Until Your Memory Fades (II)

Just when I'm grabbing breakfast at Lumina Square, I bump into Rina.

Rina: Good morning, Manager. It's rare to see you in the morning.

Are you here for breakfast?

Are you here for a Breaded Belief?

Rina: No, I just happened to be passing through, so I figured I'd bring something back for everyone...

Rina: Oh, about Granny... The application for the Crest of Waves trophy has been submitted.

You've found it already?

So this is the legendary "Victorian Speed" I've heard about!

Rina: I've just submitted the application. If everything goes smoothly, it should be ready in a couple of days. Then we just need to pick a good time to give it to Granny.

Let me know when you're planning to give the trophy out.

When you give the trophy out, can I come along too?

Rina: That would be great~ She'll be thrilled if we can go to the ceremony.

Rina: It's a deal then. Anyway, I need to get back to Victoria Housekeeping Co. Have a nice day!

Yeah, see you.

After saying goodbye to Rina, you return to the video store...

 Head to the video store and check out the situation there

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There's some commotion coming from the counter at the video store. head over there and find out what's going on.

Random Play

(Enter Random Play)

Disaster From the TV

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Disaster From the TV"

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Video Summary: "Invasion: Next Gen" has a pretty good ad, but it's not so good that one would treat it as if it's real... right?

Story Description: Seemingly due a [sic] disaster film ad in the video store, Granny Leisha suddenly exclaimed, "The Hollow is coming!" and "The sweetcakes are in danger!" She then rushed out the store while holding Drusilla.

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Granny Leisha: It's not...behind the shelves...

Granny Leisha?!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Granny Leisha?Granny Leisha?Text for Wise / Granny Leisha!Granny Leisha!Text for Belle‍) What are you doing here?

Granny Leisha: I'm looking for the sweetcakes! The silly sweetcake isn't behind the shelf... Ah, I remember you! You can help me find the sweetcakes, right Drusilla?

I'm not Drusilla!

My name is (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I'm not Drusilla. My name is Wise. Say it with me, Granny, Wi—se! Ah, never mind... I'll call Rina.I'm not Drusilla. My name is Wise. Say it with me, Granny, Wi—se! Ah, never mind... I'll call Rina.Text for Wise / I'm not Drusilla! My name is Belle! Say it with me Granny, Be—lle! Ohh forget it... I'm gonna call Rina.I'm not Drusilla! My name is Belle! Say it with me Granny, Be—lle! Ohh forget it... I'm gonna call Rina.Text for Belle‍)

A while later, Rina arrived at the video store...

Rina: Are you looking for the silly sweetcake again, Granny? Is this still part of the assessment...? But it's okay, I still have the pictures from yesterday.

Rina: Here, Granny. Are any of these photos the sweetcakes you're looking for? Granny? Granny, are you listening? Granny Leisha?

Granny Leisha: ...

Rina: She's completely focused on the TV... Manager, what's that on the TV in the corner? Is that an ad for a movie?

It's "Invasion: Next Gen."

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Yeah, it's "Invasion: Next Gen."

Granny Leisha: Ah...

It's about a Hollow appearing in the city...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): It's about a Hollow appearing in the city and the Ethereals inside...

Granny Leisha: Aaaah! It's a Hollow! There's a Hollow! The sweetcakes are in danger!

Rina: What's wrong, Granny? That's just a movie, it's not real... Ah! My Drusilla!

Granny Leisha grabs Drusilla and rushes out the store.

Rina: If this is still part of the assessment, it seems a little bit excessive... Or perhaps Granny really was affected by the ad?

Rina: We should go check on her, Manager. Drusilla has a GPS chip, so don't worry, she won't get far.

 Find Granny Leisha

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Looks like the movie ad somehow triggered Granny Leisha, and she just rushed onto Sixth Street. Go after her and find out what happened.

Sixth Street

(Idle, near the newsstand)

NPC 1: What's up with you, Granny? Are you trying to catch a thief?

(Talk to Granny Leisha behind Godfinger)

Granny Leisha: *panting* Where should I run... *panting* Where can I be safe...

Rina: Please don't worry, Granny Leisha — we're here to help.

Granny Leisha: Help... yes! Quickly, come and help me, Rina, and your little sidekick!

I'm (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)!

I'm not... Forget it!

Granny Leisha: There might be other sweetcakes trapped! I can't save them all by myself. Please can you help me find them?!

Rina: Don't worry. We're going to help you... but you have to tell us what these "sweetcakes" are...

Granny Leisha: Let me take this kid back to a safe spot! You wait for me. I'll be back soon to help you search!

Before Rina can reply, the granny bounds off towards the 141 Convenience Store clutching onto the Bangboo...

(Where on earth is she trying to go...? The only way to find out is to follow her.)

 Catch up with Granny Leisha

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Granny Leisha runs away again... Go catch up on her.

Sixth Street

(Idle, near the newsstand)

NPC 1: What's up with that granny? Is she saying... a Hollow is coming?!

(Idle, next to Coff Cafe)

NPC 2: What? Is that something coming?

(Talk to Granny Leisha next to Box Galaxy)

Granny Leisha: Whew... That Hollow hasn't caught up yet... *puff* Keep going, try harder...

Rina: Hang on, Granny — you can easily geat hurt like that. If you want to go somewhere we can walk slowly and have a nice chat along the way...

Granny Leisha: We can't walk — we have to RUN, Rina! Little sidekick! Otherwise, it'll get us!

It's (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)! I have to correct you!

I'm... never mind!

Before Rina can finish, the granny sprints off towards the metro station...

In the blink of an eye, Granny Leisha runs into the metro station.

(Is she actually going to catch the metro...? It doesn't matter — just catch up and try to at least board the same train as her, otherwise, you'll lose her.)

 Go to Lumina Square metro station.

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Granny Leisha just entered the metro station. No idea where she's heading, let's follow her.

Sixth Street Station

(Travel to Lumina Square)

Granny Leisha is exceptionally quiet on the ride and thankfully doesn't cause any ruckus before getting off at Lumina Square station.

(I see her! She's just over there!)

 Look for Granny Leisha at Lumina Square

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Granny Leisha's "evacuation is ongoing... She seems to be trying to hide from a non-existent Hollow disaster. Follow her.

Lumina Square

(Talk to Granny Leisha in front of Lumina Galleria)

Granny Leisha: Whew... Should be... far enough away from the Hollow now...

Granny Leisha: No no no, little sweetcakes are far more fragile than us grown-ups. They can't handle this... better go further out, just a little...

Granny Leisha: All of you — get running, quickly! The Hollow's coming!

Granny seems a little tired, yet never abandons her plans to "escape." Clutching onto the Bangboo, she runs off towards the riverside trail...

(Why do I get the feeling that she takes me for a bad guy here...?)

(No more aimless running around like this. Next time you catch her, you have to get to the bottom of this.)

 Look for Granny Leisha along the footpath along the river

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Granny Leisha runs away again... Go catch up on her.

Lumina Square

(Idle, by Gravity Cinema)

NPC 3: Incredible! I've never seen an old lady run so fast!

(Idle, near Beaverson Beauty Salon)

NPC 4: Hear that? A Hollow's coming! Get home, fast — quit your shopping!

(Talk to Granny Leisha near the newsstand)

Granny Leisha: *panting*

Rina: Are you okay, Granny Leisha?

(She really does look tired, this time...)

Lei—

Gran—

Within a second of opening your mouth, Granny Leisha immediately activates as if a switch flips on — and sprints off again.

(Where on earth is she trying to go...? The only way to find out is to follow her.)

 Find Granny Leisha near the abandoned amusement park

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Granny Leisha's "evacuation is still ongoing... But she seems to be growing tired and has now calmed down a little. Ask her what happened.

Lumina Square

(Idle, behind Coff Cafe)

NPC 5: Am I seeing things because I'm working too much overtime...

(Idle, near the playground)

NPC 6: Why did you squat down with your head in your hands?

(Talk to Granny Leisha)

Forget, Exhaustion, and Regret

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Forget, Exhaustion, and Regret"

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Video Summary: Finally, Granny Leisha is tired, both in body and spirit.

Story Description: You finally caught up with Granny Leisha, but she failed to recognize any of you, not even Rina... Sensing something is amiss, Rina suspects Granny Leisha may be suffering from severe Cognitive Corruption Syndrome.

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Granny Leisha: Huff... huff... I can't run anymore... My legs hurt, and my mouth is dry...

Rina: Have you calmed down now, Granny Leisha?

Granny Leisha: Ah! You guys!

What's with the surprise?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): No need to act so surprised. We've been right behind you since Sixth Street and all through Lumina Square.

Granny Leisha: You! ...Who are you?

Granny Leisha: I don't have any money or anything of value... Why are you chasing me? I don't know you.

Rina: Hm? Granny Leisha, are you being serious? I'm Rina, and this is the video store manager, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍).

Granny Leisha: Uh... Hmm... No... No idea who you are!

Rina: Then do you still remember the sweetcakes you're looking for? The silly sweetcake, loud sweetcake, and wave sweetcake?

Granny Leisha: Sweetcakes... Ah! Yes, I remember... I'm looking for my sweetcakes, but I've lost them all! I arranged to look for sweetcakes with someone yesterday. Hmmm... Wh—Who was it again?

What's going on?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): What's going on? Is the Housekeeping Association's assessment process really this complicated?

Rina: With her reaction to that ad, I'm afraid this is more than just the housekeeping assessment.

Rina: Have you heard the medical term "Cognitive Corruption Syndrome"?

Rina: Anyone who stays too long in a Hollow may develop the disease in their later years, regardless of their Ether aptitude.

Rina: Symptoms include rapid memory decline, cognitive disorder, and repetitive speech. In severe cases, one's memory can regress to that of decades ago, forgetting everything that occurred afterward.

Did she really forget us?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): You mean, she really forgot us?

Rina: I'm just speculating, but having provided care for elderly individuals with this condition in the past, it's all far too familiar...

Rina: The constantly changing sweetcakes, not recognizing us, if it's not an intentional act, then it seems like the most likely possibility...

Rina: Either way, I'll take Granny home first. There are plenty of ways I can confirm my hypothesis. Thank you, Manager. You must be tired, too. You should go back and rest.

Okay. let me know what happens, Rina.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Okay. let me know what happens, Rina. Goodbye, Granny Leisha...

Okay. Goodbye, Granny...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍YeahYeahText for Wise / MhmMhmText for Belle‍)... Goodbye, Granny...

Granny Leisha: Hmm... Mhm... ... ...Goodbye.

Rina: I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused to your store these past few days. Please pass on my apologies to (‍BelleBelleText for Wise / WiseWiseText for Belle‍), too.

 Return to the video store on Sixth Street and get some rest

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After a long day of running around... It is time to return to the video store and take some rest.

Random Play

(After the cutscene)

(After all that running, you've surely got in your daily steps for the day... Go back to the video store and get some rest.)

(Travel to Random Play and talk to (‍BelleBelleText for Wise / WiseWiseText for Belle‍))

Scars of Corruption

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Scars of Corruption"

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Video Summary: Corruption leaves scars, and some are bone-deep.

Story Description: Rina's suspicions are confirmed. Granny Leisha is indeed experiencing Cognitive Corruption Syndrome, causing her memory to deteriorate gradually, which explains her ceaseless search for the "sweetcakes."

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(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) (‍Huh? Rina apologized to me? Haha, well... You're always the one taking care of things whenever she visits, I haven't even met Granny yet.Huh? Rina apologized to me? Haha, well... You're always the one taking care of things whenever she visits, I haven't even met Granny yet.Text for Wise / Rina apologized to me? Well... I don't really mind. You're at the store every time Granny turns up, and I've conveniently missed every encounter.Rina apologized to me? Well... I don't really mind. You're at the store every time Granny turns up, and I've conveniently missed every encounter.Text for Belle‍)

Rina: Ah, you're both here.

You're quick!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): That was fast! Is Granny's house close to here?

How is Granny?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): How is Granny?

Rina: She lives near Lumina Square, so it didn't take long. But I'm a little worried about her.

Rina: I checked with the neighbors, she's lived alone for a long time, and she does suffer from Cognitive Corruption Syndrome.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) (‍If that's the case, Granny isn't intentionally causing trouble, it's because of her illness.If that's the case, Granny isn't intentionally causing trouble, it's because of her illness.Text for Wise / So Granny isn't intentionally giving Rina a difficult task, she's just not fully aware...So Granny isn't intentionally giving Rina a difficult task, she's just not fully aware...Text for Belle‍) I'm surprised the Housekeeping Association chose her for the assessment...

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) By the way, why didn't Drusilla resist when it got taken by Granny? It's a combat Bangboo, it could've easily gotten away from her.

Because it was on silent mode?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Is it because it had been switched to silent mode?

Rina: Even in silent mode, Drusilla can move on its own. I asked the same thing on the way here, and it gave me an unexpected answer.

Rina: When Granny carried it away, she kept saying, "I can do it. I can protect you." That made it mistake Granny for me.

Huh? Is that even possible?

Is it some kind of passcode?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Huh? Is that possible? (‍There's a pretty big difference.There's a pretty big difference.Text for Wise / You two don't look alike at all.You two don't look alike at all.Text for Belle‍) Could that phrase be some kind of... passcode?

Rina: The Drusilla in front of you is actually designed based on a doll I picked up when I was little.

Rina: I didn't have many friends at the manor back then, all I had to talk to was the doll I named "Drusilla."

Rina: Father didn't like the doll, he said it was something the servants had use, and told me to throw it away. But how could I throw away my only friend?

Rina: So I hid it in various places, trying hard to prevent my father from finding it. Under the bed, in the wardrobe, under the covers, constantly telling it... "I can do it. I can protect you."

Rina: When I became an Agent and decided to use Bangboo in combat, I handed this doll over to the manufacturer. Surprisingly, during their inspection, they found a tiny recording device inside it.

Rina: As expected, it was already filled with the phrase 'I can protect you.' So, impulsively... I transferred the recording data, along with the name "Drusilla" to the Bangboo.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) A manor... servants... So you were actually a wealthy heiress living in a mansion when you were younger, Rina? Ah, now's not the time (‍for gossip thoughfor gossip thoughText for Wise / to pryto pryText for Belle‍), let's get back to Drusilla!

Rina: Granny was muttering the same thing when she rushed out of the video store with Drusilla. To call it a "passcode" is actually fitting.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) You're saying she mistook Drusilla for one of the sweetcakes and took it (‍outoutText for Wise / out ofout ofText for Belle‍) the store to avoid some kind of danger?

Judging from that ad...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Judging from (‍thetheText for Wise / thatthatText for Belle‍) ad that affected Granny... Her sweetcakes were once, or are now in danger because of a Hollow.

Rina: But just what are these sweetcakes... We'll struggle to get to the bottom of things if we're unable to figure that out...

Rina: However, the competition dropout and Crest of Waves trophy were both real at least, and the wave sweetcake is still an important clue. I'll bring it back with me and talk to Granny.

Rina: Oh, I didn't realize how late it was. Sorry to keep the two of you.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) (‍It's fine, really! It's not that late!It's fine, really! It's not that late!Text for Wise / It's okay, it's still early for us.It's okay, it's still early for us.Text for Belle‍)

Rina: Thank you. How about I bring some special tea treats I made myself as a token of my appreciation?

There's really no need!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): There's really no need!

Rina: Then I best be off. Please, do let me know if Granny turns up at the store again~

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) "Cognitive Corruption Syndrome"... That does explain quite a few things, but also opens up even more mysteries...

What exactly are these sweetcakes...?

What exactly is Granny trying to protect...

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) Leave it all to (‍Rina!Rina!Text for Wise / Rina.Rina.Text for Belle‍) Didn't she say she was taking the Crest of Waves trophy over to ask Granny Leisha?

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) It was you who said it before, (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍), that I'd entertain granny next time she came — yet here you are running errands all day once again. You even ran all around Lumina Square...

I must be destined to cross paths with Rina.

I must be destined to cross paths with Granny.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle) Anyways, get some rest! I feel like I've put you through a week's worth of workouts in one day, your legs are going to be sore tomorrow!

Take a Break (Leave Story)