Blue Archive story · Volume 5, Chapter 1, Episode 14
Vol. 5 Ch. 1 Ep. 14: Determined Girl
1 scenes, 171 lines
1. Part 1
171 lines"Where...is she...?"
Despite having taken after Yukari almost immediately, we could find neither hide nor tail of her.
Which way's the festival again? This way?
C'mon! We're gonna be late!
Ah, don't leave me behind!
They said the opening ceremony is going to have fireworks!
Yes, I'm rather thrilled for that part! I heard the Fireworks Research Center has personally been working on a jaw-dropping show for months now.
As we roamed through the crowd, festival-goers were abuzz about the Lantern Festival and what could be in store.
We searched for Yukari in the busy streets for what seemed like hours.
Sensei! There you are!
No sign of her! I can't think of anywhere else to look.
...What do we do, Sensei?
"People are flooding the streets..."
"It'll be impossible to find her at this rate."
Ah! I completely lost track of the time. The sun's already setting...
"When does the festival start, Shizuko?"
Stalls are already starting to open up, but it'll be in full swing in about an hour.
Umika and Pina are probably running around tying up final, loose ends.
"You worked so hard to make this happen, Shizuko."
"You're itching to go help them, aren't you?"
Ah! You caught me!
...
I can't go back though. Not yet.
I promised to deliver the Kadenokouji miko's dance for the festival's ritual.
Considering this is the first time this festival is being held in twenty years, we need everything to go perfectly. I need to keep my word.
But more than any business proposal, I'd just like to talk to Yukari again.
"...Shizuko."
"Why did you resurrect an old, forgotten festival, Shizuko?"
That's...
Well, there's not much to explain there. I don't have some great personal or financial investment in this.
I wanted to bring the past to life... That's all.
The Lantern Festival holds so much history. I mean, it dates all the way back to the establishment of Hyakkiyako's alliance.
I just...couldn't help but feel it would be a shame to let it fade away into nothingness.
"Losing a piece of history is always a tragedy in its own right."
You always understand, Sensei!
The hustle and bustle of a festival, the laughter of the festival-goers enjoying themselves... There's no better sound, you know?
Not only that, festivals attract tourists! Tourists with happy smiles and loose purses. It's much easier to pry someone's wallet open during an exciting event.
Momoyodou's brand will grow and expand through all of Kivotos! As people see us as an entertainment giant, we'll become an unstoppable...
Ahem! Just kidding, of course! It's all about the community and sense of camaraderie.
"This is all just for branding...?"
No, no! I was just trying for some comedic relief, okay? Geez, Sensei!
You know I wouldn't commit to a project like this if I wasn't passionate about it! You wouldn't believe the amount of red tape we had to unravel to make this happen.
And your help was invaluable as well, Sensei.
That's why it was so important to me that this be a positive experience for everyone involved...
At least, that's what I'd hoped...
"And that's why you went to the Hyakkaryouran."
Yeah... I feel a little responsible for how things played out with Yukari...
I was way too single-minded in meeting the Kadenokouji miko. I didn't do enough background research to understand what I was poking my nose into.
I didn't even consider a world where the Hyakkaryouran and Yukari were on bad terms.
I seem to have poked a sleeping bear.
"Shizuko..."
So that's why I want to find Yukari no matter what.
It's not just about a ritual or a piece of history anymore.
You said it yourself, Sensei.
"Yukari has the right to decide how she wants to live her own life."
I couldn't agree more.
I don't think there's any truer philosophy in life than a person's right to decide their own path.
Has anyone ever told Yukari those words?
I think she deserves to hear them.
So I won't go back until I can look her in the eyes and tell her the truth.
"Shizuko's chivalry never fails."
"That's our one and only Festival Department President!"
"We need to find her before it's too late! Let's split up."
The streets will be packed before we know it, so we need to cover as much ground as we can as quickly as possible.
Hm...
Good idea! I think that's our best course of action for now.
"I'll contact you as soon as I have news."
(The whispers were an ever-present buzz.)
Lady Kadenokouji is an exemplary student. She received honors and top marks in all her classes.
I heard she even scored a perfect hundred on the Hyakkiyako entrance exam. Imagine that!
She won first place in the Annual Orchestral Masters too!
And she's so pretty, to top it all off! She really holds herself like royalty.
There's nothing she can't do! Truly an inspiration.
The future will be safe in her hands. As long as she continues to excel...
The Kadenokouji name will ring forever in Hyakkiyako's halls.
(I was born with expectations upon my shoulders.)
(To rise above each and every one of them was my duty.)
(I smiled under the weight of their anticipation.)
My name is Kadenokouji Yukari.
The heir to one of Hyakkiyako's oldest and most honored families.
Uphold the Kadenokouji name.
Such has been my duty since the moment I was born.
I understand my position. Truly, I embraced it.
But.
(What straight posture...)
But then you shone across my dark sky of duty and responsibility like a shooting star. You taught me choice where I always thought I had none.
How could I turn back after meeting you?
Excuse me! Hello!
You're still here? It's dark out already.
Nagusa, right? I won't forget that name! That display of strength... I couldn't contain my admiration a moment longer!
...What?
I aspire to your level of valor, Nagusa! How can I achieve that?
I...uh...! Th-That's a rather tall order...
Ah! I'm inspired!
I simply need to join the Hyakkaryouran to become like you!
...What?
If I join...I'll have the pleasure of your company every day!
Indeed! I, Yukari, shall align myself with the Hyakkaryouran, and we will have great adventures together! I pledge to faithfully follow in your every footstep!
I set my resolve in that very moment.
I had found my calling. I pledged to devote myself entirely to the Hyakkaryouran, standing shoulder to shoulder with my mentor, alongside all the members I would come to love.
But now...
It's already over for Hyakkaryouran. Everything, completely over.
Renge... Kikyou...
Everyone...
That memory I desperately clung to...
I suppose it was only me who couldn't let it go...
...The festival.
I nearly forgot. Students are participating in the festivities tonight.
The Hyakkaryouran...are meant to be out patrolling...
...That would have been the case in the past, at least...
*pant pant* I've been...looking for you!
Yukari! I can't tell you how relieved I am to finally find you!
You were the Festival Operations Department president, correct? Why were you looking for me?
Ah, yes. You wished for my aid with the festival...
Let's go back to Hyakkaryouran's club room right away!
...Excuse me?
Who was she to you again? Your operations director?
That doesn't matter! What matters is she went too far! She can't just make decisions for you and say it's for your sake.
You're the only one who gets a say in how you live your life! She had no right!
So, let's go back, together. I think there's more you two need to talk about.
It's when you want to run away the most that you have to stand your ground and communicate.
Are you not the president of the Festival Department? Why are you extending a helping hand?
You must be absolutely overwhelmed with your festival responsibilities.
I am! But the festival is for everyone to enjoy, including you!
Everything...is fine? I don't understand.
Kikyou wasn't wrong to speak as she did.
It is all true, after all. I attempted to abandon my duties and my home.
Regardless of how my intentions appeared to her... The facts remain the same.
But...!
Thank you, Festival Department Pres, Shizuko, was it?
I believe you have a ritual you need performed, correct? And it just so happens that I'm well-trained to do so.
In response to your request...
I, Kadenokouji Yukari, will be this Lantern Festival's miko.
Huh?!
I ran down street after street looking for Yukari.
"...Ah."
I started hearing rumors just before the official start of the festival.
Did you hear the news?
They're holding the miko's dance at midnight! No one was sure whether or not it was actually going to happen...
That's an old tradition for the Hyakkiyako Lantern Festival, right? Who would be the miko...?
Maybe Chise?
Chise's the best, but she's an actress. If they hold true to tradition, it'll be a real miko performing the ritual.
If the rumors are true...
It'll be none other than Lady Kadenokouji herself.
"(Kadenokouji...)"
I've never put much thought to it previously, but why did they stop holding the festival anyway?
No one quite knows. It sort of faded into the background until there was a big to-do this year about reviving it.
Let's just be grateful it's back and enjoy the festivities.
You're entirely right.
No one can hold a festival the way Hyakkiyako can, so let's make the most of it.
"No one seems to know why the festival was originally canceled..."
"...Shizuko's calling me."
I was just about to answer Shizuko's call when I was interrupted...
"(...Huh?)"
The bell tolls, and the revelers are loose!
We're reaching the story's climax! The anticipation makes my toes curl.
Be quiet and listen to the Hundred Ghost Stories.
Every last one of you can rest in peace. Heeheehee.
I'm absolutely exhilarated to meet you, Schale's Sensei.