Trails to Azure Drama CD - Road to the Future

Later that night, we went home after meeting with the mayor...

Ahhh, that was great!

Now comes the dishes.

Eh, don't sweat it, man. We'll get this one.

Are you sure? Tonight was supposed to be my and Elie's turn.

I said don't worry about it.

You got some mulling to get to, don'tcha? The dishes are small-time.

Randy...

I wanna help, too!

As thoughtful as ever, KeA.

On my mark, these dishes will have met their match... Go!

Go!

Say, Elie. Would you mind keeping me company on the roof for a little bit?

Sure...

The breeze is always so nice up here.

You're right...

Do you remember?

The last time it was just the two of us up here like this?

How could I forget?

We were at a dead end during a tough case and had even gotten roadblocked by Heiyue and Revache.

That was only a few months ago, but it feels like a lifetime already.

I remember you telling me about your parents-- that they moved abroad when you were little.

Then you told me what led you to join the CPD.

It felt like I understood you a lot better after that night.

Which...made me happy.

Did it...?

Of course.

I was thankful you were able to open up to me.

You were considering resigning from the SSS before that conversation, weren't you?

I suppose...

I remember you telling me...that I was needed.

And that was what made me happy.

I still feel the same now, you know.

This is where you belong, Elie.

Lloyd...

It's not just me. Tio and Randy feel the same way.

Oh... Right. I knew that.

(I should have learned my lesson back then about how dangerous you can be, Lloyd.)

(How can you not realize what saying something like that can do to a person...?)

Huh? Is something wrong, Elie?

Did you want to add something to that?

No. Nothing at all.

*sigh*...

...?

Anyway, about Mayor Crois' proposal...

Oh, right.

I think I'm going to accept it.

You are?

I've spent six months with the SSS, but I still have so much experience to gain.

Sure, Elie, but--

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to sell myself short or say that I can't contribute as I am.

In just half a year, we have accomplished a lot as a team. That's something I'm proud to say.

And yet...

...you said it yourself back then, Lloyd.

As long as we stick together, there's no barrier too tall for us to overcome.

I still feel that way...

...but I also want to accomplish more as an individual--more than I'm capable of at the moment.

Elie...

This is a real opportunity for me to assist the mayor.

I was being selfish when I left home and joined the police at the start of the year.

Yet Grandfather understood why and forgave me. Now I can finally repay him for that support.

That's a good point.

What about you, Lloyd? Have you made a decision?

No, to be honest. I'm still at a loss.

I won't lie. I used to dream of following in my brother's footsteps and joining the First Division...

...and I could learn a lot from training with Dudley.

When I think about it, I know this is a rare opportunity, and that's hard to pass up.

Part of me wants to accept so I can live up to the promise they see in me.

And yet...

You're worried where that would leave the SSS, aren't you?

Yeah, I am. Though I don't think Tio and Randy are ever going to let me hear the end of it if I try to use that as an excuse.

Heehee. A solid deduction.

They wouldn't be the only ones if you made your decision because of something like that.

It's also hard to say whether the cult incident is truly resolved.

Ernest went missing that night, I still haven't come any closer to solving Guy's murder...

...and while Revache may be gone, Heiyue is on the verge of becoming more active than ever.

Crossbell still has its share of unresolved issues.

Are we strong enough to face those challenges yet?

I don't think we are. In which case...

...I completely empathize with what you said, Elie.

Huh?

There you guys are!

Oh, KeA.

What is it, KeA?

Randy's making some tea, so he told me to find you guys.

Oh, okay. We'll be right there.

Randy and Tio are probably worried about us.

Most likely. We should fill them in on what we spoke about.

Hmm?

Sorry, KeA. The four of us need to have a really important talk tonight.

Important talk?

It's something that concerns everyone in the SSS.

So we want you to listen to it, too, KeA.

Okie dokie!

Great. Let's head back downstairs.

First, I wanted to let you know that I've decided to accept the mayor's proposal.

I know that's going to leave you all shorthanded, so I'm sorry.

You don't have to apologize.

If this is what you want to do, Elie, then we'll support you.

What Lloyd said. We're in your corner no matter what.

We will find a way to manage, Elie.

Woof!

Guys...

You're going somewhere, Elie?

KeA...

Yes. I suppose I am.

But it will only be for a little while.

She will come back to us when she is done with her work.

Yeah, she'll be back home before you know it. So be a good girl and show her we can hold the fort down until she gets back, KeDo.

Oh... Yeah, okay!

Hey, I have an idea.

What's up?

Well, it'll be a while before KeA gets to see Elie again, right?

Why not throw a little going-away party, then? Like, say, a picnic?

Lloyd...

Not a bad idea, Lloyd.

What's a picnic?

It's like a lunch you have together with everyone outside.

Picnics are the bomb!

We can pack a basket with burgers, sandwiches, pies, and a buncha extra desserts! Then we can chow down on all of it together.

Doesn't that sound like a blast, KeDo?

Yeah! I wanna go on a picnic! Can we?!

Of course! We should start planning what we're going to pack right away.

What kind of sandwiches should we make?

We will also have to buy ingredients.

Speakin' of which, would you mind pickin' me up a bottle of brandy when you go shopp--

Denied.

The picnic is for KeA's sake, not your day drinking's.

Hahaha...

Geez, I can hear you five all the way from outside.

Oh, hey, Chief!

Sorry about that, Chief. I guess it is getting a little late.

Don't worry about it.

So, what's this I hear about a picnic? You going to need a day off? Better take care of the paperwork yourself.

Y-Yeah, of course.

Actually, Chief, I should tell you--

That you're going to be leaving with Speaker MacDowell on his little tour, right?

The mayor already filled me in.

Yes. I'm sorry you had to find out that way.

It's fine. Treat it as extended leave so you can come back fresh and ready to go.

You're going to be needing that experience, anyway.

Yes, sir!

Are you going to come with us to the picnic, Chief?

Eh. It's not exactly my sorta thing.

I'll probably just lounge around here with Zeit.

Woof! Woof!

He says, 'I will watch over the building if I have nothing better to do.'

Gah. You smug son of a...

Hahaha...