Before the Endless Dream Ends/Dialogue

An old library existing only in memory.

One that once served as four people’s secret base.

**???:** Sirin, still not ready yet? You’ve been staring at the book for a while.

**Sirin:** Hmm, give me some time… TeRiRi.

**TeRiRi:** Relax, it’s just the graduation exam. With Vollerei and Broboli’s study notes, you’ll have no problem passing it.

“No… right now, even if I pass the exam and get into the Magic Security Bureau, I won’t be able to help the seniors.”

That was what Sirin thought back then.

It felt like the old school days. With the exam coming soon, Sirin dragged TeRiRi into the library and welt over what might be in the exam again and again.

TeRiRi was all confident, doodling on small cards, while Sirin sat by a mountain of books, softly reciting the obscure magic theories.

And now, it’s all but an illusion of memory created by Sirin.

**TeRiRi:** You always worry too much.

In the memory, TeRiRi didn’t mind Sirin’s silence and kept on with the old words like a programmed bot.

**TeRiRi:** Growth takes time, and there’s no hurry for you.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** (Idiot.)

**Sirin:** (Had I worked harder and were I powerful enough, the seniors wouldn’t have sacrificed themselves and you wouldn’t have fallen into a deep slumber because of the Miracle Stone.)

**Sirin:** TeRiRi.

**TeRiRi:** Huh? Ah, don’t come over yet. I’m preparing something important, something that can make you very powerful… but it’s not ready yet.

**Sirin:** Practice with me once more.

**Sirin:** Phew…

**Sirin:** (I pushed myself too hard. Even magic of this level needs my full attention to sustain…)

**TeRiRi:** “Even magic of this level needs my full attention to sustain. I must be an idiot.)

**Sirin:** What did you say?

**TeRiRi:** Just your inner voice speaking.

**TeRiRi:** “It’ll be fine if I do nothing at all. That way I won’t waste my life which the seniors traded with theirs.”

**TeRiRi:** “TeRiRi had it coming. She just had to find the Miracle Stone.”

**Sirin:** That’s not what I’m thinking! I regret not going with you to the Dark Castle. I…

**Sirin:** (No, there’s no need to explain. That’s not really TeRiRi. The illusion only repeats what happened. No way it would say this.)

**Sirin:** What are you exactly?

**“TeRiRi”:** You should ask yourself. Who can know you better than yourself?

**“TeRiRi”:** You know very well that among the four, the weakest one wasn’t TeRiRi. It was you.

**Sirin:** I… why does it matter? I can accomplish whatever they could!

**“TeRiRi”:** Oh, really? If that mighty magic girl Sirin is gone, can you still do it?

**“TeRiRi”:** Humph~ “Idiot Sirin is a weeping baby who can only follow the others and doesn’t deserve to be a magic girl~”

**Sirin:** Shut up!

She stood up abruptly and walked to TeRiRi, but the image before her began to twist and blur.

The illusion sustained by magic broke like a soap bubble, and she was sent back to reality.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** The look on your face… you fought with yourself? Your magic practice failed? And why would you practice in such a torturing way?

**Sirin:** Go away. I don’t have time to chat.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Ah, I don’t want to look at your grumpy face either, but I need to watch the Ether Anchor nevertheless.

She touched the sheenless gem in Sirin’s hand with her tail.

**Sirin:** Don’t touch it.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Didn’t you call it a worthless stone? Why care about it?

**Lackadaisical Girl:** After all the time you spent studying it, maybe it can’t wake up TeRiRi at all. Why don’t you hand the rock to me and I can complete my mission?

**Sirin:** The intel you received… it was fake, right? Could it be that this stone isn’t an Ether Anchor at all?

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Possible, but not probable. After all, in that bubble universe, there aren’t many things that look like the Ether Anchor besides this rock.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** But it is indeed different from the Ether Anchors I’ve come into contact with before. There’s no energy in it. It’s like a battery without juice.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** What about you? You’ve been staring at it everyday. Any clue?

Sirin shook her head.

**Sirin:** It should contain powerful energy, but it’s not that simple.

**Sirin:** These books were left by Vollerei and Broboli, and in them are what they found out about the Dark Lord. You can check them out.

It seemed the books were once carefully kept but later forgotten.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** …The seed? Parasitic? Is it some kind of botanic research?

**Sirin:** They wrote it in a discreet way. Back then, I thought they grew some sort of strange plant Now I know that the “seed” refers to the Miracle Stone, the Dark Lord’s original form.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** And?

**Sirin:** Vollerei used the Forbidden Magic and defeated the Dark Lord at the cost of her own life. Having lost its power, the Dark Lord receded into a seed, the Miracle Stone.

**Sirin:** The seed of evil imprisoned Vollerei’s consciousness and corrupted it, making it into the next Dark Lord.

**Sirin:** Only she kept a small portion of her own power to fight against the evil, until the balance was broken at that moment.

The girl with a tail suddenly recalled the soft and warm breeze when she was falling from the tower.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Would taking the stone away from the bubble universe end the cycle?

**Sirin:** No. As long as the Miracle Stone exists, the Dark Lord won’t perish.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** But you said the balance was broken and that the Dark Lord should be coming into being. How come nothing has happened?

**Sirin:** Because there’s still balance in the seed.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Wait, so it was TeRiRi? That’s why she sunk into a deep slumber?

Sirin stared blankly at the pages.

**Sirin:** Why did they do this, knowing they couldn’t defeat the Dark Lord once and for all?

**Sirin:** They bet everything on this rock, for a miracle?

**Lackadaisical Girl:** …

**Lackadaisical Girl:** You dropped something.

The tailed girl handed the semi-transparent slip to Sirin.

**Sirin:** (A bookmark?)

Half a bookmark, to be precise.

As if torn apart, it only had the upper part. And Sirin couldn’t remember what the other half looked like.

Once colorful, it was now dull with the magic gone.

The tailed girl sighed, looking at Sirin lost in thought.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** I’m not used to you being like this.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Your temper hasn’t improved at all since back in the woods, but now you look like a… frustrated sheep~

**Sirin:** You…

The door was quickly shut.

**Sirin:** Hey, stop right there!

The door was opened again.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Nice, you’re much better now.

**Lackadaisical Girl:** Oh right, she told you to go to the bridge in an hour. Said she’d take you to see the real master of the Hyperion.

The door was quickly shut again.

**Sirin:** Tsk, she broke my train of thought.

**Sirin:** Where was I? I should continue practicing.

--

#### 1-1: Cooperation

The fog faded, revealing a world of bloody red.

Why am I here? How long have I been walking? Where am I going? No clue at all. I’m just looking for something, following the sobs.

**Captain:** Who are you? Why are you crying? Where are you?

The air grew thinner. I tried to breathe deeply and stay sober. The fog clung to my airways like some kind of sticky goo, and made me cough.

**Captain:** Such a spooky place. Is it real? Ahem, am I running in circles?

**Captain:** Without reference, it’s hard for the brain to tell the direction, and normally the right leg is stronger than the left, so people end up running in a circle.

I turned back to check my footprints, only to see striking bloody red.

**Mysterious Voice:** Sorry I’m late.

I looked around and didn’t see anyone, but I smelt a fragrance… from a flower I couldn’t remember.

**Mysterious Voice:** …You’ve noticed, right?

**[CHOICE] =** The unusual fog?

**Mysterious Voice:** Very well, you found the key

**[CHOICE] =** The sobbing?

**Mysterious Voice:** Hmm… think again?

**Mysterious Voice:** …You’ve noticed, right?

**Mysterious Voice:** It’s not easy to walk this far with your own strength.

**Captain:** So what do I do?

**Mysterious Voice:** You need to close your eyes and imagine there’s a soft bed behind you. Just relax your body and lie down backwards.

**Captain:** Imagine there’s a soft bed? But there’s nothing behind me!

**Mysterious Voice:** If you trust me, there might be a little reward for you.

**[CHOICE] =** Alright, I trust you.

**Mysterious Voice:** Trusting someone who hasn’t shown themselves so lightly… are you kind, or just naive?

**Captain:** I trust my gut feeling. You sound familiar.

The mysterious person sighed softly.

**Mysterious Voice:** Please close your eyes.

It felt like cold hair brushing past the ear and a floral fragrance stepping on the nose tip before flowing afar.

**Mysterious Voice:** Thank you for your trust. Just follow my instructions now.

**[CHOICE] =** Wait, who are you?

**Mysterious Voice:** Oh, you still can’t remember?

**Mysterious Voice:** It’s alright. You’ll know when you wake up.

**Captain:** Wake up? Am I… in a dream? No wonder…

**Captain:** But there’s someone crying… What do I do about it?

**Mysterious Voice:** That’s not a problem you can solve now.

Before I was prepared, the floor suddenly went away and I began to fall…

I kept falling and falling.

The vague sobs faded in the wind and couldn’t be heard anymore.

I finally recalled the flower’s name. The voice was…

**Mysterious Voice:** Now open your eyes.

**Captain:** Sorry, Rita, I fell asleep again. Where are Kongming and Bronie? And what is this place?

**Rita:** Shh… no hurry. You are still in the dream space.

**Rita:** Follow me.

**Captain:** Ahem… water…

A glass of cold liquid was passed to me.

**Captain:** …Thank you.

I drank a bit and the view became clear. Turned out it wasn’t a human hand that gave me water. It was… a tail?

**Captain:** …Am I dreaming?

**Bronie:** You’re finally awake. You get dragged into someone else’s dream a lot recently.

**Captain:** Maybe it’s the lack of sleep? This is…

The tail’s owner was sitting on the rail and waving her legs.

**Bronie:** Uh… how do I explain? Just take her as a stray animal I picked up on my mission.

A ball of wrapped paper accurately hit Bronie’s head.

**???:** Hey, I’m no stray animal.

The tail waved in disagreement.

**Delta:** Call me Delta. By the way, I’m not your crew member. Might as well call me an enemy.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** (Who does that? Calling herself an enemy.)

I looked around. The same as before, only the fan-waving and chess-pondering person was missing.

I looked at the chessboard and something floated to the top of my mind. It had been a while since I last played chess with Kongming.

**Captain:** (This game… is tough.)

I sat by the chessboard and noticed a paper slip under it.

“Those who can see through the game shall survive. Those who can follow their heart shall prevail.” Seems like it was jotted down by Kongming in a hurry. But what does it mean?

**Captain:** Where’s Kongming?

Bronie scratched her head with an “it’s complicated” look on her face.

**Bronie:** It’s hard to explain. Maybe we should wait for Rosemary? Oh, there they are.

**Rita:** You’re not a good storyteller, Miss Bronie.

**Bronie:** Can you blame me? I’ve no experience in babysitting.

**???:** I’m not a kid!

The purple-haired girl stuck her head out from behind Rita with a puffed face.

**Rita:** Captain, feeling better now?

**Captain:** I’ll live.

**Rita:** You must be confused. Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in.

**Rita:** Everyone, please follow me.

Rita reached out her hand and led us to the therapy room which hadn’t been used for ages.

The therapy room was repurposed from a facility room. Everyone has their own living quarters, but Rita insisted on a room with medical facilities.

A little girl was sound asleep on the bed, with her soft white hair scattered around the pillow. The monitor’s beeping indicated that the patient’s situation was stable.

**Captain:** (Such a familiar face… could she be…)

**Rita:** She’s TeRiRi, a magic girl we ran into on the mission from you.

**Rita:** To wake up her friends in slumber, she set out on a journey to find the Miracle Stone, only no miracle favored her. She was already sent into slumber when we arrived.

**Bronie:** Considering it might not be safe to leave her in that bubble universe, we took the liberty to bring her onboard.

I nodded. It made sense. I wouldn’t have stood by if I was there.

**Rita:** This is Sirin, another magic girl just like TeRiRi.

**Rita:** She tried many times using the Miracle Stone to wake her partner, but it never worked. For reasons unknown, she’s lost her magical power and travels with us now.

The purple-haired girl named Sirin dodged her eyes away from the patient in bed. She clenched the dull gem without a word.

**Captain:** So what indeed is this Miracle Stone?

**Delta:** We think it’s a seed of evil which will eventually corrupt the magic girl holding it and turn her into a Dark Lord. Meanwhile, it might also be the Ether Anchor of that bubble universe.

**Captain:** So you intend to take it?

**Delta:** Correct. After Sirin wakes up TeRiRi with it, I’ll turn it in. You’re not gonna deny me my rightful pay, are you?

**Captain:** Relax, it means nothing to me.

**Delta:** Good. As for whether it is the Ether Anchor, there’s something weird, and my partner is still looking into it in the bubble universe.

**Captain:** Weird?

**Rita:** While looking for the Miracle Stone with TeRiRi, we found there might be a third party pushing this in the dark. And we noticed messages left by the Theresa.

**Rita:** According to the dream particles, she seemed to be watching Theresas from other bubble universes and might have had contact.

**Delta:** The Theresa? Other Theresas? Can you speak human language?

**Rita:** Hmm… it’s not easy to tell them apart. If you don’t mind, Captain, we can refer to the Theresa by codename.

**Bronie:** She’s been using the codename herself in the intercepted messages anyway. Seems she fancies it.

**Captain:** …Hmm.

**Rita:** Well, Delta, when you worked for the master on that ship, did you encounter the Theresa whose codename was Luna?

**Delta:** Luna? Who? Ha, I see what you’re getting at. Trying to work me for intel? Relax, I’m fully aware that I’m on a hostile boat.

The pink-haired girl frowned and looked around, while the hacker sized her up with smiling eyes.

**Bronie:** According to the messages I intercepted last time, Luna is a big client or business partner of your boss. You’ve never heard of her before? Looks like your pay grade is pretty low.

**Delta:** Whatever. I’m just a hired blade. I work for him only because it pays well.

**Delta:** …I’ve nowhere to go anyway.

She was unusually calm when saying this, but somehow I captured a shadow of grief underneath the calmness.

**Captain:** Bronie, Delta is our guest now. Go easy on her. And didn’t she help us a lot in the investigation before?

**Bronie:** Yeah yeah yeah, you the boss. Your yes-man style will cost us dearly someday, just saying.

**Rita:** Well, back to dream particles. We went to the bubble universe to find something on Luna, but never thought it would be this way.

**Captain:** Would dream particles be a trap?

**Rita:** We can’t tell their origin, but that possibility has been ruled out. Dream particles are generated during a magic girl’s dreams. Ordinary people can’t see them, and they’re authentic memories.

**Rita:** Maybe Luna once made contact with the magic girls and left traces even she herself couldn’t see.

**Bronie:** Speaking of traces, when Kongming went missing, there were no traces of invasion. All surveillance footage was wiped out using Kongming’s clearance.

**Bronie:** I suspect Kongming’s being missing has something to do with Luna.

I recalled the slip under the chessboard. When did Kongming write this? And why?

**Captain:** Looks like I missed a lot.

**Rita:** So, what will you choose?

**Rita:** Keep looking for Luna, or Kongming?

**[CHOICE] =** Luna.

**Captain:** (On the rooftop, I promised to take her to the theme park; in the high tower, I promised her we’d meet again.)

**Captain:** (She said waiting was what vampires did best, so she’d keep waiting and waiting til the day of union.)

**Captain:** (Across time and space… I shall find her and fulfill my promises.)

**Captain:** (But Kongming might get into danger for this, and this TeRiRi too.)

**[CHOICE] =** Kongming.

**Captain:** (I walked into the darkness again and again, experiencing different tragedies over and over, only to find a silver lining that led Kongming to the future with possibilities.)

**Captain:** (She’s alien to this world, and the Hyperion is her only foothold. No matter what, I can’t put her in danger again.)

**Captain:** (I fought long and hard for this future… no way it ends like this.)

**Captain:** (But Luna’s lead might go away at any time, and TeRiRi is not in a good condition either.)

**Captain:** Uh…

My head started to hurt.

**Captain:** (What do I do? Is there a way to cover both sides?)

**Rita:** Ha, Captain, you don’t have to decide now. You just woke up from a jumbled dream space, and you need plenty of rest.

**Sirin:** What about TeRiRi?

The purple-haired girl broke her long silence and stared at me.

**Sirin:** The way she is now… she might disappear at any minute… That’s the most urgent business!

**Sirin:** What a joke. They said the Hyperion’s Captain would fix everything, and I believed… It’s all a lie!

**Bronie:** Hey, don’t say that.

My headache grew stronger, and these voices cut deep into my consciousness like a thousand knives.

**Rita:** Captain, are you alright?

I waved my hand.

**Captain:** Sirin.

I couldn’t make her anger go away. Anyway, this debate shouldn’t have happened by the sick bed.

**Captain:** Let’s talk over there, at the bridge.

**Sirin:** Now we can talk?

**Sirin:** If you didn’t plan to help from the get-go, why did you bring TeRiRi here? “Work out a plan together”? I’m the only one trying to come up with a plan, and you all treat TeRiRi like a lab rat!

**Bronie:** The Miracle Stone only reacts to magic girls. There’s nothing we can do… Wait, where are you going?

**Sirin:** I’m taking TeRiRi away! We’re not wasting time here!

**Bronie:** Idiot, what if she gets attacked again? She’s safe here.

**Sirin:** But staying here doesn’t solve any problem! TeRiRi is all I have left, and nothing can happen to her… Let me go!

**Delta:** Bronie, let her go.

**Bronie:** She’s running away!

**Delta:** Relax, she won’t run far.

**Delta:** She hates herself for incompetence but throws a tantrum at others. If you leave her be, she’ll calm down in no time. I’ve got a lot of experience dealing with kids like this.

**Sirin:** Don’t touch me! I’m not a kid!

**Bronie:** Yeah yeah yeah, not a kid.

**Sirin:** You’re just a bunch of nobodies and you can’t do anything… You’re all liars! Liars!

With red eyes, Sirin stomped hard on the floor repeatedly like a frustrated rabbit.

I know why she was so anxious and desperate.

Alone and with nowhere to go. For her, the Hyperion crew was perhaps the only hope.

To calm her down, I needed to say something.

**Captain:** As you can see, I’m just a nobody.

**Captain:** I don’t have an iron will, or mighty strength. I’m greedy. I want to hit two birds with one stone.

**Captain:** I become desperate all the time. I loathe myself and put my hopes in others. In the end, I find there are things that can only be handled by myself.

**Sirin:** That’s why you’re not gonna help?

**Captain:** Yes, but not exactly. I made a plan…

**Sirin:** Enough of your nonsense!

**Captain:** Shh, Sirin… I promise, I won’t turn my back on TeRiRi, but I need you to work with me.

**Sirin:** …

**Captain:** First, take a deep breath. Free yourself from emotions and organise what you know.

Sirin took a deep breath, but only reluctantly.

**Captain:** I believe you have realised the three similar-looking girls are connected. No matter what choice we make, there’s a question we can’t walk around: what’s the connection?

**Captain:** To solve the problem, we need to know the problem.

**Captain:** We don’t know enough to form a conclusion. Maybe we can locate the coordinates of the Theresas based on information in the dream particles to get more clues.

**Sirin:** That can be done? Locating them?

**Bronie:** I happened to have located one of the Theresas. If you’re ready, we’re good to go.

**Delta:** You thought of this already?

**Bronie:** No no, after Kongming went missing, I tried to get in touch with my old pals, but I couldn’t locate the bubble universe anyhow.

**Bronie:** I thought the program was broken, so I entered information extracted from the dream particles by Rita, and a result came up.

**Sirin:** …Sounds like an obvious trap.

**Bronie:** Better to jump in to check it out rather than to run around without any clues.

**Captain:** So, Bronie, please look after TeRiRi aboard the Hyperion and keep analysing the data to locate other Theresa. I’ll take the rest of the team to investigate the first bubble universe. Sounds good?

**Delta:** I like it.

**Rita:** Glad to be of service, Captain.

I turned to Sirin, who was biting her lip while looking in the therapy room’s direction.

**Sirin:** I’ll leave TeRiRi to you. If anything goes wrong, tell me.

**Bronie:** Don’t worry. I will.

Sirin turned around and caught my eyes. Struggling to suppress the quivers and tears, she lowered her head and said these words in a whimpering voice:

**Sirin:** Save TeRiRi… please.

--

#### "Luna" Cage

**???:** Are you sure about this play?

**Kongming:** Why not.

**???:** Thank you, then.

The chess piece dropped on the board with a crisp sound.

**???:** There goes your pawn~

Kongming smiled and said nothing.

**???:** I admire your courage. My prey usually panic, but you’re an exception. You didn’t try to hide. Instead, you came to me yourself.

**???:** Oh right, Kongming, did anyone say you were funny?

**Kongming:** Really? They all say I’m boring.

**???:** Who are they? Family? Friends?

**Kongming:** How do you define family?

**???:** People who are always by your side, of course. Even if far away, they… Why are you laughing?

**Kongming:** If they’re far away, how can they be by my side? You’re self-contradictory.

**???:** …

**???:** What about you? You haven’t answered my question.

**Kongming:** Win this game and I’ll tell you.

**???:** Slick.

**Kongming:** You know, beginners always make this mistake when playing chess.

**Kongming:** They try to expand their territory but pay little attention to the opponent’s intent. They naturally walk into traps.

**???:** Oh, am I losing?

**Kongming:** No, it’s a tie. Checkmate is impolite when you play with a beginner.

**???:** …Hah.

**Kongming:** Another game, Miss Luna?

**Luna Kindred:** Never mind, I’m bored. Anything else interesting?

**Kongming:** You like playing games?

**Luna Kindred:** Sure, and I love playing with you.

**Luna Kindred:** When I was little, I couldn’t go anywhere, just like a doll kept in a box. Nothing interesting around me except for the books brought by my sister.

**Luna Kindred:** But now is different. I can play with whoever I wish and I can do whatever I want.

**Kongming:** That’s why you keep so many Theresas in your castle?

**Luna Kindred:** That’s quick of you. I don’t just invite anyone. They’re all special kids, but not interesting enough.

**Kongming:** Interesting? I’m afraid that’s not the reason.

**Luna Kindred:** You’ve no right to ask. You’re all my prey, and that’s the only thing you need to know.

**Luna Kindred:** Kongming, think of something interesting, or you’ll get locked up too.

**Kongming:** Your castle is nice, but it’s only a bigger cage. When you drag your prey in, you lock yourself up too.

**Kongming:** You never had true freedom. In my eyes, you’re the prey.

**Luna Kindred:** What is this? Begging? Stalling? If you can’t please me, keep your mouth shut and you’ll live longer.

**Kongming:** You know what’s prey?

**Kongming:** It’s the target in the hunt. Across the food chain, those fierce-looking animals are also hunted by stronger predators.

**Kongming:** When you’re complacent and feeling smart, how can you be sure there are no eyes watching you from your back, Theresa?

**Luna Kindred:** I told you to shut up!

She hastily turned around and her nose almost bumped into Kongming’s.

**Luna Kindred:** You think you’re smart? Keep your eyes wide open and see who the prey is!

**Kongming:** Ugh!

**Kongming:** (Strange. She went easy on me?)

**Luna Kindred:** Ha…

**Luna Kindred:** Heheh, nice game. I had lots of fun. Let’s call it a tie.

**Kongming:** I’d have more fun if you didn’t hold yourself back.

**Luna Kindred:** Relax, I’m not getting you off the hook this easy. I’ll torture you slowly and slowly, until you regret everything you’ve done so far…

**Luna Kindred:** Oh, what a shame. You could have stayed on the ship and I’d never get my hands on you.

**Luna Kindred:** The person who took you here behind my back… I wonder if she’s regretting it too.

**Kongming:** Sorry to disappoint, but neither of us will regret. And don’t you ever regret what you’ve done?

**Kongming:** He might hate you for it, you know.

**Luna Kindred:** You look cuter with your mouth shut. You’re my prey, so act the part.

She waved her hand and metal chains rushed out from the dark like snakes, binding Kongming’s ankles tightly.

**Luna Kindred:** This cage is for you.

She left the room and softly whimpered only after the door was shut with a heavy thump.

**Luna Kindred:** Ugh… hurts so much…

**Luna Kindred:** She hit me so hard…

**Luna Kindred:** Ha… ha…

The fight exhausted her and she had to gasp for air every few steps.

Along the corridor she slowly walked, with her tiny shadow brushing against the soft carpet and the heavy curtains.

In her memory, that’s how she always killed time and waited for her sister to wake up.

The castle was quiet, and the cold moonlight enveloped her troubled thoughts, allowing nothing to spill out.

She saw the figure around the corner and her eyes suddenly brightened up. She ran over joyfully.

**Luna Kindred:** You came back!

**Luna Kindred:** What’s for dinner? Potato chips? Chocolate? Or… my favorite marshmallows?

**Luna Kindred:** Marshmallows are soft and sweet. Makes for a great dinner.

**Luna Kindred:** Oh right, I made a new friend. She’s a stubborn one, but she knows a lot of interesting games. Come to play with us when you’ve got time.

She tried to lift her arm to gesture an invitation, but acute pain stopped her.

**Luna Kindred:** Ugh… I played the game for too long and my arms got sore. Could you rub them for me?

The person in front of her didn’t reply and only sighed with tiredness.

**Luna Kindred:** Oh, I forgot. You seem to be busy these days and you didn’t come back for days.

**Luna Kindred:** You must be tired, right?

**Luna Kindred:** But you don’t look like you’re getting rest. Going out again?

**Luna Kindred:** Shh… don’t give me that look.

**Luna Kindred:** I know what you did and what you’re going to do. Don’t worry. I don’t mind, and I won’t stop you.

**Luna Kindred:** I won’t blame you either, of course. Because you’re important to me.

**Luna Kindred:** We’ve come this far, and I’ve grown used to your hesitation.

**Luna Kindred:** Remember what you promised me?

**Luna Kindred:** Don’t break your promise. If you still love me, help me get to the end.

**Luna Kindred:** After all…

**Luna Kindred:** It’s too late to regret, heheh…

--

#### 1-2: Bishop

**Sirin:** “Providing shelter for the homeless in world fragments.” You Hyperion crew people are certainly a weird lot.

**Delta:** For the record, I’m not with them.

We ran into a heavy rain when we got into this bubble universe. We asked a few passers-by, but no one gave us useful info.

To know what was happening in the bubble universe, we made contact with Bronie. I don’t know who started it, but they began to talk about stories in the past.

**Bronie:** Simply put, Luna is a vampire girl Captain failed to save, and Kongming is the cause of the Hyperion drifting across bubble universes. Am I right, Captain?

**Captain:** The observation report on different bubble universes by Kongming… how many times have you read it?

**Bronie:** Can’t be helped. It’s the most interesting reading material before bed among all.

**Rita:** It’s got a funny name too. “Cap’s Bizarre Adventure”.

**Captain:** Hey, you don’t need to bring that up!

**Bronie:** I heard from Kongming that you insisted on the name… Huh?

Bronie signaled us to be quiet.

**Bronie:** The system caught someone mentioning Theresa 10 seconds ago, around 20 meters ahead of us.

**Bronie:** In this bubble universe, Theresa is an Overseer.

**Bronie:** Hurry up. The speaker might leave at any time.

**Young Man:** I don’t know. Sorry.

**Bronie:** Not this one? Keep looking.

**Granny:** The Overseer hasn’t shown up for days.

**Bronie:** Not this one? Keep looking.

**Little Girl:** Yeah, Overseer Theresa will come to the school and teach us handicraft this afternoon.

**Little Boy:** It’ll be fun, and grown-ups can go too!

**Bronie:** Well done. That’s what I need.

**Bronie:** We’ve got 27 schools in this area, and 16 match the age of the two kids. If I can get into the school website, maybe I can find related information…

**Sirin:** No need. I think the school is right ahead.

Some children wearing the same uniform were walking out of the school gate.

**Bronie:** What a surprise, you’re actually smarter than you look. I’ll leave it to you guys then. Bronie out.

**Sirin:** …I don’t think that’s a compliment.

**Rita:** Let’s make haste and get in touch with the Overseer.

The floor plan showed the lecture hall as being on the top floor of the teaching building.

We took the wooden stairs to go up, and we heard anxious pacing inside when we reached the door.

**Anxious Voice:** The handicraft class starts in less than 30 minutes. The Overseer hasn’t arrived yet?

**Panicking Voice:** No. I made a lot of calls. No one answered.

**Gasping Voice:** Phew… phew… I just got back from the Overseer’s office. She hasn’t shown up today.

**Calm Voice:** Something urgent stopped her?

**Panicking Voice:** No way. I confirmed with her yesterday and she said she was available this whole afternoon, and that she looked forward to seeing the kids.

We exchanged looks and a bad feeling came up.

**Gasping Voice:** The people at the office are also looking for her. They say we’re to get in touch with them if we find anything.

**Anxious Voice:** Has the Overseer… gone missing? Should we call the police?

**Calm Voice:** No, people will panic.

**Gasping Voice:** Let’s look outside. Beats staying here.

**Anxious Voice:** But if the Overseer really gets into danger, we can’t exactly fight…

The rain grew stronger.

--

#### 1-3: Search

The worst had happened. I sighed and knocked on the library door.

**Anxious Voice:** Overseer, is that you? Huh? Who are you?

The face of the girl opening the door went from anxious to disappointed in an instant.

**Captain:** Hello, we’re… uh, journalists from Hyperion Daily, and we heard Overseer Theresa was giving a lesson today, so…

**Rita:** We hoped to do an interview with her, but she seems to be preoccupied?

Anxious Girl: No, it’s just… we can’t reach her right now…

The girl meant to say something more, but the older lady by her side stopped her.

**Calm Woman:** There’s been a change in her itinerary. Sorry for the inconvenience.

**Captain:** (Tsk, this won’t do.)

I eyed the girls around me and hoped they’d understand.

**Captain:** Alright, guess we better head back and start writing resignation letters.

**Delta:** The hell with it. I’m not writing! It’s my third day in the agency and I’m getting fired? Where’s my year-end bonus?

**Captain:** Rant all you want, but the Chief Editor said that if we failed to get the interview with Overseer Theresa, the whole agency would go broke.

**Delta:** Forget it. Guess I’m getting back to clearing Honkai beasts. But what about Sirin?

**Sirin:** …

Rita gently patted Sirin on the shoulder.

**Rita:** Don’t be sad, Sirin. Your internship certificate is a no-go, but you can still find luck elsewhere.

**Sirin:** (Why are you getting me into this?)

**Captain:** We made an appointment with the Overseer, and we had no idea this would happen. Sorry, we’ll be on our way.

**Panicking Girl:** P-Please wait!

**Calm Woman:** …

**Panicking Girl:** I think we should tell the journalists! The most important thing now is to find the Overseer!

**Gasping Girl:** Yeah, that way we can confirm that the Overseer is okay, and help the journalists with their interview too.

**Calm Woman:** Ah, alright.

**Calm Woman:** Sorry, can we trouble you to help us find the Overseer?

**Calm Woman:** …And that’s what happened.

**Calm Woman:** I thought the Overseer was preparing for the class carefully in the library and had lost track of the time…

**Chatty Girl:** Yeah, the latest Weekly Shoujo Run was just checked in by the library yesterday morning. The Overseer must have had a good time reading it!

**Calm Woman:** …

**Captain:** (So, this Theresa is also a free-wheeling one.)

**Rita:** Don’t panic. According to what you told us, the Overseer is frequently seen in the library.

**Captain:** So there should be traces left by her here.

**Rita:** Indeed, I suggest we look around for anything helpful.

So I began to look around at the surroundings.

Something caught my attention…

If Theresa is a fan of Weekly Shoujo Run, she could’ve come here to read the latest issue after it was shelved.

While I was searching for Weekly Shoujo Run through the shelves, I caught a glimpse of Sirin turning something open.

**Sirin:** (What is this? Huh? They have Magic Girls’ Cafeteria in this bubble universe too?)

**Sirin:** (So that’s the new story in the latest issue. Back at school, Broboli used to buy every issue and we’d share it…)

**Sirin:** (Back then, everyone was around…)

**Captain:** Judging by the publishing date, it came out only yesterday, right?

**Sirin:** Huh? Uh… yeah…

**Captain:** The comic book is in mint condition, and there are no signs of its pages being turned.

**Captain:** It’s weird Theresa didn’t borrow it as soon as it became available. Something else got her attention?

**Sirin:** So she never came to the library, or she got distracted by something else?

**Captain:** Perhaps.

There was a card in the corner.

**Captain:** St. Freya Library Card, with… Theresa’s signature on the back?

**Rita:** Looks like she was here.

One particular entry among the book records caught our attention…

In the last row, only “Weekly Shoujo Run June Edition” was written. No check-out or return date. I decided to ask the librarian.

**Captain:** Hi, I picked up a library card over there. Should be the Overseer’s.

**Librarian:** Let me see… Yeah, it really is hers. Thank you. I’ll keep it for her.

**Captain:** Does she come here to borrow books a lot?

**Librarian:** Yeah, she came yesterday afternoon. She took a few books and while she was filling out the check-out form, an outlander called her and they went away together.

**Captain:** An outlander? What makes you say that?

**Librarian:** She was dressed very differently. Oh, and one thing caught my attention.

**Librarian:** She had really rare, red eyes.

I noticed that among the panicking crowd, the elder lady managed to suppress her fear and remained calm.

She might be easier to communicate with.

**Captain:** Could you please tell me the Overseer’s itinerary yesterday?

**Calm Woman:** Hmm. Here, the itinerary she left in the office.

**Calm Woman:** I saw it this morning and I realised… she…

The lady lowered her head and tried to hide her confused look.

**Delta:** The last entry is “7:00 PM, history remedial for students”…

**Captain:** All other items were ticked save this one.

Delta frowned and checked the previous pages.

**Delta:** Oh, yeah! Maybe she has a habit of marking everything she’s done.

Looking at the frustrated and frightened girls, I hesitated. The investigation result worsened their worries.

**Panicking Girl:** Journalists, you must have a conclusion now, right?

**Captain:** I have a theory…

**Captain:** It’s possible that Overseer Theresa never returned after leaving the library yesterday afternoon.

**Chatty Girl:** What? Not this afternoon?

Anxious Girl: Then… Where has she gone?

**Captain:** According to the librarian, she might have been… taken by a strange girl when borrowing comic books…

“Kidnap” was right at the tip of my tongue, but I switched it for a less striking word.

**Captain:** Yeah, she was taken by the girl.

**Rita:** …

**Delta:** That was fast of her, which I feel is quite annoying.

**Panicking Girl:** So the Overseer really went missing! Waaaaah…

**Sirin:** Hey, you, yeah, stop crying. Tears accomplish nothing.

The harsh comment made the young girl cry even harder.

**Delta:** See? You frightened her.

**Sirin:** Hmph, she’s just… naive.

**Captain:** Everyone, please leave finding the Overseer to us.

**Captain:** She must have left more information in the town. A living person doesn’t just vanish into thin air.

**Sobbing Girl:** But there are more dangerous monsters out there when it’s raining… Can you really find her?

**Rita:** Don’t worry and just wait for us to return with your Overseer.

**Sobbing Girl:** Wah… really?

**Delta:** Uh-huh, she just promised you.

**Sirin:** …

**Calm Woman:** Thank you, and please… be careful.

**Captain:** Right, if you see a girl with red eyes, tell us ASAP, okay?

**Calm Woman:** …?

**Captain:** Take care, everyone.

We left the campus and headed for the dismal alley, where Theresa was last seen.

--

#### 1-4: Clue

The rain was pouring. The girls and I were treading on the muddy road.

**Sirin:** With such heavy rain, any traces might have been washed away.

**Captain:** If you look carefully, you can still see some marks. Here.

**Rita:** Claw marks, impact marks… proof of Honkai beasts rampaging in the town.

**Captain:** They are not randomly sabotaging the town, or attacking townsfolk on the run.

**Sirin:** They’re… chasing something? Could it be the Theresa?

**Delta:** Follow the trail and we’ll get the answer.

**Delta:** The traces are getting clearer. This way.

A group of deserted buildings far from the campus. Even the pouring rain couldn’t wash off the moldy smell in the air.

Something didn’t add up.

**Captain:** (If it’s a simple kidnapping, why go this far? Wouldn’t it be easier to just get Theresa out of this bubble universe?)

**Captain:** (Perhaps… there’s a reason for taking her here?)

**Captain:** (But we’ve found zero clues about Luna on our way here. It’s like she never came.)

**Delta:** Tsk, this place is dark. Hey, you got any magic that can light the place up?

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Shut up.

**Captain:** Alright, I got this.

**Rita:** Four flashlights? Captain, you’re certainly thoughtful.

Rita gave me a smile, and I shrugged.

If I stood by, these two rascals would get into another fight.

**Captain:** Theresa might be nearby. Let’s look around.

**Rita:** The floor tiles are badly damaged. Looks like the work of Honkai beasts.

**Delta:** These broken tiles keep track of the Honkai beasts for us.

**Sirin:** Looks like there are many of them. Will we get there in time?

**Rita:** Here are some handprints. There’s dirt and blood on them.

**Delta:** Did Theresa leave this handprint? It’s tiny.

After Delta and Rita turned around, Sirin silently pressed her hand against the handprint.

**Sirin:** Theresa…

She stared for a while, and then, as if suddenly realising my presence, turned her head away awkwardly.

**Sirin:** Hey, don’t tell them.

**Captain:** Alright.

**Delta:** A little boot, and for the left foot?

**Rita:** The buckle on it is exactly the same as the one on Overseer Theresa’s attire in the dream particles.

**Sirin:** …

**Rita:** The metal door is deformed. If we try to open it with force, the structure might collapse.

**Delta:** Looks like we’ll have to climb over.

**Delta:** Hey, Sirin, what’s the holdup? Magic girls never break and enter?

**Sirin:** It’s too high…

**Delta:** Give me your hand.

**Sirin:** Hey, don’t touch me… Aaaaah!

**Delta:** See? You just landed firmly.

**Sirin:** It’s too dangerous. What if there are monsters inside?

**Delta:** We just throw heavy punches at them. Come on, drop the face. Without magic, there are plenty of ways to make things happen.

**Sirin:** …

**Captain:** Ahem. According to what we’ve found, Theresa might be in the building, hiding from the Honkai beasts.

**Delta:** That’s right. We’re pretty close.

**Captain:** Actually…

**Captain:** (There might be another frustrating possibility.)

**Sirin:** There are so many rooms. Are we checking them one by one?

**Sirin:** What if we open the door and find a quivering resident?

**Rita:** …

**Delta:** Hey, why do you always have to assume the worst?

**Sirin:** Any problem with that? I’m just saying what might happen.

**Delta:** So you’d only try something if you’re guaranteed to succeed?

**Sirin:** Humph.

**Delta:** Oh, I see, that’s why you stood by when TeRiRi risked her life.

**Sirin:** You… nonsense!

**Sirin:** I don’t approve of what TeRiRi did, but we’re friends. I told her a million times to be careful with the Miracle Stone!

**Delta:** So it was all talk… Poor TeRiRi. Her friend is a cold smarty-pants.

**Sirin:** What did you say? What makes you better than me? All you care about is your mission…

**Captain:** Enough. Calm down, both of you.

Delta tutted coldly. Sirin’s lips moved excitedly, but nothing came out.

**Captain:** Sirin, I think you have a point.

**Captain:** But this is our only lead. We can’t just give up.

**Captain:** And a lot of lives are at stake… there’s no turning back.

**Delta:** Enough with the chit-chat. Let’s go!

Delta strode into the room with her greatsword on her shoulder.

**Rita:** Delta, slow down, and don’t mess up the footprints.

**Captain:** Come on, Sirin.

**Sirin:** …

Sirin lowered her eyes and didn’t reply. She followed us quietly.

--

#### 1-5: Immortality

The only closed door.

**Captain:** Open it. Let’s hope…

**Captain:** Huh? Is it locked?

**Delta:** Let me see. The frame is torn. Have to break it by force!

**Captain:** Is there something behind the door?

With the screaming of the wood fibers, the door came off the torn frame.

**Delta:** Shh, listen!

**Delta:** Someone else is in the room!

**Rita:** Over there.

**???:** Wah…

Panting sounds came out from the shadow.

**Captain:** Theresa, is that you?

Amidst the scattered containers and odd objects, a small figure with white hair and a black skirt was all curled up.

**???:** It’s me… Who are you…

She spoke in a broken voice, as thought it had taken all of her energy to speak.

**Rita:** From the look of her and her clothes… She’s weak, and she’s running a bit warm.

**Delta:** Uh, let’s take her to the hospital quick.

**Captain:** Don’t move her yet.

**Delta:** Why? She’s wounded, if we don’t treat her soon…

**Captain:** We can’t see her injuries so easily in this light. If she’s broken any bones, it’ll be dangerous to move her too quickly.

**Sirin:** Right. It’s raining, and we don’t even have an umbrella. Even she doesn’t deserve that.

**Delta:** Hey, you…

**Rita:** Miss Delta, we’ve been running around all morning. Plus it’s raining, so we should just rest first.

**Rita:** I’ll use this time to take a closer look at this lady here too.

**Theresa:** Th… Thank you…

**Delta:** Sure, since you said that.

They clung to each other for warmth. The sound of rainfall intermixed with their breathing.

**Theresa:** Did you get rid of all the Honkai beasts nearby? That’s great!

**Captain:** Try not to move. Rita is going to check your injuries.

**Rita:** It doesn’t look like anything’s broken, but her left ankle is puffy and red; I’m gonna guess it’s sprained.

**Rita:** Uh… The cuts on her limbs are pretty serious however, and will need to be dealt with.

**Delta:** Grab a bandage.

**Rita:** Hehe!

**Delta:** What are you laughing at?

**Rita:** It’s funny seeing you be so delicate too, Miss Delta.

**Delta:** Wait, what do you mean “too”?

**Rita:** Theresa had a bottle of medicine in her pocket while Delta was coincidentally wearing a bandage.

**Delta:** Strange, isn’t it? A loner like me only has herself to count on whenever she’s out. Perhaps Theresa’s the same way.

**Captain:** Delta…

**Delta:** Hey! You! And you, Rita! Don’t give me that pity look! I have plenty of strength, I’m just wearing a bandage to help me move.

**Sirin:** You’re all talk. Look, you put the bandage on all wrong…

**Theresa:** Hehe, that’s okay. Thanks to you, I feel much better.

**Theresa:** But this bottle of medicine isn’t mine.

**Captain:** Who gave it to you? The girl who called you away from the library last night?

**Theresa:** Hm, lemme think. That girl had a red… uh, no, it was the girl after that.

**Theresa:** I was being chased by monsters! Chased and twisted my ankle. It was when I was worrying how to get rid of them…

**Theresa:** She appeared out of nowhere. She helped me, brought me here, gave me medicine, and drove the monsters back.

**Theresa:** And then… and then…

**Captain:** Where did she go after that?

Theresa shook her head and gave a blank look.

**Theresa:** I don’t remember… I got the medicine and then she…

**Theresa:** Then she, um, I guess I… fell asleep, hehe.

**Delta:** But you said that after she helped you, she went to deal with the monsters.

**Theresa:** Uh, maybe… Maybe I’m misremembering…

She was holding her forehead, distressed. Her cheeks were flush with fever… it was no time to be asking her questions.

But suddenly there was this strange girl wrapped up in all of this. I was becoming worried about how many people were involved.

**Captain:** Why would a stranger do all that for you?

**Theresa:** Uh, I don’t really know…

**Theresa:** Wait, can you tell me your name?

**???:** My name… But my name isn’t who I am…

**Theresa:** That’s alright! If you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay too! At least… At least let me thank you!

**???:** Well, you don’t owe me anything. In fact…

**???:** All I did was return a favor.

**???:** …I did it for myself anyway.

**Theresa:** Uh, that’s all I can remember…

**Rita:** That’s okay, Overseer Theresa. Do you remember anything else about the girl you met yesterday afternoon?

**Theresa:** …Did I meet another girl yesterday?

**Captain:** Yeah, you mentioned the one that called you away from the library.

**Theresa:** …

Theresa rested her chin and frowned. Then, she gave a sorry grimace.

**Theresa:** Oh right… She seemed to have something she wanted to tell me. And she looked a lot like me. Isn’t that something!

**Theresa:** …But what did I do with her?

**Sirin:** You can’t remember what happened yesterday?

**Theresa:** …Sorry.

**Rita:** It’s okay, Overseer. Being subjected to such a terrifying misfortune in two days would undeniably affect your memory.

**Theresa:** Not just today. I’ve been forgetful lately.

**Captain:** What’s going on?

**Theresa:** I’ve broken my habit of staying up late and replaced the bitter melon juice I drink before bed with milk, but somehow I’ve become more muddle-headed…

**Theresa:** I checked my agenda before leaving the house, but as soon as I left the church, I couldn’t help but head toward less crowded places…

**Theresa:** A few days ago, I wandered into the forest and ran into a monster. Luckily, some residents found me, or else…

Theresa didn’t continue and buried her head in her arms. Delta, who sat next to her, poked her in the shoulder.

**Delta:** But the townspeople didn’t mention it, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

But her comforting didn’t work.

**Theresa:** And yesterday, that happened. Had that girl not saved me, I, I… It’s all my fault!

**Rita:** Overseer…

**Theresa:** This is just a nightmare! Let me sleep here, and when I wake up, I’ll no longer be the muddle-headed Theresa who only causes trouble!

Injury, shock, fear, and self-blame all came at her. We didn’t know how to comfort her, and even Rita remained silent.

After a long while, Sirin broke the silence.

**Sirin:** You knew this happened for real.

**Sirin:** Your forehead feels hot, the ointment feels cool on your skin, and you feel helpless now… These feelings are real, you can’t fool yourself.

**Theresa:** …

Theresa looked up at Sirin, who avoided her gaze awkwardly.

**Sirin:** Don’t look at me so pitifully. I don’t want to know what you remember or underwent.

**Sirin:** But… if you keep running away and lying to yourself, these accidents and troubles will reoccur one day.

**Sirin:** Confronting and finding solutions to difficulties is the only way to improve the situation. And…

Sirin gazed at Theresa. The room was too dim for me to see her expression.

**Sirin:** And your friends are willing to help you and have never laughed at you in front of others.

**Sirin:** With great friends like them, you… you should be more confident.

**Theresa:** …Yeah, thank you for the encouragement.

**Sirin:** I didn’t promise you that your trying will pay off, though.

**Theresa:** Huh?

**Sirin:** But if you don’t try with your friends, you’ll never know if your trying will pay off…

Theresa was pensive, and the room was quiet again.

And this time, I noticed that the rain outside had stopped.

**Captain:** The rain’s stopped, and I don’t hear anything else. We can go.

**Rita:** Yes, Captain. I will contact a hospital in town and send the Overseer there.

We finally sent Theresa to the hospital. Hearing she was in good health finally put my heart at ease.

We hadn’t heard anything from Bronie, and were unlikely to ask more details out of Theresa.

I sat in the empty corridor and tried to piece together the leads.

**Captain:** Theresa’s memories were too chaotic.

**Captain:** But that didn’t mean they were worthless. At least now I could confirm that she came into contact with this Theresa.

**Captain:** But Theresa didn’t fall unconscious like TeRiRi or go missing like I feared.

**Captain:** So what did she do to Theresa? And…

**Captain:** And when Theresa was left alone, who was the person that helped her?

**Captain:** Judging by her recount, she isn’t some unknown girl, and she even knew Theresa would be in danger.

**Captain:** And she’s not the aggressor, because she’s guilt-ridden… Who could she be?

**Rita:** Proper relaxation is good for the mind and body, as well as organising thoughts.

**Captain:** …Ah, I’m fine, you go rest. Maybe Bronie will update us soon, and we’ll be running about again.

Instead, Rita walked up to me and looked out of the window as I did.

Against the dark outside, the glass reflected her fair, delicate features like a mirror. The turmoil did not tarnish her beauty one bit.

Rita took some lipstick out of her handbag and outlined her full lips in a glossy burgundy.

**Rita:** ♪~

I suddenly saw her lips curve upward. I knew she had taken notice, so I hastily withdrew my eyes.

**Rita:** You’re as shy as always, Captain.

**Captain:** I’m sorry, I just…

**Rita:** Now I feel sorry~

**Captain:** I should be the one apologising. I feel bad about making you all come with me…

**Rita:** Since we met, I’ve known that your heart, regardless of what it undergoes, would not change in the slightest.

She must be implying something. So I thought, the moment she finished speaking, the same name must have popped up in our heads.

**Rita:** You are always pained by the tragedy of others, but not once did you shirk because of your own perils.

**Rita:** As I see it, you are both vulnerable and strong… May I describe you that way, Captain?

She was smiling, but I couldn’t read her eyes reflected on the glass.

**Captain:** Isn’t that just being stupid? Rita, please don’t make fun of me.

**Rita:** No, you’ve misunderstood me. I never make fun of danger, especially in the face of someone like you.

**Rita:** You don’t seem to know anything about the situation that awaits.

**Captain:** …

**Rita:** The bubble universes we are and were in are but few of the many froths stirred by the waves. In any case, their fate is to perish.

**Captain:** But I…

**Rita:** I heard you have set foot in a special bubble universe. No, calling it a bubble universe would only lead to the misconception that it is as fragile as the countless ones of its kind drifting in the Sea.

**Rita:** Since similar faces and a future that will most likely be forever stable exist there, I don’t see why you insist on taking this path of agony and despair.

**Captain:** …

**Rita:** I presume it isn’t too late for you to change your mind.

**Captain:** No, I-I want to say…

**Captain:** Sigh… I don’t know. I don’t know how to express this feeling.

**Captain:** Nothing is pushing me, and I don’t have a strong sense of purpose, yet I believe I must do it..

**Captain:** Because I know…

**Captain:** Someone is waiting for me there. She’s in one of the countless ordinary and fragile bubble universes you mentioned.

**Captain:** I made a promise to her. It’s simple and not very special, but, but…

**Captain:** But I want to fulfill it. So I can’t give up yet.

The beautiful figure reflected on the glass sighed.

When I met her gaze, all I could see was a composed smile spreading across her face.

**Captain:** Please excuse my stupidity. I’m truly, hopelessly stupid.

**Rita:** Please, don’t be nervous. I did not, nor am qualified, to judge you. I was only thinking…

**Rita:** You’re a person of your convictions. Well then…

**Rita:** Even in the uncertain future, I ask you to adhere to it.

What was she talking about?

**Captain:** Wait, what did you mean by…

The communicator on me beeped.

**Bronie:** Captain, any progress?

**Captain:** We were a step too late, but managed to obtain some valuable leads.

**Bronie:** Don’t worry, I’ve located the second known target. I’ve sent the data to your terminal.

**Bronie:** Hopefully you’ll be a step ahead of her this time.

--

#### 2-1: Knight

**Delta:** Wait… This is literally a dump!

**Emergency Broadcast:** Lab chamber compromised by external force. Violation detected. Calling Safety and Security Sector, calling Safety and Security Sector!

**Rita:** Hehe~ Looks like Miss Theresa is in big trouble.

**Captain:** I hear footsteps… Be careful, someone’s coming.

**Delta:** Hurry, let’s hide after this turn. If they’re from the Security Sector, we’ll fight. If it’s Theresa, then…

**???:** Waaaaah!

Right then, we felt someone knock into us when we turned the corner.

Perhaps that person was in too much of a rush. When we came around and opened our eyes again…

Everyone sat on the ground, looking at each other.

**???:** Oooowww! Ah, wait, don’t arrest me, I’m a certified patrol policewoman from the village. I have certification to prove that… I have a compelling reason to enter the experiment pod!

The girl hurriedly raised her certification.

**Delta:** Twilight Paladin Theresa? Heh, looks like we unexpectedly found the right person.

**Theresa:** Huh?

**Theresa:** Wait, you guys aren’t from the Security Sector?

**Captain:** Of course not. And, the people chasing after you are right there.

**Theresa:** Whaaaaa?!

**Emergency Broadcast:** Theresa and those four accomplices of hers, you’ve been surrounded! The lab shall arrest you for trespassing. Give up on futile resistance and cooperate with the Safety and Security Sector’s investigation!

**Delta:** Hey, we’re not accomplices.

**Emergency Broadcast:** Trespassers, put down your weapons, or else we will use violence.

**Delta:** Tch, do you think you can scare anyone? I’ll show you what I’m capable of.

Delta was about to raise her huge blade, but Theresa stopped her quickly.

**Delta:** What are you doing?! It’s very dangerous to jump in front of a weapon like that!

**Theresa:** Let’s talk it out… We don’t have to make a big fuss out of this, as long as we can leave this place safely…

**Delta:** Leave safely… Tsk, does anyone know how we can get out without a fight?

Delta tilted her head and looked at all of us who were standing behind her, looking troubled. She stopped her eyes on Sirin.

**Sirin:** You… Why are you always staring at me?

**Delta:** How’s your magic recovery going?

**Sirin:** Well, just so-so…

**Delta:** Got any magic to let us escape without a fight? You see, Theresa doesn’t like to resolve things my way.

**Sirin:** No, I haven’t practiced it…

**Rita:** Oh my, what do we do? You heard her, as Miss Theresa’s accomplices, we are going to be arrested now.

**Delta:** Waaa…! How scary, I don’t wanna go to prison…!

**Captain:** I heard that Sirin has been working hard on her magic recently, I’m sure she has some other way?

**Sirin:** Fine, why is everyone harassing me… I got it.

**Sirin:** But, if I fail, you guys… are not allowed to laugh.

Sirin bit her lip, closed her eyes, and placed both hands in front of herself, as if trying to focus.

Soon, a blurry ball of light sat in her hands. It glowed and dimmed periodically, and it had the shape of a star.

**Sirin:** …!

From the floor, a few bricks lifted. On the walls, the secure metal panels curled slightly at the edges.

**Captain:** (There’s hope! Her magic has recovered!)

**Delta:** (Oh, so this is the power of a magic girl…)

Ding…! A light and crisp sound rang.

That was all the changes that the magic could make.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** You see… I…

**Emergency Broadcast:** Trespassers have not dropped their weapons and have damaged the resources in the sacred lab.

**Emergency Broadcast:** The Safety and Security Sector will now employ violent measures. Countdown begin…

**Captain:** Looks like we only have one option left.

**Delta:** Sorry, Theresa, we can only burst you out together with us.

**Theresa:** Wait, wait, we’re absolutely gonna spend our lives in prison if we do this!

**Rita:** Don’t worry, we’ll rid you of all accusations, there won’t be a problem.

**Theresa:** Really?

**Captain:** There’s no time for hesitation. Lead the way, Theresa.

**Theresa:** A-Alright!

**Delta:** Humph, they’re a piece of cake.

**Rita:** Watch ahead, everyone. The guards are shutting down the exit.

**Theresa:** Phew… Who the hell are you guys?

Ten minutes. Or longer. We finally left the lab.

The fight had ended. Now, we were all resting in an obscure alley.

**Theresa:** Aren’t you all going home? You’ve caused such a huge trouble, don’t linger outside anymore!

**Delta:** Relax, we’re not kids.

**Sirin:** And, aren’t you our accomplice?

**Theresa:** Hey! I don’t care if you believe this or not, but I must emphasize that I infiltrated the lab for the safety of the town!

**Captain:** Is there anything suspicious about that lab?

**Theresa:** Of course. Just yesterday, that lab’s sample collection department caught a few Honkai beasts for animal testing.

**Delta:** Running experiments with Honkai beasts? Sounds like a very normal thing to do.

**Theresa:** It’s not normal at all! Those are Honkai beasts, the town hasn’t seen those dangerous things for years. If those Honkai beasts were to escape from the lab and hurt the residents, that'd be terrible.

**Rita:** Since the lab managed to capture them…

**Theresa:** That doesn’t mean that the lab’s security is flawless! Look, I managed to infiltrate, and even got out safely.

**Sirin:** Is that something you should be proud of?

**Rita:** If there’s an oversight in the security, Miss Theresa, then how did they discover you?

Once confident, the smile on Theresa’s face stiffened.

**Theresa:** Ugh, when I was looking into the cultivation pond, I accidentally fell headfirst into it…

**Captain:** Well, that seems like the research center does have some oversights… But, are you alright?

**Theresa:** Heheh, of course. But… But I made a huge hole in the cultivation pond, and even scared a Honkai beast unconscious…

Theresa played with her braid in embarrassment as she spoke. I could see two injuries on her neck, but they didn’t look like abrasions or cuts.

**Captain:** Those injuries on your neck, are those alright?

**Theresa:** Oh, I didn’t sustain these just now. Maybe I hurt myself in one of my previous missions… Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt anymore.

Theresa seemingly misread my suspicions as concern, and rolled up her sleeves to show us every injury she had on her arms.

**Theresa:** Look, it’s common to get hurt during missions. Sometimes, I’d forget to rub ointment on them, so they’ll naturally recover slower.

**Rita:** So, it was also your mission to ascertain if the Honkai beasts were in the lab?

**Theresa:** Ugh… About that…

Theresa shrugged her shoulders awkwardly.

**Theresa:** It is my solemn responsibility to keep the town safe, of course it’s a mission…

**Captain:** (This does sound like something Theresa would say…)

**Delta:** Hey, don’t try to find excuses for trespassing.

**Sirin:** As expected of Theresa, you’re getting better at creating problems for yourself…

**Theresa:** Fine, I was wrong. But…

**Theresa:** After someone had told me the news about the lab two days ago, I couldn’t help but think of how the Honkai beasts might escape. I could even hear the residents crying for help.

**Rita:** You said that someone else told you about this info? May I ask who that person is?

Theresa tilted her head, as if trying to remember something trivial from a decade ago.

**Rita:** Or, how the person looks like?

**Theresa:** I can’t remember it clearly. I only recall that it was a girl who told me… At least, the voice sounded like a girl’s.

**Captain:** …That’s all?

Theresa nodded.

**Captain:** …

**Captain:** That’s alright. Other than her gender, did that person have any other special traits?

**Theresa:** …

**Theresa:** Gosh, why are you fussing over all these details?! The Honkai beasts are kept safely, I’ve checked. That’s all for this matter! I have a more important mission to do now!

**Captain:** What mission?

**Theresa:** It’s… Uhh… It’s to… Ugh… D-Don’t rush me… What was I gonna say…?

Rita and I looked at each other.

**Rita:** Miss Theresa, I sincerely apologise for causing you trouble.

**Theresa:** Eh, don’t say that! If it weren’t for all of you, I wouldn’t have escaped so smoothly.

**Rita:** You don’t dislike us. In fact, you think that we cooperated very well, right?

**Theresa:** Of course, we’ve faced a life-and-death situation together. From now on, all of you are my pals!

**Rita:** In that case, do you mind if we accompany you for a little while more, and help you remember and complete that very important mission?

**Rita:** And, who knows, we might even be of help to you.

Rita quietly glanced at the other two.

**Sirin:** …You guys can make the call, I have no opinions.

**Delta:** Although… Ugh, I don’t have any opinions either.

**Theresa:** Ah, that’ll be great! How about we patrol the city first? We can help the residents while I try to recall what it was!

**Theresa:** Regardless of what the mission may be, it is my duty to protect everyone’s peace and safety!

--

#### "Kasumi" Opening

**Oddity Stall Owner:** Young lady, looking for something?

**Oddity Stall Owner:** Look at these materials, you’ll get a free recipe if you buy three. Even beginners can concoct a useful potion…

**Oddity Stall Owner:** Oh, so you’re not a local… Then how about the products here? They’re very special gifts, too!

**Oddity Stall Owner:** A bag of aurora-colored lollipops? You have a good eye, these are special imports, you can only find them here at my shop! I’ll give you two more. If you come here again, remember to stop by!

**Oddity Stall Owner:** Hm, you wanna know about a place? Of course, ask away, there’s no place that I don’t know in this city!

**Oddity Stall Owner:** …What? Oh, you mean that.

**Oddity Stall Owner:** …That’s not a place that you can go, it’s best not to be curious about it. There are so many nice places to go to in this city.

**Oddity Stall Owner:** Youngsters these days are so brave. A young lady asked me about this a few days ago, and another came along today. Haa…

When they had just arrived in this bubble universe, everyone remained silent about their past. Kasumi spent a lot of effort collecting information.

**Kasumi:** Right now, the situation seems just as pessimistic.

**Kasumi:** Currently, we can only hope to find the source of this scattered information as a breakthrough to obtain new clues.

**Kasumi:** But, after so much time, the Magic Security Bureau probably realised the anomaly in the castle. I’m afraid things in the Crescent Moon District will change drastically…

**Kasumi:** …Even if we cannot hold too many expectations, we should still check it out.

**Kasumi:** Even more desolate than I imagined…

**Kasumi:** Huh? That’s…

…An aurora-colored candy wrapper dropped onto the floor.

**Kasumi:** A candy wrapper?

The color of the candy wrapper was very unique, she couldn’t help but take a closer look.

**Kasumi:** Isn’t this the… candy that the oddity stall owner sells?

**Kasumi:** Did she come by? Or…

Back then, Kasumi had just arrived here, and this bubble universe that operated with magic as its standard was completely foreign to her.

So, the methods she used to investigate were no longer effective. She could only drift aimlessly along the streets.

**Kasumi:** (I thought that I could get some information from the stall owner if I bought something, but in the end…)

**Kasumi:** (What should I do with so many candies?)

Kasumi found a quiet corner and sat down, staring at all the candies she had in her hands helplessly.

**Kasumi:** Looks like I’ll have to eat them all…

She unwrapped the candy and placed it in her mouth.

No new clues, no new missions. Kasumi, who did not care much for how her food tasted, watched her surroundings warily while fiddling with the candy wrapper.

**Kasumi:** (A candy wrapper that glows… Hmm, it’s double-layered, and there’s a thin circuit in the middle. Oh, that’s where its glow comes from.)

The unique paper made a rustling sound as it was moved between her fingers.

**Kasumi:** This sort of candy wrapper attracts attention and makes a sound when rubbed against clothes… I shouldn’t keep them on me.

**Kasumi:** (I’ll finish them before…)

**Cunning Young Man:** Foreigner, what do you want to know?

A young man stood in front of her.

**Cunning Young Man:** You’ve been loitering around the market for a good part of the day. You couldn’t buy something that you like, or maybe some valuable information that you wanted?

**Kasumi:** Sounds like I can get the answer I want from you, right?

**Cunning Young Man:** Of course. Even if the Magic Security Bureau tries to censor it, I can help you get it.

**Kasumi:** Magic Security Bureau?

**Cunning Young Man:** Shh, let me tell you a secret. I have the Magic Security Bureau’s permit here.

**Kasumi:** What can this do?

**Cunning Young Man:** Browse the confidential information that you want, of course!

**Kasumi:** I see.

That piqued Kasumi’s interest, and the young man’s expression suddenly turned serious.

**Cunning Young Man:** But getting this permit wasn’t easy, I can’t give it to you for nothing.

**Kasumi:** Mhm, I understand, but… Instead of searching for specific information, I’d rather investigate outside the Crescent Moon District.

**Cunning Young Man:** …?!

**Kasumi:** If I could go past those ruins and get closer to that foggy place…

**Cunning Young Man:** Uh, sorry, please excuse me.

The young man turned and ran into an alley.

**Kasumi:** Wait.

**Cunning Young Man:** Don’t chase after me. I can’t take you to that kind of place.

**Kasumi:** Please wait.

**Cunning Young Man:** No, no, I won’t do it no matter how much you give me… I just wanted to steal a quick buck, why did I have to meet someone jaded like you…

**Cunning Young Man:** I haven’t lived enough, go look for someone else. Stop clinging to me!

**Kasumi:** Stop running, watch out ahead!

**Cunning Young Man:** Ah!

**Kasumi:** Watch out. Should be Honkai beasts.

**Cunning Young Man:** Ah, help me!

**Kasumi:** You can even see big guys like this in such a town.

**Kasumi:** Take cover and leave them to me.

**Kasumi:** Weird. Isn’t this a normal Honkai beast?

**Kasumi:** How come my combat style doesn’t work anymore?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

**Kasumi:** Who is it?

**Kasumi:** Thank you for your help.

**???:** You’re welcome, the monsters here can only be defeated using a special method. Practice a few more times, and you’ll definitely do better than me.

**Kasumi:** That man just now…?

**???:** That scammer? He fled the moment he could lose you!

**Kasumi:** So he really was a scammer.

**???:** Haha, you’re way too honest. He admitted to it and you didn’t even realise.

**Kasumi:** But I didn’t lose anything.

**Kasumi:** If you don’t mind, please take this as a token of my gratitude.

**???:** A lollipop?

**Kasumi:** I’m sorry, these are all I have on me.

**Kasumi:** And consuming a moderate amount of sugar helps to recover your stamina after a battle.

**???:** Haha… Uh, alright, I appreciate your sentiments. I’ll help myself then.

The girl took the aurora-colored candy and unwrapped it.

**???:** Tasty.

**???:** Speaking of which, it’s my first time meeting someone who can scare a scammer away.

**???:** Tell me, what did you say that frightened him so much?

**Kasumi:** I suggested investigating outside the city.

**Kasumi:** But he’s not the only one who was scared. It seems like everyone in this city is afraid of what’s outside.

**???:** Indeed. I think it’s… because of a tragic battle?

**Kasumi:** Battle…?

**???:** I heard about it from a licensed magic girl. It seemed like she needed something and kept asking about information regarding the outside of this city.

**Kasumi:** Then, why do you want to get out of the city.

**???:** As you can see, I’m a treasure hunter.

**???:** I heard that in the past, the malicious Dark Lord in that castle had an exquisite gem. So, I rushed over.

**Kasumi:** Gem? As a treasure hunter, you must have seen lots of gems in your life.

**???:** Of course, this one is very special! I heard that it’s the only complete gem in the whole city. Other gems have long been shattered into little shards.

**???:** How curious, why didn’t it shatter…?

**Kasumi:** …

**???:** You have to believe me. I did a lot to get this piece of information.

**Kasumi:** Where did you hear about this?

**???:** The normal way won’t work. You can see it too, even though the Dark Lord is gone, the people here are still afraid of him. Not only did they move far from the Dark Lord’s courtyard, they also pretend that the battle never happened.

**Kasumi:** …

**???:** While I was troubled over this, I met that strange person.

**Kasumi:** The licensed magic girl you talked about just now?

**???:** Yep. She’s qualified and still isn’t interested in joining the Magic Security Bureau. Not that this has anything to do with treasure hunters, but…

**???:** After stealing a glance at her ingredients, I realised there was a problem.

**???:** Around here, no magic girl would just wander around outside Crescent Moon District unprepared, let alone to get her hands on such an incredible gem.

**Kasumi:** …

**???:** On second thought, living is more important.

**???:** Huh, what’s with that look? You don’t wanna risk it anymore, do you?

**Kasumi:** That’s not it. At first, I was just curious about what was beyond the city. But then I heard the strangest story.

**Kasumi:** Lucky for me, you’ve eliminated all doubt. It seems like I’m only fit to be a quiet out-of-towner.

…A bold-faced lie. She laughed.

**???:** Sure, sure. Oh, by the way, since I’m helping you, don’t report me to the Bureau, alright? You wouldn’t believe how much money they have on my head!

**Kasumi:** …?

**???:** I’ve discovered the secret everyone’s been keeping under wraps and I’m going after the Dark Lord’s treasure. I’m public enemy number one here.

**???:** …Haha, just kidding of course.

**Kasumi:** (If that’s the case, it’s not just the Dark Lord that’s in my way, but the Bureau as well…)

**Kasumi:** Don’t worry, I’m just a traveler. I’m really not looking for any trouble.

**Kasumi:** Thank you for your kindness, stranger.

**???:** Kindness…?

**Kasumi:** Sorry, was that the wrong thing to say?

**???:** …

**???:** Uh…

**???:** …But that kindness was built upon self-conceit. Such kindness changes nothing.

Such curt talk stirred up long-lost memories for Kasumi.

The thick of night was as dark as her emotions.

**Kasumi:** At least kindness will get us closer to our goal.

**Kasumi:** It isn’t just for nothing.

**???:** …

**???:** …I’m gonna go.

**Kasumi:** Why don’t you tell me your name?

**Kasumi:** You didn’t just help me, you gave me so much information too. There has to be some way I can repay you.

**Kasumi:** Maybe I could teach you some fighting techniques the next time we meet.

She simply returned a smile.

**???:** You’re the traveler, and I’m the hunter.

**???:** We walk different paths; there’s no need to get too chummy~

She placed a lollipop in her mouth and gave a smirk.

**???:** Consider it a gift, as a thank you.

The flashback had ended, and Kasumi had a sudden realisation.

**Kasumi:** It has come to this, from now going back to the beginning…

**Kasumi:** What if this trap had been set since I first came to this bubble universe? If that was true, then…

**Kasumi:** I had a notion following that night and started gathering information. And then…

**Kasumi:** …Everything made sense.

--

#### 2-2: Clock Tower

The streets were crowded at nighttime, everything looked normal.

**Sirin:** This is ridiculous… We’ve been wandering around this city forever and still haven’t found anything strange.

**Captain:** I think Theresa’s the only weird thing around here.

**Delta:** Sure.

**Rita:** Miss Theresa seems in good spirits.

The day was almost finished, but Theresa still had enough energy to make sure she asked every passerby about any strange occurrences that had been happening lately.

**Theresa:** Hey, wait!

**Energetic Girl:** Huh? Theresa!

**Theresa:** You’re the kids on that street next to ours. It’s dangerous to be out here this late. I’ll walk you back.

**Energetic Girl:** Yeah, we…

**Cautious Boy:** Shh! Did you forget what Mum told us?

**Energetic Girl:** Oh, right.

The girl winked and took a bite from her cake.

**Theresa:** Huh?

**Theresa:** About that… You guys really like cake, huh? I’ll buy you two more if you tell me what your mother said.

**Cautious Boy:** F-Forget it, we’re already full.

The children held hands, as they eyed Theresa wearily, wanting to get away.

**Captain:** (Hehe, you want them to think you’re some kinda weirdo?)

**Theresa:** Are you in trouble? It’s okay, you can tell me, I’ll help you!

**Theresa:** Just yesterday at St. Freya Grand Hall I promised everyone that I’ll keep the peace around here!

**Cautious Boy:** Yesterday… But the Grand Hall was closed yesterday. You couldn’t have given a speech…

**Theresa:** Huh? But I remember…

**Captain:** (It looks like this Theresa’s memories have been muddled up too.)

**Cautious Boy:** Mum said Theresa’s memory isn’t so good and that she should rest up. She said not to bother you…

Theresa looked a bit subdued, but she made an effort to give them a smile.

**Theresa:** Your Mum is right. But it’s dangerous at night and there might be Honkai beasts out.

**Cautious Boy:** There aren’t any Honkai beasts here, our town is very safe.

**Energetic Girl:** The book said that if Honkai beasts do come, the bell in the tower will ring!

**Cautious Boy:** That stuff is so old, dummy! Now the research institute can give an early warning, which is way more accurate than any clock tower.

**Theresa:** Clock tower…

**Cautious Boy:** We’ll be going home now. Bye Theresa!

Theresa waved goodbye absent-mindedly.

**Rita:** Are you alright, Theresa?

**Theresa:** I… I’m fine…

**Captain:** Did something they say jog your memory?

**Theresa:** …Yes.

**Theresa:** I get why people don’t take my warnings seriously now. Because every time I urged everyone to leave the city these past few days, nothing dangerous ever happened.

**Theresa:** I’m the only one that knows the towns are dangerous.

**Captain:** What makes you say that?

**Theresa:** These past few days I’ve had a dream…

**Suppressed Voice:** …This town is too close to a forest with Honkai beast activity. If it disappears, the beasts will sense a disturbance, and then…

**Innocent Voice:** By that time, the town won’t have any other way to warn everyone. And no one will care if the clock tower is missing parts.

**Innocent Voice:** These were the pieces of a discarded device that had already lost its purpose.

**Innocent Voice:** Some endings are destined. All we’ve done is moved that date a little closer, hm?

…

**Sirin:** Could this be just a dream?

**Captain:** It really seems like you need more rest.

**Theresa:** But what the two people in the dream talked about is identical to what’s happening in this town!

**Delta:** Maybe you’re just worried about the town? You dream the stuff you think about most.

**Theresa:** I don’t know… The dream seemed so real, I want to make sure.

**Sirin:** It’s just a dream, is it really worth all this fuss? Wouldn’t it be better if you just went to sleep?

**Theresa:** It isn’t worth it, but I can’t just go to sleep.

**Theresa:** Knowing danger could be around the one corner I didn’t check… How could I live with myself?

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** That building over there, that’s the clock tower you were talking about, right?

**Theresa:** Right.

Sirin looked toward the clock tower. There was no trace of light from the tower in the night, it appeared as an inky shadow watching over the town.

**Sirin:** In that case, we’ll go with you.

**Theresa:** Huh? Are you sure you want to help me?

**Rita:** You can be a bit harsh at times, but I knew you were a kind soul deep down inside.

**Sirin:** What do you mean “kind”? I just want to be there to see the look of disappointment on her face.

**Delta:** Oh knock off the tough act, Sirin. It’s getting kinda old.

**Sirin:** Who said you could talk about me like that!

**Captain:** Well, as far as those guards are concerned, we’re accomplices.

**Theresa:** Hehe… I sure am glad I met you guys!

**Theresa:** Let’s go! Everyone with me!

**Delta:** Why would there be such a security device?

**Theresa:** This is a sophisticated clock tower. Of course it’s fully equipped!

**Theresa:** It has to tell time and alarm people during emergencies. Such an important facility cannot be broken at will!

**Innocent Voice:** So this is the clock tower! It’s even prettier in person!

**Suppressed Voice:** Right.

**Innocent Voice:** Stay focused. Here, take my hand.

**Suppressed Voice:** …Yes.

**Theresa:** (Shoot… It’s that dream again. I feel dizzy…)

**Sirin:** Such an old clock tower. Can it still work?

**Theresa:** Alarm systems that are more accurate than the bell were invented ages ago.

**Theresa:** So it only stays in the textbook now. Only children care about it.

**Innocent Voice:** Wow, there are so many floors. And the architecture is so complex!

**Suppressed Voice:** Right. A metal clock tower usually has these sort of elaborate mechanisms.

**Innocent Voice:** You sure do know a lot. Tell me some more!

**Suppressed Voice:** …

**Theresa:** (That dream… is so real…)

**Rita:** Seems there are other people interested in this place apart from us.

**Theresa:** What did you say?

**Rita:** After entering the clock tower, I noticed there were more than one person who came before me.

**Innocent Voice:** It’s over there.

**Suppressed Voice:** …

**Innocent Voice:** Why are you standing around? This is what you’re supposed to do, right?

**Suppressed Voice:** I…

**Innocent Voice:** Wait.

**Innocent Voice:** You shouldn’t eavesdrop.

**Innocent Voice:** I’ve got you now!

**Theresa:** …

**Captain:** What’s with you?

**Theresa:** I’m fine, I’m alright. I just… I just suddenly realised…

**Theresa:** I just realised, it wasn’t a dream. Everything I was talking about really happened!

**Sirin:** What are you trying to say?

**Theresa:** …Someone stole the clock’s core shaft!

**Captain:** Wait here, I’ll go look.

This was something that should be left to a professional.

So I scanned the complex mechanisms and then sent them over to Bronie aboard the Hyperion.

**Rita:** Bronie, what’s the story here?

**Bronie:** …Well, the core shaft is missing.

I looked over to Theresa and felt a sinking feeling… How much had she really remembered?

**Captain:** Bronie, can you scan the structure of this device with your drone, and design a replacement shaft?

**Captain:** I believe, if the clock chimes again, Theresa might remember everything she experienced that night.

**Bronie:** Do you think I’m an all-rounded robot? Using a holo-projection drone and creating a real shaft aren’t comparable in terms of difficulty. And…

**Bronie:** It’s kinda weird in how it’s put together. It doesn’t seem to be following universal principles of operation.

**Sirin:** It’s strange to see something made of metal running on magic…

**Delta:** Looks like you’re the one that’s lagging behind, Bronie.

**Bronie:** Huh?

**Delta:** Even if you’re in another bubble universe, you’ve still been exposed to the Ether Anchor. It makes sense that it’s related.

**Bronie:** So you think that the shaft is…?

**Delta:** I don’t think, I pretty much know. Shouldn’t it be obvious from how it works against all reason?

**Rita:** Looks like someone took it.

**Sirin:** How does that help us now? What are we going to do with her?

Sirin’s contribution deflated the conversation and everyone looked over to see a stone-faced Theresa.

**Theresa:** I might still be out of it, but I remember there were two other people next to me in the clock tower that night.

**Theresa:** (Yawn… You gotta keep your spirits up on patrol…)

**Theresa:** (Hey, that looks like two people over by the clock tower…)

**Theresa:** (Shoot, they broke the lock and got into the tower! I gotta go after these guys!)

**Theresa:** Hey, you can’t just come in here! Let alone walk around and stuff!

**Theresa:** …Wait, where’s the other one?

**Theresa:** Huh…?

**Theresa:** Ah!

…

…

**Innocent Voice:** See! I said I wouldn’t hold you back.

**Suppressed Voice:** But you…

**Innocent Voice:** Right, isn’t there something you have to do? Look, it’s over there!

**Suppressed Voice:** …

**Innocent Voice:** Are you alright? You look awful!

**Suppressed Voice:** I… I don’t know if that’s appropriate…

**Suppressed Voice:** …This town is too close to a forest with Honkai beast activity. If it disappears, the beasts will sense a disturbance and then…

**Innocent Voice:** By that time, the town won’t have any other way to warn everyone. And no one will care if the clock tower is missing parts.

**Innocent Voice:** These were the pieces of a discarded device that had already lost its purpose.

**Innocent Voice:** Some endings are destined. All we’ve done is moved that date a little closer, hm?

**Suppressed Voice:** …

**Innocent Voice:** Hey, wait for me.

**Innocent Voice:** Hi, how’s it going? In two days the lab should be getting in some Honkai beasts for sampling.

**Innocent Voice:** Aren’t they dangerous? Are you sure it’s safe?

**Innocent Voice:** It takes a lot of energy to keep everyone safe. So you should go get some rest, okay? Twilight Paladin Theresa…

--

#### 2-3: Resolve

**Theresa:** …Things have been tough lately. I just have this feeling something terrible is going to happen to this town. But…

**Theresa:** Because of what I’ve done over the past few days, no one seems to believe me…

**Rita:** True. Plus, we can’t be so sure that after the main shaft is taken, any Honkai beasts nearby will go berserk.

**Delta:** Right. If nothing happens…

**Sirin:** Then you’ll see a new addition to the fairy tale section of the book store, called “The Honkai Beast is Coming”.

**Theresa:** …

Theresa’s silence put Sirin at a loss for words.

**Sirin:** I shouldn’t have said anything… I’m sorry.

**Theresa:** It’s a harmless joke compared to everyone doubting me and the future of this town. I don’t mind.

Theresa crossed her arms in an uneasy stance. It was clear something was on her mind.

**Sirin:** So, are you afraid?

**Theresa:** …Yes.

**Theresa:** To keep stringing people along or sit idly by. How am I supposed to choose?

The expression on Sirin’s face became grave. She must have recalled what had happened to TeRiRi.

**Sirin:** (So she was scared too…)

**Sirin:** (I’m afraid I’ll lose the hope of finding our senior, I’m afraid I’ll forget all about it, and that I’ll be alone…)

**Sirin:** (That I had even done something so cruel…)

**Theresa:** Hey, I’m the one that should be worried. What’s got you looking all pale?

Theresa’s concerned and inquisitive look got under Sirin’s skin. She puffed out her cheeks defiantly.

**Sirin:** I… I’m a bit cold, don’t worry about me.

**Theresa:** Uh… What should I do…

**Sirin:** What’s got you troubled? You’ve got a clear mind and there’s no room for hesitation.

**Theresa:** What are you talking about? I’m really stuck here!

**Sirin:** Hmph. Don’t be stupid. You don’t even know what it is you’re thinking about.

**Sirin:** Aren’t you the one that’s supposed to be looking for anything out of the ordinary in town and alerting everyone if there’s anything amiss?

**Sirin:** You’ve fought this battle every step of the way by yourself. It’s strange you’d give up at the last step.

**Theresa:** …

**Theresa:** Well, maybe you’re right. Deep down I’ve already made up my mind.

**Sirin:** Hmph. Dummy.

**Theresa:** Since it’s my responsibility to keep this town safe, how can I just back down when I get scared?

**Sirin:** Think about it, if worse comes to worst, what are you going to do…?

Sirin was flustered as she noticed Theresa’s expression had become grave.

**Sirin:** I-I’m not trying to make things difficult. I just… I just want to know…

**Sirin:** (I want to know what TeRiRi was thinking at that time…)

**Theresa:** What’s the problem? As long as I’m still Theresa, my mind is made up. There’s no challenge I can’t overcome!

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** (Of course, I should have known… they really are dumb.)

**Theresa:** I’m going to set out then. I have to let everyone know…

**Sirin:** Wait.

**Sirin:** I’ll help. With us there, you don’t have to be alone.

**Theresa:** Really? Thank you! Your friends are right, you really are a good person…!

**Sirin:** Oooofff…! I can’t breathe…

Theresa gave Sirin a tight hug. Though her face turned red, she didn’t break free.

**Bronie:** Ohhhh, how sweet~

**Bronie:** I’ve got it all right here. We should give the recording a name. How about, “The Tales of Little Sirin”.

**Sirin:** Hey! Bronie…!

Tucked away in a corner, Bronie was sticking her tongue out playfully.

**Bronie:** Now that we’ve made up our minds, let’s put together a plan.

**Bronie:** I need to head over into town, Theresa. I’ll need you to give me a description…

**Bronie:** Can everyone remember their missions?

**Delta:** Who made her our general?

**Bronie:** You look pretty enthusiastic. Why don’t you sum things up then?

**Delta:** …

Delta reluctantly pouted.

**Captain:** I’ll go first.

**Captain:** Rita, Delta, and I were tasked with laying traps where the town meets the forest to ward off Honkai beasts, which are afraid of flares.

**Captain:** Then, we’ll give the signal and try to get the herd’s attention and lead them deeper into the forest. That way, they won’t go berserk and break into town.

**Rita:** And I’ll drive out the beasts that do make it into town.

**Delta:** …Right. The main goal is to re-install the mechanism you’ve prepared.

**Bronie:** Delta, you underestimate the mission. I’ll check on you myself in a bit.

**Theresa:** It’s my turn. I’ll go door-to-door letting everyone know to stock up on water and food and get their weapons ready for any Honkai beasts. And then, I’ll join back with everyone.

**Bronie:** It seems Theresa’s made up her mind. So now…

**Sirin:** …

**Rita:** Sirin, are you okay?

**Sirin:** I’m good. I’ll use all of my protective magic once I get the signal…

Sirin worriedly tightened her grip around the edge of her clothing.

**Captain:** If it’s too much, there are other options.

**Sirin:** It’s alright… It’s my job, I can handle it.

**Bronie:** And after you finish your part, remember to stand at the points in front of the forest entrance!

**Captain:** Let me check the map. Uh, this part isn’t finished yet.

**Delta:** Let’s get to it then!

**Delta:** Ah, speaking of, wouldn’t it be faster for the drones to do it?

**Captain:** Maybe it’s better for herself to operate.

**Delta:** Alright, one more check and we're all good!

**Captain:** I’m heading to the next area and leaving it to you here.

**Captain:** The traps are set. Next is…

**Delta:** Hey, you learn faster than I expected. You’ve gotten everything down pat.

Following the voice, I could see that Delta had already finished her tasks and was sitting in the tree next to me, watching me closely.

**Captain:** When did you get here?

**Delta:** A little while ago.

**Captain:** That’s something else. I didn’t hear you at all.

**Delta:** You’re totally unprepared for me? I’m your enemy.

Delta landed on the ground lightly.

**Captain:** I got it, I got it. But for the time being, we’re working together, so I’ve got nothing to worry about.

**Delta:** Huh. You’re a weird one.

**Captain:** Makes sense. When faced with something someone doesn’t understand, they’ll often describe it as being weird.

**Captain:** Speak now if you have any doubts. There’s still some time before everything begins.

**Delta:** What you want to do seems difficult or even impossible, and most of the time, bad for you.

**Delta:** But you do it wishfully, and truly believe you can make it happen.

**Captain:** Is that a compliment?

**Delta:** I truly don’t understand.

**Delta:** …

Delta turned away awkwardly.

**Captain:** Maybe you think we’re weird, or to put it more poetically, romantics.

**Captain:** But what about you? It isn’t a good idea for you to stick with us through this, right?

**Delta:** I think differently than you, probably because I was originally a warrior.

Delta seemed caught in a distant memory.

**Captain:** It’s clear, you were certainly an excellent fighter.

**Delta:** Oh? Are you trying to kill me with kindness? Forget it, I’m not interested in giving in to my enemy.

**Captain:** I mean it. You know how to fight, and make clear judgments in uncertain situations. It’s clear to everyone.

**Delta:** So that’s what you consider excellence.

**Delta:** And frankly, excellent fighters don’t just fight hard, they have to know when to throw in the towel.

**Delta:** I thought I had gotten used to giving up, but every time I had to… I just couldn’t.

**Delta:** Perhaps I’m not a good fighter at all.

**Delta:** …

**Captain:** Do you feel guilty about it? Or… even sorry?

**Delta:** I don’t do those sorts of feelings.

**Captain:** Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your past experiences have made you who you are today. This is who you are. You don’t need to compare yourself to others, just be yourself.

**Delta:** Wouldn’t that be… selfish?

**Captain:** Not at all.

**Captain:** You asked me just now why we always try to do the impossible. Maybe it’s because I’ve really done what you claim to be “impossible”.

**Captain:** It might sound strange, but at the time, even after having failed, I never wondered if it was possible or what others would choose to do. The only thing I could think of was…

“But, I can’t stop here.”

**Delta:** …

**Captain:** It’s easy to change your mind, but hard to stay true to yourself. I prefer to be an idealist and work toward an ending where everyone wins.

**Delta:** …

**Captain:** There I go, rambling on to myself.

**Delta:** It’s alright.

**Captain:** Don’t worry. Even if the way we think might be different, you don’t have to be so strict with yourself.

**Delta:** I won’t be.

**Captain:** Besides, we’re fighting side-by-side for now. We can talk about being enemies later. You won’t need to worry about us having any reservations toward you.

**Delta:** I told you, I won’t!

**Delta:** Who said you could act all mature! T-That’s right, look at this trap! It’s just out in the open!

**Captain:** Hm, you’re right.

**Delta:** Go and fix it before Bronie sees.

**Captain:** Right away.

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** (Just as persistent as someone I know.)

**Delta:** (Ugh, why did I come up with such a ridiculous idea. You two are clearly… clearly…)

**Delta:** (…Exact opposites.)

--

#### 2-4: Take Action

A while later…

**Rita:** Did Theresa not contact you?

**Captain:** Correct. And she hasn’t responded to us either.

**Bronie:** I can see her location here. She’s been in town the whole time.

**Rita:** Before I join up, I’ll check around town. The longer we take, the less favorable the situation will become.

Rita hung up the call.

**Captain:** I hope Theresa’s doing alright…

**Sirin:** You don’t have to worry, she’ll definitely get it done.

**Delta:** Oh? You trust her that much?

**Sirin:** …Mind your own business!

**Sirin:** She’s so stubborn. Imagine when she nags to get someone to do something. Who’d be able to withstand that…

**Delta:** Oh~?

**Sirin:** Enough, I’m going to practice a bit more, don’t disturb me.

**Theresa:** Captain, everyone, help me! Ah, another one dropped!

Under the night sky, Theresa carried an armful of mechanical parts as she carefully walked toward us.

**Delta:** What are these?

**Theresa:** The residents gave them to me. Although they still don’t believe in Honkai beasts, they were willing to trust me. Be careful, I heard that some of those are fragile.

**Theresa:** Take a look, can we use any of them?

**Bronie:** Hmm, let me see…

MMy worries were partially relieved after I saw Theresa immerse herself in her task to lay down traps.

**Delta:** I’ll send a message to Rita now.

**Delta:** Not bad, she really did it.

**Captain:** Although it must have taken a lot of effort for her to persuade everyone…

**Captain:** Perhaps the residents don’t believe in Theresa’s memories, but they definitely trust her determination to protect the city.

A few more moments later.

**Captain:** Ninety-seven, ninety-eight… Mhm, we have the right number of traps here.

**Rita:** My mission is also complete.

**Theresa:** Great, we’re all done!

**Delta:** Let’s look for Sirin at our meeting spot, I wonder how her protective magic practice is coming along.

When we almost arrived at the meeting place, we could see a glowing ball of light from a distance.

The ball of light slowly grew in size and took on the shape of a star, but it popped and vanished like a bubble after a few seconds.

**Rita:** Miss Sirin is working very hard.

**Captain:** (Looks like Sirin isn’t making good progress.)

Soon, another ball of light appeared. This time, we were closer to Sirin, and we could see how it lit up against Sirin’s determined expression.

**Sirin:** J-Just… hold on a bit longer…

Pop!

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Eh, w-when… did you guys arrive?

**Sirin:** I… I’ll be done soon, I almost succeeded once!

**Bronie:** Uh, shall we wait a bit longer?

**Theresa:** Yeah, we’ve already finished laying the traps after all!

**Sirin:** Then… Then, I’ll…

**Captain:** Sirin, don’t push yourself.

**Sirin:** I’m not, I can do it! As long as you give me enough…

**Captain:** No, Sirin, what I meant was, even if you can’t do it, we can probably handle those Honkai beasts with our current strength.

**Sirin:** Really…?

**Bronie:** Why would we lie to you?

**Bronie:** And I’m the one who decided our strategy this time. As a general, of course I’d know to leave room for error.

**Sirin:** …

**Delta:** What a waste of resources.

**Bronie:** Don’t talk as if you know everything, I…

**Sirin:** …Don’t underestimate me.

**Rita:** Miss Sirin?

**Sirin:** I said that I can do it, so I will do it!

Sirin picked up a thick magic book and walked to a tree nearby. The shining magic star glowed and extinguished repeatedly.

**Bronie:** The drone has detected that Honkai beasts will enter a dangerously close distance in the next 10 seconds. Everyone, get ready.

Bronie’s fingers danced on the holo-projection of a keyboard.

**Bronie:** Alright, everyone, prepare yourselves, here comes the signal flare~

**Bronie:** Hunter, it’s your time to shine…!

**Delta:** Just these Honkai beasts?

**Theresa:** I feel like splitting up with Rita wasn’t a good decision…

**Delta:** What happened?

**Theresa:** More Honkai beasts!

**Bronie:** Things aren’t going according to plan.

**Bronie:** Rosemary, Rosemary, how are things on your end?

…

**Captain:** Can’t reach her?

**Bronie:** …What about Theresa?

**Captain:** Theresa said that another herd of Honkai beasts have invaded the town. It’s a little hard for her to fight the beasts and reassure the residents alone.

**Captain:** But, with Delta there, they should be able to hold on for a while.

At a glance, the intricately laid traps had already been damaged and largely distorted by the Honkai beasts.

**Bronie:** What’s done is done, let’s repair the traps now.

As we were focusing on the repairs, a scouting hunter prompted a warning.

**Bronie:** It’s about to get lively. A small group of Honkai beasts is approaching, their speed is…

Before Bronie could finish, we could hear the roars of the Honkai beasts.

**Captain:** Bronie, go look for Sirin and bring her to Theresa and the others.

**Bronie:** Hey, what kind of person do you take me for? You expect me to abandon you?

Bronie raised her gun and her hunters also took their positions.

**Captain:** This isn’t part of the mission, right?

**Bronie:** Of course, I’ll add this to your tab.

She whistled cheerily as she prepared for battle.

At that moment…

A white light abruptly blocked my vision.

Normally, I would definitely hate how bright it was, so bright that it hurt. But right now…

**Captain:** So this is protective magic?

…It came just in time.

As bright as dawn.

**Sirin:** Well… I have a limit, I can’t keep this protective magic up for too long.

**Captain:** Looks like we need to help the residents with preparations to ward off the Honkai beasts before it runs out.

**Bronie:** Although only 60% of the traps have been fixed, I think that’s enough.

**Theresa:** Don’t worry, I’ve already informed the research center, they’re evacuating the residents. Sirin, you did amazing this time!

**Delta:** Well done, Sirin!

**Sirin:** T-That was just some basic magic.

**Bronie:** No, Sirin, you were really awesome!

**Sirin:** …

**Captain:** Is this what a true magic girl’s power looks like? It’s beyond my imagination.

**Rita:** You’ve worked really hard, Sirin.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Alright, alright, let’s move on!

--

#### 2-5: Growing Up

A few days later…

The usually energetic TeRiRi remained unconscious on the white bed.

Sirin stared at TeRiRi’s quiet face. As she was weak, TeRiRi’s cheeks had lost much of their color.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** I used to complain about how loud you were, but I’m more used to that noisy you…

**Sirin:** When you wake up, I’ll tell you everything that’s happened over these few days.

**Sirin:** I’m guessing that you’ll giggle as you inch closer, and say…

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Never mind, I’m not going to imitate your silly words.

**Sirin:** I just want to tell you that I don’t acknowledge your recklessness, but… But…

**Sirin:** Huh, what happened?

**???:** Looks like you don’t intend to change how willful you are.

**Sirin:** Senior Vollerei…?

**Sirin:** No, she would never say something like that!

**“Vollerei”:** How should I put it, then? “But an idiot like you obtained the Miracle Stone and uncovered the secret of magic girls, which has made the mature me super jelly!”

**Sirin:** Senior Vollerei would never twist another person’s heart! Who are you?

**“Vollerei”:** I’ve made a bigger discovery, and it’s about the little secret in the prideful Sirin’s heart! Do you want to hear it?

**Sirin:** You…

**“Vollerei”:** Actually, Sirin was scared that she might never solve this problem called the Miracle Stone in her whole life.

**“Vollerei”:** Sirin was scared that they might never come back. Vollerei, TeRiRi, oh, and Broboli, they’d neverrrr come back!

**Sirin:** Stop it!

**“Vollerei”:** And this is all that coward’s fault. Sirin? A worthless imbecile who could do nothing right.

**Sirin:** Stop it already!

She snapped and swung a heavy blow. The other person jumped back, narrowly avoiding it.

The girl who had Vollerei’s face only shrugged nonchalantly.

**“Vollerei”:** You’re as impulsive as ever, Sirin.

**“Vollerei”:** You and your heart are equally simple.

**Sirin:** I don’t need your judgment!

**Sirin:** Why… why haven’t you disappeared?

**“Vollerei”:** Why? Because I know you better than yourself.

**“Vollerei”:** By the law of the jungle, you should be the one disappearing.

**Sirin:** Wh-What do you want!

**Sirin:** …

The quarrel vanished along with the illusion. In the ward, only TeRiRi’s slow breathing could be heard.

**Sirin:** …

Sirin stared at the dark red crystal in her hand. She had no proof, but still found it suspicious.

**Sirin:** (Is it the work of the Miracle Stone? But…)

**Sirin:** (But that illusion wasn’t wrong…)

Sirin shook her head to drive this pesky thought away, but…

**Captain:** …

**Sirin:** Hey… How long have you been standing there?

**Captain:** Um, sorry, I need to talk to you, so…

**Sirin:** Don’t be nervous, I just fell asleep. Let’s go talk outside.

**Captain:** This is all we know.

**Captain:** The Overseer and Twilight Paladin both met a mysterious girl. But as far as I know, TeRiRi hasn’t come into contact with her.

**Sirin:** They had different troubles and encounters in three bubble universes, so we’re unable to find a pattern.

**Captain:** We did solve Twilight Paladin’s problem, but it might’ve just delayed the arrival of the crisis.

**Sirin:** Wow, all that effort for nothing…

**Captain:** Maybe not.

**Captain:** Because the Ether Anchor is missing, we can’t do much in these two bubble universes…

I pointed to the red crystal she was holding.

**Captain:** This Ether Anchor is in our hands. Since it’s the original form of the Dark Lord, and the future that magic girls would face after using the forbidden magic…

**Captain:** And it just so happens that a force is restraining evil, then…

**Captain:** We can destroy it before it becomes the Dark Lord to end the cycle of tragedy once and for all.

**Sirin:** What are you talking about? No!

**Captain:** But…

**Sirin:** There’s no buts. I said no and I mean it!

Sirin held the gem closer, darted back to the ward, and slammed  the door shut.

**Captain:** Sirin, sorry, I…

**Sirin:** Senior Vollerei is still in there, senior Vollerei is waiting for me to save her…

**Sirin:** I haven’t tried, I haven’t tried doing it…

**Sirin:** If it’s destroyed, senior Vollerei will…

The crying stopped after a long while. The door opened a crack.

**Captain:** Sirin, sorry, I…

**Sirin:** I haven’t forgiven you.

Sirin gazed at the gem in her hand with tear stains on her face.

**Sirin:** I tried. I thought enough dedication and sincerity could make a difference.

**Sirin:** But nothing happened. I can’t feel any fluctuations in the Miracle Stone.

**Sirin:** That girl TeRiRi made me think I could do it if I was as reckless as her…

**Captain:** No, you did remarkably. Didn’t your protection magic work?

**Captain:** Maybe it’s the first step, but I think it’s a great start.

**Sirin:** But this isn’t enough!

**Sirin:** Only knowing protection magic can help me recover the magical power that I once harnessed, but isn’t nearly enough to help me save senior Vollerei and TeRiRi!

I couldn’t refute her. After all, this matter involved too many people, and had too many uncertainties.

**Sirin:** Sorry… I’m just not as strong-willed as you…

**Captain:** Don’t mind it. It isn’t the happy things that turned me into this.

Maybe it was because of my self-ridicule, but she gradually softened.

**Captain:** Aside from TeRiRi, you seem to be… worried about something else?

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** From that day on, I realised that before the Dark Lord and the cycle of tragedy…

**Sirin:** Even the powerful Magic Security Bureau was powerless.

**Sirin:** And instead of being of help to senior Broboli and senior Vollerie, magic girls like TeRiRi and I will only make them sacrifice themselves to protect us…

So her pain doesn’t only come from the indifference of the Bureau, but also…

I knew the word would be powerlessness, but I didn’t say it.

**Sirin:** Which is why I think…

**Sirin:** In the face of this colossal difficulty, rather than putting my life on the line like TeRiRi…

**Sirin:** It’s better to carry on their legacies and live a good life so that their sacrifices aren’t in vain.

**Sirin:** As long as I do nothing adventurous or willful, I won’t lose anything again, but, but…

**Sirin:** But TeRiRi…

**Captain:** You’re still affected by her, right?

**Sirin:** …You’ve guessed it, haven’t you? Yes, I’m the one who found out about Cerberus.

**Captain:** Because you too worry about her.

**Sirin:** Yeah, of course. I go back and forth on any information I obtain, but she didn’t hesitate at all to…

**Sirin:** In the end, this idiot actually got her hands on the Miracle Stone.

**Sirin:** To protect us, senior Vollerei became the Miracle Stone…

**Sirin:** To rescue senior Vollerei, TeRiRi found the Miracle Stone…

**Sirin:** And now the Miracle Stone is in my hands, but I… but I…

**Sirin:** …But I can’t do anything.

Sirin used her sleeve to wipe her watering eyes with feigned composure.

**Sirin:** Aren’t I foolish? Haha, I thought I really grew up the day I transformed into a magic girl for the first time at the Dark Castle.

**Sirin:** Sensible enough, calm enough, and composed enough to make every move after thorough planning.

**Captain:** But growing up doesn’t mean troubles and issues automatically go away.

**Sirin:** Where can I find the answers to the problems that can’t be solved by growing up?

**Captain:** …

**Sirin:** Wh-Why are you staring at me like that?

**Captain:** Hmm… I’m just thinking this is what Princess Kongming meant by “the participants cannot see the whole picture”.

**Sirin:** Do you people on the ship talk in riddles?

**Captain:** Haha, not really. I think you already know the answer, you just haven’t realised it yet.

**Captain:** Like the situation that Twilight Paladin was in at that time.

**Captain:** But the answer would become meaningless if told by others. You have to discover it yourself.

**Sirin:** Hmph, I didn’t expect you to tell me! Just you wait, I’ll find a solution to this all!

**Captain:** Good, that’s the spirit.

**Sirin:** …Hey, are you treating me like a kid?

**Captain:** No no no, not at all.

**Sirin:** (I do feel much better after getting that off my chest, though.)

**Sirin:** (Is this why that buffoon…)

**Sirin:** (Leaving that buffoon aside, I do need to… reconsider. About magic girls, about the Miracle Stone, about… Sirin.)

**Bronie:** You’re finally here.

**Captain:** What’s wrong, Bronie? It’s unlike you to look for me urgently. Did you lose a game and need my help?

The hacker bit her lip and threw me a look. I immediately realised the gravity of the matter.

**Bronie:** We just made a new discovery.

She bared the shoulder of the girl lying in the hospital bed and gestured for me to come closer.

**Captain:** Um… Sorry about this.

When I saw two bite marks on TeRiRi’s shoulders, I was dazed.

**Captain:** This is… this is…

**Bronie:** Yes, the same as the bite marks we found on the Overseer and Twilight Paladin. After taking the situation into account, we can basically confirm that…

**Captain:** Enough, Bronie.

**Bronie:** …

**Bronie:** You lectured Sirin on life, but it turns out you’re the one who can’t accept reality. This joke isn’t funny.

**Bronie:** You can’t avoid it. When that time comes, you’ll have to make a choice.

**Captain:** I know. I just need to think.

**Captain:** Think… from beginning to end.

--

#### 3-1: Idol

**Captain:** That partner of yours, did she find any clues?

**Delta:** Nope. Haven’t been able to reach her the past few days.

**Captain:** Could she be in danger?

**Delta:** She’s a ninja, she hates being distracted on missions. She probably turned off her communicator.

Delta kept poking a contact named Kasumi on her communicator in annoyance.

The crowd was bustling. I looked down at the bouquet in my hand.

The fan meeting would start in seven minutes. The huge display was playing music videos, and the excited crowd sang along spontaneously.

**Excited Fan:** “A believing heart is your strength! Come shine with me!”

**Excited Fan:** “TeRiRi! TeRiRi! Magic girl TeRiRiiiiiiiiiii!”

**Sirin:** But she doesn’t know any magic.

**Bronie:** That’s just her stage name. This song is her signature single, Magic Girl’s Heart.

**Bronie:** Isn’t the scene hyped up? I told you she’s really popular. If you want to meet her, you’ll have to do it conventionally.

**Delta:** Waiting in line for eight hours just to stand in the front row… Is this really conventional?

**Bronie:** I mean, she’s the idol of Arc City.

**Captain:** Are you sure you’re not coming, Bronie?

**Bronie:** Nah.

**Rita:** Oh? I thought you were dying to meet your long-lost sister.

**Bronie:** How should I put it, I do miss her sorely, but…

**Bronie:** You have no idea how keen she is. She can see through my every disguise. If she drags me into Cioara’s bar to catch up, I’m not coming out for the rest of the night.

**Bronie:** So in order to not delay our plan, I’m not going this time. I just need to know she’s alright.

**Sirin:** Aren’t you worried that you might not have another chance to come back?

**Bronie:** I’m not worried at all, my home is always Arc City.

**Bronie:** I hear the fans chanting, I assume it’s about time. Don’t forget our plan.

**Captain:** I won’t.

The lights in the venue slowly went out and a countdown appeared on the display.

**Excited Fan:** “TeRiRi! TeRiRi!”

**Captain:** Once we meet Theresa, Rita and Delta will use postcards to stall for time, I’ll ask questions, and Sirin will observe those around her.

**Excited Fan:** “TeRiRi! TeRiRi!”

**Sirin:** Got it. As soon as we see a similar wound, we’ll take a photo of it and send it to Bronie for analysis.

**Excited Fan:** “TeRiRiiiiii!”

Curtains slowly drew open, but nobody was behind them.

**Delta:** Huh?

**Staff Member:** Fans, we’re sorry to inform you that we’re experiencing an audio issue! We thank you for your patience and will compensate each of you with a gift!

**Sirin:** Is this part of the surprise?

**Captain:** I don’t think so. Look, the staff are all running in that direction. I think an issue really did arise.

**Captain:** Let’s go have a look.

**Bronie:** Wait, don’t turn off the comms. Stay in touch.

**Delta:** I think I saw Theresa. Right ahead!

**Arrogant Hooligan:** Haha… No way is she a magic girl!

**Complacent Hooligan:** She’s got fake ears!

**Hooligan With an Evil Smile:** Take a picture and post it online!

**Captain:** We finally sent them off. They’re a difficult bunch.

**Theresa:** Thank you for helping us out.

**Sirin:** How did they get in?

**Theresa:** I don’t know. Maybe they exploited the security system, maybe they snuck in… Anyhow, this isn’t the first fuss we’ve had. We’ve gotten used to it.

**Captain:** Why were they harassing you?

**Theresa:** Maybe it’s because I’m not the magic girl they think I am. They say they want to tear down my stage persona and see my true identity.

**Theresa:** I could’ve handled it all by myself, actually. Despite wearing a dress, I’m still a good fighter. Too bad the staff wouldn’t let me…

**Staff Member:** Miss Theresa, for the love of god, don’t! They brought cameras to film you, and if they upload what they filmed, our whole company is done for!

**Theresa:** Oh, I was just saying. You go prepare the fan meeting now, I’ll be right there.

**Staff Member:** Miss Theresa, don’t ever beat them up in private…

**Theresa:** I know, I know! Magic girl TeRiRi would never do something so violent!

**Sirin:** …

**Delta:** …

Bronie burst into laughter at the other end of the line. I pretended to scratch my head, so I could cover the earbud and keep her laughter in.

**Theresa:** Anyway, please take these albums, I’ve signed them. You must be my fans as well, right?

**Sirin:** Um, we’re actually…

Sirin waved her hand without thinking. The other girl frowned.

**Theresa:** Your hand’s injured? Was it injured just now?

**Sirin:** Likely. Not a big deal though, it’ll heal in a couple of days.

**Theresa:** This isn’t a small deal.

Theresa took out sterilised swabs and bandages from her pocket and began treating the wound carefully.

**Sirin:** You… carry this around?

**Theresa:** I’m used to it. I have a friend who always makes a mess of herself and needs me to clean up after her.

**Theresa:** Then she went somewhere. I still think she’ll come back with bruises all over her someday, so I always bring swabs and bandages with me.

**Sirin:** I see. I thought it was because you were hurt recently.

**Theresa:** I can’t say you’re wrong.

**Theresa:** Someone stopped me when I was recording a program last month. The staff and I had a hard time shaking her off. I realised I was hurt when I got home, but luckily I could cover it with a glove.

**Sirin:** Was anyone else present injured?

**Theresa:** No, she came alone. Came for me, presumably.

**Sirin:** Can I take a look?

**Theresa:** Sure.

Theresa took off her glove. On the inside of her wrist, there was a small wound.

They could tell the wound was the same as TeRiRi’s without taking pictures.

**Theresa:** But still it was infected, so for the next few days I felt sick and woozy.

**Theresa:** But I’m much better now. The wound doesn’t hurt at all and has almost healed. Your wound is bigger than mine, so watch out for infections.

**Sirin:** Thank you.

**Staff Member:** Miss Theresa, it’s time to take to the stage.

**Theresa:** I know!

**Theresa:** I’ll be going now. I can’t have my fans waiting, can I?

**Sirin:** Um… Break a leg.

**Theresa:** Thank you, everyone~

The girl waved and flashed an idol-like smile before vanishing behind the curtains.

After a few seconds, the theme song of Magic Girl’s Heart began to play.

“A believing heart is your strength! Come shine with me!”

**Sirin:** Is this what Theresa is like in every bubble universe? In grave danger, but still…

**Delta:** What did you say?

**Sirin:** Nothing.

**Bronie:** I heard you.

**Sirin:** …

**Captain:** You saw it, right? The wound on this Theresa heals better than that of the others. Perhaps this wound will fully heal over time.

**Rita:** Biting like a kitten, how adorable. But why would Miss Luna do such a thing?

**Captain:** I have a guess. Let’s find a place to organise our thoughts.

**Bronie:** Wanna go to Cioara’s bar? Quick meal, cocktail, your call.

**Delta:** Hey, you’re the one who wants to go!

**Rita:** Miss Bronie, I won’t mind if you stay to reminisce with your old friend all night.

**Bronie:** Heh, planning to sit at the counter and watch me wipe plates? In your dreams.

**Captain:** Why would I? We’d only take memorable photos of you. SIrin, we should go.

**Sirin:** Wait.

**Sirin:** I have a bad feeling. Maybe I should go back first… to the Crescent Moon District.

She looked at the Miracle Stone in her hand. The plain-looking rock had begun glowing faintly before she knew it.

--

#### "Kasumi" Starlight

The night was thick. One by one the shops on the streets turned off their lights.

**Potion Vendor:** Can I interest you in a bottle of sweet dream potion? It guarantees its drinker a sweet dream. We’re closing, buy one and get one free!

A vendor hawked after her. The ninja didn’t respond. She walked down the street and peeled a candy.

**Kasumi:** (…It’s another sleepless day.)

She had watched this city for a long time, but still hadn’t found that person. Given her skills, this could be considered a disgrace in her ninja career.

She originally thought that person had left this bubble universe, but every indication said otherwise.

The sign of “Selling Sweet Dreams” went out. This street grew a little darker.

When a city slumped into darkness, the creatures in the shadows became restless.

Small sounds grew louder and louder under the darkness. The voracious panting and slimy gulps of magical creatures tormented her weary nerves.

**Kasumi:** (Too noisy.)

The ninja hurled the candy at the shifting shadows like a shuriken.

The annoying sounds vanished.

**???:** Nice moves.

**Kasumi:** …It’s you.

**???:** You remember me?

**Kasumi:** How could I ever forget someone who spread fake info?

**???:** Sorry. I know you’re looking for me, but I hesitated. I was waiting for the perfect timing.

**Kasumi:** (What’s she trying to say?)

The ninja stared at the ground tiles to sit her explanation out, but noticed the candy that was used as a shuriken rolled down the street. It eventually came to a stop at her feet.

She raised her head unconsciously, but before she could see the one who had arrived, she felt a strong wind…

**???:** Watch out!

A gun suddenly sounded by her ear. Instinctively or otherwise, the girl that spread lies shielded the ninja that pursued her

Not far away,a past nightmare had emerged from the shadows and closed in on them.

**Kasumi:** (Why is that thing… here?!)

**???:** Interested in a warm-up?

**Kasumi:** Hmph, of course.

**???:** You alright?

The street lamp cast an orange light on the small square. They sat on either side of the pillar by coincidence, as with their first encounter.

**Kasumi:** I’m fine.

**Kasumi:** (It was only a magical creature, not what I remember.)

**???:** Don’t you think the magical creatures have increased in number lately?

**Kasumi:** Have they?

**???:** You must’ve noticed that the city is under stricter lockdown. There are more patrol guards than before, but this hasn’t stopped the magical creatures from appearing. I wonder how they got in?

**Kasumi:** Enough. Stop hinting at things.

**Kasumi:** You spread fake info and watched us from the dark. After ensuring we walked into your trap, you should’ve left, but you had to turn back and tell me that with a guilty look.

**Kasumi:** What are you trying to achieve?

**???:** …

**???:** Before answering you, I too have a question.

**???:** You knew I lied to you, but didn’t raise your weapon at me. Why?

**Kasumi:** …

In her distant memories, the ninja once fought with someone against a tricky foe.

That someone now belonged to the past. Only the ninja shouldered the mockery of fate and made her way through the darkness.

She bore an uncanny resemblance to that someone, but she wasn’t her.

**Kasumi:** I’ve no reason to answer.

**???:** Then… let me tell you a story.

**???:** Once upon a time, a girl killed by an accident was brought back to life many years later. Afterward, she stumbles across a little girl locked in a room of her house.

**???:** The little girl didn’t have a name, but a code, A-872. Unlike the other children, she was locked up in the room and used as a tool to prolong the girl’s life.

**???:** The girl couldn’t bear to see her alone in the room, so she brought books and told stories of the outside world, unknowingly planting the seed of going outside in the heart of A-872.

**???:** One day, she helped the little girl escape from that room. Then things slowly went out of control.

**???:** At that time, the only thing that could maintain A-872’s life was blood. The more people there were, the stronger her craving for blood became. The girl began to regret, but she had to take responsibility for her decision.

**???:** She chased A-872. She went to many places, tried many methods, and finally met someone who could help. But as a condition, they had to stay and assist that person in some tasks.

**???:** As time passed, A-872 was no longer the lonely little girl in her eyes, but an… incomprehensible person.

She stopped, as if hesitating, but decided to go on anyway.

**???:** The girl thought, as long as she kept on mending A-872’s mistakes, she could find the chance to save her and change her.

**???:** But time was lost as she hesitated time after time.

**???:** The story ends here. This is that girl’s atonement, and… her plea.

**Kasumi:** I understand.

**???:** Sorry to have lied to you.

**Kasumi:** It’s nothing. What if I told you that piece of info wasn’t fake?

**???:** You mean…?

Growl…

Someone’s stomach growled at an inappropriate time.

**Kasumi:** Hungry?

**???:** Not really… I don’t need food that much.

**Kasumi:** Want another one of that candy?

**???:** Sure.

**Kasumi:** But this time, you need to tell me your name.

**???:** My name isn’t important. I’m just an involuntary chaser.

**Kasumi:** I can’t call you “Hey” every time I see you.

**Kallen:** Call me Kallen, then.

**Kasumi:** Kallen…

Perhaps it was because the ninja hadn’t uttered those syllables in a long time, but the name came out strange.

**Kallen:** Like yours, it’s only a code name.

**Kasumi:** Looks like you’ve investigated me. But that isn’t true.

**Kasumi:** Kasumi is not a code name. It’s my original name, given to me by an old friend.

**Kallen:** I see. It’s a fine name.

The ninja smiled, but said nothing.

The candy wrapping laced with light-sensitive metal threads was peeled off, revealing a light that pulsed in her eyes.

It was like a ray of starlight in the long dark.

**Kallen:** Kasumi, what I’m going to say may be incomprehensible, but crucial nonetheless.

**Kasumi:** I’m listening.

She turned her ear to her. As a ninja, she processed intel on a daily basis, so no news should be able to surprise her.

But after a moment, she frowned unconsciously.

--

#### 3-2: Bubbles

**Delta:** What’s the matter with you? Aren’t we supposed to go to the Crescent Moon District? Why did your GPS lead me here?

**Bronie:** Sorry, it’s just a little inaccurate, think of it as an exercise.

**Sirin:** This isn’t a little inaccurate!

**Rita:** Hehe!

This place was still some distance away from the Crescent Moon District. Sirin led the way, while the Miracle Stone in her waist pocket glowed ominously.

**Sirin:** How’s TeRiRi doing?

**Bronie:** Her vitals are stable, the same as before.

**Sirin:** We may not have much time left. I feel the balance of power could tip at any second, and TeRiRi… may not hold out much longer.

**Sirin:** After we get to TeRiRi’s home, you wait outside. I just need to find something, it’ll be quick.

**Rita:** But Miss Sirin, I don’t quite understand. Why are you going to find your stuff in TeRiRi’s home?

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** When we neared graduation, TeRiRi said she’d give me something that’d make me super powerful. Since she doesn’t have it with her, it can only be in her home.

**Sirin:** If I find that thing, I may have enough power to…

**Delta:** Don’t tell me you want to trade yourself for TeRiRi! How do you think she’d feel when she wakes up to the sight of you sleeping with a stone in your arms?

**Sirin:** …

**Delta:** Don’t do anything stupid, Sirin.

**Sirin:** This isn’t stupid! You don’t understand! This is all my fault, if I got there earlier, if I talked with TeRiRi, maybe none of this would’ve happened!

**Delta:** Shut up, this is stupid!

**Captain:** It’s no use bickering, we’ll see what happens. Watch your step.

They looked away angrily without a word.

Sirin seemed to know her way around the neighborhood. She led us through one empty street after another without stopping to think.

But the closer we got to our destination, the stranger it became.

According to Sirin, some of the last magical creatures lurk in this area, and are highly aggressive. Yet the few magical creatures we met on our way only scurried past us uninterested.

**Captain:** They seem to want to go somewhere. Look.

I blocked a magical creature’s way, but it only paused and went around me.

**Delta:** …Oh?

**Rita:** These primitive magical creatures aren’t intelligent, only phototactic. Unless…

We looked in the direction of the Crescent Moon District tacitly.

**Captain:** You couldn’t position accurately the last time you came, could you?

**Rita:** Of course not. During the positioning, the marker kept drifting. It was like trying to poke a big, slippery jelly.

**Captain:** Maybe… this district is actually enveloped by a jelly like that.

**Sirin:** Such as the Magic Security Bureau’s light curtain.

**Captain:** I see. That explains why the positioning is off.

**Sirin:** The light curtain requires a hefty amount of energy to be defensive, so it’s only activated in extreme situations. We were still at war with the Dark Lord when I last saw it.

**Sirin:** At the time, the idiots at the Bureau only activated the light curtain partly to save energy.

**Captain:** Won’t there be an opening?

**Sirin:** An opening? Fufu, it’s filled by magic girls, of course.

Sirin picked up her pace and walked into the woods.

**Sirin:** This way, it’s shorter.

**Delta:** Hey, were there so many magical creatures the last time we were here?

**Sirin:** Ha… maybe the Magic Security Bureau has reached its limit.

**Captain:** Watch out, they’re attacking the barrier. Part of it is already feeble.

**Rita:** If left unchecked, this might lead to a crisis. What’s to be done, Magic Girl Sirin?

**Sirin:** That’s obvious…

**Sirin:** As much as I’d love to see the Magic Security Bureau stumble, I can’t stand idle watching the civilians suffer.

**Delta:** Wait… a message from Kasumi!

**Kasumi:** Delta, you’re outside the wall, right? Give me some time. I’ll rendezvous with you.

**Sirin:** So we really can’t access the Crescent Moon District? If we use magic to attach a small barrier on the light curtain to create a passable space…

**Rita:** Regrettably, we can’t do it again. That light curtain was already fragile and wouldn’t last long. Besides, your power is severely drained by those few seconds.

**Kasumi:** The city is tightly defended. Even if you breach the light curtain, you’ll be confronted by a horde of Boulder Guardians.

Expressionlessly, the ninja looked at Sirin who was in despair.

**Sirin:** How can this be…

**Kasumi:** As you can see, after the Miracle Stone was taken out of this bubble universe, the magical creatures that occupy the castle have been looking for a light source everywhere as if they were in perpetual darkness.

**Kasumi:** So the Crescent Moon District where people live became a giant light source that attracted them.

**Delta:** Wait, the amount of energy that could constitute an Ether Anchor wasn’t detected on this stone.

**Rita:** Isn’t that mostly because those magical creatures were drawn in by Miss Vollerei’s power?

**Rita:** The moment Miss Vollerei dissipated, the light that was strong enough to attract magical creatures went out. Miss TeRiRi isn’t as strong, so she’s less attractive to them.

**Delta:** Which is to say, we haven’t found the real Ether Anchor yet?

**Kasumi:** It’s the opposite. It’s in our hands.

**Kasumi:** Remember that piece of info? “The Ether Anchor is only obtainable through the powers of a magic girl.” My investigations tell me there’s some truth to it.

**Kasumi:** This Miracle Stone is an Ether Anchor, just one that isn’t activated. The condition to activate it is…

**Sirin:** “A magic girl must become the Dark Lord.”

**Kasumi:** You already know.

A long silence.

The night wind was chilly. The light curtain enveloping the Crescent Moon District was like a huge, wobbly soap bubble that could burst at any second.

**Bronie:** I think I get it now. If we activate that rock, we’ll have a chance to wake TeRiRi and take out the Honkai beasts outside the city, but Sirin will probably be corrupted into the Dark Lord.

**Bronie:** If we don’t, the balance of power will tip soon, and TeRiRi will become the new Dark Lord.

**Bronie:** It’s devastating… It seems neither choice can end this tragic cycle.

**Captain:** For you, the new Dark Lord is also an Ether Anchor. We can complete our mission by taking her back, right?

**Kasumi:** Sure.

Sirin didn’t speak. She kept her head down, being as lonely and stubborn as when I first met her.

She tightened her body, as if helplessly trying to refuse something.

The Miracle Stone gleamed eerily. Unlike the name it was given, it could not bring a miracle.

**Kasumi:** Time to make your choice, Miss Sirin.

--

#### 3-3: Liar

The rusted iron gates were pushed open. The broken bricks and tiles everywhere silently attested to the brutality of that battle.

Sirin walked ahead. Nobody spoke on the way.

Half an hour ago, she put forward a proposal we didn’t anticipate.

**Sirin:** We can end this tragic cycle by destroying this rock, right?

**Delta:** Do you know what you’re talking about?

**Sirin:** Of course I do.

**Sirin:** There have always been more than two options, and you know that too.

**Sirin:** I’ve been bad at making decisions. If both options are equally undesirable, why don’t I just give up?

**Sirin:** I’ve screwed so many things up, I can afford one more. I’m far weaker than senior Vollerei, and too weak to save anything, so I might as well destroy it… and end it once and for all.

**Sirin:** I’ll do it at… the Dark Lord’s castle, which is far away from the city center. That place is already in ruins, so even if I fail, it won’t be too much of an impact.

**Kasumi:** …

That ninja appeared to want to say something, but said nothing at all.

**Sirin:** This is it.

Sirin stopped walking.

**Sirin:** I’ll be over in the rotunda, injecting all my power into the stone to destroy it. If it all goes well, it might attract nearby magical creatures, so I’m troubling you with the fighting.

**Kasumi:** Just leave it to us.

**Sirin:** If I succeed, Bronie will detect a change in TeRiRi’s vitals. If I fail… please don’t hold back.

**Sirin:** You’ve all got bigger things to do, right? Don’t waste more time on me.

**Delta:** Hey, stop being a major idiot!

**Captain:** It’s not a waste of time, Miss Sirin. Don’t forget we’ve formed a partnership since the beginning.

**Captain:** It’s you who investigated the leads about Theresa with us. It’s you who unraveled the nature of this stone.

**Captain:** Surely you’re aware of how indispensable you are to our team.

**Bronie:** Don’t be so hard on yourself, Sirin. If it doesn’t work, we can figure out another way together.

**Rita:** We will wait for your return, Miss Sirin.

**Sirin:** I hate this… Why are you always so kind…

Sirin rubbed her eyes, and when she looked up again, she tried to smile in front of us for the first time.

**Sirin:** Thank you all, and thank… you.

**Sirin:** Then… I’ll be off.

I could tell she was still hesitant from her steps, but she didn’t look back even once.

Sirin walked through the slant broken walls, across the moonlight-speckled ground, and toward the collapsed castle.

Toward that darkness.

**Sirin:** Senior Vollerei, TeRiRi, and senior Broboli…

**Sirin:** I’ve come.

**Sirin:** So dark…

**Sirin:** If I follow the path, I should be able to get to the core of the Seed.

**Sirin:** I finally got to see you, Vollerei.

**Sirin:** Sorry, I came too late.

A soft white brushed her consciousness gently like a feather.

It felt like someone poked her face, then mischievously pinched her nose.

**???:** Hey, Sirin…

This touch felt too real.

**???:** Wake up, I brought you the book.

**Sirin:** Huh?

Vollerie: You look so pale. Dummy, when was the last time you took a break?

**Sirin:** Senior Vollerei…

**Vollerei:** What’s with the face? Aren’t you happy to see me? I’ll go then.

**Sirin:** No, I’m very happy… I…

**Vollerei:** So honest? I thought you’d snap your head to the side and say “am not” gruffly. I can’t believe how much you’ve changed since then.

**Sirin:** …Am not.

**Vollerei:** Haha~ But a closer look shows me you’ve grown thinner and taller? This desk looks smaller in comparison.

**Sirin:** You… don’t seem to be surprised to see me here.

**Vollerei:** What’s surprising about this? I know not only that you’d come, but also that you’ve been calling me a liar in your mind.

**Sirin:** …

**Vollerei:** Quiet again. Did I speak your mind?

**Vollerei:** Okay, I’ll admit I lied to you and locked you out back then. Not the most elegant move, but you can’t blame it all on me.

**Sirin:** But we’re friends!

**Sirin:** We could’ve worked it out together, faced it together… I know to you we’re useless juniors, but even a little help from us might’ve made a difference.

**Vollerei:** Pfft~ It’s been so long since I last saw you puff your cheeks.

**Vollerei:** “What can two fresh graduates do in this major event?” You must believe that’s what I thought, right?

**Sirin:** Isn’t that so?

**Vollerei:** Of course not.

**Vollerei:** You and TeRiRi are smart and fast learners. You lacked field experience, but you were able to follow closely until the last minute. That’s a real feat.

**Vollerei:** Broboli said we must save a trump card for everything. I know what being a magic girl means. Broboli and I aren’t planning to sit around.

**Vollerei:** Under the circumstances, we could only trust our friends. Therefore, you and TeRiRi aren’t “useless juniors”, but the precious trump cards we saved for tomorrow.

**Sirin:** But… I’m not a qualified trump card! I’m still not strong enough to defeat the Dark Lord or save you… I could only think of a terrible solution, I…

**Vollerei:** What do people say, dummies will be dummies.

**Vollerei:** You’ve never acknowledged yourself, have you? Even though you came first in the graduation exam and acquired a new power, you’re still hesitant and scared of taking a step forward.

**Vollerei:** What are you hesitating for, Sirin?

**Sirin:** …

**Vollerei:** Okay, we’ve talked long enough. Go. Broboli and TeRiRi are waiting for you.

**Sirin:** Senior Broboli is here too?

**Vollerei:** Duh, why would I leave my friend’s soul in a hellhole? Don’t you know? For a magic girl, so long as her soul is kept in a vessel, she isn’t considered dead.

**Vollerei:** So even if you break this stone into powder, so long as you remember us, we won’t disappear. Now you can finally stride forward without misgivings, eh?

**Sirin:** Liar…

**Sirin:** Senior Vollerei, you’re a liar!

**Vollerei:** Why are you crying all of a sudden? Not this, I’m bad with kids… Now, now, don’t cry.

**Sirin:** I’m not a kid. Stop lying to me.

**Vollerei:** Okay, I promise to never lie to you again. Once we meet Broboli and TeRiRi, you’ve gotta look happier, or they’ll accuse me of bullying you.

**Sirin:** Right.

**Vollerei:** Then… smile for me?

She bit her lip. Meekly yet strainedly, she smiled.

**Vollerei:** Well that looks horrible.

**Vollerei:** Go forward, Sirin, don’t make them wait too long.

**Broboli:** Hi, Sirin, long time no see.

Sirin unconsciously reached out to touch her arm.

It felt hard and cold.

**Broboli:** Hey, I actually exist.

Broboli pinched Sirin’s cheek.

**Broboli:** The tip of your nose and your eyes are red… Did you cry? Did Vollerei bully you again?

**Sirin:** Oh no, not at all, I was just extremely happy… How much time do we have left?

**Broboli:** Enough for us to have a chat.

**Broboli:** Since you’re here, I assume you read the textbooks we left. Is there anything you want to know? Such as why we didn’t choose to destroy it, and instead use the forbidden magic?

**Sirin:** Because you’re hoping we could find another solution?

**Broboli:** Clever, but not entirely correct.

**Broboli:** The correct answer is, this seed is at its weakest when the Dark Lord is slumbering. The problem is, everyone is strained from simply maintaining the balance, and doesn’t have the energy left to destroy it.

**Broboli:** Luckily, you came.

**Broboli:** Maybe that perfect solution never existed, but the fact that you made it here means our gamble paid off. Magic girls will welcome a tomorrow where they’re truly free.

**Sirin:** Then… how can I destroy the seed?

**Broboli:** See that transparent greenhouse out front? It houses the core of the seed. Its glass protects it from our power.

**Broboli:** If my assumption is correct, it should still be wilted. We should be able to destroy it easily once we get inside the greenhouse.

**Broboli:** We’ll continue to maintain the balance of power until you succeed. Just focus on your task.

**Sirin:** Um, I have another question…

**Sirin:** Will everyone hurt when the seed is destroyed?

**Broboli:** Hmm… It won’t be very painful. I promise it’s like falling asleep. If I had to describe it, it’d feel like this?

Broboli flicked Sirin’s forehead lightly.

**Broboli:** Sirin, it’s good to see you again.

**TeRiRi:** You’ve seen them, haven’t you? Are you surprised?

**TeRiRi:** To be honest, I wasn’t expecting you. Now that we’re all here, it’s starting to feel like a class reunion.

**TeRiRi:** Ah, yes, do you remember that photo? The one we took together when you graduated? We only took one photo and I took it. It’s been standing on my bedside table ever since.

**TeRiRi:** Now it’s yours.

**TeRiRi:** Oh yeah, and this…

TeRiRi opened a book and took out a translucent card.

**TeRiRi:** Before the graduation exam, didn’t I say I’d give you something that’d make you super powerful?

**TeRiRi:** Ta-da! It’s this bookmark. At that time you looked under the weather, so me and my senior wanted to make you an amulet. We even painted a special blessing on it.

**TeRiRi:** But only half of it remains. I don’t know where the other half went…

**Sirin:** I’m sorry, TeRiRi.

**TeRiRi:** Huh?

**Sirin:** I’m sorry. If only I went to the castle with you that night…

**TeRiRi:** Oh, it’s fine. Actually, you were right that there’s no Miracle Stone.

**TeRiRi:** If I listened to you in the very beginning, quit the Magic Security Bureau and left, maybe things wouldn’t have come to this.

**Sirin:** But if that was the case, we wouldn’t have the chance to see senior Vollerei and senior Broboli again.

**TeRiRi:** That’s right. So there’s nothing to regret, right?

**Sirin:** Right.

**TeRiRi:** Teehee. I feel so strange right now. We haven’t had a nice chat like this for heaven-knows-how-long.

**Sirin:** Sorry to have avoided you. It’s just that, every time I see you, I recall my seniors…

**TeRiRi:** I’ve long forgiven you. We’re best friends, after all! You always act cold and tough, but I know your heart is softer than anyone else’s.

**TeRiRi:** Ah, are you going to the greenhouse? Take this bookmark with you. Technically, it’s only half of the bookmark, but it might come in handy.

**Sirin:** I know it will.

**TeRiRi:** You can do it, Sirin!

**Sirin:** How come there’s a butterfly here? Did it get swept in?

The blue butterfly quietly sat there and didn’t leave.

**Sirin:** Weird. It’s like senior Vollerei is watching me… I’ll just keep going.

**Sirin:** You’ll all be watching me, right?

…

**Sirin:** I didn’t think I’d make it this far.

The place was quieter than she imagined. She could only hear her own heart beating nervously.

In the empty greenhouse, there was only one crooked, leafless tree. Apparently, it had been dead for years, and could be snapped like a twig.

Only when she got closer did she notice a dark red light coursing under its trunk.

**Sirin:** It’s finally ending…

Vollerei, Broboli, and TeRiRi were no longer visible in the greenhouse. Sirin took a deep breath and concentrated her magic on her palm.

An all-out blow!

**Sirin:** Strange, nothing happened.

**Sirin:** No way… That much power wasn’t enough?

She closed her eyes, recalled what she learned in school, and channeled the magic throughout her body…

**Sirin:** I’ll… fell you!

The dead tree stood still.

**Sirin:** Impossible… How can I not be able to do this! I promised them…

**Sirin:** Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn itttttttt!

She concentrated magic over and over again, and failed over and over again, until her hand was covered in cuts, until she was exhausted.

**???:** “Dumb Sirin only cries and walks behind others! She isn’t fit to be a magic girl!”

**Sirin:** Who’s there?

**???:** “Nobody expected a worthless idiot to do anything.”

**Sirin:** Get out!

**???:** Hoohoo, what a baby. Already angry?

**???:** Oh my, “I promised them, but I can’t”.

**Sirin:** It’s you… Sirin.

**Sirin:** You always call others liars, but have you realised that you’re the biggest liar?

--

#### "Sirin" Miracle!

**Sirin:** You always call others liars, but have you realised that you’re the biggest liar?

**Sirin:** I don’t lie, I do what I say.

**Sirin:** Oh, then what do you plan to do now, gnaw at the tree’s bark? Bend it little by little with your hands?

**Sirin:** It’d be hilarious if these are the pure physical attacks I’ve heard about.

**Sirin:** Move it, I don’t have time to waste on you.

**Sirin:** Yeah, you’re in a hurry, but I’m not. If you beg me on your knees and disappear from this world by choice, I could consider breaking a few branches for you.

**Sirin:** I said move it.

**Sirin:** Welp, guess that means you don’t need my help. Are you really going to scratch the bark here for eternity?

**Sirin:** You stole all my power and show up now just to laugh at me. What do you want?

**Sirin:** I need to correct that I didn’t steal your power, but you gave it up and handed it over to me yourself.

**Sirin:** When did I…?!

**Sirin:** I see, being a long-time liar has messed with your self-concept.

**Sirin:** Looks like you’ve forgotten your juvenile and foolish self.

Knock knock knock.

The person knocking on the door was persistent. She lost count of how many times she had done this lately.

**TeRiRi:** Sirin, I went to senior Vollerei and senior Broboli’s rooms today. You don’t know how many books they’ve hoarded… Guess what I found?

**Sirin:** …

In the corner of the room, the girl curled into a ball and squeezed the small plush in her arms, as if that would shut out the sounds of the outside world.

**TeRiRi:** Sirin, I know you’re home. I found something possibly related to the Dark Lord in senior Broboli’s books. Wanna read it together?

**Sirin:** …

**TeRiRi:** Please, Sirin, I beg you to open the door. I have many things to say to you…and I’m very worried about you.

A long silence.

**TeRiRi:** I left the book by your door. When you’re feeling better, you can read it. I’m sure you can understand it, since you do much better than me in tests.

**Sirin:** …

She pressed her head into the plush.

**Sirin:** Please, just leave me alone.

**Sirin:** Why… Why am I reminded of that day whenever you show up?

**Sirin:** It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault, it’s all my fault…

**Sirin:** If only time had stopped before graduation, if only I hadn’t been in that fight, if only I had stopped them, if only I was stronger, if only I was more independent…

She stared blankly at the plush, and her pale, frail hands.

“If only nothing had happened.”

**TeRiRi:** Sirin! Wait, Sirin!

**TeRiRi:** Why are you throwing away all these books?! They were senior Broboli and senior Vollerei’s…

**TeRiRi:** And this music box, and this Bella plush I made for you, wasn’t she your favorite? Why would you throw her away?!

**Sirin:** I don’t need them anymore.

Sirin turned her head away, not daring to look TeRiRi in the eye.

**TeRiRi:** Are you throwing away everything that’s connected to us?

TeRiRi’s voice trembled a little. She stood next to the dumpster, barely able to hold all the bits and pieces she just retrieved in her arms. Among them was the Bella plush whose head drooped in dejection.

**Sirin:** Since I’m moving to the Crescent Moon District, I should start over, shouldn’t I?

**TeRiRi:** Hey! Wait!

Sirin strode away without looking back once.

**Sirin:** (I can’t dwell on the past any longer.)

**Sirin:** (They won’t come back. I have to grow independent… I can’t keep crying at those things.)

**Sirin:** (Get yourself together, Sirin. Stop being a baby.)

**Sirin:** (Get stronger faster, get braver faster…)

Something in her pocket rustled with her every step.

She reached into her pocket and took out a bookmark.

On the translucent card was a meticulously drawn sigil where a luscious light coursed due to magic.

**Sirin:** (Anyhow, I must live out my life… so that their sacrifices aren’t in vain.)

Her fingers were trembling.

The next moment, that bookmark broke in half, and drifted to the ground like two withered leaves.

**Sirin:** (That idiot is looking for a way to penetrate the defense of the Boulder Guardians again.)

**Sirin:** (When will she realise her error? She’s failed too many times.)

She stood in the dark and watched TeRiRi being chased around by patrol guards. She suddenly remembered the time when the four of them snuck into the resitrcted section of their school library.

Broboli and Vollerei searched through the books while TeRiRi and herself were on the lookout. They managed to lure Principal Cecilia away, but bumped into Miss Shigure in the corridor.

The girls winked tacitly and walked Miss Shigure around. In the end, they were caught and punished to stand by the teachers, not for banned books, but for making fun of their teacher.

**Sirin:** (Maybe… I should help her?)

**Sirin:** (I can draw their attention by walking out of the shadows… It just takes one step.)

The dividing line between light and dark was by her feet, and looked as glaring as a cliff.

**Sirin:** (…Forget it.)

**Sirin:** (If she gets caught, she’ll give up on trying to get out, right?)

**Sirin:** (This is okay. As long as I do nothing, nothing bad will happen to everyone.)

**Sirin:** What have I done… Why did I make so many cruel decisions…

**Sirin:** You’ve remembered?

**Sirin:** You fabricated an ideal shell to withdraw into, and made me clean up after you. Do you find this fair?

**Sirin:** Luckily, you were so well-disguised that nobody found out how foolish you truly are. Now all I have to do is lift a finger, and you’ll be a goner to make Sirin properly strong.

**Sirin:** I won’t let you do it!

**Sirin:** Is that all you’ve got? Fufu, you’re an intriguing one. But you can’t divide your attention.

**Sirin:** Were you trying to fell that dead tree? Let me see which hand you were using…

One step. Two steps. The white-haired magic girl approached the purple-haired girl frozen in place.

**Sirin:** Oh, now I remember. It’s the left hand.

Golden threads wrapped around her arm and tightened their grip. An immense pain spread down her arm, corroding her every nerve.

**Sirin:** …Ngh!

**Sirin:** Too painful to talk?

**Sirin:** Huff… huff…

**Sirin:** Tight-lipped? We’ll see about that. You can’t even lift a finger now. I’ll give you ten seconds. If you don’t give me an answer, I’ll take it as you surrendering.

**Sirin:** Ten.

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts…!”

**Sirin:** Nine.

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts…!”

“So a second could be this long.”

**Sirin:** Eight.

“I want to hide… but I can’t run away again.”

“I must… destroy the seed.”

“Everyone’s waiting for me.”

**Sirin:** Seven.

**Sirin:** (Am I… out of chances…?)

She could hardly breathe, and her vision began to blur.

“Yes, but not exactly. I drafted a plan…”

She heard a familiar voice in her head.

“First, take a deep breath. Free yourself from emotions and organise what you know.”

**Sirin:** (What I… know…)

“I’ve long forgiven you. We’re best friends, after all! You always act cold and tough, but I know your heart is softer than anyone else’s.”

**Sirin:** (TeRiRi was right, I was never alone…)

“See that transparent greenhouse out front? It houses the core of the seed. Its glass protects it from our power.”

“If my assumption is correct, it should still be wilted. We should be able to destroy it easily once we get inside the greenhouse.”

**Sirin:** (I’ve tried many ways, but still couldn’t destroy it.)

“You’ve never acknowledged yourself, have you? Even though you came first in the graduation exam and acquired a new power, you’re still hesitant and scared of taking a step forward.”

“What are you hesitating for, Sirin?”

**Sirin:** (Yeah, what am I hesitating for?)

**Sirin:** (I might be too immature, but my friends still believe I can create miracles.)

*[CG plays wherein Sirin manages to mend the broken bookmark, empowering herself:*

***Sirin:** So I also want to trust myself and take a step forward.*

***Sirin:** Then I’ll take all the steps down the road.*

***Sirin:** In the name of magic girls, I’ll end this tragic cycle.*]

**Sirin:** Three.

“I finally understand that there’s no shortcut to growing up.”

**Sirin:** Two.

“You don’t grow up by telling yourself to be brave, to be calm, and to stop being a baby all the time.”

“The perfect disguise is still a disguise.”

**Sirin:** I’ll never surrender!

**Sirin:** What foolish stubbornness. Forget your futile struggling, it’s but a waste of time.

**Sirin:** Time? I have plenty. Senior Broboli said they’ll maintain this balance until I succeed.

The white-haired magic girl looked down at her and sneered.

**Sirin:** Since you’re so spirited, I don’t mind prolonging our game. The ending has been written, anyway.

**Sirin:** I wouldn’t be so sure.

The purple-haired girl leaped up like a desperate bird and a piercing arrow.

**Sirin:** Ngh…!

Then came a thud accompanied by a shatter.

Time stopped flowing. All that was left was the sound of frantic heartbeats.

**Sirin:** Why you… Just how many more surprises do you have in store?

**Sirin:** Break the greenhouse and the external power can pour in. Combine the strength of you four and the dead tree can be broken. Heh, that was quite clever.

**Sirin:** But does headbutting count as an actual move? Who taught you that? You fool, you don’t know how to battle at all.

**Sirin:** That’s okay. I’ll learn.

**Sirin:** I’ve decided that if I get another chance, I’ll pick up all the memories that I’ve thrown away before. Be it pain or despair, they’re all part of Sirin.

**Sirin:** Without them… I’ll never be complete, or be able to move forward.

**Sirin:** You’re me, you’re Sirin’s lies, you’re the mature me who I long to be. But no matter how I disguise myself, the real me is still that child who hides in the shadows and is afraid of taking a step forward.

**Sirin:** Rest assured that I won’t go hiding in that shell again. Once this is over, could you teach me all the knowledge I’ve missed? If you’re willing, that is.

**Sirin:** Heh… Listen to yourself.

**Sirin:** Haven’t you learned that already? You think you’re holding me down by sheer luck? This favor is free. I’m charging next time.

**Sirin:** What?

*[CG plays wherein the area they were fighting in fades away in a flash:*

***Sirin:** You just made a big leap forward.*

***Sirin:** Don’t be teary-eyed anymore!*

***Sirin:** Let me see your smile!*

***Sirin:** Wait, what did you say? Hey!*]

The pure white world crumbled like quicksand. Winds brushed past her cheek, taking away a warm raindrop.

“Good night, magic girl Vollerei.”

“Good night, magic girl Broboli.”

“Good night, magic girl TeRiRi.”

“Good night, blue butterfly.”

“Good night, Sirin.”

--

#### 3-4: Before Dawn

**Sirin:** Is this the end?

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** It’s so quiet.

**Sirin:** I’m really alone this time.

**Sirin:** What… should I do? I don’t even know what kind of vessels they want to keep souls.

**Vollerei:** Hey, don’t go for the pinky heart-shaped ones. Disgusting.

…

**Broboli:** I can fit into a hat. It sounds good to be a Mad Hatter, perhaps.

**Sirin:** Huh…?

**Sirin:** Ehhhhhhh?!

**Vollerei:** What? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

**Sirin:** Aren’t you already… already…

**Broboli:** Come on! Why would there be tragedies in the world of magic girls?

**Vollerei:** To be honest, I thought I was doomed this time. But the moment the seed was destroyed, there seemed to be a force that stopped time, and then we found ourselves back here.

Sirin unconsciously reached out to touch her arm.

It was a soft, warm touch.

**Broboli:** Relax, we aren’t ghosts, and you aren’t hallucinating.

**???:** It’s like finally waking up from a long dream.

**Sirin:** And you are…?

The unknown girl tilted her head with a smile, then made a butterfly sign.

**???:** The blue butterfly, remember?

**Vollerei:** Her identity is rather special. I’ll tell you later.

**???:** By the way, aren’t you going to say hello to the people over there? They’ve been waiting for you.

Sirin looked to the foyer. The first person to walk in was Delta, then Kasumi, Rita, and…

**Sirin:** Captain!

**Captain:** You did extraordinarily, Sirin.

**Captain:** You must be exhausted! You can go back to the Hyperion and rest up… Wait, what did you just call me?

**Sirin:** Nothing… It’s just that I can’t keep calling you “Hey”.

She mumbled, her ears slightly flushed.

**Rita:** Fufu~ It’s okay, Miss Sirin, being honest with your feelings is the first step to growing up.

**Delta:** If you ask me, she’s got a whole lot to learn.

**Sirin:** …

**Sirin:** Sorry, I don’t think you can get your job done.

**Delta:** Nah, we’ll be scolded at worst. But it’ll be totally worth it to see her get roasted.

Delta threw a glance at Kasumi. The ninja’s face twitched slightly.

**Delta:** Bronie contacted us a while ago. SHe said that TeRiRi has woken up and is doing good. That TeRiRi, after she heard that the town was surrounded by magical creatures, she insisted on coming over to join us.

**Sirin:** She’s like that… Come on, let’s go to the Crescent Moon District.

**Captain:** Then let’s head out now.

**Sirin:** You can stay here. The problems of the magic girl world should be fixed by the magic girls.

**Sirin:** Once this is over, maybe I’ll… I’ll decide when that time comes.

**Captain:** Okay, be careful out there.

I watched the girls walk toward the foyer, but didn’t notice a small white figure had stopped beside me.

**???:** Captain, thank you.

Looking into her blue eyes, I was reminded again of that never-ending summer, that melted sea salt popsicle, and that grudging downpour.

**Captain:** No need to be so polite… Seele.

**Seele:** Captain, have you found that person yet?

**Captain:** Not yet, but I’m getting close.

**Seele:** Captain, you will find that person. I’ll cheer for you every day!

She waved before running toward the magic girls and into the misty dawn.

**Delta:** We should set out too. Our job here is done.

**Kasumi:** Wait, I still have something to tell this Captain.

**Captain:** …I hope it’s not bad news, such as I’m also an Ether Anchor.

**Kasumi:** Not that.

The ninja paused. She looked at me as if I was somebody else, which made me tense up instinctively.

**Kasumi:** When I was investigating in this bubble universe, I came across two leads. As a ninja not under your employ, I’m not obligated to report to you.

**Kasumi:** But I will inform you on my own behalf.

**Kasumi:** The first lead is that the person you’re investigating is targeting Theresa and Theresa alone.

**Kasumi:** The second lead is that she’s long since stopped sucking blood to sustain her life.

**Captain:** Stopped sucking blood? But those bite marks…

**Kasumi:** That’s all I know. I cannot guarantee the veracity of those leads.

**Captain:** Thank you for the leads. If there’s anything I can help you with…

**Kasumi:** That’d be unnecessary. The next time we meet, we will be enemies.

**Delta:** We’re counting on you, bye~

Delta winked and left with the ninja.

**Captain:** (…I should’ve realised.)

**Captain:** (Princess Kongming discovered something undisclosable, that’s why she left that note. There must be an ulterior reason for her being so cryptic.)

**Captain:** (Firstly, she only wanted me to see that note. The note was tucked under the chessboard, which was impossible for someone who didn’t play chess against her often to notice.)

**Captain:** (Secondly, the note wasn’t only alluding to me, but also to herself. “Those who recognise the situation live and those who break it survive” can be interpreted as she choosing to break the passive situation at hand.)

**Captain:** (So Princess Kongming should’ve left the ship of her own accord to meet Luna.)

Princess Kongming’s note was still in my pocket. Because I wasn’t sure of her intention, I hadn’t mentioned it to the others.

**Captain:** (Based on the leads we acquired in those bubble universes, Luna has been indiscriminately attacking those who resemble her and sucking their blood.)

**Captain:** (Maybe she didn’t take away those Theresas because she’s already accomplished her goal.)

**Captain:** (But if sucking blood is no longer a requisite for survival, why would she keep doing it across bubble universes?)

A collection of age-old memories surfaced.

Like a broadcast heard on an old radio, at first it was too muffled to make out the words, then at some point it suddenly became unmistakably clear.

“Her vampiric attacks can inject microbial-size Honkai beasts into her victims.”

“They will also display vampiric urges similar to that of A-872… and share a life link with A-872.”

**Captain:** (Something seems to be different from what I remember.)

**Captain:** (Those Theresas we saw didn’t display any vampiric urges.)

**Captain:** (But I can’t figure out why Luna would share her life with them when they have no problem living normally.)

“The blood-sucking behavior of the infected will strengthen A-872. As long as A-872 isn’t fatally threatened, the infected will be nearly immortal.”

**Captain:** (As long as A-872 isn’t fatally threatened…)

I unconsciously repeated that audio in my memory, my back already drenched in sweat and cold to the bone.

**Rita:** Captain, you’ve surely reached a conclusion by now?

**Captain:** By sucking blood, Luna left marks that connected her to other Theresas, for the purpose of…

Turning all Theresas into her hostages?

I opened my mouth, but couldn’t say the answer.

Why did she do it? What happened in these past years? I had no way of knowing.

The girl who only wanted to see the outside world seemed to have turned into someone alien.

Had I found her earlier, would the situation be redeemable?

Is she who turned Theresa into hostages and the girls who seek the Ether Anchors connected in some way?

**Captain:** Rita, is this the place where you discovered the dream particles?

**Rita:** Yes, it’s a little distance ahead. Would you like to see it for yourself?

**Captain:** Yes, I feel like I’m missing some information.

**Rita:** Then please follow me.

**Rita:** Many tenacious magical creatures have gathered here. If you don’t follow me closely, I’ll be rather worried.

**Rita:** How are you?

**Captain:** Don’t worry, I can keep up.

**Rita:** But you’re sweating profusely. I suggest we take a break here. THose dream particles won’t disappear over time.

**Captain:** Somehow I feel that… we’re running out of time.

Cold sweat slid down my spine. I tried to hide my fatigue, but Rita saw through my act.

The communication indicator suddenly lit up.

**Bronie:** I have super great news! Wanna hear it?

**Bronie:** Just now, I accidentally found the coordinates of the bubble universe where Luna is. Isn’t that the best news you’ve heard today?

**Captain:** …It’s our first time obtaining a lead so direct.

**Bronie:** Yeah, that baffles me, but at least it’s something. Even if it’s a trap, it’s worth checking out just to see who our enemy is.

**Bronie:** By the way, Captain, you have to pay me more this time, at least double… no, triple the usual. How about it?

**Bronie:** Captain?

**Bronie:** Hello? Captain? Are you listening?

--

#### 3-5: Promise

The dark cliff, the dark moon.

I carefully climbed up until a green vine came into my view.

The vine was wobbly. If I grabbed it, I may be able to climb higher and see the road beneath me, or my weight may snap it and I’d fall into a bottomless pit.

“Have you ever observed ants?”

Who was that?

“Draw a circle around the ants with a stick, and they’ll be trapped inside it. Ants that can’t find an exit will probably run around in the circle until they’re exhausted.”

“If you put a stick in the circle, do you think they’d climb out?”

The vine dangled. It might break off at any minute.

**[CHOICE] =** Grab it

Grab it, and become a lab rat? At least that would beat wandering aimlessly in the darkness.

Maybe it’d turn out fine.

The moment I grabbed it, it broke off as expected, and dragged me into the bottomless pit.

**[CHOICE] =** Bypass it

Would grabbing it make a difference? I’m not that gullible.

I tried to avoid it and felt my way along the dark cliff, but without a footing, I slipped and fell into the bottomless pit.

**[CHOICE] =** Do nothing

I sat in place. There was no sight to see, but my tense body relaxed nonetheless.

The next moment, the dark cliff crumbled. The ending was clearly predetermined.

**Luna Kindred:** Is this the Ether Anchor? It looks very plain.

**Luna Kindred:** There’s no need to be evasive. I know the gifts of fate have been secretly priced.

**Luna Kindred:** Say it. What do you want me to do?

**Luna Kindred:** “Opens at 17:30 every day and doesn’t have a regular closing time. Serves snacks and cocktails.”

**Luna Kindred:** If only we could open a restaurant together.

**Luna Kindred:** Can you cook? I’ve always wanted to try the black truffle chocolate grilled steak you talked about.

**Luna Kindred:** As for me, I can entertain the guests, and my sister will often help us out. We can call all our friends over after closing in weekends and make ginormous cotton candies together.

**Luna Kindred:** …

**Luna Kindred:** Those two in the eatery look so close. It makes me a bit reluctant to interrupt their conversation.

After a while, she sighed softly, the wind chimes on the door jingling.

**Luna Kindred:** Hi. Can I order now?

Unfamiliar scenes flooded into the brain, overloading neurons.

But was this the time to stop?

**[CHOICE] =** Continue

**Luna Kindred:** Sister, celebrate my birthday with me.

**Luna Kindred:** It doesn’t matter. If I want, every day is my birthday. I’m going to make up for all the birthdays I didn’t get to celebrate with you.

**Luna Kindred:** Teehee, let’s blow the candle and make a wish together.

**Luna Kindred:** I wish…

**Luna Kindred:** Begone, Theresa.

**Luna Kindred:** Sometimes I fantasise that I had the chance to go to school back then.

**Luna Kindred:** Scribbling on textbooks, eating snacks with friends in class and getting caught, hanging out with them after school and agreeing to see each other the next day…

**Luna Kindred:** By the way, what would you do if you found out students were bad-mouthing you behind your back?

**Luna Kindred:** Haha… You’re a kind teacher.

**Luna Kindred:** Going to school… Thank you. Someone like me has long since lost the chance to experience it.

Her fingers had become numb. Only the stinging pain from her heart kept her mind lucid.

But was this the time to stop?

**[CHOICE] =** Continue

**Luna Kindred:** Haaah… So cold.

**Luna Kindred:** It’s so wet on rainy days. I hate it.

**Luna Kindred:** But why are your hands always so warm?

**Luna Kindred:** Do you remember our promise? At that time, I said I’d wait, no matter how long it’d take.

**Luna Kindred:** But now I’ve changed my mind. I… don’t want to see you again.

**Luna Kindred:** This dump doesn’t even have a ceiling. Aren’t you cold? You’ll be soaked if it rains.

**Luna Kindred:** …

**Luna Kindred:** Oops, I forgot you’re sleeping and can’t answer me.

**Luna Kindred:** …

**Luna Kindred:** I’m bored. My sister went to work again. I wanted to go with her, but she wouldn’t let me.

**Luna Kindred:** But I followed her secretly, hehe. Guess what I found out?

**Luna Kindred:** That’s right, she’s been lying to me.

**Luna Kindred:** I don’t understand. She said she’ll help me to the end… but it’s fine, I’m not mad at all. Even if I’m alone, I can do it.

**Luna Kindred:** I’ve always been alone anyway.

The consciousness had reached its tolerance limit. If this continued, it’d eventually…

**[CHOICE] =** Continue

At first, it was a viscous fog.

The fog faded, revealing a world of bloody red.

But just keep moving the stiff limbs forward, toward the disjointed sobbing, and one would discover…

I’m back in that place again.

I didn’t know if I was in a dream.

I only knew she must be waiting for me.

The light from street lamps and the moon intertwined in the dark alley, exactly the same as that night.

The endless waiting felt like a moment. Nothing had changed.

As if nothing had happened, and everything could be saved.

Fingertips had been numbed by the cold, but the heart beat with a fiery vigor.

Every step pained like being pierced by a million needles.

But almost there!

The next corner, in the next corner, she would surely be gasping sharply in agony on the cold tiles, just as she remembered.

And this time, I’ll…

*[CG plays wherein the Captain comes face-to-face with A-872 once again in the dream:*

***Luna Kindred:** I'm glad to see you didn’t forget our promise.*

***Luna Kindred:** But, sorry. Unfortunately, I may be unable to keep my promise to you.*]

Transcription provided by PXLPancakes