Episode 2: In the Rain... A Fight
After suddenly getting caught in the rain, Yuuki and the others made their way to the guild house that had been prepared for them, where they asked the villagers about the "Rain God."
Suzuna
What do you mean, the event tomorrow's gonna be cancelled!? That would be totally lame!
Io
Please calm down, Suzuna. He was only saying that it was possible, not that it would be cancelled for sure.
Suzuna
But, but, like, what if it does get cancelled?
Misaki
With how motivated the mayor sounded about the event earlier, a little rain should be fine, right?
Attendant
Yes, those are the plans for now. Since Miss Suzuna came all the way here for us, we want to do our utmost to make sure the event goes ahead, but...
Attendant
But, in the worst case, if we consider the possibility of Miss Suzuna or one of the guests getting hurt because of it...
Suzuna
You're right... but...
Io
You said it was because of the Rain God earlier. Just who is this Rain God?
Attendant
Um, the Rain God is a being who has controlled this island's weather since ancient times. Properly, they're something akin to a spirit, but in order to obtain benefits for our island, we worship them as a god.
Attendant
Once every year, at the start of spring, the Rain God is awakened as the result of a ritual prayer on this island, and bestows good weather to bring about a plentiful harvest of fruit. In other words, life on this island flourishes as a result of the Rain God.
Attendant
To see things through, they remain until the end of summer, and then falls into slumber again until next year's ritual.
Misaki
H-huh?
Attendant
However, though this year's ritual went forward just as usual, ever since then, the weather has been unstable, and sudden downpours have continued to occur for some reason.
Attendant
At this rate, we won't be able to attract enough tourists, and our island will be in dire straits. That was why we were hoping for Miss Suzuna to lend us her strength and put on this seaside event, to lift the spirits of all those on this island...!
Suzuna
Um, I think I kinda get it...?
Yuuki
1. "Can you explain it back to us?"
Suzuna
Y-Yeah, totes! I totally get it!
Misaki
Is that right? Because I do, too! It was really simple, right?
Suzuna
... I lied. The truth is, I didn't understand half of it...
Suzuna
Actually, that's also a lie. I think I didn't understand any of it at all...
Suzuna
But you got it all, Misaki? You're super smart!
Misaki
Ugh! I didn't understand either, okay!?
Misaki
But it's not like it can rain every single day, right? We can still enjoy our vacation if we just go out to play on the sunny days.
Attendant
It would be nice if that were so, but... The rain has been growing stronger with each day.
Attendant
It's as you saw earlier. Rain has begun to fall without any warning at all.
Attendant
If these rains continue, then the unstable weather may interrupt tomorrow's event, and we'll have to close off the beaches for safety.
Misaki
Um...
Suzuna
So...
Io
That means...
Suzuna & Others
We won't be able to play on the beach!?
Attendant
Yes...
Misaki
You've gotta be kidding...
Attendant
The mayor says we have to put on the event come rain or shine, but when you think about safety...
Attendant
Ah, sorry! You must be tired after your long journey, so don't let me keep you.
Attendant
Tomorrow's event will absolutely be a success! Miss Suzuna, everyone on this island is counting on you! Now then, please excuse me!
Suzuna
No way... The event might not go on... And after I brought all of you here with me, too...
Misaki
Yeah... But we can't do anything about the weather...
Misaki
I also wanted to see the results of your hard work, Suzuna, but I guess there's still next year.
Misaki
I'll come to see you then, too. Well, assuming my schedule allows it.
Misaki
I'll be cheering for you more than ever, so that you can pick any beach where you want to work as a model!
Suzuna
Misaki, that's not right...!
Misaki
What's wrong? I believe that you can definitely do it. I guarantee it!
Suzuna
That's not what I mean. I want to do this now, this summer, on this island.
Suzuna
And we don't know what'll happen next year, right? We don't even know what'll happen with tomorrow's event.
Misaki
But it's out of our hands. If it all comes down to the weather, then we don't have any control over it, right?
Suzuna
I won't take "it's out of our hands" as an excuse! I don't want to give up that easily!
Io
S-Suzuna?
Misaki
H-Hey. You don't need to take it that seriously. What's the matter?
Misaki
Not to mention, this year's summer vacation has only just begun. It might've been a waste to come this far, but if we don't want to waste the rest of our break, then we should just hurry back to Landsol.
Io
N-Now, now. The two of you, calm down, okay...?
Suzuna
Misaki, you shouldn't talk like that. This event involves a ton of people, doesn't it? Like, you saw it yourself, right? The stage on the beach for the event.
Suzuna
It must've taken a lot of work for them to put that up. Events like these aren't simple to organize, you know.
Misaki
Hmph, I know that. Could you not treat me like a child?
Misaki
But you heard what the villager said before, didn't you? It's not like we can manipulate the weather to make the rain stop falling.
Suzuna
Sure, but... But...
Suzuna
But! You can't be sure that we'll have a chance next year to all travel together like this!
Suzuna
Don't be so awful, Misaki -- you have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this!
Misaki
H-Huh!?
Io
S-Suzuna!
Leaving Misaki and Io behind, Suzuna ran out of the guild house.