Character Story 10: Wobbling Self-Control
It was several days after Yukari announced she was going dry. Yuuki was concerned about how she was doing, so he went to the Mercurius Foundation guild house.
Yukari
Ah, this calculation is wrong. The numbers here don't seem to add up. Let me correct that here.
Yukari
Huh, were these documents ever sent? Our application is meant to be urgent. There are a lot of omissions here, too... I'll have to get back to this.
Yukari
A report for this month's sales... Everything looks to be in good shape, but there are still some improvements that can be made. We should try to cut down on unnecessary expenses where we can.
Yukari
Next is... Oh, Yuuki, it's you. What's happening?
Yukari
Sorry, but I'm pretty busy right now. I don't have much time to chat.
Yukari
Hmm? What's the matter? You look surprised...
Yuuki
1. "You're doing perfectly."
2. "You're not wasted."
Option 1.
Yukari
Ha ha. Thank you. Hmm? ... You thought I was always drunk?
Option 2.
Yukari
What kind of person do you see me as, I wonder... Well, it's true that you always see me when I'm like that.
End of branches.
Yukari
I know you always see me when I'm not at my best, but this is how I normally am, you know?
Yukari
You understand? You promise?
Yukari
... Wait, it's already that time of day. It's time to go drink... Wait, no, no! Those words escaped me so naturally... Scary...
Yukari
That's off-limits, Yukari! I swore to be dry from now on!
Yukari
Sorry, I've got a lot of work left to take care of, so I won't be able to join you for dinner!
The next day...
Yukari
Lots of work today, too, it looks like. All right, let's get into it!
The day after that...
Yukari
Heh, heh heh... It's fine, it's fine, Yukari! I live for my job!
And then, a week later...
Yukari
Umm, these documents sure smell nice... I'd sure like to taste these words...
Yukari
After working overtime for so many days, I might be getting a bit loopy...! In times like these, I'd be able to down one of those in an instant... heh heh heh...
Yuuki
1. "Are you okay?"
Yukari
Beer?
Yukari
Huh!? I mean, I'm okay! I, Yukari, am a grown-up lady, after all!
Yukari
D-Don't push myself!? The heart of a grown-up lady is stronger than that!
Yukari
B-But, that's right, I can't stay cooped up inside at work all the time! I should go out for a walk every so often...
Yukari
Um, those documents from earlier...!
Yukari
Ah, here they are!
Later.
Yukari
You'll really come with me? I appreciate it, but... No, thank you for coming.
Yukari
Then, let me explain: we've gotten reports of monsters along some of the shipping routes that the Mercurius Foundation uses.
Yukari
We'd originally asked the royal knights to take care of it, but it'd be faster to do something about it on our own instead of waiting for them to act.
Yukari
What? Don't be so worried. There's no need to worry about a sisterly figure like me, you know? I was once a holy knight, remember?
Yukari
And it's best not to think about too many things when we're out for some exercise...!
Yukari
Ah! There it is! I'm sure it's that monster!
Yukari
And nearby... Is that a freight wagon? It looks like it's about to come under attack! I can't tell if they'll make it or not...!
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
It looks like their security has already run off. In that case, we'll have to handle it ourselves!
Yukari
Yuuki, please back me up! Now then, let's go... Wait, what? More monsters are appearing...
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
... What's going on? There are way more than they mentioned in the reports! But they're all of the right type!
Yukari
They've already spotted us, though, so all we can do is fight...!
Yukari
(I can't cause Yuuki trouble again...! As his grown-up, sisterly figure, I've got to be a role model!)
Yukari
Haah!
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
There are a lot of them, but this many should still pose no problem!
Yukari
Let's keep at it!
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
Nice one! Whoa, we can't let them go that way, either!
Yuuki
1. "What an amazing fighting style...!"
Yukari
I said it before, right? There's no need to worry.
Yukari
Ha ha, do you see me in a better light now?
Yukari
(Yes, yes, when I'm moving about like this, I could forget all about beer!)
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
Whew, that was the last one!
Yukari
Just in case, we should check on the wagon that was under attack. The cargo was... a bunch of barrels?
Yukari
They're broken, and inside of them is... Huh? This smell...
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yuuki
1. Shield Yukari.
Yukari
Ah, Yuuki!?
Yukari
Hey... Are you okay!? You're fine? What a relief...!
Yukari
But what do we do...? I've dragged you into trouble again...!
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
Ah... There are... still more monsters...? Did they summon allies!?
Yukari
I'm sorry, I'm sorry... This is my fault...!
Yukari
(What do we do, run away? But we're surrounded, so I'll never be able to get him out safely... What now? I'm supposed to be his grown-up, sisterly figure... My head is spinning...!)
Yukari
1. "Drink this!"
Yukari
... Huh? What's that liquid cupped in your hands... No, I could never mistake it...
Yukari
That smell... That color... It's beer, isn't it!? So that was what was in those barrels after all...!
Yukari
Wait, wait, Yuuki!? Why are you bringing that closer to my face? Stop, stop! I said I was going dry!
Yukari
Ah, it smells so good -- no, wait, cut that out, Yuuki! Don't you realize we're in a battle!? That we're surrounded by monsters!?
Yukari
It's best not to think about too many things? I mean, you're right, I've got too much on my mind right now...!
Yukari
If I drink this, I can do anything? It'll unlock my hidden powers...!? I have no idea what you're talking about...!
Yukari
Glug...!
Yukari
Ah, that's nice...! My clothes are soaked now...!
Yukari
Aw, no, I drank it! Whoa, it's been so long since the last time I drank...!
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
Eh, drink more? No, quit it! Why're ya makin' me drink!?
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
Shaddup over there! You sit down!
Monster
Roaaaar!
Yukari
Ugh, that's enough! I'm gonna go crazy!
Yukari
Ya think that's all yer big sis's got!?
By shedding her inhibitions and going on a tear, Yukari cut down every last monster.
Yukari
Huh? Wh... What happened...?
Yukari
Y-Yuuki, why are your clothes all singed!? What happened!? You got caught in the blast? Of what!?
Yukari
What happennnnned!?