Mystic Christmas Episode 1 Part 2

Time skips a bit to after Takemaru has built the sauna and asks for people to come try it out and give him their impressions. You either just walk in or be shocked at how fast he’s done with it. Going B if it matters, Takemaru says he really wanted Musashi to get in. Takemaru also assures you guys it’s totally safe since he’s paid close attention to things with that in mind. The exterior might be a bit ugly though.

Shirou says it looks great, the wood smells nice, and it has a calming effect. Tomte is suddenly crying to Shirou’s surprise, so he explains he was thinking saunas in his home world ought to be this nice too. You are either glad for him, ask if he likes it that much, or say it seems a bit much.

Tomte says there isn’t a stove there yet but he’s sure about one thing. He calls it a high class sauna and refers to Takemaru as boss or master carpenter as he thanks him. Takemaru is glad he’s so happy and suggests trying it out. Tomte is about to take him up on that when Kurogane runs in asking Takemaru if anyone came this way.

When asked what’s going on, Kurogane says that someone is playing pranks in the guild’s Portal and running around causing a mess. Tools and materials are being hidden and robots have been graffitied with doodles, so the guild is in an uproar. Tomte is shocked that a bad kid is around, and Kurogane says the robots’ memories show an intruder but don’t have a clear view who because they were too fast.

You wonder if this is the pranking Santa and turn to Shirou and Tomte. Tomte says he’s sad to postpone the sauna but he has to since checking out things is his job. He then leads the way citing his instincts as a top breeder are telling him something is there.

You guys then arrive back in the workshop as Tomte points something out to you. Over there is Musashi drawing something huge right in the middle of the wall, which takes you a moment to see. You also note that something seems wrong with him since you can see a shadow overlaying on him, which leads you to guess he’s been possessed.

Tomte is confused, and Talos tells Hephaestus he’s got a lock on his sensor for their target. Hephaestus grumbles about how fast he is before noticing that you’re there. You can either greet him and ask if he’s been a good boy or greet Talos.

Going A, Hephaestus briefly says he’s happy to see you before reminding himself this isn’t the time, then asks if you’re okay. Did Musashi draw on your face or turn your socks inside out or anything, he asks as he points at him. Then he clarifies that he means the Evil possessing him and not Musashi himself.

You ask Hephaestus for an explanation, which he gives offscreen. After that happens, Shirou recaps that Hephaestus asked for Santa to come but got that Evil instead. Hephaestus says he wanted to give you a present that would make you happy. Musashi came to save him but ended up getting possessed, and Talos adds that they’ve been chasing after him after that. You either comment about understanding, ask about Hephaestus getting you a present, or saying you’re happy he feels that way.

In C Hephaestus has an extra line about being happy if you’re happy. Anyways, Shirou asks if the thing possessing Musashi came because Hephaestus asked for Santa to come. He’s never heard of a Santa that possesses people though. Takemaru asks if Tomte has any ideas on that. Tomte says he’s never heard of such a thing either.

Kurogane suggests almost literally slapping some sense back into Musashi. Amatsumara says it would be the easiest solution, provided you can hit him. Kurogane has reservations against hitting kids and says Musashi would be too fast for it anyways. Takemaru suggests throwing salt at him instead since they have some for topping out buildings.

Kurogane tries using the salt, but Musashi doesn’t react to it at all. Shirou wonders if it’s because he doesn’t believe in the concept of salt as an exorcism tool. You then suggest using your power to cut the possession off. Shirou thinks it might work while Tomte asks if you’re capable of that.

As you attempt to slash at Musashi, he reacts this time by blocking your swing and hopping around. You are either surprised at this and/or mad at his mocking of you. Hephaestus comments that Musashi is an old sword hand and that it might be a bad idea to use a sword against him. Shirou ruefully suggests using something Musashi hates then.

Tomte speaks up to suggest something, so Shirou asks what his idea is. Tomte then says he wants to use That Thing to get the bad stuff out of Musashi. You ask what he means, so Tomte clarifies about wanting Musashi to sweat out the Evil in the sauna. Shirou asks if he’s trying to suggest detox since that’s not scientifically proven to work.

Tomte argues that this is a mental thing, then starts approaching Shirou and asking him to take deep breaths and think about it. Tomte says that if Santa Power is a thing, then maybe Sauna Power is too. Shirou doesn’t really believe, but Takemaru thinks it’s worth a shot. Tomte is happy as he calls Takemaru a sauna boss or sauna master crafter, which Takemaru thinks sounds lame.

Anyways Tomte mentions having faint memories from his home world that saunas are held as a sacred place. If that’s the case then he thinks it should be able to expel things that get within people. You shrug and go with it for lack of better ideas. Kurogane wonders how you’re supposed to get Musashi in to them then. Tomte says he can’t be forced so may as well try and ask.

Tomte proceeds to ask Musashi himself, and Musashi tries to refuse. Takemaru is surprised he can still answer since he thought he was possessed. You either note that his hate for baths could shake possession off or be shocked by that, or you can agree with Musashi.

Musashi says that because of you (I think) swinging at him, his default young man personality came back up when he grabbed one of his swords to fend you off. He thanks you for that and tells you there’s a power struggle for control of the body right now. He sighs about having all his selves knocked out of the driver’s seat like this and wonders if it’s because the Evil has a stronger connections to kids than he does.

But anyways Musashi goes back to insisting that he hates baths and that was the thing he wanted to say. He tries to claim he has a legit reason for it but makes up that he feels defenseless in the bath without his weapons. You never know who could come attacking because of what happens in your life. He’s got to look out for himself too he says as he sneaks a look to see if you’ve fallen for it.

Musashi also adds that it’s fine if they’re the only ones to take a hit, along with more sneaky glances. You think he’s being suspicious and suggest he just hates baths and can say he looks like he’s faking tears. Takemaru however agrees that it’s totally possible to be ambushed from behind for a grudge you didn’t know you incurred. You either call Takemaru a sucker, say you feel like Musashi is tricking you guys, or tell Musashi you saw him trying to be sneaky.

Takemaru starts talking about how bodyguards shouldn’t be seen next to their charges, and Musashi jumps on that and claims he totally wanted to take a bath before laughing. Takemaru, Kurogane, and Amatsumara all declare that it’ll be okay as they’ll take care of that.

Amatsumara teases Musashi on his comment about wanting to take a bath, and Kurogane assures him that they’ll keep their guard up while Musashi goes. He tries to protest as bots strip him of his clothes, and Takemaru changes his clothes to get ready for the sauna. He says he’ll be sure to wash Musashi and says he’s used to taking care of kids since he learned it in Asakusa.

You comment that Musashi dug his own grave and see that he’s slowed down enough to grab him. He tries to call for help, and Tomte says it’s time for the sauna to start helping him sweat it out and heal himself. He also says he’ll look after his health as the episode battle starts, and more story happens afterwards.

After the battle, things tune back into Musashi yelling for help after probably being beaten into submission. And inside the sauna room itself he complains about not having heard that he had to shower before coming in. Tomte explains that it’s like hot springs in that you have to wash yourself off before going in.

Amatsumara laughs about Musashi finally getting cleaned up along with his hair, and Kurogane talks about his nostalgia about Amatsumara washing him too when he was younger. Hephaestus talks about bathing with his mother too back in the day, though he’s a bit embarrassed about that now. He then orders Talos to stand in front of him to hide himself from your view. Talos obeys, and Hephaestus still has a minor hissy fit over this.

Takemaru tells Tomte that the sauna stove is ready now and asks if he just has to pour water on the rock inside. Tomte confirms that and explains that pouring water onto it releases steam, which he uses the Finnish word loyly for. There should be an umlaut over the o for the record. But anyways, he talks about how bathing in steam is a feature of saunas and wanting to put some aromatic oil in the water.

You start sighing about how nice the sauna is, comment on the decorations, and/or call the sauna paradise. Tomte says he’ll be slowly raising the temperature so you guys can sweat out your irritants. Musashi starts commenting on the heat later and says it feels like something will come out of him. Tomte reacts like Musashi is giving birth and says he’ll be ready for it, so Shirou reminds him of what’s supposed to be happening.

Amatsumara tells Musashi to blow it out with a big old yell, and as Musashi does so the Evil pops out. It talks about being satisfied with the sauna and feeling good before it resonates with Tomte’s artifact and jumps in as you observe. Then the thing starts replaying a memory.

The memory is presented in first person, and I’m inclined to believe it’s actually Tomte’s memory. But anyways the narrator of the memory talks about not being good at socializing with people. Tempers were violent and problems occurred all the time. It was only a matter of fate and time that they’d stop being able to adapt to Tokyo.

The man the memory belongs to collapsed at some point of hunger in another land where he had no one to turn to or rely upon. He wondered if that was how he was going to die, and if so, he wonders why he was ever called to Tokyo.

Narration talks about there being a brand hidden in the man’s chest. He was detested as a demon, faced with fallen grudges and anger. Frustrations and sadness from it impeded him, and he was unable to connect with anyone.

Suddenly an old lady walks by asking her husband to come over too. He asks what the fuss is and tells her not to rush or she’ll trip. She responds that she’s not quite so old yet. But anyways the lady turns to the memory narrator and asks if they’re okay. The man asks her to leave him alone and smacks her hand away. His stomach rumbles not one second later.

The old man notices and invites the man to come to their house. He boasts of his wife’s cooking, saying he never tired of it even after all that time. The old lady is flattered, and the narrator notes that they don’t seem upset about his rudeness at all, leading him to be ashamed of himself. The man decides to request rice porridge, and the old couple smile as they extend their hands to him as the flash back ends.

Tomte is quiet as he wipes off some sweat off himself. Shirou asks if he’s okay since he doesn’t look all that well, but Tomte claims to be alright. You think out loud about seeing that memory and wonder if that’s what the pranking Santa really is, but you have no ideas what it really means.

Tomte stays quiet again. Takemaru mentions the memory said that the memory holder was called a demon and wonders if it’s like how he was called an oni. Musashi thinks and says that the Evil talked differently when he met it. Since I forgot to mention it, the memory was also presented with a standard young man speech style.

Hephaestus agrees with Musashi saying the Evil spoke more like a kid before ordering Talos to replay a memory. Talos picks the Evil’s first few baby lisping lines about wanting lots of milk porridge in exchange for presents. Shirou notes that the memory also mentioned porridge and says it’s too early to call it someone else’s memories even if the speech styles were different.

Tomte also wonders if the possessing Evil is the reason that there are more naughty kids recently. Shirou can’t support or deny it either way. He does question if that one Evil can do all that on its own but again says it’s too early to call. You speak up to say the main event stuff is progressing but your investigation has gone nowhere.

Tomte suggests working hard tomorrow too, and Musashi thanks you guys and offers to help if you need him for anything. Tomte responds he’d rather help than ask for help. Musashi then talks about how people live with support, but supporting others all the time will tire you out. He repeats his offer to help if need be, saying he needs to repay you guys for the sauna.

Amatsumara says Musashi is talking big but agrees with him. Kurogane thanks Tomte for helping with Musashi and says they owe him for it. Shirou says he’ll go get drinks and asks if everyone is sticking around longer, but then Takemaru turns out to have collapsed from the heat.

You are either shocked at Takemaru’s state or comment on how scandalous he looks. Shirou says he’ll get those drinks quickly so Amatsumara decides to lead him to the vending machines. You can then either leave the nursing to other people, start wiping Takemaru down, or wave a fan at him.

In B, he thanks you before telling you to stop when you get near his crotch saying he can wipe down there himself. In C he also thanks you before asking you to stop waving so hard since it might blow his towel away.

Anyways, some time later Musashi wonders why he’s fine while Takemaru wasn’t. Tomte explains that Takemaru was sitting at a higher bench where it was hotter. Kurogane comments that explaining molecular acceleration and pressure would be tough, but says warm air causes volume to expand while cold air causes density to decrease. Mass affects it as well, so less mass equals more density.

Shirou comes back at this point to make some comment about mass and density of objects. Amatsumara asks if Takemaru can drink on his own, and he thanks him as he says yes. Takemaru then says he thought he could handle the heat, but welp you just saw what happened.

Hephaestus asks if Takemaru really is okay, and Takemaru says he just has mild dizziness before teasing Hephaestus about caring. Hephaestus claims he doesn’t care and tells Talos they’re leaving, and Talos excuses them as they go. Shirou says you guys should go soon too. You tell Takemaru to take it easy and rest for the day. He thanks you for worrying and tells you to be careful going home.

Time skips as you guys return to Shinjuku. Tomte comments on how busy the day was and asks if you want him to help with anything. Shirou is surprised since he figures Tomte should be tired as he tries to decline. Tomte however says he wants to be closer to you guys when he’s interrupted by Ryouta and Kengo running over.

Ryouta welcomes ‘the two of you’ back, and Kengo says you guys should hurry to the cafeteria since there’s curry tonight. You try to invite Tomte to join you guys since Mononobe ought to be okay with it, and Shirou supports the idea. Touji then says that Tomte seemed to be gone when they came over to see you guys.

Shirou is surprised saying he wanted him to at least greet the gang. Moritaka comments that you guys seem to be close with Tomte already, so Ryouta complains about wanting to be friendly with him next. Kengo says his turn his next though, which worries Shirou enough to warn him not to get in your guys’ way. Kengo brushes it off saying it’s fine if you and him are together, and Tomte is shown to still be around watching you guys.

Time skips again as Tomte is back at the Santa School. He talks to himself about how it’d be bad to get in the way of friends getting together and makes a comment about the state of health for...I’m not clear who he’s referring to actually. But anyways Tomte also wonders why something happened even after getting into the sauna. He thinks he might actually be trying to avoid trusting other people, but tries to dismiss the idea.

As he tries to remember something, a pain throbs in his head. Tomte feels like he’s about to remember something, but he questions something. He then figures he’s tired and decides to go back to Ded as the episode ends.