Blue Archive story · Volume 1: Foreclosure Task Force, Chapter 3, Episode 43
Vol. 1 Ch. 3 Ep. 43: Epilogue 2
1 scenes, 129 lines
1. Part 1
129 lines
Thank you, come again!
Yes, party of two? This way, please!
Welcome! We have a new wait list, if you don't mind putting down your name. The wait should be around thirty minutes!
Serika! Could you help with clean-up over here?
Yes! I'm coming!
"She's quite the busy bee."
Yeah. The streets have been more crowded lately.
They really have been. Did you see all the new stores that opened up downtown?
Yup, yup! Things are really looking up for us!
*yawn* More people, more problems. It's been cutting into my nap time.
It's been manageable so far, though.
THIEF!!
Outta my way!
The construction funds are in that wallet! Thief!!
I'm on it!
Gah, Shiroko! Your ramen's gonna get cold if you don't hurry!
Shiroko!
It's fine, it's fine. Shiroko's gotten so fast, it'll be over in the blink of an eye.
"..."
...Sensei? What's wrong?
"...I'll go too."
Huh?
Heehee... I think I lost...
...
"Shiroko!"
Sensei...?
...I've been caught.
...
Um... I'll go return the wallet...
I won't run away. Since you can predict my every movement.
A given, I suppose. You are me, after all.
...Then, Sensei.
"Thanks, Shiroko. I'll talk to other-Shiroko for a bit."
(...)
It's been...not too long, Sensei.
"Have you been in Abydos this whole time?"
Yeah. It's all I know, really.
I've been staying in empty houses here and there, throughout the district.
Quite a few places have water and electricity.
"I see. Have you been staying healthy? Eating? Any problems?"
I work out daily, gather scraps to assemble and sell, and occasionally take on vigilante tasks like this...
I'm well-accustomed to being alone, Sensei.
"Would you like to share a bowl of ramen with us?"
"Everyone would love to see if you've been well, Shiroko."
"Next time, then. I'll be with you."
"About what?"
"Is there more I need to know?"
...I see.
"I don't want to bully you with an interrogation."
...Yes.
I've learned something of importance, though.
I discovered how it was that Hoshino was able to return to normal.
"..."
Unlike me, she was in an incomplete state, and it wasn't the Chroma that transformed her.
And in the end, she had to give up a part of who she was, a part of her nature...
That is how she could move forward.
There's no way to restore an existence transformed by the Chroma to its original state.
It's a natural rule of this world, just as how the dead cannot be brought back to life.
But...if you still want to rescue someone... ...Come see me, Sensei.
"I can't bring people back from the dead."
"So I'll stop chasing after Kuzunoha."
"I'll offer help to the student who's right in front of me, instead."
My very existence here is a disruption, Sensei. There can only be one Shiroko in this world.
"It doesn't matter. If something goes wrong... I'll figure it out."
...Hah.
"Did you just...laugh?"
I've heard that one before.
Yes... This world is protected by Sensei, an adult.
To me, Phrenapates and Sensei feel like one and the same.
I suppose that's natural. Like how Shiroko is me.
"Yeah. I'll always be me."
Yes. That's correct. You've always been reliable...always making the same choice, in the same situation...
"Shiroko. Please take this."
"So don't go off somewhere that phone won't work, okay?"
...Yes. Thank you.
They're likely already worrying, so I'll be on my way, Sensei.
...I'll be in touch.
"Shiroko!"
"You've changed too, you know."
...?
"I can see them! The parts of you that've changed!"
"It might be small, but you've moved forward too!"
...Yes. I'm aware as well.
Probably... I'll be fine as well.
*tchhhk* Target confirmed! We finally have visuals on the target!
I can tell that much for myself, Ayane!
We've fought it before, right? Although that was in the middle of the desert!
*tchhhk* It's similar, but back then, the Chroma...
We really don't need an in-depth analysis right now! It's straightforward! That thing's gonna mess up all of Abydos' urban area if we don't do something!
Yeah. We'll neutralize it immediately.
*tchhhk* The plan is to flank it from the side! I'll cover you, so please charge in!
Got it!
Full frontal assault! ♧
Woaaah! Also, where the heck is Hoshino?!
*tchhhk* Huh? Hoshino is...
*tchhhk* This old-timer's already in position.
Huh? Since when?!
Right in front! These old bones aren't gonna last too long. Hurry!
Yeah. On our way.
Hoshino! Did you wait long?
Ah?!
You're...
Whoa! Did you come to help us, other-Shiroko?
Yes. Just this once.
Now, now. We've got a battle to win. The faster we take it down, the better.
Yes. Formation B.
...Since when did we have formations?
Yup, yup! I'm ready! ♧
This isn't the time for jokes! Binah's noticed you!
...I can't take you seriously when you have your mask on too, Ayane...
U-Ummm...
And stop fidgeting like a nervous puppy already, Shiroko...
I can't give you this mask. It's important to me.
Now, let's get this done.
Hoshino
Foreclosure Task Force
Good, let's do this, Abydos.