wordswords[truncated] - Let's Play Aoi Shiro

You captured the essence of that scene perfectly. And hello, Aoi's cleavage. It's beautiful :D /saved

Why thank you~

I regret nothing /super_pervert

:3

So, to share with you guys the voices as well as various backgrounds and special effects, I've recorded the next few updates. I probably won't record everything, just bits that might be interesting here and there. The video is a bit long, but I wanted to try showing as much as I could and I was excited about the new video capturing software, courtesy of Anabanana. Anyway, you can watch it here. The first half only features Syouko and Momoko, but the second half makes up for it with Ayashiro and Yasumi. Unfortunately, no Kyan in this one :(

There are three notable voice actors in the cast: Noriko Hidaka (Syouko); Ayumi Fujimura (Kyan); and Rina Satō (the girl Yasumi found at the beach). If you don't recognize that last one, she does Negi Springfield's Japanese voice. Oh, and apparently (if the Korean version uses the Japanese voices) she's also your daughter. By the way, you have a daughter. With that revelation, let's get on with the update!

Since Ayashiro isn't feeling well, she gets assigned kitchen duty with Yasumi while the rest of the team goes on a run. With Syouko in the front, they sound off as the run across the sand.



Syouko thinks to herself that they just ought to be glad she doesn't make them sing while running, like the former captain did. She thinks the problem with it is that you can't change the song when you get tired of singing that one in particular (since you're singing in a group). For me, the problem would be me wheezing on the ground before we even get to the chorus. Syouko's good at holding her breath, though, which is surprisingly useful in kendo.

Anyway, there were a lot of suggestions as to what they should do for morning practice. They decided to go for a run on the beach because



Brilliant logic. She claims running on the sand is good training for the lower body. It's also easier on the knees than pavement. Syouko and Momoko don't really have much trouble during the run, leading the pack the entire way. This isn't really surprising, since Syouko is captain and Momoko is a neverending fountain of energy the team's next ace. They have a little chat while they run, which I'm ommiting, since it's pretty much just small talk about school and family. Momoko only does well in gym class. Anyone surprised?

They run a little further before Syouko checks the time on a stopwatch borrowed from Yasumi. It's about time to head back. Giving the command to let the girls know, they all stop and catch their breath for a minute. Syouko does her duty as captain, asking if anyone's feeling ill or exhausted. Seems as though everyone's fine, though.



We get a quick shot of Momoko in her kendo gear before everyone heads back to the temple.

Ayashiro and Yasumi are waiting in front of the temple.

Ayashiro: As expected, Syouko-san and Momoko-chan are at the front.



She seems to blush a bit as Syouko takes the towel from her hand, but Yasumi quickly remembers Momoko.

Yasumi: Momo-chan, welcome back, too.
Momoko: Uui~

As she's wiping the sweat off her forehead, Momoko suddenly remembers something. Stepping a bit closer to Yasumi, she asks if breakfast is ready with a little grin.

Yasumi: Yes, it's done. Since Ayashiro-sempai helped, we finished faster than expected.
Syouko: Then we'll eat as soon as everyone returns.
Momoko: Osa-sempai, can we eat in the order we came back in...?
Syouko: Of course not.
Momoko: ............

Momoko was silent. The one who protested was her stomach.



That would be cute and annoying at the same time. Can't you just imagine her running back and forth, herding the other girls like a sheepdog? Syouko is a little exasperated with Momoko, but she always is, so Yasumi just laughs it off. Remembering their pale complexions this morning, Syouko asks



Yasumi says she's fine, and Ayashiro feels well enough to participate in afternoon practice. Excellent! That just leaves one last thing to ask...

Syouko: Then what about that girl...?

Yasumi says she's still asleep. Ayashiro adds that Yuukai asked around, but so far there hasn't been any word of an accident or a missing persons report in the area. What about Urashima, Syouko asks. It's about ten kilometers from Unasaka, and the sea between the two islands are filled with sea reefs. It's a dangerous swim, but not impossible.



News hasn't reached the island yet, but no one takes a boat out to sea during Kurou-sama's festival. If her boat didn't capsize, that girl must have gotten swept out somehow.

Syouko: So what's the possibility that it was some sort of accident?
Ayashiro: Like getting dragged in by a tall wave? I can't deny the possibility, but she's a girl that really stands out.
Syouko: I see...

Many islands struggled with depopulation. Urashima is no different and shouldn't have a large population. If such a beautiful girl lived there, rumors at least should have reached here.

Ayashiro: Though it's not like there hasn't been a precedent.
Syouko: Precedent?
Ayashiro: Umm... how many years ago was it?
Yasumi: Eight years...
Ayashiro: That's right. Eight years ago around the time of Kurou-sama's festival, a girl washed up alive on the beach.
Syouko: Eh...?
Ayashiro: Though the sea was rough as normal, that girl had almost no injuries...



Thump.

I bet that's going to be significant. Amnesia girl's obviously going to come up again; the real question is whether she's someone we've met already.

Maybe both incidents were the same girl and now she's got amnesia again... Nah, it's going to be Migiwa or Syouko's cousin.

Or maybe even Syouko herself~ though probably not...?

I know this----I know this feeling.

Syouko: -------- (takes a deep breath)

This feeling of sinking into cold water. In the opposite direction of my sinking consciousness, numerous small bubbles floated up from the water's surface. Many passed by me, but a number of them hit me and popped...



Syouko: Ah...

One, two, three, four... five, six, seven... eight, nine... countless bubbles burst open. My wavering consciousness was dashed by waves and the bubbles burned a fragment of a vision in my mind. As they linked and added together, I soon had not fragments, but an entire image. That was something I shouldn't know... No, it was sunk in the deep sea of my memory, something I should know...

Ayashiro: ... Syouko-san?
Syouko: --------

Thump, thump, thump, thump.



The blood flowed throughout my body and my stiff face moved. I blinked once.

Ayashiro: Syouko-san, your complexion...
Syouko: ... I'm fine.
Ayashiro: But, still, our condition suddenly worsened, too.
Yasumi: ............
Syouko: I really am fine.

My still quivering lips somehow managed to form words. Like the saying 'sickness starts from the spirit,' the reason for my complexion was due to my heart.



I'm okay... I could do something about this. So I was fine...



Syouko: I remembered I have to make a phone call home, so if you'll excuse me, I'll go back first.

I wanted to know the answer one minute, even one second faster. I quickly returned to my room.

Sorry for the lack of summarization, but this seemed like a pretty important scene, so I ended up writing it verbatim by accident.

This is another one I've recorded for two reason. The first is that this an important, emotional scene. The second is because Kyan makes an appearance near the end and you guys haven't gotten a chance to hear her voice yet. The picture shows up sort of fuzzy for me sometimes, but perfectly clear other times. It could just be my computer, but if it happens to you, try closing the window and reopening the video. That worked somewhat well for me. If anyone has any other problems with the video, lemme know.

After excusing herself from Yasumi and Ayashiro, Syouko runs back to her room to grab her cell phone and change out of her kendo gear.

I didn't want to take the time to change but I thought wearing the wet, heavy dougi would recall that hard-to-breath feeling...

The phone rings as Syouko thinks about the memory she couldn't quite remember until now.



The open space and sunlight warming my skin helped relieve that feeling. I knew it was only temporary, but it helped restore my equilibrium.

Suddenly someone picks up on the other end of the line.



Syouko: Hello? Ojii-chan?
Syouko's Grandpa: Oh, it's Syouko.

It was a rough, curt voice. My grandpa took a while to get used to the phone and gave the impression of being grouchy, which he was.

Syouko spent a lot of time with both her grandparents, but she takes after her grandfather, Osanai Jinnosuke.

Jinnosuke: Calling so early in the morning... what's wrong? Did you forget something?
Syouko: More than forgetting anything, it's like I've remembered something...

A memory that sank deep in my mind had floated up.

Syouko: In the past, I went on a trip with Natsu nee-san, right?
Jinnosuke: ............

I strained my ears, but heard only silence. Maybe he had moved the receiver, since he was grumbling that I was annoying.



Jinnosuke: ... I heard you. That was he summer you were crying after Shuuhou died.

A reminder since it's been a while since we heard hat name: Shuuhou is Syouko's grandmother.

I heard a lighter on the other side of the phone.

Jinnosuke: ............

Grandpa blew out tobacco smoke with a sigh.

Jinnosuke: What a lame way to comfort you. Telling you that after a person dies, he goes to the southern sea. It isn't like going to Potalaka. You were still a kid, so you believed the story and said you wanted to visit that place.
Syouko: Yes...

Why did I forget that?

Syouko: Natau nee-san...

After that, it was vague.



The depth and cold of the ocean stopped me from passing through. But, still, I knew something was on the bottom. It was vague, but I knew something had happened.

Jinnosuke: Well, the only one to return was you.
Syouko: Only I miraculously survived the accident at sea... Natsu nee-san disappeared... Ojii-chan, do you remember where that was?
Jinnosuke: There's no way I could forget such a thing. Well, this might be some sort of karma.
Syouko: ............
Jinnosuke: Ah, that's right. Long ago, you went to...
Syouko: The place Natsu nee-san brought me to was...



Syouko: ............
Jinnosuke: Geez... That Shuuhou, whether heaven or the stars, if she could go someplace she shouldn't, she'd be okay with it. Hey, I'm going to hang up.
Syouko: Okay...

The call ended and I was left by myself.

So Madar Foxfire and EvilFuzzy9 both were right, in a sense. Both Syouko and her cousin got in an accident at sea, but Syouko seems to be the girl who washed up on the shore eight years ago.

Syouko: ... I've really come here before.

My gaze traveled down from the mountains, across the surface of the blue sea, to the tip of the island's shadow. The nostalgic feeling I had when I first got here wasn't deja vu. It was a scene I'd seen eight years ago.



I couldn't really catch it, since it's a layered effect that happens to fast, but if you watch the video you'll get an up close and personal look at Kyan's evil eye.

Hearing a reply when I was talking to myself startled me.



As I thought, she wasn't normal. No matter how inattentive, it wasn’t normal for her to get this close without me noticing. I wondered is SHE was the one who came here to learn onitaiji tactics (oni extermination sword skills).

Syouko: ... What?

Seeing her large eyes this close startled me. It was said of me too at time, but her eyes were unexpectedly hard.

Bear in mind, her sprite actually is glaring here. And then



She changed her expression. Her eyes were like a cat that found something interesting.



Smiling with her eyes closed like a cat, she gracefully turned around.

Migiwa: Let's go, let's go. You can't do anything on an empty stomach.

Like a cat, with silent footsteps she went down the hall and disappeared.

Looks like Kyan really IS a cat.

Whoa, wait, what? I was right? Wow.

Sorry for the lack of updates. School's been keeping me pretty busy lately. But right now, it's time for breakfast! And you know what that means?



A lot heavier on the veggies than I'm used to, but sounds like a pretty filling breakfast. Of course, filling isn't enough for Momoko.

She went from one end to the other. And once more. And then, like when checking for safety when crossing the road, she looked once more from side to side...

Momoko: Zawacchi, Zawacchi, where's the animal protein?





Syouko, you so cold.

Pressured by a feverish stare that was almost physical, Yasumi slowly retreated. Momoko sidled up next to Yasumi and closed the distance between them.

Momoko: I endured yesterday's meal! I restrained my stomach when it couldn't digest meat! But two meals in a row? If I don't eat meat now, when will I?!
Yasumi: Even if you say that, we'd need to go grocery shopping...

Momoko was sitting in the next seat so Yasumi couldn't run away. She had no choice but to use her verbal skills to escape.

Momoko: If it's like this, I won't have enough strength for practice.

Momoko countered with the fact that taking care of the health of the players was one of a manager's duties. If we're only talking about protein, I think the items made from soybeans, miso, cold tofu and natto are enough. The taste had nothing to do with the nutritional value, but it seems it was important for raising some people's spirit.

Then Syouko completely forgets about Momoko's complaints entirely and thinks to herself



Though she was the one that said she was hungry and came out to fetch me, she herself ran off somewhere saying an errand. She left a message for me with the others saying she'd already eaten breakfast and ran off somewhere. Geez...

Aoi: By the way, Suzuki-san?
Yuukai: What is it, Hanako-san?



Aoi: Then what exactly do you do at the festival during the middle of that storm? In a large rainstorm, you can't do stuff like eat cotton candy, set off fireworks, or scoop goldfish, right?

The monk pauses for a moment, and while he does, Syouko joins in.

Syouko: Sensei doesn't know either?



She waved her arms up and down and wriggled from side to side letting us know that she couldn't stand waiting for the answer. She was acting more like a student than a teacher. No, no, that was the attitude of a child, not a young adult.

She has YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM and can't contain her curiosity, Syouko. It's a good thing. Unfortunately for Aoi-sensei...

Yuukai: The boats stop crossing a few days before the festival so it's hard for outsiders to get in.





Seems that's the tradition. Or just common sense for the residents of Urashima. Why go out in the middle of a storm? Anyway, because of that, no one actually knows much about the festival, not even the residents of the island.

Looking at Aoi-sensei, who had her shoulders slumped in disappointment, the monk opened his mouth.



That's all it takes for Aoi to get hooked again.

Seeing Sensei's exciting face, the monk looked a little at a loss and cocked his eyebrow, since she might be expecting too much.

Yuukai: Even if you're that interested, I don't have much to say. From what I've heard, that person is currently missing.
Aoi: I see.
Yuukai: Going out during such a storm and directly facing it would normally cause one to be in a lot of trouble. It was completely unexpected, but I heard that young person was in the prime of his life and returned with pure white hair. He suddenly disappeared a few days later and has never been seen since, it seems.





Or else it might be that he was invited to the Palace of the Dragon King and opened up a Pandora's Box of sorts which he shouldn't have.

Much like Urashima Tarō. You know, I learned about the legend because Rock talks about it in one of his Another Wonderful Life heart events.

... The things I learn from video games and comic books...

She's talking about the details of the festival, by the way (not sure if that's very clear). But I'm pretty sure you all know the real reason I'm showing this shot: DAT FACE. Yuukai must think it's pretty cute, too, cause he says with a little smile,

Yuukai: Well, I might know a little bit about it.
Aoi: Eh?!
Yuukai: It's thanks to the Buddhist Temple Certification during the Edo Period.



Yuukai: All the residents of Urashirma are patrons of Shoushinji, but---
Momoko: I don't see any sign of them here though.

RUDE, Momoko. Rude. Luckily, the monk just acknowledges her comment with a "hrm" and continues.

Yuukai: During the Meiji edict of separating Shinto and Buddhism, Kurou-sama was treated as the Dragon God, and an incarnation of Konpira. Fortunately for them, the primary figure of worship here is Bishamonten. Well, who knows how such karmic bonds work.
Momoko: ......?
Yuukai: Bishamonten is treated the same as one of the Divine Generals, Bikara. Both he and Konpira are known as Kunpiira in India so praying to Konpira-sama, a.k.a. Kurou-sama, is the same as praying to Bishamonten, so the people of the island have no problems with that.
Momoko: Oh... what kind of sophistry was that!
Yuukai: At least call it an espedient means for justifying things.

It's hard to explain the theory that Shinto gods are buddhas, you'd just accept that Shinto God as an incarnation of that Buddha. Anyways, nowadays Bishamonten and Kurou-sama are treated the same so the faith towards the latter was tacitly approved.

I could have left that bit out or just summarized it, but I think it's really interesting how it all interconnects like that. Even if I don't quite grasp it entirely.

Yuukai: Since he wanted faith in Kurou-sama to continue, one of the head priests of the temple here had been collecting information about it---



Here's another shot of me failing to catch the visual effect (and dat face).

SENSEI
TOO CUTE
DAMMIT
WHY AREN'T WE OYAJI?!

Wheee, someone finally LP'ed a game that I can't afford to download!!

....

I don't know what's actually going on, but I'm EXCITED.

Those ancient documents might also talk about the Nekata ritual.

Yuukai: Well, to put it simply, it was like a retelling of the onitaiji where the shogun defeated the oni leader.
Aoi: So you're saying it's a village kagura, with sacred Shinto music and dancing?



As if he found the smell of blood distasteful, the monk gave a lament as he stroked his beard.

Aoi: A sacrifice---is it?
Yuukai: The sacrifice is an ox, though.

But, still, since Buddhism forbids the taking of life, I'm surprised the monk gave tacit approval for that. He gave a heavy nod.

Kurou-sama's festival, passed to the Nekata of Urashima, didn't have a performance where a paper-mache ox head was cut---



Aoi: A ritual ox sacrifice---
Yuukai: It's also written in the Nihon Ryouiki where an ox cursed by Karakami is killed as an offering to bring back good fortune again.
Aoi: I see. If an onmyouji brought Kurou-sama's festival to the island, then it's not strange to have rituals influenced by that.
Syouko: Onmyouji?

If this was an old faith that exited back in B.C., then I didn't think an onmyouji would be mixed in but---

Aoi: Because of the spread of Buddhism, faith in Kurou-sama, like in the old tales, had completely stopped for a time.

If there was a reason like that, then the previous statement might not be so outlandish.

Aoi: Also, it seems that the onmyouji had white hair, a white complexion and one eye.



It's almost as if Momoko knows her role in the story is to provide comic relief (but I have to admit, I did laugh).

Momoko's silly comment allowed everyone, who had been sucked in by the story of a sacrifice, to give a relieved sigh.

Syouko: Ah---

The one I met in the Sal Forest last night. The Tokosaki no Tsubaki referred to as Kurou-sama's wife and was also said to have been planted by Yasuhime-sama. If the virtuous tsubaki that dispels evil took the form of an onmyouji and is trying to revive faith in Kurou-sama... Then for me to have laid eyes on it without any preconceptions, I felt like it had been beyond and expectation---

So it was a one-eyed, white-haired onmyouji... huh?

Syouko, you sound almost as enthusiastic about the Tsubaki Spirit as I am. Hope the info dump wasn't too much. I told you these meals were long.

After this more PRACTICE, but with 100% more Kyan.

Momoko: Wow! They're really dry!?

Their kendo gear was all sweaty from the morning run, so they'd left their dougi out in the sun to dry. It makes Syouko change her mind a bit about the heat.

I'd thought of it as an enemy before, but now it might be showing us some mercy. Filling my lungs with the salty air, I looked up at the high blue sky.

Syouko: Warm-ups first.
Momoko: But still, Osa-sempai's allocated too much time for warm-ups.
Syouko: Warming up is important. If you don't stretch enough, you'll get hurt.

Momoko pouts, but Syouko's right. To prove it, she lists a few reasons why it's important. Then she adds,

The reason I'm such a stickler about it might be because of the influence of my grandpa, who is a doctor.

It's a hot summer day, hotter so in the south, so it isn't long before Syouko begins to sweat again. The black hakama she's wearing don't help much.



Natsu nee-san was against that and wore black from head to toe.



Apparently "senshu" is used to indicate that person is an athlete. I'd never heard of these occupational honorifics before, so it was pretty interesting. Anyway...

It gave me motivation to think about that time when, though it was hot, she still let herself be drenched in sweat.

Erm... okay, then. Moving right along.

Syouko: Lastly, let's do stretching in pairs. Hmm?

She notices that they've got an odd number of people. It's alright for Syouko to stretch on her own, but why would she do that when Kyan's here?



That's right. Last night, she expressed interest in how strong Seijou was and what we did at practice. Since she was here, I decided to try and invite Migiwa.

Syouko: Migiwa, did you want to join too?

I love you, Kyan, but look at Yasumi's gym clothes. So cuuuute (especially the little Seijou emblem).

Syouko: You look like you've got some free time.

If she had enough free time to watch, then it'd be more enjoyable to swing a bamboo sword around, I think. We were people who had shared a meal and were staying under the same roof. Well, I did acknowledge that she was hard to deal with.

We didn't have our protectors so we didn't have matches. Even a newbie or someone not suited to kendo could imitate our movements. Newbies to kendo often practiced in sweats, so I don't think there's a problem if she wears casual clothing to practice.



Syouko: Heh...

Well, I didn't mind that it had been a joke, but like how Migiwa was interested in us, I was also interested in Migiwa.

Hell yeah you are.

She was feigning innocence, but she'd said "ordinary high school students," so perhaps she herself was not ordinary?



Whoa, Syouko, checking out Kyan right in front of the entire team? No wonder Yasumi's cut-off sprite is pouting in that picture.

Kyan crosses her arms, wondering whether or not to join.

Migiwa: ... Well, I guess it's fine.

Saying that, she came from under the shade of the tree and into the sun as she stretched.

We have successfully lured Kyan from the shade of the tsubaki trees. Excellent. Too bad they can't have a practice match. I wanna see who'd win.

YOU GO GURL
CHECK EM OUT AND MAKE EM OUT

Seeing that --- I didn't know whether it was because of Migiwa or a fault in my character, and even though I was the one that invited her ---

Syouko: Weren't you here for a hot spring treatment?

I somehow wanted to rain on her parade.

Syouko, you have the strangest ways of flirting. Luckily

Migiwa just let my snide comment blow past her. Since she was late in joining, she went back to her simplified stretching.

Migiwa: It's about time for my opponent to come, so I need to get used to my rehabilitated body.
Syouko: ... Your opponent?

Since she was hinting that it was someone other than one of us, I was curious. Who was this opponent she was talking about?

I thought she'd been using it as an excuse, but was it the person who gave her the injury that she needed a hot spring treatment for?



Migiwa: A fight to the death...

Migiwa laughs and says

Migiwa: Maybe it was one step removed from that.

Her eyes narrowed as she smiled. Only the color of her eyes remained hard and cold.

She goes back to her modified stretching and within ten minutes time she's ready to go.

I felt that it looked like how a cat stretched.

Of course it does: it's Kyan.

Migiwa: Now...

Migiwa borrowed a practice bamboo sword. Holding in her right hand, she sliced the air, making a nice whooshing noise. It wasn't a swing like you'd see in kendo, but it was too sharp of a swing for someone who knew nothing. She held one in her right hand --- and also one in her left hand ---



After confirming the length and balance of the weapons in her hand, she started cutting the air, making nice sounds.

I see. That really didn't seem ordinary.



Syouko: Have you had experience wielding a bamboo sword?
Migiwa: Not much with a bamboo sword.
Syouko: Is there anything you'd like to tell me?
Migiwa: You don't need to go easy on me. You don't learn things like this by being meticulously taught the hand and foot movements, but by watching and learning, right?
Syouko: Well, I guess.
Migiwa: If I can take a glance at some proper form and technique, I think I can imitate it.

I see. Migiwa had definitely learned some sort of martial arts and I didn't need to treat her as a novice.

Kyan moves a little away from where the club is standing, so she can get an idea of what the stance looks like and how to strike and whatnot.

Syouko: Meh --- n!

I held the bamboo sword in an upper stance and put strength into my careful, fast practice strikes.



Of course. Though she said she'd just wanted a glance and had a flippant attitude, I knew that she was carefully watching my every move. More than a cat, her unblinking eyes resembled a snake as she stared at my movements. If I did poorly here, then it's guarenteed that it'll be awkward afterwards, so even if I didn't want to, I put spirit into my blows.

You know, that started out pretty cute, but it got weird and then it went to, "Do you even care?" Seriously, Syouko. Anyway, after a while, Kyan joins in.

If she could learn just by watching, then you could say that Migiwa really did have a lot of talent. Her swings, which had started softly, changed and the way she held her sword also looked more like proper kendo form.





That style of walking was mysterious and didn't make a sound.

Ayashiro: It might resemble the movements of Japanese dancing a little.

Turns out Ayashiro's mother is from a famous lineage of Japanese dancers, so she's studied it since she was little (Which is why her practice swings were each so beautiful and enchanting). No wonder she's considered to be such a lady at a school like Seijou.

Ayashiro: Migiwa-san is amazing.

Her back was ramrod straight and there was no wavering in her blows. At times, it looked a little strange, but balanced. She weaved around with her eyes closed. It looked like flowing water, or waves, and was truly like the movement at the water's edge.

If you don't remember, the "Migiwa" in her name is spelled using characters that make the meaning "the water's edge."

Kyan finishes up her practice swings and the members of the kendo club start clapping. Looks like everyone's checkin' out Kyan. Back off, she's taken.

Migiwa: Oh?
Syouko: Are you really not experienced in this?



Syouko: Geez, I didn't say I didn't believe you.
Migiwa: Well... anyways. I don't have experience in kendo. That isn't a lie.

She grinned and closed one eye.

Migiwa: In kendo... that is.
Syouko: I see...

Kyan says that line kinda quietly, almost like a warning. But it confirms what Syouko's suspected: Kyan must know some martial arts or something similar.

And she was surely strong. I didn't want to lose to her. Those were my thoughts.

Annnd that's the end of practice! Next is lunch, and after that free time! :D

Clearly Kyan must be a disciple of Cat-Fu. Let's hope there aren't any cats at the temple

Momoko: Uoohh, there's only a bunch of splendid carbohyrates...

Momoko's sprite slides off the screen, as if she's collapsed on the floor.

Momoko, who was confirming the items for lunch with her finger, let out a groan of anguish. There were also daikon, carrot, and cucumver sticks, but Momoko didn't seem to consider those.

Yasumi: Glycogen is important.
Syouko: Isn't that before you exercise?
Yasumi: Eh he he...

The one who made the menu that depressed Momoko gave an abashed smile to deflect that when I dug a little further.

Really, Syouko? You could just say 'Yasumi'? And why are you telling me about Glycogen now? I mean, it's nice to know the facts, but you know I'm just gonna forget in, like, five seconds, so... nevermind.

Momoko: Carbohydrates are fine, but protein is also important!
Migiwa: Well, it is somen after all...







End aside.

I have no idea what she's talking about here; most likely some sort of Japanese saying. To be entirely honest, I included these shots because Aoi-sensei CG. And for some reason they go on to talk about how the tea cups used to hold the soy are antiques. Why? I have no idea. After that Momoko brings everyone's attention back to what's really important: the food.

Momoko: A kappa might be able to power-up by eating cucumber, but unfortunately I'm a human. So I need meat! Even if I eat cucumber, energy won't bubble up.
Yasumi: Ah, that's right. Cucumber has the effect of lower body temperature.
Syouko: Heh...
Ayashiro: That's perfect for summer.
Momoko: Poeple who have their body temperatures lowered will die. Their skin will become blue and green like a kappa. Uooo! What is this? There's been no meat or fish for three meals...

That was a nice attempt at deflection, Yasumi. Too bad it didn't work. She literally starts yelling "MEEEAT" and "FIIISH".



Yasumi: Sy... Syouko-sempai...

She looked to me for help, but if I stopped this using my authority as captain, it'd create discontent. I personally wasn't opposed to vegetarian meals, so I'd have Yasumi work this out herself.

Syouko, why don't you ever intervene when Momoko gangs up on Yasumi? /sigh

Momoko: If the monk can drink sake, then I won't accept that we can't eat meat! Or are you saying you'll chase me out of the temple if I eat meat?!

The monk cuts in to let the girls know that he doesn't condemn eating meat, but he doesn't encourage it, either.

Anyway, as Momoko said, this is the third meal, so take a look at the CGs where everyone's sitting at the table and lemme know it you notice anything :3

Yasumi: Eh?

Migiwa, who had been watching us and slurping her somen at her own pace, shocked Yasumi with her words.

Yasumi: Is that so?
Migiwa: Yes, it is.
Yasumi: That's weird. I made sure not to use meat...
Momoko: Muh?! My meat radar didn't detect anything either.
Ayashiro: I wonder what it was. Even though I was careful when creating the miso soup's dashi stock...

The girls have no idea what Kyan's referring to. Both Yuukai and Aoi-sensei know, but they stay quiet and let Kyan explain.

Migiwa: Yesterday's curry was accompanied by pickled vegetables like radish and scallions, right?
Momoko: Like the sweet and sour honey ones?
Migiwa: Once you ate that, the Buddhist vegetarian meal was over. Momo-chi was gobbling them down, right?
Momoko: My mouth was lonely and I like the crunch they had. But, in the end, scallions are just scallions. If it was at least garlic, I could dream about a garlic steak...
Ayashiro: Is it not okay to eat scallions?
Migiwa: It's not okay. There's a saying, 'Leeks and liquor are forbidden from entering the temple.'
Yasumi: Ah!
Migiwa: Saying 'ah!' means that Yasumin also knows about this.
Yasumi: Yes...
Syouko: I understand about the sake, but what do the leeks in the saying refer to?

Apparently, it's because of the one of the characters used to make up the word ("soldier") and how it might be read ("fishy"). Kyan explains that it refers to strong smelling vegetables, as well as beef, lamb and pork (known as the 'big leeks') and chicken, fish and eggs (the 'little leeks'). But then she adds

Migiwa: It might've been good that Hime-san, who saw a ghost, ate ginger. It's said that those kind of vegetables can repel evil. The weak point of vampires is garlic, right?
Ayashiro: So that means the ginger here is also...
Migiwa: Out. It's out.



Momoko! Seriously! You are so rude sometimes.

Momoko: So, Migi-san, that means that the vegetarian meal Zawacchi worked on has come to a standstill, right?
Migiwa: Well, you could say that.
Momoko: Did you heat that, Zawacchi? Did you hear that!
Yasumi: I heard it...

Momoko didn't hold back and it was like she'd grown horns like an oni. She showed no mercy to Yasumi, whose shoulders were drooped.



Oh, come on! Leave the girl alone and let her do her job! You already admitted you can't cook, Momoko, so how are you in any position to complain about the meals?

Aoi: And since we're at a town close to the beach, it'd be hard to avoid seafood.

Damnit, Aoi-sensei. Helping or hurting here? Helping? Or hurting?

Momoko: Looking back on the meals we normall have, you don't dislike meat or fish, right?
Yasumi: Okay, okay, I understand...

I'm personally not fixated on vegetarian meals, but Yasumi is entrusted with planning the menu.

Momoko: About that, Osa-sempai. I'm representing the team as a whole in expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation before it erupts. I have no personal interest in this, it's out of goodwill...
Syouko: Isn't 99% of this because of your personal interest?
Momoko: But, sempai, though we're not practicing in the afternoon, if you don't eat meat you'll fall prey to stuff like summer fatigue...
Migiwa: ... You're not practicing in the afternoon?
Syouko: We're not having a rigorous training camp.
Migiwa: So you're having a relaxing time then.
Syouko: There's fear of heatstroke if we practice in the sun without a roof over us.
Migiwa: That's so weak! ... is what I'd like to say, but I'm pretty much a night person, too, so I can't talk about anyone else.

Syouko then asks what Kyan was doing last night since she wasn't in her room, which is kind of weird since she knows what Kyan was up to. I'm guessing this line is more fitting when you're on Yasumi's path, or if Syouko hadn't gone down to the beach to look for Kyan last night. At any rate, the conversation turns to historical figures, Yuukai talks about Kurou-sama and the festival some more, and then Momoko steers the conversation back to the food.



I feel like there are so many jokes I could make about Momoko's meat obsession, but then I remember this game is shoujo ai.

Yasumi: Meat dishes...? We'll have to go buy some.

No matter how you go about it, with this many people and no storage you need to go shopping everyday.

Syouko: But with this many people, the groceries are going to be pretty heavy, so we should have one or two more people...
Ayashiro: Do you want me to go?
Yasumi: Ah, Ayashiro-sempai should rest. Sensei has a car, so it'll be okay.
Syouko: A car?
Aoi: Fufu. I rented a car in the morning.

She twirled the key strap around her finger.

Aoi: A car is indispensable when you're in the countryside.

This pretty much concludes the meal and now it's freetime. So we get a choice.



So do we want Syouko to hang out with Kyan, try to find out more about her? Or should she take a walk in the Sal Forest and try to lure out the Tsubaki Spirit?

Take a walk in the Sal Forest.

Ah... I don't want to make this a tie, so, take a walk in the Sal Forest and try to lure out Miss Pretty Hair the Tsubaki Spirit.

If avoiding a tie's your only reason I'm more interested in Migiwa. Let's investigate her tricky martial arts skills.

Changing my vote to NKyan-chan~!

This game… Oh, Syouko… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to get you killed five times. I was just messing around with the choices since the votes were close. But you know what, guys? It didn’t matter. No matter what combination of choices I made, Syouko still died. I had no idea where we went wrong. There were no right combinations. It was baffling.

Then I got an idea, one that should have been obvious. I started a new game, made all the same choices, skipped past all the talktalktalking, got to where Syouko died before, and voilà, a new choice popped up!

So, basically, Syouko had to die repeatedly in order to live. Is that messed up? I think that’s kinda messed up. But, either way, it doesn’t really matter.

What does matter is this: we have two options. Either we can continue as we have where you guys vote on the individual choices, or we can pick a route outright and go for it. If we go with the first choice, we’ll probably be seeing a lot of death. If you’d rather pick a route, please specify which route. Seems like everyone’s happy with Kyan, but if anyone wants to switch, lemme know.

Now, if you’ll excuse me…



Why, game? Why?!

... dis game involves dying a lot, yeah.

As I recall, usually the new choices unlock after you progress in other routes. Basically, at the beginning I think you HAVE to pursue either

and the other options slowly become available as you go along.

It might make people's lives easier if you go straight for Kyan and save the audience input for late in the route (I can't remember if she has any interesting bad endings or not, but they've got to be better than the early ones. Stupid little monsters!)

I dunno, I kinda wanna see some of those deaths. Do the first option? (i.e., vote on the individual choices)

YES, THIS.

MORE DEATH. MORE. BROKEN FORUM CAN ONLY BE SATED WITH BLOOD.

Well, their opinions count more than mine since I've played it already, so go ahead. I'll get the coffins ready. :)

My vote would be for broadly following the Kyan route, but show us some of the deaths if they're interesting enough. It sounds like we might be here a long time if we have to explore the whole game tree one vote driven branch at a time...