Hey there, story lovers! If you haven't watched the video yet, check it out above! The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the town of Kawagoe, where the Lantern Festival was in full swing. Aiko Tanaka stood in the cockpit of her mecha, the sleek machine humming with energy, yet her heart felt heavy. The vibrant colors of the festival outside clashed with the shadows that loomed in her mind, memories of her brother, lost in the chaos of the mecha wars, haunting her every thought.

Aiko clenched her fists, the pilot suit she wore feeling like a second skin, yet it was a constant reminder of her inadequacies. The simulated battle began, and Aiko's heart raced as she maneuvered her mecha, dodging attacks from the ghosts of her past. Each strike felt personal, each failure a stab at her already fragile spirit. Outside, the festival buzzed with laughter and joy, lanterns floating gently in the evening breeze, each one a symbol of lost souls and unfulfilled dreams. Was Aiko really ready to face another battle in the name of her brother?

Haruto Sato, her former rival, was among the crowd, cheering for the festivities. Yet, Aiko felt a distance between them, a chasm created by her grief and his unspoken rivalry. Just as the festival reached its peak, a sudden darkness swept over the town. What was happening to Kawagoe? And where was Kaito Mori in all of this?