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Morning, bozo.

Y—You were in the forest... Where are we? What are you doing with me? Where are my bratany?

20 Questions the second you wake up, huh? You're a pain in the ass.

We brought you back, gave you a checkup, put you on energy supplements for your malnutrition, and got you permission to stay in a dorm. Feel free not to thank us, I guess, but—

At least show a little respect?

Daniil.

How do you know my name...?

Your student ID.

Didn't think I'd run into a schoolmate in some crappy forest all the way out there.

You don't know me?

General Zima? I didn't even recognize you.

Alright, whatever, you remember me. That makes this a lot simpler.

I've got one question, that's it.

The medical stuff. Where did it go?

I sold it.

You sold it? Then where's the money?

...Spent it all.

Are you serious?

You dickhead... If only I knew you'd pull this shit. Should've let those noble kids beat on you longer.

Okay. You sold it. So tell me about your buyer, your broker, and the amount of money your stolen goods got, and don't miss a single thing.

You need to understand—Rhodes Island might be housing you for now, but if you don't cooperate, we can just hand you over to the Ursus police.

I must be dreaming. General Zima using 'I'll sic the police on you' to threaten me... It looks like everyone's changed since Chernobog.

General Zima... no, Sonya. I would've probably done as you told me if we were back in Peterheim.

I had no choice there, after all. It was either follow you, or beg those noble shitstains for forgiveness as they kicked me about.

Who says you can't follow me now? You'll be part of the USSG until whenever.

This is Rhodes Island. It was Rhodes Island that sheltered us, and brought us out of Chernobog.

I don't actually know if you can join too... but I figure as long as you're wiling to work, it should be fine.

Hmph. The Ursus Student Self-governing Group, was it? What a nostalgic name.

If Anna's here too, then why wasn't she with you out there? Those two bratany in your squad probably don't have half the brain cells combined that Anna did.

Grr. Those are my squaddies. I won't have you talking shit about them.

And Anna's... the group's got their own things to do.

Hmph, their own things. You weren't really thinking you could lead the USSG your whole life, were you?

If Rhodes Island is sheltering you, then they must have taken in Anna and the rest too.

So how could they have clung to your side forever, the way they were before?

Ugh.

Of course they're not gonna be with me all the time, and that's for the best.

I never really planned for the future, anyway.

I used to think, if we all made it out of Chernobog... then no matter what the future brought, it couldn't be worse than that, could it?

Real talk, Rhodes Island is just fine to us now. We got used to life here, and we've all found our own thing to do.

For me, Peterheim's in the past. Same for the USSG.

Five days ago...

H—Huh? Disband?

You want to disband the USSG?

I'mma sniff a sec... doesn't smell sweet... you're not honey-drunk.

Wait, what's this crazy talk, then?!

It's not crazy talk. It's my official decision.

Sonya...

Natalya just got back. Didn't we agree to welcome her home together? To celebrate her achievements?

Even if you're of a mind to disband the USSG... now's not the time to bring that up, is it?

No. Now's the perfect time.

Our group was founded on the idea that we'd support each other through those hellish days.

But now, we're out. All of us in the USSG have found stuff we'd rather put our energy into aboard Rhodes Island.

Like Natalya has. She started out not knowing how to fight at all, now she's posting great scores in combat drills... She's the best out of all of us, the way she's changed.

I used to worry I wouldn't make a decent leader... Maybe I've earned your trust and support after so long.

But that doesn't mean I can hold onto my position forever.

I used to be the USSG's leader, now I'm the captain of a Rhodes Island advance squad... and there's more possibilities out there for Sonya's future.

All of your futures.

Um—I—still don't really get it.

How does it actually affect us if the Group disbands?

Even if the USSG's gone, the five of us will still be together, right?

Lada, this is different. Don't you wanna be a great chef? And Anna says she wants to go study at university.

For our past selves, all of that was empty dreams. But now, we have better footing, and I think... no, I'm sure everyone's got a way better future in store.

We're gonna be more than just members of the Ursus Student Self-governing Group. We're all gonna better ourselves.

Well, I'm lost for words. Hats off to our leader.

I certainly never expected... that the first to leave the Ursus Student Self-governing Group would be you, of all people.

It's not just me leaving, it's the USSG disbanding! You're all free now!

Sonya.

Is that how you've decided to resolve our futures?

I mean... I assume you're old enough?

Urk...

So how could they have clung to your side forever, the way they were before?

Urk...

How does it actually affect us if the Group disbands?

Blughk—

She vomits, cleanly as could be.

Sonya, you know you're not omnipotent.

This is for the best for every single member of the USSG.

The water in the toilet basin becomes a whirlpool, like it's about to suck me in, pull me away from a life where they exist.

Right now, my future lies before me.

What should I do?

Seriously... I thought we'd get to rest up for a while.

All we had was a few days back on the landship, and now they sent us out to a place like this.

It's way colder than last time.

Plus our captain still acts like she's got it all to win... Just kill me.

You think? She looks to me like she's just forcing herself along.

Actually, did you hear? That student group of theirs broke up!

Huh? Is she for real?

What the hell are you two bitching about now?

Oh, Captain! No bitching here, none at all!

Yeah, you're off the hook this time.

Lucci, pass me a smoke.

Captain, The Radiant Knight went out of her way to give me a warning.

I'm never gonna hand out smokes again. Don't hurt me for it.

Ugh. Screw you, Nearl, stepping into my business.

Oh, yeah, uh, Captain...

What?

Did Daniil really just tell you the village's location like that?

They hid that many medical supplies in this one village?

It was Nearl who told me... Literally no idea how she got it out of Daniil, though.

But she's always going around all like 'just leave it to me,' so I'm not that surprised.