Wish

It's been over a decade, yet the opening dance music remains the same.

Zineda, dance with me.

Maybe not! My practice has been pretty terrible..

It's okay, just hold my hand and sway to the rhythm.

Follow my command, forward one, two, backward one, two...

Oh dear, I forgot to spin around...

Don't be nervous, just act as if nothing has happened.

Enjoy this moment to the fullest.

Miss Dyatlov, may I?

Eh? I've long forgotten how to dance.

It's okay, just hold my hand and sway to the rhythm.

...

Come on, one, two, forward, and then backward..

Spin...

You are clearly great at dancing!

...Thank you, Awakener.

You're welcome.

How many nights, in my dreams, I have been repeatedly recalling this melody in my memory...

Excuse me, both of you. May I have the pleasure of dancing with this pretty lady?

Huh?

Look, someone is taking the initiative to invite you to dance!

Of course, it's possible!

...

Miss, why do you seem... to be shedding tears?

Did something sad come to mind?

I'm sorry, it's hard to believe... Would you go with me for a walk?

We've just met..

But don't you enjoy helping others, Dr. Zineda?

You know me?!

Doctor, you can perceive the energy of the Case with your senses, can't you?

Just cooperate and go with me, otherwise, I will expose your identity to the public in a way I prefer.

...Alright, let's go then.

Doctor, do you still remember me?

You were a child from the welfare home back then, right?

Do you really still remember me? I am codenamed NO.0303.

My goodness... Child, I didn't expect you to still be alive.

I... *sigh... So many years have passed, and what a young lady you've become!

But Doctor, your appearance is still the same as it was a decade ago, not a bit has changed.

This is good, for no matter how much time has passed, I can recognize you at a glance.

...Zineda, am I really ugly?

Mahiru, don't talk about yourself like that. I know you're feeling very upset right now.

Since the start of the Case experiment, how many batches of children who failed, because of us?

At first, I would cry my eyes out, but now... I feel like I can't shed a tear anymore.

Zineda, am I becoming less and less humane?

...

The person in charge of the experiment is me, Mahiru. I am the executioner.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things to you..

It's okay. Tell me whatever thoughts you have.

I still remember, at the beginning of the experiment, you told me that this was a sacrifice that had to be made in order to save mankind.

I'm sorry, Zineda..

Yesterday, our Stronghold was once again brutally plundered by the Nebu army. We are running out of time.

I'll forever remember the children who passed away.

I am their father. A mother may shed tears for her child's departure to war, but a father takes pride in his child's sacrifice for the country.

Even if we have to face retribution... Even if retribution is inevitable, this is the path we must tread.

From the establishment of the Joint Council to resist the enslavement of the ancient gods, this path has been unstoppable.

But, but..

...

Indeed, compared to the survival of mankind, what does the pain of us orphans amount to?

Only after I underwent the Draw surgery did I truly understand what real pain is..

Struggling daily with the rejection reaction, I also have to face this reality.

The caregivers who take care of us every day, the doctors, and our leader, True Noon, are all deceiving us.

You took us in, just to make us guinea pigs for the Case technology.

Become the stepping stone of the Mahiru Joint Council.

I'm sorry... truly sorry.

Even after the widespread adoption of Case Draw technology, this remains a surgery with a high failure rate.

But child, your species is very powerful. But now it seems, the surgery was very successful, you've shifted very well.

Most people in the world are not as fortunate as you.

Really? Lucky... It was when I was just taken in by the Joint Council Relief Agency, the first time I saw you and Mahiru, that I truly felt I was fortunate.

At that time, you gave me what I desired the most.

...family.

...

This is also the treasure you gave me..

Zineda, the shooting star, it's really here!

It's... beautiful..

Zineda looks great today, doesn't she?

Let's make a wish upon a shooting star together!

...

(I hope that in the days to come, I'll always be able to watch the meteor shower with you.)

I can't make up for the DMG I've caused you, but I've never treated you as guinea pigs.

...What you are doing now, is exactly what your mother did back in the day...

Was Mahiru really killed by the children who found out the truth?

I don't know... After Mahiru gave up resistance, I fled from the base.

I can't bring myself to do it... nor do I want to know who killed her.

Now, both you and I can make up for the regrets of the past. Take me to Mahiru, my child.

Think you can deceive me by pretending to be innocent?

I sincerely hope that, no matter which path you choose, you can move on from the past and have a complete soul..

I understand this kind of pain... For over a decade, I still haven't been able to move on.

(Mahiru, I'm coming to see you. I hope someone can carry on our wishes...)

Irresponsible behavior.

Huh?

This can set you free, but not Brown.

Is it you, Mahiru... Are you the one talking to me?

Alright, I will fulfill your wish.

Stop that, you'll regret it!

What?

Stop...

Doctor, what trick are you playing? Why is there a voice in my head?

Brown, what happened?

There's a voice in my head, stopping me from laying a hand on you..

I didn't do this... Could someone be watching us?

I can't... no way am I becoming puppet!

Dad, go to hell!

Brown, stop!

Awakener?

It's me... I noticed you two hadn't returned, so I came to see what's going on

Please do not attack Miss Dyatlov! She is not our enemy!

Us?

Yes... I am a guest of the Yorozuya, Lumin and Kuri are both my friends..

If you also refer to Miss Dyatlov as father... then you should also be the sister of Sui and Nanook!

We could be on the same side, right...

(Is this idiot completely clueless?)

This is the sign language I teach to the children..

(Yes, I haven't had the chance to tell him yet)

(If you care so much about what others think, how about not taking action here?)

Well, never mind... I'll let you off the hook today.

Doctor, Awakener, we will meet again.

We will meet again, Brown.

That was close... Do you guys celebrate any festivals?

Those things... I'll tell you all about them later.

Do you have many friends in the Empire? Could you help me get in touch with someone from the Church..

Miss Vivi should be able to... Doctor, thoughts?

I suddenly developed a strong interest in the Church and wanted to have a discussion with them..

Doctor, did you see the meteor shower just now? I think I might have missed it...

Hmm, I did make a wish in time.