Seaside Fashionista Episode 4 Part 1

Things pick up with the camera following Tetsuya going through Kabukicho until he goes into some host club on XX/YY. He was off patrolling the Outlaws’ Portals and just got back from that, which narration compares to some fish putting around in a fish tank.

Narration also says Tetsuya is repeating his days from long ago, way back when before he parted ways from his partner/friend who was like a younger brother/someone. But in any case his phone starts ringing, and when he picks it up he frowns upon seeing the caller ID. That would be you.

You talk to him about what happened the other day at the fashion event area. He waves off any need for an apology since part of the blame for what happened lies with the Outlaws. He’s about to end the call if there’s nothing else, but you tell him about wanting to visit Kabukicho.

Tetsuya asks what this is about. After some explanation he says he has the main idea and isn’t opposed to it. He does however insist that this will count as the payback he owes you. He also tells you to not be dumb and go picking fights, so don’t bring Kengo. If you can accept those conditions you can come over.

Tetsuya says he’s not like the others and won’t be moved by your kindness, but he also says he has a higher opinion of you than others. You’re the one he has to be sure to never his guard around. But anyways that’s it for negotiation, so he tells you to come over tomorrow.

The call ends there and Tetsuya sighs as he wonders why the civilian world won’t leave Kabukicho alone. He decided he’d live in that town, and he wanted to leave all the outside world disputes alone. But reality said no to that, so he has to keep in contact with the outside to keep Kabukicho as it is.

Tetsuya sees other people as too hot-blooded or, put another way, too caught up in figuring out their comfy retirement. That’s why he acts as he does now, but still he complains about how much of a pain in the ass it is.

Narration talks about how Tetsuya and the others are outlaws, people who have turned their backs to the laws of the outside. But they still have their own way of doing things. If something happens on their own turf, their own passions compete and a certain level of violence decides things.

Tetsuya likes how simple that setup is to live with, though it’s more like he can’t feel like living outside since it isn’t black and white. People hide what they really think and put on a face, which leads to conversations going wrong and emotions with nowhere to go twisting.

Tetsuya sighs that things just can’t be left alone as he starts playing with his knife, trying to bent his frustrations. Tsukuyomi then pops into his personal space asking him what’s wrong. Since Tsukuyomi is acting head of the Outlaws Tetsuya covers up his venting, then asks what ill will makes him do that to him. He’s asked him so many times to not breath into his ear like that.

Tsukuyomi apologizes and says he though it’s just a way to get his attention. He also says that even if he didn’t do anything, the way Tetsuya was acting would’ve gotten someone concerned enough to go talk to him. He feels that the idea that you can avoid other people is incomprehensible and wonders if he’s the type who can’t leave others be.

Tetsuya says that for most in the world, that comes with strings. But he stops with that topic saying he’s at fault for actually engaging with it. Tsukuyomi then asks why he was making a face earlier, then figured it must be the usual thing.

Tetsuya says it is, thanks to a certain someone. He then asks Tsukuyomi about the new shop. He replies that everyone is working hard on it, and he’s sure it’ll be okay. Tetsuya then half asks half accuses Tsukuyomi of possibly dumping problems onto them despite being the leader.

Narration says Tsukuyomi seems whimsical and detestable, and he laughs off the question saying they’re the welcoming ‘box’ (?) for his customers, his prized stage equipment for the continued showing of the best dreams on the best nights. He swears to look after them all until he’s done.

Having said that, when the store is open he’s considering leaving the running of the business to Tetsuya and the others like he always does. Tetsuya is annoyed by the idea, but Tsukuyomi says what goes on inside seldom goes according to plan. All he can do is show the best dream of the night in there to give comfort to those who have strayed off the path.

Tetsuya thinks the most galling thing about the whole setup is that Tsukuyomi is right despite being such a mess. Tsukuyomi says he’s a good boy for always complimenting him no matter what he says, which he says in a whisper like it’s for a lover. Tetsuya gets mad and tells him to save the flirting for business hours or else. Tsukuyomi asks or else what in response.

Tetsuya backs off and sighs, telling him to do whatever he wants. He then tells him that the designer he told him about is coming over tomorrow, though he figures Tsukuyomi will be asleep when she does show up. Tsukuyomi is a bit surprised to hear that and asks if that means you’ll be there too. Tetsuya says you will, and that you were the one to call about this.

Tsukuyomi hopes that if possible, you’ll come to hang out in his shop so business talks can be completed. Tetsuya snorts derisively since, again he assumes Tsukuyomi will be in bed by then. He then turns around and leaves without another word, prompting Tsukuyomi to call him cold as always. He hides his weakness and thoughts he can’t act on behind his influence and threatens everyone around. If there was just one part taken out of him, he’d remember how a certain someone used to be.

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called What’s So Wrong About Meeting Expectations?

Camera then tunes back to the entrance at Kabukicho Day 4 at 9 am of your event misadventure. Arachne mentions feeling sluggish despite having her coffee, and you can see some of the exhaustion in her face. You ask her if she’s been sleeping right, ask if she’s been pulling all nighters, or try to keep her from falling over.

Arachne claims she’s still full of energy. Like just this morning she was on time and showed up half an hour early. She just didn’t sleep a little after getting her work done the past few days. And personally she thinks this doesn’t really count as being tired.

Still, all the inspiration coming to her after working meant she couldn’t sleep much anyway. Then she notes how bright the sun is. You either express worry, say she shouldn’t overwork herself, or say she’s still cheery even when she’s putting on a brave face.

Arachne thanks you for worrying about her and claims she really is perfectly fine. She asks if you’ve had times like that too where you get so tired you just wrap back around to being surprisingly okay. That’s where she is, so inspired she could turn into the ocean.

Arachne admits to not understanding what she’s saying and changes the subject, commenting on how Kabukicho’s entrance still has its unique atmosphere to it. You either ask if she’s been here before, ask if she’s scared of it, or put on a southern (Osakan) accent to say the Outlaws are scary too.

Going A, Arachne says she’s come a bunch of times to study fashion, which boils down to sketching and people watching. She’s also come by for work reasons, though she doesn’t have any familiarity with the place.

Anyways, Arachne comments on totally seeing how Suzuka could be a member of the place. She starts wondering about something before figuring she can just ask directly later.

Arachne then heads straight into some dark alley, showing no signs of being afraid of it. She then expresses amazement at the density of buildings there and comments on how the filtered light comes through the multicolor patchwork as though shone through a shading curtain. She compares Kabukicho to something sewed up with its history woven in, which isn’t bad. You either question the need for her commentary, say you’ve already made a call, or tell her not to pick a fight.

Arachne says it’ll be fine since she’s come here repeatedly. She does complain about how gaudy the clothes are everyone wears in the shops. The sequins, the tattoos, the gold and silver threaded frill and lace bases. They assert their ways of life, which gets reflected on their clothes. So in a sense, Kabukicho culture has its own particular style.

Despite having said all that, Arachne says she can’t get enough of looking at it. It’s like a different kind of intercultural exchange. Narration brings up that as she rants she’s unaware that she’ll have to stop her careless remarks soon.

Arachne continues with her spiel and talks about how showy ostentation is important to Kabukicho fashion. She also says that when she saw Suzuka she got that sort of feeling from her. The others over there would hide their weakness behind bluffs, and you decide to interrupt at this point to say Arachne is being loud, say trouble might happen, or say you’ve thought so too.

In any case a bunch of oni show up, who have been listening for some time and are now coming for you guys because of what Arachne said about Suzuka. Another also takes issue with her mentioning bluffs and showiness, and a third threatens to teach you guys the local manners.

Arachne tries to talk them down saying she was just talking about her thoughts on Kabukicho. She turns to you and asks if she was disparaging the place. You say she’s a genius at instigating things, then say it might be hard but suggest being careful as you speak since the oni might literally set a fire or something.

Arachne tries to insist she wasn’t intentionally trying to anger them. Though she does say saying everything that went through her mind does seem to be leading to trouble. You either ask if she was aware of what she was doing or ask her not to get you involved with these things.

The oni say they won’t just let you guys go even if you back off now. Arachne points out that even if she copped to what she did they would have started something. There seems to be only one thing left to do. The oni take offense and say they have to do something if lots of regular people start dissing them. You either ask if you’ll have to fight, say you guys only just got in, or yell for help.

A voice calls out telling the oni to not lay a hand on you guys, and Suzuka shows up saying she came to see what the fuss was about. You either express relief that she’s there, say you didn’t expect her to speak the way she did to you, or thank her and say you love her.

One oni asks if Suzuka knows you guys and complains about Arachne nitpicking at their fashion. Suzuka puts her foot down and says she told them to back off. The oni take the hint and disperse. After they all leave, Suzuka has an unreadable expression as she tells you guys to follow her to their office. However she won’t be lenient if another scene is caused.

Arachne is happy you guys were helped but finds the word office being used to be ominous. She asks you if you guys are in a tough spot now. Suzuka snaps at you guys to come along or else she’ll ditch you two under some alleyway. Arachne wonders if it’ll be okay to follow. You either say it’ll be okay or say it’s scary but you’ll have to go.

Arachne agrees that you guys came to see them to begin with, so you better do as they say for now. The episode part ends there.