act27side

<i>'They spent and gave their whole lives to scientific research, in hopes of using knowledge to protect humanity, seeking a safer and better home.</i>

<i>'I hope this will be taken in earnest, and this research is used for the right cause.'</i>

Professor Keller's name... is actually...

In the corner of the letter is a beautiful signature.

<i>'Adele Keller'</i>

Liv!

Lay back, and don’t move.

How's Liv—

Calm down, she's gone home. That little one was scared out of her wits, but suffered no real injuries—you're the one that needs worrying.

Good... that's good to hear...

The young man drops back into his bed in relief.

Just how... many days was I out for?

Three whole days.

Your mom and even your siblings came to visit you everyday. Do you know just how worried they were?

Spare me your lecture just this once, Dr. Ceylon.

I was also... saving someone, right...? I'm so ready to lecture that little sister of mine...

Hmph, still trying to hide it? Do you think a doctor wouldn't be able to tell?

You've got some nerve to actually study Arts in secret. Do you know just how high your Blood Originium-Crystal Density was, when you were wheeled in here?

Is this...?

Is this treatment... expensive?

Heh, even if you were to get a job at Rhodes Island, I estimate it'd cost you a couple of paychecks.

Haha... I guess I really have no choice now...

But speaking of which, I'm currently preparing to establish a treatment center for Infected people here in Siesta. I'm just starting up, so I'll need plenty of helping hands.

Would you like to consider staying to help me out?

Dr. Ceylon, thanks for the offer, but I already made a deal with my family... I won't be staying in Siesta for a while.

If it's possible, I'd rather take a look at the landship you mentioned that goes to many places.

Even if they aren't by my side, family will always be family. I can try to live for myself, and do what I really want to do. I also want to see the sights that my dad has seen.

Being an explorer sure sounds like a pretty cool job.

What's that sound?

Oh, it must be Swire's construction crew. She really moves fast. The ink on the contract probably hasn't even dried yet.

White Volcano...

Dr. Ceylon! I have to head back first, I'll pay my bills later!

Done with work?

Mhm, that was the last patient. Phew... I've been so busy working on the treatment center these last few days that I haven't had the time to hear about what you've been up to...

Just some missions for Rhodes Island is all. I went to a few more countries, and got to know more Operators too.

When this vacation is over, I might go on some longer missions, or be stationed somewhere for a while.

Hm, I do want to come with you, but I really can't leave right now. Besides, you wouldn't want me to, right?

Yes, it would be meaningless otherwise.

How about I take you around here for the next few days then?

Sure. Siesta has become even prettier than the last time I was here.

I'm sure you'll see an even better Siesta on your next visit.

I believe in you, Milady.

Autumn has yet to fully arrive, the sunlight is still warm, but the weather seems to suddenly cool down considerably. There seems to be more people playing in the streets, and a few surprising queues leaking out of some shops.

(Please, please don't tear it down, not yet!)

(At the very least, let me have one last look...)

Enis? Aren't you supposed to be in a hospital bed—

Did they already tear down the White—

Enis spots the brand new signage at the shop entrance before he finishes speaking.

In addition to replacing the damaged light bulb, Harley has also added a little doodle herself—three marshmallowy sheep, one big and two small.

Who said renovation meant a tear down? They're going to build a new water park here.

A water park?! Then, what about the logistics center?

I heard that city hall redid their plans, and since Siesta still needs to retain some of our tourist attractions, this street is one of them.

Pelipper wrapped up and sold several of his shops to a foreign group, saying an investor felt that the previous events had a pretty good reception, so there's money to be made in building a waterpark here.

So our little shop might be able to stay open for a while longer.

We went all through that, and in the end...

Mom, whose car is that...?

Oh, someone who came to the shop a few days ago, that rich girl? She parked it here.

A brand new pickup truck in pure white is parked in front of the shop, with a small note pressed under the wiper.

'Helping a friend with some minor troubles.'

That lady sure loves to act cool...

...Thanks a bunch.

'Hello, Mr. Adams Schwire. As always, I first wish you good health.'

'......then I've won this time.'

*feeble gasp*

Do you want me to switch off the television, or call your doctor?

My unseemly granddaughter.

She's finally done a...

Huff...

How many years has it been, seeing a face like that on you? I should have called Lin over too.

Don't get cocky... Sooner or later, you too will...

Beware the youth... Wei Yenwu.

Time... is on their side.

They will always, one day, stand up to us.

I can't wait... to see... when Hui-chieh... sends one... to you...

Neither can I.

Ha... haha...

Hahahaha...

Hahahahaha!

Ahahaagh—

Hey, sick old tiger? Lo bing fu?

Hey. HEY!

Get the doctor!

<i>Dear Mutti and Vati:</i>

<i>I hope the both of you are doing well.</i>

<i>I'm doing fine myself, I came to Siesta, and had an unforgettable summer.</i>

<i>It's very different from the ones you two have seen, but it's still a very interesting city.</i>

<i>I climbed up Mount Siesta too. I successfully completed the observation, and obtained some really valuable research data.</i>

<i>I met one of your old friends here. No, I should say I met two of them.</i>

<i>They told me many stories, about the coffee shop encounter, that one time with the sulfuric acid pool, the stories that happened in the laboratories, and all kinds of things I never knew about you both, things that happened when both of you were younger.</i>

<i>And the other 'person' told me that 'The past isn't truly over. They're always by your side, in one way or another.'</i>

<i>I have even more reason to believe it now, after going through a magical experience.</i>

<i>Maybe some parts were made-up, but I'm willing to, and hope to believe in them, just like the bedtime stories I used to hear.</i>

<i>Vati and Mutti, I have to admit that I've never been as strong as I thought.</i>

<i>I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hear anything ever again, that the sights in front of me would turn blurry, and it wouldn't be volcanoes or research that eventually took my life, but the pain and suffering of Oripathy.</i>

<i>If I can, I hope to visit all the volcanoes you two visited, and answer every question posed in your research notes.</i>

<i>I want to take a chance, and try going on a boat ride in a sulfuric acid lake, pretending to be a tiny stone burning in the lava.</i>

<i>Fear is not the opposite of courage, just as death is not the opposite of life. I'm passionate about researching volcanoes, just as I am with my life.</i>

<i>Or maybe I should come up with a much merrier way of going about this. But is it too late for me to understand all of this now?</i>

<i>Actually, I have no idea where to send this letter, I just wanted to let the two of you know...</i>

<i>I'm doing fine here.</i>