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But an old platform they wouldn't think twice about... Hm, this might be even more useful than we thought.

If we consider only the immediate impact... the security of the surrounding areas could be greatly improved once we've established the training centers in Bolívar and Eastern Columbia.

Of course. If we didn't care about that, then what separates us from the guys who only know how to grease palms... No, what separates us from the 'big guys'?

Well, that's all a problem for the future.

...It's the bank president again. I suppose it wasn't a difficult decision.

Care to listen in?

...Why do we have to set sail now, of all times? I wanted to see Jessica and Woodrow off.

Stop whining and pack your clothes.

You left them all over the floor... Tsk tsk.

How come you two are so calm about this? Who knows if we'll ever see her again, once she's out on the frontier.

Mr. Cliff didn't approve her resignation. So even there, she'll still be a member of Blacksteel.

What? B-But... She's going out there to serve her sentence...

Yes, correct. But with her identity as a Blacksteel employee... and the job.

...The job?

Right. No matter where you go, you can never escape this job.

Maybe we'll get a mission in the frontier one day, and we'll get to see her.

Uh...

Now hurry and pack your clothes.

I... I can't believe you two were keeping this from me. I thought I'd never...

Don't blame us. Blame Engineering for keeping you so busy that we never got a chance to talk.

Hm? What's this...?

Something wrong?

Oh, no. I just found a note in my pocket.

Big whoop. Call me when you find a blank check.

Half a month ago, Laura wore that coat while bidding her friend farewell with a hug.

She slipped a note into her friend's pocket, but didn't notice her friend doing the same.

Laura turns away from the other two and opens it up.

There are a few numbers and a sloppily scribbled message:

'If you ever need funding, give this number a call.'

Another one.

Ma'am, you've been in this pub all night. The owner is about to close up.

That's alright. I know the owner.

Are you waiting for someone?

Nah, I ain't never waited for no one my whole life.

Is someone waiting for you, then?

Yeah...

Will they get to meet you?

I got a lot of people waiting for me, you'll have to narrow it down.

Let's not worry about the distant ones. The closest, waiting for you right now.

Yeah, of course they will. Gave 'em my word.

It's hard to find someone who takes promises so seriously these days. Here, let me treat you to a round.

You tailed me this long just to buy me a drink?

...Believe it or not, I made a promise too. I promised the girl you're supposed to meet that she'll get to see you.

You can call me Tila.

In a swath of scorched earth, I see a spark light up and drift with the wind into the distance, before perishing into ashes.

Or perhaps it lit up the night sky and brought forth the daylight.

You really plan on coming to the frontier with me?

Mhm.

You know what it is you're throwing away?

I do.

It's a stupid-ass choice.

Maybe in a few years, a few months, or even a few days... I'll come to think the same.

But I can only decide with the heart I have now.

If I think it's worth a shot, there's no reason for me not to act.

You think you'll find what you're after out there?

Before... I always put all my effort into chasing things I could never reach.

When I was a kid, I tried to chase my siblings, who were all taller than me. When I was a teenager and my grandfather died while I was out of the country, I rushed to attend the funeral I could never have made it to in time.

And then, after I grew up... I chased disasters and conflicts I could never possibly stop. Again and again.

I'm always chasing, but I never make it in time.

But this is different. This time I'm not chasing anything.

Because I'll be there from the very beginning.

Then let's get going. Hope you're ready for a fresh start.

Why the tears, Jessica?

My castle fell down. I spent all afternoon on it, but now there's nothing left.

Jessica, you built your castle on the beach. Of course it'll fall down when the waves come crashing.

I'm so dumb... Why didn't I build it somewhere safe...

What kind of nonsense is going through your silly little head? You're my granddaughter, how could you be dumb?

But my siblings are all so much smarter... They know all these things I don't...

They're adults. Of course they have more experience than you. When you grow up, you'll be just like them.

But won't they be even more amazing by then?

Huh... How come you have so many weird questions?

Sorry...

Now now, don't be so upset... How about I rebuild your sand castle with you?

Will you really...? But even if we do... it'll still come crashing down because of the waves tomorrow.

In the end... There still won't be anything left...

Jessica, if you're so worried about the waves wrecking your castle, how about we pick a beach further from the water, and rebuild it there?

Even when you lose everything, there's always the future... and we need to believe in it.

Don't be afraid to start over.

Yeah... Let's start over.

A warm hat is placed on the girl's head. Its brim is so wide, it covers almost her whole face.

If you want to cry, cry. You've been through so much... Must be tough to bear.

I'm not...

Ain't nothing to be ashamed of, Jessica. New lives always start in tears.

It's the very first step toward breathing.

After a long silence, a sob can be heard from under the hat.

The old man doesn't look down. Instead, he turns his gaze to the far end of the snowfield.

The sky beyond the horizon is dyed red by the dawn clouds, and its bright light reflects off the crystal-clear snow.

The vermillion hue stings his eyes with a sharp pain, and his tears begin to well up.