franka

It's not worth bringing up...

At the very least, they're more than capable of paying your medical bills, even if you didn't fight. You only started fencing as a way to stay fit, right?

Yeah...

Why fight, then?

Um, that's just because...

When my Oripathy was still in its early stages, it used to give me really heightened perception.

And when I came to Rhodes Island, I saw how everyone was working so hard for their fellow Infected, so I thought... since I have this power, I should do something too.

I should at least try.

That's how it started, anyway. Since then, my perception's started to recede, and my parents... I haven't been able to get in touch with them for a long time.

That's why I'm actually very glad that I made this choice. I met so many important friends, and... I can support myself now, even without my parents' help.

Mm. What an inspiring story.

What about you? Why do you fight?

Because I'm a mercenary, of course.

Huh? But—

Mel, count yourself lucky you found a reason to fight before actually having to do it~

Anyway, you don't need to hear this next part.

Hey, Teacher's Pet. So you finally found it?

Franka... What is that thing you left in my dorm room?

It's a letter, duh.

So you took that month off because...

Hey, I'm back for debriefing, Doctor.

Right on time.;(Signs off)

Thanks!

How've you been? Liskarm was worried.;Go see your partner. She's been worried.

Huh? Really? She's been bothering you about that? What a bitch. I should teach her a lesson.

She didn't bother me.;......;It's so dull here without you two quarreling.

Really? You're so kind, Doctor.

Heehee, I didn't expect you to care about us so much.

Should've kept my mouth shut.;You shouldn't always bottle it up inside.

The Doctor's right.

I have to leave it behind before I can move forward.

And the best way to stop thinking about it might just be to... toss it out like yesterday's trash. Dump and forget.

Right, I was burying my mother.

I'm sorry...

You were asking how I'm so familiar with Mel's fencing, right?

Her style is basically the standard Victorian foil. It's the top choice among Victoria's upper-class women who want to stay in shape. Of course, it's mostly just for show. It's not all that practical.

There's really nothing secret about it either. You familiarize yourself with the sword on your first lesson, learn your posture on your second, and how much force to use on your third... It's all the same no matter where you go.

And I learned it myself years ago.

Hold on, didn't you just say it's used by the upper-classes?

Right. I... used to be something of a fancy-pants girl myself.

My hometown's called Givogia. Big city in Columbia. Never heard of it, I'm guessing?

Yeah...

That's because it was destroyed in a Catastrophe when I was thirteen.

Daddy... Daddy...

Don't! Franka! Don't go over there!

My dad disappeared during the disaster. My mom and I just happened to be out in the countryside at the time.

When we saw the Catastrophe clouds, we headed back right away, but... There was nothing left but ruins, buildings torn apart by Originium crystals.

With the insurance payout plus our savings, we had enough to move to another city, but my mom soon got very sick from overwork.

So as soon as I graduated, I put my old fencing skills to work and became a mercenary—then I met Dr. Longfellow.

As for what happened next, you've seen it all in my file at Blacksteel.

Oh, now that's not the face I was expecting! Don't worry, that was all a little joke~

Why, you vixen—!

Alright, alright, don't get your panties in a bunch. That did actually happen. Seriously.

That look you had just now was really rude, though.

I'm sorry, I—

It's okay. That was years ago. I've long since put it behind me. My mom's been sick for years, too. I was more than prepared for it.

If you really feel bad about it, how about you treat me to tea?

This was why. This was exactly why I didn't want to tell anyone. I didn't want anyone looking at me with pity like that.

But... now that I've told her everything, it doesn't seem so important anymore.

It's all in the past. Should I be looking toward the future then?

Franka.

Excuse me? Miss Teacher's Pet wants to talk to me on the road?

Or are you still hung up on something... What's this?

I'm granting you a three month time-off. I think you need more time to get your head sorted out.

It'll be summer in a month. You can either choose to take it easy, or maybe go some place for a vacation.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

So you still remember my plans to go travelling.

What a unique way to comfort someone. It's just like you, though.

Maybe that future I've been looking forward to is... already here?

Hey, Teacher's Pet... What do you say to coming on that vacation with me?

This is a letter that has been opened many, many times—

Young Franka

I got the money you sent me, but my treatment really doesn't cost that much. You don't have to keep sending me more.

My condition is still pretty stable. At the very least, I can still write this letter myself, so you really don't have to worry.

Remember to buy yourself some pretty dresses and jewelry. If you ever see anything you like, just buy it. Doll yourself up, and you'll feel better, trust me.

And if you still have any money left over, save it. It's dangerous to be a mercenary your whole life. You should retire as soon as you can afford to.

I was still so young when your father died. There were so many things I never had the chance to enjoy.

All the places I've never visited, all the foods I've never tasted, all the entertainment I've never had the chance to experience... You have to enjoy them for me. That's much more important than my health.

Oh, and of course the most important thing is that you're happy.

Finally... It's been three years since I last saw you, Sweetheart. When will you come home to pay me a visit?

Your loving mother