Character Quest:Shirou:VN:2

Translation by Pixel (@pixelchip_)

Title: Fact is Stranger than Fiction

(Shirou): “Fact is stranger than fiction”

(Shirou): Those words are said to be a line from a work done by a foreign poet.

(Shirou): “Facts may be stranger than a fiction written with imagination.”

(Shirou): That’s how the words are usually interpreted.

(Shirou): But I will have to experience these words with my own body.

(Shirou): ...

(Shirou): A character from an old writing I read once

(Shirou): "A former ruler that lurks on the dirt planet",Tsathoggua.

(Shirou): I thought that they were only from a legend, and they don’t exist in real life, that being-

Uggggh! I really don’t knoooow!

(Shirou): I would've never imagined you joining our guild and be so lazy!

The is the guild "Summoners" safe house in Shinjuku.

The guild advisor here, Shiro sighed very very heavily.

Hnngh… opposing me with the dot cluster’s social standing.. You’re very brave!

2 options
What's up our guild's shut-in captain of the guards?	Here here, I’ll give you honey sweets
[Player]!Why again do you put such a weird nickname to a being from a legend-! What cause Tsathoggua-san to make such a loud sound to the screen- Nothing nothing- I just can’t manage to beat this stage’s boss!	With that kind of thing you won’t be able to hold my anger! Oh, but I’ll still eat that though!

What Tsathoggua is pointing at with his big finger is the TV screen-
and on there there's a melancholic sound of electronic sounds- "pico pico"

A group of dots forming some sort of animal was running around on the small screen, blowing fire along the way.

I even went to the hidden side of the game to get this weapon, but it’s not doing any damage.

And I can't even save the progress. The setting makes this game too hard

And also there are two untold death traps before the second lap of the boss room.

If I say the truth, this is a sh*t game!

If I think about it… that is an unreasonable game!

...But stop getting so aggressive with such little matter! We all get nervous every time!

3 options
What's up our guild's shut-in captain of the guards?	Then you shouldn’t play it…	You can’t say it’s a shit game!
But keeping that all in mind but still getting addicted is the scary side of retro games. So the shit part of the game is also the good part of the game.		-Huh?! Y-you right it doesn’t look that bad- -The simple label hide on the case hides the real element of this game. As expected, [Player] is so cunning~

Oh yeah, that’s an old gaming console from when I wasn’t even born yet. I wonder how you got it..

I got it at an internet auction. So there's no possibility of it being a resold console because it's not a new one.

I thought those systems were quite complicated, but you do use your energy into those types of things…

2 options (Same Response)
What are we going to do with him...	Wonder if he’s just lazy or doesn’t want to go outside…

Well, let's leave this topic for now... I want you guys to go on a bit of shopping.

Shopping?

Yes, shopping. I’m sure some publisher has published a strategy book for this game.

I'm sure it's in some second-hand book store, so I want you to go look for 'em.

If it's a second-hand book store I wanted to go too, so I won't mind-

But what if you just go out and buy it as you did with the game, there won't be any problem isn't it...?

I can’t do that.

I made a promise to call Hanuman and go hunting for salmon after this.

So I can’t leave this place for now.

Salmon..?

And don’t spread information about this place to outsiders!?

It will affect your life as well!

Oh, no worries. It’s an online meeting through voice chat.

And even if they do find out, I will beat up a pipsqueak easily so do not worry~

That's not the problem..! Haa...

1 option
Let's just go together, Shiro.

You’re right… let’s go [Player]

I appreciate it. Stay safe!

With a farewell from the smiling former ruler, we went shopping to get the strategy book-

---

-Scene change: Chiyoda ku, Kanda Jinbocho-

This place is one of the most second-hand book stores in the world.

2 options (Same Response)
Wow we came so far	Being the guild manager sure seems hard Shiro-

Yes.. but it’s no trouble. I had some things to do in this area anyways.

2 options (Same Response)
But Shiro...	Do you know any stores where you think the book is in stock?

You're right, I never bought a strategy book so I don't know much-

But let's go to the bookstore I always visit. We can ask the bookkeeper there if the book is in stock.

[Player] is led by Shiro, and goes into a second-hand book store on the corner of the Jinbocho area

2 options (Same Response)
But Shiro...	What an incredible place this is…

Bookshelves are going high up on every wall, and the sunburned books cover every inch of it.

There's even more book on top of the shelves and the ground,

And the environment you can see is all sepia toning; like old photos.

[Player], please wait here for a bit. I'm gonna go ask the bookkeeper if they have the book.

As soon as he finished his sentence, Shiro disappeared into the sepia shelves of books.

As a lively conversation seemed to bounce, it soon ended as a sound of two pairs of shoes came closer.

And not even a few minutes later, Shiro came out with a single book in his hand.

We found the book rather quickly. It was on one of the shelves near the counters.

2 options (Same Response)
Wow… that sure was quick…	You know a lot of things around here…

It was. I thought it’ll take way longer than that, but it was supposedly a very famous game.

I heard that there are a lot of people who come to sell strategy books to the store.

Well… our initial shopping ended,but do you mind if you come with me on a book search?

I have been quite busy recently,so I haven’t gotten a chance to check out new books.

[Player],if you have any interest in books,why don't you take a look around with me? And if you have a book you're looking for,let's try to find it together.

And if you have any other concerns or questions, feel free to ask me.

[Player] decided to spend this peaceful time looking around the bookstore with Shiro.

Piles of books everywhere, words couldn't describe how much there is. Shiro looks swiftly through the back and front covers-

And sometimes picking up some books and flipping through the pages.

[Player], as if he were trying to mimic Shiro, looked through sepia letters and covers of the books.

3 options
Shiro, do you know this book?	What about this one??	Oh, this one seems interesting-
Hmm? Oh, that is “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea”. It’s been made into a couple of animes, and it’s a pretty major SF adventure novel. A marine scientist and his assistant, and a master harpooner gets chased by a mysterious monster- And when they were thrown into the ocean, they get rescued by a mysterious futuristic submarine- And with a mysterious captain, they explore beautiful coral reefs and creepy pirate shipwrecks and in the end, they find and explore a mysterious continent,and go through many experiences! That’s the basic story. Eh, you’ve heard of it before!? What kind of adventures and experiences have you had!?-	Hmm? Oh, lemme see… “Les Trois Mousquetaires”. Ah, it’s “The Three Musketeers”. A dreamy young adult who grew up in the countryside goes to the city to become a musketeer- He gets into a lot of trouble, and he is made to fight with his enemy, and he gets all battered up- But he faces the enemy he must defeat with the “three musketeers”- And they end of becoming the best of comrades and they work to protect the country- that’s the basic story Eh, you think of our guild- and the number of members too?? Haha. Maybe we are similar to the fact that we are laid back when we are fighting our enemies.	Hmm? “The Fiend with Twenty Faces”. Hmm? “The Fiend with Twenty Faces”. …Wow it’s even the first edition! What an amazing thing you dug up…! The story is, to a businessman’s house, a notice letter from the rumored “The Fiend with Twenty Faces” arrives… Just like the notice, his property and money gets stolen, and for the next target his son gets kidnapped as a hostage- With a detective who is an enemy with the fiend, and with a group formed by his assistant called “The Detective Boys”- They go against the phantom thief who is sometimes well behaved but takes pleasure in his crimes!- That’s the story!

While Shiro and [Player]'s conversation was blooming about the book-

Pikiii~! kee keee!

D-Evil came running holding one book very carefully.

Then it handed it to Shiro as if it were asking him to read it to them.

What’s up D-evil? Is there something wrong with this book?

Oh- a picture book- you want me to read it?

Ok ok, I got it, let's buy this too. We'll read it when we get back.

Keee keee!

D-evil is doing its happy dance.

1 option
D-Evil sure loves Shiro

I think they're getting closer to me every day. It's fun, it's like taking care of a child!

Recently, they are learning letters and numbers through reading aloud books.

Can D-evil learn words? I’m wondering about that too.

I'm trying to mind the pronunciation, for now, I'm just trying to teach them like this!

For now, they are learning rather quickly, so I am very surprised, but also happy because they are understanding small things bit by bit!

It’s ten times better, no, more than ten times better easier teaching than that idiot in our guild

---

Meanwhile- -Shinjuku Jinbocho-

AAAAACHOOOO!

Hey Kengo, did you catch a cold or something?

Eeeh- there's no way- are there people talking about me?

Anyways, can’t I stop already? Enough is enough!

What are you saying? It's only been 30 minutes, and you haven't even done 1 page!

Until Kengo finishes their homework, do not let him out of the room! That's what the class rep said, that's what I follow!

Face the table, do you work! I won’t let you out of this room until I see that problem book filled!

Dammit- listening to Shiro huh-

But if you’re going to head that way, I have an idea as well!

What are you mumbling? Hey, just turn towards your table and grab your pencil..

AAAA HEY DOG LOOK! NYARL- THERES A NYARLATHOTEP!?

Fufufu~ what a stupid lie. A childish lie won’t fool someone like me~

Nooo! For real look! AAA

Two people- no four! They’re laughing with a creepy face!

Eeeeh~? R-really~? Where where-

Haha! Gotcha! Now’s the chance!

AA! It is Nyarlathotep! What a mysterious and stylish walking style-!

Haa!? Did it really appear?? You’re lying right-?

There’s my chance!!

WOAH! Hey! You dog!! That's unfair dude!! Get off me you-!

Who's unfair!? Now give up and get back to your desk, Kengo!

TSK Fine then I guess I’ll have to do this-

Heyyy~ go get it~!

-!? / Woof~!

Hehehe~ that was too easy! See ya doggy!

Wan wan~! Hehehe~

.......

......!!!

D-dang it!

---

-Scene change-

...Well, we took care of everything. Thanks for tagging along with me, [Player].

But I never imagine that I would go shopping for a legendary figure like Tsathoggua-

When I was reading books to expand my imagination- I would’ve never imagined-

1 option
Just like “Fact is stranger than fiction”

That's Mr. Bian, the author of "Don Juan"'s words

It’s supposed to mean “The reality may be stranger than a fiction written with imagination.”

But did you know it was originally a different meaning?

1 option
Oh really?”

As if teaching [Player] is fun, Shiro smiles and starts to talk.

Ah yes, the meaning is-

stomach growls~*

AHH!

But at that moment, Shiro’s stomach growled.

Ha- hehe- well that’s embarrassing-

Y-yes, why don’t we have lunch now?? There is a delicious curry restaurant nearby!

Ah, but also the diner is open today, do you want curry or western food?

Hmmm? What's up [Player]?

2 options
Hanging out like this is pretty fun	It’s like we’re dating today
Yes, it is.	H-huuuh!? Wh-what are you saying!? But- dating…!! B-but- we aren’t,…!! 1 option "Aren't"? Aaaah! N…nothing-!! Nothing, really!!

H-hey, let’s go quickly! Shops around here have very short open hours!

The blushing Shiro turns around and begins going back the way we just came.

---

bumps into somebody* Oh, I’m sorry! I wasn’t looking-

Y-you are-!

Ah, I wonder who it was! Long time no see Motoori Shiro-kun.

3 options (Same Response)
Y-you are!	Shiro’s senpai we met at Ikebukuro??	You are, from the Hongo Guild!

I'm Guild Wisemen's Suichi! I'm glad you remember me [Player]!

Suichi san- long time no see.

Yes yes, Motoori Shiro-kun. Congratulation on the formation of your guild.

I heard that you’ve been on the roll. A lot of rumors about you have even reached us.

But it’s a surprise to see you here.

What...do you mean?

Here, Kanda Jinbocho is an old bookstore town, right? It's not a place for young people to come.

I… have always come here often so-

But in an era where you just search it up on the internet and find books…

it’s a meaningless action don’t you think?

Meaningless?

Right? You can do the same thing without going the distance or using much time to get the same thing electronically…

Why do you want the real object?

Getting a paper book to get information is “not very efficient”.

You preferring paper notes, for me is weird.No, it’s silly.

And you only have books like old SF and mystery novels… Why do you spend time on those things?

Children are a different story, but to us, the reality is a more fun toy box.

Because all the writing and drawings written centuries ago are coming true right before our own very eyes.

Someone as intelligent as you must think like that as well, but what do you think, Motoori Shiro-kun?

...But I do like books. And they're not only to get information.

To a young me whose "wish to go outside was denied", it was my first friend, a friend who gave me the world of imagination.

To throw away friends because of efficiency- that’s unbelievable.

Haha! Books are friends?! Sorry I was being rude!

I can’t understand that idea, but I’ll respect your opinion.

.......

1 option
....Shiro?

As if he is trying to tell something, Shiro looks at me.

By the way, Shuichi-san, what are you looking for today?

Such an “efficient” person like you only coming to us “to conversate” is pretty unbelievable.

Oh oh… hahaha...

But are you guys uncautious? Just wondering around here like this.

What does that mean?

You guys.. know who this ward belongs to right?

Right, Chiyoda ward. Right next to our guild’s main building is in Bunkyo ward.

And this place in particular: Jinbocho is right next to our guild’s eyes and nose.

If I say this much, you understand right?

… So that means..!

Yes. You guys without noticing have invaded our territory.

The guild’s in the nearby area has become more active, and where our guild usually strategize- for now-

Are you using weapons and violence to protect yourselves?

And every guild is paying attention to not Ikebukuro, Aoyama, and not even Roppongi either.

Yes, it’s you guys.

3 options (Same Response)
Huh..?!	...!	Why...

And the reason is easy. It's because of you, [Player].

You are the definition of an “uncertain being”.

And including the “rules”, your power probably surpasses anyone like us.

So that means we don’t know what you’ll do or what you’ll affect at all.

That’s why everyone is “pay attention” to you or er… “cautious” will be a better word

Haha.. you guys are really interesting. What are you... What are "you guys"..?

1 option
...

Can you please stop right there, Shuichi-san?

If you want to say something, can you please say it more briefly?

Whoops, sorry, it seems I talk a bit too much

This is from a very experienced soul but...

I think it’s best to not wander around in other guild’s areas, for your safety too.

Every guild had “marked” you guys, you guys don’t know “what they’ll do to you”.

Yes… I’ll keep that in mind.

...Good. That’s the guy I know.

Okay, let me say it again.

Welcome to our territory! We welcome you!

Shuichi smiles that somehow look like it holds some sort of meaning.

1 option
Shiro...

You noticed it too. You’re right, even I, who’s not skilled at fighting noticed.

...It was such a sudden event.

A group of people surrounded them…

All looking at them with their ominous eyes, they speak heavily to them.

...Motomori Shiro… and [Player] right?

2 option (Same Response)
You know our names..!	They know us..!

Oh, I'm sorry! I was just trying to make time so the company can arrive!

When you’re close to your home, it’s full of advantages. I’ll make sure to get all your data?~

They are the guild's assassins. They don't look like they're willing to talk to us civilly…

1 option
Looks like the only way is to fight them

You're right, [Player]

We’ll cut through this together!

-Battle Sequence-

---

Hehe~ we got some good data. I thank you for your cooperation, both of you.

No, thank you from here as well.

Hmm?

We got your data as well! Come here, D-evil!

Kee!

Wha-?!

All of a sudden, the D-evil stuck to Shuichi’s back came back to Shiro by his call.

Keeeee-kee!

D-evil gives Shiro a single notebook.

That is-

Yes, I copied it from the back of your sacred artifact.

You couldn’t tell because this kid doesn’t use any “apps” or “sacred artifact” right?

...!

Shiro smiles softly.

Hmmm hmmm, I see... D-evil, you're improving in letters!

Hmmm- this, it traced Shuichi-san’s thoughts?

...hmph!

But not only from us, but there's also a lot of fresh memories from the Wisemen we fought-

This is a specialty of your sacred artifact isn't it, Shuichi san?

...

We now know the weaknesses, the sacred artifact features of every Wisemen in detail.

Looking at this, we got more in return than them.

Thank you very much, I should say?

...

Hehe, fufufu~

Well looks like we lost this one. I guess coming here was also calculated…

Well, who knows, but-

Well, Shuichi san? Paper books aren't that bad, right?

Yes, I guess losing like this, I guess I’ll have to say they aren’t that bad.

So this is “Fact is stranger than fiction”?

Hehe~ you say good things sometimes

1 option
Eh, that means-

Yes [Player], these words originally meant something like this.

“Saying that reality is inferior, and laughing at writings written on paper and looking down upon them will bring you bad happening”. Long story short, fiction is not lower rank than reality.

I, who thought reality was inferior to fiction, lost to Shiro who loves fiction.

That’s why I was praising him.

Haha, I lost to you with humor as well.

Motoori Shiro-kun, I apologize for my position of thoughts on books and making fun of you- I say sorry right here.

Ah, thank you for saying that so politely.

Well, for today, we’ll withdraw calmly.

To not make a big fuss with an enemy we should fear, like you.

---

So… I guess it’s over?

3 options (Same Response)
It seems like it.	You’re amazing Shiro!	You were so cool!

Okay I’m… glad

---

1 option
Shiro?!

Shiro fell to his knees. [Player] stops him from falling any further onto the ground.

S-sorry, I guess I was relieved from the nervousness…

My knees won’t listen to me. They are shaking like they’re laughing…

It was all calculated- what a joke.

I was thinking of how to deal with Shuichi when we met again, but all the other was adlib.

Haha… how miserable really.

It seems like I was scared of them. That group. And, about Shuichi san.

I tried my best to train and grow. Like right now.

So I tried to hide my heart that wanted to run away and not show anyone.

...But then I wonder why

I’m not even alone, and not even recovering, and just crying…!

2 options
[Player]… I'm sorry… I'm truly sorry…! …thank you.	I’m really, ashamed… But, I wonder why… I get that feeling… In front of you I can’t keep acting…

[Player] hugged Shiro's trembling back…

And rubbed it many, many times…

1 option
Did you calm down?

Yes, I’m okay now.

[Player]… I- I, um, I've shown you such a miserable me. I'm very sorry…

I'll be careful from now on. S-so please keep it a secret-

I don’t want everybody to know that their supposed leader of this guild is so weak…

...And from now on, we’ll probably have to face bigger battles.

And then, the me who I need to use my brain to support everyone…

I can’t just keep bothering everyone…!

2 options (Same Response)
Okay, I got it.	But...

Hmmm? What is it?

2 options (Same Response)
But in front of me…	It's okay to show your weaknesses.

...!

Shiro’s face turns red, bites his lips, looks down, and gets silent.

After a while, he slowly lifts his head…

Okay! I’ll do that!

And like that, his puffed-up eyes thinned as he smiled softly.

---

(Shirou): “Fact is stranger than fiction”

(Shirou): Those words are said to be a line from a work done by a foreign poet.

(Shirou): “Facts may be stranger than a fiction written with imagination.”

(Shirou): That’s how the words are usually interpreted.

(Shirou): But I will have to experience these words with my own body.

(Shirou): A mysterious and unknown transfer student came so suddenly.

(Shirou): A happening like something from a romance novel, the setting, and the existence-

(Shirou): It came into my life, and breaking down the barriers inside my heart,

(Shirou): And when I noticed.

(Shirou): They turned into the “one person who can accept my heart”.

Motoori Shiro Chara-quest no. 2 -END-