(Urgh... I got so hungry that we ended up using whatever was in the fridge...)1

(Sorry to whoever lives here. I'll pay you back later.)

(I feel bad, though. I know I'm doing this because I have to, but it still feels so wrong...)

(Well, trespassing someone's home and eating their food is generally considered a crime.)

(But this is all for survival's sake! We had no other choice!)

Hm? What's the matter, Tomoya-kun?

Oh, it's nothing... I just feel stupid for relying on common sense in weird-ass situations like this.

......?

It's fine. Let's eat before it gets cold. Thank you for the food⁠♪

Ah yes, thank you... Wait, who are we thanking again?

It's just a saying we use before eating to show our gratitude.

Got it. And about these... Is this how you use them?

Oh, so you remember how to use chopsticks? You used the knife and the microwave just fine when we were cooking together too...

So skills related to your implicit memory are still intact, but you don't have any—what's it called—episodic memory...?2

Uh-huh...

Oh, I'm just saying whatever comes to mind. I don't really know much, so take everything with a grain of salt...

But you still know more than me, since I don't remember anything. I'm counting on you, Tomoya-kun⁠♪

Mhm. "Counting on me," huh...

Yes. If I do something weird, please point it out and I'll correct my behavior.

Honestly? The more normal you act, the stranger it seems.

Oh? Is that how I was?

Hmm... Maybe you'll remember something if I tell you stories about ourselves, but my memory's not that great either.

Ah, that would help a lot. You're so kind.

Anyone who has an acquaintance with amnesia would do the same though...

I should really take you to a doctor, but those monster things are still wandering around. I'm too scared to go outside.

What do you mean by "monster"?

You can look out the window if you're curious. They've been loitering outside this apartment for hours.

Hmm? Is it normal for monsters to come out? I'd say this is pretty weird though?

Of course it's not normal. Maybe this is just another dream...?

I have no idea what's going on. I also heard stuff about other units being trapped in weird places like a desert or a jungle...⁠3

This year's SS is just weird as a whole.

"SS"...?

I have to explain that to you too, huh? If this is all an act, then please cut it out. It's getting quite troublesome.

I'm not sure what to say. I truly don't remember anything.

I'm sorry for the trouble I caused, Tomoya-kun.

Ah, don't apologize...

(Urgh... I'm losing it again. Sure, he always laughs his ass off while giving me hell...)

(But he's strangely well-behaved right now... Did his personality change when he lost his memory?)

(Is this really how he's like when he's not acting? The true Hibiki-senpai?)

Um, Tomoya-kun.

What now... Sorry if the food isn't to your tastes. I'm not much of a chef.

Oh no, it's delicious. Being able to eat with someone makes me happy.

Now that you mention it, you don't usually eat around other people, huh?

Is that so? Very interesting. I'm learning⁠♪

...Anyways, what were you gonna say before?

Oh, right. I've been wondering about this for a while...

What's this thing we have around our wrists?

Oh, this? Some kind of watch, I guess. I don't really know much about it either.

They gave these to everyone half a month before the SS qualifiers.

Apparently, I can get SSL$ just by wearing it.

It might be for some experiment, but I don't know what it's intended for.

It doesn't do any harm and I can get money from wearing it... So like, why not? I just have it on like this.

But what this is for is...a mystery. There's a screen on it, although it doesn't display anything.

A screen? I've been wondering about it for a while... Look, there are some letters on it.

Huh? Whoa, you're right! I didn't even notice that!

I really am useless, huh... When I'm too focused on one thing, I can't pay attention to anything else.

That aside, err... What does it say⁠—

Ugh, it's in English... Gh... How do I read this?

"Welcome to SANCTUARY"⁠—

Huh? You can read that, Hibiki-senpai?

Yes. I'm...amazed that I could read this. Maybe there actually are a few things I haven't forgotten how to do.

However, I'm not sure what this "SANCTUARY" we're being welcomed to is...

Hmm? I don't know either. The mystery deepens...!