Character Story 5: Encounter! Unidentified Entity
Translation notes
[1] Her remark 影もかたちも見当たらない (kage mo katachi mo miataranai, lit. "find neither shadow or shape") is a play on an idiom 影も形もない (kage mo katachi mo nai), which means to disappear without a trace.
[2] Anpan are a type of Japanese sweet roll.
[3] She uses the idiom 瓜ニつ (urifutatsu, lit. "two melons"), which is an equivalent to the expression "two peas in a pod".
[4] The shadow's quotes are rough excerpts from the end of Kasumi's third (and final) character episode from the original Princess Connect game.
Kasumi
Hmm. This investigation has stalled for a lot longer than I imagined.
Kasumi
We've already spent three days observing a probable source of Shadows. As of now, there have been no results.
Kasumi
These Shadows have no shadow or form to be seen... What an appropriate expression... [1]
Kasumi
My deduction could have been wrong, or our luck could have simply been bad and we won't be able to go through with the plan.
Kasumi
Today's the last day of the stakeout... If there really ends up being no results, a change in thinking may be in order.
Kasumi
I can't just keep wasting time forever.
Kasumi
Killing time together with Assistant when we idly chatted, played hand games, or ate anpan...[2] The stakeout had its share of enjoyable moments.
Kasumi
Though in actuality, there are people living in fear of these Shadows. That's why I was tasked with this.
Kasumi
If I keep taking things casually, this incident will just never get resolved. And that would be a problem.
Kasumi
I am a Great Detective. Per the client's wishes, the incident must be resolved.
Kasumi
Huh? I thought I saw a figure at the Shadow's estimated spawn location... Jeez, it was just Assistant.
Kasumi
You sure are motivated. Already on site?
Kasumi
Shadow sightings have primarily been at night, so the stakeout would begin after sundown... is what I told you, wasn't it? I've even taken up all your time during the day already.
Kasumi
Though I've been lent a vacant house nearby so I've been keeping watch all day.
Kasumi
When you arrive at night to take over being a lookout I take a nap but... I'm still pretty sleep deprived so I'm a little spaced out.
Kasumi
If I keep up this lifestyle, I'll end up being useless.
Kasumi
That's why today would be the last stakeout attempt... n, nn?
Shadow
...........
Kasumi
....Eh?
Kasumi
Wait, that's...? No way, a Shadow!?
Kasumi
It finally appeared! Alright! My deduction was correct after all!
Kasumi
According to plan, lets capture it! Draw that Shadow's attention, Assistant!
Kasumi
You've been attacked by Shadows before... It's just an assumption on my part that it will happen again, but you should still make good bait.
Kasumi
While you're distracting that Shadow, I'll find a chance to use that magic tool I prepared to capture it!
Kasumi
...Assistant? Come on, respond! Do you have some reservations about this?
Yuuki
1. Do as you were told.
2. Remain dumbfounded.
Kasumi
That's a good boy, Assistant! Now then, time to resolve this incident!
Option 2.
Kasumi
Uh, why are you just staring blankly?
Kasumi
It's believed that Shadows are typically harmless, but cases of humans being harmed exist! If you let your guard down, you'll get hurt!
End of branches.
Kasumi
Okay. For now let's fall back over here... Assistant!
Kasumi
Anyway, why'd a Shadow just suddenly appear right by us? That was dangerous.
Kasumi
Shadows don't possess anything like a consciousness... is the commonly accepted opinion.
Kasumi
Even if our little stakeout was discovered, I was sure there wouldn't be a problem.
Kasumi
Huh? You say, that Shadow looked just like me, so you approached it and called out to it...?
Shadow
........
Kasumi
Certainly, that Shadow matches my outer appearance perfectly.[3]
Kasumi
It's like looking into a mirror. It gives me a pretty distressing feeling.
Kasumi
However, that's just as expected. For whatever reason, Shadows adopt the exact appearances of people that already exist.
Kasumi
That is to say, this time, it was just happenstance that this Shadow took on my appearance.
Kasumi
The fact that we were nearby for several days on our stakeout may also have something to do with it.
Kasumi
Something like that could mean it's just in their nature to copy the appearances of any nearby humans.
Kasumi
Well, let's just save that discussion for later. Right now, our focus needs to be on capturing that Shadow.
Kasumi
Let's go, Assistant! I'd like you to use that mysterious power you have to strengthen me!
Kasumi
My strength is in my mental capabilities, after all. I'm much less suited for combat compared to the others at Kaon!
Kasumi
Nnn! Alright, I'm overflowing with power! Thanks, Assistant♪
Kasumi
Alright, you Shadow, get tied in my policeman's rope and come quietly!
Shadow
........
Shadow
"Sorry"
Kasumi
.....!? Huh?
Shadow
"S-S-S, Sorry... Sorry... Sorry, sorry..."
Kasumi
Wha, why is it apologizing? No, as I recall, Shadows had a tendency to repeat meaningless phrases?
Kasumi
Pay it no mind, capture it! That's probably the right answer!
Shadow
"There was another detective besides me, huh? ... Did you forget the ironclad rule of a detective?" [4]
Kasumi
Q-Quiet! Don't speak in my voice! It's making me nervous!
Shadow
"Sorry... It's embarrassing... Please forget about it, Senpai... That, was my idealized self..."