Part 34: Chapter 7 (Part 1): Feene, Narika, Chloe

~Bonding Focus Finale (Part 1): Feene, Narika, Chloe~

This is it. Time to wrap up the bonding events for our three Focus Heroines. There isn't much left to do in the game as far as padding, so these updates will be relatively short as they will purely involve the two remaining events.

Let's go in order, starting with Feene. Last time we saw her, there was a big emotional TV moment that got quickly deflated by the arrival of Feene's childhood friend Raul. Things kind of just came to a hard stop there.

Just a warning, the girls are going after Wake hard in these two events. If you can't stand this sappy love stuff, then you may just want to wait for Update 17.


-Ritual Hall-

Hey, this might not be the right time for this, but are you still planning to go home?

Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't tell you yet.



So I will always be available for the ritual from here on.

Of course, that is if you need me...

Of course I need you, Feene. Don't say stuff like that.

...! E-Even if that's a lie, I am so happy... U-Um... Please hold me tighter than usual today... I want you to...



I-If that's what you want. Should make for a strong Star Child.

Yes, I think so too.



One new class to show off in this part. Dungeon Master is unlocked after you manage to clear 5 Sub-Labyrinths, which means this only becomes available at the start of Chapter 6.

Dungeon Master is a specialty class. They get early access to a great attack skill called Trap Circus, which hits from all angles and deals a lot of damage. They also have a skill that lets you escape from Dungeons whenever you want (so you don't need to buy Escape Hatches anymore).

They ALSO learn a skill that can be used to form a team skill with a Bondsman called Transmogrify. This allows you to try and transform enemies into Matryoshkas. The kids need to be somewhere around Level 50 for this though, so that skill's usefulness is kind of debatable.

*pant* *pant* *pant* *pant*

Doing alright? You might have tried a bit too hard.

*pant* *pant* That's not... true...



Phew... today's Star Child looks just like you.

Kind of looks like your smile though.

But those are your eyes.

Nah, those are yours too.

*giggle* Then let's just say they're from both of us.

I want to work alongside our children...

So when you enter a Labyrinth, please tell me. You and me together... Along with the Star Children born between us... I am confident that we can overcome any difficulty. So please, take me with you!

I'll keep you in mind, don't worry.

Yes...

By the way, whatever happened to Raul?

Raul? He said he was going to rest here for a while and go sightseeing.



Well, we don't need to worry about him. He's always had a lot of broken bones.

Well, let him know that I hope he gets better soon.

I understand. I'll tell him. If you want, I can take you to him.

Sure, but not right now. I'm kind of tired out...

W-Well, you didn't have to be that intense... I know it's only for the sake of the ritual, but it gets my hopes up...

Hopes?

N-Nothing! If you want to know, you can figure it out on your own...


-Old Schoolhouse-

*sigh* That Raul...



Well... Fine then! I don't want Raul to tell him anything, so I'll pretend I forgot about it. I just need to make sure he doesn't notice...

Are you going to see Raul off?

A-Ahhh! Th-That's right.

He's leaving this evening, so I was going to the station to see him off.

Cool, I'll go with you. I'm a little worried about you going by yourself.



Just indulge me on this.

*sigh* If you insist. Let's go.


-Station-



How are your injuries?

I got plenty of rest. It won't affect my day-to-day.

I heard you won't be going back to the front though.

That's true, but that has nothing to do with my injury. Feene just misunderstood. I'm getting too old. I don't have the power to fight monsters anymore.



Damn, look at Raul having the smarts to know when he should bow out. In comparison, Triche is sitting in the Field Hospital with the intention of running into a Labyrinth as soon as he gets released, even though his Brand could easily disappear in the middle of battle.

I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions when I heard the news...

He continued to push himself despite his power fading, and he suffered for it. In other words, he got what he deserved, causing all that trouble.

Feene, you don't have to put it that way. I came all this way to sort that out.

How vaguely did the person who wrote that letter to Feene word it, anyway? All you had to write was "Raul broke his arm. He's deciding not to go back to the front lines anymore." I can only imagine they wrote "Raul got hurt. He says he doesn't have much time left."

Actually, considering what we just saw in Feene's route, I'm betting that's exactly how it was worded.

Now then, I'll hand this back to you before I head off.



But didn't you like it?

That's not it. This memory belongs to you two. We shouldn't be the ones to keep it. That's why I have to return it to you.

Raul...

Everyone loves it. This is a side of you that none of us had ever seen before.

What side of me? I had him take pictures of me, but I never saw it...

*sigh* You're still a little slow, huh?

Wh-Who're you calling slow!? I've never lost to you in anything!

Everyone else said it too.



Wha-Wha-Wha... What are you saying!? Just go home! Get out of here!

Hahaha, take care of her for us, G.G. But if anything happens to her, we'll come after ya.

Pretty sure I could take you.

We'll come after ya when you're asleep.

Now that's a bit of a challenge. Don't worry though, I'll protect Feene.

...!



We all know she's a tough little firecracker. How about it, Feene? First time you've ever heard that? Did it light a fire in your heart?

Y-Yes...

Hm?

Oh, er, no! Th-That's not what I meant! I-It's MY duty to protect YOU!



Th-That's all I meant.

Haha, I'm glad you'll keep your promise. As Feene always says, the trust born from a fulfilled promise is the real thing. See ya, G.G. I'll leave the rest to you... When things cool down, you come visit us. We'll welcome you with open arms.

Be careful out there, Raul.

Say hi to everyone for me. And take care.

Yeah. When I get back, I'll probably get a job, look for a wife...



Man, don't do that game. We've already gone through this with Chlotz.

Hm? Did you say something?

Nothing. You hearing things, Feene? You found a good man. I'll see you two.

*Raul leaves*

I apologize for him causing such a ruckus.

Feeling a little lonely?

Maybe a little...

But I have friends here.

And friends are still friends, even far away. It only feels sad to say goodbye because we're friends.



Promise?

U-Ummmmm... Do you remember when you said you'd capture a new side of me...?

Oh yeah. I fulfilled that promise, didn't I?

I-I'm talking about the promise after that... The one... um... about you taking my picture... I-I'm sorry... I'm going to take a stroll before going home. I will continue the Photography Club, so please stop by whenever you have time... Then, I'll keep... um... my promise... Now, excuse me.

*Feene takes off*

I feel like I'm forgetting something here...

Yeah, there was a certain matter that you had stuck a pin in, Wake. It'll come to you eventually.

Next, we need to finally deal with this whole Narika situation. Or more appropriately, the Narika situation will finally be dealing with Wake.


-Ritual Hall-

Time for Classmating.

It would be my pleasure. .....

No new techniques or anything you want to try?



It's all well and good to try reproducing what's written in the books...

But it's also wonderful when our thoughts overlap like that. So this time I'm not going to follow any directions from a book.

I want to try doing it this time just by following our hearts.

Alright, we can do that.

Well then, let's do this. Please... show me everything in your heart, Wake.



*Classmating*

*pant*... Whew. That felt different from any of the other times we've done this. I really liked it...

Not gonna lie, it did feel pretty good that time.



I'm just so happy.

How sweet.

That's uh... that's not really going to last.


-2nd-Year Classroom-

*looking around* Where did Narika disappear to?


[Female Disciple A]: Oh, Wake, perfect timing.




A letter?


[Female Disciple A]: Here you go.


Why would she write me? I'm in the same class. Girls are weird... Well, might as well read it and figure out what she wants.



....

...My mind is telling me "no".

But, I have to go anyway. I need to find out exactly what's going on. I can't keep walking around doubting my sanity.


-School Rooftop-

Narika...?

Won't... let you...

What are you doing, Narika? Are you okay?

Oh, Wake... You came...



Don't worry about it. I needed to see you anyway.

Really?

Yeah, there's something I've kind of been ignoring for a while now.



Okay... Well, you can go first then I guess. What is it?

I... actually... I...



Whoa! N-Narika!?

Why were you talking to other girls!? You two-timer!

Hang on a second, what the hell are you talking about!?

You have me, and still you go around flirting with Fuuko behind my back... That's unforgivable!



(Uh-oh... This is going WAY worse than I thought. At least I'm not crazy, for whatever comfort that's worth.)

Narika, just put the knife down. We can talk about this. Something's wrong, I just need you to tell me--

DIIIIIE!

*Narika starts swinging the knife like crazy*

(Goddammit! She's serious about this! What's going on!?)



I'll cut out your tongue so you can never talk to another girl! I'll lop off your ears so you can never hear another girl's voice ever again!

*Wake is doing his best to dodge*

Stop it, Narika! I would very much prefer to keep all of those body parts!



Hyahahahahahahaaaaa!

This isn't the Narika I know! Snap out of it! What's--

Oooohhh, no... it can't be...

DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!

I'm sorry, Narika! I can't believe I was so blind and stupid! I should have realized it sooner! I should have noticed the signs!



Just stop using Trigger! There's still time! We can--

Hold on a second...

DIIIIIIE!

*Wake grabs Narika by the arm and gets the knife away*

Why is this thing glowing?



*Wake rips the pendant off*

Graaawr!

Son of a bitch! The necklace was possessed!? Are you kidding me!?

Graaaaaaaawr!

Although, I guess I should be relieved. Pretty simple solution to this problem. Still, I was so sure that I had finally figured it all out...

Graaaaaaaaaaawr!

Calm down. Trust me, there's no way I'd forget about killing you.

*Wake easily dispatches the monster and the screen fades to white*

Narika? Come on, Narika. Wake up.

...Uh...?

Wake... what... happened...?

That's sort of the question I had for you.

Wait... I remember now. I did something terrible to you...



It's okay. Just calm down. Some kind of monster was controlling you. Where the hell did you get that pendant from?

I bought it at that shop we went to together. The shopkeeper told me if I prayed to the pendant, I could change...

Why does every business on this god-forsaken island suck so much? Refusing orders from the menu, refusing to sell stuff on display, and now apparently there's some kind of cursed jewelry shop roaming around?

I hated being so timid, so I decided to buy it... Everything was fine at first. With the pendant, I was able to speak without fear at the Strategy Conference.



But lately, I haven't been able to control my emotions. When Fuuko invited me to the party, I really didn't want to say those things. But when I felt even a little bit jealous, it just grew and grew... Until I couldn't control it anymore. Even then, I couldn't throw away the pendant. I was afraid if I did, I'd lose my relationship with you, Wake... I didn't want to go back to being that shy, quiet girl anymore. I'm so weak...

You're not weak, Narika. You've always been strong. Besides, you didn't know that thing was cursed.

But I still can't forgive myself.



I'm so sorry.

*Narika runs off*

Narika...

This was not the way I imagined this evening going...

Sooo yeah, apparently there are people in Aterra that wander around selling cursed trinkets. The fuck is up with that? There's also the problem of that shop still roaming around out there (and the fact that it's been months since the Second Strategy Conference). That's slightly concerning.

Despite the weird turn that took, we still have Chloe to see. Let's move on from this.


-Ritual Hall-

I assume you're good to go, Chloe?

Of course!

You seem more energized than usual.



I'm pretty sure I call you that a lot actually.

Even so, I couldn't be happier. I feel all warm and tingly when you call me just "Chloe". My heart starts racing.

I will fully admit, I kind of wrote myself into a corner with this one. Official Wake always calls her "Ms. Chloe", but I wrote LP Wake as just being really casual with people he knows, so he's been calling her "Chloe" a lot. Also, while I know it's a respect thing, I just find it really odd for Wake to be calling her "Ms. Chloe" outside of the classroom, considering that she's basically the same age.

I completely forgot about this from her route, mainly because it's a very quick moment, and it's far too late for me to fix it now. Thankfully this doesn't snowball into a bigger thing.



*Anyway, Classmating*

Phew. I have never felt so close to you... It was incredible. *blush* I wonder if we can get just a little bit closer.

Yeah, I wonder...



Damn, Chloe. You are coming on strong.


-Faculty Office-

It's finally time.



But there's no way I can screw this up. Everyone has worked too hard for me. And Millica and the other patients have been waiting so long for this...

Don't get yourself worked up. You can do this. It'll be great.

Right... Oh dear, I'm still nervous!

Please be there for me during the concert. I need your courage.

Of course I'll be there. You didn't even need to ask.



Well, if you really want. Like this?

Yeah, I can feel your comforting energy flowing out the palm of your hand. I can feel my confidence stirring inside me. I feel so much better now. Let's go!



Okay, we should get going too.


Prepare for some Snidely Whiplash shit, by the way.

-Field Hospital-

Alright, Sis! We're here!



I'm going to have a look around, Sis. You should get ready for your show. Would you mind taking care of her?

That is supposed to be my job.

*Chlotz leaves to play detective*

I want to go visit Millica before I do anything.




-Outside Millica's Room-

Millica, guess who's here to see you?

...No response.

Millica? Is she asleep?

This is definitely her room. You'd better go in first, Chloe.

S-Sure...


-Millica's Room-



....Th-The surgery must have been a success. She probably doesn't need to be here...

Yeah, that's probably it.

Right? That must be it... Or maybe they changed her room.

Let's go back and check with Reception.



Chloe, I need you to relax. Let's go check with the front desk.


-Hospital Reception-

Excuse me! I came to see Millica, but she's not in her room. Do you know where she is?



This lady is really devoted to her job.

No... It can't be... You have to say something! Is she alright!?

Go ahead, tell her.

He says this in such a shitty tone, by the way. The kind of tone that makes you instantly want to beat the shit out of him.

*gasp*


[Receptionist]: Director...


She was moved to the Intensive Care Unit after her condition suddenly worsened.

No... She didn't look that sick last time I saw her.

Hold on, what? She was coughing and could barely struggle through a conversation with you. She was excited to see you, and then almost immediately ran out of steam. Her condition taking a turn for the worse should not be a surprise at all.



Well...

Oh wait, I forgot. You can't because songs are useless! There's still time to cancel the concert. Who knows? All that singing might distract a surgeon and a scalpel may slip...

Oh, something sharp is going to slip all right. You're going to pay, but before that, Chloe has a concert to put on.

*gasp*

Chloe, everyone wants to hear you sing. Millica included.



We got a problem, guys! I can't find anyone from the Choir Club!

What!? Are they not here yet?

Perhaps they were in an accident. But then, they'd be rushed to the hospital... The longer you wait to cancel the higher everyone's hopes get. Better decide soon.

You fucker. You're behind it. I swear that you will suffer for this.

*Hospital Director leaves, although the game doesn't really make this clear*

Grrr, I can't believe I'm going to say this: we have no choice but to cancel!

We can't just give up!

Sis!?

Millica is fighting against her sickness with everything she's got!



What about the rest of the choir though?

I'll handle this. You two go and get ready, I'll track down the club. That asshole must have them in the hospital somewhere.

Promise?

I've got it, Chloe. Just go.

Okay.

We'll be waiting for you at the concert hall. Let's go, Chlotz!

A-Alright. We're counting on you, man.

*Chloe and Chlotz head off to get ready*

(Let's see... he came from down that hallway.)

*Wake hides around a corner*

(Hm? Now why would you two idiots be loitering around in front of a linen room?)

(Oh, great. Now Ruby's here too.)




[Hospital Worker A]: Director's orders. He told us to stand watch.


And you did a great job, but we're fine. You can go return to your normal duty.


[Hospital Worker B]: But... The Director told us not to move.


I told you to return to your normal duty. Is there another way to interpret that?


[Hospital Worker A]: M-My apologies! Let's move.


[Hospital Worker B]: R-Roger!


Looks like Ruby's power-trip bullshit has proven useful. Good thing those Hospital Workers are apparently morons. Seriously, a random scientist from a private corporation walks into a hospital and these guys just immediately bow to her orders.

Even if this was an AngelMarker Hospital (which, there's no evidence to suggest it is), Ruby would still have no authority here. She's from an entirely different division of the company and her position is basically the same level as Hospital Director would be.

Whatever, it helped this time, kind of. A little. Well, not really I guess.

And you. Skulking in the shadows isn't a good habit to form. Show your face.

You're one to talk about forming bad habits. I'm just here to check out what those two were standing guard over.



Did you do all that to try and help me?

I don't feel I have to dignify that with a response. Now, if you'll excuse me...

Either way, don't expect any free passes for this one. It would have been faster for me to just kick their asses.

Such an ass.

*Ruby leaves*

Now, I wonder what they were told to guard.

*Wake opens the door*


[Female Disciple C]: *shriek*


[Female Disciple A]: Oh you found us, thank goodness!


What happened with you guys?




[Female Disciple A]: It's gotta be that jerk of a director!


Don't worry, I'll deal with him. You need to get ready. There's still time.


[Female Disciple C]: You got it.


*The Choir Club members leave*

...

*Wake's comm beeps*

Tessa? You there?

Hello dear Father. I am at your command.

Creepy... but creepy is what I want right now. Normally I would call Zorro, but I think you might have some Star justice that's a little more... poetic.

What do you require?


*One sick concert later.*

-Hospital Rooftop-

Thanks a bunch, everybody! I hope you enjoyed the show. I gave it my all!




[Male Disciple C]: Chloe, you're the best! Love-ly Chlo-e!


Thanks again, everyone! You're the best crowd ever!


[Male Disciple D]: Man, her songs are awesome. I don't even feel sick anymore.


[Male Disciple B]: Bah, I bet you don't feel sick because you got to shake her hand.


[Male Disciple D]: Jealous? And check it out, the scar on my hand has started to heal.


[Male Disciple B]: For real? That's... one hell of a handshake...




I'm sure he'll turn up.

No one could ruin a concert with this many people. Not even him.

What is Ruby up to over there, by the way?

We'll need to start collecting blood samples. Please form a line.

Wha? Is she giving all of the patients who attended the concert a check-up?

Does she moonlight as a nurse or something?

Maybe the Hospital is just understaffed. Wouldn't surprise me given the way the Academy is.

*Chloe runs in*

Wake! How did I do?



I'm sure she did. Don't worry yourself so much.

*sigh* I'm glad you think so. We'll be sure to visit you soon, Millica. I hope you feel better.

And that's all for Chloe for the time being. Looks like everything worked out okay.

There is one final part left to the bonding events. I was going to get the thread to vote on a heroine now, because the final bonding event for every girl is basically just their confession to Wake. However, after some thought I felt like it would be best to see it through to the end.

So stop by for Part 2 of the Focus Bonding Finale, where all three girls will make a final desperate bid.