The place at the bottom of the ramp was nothing like <AO>. The scent, the air, everything that touched my skin layered upon itself, enshrouding the space in an unfamiliar density. A cloying sweetness lingered on the damp wind, tangled with the dust it carried. The buildings in the distance all appeared crooked, as if their very asymmetry was the only thing maintaining their precarious balance.

And then, the sound.

I didn’t need to strain to hear it—sound emerged from every corner of the scene before me. Rhythms pulsed through the earth, melodies stirred the air, and from somewhere afar, it all reached my skin. Vibrating strings, pounding beats, human-crafted harmonies layered upon each other. Sound. Music. Song.

"How could I have forgotten?"

That faint discomfort I’d felt in AO—there had been no music there. That alone might have been bearable. But why couldn’t I remember? As I faced that question, the unease I felt when stepping onto the grass seemed to return with vivid clarity. It wasn’t merely that the songs were absent—it was the concept of song itself that had been erased. Not only from the city, but from my own thoughts, my memory.

"Is something like that even possible...?"

I muttered, but this was a city that could summon people from the "outside world." I knew firsthand how advanced AO truly was. Still, who did it—and for what reason? There were too few clues, but my thoughts inevitably drifted toward that person. Before I realized it, my right hand was stroking the <Being> wrapped around my left wrist. Its milky-white, strange texture soothed me for some reason. It’s okay, I told myself. I just have to find Rio again and ask him. He’ll give me a real answer.

When I looked up with that resolve, the people who had come with me on the <ARK> were gone. I turned around and saw the hull, heavily tilted where it had come to rest on the water. As I approached, even my untrained eyes could see the scars of repeated repairs, dents from impacts, and gaping absences where essential parts must have once been. To think this thing had actually flown here—even if the distance hadn’t been great, a chill ran down my spine at the realization.

"What are you doing?"

A voice startled me. It came from the seemingly empty ARK. A small girl emerged from the shadows within, her eyes brimming with curiosity as she looked at me. Around her neck shone a necklace, similar to the one Noah wore.

"You came on the ARK, didn’t you? If you wander off alone, you’ll get lost."

"Ah, thank you..."

Before I could say more, the girl abruptly took my hand.

"I’m Shuka. Come on, let’s go!"

Go where? Why am I even here? Ignoring my confusion, Shuka tugged me forward and began to run. I nearly tripped multiple times, the rough ground jarring beneath my feet, her sweat-damp grip radiating warmth through our joined hands.

＊

People sang. Those who didn’t sing played instruments. Those with nothing beat their hands against the red earth. It wasn’t just a flood of sound—it was a torrent. One person would strike a beat, another would answer with melody. Voices in unison would branch into harmony, shift keys, and vanish. Then a new strain would emerge, only to dissolve again—an endless cycle. I could barely keep my wits from being swept away in the rush.

What had looked like an island from above was, in truth, a narrow sandbank wedged between two rivers. The building Shuka brought me to seemed once a nondescript office tower like those in AO, but through erratic additions and chaotic renovations, it now resembled a towering tropical tree. Inside, the birth and death of sound unfolded everywhere at once, at dizzying speed. Shuka had already vanished into the crowd. Stretching to see, I spotted Noah beyond the masses, at the epicenter of the commotion. Beside her were the same two women I had seen on the ARK’s stage. When her eyes briefly met mine, I felt myself snap back into reality.

Had I made a terrible mistake?

Rio had warned me—through the Cherubim. 

“Formentor”—I still didn’t know what that word meant, but the people before me might well be fugitives. As panic began to grip me, I clutched at my arm, seeking reassurance. The <Being> responded with its usual calming haptics.

Right. Rio had told me—even if I couldn’t reach him directly, if there was even a single Cherubim nearby, the Being could interface with it. At the very least, it might transmit my location. I was so lost in thought, I didn’t notice the figure striding toward me.Before I could react, Noah seized my left wrist and raised it high.

"Don't wear that here."

Her grip tightened. The milky-white surface of the Being began to discolor, blotching like bruised flesh. It didn’t hurt thanks to its elasticity, but she was clearly exerting great force. As I twisted to break free, a sharp crack rang out—the Being had fractured.

"Ouch—"

Pain stabbed through me. The Being shattered and scattered to the ground. Everyone fell silent. Even the music ceased. Noah curled her lips into a smirk and declared:

"I always choose for myself."

Though broken, the Being emitted intermittent beeps—until Noah crushed a shard underfoot. Silence followed.

"What are you doing?!"

I shouted, louder than I expected. It was enough to briefly quiet even the chaotic crowd.

"What? I just set you free. Are you mad?"

Noah blinked at me, feigning innocence. Her expression only fueled my anger.

"Yes, I’m mad! That’s not freedom—that’s just selfishness!"

It wasn’t just a device. Maybe to the people of AO it was just a free-issued terminal—but to me, it was proof. Proof that I had been accepted by Rio. By AO. I remembered what Rio had said: Do not infringe on the freedom of others. I hadn’t understood it then. But now, stepping outside AO, I did.

"It’s yours, huh? Did you really choose to wear it yourself?"

"...I..."

I couldn’t say yes. It had been on my wrist when I woke up in the <Nexus>... But that doesn’t justify smashing it.

"Someone somewhere put it on me. Then I can take it off. Simple."

She smiled, triumphant. But don’t misunderstand—I was silent not because I’d lost the argument. Her logic was absurd. I wanted to protest, but rage had robbed me of words.

"That’s why you get controlled by things like Beings."

"Controlled? I’m not controlled by anything!"

But even as I spoke, doubt bloomed within me. Controlled—by a Being?

"Right. So then you came here of your own will? You chose to come to this island?"

"Uh..."

I started to regret arguing with her. She had a way of piercing right to the part of me I least wanted touched. That impulsive moment when I followed—was it truly my decision? And her singing... had reminded me of music. What kind of power was that?

As I struggled to make sense of it, Noah spoke up, exasperated.

"I don’t get it. So what, someone else brought her here?"

She looked around. Everyone shook their heads. Was this just because she didn’t like being talked back to?

Then I remembered—Rio had asked me to find Noah. That was why I came. So it wasn’t my decision? But I wanted to respond to him. That counts for something, doesn’t it?

Wait. Isn’t she shifting the argument?

Anyway, the Being isn’t just a device. It’s different. Mine is...

"Different. I came because of Rio—"

The words slipped out, and all conversation stopped. Every eye turned toward me.

"Oh? Because of Rio, huh..."

Noah didn’t yell. She merely muttered it like a reflection, then abruptly leaned in. Wrapped in dark clothing, she looked far smaller than she had on the stage. The divinity I’d sensed before was gone; up close, she was simply a brusque, arrogant girl. But her eyes still burned with a piercing light. Noah’s gaze didn’t allow me to look away.

"Wait..."

My frightened face reflected in the black choker at her throat. I forced the words out.

"Wait. That’s not what I meant—"

"Hey!"

Noah turned back to the crowd.My strength gave out all at once, and I collapsed to the ground.

"This girl needs a place to stay! Anyone know where she can sleep?"

"Wait—I haven’t said I’m staying—"

But I was surrounded by water. Leaving wasn’t so simple. And she knew it.

"Hey, someone! Wasn’t there space in sector β?"

Had she already lost interest in me?That’s true—after all, so many people came here, drawn by Noah.

"I told you before we left, Noah—this <Island> is full."

The large man standing nearby sighed.

"β just got filled, too. There’s no room."

"Really? Well... the island is small."

Noah said it with infuriating nonchalance.

"That's not the point, Noah. What are we supposed to do with her?"

The man scratched his head, clearly unsure. I looked to him for help—he seemed more reasonable than Noah. But before he could speak, she snapped:

"I sang because I wanted to. If people want to follow, fine. No one forced anyone. Everyone should just do what they want."

"Even so..."

"So whatever happens after—that’s not my problem."

With that, she turned and walked away. The man shrugged. She’d beckoned, yes—but what came after was none of her concern. Irresponsible. Where was I supposed to sleep? What would I eat?

"Wait—what am I supposed to do...?"

In AO, I never had to choose. I knew that was a naive and self-indulgent thought—but still, all I could do was plead. Then Noah, halting in her tracks, called out to the crowd.

"Shuka! Hey, Shuka, you here?"

The little girl emerged from the crowd like a startled animal. Noah spoke casually:

"Let this girl stay with you tonight."

Shuka nodded silently.

"But why, Noah?"

"She’s just kind of weird."

At least I’d found a bed for the night. But what was I supposed to do after that? The music had resumed. I had a feeling it would continue until dawn. Fevered and overwhelmed, I could only listen.