Event Quest:Licho and a Festival Moment

[Translation by Kukuru]

A moment in the festival with Licho"

---

Little Tir na nOg

The excitement of the festival has gone past the climax, and things are gradually regaining stability with the afterglow.

In the middle of the crowd, you spot Licho observing the enthusiasm of people passing by.

... Mhm, mhm, good, good. Looks like it will end without any major trouble, nice!

There sure were a lot of unexpectedly crazy and bizarre events! All is well that ends well, and I'd say my reputation's rising!

"A blank check is awarded to Licho and the festival!" I'll be getting more and more fame... teeheehee...

... GAH!? [P-P-P-P-P-Player]?! H-How long have you been standing there!?

3 options
That's quite the sloppy expression...	You've been here for a while?	Uhhh... Are you still busy?
W-W-W-W-What's with that look you're giving me, huh!? Wipe that weird smirk off your face, Bud!! Look, if you got no particular business here, go and enjoy the festival already! The marking of the crowning glory is already over!	L-Look, I was pressured by the business alright!? I was preoccupied! I-It's not like I didn't notice you or anything! S-S-S-So don't put me in a bad mood!!	Uhhhh... No, I just got past the business pressure. What? Does it seem like that? Oh, I also want to introduce you to something delicious. Such an ulterior motive of mine, haha!

Alright~ Come with me for a bit. My schedule just cleared up a bit!

While we look around, I'll treat you to some delicious food from a stall! This is thanks for helping out with the goldfish scooping shop!

Licho smiles and invites you to the festival music.

3 options
I'm gonna have fun till it's over!	Sounds promising, Licho!	Let's hold hands so we don't get separated...
Heck yeah! Enjoy it as much as you like! I, Licho, worked hard on it after all! If you don't enjoy it till the end, my overflowing wisdom will be wasted!		O-Oi oi, holding hands... Don't treat me like a little kid! D-D-D-Delinquents can't be doing stuff like that! ... A-Although, it'd be a nuisance if you got separated from me. Fine... Let's hold hands, quick. As he turns his eyes away saying that, Licho wipes his hand with the hem of his happi coat and presents it to you.

Both of you step into the hustle and bustle of the festival again while sewing through the crowds of people.

[To the stalls...]

---

Hoooooo! Check out the excitement! Ya got anything to say after witnessing this, Bud?

Even though the climax has passed, there's still lots of people coming and going, and you can tell each stall is flourishing.

3 options
This is the fruits of your advice too?	As expected from an executive committee advisor!	Yakisoba, takoyaki, chocolate banana!
Yup. I cooperated with the guys at the Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street in choosing which types of shops to open. There's a limited amount of space, so I had to consider the variations of the stalls. W-W-What? You think it's weird for me to be serious, huh! I can take all kinds of things into consideration, you know!!	Hmmhmm~ Thinking better of me now huh!? Can't say I'm an ordinary stray cat anymore, hah! ... Nobody said such a thing? Oh shut up! Someone was jealous of my talent... maybe!	You can't be thinking nothing but food!! ... Actually, I had the feeling for a while now. All the stalls brought in here were examined personally by me! I selected the best after repeated food sampling! ... Isn't it just an eating tour? H-H-H-Heck no, I didn't go that far!!

... Look, [Player], pick a stall before they go and close up. I'll save you a spot right away!

D-Don't worry if it's expensive! I made sure you can buy something off what I have in stock!!

Prompted by Licho's yelling, You line up at the food stall alone.

Licho, looking over the crowds of people, secures you a seat and chases you around with shaky eyes.

[Some time later...]

You finally return to the table where Licho is waiting.

3 options
Everything is flooded with leftovers...!	Sorry for the wait		Maybe I bought a bit too much...?
Oh, I'm glad you bought what you liked! Was it okay? You didn't get your feet stepped on, did you??		Wait what?! Wasn't it just one stall? I guess it's fine, but...

... Huh? Can't go and buy things with your own share? I... kinda ate a lot earlier, so I can't.

Other than that, lemme hear your "honest" impressions.

I was in the position as adviser this festival, but I'm wondering if it's good worksmanship.

So... H-How did you see it from your perspective? Is it just me singing my own praises?

3 options
It was a lot of fun!	Eh. I can do better.	The food's good at least.
O-O-O-Oh, I see...!! Okay then...!! ...... *Ahem* Huhuhu... Well, this is Licho's great wisdom, isn't it? ... Huhu... teeheeheehee...	W-WHAAAAAAAAAAT!? Are you spouting arrogance just now!? Goddamnit! Fine, next festival, you and I will compete to see who can run the best one!! ... A-Actually there's more to that. It'd be better for the both of us to work together hand-to-hand to prevent mistakes... Since I studied, I know the absolute best results would come if I were to work with you rather than compete for talent!	... The heck is this guy's problem!? You gotta check out the other stalls too with close attention, you know!! Sigh... Well, if you're gonna praise me about the food, the guys at Asakusa I collaborated with will be proud. After all, it's the result of my thorough field work! Err... It's like my eyes are getting drawn to your stomach...

With that said, Licho stares intently at you wolfing down the food.

3 options
Why don't you get your own share?	Oh, you want a small bite?	Here Licho, "aaaah."
Nah, I'm good. It's just... I don't want you thinking that eating is all that's on my mind... Besides, I already eaten a whole bunch! More than anything... I wanted to see the satisfied look on the guest's face. ... It's nothing! Just forget it and enjoy the food, sheesh!!		I'm telling youuuuuuuu, I'm goooo- mmmmmm~... ... *Nom Nom*... *Chew Chew*... Teehee... So gooood! ... What? Don't look with such lukewarm eyes... How did the saying go in Tokyo when you eat a set meal? ... And another thing- Gah?! HOT HOT HOT HOT!!

Licho then gets into a friendly chat and asks about your impressions of the various performances.

Licho delightfully replied to each and every one of your comments.

Well... Now that you finished eating, there's 1 more stall I want to take you to.

This time I'll show you, Licho's amazing technique you couldn't witness earlier!!

[A moment later...]

... Hoooooy, Uncle! Pass a scoop to me and my Bud here!!

Mmm? Oh, it's you guys again... Alright, here, I got your payment.

You'll still get something even if you don't scoop one... but you already know that. The festival's about to end soon, so catch a lot of 'em.

Alright, [Player]! This is a real competition now, huh!?

Watch. I'm gonna nab a lot more goldfish than you with my amazing technique!

3 options (Same Response)
This is so sudden!	I accept your challenge...!	Eh? I can't even beat you, Licho...

You and Licho both readied your scoops and stared intently at the goldfish dancing underwater.

(Alrighty. This time... this time for sure, I'll show [Player] how cool I am!)

(... Huh? But why I am getting so excited? Even before [Player] is watching...!)

(No, that's not it... I must be in heat because I don't want to mess up in front of [Player]...!!)

(Ahhh... Cowardly self-esteem and pompous shame! Such enthusiasm is building up inside me!!)

3 options (Same Response)
... Sei! !	... There! !	... Hah! !

After a moment of silence, you swung the scoop at the surface of the water.

... However, the scoop broke in a blink of an eye due to the goldfish' furious resistance.

3 options (Same Response)
Man, this sucks		Even though it's a little...	Figured I'm awful at this.

As you smiled at Licho, his gaze changed into a more serious one.

(C-Crap, [Player]'s watching... It's incredible they're still watching...!)

(I-I'm so nervous my hands are trembling... Yet, my body's all fired up...!!)

...... H-Hey, Sonny. Sorry to interrupt, but there's a broadcast announcing the stores closing...

Can you hurry it up a little? You can keep playing if you keep it down.

... Ah, m-my bad!! I-I'm just getting warmed up...!!

3 options (Same Response)
Your face is flushed. Are you okay?	Wow, you're all fired up...!	Are you gonna keep the shop staff waiting?

Dah! I'm focusing right now so don't talk to me! Behold, Licho's technique!!

I am no longer my old self! I, Licho, who found his way and was reborn--

2 options (Same Response)
(Put your hand on Licho's)	(Put your hand on Licho's back)

...!! [P-Player]...

Licho's rough breathing takes on a different tone. His stiff nervousness is replaced with another one.

...... O-O-Okay, calm down, Licho. *Breathes in, breathes out*......

After taking deep breaths, Licho removes his happi coat and stares at the water with an eagle's eye.

...... T-There!! YAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

[Some time later...]

---

After leaving the goldfish scooping stall, you and Licho visit the countryside area of Little Tir na nOg, which is outside the venue.

3 options (Same Response)
It's good you got a change of clothes...	Didn't expect you to plunge into the fish pen that hard...	You're freezing, are you okay?

Waaah... I couldn't show them something cool. Sigh... what a failure...

Licho, who changed into a yukata, is holding a bag with a goldfish in it, which is the consolation prize.

You are also holding a similarly small goldfish in a bag as you are close to Licho.

Sigh... What a huge letdown... I was hoping to finish it with a bang.

It worked just fine in front of that rascal, Agyou. I didn't think I would fail in front of you, of all people...

Drooping his shoulders downheartedly, Licho looks at the goldfish consolation prize.

3 options (Same Response)
I was watching carefully that time.	It went well with Agyou and the others.	I was little away in the distance.

... You really saw it that time...? You could've said something before...

Well, I didn't need to show myself off now, did I? It's super frustrating that it didn't go the way I wanted to...

3 options
It was a good memory!	That serious look was pretty cool.	The yukata looks good on you.
Oh please! Plunging into the water head first does not make it a "good memory"!! Pfff... Hahahaha! Sheesh, you really are one positive guy! If that's how you're gonna be, then... I'll tell you a funny story about my current blunder.	T-The heck are you talking about?? You're just saying that to put my teeth on edge... Dah! You want to take a long hard look again? S-S-S-S-Stop it! YOU'RE EMBARRASSING ME!!

E-Even though I'm usually a dependable type of person, I get real crazy only when I'm with you...

Licho gets embarrassed and turns his face away. Eventually both of you sat on a small hill overlooking the countryside.

... Although, it is truly an unfortunate fate to be thrown into a goldfish scooping game.

Being put in a fish pond without any knowledge, chased by a paper scoop...

Licho mutters deeply moving words while observing the goldfish swimming inside the bag.

..."It's a pity the pond is too small, and it hits the four walls after a slight swing. Although it is temporarily alive, it is not a long-time solution."...

..."Alas, it is pitiful they are trapped in a small pond and cannot be free, thus I released them back to Nanhu Lake. You are free, fish. Nanhu and Xijiang are connected. Go quickly. And do not hesitate."...

3 options (Same Response)
Y-Y-Y-Your intelligence is suddenly out of control! !	What was that just now?	Was that a poem by you, Licho?

... Huh? Oh sorry. I was just getting a little sentimental...

It's a poem by another poet that I read in the school's library. I'm studying all sorts of things to write better poems.

"When I saw the white fish that I bought to eat was desperately alive, I felt sorry for it and released it into the pond."

"But the pond is so narrow that it can't live long. I let it go in the lake that connects to the river"......

... So, what should I do with this goldfish? Even though I'm a tiger, I can't eat you anyways...

Licho gazes at the goldfish with sorrowful eyes. He notices you staring and turns back around.

To be honest, the goldfish I caught in front of Agyo and the others, I talked to Uncle in secret and returned it.

People in the festival overfished! It'd be a problem if such groundless rumors were floating around.

... But, Uncle gave me this fellow as a consolation prize in the end... I can't give it back now.

3 options
It's okay to keep it, Licho.	What an inside story...	Going to release it somewhere?
Well... I'm stubborn with the little guy, but I don't have the confidence to keep 'em...	Eh? It's a secret from the others. It's the festival and all, so it's not like I wanna put a damper on things.

Even if I let it go somewhere like in the poem, if it's an energetic river fish, it's still a goldfish...

The river of Little Tir na nOg is probably artificial. So it's irresponsible to release it in some park...

Licho continues to stare at the goldfish in thought as he mutters a monologue for some time.

... Well, even before I knew it, it was like being thrown into a narrowly enclosed pond called "Tokyo" in the form of a tiger.

At first, I was lonely and anxious. But, Motosumi... Motosumi looks after me.

Then I got to know Sanat-senpai... Yeah, it's better than dying alone, even if it's a cramped fishbowl...

It'll grow nice and healthy first! And then I think about the rest!

... Okay, I'll hurry and buy a fishbowl tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll carefully look into some fish food!

2 options (Same Response)
... In that case, Licho-	Can you put your goldfish together with mines?

You leaned over to Licho and put the goldfish bags next to each other.

... Weeeh!? Why don't you take care of your own fish!!

You are such a heartless guy. Tell Licho what you're really up to, now!

3 options
I think it'll be lonely with just one goldfish in a bowl.	Because I want to leave it in the hands of a trusted friend.	I want to grow up with Licho.
... I-I see... True, I did say that myself just now... I made a friend in this Tokyo, so this little guy... needs one too.	E-Even if you sweet talk me like that, that's not gonna happen! I mean sure, you and I are friends that can trust each other. Well... If it's a favor from a friend, then... I don't even need to think about it.	2 people huh... When you say that out of the blue, I somehow get really excited. ... In your dreams! Don't assume things work that way! ... Collaboration between 2 people, huh. Two people... *Cough*

Alright, I got you. I'll take good care of your goldfish!

In exchange, come over and hang out s-sometime, and I'll look after you too!

... If these fellas, along with us, feel lonely in a enclosed space... I'm sorry.

That's why I don't want you looking lonely as much as possible! If you understood that, then give me an answer!!

3 options
Got it, Bro! !	I can't help it! !	Is it okay... if we stay overnight?
Good answer!! It's a promise then, [Player]!!	Bah! That rebellious spirit is equal to the guys at Umamichi! You will give an honest answer there!!	...!? W-What? You're looking lonely all the sudden. Oh, o-o-o-o-of course you can, Bud! I-I'll prepare a yukata for you while you wait... Leave it to Licho, yeah! ... Heh... Heheheh~!

Your laughters melt into the evening of Little Tir na nOg. And in the distance, festival music echoes to conceal it.