Princess Connect Regret: Journey to Reclaim Lost Smiles
Time is a thief that always collects its due.
Yuuki watched the ones he loved—Pecorine, Kokkoro, Kyaru—dissolve into a black haze he could not stop. So he broke the world's oldest law to undo it: he touched the forbidden crystal beneath the Tower of Time and turned back the clock itself, trading his memories for a second chance. Now he stands once more in the sunlit plaza where it all began, watching a silver-haired girl scramble to collect her spilled coins—the first meeting, the first smile,
Princess Connect Regret: Journey to Reclaim Lost Smiles - Blade of Oblivion — Before I Lose the Ability to Call Your Name
The weight dug into his shoulder. Yuuki bore Pecorine's weight as he stepped onto the cobblestones of Landosol's lower district. The sun was already sinking. The western sky was stained a thin, blood-red.
I'm sorry, Yuuki... this is all my fault.
Don't worry about it. That was nothing.
A lie. The pain shooting through his left shoulder deepened with every breath. The Shadow Wolf's fang had gouged into flesh. The bleeding had stopped, but the wound was hot with fever.
He looked at Pecorine's face. Those sky-blue eyes that always sparkled were clouded now. Her big red ribbon swayed in the evening breeze.
...At least she's safe.
The battle in the forest. The Shadow Wolf pack had clearly grown stronger. In the original timeline, there shouldn't have been that many. Was this the effect of changing the past? The world was beginning to warp.
Come on, we're almost there. I can see the herb shop.
On the lower district street stood a small wooden shop. The sign read "Kokkoro's Herb Shop" in neat handwriting.
—Kokkoro.
A small pang shot through Yuuki's chest.
In the original timeline, she was a comrade in the guild Twilight Memoria. An elf girl. She had vast knowledge of herbs and always supported Yuuki with a serious face. Right now, she was just an herb shop owner.
He opened the door. A small bell chimed.
The scent of herbs drifted through the air. The smell of dried grass. Slightly bitter, yet somehow nostalgic.
Welcome.
From behind the counter, a girl raised her head. Pale green long hair, tied back in a single bundle. Golden eyes. Long, pointed elf ears. A small frame. She wore a white apron.
Kokkoro. Fifteen years old. An elf girl.
Um, excuse me. My companion is injured.
Kokkoro looked at Yuuki's face.
—In that instant. Her golden eyes flew wide open. The bundle of herbs in her hands fell to the floor with a soft rustle.
...You.
Her gaze was fixed on the back of Yuuki's left hand. A birthmark like the hands of a clock. Dark red, rising from beneath the skin.
That mark...
Ah, this? I was born with it. Don't worry about it.
Yuuki casually hid his left hand behind his back.
Kokkoro stared at Yuuki's face for a while. As if confirming something.
...Master.
She murmured, barely audible.
Huh?
Ah, no... forgive me. It was nothing.
Kokkoro shook her head hurriedly. The tips of her ears were faintly red. Even she didn't seem to understand why those words had come out.
Anyway, please come inside. Let me examine your wound.
Kokkoro briskly led them to the back of the shop. Inside, bundles of herbs were packed tightly together. Shelves lining the walls. Glass bottles. Dried leaves and roots.
In the back room, there were two small beds.
Please lie down here.
Yuuki sat on the bed as instructed. Kokkoro gently removed the cloth covering his wound.
...It's deep. It needs stitches.
Can you do it?
Yes. Leave it to me.
She pulled a needle and thread from a small leather pouch. Her hands were deft. No hesitation.
This will hurt. Please bear with it.
Yeah.
The needle pierced his skin. It hurt. But more than that. Kokkoro's fingertips occasionally brushed against his arm. The sensation was strangely warm.
...You used time magic.
The sudden words. Yuuki's body went rigid.
Didn't you.
Kokkoro's golden eyes stared straight at Yuuki.
What are you talking about?
That mark. It's the Brand of Memory's Price.
Her voice was quiet.
It's told in elven lore. A mark of compensation that appears on those who rewind time. Each time a memory vanishes, the brand spreads.
Yuuki couldn't say anything.
...Am I wrong?
You're wrong. It's just a birthmark.
That's a lie.
She said it flatly.
I'm an elf, so I've lived longer than humans. I know what this brand means. ...Master, you rewound time to protect something precious, didn't you.
Yuuki bit his lip.
...Sharp.
...Yeah.
As if resigned, Yuuki gave a small nod.
I came to the past to protect everyone. But as the price, my memories are disappearing.
Kokkoro listened in silence.
I don't care. Even if I lose every memory, as long as I can protect everyone, that's enough.
...Master.
Kokkoro's golden eyes wavered.
I'll be your record keeper.
She said that, and took Yuuki's hand.
Even if you forget, I'll remember. All of your memories — I'll record every one. So please, don't carry this alone.
Yuuki's chest grew hot.
...This girl.
She really was serious, clumsy.
But honest.
...Yeah. I'm counting on you.
Yuuki gave a small smile.
—That night.
Deep beneath Landosol. The Nocturne Cult's secret base. A stone hall. On the walls, the emblem of a black hourglass was carved over and over. One of them was pulsing violently.
A man in a black robe stood before the emblem.
Reporting. The time brand has reacted strongly.
The scout reported on one knee.
The source of the reaction is a boy from the lower district — Yuuki. He is the key to reviving the Primordial Brand.
The cult executive turned slowly.
Well done. But for now, do not move.
The executive's voice was low and cold.
Wait until he pays more of the price and the brand is complete. Haste ruins all.
Understood.
The scout vanished into the darkness.
The cult executive held his hand over the pulsing emblem.
The Primordial Brand. Complete dominion over time, sealed away three hundred years ago. ...That boy's memories are the key.
His lips twisted.
Investigate those around him as well. The blonde swordswoman and the elf girl. Those two may serve as catalysts to accelerate the brand's growth.
The black hourglass emblem flared brighter than ever. Then, slowly, it faded.
—Two days later.
Landosol's lower district.
Dusk. The sky was stained an eerie purple.
Yuuki stood in front of the herb shop with Pecorine and Kokkoro. The three of them had promised to go shopping for dinner together.
Today, I found fresh fish at the market! Let's have grilled fish!
Fish is fine, but you must eat vegetables too. I found some lovely carrots at the market.
Carrots, huh... I don't really like them.
Picky eating is not allowed. They're good for you.
Listening to the two of them, Yuuki smiled wryly.
...Peaceful.
If only time could stop like this.
That's what he thought.
—Then.
The air changed.
The lukewarm wind stopped.
...What the.
A chill ran down Yuuki's spine.
From far away, he could hear it.
A low, growling sound.
A rumble in the earth.
No, that wasn't it.
This was—
Yuuki, look.
Pecorine's voice went taut.
Where she pointed. The edge of the lower district.
Black mist was swirling.
One, two, three—
Too many to count.
Black mist poured out, one after another — from the ground, from the walls, from the sky.
Chronophage...
Yuuki muttered under his breath.
Monsters born from the distortions of time caused by altering the past. Beasts that devour memories.
Why are there so many...
Last time, he'd encountered one underground. But now, what stood before him was—
Ten. Twenty. No, more.
A horde.
Kyaaaaaah!
Screams rose.
The lower district's residents fell into panic. People fleeing in all directions. Stalls toppling. Windows shattering.
Everyone, run! Get inside!
Yuuki shouted.
Pecorine, Kokkoro, behind me!
He stood in front, shielding the two of them.
His hand went to the sword at his hip.
—Too many.
Yuuki calculated calmly in his head.
His remaining memories. His stamina. The sharpness of his blade. And the number of Chronophages.
...There was no guarantee of victory anywhere.
But.
It's all right. I'll handle this.
Yuuki suppressed his fear and told them.
Because I decided I'd protect everyone.
Yuuki, I'll fight too!
Pecorine drew her sword.
I will support you as well, Master.
Kokkoro raised her small staff.
...Yeah. I'm counting on you.
Yuuki drew his blade.
The silver edge gleamed in the twilight.
Let's go!
—Battle begins.
The horde of Chronophages attacked all at once.
Black mist extended its tentacles.
Yuuki swung his sword.
Shhk.
One Chronophage scattered into mist.
But another immediately filled its place.
Damn it, there's no end to them!
Yuuki kept swinging.
Pecorine swung her sword too.
Hyaaaah!
Her blade tore through Chronophages.
Kokkoro cast magic.
Arrows of light!
Golden arrows of light pierced the Chronophages.
The three fought desperately.
But.
...Something's wrong.
Yuuki noticed something off.
The Chronophages showed almost no interest in Pecorine or Kokkoro.
They were clearly targeting Yuuki alone.
Why just me...
Then.
One Chronophage extended a tentacle toward Yuuki's head.
—Tch!
His dodge was a moment too late.
The tentacle touched his temple.
—In that instant.
Images flooded his mind like a slideshow.
Sitting across from Pecorine in a dining hall. She was smiling happily.
It's so much tastier than eating alone!
—The image lost its color.
The vivid colors turned monochrome, and then crumbled like sand.
...Ah.
Yuuki felt his memory disappearing.
—Stop.
—Don't vanish.
—I don't want to forget.
Yuuki prayed desperately.
But with every touch of the tentacle, the memories crumbled.
In the herb shop, the moment Kokkoro called him "Master."
...Master.
—That voice receded into the distance.
Kokkoro's serious expression blurred.
Stop... stoooop!
Yuuki shouted as he cut away the tentacles.
Yuuki, what's wrong?!
He could hear Pecorine's voice.
Yuuki looked at her face.
—Blonde long hair. A big red ribbon. Sky-blue eyes.
...Who is she?
For a moment, that's what he thought.
Who... are you?
The words nearly escaped his throat.
—No.
—This is Pecorine.
—The comrade I swore to protect.
Yuuki swallowed the words.
...I'm fine. I can still fight.
Yuuki readied his sword again.
His hand was trembling.
—I don't want to forget.
—I don't want to forget, and yet.
Yuuki kept screaming in his heart.
Master! Behind you!
Kokkoro's shout.
Yuuki spun around reflexively and swung his blade.
Shhk.
He cut down the Chronophage closing in from behind.
Thanks, Kokkoro.
—Kokkoro.
—Right. Her name is Kokkoro.
—I still remember.
Yuuki told himself.
Not yet... I haven't forgotten yet!
Yuuki shouted.
I don't want to forget... I don't want to forget, and yet...!
As if answering his cry, Pecorine and Kokkoro intensified their attacks.
Don't you dare bully Yuuki!
I won't let you take any more of Master's memories!
Their coordination drove the Chronophages back.
But.
The number of Chronophages only grew.
Damn... why are there so many...
The three were being slowly cornered.
—Then.
One Chronophage caught Yuuki off guard.
A tentacle shot straight toward his chest.
—!
He couldn't dodge.
—Squelch.
A dull sound.
Huh...?
Yuuki looked down at his chest.
A black tentacle had pierced through it.
Kah...!
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Yuukiiiii!!
Pecorine's scream echoed through the lower district.
Yuuki's body tilted.
The ground rushed closer.
—Ah.
—I'm falling.
Thud.
Yuuki collapsed to the ground.
His vision blurred.
Master! Master! Stay with me!
Kokkoro ran to him.
Crying, she desperately tried to close the wound on his chest.
My herbs... to think they're useless at a time like this...
Kokkoro's tears fell onto Yuuki's cheek.
Warm.
Yuuki! Yuuki! Open your eyes! Please!
Pecorine gripped his hand.
Her hand was trembling too.
...Who... are you.
Yuuki murmured in a hoarse voice.
Huh...?
...Who are you.
Yuuki's eyes were hollow.
...It's Pecorine! I'm Pecorine! Yuuki's comrade!
Pecorine shouted.
...Peco...rine.
Yuuki repeated the name.
—Pecorine.
—I've heard it before.
—But.
—Who was she again.
...Sorry.
Yuuki apologized quietly.
No... no, Yuuki! Don't forget me! Please!
Pecorine's tears rained down on Yuuki's face.
—Ah.
—I made her cry.
—I wanted to protect her.
—And again, I couldn't.
Yuuki's right hand was holding someone's hand.
A warm hand.
A trembling hand.
—Whose hand is this.
—I don't know.
—But.
—I don't want to let go
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