sunbr

Hair ties, a water cup, and a throw pillow...

Gotta bring all of these with me!

And this book too. Anna's gonna be so happy! And this music player... Sonya can listen to her songs!

Hm? What's this photo...?

It's... from the day I graduated elementary school. Mama and Papa came home early so the three of us could have this picture taken.

Papa, Mama...

Lada, are you ready yet?

Sorry, I'd like to let you stay a little longer, but we can't be in Ursus too long. Things will get pretty ugly if we're found out.

The transport team didn't give us much time, so we've got to hurry.

Oh, sorry, I'll be out in a sec!

Packing up took a little longer than expected. This place has gotten a little messy, and there's a lot of stuff I can't find.

Damn them, those Reunion bastards... Look what they did when the city fell into chaos.

So, Lada, what are you planning to do next? Is there some other place you'd like to go?

Um... I think I'm pretty much good!

After Granny passed away, I was living alone anyway, so it's fine. Just gotta pack up my stuff and go!

I see... It must've been hard living by yourself at your age.

Ehehe, it's not that bad. I've already gotten used to it.

Granny taught me how to cook, and I cooked for her for years!

That's impressive. Compass's bunch once mentioned that a little girl who knew how to cook local specialties from our hometown had shown up, but didn't have a chance to try her cooking...

But, be honest with me, Lada. Are you sure you want to come with us?

What's the matter? Why are you asking me such a serious question all of a sudden...?

Well, I've already made up my mind! I want to be with Sonya and the others!

Haha, I'm glad all of you still get along so well.

Though... that's not what I was trying to ask.

Look, even though the outside plates are being accommodated by other cities and the people can only stay in the asylum shelters for the time being, things are gradually returning to normal.

Sooner or later, Chernobog's going to get rebuilt too. In a little while, returning to live here might be a viable option.

Hrmm....

To be honest... I'm not totally sure. Right now, I want to be with my friends, but as for what comes after that...

Mister Pointedneedle, if my friends decided to leave, I'm sure they already decided what they want to do. Both Anna and Sonya...

But me...? Where can I go next?

Sorry, I can't answer that for you. That's something for you to think about.

Lada, your situation isn't like that of Anna and the other girls. Even though you said you don't know exactly where your parents work, and there's no information about them in the registry...

I'm sure Rhodes Island would be able to help you if you put in a request...

In any case, I don't think you need to rush yourself to a decision.

...I didn't rush this decision at all!

Ugh...

I know you're just trying to look out for me, but...

Right now, I want to be together with my girls. As long as we're together, there's no place we can't go!

As for what comes after that... I'm not too sure. I haven't really thought about it.

Lada...

But, your parents...

Papa and Mama... They're always working somewhere else. They rarely came home anyway, and they never told me where they work. They rarely even wrote to me.

Even if those bad people didn't attack the city, I already hadn't seen Papa and Mama for a long time before that.

Lada, Papa and Mama are heading out for work.

Lada, you listen to Granny now. Be a good girl and wait for us to come home, okay?

Papa, Mama, are you abandoning me again?

*Sniffles*...

Papa, Mama, don't go... I don't want to be an orphan... Waah...

Lada...

It's almost time.

Lada, Papa and Mama have to go now.

No... Waaaaaaaaaahhhh!!

Don't go! Papa, Mama, don't leave me!

Don't abandon me...

So, I'm gonna go wherever I want to go! Nobody's gonna care anyway!

That's the way things are!

I, I see.

(Is this girl... deliberately uncooperative? She's pretty worked up.)

Well, I guess you can come with us for the time being. Given the current situation though, I'm not sure we can let a kid your age live alone.

If there's no other place you want to go, then you can stay at Rhodes Island for now, just like that Sonya girl.

You mean, become an operator like Sonya? I've never thought about that before.

It's not easy to become an operator.

So once you're done packing, let's get going?

Mmkay!

Just gimme a little more time! I wanna bring that pan with me too!

More stuff? Are you sure you can carry it all?

I guess that's goodbye to Chernobog.

The rendezvous point is just up ahead. Looks like we made it with some time to spare.

Thank you, Mister Pointedneedle! I couldn't fit all the kitchenware in my bag. Thank you so much for helping me out!

Don't worry, it's not a big deal. Besides, this wouldn't be the first time I carry water, or rather, a pan, for someone.

Err, don't worry about it, it's nothing... Hey, watch out!

Woah!

Are you okay?

I'm fine, I'm fine...

...Lada?

Huh?

Emperor above, it's really you!

It's... Auntie Polina!

Someone you know?

Mhm! She's the nice auntie from next door who always looked after me!

Auntie Polina, I'm so glad you're safe!

I was about to say the same, young lady!

Lada, you have no idea how much this means to me. We heard that the students were trapped inside the school, and after that, we searched everywhere for you. We were worried sick!

Where've you been all this time?

I was with my friends from the school. Rho-... Err, I mean, some nice people rescued us.

Nice people...? Do you mean that gentleman next to you?

Hello, Madam Polina.

...Hello.

(I've never seen this man before. What a strange look to him...)

(I say, Lada, are you sure the people who 'saved' you are trustworthy? You're not being tricked, are you?!)

(I'm not! Mister Pointedneedle is a great person!)

...Ahem.

R-Right! More importantly, how've you been, Auntie?

Those bad guys didn't hurt your family, right? Are Uncle Zegna and Sister Clara fine?

Yes, they're fine. Everyone's safe and sound.

The police in our area responded quickly, and led us out to the wastes to hide until things settled down.

Zegna led a search party to look for you at the school, but when we didn't find anyone there, we had to leave.

I'm just so glad that you're alive and well, Lada! His Majesty the Emperor truly smiles upon us!

It's not like the Emperor did anything for us though. We only made it out because my friends and I looked out for each other.

Huh? Lada, what did you say just now?