Story Reader / Floating Record / ER09: Crescent Sun / Story
Your name is... Yata?
Yes.
Yata, your physical parameters are excellent. You meet all the surgical requirements.
But there is this thing I'm curious about—why do you want to become a Construct?
Don't you want to live as a human? You could die at any time out on the battlefield.
I want to go back there.
What?
I want to go back out there to that "battlefield".
Guess I've got no choice now.
Yata looks at "Rainbow Breaker" in her hand and lets out a sigh.
If this blade truly lives up to its legend of cutting down gods, I might still have a sliver of hope.
A sharp crack rings out—and her blade shatters.
Rainbow Breaker... You should be breaking rainbows not getting broken yourself...
With no time to turn and face her attacker, Yata desperately tries to look back... but it's already too late.
At the very last moment...
You sure fought hard back there.
Appearing out of nowhere, Masao blocks the Corrupted's blade with his own sword just as it's about to strike Yata.
Hey, Yata, don't lose focus.
Well, look who showed up at the perfect time.
As she speaks, Yata draws Snow's Grace and gives the blade a few test swings.
How's it going over there?
We've lost ground. The back entrance has been overrun by the robot army.
I've ordered my men to fall back. We can't afford to keep losing resources like this.
You should leave, too. What good could you possibly do here?
Don't forget who just saved your hide. Gee, I'm feeling seriously underestimated here.
Great. I was the only one trapped before, and now neither of us can escape.
Hey, with all this chaos going on, you're telling me the mainland doesn't know about it?
Word is a rescue team is on its way, but it'll take time. We just have to hold out until then.
Got it. I'll take point from here.
Alright.
After a head-on clash with the Corrupted, Yata and Masao finally break through the encirclement.
Fighting their way back, the two retreat into a hidden storage room.
As soon as Yata enters, Masao barricades the door with heavy objects.
After running for so long, Masao is too exhausted to even stand straight.
Yata carefully leans against the door, listening intently for any movement outside.
Looks like we lost them... Hey, Masao...
As Yata turns around, she finally notices Masao sitting on the ground, exhausted.
He gasps heavily for air, his school uniform stained crimson with blood around the chest.
Despite Masao's attempts to press down on the wound, the bleeding won't stop.
Sorry, Yata... They got me.
Those robots are damn good at what they do...
With blood trickling from his mouth, Masao manages a smile before his body goes limp.
Hey, Osako, stay with me! The rescue team will be here any minute!
Yata frantically searches for bandages, but Masao stops her.
It's too late for me... I'm done for, but you still have a chance...
Give those tin cans... what they deserve...
Stay with me, Osako!
Listen to me, Yata.
Humanity... won't lose... humanity...
Before he can finish his words, Masao falls silent, passing away peacefully.
Damn it!
No, you can't just... Why here of all places?
Yata grabs the broken "Rainbow Breaker" and "Snow's Grace" and charges forward.
Within moments, she carves a bloody path through the Corrupted blocking the corridor.
Yata reaches the gymnasium and lecture halls, leading the hiding students toward the rooftop.
The rescue team's transport aircraft soon arrives and makes several trips to evacuate the survivors.
As soon as the military personnel arrive for rescue, Yata frantically questions them.
Where's Yuka? Have you found her?
Yuka?
Yuka Saotome.
I'm sorry, but I have no information about her. Her name isn't on the list of survivors.
Wait! Can we continue the rescue operation? She must still be in the school!
As far as I know, everyone from the school has already been evacuated.
Please, let me go down there! I'll find her myself!
C'mon, you're not gonna last a second with that body of yours.
But!
Hold on, there's an incoming transmission.
The man in military uniform turns around to answer his satellite phone.
Yes, the... experimental zone? I... I see.
The man glances at Yata while speaking, then hangs up the phone.
Young lady, I just received word—specifically from a helicopter.
About your classmate Yuka, whom you mentioned earlier... During her routine hospital check-up this morning...
A bunch of robots went haywire in the building she was in, and she died when the building collapsed.
Wait, but... Yuka, she...
My condolences.
Having said that, the officer puts on his military cap and takes his leave.
Yata slumps into the transport's temporary seat, despair evident in her vacant stare.
It's all my fault...
Shortly after, Yata receives news that her classmates, who were rehearsing for their graduation ceremony, didn't make it out either.
The situation on Hydrangea Island and Misono High got out of hand, both falling to the Corrupted.
December. Daylight savings time ends for Misono High.
Yata, this "battlefield" you're so eager to return to...
As far as I'm concerned, it's nothing more than a post-traumatic stress response.
What had happened left its mark on your brain since you were still pretty young when the tragedy took place.
Clinging to hatred, even becoming a Construct—none of that will bring back what you've lost.
But I refuse to live my life as just another survivor!
Somewhere on Earth, there must be people waiting to be saved, just like those children were back then...
I've carried this survivor's guilt for far too long. I can't take it anymore!
With this mindset of yours, I'm worried you'll come to regret it someday.
It's because of my regrets that I chose to become a force against the Punishing.
And I'm just going to end up living with more regrets... If I don't become stronger.
I understand your desire to fight for redemption, but still...
Then let me ask you one last time, Yata...
Are you willing to become a Construct, to become part of a "weapon"?
No matter how many times you ask, my answer remains the same.
I am willing, as long as I can keep fighting.
Please, let me become a Construct.
Like morning dew, this form shall fade; memories drift in dreams of dreams.
After a long journey through illusions and memories, Yata opens her eyes again to the battlefield.
She remembers everything now—the cruel past she had deliberately forgotten, only to face it once again.
Guess all I did was go from that illusion into this new dream, huh?
The force interfering with my M.I.N.D. did weaken for a moment, but it hasn't disappeared.
I can see things through eyes other than my own...
Yuka, is this what you wanted to tell me?
Come find me at the lecture hall, Yata.
A brief, sharp pain pierces through Yata's consciousness.
She shakes her head to clear away the interference.
There's no mistake, it's Yuka's voice.
Yuka... It's time we wake up.
