I can choose my own workplace? Thank you, I'll have the documents over shortly! Hmm, was the Convalescent Garden this way... or that way? Sorry, I'll still need you to show me the way after all…

My grandfather told me how wild roses used to grow all over behind the town. White ones, red ones, out in the mountains and fields... Children loved them. Dignitaries took pride in them... But I never saw any. Perhaps he just wanted to trick a naughty child into going to sleep...

The sunlight through the glass, the town's humid air, the aroma of petals and soil... Those were what made naps special for me, alone in the afternoons. No one would ever bother me—at most they'd quietly leave behind their coin, and take what flowers they fancied back home. At least, that's how it was until the tragedy.

I was bringing some seeds back, and Lena was smiling at me the whole time. Why...? Oh, I didn't even notice I had dirt on my face! I feel like when I get busy, I start letting all sorts of things slip my mind. Has it been this way? Well... I used to never have so many worries in the first place.

I don't think me stepping onto the front lines was an act of bravery. My time in the Self-Salvation Corps wasn't that dramatic either. My hometown's gone and I had nowhere to go. All I could do was carry on my friend's last wish, and never look back. Isn't that what war's all about?

Do you think flowers can grow once more, in steel and soil's gaps? Ever since I saw again what that city of iron's become, the question has been bothering me. Maybe Rockrock was right—I'd better take a bag of seeds back home after the war dies down... You don't think we'll be waiting too long?

Excuse me, Doctor, I'm not getting in the way of your sunbathing, am I? I like it here too... The portholes might not be that big, but their sunlight's enough for these flowers to grow. What do you think? It worries me when a place feels lonely, so I took the initiative to decorate the room with them.

Doctor, watch out for the thorns on the stems! It's not that I don't want to pick them for you, it's just that they haven't reached the peak of their beauty yet. Hm...? You'd like to help me take care of them? Oh, no problem. Do you need me to teach you how?

To be honest, my greatest wish would be to return to my hometown, and rebuild my greenhouse. Doctor, are you laughing? I'm guessing you—think I should have loftier dreams...? No need, you say? Heheh, I suppose. Well, not that this'll be easy either, seeing as my hometown's rubble now.

Take a deep breath, Doctor. The scent of roses will put your mind at ease.

Greetings, Doctor. Vendela reporting in. Um, what did Rockrock write for me next, I can't remember... Never mind! Please take this flower, I insist! Its meaning is good luck.

The method's a perfect fit. You prune leaves and branches the same way.

A promotion? Then may I request a bigger room? No... It's not that I can't get used to it. I just have more and more roses in my room, and they need more sunlight... Okay, maybe the same goes for me.

Don't worry yourself about these entangled thorns. They're just trying to protect me.

I'll try my best to help everyone out.

Everyone, please follow where the petals flutter.

Don't be afraid of the thorns. They are here to help us.

I won't allow them to trample apart this land!

Ugh, there's a bad scent in the air.

Will it really be possible to plant seeds here?

I like these high places. They have plenty of sunshine.

I heard someone tried planting sunflowers on the roof? Not a bad idea.

Watch out for the thorns.

Bloom forth!

Pay attention to where the petals fall.

What blooms, must also wither.

Do you see the dew shimmering on the petals? Such splendid scenery in the morning light… We wouldn't be enjoying this if not for you.

Scything, uprooting... It sounds cruel. But if we want to deal with the weeds competing for nutrients, then I think there's no other way, Doctor.

While on the front lines, I caught a glimpse of an unforgettable field of flowers, blooming with vigor and vitality. I was always curious where their nutrients came from. Now, I think I know…

Their petals... have crumbled away.

Cold and isolated... Is this the sort of atmosphere you prefer, Doctor?

Oh! Did you want to buy some flowers?

Eep. You knocked the flower out of my hair.

Arknights.

Happy New Year, Doctor! Oh, the gift in front of everyone's room? That's poinsettia. In the past, I'd leave a bouquet at each and every doorstep to celebrate New Year's Eve... I didn't want this beautiful custom to disappear because of that incident.

You spotted it, Doctor? That's a new variety I've been breeding. Do you like it?

I was going around the greenhouse collecting all the fresh buds, when it suddenly struck me how long it's been since that tragedy. Do you think I'll be able to rebuild my greenhouse back home? I know you might not have all the answers, but somehow, seeing everyone brimming with confidence... just puts my heart at ease too.