Episode 5: Foggy, the Spirit of Memories

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Later... After about an hour of singing their hearts out, Nozomi and the others were taking a rest.

Nozomi
Ahh, I'm suddenly tired.

Ayane
G-Good work... Why don't you have some tea?

Nozomi
Thanks! I'd been wanting something cold to soothe my throat, so that'd be perfect!

Nozomi
Eh, wait? Ayane, did you change into that cute outfit?

Ayane
Ehehe, it's cute, isn't it? I won't be able to wear this once Christmas is over, so I've been wearing it around the orphanage as much as I can!

Ayane
I had some time, so I changed into it. I thought it'd be weird if I was the only one looking like this, though, so I got Kurumi to wear hers too.

Ayane
It looks good, right? Suzume made us these clothes for Christmas! She might be clumsy, but she's really good at anything besides cooking!

Ayane
Whenever Puukichi gets damaged, she fixes him right up!

Nozomi
I see! One of my friends from Carmina is also really great at sewing -- her name's Tsumugi. She's always making all kinds of clothes for us.

Ayane
Tsumugi? Didn't someone named that send a package to the orphanage earlier? Inside, there were clothes for Chika to change into!

Ayane
Chika's clothes were all muddy and ripped, and Kurumi seemed to be having fun changing her into her new outfit earlier. I think that was also a Christmas-theme outfit, right?

Nozomi
Wow... Tsumugi really is considerate.

Nozomi
Handling our workloads on her own must've already been tough, but did she really spend her precious little free time following up with us?

Nozomi
I was in such a panic that I didn't explain the situation very well to her over the communication spell earlier, too... She's amazing, not just at being an idol, but a manager, too.

Ayane
Ehehe. Nozomi... Big sis Nozomi, you sure seem happy. You must really treasure your friends.

Nozomi
Of course. We're all in the same unit, and our destinies are linked together. We're practically family.

Nozomi
It's kind of like how you see Puukichi... And about that, I'm sorry for saying those mean things earlier, calling him a stuffed animal or whatnot.

Ayane
It's okay. It's natural for anyone to think that, especially because I'm not that young of a kid anymore. Honestly, maybe I'm the weird one.

Ayane
It really is strange for a stuffed animal to be able to speak... But it's true, I really can hear him talk. Though, for some reason now, I can't talk to him anymore.

Nozomi
I wonder why... I'd bet the timing isn't just a coincidence, and it has something to do with this "Foggy, the Spirit of Memories." Right?

Ayane
Just what is this "Foggy" thing?

Nozomi
I don't know... Usually, Chika would be able to give a decent explanation of these things, but it seems like she's regressed to being an infant for some reason.

Kurumi
Okay, now it's your turn, Chika...!

Chika
Umm, huh? Which one is it? Which one's the joker?

Kurumi
Hee hee, yeah, which one?

Chika
This one!

Kurumi
Wow, that was amazing, Chika! You're really good at Old Maid -- you avoided the joker again...!

Chika
Hee hee! Yeah, I'm amazing, right?

Kurumi
Yeah! Okay, let's play Sevens next...!

Chika
I won't lose... Hee hee!

Nozomi
Umm... Kurumi, sorry for making you keep Chika occupied.

Kurumi
Oh, it's okay... I'm pretty used to dealing with little kids, and it's fun to play games with her...!

Ayane
Ha ha. There are lots of young kids in the orphanage besides us, and Kurumi is always helping take care of them.

Kurumi
Everyone likes her a lot, and they all call her "big sis"...

Chika
Big sis Kurumi, you're super nice! I love you!

Kurumi
E-Ehehe... I love you, too, Chika... There, there!

Nozomi
......

Kurumi
Ooh... S-S-Sorry... Chika... She's an idol, so I probably shouldn't touch her so casually, right...?

Nozomi
No, no, you're okay. I do get a little riled up when Yuuki is clinging to Chika like that. But it's you, Kurumi, so I don't mind.

Kurumi
Hee hee. Speaking of big brother Yuuki... The way Chika is right now is a lot like the way he was when he first came to the orphanage...

Kurumi
Like a little kid, or even a baby... When he was like that, Ayane or I would always look after him, or play with him, or things like that...

Nozomi
Hmm... Now that you say it, I also feel like the present Chika is a lot like the past Yuuki. Yuuki was like that because he had amnesia, so could Chika also?

Nozomi
Ahh, I feel like I'm onto something here! Give me a minute, let me think seriously about this!

Chika (Puukichi)
... There's no need to think about it, Miss Idol.

Nozomi
Huh? Was that Chika just now? Why're you talking in such a crass way -- are you turning evil or something?

Chika (Puukichi)
Ha ha. I had a rough upbringing, so this is the only way I know to talk. Not like I want to sully this girl's beautiful voice with my rude words.

Chika (Puukichi)
But this is just how it is, so you'll have to deal.

Ayane
Huh? H-Hey, are you... Puukichi?

Ayane
It's you, isn't it, Puukichi? I've been talking to you for so long that I know! That's exactly the way you talk, Puukichi!

Puukichi (Chika)
Oh, you recognize me after all, Ayane. That really does make me happy.

Ayane
Puukichi!

Puukichi (Chika)
Whoa, there... Don't squeeze me like that, Ayane. This Chika lady seems a bit more delicate than my usual stuffed animal.

Ayane
Puukichi, Puukichi, Puukichiii! I was so scared! I thought I was never gonna get to talk to you again...!

Puukichi (Chika)
Don't cry, Ayane. Whenever I see you crying, it feels worse than having all the stuffing pulled out of me. I'm here, and I'll always be here with you, Ayane.

Puukichi (Chika)
As long as you want me to be.

Ayane
Yeah! I believe you -- we'll always be together...!

Nozomi
Umm...?

Puukichi (Chika)
Ah, this probably doesn't make much sense right now, so let me explain. Though, honestly, even I'm not completely sure how this all came to be.

Puukichi (Chika)
But within this body, Miss Chika's consciousness is still present. I was able to communicate with her, so I understand the situation to a certain degree.

Puukichi (Chika)
Still. It'd probably be faster to hear the story from the lady herself. Let me swap with her real quick. Hey, Miss Chika, don't be shy, just come out here.

Puukichi
Everyone's worried about you, so let them hear your voice.

Chika
Yes... As you say, um, Puukichi.

Nozomi
Chika? Is it you, Chika? Are you really back to normal?

Chika
Ahh... I'm sorry you had to see such a pitiful sight, Nozomi...

Chika
Ahh, what do I do? To make up for calling you "Mama" like that...?

Nozomi
It's okay. I didn't really mind... I mean, let's leave the embarrassment for later -- can you explain what's going on?

Chika
I can't simply save it for later! Ah, no, what on earth was I doing...? How can I look you in the eyes again after such embarrassment...?

Nozomi
Hi-yah, Idol Chop!

Chika
Ouch!? Nozomi, that was mean -- how could you hit me like that?

Nozomi
Ah, sorry. I mean, your careful seriousness is one of your strengths, but once you fall into a slump, it can take forever to pull you out. This isn't the time to mope around, you know?

Chika
Right... Yes, you're right as always, Nozomi.

Nozomi
Come on, I'm not always right. ... But no matter what, I'm really glad you're back to normal, Chika.

Chika
It's too soon to relax. I'm only temporarily borrowing Puukichi's power to allow my true self to surface. I can't remain this way for long.

Chika
I'll explain everything as best I can... It's quite a pitiful tale, but I hope that it will help you find a way to resolve this incident.

Chika
The cause of all of this was Foggy, the Spirit of Memories... An exceptionally powerful spirit whose name comes up in many legends. Everyone, do you know of this being?

Nozomi
I've heard the name, but... I don't know very much about spirits.

Chika
I see... Well, that's only natural. By now, Foggy has become the stuff of fairy tales...

Chika
In any case. Foggy, the Spirit of Memories -- as his title suggests, he is a spirit who possesses the power to manipulate memories.

Chika
To make people forget about the past, and conversely, to implant new memories into people's minds.

Chika
When I heard that... It's rather embarrassing, but I thought that this power might help Yuuki regain his lost memories. For that reason, I set off in search of Foggy.

Chika
I am a songstress. By forging contracts with spirits, I can borrow their powers. So I thought to draw upon Foggy's powers to reclaim Yuuki's memories.

Nozomi
Chika... I see, it all makes sense now. You've always been one to devote your full strength towards helping others. You're just what every idol should strive to be.

Chika
No, it was nothing that major... I only wanted to do something for Yuuki in return for all the help he always provides me.

Chika
However. Foggy, the Spirit of Memories, was a far more dangerous being than I'd expected -- he was essentially a monster. A fearsome monster who could not be swayed by words or negotiation.