| TL by IcyRaynald: https://twitter.com/IcyRaynald/status/949633360351105024
Beings exist that that are two, and yet one. Being that can be called an inseparable pair.
Fujin and Raijin, Red Oni and Blue Oni.
And, komainu -- Agyou and Ungyou.
YOUNG KOMAINU: Grandpa... I'm going to do my best.
YOUNG KOMAINU: I'm going to find a new partner, find a place of my own to protect -- and become a splendid komainu just like you.
YOUNG KOMAINU: So... So! Please-- watch over me...?
Tears welled in his eyes as his thoughts drifted back. The one that raised him and loved him -- Ungyou. With the passing of time, he had returned to the land and would now protect everyone as a formless spirit. Filling Agyou's chest, the survivor to the late Ungyou, was respect for his grandfather, and pride in his role as a komainu. And... several worries.
YOUNG KOMAINU: No, no, no! I'm a strong komainu! If I sat around moping like this, Grandpa would scold me.
YOUNG KOMAINU: Right! First things first, I need to find a partner! If two pillars aren't together, you can't call it a proper komainu!
YOUNG KOMAINU: .................
YOUNG KOMAINU: ......Someone to replace Grandpa, huh...?
YOUNG KOMAINU: Eh, what was that? A voice? Is someone there?!
YOUNG KOMAINU: What? Would I go anywhere to find a partner? Aah! Of course I would, isn't that obvious?!
YOUNG KOMAINU: Wait, w-what is this?! This light -- W-wait a moment!
YOUNG KOMAINU: WAAAAAHH!!
YOUNG KOMAINU: Grandpa...! Protect me...!
[Chapter 1: Oriental New Year]
| 1 option
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| ...It's already the third day of the new year, huh.
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Player looked at the clock, and realized it was now past noon. Standing slowly, they headed outside to the corridor. The chill winter air of the New Year's season hit their skin.
| 1 option
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| Yesterday was, er...
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Gradually, the memories of yesterday came back to them. Going to the shrine with everyone, drawing new year's fortunes--
Eating Chouji's osenshi and ozoni, playing a board game with everyone, exchanging new year's gifts--
| 2 options <same response>
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| Then, finally getting back home exhausted, and crashing.
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That was a rough 2 days...
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During this season, many of the academy's students return home, or go out to party. The usual noisy atmosphere of the dorms is replaced with dead silence.
--Sei! Toh! Hah!
But listening carefully, an energetic voice can be heard from outside.
"Oh, if it isn't Player-dono?"
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I wish you a happy New Year. I'm counting on you this year, too.
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| 2 options <same response>
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| Happy New Year.
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It's a new Moritaka this year.
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Haha, it's our first meeting since the start of the year. Anyway, yesterday was really lively.
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I received several mails from Ryouta-dono. It seems everyone had a fun and exciting start to the year.
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| 3 options
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| I wish you could've come too.
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It was a lot of fun.
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Well, mostly. There was a bit of a pandemonium at that one part...
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Pandemonium...?! W-what in the world happened?
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Every year, I go to a purification ceremony on New Year's Day. I leave the New Year greeting for later.
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However, I won't lie. I did feel a little lonely not joining everyone for the New Years party...
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The whole year's plans should be made on New Year's Day.
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Also, to avoid being busy like this, spending time with Player-dono and the others--
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And giving New Year greetings. There's a special feeling to that as well.
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That's right -- if you have some free time, could you please accompany me for a short time?
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Shrine
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Oh my, as I thought, there's a lot of people here for their first shrine visit of the New Year. It looks somewhat less crowded than other spots, though--
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Player-dono, are you tired?
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| 3 options
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| Thanks. You're always so thoughtful, Moritaka.
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This is nothing.
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What about you? Don't get lost now.
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No, if I can't at least do this much, I couldn't call myself a true samurai.
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As expected of Player-dono. It wasn't neccessary to be worried.
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Hmm...! Do you think me so unreliable...?
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Well, waiting in line can be a good time too, with a good friend for company.
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| 3 options
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| By the way, what are those clothes you're wearing?
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They look good on you.
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They look like a children's festival outfit.
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Haha... thank you for your kind words. I only wear them occasionally. They are a bit tight, though.
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C-c-children's festival?! They look so undignified?!
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I received this hakama from my master. Like my uniform -- it was a hand-me-down.
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I don't wear finery too often. They can work as substitutes for my school uniform, but...
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I'll pray to god -- to one day become a splendid samurai worthy of these clothes.
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We're advancing in the line, little by little. Now now, give me your hand so we don't get separated.
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The line for the shrine visit moved steadily forward -- and eventually, two komainu statues could be seen at either side.
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That shrines have komainu statues doesn't seem to change, whether in Shinjuku or Wa No Kuni.
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Although, the shrines in Wa No Kuni typically had a guardian spirit.
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The komainu here in Shinjuku seem to be just statues--
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Ah, it seems it's our turn at last, Player-dono. Now now, let's go ahead.
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After bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once, let's chant our wishes in our hearts.
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| 3 options
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| I wish for everyone to stay safe.
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I wish for the guild's protection.
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I wish to return home someday.
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| 2 options
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| And, I wish to make new friends this year.
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And, I wish to meet someone new.
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MORITAKA: Wha... i-is this light?! Player-dono! Player-donoo!!
There was a sudden flash of light--
An unusual sound reached the two's ears as they had closed their eyes for the wish.
Boing, boing, boing~
The sound was soft and elastic, like a bouncing ball. Player and Moritaka watched, speechless as the scene unfolded before their eyes.
MYSTERIOUS BALL OF FUR: Owowowow... Damnit, what was that light...?
There were two large, spherical objexts. One of them a ball, which bounced and rolled away, deeper into the shrine. And the other--
MYSTERIOUS BALL OF FUR: Aah! M-my ball! Waaait! Don't roll awaaay!
The ball of fluff stood up, revealing itself to be a young beastman covered in fluffy fur.
He checked his surroundings, found his ball in mid-escape, and bolted off to chase it.
--While floating in midair.
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I was caught off guard and spaced out, but... what was that light?!
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Also, that boy just suddenly appeared--!
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| 2 options
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| Let's follow him!
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A new fluffy to pet!
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The pair hurriedly weaved their way through the crowded shrine, chasing after the boy that appeared from that light. He had finally caught up to his escaped ball, grabbed it, and nimbly climbed up, balancing himself on it with ease.
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Pant... pant... Phew. Thank goodness. It would be really bad if I lost my ball.
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Finally collecting himself, he turned and noticed Player and Moritaka.
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W-who are you?! Staring at me so intently...!
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I -- No, I mean, do you have some business with me?! Well?!
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| 1 option
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| A lost kid? Where did you come from?
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A-a-a-are you an idiot?! I'm not some lost kid!
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...Hm? Wait, that voice... your voice!
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I see! You're the one who brought me here, right?! In other words, abduction! Abduction! I've been abducted!
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Return me to my home immediately! Return me, I demand it! Bark, barkbark!
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| 1 option
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| Even if I knew how to do that...!
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I don't remember doing anything...!
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Riding his ball closer the strange boy glared, now face to face with Player.
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No, it's definitely you! My ears are never wrong!
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This is bad, Player-dono! He's too worked up and won't listen to us.
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--Continuing like this will just worsen the situation. We can't get anywhere until he calms down.
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You really insist on playing dumb...! All riiight! In that case, I won't forgive you!
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I'll make you surrender by force, and then you'll send me back to my original world! So don't come crying to me!
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| 1 option
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| Eh, a Hallowed Artifact?
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He's a summon?!
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I had a feeling it would come to this!
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Stand back, Player-dono! As I thought, he is a summon!
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In this case, all we can do is make him calm down and listen to reason! Inuzuka Shino Moritaka, will be your opponent!
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Hehee! My power won't lose to some samurai!
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Water began to dance elegantly around Agyou, as three balls spiralled in the air surrounding him.
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Agyou:(4 star icon face)
Cleansing the evil inside villain's souls -- I'll show you the power of a komainu!
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Transient Stone x1
