act5d0

第二关（前）

3:21 A.M. \ Clear

Downtown Lungmen, 'The Ends of the Earth' lounge, ruins

Cheers!!

Cheers!!

Whew, tonight sure was a good time.

You wouldn't think it from the stinkin' pile of garbage we're sittin' in, but it was great. Just thinkin' about somebody else footin' the bill for all our expenses makes me all warm inside!

Texas, if you figured it out earlier, you should have told us.

I just guessed.

You're a really bad liar, you know that...?

The boss had it all planned out, didn't he? Don't sweat it~ Eating, drinking, and fighting are good for the body and good for the soul.

What's wrong? You're not going to join them?

No, I'm okay.

I just, how can I say this? I just feel like I can't accept it.

You get used to it.

If I'm used to it then it's all over.

Like what was everything tonight even for? And Emperor, he...

...gave his life to make the party more fun.

Mostima, you told me you would be giving me a grade for my performance at Penguin Logistics, didn't you?

I did. I've been thinking about it. And while you didn't exactly mesh with everybody, you made some great strides. That much is clear. Maybe...

No.

I'm not staying here.

Oh? I thought with everything that happened, you'd need Penguin Logistics to be a springboard for you to bigger and better things.

That was the original idea. Turns out you had that all figured out...

It's not that I think Penguin Logistics is terrible. Well, it is terrible.

But I think, with Messengers like this, who live like this...

Even though my common sense tells me it's ridiculously dangerous...

I think it might be... what I actually want.

Or maybe it's like I'll start to question reality if I don't look at it this way.

...like one, completely insane dream.

Yeah. Fistfights, explosions, and high altitude drops will do that to you.

Getting thrown into the deep end with Penguin Logistics isn't great for your mental health.

But if you've made your decision, and as your fellow Messenger, I wish you luck.

...Thanks.

Especially since it means your father won't have any grounds to dock my pay.

D- dad! I totally forgot about that. I need to talk to him. But what is he even doing right now...?

Mostima! Drink up!

Cheers.

What's with you suddenly flitting over here? You spilled all over yourself.

If I take my eyes off you for one second, you could vanish. And I got a lottttt of questions to ask you.

A lot, huh...? Like about that incident back in Laterano?

With your sister? Or maybe... my horns?

Hahaha, you're dumbstruck? Oh, Exusiai, you never change. You're always so easy to read.

MOS! TI! MA!

All right, all right. I'll tell you.

...But right not now. You've been digging into it on your own for a while now, so you must understand.

Um, I don't know why, but it's classified as a state secret now. Does that matter?

I have to get closure on everything about you.

You really do, huh...?

It could be a long and treacherous path, with your precious guns confiscated, the wicked watching you, hounding you to the mouth of hell?

Hm, that's weirdly specific.

But no big deal. I run pretty fast. They'll never catch me!

Fine.

You give up?

I give up. Not that anyone could ever tell you what to do.

That's not true. There's the boss. And Texas, I'll listen to Texas. Sometimes. Kinda.

Ya hear what they're whisperin' about?

I think I heard most of the story already, but to tell the truth, I'm all kinds of curious right now.

What kinda place is Laterano anyway?

...Don't go digging too deep. It's her choice.

But what about Bison?

He lost his temper quite a few times tonight. He'll get used to it.

He's an excellent new-comer to this industry. Is it okay to leave him like that?

Bison~ Lemme give ya a copy of the Great Foodie Guide. I did it up myself after real, in-person, on-site investigations!

You wrote the Foodie Guide!

Hehe. Advertisin's a real important revenue stream!

...Wow. Okay, you'll have to give me some secret recommendations.

By the way, there's some fancy rich guy butler-looking dude standing outside the door?

Can ya really say he's outside the door when the walls are crumbled like so? *Sigh* And we have to pay the retainage for the small thruster this month...

...I'm going to get some air.

Young Master.

I know everything.

Father and Emperor had a deal at the same time a Siracusan gang came up against the Rat King, is that right?

Everything has a purpose, Young Master. You performed spectacularly well, given the circumstances. The Master of the House is most pleased.

And yet, I...

Twice. That's how many times you followed my dad's order and did the trick with my shield.

Thank you... Young Master.

*Sigh* Having been through so much, how can we still relax and enjoy a party over broken glass and splintered barstools?

This kind of boundless optimism is born from the innumerable life-or-death experiences of a life well lived, Young Master.

I know. But they're Messengers. Why do they always risk their lives?

That's what a Messenger does. Should you leave home, leave the Master of the House, and leave Lungmen, you too will come to understand.

...I hope so.

Shall we head back and see the Master of the House?

Father's probably plotting something with Chief Wei right now. I'm sure it's something very important that I can't concern myself with.

You are very clever, but the Master of the House did not make these choices to be rid of you. You will grow stronger, and more tenacious.

...Maybe. I'm not sure if I really will see that day.

You go to my father. I need to... cut loose a bit.

I understand. Do enjoy yourself, Young Master.

Oh, there was one more thing.

Hm?

I did have a very good time tonight.

...Nnng...

She gets drunk and makes trouble.

But she sure is cute when she's quiet, isn't she? A little sister to be proud of.

I don't care about her or her sister, but you need to stop her from digging any deeper into that stuff. We don't need that trouble.

Not to mention, the most important thing...

Weren't you just telling me not to talk in such a roundabout way?

What do you mean? Isn't it scarier how you can apparently hear everything I say all the time? Did you bug the place or something?

You should always remember who made me your keeper.

...Okay then, Miss 'Keeper,' what are you calling yourself these days?