“Sometimes, it feels like I don’t really have any options either.”
CHAIN-LINK EVENT
WARNING: this Event is part of an Event Chain! You've lost all control over your own actions and must now sit back while
someone else takes the wheel. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, and hope that you did things right before taking the plunge!
Before the Event begins, AUTO-PILOT informs the listener that they are unable to decide on a song for tonight's monologue, citing the collapsing state of "Terminal 23". After receiving an answer they relay a message from someone unseen.
They first remind the listener that grief manifest in different ways, something they should've realized after the last couple of days. AUTO-PILOT insists this is true and further insists that, should the listener disappear tomorrow, they too would be grieved over – Though, such grief probably wouldn't manifest in the exact same way it did tonight. Most likely, the grief would make them give in to their sadness, contemplating if they can provide any kind of help.
Only the listener can decide if someone can, because while people can sympathize with others, they will never understand the pain someone else is experiencing. However, even if no one else alive can understand it, they can tend the wounds; The listener just has to let them.
The first slide in tonight's monologue is that of Sara Sakakibara, drinking down glasses of wine while attempting to convince herself that Sensei won't abandon her like her husband had. She feels that having faith in something is uncharacteristic of herself, having thought all faith she once had was knocked out of her like the piece of a tooth her father removed when she was younger. She sits at the bar, drinking and thinking and hoping that Sensei at least sees the fireworks tonight, wondering if she was always this weak.
The second slide is that of Kaori and Nao-chan, a strange pair with an even stranger place in the story so far. Nonetheless, they carve out a place and a new beginning as their newfound relationship takes shape in the strangest of ways. Despite the bizarre circumstances, Kaori takes a step further, feeling closer to her ideal of motherhood and securing a relationship that won't slip into nonexistence. She gives her surrogate daughter a frog as the girl's first Christmas present, with the narrator noting that the pet would not receive a name due to Nao-chan not realizing it needed one. A note from the desk of the ninth god corrects the narration, declaring that while the clocks will not "get stuck at midnight" anymore, there will be no new beginnings for the battered protagonist.
The third slide opens up with Yasu, seemingly speaking to herself as Noriko and Kirin watch from on high. Yasu asks an unseen entity why it won't bring Sensei back even after she dutifully fulfilled her tasks, only to learn that some kind of sacrifice is necessary. Before she can ask for specifics, the two girls call out to her, worried by what seems to be another case of Yasu's religious ramblings. Unfortunately, this upsets Yasu, claiming to be speaking to a being known as the Emissary of Pegasus. As she tries to go back to speaking with it, she finds that it's disappeared.
The fourth slide is that of Yumi and Yuki, meeting up at the Dive Bar while Osako and Wakana meet up with Rika. The narrator notes Yumi's fear of being perceived as weak. A life of neglectful care by the Yakuza, and the influence of shounen and action movies, have all but cemented violence in her mind. But the influx of these influences does not dampen the surprise at the sound of bones cracking, nor does it wipe the blood from anger's indulgence. Still, here she is, meeting up with the one person who never wanted her. She knows she looks weak right now, but has long accepted that 'weakness' is not all that defines a person.
The narration is interrupted by someone, who speaks directly to Sensei and declares they are coming for him. Disregarding the earlier note and disengaging AUTO-PILOT, knowing they will incur the wrath of Pareidolia, they claim it's worth it as long as both of THEM return to form. At the same time, Amiguides Sensei to bed and pleads with him to ignore the voices in his mind. She reveals to him that God is real and longs to use him for their bidding, begging him to fight against them and telling him to recognize the manipulation if he ever wants to be free.
Following another brief interruption, AUTO-PILOT is being reactivated, because the host was deemed "unfit" to think for himself, and ordered to continue the narration without any kind of themes this time, as they were deemed "unsafe".
The fifth slide begins, showing Molly and Maya preparing a new character sheet. While Molly had initially offered to give the party a quest to revive Maya's fallen player character, she rejected the idea and chose instead to make a new one. The two girls work throughout the night on this character, finishing once the sun is up.
The sixth slide showcases the Arakawa household and the way Ami is spending the night with Sensei.
The night ends, with no Christmas miracles to be found.
Ayane Affection)
