Crossbell Archives: Ao no Kiseki Scenario (Intermission)

Note: Taken from the Crossbell Archives. Intermission chapter is a small chapter between Chapters 2 and 3.  I love short chapters! (/^▽^)/ Not much to say here, except the SSS really can't get a break even when they're on vacation lol

Btw, I just took a look at the number of pages in the Epilogue... 23 pages in total, that's like almost twice the length of Chapter 2  Σ(O_O；)

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<< INTERMISSION: MOMENTARY REST >>

>> Short Break at Health Resort Michelam

Ever since the West Zemuria Trade Conference two weeks ago, the entire Crossbell State had been enveloped in a quiet enthusiasm. Many citizens agreed with Dieter's proposal of "Independence as a Sovereign Nation". However, there were also those worried about the two big nations' reactions. Here and there, citizens discussed the pros and cons of independence.

Amidst all that, Lloyd and the others received an invitation from Mariabell and headed for health resort Michelam for a little time-out. On the way, Lloyd continued to dwell on the events that occurred during the Trade Conference, but with Tio's encouragement, was able to brighten his mood. Afterwards, he went around and briefly chatted with all SSS members to lift their spirits so that all of them would be able to fully enjoy their brief vacation.

Just like that, they arrived at the Michelam wharf and were greeted there by Fran, Cecil, and even Arc-en-Ciel's Ilya, Rixia, and Sully. Just when this unexpected surprise had the group perplexed, the initiator of this vacation, Mariabell, also joined them. She guided Lloyd and the others to the VIP floor of the luxury hotel, explained to them about room assignments and the beach's condition, and told them about the dinner party. After telling the group to fully enjoy themselves during their time at Michelam, Mariabell left them to attend to her other businesses as the IBC President.

The male members Lloyd, Randy, and Wazy were assigned to one room. After calling out to the female members who had not yet finished unpacking, they headed out to the beach that was reserved for them for the entire day. Not long after, the gorgeous female members, all changed into their swimwear, joined them, and everyone enjoyed a blissful time at the beach. After having fun with games like cutting the watermelon, as per custom, everyone had a simple lunch of lunch boxes. They left the beach after noon and after resting for a bit inside their hotel rooms, the group decided to have some free activity time. After taking a stroll around the area while doing things like shopping, they would meet up at the entrance of Michelam Wonderland.

Before heading out to the theme park, Lloyd and the others were making preparations in their room when Elie came in. She was there to pick up KeA who had left saying "I'm going to Lloyd's room," however there was no sign of her in the room. Elie wanted to go and search for KeA again, but because she had a prior arrangement with Ilya and the others, the search was entrusted to Lloyd. Inside the hotel, Lloyd received information that "a little girl quite like KeA had walked towards the villa area", and soon after, he found a downcast KeA standing in front of Hartmann's former mansion. KeA felt insecure about her memory loss, and so Lloyd hugged her and said, "I'll always be by KeA's side." KeA regained her smile, and taking her along, they hurried for the meeting place.

Tio and the others who arrived first greeted Lloyd who came together with KeA. After waiting for everyone to be present, the group stepped inside Michelam Wonderland. Before nightfall was free activity time, so Lloyd toured around the theme park with his friends. Like getting a female fortune-teller to predict his affinity at the Fortune-Telling House and praying in front of the "Wish-granting Mirror" inside the Castle of Mirrors. Just like that, the group spent a wonderful time inside and left the Wonderland before its night-time activities started. They returned to their hotel rooms temporarily and then headed to the guest house where the dinner party was held.

Inside the banquet hall at the guest house, a comfortable dinner party had begun, joined by the hosts Dieter and Mariabell. While the SSS members each expressed gratitude for the dinner invitation, Dieter touched on the topic of Arc-en-Ciel's "Golden Sun, Silver Moon" renewal performance. He told everyone that on the following week of the first performance, he would be holding a local referendum in order to gather citizen opinions on independence. In addition, he promised that "having learned a lesson from the terrorist assault incident, he will do all in his power to prevent that sort of tragedy from happening again". Hearing those words from Dieter, Lloyd and the others felt like the burden on their hearts had finally lifted.

That night at the hotel lounge, Lloyd, who had a lot on his mind and couldn't sleep, met Rixia who was gazing up at the moon. Lloyd greeted her and they enjoyed some idle chatter. However, seeing the smile on Rixia's face while they talked, Lloyd asked her, "Why is it that...you're smiling with such sorrowful eyes...?" Shocked by his words, Rixia hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I originally...have a path I must walk on." While hiding her true identity as Yin, Rixia chose her words carefully and talked about the path she inherited from her ancestors and that which she had also walked. As Lloyd listened to her talk, the image of Yin gradually overlapped with her inside his head. However, before he could put that doubt into words, KeA suddenly appeared, saying "I had a bad dream." The conversation was interrupted in the most unexpected way. However, Rixia expressed her thanks for listening to her story and then left with a more cheerful expression. Watching her leave, Lloyd buried the question he failed to ask inside his heart, and then returned to his room with KeA.

>> Encounter with the Clown

After midnight, lying on his bed, Lloyd was awakened from his nightmare by someone shaking him. It was Wazy, who was worried after seeing him very restless. Lloyd felt something out of place, and discovered that KeA, who was sleeping with him, was gone. Their conversation woke Randy, and the three of them searched around the VIP floor vicinity. However, KeA was nowhere to be found, and so they asked the female members to help in the search. They even called the hotel staff for their assistance, but the group still couldn't find her. At that moment, Zeit came up the stairs, and guiding the worried group, led them outside the hotel.

In contrast to the lively-daytime Wonderland, eerie ornaments now decorated the theme park. After defeating the mysterious monsters that appeared after they stepped inside the park, Lloyd and the others never thought that they would once again meet Campanella. From his words and action, the group deduced that he aided in the terrorist attack, but Campanella merely joked that they were just pawns. Lloyd became angered at those words and asked him the whereabouts of the missing KeA. Campanella told them, "I've got nothing to do with this, but I did see her going to the Castle of Mirrors", and then vanished without doing anything. Half in doubt, the group headed to the Castle of Mirrors and found KeA there. KeA regained herself when they called out to her, but apparently didn't remember why she was there. Though they still had lots of questions, they returned to the hotel.

The next day, a cheerful KeA stood on the deck of the water bus heading for Crossbell city. Though her condition last night had Lloyd worried, it appeared that he was probably just over-thinking things. Mariabell appeared before the two and suggested a commemorative photograph on the deck. Lloyd went inside the water bus to call everyone while KeA watched him leave, feeling a bit lonely. From behind her, Mariabell asked, "Isn't something troubling you?" She continued suggestively, "-- Perhaps I may be of help to you."

<FIN>