Virtual Summer Memory Episode 4 Part 1

Things begin with a flashback as Umisachi tells Yamasachi about being unable to accept the fish hooks he made from his sword since the original fish hook was irreplaceable. It's all a retread of a previous conversation, so we'll skip a few lines to the part where Yamasachi takes over narration and says he'll go search for the fish hook if that will make things up with him. He'll do it if it'll get him forgiveness and approval. He'll look for that tiny ass fish hook in the great big sea, even if he thinks it's a totally a fool's errand. Still, if that's what his brother wants, that's what he'll do...so he begs Umisachi to look at him.

 

Yamasachi wakes back up at the Dragon Palace and looks around, then comments that he was dreaming of his brother again and wonders when he fell asleep. Talos tells Yamasachi that he seemed tired, so everyone else decided to take a break too. You comment that he was sound asleep and looked really tired, or you comment on how loud his snores were. In A and B, Yamasachi figures too much happened in a short time which tired out his brain. Whenever he's on the mountains he tends to talk to himself a lot, so it's been a while since he talked with a lot of people like this. He's having trouble wrapping his head around having a dream within a dream though. In C, Yamasachi laughs as he says he always has to be on his toes in the mountains, so he goes out like a light when he goes to bed. He then asks if he was too loud that he made it hard for you to rest, in which case he apologizes.

 

Either way, Yamasachi asks how you guys are doing on time since it looks like it's evening now. Talos answers that in a virtual space, or rather a dream world, time doesn't really flow. Talos supposes Dragon Palace looking like it's evening now is just set dressing. It would be a problem if you guys stayed there for too long of course, but Hephaestus says you guys need to rest anyways.

 

Tiger Man talks about it being a long time since he had such a relaxing siesta, commenting that the location is great. But on that note he has an awkward question for Yamasachi. He tells him that he seemed to be having a nightmare and saying brother a lot in his sleep, so Tiger Man asks if the dream was that bad. Yamasachi says it wasn't a nightmare so much as just a memory of the time he told him to take responsibility for his actions. He looks at his sword and gently brushes the handle, so you ask him about the sword, ask if it's his artifact, and bring up that it turned into fish hooks earlier.

 

Yamasachi explains that his artifact has the power to gather the bounty of the mountains in large amounts. As a hunter it's more important to him than anything else. Algernon thinks on this and comments that he understands, talking about how Yamasachi had used it earlier on the millet dumplings. You think about the artifact being a hunting sword for getting lots of food, then ask why it can turn into fishing hooks.

 

Yamasachi tells you guys he had his sword melted down and remade into fishing hooks. He's not sure about the details, but when it's in his hands it can function as both a sword and as fish hooks. He doesn't remember where he heard it anymore but he was told long ago to treasure it, so that's what he's been doing. To him it's as important as his life, and he thought it would be enough to be a replacement for his brother's hook. You're a little surprised he'd melt his sword down for that or ask if he thinks that much of his brother.

 

Algernon pipes up to talk about how in a certain world's old language, hunting tools were called sachi (something like helpful wisdom). He also points out that Yamasachi's artifact can bring forth fortune/a good harvest (which is another word pronounced sachi), then says language is interesting. But back to the subject of the weapon, Algernon talks about hearing that it's also called the proof of being a hunter. He's starts to talk about what it means to give it up when Yamasachi finishes the sentence and confirms he was planning on quitting being a hunter. He was prepared to do that much, whatever his brother told him to do. You ask if his brother refused to take it, ask if he refused to accept anything besides his fish hook, or exclaim how heavy his feelings to his brother are.

 

Yamasachi moans about knowing how nigh impossible it is to find a fish hook dropped into the sea. But since his brother told him to do it, Yamasachi swears to do it. He insists his brother can't be wrong, absolutely can't. You either comment that he really loves his brother or express doubts about that idea. Either way Tiger Man tells Yamasachi he understands, which Yamasachi is confused and a little taken aback by. Tiger Man elaborates that he has someone that he thinks of in the same way, someone he wants to get closer to and admires. He gets that feeling so much that his chest hurts at it, and you are either surprised he has someone like that or know who he's talking about. Either way, Tiger Man says he's talking about Tezcatlipoca.

 

Speaking of whom, Tezcatlipoca starts cackling elsewhere about making it in and asks about the Dragon Palace being your summer retreat, even though the dialogue box won't put his name up yet. He asks you to wait for the star to arrive as he calls you his brother and friend. Camera then tunes back over to Hephaestus's side of things in his secret workshop. Talos reports in to talk about his search for the fish hook, saying that it hasn't been detected in the area he's finished mapping out. Hephaestus nods at this and says there's no need to tell Yamasachi this yet. Talos acknowledges this after a moment and says he'll keep that he was searching for it a secret too. Hephaestus thinks to himself about all the things drifting out of Tokyo Bay and about Yamasachi, who you don't know. He starts having an idea as to what's up when the scene transition cuts him off.

 

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Claws Across the Paper Moon.

 

Camera then tunes back in at what narration describes as the innermost room of the Dragon Palace, Otohime's main control center. Otohime apologizes for how small it is but invites everyone to relax as much as they like. She explains that there's a special security system in place here compared to everywhere else. So while everyone is there, no illegal processes will happen, and Otohime asks everyone to be at ease.

 

Narration tells of how everyone you've rescued has been guided to the room by Otohime, which looks to be the center of the facility. Shirou politely thanks Otohime for letting them stay there and says it's a pretty nice room. Ryouta notes that there's still a giant dome in front of the castle and figures there must be someone in it. Li Chou and the others aren't around, and Ryouta asks if it's okay to leave things to you and the party. Ryouta admits that there's not much he could do anyways since he doesn't have your whatever armor.

 

Zaou says that at times like these, it's best not to act recklessly, and it's the same for disasters in the mountains. He understands feeling impatient, but if they go out there, mess up, and need to be helped themselves then it'd mean their priorities are backwards. And if that were to happen, then Yamasachi will get really mad. Shirou comments that Zaou is saying something that sounds like something he'd say, but then tries to back away from it and claim he said nothing.

 

Moritaka suggests leaving what's happening to you guys and is sure you guys will come back alright. Nezha is still affected by whatever happened to them and sighs in disappointment about how they thought they could break as much stuff as they wanted since this is a virtual world. Hanuman tries cheering them up by pointing out that virtual reality can have a lot of different things, so there's probably one that Nezha would like. Tsathoggua should know more, and Hanuman suggests going to ask him once you all return to reality. Otohime joins the conversation to say she heard everyone talking about the word virtual. She asks for further details on that if anyone will agree to tell her as she thinks it might help solve things. Ryouta talks to her and starts to tell Otohime about Hephaestus.

 

Scene shifts over to your side as Hephaestus sneezes, saying his nose got itchy all of a sudden. But back to the matter at hand, he notes that you guys are close to the central area and that it's covered by thick walls. It's possible those walls are also why it wasn't caught up in the sealed area up ahead. Talos tells you that based on his observational data, the next area seems to be the last of the lockdowns. Any other bugs can be identified with the vaccine program and the Dragon Palace's own debugger can deal with them.

 

Algernon comments that you guys can finally leave once this bit of clean up is done. It may be work, but Algernon talks about how things have developed before catching himself and trying to pass it all off as talking to himself. You can either ask if he's hiding something, comment that cleaning is hard work, or ask if they didn't come for your sake. In A, Charles warns you not to look to deep into his work if you don't want to be 'cleaned up' yourself. He also threatens Algernon with some special maintenance if his tongue slips again, so Algernon tries to ask for forgiveness and bring up that they're pretty much the same body and soul. In B, Algernon agrees after a moment saying things looking beautiful is thanks to their hard work. They spend their days without anyone knowing they're working to keep it that way so it'll be in people's memories. Charles says there's a limit to how insensitive you can be, but maybe that's your virture. In C, Charles decides to tell you some important things, starting with 'don't dig too deep.' The other thing is that you should know what sort of expression he's making even under his helmet, and he grumbles about you being thickheaded.

 

Anyways Yamasachi suggests heading on in to get the last job done before noticing that you guys seem bothered. He reminds you guys that things should be okay after you guys clear the last lockdown problem, then laughs that while he may not have found his fish hook he's still found something important. He'll be here helping until you guys can leave the dream. Yamasachi then tries to throw his arm around your shoulders, but he misses, so he asks if he's that obvious or something.

 

Tiger Man apologizes and says he messed up the timing, then asks him to let him have his big entrance soon too. He talks about it being time for the star to appear, and if he doesn't show you his good side he won't be able to face the sun tomorrow. Tiger Man puts his hand around your shoulder as he walks to the dome, with narration comparing it to the entrance of a sports team. You either excitedly say you guys should go, protest that you aren't mentally ready, or say you can hear his theme again. In A, Tiger Man nods as he says if even one of his fans is around then he's in the lucha libre ring. He smiles as bright as the sun as he winks at you. In B, Tiger Man marches you straight ahead while you're still panicking. In C, Talos says he's heard of entrance themes and thought it was a good place to let it happen. Shennong says it may be a good judgment, but he also feels there's something off about his considerations. And in any case, Yamasachi panics as he asks you guys to not leave him behind.

 

Tiger Man asks everyone to cheer for him as he announces his presence. The area shifts to a temple looking place, and Algernon comments on guessing there'd be a pattern of areas looking like places that shouldn't be underwater. First was on top of a ghost ship, second was the middle of a mountain, and now looks like some old eastern manor. You comment that it does have rich people vibes, wonder if it's another story, and/or wonder which story it could be.

 

Snow walks up commenting on how lively things are and greets you saying he's been waiting for you. Narration describes the front gates opening as Snow peeks out to talk to you guys. Li Chou runs up freaking out and calling you his best friend, begging you to save him from being eaten. He screams when Snow walks up to him, and Snow asks him to calm down and have some dignity since he's also a tiger while on the stage.

 

Nomad turns up next and reminds him that this is happening because Li told the boss he wanted to be a real awesome and strong tiger instead of just pretending to be strong. Macan laughs about how he's never thought about being raised to be delicious and suggests he and Li try fighting and eating each other. Li screams and says that wasn't his plan. You either point out that Li Chou is shaking like mad, say you guys jumped into the tigers' den without realizing it, or start repeating tigers to yourself. C gets an extra line from Li where asks if you're talking about an expression involving group mentality and tigers and insists it isn't funny.

 

Tiger Man comments on how the Berserkers are here and asks Talos if the bug slime is possessing them. Talos has already done the scan and answers that he detects one inside Snow. You either slowly process what that means and seem in disbelief about it, say you had guessed as much, or say you have a bad feeling about where things are going. Snow takes another look at the party before turning back and bows to the figure hidden behind a bamboo blind. Snow says all the bridegroom candidates have arrived now and asks Kaguya to appear. Claude turns up and says he's managed things well. You either agree, say you understand and comment on Claude showing up in wedding clothes, or comment about it being the story of Princess Kaguya this time.

 

Snow starts talking about how all of you here assembled from all manner of places and ages have been acknowledged by Kaguya. He tells you guys that Kaguya wants the strongest among you to take a place next to them, and the camera briefly pans over everyone's reactions. Snow then declares that Kaguya wants the strongest companion to go on a honeymoon with, commanding everyone to offer up the greatest battle. Tiger Man decides to ignore the part about Kaguya for the moment and is excited about the part about having the greatest battle for the heavens. With a challenge like that his blood is boiling, and he turns to you saying he'll show you the officially licensed lucha libre of the luchador himself as the episode part ends.