A few hours had passed since Yosuke left New Eden, and Yui had finally begun transcribing her findings from the photo into her journal, the Conductors’ Omnibus. It needed a new name, she thought. Of course, if she were to do that, she would likely have to get a separate journal. The Forte’s Omnibus? No, too forward. She was getting distracted, and shaking her head, she resumed her writing. She realized all too late that there was knocking at the door, muttering to herself but managing to finally let out a simple “Come in” before resuming her task.

Yui: …wished for some friends. Specifically, “I don’t want to be alone anymore.” …A lot of potential… blanket aura over Kamihama… drawn towards Kiwako… fast friends… Yo, what’s up, Alice?

Alice: Hey. Finally picking up that journaling habit?

Yui: More like picking an old one back up. (She continued writing in her journal) New relevant info just dropped.

Alice: Relevant info? As in another Conductor we didn’t know about, or…?

Yui: A certain mentor sent to us by an old Conductor, more like. 

Alice: (she clears her throat) … You’re being all cryptic again.

Yui: …Shit. Sorry, right. Basically, I got info on Kiwako Kobayashi. Like, all of it. Her entire life history.

Alice: Oh, the twerp? We’re… counting her as a Conductor now?

Yui: By proxy to the Oracle, yeah. But then again, it’s just way too interesting when someone’s been around as long as Kiwa has.

Alice: … Interesting, but — I mean, is this like the whole thing with your dad’s bodyguard, or… (she sighs) I guess — I dunno — do you think she’s a threat or anything?

Yui: Not anymore, no. Still, Oracle sent her to us. I got every right to do my homework, right?

Alice: Sure, I’m just… I’m pretty sure you didn’t pull this intel off of Kazoo. I… (she pinches the bridge of her nose) Sorry, I mean — Cecilia sent her over here to help us with the Venefica in Puella thing, right? There’s easier ways if she wanted to spy on us, no? And… I mean, can you even blame her? She’s… kinda just doing what we wanna do, and… I guess digging up dirt is kind of a prerequisite for that.

Yui: …I don’t blame her for the training, per se. It’s… it’s how manipulative Cecilia was about everything. Keeping us in the dark, expecting us to just dance to her song without a question… And sending that brat with like a minute of heads-up to keep her vision. If she’d just… been up front with us, we could’ve handled it together. And maybe… (Yui was visibly trying to keep herself together with every ounce of internal fortitude)

Alice: That’s… (she wants to say something, but realizes now is not the time to do so) … a bit of a stretch, isn’t it? Cecilia is as much to blame for what happened to Mei as you are, or I am, or… Of course, there are things we could have done, and then maybe… But in the end, she’s gone because people came here to kill her. Were sent here. They’re the only ones you can blame, or else… Where does it end?

Yui: (She’s quiet for what feels like an eternity, responding with as much composure as she can muster.) …Grief doesn’t comprehend logic, Alice. If it did, Witches would be solved by talking, instead of fighting.

Alice: You’re right. I can’t reason you out of grieving. I shouldn’t… But won’t you do the same thing, then?

Yui: …I’m trying. But Sabrina speaks exactly one language, and I can’t find someone fluent enough to kick her ass. …To kick my ass. I need logic beaten into me. Literally.

Alice: You’re… (she can’t help but chuckle, albeit affectionately rather than mockingly) That’s very you… But if you’re looking for someone to wanna kick your ass, I’d say keep doing whatever you’re doing. Sorry.

Yui: (Yui can’t help a sad little chuckle of her own.) …Is it stupid to apologize, even though I’m staying the course ‘til someone can beat it into me? ‘Cause I don’t like puttin’ you through this.

Alice: Nah. I know I don’t have to worry now. Not really. I know you’ll be alright.

Yui: …I know. Wish I could see it, but… heh. Guess you’ve always been the brains of our operation. (She gives Alice a little smile, not quite reassuring, but still honest) …Thanks, Alice. And sorry again for all this. Gonna be a rough ride down, I’ll try to not be a pain in your ass about it so much.

Alice: When you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way is up.