Toggle Background Color

A pleasure to meet you, my name is Shou Toramaru.

Likewise, I'm Nazrin. She's my master.

Huh. I thought the rat was the master.

Yeah, the other one seems kinda flaky.

H-hey, don't be so rude to them.

You two seem like you'd stand out in a crowd, but I don't think I've seen you before. Where and how do you normally spend your time?

Umm, that's...

We're in hiding because reasons. I'd be happy to tell you all about it later.

Ooh, as a reporter, I can't ignore that! Would it be bad if it were revealed?

Just leave her alone. Everyone has their secrets.

So, you said you were investigating the incident, right?

For now, anyway. That said, we haven't had much success, so we were thinking about heading home.

That's a pretty laid back attitude, given Gensokyo's current situation.

What situation would that be?

We're nearly out of food and wood in the human village. It's a dangerous state to be in.

...! I didn't realize it was that bad...

You didn't? What would you expect to happen when winter lasts out of season?

Aren't you out investigating because you're worried about the humans?

Not really. We don't owe them anything. We're just looking to feed ourselves and our own.

I see. Taking care of your family is certainly important, but-

But do you know anything about that bakeneko from before? Could she have been related to the incident?

We didn't talk much, but I doubt it. Come to think of it though, she said she was someone's shikigami.

What's a shikigami?

Put simply, it's a familiar that gains power from their master by following special procedures. In order to maintain a shikigami, you need enough spiritual power to keep them replenished, not to mention the knowledge of the procedure involved.

So in other words, that cat's master must be pretty strong.

Yeah, I thought so. I've seen a lot of youkai in my time, but that's the first nine tailed fox I've met.

A what?! Those are a pretty big deal.

She was quite splendid, yes. I believe her name was Ran?

That would be Yukari's shikigami then. She has a fox named Ran.

Someone like that serves another youkai?

She comes along with Yukari to the shrine sometimes. She seems pretty arrogant. She only listens to Yukari.

So this Yukari person is so strong, her shikigami is powerful enough to maintain its own shikigami?

I really wouldn't want to fight her.

Well, I wouldn't worry about that. Yukari Yakumo is the sage of youkai, so it's hard to imagine her starting an incident.

Hmm, is that so? I hope you're right...

Anyway, we should get going. You want to come with us?

What, you mean us?

Who else is there? The more the merrier, right?

I feel bad about this after getting to know you all, but we're gonna have to turn down that offer. We should be getting home now. Wish you luck!

...

No, Nazrin. We're going with them.

M-master?!

Really? That's great!

I'm sure Momiji's glad to have another fluffy eared companion too.

Your words, not mine.

Well, if you say so, master.

(What are you doing?! Don't tell me you actually care about the humans?!)

(No, that's not why. It's just, I didn't know anything about the situation in the human village. We can use this chance to remedy my ignorance.)

(And surely this will lead to the "justice" I've been seeking.)

...

Okay, so we know they're coming with us. Where do you feel like heading next?

Ran and Chen don't seem to have anything to do with anything. Let's just get back to following the flower petals.

We're going this way.

You're holding up your forefinger. Are you trying to say "one"?

No, you idiot, I'm pointing up!

There's nothing but clouds up there though.

Wait, you don't mean to-

Yup, we're going above the clouds. Spring's definitely somewhere up there.

Stage 3 is being skipped entirely. Considering how straight the game has been playing PCB, I was actually surprised the writers didn't contrive a reason to fight Alice.

Though I guess Alice playing such a large role on Marisa's route balances things out.


I never thought to look for it up in the sky...

Well you were digging in the dirt, after all. Are your hands all right now?

Ah, yes! Thank you for the concern.

I've never been above the clouds before. This is exciting!

Don't get the wrong idea, clouds aren't fluffy. There's nothing but harsh winds and frozen vapor up there.

Come on, let's go!