Blue Archive story · Volume 5, Chapter 1, Episode 16
Vol. 5 Ch. 1 Ep. 16: Goryou Nagusa
1 scenes, 104 lines
1. Part 1
104 lines(Excitement flutters on the swells of laughter filling the air.)
(The joy brought forth by the festival is nearly palpable.)
(Such a scene would have been commonplace, once upon a time.)
(A time when the Hyakkaryouran...)
She took out all those criminals in an instant, all by herself!
According to the records, that's the 127th time she's settled a conflict with no back-up.
Despite all that, she's not above climbing trees to save lost cats or pets!
I even heard that...!
(Everyone talks about her.)
(Ayame's name is everywhere you turn.)
Ayame's a generational talent!
I sleep like a baby knowing Ayame's on shift.
Nanakado Ayame is my role model! I really look up to her.
Thank the gods for Ayame.
Everyone knew the Hyakkaryouran was safe under Ayame's leadership.
Ayame and I served the Hyakkaryouran together, side-by-side.
She and I would be friends as long as we still breathed.
I would always be her right-hand woman.
I thought...
...my place was by her side.
Can you believe it? It seems like President Ayame really did disappear.
Rumor has it she met Kuzunoha and then...poof!
Kuzunoha isn't even real. There's no way.
Well, she's definitely gone. What...do we do?
We don't have a president. Who'll lead the Hyakkaryouran?
What's going to happen...?
Don't look so gloomy. We're going to be fine.
That's right! Nagusa is still here!
Nagusa has supported Ayame all these years. She's done so much for the Hyakkaryouran.
Everything's going to be fine.
It's not. It's really not.
(How could I say that to them?)
I can't do that to them.
(I'm not strong enough to bear this cross.)
Of course I'm not.
Because I am not Ayame.
I will never be Ayame.
Ayame is the president of the Hyakkaryouran. Only she is qualified.
"I had a feeling you were Nagusa."
...!
The Ninjutsu Research Club members found someone matching Nagusa's description in the West District, which led me straight to her.
I recognized her as soon as I laid eyes on her again.
Hello, again, Schale's Sensei.
"You're chicken skewer girl from before!"
Chicken... What?
...This isn't the time for your antics.
It seems proper introductions are in order.
"Nagusa."
I'm caught. My name is Goryou Nagusa, vice president of the Hyakkaryouran.
Ex-vice president, now.
Why have you gone to such lengths to find me?
...Talk? To me?
"Last time we met, we talked about the succession battle...and the Hyakkaryouran."
I explained to Nagusa the events that unfolded after our conversation.
I told her about Yukari and Kikyou's meeting, and the ensuing succession contest. And how it ended in Yukari deciding to step into her role as the Kadenokouji miko.
"Do you really think that?"
...Why do you ask?
"Yukari always spoke so highly of you, Nagusa."
"She joined the Hyakkaryouran because of you."
"You're just going to let her go?"
"You're not going to fight for her?"
"I heard you stepped down, Nagusa."
Did you come here to find out why?
Why am I letting the Hyakkaryouran fall to ruin? Is that what you wished to ask me?
...
It's very straightforward.
Nanakado Ayame is the president of the Hyakkaryouran.
She was the only one qualified to fill that role.
She was...a generational talent.
Ayame is irreplaceable. So I stepped down.
Everyone was looking towards me, and it was inevitable I would let them down.
Kikyou, Renge, and Yukari can yell and argue and disagree, but they can't alter reality.
They'll come to see one day.
I inherited the title of president. I have not earned it.
Yes. Things are as they should...
Lies.
...?!
"Did you hear that too?"
"Fireworks? The festival must have started."
The explosions of the fireworks filled the night sky.
And so, the festival officially began.
Mouryo?! What're you...
Eek!
You gotta believe me! It wasn't us!
She used us! We weren't trying to summon nothing!
"What are you saying? Start from the beginning."
She was asking us all these questions.
We didn't even, like, totally agree! She said she could help us, and it sounded nice.
But then...!
...!
"What are those?!"
And so, the stage is set!
Draw the curtains. It is time.
This elegant refinement, for me and only me.