Opening: Invited on a Journey to Summer
It was a summer day. Yuuki was leisurely passing the time at the Gourmet Palace guild house, when...
Nanaka
Excuuuse us! Did you think a pretty girl was gonna show up at your door? You thought right, because it's me, Nanaka!
Stechepalme
I'm here, too! Come, Sigurd, so that we may also spread our names across this world today...
Luka
Where are your manners, showing up at someone else's guild house and making such a racket? I'm sorry for the disturbance.
Later.
Luka
... Oh, my, are you the only one in today? I'd thought to bring some sliced fruit to thank you for allowing us to use your house.
Yuuki
1. "Everyone else is out right now."
Luka
Ah, I see. Then, please, share these with the others once they're back. Of course, feel free to try some yourself, too.
Luka
Well, it's a little sudden, but we have to start preparing...
Nanaka
Luka sis, c'mon and bring us along, too! The drop rate will go up if all of us are there! Probably!
Luka
I said I was going to relax on my own today, didn't I? Lately, I haven't had the chance to take it easy and fish.
Stechepalme
Are you being polite? There's no need for that! With our powers combined, we shall eradicate every last fish from the site!
Luka
Just what do you think fishing is about...? Yuuki, would you mind if I left these tools over there?
Nanaka
Tch... Eriko and Mitsuki are both out doing field world for research, so that leaves the two of us with no events at all! Booo!
Nanaka
With Luka sis asking us to come along with her, I was sure today was gonna be a red letter day...
Stechepalme
Heh, but spending some time in tranquility isn't so bad, is it? I have very little time to allow the dark powers residing within me to rest, after all...
Nanaka
Then, why'd you come along with us, Anna?
Stechepalme
Of course, it was so that I could train with Sigurd. One never knows when The Order of Gehenna Immortals may need to spring into action!
Luka
Hmmm...
Nanaka
Huh, what's up, Luka sis? Were you like talking to your fishing rod just now?
Luka
What a strange thing to ask. No, it was just that I thought I felt some wobbling coming from inside it.
Stechepalme
Oh? But it looks totally normal to me. I don't see anything that would wobble.
Luka
Well, you really have to hold it to notice. I suppose it's pretty old after all.
Luka
It's my favorite rod, so I've been using it for a long time... But it might just be about time to get a new one.
Stechepalme
Then, why not just buy a new one now? We should have plenty of time to go shopping.
Luka
It wouldn't just break all of a sudden, and if I just hold onto it carefully then it should be fine. Give me a second, I've got to go find the bait.
Nanaka
... Hey, Anna. I've got an idea. Why don't we strengthen Luka sis's fishing rod ourselves?
Stechepalme
Strengthen? What are you planning to do concretely?
Nanaka
I've got a brand-new spell that can scan an object's material and strengthen it! When I use this spell, I can mysteriously restore all kinds of tools to be as good as new!
Nanaka
Can you supply the magical power while I control the spell? Let's do this for Luka sis!
Stechepalme
Of course. With my combined powers of light and darkness, I shall place a blessing on this pole! I can already see Luka's happy expression, ahaha.
Yuuki
1. "Are you sure this is okay?"
Nanaka
C'mon, why are you looking at us like that? You doubt I can do it? Well, then, let me prove to you that my magic is 100% safe and reliable!
Nanaka
Hmm, let me find something that wouldn't be a big deal if it broke... This bucket should do. Anna, once I start channeling, send your magic this way!
Stechepalme
Hah, leave it to me!
Nanaka
Ah, if you release too much at once, then it'll break the item, so be careful, okay? Now -- enchant!
Nanaka
Great success! Look at this, the bucket's as good as new!
Stechepalme
... It's really hard. It feels like a shield now -- is that really okay?
Nanaka
Sure, sure, it's totally okay. See, both the bucket's structure and its function have been enhanced!
Nanaka
You've got the hang of the magic now, right, Anna? Then, let's do the fishing rod next! Enchant!
Nanaka
Hmm?
Anna
Huh?
Yuuki
1. "I heard a weird sound just now..."
Nanaka
W-W-What are you talking about, you? I'm sure it was just something else falling over...
Stechepalme
Hey, Nanaka, that noise totally came from the fishing rod! Doesn't it look like it could snap at any moment now!?
Nanaka
... Was my strengthening spell was too much for this rod? I guess I'll have to make some adjustments to the magic. Man, learn something new every day, huh?
Stechepalme
You fool! This is no time to be saying such things!
Nanaka
Stop! I'm avoiding reality right now -- don't drag me back into it!
Stechepalme
What do we do -- can we undo the spell!/
Nanaka
No, trying to dispel it might be even worse... It's like we're stretching out a rubber band right now, and if we let go...
Stechepalme
Ugh... Then, what do we do...!?
Luka
You two, what are you up to?
Both
Eeeeek!?
Luka
Whoa, don't scream like that all of a sudden. You really startled me.
Stechepalme
Ha, ha ha... It's just, um... y'know?
Nanaka
I was really focused on a magical experiment just now, so I just, you know... right?
Stechepalme
... Hey, Nanaka, come up with a cover story! Isn't this what you're best at!?
Nanaka
No, no, wouldn't it be better for you to get wrapped up in a tale like you always do!? You do it, professor!
Luka
You two sure are strange, murmuring to each other like that... Anyway, I'm heading out to fish now. I'll be back by sundown.
Stechepalme
Ah, yeah, okaaay...
Nanaka
H-Have a good time...
Yuuki
1. "Was it okay not to say anything?"
Nanaka
No, um... I mean, yeah! We don't know for sure that it'll break! So yeah!
Stechepalme
T-That's right! We might just make Luka worried if we say too much. Which means, it was better not to say anything about it at all! Ha, ha ha ha!
Several hours later...
Luka
I'm back. Sigh...
Nanaka
W-Welcome back... You look a little down... What's wrong?
Luka
My fishing rod broke. I'd thought I'd felt a bit of a wobble, but I hadn't thought it would happen this soon...
Stechepalme
... Nanaka, this is totally our fault.
Nanaka
... Totally. We've got to come clean and apologize.
Nanaka
Luka sis, we're sorry! The truth is, the reason why your rod broke...
Later.
Nanaka
That's why. Um, we're really...
Both
Sorry!!
Luka
Goodness, so that's what happened. Well, all tools are bound to break someday. Don't worry about it too much.
Stechepalme
B-But, that was your favorite...
Luka
Sure, it's too bad that it broke, but... You did what you did to try to help me, right? You meant well, so I can't blame you for it.
Nanaka
Luka sis...
Luka
Come on, don't look so guilty. I said I'm not upset about it, so you shouldn't be, either.
Nanaka
... Hey, Anna. Doesn't Luka sis look super depressed?
Stechepalme
Yeah. Even if she's saying not to worry about it, we can't just leave it here...
Nanaka
I want to do something to make up for the fishing rod. Something to... make up for it... Umm... Oh!
Nanaka
I've got it! Let's go on vacation!
Both
... Huh?
Nanaka
Summer's the time to go on vacation, after all. I know a spot where we can all go! This is my way of making it up to you, Luka sis. How about it?
Luka
A vacation, huh... Before we talk more about this, how about we put away these tools first?
Nanaka
Okay!
Stechepalme
What's this, all of a sudden? Isn't trading a vacation for a fishing rod upping the stakes a lot?
Nanaka
The vacation is really just a cover. The truth is, I'm going to look for the "Bamboo of Wishes!"
Nanaka
It's a mysterious material that only appears in one certain village on the day of Tanabata! I've heard you can use it to make all kinds of tools, such as fishing rods!
Stechepalme
Ohh, I get it! So that's going to be a present for Luka...
Nanaka
Exactly! That village is a popular vacation spot, so under the guise of going on vacation, we'll surprise her by giving her the Bamboo of Wishes!
Stechepalme
Nice plan. I'm in! I'll help you find this treasure for Luka!
Nanaka
Ah, can you come with us too, Yuuki? If we're looking for the Bamboo of Wishes, then the more hands, the better, I say. How about it?
Yuuki
1. "Sure."
Stechepalme
Heh, a fine opportunity for us to obtain the blessing of light, Sigurd. With you along, this will be a most auspicious journey.
Nanaka
All right, let's enjoy our vacation together!
Luka
You two already look excited. So what were you saying earlier?
Later.
Nanaka
... So that's the place. We were just talking about going there to check it out for ourselves -- how about it?
Luka
This is quite sudden. I'd never heard you two talking about this place before.
Stechepalme
W-Well, you know... Yeah! It had just occurred to me that I need to bathe myself in the blessing of light! If light and dark fall out of balance, I'll be swallowed by the darkness and go berserk!
Nanaka
S-Something like that! When you said you were heading out, I just figured, what better time to go on vacation, right? Yeah!
Luka
... Well, let's not sweat the details. I've got no reason to say no, so I'll come along, too. It does sound like just the spot for a summer vacation.
Luka
But are you sure it's all right for you to come along, Yuuki? It seems like it'd be better for you to check with the other members of Gourmet Palace first.
Nanaka
Well, then, let's get ready to head out as soon as he gets the okay from everybody there!
After that, Yuuki obtained Kokkoro's permission to go without any problem, and he went with Luka, Anna, and Nanaka on vacation.