Story Reader / Event Story / Lingering Stars / Story
After sorting out the last glitch, the cinema is up and running again.
But just to be safe, you run another check to make sure everything's shipshape before letting everyone in.
Weird, everything seemed fine just yesterday...
As expected, Babylonia's gotten so cocky it's using its prized asset as a mere maintenance worker?
A cold voice pipes up from behind. Turning around, you spot her familiar white hair.
To think that you've let your guard down this much and let an Ascendant infiltrate this place so easily just because it's a festival.
As the commandant, don't you think you should weigh in?
Comrades... Hmph...
That being said, Alpha's sudden appearance has caught you off guard. She rarely shows up in bustling spots like this.
You are about to ask when you notice something different about her usual getup: a dark green ribbon tied around her high bun.
You remember giving her that ribbon last year.
Alpha catches my eye.
A useless trinket with indistinctive color... I don't even know why I took it back then.
But she wears it anyway, huh... You keep that to yourself.
Looking at the ribbon, a thought strikes you out of nowhere.
What if I said yes?
Without beating around the bush, she comes at you with a swift, decisive move, like drawing a sword.
You are left speechless.
Heh, just as I expected. Take this as a return gift for your surprise visit last year.
But don't expect more. I didn't bring a gift for you.
...
Seeing Alpha momentarily speechless, you grin, taking back control, and you keep the conversation rolling on the festival.
Oh, are we doing stereotypes? Do you like superhero movies, then?
Rom-coms...
All characters trapped in a plot's web, fighting in vain to meet someone else's ending.
I'm not a fan.
Instead of watching others' predetermined futures on screen, how about directing our own movie in reality?
Alpha hands you something—a small, crystal-clear mineral: a natural diamond.
Formed under extreme conditions, unyielding and unbreakable, it's the hardest substance in nature.
Found it on a climb.
Keep it safe; consider it the down payment for the leading role.
The contract is signed. Just remember to save a slot in your schedule for me.
Rest assured, whether it's the Punishing Virus, the Ascension-Network, or fate itself, any script that binds us, I'll cut through.
We'll make sure our ending heads in the direction we choose.
