Renewa's Story

Sigh...

Another uneventful day at work.

There's no matinee, but if I don't come early I don't feel at peace.

Let's see. Signs of anyone breaking in last night... none.

The posters I put up by the ticket booth are still there too.

The posters outside the theater are still hanging as well...

Oh, this one's about to fall off. I should probably hang it up again.

Can I hammer things however I want if I'm renting this place?

Well, the Sprite Queen probably won't inspect too thoroughly when I move out.

If push comes to shove, I'll probably be able to smooth things over with a couple of strawberry cakes.

Uhm...

There I go again, thinking about the distant future.

Though honestly, no one really knows if it's the distant future or tomorrow.

Ugh! Stop it, Renewa! Focus on the present!

So, let's check the screening schedule next.

It'd be easier to just load everything into the Core AI and let it run...

But doing it like back in the day has its own charm, doesn't it?

"Night of the Living Chestnut Bread" is due to come down now.

I pulled it from the Elves' database, but it was such a weird movie.

Who in Elias would make a story about chestnut manju devouring the world...

What should I screen this week?

Oh, how about this one? 'Five Nights at Pineapple Pizza'?

Hmm. No. I think it's time to take a break from horror.

An action film would be better. Where's the action database...

Achoo, achoo! Achoo!

Wh-What! I can't see anything! What's going on!

Ugh, it's the anti-fur-shedding sheet for werebeasts?

Why did I put this here instead of in the laundry basket...

I'd better deal with this first.

Achoo, cough! Ugh, there's only so much a lint roller can handle...

I could just throw it into the wash at home...

Ugh. I fear it'll clog the washing machine...

Maybe there's... a laundromat... in Monatium?

Would it be okay... to go all the way to Monatium?

.......

Hmmm... No.

I need to be careful still.

I don't know yet... what kind of causalities my staying in this time might trigger.

The anti-fur-shedding sheet is here, and the footrest for the phantoms too...

The tail support for the dragons... is broken again.

This really isn't easy.

Every day feels the same, so why is it so exhausting?

.......

I'm not sure.

Oh, did I already organize the action movies in this box?

Ah...

This is the one... future Miss Elena said she loved the remake of this movie.

I've never seen the remake... but I got the old version here and kept it.

Since I was unable to spend much time with Miss Elena... I wanted to know what type of elf she is by being right next to her, not by watching old video footage.

At one point, I considered approaching Miss Elena of this new world, but...

My admiration for Miss Elena grows more... complex... the more I see her here.

This timeline seems as confusing as it is safe...

Oh! A customer... no, it's Master's voice!

Well then, should I open for business!

Welcome to the Elias Theater, Master!

Welcome to the Elias Theater!

Welcome! What movie would you like to watch today?

.......

Huh, wait? Amelia from this timeline?

Why is she just standing there?

Excuse me, one ticket for a sprite, please.

Oh, yes yes! Please enter the theater!

.......

Ugh, this is bothering me!

If she just stands there, staring without doing anything...

I haven't done anything wrong, but my stomach's getting queasy...

Three movies have played and she's still standing there...

Is watching me her job today?

But Amelia wouldn't be out in the field herself, would she?

I should probably just ask.

Um, excuse me! Amelia!

Eek? Huh?

I'm sorry if I startled you.

It's just... you've been standing there the entire time—constantly—just there...

Installing security cameras would be more practical, wouldn't it?

.......

That's what you were thinking?

I can't shake the feeling that you are keeping an eye on me.

Or perhaps you came to watch a movie?

Could you tell me what you'd like to see?

...Please show me the mayors favorite movie.

F-Figuring out the mayor's preference? Is this a new mission?

I don't really know what the mayor in this timeline likes?!

But considering her cunning and sneakiness... Hmm! Think Renewa, think!

Bring back that knack for suggesting movies to even the trickiest of customers!

That's it! This one!

If it's Mayor Elena, she'd love 'Elemental Busters'!

It's all about zapping lazy elementals in the factory district with a super-powered vacuum cleaner.

Umm...

That's not the movie I want to know about.

Huh? Actually, I don't know much about Miss Elena in this timeline...

I want to watch a movie that the... future mayor would like.

Eh?

...You would know, wouldn't you?

Um...

That movie hasn't been made yet.

Then could you at least tell me the plot?

What's this? Something feels off, she's not like the usual eccentric Amelia.

She's not even frantically taking notes on her elPad...?

Well, it's a remake... but you could watch the old version that's out now.

Should I play that for you?

Umm...

No. Please forget what I said.

I was just... curious about what the future mayor might like.

She looks sad somehow.

Renewa, you refused to tell me about the future you saw.

All while alluding to you knowing something about me.

To be honest, I have many questions. Even if the mayor from your timeline is different from my mayor-

Maybe I want to catch a glimpse of the mayor's future.

That's for the future Amelia to know.

I can't tell you about the future.

I suppose not. Please forget that I came here today.

Ah, there! Amelia!

What is it?

Well, this might seem a bit strange coming from me, but!

I can recommend some great movies to watch together!

What do you mean?

Movies that would be fun to watch with Mayor Elena!

Wh-what are you talking about?!

No need to get nervous now!

Amelia, you're moving toward the future, and you'll create that future.

So, why don't you come watch a movie with Miss Elena next time?

I'll pick out a few films for you.

...Hmph.

Renewa, your—that indifferent gaze of yours is rather irritating, I must admit.

But... I don't think I could bring myself to hate you.

Because you're the mayor's masterpiece... after all.

And...

Can I be bold enough to say you're like the mayor's daughter?

And somehow, that strangely expressionless look reminds me of someone.

Who could it be? It's on the tip of my tongue...

Um... are you alright? You suddenly stopped mid-sentence...

I'm fine. I wanted to ask something but forgot.

I-I see.

Next time, I'll come watch a movie you recommend.

I will rent out the entire theater, so you'd better be prepared.

For now, I'll get going.

Now that I think about it... When the seven samples that make up Renewa combined... Was the base genetic code from an elf?

My interest has been piqued.

Amelia in this time period also cherishes Miss Elena deeply.

I... didn't get to know Amelia in the time period I was born in.

What would we have said to each other if we'd met? What kind of relationship would we have had?

Is it okay to start now?

Did I buy everything I need? Let me see...

I need to get back to the theater quickly.

Working alone makes me anxious at times like this.

Hmm? Would it be faster if I went that way?

Uh... is this not the right way?

It's getting kind of dark...

What you want?

Eek?!

Ugh. Why loitering in front of my pawnshop?

Nothing to sell? Get lost.

Ah... ahaha! I think I'm lost.

You're Mayo... right?

Yup.

Which way is the exit?

Keep going toward the light.

Collection's precious elf, uncomfortable. Would appreciate if you left quickly.

Um... are you... talking about me?

Wh-What should I say in a situation like this?

None has ever disliked me this publicly.

Yahoo! Mayo! I just came back from raiding these pretty neat ruins!

Huh? Isn't that the theater elf?

Oh, hello? Haha...

Marie, tactless.

Since when do we need tact between us?

You never have any, but today even less.

W-Well then, I'll be going! That way, right?

Oh, wait! I wanted to hear your thoughts on the bomb you bought before! Got time?

Eh... uh... b-bomb? Oh, um...

It... exploded well. The explosion range was exactly as you told me.

Right? I'm a bomb expert, I tell you!

Marie, stop talking to suspicious elf.

Elf that my precious pays special attention to, suspicious.

Ugh... Look, if you think I'm suspicious because of Master, that's a misunderstanding.

Do not you two get along? Because of that virtual training thing, hmm? Or whatever it is, yes.

I watch everything. Know exactly where my precious is looking.

Hmm.

Marie, what's wrong?

Whaaaat? I thought you were being prickly, but was it because of Master?

That's my precious!

Master is kind to everyone anyway.

Don't you know that kindness multiplies when shared?

Ugh... That lie! Kindness has limits!

Big problem if my precious is kind to everyone!

Then it would be more advantageous for you two to get along.

Hm? What do you mean?

Master gets along better with those who are kind to others.

So... what I'm trying to say, Master likes Apostles more who do good deeds!

Oh...? Oh? That seems true, now thinking about it.

Makes sense.

Good! Theater elf and Mayo, from now on we're "friends".

Um, well, my opinion doesn't seem to matter, but...

I-If you say we're friends... what changes?

Don't want to be friends? No right to refuse.

No, no! It's not that I don't want to be friends!

I've never had friends, so I don't really know what to do.

What a joke! You must have at least someone you talk and hang out with!

I don't though?

After I'm done with my gig at the theater, I go home and have things to do, then sleep and go to work...

I see the customers at the theater often, but I'm not sure if I can call them friends...

Oh.

Erm...

Ma-Mayo? Looks like we might have gotten ourselves tangled up with a tricky one!

Marie started it. Your fault.

If you tell me how friends behave, I'll try my best!

I decided to do my best in this timeline...

...What to do? No right to refuse?

L-Let's try to work it out somehow!

What do you two usually do together?

This is your chance to learn about friendship, Renewa!

I mainly go on adventures! Sometimes with Her Majesty, sometimes alone!

I blow up... I mean, excavate ruins and sweep up relics...

I donate what needs to be donated, and sell the rest to the stolen goods shop!

Isn't that... grave robbing?

I have to make a living somehow!

Right. Donations don't pay. They also take many of my stolen goods.

When stolen goods Marie brings, what I wish to collect I keep... and what needs selling I organize and sell.

Uhm...

You two don't really do anything together?

Isn't that just a business relationship?

Doesn't sound much different from me taking money and handing tickets to customers at the theater.

Ugh, no! It's, let's say, a symbiotic relationship!

I need Marie to get stolen goods easily.

I also need Mayo to get what I want easily.

That's usually called a business relationship though.

Ugh.

Well, then let's try doing friend stuff from now on!

Last time I saw the tailor shop sprite, she was eating something with the witch, let's try that!

Didn't you say you're short on money this month?

Spent all the money buying new bombs.

Ugh... I was already hungry, you know...

Must spend your money more carefully, unless you eat bombs to survive.

Should we go to the Banquet Hall then?

The food is good there, and it doesn't cost money.

Oh, yes! A good idea, it is! While there I can see my precious too!

If it's okay, please call me Renewa. That's my name.

Renewa?

Renewa. Will remember.

Ahaha, we spent all our money!

Please give us some food, Master!

Oh, I'll just have a glass of water...

Not hungry. Came to do "friend activities".

.......

.......

.......

W-What are your hobbies, Renewa?

Me? Dusting the theater lobby?

I-I see. That sounds like hard work.

Wh-What do you value most when making friends?

I feel like I should start finding that out...

Do you know what dream my precious had last night?

No, you'd have to ask Master directly about that...

I know.

My precious's opinion matters, but this time establishing our "friendship" is more important.

If we just keep throwing things out there, won't the conversation start flowing somehow?

E-Excuse me?

Got it...

But... I don't think you need to worry.

It's been so long since I've been able to have a conversation like this, even if it's awkward.

This might even be the first time.

I should definitely record this today.

I think I made friends!

Renewa, what are you doing? Come quick!

Marie will show you sugar explosion show!

Yes! I'm coming!

Hello, Master!

The theater closes always around this time. It's okay!

Well, Her Majesty screamed while watching 'Five Nights at Pineapple Pizza' and blew out the theater lights.

Other than that, I had 4 werebeast customers, 1 phantom customer...

And I repaired the dragon tail support.

Oh! Then should we talk about the Frontier?

The last anomaly got sorted out a little quicker than normal!

I think it helped that the Apostles are getting more skilled!

Huh? My daily life is... always pretty similar.

Go to work, work, check for anomalies, go home, check for anomalies, sleep, go to work?

Sometimes I come to the Banquet Hall like this to have tea.

Um... Ah... Hilde comes by sometimes and asks me various things.

Whether I feel dizzy or see anything strange, if my eyelids twitch, or if I sometimes get the urge to destroy the world?

Is that so? That's why she took notes on all my answers.

They popped by the theater a few times, but I was too swamped to join them.

It's not easy.

Whaaat?! How could I say something so irresponsible to you, Master!

And...

Ah. You've read it all.

Mmm. It's okay to share.

Sometimes, I still feel a little scared! At times, my curiosity just can't be contained!

Whether I really should be here.

Whether I should go beyond just being here and actively do something...

Whether I might cause irreversible damage by acting rashly...

After all, I've seen various versions of Elias...

I keep... overlapping them. This place with worlds that have already perished.

I think it's inevitable. Hehe.

What?

I-I shouldn't be casual with it!

M-Master, you don't live carelessly though?

Uhm...

Ah, huh? Huh?!

I-I didn't think that far!

If I made you feel lonely, I'm really, really sorry! I apologize!

Yeah...

Huh? Master, what brings you to the theater so early in the morning?

What do you mean?

Huh? All of a sudden? But I have things to do today...

B-But... Ugh.

A-Ah! Yes!

I-I didn't expect we'd come all the way to Monatium.

Is it okay for an unregistered elf to be walking around a place like this?

A-Ahaha...

What's this place?

Is it normal for the machines... to have this paper stick on them?

It says "Out of Order".

This is fun!

I've never been to an arcade before! I was always cooped up in the theater in other timelines too!

Can I hit this? And ride that?

It really feels like I'm on vacation!

Kyaah!

I thought hitting it might fix it... Hehe...

M-Master! Something terrible happened!

It's not that...

I pressed the button on the claw machine, and even though I didn't put any money in, this came out.

What should I do?! Should I break the machine and put it back?!

I-I'll go do it right now! Then the Suppression Unit won't catch me!

Right...?

Haha. Ahahaha!

It's the first time I've seen you sprawled out like that, Master.

Master, please take this doll.

No.

I was laughing so happily that I wanted to give you something, Master.

This is the first time I've felt this way.

Yes. That's why I want to share it with you, Master.

I also want to experience giving a gift for the first time.

Even though we caused trouble and ran away, nothing bad happened.

I'm happy.

Yes!

Master.

I really am... glad I met you, Master.

Today was really fun.