We pick up from before as we tune in to Toshigami crying and asking what's going on. As a reminder, energy from leylines is flowing into Toshigami and making him giant sized, and every time he moves he ends up hitting the party with wind pressure. You try to withstand it as you note how strong it is, which is strong enough to prevent you guys from getting any closer. Gyumao figures he's the only one able to do something against someone that big as he slips back to his gangster persona before activating his NP, then tells you all to get behind him.
Toshigami freaks out at the scary cowman showing up, and Ahab expresses surprise at Gyumao being able to do the same thing Aegir can. Shennong stays focused on the matter at hand and notes that with Toshigami's movements stopped, you and Wakan Tanka can charge in. Wakan laughs after a second, which prompts you to ask him why. Wakan answers that he's running together with you, which is making him incredibly happy. He then says to you that you guys should go on to the beginning of a new path. You tell him you don't get what he means, but you nod along and agree with the latter point.
Meanwhile, Toshigami tries telling Gyumao to let go of him, but Gyumao tells him to sit still for a sec and urges you to move. You call out the activation of your power to cut the connection between Toshigami and the leyline (how you know to do this is a mystery to me), but the moment you try to materialize your artifact it slips through your butterfingers and gets tossed into the distance to the shock of the entire party. It also falls onto the kagami mochi you guys brought with you, and you find you can't pull your sword out of it. Wakan Tanka however tells you not to stop and refers to you as his lightning since you guys have to open up a path, but you start to argue that you can't use your power without your sword until you have a flashback to Shennong explaining about how the decorations around kagami mochi are patterned after the three imperial regalia of Japan (one of which is a sword).
Once you remember what items comprise the imperial regalia, which narration says you either only recently heard of somewhere or had always known from some time, you continue running forward, sword in hand with mochi still stuck on it. Shennong is baffled you're getting ready to attack like that, and you go on ahead and call out your NP. Everyone in the party is dumbfounded you did so while Toshigami casually notes that he recognizes the light coming from your sword as coming from Gozu Tennoh's...wife I presume since he trails off on that.
Narration starts talking about how there are many Toshigami out there in every region in the land who protect those areas and give blessings on New Year's. Part of their power/Authority comes from the belief in Gozu Tennoh's wife Harisainyo. Narration also mentions that Gozu Tennoh's syncretized manifestation is Susanoo, the one who possesses a dragon tail sword.
But anyways, you succeed at cutting Toshigami off from the land's leyline. He immediately shrinks to a more normal size to Gyumao's surprise, and as he falls to the ground Wakan Tanka keeps running forward. He says he saw the path he should take as he activates his NP, and the light of his artifact guides him forward. This eventually puts him in a position to gently catch Toshigami, who is surprised that Wakan came to help him. Wakan answers that he wanted to talk to him, the isolated spirit bound to the earth. Wakan also tells Toshigami that he and the rest of the party isn't his enemy and asks him to believe him. Toshigami is caught off guard by this, and Wakan says he knows how hard Toshigami tried to protect the land and made an unfortunate mistake. Toshigami reacts by bursting into tears like a baby.
Time passes to the point where Wakan Tanka comes back holding Toshigami in his arms. He announces his return to the party and then to you. You welcome him back and ask if that kid really is Toshigami, so Toshigami answers himself and says he's one of the Toshigami, entrusted with the protection and prosperity of this mountain area. He doesn't remember what his actual name is, so he asks you all to just call him Toshigami. Ahab asks about a little squirt like him turning huge through the power of the leyline, then comments on not getting what happens on land and that he's more suited to being on a ship.
Asterios notes that the huge mass of power has flowed back to the bottom of the land, and Shennong says it looks like some strange connection caused Toshigami to link to a more volatile part of the leyline. He's been cut off from it now though so it'll be fine, though now it's time to talk about Toshigami himself. Toshigami looks apologetic, and Gyumao is quiet. You try to talk to Gyumao and speak up in Toshigami's defense, and Gyumao eventually prompts Toshigami to explain himself in his own words what he was doing to everyone.
Toshigami explains in some trepidation that he thought that someone was trying to take over the inn again, so he thought he could scare you guys away. Gyumao asks if that's what all those issues that popped up were all about, which Toshigami admits to. Gyumao says they talked to the inn people earlier and asks if that was a misunderstanding. Toshigami agrees after a moment, so Gyumao says there's something he ought to be saying then for all those problems. Toshigami shrinks back prompting Taurus Mask to try to talk Gyumao into lightening up.
You call out to Gyumao or tell Taurus Mask it's okay, and Gyumao's assistant also says it's fine; things just need to go through the proper channels. Toshigami apologizes for what he's done, so Gyumao forgives him. Toshigami was expecting to be hit or yelled at and reacts accordingly until he processes what Gyumao said. Gyumao picks Toshigami up and sticks him on his shoulders as he smiles broadly. He talks about how Toshigami did what he did to protect the inn so that the original owners and crew could come back, then says that putting your body on the line to protect your friends and family is the Gyumao Family creed. He also adds that having a Toshigami show up in the beginning of the year is the best sign of good luck, though he laughs that having a herd of ox like them should be just as good.
Toshigami is surprised to the point he's having some trouble keeping up and asks if you're all really forgiving him, then asks if the original owners are coming back. Gyumao swears upon his name, then says that the workers are in the middle of recuperating. He also laughs that with his Gyumao brand exercising, a strained back or slipped disk will be nothing and that the owner will be fine in no time. Toshigami's slime minions jiggle around, and he nods at them saying you guys weren't bad people at all and that the old workers will be coming back.
Gyumao turns the topic to business for a moment and asks if Toshigami will stay as he is to protect the inn and the land, saying it'd be a huge help. Toshigami smiles and nods. Gyumao approves of the fast response and declares him a blood brother, so you either comment on surprise at how quickly he did that or ask if there'll be a problem if there's too many blood brothers around.
Gyumao laughs and tells everyone to come closer since they're all part of his family. Shennong points out that since the main points are covered, you guys ought to hurry on since sunrise will be happening soon. Gyumao asks if it's that time already, then tells everyone to follow him. Wakan Tanka invites Toshigami along as he calls him a buffalo. Taurus Mask also prompts everyone to hurry along and offers to carry Toshigami on his back. Toshigami is surprised by this and asks if it's okay for him to go too. Ahab mentions not understanding what the hell people are talking about, but he says having more good luck signs is a good thing. Marduk calls it the fresh new year's beginning visit from Buddha (despite not coming from Buddhist beliefs) to welcome the dead's spirits and tells Toshigami to come too. Toshigami excitedly agrees.
Gyumao calls to you guys and tells you that Asterios and the others have made warm drinks for everyone and asks if anyone wants any here in the cold mountain top. Asterios offers Toshigami some hot milk and asks if he can drink it, so Toshigami thanks him. Asterios nods and warns him to be careful since it's hot. Gyumao talks to Ahab and notices the smell around him, so Ahab comments on him having a good nose to notice the bit of booze he always brings around with him. Ahab says this is a lucky place, so it'd be a waste to be here sober. And since it's New Year's he offers to share some with Gyumao.
Gyumao laughs and accepts, then compliments Ahab on his leadership earlier. He talks about how he's heard Ahab is part of Toyosu Marine Academy doing sea training and oceanic fieldwork with his skills, then mentions how Roppongi has plans to do some business development in Tokyo Bay. He doesn't know much about the sea though, so he asks if Ahab would help him with that, remembering to switch back to his polite business persona at this point.
Ahab snorts and says he's just a sailor, then tells Gyumao to take up business talks with Aegir or development talks with Dagon. He does admit an interest in Tokyo Bay as he says it has too many strange parts too it. Gyumao says that's reassuring to hear, then turns to Shennong to ask if he's interested in being a ship doctor for a cruise liner he's hiring people for. Shennong laughs at how business minded Gyumao is, then tells him he'll think about it if his students get on board.
Toshigami is having some of his hot milk and comments on how warm it is, so you ask him how the milk is and talk about the sunrise being nice. Toshigami takes a moment to remember your name as he thanks you for helping him earlier. He talks about how things would be different if he had tried talking to you guys in the beginning, and you respond by either denying it, apologizing for scaring him, or say you're happy to talk like this.
Toshigami stays quiet, and the sunrise's light falls upon him. A transformation occurs, and Toshigami's clothes get switched out for New Year's formal wear. He recognizes it as the things the inn workers put together for him. Gyumao notes his surprise at that, then says it's a good thing he brought what he did just in case. In his hand is the paulownia wood box that's opened up, and you tell Toshigami he looks good in those clothes and/or(?) wonder if they're meant for him. Toshigami starts crying, then says he wants to see the owner, hostess, and all the workers again. His slime minions draw closer to him as if to watch over him.
Some time passes, and Gyumao suggests it's time to pray to the sunrise for your hopes, dreams, and good health. Everyone prays silently and fervently with their own thoughts, and the only sounds that people hear is the blowing of the wind. You pray towards the sunrise as well, and eventually Gyumao, Wakan Tanka, and Shennong all suggest doing the Tokyo thing and visit a shrine or whatever.
Time passes some more, and Taurus Mask comments on how you guys are seeing more and more people as you descend. Gyumao explains that the mountain you guys were on is his company's private property, so it'd be surprising if anyone waltzed in. Tetsugyuu then notices that Gyumao's assistant is gone and asks where he went, so Gyumao answers that he unfortunately had other work to attend to. They'll visit a shrine some other time. Gyumao then declares it's free time for everyone and says he'll go see the shrine priest. Wakan Tanka asks what you'll do and invites you to come with him if you'd like. You can either choose to go with either of them to see their event special scenes, or go see what the others in the party are thinking.
I'll get to the individual scenes in a moment, but if you pick C here, Shennong wonders aloud about what he'll do before inviting you to go visit the shrine with him. Ahab comments on being bored and considers getting booze because it's 5 o clock somewhere. He then hears about amazake and wonders if there's any of that around. The choices come up to see either of their scenes or to cycle through the party again. The third set has Taurus Mask and Tetsugyuu. Taurus Mask considers buying some charms, though he's not sure whether he should pick victory or safety. Tetsugyuu meanwhile is hungry and considers buying something from the stalls as he invites you to go with him.
The fourth set has Asterios and Marduk. Asterios says he's not good with crowded places and will be somewhere a bit distanced and asks you to call him when it's time to go. Marduk looks surprised as he asks about this being a sort of festival and welcoming gate for something great. He considers bringing Teda with him next time as he asks you if you'll show him around. C loops the choices back to Gyumao and Wakan Tanka while D is the choice to skip the extra scenes or stop if you've seen them all already. So a reminder (Gyumao and Wakan Tanka), (Shennong and Ahab), (Taurus Mask and Tetsugyuu), and (Asterios and Marduk). The choices to see someone's scene comes up again once you're done with one person's bit, and also these lead-ins won't play if you pick someone early on. I'll be doing these scenes in the given order.
In Gyumao's scene, Gyumao starts by apologizing for keeping you waiting as he says he offered some new kagami mochi, and now the job is finished. He comments that it doesn't happen much for him to be done with work while the sun is out, then says he's feeling great. Gyumao notes that there's still some time before needing to regroup, so he drops the business persona as he invites you to linger with him for a bit. You actually ask about him stopping with the business talk for the moment, so he laughs and asks if you really mind that much. He assures you he'll go back to it soon after leaving this place.
Gyumao admits to being surprised at how much he slipped back to his old roughhousing moods. When he's on a mountain where hot things boil up, he starts remembering old memories and the days he spent with his blood brothers. But anyways he says he's having fun now because he has his underlings, and he has you too. Gyumao talks about how with his business talks done, he can finally have some more private talks. He tells you how his apartment/room has an order of 30 boxes of osechi like a mountain, and he asks you to spend a bit more time with him while he's in this mood as you two quietly hold hands among the crowd as his scene ends.
Wakan Tanka's scene starts with him talking about how nice it is to come down from somewhere high to walk on the ground and pray with other people. He looks deeply moved for a moment and seems to remember something from long ago as he looks around, then comments that you're here with him now, which he's happy about more than anything. You two get bumped into each other, surprising Wakan as he asks if you're okay and commenting on how the crowds can jostle people.
Wakan Tanka then says he's got a good idea and suggests you guys stand shoulder to shoulder in a scrum. He then tells you to put your hands to his waist or his shoulder to stick close to him and not get separated. Whatever you apparently do, Wakan approves and asks you not to go away somewhere. He notes it's almost your guys' turn at the front of the line, at which point you ask what he's wishing for. He has to think about it for a second, then says he wishes that the two of you can welcome spring together, which is something he says he's always wishing for. The scene then ends as the two of you gently hold hands.
In Shennong's scene, Shennong comments on how many people are around and wonders if that many people are here to wish for good luck or good health. Shennong then notices that there are fortune sticks around, which he remembers are called omikuji in Tokyo. He suggests pulling one since it's there, then offers to treat you to a draw that he asks that you keep a secret from everyone else.
You two pull, and Shennong looks at his curiously. He then mentions hearing that this shrine is supposed to be good with love fortunes. He figures a student like you would be interested in something like that, though he's interrupted when someone bumps you which then makes you bump into him. Shennong comments on how dangerous it is to have so many people around as he tells you to stay close to him. He makes a point of saying he's not treating you as a child, but rather the opposite of that. The two of you then gently hold hands as his scene ends.
In Ahab's scene, he's already tipsy as he calls you over to him. He denies being totally drunk off the amazake which is supposed to be light on alcohol content, all the while hiccuping from it. Ahab talks about getting a fortune for his next sailing voyage somewhere, and he plans on going back to his anchored ship to sleep once things are done. He's surprised when you ask to go with him and worries that you have no one else to hang out with. He shrugs and agrees to look after you, though before that he says there's still the shrine visit to do first. Ahab then tells you not to get separated from him in the crowd, and the two of you hold hands as the scene ends.
In Taurus Mask's scene, Daisuke has at some point taken off his mask as he talks about his determination about how this will be the year he gets over his stage fright. He mentions hearing that the prayer you make on a New Year's shrine visit is better done as a vow rather than a request, which is why he took off his mask. He cuts himself off midsentence when he notices you there and pretends this meeting is totally a coincidence. Taurus Mask? Oh is he here? Daisuke claims he's here to visit the shrine without a mask on so that he can do his best at the last match for the third years when he decides to backtrack and say it's nothing.
Daisuke makes an observation of how big the crowd is, at which point someone bumps into you. Daisuke quickly moves to catch you, and after that's dealt with Daisuke quickly starts apologizing and saying he didn't mean to do that. You tell him that you're going to visit the shrine too, so Daisuke tells you to wait since it'll be dangerous to go alone. He offers to go with you and asks to take your hand, so the two of you hold hands and go as his scene ends.
For Tetsugyuu's scene, Tetsugyuu comes back and tells you he got a three item set of yakisoba, takoyaki, and hot dogs on a stick. He then notes how crowded the place is and offers to grab some seats. You tell him he can't go scaring people out of theirs, so he laughs about how well you know him. Tetsugyuu then suggests sitting over at the curb, by which he means he sits on the curb and you sit in his lap. He hands you some chopsticks, then asks what you'd like as a drink. There is some alcohol, but there's also juice around too.
The two of you settle down to eat, and Tetsugyuu talks about how nice the food is and how lucky it is for the two of you to be alone together. Speaking of, Tetsugyuu invites you to eat out with him during the New Year's period in Kabukicho and says some of the Outlaws have recommended a place to him. He insists on making it a promise and gets excited at the idea, smiling innocently at you. You notice some red ginger on his face and move to get it off. Tetsugyuu is confused at first before laughing about how you're always treating him as a kid. But now that you're both done eating he suggests getting in line for the shrine, and he tells you his wish is to stay with you forever. The wording he uses specifically means married for life. The two of you then hold hands as you go, and his scene ends.
In Asterios's scene, Asterios is surprised you came with him since he figures you'd have more fun being with the others. When you deny that, Asterios calls you a weirdo who's always like that. He then asks if you want to get something to drink since it can be cold in the mountains. Asterios goes through his bags and pulls out a gas cooker he's lugging around for some reason, and he starts talking about some guy he once met in the mountains who taught him about camping. Ever since then he's liked mountains, and the chirps of birds, the running of water, and the rustling of plants make him not feel lonely. He invites you to come with him next time, saying you wouldn't turn things into a loud commotion.
Narration notes that Asterios is speaking casually and not actually looking at you as he works, and soon he's finished with his cooking. Asterios says he couldn't bring it out earlier because there were too many people, then hands you the soup he made. He mentions only having the one cup though, so he asks if it's okay to share the thing. You bring up the idea of an indirect kiss, which flusters Asterios as he tells you to stop being stupid and drink the damn soup. You respond by telling him he's loud, so he apologizes and laughs, and the two of you hold hands as his scene ends.
Finally, in Marduk's scene Marduk starts off talking to himself about the customs at a shrine, like the belief that you shouldn't walk down the center of a shrine's road since that's where gods and other things walk. He comments on how seeing and hearing that is new to him and compares himself to a newborn baby. He then takes notice of you and refers to you as the reincarnation of his archenemy who once ate him, Tiamat. He says he's never thought that after the days he would run into you and fight you, he'd be spending time with you like this.
Still, Marduk notes that people change just like anything else, and he compares this to a new sun greeting a new year. Marduk then asks you to teach him the customs of Tokyo and how he ought to behave as the hero of the sun. What is he supposed to fight against as a hero and warrior? It's something he thought about going over again with you here at the beginning of the year. And so the two of you hold hands as you head into the crowds and his extra scene ends.
Once you're done seeing the scenes you want to see, the party heads back to the inn. You announce that you're back and that you're hungry, then notice that someone else is here and ask about them. The gang turns out to be present as Ryouta welcomes you guys back and greets you a happy new year. Shirou says you did well in climbing the mountains and figures it must've been cold. He tells you the food is ready and says the rest of them helped out. Kengo comments on how nice it is to have a bath you can swim in and invites you to go with him again later. Moritaka greets you a happy New Year's and does the customary formal greetings. Gullinbursti has turned up and adds his New Year's greetings, and Touji says they finally made it. He sees Toshigami next to you and says a lot of things must have happened as he guesses as much in his head.
When you guys get to banquet hall, Benten asks who the little kid is and wonders if someone here knows him or if he's already a customer. Gyumao introduces Toshigami as his new business partner who'll help make the business prosper with everyone. Toshigami turns to Ebisu and starts trying to talk to him, so when Ebisu asks what's up, Toshigami thanks him for the soba saying it was good and asks for another offering of it some time. Ebisu tells him he's welcome and is glad he liked it, then laughs to himself.
Agyou starts talking to you next and says you've finally come, then tells you they've finished cleaning up the safe house. You are surprised to see everyone here, including Agyou and Gullinbursti. You then ask how it is they're here, so Shirou tells Gyumao snuck over to explain things to the gang while the rest of you were getting on the bus. A flashback kicks in where Gyumao tells the gang he'd like them to come and gives them bus fare. He thanks them for their kindness, though he says he also wants them to treasure their time with you too. If they can help him out with stuff after they're done with their business, he'll be glad about that. He also offers to pay the guys for doing so, then excuses himself and says he'll be waiting for them at the inn.
Back to the present, Ryouta talks about how that was how they got their travel expenses to get here, then adds that the rest of them wanted to see the new year with you too. Moritaka says they're here now because they took up Gyumao's offer as he asks you to come over. Touji tells you to put out your glass as he'll pour a drink for you out of appreciation, and he assures you it's just juice. Gyumao asks if everyone else has their glass too, then raises a toast to the health, prosperity, and bright future for everyone this year, and everyone yells Happy New Year's in unison.
Gyumao starts laughing as he calls the party a lavish feast and starts handing out New Year's money, which he says is also the part time wages. Kengo laughs to himself about it being worth it to come out here, then gets indignant when Shirou takes his out of his hands. Shirou tells him the guild will hang onto it since Kengo never actually paid back what he owes for buying workout equipment with guild funds on his own.
Taurus Mask looks over the osechi dishes and says it's all very lucky, then says he'll be winning the spring match ups for sure. Taurus Mask then turns to you and starts asking if you've heard about the origins and meanings behind some of the dishes. Ebisu mentions that Taurus Mask helped out with some of the cooking, especially the ozoni rice cakes, and he says it's nice how large they are. Ahab meanwhile is drinking again, and he says the food goes great as snacks and orders someone to bring him more booze.
Some time later, Ryouta cheers about getting into the hot springs in the beginning of the year and calls it lucky. Asterios tries to warn Ryouta against going in all of a sudden because of the slimes inside, but he's too late as the things start tickling Ryouta. Ryouta laughs and attempts to stop them from going inside his towel or something. Asterios sighs and says that startling the slimes like that will cause them to swarm you. In the meantime, Ryouta has pulled Touji in with him as the latter unsuccessfully tells him to stop.
Asterios shakes his head at how loud the two are, and the topic reminds him to wonder where that one guy went. Asterios then notices Daisuke around, who is taken aback and says he left his mask behind since he thought no one would be here yet. Asterios thinks Daisuke is just some random customer, though he does get the feeling he's seen him before. Daisuke attempts to deny it before his shyness gets the better of him and he pleads for Asterios to not look at him. Asterios sympathizes with him and invites Daisuke to come talk with him for a bit.
Shennong is in the hot springs and comments on how amazing the Flaming Mountain brand filtration device is, then tells Gyumao he never thought he could get in the same pool as everyone before when he couldn't even touch anyone. Gyumao laughs and says he's thankful he can demonstrate his new product working, though he does ask for Shennong to lend his medical expertise to help improve it. Shennong agrees, then raises a small toast to him.
Some time later you're outside with Solomon as he says it's time to fly kites. He brags about wanting to show you Kite Flying Rank 3 Certifaction skills before Snow and Cait Sith come by. Shennong is also flying a kite as he talks aloud about relaxing himself and not going against the wind. Benten is impressed by him and takes it upon herself to show off too by reading the flow of things. Tetsugyuu notes that everyone else is doing well with it while he's having problems trying to not brute force his kite flying. Not even five seconds later his kite is on the verge of tearing up, so Moritaka shows him how to handle it more delicately. Tetsuguu gives it a try, then gets excited when it starts working and asks if you were watching.
Gouryou is around and comments on not liking manual labor, but he doesn't mind it so much for making mochi. Toshigami is also trying to lift the mallet, but he's struggling to do so and is frustrated Gouryou is making it look so easy. Agyou goes over to help him, so the two of them start swinging the mallet together.
Wakan Tanka is over at the vantage point again and talks about how it's been a fun, lively start of the year. You ask him what's up and ask about what he wanted to talk about, so Wakan starts saying January is the season that tells him the times he'll spending with you are almost at an end. Everything changes regardless of what you think of it as time always moves forward. Still, Wakan says that no matter what happens next, the time he spent with you still meant something. He asks that you remember that this shivering joy was here, so you either nod, tilt your head, or stare at him. Wakan says it's fine either way since it'll still hold meaning someday even if you don't understand now. He then says everyone is waiting, so he suggests going together to the new year. He takes your hand as the two of you run off, and so the beginning of the new year comes and goes. The End.
ok with the christmas and new year events posted of housamo and LaH. can we go back to chapter 11 were we left?
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