Blue Archive story · Volume 6, Chapter 3, Episode 6
Vol. 6 Ch. 3 Ep. 6: From the Bottom
1 scenes, 162 lines
1. Part 1
162 lines
You're...Joumae Saori? I've heard your name a lot, especially as the leader of the Arius Squad. As fellow first-years, let's do our best to complete our mission together.
Kakehashi Subaru, was it? I've been briefed.
What's this?
...
That was the day.
The day I first met Joumae Saori on a mission.
Back when we were both first-years.
...I found her to be a cold, unapproachable peer.
Should we go over the plan before we begin the operation?
Here, I've finished it already. Review it.
...Okay?
Is there a problem?
Shouldn't we start with reviewing the basics before we get started on any plans?
You know, like disclosing our strengths, weaknesses, specialties, procedures...
Look, if you don't think you can keep up, go home. I can do this alone.
...Are you always like this? Even with the Squad?
No, not with the Squad. Everyone knows their roles.
Are you going to try to tell me that you're being "considerate" right now?
I am.
There's nothing to explain. I did what was necessary to complete the mission.
To Joumae Saori, anything outside of the Squad seemed irrelevant.
When she had to work with anyone else, it was uncomfortable and frustrating.
...I was one of the few, maybe the only person, who could tolerate her.
It was "necessary" to use me as bait and empty an entire artillery barrage on me?!
At least TRY to act like you have a brain! Those kinds of things won't fly now that we're second-years!
It was the fastest way to complete the mission.
A mission's virtues are strength, victory, and swift execution. Failure is a sin.
...So everything else is just collateral damage?
Looks like we're finally communicating.
Hm? Ah...that. That's just what happened.
Looking back, that had likely been Madame's intention from the beginning.
To Madame, everything except the Squad... No, everything except Hakari Atsuko, was just a tool.
She probably wanted to use Saori as leverage in one way or another.
...And for some reason, that made me angrier than I expected.
It was how I felt every time I saw the children suffering in Arius.
You're not bothered? You don't want to graduate to your third year?!
Does it matter? If I'm a second-year or a third-year?
I have one more year as leader of the Squad, at least. There are benefits as well.
...It really is all about the Squad with you, Saori.
Is there something wrong with that?
No. Nothing. Well then, I'll go on ahead and enjoy being a lone upperclassman. Best of luck to you.
About that...
...Yes?
The underclassmen seem to rely on you more, Subaru.
...Thanks.
Exactly. That's made me realize that I could never fill the role you've taken on.
I believe I fit best as an instructor.
...So you mean I'm supposed to take care of all the students after you break them in training?
You're always quick to understand my point. Thank you.
No! You're missing MY point entirely!!
Still...when I think about it...
No matter the situation, Joumae Saori never changed.
I thought she was just incapable of it.
"Are you awake now?"
Where...am I?
"The place you called 'Porta Pacis.'"
"About ten seconds?"
"I think that's my question, actually."
I...see.
So... You're wondering which one I am?
...
Um...
I think...
...it's over.
Yes. Everything...is over.
I...
In the end, I couldn't do anything...
I forced my stubborn ideals down everyone's throats.
And after doing all that...
*sob*
Subaru's sobs were uneven and ragged.
I looked around, then sat beside her.
I decided to wait until her crying settled.
"It hurts, doesn't it?"
"You were trying to protect Arius."
And look at how that worked out.
...
It's over, Sensei. All of it was in vain.
I thought I had to do something, anything, so I just tried everything I could... This is the result of all that effort.
I did it for the children who the world left hurt and bruised, the ones who had nowhere they belonged, and maybe...for myself too.
I didn't want to just keep drifting through life.
It's...all lip service in the end, though.
If I'd known it was going to end up like this, I probably wouldn't have done anything.
"No, that's not true."
"There's meaning behind trying your hardest."
...Even when this is the result?
And even though my intentions weren't pure?
I put on this brave front in front of all the kids, pretending I knew the way forward.
Saori was right, unfortunately. I had no idea which way I was going.
I bragged about doing things the Arius way, but in the end...they were empty words.
"But you learned that from this experience, right?"
"Students have the privilege of being judged on the process, not the results."
...So I shouldn't worry about the terrible reality of being judged on the results of what I do until I'm an adult?
...
Saying I'm a student and hiding behind my inexperience isn't a good enough excuse for forgiveness.
...As long as I hold onto that mindset, it'll be okay?
...
But still...
What's really going to change for people who are already at rock bottom?
We're just going to continue living like this and disappear one day anyway.
No matter how hard you polish trash, it doesn't turn into a jewel.
...
Don't give us hope for dreams we can never reach. That's an even more pitiful existence than our current one.
Preaching that things will always work out as long as we "try really hard" would be pretty irresponsible, wouldn't it?
"You're right, there's truth to that."
"Sometimes no amount of effort can turn things around."
"You can fail, or even make things worse."
"But, you know, if you're really at rock bottom..."
"...the only way you can go is up, right?"
...Is that seriously how you're going to try to encourage me?
Sometimes that really is all you can say, though.
Saori...?
Yeah.
Because we really have hit rock bottom.
Haven't we, Subaru?
We can't fall any lower, and there's nowhere left to run. Whatever happens, we'll need to see it through to the end.
...I mean, every day was already the worst anyway, so whatever.
Heh, eheehee... I guess there probably is something even lower than rock bottom...
If that happens, we can just say we came down to check out the basement, right...?
...You've all really turned into dummies. The entire Squad.
You'll need to adopt this kind of mindset, however, if you want to survive out there.
...We wouldn't have made it otherwise.
There are times when nothing else matters except moving forward... So we just point to whatever reason we can and use it to keep going. Heh. Heehee...
Right. So let's all go together.
Not because we think that sticking together means that everything will work out in a beautiful fairy tale ending.
It's simply that...we Arius kids seem to be incapable of doing anything unless it's together.
Isn't that right?
Come on, Subaru. Time to get up.
Your clothes are gonna get dirty if you keep lying there.
Well, let's try our best to not make it worse.
Captain?!
Captain! Waaah! You have no idea how worried I was!!
Serina? Hanae? This place is... We're in the Remedial Knights infirmary?
...
How many days are left until the Trinity practice exams?!
Huh? C-Captain? I mean, that's important too, but maybe we should start with your health...
No! This absolutely takes priority!
I will not allow the Remedial Knights to be looked down upon by other clubs or students!
...
You're right, Captain. We still have some time, so let's do all we can to prepare.
Everyone's okay, right?
Yes!