Lilya: How do you feel?
Lilya: Getting used to the light?
Vertin: Hmm ...
Vertin: The wind feels ... so good ...
Lilya: Haha, this is just an appetizer. I'll be gentle since you are just "discharged."
Vertin: Are they alright?
Lilya: Good as new.
Lilya: They stayed up all night, just to save you.
Lilya: Haha, I guess you are the only one who has slept tight.
Vertin: Haha ...
Lilya: Madam Z, Druvis, Sonetto ...
Lilya: From the bill, and the protesting, to countless debates, planning and ...
Lilya: Everyone is holding their umbrellas for you, Vertin.
Vertin: ...
Lilya: The "Storm"...
Lilya: It will pass, one day.
Vertin: Thank you. Thank you all.
Vertin: Yes. Everything is going to be alright.
Lilya: Enough flying. Time to head back.
Vertin: What are we doing next?
Lilya: Hmm ... no idea. Meet your friends first.
Lilya: Fight with your comrade in arms, fear no danger ahead.
Lilya: Grab tight, I'm going to speed up.
The wind flows through them like waves.
Lilya: Charge! The great Red 38!
Lilya: Long live Su-01ве!
Druvis Ⅲ: How are you feeling? Better now?
Regulus: coughs ... It's ... it's killing me …
APPLe: Here's water! Captain, sip, please. Don't put too much pressure on your esophagus.
APPLe: sighs This APPLe told you not to swallow leba in haste ...
Regulus: drinks water
Regulus: Ah ... coughing …
Regulus: I'm ... I'm alive ... Ah ...
Regulus: Oooh, I thought I wouldn't be able to see the sun tomorrow or see Vertin discharged!
Is it because they have been apart for too long?
Or is this an illusion generated by their longingness?
They turn around in slow motion, straining their eyes.
Regulus: Vertin!!!
Regulus: You're back!
Druvis Ⅲ: Vertin!!
Sotheby: Vertin!!!
Regulus: Whoa ... *sobbing* ...
Druvis Ⅲ: Are you feeling okay? There was a lot of equipment connected to you ...
Druvis Ⅲ: Do you feel any discomfort?
APPLe: Do you need any nutritional supplements, Ms. Vertin? We have a lot of healthy, fresh salads here ...
Sotheby: Where did you come back from? What are all these white pigeons doing after you?
Sotheby: You seem to have gained weight ... No no, lost weight? Um, no ...
Vertin: I'm fine. Fit as a fiddle.
Vertin: Just a bit of headache, nothing else.
Vertin: It's good to see you again.
Vertin: Thank you for being here ... being around me.
Regulus wipes her face on the coat in front of her.
Regulus: ... Of course!
Regulus: Of course we ... we're waiting for you!
Regulus: You're the only ... friend we have in this world!
All the waiting has been worthwhile.
In the meantime, footsteps come from a distance.
Footsteps of well-trained, strong soldiers.
Constantine: Welcome back, Vertin.
A figure in a white robe emerges in the woods.
Constantine: We have good news to share.
Vertin: ...!
Next to her, stand Sonetto, Madam Z, and some unfamiliar faces.
The moment their eyes meet in the air, Sonetto opens her mouth—but she eventually doesn't speak a word.
Sonetto: ...!
Sonetto: ...
Sonetto: ... This is good. This is great.
Vertin: May I ask what good news?
Constantine: The passage of the bill—Storm Reformation: Manpower and Discipline.
Constantine: Once it's approved by the Pax Security Council, it will become law.
Constantine: Your friends and you will enjoy more autonomy, and a life with even fewer restrictions.
Constantine: You will also have a more respectable status in the Foundation.
Vertin: ...
Constantine: Ms. Z will fill you in with more details.
Vertin: Thank you for telling me this.
Lilya, who has been quiet by their side the whole time, suddenly speaks up.
Lilya: What about the treatment?
Constantine: Treatment?
Constantine: Didn't it finish just now?
Constantine: This treatment has an investigative purpose, and the Timekeeper has passed the examination as a safe, low-risk individual. As Ms. Z has said, Ms. Vertin is strong enough to be the Timekeeper.
Constantine: However, you will receive punishments for the damage to public property. I suggest you heed it as a warning.
Lilya: ...
Constantine waves to the crowd. The rest of them are about to leave.
Constantine: We should say our goodbye. Please rest well.
She suddenly notices the white dove on the tree and stops.
Constantine: Hmm, seems like the dove of the white marble house is paying you a visit.
Vertin: What do you mean?
Constantine: Heh heh ... Nothing peculiar.
Constantine: It just means you have come to their notice.