Pointless Gestures

Hm-hm-hmm. Time for a Kumos city break! Today's adventure: Dust City! Wonder if it's nice weather. Who knows. We're indoors.

Hm. Anything interesting around? Maybe a naughty book or somethin'?

You understand, don't you?

Hm? What's all that commotion?

You don't get happy because good things happen. Good things happen because you're happy! Happiness comes first!

We understand!

Truly, we do!

This will then lead to more happiness, in an infinite loop of bliss! A perfect life!

We understand!

Truly, we do!

Ooh, those guys look like they're doin' well for themselves!

I'ma go listen to what they have to say! Hellooo!

So to start, you need happiness! By any means necessary!

We understand!

Truly, we do!

Yeah! Agreed!

Ugh. Where did that stupid Kumos even go? Maybe I should just go alone? But that's so boring...

Ah! It's Yakumo!

Not you two. Go away, you're not wanted here.

We can't just leave you...

Please don't be this way. We just wanted to help out with your work.

How odd. Time has reversed, yet you want to help with my work? I thought we parted ways.

We're not giving up on this world, or on you.

Why's that? Because we're traveling companions? Such a goody-two-shoes.

Y-You remembered? You didn't seem to know about our travels before.

What are you talking about? Of course I remember traveling around with you.

(Ah. So this is the Yakumo I've been traveling with...)

Honestly. This is why I can't stand you two anymore.

Heya, Yakumo. You're looking pretty down in the dumps.

Goody-two-shoes. This is why I don't want anything to do with you...

Heya, Yakumo. You're looking pretty down in the dumps.

Somethin' happen? Wanna tell yer old man about it?

What? Where have you been? And "old man"? I thought you were genderless?

How should I know?

You know what, forget it. Take a swig of this. It'll make you feel right as rain.

Uh, is that Drinko Joy? Where'd you get that from? That stuff's dangerous!

It's dangerous? The guys who gave it to me seemed happy enough...

You know what, if it's dangerous, then all the more reason to try it!

Why would you do that? Their happiness isn't real!

Ugh. I've already had to deal with this stupid drink before.

What happened?

It was before the time loop. Maybe I should tell you. It does concern our work.

A drink that makes you happy?

And the Dust Lovers are involved? That is worrying.

When I tried to look into it, they beat me black and blue. I shudder just thinking about it.

Then how's about some payback? With your powers now, it'll be a piece of cake!

That's not a bad idea. I think you get me now. If we go back and eavesdrop where I did last time, they will come to us.

Are you going to erase people like before? We can't let you do that. No matter how evil they are.

Calm down. I won't kill them. Not yet, anyway. But... Well. I feel like I should do something other than just beating them up.

Eh? You thought of somethin' even more fun than payback?

It's not about the fun. I want to understand. It's important to me that I do. I've never entered that store. But that woman made a fool of me, and that still makes me angry.

And there's one other thing I regret.

Oh? So which'll it be?

Hmm. I wish we could do both. If we're to beat up the thugs, we'll go to the back of the store. If we're to negotiate with the woman, then we go inside the store.

But if you go too far, we'll stop you. For your own good.

You don't get to decide what's best for me. But if you want to come with, then suit yourself.

I've brought the mushrooms, like she told me. Will you let us through?

Um... Fine. Go on through.

When did you get those?

I collected them before the time loop. I didn't realize they'd come in so useful. So, shall we go inside?

Who might you be? I thought I sent someone else to collect the ingredients...

No, you're remembering it wrong. It was me who went to collect them. Take them, I don't care. I don't need your dubious "bliss."

Oh? You didn't come here for a taste of happiness?

That drink doesn't give happiness. It sucks out your personality.

Great, you came here to preach to me? Don't be such a loser.

Tch. My hair may be a different color, but I guess I'm still the same old loser. Whatever.

Wh-What was that?!

Tell me everything about this operation. Now!

Ack... There's no way I can... Okay, okay! I'll talk!

But I don't know everything! Drinko Joy only just came out! Some KMS branch chief brought over the recipe! I think he's an old associate... But that's all I know, I swear it! She knows everything, ask her.

"She"? Ooh, there's another lady, eh? She a looker?

She's my boss! Now I've had enough of this!

I want nothing more to do with a man as plain as you!

Tch. I suppose that will have to do. The woman just loves to insult me.

The Branch Chief's involved with the Dust Lovers? I've got a bad feeling about this.

We have a branch in Dust City, yet he sneaks off here alone? He's up to something. There must have been some reason why he wanted me to investigate the store. If he's the one who wanted to spread the drink, was he trying to find out its influence?

But you've stopped them from selling those strange drinks now, right?

She escaped. Even with power, things never go my way. Fine. I'll just have to wait in front of the store. I have some unfinished business.

Unfinished business? And it's not chasin' down that lady?

Come, and you'll find out.

All right. It's the same as before.

As anticipated, this venture is proving profitable.

Very true. No issues so far.

You were right! Those two seem super suspicious!

Now we just have to wait here...

Hm. It's rude to eavesdrop, you know.

There he is. I'll handle this alone. You stay out of this.

So it's already leaked out, huh? Looks like I'm going to have to silence you. My, so many of you. That's gonna be a lot of screams.

I'm afraid there's only going to be one scream, and it's going to come from you.

As if! My armor could easily⁠...

We'll see about that. Except, I don't want to silence you. I want the opposite.

The opposite?

Tell me everything you know about this drink. And I mean everything.

You've gotta be kidding me! I can't tell you that, they'll kill me!

If you don't tell me, I'll hurt you. Violence is the only reliable option. Isn't that right?

Eep. B-But that's what I say... How did you...

All right, I'll talk! But I don't know much! Drinko Joy only just came out! Some KMS branch chief brought over the recipe! I think he's an old associate... But that's all I know, I swear it! She knows everything, ask her.

"She"? Ooh, there's another lady, eh? She a looker?

She's the one I was talking to earlier! She's my boss!

Please... Forgive me!

Tch. That should be enough.

The Branch Chief's involved with the Dust Lovers? I've got a bad feeling about this.

We have a branch in Dust City, yet he sneaks off here alone? He's up to something.

There must have been some reason why he wanted me to investigate the store. If he's the one who wanted to spread the drink, was he trying to find out its influence?

H-How did they destroy the guard droids? We've gotta get out of here!

Who was that?

She escaped. Even with power, things never go my way.

Fine. I'll just have to wait in front of the store. I've got unfinished business.

Unfinished business? And it's not chasin' down that lady?

Come, and you'll find out.

So what's this unfinished business you mentioned, Yakumo?

Just wait.

I've finally got them. Now I can change. Both my life, and myself.

Wait.

Eep? Wh-Who're you?

Sorry for startling you. The shop's closed down. Thought I should let you know.

C-Closed down?!

No. This can't be happening. She said she'd change my life... She said I'd feel bliss.

It's for the best. You don't want to touch that stuff.

N-No! I-I can't do that! I can't stay like this. You wouldn't understand.

Actually, I do.

But you can't just be given happiness. You have to earn it, by doing what you want to do. Yesterday, I did something I wanted. It was pretty great.

In any case, you won't be getting access to any more drinks. Make the most of it.

Um... Wait!

Huh?

Hahah... You actually stopped. That's the first time I've ever managed to call out to someone. You're strangely easy to talk to. You and me are alike, aren't we?

Perhaps.

It's a shame the shop closed. But at least I got to meet someone willing to talk to me. So thank you. We may not have talked long, but I'll remember this for the rest of my life.

I don't want your thanks. If you want to show your gratitude... Ah.

Wh-What the? What are all these dolls?

Take them. They're only weighing me down. Later.

B-Bye! A-And thank you.

Bwahahahaha! What was that?! So you're a little goody two-shoes now? That's hilarious! My sides hurt from laughing so hard!

You really are a nasty piece of work, huh.

What an inspirational story! Didn't tell him the thing you wanted to do was cause a massacre, didja?

You swindled him hard. Haha, I almost feel sorry for that guy. Pathetic!

I didn't lie to him!

This wouldn't usually be a good thing, but...

Yeah. At least Yakumo was kind to someone. I didn't really see that coming.

Exactly! What happened?! This ain't how your mama raised you!

And what would you know about that? You just wouldn't understand. You don't get how I feel. You don't get how he feels.

The whole of Dust City sheds a tear at the love of the usually cold corporate drone.

Grrr! I'll kill you!

Go ahead and try! I'll give you a good spanking!