Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Sea of Stars / Story
Whisper from the Stars
Commandant, we'll have to stay overnight here for our mission. Is that alright?
Then I'll go prepare our camp with Lee and Liv.
It's been a few days of long travels, hasn't it? I can't provide a mattress, but maybe you can rest more comfortably if you rest your head on my legs...
Commandant was just joking. No need to be too serious about it.
It was a joke?
But it really has gotten colder. Isn't today Christmas Eve?
As you talk, Liv looks up at the night sky from your empty, quiet campsite, slightly saddened.
I thought that this Christmas would be the one where everyone can get together, but...
The situation has gotten more critical after all, and everyone has been sent on their respective mission. We wouldn't have time to celebrate even if we wanted to.
Our mission continues regardless... I was just lamenting, Commandant. Let's carry on tomorrow.
Commandant is right. If we put in more effort, we'll be able to meet again in the future.
Perhaps we don't have to wait to see what the future holds.
Lee?
As he speaks, Lee reveals a crafty smile and a projector in his hand.
This is the Christmas gift I've prepared for Commandant, Lucia, Liv, and myself.
A Christmas gift... When did you prepare it?
About a week ago. None of you said anything, but I've got a feeling that you've all been looking forward to Christmas. Especially you, Commandant.
Sure, if you say so.
Then, at least I know this is worth the effort I spent.
What is the present?
It's "everyone."
...Everyone?
Neither Lucia nor Liv understands what Lee is saying, and he does not bother explaining either. He just goes ahead and connects his Entropy frame with the satellites.
And then, he directs the information feed from the satellites to the projector.
Connecting to the satellite!
Wait—did you hear a word I just said?
Kamui and Chrome suddenly appear in the projection. You can see Kamui sticking his face right in front of the monitor, with Chrome trying to drag him away.
Why are you covering the whole screen?
I'm just making sure this thing's running. Hey, Gray Raven, can you hear me?
I told you this isn't a live video call—wait... It's recording already! Kamui, say something!
You're the captain, Chrome. I really should let you speak first.
So now you're treating me like a captain?
Although he looks a little tired, Chrome still promptly strengthens his posture and adjusts his tone before turning to face the camera.
I'm Chrome, the leader of Strike Hawk.
I don't know what mission you are currently performing, nor do I know if it's going well. But if you manage to find the time on Christmas Eve to view this message...
I suppose that means everything is going according to plan on your end. So is our task here, obviously.
A lot has happened, but I'm glad that we're still alive, still fighting tenaciously for our dream.
Capt, are you going to be this polite the whole time?
Being respectful is a basic manner, Kamui... How else would you do it?
Seriously? Watch me—
Hey there, Gray Raven! Merry Christmas! We can't see each other this time, but I've prepared a great Christmas gift for y'all!
We should get everyone together when you're back in Babylonia, and we'll do a gift exchange then! Just so you know, I want the newest video game console!
...Sigh, what else was I expecting? Alright, this device isn't going to run any longer.
I'll also prepare a present for you, Gray Raven. Let's finish our missions first, and I'll see you in Babylonia.
This message is...
Liv is looking quite surprised after watching the video message from Strike Hawk.
Of course. I did say my present is "everyone."
I sent out a mail before this operation, asking everyone who received it to record a word or two.
Well, let's keep playing.
Of course the commandant would understand what my gift is.
So, this is Watanabe...
While everyone is still shocked by the revelation, the next message from Watanabe begins to play.
Not sure what I should say, given that this request came out of nowhere. Merry Christmas, I suppose.
As you can probably tell, I'm in one of the Forsaken hideouts currently. Because of its geographical location, it's still scorching hot here in December.
So nothing too festive is happening with us. Although I did just receive this bunch of flowers from some kids, who said it's an early Christmas gift.
Look, here it is... Oh, sorry, I just went off on a tangent there.
Sir, did you start the call without me? I haven't put on your makeup yet!
Dammit, why are you back already? And what's that dress you're holding—I'm not wearing that!
This is the most formal costume we can prepare!
You have very questionable taste!
Cough... As you can hear, I need to get my men off my back asap. And my face, apparently.
So pardon me for ending this call with another "Merry Christmas"!
Merry Christmas—Wait, what are the kids doing here? Don't you dare—
...
...I wonder what the dress looks like?
It seems that even the Forsaken get to relax and enjoy themselves around the holiday.
We should be next.
Next? To what?
Seeing how much time we've wasted, we probably aren't the first group to upload our message.
Now that you've mentioned it, what took you so long? And didn't you say you'd be performing?
Not enough time to perform.
That's right, so we scraped the performance after we were done preparing.
...How dumb are you two?
Dumb, clever—two sides of the same coin, just like this one...
Aren't both sides of your coin identical?
...How dare a puny Construct like you—
What do you mean by "puny"? I'm not puny!
I think we're running out of time.
Ah! Sigh—
Hold on, hold on, I forgot we've been connecting the whole time! Time's almost over!
Dang it. What should we do?
Let's just skip to the end. On one, three—two—one—
Merry Christmas!
I wasn't expecting the videos I received to be this chaotic. I guess they would've forgotten what the call was for if not for Sophia.
But they do look happy.
That's right. And I'm still thinking about the performance Changyu mentioned.
Like what Commandant said. We can see it next time we're there.
And then Lee switches to the next message.
Merry Christmas, Gray Raven.
Gray Raven Co—cough, Merry Christmas.
I don't know when our message will play compared to the others, but I imagine you've heard quite a few greetings and regards already.
That's why I've prepared for you... a Christmas gift from Karenina.
What?! Where did you find this, Bianca?
In your room. You really should keep your door closed and locked.
It doesn't mean you can just take my stuff!
Bianca is holding a framed puzzle of the photo you all took together last Christmas.
Give it back, Bianca!
Despite Karenina's protests, Bianca just stands there, calm and unconcerned, and takes out an envelope from behind the frame.
Alongside the puzzle is a letter written by Karenina herself. It might not be a good time to give it to you later, which is why I'm going to read it to you right now.
Bianca, you can't be serious... Argh...
...You leave me no choice!
Karenina, why are you pointing your gun at the camera?
Get blown to smithereens!
—
Did she just... blow up the camera?
I hope it didn't cause too much damage.
It's probably fine with Bianca there... probably.
And now, our last message.
That's all the messages I've received at this point. I imagine the people who couldn't reply must be occupied somewhere.
You can go visit them later if you miss them, Commandant.
Regardless, this is the final one...
I've specifically requested Lee to let us be the grand finale!
Are we grand enough for the finale, though?
Are you kidding? We've got the President, the head of the Tech Department, and the cutest, loveliest assistant Celica here, haven't we?
You're going to make me blush with that compliment. By the way, who should start first?
I should...
Asimov answers Celica's question voluntarily and walks to the front of the screen.
Gray Raven Commandant and its members, you have been providing me with many excellent data. I hope you'll continue to work hard in the future.
And then he leaves.
Hey, wait! That's it?!
He's not coming back...
That's Asimov for you. Now, as the President, I should go next.
No, I should go next! If you go first, you're going to say everything we want to say!
I-is that so...?
Hmph. I'm making the call this time.
Although you aren't here, we have all prepared a Christmas tree for your squad!
And everyone has helped decorate it!
That explains all the weird ornaments. It's Gray Raven's Christmas tree, of course.
There's nothing weird about them!
Stop chatting among yourselves. Didn't you say we should face the camera?
You're right... I had the staff move the Christmas tree to your office. Remember to check it out when you're back!
In that case, let's put a nice bow on this message, Celica!
Gray Raven, Merry Christmas!
...What about me?
That's all.
A little tragic, I agree. But I guess the President isn't someone who would mind.
What to say... I wasn't expecting you to prepare such a special gift, Lee.
As a member of this squad, I just wanted to do something for everyone here.
And just like how Liv has always wanted to celebrate Christmas, it's also something I've always wanted to do.
Is this a dream of yours?
Not really a dream. Just a nice thought.
I've forgotten the name of the book, but when I was studying, I read a line that goes like this:
Do not fear, for all spirits converge in the sky, and we... We are all connected.
I was just trying to continue that idea.
I sent out the mail, so everyone who had to stay apart could record a message—
All their thoughts and wishes would be channeled through the satellites, crossing time and space, and we would meet here today.
I think... it's a romantic idea.
It seems that Commandant would also enjoy that book. I'll find it for you when we're back.
...Say that behind my back next time. I'm still not used to it.
After Lee's confession, everyone looks up at the night sky and finds countless stars blinking. You are all looking for the satellites that carry the "spirits."
And you all point them out, the sparks you believe you have connected.
You know there is no way to be certain, but you still reach out and look toward that shining light.
It's snowing.
Snow falls from the sky unexpectedly, covering the whole place. But none of you look away.
And the Gray Ravens say to you:
Merry Christmas, Commandant.
