Episode 4: The Truth Behind Paradise
Scene: A cave on the desert island.
For the purpose of further developing the island, Tamaki, Mifuyu, and Yuuki set foot into a previously unexplored cave.
Tamaki
In order to develop this island, Tamaki's Expedition Team has reassembled!
Cats
Meow!
Mifuyu
Hey, Tamaki, could you not group me into your weird team? Anyway, this cave seems to be really ancient...
Tamaki
The atmosphere here feels different. I wonder, could it have been built as some kind of temple? Because then we could enshrine ourselves as gods here! Cat gods!
Mifuyu
Hey, enough of that! Wouldn't a hot spring be nice, though? There's something charming about bathing in a cave like this.
Tamaki
That doesn't sound bad. We could make some money by setting up a bath in this cave. Hmm, how tempting...
Yuuki
1. "Tamaki, something's fallen over there."
2. "Mifuyu, watch your step."
Option 1.
Tamaki
Hm? You're right... Is this a bundle of papers?
Option 2.
Mifuyu
Right. We need to be careful not to slip... Huh? What's fallen over there?
End of branches.
Mifuyu
It looks quite old, but it's a diary of some kind!
Tamaki
We've finally found some trace of people who were here before us!
Mifuyu
Right! But what could have become of the owner... There shouldn't be any strong monsters around here...
Tamaki
Let's have a read right away.
Mifuyu
Yeah... What does it say...
Mifuyu
"Our pirate crew has gotten stranded for now on this strange island. My companions have been been enjoying lavish feasts and parties for several days now, and only I am searching the island, trying to uncover the truth."
Mifuyu
"The truth is, this entire island itself is one giant monster."
Mifuyu
"An island that can make any wishes come true... That's what we'd thought, but in truth, all of this is the creation of an unimaginable monster called the 'Shimakujira', who is holding us captive..."
Tamaki
I-Impossible! T-Though, ever since we got here, things really have seemed too good to be true!
Mifuyu
When I think about it, the things that the cats built, like Tamaki Palace and my private training ground, were all done unnaturally well. We were being shown a fantasy from the very beginning...
Tamaki
But... You can't say it was completely fantasy when we were living it for real, right?
Mifuyu
Well... A-Anyway. Tamaki, I'm going to keep reading.
Mifuyu
"I've tried many times to escape, all without success."
Mifuyu
"The companions who were washed up here with me, and who spent day upon day living here happily, all succumbed to a strange weakness and died before long..."
Mifuyu
"The Shimakujira is a being that feeds upon people's avarice. For that reason, it chooses and lures in people with strong feelings of greed..."
Mifuyu
"And then, the people who come to the island are enveloped by those feelings of green, and go to their deaths before long..."
Tamaki
Does this mean that we're going to die soon, too!?
Mifuyu
Ah, wait!? There's more!? "Then, one day, I came to a realization. Powerless as I am, I have no chance of defeating the Shimakujira."
Mifuyu
"So, I decided to negotiate with the Shimakujira instead. In exchange for releasing me alone, I offered to spread rumors of this island, so that greedy people would be lured in from abroad."
Mifuyu
"Fortunately for me, the negotiation was successful. Before I depart, I am choosing to record all of these details in this diary, in the unlikely event of its discovery."
Mifuyu
... Now I understand. This is how those legends of this island began spreading at the coast...
Tamaki
But, does this diary mean that the Shimakujira can be negotiated with?
Mifuyu
In that case... What we ought to do is...
Scene: A beach at the Marjan Coast.
At that moment, at the Marjan Coast...
Tourist
W-What's that...? Is it a bird, or a monster...? No...
Tourist
Waahhh! An airship is landing right on the beach! Everyone, stay clear!
Akino
Ahh ha ha! We've arrived at the Marjan Coast! The airships of House Wisteria certainly are fast!
Yukari
A-Akino, perhaps you shouldn't go so overboard...
Akino
Not at all! This is an emergency! We must use all means at our disposal!
Akino
Now, then... This coast seems to be the site of Tamaki and Mifuyu's disappearance.
Yukari
Wait just a moment, we should see if anybody has any clues at this beach house... Pardon us...
Yukari
Ah, Akino! There was somebody who knew about Tamaki and Mifuyu at this boat rental house!
Yukari
Apparently, the two of them rented a boat together with a third person, a boy... According to the ledger, the boy's name was Yuuki... Wait, Yuuki!? I-It can't be!?
Akino
Sir Yuuki was with them!? So, the three of them boarded their boat, and then went missing?
Yukari
Ooh... So unfair, leaving me behind... W-Wait, they went missing, so it's not exactly unfair...
Akino
But, for an accident to happen here... The seas here seem to have been quite calm for the past several days... So why...
Yukari
Ah, right, I also heard of a local rumor that had been circulating recently... Supposedly, there's an "island where wishes come true" in the seas near here.
Yukari
Maybe the three of them went in the direction of that island. It's the kind of rumor that people with strong feelings of avarice would be drawn to...
Akino
It seems quite impossible that such an island could exist, but... If it does, then... It's not out of the question that the penny-pinching Tamaki and the efficiency-focused Mifuyu would try to make it there...
Yukari
I've heard that many people have vanished in the seas to the south of here, so it's likely that the island is around there...!
Akino
Then, let us set off by ship at once! Next stop, the island where dreams come true! Hello, Mr. Boat Renter? Could you rent us a vessel as well?
Akino
Ah, of course, we'd like a ship of the highest class.
Scene: At sea.
Akino
Now, let us push off. Yukari, think deeply about your desires... Put your avarice on full display as we make for that island!
Yukari
I'd like a wonderful boyfriend!
Yukari
(For instance, someone like Yuuki...)
Yukari
And then, I'd like all-you-can-drink bars for the rest of my life!
Akino
I'd like the developments of House Wisteria and the Mercurius Foundation to progress in leaps and bounds...!
Akino
(So that, one day, by my power, our guild will become the foremost in the world...!)
Yukari
Yawn...
Akino
... Zzz...
Scene: The beach of the desert island.
Akino
Mmm... Ah, where's this!? It looks like a completely uninhabited island... This is likely our destination. Once I suddenly started feeling sleepy, we arrived with surprising ease.
Yukari
Hey, Akino, doesn't it feel like there are a lot of cats on this island?
Akino
Indeed, it does. And moreover, it seems like they're buying and selling things with money, somehow...!
Cat
Meow!
Akino
My, what could it be? Whatever do you want to exchange that coin for?
Akino
Perhaps it's this jewel that I have on me... If that's it, then how would 20 of those coins sound?
Cat
Meow!
Yukari
A-Amazing, Akino... How long had you been holding onto that jewel?
Akino
I carry jewels like that all the time, usually of around 200 carats. Someone aiming to be a top-notch merchant must always be ready to strike a deal!
Yukari
You know, I feel like I'm experiencing the class divide firsthand...
Akino
Now, then, let's search this island! And then... Tamaki, Mifuyu! Please wait just a bit longer!