Part 119: Epilogue
Chapter 119: EpilogueOh, son of a bitch, this asshole!? How is he even back!?
Universal Control appears to be operating normally.
The terminal connected without any issues.
I knew you could do it, Ida-kun. After all that, Im glad I gave you full control
Tomi I have to know.
I was alone after I shifted to the command ship. But in my darkest hour do you know whose ID I relied on?
Shu Amiguchis.
Because
Its you, Ida-kun. Its always been you. Dont you know that by now?
Ugggghhhhhh
I just All I ever wanted was to be with you.
If its possible, Id like to join you. Wherever you are.
Youd come here? That would be great. But Maybe it should wait until after all the sectors are back?
Hehe.
You doubt me?
No No doubts at all, Ida-kun.
Gross. Im gonna barf.
The command ship is about to cross the horizon. Itll be goodbye, at least for another 14 hours.
Yes But until were cut off could I hear you sing again?
Okay.
Music: Seaside Vacation (Composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto Lyricist: Rikako Watanabe, Vocals: Hu Ito)
Wait, what? Gouto and Ryoko are in here? And the citys fixed? When is this taking place?
Never thought Id be back here
So? Hows life on the outside?
We now have two bases established above ground. Somehow, weve achieved some measure of stability.
Ryoko and I have a new project. Were looking into using the pods to recreate the people of this city.
Ah, I see. Increasing the pool of genetic diversity while also bringing out the AI people we all know and love? Theres only like three of them I would call actual characters, everyone else is a Protagonist or a nobody.
We found research notes from Ryoko Shinonome. The genetic engineer. Now we know enough to manipulate genetic information. Its definitely possible.
Sounds familiar. From before the plan, right? I suppose she was working on something like that
I dont know when well be ready. But even if it takes years We want them to see the second Earth. Wed welcome them.
Well, then. Sounds like youre doing just fine. I guess I wont need to step in and lead you after all.
Ive heard a lot about you, Professor Could we ask you to review our research?
Fine. I can manage a peer review.
*nods to Ryoko* Thank you, Professor Morimura.
Yes, Miura is also here.
Then Im going to have to visit him.
Allow us to accompany you.
Yeah.
MIWAKO
Wh-Whats gotten into you two?
I just saw Natsuno-chan, and she was a crying mess too
What do you mean?
I just I really, really missed you.
Youre acting so strange, Usami-chan.
Hey, Miwa-chan Lets go out to eat. Any of your favorite places.
Yeah, yeah! Our treat.
What ? Whats going on?
What?
Falling for me all over again?
Christ, Nenji.
You are such an ass ! You know, I didnt forget you calling me dogface! Screw you, Captain Pompadour!
K-Kids!?
Thats what I said!
Whoaaa whoa whoa!
Nothing, nothing
Sorry. Where did Ei go?
Eh, you know Hes never been great with this stuff
Antisocial as always, huh He said he was gonna hang back and monitor everyones pods.
Oh well.
Thats right, everyone. Ei is not in this epilogue sequence because hes monitoring the pods. Sorry if you liked him.
Uh What? No! Of course not. Dont worry about all that, okay?
What do you feel like eating?
OH FUCK
Thats how I came out of the pod with you, too.
Wed never have come so far without you, Izumi-san. After all you did to get the new facilities up and running
Hey, come on, man. Remember, Im Kyuta Shiba here.
Got it Shiba-kun.
Everythings back how it used to be
Still There are definitely gonna be some inconsistencies. We basically forced a reset to right before the disaster
*elbows Juro* You worry too much, Juro. Inconsistencies arent a big deal! Universal Control can handle that stuff.
*chuckle* I guess so.
My datas all in this place now anyway. So youre gonna be on your own from now on. So youre gonna be on your own from now on.
I know.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. The one I got today is gonna blow your mind.
No offense, Shiba, but fuck no.
Goddammit, Juro.
Megumi
I guess I didnt realize how rugged youd become in these last five years. Youre so cute back here
But you youre as gorgeous as you always were.
Barf. Cooing over each other like braindead lovebirds
Ugh. This is so boring.
*blushing* Please Do you really have to act like that now?
Guess Im just a third wheel here anyway.
You should come over to our house later.
Ill have a feast ready.
Music: The One (Kikuchi Yukinori)
Hey, Nenji. I certainly remember that hairstyle.
You waitin for Natsuno?
Yes, were supposed to meet up here.
Put em up, asshole. Were gonna settle this beef once and for all.
*getting teary-eyed* Youve been waitin all this time ? For me?
I, uh yeah?
What the hells your problem ?
God, its good to see you too, man!
H-Hey, boss, I think hes cryin
Ha! Oh man, I love that scene. RIP Billy Kametz.
Natsuno-san
I just had to stop by the lockers
Your eyes are red. Were you crying?
Well, yeah cause
Oh, hey! BJs back!
Its BJ all right.
The same data that were still using today. Hes always been saving us.
Weve only been able to return here thanks to you. We owe you so much
All of you are the incredible ones.
Miura
Youd take me?
Yeah, BJ!
Maybe. Let me think about it.
Well, for now should we get going?
Where are you taking me today?
Im taking you home! Its about time you met my parents.
Right now?
If it wasnt clear yet, the epilogue takes place in the simulation so they could reuse all the old character and background art. This game suffered some pretty notable budget and time cuts near the end of its development. Hell, there was supposed to be a plotline with the Hijiyama AI from the previous loop, but that character was cut entirely.
Konatsu was so fussy today. Took forever to get into the pod.
Cause Konatsu loves mommy so much!
She looks just like you, you know. Spitting image of you when we were kids. When I look at her, sometimes I feel like Shes as much your kid as mine.
WHOA! This is really weird, considering Yuki is biologically Natsunos mother! I do not feel qualified to have any further opinion about this!
Well, I dunno if I had any hand in it
Anyway, I heard the news. Finally getting hitched, huh?
Gotta say, Keitaro needs to unclench a little
This is a chance to take responsibility
You definitely take it more seriously than somebody I know. Okay, so? Whens the big day?
Well, for today Im just taking him to see my folks.
Wow, meeting the in-laws? Man. Now that takes me back. I wonder how your moms doing.
Ask yourself!
Lets go see her.
What about Shu-kun?
What about that sleazebag?
Here you are.
Amiguchi-kun.
Ah, come on We came out all this way and youre still mad? Nothing even happened!
After all this shit about always being on the ladies side, too.
That makes it so much worse, dude!
I dont wanna hear it. Konatsus all I need.
Yeah, youre right. Ive been a real idiot.
Yuki, why!?
Id never find anyone better than you anyway. Not in this time or any other.
Look, you cant smooth-talk me! You dont get off that easy!
Dude, keep it in your pants for five fucking minutes!
Well, too bad. Im going to Nat-chans place.
Yuki, its weird to invite yourself when your friend is introducing her parents to her fiancé.
Ill come pick you up on the bike.
If you really think so, Nat-chan
Music: Forty Winks (Rikako Watanabe)
Its been 40 years, but its still the place we know.
Yes. This certainly brings back memories.
Sector 5 is almost restored, too. When its ready, we should take Keitaro back on a visit home. Just the three of us.
It makes me think If we really came this far in just 40 years Then we can rebuild our future out there, too.
So this is why you left me behind? Sneaking off for a date? You must think youre a real playboy now.
*gasp*
Oh my! How adorable. Youre back in the Kiriko-chan dress.
Whats the matter, Hijiyama-kun?
*shock*
You still dont get it? Come on, think about it. This is a virtual world.
Hey, check if you want.
Wh You cant just tell me to
What, now of all times you lose that confidence?
Rrgh
*giggling* My, Takatoshi-san! You really do like Okino-kun, dont you?
Jesus christ, this game is still trying to fuck with me, huh?
Two Tamao-sans?
Yeah This is No. 18.
So shes the Tamao-san from the loop before us
Her mind is housed inside this android. Its not like shes a stranger, so I brought her back, too.
So youre the other me. Its a pleasure to meet you.
Well, anyhow. No point just standing around here. Lets go outside.
I knew you were a lost cause when it comes to dates, but this is just sad. Or were you gonna jump her?
Ah, well. I suppose Id better step in.
Heh.
Well be just fine.
Wait a minute W-Whats this about couples?
Why should I listen to you ?
How sweet. Well, sweet by Okinos standards, anyway. I didnt need basically everyone (except Gouto and Ryoko, thankfully, cause that sure woulda been weird) to pair off in the end here, but I like most of the pairings so whatever.
I dont know what it was like for all of you or Maybe I just want to know what really came of all our efforts.
Then lets talk. Itd be my pleasure to explain. It took an incredible amount of time, but What they achieved truly was a miracle.
Music: A F8ful Struggle (Hitoshi Sakimoto)
I told you Id rescue you. You still remember?
Yes. I remember.
I know it took a while, but I was hoping we could have a fresh start.
A fresh start?
Yeah Didnt we make another promise? We said, once the dust finally cleared wed talk. Right?
I remember that, too.
There was one more thing. You probably dont remember this one, so Ill just say it again.