Episode 1: Making the Final Memories of This Year
It was the day of New Year's Eve. Yuuki had just arrived at the address from Hiyori's invitation.
Hiyori
Yuuki! Over here!
Rei
Hey. Glad you made it on time.
Yui
Yuuki, are you thirsty? I brought drinks and lunch boxes, so just let me know if you're hungry.
Yui
1. "You're all dressed differently than usual."
2. "Those clothes look very good on you."
Option 1.
Rei
Oh, these? These are called kimonos, and they're traditional for end-of-year well wishers around here. I believe this style of clothing originally came from a different continent.
Hiyori
Take a look, Yuuki! Looks good, right?
Yui
All three of us are dressed in them. Do they... look good on us?
Option 2.
Yui
T-Thank you...
Rei
Ha ha, thank you for the compliment.
Hiyori
Hee hee! Thanks, Yuuki!
End of branches.
Priest
... Apologies for interrupting your conversation. But are you the members of Twinkle Wish?
Rei
Yes, as you say. And are you the priest here?
Priest
That is correct. I'd like to thank you earnestly for taking on our request.
Hiyori
Don't mention it! We've gotta help each other in times of need!
Rei
Those words are a core policy of our guild, so there's no need to worry.
Priest
Understood. Ah, but isn't there one more person here than was mentioned beforehand...?
Yui
Is that unacceptable...?
Rei
Yuuki here is one of our most reliable guardians and allies. If it's possible, we'd like your permission for him to attend to this request together with us.
Priest
I see, so that's who he is. Of course, he is most welcome. I'll prepare an additional reward for his part as well.
Hiyori
Thank you! All right, Yuuki!
Yuuki
1. "I'm honored."
Priest
No, no, the honor is all mine. Now, then, allow me to quickly explain the details of the request to you.
Hiyori
Please do!
Priest
Let me start from the origin of this shrine... In this place is enshrined a god that has resided in Landsol since ancient times.
Rei
Indeed, according to the literature, this god may even be older than the Sol Tower...
Priest
Yes, you are quite knowledgeable. And it is said that the ancient god extends his blessings to any who make wishes at this shrine.
Hiyori
What kind of blessings?
Priest
A good question. The answer is... The god gives form to those wishes that are made upon this shrine.
Yui
I see... That sounds wonderful.
Priest
The next part you may already be familiar with, but every New Year's Eve, we light a bonfire at this shrine.
Yuuki
1. "A bonfire?"
Rei
We write down our wishes that didn't come true this year, and place them into the bonfire while praying that they come true next year. That way, the wishes return to the heavens.
Yui
It's said that wishes placed into the bonfire are likely to come true next year.
Priest
Yes. Through purification and rebirth, the wishes become more easily granted than they were before. That is what I believe.
Hiyori
Amazing... I didn't know that was possible!
Priest
Of course, whether they do come true or not varies from person to person.
Hiyori
I guess so, huh... That's too bad.
Priest
Too bad... That's exactly right. Those remaining desires and wishes -- that is the reason why I've requested your presence today.
Priest
Wishes cannot be purified through the bonfire alone. And if this shrine is filled with too many unpurified wishes and desires that remain in those burned papers and other objects, then those wishes will eventually materialize.
Rei
What do you mean...!?
Priest
At first, they took the form of a thin, untouchable fog. But if the numbers of wishes continue to increase as the new year draws closer, those wishes may begin possessing objects, or worse, take on a physical form of their own and begin assailing the worshippers.
Yui
Unbelievable...
Priest
I think you understand what I'm getting at, but I'd like you to serve as security for the shrine and the surrounding area, as well as to purify any materialized wishes that you come across.
Hiyori
Got it! We'll protect everyone -- and we'll save their unpurified wishes, too!
Priest
Save their wishes... Yes. Yes, that's exactly right. I now have complete confidence in your understanding of your duties.
Rei
Thank you very much. We'll devote all we have to meeting your expectations.
Priest
The shrine will be open soon, and the bonfire will soon be lit. As such, please take this time to prepare. I'll be counting on you for the remainder of this year.
Yui
We won't let you down.
Rei
... Purifying wishes, huh. I know this request came from the shrine, but they've certainly entrusted us with some important responsibilities.
Yui
We'll be okay... right?
Hiyori
We'll be okay! Yuuki's here too, after all!
Rei
That's right. It was a lucky coincidence that we bumped into you that day.
Yuuki
1. "Why did you take on this request, though?"
Yui
The truth is, we wanted to all spend some time after New Year's together, but our schedules didn't match up...
Hiyori
But we were all free before New Year's, so we thought we'd make some nice memories together to finish up the year!
Rei
By the way, the reason Hiyori invited you was so that you'd get an extra share of the reward.
Hiyori
You said you wanted to give a red envelope, right? So I thought, why not make it happen together?
Yui
The sudden invitation didn't cause you any trouble, did it...?
Yuuki
1. "Not at all. Thank you."
Yui
We're the ones who shold be thanking you. Let's all do our best today!
Rei
Don't worry about it. We should all help each other in times of need.
Hiyori
Rei!? That's what I wanted to say!
Yui
Ha ha. She stole your line.
Rei
Sorry, sorry. Anyway, let's leave it there and get ready. A lot of people visit the shrine every year, so we'll need to approach this with gusto.
Hiyori
Yeah! All right, I'm gonna do my best!
With that, Yuuki went together with Hiyori and friends to prepare for the many worshippers who would be coming.