Christmas Showdown Thief Side Episode 2 Part 2 (Abridged)

Nakano. One of the cities and schools of hipsters with an accompanying school by its train station. That'd be Nakano Entertainment Academy, the school for actors, VAs, musicians, livestreamers, and other entertainment industry folks. Like, there's one or two famous student opera troupes here. Everyone strives to get into the spotlight and get that next hit tweet!
Benten is one of Nakano's students, and her pitch for herself is That Rebellious Rock Biwa Hipster Heavenly Maiden!
Benten: IT'S STILL MISSING SOMETHING (smashes a hole in concrete by clubbing her school gate with her biwa)
Benten: I'M BEING OVERSHADOWED BY ALL THESE NEW PEOPLE
New People includes Leanan Sidhe, Christine, Teda, Tanetomo, Goemon

Too many rivals in Nakano! There's that famous music and video producer, the rising star of Yurakucho's best acting troupe, the child prodigy of traditional Japanese entertainment, the kabuki actor, and licensed master Japanese dancer.
Benten: I know what they have that I don't! The charm that comes from being *~mysterious~*!
Yeah all those people have seeecrets. Shoving yourself onto others trying to get them to learn about you makes them pull away. Who knew? But keeping something hidden just draws all the attention.
Benten: If I don't pick up a mysterious side myself I'm just gonna end up as JUST a national level pretty girl!
That's why Benten joined the thief gang.
Benten: THIS IS SO GONNA WORK
By the way there's a secret behind Nakano Academy Benten is unaware of because of course there is. Nakano Academy is also secretly training people from other worlds to be spies and ninjas. There's already people from Yggdrasil, Tir na Nog, and Wa no Kuni for starters doing all that.

Present
Hermes and the cops are fighting.
Cops: Stay still and--DAMMIT STOP SLIPPING AWAY
Hermes: Jump jump, slide slide
The cops slowly do worse and worse as Hermes toys with them until he eventually has them worn so down that he slips in close.
Hermes: Aww, they're taking it easy on me~!
Cops: WHY YOU
Having successfully baited the cops, Hermes pulls out Totally Not Caduceus with the power of change and flow from the faith of Mercurius's alchemy.
Hermes: I cast Sleep! (fweee)
The cops pass out and fall over.
Hermes: Sorry for taunting you guys like that. I wasn't planning on trying at all.

MC: The cops are sleeping what just happened
Hermes: Can't be bothered to explain much, just used my power to make them sleep. It did require them to be mad though, so that's why I taunted them.
MC: hmmmm / 4D chess player here / (stare)
Hermes: ha ha I'm just some bum
Benten: Dang you're cool and rebellious Hermes. Rock on! And now I'm disgusted with myself for acting like some moeblob girl freaking out about the police earlier!
MC: Aww, Benten grew up / no more shenanigans thanks / moeblob Benten!
Benten: Dammit Hermes why are you so cool on top of being a musician? Just you wait, I'll be like that too!

Taromaiti: Hermes were you planning this all along?
Hermes: Yeah I figured you'd notice
Taromaiti: Couldn't you have just explained yourself instead? Do you have to make everything blow up anytime anyone doubts you?
Hermes: Hey I can't help it. I just can't be bothered to make a conversation sound sensible.
Taromaiti: You're still drawing too much attention acting like that and you know it. Plus, what are you going to say to them when the battle zone ends?
Hermes: Who says I'm not gonna bail on them first? Haha.
MC: uhhh / welp / new guy makes sense

Taromaiti: No Hermes, you are staying and explaining yourself to them. This is a separate issue from the drill thing. The Santa School Heist is a practice activity at the end of the day, and we aren't guilty of anything so we don't have to talk about it. You aren't doing anything shady here either, so you can just say so. Okay?
Hermes: But why should I clear up any misunder--
Taromaiti: >:C
Hermes: okay okay I'll do it
MC: Taromaiti is so levelheaded / damn these two are polar opposites

Battle Zone fades out and Hermes's power cancels with it. Then, suddenly Tajikarao.
Tajikarao: What's going on over here?
Fire Cop: Ah! Senpai!
Dark Cop: We found Hermes with this group, so we came to question them and--
Tajikarao: Oh, lemme join in too then. Whatcha guys doin'?
Hermes: Oh, uh, we're on our way to Santa School for some minor business.
Taromaiti: I'm Hermes's coworker at a cafe. We're gonna see Ded about an appointment on the ceremony on Christmas.
MC: same / Hermes is my friend / Hermes is super important to me!
(BC) Hermes: wat

Tajikarao: Whoa you guys are really friends with Hermes? And he works at a cafe now?
MC: (sweats)
Tajikarao: (looks at the party again) Wow that's great news! Sorry to bother you guys, be careful on your way over!
Fire Cop: Whaaat!? Are you sure? He's got a criminal record and here in Japan that makes him a pariah we all side-eye!
Tajikarao: Maybe, but remember what police school taught us? People want us to sympathize with them too, not just patrol and keep them safe. Yes we investigate anything suspicious, but we anyone who honestly answers our questions should not be suspected any further! Pushing past that is an overreach of our police authority! We be stern where we need to be, and we show trust when people trust in us. I'll take over the rest of this conversation, you two go back on patrol.
Fire Cop: ...okay. Thank you for cooperating, everyone! (leaves with the other cop)
MC: (whoa) / (so cool) / Thanks
(C): Tajikarao: :D

Hermes: ...sorry for running out on you before. Here, I have official permission.
Tajikarao: Incorrigible as always, but thank you for cooperating with us! I'm so pleased by this development.
MC: Thanks for all you do / I'll always help / Whew...
Taromaiti and Benten also relax.
Tajikarao: Glad to see you have new friends and a job, Hermes. I hope you don't mind if I come by to see and talk with you again.
Hermes: ...yeah it's a pain in the ass to have you or Magami chasing after me. Ugh, it's so much easier with jerks doubting me from the word go.
Tajikarao: Feel free to come visit us at Cafe Asterism if there's anything up with Hermes. Have a donut! If you like it, have Hermes come deliver some more next time.
Hermes: >:C

Tajikarao: Oh my, thank you! I'm not supposed to accept personal gifts though...
Taromaiti: Don't worry, I'll bring some to the other police officers at the station.
Tajikarao: Hmm...well, okay then. Oh wow, it's sweet and delicious!
Hermes: Hougen is totally gonna be mad at you for eating on the job
Tajikarao: OH NO
Hermes: Ha ha kidding. Here's some of my tea, don't choke.
Hermes: Sorry guys, I didn't mean for y'all to get caught up in my business.
MC: it's cool / no worries / lemme get a feel as an apology then
(C) Tajikarao: MC, this is SCANDALOUS! Who are you feeling!? What are you feeling!? What are you even saying in front of a police officer!?
Hermes: AhaHA, good "joke" man!
Tajikarao: ...oh, that was a joke? Geez, MC don't say things like that.

Hermes: ...thanks, MC.
Benten: ...
Tajikarao: Okay bye everyone
The party resumes heading to Santa School.
Hermes: So Taromaiti. Still think it's okay to let me hang around at the cafe? Come on, tell me how you really feel.
Taromaiti: How many times have I said you need to stop with the provocations? But then again, the police were the ones to start things earlier... Also, I have secrets I can't talk about in public too, not just you. That's why I think it should be fine to say what you can say out loud and keep quiet about everything else. It's okay here in Tokyo, which is why I want to protect this place, as a knight protecting a paradise.
Hermes: ...huh. So you see Tokyo as a paradise.
Taromaiti: Yep. It's a place that accepts me for how I want to be.
Hermes: This world of distortions? Lots of things I wanna say to that but...well, I guess you're sorta right in a way. No worries about food, and a roof to hide under just about anywhere. People are free to live as they please, with no need to deal with someone else's crap dumped on them. 

MC: Hermes, did something happen to you in your home world?
Hermes: ...I'll leave that to your imagination. I don't have to say if I don't want to, right?
Benten: God, you're just speaking everything that comes to mind again aren't you!? Fine, I declare us rivals!
Hermes: wat
Benten: You showed me up, but I'll get the last laugh and shine brightest!
MC: WHAT / aw yeah, ice breaker! / omg Benten you're so cool
(C) Benten: RIGHT!? Not that I have any idea what you're on about!

Hermes: ...well if people can say whatever they want to me I guess I have to accept they can. Y'know, I guess this place is more of a paradise than I thought that way.
Taromaiti: Oh, you are accepting that? That's honest of you.
Hermes: We're still just barely acquainted, but I got no complaints about this world. Haven't talked with anyone about stuff on my mind either.
Taromaiti: Hmm...from what I've known of you so far, that is true. (Yeah, you never once talked to any of us at Cafe Asterism about personal stuff. It was Shinya who invited you to work with us.)
Benten: Oh so that's how you always stir the waters huh, Hermes? It always sounds to me like you're saying the opposite of whatever you speak about.
Hermes: !
Benten: I'm not just rocker girl, I got good ears. When people hide something, I can hear it in the way their voice sounds and travels.
Taromaiti: (Yeah I've felt that from Hermes before too. Like he's baiting me in a fight first and going one step after that. Like some sort of tension or wariness in how he lives his life. Did he...?)

Benten: ...Hermes, you're doing this to look all cool and mysterious so you hit it big on social media, aren't you!?
Hermes: ...wat
Benten: You can't fool me, I'm learning all your tricks! 10k favs, here I come!
MC: oh no we lost Benten to Not Twitter! / doubt / (I think she might be right on further thought?)
Hermes:
Hermes:: ...ahaha, damn I overthought that! Nah I'm not that deep. Maybe you're too wound up about the cops earlier. I'm just some wandering bum.
Benten: Hmm...eh, whatever. I wouldn't want to break character too!
Taromaiti: ...I'll leave it at that too then.
MC: 'kay / (what is Hermes hiding...?) / (I'm not getting into this now)
Hermes: Man I'm hungry now. Someone pay for me?
Benten: HEY! You split the bill on our party the other day instead of treating us! Don't you think you can get money out of me that fast. Actually, I demand donuts too!
MC: Good, business as usual / come on we still have to see Ded / (we are straying so far from the subject)

Later, the party sneaks in to the Santa School no problem and obtains their costumes.
White: Well done everyone! You could do great as Santas like that. Also you look great in your costumes. I'm glad they fit perfectly. You look like real phantom thieves now. The rest of us need to tighten our belts and focus.
MC: Hermes you look so cool! / Benten you look so pretty! / OMG it's Taromaiti!
(A) Hermes: Damn, nice. It's pretty light and easy to move in too. And you look right at home in that outfit that wasn't drawn for you.
(B) Benten: You like it too? It's great! And you look good too in your totally a real costume because we're saying you're in one! Double selfie time! ...what do you mean I can't upload it!?
(C) Taromaiti: O-oh, thank you. You look good in yours too. Having a special costume like this ready really gets me motivated.

White: Okay, now it's time to talk about the Christmas day things we're publicly doing. Let me go out to get some tea...
Hallway
White: Whew, I was worried for a second, but I'm glad they made it here safely.
White turns out to be Ose.
Ose: Tajikarao did great in intervening over there. Okay, time to call the real Ded while the party is waiting!
End of Episode

Christmas Showdown Thief Side Episode 2 Part 1 (Abridged)

Benten: So, like, what are we doing until it's showtime? I dunno what we're supposed to do to prepare for a heist!
MC: How DO we steal something? / How do we sneak in? / First off, scouting.
---
(C) Hermes: What? You done something like this before?
Jiraiya: MC's right.
---
Jiraiya: High ground! Layouts! Patrol patterns! Lots of things we need to research.
Hermes: Then an infiltration plan and exit plan, a route to the treasure, and sorting out our heist day jobs too, right?
Jiraiya: Mostly. We win if we get to a certain room where the treasure!
Benten: Oh, so we can skip planning an escape. Shouldn't this be easy then?
Jiraiya: Don't let your guard down. They're shoring up their defenses you know.
MC: Oof / We gotta stay hidden / We need a distraction
(C) Jiraiya: We could do that, yeah. We'd just have to figure out who'd be doing it.

Jiraiya (after some quick thinking): Okay, our recon is gonna double as a crash course for you guys!
Party: WHAT
Jiraiya: Yeah when my hermit master was training me he'd also dump me into sudden fights out of nowhere.
MC: Oh no the Spartan way! / Well it'd be better than going in blind... / I did not see this coming

Taromaiti: By crash course, you mean practicing for our phantom thief parts right?
Jiraiya: Yup! But I'll be giving theoretical lessons first. If you don't know the ABCs of ninjutsu, the practical training won't mean anything. Okay wait there a sec!
Jiraiya (dressed as a phantom thief after briefly leaving): I'm back guys!
MC: Cool! / You look good in Western clothes too! / Your costume's done already?
(AB) Jiraiya: Thanks! I'm not used to clothes like this, but they feel nice now that I'm wearing them!

Jiraiya: Ded gave me these since I said a while ago I'd help! Did he tell you to call him once we have a thief party together?
MC: Oh right / I already texted him
Hermes: He's giving us costumes? How into this is he...?
Benten: Where's MY cool costume!? Pretty Thief Benten, setting fire to social media trends~. This is going to be SO AWESOME!
Taromaiti: Well we will need new clothes even if we don't hide our identities. Who knows? Maybe the people playing defense will be people we might know.
MC: I know like ALL of them / It's gonna be chaos if I go as is / They're totally gonna find out it's a drill

Jiraiya: Okay, here's what the prize for finishing the crash course will be! And once we finish the theoretical bits...
Party: ...?
Jiraiya: We're gonna slip into the Santa School and get our costumes from Ded!
Party: WHAT
MC: What the hell kind of plan is that!? / More crazy... / Come at me bro!
Benten: W-wait Senpai, isn't it going to be a bit much for the rest of us to sneak in ourselves!?
Jiraiya: Oh come on. If you think about your situations and theirs, you can get plenty done!
MC: So, sneaking in and hiding isn't all there is to infiltration?
Jiraiya: I'll tell you guys more later. Gotta leave now because I got a job tomorrow to get to!
Benten: I guess it is late. I'll go home too. Thanks for the food Taromaiti!
Taromaiti: Thanks for coming. Looking forward to working with you guys as fellow thieves!
Benten and Jiraiya leave.

Taromaiti: So Hermes, what are you gonna do for today? Shop's closed tomorrow so you could stay here...
Hermes: (cleaning) Ooh, thanks! I'll clean the place like usual when I get up.
MC: What, you live here? A live-in work thing?
Hermes: Oh, right. I'm homeless. There's plenty of roofs around though, but finding one to stay under can be a pain, so sometimes I crash here.
Taromaiti: The shop isn't really set up for a live-in even if we wanted to do that for him. Shinya says it's okay for him to stay the night before the shop's off days though.
MC: That's tougher than I thought. You clean for rent, huh. / I wanna stay with you too!
---
(C) Taromaiti: Haha! You really like Hermes, don't you? But don't you need to get permission to stay out?
Hermes: They'll make you work if you stay. Just go home, I'll be seeing you again soon anyway.
---
Taromaiti: Okay time for us to go. I'll walk you to the station, MC.

The next day, the party starts meeting at Jiraiya's temple hideout to learn ninja and thief basics. His old teacher would be impressed.
After the party has the bare minimum learned, everyone except Jiraiya heads towards the Santa School.
MC: Okay let's go over why we're here again
Hermes: Taromaiti and I are here for an appointment and a preview of Cafe Asterism's branch store on Christmas.
Benten: You and I are gonna be here for a meeting to see the stage we're playing a special concert on for Christmas. I mean I really AM gonna be playing something then, so I might as well recheck things on it. Feels weird to think about keeping the phantom thief bit a secret here.
MC: (flashes back to Jiraiya talking about how thinking about each side's position can help you get things done)
The cafe branch store and concert were originally suggestions by the party as tokens of thanks and apologies for their thief shenanigans this event. You guys have set up actual appointments with Ded already, so you guys can check things out along the way. Just need to be cool and not act sus.
MC: I'm getting excited / Nervous / Everyone already knows me
(C) Taromaiti: ...doesn't that make things harder? The security is going to stop you even so.

Benten: Time to split up ga--
???: Excuse me.
Party: !?
MC: Y-yes? / How can I help? / OH NO
Cops: We're under tightened security, so we want to ask some questions and--hey wait I saw you in front of Shinjuku Station the other day!
MC: Who do you mean!? / Are you guys those cops with Tajikarao back then / Uhhhh
Red Cop: You! With the flute! You ran out on us back then!
Dark Cop: Are you hiding something? We're going to do an inspection now.
Taromaiti: Hermes what did you do
Hermes: Dammit they remember me. Stupid inconvenient timing.

Dark Cop: Senpai! That's the guy with a criminal record Tajikarao told us about!
Fire Cop: Oh, you're Hermes! Snooping as usual?
Taromaiti: Wait please! Let him have a chance to explain him--
Hermes: Oh don't bother, they're right.
Taromaiti: Hermes...
Hermes: You guys at Cafe Asterism may accept people for who they are individually, but you know what? I am a damn super villain and proud of it.

Flashback
When Hermes came to Tokyo he saw how different its culture and customs were from Olympyus but thought it was much the same, so he tried to life a new life.
Native Cop: You're a famous thief and liar in your homeworld? Those are bad things here. Try to follow the law.
Nobody could tell Hermes was lying since Hermes was capable of lying and tricking Zeus, king of the world.
Native Cop: You again? You're what's wrong with society!
It should have been easy for Hermes to keep problems hidden since he could go around anywhere like a straw millionaire.
Native Cop: Why are we doing this again!? What, you're framed? Are you lying again? Fiiiine, I'll hear you out at least...
Hermes was a liar and a thief, so that was the unvarnished truth. Today he walks around carrying his past on his shoulders too...

Hermes: So pigs. What would you do if I was lying about being an infamous scoundrel? Look at me plotting your horrible, horrible humiliation! Don't taze me bro!
Benten: OMG Hermes stop! And police guys, calm down! (What do we do? I can't try to pass this off as an understanding anymore!)
Taromaiti: ...
MC: Damn / Please listen! / ...
Hermes: Stand back MC. It's swindlin' time!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Chapter 5 Episode 1: The City that Awaits the End (Abridged)

Mokdai (narrating): So it's almost a week after a kaiju stomped on our city and life has changed a LOT. Residential zones? It's like the big bad wolf came and blew them all down. A bunch of heroes and Observers pieced evidence together and told the normies about a giant monster being a thing. Literally everyone is worrying about whether they can keep living here.
Mokdai (narrating): Japan's government has sealed up at least half of Orient City's central ward. Anyone who happened to live there had to take temporary refuge in the few suburban wards that didn't look like Godzilla walked all over it. The National Defense Force is enforcing lockdown into here, and being a hero doesn't give you a free pass in. Apparently Japan and Future UN are having a conference to figure out what to do with the giant monster, but the news say they aren't getting anywhere because they have like nothing to go on.
Mokdai (narrating): Those of us in Parallel Flight is staying in a hot spring resort on the south side of town that Nessen runs. We're using a room there as a temp office. There's some other agencies over here too, and we're all doing our best to prepare for the upcoming big battle. I'll have to get back to you on how we're actually going to get over there.

Present
Parallel Flight and UEHA are sparring.
MC: Akashi, on your right! / Mokdai, behind! / Sui, your left!
(A) Akashi: Let's play tennis with a baseball bat!
Barrel: HAX
(B) Mokdai: Got it! Mokdai PUNCH!
Gammei: Oh god how strong are you!?
(C) Sui: Right! Here I go!
Victom: I'm impressed you kicked my rope back. You're getting better at this.

Furlong: Super Soaker! Max!
Ryekie: Ha! You gotta do better than that! Justice Punch!
Furlong: Agh! You really are strong...
Kyoichi: Damn, Parallel Flight is winning this match even with the team having three newbies. What the hell happened?
Shouen: ...who knows? But many outrageous things are happening. They may have been forced to grow to deal with it.
Toshu: Parallel Flight may have grown, but UEHA being wounded is having an effect as well. The gunner for example keeps rubbing his eyes. That must make aiming difficult, even if his weapon is supposed to have aimbot.
Barrel: (breathing hard)
Gammei: Y-you okay? Your eye still looks bad. You could have just sat out instead of forcing yourself to joining in the sparring match...
Barrel: NO! The Monster isn't going to be waiting for me to get better! My eye just sorta blurs from time to time, but my vision is mostly back to normal! I wanna keep going!!
MC: Barrel... / But this could be bad for you! / Well I do understand how you feel...

Ryekie: ...MC, he's not going to listen. Don't worry, we'll be careful when we attack. Let's keep going, since it's true we don't have much time left.
MC: Okay...
Barrel: ...alright, sorry to slow things down! Let's get back on track!
Gammei: You can be such a brat. Well, don't do anything too reckless.
Furlong: I can keep going too! If Barrel is going to keep trying, then I can't slow down either!
Victom: Ah, youth.
Akashi: Hey! WE'RE tired! Are we really doing this again!?
Mokdai: Well, we are leaving ourselves open a lot while we move. It might be good to keep going.
Sui: Yeah, I think I'm close to figuring out a better way to use my weapon too.
Akashi: Dammit, now it sounds like I'm the only whiner here! FINE! I'm in!
Ryekie: Haha! Follow me, everybody! MC, we're counting on you to keep operating!
MC: Okay!
BATTLE START (more happens afterwards) 

Crowne: (sadly watches the match from a guest room)
Nessen: Excuse me, I'm here to change the bedding.
Crowne: H-huh? Oh, sorry. Just put the sheets over there, thanks.
Nessen: ...they're working hard. Maybe I should have joined them...
Crowne: What? But you're busy with refugees and doing your day job. We all owe you for taking us in when we had nowhere else to go.
Nessen: Well, I'm glad to be of service. We all should help each other when times are hard. And Huckle is the way he is at the moment...
Crowne: ...yeah.

Nessen: ...is something wrong?
Crowne: Nah. Just that watching them train is...making me think of stuff.
Nessen: Such as?
Crowne: ...did I ever tell you about my doppelganger who showed up and turned Huckle into what he is now...?
Nessen: Oh, yes...
Crowne: ...yeah. I couldn't do anything to stop them. I didn't even figure out why they were doing what they did, even with all our similarities. So what do I do? If they show up again...could I face them? Could I pick something up to fight them?
Nessen: ...Crowne.

Outside
Shouen: ...! Incoming!
Kyoichi: Wha--(earthquake hits)--OH MY GOD
Akashi: EARTHQUAKE
Mokdai: FALLING
Ryekie: Everyone, get down! MC, can you hear it!?
Giant Monster: (screaming from far away)
MC: Yeah...it's the big one.
Victom: ...huh. The quakes have been increasing too, so it must be close to awakening.
Barrel: We can't just sit still then! Let's keep training!

Akashi: What!? We can't keep this up anymore!
Gammei: Stop you idiot! How long do you think we've been at this already!? We can all see you aren't all okay! And if we force the training on it'll just waste time!
Barrel: B-but what do I do!? We have to win next time for the city and for ourselves! The city won't last if we lose! We don't even have anything to throw at the giant Monster! Aren't you bothered!?
Akashi: Barrel...
Gammei: OF COURSE I AM! But...there's just too little we can do. We have no cards to put on the table and no plans we can make.
Victom: The Defense Department, huh? We'll never get close to the monster while they're holding the blockade up.
Furlong: They're shutting out even high ranking heroes. If we force our way in they're arresting us at the very least.
Shouen: With no idea of what to even do, we're just quarantining things to keep casualties down, huh?
Toshu: If we don't fight, we can't win either...talk about being between a rock and a hard place.
MC: Hmm...
Mokdai: ...MC. We all feel the same, but...
Barrel: (crying) how did the city get into this position...!?

Ryekie: HAHAHA! Come on everybody! Don't look so down! Think, you can't have had easy battles your entire career so far, right!?
Kyoichi: Umm, the situation's kinda escalating the scale here...
Ryekie: Our battles are always filled with obstacles and hardship! But we've always overcome them and saved our world! We've beaten the odds against horrible odds and survived, haven't we!?
Sui: ...Ryekie!
Ryekie: This battle is just another big bump on the road! We can think of things like that, can't we!? We have a hope of winning somehow. We just gotta find it! I made it to S Class that way at least! There will always be a light to guide the way to the future!!!
Barrel: Justice...!
Kyoichi: Okay I feel stupid for feeling down earlier. Yeah, you're right! We gotta face forward! If I falter, then I won't be able to guide the children cheering on for me!
Ryekie: (smiles)
MC: (noticed over days that Ryekie is forcing his smile) ...

Later
Barrel: I'm feeling inspired by Justice, wow!
Akashi: Wow that was fast. But, yeah. I'm surprised Ryekie said all that.
Sui: Doesn't he say things like that like all the time?
Akashi: I dunno, something seems different...
Mokdai: I kinda get that, now that you've said so. Like it feels weird that Ryekie is being so focused on being optimistic.
Kyoichi: Maybe you're overthinking it? Ryekie doesn't lie.
Toshu: Yeah he's terrible at lying. I think he wasn't lying back there.
Akashi: Hmm...
Barrel: Oh! I wanna thank Ryekie somehow! I'll get him something for helping out with the training for so long!
Kyoichi: Sounds good! There's gotta be something here that'd be great for that.
Barrel: Like...what?
Kyoichi: Justice likes one of the local specialties here. Look, in that store over there!

Elsewhere
Ryekie: MC, why'd you stop me to talk in private? Is something up? We gotta hurry before the lunch buffet is gone! Like that favorite dish you and Akashi both like and--
MC: Ryekie...are you forcing yourself to smile?
Ryekie: ...w-what!? You know I'm bad at lying! I was speaking from the heart before and--
MC: It's not the words themselves. But you really are forcing a smile, aren't you?
Ryekie: W-well...!

Huckle: Mr. Ryekie, do you have a moment?
Ryekie: ! ...w-what's wrong? Is there something you don't understand again?
Huckle: Yes, who is the person whose name is written on this document? I don't remember them at all... If I'm the company director, shouldn't I be giving this paper to them myself? If I am, I want to avoid being rude as much as possible...
Ryekie: ...oh! Don't worry about it! That's the commander of UEHA Japan! We've told him what's up, and he knows me. If we need to talk to him, I can do it!
Huckle: O-oh. I feel bad though...is it okay to rely on you so much?
Ryekie: ...! D-don't worry about it. You can count on me.
Huckle: ...alright. I'll take you up on your offer. I'll see you again when I'm done with the paperwork.
Ryekie: C-cool...later Huckle...

Ryekie: (sigh)
MC: Oh, so it is about Huckle...
Ryekie: ...I really can't bluff past you like I just did everyone else. (scratches head and sighs before speaking quieter than ever)
Ryekie: ...Huckle is both a partner I've fought alongside for years and a friend I've always seen on and off the battlefield. We've argued sometimes, but we could always be honest with each other and count on one another.
Ryekie: (droops shoulders) But now, our bond and history of trust is mostly gone. It's not his fault. I can mourn it, but it won't bring his memories back. Still...it feels like there's a hole in my heart. Like Huckle was taken away...
MC: Ryekie... / I understand how you feel / I see...

Ryekie: I'm the S Class Hero who's done tons and gotten the respect and trust of a lot of people, so I can't let everyone see me be weak. I have to be a model. I just...don't know how long I can keep it up mentally myself.
Huckle (just around the corner): ... (quietly leaves)
Nessen: Oh, Ryekie, MC. Here you two are.
MC: Oh, Nessen. Were you looking for us?
Nessen: Yes, you all have a visitor. They went to your room, so please hurry on back.
Ryekie: A...visitor...?
End of Episode

Christmas Showdown Police Side Episode 2 Part 2 (Abridged)

Nomad (narrating): This is Utopia, the world of the future where corporations compete with one another and the world I was born in. There was a prison in the dark side of the world, and at the bottom of the jail where the sun doesn't reach, the jailer beat me again and again out of boredom. There was no one I could ask for help, so all I had were the imaginary friends I hallucinated. I was probably insane by then. I'd met with a terrible fate, betrayed by everyone and everything. My ship broke down, I drifted along, and I was close to death.
Nomad (narrating): I was later picked up by mad scientists who remodeled me into this disgusting tiger body. When I finally got away from them...I ended up in this underground prison with no one to save me. So I swore revenge on everyone that crossed me. I didn't need my old name or identity anymore, and I called myself Nomad from then on. I abandoned everything else and raced towards my revenge.
Nomad (narrating): It was great when I came to Tokyo, a place filled with people, news, and activity. Nobody asked about my past, and I started up a detective agency in Shinjuku. I did other jobs to make money to live on, and in doing so I built up social credit. All of it was for my revenge. I swear I'll get them all one day. The only thing I trust in is myself...

Present
Nomad: Okay sorry to change tacks so soon after sparring, but could you guys tell me if you know anything about the case?
Black Santa Students: (shrug)
MC: Nothing new huh? / This many people around and no one saw anything...?
---
(B) Nomad: You noticed too, huh?
---
Nomad: It's now been established that there's this many people who are good at fighting somehow saw nothing. Let's go you two!

School hallway
Yule: Oh hi MC, long time no see! I heard from Ded that you're part of a special defense force.
Tomte: Must be hard. If you need help, I'll take care of you whenever!
MC: Hi guys. Whatcha doin'?
Yule: We're getting ready for the sendoff ceremony. Dunno how the case is gonna go, but the children are waiting. We're prepping to go whenever.
Tomte: The Black Santas are also joining the police students as part of the defense force. With them and you guys, I'm sure this will be dealt with!
Nomad: Yeah, thanks. What do you guys do in prep?
Tomte: Stuff. Right now we're grabbing greeting cards from the storage building.
Hermes: huh.
Yule: Yeah the school orders some special paper and we think up of designs. We have plenty, so take one.
Nomad: Thanks. Wow this is nice. 

MC: Fancy. Hey haven't I felt something like this before?
Nomad: The top is all smooth. You guys uses special ink to write on it?
Yule: Yeah, this one ink from the workshop. Smells pretty strong, just passing the workshop earlier burned my nose.
Tomte: It smells?
Yule: You can't smell it??? Oh no wait, I have to go because of the time! Good luck guys!
Nomad: ...new clue guys! Come with me!

School workshop
Nomad: ...fascinating.
MC: Sherlock! I can smell it too. You get anything Hermes?
Hermes: Sorta. Hey Nomad, what do you think?
Nomad: I haven't figured out everything, but I'll tell you what I have got--(notices someone outside the door)
Tanngrisnir: ...oh, hey again everyone.
Hermes: You done with the workout already?
Tangrisnir: Yes, I'm on break now. The students are in the sauna Tomte set up. What are you guys doing?

MC: Investigating. Nomad was about to say something.
Hermes: Yeah that's where we were.
Tanngrisnir: You already know who done it!?
Nomad: Not THAT much. But I do have an idea of how much whoever sent the calling card knows about things.
Tanngrisnir: Interesting! May I hear your thoughts too?
Nomad: ...well okay. Let's start with the calling card. You guys have figured something about that now, right?
MC: Same paper as the greeting card / It's sold at AndvaResort / nope
(B) Nomad: No, stop joking!
(C) Nomad: ...it's the same paper used in the greeting card Tomte gave us.

Nomad: The card is made with a specific paper used in the Santa School, not something sold to the public.
Tanngrisnir: ...
Nomad: Next, this room. You two might not have noticed, but the paint on the calling card is the same as the paint in here.
MC: How can you tell? Same color? / I smell a unique scent
(C) Nomad: You can smell it? So you have a good nose for a human?

Nomad: Ever since my body became like this, my senses have become stronger than the average human. I can tell the scent from the calling card is the same as what's in here.
Hermes: Huh. So the card was made in here? That'd mean the culprit is someone inside the school.
Nomad: Yes, both points of evidence confirm that. This is an inside job. There's probably students here with better noses than me, so using this ink would throw off suspicion.
Hermes: I see. So "they" specifically made a card using this ink and stuff?
MC: But why? / To confound the investigation? / head empty

Nomad: The culprit did this to plant doubts about a collaborator and divide us.
Hermes: That'd make it easier for them to steal their target.
Nomad: Whoever made the card here probably threw it at the headmaster's office door. That means they can go in and out whenever they want, and that they're beneath suspicion even if they were seen. Which means...
MC: They're tough? This is getting tricky.
Nomad: ...well that's what I've gotten together so far.
MC: Awesome!
Nomad: Heh, impressed? How about you hire me more?
Tanngrisnir: Stunning, truly stunning that you figured all that out from one card!
Nomad: Thanks teach. By the way...who are you?

Tanngrisnir: Oh, did you forget my name? I introduced myself earlier outside at--
Nomad: I know that. I'm asking who YOU are. (grabs Tanngrisnir by the collar and pushes him against the wall)
Nomad: This must be some artifact power because I don't doubt you. I can tell I'm being forced to believe what you're saying somehow. You look exactly like the real guy, but that isn't enough to pull one on me. I trust no one besides me! (leans closer)
Nomad: You smell too nice for someone who ran so much, and you smell too clearly to have showered.
MC: His scent wasn't changed? / he doesn't smell like stew either / I wanna sniff too!
(B) Nomad: Oh, yeah that's true too. Anyways...
(C) Nomad: STOP CLOWNING! Anyways...

Nomad: Why did you come now to hear our reasoning? You were supposed to be kept in the dark so you wouldn't spoil anything. No wait don't answer, I'll just fall deeper into thinking you're Tanngrisnir. Your power is perfect for disguise and concealment, and that's how you used these things to make the calling card.
Tanngrisnir: ...
Nomad: Show us who you really are!
Tanngrisnir: ...hmm. You're better than I thought, Utopian cyborg Nomad. You abandoned your past and any trust in people not yourself, which is why my artifact didn't really work on you. Impressive. I was holding back to test you guys, but it's rare for anyone to pressure me even so.
Nomad: ...what do you know about me? And what do you mean by test!?
Tanngrisnir: If I'm to work with you, shouldn't I know how far your abilities go?

Tanngrisnir reveals himself to be adult Ose.
Ose: Hello, MC, Hermes, Nomad. Pardon my manners. Call me Odell, a humble bodyguard. I'm participating in this case too.
MC: Odell! / Right I saw you in Ded's office / (Did he look different last time I saw him?)
---
(A) Ose: I'm honored you remembered that name, heh.
---
Ose winks at MC.
Ose: So, you really are an ace detective to have figured out so much from the calling card. Though I say you may have overlooked something. Ded did say a collaborator made the card, remember?
Nomad:
Nomad: GODDAMMIT
MC: Oh! / what / (I love it when Nomad takes psychic damage)

Ose: Yes I made the card, but the actual thief is someone else.
Nomad: What kind of plot twist is this!? And who the hell are you!?
Ose: I just told you. I'm a bodyguard protecting the school and working with you guys.
Hermes: Pretend I'm saying this in blue: [that isn't the whole truth.] I know the tricks guys like you pull, Whatsyourface. You haven't lied, but you haven't told us everything either, huh?
Ose: ...
Hermes: If you were just an ally you wouldn't need to disguise yourself and test us. You could've just joined the investigation like a normal person. That means you've got a reason to do all that.
Ose: ...
Hermes: More fake blue text! You said you're helping us, but you didn't say you're [against the phantom thieves]! You've shown yourself to both sides, haven't you?
Nomad: What!?

Ose: ...heh. How insightful of you, Hermes. We really are cut from the same cloth.
Hermes: ...what?
Ose: The regulators of the world. Sometimes the clever of us are forced with the job role of making things consistent. Just like how you were stuck with the villainous dirty work back in Olympus. (smiles looking at Hermes's artifact)
Ose: You resigned yourself to being a double agent, con man, and liar to enemy camps facing each other, haven't you?
Hermes: ...what the hell do you know about me? Is that what you really look like?
Ose: Heh! This really does feel like I'm going up against myself. I'll say this then: the real self is an illusion. Am I a child or an adult? Is the past or the future the real thing? It's both. Both are real, and both are fake.
Hermes: ...so you aren't denying that you're visiting both sides of the case.
Ose: ...yes, I'm balancing this training drill as a double agent. By the way, is it okay to keep talking in here? It'd be better to go somewhere else before someone from the school finds us here. Why don't we reintroduce ourselves in the reception office?
End of Episode

Christmas Showdown Police Side Episode 2 Part 1 (Abridged)

Nomad: At last, my job is finally relevant again! Ace Detective Nomad is here, babyyyyy!
Montage of previous Not Detective jobs plays.
Special title card: Nomad, Ace Detective
Santa School
Nomad: Yes, yes! My time has finally come...
Hermes: Sup ace detective I've never heard of before!
Nomad: YOU SHUT UP
MC: well you're excited! / you really did want to be hired as a detective, huh? / (wow he really hasn't gotten any detective jobs)
(C) Nomad: STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT

Nomad: So I never got good enough paying detective jobs to live on until now. And now this job I've been hired for is just a drill and not a real case.
MC: Adulting is hard... / At least you're still hired as a detective! / It'll work out somehow
(B) Nomad: True
(C) Nomad: ...you kids have it so easy with nothing to worry about. Well it is a detective job, still.

Nomad: Gotta do what I got paid for and make some contacts in the police force.
MC: Pro! / Nice clothes! / I can't believe you got dressed up in new clothes for this
(B) Nomad: You think you're so slick don't y--well okay yeah I guess it is a shakeup from my regular clothes. Thanks, I got them for days like this.
(C) Nomad: I get to flex my detective skills! Got to look the part!

Nomad: God I really hope I don't burn these clothes. Anyway! We got the police to do the defense work, so...how about we start investigating for leads on the criminals? You said it's okay for us to catch them before anything happens, right?
MC: Yep / Ayo, Ace Detective! / I'll do my best!
(A) Nomad: Cool, let's start already.
(BC) Hermes: Hey Nomad, walk like one of those noir detectives!
Nomad: Shut up and go already.

Ded's office
White: The calling card? Oh yes, Hougen has it. We had a collaborator make it for us.
Hermes: Wow, going the extra mile there.
Nomad: ...can I borrow it?
White: Sure. I'll inform Hougen.
Nomad: Thank you. Alright, move out Watson and Whatshisface!
MC: Already? / Bye Ded
(B) White: Good luck!

Hallway
Nomad: Ded said the card wasn't delivered in advance of anything, right? That means whoever did it had to sneak in somehow. Did they hide or come in through a window?
Hermes: Wanna ask the old man for a blueprint or something?
Nomad: Hmm. Well I'm curious about how the defense is set up too. Gotta talk to Hougen about that, but later. You guys help me with some other stuff first.
MC: Okay! / Hermes, you're up / Say it like you're talking to a real assistant
---
(B) Nomad: You help too!
(C) Nomad: ...
Nomad: I need your guys' help with what's next. Please assist me my dear assistants.
Nomad: HAPPY NOW!?
---
Hermes: Cool, what do we do?
Nomad: First we're gonna question the students. Ask if they saw anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Anything at all.
Hermes: 'kay.

Around the school
Guy A: We were all gathered in the morning for an assembly when the note came. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nobody said there was a broken window anywhere.
Wolf B: You guys aren't part of this school...I can tell with my nose even though you guys aren't in uniform or dressed like teachers! Oh! Is this a questioning? The police did this too. When we went back to the dorms we didn't see anything happen. And we haven't seen anyone weird between class time and after school.
Girl C: All we saw besides you guys is people we know from school. We're so busy getting ready for Christmas! The teachers are even busier. Oh, they went to the track and field grounds. Lots of people over there too.

Track and field grounds
A bunch of students are racing, throwing coal, stretching, and working out. Also a teacher in a tracksuit is doing some light running.
MC: The Black Santa students? / I wonder if Krampus is here? / Tanngrisnir why
Tanngrisnir: *(notices the party and jogs over)* Hello, hello MC! It's been such a long time! I heard from Ded that you're helping with our drill case.
Before MC can introduce Nomad and Hermes...
Tanngrisnir: Oh, wait MC! I'm acting on the same level of awareness the students are for this incident. More realistic acting or something. Apparently I'm terrible at keeping secrets. The students tell me they can tell even if I don't say anything.
MC: Yep.
Tanngrisnir: So I'm going to be doing the utmost to support my students. I just started joining the Black Santa students in their workouts and running. And of course, stew! You can have some too!
Nomad: Thanks. Wait how did we get to this point!?
Hermes: Free food!

MC: Hermes is poor too, huh / charity stew for two / wanna get another serving?
Nomad: Hey! Don't indirectly call me poor! I'm getting by even with all my bills!
Hermes: You got a detective's office right? Sounds nice to have a roof over your head.
Nomad: ...wait, you're homeless?
Hermes: No permanent residence. Plenty of places to sleep tho! Like under bridges, dead shops, back alleys, and tall grass by the river.
MC: That's worse than I thought / Missionaries, help! / How about I sneak you into our dorm?
(C) Hermes: Awesome! Don't worry I'll call beforehand.
Nomad: Don't just jump on that offer! Although your life does sound tough...

The party talks over stew and notices they've never talked about their individual origins.
Tanngrisnir: So you guys are in the middle of questioning? Does that mean you're going to talk to the Black Santa students too? Once you find the thieves it should be a sparring match between the students. They're getting very excited about punishing those naughty miscreants and...hm?
MC: Krampus! ...seems to be acting funny. Why is he breathing so hard?
Tanngrisnir runs over, followed by the party.
Krampus: Ha...ha...hahahahaHAHAHA!
Krampus: Come at me, thieves! I'll spank all of ya!
MC: WAIT WHAT / couldn't be me! / damn he laid out all these other guys

Guy A: Go Krampus!
Girl B: Yeah! Kick everyone who isn't part of the school's ass!
Wolf C: On that note please spar with us!
Nomad and Hermes: YOU WHAT
Tanngrisnir: Dear Odin, they've gotten too into the sparring and let the blood get to their head! This happens a lot!
MC: WHAT / Well Ded runs the school, that checks out / I'm in danger

Tanngrisnir: Careful, the four of them are top of their class! Aww man, if I didn't have a bum leg I'd love to join in on the sparring. Sorry it looks like we're doing this now. Don't worry, I'll stop things if it gets dangerous! I am now acting as Mister Referee! The wheel of fate is turning, fight! (rings gong)
Nomad: Why do you have a gong!? Ugh, no complaints about getting hurt!
MC: WHY / welp / no mercy!
Hermes: ha ha, let's have some fun
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Black Santas: YEAAAAHHH
Nomad: How are they so good at fighting!?
Hermes is dodging away. Nomad and MC are grouping together for defense.
Hermes: Okay bored now. (pulls out Totally Not Caduceus with the power of change and flow from the faith of Mercurius's alchemy)
Hermes: I cast Sleep! (fweeee)
Krampus: bruh (flops over with the other Santa students)
Hermes: I win!
MC: Was that your artifact? I have no idea what happened.
Hermes: I can't be bothered to explain the details, but I used my power to make them sleep. Nobody gets hurt, sparring match over. Right, Tanngrisnir or whoever?
Tanngrisnir: R-right. Game set!

Later
Santa Students: We're sorry we jumped you like that...
Krampus: I can't believe I didn't notice MC was here. And some other visitors saw me in Black Santa mode...I want to hit the quit button on life
Nomad: Eh, you guys are on edge from the case. I don't mind if we helped out as sparring partners.
Hermes: Same! It was p fun. Krampus, right? You acted like such a bad guy. Not bad!
Santa Students: YEAH
Hermes: Where'd you people come from!?
Guy A: The class star Krampus!
Wolf C: You're so kickass!
Girl B: Gap moe!
Krampus: come, sweet death!

Hermes: Ha ha, wow these guys like you so much
Krampus: ...y-yeah, it's embarrassing but nice to have people accept me acting like a villain.
Hermes: ...
Krampus: Black Santas terrorize bad children. I dreamed of being a hero, I never thought people would like me as someone villainous. I always thought I'd have to pick one or the other, but MC and some other people helped me out in an event, where I made friends and learned I could try to be the hero I wanted to be. A-and now I'm working with my teachers and classmates to be a Black Santa where I can be myself...
Mob Students: Yeah, we're with you Krampus!
Hermes: A way to be both, huh...?

Flashback
When Hermes came to Tokyo he saw how different its culture and customs were from Olympyus but thought it was much the same, so he tried to life a new life.
Native Cop: You're a famous thief and liar in your homeworld? Those are bad things here. Try to follow the law.
Nobody could tell Hermes was lying since Hermes was capable of lying and tricking Zeus, king of the world.
Native Cop: You again? You're what's wrong with society!
It should have been easy for Hermes to keep problems hidden since he could go around anywhere like a straw millionaire.
Native Cop: Why are we doing this again!? What, you're framed? Are you lying again? Fiiiine, I'll hear you out at least...
Hermes was a liar and a thief, so that was the unvarnished truth. Today he walks around carrying his past on his shoulders too...

Hermes: (Wherever we go, our roles follow us huh? Dammit.)
Hermes: Nice, Krampus!
Santa Students: RIGHT!?
MC: ... (something's wrong with Hermes)
Nomad: ... (I know that look in Hermes's eyes.)
End of Episode

Chapter 4 Episode 14: This is Not a Rout (Abridged)

Monster Procy: Wirrrrrooo (starts dissolving)
Crowne Alter: Goddammit I'm losing here! Damn trash heroes and damn trash Observers thinking they can win against ME!
EX Ryekie: I'm nowhere near done! Let's finish this, MC!
MC: O-okay!
Akashi: A-are you okay, MC!? Aren't you pushing it!?
Mokdai: Y-yeah MC you look tired...
Melide: Of course. The bigger the path kept open, the bigger the strain on the Observer. Plus MC hasn't learned how to control it before opening the path.
Crowne: So, if Ryekie keeps fighting...
Sui: MC might burn out first?
MC: I can keep going just a bit more!

Monomasa: ...it's true we're in a better position than ever. We can win if we push a little more.
Yoshori: So we HAVE to do this!?
EX Ryekie: MAXIMUM POWER!!!
MC sends Max VP to Ryekie, which also causes MC to waver from a violent shock to their consciousness.
MC: I CAN STILL DO THIS
The VP sent to Ryekie turns to electricity that Solar Flares the surrounding area.
Crowne Alter: MY EYEEEEES
EX Ryekie: Eat it! EX Thunderous Lightning "Terabolt Slug"!!!
Monster Procy: reeEEEEEEEE *(blasted)*
MC: naptiiiime (flump)
Akashi: MC!?

Broker's Ship
Broker: Oh look what the cat dragged in.
Crowne Alter: ...!!
Broker: You look mad. Are you mad? Tell me if you're mad.
Crowne Alter: FUCKER! That little shit Took Everything! They're so gonna die I swear! Broker what is your goddamn plan with them!?
Broker: That's classified. And I thought I already told you we aren't equals. I know you have enough intellect to understand this.
Crowne Alter: I knew it! (punches the walls until their nails break, then starts gnawing on said broken nails while quietly muttering to themselves) You're all gonna DIE! Exio, Justice, MC...! Watch me bring the real big guns next time!
Broker: (watching Crowne Alter and also whispering to himself) You do that. Dance, puppet, dance.

Elsewhere
Akashi: MC!
MC: what...? (wakes up)
Akashi: MC! Oh thank god you woke up.
MC: wait what happened
Akashi: You've been out for almost a whole day. Don't scare me like that.
MC: (looks around) where am I?
Gammei: Our agency HQ. It doubles as a shelter in emergencies. You guys did a lot for us, so we're giving you guys space here for now. Sorry for what happened. If you guys didn't jump in when you did, the city would be even worse off. Thanks. 

MC: how bad is it?
Akashi: Well...this is what the office looks like now.
Akashi shows a picture of the building from his phone. The office building is totally wrecked.
MC: Oh no!
Gammei: ...most of Central Ward's just as bad. At least half the municipal area was crushed to pieces by that giant Monster. Police and heroes are busier than ever helping victims.
Gammei has darker bags under his eyes than usual. He sighs, then offers his hand.
Gammei: Can you get up? I'll take you to the cafeteria. I bet you're hungry. And there's some people who want to see you.
Akashi: ...

Later
Mokdai: MC! You're awake! You okay? I asked to have the medical staff look at you.
Sui: So now everyone in Parallel Flight besides the director is okay. That's a relief.
MC: What happened to Huckle?
Sui: Well...
Ryekie: Oh, MC! Good to see you awake!
Huckle:
MC: He looks fine! / I'm glad we got you out!
Ryekie: ...so Huckle, do you remember our new employee MC?
MC: What...?
Huckle: ...I'm sorry, I don't. I beg your pardon, Mr. Ryekie.
Ryekie: ...no, it's not your fault.

MC: W-what?
Akashi: After you fainted, the tentacle that caught Huckle dissolved and dropped him. We thought he was okay, but he was like that when he woke up. Seems he's lost a lot of his memories.
Mokdai: Melide said it's the after-effects of having his Observer personality torn out. The memories might come back later, but it's possible he might stay like this too...
MC: No...
Ryekie: ...for now, Huckle only seems to remember up to the part where he and I met and started being friends. He barely remembers me, but nothing after that.
Huckle: I'm sorry. I'm sure you all meant a lot to me, but I can't even remember your names. My apologies.
Akashi: Goddamn that asshole!
Mokdai: Akashi...

MC: Whatever happened to them anyway?
Sui: They disappeared, probably when Ryekie's thunder flashed. The monster they brought disappeared too, maybe back to its original world.
Mokdai: The giant monster stopped attacking after that, and everything suddenly went quiet. We asked Melide, and she said she couldn't see it anymore, so it might not have really woken up.
Gammei: So something even worse will happen soon, huh? Next time the city really might get destroyed. Also the girl left somewhere with her friends. I wonder what they're planning?

MC: Melide's not here? Where'd she go?
Mokdai: Dunno. Exio hasn't woken up yet, and when I went to check his bed this morning he was gone.
Ryekie: The medics say he isn't going to die, but you know...they're villains. They probably didn't want to stay in a hero agency for very long.
Mokdai: They still left us a hint. Apparently the giant monster will be sleeping for at least a week. If we're gonna fight it again, it'll happen then.

Sui: What can we do with a week?
Akashi: Prepare as best we can...but with the boss like this...
Huckle: ...
Ryekie: ...but we can't sit here and wait to die. If it comes again, then I at least will be going back out there. I can't let the city be threatened any further. There's still people in there too. I have to save them.
Ryekie: MC, I'm sorry about the strain I put on you in that fight. Still, I'm sure that power is our best hope going forward. If you want to help again, I'll gladly accept and fight with you. Will you come along?
MC: Yeah! / Are you really asking me that now? / As many times as it takes.
Ryekie: ...I see. Thank you.

Outside
Crowne: ... (sigh)
Crowne: So, that's how it is. Which means, I should be the one to settle things. But...what should I do? I lost my dreams...so do I have the power to fight?
End of Chapter 4

Christmas Showdown Thief Side Episode 1 Part 2 (Abridged)

Benten (narrating): There's so many lights and decorations up, and couples are out in full force holding hands and looking at shops. Oh, I'm not complaining or anything like that. I know there's tons of people out there enjoying the festivities. It's just, for someone offbeat like me that just isn't stimulating enough, you know? I'm the type to order curry at a famous pasta place and go to thrift stores instead of the latest brands. So stuff like this? Boring! I'm always on the lookout for discovering new sides of myself, so I was really surprised when I saw what I did at that time.
Benten (narrating): I was in Shibuya looking for *~inspiration~* when I saw this Transient guy in a stupid T-shirt and shorts playing some sad song on his flute. It was WEIRD, because it had two snakes circling around it for a design. It's also a design I've got a link with fate to, so it caught my eye. Anyways, the guy also wasn't playing any new popular music, so it was like he didn't need an audience or himself. It was so cool! I'm totally going to learn something new about myself with him!

Present
Wolf: I'll get you for this! (runs away)
Jiraiya: Hey, you okay?
Hermes: Yeah I'm good. Totally just a misunderstanding, yep. Thanks.
Benten: I wanted to take a pic of you performing so that guy getting up in your grill became my problem.
Jiraiya: Yeah I never met you before but since you know MC I had to help. You never know where fate takes you in terms of relationships. Maybe we were meant to meet up. The day I stop caring about other people will be the day I give up on who I am!
Hermes:
Hermes: Cool. You're a good guy.
Jiraiya: That's me! A hero!

MC: hmmmm...
Hermes: Oh hey you guys have time? How about I treat you guys to tea as thanks? I know a place since I work there.
MC: Okay! / Benten? / Jiraiya?
---
(B): Benten: Okay! I still want to take a pic with Jiraiya, so a cafe would be cool.
(C) Jiraiya: Sure, let's see where this goes!
---
MC: maybe I'm imagining things
Hermes: Let's go!

Cafe Asterism
MC: This is a good place / Oh / You were talking about Asterism?
(A) Hermes: Yeah! Looks cool in and out, and the food and drink is good. Look forward to it! It's also famous for other reasons but--actually never mind!
(BC) Hermes: Oh you know this place? I guess it is pretty popular. Do you know the secret side to this place too? Actually never mind!

Taromaiti: Oh MC...and you're with Hermes too!?
Hermes: What's that supposed to mean? I can be a customer too.
Taromaiti: Oh, no it was just a surprise to see you with group. It's great to see you with friends. Still, you get into shenanigans like all the time if you're hanging around with MC. So anyways, welcome!
Hermes: Yeah yeah, look at the loner freak having a friend. So MC, you know the people here? And...Benten and Jiraiya, right? You just happened to meet up with MC, but all of you guys knowing them means they're kinda famous huh?

MC: Stuff happened
Hermes: Huh. Oh yeah MC, why were you and Jiraiya in Shibuya? The first time I saw you, you had a Shinjuku uniform.
MC: N-nothing suspicious! / (how do I explain this) / (signal to Jiraiya)
Jiraiya: I'll take care of it! We can't let our plans leak to outsiders, so let's invite them to join us!
Benten: Were you guys gonna do something cool and leave me out of it!?
Hermes: wat
MC: (explains)
Hermes:
Benten: I see. I'm in!
MC: Hermes?

Hermes: It's a small world after all. The police know me and Hougen invited me along. I kinda don't want to do this though, so I'm not sure. (pretends to be bothered)
Shinya: Hello, MC and Hermes. It's nice to see you here with friends.
Kalki: MC. Are you also involved with the Santa School thing?
MC: You know too!? Does everyone know!?
Kalki: ...did Hougen say "I'm so sorry, here's the truth!" to you? You shouldn't take him at face value. He may look like a dirty old goat, but he is a knave that won against Tokyo's demonic underground side. He is the type to tell a hundred people "it's a secret between you and me!"
Taromaiti: W-well, how about we get something to eat and talk about it? 

Later
Taromaiti: So, we heard about the stuff at Santa School because Hougen talked to Kalki.
Kalki: I'm not good at acting though, especially as a thief. This is also the busiest time for Cafe Asterism, so I want to help Shinya as much as possible.
Shinya: Oh, you don't have to worry about the cafe.
Kalki: I must! The cafe is busy as it is! I cannot let you deal with the cafe all alone at a Time Like This!
MC: ...what?

Shinya: ...well this time of year gets pretty rowdy around town too, huh Kalki?
Taromaiti: Moving on! So turning Hougen down made me feel bad, so I offered to switch places with Kalki and play the part.
Benten: Oh! So are you one of Hougen's students like Kalki too, Hermes?
Hermes: HA! Nope. Just petty little crimes that may have blown up a few times, so joining up might not be a good idea.
Benten: !?
MC: wow / you're an ex-con? / (should I ask?)

Taromaiti: You okay with talking about that?
Hermes: Meh. Old news.
Benten: Well, Tokyo is a new place for a lot of Transients. Plenty of people have rocky lives before they settle in.
Jiraiya: Yeah what she said. You have a respectable job now, it's cool!
Benten: Yeah! It doesn't matter if you have a really crazy past or whatever, like how the Treasure Ship band broke up! Freedom!
Hermes:
Hermes: Heh. Benten, right? You play music too? Sucks when a band breaks up. I was in one too, but it didn't work out.
Benten: Yeah! We may both be musicians, but even if we have different styles we don't change that easily!
Hermes: Uh, right.
Hermes:

Flashback
Manager: Hey, you can play a lot of instruments right? Join our band! We don't care that you're a Transient!
Later
Bandmate A: Hermes, aren't we friends? What are you hiding?
Bandmate B: Yeah, tell us a bit about yourself.
The native band members were interested in Hermes. What was his home world life like? How was life now? But Hermes never talked about them. Rumors started that Hermes was a famous thief, but Hermes just smiled and made no attempt to deny them.
Later again
Bandmate B or whatever: Hey, the studio inventory has been off lately. You, uh, wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you Hermes? You have a criminal record, and you can't have changed that fast.
Bandmate A: Hermes could you not talk to me outside the studio? I don't want your reputation rubbing off on me. I wouldn't have tried making friends with you if I knew you were like that earlier.
Despite the chilling reception, Hermes still made no effort to change his behavior.
Later
Manager: Hermes? We got a replacement for you. You're fired. We don't want you dragging our rep down for being here.
Hermes still just smiles and doesn't argue about this.
End flashback.

MC: Hermes?
Hermes: Nothing! Okay yeah I'm in.
Benten: Yay! Let's get a hideout!
Shinya: You guys can use the cafe's hidden space in the second floor when it's closed. Taromaiti has a copy of the key, so you can come in through the back door.
MC: Really? Thanks! / I didn't know cafes had something like that / It really does feel like a phantom thief hideout!
(C) Shinya: Haha, I'm not really a phantom thief at least.

Taromaiti: You sure, Shinya?
Shinya: Yes, I want to help MC.
Kalki: Okay then.
Jiraiya: Thanks, manager! I'm glad we got a crew and hideout together so fast.
Benten: Party time! Hermes's treat!
Hermes: Hey, I don't have THAT much money!

Elsewhere
???: Everything is going according to plan. Please leave it to me.
Ose: I'll send the information ahead of time by other means since I don't want to risk it leaking over the phone or computer. The training drill may be a bit big, but I'm still going to stick with it. Plus I might be able to get some info no matter what happens.
Ose: Tajikarao has hired private detective Nomad, just as planned. I'll tell him and only him that this is all a drill. Now, about the phantom thieves... (pulls out a picture of MC and the party at Cafe Asterism)
Ose: Aww, MC has such a nice smile. It looks like all of them except for one has opened up to each other. Hermes is suspicious. When MC came to Ded's office yesterday I barely felt someone watching me from somewhere I couldn’t tell, and I am a good spy if I say so myself. This'll be fun! Time to try something new.
End of Episode

Christmas Showdown Thief Side Episode 1 Part 1 (Abridged)

Hermes (narrating): So there's like a ton of police officers inside and out the Santa School. Getting inside will be hard, and scoping it out from close by would be risky. All I can do now is wait for a better chance. I originally came to figure out their patrol patterns and figure out when and where I could sneak in. I'm also waiting for this one student to leave the school since they were brought in for some reason despite all the security.
Hermes (narrating): I was surprised that this student spoke directly to the headmaster like they knew him, so maybe I could use them somehow. It seems like they came on their way home after school, so they have to come back out sometime.
Hermes (narrating): Okay finally they're here. Dunno what their deal is since they look like any old student on the street. They don't look like they've gotten any special training based on how they walk, but I'm gonna keep stalking and watching them.
Hermes (narrating): I can see them talking to something apparently invisible. Since they're looking to the side they don't notice someone coming up ahead, and wouldn't you know it some wolf thug bumps into them. He's that one accident faker and dine and dasher the police have been looking for. It's probably gonna be a fight. Welp, time to move.

Yasha: Aw bitch, I haven't gotten any customers in today. Where's a sucker I can get some money out o--oh.
Yasha: Hi hottie!★ Wanna come check out School Uniform Cafe for Nerds? (^3^)
Hermes: What, you talking to me? I'm too busy to get ripped off by fetish places.
Yasha: YOU WANNA START SOMETHING ASSHOLE?
Hermes: Say it louder for the back of the class why don't ya. It's not like I've got a sucker to dupe or anything.
Yasha: Huh? You mean that wolf over there?
Hermes: They're mine, got it? You're gonna ruin my plans if you try something.
Yasha: What, he rich or something if you care that much? Ha! Watch me!
Yasha: Oh Mister Fluffybutt, can I have a moment of your time? <3
Yasha: Ha ha, hook, line, and sinker. Hello, motherload!
Hermes (narrating): Criminals who victimize other people will end up coming across other criminals who do the same thing. I wonder who's gonna get who? I can't be bothered to care much, but now I've got a chance! What was their name...MC? It's Taking Advantage of Other People Time!

Later
MC is going back to Ded's office again.
Hougen: Hi MC. Made a decision?
MC: I'll join the thieves / I'm gonna be naughty / The treasure is mine!
(Bang)
Black: Did I hear you say naughty? I see you have chosen death! ...inasmuch as this is training and I don't actually shoot people dead.
Hougen: No Ded, stop! You're going to ruin everything! I wanna give MC such a spanking now...hurhurhur.
Black: Damn. Well thanks for helping. Don't blow the surprise!
Hougen: Well I'm looking forward to seeing what tricks you pull. As for the other members of the thieves, it'd be better for you to meet them outside of the school.
Black: I have Jiraiya's number. You guys should pick somewhere to meet, then call White once you have your gang settled. He said he'd do something for your thief costumes. Bah!
MC: Okay! / Bye! / Have mercy
---
(C) Black: Don't get all soft on me! Go at it like you mean it!
---
Black: Don't think we'll go easy on you because you're a student, or else you won't make it in! Get working on those plans!

MC texts Jiraiya around the time they reach the school doors. Jiraiya texts back to say come to Shibuya.
Jiraiya: Hey, MC! It's been a spell! You doing good? I'm glad we're on the same side. Buckle up for a ride!
MC: Hi again Jiraiya! / Glad to have you / I came because of you
---
(C) Jiraiya: Aww, thanks! I'll give you a hand if you need it too.
---
Jiraiya: So! Santa School's all under heavy guard and we can't take too long on making our plans. And we're gonna set up shop in Shibuya which isn't too near and too far from there!
MC: Yeah, scouting will be easy from here / I see / I don't get it but you sound like a pro
(AB) Jiraiya: I'm glad you're quick on the uptake. Maybe you'd be good as a thief hero?
(C) Jiraiya: Ha! You haven't seen the last of my tricks yet! 

Jiraiya: Phantom thieves, huh? I mean I go for showy when doing my main job, but they do it all the way when nabbing the loot and afterwards. The way they announce themselves before the heist...is so cool! Even if it does make sneaking in harder...
Jiraiya: ...okay, let's put together a crew of thieves here with whoever!
MC: Cool! / Are we getting other ninjas? / Know anyone good?
(A) Jiraiya: Glad to see you're into this! This sounds like fun...but I dunno who we should get.
(BC) Jiraiya: About that...

Jiraiya: I could ask the guys I know in my main job since I'll know they can hack it... If us working together just happens it's fine, but asking beforehand means I'll owe them and I don't want that.
MC: Kotarou? / Goemon?
(A) Jiraiya: Yeah! Like hell will I bow to the leader of the Fuuma!
(B) Jiraiya: He and I are natural enemies and I'm never gonna ask! Not even for you!

Jiraiya: Sooo that means I don't have any ideas on who to ask. Do you kno--
???: THERE YOU ARE BITCH
Jiraiya: What? Someone fighting around here?
Over by the train station
Wolf: I can't BELIEVE you scammed me!
Hermes: literally who
Wolf: Don't give me that! You set me up at Shinjuku the other day!
Hermes (dramatic gesturing): Ohhh! You! Now I remember. How was the ripoff place?
Wolf: You really DO remember what happened!

MC: I saw those two in Shinjuku the other day. (explains)
Jiraiya: ... (nods) Got it! Leave it to me!
MC: Where are you going!? / What are you looking for? / Why are you standing on a street light...?
Jiraiya: I'm getting up somewhere high of course! If I'm gonna make a big dramatic entrance to break up a fight, I have to make witty remarks from up high!
Before Jiraiya can say anything...
???: STOOOOP
Strumming noises.
MC: Oh no it's Benten! / why / Yaass queen!

Wolf: Problem, bitch? You a friend of bird boy!?
Benten: No. And what if I am? And yes I have a problem! I'm trying to get viral on Not Twitter after I go post a vid about the guy playing his music and you are in the way! You wanna talk to him, then wait until AFTER the show!
Wolf: wat. I don't care about your nonsense! I am trying to--
Jiraiya: STOOOOP! A hero is here to tell you guys to stop shouting! The chivalrous thief Jiraiya, faster than lightning beasts! Brighter than the sun, with no clouds in the sky! And here I am to stop the fight! Super ninja jump, go!

Benten: ...Jiraiya? That super broke-ass triple shifter third year who skips class all the time? That Jiraiya?
Jiraiya: Ack! How did you know!? You go to the same school I do?
Benten: I also heard that you hate snakes, can't really turn down requests, and studied under some toad hermit.
Jiraiya: H-how do you know so much!? Are you an info broker? Am I too famous now!?
Benten: It really IS you!? OMG Senpai, let's take a selfie together! I met someone rare and famous from our school! Our classmates are going to fav the pic SO HARD!
MC: What a coincidence / You skip classes a lot too, Jiraiya? / I want a pic too!

Wolf: GODDAMMIT GIRL! First you stick your nose into a fight and now you're talking crazy! I don't care anymore, I'll take all of you!
Benten: What, you wanna fight loser? Bring it!
Wolf: W-wait I was the one provoked here and--
Jiraiya: You're gonna regret picking a fight with me, punk!
MC: Jiraiya you came to stop this / oh no they both sound like bad guys! / I don't even care anymore
Hermes: Guys can I just leave
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Chapter 4 Episode 13: Direct Lightning Strike (Abridged)

Space
Broker: Oh no, they killed an Observer again. I must give a strongly worded warning and wag my finger the next time we meet. But an Observer that weak isn't worth getting that upset about. If MC stays alive and well, that universe is salvageable. I shall recline on my space chair and continue watching just like I have been this entire time.
Earth
Huckle: Pain... (flump)
Mokdai: DIRECTOR HUCKLE!
MC: OH NO DIRECTOR ARE YOU OKAY!?
Akashi: Hang on I'm com--(dodges)--whoa!
Monster Procys block the way
Crowne Alter: Bitch, you wanna get over here you talk to the guards.
Monster Procys multiply again.

Akashi: Why won't these things die already!?
Ryekie: Get out of the way! Huckle, hang in there!
MC: Ryekie, the tentacle is coming from the front! Stop!
Ryekie: Wha--(smacked into a wall)--gahh!
Sui: So we have to avoid the tentacle and destroy the monsters to get over there...?
Mokdai: N-no way, we can't deal with all that! B-but then...!
Crowne Alter: Nice. Dance for me, dipshits!

Crowne: What did you just do to Huckle!?
Melide: Forced Observer separation...
Yoshiori: And what the hell is that!?
Melide: Observers are what happens when you fuse two people from different universes into one being. It's like having two souls in one body. They just pulled one of them away by force...and destroyed it, killing the other person that was inside Huckle. The original person's personality has died, leaving an empty shell...
Crowne: OH MY GOD
Monomasa: How can you be so cruel to other people!? How can you be so calm after killing someone so terribly!?

Crowne Alter: Are you really asking me that? I hate everyone besides me and wish they'd drop dead. You know how it is, right Sui?
Sui: ...! (stiffens and looks away in shame)
Crowne Alter: Tch, pussy. But then again, that's just like you. Oh right, you're getting in the way. Eat it! (kicks Huckle in the chest repeatedly)
Huckle: Agh! Can't...move..!
Ryekie: S-stop! Huckle, run!
Crowne Alter: Look, he said run! Run, fat boy, run! C'mon! Run like a bitch!
Huckle: Urgh! Ungh! (gets kicked down a hole in the ground) Aaahhh...!
Ryekie: HUCKLE! Damn you...!

Crowne Alter: HA HA! Why don't you do something about it, Zap the Justice!? Gonna let someone die again, just like Back Then!?
Ryekie: !!!
Akashi: Ryekie, we'll handle the mobs! You go get the director!
Crowne Alter: Stop struggling and die already! Don't think your stupid plans will save anything!
Monster Procy: (hits Akashi)
Akashi: Agh!
Mokdai: Oh no!

Huckle: E-everyone! Calm down, I'm still okay! Focus on the Monsters...!
MC: Director, something's behind you!
Huckle: Wha...!?
Giant tentacle comes in and splits into four to sweep around. Huckle attempts to evade it in vain.
Huckle: B-body can't move right...!
Melide: Yoshiori! Shoot near that street light!
Yoshiori: Eat space lead! ...I'm hitting something but it isn't reacting! I'm going in! Hang in there a bit longer!
Melide: Oh no! You won't make it in time!
Huckle is getting dragged into the Monster's mouth along with a bunch of rubble.
Huckle: Agh...!
MC: NO
Monster: nom
Ryekie: ...!!! HUUUUCKLLLLEEEEE!!!

Inside the Monster
Huckle: ...huh? Oh. Right. The giant thing ate me. Well that was sad of me. I couldn't move around right at all... My body's starting to disappear. I wish I could have...said goodbye to him...at least.
Back outside
Ryekie: Hu...ckle...
Akashi: ...oh my god.
Mokdai: The giant monster...it...
Sui: We have to defeat it to save him...
Crowne Alter: HAHAHAHA! What can maggots like you guys do!? You talked big, but in the end you're all GARBAGE. Now I just gotta swat one last pest and--
Someone is behind Crowne Alter and raises their hand.
Crowne Alter: Wait wha--(SUCKER PUNCHED)

Crowne is standing above Crowne Alter, breathing heavily and bleeding from the hand she punched with.
MC: Crowne!?
Monomasa: Stop, it's too dangerous!
Crowne Alter: BITCH! You think you're hot shit slipping under my radar and--
Crowne: You really can't be me.
Crowne Alter: ...wat
Crowne: If you think I'd turn out to be a twisted piece of trash like you, I'd have killed myself a long time ago!
Crowne Alter: ...YOU SHUT UP! You aren't even a hero or an Observer, cocky ass pansy!
Crowne: Wha--ahh!?
Crowne Alter pushes Crowne back and over, then starts mercilessly beating on her. The robo arms pin Crowne and prevent her from defending herself, so blood starts flying with every hit.

Sui: Stop, she'll die!
Crowne Alter: Die...? Oh wait, right...I can kill her too with no problems. Things can be balanced out in other ways even if she's a parallel life. (tosses Crowne over to Monster Procy)
Crowne: Augh! (cough)
Crowne Alter: You're Monster food next. Don't worry, everyone else will be too, soon.
Crowne: Ugh, ahh...!
MC: Oh no! / That scum!

Ryekie: How dare you look down on life so horribly! I'll stop you in your tracks!
Ryekie: MC, your orders! I'm taking everything I have and throwing it all into beating them!
Phone: bwooong
MC: huh
Phone: high pitch sheening
MC: oh my god it's burning up!
Phone: (starts cracking from the heat)
MC: I HAVE TO CUT THE POWER
Phone: Exceedingly strong path found. Reconnect? For: Zap the Justice
MC: wait what the hell is this new window!?
Ryekie: MC, what's going on!? Tell me what to do!
MC: Is this a new path found from Ryekie and my feelings? ...whatever, let's go for it! (tap)

Akashi: Hey wait what's happening? Why's Ryekie shining!?
Mokdai: MY EYES
Thunder and lightning wrap around Ryekie, flashing pale blue light several times as bright as daylight.
Crowne Alter: WHAT
MC: (feels like they're being pulled into the sky by gravity forces) OW WHAT
Something like a black hole has opened above.
MC: No really, what!? I'm not gonna get sucked in by that!
Ryekie: Raaaah!!! (FLASH)

Sui: Ryekie?
Monomasa: He's gone...
MC: Where did he go?
The black hole and gravity effect is gone too.
MC: what the hell just happened
Crowne Alter: ...wait was that just some bluff? Waste of my goddamn time
Something SLAMS into the ground and the Giant Monster roars.
Crowne Alter: wait wha
MC: The tentacle that got Huckle got cut down!
Monster Procy: (gets blown up)
Crowne: h-huh
Crowne Alter: What's going on now!? Wait...
???: Raaaagghhh!!!
A light zooms back to the ground, then fades to reveal...
EX Ryekie: The lightning of justice that tears the heavens is now here! I am ZAP THE JUSTICE!
MC: R-Ryekie? / Justice? / What!?
(C) Mokdai: J-Justice!? What's that new form...!?

EX Ryekie: I dunno what happened, but I know MC gave me new power at least! There's more power going through my body than I've ever felt, and now I'm here to kick evil's ass!
Yoshiori: What!? Is this a new Observer thing!?
Melide: No, not all Observers can do that. Normally connecting a path to a host universe and writing over a current transformation like that would tear you apart and suck you into that universe. But MC could do that...?
EX Ryekie: ...guys, let me handle all this. (points at Crowne Alter) This is war! All your attacks on Exio! All your insults and assaults on us and your attacks on Crowne! And all you did to my long time partner Huckle! You're gonna pay for EVERYTHING!
Crowne: Ryekie...
Crowne Alter: Eat shit, bastard! You don't get to talk big just 'cuz you learned to control your power a little! And you, MC! Lick my pointy ass shoes, trash! You ain't better than me!

Crowne Alter raises their hand to Monster Procy, fusing them all back together. Dark sparks scatter from it as it stands in front of Ryekie.
Mokdai: Oh no it's powering up!
Monomasa: He wants us to leave it to him. It'd be pointless to get ourselves endangered.
Sui: B-but...
Akashi: ...I get it. Ryekie's putting his pride on the line for this.
EX Ryekie: Yeah, I got this! I'll win for sure! MC, we'll do this together!
MC: Okay!
Crowne Alter: Know your goddamned place!
EX Ryekie: You've destroyed and hurt people while indulging in your own desires! You've trampled on lives and freedom as you selfishly called them in your way! You are evil, and you are going down NOW!
BATTLE START

Christmas Showdown Police Side Episode 1 Part 2 (Abridged)

Wolf: I'll get you for this, bird boy!
Dine and dasher wolf is handed over to the backup Tajikarao calls. Taromaiti, Hermes, and MC talk about the other day in the meantime.
Taromaiti: ...Hermes did you know who that wolf was?
Hermes: Shrug, lmao! But he seemed sus to me. And since he's the one to bump into MC, I guess that's karma. I just set a little trap for him to fall into.
Taromaiti: Oh. It's not the most respectable of methods, but I'll still thank you for saving my friend.
MC: Thanks Hermes / I was sweating bullets / That was funny
(A) Hermes: It's cool. But I won't say no if you wanna pay me back with money~
(B) Hermes: What's a thrill here and there gonna hurt~?
(C) Hermes: Wow you got guts. Let's do that again then!

Taromaiti: >:C
Hermes: It was just a joke, bro.
Tajikarao: I'm back! Thank you you two for helping catch that criminal and cooperating with our investigation! Although this does sound like it's all Hermes's fault.
Hermes: Oh come on dude I am an upstanding citizen now! I just...ran away as a habit when you saw me playing my flute the other day. Look! The proper forms to perform in public!
Tajikarao: Very crumpled forms, but the right forms nonetheless. And you did help arrest a criminal just now...
Taromaiti: Please let him go.
Tajikaro: ...who are you? Do you know Hermes?
Taromaiti: Taromaiti. I work with Hermes at Cafe Asterism. He's our delivery boy.
Tajikarao: He has a job!?
MC: Why is that a big surprise? / Is he that shady? / Is he a bad guy? 

Tajikarao: Well, I already know Hermes is openly rebellious against the police. But if anyone saw how he acted now, they'd be surprised and find it admirable! This one time, Hougen and I were investigating something and--I MEAN I'm sorry I shouldn't be talking about Hermes's personal situation and
Hermes: You can say whatever. You are still so unguarded.
Tajikarao: Mghgh. I can't argue with that right now...but it makes me happy to think that I may have rehabilitated myself a bit.
Hermes: wat

Hermes: Are you getting ideas about a troublemaker like me again? Just catch a dude, punish them, and let them go already.
MC: Arrests aren't all the police do / Tajikarao is a kind guy / (Hermes called himself a troublemaker...)
Tajikarao: Yes, I may have taken the wrong attitude with you before. I had pegged you as a shameful criminal, but I've been learning and thinking about things more since joining police school, seeing how things are in Tokyo, and meeting MC.
MC: Like what? / Yeah lots of stuff happened.
Tajikarao: Well you may have been taught this at school, but laws have been developed since the Gates to other worlds opened up. But more Transients have come faster than the laws can handle their issues, so there are people who haven't been supported by the law whether or not they obeyed them. So as a police officer, I not only need to handle crimes that have happened, it's important to help rehabilitate and reintegrate criminals too. That's why I go talk to Transients who have finished their prison terms under Hougen's directions.
Hermes: ...huh. Big ideals there.
MC: Must be tough for you / Must be tough for Transients / Hermes?

Tajikarao: Hermes, is our work bothering you? I know some of the people I talk to don't like the police...
Tajikarao doesn't notice when Hermes dodges the question.
Hermes: Oh, Hougen came to talk to me too.
Tajikarao: ? He did?
Hermes: Yeah, he asked me to help him with something.
Tajikarao: Oh! The Santa School case?
Hermes: Oh yeah, That Case with the calling card. Totally not playing along with something you blurted out, nosirree.

Tajikarao: Yes, that case indeed. I'm working with Kioh to guard the school and investigate.
Hermes: Wow, blabbermouth. You don't even know if we're all in on that case.
Tajikarao: OH NO
Taromaiti: Don't worry, I'm in. Hougen talked to me about it the other day.
Hermes: If you were worried about Taromaiti, I guess that means you're already in on this?
MC: (shrug)
Tajikarao: I've been informed that we'd be having outside help to cooperate with the case. MC is one of them!
Hermes: hmmmm, I see how it is. Well nice to be working with you, MC.
MC: Yep. (something seems shady...) (smile and handshake)

Later, after MC leaves
Taromaiti: Nice question dodging there. This doesn't feel good.
Hermes: You were talking to an idealistic policeman and a goddamn high school amateur. That should be easy to do. I mean you didn't tell them you were going to be involved as one of the thieves.
Taromaiti: Well what did you expect from me? And there's that bad habit of yours again, tricking people from the word "go." What's your plan anyway? You haven't told Hougen if you'd be in but Tajikarao already thinks you are.
Hermes: Aww sorry, don't be like that! I'll do it, yeah. We're gonna be on opposite sides.
Taromaiti: Right, let's do our best anyways.

Taromaiti: By the way, it's unusual for you to talk about your past. You okay?
Hermes: Well with someone friendly like that, it'd be fine to open up a little. It's way better than them sticking to me trying to become friends.
Taromaiti: ...what's wrong with that?
Hermes: Hey this is work! I don't want to be any closer than that. Plus it's the quickest way for everyone involved. (leaves)
Taromaiti: ...I can't read him, like he's made hiding his thoughts and feelings a core part of himself. Did someone force him to be that way, or...?

Elsewhere
???: Everything is going according to plan. Please leave it to me.
Ose: I'll send the information ahead of time by other means since I don't want to risk it leaking over the phone or computer. The training drill may be a bit big, but I'm still going to stick with it. Plus I might be able to get some info no matter what happens.
Ose: Hmm. Benten's joining in as a participant too? Nice, this should make things more exciting. I guess every one of us Nakano Performing Arts Academy students all want to stand out. Considering the school's Other Side, making her a thief makes sense. Now about the police side... (pulls out notes and a photo of MC and Hermes meeting at Kabukicho)
Ose: So that Transient who helped MC and coincidentally met them again is participating in the drill. He's held off on telling Hougen whether he'd be in this whole time, but then joined in after talking with MC. Coincidence, or "coincidence?" Hmm...I guess I should put in some effort too.
End of Episode

Christmas Showdown Police Side Episode 1 Part 1 (Abridged)

Flashback
Manager: Hey, you can play a lot of instruments right? Join our band! We don't care that you're a Transient!
Later
Bandmate A: Hermes, aren't we friends? What are you hiding?
Bandmate B: Yeah, tell us a bit about yourself.
The native band members were interested in Hermes. What was his home world life like? How was life now? But Hermes never talked about them. Rumors started that Hermes was a famous thief, but Hermes just smiled and made no attempt to deny them.
Later again
Bandmate B or whatever: Hey, the studio inventory has been off lately. You, uh, wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you Hermes? You have a criminal record, and you can't have changed that fast.
Bandmate A: Hermes could you not talk to me outside the studio? I don't want your reputation rubbing off on me. I wouldn't have tried making friends with you if I knew you were like that earlier.
Despite the chilling reception, Hermes still made no effort to change his behavior.
Later
Manager: Hermes? We got a replacement for you. You're fired. We don't want you dragging our rep down for being here.
Hermes still just smiles and doesn't argue about this.
End flashback.

Present
Nomad: Hello everyone, how's your Christmas decorations coming along? Cakes! Lights! Ornaments! We got it all!
Nomad is at a booth hawking things to random people walking by. When the crowd lessens...
Nomad: (sigh) Ugh, no detective jobs and all side jobs this year. I only got better as a salesman and stallkeeper. It's a living, but it's not great getting used to this...
Nomad is looking for leads on the people who turned him into a tiger in Utopia so he can get revenge. It's not going well, so most of his time is spent on other jobs.
Nomad: Huh. Someone texted me. I'll take a look and answer later.

Santa School
MC has come to tell Ded what side they're picking when their phone rings.
MC: It's Nomad. Hello?
Nomad: WELCOME TO BURGER KING MAY I TAKE YOUR ORDER?
Nomad: I mean, MC is that message you sent for real? Did you seriously say you want to hire me for a detective job!?
MC: Yes it's legit!
Nomad:
Nomad: (ugly laugh)
Nomad: MY TIME HAS COME
MC: so stuff happened / job's a job / (how do I explain...?)
Nomad: Oh, tell me later! Don't take this to another investigator besides me! I'll call again after work. (click!)
MC: It's not a real case though. I hope he won't be disappointed. (continues on)

Ded's office
White: Hello MC. Did you decide?
MC: The defense side. Everyone from Santa School is here. I'll protect you!
White: Thank you. Everyone here and from the police school will be happy to have you.
Hougen: I told the police students you're a special investigator, but come to me or Ded if it looks like people might find out this case is fake. Now, how about you go patrol with my subordinates? It'd be good to check how the info sources and students will take to you.
MC: Okay! / I'll do it! / I want to go with you!
---
(C) Hougen: Oooh, thank you! ...I can't though since I'm a superior. My subordinates will have to do it.
---
Hougen: Sorry could you wait a moment? We'll be gathering in the school's front entrance later.

Later, at Shinjuku Station
Tajikarao: What an honor to patrol with you, MC!
Hougen sent you to meet Tajikarao and gave you a badge to stick on yourself.
Tajikarao: This case is such a scandal, even if it's only just a calling card so far. Christmas is the biggest festival of the year meant for children. It's outrageous that anyone would commit crimes on such a day!
Tajikarao seems personally invested in this case too.
Tajikarao: ...we don't know what the thief wants or who they are though. So we need to up our patrols and investigate. On another note it's festive around here this time of year. It's nice how everyone is peacefully--
???: THERE YOU ARE BITCH
Tajikaro: Hmm. We should check that out.

MC and Tajikarao look and find that one wolf and two other Transients.
Wolf: You set me up, bird boy!
Hermes: And why would I need to set you up?
Taromaiti: Hermes, what did you do this time? Could you knock it off a bit?
Hermes: Aww come on, don't you go believing the lies I'm being framed with too.
MC: It's Taromaiti / It's that guy from yesterday / omg it's that wolf!

Tajikarao: Do you know these people? Well, let me handle it!
Hermes: Dude I was just trying to help a pairing happen. It's not my fault after he got together with that chick she took him to a cafe that ripped him off for a ton of money.
Wolf: So you WERE in on it!
Tajikarao: Hello everyone, let's all calm down here. Can you tell me what's going on?
Wolf: Police!? Why are you here?
Tajikarao: I just happen to be patrolling and...hey haven't I seen you somewhere before?
Wolf: (attempts to scoot away)
Tajikarao: I remember now! You're that serial dine and dasher!

Wolf: Goddammit! Gotta go fast!
Tajikarao: Okay wow that IS fast! No wonder he wasn't caught earlier!
Hermes: I'll help catch him. Hey Taromaiti!
Taromaiti: R-right! We'll go on ahead!
MC: We should go too! / Get back here! / I feel like we're missing something
Tajikarao: Hmm...well first things first, we catch the wolf!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Chapter 4 Episode 12: The S Class Hero's Achilles' Heel (Abridged)

Little Monsters: REEE
Exio: Yoshiori, corner and eliminate them.
Yoshiori: Okay! Your asses are mine, worms! Bang bang!
The smaller monsters get driven into a net placed in a dead end.
Sui: You're trapped now! Go for it guys!
Akashi: Akashi Fire, ignite!
Ryekie: Ryekie Thunder, crash!
Monsters: (ded)
Akashi: Alright!
Huckle: I'm surprised Exio's improv strategy is working so well.
Exio: I'm just using what's already there and telling Yoshiori what to do with it.

Melide: Exio, more are coming from behind.
Exio: Oh. Can you handle the tentacle?
Monomasa. Understood. Melide, your orders.
Melide: Okay. It's moving too fast for me though.
Huckle: Dodge, then counter. Use that wall in the upper right and attack after it swings by.
Monomasa: Understood. Hup!
Melide: Aah! (falls from quaking)
Huckle: (catches her) You okay? That was a big one.
Melide: Y-yes, thank you. And sorry...
Huckle: It's fine. You aren't good at operating in battles are you? Plus you're tired. I can handle this.
Melide: ...okay then.

MC: what reliable adults / wow those two
Yoshiori: HA! Exio's a top class Operator! He can do this stuff in his sleep.
Akashi: so how bad DO you want to get into Exio's pants?
Yoshiori: S-SHUT UP it ain't like that!
Mokdai: yeah sure whatever, we are fighting for our lives and homes here, a little help!?
Sui: More incoming from two different directions!
Exio: I'll take the right side then. MC, you take the left. Hmm...Sui, Yoshiori. You two come with me?
MC: Okay!

Exio: You are improving greatly. Good luck over there.
Exio has turned the battle in your favor. Splitting the party around is cutting down on the number of mobs and makes it possible to handle the tentacle.
Huckle: Exio seems really experienced at this. Who is he really?
Monomasa: I only know that he's a Back Alley Operator who's been through wars. He can get you through hard spots if you rely on him though. He's that smart.
MC: weird. What kind of life did he have?
Monomasa: !
Monomasa: Exio, get away from there!
Exio: Wha--(STABBED)

MC: Oh my god!
There is a spear shoved through Exio's body. He's coughing up blood.
Melide: AAAAHHHH
Yoshiori: W-w-wha
Huckle: There's another one! Ryekie!
Ryekie: On it! (jumps up and behind Exio to knock down another spear shot)
Exio: (coughs up more blood)
Yoshiori: EXIOOOOO (attempts to pull the spear out)
Monomasa: STOP THAT! He'll bleed out if you take the spear out!
Yoshiori: But...!
Sui: I'll handle it! (cuts off the ends of the spear with her threads, then wraps what's left and Exio's body with string)

Sui: Okay, it should be okay to carry him around. It's only going to stay that way while I'm still in hero mode though...
Monomasa: ...sorry. Thank you.
Melide: Ahhh!
Mokdai: Melide, calm down! Exio's still okay! We can get him fixed up, I promise!
Akashi: ! Who's there!?
???: Shut your filthy mouth, bitch.
Crowne: ! That voice!
MC: I knew it!

Crown Alter appears.
Crowne Alter: There you assholes are. Do you know how much time it took to get here? And Exio didn't even die!
Yoshiori: BITCH
Crowne: Oh piss off you big gorilla. The quicker he bites the dust the quicker I can blow this doomed joint.
Mokdai: Doomed? What?
MC: Yeah, what?
Crowne Alter: I'll never tell you third rate Observer~.
Akashi: Does literally every thing you say have to be a cuss or putdown!? I'm not gonna let you kill the old man!
Melide: ...Akashi
Crowne Alter: What, did your balls drop or something? Here. (summons Monster Procy that promptly splits into clones)

Sui: Oh no!
Ryekie: Get ready guys! MC!
MC: Got it!
Huckle: I'll back you all up too! Get Exio and Melide somewhere safe in the meantime.
Yoshiori: I will! EXIOOOOO!
Melide: M-me too? But...
Mokdai: ...you can barely stand now. It's too dangerous for you to stay like that.
Melide: ...okay. I'm sorry.
Yoshiori, Exio, and Melide retreat.
Huckle: That Procy thing is gross.
At least 20 Monster Procys are on the field.
Crowne: Okay, we'll play here. THEN I'll go shove Exio into another dimension. And by another dimension I mean kill.
Akashi: You'll never get your way!
MC: Let's go everyone!
BATTLE START (more happens afterwards)

Five Monster Procys remain.
Ryekie: Okay, the numbers are even now!
Akashi: I burned a lot of energy, but I can keep going!
Mokdai: We can't afford to lose! I gotta keep up here!
Sui: ...if you're going to keep going, then no mercy from me!
Monomasa: Heh. How reliable.
Crowne Alter: How are you punks doing so much better than last time? There's less of you than before! Oh whatever. Smash them! 

MC: Get ready you guys!
Akashi: Right! Mokdai, let's get the one up front!
Mokdai: Okay!
Sui: The tentacle is coming from that building's shadow! Monomasa!
Monomasa: Understood. Hah!
Crowne Alter: Oh, team work. God dammit. That can't be it tho.
Akashi: I missed! Justice!
Ryekie: Right! Huckle, gimme 3000 VP!
Huckle: Okay! Careful with the resources! Fire at that pole in five seconds! You should destroy them all if you do!
Ryekie: Got it! Ryekie Thunderclap, zap! (destroys the two Procys that ran from Akashi)
MC: Alright! You two are awesome!
Ryekie: Yep! Don't underestimate how great Huckle and I are together!
Huckle: Don't stop to brag, there's still three of them!
Ryekie: Let's get the rest of them!

Crowne Alter: hmmmm. Okay then. (disappears)
MC: wait what!?
Huckle: Where'd they...
Crowne: Huckle, behind you!
Huckle: Wha--(kicked down)--aahh!
Mokdai: No!
Crowne Alter: It's YOUR goddamn fault you trash tier heroes are getting better
Ryekie: Huckle, I'm com--
Monster Procys block the way.
Akashi: Ryek--we're surrounded!

MC: Akashi, the tentacle's behind you!
Akashi: What!? Aaah!
Monster Procys and the tentacle all start beating the rest of the party back.
Sui: W-what do we do!? My hands are full keeping myself defended!
Mokdai: They keep cutting us off when we try to get closer!
Huckle: ! Don't come this way! Don't split up now!
Mokdai: But...!
Huckle: ...I'll be okay. I know Observers can't use Parallel Weapons, but I was still a Hero for a long time.
Ryekie: Huckle...
Huckle: All of you focus on the Procys and tentacle first! I'll deal with this somehow!
MC: ...okay! Please hang in there!
Huckle: ...thank you. I'm glad you joined our agency.

Crowne Alter: You done with the lameass goodbyes yet
Huckle: Sorry, I talk more as I got older. I'll keep you entertained. I'd like for you to leave as soon as possible.
Crowne Alter: ...your shitty life ends in five minutes!
Crowne Alter slashes with their robo arms, but Huckle springs back two, three times.
Huckle: I used to be an S Class Hero. Don't think my skills meant nothing!
Crowne Alter: Not bad, dick. But I can move that fast in seconds too!
Akashi: Damn I didn't know Huckle could move like that
Monster Procy: (swings)
Ryekie: (saves Akashi) Focus, Akashi!
Akashi: Sorry! We gotta clear these guys out.
Monomasa: I'm glad you haven't changed Huckle.
Sui: Did you say something?
Monomasa: No.

At least ten minutes later
Huckle: (starting to tire out)
Crowne Alter: Damn your first class reflexes.
Huckle: I've walked more than a thousand miles back as a hero. It's a thing I picked up.
Crowne Alter: Yeah yeah I can see. Ass. I also see you getting weaker.
Huckle: !? (notices that he's bleeding from grazes on his forehead)
Huckle: Well I guess I should be glad you didn't actually split my head open.
Crowne Alter: I see you're strong and confident here too. But how about this?
Huckle: Wha--
Crowne Alter: (zooms in and lifts Huckle by the collar)
Akashi: No!
Ryekie: Huckle!
Monster Procys blocks the way.
Ryekie: Out of the goddamn way!

Huckle: Dammit! (attempts to struggle out)
Crowne Alter: I have goddamn robot arms. Gonna try to hit me next?
Huckle: Ngh...!
Crowne Alter: See? You can't. That means you see me as a pussy ass woman. How about I shove this high heel shoe I'm wearing for some reason up your ass for thinking of me like that? (squeezes harder around Huckle's neck)
Huckle: Gaah!
Crowne Alter: Pretty uppity for an Observer with a power level that ain't worth SHIT. Though I guess you're like that over Here too. (raises one of the other robo arms and makes the end of it glow with power charging)
Huckle: Gh...! W-what...
Crowne Alter: Oh, this? How about I erase your raison d'être? (stabs the arm into Huckle's stomach)

Crowne: Oh my god what!?
MC: Director!
Ryekie: HUCKLLLLEEEE!
The robo arm doesn't actually make Huckle bleed, but it is still causing him pain. He looks like he's choking on himself.
Crowne Alter: Nice. Rip and tear! (slowly pulls a dark shadow out of Huckle, the process of which sounds like skin being peeled off until a shadow clone is separated from him)
Yoshiori: W-what the hell is that!?
Melide: Oh no!
Crowne Alter: Ding ding! Girlie over there is right! I'mma kill Observer Huckle!
MC: WHAT!?
Crowne Alter makes a light blade with the robo arm and swings it.
Melide: STOOOOP!!!
MC: !!!
Huckle: AAAAAHHHHH
Observer Huckle is cut up and dissolves like mist in the wind.
End of Episode