Episode 1: A Lasting Grudge

Another member of Nightmare, Tomo, was walking through the residential districts on the outskirts of Landsol, where beastpeople lived.

Tomo
(Hmm. This is the first time I've set foot in one of the beastpeople's residential areas, but the townscape looks perfectly normal. Well, the beastpeople live their lives the same way that we do, so it's only natural.)

Tomo
(They may have tails and other animal-like features, but in reality, they're people just like us.)

Tomo
(They're not monsters... They wouldn't attack me for no reason, just for walking through.)

Tomo
(Even so, I should remain vigilant. The beastpeople and the forces of the Royal Palace... and of Nightmare in particular, have historically had poor relations.)

Tomo
(There was persecution that spanned many years, which led to a blood-for-blood cycle of conflict. It's a story from before I was born, but... It would still be prudent not to think of them as friendly neighbors.)

Beastperson Woman
......

Beastperson Man
......

Tomo
(Look, they're glaring at me... I know this is the usual reaction that we get from beastpeople, but it's still sad to be met with such a hostile attitude.)

Tomo
(And it doesn't seem like they'll take well to a joke or a friendly gesture, either. Seems like they'd much rather spit at me and chase me out, huh... What to do?)

Tomo
(I'd like to ask for some directions. But there are a lot of people here with weapons on them, so if I carelessly bump into one of them, it could lead to a brawl.)

Tomo
(Well, fine. Today's my day off from both training and work, so I'll just search at my own leisure.)

Tomo
(Um... From the intersection beside the shop with the big wall clock, head a little to the north.)

Tomo
(Oh, is this it? Is this two-story house Matsuri's home?)

Tomo
(... She really does live in a beastperson quarter, huh.)

Matsuri
Waaah, I don't care anymore! You'll never understand, mom, never in a million years... Miss Jun isn't a bad person!

Matsuri
She's just the kinda person I wanna be! I'm also gonna be an ally of justice one day, just like Miss Jun!

Tomo
... Oh? Matsuri! It's dangerous to burst outside so suddenly -- carriages normally drive through here, don't they?

Matsuri
Ahh!? Oh, it's you, Tomo!

Matsuri
Eh? W-Why are you here?

Tomo
Well. You've been skipping out on training recently, right, Matsuri? I was worried that something might be going on, so I came to check on you.

Tomo
I'm in charge of looking after you, after all. And as I ran through my usual concerns... Well, you're a healthy kid, so I don't think your body would've given out all of a sudden, and knowing how serious you are, I thought it was impossible that you'd fall out of contact without a reason.

Tomo
So, I started worrying about whether something had happened to you. And then, I pulled your address from your official file at Nightmare and made the walk over.

Tomo
That was how I spent my precious day off. But, well, it was worth it to see you as healthy as usual.

Matsuri
A-Ahh? Um, don't get it wrong! I might live in a beastperson quarter, but I'm not a beastperson -- there's a reason, okay...!?

Tomo
Hmm... I know you're hiding it pretty desperately, so it's difficult for me to point this out, but anyone would be able to tell at a glance that you're a beastperson. You've got animal ears growing under that hat of yours, right?

Matsuri
N-No way! I'm not a beastperson! You don't think a beastperson would join the organization Nightmare that they hate so much, right!?

Tomo
Uh... Well, okay, I guess there's no point in pinning you down on this.

Tomo
More importantly. It's hard to relax when we're standing and talking in the open like this, so why don't we head to some shop where we can sit and talk inside? It's lunch time right now, the perfect time to go eat.

Tomo
It'll be my treat. Ever since I won that swordsmanship tournament a while ago, my coin purse has been packed full of prize money.

Matsuri
Eh, but I'd feel bad, you know? Though, there is something I want to talk to you about, Tomo...

Tomo
Ha ha. C'mon, children like you aren't in a place to refuse. Let's go... By the way, I'm guessing that was your mother -- she was looking furious back there!

Matsuri
Oooh, my mom's seriously scary when she makes that face! It was the same face she was making when she argued with my dad before -- she lost her mind and smashed up half the house!

Tomo
Eek, how terrifying... We'd better disperse right away.

Tomo
Here, I'll take your hand, princess. Let me escort you to safety!

Matsuri
W-Wha, will you really hold my hand? Okay, let's hold hands and dash right out of here!