Freedom VI

Yumi had no idea what truly lay behind Aoi's gentle smile and calm demeanor. The girl had always seemed like someone unaffected by the violence and conflict surrounding them. Yet, as Aoi approached, now just a few steps from where Yumi stood, there was something different in her posture—something that pressed down on the atmosphere between them.

"I understand what you all are doing, all the reforms," Aoi began, her voice still soft, but there was a firmness behind every word. "You're pushing for industrial revolutions, governmental changes, all to advance humanity. So that we can go home faster, right? But... I can't forget how cold, how heartless you were, killing our comrades without hesitation. As if they were nothing more than meaningless pawns."