Ao no Kiseki Drama CD: Road to the Future

Note: Taken from the Crossbell Archives. This is a summary of the drama CD that serves to fill in the blank period between Zero no Kiseki and Ao no Kiseki. I highly recommend reading this to understand what each of the SSS members are up to before the start of Ao.

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>> Special Support Section Structural Strengthening

At the SSS building entrance, Lloyd and the others see off KeA who is attending her first day of Sunday school. In contrast to KeA who is filled with excitement, Lloyd and Elie feel nervous, like parents worrying about their child. Beside them and making fun of two are Randy and Tio. After the settlement of the D∴G Cult incident, bright and peaceful days gradually return to the SSS. And today, the members of the SSS have received an invitation from Dieter, the new Crossbell mayor.

Remaining clueless to the reason behind the invitation, the group visits the Mayor's office to find both Dudley and Mariabell also present. As Lloyd becomes more confused, Dieter quickly starts to tell the group why he called them there. "After the Cult incident, Crossbell remains in a state of instability, and we cannot exclude the possibility of political intervention by the Erebonia Empire or Calvard Republic. Therefore, in order to display to the other countries that we have the ability to self-govern and self-defend, there is a need for structural strengthening of the SSS." -- apparently that is Dieter's consideration.

How does the strengthening of the SSS become the measure to protecting against the two big countries' intervention? Lloyd and the others find it strange, however Dieter has his own ideas. The SSS is the central force behind the settlement of the Cult incident and they belong to the Crossbell Police. In other words, "the SSS symbolizes Crossbell's self-governance initiated by Crossbell itself."

Afterwards, two concrete plans are presented to the group for the SSS structural strengthening. First, Dudley brings up "training at the First Investigation Unit" to Lloyd. Then, Mariabell proposes to Elie about "accompanying chairman MacDowell on his tour of the neighboring countries while strengthening connections with them." Being too important of a topic, Lloyd and the others are troubled. They avoid answering on the spot and decide to carefully think it over after they get home.

That night, while at the lively dinner table, both Lloyd and Elie are absent-minded. Thinking that the two may accidentally start breaking plates in their condition, Randy and the others volunteer to clean up after dinner. This is their show of concern so that the two can talk alone. Just like in the past when they reached an impasse in their investigation, Lloyd and Elie goes up to the SSS building's roof to have a talk.

Elie tells Lloyd that in this past half year "she keenly felt her inexperience during missions." She adds, "In order to overcome the 'barrier' that will stand in our way in the future, we need more power." She has made the firm decision to accompany her grandfather on his tour of neighboring countries. On the other hand, Lloyd is still deeply troubled. The First Investigation Unit which his brother used to be a part of has always been Lloyd's dream workplace. He also believes that, similar to Elie, he needs to gain the power to be able to stand up to any 'barrier'. However, when he thinks of his comrades, he can't get rid of the wavering in his heart.

>> What One Can Do Now

The SSS members welcome Elie's decision, and they decide to go on a picnic in order to create some nice memories before they separate. On their next day off, they head for Armorica village's camping site.

After they arrive, they begin by doing a little fishing at the brook since KeA seems to show an interest in it. Both Lloyd and Elie have fishing experience and successfully reeled in some fish, however, the person who reeled in the biggest one was KeA who only started fishing for the first time today. After they're done with fishing, they enjoy their lunch boxes.

While they eat, the topic of Lloyd's marriage partner is brought up. KeA declares, "I want to be Lloyd's bride," to which Elie and the others try desperately to dissuade her. "Whatever did I do...," Lloyd says as he becomes depressed from all their verbal attacks.

After their meal, Lloyd cuts into the main topic in front of everyone. Even though he feels grateful that Dieter thinks highly of the SSS, the Cult incident wasn't settled by their power alone. It was exactly because they had backup from the Crossbell Guardian Force and Bracer Guild that they were able to move freely. This is something keenly felt by all those present back then. If another incident of the same scale were to happen again, the SSS might lack the power to do anything without the aid of the Guardian Force and the bracers. But even if that is the case, they have to protect Crossbell and the people important to them. Lloyd seeks the power for that purpose and so decides to go train for a while at the First Investigation Unit. Lloyd tells them, "I wish for each of us to do whatever we can now," words which resonate strongly with Randy and Tio.

A few days later, Tio goes to visit Epstein Foundation's Chief Roberts by herself. He acts all merry at her arrival, but Tio ignores him since she has come to discuss an important matter. When Roberts finally calms down after a scolding from Tio, she tells him, "I want to go back to the Foundation headquarters temporarily." It is her intention to use this opportunity to not only report on the performance of the orbal staff during the Cult incident, but also find ways to enhance her Eion system and orbal staff.

Of course, returning to the Foundation headquarters means that she'll be leaving the SSS for a while. It may even take more than a few months. Despite that, Lloyd's words a few days ago encourages her.

Meanwhile, Randy meets Mireille inside a bar in Crossbell City. Looking very troubled, she starts to talk about the current condition of the Guardian Force at Bellguard Gate. "Even if they were mentally controlled by Joachim, the Crossbell Guardian Force ended up hurting the citizens they should be protecting. Now that they have lost the citizens' trust, all members are really depressed. I wish for you to come back as their instructor and retrain them," Mireille requests of Randy. Despite being the one who asked, Mireille thinks that most likely Randy will turn her down. She knows just how important of a place the SSS is to Randy, and how he always has these gentle eyes whenever he speaks of them. However, betraying her expectation, Randy nods to her request. Because for Randy as well, Lloyd's words moved his heart.

>> Promise of Reunion

When the group reports to Sergei about their temporary absence from the SSS, he reveals to them, "The mayor has talked to me before about the strengthening of the SSS members."  He smiles and says, "It seems like the SSS will get a lot more interesting from here on out." Afterwards, he agrees to each of their plans and declares a temporary breakup of the SSS.

The day of Elie, Tio, and Randy's departure. Surprisingly, KeA doesn't appear to be all that sad. She smiles brightly and says, "Because I know the three of you will return." Even though KeA isn't crying, both Elie and Tio burst out in tears and hug KeA in turn. Randy pats KeA on the head while being sad of this temporary separation.

KeA suggests to everyone, "Let's cast a charm so that we can reunite!" They form a circle, overlap their right hands, pat the shoulder of the person on their left while saying their name, and then say "See you!" while raising their hand. This is not a "Goodbye", but a "See you again." They carve this feeling deep in their hearts, and then depart with a smile on their faces.

Later, Lloyd, who has come to the First Investigation Unit under Dudley's guidance, thinks of his friends. Even if they are far apart, their hearts and wishes are one. He strongly believes that they will once again reunite in the name of the SSS.

<FIN>