Endless Flight
After morning training, Petra insisted the weather was too nice to stay inside, so she dragged me out for a walk through NOA's streets.
Huh? Look over there, Captain!
Don't you think that gunpowder looks perfect for my new prototype?
Prototype?
Don't you remember? It's the one I told you about! The rocky mountain-class area bomb!
Anyway, let's go take a look!
Wow! So many cute materials ♪ Cute things with a cute Petra! Careful not to fall for me again, Captain!
Then again, you probably will!
Feel free to browse. Everything here is top quality.
Hmm? That symbol on your outfit...
...Are you from Petra Construction...?
Oh? Since when did we get so famous?
Well, I guess it'd be weird if Petra's beauty didn't make headlines!
...I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to leave.
Oh please, no need for any special serv—
...H-huh? Did you just ask us to leave?
Yes. I don't sell to your kind. Please go.
W-what?! You can't just do that! Wait, hold on!
I'm sorry.
What the heck was that about?! Why won't they sell to us?!
Isn't that, like, discrimination?! A hate crime?!
Well, it's not a crime...
Why's Petra Construction's reputation this bad all of a sudden?
At some point, people's attitude toward Petra Construction had turned cold.
Oh, come to think of it, even back then...
Oh... well, if she's been sick, I guess there's no helping it... I guess you don't offer refunds?
Just... Just finish it as soon as you can, please. The bombs make me nervous...
Mm... So you're worried that Petra Construction's reputation tanked all of the sudden...
Then we just have to fix it! That's totally Petra's specialty!
Hi everyone ♪ It's Petra Construction! Nice to meet you ♡
We'll be cleaning the streets today, so watch us shine ♡ Though honestly, we'll look adorable either way!
Nyahaha! Petra Construction is the kind of company that volunteers for city cleanup! Pretty impressive, right? Hope everyone sees how good we are!
Cleanup...? By that infamous Petra Construction?
I don't buy it. They're probably scheming something again.
W-wait... What if they're pretending to clean while planting bombs?!
W-what?! Then we'd better chase them out!
Get out of here, you thugs!
Whoosh!
The crowd started shouting and throwing things in our direction.
H-hey, hold on!
Whoosh!
Whoa! That was a close one...! F-fine! We're leaving, okay?!
L-let's get out of here, Captain!
N-nyahaha... Okay, that plan flopped...!
But it's fine ♪ There's always next time! Guess today just wasn't our lucky day!
Anyway, we've still got our nice cozy office—
...H-huh...?
What's... going on here...?
Tanya was bracing both arms against Petra Construction's office door...
BANG BANG BANG!!
O-open up!
We're sorry! Just let us out!
The door rattled violently, followed by desperate voices crying out from the other side...
I don't know about refunds. But she said no.
So deal with it. Mm.
Don't make me laugh―!!
We told you—no refunds! You're staying till you remember that!
...And next to her, an agitated Marcille was yelling in agreement.
...What in the world am I looking at...?
So... you're saying all of those people came for refunds? Even the ones whose jobs aren't done yet?!
Yeah. They were getting aggressive, so we had no choice. Locked them in for now as a temporary measure.
Marcille, you said it wasn't locking them in.
There's no space inside, so we'll stay out. As for those guys...
They might be rude, but they're still clients, so we can't make them wait outside, right?
So, Tanya! Hold this door shut so no one can leave!
What? We're not locking them in! We're giving them the VIP treatment, got it? Mm.
...Wow. That's one way to rationalize it...
...Anyway!
Even if we wanted to refund them, we can't. The money's already, well, spent.
Actually, I do know about refunds. I just pretended I didn't.
Pretend you don't know when you're in trouble. Petra taught me that. Mm.
Anyway, that's how it happened.
Mmm...
Mm... So that's the situation?
...Okay, I got it.
Petra?
Well, no point dragging it out. Let's just refund them!
What?! If we refund everyone, we'll—!
We'll have no money for fried food. Mm.
Still! If they all came demanding refunds. What if we don't and they force their way in one day?
Petra hates getting hurt! Better to pay up and stay safe.
As for the money... Well... I'll figure something out.
You're broke half the time! How are you gonna manage that?!
Don't worry, don't worry! Petra's been saving! Just a little, but still ♪
I might have to live on air for a while, but the Journey support money should help me stay afloat.
Plus, Petra's the cutest CEO in town! Things will work out somehow ♡
Hey... Don't you think you're pushing yourself too hard?
...I'll pitch in too. And if it gets rough, just ask me for help...
Don't eat grass. If you're hungry, I'll fry you something. Yeah.
I'll help however I can, too.
Nyahaha, even you, Captain? Don't worry, you guys, Petra's fine! I can tough this out!
After reassuring her employees, Petra dove right back into training, vowing she'd pass the Journey no matter what.
And a few days later—
One, two...
...
...N-nyahaha... guess this'll have to cover this month...
That's... all you have left for yourself...?
Ahh... You probably don't know, but running a company means a lot of expenses!
Especially this month, what with all those refunds... Without your help, I couldn't even have paid my employees. Thanks for that, by the way!
But even if you that covers this month...
What will you do next month? Or the month after that?
Well, it'll be tight... but I can still cover payroll till next month. That's what matters.
As for the rest... maybe I can get by on sheer cuteness?
Anyway, let's go inside and figure it out...
...Huh? Why's the office door open?
Staying here won't help anyone. She'll just drag you down with her.
...! Th-that voice...! I-is that my old boss...?
...
...Are you okay, Petra...?
Petra...?
...Oh, yeah! C'mon, Captain! Let's hide for now!
I worked with her before, so take my word for it. That girl's always been obsessed with explosives. She'll end up blowing up everything and everyone close to her.
Stick around Petra long enough, and you'll get caught in the blast. You've already seen the damage she's done to your reputation. Isn't that proof enough?
Leaving her might be cowardly, but it's the smart move.
...Anyway, it's your choice. Think about it.
...
Petra stood frozen as she watched her former boss leave, her face shadowed with guilt.
...
...
She was probably afraid to hear how Tanya and Marcel would respond.
...What did that old geezer babbling on about?
No idea. He talked and left. Mm.
That smug idiot's supposed to be the manager at Kemet Industries? Guess they'll hire anyone these days.
Kemet's the rival. Rivals must be crushed. Mm.
...!
Anyway, we can't sit around forever. Since there's no work, how about some PR?
PR?
We'll get people to see us in a better light. We'll appeal to the masses and boost our public image!
Appeal... Like saying "Captain ♡"
Captain ♡...? What's that?
That weird thing Petra always practices. Mm.
...That's not what I meant! Anyway, if you ever don't get your full pay or get shorted—
Tell me, not Petra. I can cover a bit, at least.
That fool always tries to handle everything herself. It's annoying.
I only need enough money for fried food.
Petra always says she's broke and eats grass. So sad. Mm.
...
...You've got some loyal employees, Petra.
...Those dummies...
I'm not happy, not one bit... What is this...?
...
Petra stood at the half-open door for a long moment, then finally pushed it wide open.
Petra Construction, attention!
I've got an important announcement to make on this fine payday ♡
...?
Remember how you said you'd help Petra when things got tough?
Well, things are really tough now, so... I've decided. I can't keep the company running anymore ♪
So, Petra Construction is officially closing today! Thanks for all your hard work ♡