Specialty Change: Rima

La-la-la!

Yummy ice cream!

Whoaaa!

La-la-la!

Lovely ice cream!

Had one already? Had one today?

Have one more! Have one right now!

It's interesting how much people like it when the lyrics are so...transparent.

What's your problem? We've sold so much ice cream thanks to that song.

C-Chloe wrote the lyrics this time.

I can't really complain since it helps bring in more customers, but...

It's a bit of a shame to only use your songs for promoting the café.

Ah...

Wow, did you just compliment us?

It does sound like that.

Anyway, just let me know if you need anything. I'll try my best to accommodate you.

...Thank you.

But lately, I've been thinking that I need to make some changes too.

Changes?

Yes, a true artist shouldn't be afraid of breaking out of their comfort zone in order to move forward!

But all I've been doing is making songs that all sound the same...

It's okay! You have the talent to mass-produce similar things!

Ahaha... That's not really comforting...

Really? Well, then make something new! Make a change!

Umm... It's not as easy as it sounds. If only I still had that wandering poet's sheet music...

...

Don't you look at me like that. You're the one that ripped it up from seeing the rat.

What have I done? Even if I was scared by a rat, I should've taken good care of it. How am I going to put all this back together?

It was the best song ever. Argh!

I've tried to collect as many pieces as possible, but it seems difficult to piece it back together.

If only I still had that sheet music...

No, even if I did, I could probably only use it as reference to make a couple of songs at best.

I need the beautiful, mysterious sound of the legendary self-playing harp I found that one time!

Yes, you don't have to play alone anymore. I'll be your friend.

And together, we'll become the perfect pair...

Together, we'll lead the music of this era...!

...SNAP!

...The string snapped when Rima touched it.

Oh, no... And the music stopped too. It seems it really was too old.

Haha, and now it's cracking too!

Creeeaaaak...

B-But why...?!

N-No, my lifelong dream...

Hmm? A legendary instrument...

Now that you mention it, there was a customer blabbering on about a legendary instrument or something.

What?!

Are you serious? A legendary instrument?

Don't make such a fuss, you two. You're going to give me a headache...

Where was he...? Ah, there he is, the guy at that table over there.

Are you the person who's been talking about a legendary instrument?

If you say you're too drunk to remember what you said, then you'll be punished by the queen! Just keep that in mind!

Uh... Mmm... The queen...

Yes, you're in the presence of the queen!

The queen is...sitting right next to me... Zzz...

Start talking! Now!

Umm... I-It's...

Hey, Chloe.

Yeah?

I think you're pushing him too much...

Why don't you put down your hammer first? I feel like you're going to break something if you keep waving it around like that...

Oh... Okay.

A legendary instrument... Did I really say that...? Umm... I don't remember...

Y-You...!

Come on, wake up! If you tell us, I promise I'll draw a heart on your latte.

Even though the boss is the one that makes them, I usually lie and tell customers that I did. But this time, you really will get to enjoy a latte with a heart drawn by the queen herself!

Are you sure you can do that?

Just for the record, the one you tried to draw last time... I wouldn't quite call that a heart.

Whatever! The point here is that the queen will draw it!

I'll make a heart with my hands for you then.

A-Ah... Now I think I remember saying something like that...

Earlier, I was asking the boss right here whether there really is such a thing as a legendary instrument.

What are you talking about? You said it definitely existed.

I-I did...? In any case, it was back when I was living in District C...

...I found a Cyborg slouching in a chair, clutching this datapad.

Its brain was totally fried, but it was still holding onto this.

What happened to the Cyborg? Is it dead?

Probably, unless there's a way to implant a new brain.

Then how do you know this pad contains information about a legendary instrument?

Because it was in a file's title. But I couldn't read the file since it was encrypted.

I showed it to everyone in the field, but no one could figure out how to crack it.

Hmm...!

So in conclusion, you don't know what exactly is written in that file or where the instrument is... Right?

Whaaat? Are you giving up already, Rima?

It's just that I failed twice already, so I'm not sure how this time will be any different...

You didn't have me by your side back then! This time will definitely be different!

Hey, mister, I'm taking this datapad. Consider it an honor for your queen to accept your useless junk as tribute.

W-What are you talking about?! Do you have any idea how much I could get for this on the black market?!

Here! A Queen's Grace parfait, on the house!

Did he really settle for that?

Chloe...managed to get him to cave with the carrot and stick approach.

Hehehe.

She's more capable than I thought.

Hey, wait! What do you think you're doing?

What do you mean? I'm connecting the datapad.

I'm an Automatic Doll, so I can decrypt most files right awa...

Ahhh! What are you doing?! Give it back!

You dummy... How could you just connect to something without knowing what's inside?

Besides, aren't you a fugitive?

I already turned the wireless communication off. You think I don't think ahead at all?

But it can be activated by force at any time.

...I just realized how scary this place can be.

Yes, especially here in District D. Why don't you let me take a look at this? And come by the storage room after we close up shop today.

It's time to dust off my old equipment.

Your old equipment?

Just who are you?

It's nothing you should concern yourselves with, just like I never ask who you two are, or what you've done in the past.

Here are the things I've discovered.

The legendary instrument in question... I believe it's one of the artifacts discovered in ancient Wintenberg.

It's from another world, so it's probably a thing of legend there as well.

*gasping* A legendary instrument from another world...

It's the real deal!

I also found a couple of poorly-made traps in the code.

Huh?

I think that guy wanted to hack into your vision and parts of your senses. That's probably why he was willing to give you this in exchange for that parfait.

How...dare he! I swear I'll execute that creep if he ever comes back!

Did you happen to find where the instrument is now?

About that... I'm afraid it's going to take some time to figure it out.

We're currently piggybacking on units from the regional administrative system. They're known to be lax, but it's always good to be careful.

I have no idea what you're talking about...

We don't need to get all the details. The point here is that our boss is one suspicious fellow.

What?

If this is a contest of who's more suspicious, you, the Automatic Doll queen, definitely win.

What's so suspicious about me being a queen?

Anyway, isn't there some way you can find its location a little faster? Rima isn't really good at waiting.

No, I can wait.

Although, well, I wouldn't complain if you did find it a little faster...

Hm.

A little bit more, a little bit faster... That's what gets you in the end. At least, that's what happened to most of my buddies in this field.

I know you're an Automatic Doll, but do you have a death wish?

Umm...

And Rima, it looks like there's something you have to do. According to the sentence I just extracted...

What is it?

"Those who wish to attain a legendary instrument must first awaken as true musicians."

...That's what it says.

Awaken...? How do I do that?

You got this, right?

M-Maybe...

Personally, I think you're already doing well, but it wouldn't hurt to be sure.

Maybe I need more training to become a true musician...

Perhaps.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

He said he needed more time to crack all the codes. So while he's doing that, let's try to find ways for you to train!

Come on in, Rima!

What's the good news?

I've checked just about everything on the datapad.

Including that legendary artifact...or was it an instrument from another world?

A legendary instrument!

Yeah, that. I figured out where you can find it.

Wow! Finally!

What's even better is that it's not very far from here either.

To quote the exact sentence, when you get there, "the instrument will find its owner," not the other way around.

Brr... It's so cold out here.

Oh, right, you feel cold because you're a Human. I should've told you to wear a thick jacket.

No... I'm fine...

Then why are you shivering like that?

I can deal with a little cold if it means I get my hands on this legendary instrument.

We've wandered around here like three times already. Where is this instrument?

Are you sure this is the place?

I'm sure! This is exactly where the coordinates indicate.

That's odd...

To quote the exact sentence, when you get there, "the instrument will find its owner," not the other way around.

He said the instrument will find me, right?

What does that even mean? Does that mean it will magically manifest itself under certain conditions?

Certain conditions... An instrument would probably be drawn to a musician.

Should I imagine I'm playing it?

But how am I supposed to imagine it when I don't even know what kind of instrument it is...?

Shouldn't you figure out what kind of sound you want to make first, kiddo?

Ack! Wh-Who are you?

Me? Well, let's see...

I'm the goal you'll never achieve, even if you dedicate your entire life to it...

Umm...

Or the person you'll never defeat, both in music and in life.

...I think you're just a condescending weirdo.

You're not wrong. I am condescending, and I am a weirdo.

But that's not what matters here... What kind of sound do you want to make?

Uh... Umm...

A beautiful sound that comes from a legendary instrument! Something that resonates...

You're not getting it.

Listen carefully, kid. A musical instrument is like a part of your body. It expresses a sound that you create.

I already know that!

Do you? Then you also know that an instrument can't save you from a rut either.

...

Yeah, I know that too, but...

I... I still need help to out of this rut and leap ahead to the next level.

You're already getting help from your partner.

Huh? You mean Chloe...?

And all the people around you who constantly inspire your music just by being part of your life.

The thing is, most people don't really appreciate help like that... In fact, they don't even realize how much help they're getting.

Because they usually think of them as a means to an end.

No, that's not true! I...

Yeah, I sincerely hope you're right. If you keep just using them for your own benefit, they'll eventually leave you.

Just like that sheet music or the harp that slipped through your fingers.

Ah...

No... No... I'm...

I'm not like that! Even if I was in the past, I'll change!

It's time to wake up and face reality, kiddo.

Stand up to everything. Resist those desires to use people and to rely on your instrument.

Rima? Were you looking for me?

I thought I heard you call my name.

I did!

I need your help, Chloe.

I know it's ultimately up to me to break out of my rut...but I want you to be by my side when I do.

Because we're partners!

All right! Whenever you need my help, all you have to do is say the word!

...Huh? Where am I...?

I don't see Chloe...or any of those strange illusions.

Are you all set, kiddo?

Ah! It's you!

Oh, you know who I am?

...You're the voice that was whispering into my ear earlier.

Hahaha... Right, of course you don't know who I am.

Are you going to tell me?

Even if I did, you wouldn't know.

Okay. Then don't.

You're one funny kid. Maybe you really are the worthy one.

Here, play this.

Oh! I've never seen an instrument like this before...

It's not too different from what you have right now. It just...has more story behind it.

But once you start plucking the strings...

...

Your fingers will know what to do.

...Like this?

Yes! Just like that!

It's not magic or a trick. Your heart is being swayed by the music and it's leading your fingers.

Ah...

Feel the melody of a soul that provides comfort in hard times...

The moment that all of those joys, sorrows, and a small glimpse of happiness transform into an intense feeling.

Right, this instrument is making...

That melody.

Are you ready now, kiddo?

Ready for what?

Ready to perform... Look over there. Look at all those people waiting to hear your sound.

Woooooo!

Rima! Rima! Rima!

Rima!

Huh?

Are you sure you're okay? Is it because it's too cold out here?

No, I mean, I'm cold...but I'm all right.

I've realized that I don't need anything else to find true freedom or determination. They all come from within.

Let's head back. I'll make a change by pouring my heart into my music, not by finding some legendary instrument.

But, Rima... Look at what's in front of you.

Ahh!

That's the legendary instrument, isn't it?

So that's why...you have to help us, Boss!

Let me get this straight. You're saying you want to start a band?

Yes, a duo. And we'd love it for you to become our manager...

Of course he will! He's going to fund all our recording sessions too!

That... I need some time to think about.

*gasping*

Tch, now he decides to get fussy.

Business is business.

Besides, is it really okay for you to do this, Chloe?

That's exactly why we're making a band.

We're going to perform under the band name "Maid Kingdom" without revealing our true identities.

I came up with the name. What do you think? It's awesome, right?

Umm... Is that why you're dressed like that too, Rima?

It's not really my style...but I had no choice.

You two look good together though.

Y-Yeah?

Hehe!

It's almost time. The customers are getting antsy waiting for you to come out.

*exhaling* I'm getting a bit nervous...

Are you all set, kiddo?

Yes!

Are you ready, Chloe?

Of course I am! I was born ready!

Woooooo!

Maid Kingdom! Maid Kingdom!