Akiba and Dragons Episode 2 Part 2 (Abridged)

Flashback!
Creators: Tindalos Project?
The other day in the Metaverse, Tindalos explained his thing while paying attention to the camera on occasion.
Akiha Gongen: Tindalos Bros? You want brothers??
Tindalos: ...just shut up and listen. So anyways you guys know that because Reasons I can't show up in Tokyo's real world, so I spent all my time trolling the net for shit to talk about. The Metaverse building ain't bad, but...
Akiha: ...
Tindalos: I'm sick of all the restrictions! I can only touch half of Tokyo!
Turing: ...sooo, you want an avatar for the real side? Can't you just ask the Crafters?

Turing: ...I guess that's not it since your artifact doesn't need that, right?
Tindalos: Yeah, I don't mean the net and physical world when I say half. I can't be touched by the physical world, but I can touch it. (sticks out tongue that can interact with the physical world)
Tindalos: So what I want is a body that can be touched by the physical world.
Turing: Ah, and now I see what you're after and why you're asking me. You need the core tech I made for the Metaverse, XR (Cross Reality).
Tindalos: The role I was born with means I can only exist in the Corners of Time made from straight lines.
Enigma: If you compare it to CGs, then that's a collection of points, lines, and angles. That's why you live in the internet.
Tindalos: Yeah I can only exist there, but--
Akiha: Wait what's XR???

Enigma: There are many definitions, but in simple terms it is one type of technology that allows interaction with the net from reality.
Tindalos: Theoretically, what would happen if my body were made as a collection of angles in the real world?
Akiha Gongen, Enigma, and Vapula have no idea. Turing totally does.
Tindalos: So then I thought collabing with you for the term sand art project would make things go better.
Vapula: ...sand?
Turing: I see. Individual grains of sand can be defined as points, and putting them together means you could make a body for yourself in the real world. And mathematically, Akihabara Academy and has a Metaverse copy of Akihabara, so you can XR that.
Tindalos: Right! I give you the privilege of being in my videos for that!
Turing: Thanks, I'll pass.

Vapula: My time has come then! So all I gotta do is va-put together a real Tindalos figure?
Tindalos: Yep! Just one thing. If I go into the real world, I can't exist in the net world. That's why I need the Bros.
Enigma: So, the Tindalos Bros control the amount of interaction from the real world to you?
Tinadlos: Yeah, the real me and studio me need communication. It has to perfectly copy my consciousness and think like me as an AI. It still needs to be an avatar that I can use to touch the real world when I want to.
Turing: So you can physically influence the world with my software and Vapula's hardware. That's an even better plan than what I originally had!
Tindalos: Also this is my term project. Double Tindalos!
Vapula: But I don't have time to help with this va-plan! I gotta figure out what feels are!
Tindalos: Hey I'm not asking you to work for free. I'll help you figure that out. Feels means points! Stimulation! Secrets and conversation topics!
Vapula: That's what feels are to you? Va-pretty abstract ideas again...
Tindalos: Well, I'll show you by proximity. We'll get the net flaming hot!
Akiha Gongen: Aren't flames on the internet bad?
Turing: I'm fascinated, so I'm going to help. You help too, Enigma.
Enigma: ...if I must.
Turing: If you would. This is the same as a one-sided function problem in cryptography, which means it's perfect for me to look at!

Present
Kunyoshi: Hey, there you are! We're over here, MC! You just barely made it in time for the exhibition and I'm glad you did!
MC: Made it! Somehow... / (wheezing)
---
(C) Babe Bunyan: Wow you suck, MC! I'm okay because I practice running in Little League!
---
Zhurong: I'm so glad there weren't any cars out today so we could go straight here.
Hecate: Lots of places in Akihabara are great for pedestrians and events.
Catoblepas: Akiha is patrolling the school. I-I think this is the first time there's so many people here...
Hecate: All the students are exiting the school since the event is happening in our school building.
Kuniyoshi: Whoa it smells just like a lucky sale!
This is the Akihabara Academy Art Event that happens every year. This year it also doubles as a showcase of the Metaverse over Not Facebook's objections. Tons of people are interested to see, not like Totally Not Facebook's terrible VR program!
Catoblepas: We should go. The school has anti-vibration and soundproofing inside so they're doing the opening ceremony there.
Zhurong: ...where's Tindalos? Wasn't he just with us?
MC: Huh. I wonder what's up?

Cyberspace
Tindalos: WHEEZE! Goddammit, the feedback even includes full sprint fatigue and it sucks! But then again I got to hold MC's hand in the real world, so I guess that's good enough. So if Turing's thingy is working right, I can just go back to the Metaverse and--BONK--OW! Who put this block here!? Even the little things got me banned recently! ...hey, isn't this a fire wall? Enigma, what the hell did you do!?
In the net-fused Metaverse, a firewall is just as much a blockade as a real wall.
Enigma: I can ask you the same. Who are you to jump in to the drive test without Master Turing's permission?
Tindalos: What the hell man, you locking me out because you don't like me?
Enigma: Critical incident predicted. You are not permitted freedom, not even with Master Turing's say so. I shall put you under observation! Tindalos, designated a risk and quarantining!
Tindalos: Well screw you too, iron sheet head!

Akihabara
MC: ...I heard something.
Babe Bunyan: Look, it's starting!
A light show begins on the wall. Then a hologram of Turing shows up!
Turing: Welcome to Akihabara's Sand Art Event! I am Turing, and I would like to thank you all for coming. Now please take a look at the student collaboration Metaverse! No involvement from underground space lizards!
The area warps, then turns into the cyber Akihabara Academy.
Kuniyoshi: Is this our Metaverse school? Is it being projected!?
MC: What? Is this also Akihabara Academy?
Hecate: This is one of our school buildings inside the Metaverse where our school friends who work in cyberspace learn. It's a perfect copy of Akihabara.
Catoblepas: B-but the projection is nothing new. Wait, what's that smell?
MC: It smells like the sea even though it's not here.
Turing: (finger snaps) Experience the Metaverse with all five senses.
Cyber Beach
Everyone: OH MY GOD WHAT

MC: There really IS an ocean beach at Akihabara now!
Hecate: Wow...this feels like a dream.
Babe Bunyan: Awesome! It's like a frontier here, MC!
Catoblepas: Whoa...can you relocate it wherever you want!? I need to hurry and finish that costume!
Kuniyoshi: BEACHES! FURRIES! HOORAY!
Zhurong: It's the big scoop! Picture time!
Akiha Gongen: I can't believe an ocean's in my homeland now! ...why am I crying?
This land was once burned down, but the people gave faith to a certain incarnation and revived this place.
Akiha: Is this what feels mean? No wait, I'm security! I just got done training for shipwreck relief, so leave it to me if it happens!
Turing: I'm sure you're all surprised, but a word of warning. As big as it feels in here, it's still Akihabara. Don't forget!
Mobster: Cyber kebabs for sale!
Maid: Come look at our special Metaverse menu we totally prepared for!
Girl C: We also have Metaverse shaved ice!

Later
Vapula: Hey you guuuys! I was getting sick of va-planting my butt here waiting for you to come!
Sand Dragon: (whines excitedly)
MC: Wow you're already in a swimsuit! / The Sand Dragon's here too! / Whoa
---
(A) Vapula: Stare and be amazed!
---
Vapula: Man this va-blows my mind! One minute we're inside, the next we're outside! Maybe this is what feels means to Turing! We should go ask him!
Sand Dragon: (croons excitedly)
Babe Bunyan: I get so excited looking at all this! Come on, Zhurong!
Hecate: I have beachside shipping to do!
Catoblepas: Hmm...I should change to something fitting the place, huh?
Kuniyoshi: FURRIES IN SWIMSUITS! Gimme a second to dress up too!

Suddenly...
MC: I hear something!
Tindalos and Enigma burst in fighting!
Tindalos: Piss off Enigma, it's event time! Then again a little noise oughta be good for the guests!
Enigma: A disorderly scuffle is not the type of surprise guests need. As area manager I must consider the people's safety, so I cannot allow you to pass by.
MC: Tindalos, what now!?
Tindalos: HEY! Don't treat this like it's all my fault! Help me if you wanna put an end to this! I'm gonna get so many Likes out of this!
MC: Well okay then!
Tindalos: (blush)
Tindalos: Oh whoops, we got problems to take care of. Anyways, do something about his firewall and I'll take care of the rest!
Enigma: Counterhack! Attack walls, deployed!
Tindalos: I'm a veteran Youtuber! I'll show you how to turn flame wars into feels!
Turing: A conflict of opinions? Both have their basis and both give no quarter. What happens next has the answer I'm looking for. Time to do some brainstorming.
Sand Dragon: SCREEE!
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Tindalos and Enigma are still fighting.
Tindalos: Is that it? Your defenses are useless!
Enigma: No problems detected. You think your brute force can pierce my walls? And is that actually the amount of power you can bring to your attacks? I overestimated you. Lowering threat value by 10%.
Tindalos: WHAT
Enigma: I will restrict your ability to interact with the physical world from the digital one. Get lost in the code labyrinth!
Enigma creates a bunch of walls, and the two clash between fiction and reality.
Enigma: Surrender and accept my control, Tindalos. You must not destroy this event.
Tindalos: Screw you, I got an important confession on the line!
Enigma: ...a confession? What? You run Tokyo Wikileaks the Youtube Channel. You never cared about what happens when you throw out every secret you come across.
Tindalos: I know! And that's why I got something I wanna announce I never could before even when I wanted to! In fact, I'll tell you what I wanna do before I tell the public! It's...!
Enigma: ...well?
Tindalos: (blushes) I wanna hold hands and hang around Akihabara with this one person! And--I can't spit it out!
Enigma: ...what? That's what you're using all these resources for?

Tindalos: DON'T YOU JUDGE ME! This is personally important! Kicking up chaos and doing my term project are just things happening along the way!
Tindalos can interact with the real world through his artifact if he uses someone as a buffer. He wanted to directly experience an impact that could damage him, the same thing the Exile of Old Ones wanted but never got. Their power allowed them to access reality from dreams but never the opposite way.
Tindalos: Get those posts rolling folks! My live confession's gonna be the thing of the century!
Enigma: Analysis failed! Analysis failed! I cannot believe you could be so...innocent pertaining mutual connections!
Enigma accidentally lowers his guard!
Tindalos: You calling me a baby!? Piss off with that shit! You know how naked YOU'D be without that armor in the real world!?
Enigma: Stop! Stop! You cannot take off my outer coverings! Nooo, do not decode meee!
MC: Okay, that's enough. / Stop! / (stare)
(C) Enigma: STOP STANDING THERE AND HELP ME

Turing: Stop Enigma. Your dignity will lower if you continue with this low grade scuffle.
Enigma: Master! ...I mean, Turing.
Turing: There's a delicate balance in place, but your two abilities are clashing. If Tindalos is making a mess, wouldn't it be fine for you to suppress it?
Enigma: ...if that is your will.
Tindalos: Where the hell were you, Turing!? Also, what the HELL is that swimsuit!?
MC: Nice swimsuit / Are you enjoying this? / Please go out with me
---
(C) Turing: Ahem, I am just fitting in with the settings. That is the barest minimum amount of courtesy from a gentleman.
---
Tindalos: Oh right, how are your preparations? Can we leave yet!?
Turing: I just finished. The effect has spread throughout all the Metaverse.
Tindalos: Good!
Turing: Please tell everyone to keep the disturbances to a minimum.
Tindalos: Bleh. You owe me, Enigma! (teleports)

Later
Rando A: ...is it over? It sounded like thunder.
Rando B: I guess it's fine since there was no emergency text.
Rando C: That can't have been from the real world. Is the Metaverse unstable?
BANG
Rando: OH NO NOT AGAIN
Kuniyoshi: Look over there!
Tindalos: Hello peeps, sudden live broadcast here! Tindalos Super Summer Special!
Rando A: Oh my god, is he talking about THAT Tindalos Channel!?
A bunch of people start paying attention, even if they don't know much about Youtubers.
Tindalos: How y'all doing today? First up, sorry! I was doing some special effects and accidentally made that thunder sound.
News spreads like wildfire. Some people get mad, others calm down.

Tindalos: This might not make up for it, but I got a big plan to announce! On the last day of the Sand Art event, I'm doing a once in a lifetime confession! I-I-I'm...gonna ask someone to ~~marry me~~ register a joint account with me! With live camera recording!
Randos C and D: HOLY SHIT WHAT
Netizens and Metaverse school students start buzzing.
MC: What?
Tindalos: If you know, you know! Look forward to it, people!
Rando E: Wow, I never saw him blush like that before!
Rando F: That thunder boom was a special effect? Damn.
Rando G: All the Metaverse students are talking about it. I don't get it though.
MC: Huh. Sounds like people are enjoying this.
The crowd quiets down for Tindalos.
Tindalos: Thanks guys. Catchphrase time! Starting today, you're also--
Crowd: TINDALOS!
Tindalos: You're the best, people! Going on break now, like and subscribe if you wanna see my live confession! Also, don't tip me this time since I'm apologizing for what happened. Bye.
Wild applause!

Later
Turing: Nice work out there. That was kind of pushy, but Youtubers can make anything persuasive, huh? Enigma, come with me. I programmed a swimsuit for you, love!
Tindalos: What, you gonna go up against me and my exposures? I'mma pull something special out too then!
Turing: Contradictions lead to conflict leads to intelligence! Maybe you and Enigma will become real friends? Maybe.
Tindalos: Shut up your mouth, limey.
Turing: I got some good data there. Looking forward to the next step! (leaves)

Tindalos: Hey there, what'd you think of my broadcast? Cool, huh!? So--
MC: Nice work, you looked great. Also, who are you confessing to?
Tindalos: ...
Tindalos: (AAAAHH)
Tindalos: (I made a public announcement...now I gotta pull through! Be cool, be cool be cool...)
Tindalos breathes really hard.
Vapula: Oh wait, is feels about joint interaction? Like a balance between sometime conveyed from reality and vaplastic models? Wild emotions are stopped from the other side even now, so maybe my va-balance is out of whack with my--
Sand Dragon: (confused chirping)
MC: Whoa! Good boy. Are you trying to tell me something?
Vapula: Hmmmm...
End of Episode

Akiba and Dragons Episode 2 Part 1 (Abridged)

The next morning, Taito Ward, Akihabara. The Sand Art Exhibition opens!
Catoblepas (and randos): The anime and VA departments are doing a cafe! And there's a cosplay demo party!
Guy A and B: Out of the way people, modeling department flying dragon coming through!
Girl C and Wolf D: Kuniyoshi-sensei's new fur book now on sale to huge reviews!
Akiha Gongen: Hey! All this cardboard is in the way! Fire hazard!
Randos E and F: Please, five more minutes!
It's a little after 10 am. The main event starts at noon. There's lots of noise.

Main event area
Turing: (sips tea and watches chaos femboyishly)
Turing: Creation is the act of making something that doesn't exist in the world yet. There is no goal as creators suffer forever. Passion? Impatience? Composure? Resignation? So many contradictions. Which brings us creative power! Cheers to our suffering! Cheers to the proof of our knowledge! Apple tea is amazing. (drinks his tea black)
Tindalos: This is gonna sound weird coming from me but MAN you seem to be used to acting the bad guy!
Turing: I don't know what you're talking about. I always plan on encouraging our school friends.
Vapula: EVIL VA-PRETTY BOY VILLAIN ALERT!
Turing: Ruuude. Anyways, how are things? It's less than two hours before opening, right?
Enigma: 114 minutes 47.5 seconds and counting. Preparations are already complete. Observe.

Turing looks at a Tindalos sand golem.
Vapula: Va-praise me and all my golem techniques I used to make this work of art!
Turing: Amazing. How long did you take to make the recreation so well?
Vapula: Thirty minutes.
Tindalos: That's IT!? Beef it up! Get some more meat on it, make it ALL bigger!
Vapula: Nah.
Enigma: No, this is correct.
Turing: This is right.
Tindalos: BOOOOO

Turing: You had no hesitation or worries of production costs, and you knew what to do from the beginning. The work of a genius indeed.
Tindalos: Yeah yeah I get it.
Enigma: Excuse me for interrupting the barking dog's blathering. Master Turing, all planned processes completed. Summoning Pseudo pattern, signal check OK. App-based reception test confirmed.
Turing: Okay, thanks for your work Enigma. Okay Vapula, will you take this?
Vapula: what
Turing gives Vapula a microchip no bigger than a pinky finger nail.
Turing: That's an AI microchip I made to be a core of my current project. I put one in your model earlier. The greatest results of my research in creating intelligence in fiction is here! The chip is a brain equivalent, and we will monitor the feedback from the fake nerves.
Vapula: So I'll give this golem a temporary life
Turing: And I'll give it temporary orders with the chip
Tindalos: You exaggerating? Well I guess I'll check it out.

Vapula: ...will the chip keep the golem from vap-eering out of control?
Tindalos: What kind of lame ass are you!? Make the thing blow up into fireworks!
Vapula: WHAT
Tindalos: Let's get the test run started! I WANT it to go crazy!
Enigma: Unfortunately for you, I am controlling the AI so it will not happen.
Tindalos: Oh. Huh. Killjoy, just like always.
Enigma: How much space is empty in that head of yours?
Turing: (smiles at Tindalos and Enigma fighting)

Turing: Ahh, the antimony my research needs. It reminds me of something old AI creators used to talk about.
At the dawn of the creation of AIs, many creators tried to make things a reality, and many failed. All attempts at creating an independent intelligence failed, but what showed success was creation of an intelligence that did so through involvement with others. Input-output patterns put together somehow made AIs more human.
Turing: Yes, the possible AI I strive to create cannot be made from deciding order priorities because there is no conflict. That's why I ordered Enigma to act as my friend right now. I bet the collab work exhibition is really going to help my research. Anyways, Tindalos! You know about the other goal that's been set up for your body when it was made, right?
Tindalos: ! Y-yeah, dude!
Tindalos is blushing for some reason.
Tindalos: N-now it's time for me to hog the live broadcast! The modeler Vapula! The AI director Turing! Zoidberg! The embargo's finally up and now I can reveal the confidential project! My summer reveal is coming soon, so don't touch that dial folks!

Flashback to earlier in Akihabara
Babe Bunyan: Hey, MC! Over here! It was hell to find you because there was too many people!
Zhurong: We were almost trampled! Oh but people did notice and give way.
Babe: Whew, I didn't need to pull out my guns to get through all that. Man I wish I could be as big as Daddy so I can be the huge foreigner the Japanese people use as a landmark!
MC: Finally found you guys! Man the crowd was huge. Hi.
Babe and Zhurong: Morning!
MC: Ah, nice and loud.
Babe: Well yeah! That's how frontier mornings start, baby!
Zhurong: Are you sure it's okay to go with us? Didn't you promise to meet someone else?
MC: I was invited by the Akihabara students and the plot budget left the gang out, so I'm glad you guys asked me along.
Zhurong: Oh okay. Yay! Thanks again for coming so early! There's a shop I wanted to check out before the school event.
Babe: I can't help it if you're asking, but an adult would be bigger, you know?
Zhurong: I wanna cover a lot! I wanna put things about the city, the school, and the event into the newspaper! And you were so excited about MC coming that you were wagging your tail.
Babe: HOLY SHIT NOW I SOUND LIKE A KID! Don't tell them!
MC: I can hear you guys / Oh look I'm suddenly deaf / Nice hat, Babe
(AB) Babe: oops, can you use some of that adult discretion? Uh, Zhurong! Change the subject!
(C) Babe: Nice change of subject! It's a nice hat, huh? I like the usual cowboy hat, but this is for summer! I got one for you too even though you'll never be seen wearing it! I'm sure it'll look good.

Zhurong: Okay, let's go! There's a store Xolotl told me about.
Babe Bunyan: We should hurry or else we'll be late to the main event. We have important things to do! Yeehaw, you ready MC? I'll lead!
Zhurong: Yeah, we'll show you around! We already did a preliminary search the day before.
MC: Wait, what? By yourselves?
Babe: Investigating unknown frontiers baby! Figured there'd be anime and manga we haven't seen before here, but all we found were weird machines. Some experiment or something, I dunno.
Zhurong: And then Mr. Boogeyman got mad and told us we can't go alone because we're kids...
MC: Oh, so that's why you asked me / Ready to chaperone! / Huh, I wonder if we were in the same place earlier.
Babe: Go go go!

Zhurong leads the party to a high class soft serve ice cream store that gets milk straight from the farm or wherever they get it from.
Babe Bunyan: Awesome!
Zhurong: Right? I thought you'd like it since you like milk so much! MC, let's have some too! We saved money up just for today.
Babe: We'll treat you as a thank you for going with us today.
MC: Cool, thanks! / Let me pay for you guys.
(A) Zhurong: Okay! Food's better when you eat together. We'll get separate items since I got a new lens.
(B) Babe: Wow, you're so grown up! Thanks!

The group pores over the menu.
Babe Bunyan: Okay I'm gonna stick with soft serve.
Zhurong: Me too then. I should also check their signboard.
???: Me too, dudes. Influencer's no mercy review incoming!
Babe: Okay. Four orders of soft serve ice cream please! ...wait what
MC: No way, this voice! / Something's coming! / Wait how can he be here!?
Tindalos: BOOYAH!
Babe and Zhurong: OMG WHAT
Tindalos: Wow this ice cream is great, no wonder it's popular. But it's a regular thing for the season, so it's too early to say it's got an edge over things! Four stars out of whatever metric I'm using! Definitely check it out if you're in Akihabara! Send in your questions now, people!

Tindalos wraps his tongue around his ice cream and angles his head 45 degrees as he looks into the camera.
Tindalos: YOU GUYS, BEING OUTSIDE IS AWESOME! Summer classics, blazing sunlight! The physical presence of my followers! The Akihabara I dreamed of is applauding me!
The group is taken aback. Zhurong finds his voice first.
Zhurong: I don't know who you are, but that's our ice cream!
Tindalos: Oops, the Youtuber in me took over. I'll pay, you guys. Here's a tip!
MC: ...Tindalos, right? How are you in the real world!? / Those sunglasses look awesome!
(AB) Tindalos: That's me! The secret project to let me manifest out here was a success!
(C) Tindalos: Whoa, sharp of you to notice, MC. So you gotta be on top of the trends. I'm a super Youtuber so sunglasses are a must! These are now on sale for a limited time!

Zhurong: Oh...so he's your friend, MC?
Babe Bunyan: ...I'm not your mom or whatever, but maybe you should get better friends.
Tindalos: Wow you brats have no filter. Nice!
Babe: Rude! I'm not a brat, the name's Babe Bunyan dammit!
Zhurong: Hi, I'm Zhurong! Can I take a picture?
Babe and Tindalos: Cheese!
Babe: WAIT WHAT WHY'D YOU MAKE ME DO THAT
Tindalos: Aww, that's cute how you join in on things like that. I bet you're gonna be a big boy one of these days.
Babe: F0ck YOU man! I'mma gonna be as big as Daddy one day!
Tindalos: who
Babe: He's a lumberjack back home! Big as the mountains, makes rivers with his tears and lakes with his ass! And he made the Grand Canyon by pulling on the Rockies!
Tindalos: Kid are you sure he's not an Entity of the Outer Realm or something
Babe: STOP CALLING ME THAT BITCH
Zhurong: Nooo bully! (Lovecraft Flash!)
Tindalos: Wait what!? Whoa is he an Entity of the Outer Realm too? Cool!
MC: Okay stop, Tindalos / Don't mind him, Babe / Thanks Zhurong
(C) Zhurong: Ehehe

Tindalos: ...okay maybe I went to far in saying what I thought. Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. Your dad sounds cool.
Babe Bunyan: ...sorry for losing my shit. Make up handshake!
Hand shake!
Tindalos: I'm a night streamer from the Deep Web, your Youtuber Tindalos! Like and subscribe!
Zhurong: who
Babe: what
Tindalos: WHAT I'm a midnight trendsetting Youtuber! How could you kids who probably wouldn't be up that late not know me!?
Babe: We go to bed by 9 pm?
Tindalos: NOOO
MC: Why ARE you here?

Tindalos: Oh right I forgot about that! The most important part of my plan! MC, will you...
Tindalos suddenly gets nerves and blushes!
Tindalos: Uh, I-I thought you'd understand for some reason but w-will you--
Tindalos holds out his hand.
MC: (take his hand) / (let him take your hand, confused)
Tindalos's phone rings! He picks up without looking at who's calling.
Vapula: WHERE FOR THE LOVE OF NOT GUN-VA-PLA MODELS ARE YOU!? Do you not know what time it is!?
MC: Wait what
Five minutes before the event opens!
End of Episode half

Live A Hero Reminiscence of Ghostwoods Episode 6 (Abridged)

Gorou: LILAC! Where are you!?
Gorou is using his phone flashlight to light his way as he moves through the forest. He sweats, and the fog is sapping his energy.
Gorou: ...didn't he fall around here? It can't have been that far. Have I been running in circles!?
Gorou brushes aside branches as he goes on. A faint shadow appears ahead of him.
Gorou: Is that Lilac? Or MC and the others? ...no wait, too small. Is it the missing kiddo?
The shadow approaches.
Gorou: Hey, you okay!? I'm coming over--
The fog darkens. Gorou closes in faster, then gasps at what he sees.
Gorou: Wha--!? A-are you...my little boy Kame!? B-but...huh? That can't...but...! Kame, is that really you? Do you recognize me!? It's Daddy!

Gorou: It IS you Kame! How could you make me worry so much, you little dummy!? I've missed you so much! But why are you here? ...wait, what? Aren't I forgetting something...?
Gorou staggers around confused. The shadow approaches closer and grabs his hand. It feels warm, and is covered in soft fur.
???: ...
Gorou: ...what's wrong, Kame? You want me to come with you?
Gorou seems to have zoned out as he blankly grabs the hand back, and the two walk further into the forest as if guided.

Title card: Reminiscent Love

Gorou is at a nice and sunny park with lots of flowers.
Gorou: Look, Kame! It's your favorite flowers!
Gorou puts down the boy he was carrying and nudges him forward. The little boy totters and reaches for the flowers.
Kame: Mommy, Daddy, look at all the flowers! (proudly shows a bunch of flowers he picked)
Gorou: Wow, you picked up a lot again! Maybe you'll be a florist one day! But what do you think of carpenters? We look cool too, huh?
Kame: Yeah!
Gorou: Okay, I'll take you on as an apprentice whenever you want! Kidding. Come on!
Gorou's wife lays out a blanket and a picnic basket. This whole outing is Gorou's idea after being busy stuck at work.

Gorou: Kame, lunch time! You don't need to rush.
Kame: I love running Daddy!
Kame runs up and hugs Gorou's arm.
Gorou: Haha, look at how sweaty you are. Drink some water so you don't collapse.
Kame: Daddy your arm is huge! You smell like the sun!
Gorou: T-that's not a bad thing, right?
Kame No, I love it! It's warm and makes me sleepy!
Gorou: Oh okay. Kids have such a way with words. Like me? But sit next to Mommy, it's lunch time!
Kame happily sits down as Gorou's wife opens up the picnic basket, then reaches for some food.
Gorou: OW! My head!

Kame: Daddy? What's wrong?
Gorou: I-I'm okay. I got better after I thought of you. Come on, let's eat then play!
Gorou pulls some tin plate toys out of a bag and hands them to Kame.
Kame: Yay!
Gorou: Daddy can make things if he tries! Don't lose them, okay?
Kame: Daddy, look! This one wants to dance!
Kame makes noises as he plays with the toys.
Kame: Daddy, do that thing you did last time! The one that made sounds!
Gorou: Sure! I thought you'd say that, so I brought it with me!
Gorou pulls out an accordion and starts playing it.
Kame: Yay! Let's dance, Daddy!

It feels like a dream, warm and happy here. Kame sings, and his parents smile and watch. More children around Kame's age soon surround Gorou. It's nice to spend a day off like a family man, he thought.
Gorou: Whew, how was that?
Kame: That was great! He says it was fun too. (waves a toy)
Gorou: I made your new friend myself. Take care of him, okay? And once we go home, be sure to put him away and--
Another headache!
Gorou: ...what? Am I...forgetting something? Work? No wait, it's something else...
Pale memories resurface. A ruined city. A mountain of rubble. And buried beneath it all is--

Kame: Daddy? Are you daydreaming?
Gorou: Kame? You...
Gorou holds his head as he looks at his son. He remembers the very last time he held him. Warmth was leaving his body. His neck was broken beyond natural angles. Red stained Gorou's hands. The scent of iron. Screaming and crying that drowned out explosions and destruction.
???: Go...r...
Stabbing pain. A quiet voice calls out.
Kame: Mommy told me you can't run around with your head in the clouds!
A nauseous, pale Gorou stares at the boy in front of him.
Gorou: Kame...my little boy...is dead. It was my fault... My house wasn't built sturdy enough... It was my fault the house fell on...
Kame: Daddy? I'll kiss the boo-boo away!

Kame holds Gorou's arm and says some magic words. His sweaty fur is bundled up, his heart racing faster than usual. He is clearly alive.
Gorou: ...you really are Kame. My...boy. Why...? You're here alive. There shouldn't be anything wrong with that, but...
Kame: Okay Daddy, you're all better! Let's go to Mommy!
Kame pulls on Gorou to lead him over.
Gorou: Dammit... (stares at the hand pulling on him)
Kame is alive. Why did he think he was dead? He wants to hold onto this hand for always, looking over the boy until he gets older.
Gorou: If I can stay with you...I'd take it all being a lie any day. But...
Gorou grits his teeth as he lets go, even if he'd never get to do so again.
Gorou: ...I know. Kame is gone.

Kame: Daddy? Come on, let's go to Mommy!
Gorou: ...Kame? Did you know Daddy has another job? When I'm not a carpenter, I'm a hero who protects people. Cool, huh?
Gorou hangs his head, his voice tinged with resentment.
Gorou: ...heroes can never give up. They carry their beliefs to keep protecting people. You're here and I don't find that weird, and I don't know how THAT works. Or anything happening here actually but...
Gorou angrily punches a tree. His hand bleeds as the tree shakes, and mosaics cover his vision for a second.
Gorou: ...I don't even care how it works. You can't get me drunk off this. I'll keep carrying my beliefs forward and build a house that'll never break again to protect those I care about. I swore that on Kame's life and my deepest regrets, and I'll never ever forget that.
Kame's expression remains unchanged as he looks back with cold eyes.

Gorou: I decided to live with those feelings, even when I drink myself out cold. You're gonna have to do better than that if you wanna get ME drunk, freak.
Kame: (stares blankly)
Kame's neck goes The Exorcist, with the back of his head facing Gorou now turning dark and popping out a white sheet or whatever.
Gorou: ...I knew it. I wish it weren't true.
Gorou bites back the desire to express concern over his boy who still seems alive in his eyes.
Gorou: ...my little boy is strong, so Daddy can't lose either!
???: ...orou... Gor... sto... Wai... rou
More stabbing pain in the head, and a faint voice beyond. He remembers that voice.
Gorou: ...I can't sing and dance or make toys for you anymore...but you've always been with me in my memories and you always will. No one will ever dirty that up for me!

The illusion is broken! MC and the others run up from behind.
MC: Gorou! Wait!
Sui: MC, he turned back! Just a little more!
Flamier: Gorou! Please be careful, the fog is coming!
Sui and Flamier clear the way forward with MC bringing up the rear. Gorou gives a pained sigh at seeing them.
Gorou: ...oh, it's you guys. Good timing, I got a favor to ask. You mind helping out? My kid turned into a ghoulie. I gotta do something...but I can't do it alone right now.
He smiles, but his eyes brim with rage.
MC: ...Gorou, that shadow isn't a kid!
Gorou: ...I know. I think I always have. But that's what I see. Sorry MC...

Sui: ...that's beyond awful! How terrible can these things be!? They want to mock the pain of separation and being left behind? I'll never stand for it!
Flamier: Sui, Gorou... yes, these Monsters attach themselves to the weakness in people's hearts. I don't know their intentions, but we cannot leave them be!
Monster: Kekekeke
Sui and Flamier stand battle ready. The Monster flies at Gorou.
Gorou: UGH
MC: Gorou! I'm transforming you!
Gorou avoids the attack. The Monster laughs creepily as it turns around after missing.
Gorou: ...damn, that was close. Thanks MC. I don't see Kame in it anymore. Whatever their plan is...all I wanna do now is obliterate them. MC, can you help me?
MC: ...let's go. / Yeah!
Sui and Flamier nod too.
MC: I don't want you making that face.
Gorou stares at his accordion Parallel Weapon. His eyes are filled with burning indignation and sadness. He closes his eyes, and upon opening them again he looks determined.
Gorou: ...thanks. I don't want to make anyone else go through this. Let's get this over with. Losing Kame once is enough! You'll regret playing with the lives of those who died!
BATTLE START (more happens later)

MC: Gorou, let's do this! VP Charge!
Gorou: I got this! Time to end it with a bang! Construction "High End Construct"!
Gorou stretches out the accordion, firing off waves of light. These waves then power up Sui and Flamier.
Flamier: Oh my! My suit is reacting to Gorou's music!
Sui: And my Parallel Weapon. Is this his new power? Also MC the enemy is running away!
Gorou's light waves cause the Monster's movements to slow down, so it tries to avoid the effects by vanishing.
MC: It hates Gorou's music? Corner it! (sends attack commands to Sui and Flamier on the phone)
Flamier: Yes, I will take care of it! I'll provide backup! Sui, together!
Sui: Right!

Sui jumps up and readies her needle swords, and Flamier throws out fireworks bombs at the fog.
Flamier: Bombs away!
Monster: Meeeep!?
The forest lights up and the fog gets dispersed!
Sui: There you are! Needle Sewing! (sword plants the Monster)
Monster: LOVELYYYY (poof)
MC: Battle over! Everyone okay!?
Gorou: ...
Gorou stares at where the Monster disappeared. He seems fine, but his pupils are shaking.
MC: ... / ...Gorou. / (take his hand)
(C) Gorou is surprised, but slowly grabs back.
Gorou: ...oh, did I worry you? ...thanks.
Gorou feels MC's warmth. It truly is here.

Gorou wipes his eyes and shakes his head a few times.
Gorou: ...feels like I'm finally awake. Did the Monster do this? There was nothing to question now that I think about it...so how did I notice?
Flamier: It's not just you. When my grandfather appeared in front of me, it took me time to make a clear judgment. It happened faster because Sui and MC were with me...
Sui: We did figure out that if the fog sticks around you long enough, it turns darker and forms a shadow. That shadow looks like someone important to us...but it's still a Monster underneath it.
Flamier: Yes. And even though they have no business being here, there are times where we can't correctly understand what's going on.
Gorou: Well that's good enough in figuring things out. Right MC?
MC: Yeah. I'll check if things are Monsters.

Gorou: Awesome! Okay, let's get back to finding that kid. Who knows what'll happen in here? Lilac should be around here too somewhere.
Flamier: Yes, we should focus on finding those two. Let us go! ...oh yes, the Monster came after us when we got separated. What if we held hands and moved forward so we don't get separated again?
Sui: Good idea. We don't have Lilac and his knowledge of this place either...
Gorou: Right. And with us all here, we should be able to notice if a Monster tries the disguise trick again.
MC: Wanna hold hands, Sui? / Let's go Gorou. / Flamier, take my hand.
(A) Sui: O-okay. This feels weird all of a sudden. MC, tell me if something happens. Don't get separated from me.
(B) Gorou: ...oh, me? Alright, I'll lead. I'll keep you safe. Hold me if the ghosts scare you.
(C) Flamier: Oh, thank you. I will be relying on you until we safely leave. If you sense a Monster, please let me know so I can step forward.

The party joins hands and goes forward.
Sui: Hello, anybody? Lilac!
Flamier: Lilac! Please answer us!
Nobody answers, but Gorou's ears pick up on something.
Gorou: ...huh? MC, did you hear that?
Everyone stops moving to listen. MC does hear something.
???: ---
MC: This voice...it's Lilac!
It's coming from beyond the fog, indistinct but his.
MC: That way!
The voice sounds like a low scream.
End of Episode

Akiba and Dragons Episode 1 Part 2 (Abridged)

Kuniyoshi: WHAT
Vapula: ALL THIS!?
Turing: Yup. This Metaverse is a collaboration between my mathematical genius and cooperating creators! No copywrite infringement here!
MC: ...so what's different between this and Hephaestus's VR?
Kuniyoshi: Actually yeah, what is the Metaverse? Did you really make a whole new world?
Vapula: You can make a new vapulantastic point of view like that!? Make one for me too then! My room's getting crammed with boxes of figures and vaplastic models lately!
Turing: If only! It's just a fantasy with some tricks to it. I know everything about this Metaverse.
Turing: (frown)
MC: (wait what)

Turing: Whoops! Back to my explanation. So there's a train of thought that says everything you experience with your five senses are imaginary, so the lights and sounds you pick up are interpreted by your brain as an imagined reality. I'm building on that idea to overlap the Metaverse with an imitation reality. There's a special scanning grid laid out in here that recreates an ocean in response to your actions. It's real time adjusted to feel real to you, so think of it as a mix of virtual reality and augmented reality.
MC: Wouldn't that cost a ton? / So this is all fake? / How'd you do all that?
(A) Turing: Oh, I have sponsors and school grants covering that. The Metaverse is next gen tech, so of course influential people would be interested.
(B) Turing: Well not everything. There actually is sand on the floor for example. It's also mixed with foam styrene. Once I add in the needed electrical signals, then it works. There might be too much of a load on the operating machinery for the changes in sand due to individual weight though.
(C) Turing: I'm borrowing a whole nearby smart building. I'm also borrowing some computation power from home computers that agreed to network with me.

Turing: That's why I said it's an illusion with tricks to it. No gaps for magic or witchcraft here! Admittedly this all started with me thinking if there was any place I could do some experiments I need for my research. I needed a place, the materials, vetted staff, then put down the groundwork for my teachers and the influential. And that's how it all came together this event. Did you get all that?
Turing smiles like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Enigma: Excuse the interruption. I have finished my assigned tasks and have come to report about it. Full scan of the Metaverse complete. System is stable within expected values.
Turing: Continue monitoring. Stress testing will come after.
Enigma: Order processed.
MC: Who? / I'm MC / Cute

Enigma: Welcome, MC and everyone else. I am Enigma.
Kuniyoshi: YESSS I was welcomed! I'm into mecha furries too, you know!
Enigma: ...I am an information life form. After being taken apart, I now serve--(holds hand out to Turing)
Turing: So Enigma is a friend and helper of mine that I've asked to manage the Metaverse.
Enigma: ...yes, pleased to meet you. Give me your orders if you need anything.
Kuniyoshi: Oh wow I never thought I'd see you two standing next to each other...
MC: But they're right there now. Enigma DOES feel kinda insubstantial though.
Turing: Enigma's registered with Akihabara Academy's network. He can't appear in reality. There's other Transients who don't have physical bodies in Tokyo you know. But here we can be in the same space.
Kuniyoshi: Hmm...oh my god! Could you two stand over there please?
Turing: Okay. Right here?
Kuniyoshi: Yes! Enigma, please don't move!

Kuniyoshi: YESSS I have a project theme now!
Vapula: Aw beans, Kuniyoshi is in drawing mode now! Now how's he gonna helpla with my artist block?
Akiha Gongen: Oh yeah! I didn't forget!
Vapula: ...have you been vaplastered in space this entire time? Did Turing's explanation go over your head?
Akiha: I didn't get what anyone was saying.
Vapula: Fiiiine, let's get something to eat now and talk vapulater.
MC, Akiha, and Vapula head off to get some food and enjoy the really realistic view.
Vapula: Oh yeah, Benten said my vaplastic model needed more feels. Does that mean anything to you, MC?
MC: Not really / Passion? / (pass the question to Akiha)
(A) Vapula: Yeah that's too vapul-auge a word for me. I hear it all the time on social media, and while it sounds easy to get, I don't get it at all.
(B) Vapula: Well there's vaplenty of that since it's not like I'm doing this to occupy my hands! Vaplastic models can be so cool and cute! But then again, anyone making their own things ought to have that passion, so where do I go from there?

Akiha Gongen: Aren't you always having fun when you make things, Vapula? Isn't that good for otakus?
Vapula: ...I've honestly never worried about anything before when I was making my vaplastic models. I can make anything I want, and I strive to make my craftsmanship as great as I can! Watch this!
Vapula touches the ground and magically puts together an anime sand sculpture.
Vapula: And I can make it move...like this!
The anime statue moves like it's alive.
Guy A: OMG that's so cool!
Girl B: Is there an event today!?
Vapula: And now for my next vaplay, the rival character for him to fight!
A crowd forms cheering to see more. Vapula obliges and smiles.

Vapula: Yep, I can put on short little vaplays like this if I wanted to!
Akiha: You're a genius!
MC: Is this your Golem Maker ability too? / You like that anime? / You've got an amazing Discerning Eye
(A) Vapula: Yup, just a vapplication of my golem use abilities! Temporary life to the lifeless, originally meant to show the truth of the world. But in Tokyo the practical side was favored more than the philosophical side.
(B) Vapula: Well, it was good? I don't think much about whether I like it. I reference actual moving people and characters to make golems move like they're alive too. That's where you'll find the truth vaplaced. It's not my style to make it just move around.
(C) Vapula: And that's the important thing for you to point out. You got good talents at the arts too. Did a teacher tell you an eye for art also translates into an eye for combat? Whoa, he must be a vap-ery sensible guy! ...he's an old dude who va-puts his hands on everyone?

Girl A: Wow, Vapula. Can I borrow your golems?
Vapula: Sure. Are you using them for your va-project theme?
Girl A: Prepping for a play. I'll credit you as a co-creator.
Vapula: Thanks! Looking forward to the va-play!
A bunch of students start gathering together around the golem to make a movie.
Akiha Gongen: It's amazing how passionate otakus always are. It's been five minutes and already they're making a movie!
Vapula: Everyone's the type to create stuff, so this is what every day life in Akihabara is like. I'd like to get to making things again vaplease!

Girl A: Vapula, would you mind making something extra for us?
Vapula: Sure. You want a cute bunny?
Girl A: We want something that'll look cool for the movie.
Vapula: A big monster to go with these characters then. I va-probably shouldn't make one that came from their home series or else it won't be original. Oh! MC, you make something!
MC: It might suck but I guess I can give it a go.
Vapula: I'll fix up whatever you make, so go ahead, go crazy if you va-please!
Akiha Gongen: Wow, I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll make!
MC: Sooo something cool to look at. Well in that case...!
MC decides to make a Sand Dragon.

Vapula: Ooh, very va-pleasing to the eye. It's kinda small as is, so I'll size it up with more sand and...there we go!
Vapula sticks something into the sand dragon sculpture, then starts casting his power on it.
Vapula: By the power of the rat, I bid thee listen! Noble Phantasm, Emeth Tag!
The sand dragon starts moving and roars!
Girl A: Wow...umm, is this going to be okay?
Vapula: It's cool. I'm a genius golem maker!
The sand dragon starts stamping around and growling at everything!
Vapula: OH NO! This is even worse than with the va-plastic mermaid model! MC, I know I asked you to make something cool but what idea did you have when made the dragon!?
MC: Strong! / Wild! / Invincible!
Vapula: OH NO
The dragon swings its tail!
Akiha Gongen: We have to stop it before it hurts anyone!
Vapula: O-okay! MC, you help too!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

The party defeats the dragon!
Vapula: Aww man. What va-pu-gary messed with my golem making technique? I should take care of it now since it's dangerous.
MC: Are you going to destroy it? Aww, but it should be fine if it doesn't go crazy.
Vapula: Golems aren't really alive. It's just a va-program, and you originally envisioned it to be wild and powerful. It'll just do it again if we leave it alone.
Sand Dragon: (sad whine)
Akiha Gongen: Aww...hey, can't we watch it for a little bit longer?
Vapula: That's just its mimicked self va-preservation instinct making it give you the puppy eyes.
The sand dragon acts just like a living thing as it begs for life, clinging to MC's legs.
MC: Pleeease? I promise to take care of it!

Vapula: ...fiiiine. I just need to re-va-program its orders, so step away for a second.
Vapula: Thou art mine and MC's creation of sand. Thou shalt live as MC's guardian!
Sand Dragon: Bark bark!
The sand dragon nods and wraps itself around MC's legs again like a big pet.
Vapula: It can't stay alive for too long though. The longer a golem is active, the more likely a va-programming error will occur. There's this one alchemist who got buried by the golem he made, you know? ...oh right, something else I need to tell you. Naming it is va-prohibited! There's a taboo about giving temporary beings true things. Which means no names, no changing its vessel, no names, and no teaching it anything. Also if you get any more emotionally invested in it, it'll hurt more. Va-promise me you'll let it turn back to sand when you're done, okay MC?
MC: Yay! I will, thanks Vapula!
The sand dragon ignores Vapula's dire warnings to coil around MC.
Tindalos: Wow, I heard a lot of noise and now I found something huge!

A projection of Tindalos is in the corner staring at MC!
Tindalos: Okay, time for our sudden unplanned interview blitz!
Turing: :)
Turing stares significantly at the Not Really a Dog Transient.
Turing: Did you analyze the system burden from that fight earlier?
Enigma: Yes Master. All firewalls placed in each level are functioning as normal. There was an instance of the system working at 132% capacity, but it went back to normal levels 0.2 seconds later.
Turing: Which means we can handle an average person's revolts and power activation?
Enigma: Yes Master. Also we've received a complaint...I mean contact from the previously selected experiment sample attendant.
Turing: Oh, him? Okay, put him through.

Babe Bunyan: Hey! HEY! What the f0ck just happened!? I know I agreed to accept your thanks, but it's BULLSH!T I gotta keep Zhurong waiting!
Turing: Oh, beg pardon Mx. Bunyan. Unexpected accident, data reporting, you know how it is.
Babe: What? Did you have a f0cking wall breach and let all your animals out? Okay fine, I'll forgive you because that's what grown-ups do.
Turing: Excuse me, I need to call you again later. You're the best for the Metaverse. Would you mind waiting at the drink bar and having some milk? I'll pay.
Babe: Fine, I will. Later. Hey Zhurong! (click)
Turing: Okay, I now have a new thing to observe. Will you come along?
Enigma: Yes Master.
Turing: Stop calling me that since you're supposed to be my friend right now. This is another experiment, so can you do that?
Enigma: Very w--I understand Turing. I will define myself as your friend until the experiment is over.

*Later*
Vapula: So what now? We didn't get anywhere! Somebody help me, I'm not getting any vabrilliant ideas!
Tindalos: Hey you sad sacks! Come here for a sec!
Vapula: Tindalos or whatsit? Wow I almost never not see you through vabehind a screen.
Enigma: I see you have acclimated to this environment. How do you feel, Tindalos?
Tindalos: S'up dudes! I'm great, ehehehehehe!
Vapula: So you here to va-provide advice or something?
Tindalos: You left a gap open, so now I came to slide in! The Tindalos Channel presents our summer vacation special, the Tindalos Bros Project! And I'm here to invite you to our live broadcast!
End of Episode

Akiba and Dragons Episode 1 Part 1 (Abridged)

One day, right after lunch with no plans to do anything, MC is playing with their phone when a call comes in.
MC: Oh, it's Akiha Gongen. Did something happen with his event invite? / Hello, thanks for calling!
---
(C) Akiha: Whoa what? But thank you! I like that part about you!
---
Akiha: So anyway I wanted to ask you something since you're an otaku and--
MC: I'm not an otaku! / I'm not THAT much of a nerd! / STOP CALLING ME THAT
Akiha: O-oh. Well you're good at games so I think that's enough to say you're a good otaku... you're saying I just suck? HEY!
Akiha: Well anyways, there's something I want your help with over here. Can you come to that one community workspace shop? One of my friends is feeling stuck so could you give an opinion?
MC: No way! / No mercy / What about yours?
(A) Akiha: Oh don't be like that. You have great insights sometimes! Please?
(B) Akiha: Umm, you aren't fighting right? He just wants constructive criticism.
(C) Akiha: Uhh...

Akiha: Okay this is a lot to suddenly talk about, but my friend is really worried about his creation work. I wanna help, but I can't...
MC: Did something happen?
Akiha: Uh...it sounded like code to me. But he's been worrying for a long time. I wanna help him but I'm not an otaku, so I don't think I get what he's worried about. So then I thought you might be able to do something!
MC: You're so nice / Can I get anything I want as payback? / Will you go on a date with me for this?
---
(A) Akiha: I dunno. I just want to get along with people close to home.
(B) Akiha: Sure, anything I can do I'll do it!
(C) Akiha: Okay! We can plan it out another time.
---
MC: Catoblepas just called me so that's great. Did he call you too?
Akiha: Oh right, did you get a message from him about measurements? Eh whatever we can talk about it later. Thanks again, see you at that one shop!

Akihabara Workshop Cafe
Vapula: Hmm. You that novaplice they told me about? (stares appraisingly)
Kuniyoshi: Sorry about this. He said he wanted to observe you first before asking what you thought. This is Vapula by the way, the figure creator who wanted your opinion.
MC: So what's up? / Could you not stare like that? / (stare at his belly)
(A) Vapula: Hmm...it feels weird. A cursory vapiew of you doesn't scream that you're that different. If you get down to it, you have this floaty, blurry feeling vabout you. HMM. Fascinating!
(B) Vapula: Shh! Be vapery quiet for a second. All art starts with observapation. Hmm...interesting frame!
(C) Vapula: You like art too? Sure, we can engage in observapation together! ...hey wait I feel an evapul presence staring at my stomach. Are you after my frame!? Copyright!

Vapula: Vapleased to meet you! I also do vaplastic models and sculpting along with figures. Since Tokyo has more demand for figures than statues, I focus on that. I'm a vaprofessional, so every job has to be perfect!
MC: Awesome! / You're a vaplastic vaprofressional? / The gestalt is collapsing
Akiha Gongen: Anyways, we're asking you to help him.
Vapula: Akihaaa, don't rain on my vaparade like that.
Catoblepas: Well, let's have some drinks first before we get to discussions.
Catoblepas hands out drinks. Vapula explains about his models going crazy and presents one to MC. It's that mermaid one with all the details that would look just as good as a shop model piece.
MC: OMG that's so good! / What's wrong with it? / Uh, it's missing something.
(AB) Vapula: I know, right!? But everyone else at Akihabara thinks something is missing.
Akiha: I agree with MC. This takes amazing talent to make!
(C) Vapula: NOOOO

Kuniyoshi: Yeah it still feels like it needs something.
Catoblepas: I-I think so too, but...never mind.
Vapula: W-what!? Don't stop there, or I'll just keep thinking up vapossibilities on where you were going with that!
Catoblepas: Sorry, I really can't put it into words.
Vapula: Aww man. But that's why I'm looking for opinions from outside school!
MC: Huh. What would the gang think?
MC: (ask Imaginary Shirou) / (ask Imaginary Kengo) / (ask Imaginary Ryouta)
(A) Shirou: You should stop thinking if you hit a roadblock and take a walk to clear your head.
(B) Kengo: Stop being a nerd stuck in your room and move your ass!
(C) Ryouta: Thinking makes me hungry, so checking out all the new restaurants in Akihabara sounds good!

MC: Let's take a break and walk outside / Wanna play some sports? / I'm hungry. Wanna eat somewhere?
---
(A) Kuniyoshi: Yeah thinking too much just gums things up, so how about a change of pace?
Vapula: But it's hot out. Walking? In that baplazing heat?
Catoblepas: Oh, how about that event corner we saw then? You can experience a beach walk and have air conditioning there.
(B) Akiha Gongen: Good idea! Wanna use the firefighter training room?
Vapula: In this baplazing heat? Some other time.
Catoblepas: Oh, how about that event corner we saw then? You can experience a beach walk and have air conditioning there.
(C) Vapula: Oh yeah I'm feeling hungry too. Sometimes I forget to eat because I'm too focused on my vaplastic models. But it's hot out, and eating here won't really change my mood up much.
Akiha: Oh yeah, the school event corner is selling food.
Catoblepas: Right, they're styling the cafeteria like a beach house, so eating there could be nice.
---
Kuniyoshi: Let's go then. I've been wanting an early look at the place.
Akiha: I'll go too. I'm worried about Vapula.
Catoblepas: I'm almost done with my term project, so I'll come by later.
Vapula: Okay, let's head on over then!

MC is led to a giant building visible from a train from the nearest train station.
MC: This ISN'T a shopping mall!? / Well that wasn't what I was expecting / I thought it was a department store or something
Vapula: Yeah, you'd never vapicture this to be our school! Isn't it awesome!?
Kuniyoshi: Okay, let's go inside. Don't get lost!
The inside of the school totally looks different from other schools. Also there's random civilians around too.
Kuniyoshi: The ground floor is more an art gallery and shop than a school.
Akiha Gongen: You can see student exhibitions and buy products they got permission to sell.
Vapula: I've sold vaplenty of things myself and made tons of money!
Kuniyoshi: They also sell art materials too, so lots of people outside the school come to buy supplies too. Paint supplies, computers, cosplay mats, figures, and more.
Akiha: They even have black iron sand, fabric hemp, and wall materials. My first time here was a huge surprise.
MC: Literally what

Akiha Gongen: Huh? What'd I say?
Vapula: Everything Akiha mentioned are materials for the vapurposes of our traditional craftworks department. Akihabara Academy is the vaplace that personifies the idea of becoming the bridge between artist and audience! By the way, are they done with construction already? There were tons of construction mats out here just yesterday... they DO have all the lights vaplaced and ready, right?
Akiha: Did you do something?
Vapula: Well I vaplayed around with a bunch of stuff since it seemed like fun! Like, everything! I-I made sure it won't blow up when you turn the power on!
Akiha: Okay, nothing looks damaged. Were you hurt?
Vapula: I'm okay...my vapologies, I'll be more careful next time.

MC: On another note, the entrance looked weird.
Vapula: Yeah, they opened it up so you can get into the vaplace.
Vapula points at what looks like an auditorium entrance that looks like it has a curtained off cubicle extension.
Kuniyoshi: Apparently they'll cast charms on you if you go there.
MC: Huh. Kinda scary, but let's try it out.
Vapula: Aren't you vaplucky, MC! Trial and error is an important vaprocess for any creator!
MC and Kuniyoshi go inside, and a PA system goes off.
PA: Welcome to the Akihabara Special Stage, the Ocean Beach Metaverse! Experience the Sea of Akihabara with your vision! Please observe this image.
An image of a pretty beach pops up. It's just an image.
PA: Please relax and listen to the sounds as you stare at the whole image.
Wave sounds that don't feel like they're played through a speaker play.
PA: Please close your eyes and slowly approach.
The ground feels different. Less floor, more sand. A breeze blows.
PA: When you open your eyes, you'll reach the Akihabara Sea. Enjoy the summer miracle!

MC: Oh my god we're at the beach and it feels real!
Vapula: Wow, you're here too MC? This vaplace is awesome!
Kuniyoshi: They're doing a pre-opening, so there'll be reporters coming while adjustments are done.
Akiha Gongen: Wow, otaku are awesome! But as a firefighter I'm concerned that the sand and water here might have been brought illegally.
???: Oh no worries, that's all been taken care of.
Turing walks up.
Turing: Good day, everyone. Come to check things out, Kuniyoshi?
Kuniyoshi: Hello! To answer, yes and also to get a change of pace.
Turing: And I've never met you before, so may I ask your name?
MC: MC / (speechless) / (smile and handshake)
(A) Turing: Oh, you're Akiha Gongen's friend? I hear you get to know about a hundred people in the course of your life. His statistical friend spread is impressive and I welcome it as a microcosm of the world to sample with.
(B) Turing: Is something on my face? Oh, you're admiring my looks? I'll take that as a compliment.
(C) Turing: Thank you MC. Handshakes is the preferred greeting in my home. Hmm...soft but with a strong core. So you've learned to fight? I see. What an interesting first meeting.

Turing: Thank you for coming to our school. I hope you enjoy today!
Turing totally acts like the perfect gentleman.
Kuniyoshi: People call him the biggest genius creator since Akihabara Academy started up.
Turing: My specialty isn't strictly speaking art, but math and most recently cryptography. Just think of it as related to one of the four main subjects of liberal arts.
Akiha Gongen: I don't understand Japanglish what? Is this otaku slang?
Vapula: Liberal arts refer to the required subjects that make up the basis of studying. There's seven of them, the quadrivium of music, math, geometry, and astronomy and the trivium of rhetoric, grammar, and logic. My home world has vapery similar ideas.
MC: Wow I thought you were a dimwit / (stare respectfully) / No painting or sculpting?
(A) Vapula: HEY! You'd understand if you vapicked up a book!
(B) Vapula: H-hey, you're making me feel vapery embarrassed here. This is just general knowledge. But I do better with compulaments, so keep it coming!
Kuniyoshi: (It's great for an artist to have such high self-esteem.)
(C) Vapula: Think of those as vapplied geometry. Have you heard of perspective drawings or the golden ratio? Drawing and sculpting theory and techniques came from geometry! Vapplication of it then got us 3D modeling and digital drawing. Math and geometry really IS the basis of art!

Vapula: Reading is the foundation of everything. Anything in a book is something that can be taught to me! Oh right. Turing, do you have a term project plan in vaplace?
Turing: Oh yes I do. It's done already, and now it just needs to be graded.
Kuniyoshi: Wow that was fast. But is it not going on display?
Turing bows dramatically.
Turing: I suppose I'll show you! Welcome to Turing's Metaverse space! (slowly presents the area)
Kuniyoshi: OH MY GOD
Vapula: IT'S THE ENTIRE VAPLAZA!?
End of Episode Half

Live A Hero Reminiscence of Ghostwoods Episode 5 (Abridged)

Sui: Quick Needle Sewing!
Sui dodges the Monster's attack and practically sews it to the ground.
MC: It's working! Keep it up!
Sui: It's all floaty and and hard to grab, but I can take care of it if it's cloth!
Gorou: Go Sui!
Gorou plays his accordion Parallel Weapon, summoning light covered tin plates to shoot at the enemy.
Monster: EEEEE (struggles)
Sui: Whoa, it's strong! Flamier, Lilac!
Flamier: We're on it! I will save those who have been attacked! Lilac, you attack when I make an opening!
Lilac: Understood!

Flamier runs over to the man caught by the Monster's chains.
Flamier: Wake up! ...oh he's out cold. I should take him to safety immediately. Lilac, I'm going to destroy the tentacle chain! (pulls a bomb out of her skirt and throws it at the chain's other end) Please get down everyone!
Boom
Flamier: Ahh, how beautiful! MC, please handle him!
Lilac: Thank you Flamier! It's weakened now, so I'll cut the main body with my scissors!
Lilac jumps into the air and at the Monster with his giant scissors in hand.
Lilac: Grand Scissor Slash!
Lilac slashes the Monster's core.
Monster: L-L-LOVELYYYY (melts into nothing)

Gorou: Okay, we should be good now. How's the man who was attacked?
Flamier: He doesn't look hurt, though I think he fainted from surprise at being attacked... (looks at MC taking care of the man)
MC: Well he was in danger. I don't think we can talk to him anytime soon.
MC turns off everyone's suits after putting the man down to rest.
Lilac: I just called HQ. A medic team will be coming soon.
Sui: I'm glad we saved him in time. The patrolling we did didn't end up a waste.
Flamier: Yes, and we have a better idea about what that Monster was. Is the first one you saw like that ghost looking one?
MC: Yes. It's creepy...

Gorou: A ghost? Well that's another weird type out there.
Lilac: Yes, but it is undoubtedly a genuine Monster. We have to believe now that there was about to be casualties.
Sui: That man seemed to think the Monster was his wife and approached the fog.
Flamier: He said "I finally found you," so that must be right. He at least seemed to think so...
Sui: The fog was thick, so I couldn't see if the Monster was mimicking her appearance though. Still, it chose to drop the disguise right? Not like how it went for Mom.
Lilac: Yes, it could have just eaten him without dropping the act. Revealing itself could have let him escape...
Gorou: So...its goal wasn't to eat people?
The party thinks on this in confusion.

Sui: ...what are Monsters anyway? I was eaten once, and what I saw didn't feel real...I'm not sure how to put it. Like they're shaped like living things, but I don't get the sense they're alive.
Flamier: That was my impression as well. Even with warp technology, it's difficult to predict when they'll appear. Only Parallel Weapons work against them, and when they go down they leave no trace. It feels more like they're inorganic beings than living ones.
Lilac: If they aren't living beings, why would they come to eat people? Living things eat other things for sustenance, correct?
Flamier: Researchers and investigators have been looking into that with no luck still.
Gorou: I've heard of Monsters eating spaceships and buildings too. Is that something they do on purpose?
MC: Oh yeah, they ate Mt. Fuji too...

Sui: Yes, but they often do attack people. Just now, I think that one was after people with its disguise trick.
Gorou: I've never seen one like it before, but I bet anyone pulled into the fog will disappear like other Monster attacks.
Lilac: Yes, the commonality between all Monsters is that people completely eaten by them disappear from people's memories.
Flamier: That reminds me. Heroes can remember them, but why do people forget? If Monsters aren't eating to survive, what are they eating?
A short silence passes.

Lilac: ...there are so many questions, but what we can do remains the same. Management is temporarily halting the festival and moving civilians and tourists to safety. We should focus on eliminating the Monsters that have appeared and bring back peace.
Gorou: Yeah, let's stop with the thinking and stop any more damage.
Flamier: Yes, we should solve the problems at hand first... it's late now though, so we should probably rest and get ready for tomorrow.
Sui: Right, it might not be over by today, so we should continue investigating tomorrow.|
MC: Agreed. Good work everyone!
The party splits up for the day. Orange petals fly in the wind behind everyone.

Title card: I'm Proud of You

That night, Flamier dreamed of the past.
???: Flamier, where are you?
A gentle voice of someone she loved.
???: Oh there you are. Everyone's been looking for you.
Flamier is in the corner of her grandfather's garden looking through the hedge walls.
Flamier: Grandfather, how did you know I was here? I didn't tell anyone!
Grandfather: How indeed. The servants are looking for you, Flamier.
Flamier: Oh... I'll be there soon.
Flamier comes out of the bushes and checks her clothes for foliage.
Grandfather: One moment, the pie will be ready soon so you don't need to go so quickly.
Flamier: But you and Father are busy, so I can't take too much of your time...
Grandfather: ...oh I see. You were being considerate of me. You needn't worry, I treasure the time we can have together. We can go back after a chat. What were you looking at?

Flamier: ...can you keep it a secret from Father and everyone else?
Grandfather: Of course. Is it something you can't tell them?
Flamier: Well, I can see a plaza through a hole in the wall. (points) During the day, people perform a dance in that plaza. It's so beautiful!
Grandfather: Oh, the practice area for the student dance club? Do you like dancing?
Flamier: Yes! Oh...no, I'm an Astraidam family daughter and my teacher taught me to remember to behave like one. That's still difficult for me...but dancing is good.
Grandfather: Are you talking about your home instructor? You're studying hard. But there's no need to lie to yourself.
Flamier's grandfather smiles kindly as he leads Flamier by the hand.

Grandfather: The Astraidam family's pride should not restrict you. You can just think of it as an unshakeable belief if you're ever in doubt.
Flamier: I don't quite understand...what do you mean?
Flamier's grandfather takes them to his own room.
Grandfather: When you hold back on yourself, I won't be able to see your smile. So can you promise me something?
Flamier's grandfather picks up a box and gives it to her.
Grandfather: Do what you want to do. That is your right and a chance to show yourself. Whatever you do, enjoy it to the fullest. Even if things become difficult, never give up on enjoying things. Let this present be a marker for this lesson. Go ahead and open it.
Flamier hesitantly opens the box. Inside are dancing shoes of champagne gold.
Flamier: Oh my! Are you sure? Thank you very much!
Grandfather: I'm glad you like it. And it turns out I can see your favorite place from my room. I often see how happy and jealous you get when you watch the dancers. That's how I found you.
Flamier: I love dancing! I'll practice to be just as good as them!
Grandfather: Thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing you dance like that... this may be above your head now, but please remember one other thing. I'm sure you'll learn many things as an Astraidam and as a person. Treasure yourself, no matter what sort of person you become...

Present
Sui: Flamier, I'm sorry about how late it is, but are you there?
Flamier: ...o-oh, yes. One moment please.
Later
The rest of the party has gathered outside Flamier's hotel room.
MC: Sorry about the late call. We had a sudden message.
Lilac: I'll explain from here. The flower festival management has been told by a girl that her brother has gone missing. Her name is Celt, and she lives near the festival grounds. Shortly after her report, a boy walking into the forest was confirmed seen.
Sui: ...haven't we heard that name somewh--oh wait, didn't she bump into you today?
MC: Oh, her. The one with the flower berry candy!
Gorou: Apparently thick fog was seen when he went it, so this must be Monster related.
Lilac: Right. At that point in time, Celt still remembered her brother.
Flamier: Meaning he hasn't been eaten yet.
Sui: But that Monster dropped its disguise to attack after it lured someone in. We might not have much time, so we should hurry.
Lilac: Yes, other heroes are investigating but to be honest we're shorthanded.
Flamier: I understand. Let's go.

Later
Lilac: This is the forest entrance. It's easy to get lost even on clear days, so please be careful.
Gorou: And now we have the darkness and the fog to deal with too...
MC: Sui, careful about the mud / Gorou, there's a tree branch there
(A) Sui: Thanks. Footing is so unstable here...
Lilac: If we happen to get lost, you can follow the river out to town.
Sui: Oh, we might need to remember that. Hopefully we won't need to though...
(B) Gorou: It's cool, I'm a carpenter you know? I won't hit my head or any--OW!
Gorou: ...it only happened because I couldn't see it!

The party continues forward.
Sui: ...MC, this forest feels creepy. We should transform now.
Gorou: Yeah I agree.
MC: Alright. Here we go!
Bwoop!
Flamier: I want to suggest splitting up, but splitting our forces would be dangerous. So how about we move in a line?
Lilac: That sounds good. I'll take point and cut any trees in the way.
Gorou: You go with that day job experience!
Lilac: Please stop joking with me. Let's go!
Lilac summons a bunch of floating blades as he moves ahead. The line then goes Gorou, MC, Sui, then Flamier.

Lilac: ...I'm surprised there's so much fog here in the forest.
Gorou: Yeah, we gotta be careful of Monsters jumping out to attack from it.
Lilac: Yes, it's possible the fog itself is a trap. Like maybe only Monsters can sense something in the fog...
Gorou: Then why haven't they shown up yet?
Lilac: Well...maybe random guessing won't help anything.
Gorou: Yeah, true. And--wait.
Gorou comes to a stop.
Lilac: What is it? We should hurry and find the boy.
Gorou: ...yeah, but where's everyone else?

There's fog everywhere but no signs of anyone else around. Something writhes in the forest. Gorou and Lilac's phones blink for a second before their hero suits cancel out.
Lilac: ...I'm sorry. It's my fault we got separated from the others.
Gorou: Nah, it's not...but the fog is dulling my sense of direction. We should be careful, so let's head back.
Lilac: Yes, I've marked the trail we've taken so we should use those to--
Lilac slips on some mud and falls down a slope trying to walk to Gorou.
Lilac: AAAAHH
Gorou: Lilac! Hey, Lilac!
Gorou barely misses catching Lilac's arm.
Gorou: Dammit, it's too slippery to climb down here! I gotta go around!

Elsewhere
MC: ...I'm sorry. It's my fault we got separated from the others.
MC got stuck in some mud and lost sight of Gorou and Lilac in the time to pull themselves out.
Sui: No, I should apologize too for mistaking a tree shadow for them.
Flamier: At least we managed to stay together. Lilac and Gorou may have lost their transformations, so we should regroup quickly.
Sui: Yeah, they might have noticed and stopped to wait for us. And we still have to find that little boy.
Flamier: Yes, let's keep searching for them all. The fog is getting worse, so we need to keep vigilant of the ground and nearby.
The atmosphere is getting creepy.

Sui: Gorou, Lilac! Please answer if you can hear us!
MC: Hey you guys! Anyone there?
Nothing echoes as the party calls.
Flamier: Maybe they're further ahead. We should keep--hm?
Flamier stops. Something writhes in the fog even though there's no wind. The fog darkens and pulses.
MC: ...I sense Monsters. Careful you two.
Flamier: U-understood. But that shadow over there...
What looks like someone tall is faintly walking towards the party. Their appearance gets more distinct as they approach.
Flamier: Grand...father? Why are you here...?
Shadow: ...
Sui: Y-your grandfather? Why would he be here?
MC: It's a Monster disguise! Look out!

Flamier: ...Grandfather...I've wanted to see you. It's been so long...
The fog looks like it's trying to cut Flamier off from the party, and the shadow figure beckons Flamier deeper into the forest. Flamier stumbles along, then turns her head back and smiles.
Flamier: Sui, MC, Grandfather came to help us. We can trust him.
Flamier starts walking into the forest depths again like she's possessed.
MC: ...are her memories fading? / Sui, we have to stop her! / Flamier!
Sui: He's not real! Flamier! (grabs Flamier's arm)
Sui: Flamier, please wait! Your grandfather has no reason to be here! Why do you think that's him?
Flamier: That's true...but he looks and acts just like Grandfather.

Flamier stares blankly at the shadow. Sui squeezes harder and looks right into Flamier's eyes.
Sui: ...Flamier. When I was pulled in by the shadow of my mother, you fought and risked your life to save me. Do you remember that?
Flamier: Yes, I do. I still remember that Monster now...
Sui: I was...eaten by the Monster that pretended to be her.
MC: Sui...
Sui: I was weak then and thought it was fine if I could be with my mother. But I was wrong. That Monster aimed for the weakest part of my heart. They'll stoop to anything to get at us. I...
Sui grabs at her chest.
Sui: I'll never stand for any Monster holding the people we love hostage! Please remember who your grandfather really is, Flamier! Didn't he tell you something!?
Sui looks indignantly at the shadow.

Flamier: What...Grandfather... told me?
Flamier closes her eyes and remembers how he'd always smile gently and speak to her.
"You don't need to lie to yourself."
"Remember it as something unbreakable when you're lost and confused."
"Do what you want. That is your right and a chance to show who you are."
"Enjoy what you do to the fullest. Do not stop enjoying it until the end, even if things are hard."
"Treasure yourself, no matter what sort of person you become."
Flamier: ...Grandfather would gently guide me if I made a mistake. He told me I needn't lie to myself, that I should enjoy what I like to the fullest. And he told me to be someone lovable no matter who I became.
Sui: He sounds lovely. I'd be happy if he supported me in wearing what I'd like and living how I'd want to live too.
Flamier: He is. (squeezes Sui's hand)

Flamier: My grandfather would never instruct me to do something without explanation! I'm okay now, Sui. Thank you for stopping me.
Sui: ...I'm glad I could help. I won't be like I was when my mother's copy called to me.
Flamier: And thank you MC for calling out to me.
Flamier smiles at MC before turning back to the shadow with a serious look.
Flamier: Grandfather always told me to stand with people, not above them. I understood what Sui was saying without blindly accepting it because of those words because that was how Grandfather raised me!
Flamier takes a fighting stance. Her shoes glow, causing the Monster pretending to be her grandfather to make weird noises that sound like bone crunching.
Flamier: ...it seems it tried to manipulate me with the hopes my grandfather was here. But I won't lose!
MC: Here it comes! Get ready you two!
Sui: MC, your orders! I'll destroy it for what it tried to do!
Flamier: ...I'm proud to be my grandfather's granddaughter. In the name of the Astraidam family I, Flamier R. Astraidam, go forth!
BATTLE START

Akiba and Dragons Prologue Part 2 (Abridged)

Creators: WHAT
Akihabara student Vapula trundles up with a big bag under his arm.
Vapula: That's me! Akihabara 3D sculpting department student and model maker the vapublic's been talking about, Vapula!
Kuniyoshi: Oh it's you. You come here too?
Catoblepas: Oh, Vapula! Right now Akiha is over there--
Vapula: Oh hey! Excuse me vaplease. (uses his own body to push Akiha out of the way)
Akiha: (stares in silence)
Vapula: Okay first things first, you should vaplay around and get used to things and try making something before I teach you! Just do what I do and it'll be a vabreeze!
Vapula hops into a chair and sets things up.
Vapula: Space, check! Lights, check! Okay, let's vaput things together! (starts pulling things out of his bag without listening to anyone)

Catoblepas: He's not shy with how good he is at all. He really IS a genius...
Vapula: Here we go! (starts cutting and filing the lump of resin in front of him)
Akiha Gongen: Wow he's fast! That's as fast as Bataar-senpai when he's running off to slack off!
Vapula: Face done! Next on the vaplan is the eyes and scales! Do this and do that and... done with the vapolishing! Now time to paint!
Kuniyoshi: Wow, that's an exciting process to watch! Now I wanna make a furry sculpture too!
Catoblepas: Yes, I agree! I still have no idea what I just watched!
Vapula: Just a little more and it'll be done! Whatcha think?
Hecate: (stares in surprise)
Vapula has made a finished mermaid figure in like 10-20 minutes from start to finish like a video record of a how to make on fast forward!
Vapula: I wish I had a bucket of water now...
Akiha: I dunno why you need it, but I'll get it!

Akiha Gongen brings back a bucket of water.
Vapula: Thanks Akiha Gongen, that's vaplenty enough!
Hecate: Oh, the figure's done right? What's the water for?
Vapula: Heh heh heh... for your viewing vapleasure, the secret arts of my item creation skills! Behold, be amazed as this mermaid figure swims in the water! Abracadabra!
The mermaid figure starts swimming!
Vapula: Let's hear it people! Tell me how much of a genius I am! You can even pet my head if you vaplease!
Creators: ...
Vapula: U-uhh...
Hecate: Okay this is kinda awkward, but let me say something as another Creator. It's hard to put it into words but...
Creators: It's missing something...
Vapula: WHAT!? You see how realistic and--OH NO
Kuniyoshi: Vapula what's going on? Why is the figure suddenly--ack!
Vapula: B-b-b-but... hey, listen to me! Vaplease, I beg youuuu!
Akiha Gongen: Fire Fighter Grab!
Akiha grabs the mermaid figure and pulls it up. The figure then stops moving because Akiha Gongen's power is Fire Prevention, which works on actual fires and emotional highs and cuts them off.

Kuniyoshi: O-oh, it stopped. But what just happened? Was that your ability, Vapula?
Vapula: (speechless)
Catoblepas: Vapula's golem-making power, the ability to give temporary life to the lifeless.
Vapula nods.
Vapula: Yeah...golem making is my specialty. But for some reason, the golems I've been making lately have been going vapretty crazy. I keep thinking the next one will turn out fine, but then it keeps happening...
Kuniyoshi: Artist's block, huh? It tends to happen when you throw yourself into your work.
Akiha Gongen: I could feel it oozing with passion when I picked it up though. What could it be missing?
Vapula: The teachers gave me the same evapulations when I presented my work last month. But what am I missing!? Someone tell me straight to my face!

The model does look perfectly done, but it's true everyone else agrees that something's off. The Creators think it over before suggesting...
Hecate: Moe?
Catoblepas: Whatever ba-e is?
Kuniyoshi: Fluffy fur?
Vapula: THAT'S TOO VapulAGUE! Except for Kuniyoshi's idea because that one's just his fetish!
Catoblepas: Uh, Akiha? Why are you taking a picture of the mermaid figure?
Akiha: Well if we're getting outside opinions, I thought we should also ask her since she was just here too.
Literally seconds later.
Benten.txt: FEELS
Vapula: NOOO those are all too dependent on the viewers' impulessions!

Hecate: Huh. You know as a shipper, Benten's answer was fascinating.
Vapula: What? You see some sort of difference between feels and moe?
Hecate: Yeah! The order matters when it comes to pairings! Saying things in reverse has magical importance too you know! A-anyways, feels would be something people would say when they see good art, right? But moe stuff feels more like something only hardcore otaku say.
Kuniyoshi: The opposite of physical wildness would be emotional movement, right? But when things are calm, we say...
Creators: RIGHT IN THE FEELS!

Vapula: I sort of get and don't get it, but it has to do with emotions either way! I need something more logical and rational, like something out of a vapulaunted textbook!
Kuniyoshi: I'm like super, super pissed at the way Benten said it, but maybe she's on to something?
Akiha Gongen: ...so we should ask for the opinions of people outside of Akihabara?
Hecate: Getting a bunch of perspectives on something could be a good idea.
Vapula: Hmm...I guess I do want more outside opulinions...
Akiha: ...how about I ask one of my friends outside of our school?
Kuniyoshi: ...oh, are you talking about--
Catoblepas: Now that I think about it, they're coming to the event aren't they?
Akiha: I invited them, so I'm sure they will.
Catoblepas: R-right. Well I'm excited. We can introduce Vapula to them, and I want to cosplay with them...
Vapula: L-literally who? Someone?? Tell meee???
And that's how an adventure to find out what lies beneath the sands and feels in Akihabara.

Cyberspace
Enigma: Enclosed Area test program, execute. Drone launch confirmed. Spatial coordinates set. Pseudo-operation begin. Emulation, start.
Beeping fills the walled room.
Turing: Ahh, what a perfect recreation of the concept of tea. So Enigma, how's the rest of the invite arrangements going?
Enigma: I have opened a nanosecond hole in my defenses as you've instructed. It is a very obvious invasion point and I worry it will look like a trap...
Turing: That's exactly why they'll make an appearance knocking on the front door!
Enigma: Understood, guildmaster. Continuing to monitor the--
???: Hehehehe. Well aren't you two sharp! I dunno what you guys are scheming, but if you're leaving a gap for me to enter, then it's my style to stick my head right in it!
Enigma: ...a shameless intruder is requesting speech privileges. What would you have me do, Master?
Turing: Sure, let him have a bit of the voice connection and cameras.
Tindalos: HEY, thanks for the access! Now I can show myself! Okay everybody, let's all yell the title card together!
Title Card: Help Me, Magic Skill Sculptor
Turing: ...
Enigma: ...
Tindalos: SAY SOMETHING DAMMIT
End of Episode

 

Akiba and Dragons Prologue Part 1 (Abridged)

Zhurong: Bye, Mr. Boogeyman!
One day on summer vacation...
Babe Bunyan: Howdy! How ya doin'?
Zhurong: Hi Babe, thanks for coming to meet me!
Babe: Where we goin' today? I picked baseball for us yesterday so it's your turn today!
Zhurong: Wanna go to the beach?
Babe: That sounds great!
Zhurong: They're doing some sort of event there! With lots of sand sculptures! I wanna take some pictures for my school newspaper.
Babe: Wait don't we need an adult to go with us? That's what my class told me. Dammit being a kid sucks.
Zhurong: It's okay! It's at a beach you can't drown in.
Babe: what
Zhurong: Have you heard of Akihabara before?
Babe: Umm... oh, that one place with the school full of games and manga!

Tokyo has tons of schools, so the students often talk about which school is the best. Each school is its own little world or sealed garden with students learning of the world and society. They want to know which one is the most fun to attend, and they hope to go to the one they're interested in most. There is one school out there that stands out, and it's in Akihabara! The school of new creators, the school focused on creative productions. Other students gossip about how Akihabara Academy focuses more on creative works than tests, especially during test season. But what does it look like from within?
Akihabara
Kuniyoshi: I have three new books to make for cons and a new work to present for midterm tests!
Catoblepas: I have a report to do for midterms and three costumes to make for events!
Hecate: The ideas keep coming to me! I'm making a multiple personality installed robo couple book for my midterm!
Creators: WE NEED MORE TIIIIME!
This is a shared space and hangout for Akihabara students. They've got digital art equipment, high class sewing machines, and 3D printers and lots of yelling people trying to get their work done.

Benten: You guys look like you're having fun. And now I notice half the people here are doing private projects not related to school. Also, is it true that you can just present something you like for school and that's the end of it?
Kuniyoshi: NO
Benten: Yeah I just wanted to say that. Nakano's like that too!
Kuniyoshi: GASP
Catoblepas: But it's true lots of people think that. It'd be great if I can make all the costumes I like.
Hecate: This time of year is even WORSE for us than other school students. We have midterms and then contest themes to do and then ghodsgk;jj
Catoblepas: HECATE'S GOING CRAZY AGAIN
Kuniyoshi: And then there's all these huge events to go to! WAIT FOR ME, NEW FURRY BOOKS!

Later
Benten: Tiiired. How about a break you guys?
Kuniyoshi: YOU DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING
Benten: Hey I was watching over you. Wasn't that nice?
Kuniyoshi: NO????
Akiha Gongen: Hi guys. Oh hi Benten.
Benten: Oh hey Akiha Gongen. How's it hanging?
Akiha: It's good.
Catoblepas: Huh? Are you two friends?
Akiha: Well we're pretty similar. We come over even though we aren't otaku and we want to be better friends and--
Benten: HEY! I'm here being nice, thank you!
Akiha: O-oh. But yeah I'm good, just need to finish my midterm product.
Kuniyoshi: NOOO don't bring me back to reality with midterms!
Catoblepas and Hekate: Yep.

Akiha Gongen: You guys aren't done? Is the theme suffering...?
Catoblepas: Eheh...we keep focusing on the projects we like. I've made two costumes but haven't finished my midterm one... I keep thinking about doing it and then... I start thinking about events...
Hecate and Kuniyoshi: Yep.
Akiha: But the school said no late work for midterms!
Akiha is part of the traditional crafts department, which is a bit different from the manga, illustration, writing, and game departments.
Creators: But we work fastest before the deadline!
Akiha: Okay fine I'll help you guys.
Benten: You guys keep yelling about term tests, but what is that?

Hecate: Short version, we have to regularly present works, and while we said midterms it's really the end of term test period.
Benten: So why all the yelling and crying? You guys are great at your things so it should be eas--
Kuniyoshi: Eh, we can't really say that about our stuff. And if our specialties were good enough we could just throw out our new book.
Benten: I HAVE OPINIONS ON THAT
Catoblepas: Well we also have a summer event coming up, something like a school cultural festival or a contest...
Benten: Ohh! That sounds like fun! I'll play for you guys!
Kuniyoshi: Well people who aren't part of our school would be excited by it. It sucks for us!
Benten: Why?
Akiha: This event is a little special. Every student has to make something according to a theme.
Benten: And what's the theme?
Creators: Beach sand art!

Benten: Ohhh... and you guys are indoor nerds who don't know what to do with that.
Akiha Gongen: What's so hard about that theme? You can go to the beach anytime.
Benten: Sure, for a tanned jock like you. They have like zero reason to go.
Creators: SUMMER IS OTAKU EVENT TIME
Akiha: !?
Kuniyoshi: I've got more furry doujins to get. Who cares about the beach!?
Catoblepas: Honestly I stay in the city during the summer. I do go to a lot of in-game events though...
Hecate: The situation sounds great though. Seasonal sense of freedom and changing dynamics and ehehehehe
Creators: WE'VE NEVER BEEN TO A REAL BEACH!
Akiha: OKAY OKAY STOP GROUP YELLING AT MEEE

Hecate: Honestly the theme being summers and beaches means it's actually pretty broad. It's so easy that it's hard to come up with something original... And we have to be careful we don't overlap ideas with other people...
Akiha Gongen: Well you can't help it if there's a little overlap. Everyone in school is in it, so you shouldn't overthink it and--
Hecate and Kuniyoshi: NO OVERLAPPING
Akiha: !?!?
Benten: I know that feel so hard it hurts! Being a creator can be such a pain!
Kuniyoshi: I got an idea! Maybe I can make a manga in the sand! But then the waves might erase it so I'll have to draw it every day!
Benten: omg
Hecate: Hey wait a minute. Akihabara is landlocked, isn't it? Where are we supposed to show our work for the event?
Kuniyoshi: We won't have to put it in front of a beach backdrop, will we? There's going to be tons of visitors, that'd be rough!
Catoblepas: I-I really hope there's sandy beaches at least since there's a limit to how much the layers can be shown!

Akiha Gongen: Okay okay, time to stop you guys. We're all just talking and not doing any work. Time for a break! I brought refreshments.
Hecate: Ooh, oral rehydration solution? It's so cold! I'm feeling thirsty now that I think about it.
Akiha starts putting bottles on top of the table.
Akiha: This time of year people sometimes get heat stroke before they realize it. This is a free sample from my youth firefighter group.
Benten: Aww, you're sweet!
Creators: Thanks!
Kuniyoshi: Yes, cold drinks are best in summer!
Akiha: Catoblepas, could you pass these around to everyone? Sorry, everyone gets put out if I give it.
Catoblepas: Oh...eheh... well everyone's happy, so I'll do it. Let's go together.
Akiha: Don't worry, everyone's waiting for some hydration. Thanks for thinking about me.
Catoblepas: ...okay, I'll hand it out then.
Reactions vary as drinks are passed around, and Akiha smiles at it all.
Catoblepas: (...huh. Normally Akiha would be running around handing these out himself.)

Later
Benten: omg look at the time I gotta go see the band!
Catoblepas: Oh, Benten? Um, please send my regards to Makara.
Benten: Huh? Oh! Okay, sure. Next time I'll bring you with me!
Akiha Gongen: Be careful since it's still hot out there!
Kuniyoshi: GET OUT
Benten: Bye guys!
And so Benten leaves. The place is still noisy as everyone starts focusing on their work.
Kuniyoshi: Okay back to work! Gotta get on my fourth book with my love of furries!
Akiha: Don't forget about your term project! They'll hold you back a year!
Catoblepas: I was thinking about the summer beach thing, and do you think they're doing it at that one school?
Kuniyoshi: Maybe? It is possible if it's there though...
Hecate: The events are open to the public, so going there might not be in the cards.
Catoblepas: Right...I could've done a lot of different costumes with the beach theme there...
Akiha: What? Are you guys talking about the branch school Arachne goes to? No? Where then? Akihabara's totally unrelated to the beach.

Catoblepas: Well that's not true. Actually, Akihabara Academy--
Hecate: DID YOU TWO JUST SAY IT HAS NO CONNECTION AT ALL!?
Hecate: "Ooh, we have nothing to do with each other, Akihabara." "That's not true, Beach!" There's tons of things you can do with Akihabara on the beach or the beach on Akihabara!
Akiha Gongen: O-okay? I don't get it, but wow!
Hecate: Seeing the relationships between two characters in the same scene or panel is my specialty! Mmm, the creative juices are flowing! Ohh! OHH! OHH~!
Akiha stares respectfully.
Hekate: That's how we'll connect to the sand art theme! Mixing business and pleasure is what a creator does! Pictures in the sand are delicate and fleeting, so we need something solid! Any sculptors or modelers conveniently here!?
Creators: Pfffft
???: Do I hear the call of mine interests? Vapuleave it to me!
Creators: WAIT WHAT!?
End of Episode Half