Part 41: Chapter XXXIV: The Great Chances and Opportunities - To Each Their Own Journey

Graduation

I'm sorry... Please let me think about this before I make any decisions.





Oh, Clone...

Flameu has asked me to deliver something you forgot Escha... You look troubled. What's the matter?

The truth is... Logy was offered a job with an incredibly important research center in Central City because of his part in constructing the dreadnaught. But to the take the job, he needs to live in Central. ...And that's the story. Logy might be leaving Colseit...

Oh, no... After all the work we've done together, it'll get lonely around here.

Yeah, he's reallly smart, and a great worker... I mean, he even built that giant airship! It's understandable that they'd want him in Central City. After all our work, we have to say goodbye...

If you really feel for Logy, then you should bless his departure... But are you satisfied, Escha?

...Huh? What do you mean?

You know, you've grown a bit, too. You don't have to work for the R&D Division forever... Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for you to explore another lifestyle.

Hmm... I don't mind working for the office, but something different would be interesting. At the same time, it'd be really great to be able to stay in town with everyone... To dress up a little and go out for tea... Oh, why couldn't Logy stay in town?



I'll go see Logy off properly... That's the best thing for us.

If that's what you desire, then I think that is what you should do.

...I want to talk to Logy a little bit more. Where could he be right now? He just left the office... If there's one place other than the atelier that's important to both of us...



But he's not here, either... Sigh...



I've been looking for you, Escha.

Oh, Logy...! I've been looking for you, too.

Really? We should have just waited in the atelier, then... Heh.

Ahaha... Yeah, good point.



I see... I'm sure you'll be speeding up the ranks over there. Compared to that... I'm...

What are you talking about? The only reason I got this offer is because you helped me get this far. I can't take all the credit for this myself. It goes to everyone... I couldn't do anything by myself.

But that's... That's the same way I feel! We've been working so hard together! ...It'll be lonely.

Yeah.



I don't want this to be the end, but... Is there anything we can do now? I want to keep working with you, Logy!

I feel the same, Escha. I've gotten to do so many amazing things since I came to Colseit. But, there's really nothing we can do. We both have to go our separate ways...

Separate ways... Yeah, we can't stay together forever.

...Thank you, Escha. I'm truly glad I was able to meet you.

Me, too! You've taken such good care of me. It's been so much fun!

I'll write you when things settle down. I'm sure we're going to have a lot to catch up on.

I'll write you so many letters! Even if we're far apart, let's keep talking. Then maybe, someday...



Well...it won't be right away. I still need a couple days to settle everything here before I leave. I also need to reserve a balloon, so...

Yeah... We have one more thing to do together.




Curtain call

Music: Amai Gohoubi














...Has this day finally come...? It feels like such a short time, but thank you for teaching me everything you have...

...Yeah.

Um, is something the matter?

I-I actually, um...



...Whoops, am I interrupting?

...No, it's nothing. Let's go.

H-Huh...? What were you about to say, Logy? H-Hey!



...That's the fourth time you've asked me that.

B-But... You have so much to take with you, I have to be extra-sure you're not leaving anything behind!

I'm not... It's time to go.

U-Uuuuh...B-But...

C'mon now, don't make this any harder for him. Do your best on the other side. We're cheering for you!

Thank you for all you've done, Ma'am. I think you're the best boss I've ever had.

H-Hey, stop that will you? You're gonna make me cry...

Waaaaaah! Marion!

Ack, not you, too, Escha... Please, save it for later...

Please, take good care of yourself. Don't forget to eat and exercise, no matter how busy you become.

Thank you, Linca. I'm sure you have a lot of dangerous missions ahead, so you take care of yourself, too.

Uhh... Linca, you're the same as usual.

We're not saying goodbye forever.



To be honest, I don't want him to go, either, but telling him that will just make it worse. Won't it?

...Yeah, that's exactly right. Uh, thank you for your honesty. And all of you, for everything.

But, you know, Linca... You can't keep a poker face like that all the time. Smile once in a while.

How can I smile when I'm so sad on the inside? ...This is the best I can do right now.

Ahhhh, Logy... *sob sob*

Hahaha, don't cry for me, Lucille. Let's make this a happy parting... Yeah?

*sob* C'mon, Lucille...say something to Logy.

I don't want you to leave! I want everyone to be together...! Ahhh!

Y-You're not supposed to say that... Though it was on all of our minds.

...Are you really leaving us? Really really?

Yeah. Lucille, you do your best too, okay? I know you've got what it takes to be great here.

...Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! You can't go!

O-Oh no... I need to change the mood here... Logy! Um... P-Please take good care of yourself.

...You too, Escha.





Hm...?

I'm going to become a really really great alchemist! Even without you, Logy, I can do it! I promise you! So, Logy... You have to do your best, too. I'll be cheering you on, okay!?

...Sheesh, you're all so selfish. Stop trying to make me feel guilty by crying at me... ...Thank you, Escha. You do your best. I'll be cheering for you, too.