The transport vessel nestles into the artificial island's embrace as the sea breeze carries the scent of flowers. Following the festival staff's guidance, Yata and you make your way to the starting point of this coastal street.
This is the spot. Let me brief you on the situation.
He clears his throat and pulls out a tablet for presentation, looking every bit ready to launch into a lengthy report.
We've received your updated construction material orders, but according to our collected—
Just cut to the chase. What do you need help with?
Uh, we're a bit short-handed... Would you mind helping us distribute these supplies to the merchants who need them?
Two cargo carts move steadily along the newly paved road. As time passes, they stop and go, the pile of supplies gradually diminishing. The wheels' rolling sound grows lighter with each delivery.
The merchants along the way shower you with thanks as they receive their supplies. Bright smiles adorn every face, and the brilliant sunlight bathes everything in its warm glow. The whole street is bustling with vibrant energy.
Through the bustling streets, Yata moves forward with brisk steps—a bit too brisk, actually, as you are struggling to keep up.
Gradually, the distance between you grows until you can only see Yata's silhouette in the distance.
—Hmm? What is it?
Yata, pushing her cart far ahead, slowly turns her head at your call.
The gentle sunlight bathes her figure, highlighting her evident joy.
Seeing your struggle to keep up, she quickly stops in her tracks, scratching her head sheepishly and waiting for you to catch up.
...Sorry about that, I got a bit carried away.
Here, let me treat you to a drink.
Yata takes out a bottle of cherry blossom soda from her cart and hands it to you.
Well... I'm just a bit surprised.
When I came back here before, there was absolutely nothing—just a desolate wasteland.
Walking side by side up the slope again, Yata guides your gaze upward with her eyes, directing your attention to the distance—
From where you stand to the edge of the horizon, cargo trucks and transport shuttles bustle back and forth. People weave their way through a tapestry of tents and houses scattered across the land, painting a picture of vibrant life.
The city ruins stand tall in the wilderness, basking in sunlight. After decades of separation from their inhabitants, they finally welcome their people home.
The last time it was this lively here was...
The sea breeze stirs her silver hair as she gazes into the distance, letting her words fade into silence.
Despite being surrounded by ruins and rubble, there's this... indescribable energy in the air. It's truly amazing.
...Yup.
Yata turns to look at you, a slight smile crosses her face as if remembering something.
Those last two lines definitely sound like something the fabled Gray Raven Commandant would say.
But according to what I've heard, you'd usually follow up with... let me do my best impression—
Ahem—However, many more people's homelands still await liberation, and that is why we continue to fight.
Uh, I heard it from my teammates, don't give me that look—
Excuse me, is that the new shipment in your carts?
Yes, yes, check the list, I'm Morita.
The vendor signs the electronic form, and the Construct's mechanical arm lifts the final load from the cart, setting the supplies down gently beside the stall.
As the arm lowers, Yata's gaze meets the vendor's curious stare.
...?
Um, this young Construct lady... have we met before...?
You're that Disciplinary Committee member from Misono High! Your name was Ya... Yasa?
Yata. And you are...?
Yata tilts her head, studying the elderly man before her with a puzzled expression.
Ah! I'm Uncle Morita from the school shop! You'd always ask me to save you a frozen taiyaki every Wednesday, remember?
—Oh! It's you, Uncle Morita!
These days I'm more of a Grandpa Morita, hahaha!
Yeah! There's this hidden gem in Babylonia that makes amazing ones. I'll have to take you there sometime!
Haha, you two get along really well! Yata, is this officer a friend of yours?
Yeah, we're good friends.
That's wonderful! Officer, you know what? Yata's one of the most loyal friends you could ask for.
Back then, when stuff went missing from the store, Yata helped me stake the place out for hours. I was nearly dozing off when she suddenly grabbed her bamboo sword and charged right out—
She chased the thief all the way to the sports field. Being a star athlete on the track team, she had the culprit apprehended and brought back in no time—it was seriously impressive.
Uncle Morita! That was just my duty as a Disciplinary Committee member, please stop—
Oh, but I'm not done yet! That thief wasn't happy about it and called in some thugs from outside the school—
Well, those guys tried to ambush Yata outside the school—and she knocked them all flat on their backs! They got warned to never come near the school again. The thief also got punished and had to apologize to Yata in front of the whole school!
Ahem... It's all ancient history now, nothing worth mentioning.
Hahaha, I don't think you've changed much, still as confident as ever!
Cough. Ah, geez, there goes my old habit again. You and the officer probably have business to attend to, right?
Go on. Don't mind this old man's rambling.
All right. Rest assured we'll make sure the festival goes smoothly.
Have a good time with the officer, Yata!
After distributing all the supplies, you reach the end of the festival street. A staff member collects the cart while reconfirming your progress.
There's nothing urgent at the moment, so you two are free to go. We'll contact you through the terminal if anything comes up.
The staff member leaves after being called by their colleagues. As the surroundings become tranquil again, Yata lifts her gaze toward the sky.
Clouds roll across the azure dome above. As she tilts her face upward, sunlight streams down beneath the slate-blue sky, tracing her features and casting a beautiful silhouette.
Do you have any plans, Gray Raven Commandant?
How about we visit the school? It's not too far from here, we can walk there.
There are still some things left at the school... We could use them for the festival.
Follow me! I promise I'll walk slower this time.
On the way to school, Yata seems more like a visitor than you do. Her eyes dart around restlessly, scanning the streets in search of something familiar.
As she walks, she traces her finger along the newly painted wall, leaving a thin trail in its wake.
The soft scraping of her finger against the rough wall becomes the quiet backdrop to your walk.
This used to be a shopping district. It was so full of life back then.
Clothing, food, general stores... you could find anything you wanted.
Look, this used to be a sports equipment store. Our club members would always get stuck window shopping here.
Yeah, we used to jog along these streets for training. This was our starting point.
We used to call it "the start of our dreams"—if we keep running along it, it goes all the way to the school.
Yata comes to a halt, brushes the dust off her fingers, and points down at a faded white line barely visible on the ground.
I loved our club's motto, "run, students, run! All your troubles will fade away when you run!"
This was our starting line. Day after day, year after year, we'd begin our run from this very spot.
As Yata speaks, you feel like you have seen a group of students in sportswear passing by, lively discussing everything about school life.
Through the shopping district, across the Misono Bridge, and finally to the school gates—
These illusory figures gather around Yata, sharing their daily stories, ready to dash off from here into their fleeting, beautiful youth.
Until that fateful day... when the Punishing Virus arrived.
Time has stripped the colors from these once-bustling streets, leaving only Yata standing before you. Her shadow stretches long in the setting sun, melding with the darkness of the ruins.
No matter how fast we ran, we could never outrun that disaster...
Her voice grows softer and softer until it's barely a whisper.
Yeah, but... that's all in the past now.
Yata's voice echoes through the abandoned streets as she paces back and forth along the starting line at her feet.
Her expression is difficult to read—caught between the grief of lost lives and fond memories of her school days.
Looking back on their abruptly ended youth, anyone would feel a tinge of sadness.
...Hm?
Lost in your words, Yata gazes thoughtfully down the path stretching into the distance.
I guess physical training is essential for surviving on the battlefield.
...?
Under Yata's puzzled gaze, you take your position at the starting line.
Huh? What are you—
—Hey!
I was the lead runner on the team.
Seeing you take the first step, the melancholy in Yata's voice gives way to vibrant energy.
So, [player name], keep up with me. Don't fall behind!
Two sets of footsteps echo through the empty streets. The cheerful mood has added a spring to their steps.
Yata's short hair flutters in the wind as she runs, dancing wildly with each burst of speed.
The strong wind against your faces seems to blow all worries away. As you run, Yata draws closer and gives you a pat on the shoulder.
Just as you turn to look at her, Yata flashes you a bright smile and lifts her chin, pointing to an inconspicuous side path.
See that path? It's a shortcut.
Not many know about it. Keep up! I'm about to pick up the pace!
The Construct overtakes you and turns the corner, positioning herself on the outside to shield you. Her mechanical arm reaches out to give an approving pat on your shoulder.
Nice pace, [player name].
This way now.
Watch your step!
The city view in the distance gradually comes into focus. Yata runs ahead effortlessly, occasionally glancing back to check on your position.
—This vending machine is still here. I used to come by all the time for a bottle of cherry blossom soda.
Need a break? We can stop anytime.
Almost there. I know another shortcut we can take.
Look, there's the main entrance.
But we're not going that way.
Did you ever climb over the school walls back in your student days?
