said seems to make sense, but…

**Himeko:** You already have a friend now.

**Kallen:** …Huh?

**Himeko:** How about a refreshing drink, Kallen?

Before she could respond, a canned drink was tossed into her hands.

**Kallen:** …Thank you.

**Kallen:** You don’t seem as reserved towards me as when we first met. Along this journey, you’ve been encouraging me a lot…

**Himeko:** Yeah, when did that start?

Kallen saw the redhead girl turn around with a smile, her high ponytail dancing playfully.

**Himeko:** By the way, I found the vials the Ferryman mentioned.

In her out-reached palm, a vial reflected pale blue under the light.

**Himeko:** Let’s go, the ninja lady needs us now.

**Bronie:** That old fox kept crucial information from us. The mechanisms in both engine rooms must be deactivated simultaneously. Otherwise, they’ll be automatically restored.

**Bronie:** So let’s do our best.

**Bronie:** We’ve already synchronised with them. Now it’s time to solve some puzzles… do you remember the steps we took earlier?

**Sirin:** Who’d remember that? All those confusing mechanisms… whoever came up with this must be total nuts.

**Bronie:** Looks like we have to start from the beginning. I remember we should begin with that safety barrier… This way.

Sirin followed Bronie, heading deeper into the engine room.

**Sirin:** The decorations on your hat look like ears.

**Bronie:** Oh, you think they’re cool too?

**Sirin:** Cool? No, I find them annoying.

**Bronie:** Oh, I get it. You want something like this too, right? No problem, I can get you something similar when we get back.

**Sirin:** I don’t want it! It keeps swinging around, and I feel like if I stare at it for too long, it will hypnotise me.

**Sirin:** (Why else would I always recall the time when Delta and I were traversing bubble universes, searching for clues?)

Perhaps because of their similar heights, she was more used to trailing behind Delta than Captain and Rita. Delta might look cold, but she was surprisingly easy to talk to.

**Sirin:** …What’s on her mind exactly?

**Bronie:** You mean Delta?

**Sirin:** Yeah. I still remember the look on her face after the Miracle Stone was destroyed… the mission failed, but she looked relieved.

**Sirin:** Why would she even stay on that ship? Obviously, he doesn’t care about her safety.

**Bronie:** Who knows? Maybe it’s like a stray cat finding a somewhat sturdy cardboard box and deciding to go inside.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** That’s quite a funny guess. It can’t be that simple, can it?

**Bronie:** How about we give it a try later?

**Sirin:** Prepare a box and see if Delta crawls into it?

**Bronie:** Exactly.

**Sirin:** Well, since she needs a reason to fight, let’s give her one. You really have a twisted sense of fun.

**Bronie:** Oh, come on, I’m just a well-intentioned rabbit.

**Kallen:** We’re here, Kasumi. Are you… alright?

The once swift and strong ninja was now leaning against the wall with her eyes tightly shut, seemingly enduring great pain.

**Kasumi:** Ugh…

**Kallen:** She seems to have a fever. Himeko, has Miss Bronie managed to analyse the vial’s composition?

**Himeko:** Not yet, give her a bit more time.

**Kallen:** You heard it, Kasumi. Just hold on a little longer… The pain will subside.

The ninja was panting heavily. Her sweat-soaked hair clung to her pale cheeks.

**Kasumi:** You’re… Kallen…

**Kasumi:** Leave… I don’t… wish to harm… you.

**Kallen:** I know. We’re here to save you.

**Bronie:** Hey, I’ve got the results. Based on the preliminary assessment, the composition should be safe for use.

**Bronie:** Seems like that old fox didn’t play any tricks on this one.

**Kallen:** Thanks, Miss Bronie.

**Bronie:** Don’t worry about it, we’re all in this together.

The communication was cut off. Himeko unlocked the vial’s safety cap, and the blue liquid flowed into the syringe.

**Himeko:** It might hurt a bit.

**Kasumi:** No… don’t…

**Himeko:** Kallen, help me hold her down.

**Kallen:** Sure.

**Kasumi:** The vial… no…

**Kallen:** It’s okay. It’ll be over soon.

Just like consoling her baby sister to take bitter medicine, Kallen comforted the ninja in a soft voice.

The liquid in the vial quickly diminished, and the ninja’s body grew hotter.

**Kallen:** So hot…

**Himeko:** Her condition seems a bit off. Are you sure the dose is safe?

**Kasumi:** …Why…

**Kasumi:** …Soul… transfer… experiment…

**Kallen:** Kasumi?

**Kasumi:** Enough… creating me arbitrarily, deciding my fate without my consent, and giving me that name…

**Kasumi:** Yae Machi… If I hadn’t come, if I never existed, would you have been able to live on…?

**Kasumi:** I’m nothing but a tool, with nothing to my name, already long accustomed to solitude. Why give me hope?

**Kallen:** Don’t be afraid. Are you having a nightmare?

Kallen gently stroked the ninja’s hair, trying to soothe her, but her hand was knocked aside.

**Kasumi:** Don’t touch me…

**Himeko:** Let her go, Kallen. Maybe it’s the injection’s side effects. Kasumi can’t tell friends and foes apart now… She’s dangerous!

**Kallen:** She seems to be holding something in her hand… Maybe a clue she left for us? I can take it… Wait…

She finally pried the ninja’s fingers apart… there’s a rainbow-colored lollipop in her hands.

**Kallen:** …Huh?

The next moment, the ninja flung Kallen away fiercely.

**Kasumi:** Leave… Don’t come near me!

“The gloss of the blooming sakura dispels darkness of the night.”

In the quiet night, pink petals fell gently and covered the ground.

She was a sharp blade, a fatal weapon groomed to be a ninja. Obeying orders was her instinct. Being needed by others was the purpose of her existence.

She had expected it, but hearing that command still brought her a pang. Why…?

The pitch-black cloak disappeared beyond the door, and the unspoken words stayed unsaid. The ninja self-deprecatingly smiled and drank the potion.

She had long grown accustomed to walking in the dark and to being abandoned.

“Now, you don’t need me anymore, do you?”

The nightmares of the past entwined her heart like thorns. She seemed to hear someone calling her name, yet it felt like an illusion.

“Now, it’s finally ending. But… why does my heart feel so much regret?”

A droplet fell onto the back of her hand.

“Please… you must wake up.”

“…Kasumi!”

**Kasumi:** I…

**Kallen:** How are you feeling now?

**Kasumi:** Sorry, I just…

**Himeko:** It’s okay. I’m glad you’re awake. I know you had no choice, By the way, nice to meet you. I’m Himeko.

**Kasumi:** …

**Kasumi:** No, wait, the mechanisms are not yet…

**Kallen:** Don’t worry, we’ve already taken care of them. Miss Bronie and Miss Sirin also handled the ones on their ends, so it’s safe now.

**Kasumi:** Well then, let’s part ways here.

The ninja turned around, supported herself against the wall, and took a step forward.

**Kallen:** Where are you going?

**Kallen:** After being treated like this, are you still going to obey his command? Kasumi, he’s using you!

**Kasumi:** I know.

**Kasumi:** Don’t worry, I won’t die easily. Ever since I could remember things, I’ve been alone. I’ve long accepted the reality of being a tool.

**Kallen:** No, it shouldn’t be like that… You’re not a tool.

**Kasumi:** It’s okay, Kallen. Being useful is enough for me.

**Kasumi:** But now, I’m no longer needed. I don’t know where to go anymore.

A hand gently grabbed the ninja’s arm.

**Kallen:** Then how about coming with us?

The girl with white hair looked at her earnestly, shaking the lollipop in her hand. The iridescent wrapper created shimmering ripples in her eyes.

**Kasumi:** How did you get this?

**Kallen:** You were holding onto it, so I thought it might be something important… I mean, that’s not what I wanted to tell you.

**Kallen:** We’re headed to the bridge. It’s not too late to say goodbye after you’ve figured things out and find a new purpose in life.

**Himeko:** Our immediate concern is giving that Ferryman guy a good beating!

**Himeko:** Who does he think he is? Not only has he messed up the world, but he’s also treated those who work for him as mere pawns… This kind of guy needs a hard lesson or two. When we meet that Ferryman later, don’t go easy on him, okay?

Kasumi smiled weakly.

She was pondering what to say in this situation when her ears caught a subtle disturbance in the air.

The next moment, the echoing metallic corridor magnified the sound, and chaotic cries reverberated like summer thunder.

**Kasumi:** Humph, just as I suspected… His plans are never simple.

**Kallen:** Let’s go, Kasumi. We need to regroup with the others.

In the dim space, blue-pink paint splattered everywhere. It was a concrete manifestation of Delta’s emotions.

**Bronie:** Judging from the amount of splatter, she’s emotionally unstable.

**Sirin:** Did you find her?

**Bronie:** Not yet. She’s pretty short. If she’s squatting in some corner, it’s actually really hard to spot her.

**Sirin:** Oh well, let magic lend a hand then…

**Bronie:** Don’t move. The drone captured a thermal image, and it’s getting closer.

Even without help from any device, Sirin could hear faint trembling breaths and the sound of a massive sword scraping the ground.

**Bronie:** Hey, Delta, you’re just in time.

**Delta:** …

**Sirin:** It’s been a few days, and you look terrible.

**Delta:** Get lost.

**Sirin:** Uh-oh, looks like we’re not welcome here.

**Bronie:** Try to chill out. This injection is mostly safe and will make you feel better. Don’t move, you’re getting this injection, so you’ll just have to bear it.

The sound of glass shattering rang out.

Delta had snatched the syringe and smashed it against the wall. The sharp glass had sliced her hand as she began to sober up.

**Delta:** I told you to get lost.

**Bronie:** Do you hate getting a shot that much? What do you think we should do, little Sirin?

**Sirin:** We’ll have to force it on her, of course. Luckily, we’ve got another syringe here.

**Delta:** Don’t touch me… Are you all deaf? Go away!

**Sirin:** Is this how you treat friends?

**Delta:** I’ve said it before, we’re enemies. Get out of my sight, now!

**Sirin:** Hmph. Well, that’s not up to you.

**Sirin:** I don’t care if your brain’s messed up or if you’re on some convoluted mission. If I have to knock you down to make sure you survive, I’ll do it!

Fight… I must keep fighting.

Why raise such a big sword? Why keep on running? None of it matters.

Can’t look back as long as she’s alive; If she doesn’t stop, she’ll be able to find a thread of old memories in this pure white nightmare.

But eventually, she fell, collapsing heavily into the snow, unable to move at all.

Transparent, icy snowflakes fell one after another, covering her soft and comfy like a cozy quilt.

She remembered her childhood, how she was always the one who hated getting out of bed, especially in winter.

“▇▇▇▇ idiotka, if you don’t get up now, I’m gonna eat your breakfast.”

“Hehe! You can’t do that, because…”

“I’ll drag you back into bed!”

“Hey, let go of me…”

“Just sleep a bit longer with me, ▇▇▇. Think about it, it’s so cold outside, but we can just lie here in the warm bed and watch the snow. Think how comfortable it will be.”

The biting cold air stimulated her airways. She couldn’t help but cough a few times.

“Ah… I’d love to hear her call me idiotka again…”

She laughed at herself. This desire buried so deep under the snow would never come true now.

“…Idiotka…!”

“My patience is running thin… Wake up, do you hear me? You think you can get away with hitting me on the head with that sword?”

It felt like finding a piece of broken glass in some candy, or biting into a big piece of ginger while eating stewed potatoes… Delta felt like she was choking.

**Delta:** What’s with the ruckus?! I just wanted to rest for a while… Hey, hey, what are you doing?!

Delta opened her eyes and found herself lying at the center of a series of magic circles. A pair of scissors lay next to her face, and the bizarre patterns on the scissors emitted an oddly disconcerting light.

**Bronie:** Lucky you. You woke up before little Sirin tried using revival magic for the first time.

**Bronie:** They say that magic was found in some forbidden book, and if anything goes wrong, you might grow four ears or eight legs… It’s really a stroke of luck that it wasn’t used on you!

**Delta:** Why didn’t you stop her?!

**Bronie:** Why would I? She was working hard to save you.

**Delta:** You just wanted to see me grow four ears, didn’t you?

**Bronie:** It’d be fascinating, don’t you think?

**Delta:** Forget it. I’ve got no time to deal with you… I have things to do, I have to go…

She stood up, intending to leave, but instead bumped into Sirin’s rosy nose as she turned around.

**Sirin:** Stop.

**Delta:** You’re crying again? You can’t be this concerned about an enemy.

**Sirin:** Don’t get delusional. I’m not concerned about you! I just have to wake you up. Beating up someone whose mind is clouded by nightmares doesn’t give me a sense of accomplishment.

**Delta:** Ha… how childish.

**Delta:** It’s not a nightmare, but a rare pleasant dream.

Delta closed her eyes and smiled, as if savoring the bittersweet snow in her dream.

**Sirin:** Has she really woken up?

**Bronie:** Doesn’t seem like it.

Bronie shook her head and made an exaggerated expression of hopelessness.

**Delta:** Hey, your voices are too loud, even when you whisper.

**Delta:** What bad luck to run into you… By the way, where’s your Captain? I’m guessing your Captain’s come along too.

**Bronie:** You guessed right. You’ll know where Captain is soon enough.

**Delta:** What?

She was interrupted by a sudden loud noise.

**Delta:** That sound…! Did you already take care of all the mechanisms in the engine rooms?

**Sirin:** Don’t worry, they were taken care of long ago.

**Delta:** That sounded like it came from far off. Judging by the direction, it seems to be coming from the central passage. Could it be…

**Sirin:** You know Captain always marches into danger alone, and never listens to others.

**Bronie:** We need your help. After all, you’re very skilled and know the lay of the land.

**Delta:** What’s it to me? This is your Captain, not mine…

For a moment, a slightly forlorn expression appeared on Delta’s face. She rubbed her eyes, then hummed nonchalantly.

**Delta:** Funny, seeking help from enemies… is that what your Captain taught you?

**Sirin:** I can’t be bothered with that. I just found you agreeable. There are plenty of suitable candidates, but there’s only one idiotka named Delta.

**Delta:** …Tsk.

**Bronie:** What do you say? Are you interested in taking on a mission? The reward is quite generous.

**Delta:** Hey, don’t lump me in with the likes of you.

**Delta:** But… I’ll take you up on your offer, just this once.

Bronie winked at Sirin and whistled cheerfully.

**Bronie:** See? The little animal has entered the box. Let’s go meet up with everyone.

**Delta:** Huh?

**Delta:** What’s that supposed to mean? Tell me… Hey!

**Rita:** Captain, the two engine rooms have been cleared, and Miss Delta, as well as the ninja, are both recovering.

Nodding, I shot a darting glance towards the front of the passageway. Bathed in the shadows, a swarm of enemies surged forth like a wave.

**Captain:** Now it’s our turn.

**Captain:** This guy’s famous for pulling stunts like this, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. Nevertheless, the sheer amount of Honkai beasts here is astonishing.

**Kongming:** To be able to command that many Honkai beasts and simultaneously launch a surprise attack through the center passage… This is no pushover we’re dealing with here, Miss Rita.

**Rita:** It can’t be helped. The Ferryman is not someone to be trifled with, and is someone who never leaves any loose ends. If we want to end this here and emerge victorious, we’ll have to be exceedingly cautious.

**Kongming:** Heh, same boring old tricks as usual if you ask me. An honest person never plays dirty. Don’t let me ever catch you slipping like that, Captain.

**Captain:** I wouldn’t dare.

**Kongming:** I figured as much. You and the Ferryman are as different as chalk and cheese. I still remember what you said to me when I first met you…

**Captain:** Hmm?

Kongming clammed up all of a sudden and her ears flushed red.

**Kongming:** It’s nothing worth mentioning. Let’s just focus on the matter at hand.

**Rita:** Well, as for the here and now… How’s the preparation going, Master Kongming? Those beasts are chomping at the bit to tear us to shreds.

**Kongming:** All done. The circle is complete. Come on, let’s clear a path through them.

--

#### To the Bridge

**Captain:** What’s up with this door? It won’t budge.

**Rita:** Sorry, but the Ferryman seems to have somehow sealed the door to the bridge.

**Captain:** No surprise there. He’s had everything under his control right from the start.

**Kongming:** If we had chosen to skip the game and head directly to the bridge, it wouldn’t have changed much.

**Rita:** Maybe we should meet with Miss Bronie. Her drone could potentially create an opening from above.

**Captain:** No, time isn’t on our side. We don’t know how much time the Ferryman needs to ignite those Ether Anchor, or how long the bubble universe linked for Luna will last.

**Captain:** Seeing as the structure of this ship is similar to that of the Hyperion, there may be a way to enter the bridge directly from the deck.

**Kongming:** Seems viable to me. More or less, I mean.

**Captain:** Simple, yet feasible. My favorite. Come on, the deck isn’t far from here.

**Kongming:** There’s water everywhere. There’s no way we can get through this.

**Captain:** Wait, what’s that?

Ahead of us, placed on the exhibition stand, was a shining piece of crystal. The biting chill it gave off rendered everyone nearly immobile.

**Rita:** This was once an Ether Anchor, and the heart of a world.

**Rita:** To stop the bubble universe from deteriorating, the mountain god of that world used their own heart to freeze it.

**Rita:** It both protected and suffocated that world all at once. Only when the sprites awoke from the frozen springs was it finally removed from the everlasting frost.

**Rita:** Afterward, this core wound up in that master’s hands. Though it ceased to be an Ether Anchor in the wake of that bubble universe’s destruction, it can still lower the surrounding temperature in the blink of an eye.

**Kongming:** In other words, it’s capable of freezing things instantly.

**Rita:** Precisely.

**Kongming:** Freeze the water then, so we can pass.

**Captain:** Good idea. Let’s get started. We have to put a stop to all this.

--

#### Ferryman

There was neither a hint of sound nor a shred of light.

The bridge was submerged in complete darkness. I even began to doubt whether or not the Ferryman was truly there.

**???:** Having fun, “Captain”?

The lights on the bridge illuminated one by one.

**Ferryman:** You’re too slow. You wasted more time than I expected.

Directly in front of us, the Ferryman sat on the rickety bridge, their monotone voice laced with a slight tinge of disappointment.

Looking around, I found no trace of the Ether Anchor.

**Ferryman:** You had the choice to proceed directly to the bridge, but instead, you opted to split off into three groups. Like a bunch of lemmings running themselves off a cliff… truly fascinating.

**Ferryman:** And you even want to save your enemy? What a hopeless case you are.

**Captain:** I’m not like your kind.

**Captain:** I care nothing about Delta and that ninja’s identity. I want to help everyone equally.

**Captain:** I respect all my opponents. Even if our paths cross, I will always be victorious fair and square. I never resort to underhanded tactics.

\*clap\* \*clap\*

The sonorous sound of applause cracked through the space.

**Ferryman:** Bravo. A marvelous speech indeed. But what are you really after?

**Ferryman:** Have you come to snatch the Ether Anchor? Unfortunately, I don’t believe you’re quite capable of controlling them just yet.

**Ferryman:** Or is it that you want to save those in the bubble universe? Preposterous. What can you possibly hope to achieve?

**Captain:** It never hurts to try. Plus, we’re far from the same. How can you be so certain I’m going to fail?

**Ferryman:** Because I’ve tried. Every last iteration possible.

The Ferryman’s voice was surprisingly calm.

**Ferryman:** See the box to your right? Open it.

**Kongming:** Captain, be careful.

**Rita:** Let me open it.

**Captain:** It’s fine. There’s nothing but a button inside.

**Ferryman:** An odorless poison gas is being released into this room as we speak. Press that button and the bridge door will open, causing the gas to leak into the passage. Then it’s sayonara to your friends. If you do nothing, then the gas will remain in this room and both of us will perish.

**Ferryman:** Now, make your choice. All of our fates are in your hands.

**[CHOICE] =** Press the button and open the door.

Nothing happened.

**Ferryman:** Hehe… you saw right through it, didn’t you?

**[CHOICE] =** Do nothing, and have fewer people die.

**Ferryman:** What was that you were saying about us being so different? I’m not so sure I agree.

I tossed the box to the side.

**Captain:** A meaningless question with no answer. There is no poison gas.

**Ferryman:** You’re smarter than you look.

**Captain:** I get it now. You only gave the Ether Anchor to Luna to take advantage of her and let her form a connection with the Theresas, even though you knew it would burn her in the end.

**Captain:** They were never anything more than pawns to you.

**Ferryman:** How incisive you are! You’ve finally understood the true nature of my plan.

**Ferryman:** I suppose I should thank you for dragging those Theresas back from the World Rift. They’ll make for fine kindling when the Ether Anchor goes up in flames.

**Captain:** Is this some kind of sick joke?!

**Ferryman:** You can’t wrap your puny brain around it, can you? Understandable. You’ll get used to it once you’ve experienced enough.

**Ferryman:** If I succeed, Luna and those Theresas will be the ultimate sacrifice.

**Ferryman:** And those bubble universes that I’ve linked, all corresponding to these Ether Anchors, will embrace order once again. No longer will there be any need to worry about the inevitable decline that fate has in store. It will be able to remain adrift in the Sea of Quanta indefinitely.

**Ferryman:** Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? You’ll be free from sheltering the lost and displaced from all those fragmented worlds.

**Ferryman:** I used to be just like you, reluctant to let go, always wanting to save everyone. I’ve exhausted all the possibilities, but it’s a lost cause.

**Ferryman:** And I’ve finally come to the realisation that a fairytale ending is precisely that; a fantasy.

**Ferryman:** Sacrificing a few to ensure the survival of many, is that not a wise decision? It will put an end to all of these doomed futures, and it can only be done by me.

**Captain:** In what world would that be considered saving them? This rambling tirade of yours is merely you attempting to convince yourself of your own mania.

**Captain:** All this pontificating on the many and the few… People’s lives are not something for you to weigh on a scale. You have no right to dictate someone else’s life!

**Ferryman:** How naive. If you want to make an omelet, you’ve got to break some eggs. In order to save more people, a small sacrifice is unavoidable.

**Ferryman:** How about I start with you?

The Ferryman grinned, and before I had any time to react, a blade was pressed against my throat.

Then, just as quickly, there was a flash of light and the blade was shattered in two.

**Bronie:** Just in the nick of time!

The drone carved a celebratory arc through the air. Bronie and Sirin were the first to rush in, followed by Himeko, Kallen, Delta, and Kasumi.

**Kasumi:** Stop right there, Ferryman.

**Ferryman:** So this is how it’s going to be? Fine, so be it. Now I won’t have to dispose of you individually.

With a caustic chortle, the Ferryman produced an Ether Anchor from under his black robe.

**Sirin:** Watch out! Don’t let them combust the Ether Anchor!

**Ferryman:** Next, I shall invite you all to witness…

**Ferryman:** Perfection.

**Ferryman:** To save everyone, you have to be ready to lose them all.

**Ferryman:** Give up meaningless mercy which drags you down like a swamp.

**Ferryman:** Give up meaningless gentleness which puts shackles on you.

**Ferryman:** Give up your attachments and pursue your vision.

**Ferryman:** Give up your obsessions and forge your rebirth.

**Ferryman:** Farewell, Captain of the Hyperion.

All was lost.

We never stood a chance. The Ferryman had gained absolute power. For us to have even lasted so long was a miracle in itself.

Long enough for our plan to be smoothly carried out.

**Bronie:** I take it that we’re proceeding in the right direction?

**Kallen:** We are. I can feel the Ether Anchors right ahead. But…

**Kallen:** Can we really stop the Ferryman?

**Kongming:** We know nothing about who we’re going up against. Their strength is difficult to estimate. I’ve run through hundreds of potential courses of action, but their implementation is bound to be flawed.

**Kongming:** Once the Ferryman combusts the Ether Anchor, the consequences will be irreversible.

**Captain:** Or, we deliberately focus on the weak points.

**Kongming:** So, you want to use the Ferryman to get to the crux of the matter?

**Captain:** Close, but not quite. Remember the Ferryman’s goal?

**Captain:** He wants to harness the massive energy produced by the Ether Anchors to create a World Rift in the boundless ocean.

**Captain:** Perhaps at some point, I can seize an opportune moment and enter the rift. Seeing as Luna refuses our help, I’ll go in myself and bring her back.

**Kongming:** That’s a rather bold plan. Do you realise what you’re saying? When the Ferryman tears open the World Rift, the Ether Anchor will have already combusted.

**Kongming:** By the time you return, it’ll be too late.

**Rita:** Perhaps, it’s not totally irreversible.

**Rita:** Based on the experiences of the Theresas, time in the World Rift passes at a different speed than reality. If Miss Sirin and I were to interfere, perhaps we can make you return the same way you came.

**Sirin:** I could use magic to mark the point in time after you enter the rift, and then essentially employ “Reverse Construction” to reverse it and bring you back. We’ll alert you with a signal to let you know before time ends.

**Sirin:** But this is all heavily theoretical. We have no idea how the World Rift will function. How long will it last? Can you find Luna with the limited time we’ll have? You better be prepared.

**Captain:** I know.

**Sirin:** Not only that, but the Ferryman will be there when we reverse everything, so chances are that he’ll know what our plan is.

**Bronie:** That’s not a problem. As long as we make enough of a scene to attract their attention, it will be fine. Right?

**Captain:** Are you saying we use the drone?

**Bronie:** Oh, don’t you worry about it. I was bored stiff the other day, so I took some scrap metal from Miss Kongming’s warehouse and assembled them into this clunker.

**Kongming:** Did you just say scrap metal?

**Bronie:** Haha, well, you know, it’s not like you’re gonna need the armillary sphere anytime soon anyway…

**Kongming:** Bronie! How many times have I told you?!

**Captain:** (Bronie is the only one capable of getting Kongming so riled up.)

**Captain:** (Even now, just thinking about it causes fits of laughter to escape from between my lips.)

**Captain:** (But now is not the time to be sitting idly by, reminiscing.)

**Captain:** (We set foot on this perilous path in order to achieve an ending where everyone can smile.)

**Captain:** (It may be a long and winding road, it might all be wishful thinking in the end, and perhaps our fates have no hope of intertwining ever again…)

**Captain:** (But even so…)

**Captain:** (I will follow its course to the very end without hesitation.)

**Captain:** (So this is the end of the world, is it? It’s so… unremarkable.)

In the deserted passage was a ghostly specter. She knelt helplessly on the ground, her hands covering her face.

**Moment of Parting:** “Is this the hell where the vampires are supposed to return to? Why is it so different than what’s portrayed in the books?”

**Moment of Parting:** “It’s so empty here. I feel nothing except the passing of time.”

**Moment of Parting:** “I’m still breathing, and everything I’m witnessing here still feels real. But my chest feels so tight, and my heart is filled with this terrible nothingness.”

**Moment of Parting:** “Ever since I met that person, my heart has been racing nonstop. So…”

**Moment of Parting:** “…I must still be alive, right?”

**Moment of Parting:** “But how? The Ether Anchor should have erased my entire existence. How can my heart still be beating like it is?”

**???:** I shall build a bridge for you, the girl under the crimson moon. All you must do is traverse through the haze of this dreamland and return to the moonlight.

**Moment of Parting:** “…?!”

**Moment of Parting:** “Someone’s calling me. It must be that human’s partner. He just doesn’t know when to quit.”

**Moment of Parting:** “You are so annoyingly persistent, human. Why can’t you just listen to me? You will wear me out like this…”

**Moment of Parting:** “I must move on, and get as far from you as possible, until…”

**Moment of Parting:** “…The end of time.”

The small figure stood up and started running ahead. She was right here, I…

Those times were engraved in her memories and I quickly walked into them. Storybooks, HOMU dolls, and everything else she loved flashed before my eyes.

I followed those traces forward, allowing time to keep my body rooted.

**Captain:** (To catch up to her, I must merge into the traces that she had left behind.)

**Captain:** (I promise I will find you, even if I have to follow you to the end of time itself.)

My legs moved instinctively as if possessed, carrying me along the road toward an unknown destination.

Never once did the girl’s figure stop. Even with me right behind her, there was nothing I could do to add even a hint of color to her world.

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “Human, you must be safe now.”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “There must be ten years between us.”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “This is the world rift, the domain of time. With every step I take, untold amounts of time pass in the outside world.”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “Here, however, time never seems to pass any slower to me.”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “I want to see you. I miss your face every waking moment, so badly that it hurts. It’s so unfair that it was me and me alone who couldn’t stay by your side.”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “You must still be looking for me, looking for a way to save me…”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “But I can’t stop. I must go on.”

**Vibrations of a Decade:** “I can’t let you find me!”

How long had I been walking? Even the concept of time had become an abstraction, yet that lone figure still continued, undaunted.

**Echoes of a Century:** “How far have I gone? It must be about a hundred years. Will your heart pang when I think of you?”

**Echoes of a Century:** “Live a full life and remember me. Remember me.”

**Echoes of a Century:** “Forever and evermore.”

**Echoes of a Century:** “But…”

**Echoes of a Century:** “I knew you wouldn’t listen to me and resign yourself to living a long and happy life. You never listened to me before, so why would you start now?”

**Echoes of a Century:** “To think that you’re still alive, with gray hair and wrinkles on your face. You must be a sorry sight to behold.”

**Echoes of a Century:** “…”

**Echoes of a Century:** “…”

**Echoes of a Century:** “Even now, you must have never forgotten me. You promised me you wouldn’t, and you’ve never once lied to me.”

**Echoes of a Century:** “How I wish I could see your face now… Even if it were but a glimpse from afar… that would be enough.”

The figure seemed to have grown taller. Her gait was unhurried, but she was still all alone.

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “La-la-la.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Time passes mercilessly, claiming lives and longing alike.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Have a thousand years turned you into bone and ash?”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Have they left you in an oblivion?”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “I’ve learned my lesson not to ask for you, so you can sleep soundly amongst the comfort of your dreams.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “I’ve gotten used to not thinking of you, so you can rest peacefully in your sepulchral slumber.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “…”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Even though a thousand years have passed, I still find myself unable to put you out of my mind.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “For me, a thousand years have merely made me a little taller, whereas for you, you have long been reduced to dust.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “How can you be so gentle yet so ephemeral? Oh, how I have pined for you, and yet you gave me no time. And so all I am filled with now is regret.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Why didn’t I make several more wishes on that day?”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Why didn’t I ask for you to shower me with more compliments? Why didn’t I ask for you to hug me?”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Did I not tell you that was my last wish? How could I possibly bother you with new demands?”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Would you see me as greedy? But… But…”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Vampires are greedy by nature.”

**Lone Walk of a Millennium:** “Why should I bear the curse of immortality? Then I would never get the pleasure of seeing your ghost.”

The figure slowly grew taller, transforming into someone I didn’t recognise. She continued forward, walking alone, though occasionally she would stop and look back.

**Present of a Myriad:** “No matter how long it takes, no matter where you are, you will always find me.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “No matter how many times I look at it, I still think you’re a hopeless fool.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “Well, you lost. You couldn’t find me.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “How far have I gone? I have no idea. But I’m sure it’s far enough for you to fall behind.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “This place is my home. My final destination.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “There is nothing here, but I’ll never be bored. Don’t you worry about me. Without you, everywhere is the same to me.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “But…”

**Present of a Myriad:** “But it still hurts. My heart continues to beat, but the inside is so hollow. Nothing can fill this black void in my heart.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “Would you find me? Would you manifest yourself here and stand before me? Could you still recognise me?”

**Present of a Myriad:** “No, you must not find me, or else we would turn out the same as before.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “But what good is it to ruminate on this? You must have died long ago. How could I wish for anything different?”

**Present of a Myriad:** “But the pain is all-consuming and undeniable. Every moment in which you are not in my mind is torture. There is something streaming down my face.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “It’s all your fault. It’s your fault for saying what you did with so much certainty. You gave me so much hope.”

**Present of a Myriad:** “If I stop here, will you…”

**Present of a Myriad:** “Will you find me?”

She stopped walking and disappeared amid the white light.

I knew this was where the journey ended. Time would erase all, even destiny itself, but our faith in each other would never fade. This would be our moment of reunion.

As I passed through too much time, my body began to fuse with her traces, and my clothes became the HOMU doll in her memories.

**Captain:** Would it be childish to meet you while looking like this? But… You’ve always loved HOMU dolls.

**Captain:** No matter how long it takes, no matter where you are, I will bring you back. I’ve already traveled ten thousand years. This time, I must…

**Captain:** Hold you tight.

**Luna:** Hmm?

**Luna:** Human? Why are you…

**Luna:** No.

**Luna:** Get out of here!

**Luna:** Hmm?

**Luna:** Human, you're such a willful one.

Her smile thinly hid a sea of pain.

Never had I seen such a tragic smile.

**Luna:** I can finally see you again… How long I have waited to see you once again.

**Luna:** You have always had a special place in my heart. No matter what disguise you adopt, I will always recognise you by your scent.

**Luna:** I know that you are not one to give up, and that you are looking for me. That is why I’ve been hiding from you all this time.

**Luna:** But we have already said our goodbyes. It would be wrong to see one another again after such a farewell.

**Luna:** It took me so much to make up my mind and leave. So long to sever the tangled strings of fate. Why couldn’t you just keep your word?

**Luna:** The moment the word “goodbye” escaped from my lips, I wanted to take it back. But I must leave, and I must get as far from you as possible, far enough for the world to forget my existence.

**Luna:** As long as I still haunt your dreams, as long as my name still echoes in your mind, as long as you can live a happy life…

**Luna:** But you… why are you so stubborn?

**[CHOICE] =** I’m sorry…

**Luna:** Don’t apologise.

**Luna:** For us to be able to reunite like this fills me with indescribable joy.

**Luna:** What a long road you must have traveled. Oh… I can hear it now. Your heart is racing, just like mine.

**[CHOICE] =** I have so much to tell you.

**Luna:** I know. I do too.

**Luna:** Though it’s clear to me that we shouldn’t be meeting again, I have been powerless to prevent my mind from dwelling on this moment and how it would all go down.

**Luna:** We would embrace and take one another in our arms… like this.

**Luna:** How I have missed you so. Every second of every day, your image finds its way into my mind.

**Luna:** Let me hold you a little while longer, until the curse of fate befalls me…

**[CHOICE] =** Don’t be afraid. That curse has been lifted.

**[CHOICE] =** Destiny has been weakened.

**Luna:** Has it really been so long?

**Luna:** You look just as you did before. Nothing has changed about you, not your smell, nor the warmth of your body.

**Luna:** Hold on…

**Luna:** Is this all too much?

Self-doubt crept into her face as she nervously avoided my gaze.

**Luna:** Will you still like me now as you did then?

**[CHOICE] =** Hmm…

**Luna:** You fool!

**Luna:** Your fluttering heart has already betrayed your true inner thoughts.

**[CHOICE] =** Of course.

**Luna:** Do… do you mean what you say?

**Luna:** Don’t lie to me. This isn’t some joke!

**Luna:** Do you hear that ticking? Like the sound of a timer.

**Luna:** Are we running out of time?

**Luna:** It’s okay. I know what you want. You want to take me away from here, yes?

**Luna:** I’m sorry. If I returned, I’d have a target on my back. My very existence would be in defiance of the rules of that world.

**Luna:** So, I have made my decision. I will remain here… until the end.

**Luna:** Do not worry about me. I’m no longer the little girl I was before.

**Luna:** I don’t fear being alone or isolated. Besides, now that we have met once again, my world is filled with all sorts of wonder.

Luna surreptitiously loosened her grip.

**Luna:** So, we should say goodbye with a smile on our faces.

**[CHOICE] =** Hug her tighter.

**Luna:** Hmm?

**Luna:** You have to let me go.

**[CHOICE] =** Don’t let go.

**Luna:** I said let me go!

**Luna:** To have had the chance to see you again is more than I could ever hope for. I am content. I don’t want to press my luck. I don’t…

**Luna:** I don’t want to lose you all over again.

**Luna:** So, let me go. Please.

**[CHOICE] =** Don’t let go.

**Luna:** How stubborn you are. Can’t you listen to me just this once?

**Luna:** So much tenderness… and yet so much determination.

**[CHOICE] =** Don’t let go.

**Luna:** Let go. I’m begging you.

**Luna:** If you keep this up… I won’t be able to keep my resolve.

**[CHOICE] =** I want you to be honest.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** I…

**Luna:** I want to be with you, of course. I want it so much that it hurts.

**Luna:** Every second I have been here has been spent thinking about you. Every time my mind conjures up your face, my heart races. It is the only reminder that I’m still alive.

**Luna:** You are the very reason I’m here. How could I possibly bring myself to separate yet again?

**[CHOICE] =** I came prepared.

**[CHOICE] =** Leave it all to me.

**Luna:** Your persistence is remarkable.

**Luna:** Time and time again, you cause me to make choices that run in direct opposition to my will.

**[CHOICE] =** Come back with me, Luna.

**Luna:** …Alright.

**Luna:** But you must promise me something.

She inhaled deeply, as if preparing to blow out the candles on a birthday cake.

**Luna:** It was you who broke my hard-earned resolve, made me greedy and obstinate.

**Luna:** So I don’t want to be apart from you ever again.

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Tick, tock.”

That was the sound of the countdown ending, a signal that my partners and I had agreed on. Once I bring Luna back, the fluctuation she caused will be neutralised.

The singularity that burned for the World Rift had lost its connection with the last Theresa, and no longer moved.

Now is the chance to defeat the Ferryman.

The gentle breeze caressed my ears, and the road behind me crumbled rapidly into multicolored dots.

I held Luna’s hands tightly in mine. This time, I would never let go.

“Farewell, Captain of the Hyperion.”

“Struggle with all your might, like the ant you are.”

It was the Ferryman’s voice.

I saw Sirin’s magical stars shining a brilliant light and Bronie’s drone following Kongming’s feather fan.

I saw Delta shielding Himeko from an attack with her two-handed sword, the ninja’s swift and agile movements, and the desperation in Kallen’s eyes.

Afterward, the breeze brought with it the familiar smell of flowers, and gone was the white nothingness before me.

“Captain, Miss Luna… Welcome back.”

**Luna:** This time, I’ll stay by your side.

**Luna:** You’ve found that guy’s weakspot too, right?

**Luna:** Focus now, human. Let’s end this together.

**Luna:**Ha…

**Luna:** Aaaah!

**Luna:** Did we win?

**Bronie:** Oh, come on. We’re back on this old ship again? Have you seen the Ferryman?

**Kongming:** The last thing I remember is the ground shaking something terrible.

**Sirin:** Perhaps the space that he constructed collapsed. Perfection, I believe he called it. I doubt we’ll be seeing him around again.

**Kongming:** I beg to differ. He may well be feigning weakness to make us complacent. Once our guards are down, he’ll strike.

**Luna:** I agree. He’s a clever one. He could be hiding somewhere conserving his strength as we speak.

**Kongming:** I’m amazed to hear such perceptive thinking from you. That visit to the World Rift must have been good for your brain.

**Luna:** That’s hardly the only change I underwent. Besides, you’re adorable when you’re all confused, you know that?

**Kongming:** You…!

**Himeko:** That’s enough, you two. Now’s not the time to be bickering.

**Kongming:** Who wants to argue with a child anyway.

**Luna:** “Who wants to argue with a child anyway.”

**Captain:** (One moment they’re fine, and the next they’re at each other’s throats… Hmm? How come they’re both looking at me?)

**Captain:** The current situation is uncertain, to say the least. The most important thing is that we remain vigilant.

**Captain:** The Ferryman knows this ship like the back of his hand, so if he wanted to recuperate, this would be the perfect spot. SInce we’ve been sent back here, perhaps he has as well.

**Captain:** We’ll split into pairs to search the area.

**Bronie:** No problem! Let’s go. Miss Kongming, no need to look so mad all the time.

**Kongming:** I’m not mad!

There was neither a hint of sound nor a shred of light.

The previously inaccessible door now lay wide open and was completely unguarded.

If this were anything like the Hyperion, an alarm would trigger the second we set foot on the bridge. However, all that activated was some dim lighting.

**Rita:** Watch out, Captain.

**Captain:** It’s alright. The Ferryman doesn’t have the strength to play any more tricks.

**Ferryman:** About time you showed up.

**Captain:** Out with it. Where did you hide those Ether Anchors?

The Ferryman leaned on the rail, not answering.

**Ferryman:** I’ve been waiting for you. You followed the clues I placed like a good boy. You found Luna, came onto this ship, and now you’re here to fight me with all you’ve got.

**Ferryman:** I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.

**Ferryman:** Or, to be more precise, I didn’t disappoint myself.

**Captain:** You’re insane.

**Ferryman:** I take it you’ve already noticed that the structure of this ship is somewhat familiar, yes? What you might not have realised is that it shares the same name as your ship. The Hyperion.

**Ferryman:** You must be burning with curiosity. That’s why you rummaged through my collection.

**Ferryman:** But I am not your future, and the current you is not my past.

**Ferryman:** You are the original aspiration I abandoned, the great cause I could not achieve, the answer left unchosen among countless past choices.

**Ferryman:** I used to devote myself to traveling from one bubble universe to another, giving the displaced somewhere they could call home.

**Ferryman:** But as you know, even the Hyperion has its limits, and I was in urgent need of a plan to save everyone.

**Ferryman:** I exhausted all the possibilities that I could think of, yet found myself unable to progress. If you want to lift a heavy box, you must first put down what you have in your hands.

**Ferryman:** However, by the time I came to that realisation, I was already too far gone on a devious path. All of my old friends had long since deserted me.

**Ferryman:** It was already too late for me to turn back. I had sacrificed far too much in the name of my promise, for the home that I hoped everyone would have. To stop now would be unthinkable.

**Ferryman:** I carry their hopes and dreams with me. Even though I know what awaits me is a free fall down a bottomless abyss, I still have to go for it. And that was when you separated from me.

**Ferryman:** At that time, I merely considered you a fragile being who appeared by happenstance. You couldn’t possibly meddle with my plan, even if I left you to your devices.

**Ferryman:** But you were so stubborn, so unexpectedly obstinate that…

**Ferryman:** You made countless observations all for a young vampire, for a future where everyone gets to live. Giving up simply isn’t in your blood, nor is resigning yourself to an imperfect ending, even if it is ordained by fate.

**Ferryman:** You brought an idea into my head: Had I chosen differently, how would everything have turned out?

**Ferryman:** Perhaps, you can accomplish what I cannot.

**Ferryman:** I decided to continue observing you, and thus arranged for Rita to be in your company. You already know what happened after.

**Ferryman:** Apart from that, I didn’t interfere too much with your actions. You managed to survive until this moment all on your own. You have become an entirely different person from me.

**Ferryman:** Whereas I…

**Ferryman:** I have spewed one lie after another and broken all my promises. No one remains by my side, I have passed on this poison to my only friends, only for them to truly abandon me.

**Ferryman:** I failed them. In the end, I couldn’t save anyone.

**Captain:** Be that as it may, to break their hearts like this is going one step too far!

**Captain:** Stand up! We’re not going to part on our merry ways after you spew out another half-baked monologue. If you really want to apologise, walk up to Delta and Kasumi and do it properly.

**Captain:** What good does sitting there muttering to yourself do anyone? Stand up! If you want to end your own life, be my guest. Just wait until you’ve given them a proper explanation before you off yourself.

I yanked at the Ferryman’s sleeves, but he seemed to have completely given up, remaining limp as I pulled him to his feet. He was surprisingly heavy, and I lost my balance. The next thing I knew, he was dragging me to the ground.

The Ether Anchors hidden under his black robe came tumbling out and rolled all over the ground. Each of them was intact and wrapped in a transparent shield.

**Rita:** Captain… Something isn’t right about this.

The black robe fell off, exposing the recorder strapped to the Ferryman’s chest. My movements just now did nothing to it, as the audio continued on and off incessantly.

**Ferryman:** Have you… ever observed ants?

**Ferryman:** On their shoulders are aspirations and expectations, but in the end, they always come out empty-handed… They always tell themselves that they’ve come a long way, yet in hindsight, they would find that they actually have marched a very short distance…

**Ferryman:** I’m no more than an exhausted ant going round and round… trapped in the circle drawn by fate.

The body under the black robe had long been reduced to dust, leaving only the recorder playing with its remaining power.

**Ferryman:** I believe in you…

**Ferryman:** You are made to reach the future… that hasn’t been given a chance.

…

When I came back to my senses, I had already reached the beach.

**Kallen:** …

**Himeko:** …There you go. These are the only ones left.

**Bronie:** Tsk, that’s a mess. I could only find these parts too… Well, Miss Kongming?

**Bronie:** Your turret-type laser launcher… Eh, no, your armillary sphere is beyond repair. How about you consider making it into something else, or make a new one?

**Bronie:** Stay positive. If the old never left, how can it make space for the new?

**Kongming:** Save your excuses. Keep searching.

**Sirin:** Hey, have you seen Delta?

**Bronie:** Huh? No, I’ve been looking for the parts.

**Luna:** You mean the human with a tail? She… may still be on the old ship.

**Luna:** She isolated herself in the room and played video games like her life depended on it.

**Sirin:** Tsk, c’mon now…

**Bronie:** You want to comfort her?

**Sirin:** I’m not that kind-hearted. But, it could be fun watching her have a hard time.

**Sirin:** What do you say? Wanna come with?

**Bronie:** Alright. Ninja, you’re leading the way now.

**Kasumi:** …

**Kasumi:** Aren’t you familiar with that ship?

…

I passed them one by one.

Everyone looked relieved, save Delta and the silent ninja.

The tides had ebbed. Though there were still wet trails left on the beach, time would always erase them completely.

I stopped on a beach without footprints on it.

Maybe it was due to the distance, but their voices could be heard on and off.

Has everything… really come to an end?

From now on, Kongming, Luna, and I would never enjoy lasting peace in any bubble universe. What awaited us would only be endless drifting in the Sea.

But that did not matter. Most importantly, we were still together. The only thing I wished for was to travel with everyone.

**Rita:** Captain.

**Captain:** Rita, you… okay?

She looked a little surprised, and then her lips curled into a sad smile.

**Rita:** I’m fine. As an old friend, I think that she would have been satisfied with this ending.

**Rita:** The past is the past. Though it’s hard to accept for now, time will eventually push people to move on.

**Rita:** By the way, why are you here alone, Captain? What’s caught your interest?

**Captain:** The ants.

**Rita:** Are there ants even on the beach?

**Captain:** Yeah, I just noticed it, too. Oh, Rita, have you tried yet?

Reaching out my finger, I drew a circle around several ants on the beach.

**Captain:** So the ants really will stay confined to a circle that appeared out of nowhere.

**Rita:** Because ants rely on smell instead of their sight to discern directions.

**Rita:** When you drew the circle, you left a strange scent in the sand, so the ants think it’s uncharted territory ahead and hesitate when at the edge of the circle.

**Captain:** However…

**Captain:** As time flies by, the scents will eventually fade away, and the ants will gradually adapt to and understand the environment they’re in. So… You see.

The moonlight danced on the sea, as the fluorescent creatures around the shoreline bobbed on the waves.

On the somewhat wet beach, an ant lingered around the circle. After cocking its head to one side for a while, it set foot on the circle tentatively.

And then, it walked straight out of the circle.

### Side Missions

#### Treasure in the Mountain

**Boy Wearing Hat:** Hello! Do you want to join us in the Vampire Treasure Hunt?

**Captain:** (Vampire Treasure Hunt? Sounds very mysterious.)

**Captain:** What’s it all about?

**Boy Wearing Hat:** You don’t know? It’s all the rage now.

**Boy Wearing Hat:** Vampires know a few more things than just drinking human blood! We have some rather affluent vampires here, and they’ve hidden some of their treasures in this very city!

**Captain:** And I presume no one knows where they are?

**Boy Wearing Hat:** I know!

**Boy Wearing Hat:** I’ve been sniffing around for a long time. The treasure is located in the maze across the swimming pool. But, my Mum never taught me how to swim…

**Captain:** Oh, really? Then, I can help.

**Boy Wearing Hat:** That’d be great! There are three treasures in total. I’ve marked them on the map for you.

**Boy Wearing Hat:** Did you find them? Did you? The vampire’s treasures?

**Captain:** Yes… But there was nothing but a bunch of toys.

**Boy Wearing Hat:** A car, a gun, and a plane! Terrific! They’re finally back! I can hang out with my friends again now!

**Captain:** So… these belong to you?!

**Boy Wearing Hat:** Only little kids believe in vampires and treasure hunts. My Mum tossed my toys away and I just wanted to get them back…

**Captain:** (I never thought someone so young could be such a natural liar. This kid needs to be taught a lesson.)

**Captain:** So you lied to me? That’s it, finders keepers. I’m taking all of this stuff I found.

**Boy Wearing Hat:** Wait, no! I’m sorry! I’m sorry I lied to you!

**Boy Wearing Hat:** Thank you for getting them back. These… These are all the HOMU-chips I have. Would you be willing to sell those toys back to me?

**Captain:** (Why is there a nagging sense of guilt boiling up inside me?)

**Captain:** Alright, alright. I’m just kidding. Take them, they’re precious vampire treasures, after all! You can keep those coins, just don’t let me catch you doing this sort of thing again.

**Boy Wearing Hat:** O-Okay. Thank you.

--

#### Comic Book Fan's Troubles

**Himeko:** Hello, this is Himeko, the Police Volunteer in Soukai City… Wait, what? You’re the client?

**Abelard:** Sorry, it’s me indeed.

**Sirin:** You’re the master thief who taught me how to shut the auction house’s gate!

**Abelard:** Shush. I’m just a comic book nerd. Master thief? You must have me mistaken for someone else.

**Bronie:** Nothing good comes of you. Let me guess, could it be…

**Abelard:** Help me find my lost comic book! Please!

**Captain:** As expected…

**Abelard:** You won’t believe this. I had such a hard time finding someone who could help me buy a comic book from the bookstore. So naturally, I had to keep it safe.

**Abelard:** The plan was flawless. I went and hid it in the park.

**Captain:** Then, it must be in the park! Why don’t you just go get it?

**Abelard:** That’s the problem! Just to be safe, I placed too many heavy objects around it to protect it, and now… I can’t access it either.

**Captain:** …

**Abelard:** Help me out, please. I can’t stand a day without my comics. I feel absolutely rotten, like I’m being eaten from the inside out. Oh, woe is me!

**Bronie:** …Is it really that bad?

**Abelard:** How can you be so heartless? How can you stand by and watch an innocent comic book fan fall apart? Oh, such cruelty!

**Captain:** Fine, fine. I’ll help you, if that’d make me less of a villain. I don’t have a choice, do I?

Seemed like this page was ripped out of a diary.

**Diary:** I heard someone talking about me when I walked past today.

**Diary:** Apparently, word on the street is that I’m a master thief. No door I can’t open, no safe I can’t crack.

**Diary:** It’s fine to let a few misconceptions swirl about.

**Diary:** Nobody will ever understand loners like me.

**Diary:** Sometimes, when I look at the treasure, I start to think…

**Diary:** Maybe I really am as bad as they say.

**Diary:** I’m the one who got all these treasures.

**Diary:** But I feel empty inside.

**Diary:** I don’t feel like myself. Why?

**Diary:** Why can’t I be satisfied?

**Diary:** What must I do to fill this void inside me?

**Diary:** …

**Diary:** Thankfully, after doing some reading, I finally realised…

**Diary:** That humans are flawed and finite creatures… Unless you overcome humanity.

**Diary:** So I reject my humanity!

The latter parts of the entry became more erratic, with the handwriting getting so sloppy as to become indecipherable.

**Captain:** Here. Is this what you want?

**Abelard:** That’s right! The Bloodkin Princess and Her Beloved Knight is my favorite vampire comic book! It’s a masterpiece, I tell ya! I wish I could tell the whole world about it.

**Himeko:** I have a feeling…

**Bronie:** That he’s going to bloviate about the comic? Me too.

**Abelard:** The book starts with the vampire princess fleeing from the castle where she has been kept. Under the crimson moon, when she thirsts for blood, her beloved knight appears.

**Captain:** I knew it!

**Abelard:** The knight isn’t afraid of her bloodthirsty nature. Instead, he is mesmerised by her story and promises to show her the world. They travel through countries and embark on a whirlwind romance.

**Abelard:** The princess’ go-to line is “I am a vampire, can I take a sip?” How adorable she is! Mischievous as an imp and sweet as an angel. I want the entire world to know how cute she is!

**Abelard:** Come! Read it. I’ve got three sets, and I’m willing to give you one of them. Then, you too can bask in the glory of Bloodkin Princess.

**Sirin:** There’s… no end to this…

**Abelard:** Ooooh, and I’ve got to tell you about the latest chapter… Wait a minute… How did this happen?!

**Captain:** What’s wrong?

**Abelard:** One of them is missing! Just to be safe, I hid the different copies in separate locations. You only brought back some of them!

**Bronie:** Why didn’t you tell us about this sooner?!

**Captain:** Forget it, let’s go again.

There were a few notes left behind.

**Note 1:** I was born amongst the night.

**Note 1:** The moonlight is my nourishment.

**Note 1:** My loyal companions, follow my lead.

**Note 1:** Darkness shall reclaim the earth…

**Note 1:** …

**Note 2:** How do we bring them out from fiction and into reality?

**Note 2:** It gradually dawns on me that…

**Note 2:** The more people believe in something, the more real it becomes on this world.

**Note 2:** …

**Note 3:** 1. First, it was the rumor about the shadows flickering through the cats’ resting area.

**Note 3:** 2. Then, there were the suspicious blood spots around the bush.

**Note 3:** 3. And finally, the mysterious markings in the park that were said to have been made when two vampires fought one another!

**Note 3:** …

**Note 4:** This is fantastic! All we need now is a capable actor to play the part. Allow me to have the honor!

**Note 4:** …Vampire costumes certainly don’t come cheap. I’ll sell my buried treasure if I really have to.

**Note 4:** A small sacrifice to see my grand vampire project to completion.

**Note 4:** …

**Captain:** Pretty sure this is the missing one. Here you go.

**Himeko:** Our job here is done, right?

Abelard took the comic book and briskly sat down to read.

**Abelard:** Argh! What?! A cliffhanger again?!

**Himeko:** I feel like I’ve seen this scene before.

**Bronie:** Well, that’s how comic books work.

**Abelard:** In the serial from a year ago, the Bloodkin Princess was taken away by her sister. Under the crimson moon, she made a promise to the knight that they would meet again.

**Captain:** What a moving story.

**Abelard:** As the year progressed, there were numerous twists and turns. Not once during this time did either of them forget their promise, and they worked diligently for it. Finally, the knight arrived at the castle gate. One door was all that separated him and his beloved.

**Bronie:** Don’t tell me that’s where it ends?

**Abelard:** It did! That stupid author! These chapters always end so abruptly! It’s enough to drive you crazy!

**Sirin:** Calm down. Don’t wanna get yourself in trouble again.

**Abelard:** I just wish I could travel in time to a few days from now and check out the next chapter.

**Captain:** Which will probably end just as abruptly.

**Abelard:** Don’t jinx it!

**Captain:** Fine, but let me ask you a question.

**[CHOICE] =** You’re not the master thief, are you?

**Abelard:** What? What are you talking about?

**Captain:** This was found between the pages. It would explain why you knew how to sneak into the auction house. And it seems you also have something to do with the vampires.

I placed the collected journal fragments and notes in front of Abelard.

**Abelard:** Erm… well…

Abelard pulled me aside and slipped a few coins into my pocket, unfazed.

**Abelard:** This is all the money I’ve saved up over the past few years. You know nothing, okay?

--

#### Beach Treasure Hunt

An elderly man sat down on the cluttered beach, gazing at the tides as they ebbed and flowed.

**Old Man on the Beach:** The tide may recede, but in doing so, it reveals the treasures scattered on the beach.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Find me if you find something great on the beach. I’ve been hunting treasures along this beach for years. I’m a veteran beachcomber.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Go forth, young ones, and find the treasures lying buried in the sand.

**Old Man on the Beach:** These shimmering glows are like fallen stars that have plummeted into the sea.

**Captain:** Could the superpower potion be behind this?

**Old Man on the Beach:** Speaking from my personal experience, I’d say it’s just a drifting bottle filled with seawater. But the seawater here has a fishy and salty taste you’ll never forget.

**Old Man on the Beach:** The slightly agape fish mouth, the plump shape, and the pronounced tail…

**Captain:** 2.5kg? Not much to write home about.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Did I ask for your opinion? From my experience, you can cook a delicious steamed fish with this. Wait here, I’ll show you how it’s done.

**Old Man on the Beach:** The orange-red skin, the beautiful spines, and the perfect thirty degrees at each angle…

**Captain:** What’s so great about this starfish?

**Old Man on the Beach:** They’re fairly common, but you can dry them out and use them as a decoration, or sell them for some money. At any rate, it’s better than nothin’.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Not bad. Congrats, you found a long lost treasure map.

**Captain:** Where should we start?

**Old Man on the Beach:** Let me see… Haha, it says that the treasure is located under the tallest building in Soukai City.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Ugh! This ancient script reeks. Don’t open it.

**Captain:** I already read it beforehand. It appears to be a sailor’s logbook.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Ahem, from what I see, if you read just any ancient script from the sea, you might wind up in bed for a couple of days… But I’m glad that you’re fine.

**Old Man on the Beach:** The flawless surface, the exquisite carving, and the substantial weight… It looks like…

**Captain:** Is it an ancient jade stamp?

**Old Man on the Beach:** I’ve been combing the beach for years, and I ain’t never run across no jade stamp. This might be a counterfeit from a thrift shop someone tossed over here. I’ve got plenty of them.

**Old Man on the Beach:** The plump pearls, the half-drunk tea, and the delicate straw…

**Captain:** …Is there a trash bin around here where we can toss it?

**Old Man on the Beach:** Bah, you run into this kind of trash all the time on the beach. Leave it to me.

**Old Man on the Beach:** A vintage handle, wrapped in black straps… This is…

**Captain:** It seems like history is repeating itself, and I find myself a knight-errant once again…

**Old Man on the Beach:** This appears to be the handle of a toy knife. A child might pretend to wield its broken blade like a sword.

**Old Man on the Beach:** These are a good haul. All eight of these items are quite intriguing.

**Captain:** But they’re not particularly special.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Haha, I’ve found all these over a span of years. They’re my life’s work. I believe that these items carry important memories, but they’ve been lost.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Do you want to see the most precious thing I’ve ever found?

He took out a small box and opened it, revealing a seashell inside. Intricate patterns adorned the shell, and the slightly muted hues belied its age.

**Old Man on the Beach:** This was something I found the first time I went to the beach as a kid. Even now, I can’t suppress the glee I have when I look at it.

**Old Man on the Beach:** I’ve long wondered why it is that I derive such pleasure from beachcombing. I won’t necessarily pick up anything good, or have a good day.

**Old Man on the Beach:** It’s probably because… I’ve always stayed true to myself. I’ve always been doing the one thing I love most of all.

**[CHOICE] =** The journey or the destination, which is more important?

**Captain:** Is it a betrayal to your own feelings if you don’t yield anything good from it?

**Old Man on the Beach:** Before we’ve arrived at the destination, who’s to judge whether this is good or bad?

**[CHOICE] =** Indeed. We can’t forget why we started our journey.

**Captain:** No matter how difficult the journey may be, we must never forget why we started.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Exactly. Initially, we all want to be as bright as the rising sun, but how many of us can stay true to the path toward becoming that sun?

**Old Man on the Beach:** Look, for each item you picked, some other places have started to shine.

The old man gathered all the scavenged items and placed them in his sack. The tide receded to reveal the soft, silky sands. Perhaps this was the true treasure that he had been keeping.

**Old Man on the Beach:** Here you go, kid. You’re a good egg. I want you to have this.

--

#### Girl's Troubles

The girl was pacing back and forth by the roadside. As we approached, she locked in on our backpacks, her gaze shifting from one to another.

She seemed to have taken an interest in the shovel in my backpack. Then, as if oblivious to anyone else’s presence, she complained loudly.

**Girl by the Road:** Oh dear, I wish I had a shovel! How troubling…

**Girl by the Road:** O shovel, shovel, wherefore art thou? If only there were someone who can lend me a shovel right now. I’d be so, so grateful!

**Bronie:** …

**Sirin:** Hey, if you want something, save your acting and just tell it to us straight.

**Girl by the Road:** Oh, you guys have got one? That’s great! I knew you were nice people.

**Girl by the Road:** My sister has been out hunting for days. I want to dig up some bamboo shoots and pray to the mountain god for her safe return. But I don’t have a shovel, so there’s no way I can dig out those deeply rooted plants.

**Bronie:** Here. Happy digging.

Bronie took out the shovel from my backpack and handed it to the girl. Yet, she instinctively flinched away.

**Girl by the Road:** Oh! I’m sorry, but… Anything heavier than a pair of chopsticks is just too much for my delicate arms. Can you please help me dig out the bamboo shoots?

**Sirin:** Huh? Who the heck do you think you are?!

**Girl by the Road:** Oh, I suppose I have no choice. If you all would help me, I can return the favor with treasures from this mountain.

**Girl by the Road:** Please. I really need those bamboo shoots.

**Himeko:** Looks like she really needs help. Why don’t we give her a hand?

**Captain:** Yeah, I suppose it’s not a big deal. Besides, we can’t just leave her here alone, can we?

**Girl by the Road:** So that’s a yes? Hooray! Thank you! The bamboo shoots are over there! With a shovel, I’m sure you’ll dig them up in no time!

**Girl by the Road:** I need five of them. Once you’re done, please place them at the altar over there.

The girl darted off in a flash, as if afraid that we’d change our mind.

**Himeko:** What an energetic girl.

**Sirin:** I think she’s hiding something from us.

**Bronie:** I think so too. But it’s just digging up a few bamboo shoots. We’ll find out what all of this is about sooner or later.

**Himeko:** Altar… Let’s see. That should be it.

**Captain:** I guess we just have to put the bamboo shoots here.

I placed the bamboo shoots before the altar. The instant it hit the ground, I thought I heard a growl.

**Captain:** …?

**Bronie:** Wait… This doesn’t feel right.

**Sirin:** Traces of monster activity! What did you do?!

**Ghost:** Uuuugh…

Something drifted up from behind the altar, and made its way towards me.

**Captain:** Is this… a ghost?

**Sirin:** How did this happen?

**Ghost:** Aaaargh!

**Bronie:** I wouldn’t move a step forward if I were you.

**Himeko:** Captain, be careful. Looks like it’s going into a frenzy.

**Ghost:** Whoooooagh…!

**Sirin:** Go away! Or I’m gonna show you what a real Magic Girl can do!

**Ghost:** Uuuugh…

**Sirin:** Where did it come from?!

**Girl by the Road:** Wait, wait, wait! Please, don’t hurt her!

Out of nowhere, the girl popped out, stretched her arms wide, and stood between the ghost and us.

**Sirin:** That’s a monster, stand aside!

**Girl by the Road:** Uh…

The girl shook her head vehemently. Her voice trembled with a mixture of fear and defiance.

**Sirin:** Are you trying to protect the monster? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?

**Girl by the Road:** No! It’s not like that! Please wait!

**Bronie:** Sirin, hold on.

**Captain:** Sirin, at least let her explain.

**Sirin:** …

**Himeko:** Yeah, let’s give this girl a chance. I don’t think she means us any harm.

**Girl by the Road:** I remember now. This… this is my sister.

**Ghost:** Ooooh…

**Sirin:** Huh?

**Girl by the Road:** Please don’t hurt her, please… I beg of you.

**Sirin:** Wait, this monster is your sister?

**Girl by the Road:** She… She wasn’t always a monster, but she turned into this because of me. It was all my fault.

**Sirin:** …What in the world happened? Explain yourself clearly.

**Girl by the Road:** I always dreamed of seeing the outside world. Because of that, my sister and I ran away from our village.

**Girl by the Road:** But the outside world was more dangerous than we could imagine. We ran into a horrible monster, and my sister… while trying to protect me… she was killed…

**Girl by the Road:** It was all my fault! That was why I begged and prayed to the Divine Statue not to take my sister away.

**Girl by the Road:** And she did come back, but… but she had turned into a monster who could only roam this patch of land…

**Himeko:** You poor, poor girl.

**Sirin:** Sorry… I guess I was a little too hasty before.

**Girl by the Road:** No, no, no, I’m the one who caused all this.

**Girl by the Road:** In my willfulness, I lied to myself, selectively forgot many things, and even fooled myself into thinking that my sister had gone out hunting. That’s how things turned out this way.

**Girl by the Road:** If only I didn’t insist on leaving the village… My sister wouldn’t have died…

**Girl by the Road:** And had I not acted rashly to make sure my sister didn’t leave me, she wouldn’t have turned into a monster like this…

**Girl by the Road:** It’s all my fault. I’m the sole reason that she can’t even rest in peace…

**Girl by the Road:** Bamboo shoots are my favorite, and every year around this time, my sister would dig them up for me in the mountains. Even now, in her current form, a part of her still remembers that. That’s why she appears when someone places bamboo shoots nearby.

**Captain:** Perhaps it’s this very obsession that keeps her lingering here still.

**Girl by the Road:** Yes… And perhaps I still linger here because I haven’t properly apologised to her yet…

**Sirin:** Wait, you…

The girl reached out to the bamboo shoots on the ground, but her fingers went right through them.

**Captain:** …You’re a ghost too. That’s why you couldn’t lift the shovel.

**Girl by the Road:** That’s right… the Divine Statue granted my wish, but at a cost. I have turned into a ghost, never again able to touch anything…

**Girl by the Road:** But thanks to you all, I’m able to meet my sister once more.

**Girl by the Road:** Sister, I’m back. This time, I will never leave you…

**Ghost:** Ooh… Ooooh…!

**Girl by the Road:** I know you wanted me to live on. But I’m sorry, sis… Please, let me be willful one last time.

**Girl by the Road:** Divine Statue, please… release her soul.

A bright white light emanated from her body, forcing me to close my eyes.

Shortly after that, my eyes opened just a slit. The light had faded, and the sisters were gone. In their place, two tiny bamboo shoots were poking their tips from the ground.

**Himeko:** They disappeared… together?

**Sirin:** I suppose… They can finally be together now.

The storybook, titled The Dark Night, was stained with dirt. Needless to say, it had been buried underground for quite a long time.

Long long ago, a princess lived with her sister in a castle.

She had never left the castle, and storybooks were her only window to the world outside.

**Girl:** Sis, what does the world out there look like?

**Big Sister:** There are birds that soar through the sky, their wings flapping, while whales churn the waves in the ocean. There are even dazzling, glamorous cities, and also red-eyed angels.

**Girl:** Whoa… Then can we go out there and see them?

**Big Sister:** …

Outside the castle was a hellish world rife with monsters, while within, the princess herself held a tremendous secret.

She opened the window, and gazed at the horizon with teary eyes.

Taking her hand, her sister led her to the gate to get a better view.

(The dirt had irreparably stained the next few pages of the storybook, leaving only the middle pages readable.)

…Unimaginable danger was imminent. The giant monster had already revealed its claws.

The elder sister changed out of her white dress, slipped into a blood-red gown, and fell into a peaceful slumber.

The birds no longer soared, while the wave-churning whales were nowhere to be seen. The once-dazzling city seemed dull and lifeless in her eyes, illuminated only by the red moon casting its crimson glow.

“Oh, Goddess of the Dark Night, I implore you to listen to my prayers.”

“Awaken my sister, and let us never be apart. I will offer you my everything to keep her here with me.”

The goddess responded to her plea, but her sister’s salvation rested solely on her own shoulders.

“You must cross the clear stream, traverse the peaks, and gather that one drop of morning dew on the petal at the cliff’s edge.”

“Do not hesitate, do not fear. Set forth now, and you’ll surely succeed.”

“By the time she awakens, you will have grown up.”

--

#### Garbage Heap

A peculiar bat was struggling to carry chunks of fallen stones from the castle walls.

**???:** Huff… Phew… Come on! Why is there so much more garbage than usual?!

**Captain:** (That’s weird. What’s this bat doing?)

**Captain:** Hello there, do you need help?

**Peano:** Hi… I’m Peano. It’s awful! There’s so much rubble and garbage all over the castle. I just can’t stand it!

**Captain:** So, you’re trying to clean up the rubble?

**Peano:** Exactly. Only after cleaning this place up can we restore the castle to its former, pristine glory, just like in the master’s blueprint.

**Captain:** Master?

**Peano:** Yes, this castle’s master. She offered me this stable job so that I didn’t have to worry about life’s necessities. I can’t thank her enough for that.

**Captain:** (Is that… Luna?)

**Peano:** She told me she wanted a castle just like the ones she saw in fairy tales… beautiful and magnificent. A place where she and her sister could reside in happily and freely…

**Captain:** (Sounds very much like her.)

**Peano:** …And wait for the knight who hasn’t forgotten his vow to fulfill his promise.

**Peano:** What a beautiful wish, isn’t it? For master’s sake, I must work harder.

**Captain:** …

**Peano:** Enough chitchat! For some reason, the castle’s been absolutely covered in garbage lately. Come on, help me out!

**Littering Monster:** Garbage~♪ Garbage~♪ Garbage all around~♪

A giant monster was dumping rubble and dust everywhere on the grassy field ahead.

**Bronie:** So that’s why there’s been so much garbage. It was you!

**Littering Monster:** Who are you? How dare you mess with me?

**Rita:** Looks like this litterbug’s in for some much-needed punishment.

**Captain:** Hey there, we meet again!

**Captain:** As instructed, we’ve cleaned up the debris and the garbage that were blocking the way earlier. We even taught the litterbug a lesson.

**Peano:** Oh, well done! You guys actually found the litterbug too? I can’t thank you enough.

**Peano:** Here, this is your reward. Alright, I should get going too. It’s time to start repairing the castle.

**Peano:** When the knight finally comes for master, everyone will definitely celebrate in joy. That’s why the castle must be kept in tip-top condition.

**Peano:** After all… she has waited so long for that day to come.

--

#### Missing Components

The three chests before us were ornately decorated with metallic roses and adorned with small holes in red, blue, and green. They looked like chests that would contain the most precious treasures in a fairy tale.

**???:** Greetings, are you here to unlock the Treasured Wish?

Just as I reached out to touch it, a white specter suddenly darted out across my view, floating between me and the treasure chests.

**Captain:** And you are?

**???:** Greetings. My name is Mary, and I was appointed to guard these treasures for my master.

**Captain:** (Master…? Is she related to Luna?)

**Mary:** Are you here to unlock the Treasured Wish?

**Captain:** (The Treasured Wish? Did she leave them in the castle?)

**Captain:** (But what could be her precious treasure?)

**Captain:** How do I open these treasure chests?

**Mary:** The master left three keys in the castle, one for each of the treasure chests. You’ll need to bring all three keys here.

**Mary:** Did you get the keys?

**[CHOICE] =** Take out the red key.

Inside the chest rested a red leather-bound fairy tale book. It was a bit worn and seemed to have been read many times.

**Mary:** “Trapped in a room akin to a cage, the young girl found solace in a fairy tale book. It painted a magical and surreal picture of the outside world, igniting her initial desire to venture out and witness it.”

Just as I reached out to pick up the book, its pages started to dissipate into the air.

**Mary:** Her wish had lingered for too long, and wound up becoming brittle.

**Captain:** No, she hasn’t changed; she has merely woken up to reality. This was not the real treasure.

**[CHOICE] =** Take out the green key.

Inside the chest rested a green leaf, its veins distinct and pristine, as if time had stopped at the moment it fell.

**Mary:** “The confined girl would sometimes pick up the leaves when the wind carried them in through the window. Her sister once told her about a distant village in a lush forest, that had leaves much like the ones in her hands.”

Just as I reached out to pick up the leaf, it withered into a dried-up stem.

**Mary:** She had lost hope, as there was no way out.

**Captain:** No, she had just bid goodbye to her past. This was not the real treasure.

**[CHOICE] =** Take out the blue key.

Inside the chest rested a drawing paper that had slightly aged, with only the top left corner painted sky blue.

**Mary:** “The girl sometimes looked up to the blue sky from her shadowed spot near the window. She once heard from her sister about a seaside city, where the ocean was as azure as the sky.”

Just as I reached out to pick up the drawing sheet, it was torn into tattered pieces, one after another.

**Captain:** …!

**Mary:** The wishes have disappeared. She has grown weary of waiting.

**Captain:** But these are clearly what she experienced when she couldn’t get out…

**Captain:** (Hang on. The colors of these three keys are the three primary colors of light. And when combined, they become… white.)

I reached out and touched the “white specter” in front of me.

**Captain:** Mary, you said you were guarding these treasure chests, but you never actually said that they were the Treasured Wish…

**Captain:** The real treasure is actually in your hands, isn’t it?

**Mary:** …

**Mary:** Can I ask you a question?

**Captain:** Please.

**Mary:** What kind of spices should you use to season a grilled steak?

**[CHOICE] =** Black pepper.

**[CHOICE] =** Cumin powder.

**[CHOICE] =** Chocolate.

**Mary:** You still remember it.

As Mary faded away, a tiny HOMU toy wobbled in my palm, holding an ice cream cone.

**Captain:** So this is your treasure…

**Captain:** But…

**Captain:** Why is this ice cream cone square-shaped?

--

#### Village in the Wild

We arrived in a field where a man, wearing a bamboo hat, was basking in the sun. As soon as he saw us, he walked over.

**Childish Child:** Hey, how do you do?

**Bronie:** Hi…? What’s with that stare?

**Childish Child:** Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just a bit excited.

**Sirin:** Excited?

**Childish Child:** Exactly! I’m really hyped up. If you don’t mind me asking, you’re not from around here, are you?

**Sirin:** That’s righ- I mean, no! We’re definitely locals here! Don’t even think about scamming us!

**Bronie:** Forget it, Sirin. Look at us. We’re not exactly blending in here.

Indeed. The man was plainly dressed, and the house behind him was as humble as one of those ancient buildings that I’ve seen in history books.

**Captain:** Hello there. We hail from a place across the river.

**Childish Child:** I was right! So was my grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-great-grandfather! We were right! Our duty was true all along!

**Luna:** What’s… going on with him? What’s all the fuss about?

**Captain:** It’s as if he’s achieved the biggest success of his life.

**Bronie:** How terrifying… Just what kind of “duty” did his ancestors task him with?

**Childish Child:** Sorry about that. I lost myself for a while there. I’m actually quite the serious man.

**Childish Child:** Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the son of the seventh village head, and this is the Lakeshore Village. For now, I’m in charge of all things, big and small, around here.

**Childish Child:** And now, I’d like to welcome you to Lakeshore Village! Welcome, welcome! Feel free to stay as our esteemed guest!

**Sirin:** Hold on, hold on. When did we even agree to become guests here?

**Childish Child:** You’re here already. Surely it won’t hurt if you drop by and enjoy our passionate hospitality, right?

**Childish Child:** Why, we even have some finger-licking local food here!

**Sirin:** He’s not trying to peddle some local goods to us, is he…?

**Kallen:** Um… Actually, I’m a bit hungry.

**Kongming:** Indeed. I seldom had a decent meal while being imprisoned for so many years.

**Luna:** Watch what you say, I delivered your food as fast as I could every time.

**Kongming:** Oh, you mean the dark smudge of a dish that’s impossible for anyone to figure out what it is?

**Luna:** I-It’s not like I’ve ever had to eat those kinds of food. I’ll learn how to cook, I promise.

Was it just me, or was she stealing glances at me while she said that?

**Captain:** Alright, alright. We’ve all been through a long day. Let’s have a rest in the village.

**Bronie:** Agreed!

**Himeko:** I’m fine with it.

**Childish Child:** Alrighty! Please follow me.

The place appeared quite barren. Upon our arrival, a scrawny old dog by the entrance stood up, teetering and growling in a hoarse voice from its parched throat.

The child let us through the field and into his home. A moment later, he prepared a table full of sumptuous dishes for us.

**Childish Child:** Make yourself at home. Eat whatever you want!

**Kallen:** Time to eat!

**Sirin:** Mm… Mhmmm…

**Bronie:** Sirin, can’t you at least watch your table manners?

**Sirin:** Leave me alone!

**Childish Child:** Take it easy! The food’s not going anywhere!

**Captain:** Thank you for preparing such a nice meal for us.

**Childish Child:** Oh, just doing as my father taught me. Besides, I should be the one thanking you all!

**Childish Child:** Ever since the very first village head, who also happens to be my ancestor, led everyone to settle here, we have been living in this place for several hundred years.

**Captain:** I see. Then, did any of you ever leave this place during this period?

**Childish Child:** Not at all. As recorded in our history, many monsters lurk outside the village, which is why for the past centuries, we’ve never interacted with outsiders, nor have we ventured beyond the village.

**Captain:** Right. It certainly isn’t safe outside the village.

**Childish Child:** But how would we know if we never go out there and see for ourselves? After all, people always say: seeing is believing.

**Childish Child:** My great-grandfather once told me: One day, we’ll lead everyone into the outside world! That is our family’s duty!

**Sirin:** Oh? So you invited us for a meal so that we can get you guys out of here?

**Childish Child:** Not at all! I’m not that calculative! I just want us to bond in baby steps before I can officially ask for a favor.

**Childish Child:** This is more than just my family’s duty. It’s now a necessity… So, I truly hope you can help me.

**Childish Child:** Even worse, the land in the village has become increasingly barren, and our harvests have dwindled. Now, the crops we gather are barely enough to keep everyone fed.

**Kallen:** Then, this feast…

**Childish Child:** Honestly, this is already the best food we can offer right now.

**Sirin:** Oh… I’m sorry. I think I ate a bit too much…

**Childish Child:** Oh, don’t worry about it. We’ve saved up plenty of food. It’s enough to last until the next harvest. But if we can’t find a way out of here, we’d run out of food sooner or later.

**Bronie:** Then, seems like you urgently need to find a way out. What can we do for you?

**Childish Child:** Here’s the situation. The path leading out of the village had collapsed a long time ago, and remains blocked to this day. So, first, we need to activate the old cannon that our ancestors left behind to blast the road open.

**Childish Child:** The ammo was originally stored in a warehouse, which had been abruptly taken over by hordes of monsters.

**Childish Child:** I can’t even get close to the warehouse, let alone get the ammo.

**Captain:** So first, we have to wipe out the monsters, get the ammo, then launch the cannon to blast out a path.

**Childish Child:** That’s the gist of it. Can I count on your help?

**Luna:** Human, are we helping him?

**Captain:** Let’s do it. Take it as returning a favor for this feast.

**Luna:** Very well. I’ll follow your lead.

**Childish Child:** Thank you! Thank you so much!

As we passed through the narrow and long passage, the road suddenly began to widen.

**Childish Child:** We’re finally here! Although I’ve never been here before, my gut is telling me that this is it! The path to the outside world!

**???:** Hm? Who are you?

**Bronie:** …?

**Bronie:** Hey, Sirin. This person looks a bit like you, don’t you think?

**Sirin:** Absolutely, definitely not! Not even a single bit! I am not that barbaric-looking!

**???:** Hmph. And I certainly am not the type to throw a tantrum like that. Children these days are so immature.

**Sirin:** You…!

**Captain:** That appearance… Don’t tell me, you’re… Water Djinn!

**Water Djinn:** Heh. So you’re not that ignorant.

**Captain:** I knew it. But why is there a Water Djinn in every bubble universe? And… why is your appearance and personality always exactly the same?

**Water Djinn:** Hmph. This is why humans are fools.

**Water Djinn:** I am a creation of nature, and my divinity is beyond human comparison. My eternal, unchanging form symbolises an unparalleled dignified quality.

**Captain:** So… In other words, you were mass-produced?

**Water Djinn:** Outrageous! Don’t you dare compare me to wholesale instant noodles in the supermarket! Are you itching for a fight?!

**Captain:** No, no, no. My bad, it was just a slip of the tongue. We’re just passing by, ad we come in peace.

**Water Djinn:** Hm? Passing by? What, do you think my home is a park? Looks like you need a lesson.

**Luna:** Wait, stay away.

**Water Djinn:** My, my. You sure have your share of subordinates. Then, I’ll start with you!

**Luna:** Had enough? Or are you still itching for more?

**Water Djinn:** No, no. Very well. Let’s call it a day. It’s been too long since I’ve had such a sport. My legs are getting sore.

**Water Djinn:** By the way, what were you all doing here?

**Childish Child:** Hello there. We just want to get across and leave this place.

**Water Djinn:** Leave? I’m afraid that’s impossible. That’s what I’ve been living here for, to prevent anyone from leaving.

**Childish Child:** Huh? Why?

**Water Djinn:** Because it’s dangerous outside. Many years ago, a man, who looks much like you, begged me not to let anyone out.

**Childish Child:** A man who looks like me… Impossible. No one has ever been here before.

**Balky Farmer:** That would be my great-grandfather, who is also your great-great-grandfather.

**Childish Child:** What?! Father, why are you here?

**Balky Farmer:** I didn’t think you’d come so far, but I guess I can’t hide it anymore.

**Balky Farmer:** Frankly, both the blocked road and the monsters at the warehouse were part of a deal made by your great-great-grandfather and Miss Djinn here.

**Captain:** You mean, his great-great-grandfather blocked the road on purpose?

**Water Djinn:** That’s right. That person told me, “The outside world is filled with danger. Let’s keep everyone in this secluded paradise, and keep life simple and safe.”

**Water Djinn:** He gave me this comfy abode, and in return, I continued to help him.

**Water Djinn:** But of course, it’s not impossible to actually leave. He told me that if those who desire to leave have their parents’ permission, then I don’t have to stop them.

**Water Djinn:** And since both father and son are here, why don’t you sort this out amongst yourselves?

**Balky Farmer:** Then I object!

**Childish Child:** Father! Why do you… What’s going on… No, this can’t be real…

**Balky Farmer:** Son, it’s for your own good. You must’ve heard the story: There were two girls who sneaked out of the village before. In the end, they never returned.

**Childish Child:** No! You are the one who taught me since I was a little kid that I should leave, to see how big the outside world is, and to build my own life out there…

**Childish Child:** But why are you stopping me right here? When I’ve finally reached the path that leads me further, you’re my final obstacle? Father…

**Balky Farmer:** Generations of our family have lived this way. Your grandfather told me the same thing back then. Instead of going for the unknown, it’s better to stay in the village where at least we can take care of you.

**Childish Child:** I’ve grown up, I can take care of myself, and I don’t want to follow your footsteps.

**Balky Farmer:** Son, I don’t want to stand against you, but it’s only when you’ve experienced a life of hardship that you truly appreciate those peaceful days you had at home.

**Childish Child:** How could I figure out which life I really want before I experience it?

**Balky Farmer:** I know. But you are not ready yet, son. Right now, you’re just being led by your impulsiveness.

**Balky Farmer:** Have you come up with a plan about what to do, how to survive, or even who you want to be when you leave here?

**Childish Child:** I… I… don’t know…

**[CHOICE] =** Being impulsive is a part of our growth, but you have to be responsible for every decision you make.

**Captain:** Listen, I think your father has a point.

**Captain:** You can pursue what you want out of impulse because impulsiveness is part of growth… But we also have to be accountable for our actions.

**Childish Child:** I…

**Himeko:** …

**Himeko:** That’s right, I’ve been there too. Back then, I thought I’d outgrown my father’s advice, and often quarreled with him.

**Himeko:** I tried to act like an adult, parroting superficial words and drinking bitter beers just to be like them.

**Himeko:** I wanted to prove that I was an adult who could make my own decisions, but the reality was harsh.

**Himeko:** Then, I came to realise that he was right about many things. But still, I refused to admit that I had already failed, or that I was still a naive child, and continued to make rash decisions.

**Himeko:** Yet, when I finally realised how wrong I was, I had already lost the chance to patch things up with my father forever.

**Childish Child:** You mean, I’m still too naive?

**Himeko:** No, there’s no shame in being naive, and it’s okay to be childish at times too. What I’m trying to say is, you can do whatever you want, but you also have to listen to your elders.

**Himeko:** Don’t let your impulsiveness ruin what you already have.

**Himeko:** Your goal isn’t a fleeting fantasy born of impulse, nor is it a duty imposed by others. It’s your genuine dream from within, even if it seems distant and unattainable in the end.

**Himeko:** But before you decide to depart, you have to make sure that you’re ready.

**Childish Child:** I see that now.

**[CHOICE] =** You have every right to pursue what you want. Sometimes, pain makes people grow.

**Captain:** You should be brave and make your own decisions.

**Captain:** Maybe the outside world isn’t as pleasant as you imagine. There will be monsters and challenges.

**Luna:** But you will only flourish if you overcome all those obstacles.

**Luna:** I did regret leaving home once, for my willfulness had caused many tragedies.

**Luna:** But… I wouldn’t have met these humans if I were still in my cage.

**Luna:** Whether it’s sticking with the status quo, or venturing out, either choice will leave you with unamendable regrets.

**Luna:** We will always constantly find ourselves in one dilemma after another, but if you think that you won’t be lost as long as you avoid making decisions, then you’ll only be deceiving yourself.

**Luna:** It’s only when we give things a try, will we truly understand what we want.

**Childish Child:** I… I can’t make a decision now. But I think I understand.

**Childish Child:** Father, I’ll go home with you, but I hope that when I’m ready, you won’t stop me from going to the outside world.

**Childish Child:** I’ve thought it through. I want to be an agricultural scientist, and solve the food problems in our village.

**Childish Child:** For this purpose, I’ll start by acquiring some basic knowledge and ensure I can stand on my own two feet. After that, I’ll venture outside to seek wisdom from those who are more knowledgeable.

**Balky Farmer:** Good. Honestly, if you told me that you had a specific plan in mind, then I wouldn’t have stopped you.

The old man pulled out a backpack from behind him. It contained the boy’s clothing, food supplies, and assorted tools.

**Childish Child:** Father, you packed this for me?!

**Balky Farmer:** Yes, I thought that this day might come. You’ve cleared all the tests, and this is the first time you’ve fought so hard for something.

**Balky Farmer:** But I guess you still have some ways to go, haha.

**Childish Child:** Father… I was too impulsive.

**Balky Farmer:** Water Djinn, please give way.

**Balky Farmer:** I believe he will make the right decisions at the right time, and build his own, independent life.

**Water Djinn:** Now you want me to give way? Fine, whatever. I was thinking about moving anyways.

**Captain:** In that case, will we meet yet another “you” in the future?

**Water Djinn:** Why’re you such a pain?! Just shut it! I don’t want to see you again!

**Sirin:** Hey, that’s my line!

**Bronie:** I told you. They really are alike.

**Captain:** If that’s all, we should get going. Thank you for your hospitality.

**Balky Farmer:** No, I should be thanking you for getting this trouble off my chest.

**Childish Child:** Bye! Come back anytime!

--

#### Disassembling - Left Side

**Bronie:** Hey, Captain. Good timing. Can you lend me a hand?

**Captain:** What’s the matter?

**Bronie:** I’ve been considering upgrading that ship of yours, but without suitable materials, I’ve been putting it off until now.

**Captain:** What have you found?

**Bronie:** Don’t you get it, Captain? We don’t need to search for any materials at all. They’re right under our noses.

**Captain:** Are you talking about the ship itself?

**Bronie:** Bingo! Sure, the gadgets on this ship have seen better days, but most of them can still be of use.

**Bronie:** Let’s go scavenging. The left and right engines of the ship should be useful.

**Captain:** Alright. But there;s coolant leaking everywhere, which makes it difficult to get to the engine cabin.

**Bronie:** Indeed. To leave such a fantastic ship in such battered condition… what a waste.

**Bronie:** Well, maybe it was a big hassle for him, who knows? I found all sorts of devices here that can control the levitation bridges.

**Bronie:** Perhaps we can use them to pass the coolant safely.

**Bronie:** Huh? The levitation bridge was only there for a second before it disappeared.

**Captain:** I have a theory.

I stepped forward, treading gently on the area where the bridge just appeared.

**Captain:** I knew it. The levitation bridge is still there. We just couldn’t see it.

**Bronie:** Using light refraction to make things invisible to the naked eye? Not the most effective countermeasure against thieves if you ask me.

**Bronie:** But that’s not a problem for us. We should be able to tell where the bridge is using our memory.

**Bronie:** Found it. This is the engine of the ship.

Bronie took out a wrench, skillfully detached a component the size of my fist from a tangle of torn wires, and tossed it into my hands.

**Bronie:** Don’t drop it.

**Captain:** Just this?

**Bronie:** That’s the engine’s energy core. I can use this bad boy to boost your ship by 30% at minimum, guaranteed.

**Bronie:** Alright, let’s head to the other side.

--

#### Disassembling - Right Side

**System Notification:** Warning! Warning! Invaders detected!

**System Notification:** Preparing armed expulsion.

**Bronie:** What’s going on? Why’s a new defense program triggered?!

**Captain:** Sorry! We didn’t mean anything by it! We just want to open the door.

**Bronie:** What are you doing, Captain? It’s no use apologising to the system!

**???:** Trouble sure seems to have a way of finding you, Skipper.

The gun barrels slowly retracted, and a wholly unexpected yet familiar figure appeared on the screen near us.

**Bronie:** How in the world? All you’ve gotta do is apologise?

**Captain:** …T?!

**T:** Surprised to see me? If I showed up any later, you two would have been turned into mincemeat.

**Captain:** Thanks, but aren’t you…

**T:** In the fortune teller’s warehouse? Come on, you’ve come this far. You should know by now that I wasn’t simply sent from the future to the past, so you don’t need to leave me there.

**Captain:** Fair enough. Well, wonderful then. Let’s get back to the Hyperion now.

**T:** In case you haven’t realised, Skipper, I’m just a holo-projection.

**Captain:** Oh… I guess the excitement of seeing you again must have distracted me.

**T:** Still a world-class smooth talker. Anyway, I’m not here right now. I just happened upon your signal and I have connection access, so I came to check it out.

**T:** I’ve already taken care of the defense program here, so you don’t have to worry about any more nasty surprises.

**Captain:** I see. Thanks, T. Where can we go to pick you up?

**T:** No need to rush. I’m on another ship, safe and sound.

**Captain:** Another ship? Belonging to who?

**T:** You’ll know when the time is right, Skipper.

**Captain:** Hold on! What do you mean by the right time?

T didn’t answer, and instead unceremoniously disappeared from the screen.

**Bronie:** She certainly made a hasty exit. She must be the one that Kongming calls Miss Ironfist.

**Captain:** Another ship? Where in the world could she be?

**Bronie:** Who knows? She doesn’t seem to be in danger at any rate, so we should stop being worrywarts and focus on the situation at hand. We still have an engine to haul.

**Captain:** You’re right. Let’s go.

**Bronie:** Okay, all done.

Just like the last time, Bronie disassembled a component as big as my fist from a mess of torn wires, and tossed it my way.

**Bronie:** The two engines are now both thoroughly cannibalised. Now that we’ve got some solid spoils, let’s head back. It’s high time I upgraded your ship properly.

**Captain:** Great. Thank you, Bronie.

--

#### Leaky Deck

**Kongming:** Captain, do you remember how we passed a flooded area when we were headed for the bridge before?

**Captain:** Sure. There must have been a leak somewhere. Otherwise, how could you explain all the water?

**Kongming:** Bronie scanned the area, and pinpointed the leaking spot to be near the deck. She also noticed that there was something stored deep in there. However, there appeared to be an energy barrier on the exterior that prevented Bronie from proceeding further with the scan.

**Captain:** A barrier? Is it trying to protect something?

**Kongming:** No idea, but I can’t deny that I’m a little intrigued. Should we head back to the deck and check it out?

**Captain:** Absolutely. Let’s go.

**Kongming:** Found it. This is the leaking spot, no doubt about it.

**Captain:** So it’s the water tank? No wonder there’s so much water.

**Kongming:** It doesn’t look like a leak to me, Captain. See that crack over there? That seems consciously inflicted.

**Captain:** I agree. The puncture is too smooth to have occurred naturally. But if this was an intentional act of sabotage, was it done by that guy? But why?

**Kongming:** Maybe it has something to do with what he wishes to protect? Let’s keep looking.

**Captain:** Alright.

Reaching out my hand, I fished a transparent little ball out of the water. The outer shell shattered with a soft pop, like a translucent bubble, exposing the red cassette tape inside.

**Captain:** A cassette? Maybe we can listen to it on the bridge.

**Kongming:** Okay.

Beep!

**Message:** I assume I’m speaking to the Captain of the Hyperion.

**Kongming:** That’s the Ferryman. Another underhanded trick of his.

**Captain:** He predicted that I’d find my way here?

**Message:** So, you’ve done it. After struggling for an eternity, you’ve finally found a path for me… no, for yourself.

**Message:** Thank you… It may sound hypocritical for me to say this, but I’m something of a coward, waiting for someone to bring my own wishes to fruition.

**Message:** Therefore, I’d appreciate it if you could clear up one last mess for me.

**Message:** At the bottom of the sink, there is a record of all the worlds to which all the Ether Anchors in my hands belong.

**Message:** Take them back home… for me…

…

The recording stopped abruptly. As if a blocked floor drain was suddenly unclogged, the water level declined rapidly, exposing a file at the bottom.

**Kongming:** It’s been waiting for us the entire time.

**Captain:** Hauling those Anchors around may be a bad idea though.

**Kongming:** So, have you made your decision?

**Captain:** Yes. Just so we’re clear, I’m not cleaning up the Ferryman’s mess. I’m doing this because I think it’s the right thing to do.

**Kongming:** I know. That’s always been the basis for all of your decisions. It’s what’s gotten us this far.

**Kongming:** I’ll always stand by you, Captain.

**Captain:** Right back at you, Kongming. Let’s head back. There’s nothing left for us here.

**Kongming:** Okay.

--

#### Past Echoes

Yellowish pages lie underneath the beautiful cover of the notebook. A perusal revealed it was full of someone’s notes.

**[CHOICE] =** Note #1

“How long has my observation of this world gone on? 1,344 days? Or was it 1,345? I can’t remember.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t have time for the past. I must be ready to embrace the immediate future.”

“The ground is another seven centimeters closer to the sky, and the radius of the sky’s scar above the western sanctuary has also widened by four centimeters thanks to that guy.”

“The right arm of the Pointer has completely pierced through the sky’s scar. It appears that the Pointer has once again discovered this world. The next great purge should take place in seven months at the latest.”

“The Ether Anchor is barely hanging on. I must find a way to repair the sky before the Pointer arrives.”

“Hyperion, let us set sail once again.”

“Take me out of this world and to other worlds.”

“Among all those worlds, there is bound to be one that can help me close the sky’s scar and return my world to its former splendor.”

“Only then will I be able to provide a home for everyone.”

“I know I can.”

“…”

“…”

Yellowish pages lie underneath the beautiful cover of the notebook. A perusal revealed it was full of someone’s notes.

**[CHOICE] =** Note #2

“As expected, every world is miniscule in scale.”

“Instead of tunnels connecting one world to another, there is only a boundless sea.”

“In this vast expanse, the worlds are akin to fragile bubbles that can be easily popped.”

“The seawater is gnawing away at the borders of the bubble. That’s why our world is growing smaller and has even begun to crack. This is where the Pointers, the predators of this sea, come from.”

“I have been traversing this sea with the Hyperion for four months now, and we still haven’t found an intact world.”

“They have all either perished or are on the brink of perishing.”

“Will every world meet the same sordid end?”

“…”

“No, that can’t be. I cannot allow fictional concepts like fate to weaken my resolve. I will provide a home for everyone. I’m sure of it.”

“The arrival of the Pointer is nigh. I must go back. I will prove to them that humans are not puny insects meant for their amusement.”

“I will protect everything. I will banish each and every god that brings catastrophe upon us.”

“I will provide a safe home for everyone.”

“I know I can.”

“…”

“…”

Yellowish pages lie underneath the beautiful cover of the notebook. A perusal revealed it was full of someone’s notes.

**[CHOICE] =** Note #3

“The Pointer has come.”

“The sky’s scar was unable to escape its fate of being torn asunder. After 1,521 days, the Pointer descended upon this world for the second time.”

“It was much worse than the first time. The western sanctuary was reduced to a wasteland in the blink of an eye, while the artificial sea evaporated clean in half a day.”

“Fortunately, we were prepared. The majority of people have already been evacuated to the northern and eastern sanctuaries, so there were no casualties.”

“Nevertheless, the Pointer is still looming large over us. I must harness the Ether Anchor’s power before the Pointer reaches the sanctuaries.”

“…”

“…”

Yellowish pages lie underneath the beautiful cover of the notebook. A perusal revealed it was full of someone’s notes.

**[CHOICE] =** Note #4

“…”

“…”

“…”

“The percentage of world destroyed has increased from 97.7% to 98.0%. Meanwhile, the size of the bubble universe has collapsed to 1/74 of its original size. The world is now small enough to be anchored by the Hyperion and towed in the Sea.”

“At this rate, this world is approximately 17 years away from total destruction.”

“Even though I had defeated and imprisoned the Pointer with the Ether Anchor’s power, it didn’t slow down the march of destruction in the slightest.”

“Now only burning the remaining Ether Anchor can sustain this world, but it won’t be long before it burns out.”

“Is it really true that not a single world can escape perishing, as long as it belongs to the Sea?”

“No, I can’t give up yet. There has to be a way. I will find a way.”

“Come on, Hyperion. Let’s take this world with us on our next journey.”

“I can do it. I know I can.”

“…”

“…”

Yellowish pages lie underneath the beautiful cover of the notebook. A perusal revealed it was full of someone’s notes.

**[CHOICE] =** Stop reading.

I closed the notebook and put it back in its place, as if it hadn’t been touched.

On the shelf in front of me was a notebook and a strange crystal fragment.

**Captain:** This is an Ether Anchor, isn’t it?

**Rita:** Yes, it is. This Ether Anchor has its own name, and may have history with that ninja.

**Rita:** I presume there are entries regarding it in that notebook.

**[CHOICE] =** Read the notes.

“The plans have been going smoothly lately. Path of Preta… Is that the name you gave this Ether Anchor?”

“With its ability to temporarily tear space, we are one step closer to the Tree.”

“But we’re still on a tight schedule. Even if I group together all the Ether Anchors we’ve collected, it’s still not enough to complete anchor the bubble universe.”

“In order to return to the Tree, we need more than the necessary amount of Ether Anchors. We need an opportunity.”

“An opportunity to tow the bubble clusters and create colossal waves in the Sea.”

“I will then ride those waves and return the world to the Tree of Eternity.”

“Before that moment comes, however, I must be prepared for all eventualities.”

“Thus, I’m in urgent need of more Ether Anchors, more predators, and more companions.”

“Fate is like a black hole, pitilessly devouring every ray of light.”

“Does that mean the need for light is actually a curse? What a cruel yet precise description.”

“Every world, in the end, bears the same sinister curse.”

“If our fate consists of nothing but doom and gloom, then I will be the only light in the dark.”

“I will lead you all to a brave new world.”

“All the blood and tears we shed, we shed for that moment.”

“I can do it.”

“…”

“…”

**[CHOICE] =** Activate it.

Not entirely knowing why, I held out my hand, and after an eerie glow from the fragment, a portal appeared in front of us.

**Rita:** Hmm?

**Captain:** This Ether Anchor seems to be capable of distorting space. The road to the next collectible has opened. Let’s move on.

**Rita:** Yes, Captain.

There was a gigantic, broken cow horn with texts carved on it, which depicted the fall of a world.

**[CHOICE] =** Monument #1

“The sky broke open into a gaping hole, and torrential rain poured down. Billowing waves devoured our cities whole, and the disciples of gods wreaked havoc on earth.”

“The ground subsided. Skyscrapers crumbled. Mountains were sundered.”

“As the end times scourged our entire world, someone reached out to us…”

“I recognise that ship. It is the titanic ship that travels the skies. The holy ark that sails across the apocalypse.”

“I haven’t met that person, but I know it must be the legendary Noah. As I’ve read in the books, Noah dispelled the rainstorms so the sun could shine once more.”

“The birds held olive branches in their beaks, while the children presented willow crowns.”

“We danced and celebrated, awaiting the next sunrise.”

“…”

“…”

**[CHOICE] =** Monument #2

“…”

“…”

“It rained again. Incessantly, day after day, year after year. This time, even Noah was powerless to stop it.”

“Arable land became increasingly scarce, and the seeds we planted could hardly sprout. Every single day, people were dying of starvation and other misfortunes.”

“Therefore, Noah gave the willow crown back to us. Here, a fantastic power shielded us from the downpour.”

“In the sea, cities rose anew. Noah made a promise to us.”

“All we had to do was wait for the return of the ark. It will take all of us to the new world.”

“…”

“…”

**[CHOICE] =** Monument #3

“…”

“…”

“Eventually, the giant horns of the evil bull punctured the fragile barrier, and seawater came rushing in.”

“Our cities were doomed, utterly drowned. One by one, the people around me were claimed by the waves.”

“I was prepared to succumb to the same fate, but that person snatched me from the jaws of death yet again.”

“Why do you cry? You are not to be blamed for any of this.”

“Anchor, bubble universe, Sea of Quanta, destruction… I don’t understand, but please don’t apologise.”

“Our world should have been destroyed long ago, but you instilled hope in all of us. We have always believed that you will one day find a new world, and create a paradise where everyone can live in eternal bliss.”

“So please, take it. Take the Anchor of our world, and everything else, with you.”

“Your wish is our wish. Hopefully the remains of our world will nourish the new one.”

“Even if you are not the fabled Noah, even if you are just a ferryman on the sea, I believe nothing can stop you from accomplishing this, because…”

“You have always been our hero.”

“…”

“…”

**[CHOICE] =** I’ve finished reading.

Several beautifully made badges were lying on the shelf. Leaning in closer, I could see that every one of them was carved with a different pattern.

**Rita:** Do these badges intrigue you, Captain?

**Rita:** I was actually the one who came up with their initial design.

**Captain:** Interesting. Could you fill me in on their histories?

**Rita:** Of course. These badges belong to those who used to or currently reside on this ship.

**Rita:** Which badge do you want me to tell you about first?

**[CHOICE] =** Check out Badge #1.

At first glance, a purple badge stood out to me. Its floral carvings reminded me instantly of Rita.

**Captain:** Is this yours?

**Rita:** Yes. Given that I designed them, I had the first pick of the litter.

**[CHOICE] =** Check out Badge #2.

A fiery red badge with a familiar little robot engraved on it, whose iron fists are aimed at a burning meteor.

**Rita:** This badge belongs to a great Doctor, whom we have to thank for the majority of devices on this ship.

**Rita:** Not even the brightest star in the universe can hold a candle to her intellect.

**Rita:** It was she who developed a robot capable of anchoring a specific time point and mapping consciousness based on the Hyperion’s consciousness mapping function.

**Captain:** This all sounds awfully familiar…

**Rita:** When she maximised the efficiency of consciousness mapping, she also discovered its side effect: it would leave residual memories.

**Rita:** Therefore, she strictly proscribed the use of consciousness mapping, but for the Ferryman… it was impossible not to use it to save some things.

**Rita:** The Doctor found the Ferryman mapping consciousness in secret. Though she could relate to his anguish, she could not condone these experiments.

**Rita:** In an attempt to negate the side effect, the Doctor carried out numerous secret experiments, but eventually, she was lost in the plethora of residual memories and fell into an eternal slumber.

**Rita:** By the time we found her, there was only a little robot narrating everything in her tone of voice.

**Captain:** Could she have left the robot behind as a contingency measure?

**Rita:** Potentially. She almost certainly knew that she couldn’t make it, so she imbued the robot with a part of her persona beforehand.

**Rita:** This was her last failsafe, and the last resort for the Ferryman.

**Captain:** That robot… is T, right?

Rita nodded, confirming my suspicion

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** So it was the Ferryman who left T to me. But why would he help me?

**Rita:** I can’t even begin to ascertain the intricacies of his mind. Perhaps it was because he had already lost faith and felt there was no way to avoid the inevitable.

**Captain:** But if they had never believed in it from the beginning, then they had no right to comment on the possibility of success.

**Rita:** …

**Rita:** You’re right, Captain. That’s why you’re more deserving of the chance.

**Rita:** The chance to protect the others.

**[CHOICE] =** Check out Badge #3.

A sky-blue badge with a bowl of instant noodles engraved on it.

She was a free spirit, but seeing freedom was no more caused her to leave.

She had quit fighting since then, for she had lost the reason to fight.

**Rita:** I’m sure you can imagine what she was like. She was a spirit who fought to liberate those oppressed by the mountain god.

**Rita:** In her last battle, she was forced to choose between saving the lives of thousands and recovering an Ether Anchor.

**Rita:** In the end, she chose to save those innocent lives while the Ferryman recovered the Ether Anchor by force.

**Rita:** She couldn’t comprehend what the Ferryman was after, whereas he could not tolerate her sympathy. Thus, she returned this badge to us and parted ways with us.

**[CHOICE] =** Check out Badge #4.

A light blue badge with a black and white four-leaf clover engraved on it. At some point in time, three of its leaves had been defaced.

She came with everything, but left with nothing.

**Rita:** The owner of this badge was innocent and kind-hearted, a truly sensitive soul. So great was her luck, that she saved us from danger every time.

**Rita:** Of the first three companions, she was the last, and clashed most fiercely with the Ferryman.

**Rita:** At that time, we encountered a giant flower-like monster in the Sea of Quanta. The Ferryman insisted on capturing it alive, and multiple bubble universes were devastated as a result.

**Rita:** She became as a woman possessed, bellowing and even attacking the Ferryman, all in the hope of activating the ship’s rail gun to put an immediate end to that beast.

**Rita:** But… I stopped her.

**Rita:** She was forced to fight tooth and nail. Many bubble universes lay in shambles, but she was able to protect three of them.

**Rita:** In the end, she left battered and bruised. As for her badge, she left it here.

**Rita:** Not long after that, the Ferryman asked me to leave the ship too. I haven’t returned since.

**Captain:** I’m positive that he was afraid of losing the last companion, so he pushed you away.

**Rita:** Perhaps. That could also be why the Ferryman did the same thing to you, Captain.

**Captain:** Me?

Rita ignored my question and continued.

**Rita:** Is he also afraid of remembering that his initial wish had only been to provide a home for everyone?

**[CHOICE] =** Check out Badge #5.

A red and blue badge with a rabbit engraved on it.

**Rita:** This badge belongs to an adorable child. Despite her young age, she has a lot of secrets in her eyes.

**Rita:** I know next to nothing about her story. If you ever have the chance, ask her to tell.

**Rita:** But one thing I’m certain of is that she is much more mature than everyone takes her for, having long shouldered a great deal of responsibilities.

**[CHOICE] =** Check out Badge #6.

A white badge engraved with a cherry blossom grafted on the branch in its center.

Born a vessel, but given the fate of a human.

**Rita:** Her light died out long ago. She saw herself as a tool, but needed to find the meaning of living as a human.

**Rita:** As for why she boarded this ship, I suppose it wasn’t because she had found a new light, but that she still felt lost.

**[CHOICE] =** I’ve finished looking.

A round-edged cube was placed on the stand. It seemed oddly thin.

Something about it felt familiar. It resembled the consciousness mapping launcher on the Hyperion, but without the smiling girl and strange writings.

**Captain:** What’s this?

**Rita:** Sorry, but I’m not entirely sure. I only heard that it links to another world inside itself.

**Captain:** There are things you don’t know?

**[CHOICE] =** Walk away.

**[CHOICE] =** Get closer and examine it.

Even Rita was clueless about this object. This sense of mystery inexorably drew me closer to it.

All of a sudden, it emitted a blinding white light which enveloped my vision and mind.

**Captain:** …?!

**Hyperion:** “Control has been transferred to the Captain.”

**Captain:** (What happened? Did I trigger some kind of mechanism?)

**???:** Phew, the ship is finally good to go again. You’re now free to sail to any place you wish.

**Captain:** (Where am I?)

**???:** You’re welcome. This ship was made specially for you. When you press the “Start” button, the journey will begin.

**???:** Despite my wish to travel with you and to watch more stories unfold…

**???:** I am sorry that I can’t accompany you, as I still have matters to attend to. I mean, I snuck out just to leave you this message.

**???:** Well then, that’s about all I have to say. Bon voyage! If you ever miss me, just listen to the ship’s system notifications.

Before I could come up with a response, the girl in front of me dissipated into thin air.

**Captain:** That voice is achingly familiar. This place must be the Hyperion. Though it appears much newer than it was in my memory, I could never mistake this bridge for anywhere else.

**Hyperion:** “Welcome to the Hyperion, Captain.”

“Awaiting instructions.”

**[CHOICE] =** Exit navigation mode.

**[CHOICE] =** Set out.

**Captain:** (Where will it take us? Let’s see.)

**Hyperion:** “Hyperion engines starting!”

**Hyperion:** “Three. Two. One.”

The familiar sense of weightlessness washed over me, but it was promptly followed by an unnatural quake.

Boom!

**Hyperion:** “Warning! Right wing under attack!”

**Captain:** What’s going on?

On the Hyperion’s monitor, there was a girl tied to a wooden pole and surrounded by eerie purple flames.

**[CHOICE] =** Save the girl.

After bringing the Hyperion down and opening the hatch door, I grasped the girl by the hand and pulled her out of the blazing inferno.

She fell to her knees feebly, great rivulets of tears streaming down her face. Under the tousled hair, I saw a familiar face.

**Captain:** Rita?

**Discouraged Witch:** No… I’m a witch.

**Captain:** Hold on!

**Captain:** …?!

**Panicked Crowd:** Help! Help!

The sight before me didn’t allow me too much time to snap out of my daze. Meanwhile, faces I was both familiar and unfamiliar with came dashing behind me, screaming and hollering.

Looking up, I was greeted by the sight of a monster with a clock on its chest, standing behind the waves of people.

**Captain:** A monster from the Sea of Quanta? Has this world been invaded too?

**Rita:** Master, please use the power of the Ether Anchor according to the plan.

**Captain:** What?

That was when I noticed that there was a flickering piece of tinder in my hands. There was no evidence whatsoever to back up my assertion, but I simply felt in my gut that it was an Ether Anchor.

**[CHOICE] =** Quit resisting.

**[CHOICE] =** Use the Ether Anchor.

I understood what had to be done in times like this. The tinder in my hands burst into flames, transforming into a majestic flame-licked sword.

My body grew a mind of its own, and leapt up involuntarily. Meanwhile, someone borrowed my vocal cords to speak.

**Captain:** Come on, foul beast, you’re not hurting anyone under my watch.

The scene changed again, with the former city now in ruins. In the middle of a sky riddled with holes, a piece of tinder was burning.

An overwhelming sadness surged up within my chest, mixed with anger and helplessness.

**Rita:** It’s just as you speculated. Forcefully triggering the Ether Anchor’s power to maintain a world’s stability will only ensure its immediate destruction.

**Rita:** At this moment, the Ether Anchor of this world is burning on borrowed time. If a new Anchor is not found soon, and quickly, it will crumble.

**Captain:** If I use an Ether Anchor from another world to sustain this world, what will happen to the world with its Ether Anchor taken away?

**Rita:** It will most likely continue to shrink at an increasing speed until it collapses.

**Captain:** …

“As long as there is at least one world that can last for long, there’s still a place for everyone to call home.”

If I can maintain the stability of one world, just one world, with the remaining Ether Anchors of a thousand ruined worlds, would that not be a happy ending of some kind?

**Captain:** T, help me. This time, I can make it happen.

**T:** Are you sure you want to try again, Skipper? Before this city was destroyed, you had already been to the anchor 1,367 times through consciousness mapping. Mark my words:

**T:** No amount of perseverance will make the impossible possible. And no miracle can be brought about by telling yourself “I can make it happen”.

**T:** You’re simply repeating your failure and your pain.

**T:** It’s beyond me why you remain so persistent. You never belonged here in the first place. You bear no responsibility toward these people. Why go through so much to save them?

**T:** You could simply remain a bystander and leave this place.

**[CHOICE] =** Confirm.

**Captain:** If you wish to understand humanity, you can’t just be an onlooker. You have to get close to people and study them carefully.

**Captain:** I will keep trying, because I want to **save** them. Confirm that.

**T:** Very well. Keywords detected. Analysing… Analysis complete. Preparing for consciousness mapping.

**T:** Prepare for charging. Once charged, consciousness mapping will be automatically activated.

…

The spatiotemporal distortion was beyond my control. I finally came to realise that the equipment would only make me an onlooker.

Almost instantaneously, my vision was engulfed in flames. The blazing inferno seared through to my very soul with much pop and sizzle.

Amongst the fiery flames, I recognised the Ether Anchor. It had been reduced to mere embers after burning out.

I was overcome with debilitating despair, and a voice started to echo in my head.

“Why… why…”

“I have repelled them again and again. How come the situation has never been turned around?”

“Why is it that the harder I fight, the greater the predator horde that consumes this land?”

“What a miserable fate this world has! So bleak and so hopeless.”

“No, it’s not true. Nothing is predestined. There must be a way.”

“As long as I can return the bubble universe to the Tree, the world is sure to remain stable.”

“To achieve that, I need… I need more Ether Anchors.”

“Yes! There is still a way, and the keys to it are the Ether Anchors.”

“Even if the birth of the new world will cost thousands of other worlds, it will be worth it.”

“It will become home to all…”

A searing agony cut through my chest. I wanted to figure out a way to return to reality, but the voice surging up took total control of my mind…

*“No… No… I can’t do this…”*

*“To take the Ether Anchors in other worlds and to destroy those people, these are not mutually exclusive goals. We want to become heroes who rescue the world, no?”*

*“Like Noah and the ark in the story, we shall lead everyone to a new world.”*

*“There must be a better way to save everyone.”*

“Shut up! You know nothing about it!”

The pain in my chest intensified, as if something was trying to crawl out and tear me apart.

“I have completed 71,561 instances of consciousness mapping. The legendary Noah, the lord of the world, the omnipotent sage, or someone else… I have exhausted all possibilities.”

“But what have I obtained in return? It was all for naught, and now there is no chance of a miracle.”

“I promised everyone countless times that I’d find a shelter for them, but all I did was let them down over and over again.”

“Listen to their voices!”

“The fire has spread to the suburbs, but we are powerless to stop it, as the Pointer has arrived. I must go there right away in case anyone gets hurt!”

“I know everyone is starving, but we’re running out of food. All we can do now is to allocate the minimum amount to everyone. Please be patient, I will fix this.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t save you this time either. Next time, I will save everyone…”

“Next time? Another “next time”? How many “next times” will it take? You promised us you’d make everything right!”

“Move! Save her!”

“Help! You said you’d save me…”

“…”

“…”

My head was overwhelmed by millions of discordant voices. I could see what they had seen, as if I was right there.

“Losses? On the contrary, I feel myself becoming more and more complete by the moment.”

“We share the same goal, and will unite as one. While you… When did you join? Why did you utter a word of dissension?”

*“From the beginning, since you stepped onto the Hyperion, from the first time you’ve projected, from that time you saved that girl, from the time you saved countless worlds from devastating disasters. We’ve always been together.”*

*“We all know that, regardless of how many Ether Anchors we have, it’s difficult for the world to attain eternity. But, are we going to watch countless worlds fall into demise because of an inevitable failure?”*

“Destiny? Nothing is predestined. I must do it… Even if the world has been reduced to cinders, I will make it rise up like a phoenix from those ashes. This has gone beyond me. The people’s hopes and dreams rest with me.”

“Come on, join us. We will build a new world. We will give everyone a shelter.”

“This time, we will save everyone.”

**System Notification:** “Ether Anchor locked. Preparing for immediate consciousness mapping.”

I started to lose control over my body. An emerald willow crown appeared on the screen before me… an Ether Anchor from another world.

This world was about to meet its end in a maelstrom of rain and flooding, but the Ether Anchor’s power allowed the people to build a shielded city adrift on the sea.

Apparently, this city was powerless to resist. As long as the consciousness mapping was complete, the Ether Anchor could be ripped away without any difficulty.

But what would happen if this Anchor is taken? It wouldn’t take long for the shield to fracture, or to vanish instantly.

**[CHOICE] =** No, I’m tired.

**[CHOICE] =** Start consciousness mapping.

**Captain:** For the new world that we share, sacrifices are inevitable.

*“No, no!”*

The voice in my head repeated nonstop. I clasped my hands over my heart, letting another voice speak through my mouth.

**Captain:** I see. Even in the end, you still couldn’t understand us? Leave us then, my naive self.

**[CHOICE] =** Press the Stop button.

**[CHOICE] =** Give it up.

Gradually, I was possessed by the voice in my head. Against my will, my hands worked their way toward the button to initiate consciousness mapping.

The gray button twisted and warped in front of my eyes, gradually turning yellow.

**System Notification:** Please enter ▇▇▇ / ▇▇.

**Captain:** What happened?

**[CHOICE] =** Enter ▇▇.

Upon pressing the yellow button, space itself began to warp in a familiar way.

The throbbing pain worsened. A hood came down and blinded me just before the dizziness claimed me.

A voice kept echoing in my ears and becoming ever more real, lonely, and distant.

**???:** “Sorry, I’m not the Noah in this story. I’m merely a ferryman on the Sea of Quanta.”

**???:** “Maybe you can in fact work out another solution, but as for now, we must part ways with you.”

**???:** “There is no other way. You all must leave.”

…

…

**???:** “Welcome to the Hyperion, Captain.”

**Rita:** Captain? Captain!

Somehow, I was back in the collection room. Before me lay that peculiar round-edged cube.

**Rita:** Captain? Are you okay? What did you see? Why did you start shedding tears all of a sudden?

**Captain:** I’m fine. It’s just… never mind. I think I understand what this thing does now. It reproduces past memories.

That said, I did feel that I made multiple choices, much like actual consciousness mapping…

**Captain:** Look over there. It’s us, but from just a moment ago.

--

#### HOMU World

**???:** Have you heard about the vampire? Do you feel like joining our Vampire Urban Legend Press? We’ve got all the latest scoops on the vampires!

**???:** By the way, did you know that the vampire hid some treasures in this city?

**Captain:** (Not this again… Someone’s actually digging up news stories about vampires?)

**Captain:** What do you have?

**???:** So you’re interested? Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the president of this Press.

**President of Research Club:** Do you want to join us? We’re all about getting the inside scoop on vampires!

**Captain:** I’ll have to think about it. What if you’re lying to me?

**President of Research Club:** Too bad. Actually, I’ve got three clues left behind by the vampire…

**President of Research Club:** Come on, give it a try! Vampire legends are so fascinating.

**Captain:** …

**President of Research Club:** Take it! You’re gonna have a blast. I’ll give you two amusement park tickets if you can uncover some real tea about these vampires.

**Captain:** Amusement park tickets… Alright then, I’ll go and take a look.

**Captain:** (I got this info so easily. Let’s check it out.)

**Captain:** The clue says that eerie shadows flicker at night…

**Captain:** Turns out those are just a few black cats that made themselves at home here.

**Captain:** The clue says that there are blood spots…

**Captain:** Which were just drippings from overripe raspberries.

**Captain:** Wait, what’s that tangled around the branch?

**Captain:** Is that cat hair?

**Man Handing Out Flyers:** Hey, did you find anything? Were my clues useful?

**[CHOICE] =** Nothing. This vampire legend is just a baseless rumor.

**[CHOICE] =** There may be something to these legends. I found something unusual.

**President of Research Club:** You did?!

**Captain:** Yes. I found something the vampire left behind. A strand of its hair.

**President of Research Club:** Wonderful! That means I was right about this photo! These past few days weren’t in vain after all!

**President of Research Club:** Thanks for letting me know. You can have these two amusement park tickets.

The man gave me the two tickets and skipped off in elation.

**Captain:** Sorry to keep you waiting.

**Luna:** Can we get in?

**Captain:** Sure, I have tickets.

**Luna:** Really?!

**Captain:** There may really be vampires in the park now.

I flaunted the park tickets before her. Her eyes lit up and she raised her hands to get the tickets.

I raised them higher and she stood on her tiptoes in an attempt to reach them.

**Captain:** Hehe…

**Luna:** …You’ve become a bit too comfortable with teasing me. I’ve never seen what an amusement park ticket looks like.

**Captain:** Sorry, couldn’t help myself… Here.

**Luna:** Yay!

She beamed from ear to ear, resembling a small child who had just gotten the best Christmas present, as she observed the ticket.

**Luna:** It’s beautiful… I bet there’s a whole lot of stuff we can do in the amusement park. Can we head in now?

**Captain:** Of course, let’s go.

**Luna:** Yes!

The carousel in the park slowly spun amidst the sounds of cheerful nursery rhymes and children’s laughter.

From atop the slowly ascending Ferris wheel, people peeked out curiously. In the distance, a roller coaster plunged amid a chorus of exhilarated screams.

Never had I felt this blissful and relaxed. It had nothing to do with the amusement park rides, but everything to do with the delighted face of the girl beside me.

Despite her having matured since I first met her, at this moment, she seemed more like a child than ever.

**Luna:** Ooh, that must be the teacup ride I’ve seen before in books. It looks fun!

Perhaps childlike isn’t the right word to describe her, but that’s how I thought of her. But, I couldn’t let her know that’s what I thought.

**Luna:** Is that a Ferris wheel? Let’s go on that next! Whoa! A roller coaster! I’ve never seen one in real life before.

**Luna:** And check that out! Those things that are floating around, are those balloons? Amazing!

**Child Selling Balloons:** Would you like one, Miss?

**Luna:** Hmm?

**Child Selling Balloons:** A pretty lady like yourself would look even finer with an eye-catching balloon! Buy one, get one free. How about one for you and your friend?

**Luna:** I…

Luna looked at me with wide-eyed anticipation. For a moment, I was too captivated to respond.

**Luna:** A-Are we not getting them?

**Captain:** Of course we are, let’s get some.

I fished out the coins I had won earlier and handed them to the child by the balloon stall.

**Captain:** I’ll take a red one, and a yellow one.

**Child Selling Balloons:** Thank you! But, shouldn’t you ask which color the lady prefers?

**Captain:** Oh… what do you think about these two, Luna?

**Luna:** I think they’re great. I wanted the red one to begin with. The yellow one reminds me of HOMU, which suits you perfectly.

**Luna:** There you go. One red and one yellow, please.

**Child Selling Balloons:** Sure thing. Coming right up!

The kid unhooked a red and a yellow balloon from the stall and handed them over to us.

**Child Selling Balloons:** Be sure to hold ‘em tight, or they’ll fly away.

**Captain:** Okay.

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** I changed my mind. I want a yellow one instead.

**Captain:** Hmm? Okay, here you go.

Before I had time to react, Luna had already exchanged her balloon for mine.

**Luna:** Hold on tight to it. You can’t ever let go of it.

**Captain:** Mhm, I won’t ever let go of it again.

I held the balloon’s string tightly with one hand and onto her hand with the other. The teacup ride eventually came to a stop, and the intercom informed the riders to exit.

**Luna:** Hey, we can take the teacup ride now. Let’s get on! You promised.

**Captain:** Sure.

**Luna:** Then we’ll hit up the roller coaster, and the carousel after. Alright?

**Captain:** Of course. Now, we have plenty of time, so we don’t have to hurry.

**Captain:** We can enjoy every single ride the park has to offer, and do everything we want to do.

**Captain:** Now, let’s keep going.

We screamed on the roller coaster, cheered inside the arcade, sang on the spinning teacup ride, and argued over which flavor of ice cream to get.

On the Ferris wheel shining under the starlight, I only noticed how late it had gotten when Luna leaned on my shoulder and began to doze off.

I was exhausted.

**Captain:** But also happier than I’d ever been.

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Sirin

A tiny figure crouched at the roadside, cutting up the dried leaves one by one.

**Captain:** Hey, Sirin.

**Sirin:** Why the sudden visit? Is there something you need?

**Kitty:** Meow!

**Sirin:** Eh? Why is there a cat?

**Captain:** Bronie found it in Soukai City. She said you might be willing to take care of her.

**Sirin:** Don’t just dump everything on me. It’s not like I’m some kind of animal fosterer…

While grumbling under her breath, her hands couldn’t wait to take the cat from my arms. She gently caressed the cat’s ears.

**Kitty:** Meooow!

**Captain:** It likes you a lot.

**Sirin:** Wow, she’s so cute! Can I keep her on the Hyperion?

**Captain:** Of course you can. But speaking of which, does this mean you’ve agreed to continue traveling with us?

**Sirin:** …Well, there’s nothing pressing at the moment, so I don’t mind sticking around for a while longer.

**Sirin:** After all, without my magic, you guys could easily run into trouble that you can’t solve.

**Sirin:** It’s definitely not because I wanna travel with you or anything…

**Captain:** Indeed, without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to rescue Kongming or find Luna.

**Sirin:** Heheh, my magic is pretty impressive, isn’t it?

**Captain:** It really is. Thank you, Sirin.

**Sirin:** Eh? W-Why are you so polite all of a sudden…

**Sirin:** No need to thank me. After all, you all helped me before, and I don’t like owing favors. Plus, I suppose for now, we can consider ourselves… companions, I guess.

**Sirin:** Just some small efforts on my part, no need to dwell on that.

**Captain:** Haha, I got it.

**Captain:** By the way, have you sorted out the affairs in the world that the Magic Girls belong to?

**Sirin:** Yep. Everything has already been wrapped up. With Vollerei and Broboli there, things should be fine. And besides… I trust TeRiRi.

**Sirin:** I can leave the matter in their capable hands.

**Captain:** Don’t you miss them?

**Sirin:** …No, not a single bit!

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Alright, maybe sometimes. Yet, being around them, I can’t help but fall into a comfort zone centered around myself.

**Sirin:** Therefore, instead of getting caught up in fleeting gatherings, I’m leaning toward breaking out of my self-imposed “shell” and exploring the world beyond.

**Sirin:** After all, in case another Dark Lord rises, I must possess enough strength and determination to protect them.

**Captain:** Seems like you and Bronie would get along very well. No wonder she mentioned that even before bedtime, you’d still find a way to chat with her.

**Sirin:** I didn’t! I just asked her about some things to keep in mind when leaving the original world, but we definitely didn’t chat much.

**Captain:** Haha, okay, I just thought you two had some similarities.

**Captain:** Anyway, welcome to the Hyperion, Sirin. Oh, and I’ve got a little gift for you, I hope you’ll find it to your liking.

**Sirin:** A gift… for me?

**Captain:** Yeah, I stumbled upon it and thought it would be a good fit for you, so I went ahead and bought it.

**Sirin:** Is it… a costume for little witches, with a hat? How is that fitting? I’m not a child!

**Captain:** Huh, did I not choose the right size for the clothes? Is it not fitting well? In that case, I’ll have to take it back for now.

**Sirin:** …Hey, I-I didn’t say I don’t want it. I can… take it and put it on the kitten.

**Captain:** Well, sure, I believe the kitten will like this gift very much.

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Kongming

After the dust had settled, Kongming, after being confined for so much time, finally found solace onboard the Hyperion which was resting by the shore.

Out of concern for her condition, I went to her room.

As I arrived at the doorway, a pungent smoke, both bitter and harsh, wafted out from Kongming’s room, evoking memories of times gone by.

She waved the fan in her hand with the same unhurried rhythm. Yet, unlike before, her gaze no longer seemed to be that harsh.

**Kongming:** Captain?

**Captain:** Kongming, I hope I’m not disturbing your rest… Hehe…

I let out a few awkward chuckles, trying to divert her attention. Seizing the moment, I brought out the surprise I had prepared beforehand. However, it was clear that I couldn’t hide anything from her discerning eyes.

**Kongming:** Look at you, all grins and giggles… What are you keeping from me?

**Captain:** Well…

I stepped aside and revealed my gift to her.

It was a clumsily-made lantern, adorned with two awkward wings on its sides, resembling a chubby bird.

**Kongming:** This is…

**Captain:** While in Soukai City, I came across a shop selling thin paper and resin, so I bought some. Later, on the outskirts of the castle, I gathered some bamboo and sliced it into threads.

**Captain:** I planned to make the flower lantern with you, but then I decided on a whim to make it a surprise, so I did it myself.

**Kongming:** And that’s why you were fidgeting at the doorway for that long?

**Captain:** Yes. It’s too big to bring in without you noticing.

**Kongming:** Silly… You’ve covered it all around with thin paper. How can you possibly light it up?

**Captain:** Ah… I-I just wanted to make it sturdier and forgot all about that.

She sighed and pulled a pair of scissors out from nowhere. With great care, she snipped the thin paper at the bottom of the flower lantern and meticulously trimmed its edges, giving it a neat finish.

Then, she took a small red candle from the nearby desk and placed it on top of the lantern’s bamboo threads. In an instant, the lantern was bathed in a soft, golden radiance from the candle’s light.

**Kongming:** Captain, will you join me?

**Captain:** It’d be my pleasure.

The light from the lantern took on a rouge-like hue as it gently floated up into the night sky.

With a soothing smile, she gazed at the flower lantern, and I, like so many times before, gazed at her.

We stood there, watching the lantern soar into the distance, until it vanished at the far reaches of the night sky.

**Captain:** How’re you feeling? Any discomfort after returning from a world that’s been wiped out?

**Kongming:** I’ve rested for a while, and I’m mostly fine now. But as for you…

**Kongming:** …Now that you’ve found her, let’s avoid engaging in consciousness mapping so casually from now on. Even if you didn’t say it, I’m aware that the process isn’t entirely free of side effects, right?

**Captain:** Okay, if you think it’s best…

**Kongming:** Why does it sound like you’re trying to watch what you say? This lantern isn’t just another trick to keep me happy, is it? I knew there was a reason you were being so nice today.

**Captain:** N-No, that’s not it at all.

**Kongming:** Haha, what’s got you all worried? I’m just messing with you. You know I’m not that petty, right?

**Kongming:** You rescued me, and you have the right to help anyone else you’d like, too. I know you’re naturally a kind person.

**Captain:** It… just feels surreal. Everything has come to an end so abruptly… All those things I never had time for, I want to catch up on each and every one of them.

**Kongming:** Right. There are a lot of things I’d love to do with you also.

**Captain:** From now on, there’s no need to rush. We have plenty of time to set out on all sorts of journeys together.

**Kongming:** Right, but we can worry about all that later. Right now, what we need to think about is how to deal with Delta and that ninja. They seem like they’re on our side.

**Captain:** Sure, as long as they feel the same way. Are there rooms available on the Hyperion?

**Kongming:** There should be. Kasumi and Kallen can stay in the two neighboring guest rooms next to Rita’s. It’s quieter there, I think they’ll like it.

**Kongming:** As for Delta, she can stay in the bedroom across from Bronie and Sirin’s. They might get along well.

**Kongming:** And as for Luna…

**Kongming:** …

**Kongming:** She can stay in the room next to mine.

**Captain:** The room next to yours?

**Kongming:** After all, she isn’t human, and she’s done all those things that harmed the Theresas. Even for your sake, I can’t fully trust her.

**Kongming:** The last ten millennia may have altered her appearance and physique, and maybe even her perspective.

**Kongming:** Given how much of a risk she is, I won’t be able to rest unless I have her in my sight. Doesn’t that make sense?

**Captain:** (Is it because she cares about…)

**Captain:** If she’s okay with that, I don’t see any issues with it.

**Kongming:** It wouldn’t matter even if you did. I’ve already talked to her about it. She seemed happy with it. It honestly makes me a bit worried…

**Kongming:** If my bed were any bigger, I would have offered her my room and moved into yours.

**Captain:** (I wonder if she’s thinking about…)

**Captain:** Wait a moment, Kongming. Are you saying that the room next door you were just talking about is actually my room?

**Kongming:** Yeah, that’s right.

**Captain:** Then pardon my curiosity for asking, but, where am I staying? I hope it isn’t…

**Kongming:** Naturally, you’ll be staying in the small guest room next to the storage room. With all these strange guests coming aboard, it’ll be safer for you if you keep your distance.

**Captain:** …

**Kongming:** What? Do you disagree? Well, now’s the time to say something.

**Captain:** N-No…

**Kongming:** And don’t worry, things won’t be like this forever. Once I know for a fact we can trust them, I’ll arrange a different room for you.

**Captain:** I-I see. I knew you’d make the best decision possible. Uh… If I may ask, when do you think I might be able to return to my cozy and spacious room?

**Kongming:** You can move back when… I’m a bit more grown and have an even better figure than Rita’s. How does that sound?

**Captain:** I knew it!

**Captain:** (So that was what was on her mind!)

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Himeko

Upon arriving to Soukai City, Himeko wasted no time inviting me once again to her home.

But just then, a sound of clattering emerged from the kitchen. I wondered if Himeko could be in some kind of trouble.

**Captain:** Himeko, a-are you done yet?

**Himeko:** Almost! Just a minute!

**Captain:** O-Okay…

Sounds like she’s fine. Phew… Wait, what is that?!

**Himeko:** Here you go! Come and savor my handiwork… canned lunch meat with a side of instant rice!

**Captain:** Himeko, is this the dinner you usually have that you had been talking about?

**Himeko:** That’s right! I pan-fried the lunch meat to enhance the flavor, just like the recipe says. Oh, and don’t forget the greens… a balanced nutrition is important, you know.

Himeko scooped out a few pieces of bok choy from the pot and added them to the instant rice. I cautiously picked up a piece and brought it to my mouth…

**Captain:** (Ugh! This bok choy’s undercooked! Is this what she usually eats? She really is like a child, isn’t she?)

**Himeko:** How does it taste?

**Captain:** It’s, um, not bad. True to the ingredients.

**Himeko:** Haha, I’ll take that as a compliment. By the way, what would you like to drink?

Before I could answer, Himeko had already opened the refrigerator and started taking out cans of drinks one by one.

Most of them were various types of energy drinks, followed by sodas and orange juice. Finally, from the back of the fridge, she pulled out several cans of beer, frosted over with ice.

**Himeko:** Hmm… I’ve been busy with my investigation for so long now that I haven’t had a chance to do any cleaning. I don’t need any of this stuff anymore.

Clank…

Himeko threw all the beer into the trash and placed the sodas and orange juice in front of me.

**Captain:** Why’d you buy so much beer? Just a little bit is all you need to get drunk.

**Himeko:** Heh… what a child. You’ll understand when you’re older!

**Captain:** Only a child would think drinking makes you mature! Stop trying to act all grown up, you’ve only just reached legal age, right?

**Captain:** You shouldn’t drink too much anyway. It’s bad for your health.

**Himeko:** …

**Himeko:** So what? I’m an adult now, doesn’t that make me a grown-up?

**Himeko:** Besides, aren’t you also pretending to be all mature? Maybe someone really just wants to be my Caaaptaaain?

**Captain:** …S-Sorry, I just want to see you take better care of yourself. I didn’t mean to nag.

**Himeko:** It’s alright. Actually, I kind of miss having someone nag me. After all, the last time someone nagged me like this was…

Unlike the time they had spoken after a few drinks, her expression now held a seldom-seen bit of sorrow.

**Captain:** Your father and teacher, right?

**Himeko:** Hmm… Did I talk about that with you after having a few?

**Captain:** Yeah, sort of… How are they doing now?

**Himeko:** They… They’re all gone…

**Captain:** …!

**Captain:** Sorry, I didn’t know…

**Himeko:** It’s alright. In fact, I appreciate having someone to share these things with.

She opened a misshapen pocket watch and took out from inside it a piece cut from an old newspaper.

“Soukai City Rocket No. 9 goes missing, prominent physicists Murata Ryusuke and Welt Yang presumed deceased…”

**Captain:** They were heroes.

**Himeko:** Yes, they were heroes. Even without having what it took, they were willing to push themselves beyond their limits to undertake what was deemed impossible, all for the sake of others.

**Himeko:** They plunged into a black hole with no hesitation, all because they had discovered a faint signal with the smallest chance of coming from extraterrestrial life.

**Himeko:** But father… teacher… Why did you have to reject my application?

**Captain:** You mean… you had the chance to board that rocket as well?

**Himeko:** Right. As soon as Schicksal’s Cosmic Space Base began recruiting astronauts for long-term stays on the space station, I signed up right away.

**Himeko:** I put in a lot of effort to prepare for this opportunity. I breezed through all the assessments. But in the end, my father intervened. He believed I was still too young and instructed my teacher to remove me from the list of candidates.

**Captain:** As your father, he didn’t want you to embark on such a dangerous journey.

**Himeko:** I know that, but I still wanted to follow in their footsteps and become an adult like them.

**Himeko:** They were aware of my aspirations, and I understood their worries as well.

**Himeko:** So, in a moment of frustration, I got in a big fight with my father and teacher. And to make my point crystal clear, I submitted my university dropout application right in front of them.

**Himeko:** Little did I know that just a few days later, I’d receive that heartbreaking news…

**Himeko:** …

**Himeko:** I’m so sorry… father… teacher…

**Himeko:** I really thought I’d have the chance to apologise…

**Captain:** …

**Himeko:** Even now, I still feel badly for that fight.

**Himeko:** I couldn’t return to campus, so I became a Valkyrie instead, driven by a desire to do whatever I could to make a better world, just like they did.

**Himeko:** But in the end, I came to realise that outside of school, I’m not good enough… I’m far from the mature adult I wanted to become. And yet, I… still have trouble acknowledging this.

**Captain:** So, you began to numb yourself with alcohol.

**Himeko:** Right… Back then, I still couldn’t face reality… Despite trying to act like an adult and be how I thought a mature person should be, but really…

**Himeko:** Through it all, I’ve never been anything more than a child.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** I suppose growing up takes time.

**Captain:** Your father and teacher must have also believed that one day, you would become the person you pictured yourself becoming.

**Himeko:** Yeah… You’re right!

**Himeko:** I might have let them down in the past, but I understand that now.

**Himeko:** Even though I am far from mature, I can still strive to follow their example. I should aim to go even further than they did!

**Himeko:** This time, I’m not just heading to space, but beyond this world!

**Captain:** Huh? Beyond this world? You mean…

**Himeko:** Traveling with you all, of course! You won’t say no to that, will you? My dear Captain! After all, you promised to treat me to a good drink.

**Captain:** Absolutely not! I-I wouldn’t even dare… Ahem…

**Captain:** Himeko, whenever you decide, the Hyperion will always welcome you.

**Himeko:** I knew you would agree! Well, let’s watch out for one another, shall we?

**Himeko:** Oh, I almost forgot. I was so caught up in our conversation that I didn’t realise the dishes had gone cold.

**Captain:** …!

**Himeko:** Ah, never mind. I’ll go make you another one.

**Captain:** (Oh noooooo!)

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Kallen

**Kallen:** Captain?

**Captain:** Kallen, what are you doing here?

**Kallen:** I… was waiting for you. Do you have time now, Captain? I want to take you somewhere.

**Captain:** Take me somewhere… Sure.

**Kallen:** Then, let’s go now.

…

Behind the door lies a room covered in dust, adorned with various storybooks and HOMU dolls, exuding a particularly cozy atmosphere.

In stark contrast to the surrounding decor, a colossal crimson coffin commanded the room’s center, its striking red hue captivating all attention.

**Kallen:** I hope I didn’t startle you. This is where she and I used to live, and if we can count ourselves as having had a childhood, then this place holds almost all of her childhood memories.

**Captain:** Well, it’s actually much cozier than I had initially imagined.

**Captain:** To be frank, I was expecting to encounter some peculiar devices and IV tubes.

**Kallen:** Haha, it wasn’t that dramatic. Although we were treated as subjects of that person’s experiments, during the time outside of the experiments, he tried his best to afford us some degree of personal freedom as individuals.

**Kallen:** However, you see, Luna is… special. That’s why her entire childhood was basically spent here.

Sweeping aside the cobwebs on the bookshelf, I delved into the storybooks that lined its shelves.

Written in them were flying airships, talking bunnies, a sewing witch, and a prince who awakened the princess.

While not particularly standout, these tales were her entire world during that time.

**Kallen:** Thank you.

In a quiet and sudden moment, Kallen expressed her words of gratitude. It was as if the enduring pressure within her heart had finally found its release.

**Captain:** No need to thank me. Saving her has always been my desire. Even if you hadn’t shown up, I would have pursued my goal of finding her, relentlessly.

**Kallen:** No, this “thank you” is for myself. You saved not just her but me as well. Ultimately, all of this is rooted in my own sins after all.

**Captain:** Are you still blaming yourself for granting her freedom back then? All she wanted was to experience the world. If her childhood hadn’t been so sheltered, would she have developed such a deep attachment to the world outside?

**Captain:** You merely gave her what she should have experienced.

**Kallen:** No, it’s precisely because of this that my sins carry even greater weight.

**Kallen:** I had the opportunity to offer her all of this in a better way, instead of impulsively giving her hope. However, I regretted it when circumstances spiraled beyond my control, and attempted to take back the hope she rightfully deserved.

**Kallen:** I was the one who betrayed her.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** It’s alright, she didn’t see it that way… her actions in sharing the Ether Anchor with you are evidence of that.

**Captain:** No one can always make the perfect choice, yet we can still bear the weight of the decisions we make. With all matters settled now, you both have the chance to genuinely rekindle your sisterly bond.

**Kallen:** No, the purpose of inviting you here today actually involves another matter… I might not be able to accompany you on the journey.

**Captain:** Eh?

**Kallen:** With you there, she will surely find happiness and joy in her future. As for me, I’d like to stay here. Hence, I’m entrusting that child to you. So, sincerely, thank you for everything.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** Don’t view emotions as an obligation!

I reached out and firmly grasped Kallen’s hand. She appeared visibly surprised by my sudden move, momentarily rooted to the spot.

**Captain:** Forgive me, but I can’t simply stand by any longer without doing anything.

**Captain:** Please, Kallen, stop running away like this! Remember, I promised to accompany her and explore the world outside together. It’s not just about fulfilling her wishes, it’s something I genuinely want too.

**Captain:** But what about your own wishes? What is it that you truly want?

**Kallen:** I… I simply wish for her happiness, that’s all.

**Captain:** That’s it? What does “that all” even mean? Is your way of realising your wish to simply entrust her to others and then just vanish?

**Kallen:** But I don’t know how to face her now. I hurt her, and even wanted to end her life.

**Kallen:** Given what I’ve done, do I even deserve to be around her? Can we ever go back to how things were before?

**Captain:** Then you should talk to her yourself, rather than acting on her behalf as you did before and then disappearing without a word.

**Captain:** Avoiding her won’t change anything. Dumping everything onto others is just a way of evading responsibility.

**Kallen:** At that time… you said the same thing to me.

**Captain:** You need to pursue your wishes yourself. After all, you are irreplaceable to her.

**Captain:** After enduring solitude for ten thousand years, I believe she has many things and experiences to share with you.

**Kallen:** But… but… I don’t know. I’m afraid of causing her more pain, so I’m not sure if I should continue being with her.

**Captain:** Let me ask you this: Do you want to be with her? Do you want to be by her side till the end of time?

**Kallen:** …

**Kallen:** I do.

**Captain:** So why hesitate? Join us on this journey, moving toward…

**Captain:** The future you wish to achieve.

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Bronie

**Bronie:** Phew, there are quite a few intriguing things on this ship. I’ll take them along and study them in detail. Upon closer inspection, your ship could use a system update.

**Captain:** Thank you.

**Bronie:** Huh? Why the sudden politeness? Truth be told, my motivation for all this is driven mostly by curiosity. Helping you is merely a side effect of that curiosity, so you can take it as a given.

**Bronie:** However, it seems all these matters have reached a conclusion, haven’t they? You’ve found the person you sought, and all the Theresas have returned to their respective worlds.

**Bronie:** So, it’s time to go on a vacation!

**Captain:** Of course, let’s find a peaceful place and take a good rest for a while. Perhaps we can even indulge in the tranquility of rural life?

**Bronie:** Sounds good, but the thing I’m most eager to do is find a chance to go back for a visit.

**Captain:** Go back? Are you referring to the Arc City you mentioned before?

**Bronie:** Exactly, I can provide you with the coordinates for Arc City. You should be able to send me back there, right?

**Captain:** Sure. Once you’re ready, we’ll set sail for Arc City.

**Bronie:** After going through so much, the day I left feels like it was just yesterday.

**Bronie:** Why did I plunge into this sea back then? Was it to witness the vast world outside, to push my limits? Or to prove that I’m a hacker rather than a waiter?

**Bronie:** Or was it simply because I didn’t know how to express my feelings to her, so I chose to stay away?

**Captain:** …

Bronie’s gaze was fixed on the boundless expanse of stars beyond the ship, as if she were extracting a long-buried emotion from within and savoring it repeatedly.

**Bronie:** Sorry for suddenly spewing out so many overly sentimental words. Just consider it as me rambling for no reason.

**Bronie:** But, in a nutshell, I miss them. I miss Cioara, I miss Theresa from my world, and I even miss the nostalgic rowdy shouts in the bar.

**Captain:** You guys will have a lot to share.

**Bronie:** Honestly, I haven’t quite sorted out what to say. This all surfaced so unexpectedly, much like after a wearying workout, when you crave a hearty meal but haven’t settled on what to eat.

**Bronie:** Theresa would probably hug me so tightly that she’d cry with joy, wouldn’t she? Cioara, on the other hand, would likely just toss out a few sarcastic remarks. Both she and I… well, expressing feelings to one another isn’t our strong suit.

**Bronie:** So, I plan to take Theresa out for some shopping, help Cioara with the bar’s trivial tasks, and then…

She paused, then spread her hand toward the sky, as if carefully choosing her words for an important commitment.

**Bronie:** If it’s possible, I’d like to take them with me and explore the vast expanse of stars beyond Arc City.

**Bronie:** The starry sky beyond Arc City shines brightly and stretches far, yet it’s far from unreachable.

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Delta

Tap… Tap…

Tap… Tap… Tap…

The room’s door was slightly ajar, and the rhythmic striking of a keyboard came from the inside.

Tap… Tap… Taaaaap…

Looks like a challenger has appeared. The keystrokes hastened, only to stop abruptly. The only sound left in the room was a sigh of relief.

**Delta:** Huh… So, the Dark Lord is nothing more than this.

**Captain:** Impressive.

I entered the dimly lit room and joined her, sitting on the floor. It was clear she had noticed my arrival well before, yet her focus remained locked onto the screen’s blinking cursor, slowly hovering over “New Game”.

**Delta:** You have some nerve coming here all alone. Aren’t you afraid I might tie you up? Don’t forget, we’re enemies.

**Captain:** Well, you’re free to do so. But I only came here to let you know that we’re getting ready to leave.

**Delta:** …

**Captain:** Have you made up your mind? Do you want to join us on our journey?

**Delta:** Who would want to join you? Give me that thing.

**Captain:** I don’t know what you’re referring to.

**Delta:** Ugh. You and him are a lot alike. All you do is make empty promises, and when confronted with an actually important question, you pretend like you don’t know anything.

**Delta:** Do I have to spell it out for you? I need your time-bending bot.

**Captain:** …You mean T?

**Delta:** Haha, finally dropping the act, huh? I don’t care if it’s “T”, “E”, or any other letter of the alphabet, just hand her over.

**Captain:** What do you want with T?

**Delta:** Who asked for your opinion? Don’t act like we’re all buddy-buddy. Remember, I can end your life right here and now.

**Captain:** If you don’t tell me what you’re really looking to do, how can I trust handing over T to you? What if you use her to hurt others?

**Captain:** You should know I’m not going to put others at risk just to save myself.

**Delta:** …Listen to yourself. Do you think talking like this makes you sound like some sorta video game hero?

**Captain:** Uhh…

**Captain:** If I’m being honest, then yeah, a little bit.

**Delta:** …What is it with all of you and this lame sense of humor you have.

**Delta:** Heh.

**Delta:** Fine, it’s not like telling you is going to change anything.

**Delta:** It’s because everything’s just so boring around here. I want a story that’s actually exciting; but, every adventure ends up just evolving into a tedious game.

**Delta:** Even you two are stuck in some cliché “adventurer saves the princess, only to find the Dark Lord and the adventurer share a common origin” type of boring old storyline.

**Delta:** What’s wrong with the world’s scriptwriters? Do they really think this counts as something unique?

**Captain:** Look, I’m sorry! I’m not some mythic hero born out of some cosmic egg or whatever.

**Delta:** Right! So just hand over “T” to me. It has the ability to anchor to a specific point in time, allowing for a kind of reset, right?

**Delta:** So it’s just like playing a game; being able to save, load, and replay until things work out how I want them to.

**Delta:** For example, next time, I could make you the princess and have her be the adventurer. Eventually, you both would come to realise that you’re essentially rescuing yourselves. That’d be a lot of fun!

No surprise, she treats everything like it’s a game; just like her to do that. But…

**Captain:** If the point you want to rewind to doesn’t work…

**Delta:** What are you talking about?

She cut me off mid thought and the air got cold.

She was beginning to sound more than a bit annoyed. After a brief moment of hesitation, I decided to continue with the conversation.

**Captain:** In the collection room, I came across some items that recorded a story.

**Captain:** The adventurer fought tooth and nail to protect the princess, but the princess offered up her own life in a bid to rescue the adventurer who was near death.

**Delta:** Shut up.

**Captain:** And the name of that Adventurer is **Rozaliya**.

Bang!

Before the last syllable could fully escape my lips, I felt my face being forcefully pressed and smooshed into the ground.

All I could hear was her hysterical tirade…

**Delta:** Shut up! Listen to me! You idiot, what are you talking about?!

**Captain:** Who is this Dark Lord you wanna defeat so badly?

**Delta:** I told you to shut up! You just appear out of nowhere and now you think you’re the hero of this game, huh?

**Delta:** You and her too! Can’t NPCs like you be just a bit more self-aware? This is my game, and I’m the adventurer here.

**Delta:** The only reason I’m still here playing along with you is because I’m searching for a key item to advance the main storyline!

**Delta:** So, I’ll ask you again! Where. Is. That. Robot?!

**Captain:** I don’t know! She’s not on my ship! But we can search for her together!

**Delta:** Do I have to come onto your ship and look for her myself? You jerk, all of you are a bunch of jerks!

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** I finally understand who the Dark Lord you want to kill is. And it sounds like she deserves to live more than you do.

**Delta:** What nonsense are you talking about? Just give me what I’m looking for already!

**Captain:** Killing your past self is simply impossible! T can’t actually reset time. What she can do is anchor to a specific point and conduct consciousness mapping.

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** You knew about this all along, didn’t you? Yet, you’re still willing to help her, simply because if there’s something in the game you can’t beat, then the game doesn’t end, and that gives you a chance for redemption, right?

**Delta:** Knock it off… Stop talking nonsense. You don’t know anything about me.

**Captain:** But even if you were to go back to the beginning and erase all the mistakes, it still wouldn’t make it a perfect story.

**Captain:** Dying can’t shoulder any responsibility. It’s living that does. She entrusted you with the chance to live on, the desire to protect her sister… that’s what older sisters do!

**Delta:** Hey, I never said I was going to die, why are you getting so worked up? Have you ever considered that your assumption might be wrong?

**Captain:** Then come with us. It’s time to start a new game.

**Delta:** Ahhhhhh! Seriously, why do you talk so much? Do you all just love meddling in others’ affairs? Don’t tell me you think I don’t understand!

**Delta:** I don’t know where you’re conjuring up all these imaginative speculations from. But let me tell you, I don’t want to go back to any past or kill any past version of myself.

**Delta:** What I desire is endless and thrilling adventures, with countless Dark Lords and dragons to be conquered. I need to keep fighting, because only through this…

**Delta:** …Can I truly feel that she’s still here fighting side by side with me.

**Delta:** This is what I’ve been promised, nothing more than that.

**Captain:** …

Her moves softened in sync with her tone. I looked up and saw her tail winding up around her right hand, gently brushing against her cheek.

**Delta:** I’m fine, don’t worry. I just can’t stand people who act all parental, casually speculating about others’ motives, when it’s actually far from the truth.

**Delta:** Forget it, if that darn robot isn’t here, then so be it. I have my own ship, and I can still go searching.

**Delta:** I can’t stand being here for even another moment. I’m leaving immediately to start a new game, and I never want to see you few NPCs again. So, now, get out of my room!

Bang!

I was grabbed and thrown out of the door, the door slamming shut behind me with a heavy thud. Outside the wall, another person had been waiting for quite some time.

**Bronie:** Didn’t make it?

**Captain:** Yeah…

**Bronie:** Hahaha! How did you end up all beaten up like that? I thought Miss Kongming had taught you what to do?

**Captain:** Shut up… It seems we’ve overcomplicated things. She just wants to fight alongside her own tail.

**Bronie:** Tail? That’s not possible. I’ve been observing her tail in secret, and it shouldn’t possess any form of self-awareness. Wait… I see now.

**Bronie:** I guess Miss Kongming was right. She’s been holding onto the bitterness of not being able to protect her sister and wants to release that anger and regret through endless battles. However, she appears to be more mature than we initially assumed.

**Bronie:** If you put in some effort, there’s a chance you could convince her to join us, but it seems she has her own plans, and there’s no need for us to push it.

**Captain:** Yeah…

Clank…

**Delta:** You two, what are you talking about in front of my door?

**Captain:** Uh… We’re discussing what to have for dinner.

**Delta:** Stop wasting time on such trivial matters. Just take me to your ship now!

**Captain:** Eh? What happened…?

**Delta:** I’ve just found out that my ship got stolen! Darn it, someone took off with it without permission, and they’d even cut off the signal between me and the ship.

**Delta:** It must be those two little rascals! Ahhh! Don’t let me catch you, or you’ll be dead!

She was sprawled on the ground, pounding it furiously, with only her tail attempting to grab hold of her hand.

**Bronie:** So, she changed her mind?

**Captain:** I guess so?

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Kasumi

**Captain:** This must be the place mentioned in that note. Why would Rita invite me here out of the blue and keep it such a secret..

**Captain:** …Huh?

The shadow in the corner seemed to be creeping along, as though it were biding its time, ready to strike.

I couldn’t help but become vigilant and instinctively took a step back. Before I could react, the air around me began to tremble violently, and the cold, sharp kunai was already pressed against my neck.

**Captain:** So, it is you, Kasumi.

**Kasumi:** …

**Captain:** …

**Kasumi:** …

The silence was heavy with hesitation. I had a vague sense that she had a lot to share, but didn’t know where to start.

Our silence lingered for a while. She finally spoke, with an air of self-loathing.

**Kasumi:** How I am now… I can’t even bring myself to kill you. Someone like me isn’t worthy of any light…

Her hand slipped from the kunai limply. Even behind her mask, I could still feel the sorrow emanating from her.

**Kasumi:** Do you… like who you’ve become?

**Captain:** …

This wasn’t a question to which anyone would have an answer. It was a mixture of bitterness, self-mockery, and even despair following a lengthy introspection with no clear solution.

Despite this, when confronted with such an unexpected question, I found myself momentarily at a loss for words, and then…

**Kasumi:** You should like who you’ve become, considering how so many people need you, but…

**Kasumi:** But the moment you’re no longer needed, doesn’t that make your entire existence futile?

Over the passing of countless ages, she forged herself into a sharp tool, all for the sake of being needed by someone.

This was the only way she could feel a sense of purpose in her own existence.

**Kasumi:** My existence is meant to fulfill her wishes. This body, this soul, were all bestowed upon me by her.

**Kasumi:** So then why did she ask me to continue living when she left?

**Kasumi:** Why can’t I… manage to do even that while continuing to live on without any shame?

She kept talking to herself, posing questions to her own mind.

For a moment, I struggled to find any words of solace…

All she needs is simply a guiding light to follow, something that makes her feel wanted. That way she can come to like the person she’s become. But…

I can’t be her light, and I don’t need to.

**Captain:** You’re not merely an accessory to others, your existence itself carries significance.

**Kasumi:** Then perhaps you can enlighten me… what exactly is the significance of my existence?

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** I don’t know.

I could sense a slight tremor in Kasumi’s body. I quickly followed up.

**Captain:** It might sound a bit far-fetched, but I’m really just like you, there’s a weight I’ve been carrying since birth.

**Captain:** With that weight, I embarked on a journey that was both long and enriching… If I learned anything from this journey, it’s that…

**Captain:** You shouldn’t let the weight you carry hold you back. You are yourself, a unique individual. And you have every right to chase after your own aspirations.

**Captain:** I believe that is what truly matters.

**Kasumi:** …

**Kasumi:** But I have no aspirations left. That all vanished along with that person, never to be achieved.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** I see, then…

I reached out my hand to her.

**Captain:** Kasumi, come with us. It doesn’t matter if you’re still unsure or don’t know what you exist for.

**Captain:** You’re not just a fragment of anyone’s aspirations. You are a whole and independent soul.

**Kasumi:** …

**Captain:** Losing the hope you once had must have been incredibly painful for you.

**Captain:** But starting today, you’ll have plenty of time to explore until you find… just what it is you really want.

**Kasumi:** Is this… something you need?

**Captain:** No, it’s something I want you to want.

Tears finally broke free from beneath her mask, trickling down her neck and finding their way into her intricate battlesuit.

**Kasumi:** Have you forgotten that we’re enemies? Don’t… say stuff like that to me, you might give me the wrong impression…

**Kasumi:** That I’ve finally found my own light.

**Captain:** …

Time slipped away as we shared a profound silence caught between light and dark.

--

#### Post-Story Talk - Rita

Deep within the Ferryman’s collection room lay a violet lantern, wafting a familiar scent that almost lulled me into slumber.

**Rita:** I nearly forgot how much I miss it. This scent… it’s from my world.

**Captain:** So, this is the Ether Anchor from your world?

**Rita:** Yes. When I was little, I found it in a river in my dreams. When I brought my ear close to the lantern, I could hear faint whispers.

**Rita:** By drying and crushing fresh flowers, then placing them inside the lantern to burn, a calming aroma is released, capable of gently lulling one into a tranquil sleep.

**Captain:** Are you saying that you obtained this Anchor in your dream?

**Rita:** Captain, are you wondering why items from dreams are now materialising in the real world?

**Captain:** Well… Now that I think about it, I actually know so little about your past. Haha…

**Rita:** Is that so? Captain, are you curious about my past?

**Captain:** Of course, Rita, I’d like to know everything about you.

**Rita:** Heh… I thought Captain might prefer me to retain a sense of mystery.

**Captain:** …

**Rita:** Did I make things awkward for you, Captain?

**Rita:** The world I once resided in was quite unique… Rather than labeling it a “bubble universe”, it’s more precise to describe it as a derivative arising from the aggregation of people’s dreamlands.

**Captain:** A derivative arising from the aggregation of people’s dreamlands?

**Rita:** Exactly. Captain, do you remember being stranded on a deserted island?

**Captain:** Of course I do. It appeared to possess a future that was nearly unchanging and everlasting. Yet, there was a temporal dislocation that led me to encounter many familiar faces.

**Rita:** No… Captain, it wasn’t actually a temporal dislocation. It’s just that… those regions were initially created from memories within various bubble universes.

**Captain:** Huh? Rita, are you saying that everything I saw there was actually derived from other bubble universes?

**Rita:** Yes, that’s right. It’s akin to an island in the ocean, where remnants of memories from various bubble universes fortuitously drift there, eventually coalescing into a distinctive realm…

**Rita:** A stagnant realm where time and space are both confined within memories.

**Captain:** Due to those surreal and unchanging memories, that place has an almost timeless future.

**Rita:** Indeed, because that place was originally an accumulation of “lingering echoes” from bubble universes.

**Rita:** And my world shares some similarities with that place, except there, it’s the aggregation of people’s dreamlands.

**Rita:** My fellow beings exist as souls within a world woven from dreams. In this dream realm, there’s tranquility, harmony, and everlasting prosperity.

**Captain:** It seems…

**Rita:** Heh, so Captain, you have already realised what would happen next.

**Rita:** The corruption of the Sea doesn’t cease just because it’s a dream. For some reason, certain discordant dreamlands emerged within our world.

**Rita:** Those are nightmares that originated from other destroyed bubble universes. They’ve transformed into monsters, endangering the stability of the dreamland.

**Rita:** I did my utmost to pacify the distressed souls, but I couldn’t halt the arrival of the “Dreamland Sundown”… In order to prevent everyone from being trapped within the timeless nightmares, I harnessed the power of the Anchor to enkindle the entire dreamland.

**Rita:** It’s also because of this that I became the witch who destroyed the dreamland and was cast out by everyone…

**Captain:** So, that’s how the title of “Witch” came about.

**Rita:** And then, that person brought me onto the ship. They invited me to join their journey. Within the Sea of Quanta, we sailed, aspiring to save each person we met, providing them a place of solace so resolutely.

**Rita:** However, through each repeated consciousness mapping, that person grew increasingly obsessive, more withdrawn, and less like his original self…

**Rita:** It was also during that time that an independent consciousness emerged, initiating a consciousness mapping that was beyond the original plan.

**Captain:** That is… me?

**Rita:** Correct. Following that, my role shifted to constant tracking and observation of that consciousness. Later, I journeyed to Soukai City and came across you, completely defenseless and naked within Schicksal’s facilities.

**Captain:** As I suspected, you were the first person to recognise me… Wait, n-naked?

**Rita:** Yep. After all, clothing can’t just materialise out of thin air, can it?

**Captain:** That’s, ugh… no, it’s nothing. But, why did you appear by my side back then? Was it the Ferryman’s command?

**Rita:** Yes. “Track” and “observe” you. That’s the task I’ve been carrying out since I left that ship.

Now that I think about it, when Luna was about to kill me back then, it felt as if someone forcibly pulled me back from that projection…

It was due to my timely exit from the projection while I was on the brink of death that Luna’s fate and mine didn’t become permanently entangled. It took a long time for us to gradually untangle ourselves from each other.

So, for all this time, she had always been protecting me.

**Captain:** Thank you, Rita… For everything you’ve done for me.

**Rita:** Well, my Captain, when I took you away from that ship, I had already gained full freedom.

**Rita:** Accompanying by your side is also my own wish.

**Rita:** I often find myself pondering why, at that particular moment, the two of you ended up being completely separated…

**Rita:** Perhaps… When faced with a dilemma, we all hope that someone else can achieve that perfect resolution for us… even if it’s another version of ourselves.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (Instead of saying Rita was “observing” me, it’s more fitting to regard it as a precautionary measure left behind by that person.)

**Captain:** (A measure to ensure that there would be someone to awaken me when I lost in the projection.)

**Captain:** (So right from the start, they had placed all their hopes on me, hadn’t they?)

**Rita:** And you truly succeeded, relying on your own willpower to achieve an ending where no one would be harmed.

**Captain:** It’s not just because of me… I owe it to all of you that I’ve been able to reach this far.

**Captain:** We often make one incorrect choice after another in pursuit of our desires.

**Captain:** But it’s through these very experiences that we can discern what we truly long for. And you all are the reason for my journey.

**Rita:** Heh… Miss Himeko was right, Captain. You’ve certainly become quite eloquent. But do remember to pay more attention to your own matters.

**Captain:** Haha, I will.

**Rita:** Well, Captain, as you proceed on your journey, please be as cautious as you can. After all…

**Rita:** I’m a bonafide Witch, you know. Hehe…

### Memory Fragments

#### Birth

…

…

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** So dark… So painful…

**Girl:** Where… am… I?

**Girl:** Who… am… I? No…

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** …What… am I?

--

#### Big Sister

…

…

**Girl:** Sister? …What a weird address. But it’s alright… if you insist. I’ll call you that.

**Girl:** My wish? Can you… take me out of here?

**Girl:** …It’s okay, I already know the answer. You don’t have to apologise.

**Girl:** You said… you would tell me about the outside world? The color of street lamps, the smell of night winds… Mmhmm! I want to hear them all!

**Girl:** Let’s start with…

--

#### First Encounter

…

…

**Girl:** Thank you for fulfilling my wishes.

**Girl:** Could you entertain one last selfish request of mine?

**Girl:** Please dance with me, right here.

**Girl:** I’ve always wished that someone would say those words to me…

**Girl:** I…

--

#### Death

…

…

**Girl:** I was dead once.

**Girl:** No… more than once.

**Girl:** I clearly remember every pain, every death, every despair, and every second of the unforgettable past.

**Girl:** …And that human with determined eyes who appeared before me every time to try to save me.

**Girl:** It’s strange that there are countless versions of my memory. They are submerging me.

**Girl:** And each version ends with cold tears and a crimson moon.

**Girl:** But I just wanted to…

--

#### Guest

…

…

**Girl:** Who… are you? What is all this about?

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** I don’t understand most of what you said. But… I believe you, because you bear a special scent.

**Girl:** What are those different versions… of my memory…?

**Girl:** Possibilities for the future? Different observation results? Um… Sorry, I still don’t get it. So… which of them is real?

**Girl:** …To me, none of them are; but to that person, all of them are…?

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** Then for me, all of them are real, too.

**Girl:** These are… my realities. The existence of that person is my reality.

--

#### Truth

…

…

**Girl:** Is everything you said… true?

**Girl:** …It doesn’t matter, I know, you don’t have to lie to me.

**Girl:** But, how… how did this happen…?

**Girl:** That person and I can never…

**Girl:** …Ha.

**Girl:** I never believed in fate. But if this is the destined ending, I might as well…

**Girl:** …End it myself.

--

#### Request

…

…

**Girl:** D-Don’t look at me like that. I’m ready. You promised to send me to the bubble universe where that person is drifting.

**Girl:** I still have unkept promises. I didn’t even say a proper goodbye. That person always saw me at my worst.

**Girl:** I… I won’t tell the truth. That’s too cruel. Besides, the sudden appearance of someone who should have died will only raise suspicion, won’t it?

**Girl:** I’ve made up my mind. I’ll tell that person that I’m a vampire locked at the bottom of the pyramid, a completely different being.

**Girl:** I want to create a brand new encounter, an encounter that’s beautiful and full of smiles.

**Girl:** This time, I want that person to see me at my best.

**Girl:** So I beg you, let me see that person again…

--

#### Reunion

…

…

**Girl:** You gave me the strength to live.

**Girl:** Vampires believe in neither god nor fate. But you who came to me must be the biggest miracle in my life.

**Girl:** I believe we… will meet again no matter how far we’re apart.

**Girl:** I’m too strong to cry… sob… The last thing you see should be my smiling face!

**Girl:** I don’t care, I’ll wait for you… Vampires live long, so we’re best at waiting…

**Girl:** I wish this with all my heart. Sincere wishes always come true.

**Girl:** So we will definitely meet again!

--

#### Failed

…

…

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** I’m sorry, I know. I-I know it all, but…

**Girl:** As soon as I saw that person and felt the temperature of those hands, I… I just couldn’t control myself. I want to see that smile more, I want to meet again, I want to be together forever. I want more, more, more.

**Girl:** I-I was supposed to…

**Girl:** …Kill that person.

**Girl:** If we can’t survive together, we might as well die together… That’s what I thought.

**Girl:** But that person was too gentle to me, always reaching out to me selflessly. I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t. I couldn’t hurt that person, and I won’t let anyone hurt that person.

**Girl:** I… don’t have a choice.

--

#### Transaction

…

…

**Girl:** …You knew from the very beginning that it would end up like this, right? You knew I couldn’t do it, and would eventually come back here to help you with your plan.

**Girl:** Because you and that person, in essence, are quite similar.

**Girl:** Haha, it’s the first time I’ve seen you this surprised. What, didn’t think a vampire’s nose was this keen? I noticed it when we first met. I’ll never mistake that person’s scent.

**Girl:** But you’re not that person, I know. You have similar scents, but completely different mindsets. You… walk on opposite paths.

**Girl:** I won’t ask about the history between you two, and I don’t care what you intend to do. We use each other, and that’s enough.

**Girl:** No matter how many crimes I commit, whether this affection can be conveyed, or even if my hands are covered in blood, I will not falter.

**Girl:** …I’ll let that person live.

--

#### Capture

…

…

**Girl:** Don’t worry, it’s just a small bite. You won’t remember this, and the wound will soon heal, but from now on, you will live as my kindred, and we will be connected forever.

**Girl:** Why are you looking at me in disbelief? Is it because you didn’t know that vampires really exist, or…

**Girl:** …That our faces are exactly the same?

**Girl:** Hehe, don’t be afraid. Aren’t those inexplicable accidents more terrifying than me?

**Girl:** A truck spun out of control, a ladder snapped for no reason, a kettle exploded… Don’t you think you’ve suffered too much?

**Girl:** You see, the world is always trying to kill you, me, all of us. We are all but pitiful sacrifices.

**Girl:** But don’t worry. I can end all of this. I will end all of this. And I must end all of this.

…For that person, I can even betray the whole world.

--

#### Suspicions

…

…

**Girl:** Oh, you’re back.

**Girl:** What’s the matter? You look sad. Did something happen?

I know exactly why.

**Girl:** Don’t worry, I’m still here. Sister~

Sorry, sister.

**Girl:** Hmm? I’ve changed? How come? I’ve always been like this. I thought we agreed to support each other for life.

I know this is something that the justice in you can’t tolerate.

**Girl:** You see, you are all I have, sister.

I’m sorry, but you are the only one I can turn to.

**Girl:** If you still love me, stay with me until the end.

Although I have long been undeserving of your love.

**Girl:** Until my life perishes, we will be together.

Let that moment come early.

--

#### Backlash

…

…

**Girl:** Ngh…! It… hurts…

**Girl:** Oww… Who is it?!

**Girl:** …It’s you. What, are you here to laugh at me? Save your breath. I’ve expected this degree of backlash. It won’t affect the transaction between us.

An obvious lie.

**Girl:** Tell me, what’s the next bubble universe we’re headed to? Fufu, I can’t wait to meet “her” there!

A feigned smile.

**Girl:** It connects all of us together, and then… Ngh! Hehe, this game is so much fun.

Inconcealable pain.

**Girl:** To fulfill a wish, you have to pay the price. It’s fair. After all…

Sincerity without regrets.

**Girl:** I can’t turn back, can I?

--

#### Letter

…

…

**Girl:** …

**Girl:** Hah… What am I doing?

**Girl:** Knowing that this is a letter impossible to send, an affection impossible to convey…

**Girl:** But I still want to… tell you my feelings.

**Girl:** I want to try the novel snacks you share with me as we stroll the streets. I want to hide from the rain under a roof with you in the scent of you and wet grass.

**Girl:** I want to visit many places, see many sights, and talk about many things with you.

**Girl:** I want to…

**Girl:** …

--

#### Blood Moon

…

…

**Girl:** Um… It’s okay, I’m okay. I’m used to pain like this…

**Girl:** Hah… It hurts the most when the moon turns the reddest. But what I will become doesn’t matter, I can hold on.

Liar.

**Girl:** …Sister? When did you come back? How was the mission? You’re not hurt, are you?

**Girl:** Me? No, I’m fine. You must have misheard something. Well… I sprained my ankle, but I’m feeling better now.

Big liar.

**Girl:** You see, I’m fine, sissster!

**Girl:** Why are you looking at me skeptically? I’d never lie to you!

Still lying at this moment.

**Girl:** Don’t worry, it will be over soon. We will all be free by then!

Will this lie really end someday?

--

#### Wish

…

…

**Girl:** That person’s scent… is very close.

**Girl:** It won’t be long before that ship reaches this bubble universe.

**Girl:** I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m… actually a little bit happy.

At the thought of seeing you again, my heart leaps, my lips curl, my steps bounce, and even the unbearable pain is alleviated.

**Girl:** The way I feel…

As long as I think of you, my heart is filled with warmth… to the point that I can laugh off the imminent ending.

**Girl:** At a time like this, all I can think about is what to say for our reunion.

Are you… missing me in the same way?

**Girl:** Haha, I have to tidy myself up a bit. I can’t let that person see me feeble.

Even though I know this is the last time, I want to greet you at my best.

**Girl:** To greet you… my dearest.

--

#### Dance With Me

**Luna:** You found them all. I knew this was possible, but this wish was too much. I’ve forced myself to give up long ago. Thank you… for finding them back.

**[CHOICE] =** What are these?

**Luna:** They are like… fragments of my memory that record my echoes, my monologues, and my inner waves.

**Luna:** These are my strongest feelings and most unforgettable memories.

**Luna:** …

**[CHOICE] =** Then why did you throw them away?

**Luna:** Y-You clearly know why… Because these memories and emotions would shake me.

**Luna:** I can’t afford to let anything shake me, even myself.

**Luna:** After all, at the sight of your face, I can’t suppress my emotions…

**Luna:** …

**[CHOICE] =** So… it was you at the pyramid?

**Luna:** Yes, I’m sorry I lied to you…

**Luna:** I even thought about disappearing with you, because I couldn’t live in a world without you.

**Luna:** But after seeing you, I was so happy and excited that I forgot about it in an instant.

**Luna:** That was when I realised that rather than myself, I couldn’t bear to see you get hurt…

**Luna:** …

**[CHOICE] =** Why did you pretend to be a villain?

**Luna:** N-No reason! Don’t look at me like that, I won’t say it…

**Luna:** Well… Fine, I’ll tell you, but don’t get mad.

**Luna:** I-I didn’t want to be forgotten by you. Instead of disappearing quietly, I wanted you to always remember me, even if it was due to hatred…

**Luna:** Oh, I knew I shouldn’t have said it!

**Luna:** …

**[CHOICE] =** It’s great to get these memories back.

**Luna:** …Yeah.

**Luna:** In the past, I was self-centered and impulsive, and didn’t take any advice…

**Luna:** But now I’ve changed. It is selfish… and naive for people to decide everything by themselves. No matter what kinds of difficulties await, I’ll find ways to overcome them with you.

**Luna:** I want us to… survive.

**[CHOICE] =** Remember to keep the promise this time.

**Luna:** …!

**Luna:** Y-You said that on purpose! How nasty! I’m not talking to you anymore!

**Luna:** …

**Luna:** …I lied. How could I not talk to you? I want to talk to you. Talk to me more, please.

**[CHOICE] =** Would you like to dance with me, then?

**Luna:** Huh? …Ah!

**Luna:** Ye-Yes!

**Luna:** The moon tonight is beautiful, just like when we first met.

**Luna:** I’m so lucky that it was you who I met.

**Luna:** You looked stunning under the moon. You sounded gentle when calling me… Your blood tasted sweet, with an incredible aroma that soothed me.

**Luna:** You are the light that shone into me, and the greatest redemption of my life.

**Luna:** I will never ever let go of your hands again.

**Luna:** Thank you for meeting me.

**Luna:** Thank you for finding me.

**Luna:** Thank you for fulfilling my wishes.

**Luna:** …Please dance with me, right here.

Transcription provided by PXLPancakes