Live A Hero Gorou's CQ: Ties to the World of Sobriety

In the past on a certain planet, a city and its surrounding area was devastated by the appearance of a gigantic Kaibutsu. What then became a mountain of rubble was filled with the groans and cries of the people who lived there. Among the wreckage is the ruins of a certain house, and one man is digging hard through the damage and shouting with no regards to himself. Gorou is yelling for anyone there to respond to him, desperate to know that they still live. He claims fault for building a house that could be wrecked like this, so he begs for them to be okay.

 

Eventually Gorou manages to find a small arm and hand poking out with a similar build to his own, only faintly moving. Gorou recognizes this hand as belonging to his son Kame, and he tells him he's coming to dig him out from all the heavy rubble, but this determination soon crumbles into grieved sobbing. Gorou cries out to the sky as great big tears stream from his face, and he holds this just crushed arm to himself. This was the day that man's happy life came crashing down and led to the beginning of his drink-stained days. And this was the day that spurred the man to become a hero.

 

We then tune to the present from our end as you make your way to Procy's bar, commenting on how strong the wind is today. The layout of the buildings makes the wind force annoyingly higher, and you push your way through it as you push through to the basement door that leads to the pub. Once inside, Gomeisa welcomes you and informs you that you've got some trash on your shoulder. You greet Gomeisa good afternoon before noticing the bit of rubbish, and Gomeisa comments on how strong the wind is to blow in like that even though the business is beneath the soil. Procy insists that Gomeisa refer to the place as being underground instead of under the soil since that sounds like bad juju, and he's noted to be in a bad mood for some reason. He gives a perfunctory welcome as he asks if you're here to use the gacha do some Ether Searching before saying you've come at a good time. You either ask him what he means or ask if you're unwelcome here. B gets an extra line where Procy clarifies that it's someone else who's unwelcome.

 

Anyways, Procy points to Vodka Drunkenski out cold further down the counter and asks about him being employed by you guys before asking you to do something about him. Gorou's fuzzy ass is slumped across the counter as he snores like a lumberjack, and you react with mild disappointment as you say this was where he went off to. He had been dispatched yesterday and came all the way to Earth. Since he had already checked out of his hotel lodgings, everyone in your office thought he went back home.

 

Procy tells you that Gorou turned up last night before closing time, and he initially thought Gorou was drunk off his ass only to find him like that. Then Procy had to stay there all night. You apologize to Procy and attempt to wake Gorou up, and Gorou gets up with a start before noticing that it's you. He then gets flattered as he asks if you came looking for him because you wanted to see him. He hugs you while seeming sleepy still, reeking of booze. You either react to the smell, comment that he's still drunk, or say you're kind of happy about this. C prompts an extra line as Procy asks why you look happy and asks if you're some kind of masochist to like being hugged by drunkards.

 

Procy demands that you guys take any flirting outside, then tells Gorou it's already past closing so he should pay his tab and get out. Gorou needs a second to put that through his head before apologizing, saying the food and drink here is so good he made himself comfortable. He starts to reach for his wallet, only to react in confusion. You ask him what's wrong or get a bad feeling about this, and when you look into Gorou's wallet the thing is empty. Gorou treats this as a mildly concerning thing whereas Procy demands to know if Gorou came for drinks while broke. Gorou insists he totally had a ton of cash before he went drinking, and he remembers swinging by a bunch of different places before wondering if he made a mistake with one of the bills somewhere.

 

Procy remembers something and gets an idea as to what happened, then asks if Gorou spent all his money at That Place he complained had ripped him off. Gorou remembers about this too and mentions that they stuck stuff like special rates and extension fees onto his bill. Procy calls him a dumb lecher before saying he's pretty damn sure Gorou used up all his money over there and smacking him. Gorou tries to excuse himself saying he can't hold back from his wants and begs for forgiveness. Gomeisa is confused as he turns to ask you what That Place is like, so you can either feign ignorance, be shocked he's asking you that, or offer to tell him next time. A and B has Procy telling Gomeisa not to ask about that. C instead has Procy tell you off and demand that you not tell Gomeisa what that means. But anyways, Procy demands to know how Gorou is going to handle this since he doesn't even have a credit card on him. Gorou mumbles for a moment before he turns to you for help. You give in and say you'll pay, and you have the option to ask to put it on your tab. B gets an extra line where Procy says "nO."

 

After paying for Gorou's drinks, the two of you leave Procy's bar. The sign gets flipped to Closed as he yawns and leaves, and since you weren't able to go spin the gacha use the Ether Searcher you call up Huckle for directions. Huckle says it wouldn't be right to wake Procy back up just so you can use the thing, but since you all know each other he figures it'll sort itself out in time. For now, he tells you to take Gorou with you to your next job while he goes to file something with his agency. You awkwardly acknowledge this and can ask about the money you had to pay, and B gets an extra line where Huckle says you can be reimbursed from Gorou's pay later and considers getting Gorou's ship fare out paid now.

 

Huckle asks you to just keep at it and to let him know if anything happens. You hang up and look over to Gorou, who is taking the time to have a nice stretch. He comments on having a nice nap and how nice the weather is for working. You comment on how unconcerned he's talking about things and asks if he understands the situation he's in. Gorou apologizes and asks you to let him off the hook since he'll be helping you today. Speaking of which, he asks what kind of job you've got today while he pulls a sake bottle out of his pockets and takes the top off.

 

You are taken aback as you ask Gorou if he's really going to be drinking again before work. Gorou argues that 'before work' is the perfect time to be having a drink as he says he's the type to get better at things when he's hammered. After he takes a swig of his swill, he comments on how it's just going right to his head. You call him an alcoholic and tell yourself if he can work then it'll be fine.

 

Time passes as you explain to Gorou what the job is, and he nods and drinks the whole way through. He says he gets how he'll be helping you and the Heroic Educators out with their outdoor class, then tells you to relax and leave it to him since he's great with kids. You express doubt and say he doesn't look the part. Gorou insists it'll be totally fine, and if he's put in charge of looking after kids he can make a crying kid smile in seconds. He's taken aback when you look unconvinced and says you better not be surprised later. Gorou then starts thinking about the idea of an outdoor classroom and comments he's never really taught children before. At most, he's taught kids how to fake it with construction homework or how to hide stealing snacks. You either express concern about him teaching kids to hide things or ask more about the hiding snacks bit.

 

In A, Gorou suggests that you need to know how to tell a good lie if you want to live smartly before he laughs. In B, Gorou elaborates that you hide the food you ate underneath your rice bowl, and if you get found out you just pretend some stray cat in the neighborhood did it. You can either be surprised at how random this all sounds or say it sounds like an old school Japanese rakugo story. B2 gets an extra line where Gorou is surprised you recognize it and says he read about it in an Earth book some time ago. He wonders if him telling a story second hand has been found out and wonders if you read a lot before saying you guys can get on well. And in any case, you comment on how random Gorou is and stay worried about how he'll do. Whether he notices or not, he just keeps on swigging his booze.

 

Time passes to the point where you and Gorou turn up at the place your assignment is taking place, and the staff there seems to be running about in a panic. Toshu is also around and notices you guys have turned up, so you go to greet him. Toshu greets you back, then asks if Gorou is the hero helping out today. Gorou takes note of Toshu being in a kimono an comments on how unusual that is for Japan before saying he hopes to get along with him today. Toshu can smell the alcohol off of Gorou and is shocked he was drinking before work, so you apologize for him and say that's what Gorou's like.

 

Toshu tries to shrug it off and says Gorou isn't too far off from their standards for behavior and decides to think of this as a cultural norm for wherever Gorou is from. Gorou comments on how understanding Toshu is and says he thinks this will go well. You worry about how things will go later and doubt that things will be smooth. Anyways, Toshu informs you guys that the event might have to be suspended for the day. You ask Toshu why that is, so Toshu asks if you saw all the staff members running around before he points to the giant tent today's event is supposed to be held in. The thing has collapsed.

 

Gorou asks if the wind did that, so Toshu nods and says it wasn't able to withstand that wind earlier. It was like this when he turned up this morning. Toshu says the iron pillar has been crushed too, and the staff has said it can't support the tent in that state. You click your tongue at this unfortunate turn of events, and Gorou asks to have a look at the pillar. He looks a tad more serious as he walks over to the tent, and Toshu attempts and fails to stop him. Toshu asks what kind of person Gorou is, at which point you remember what Gorou's day job is.

 

Gorou is off looking at the iron pillar and the screw holes without screws in them. He says he gets what's happening as he asks some random staffer if there are parts for a small tent around. Rando Employee is surprised at the question but confirms this, saying they have enough for three tents that they were planning to use as waiting areas. Gorou suggests scrapping the waiting area idea and joining the tents together, then asks for some screws and wires. The staffer protests when Gorou starts rummaging through a box of stuff nearby, and Gorou says he's found plenty of the ideal parts as he smiles, holding wires, nuts, and bolts in his hand.

 

Gorou turns to ask Toshu and the staffer if he can handle things here. It might take some time, but he's sure he can fix things back to 'good enough.' Toshu is surprised at the idea of fixing the tent back up, but he does admit it was a problem when it couldn't be done. Gorou says he's got it handled and says he can do this in his sleep. He could use a help with carrying things though. Toshu turns to the staffers and nods, and Gorou asks you to help him out. You either say okay or remember that Gorou is a carpenter. In A, Gorou thanks you and says it's time to get started. In B, Gorou says he's not just some lush, he's the best carpenter ever. Then he gets ready to start, and either way he takes another sip of his sake before getting to it.

 

Time passes as Gorou works on the tent, and progress is going smoothly under his direction. He's taken the smaller tent materials and bundled them around the pillar and sometimes outright replacing parts of it, and he eventually has the thing fixed up. Gorou then tells you that the next thing to do is to put the pillar into its place, then asks you to throw him a pole so that he can use it. Once you toss Gorou the pole, he thanks you and says it's about 80% done, so he figures he'll reinforce it some more. He swings it all over his shoulder like it's nothing, and Toshu expresses amazement at how well Gorou's done up the place. You say this is Gorou's specialty and that 'good job' is underselling it. Gorou notes that the reinforcement is done, then says it's about time to fix the curtains or something.

 

Gorou takes another swig of his drink before he continues, and eventually he announces that he's done and says the tent should hold up for about a week assuming some typhoon doesn't come by to blow it down. The whole time took about half an hour to finish, and while the tent's shape has changed a bit it's been done with no issues. You express amazement at Gorou and/or say you figured he could pull this off, and Gorou laughs as he tells you to compliment him some more. Toshu compares the pillar to something he's seen in Japanese carpentry and says he's never seen it done for a tent.

 

Gorou talks about seeing construction methods that are stuck using weaker materials all around, including places outside of Japan. The methods have been calculated a lot as they take in the sturdiness of materials, and they're fine to be patterned after. It did take some time to do like he said earlier, which he can't do much about. But that aside, Gorou figures it's about time for all the kids to show up, so he suggests getting the other prep work done. He smiles as he takes a drink again, then heads over to what was going to be the waiting area. Toshu comments that Gorou isn't just a drunkard and says the universe is a big place. You agree, say it feels like a superhuman feat, or call Gorou cool.

 

Time passes as the outdoor class is held. Toshu is in the center showing some traditional martial arts, and other kids are trying to make some handmade toys. You and Gorou help by bringing in materials for the crafting class and sometimes help the kid with making the toys, so all in all it's a busy time. Gorou warns one kid not to hold a knife they way they're doing so since they could cut themselves. Then he tells them they're doing it right as they cut into the bamboo grain. Some other child asks for help on how to do it, so Gorou shows them how to even it out after hitting a node in the bamboo. He uses his skills to help them make bamboocopters, and he cheerfully gives directions surrounded by children as he sometimes sits them on his lap.

 

You comment on how popular Gorou is, say he likes kids, and note he seems to be having fun. You keep carrying a box of materials as you watch, then take notice when you kick something by your feet. The thing spins around on the ground for a moment, and you soon see it's the sake bottle Gorou was drinking out of earlier. You start to think to yourself about what it means to have that bottle over there, and when you look over to Gorou his chest pocket seems to be empty. You then think aloud about how you haven't seen Gorou drinking for a while now, and Gorou notices nothing as he continues having fun talking with the children.

 

Once the day is over, Gorou raises a cheer back at Procy's bar and says you guys did a good job today. The two of you clink glasses as you guys have a private party, and you either say he did good today or say he wasn't all talk. B gets an extra line where Gorou laughs and asks if you think better of him now. Procy walks up and asks if Gorou can pay for his drinks this time, so Gorou says of course he does as he got his paycheck today and he's all smiles. Procy leaves things at that but warns him not to drink too much since he's with someone today. Gorou nods and raises another glass as a toast.

 

Gorou chugs more booze and talks about how good it's going down, and something that's been bothering you becomes clear now. You start to talk to Gorou, and he asks you what's up. You tell him you noticed he wasn't drinking earlier when he was around the children, and he's totally surprised by this comment as he puts his glass down in embarrassment. Or takes a drink again, whichever. He laughs a little and compliments you for noticing this as he says Isaribi's never noticed despite spending a lot of time with him. You note that he really was holding back from drinking and/or ask if nobody else noticed, so Gorou confirms and says he's embarrassed if anyone does pick up on it. It's not like there's a lot of kids who like old dudes who smell like booze after all, so he decided a long time ago he wouldn't drink around children. His own kids never got near him whenever he was drinking either.

 

You ask Gorou about having children, so he sadly tells you he used to. His entire family has died. They were all crushed under the house he built when Kaibutsu attacked his home city. The grief is visible in his eyes, and you apologize for asking about this. Gorou tells you you don't need to apologize for it and says it's fine. It's old news now, and he doesn't go crazy weeping anymore whenever he remembers it. Gorou swills his drink inside his glass as he adds that he still regrets putting his family in a house that could break so easily from a monster like that. It's why he still holds onto his hammer.

 

Gorou bumps against your arm as he speaks, and you are surprised as you see a vision of a world unknown to you and a slightly younger Gorou is standing still in front of you. You wonder if this is Gorou's memory and something your powers have caused, and you watch the memory Gorou cry and shout while holding something important to himself. He keeps bowing and apologizing towards a pile of rubble, a vision of his sadness and regret over the family he couldn't protect. It's an event people could chalk up as the fault of the Kaibutsu, but Gorou takes all the blame on himself. He continues pouring out the grief he doesn't voice within himself.

 

Gorou tries talking to you, which brings you back to Procy's bar. You wipe your eyes with your sleeve, as tears have started falling all of a sudden after you saw Gorou's memory. Gorou asks you what's wrong since he noticed you were suddenly quiet and is surprised you're crying now. You claim it's nothing or say he's had it tough, and Gorou has a guess as to what's going on as he pulls you in closer to him. He asks if you were crying for his sake, then thanks you. He says you're a good person, and he apologizes for depressing you. Still, he thanks you again.

 

Gorou pats you on the head, like he's comforting a little kid. The expression on his face looks like one he might have had in days past when he looked at his own children. Gorou apologizes for bringing the mood down and suggests starting things over from the toast as he orders more drinks for the two of you. Procy notes how insistent Gorou is about this and asks if this is fine since you haven't asked for another drink yourself. Gorou says it is since he's treating you today and adds that he just decided upon that.

 

You react in shock to this, and Gorou asks that you let him pay for you. It's partly his apology for making you pay for his tab earlier that morning and partly his thanks for crying for him. He smiles, though he adds a sudden serious edge to his voice as he invites you to drink with him again, just the two of you. He starts drinking harder and harder boozes when he thinks of the past, but he feels he can hold off on that if you're with him. You either say his name in concern, agree to drink with him, or say you will he he takes it easy on the drinking. B and C gets an extra line where Gorou thanks you and says he's gotten another new thing to look forward to when he comes to Earth.

 

Gorou says he's looking forward to continuing to work with you, and he pours out some more booze with some cheer as if to brush away the gloominess. Your party continues on enjoyably as it sometimes pulls Procy, Gomeisa, or someone else into your fun. The night turns into one that ties you and Gorou closer together, and the episode ends.