She quickly replaced the old battery in the camera, and the old machine in her hand started running again.
Chiba skillfully opened the corresponding menu bar, and the only video in the camera was still well saved. She put on her headphones, pressed play, and looked at her young self in the picture, with a slightly embarrassed smile unconsciously appearing on her face.
Chiba leaned against the fence and stared at the screen. She always thought that she remembered many things from that year very clearly, but when those vivid details were presented to her again, she found that many of the scenes were unfamiliar to her... It seemed that only by facing the recorded past head-on Only then can people suddenly become aware of subtle changes in themselves.
Near the end, little Chiba looked at herself outside the camera and murmured, "Will you come?" Chiba tapped the screen with her thumb, and the corners of her mouth sank slightly.
Little Chiba jumped off the high stool holding the camera. She placed the camera on another table, adjusted the angle for a while, and then quickly walked to an old record player. Little Chiba put down the stylus, and the black film Start spinning. Immediately afterwards, the gentle drum beat and familiar piano intro entered Chiba's mind again.
"You will find me"
"In a dreamy ocean"
"I heard her voice"
"She laughed..."
Chiba closed his eyes and sighed softly, then unplugged the headphones.
The camera began to broadcast with total loss of sound quality.
"I will believe your words"
"Just like a good friend would do—"
She grabbed the camera's hanging cord and rotated it a few times on her fingertips. Just as she was about to let it go, a young female voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Hello!"
Chiba turned around and saw a soldier standing not far from her.
"There are trash cans on the ship specifically for the disposal of electronic waste," the soldier said loudly, "Please cherish the marine environment and do not create marine garbage!"
Chiba breathed out, and the camera in her hand turned one last circle, and was firmly grasped in her palm.
"...You're right," Chiba smiled, "I didn't think about it."
"Thank you for your cooperation," the soldier also smiled, "If you need it, I can help you deal with this thing you don't want anymore——"
"No need." Chiba put away the camera and left the deck briskly. The soldiers stood there and looked back. Chiba even hummed a song as he walked away.
The soldier was a little confused - what was this man...doing?
…
Twelve days later, the cruiser entered the northern port of District 14.
Hesta no longer needed a wheelchair. She carried a pair of crutches and slowly followed the crowd off the boat.
Rico had already left an hour ago, and this parting came so suddenly that he didn't even have time to say goodbye. The two simply said "take care" briefly, and Hesta watched her leave from the deck.
At this moment, Chiba was carrying Hesta's accordion and carrying her suitcase, waiting for her at the end of the stairs.
"What's wrong? You look a little down?"
"...I just thought I could stay with Rico one more night tonight."
"There is nothing we can do," Chiba said without looking back. "The situation in District 14 is a bit complicated now. It will be more convenient for her to leave early for the procedures."
"complex?"
"The Fourteenth District Government may take over the AHgAs organization in this area completely. All the mercury needles in this area will be separated from the mercury needles in other areas and will no longer accept the transfer, appointment and supervision of the headquarters... In short , next, they will completely become part of the military agencies under the government army."
Hesta chewed in confusion. She vaguely felt that this was an extremely unusual signal, but what it meant she could not quickly figure out.
"But you don't have to worry. Your next identity is not Mercury Needle. You are a medical soldier who once participated in civilian rescue at the Mercury Needle work station - just an ordinary person," Chiba spoke quickly, "You retired due to injury last year. , according to the rights of retired military personnel, you will return to a livable place and continue your studies."
"my name is?"
"That's your own name," Chiba turned around, "or would you rather use a fake name?"
Hesta immediately shook his head, "...my own name is very good."
The two entered the Mercury Needle Apartment near the port together. Chiba had already completed the check-in procedures. After signing, Hesta quickly followed her up the elevator.
In the elevator, Chiba handed over a business card, "Remember this person's information."
Hesta took it and looked at it. The words "Yu Xuekun" were written on it, and underneath was the person's number, email and office address.
"This person is a clerk at the Orange Town Work Station and is also a friend of mine. Contact her when you arrive in Kirisatsuhara, and she will help you complete the next cross-district procedures. In the future, you can handle any problems you encounter in your daily life. Contact her, she knows your identity." Chiba paused briefly, "Any question is ok, she will help you completely from your perspective."
Hesta raised her head, "Where will Miss Chiba go next?"
"I will disappear for a while." Chiba replied, "If you have anything that you need to contact me about, convey it to her first. I may not be able to reply to you when."
"Is it also related to the personnel changes in District 14?"
"Aha," the elevator door opened and Chiba took the first step, "There is nothing that has nothing to do with it right now..."
…
In the evening, Chiba left the apartment. She personally took Hesta's accordion and all the important luggage to Kirimatsuhara. After that, Hesta only needed to find the clerk named Yu Xuekun to retrieve everything... This made Her suitcase has become much more streamlined.
This night, Hesta went out for a stroll with a little cash. The night in this port town had fireworks that she had not expected. The streets were filled with square tables, many people sat around drinking, and more people danced happily in the square. Hesta passed them to the sea.
She piled two crutches beside her and sat alone on a stone pier by the water. This is the other end of the town. The pier is dilapidated and only a few small boats are rising and falling in the gentle waves. The sea breeze blew by, and Hesta felt extremely comfortable.
"Girl! Are you taking a boat?" A voice came from behind Hesta. Hesta couldn't understand what she was saying and just looked back at the person.
"The last trip today, to Vyborg!"
Hesta was still puzzled. The visitor finally realized that she was a foreigner in front of her, but she did not give up and continued to gesticulate with Hesta.
"Vyborg! Have you heard of it? It used to be called Vilyuchinsky Wasteland. In the past two years, it has been moved to a livable area. What a beautiful scenery! So cheap!"
This time, Hesta's eyes brightened slightly, "...Vilyuchinsky? You mean Veluchinsky?"
(End of chapter)
