Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Viva la Nina / Story
Entanglement Phenomenon
>Holding your breath, you focus on the drum before you.
Your wrists begin to move almost automatically, aiming to recreate the score in your mind.
Feeling the vibration of the strings, you listen to the melodious sound that follows.
A bright melody and a deep chorus accompany you just in time.
Your heart almost skips a beat from the nervousness, but your body has seemingly adapted to the rhythm.
No longer needing to consciously recall the notes on the score, you complete the beat until the finale as if something is guiding your wrists.
You strike the final note with all your might, marking the end of the performance.
Sparse applause breaks out around you after a brief moment of silence.
Thank you, everyone—thank you for listening to our latest single!
I'd also like to thank this human specifically. This is the Babylonia commandant [player name], who filled in for our drummer today. We really appreciate it!
Encore! Encore!
My apologies, but that's it for our performance today. Please keep supporting "Thunder Sparks" in the future!
The leading mechanoid waves its mechanical arm at the audience instead of bowing before leading you and the band backstage.
I thought we were screwed without Kelly today. Thank goodness you were here to help.
After being liberated from back-to-back missions and troublesome situations, you were finally assigned a short vacation from the command center.
With progress being made on Constellia's reconstruction, Celica recommended Gray Raven take a vacation there to refresh your spirits.
Due to the series of recent events, Lucia and the others are constantly worried about potential trauma you might be experiencing.
Despite your reassurances, they cannot help but pay more attention to your every move when you are all together.
To stop them from worrying about you too much, you proposed splitting up during the vacation so the squad can fully recover from the shadows of recent events.
Having convinced everyone, you wandered the streets aimlessly when a mechanoid named "Kiske" pulled you over and asked you to fill in as their band's drummer.
Apparently, their original drummer had too much special electrolyte the previous night and was found unconscious with memory data issues in an alley just two hours before the show.
Although it was a bit of a stretch to ask for your help, you luckily had picked up some basics of music theory and instruments after having dealt with WGAA for so long.
Their setlist was not particularly challenging as well, so you managed to learn enough of your parts to perform on stage.
How about we treat you to some special gas-booze at Vasi's as a thank you?
Since Iris Warbler discovered Constellia, your understanding of what the Science Council named "awakened machines" has evolved with each interaction.
The awakened machines staying in Constellia seem to only be a tiny fraction. Their behavior differs greatly from normal mechanoids, but their minds are still much more innocent than those of humans.
Perhaps influenced by the awakened machine known as Cervantes, all those staying in Constellia have developed a keen interest in art.
Thanks to the efforts of Ayla, Sica, and the members of WGAA, these awakened machines get along fairly well with the humans in Constellia nowadays.
Moreover, the city hides many secret areas known only to awakened machines, accessible only to humans trusted by them.
The stage you performed on and the "Vasi's" Kiske mentioned are among these secrets.
Curious as you may be, you politely decline Kiske's invitation nonetheless. After all, "gas-booze" does not sound too stomach-friendly to humans.
Very soon! We'll invite you for sure!
Thunder Sparks isn't the only one performing there. The Paradise Festival is going to be a great time! Don't miss it!
Kiske suddenly mentions something you have not heard of while you say goodbye to each other.
Before you can ponder what the Paradise Festival is, a voice zooms past you, catching your attention.
Kareninaaa—waaait—can't we talk this out?
How many times do I have to say it?! I'm not wearing it!
Just take another look at this coating—maybe you'll change your mind!
I looked! That's why I don't want to put it on!
You recognize the two figures running toward you. Karenina flees desperately, looking utterly distraught, while Ayla pursues her with a mix of amusement and frustration.
Commandant? Tch... Come help me already!
Karenina is slightly surprised to see you. However, after a brief contemplation, she grits her teeth and stops running, hiding behind you instead.
Karenina, just stop running first...
Oh, Commandant? Hello!
I just wanted Karenina to try on a new coating WGAA designed, but she seems really against it for some reason.
Whatever she doesn't like about it, she needs to try it on so I can give feedback to the designers to make adjustments...
Wait... Don't you know what the problem is?
What is it?
The style! It's totally not my style! What the hell were they thinking when they designed something like that for me?
Huh? That's strange... Didn't you request this coating yourself? I remember the order was addressed to you.
Hell no! I don't need a coating like this! There's definitely been a mistake!
You'll know once Karenina puts it on.
I told you it won't suit me...
Commandant?! How can you...?!
Exactly! How will you know whether it suits you if you don't try it on?
Ugh... If I'm just trying it on... but still...
Karenina's resolve begins to waver under your combined pressure.
Fine... I know WGAA has put a lot of effort and resources into making it. It's a bit of a waste not to try it out, isn't it...
Please give us a moment, then, Commandant—
Ayla pulls Karenina into a nearby building, and a flushed Karenina in a new coating, pushed by Ayla, steps out reluctantly moments later.
Ta-da! What do you think, Commandant? This design has received widespread acclaim within WGAA!
It's undeniably perfect now that Karenina has put it on!
A-are you kidding me?!
How can I... This doesn't suit me at all...
Karenina's voice trembles as if her strength has been drained by the new coating, her often tough demeanor melting away.
Ugh... Are you sure? Did you plan this with Ayla?
Com—man—dant! Take a good look at it before you make any comments!
Karenina does look vastly different from usual in the tailored dress paired with sparkling accessories.
It is not hard to empathize with how Karenina is feeling. She probably has never tried this style of clothing before.
Exactly! One of WGAA's main principles in designing coatings is to explore the potential people have yet to notice in themselves!
But still, the wearer's opinion matters the most. If you really don't like it...
Well... I...
You expect Karenina to outright reject, but she actually seems indecisive for some reason.
Yo, Ayla! I finally found you. Hm? Gray Raven Commandant? Captain? You're here too?
The Construct with pink hair—Teddy, the Vice-Captain of the Engineering Force—greets the three of you.
T-Teddy? Why are you here?
Teddy's appearance seems to have flustered Karenina, who probably does not want any acquaintances to see her in this getup.
I'm here to deal with some work matters with WGAA. It's nothing major. Just go ahead and enjoy your vacation.
Oh? You're wearing the new coating already? I thought they'd need at least two or three more days to finish it.
TEDDY! You did this, didn't you?!
Frustrated, Karenina leaps to grab Teddy's shoulders, but Teddy quickly takes a step back and dodges her.
Hmm? You don't like it? That can't be... I think you're at least three times more eye-catching than usual. Everything looks surprisingly great on you.
That makes all our revisions worthwhile... What a shame. Should've given you the less perfect one so that I can keep this one for myself.
All "our" revisions...?
Yeah. Didn't you always say you wanted a new coating? The squad talked about it and decided to chip in for one as a gift.
I hate to admit it, but you've always looked out for us. We wanted to thank you for it.
We wanted something casual at first, but then someone mentioned your secret love of rock music, so we ended up with this.
We even researched a lot of Golden Age data. It's said that young women used to dress like this when they sang.
Are you sure you looked up the correct information?!
The video data WGAA has are limited, but its quality and authenticity are guaranteed!
I remember it was Leonie who gathered the data. There was a word for this style in the Golden Age... an "idol," I think.
Anyway, it fits you pretty well, doesn't it? Why not wear it for your Paradise Festival performance?
You...
Huh? Don't you know?
It was just an event started by the awakened machines originally, mainly consisting of galleries, concerts, and parade floats.
After WGAA heard they were planning a festival in Constellia, we wondered if it was possible to expand it and include both humans and Constructs.
The Engineering Force happens to be setting up a wired network in the Clean Zone centered around Constellia. Once it's up, we'll be able to broadcast the performances to the new conservation areas as a signal test.
After all, the Engineering Force did snag the spot for the grand finale.
Unfortunately... the two people scheduled to perform were caught neglecting their duty for rehearsal during work hours by the disciplinary team and are detained right now.
Let's see... They're a duo band, apparently? Those two are also nominal members of WGAA, occasionally performing in salons.
I know them. The Engineering Force was dragged to support them once for their show, and we were the only people in the audience that night.
Why don't you step in, then? The grumpy Engineering Force Captain lighting up the stage at a crucial moment would definitely be a showstopper.
You wish. I refuse.
And who's grumpy now?!
Your makeshift performance with Thunder Sparks has perhaps triggered some buried nostalgia. Watching Karenina, you cannot help but let some snippets of your thoughts slip out of your mouth.
W-what did you say?!
Even if you say so...
While Karenina hesitates, the murmur of voices and footsteps begins to fill the other side of the street.
It appears that the two groups came from Akdilek and Kowloong respectively, having converged on their way to the city center by chance.
The leading figures begin to walk over in your direction upon spotting Karenina and the others.
Long time no see, Babylonians.
This should be the first time we met, but we might have seen each other before if you've been to Kowloong recently.
Kowloong and Akdilek? How rare.
Akdilek was invited, so Jamilah sent me here to investigate the business potential here.
Sophia pulls out an invitation from her pocket and hands it to Teddy and Ayla.
The invitation is a thin postcard wrapped in thick cardstock that summarizes the events of the Paradise Festival, signed by "Neo Universal Toys".
An invitation? Did the mechanoids make it? And the sender... I remember a Golden Age company with a similar name, but I doubt it still exists after the Punishing Virus outbreak.
Hmm... They also seem to have a talent agency that works for mechanoid bands. I guess this is something similar.
Kowloong received a similar letter. Lord Chaofeng was quite surprised.
Isn't it great? The more the merrier! It's going to be an exciting festival!
I'd like to know more details about this Paradise Festival so Akdilek can plan our next business venture here.
Bang!
You are about to recount what you have learned from Ayla and Teddy when a sudden explosion from afar interrupts you.
You look up and notice the sound coming from the windmill tower in the center of Constellia.
Someone has placed a giant cannon at the top of the tower, and each booming shot fires countless ribbons and paper pieces that the windmill sends down to every corner of the city.
All mechanoids and humans in the city instinctively reach out to catch the paper floating in the wind.
It is the same invitation to the Paradise Festival that Sophia and others have received.
The small card is written in a font that makes you want to read it aloud—
Welcome to Constellia for the Paradise Festival!
Isn't this display a little too over the top...?
What a brilliant way to invite everyone in the town! It's going to take some time to clean up though...
Just as you are reveling in the anticipation of the festival, you suddenly feel a cold sensation on your wrist.
Shh. No questions. Just follow me.
Karenina grabs you and asks you to stay quiet for the moment.
I'm sorry, but Commandant and I still have something to do. Please excuse us.
By the way, Teddy, I guess you can sign me up if you can't find anyone else.
Karenina stammers through gritted teeth at Teddy before more or less pulling you away in front of everyone.
Phew... No one is following us, right?
Having run past most of the block, Karenina finally stops before a dark alley.
Follow me and you'll see.
Pulling you with her, Karenina begins to navigate the maze-like alleys.
You start to feel disoriented after the third or the fourth turn, but Karenina shows no signs of getting lost, seemingly familiar with the layout here.
Eventually, you follow Karenina into a small underground space through a door unlocked by her voiceprint.
The room's lights turn on the moment you step inside as if triggered.
It looks like a storage space at first glance, but the decor and the items stored here clearly suggest that this has been transformed into a highly customized secret base.
Divided by a series of monitors in the center, the left half of the room is filled with shelves where various mechanical parts and tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, and welding torches are neatly arranged.
On the other side is a small stage where various musical instruments and Golden Age band posters hang on the wall.
This is a small base of mine. You were talking about bands, so I thought I'd show you around.
I did a small favor for some awakened machines when I was stationed here, and they gave me the right to use this place as a thank-you.
I've since used it to store things I've collected from the surface and those I can't bring back to my dormitory.
Things have piled up before I realize it. By the way, you are the only person who knows about this place, so keep it a secret. Otherwise...
Karenina purses her lips and looks at you, threatening you and pleading at once. You nod, and she smiles in contentment before walking around in her secret base.
Not to brag, but these are some rare collectibles. Although I haven't found what I want the most, these are enough to make those WGAA people envy me.
She picks up a retro-looking guitar from the wall and sits next to you. Stroking the strings gently with a pick, she plays a few melodic notes that echo in the room.
Sounds good, right? I met a mechanoid named Kiske who taught me how it works, and I've been calibrating it since.
You know him too? I've seen their band perform. I hate to say it, but they are way better than those two in the Engineering Force.
He even asked me to be their backup performer, saying that their members tend to disappear quite often.
I did. I don't usually have that much time.
Nah, I turned him down. I'm the Engineering Force Captain. I can't be distracted by things like this when I have missions to focus on.
I don't know much about playing music anyway. This antique collection is just a hobby of mine.
Hmm...
Ahem... I-I had no choice! Teddy and the others worked hard to secure the slot. I can't let it go to waste.
The Engineering Force has been so busy with the construction of the Clean Zone that I only got this vacation because Teddy and the others applied on my behalf. Now I see I'm a part of their plan.
Maybe you're right. Those guys. Why couldn't they just tell me? I wonder who they learned it from...
Karenina softly complains about her teammates acting on their own before letting slip a subtle smile.
...Hey, I'm going to ask you again. Do you really think this coating suits me?
Karenina moves a bit closer, and you can see she is hoping your answer will help her make up her mind.
Really? Do I still look like me in it?
...
Hmph... You better be telling the truth.
Karenina lowers her head, taking another look at this new and unfamiliar version of herself.
It's rare that I get to do something different... I have to say, it feels pretty interesting.
Alright, I've made up my mind. I'll do this, but I'll make sure to sign the entire Engineering Force up next time if I mess it up.
And you're gonna help too.
Of course. Why else would I have brought you here?
Didn't you say it suits me? You've got to help me!
The arrangement, the lyrics, and the dance, if necessary. That's a lot of work even if we start now.
It's fine! I'm no expert as well. Relax.
Still, we have to treat it seriously even if it is only for entertainment. We can't do things half-heartedly now that we've decided to participate.
If they give out prizes in the end, we'll have to strive for first place!
Having made up her mind, Karenina immediately becomes more enthusiastic. No matter what she does, this aspect of her personality never changes.
There's still a week before the festival starts. The performance is scheduled for the last day.
There's time, but not much. Anyway, let's do our best.
