Seaside Fashionista Episode 5 Part 1

We start off with narration about Arachne and how she saw a dream from days long past, a reality from another world before she arrived in Tokyo. In her flashback she’s showing off her newest creation and proclaiming its status as a thing of true beauty, then asks the Gods why they don’t appreciate her work.

The gods speak, “Nay. Thou art a reprobate.” Not all twelve of them though as one of them shunned by he rest sits there in silence, but on the other hand he had little influence on the others the gods. Said gods call thing thing Arachne wove together as an insult to them and says it casts doubts on their perfection.

According to them, anything that does such a thing is a crime beyond any hope. Arachne blusters at the judgment and calls them crazy for labeling her a criminal. She says she made it because she thought they would like it, and that she made it with the best materials. The gods then say that the world illuminating light that comes from his (Zeus) thunder must shine in gold and prosper.

Their hierarchy must be perfect as well, and as such they must punish her for this. Narration talks about how Cronus’ bloodline brought peace to the world, so their words, their behaviors, their very existence was held as supreme. As they stood on the top of the hierarchy, they decide what is right and how transgressions are to be punished.

In spite of all this Arachne glares right at them. For whatever reason the gods refer to Arachne as daughter of the Iron Age and charge her with harming and corrupting their world and punish her with exile.

Arachne’s reaction is “you can’t exile me I’m leaving!” out of wounded pride over her creation. That bit is what gets her pain, a transformation, and a complete denial of her whole being as she disappears from Olympus. They called her the arrogant weaver, the woman who cut at their fragile golden illusion with the cold iron truth.

Even as it happened, Arachne laughed in the spilling shadows of light thinking about how the gods didn’t understand after all. A Shadow seems to form from the corner of her mouth if I understand correctly, though she doesn’t see it as the light of summoning takes her.

When she wakes up, Arachne finds herself in Tokyo. Narration then switches to her voice as she calls her some someone who was once a normal person who is now changed into a form that isn’t so. She can materialize anyone’s Shadow, yet she never looked back on her own.

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called And That’s Why She’s An Idiot Genius.

Camera then tunes back in at the casino as Tsathoggua is on the phone with you hearing about what’s been happening. He comments on how it’s been constant problems, but looking at the results it’s been alright. He still hopes things will pan out okay though, but since it’s Arachne...ehhhh. But anyways he thanks you for updating him on things.

Tsathoggua briefly considers doing some surveillance since he’s worried, but he ditches the idea since Hakumen is there and watching him closely so he’ll get better. She notices, so Tsathoggua excuses himself and ends the call, wishing you guys good luck.

Hakumen asks if the call is over and sighs about him for worrying you, so he apologizes. She snaps at him and says he should get better then because her looking after him is a blue moon special kind of thing. Xolotl has rice porridge and prompts Tsathoggua to open his mouth so he can feed him. He does so and thanks him.

Tsathoggua is glad that the two of them are taking care of him since he says most of his minions are handling the management of the Tokyo Mode Collection. Hakumen starts talking about how much Tsathoggua will work to pay her back for all this, which he passes on because effort. She asks in annoyance why he’d work for Arachne but not for her.

Tsathoggua says if Arachne is left alone she’ll overwork herself, not eat or drink, and pass out. Because of that he feels that he can’t make her worry. He also adds that she looks just like his old roommate, who was much the same as her and often put his tributes on the black market.

But on the topic of roommates, Tsathoggua suggests that’s what Hakumen is now. He can’t pay her back at some multiplied value, but he does promise to repay her for nursing him. Hakumen asks if he can stop talking so shabbily. She’s a super celebrity and the casino owner while he’s a good for nothing freeloader.

That said she thinks it’s fine to keep their standings clear and tries to suggest sticking him with the hardest work, but Tsathoggua interrupts to take back his offer and says he’ll go back to bed. Hakumen screeches about this.

Scene then shifts to your side as Arachne turns out to say fashion when she sneezes and subscribes to the sneezing superstition when being talked about. That aside, Arachne asks if you filled in Tsathoggua about the previous two outings. You say Tsathoggua seems fine and comment on her worrying about him.

She’s relieved to hear that, then backtracks and claims it’s nothing because of course her work is awesome. And now that you guys know that Tsathoggua is okay you guys can head to the next place. You bring up that you’ll be seeing Amatsumara now since Arachne made clothes for the others.

Arachne confirms that, then asks you where he is. As the scene transitions she’s surprised to find out he’s back at the Tokyo Mode Collection. She comments on finally being back and compares it to coming home, then on her surprise that he’s part of the construction crew for the venue. But thinking on it some more she figures of course he is because he’s someone she can recognize the talent of.

Arachne then changes the subject and says it’s a convenient turn of events. Since her shop has been closed while you guys were out she’s been wondering how it looks, so she suggests going to check on it, skipping happily (in her heels, mind) with a heartfelt smile on her face.

Arachne doesn’t actually make it all the way to the store as she stops and sits on the ground partway there and comments on how bright the sun is. You’re worried for her and note that she looks pale, then ask if she’s been overdoing it.

Arachne tries to deny being exhausted and says she slept more than she expected back at Kabukicho. She claims she’s not that weak, but she does admit to having a nightmare that morning which left her with a bit of ennui. Arachne decides not to think about it and says you guys need to get excited. She feels she can just cut away the past she doesn’t want to think about and toss it away with wood scraps.

Arachne then walks off with her usual lively behavior. She starts talking about her surprise with Gyumao’s abilities in getting the event site set up so quickly. It’s where the fashion show will be, but she’s looking forward to what sort of things will be there. Arachne also brings up that there’s going to be a new swimsuit fashion exhibition coming at a much later time than usual.

You ask about this later time business and ask why it isn’t right on time since it’s summer already. Arachne finds the question funny and says she’ll explain. So basically, fashion shows are for showing things made for the upcoming season.

If you intend to showcase swimsuits for summer, you won’t make it in time if that’s the current season. That said, leaving it for next season leaves too much time open. Generally winter to the beginning of spring is for swimsuits and summer clothes. The beginning of summer to autumn is for winter clothes.

And despite all that, Arachne says there are plenty of cases where clothes that fit the current season are presented. You guys arrive at the fashion show area as Arachne realizes she forgot to check on the store. But she decides to let that be and asks if you can show Amatsumara the pictures of what she’s made for the challenge. And since you’re going to be showing it, be sure to pick the best shots.

First things first will be the Yoyogi photo sports casual outfit, which you can note snugly fits the whole body in black. Arachne talks about how thankful she is towards all of the people there. She never thought she’d be working with sports casual fashion, but now she feels like she’s taken a layer off things.

You talk about the Daikanyama photo next with the suit and can say that marriage ceremony felt nice. Arachne says she’s great at formalwear and seeing this piece get perfected captivated her. She wonders if this could lead to her being asked to do bridal wear someday.

Last would be the Kabukicho picture with the shiny suit and the excellent host. Arachne talks about her heart shivering at the possibilities of her new fashion and how Suzuka got into it, which was fun.

Now that you’ve gone over all the photos, Arachne thinks it’s all perfect and is almost sure Amatsumara will accept this as a pass. As you guys talk, construction workers are busy all around you guys. Takemaru is supervising some column being installed and asks Kurogane to bring the lighting over if he has time.

Kurogane agrees and is about to look when he sees Arachne and stops her from going any further since the place is a danger zone and she’s not a staff member. Arachne says she *is* one and came to see Amatsumara. Kurogane then recognizes her and asks what her business with him is.

One explanation later, Kurogane understands and says he’ll take you guys over to where he’s managing. He also gives you guys some helmets and tells you to watch your feet. Arachne thanks him, and you guys walk on over. Hephaestus is also around and watching you guys.

Work is bustling all around you, and in the middle of it all is Amatsumara loudly directing everyone. Kurogane comments on how loud he is and how clear it is even with you guys at this distance. Arachne agrees and says it looks like things are almost done. Kurogane mentions the pavements are almost done too, then asks you guys to keep the helmets on just in case. You thank him or tell Arachne to be sure she keeps hers on.

Kurogane says he still has work so he’ll be going, then says he’ll see you later. Arachne mutters to herself as she looks at Amatsumara. She starts comparing him to a mountain, then an eroded hunk of rock, then a large mass of gold. She didn’t notice when she first met him, but looking at him reminds her of someone back in her home world. You can ask if she’s talking about an acquaintance, a friend, or someone she likes.

Going A, Arachne says it was someone she only caught glimpses of, but their voice carried far. While their fields and ‘stance towards work’ are different, she respected them. She also sympathized with their uncompromising work and excellent skills. They just made great works and didn’t pick a partner or something, and they were recognized by the world. It’s one of the few memories of her world that left an impression.

You either ask why Arachne looks like she’s about to cry or why she’s smiling like she’s happy. She’s surprised by the question either way and thinks it’s strange, then laughs.

Elsewhere Hephaestus brings Kurogane the lights, surprising him. He recovers quickly enough and thanks him, then tries to tell him that you’re there. Hephaestus says he already knows, but there’s someone he doesn’t want to see with you, so he’ll stay away for now.

Kurogane asks where he’s going and says there’s still work left. Hephaestus says he can’t handle Takemaru. He doesn’t hate him, but he’ll be working away from him. Kurogane figures Hephaestus is just shy, but he denies it and says he can’t handle people who shine and are the type other naturally gather around. Especially the greats who could cause huge disturbances in the end.

Takemaru calls over to Kurogane asking him if he’s got the lights yet. Kurogane answers that he’s coming back now and comments that fireworks installation is next. Camera then focuses on Amatsumara, who smiles as you and Arachne approach him. He notes that you’re here, so he asks to see what you’ve done.

Arachne apologizes for the pictures being small but prompts you to show him. For Wakan Tanka, Amatsumara notes that they’re casual clothes that suit the model’s particular sport and shows off their muscles.

He also somehow picks up on them showing a desire for fashion consciousness on the wearer’s part and the clothes being like their best clothes for occasions. Since that’s been taken into consideration, the outfit is also made to calm him down even though they’re also made to push him forward. All in all, it’s a good creation.

Next is Zabaniya’s picture. Amatsumara initially thinks the suit is for someone getting married before correcting it to the officiant’s. He can tell Zabaniya’s not used to dressing up but he says he hides it well, and that he doesn’t hate it as much as he lets on. Amatsumara notes it’s a first job kind of thing and says it’s a good piece.

Suzuka’s pic is after, and Amatsumara says it’s a pretty shiny suit. He can tell it’s just been fixed up rather than a wholesale new piece. He notices that the parts around the hips have been made tighter, yet there’s still some room open while helping to tense up the wearer.

The biggest thing he notes is Suzuka’s expression, since it’s clear she’s brimming with confidence and the clothes push her forward. Amatsumara asks if Arachne butt heads with her and says the look on Suzuka’s face is a rare one to see.

Arachne decides to cut to the chase and asks if her work passes the challenge. Amatsumara confirms it does and says there never was any problems with her abilities. He then asks if she knows why he put her up to this, why she couldn’t sell anything even though she has the skills.

Arachne is quiet for a second before answering that what she made wasn’t what anyone wanted. If she wants customers to want her stuff, she’ll have to make things they’d like to get. Amatsumara notes that she already knew and says in which case she should just do that for the world. She’s uncomfortable with that statement.

You congratulate Arachne, wonder if she grasped it all, then try getting her attention since she’s getting upset. She seems ready to cry, yet she still glares Amatsumara like she already saw this coming. He doesn’t remark upon this, and Arachne starts grinding her teeth and hangs her head in frustration.

It’s now that Amatsumara comments on her looking like she knew from the start. Of course, if she didn’t she’d never have gotten customers in his particular case. He doesn’t even need to cite Gyumao’s example; she had a customer from the start. This goes especially for dealing with willful other parties, taking their hidden shadows and putting it in a vessel that can take them. It’s just that for most people it turns out ‘like that,’ where they ignore it.

Amatsumara compares her work from earlier to being blown off to the far reaches of the sky by yourself. No one would understand it, and no one wanted to understand it. After a pause he says he figures she must know that too. He asks if she just pretended not to know. His false eye looks at her, which reflects her like a polished mirror.

Amatsumara asks again whether or not she didn’t want to be understood by the general public to begin with. You either try to talk to Arachne or keep quiet. Arachne starts yelling about how her fashion is the cutting edge that surpasses the understanding of other people and that it’s her specialty. She says in the end everyone is the same, and that she comes to that same answer.

In which case, Arachne says it’d be fine to have someone who isn’t her do designing. If she were to turn her back on what she considers beautiful and make only what the world wants, it can all go to hell. She proclaims that she has a different fixation as a Creator as opposed to a Crafter. She calls it a battle to protect her soul and wounded pride, and that she swore to make the world recognize her or die trying.

Amatsumara says she’s still looking away from herself and questions whether what she’s trying to do really so important. He decides to say it right out that Arachne wants the world to accept her. The thing is, he says she also believes that it’s a given that the world won’t, and this contradiction causes her to suffer and lose her way.

Arachne hesitates for a second before telling him to shut it. She figures if she makes the clothes he wants as promised then it’ll be okay. Then she says it’s time to do the measuring battle. Arachne says that thanks to Amatsumara and your friends, she feels she’s shown off her work to the world well enough over the past few days. The past few days were not a detour, so all she has to go is start selling afterwards.

Amatsumara says she doesn’t really need to go selling like that and starts saying something about her real wish. Arachne cuts him off and tells him to shut up. She thanks him for everything up until today, then turns to you and asks you to help one last time. You try to stop her since she’s not holding up very well physically and mentally.

Amatsumara agrees, saying it’s best to stop for now. She might seriously hurt herself one way or another if this continues, and he points out she might not make it through the whole event as is. You agree with Amatsumara and say that while you understand Arachne’s feelings she shouldn’t push herself.

Despite all that, Amatsumara does think that Arachne is unstoppable if she intends to go reach for the world. He says he understands since he was like that when he was young too. He then laughs and asks if it’s his job to be a wall to obstruct her. He calls up all the workers, then challenges Arachne to show her will power as the episode battle starts.