Part 45: Ar Tonelico Phantasm: Cloche's Ending

Do things all go well? Will Metafalica really work?

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Was it even that long ago?
Yup. At least, it feels like a really long time ago.
Hmm, I guess so. I wonder why...
Hehehe, this is just a guess, but I think I know the reason.
Hm? What is it?
Because...
The two of us now aren't the same as the us from before.
Hehe. Yes, we're completely different from when we sang here last.
I'm sure we can sing it this time.
Yes. Let us bloom the flowers of this world, together.
There are things we hate about each other, but we understand each other the best.
Rivals who can grow together as a precious family...
......
......
Sis...
Leyka...
Let's create it together. The best world...

Metafalica... It's been so long since I've heard that sound...





Pastalia...



Grandfather: Yes...

Enna...



Uncle: There! That's it!

Rakshek...



Nana: M-Mrs. Lahr! Not yet! Hold on!

Such a nostalgic feeling...



...Hrgh. Ngh...
No! Stop it!

As I thought, this is certain to fail. Stupid, stupid, stupid people!



Lady Cloche... has closed her heart.
Lady Cloche...

If left on its own this will go just as badly as last time.



I knew this is what was going to happen, I knew...
Grh, I can't... breathe...
Luca!?
That's right. The power isn't being transmitted, so Luca's life energy...
Please... Open up... My heart, open...
Open, please...
Open!

Only one person can author a happy ending here!



You're...!
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
You really are a big fool until the very end. Why close your heart now!?
B-but... it's scary...
Listen here! There's no other Metafalica-crazed idiot with a pure heart like you!
I know you can make Metafalica a success.
Actually, you better make it a success. ...It's my...



...Infel!?
You can do it! If I say so, there's no mistake!
So, go all-out. Gooooooooooo!

I see how this has to be now.























They're going to be starting soon. I need to get ready.



...Pretty good. Surpassing the designer...
Take care of this world for me...
Infel!

Connection terminated. Simulation paused.
...
......

Enja, I found this weird server running some huge program. I think she was working on it before, you know. I'm going to check it out.

User connecting. Resume simulation?

Um, sure.

Record continues...



Yup! We did! Metafalica was a success...
Thank you, Infel...
Thank you... everyone...

Hey, I remember this.





























Okay, I've seen all this before. Though it is impressive that she was able to predict all of this. What else is there?

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Um...
Cloche...
Y-yes, dar...ling?
...
......
This is hard...
Can't we quit all of this silly talk?
No, we can't! All lovers talk like this, right?
I can't imagine everyone does...
Even if that's true...
Uh huh?
We are the leaders of this world. We have to set an example for the people...
B-but... does that go for our personal relations, too?
Of course! I mean, to begin with, you aren't even doing it right!
With all your formal talk, what kind of lover talks like a businessman!
But... Lady Cloche, you just did it too...

Oh my. Enja come check this out!



Oh, come on...
Uh... Cloche?
......
A-are you mad?
......
I'm cold.
...Huh?
I-I said, I'm cold...
...I-I'm sorry. I don't understand your request.
See, more formal talk. Forget it, just warm me up, quickly.
Y-yes, ma'am.
What were you doing?
Looking at Metafalica. It's so beautiful...and we all worked so hard to make it.
You're right.
We can finally say goodbye to the old world. Times were tough, but all that remains are our memories.
......
Now that I think about it, that world did its best to protect us.
That's for sure.

You're dang right it did. That's how I made it!



But I like this world.
Because... it's thanks to being in this world...
That I was able to meet you.
...Lady Cloche, I'm glad that I met you, too.
And I never imagined, being a normal knight and all, that I'd get to be with you like this...
By the way... since when did you start to have romantic feelings for me?
Huh!? Wh-why are you asking me this now!?
What did you like about me? You must've known it would be complicated.
That's... well...

Ooh, ooh. This is going to be good.



That time when you got in a fight with Luca, and were crying in your room...
I thought... I really wanted to be by your side.
Not just to physically protect you. I wanted to protect your heart. For as long as I live...
......
And then, after traveling and talking with you...
Seeing your love for the people, your pure desire to create a better land...
It just... attracted me.
B-but, I said terrible things to you. Like... that time I called you a dog.
Oh, yeah.
But I knew you were hurting more than me.
......
I saw something deep inside your heart, for the very first time.
That's when I wanted to protect you, to be with you, forever.
But why?
I was able to see your true feelings for the first time.
And I... I feel in love with you.



I knew I could risk my life for you.
Not your life!
What?
If you risk your life... You might die...
......
I don't want that to happen.
...I'm sorry, but that's how much I love you.
But I will never die. I'll always be there to protect you...
Alright! I have something to say...
Huh?
It's because you act like this, that I... um...
Fell in love with you...
...... S-sorry.
...I-if you're going to apologize, do it with sincerity.
Y-yes, ma'am.
......

Awwww.



No matter how harsh I was or how much attitude I gave you, you saw right through it.
It wasn't about me being mad or how I treated you. You saw why I was mad...
And you continued to heal me.
......
That's why I was able to open up my heart to you.
I thought that would never happen. I've always been paranoid about the people around me.
But... you were my ally. You understood me, the way a true friend does...
That... makes me very happy.
......
Croix, I wonder what kind of life awaits us on Metafalica.
...Huh?
This time...
I hope we can all be friends, and live happily together in this world.
Cloche...
I wonder if I can make the world be that way...
......
Don't worry, I'll be there...



Huh?
I'll never let you be alone. I won't let you suffer like that again.
Whenever you're in pain, whenever you're happy... I'll always be with you.
...Croix.
You don't have to suffer by yourself. So... don't worry.
...Thank you.
......
Oh... Croix...
...I love you.

Simulation ends.

It's interesting that the projected history stays mostly on course except for the small details. I'm sure Infel would have found it very interesting. For now the interesting times have ended, though, and peace has finally descended on Metafalss. And this time I think the peace will last...