Character Quest:Managarmr:VN:1

To me, you are... like the soft glow of the moon itself.

It's something I need on a deep, instinctual level. It drives me crazy.

Even if that feeling wasn't returned, even if you were forever out of reach, just being able to see and support Gabriel-chan from afar was enough.

I... wanted to believe that so badly.

Concert Hall

CROWD: YEEEEAAAH!! GABRIEL-CHAAN! ENCORE! ENCORE!!

clapclaplcapclaplclapclapclap

The hype for the final song of Gabriel's weekend live has reached a fever pitch.

And of course, among the crowd of screaming fans is--

GABRIEL-CHAAAAAN!! I can't take it, you're dazzling today too!!

Uwaah, I see it, I see it. Gabriel-chan worked so hard on this performance.

She's improved so much since her debut. It's a shame I can't praise her directly, but I'm happy for her!

---

2 options
Is that so?	She was great out there.
Well, once you get on my level you can pick up on the subtle intricacies and improvements. You'll get there, it just takes time.

---

Everyooooone! Thank you all! This encore's the last song for today!

Let's all have fun til the end, 'k?

CROWD: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Hey, knock it off with the jumping around! Have a little consideration for the people behind you!

DarkFencer: Whoa! M-my bad...

Hey, no worries! It's a great show, good Live manners helps everyone enjoy it more!

UWAAAAAH!! I'LL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU, GABRIEL-CHAAAN!!

Lost in the lyrics of Gabriel, Hati leads a small army of the audience in a mass cheer, whooping and moving their bodies to the music.

DarkFencer: (Amazing... As you'd expect, veteran fanboys have a totally different presence...)

Venue Hallway

....Whew, today's show was really got everyone fired up. But nobody can out-cheer me!

Gabriel-chan works really hard, but she always strives not to show it and ruin the magic.

There's a lot of earnest, diligent training put into delivering her love to the fans, you know.

Anyway, I'll hang out with you today as thanks. I always used to come to these concerts alone...

Having a concert buddy along now and then isn't so bad. It's nice to share something you love with someone else.

---

3 options
Thanks for inviting me today.	Gabriel was incredible.	I'm actually not interested at all...
	I know, right? Going with a comrade really is the best.	You can say it all you want, but that angel wing pin badge is proof of your fandom. These eyes never miss Gabriel merch. Just be more honest about your passions! I'm grateful to you for coming with me today.

---

Oh, actually, there was somewhere I wanted to go today, but it's out in the mountains. Do you mind?

---

3 options
Eeh, I don't know...	Slow down, mountains?	I already made plans...

---

It's fine, it's fine. Don't give me that look. This is also for Gabriel-chan's sake.

I'll just tell you up front. I thought we'd go pick flowers together on the mountain.

What, n-no, I'm not talking about peeing together! I mean picking flowers. For real, actual flower picking.

• "going to pick flowers" is a japanese euphemism for going to pee outside

---

1 option
What kind of flower?

---

This one's a special flower that only blooms in a certain mountain drifted from another world.

The name of the flower is -- the Silver Moon Tulip. Sounds perfect for Gabriel-chan, right?

---

2 options
Tulips?	Can't you just buy those?

---

It's not the kind of tulip you're probably thinking of. There's nothing like them in Tokyo.

Anyway, it's a legendary flower. No one knows why the mountain where that flower blooms even appeared.

But there's more. Apparently this flower holds "the power of the moon". They say it glows silver on moonlit nights.

It's like a flower made just for Gabriel-chan! Player, don't you think it sounds romantic?

By the way, I asked around school for info on the flowers. I'll teach you how to pick and keep them properly.

---

3 options
Well, there's no helping it.	I'll go out with you.	I have a bad feeling about this....

---

You're a true comrade! Let's both do our best for Gabriel-chan!

There are several mountains drifted from other worlds around Tokyo. There, on one of those mountains--

Mountains

Huff... huff... I haven't been hiking in a while, but I can keep going.

How are you holding up? If you're having trouble, I have supplies in my backpack.

---

3 options
I'm doing fine too.	I'm getting a little tired.	Please..... No more....
We really are kindred spirits. If it's for Gabriel-chan, climbing a mountain like this is a breeze.		Let me shoulder some of your burden, as a comrade. I'll carry your backpack for you. It's cool, don't be shy.

---

Well, my informant said it was around here somewhere I thought. Where are you, flowers~

---

2 options
Ah, there's some flowers over there.	Are those the ones we're looking for?

---

Aah! That color! No doubt about it, that's got to be the silver moons!

Now all that's left is to gather some flowers and head back, everything went off without a hitch-

---

2 options
Hold that thought.	Watch out!

---

As Hati rushed to the flower, a flock of flying dragons blindsided him.

Hey, who do you think you're dealing with, getting in our way?

Step aside. For Gabriel-chan, nothing's getting between us and those flowers!

Let's go! Moonshine Chaser!!

BATTLE

Good work, now that they're out of the way, we can get to picking some-

But, his triumphant expression faded as he turned his attention to the spot where the flower were. The patch was ruined, destroyed during the fight with the dragons.

What... I was told these are incredibly rare. They're... they're all destroyed?!

I came all this way looking for these flowers! Why... why does nothing ever go right?!

Hati gathers the scattered mess of petals and plant matter at his feet, searching, but not a single one remains intact.

They're all wrecked. I can't give these to Gabriel-chan.

Not yet... maybe, maybe there's more nearby. Flowers grow in groves, right? If we just keep searching--

In his haste to find more tulips, Hati stepped onto an area with bad footing.

C'mon, c'mon, there's gotta be more. It's for Gabriel-chan!

Hati jumped up onto an unsteady rock, and-

---

1 option
Watch out!

---

I-It's collapsiiiing!! UWAAA!!

Player lunged forward to grab Hati's hand and pull the wolf to safety, but was pulled down with him into the abyss.

Ravine

Owowow... tch, damnit... Hey, Player, are you okay?

---

2 options
I'm alive, somehow.	But I hurt my leg.

---

Your leg? Lemme see. ....A sprain? It doesn't seem to be broken at least, but we shouldn't push our luck.

We're way off the climbing path. There's steep cliffs all around this part, it'll be a long hike to get back to the trail.

Even if we start now we won't make it before nightfall. The smart call's to wait until morning.

No, I'm getting ahead of myself. We need to get you someplace safe, make camp and take care of that leg.

.....Player. I'm sorry. This is all my fault.

I got so obsessed over these stupid flowers, and got you all mixed up in this.

....Aah. I'm doing it again. The same dumb mistake.

Singlemindedly chasing after what I want, and I just end up ruining it, and worse, dragging other people into my mess.

If these flowers had a will of their own, they probably wouldn't even want to be picked by someone like me.

I should've known from the start. ...I'm sorry.

---

2 options
Let's save the self-reflection for later.	We need a safe place to camp out.

---

Ah- Y-yeah, you're right. Then... what about over there?

In the direction Hati pointed was a cave; the entrance faced away and would protect them from the chill of the night wind.

Judging from the smell, nothing's lived there for a long time. We shouldn't have to worry about any wild animals.

Here, lean on my shoulder. I'll help you inside and see about a temporary fix for that leg.

Cave

The two gathered their scattered supply packs, setting up camp for the night in the cave. After setting up measures against the cold, while Hati tended to Player's leg...

……What's in my pocket? Oh, it's... what's left of the silver moons that were destroyed.

I still can't let it go, huh... And because of my obsession, you were... I'm so sorry.

The strained silence between the two gradually faded into sleep.

In the dark, Hati was left alone with his thoughts.

[Fadeout to black screen]

HATI: ーオレはまた、 過ちを犯した。 髏しく誘惑する月の光に、 剥きだしの牙を突き刺す。

HATI: それは縄麿もオレ自身の行動を狂わせ、 渇望と悔悟を繰り返す。

HATI: そんな時...., いつも思い出す人が居る。

[Maria Appears briefly]

HATI: 彼女は……扉を開けてくれた。 オレが自分のしたことを悔い、 閉ざそうとした希望の扉を。

HATI: 「この世界に生まれた意昧を残す」 そんな壮大な事を、 今すぐしたかった訳じゃねえ。

HATI: 花を贈るという、 すごくちっぽけな事かもしれないけれど。 まずはここから始めてみようと思った。

HATI: 小さなことをーつずつこなし、 小さな歩みをー歩ずつ積み重ねていけば、 いずれたどり着く。

HATI: 彼女が話してくれた、 オレの理想。 その-歩を踏み出そうそうと一したかった……。

Mountainside at Night

...Nn, light? What's this soft glow?

As Hati looks around, blinking the sleep from his eyes, he notices a dim, gentle light.

...Moonlight? I didn't notice it being this bright earlier.

Aah, I get it. I wasn't looking at anything around me, just the moon.

Yeah... that's right. The moonlight. Always shining, so bright...

Guided by the moon's light, a transfixed Hati follows off the road and toward another path illuminated softly by his beloved heavenly body.

He walked with his head hung low, staring at his feet, until he noticed the dim glow growing stronger.

HATI: What... is this? Am I dreaming?

Tulip Field

As far as the eye could see, Silver Moon Tulips glowed faintly. Hundreds, even thousands of them covered the earth like a blanket of silvery white.

What -- What beautiful scenery. They're like thousands of tiny moons.

But... but it's so cruel, showing me this after I already made up my mind...

---

2 options
You finally found it.	I wonder why there are so many.

---

G-gaah, Player, you startled me. Did you follow me out here...?

It's a whole grove of Silver Moon Tulips. The whole thing looks totally pristine -- like no living thing's ever disturbed it.

It's beautiful. They're all shining like the moon.

---

2 options
This is your chance.	Aren't you gonna pick some to take home?

---

No. I can't pick this flower. Not anymore.

I know, at first I dragged you out all this way for this. I thought, if I could just put my feelings into this flower--

This precious, silver flower reflecting the moonlight, would be so perfect for Gabriel-chan!

But... I can't. If I hurt these flowers, nothing will change.

That's why I made up my mind already. I'll take back the flowers I already destroyed. I want to revive them, somehow.

---

2 options
If that's your decision	Let me help you.

---

Thanks. Thanks for coming out here with me.

Before, I decided I should stay away from Gabriel. It was supposed to be my personal punishment.

If I got close, I'd just end up hurting her again. I told myself, from now on I would just support her from afar.

That thought was why I wanted to send her flowers anonymously, but that just ended up causing its own problems.

I was only thinking of communicating my own feelings, and I didn't even stop to consider feelings of the flowers... or my comrade.

I was being selfish, inviting you along only for my own desires.

Because of that, you ended up getting hurt. The flowers, and you... It made me start to reflect on myself...

But... I still want to respond in some small way to Gabriel's message.

HATI: AROOOOOOOO!!

The carpet of silver flowers tremble as the wolf rears back his head, howling into the moonlit night.

Daikanyama Academy Cafeteria

The following day, the pair made their trek back down the mountain, returning to Hati's school, Daikanyama Academy.

Hey, it's good to see you guys back safe and sound. I've heard the trails on that mountain can be treacherous...

I'm impressed by that dedication. Were you able to find the flowers you wanted for Gabriel-chan?

Climbing dangerous mountains like that for someone important to you is no small feat.

---

2 options
So the ones who taught Hati about the flowers...	Were Taromaiti and Shinya?

---

That's right. I was climbing a mountain drifted from another world the other day when I happened to see them. The legendary Silver Moon flower.

I was telling Shinya when Hati overheard, and asked about where to find them.

Your info was accurate. ....Although, the dragon attack did catch me by surprise.

Dragons? When I climbed it was all quiet. I didn't think you'd get attacked out there... I'm sorry.

No, don't worry about it. It's thanks to you I was able to find the flowers.

Well, if you're happy then it was worth telling you. I'm glad.

---

2 options
Polite Hati...	The gap between now and how he acts at Gabriel's live show is astounding.

---

S-shut it! I have to go all out if I'm gonna chant properly at a concert!

.....*cough*

---

2 options
That reminds me...	What exactly is the legend beind these silver moon flowers? Nobody has told me.

---

Aah, it's apparently an old story that's been handed down for a long time. The legend originated from the world Olympus.

.....The legend goes that, a woman was being relentlessly pursued by a suitor whom she didn't wish to marry, and begged to the moon to change her form to be free of him.

The maiden's name was "Tulip"... and the flower she became was called Silver Moon.

It was called that due to the way its petals reflect moonlight, and glow beautifully in the night.

Maybe, the flower grove you two found---

Who knows, it may have been the very spot where that girl escaped to and was changed.

---

3 options
She really became a flower?	Did the maiden ever find happiness?	What a sad story...
	Yeah... She may be free of the suitor, but it's not exactly a happy ending.

---

Really. I was trying to pick such a flower...

Ah, you left the room satisfied before when I told you about the moon reflecting part, and I didn't get around to telling you the story behind it...

But, Hati. Please don't think that just picking a flower is necessarily "evil"

The feelings you wished to share through these flowers will surely reach her.

Through those feelings, the flower will live on in her. It's never a waste, and it's not a bad thing.

The flowers... living on in that person's heart... Sure, you may be right.

Anyway, we should get them wrapped. Oh yeah, you mentioned something over the phone about reviving flowers?

Yeah. Actually... I don't have any intact flowers, but I brought back these that got ruined by my carelessness.

May I see? ....Hm. Well, perhaps you could make preserved flowers with what's left.

For real?! Tell me how!

N-no, sorry for that outburst. It was rude of me... Could you please teach me?

---

2 options
Please, Shinya!	You can do that?

---

Well, to make preserved flowers you simply use a special chemical to preserve the petals and prevent decay.

From there, you may be able to use adhesives and such to repair it somewhat.

Once preservation and restoration are done with you can decide on an arrangement. I think I'd recommend a "flower box" given what there is to work with.

...I think I see, but, what's a flower box?

Well, just what the name implies. Flowers in a box. It's convenient to carry, and you can decorate it easily.

It may not be quite as flashy as a bouqet, but I'm sure anyone would be happy to recieve it as a surprise gift.

Suprise gift... I like it. Thanks for the suggestion, I like it!

Sure thing. Let's make it together.

---

2 options
Thank you, teacher Shinya!	You sure are talented.

---

A customer at the cafe showed me how to make them before. They're a pretty popular project for homemade gifts.

Shinya's really good with his handicrafts. I'm sure he'll teach you well.

Mhm. Then I'll be in your care. Thank you very much!

Aoyama Mission School, Nighttime

The day before Gabriel's next big live show...

Together, Hati and Player paid a visit to Gabriel's friend.

Welcome to the Aoyama Guild, Player. And Hati-sama, what was the message you had for me?

Guildmaster Maria-san, please excuse me for calling you out here so late. But, there was a favor I wanted to ask of you.

My my, do you need something? If there's anything I can help you with I'll do so happily.

Well, I'd like you to give this to Gabriel-chan.

Gabriel? Of course, I'd be glad too, but... is something wrong?

Do you not wish to deliver it yourself? ....Could it be, you're still worried over what happened back then?

You're downplaying it too much. I kidnapped Gabriel-chan, and imprisoned her, and caused so much trouble for you and the rest of the guild.

I can't give it to her directly, it's still way too awkward to even talk to her...

I understand. If that's what Hati-sama wishes, I won't deny your request.

Well then, what is it you want me to deliver to her?

I prepared a flower decoration I think Gabriel-chan would like. It's called a silver moon tulip.

Oh, how lovely. I'll give it to her right away.

Thank you very much. I wrote down some instructions on how to deliver it in a slip inside the box.

Hm, the paper says... I got it. I'll do it just as you wish.

And, Managarmr-sama, this may sound impudent of me to say, but... please don't be afraid to speak to Gabriel in the future.

A lot may have happened in the past, but... Gabriel has a big heart. She has forgiven you already. I know that both of us only want to do our best to make Gabriel happy.

Maria-san... Thank you.

Hey, Player. You too, thanks so much, for everything.

It's thanks to you -- I could achieve my original goal in a way after all.

Actually... I have a gift for you too.

Player, please-- Accept this.

Managarmr offered forth a flower box; one of the ones he had made while learning from Shinya.

---

3 options
This is...	The flower you wanted to give Gabriel?	Didn't you give it to Maria?

---

No, this -- was meant for my precious comrade Player from the beginning.

I gave Gabriel's flower to Maria just now, but I made two preserved flowers.

---

2 options
Did you invite me to the mountain...	So you could give me one?

---

I wish I could say that was the case, but... no. At first, I was only thinking of Gabriel-chan.

I invited my comrade thinking it would be easier to find the flowers together.

But it wasn't. I just ended up hurting you with my mistakes.

Thanks to Player being there, I realized I was losing myself again.

I couldn't have done anything without you -- I appreciate your kindness, staying with me despite everything.

---

2 options
I should be thanking you.	Let's hang out together again.

---

Sure, I'll invite you. Let's hang out again soon.

Backstage Room

The day of Gabriel's big live, as she was preparing in the dressing room...

Mmkay! The big day at last! I'll give it my all today too. Take no chances!

I'll put on a sweet smile, change my love into words and deliver it to the fans!

Gabriel cheerfully turns her eyes to the mountains of presents and flowers lining the walls, all addressed to her.

Ehehe. As always, everyone's sent so many lovely flowers and gifts.

I'll be sure to open them carefully later... Heehee, all the flowers smell so wonderful.

Oh, this flower box on the table... there's no name on the card?

It's all by itself too, somehow, it looks a little lonely...

Oh! It's a preserved flower -- it's so hard, it doesn't even bend when I touch it.

There's something about this flower... Like, it's cheering "do your best Gabriel-chan!"

Hmhm~ I just had a great idea. What do you think, Mr. Flower?

Gabriel (offscreen): Aaand... preparations complete!

As expected, Gabriel-chan's cuteness has no limit~

Concert

One more time everyone! Woohoo! Let's keep this excitement going at max power!

CROWD: AAAAAAHH!! GABRIEL-CHAAAAN!!

Thank you everybodyyy~~!!

.......!?

H-hey, hey, Player, l-look, Gabriel's jacket...!

Ha, haha.... She really did like it. I can't believe it--!

Your gaze followed Hati's finger to Gabriel's jacket, where a single silver flower was pinned.

That flower... There's no mistake! It's the silver moon flower I sent her!

---

2 options
Your feelings came through after all.	Good work, Hati.

---

Aaah, I'm so happy! Thank you... thank you!

The look of joy on Hati's usually dour face was like nothing you had seen before.

The moon flower shines proudly upon Gabriel's chest, shimmering silver in the light of the stage.

It truly did exemplify Gabriel's charm.

Hati Character Quest Episode 1 --- END