#24.5

–The Penultimate Truth–

June, 2017

(Rain pouring, the sound of a car engine) Calm: “So much rain! Wipers aren’t gonna help much…” Inaho: “Do drive with care.” Calm: “I know that! Don’t act all important when you’re the one getting a ride.” Inaho: “You’re the one who said you wanted to take the car out for a ride because you were skipping classes, Calm.” Calm: “Well, yeah, that’s right, but…” Inaho: “What about your credits?” Calm: “I’m telling you, that’s fine. I calculated those. More importantly, what about you, Inaho?” Inaho: “Me?” Calm: “Isn’t it tough at the, huh, what was it called… Si…cy, cybernetics lab, was it?” Inaho: “Not as tough as being your math teacher, Calm.” Calm: “Too far…” Inaho: “Nina said she was going to travel during summer holidays, right?” Calm: “Oh, yeah, with Rayet. She said they were going down south or something.” Inaho: “Inko was envious.” Calm: “But she was invited, right?” Inaho: “She said she was going to be helping out with the diner instead.” Calm: “Ohh. I’m really glad they were able to re-open, though. Hey, we’re here.” Inaho: “Thanks for the ride, Calm. Later.” Calm: “Okay, see you later!” (Door shuts close) Calm: “…This rain… It just won’t stop.”

(Sound of footsteps, a rusty door opening, a chair being pulled out, sitting down) Inaho: “How are you feeling?” Slaine: “…You again?” Inaho: “…You don’t play chess?” Slaine: “…” Inaho: “If it’s because you don’t know the rules–” Slaine: “I know the rules but I won’t play. I’m not interested.” Inaho: “…” Slaine: “What did you come here for, Kaizuka Inaho?” Inaho: “To play chess. I told you I would be back, didn’t I?” Slaine: “Pff… Faithful to your word, huh? Or is it that you have too much time on your hands?” Inaho: “Look at me. Can’t you think of anything?” Slaine: “What are you talking about?” Inaho: “I’m DRIPPING wet. I’d expect you to at least ask if it was raining outside.” Slaine: “I left the part of me that used to care about others on the Moon.” Inaho: “If that’s the case, what you’re saying is that the “you” that’s in here is not the real “you”.” Slaine: “I wonder if it’s not the opposite. Perhaps this is how I really am.” Inaho: “Quite philosophic.” Slaine: “Philosophy…? (disgusted) Not interested.” Inaho: “You should try it out. It would definitely suit you.” Slaine: “What would I accomplish by learning anything now?” Inaho: “It would be a good way to spend your free time.” Slaine: “”Free time”… There’s no way I could ever think of it that way!” Inaho: “Such integrity.” Slaine: “What about you, Kaizuka Inaho? Don’t you have too much “free time”? What did you even come here for? Don’t tell me you came here just to argue with me…” Inaho: “I came here just to argue with you.” Slaine (shouting): “Do I look like an idiot to you?!” Inaho: “Technically, you are indeed an idiot.” Slaine: “Stop messing with me!” Inaho: “I’m not messing with you.” Slaine: “You ARE messing with me…!!” Inaho: “…” Slaine: (sigh) “Just leave me alone already.” Inaho: “I can’t do that.” Slaine: “Because the princess asked you to, right? In that case tell her this on my behalf: “please forget about me”.” Inaho: “I can’t do that. Slaine: “Why not?!” Inaho: “The last time I had a proper conversation with Seylum-san was at the base in Russia. After that we met on the Moon, but she spoke to the Analytical Engine, my left eye. I removed it already, though.” Slaine: “…You haven’t met with princess Asseylum after that, not even once?” Inaho: “Yeah. Seylum-san has been traveling around the world to try to dissuade the Knights that ignored her ceasefire orders and are still offering resistance. I saw it on the news this morning.” Slaine: “I see…” Inaho: “She really reminds me of a bird.” Slaine: “A bird? What do you mean?” Inaho: “It’s because she’s “flying” all over the world.” Slaine: “…” Inaho: “…I’m leaving, I’ll see you later.” (Door opens, Inaho leaves)

(Flashback) [Side A (Day) exclusive scene] Lemrina: “A real bird?” Slaine: “Yes, from Earth. I will bring it here and show it to you. Arrangements are being made as we speak.” Lemrina: “Do you think it will land and stay on my hand?” Slaine: “I’m sure it will. It is a species used to humans.” Lemrina: “A caged bird… Lord Marylcian might have been a fool, but some of the things he taught me were accurate. He said I was a caged bird. Even if the door of my cage were to open, I wouldn’t be able to go far with these legs. …Rather, I wouldn’t leave at all.” Slaine: “Princess… Please don’t say something like that, that isn’t true. You are, after all, the future queen that will rule over Earth and Vers one day.” Lemrina: “But it is true, Slaine. I can’t go anywhere, I won’t go anywhere. I’m fine in my cage.”

(Flashback) [Side Z (Night) exclusive scene] Harklight: “Birds…, my lord?” Slaine: “Yes. I would like you to bring me living birds from Earth.” Harklight: “Surely, that can be done… However, it might prove difficult for them to breed and survive as they would on Earth… “ Slaine: “That’s all right. Just bring back more from Earth when they die.” Harklight: “Certainly, my lord.” Slaine: “Princess Lemrina… She told me she sees herself as a caged bird.” Harklight: “That’s not true. You are only doing what is best for the princesses, you are protecting them, Sir Slaine!” Slaine: “Locking them up inside a cage, their will disregarded… How exactly am I protecting them by doing that?” Harklight: “Sir Slaine…” Slaine: “However… There are indeed beasts outside of that cage. Horrible monsters that act solely based on self-interest…” Harklight: “…” Slaine: “I myself am nothing but a beast, too. A bat born on Earth.” Harklight: “Even so, my lord… I shall follow this honorable beast, no matter what happens, no matter where it goes.”

(Feet going down the stairs, a rusty door opening) Slaine: “You’re here again, Kaizuka Inaho.” Inaho: “I did say I would be back, Slaine Troyard. You look pale. Did you catch a cold?” Slaine: “No. You’re drenched. Is it still raining today?” Inaho: “Yeah.” Slaine: “…Aren’t you going to call me “Bat” anymore?” Inaho: “You’re not calling me “Orange” either, are you? Besides, you’re no longer a bat or umineko.” Slaine: “Umineko?” Inaho: “It’s a bird, a black-tailed gull. Not to be confused with a cat.” Slaine: “You really think I’m an idiot, don’t you…?” Inaho: “I heard you haven’t been eating your meals properly lately. Why is that?” Slaine: “I don’t move much, so I don’t feel hungry. That’s all.” Inaho: “Then move. That’s not healthy.” Slaine: “You don’t have to order me around.” Inaho: “At least use your head. How about—“ Slaine: “I already told you I’m not going to study philosophy.” Inaho: “You’re pretty stubborn, Slaine Troyard. I’ll choose a couple of books for you next time.” Slaine: “And you don’t listen to what people say, Kaizuka Inaho.” Inaho: ”How about a quiz instead, then?” Slaine: “A quiz?” Inaho: “Why do birds fly in the sky?” Slaine: “What…?” Inaho: “You have until my next visit to think about the answer.” (Inaho leaves) Slaine (laughing): “…This is ridiculous…”

(Flashback) (Sounds of the explosions at the Moonbase) Lemrina: “No!! Slaine! Slaine! Please, no! Didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t go anywhere?! I don’t mind being a bird in a cage!” Slaine: “Princess Lemrina… I’m doing this for you, to protect you. Please…” Lemrina: “I don’t need protection! Slaine! Slaine! I want to be the one protecting… I want to protect you, Slaine…!”

(Feet going down the stairs, a rusty door opening) Slaine: “Drenched again? Still raining, huh?” Inaho: “Yeah. It rains a lot during this time of the year.” Slaine: “…I heard this country goes through four seasons.” Inaho: “Six seasons, to be exact. There’s the plum rain season between spring and summer, and the typhoon season between summer and fall.” Slaine: “And right now is…?” Inaho: “The plum rain season. It rains almost every day throughout a month and a half.” Slaine: “I see… There was this time when the princess asked me if birds could still fly if it rained, if their wings wouldn’t become heavy from being wet.” Inaho: “And what did you say?” Slaine: “I don’t remember… I probably said they would be able to fly again if they rested their wings until they were dry, or something like that.” Inaho: “Birds secrete an oil from the base of their feathers, it helps repelling and protecting them from water. Even if they get a little wet under the rain, they can still fly for a while.” Slaine: “It looks like you know everything.” Inaho: “Which reminds me, do you have the answer to that quiz? Why do birds fly?” Slaine: “…To protect themselves and run away from possible threats, to prey upon insects… And also, to survey.” Inaho: “Survey?” Slaine: “I thought that if they flew high in the sky, they would be able to see the whole world, they would be able to understand anything and everything. But I was wrong. If they fly so high there’s not even a single tree branch to rest on, they will get tired, and end up falling instead. …No, I wasn’t even a bird. I wasn’t a gull or a beast. In the end I was nothing but a bat.” Inaho: “And even so, you’re alive”. Slaine: “…Why did I survive?” Inaho: “Why indeed.” Slaine: “Will I find the answer if I keep on flying?” Inaho: “You won’t. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop looking for it, right?” Slaine: “I’m going to pass out just thinking about it.” (chuckle) Inaho: “It’s getting late, I’ll be leaving now.” Slaine: “Knight to F6.” Inaho: “…?!” Slaine (softly): “Your turn, Kaizuka Inaho.” Inaho (still surprised): “…Bishop to G5.“ Slaine: “Knight to E4.“ Inaho: “Bishop to F4. You’re too abstract when speaking. It’s difficult to understand what you’re trying to say, you should be more specific.” Slaine: “Wha—…! I speak normally! You’re the one who’s too boring, how about you do something about that instead?” Inaho: “A conversation is about objectively presenting the facts.” Slaine: “But that’s not very interesting to the listener, you know… Don’t tell me that’s how you used to talk to the princess…” Inaho: “…? Uh, yeah.” Slaine: “Unbelievable… I get the feeling we’re never going to understand each other.” Inaho: “Seems that way.”

Asseylum: “It has been a while, Eddelrittuo.” Eddelrittuo: “It, It has been a while, my la—… I mean, Your Majesty the Queen Asseylum!” Asseylum: “I apologize for such a simple reunion. I was summoned to Earth last minute.” Eddelrittuo: “Not at all… To be able to see someone such as my lad—, Your Majesty is already an honor! I’m glad you seem to be faring well even though you have been so busy.” Asseylum: “What about you, Eddelrittuo, how have you been?” Eddelrittuo: “Aside from my mother pressing me to do my homemaking training, I have been doing fine, thank you...” Asseylum: “I am sure you will soon become a wonderful bride, Eddelrittuo.” Eddelrittuo: “Ah, no, haha… Oh, that’s right, that potted plant that Your Majesty sent has bloomed!” Asseylum: “Oh my! I’m glad to hear that.” Eddelrittuo: “It is a beautiful flower, just like Your Majesty.” Asseylum (smiling): “That reminds me… It is the season of the rain on that country of Earth, is it not? I heard that this is the time a flower called “hortensia” is in full bloom. I will send you a picture if I come across it.” Eddelrittuo: “Thank you very much!” Asseylum: “I wonder if around this time of the year, the bird with the drenched wings is resting, too…?” Eddelrittuo: “Your Majesty…?” Asseylum: “Once the feathers are dry, one day, for sure, it will be able to…”

[Side A (Day) exclusive scene] (Climbing up the stairs, then the sound of a car engine) Inaho: “…It stopped raining…” Voice: “Over here, Nao-kun!” Inaho: “Yuki-nee! Why are you here? You have your day off, shouldn’t you be at home, sleeping?” Yuki: “I was, but I got tired of sleeping.” Inaho (smiling): “That does sound like you.” (Driving for a while) Inaho: “Hey, Yuki-nee, do you want to go to the beach?” Yuki: “…Nao-kun…?” Inaho: “We went to the beach to watch the birds back then, right?” Yuki (about to cry): “You still remember…!” Inaho: “Yeah.” Yuki: “It all went so bad, we never got to see them that day.” Inaho: “Yeah. That’s why I really want to see them this time…” (At the beach) Yuki: “That bird is flying awfully low… Is it because its feathers are wet from the rain, I wonder?” Inaho: “Even so, it’s still flying.”

[Side Z (Night) exclusive scene] (Climbing up the stairs, then the sound of a car engine) Inaho: “…It stopped raining…” Voice: “Hey, Inaho~! I came to pick you up!” Inaho: “Calm! Don’t tell me you’re skipping classes again…” Calm: “Nope! I don’t have classes today, for real this time! Ahh, I’m hungry… Wanna grab something to eat on our way back?” Inaho: “Going to Inko’s diner would be great.” Calm: “You got it! Inko’s diner. I want katsudon!” Inaho: “Their katsu curry is great.” Calm: “Oh?! Okay, katsu curry it is!” Inaho: “I’ll have the katsudon, then.” Calm: “What’s that even supposed to mean?!” (Driving for a while) Calm: “Look, a bird. Is that because of the rain? It’s flying really low.” Inaho: “But it’s flying.”

[Video clip from episode 8]