Blue Archive story · Volume 5, Chapter 1, Episode 26
Vol. 5 Ch. 1 Ep. 26: Carrying Wishes
1 scenes, 179 lines
1. Part 1
179 linesAnd, at long last, this chapter of Hyakkiyako came to an end.
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"Too much energy. Even mornings are scared of them..."
Sensei! Sensei!
Welcome, Sensei!
The Festival Department is working hard to repair everything in time for the second festival!
"There must be a lot to get fixed up."
"You're redoing the festival?"
Yes! It was unfortunate what happened...
But after some discussion and a lot of help, it was decided that the festival should still continue!
I'm so ashamed though... I can't believe we were all unconscious during the chaos...
I'll never forgive those ghosts!
I feel the same way! I wanted to fight alongside everyone else.
Exactly! It's unforgivable to ruin a festival!
"Well, all of you worked very hard."
Thank you...
We're still frustrated that we weren't able to do anything. So, thank you for keeping everyone safe during the incident.
And the Festival Operations Department is going to thank everyone by making the best second festival anyone's ever seen!
People need a reason to celebrate after what happened...
Right as always, President!
Buildings were burned down, props destroyed, and food wasted, but that doesn't mean the festival is over!
"That's right, Shizuko."
Let's get it done!
"It really wasn't much."
People were hard at work cleaning up after the fires.
They're rebuilding from the ashes of the conflict...working hard to bring back the place of their precious memories.
And...
"Yes, hello?"
"If Niya calls, I'll always come running."
Nyahaha. I'll hold you to that.
To our agenda.
I wanted to give you a report on the aftermath of the incident.
To start with, the Hyakkaryouran.
Their dissolution is on hold for the moment.
"On hold? Not cancelled entirely?"
Unfortunately, yes. As you well know, the core executive members did return to the Hyakkaryouran.
But a huge reason of the club's downfall was the mass-exodus of members after Nagusa disappeared. That's not going to be fixed overnight.
"What will happen if it isn't fixed?"
Well, they won't be able to receive any funding, for one thing.
"That's a rather devastating problem."
Nyahaha! I know, right?
They'll get right back on track though, given some time.
I also wanted to talk to you about Kuzunoha.
"Another time. Let's take things step by step."
If that's how you feel...
What else... Shizuko is heading the restoration projects, while also seeing to putting the festival back together.
Ah. One last thing.
On a more serious note...
That Nature's Beauty member whom Sensei and the Hyakkaryouran members fought...
Yabuki Shuro.
The Yin-Yang Club did our best to track her after she escaped.
But we lost her right at the border of the Hyakkiyako District.
We're still scratching our heads over it. She just disappeared into thin air.
It felt like she cast a spell over us.
"She didn't seem like the type to come quietly."
"You did great, Niya. You should just focus on the festival for now."
...This is all my doing.
"Hm?"
I was complacent, overly confident even.
If I had taken the original letter more seriously, none of this would've happened.
I took it as a joke, and all of Hyakkiyako suffered because of that.
It's hard for me to face the other students...and you.
"Well, you should hold your chin up high."
...What?
"Niya, weren't you the one who said it?"
"That Nature's Beauty was a rumor of a rumor."
"You can't chase down every rumor or whisper you hear."
"You made a good decision based off of the information available to you."
"And you didn't ignore it. You called me."
"You did what you could to protect the students."
"I wouldn't have made it in time without you."
"I'm very proud of you for that, Niya."
"It's my responsibility to compliment a job well done."
"Or to encourage students when they do make mistakes."
Nyaha. I suppose you're right.
I can't spend forever wondering what I could have done differently or wishing I could change the past.
I'll need to do more research into Nature's Beauty, now that I'm aware of its existence. I'll do everything I can.
The next time Schale needs some help, you can call. I'll coming running. Nyahaha!
"One last thing. My compensation?"
...Compensation?
Oh, my apologies. Of course.
I can look at the numbers. We wouldn't have gotten through this without you, so a large...
...Hm? You want a different kind of compensation?
...You wanted to pet Chise? Wh-What's that supposed to...
"But since Chise is busy with Yin-Yang Club activities..."
"I'll pet Niya instead!"
Everyone suffered hardships during the festival meant to celebrate Hyakkiyako.
The scars of the incident will always be etched into the landmarks and the students' hearts.
But Hyakkiyako is not one to let monsters stop them from holding a festival.
You made it, Sensei!
You kept us waiting.
...Hello.
"Hi, everyone! Are you on patrol?"
Yup! It's the new and improved Hyakkaryouran's first mission!
This is a historical moment, Sensei. You better never forget it!
It's a routine patrol we'll do a thousand more times.
What?!
"Now, now. Let's talk it out."
How am I supposed to afford it if they keep redoing the festival?
"Money was the problem?!"
Don't dismiss the seriousness of this issue, Sensei!
The Festival Department president is one scary lady. She'll do anything to squeeze every last drop out of your wallet at these festivals!
...Just don't fall for it.
"I don't think Kikyou cares either way... But where's Yukari?"
Oh, she's...
Here! I, Yukari, am right here!
You made it back safely!
...Yukari.
Was your mission successful?
Absolutely! I marched up those mansion steps and told the family exactly how I felt!
"Family? What happened?"
I visited the Kadenokoujis this morning!
I told them that they can't force me to be a miko anymore!
A strong approach. I like it.
Is that...truly okay?
...It's in her character to act recklessly.
Hey! You two! This is when you shut it and tell Yukari, "Whatever you want!"
But...
I didn't rush anything! I really, truly mulled it over. I even made a pros and cons list.
It was an easy choice, in the end. The Hyakkaryouran is where I belong!
...Yes. It is.
And guess what? They threw their hands up in the air and said there's nothing they can do if I'm so determined!
"Good for you."
Thank you, Sensei! Let today be the first official day of the new Hyakkaryouran. And the first official day of creating the legend of Yukari of the Hyakkaryouran.
With business out of the way, let's get going!
"Go? Go where?"
Oh, we didn't tell you.
Yukari requested our presence at a festival event before we begin patrols.
We're going to send lanterns into the sky to signify our new beginning.
"Ah! The festival's main event!"
Exactly! Hurry, everyone!
The festival began again in full earnest.
It was proof to the students of Hyakkiyako that anything can be fixed with a little effort.
And the four students who released their lanterns into the sky were marching steadily forward towards their goals.
My right arm may never completely heal.
But it's okay now, Ayame. With the new Hyakkaryouran, I...
Each student sent their heartfelt wishes into the sky.
The lanterns carried the feelings buried in their hearts.
Their hopes for the future shined high above them.
Forever and ever.
Waaah! Kokuriko! Waaaaaaahhh!
Welcome back, Shuro.
I...I really, really tried my best! I did everything right!
But I couldn't make a new Phantom Fable for you! My ghost story didn't go the way I planned it!
I'm sorry!!!
I wanted to bring you home the perfect ghost!
Heehee. Shuro is always so cute.
Dry your tears, little one.
You may have failed in one way, but you successfully recreated the Lantern Festival of the past.
*sniff* Did...Did I do good enough?
Of course...
The festival was completed. Its seeds are planted, and another story will bloom.
It's more than enough.
And next time, we'll get to write the ending the way we want.
Be patient, and bide your time. Step by step, together.
We will create an elegance that will burn down the world.
A hundred ghost stories of our very own.