Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 3 Part 2 (Abridged)

[Note: I'm stopping the Kabukicho Night Festival writeups here because I don't particularly enjoy writing this one anymore. The story's fine, but translating it is turning into a drag. I might come back to it at some point, but who knows?]

Puzzle time with Kresnik and Sandayu
Sandayu: ...this riddle ain't literal, yah?
Kresnik: Last I checked, there's no mirror in here. It could be hidden. Or...
Nope, no mirror. But there is a big bowl with water in the corner!
Sandayu: Oh! I'mma look over here then.
Sandayu checks the other corner. There's another bowl with water there. Sandayu sticks his hand in.
Sandayu: Hmm...
Sandayu pulls up a ninja-to. Kresnik finds a bloody sword in the other one.
Kresnik: Oh, so that's what that meant.
Kresnik's reflection turns into an image of his old appearance as a vampire hunter.
Kresnik: ...dick move.

Kresnik (narrating): I've been hunting vampires ever since I gained awareness. My nemesis was the black wolf that ran across the lands of Kitezh and harmed people, Kudlak. I spent my days fighting against the monsters that harmed society. When I fought others of my kind, only one of us would survive. Kitezh is a world of diffusion, and harsh battles and blood pools spread out. As things continued, my enemies included other nightfolk as well. I've killed many until I became known as an anti-terrorist hero. This bloody sword is like the one I had back then...
Jeut: (Ha ha! Who will thou turn thy blades of thine own memories on? Yourselves, or the other? Sacrifices must be made! Those who enter my sanctuary must feel my sadness!)
Kresnik: ...I see, I have to show who I am. I'll get to it then. (turns to Sandayu)

Kresnik: Looks like we'll have to go back to being enemies and finish some unfinished business. Now die for Kabukicho and its students.
Sandayu: Aww, Krezzy! You realized only one man can get outta here? Ya know, dyin' on the job like a good teacher suits ya!
Jeut: ...wait
Sandayu: So how about we go right at each other?
Kresnik: Go back to the shadows, creeper.
Jeut: (Wait what, I bothered to make totally safe fake weapons! They weren't supposed to try to kill each other! I have to stop them but telling them to use the fake weapons would spoil the riddle!)
Jeut could just stop them by cancelling the sanctuary himself, but racial pride says that's not an option. Letting things out of a trap he set just isn't his style.
Jeut: AAAAAA
Kresnik and Sandayu: COME AT ME
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Sandayu pulled out some random ass straight sword out of the water. Nothing special, just some random tool a ninja would use. It's just that Sandayu associated this sword with a certain memory. He had a foolish student he taught much to, who then stabbed him in the back. He called himself a great thief and took something important to Sandayu from him for the sake of some organization or castle lord.
Present
Kresnik and Sandayu are squaring off like they agreed beforehand. No repeating of old regrets! No getting trapped by old grudges!
Sandayu: ...whoops.
Kresnik cut down Sandayu!
Jeut: AAAAAA

Kresnik grabs a part of Sandayu and starts talking to Jeut.
Kresnik: Okay so that's probably harmful for minors to see, but did I do it right?
Jeut: ...y-yes! T-t-the door is...!
Kresnik: (Man, Sandayu doesn't miss a beat. He managed to send me a signal by flying his wrist to me while looking into the mirror. And he came up with the plan to use his body split technique to pretend I cut him to pieces.)
Sandayu: HAHAHAHAHA
Jeut: ZOMBIIIIIEEEE!
Kresnik: (Goddammit you dumbass, the door's still not open yet!)
Sandayu: (Hey! I can't keep it down if you're grabbing the side o' my torso, Krezzy!)

Time to keep the act going! Kresnik tosses the piece of Sandayu's body he was holding as his upper half pulls together.
Kresnik: Damned youkai! Die when you're killed!
Sandayu: wait what? HEY WAIT STOP
Jeut: ...um, you can stop now. I already opened the door. You didn't die when you used the weapons I made, but I didn't expect you to actually fall apart to pieces.
Kresnik: PAYBACK FOR ALL THE CRAP YOU'VE CAUSED ME! HOW DO YOU LIKE BEING WHALED ON, SUPER AGENT!?
Sandayu: NOOO AHAHAA STOP TICKLING!
Jeut: I said you can stop now! You win, okay!?
Kresnik and Sandayu are too busy/loud to hear. Abandonment issues activate!
Jeut: WAAAH! Don't leave me alone and ignore meee!
The room poofs back to its original form.

Meanwhile, the party reaches the first floor.
Tsukuyomi: Hey Sphinx, do you know where the sanctuary is?
Sphinx: That way, where those words are written!
Suzuka: The staff room? Maybe the teachers are stuck inside.
Sphinx: ...huh? The sanctuary disappeared!
MC: Let's check it out / Did they get out? / (run wordlessly)
(B) Tsukuyomi: That'd be nice. Let's go.
(C) Suzuka: Hey wait! Oh damn it all. After them!

A huge light comes from the office door!
Kresnik: What, still not enough Sandayu? Time to vent everything I've pent up!
Sandayu: Krezzy nooo! I can't take anymore!
Shocked reactions from the party!
Suzuka: W-what? Is that what they had to do to get out?
Ellie: ...hmm.
Tsukuyomi: Wow they seem to be having fun. Maybe we should look away?
MC: Let's pretend nothing happened / How ~~fun~~ terrible / Me too!
Suzuka: Should we open the door? We're not gonna get stuck in the sanctuary too, right?
Sphinx: No, it's gone. Let's open the door already.
Tsukuyomi: !! ...okay, let's step back and let the Queen handle it.

Ellie lifts up the hem of her dress and kicks open the door!
Kresnik and Sandayu: !?
Ellie kicked the door all the way to the wall! Kresnik and Sandayu are on the floor with Sandayu resisting while Kresnik's hand has slipped into Sandayu's clothes.
Kresnik: Ellie? ...the sanctuary! When did Sphinx disappear!?
Sandayu: ...welp.
Ellie stands arms crossed and puts her foot down. The sound echoes.
Kresnik: ...could you hear us out?
Ellie: Okay. Make it quick.
Sandayu: I got tickled and got students starin' at me! What the hell is up with today!?

One explanation later
Suzuka: Wow, I don't think anyone besides you two could've made it out of there.
Ellie: Yeah, all we had to do was play.
MC: Yeah, same with Eret / Personal differences? / Is there an aggressive Sphinx?
Sphinx: ...Jeut means sadness.
Tsukuyomi: You know something, Sphinx?
Sphinx: Those are ritual words from my home world. Eret is eye, Mereut is love, and Jeut is sadness.
Sphinx walks into the room and picks up a fallen mask.
Ellie: Isn't that the mask I broke?
Suzuka: ...no, it's probably like the extra pen we saw.

Sphinx puts the mask on and sees a flashback!
???: I don't want to see people off to the underworld if this is what's going to happen. Nobody who comes back remembers our promise, the times we played together, or even who I am. And this has to happen forever? They say it's needed...but do I really have to bear all this alone?
Sphinx (narrating?): I remember now. They aren't fakes; they're me. They're fragments of my memories of trying to run away from my role and life.
When people grow old enough, they journey to the underground subrealm of Duat. Those who finish the journey come back changed. This is System Aaru, the world that does not end by death based on the cycle of the sun.
Sphinx's role is to observe the correct cycling of the sun. He greets the people and sun who finish their journey to the underworld before seeing them off as they go underground, meaning there is only separation. Sphinx can never see any of them again. All cycle through equally, no matter their relations.
Present
Sphinx: ...oh.
The mask disappears. Sphinx starts crying.
MC: Sphinx?
Sphinx has to tell everyone how this incident happened, but then the castle shakes before he can say anything!
End of Episode

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 3 Part 1 (Abridged)

Tsukuyomi: Almost done with the block puzzle!
MC: Let's do it! (push)
MC and Tsukuyomi work together to push the last block. It moves surprisingly easily, and now there's a bridge to the castle.
MC: Well that was easy / Thanks for telling me how to do this, Tsukuyomi / I didn't get any of this!
(A) Tsukuyomi: Wow, MC. I just watched most of the time. I guess you're good at these kinds of things.
(B) Tsukuyomi: Aww, thanks. I'm here to give you your due.
(C) Tsukuyomi: You solved it out of pure instinct? Honestly I didn't know how to solve it either, Moon joke!

Tsukuyomi: Okay Sphinx Eret or whatever. We can cross the bridge, right?
Eret: Well done...oh my gods you guys did great! You solved that WAY faster than I expected! And yeah, you can cross the bridge. Wanna solve some other puzzles!?
MC: Sorry, we're in a hurry / Hmm... / Wanna come with us?
Tsukuyomi: ...huh? Eret, your body--
Eret is starting to disappear into light. He doesn't seem to notice.
Eret: I've got even harder ones I can--(poof)
Eret turns into a ball of light that flies into the castle.
Tsukuyomi: ...welp
MC: He disappeared? / Was he Sphinx's Shadow? / Was he the shift core...?
(B) Tsukuyomi: Same brain! But if he is, his sense of self was way too clear for a Shadow...
(C) Tsukuyomi: Hmm...if he was, it'd be great to solve things early. But it doesn't look like anything's happened just now.

Tsukuyomi: The next possibility is that he's a memory fragment, but from what I've heard from other Aaru people, this isn't what Aaru would look like. That said, normal people caught up in these things don't disappear like that...so I've never heard of what's happening here before.
MC: Aaru's supposed to be all desert-y / Where'd the other Sphinx go? / What the hell is going on?
---
(A) Tsukuyomi: Oh thanks for telling me. You've been there before?
---
Tsukuyomi: Welp, we solved Eret's riddle, but there's still more around. I wonder if Sphinx is here? He must be related somehow, but what is that connection? If this isn't Aaru, then where is it? And who's the core? There's stuff to think about, but how about we go inside for now?
MC: Okay! / Let's follow that light / (nod)

Elsewhere
Ellie: I'm gonna get you, little boy~!
Mereut: HEEEELP
Sphinx: Ha ha! Better you than me.
Suzuka: Sphinx what the hell! And Ellie, stop scaring the little kids already!
Ellie doesn't hear anything.
Suzuka: Ugh, fiiine. I guess I'll look at this riddle or whatever. (Can't really just cut my way through but...)
Suzuka's swords have the power that allows it to cut the guards of hell.
Suzuka: (Well this seems to be a graveyard, so if I cut Mereut then...)

Suzuka: Never mind. Slashing kids is no good. So Sphinx, you figure anything out about the riddle here?
Sphinx: Hell yeah I have! It's babby's first riddle in here.
Suzuka: It IS!?
Sphinx: Sanctuaries are made so that you can't leave without fulfilling specific conditions. Sometimes there's conditions to take actions, sometimes you gotta solve preset tricks. There's ways to cheat, but I'm not telling how.
Suzuka: So, this seal we're in is the second case?
Sphinx: Yeah, Mereut said the puzzle was hidden earlier. Come on, stand in the center and look around.
Suzuka does so and notices that part of the wall is sticking out.
Suzuka: !! Whoa...

Suzuka presses on the wall button. A tile falls out.
Suzuka: I guess it'd be too easy if that was it.
Sphinx: Yep! Now figure out where to use the tile to solve the puzzle. Ellie, stop chasing the dingus over there and help out!
Ellie: Wait, you're not gonna do it?
Sphinx: I mean yeah I could solve it in a jiffy, but where's the fun in that? Come on Sis, show you've got some brains! I'll even give hints!
Ellie: Meeeh, fine I guess.
Suzuka: Ellie, we are in an emergency.
Ellie comes over and Suzuka explains the puzzle so far. Sphinx and Mereut watch with popcorn.

Sphinx: Wow you two are doing really good!
Ellie: I'm just doing whatever, but that usually makes things happen.
Suzuka: And we cover for her after that. The Outlaws too. We have to stand up front when the Queen's gone a lot, but I'm good at helping like this.
Ellie and Suzuka solve the rest of the puzzle. The stone floor grinds as it opens up!
Mereut: Well done!
Suzuka: Whew, we did it...
Sphinx: You had my hints, so of course you did!
Ellie: Thanks, Sphinx. That was a fun puzzle, Mereut. Wanna come with us? We can play more later.
Mereut: Really!? I've always wanted someone to play wi--
Suzuka: ELLIE!

A bright light fills the room as it disappears. Mereut turns into light and goes into Sphinx. Sphinx has a flashback of some kind.
Somewhere Not Aaru (it's Olympus)
???: Why is everyone afraid of me? I don't care about the others of my kind! I just wanna play battle of wits! Who needs souls? Who needs to grow? I just want--
End of flashback as the group gets back into Sort Of Kabukicho
Ellie: ...oh, we're back?
Suzuka: Apparently. It's good we got out of that sanctuary, but... (looks around and doesn't see Mereut)

Ellie: Sphinx, you okay?
Sphinx: ...huh? O-oh, yeah I'm fine. So, about Mereut...
Suzuka: I think he disappeared with the sanctuary.
Ellie: What WAS his deal?
Sphinx: ...dunno. (avoids the uncomfortable truth)
Sphinx: (I don't think they saw, but I did. Mereut went into me. And that memory. I don't remember it, but why was I there?)
Suzuka: Well, let's go back to looking for MC and Tsukuyomi.
Ellie: Okay. Let's go, Sphinx.
And so the three left.

Elsewhere, MC and Tsukuyomi enter the castle. The entrance looks like a normal Japanese school entrance.
MC: This incident is weird.
Tsukuyomi: Right. It's strange inside and outside the castle. I can and cannot grasp what's going on here, just like I did with Eret's light.
Tsukuyomi points at some floating lost light ahead.
Tsukuyomi: Tokyo has plenty of places with overlapping world spaces, but I've never heard of one that only affected the outside. Even if an overworld shift occurs in a space that has an empty room in the center, it would still look the same but we wouldn't be able to enter that room. Or castle in this case.
Tsukuyomi approaches the light. By the time he reaches it, there's foot steps coming from above. The light starts flying in that direction. MC and Tsukuyomi follow along, only to run into Ellie, Suzuka, and Sphinx!
MC: Ellie! / Suzuka's there too! / Sphinx is here...?
(A) Ellie: MC? Oh, you're here too. Huh, so's the Night Emperor...which means everyone in school got caught up too?
(B) Suzuka: Yep. I see the Night Emperor's with you. I guess we're all stuck in this.

The flying light floats over to Sphinx and turns into a feather pen.
Sphinx: Huh? ...what!?
Sphinx touches the copy pen, which then fuses with his own.
Tsukuyomi: Hmmmm...
Tsukuyomi observes everyone. Everyone seems worried.
Tsukuyomi: Well anyways we're all good. That's nice, right? If we were at my bar I'd treat you all to drinks, haha.
MC: Yeah.
Tsukuyomi: Well anyways, how about we share information? What happened with you guys?

Everyone is brought up to speed.
Suzuka: So that pen was Eret?
Tsukuyomi: Yep. We followed him in here and found you guys.
Ellie: The one we saw was Mereut. He disappeared at some point.
Sphinx: (frown)
Suzuka: Tsukuyomi, I think this is an overworld shift. Your thoughts?
Tsukuyomi: Hmm... (looks at Sphinx)
Tsukuyomi: Well I was wondering if Sphinx was the shift core until we came into the castle. He doesn't seem to be though since the inside is still Kabukicho Academy mostly. A shift would have changed it. And Sphinx, there's no castle like this in your home world, right?
Sphinx: !! Nope!
MC: Figured / So what's going on? / ...

Tsukuyomi: It's best to think this castle and Sphinx's divided memories were caused by different things. And for now at least, none of the Sphinx Memories we met intend to hurt us. This all seems to be an accident.
Suzuka: ...oh, I get it.
Ellie: It's okay Sphinx.
Sphinx: !! I-I'm not worried or anything! Come on, let's go! Those other Sphinxes are connected to my artifact, and while I dunno what that MEANS there might be one making a sanctuary at the bottome.
Tsukuyomi: So someone's stuck inside?
Ellie: Okay, let's go to the first floor.
Suzuka: Ellie! Don't run off by yourself!
MC: Let's go too. / Ellie, wait! / YAAAS QUEEN
Tsukuyomi: We should hurry. Sphinx, can you lead the way after we catch up?
Sphinx: Yeah!
Flashback
???: Playing the board game Senet or watching you solve my riddles is so fun! Let's play more! ...where you going? Where the sun sets? Okay, I'll wait for you until the same sun comes back!
Present
Sphinx: (I remember that one. It happened in Aaru. But who did all this and why!?)
End of Episode part

Kabukicho Night Parade Episode 2 Part 2 (Abridged)

While MC and Tsukuyomi are solving block puzzles...
Suzuka: So Sphinx, you met MC earlier?
Ellie: Oh right, they start class today so they could've met the little kitty boy.
Sphinx: ...stop calling me that. My name! Is! SPHINX!
Ellie: Okay okay, geez. Well in that case, you can call me Sis. Orrr Big Sis Ellie? Hey. Hey. Will you do the sad puppy look and call me one of those things?
Sphinx: ...how stupid ARE you?
Ellie: Oooh~ this is fine too.
Suzuka: Okay that's enough Ellie. Anyways, maybe MC and Tsukuyomi got stuck in this nonsense too. Maybe they went to the teacher's office.
Ellie: Then I guess we'll head over and look for them?

Suzuka nods to Ellie, then looks to Sphinx.
Ellie: ...you wanna come too? It's dangerous to be alone.
Sphinx: HEY! I'd be fine if I stay here by myself! And I know what MC and Tsukuyomi look like, so I can find them for you! (runs off)
Suzuka: Wait!
Suzuka grabs Sphinx before he gets far, wanting to keep him in view to both watch and watch over him.
Suzuka: (Hmm...)
How DOES someone handle uppity kids trying to act big...?

Suzuka: ...Sphinx, will you come with us? Ellie and I might not be able to get things done by ourselves, so having you along would be a huge help.
Sphinx: Me? O-oh, well...
Ellie: What? I'm fine on my ow--
Suzuka: (Shut up and play along! Besides, we can't leave him by himself right?)
Ellie: ...oh. Yeah. We'd. Be. Happy. To have you along.
Sphinx: Hmmmm...
Suzuka: Ellie totally wants you along! Right!?
Ellie: Yep. Plus you seem way smarter than me.
Sphinx: ...o-oh...well okay then I guess. I'd worry about you having to get on with your trash brains, so I'll come help!
Ellie: (Ooh~...he's so simple.)
Suzuka: (Don't let him hear you!)
And so they went on to investigate.

Meanwhile, downstairs...
Boy R: OMG what happened outside!?
Girl G: All the trees died!
Boy G: Hey I saw this before in Akiba before! That Somethingverse???
Kresnik: ...okay, looks like all the students we found have gathered in this room.
Sandayu: Okay y'all! Be good and wait here, ya heard? Lil' ol' me and Kresnik-sensei are gonna search around the school and see what's up. Be back soon, don't go outside!
None of the students seem worried right now. Kresnik and Sandayu are thinking of collecting as much information as they can before they need to chaperone the students when they realize how serious things are, so they started with checking the attendance records near the entrance.
Kresnik: Hmm...so Suzuka and Ellie are the only ones on this list we haven't seen yet. And MC and Tsukuyomi are supposed to arrive today.
Sandayu: So we gotta find them and then we'll have everyone accounted for. Any ideas where they could be, Krezzy?
Kresnik: No. I can only think of our classroom, but they must have gone somewhere. MC and Tsukuyomi...would probably head for the teacher's office if they made it.
Sandayu: So we just missed them? Not like I got any better ideas. Let's go figure out all these shenanigans goin’ on!

Later
Suzuka: Hey Sphinx, where'd you see MC?
Sphinx: I bumped into them outside somewhere while trying to figure my phone. I was near this huge gate?
Ellie: So, right in front of our school gate? ...hey Suzuka, how about we go into that classroom and look outside?
Suzuka: Yeah, we might see them around if they did get caught in this.
And so Team Ellie walks over to a window to look outside.
Suzuka: ...why are there walls in the way!?
Ellie: Is it supposed to isolate us and trap us here?
???: Yes, hehehee...
Ellie: Sphinx, did you just say something?
Sphinx: N-no?? I heard something by the door and--AHH
Suzuka: The classroom is changing!
The room warps into a room inside a pyramid!

Elsewhere
Kresnik: wait what
Sandayu: Yeeeah, I'm pretty sure we came in through the teacher's office door. This your doin'?
Kresnik and Sandayu are also in some pyramid room.
Sphinx: Hehehee...I am Sphinx Lone Wolf!
Kresnik and Sandayu: WHAT
Somewhere Else
Extra Sphinx: Fear me and my sanctuary, intruders!
Sphinx: Copycat! Whomst!?
Extra Sphinx: This is MY mask! You're copying ME, jerkface!
BANG
Sphinxes: AAAAAA
Ellie: Whoa, I kicked the wall and it didn't break.

Extra Sphinx: STOP TRYING TO BREAK THINGS DAMMIT
Sphinx: oh gods she didn't even blink when she tried that kick
Suzuka: Yeah she's stronger than most people so now she just tries brute forcing everything...anyways, who are you? Is this sanctuary thing part of your powers?
Extra Sphinx: Oh thank the gods there's someone reasonable. AHEM! I am Sphinx Mereut and I made this sanctuary with my power! What thou calls a riddle exists not, and thou cannot see it if thou cannot grasp its true form. My power collects riddles from the world to the bottom of our hearts to manifest them. If you cannot solve my riddle, you may not leave my sanctuary. And don't be cute and try to break out violently, that won't work either. Show your wisdom!
Ellie: Uh, Sphinx? Is he your brother?
Sphinx: Dunno. Sphinx is also the name of my race so he could just be someone I never met... (But he totally looks like me! But how?)
Suzuka: He doesn't seem to be a Shadow, but I doubt he's someone who came in the same time you did.
Ellie: I know one thing for sure though.
Suzuka: What?
Ellie: We have MORE cute boys!
Sphinx: what

Ellie casually walks up to Mereut.
Ellie: Hi little boy~. I'm Ellie, sorry to scare you. I throw hands and feet by accident but that's no big deal! Oh should I not call you little boy? I'mma just call you Mereut then. Your mask is cute. Can I touch your wings? Let's sit down and talk. You can sit in my lap if you want~.
Mereut: I NEED AN ADULT!
Mereut backs away. Ellie keeps approaching Mereut.
Ellie: Cool room you got. You said we can't leave until we solve the riddle? Does that mean we can stay forever if we don't? That's fine! Let's play tag!
Mereut: HEEEEELLLLLLP
Sphinx: welp
Suzuka: ...she does this every time she sees little kids. I guess we should solve that riddle to help Mereut out. Sphinx, can you lend a hand?
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Kresnik: ...hm. Seems like Lone Wolf isn't lying.
Kresnik tried slashing and shooting at the sanctuary walls. Nothing happened.
Sphinx Edgy: I SAID it wouldn't work earlier!
Kresnik: Ouch, I got told off by a little kid. Also you're acting way differently than before.
Sandayu: ...Sphinx Lone Wolf is a stupid name, y'all.
Sphinx Edgy: I-it is!? I thought it'd be cooler than Sphinx Jeut...
Sandayu: Uhh, different strokes for different folks! It's cool. Anyways, you said we gotta solve your riddle to get out?
Jeut: Heh, indeed. The riddle is already before you.
Sandayu: Wait what? We gotta find it!? Aww man, we're screwed.

Jeut: H-hey, don't try to give up so quick!
Sandayu: But I dunno where to even start, kiddo. Be a pal and gimme a hint~?
Jeut: Urrrrgh!
Kresnik: (Oh, his goal isn't to imprison us. Sandayu's act looks like it's meant to make Jeut solve the riddle himself...)
Jeut: FINE! I'll give you one hint! ONE hint, okay!? Start looking for a message!
Kresnik: (Sandayu's a veteran provocateur, but Jeut really does act like a child. Maybe he is one? ...does that mean this is just a game to him?)
Sandayu: HMM, what have we here? Look, this wall!
Sandayu found a papyrus scroll in the wall.

Sandayu: ...uhh, how do I read this?
Jeut: W-wait, you can't read it!?
Kresnik: No, sorry. Housamo Translate isn't working on it either.
Kresnik: (Hey wait, why isn't it working? Is it because Jeut's not contracted, or...)
Sandayu: Welp, we're screwed now.
Jeut: W-wait, gimme a sec! I'll translate it for you okay!?
Sandayu: Tee hee, thanks kiddo!
Jeut is annoyed as he somehow knows how to write the message into Japanglish. Sandayu and Kresnik whisper to each other in the meantime.

Kresnik: (Aren't those the same symbols we saw just before the school got shifted?)
Sandayu: (Yep, so short stuff has to be our l'il intruder. He musta used hieroglyphics. Can't see why he'd do all this, so we gotta ask after we solve the puzzle.)
Jeut: Okay, there! No more hints ever, okay!?
Sandayu: Thanks y'all! We gots this in the bag now!
Jeut: Jerkface! If you can't solve this, I'll eat your souls.
Sandayu: ...wait.
Kresnik: ...what was that?
Jeut: I said I'll eat your souls. That's a thing with us Sphinxes. What thou calls riddles and puzzles are things that do not exist and cannot even be seen unless you understand them. Mine power collects riddles from the world and people's hearts and materializes them into a sanctuary. If you step inside one, you must show your wisdom or forfeit your souls.
Sandayu: I think he's serious...guess we better hop to it.
Kresnik: I've never felt so unthreatened, but I guess. Can we see that message now, Lone Wolf or whatever?
Scroll: The key is inside the mirror. The mirror does not speak. Reveal the key.
End of Episode

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 2 Part 1 (Abridged)

Ellie: ...how's this?
Dress reveal!
Suzuka: I was expecting you to look good in that dress and I'm still surprised!
Ellie: Thanks. This dress is so light, your designer friend is amazing. I could probably wear this all Fes time.
Suzuka: Aww, cute. But you're only trying it on for today.
Ellie and Suzuka carried on with their stuff after Sphinx left.
Ellie: I'm gonna walk down the hallway with it on to see how it feels.
Suzuka: Sure, whatever you want Queen.
Ellie sure likes that dress. Suzuka smiles wryly as she opens the door for her.

Suzuka: Why'd you order a white dress anyway? I figured you'd go all dark colors as a vampire.
Ellie: A lady in a picture book I saw once wore this dress and I wanted to wear it as a costume. She was frail and dainty, lonely and always thinking about someone she walked together with.
Suzuka: Well that's adorable. So I helped your dream come true?
Ellie: I guess. Next time I'll show you a place that sells lit cosmetics and clothes as payback.
Suzuka: Wow, thanks. Don't tell anyone else!
Ellie: Hmm~
Suddenly the floor shakes!
Suzuka: Earthquake! Ellie, you okay?
Ellie: Yeah, I'm fine. But was that really...
BIG FLASH

Suddenly the castle has changed!
Suzuka: wait what
Suzuka is surprised as she looks out the window, then hurries to open the door. Ellie is only mildly perturbed.
Ellie: I don't think we're in Kabukicho anymore, Suzu. Is this projection mapping or whatever? Wow it feels so real.
Suzuka: STOP BEING STUPID
Suzuka shows Ellie what used to be the clothing room.
Suzuka: We were just in there and now our stuff is gone. That means we're probably in another world now...we should go look for anyone else around. Can you move?
Ellie: Yep. This dress is tough enough that I can run in it.
Suzuka: Good. Then let's head for the teachers' off--(suddenly stops)

Ellie: What's going on Suz--
Suzuka puts her finger up to her mouth to signal Ellie to be quiet and indicates that someone is there.
Sphinx: OH NO I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED! Did MC lie to me!? No, no wait. Gotta chill. Deep breaths, calm down, take it slo--huh?
Ellie: Baby. Baby boy.
Sphinx: AAAAAAA
Suzuka: D-dammit Ellie, stop scaring him so much!
Ellie has snuck up behind Sphinx and hugged him.
Ellie: Oh, sorry. I didn't think you'd react that much. I'll put you down, so don't run okay?
Sphinx: I-I wasn't scared or anything! Who are you anyw--AAH! It's the monster strong pharaoh!
Suzuka: Her name is Ellie...oh wait we never told you our names earlier, huh? I'm Suzuka. So why are you here? You got stuck in this crap too? Why don't you tell us why you're panicking so much?
Sphinx: ...fine, I guess I can tell you if a queen and her attendant are asking me.
Ellie: Wait little boy, what's a pharaoh anyway?
Sphinx: I'm Sphinx, not a little boy! And do I really have to explain!? You go to this shrine, right!?
Ellie: Suzuka, why is he calling the school a shrine?
Suzuka: ...maybe we should explain Tokyo to him first.

Elsewhere, Tsukuyomi and MC have been plopped in front of the transformed school castle.
MC: Where are we!? / Weren't we just at school...? / Oh did the Fes start?
---
(C) Tsukuyomi: Heh, you used to bloodbaths like this if you can joke like that?
---
Tsukuyomi: I know for sure we went through the Kabukicho school gate, but somehow we're in another world now. Well less we went to one and it shifted itself over this world. An overworld shift, you could say. You've been through those, right?
MC: Huh... / Yep / (wait for an explanation)
Tsukuyomi: Okay class, an overworld shift is when some other world's area overlays itself over somewhere in Tokyo using someone's memories as a core. And usually, no one can get out until it's resolved. Since this one includes the whole Kabukicho Academy, it could be a student from there. And if the theme for the Fes is vampire castle, then...
MC: A vampire did this? / Ellie!? / But isn't Ellie--
---
(B) Tsukuyomi: Hmm. She's still a native though.
(C) Tsukuyomi: Same brain! Yes, she's still a native even if she's a vampire.
---
Tsukuyomi: I doubt she has the memories causing this shift, but I can't say it's impossible... But anyways she and Suzuka should be here already. They're probably inside if they got caught up in all this.

Inside
Sphinx: Ooh, I get it now. So in order to make Tokyo natives and otherworld people get along better, there needed to be a way to socialize everyone towards the same social rules, so the app was called a game for everyone to play. And since Transients needed to learn how things work anyway, they put them together with the educational systems. Put needing to manage Transients and educate them together and that's why this school is so big.
Ellie: ...did we say all that?
Suzuka: No, he just figured it out from the bare basics we told him. He's crazy smart.
Ellie: Wow, so you're not just a cute little boy.
Sphinx: Stop calling me a kid, you're all just stupid.

Ellie: ...so anyways, why were you panicking here earlier?
Sphinx: Oh that. Somebody named MC showed me how to use the app and I tried it out, and suddenly this is my life now...OH NO!
Sphinx: T-this isn't my fault! Probably! My power can't do all this! I know it happened when I activated my artifact, but it's all a coincidence! I'M INNOCENT!
Suzuka: Relax, we aren't going to judge you. And even if you did do it, it doesn't explain you panicking.
Suzuka: (Yeah, he can't have intentionally done this or else he wouldn't be acting like that. What did Tsukuyomi say before...?)

Outside
Tsukuyomi: Welp, how about we get searching. Maybe there's other people besides Ellie and Suzuka?
MC looks around. The school gate is now a tall lattice gate. The grounds look rough with dead trees, and there's a lot of water surrounding the castle. A blood moon shines in the sky.
MC: (check the gate) / (check the lake) / (look for an entrance) / (talk to Tsukuyomi) [only after choosing at least one of the other options]
(A) MC shoves the gate. It doesn't budge an inch. Nothing that could open the gate can be seen nearby.
Tsukuyomi: Oh. The whole fence is the border that enclosed the whole school and that's why it all shifted.
(B) MC looks into the water.
Tsukuyomi: Whoops. (gently pulls MC back) You're brave, but you best stay back from that ocean. It's deeper than it looks, and you might get attacked in there.
(C) There's no bridge anywhere to get into the castle.

Tsukuyomi: Hmm, blocked by an ocean if we want to get in. Oh, you thought it was a lake? That's understandable, but I recognize it as an ocean, even if that's impossible for Tokyo. Maybe I just see it that way because I'm believed to be an avatar of the moon and night in Takamagahara. Maybe I'M the core, haha.
He jokes, but he looks coldly at the moon and water.
Tsukuyomi: (I sense something in that ocean similar to something back home. Which means that down there must be--)
Earthquake! A water pillar slowly rises!
MC: WHAT/ What is that!? / wait what
???: HAHAHAHAAA

Sphinx turns up with a bunch of rocks!
Sphinx: I am Sphinx Elet! Eret! I dunno! I am the guardian of the world!
MC: WHAT / Didn't I just bump into you? Did you get caught up in this too?
Eret: FOOL! This is my first time meeting thee!
Tsukuyomi: ...so stranger, can I ask you something? How'd you get here and what do you mean by guardian of the world?
Eret: Allow me to dumb it down for you simpletons! I am Sphinx Initiative Defense!
MC: WHAT / ooh cool / (stare)
(BC) Eret: ...thou could stand to look afraid, thanks.

Tsukuyomi: Sooo, you gatekeeping us from the castle then? If you could let us in that would be real easy nice, thanks.
Eret: I abhor violence, so I shall grant thee passage...IF thou can solve mine riddle! Make a bridge with these stone steles!
MC: what / I love block puzzles! / meeeeh, I'll swim
---
(B) Eret: inorite!? I came up with this totally awesome puzzle so--(violent coughing) Ahem.
(C) Eret: Wha, b-b-but no... (shakes)
Tsukuyomi: ...why don't we play along, MC? If he'll lower a bridge for us, than that's convenient for us. (Also we should avoid getting into the water. It's gonna be a bad time if something down there pulls us under.)
---
Tsukuyomi: Welp, I don't like working much, but I guess I can't complain right now. Puzzle time!
BATTLE(?) START

 

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 1 Part You (Abridged)

A few days after MC was picked to go on the student exchange program. Some host club Tsukuyomi invited MC to.
Tetsugyuu: Welcome, Boss! Wow you really came! Tell me if you're gonna go out in town so I can come with!
Ibaraki: Tetsuya's gonna yell again if you do. MC isn't really one of us Outlaws. And Senpai? You gotta follow our rules if you're gonna stay on our turf. I'm your kouhai at Shinkuku, but here I'll be the big guy who'll show you the ways of--
Suzuka: Yeah sure whatever, calm down Ibaraki. MC's the Emperor's guest and still an outsider, not a freeloader underling you can lord over. And MC, you need to understand this too if you're staying in Kabukicho. Got it?
MC: Hi Tetsugyuu! / I'll follow you, Big Bro Ibaraki! / Should I call you Sis then, Suzuka?
(A) Tetsugyuu: Yeah! Man, maybe I'll get picked to go on an exchange program too? I think I'll ask Gang Leader Sanat Kumara and student council Sanmoto tomorrow!
Ibaraki: ...you don't get it? Fine, I'll explain it to you again.
(B) Ibaraki: Oh my god you can't just call me that! You have to call someone as great as Shuten that!
Suzuka: Come on, you can just show off your good side here too then, right?
(C) Suzuka: Y-you idiot! Don't go dissing me during your exchange student stay! But if you're going to go that far, I'll just have to watch over you!
Tetsugyuu: But I wanted to take care of the boss!

Tsukuyomi: Aww, I'm so happy everyone is opening up to you so fast, MC.
Lots of the Outlaws have come to welcome Tsukuyomi and MC. And then there's Tetsuya to the side making a face.
Tetsuya: ...what's so great about this? Even Suzuka is jumping for joy, god.
Ellie: Tetsuya you always act like a thug, but you never loosen up.
Tsukuyomi: Oh no Queen, it's because we got someone like Tetsuya around that we can do what we want.
Tetsuya: (sigh) Well thanks for giving a mutt like me the annoying work that suits me. And if you really are thankful for me, you could stand to work more since you're the boss.
Tsukuyomi: Boys, can you pass out drinks to everyone? We should have a toast with MC here.
Ellie: I'mma go on a walk, leave mine on the table.
Tetsuya: Goddammit.

Gyoubu: Now now, Onogami you can let it go for today. Customers and guests like it better when things are more relaxed. I'll take patrol for the day, so please watch over everyone in the club.
Gyoubu walks out, and MC then walks up to Tetsuya.
MC: I'll be in your care for now / Sorry for the trouble / So we good now?
(A) Tetsuya: I don't look after people who aren't paying. It's Tsukuyomi who had your room set up. Just go to school like a good kid and there'll be less problems going around.
(B) Tetsuya: Yeah, this is a huge pain in the ass and you got balls to come anyway...but if you're gonna be that compliant, I can at least treat you as a customer.
(C) Tetsuya: Did you not get yet that you piss me off acting that way? You're still gonna be an outsider here, and the town won't like you as long as you're part of some other guild. You could at least stop barging through the front door like you own the place, god.

Tetsuya: Come on, stop bothering with me, take your drink, and go back to everyone else. (takes two drinks from a coming mobster and gives one to MC)
Tsukuyomi: Everyone have a drink? My treat today, so please get along with my guest. To Kabukichi's development, the Outlaws's future, and our guest. Cheers.
And so the calm welcoming party went on into the night as MC's Kabukicho life began.
The next day
MC: I should wake up Tsukuyomi up soon / I should've napped too / Time to go to school...
---
(A) MC goes into Tsukuyomi's room and shakes him.
Tsukuyomi: ...hrmmm? Is it time to go? Yawn...
---
Once Tsukuyomi is up, MC gets ready. Then they picked up some clothes in the corner that Tsukuyomi had talked about last night.
MC: I have to wear this? Why?

Later
Fortuneteller Tsukuyomi: Oh, have you changed too MC? It looks like we have matching costumes.
MC: You look great! / You always look good in anything / Are you a wizard?
---
(A) Tsukuyomi: Thanks. Heh, you look great too. I'm glad we happened to get matching costumes.
---
Tsukuyomi: Kresnik-sensei gave me these clothes and told me the idea was that I'd be a fortune teller in a vampire's castle. He wanted us to come to school dressed for the Fes starting tomorrow. I suppose it's meant to show us positively participating in the festival despite being outsiders?
MC: Huh...? Am I not welcome? / I like this.
(AB) Tsukuyomi: Remember what Kabukicho people are like. They never like anyone at first brush. This is the same thing. Everyone who comes here has been hurt, and that includes the school. But relax. Suzuka, Ellie, and I can come help if anything happens.
(C) Tsukuyomi: Haha, you don't fear anything ever, do you? Maybe you'll fit in better at the school than I will.

Tsukuyomi: ...you know, a fortuneteller fits me so well, even if this is just a costume.
MC: What's the connection? Can you tell fortunes? / Can people from Takamagahara tell fortunes?
---
(AB) Tsukuyomi: I've learned a lot of things to entertain my guests. I don't know much about divination, but I'm interested in simple fortune telling at least.
(C) Tsukuyomi: I could do anything for you...kidding. But life took me around so I know about Wa no Kuni's sukuyoudo astrology and Tokyo's astrology. It's only dabbling though, just good enough for entertaining guests and some other things.
---
Tsukuyomi: If you're interested, I could show you sometime. (checks the time) It's about time we go. Ready? There's no class today, but it'd be better if we didn't get off on the wrong foot by being late.

Later
Tsukuyomi: Hmm, it's hard going around wet streets in this outfit. Or maybe I should consider us lucky that the rain stopped when it was time for us to go to school? Now how about we go over what we talked about the other day? Kabukicho Academy is holding a festival starting tomorrow, and the Queen has told me the theme is a castle a vampire lives in. That'd make us fortune tellers the vampire invited over. We weren't told to act in particular way, so I guess it's fine for us to treat it like one big costume party?
MC: How about we set up a fortune telling booth? / Is Ellie dressing up? / Are only some of the students dressing up?
---
(A) Tsukuyomi: Ooh, nice idea. I'll think about it if the students accept us.
(BC) Tsukuyomi: Secret~.
---
Tsukuyomi: Oh right, the Outlaws said they'd come on the day the Fes starts.

Meanwhile at Kabukicho
Sphinx: Waaah! My power won't work and some crazy strong pharaoh smashed my mask! And what the hell is this tablet thingy!?
Sphinx is wandering in the school grounds fiddling with his free phone.
Sphinx: Wow, it's like the ocean is spreading here. Is it all the rain? It's been raining all day after the sun came up. I'm glad I found that school store thing that had food inside that temple though...but I haven't found anyone from Aaru so far. Is there anyone like that here in Tokyo...?
Sphinx loses interest in the phone and thinks back on what's happened so far. He's lost and seen all sorts of new races, but none with features he recognized. The only one he feels a connection to was the one they called Queen.
In Aaru, pharaohs are people with a specific duty chosen directly by the World Representative. If they exist inside temples, then Tokyo must have a similar faith to Aaru. Or at least that's what Sphinx thinks from what he's seen. But again, Sphinx hasn't met anyone he feels like they also came from Aaru, and he worries he might be here alone in some strange place.

Sphinx: ...ugh, I should stop thinking about things that aren't even assumptions. Anyways, how do I get my power back? OOF!
Sphinx bumps into MC.
MC: Sorry, you okay?
Sphinx: Ow. No, I should apologize. Wait, I dropped that tablet thingy!
MC: (looks around) What's it look like? Is it the thing Tsukuyomi caught?
Tsukuyomi: ...I see. You call this a tablet? I'm glad I caught it before it fell into a puddle. Did you just get summoned to Tokyo? (gives back phone)
Sphinx: Y-yes...wait, you know what this is!?
Tsukuyomi: Yep. Pretty much every Transient in Tokyo knows what it is. And people with the App on their phones, right MC?
MC: Don't look at ME! / Yep. Want me to teach you?
(A) Tsukuyomi: Whoops, I'm in the habit of leaving a lot of tasks to my guildmates. But you were thinking you can't just leave this boy alone now, right?

Sphinx: Really!? Okay, tell m--I MEAN I'll figure it out if you tell me how it works! But I can hear you out if you wanna show me!
MC: (teach him) / I'll show you if you let me pet you
---
(B) Sphinx: Wat. We literally just met! Are you as stupid as Seth!? You probably won't understand, but that's a huge diss right there. I'll think about letting you pet me if you grovel and lick my feet though. If not, then get lost. I'll let you go if you leave with your tail between your legs!
Tsukuyomi: Aww, that's too bad. I hear MC's petting has the mysterious magic touch to it.
Sphinx: GASP! Y-you're just trying to bait me! Whatever, just tell me how this phone? thingy works already!
---
MC teaches Sphinx how to use the phone and the app and also a simple explanation of the worlds and Transients.
Sphinx: ...oh, so this app is translating for us. Dunno who made it, but I guess that's how Tokyo keeps orderly with all these world connections. And I can use the phone to talk to or send messages to people far away. Cool!

Tsukuyomi: Wow, I'm surprised at how much you gleaned from that little explanation.
Sphinx: Ha! My brain's on another level compared to your trash brains! But still, thanks about the app and phone stuff. Oh right I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Sphinx, from Aaru.
Tsukuyomi: I'm Tsukuyomi. I'm from Takamagahara even though I'm dressed like this.
MC: I'm MC.
Sphinx: Cool, I guess I can be friends with you guys! (swaggers as he puts his hand out to shake MC's)
Sphinx: !! What just happened? I thought I felt something bad...maybe I imagined it?
Tsukuyomi: ...
Sphinx: Whoops, gotta go! See ya after I test something out! (runs off)
Tsukuyomi: Hey wait, didn't he just run into the school? Didn't he just transfer worlds?
MC: Did he come because of some process? / Yeah actually...is he an intruder?
---
(A) Tsukuyomi: Maybe, but would he really come here alone knowing so little of Tokyo?
---
Tsukuyomi: Running around isn't my thing, but I think we should go after him. Okay the--!?
MC: Wait what's this light!?
Elsewhere like a minute ago
Sphinx: Okay, here we go now. Redacted Invocation activate!
All the hieroglyphs power up, causing the school to overlap with some other world's scenery.
End of Episode

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 1 Part Tsukuyomi (Abridged)

Tsukuyomi (narrating): You wanna know why I shine? To light you up, baby! This place is just a stage on the play of life, and I am your spotlight. You can shine brighter, you know. I'm here to show you that. It's hard being out there, isn't it? Lemme dry your tears! It's just you and me here, in a special place meant to make you glow. Look at the audience seats, look at how my shadow hides who's there. Over there are spectators and not spectators, and over here are people on stage and people who aren't. Now that we've split them up, let's begin with our story.
Present
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Hmm, maybe my big entrance with my cheerleader hype men was too much for my kouhais. Then again, I half look like my famous little brother from my old world like this, so I can't help it if it oozes charm, hehe.
Shirou: Umm...are you going as an exchange student too then?
Tsukuyomi: Yep. I'm the third years' representative. What a coincidence that they picked me of all people since I'm famous there.
Kengo: WTF is going on anymore!?
Ryouta: But wouldn't it be better for MC to have someone who's familiar with Kabukicho along?
Tsukuyomi: Haha, I thought the same thing as you Kengo. So blunt and straightforward. And thanks for your vote of confidence Ryouta.
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Oh MC's friends are talking so happily together. Far as I can remember, Touji and Moritaka are included this time too. My Pillar can only hold happy memories though.

Later
Tsukuyomi: So yeah, Shinjuku got notice of the exchange program the other day haha!
Tetsuya: THAT'S why you called us over for all of a sudden?
Ibaraki: Is this gonna affect Kabukicho the city much?
Tetsugyuu: Hey, does that mean Boss is gonna be a Kabukicho guy? Aww yeah! I wish I could've been exchanged from Umamichi to here so we could rumble every day!
Suzuka: ...well that wouldn't have changed much anyway. Kabukicho Academy's a school for strays. Not a welcoming place for outsiders, especially so close to the Fes. You know it'll be bad if you or MC slip up even once, right Emperor?
Ellie: Shleeep...
Suzuka: Stop yawning and snap to it, Ellie. Oh right, where are we gonna keep MC?

Tetsuya: Just put them on some sofa of some shop that's open during the day.
Suzuka: They're a guildmaster you idiot. They'll get attacked if we don't put them somewhere good enough! And then we'll get a war in West Shinjuku! I'll take on any fight, but don't go picking one, jackass. And we have plenty of people we can't just let be seen too.
Marchosias: ...thank you for your consideration. So what now?
Tsukuyomi: Weeeell, I've been thinking of putting MC in one of our guild safehouses.
Reaction shot
Tsukuyomi: I can't decide that alone, which is why I wanted to gather everyone together.
Tetsugyuu: Oh! Well obviously I--
Tetsuya: Slow down you. You have to think about it with a cool head as a Kabukicho citizen.
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Ahh Tetsuya, there you go again. Always thinking of keeping Kabukicho safe.

Tetsuya: Tsukuyomi, it sounds to me like you wanna accept an outsider for personal reasons. Are you trying to bug us into accepting them?
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Hmm, what do I say? He's right though. It IS true I want to accept MC for personal reasons this time, but...
Gyoubu: Sheesh. Tsukuyomi, shouldn't you tell us what's on your mind more? Maybe Tetsuya would agree to your suggestions then.
Kresnik: ...you're doing this for the guild, right?
Tsukuyomi (narrating): I smiled at how right I was to call Kresnik here. He's a Kabukicho teacher, which led to us all agreeing to him joining the guild too.
Tsukuyomi: Bingo, Kresnik! I can't give a detailed explanation though. Or more accurately I don't know it myself.
Shino: You don't have a memory of it?
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Convenient timing! Wow I'm always being helped by the adults. Maybe if we had adults around back when us siblings were...oops I'm getting off track.

Tsukuyomi: Well guys, like my name means, I'm the Moon Reader here to shine a light on the guild's path. I won't say I see everything that happens, but I can see it. You can read up all sorts of futures from the world's history, and from the compiled traces of the past on the moon. That said, all I can read are things that I personally find happy. I always do my best to tell you all these things, but I totally should be able to see what would happen if MC were attending Kabukicho. But the future's all clouded up.
Marchosias: ...meaning, there's something uncertain your reading can't see?
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Everyone started looking at each other when I nodded to Marchosias.
Tsukuyomi: Based on what little I can see, if something happens it'll happen because of me, MC, or something that happens at Kabukicho Academy. There's little basis to go off though...which is why I'd like to keep MC nearby for personal reasons.

Tetsuya: You indirect ass. If you're doing this for the guild, then I don't need to butt in. I'll just follow along and you do whatever.
Tsukuyomi: Heh, thanks Tetsuya. You never give your honest answers, do you? But I like that you take it upon yourself to butt in when it's hard to cut into things.
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Since we both know MC, I doubt there'd have been a problem if we agreed on the two answers. And Tetsuya gave his frank advice about not letting the guild be used in ways beyond its original goal. He probably thinks if things don't go through the right way, we might lose sight of our goal. It's cute how he looks so calm but is the most passionate about it.
Tsukuyomi: So is everyone okay with this?
Tsukuyomi (narrating): Everyone nodded.
Tsukuyomi: Thanks. I'll bring MC over tomorrow then.
Tsukuyomi (narrating): And so we all went back to do our own things until someone called out to me.
Kresnik: Wait, I need to talk to you.
Tsukuyomi: ...oh, Kresnik?
Kresnik: I'm sorry to ask this of you after the selections were just made, but...
Tsukuyomi (narrating): And now we move on to the day me and MC arrive at Kabukicho. I wonder if I'll remember anything here?
End of Episode Part

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 1 Part Sandayu (Abridged)

Sandayu: ...Krezzy why are we here?
Kresnik: We're at the park because it was your idea that we eat and talk.
Sandayu: You coulda at least picked somethin' classier like an oden stall by the train tracks! And after all my help with markin' your students' homework. (sighs and grabs some convenience store finger food)
Kresnik: You're always playing dumb. You know this is safer, Sensei.
Sandayu: !!
Sandayu: Heh. Guess ya know me too well from all the times we fought in our old jobs.
Sandayu (narrating): We're on some bench in the park with no visual cover nearby and bushes kinda far away, so we can see anyone comin' and nothin' to be used against us. Nice wind, no foot traffic. Just two teacher pals gabbin' in the night! And we talkin' about that exchange student thing because of course we are!

Sandayu: So I thought those big three guilds were pullin' somethin' with this program, but it turns out only one of the big bosses from the guilds (Yoritomo) put this up. The REAL plan with this thing is for him to send out his own pawns wherever with no problems to spy. But then again you gotta be a bigwig with pawns to throw to use the program this way to begin with.
Kresnik: Seems to have been made insubstantial of concrete evidence because of interference from other guilds. I've tried looking into this exchange's details, but there's no signs of a third party intervening in Shinjuku or Kabukicho. For now it doesn't seem to be a guild war thing. Maybe the native upper admins are just using it since it's there.
Sandayu: Checks out with what I've found out.
Kresnik: Yes, it should be fine to judge this to be low risk. The students can enjoy their Fes without issues. Now we just have to worry about how the students will react to the exchange students... So anyways Sensei, thanks for supporting our students. Don't go overboard.
Sandayu: wait what

Kresnik: Well you know a bit more than me, so I'll be counting on you.
Sandayu: Welp, changin' things around to fit the situation and blend into the background is my best specialty!
Kresnik: Like how you sometimes call yourself an old man? You talk a little different now than when we fought before.
Sandayu: Hell's bells you noticed, Krezzy!? ...well, it'sa way to compartmentalize being a cool teacher at Kabukicho from being undercover.
Kresnik: You're suited for teaching and I'm not. Jealous.
Sandayu: Whoa Krezzy
Kresnik: I'm...tired of my old bloody life, so I thought about trying out a more peaceful life. I wanted to try teaching, guiding, and living with my brethren's children, but unfortunately I'm not...never mind actually.

Sandayu (narrating): A role sticks with you in this world, whether you cut it off or not. Anyways I'm Momochi Sandayu. I know who's worth knowin', and I'm the great teacher of the Iga Ninja Corps. I trained up a lot of students and sent them off, so I guess I am kinda suited to teach. It's why I kept being a teacher as a cover when I came to Tokyo. But Krezzy...what I taught were the ninja ways of doing things and survival tricks for getting through the Sengoku period. You had to know how to play dirty to be good, even with your students and teachers. It's why I thought always thought my students would turn on me someday.
Sandayu: So Krezzy...I can't believe a word of what ya say about living together with them. Not that I'll say that to your face. But you probably--never mind. Anyways, I just gotta use my skills to make my livin' here in Tokyo!
Sandayu (narrating): Bein' a teacher's just a job ta me. I'll take on any dirty job to make some money!

Later
Sandayu: ...what the hell am I wearin'!? Wha...? You got forced by the students to wear something too? But yer just tellin' me to shut up and wear this thing the whole Fes!
Sandayu (narrating): It's been days since the park talk and now the day before the Fes, and here I am puttin' on some dumb costume that's funnier than a three dollar note. Damn, these cute little jerks here sure know how ta pull the teachers into their crap.
Boy A: Wow you look great in that costume, Sandayu!
Boy B: I wanna see, I wanna see! ...It's so true!
Girl C: omg what genius put that costume together!?
Boy D: Good, looks it's fine even when you move in it. We made it with techniques from our home world! It's light, huh? It's not much as actual armor, but it's just for show right?

Girl E: You look just like a dullahan, Sandayu!
Sandayu: STOP CALLING ME BY NAME! Wait, you made this by hand? Holy crap in a flapjack! Dullahans are those headless knights from Tir na Nog, right? Hmm... okay, Sensei's gonna catch ya slippin' if you don't watch out during the Fes!
Girl E: It's hilarious how much more you're into this than us! Keep it up tomorrow!
Sandayu (narrating): We joked some more, then the students went back to the classroom while I went down the hallway. Gettin' along is part of work, and getting along pays. I am totally not makin' excuses...he says to no one in particular. Whatever, time to keep patrollin'. No classes today, but I should still do last minute checks and take attendance.

Sandayu: Man, the students sure are clever. They didn't really need to decorate much to make this place look like an old fashioned manor or castle. They even set the mood up by putting graffiti on the walls an--wait what?
Sandayu (narrating): There's something written in small giving off this weird vibe. Reminds me of stuff from my home world.
Sandayu: ...ain't this a curse o' some kind? Who'd do that?
Sandayu (narrating): I hurried back to the teacher's office tell Krezzy, and I saw those curse things a buncha times along the way.
Elsewhere
Kresnik: ...did an intruder get in? But when did they do this? I didn't see anything like this yesterday.
Sandayu: Maybe the conditions kicked in for the curse to start today. I've seen these marks before... (remembers) Aaru has these two different sets of scripts, one for everyday use and one for rituals and spells. I can't READ them, but I think the second one was called hieroglyphs...
Sandayu (narrating): And then suddenly the place shook in a way not like an earthquake and there was light everywhere.
End of Episode Part

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 1 Part Kresnik (Abridged)

Kresnik (narrating): Being a teacher isn't easy, even compared to my old job. I spend every day looking after dumb kids who are too stupid to know what fear is. It's five more days before the School Fes starts at this point, and I'm doing the rounds around the school again.
Boy A: Later, Teacher!
Kresnik: Bye. Do a real greeting tomorrow. Also don't run in the hallways.
Boy B: Sliding's okay then, right!? Bye Krester!
Kresnik: No it wouldn't. How would you even--STOP! ...sigh.
Kresnik (narrating): After I see the kids going home off, I go to the classrooms where the lights are on and students are working on the Fes. I can totally see the traps they set up once I get to the door. If I fall for it, they call me lame. But if I just dodge it, they go boo. Ugh, fine then...

Boy A: Aww, he dodged it! Well I guess it was really obvious.
Kresnik: Haha, yes it was easy to see coming. Even I could--WAAAGH
Kresnik (narrating): Once I avoided the falling blackboard eraser, I intentionally slipped on the banana peel they put down.
Boy A: Yeeees, I win!
Girl B: Dammit, I bet he wouldn't have fallen for something that stupid. Fiiine, what's the deal? Am I buying from the school store or going to a vending machine?
Kresnik: Sheesh, aren't you guys supposed to be busy with getting ready for the Fes?
Kresnik (narrating): Every day I'm always asking myself if I'm doing alright as a teacher for my fellow nightfolk. My eyes have an ability that draws them to vampire True Ancestors, but they can't see an answer to that question. Geez, being a teacher is hard. How am I supposed to connect with them? I spent my whole life up until now hunting nightfolk, and now I have to teach and guide them? I mean I think this way is better, but it still blows up on me a lot. Looking from above, people would say I'm being rebelled against and just sticking my head into needless trouble.

Boy C: Hey don't you need to practice? You're playing in a band for the Fes, aren't you?
Boy D: It's cool, I can play it all blindfolded! Maybe!
Boy E: I'll just say you're working for our classes today. Wasn't he talking about the Fes's purpose or something?
Girl F: We're making the Fes for our sakes! Heh, sounds good huh?
Kresnik (narrating): The Kabukicho students are slowly uniting as they prepare for the festival...or at least it looks that way. Most of them are looking for a sense of belonging and have situations where they can find sympathies that go beyond racial borders. That gives me the sense that this is still having a good influence on them.
Kresnik: Everything seems to be going well...oh, this costume looks impressive.
Girl G: Aww, Nicky! We made it ourselves. Cool, huh!?
Boy D: We can do it if we want to! Well I knew that already but still.

Kresnik: ...well I got a favor to ask of you guys. Listen to me for a second.
Boy H: What's up?
Kresnik: So I mentioned this before, but the acceptance term for the exchange student program has been set. This is very short notice, but we've been informed their first day here will be four days from now.
Not Fergus: But that's the day before the Fes starts! Are they barging in on OUR event!?
Girl G: Nicky I know it's not your fault, but don't stick that on our festival!
Boy D: What the hell are we supposed to do in that little time?
Kresnik (narrating): Most of the students were against it, some were sprawled on the ground, and everyone seemed confused. Kabukicho is filled with people wary of outsiders since so many of them were chased away from other areas. Anything that comes from outside makes them anxious and even more cautious.

Kresnik: I know what you want to say: Kabukicho has its own way of doing things, right? But you guys also say you don't reject anyone coming in. Can you at least take a look at the exchange students come in and then decide how you feel?
Students: ...
Kresnik (narrating): They all looked at each other for a while in silence. Then someone kicked the door open.
Girl K: Hey, sorry I'm late! ...oh god it's tense in here I gotta puts on some music!
valentines.mp3
Not Fergus: ...HAHAHA! God you are ruining the mood here!
Girl K: Hey I can read what's going on! You better thank me for lightening the mood when it gets dark!
Boy D: Sigh...okay I'm calm now. Okay fine Mister, these exchange students can come over.
Kresnik: Oh good! Sorry for the sudden announcement.
Boy I'm Losing Track Now: Hold on, if we're listening to you we're making a deal here.
Kresnik (narrating): He holds up that costume and smiles.
Boy Whoever: The exchange students AND you teachers gotta help us as one of us with the festival!
Kresnik (narrating): And so I went back to the teacher's office with four costumes. I could only smile wryly at how they're always putting me through the wringer.

Kresnik (narrating): Being a teacher is HARD. Just spending a day with students makes me worry about so many things. If they veer off their path, could I bring them back to it? Am I actually able to be a model when I spent so much time hunting people like them? But after being worn down from all the hunting and being called a hero, I got a wish here in Tokyo because of all that fighting. I wanted to protect these children driven to the Sleepless City and their homes, and I swore that on my gun and knife.
Kresnik: A vampire castle lord costume, huh? The irony. Still, it does suit me.
Kresnik (narrating): And now it's suddenly the day before the Fes, and I put on the costume the students gave me. There are no classes today, and I hoped it'd all go smoothly with no incidents.
Sandayu: Krezzy! Something's up, come with me!
Kresnik (narrating): And so Tokyo surprises me again with how experience and common sense mean nothing in an instant.
End of Episode Part

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 1 Part Ellie (Abridged)

Ellie (narrating): That day I became a vampire and not human anymore, became famous, and looked at Tokyo's nightscape from the top of some skyscraper, I could see the light of every corner in this city. I look at that light alone, and it bothers me less than I thought it would when I think about that. I chose to be alone. I don't care about other people, and what other people say doesn't bother me. I thought I'd always be like that and always would be. When that guy who gave me his blood disappeared from this city, I decided I'd start being a queen.
Ellie: Hello, Suzuka? I remember about us going to school together today. Do we meet at the safehouse? Okay, I'll change and meet you there.
Ellie (narrating): The day before the Fes, Suzuka came with me to the school we go to. She knows how much I cut class, so she comes get me when it's important.
Ellie (narrating): So like I'm pretty sure everyone in Tokyo knows me, but I'll introduce myself anyways. I'm Ellie, the girl who walks nighttime Kabukicho alone. You wanna know who says that? Pffft, who cares? I think it's a better catchphrase than calling myself that poor girl who got turned into a vampire. You can take your sympathy and shove it. I be who I want to be, though people who think about hard stuff use different words to describe me.

Later
Suzuka: I gotta stop by the classroom, so can you go on to the clothing room?
Ellie: 'kay. I'll take the clothes with me.
Ellie (narrating): Suzuka and I split off after we got to school. I could hear the other students walking behind me talking about me as I walked down the hall.
Girl A: ...she came. Is it okay for you to not say hi?
Girl B: Ellie? ...aren't you scared too?
Girl A: She never gets close to us even though we go to the same school.
Girl C: Maybe she's afraid of us? ...kidding. No way.
Girl D: She's a high school model. That's amazing, but it feels like she's in a different world from us.
Ellie (narrating): Look at them all pretending to be all casual while they side eye my every move.
Boy A: Man, look at her! Feels like I'll be her slave if I just get near her. Thank you world for letting me see her rare school attendance!
Boy B: You guys don't get it. She's a pitiful girl! She was human and she got bit by a vampire. Gross...

Ellie (narrating): Whenever I come to school, people say things about me. Some nag saw this happening once and started asking me if I was distant with my classmates or if I was happy at school. I just coldly said I didn't care, and it doesn't matter to me if it's true. The more time passed, the more I became more like him, the vampire True Ancestor who sucked my blood and isn't in Tokyo anymore. I remember that he was colder, more beautiful, and more terrifying than anyone. Going by vampire common sense, when he disappeared, their first minion meaning me would be the closest to a True Ancestor. But sometimes I wonder why he picked me. Why me from a first glance?

Suzuka: Sorry Ellie. Ready to begin?
Ellie: I wanna say I can dress myself...but this dress is pretty complicated.
Suzuka: Yeah. I wouldn't be able to look you in the eye if you ruined your one good dress trying to put it on.
Ellie: Yeah...and isn't this dress super awesome? You can just tell by looking and touching it's better than an off the shelf dress.
Suzuka: Wow, you really know your stuff as a model who wore tons of brands. But yeah, that's what makes Arachne's stuff so good. We met over the weirdest thing and now she's gotten so good. I'm proud of her.
Ellie: Nice. Okay help me put it on, Suzuka.
Suzuka: Okay. You're so self-interested, Queen.
Ellie (narrating): That was when there was a voice from somewhere inside the room. I didn't hear it because I was too busy fawning over the dress.

Suzuka: ...Ellie.
Ellie: Huh? What?
Ellie (narrating): Suzuka put her hand on mine to stop me from unbuttoning my blazer. She signaled to a locker in the room with her eyes.
Ellie: (...someone's here?)
Ellie (narrating): Suzuka nodded, then quietly approached the locker. Don't people outside of Kabukicho call our school a haunted house? It isn't, but it is relatively filled with more delinquents. I guess there would be someone who'd try to peep like now.
Suzuka: WHOMST
Sphinx: AAAAAA
Ellie: !!

Suzuka: ...a kid? I honestly thought it was some idiot from our school.
Sphinx: I am NOT a kid or an idiot! (huff) Also I was not surprised by the likes of thee! Mine name is Sphinx. (huff) I descended to this land from (huff) from a pillar of light...
Ellie: You can take the mask off if it's hard on you.
Sphinx: I-I'm thinking of doing that right now! I'm not doing it because you said so! Mgrgrgrgrg...I can't get it off! Even though it got on just fine! Waaah, stop standing there and help me!
Ellie: (stares in vampire)
Ellie: Pow.
Sphinx: AAAAAA
Suzuka: Oh my god Ellie! You okay kid?
Ellie (narrating): All I did was poke him in the forehead, and then the mask cracked in half...is that gold? Do I have to pay damages for this?

Sphinx: FREAK MONSTER STRENGTH! Even pharaohs have some clue about restraint!
Ellie: (stare)
Sphinx: ?
Ellie: oh no he's cute
Sphinx: AAAAAA
Ellie (narrating): It was adoration at first sight
Ellie: Hey, hey. Where'd you come from? What's your name? What do you like? Wannagetlunchwithyourbigsis
Sphinx: HEEEEELP, CREEPY PHARAOH

Ellie: Oh wait are you talking about me? Sorry about breaking your mask. I might have had to cut off your head otherwise.
Sphinx: SHE'S GONNA EAT ME! SOMEBODY SAVE MEEEEE (runs)
Suzuka: Hey wait!
Ellie: Uhh, is that bad? Maybe he was really scared.
Suzuka: I've never seen him before, but maybe he's a new elementary student here. You should apologize if you see him again. I'll let the teachers know later. But let's get back to your dress.
Ellie: ...okay. Let's take a pic after I put it on and send it to everyone in the guild.
Ellie (narrating): Maybe Suzuka and I let our guards down since the Fes was so close. Maybe things wouldn't have happened the way they did if we talked to a teacher right away.
Hallway
Sandayu: Did someone write a curse on the walls or something
End of Episode Part

Kabukicho Night Festival Episode 1 Part Sphinx (Abridged)

The light dies down.
Sphinx: ...where am I? Why am I here?
Strange plants! Roads made of not rocks! Obelisk-like buildings with holes of light! A pool surrounded by rocks! An oasis?
Sphinx: Who am I? Oh wait I know. I'm Sphinx, the one who sees the sun off in Aaru. But how and why am I here?
Sphinx (narrating): I ponder my memory loss while approaching that oasis thing.
Sphinx: This oasis is weird. There's lots plants and trees but only this much water?
Sphinx (narrating): The sky is dark. Must be night. No water clock to tell time though. Lights too bright to see the stars too. No pyramids around, and nothing that looks like a shrine.
Sphinx: (frown)
???: ROOOOARRR
Sphinx (narrating): A wild animal just roared behind me! There's something huge beyond the bushes coming this way!
Sphinx: NOOOOO
Sphinx (narrating): I can win against it in a contest of wits, but I can't win in a fight since I'm a shrimp! At least it's still bright out at night. Run towards the light!

Later
Sphinx: wheeeze Did I lose it? I hope I did.
Sphinx (narrating): I don't remember where I went, but I came to this one building by slipping through an iron fence. I tried pushing a door and it just opened up. Then it started raining so I ran inside.
Sphinx: Huh. Lots of people here, and lots of races I never seen before.
Sphinx (narrating): Nobody looks violent right now, but I can't assume they're friendly either. I'd better hide and watch for now. Most of them are sitting in chairs looking at some open book while one other person is talking to them.
Sphinx: A priest and servants? Is this a shrine then? Whatever, there's lots of people here so this place is fine. Better find a good place while they're focused on whatever ritual they're doing.
Sphinx (narrating): I slip out while no one is looking and look around. Then I find an empty, dark room.

Sphinx: Hehehe...let's get started!
Sphinx (narrating): I point to the sky and send the pen between my wings to float in the air...
Sphinx: ...uh?
Sphinx (narrating): ...but nothing happened. I touched my wings with the back of my hand wondering if I lost them.
Sphinx: No, I still have them. Ugh, fine I'll just write on the walls.
Sphinx (narrating): Back in my home world, I could make my pen move and write in the air with my mind.
Sphinx: Okay, done writing! Time to make my playground!
Sphinx (narrating): ...I said, standing on the biggest desk in the room. That'll turn this place into my temple so I can play games with these people! Also I pulled out the mask I hid somehow and put it on.
Sphinx: The sand of mine sanctuary is at mine feet, now fulfill my wish!
Sphinx:
Sphinx: NOTHING'S HAPPENING!

Sphinx (narrating): If I put my seal on an area, I can change an area into a sanctuary you can't leave without fulfilling conditions I set up. I'm doing it like I always do, but something weird about Tokyo is making it not happen.
Sphinx: Godsdammit, I'll just have to try it somewhere else!
Sphinx (narrating): Back then I didn't know anything about Tokyo, so I didn't know there were conditions to using my powers now. I just kept scrawling on everything everywhere. Maybe if I kept my cool I'd have realized earlier that I had some tablet thing on me when I picked up my mask. Free phones apparently!
???: Queen, you are so self-interested.
Sphinx: There are pharaohs in Tokyo!?
Suzuka: WHOMST
Sphinx: AAAAAA
Sphinx (narrating): And that's how this incident started the day before this Fes ritual thing.
End of Episode Part

Kabukicho Night Festival Prologue Part 2 (Abridged)

There are others besides Ellie when it comes to what Kabukicho Academy calls vampires, but there are big differences. For starters, they're considerably obscure in Kabukicho, and no student at the school knows about their past. That vampire is Kresnik, someone who is forever closely linked to vampires. Like other vampires, he can transform into an animal and has regeneration nearly on par with immortality. He used that power to fight against vampires in the past, and he never talks about it with others. And now fate has brought him to teach vampires and nightfolk like Ellie...
Present, Kabukicho Academy staff room. Kresnik is at his desk looking at a paper a student gave him.
Sandayu: Man, I've been to a buncha schools and damn are the students here crazy too.
Kresnik: It's good that they're doing well in school, but I wish they listened to me more.
Sandayu: Yeah I remember my first day here. I come in and I see them calling ya by nicknames and not listenin' to anything you say. Who'da thunk an ex-security officer would be doin' this? Haha!

Sandayu is just sitting there talking for fun, and he knows what sorts of things Kresnik has done in the past and is now stuck with him. Nobody else is around, and Kresnik is less than enthused about having to talk to him.
Kresnik: I was surprised too, you know. I hear that we're getting a new temp teacher and it turns out to be you of all people. You're the professional operative for social disruption and subversion, Momochi Sandayu. I can't question why you're a teacher given that I'm here, but I won't show any mercy if you expose the students to any danger.
Sandayu: Hey hey, I already said I ain't up to that right now. I can't really ask ya to believe me after all we did fightin' against each other in the past though...
Kresnik: I don't believe you at all...but I'm no longer in any position to chase you. If you leave the school and my students alone, then I won't say anything.
Sandayu: I won't, swear on my heart. Cool? We'll both just focus on helpin' out the kids!

Sandayu: Subject change! I got a question for you, Krezzy.
Kresnik: Stop calling me that at work. And what is it?
Sandayu: What's this thingy? It wasn't a thing when I was at other schools yet.
Kresnik: Oh right, they didn't do that in those other schools...
Sandayu has a notice sent out by the admins to every school about a school function. Kresnik is about to explain when Sandayu cuts across him.
Sandayu: No, I know the details! I'mma teacher too, geez. I'm just wondering why it's a thing at all.
Kresnik: If that's your question, then knock it off seriously. It's just us in here, but who knows where there's eyes and ears watching and listening? But then again I don't think I need to tell you to not be careless.
Kresnik hasn't looked away at his student's paper until now and has marked off where it needs corrections. He's still not looking away as he keeps at it.
Sandayu: ...heh. You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? How 'bout we get somethin' to eat and talk about teacher stuff?
Kresnik: Alright, once I'm done.
Sandayu stands up and looks at the pile of papers on Kresnik's desk.
Sandayu: ...and when's that?

Over at Shinjuku Academy, that school function thing Kresnik and Sandayu were talking about is happening.
One day after school, MC is walking down the hallway thinking about what they just heard.
MC: Hmm...I should talk to the gang about it. Sounds like fun.
Classroom
Shirou: MC, why were you called to the teachers' office?
Shirou walks over as soon as MC opens the door. Inside is everyone else waiting for MC to come back.
MC: They said something about a short term exchange student thing. I'm the rep for our school year.
Shirou: They picked you for that!?
MC: Yeah. I still don't get it, but it's a temp thing.

Kengo: What's up Shirou? Something happen with MC?
Ryouta: What? MC, you got picked to be our exchange student for another school!? Maria told me about that. Something about schools trading students for a bit, right?
Shirou: Correct. It's a system implemented among the schools of Tokyo meant to expand the views of natives and Transients by exchanging students as representatives.
Touji: I never thought they'd pick you for it. Won't that mean you'll be living your school life at a different school for the time being?
Moritaka: So MC has to leave us...?
MC: Can't wait to see which school I'll go to! / I don't wanna say goodbye, guys / Well it's just a temp thing
(A) Ryouta: It's a chance to make more friends! I'm jealous.
Moritaka: Hmm. Well a change in environment can also mean a chance for new experiences.
(B) Shirou: ...yes, neither do I. I should go talk with the teachers and--
Ryouta: NO WAIT calm down, Class Rep! If they already picked the school, they can't just change it like that!
(C) Touji: Always the optimist...but that's your strong suit.
Kengo: MC's right, it's only for a little bit. And we can always meet up after school.

Kengo: What school is MC going to for this exchange thingy anyway?
MC: Uh, it's printed out on this sheet here...
MC: ...Kabukicho Academy. They had a school? That's still inside the ward!
Ryouta: What!? So you aren't going that far out?
Shirou: It'd still be a big change to their schedule since Kabukicho is a night school. Plus...I hear most of the students there are Transients while Shinjuku isn't quite so heavily skewed. They've also got some bad rumors about them, but I can't deny that that may be because of mutual fear. That might be why this exchange program is so important. Still, I'm relieved. Since it's so close, we can come running if anything happens.
MC: How can you casually drop scary news like that!? / What kinda Transients? / I'll solve things with force if I need to.
(A) Shirou: Oh no! I'm sorry, remember they're just rumors!
Moritaka: It's okay MC. I'll help if anything happens!
(B) Touji: ...there's still plenty of natives who can't accept Transients even with more coming. The rumors Shirou heard could be baseless accusations those people have spread.
Ryouta: Who knows, you might make friends with them if you go see. Introduce me if you do!
(C) Kengo: Yeah, you said it! Show everyone that you're top dog! I'll go on the exchange too!
Touji: That's not something you can decide yourself, Kengo.

Kengo: Isn't this whole thing way too sudden? Wouldn't they have talked to you about it?
Shirou: As Kengo has noticed, the program basically isn't based on recommendations or applications, but rather the school arbitrarily picking students. I can't speak for the adults, but it's why us students aren't fond of it.
Kengo: You wanna say something nerd!? Who'd be happy about being picked out to do this crap!?
Shirou: Most students agree. I'd be confused if I were picked too.
Ryouta: Huh? Maria said the student going to her school was really into it...
Shirou: Oh yes, I've heard that too. Since Ophion nominated Aizen to go, it's been going relatively smoothly. It'd be nice if Shinjuku did that too, but none of us Summoners have an in with the school administration... (looks at MC's printout again)
Shirou: (This may be temporary, but it's still plenty burdensome on students. Besides which, I can't get a read on the goal of this somewhat forceful enforcement from the formal announcement. It's one thing if it we were using the program for building alliances with the Berserkers, Missionaries, and Tycoons but...no wait, it's still all conjecture. I shouldn't say anything to upset MC.)

Ryouta: Hey wait. MC, you were picked as the second year's rep, right? So there's other reps picked for this exchange program?
The door slams open and mobsters flood the room!
Touji: WHO GOES THERE
Red: Oh, relax y'all we got permission from the office. Can ya tell us where dem electric outlets are?
Shirou: That is a visitation permit from the office, yes. Uhh, the outlet is over there.
Red: Coolio, thanks!
The mobsters start plugging a bunch of stuff in and check that their stuff works.
Kengo: Speakers? Mic? What? Is there a show starting up?
Ryouta: Oh wow they have a disco ball! And some other stuff I've never seen before!
Click.

MC: The lights went out! / how'd you do that / yeah yeah, get on with it
The mobs gather by the door and start beatboxing into the mic.
MC: WHAT / uhhhh / Yeah!
Mobsters: Mic check complete, yeah! THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION! It's curtain call time in Shinjuku from our store in Kabukicho! Give a round for our surprise guest! YEAAAHH!
The bass is making the whole building shake, which of course draws the attention of every other student on the floor leaning out to gawk at the racket.
Wolf A: Hey what the hell man?
FLASH
Girl B: MY EYYYYEEESS
Fog machines start up and blow smoke by the class door. Someone is standing in it.
MC: I know that silhouette! / oh it's just Tsukuyomi / YAAAS KING
Red: Shinjuku Academy 3rd year and our number one bar host! A word please, Kabukicho Night King!
Tsukuyomi: Hi, did I keep you waiting my cute kouhais? I came to see you.
Mobsters: YEEEAAAAH
And that's how MC became an exchange student to Kabukicho. The Nightless City isn't only tied by fate to natives as a visitor from another world will be one of them too.
Shinjuku Park, someone suddenly gets summoned over there
Sphinx: ...where am I?
End of Episode

Kabukicho Night Festival Prologue Part 1 (Abridged)

In Tokyo Transients have to be part of a school, them's the rules. Still, not everyone can go to school during normal people hours like spirits and night demons, so they go to night school instead. The main night school is in the Sleepless Nightless City of Kabukicho, way past its shopping district and neon signs. It's got a huge metal fence around some Victorian ass looking building that natives who don't live in Kabukicho say you should never get near. It's filled with maneating monsters and butterfly souls of the dead they say!
Present
Green Wraith: I barely made it! I ran all this way and now I'm tired...
Blue Wraith: What. We got plenty of time before class you dumb bitch
Green Wraith: Hey wait my clock froze! Aww man...
Kabukicho Academy sure runs and acts like any other school though. The main difference between it and other schools is that most of the students are Transients and that it starts at night.
Red Yaksa: Morning! You guys are early.
Purple Wraith: You say early but it's night.
Black Wraith: Early enough for us.
These people having problems living in the light aren't limited to people with racial reasons for doing so. Some lost their homes and have moved to Kabukicho. Others just strayed into town. And now something's happening at school.

Yellow Yasha: Hi Suzuka! And Miss Ellie! Wow, you actually came to school today.
Suzuka: Hey!
Ellie: Morning...schleepy. I might sleep through class.
Blue Yaksa: Yo Suzuka. You okay for the Fes meeting later? ...a-and you can come too if you want Miss Ellie.
Suzuka: Yeah I know. That's why I brought her to school today and told her she should come in today at least.
Blue Yaksa: O-oh. Well thank you for coming! We count on Suzuka so much.
Black Yasha: You don't have to force yourself, Miss Ellie. Being a model must be t--ahh!
Ellie: It's cool. I can make time if I feel like it. I even got a costume.
Black Yasha: ...o-okay, I'm sorry. T-thank you...
Others talk to Suzuka and Ellie too. People are clearly friendly with Suzuka and awkward with Ellie, especially as Ellie is drawing a crowd at a distance. Suzuka seems more bothered by this than Ellie.

Suzuka: ...you sure this is fine, Ellie? You can tell me if you're uncomfortable and--
Ellie: It's all cool Suzuka. So what if people crowd up at arm's length from me like they always do? That's nothing new.
A chill goes down Suzuka's back.
Ellie: It's how I am when I approach the True Ancestor and all. Anyways...
Ellie looks at a flyer the school passed out for the Festival they're running that has why it was set up and what its goals are written on it.
Ellie: "School festivals are for deepening relationships between students, Transients or otherwise, and for helping them find a place to belong. Kabukicho's school festival has the students take charge to handle the prep and organization to promote school unity." ...well okay. The teachers are giving us something hard. Also that reminds me, when people say Fes, they mean our school festival right?
Suzuka: Yeah, organizers from each class got together while you were out to hash it out.

Flashback
Green Yaksha: Hey how about we shorten Kabukicho Academy School Festival to ChoFes to make it cuter?
Green Wraith: Yeah! Actually, how about we shorten it further to Fes?
Not Fergus: Whichever. But what the hell do they mean by unity!?
Black Yaksha: These words are breaking my brain and now I can't write music!
Organizers were quickly elected when classes were told they'd be the ones to make the festival work. Everyone's enthusiastic, but some of the students are worried about how formal the printed news on the fliers were. One of them faces the others being down.
Green Wraith: Lemme translate for you guys. "Y'all let's be BFFs by throwing Vibe Check the Festival! It'll be the shit!"
Black Wraith: You made that sound hilariously stupid, but that works for us!
Brown Wraith: So it'll be fine if we make it so we can better learn about each other?
Silver Wraith: How about we make the clothes and accessories we had in our home world?
Purple Yaksha: omg ur brain. I wanna decorate the classrooms! ...oh wait, but it's dark in there.
Red Wraith: I sleep during the day so I'm out if I gotta do any heavy lifting.
Not Fergus: Well we don't have to do it like other schools. Just do what we can, yeah?
Green Yaksa: Yeah! The Fes is for us anyway!
Silver Yasha: Let's limit the number of classes who can wear costumes to make it special. We're short on time and that's totally something a school of gangsters would agree to!
Brown Yasha: What theme do we do?

Present
Suzuka: And that's how they hammered out the plans.
Ellie: Hmm. A very Shinjuku-style Do It All Yourself kind of doing things. Kinda cool everyone here is like that.
Suzuka: Doesn't bother me either. I think it's good events are managed according to the students' wishes. And if the school is doing well, so will Kabukicho itself.
Suzuka speaks favorably, but part of her looks unhappy. Ellie notices, but before she can ask...
Suzuka: ...but I'm worried about whether you'll be able to enjoy the Fes you decided to join in on. Especially the theme this time is Vampire Castle.
The Fes is an event made for interracial understanding, but since it's also an Event if needs things for attendants to enjoy, so the night people decided to pick vampires as an attention grabber as one does.

Suzuka: I don't think they're doing this to tweak you, but it still bothers me. You're supposed to be human after all, Ellie. If you're too heavily drawn to the vampire side...
Ellie: Pffft, worrywart. But yeah being a stand-in for the neighborhood union can be a lot of work. It's nice that you think the people of Kabukicho can be put into a framework of groups though.
Ellie's life sometimes becomes the talk of the town. She has her admirers and haters, as many as the rumors flying around her. She's at the center of it all, distanced from them all so much that it's hard to see her for who she really is. The Kabukicho students have their own ideas too and look at her as the Kabukicho Queen from a distance. Suzuka's the only one to walk around school with her, which is exactly why she worries about her.
Ellie: I'm fine Suzuka, I'm always doing whatever I feel like. And maybe the vampire theme was made for me as Queen? Everyone in class recommended me to handle cosplaying, so I wanna do that one costume. I'm still just doing what I want.
Suzuka: Oh. Well if you're that into it, I'm fine with it. (smiles as if she worried for nothing)
Ellie: Oh right, that one costume. Thanks for getting it ready. I'm looking forward to the design your friend makes.
Suzuka: Yeah it'll be great. She's the one who made my suit, so she's sure to surprise a model like you.

Classes start, and school goes on just like it does for any other place. Since it's a night school, the students have a moonlit night sky to look at instead. The moon is a fickle thing, sometimes up when classes start and sometimes down at that time. The students admire it for being so whimsical.
Two teachers enter a classroom.
Kresnik: Hello everyone. The school festival...the Fes as you've chosen to call it? It's good to see you're making good progress on it.
Purple Yasha: Heeey, come help us Nicky. You must not have anything to do if you're just doing the rounds.
Kresnik: I am patrolling, I'll have you know. Very important teacher work. Figure out the preparations yourselves.
Red Wraith: Then how about cancelling class until the Fes is over, Krester? Come on, talk to the headmaster for us?
Kresnik: Students are supposed to be learning, so cancelling class in favor of events is counterproductive. And as I've said already, stop calling me by nicknames.
Red Wraith: Boo, you're no fun. It's too long to call you by your name and title!

After night school, some of the students work all night on getting the festival ready in what little time they have. Kresnik is there to check on the students staying, but...as soon as he talks to them they drop what they're doing to talk to him. Also they treat him more like an equal than a teacher.
Sandayu: Aww, you get along so well with them Kresnik-Sensei. You using all your teacher's luck to get them to like you so much?
Kresnik: ...you can just say they don't respect me as a teacher, Mister Sandayu.
Kresnik's coworker just smirks and watches him.
Sandayu: Hey y'all, how 'bout a nickname for a lil ol' man like me? (casually joins the conversation)
Kresnik: (Old man?)
Students: What's wrong with Sandayu?
Sandayu: HEY you can't just call me by my first name!

Kresnik acts serious while Sandayu jokes around with them. They're opposite approaches, but both want admiration from the students. A thoughtless remark or a problematic action could turn into a commotion in Tokyo's teaching community. But their being able to communicate without crossing lines is thanks to mutual permissive relationships.
Kresnik: (...maybe that's what the students are feeling, but I'm sure it's also because he has real skills.)
Kresnik thinks about Sandayu's previous job before he was a teacher as he investigated him for reasons some other time. In Wa no Kuni there are several ninja groups and one of them was the Iga. The Iga had what they called like the Three Masters and all of them were Sandayu. He used the body split ability to act as all three to raise ninjas, be a skilled teacher and act as an Agent familiar with the human mind as he keeps as conveniently close to the students as he wants. He can slip away into the night, without anyone noticing.
Purple Yasha: ...what's up Nicky? Hungry? Bathroom?
Kresnik: Am I a large animal to you people or something? Never mind. Anyways I remembered I had some work left, so we should be going back to the teacher's office. Let's go, Mister Sandayu.
Sandayu: See y'all tomorrow! Don't stay up too later!
The two leave, so many responsibilities to hold in their respective positions. It's still not time.
End of Episode half