Reed: ...I hope this isn't going to be a huge let-down.
Meimona: The only let-down here is YOUR downer attitude!
Meimona: Chin up! If you just believe, it'll be aaaall right.
Nino: Mhm. You should especially never doubt things around Mei.
Reed: Easy for you to say. I can't change my beliefs that quickly. Besides,
Reed: Is her luck really going to suffer if I'm the only pessimistic douche around?
Meimona: Oh, weeeell... nah! Not much, I don't think?
Reed: Cool. You're got three other people to count on, then.
Nino: It's actually four, remember? Like I said, Aurora herself counts too!
Reed: Sounds like you've given Mei's ability even more thought than she did...
Meimona: Heh! I'll cut ya some slack THIS time, Reed.
Meimona: But you better not fail to come through for me in the future, you hear!?
Reed: Then let's hope things never come down to my sole belief in magic-luck-powers.
Meimona: Booo, BOOOOOO! You're not even trying here!
Nino: Don't sweat it, Mei. You've got me.
Nino: I bet my belief is the strongest here!
Nino: It's gotta be like ten people's combined.
Meimona: Erm, actually... Five's got you beat there.
Nino: WHAT? No way!
Meimona: It's true though!

---->

Five: Ooh... Nuna-Mei, what do you mean?
Meimona: Well, little Five, you believe in Big-Sis-Mei, right?
Five: Yes! Mei, can do anything! Mei, you are... super strong, too!
Meimona: Hahaha, see? She's soooooo awesome at this!
Nino: Well, pardon me, "Nuna", but I happen to think the exact same thing as Five!
Nino: Therefore, we should be at least EQUAL on belief here.
Meimona: But you needed to be shown things to reaaaally get on board, Nino...
Meimona: Meanwhile, Five never needs "proof" to believe in her awesome Nuna. >:3
Reed: Oh, that makes a lot of sense, actually.
Nino: Nuh-uh! I refuse to accept that!!!
Nino: I mean, I've known Mei the longest here!
Meimona: Ooo, that's true, huh? Not by muuuch, though!
Reed: Face it, Nino.
Reed: Logical freaks like us can't beat the pure heart of a child.
Nino: W-well, then... then what about Aria's belief?
Nino: Surely it's not as good as mine, right?
Meimona: Hmm, Aria, huh?
Meimona: I'd say you two are pretty even.
Nino: NO WAY! Now you're just lying so she doesn't feel bad.
Meimona: I'm so not!!!
Meimona: You should be able to tell without even asking me, anyways.
Meimona: Cuz so far, the results of your belief are comparable to hers!
Nino: What? No, no way... I can't see why that'd be the case!
Nino: Did you show Aria better proof to make her belief stronger or something?
Meimona: Ehhh, I dunno! Maybe that's just who she is?
Reed: It sounds like you don't fully grasp how your "belief" conversion works.
Nino: Hey, that's true! No wonder you've been saying such vague stuff...
Meimona: Blah, details don't matter that much! It just works, boy.
Meimona: Besides, if you wanna know why and how much Aria believes in me,
Meimona: Why don't you just ask her?
Nino: Fine, I will!

---->

Meimona: I'm counting on you especially for this to work, Aria!!!
Meimona: I mean... Aurora's permission seal is just, so... so...
Meimona: Adorably, amateurishly made, that luck's a necessary boost for it to work!
Reed: So not even you could be convinced by it, huh.
Nino: Wow... even I didn't think it was that bad of a letter.
Meimona: Wahhh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Meimona: I don't wanna fail because of my own disbelief again...
Aria: Oh, that's what you were discussing?
Aria: I'm sorry... I didn't mean to space out.
Meimona: C'mon, Aria, wake up!
Meimona: I need as many of you to be on board here to make sure that poor lil kid's work won't go to waste! Otherwise, no guard here would take us seriously...
Aria: Aw. Don't worry, Mei.
Aria: We did our best, didn't we?
Aria: And we've had nothing but good intentions so far, right?
Meimona: Uuu... yeah?
Aria: Mhm, so I believe things will be alright, no matter what.
Aria: Aurora did her very best, as well...
Aria: I trust that her honest efforts will shine through that letter.
Aria: Don't you think so too, Mei?
Meimona: Y...yes, yes, you're right!

---->

Meimona: Yaaaay, now that's what I like to hear!
Meimona: I told you, Nino! Look, she really believes in me!!!
Nino: Tch... whatever.
Nino: I believe in Aurora's authority as much as your luck.
Nino: There's always that angle to try if the guards get testy with us.
Meimona: I don't care, I'm just glad I haven't lost Aria's belief yet!
Meimona: It's gonna be alright, because we worked so hard for this...
Meimona: Waaah, I'm so happy, I could cryyyy! :')
Reed: "Could"? You're already tearing up.
Aria: Hehe, sorry for the little scare, Mei. There, there. ^-^

---->

Reed: ...Is something on your mind, Aria?
Reed: You can be honest if you're worried about this working out after all.
Aria: ...Ah...
Meimona: Oh... yeaaah, if you're really that optimistic about my luck,
Meimona: Then what's with your super serious expression?
Reed: It's fine, you wouldn't be the only one having doubts.
Reed: We already thought up a plan B in case the first attempt fails,
Reed: But I'd rather have a plan C, D, and E ready in addition, too.
Nino: You're way too paranoid...
Aria: Oh, no, no. I'm not worried about that at all, Reed.
Aria: I trust in Aurora, and the kind townsfolk.
Aria: I think even if we're denied entry, we'll still be fine.
Aria: Really, I'm not concerned for our safety right now.
Aria: Rather than that... it's Nino.
Nino: ...Me?
Nino: Hey, I'm the one who gets how Mei's whole deal works the best here.
Nino: There's no way she'll be let down even if she relies on my belief alone,
Nino: So don't worry about that!
Aria: ...Not that, no.
Aria: I know you believe in her a lot.
Aria: You're so close to each other, after all.
Nino: W-we are?
Meimona: >_> !?
Aria: I was just worried about, you know...

---->

Aria: What we'd do if you suddenly collapsed again.
Aria: That's all.
Nino: ...

...So it's back to that again, huh?
Seems like none of your reassurances could quell her worries for good.

Ever since you've regained your consciousness, she's been a little... no, very worried. You've lost count of how many times she's checked on you up to this point.

Earlier...

Aria: ...Are you super, super sure you're good to go, though?
Nino: Give it a rest already, would you?
Nino: I promise, I feel like a million bucks right now.
Nino: I'm so healthy, I could stay up for three days straight!
Reed: Don't do that.
Meimona: Now why would ya go an' do that?
Nino: Wha... I'm not literally saying I'd do it!
Nino: It's just an expression! Like, you know...
Nino: "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse"?
Reed: Don't do that either.
Meimona: Ewww, what the heck! Humans eat horsies!?
Aria: Oh, I think monsters in Hyouga do...
Meimona: EWWWW, really???
Nino: Dude. You HAVE to be misunderstanding me on purpose at this point.

Party: Go check in with your host.

Meimona: Hmmm, hey, it's not like he's sick or something, Aria.
Meimona: We checked his temperature, and it was fine!
Nino: ...You did that?
Aria: Ah, yeah... there wasn't anything wrong with it, thankfully.
Aria: Your breathing was fine, too.
Aria: And your pulse did return to a normal rate after only a couple of minutes, as well. Ah, you didn't sweat very much, either.
Nino: U-uh... sounds like you were very thorough.
Meimona: She moved like a trained nurse, even without tools!
Aria: But then again, the lack of symptoms itself also worries me.
Aria: I suspected it was heatstroke or something at first, but-
Nino: Ahh, Aria, look! I appreciate the concern, but...
Nino: Whatever was the case, I'm alright now!
Nino: So it doesn't matter what happened, does it?
Nino: It's probably not going to happen again anymore, anyway.
Aria: Huh... how do you know that?
Nino: Because, uh... I'm with you guys!
Nino: Trust me, I'll be fine with you around.
Aria: ...
Reed: Hey, we're not exactly real doctors.
Meimona: Putting that much trust in us is, um, a little overwhelming!
Nino: I-I didn't mean it like that...

---->

Nino: Get permission seal.

Aurora: Oh, yeah!
Aurora: Perfect timing on waking up, Nini.
Aurora: Cuz I'm just about done here.

Finally! Your long detour's about to come to an end!

Aurora clears her desk, and pulls out a bunch of items from the drawer.
And then... she, uh...

---->

She very proudly presents them before you.
In respose, you try your hardest to remain silent as you inspect everything.

Um... are those.. stickers?

---->

...Your eyes aren't fooling you. Those are some colorful stickers, indeed.
And is that glitter right there, too?

It's, it's a LOT of glitter. It's been sprinkled all over a letter...
Which is accompanied by a silly-looking, overtly decorated envelope, as well.

Perhaps leaving all your hopes on a kid wasn't that wise of a decision.

Nino: Inspect permission seal.

...However, you recover some of that dashed hope once you read the letter.

Polished handwriting, and a decently professional selection of words. Hm, you can't say the results don't look childish, but they don't read that way. Ultimately, it's just a touch more promising than you had expected.

Maybe this won't be all for nothing...?

Nino: Wow, that actually kinda reads like the real deal.
Meimona: Oooh, that's some convincing work... I think!
Reed: She even wax stamped the envelope, huh.
Aurora: What's that supposed to mean!?
Aurora: It sounds like you guys were expecting total garbage!
Aria: N-no, not at all, haha...
Aurora: I referenced a whoooole bunch of official letters to write this, you know?
Aurora: And look! That right there is the regional lord's stamp!
Aurora: It means my letter must be followed by everyone, no questions asked.
Nino: Yes! I Have Absolutely No Doubt About That, of course!
Aurora: I even included an extra bit about "conditions of access" in the envelope...
Aurora: No one's gonna give you trouble once they know you'll follow those, I'm sure.
Aurora: You gotta read it all very carefully and stick to every word, Nini!
Nino: Uh... yeah, sure! I'm sure it'll all work out somehow...
Nino: So, umm, we'll just be taking this and going now?
Nino: T-thanks for everything!

It should be fine, shouldn't it?

With a little bit of belief, couldn't Mei's ability turn this arts-and-crafts project into the most convincing officially-issued letter of all time?

Yeah, this is totally her domain. All she'd have to do is place her faith on your belief again - and perhaps the letter's writer too! Aurora seems proud of her work, no?

Let's hope Mei understands the assignment without much explaining.

---->

Aurora: ...Sigh. Hey, Nini.
Aurora: Do you know that every time you lie,
Aurora: Your soul flickers a little?
Nino: ...W-what?
Aurora: I see it very clearly.
Aurora: Looks like you're not one of those "calm liars" at all.

Aurora: Gaze.

Nino: Y-you can see... My soul?
Aurora: Yes. I see all of yours, in fact!
Meimona: Wuh- what!? That's a breach of my privacy!
Aurora: Sorry but not sorry, Nuna, I can't really control it.
Aurora: That's my ability, and it's almost always "switched on".
Aurora: Papa and mama call it 'ultrasensitive sight'.
Reed: ...Huh.
Five: Wow! Aurora, you have... special eyes? So cool!
Aurora: Hah, it's not really that cool.
Five: Umm... you, don't like your ability?
Aurora: Well, I don't like how everyone changes their tone when they learn about it.
Aurora: And it's a pain seeing so many bright spot when I look at crowds sometimes...
Five: Oh...
Aurora: But thanks, Five. I know you meant that in a good way.
Aurora: Adults lie lots to young people like us, though!
Aurora: Case in point, your friends right here.
Aurora: They DEFINITELY think my letter's terrible.
Aria: O-oh dear...
Reed: ...I wouldn't go that far.
Aurora: Don't try to lie about it again!!!
Aurora: I'll know if you do.

---->

Five: NINO! ARIA! MEI! REED!
Five: Don't tell lies to Aurora anymore!
Five: Lying is BAD!
Five: You be good and behave!!!
Reed: Whoops.
Meimona: Waaah, I got scolded by a kiiiid!
Aria: Oh, my... I'm sorry, I just didn't want to hurt her feelings!
Aria: I never imagined this kind of ability could exist before...
Nino: Erm... I-I guess we should all apologize now.
Aurora: You don't have to. No one does, usually.
Aurora: I was just warning you.
Aurora: Cuz, I... felt like it. That's all.

Party: Be better adults.

Aria: Still... being adults doesn't give us an excuse to lie!
Reed: Right. It would be bad if any kid grew up thinking otherwise.
Nino: ...Yeah. If we wouldn't lie to Five,
Nino: Then we shouldn't have done it to another kid, either.
Nino: So, uh... sorry, Aurora.
Meimona: Oh, hey! Since you can see my soul,
Meimona: Look at me being truthful when I say I won't lie to you anymore!
Meimona: Heehee, how's that for proof? B)
Aurora: Ha... clever. Sure, that's good enough, Nuna.
Nino: Uhm, it's not that I think this was a bad letter! I just, uh...
Nino: Still have some reservations about leaving this to a kid, in hindsight,
Nino: Even though that kid managed to write something probably far better than I could if I tried. So... there you go. That's what I honestly think, no lies here!
Aurora: You're the second adult I see be this honest today. That's rare...
Aurora: I guess I'll forgive you guys, since you helped out here lots and all.
Nino: Whew, thank god! Just don't take the seal back, please.
Aurora: Heh. Then in exchange of being that honest, you get to keep it, Nini.
Nino: Wait, now it sounds like I don't care about anything besides that! Urgh!
Nino: I also care about, uh, not breaking a nice kid's trust, too! So... erm...
Reed: You're remarkably awful at this.
Nino: S-shut up! Look, I made the bed and everything as thanks for letting us stay!
Nino: I'm NICE even if I lied a little bit earlier!
Aurora: I noticed, don't worry.
Aurora: You're a-OK in my book, Nini.
Nino: Phew...
Five: Aurora... don't feel bad!
Five: I... will make sure no one lies to Aurora again!
Aurora: Silly Five, how are you gonna do that?
Aurora: You can't see their souls, can you?
Five: B-but... I, wanna help Aurora!
Five: So, make sure everyone promises not to lie.
Aurora: ...Your friends are nice. They'll keep the promise, I think.
Aurora: But not all adults do that. A lot of them break promises.
Aurora: Sometimes they do it like, IMMEDIATELY too. Sooo, yeah! Be careful!
Aurora: I'm just warning you, you can't always rely on words alone. Got it?
Five: Oh... g-got it! Five will only trust-
Five: Um, oops... I, will only trust friends! Close friends!
Aurora: Yeah, that's it! You do that, and you'll be fine.

---->

Aurora: Oh! You know, all the people you talked to in town...
Aurora: Their souls were glowing brighter whenever you guys were around!
Aria: Souls can glow...?
Aurora: Mhm. When a person is happy, their soul gives off a really pretty light.
Aurora: It sparkles a little, too! I wish you guys could see it for yourselves!
Aurora: So, even though you're just temporary visitors...
Aurora: Everyone here ended up liking you a lot!
Aurora: I think we'd all be glad if you came to visit again.
Five: Ummm! I... had fun! Everyone was very nice!
Five: And Aurora... you, have... so many fun things here...
Five: If it's okay, then... I really wanna visit Aurora's home again!
Aurora: Oh! Well... sure thing, I don't mind!
Aurora: You know where to find me if you get bored of these guys, Five!

Party: Exit manor.

Five: Nino! Umm, after visiting temple, I...
Five: I want to come play with Aurora, again!
Five: Can I? Can I...?
Nino: Ah, haha... maybe.
Nino: ...I mean...

---->

Nino: We'll... think about it. Yeah.
Aurora: ...

Aurora: Bid farewell.

Aurora: ...Great! You do that, Nini.
Nino: ...
Aurora: Goodbye.

Aurora smiles sincerely.

"Goodbye", she says. She already knows that it's not a "see you later".

Yes, it's impossible to come back here again. Even though this is the first new monster friend Five's made after losing everything she once had, this is also the last time she'll ever see her.

You've just lied again, and she's seen every bit of it.

---->

But it's going to be okay... see, Aurora's not complaining.
She's not going to call out this last lie at all.

That silence echoes an unspoken agreement between the two of you, that it's enough if this last farewell looks kind, even if only on the surface.

She's truly beyond her years to be able to understand that much.

Nino: ...But that's not what your heart's telling you to choose anymore, is it?

When it's time to say goodbye, no one in the world can stop it.

That's why you should always say what's in your heart, always give your thanks to every kind soul, so that when the moment of parting comes, nothing would be left unsaid.

That alone would do a lot to lessen the grief of separation.

At least, that's what you've learned.

Aurora: Y... yeah! Yeah!!!
Aurora: You better figure it out fast, Nini!
Aurora: Cuz Five's gonna get so bored if you take too long!
Nino: Yeah, yeah, you got it.
Aurora: I'll see you next time, Nini!
Aurora: And Five! See you later!!!
Five: See you, Aurora!

Reed: Perhaps keep an eye on Nino?

Reed: ...Are you sure about saying all of that?
Meimona: That's a pretty big promise to make...
Meimona: Plus, she'd know if you were lying!
Aria: ...But you weren't, were you?
Nino: Nah, not at all. That'd be too cruel if I were!
Reed: Then you've built up a huge expectation for yourself.
Nino: Right. It's probably nearly impossible to arrange for a return trip...
Nino: But what I promised is to at least try before I write that possibility off.
Nino: A friend deserves that much, I think.
Aria: Yes... I wholeheartedly agree. I'd be happy to help!
Meimona: D'awww. I'm kinda glad you said that, actually...
Meimona: Cuz the idea of separating Five and her new bestie felt bad to me!
Reed: ...
Nino: Haha, I'm gonna have to set that topic aside for now, though.
Nino: I'll think about it when the time comes.

For now... the present situation is much more important.

And so, back to the present...

Nino: ...Aria, Aria, Aria.
Nino: Look at me - I'm perfectly fine right now.
Nino: So it really doesn't matter anymore, okay?
Nino: You're gonna get sick yourself if you worry that much about other people!
Nino: Besides, I didn't just say what I said to get you to stop fretting.
Nino: Those weren't empty words. I really did mean it...
Nino: That I'm gonna be fine as long as we're all together.
Aria: How... how do you know, though?
Nino: ...

Nino: Do you feel any different after that confrontation?

---->

Nino: No.

---->

Nino: Talking about it any more is only gonna make me feel stressed.
Nino: Nothing personal, Aria... I'd just rather not have that happen again.
Aria: ...
Nino: Trust me! I'm being honest!
Nino: Continuing my trip with you guys is what would make me feel best right now.
Nino: I'd rather focus on our shared goals than be stuck worrying about myself.
Aria: ...I... I suppose, if that's the case...
Aria: Then it's alright... yeah.
Nino: Great! You understand then!
Nino: Really, most of my stress fades away whenever I have fun with you guys.
Nino: It's especially reassuring to see your smile, Aria.
Aria: O-oh! Um, is that so...

Aria: Keep the party together.

Aria: Well, um, that's good to know...
Aria: Oh, I'm sorry if I got too overbearing!
Nino: I guess you can't help your nature to overthink things, eh?
Nino: Well, I appreciate the concern, so...
Nino: Thanks a lot, seriously!
Nino: Even if I thought about some stressful things,
Nino: It's a relief to know my body wasn't getting actually ill or something.
Aria: ...Yeah, I'm glad to see you're doing well, physically.
Aria: And... ah, gosh! I've been dragging the mood down this whole time, haven't I?
Aria: That's not gonna help with mental recovery at all...
Aria: Aaah, what was I thinking? I'm really sorry, Nino!
Aria: I'll be more cheerful from now on, so...
Aria: So you won't feel stressed again!
Nino: Aw, man. Seriously, don't worry about it!
Nino: Just try to have a good time, yeah?
Nino: If you're doing well, then I am too, for real.
Aria: Ah... okay, if you say so.
Nino: Let's get going, then! After all...
Nino: There'll be no end to Reed's complaints if we keep whispering to ourselves.
Aria: Hehe, you're totally right.

---->

Party: The moment of truth comes...

Friendly Guard: Huh... A permission seal, you say? Intriguing.
Hostile Guard: You're pulling my leg!
Hostile Guard: Why would milady even think to allow outsiders in!?
Friendly Guard: Well, let me have a look-see at this letter first...

---->

Friendly Guard: ...Hahahaha! What game is the young lady playing, I wonder?
Nino: Hey! This is a real letter, not a game or a joke!
Aria: We worked really hard to obtain this, Mr. Guard!
Meimona: Yeah! Our reputation in town speaks to our HONEST character, buddy.
Friendly Guard: Ah, so you're the ones running around here doing random favors, eh?
Hostile Guard: Oh, I heard something about that...
Hostile Guard: That a buncha kids were doing all sorts of errands for free today.
Aria: Wow, word sure travels around quick here...
Nino: Er, I'm not sure I like the way you're framing that, buddy.
Meimona: It just goes to show we're soooo selfless that we didn't ask for any pay!
Reed: Some exhausting side-quests those were.
Friendly Guard: I see... well then, travelers, you have nothing to worry about.
Friendly Guard: As this seal bears our lord's stamp,
Friendly Guard: We will of course accept it.

---->

Hostile Guard: Huh? Seriously!? Come on, man!
Hostile Guard: This letter is clearly some sort of stupid prank, dude.
Five: It's not! Aurora worked very hard on it...
Hostile Guard: It's just Ignis' kid playing pretend again!
Nino: I said it's neither a game or a joke...
Friendly Guard: The word of that 'kid' in question is as good as the young lord's.
Friendly Guard: You should keep that in mind, my friend.
Friendly Guard: Or do you mean to say you'd even prevent him, an Ardor, from managing access into the premises?
Hostile Guard: Uh... no, of course not?
Hostile Guard: No one's crazy enough to cross the line like that!
Friendly Guard: Then, as you should already know... little lady Aurora's command is to be taken just as seriously as the young lord's, regardless of what we think about it.
Friendly Guard: So if she's judged someone worthy of receiving an official permit,
Friendly Guard: Then we've no choice but to accept and follow her words.
Friendly Guard: Lest you wish to anger Milady Marisol with your favoritism, hm?

---->

- { Conditions of Access } -

This letter serves as official authorization for its holder and their close associates, to enter The Firefly Temple for the remainder of this day.
This authorization shall be considered expired at dawn on the 17th of Jade Harvest, and is to be treated as completely void thereafter.

Any misuse of this authorization, such as acts of destruction done to the site's structures, precious artifacts, or preserved materials, is strictly prohibited and shall render the authorization void immediately.

To ensure total compliance, guards are to thoroughly survey the site upon the letter holder's exit. Any confirmed violations are to be immediately escalated to Lord Marisol.

Issued under the authority of Aurora Fervor. ★