Whispers of the Waves

Membership... Appraisal... Hmm, more fancy words....

Guess she's not the type to sit back and relax...

Welcome back, Passenger! Perfect timing! Someone came here looking for you. Said it's something important.

Yes! What a happy occasion!

Thanks to you and Chisa breaking Honami's loop, Shashou Cafe finally has a new visitor. Who knows, this cafe might just hum with life again.

She said she's from the Pioneer Association. She seemed... troubled by a "membership appraisal."

We chatted. She asked about nice spots for pictures. I suggested the fountain.

The cherry blossoms there are in full bloom. They won the vote for... "Honami Crossing's Most Scenic Spot"!

Uh-huh. Whenever that came up, things got a bit heavy…

Too complicated. Not for a capybara like me. It's best you ask her yourself.

The cafe needs me, so I'll leave you to it, Passenger.

(Right. To the fountain it is.)

Maybe if I try a different angle, the photo would look better?

Hey, over here!

Hi, I'm Eri from the Pioneer Association. Finally, we meet!

(A Left Behind, but doesn't seem local. Where did she come from?)

(...Unusual. Better figure out her intentions first.)

Ah, yes! The "Dark Legend of Justice"! Please, I have a request for you!

Of course! I recognized you immediately.

You're the "Mysterious Scissorswoman's" partner. The black-haired hero, Honami's newest urban legend!

It's not just that you're strong enough to fight the TDs. It's why you do it. People can see you're genuinely trying to protect this city.

C'mon, legends need cool titles. It's part of the appeal!

Anyway, the real reason I sought you out is because I need your help with a project. I want to photograph Honami City.

This isn't just for fun. It's for my membership appraisal. I call myself a member of the Pioneer Association, but I'm technically still pending membership review.

I've been a huge fan of Wutherium Geographic magazine since I was a kid. Joining the Pioneer Association as an editor? That's the dream.

But the Editorial Board has a crazy appraisal process. You have to pitch a project that aligns with the Association's mission, pull off a photoshoot, secure approval, and get it published.

I finally chose my theme, but now the streets are blocked, TDs are popping up everywhere, and my Terminal decided to die on me!

I was totally out of options until I started hearing about your heroics... Please, you have to help me! This is my one shot!

Thank you, Dark Legend of Justice! Don't worry, I won't let you work for free!

Let's get started then. Please, take a photo of this fountain at its absolute best.

This place... it used to be so full of life. You could see tired shoppers stopping by, listening to the water, stealing a moment of peace.

Just like Shashou Cafe, this fountain became a landmark in Honami Crossing. It's a memory... the feeling of being perfectly content.

The lighting, the framing, the timing… perfect. Just perfect!

Seeking out your help couldn't have been more right. Thank you! And of course, I have Namipon to thank for introducing us.

Honami's mascot always brings luck. Wherever Namipon goes, good things follow.

So, it's only fitting that our next stop has a whole lot more Namipons!

So, it's only fitting that our next stop has a whole lot more Namipons!

Hello again, Passenger! Hm? Where's the other Passenger?

I see, I see. What a shame. I even had dessert ready for her. More for me, I suppose.

This is the reward she promised. She left it in my care for you.

Y'know, when she first wandered in here, she put on a cheerful face. But I could feel the weight on her.

On your little adventure together, did she get any happier?

Wonderful! After all, making sure Honami's people are happy is one of my duties, you know!