Episode 2: Merchants of Fear
Yuuki and the members of Weissflugel Landsol Branch were touring Edo. They were still on their walking tour, visiting all kinds of stores.
Monika
The filling is faintly sweet, and the whole thing is delicious to the core... So this is taiyaki! I cannot think of anything in the world more delicious... I salute you, Togoku, for inventing such a wonderful thing!
Ayumi
Ah, the taiyaki in Edo is also tasty! It's like I can feel the depth of the sweetness.
Monika
... Wait, Ayumi. You said the taiyaki here is "also" tasty. Does that mean there is also taiyaki in Landsol!?
Ayumi
Oh, I guess you didn't know, Monika. There's a taiyaki shop in the main plaza of Landsol, and the taiyaki are also tasty.
Monika
... I need to go there at least 10 times a week.
Ayumi
H-How many times a day are you planning to go!?
Ninon
We have finally returned.
Yuki
Whew, looks like we've finally linked up again.
Kuuka
Ooh... These clothes are really pretty, but they're also a little hard to move around in...
Monika
Where did you all go... Hmm. One look at Yuki's giant luggage is all I need to understand.
Yuki
From accessories like hairpins to little articles like combs, I'll make everything about myself beautiful... These expenses are necessary to allow my beauty to reach new heights, you see.
Yuki
But perhaps I did buy a little too much. That being the case... Here!
Ayumi
Y-Yuki! You can't make Yuuki carry all your bags... He'd already been carrying everyone else's stuff, too!
Yuki
Well, then, in exchange for having you carry my bags, I'll allow you to gaze directly upon me for 10 full seconds！
Yuuki
1. "Sounds like a good deal."
2. ... *stare*
Option 1.
Yuki
I'm glad you understand! Now then, feast your eyes upon me!
Option 2.
Yuki
Are you sure you want to stare that intently? If you look at my radiant form that closely, you might be blinded!
End of branches.
Monika
Kuuka and Ninon don't look like they bought quite that much.
Kuuka
T-The things I was interested were... um, things that wouldn't be displayed in storefronts... Um, but I would've bought even more things if Ninon hadn't been with me.
Ayumi
Eh, what does that mean?
Kuuka
Um... While we were walking through town, there were all sorts of merchants trying to sell things to me... Suggesting things like food, or accessories, or even weapons.
Monika
Even weapons? Even in wartorn towns or towns with a lot of adventurers, I've never heard of blacksmiths trying to draw in customers like that.
Kuuka
Over there, Ninon was always explaining things to me, reminding me that I couldn't use that item, or that I didn't need it. If she hadn't done that, I would've been drawn in by the rarity and bought everything they offered...
Monika
That's no small feat, Ninon. Thanks for protecting Kuuka from such malicious salesmanship. I'll offer you some of the taiyaki I bought earlier as a reward.
Ninon
Monika, thank you...
Monika
You don't seem as lively as earlier, Ninon... Huh!? Could it be that you like custard better than bean paste!? Custard is certainly tasty as well, but I think bean paste tastes the best!
Ayumi
W-Which one does she like...
Ninon
I do prefer the bean paste, but that is not what is on my mind. I said before that the atmosphere of Edo seems different from the times I visited previously...
Teahouse Owner
Ah, so you're here in this plaza!
Monika
You must be the owner of the tea shop where we bought taiyaki earlier. Do you need something?
Teahouse Owner
We're just about sold out of taiyaki, but I've brought some dango with me, so please buy some!
Kuuka
Eh... I-It does look tasty, but we're still eating these...
Monika
Well, you did bring them out just for us. Then, I'll have a stick with one salty and one sweet, please.
Teahouse Owner
Thank you! Two sticks with enough for six people!
Monika
S-Six people!? No, I really just want one... W-Well, it's fine. I can still eat a few more.
Kuuka
I-I'll have some, too...
Yuki
Sorry, but I don't think I can have any more...
Teahouse Owner
Ah, once you're done with the dango, please come to my store again! I'll have some special, sweet bean jam prepared for you! I also have all sorts of souvenirs, so please take a look!
Monika
Special sweet bean jam...!? Ah, wait, Mister! We haven't exactly agreed to... He's gone.
Ayumi
S-Somehow, it seems like he's really committed to his business.
Monika
Yeah. I never thought he'd even chase after us to sell more...
Yuki
Indeed, it seems like he came this far out just to get one more look at my beautiful form... I apologize for being so beautiful.
Monika
T-That doesn't seem right... But what confuses me is, all of the merchants we've bought things from have been just as persistent.
Ninon
Something is strange after all...
Ninon
Certainly, there are many people in Edo with strong business spirit, but they should not be using such a desperate manner of salesmanship!
Monika
... I'd thought this was just a lively town at first, but when I consider what just happened, I agree. What I feel isn't liveliness, as much as it is terror...
Ninon
Furthermore, it is really strange that there are no women at all dressed in eastern clothes! When I was walking with Kuuka who was dressed in those clothes, everyone was looking at us as if we were mysterious people!
Kuuka
A-And what's more, when I listened closely, I thought I could hear them saying things like "poor thing," or "that girl must be..."
Monika
W-What!? That's so shady...!
Kuuka
Each time I heard them leveling such cutting words at me... I... I... Hee hee... Tee hee hee...
Monika
... I feel a little foolish for worrying about you now.
Monika
But there really might be something strange happening, in that case.
Yuki
Oh, dear, it seems like our leisure time has come to an end. You're about to say that we should investigate this incident, aren't you?
Monika
N-No, I mean, as a soldier, of course I want to investigate this on behalf of the citizens here, but as for the rest of you, um...
Ayumi
... Monika?
Monika
I-It's nothing! Right, then, as the Weissflugel Landsol Branch, we'll resolve this incident, and then we'll enjoy Edo as it originally was!
Yuuki and the others first decided on a place and time to reconvene, and then split up to gather information.