In the desert world of Aaru, it is said that there used to be a hero known as the Ruler of Sands and Storms as well as a giant evil dragon demon. The hero was Seth while the demon dragon was Apophis. It is said that Seth was the only one among the famous of that world who was able to fight against Apophis while all others were defeated. Seth had a younger brother who adored him and wished to be like him. The brother along with many others praised Seth and offered their faith, though at the same time the numbers who shunned Seth grew as well.
Every age comes to an end, and when Seth's authority waned, his reputation was tarnished. Eventually, rumor spread that the being known as Apophis was actually Seth himself. The truth was lost to time eventually, and Seth said nothing about it himself. He silently bore all the evils in the world, and the faith of the era of Seth the Hero faded away.
The younger brother Seth left behind decided to carry on his burdens and his teachings. His bad name, his way of life, all of it. But as he thought on it, a question came to him. How was he to carry on what he didn't remember, what his brother never told him, or what he lost of his brother's? Even if he wanted to go full speed ahead to achieve his dream, he didn't know where to even go. And so that little brother carried on his doubts and hesitations ever since.
The story then decides to turn the clock back a few days before the opening of the Valentine Colosseo event, over in the student dorm kitchen for Roppongi Academy. A sweet mellow scent wafts out from there, and Seth talks aloud about how he's done heating the chocolate and moves to pour it into a mold. It's going well, and he enjoys the scent of the milk chocolate before remembering that he needs to mix in the crushed nuts.
Seth is referencing a video he's bookmarked called "Valentine's Chocolate Making for Beginners," mimicking the process shown in it several times after pausing and looping it to make several kinds of chocolates. Eventually he voices his surprise at how well his work has come out, saying it doesn't look like a beginner made it now. He moves on to wrapping the chocolates using some nice wrapping paper he picked up in Ikebukuro.
Narration talks about how Seth started all this with an ordinary plan. He made the chocolate on a whim, figured he'd hand it over on a whim to that one person, surprise them with the result, then see how they'd react to the present because he wanted to see that. That's it. That's the whole plan. He didn't expect to put so much effort into it as he did though.
Seth laughs to himself before taste testing his chocolate. When he does, he approves and says it's good enough to be sold in stores. Narration talks about how Seth took time and care to make the chocolates and suggests it might be because he normally doesn't cook for himself. And there's also the part where he has someone in mind to give the chocolate to of course. He brags to himself about the mighty Seth can do this no sweat. On another note, the chocolatey smell is reminding him of something that he doesn't put his finger on for a moment. After some more thinking he remembers hearing Hakumen say somewhere on campus that chocolate is originally an aphrodisiac.
Seth thinks about how his name was also associated with the title of Ruler of Aphrodisiacs. Spoiler alert: the Seth in Tokyo is not Seth, but the brother who adored him, Ash. Seth reasons to himself that this would mean it wouldn't be weird for the hero Seth to be making chocolate. But when he thinks on it some more, he remembers that Seth didn't seem to like aphrodisiacs and was always put out when the topic was brought up. The subject also reminds Seth that he never knew how his brother became associated with aphrodisiacs to begin with, and he sadly falls silent.
Seth thinks again about how he knows so little about his brother. He goes around acting like him all the time, but then he runs into doubts. Seth then tells himself he doesn't have time to be depressed because he has to make the chocolates for everyone else he's giving them too. This includes at least Hanuman, Gouryou, and Gyumao. He can't help but wonder if Seth would have done this too, even though he was known as a bad boy.
Seth's head is filled with doubts, and he sighs upon looking at his chocolate again. He has decided to live on as "Seth," which is a decision he has no regrets about. But when it comes to events like Valentine's where one conveys goodwill, he gets confronted about how his image of "Seth" has holes in it. If he wants to hand over his chocolate like Seth would...how would he do that? How did Seth come to have aphrodisiacs fall into his domain portfolio? And why did he always avoid aphrodisiacs? Mysteries upon mysteries.
The unshaken determination Seth had from that time starts to crack under these sudden thoughts. Were it to get worse, it could easily shatter to a million pieces like chocolate. How can anyone be so fragile before their hidden emotions from the bottom of their hearts? But anyways, once Seth's done wrapping his chocolate he hides it deep inside the drawers in his room, as if hiding it in the softest part of his heart and as if hiding his own doubts away from prying eyes.
Suddenly a voice calls out saying this is all wrong because his lyrics won't be heard. Seth is caught by surprise as Leanan Sidhe pops into his room, and she starts talking about how his dream wants to sing with the lyrics and poetry only he has. Lyrics are the things that sing of the inner part of the world like individual emotions, thoughts, and dreams. Leanan then talks about Seth having something he wants to be but has no idea how to express that feeling. Making something that doesn't exist yet in the world is a painful thing to do, but Leanan also thinks it's a wonderful thing to do. Seth tries asking Leanan who she is and where she came from, and she sort of glosses over the question as she mentions her name and says she'll do the production for him to his confusion.
Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Valentine Love Potion.
We then tune back to the present to our side of things as Cait Sith is revealed to be the one talking to Fergus from last time, asking if he really is the rumored Fergus from the Ulster kingdom. Fergus cocks his head in confusion at the question, so Cait Sith takes it as a sign to introduce himself. 'As Fergus probably already knows,' he's a fairy from the Land of Cats from their home world of Tir na Nog. Fergus takes an interest in this and proclaims that meeting someone from his home world while so far away from it must be the guidance of youth.
Cait Sith says it's an honor to meet Fergus and talks about his luck in meeting the Holy Swordsman. He also asks if Fergus's sword is the Tir na Nog famous Sword Rooted in the Earth, the holy sword said to be carved with history and gathers the memories of various heroes' ways of life when the Chosen One draws it. The sword wielder is said to be remembered by the world and fated to survive longer than any hero until the day they relinquish it. As the next king of cats, it sounds like a terrible but noble thing. Fergus isn't following along and asks Cait Sith what he meant by the sword recording memories of how heroes live, which Cait Sith is surprised by. The conversation gets interrupted when Fergus's phone goes off, so he turns to check it.
Snow starts contacting everyone through the App and congratulates everyone who fought in stage one of the event for a battle well fought. He now says he's sending a message to all the participants who have won their way onto the next stage, and he asks that they head to the right hand waiting room to the underground arena. Fergus laughs about how his youth has pushed past the first stage with no issues, and he apologizes to Cait Sith about cutting off their conversation there but suggests talking some more next time before excusing himself.
Cait Sith is baffled by Fergus's behavior and wonders if Fergus forgot about stuff. He starts to talk to himself about what his sword's power is, but Alp walks up having been looking for him and informs him that it's almost showtime for them. Alp is then surprised to see that Cait Sith has turned his head almost 90 degrees and asks if he knows the guy he was talking to just now. Cait Sith apologizes and goes with him, so you observe that the cute combo is running off, be a bit surprised to see them together, and/or wonder if they won through the first event stage too.
Kyuuma congratulates you for making it through stage one and notes that all four of you guys made it in. Shuten says everyone else is headed for the waiting room, so you guys ought to go too. Fergus is just standing there, so you try to get his attention so he can go too. He apologizes for spacing out, saying he was enjoying a youthful encounter with someone from his homeworld. Kyuuma admits he's been getting the feeling that Fergus reminds him of someone he knows, though he can't place who. Fergus tells him not to sweat it and to enjoy his adolescence. Shuten says they're not really conversing and asks if Fergus is actually listening.
Time passes as you guys all head to a rather fancy waiting/locker room where all the other winners of stage one have gathered too. Kengo is here of course, and he seems glad to see you as he ribs you for being late. You call out to him and are glad he's okay, or you ask if he was worried about you. A and B has Kengo say you shouldn't underestimate him as he'll be showing his full power from here on in. C has Kengo snort and say he'd never worry about you. You're just slower to get here than he thought, that's all.
Fergus takes note of Kengo being here, and Kengo notices that Fergus made it too. Since he was with you though, he figured there was no way for him to not have made it. But anyways, Kengo asks if Fergus found the will to win yet. Fergus apologizes and says he's still feeling lost, but he promises it'll be gone by the time he fights him again. Kengo doesn't seem impressed but says he'll look forward to it. He also adds that Fergus isn't the only one with doubts here, which Fergus is curious about.
Garm runs in yelling for Kyuuma and jumps at him, knocking the wind out of him. Garm licks him a bit, leading Kyuuma to laugh for a moment before attempting to get him to settle down while inside. Garm compliments Kyuuma for being really cool when he ran, though he won't be losing to him there. Garm also apologizes to Kyuuma for his insensitivity earlier, saying Snow told him to go do this. Kyuuma apologizes for how he acted back then too, telling Garm it's okay. Garm says that since he's a first year student like Kyuuma is, that makes them friends. Kyuuma is surprised by this but accepts it as he thinks out loud about being comrades in the same year. Garm doesn't understand but cheers about being friends now.
Scene shifts over to the lobby where Duo is, watching the monitor with a twinkle in his eyes for once. Narration talks about how Garm is known as the guard dog to the entrance of the netherworld in Yggdrasil. There, he has likely seen much death and was surrounded by much death. The smell that sticks to his fur stirs up a small bit of Sympathy in Duo.
Back to the locker room, Claude walks in as he greets all the contestants and asks if everyone is enjoying themselves. You either note his presence in surprise, say you're kinda having fun, or say it's been mind blowingly awesome. Claude approves of your energy whatever you choose, and Kengo says Claude doesn't look very surprised for someone claiming to be. Claude responds that someone aiming to be a conqueror can turn a bad situation into an opportunity easily.
Fergus seems moved by Claude's quick speech, and Claude compliments Fergus for how well he fought earlier saying that youth thing he keeps going on about probably exists in battle as well. Fergus says that might be so and thanks Claude for inviting him to the event again. Snow says he got a good look at how everyone did, and it was enough to get him excited as well. It's the same for the others, and the audience stands for the arena is already a full house. Everyone out there is getting into things, and they dream of even better things to come. You comment that there's a lot of people in the seats including the people who didn't make it through, or you say you forgot there'd be a lot of people watching and get nervous.
Claude informs everyone that the event is being livestreamed and is drawing a lot of attention from viewers. It's to be expected though, since anyone witnessing all that passion and struggling would be taken in right away. So because of that, Claude says he's come up with a plan for this. You guys will be heading into stage two of the event, but Claude would like you guys to cooperate with him with something before that.
You ask Claude about what he's talking about or ask him to keep things to what's already been planned. Claude talks about how conquest requires a bit of playfulness from time to time, and the same goes for reaching new heights in zeal. That said, this is still a just a request by him, though he hopes you'll agree to play along. If you do want to join in, he says Snow can tell you as he excuses himself. Fergus laughs and says youth manifests in different ways for people and says Claude looks like he was having fun. Kengo thinks Claude is putting you guys up to do something stupid again and wonders what that could be. Shuten decides to back out of this extra thing if he doesn't have to be in it, and he figures it's not really meant for him anyways. Kyuuma tells you he'll join you if you're going in, and he figures it's some kind of show. You decide to go for it and figure it's more fun than watching. Snow thanks everyone for joining in and asks that you all change into the outfits he brought, and you react in surprise at seeing them.
Out in the hallway, Seth is around, though he's surprised himself that he showed up for this. Someone tells him it's almost time to start and asks him to be ready on standby, so Seth halfheartedly says okay as he walks over, carrying a chocolate close to his chest. Scene then shifts to the arena where a special Valentine stage has been set up and spectators are crowding the place. In the ring stands one man as the spotlight falls on him, and Claude proceeds to make a speech.
Claude welcomes everyone who has come to watch the match ups of the Valentine Colosseo and introduces himself again. He talks about how Valentine's is a chance to convey your feelings to someone, whether it be gratitude, love, friendship, or what have you. This applies to the strong as well, and since time immemorial those who shine in adversity are given praise and admiration. Claude says the time has come again for that, and he calls for the unknown strong people to gather and come forth. He hopes that all who have come this day will feel the new emotion that is enthusiasm. On that note, he turns the audience's attention to just some of the great warriors who have made it today.
Kengo complains about his gladiator outfit being ridiculous, though he likes how it's easy to move around in. Kyuuma says he's never worn anything like the gladiator getup he's in, and he says that all the cheering is making him nervous. David then talks to Kyuuma, who parrots back that David said he found the outfit nostalgic. Meanwhile Fergus is enjoying the cheering and yelling that's so loud it shakes the ground, saying it's making his warrior's blood and youth boil over. You either comment that Kengo doesn't look weird in his outfit at all, say Kyuuma looks good in his outfit, or ask Fergus about him not changing out of his kendo uniform. In A, Kengo says it's not bad from the looks of it, and it's also getting him pumped up. In B, Kyuuma thanks you and comments that it's a change of pace to wear something besides his baseball uniform. In C, Fergus explains his uniform is a display of his will to fight in Tokyo.
Anyways, Kengo asks what the actual idea is and if you guys are having a battle royale now. Claude denies that as this isn't stage two and says he talked about playing around earlier. A real battle is appropriate for a battleground for the stronger ones, which means you guys need opponents for this side show! Claude signals the start of it with a snap of his fingers, and the light cuts out momentarily. Alp does a quick mic test and sings in the darkness, leading Seth to be taken aback and question the timing of this since things have already started. Bathym suggests that they get a good stretch in for the show, and Cait Sith meows. You are weirded out by this start and ask for a do over.
Bathym starts greeting everyone out there to the Ikebukuro Underground Arena's special stage, and Seth talks about how they're there to liven up the special day's special banquet. Cait Sith asks for everyone to say the magic words to call them out, and Alp thanks everyone for joining in. The audience plus you guys all shout out Happy Valentine's, and a sudden sandstorm starts covering the ring. Once the storm lifts, Seth declares himself the ruler of sand and storms, and now the ruler of chocolate since it's Valentine's. Bathym declares his presence alongside his new outfit, and Alsp wishes everyone a Happy Valentine's as he brings in his break dance from Ueno. Cait Sith says he's here to bring his magic from Roppongi now that he's been called, and the group gets together to call themselves a special team up for the holiday called We are Valentines.
Leanan Sidhe seems to be wherever passes for the backstage and says that the entrance came out perfectly, saying the room is designed by the Akihabara Creators. She calls the side show group kind of rough around the edges, but they're also rather catchy. She also comments that them not having a unified look is what's cute nowadays. You take note of all the members on the other side, including surprise at Seth's presence. Seth, shocked, demands to know why you're taking part of this and says you must really like events. He starts saying he bought too many ingredients before deciding to ditch the classic tsundere routine for now and goes back to being mad that you're here of all times. You're confused as to why he's angry and ask if he's in a bad mood.
Kengo turns to you in confusion and asks you why Seth is acting all pissy. Bathym tells you guys that they're here to fight you because Claude asked them to do so. Alp says he was also invited as a guest and asks that you make the show exciting while Cait Sith suggests getting right to it. Kengo asks them to hold on for a second. He doesn't care much about the sandstorm itself, but he protests that there's too much sand here that it could bury you guys. Bathym says that fussing with the ring is the Berserkers' tradition and asks if Kengo's sense for that dulled since he's left. But never mind that, he ought to focus or else he'll get hurt here.
Fergus says he doesn't get what's going on, but he nods and says being at a total loss is also a part of youth. He decides to roll with things, which Alp approves of as he gets ready to stand in the spotlight. Snow announces that the special stage battle will begin and asks everyone to enjoy. Kengo complains that there's no room to talk about it, then urges you to come fight with him. Kyuuma says he'll come too at full power, and Fergus throws out his favorite word in the world just because. The episode battle then begins as Seth asks Leanan Sidhe if it's really okay to just keep going like this and says he'll be mad if this is some stupid plot.
No comments:
Post a Comment