Top of Summer Mountains Epilogue (Abridged)

 [Note for anyone who reads my posts here and not in the Housamo Discord channel I hang around and put these in first: I'm skipping Tokyo Dancing Saturday for the time being and doing the AGF bit with Manticore next.]

Zao is walking into the middle of the event singularity while there's blinding light all around. He has the power to talk to mountains with his third eye and also the power to conquer mountains by hiking them. The ability to talk to mountains does not guarantee the ability to understand them. It's like the app's translation magic being able to interface with mountain leylines while the conquering ability is simply declaring "I'm better than you." If Zao makes it up top, then he demonstrated himself to be above that mountain, which means he can gain full understanding of it. As he's doing now with the event singularity.
Zao: (frowns)
MC: What's up, Senpai?

Zao's looking at the script for what the hell happened this whole event. He's also seeing why he saw a phantom of MC up top. If the singularity was running some sort of pseudo kodoku with dragons and snakes, then whatever that would end up surviving would face a situation like himself. Having always lived in confined bounds, could he actually hack it outside them? He was afraid to find out, so if he could go back, he'd do it all over again. Which is why taking that step out wasn't something he could've done alone.
Zao: ...Kouhai, I'll be leaving ahead of you, but I'm sure I'll see you again.
(Even if there's nothing out there for me.)
Zao: I'll broaden the world for you. What you do with that is up to you.
MC: Cool / oh you
And so Zao takes a step towards the unknown. The event singularity calms and fades, and time marches forward.

Later
It's been a few days since the singularity went away, and now the party's back together at the mountain foothills.
Kumano Gongen: ...hey again, MC.
MC: S'up / what is it, bitchface?
---
(A) Kumano: Okay so I was psyching up for you to be totally casual but DAMN this is weird!
(BC) Kumano: !?
---
Aww, MC and Kumano being honest with each other.
Kumano: ...welp, I at least know I'm never letting you get ahead of me.
He seems happy, despite what he says.
Kumano: So...we're both dragons, yeah? I've always told other ones to stay away, but that's not gonna happen with you. I don't really want to be captain after Himavat, but if you're captaining Shinjuku's team next then I'll do what I can. I want us to stay equals, able to say any dirty shameful thoughts out loud to each other. So...I'm sorry for what I said that first time. I'll make it up to you however you want.
MC: it's cool / you owe me for life / giggity
(A) Kumano: Are you TRYING to make this difficult?
(B) Kumano: GODDAMMIT
(C) Kumano: I KNOW THAT LOOK

The captains are here!
Himavat: Good job with the investigation thing again, everyone! We didn't settle our rivalry, but we're here for a friendly get together, sponsored by AndvaResort! Obligatory group chorus call, everybody!
Everyone: Andvari Ropeway!
Kumano Gongen: Oh god do we have to do that every time!?
Xi Wang Mu: Maybe!
Kumano: Oh well, you get in first MC. Watch your step.
MC: Thanks / (rush in)
(B) Kumano: Slow down, it ain't going anywhere yet! ...oh you wanted to get in before me? Oh okay th--wait where are you touching!?

Ding ding, tram's moving!
Durga: Wow again, that view! Way different than climbing on foot!
Chernobog: We could never have seen it without the trams. I must thank my friend once more.
Tanngrisnir: What a beautiful vista.
Himavat: Hmm. So the Shinjuku club looks over all of the mountain rather than the beginning and end?
Zao: ...you mean you don't look where you're going and you AREN'T this totally detached guy?
Xi Wang Mu: Well what can you do? We have to climb mountains for work.
Kumano Gongen: I guess they can see some things because they do it for fun.
Durga: I don't think you get it either, Kumano. How about a club contest since we aren't working together this time!?
Kumano: N-no I do! And how would this contest even work when--
Xi Wang Mu: Kumano sweetie, stop right there. Mommy is on break and wants to stay that way.
Enigma: I for one adore your various imperfections. That aside, no geomagnetic interference detected. All is safe.
MC: I wonder why that even happened?
Bigfoot: MC.
Bigfoot wants a private talk.
Bigfoot: Me, saw friends came to deal with it. Things okay. No repeats, maybe.

Flashback!
Christine: So this is the event singularity keystone Bigfoot was talking about. Magic network and creation of new life, I see...
Yep, something that couldn't interface with Tokyo Babel Tower's authority was here.
Alice: ...so what now? Tape off the door to Wonderland?
Christine: No, let's mark it Outside of Tokyo. I brought her here for that.
Karen Curren: Hmm, a parliamentary system exceeding the current bounds of human cognition? Since it uses time as a resource, I can cut it off from the game with time control.
Bwoop!
Curren: Okay, done. Shouldn't affect the game anymore as long as we have control.

Present
Zao: So I tried coming back the other day and I could talk to the mountains again. They said they tried talking to me the whole time and I just couldn't hear them. New goal, if something like that happens again, I want to still be able to be on equal terms with the mountains.
Enigma: Now that the event singularity is gone, the sleigh route is safe too.
Tanngrisnir: Indeed! Headmaster Ded will be pleased Christmas will be on track.
Enigma: We will be arriving at the station soon. Do not worry, I will be there to pick up anything your useless organic brain forgets and leaves behind.
Claude's Chapel
Claude: Hello again, Bridegroom and compatriots!
Belphegor: Thanks again for your help earlier!
Claude: Yes, business has been booming since.
Snow: Very popular with nature lovers.
Claude: We even hired those strange pirates!
Belphegor: Oh yeah, we also do unorthodox marriage ceremonies too! Call us if you ever want to arrange anything!

Later
Time to hoof it up to that lake!
MC: Nice... / (dying...)
---
(A) Enigma: I see you're acclimated to mountain climbing, but I know you still need me.
(BC) Enigma: Master, let me carry your bags while you take a breath. Normal people would say don't push yourself, but I will compensate for your failings.
---
Enigma: I will always be with you as your secretary, butler, whatever you wish. In sickness and in health, I suppose?

Later
Oh hey it's that campground.
Maria: Oh hello everyone! Thank you for before. Both the cooking camp and the rescue mission turned out well.
Bigfoot: Me, glad children found. Me do job good.
Tanngrisnir: Thank you too. Your help was indispensable to finding those lost campers...also something smells good. Did we interrupt lunch or something?
Maria: Oh we just started making something. Would you like to join us?
Tanngrisnir: Oh, I didn't mean to fish for an invite, but it would be nice to sit by a fire.
MC: You wanna help, don't you? / mommy I'm hungry! / Captain, can we stop for a bit?
---
(A) Tanngrisnir: You know me so well, MC. Yes, I'd like to help cook. And I'll serve stew too!
(B) Xi Wang Mu: Oh you~. Well it is lunch time so okay, I'll make something!
(C) Zao: Sounds good. Okay, break time everybody!
Kumano: Whoa, this always happen with you guys?
Himavat: Zao must have planned this to happen!
Zao: No????
---
Bigfoot: Oh, Xi Wang Mu? Talk private? Me, have favor ask.

Later
Chernobog: Captain, is this a big enough stone hearth?
Zao: Yeah, thanks. Should be for Tanngrisnir's stewpot. I'll make the fire, go help the Missionaries with Durga.
Bigfoot: Good, like this?
Xi Wang Mu: Yes, it's great! It'll surprise everyone!
And so the party and Missionaries make lunch together.
Tanngrisnir: Special mountain stew, ready! Stew for everyone! (runs off)
Durga and Chernobog: WHAT
Zao: Huh. Well I guess he'll be back after handing stew to everyone. Oh well, lunch time! Also Bigfoot made something?
Xi Wang Mu and Bigfoot bring something over.
Bigfoot: Me, make handmade noodles. Soba, good. Have some!
MC: Wow! / how'd you pull handmade noodles off

Himavat: Thank you for the Shinjuku special.
Jersey Devil: Aww yiiiissss.
Jersey Devil just drooling like a dog.
Chernobog: Simple yet toothsome. Impressive!
Durga: Yeah! You really made this, Bigfoot?
Bigfoot: Himavat, gave soba. Xi Wang Mu, taught making. Chapel, gave idea. Good food, people happy. Me, wanted people remember that. Me, glad tried hard. Zao, you like?
Zao: Yep.
Kumano Gongen: Lotta soups so far, but eh it's cool.
MC: Thanks Bigfoot! / Well if you don't want it... (take Kumano's noodles)
---
(BC) Kumano: No wait, I wasn't trying to complain! Thanks, Bigfoot!
---
Bigfoot: Me glad, hehe. Also, where Tanngrisnir?
Something bright is coming this way!
Tanngrisnir: I was thinking of how to make my stew better and then this suddenly happened!
MC: MY EYESSSS
Nisroch: Welp! Next time I'll be even better and treat you to the Forbidden Full Course!

Later, the lake
Durga: Oh god the last day of summer vacation, whoooo!
Tanngrisnir: Could my sleigh be used as a jetski...? Actually I should just swim first.
Zao: It feels weird wearing a swimsuit, but we came all this way so...bombs away!
Chernobog: Captain, maybe you shouldn't go jumping into everything?
Bigfoot: Mm. Nice, cool. Reminds snow. MC, enjoy together!
Almost Everyone: Yay!
Enigma: Hmm. Does the Setagaya Mountaineering Club not waste its time like the Shinjuku Wandervogel Club?
MC: RUUUUDE / You said you'd always be with me, right? / (group splash Enigma)
Enigma: No wait, stop! Ahhhh!

Jersey Devil: Bitches get hit, right Kumano? Anyways, I'mma swim with the Shinjuku peeps!
Xi Wang Mu: Wow, so lively. Mommy's going to set up a tent, okay?
Kumano: I'll help. What about you, Captain?
Himavat: (GASPS) Zao, how could you go spelunking in some other strange mountain when you have ME!? Kumano, let's go! We can't fall behind Zao and Number 2!
Kumano: What does that even me--WAAAA
Himavat drags Kumano into the water!
Andvari: Hey gang, thanks for the investigation work. Went crazy there but it all ended good! So now we got extradimensional scenery and a lake up here. My resort's getting better and better! Anyways, here's a big guild party invite, have fun!
The Missionaries, Berserkers, and Tycoons are here!

*Later*
Kumano Gongen: Oof, that was a lot. Still kinda fun tho.
MC: So what's next for you? / C'mon, you can tell me! *(lean on Kumano)*
---
(BC) Kumano: Goddammit, this is Kiyohime all over again!
---
Kumano: Besides the club? Well I'm already in forestry training...so maybe I'll just stay in the mountains and avoid people? Or I had thought about it, anyways.
Kumano looks right at MC.
Kumano: But things change. I wanna be on equal footing, and I feel like I finally took a step towards that.
MC: I'll come again / I'll hang out if I feel like it / (no filter your thoughts)
---
(A) Kumano: ...sure, I was just thinking that too.
(B) Kumano:  Sounds good.
(C) Kumano: Heh!
---
Kumano: ...what about you?
The next day
Zao sits somewhere up top on Mt. Hakone. Coffee in hand, video on stream, a memory of an old friend.
Zao: Welp, time to get going!
And so Zao holds his hand out to the one with him. They'll keep going on, off to see new mountains.
The End