Blue Archive story · Volume 6, Chapter 2, Episode 6
Vol. 6 Ch. 2 Ep. 6: Lost Child
1 scenes, 219 lines
1. Part 1
219 lines
Good work, everyone.
T-Today really was something...
Well, life on the run wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
"You've all grown so strong..."
It wasn't because I wanted to, all right?
What? People usually grow the most when they have to, not because they want to?
Ugh. You're always annoyingly right.
Hiyori...?
N-Nothing! I-I'm happy regardless! Eheehee...
But still...
Something is...
Aha...! Hah! Maybe I'm just having all these weird thoughts because we haven't been back here in a while...
"No, Hiyori. It's not weird at all."
"When it comes to you all and Arius..."
"...I bear responsibility for my negligence."
What? Wh-What are you saying?
Sensei...?
...
You know, Sensei. Please don't feel that everything must rest on your shoulders.
We're responsible for the choices we made, and it's our responsibility to carry that ourselves.
But, for now, let's focus on what we can do now.
We can figure something out together.
First, I'd like to address Mine's request.
"'Daily life', she said..."
Yes. Daily life in Arius.
...Well, the daily life she described is the complete opposite of Arius' reality.
Right... All these things the students experienced since we've gotten here were brand new...
Taking classes...studying...field trips... They even saw straws that could filter water, and types of medical supplies they didn't even know existed.
These aren't just "emergency supplies" to them. The students received blankets with reliable insulation for once, not the scraps of fabrics they usually use.
Even the nutrition kits they brought are foreign to Arius.
I see. What are considered the trivialities of life for one, can also be miracles for another.
Mine requested we protect this, yes?
Having a daily routine. Feeling secure in tomorrow. The growth that comes with such a life...
It's all surprisingly hard to come by.
"You're right, Misaki."
"That's where I need to do better, as a teacher."
But...I really don't wanna study anymore...
"Shame! It's your duty as a student!"
Y-You totally just sounded like a teacher just now...!
Ah. Right. You ARE a teacher, aren't you?
"All right! It can't be helped!"
"What I'm going to do next is a student's worst nightmare!"
What...is that?
"I'm sending out a mass text through MomoTalk!"
"And announcing that class is still on tomorrow!"
You're cruel, Sensei.
People grow and get stronger by pushing themselves to do things they don't want to?
*sigh* They say the same thing in Arius, although our version is a bit darker.
I remember that...
Fufu. Personally, I prefer Sensei's version of class over Arius'. Of course, I can only speak for myself.
Ah, I'm sure Misaki would disagree with me, right?
...I never said that.
Heehee!
Heh. Heehee...
Why are you guys always like this when it comes to me?!
Huh? A MomoTalk?
"Although it was hectic, thank you for your hard work today."
"Class will continue, as scheduled, tomorrow morning."
"We strongly urge all students to attend and participate!"
Are you kidding me right now?
Do they not understand how dire this situation is?
Is Subaru back yet? We need to tell her about this...
Ah, Subaru! You're here! Sensei just sent out this announcement to everyone...!
And it said...
I'm aware.
Oh, you are?
I-I see... Well, that's good...
I just deleted it. Don't bother yourself with it.
"Don't bother"...?
"Deleted it"...?
Is there a problem?
N-Not at all!
We're just going to...go to bed?
I mean, I guess it is late, but...
But what about Sensei? They don't know anything about us, but they still think they have the right to boss us around like this!
And the Squad too! Shouldn't we, like... I don't know, send in a complaint?
Oh, and Maia too... I know she can't come back, but shouldn't we at least get her a blanket so she doesn't freeze?
Subaru...?
Huh...?
...!
U-Understood!
G-Good night, Subaru!
*sigh*
...
Maybe I'll just sleep in the Basilica today.
...
I can still feel it...even here...
That feeling that I'll never fall asleep again, even if I die.
...
What should I do now...?
...
Just like this...
...like this.
I want to disappear...
Hm? This is...
...
Class tomorrow? Even now...?
Sensei, seriously...
...
Ugh...
"It's perfect! Let's start with picking up the chairs!"
"Look, there's even a podium and a blackboard!"
"It's okay! That's why they call the first week 'syllabus week'!"
"It's just a quick overview, and then attendance!"
*sob*
I wanna go...
I wanna go to...Sensei...
*sob*
Uwaaahhh...!
I had been staring at the ceiling, the events of the day running through my mind.
The Book of Revelation...the blow of the trumpet...angels... I cycled through them again and again.
"Who is that...? Hiyori? Misaki?"
"Maia?! Are you okay?!"
Um, Sensei...?
I'm really, really sorry...
But could I...sleep here...just for tonight?
Please...
I'll be gone in the morning...and I'll never bother you again... I promise...
"Welcome in!"
Gah?!
"Were you crying? Let's wash your face. You're soaked all the way through!"
I-I'm fine! I'm fine...but...
I did my best to wipe down her face with tissues and bottled water.
...Maia immediately started to lap at the water, so I got her every variety of drink we had.
At first, I wanted to ask her what happened, but after thinking about it...
...
"Okay, let's get some rest for now."
"You can use this sleeping bag."
Huh?
B-But...isn't this yours?
No? I shouldn't worry about it?
There's an extra foil blanket in the emergency kit?
N-No! That's not right! I'll use the foil blanket instead!
What? If I keep on insisting, you'll sleep outside without a blanket...? Th-That's even worse!
O-Okay... Then...
Thank you, Sensei...
Am I hungry? I-I'm okay! I'm totally fine!
"Yeah, yeah. I knew you'd say that..."
I'm sorry...
Nom, nom. *gulp*
"Eat slowly, or you'll hurt your stomach."
B-But... But...
This is good.
Yeah... Really good...
...
*sob*
"..."
"All done?"
Y-Yes... I'm feeling full now...
I should get some rest then?
...
Um, Sensei?
Are you not...going to ask me what happened...?
"Let's get some rest while we still can."
"*yawn* Man! I am BEAT!"
I'm sorry.
Because of me...
I'm...sorry...
What? Y-You'll flick my forehead if I don't stop?!
Everything's okay, so don't say anything and get some rest for now?
...I can figure out what I want to do tomorrow?
You're really okay with me staying here?
"Yeah. And if you want to talk, you can."
"We're not in any rush."
...
...
Thank you, Sensei.
Thank you...
*sob*
Maia must have been exhausted, because it didn't take long for her to fall asleep.
She was restless all night, clearly plagued by a bad dream.
...But I thought I could at least do this much.
Is everyone here?
Yes!
Yes, Subaru!
...Is this really okay?
It's so early... I guess that's why she told us to go to bed yesterday.
But the sun isn't even up, and it looks like we're really going to Porta Pacis...
That means Sensei's class will probably...
But what if we don't find what we're looking for there?
Shh, she'll hear us...!
Is there a problem?
No! Not at all!
...
...
D-Did no one...come...?
...
U-Um, Sensei? I believe this is what they'd call an "unexplained absence."
"Yeah...and a group one, on top of that."
"There's nothing more unpredictable than high school girls, but still..."
What should we do, Sensei? It's been too long since we left Arius. We're unlikely to be able to squirrel out any of their hiding spots.
...You intend to call Subaru?
...
Understood, Sensei.
"I get that people might not like my educational policies..."
"...but a mass ditch day is a bit..."
Um, Sensei? I probably know where they are...
You do, Maia?!
They're all probably...
...on their way to Porta Pacis.
!!!