To Thaw a Lost Heart

Under the Sun Again

A dream or a memory.
Whatever's the case.....
.....It's just a fleeting moment now.....

Either way, it's indistinguishable from reality as everything that happened over the past one year does exists yet also a fleeting dream. Before everything lost their meaning, Tirpitz engraves the memory of what drastically changed it all. Even when her heart forgets, her mind ensures it wouldn't lose their meaning.

"I....can't touch anything now......"

Due to her current condition, as part of the operation that altered her wisdom cube, Iron Blood isolates Tirpitz within a special room inches tick steel walls that's also resistant to extreme temperatures. Tirpitz sits on a wooden chair near the far right corner and only stares at her bare hands with cold air evaporating from her skin and fingertips.

"That's due to using an experiment of the Sirens to save your life. The wound inflicted by the Sirens could only be countered with their own creation" Bismarck speaks behind the only window
"Why would you do that knowing there's a side effect?"

Since Tirpitz is still dangerous to approach her body emitting vapors of liquid nitrogen that also affects her surroundings, Bismarck could only interact with her outside the room and through a shatterproof glass window. The sealed room is instantly converted into a freezer with spiky sheets of ice occupying from the floor to the ceiling.

"It's natural in order to save your life. Had I not do that, you would have died from internal overheating. There was little chance of survival, but I took that risk rather than letting you die slowly" Bismarck calmly explains
"So either way, I would die. The only difference is the fraction of hope I will survive in the operation"
"It's still too early for you to die, Tirpitz. You still have a chance in life"
"Who.....are you to decide that? I told you if I die, then that's only natural. What you did is unnatural and made it only worse by using an experiment of the Sirens"

Tirpitz can still express her resentment, but her voice is mostly monotone now and her eyes lack the vitality it once had.

"We do whatever it takes to survive in this war, Tirpitz. I can't let the opportunity of you surviving slip even in the chance itself is slim and risky" Bismarck remains calm and collected
"I know it's not because you're my older sister but because you're the leader. So long as I can fight, the result wouldn't matter" Tirpitz clenches her fists
"Your frustration is understandable. A normal life is impossible for you now even when we can suppress the coldness in your body"

Bismarck continues to speak in a calm manner, but she instinctively tightly clenches the right fist that she's nearly wounding her own palm. It's because of her decision that Tirpitz has to be contained as being near her is fatal. She's not ignorant at the fact and she doesn't avert her gaze as proof of her subtly taking responsibility for it.

"This is living hell, Bismarck. No one can get near me because they'd suffer frostbite and my body's activities have slowed down. I literally can't feel anything because everything I touch freezes" Tirpitz briefly lifts her left hand
"I'm aware you're upset at my decision....."
"More than being upset, I can only hate you for leaving me in this state"
"......" Bismarck couldn't respond
"Towards you and Iron Blood itself, there's only resentment now"

Tirpitz doesn't hesitate to speak out about how she doesn't have the slightest gratitude for her second life, just a grudge that's bound to fade away sooner or later.

"Your sentiment is justifiable. That's why I don't want make any excuses on why I made the decision" Bismarck tips off the peak of her cap
"You're always like that. Even when other people disagree or argue with you, you'd just stare at them like a statue
"As the leader of Iron Blood, I must keep my composure. However, it doesn't mean I'm apathetic. I know this is painful for you, but you don't wish for my pity"
"....." Tirpitz doesn't deny or reject her response
"I alone made the decision because I simply wanted you to live. That's all" Bismarck slowly turns away from Tirpitz