#sorry for late update rl stuff is killing me

[yotsutama]

Mechanical Lullaby ~3rd Day~

Mechanical Lullaby Event Story (12/05)

Part 1~4 | 5~8 | 9~12 | 13~16 | 17~22 | 23~26

Part 17 – The Wind-up Day 1

Cielo (Kujou Tenn): It started a while ago, a memory that I didn't experience, and a slight doubt towards my own 'role.'

Cielo: I've been looking for the answer this whole time, but I haven't figured out anything......

Cielo: In these memories, I always see the clock tower. Just what is going on in the tower...?

Cielo: Tomorrow is the Wind-up Day that comes once a year.

Cielo: I might as well ask Augus, the robot who manages the clock tower.

Augus (Yaotome Gaku): ...... Okay, this should be fine.

Fabra (Nikaido Yamato): How's the clock?

Augus: Same as always. It shows the same time as my pocket watch.

Fabra: I see.......

Augus: ...... Is there something wrong? I always make sure this pocket watch and the watch in my room show the same time, so it shouldn't be wrong.

Fabra: ...... No, if the clock is good then it's fine. By the way, tomorrow is the day to wind the robots in the city.

Augus: I know. What about it?

Fabra: Would you mind helping me out?

Augus: ...... Well, I don't mind. But you always do it by yourself, right? How rare.

Fabra: I want to do it carefully this time.

Augus: Is that so?

Fabra: Yeah. I'm counting on you.

*chatter chatter*

Fabra: Now Augus, they're divided into two rows.

Fabra: You wind the robot dolls in the left row.

Augus: Got it.

Augus: ...... Okay. The next robot doll is the last one, right?

Cielo: ...... Hey, can I ask you something?

Augus: ...... Ask? What is it?

Cielo: What is the clock tower for?

Augus: Eh?

Cielo: This clock tower is the only clock that can be seen from anywhere in this city. Why is that?

Augus: ......? ... What are you saying?

Cielo: You manage the clock tower. You should know about it, am I right?

Cielo: Tell me!

Augus: The reason the clock tower can be seen from anywhere in this city is so that the robot dolls can check the time. That's all, ok?

Cielo: You can just make some clocks for them then.

Augus: Well, but, it’s a long process......

Cielo: What is that around your neck?

Augus: ...... It's a pocket watch.

Cielo: This. I also have a pocket watch. It's broken though, but it's small.

Augus: You're right but...... Sorry, what I've already said earlier is all I know.

Cielo: I see......

Cielo: But, you're always in the clock tower, aren't you?

Augus: Yeah.

Cielo: Then, can you find out if the clock tower’s only purpose is for telling time?

Augus: You tell me to find out but... Sorry for not being of any help, but I've finished winding you, so can you go home for now?

Cielo: Okay......

Cielo: Even Augus, the robot who manages the clock tower, doesn't know anything......

Cielo: I’ve reached a dead end......

Cielo: Ow......

Cielo: My head......, what is this sound...? Singing...?

Cielo: A memory again......

Cielo: The clock tower......? I'm there... with who?

Part 18 - The Wind-up Day 2

Fabra: You really helped me today.

Augus: ...... I want to ask you something.

Fabra: What?

Augus: I'm a robot who manages the clock tower, right?

Fabra: Yes, you are. ... Why do you ask?

Augus: The clock tower is important for the robot dolls, right?

Fabra: ...... Yeah.

Augus: And I also manage a pocket watch along with it.

Augus: To make the clock move, we need the big tower, right?

Fabra: Yeah, we do.

Fabra: What do you want to say?

Augus: ...... Aside from the tower being a clock, does it have another 'role?’

Fabra: ...... What's with you?

Augus: Today, a weird robot came to me.

Fabra: Then?

Augus: He asked me, ‘what is the clock tower for, why is it the only big building in the city?’ I’ve never been asked questions like that before......

Augus: I always thought we needed a big tower to show off the clock. But, this pocket watch is a clock as well.

Fabra: It is.

Augus: We don't need a big tower to make a clock move. We can just use a small clock and go travel anywhere far from the clock tower, can't we?

Fabra: ...... Augus. Your 'role' is to manage the clock tower.

Augus: ............

Fabra: You will understand when the time comes. And when the time comes, your power will be needed.

Fabra: Sorry, but that's all I can say for now. I have something to do so I have to go now.

Augus: Hey! We're not done yet!

Part 19 - 'Role' and 'Duty'

Cielo: ............

Jane (Izumi Iori): That robot doll, he has been following Terra recently.

Jane: I’ve only seen him on the streets though......

Jane: Do you have something to do with Terra?

Cielo: ...... What?

Jane: That's my line.

Jane: You’ve been following Terra lately. What about him?

Cielo: Nothing......

Terra (Nanase Riku): Jane-saan! Where is this book's next volume?

Terra: ...... Wait, eh? Who are you?

Jane: Terra, this robot doll......

Cielo: What is your 'role'?

Terra: Eh? Um, my 'role'?

Cielo: Yes.

Terra: I don't know yet......

Cielo: Really!?

Jane: You, what are you...?

Cielo: You weren't told when you woke up?

Terra: Yes. When Fabra-san awakened me, he told me to recall my 'duty' myself.

Cielo: Recall your 'duty'...?

Terra: Yes. I come to the library to figure it out, but I still haven't remembered.

Cielo: So, you forgot something... just like me...?

Terra: Like you?

Cielo: It's nothing. Why didn't Fabra tell you...?

Terra: He said, "it's meaningless if you don't recall it by yourself".

Cielo: ......!

Cielo: Fabra said the same thing when he awakened me......

Cielo: Does this mean this guy and I have 'duties' aside from our 'roles?’

Cielo: Bringing this topic up now isn't a good idea. I should pretend I don’t know anything and gain more information.

Cielo: You didn’t get a 'role,' are you a special robot doll or something?

Terra: I'm not... I don't have 'role,' I can't do anything......

Jane: ...... Terra is a robot doll that was awakened by Fabra just recently.

Jane: Recently, there has only been a few new robots. And a robot doll that's awakened by Fabra is rare.

Jane: Fabra chose to awaken Terra recently. There might be some meaning behind Fabra's action.

Cielo: Hmm. Robot dolls awakened by Fabra is that rare?

Jane: Probably. I don't know the details.

Cielo: ...... I was awakened by Fabra too, 3 years ago.

Jane: You too...?

Jane: 3 years ago... there might be some meaning behind his awakening too.

Jane: ...... There is one thing that bothers me about Terra.

Cielo: What?

Terra: What is it?

Jane: Terra refers to his 'role' as a 'duty.'

Jane: At first, I thought he just made a small mistake, so I ignored it.

Jane: But his 'duty' is probably different from what we call 'role.'

Cielo: ...... 'Duty?’

Terra: Fabra-san said 'duty' to me.

Jane: And Dissen probably felt something from Terra.

Jane: He looks like a carefree person, but he's sharp.

Cielo: I see......

Cielo: We won't get the answer even if we discuss this. I'm going to continue my investigation. If you know about Terra's 'role' or 'duty' then let me know.

Terra: ............

Jane: ............

Terra: ...... Ah!

Jane: What is it?

Terra: I forgot to ask him his name......

Jane: ...... *sigh*

Part 20 – Nocturne (1)

Terra: ...... *sigh*. It's so late already.

Terra: It'd be nice if my 'role' or 'duty' is to make everyone happy, just like the boys in that book.

Terra: Singing and dancing is definitely fun.

Terra: But, what if, I can't remember until the end......

Terra: I'm a useless robot doll......

Terra: Jane-san too, he might get bored of me......

Terra: ............ Uu...... Uuu.

〜〜♪

Terra: ...... Violin? Is someone there?

Terra: U, Um... good evening.

Jeune (Rokuya Nagi): ...... Hey, good evening.

Jeune: Your tearful face is so beautiful.

Terra: Eh?

Jeune: I'm Jeune. You are?

Terra: ...... I'm Terra.

Jeune: Terra. ... Come to think of it, Martin mentioned your name. You were awakened recently?

Terra: Yes!

Jeune: So that's really you.

Jeune: It's your first time listening to my music, isn't it?

Terra: Yes! Your performance was great!

Terra: ...... The song is… a bit scary though.

Jeune: Thank you very much.

Terra: Jeune-san, why are you playing here at this time?

Jeune: ...... Why do you think?

Terra: Eh...... are you practicing?

Jeune: I like seeing robot dolls' terrified and crying faces.

Terra: Eh?

Jeune: But lately, they're already used to it, so they don't give good reactions anymore.

Jeune: So, I'm trying to play late at night to give them a sentimental atmosphere.

Jeune: It's been long since I had a teary face, I'm happy.

Terra: ...... Fufu, what a strange robot doll.

Terra: ...... *inhale*, La〜♪ La〜♪

Jeune: ...... Do you know this song?

Terra: Eh? No, but you played it earlier, right?

Jeune: ...... Is that so.

Terra: Jeune-san, why don't you play a fun song?

Jeune: I have never played a fun song since I was awakened.

Terra: I see......

Jeune: But I’m in a good mood tonight. I'll play for you.

Terra: ...... Yay!

〜〜〜♪

Terra: La〜♪ Lalala〜〜♪

Terra: That was so fun!

Jeune: I had fun too.

Jeune: ...... Would you like to listen to another song?

Terra: Of course I would!

Jeune: It's my first time playing this song......

〜〜〜♪

Terra: ...... Wow. It's such a beautiful song.

Terra: Somehow, it moves my heart. A sad song, yet so kind.

Terra: I want to sing......

Terra: La〜......, Ouch!

Jeune: Are you alright?

Terra: Ye-Yes. I'm fine... It's a great song, I'm sorry.

Jeune: No. It's already late. Let's go home now.

Terra: Yes... Good night.

Jeune: Good night.

Terra: ...... Something came to my mind. That was, the clock tower? Someone was singing there......

Terra: Was that... me...?

Terra: I was singing, in the clock tower...?

Part 21 – Cielo’s Investigation

Terra: Jane-san, I'm going to the clock tower now.

Jane: Have you remembered anything?

Terra: No, it's not like that......

Jane: It's fine but can't you go there tomorrow? It's raining hard today.

Terra: ...... I want to go today.

Terra: I feel like I'll remember something if I go there today.

Jane: ...... I understand.

Jane: Please wait a minute, I'll finish my work. I'm going along with you.

Cielo: ............

Jane: That robot doll again......

Cielo: ...... It’s you two. I didn't follow Terra today, okay?

Jane: Seems like it, doesn’t it.

Terra: ...... Ah. It’s the robot doll from that time......

Terra: Following me... What?

Jane: He’s been following you recently. When he visited the library last time too.

Terra: ...... Eh!? Is that true!?

Terra: I didn't realize it at all... Why did you do that?

Cielo: You might be involved in my investigation.

Jane: What are you investigating?

Cielo: ...... I didn't say it that time, but I was told to recall my 'duty' by Fabra too.

Cielo: And sometimes, some memories I didn't experience appear in my mind. My 'role' as a detective feels off.

Cielo: What are those memories, what is my 'duty'......

Cielo: I'm investigating myself.

Jane: You also have 'duty'...?

Terra: Me too!

Terra: Actually yesterday, I saw "a memory I didn't experience"......

Terra: ...... In that "memory," I saw myself, singing in the clock tower.

Jane: You did? You should have told me sooner......

Terra: ...... I'm sorry. I couldn't remember anything else, so......

Terra: That's why I was so curious about the clock tower... I wanted to go there today, no matter what.

Jane: I see......

Cielo: I also felt like I had to go to the clock tower today.

Cielo: But I still don't understand anything, even up until now......

Terra: ...... Then, how about we look for it together?

Cielo: Together?

Terra: If we look for it together, and if our memories are connected, we might figure something out!

Cielo: ...... I've been investigating for three years now, but I still haven’t found anything......

Cielo: We won't find anything no matter what we do...!

Terra: But...!

*rumble rumble rumble*

Part 22 – A Change of Key (2)

*rumble rumble rumble*......

Augus: Why is it shaking!?

Augus: ...... Hm? The hole of the clock changed...?

Augus: What is happening!? I've never seen this shape......

Augus: The wind-up staff's shape is also changing...!?

*locks*

Augus: ...... It fits together?

Augus: The shaking has calmed down. ... Why did the shapes of the staff and the clock hole change?

*rumble rumble rumble*

Terra: It, hurts...!

Cielo: ...... Ow!

Jane: Are both of you ok!?

*rumble rumble rumble*

Jane: I can't stand, it's shaking so much......

Cielo: My head hurts so bad, it's like it's cracking open......

Cielo: Shit! Another memory...!? ... At time like this!? ...... Huh?

Cielo: In the clock tower, Terra and I...... ... I remember!

Jane: Terra...!!

Cielo: *gasp* ...!

Cielo: ...... Terra!! Look out!!!

Terra: Eh......

*Crumble* *CRASH!!*

*rumble rumble rumble*......

Jane: The shaking has... calmed down.....

Terra: ............... Cielo......

Jane: ...... Terra! Are you okay!?

Terra: ............... Cielo......

Terra: Cielo...... No...!!

Terra: Why did you protect me...!?

Terra: Cielo!!!!

Jane: ...... Terra! Calm down!

Terra: ......... What should I do Jane-san?! Cielo...... Cielo is......

Jane: Terra, how did you know his name...? ... Don't tell me, your memories...?

to be continued...

T/N

Casts: Terra ― Nanase Riku Cielo ― Kujou Tenn Jane ― Izumi Iori Augus ― Yaotome Gaku Fabra ― Nikaido Yamato Jeune ― Rokuya Nagi Dissen ― Yuki Martin ― Izumi Mitsuki April ― Yotsuba Tamaki Meir ― Osaka Sougo Octo ― Tsunashi Ryuunosuke Novem ― Momo

Proofread by @ousama-pudding Thank you for always~

(1) Nocturne= musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night

(2) the title is 転調 which means modulation/transition, in music it’s used when changing keys in the middle of a piece of music so I chose A Change of Key bc it fits the story!

The next post will be the last part! Stay tuned and thanks for reading!!

Part 23~26 →