bibeak

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!

O-Okay!

I...

What happened to me?

Did you ask, Bibeak?

Yes, I'll be getting off when Rhodes Island stops to resupply in Columbia next month. Amiya gave me two months off.

I'll be spending that time with my parents, maybe going on a trip with them. But I'm thinking about what to bring them.

Souvenirs from other countries? Perhaps something from Rhodes Island? Or something I made myself?

Should I have it sent by Messenger? Or bring it in person?

Hey, don't get yourself in a twist over this. There's still plenty of time to prepare.

Whoa! Your hands are ice-cold! What's the matter?

Oh...

I'm just nervous.

After that letter last week, I've been thinking... I think I'll visit the prison, see that man.

...Bibeak.

Yes?

I admire you for making such a decision.

It... took me a week to make up my mind.

I just felt like I needed to go and take a look. After, it's my... my...

It'll be okay. It's a way to come to terms with the past. You're very brave for doing it.

Let's go. And maybe we can ask some other people about what souvenirs to bring home.

Okay!

Lily? Sorry for bothering you. I'm going home next month and wanted some advice on what would make a good souvenir.

Drunk Fins from Yan? Okay... thanks. I'll think about it.

You brought cookies you learned how to make from Gummy? That sounds fun. I'll go and ask in the kitchen. Thank you!

Oh, Gummy is out on a field mission? I see...

Your family loved the mission photos you brought back? Hm, let me think...

Thanks, I think I have a better idea now.

(It seems that families prefer gifts made by the operators themselves.)

(Something personal, something filled with love...)

A few days later

The new clothes are done already? Wowie, that was fast! I'm so glad you're my sewing teacher.

I just taught you some of the basics. I wouldn't say I'm your teacher exactly.

I... only just got to the point where I'm cutting the cloth right. Who knows how long it'll take me to start making clothes for Dad?

You're doing well for a beginner. Just keep it up, and you'll improve.

So, after asking everyone what they took when they went home, you ended up making clothes for your parents.

Yeah, I asked people what they brought.

Their families preferred boxes of homemade cookies—even when they got crushed in transit—over Ursus honeyed mead or rare Sami smoked jerky.

I think it's because you put more of yourself in the things you make on your own.

For example, I just realized that I didn't know my parents' sizes anymore, so I couldn't make anything too close-fitting. I ended up making them jackets.