Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Viva la Nina / Story
Rising Star
The sun has already set behind the mountains. On the other side of the horizon, the orange color of dusk gradually gives way to the darkness of night.
The staff and some mechanoids are cleaning the streets as the festive atmosphere has noticeably dwindled from the past few days.
This does not mean the festival has come to an end. On the contrary, it is only reaching its climax after nightfall.
The tourists that surrounded you were a bit too "enthusiastic" for you. All of them were eager to know more about the show tonight.
Just as you were about to shake them off, someone shouted, "Isn't that the Gray Raven Commandant from Babylonia?"
Gray Raven has been charged with publicity work in the Clean Zone lately, so the squad is pretty well known in the area. You ended up with another wave of people surrounding you, but it was you who they were interested in this time.
You straighten your crooked collar and check the time before you head off to find Karenina.
Right then, Ayla comes running over, panting.
Commandant...! There you are. Have you seen Karenina?
That's strange. Where has she run off to? Leonie said she was going to confirm something with Karenina before the show, but she couldn't find her anywhere.
She isn't replying to my message as well. She couldn't have run away, could she...?
Just speaking from experience. There are always a few folks who disappear right before a WGAA salon. I've done it a few times myself...
Karenina has never performed before. I'm worried that she's stressing herself too much for her first performance...
She's a very self-reliant person, after all. I could tell she was hiding her feelings during practice.
Is that so? I'll let you handle it, then, Commandant. I'll let Leonie and the others know.
Ayla does not ask any more questions and leaves to continue her work at WGAA, entrusting you to find Karenina.
It is not that you are completely confident in your judgment. You just have a gut feeling.
Your instinct tells you that Karenina is in that place.
Leaving the venue, you follow the city's main road and head west toward the setting sun.
Although Karenina only showed you the way once, you still manage to find your way there.
Entering an alley, you navigate through a maze of uncharted, complex hidden passageways.
And you arrive at where everything started.
Opening the door to Karenina's secret base, you find her standing in front of her makeshift workbench under the dim light.
She does not say anything until you are right beside her.
Commandant, you're here.
She does not sound surprised at all, as if she knows you would find her here.
Sorry for leaving you to deal with all those people on your own.
I should've been calmer. Ayla mentioned that "idols" can never be intimidated by the audience.
I-I'm fine!
Well... I was just a little startled. I wasn't expecting this many people to come to the show.
After all, everyone's looking forward to a perfect ending to the festival.
I can't help but feel nervous when I think about that.
I don't want to let anyone down. More importantly, I don't want to let you down.
O-of course! Y-you didn't forget it, did you?
Yeah. We did.
I said I didn't need this coating that day, but none of this would have happened if Teddy and the others hadn't given it to me.
I wouldn't have believed that I'd work so hard for something I'd never imagined doing before this.
So I've been thinking if I could take this opportunity to be a little more "different" than usual.
Like how I secretly asked Ayla to help me record my own album earlier, which should be ready for production soon.
There's no market for it, so we only made one copy. Since you've done so much for me, I guess I'll let you have it.
Traditional players that can play vinyl were no longer produced after the Golden Age. Even the WGAA barely has any in its inventory.
Karenina seems to have expected your answer as the Inver-Device on her head stirs slightly.
Ahem... What should I do with you, huh?
I happen to have a record player that I just fixed. What are the odds?
Karenina shifts her body slightly to reveal a record player on the workbench. It has been meticulously restored to its original glory.
I bought it in the antique shop the day we went out together and found some time to fix it.
I don't normally give people presents, so this is as different as I can get.
Karenina picks up the record player and touches the part beneath the turntable with a hint of nostalgia before handing it to you.
Just as you are about to take the record player, Karenina suddenly lifts it a little bit away from your hand.
Promise me you'll cherish it for the rest of your life if you take it.
It's hard to find the parts. I won't be able to fix it if it's broken again.
This record player might be the only one of this model in the world. No one listens to music this way nowadays, but...
But this is my gift to you, so you can't say you don't "need" it. Do you understand?
Hearing your promise, Karenina carefully places the record player on your open palms.
As you feel the weight of her gift, Karenina suddenly turns away and presses her hands against the pillar by the small stage.
I did it i did it i did it i did it...
Whew... It wasn't that hard, was it...
W-what did you say?!
Worked up? I'm not... I'm just—thrilled! Yeah, I'm so thrilled right now!
I feel like I can crush a hundred enemies on the lunar base with a punch—I-I mean, I feel so excited about the performance tonight that I can barely contain myself!
Karenina's Inver-Device begins to blink red, suggesting that her emotional module is starting to slightly overload.
Ugh... What's happening?! I can't control the flow rate of my vital fluid...
You grab Karenina's hands in an attempt to calm her down.
Commandant...
Seeing how restless she looks, you suddenly have an idea.
O-obviously! I can even go on stage right now!
Ah...
There is no need for any explanation. Karenina already understands what you mean.
This story of you two only began after Karenina pulled you into this secret space of hers.
Yeah, this is where we started.
Finally settling down, Karenina takes a moment to look around this space.
She steps onto the small stage again, illuminated by the dim spotlights.
Grabbing her guitar, she takes a deep breath.
...Everyone at the Paradise Festival will hear this song soon.
After all, this song was made for everyone to enjoy.
But for now... while it's just the two of us...
I want to dedicate this performance to where it all began.
Yeah. Together.
She takes her place on the stage while you once again sit down at the drummer's seat.
This song is the culmination of everyone's hard work, and you have long committed the melody and the score to memory.
Her pick glides over the guitar strings, drawing out her deepest feelings.
You pick up the drumsticks and start tapping, echoing her courage.
Her voice resonates in this small secret base.
Her figure shines brilliantly in this space, visible only to you.
With a shift in the guitar's tune, she extends an invitation to you.
She invites you to keep up with her and this exhilarating rhythm so that you can witness a world you have yet to discover.
How can you possibly refuse?
Your drumsticks are almost moving on their own. Sweat threatens to blur your vision, only to be immediately scattered by the vibrant rhythm.
You instinctively look up, meeting her gaze.
It is as if you both understand the unspoken question in each other's eyes.
Can you keep up?
In that moment, your duet becomes a contest of spirit.
Every beat you make knocks down some of the walls in your mind, and, eventually, you unearth some long-buried memories.
Hey, [player name]! Are you listening?
A couple of us in the class are talking about starting a band on the side. Do you want to join us?
Look, we're all graduating in a year, and who knows where we'll end up afterward. The frontline is filled with uncertainties, and maybe we'll never see each other again.
So we thought we'd do something while we're still at F.O.S., something we can only do now.
I heard you're quite into music, Chief. What do you usually listen to? Synth? Or something a little more old-school? Rock? Metal?
What do you say? Are you joining us?
What was your answer? Did you accept or reject their invitation?
You no longer remember what you chose, but you will not forget your choice this time.
As the final note fades into the air, the secret base is once again enveloped in silence.
There is no applause, but there is no need for any.
This is a moment only meant for you and her.
...It's over.
Thank you, Commandant.
She does not try to hide her thoughts this time, plainly expressing her feelings.
Hm. I feel reinvigorated somehow.
Looking at the place that fosters her "other side," Karenina prepares to leave.
Hah. I'd recommend lowering your expectations.
Karenina shakes her head, smirking mischievously.
I think the performance will never be as "perfect" as I want it to be, no matter how hard I try.
Isn't it obvious?
I've already given my best performance here.
Leading the way, she heads toward the exit, turning back and reaching out to you before you can react.
C'mon. Let's go.
I'm going to leave you behind if you don't keep up!
As if shattering the silence of the past few days, Constellia's night sky is awash with dazzling neon tonight.
Finally... Hff...
Standing in the passageway connecting the backstage to the stage, Karenina takes a moment to steady her breathing one last time.
Four small mechanoids approach her from ahead—Thunder Sparks has just finished their performance.
Now, the baton will be passed one last time from them to Karenina.
Standing by Karenina's side, you know your task as her "producer" is not complete until you witness her stepping onto the stage.
I will!
With a radiant smile, she walks toward the limelight.
The light goes out for a second—
Before every spotlight converges on her.
As do all the hopes, the wishes, the cheers—
Jamilah, is the picture coming through?
Standing on tiptoe, Sophia raises her terminal and streams the performance to those in Akdilek who cannot attend the show.
Hanying stands beside her, adjusting the visual receiver by her temple. Reflected in her pupils are the silhouettes of her distant compatriots.
Can everyone see it? Do I need to adjust anything else...?
Cervantes, what did you do? Have you messed with my settings again? Didn't I tell you that the communication protocols need to be set this way...
Calm down... It was working just fine when I tested it earlier...
Let me give it a shot. I've done this before.
Upon a series of clanking sounds, the screen filled with static instantly clears up.
See? It's all fixed.
...Haicma, you learned it from Blaze, didn't you?
Shush! Alright, everyone! Let's focus on the show!
Phew... That's the last bit sorted.
That's a wrap, everyone. Go get some rest.
Now, let's test the connection in this area...
Vice-Captain, look! Isn't that Captain?
I see it, I see it. Doesn't look too shabby, does she? I guess the coating isn't a waste.
In a new conservation area, the remaining Engineering Force members and the local residents gather around the newly installed communication screen, watching the footage coming from a distant city.
...
In a nameless ruins, a terminal turns on miraculously, catching the attention of a wanderer.
She stops in her tracks, her dark eyes suddenly filled with brilliant light.
Why does the sound always cut out at the most important moment?!
Calm down. You can always watch the recording.
You young people are always so impatient... The connection is a little unstable is what it is. There's no need to overreact—now, Asimov, you have ten seconds to fix it.
...
What's up? Why aren't you watching the broadcast with the others? This is a lot of effort to be alone.
Hmph... We're too old for that.
Hah. Well, we were all young once.
Karenina... has such a beautiful voice.
Do you want to sign up next time, Lucia?
If there's a next time. Who knows if we'll get another chance like this?
We will.
Yeah. All four of us can perform together then.
...It'd be nice to do it together.
Countless gazes converge.
Countless thoughts intertwine.
Inside the venue, or out there...
Humans, Constructs, or mechanoids...
No matter where one is... No matter what role one plays...
Friends, foes, or anyone in between...
Regardless of how weighty reality is...
Regardless of what the future holds...
These complex, indescribable, occasionally disheartening matters...
...Have all disappeared in this moment, lost in the girl's song.
It is okay to forget. It is okay to run away.
Even if this "happiness" is but a daydream that ends in the blink of an eye...
Just for this moment, it is okay to be a little indulgent and wish for something more.
The night will pass.
Tomorrow will be a beautiful day.
