bibeak

I mean it!

No need. It's fine.

Orchid, I want some of those pastries you made.

You brought some, didn't you?

Yeah, they're in the car.

Shall we go then?

There, all bandaged up.

*Sob*...

*Sobbing*...

It was hard, wasn't it? Go ahead, you can cry.

You were so brave. You didn't run back to the car crying; you came back on your own two feet after defeating the gloompincers.

You changed the villagers' thinking and got them to fight alongside us.

If it weren't for you, the rest of us would have turned around and left, venting about it the whole way back, and nothing would have changed.

Orchid...

I told myself countless times that I can't wallow in hate. I can't turn myself into something terrible.

But that's what I look like in the eyes of the uninfected.

But I... I don't think they're wrong.

You don't have to console yourself like that, Bibeak.

Rhodes Island's documentation clearly stated that our squads contain Infected. It's their fault for not reading. The least they could have done was to handle it more politely, which we would have been able to accept.

...It's not consolation, Orchid, I really feel that way. It's only natural for them to be afraid, because... I'm afraid too. I hate and fear my condition.

I left home to come to Rhodes Island, in order to bring it under control. I participated in all that training to get this chance to conquer my fear...

Maybe that's not something everyone can do.

But I don't want to have done all that just to stop moving forward on my first field mission. Go backwards even.

Was I being selfish? If they were really scared, I shouldn't have—

Lie down and have something to eat. Don't think too much about it.

They were only afraid because they don't understand Oripathy. We've already explained that normal contact doesn't lead to infection.

They calmed down and accepted that.

Will they ask for help from Rhodes Island again?

If they do... will I be willing to accept the mission?

The choice is yours, Bibeak.

Everyone makes their own choices. If it were up to me... I'd probably turn it down after some thought.

...I don't know what I'd think.

Maybe they won't be scared of us next time. Or maybe they'll reject us again. Or maybe there won't even be a next time.

But I'll wait for that day.

(Gives Bibeak some pastries)

Thanks for being with me today, Orchid.

Otherwise, I might have done something stupid.

But I don't regret participating in this field mission, even if it was very different from what I imagined.

I'll keep moving forward.

Oh! What happened...?

Are you okay, Bibeak?

Gee, Bibeak, you're so excited to go home you can't even hold your cup?

Well, as they say in Yan: Break a cup, break a trouble. Sounds like everything's gonna be great!

Don't worry about it. This is <i>your</i> send-off party. You sit right there, and I'll go get you a new cup.

Ah, watch out! Lemme clean this up first.

Bibeak...

What's the matter?

To our dearest daughter,

We're both doing fine. No need to worry about us.

I've been keeping your room just the way you left it. Your dad has new glasses now. I guess he should've listened when you told him to take better care of his eyes!

We're happy to hear that you've been doing well on Rhodes Island, and are really proud of the work you're doing there.

There's something we've been hesitating to tell you, but decided in the end that it's better for you to know. The culprit who infected you with Oripathy has been caught, and he's now serving a prison sentence.

I hope this helps give you some closure, after all these years. Wishing you the best over at Rhodes Island.

(...He's been jailed for a year now, and Mom and Dad didn't tell me until now.)

(They didn't need to worry. I... I don't care anymore. Yeah.)

(There's a photo of Mom and... my goodness, why are Dad's new glasses <i>that</i> color?)

(Mom definitely picked it on purpose.)

(Are these clothes for me? And a new rapier... It looks nice and handles well. Must be Dad's work.)

Looks like your folks sent you enough stuff to fill a small house.

And I suppose you'll be using this sword in training later?

Yeah, Dad designed it for me.

That's so sweet. I bet you were very close back home.

N-No, not really...

Ooh, getting embarrassed?

...Keep that up and you're not getting that new skirt you wanted.

Ouch, now that's below the belt! What would I even wear without you making clothes for me?

Come on, stop teasing me.

Haha. Alright, I'll let you read your mail in peace.

Bibeak casts her gaze towards the other letter on the table.

The sender's name isn't written, only the address: 'Municipal Prison.'

'Kind lady, I write this letter with gratitude in my heart. I feel that I have found peace in my soul, and would like to share this joy with you.'

'Plagued by guilt over harming an innocent soul with Originium, I sought help from a psychiatrist, who helped me deal with my issues.'

'He said that everyone should have the chance to forgive themselves for their mistakes. I gave myself such a chance, forgave my own mistake, and now I feel at peace.'

'I asked him how you might be feeling now. I believe you need to break free of the cycle of hatred and pain in order to find peace.'

'Please hear me out, kind lady. We must forgive ourselves and forgive others, put down our hatred, and even embrace our enemies, in order to move on to a new life.'

Why are you staring into space? Who was that letter from?

It's him... the man who...

Who? Oh... what did he say?

He said he found forgiveness and peace.

That's... a good thing. Right?

Hm...

I've been so busy these past few years that I'd almost completely forgotten about it. I don't really think about it anymore.

The man said he... I don't know which psychiatrist he talked to, but he said he found peace in his heart, and no longer feels pain from hurting me.

I'm thinking... I've almost forgotten about it. He's in prison, but he let things go too, in his own way.

So once he's released, he should be able to start a new life, shouldn't he?

Hehe... that's good. Time to close the book on this. I...

I...

A tear flows down the corner of Bibeak's eye.

I... I...

Tears begin to flow uncontrollably, as though a dam had burst inside her eyes.

She feels as anxious as she is confused.

She tries to wipe her tears with her hand, but the gesture is futile as even more take their place. She begins to cry uncontrollably.

Bibeak?! What's going on? Are you okay?

W-What's happened to me?

Come on, here's a handkerchief!

I... I don't know what's wrong with me...

I must be overcome with joy about getting to visit home...

S-Sorry...

It's okay, it's okay. Go wash your face. I'll get you a cup of warm water.

Come on, go!