Journal Entry 04: Idle Idols
// Are you ready for 20 minutes of nearly uninterrupted cutscenes? I sure am! //
VIDEO: The Hungry Kinjou
MUSIC: Let's Girl Talk!
(*We return to find the girls walking towards the school, the area now bathed in sunset.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: All right, where could Yuki be?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Probably in the work room, as usual.
(*They all look off to the left at a door just barely visible in the school's hallway.*)
(*We fade to black as the girls start walking, Rena wasting no time in moving ahead.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: We're home!
(*Our view cuts to a girl in yellow with long hair done up in buns turning around...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI:
(happily) Finally!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI:
(annoyed) I've been waiting forever!
(*Her expression quickly shifts from a big grin to a frown.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Oh, quit complaining. We've brought lots of ingredients.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Yaaaay! Tonight we feast!
(*Aaand she's back to being happy.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(sternly) Wait. We need to ration these carefully.
(*Rena puts her hands on her hips...*)
(*And Yuki replies with a huge grin.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: But we have so much now! We've gotta enjoy it!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(sighing) Oh, jeez...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: So, did you find anything out about the Faraway?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: We weren't able to investigate much today, unfortunately. We had some...unforeseen difficulties.
(*Kokoro looks towards Ao, the latter of whom dodges eye contact.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Yes... Unforeseen difficulties...
(*With Rena now glaring her way, Ao's flustered expression more than gives away her guilt. *)
//
//
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(*nervously*) Yeah, what they said! Tons of 'em.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(*thinking aloud*) That place was as strange as ever.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: I think we got pretty lucky! A whole other world just appearing like that!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Yeah. It might offer up some clues about how we got here in the first place.
(*We get a slowly panning shot of the Faraway's entrance before cutting back to the girls.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Well, that too, I guess. But I was thinking about all the food we can get there!
(*Yuki shakes her head and strikes a miserable expression.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: I was getting tired of nothing but nuts and berries and fish.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: What I wouldn't give for some rice...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: You'll just have to put up with what we can get. Be thankful you won't starve to death.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: There might be rice somewhere in the Faraway. Let's explore deeper next time.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: I can't wait!
(*Kokoro stares off wistfully, imagining the rice to be had...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Save it for tomorrow. Let's worry about what's in front of us for now.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: I'll get dinner started! Hmm, what to make...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: I'd love some tamagoyaki again.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: We do have some eggs, but let's change things up a little.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Hey, Ao. See if you can find any herbs or spices! Maybe try the courtyard?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(with a nod) Got it. Be right back!
(*The scene fades out as she turns to leave.*)
// Yuki will quickly prove herself to be Ao's competition in best expressions. Her VA is very dynamic to go with that, and it honestly sounds like they were having a lot of fun with the role. //
*Door sliding*
(*We return to see Yuki grinning as she picks up a knife...*)
(*...Only for it to vanish as she's met with reproach from Rena. Kokoro's off in the background, looking at some boxes on the floor.*)
*Door sliding*
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I'm back!
(*Everyone looks to Ao, who arrives with a wave.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Oh, thanks! That should be everything now.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: As long as everyone is here, why don't we all cook together?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Agreed. It's getting dark, so we should get dinner ready quickly.
(*And so the scene ends with a smile from Rena...*)
MUSIC: Let's Girl Talk!
// We are now afforded control to talk to the others before we head into the crafting tutorial. Crafting's not particularly deep, but on with it we go. //
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Climbing on the roof... Well, don't do anything too crazy.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI:
Oooh! What'dja do today? I wanna hear all about it later!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: I'm excited for some tamagoyaki!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I haven't done a lot of cooking, so...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Don't worry, Kokoro will show you how.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4507436/30_ch0_pt2.mkv_2023_22.jpg)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: How many eggs did you bring again?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Just the one.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: These eggs are huge anyways, this should make plenty...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4507437/31_ch0_pt2.mkv_2023_22.jpg)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: ...I think I understand. What next?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Can you hand me the spices?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4507439/33_ch0_pt2.mkv_2023_22.jpg)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Here you go!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: And you go like this...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
Are we ready?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: This looks perfect!
// Crafting is very simple, it either asks for a specific item (in this case a Giant Egg,) or for something that matches a category, (Red Grass matches Herbs and Spicy categories.) There's more to it later, but not a lot more.
The game donates us the items to make this as we otherwise wouldn't have anything that qualifies for herbs. //
VIDEO: Cooking Together
(*We cut to the 4 all working in the kitchen.*)
(* Rena collects plates from a high shelf with a smile in the foreground...*)
(*Yuki hurries over to the table and puts her hands together happily...*)
(*All while Ao and Kokoro finish working at the stove together with a smile.*)
(*And it all ends with a quick fade to white as the group looks in on what they've made. Rena smiles pleasantly, Ao looks on in wonder, while Yuki and Kokoro stare on with big grins.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: That went well.
// That little scene shows every time you cook, with only very small differences unrelated to the item you're making. It is still rather cute though.
Tamagoyaki ("grilled/rolled egg") itself is basically omelettes rolled into a sort of loaf. //
VIDEO: Memories
MUSIC: Our Days
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: All done! Looks great!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Everyone grab a plate.
(*And so we fade out, but...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI:
(*wailing*) Aaaah! Spicy!!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Wh-what happened?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI:
(*rapidly, breathless*) I made one super spicy and hid it. Can't believe I'm the one who got it...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: What were you thinking...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Ahh, but that was just as much fun as I thought it'd be! I'll get one of you next time!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Ahaha, didn't learn your lesson, huh?
(*We fade out with Ao laughing as Yuki psychs herself up.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Phew, I'm stuffed. I'm gonna head back to the room and get ready for bed.
(*A short view of Ao outside the work room follows, as we quickly change scene to...*)
MUSIC: Chatting into the Night
(*...The other three girls sitting at the low table in the classroom. Yuki nods to Rena who looks down with a sigh, Kokoro looking onwards. Eventually Yuki looks up to the roof.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Still, I wonder what that place really is.
*Door sliding, footsteps*
(*Yuki looks towards the source...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: What'cha talking about?
(*Ao sits down at the table with them.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: The Faraway. Don't you think it's strange?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(*frowning*) This whole world is strange, if you ask me.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Compared to the world you came from, you mean?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Yeah, the field and road were totally gone!
(*She looks down to her lap.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I was like, "It was just there a second ago!" I thought I was losing it.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: We were surprised too, having a stranger appear out of thin air. It was just us three for so long.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO:
(sadly) We didn't even realize how strange it was that we were the only ones here.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: We only realized when you appeared all of a sudden.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Like, "What is this place? Why can't we remember anything?"
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Though we of course remembered some things, like the names of objects and how to use them.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: But memories of people or where we used to live... All gone, no matter how hard we try to remember.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I see...
(*She looks away, taking on a troubled expression as she thinks to herself.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Are you worried?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Huh? What do you mean?
(*She looks back, shaken from her brief gloom.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Well, we don't remember anything. We don't even know if there's somewhere for us to go back to...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: To be honest, we still don't really have any desire to "go back."
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(solemnly) Yes... That's true.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: But you remember, don't you, Ao?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I-it's okay!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(upbeat) I have all of you here with me. I'm not worried.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: In fact, I'm having a lot of fun! It's like we're in a movie or something!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I'm just a normal girl... I've always wanted to be part of something special.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Ahaha, really? Well then, that's good!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Be that as it may, you can't stay here forever, right?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: We should take a closer look at the Faraway tomorrow.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: It may hold some clues about our memories.
(*A smile comes to both of their faces.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Got it! Guess we should get ready for bed then.
(*And as Yuki gets up from the floor, the scene ends.*)
MUSIC: Let's Girl Talk!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(I'm not feeling tired enough yet to sleep. I should see what everyone is up to.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(Kokoro is writing again... is that her diary?)
// From here we have to talk to all the girls individually before we can end the day. //
VIDEO: Kokoro's Diary
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Is that a diary?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Yes. I write in it every day.
(*Following this, she stops writing to look at Ao, who sits down next to her.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: You were writing in it when we first met, weren't you? What do you write about?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: What we ate that day, what I talked about with Yuki and Rena...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Things never changed much from day to day, so that's pretty much all I've written about up to now.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Huh...
(*She lifts her pen up as the view turns toward the diary itself.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: But it has been helpful to have a log of what we ate. It helps us remember what turned out well.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Like recipes and stuff, yeah?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: But there's been so much going on recently that my entries have been getting longer and longer.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Like what?
(*Kokoro looks down to the diary, idly thinking through all the recent events.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: Well, for starters, you came.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: And then the Faraway appeared.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: There were demons there, and fighting them was a little scary...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: I was serious about what I said, you know? Things are nice and lively with you here.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO:
(cheerfully) I'm glad you came to us, Ao.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Aw, you're embarrassing me...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO:
(seriously) But you have somewhere you need to get back to.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: It'll be sad to see you go, but the most important thing is to be where you belong.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: We have to find a way to get you back. We'll try again tomorrow, okay?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Thank you.
(*Thus it ends, with a light smile on Ao's face.*)
// I have the texture for Kokoro's diary, however the text is surprisingly low resolution and it makes it particularly difficult to get anything out of it. //
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(Hm... Yuki's still wide awake. I wonder what she's doing on her phone?)
VIDEO: FreeSpace 101
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Heya! Not going to sleep yet?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Nope. Not feeling very sleepy.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Oh, have you gotten used to FreeSpace yet?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I'm getting there. It's taken a bit, though.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: I still can't believe that you didn't already have one. I thought everyone was using it these days.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Here, I'll show you one more time. Open the app!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: All right.
FreeSpace: Idle Idols wrote:
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Welcome to FreeSpace 101!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Uh oh.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468434/Kokoro_portrait.png)
KOKORO: 101? How many levels of this are there?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: So yeah, it's an app you can use to message us
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: If you make a group, you can talk to just the people invited to that group
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Not that we have any other groups than this one. (^▽^)
FreeSpace: Idle Idols wrote:
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I see. So this thing at the top is the group name?
1
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Yep! Whoever came up with it must be like, a super genius!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: So it was you!
2
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: And that's pretty much it!
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Thanks, that was a lot of help.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: So... If we can charge our phones, that means we have electricity here, doesn't it?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Mm, I guess so?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: And if we're able to message each other, that means we have reception too.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Yep.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: We seem to have running water and gas too, so... Where is it all coming from?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: ...Huh, good point! I've never thought about that before!
(*She hits her fist against her palm, eyes wide at this revelation.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: There's something off about this world...
(*Ao looks out the window towards the night horizon.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI:
(grinning) We have everything we need, so no harm, no foul, right?
// It's worth noting our choice of reply text in FreeSpace conversations doesn't really matter, it's just flavor. For this, I'll just picking what I think is funnier and/or fits Ao best in the moment. Moments with alternate responses are marked with subscript numbers, after which I'll indicate the other possible responses. FreeSpace's primary use will reveal itself next update. //
// Alternate texts are: "Idle Idols...?" and "Whoa, don't know who came up with that, but they must be a genius!" //
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(Rena's been looking this way. I'll go see what's on her mind.)
VIDEO: Rena's Worries
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(softly) Hoshizaki... Have you been sleeping all right?
(*Ao wakes up from a brief daze and looks her way.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Huh? Why?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: You were sleeping so soundly this afternoon, I thought you might not be getting enough sleep at night.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: If there's anything on your mind, make sure you let us know. We're all stuck here together after all.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: It hasn't been long since you arrived. I wouldn't be surprised if you're still getting used to everything.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Are you...worried about me?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(usual harshness) O-of course not. I just want to make sure our lives here go smoothly.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Oh reeeally?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Stop that.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I'm more worried about you, Rena. Isn't it scary not having any memories?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: I didn't even know that I'd had a memory to lose, so I wasn't particularly upset about it.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA:
(solemnly) Though now that I know, it is quite disturbing.
(*She closes her eyes, falling quiet.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Do you want to get it back?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: I suppose so. But even more than that...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: I want to know why it happened.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Oh, really? Huh...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: Something extraordinary must have happened for us to completely lose our memories.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4475985/Rena_portrait.png)
RENA: I just hope it's not something we'll regret learning.
(*Her fears made known, the scene ends.*)
// The game normally interrupts with a tutorial regarding Talent Points here, (basically relationship points), but there's a better time for those in the next update. //
VIDEO: Goodnight, Restless Thoughts
MUSIC: Blue Reflection Theme - Sleep Jingle
(*The girls prepare to sleep, Yuki and Kokoro walking off together...*)
(*... Rena stretches while Ao idly looks around. From there, we fade to black.*)
// What plays here is a short few notes of the main Blue Reflection piano theme, a musical motif that shows up often. This clip is the same section from the actual piano solo of it as the clip the game uses is hidden deep in the files somewhere. //
// This scene will play every time we go to sleep in the future, although it does get a number of changes as the story goes on. //
*Bedsheet rustle*
MUSIC: A Glum Face on the Water
(*We find Ao lying down in her bed, staring at the ceiling, wide awake.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Kokoro Utsubo.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Rena Miyauchi.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Yuki Kinjou.)
(*She turns on her side.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Has it already been three days since we met?)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Just what is this world, anyway?)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (It could just be a particularly long dream.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (It could be a prank that's gone on a little too long. I could still laugh this all off I think.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Or maybe... This is the afterlife? No, no way!)
(*Her brief shock fades back into a troubled expression...*)
(*The view slowly pulls away as she faces the wall in the darkness.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Mom... Dad... Are you worried about me?)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (I bet my professor's mad I never made it to class...)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: *Sniff*
(*We cut to see the other three girls, all of them awake as well. Rena closes her eyes while Kokoro and Yuki look towards Ao, their expressions suggesting they heard that sniffle. *)
(*Time passes, with our view returning on that of the night sky outside.*)
*Rustle*
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Ugh, no way I'm getting back to sleep now. Maybe I'll go up to the roof.)
MUSIC: Thorns That Still Sting
(*From there we find Ao at top of the school. From here, we can see there truly is nothing but water in all directions.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Phew...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Totally surrounded by water.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Just the four of us.
(*She looks out to the starry sky above the Faraway's entrance.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: And everyone but me has lost their memory...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Not to mention that we don't understand a thing about the Faraway...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Just that we fight demons using weapons that come out of these rings we all have.
(*Our view moves to her hand, centering on the ring.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO:
(yelling) Ugh, I just don’t understand! What is this place?!
*Phone notification*
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Hmm? My FreeSpace?
FreeSpace: Idle Idols wrote:
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: Where'd you go, Ao? The bathroom?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Way up high
1
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468440/Yuki_portrait.png)
YUKI: ???
// Alternate response: "Look up" //
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Haha.
(*She laughs for a moment, but her smile quickly fades.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: FreeSpace, huh...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (I'd never heard of any app called "FreeSpace" until I came here.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (I remember dropping my phone on the way to summer classes...)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (When I found it, this app was on it. And then...)
FreeSpace: ??? wrote:
![Image](http://lpix.org/4475964/FreeSpace.png)
UNKNOWN: Be Reborn
(*The profile picture is just a default cartoon silhouette of a person.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (This message was on the screen.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (And I couldn't use any of my apps other than FreeSpace.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (Is this how I was sent to this world?)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: (If that's the case, whoever put FreeSpace on my phone is the one who brought me here.)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Hmmmm...
(*The music grows silent as an unknown figure approaches with quiet footsteps.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4476004/YuzukiShadow.png)
UNKNOWN: You...
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Aah! Who's there?!
(*Ao recoils and quickly looks to see...*)
(*...a girl with blonde, braided pigtails looking at her, arms crossed.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4476001/Yuko_portrait2.png)
UNKNOWN:
(angrily) Who are you? Why are you here?
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Huh...?
MUSIC: A Glum Face on the Water
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Who are you? Why are you here?
(*We fade from white to a view of the school's courtyard entrance in daytime.*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I wonder how many people can answer that question with confidence.
(*A view of the front gate, cast in shadow...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be somebody. Somebody special.
(*Sunflowers in the planter, surrounding the railway's staircase...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I was just a lost girl, looking for her way home.
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: I found the "special" that I had been looking for.
(*Obscured shots of various figures cut by, some of them familiar, most of them not.*)
(*Ao stands alone, looking-- *)
(*-- all of her friends-- *)
(* --up to the sky above the Faraway...*)
![Image](https://lpix.org/4468429/Ao_portrait.png)
AO: It was the beginning of a long, long summer.
BLUE REFLECTION 帝
-Second Light-
*Cicada chirping*
// The energetic Yuki, a strange text message, and an enigmatic girl with braided pigtails. There's power here, cell reception seemingly to just each other, and Ao seems to be the only one who remembers anything of who she is. Any time we get an answer, we end up with more questions. The only thing I can say is that we're halfway through the prologue, and one step closer to picking away at the mystery. //
// Ao mentions her professor, which does bring up the fact that she is a college student and not a high schooler. It's hard to say specifically if this is exclusively a change made in localization though. It's a topic that doesn't get brought up often in-game, but a later conversation uses 学"生" ("gakusei") to refer to them which is usually used for university students but rarely just means students generically (the localization uses "college students" there, of course).
The age of the characters isn't ever directly stated, and we really only have things we learn from their backstory and small amounts of later dialogue to go off of. Is this particularly important? Not really.
We at least learned that Ao has parents, therefore setting her apart from most JRPG protagonists
//
// Interestingly, there seems to be a cut portion of events where Ao goes and collects the grass where you'd go and get a specific color depending on one of the girls tastes. Red grass would have played out the same for Yuki, Pink is sweet and matches Kokoro's tastes, and Yellow is sour matching Rena's tastes. Notably, the sour one goes poorly, but everyone acknowledges that Rena just wanted something to lighten everyone's fatigue. //
// As a final note, Yuki never uses any honorific for any of the girls in the group, even Rena. Rena still uses the same "Kinjou-san" as usual for her, Ao uses no honorific, and Kokoro the usual "-chan". //
-------------------------
Journal: Dinnertime wrote:
We got the food! Now that we're all set, let's get cooking! I've never really cooked before, though...
Oh well, it'll be fine! We'll figure it out together!
Journal: Reflections wrote:
It looks like no one remembers anything from before they came here. But I think they're probably from another world, just like me. There's still so many things we have to figure out.
The more I think about it, the harder it is to fall asleep... Maybe I should try and talk to the others.