Chapter 1 - Episode 5: The Chatty Secret Society

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Scene: A cliffside road.

Makoto
Oy, you! What are you doing in those bushes? If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get!

Makoto
Put 'em up -- you're pissing me off! What guild are you from, anyway!?

Rino
Heh heh heh! To give our names that easily would be Loch Ness-ional! ^[1]

Shizuru
Everyone! Rino probably meant to say "unprofessional!" ^[2]

Rino
Yeah, what Shizuru said!

Rino
Again... To give our names that easily would be unprofessional! We're the secret society unraveling the world's mysteries, Labyrinth!

Rino
We don't have anything against you all, but we're going to have to step in!

Rino
Now, you over there, uh... We're going to have to retrieve Noem and lock her up for a little bit!

Shizuru
Rino, as a secret society member, you really shouldn't go around announcing our identities so easily... Right?

Rino
Ow!? That headbutt! Please, don't headbutt me, big sis -- it really hurts!

Shizuru
And our goals are supposed to be secret, too, so you shouldn't blab about them so much... Right?

Rino
Ahh! L-Like I said, please quit headbutting me!

Rino
Please, forgive me, big sis! I'll think about what I did! I-I'll be a good girl from now on!

Makoto
What's with those two weirdos...?

Makoto
Hm... Labyrinth, huh? I haven't heard of that guild before. They said it was a secret society?

Rino
Ah, they've let down their gourd! Big sis, I'll cover you as you get the target!

Shizuru
Roger! But instead of "gourd," I think you meant to say "guard"... ^[3]

Makoto
Oh, they're coming right for us!

Makoto
You've got guts! Come at me, then!

Makoto
We beastpeople aren't just going to let you hunt us down like wild rabbits!

Makoto
You guys stay back, out of harm's way! You and me, let's fight!

Kokkoro
T-This has become quite a messy situation... Master, Suzume, this way!

Shizuru
Oh, little brother! Good to see you! But it's unseemly for you to rely on these girls to protect you... Right?

Yuuki
1. "Pardon me."

Shizuru
Ha ha! You always give silly answers like that! It's just like you, little brother! I'm so happy to see you.

Kokkoro
... You also know this person, Master? Should I just assume that you're acquainted with all of the people in the world?

Shizuru
Heh heh. Yuuki is a very special person! He stands right in the middle of the river of destiny!

Shizuru
That is to say, he's like a protagonist! So it can't be helped!

Shizuru
Whoops... Sorry. You're not my goal this time, little brother!

Begin cutscene.

Makoto
Where are you going? I'm your opponent here!

Shizuru
Sorry, puppy girl! You'll have to forgive me this time. It was fun to play with you, but we'll have to wait until next time!

End cutscene.

Makoto
Whoa!? She completely blocked my slash...! And she was able to jump that far!?

Makoto
She might have been acting like a fool, but she's surprisingly strong! Interesting -- this is getting fun! Wait up, let's play some more...!

Shizuru
Like I said, it'll have to wait! How about we play house next time?

Shizuru
It's unattractive for a girl to be too clingy, isn't it? Even though it kind of makes me happy that you're this attached to me...

Shizuru
My target is this one! Take this -- big sister kick...!

Okuto
W-What, me!? Wait, I wouldn't be a good opponent for you!

Okuto
As you can see, I'm more of an intellectual than a... Ahh!?

Muimi
Okuto!? Are you okay!?

Shizuru
Ahaha! Weren't you just fighting against this person? I wonder why you're worried about him now?

Shizuru
Ah, I've got it! It must be... love!

Muimi
W-What? What are you talking about -- and who even are you!?

Shizuru
When you hear the name Labyrinth, you of all people should recognize it, right?

Shizuru
Well, we can talk about it later. Big sister chop...!

Muimi
Wha!?

Muimi faints.

Okuto
Muimi!? This person knocked her out with just a single chop to the back of the neck? I wish I could do that too... What kind of mysterious technique does that take?

Shizuru
Okay, I've secured Noem! I'm pulling out now... Rino, cover me!

Rino
On it! I'll teach a lesson to that meanie who made a girl cry...!

Okuto
W-What!? Wait, wait, don't shoot!

Okuto
Also, could you let me borrow her first? Kidnapping her was a part of my job, you know?

Rino
Sorry, but that's also our mission! And if our goals are the same, then only the early bird can get the worm! Complaining won't change a thing, mister slow turtle!

Shizuru
Okay, I'm here! Let's head home, Rino!

Rino
Got it, big sis...!

Shizuru
Master! We're retreating now. So that nobody follows us, please use your power to manipulate objects!

Okuto
W-What!?

Okuto
The trees along the path are warping and rising up, as if to hide those two?

Okuto
Is this magic? I've never heard of any magic like this...!?

Suzume
Eeek, I can't stay standing! What's going on -- it's scary!

Yuuki
1. Hold onto Kokkoro.
2. Support Suzume.

Option 1.

Kokkoro
... Huh? M-Master, you're holding onto me so suddenly!

Kokkoro
Y-Yes. I'm all right. If it's for balance, then I'll excuse you for hugging me.

Kokkoro
... Um. Please excuse my initial surprise. But this situation as a whole is quite improbable.

Kokkoro
It seems impossible for terrain to change like this, except by the hand of some god or devil. It's as if we're in the middle of a miracle that would be told only in legends...

Option 2.

Suzume
Hyaa!? W-Why are you hugging me all of a sudden, Yuuki!?

Suzume
Because I looked like I was going to fall? Ah, so you decided to hold me up?

Suzume
I-I'm okay! I've had a lot of practice falling down without getting hurt!

Suzume
But you were probably doing it reflexively... Hee hee, thanks for helping me.

End of branches.

Makoto
Hey, this isn't the place for chatter! The path here is collapsing! If we don't get out of here, we'll all be done for!