robin

We've reached the destination, and the surrounding area is cleared. Signal's... clear. Now establishing communications link—

This is Robin. The communications station has been established. Now attempting connection. Lighthouse, Lighthouse. Please answer if you read.

This is Lighthouse. The signal is normal. I can hear you loud and clear.

Now testing. 'All quiet on Rhodes Island.' Please read back.

'All quiet on Rhodes Island.'

Confirmed communications have been established.

Robin, did you learn all your secret codes from movies?

And battle records...

They sound kind of... cool.

Haha, that's true. They <i>are</i> pretty cool.

Our mission today is to establish the communications network around the landship. Yours is the last node. Everybody else has already gone on back. Once you're back, we'll head back to the landship.

Okay.

Right, it'll still be pretty early by the time we get back. How about we all have a meal at the cafeteria together?

Uhh...

There's no need to be shy. It's just the operators on this mission today.

(Whispers) Hm? This picked up a new biosignal nearby.

(Whispers) It's very weak, but it should be around here.

Oh my—

(Weak howl)

Robin, I'm gonna ask the others to order ahead for us. What do you want?

I have a question.

Hm? What's wrong?

If we find an injured cloudbeast, what should we do with it?

(Moves head in curiosity)

Whoa, so cute! Can I touch it?

Yep.

Lighthouse's given it a checkup. Its injuries aren't serious. It'll get better after getting treatment on the landship.

That's right.

Are you going to adopt it?

I... I don't know.

Cloudbeasts are social animals, and this area isn't a suitable habitat for them.

It's probably here because it wandered off from its pack while they were migrating. It won't be easy to find them.

We'll be working in this area for a while, so we can try to look for its pack. This is also fate, though. Perhaps you should think about adopting it.

I don't know if I can...

Didn't you say you haven't been living a very healthy lifestyle?

Maybe keeping a pet will help you get rid of your bad habits.

Really?

Robin, this here's an automatic feeder and water fountain that Katie used to use. It's yours if you want it.

And take this pet food, too.

Wait, I thought Katie was a beckbeast?

Relax. This pet food is for both beckbeasts and cloudbeasts. Humans can eat it too. From what I heard, it's pretty darn good, too.

Have you tried it before?

Nope, haha.

Th—Thanks.

So, have you figured out what you want to call it yet?

N—Not yet...

I'm just taking care of it for now. I haven't decided to adopt it yet...

That won't do. You two will be spending lots of time together.

Are you going to keep calling it 'cloudbeast'?

I'm not really good at coming up with names...

How about we all come up with a name for this little fella, and you pick one?

Good idea!

What do you think, Robin?

I... Yeah...

Oh, right, Lighthouse. You said I gotta give the little fella medicine, right? I—I'll head back and do that right now!

(Confused cry)

Sorry, I shouldn't have used you as an excuse.

They probably think I'm hard to get along with.

What do you think?

I don't think so.

They're all really kind people. You can tell, can't you? You're just guessing that's how they see you.

They're worried whether you can really take care of yourself and me at the same time. That's why they got all those pet supplies and started coming up with ideas for my name.

(Howls impatiently)

Yeah, I know I'm just guessing.

This is how I am. I have such a negative view of everyone, just like how I have a negative view of myself.

(Howls impatiently)

Are you hungry? It's time to eat.

(Eats happily)

Can people really eat this?

Mm... Kinda salty.

But it's actually pretty good.

(Looks up in puzzlement)

Okay, okay. I won't eat your food. Enjoy your meal.

I'll get myself a cup of coffee.

Do you want coffee?

I'm not sure you can have any, though...

(Cries with curiosity)

Okay... Just a little bit. It should be fine, right?

The feeble cub walks up to Robin's coffee cup and cautiously licks the coffee.

(Walks away in disgust)

It doesn't taste good, right? Actually, I don't really like it myself.

But somehow, before I knew it, I was already used to the taste.

Come, let's watch a movie together.

Robin wraps herself in her blanket and lets out a sigh.

Then, she makes some room for the cloudbeast cub to crawl inside.

(Cries with joy)

Welcome to my castle.

Sometimes, she feels that Rhodes Island is too big of a place, so much so that it makes her feel uncomfortable. She prefers smaller spaces, where she feels enveloped.

Before I was sent to Mansfield... I'd tuck myself into bed like this every evening after work.

I'd find a movie, watch it, then look up some reviews afterwards. Sometimes, I even watched analysis videos online. After that, I'd go to bed.

And it'd be all the better if it was raining outside.

I love it when it rains. That way, I won't feel pressured to go outside, and I get to stay in bed feeling extra at ease.

It's great when it's raining, don't you agree?

But why do you look so lonely?

In the past, to make a living and to pay for my dad's treatment... I had to live this kind of life.

I'm used to loneliness.

Are you going to stay lonely forever?

Is... Is that not okay?

This is Rhodes Island, not where you used to live. You have the choice to not be lonely.

As long as you wish for it.