Chapter 1 - Episode 4: A Disagreeable Pair

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Scene: A cliffside road.

Okuto
Oh, dear... I've accidentally chatted for too long. The sun is about to set.

Okuto
Were you were stalling for time until your injuries healed? My mistake -- I really am too laid-back, aren't I?

Muimi
That's right. That's why you were a great combination together with me, the impatient one.

Okuto
Now, hold on... What are you doing, talking as if you know me from long ago? It seems like you have a serious case of delusion -- do I need to call a doctor?

Okuto
I've already looked you over closely. All you are is an eyesore.

Okuto
You're at the age when you need parental supervision, so let's see if we can find somebody to adopt you.

Okuto
Perhaps we could say... you're the daughter of some researcher from an experimental laboratory. Then, maybe one of the other people from that laboratory could take you in.

Okuto
Dealing with unpleasant matters like this is my specialty. I know all manner of ways...

Okuto
You have the look of a lab animal, don't you? One that managed to escape?

Muimi
......

Okuto
Well, I don't really care about your situation.

Okuto
It's just that... It's quite troublesome for you to be snooping around my residence all the time. That's pretty much why I took on the responsibility of capturing you.

Okuto
But our interests seem to align. Incidentally, the person who requested your capture didn't care whether you were alive or dead.

Okuto
If it's too troublesome, I could wrap this up in an instant... All I'd have to do is deliver your body to the requester, and it'd be mission complete! Understand?

Okuto
So, won't you give up and let me take you in without making a fuss... little meaningless Muimi?

Muimi
... My name isn't Muimi. And I'm not meaningless.^[1]

Muimi
In this world, I'm not meaningless at all. The meaning of my life is whatever I make of it. That's what you once told me... Okuto...

Muimi
You may have caused trouble sometimes, and you weren't exactly warm, but... You were a partner who I cherished.

Muimi
My one and only partner! You seem to have forgotten, so I'll tell you all over again! I'll say my name however many times it takes!

Muimi
Clean out your ears and listen! My name is Noem!

Muimi
A member of Eternal Society...

Muimi
A member of Kaleidoscope...

Muimi
A member of Round Table...

Muimi
Your partner, Noem! Not Muimi -- Noem!

Okuto
Noem? Noem, Noem, Noem... Huh? Sorry, I haven't heard that name after all?

Okuto
Unable to tell the difference between fantasy and reality anymore -- poor thing. Ha ha, I guess puberty hits everyone hard.

Okuto
... But, somehow, listening to your voice is really getting me irritated. Wouldn't it be nice to shut that mouth up?

Okuto
There's nothing more to say, is there? I'm going to bring you over to the requester now, so are you ready to say bye-bye to your life?

Muimi
Ugh... Hey, you guys, run away now! I'll buy you time, in return for getting you all caught up in this.

Muimi
Then, come at me, Okuto! See if you can get me!

Suzume
Hyah, don't push yourself! You're going to open up your wounds again! W-W-What should I do...!?

Kokkoro
Hmm. She told us to run, and I'm tempted to follow her words and escape.

Kokkoro
But somehow, I feel as we can't just leave this behind... Master, what should we do?

Yuuki
1. "We can't just leave her."
2. "Let me think a little."

Option 1.

Kokkoro
Yes, that's right, isn't it. I understand.

Kokkoro
It's just as Lady Ames predicted... Master isn't one to abandon a girl who is in trouble.

Option 2.

Kokkoro
Ah, but I feel like there isn't much time to think.

Kokkoro
As Lady Ames predicted... Master really is rather indecisive.

End of branches.

Makoto
Hey! Isn't that Yuuki over there!?

Kokkoro
Ah, another girl appears... Surely, this is one of your acquaintances as well, Master?

Yuuki
1. "Yes. This is my friend, Makoto."

Kokkoro
Master. It's only been one month -- just how many girls have you befriended during that time...?

Yuuki
1. "... Around 40 or so?"

Kokkoro
I see. Just as Lady Ames predicted. So unchaste... honestly...

Makoto
Oy! What kind of situation is this?

Makoto
Yuuki... You were the one inside the wagon? It's dangerous here -- evacuate!

Kokkoro
Um... If it hadn't been for you attacking us, we would have been enjoying a peaceful wagon ride, would we not have?

Makoto
Huh? I, I couldn't help it, it was a job!

Makoto
I mean, going along with such a reckless method without question was my bad, sure! But it's all that fool Okuto's fault!

Kokkoro
Okuto...?

Makoto
Anyway, you guys need to get away! At least, get someplace safe! We'll have time for introductions later!

An arrow flies by.

Makoto
... What!? Watch out! Where'd this arrow come from, all of a sudden?

Rino
Oh...? Too bad, so sad, she managed to dodge it? And it was a surprise attack, too!

Shizuru
Hmm... Beastpeople have heightened senses, huh. To be able to react to a shot from behind, at this range... That dog-like girl really is something, isn't she?

Shizuru
Ahem. It's time for your big sister's One Point Advice!

Shizuru
You can rarely bring down a target with a single shot, so make sure you have at least two arrows aimed at their vitals! If you can, be ready to shoot however many it takes until your target is down!

Rino
I'll study hard! Then, with that advice in mind, let's continue the attack!

Begin cutscene.

Rino
I'd always dreamed of the day when I'd be able to meet big brother again...

Rino
And... Shoot!

End cutscene.

Makoto
Whoa!? What's with you, shooting arrows all over the place!

Kokkoro
Um... The people who are shooting at us... They aren't your allies, are they?

Makoto
I don't know them! At the very least, I can tell that they aren't beastpeople, so they're no companions of mine! Damn it -- was the princess right that today was going to be an unlucky day!?