Story Reader / Affection / Selena: Pianissimo / Story
Hey, what are you doing here? I've been looking all over for you!
After forcing Selena out of hiding in the dusty room, Lia recites the message from her terminal.
Right after you sent that message, they got back to me.
They said—
Stay where you are. The Gray Raven Commandant is coming to meet you. The message was signed by Allen, from WGAA.
Gray Raven... you mean [player name]?!
Selena's heart skips a beat and she instinctively puts her hand to her chest.
The signatures on countless worn letters surface in her M.I.N.D. She can easily recite each letter, and would never forget the signature at the end...
You...
Gray Raven! That's huge! You know them? You must be a pretty impressive Construct yourself!
Lia continues to chatter away, but Selena is too anxious to listen to her.
I'm really not... but did the message say anything else?
It mentioned a location. I marked it for you on the map... here.
She quickly draws a simple map on a piece of paper. Selena takes the creased sheet and presses it tightly against her chest.
Finally...
She has never been forgotten by those in the starry sky.
Landing Pad Outside the Conservation Area
Meanwhile
The roar of the transport aircraft dies down. After the boarding ramp lowers, the aluminum alloy cabin door opens.
A rush of air flows in, carrying the scent of vegetation and earth.
The surface air has a unique freshness that Babylonia cannot replicate. Even after countless ground missions, something still stirs every time the cabin door opens.
After getting off the transport, you are about to look for the person in charge of the conservation area when you receive a message from Allen.
"As a precaution, I've sent Selena to meet you at the abandoned theater nearby. Coordinates..."
You put away your terminal and tell the transport staff that you will be heading off alone for this mission. The person nods and lifts off, heading toward the other end of the conservation area.
And just like that, you're alone.
As the fog gradually disperses, the abandoned theater appears as a faint image on the horizon.
Near the Abandoned Theater
Several Kilometers Away
Huff... puff...
Selena runs through the ruins that's like a maze.
She knows without a doubt that person is waiting for her up ahead.
So she must hurry, every second counts. All she wants is to be by that person's side right now.
Cough cough!
Her movements are too intense and her damaged frame clearly can't keep up, but she doesn't slow down.
Pain is nothing new to her, and she cannot miss this meeting.
[player name]...!
She pushes open the auditorium doors and steps into the desolate, crumbling theater.
But the silent theater is empty. Only her labored breathing echoes through the circular corridor.
[player name]...?
She staggers for a few steps, calling out that name as she looks through the rows of decayed, crumbling seats.
But still, there is no answer.
Selena stands motionless, watching as tiny dust particles transform into specks of light with her movements and gently fall through rays of the sun penetrating the crumbling roof.
In her daze, the world begins to blur and tilt once again before her...
Then, she finally hears it—footsteps approaching behind—
The doors to the theater stand slightly ajar. You raise your hand to push it open, but pull back in an instant.
If it's Selena... What if it's not Selena...
After checking your protective suit and weapons once more, you steady your breath and relax your clenched fist...
Then without hesitation, you push the door open.
The fog disperses in the sunlight.
Dazzling morning light floods the entire theater, bathing the blue-haired girl in a golden glow.
She stands on the crumbling stage like an opera performer mid-act. She is gazing at the sunlight streaming through the dome above.
Strands of dark hair fall across her cheek, hiding half of her face and her expression.
Noticing the sound behind her, the girl freezes for a moment, then turns around with a hopeful face...
The human silhouette comes straight into her sight.
[player name]...
Her M.I.N.D. almost freezes, but Selena has no doubt.
She once said that even if they've never met, she could recognize her pen pal's face at a glance.
And she did just that.
The girl turns on the stage, her hair gleaming among motes of dust floating in the sunbeams.
You've seen her face before in Whale Song and watched her archived footage from the WGAA many times.
And...
Hesitation becomes recognition.
The person before you, regardless of her appearance or what she's lived through...
This girl with deep purple eyes, a clear gaze, and a demeanor gentle and resolute—
She is none other than "Iris", the one you've been exchanging letters with all this time.
The girl steps slowly forward. She stays silent, but holds out her hand to you.
There is no need for words. The moment she reaches out, you've already taken her hand.
Her touch is slightly cold. She seems to flinch, but noticing that the Punishing levels aren't rising, she tightens her grip.
...
She softly begins to hum an unknown melody.
In the slow dance, the girl bows her head slightly, hiding the tears that fall from the corners of her eyes.
She seems to want to say something, but hesitates and remains silent, as if she's afraid to break the tranquility of this moment.
Sorry... I just...
I've seen this moment in my dreams more times than I can count.
Her dance steps are gentle yet determined as she guides you to follow her rhythm.
I... I really wanted to see you, [player name].
The girl's voice is soft, not wanting to shatter this moment.
Am I... really here? In this place, in this moment?
All suffering will eventually be cured in the tenderness of time.
Selena falls silent, tilting her head back as tears stream down her cheeks.
The sonata of illusions will finally reach its end in the notes of reality, as light pours its voice upon the suffering soul—
The lonely whale has found her way once more.
You pause your dance. You still have plenty of time before the transport arrives.
The warm evening sun streams through the glass dome, dancing between the floor's blotches of light and your silhouettes, staining her hair gold.
In this moment of tranquility, you sit at the edge of the stage, quietly exchanging stories of your experienced.
It's a stretch of time that feels long, yet strangely short upon reflection.
It's enough for you to share all the details of your journeys thus far, yet too short to hold onto those paths you've traveled apart.
The setting sun and the tranquil atmosphere almost freeze this moment in its gentle warmth—
Until an urgent notification sounds chime on your terminal once more.
Is something wrong?
Don't worry about me. If there's something you need to do...
Time really does fly, huh?
Time really does fly, huh?
A smile tinged with regret crosses her face.
Thank you, [player name].
Back then... in the memories I reclaimed, I endlessly rehearsed how I ought to appear before you.
Didn't think it'd be this messy...
This is Selena's courage and a medal that belongs to her alone.
She followed her own path and finally weathered the storms in her life.
Please... don't tease me about it.
The girl's iris-purple eyes reveal a gentle joy in the sunlight. She's about to speak, but the sound of a landing aircraft shatters the tranquility.
...
You are about to offer words of comfort, but Selena suddenly presses her lips together, gently brushing away the dust that had settled on her shoulder.
It's okay. I'm back now. And I'm really here.
We still have plenty of time... right?
There is plenty of time ahead of you.
The sound of the aircraft grows louder, and the girl becomes visibly anxious. You step forward, holding her trembling hands.
...Sorry. It's just that right now, I...
I'm not exactly the same Construct I used to be. I promise, I'm not a threat to Babylonia or anyone else...
In your previous conversations, Selena had already explained the origins of her frame.
With the cases like Camu and Noan, Babylonia's research on "Transcendants" is making progress.
Allen had already contacted the Science Council. After arriving at Babylonia, Selena would enter the Science Council directly with a special status.
...Okay.
The childlike innocence has faded from her smile, but the hint of warmth remains.
Neither tempests nor sudden downpours have managed to twist her spirit.
After countless hardships, she remains the same Selena she was at the beginning—a strong iris blooming after the rain.
Then... let's go back together.
Back to that place... where everyone's waiting.
