Virtual Summer Memory Episode 1 Part 1

We pick up from where we left off with the sudden appearance of the virtual castle, or rather the virtual Dragon Palace. Otohime arises from a surge of light, and then bows to everyone present. She welcomes you all to the Dragon Palace, introducing herself as the memory management program in charge of looking after everyone, then asks everyone to call her Otohime. She then explains that this place is for the sake of treating all sorts of pain that affects the heart and mind, inviting you guys to forget everything. You can either ask her about what she said about being a program or about the mental pain, or you can call Otohime a cute princess.

 

In A and B, Otohime offers to explain in further detail, though she'd like to thank everyone for coming first. In C, Otohime says if her appearance comforts you mentally, then she's happy that she's fulfilling the job she was made for. Anyways, Ryouta takes a moment to remember that there is an Otohime involved in the story of the Dragon Palace and appends an honorific when talking about her. Touji says he remembers her being involved in the cast in his old picture books too, though he comments she looks a lot different from what he was thinking about. Ryouta thanks Otohime for inviting you guys in, then asks if it's okay to call her by name. She tells him to do as he pleases.

 

Ryouta cheers, then asks to exchange phone numbers with Otohime. Touji is surprised at how fast Ryouta is at trying to get closer and says that's just like him. Otohime talks about how the Dragon Palace's story has been handed down since ancient times, but there are some forms of hospitality it can't provide if it stays old. She gracefully welcomes everyone in, but you mentally observe that Otohime doesn't seem completely welcoming from the looks of her eyes and that she might be scary, or you can think to yourself that you like her eyes and compare her to a machine.

 

In C there's an extra line where Otohime notices the way you're looking at her, which she seems confused in how to respond to, so she settles for nodding at you. But anyways, narration describes Otohime's expression as looking inscrutable, where changing the angle at which you're facing her heavily changes your impression of her. Otohime then says that everything up ahead has been prepared for you guys. She invites you guys to relax as much as you like until your mind is at ease. With another bow, more light arises from the surrounding area as dressed up merfolk appear to welcome you all in, so everyone heads in.

 

Tiger Man compares it all to a theme park and expresses his amazement. He's usually at a place like this when he's putting on a show, so he's totally excited to go into one as a normal person and throws in a backflip for emphasis. You can either ask if he's really that busy, ask if his fans would mob him otherwise, or comment on his excitement.

 

In A, Tiger Man says it's hard to balance the life of a student and a pro wrestler since you have to balance out classes, training, and the actual matches. A student pro wrestler like him also has to use long school breaks to go on tour to places he wouldn't normally be at. Fans he wouldn't normally see are waiting for his matches, and he declares that a true luchador would go running to see them. In B, TIger Man says he welcomes interacting with his fans whenever, but he says it would bother uninvolved people. He does have some wrestler friends who go up on stage in a mask, but he has pride in being a nagual. He then says he wants to burn his gallant figure into all his fans' eyes. In C, Tiger Man asks you to listen closely as he talks about how much his heart is pounding. He asks that you keep a secret between you and him how shy he can be, especially from Tezcatlipoca. He then thanks you and says this is some secret fan service for you.

 

In any case Shennong says Tiger Man is being rash as usual and reminds him that his heart is a replacement one. As an ex army medic and current doctor in charge he's ready to consider banning Tiger Man from overexertion. Tiger Man responds by saying Shennong's being boorish. He calls his heart a treasure he gave to the beloved sun, and so long as it keeps beating for him to go for greater heights, he'll continue to jump facing towards the sun.

 

Algernon hears this conversation and comments to Charles about how repeatedly putting a replacement body through rash actions sounds familiar. Charles snorts and says that even if that hastens one's end, all anyone can do is keep running. He knows it well. Algernon prompts him to speak louder so that the class can hear, but then asks if he actually meant to direct that to himself. Charles goes a bit quiet as he confirms that, saying that he doesn't really have any words for someone else to pick up. Around this point, something starts drawing closer at torpedo speeds.

 

Ryouta zooms in to tell you guys that there's tons of diners around. He also informs you that Otohime said it was okay to eat as much as you want, so now he's lost for choice. Li Chou swims in from behind breathing hard as he asks Ryouta to not ditch him since he was the one to invite him to go eat to begin with. He's also shocked that Ryouta can swim so much faster than him despite them being built similarly. Ryouta laughs saying there's no need to think about having a breather and that he just happened to get excited.

 

Talos explains that this virtual world is affected by strong mental images. If you think you can swim fast, you'll probably do so for real. Ryouta thinks this is cool and thanks Talos for telling him, then tells Li they should go to the next place. He immediately leaves him behind, causing Li to complain that he's going too fast. Talos goes quiet, which you take note of and ask if something is wrong. Talos tells you there's nothing to be concerned about, and Algernon asks Talos if he's worried about Otohime. He notes that she seems to have more authority over this area as guide than Talos does.

 

Talos seems surprised by this, and Algernon backtracks slightly to say that authority might not be the best descriptor. He then goes with scope of permissible activities as decided by the world. Talos could do things while out in the greater virtual sea, but Algernon asks how things are here in the Dragon Palace subrealm. Talos displays faint confusion at this, then admits that he was ordered to tell you that there's nothing to worry about. He also tells you that there's no info anywhere inputted about the Dragon Palace or Otohime by Hephaestus. In other words, it should be impossible for them to be here based on what Hephaestus had been thinking up of. You either ask about the impossibility, ask about Otohime, and/or get on guard.

 

As of now, Talos says he can't confirm whether it's all a threat. He'll still be vigilant, but he asks you to relax. No matter what happens he'll protect you, and he says you can leap into his chest whenever you want as he briefly gets into character. Talos then brings up the possibility that the Dragon Palace data was mixed in from the beginning when Hephaestus was creating the virtual space. He tells you that Hephaestus is currently investigating the sensory data he's sending him, and since he has some idea as to why this is happening he asks you guys to enjoy yourselves in the meantime.

 

Shennong nods and suggests taking Talos up on his idea and leaving things to the specialist. He then wonders if there's a jacuzzi anywhere around since he's always wanted to feel how it is not being in a single person hot tub. Charles says he'll be doing something else. Algernon says that Charles isn't much for being cooperative, though he does agree with the choice he's going with at the end of things. They have their own way of doing things, and a clean beach means a much more fun summer overall. Algernon also compares being a piece of metal that's got sunlight directly shining on it to being on a burning hot grill. You either comment that it sounds like you'd get burned for touching that, ask in concern if he gets heatstroke, or tell Charles you'd like to do something hot and heavy with him.

 

In A, Algernon says his sensors get scorched which gets to be a drag. He then jokes about whether he should have invited you to touch him and get burned instead. Charles refuses to say anything in response, and Algernon pesters him to play along and be the straight man when he breaks out the stupid machine jokes. In B, Charles tells you it'll be okay if he's lightly equipped like this. Speaking of, he asks Algernon when he found the time to record this swimsuit he's wearing. Algernon answers that he saw it in town the other day and thought Charles would look good in it, so he saved it for reference. He also points out that it's led to a kouhai to worry about him, so he suggests that maybe it's finally time for him to go have fun with said kouhai. Charles no comments to that in response. In C, Charles is thrown off guard so Algernon teases him about getting a passionate invitation and suggests he go on a summer adventure. He talks about how a poet ought to experience some hot and charming love before Charles cuts him off and threatens to leave him out in the sun for almost an hour.

 

Anyways, Shennong says you guys should all get going too as he addresses the students of his current and former school. Since this is pretty much a dream, it's going to end when you all wake up. Talos says he'll go examine the area on Hephaestus's orders, and he'll come right away if anything happens. You then head off and swim towards the castle town area.

 

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Best Summer in Virtual Ryugu.

 

Scene shifts over to where Kengo and Agyou are, with the two laughing as some fish are swimming close by and tickling them in doing so. Some of the smaller fish are apparently trying to swim up Kengo's trunks too. The mob attendant nearby explains that the fish can regulate a person's senses and heal them in both mind and body. Li Chou is sighing happily as he stuffs himself with food, saying he might make a mistake again in indulging in such gluttony. The mermaid explains that it'll be okay since all the food is an illusion that'll seem like a dream when you wake up. She invites Li to forget about his guilt and sense of duty and just be.

 

Ziz comments on how nice it is to swim around and considers soaking in the hot spring now that she's cooled down a bit. She also expresses happiness at being able to stretch her wings, then wonders if she should leave for a second to go get Behemoth since Talos said it was possible to leave whenever. Ryouta thinks it might be not be a good idea to wake him up since he might be having a dream about eating some good food already. Touji says the rest of them clicked the link while half asleep too, and he figures Behemoth will come when he sees the text later. He then goes back to Ziz's comment to say it's weird to go to a hot spring when it already feels like you're under water.

 

Shirou says that virtual reality is usually associated with the idea that anything is possible, and it's a common motif in sci-fi stories. Shennong joins the conversation to talk about how it's important to keep hold of your senses when anything is possible. If you get too used to anything being possible, you'll lose yourself to that idea too. If that were to happen you might forget what it is you really want to accomplish. And on that note, Shennong asks if any of the others are starting to feel numb after getting into a hot spring with him, which confuses Shirou.

 

Elsewhere as everyone is enjoying Otohime's servants' hospitality, Otohime herself is walking around town watching with a calm expression on her face. You either greet her and ask her name again, or you just walk up to her quietly. Otohime greets you and asks if you need help with anything. You either reintroduce yourself, ask her to talk about herself, or ask if something is up for her to be watching everyone. In A, Otohime politely thanks you for your manners. In B, Otohime interprets this to be about that explanation she said she'd give you before and thanks you for going out of your way to see her. In C, Otohime says it's her mission to see that everyone is happy.

 

Otohime takes the moment to reintroduce herself again, then explains that the Dragon Palace is a sanatorium created for those suffering mentally from the world. She also calls it the final (or more ominously the last stage) paradise for the people who've been knocked down and lost all hope and sight of anything worth looking at. It is here where sad and painful memories are Put Away. You either say that it was a shock to have to change your summer plans, be alarmed and say you aren't that badly beaten down, or ask if she doesn't mean "put an end to" instead.

 

In A, Otohime seems vaguely unimpressed but tries to keep sympathetic and says everyone else probably has bigger worries on their minds. Still, if it helps alleviate any of your worries she'll be happy about that. In B, Otohime seems a little curious and says you being here must be some sort of fate. She talks about how trivial pains and misery can add up to become something intense, and she invites you to spend your time here in peace as you like. In C, Otohime explains that looking after the mental baggage of visitors and Putting It Away is the purpose of the Dragon Palace. Therefore, that also means that she'll be Putting Away people's suffering.

 

Algernon pops up from somewhere to comment in agreement that a clean environment leads to relief for the heart. Otohime is thrown off by the fact that Algernon is mopping the area up, and she tries to ask him to leave the cleaning to her since she figures physical work might not be very relaxing. Algernon explains that Charles is a neat freak, and relaxing in his case means being the one to clean up anyplace he uses himself. He asks Otohime to let him do so, so Otohime relents and gives him permission for that. You either ask Otohime to smile more or say she seems scary, or you say you're happy she's so unflappable as she welcomes you all.

 

In A and B, Otohime asks if her lack of expression bothers you, then apologizes but says this is how she wants to be. In C, Otohime figures you're talking about her expressions. She says that a lot of visitors' feelings are hurt by it, but she thanks you for that. She also says she actively tries to keep her expressions under control for the sake of her purpose in creation.

 

Either way Otohime says that there are many people who visit the Dragon Palace who have been humiliated by the world and are distressed at being smiled at. For some it's being looked at with any sort of expression at all that distresses them, so Otohime keeps her expressions down to get closer to them. It's not like she's totally devoid of emotions, or else she'd never be able to help deal with everyone else's feelings. Algernon comments that she's strict with herself and asks if that means she sincerely wants to fulfill her role. Otohime confirms that as the one entrusted with the Dragon Palace and says that it'll never change even if an eternity passes by. You guys are then interrupted by some loud noises happening overhead.

 

Nezha is up there making motorcycle noises again as they talk about riding their motorbike into and around town. Hanuman makes a challenge of it and says he won't get left behind in terms of speed. Otohime is taken aback at how rough and violent they are and says she needs to go stop them, then excuses herself to you before heading straight for them.

 

Elsewhere behind some building in town, Yamasachi somehow turns up and wonders how he got there and what he's even doing. He gets up as if having woken up and takes a look around, and he gets the feeling that something is off but can't put his finger down on the specifics of what and how things are different. He's still unclear as to who he is, where he came from, why he's there, and what he's doing, and his memories are hazy to the point the game compares him to having woke up from a long long slumber.

 

Yamasachi talks to himself about his confusion but does get the feeling he was Looking For Something, but then he suddenly notices something shiny on the ground and shouts about having found it. He quickly pounces on the thing and talks about finally getting his brother's forgiveness until he notices he just found some stupid fish scale. A moment of thinking after that he goes back to wonder about what he was saying about a brother.

 

The gears turn in his head as a memory comes back to him, and Yamasachi remembers that he's supposed to be looking for his brother's fishing hook. He tosses the fish scale aside and starts walking ahead and calls to the fish hook like it's actually some sort of lost animal, sounding like a loser as he looks at the ground as the episode part ends.