Thursday, December 26, 2019

Mystic Christmas Episode 3 Part 2

Kalki starts things off with some untagged narration as he starts remembering the first time he met Shinya. When he first appeared in Tokyo, Kalki felt that the city mocked order and compared it to a mire of chaos. Because of that he decided to destroy the place, but Shinya stood against him with Cupid, albeit while trembling.

Kalki and Shinya skirmished several times until Kalki managed to corner Shinya. He said it was natural for that to happen, since he’s believed to be the one to destroy the world after all. Kalki also adds that his body is supposed to be strong enough to deflect swords and arrows.

Before Kalki could finish the fight, Cupid pulled out an arrow from ‘something’ in Shinya’s chest. Kalki was shocked by its light as he says it wasn’t really an arrow, but more something that existed before the creation of heaven and earth. It is a thing that pierce through any defense on a heart (re: area), a World System, the one thing that can overturn it. That world shattering power pierced through Kalki, and then he knew love.

Kalki’s introspective ends there as narration describes you guys moving from Shibuya to the sauna village Tomte has requested. In the sauna room, Tomte says the Crafters are still building the whole thing but the room you’re in is usable. Kalki is understandably baffled about being there.

Time skips a bit as Tomte enjoys the sauna while Kalki looks lost. You agree that the sauna feels great and can say as much to Kalki while pretending the decor outside does not exist. Kalki asks what you guys are trying to do as he looks out the window with a dumbfounded look on his face. Tomte explains that since the main program for the Christmas event is saunas, the place is being made so people can enjoy them as much as they want.

You either enthusiastically agree with Tomte, phone in the agreement as you say so to Kalki, and/or continue to pretend the outside does not exist. Kalki accepts the theme for the sake of argument for a sec to ask why it’s set up as a village. He doesn’t wait long for an answer before accusing you guys of being strange in the head regarding common sense and normality.

You wonder in resignation what normality is supposed to be as you take a look outside. Kalki goes on to talk about being born to bring order to the world and says he doesn’t really agree that Tokyo can be described as orderly. As he suggests destroying it, you either be alarmed and ask him to stop, flat out tell him no, or ask if he’s fine with everyone dying.

Kalki says he knows, which is why he’s worried. He knows that if he destroys Tokyo then Shinya will die, which would bother him. His few friends will die too. You question his phrasing about being bothered and ask if he can explain, or you can phrase it as asking him to blow it all out. Either way he agrees.

Kalki starts his explanation by saying he’s an avatara of destruction born to destroy his home world of Deva Loka. When you ask about either of those parts, Kalki explains that an avatara is  something made when a great existence splits off parts of its memories and role and sends it into the world to fulfill a goal of some kind. In Kalki’s case, he’s meant to use his power to destroy a world when it is filled with unnecessary things.

Tomte makes the comparison to a sauna and feels that job would be important. Kalki says he’s just supposed to use his power when that time comes and fulfill his role, so love is unnecessary to him. Or at least, it should have been. Shinya was the one to show him what it was.

You ask Kalki if he likes or loves Shinya. Kalki says when he asked Shinya that, Shinya told him it was something instilled into him so he should always question it. But anyways, he’s always carried the feelings with him.

Ryouta asks if Shinya’s arrows had that sort of power. You either ask if it’s the power to teach love or the power to charm others. Kalki says it’s close enough for now, and that if you have to know at some point, Shinya can tell you himself. Ryouta wonders if Cupid is Shinya’s familiar and says it’s cute like Shirou’s Evils.

Kalki has never seen an Evil before but says Cupid’s a Transient at least. He takes issue with it always sticking with Shinya as he calls it a little scoundrel. Kalki does know that Shinya’s life depends on Cupid being around though or else he’d have torn him away already. You ask about Cupid being indispensable to Shinya, so Kalki confirms this and calls it a safety valve.

Ryouta thinks that sounds kinda cool. Kalki finally decides to ask Ryouta why he’s there and mostly remembers his name. Ryouta says he was here the whole time but didn’t say anything since the topic was too hard for him to interject. Kalki is surprised before getting kind of angry, and Ryouta apologizes in case he wasn’t supposed to know any of this.

Tomte says he brought Ryouta along since Kalki said it was okay. Quick flashback pops up to the part where Tomte asked to call in some help where he mentioned both you and Ryouta. Kalki admits he’s right and decides Ryouta is some sort of fearsome figure if he never noticed him. Tomte compliments Ryouta’s sneaking abilities and says he could almost transfer schools with that skill level.

Kalki sighs about his surprise and decides to let Ryouta stay as a friend of a ‘friend’, calling it the magnanimity of a king he needs to display. Ryouta is happy about this and takes a spot next to you, then apologizes for derailing the conversation since he wanted to be seen as a friend too. You tell Ryouta there’s space by you, say you’ll gladly welcome him since it’s him, or quietly rub his belly.

Going A which presumably skips some extra things, Tomte asks if Kalki’s worrying over presents has anything to do with what he’s been talking about. Kalki jumps a little like he’s been shot and goes quiet. Tomte says it’s fine if Kalki can’t say so since that’s why he and the sauna are here. He then picks up his vihta branch bundle and starts whacking Kalki with them to help his blood flow.

While that’s happening, Tomte asks you and Ryouta to start throwing in more firewood. Ryouta complies, and Tomte notes that the sauna stone is getting hotter. He then says he’s gonna start pouring water on it to make steam. You either comment on the heat or say it feels like your fatigue is melting away. Tomte tells Kalki to let out all the sticky pent up stuff he doesn’t need in him, then declares it’s the start of a sauna battle. You either express shock at this or roll with it as the battle starts. More story happens afterwards.

After the battle the story picks up as Tomte whacks Kalki some more, prompting him to let it out as Kalki moans. When he starts to say something (which does sound a little suggestive of course), Kalki turns out to say no as he declares it to not be unnecessary and that he won’t get rid of it. Tomte is left baffled by this.

A flashback starts up to the day Daikanyama agreed to cohost the Santa School event. Shinya comes up to ask Kalki for some of his time. Kalki offers all of it to him, and Shinya responds in surprise that he doesn’t need that much. But anyways he came to ask him about his Christmas plans and brought some sweets.

Kalki comments that it looks elaborate and compares it to a log. Shinya explains that it’s a Yule log and that it’s a roll cake with chocolate on it. Kalki says it’s good and asks if Shinya’s gonna sell it in the cafe. Shinya answers that he is, then asks if Kalki can help. Kalki admits he wants to keep the cake for himself but figures that Shinya wouldn’t want that, then asks what it is Shinya needs.

Shinya asks if Kalki knows about the school cohosting thing. Kalki says he does, so Shinya goes on to ask if he knows he joined the organizing the committee. Kalki says that is news to him and asks if the cafe will be closed for the event. Shinya tells him it’ll be open at the event area as a temp shop. Shinya also came to ask if Kalki could be his salesperson there.

Kalki says he’s never done it before and has no interest in trying, but quickly backtracks when Shinya looks disappointed. He figures that Taromaiti wouldn’t be able to do everything on her own, but he also doesn’t think he could serve customers that well. Shinya says he wants Kalki to try and that he wants to see Kalki change.

Kalki says that’s unneeded for his role and mission, so he tells Shjnya to not look for that of him. Shinya concedes that Kalki’s role may not need it, but he asks what Kalki personally thinks. Kalki is surprised, and before he can really answer, Shinya talks about how he believes that living is about changing. People are born with things they don’t need, and as they carry it with them they change. Shinya says it might not happen with himself, but it might for Kalki.

Flashback ends as Kalki wonders how he can let go of something now and call something unneeded. Kalki talks about the present that Shinya gave him and the things asked of him as things he doesn’t want to cast away, and afterwards says he feels better now.

After a moment, Kalki says maybe saunas are good civilization as he starts smiling a bit. Tomte looks at him before asking what it means in concrete terms to change emotions. Kalki asks if he has to say it out loud since it’s hard to express for him.

Ryouta says if Kalki doesn’t say it, then he’s going to be up all night wondering what it is. Kalki says Ryouta being there is making it even harder to say it, but he decides to do so since breaking a promise would dishonor him. He then yells that he really really wants to make his love take physical form somehow. As Shinya has asked him to be Santa, Kalki wants to make a present that embodies his feelings. You comment on this being Kalki’s desire, or you can say you want to give him a present made of your love too.

Going A, Ryouta is scandalized as he wonders if Kalki is going to do things Ryouta doesn’t say out loud. He then figures he should be a bit more serious since that’s how Kalki ought to be feeling as he asks for confirmation. Kalki doesn’t really know what Ryouta is thinking as he asks if he knows a method.

Ryouta is confused, and Kalki repeats his question as he tries to make a show of humility in asking. Tomte asks as well since he’s curious for the sake of future reference. Ryouta tries to pass on answering. You either consider the question, be shocked as you ask Ryouta not to punt this to you, or ask Ryouta to explain what he was imagining earlier.

If you go with C, Ryouta eventually admits to thinking of something like a special kiss. He then notices you smiling at him and asks why since he’s super embarrassed. But in any case, Kalki mentions not having any ideas since he’s destruction embodied. He’s not supposed to be able to make someone happy even if he can turn them into little pieces. Whatever he picks will be unnecessary, so he asks you guys to pick for him.

Ryouta says he does have an idea if it comes to it. When Kalki asks, Ryouta backs off and gives up on it, looking to you as he asks if he doesn’t have to say it. You either say no to him, say you’re always made to pick, or smile and shake your head.

Ryouta brings himself to answer after you respond, then talks to Kalki about feeling the same as him a lot. He worries that what he does gets seen as annoying and going too far, that what he picks for someone doesn’t make them happy. But lately, Ryouta says he’s been able to think that it’d be okay anyways. He was just afraid of being hurt, not that he was afraid of hurting someone else.

Ryouta assures Kalki that he isn’t alone, then tells him he wants him to pick for himself while thinking of another. You sum it up for him as a suggestion that Kalki gives Shinya a present he thinks would make him happy. Tomte says that while Kalki can try giving a present as a Santa, he could also just do it as a friend. Ryouta suggests using hobbies for reference in picking a present, or else something that might look good when they wear it.

Kalki likes the idea, and Ryouta asks if Shinya has any other hobbies besides baking. Kalki mentions that he’s in the archery club, though he doesn’t know if it’s a hobby. Ryouta says that’s cool and wonders if it’s relatively calm for a martial sport. Kalki starts talking about watching Shinya at archery club and is about to describe how serious he looks before stopping himself there. He then wonders about getting Shinya some gloves.

You say it’s a great idea, which Kalki is relieved by. Tomte notes his worries seem cleared up and asks if Kalki can be a salesperson now. Kalki says he’ll do it and promises to be a good Santa. He then calls Tomte and Ryouta his new friends and thanks them. You ask about Kalki only thanking them and can fake cry at him. Kalki says he already thinks of you as his friend and that is okay for him to confide in you.

Tomte starts mulling on the idea that being able to rely on someone means that you can be honest with them. He flashes back to Krampus saying he wanted Tomte to rely on him since they were friends. After thinking some more he has a realization, then asks if he can count on you and Ryouta to handle things here. He says he has to go somewhere.

You wonder what’s up but agree. Scene shifts over to the Santa School as Yule asks Krampus to stop and asks how far he plans on going. Krampus says he’ll keep going until his head cools off, then says Yule should head back home first since he shouldn’t get sick before the big day. Yule says the same goes for him and that he can handle how cold it is at the moment.

Yule then asks if Krampus has calmed down a bit as he notes that it’s unusual for Krampus to yell outside work. Krampus is embarrassed about it being brought up, then starts talking about how Tomte is always doing things for them, so he ended up thinking they were friends. But since Tomte wouldn’t rely on him, Krampus started wondering if Tomte has no faith in him. He admits it was stupid of him since he doesn’t even know how Tomte feels.

Yule mentions that Tomte has helped him out a lot now that he’s thought about it. He’s done cleaning, laundry, cooking, and looking up where his presents need to go. Despite that, Yule knows nothing about him, and that he only learned that Tomte likes saunas that day.

Krampus agrees and says he’s not really angry, just irritated at himself. He worries that he’s hated, then starts wondering if his impressions were always one-sided. Tomte starts calling out to him, and Krampus says he can hear him in surprise.

Tomte shows up still in his sauna outfit, glad that he and Yule are still in the school area. He apologizes for being insensitive to have not noticed that Krampus thought of him as a friend. Krampus however is embarrassed that Tomte has been running around naked and tells him to put something on. Tomte brushes the outside temperature off and says he came to apologize, which further surprises Krampus.

Tomte admits that he’s afraid of getting closer with other people, though he doesn’t know why. He wants to rely on and believe in others, but whenever he tries, he starts avoiding it. He apologizes for that, then asks if Krampus will wait for him. He says that by being with you guys he’s starting to remember something. Once he does remember, he wants to start calling Krampus and Yule his friends again.

Krampus agrees to wait and apologizes for running off. He says he’s looking forward to when the time comes, and Tomte thanks him. The episode ends as Yule looks on silently.

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