Live A Hero Holy Night's Hot Water Front Line Episode 1

Nessen starts off narrating about his past in a casual private tone, saying he was unbearably lonely and frustrated about how the town that raised and changed him was steadily declining. There were times where he was jealous of spaceships that could travel the galaxy. There were also times where he resented the development and prosperity of space travel. Still, he knows that glaring at the sky wasn't going to bring tourists around.

 

Nessen then decides that he'll change his town into a first class tourist spot that'll be the most famous hot springs town in Japan the world the universe. It's the one thing he can think of to repay the town, even if he has to spend his whole life doing so. He swears to take on all the responsibilities for dragging the townspeople into this plan with him, and he plans to give his all to the town. And it is that emotion that brings him to stand in front of his house even today.

 

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Past the Tunnel was a Hot Springs Town.

 

Scene then tunes inside a train as the PA system starts rattling off a canned announcement about thanking everyone for boarding the Limited Odoriko Express. Then a train sales clerk walks by and asks if anyone would like to buy lunch boxes, souvenirs, drinks, sweets, or ice cream. Mokdai decides to place an order for a golden eye snapper box lunch, a fried chicken box lunch, and a specialty kiwi ice cream. He quickly pays electronically, then receives his food from the clerk.

 

Mokdai laughs to himself and says he wanted to eat a little bit more, but before he gets into any of it Akashi sighs at how much Mokdai can eat, though he admits he ate two boxes himself earlier. But that aside, he reminds Mokdai that this is a business trip instead of a personal one, so he questions if it's okay to be eating so much. Mokdai argues it's because this is a work trip that he should eat and pack on energy so that he can work hard when they get to their destination. Sui says that's fair, but she asks him to not eat so much that he goes up a size again since she only just measured him a while ago.

 

Mokdai admits she has a point, so he asks if you'll take the fried chicken lunch off his hands. Akashi questions what difference that makes, and you either comment that Mokdai always eats a lot, accept the lunch box, or say you like that he eats so much. A has extra lines where Mokdai protests that this is normal levels of eating, and that he's actually been cutting back. Sui is surprised by this and asks how eating less caused his waist size to go up in the span of a month. C also has extra lines where Mokdai blushes at hearing that and reconsiders having the fried chicken after all. Akashi however tells him not to change his mind so quick in shock and also tells you not to spoil Mokdai.

 

Huckle laughs and says there's still some time until you guys reach the next station, so he doesn't mind if you guys relax until then. He points out that Ryekie is taking a nap, and he is snoring like hell. You either nod and say he's definitely out cold, comment on how loud his snores are, or say he looks cute when he's asleep. Huckle figures it's getting to be too loud and possibly bothering the other passengers, so he whacks Ryekie to get him to wake up. Ryekie does so, shouting out in alarm about falling asleep on the job and apologizes. Huckle gets alarmed for a sec as he forgot about Ryekie being loud after waking up, then prompts him to quiet down a little.

 

Akashi changes the subject to you guys going to a hot spring town for work since every other job had been inside the city up until now. Mokdai says requests to participate in tourist area events come in from time to time, though a lot more come from amusement parks. That said, you guys are going to Orient Spring Resort, which is also a kind of theme park.

 

You ask what Orient Spring Resort is like, so Mokdai asks if you've seen the commercials before explaining that it's a theme park centered on some hot springs with an accompanying ryokan. They've got 30 different kinds of hot springs and baths, an aquarium, stores stylized after a hot spring district and a bunch of other facilities. They also get tourists from other countries and planets too.

 

Huckle adds that there aren't many tourist spots that you can get to within one stop through space transit and one hour tops travel time. The person requesting you guys this time is one of the managers of the ryokan named Mochizuki. He's also the manager for the entire resort, and he's going to be asking you guys to handle one of the Christmas events happening tomorrow.

 

You comment that having Christmas at a hot springs doesn't seem fitting. Akashi agrees that it's weird too as he asks why a Japanese styled tourist spot would have Christmas stuff. Huckle shrugs, but he suggests that it's normal for tourist spots to host seasonal events about relaxing after the year's hardships to bring in customers. There's a bunch of them coming in fact. Ryekie adds that children are looking forward to seeing him, so it's not like they have any reason to say no to this. He was also told that he doesn't need to fight to do this, so he fires himself up to please the crowds.

 

You ask about Ryekie still not being able to transform due to his injury. Huckle says that even if Ryekie can't transform, he can still put on the suit and look the part. That's why they had Sui replicate Ryekie's hero suit. Ryekie looks sad, and you can either ask him what's wrong or say nothing. A gets an extra bit where Ryekie is surprised you noticed and loudly claims that nothing is wrong.

 

Sui is uncomfortable and wonders if it's okay for her to join you guys on your business trip. Huckle says she may as well since she's here. This is also appreciation on their end for her getting Ryekie's suit made by tomorrow. If they take into account that they got a discount since Ryekie can't fight right now, they're making up for the difference by paying for a night's stay for Sui. Why not enjoy the occasion? You comment that relaxing at an inn and hot springs sound great, say you'd like to relax and soak in the hot water, or say it's a chance to relieve the day's stress.

 

Sui seems to accept the reasoning, but she still worries about her work. Mokdai informs her that Maculata/Begonia(?) had asked you guys to take Sui with you. He also quotes her telling Sui to go spread her wings since she'd otherwise spend all day thinking about work if she left her alone. Sui is surprised her master did that, though she mentions she would get mad and tell her to take a vacation already sometimes. Akashi says she should take a break since her boss is saying so, then mentions he goes on break after he does his term tests. Sui expresses her surprise out loud that Akashi actually attends college, which offends him as he demands to know if she's picking a fight.

 

Ryekie laughs as he says he's excited since they never could have had an end of year party with only three people in the agency. He loudly suggests celebrating all your efforts together and enjoy things. Huckle tries getting Ryekie to quiet down again, so Ryekie apologizes for getting loud when he gets excited. Other passengers have taken notice, and a few come up to ask if Ryekie is Justice and to ask for his autograph. One guy even asks Ryekie to sign the back of his shirt. Huckle sighs about this being why he wanted Ryekie to keep his voice down, and you comment on how popular Ryekie is. Ryekie agrees to do some autographs, then asks people to form a line. Huckle considers lecturing him, but then he starts figuring that might not work coming from another guy of the same age.

 

Eventually the party reaches the resort town, where plenty of visitors are walking around while the whole town has been made part of the theme park. A lot of inn buildings have been built into the mountains to the point it looks like an old castle, and in the middle of the stone paved plaza heavily done up for the Japanese aesthetics is one glaringly out of place object. You express shock at the Christmas tree being there and note how big it is. Sui is also taken aback at how jarring it is with everything else, but on its own it's nice. Akashi needs a moment to process it but thinks it's refreshing how in your face it is about not fitting with everything else.

 

A voice from offscreen starts talking to you guys and asking if you're all surprised, then says they were surprised too when it first showed up. Nessen then walks up to the party, appearing from out of the crowds and getting described as a man with nice horns. He bows deeply to you all in his Christmas colored happi with a gentle smile on his face. Nessen asks if you're all with Parallel Flight and welcomes you to Orient Spring Resort. He introduces himself as Mochizuki Nessen, the one who put in the job request, the manager of the Mochizuki Inn, and the manager of the whole theme park.

 

Huckle introduces himself back to Nessen as the company director and thanks him for hiring you guys. Ryekie follows suit and introduces himself by his hero name, though he does this so loudly that Huckle has to tell him to quiet down again since he's drawing attention. Nessen observes that Ryekie is a lot bigger than videos make him look as well as how loud he is, so Huckle apologizes and says he's been trying to get him to lower his voice all day. Nessen doesn't mind though, and he actually thinks it's more appropriate. He says an energetic greeting is important, and he's looking forward to tomorrow's show.

 

The rest of the party takes turns in introducing themselves to Nessen, and Nessen politely repeats everyone's names to himself as he smiles. Mokdai comments on how polite Nessen is after that's done, which he figures should be expected from a large hotel operator. Sui says she should learn from him since her teacher has often told her to speak the polite formal mode the right way. You either comment that Nessen seems kind, say he looked scary at first glance, or say that he's well built. In A, Akashi agrees and mentions how crazy the gap is since he thought he looked scary at first. In B, Akashi agrees as he says the horns make Nessen look imposing. In C, Nessen reveals he can hear you despite being a bit further away. He thanks you, though he explains he inherited it from his parents. Akashi is shocked he can hear from that far away.

 

In any case, Nessen laughs and says he's been told that a lot. Even his hotel workers have told him that the difference between first impressions and their later thoughts are mind boggling. Akashi freaks out at Nessen overhearing you guys and apologizes, but Nessen waves it off and says being told he's polite in talking with customers is a delightful thing to hear. Mokdai is also surprised that Nessen could hear him despite Nessen talking with Huckle and Ryekie at the time and Mokdai being further away.

 

Nessen apologizes and says it's become a habit since listening to how customers feel is their job as a hotel man. Akashi hesitates for a moment but decides to ask straight up if Nessen is an alien. He has a Japanese Earthling's name, but he doesn't quite look the part. Nessen explains that he's half-alien. His mother is Japanese while his father is an alien race that has horns. Also he inherited the inn from his mother. The horns did give him a lot of grief in the past, but now he treasures them he says as he rubs them.

 

You try to ask Nessen what he meant by grief, but Nessen changes the subject to say he shouldn't be standing there and gabbing with you guys outside, so he suggests going somewhere else to discuss the job for tomorrow. Nessen says he'll show you guys to your rooms and offers to carry your luggage, then asks you guys to follow him. Huckle is a little taken aback as he agrees, though he tries talking Nessen out of carrying your stuff since it's a bit much for one person. Nessen says it's no trouble and proceeds to grab everyone's bags and carries (or rather holds around) it all as he leads the way.

 

Ryekie is surprised and comments on Nessen's sense of balance to be carrying his suit, Mokdai's camera, and all the fragile machinery with no issue. Mokdai is surprised at how strong Nessen is, saying his stuff is heavier than usual since he brought extra clothes. Huckle suddenly senses something and looks around. Ryekie notices and asks what's up, so Huckle says it's nothing and wonders if he was imagining it.

 

Time passes as the party goes over to the Mochizuki Inn, which has a big sign with its name outside, and goes down a hallway with a beautiful garden view. Nessen explains that you guys have six special rooms in the hotel annex set up for you all, though he apologizes for it being a little far. If you want to go to the baths, every room has their own private open air baths aside from any of the big baths in the resort you want to use. There's also a big bath and reserved bath in this building and floor that you can use if you like.

 

Ryekie comments on all the baths available and says he's not sure where to start. Nessen explains that there's a map in the rooms that explains the baths, so you can take a look at that since the water quality is different between them. Nessen also mentions that it takes him about a week to visit them all even with him taking five baths a day. Ryekie is shocked by this, and you either suggest this is too many baths, note that Nessen must like bathing, or say you want to bathe with him. A and B has Nessen laugh and say it's been a habit since he was young. If he doesn't bathe no matter how busy he is, he can't relax. Akashi suggests that something might be wrong with him to go that often. In C, Nessen is surprised but he says he doesn't mind. Huckle is shocked as he tells you not to bother your clients.

 

Suddenly Mokdai tells you to stop and look ahead of you. This isn't enough warning to stop you as you turn to look, at which point you bump into someone coming out from an adjacent hallway. She screams, so you apologize and ask if she's okay. The lady you bump into apologizes too as she gets back up, saying she was distracted checking her mail. Sui takes note of the lab coat lady's skin color and wonders if she's a Lunarian too. The lady says she's fine and asks if you're hurt, so you either say you're okay or comment on how pretty she is. In A, she smiles and says that's good. In B, she's surprised but thanks you for the comment.

 

Anyways, a voice calls out to the lady calling her Flamier-sensei asking her to send a text saying she's here when she did get there. Akashi recognizes the voice in some surprise, and Kyoichi shows up, surprised to see you here and asking why you are. You either make an observation that he's here or move to greet him with some body contact. The latter gets an extra bit where Kyoichi is okay with this as he calls you forward and moves to touch you too, but Akashi interrupts in shock to say you guys are in public.

 

Kyoichi notices Akashi is here too and comments on him having a nice ass today, but Akashi cuts him off by elbowing him. Huckle is scandalized by this, so Akashi apologizes and says his elbow just flew out on its own. Flamier asks Kyoichi if he's okay, and Kyoichi answers that he's okay and that this is business as usual. You ask about Flamier and ask if she's one of Kyoichi's coworkers.

 

Kyoichi takes a second to process your question before answering that Flamier teaches chemistry in a high school on the moon. Flamier then greets everyone as just Flamier and says it's nice to meet you all. Huckle knows of her and asks about her being a hero, so she confirms as much and says she's also a member of Heroic Educators. She recognizes you all as Parallel Flight and says she often hears about you guys.

 

Kyoichi explains that Heroic Educators's heroes are having an end of the year party here, and the rest of them are in the baths. Nessen adds that Heroic Educators visits every year, though there's fewer of them this year. Kyoichi says the rest of them couldn't make it due to whatever circumstances they have going on, and aside from Flamier everyone here is someone you've already met. Mokdai thinks on that and asks if that means Shouen and Toshu are here. Kyoichi confirms that and says you can probably see them if you go into the big bath right now. You either comment that everyone's here, think their hair might be sticking up or something, or get excited at the thought of joining them in the baths.

 

Akashi gets pensive as he says he'll go to the baths later since he doesn't want to run into Toshu. Toshu walks up behind Akashi and asks why he doesn't want to go in if he's there, and you either note that he's here, comment on the fresh out of the bath smell he has, or go play with his mane. C gets an extra bit where Toshu asks you to stop since he's trying to talk to Akashi, but he purrs all the same.

 

Akashi freaks out at seeing Toshu and stammers for a bit before throwing out an apology as he runs off. Ryekie asks in shock where Akashi is going, and Toshu tells Akashi to stop and asks if this is about the end of term martial arts report. Toshu says he needs to talk to him about that, and he also tells Akashi to stop running in the halls as he powerwalks after him. Sui wonders aloud if Akashi actually goes to school after Toshu leaves.

 

Kyoichi wonders if Akashi halfassed another report again and compares it to what he sees at the elementary school he works at. Flamier just giggles and says it's fine, so Kyoichi tells her that Akashi is 21, so he's not a kid anymore. Shouen walks over and makes a haiku about having come out of the bath without using any seasonal words, and you either point out he's there, compliment his poetry skills, or enjoy the sight of his washed stomach aloud. C surprises Shouen since he doesn't know how to respond, so Huckle says he can complain if he wants and that he'll warn you either way.

 

Ryekie comments on the coincidence of meeting all the Earth-based heroes of Heroic Educators here, then asks how the baths are since you guys will probably go in when you find some time. Shouen says the water's great, what with the cool gentle water quality being soft on their fur. He starts trailing off about something else after a moment, so you prompt him to go on. Nessen also asks if there's something wrong with the water, so Shouen says it wasn't that. Instead, he says he feels some sort of strange presence within the fenced area of the open air baths.

 

Nessen asks about this feeling, so Shouen says he looked but didn't find anything, so it might be his imagination. Still, he's been feeling some unease like he does before a battle all day, like he's about to go fight some Kaibutsu. Huckle puts a hand up to his chin as a stern expression shows on his face, and he thinks to himself that he wasn't the only one to sense it. Since this is a tourist spot, he wishes it was just his imagination though.

 

You notice Huckle thinking, so you ask him what's wrong. Huckle decides to say it's nothing, though he does tell you to not let your guard down too much for today and tomorrow. If it comes to it, you should be able to feel it too. Scene then shifts to elsewhere in the inn at the same time as a small Kaibutsu shows up at a large bath, and the episode ends as a random customer screams at it.