♢ ♢ ♢ ♢ ♢
The next afternoon.
After finishing lunch at the study room, the children head toward the open field. The scene closely resembles yesterday.
But today feels warmer. The children have already become complete friends.
None of yesterday's awkwardness or unfamiliarity seems to remain.
They continue a lively conversation about last night's chat, and before long, they arrive at their destination.
It is time. Just like yesterday, everyone moves to their positions.
During the walk from the study room and through last night's long conversations, the friends had explained many things about story play to Rogi.
But Rogi still doesn't fully understand much of it. Is it some kind of imagination-based game? That's all she can guess.
When everything is ready, Yona shouts loudly.
"Then let's begin~"
At that moment, Dabi looks at Rogi with an extremely serious expression and speaks again.
"Rogi, as soon as you equip the suit, come straight to where I am!"
Rogi nods, saying she understands. But she has no idea what suit she's supposed to wear… Dabi's seriousness makes her a bit flustered.
In truth, she plans to just pretend to put it on and run to her friends.
Dabi shouts once more.
"Acorn!"
At that, all the children shout together.
"Doritori Toris!"
At the same time, Rogi slowly turns to head toward the place her friends told her.
As she turns, something indescribably mysterious appears before her eyes.
Just moments ago, the empty field is now filled with a massive structure, and inside it are countless unknown machines.
Then suddenly, pink flower petals begin to scatter around Rogi.
As she raises her palm upward, one petal gently lands on her hand.
Rogi stands there, staring blankly at it.
Then she looks around again. Debris from explosions is scattered everywhere.
At that moment, before she can even take in the wonder—
explosions erupt from all directions.
[BOOM] [BOOM BOOM]
Startled, Rogi screams and immediately hides inside the nearest structure she can find.
She quickly searches for her friends.
They are already wearing suits like spacesuits, each holding an unknown object.
The puzzle pieces of everything they had awkwardly explained last night begin to fall into place.
Rogi then looks toward where Leo and Ellie are—
but both the sky and the ground have completely changed into something she has never seen before.
The sky is mixed with pink, blue, and red, and something is flying high above.
And that something repeatedly launches objects toward the children gathered around Dabi.
Rogi looks closely at what is flying.
Unbelievable—
it's Ellie!
Rogi: "What? He's flying?" [Her eyes widen.]
Rogi: "What is going on?"
Rogi: "Ahhh!" [She screams as something flies toward her.]
Dabi: "Rogi, what are you doing! Get inside and put on the suit!"
Rogi: "Huh?!"
[Rogi is shocked and flustered, but her body is already running toward the place her friends told her, screaming.]
Rogi: "Aaaah!"
Where Rogi runs to, there are tangled machines and countless buttons.
Among them, she must find the large green button with a human figure on it.
Because of her panic, she can't recall its location easily, but she closes her eyes and desperately searches her memory.
"Found it!"
As soon as she places her hand on it, the machine begins to operate with a heavy mechanical sound.
A small hatch opens, revealing a flat piece of metal about the size of a medal.
Rogi picks it up carefully with both hands and brings it under her chin, just as her friends told her.
At that moment, the metal suddenly jumps upward above her head.
Startled, Rogi looks up—
and the metal flows down like a living liquid, wrapping around her entire body.
The cold metallic texture sweeps across her, forming a solid suit that perfectly fits her body.
In the distance, Leo—wearing black armor and a horned helmet—lets out a roar of victory.
Leo: "Dabi, give up! There's not much time left. It's our win—mine and Ellie's!"
Dabi responds with an annoying grin.
Dabi: "Nope, we've already won! Your stamina is already at zero~~ And we've got plenty of time!"
[At that moment, Rogi runs toward Dabi.]
Rogi: "Guys, I'm here!"
Pai: "Rogi~" [smiling brightly] "You made it! You must have been surprised, right?"
Eti: "Unni~ it looks good on you." [laughing excitedly]
Rogi: "Haha what is this? What is even happening?"
Rogi: "So this… this is the story play you were talking about!"
The moment Rogi reaches her friends, all her tension disappears.
Everything feels exciting and thrilling.
Her heart pounds wildly.
Even in this moment, Dabi continues firing his beam gun toward Leo and Ellie, and they do not stop attacking either.
Explosions echo everywhere.
None of the children show fear or hesitation—only bright and joyful energy fills the scene.
Eti: "Hehehe~ >_<"
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Polun, trying to calm EAT, finally gives up and takes out another method—
the very reason he came here.
He takes out the King's scroll.
Polun: "EAT, listen to me. The King has issued a command to you. Let's set aside your anger toward me for now!"
Polun: "Look at this! It's a royal order!"
[At the word "King," EAT immediately lets go of Polun's collar.]
EAT: "The King… what has happened? What command was given?"
EAT is filled with fear.
His anger disappears, replaced entirely by focus on the scroll.
He is curious—and terrified.
Polun speaks, trying to calm him.
Polun: "Red Rooster! Calm down! I don't know the contents either~ Let's read it. Should I read it for you?"
EAT: "W-wait!! Give me a moment…" [He takes a deep breath.]
Polun: "Alright, I'll wait~"
Under the bright moonlight, in a vast open field, the Supreme Commander of the Olpin and a legend stand making a great fuss.
EAT: "Ha… ha… Owl… let's begin."
Polun: "Alright, here I go."
EAT: "Yeah…"
Polun formally unfolds the scroll and begins reading the King's command.
What could it be?
As they read, they laugh, then fear, then rejoice, then cry.
Polun: "With this, I, Polun, have delivered the King's command to the Red Rooster EAT."
EAT: "Then… Polun, explain it. What happens to me now?"
Polun: "So basically, you're reinstated! Reinstated~"
EAT: "Then… does that mean I return to my original form?"
Polun: "Seems like it… but not immediately~ Anyway, it looks like you regain all your authority!"
EAT: "Thank you! Your Majesty~" [They both become excited and start dancing.]
EAT kneels and offers thanks.
Polun: "Then, EAT."
EAT: "Yeah!"
Polun: "Since you're reinstated, and I outrank you again, I'm your superior again~"
EAT: "Huh?"
Polun: "You should call me Supreme Commander Polun, right?"
EAT: "Yeah, right."
EAT: "Hey, you owl!"
Polun & EAT: "Hahahahaha~"
Their tension completely gone, they laugh together.
Then Polun explains another part of the King's command—
EAT must leave this planet and go to where humans live.
EAT: "Why would I go there?"
Polun: "Too much to explain here~ It's all set up so you'll understand during the journey~"
Polun snaps his fingers.
Near Ugu and Mond, a space corridor opens.
Beside it floats a small travel planet.
EAT: "What's that?"
Polun: "A transport asteroid. Use that to reach the human world."
[The small device resembles a miniature Earth, with a tiny sun and moon orbiting it.]
Polun: "Alright, registering you."
EAT: "Register what?"
Without answering, Polun completes the registration.
EAT is now bound to the asteroid.
Only registered users are affected by its gravity.
EAT is suddenly pulled toward it—
as if falling.
"Aaaah!"
[Thud]
EAT crashes into the asteroid.
The impact shakes his entire body.
Polun rushes over.
Polun: "Are you okay, Red Rooster?"
EAT: "You… I'm not letting you off."
Polun: "What are you talking about~ It's a great day!"
EAT: "What!?"
The asteroid begins to move.
EAT leaps toward Polun—
but cannot reach him.
He tries again.
The distance only grows.
EAT shouts.
"Polun, you bastard!"
Polun: "What's wrong?"
EAT: "Your… cheek…"
EAT: "Let me hit you once!"
Polun: "Your cheek? That's a hassle~ Next time~"
Polun waves casually.
EAT gives up.
He slowly moves toward the space corridor.
On the way, he sees Mond and Ugu.
Mond tries to hide with leaves.
EAT looks down at him.
Mond notices—and bows.
Mond: "Please spare me…"
EAT: "...Mond."
Mond: "Please…"
EAT: "Take care. Thank you."
Mond: "...Huh?"
EAT leaves.
Mond watches silently.
Mond: "Goodbye… Guardian."
Inside the corridor, EAT screams.
He is moving faster than light.
The ride is terrible.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
-3 B END