Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Farewell to the Past Year / Story
New Year for Everyone
Shh—shh—
Nanami gently pats Xi's head in the middle of the hall.
It's alright... It's alright now.
...
With her caresses, Xi slowly calms down, and then like a small, pacified critter, it rubs against Nanami's palm.
It actually settles down...
Nanami... is a special girl.
It's so strange, this... Xi.
I only knew about the mine around here, and that there's a rumor that "something" is making a racket out here.
...All these unrelated stories, combined into the new myths of the Lunar New Year.
Although... whether it's their behavior, or... These small mechanoids seem to possess a different kind of consciousness than the other Corrupted.
Watanabe shakes his head.
I guess it's just a mechanoid I'm not familiar with. You're probably better off asking your teammate. The boy one.
I don't suppose you have another teammate that matches that criteria, do you?
—Commandant!
Commandant!
You follow the voice and turn, and you find the young man in his blue jacket standing not far away, frowning.
And he is not alone. Behind him is Liv...
Commandant—
...And Lucia.
...!
Despite not saying a word, Lucia looks relieved the moment your eyes meet, and you can tell the delight in her eyes.
Commandant, what happened? We haven't been able to contact you, and I was so worried...
Urgh…
Liv suddenly stops in the middle of her track to you with a baffled expression.
Commandant... Watanabe, and Bianca... Oh, and Nanami...
Are you...
...Hosting a welcome party?
Confused, you turn back and look to discover that the mall has indeed been festively decorated after you laid your "traps" earlier. It is now filled with big, red decors and raining red envelopes.
Xi is in the middle of it all, cheeping from Nanami's caresses, looking like an odd yet cute mascot.
The startled, crying boy is now looking at Nanami's demonstration in amazement.
I-it's behaving!
It is! Xi was just scared earlier. If you just pat it gently, it won't snap at you.
Xiuyong wipes away his tears, his eyes open wide.
Can I try?
Of course! If you want to become Xi's friend, Xi will become your bestest friend!
Xi love celebrations like this, like Lunar New Year! Sadly, their options are now limited because of the virus... I don't know what more we can do for them, but... there's always a way...
They're just kids who lost their home... It's alright, you're home...
Nanami hums the old nursery song, still trying to comfort Xi.
Who's a good boy? You're so cute! Uncle Watanabe, can we take it back to our camp?
...Of course not.
Uncle Watanabe!
Watanabe looks defeated once again.
Gray Raven! Why aren't you here earlier?!
Do you know how bothersome it is to take care of your commandant?! Stop passing your troubles to me!
So... what are you doing, exactly?
Why do simple missions always turn complicated with you?
As the mood lightens up, you receive a call on your comms.
Hey, guys! Sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I think the Gray Ravens have arrived, right?
In that case, I have something to inform you all—
You're right, sorry! The board has assigned you a new mission...
...is what I would've said if I'm being dramatic! I'm sorry, but Babylonia isn't a monster! Thank you for all your hard work in the past year. I'm happy to announce that your vacation officially begins—
That's right! Your holiday starts now! Actually, it is because the orbital capsule needs an emergency repair, so enjoy the time off before it's fixed!
Well, I'll leave you be!
Celica hangs up without waiting for you to reply, seemingly also afraid of working overtime.
You look around and find Lee staring at you with his arms crossed.
What's with your jacket?
Obviously. What else would I be talking about?
That I know. Why is someone from Babylonia wearing the Forsaken uniform?
Let me guess—you placed a tracker inside, Watanabe?
Watanabe shrugs.
...I guess protective gears from Babylonia must need some feedback for improvement.
...?
What tracking? The mission's over.
Lee looks away, acting like he does not care what happens next.
He is standing on the other side, both of his legs hugged by one of the boys. He looks both baffled and embarrassed, and you pity him while wanting to tease him as well.
Please please please please pleasssse—
Let's bring all the Xi back! Look at the poor things... Uncle Watanabe...
I told you... Anything but them. These things could still be infected, and...
Watanabe looks at Nanami and shrugs.
Watanabe, my Xi are not dangerous things! And I won't be interfering with them!
That's not what I meant...
Watanabe looks at you after seeing you staring at him, pleading.
...Exactly. You can bring your decorations here from the camp. It'd function the same anywhere, right?
Really? Do you also know how to decorate the place?
W-we do...
Which reminds me, I still haven't settled this with you guys...
I-it's because of the supplier! You said you'd stay with us, but you left without saying goodbye when we were sleeping!
Ann wouldn't stop talking about the lantern we wanted to give you... And we heard Uncle Watanabe say that you might be in danger...
We were scared that you would end up like the newcomers of Oasis, those who went out and never came back...
That's why we sneaked out and followed them...
We're sorry, Uncle Watanabe and [player name]... I just wish I had given you the lantern earlier when I had the chance...
No, we should thank you!
Thank you for playing with us, and thank you for staying alive...
The boy tries to wipe away his tears with his sleeves in secret. The girl next to him has been keeping her head down, biting her lips.
This is for you, supplier.
The girl takes out a beautifully crafted lantern from behind.
The boy sniffs heavily and makes a face toward you before grabbing the girl's hand.
Let's go get Deckard! He must be worried sick!
Okay!
Looking at the lantern in your hand, you find its edges slightly scraped from the long journey, but the light inside has barely dimmed at all.
You look up and find Watanabe watching you.
I told you they're a good bunch.
...
Watanabe looks down, and his expression shifts.
Are you here to return the coat?
Lee stares from not far away. Watanabe still takes the jacket back.
...
...How thoughtful of you.
Just so you know, I didn't do it because your teammate ordered me to. I did it of my own accord.
The nights around these spots are too dangerous, even for a commandant. You're human, after all. Traveling without your companions is a cause for concern.
This is the land of the Forsaken. If possible, I wouldn't let those who've fought by our sides come to any harm on this land.
...Even though I know this about you, you still surprise me every time with your ability to handle the unexpected.
I'm sorry for my earlier actions if they have caused any misunderstanding.
Watanabe holds his palm toward you.
If that's what you want.
Have a nice trip, [player name].
Alright, I've collected all the data.
That's great! Once we upload it to Asimov, we can join Commandant and the rest...
Oh? Is Commandant wearing Lee's coat?
It's probably because of the cold temperature at night. Lee might not care to admit it, but he really cares about every one of us.
So are you, Lucia!
Huh?
You're also always taking care of all of us in Gray Raven... Thank you, Lucia, for everything you've done in the past year. If we hadn't had Commandant and you leading us...
We're all part of a team, Liv!
Eh...?
You're the same! Even though you only see how bright others shine... but Liv, you're also shining like a star.
Because we're us, and we're not trying to be anyone but ourselves. That's why we are Gray Raven. It takes all of us, not one less.
...
...
Lucia... I understand! Thank you!
Is Asimov still working inside?
Yep, he should have just received the data from Gray Raven. He was whispering about "breakthrough" and "discovery" and something.
I worry that he's gonna hide inside his lab for the entire holiday. Celica, remember to get someone to check up on Asimov once in a while. I don't want him to overwork.
Alright, alright, I know! I'll keep an eye on him!
Make sure you mark it on my overtime pay!
(Chuckles) I was joking—this doesn't have to trouble you. Go enjoy the rest of your holiday.
I hope so... I hope that I don't have any more extra work this holiday... And I hope I'll stop receiving emails with "Lunar New Year blessings to our employees"—
Did I overdo it?
Those Golden Age blessings with their ancient jokes and humor... Please, I don't want to see them anymore.
In case you've forgotten, I just want to remind you that I can still hear you.
Oh, can you? I didn't say anything bad behind your back, did I?
Celica takes a sip from her coffee.
What I meant was you're bothering me...
Hahahahaha...
Hassen also takes a sip from his cup, except he is drinking herbal tea that Celica swapped.
Then I'll leave you be. I have to go—there's an appointment tonight...
...Not a drink with Commander Nikola, I hope?
Um... Well...
People our age... deserve to have some time to ourselves, right?
So do people my age, President Hassen.
Then I'll clock out—happy Lunar New Year.
Happy Lunar New Year, Celica and Asimov.
And... Happy Lunar New Year, Eden.
Wanshi? Where is Wanshi? Capt.! Where is Wanshi?
...Probably in his room. What's wrong?
He's not there! We said we'd pull an all-nighter to celebrate Lunar New Year, but he just disappeared!
All-nighter... I'm pretty sure he's not joining that. And isn't that a festival from the Lunar Calendar? What does it have to do with you?
That liar! Wait until I find him! And Capt., it doesn't matter if it's Lunar Calendar or the other one—we should celebrate all festivals!
A sense of resignation appears on Chrome's face. He pulls Kamui back from barging outside.
Fine, just stop running around—I'll look for him.
It's about time we gather anyway.
Really? Yeah!
Really. Also, later tonight... let's send Gray Raven our regards.
What's wrong, Rosetta?
Nothing, I'm just reminiscing about my home...
Did your home also celebrate the New Year?
Not one you'd find in any calendar. It's always winter to us, and we don't have much use for holidays anyway. But as every year begins, the Forest Guard would light a bonfire and pray for the year ahead.
A bonfire... and a celebration surrounding it?
That's right.
We can do that as well! I recently made a device that creates holographic bonfires. The guys kept teasing me about how pointless it is, but we'll show them, won't we?
Yes...?
Folks like us don't have anywhere to go, anyway. It isn't a bad idea to get a gathering going! Come on, Rosetta, come see my invention!
But...
No excuses! Quick!
...Alright. I'm coming.
I wonder... how my friends are doing in their corners of the world. I wish I could see them.
I wish you wealth and prosperity!
You give me red envelopes and money.
...
Why... are you asking me for red envelopes?!
Exchanging red envelopes represent our best wishes to each other. It's a time-honored tradition, someone from Kowloong like you should know that, shouldn't you?
Sophia and I have both prepared the thickest red envelopes to exchange with you! You aren't letting us down, are you?
R-really?
Of course! Look at how thick this is! I don't lie!
F-fine... Um, I only have these grubs...
That's fine! Happy New Year, Pulao! Happy New Year!
Changyu quickly grabs Pulao's purse from her and put the two thick red envelopes in her hands.
Whoa! T-these are stacked!
Pulao blushes from excitement, and she carefully opens the envelopes.
Move, Sophia, move! We have to get our red envelopes from the next person!
I wonder how much we can still make after this...
Ch-Changyu!
The sound of Pulao screaming appears from behind.
It's the New Year! We'll see what fate has in store.
You liar! Give me my grubs back!
Having finished uploading the data, Liv and the others walk toward you.
Commandant, it's... snowing.
It is...
The last time we saw snow was...
Commandant, we're almost done decorating.
Make sure you pay attention to my fireworks later!
Hmph, especially you, Lucia!
...You'll have my full attention, Karenina.
...Ugh! Why are you so corny when you're serious?!
Karey deary! Come here! Nanami is ready!
I'm coming, I'm coming!
Watanabe takes a deep breath, having been chasing behind the Forsaken children.
A breeze blows through the half-exposed mall, and the different decors and lanterns hanging inside move along with it. The wind is quite chilling, but you do not feel cold wearing Lee's jacket.
Image data is also uploaded.
Save it... And don't break your comms ever again.
We don't have a name for the phenomenon yet, but from the way they're behaving, it seems that they are "awakened."
And it's a different kind of consciousness from the Constructs' like ours. It's a mechanoid's self-awareness.
Sounds impossible, right?
Mind, matter... and the connection between them. We're still a long way from completing our studies.
If there isn't a proper name, we'll just call it "Mechanoid Awakening" for now.
Even though we can't tell how it gave the mechanoids a mind, but...
If we can study and decipher the secrets of "Mechanoid Awakening," it may help with Asimov's research.
Asimov seems to have made some discoveries, but I think we shouldn't be focusing on Xi. We should be looking at the meaning behind them.
If we integrate the signs Xi is displaying after undergoing "Mechanoid Awakening" into our CUB project...
I know Asimov has applied for a new project. That's all I know.
The CUB hovering next to Lee makes a small dip in the air.
This thing is quite advanced and supportive, but its appearance is really... It wouldn't hurt if it can be a little more low-key when it transforms.
...
They're ready to set off the fireworks, Commandant!
A light red shade appears on Liv's cheeks, who is nervously looking at the sky.
With an extended honk, a spark shoots into the air and explodes, blooming into a glistening flower. It does not come with intricate patterns, but the firework is still spectacular and moving.
...Happy New Year, Commandant.
Happy New Year!
Commandant... I'm glad I can celebrate the new year like this... with you.
Thank you, Commandant.
A smile appears on Lucia's face, and Liv stares at the firework, inspired. Everything is calm, and everything is kind.
Standing next to Lee, you can see the corner of Lee's mouth also slightly lifts—barely noticeable, but he is smiling as well.
Nearby, Nanami is holding Karenina's arms, dancing and waving, and Karenina in turn gives Nanami a passionate hug.
Bianca parts her hair and looks up, and the light from the firework reflects on her cheek into a gentle glow.
Watanabe quietly retreats to the outside, avoiding any confrontation. The firework reflects on his gray pupils, radiating as bright as the children in his eyes.
All the Xi are snuggled up with each other, like a pack of animals.
Everyone and everything are shining fearlessly here at the edge of the world, like a fire... a spark, aflame on this barren land.
All parts of the world converge at the end of winter, their fates intertwined. The new year and the coming spring bring the people hope and warmth, like an unyielding, fierce flame.
...Happy New Year, [player name].
