Story Reader / Affection / Watanabe: Epitaph / Story
Hours into driving in the desert, the night begins to fall.
The desert temperature drops drastically at night, plummeting to below zero. Humans must race against the Terminator Line and hurry to the conservation area.
With low visibility after the storm, Watanabe is relying on limited lighting and his familiarity with the desert to navigate.
Inside the vehicle, the passengers, still feeling joyous about surviving the disaster, are now starting to feel stressed out as reality sets in.
We finally escaped, but I really don't feel happy thinking about jail time ahead...
Stop complaining. We chose this path, so now we have to deal with it.
I don't want to sound ungrateful. I'm glad we were saved, but aren't you worried about life in prison?
Of course I'm scared... But I made a mistake back then, and now I have to face the consequences. There's no point in complaining.
Enough talking. We have a lot to deal with tomorrow. Get some sleep.
The murmurs from the back seats gradually fade as they fall asleep.
Smack—
To avoid disturbing Watanabe, who is driving, you reach over to close the rear window.
It's fine. Their voices don't bother me.
It's only natural. They're just ordinary people with emotions. Just because I saved them doesn't mean they'll suddenly have a change of heart.
I don't expect them to be grateful or see me as a savior... As long as they can find their way back onto the right path, that would be enough.
I'm the one who should be apologizing for dragging you into this mess today.
Watanabe has been driving for hours without rest. The weak light from the headlights barely illuminates his face, making his expression unreadable.
Despite this, Watanabe's tone shows no signs of fatigue. He recounts the day's events as if it were just another ordinary day.
If I wanted gratitude, hearing thanks from comrades like you would be enough.
Even if they did thank me, I wouldn't know if it was sincere or just politeness.
I saved them for my own peace of mind, so how they feel is irrelevant.
But you... you're different. You came here, risking your life, because you trust me.
My persistence has value as long as you trust me and believe in what I'm doing.
Yeah... I hope they seize this chance.
It's already nightfall. We need to hurry and get them to the conservation area.
You instinctively hunch your shoulders as the desert temperature drops steadily with the night's arrival.
Here's a blanket. Keep yourself warm.
Watanabe pulls out a blanket from the storage compartment next to the driver's seat and puts it over you. The blanket carries a faint scent of tobacco.
It's still a long way to conservation area 148. You should get some sleep.
Did you forget that I'm a Construct and don't need rest?
This isn't my first solo mission and I'm not that impatient.
Silence falls in the cabin for a moment before Watanabe speaks again with a slightly indulgent tone.
Alright, what do you want to talk about?
Outside the window, the starry sky is reflecting light from billions of years ago, and the bright moon is casting a frosty veil over everything below.
The distant horizon shows no signs of human structures. This is raw nature, silently rejecting human interference.
The sand dunes in the distance are layered like ink, looking as if they are both near and far at the same time.
The armor vehicle's bright lights cut through the hills like a shooting star. You can see the small circle illuminated by the searchlight but can never fully grasp the vastness of the desert. It is a surreal feeling.
Where? This vast expanse of sand?
Watanabe rolls down the window, letting the frigid night wind fill the small cabin.
...Well, no one's ever said that to me before.
But I have to admit, the desert at night... is indeed different from daytime.
Haha, if you like it, you can stay with the Forsaken and stare at it every day.
A place you want to change and not to escape. Right, don't worry, I remember.
So, let's discuss this when the war ends.
Wrapped in the warm blanket, sleepiness gradually sets in.
[player name]?
With heavy eyelids, you slowly close your eyes.
Talking with Watanabe brings an unexpected sense of reassurance.
Staying by his side, it feels like those elusive dreams could actually come true.
Surrounded by this warm sense of security, you lean back in the passenger seat, gradually succumbing to sleep.
You hear a gentle voice just before drifting into slumber.
Sweet dreams, [player name].
The blinding sunlight jolts you awake. You are approaching the conservation area.
The driver's seat is empty. It looks like Watanabe purposely didn't wake you up.
When you step out of the vehicle, you see Watanabe leading Schneider's group and talking to the soldiers at the conservation area gate.
Thank you, Watanabe, for your contribution to maintaining the peace of conservation area 148. We will hand these people over to the legal authorities for their sentence.
No problem.
By the way, the Gray Raven Commandant [player name] also helped a lot in this operation. Please include that in the report.
Commandant [player name], right? We will contact Babylonia to submit this report.
It looks like the handover process is almost done.
When Watanabe is about to leave the conservation area, Schneider, who has been silent, suddenly calls out to him.
Watanabe, I'm not the only follower of Ballard. Taking me down won't end this.
You can't save everyone. As long as there's chaos in this world, "Resisters" will rise up!
Hey! Stop spouting nonsense! You are nothing but a prisoner now!
Soldiers from the conservation area rush to restrain Schneider, but Watanabe waves them off, indicating he doesn't mind.
It doesn't matter. No matter how many come, my mission remains the same.
I will prove through my actions that our ideals will not be wavered.
Watanabe doesn't look back and walks in the opposite direction. Under the sunlight, his shadow slowly separates from Schneider's until they no longer intersect.
Oh, [player name], you're awake.
No worries. You were tired yesterday, so you should rest.
Babylonia contacted you through conservation area 148. They've designated a new rendezvous point. I'll drive you there.
Watanabe starts the car, and the steady roar of the engine signals the start of your journey once more.
Outside, the sunlight is perfect. A perfect line has formed between the blue sky and the golden earth.
The refreshing wind is blowing into the car, lifting your spirits.
You can't help but think of the promise that was made yesterday.
You thought Watanabe would brush it off as a joke, but to your surprise, Watanabe nods.
He grips the steering wheel tightly and accelerates. The powerful force pushes you back into your seats.
Alright, let's find our oasis together.
