Toto, Missing
It wasn't unusual for Serpang to run late.
But she never skipped training entirely.
That's because even if she overslept, Toto always dragged her here.
But today, no matter how long I waited, neither of them showed up.
So I headed to her room to find her.
She couldn't still be asleep at this hour... right?
Captain!
S-Serpang?
What took you so long?! *Sob*
...Calm down. Where's Toto?
Captain...
Toto's... *Sob* Toto's...!
Toto's gone...!
She said she woke up and Toto was gone, leaving only a note behind.
She handed me the note Toto had left.
...But all I could see were messy bird footprints.
We searched all over, but there was no sign of Toto.
I decided to bring the exhausted, teary Serpang to the playground to help her calm down.
Hic... *Sniff* Ngh...
Shh... it's okay, Serpang.
...Toto left me. Toto's disappointed in me...
It's because I pulled out his feathers... always slept in... and kept whining to clean my room for me...
That's why...! *Sob* That's why Toto left...!
Hngh...! WAAAAAH!
...Toto must've meant a lot to you.
*Sniffle* Yes...
I've... been sickly since I was born.
Daddy said I'd get stronger if I trained hard at the Wind Moon Sect...
But... I had no talent for martial arts, and it was really hard...
All the other kids advanced while I stayed behind...
I started losing friends...
And eventually, I ended up having nothing to do except sleep my days away.
Serpang wiped her tears and looked around.
It was just like this place.
Wind Moon Sect had a place like this.
A place where I could hide away without anyone watching me.
That's where... I met Toto for the first time.
I see...
Yeah. This funny-looking bird waddled in with a huge cloth bundle.
He said he wanted to join the Wind Moon Sect to train.
But struggled because no one could understand what he was saying.
But for some reason, we were able to talk to each other.
Toto's been by my side ever since... and became my friend.
I didn't feel alone anymore, and I could keep up with training a little better.
I thought we'd always be together...
Hngh...!
Toto...
Just then, a bird with a cloth bundle waddled in from the other side of the playground.
It was Toto, back with a load of snacks.
Coo?
...Toto?
Toto! Where were you off to?!
I was crying my eyes out thinking you'd left me...!
Coo, coooo?
What? You brought snacks because I seemed to be having a hard time?
But how? You're broke too!
Cooo, cooo.
...You've been working part-time while I was asleep?
Why don't I know when you wrote it all in the letter?
...
There's no way I could read your bird footprints!!
I mean, I do love snacks, but...
Waaaah... Still, I'm glad you're back!
I love snacks, but you didn't have to get a job just to buy them for me...
...
Coo! Coo!
Huh? You have something to say?
To the Captain...?
Hmm... okay.
I'll interpret, so go ahead.
Cooo!
Greetings, Captain.
This is my first time speaking directly. I appreciate all you've done for my young partner.
I am a divine being, the descendant of the Phoenix.
You may call me Triolana Shirovaien Torgitanus.
...That's your name, Toto?
I once lived deep in the forests of the mountains.
Fruit was plentiful and sunlight was warm.
Like for all divine beings, it was a remote but beautiful place.
But... one day, the servants of the Void came.
I don't know from where. They slipped in like the mold and rot they are.
...And everything burned to ash.
Thankfully, the Saviors of NOA arrived just in time.
They saved my life, but my family's fate is still unknown.
It was painful, but I found a new goal after that.
I wanted to become a Savior, too. To protect others.
But... I was still a young phoenix, small and powerless.
That's when I met her.
You mean Serpang?
Yes. A pure soul, whose affinity is strong enough to communicate with me.
And soon after, she was invited to be a Journey member.
I believed that with her, I could achieve my dream.
So... that's why you signed the invitation.
Coo!
She certainly has her flaws.
She lacks stamina and has no aptitude for martial arts.
But... hidden inside is a brilliance that outshines all those little things.
You already know it too, don't you, Captain?
Mm...
There is a saying among phoenixes.
"An egg contains endless potential."
"If an outside force cracks its shell, the yolk turns into breakfast."
"But if the yolk cracks the shell on its own and comes out, it will fly beyond the stars."
Serpang, we will become the greatest Saviors, able to protect what matters most.
And Captain...
I ask you to wait with patience for the day she cracks her egg on her own.
Just like I did.
...I intended to from the beginning.
Toto...
...Captain.
I like rolling in bed.
I like lying around, snacking, and sipping juice.
I hate trying. I hate training. I hate working hard...
But if it's something Toto wants... I want to be the me Toto wishes for.
So please.
Help Toto and me complete our Journey.
Leave it to me.
That's my job, after all.
Coo!
...Okay.
We're counting on you, Captain.
On the way back, we had some of Serpang's home food called pho.
I don't think I imagined it—our bond really did grow that day.
Training will continue tomorrow, but something tells me it'll feel very different from now on.