leto

You have to propel yourself up with your momentum. You shouldn't be standing on that hold either.

Momentum?

Oh—I get it!

Again!

Hah, so that's the way!

Heheh, half way up now!

Next one! Watch me!

Damn!

Uaaagh!

That was dangerous, but no matter. Just a little more to go!

If I want to go up from here, you'd normally step on this hold, and then climb up from there.

Hm? Seems like it'd be faster if I use this other one—

Hehe, let's give it a shot!

Watch me!

Heh! Safe and sound!

Now let's see—

Aha, I knew it.

A book quietly sits on the platform at the top of the climbing wall.

Leto makes her way over and realizes she has seen this book before.

She picks up the book and walks to the platform's edge. She has a good view of the entire training room from this spot.

But, she suddenly gets a feeling—

What Mamochka saw while sitting here was definitely not the training room, but some scenery etched into her mind.

Because the book she just picked up is a travel magazine—with an article mentioned on the cover written by her mother.

Mamochka, what's this?

A travel magazine. Mamochka has an article published in it.

An article?

Mhm. My job is to turn my adventures into essays. Look, this is a photo from my last expedition.

Wow, it's pretty.

Right? This is how I keep us fed. It used to be something I had the most fun doing, but now, I have to work as hard as I can for the both of us.

Mamochka, you should take it easy.

Don't you worry. I'm happy going to these places, just like I'm happy when you're with me. Oh, how nice it'd be if we could go discover a new place together one day!

Yeah, I want to go together with you, Mamochka!

Haha, you'll have to grow up big and strong first, little Roza!

Leto, did you find something?

Technically yes, but also no...

This magazine—

Her travel article's in it.

Leto, do you resent your mother for not staying with you?

Well... Mamochka travels a lot, so it's true she isn't with me much, but her absence feels different from me not having a father.

Because Mamochka always comes home with a ton of interesting stories for me.

Words I've never heard before, sights I've never seen—Hearing Mamochka talk about all that stuff is much more interesting than if she were to just stay with me.

I see.

And that's why you're so hung up on this. Both you and Señora Tatyana have always had an extraordinary mother-daughter relationship.

But Oripathy has tied a knot in your bond.

Mhm.

I know what Mamochka wants, and I know it's the best for both of us, and yet—

She wouldn't be sick if she didn't go into Chernobog to find me.

I just can't manage to convince myself.

Which is why I try to stop her from going out on adventures instead.

I know how exactly I could keep her here, but I actually don't want her to stay.

She'll understand you, I'm sure.

She wouldn't be playing this game with you otherwise, no?

I think she's prepared an answer for you.

...Yeah.

Rosalind, I did a little investigating. It seems your mother has left a lot of smokescreens around.

I don't think you'll find her in time, if you check them one-by-one.

Are there any unusual clues she might have left you?

Unusual...?

From what I know about Mamochka, she'd definitely leave me some hint in this kinda game...

Really?

I remember the wailing at our reunion on the landship bridge, isn't that what you'd call a—

Ah!

I got it!

You got it?

Oh, the bridge!

Rosalind, my lapochka!

Mamochka?! Wh-What are you doing here?!

I heard something happened in Chernobog and came as soon as I could, but the place was already in ruins by the time I arrived. I couldn't find you no matter how hard I tried, but I'm so glad you're not hurt!

Heheh, why would I be? But how did you even end up here, Mamochka?

Well... it's a long story. Anyway, I heard from a Rhodes Island doctor that you were here.

Why would Rhodes Island—Wait, Mamochka?! Those crystals—Why do you have Oripathy?!

Ah. Oopsies. I-it's nothing, really. Don't worry, your Mamochka was just careless—

...Mamochka, did you get sick because of me?

N-No, it was from an adventure...

Ma... it's all my fault—

Oh, don't cry. A little illness is nothing, as long as you're okay.

*sob* Uwaaaaaaah———!

Mamochka talked about when she first arrived at Rhodes Island! I should've connected the dots last night!

I turned into a sobbing mess while hugging my mamochka right here!

But I don't see anyone else here?

Oh, Leto and Rosa. What are you girls doing up here?

Have you seen my mamochka?

Hm? Tatyana? Can't say I have.

Hmph.

But she did leave a bag here, and I was worrying over it. Why don't you hand it back to her?

Huh?

Lemme take a look!

Over here, it's pretty heavy.

This is—

A brand new outdoor camping set, and a book series on polyglot secrets?

Hmph. She had me figured out, and knew I would come here.

Huh? There's a letter too.

'For my dear daughter'. Whoa, she even drew a smiley. It's mocking me.

Gospozha Larina would indeed do such a thing, knowing her.

You should open it.

Lapochka, your aunt told me I should be spending more time with you.

But you know how I am. I'm well aware I'm not doing a great job as a mother—I've tried, but in the end, I felt it was impossible.

I've agonized over this for a long time, but the one who sweeps all the agony away is you.

You always greet me when I come home, with your smile full of anticipation and joy washing all my anxieties away.

You eagerly listen to every tale I tell you.