mint

(Right, first I need to send a message to Skyfire and Mulberry.)

'...Please both evacuate to safe area, I'll come once finished gathering data...'

...Okay, that'll do fine.

(I should be at a fairly deep level by now. Hm... a little further forward.)

(Urgh! The tremors are getting stronger, I have to be quick...!)

(Just a little closer!)

(Oh no, it's trapped the protective gear...)

(...I can't afford to mind it!)

(I'm so, so close!)

(Found it! The strongest region of activity... is right here!)

(This is brilliant, I just need some samples from here, and to get some figures, and I can start an in-depth analysis...)

Wah! It's starting to collapse here too!

No! I can't get...

Idiot! Duck!

Entrance has collapsed! Over this way!

Ow! That hurts...

I can't believe you can still tell pain—you're a living <i>headache</i>.

S—Skyfire... and Mulberry!

Exit over here!

Let me say this in advance! Mint, I'm very, very angry with you right now!

Save your breath, safe location first!

Wait, my samples—

There's no waiting! Move!

Phew...

Okay, we should be fine here.

*pant*... *pant*...

I'm a little... *gasp*, *gasp*... out of breath!

Serves you right. Hmph. I'll have my turn with you in due time... but right now, I'm not the one who should be berating you.

Take it away, Mulberry.

M—Mulberry...?

...Separating from your team and acting alone, under hazardous circumstances...

Is just asking for everything to go wrong! And far too irresponsible!

What if something <i>did</i> happen to you?! Aren't you meant to be the clearest on how dangerous it is here? You can't have not considered it <i>once!</i>

Uwh, I'm—I'm sorry! You're right...

But, I needed to collect core data...

I don't care about the data! In my eyes, nothing is more important than <i>your own safety, Mint!!</i>

Uwwhh!

No whining! No sympathy!

I...

Sorry, let me interrupt.

Mint... you didn't SERIOUSLY believe you could've made it back?

I...

You still think once you finish this research up, you can apply to resume studies? You think that way, everything will go back to how it was?

If that's your opinion, then give up as soon as you can. Your professor and university friends might not bear to tell you the truth, but I will.

You can't go back.

Victoria is nowhere near as guileless as Rhodes Island. Even if you'd gotten some breakthrough result, you'd still—

I know!

Stop, Skyfire. I do, I do. I know.

But... I...

...Well?! What did the doctor say?

Is it—Is it really Oripathy...?

Mm...

What for?! What are we meant to do now?!

Forget me for now! More importantly, how's Miranda? And our data from before—

About that. Miranda hasn't woken up yet.

And the data... isn't with us.

Eh?

Once you had the accident, the Professor and us abandoned the investigation and made an emergency evacuation.

We couldn't have just ignored you under those circumstances!

But... but I'm sure Miranda gave me the samples! I already had them on me!

You were so injured! We were stuck outside and couldn't help you, and when we got you out, you were clutching your fists hard...

But there was... nothing in your hands at all...

I lost hold of everything then...

I don't actually care whether or not I can go back to university!

But I can't let this slip away from me, Skyfire...! If—If I can't get this most core data, then I...

Then what have I persevered in surveying for, even caught Oripathy for—and Miranda—what have we done everything for...

That's why I have to go! I...

That's not true!

Eh?

I don't know exactly what happened to you before, Mint, but I do know that right now, we're a team! And you're representing more than yourself!

No matter how important your research is... Cherish yourself more, Mint, please!

I don't know much about research... but Skyfire has the knowledge there. She can help you.

And I <i>do</i> know full well how to respond to the dangers following an earthquake, how I can keep the two of you as safe as possible!

If that's still not enough, Rhodes Island has even more dependable veterans still... Why do you even have to bear all this by yourself?!

It's—This is what I'm meant to do!

No matter where I am, no matter the danger, I'll continue this research!

'In seeking the truth, I willingly brave all hazard'... I swore it, when I joined the Professor's research lab! So I have to...

No! That's not right!

I can understand you're pursuing the truth as a researcher, but it's in no way—no way at all, a duty you <i>have</i> to assume!

In this respect, Mulberry is right.

Mint, your professor and your fellows have all written you letters, haven't they?

The Professor's... letter...

Yes, the letter. You brought it with you today, didn't you?

Have none of those letters mentioned it, really? They even got in touch with me, for how uneasy they were.

Dear Eleanor, have you found respite in life aboard Rhodes Island?

I have some good news, and wanted to tell you first thing:

Miranda's regained consciousness lately. She's slowly on the mend, and there have been no life-threatening residual effects.

I always curse myself; I should never have let my students bear such a heavy burden. I've been able to tell that you've taken on some kind of heavy weight upon yourself, ever since the accident.

It was nothing more than an accident; it was nobody's fault. Of course, that includes you.

Just as I've mentioned previously:

Everyone, seeing you blame yourself and force yourself because of it, has been duly worried.

Eleanor, it's my hope you don't stretch yourself too thin.

I want you to remember, our pursuit of the truth originates from our purest curiosity and thirst, and it's not for some outside force to impose on us. Miranda's never blamed you. Just as you made your choices, she did nothing more than make hers too.

Miranda is undergoing further therapy right now at hospital, and she's in quite hale condition, far be it from you to worry. She misses you very much, and she's written to you too. If you get the chance, do pay her a visit.

And don't forget. We chase the same unknown answer. It's not a duty forced on us by anyone. On this journey, you are not alone.

I look forward to your reply, Eleanor. Everyone is eager to know how you've been doing lately.

Miranda... Miranda woke up...?

There is one! There's a letter from Miranda!

Er, ah...

Uwh... th—thank goodness...