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...Uhh, nothing!

Don't worry, Auntie Polina! I'm totally fine, because I'm super strong now!

If bad guys ever try to bully us again, just tell me, and I'll help everyone drive the bad guys away!

Haha, our little Lada has already grown into such a reliable young woman!

Heh heh! I'll grow up to be even stronger and more reliable!

When that time comes, I'll make sure none of those bad guys who wrecked the city get away! I'll smack 'em silly with my frying pan!

Are you talking about the frying pan I'm carrying on my back?

That's the one!

That's a pretty nice goal to have. Keep at it, kiddo.

Lada, there's not much time. We should go.

Ah, okay!

Okay, Auntie Polina, I have to go now...

Go? Wait, Lada, you didn't come to visit us? Wh-What do you mean you have to go?

I know we're only allowed to live in the asylum areas right now, but the conditions there aren't that bad. Soon enough, all these houses are going to get rebuilt.

Lada, isn't your home right here? Where are you going?

My home...

Auntie Polina... I'm really glad I could see you again. But, but!

But, I want to be with my friends more than ever now... Anna, Sonya, and Natalya and Rosalind too. I don't want us to be separated.

If I can't be with them... I don't know what I'll do. The thought is too scary...

Lada...

If you have nowhere to go, just go home. Let's go home, okay?

My house is ruined. Papa and Mama won't come back. I don't have a home anymore.

But you don't have to worry about me. I'm going somewhere that's super safe!

There are lots of people there, and they'll be real nice to me!

Isn't that right, Mister Pointedneedle?

Yes. We will be able to guarantee her safety, at the very least.

We would never expose a student of Lada's age to situations that are too dangerous.

Ooh... Sonya would be super mad if she heard you say that.

She's already decided on becoming a full-fledged operator. I think she's even picked out her codename!

Forgive me then. I'd never dare say that to her face.

I suppose you've already made up your mind then. In that case, I won't ask too many questions. Just remember to write back often!

As long as you're safe, then Uncle Zegna and I will feel at ease. Go out and see the world, but stay safe... And when our city is rebuilt, it's never too late to come back...

Hm...

Wait, Lada!

I have something to give you! I've kept it with me, hoping I'd be able to give it to you one day.

This is for you. Your parents gave it to our family for safekeeping a few years before they set off.

Huh? It belonged to Papa and Mama?

They said that if they couldn't make it back for your middle school graduation, to give it to you then.

But you're leaving now, and I don't know when I'll be able to see you again. So, this is probably the best time to give it to you. You must cherish it.

What's inside this box? Is this... a videotape?

And a photo... of the time I graduated from elementary school. With all our names written on it.

This was supposed to be a gift to you, right?

I can't believe I still haven't heard a word from your parents even after such a major incident! Unbelievable, they still haven't written home in all these years!

––No, that's not it!

Papa and Mama... They're just, too busy with work...

Oh... If you can still believe that, then it's for the best.

Your parents... and their job. I heard it's not easy. It might even be harder than ours.

Huh?!

When your grandmother was still with us, was always worried sick. She'd come around and chat with me, and well... 'Even if they were busy investigating something, how could they not spare the time to see family?'

In any case, promise me you'll take care of yourself, Lada. No matter where you go, remember to let me know how you're doing.

I won't waste any more of your time then. Hurry along now.

Papa, Mama...

Are you alright, Lada?

Yes, I'm fine.

But...

Mister Pointedneedle, I... I think I might know what I want to do next!

Good girl, Lada. Don't cry.

Papa and Mama are doing work that is very important to Ursus, so we won't be able to stay with you often. We also won't be able to write back much...

But, we would never abandon you, Lada. You're Papa and Mama's precious baby.

But, but... the other kids said...

They said nobody wants me...

How could that be? Papa and Mama love you very much. Those kids just don't know better.

We might be apart for a while. We might not be able to see each other, or even talk to each other. When we miss each other, maybe the only thing that will keep us going is a little memory.

It's our fault that we won't be able to watch you grow up, but always remember... Lada, Papa and Mama will always love you.

No matter where we are, no matter what path you choose in the future...

We will always support you.

And whenever we get the chance, we'll definitely come back to be with you.

When I was little, the other kids would always make fun of me for being an orphan. A parentless street kid.

I felt terrible. I'd cry and tell my parents on the rare occasions they came home.

Not long after that, for some unknown reason, the kids stopped making fun of me. And they never did again. The big girl next door would gently pat my head, and say to me:

'I'm so sorry about before. Your parents are amazing researchers.'

My Papa and Mama are amazing.

But I rarely get to see them.

On the day I graduated from elementary school, Papa and Mama came back.

We went to the graduation ceremony together. We took pictures together, and went out to all kinds of fun places.

Papa and Mama said they didn't want to miss me growing up. So no matter how tough things were, they'd try to be with me on my most important days.

Papa and Mama said they wanted me to know more about their lives, so they recorded them and passed them down to me so that I'd have more company whenever I missed them.

Does that mean as long as I keep growing up, I'll be able to see Papa and Mama again?

Hum hum~ Hum dee dum~

Istina, did you take the picture? You did, right? I finally passed the test!

Hold on, Lada, slow down a little...

Phew... Alright, there you go. By the way, why'd you suddenly decide to start chronicling your life?

Hmm... I guess, to record a bit more of my growth. It's a secret surprise!

Oh right, Istina! Since I passed my test, I'm now an official operator, just like you and the others! Remember to call me by my codename now!

Gummy! My codename is Gummy!

Okay, Gummy.

That's going to take some time to get used to. You could always refer to yourself in the third person, in the meantime.

Oh, right! Good idea!

Gummy's gonna work super hard to protect my friends, and everyone else at Rhodes Island!

Good morning, Lada, Anna.

Morning.

Mister Pointedneedle! Good morning!

You can't call me Lada anymore! I'm a full-fledged operator now, so call me Gummy!

Haha, well done. Congratulations.

Oh, Mister Pointedneedle, Gummy had a question for you!

Hm? If you need help with something, feel free to ask away.

Does Rhodes Island... have a school? Can Gummy keep studying?

Where is this coming from?

I'm afraid we don't have anything like a formal school, but we do have training courses and general education courses.

Really? Does that mean I can continue studying then?