Halloween Jiangshi Night Episode 2 Part 3

Things pick up with Li Chou being sent flying through the air somehow before eventually crash landing back on the ground. You are dumbfounded by this since to you it looked like Harlot and Motosumi were going at each other. Li managed to say something in the interim, and Harlot complains that he should have said so earlier and calls him a helpless pig. She’s a bit distressed to hear that the jiangshi can go on a rampage if they get influenced by feelings of fear around them.

Motosumi demands to know what Li Chou was doing since he found out about the Resurrection Incense causing the mobs to act out wildly. Li says he couldn’t help it and asks them to stop fighting for now, then collapses. You either dramatically call out his name or ask if he risked his life to end the fight.

Tetsugyuu says he did manage to put a stop to it in the end, if a little too late. The jiangshi seem ready to start attacking, which the kids notice and Ziz points out. Tetsugyuu recognizes what’s happening but isn’t able to articulate it. You say it started when Harlot and Motosumi started arguing and everyone around started getting uncomfortable or look to Li Chou for explain.

In the former, Tetsugyuu says that’s what he wanted to say and says you’re smart. In the latter, Li gets up to go over the mechanics. Tetsugyuu gets mad at how pretentious he sounds and for stealing your spotlight, then dumbs down the explanation. Either way Harlot is horrified to hear that she had a direct hand in causing their state to turn out like this. Ziz tries to talk to her while Li Chou is alarmed at how volatile things are. He considers using his artifact to pass things off as a play like before, but he notes there isn’t a stage or a famous actor or actress to make it work.

Li Chou thinks some more on whether the idea would work as he has his hands on his artifact, then Harlot grabs his hand and desperately asks if he has any way of making the jiangshi sane again. She offers to do anything she can for that, no matter how humiliating. Li is taken aback by how insistent she is and agrees to explain. He does ask her to let go and makes a point of being respectful so that he can get on with it.

One explanation later, Harlot asks in trepidation about putting on a play, and Li Chou says it’s better than letting the jiangshi loose. If they can make people enjoy themselves and feel safe, then that’d be great. The problem is that his artifact has limits on what he can make people think. When he used the play excuse earlier there was a stage around, but there isn’t one here.

Li Chou admits he doesn’t have the confidence that things will work out like before. They could probably do something if they had a good actor or actress and hints at Harlot, but she feels she can’t do it. You try to talk to her, so Harlot says that all she can do is intimidate people into working for her or charming them into craziness. Maybe that can work for children but she doesn’t feel she can make that work on anything else.

Li Chou tries to console her by saying Harlot does seem more like the scarily exciting and beautiful type as opposed to the kind and comforting type. She glares at him over this, so he takes it back and tries to laugh it off.

Motosumi asks Harlot if she’s giving up and yells that he’ll do anything to save the kids. You try to get Motosumi to stop and look around, and it takes him a moment to notice that both the onlookers and the jiangshi seem afraid of him. Harlot scolds him to be more aware of his appearance, and he points out that she’s just as scary.

After a moment, they both have a realization and laugh a little. Harlot calls Motosumi a rough barbarian but says the children take precedence. Motosumi calls her sharp tongued and always ready with a comeback, but agrees about the children. Ziz wonders about what specifically can be done to change the mood, and after people take a moment to think, some of Motosumi’s kids loudly declare that a gag contest will be starting.

Everyone is surprised into stillness at this, including the jiangshi. When you ask about this, Motosumi realizes they’re his kids and asks what they’re doing. They explain that they’re keeping the promise they made with him. That is, if he ever seems like he’s about to get into a fist fight it should get changed to a gag contest to settle things.

The rules for the contest is simple: you laugh you lose. Both sides keep going until that happens. They put forward the idea to do the contest again instead of fighting, saying if people laugh then it’s fine. Li Chou has misgivings about this plan since he’s not sure it’d work, but the onlookers around seem interested. One rando is ready to take videos, another wonders what people will do for it, and another thinks Harlot looks mysterious in her dress and can put up a good show.

Li Chou is surprised at how things are shifting, and you say it can work. Harlot says she understands and says the kids did good. Motosumi tells her she isn’t alone and points to behind her. The jiangshi are excited and say they’ll be with her. Harlot is surprised that the mobs are offering to help,

Motosumi says that since both sides have agreed it’s about time to get things started. The kids tell Harlot to bring it or else they’ll be dwelling on it forever. She’s a bit bewildered at this, but Motosumi gives her a little nod. Harlot then laughs and talks about how serious the kids are.

Takemaru wanders by and asks Motosumi what the fuss is. Motosumi apologizes and quickly asks him to be a judge for their gag contest like they always do back at the temple. Takemaru is baffled into asking what in hell happened while he wasn’t around.

Motosumi turns to Harlot and says the kids are motivated, so he asks her to go all out. He proposes that the side that amazes the audience the most is the winner. She agrees if that’s what the kids want, then checks to see if the jiangshi are okay with that. They obediently respond in the affirmative, so Harlot starts bragging about how much better she is at this than Motosumi.

Tetsugyuu asks what’s going on since everyone around is getting loud. Li Chou says their mood is shifting and wonders why it is even if he hasn’t used his artifact. He decides to stop thinking about it and describes the type of person he is, then asks if everyone is standing by. He appoints you as a commentator and tells you to make things exciting together with Takemaru. You either protest that you’ve never done this before or agree.

If you go with A there’s an extra line where Li says he’s the type to shove things off onto other people when on stage, then tells you to get out there. Takemaru is still trying to process what’s happening, so you tell him to play along and start the show and introduce yourself. He follows up, and Motosumi says he’s counting on him. He’s surprised by that as he still doesn’t get what’s happening but agrees to help.

The contest starts and Motosumi’s team starts first by doing what looks like a human triangle. You commentate that they’re coming out of the gate with something big and worth big points before turning to Takemaru. He commentates that it’s a really nice arch they’re doing and compares it to stonework. He also frames it as an expression of familial bonds.

Harlot takes a moment to look before signaling the jiangshi that their turn is up. I think they’re doing a human fan, but it could also be a bouquet given that your comments are about how well they’re doing and compare it to an artful flower blooming before asking Takemaru’s opinion. He says says it’s well balanced and displays above average skills. Then he compares it to double layered rafters at a shrine.

The contest is turning out to be a big hit with the audience as they cheer both sides on. Even Tetsugyuu and Li Chou are getting swept up in the atmosphere. Harlot expresses surprise at how good the jiangshi are at this, and the remaining kids volunteer to help Motosumi and ask Takemaru to watch them.

Team Motosumi creates a human pyramid for their shot at winning the contest, which you call their specialty before turning to Takemaru again. You also think to yourself that Takemaru is really getting into it. He compares their pose to a stone wall before going on about what an amazing idea it is and how it shows their determination. Tetsugyuu says it reminds him of the gate back at Ryouzanpaku/Liangshan Lake and says it won’t collapse so easily.

Harlot says it’s a good move but still not enough. She then turns to the jiangshi and says they should pull out that one move that they save specifically for children. I have no idea what they’re going for, but you call it the secret treasure of arts and beauty before passing to Takemaru again.

Before he even says anything Harlot adds in one last touch for the finale as she summons Therion to join in. Therion comes out of her shadow standing on a ball before rolling around on it. The crowd goes even wilder at this.

Even Motosumi’s kids are amazed and want to take a better look, but their jostling around breaks their formation. Motosumi however takes action to keep the kids from getting hurt from this. The contest is over as applause and cheers rain down, and Harlot runs over with the jiangshi to ask anyone is hurt on Motosumi’s side.

The kids are alright, and they laugh about how much fun they had. They also say everyone on Harlot’s side did amazing. She laughs and compliments them back. According to her Therion thinks they did well too. Therion gives off something like a purr as he draws back to Harlot.

Motosumi accepts defeat and says Harlot has skills. She admits to have some confidence in the arts, but it was something she picked up on her road for revenge. Motosumi asks if she still uses it the same way now, which surprises her. He prompts her to look around at how she made everyone around smile.

The jiangshi happily cheer about winning, and Harlot says they did good. Motosumi says that now that things have been settled, they should go enjoy the festivities. Harlot congratulates the mobs again before ceding the contest. The mobs look at her with surprise, and Harlot pats them affectionately.

Harlot starts talking about how Motosumi’s family is connected even if they aren’t linked by blood. The same may go for her, but she always had some unease about it. She had always worried that her bonds were inferior to blood relations.

Motosumi says that’s not something anyone else can decide. He says she can go on with whatever she believes and turns to Takemaru, who agrees with him. Narration notes that Takemaru also was a leader who gathered oni together despite their lack of blood ties.

Harlot quietly says she’s started to believe thanks to seeing them. She calls Motosumi’s kids strong as they tried their best to face her. They showed her their determination, which she says was so kind. Her eyes tear up as she smiles at them. Ziz is happy for Harlot, and Harlot says she was surprised at how much like adults the kids were.

Off to the side, randos from the audience say this is nice and all but want some compensation for the jiangshi rampage. They feel like this is letting them get off scot free for tickling them into submission and call this an attempt to divert attention from that. Li Chou is alarmed, and you either worry about this or say Hanuman went around apologizing with them earlier.

Li Chou attempts to make his own apologies and tries to get the jiangshi to apologize too, but Guy A isn’t having it. Girl B thinks it’s insincere and Wolf C accuses Li of planning to have not done anything if they didn’t get mad. Li panics about this possibly turning into a failure again when a voice calls out to him asking if Li is focusing on the visitors in front of him or his shame and lack of success.

They decide the question can wait and says there’s something that needs to be done beforehand. What they mean is that the jiangshi will have to answer for their crimes, even if they are children. You realize it’s Sanat Kumara talking as you refer to him by either his gang title or his name. As he touches down, the jiangshi are scared to see him. This in turn surprises Harlot as she asks who he is.

Sanat Kumara comments on how Harlot protects and guides the weak and isn’t wrong for that. He says that for any road taken there are obstacles though, ones that they have to overcome. This goes especially for reparations over mistakes people make themselves. Harlot says Sanat Kumara is like the type of men she hates and asks what he’s talking about.

Sanat Kumara proclaims that he’s talking about the jiangshi rioting and the aftermath of that. He intends to make them pay for it with their own bodies, by which he means a week of bathroom cleaning, cleaning up Asakusa, and getting punched by him. Harlot is shocked he’s suggesting that he punch them.

You either try to protest this or sit back and watch. If you try to say something Motosumi will stop you as he seems to understand what’s happening and tells you to look around. The complainers from before also think what Sanat Kumara is suggesting is going overboard and weakly protest that they aren’t *that* upset.

You point out that the mood is shifting, and Sanat Kumara prompts the jiangshi asking if they’re ready. He also tells Li Chou to settle the details of this happening. Li is shocked about this and tries to talk things into some other direction. Sanat briefly apologizes before accusing him of making excuses again. You speak up and argue that the festival isn’t over and try to ask him to give Li a chance.

Sanat Kumara asks if you’re trying to cover for Li and says that would mean you’re also trying to cover for the mobs and for Harlot’s malice. He also accuses you of trying to pass things off as a festival play. This choice of words that narration says he just happened to use flusters Li.

Sanat Kumara asks if Li Chou was planning on using his artifact to hide the events happening and if he thinks that would be fine. He asks when does he plan to surpass the obstacles before him if he won’t face himself or the power he has. Li Chou can’t bring himself to answer as he looks away and at his artifact.

Sanat Kumara yells that this will be Li’s rite of passage and seems ready to attack him when Harlot intervenes by summoning Therion to stand in the way. Li is surprised she’d do this why Sanat asks if she thinks she can win.

Harlot responds that chances of winning are irrelevant as she calls herself the woman who will make the world her enemy for the sake of children she isn’t blood related to. She never gave any consideration to the chances of winning, but so long as she is there she’s decided she will always do what she does.

Sanat Kumara accepts this and challenges her to surpass him. He looks down for a moment, and when he raises his head again there is a burning fire in his eyes. Tetsugyuu asks if you’re planning to assist Harlot, asking you to take him along if you are.

Tetsugyuu says he met his mother in his dreams, who told him she was always watching over him. So if any mother is around saying they’ll protect their children, Tetsugyuu says he’ll have to step in. You can either agree, tell Harlot you’re joining in, or tell that to Sanat Kumara.

In A and B, Harlot is surprised you two are helping. Sanat Kumara accepts that you guys are joining in and tells you to use your youth to crush everything. He challenges you guys to get past him as he starts the episode battle. The story continues afterwards.

After the battle, the audience randos are amazed that Harlot won and are glad this means that the jiangshi won’t get punched out. You notice that the mood has shifted again as everyone seems to have forgotten what happened, then wonder if Sanat Kumara was deliberately acting the way he did.

Sanat Kumara compliments you guys, but Harlot tells him to keep his awful performance to himself. She’d rather not owe any stuffy heated men besides Surtr anything since Surtr is more than enough. As she says that she looks behind her where the children are. Said children are protected by Ziz’s feathers and hiding behind Motosumi, looking over in fear. The jiangshi step forward despite this.

The mobs promise that they’ll clean up. They don’t remember anything but agree that they need to take responsibility. Li Chou however stops them and says he’ll do it all himself, asking that they stop. Sanat Kumara asks if Li trying to claim all responsibility is his attempt at not running away from hardships. Alternatively, is it his attempt to escape from responsibilities bearing down on him and trying to be at peace?

This seems to strike a nerve as Li winces but doesn’t answer. Sanat Kumara tells him to think about what’s really standing in his way, but he thinks it’s commendable that Li is standing in front of the mobs and says he knows his shame.

Harlot is about to say something to him when Sanat talks about how people have their own obstacles they need to face themselves. It’s all the same whether it’s for the children, the jiangshi, or Li Chou. There will be walls in the way no matter which detour you take, and it’s his wish that you get past them with your own strength and choices.

Narration says that while Sanat Kumara is talking to everyone, his eyes are focused on Li Chou. At that point your phone starts ringing, and you can either say it’s from Hanuman, Kalki, or (oh no again) Benten.

In A, Hanuman says it’s an emergency before choking on some smoke for a moment. Then he tells you about the jiangshi in the gym going missing. In C, Benten says she heard that and that on Halloween her hearing is twice as good. But then she sets that aside to tell you that all the jiangshi in the gym have gone missing. In any case Li faints over this bit of bad news, and Gouryou takes over the phone.

Gouryou says it’s like a storm is literally coming and that he let his guard down. Anyways the main thing is that the Resurrection Incense smoke was still in the gym, which was carried off by the wind. Possessed jiangshi have escaped in the same direction as well to outside the school. You are alarmed by this and wonder if jiangshi outside the school will get affected as well.

Gouryou mentions a storm coming again and can’t get a read on the wind direction, so he asks the great navigation officer Benten about that. She’s flattered before figuring out the wind is pointing thataways. Gouryou is alarmed that said direction is where the market street is.

Hanuman speaks up that the market street and Asakusa’s famous Kaminarimon should be in the middle of heavy partying thanks to Li Chou’s efforts. Since it’s close to the school and is a tourist attraction for Taito Ward there must be a lot of people and jiangshi.

Gouryou says that with the Resurrection Incense covering the place the situation might turn out to become an enclosed area. And again there’s a possible storm bearing down. Tetsugyuu says things will turn into a huge disaster beyond the school at the rate things are going. Ziz suggests that she and Harlot also come along because hungry children going berserk at the market street could be huge trouble.

Since it’s an emergency situation, Sanat Kumara tells Li Chou that he’ll be cooperating and putting himself under Li’s command. Li is surprised by this, and Harlot complains about him coming because he’s too much like Surtr.

Takemaru says he understands the situation and volunteers to patrol around and keep other jiangshi from running off. Motosumi says he’ll take the inner areas if Takemaru is going to the temple areas. As they run off, a shadow peeks out at them.

Azathoth and Nyarlathotep are there as Azathoth laughs about things finally getting interesting. Elsewhere, Yule is at the market street and asks if Krampus is done changing. He’s worried about being late to the festival and says Li seems to be coming towards them. Krampus says he’s done as he comes out in his costume, asking that Yule not stare at him too much as the episode ends.