COLORLESS

*Yawn*

I'm so sleepy.

Maybe because there's a nice cool breeze today.

I've never... felt this way...

before...

I shouldn't...

fall... asleep in class...

...

... Wei...

Z... wei...

Hmm?

Zwei! Class is over.

H-huh? Ein?

Wow, what a surprise.

You fell asleep during class. You were even drooling.

... I must have.

Maybe it's because I've been staying up late studying.

Again? I told you to take it easy.

Anyway, you've got to get up.

*Yawn*... Okay.

Oh, right.

You know when there aren't any clouds in the sky...?

... What was it called again?

...!

...!

*Gasp*... *Gasp*...

*Gasp*...

...

It was just a dream.

*Sigh*...

I don't want to go to school.

...

Ein!

Hi, Rei.

You're still cute as ever.

Where's Zwei?

She should be here soon.

*Sigh*...

Why am I so nervous?

There's no way you could have done poorly on the written exam. I refuse to believe it.

I'm not infallible, you know.

Anyway, I think I did fine.

Hey, Zwei! There you are.

So the only one left...

...

Tercera still isn't here.

... Yeah.

Do... do you think something happened because she messed up on her written exam?

No way... At least, I don't think so...

If she doesn't come, it'd most likely be because something happened with her practical exam.

Didn't Miss Marciana say she'd take care of it if something did happen?

Teachers aren't omnipotent.

Aw man... we were all supposed to eat parfait together.

!!

!!

Oh no! Tercera...!

Sorry that I'm late!

!!

Tercera!

There you are!

Come on, you guys,

we've got some parfait to eat!

Yeah!

Whew... what a relief.

Yeah... I got a little nervous for a moment.

Naru loves sweets!

Whoo!

Eating parfaits makes my grades soar!

Whoo!

Eating parfait makes me taller!

Whoo!

... Hold on.

What does eating parfait have to do with your height?

Plenty!

Isn't that right, Zwei?

...

Zwei?

...

Zwei!

... Y-yes?

Uh... What were you talking about?

About how eating parfaits definitely makes you taller.

If that were the case, you'd be touching the ceiling by now.

*Thump*

My world... it's coming down...

Still.

If you enjoy eating parfaits, that's all that matters.

!!

Did you hear that?

Naru loves sweets!

Whoo!

Something doesn't add up...

Come on, don't be such a stickler.

The important thing is that we're having fun.

Anyway, the parfait here is really delicious.

How about we invite the teachers out with us next time?

Sure.

It's thanks to them that we were able to pass the exam, after all.

Treating them to a parfait would be a nice way to show our appreciation.

For sure!

When do you think would be a good time?

The semester just started, so they're probably still busy marking all the homework we had to do during the break.

Maybe sometime next week?

Oh, right... the homework.

I... er... forgot about that.

Did you turn yours in yet, Rei?

*Thump*

Now you're the one causing my world to come crashing down.

Did you not do any of it at all?

You got chewed out time and time again last semester.

I-it's just...

We only have a week-long break, but they give us so much stinkin' homework!

There's no way I could possibly finish it all.

So I figured:

If I know I can't finish it,

why bother even starting?

Wow, you're so freakin' cool!

I didn't do my homework either because I was following your example.

So if the teacher says something later, you can get scolded on my behalf. Okay?

Haha, sure.

... Wait, what was that?

How about you, Zwei? Did you submit your homework?

I...

"I finished it on the first day."

"Then I used the time left over to review what we learned during the first semester."

"This is what

a responsible student should do."

Am I right?

Of course I finished it all, but I wasn't going to say it like that...

...?

Come to think of it, I think I forgot something...

Oh!

I forgot to do one of the assignments!

I guess I didn't finish all my homework either...

What?!

Z-Zwei...

Are you feeling okay?

What are you talking about?

The Ark could be coming to an end tomorrow, and you'd still find time to finish all the homework assigned to you.

Yeah, what she said!

*Sigh*...

I intended to finish the last assignment this morning,

but I had a nightmare last night and forgot.

I'm completely fine, though, so don't worry.

You had a nightmare?

...

I'm heading to class.

How come?

I'm going to get some work done so I have something to submit.

It is, after all, what any responsible student should do. Hehe.

And I thought you were becoming one of us...

If you're the only one to finish your homework, you'll be cursed!

I've got to submit my Career Aspirations Form.

"Write what you want to do"...

What I want to do...

What. I. Want. To. Do.

...

I can't really think of anything.

Rei. Zwei.

Miss Marciana?

Ein,

Karhi,

Tercera.

Pass.

Uno,

Beni.

Fail. Will have to reset.

Tracy,

Dois.

...

Expelled for life.

I'm sorry...

*Sob* I'm so sorry!

Expelled... for life?

All right, we'll end the lesson there for today.

Oh, by the way.

To those who haven't submitted their career aspirations form yet, please do so promptly.

Woohoo, class is over!

Didn't they tell us about that form a while ago?

Are there people who still haven't submitted it?

I haven't yet.

... Me neither.

Huh? Why not?

I forgot about it.

I just haven't.

All you've got to do

is jot something down and click submit.

What's so difficult about that?

As a matter of fact, since we're on the topic, just do it now and get it over with.

What did you write, Ein?

Me?

I want to be a designer for Rushae.

Me? I wrote "singer".

Since I like drinking coffee, I thought being a barista might suit me.

In that case, maybe I should be a cafe owner, hehe.

...

What are you going to write, Zwei?

I'm not sure.

It's not like writing what we want to be

will make it any more likely to happen.

...!

... Sorry.

I... I have to go and revise . I'll make a move first.

See you tomorrow.

Ugh...

Why did I say that...?

Lua... Dois...

Pio... Seis...

...

Even if their memories are erased, I at least thought they'd stay alive and come back.

Expelled for life...

... I wonder how many have really returned.

Huh? What's that about returning?

Rei?! What are you doing here?

You ran off awfully suddenly, so I decided to follow you.

What's going on?

... Nothing.

It's just...

I feel like I was a bit harsh with Ein.

I didn't mean to be.

You think you were too severe with your words?

... Yes.

I doubt it.

Ein probably doesn't care all that much.

We're always talking about how pointless filling out these Career Aspiration Forms is.

Heck, she barely pays any attention to the teachers.

... You think so?

Sure. Your estimation of Ein shouldn't be under!

That's... not quite how you use that phrase.

It's not?

Anyway, I should still apologize to her when I see her tomorrow.

Zwei, talk to me.

What's wrong?

??

You've been acting strangely since yesterday.

Forgetting about your homework.

Zoning out while eating parfait.

What's going on?

Honestly, nothing's wrong.

I'm just worried about what to write on the Career Aspirations Form, that's all.

I've thought and thought about it, but I can't come up with anything to write.

I don't understand.

You said yourself that it doesn't matter what we write,

so couldn't you just write anything?

Just write anything...

What would you write if it were you, Rei?

Hmm...

A corner store owner, maybe?

That way I'd be able to munch on delicious snacks every day!

*Drool*

I'd invite you and Ein over all the time, too!

Of course, I'll have to graduate first, hehe.

Don't you worry about that.

You and Ein will both graduate from this school,

safe and sound.

No matter what.

And you will too, Zwei!

Wait... Do you hear that?

Hear what?

I hear someone coming...

Teacher!

It certainly has!

Who's your friend?

Y-you mean me?

Ahem.

I'm Privaty. I'll be working along with the Commander as your substitute teacher.

I-I'm looking forward to our time together.

Another message from the school?

Are you planning on accepting the invitation?

...

Very well.

I'll prepare some materials for you that might be useful for class.

Whew...

H-hello! My name is Privaty, and I'll be taking over from your usual teacher for the interim.

...

No, that's too formal.

How about...

Hi there. I'm Privaty, and I'll be your sub for a little while. I'm looking forward to working with you all.

Ugh, "working with you all"? What does that even mean?

Gah!

C-Commander?

What are you doing here?

You too?

That's why I'm here as well.

!!

I... I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about.

...

Hey!

Are you saying it's impossible to imagine me in the role of a teacher?

It is?

All that Yulha said is that the Central Government requested someone from our squad to come in and act as substitute teachers.

Yeah. Yulha and Admi recommended me.

They said I'd be the best fit.

Anyway, it'll be nice to have you here as well!

If you have any questions at any point, feel free to talk to me.

We should probably head in.

They said to go to the counseling room.

Follow me.

About time you showed up.

You're late.

S-sorry, we were having a little chat with some of the students.

Marciana?

She had some business to take care of.

She'll be doing some training at the M.M.R. research lab for several weeks.

That's why we called you two in.

I want you both to take care of Class P while Marciana is away.

While you're at it, it would be nice if you could teach them some survival skills to use on the surface as well.

You both have been on the surface numerous times, so I'm sure there's a whole bunch you could share with them.

Of course.

You can count on me.

I'll do my best so that they won't feel Maricana's absence.

Good, good.

Is it fair to assume that you've accepted the position as well, No. 7?

*Yawn* Good. I'll leave you both to it, then,

I'll send you the curriculum so you can skim through it ahead of time.

Aw, c'mon, Teacher. You're not going to start with that on the first day, are you?

Why don't you tell us a fun story?

Tell us about your first love!

Wouldn't you like to hear about that, Rei?

Zzzzzzz...

Dang, she zonked out quick.

Anyway, go ahead and start regaling us, Teacher.

The Commander's first love...?

I'm a bit curious myself,

but revealing that in a public space like this is a bit much...

Yulha said that since I was already here,

I might as well refamiliarize myself with the basics.

Yikes, no!

I'm here to monitor your class and see if you're doing well.

Don't mind me. Go ahead and proceed with your story.

Teacher.

...

There isn't much time left until the exam.

Let's proceed with the lesson.

Wow, I'm impressed, Zwei.

You don't care at all about having the rest of the class hate your guts.

If you want to get a good grade on the exam, you've got to start preparing now.

Dang it... I got lost at the very end there.

I won't forget this...

*Zzzzzzz*...

How could there be? You explained it all so wel...

I have a question.

?!

What happens if a negative value is entered for K in the formula?

Oh boy.

I won't forget this either.

Zzzzzzz...

Zzzzzzz...

Miss Privaty?

Y-yes?

What is it?

I want to ask you something.

Me?

I-if it's about my first love, I don't think I'm quite ready to share yet...

It's not that.

Oh, what then?

I always seem to miss my target with the bullets.

Oh?

Can you show me?

They're veering slightly to the right.

Let me see your shooting posture.

Okay.

Hmm...

Given your physical specifications,

your shots will continue to deviate unless you stabilize your stance.

Straighten your back.

Bend your knees a little more.

Eunhwa showed this to me before and said it would work.

Go ahead and try shooting using this stance.

Okay.

Wh-what could that be at this hour?

I think so.

... Should we go check it out?

Ugh... If I'd known this would happen,

I wouldn't have listened to the Seven School Mysteries.

Ein told me about them earlier.

One of them is that every night from the training room, strange and mysterious gunshots can be heard.

...!

Y-you're not really going in there, are you?

Hey, wait up!

We have to stick together!

...

Even at this hour, she's working hard.

What should we do?

By entering the bullet speed and mass values as D and M respectively...

Teacher?

It's always good to prepare as much as possible for the upcoming exam.

It's easier for me to memorize the material if I write it down.

Oh,

that's because I made a copy for Rei and Ein.

I thought that maybe they would study if they had some notes.

Please don't tell any of our classmates about how I'm helping them.

Okay, thank you.

Please. I only did what was expected of me.

C-Commander...

I... I have something to ask you.

I... erm...

We'll be going over the HO formation during tomorrow's simulations, and I divvied up the students like so.

Could you double check it?

!!

There's that sound again.

Hey, Commander.

Zwei really is quite diligent.

Almost excessively so.

Has she always been like this?

Hmm...

Why don't you head back first, Commander?

I'll stay and watch Zwei for a little longer.

I'm the one in charge of their practical training.

It's up to me to make sure there are no issues.

I know.

Leave it to me. I've got this.

*Gasp*... *Gasp*...

*Gasp*...

...

Surely this can't go on?

Whew...

Oh...

Sorry, I didn't notice you at all...

Zwei, can I see your arm for a moment?

My arm?

... As I thought.

You need to hold off on battle simulations for a while.

Why?

Your arm is practically in tatters.

If you keep this up, you might need some parts replaced.

It's good that you're willing to work hard, but you need to know when to rest as well.

But...

At my current skill level, the exam...

You shouldn't push yourself too hard, Zwei.

If something were to happen to you, then you'd be in real trouble.

Exams aren't everything, you know.

Z-Zwei?

Was it something I said?

For my friends, yes, I hope that exams aren't everything.

But for me, they are.

??

I don't care if I get injured.

If it means I can get everyone to graduate from this place safely,

then I don't mind if my body suffers as a result.

What are you talking about?!

If that happens to you, all of your efforts will be in vain.

I'm telling you to refrain from battle simulations for a while.

Going forward, you're banned from using the training room without my authorization.

...

Fine.

Was I too harsh with her?

I can't stand and watch her overwork herself to death...

I know that it was founded by M.M.R.

Why do you ask?

Straighten your back... Now bend your legs a little more...

Is this it?

!!

Who's there? What are you doing here so late?

I should be asking you the same thing.

Is this why you had Rei tell you how to sneak out of the dormitory undetected?

I thought maybe you were going into the city.

Ein?

What are you, the Prince of Darkness?

What are you doing sitting in the dark with all the lights off?

Oh... I'm just doing a bit of target practice.

Wow. I always knew you were eccentric,

but you're a real oddball.

... Tell me, is something on your mind?

You know you can't hide it from me, so spill the beans.

...

Giving me the silent treatment, are you?

*Sigh*... Fine.

You can tell me whenever you're comfortable.

Anyway, it's late. Let's head back.

You go ahead.

I'll stay here a little longer.

Zwei, haven't you heard about the Seven School Mysteries?

If you're alone in a classroom this late at night, ghosts will appear.

Ghosts, I tell you!

Ein, ghosts don't exist.

Think about it from a scientific perspecti...

!!

... You heard that too, right?

Yeah, I heard it.

Is there someone else here besides us?

... Maybe?

There's no such thing as ghosts after all... science and all that... hehe...

Um, sorry, but...

I'm feeling a bit weak in the knees. Could you walk me back to the dorm?

Haha!

If only Rei could see this.

Don't just stand there laughing at me!

Haha!

Seriously, Zwei!

Okay, okay. Fine.

I'll walk back with you.

How dare you?!

Whoa now. Calm down.

Don't you realize how late it is? What if you wake someone?

Don't tell me to calm down!

Fine, let's see here... has it been one week?

Okay, so you've been trapped here for a week.

That's definitely long enough to get fired up.

...

But yelling at me won't change anything.

I'm not the one

who imprisoned you here,

or the one who mandated this new curriculum.

So, sit down.

Let's cool off and talk about this.

What are you planning this time?

You want to gauge their potential again?

I'm not sure.

The students will be going on a field trip in a few days,

and I figured you ought to know about it.

After all, you never know.

You might be able to help them out again somehow.

What are you...

Marciana.

If you and I remain level-headed about this, are you ready to have a conversation with me?

*Yawn*... No. 7.

I expected a warmer welcome from you,

considering that I dragged myself out of bed at this ungodly hour specifically to see you.

What do you think, Privaty? Isn't he being mean?

M-me?

I-I don't think he's that bad...

...

Why are you even asking me?

Anyway, why are you here?

There's a saying that

good news should be delivered quickly.

So that's why I came to see you two so early in the morning.

To tell us some good news?

Precisely.

You know the midterm assessment scheduled for next week?

It's been canceled.

M.M.R. made some major changes to this semester's curriculum according to our clients' request.

So this semester,

instead of a midterm assessment,

there will be a field trip.

Isn't that wonderful news?

That's great! The students will be overjoyed, I'm sure.

What about us? Is supervising them all we have to do?

I'm afraid not.

M.M.R. will be taking care of that themselves.

Don't be sad, though.

While the students are out on their field trip, you can take the opportunity to relax.

They leave tomorrow, and will be gone for three days.

Tomorrow? That's sooner than I expected.

At any rate, please pass on the good news to all the students.

Don't forget to tell them to pack their bags and gather in the auditorium in the morning.

Oh, by the way.

All of this applies only to Class P.

Make sure not to let the other classes know.

Don't want them getting jealous, after all.

We're excited to hear all about it when you're back!

Hey, Rei.

Did you finish packing?

Yep!

I packed snacks for the first day, the second day, and the last day.

I also packed snacks for you and Zwei inside of Naru, so you don't have to worry about that.

How's your packing going, Ein?

Hehe, me?

Ta-da!

A polaroid camera?

I rushed out and got one for the trip.

Isn't it freakin' cool?!

Check it out.

??

Wow, it's in black and white?

Why is that?

Why not?

It's hip, that's why.

I'm not sure about that...

Bah, what do you know?

Anyway, I'm gonna be snapping tons of photos during the trip, so everyone be sure to dress up nice.

Got it?

All right! Let's take a whole bunch of photos!

Okay, fine.

...?

It's a bit late to be asking this now,

but when did you two get into my room?

And what are you doing here?

Haha, don't you know? I'm a junior, so I can do anything I want.

Don't underestimate me!

At any rate, it looks like everyone is ready, so let's get started.

Started with what?

What else?

The trip!

We've got to plan what we'll be doing ahead of time.

The midterms are canceled.

So for once in your life, Zwei, you should put your studies aside and help us plan out our vacation.

Okay?

*Sigh*... Fine.

But we don't even know where we're going.

How are you going to plan anything out?

Hehe.

That's precisely why we need to be prepared!

So that we can have as much fun as possible anywhere we go.

Field trips aren't just for fun, you know...

Yeah, yeah. Don't rain on our parade.

Anyway, where do you think we're going?

I heard that

there's an amusement park at the Outpost.

Maybe we'll go there?

At least I'm hoping that's where we'll be going.

Oooh, an amusement park?

I heard about that too. They should have a Ferris Wheel over there, right?

It'd be so nice to ride that during sunset.

We can go on all the rides!

You bet we will! We'll ride every single one they've got.

We can take a picture in front of the carousel, too!

You two make it sound like we're definitely going to the amusement park.

It's not like there are that many places to visit in the Ark.

There's the Statue of Victory...

No way that's it. We can see that anytime.

... True.

So, what do you want to do at the amusement park?

Hmm... first I'd like to...

Now, I'm finally going to tell you all what you've been waiting for: where you'll be going for your field trip.

As some of you may have guessed,

actually, I'm sure most of you realize by now,

you will all be heading to...

the surface!

We're supposed to explore the ruins today, right?

Yes,

although I'm not sure

if we can call an abandoned shopping mall "ruins".

We're gonna be staying for about two hours before heading back to our living quarters.

Sounds like quite a thorough tour.

To prevent any delinquents from wandering off on their own,

we're giving you each a location tracker.

If you lose it, you're on your own, and you never know what might happen then,

so make sure to carry it around with you everywhere.

We'll also be checking your belongings before you leave,

and will be collecting any electronic communication devices.

We would appreciate it if you made this process easier by taking such devices out ahead of time.

This is ridiculous.

This is a shopping mall we're going to, right?

In the past...

We can talk about that later.

Raptures could appear at any moment, so we should keep quiet for now.

What are you doing?

Oh, sorry, hehe. I've got a bad habit of shaking my leg.

...

Sorry for interrupting earlier. What were you about to say?

Oh, just that this place used to be a famous photo spot.

Why don't we take some pictures later? It'll help us really feel like we're on vacation.

... Whatever you want.

Cool! There are a couple of ideas I was thinking of...

We made it!

Nicely done, everyone.

For today, let's unpack and get settled.

Rei and I will be standing guard, so you don't have to worry too much.

I'll go and set up some decoys.

Let's go, Naru.

Phew. Not much happened on the way here,

but I'm tired.

We only encountered one lone Rapture on the way here,

and Rei was able to take it down in one shot.

I hope the next two days go smoothly.

By the way, do you want to see the pictures I took earlier?

They turned out really well.

...

This one came out really nice, don't you think?

Yeah, you both look good.

We'll have to take even more tomorrow.

After all, it'd be a shame to go on a field trip and not have any mementos of it.

Anyway, we're heading to the amusement park tomorrow, aren't we?

Guess Rei and I weren't too far off with our guess after all.

It just happens to be on the surface instead of at the Outpost.

We won't be able to ride the Ferris Wheel,

but I'll take a photo of you in front of the carousel.

Okay!

On the last day, we'll walk by the mailbox where you can write your wishes on a piece of paper and put it inside.

If you do that, they say that your wish will come true.

Apparently the old civilization had funny superstitions too.

I was talking to everyone earlier,

and they were all thinking about what to write in the wishing mailbox.

Karhi wants to become a chef and swap out the school's awful cooking with her own.

What did San say again...?

Something about being a manga artist.

It's kinda funny, don't you think?

They go on about

how useless filling in the Career Aspirations Form is,

but they all clearly have hopes and dreams of their own.

... I see.

What are you going to write?

Me?

... I can't really think of anything.

Come on, you can't fool me.

Fine, I'll go first.

I want to become an executive designer for Rushae and have everyone wear the outfits I design.

That includes you, Zwei!

You've got a killer figure, so I've got all sorts of outfits I'd love for you to try on.

Okay, your turn.

I...

Everyone, get up!

Take cover and shoot!

N-no... I don't like this!

Pull yourself together, Karhi! Don't just stand there! It's dangerous!

Huh...?

Karhi!

...!

No!

!!

Zwei!

Zwei, are you okay?

Talk to me!

I-I'm okay.

Thank goodness... you're all right.

Ein, your arm...

Don't worry about it. It's just a slight burn.

Right now, we need to focus on taking those things down.

I promised myself that you two would graduate, no matter what.

...

Ein, stay here, behind cover.

What? What about you?

I have to fight.

...

It's quiet today.

I hope they come back soon...

Then again, I guess it's nice having some peace and quiet.

Was that a message that just came through?

Me? Of course not, why would I have? Everyone went on the field trip.

What's going on?

It looks like someone is inside.

Wh-who could it be...?

All the students went on the field trip.

Excuse me for a moment.

M-Mar...

Commander, long time no see.

What the... what is going on with your outfit?!

Are you trying to seduce the Commander?!

You must be Privaty, the other substitute teacher.

Thank you for taking care of my students.

I'm sorry to be greeting you in such a state.

...

Well... I can't be too mad if you're that polite.

Oh.

A tactic of mine to distract M.M.R.

Don't worry about it.

Hmph! The Commander doesn't care about what you wear anyway.

Hold on...

What did you just say?

A distraction?

Until recently, I was confined to the teacher's office.

Thanks to some assistance from a certain someone, I got out and am able to meet you.

So that's the story they're telling everyone.

There's not much time, so I'll get straight to the point.

They've been keeping me under lock and key because they thought I might interfere with the students' "field trip".

Do either of you know where the students are right now?

... I knew it.

They're on the surface right now.

The surface?!

How is that possible? Why would they go up there without a specific mission?

In order to evaluate their ability to survive,

the students will be staying for several days in a particularly dangerous

part of the surface.

This is the so-called "field trip" that's been organized.

It was held once before in the past,

but there were too many causalities, and so it was abolished.

They also took the few remaining survivors and incorporated them into Class P.

Why on earth would they bring it back?

Last semester, the number of students in Class P who passed the final exam was a record high for the school.

...

Privaty, how much do you know about this place?

If you don't pass the exam, you get reset. If you fail again, you're expelled permanently.

And I was telling Zwei how exams weren't that important...

I... I feel sick...

You said they were on the surface?

Let's go up there now!

I should have known. None of this made sense from the beginning.

What kind of field trip is just for the students but not the teachers?

I'm going up there right now, and don't try to stop me!

Commander, I hate to ask this of you,

and I know how dangerous it is on the surface,

but I'm begging you:

please go up there and bring them back safe.

Correct. The moment I leave the school, they'll be able to track my coordinates.

They said they would harm the students if I tried to leave.

I may not be able to go up to the surface,

but you can, Commander.

You can go up to the surface on a mission, and "happen" to run into the students, after which you'd naturally be duty-bound to protect them.

That's right. That's the role I've carved out for myself as their teacher.

...

Thank you.

I'll send you the schedule and destinations for the field trip straight away.

I will.

Roger.

...

You must need some rest, Zwei.

Would you like me to take over?

Ein? You're awake?

Not just me. Everyone else is awake too.

How can any of us get a wink of sleep after what we just went through?

... How's your arm doing?

It's fine.

You see? I can still move it no problem.

More importantly, are you doing okay?

You can't move your right arm at all...

I'm fine.

I'll just need to get it replaced when we get back.

I think you're downplaying it,

but if you really don't want me to take over...

I'll help you with what you're making.

These names...

Someone has to remember them.

That they were once students here.

...

Dois said that

she wanted to be a singer when she graduated.

Lua wanted to try being a barista.

Pio was interested in running a café serving coffee made by Lua.

Seis longed to be a trainer and enjoy her favorite sports to her heart's content.

It's the same for everyone whose name is written here.

They all shone brightly, with their own unique colors.

Just like you and Rei do.

You too, Zwei.

You shine just as brightly as we do.

No, not me.

You asked me

what I wanted to write down in the Career Aspirations Form.

Ever since I enrolled at the school, I've given it a lot of thought,

but I've never been able to come up with anything.

It was happenstance that led to me becoming a Nikke,

just as I enrolled in the school by chance.

I have no dreams. No aspirations.

I've led my life according to the way

the school tells me to.

It should be my name written here,

not those of my friends, who shone so colorful and bright.

I have no color. My name should have been here, not theirs.

...

So, Ein.

You mustn't risk your life to save mine, like you did before.

Your future is one filled with boundless color,

and is far more precious than mine, which is colorless.

Ein...?

Wha...?

Why am I crying all of a sudden?

I didn't mean to...

I... I didn't mean to...

I-I'm sorry.

...

These photos came out quite nice.

Miss Privaty?

What are you doing here?

Uh...

I'm your teacher, so it's only right that I be here.

Even if I'm just a substitute...

S-still!

It's my duty to be here for you all.

I already wronged you before, and I won't make the same mistake twice.

I won't send you all off to a dangerous place unattended.

You wronged me? How?

I spoke flippantly about the exams without realizing the full weight that they carry,

and for that, I'm sorry.

It's all right.

I understand that's what someone who's not familiar with the school would think.

You don't need to apologize.

No.

If I had known more about these exams,

I wouldn't have stood back and watched you.

I would have helped, so you didn't have to go it alone.

You wouldn't be here wishing that you were dead in someone else's place.

So...

that's why I'm apologizing to you.

...

I belong to a squad with humans,

and I've learned something during my time there.

Most of my colleagues allowed themselves to get swept up by their surroundings,

and ended up joining the army by default.

They didn't have anything in particular that they wanted to achieve or become.

They simply joined the army because that's what the Ark wanted.

And so they did what the Ark told them to do.

Zwei, you're not alone.

There are many people who are unclear about their future and live their lives passively.

However...

these people do still live their lives.

They spend their days with family and friends. They're happy.

Zwei.

Just because you're not sure as to what you want to achieve or become,

or, to use your terminology, "colorless",

doesn't mean that your life is without value.

Moments in your life can still be precious,

just like those captured in these black and white photos.

So,

you mustn't give up on the precious moments that are still in store for you.

Teacher...

I said something I shouldn't have to Ein.

I shouldn't have said that to her...

Well, you live and you learn.

Now hurry up

and go to her.

...

I'll be back.

There she goes...

How'd I do, Commander? I didn't say anything strange, did I?

Whew... That's a relief.

About what?

Rei...

I think I should go back.

I shouldn't have left Zwei all alone back there.

It's just that seeing her suffer like that got me all emotional,

and I ended up crying like an idiot...

It's okay, Ein.

I'll go with you.

Whew...

... Ein.

Zwei?

I have something to say.

You do?

Yes. To you.

I also want to apologize to Rei.

...

When you both asked me

what was wrong,

I said everything was okay.

That's a lie.

I'm not sure when it started,

but at night, whenever I close my eyes,

I see a red-hued sky,

and I hear gunshots.

Is that the nightmare you said you were having?

Yes. Every night, I have a dream about my friends being killed by Raptures and me being left alone.

I watch my friends as their colors slowly fade away,

and I see the world turn monochrome.

It made me want to protect my friends more than ever.

If anyone should disappear,

it should be me, the drab and colorless one.

That's why I started studying and training so hard.

That's why I told you all what would be covered on the exam.

I thought I had to do all that in order to protect my friends from Raptures they'd be encountering during the practical exam.

But now I realize.

What I really wanted to protect

wasn't that.

It wasn't the brilliant colors

that I wanted to protect.

It was these precious moments.

I was mistaken.

Ein, I'm sorry for what I said earlier.

I'm sorry for making you both so worried all this time.

Zwei...

I was just so scared.

Scared that you would be sent far away from me.

Respond with formation HO!

Just because I'm unsure of what I want my future to be,

just because I have no color of my own,

doesn't mean that my life is without value.

...

I mustn't give up on these precious moments.

It's not the brilliant colors

that I must protect,

but all the precious moments to come.

*Gasp*... *Gasp*...

Ughh... So tired...

Yeah...

Everyone's safe.

I'm so glad.

Yeah, me too.

...

Ein.

You and Rei are going to graduate safe and sound.

And...

I'll be there with you.

I'm not going to give up on you, or any of the moments to come.

So I'll never be far from you.

Really?

You're not going to try and take on everything yourself again, are you?

No, I won't.

All right then,

let's make a promise.

What kind of promise?

That we'll all go eat parfait together once we graduate!

... Okay.

It's a promise.

Freakin' gorgeous.

Yeah.

Gorgeous.

We've reached the target.

From here, you and the students can return safely to the Ark.

Even though it'd have been nice if you had come sooner,

but thank you.

Thanks to you, the students are safe.

Rather than me,

you should thank the other Nikkes who took part in this operation,

and aren't here now.

Once they heard the students were in danger,

they agreed immediately to come up to the surface.

...

Various squads, led by the Counters,

carried out a joint operation to eliminate Raptures.

While up on the surface, they encountered a band of Nikkes who had become lost.

They proceeded to escort them back to safety.

That's what I'll state in my report.

And Privaty.

Yes?

Yulha said she's catching hell for your going up to the surface without reporting to her.

Upon your return, you'll be placed under house arrest.

Aw man...

She also told me to compliment you for going the extra mile to protect the students.

...!

I'll be off.

Se-see you around.

...

Phew...

All done.

Now that the Career Aspirations Form is done,

all my homework is finished.

Good work.

Miss Marciana?

Sorry.

I was passing by and saw that you were still in the classroom, so I stopped to watch for a moment.

Oh, I stayed a little late to fill out the Career Aspirations Form.

I see.

By the way, Zwei.

Are you sleeping well these days?

Yes.

I've slept fine ever since coming back from the field trip.

No nightmares at all.

What do you think it was that did it?

Maybe...

It must have been thanks to the photos.

I always look at it before going to bed.

That picture...

It was taken during the recent field trip. Would you like to see?

You look happy.

Haha, I was pretty excited.

The other photos are nice too,

but I think this one came out the best.

Ein and Rei said the same thing.

The fact this photo is in black and white

and not in color

helps capture the beauty of the moment.

You think that's because it's not in color?

Yes. It allows you to focus your attention,

and you'll zone in on what

the photo intended to emphasize.

...

Later,

on the day we graduate,

could you take a picture with us, Miss Marciana?

Together, you mean?

Sure.

I'm looking forward to it.

Well, I better get going.

Ein and Rei are waiting for me.

All right, I'll see you tomorrow.

You're here.

You two looked like you were in the middle of something, so I took a walk and came back around.

Well?

Did you bring back what I lent you?

Of course I brought it.

You washed it beforehand, right?

Yes. I made sure I left no trace.

*Yawn* Well done.

If we both mind our Ps and Qs,

we'll be able to avoid getting in any hot water.

...

Thank you.

Huh? For what?

For helping me disguise myself as a student.

And calling Commander and Privaty as substitute teachers.

I heard that was your doing.

Ha.

I merely did what had to be done.

Just as you must.

...

You said you'd come back with something that could bring down all of M.M.R.?

... Yes, I did.

I felt it again this time.

We can't afford any more delays. Of that I'm certain.

*Yawn* Probably.

The more you dilly-dally,

the more students will slip through your grasp.

So,

you better hurry,

before they all fall away.