story_warmy_1_1

Ai—yah!

Phew... good, good.

Are you okay, Warmy?

Hehe, I'm fine! I caught the dish! And look at the bowls! They're all fine!

Sorry, Nanna Radish Leaves. I just got this staff, so I'm not used to it yet, and I sometimes knock things over when I'm not paying attention.

The girl stands on her tiptoes to put the fallen plates and bowls back to where they belong.

Haha, silly girl.

Remember? Back when you used to come to my place for cystymilk crisps, you needed a little stool to reach your bowl in the cupboard.

Come, let Nanna see. You've grown quite tall...

Hehe, I think so too!

Let's see. Oh dear, your collar's got a snagged thread.

Oh, you're right... I've been traveling for so long, I haven't even noticed...

Come, get changed. I'll patch this up for you.

It's okay, Nanna. I can fix this myself.

Look, I have my own little sewing kit!

*sigh*, you must've had it pretty hard on the road.

Hm?

What's wrong?

Didn't you say in the letter that somebody moved into the room I was in?

It feels like... not a lot has changed here.

After you'd left, I did have a few young men move in. Haven't you heard that they found a new area rich in minerals in the next town over?

Just like you, the kid who stayed here before simply left a letter and took off in a hurry.

What's the matter? Have you talked to your Uncle Fat Head about staying here today? Hold on just a moment. I'll get your room ready.

It's okay, Nanna. I'll be leaving again soon.

I'm back here this time because I wanted to see everybody again... including my dad.

Oh...

I haven't heard anything about your father lately. Maybe you could try asking around. Somebody might just have heard something.

Yep, it's okay.

And there's one other really important thing—

They'll play an outdoor movie at the rundown factory plot this evening.

Why don't you come?! I'll pay for everyone's tickets!

Huh? Why are you laughing? I really will!

We actually made it through all kinds of danger and crossed a sandbeast's paradise that nobody knows about, and found a Feranmut nest there!

There are lots, lots, lots of really tall Originium crystals there... They're even taller than these tower cranes and furnaces!

Hah, good! I believe you!

I'll tell all the workers how you visited that Blinking Valley place far, far away...

It's the Grinning Valley!

Ah, right. The Grinning Valley!

You've been traveling for so long, Warmy. I'm sure you've picked up plenty of new skills.

But you know, I think it's good enough as long as you stay safe out there.

Remember to come back and visit more often.

Mm, but I...

Look at this. What did I just tell you?

I said I'd make this thing as good as new before you finished telling two stories, didn't I?

Now take this folding chair back to your nanna Radish Leaves! Tell her she could tap dance on the chair and it wouldn't break!

Okay! Thanks, Uncle Mustache!

And also...

Hm? What else do you need?

There's gonna be an outdoor movie screening this evening... Let's watch together!

Outdoor movie? Hah, no wonder she wanted to get this folding chair fixed.

Alright, then. I'll go!

It's been years since the last time I watched a movie. All they've been playing are those adventure flicks. That's what young people these days like, no?

Old folks like us prefer those slow-paced family films.

Not at all. I love family movies.

Back then... It was Daddy who asked me to watch movies with him.

I still remember how he would tear up whenever the relatives said goodbye to the main characters with smiles on their faces...

That's even though he was a grown man.

Your old man... right.

He's a sentimental one. We all know it.

My kid—you know the one you called Screwhead—he went to the cities to study engineering.

I couldn't leave for too long, because of my business. It was your old man who took him to school whenever it was time to go back... Remember?

Yep, I remember.

When I was small, every time he left for work, he'd bring me to your shop.

Even though he told me he was going to the mines, I always asked you where he was...

Haha, that's right.

You've always got on so well with your old man. *sigh* You really miss him, don't you?

Mhm.

I heard Screwhead's graduated, stayed in the city, and even got a good job.

I'm so glad!

And I know my daddy would be really happy, too!

Good kid...

Right... right. Your old man definitely knows. He doesn't talk much, but news always gets to him fast.

He's probably working in some mine right now, with a lot of weight on his shoulders... I'm sure of it! I just hope their card games there aren't much different from here.

I know when you two see each other again, he'll be very proud of what a big girl you've become!

Right, that big mining ship you're off to. Where's it headed?

Hm... I'm not really sure.

Lanns and Savage told me that I'm going to Rhodes Island to get treatm—No, that's not all. It's so I can learn lots and lots of new things!

Alright, but promise me this. Take care of yourself, okay?

Yep... I will!

Hey, Ol' Mustache! Here's your loudspeaker.

Alright, got it!

Loudspeaker?

Haha, you've never seen such a strange looking trinket? It's one of the hottest products developed by Screwhead's company.

Kid tells me it's got such a narrow, crooked neck because that's how it carries sound to far-off places.

Well, the workers here just use it to chitchat up on the scaffolding... but that ain't so bad, right?

Uncle Mustache.

Hm?

Is it okay if I borrow this?

Hello, everybody... Huh?

(Loudspeaker) Hello, everybody!

Whoa... Why is it so loud...?

The workers, all dressed in a variety of outfits, look to the source of the sound.

They see a young girl with a loudspeaker poking her head through the rusted shutters.

(Loudspeaker) Hello, everybody! Tonight...!

(Loudspeaker) Tonight, let's watch an outdoor movie together!

(Loudspeaker) At the same place as before, the rundown factory plot!

(Loudspeaker) A-And also...

(Loudspeaker) Remember not too eat too much for dinner. I'll have snacks for everyone!

Huh? There's a movie today? And snacks?

Just the thing I need after spending all night inspecting galvanized steel!

Hey, lads, don't forget to grab a couple cases of fizzy drinks from the canteen!

Right, whose kid was that again? She's got a loud voice.

I remember her... From the looks of it, she must've found her old man. Good. Good...

Oh, so that's her... How long has she been gone? Two years? So it's been two years already...?

Ah... two years, in the blink of an eye.

Heh, it's like the blink of an eye to us alright.

But I'm sure those same two years have been a very long time to her.

The factory workers keep piling into the empty plot.

(Loudspeaker) Everyone! The movie is about the start!

(Loudspeaker) If you have tall chairs, lean back as much as you can. If you have short ones, come as close to the front as possible to not block the people behind!

There are rows and rows of seats. Most have already taken settled in, while a few are trying to find a spot more to their liking.

Some run up to the roof, some decide to dangle themselves from a crane, and some opt just to go to behind the silver screen.

(Loudspeaker) Potlid—

H-Hu-Huh?! Lanns?

Oh no! I haven't turned the loudspeaker off yet!

Huh? Loudspeaker?

So everyone here heard my nickname for you loud and clear, then?

How about it? Everyone thinks it's a great nickname, right?

*whimper*...

Hello? Can anyone hear me?

I'm never speaking to you again!

Alright, alright. I'm sorry... I'm just worried about you!

Didn't we agree you'd reach out to me as soon as you finished saying hi to the townspeople?

Oh, right.

I got so busy that I forgot...

What do I do with you...? Never mind. Are you happy you got to see everyone?

Yep, I'm very happy!

Really, really happy!

Haha, that's good. Very good.

Warmy, the movie is about to start!

Oh, coming!

Now off you go.

Finish saying all the things you've been holding in for the last couple years. We'll come to the town's station to pick you up tomorrow.

Lanns, I can go tonight.

But... Would it be alright to have you pick me up there?

The workers keep their eyes focused on the screen. The protagonist's monologue is echoing in their ears.

'At the time, I still didn't know where that truck would take him.'

'The wilderness is vast. If you get separated, you may never see each other again.'

'But where is the path ahead that I seek?'

'Having missed the last ride, I follow the dark road and march onward to daybreak.'

Huh...? Is the movie over already?

But it kind of feels like the story's not over yet... What did the main character mean by that in the end?

I don't think I get it... but everyone must've really enjoyed the movie...

Ah, good movie.

I'm jealous... He spent a lifetime chasing a single idea. So courageous.

Oh, please. This stuff only ever happens in movies. Nobody would be so unrealistic in real life.

Take a guess. Why didn't the director give us a clear conclusion to his story?

Everybody knows it in their hearts. He's walking into the mountains, the valleys, to the ends of the earth... He's just walking to a dead end.

A dead end?

You son of a mother... How could you say that?

(Hm... I remember these two always bickering with each other...)

(I'm getting a bad feeling about this...)

They made the ending like this because they wanted us to fill in the rest ourselves. You can't figure even that out?

If you see nothing but a dead end ahead of him, then I can only feel sorry for how life's been treating you!

Hmph, I saw an irresponsible man and that's all. Maybe you're like him.

If my kid grows up to be like him, I'll beat him 'till he can't leave town!

You—

What? Wanna go? Let's do it!

Wh-Why are they fighting all of a sudden?!

*sigh*...

(Takes a deep breath)

Stop fighting—

Heh! I knew we'd be treated to a wrestling match after the movie!

Yeah, hold him down! Don't let him fight back!

Quick, pass out the drinks I brought with me. It's time for the encore!

Wait... It wasn't supposed to go like this...

After the movie, it should've been...

Quit making trouble!

Hyah!

Ugh... my arm...

Eek... My back...

Wow, that's amazing... You stopped the two of them in one go!

*sigh*... You came back for a visit after so long, and these morons didn't change for even one bit.

It's all okay... Everyone's always yelled at each other for as long as I can remember... Although today feels especially bad.

Good thing you're still here, Uncle Fat Head. You took care of them so quickly.

Not just me. Your desserts helped, too.

Help me put the tape back in the cabinet by the wall, Warmy.

Okay!

What's wrong?

N-Nothing! I was just looking at how long the case says the movie is.

So that was actually the full version...

Haha... Sounds like you don't like the movie's ending, either.

N-Not at all. I really like it.

The movie doesn't say... but I think the main character has already reached his goal and is ready to start a new journey.

Oh, that's just what I think... Even if everyone ends up fighting over what they think the ending is about... I think everyone's opinions are valid!

Silly girl... Why does it matter what anyone else thinks? What's important is what <i>you</i> think.

So why did you want to show a movie today, Warmy?

I...

I just wanted to get everyone together to have some fun... just like what Daddy used to do...

Every time he left home, he'd watch a movie with everybody.

He said... That's how you cheer everyone up.

Warmy... You're all grown up now.

I can tell... You wanted to say a proper goodbye, right?

But things got so out of hand, I didn't get a chance...

But, you know what? You've already said your goodbye.

Huh?

When you invited all of us here, you told us what you've been through the last two years.

We can tell you've been taking care of yourself and made new friends... We all know. Just like the movie's main character, you've started a new journey.

The most important thing is you're still young. You have all kinds of possibilities open to you. Do what it is that you want to do.

It doesn't matter if you want to stay here, keep looking for your old man, or something else...

All of us will support you.

Uncle Fat Head...

Thanks.

Silly girl. What's there to thank?

The next time you're back, we'll watch another movie together. How does that sound?

Here we are, girl.

Yeah.

You see the transport station up ahead? I hear they stopped running the last route to here not too long ago. Good thing the station hasn't been torn down, and the lights are still up.

I've got cargo to deliver, so I can't stay with you. Be careful out there.

Thanks for the ride.

Don't mention it.

There are lots of rocks on the road here. Be careful and don't trip.

I will!

Don't worry. I've walked this path many, many times before.

I won't fall down again.

The girl stops walking.

Ahead, the abandoned tracks are engulfed by the intense darkness. On the ground, a mining hard hat with a large conspicuous dent and a bent, misshapen valve handwheel lie forgotten.

A mining lamp on the ground flickers repeatedly before suddenly losing its glimmer.

I...

I miss you.

But... I'm going somewhere far, far away now.

Lanns says we're going even farther away than the transports go, and the Grinning Valley...

B-But you don't have to worry about me... Everyone'll be waiting for Warmy...

The young girl crosses into the loosely cordoned off area and walks toward the ruins.

She strokes the ice-cold surface of a rock, as though reminiscing that large, rough hand that she never once thought she would ever take her hand off.

Daddy...

Bye bye.