Location: L Corp’s Nest, Liu Section 1 Operation Camp
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
Man, I’m dog-tired…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
…What the hell is the Blue Reverberation up to.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
That’s what you’re worried about? How are we even gonna explain this to the Association in our report…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
We don’t have much choice. Just gotta describe what we saw there. There’s nothing we can do about him.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Speaking of, I don’t think we’ve heard from Section 2 ever since they went on an expedition to the Library. Did something happen to them?
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
They’re probably just too busy with the work. Director Xiao must be worried quite a bit, still.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
Well, we have our own problems to worry about. We’ve got a few things left to wrap up, so let’s head back inside, shall we?
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Pardon the interruption late at night, director. We have a number of issues to address regarding the cases we’ve recently taken care of…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
…Director?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…Ah, sorry. I was distracted with thoughts for a moment. Don’t mind me.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
You said you have a report to make. What is it?
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
A number of experts are going to extract samples from the Distortions we’ve captured after failing to secure the Crying Children, and send them to V Corp.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
The process is estimated to take a full day. Will we be put on standby in the meantime?
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Have you received any contact from the president or the executive board?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Yes. They told Section 1 to stay clear of this matter.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Hana Association will be taking over further affairs regarding the Library and the Distortion after monitoring the situation for a little longer.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
They felt the need to take their time to carry out a more thorough analysis and review of the Library now that it’s a Star of the City, I see…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Are we going to pull out of this Nest, then?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Yes. You’ll be going back as soon as the extraction is done, so pack your belongings in advance.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Until then, rest up and get yourselves back into optimal shape. You ought to be prepared for any task.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
Understood, ma’am.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
We’ll be going now, so have a good rest, dir—
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Wait.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Listen carefully to what I have to say.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Section 1’s next post will most likely be the Outskirts, where the strife between the Ring and the Pinky is still fierce.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
We should especially be cautious of the Pinky, so keep that in mind once you’re dispatched to that area.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Duly noted.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Miris, overconfidence is your biggest flaw. Be mindful of that, and you won’t face much hardship in the future.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Chun, stay on track and proceed. You have the qualities to be assigned a color one day.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Why are you telling us this all of a sudden, director…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
…Don’t tell me, has there been other news from our superiors?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
No. I mentioned all the news I received to you.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Instead, I received this piece of paper called the “Invitation” from the Library. It was placed on the middle of my desk, so I couldn’t miss it.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
That means, a bit ago, you…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
You guessed right… Effective immediately, I’m resigning from my position as Director of Section 1 of the Liu.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I’ll take all responsibility and penalty for the unilateral resignation and breach of contract by myself. You don’t have to worry about your careers.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
What… did you just say?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I’m saying that my action will not hurt your careers.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
You know that’s not what I mean!
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Inside the briefcase behind me are documents containing all the information I could gather about the process of transferring my position to someone else.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
That may not be exactly sufficient… But please do understand as we have no time to return to the Association HQ at the moment.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I am terribly sorry to suddenly abandon my position, everyone.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
You’re heading to the Library, aren’t you.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
This isn’t like you, Director Xiao. You know you shouldn’t make such a hasty decision on this matter…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
I suggest going back to the Association and gathering more intel. There has to be some useful information.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
You are right. This isn’t like me. It truly isn’t…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
It would ill become me to be tearful, and yet… I cried for the first time in my life. I never knew I’d have any relation to such sentiments.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I was reminded of Lowell’s earnest request. He asked that we do not throw our lives away, no matter what happened to each other.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I thought he was stating the obvious… I thought I could remain calm and cold.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
But when I was faced with loss in reality, I simply couldn’t get over it. I’m ashamed of myself for this disgraceful behavior.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Anger… heartbreak, despair, sorrow.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
What should I call this emotion I feel… I’m not certain.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
There is one thing I do know for sure.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I’ve seen countless lies and falsehoods as I climbed the ranks.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I believed that everything in the City was deceit packaged as truth. My life was full of such lies, after all.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
The feelings toward Lowell in my heart, however, were true.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
I get where you’re coming from, director.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Still, stepping down from your position like this will be unfavorable in more ways than one.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
If you break an Association’s trust, you will be excluded from this business in one way or another, even if you open up an Office later. And that’s not all. After…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Even then!
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Has there ever been a time when I was so worried sick?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Has there ever been a time when my heart ached from parting?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Has there ever been a time when I wailed, pining for someone dearly…?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Lowell helped me realize that my heart is sincere.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Thus, I shall gladly surrender my body to the flame of passion for him, to prove that there was meaning to my life.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
How could you say it so proudly, ma’am. Director Lowell did, and now you, too…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
Alright, Xiao… Let me ask you this straight out.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
Let’s say that you managed to get Lowell’s book. Then what? Are you doing this with any plans for the next step in mind?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…No. I have none. I’m simply trying to fulfill the will of my heart.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
You should know very well how others will look at you if a big-name Fixer, like you, acts emotionally in situations like this.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
There won’t be a place for you to return. Is that what you want?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Even if stars were to rise in my sky someday, what good would they be without a companion to watch them together…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I’ve already made up my mind. You won’t convince me otherwise.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
Do you know that we’ll be following you?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…I expected that somewhat.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
And you’re not trying to stop us…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
If you help me… I’ll have a better chance of getting his book.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
You’re being so selfish, ma’am.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
What else can we really do when you start acting in a way you’ve never done before.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I won’t force you. You’re free to choose to stay.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
If you still choose to follow me, however… You’ll have my eternal gratitude.
Location: Inside the Library
Servant Roland
…The hell did I just watch?
Library Director Angela
Maybe you weren’t entirely correct about Fixers, seeing that even the Section 1 director of an Association can make such an emotional judgement.
Servant Roland
I’m shocked, too. Who could’ve seen that Xiao of all people would be blinded by love…
Servant Roland
Looks like the light that shone during the White Nights and Dark Days had more influence than just creating the Distortion or E.G.O, huh…
Servant Roland
The impression I’m getting from all the guests I’ve watched from here is that, well… People have gotten more honest than usual.
Library Director Angela
And what we have seen reinforces that.
Library Director Angela
I can understand her to a degree. If something were to happen to you, I’d also…
Servant Roland
…Whoa, what? Don’t tell me, you’re saying… you’re in, like…
Servant Roland
H-Hold on, but my mind isn’t ready yet…
Library Director Angela
Sigh… Roland, please save your breath and cut the bullshit.
Library Director Angela
I know best what my sentiment toward you is, and it isn’t love.
Servant Roland
Alright, alright, I know what it’s really about, alright. You mean it’s gonna be tough to find another person like me to chat with, yeah?
Library Director Angela
Correct. It will be extremely grueling to find and build a relationship with another companion on your level from scratch.
Location: Library Entrance
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
So, at the end of the day we’ve come to the Library.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
I can already picture the branch leader furiously grilling us.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I’m deeply sorry for you.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
What’s done is done. The choice was ours.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
Let’s focus on taking care of business now that we’ve stepped into this place.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
And our deviation might be extenuated if we produce good results in the Library.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I am fine with this place being my grave.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
All of you, on the other hand, should value your own lives more than anything.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Yes, I know that this is a humiliating thing for me to say when you’ve already followed me here.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
You’re awfully brazen, ma’am. Let’s just rule out the possibility of any one of us dying here.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
If we get kicked out of the Liu, you’d better give us new jobs to obtain our grain.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
You have my word.
Library Director Angela
Greetings, dear guests.
Library Director Angela
I am Angela, the director and librarian of my role’s namesake.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I’m afraid I’m not in the mood to greet you back with hospitality, but manners are manners…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
My name is Xiao, and next to me are Chun and Miris. Greet her, men.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
…Hello.
Library Director Angela
…Yes, thank you.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
What’s with the hesitation, Miss. Feeling guilty for what you’ve done after all this time?
Library Director Angela
I’m sure you know what fate your colleagues wearing the same uniforms as yours suffered here, don’t you?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…Indeed I do.
Library Director Angela
Yet you’ve made this choice. You were not ordered or coerced by anyone else, either.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
…You’d better watch your tongue, Miss Library Director.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
You talk like we’re already destined to die here.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Enough, you two. What is your point, Library Director?
Library Director Angela
I’m simply curious about the psychology of humans… which I know little of.
Library Director Angela
And of the reason you’re trying to earn him back in spite of the imminent danger.
Library Director Angela
I’ve also, no… I have seen it more times than I can count, a story of someone looking for substitutes.
Library Director Angela
From my experience, I cannot understand how you can value your goal more than your own life.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Are you trying to assert that I’ll be able to find a replacement for him out there if I tried?
Library Director Angela
That is correct. That way, you won’t have to throw away your precious life.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
A machine won’t truly understand. The feeling of burning blood coursing through my veins because of something I cherish.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
The desire to have it back by any means, in any form.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
“Precious” is not a word you should utter as lightly as you just did…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Dreams, hopes, ideals; all the words that describe what motivate humans to get up and live…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Those words encompass meanings too grand for description… But it’s simple at the same time.
Library Director Angela
I still find that insufficient reason to risk your own life.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I won’t deny that. I presume others will overcome the loss of what is precious to them in different ways.
Library Director Angela
Then why have you entered this place with such pride? Was it ungrounded confidence that you’re stronger than us?
Library Director Angela
Or were you merely blind with anger?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
That… is what I would like to know as well.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
However, I know that this emotion I’m bearing isn’t wrath or sorrow.
Library Director Angela
Sigh…
Library Director Angela
You can talk big, but it doesn’t make your life any less futile. To walk into the jaws of death for a meaning of existence?
Library Director Angela
Sure, you can act all confident right now; because you think you’re firm and sturdy.
Library Director Angela
But, when unexpected situations start to unfold before you… Will that firmness of yours last?
Library Director Angela
I think not. You’ll be the first to break down, rather.
Library Director Angela
In the end, it’s having a faint hope that just becomes pointless in the face of death.
Library Director Angela
What can your trifling resolve change?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Chun
…Is this some kind of warning to turn back?
Library Director Angela
I have neither the power nor right to stop you.
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
You’re really getting on our nerves now…
Liu S. Section 1 Fixer Miris
She’s definitely looking down on us. Let’s just get in now, director.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
…
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Yes. I have the hope that I will find Lowell’s book here.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Even if I think of myself as firm, I cannot stop others from thinking that I’m petty. You’re free to think of me as a pathetic human being.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I couldn’t care less about how others view me.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
What will a resolve change, you ask?
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Of course it will not do much. Hope won’t magically illuminate the path ahead. It won’t always be bright.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
It will be similar to despair in a way… I might be lost in the dark, not knowing what to do or where to go.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
It doesn’t give me a path… Nor does it brighten the way… The two are truly alike.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
However, they’re still considered two separate concepts with two separate words; because there is a difference to be found.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
The right thing… By bearing in mind what I must do this instant, and taking it to action, the impossible can be achieved.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
Hope allows one to touch the untouchable… reach the unreachable… and see the invisible.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
I won’t let your words break me; I won’t stand back… Pòfǔchénzhōu. The cauldrons were broken, and the boats were sunk; there is no retreat.
Liu S. Section 1 Director Xiao
So let us enter if you are not afraid of us!
Library Director Angela
May you find your book in this place.
