Blue Archive story · Volume 6, Chapter 1, Episode 8
Vol. 6 Ch. 1 Ep. 8: Arius Style
1 scenes, 144 lines
1. Part 1
144 lines
It's really them...
The Squad is actually here...
What nerve, coming back here after abandoning us...
They were the ones who always got all the special perks, too.
To be honest, looking back, you could hardly call those "perks," though.
The big one is Sensei? I've never seen them in person before.
I think I did last time. They were pretty forgettable...
...My skin is prickling.
E-Eh?! Are you okay, Misaki? H-Here! Lotion! I have some lotion!
That's kind of you, Hiyori, but that's not what she meant.
She was referring to the hostility in the air.
The Squad and Joumae Saori.
Subaru.
I'll get to the point. Why are you here?
We had business here.
Have you been enjoying your time as a fugitive? Hiding around like a rat?
Yes, I'm still doing that.
So are you here because you're finally tired of your fancy new life?
...It is a little tiring.
Sao-Sao...?
Sorry, Atsuko. It feels wrong to be dishonest here.
For better or worse, while I'm standing on Arius grounds...
...I think I understand.
I see. So you came crawling back because the grass wasn't greener on the other side?
Hmmm. Looks like there's no seat for you here, though. So, terribly sorry.
What are you laughing at?
Nothing. Pardon me.
Thinking about how to respond, I couldn't help but laugh a little at my own thoughts.
If I was, I'd like to apologize. I can't change the past, but...
That is exactly what I mean!
*inhale*... *exhale*...
Fine, great. So then why have you returned?
...Sorry?
Wh-What did she just say? An exam...? I didn't mishear that, did I?
No, no. I heard the same thing.
I have no idea what she's talking about... Maybe this is what the outside does to you...
H-Hold on! I wasn't expecting that at all. I need a minute to process!
...
No matter how many times I think it over, that makes no sense!
Pffft.
M-Misaki?
Sorry, Hime. But I know why Leader was laughing.
You can't help but laugh at the situation.
And Subaru's confusion was the icing on the cake.
Hm. I see. My word choice must have been poor.
I recently heard that stating the conclusion first can benefit the flow of conversation.
No, wait. I needed to consider the context and timing as well...
If you already knew that, then start with the context!
Are you actually stupid?!
And I'm asking you why Arius students would even consider doing something like that!
You seriously know how to tick someone off, Joumae Saori!
We haven't seen Subaru blow up like this in a while...
Don't you remember? Those two have always butted heads. Like it's in their blood.
Sh-Should we do something?
What? Why? She's not doing anything wrong.
This is one of the few times I feel like cheering her on, actually.
I feel similarly. You can do it, Sao-Sao!
O-Okay...
"Since this isn't Saori's specialty, I'll step in!"
S-Sensei?
...So you are Schale's Sensei.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
I'd like to welcome you to Arius, Sensei.
For now, at least.
"I've heard about you from Saori."
Why from her?
"A-And from the other Squad members as well, of course!"
...But why?
Anyway, fine.
You can understand why it's difficult for us to understand why an outsider would come into our territory and demand we take some test.
"As a student, studying and exams are part of your responsibilities!"
Why are you applying your way of life and thinking to Arius?
"Well, isn't Arius still a school?"
"And you all are definitely students, right?"
...!
We're... students?
W-Well, I guess we technically are? In, like, a super-literal sense.
Arius IS part of the Academy City, right?
B-But...
...people like us...
Could you really consider us normal students?
"...Right. That might be true."
What...?
"Hear me out, okay?"
"Just try them out once: studying, exams, 'normal' student activities."
"If, after all that, you still think it's useless, I'll leave it alone."
Why would we do all that? Just to confirm what we already know?
Huh? Being a student is about challenging your beliefs and trying new things?
...Are you living in a fantasy world? What are these idealistic views?
"You sure know how to hit where it hurts..."
"Being a teacher means being at least a little idealistic."
"Really? You do?!"
Yes.
I understand very well now that your view of the world and ours are running along parallel lines that will never meet.
...Your disappointment is tangible. I thought an adult would be more mature.
Fine, if that's how you'd like to play it...
You can't enter Arius without proving you have the right to stay first.
"Uh...?!"
Squad! You were, and always will be, traitors to us!
If you really want to come back to Arius, then prove the value of your existence right here, right now!
Safeties off!
...So this is our only option?
"What are you all doing right now?!"
Kids grow up with their fists, after all.
You're surprised to hear that from me? I'll elect to choose that as a compliment.
B-But, um... It's a little comforting! This makes me feel like we're really back home. Heehee.
Atsuko, will you be okay without your mask?
Yes. It gets a bit stuffy and difficult to talk with it on.
You don't have to fret over me anymore, Saori. I'm stronger than I was.
...Understood.
"Why do things always end up this way...?"
This is Arius!
This is Arius!
If you believe in what you're saying, prove it to us!
Strength is power!
There is no justice without power, no beliefs without strength!
And the only one who can take responsibility for your life is yourself!
GRAAAH!!