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

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 7: The End Goal (Abridged)

Ryekie: Akashi, he moved! (he says after blasting Evil Ninjas with lightning)
Akashi: What? Whoa!?
Akashi manages to block a traffic sign swing with his bat, clashing not-swords for a bit before pushing it back.
Akashi Alter: ...huh. You actually stopped that. Whatever, you still have less battle experience than I do.
Akashi: Shut your mouth! I'll stop you no matter what it takes! I'll never give MC to anyone like you!
Akashi Alter: ...man, fighting someone who won't give up is really turning into a pain in the ass.
Akashi Alter drops the traffic sign and jumps back.
Akashi: NOW!
Akashi creates a fireball in his gloved hand and readies to bat it, but...
Akashi Alter: You're too slow.
Akashi Alter grabbed car chains at some point and uses them to catch Akashi's bat.
Akashi: WHAT
Akashi Alter then slams Akashi into his own fireball, then into the ground.
MC: Akashi! / WHAT

Akashi: Dammit, how's he reading my moves!?
Akashi Alter: ...you're really easy to read. Must be nice to live in a world where you don't have to think much!
Ryekie: Akashi! No!
Ryekie fires a lightning bolt at the chain. It's made of metal, so it hits Akashi Alter too.
Akashi Alter: Ow! (lets go of the chain and glares at Ryekie) ...I really do need to focus on you first. Stop bothering me.
Part of Akashi Alter's suit melts off into some fluid that slithers over to grab the KOed Evil Ninjas. Akashi Alter then throws about 10 of them at Ryekie to pin him down.
Ryekie: Ugh! Dammit, they're heavy!

Akashi Alter approaches Akashi.
Akashi: Justice! You bastard...!
Akashi picks up his bat, gets up, and starts running.
Akashi Alter: So your Parallel Weapon is...a bat.
Akashi Alter uses a liquid tentacle from his suit to steal Akashi's bat!
Akashi: HEY!
Akashi runs over to grab his bat back while Akashi Alter just stands there. Once he gets in reach...
Akashi Alter: ...
Akashi: !?
Akashi gets another look at Akashi Alter's face, features and bitter expression.
Akashi Alter: Get the hell out of here. Now. (Mega Kicks Akashi)
Akashi: AAAUUUGH!!
Akashi is sent flying and bounces 2-3 times off the ground and rolls before he stops.
Akashi: U-ugh...shit...
Akashi's suit cancels out, taking the bat with it.

MC: Akashi! Are you okay!?
Danzo: Hey, wait!
MC rushes out without thinking about it to Akashi.
Akashi: MC...g-get back! They'll catch you! (holds his stomach and coughs while warning MC)
Akashi Alter is already in front of MC and Akashi.
Exio: No!
Akashi Alter looks Highly Displeased at MC.
MC: W-what...!? / You ass! / I-I'm scared...
Akashi Alter is pulling MC up by the collar!
MC: WHAT!? L-let go!
Akashi: MC!
Akashi Alter: ...nothing personal. This is just something I have to do for my own goals...still, you guys seriously piss me off.
At this close a distance, MC gets a better look at Akashi Alter's face. His expression looks different and his face looks older, but his features and eye color is definitely Akashi's.
MC: Y-you...!

Danzo: 'scuse me, cutting in! (pulls MC away from Akashi Alter)
MC: Danzo!
Small Monster: REEEEEEE (body slams Akashi Alter to the ground)
Akashi Alter: Ugh!
Small Monster: Whoooop (disappears into a nearby Path)
Exio: Danzo, do it!
Danzo: I got it! (throws flashbang)
Akashi Alter: !?
When the light dies down, MC, Akashi, Rykie, and the rest of the party is gone. Evil Ninjas run out from the building.
Evil Red: Hey, where'd the target go!?
Akashi Alter: ...tch.

Later
Akashi: ...ngh?
Akashi wakes up in a clean bed. He's still bruising from the beatdown he took.
Akashi: ...is this a hospital?
Roiker: No, it's our safehouse.
Akashi: Uh, Roiker was it? Why am I here?
Roiker: You had a light concussion from all that damage you took, but I think you're okay now. Danzo got you all out of it by causing a disturbance by the time you passed out. He then brought you all to one of our safehouses where Santetsu, Seiichirou, Huckle, and I regrouped with you. I treated you and Ryekie, and everyone is in the next room over.
Akashi: Oh...so everyone's okay?

Akashi: Everyone's up, right? I'll head over too. It still kinda hurts...but I can move.
Roiker: Sure. I made dinner too. Come over once you're dressed.
Akashi: Wait, what...?
Roiker: ...oh, you didn't notice?
Roiker points next to Akashi's bed where his clothes (or at least his top) have been cleaned up and folded.
Akashi: ...oh. (pulls bedsheet up to his shoulders)
Roiker: Sorry, they were sweaty. And more importantly they were in the way of treating your injuries. Don't worry, only Exio and I saw anything when we were bandaging you up. Your clothes are dry now too.
Akashi: ...thanks.

Later
Akashi walks into a large but somewhat dim room.
MC: Akashi, you're up! How are you feeling?
Akashi: Y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry to worry you.
Ryekie: Oh, you're up! Hungry? Come over and eat!
Huckle: Again Ryekie, stop talking while you're in the middle of eating. Anyways, you must have had a hard time Akashi. We're safe for now, so you can relax.
Akashi: R-right...
Akashi looks over to see Seiichirou in the middle of thinking.
Akashi: YOU!
MC: Akashi, what!?

Akashi grabs Seiichirou's collar before anyone can stop him.
Akashi: You promised you'd keep MC safe when you brought us here to Osaka! What the hell happened back there!? We walked into the lion's den and got surrounded! They almost got them!
MC: Akashi, stop! / ...
Huckle: Akashi, wait! I know how you feel, but...
Seiichirou: ...no, he's right to be angry. It's true MC was in danger, so he can be angry with me. (looks seriously at Akashi)
Seiichirou: I'm sorry for putting your childhood friend in that position.
Akashi: ...I'm sorry for losing my cool there. (lets go and slumps into a sofa)

Seiichirou: The enemies shouldn't know about this place. I've sent Danzo to scout around just in case, but he hasn't reported anything of note so far. We should be fine for the time being.
Seiichirou leaves the room.
Akashi: Why is this all happening...? I don't get it anymore.
Exio: Akashi...
Santetsu: ...please forgive him. (closes the book he was reading and sighs)
Santetsu: National organizations are strict on the chain of command, so he couldn't oppose them. He also seems deeply hurt about being betrayed by the subordinate he trusted the most. You don't have to sympathize with him, but it'd be nice if you could leave it at that.
Akashi: ...right.

Akashi looks down to see a meal set in front of him. Fluffy white rice, a nice miso soup, some sides, and some ginger fried pork.
Akashi: Uhh, what is this?
Roiker: Oh, everyone already ate. I just remade this for you. It's all I could put together on short notice.
Ryekie: Yeah, it's great! (puts chopsticks down and claps his hands together)
Roiker: I'm glad you liked it. There's more soup and rice if you want any. (picks up Ryekie's dishes and goes back to the kitchen)
Santetsu: It's not poisoned or anything. Laundry and cooking are like hobbies for Roiker.
MC: Yeah it's good / He's more domestic than I thought...
Akashi: What is he, my mom or something?

Later
Roiker: I see. So MC got to look at that man from up close and says they really do resemble Akashi.
MC: Yeah. There were a lot of differences though.
Akashi: I was surprised too...he knew what I was thinking and saw everything I was going to do. And right before he kicked me... (flashback!) He looked just like me back when I was told I couldn't make it to the pros...
Ryekie: Isn't he way too different from Akashi even if he is a parallel self? His Parallel Weapon was a suit that could melt and use anything around to attack, but Akashi uses baseball stuff for his powerset.
Huckle: If the wish he has is different, then so will the the form of the Parallel Weapon he has. Hero 101. If he is Akashi, then something must've made his wish change. In Crowne's case, a difference caused a divergence in time and changed her whole personality. Something just as big must've happened to Akashi too then...
Akashi: Huh...I'd rather not think about what that could be...
Exio: (crosses arms) The Alliance already had an idea about that Akashi, right?
MC: wait what

Exio: When I came in contact with him, I sensed the same ether flow around him as Akashi. There are some differences, but I believe it's highly likely he's Akashi. Someone in the Alliance who met Akashi before must have told you that the Shin Ashihara's collaborator has the same ether flow as him, didn't they? Is that why Seiichirou plotted to have Akashi come along to the meeting too?
Santetsu: ...someone did sense it, yes. But it's true we had no evidence it was Akashi. No one in the Alliance has met Akashi before, but we knew about him since he's in the same agency as MC. And just before this situation happened, we got news from the Alliance of a strong villain within the Shin Ashihara. They said someone resembling Akashi had appeared and seems to be important.
Roiker: Parallel Flight has MC, who the Broker is fixated upon. And earlier they met a person from a parallel world. Wouldn't it be natural to think that a What If version of Akashi exists then?
MC: New proper noun!

Roiker: We call parallel versions of specific people What If beings, as in What If this one thing had happened.
Huckle: You think he's Akashi's What If since he looks like Akashi?
Roiker: Yes, I realize judging based off that is hasty, but we had no way of verifying it. It's why we wanted to meet Akashi. If the man we heard about was What If Akashi and opposed us, we'd know one part about his identity. We thought we'd need a hint from Akashi to protect MC from the villains.
Akashi: Hmm...but I couldn't really hold up against him...
Roiker: ...it's true he's more experienced with battles. It feels less like those are skills he's picked up and more...I'm getting to far into speculation, I should stop. Point being, we still don't have enough information to determine if he really is What If Akashi. Planning countermeasures against him still requires figuring that part out.

Seiichirou walks in.
Seiichirou: We didn't have much time to begin with, but it looks like we can't stay for much longer. (turns up the volume of his phone and shows it to the party)
News: We have multiple witnesses to the attack that happened in front of the National Defense Ministry office building, and the Tachiarai Unified Chief of Staff has suggested they may be a terrorist organization with connections within the government administration. The police and Defense Department are cooperating with their investigations. More news as reports allow...
Santetsu: ...so their political power can't hide things anymore.
Seiichirou: Yes...but it seems they still have enough to force us out of hiding. The inner group may be composed of particularly stubborn types, and it looks like they can't control them. Who knows what will happen if their rampage continues?
Ryekie: That bad, huh? We need to think even harder about how to keep MC safe.
MC: Okay this is really bad...

Roiker: ...you may be wondering what we can do in this situation. (sits down and focuses on MC)
Roiker: MC, will you join the Alliance?
MC: what?
Roiker: I'd been thinking about how to bring this subject up to you while thinking about ways out of this mess. Based on what's happening, I figured it was a good idea to suggest it.
Exio: ...I see.
Akashi: ...w-wait, can't we do something about what's going on? What would change with MC joining you guys?
Roiker: ...there are reasons for this, and I plan on making it advantageous for MC as well. First off, Exio might have an idea as to where I'm going with this since he's connected with the underworld, but we're known by various influential groups, especially those looking for Observers. But there are power differences between Observers, which makes what they can do unknown. It's why you can often see connected Observers like Exio and Melide using Monsters.
Exio: ...to be specific, I'm just controlling the Path instead of the Monster.

Roiker: Whatever the case is, it's true that's how others see it. Allied Observers are seen as people who could wreak all sorts of unforeseeable revenge if you go against them.
Huckle: So...MC joining you guys would mean organizations who would try to attack MC wouldn't be able to do so anymore?
Roiker: Yes. Our existence can be used as a deterrence. There's also something else: joining us makes it easier to plan ways to defend you. It'd allow for tighter information sharing and mutual protection, but... Exio being partly distanced and MC being a total outsider makes protecting them makes controlling information leak risks and ways of sharing information now rather limiting.
Seiichirou: Personally, I couldn't make any plans outside of sending in a false job request and meeting summons, then forcing you along with insufficient explanation. Should something like this happen again, I won't be able to completely set you up for safety.

Santetsu: ...I think you can also get some useful info about using your Observer abilities. Many Observers use their powers while not knowing what they're capable of.
Roiker: Yes, you can use us as a means of learning more about yourself. So please...would you consider it?
MC: Hmm...
Ryekie: But isn't the Alliance...?
Seiichirou: Yes, the goal is to take down the Broker. That is still our end goal. Joining with us would mean deciding to fight against the Broker and that is undoubtedly going to be a dangerous fight, so we can't force you to join. You don't need to answer quickly...but please at least think about it.
Akashi: MC...what do you wanna do? This is escalating really hard now.
MC: ...I'll think about it. I can't answer right now.
Roiker: ...that's okay. You can take as long as you want. We'll still think of ways to protect you from the outside until then.

That night, Somewhere in Osaka
Evil Red Leader: ...damn. The Alliance getting involved means this won't be straightforward. They've gone and hidden themselves. What now?
Akashi Alter: I plan to keep things as low key as possible like always. The government officials seem like they'll give up if they can't cover their asses.
Evil Red Leader: Hmph. You underestimate our organization's great justice. Aliens have already taken over GLORIOUS NIPPON almost to the point of no return. With that as our stage, how can we not go full power to take it back? Too many are sitting on the fence waiting and seeing.
Akashi Alter: ...stomping over books was just one big performance to you, asshole?
Akashi Alter is filled with disgust but keeps calm by thinking about his goals.
Akashi Alter: ...think of the consequences. The organization going public brings in way more risk. It isn't going to help with eliminating Monsters from Earth either.

Evil Red Leader: If we get That Thing, that'll be a secondary goal we can accomplish! Have you forgotten how Observers and Monsters are related!? I thought you were being weirdly talkative today, but all you're doing is needling us! I don't know why the superiors put you in with us, and I was never happy with how much power an upstart like you was given. You care about the target or something? There's rumors you're friends with them.
Akashi Alter: ...
Evil Red Leader: We gave you a second chance and you failed. We don't trust you and don't care about your opinions anymore.
Akashi Alter: >:(
Evil Red Leader: We'll have to stop caring about appearances now. The future of GLORIOUS NIPPON rests on our shoulders, so we can't let this chance slip by us. Osaka can go to hell if we get them.
Akashi Alter: ...you're getting dumber by the second. That's going even further from our goals.
Evil Red Leader: I thought I told you to shut the fuck up! Who CARES if your friends get in danger!? We will bring them back even if they're pushed to near death! The brain is the only part that matters, we can preserve their life however. Tell everyone we move out tomorrow morning.
Akashi Alter: ...
And then the next morning a giant explosion blows up in the center of Osaka.
End of Episode

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

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 6: The Assassin from Another World (Abridged)

The next day in Osaka Suminoe Ward, the National Ministry of Defense's office building. The day of the meeting. MC and the others get out of the car and look up at the building.
MC: This is it? I'm getting nervous...
Seiichirou: You can relax a bit. I'll be with you, and I've argued with them tons of times. It's okay to answer that you don't know when you don't. And if you don't want to answer, you can decline. I think I have a good idea as to who is in the Shin Ashihara, so when we go in I'll introduce you to everyone. I'll also tell you who it's okay to answer and who you can not reply to.
MC: O-okay...
Seiichirou: Also, it looks like we can't really have much anyone else besides MC in the meeting. I've talked them into accepting Huckle coming into the room since he's your boss, but everyone else will have to stand by in another room. I've asked Danzo to let you know if anything happens right away.
Exio: Yeah, we can't push too hard in a government facility...and I'm originally an outlaw.
Ryekie: We'll come running if you're in danger!
Akashi: MC, uh... good luck in there. I'll be there if anything happens!
MC: Thanks guys / I-I'll do my best! / This is gonna suck

Huckle: MC, stay by me as much as you can during the meeting. I don't know if it'll reassure you, but... I can at least act as your bodyguard. If you get stuck I'll try to say something, so don't get too worked up.
MC: Yes, Director / I'm counting on you / So you CAN be cool sometimes
---
(C) Huckle: W-what? You could stand to respect me as your boss some more.
---
Seiichirou: Oh right, one more thing. One of my workers is going to be here today. He'll mostly be handling the things I've brought, but if you need anything feel free to ask him for it.
Some guy in a suit walks over.
Huckle: ...isn't he the driver from yesterday?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes I also work as his chauffeur. I am Moriguchi, Ministry of Defense Secretary. Pleased to meet you.
MC: N-nice to meet you! / Huh. / Whoa you have your own secretary?
Seiichirou's Chore Boy: Now that that's settled, this way. Everyone on standby, please wait in the lobby until I come lead you to the other room.
And so the party follows Bit Character M.

Later in the upper floors, MC is taken to a fancy meeting room where a bunch of allegedly young men with no portraits come one by one to shake hands with them. Seiichirou whispers a running commentary.
Seiichirou: He's the Defense Department Director. He's cool. The second guy is the National Defense Vice Minister. He's kinda sus. Third guy is the Ministry of Culture and Stuff's parliamentary official. Hugely sus, don't answer any of his questions.
Once the meet and greet is done, the government officials go back to their seats.
MC: There's more of them than I thought. What's wrong with this country?
Seiichirou: I don't blame you for thinking that. It became like this before we knew it. But I've duked it out tons of times in this situation, so I'll back you up perfectly. The meeting is supposed to be three hours long at the latest. If you get stuck, I'll feed you an answer.
When MC looks at Huckle, Huckle silently shows his space smartwatch connected with Ryekie's phone number on the screen.
Huckle: ...I can call them if we need to. If it's a big emergency, you can transform me.
MC: ...okay / (silently nod)
MC then sits down and the interrogation begins.

Elsewhere during the meeting, the rest of the party is in a waiting room.
Akashi: ...I know we have to be ready at all times, but I'm still getting a little bored having to wait three hours.
Exio: That's three hours assuming nothing happens, but that can be fine sometimes. Can't get too worked up.
Ryekie: Standing by is Hero 101! Stay on guard in case of emergencies, and if nothing happens you relax and pull out! Isn't that how hero work goes!?
Akashi: I-I guess...?

Danzo: Hey hey hey, snap to it pal! You know everyone else is in the trenches.
Akashi: I-I know! Wait, where were you and what were you doing? You've been on the line the whole time, but all I heard you do was hum to yourself.
Danzo: Ninja work! I was on alert where I could see them. A window cleaner almost saw me!
Akashi: ...the wind did sound loud, but does that mean you were hanging outside on the windows? We're like 20 floors up!
Danzo: Ninja!
Akashi: O-oh...
Danzo: Oh right, that drink you wanted? I don't think any vending machines in the government office building have any since they're stocked for old people.
Akashi: Seriously? I was wondering why they all had tea and health drinks and crap.
Danzo: Well there is ONE whole machine in here with sodas in it, right by the security guard's office. Better go now if you want one since the meeting is going through materials.
Akashi: Hmm...should I?
Ryekie: Might as well! Who knows how long they'll take?
Akashi: Well okay then. (heads out)

By the guard station
Akashi: Oh hey there really is a vending machine with sodas. Mkay the--what?
Something's next to the guard station. It's a person. Actually it's Akashi Alter who walks out of the guard station!
Akashi: !!
Back upstairs
MC has been asked so many questions in the meeting. Did MC bring back Mt. Fuji? How'd they do it? How'd they get so strong? Can they control themselves? On and on and on, and MC ended up saying "I don't know" to everything. When the questions got more harsh, Seiichirou whispers an answer to MC to make it stop.
Two hours later
Chairman: ...15 minute break.
Everyone starts talking among themselves or getting up to go take care of whatever.

MC: Tired...we still have to keep going?
Seiichirou: They seemed desperate to figure out your secrets. Suckers. But are you okay MC? This will probably go for another hour, so now's your chance to regroup if you need to.
MC: Restroom...
Huckle: Okay, I'll walk you to them just in case.
MC and Huckle go over to the restrooms. When MC is done and comes out, someone else comes over.
Seiichirou's Secretary: Hello MC. Would you like some tea?
MC: Oh, Moriguchi, I think? Thank you.
Moriguchi gives Huckle and MC tea.
Huckle: Thank you, Moriguchi. You've been in the meeting with us the whole time too, haven't you?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes, I have to aid Mr. Seiichirou. I'm used to it. Are you okay? I doubt you've been in meetings this long before.
MC: Ehh. Tired from being asked so many questions.

Seiichirou's Secretary: ...of course. Very few of Japan's government officials know much about Observers. Mr. Seiichirou was heavily questioned before since he's an Observer as well.
Huckle: Oh...Earth doesn't have that many people who understand yet, right?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes, those with no skills or talents have no knowledge at all. They see them as some mystery that came along with aliens... That's why we all want to know so desperately.
MC: ...what?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes...you might have the power to change this country. Many people want to know...many hope you will help.
Huckle: ...Moriguchi?
Seiichirou's secretary glares at Huckle before taking a step towards MC.
MC: U-uh...

Seiichirou's Secretary: Hail Ashihara. All them aliens messing up our country and stealing jobs. You'll help of course, even though there's like half a chance you aren't human either right?
Huckle: !!
Evil Blue: OOF
Huckle suddenly kicked out behind him and knocks out a mob who popped out! Except there are suddenly a bunch of evil ninjas surrounding him and MC!
MC: Oh no!
Huckle: MC, get behind--
Seiichirou's Secretary: No wait we can't have that.
A mob jumps in between MC and Huckle.
Seiichirou's Secretary: So MC, your answer?
MC: Uhh...
Seiichirou's Secretary: Answer me now! Come with us quietly or we will take you with us!

Seiichirou: MORIGUCHI!
Seiichirou's Secretary: S-Sir--OUGH
Seiichirou lays out his secretary with one kick to the back!
Seiichirou: Danzo!
Danzo: Got it! Emergency escape!
Danzo has crashed in through a window in hero mode.
Seiichirou: Director Huckle, will you help me!?
Huckle: Yes!
Seiichirou transforms Huckle. Huckle jumps up and...
Huckle: Rider Kick!
Evil Green: AUGH
Huckle KOs an evil ninja trying to sneak up on MC!

Huckle, Danzo, and Seiichirou encircle MC. The mobs kick the secretary out of the way and approach.
Seiichirou: It's always darkest at your feet, isn't it? I can't believe Moriguchi was with them... My apologies MC. I tried to protect you but put you in danger.
Huckle: Save your regrets for later. We need to get MC away from here.
Seiichirou: Yes, of course. Danzo, take MC and get out. It's my fault we are in this position, so I will hold them back.
Huckle: I'll stay too. It's reckless for you to fend all them off alone. We'll regroup with MC and everyone else when we find an opening to escape.
Seiichirou: Very well, no objections. Danzo!
Danzo: Yes Milord! Okay, hang on tight MC! (scoops MC up)
MC: Whoa! / Wait, how are we getting out! / omg you're so buff
Danzo runs and slips past the mobs, and Huckle kicks the lights of pursuing mobs one by one. Danzo then gets to a 20th floor window.
MC: ...wait
Danzo: Wind's rough out there, so don't get blown away!
And then suddenly Danzo jumps outside with MC and drops down.
MC: AAAAAA
Danzo: It's okay, I'm a pro ninja!
CRASH

MC: I-I'm alive...what's up with your body??
Danzo: Heh, that's a secret...hm?
Akashi (in hero mode): MC get out of here!
MC: wait what
Lightning gets shot towards MC and Danzo, but Danzo dodges the attack!
Danzo: WAIT WHAT
MC and Danzo look at the direction the lightning came from.
Akashi: Damn these guys!
It's Akashi Alter in hero mode.
MC: I-it's him!
Akashi Alter has something wrapped around a street sign, which he then points at the party.
Akashi Alter: ...someone new. You got another Operator?
That is totally Akashi's voice, if slightly more hoarse. Also he has Evil Ninjas around him.

Akashi Alter: So you came out yourself. Convenient. I thought this hardline plan was a terrible one, but whatever helps with my own goal. Everything works out as long as I can get MC. Now gimme them.
MC: ...!
Ryekie: For the third time, never!
Akashi: Yeah! I'll hang on and never let go!
Akashi Alter: ... (looks like he hasn't heard what Akashi and Ryekie said)
Exio: MC I know this is sudden, but can you help? He's been trying to end this fight by going after Operators. Akashi and Justice have been a little hamstrung trying to stop him. He hasn't tried to avoid taking damage, so making him flinch isn't going to work. And if I can't concentrate on which hero to operate, we can't get past him.
Akashi Alter: ...hmph.
Akashi Alter does have signs of being hit by Akashi and Ryekie's attacks, but apparently is either avoiding serious damage or ignoring anything less than that.

Akashi: That guy's been using everything around him as a weapon when something from his suit wraps around it! What kind of Parallel Weapon is that!?
Ryekie: Probably the type where his suit unravels and wraps around something else to control it! I can't get a read on it, but we can't worry about it!
Danzo: What do you want to do, MC? I won't stop you, whatever it is. I'll just put everything I've got into keeping you safe.
MC: ...okay! I'm not sure about this though!
Exio: Thank you. And as a reminder, he's strong. His "nature" has been different from everything else we've fought until now. Stay focused.
Akashi Alter looks so baffled and disgusted with Akashi.
Akashi Alter: ...if I were you I'd never have accepted this happening...whatever, put 'em up. We just have our own goals to fulfill.
Akashi: !? What--
Ryekie: Here he comes! Akashi, get ready!
BATTLE START

Ueno Therian Festival Part 2 (Abridged)

Xbalanque: ...hey wait, I forgot to ask about the talking to themselves thing...whatever, it's hilarious how I mistook them for someone else.
Xbalanque sees MC as totally human.
Xbalanque: How'd I ever mistake some random lizard for that legendary dragon Quetzalcoatl?
Solomon: who dat
Later
Solomon: Master, I'm back! Who was that guy you were talking with earlier?
MC: Hi Solomon. Are you talking about Xbalanque?
Solomon: Yeah, he was talking to himself, something about legendary dragons and random lizards.
MC: what
Leib: MC, are you okay? You're talking to yourself. If you start talking about lizards and dragons around here, that freak who's into scalies will pop out like an outdated meme... oh wait, have you ever met Pazuzu? He's a reptilian Tamer and researcher here who can rant about what dragons are for hours. If you've got no plans, I could introduce you to him and his Beast sometime. Oh wait, lots of visitors incoming. Get to hosting, people. (pulls out a pamplet from a cardboard box and gives it to MC. It's an ad for recruiting group researchers and crowdfunding) Also, our lab has to do some new stuff, but other people got the same ideas. Partnering up with new people helps you see things you can't see yourself, a big deal when you get stuck when researching. Okay, good luck guys!

Alp, Cu Sith, and MC interact with a ton of visitors. Later...
Leib: Hey, good work guys. Here's your pay.
Alp and Cu Sith: YAAAY!
MC: Our paycheck! / You sure? / You expensing this?
---
(C) Leib: Does it LOOK like I have a corporate sponsor? If I put it down as labor costs in the after report, I--oh wait, a high schooler like you doesn't need to care. How in hell did you ever learn about something like that anyway?
---
Leib: You worked harder than I expected, so I threw in a bonus. Okay, the lab people should be coming to help soon. We're good, thanks you guys.
Alp: Yay! We somehow survived!
Cu Sith: I'm so glad. Let's go back to checking out the festival, MC.
MC: Where should we look?

MC unfolds a map for the three to check. There's a lot of places everyone wants to see, but then Cu Sith remembers something.
Cu Sith: Hey! Since there's tons of Event Streamers and Drone Pilots here, why don't we check their streams and decide then?
Alp: That's a great idea!
MC opens up their phone and picks something off Not Youtube.
Green Streamer: Hello people, I've been checking out the stalls and stuff at the Ueno Therian Festival! I just heard about something cool from my viewers who are here! They're doing a game that's a mix of soccer and a shooting gallery and it's called Kick Crackshot! Kick balls, hit wooden targets, get points! But no hitting the pillars and curtains of these targets. Check out that high score as it keeps changing! Maybe I'll try to top the scoreboard. Bye!

Cu Sith: Wow!
Alp: Oh gods a chance to get in the spotlight! Let's go guys!
MC: Think we can make it? / We'll cheer you on! / I wanna try too
---
(A) Alp: It'll be fine. Come on!
(B) Alp: I'm suddenly getting motivated! Come on!
(C) Alp: Sounds good, MC! We'll wow the whole crowd! Come on!
---
Cu Sith: Hey wait for me!
Solomon: Well let's go Master!
Cu Sith and MC chase after Alp.

Elsewhere
Purple Streamer: Oh no my battery died! Is there a way to charge it until my partner Drone Pilot comes back?
Xbalanque: Hey you. You know where I can enter the special attraction thing?
Purple Streamer: Me?
Xbalanque: Yes, you. Tell me where it is and I'll put on a show for you.
An unseen fate draws people together.
Alp: WHEEZE...we finally made it from the other side of the map! Hello, I wanna do the new attraction thingy!
Staff: Sorry, we're declining new entrants due to high amounts of participants already entered!
Alp and Cu Sith: NOOOO
MC: NO / I wonder if it's because of that video / Aw man
Staff: Thanks to the Streamers and Pilots, a lot of people tried to enter so I had to close it off...
Cu Sith: Whoa...maybe I shouldn't have stopped to buy food on the way over...
Alp: Oh well...since I'm tired of running so far, let's just sit down and watch!
MC: How about that bench? I'll go buy drinks, I'm hungry.

The three walk over to the bench and buy drinks from a vending machine.
Alp: Ahh, cold drinks are the best~
Cu Sith: Summer's over, but it's still hot for us.
Crowds are still gathering, and it sounds like there's an argument going.
Green Streamer: Viewers don't want just a high angle shot. Use my video too!
Brown Pilot: But a ground angle shot won't catch everything, and the problem is that people won't know what's happening.
MC: huh, what's happening?
Blue Streamer: Hello everyone, I'm streaming with my usual Drone Pilot partner!
Yellow Pilot: Hi, sorry for the camera troubles I'm working on it.
Purple Streamer: We can get a different view with a helicopter shot, but man I wanna use my own camera too!
Silver Pilot: I know, right? But isn't your phone still charging?

Streamers are always looking into ways to better a sense of being there, and sometimes they argue about how to go about that. It's going on here too even with front row seats. Staff members and players should totally notice, but not this guy!
Xbalanque: ...
Green Streamer: Shouldn't my video take priority as the streamer? For entertainment's sake!
Brown Pilot: It's important to see everything from above. Entertainment can come second.
Green Streamer: GASP
Yellow Streamer: Hey could you fight somewhere else? I'll put your space to good use!
Yellow Pilot: Move your selfie stick, you'll hit my drone!
Purple Streamer: Ohh it's getting too heated there, we should move.
Silver Pilot: Our mic is picking up the fight. I wish they'd stop...
The streamer-pilot duos start distancing from each other and their arguments are loud enough that MC can hear.
MC: I wonder what's up? / Are they fighting? / Fight fight fight!
(A) Cu Sith: Hey...are they fighting? P-please, calm down!
Alp: It's an event, we should have fun! Wanna see my break dance mo--
(BC) Alp: Don't ENJOY it, MC! Were you always like that?
Cu Sith: We have to stop them! Everyone, ple--

Suddenly everyone's attention gets drawn to something.
Staff: Oh my god nobody has ever done this well before!
Alp and Cu Sith: Isn't that Xbalanque!?
Xbalanaque: Yo dudes, stop fighting and stream me! You'll be able to record my moves from any angle, and if you miss out that's your problem.
Xbalanque picks up a soccer ball with the tip of his foot, then rolls it up his leg and up to his chest.
Brown Pilot: Holy crap, look at that!
Yellow Streamer: I gotta get this on video! Hi everybody, sorry about the wait~!
Green Streamer: Okay we're back on scene, people!
Xbalanque glances towards the cameras before jumping up, ball held between his feet before shooting down the targets like it's Xiaolin Soccer Time.
Crowds: OOOHHH!
Purple Streamer: My phone's charged now! Connect it to the drone please!
Silver Pilot: Okay! I'll move it as close as I can without getting in the way of the action.
Yellow Pilot: I'll move my drone closer to the player. With so many people around we can't get a good shot from just the ground.
Green Streamer: ...okay, I understand. Hello viewers, we're switching over to the drone camera!

Xbalanque smiles and points at the cameras when he notices them flying in.
Xbalanque: Surprised already? This ain't nothing, and there's still eight shots to go. Also you know who I'm talking to? You, on the other side of the screen! You'll want to cheer for me when I knock your socks off, so keep watching!
Xbalanque kicks the ball at a target as soon as he stops talking, which zooms in dead center towards it.
Red Streamer: He did it! It was a casual over the shoulder shot from behind but HE DID IT!
Yellow Streamer: That aim! And you know what? That target he hit was about the same size as the ball itself!
Pilot-Streamer Duos: Holy crap, all those tips! Thank you everybody, thank you Xbalanque!!
Cu Sith: Whoa everybody here is looking at Xbalanque!
Alp: Wow, he thought out both the shots and the view for the audience! I gotta learn from this!
MC: So he's not all talk... / He must've practiced a ton / (cheer for Xbalanque)

There's tons of cheering and clapping drowning MC out.
Xbalanque: ...?
Suddenly the wind blows some pamphlet into the Xbalanque's vision and blocks off the target!
Brown Pilot: Oh no!
Xbalanque happens to look at MC...
Xbalanque: ...!!
Streamers: He missed? That last shot is going towards the audience and...
MC: It's coming this way! (focus and kick it back) / (kick it back randomly)
The ball flies back barely above the ground! Reaction shots all around! And then...bullseye!
MC: Yeah! / What? / I wasn't even trying to aim at that.
More reaction shots
Staff: WHOA! That was amazing! I can't give points for that, but still!
Standing ovation! Record view counts!
Brown Pilot: Dammit, I couldn't get a shot because something got in the way of my camera.
Green Streamer: It's okay, I got it with my selfie stick!

Later
Alp: MC, that was perfect!
MC: Just as planned / Random chance... / (V-sign)
Solomon: Congratulations, Master! I'm so proud! Too bad, if I could go over to the physical side I could have comboed with you.
MC: One day, Solomon / Do you even know how to play
Alp: ...MC, who are you talking to?
Cu Sith: Oh, it's him! Xbalanque, over here!
Cu Sith waves to Xbalanque as he approaches like he knew where they were to begin with.
Xbalanque: You know, I saw what you guys did earlier. You're pretty nice to go out of your way to try to stop a fight. I was gonna stay out of it, but then I stuck my head into it before I knew what I was doing.
MC: Oh, so you weren't just trying to stand out earlier when you called out?

Xbalanque: Yep. With skills like mine, people will come even without me talking myself up.
Alp: OOF that self-confidence! But it's so true!
Xbalanque: Well back in the moment I needed a way to get everyone's attention all at once, so I needed something that could blow away an audience in seconds.
Cu Sith: But thanks to that, we all had fun and nobody got hurt. It was amazing! Thanks again, Xbalanque.
Xbalanque seems cool and collected as he accepts Cu's thanks.
Xbalanque: It's cool. It wasn't much for me though, and there's plenty of even cooler people out there in the world. Like my brother. One time back home we were hunting together and he hit every single--
Xbalanque's swishing tail suddenly stops.
Xbalanque: ...never mind. So what brings you guys here? You saw the streamer's videos and wanted to try it out?
MC: We just came to watch / They stopped taking players... / To be better friends with you!
(A) Xbalanque: Lucky for you that you got to see me play then. Call it a reward for how hard you worked earlier.
(B) Xbalanque: You play soccer too? Awesome coincidence. I like and specialize in things having to do with balls... wanna play together sometime? It's cool, you can keep up.
(C) Xbalanque: ...so you're a joker, huh? Even if you're serious, talking alone isn't gonna cut it. You gotta show more of your skills first, but I'll be looking forward to what you can do at least.

Xbalanque looked gentler for a second but goes back to looking calm and collected with the subject change. Almost like a mask slipped, or he was putting something important away. Cu Sith noticed.
Cu Sith: So what was your brother like?
Xbalanque: ...sorry, I'm trying to stop bragging about my brother but slipped up there.
Cu Sith: What, why? Sorry, should I not have asked...?
Xbalanque: Nothing like that. I just tend to go on about him, so I try to not do that.
MC: I won't force it, but I wanna hear what you're okay with sharing. You like your brother that much?
Xbalanque: Big Br--my brother is amazing. He's great with balls, he's reliable, and he was always ahead of me. There were plenty of times where we...weren't together. I'd kick balls all day by myself while admiring him then.
Xbalanque talks about what he swore to himself when he crossed the rainbow bridge to Tokyo and the thoughts of someone in a far off sky.

MC: Was your brother a star athlete? / That...sounds lovely. / (look at Xbalanque's profile)
Xbalanque: I dunno... since we lived apart a lot, we just might not have fought much. Stay in a cramped place and see the same things as someone else and you're bound to get into conflict eventually. Like that legendary duo Tezcatlipoca and...Quetzalcoatl.
Xbalanque whispered that last name really quietly, no one could hear.
Xbalanque: Oh...that must've been why I was curious about you.
MC: What's up, Xbalanque?
Xbalanque: ...it's nothing. You can see things I can't. Nothing Weird about that.
Cu Sith: I wanna hear more about your past, Xbalanque. Pleeease?
Xbalanque: ...I can you the facts all day at least. I got a list of exploits as long as my brother's at least. I won't be able to fit all of them in a day though.
Alp: Then come visit us at our dorm! We can have a slumber party and talk all night!
Cu Sith: That's a great idea! And I'll cook something up if you do stay over.
Xbalanque: ...cool. I'm not gonna hold my breath about your food, but sounds good. I know how to make poisoned food at least. Big Bro taught it to me for hunting and--oops.
MC: Say it again! / Aww, you DO have a cute side / Oooh, right Alp? Cu Sith?
(A) Xbalanque: No
(B) Xbalanque: I'mma get you back SO hard for flexing on me like this, Senpai.
(C) Alp and Cu Sith: OOOH~
Xbalanque: Could you stop? ...I really didn't want to slip up in front of you in particular since you're older than me.

Xbalanque smiles as he thinks back to the days he spent with and without his brother. He swore that he would brag and live alone so people wouldn't look down on him even without his brother around. Because of that he held his swelling emotions back and presented as cool and calm, but now he looks open and honest as he smiles.
???: Hey, you still hanging around even though the game's over? No wonder it took so long to find you.
Leib, Fenrir, and Jambavan walk over.
Cu Sith: Jambavan, you're up! How are you feeling?
Alp: Leib, Fenrir, you two are here too!? Are you looking for us to help with something again?
MC: Huh, Leib? / Jambavan, you okay? / Fenrir, you're here too
(C) Fenrir: Indeed. I have finished mine Efforts to Afford Tomorrow's Rations and came across these two.

Jambavan: Sorry about earlier you guys! I let my guard down and fell asleep... Thanks for minding the booth Cu Sith and Alp! MC, Leib-senpai told me about how you helped too. I'll be sure to show my thanks for it next time too!
Leib: We also brought him along to take a walk to clear his mind after he woke up. I came along because I was reminded of someone nagging me to go outside and touch grass as they say sometimes. We already got people in the lab I could dump on switch out with for the booth and cleanup, so no worries.
Cu Sith: Oh! So you can come hang out with us? Let's go!
Alp: Yeah! There's still things to see and dances to do!
Cu Sith: How about you, Xbalanque? We can introduce you to everyone! I'd love for you to be friends with all my Beast Tamers friends.
Xbalanque: ...oh fine, I can make some time for you. You cool, Senpai?
MC: Yep. That was the plan. / ...fine.
---
(C) Xbalanque: 5 out of 10, Alp did better. You still got a way to go.
---
Xbalanque: Okay, let's go then.
Cu Sith: Thanks! I'll introduce you as we walk.

The cheery voices of the therians of Ueno fade into the sky. The crowds enjoy the festivities, and scuttlebutt has it that no crazy beasts were seen at all. Just friends and parading students as far as the eye could see. Time flies, and the sun sets on the festival. After MC says bye to the Ueno students going back to the dorms, they walk back to Ueno Station with Xbalanque.
Xbalanque: ...you're wondering why I'm here? I figured I should at least do my kouhai-ly duties when saying bye for the day at least. You seem like the type who'd be one place one moment and suddenly disappear five seconds later, so I'm making sure you're leaving safely. Careful on your way back, Senpai.
Xbalanque, sassy to the end as he holds his hand out to MC.
MC: (shake his hand) / (hug him) / (pet him)
(B) Xbalanque: Wait, you like me that much? Okay okay, you big baby. Haha...it's kind of a waste. Don't act like that to anyone else.
(C) Xbalanque: Wait what are you DOING!? Stop, aaaahhh... STOP you dumbass, we literally just met today! What? You did that to show me how much of a bratty kouhai I am? ...how bad are your senpais then? ...w-well, it wasn't all bad I guess. I'm always evaluating people in everything they do. Don't think I'll hold back again after this. Underestimate me and I'll be the one to come out on top with your place.

Xbalanque: Well I guess this is goodbye for now. I might see you again soon sometime. That's the feeling I'm getting!
Xbalanque waves MC off. They may be parting ways and going different ways, but an invisible bond of fate may one day reconnect them again.
Solomon: Welp, it's just you and me on the way home, Master! I wanna talk so much about everything we saw and did today! And I took pictures as promised. I'll send the first of my best to your phone!
It's a picture of MC, Xbalanque, and the Beast Tamers.
The End