Days of rain and the humid coastal air in the summer have make the Aomizu conservation area feel muggy.
The Engineering Force, the administrators, and the Diplomatic Court officers... The not very large meeting room is packed with all kinds of people, discussing about the conservation area's reconstruction matters.
There aren't enough stools in the room. Some have to stand in the back, leaning against the wall while taking notes of the meeting.
Occasionally, there is a click of the lighter, followed by the sound of tobacco being ignited. The smoke is exhaled, rises slowly, and then gets scattered by the fan on the ceiling.
The meeting went on for hours. Everyone's a bit drowsy.
Someone forces their way through their colleagues to the window and opens it. The salty and fishy wind immediately comes in and wakes everyone up.
This is ridiculous!
We don't have enough people—there's no way we can handle all these construction projects at once!
If we want to meet the deadline here in the west, then we'll have to postpone the construction of the residential area in the south.
We have already announced the construction schedule for the residential area to everyone in the conservation area. This can't wait.
The rainy season has already begun. Soon, we'll have another group of people moving in. We must ensure that everyone has proper living conditions.
Then send more people here!
About that...
Amidst the arguments, things have been sorted out one by one.
Next, we'll hear from... Gray Raven Commandant [player name].
Everyone stops taking notes. There is a brief silence. Then, everything returns to normal. Some stand on their tiptoes to peer over other colleagues' heads. Low murmurs can be heard here and there.
Look...
Is that the Gray Raven Commandant...?
A human sitting in a corner walks to the front of the room and projects a terrain map of Aomizu onto the screen.
Dark clouds of work constantly loom over the blue summer sky.
The meeting is finally over when it's well past noon. Attendees rush out of the meeting room and breathe in fresh air deeply.
Commandant!
A familiar voice comes beside you. Someone pats your shoulder.
You look back. Lucia is standing next to you, smiling quietly.
All done with work?
Lucia takes out a bento box from behind and hands it to you.
I knew you hadn't eaten yet, so I got some food for you.
The lengthy meeting in the morning has left you famished.
You take the bento and walk toward the bench nearby with Lucia.
Yeah. There have been many unexpected things happening lately.
First, heavy rains caused a landslide, destroying some of the buildings near the mountainside, and many rescue workers fell ill after being caught in the rain.
Followed by attacks from a small group of wandering Corrupted... Speaking of which, some residents will be moving here soon, right?
You chat with Lucia while having your food.
Are you disappointed, Commandant?
Having to work overtime, even on such a rare vacation.
Once we finish work, we can spend the last few days having fun together.
Besides, the conservation area is hosting a summer festival in a few days. I'm really looking forward to going with you, Commandant.
Speaking of that, Commandant, have you gotten yourself a swimsuit? You'll need it for all those seaside activities I mentioned.
Your conversation is interrupted by the beeps of the terminal. You check on your terminal.
New mission?
You take the last bite of your meal.
Lucia takes the bento box and watches the human leave.
A lazy vibe steals over the summer afternoon. After work in the morning, people have rested, and the whole town has quieted down.
On the quiet street, Lucia walks toward the residence.
She has to take another path as her usual path has been blocked by building materials.
And because of this, she comes across a shop unexpectedly.
"New Universal Swimwear"?
Though named as a "company," it's more like a "shop" in terms of its size.
The shop is roughly divided into two sections. On one side hang swimming equipment like surfboards and swim rings. On the other side are all kinds of swimsuits.
On a slightly old step ladder in the room, a red-haired girl is standing on her tiptoes, replacing a light while making some strange noises.
Huff... puff...
It's just that the ladder is not tall enough, the girl tries hard but still can't reach the light tube.
Huff... I should've...
The ladder creaks as she moves.
I should have asked Lazer to help... Whoa... Ahhhhh!
A joint suddenly snaps, and the girl falls from the ladder.
Watch out!
Lucia rushes in to catch the red-haired girl.
Upon holding the girl, Lucia feels the unusual weight and touch of her.
(Mechanoid?)
Amina regains her footing and smooths her clothes.
Thanks for your help. I'm Amina, a toy merchant.
As you see, I'm running this New Universal Swimwear.
...I'm Lucia.
So you are Lucia! I've heard Nanami mention you before!
Amina circles around Lucia, looking her up and down in excitement.
Well... Well... You are a rare beauty.
Have you bought any swimsuit this year, Lucia?
Lucia feels like she has entered some weird situation.
No, not yet...
Actually, we Constructs don't really need swimsuits...
Lucia's voice drops gradually. She thinks of the summer Coatings she saw. The Plume frame has a summer Coating as well...
You... don't?
...Do... Do we?
Lucia falls into deep thought.
I've decided! I'm going to give a swimsuit, Lucia!
...?
It's called advertising.
The kind of propaganda a start-up needs.
Plus a little thank-you for your help!
Amina keeps going while pushing out a mannequin dressed in a blue swimsuit.
This swimsuit is inspired by the legends of Aomizu—it's my take on recreating the appearance of the Ocean Moon Goddess.
The Ocean Moon Goddess?
Yes. Legend has it that the goddess always appears with water clovers.
Could you tell me more about water clovers?
Um... I don't really remember. A businesswoman is always busy. Sometimes I forget things.
Anyway, just try this one on.
A short period of dressing later.
Gooorgeous!
I knew it! This swimsuit suits you perfectly!
Isn't this a bit too expensive...?
Do you have someone who you "want to put on a swimsuit and spend the summer with?"
...Yes.
Perfect, then.
You are happy as long as you're with that person, right?
What the world lacks is happiness!
So, just go ahead, Lucia!
Humid air invades half of the town in the endless chirping of cicadas.
After wrapping everything up, Lucia and the human come to Aomizu's market on the last day of the summer vacation.
I want that candy!
Alright, alright. As you wish.
Oh, Minamoto-san is also here. Hurry, don't let him see us. I don't want to listen to his goddess story again.
Minamoto-san is a good man, except that he always has people listen to his story.
His late wife loved it. Guess he just can't let go.
Goldfish scooping! Goldfish scooping!
The market is bustling.
It's so lively here.
Fireworks...
Lucia looks up at the sky with a dreamy expression.
The last time I saw fireworks was in Catania.
The bonfire, the singing and dancing, and the party... The night at Catania is still vivid in your mind.
Even though they're both islands, the atmosphere here is completely different.
Compared to the passionate and vibrant Catania, Aomizu appears more serene and introverted.
You walk in the market with Lucia. The vendors' calls are not too loud, but the market still looks busy with the chatter and laughter of roadside tourists.
Lucia is drawn to the unfamiliar snacks at the stalls.
Care for a candy apple, young one?
Candy apple?
Of course. No summer festival is complete without one!
You bought a candy apple. The vendor skillfully cuts it into pieces with the knife, neatly arranges them in the paper box, and then sprinkles powdered sugar on top.
Lucia spears a piece with a toothpick and offers it to the human.
Want to try some, Commandant?
The apple and the icing come together perfectly, while the powdered sugar adds another layer of flavor.
Lucia spears another piece and places it in the mouth.
So sweet.
The market is packed with snacks. Soon, both of you are stuffed.
In addition to having the snacks, Lucia would sometimes ask the vendors about the recipes and take notes carefully.
I can try making them when you want them in the future.
By the way, I heard about "water clovers" from a mechanoid called Amina.
Yeah. She also mentioned Nanami. I guess they're friends.
She mentioned the Ocean Moon Goddess in Aomizu, saying that the goddess always appears with water clovers.
Excuse me. Are you talking about the Ocean Moon Goddess?
An old man beside you breaks in.
Sorry to cut into your conversation. It's just that I rarely hear anyone talking about the Ocean Moon Goddess.
I take it you're from Babylonia, right? I'm Minamoto.
Do you know anything about the Ocean Moon Goddess, Minamoto-san?
Of course. The Ocean Moon Goddess is said to be the patron goddess of Aomizu.
She originally lived among the stars with her lover, but later accidentally fell to the mortal world.
She would appear on quiet nights by the sea, look up to the sky, and shed tears. Her tears would dye the ocean blue and make clovers grow from the water.
Kind as the goddess is, she hates to see people get separated from their loved ones like she did, so she would protect any relationships between family members, friends, and lovers.
In the past, people in Aomizu would pray to the goddess, and the goddess would fulfill their wishes. But now...
Sigh... Now, nobody would listen to these stories anymore.
Anyway, this is the legend known to most people in Aomizu in the past.
"Most people?"
Are there other versions of this story?
Um... There is a rarely known continuation of it.
Some say that the goddess' lover saw the blue sea and knew that she was weeping, so he left the stars behind and rushed to the ground.
He made it to the mortal world, but arrived covered in wounds, collapsing on the beach...
And then?
Then, the goddess found her lover. She carried him on her back, and the two vanished into the night.
Well... That's all I know. Thank you for being patient with an old man.
Haha, I'll leave you to yourselves then.
Make sure to cherish those around you.
Saying that, the old man slowly walks away.
The Ocean Moon Goddess is a kind goddess.
If there's ever a chance, I really want to see what water clovers look like.
Something falls silently on the girl's cheek as she speaks.
You reach out to wipe it away.
The summer rain is like an uninvited guest, arriving secretly on the island and drowning out the vendors' calls.
It's raining again. I've lost count of how many times it has rained...
Ugh, we should probably head back. Those dark clouds mean we're in for some heavy rain soon.
The rustling of the wind is mixed with some complaints and curses. The vendors are packing up the stalls, getting ready to leave.
Looks like it's time to go back.
Lucia sounds a bit frustrated.
It's a shame that we haven't seen the fireworks.
It has already turned into a "rainstorm" after you finished showering where you live.
You and Lucia play cards indoors while listening to the rain, enjoying the moment.
But Lucia seems preoccupied, frequently gazing out the window.
I...
She pauses, then corrects herself.
Nothing.
The rain outside seems to have slowed down a bit after dark. The sound of raindrops falling down from the roof onto the pipes and the iron sheets has spread through the quiet night.
Only when you open the window and breathe in the earthy smell after rain can you make sure that the rain has stopped.
Lucia, dressed in a blue swimsuit, stands before the human's room. She raises her right hand to knock but pauses with some hesitation.
(Could Commandant be already asleep by now...?)
She puts down her hand and looks down at her swimsuit, regretting how impulsive she was.
(I was going to tell Commandant during the day...)
Lucia recalls what Amina said to her days ago.
So, just go ahead, Lucia!
Make sure to cherish those around you.
She raises her hand again, ready to knock on the door.
But it opens right before she knocks.
You toss and turn on the bed.
Lucia seemed to have something left unsaid.
You hesitate for a while but eventually decide to have a look outside.
That's right. You just want some water. Nothing else.
You find a bad excuse for your complicated feelings. You open the door and see someone unexpected.
Ah...
Lucia is standing in front of the door, dressed in a blue swimsuit. It seems she has been standing here for a while.
She looks a bit panicked. Looks like she didn't expect the door would suddenly open.
Moonlight falls gently on her shoulders, bathing her in a soft, ethereal elegance.
Good... evening, Commandant!
Her voice sounds a bit twisted due to panic.
Somehow, you repeated the same words.
An awkward silence falls afterwards.
Someone finally speaks up after a seemingly long while.
Shall we take a walk together, Commandant?
It reminds you of the goddess mentioned during the day the second you see Lucia's swimsuit.
This is inspired by the Ocean Moon Goddess.
Do you like it, Commandant?
A warm faint smile appears on her face. It seems she's happy with the answer.
Shall we take a walk together, Commandant?
Lucia lowers her head and looks at her swimsuit. She sounds a bit unconfident.
I figured this was still a bit too...
Is that so...
Lucia's expression turns into a smile.
Shall we take a walk together, Commandant?
You walk with Lucia toward the beach in the distance. The lights of the town gradually fade away behind you.
Do you remember Amina? Her shop... well, her company's business is selling swimwear.
And like you said, proper summer wear is essential.
I wanted to spend our vacation together on the beach.
I even learned water volleyball for it.
There's nothing I can do about it.
But I'm happy to just walk with you like this.
Waves wash up on the shore, giving off a faint blue glow.
Commandant, look...
