Flashback!
Zao: Marriage?
So Kumano once told Zao about what happened to him.
Zao: Ah yes, one of those things you need to climb mountains!
Kumano: No it isn't you dumb bitch. Make a litte space in your brain for this while I explain this for five year olds...
One explanation later
Zao: I don't get it. If she loved you so much, why did she want to marry you instead of doing something else?
Kumano: Oh, NOW you act all sharp and observant. Marriage is like the best part of people's lives. Some people don't see a point in living if they don't get it...I guess?
Zao didn't get it then, but he gets it now. If this is the best part of his life and everything is downhill from here, why not just...stop?
Zao: Kouhai, you remember when we first met? When I invited you to the club? ...when you took my hand?
Present
Something has Zao at the bottom of the caldera lake!
Enigma: Sensors back online now that geomagnetic interference is down! Zao's bio signal is disappearing into another dimension!
Zao is falling out of the realm of human perception!
MC: Senpai! / Enigma, help!
---
(BC) Enigma: Excellent judgment of my competency, asking my help first.
---
Enigma: Temporarily designated target Lebensraum, quarantining with Noble Phantasm! Subsystem tags attached, tracking route...calculated!
MC: Tracking? Bigfoot!
Bigfoot: Understood. Me, can track unearthly things. Noble Phantasm activate!
What would be untrackable by humans has now been traced!
Bigfoot: That way! But, too fast!
MC: Tanngrisnir!
Tanngrisnir: Need lightning speed? Of course! Noble Phantasm activate!
The party gets chumpblocked by Shadow Wyverns!
MC: Oh no! (swing back)
Bigfoot: Must be intruding in territory. Careful MC, Kumano! More coming!
Chernobog: Ahh, doesn't this bring back memories?
Durga: Our turn to help!
Chernobog: In the name of the Lord of Bald Mountain, I command thee to sleep. Noble Phantasm, freeze!
Durga: Victory is mine! Noble Phantasm, fire!
Meanwhile
Zao (narrating): ...I'm falling to oblivion, holding hands with Something that looks like Kouhai. It's fine if it's not really them. They'll love me and stay with me forever.
Distant Voices: (gibberish)
Zao (narrating): Something's coming, saying...stuff. I can't tell what, but it looks like an attack. I was about to run, afraid, but then I noticed something. I remember back when only the mountains understood me, when I was all alone. I kept trying to invite people to join me, which now seems a little weird in retrospect. Honestly I was scared and didn't understand anyone...but then you took my hand and opened up my world. I didn't stop being scared because I knew where we were going, but because...
Himavat: Zao! You once said that height doesn't make mountains alone, and that you'd keep climbing if there were more mountains to see! Even if no one can see it, it might still be there!
Zao (narrating): Because I'm your senpai, and I wanted to look cool in front of you.
MC: (grab Zao's hand) / (let Zao grab you) / (hug Zao)
Zao comes back into clarity!
Zao: ...sorry about the wait. I'm back!
The Singularity mountains writhe! Something cries!
Kumano Gongen: ...Mt. Kumano. I dunno what you're saying, but I know I'm back then to the time I couldn't explain myself to Kiyohime. Here we go, Noble Phantasm activate!
Kumano (narrating): I'm sure we could've done something else if I didn't run and trap myself in that bell.
Kumano: ...I'm gonna live and change, no matter how dirty I get. I'm not the clean and pretty guy you thought I was, but I'm sure there was always other choices for us.
BATTLE START (more happens after)
Too bright. Zao is holding hands with someone.
Zao: ...hey Kouhai, you mind if I look uncool for a minute?
MC: Sure / you weren't already?
---
(C) Zao: Well damn, do you always have to be such a little shit?
---
Zao: So...I was afraid I'd lose contact with you, and everyone, once I graduated. That this is the best time of my life, here in modern Tokyo. I thought if this was it, maybe it should just end there. But I was wrong. I never knew where I was going with you from the start. This is just the first step...
Zao takes a step forward and turns to MC.
Zao: And I want to take it with you, not just as part of the Wandervogel club. Uhh...what was I trying to say?
MC: Let's keep climbing mountains after / Let's make a new club after graduation / Marry me after graduation
(A) Zao: ...maybe. Well, actually no but it could go there. So, will you climb mountains with me even after graduation?
(B) Zao: ...maybe. Well actually no, but that sounds good. Let's make a club where anyone can join! And I want you to be its first member!
(C) Zao: ...maybe. Well actually no, but that sounds good. Marry me, Kouhai! ...do I even know what I'm asking? Uh, yeah. Maybe?
Zao: What Himavat said to me actually bothered me a little. Maybe I'd be a little more proud of myself if I went pro mountain climbing. But I'm not him...and I don't need to be like him or anyone. Right?
Kumano: ...I could have said anything, but I should have actually talked it out with you, Kiyohime.
Kumano talks to the Singularity Shadow Wyvern thing.
Gibberish.
It's not clear if Kiyohime is really in there, but he had to say something at least.
Kumano: Me not getting across isn't a surprise, but...
Kumano (narrating): I always thought things could only end one way. We both did.
Kumano: Sorry it took so long, but I have my answer for you. I can't marry you because I can't connect with anyone. But thanks. It was just an unlucky matchup.
Himavat would probably go "pffft" if he heard that. Different beings can't understand each other as a rule, but...
Shadow Wyvern: [Unknown response]
And so the event singularity is solved as Mt. Hakone returns to normal.
To be continued in the epilogue!
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