For Rest

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"The past should remain in the past..."

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Previous	Second Quest
Next	New Flavor
For Rest
Event Start	March 13th, 2025 end of maintenance (15:00) (UTC+9)
Event End	March 27th, 2025 5:00 (UTC+9)
Soundtrack(s)	FOR REST
Sources
Twitter Official site

For Rest is the 51st story event in Goddess of Victory: Nikke.

The event centers around Trina and Liter, and their recollections of the past as the Ark enters "spring" once more.

Synopsis

A new spring has begun in the Ark, bringing along with it a warm and dizzying array of various emotions.

For some, spring brings about excitement, while for others, a feeling of revitalization. And for others still, it brings a sense of nostalgia.

Story

Set after the events of Centi's Bond Story, Cherry Blossom, Perfect Maid, Lion Heart, Secret Garden, and Trina's Bond Story

Prologue - Nostalgia

Even the Ark, sequestered underground as it is, knows a seasonal cycle and the changes such brings. With spring comes warm sunlight, gentle breezes, and the blooming of flowers. As the entire world seems to brighten, various emotions begin to sprout.

Some are filled with excitement, such as Rupee, who introduces her viewers to her latest stream at Cherry Blossom Park. The highlight of which will be the Spring Festa, an upcoming cherry-blossom themed festival as preemptively guessed by Ein as she watches her idol's stream. Off to the side, sophomore Zwei wonders what Ein is doing that isn't the homework they agreed to do together, but between Ein's focus on the stream and Rei being preoccupied by snacks, it seems homework isn't on today's agenda.

Rupee explains that the upcoming Spring Festa is one of the top 10 for the Ark's most anticipated events, especially since the centerpiece will be real cherry blossoms from the surface. As the streamer continues to babble on about her excitement, it passes on to Ein, who proceeds to badger Zwei into going to the festival with her, and Rei just keeps snacking. With School Circle in unanimous(?) agreement, Ein asks a nearby Privaty if she's planning to attend the Festa. The maid turns bright red when she hears that an urban legend is making the rounds; two people who kiss beneath the cherry blossoms will know love everlasting. Privaty's mutters pique Rei out of her snacking, though the maid protests scheming of any sort...

For others in the Ark, spring means rejuvenation. Liter muses on the upcoming Spring Festa, once called the "Festival of Harmony" in a bygone age. She ponders on how her fixation on the old name lends credence to Anis' allegations of her being behind the times, before shrugging and deciding it doesn't matter. She is old no matter how you slice it, and the name is less relevant than the event's core purpose; to bring joy and new energy to the people. She prays under her breath that this year's festival is a joyous one...

Then there are those who feel nostalgic from spring. One such individual is Trina, who is conversing with her trees as usual. She muses on her teatime with Flora and Leaf, as well as the coming of the Spring Festa. Though she can't work up the enthusiasm for the event. Not when she and the trees know that the "Everlasting Sakura" that acts as the festival's centerpiece...is an illusion. A facsimile of nature, as the Ark cannot accommodate what she considers "true" nature. Knowing that, she has no intention of attending the festivities.

Amid the rustling breeze, Trina assures her charges that she will continue as she has. She swore an oath to protect nature, and has held fast to that oath ever since. With that kind of duty to shoulder, why would she ever waste her time with the Ark's "fake" nature?

Encounter: A

When "they" noticed the setting sun, "they" decided to climb up a hill for no reason beyond a fleeting desire to. There, "they" met a woman who noticed the sad look on "their" expression. She noticed the crumpled paper in "their" hands, recognizing it as an Ark citizenship lottery ticket. The woman realized that "they" had family, and was forced to abandon them to seek shelter in the Ark.

The woman put a flower petal in "their" hand, inviting "them" to let it be carried by the wind up to the surface. Surely, "their" family would be happier to receive a petal over a scrap of paper as a gift. Eventually, the breeze picked up the petal and gusted it into the sky. Watching it go, the woman introduced herself as Rinne, and asked for "their" name in return. "They" who had remained silent, and never spoke to anyone since entering the Ark, answered for the first time. Her name...was Trina...

Flora's beckoning voice snaps Trina out of her reverie. With a confirmatory chirp from the latter's birds, Flora declares that their tea part is underway, with some extra guests in the form of "Lilac" and "Margaret" in attendance. Then out of nowhere, Mana interjects with a question. After Flora takes to serving each guest their requested refreshment, Mana (Aster) asks her question; what exactly is she doing at this tea party?

Trina briefly panics, fearing they've done something to discomfort their guest, only to shrug it off and carry on when Mana assures that's not the case. Rather, the scientist wonders why she's a guest of this tea party when she came on business. Flora explains that such gatherings are standard practice for Botanic Garden, where they hold counsel with their garden's denizens. Though she admits that they generally don't talk about much, given how seldom she and Trina ever leave the garden. Leaf is out on expedition to gather new residents, and thus is unavailable to provide material. Ergo, they were hoping that an outsider like Mana could give them the news on what transpires beyond their garden's walls.

Sadly, Mana isn't much help there. Just as Botanic Garden keeps to their greenhouses, Scientists like Mana are pretty much leashed to their laboratories. In fact, this is the first time in an entire week that Mana has seen anything beyond the walls of the lab. Botanic Garden collectively gawks at the revelation, mixed with the dark expression on Mana's face. Struggling to salvage the atmosphere, Trina suggests they instead listen to the radio.

The radio drones on with an ad feed for Evergreen, a special government-approved anti-aging injection. Flora recalls how last she checked, only Sovereigns were rich enough to afford the treatment. Mana clarifies that such was the case shortly after the First Invasion, when the Ark's logistics were a jumbled mess. Now though, the price of Evergreen has stabilized, to the point where even ordinary citizens can undergo the treatment. Trina muses on how nice such a development is, though her tone is less enthusiastic about it...

The radio then segues to Classic DIVA, a talk show and music program hosted by Noise. For the coming Spring Festa, the show will be compiling various spring romance stories from its listeners and reading them, inviting the audience to submit their own. As Noise goes on about the Spring Festa's flowers, her next words come as a sudden swerve. The host claims that Botanic Garden has been appointed as the hosts of the event. Moreover, they're supposedly going to open their gardens in a public expo alongside the cherry blossoms.

Flora shuts off the radio as she hears out her flowers complaining about the bullheaded nature of certain individuals. Mana coughs, and explains that prior to her involvement with the tea party, she came here to convey Syuen's orders. Missilis has secured the Spring Festa host rights, aiming for a PR win that will send their stocks to the moon. Given their entire focus on plant life, Botanic Garden was seen as the perfect match, and thus was assigned to handle the festival. Flora sighs and is about to agree...only for Trina to interject and reject the assignment.

Even knowing the consequences of disobeying the CEO, Trina refuses to let her garden be opened. After mulling things over, Flora gives an explanation. Botanic Garden's domain is split into three distinct sections. Flora's garden hosts the majority of the blooming flowers. Trina's arboretum has the trees. Leaf's lab houses the seeds. Flora suggests they compromise by opening only her garden and nothing else. Mana agrees to relay the proposal to Syuen. Trina thanks Flora for coming to her aid, but Mana reveals that Syuen's orders aren't the only reason she's here.

Shortly before the planned end of the festival, Rinne's lab is slated to be cleared out. Unless Trina comes to retrieve anything, then whatever remains in that lab come the day...will be disposed of...

Encounter: B

On that day, "they" decided to climb a hill and take in the view of the Ark, lit by the setting sun. A man came up to "them" and said that "she" was supposed be assigned to his squad. He'd read "her" file, which documented only support work in the Ark's rear following "her" conversion near the end of the Second Surface Reclamation War, meaning his command would be "her" first trip up to the surface. As "she" complained about his comments, the man chuckled and sat beside "her" on the grass. He introduced himself as Josh Humett, and asked for "her" name. "She" then introduced herself...as Liter...

Liter snaps out of her recollections as Centi calls for her. The Mighty Tools leader recalls that she was planning on taking a vacation for the spring, even dressing for the occasion. Though she's uncertain of the outfit Centi helped choose, the latter has every confidence that it suits her. Especially since as far as they can both recall, this is Liter's first vacation in pretty much forever. Ever since joining Mighty Tools, she hasn't taken a single break from her work. That segues nicely(?) into the fact that Liter has no idea what she'll do for her vacation. If nothing else, she'll have plenty of time to think it over.

Checking an old pocket watch, Liter decides it's time she got moving. While she's away, Centi is tasked with handling any work that comes to Mighty Tools. Liter reminds Centi that she can't skimp on Mighty Tools' service quality just because she's away, which then segues into a laundry list of other tasks, reminders, and suggestions. Eventually, at Centi (and Volt) suggesting she get a move on, Liter finally steps out of the foundry to get her vacation underway.

Or she would, had she not recalled something else that just came up. Just after Liter filed for time off, Rian came in with a request from the company to construct facilities for the Spring Festa. Given Liter will be absent, this will be Centi's first major undertaking without her mentor to act as a fallback. Filled with both nervousness and excitement, Centi promises to uphold the prestige of Mighty Tools that Liter has worked so hard to cement. Putting faith in her protege, Liter decides that once she gets back, Mighty Tools will hold a party to celebrate Centi's first big project. With that, Liter and Volt step out into the world, the former hoping she can get a walk in before the streets bloat with festive crowds...

Trigger: A

The protagonist basks in the time-off he's been denied for so long now. He lays in bed wondering if he should work on his video game backlog, or binge on some brainless TV, or even just lay in bed doing absolutely nothing. After all, he has all the time in the world now.

Pattern recognition dictates that any time the protagonist so much as thinks he has a single moment to himself, at least one Nikke will barrel into his room with a problem they can only rely on him to resolve. So he has finally gotten to putting up a sign to ward off anyone who dares to try and bother him. As he kicks back in bed rejoicing in his leisure, the door to his room opens.

Flora barges into the protagonist's room, having seen the sign claiming his absence before summarily ignoring it. Already he's ramping up to settle whatever chicanery is occurring courtesy of Syuen again, only for Flora to tell him that Syuen...isn't the problem? In fact, Syuen was the one who pushed for and authorized the garden's opening, unlike when Flora had to go over her head to do so.

As exasperating as it is for Syuen to spontaneously 180 on her intentions for the garden, Flora sees the silver lining in "Lobelia" finally acknowledging the value of Botanic Garden and their work. As for how the protagonist falls into this, Flora has some ideas.

She doesn't want him for festival prep. After the marvelous job Happy Zoo did with the surprise opening last time, Flora was happy to accept when they offered to assist again. Rather, she wants him to look after Trina, one of her cohorts in Botanic Garden, and asks if he's familiar with her. The protagonist recalls that Trina is the squad expert on trees, and has a quirk where her desire to "become one with nature" leads her to...spontaneously denude herself wherever she may be.

With mounting dread, the protagonist asks Trina's location. According to Flora, she should be tending to the trees on the cherry blossom path. The same path that will be absolutely stuffed with people before and during the festivities. Flora's face scrunches as she realizes that with her own preoccupation with festival prep, she cannot always be around to ensure Trina's...impulsive nudism...does not cause problems for the squad or the company. Thus, she's asking "Blossom" to take the task in her stead...

Trigger: B

The protagonist has a premonition that something is going to happen when the Spring Festa arrives. He then exercises pattern recognition and surmises that it's a holiday for him, so of course something is going to go wrong. Crumpling up the now-useless sign, he sets off for the cherry blossom path where Trina supposedly works. Or he would, were it not for Centi suddenly barreling into his room asking for a favor.

The protagonist tries to brush her off claiming he has something else to do, but his mention of the cherry blossom path seems to trigger some sort of misunderstanding with the builder, and she dashes off profusely thanking him. The protagonist calls Centi back to get the details of the favor she's asking, which apparently has something to do with Liter.

Despite being officially on vacation, it would seem Liter has gotten right back to work making things that people ask her to. As admirable as Centi finds her mentor's work ethic, the fact is that working while on vacation kind of defeats the whole point of going on one. So, she wants the protagonist to teach Liter how to relax on a vacation, and was going to direct him to the cherry blossom path where her boss planned to walk Volt before the festival crowds kicked in. The protagonist agrees to the task, and promises to cheer Centi on as she undertakes her very first solo assignment as a member of Mighty Tools. Then she grabs the crumpled sign out of his hands and tosses it in the trash...

Arriving at the path, the protagonist can see at least two things. Good news, there aren't a lot of people around, so it's easy for him to find the Nikkes he was requested to look for. Bad news, they've already gotten into a bit of an altercation. Trina is visibly fidgeting and whining about the chafing of her clothes, and Liter is telling her off for trying to strip in public...

Cherry Blossom: A

That day, the petals Trina let the breeze carry guided her to the research lab, where she wiled the days away with Rinne. They'd climb up that hill every day after work and watch the sun set. Trina found a small happiness in that routine, one that persisted for five whole years.

One day, Rinne asked Trina if she wanted to join Botanic Garden. Trina herself was disinterested, believing that the squad's (and to a lesser extent Rinne's) research on plants served no purpose in surface reclamation. Though she tried to backpedal her words, Rinne understood where she was coming from, and sighed. After mulling for a moment, Rinne explained her plan to hold a Festival of Harmony. A celebration of the coming spring, and a memorial to those who couldn't make it to the Ark during the First Invasion. She asked Trina to help her with preparations for the festival...

Back in the present, Trina muses with her birds on how this will be the third time she's helped with a festival. She takes the encouragement from her birds in stride, commenting that the trees here don't need much in the way of care. Though her face darkens as she turns her gaze towards the Everlasting Sakura. Towering, with pink blooms that will never know of wither.

Staring at the colossal tree, Trina collapses to the ground, chanting about how she feels suffocated and can't breathe. Amid the chanting, she can feel it. A desire to become closer to nature, to break free of this illusion that surrounds her. She starts tearing at her clothes in a desperate bid to do so, but then Liter asks what she's doing...

Cherry Blossom: B

Over the next few days, Liter trained with Josh's squad in order to prepare for surface operations. Though the effort was grueling, she always made sure to climb up that hill and stare at the Ark's city under the setting sun. Then Josh would come hollering for her to join the squad for dinner. Like that, days passed until there was only one week left until she went to the surface for the first time.

It was a day like any other. Josh came up to Liter and begged her to join the squad on their final gathering before their official sortie. He dramatically pleaded for her to come on time, just this once, to preserve his dignity as the squad's commander. Seeing the look on Liter's face, Josh knew she still harbored reservations about their deployment. He assured her that everything would be fine. They'd all get back safe, and when they did, they'd hold a party to celebrate Liter's very first trip to the surface.

Seeing Liter not wholly mollified, Josh decided that tomorrow's training would be canceled. Instead, the squad would attend the Festival of Harmony, which was set to begin tomorrow...

Liter resurfaces from her reverie, pondering on how it's already been 15 years since that day. Volt's whimper reminds her she still has a job to do, and carries on. she sighs that age is starting to get to her. Even making a few things is enough to wind her, and it may be time to let Centi take the reins of Mighty Tools. Bolt's barks convince her to stop worrying about her apprentice, and instead think about where they're going to celebrate once the festival is over.

As Liter ponders on Centi's debut as an architect in her own right, her gaze turns towards the Everlasting Sakura. She marvels at the sight of its bloom painting the sky pink...until she turns another way and sees something on one of the branches. It almost looks like...

Liter's face twists as she screeches at the person performing degenerate activities in public...

Blue

Some time later, Liter finishes explaining to the protagonist that she was just taking Volt out on a walk, only to find Trina tending to the trees in an...indecent state of attire. The protagonist sighs, as he figured that trouble would rear its ugly head sooner or later. Seeing Trina visibly distressed at being unable to go "all-natural" in her routine he asks Liter to ease up on the arborist. Liter sighs, and decides that if "Greenhorn" is willing to vouch and keep an eye out, then she can relent.

That easing is all it takes for Trina to start stripping down again, prompting a scandalized Liter to throw her hands over the protagonist's eyes. The two Nikkes argue over whether or not "Sun"/"Greenhorn" being here makes Trina's stripping habit better or worse, culminating in Liter going off on another one of her lectures. The protagonist muses that Centi did ask him to help Liter unwind, and letting her remain constantly on edge for Trina's next nudist moment would be counterproductive. So he ought to lend her a hand in this situation.

After Liter finally comes down from her chastising high, the three of them walk down the cherry blossom path together. Liter stops to marvel at the sights, having never fully appreciated them while she was paving this very road. That comment piques the protagonist's curiosity, and Liter reveals a little bit of her past. Turns out she actually collaborated with Trina several years back to construct this cherry blossom path, back when the Spring Festa was still known as the Festival of Harmony. Trina's comment on how time flies prompts Liter to go into another lecture. This one about how even Nikkes like themselves will someday grow too old to do anything. Thus, they have to make the most of the time they have left, and she sees Trina's habit of spontaneous public exhibition as non-conducive to that.

Trina sheepishly professes that she can't recall when she developed this habit of stripping. Liter sighs, and continues her lecture. She wants Trina to be remembered properly. Not as an exhibitionist tree tender, but as a Nikke of kindness and compassion, who helped to create places like this where people could rejuvenate themselves to the sight of beautiful flowers. To make a lasting legacy that will tell her story, even long after she's gone. It's the least she can do for those she will leave behind.

Trina questions if such a thing is worth it. Liter retorts that it does matter. That failing to leave a lasting mark means her genuine self will go unremembered. Her story will be adulterated, her image tarred with rumors, and the truth buried until she falls into obscurity. To avert such a fate for herself is why Liter tries so hard to make and do so many things, and she wants Trina to do the same.

The lecture winds down as the trio ends up in front of the Everlasting Sakura. The protagonist ponders on how he saw this tree during the last spring's festivities, and it's as beautiful to him now as it was then. Liter worries that Centi won't be able to handle making all the needed facilities for the Festa by herself, but the protagonist assures her that she taught Centi well. Surely, her protege can see this through.

Liter sees simply doing "fine" as insufficient. Pulling out an old pocket watch, Liter reiterates her end goal; to have Centi not just equal her as an architect, but surpass her. Only when that happens will she feel comfortable passing this watch to her. When asked, she explains that this watch of hers was in her possession ever since she joined Mighty Tools, and she's never once let it slip out of her grasp. So, on the day she passes this watch on to Centi...she plans to step down, and retire from her job as a builder of Mighty Tools.

The protagonist's speechlessness at Liter's words reminds the builder that Trina has been quiet since they came to the tree. Suspecting the arborist of trying to denude herself again, Liter turns to see Trina...going pale in the face and collapsing?! Trina assures that she's okay, but her mutterings about "illusions" and the Everlasting Sakura's lack of need for care worry Liter, so she asks the protagonist to look after Volt while she takes Trina somewhere to recuperate.

The protagonist watches as Liter props Trina on her shoulder, briefly whines about her short stature, and walks off. Despite what Trina said, he can't help but notice something off about her expression. Something that said she was sick and tired of everything...

After regrouping with Liter and a recovering Trina, the protagonist asks the question on his mind. Liter said that she worked with Trina to make the cherry blossom path. But what about the Everlasting Sakura? Sakura told him it was a cherry blossom tree taken from the surface, its lifespan and blooming period artificially lengthened. The only way a tree as ephemeral as it could survive in the Ark for years, if not decades on end. For an arborist like Trina to suffer conniptions from seeing it. Could it be? The person who made the Everlasting Sakura bloom and prosper beyond its natural lifespan is...?

Trina trembles for a moment as the protagonist makes his suppositions, before confessing that yes, she is the creator of the Everlasting Sakura. That illusion of nature...is one of her "failed creations"...

Promise: A

Years ago, Trina worked tirelessly to prepare for the Festival of Harmony. The work was so frantic that by the time she came back to her senses, the festival was on its last day. That time, she forced her tired body up that same hill, and found Rinne waiting for her as usual. The two basked in the sunset for a moment before Rinne asked her a question; did she still lack an answer for the meaning of botanical research?

As Trina gazed as the festival crowds delighting in the flowers and trees, Rinne gave an answer of her own. Sure, studying flowers may not directly contribute to reclamation. But she found satisfaction in that such research led to the sight below; people going about their lives, enjoying the festival and all it had to offer.

Rinne then commented that with the festival, people made a practice out of trading trinkets and knickknacks they brought from the surface. Rinne herself didn't have anything from the surface, but still wanted to give something to Trina. So, she brandished what she claimed was her most precious possession; a small key.

Rinne explained that the key was to open the door to the garden she was cultivating. Made as part of her dream to brighten people's spirits with flowers and trees. Though it currently amounted to little more than saplings, she invited Trina to come and see when the garden grew some more.

Trina took the key, gave her thanks...then froze in horror as she realized she had nothing to given Rinne in return. Rinne smiled, said Trina had already given her the greatest gift of all, and looked down. At the festival, filled with people, smiles, and laughter. The sight of Rinne smiling planted a wish in Trina's heart. She'd work to make more scenes like this happen, so she could watch people enjoying the festivities...and the smiles on their faces, just like Rinne's. No matter where, or when, she'd see people smile.

At that moment, Trina told Rinne her desire to join the Botanic Garden squad. Rinne accepted it, and gave some advice; always cherish the plants. If Trina did right by them, they'd do right by her. It all sounded so simple then...

Back in the present, Trina tells her story to the protagonist and Liter. Back when the Spring Festa was the Festival of Harmony, and Botanic Garden was nowhere near as developed as it is. She made the Everlasting Sakura as part of her wish, to allow people to see flowers no matter the time or place. With easy 24/7 access to flowers and trees, Trina thought she'd bring joy to the people. Liter wonders if she hasn't accomplished that goal, what with the trees that are now commonplace in the Ark, but Trina is of a different mind.

The arborist recalls the joy she felt when the Everlasting Sakura finally bloomed after years of research. In her elation, she rushed to given Rinne the good news, and met with a terrible reminder instead. Rinne had chosen to live as a human, and so she grew older. By the time Trina had finished the Everlasting Sakura...Rinne had already passed away without so much as a glance of cherry blossoms. Trina bitterly muses that looking back, she was deluding herself. Rinne loved nature, and she thought she could make her friend smile with a fabrication of nature, mirthlessly chuckling at the contradiction.

Seeing the downcast look on Liter's face, Trina apologizes for the heavy story before scurrying off to tend to her business. She was supposed to report back to Botanic Garden after she finished her work on the path. The protagonist and Liter follow her back.

Arriving at Flora's garden, the trio notices something off. There should still be a few days before the Spring Festa begins in earnest. So what are all these Nikkes doing here in the garden?

Promise: B

Liter remembers Josh egging her to hurry up before their superiors chewed them out for lateness before pivoting towards her thoughts on the Festival of Harmony. Though she laconically commented on how nice it was, Josh could tell she enjoyed it, quipping that everyone needed a break, and how fixating on the future was an exhausting endeavor. Moreover, soldiers like them had no idea when they'd die, so he figured they may as well enjoy every moment they can.

As the two sat on the hill and gazed down at the festival crowds, Josh commented on how he loved being able to unwind surrounded by greenery. Both he and Liter were excited at the thought of finding even more up on the surface, though this one view would always remain in their hearts. Then Josh suddenly pulled a pocket watch and offered it to Liter. People made a practice of trading trinkets from the surface on the last day of the festival, and he'd already given everyone except Liter a gift. The watch in her hands was something he used, and while it was a little worn, it still told time well.

Josh joked that the watch would ensure Liter wouldn't be late for another meeting, especially since they were going to the surface soon. The squad planned to have a party to celebrate Liter's first trip to the surface, and he didn't want the guest of honor running late to her own party. Liter accepted the watch, then realized she had nothing she could give him in return. Josh waved it off, telling her she could always give him something nice she finds on her next surface trip...

The protagonist notices Liter seeming lost in reverie as she stares at the Nikkes enjoying the flowers. Under her breath, she muses that Josh had a point about the need for a moment to relax. After snapping out of her recollections and waving off any concerns, she refocuses on their task of finding Flora. A task complicated by the sheer number of Nikkes milling about the place. Fortunately, they bump into Biscuit, resident canine caretaker and doggirl of Happy Zoo. She hasn't seen Flora since the visitor deluge, but still has her scent remembered and can track her. Trina worries that Biscuit needs to tend to her dogs back at the shelter, but the canine companion assures that Guillotine has the shelter in hand, and the latter brought her friend Maiden to help. With that, Biscuit darts into the crowd sniffing for Flora. Trina comments that the search will probably take some time, so they may as well go on a tour of the garden's floral inhabitants.

Over the course of time, Liter and Trina become increasingly transfixed by the flowers. Liter's comment on the visible level of care given to each specimen prompts Trina to talk at length about how Botanic Garden does their utmost to ensure every plant grows in its most natural state. From sun level to moisture to soil composition, each plant's biome is meticulously maintained, and is what care is what she believes causes the plants to bloom so beautifully as they do.

Pondering over the natural state Liter asks the way to Trina's arboretum. The arborist is reluctant to reveal, but fortunately for her, Flora steps in to explain that the arboretum is not going to be publicly available during the festival. When asked why, Flora cryptically comments that "Rinne" slumbers there, and Botanic Garden is loathe to disturb her. When Trina asks for any more tasks after her work on the cherry blossom path, Flora recalls something and asks for a favor. One that apparently involves rectifying a mistake she made.

While preparing for the festival, Flora wished for more Nikkes to be able to attend, given how most of them would otherwise still be working their job around or outside the Ark. She wrote special invitations for them to come see the garden...and put the wrong date on them. It's a bit of massive consequence from such a tiny mistake, but even Flora isn't perfect. Of course, now they have to contend with countless Nikkes who've come for a festival that isn't even happening yet.

Telling the truth and dispersing the crowd would be sub-optimal, since they'd be snubbing every single Nikke who took time out of their schedules to come here. So Flora had the idea of hosting a one-day festival just for the Nikkes. Liter is onboard with the idea, so Flora brings forth a stack of Spring Festa pamphlets. She asks everyone to help her hand them out so that the guests can properly enjoy the festival.

Friend, Flower: A

Flora explains that the pamphlet is a part of the Spring Festa's stamp rally, which encourages visitors to stop by three specific areas; the garden, the Spring Fair venue, and the Everlasting Sakura. To facilitate the event, Flora wants everyone to distribute these pamphlets at the other spots, since Flora has already set up her garden for the event. The trio agrees, and sets off for the Spring Fair.

Along the way, they bump into various Nikkes who've received the invitations. One such invitee is Yan, who sighs when she hears that Flora got the dates wrong. The merchant assures that the stalls Centi quickly set up will allow them to get the Spring Fair up and running, despite her concerns after the builder turned one of her general stores into a luxury boutique. This time however, everything Centi did is up to standard. It's aesthetic without being ostentatious, complementing with the general look of the path.

Yan praises Liter for teaching Centi her techniques, prompting the architect to blush. As Trina pulls Yan aside to explain the stamp rally, the protagonist reminds Liter that just as he said, Centi would be able to handle this project. She concedes as much, and the protagonist continues that Centi won't stop here. She'll keep on blooming, becoming an architect of just as much fame, if not greater than Liter. Everyone will look at her, remember who taught her, and through that, Liter's story will be remembered.

The protagonist has every confidence that Liter has cemented a legacy for herself. So now he wants her to focus more on the present, and what she wants to do while she still has time. He asks her what the point would be in seeking a perfect death, if that means neglecting to live properly.

Staring at the bustling stalls of the fair, Liter admits he has a point. Were she given the chance, she'd want to have both. A life fully lived, and a death fully completed...

Friend, Flower: B

The trio returns to the cherry blossom path, the last place they need to distribute stamp rally pamphlets. The protagonist worries that Trina will suffer another attack from seeing the Everlasting Sakura, and going by her labored breathing, she's already on the verge of another episode. Liter assures her that she doesn't have to push herself. If need be, Trina can wait here while the others approach the tree and handle the pamphlets. Slightly crumpling the pile in her hands, Trina apologizes and takes Liter up on her offer.

Liter then performs a total 180 on the atmosphere, inviting Trina to sit down before practically pulling her to a nearby bench. The architect cites Flora's words about today being a special festival day for the Nikkes. By that logic, it's perfectly fine for them to take a breather under the shade of a cherry tree. Beckoned by Liter, the protagonist takes a seat beside the Nikkes, and the three of them bask in the sight of the trees in bloom.

While taking in the sights, Liter asks Trina about Rinne. Who she was, and what she meant to the arborist. Trina pulls out a small key, and begins her story. It all begins with a certain hill, which they'd climb up every sunset...

Parting: A

Shortly after joining Botanic Garden, Trina underwent conversion into a Nikke. She needed more time to perfect the Everlasting Sakura, and she wouldn't get that as an age-prone human. As a Nikke who didn't need to eat or sleep, Trina skipped meals and naps, eventually losing track of time. She went to the hilltop much less often, eventually choosing to just spend her entire time in the lab.

When the Everlasting Sakura finally blossomed on the fateful hilltop, Trina was happy beyond words. She wanted to show it to Rinne, but the next time they met wasn't on the hilltop where their lives changed. No, Rinne was in the hospital on her deathbed. She chose not to undergo Nikke conversion, nor receive anti-aging treatments via Evergreen. As a result, time was nowhere near as kind to her as it was Trina.

Even withered and bed-bound as she was, Rinne only cared about her friend Trina and how she was doing. Though Trina thought today an ordinary day where she cared for the plants as she always did, for Rinne, today was special. Because for the first time in a while, she got to see her friend's face again. Rinne lamented that in her current decrepit state, she no longer had the strength to climb that hill, or see the flowers with her.

Tears streamed down Trina's face as she regretted her lateness. If she'd finished her work earlier, or even if she'd just come sooner, then maybe they could've gone to see the flowers one last time on that hill. As Rinne's vision blurred, she asked Trina to remember one last thing. About their promise, and the garden...

Back in the present, Trina explains that Rinne's last wishes were to be cremated, and have her ashes be scattered in the garden. Her belongings were taken to the lab, and ever since, Trina has restricted almost anyone and everyone from entering the arboretum, where one particular tree grows atop Rinne's ashes. Trina laments that in chasing after an illusion of nature, she betrayed her friend and forsook their promise. The Everlasting Sakura she made was a mockery of the flowers and scenery she saw on the day of the festival. And in the process of making it...she lost Rinne's smile forever.

Even with that scar sapping her of the will to climb that hill again, Trina still wished for Rinne to rest in peace. That's why she chose to lock away the arboretum. After losing her friend, and her promise, maintaining a tranquil vigil over her friend's grave is all she has left.

Liter notes that Trina regrets creating the Everlasting Sakura, which is why even glancing at the tree, let alone trying to climb the hill, gives her anxiety attacks. Trina confesses as much, having lost the reason and will to go there after Rinne's death.

Liter thanks Trina for telling her story, as hard as it may have been for her. In return, Liter chooses to tell her story. One that begins with climbing a hill at sunset...

Parting: B

Liter recalls how she agreed to repay Josh for the pocket watch he'd given her on the last day of the Festival of Harmony. Only...she never got the chance to...

On her very first mission, Josh died. One of the squad's Nikkes, an inexperienced newbie, got overexcited and didn't notice a Rapture's guns trained on her. She only noticed when Josh pushed her away and took the bullet in her place. That inexperienced newbie...was none other than Liter herself.

Liter panicked and screamed, even as Josh tried to reassure her. The way he saw it, trading his life for hers wasn't too bad a deal. Even as Liter begged him to stop talking and aggravating his wounds, he continued. Even as his vision blurred, he prayed that when he disappeared, people would remember him as a good person...

Back in the present, Liter recounts that reaching the rendezvous point was the first time she hadn't been late to an appointment. Only there was no one there to witness it, because she was the only survivor of that operation. Her comrades, Josh included, left behind no wills, testaments, or anything to memorialize their existences. That's when Liter realized how painful it was to die an incomplete death, and how much it would burden those left behind. That's why she's hellbent on making a mark of her own, to prove she existed at all.

Even though she no longer climbed that hill, Liter found other things. With the loss of her comrades, she found herself swamped with work back at the workshop. It was during that work fugue that Trina came to her with a request. As the protagonist can surmise, it was the request to build the cherry blossom path that would become the centerpiece of the Ark's spring festivities.

By the time Liter finished that path, it was already time for the Festival of Harmony to begin. For the first time in years, Liter climbed up that hill, and remembered Josh and the others. She remembered all kinds of joking and horseplay, the memories of which made her laugh so hard she had to occasionally stop walking. Her trek finally ended when she crested the hilltop, and stood below the Everlasting Sakura. There, she found one last trace of her old squad.

Gazing at the distant hill, Liter explains that underneath the Everlasting Sakura sleeps the memories of her comrades. She doesn't believe herself alone in that either. All around the Everlasting Sakura are people. Some are forging new memories. Some are remembering old ones. Some are just forgetting about their troubles. Whatever the case, they all have one thing in common; they're all smiling.

Liter wanted to show this to Trina, and urges her to climb the hill and see for herself. That the Everlasting Sakura, and what it does for people, is not the "illusion" she claims it to be. Extending a hand, Liter invites Trina to climb the hill with her, and look at the Everlasting Sakura...

Hand in hand with Liter, Trina takes one nervous step after another, face paling and breath shortening as a shower of pink petals intensifies. Despite that, the arborist assures Liter she's doing fine for now, and they carry on.

For the first time in a long time, two elders are able to cast off their worries.

Eventually, the two manage to reach the top, and Trina sees a view that she has cast aside for years now. Liter asks Trina if she still believes the Everlasting Sakura and what it brings are illusions. Yet Trina doesn't answer, transfixed by the sight below her. Countless Nikkes, all basking in the splendor of the falling petals, smiles and laughter abound as their troubles vanish with the breeze.

Liter proclaims to Trina that this tree is no illusion. A fake could never inspire the genuine smiles they're seeing right now. What Trina did was not a betrayal of Rinne or their promise to cherish the plants.

Trina weakly comments that even with that, Rinne is dead. She died without even seeing these flowers, so doesn't that render all this moot? Liter concedes that yes, Rinne is gone, and nothing will change that. But that doesn't mean her dream died with her. Liter echoes Trina's words about Rinne's desire to bring joy with flowers and trees, prompting the arborist to remember what her friend said all those years ago;

'I want to see more scenes like this in the future, so I made a garden.'

'My wish is that when people are looking at the flowers and trees, they'll forget their worries for a moment.'

'I'm pouring that wish, and my hope, into that garden.'

Liter explains that the Everlasting Sakura has fulfilled Rinne's wish. Even for just a moment, it has helped people forget their troubles and smile. That alone gives it meaning, and should serve to help Rinne rest in peace. Trina looks at the Everlasting Sakura shading over her, standing on the place where she spoke with Rinne so many times. Tears well up in her eyes as she admits that Liter is right.

Suddenly, a single petal flutters into Trina's hand. She remembers Rinne's words when they first met, how the breeze would carry that petal to the family she left behind. Opening her hand, Trina watches as the petal catches a gust and begins soaring into the sky. After watching the petal for a while, Trina turns and thanks Liter for bringing her here. The architect shrugs off the thanks, claiming if anything Trina was the one who brought her here.

Trina recalls Liter's story, about Josh Humett and her comrades. She muses that they must've been splendid people to inspire someone like Liter, and deserve some thanks sent their way. Liter goes silent, then agrees before closing her eyes. The scent of flowers mixes with her memories as she prays for her comrades to rest in peace...

Later, Trina invites Liter to visit the arboretum sometime, and the architect agrees. As the two sit under the shade and share stories of the past, the protagonist thinks to himself. This day will resurface in his memory every time he gazes upon the Everlasting Sakura.

Beneath the shade and falling petals, the protagonist closes his eyes. To engrave as much of this moment as he can in his memory. To not forget the past, even as future and present pass and melt into it...

Hard Mode Epilogue - Farewell

After all the hubbub of the Spring Festa, the protagonist finally has some time off. Ironically, he can't relax himself. He's too desirous for answers, and sets off for Botanic Garden's domain.

Arriving at the garden, he's greeted by Flora and Biscuit. The latter's presence is explained as keeping her promise to assist with Spring Festa activities to the end, more so now that the event is on its final day. Contrary to Flora's assumptions, "Blossom" is not here for rally stamps. Rather, he has a burning question. Flora's mistake where she mixed up the dates on her invites...was that really a mistake? Rather than give a solid answer, Flora chuckles and invites the man to follow her to see something...

That something turns out to be Trina's arboretum, where people can be seen resting in the trees' shades. Following the time where "Marigold" (Liter) and "Blossom" took Trina to the Everlasting Sakura, the arborist had a change of heart and allowed her arboretum to be opened to the public. Flora profusely thanks the protagonist for allowing this to happen, though this only deepens his suspicions that the "mix-up" on Flora's part was a deliberate move. Though the talk of Trina reminds him that he hasn't seen the arborist since the trip to the hill. Biscuit notifies him that she's touring Liter through the arboretum, and he follows her pointing to find...

For the first spring in a long time, two old-timers get a chance to rest.

Under the shade of a tree, Trina cradles Liter's head in her lap. The two converse about the pleasant atmosphere of the arboretum, and then discuss one of the Festival of Harmony's old traditions; the gift exchange of precious items on the final day. To continue that tradition, Trina wants to give something she values; a certain small key. The key to the arboretum. She has no reservations about doing this, as she intends to allow the garden to be open to everyone. In letting people come here and take a moment to rest, she believes this will help fulfill Rinne's dream, and bring peace to her friend slumbering below.

Liter respectfully accepts the key, and an open invitation to visit the arboretum whenever she wishes. The architect then decides to give a gift of her own. A certain pocket watch. She'd originally planned to give this Centi when she retired, but now she sees it as redundant. Even without that watch, people who look at Centi will remember her as Liter's protege, and through her, Liter herself will be remembered. Trina accepts the watch with just as much reverence as Liter did the key.

After the exchange ends, Liter notes how sleepy she feels, pondering on how long it'd been since she'd last rested so deeply. Trina strokes Liter's head as the latter dozes off in her arms, the former smiling freely and lightly. She bids her friend to rest well...

FOR REST: END

A few days later, Trina coughs and sputters as she steps into Rinne's lab for the first time in a while. As expected, it's incredibly dusty. Peering around, Rinne's personal effects are arranged on the tables, just as they'd been when Trina left them there. Except there's one thing that stands out in particular. A letter with a simple message;

"Hello, Trina."

"How was your day today?"

After some struggles to voice herself, Trina gets the words out. It was an ordinary day like any other, where she tended to the little ones and did research in her lab. With "was" being the keyword. A special day happened as she helped prepare another festival, and on that day, she...

Beneath warm sun and amid a gentle breeze, flowers sprouted and bloomed one after another until the entire world was one of endless color.

When spring comes to the Ark, emotions blossom with it. Some get excited. Some feel rejuvenated. And some may even feel nostalgic...

Gameplay

Tickets (Spring Festa Pamphlets) are spent to play stages and earn currency (Sakura Bracelets) which can be traded in the shop for rewards. Tickets regenerate to a maximum of 5 per day, and additional Tickets can be bought in the shop for Gems.

Challenge Missions - Spring Festa

One-time missions that can be completed to earn extra Sakura Bracelets. Clearing Stage I-12 grants a Memory Film to unlock an event in the Archives and the CG "FOR REST" to decorate the Lobby.

Challenge Mode

Spend Challenge Chips to take on high-difficulty battles against Land Eater. Chips regenerate to a maximum of 1 per day.

List of Bonus Nikkes

Complete stages using the following Nikkes for a chance to earn extra Sakura Bracelets. Bonus stacks up to 100%.

Bonus	Nikkes
+60%	Trina
+40%	Biscuit Flora
+30%	Liter Julia Soline
+20%	N102 Delta Mihara

Version Updates

New SSR Nikke: Trina

• Duration: End of maintenance to 5:00 March 27th (UTC+9)

Trina will be on rate-up in the Special Recruit for the listed duration. Molds to directly purchase her via Gold Mileage Tickets will be available in the shop. Trina will be temporarily available as a Trial Nikke in the Union Shooting Range.

Trina will be added to the standard pools in a later update, not including New Commander Special Recruit or Tutorial Recruit

7-Day Login Event - Spring is Coming

To celebrate the new version update, additional rewards will be given with each daily login for up to 7 days.

Archives Update

Full Fool Day and Liar's End will be added to the Archives after maintenance.

Coordinated Operation

Duration: 12:00 March 21st to 23:59 March 23rd (UTC+9)

Players team up to take on the boss Alteisen and earn Broken Cores to trade in the Shop for rewards

Union Raid

Duration: 5:00 March 21st to 4:59 March 27th (UTC+9)

Unions of level 3 or higher can take on bosses to earn Union Chips for rewards in the shop. Players cannot leave or be kicked from Unions while the raid is active

Misc. Updates

• New Titles and Profile decorations
• Various bugfixes

Trivia

• The event name is a pun as "For Rest" sounds like "Forest" in English if pronounced fast enough.

Notes

References