Fate/Grand Order story · Interludes, Interlude
Gazing at the White Moon
Interlude. Interlude
3 scenes, 524 lines
1. Before the battle
230 lines
Hey, Nagiko! Whatcha up to? Off to the usual place?
We're gonna hang in the cafeteria. You should totes join us later!
Wahaha, I see you two are getting along swimmingly, as ever!
By the way...I heard you got your hands on a you-know-what?
Man, those are the best, aren't they!? I'll have to stop by sometime, myself!
Good day, Sei Shounagon. I am pleased to see you looking well.
By the way, may I ask you a question? When you say "Babbayan," are you referring to me?
Oh, hello, Sei Shounagon. I see you are as overflowing with emotion as ever.
I truly admire how brightly you shineNo, the work you put in to make yourself shine bright each day.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't have any stories to suit your sensibilities today.
But don't worry. I'll make sure I have a fairy tale worth listening to next time.
I know this is really stating the obvious at this point, but...
You fit in really well around here, huh, Nagiko?
Mphow hhat ooh mmshion iht, oohoua whigh.
(Munch, munch... Gulp)
You know, I never really noticed it before, but you might be right, Chan-mas.
Then again, we are both Heian period gals. I guess you can take the girl out of Heian, but you can't take the Heian elegance out of the girl.
I've never associated kotatsu and tangerines with eleganthen again, who's to say they're not?
Still, while the kotatsu may be acceptable, I would really prefer you not bring food or beverages into the library from now on.
Well, then again... I suppose I could maybe be convinced to, occasionally, make a very special exception...
Relax! I'm not gonna mess up your precious books.
Besides, Bats has guests coming and going all the time, and her kotatsu's always full, you know?
So I figured it was about time I added another kotatsu spot just for us.
And if I'm not mistaken, it looks like you've taken a liking to it too. Eh, Ms. Librarian?
Well...um...now that it's here, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good kotatsu, so...
You're getting used to things here too, huh?
Mmmmmm...
Oh yes, I understand. I understand very well, Lady Fujiwara-no-Kaoruko.
Though these furnishings are crude and inelegant, designed solely to provide a moment's warmth...
That warmth radiating from its insides, ahem, I mean from inside it...Mmm... It may as well be a garden of forbidden pleasure, corrupting all who are helpless in the face of its charms.
Look what the cat dragged in.
I see we've got another kotatsu guest now.
I should've known you enjoyed a good kotatsu too, Mambo-chan. Though it might be a little cramped for you to really curl up under.
Haha, don't be ridiculous.
I can certainly curl up if I wish to. It would be a bit of a hassle to uncurl, yes, but it would hardly be difficult.
Wait, what? Ew.
I feel like we may mean very different things when we say "curl up"...
(Now I'm imagining rolling him around like a hoop...)
Ah, whatevs.
Here, help yourself to some tea and sweet karintou snacks. I got chips and other munchies too, if you're hungry.
Oh, I've got a special treat right here I've been saving for a
Hold on, Nagiko. When did you start storing snacks in the library?
Hmm. Pleasant as that sounds...
...I only stopped by because I saw something truly fascinating.
Fascinating?
？！
Oh, you know.
I refer, of course, to Lady Sei Shounagon's earlier...performance.
I trust you know of what I speak now?
You see? I told you it was improper.
Whaaat? C'mon, that's no biggie. Hell, I hear the Shinsengumi peeps like to swallow entire watermelons whole.
First I've heard of it...
S-stop that, Nagiko! Please! I mean it!
Hahahaha. No, no, that is not what I mean.
I am referring...
...to how you acted towards Lord Sakata Kintoki.
Tell me, what was that all about?
You were so distant, so aloof! It was clear to any observer there was something going on.
I'm hardly the only one to have noted how tense you seemed.
Why, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. How about you, Lady Kaoruko?
I...
(Come to think of it...)
(Nagiko and Kintoki used to know each other way back when, right?)
(Weren't Nagiko and Kintoki friends back when they were alive?)
Oh, Master.
It seems you aren't familiar with the details of this particular story. Hmm, interesting.
Very well then, allow me to educate you on exactly what transpired when
Hi-yah.
(Struck by a squirt of tangerine juice straight to the eyes.)
... ...
...Gaaaaaah! My eyes! You got juice in my eyes! Why would you do that!?
Huh!? A shikigami!?
Hmm. He sure is a sneaky little devil, isn't he...?
What was Douman talking about, Nagiko?
Do you know what that was all about, Nagiko?
... ...
Man, I was all set to catch up on some reading in the kotatsu...
...but I just don't feel like it anymore.
Hey, how 'bout we call up the Paisen gang and go have some fun together!?
Um, I still have my librarian duties to attend to, so...
Erm, then again, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take an occasional day off...
...
Hey, Nagiko?
Nagiko, I still wanted to ask you about
...Huh?
Heeey. Chan-maaas? Kaorucchiii?
Hmm. This is weird. Where'd they disappear to all of a sudden?
Did they sneak off so they could be alone together or something?
Ah, those crazy kids.
Hmm?
Another shikigami, huh. I see.
Looks like Mambo-chan's up to something again.
Well, Chan-mas oughta be okay, since I'm sure Kaorucchi'll stick with him...
Right then, let's see where this is going.
I can sense magical energy. The monk must have cast some sort of spell.
I can't make out exactly what it is, but I can tell it uses some form of onmyoudou.
I think he's trying to lead us down different passageways...
...and he probably cut us off from Nagiko as well. But why would he do such a thing?
If you're wondering about Nagiko, no, she's not with us.
Lord Kintoki! What are you doing here?
Lady Raikou, too?
... ...
Master...I think I may know what that monk is up to.
I suspect he's trying to arrange for Nagiko and Lady Raikou run into each other.
But, why would he do that?
Aw, what? You've gotta be kidding me.
Dammit, Douman...
There's some things you just don't do, even as pranks!
Lord Kintoki...
...
Yeah, you're right. It's about time I told you 'bout this, Boss.
Nah, that ain't good enough. I'm damn golden sorry I didn't tell ya sooner!
We're your Servants, so our problems are your problems.
I shoulda told you as soon as I had a chance.
Ya see, Sei Shounagon and Boss Raikou...
Whoa, a tatami room! I didn't know they had one of these in here!
Ahh. I know it's just the simulator, but it really feels like coming home.
All right, this feels like a great time to write a new poem.
... ...
On second thought, never mind.
Oh my... What a surprise to see you of all people in a place like this.
I can only assume Douman led you here as well.
Am I correct, Lady Sei Shounagon?
Gah!
I'm sorry, did I just hear you say "gah"?
Who, me? N-nah, you must've been hearing things.
I see.
Well, there's no need to worry. Whatever Douman may be plotting...
...should anything unsavory show its face, I will cut it down and be done with it.
Yikes.
Fortunately, it seems our host was considerate enough to provide us with tea. May I pour you a cup?
Please, have a seat.
Unless, of course...
...you're too frightened of me?
...
...You know, now that I think of it...
...this is the first time you and I have had a proper sit-down since we were both summoned to Chaldea.
Uh, yes. You might be right. Yep, yep. You're not wrong... Yup.
Even when we were supposed to train together in the simulator before...
...you always found a reason to bow out, did you not?
One time, you said you had a stomachache. Another, that you had gotten a bad horoscope and didn't want to press your luck.
D-did I? I, uh, can't recall.
(Sigh...)
...
May I be blunt, Lady Sei Shounagon?
Have you been avoiding meNo, not just me. All of the Genji clan...
...because of what happened with your brother?
KiyoI mean...
Lady Sei Shounagon used to have an older brother...before Raikou killed him.
Raikou killed Nagiko's brother?
Did she really?
？！
Yeah, she did.
You know how she went to Kyo lookin' to track down Douman? Lessee... That was the fifth year of the Kankou era, around A.D. 1008.
Well, this thing with Kiyoko's brother happened almost ten years later, in the sixth year of the Chouwa era, 1017.
You'll have to bear with me. It's kind of a long story.
It all started when Lord Fujiwara-no-Yasumasa and Raikou's brother, Lord Minamoto-no-Yorichika...
...got into a dispute over the rights to the Yamato Province.
While they were arguin', they found out that one of Lord Yorichika's subordinates, Lord Taima-no-Tameyori, had been assassinated.
And what's more...the assassin turned out to be Lord Kiyohara-no-Munenobu, Lady Sei Shounagon's brother.
In response, Lord Yorichika sent about twenty warriors after Lord Munenobu to avenge Lord Tameyori's death.
Twenty warriors. Even back then, it was a hell of a lot of manpower to send after someone who hadn't been officially sentenced, even if he had cut down a guy in cold blood.
But then, in a twist no one saw comin'...
...Lord Munenobu killed every last one of those twenty-odd Genji warriors, includin' some who were on horseback.
Twenty Genji warriors? And he killed all of them himself?
？！
That's right. Lord Munenobu was always a hell of a fighter...
That night, though, he was weirdly violent; it was like he was possessed by a demon or somethin'.
They even say he cut some of the warriors clean in half...along with the horses they were ridin'.
Some people said he'd transformed into an outright monster, but I don't know if that's true.
Lord Munenobu might've had that kind of animosity burnin' inside him, or he might not've. There's no way to tell now.
At any rate, after he cut down a whoppin' twenty-plus Genji warriors, the higher-ups had no choice but to bring out the big guns.
So they ended up callin' on us...
Raikou and her Four Heavenly Kings.
...I believe you saw what transpired afterward.
I beheaded Lord Munenobu myself.
That was my duty, and I will not apologize for fulfilling it.
Having said that...
I also understand that you must feel very differently about the matter, and I accept that.
Indeed, I cannot blame you for holding a grudge against the Genji.
... ...
I will not tell you to let go of the past.
But if you must hate someone, I ask that you direct that hatred solely at me, the leader of the Four Heavenly Kings.
That is the least I can do...
...to take responsibility for my actions.
... ...
All right, that does it.
I may have more patience than Lake Biwa has water, but even that's got its limits.
Step outside, Genji leader.
I got a bone to pick with you, and I ain't taking no for an answer.
...
...Very well. I understand.
If that is what you want...then I will face you myself.
(Oh my, oh my...)
(Hmm.)
(What a fascinating turn of events...)
2. Before the battle
86 linesI-I, um...I'm sorry I wasn't able to hold back... Are you hurt?
Nah.
... ...
...Lady Sei Shounagon, may I ask you something?
Even while I was fending off your swordwell, your bow... Hmm, you don't really use a bow, either, do you...
At any rate, my point is that I did not sense any animosity from you as we fought. Why is that?
Hmph.
You think you deserve hatred 'cause you had a hard life in a hard world, yeah?
You do, I can tell.
So you want me to save my hatred just for you, huh?
'Cause you're so used to being hurt, what's a little more pain?
Yeah, to hell with that kinda nonsense! I can't stand negativity like that!
... ...
I prolly should've said this earlier, but...
I know my brother Mune killed a person he didn't have to, and he had no one to blame but himself for what happened to him.
I don't wanna say there's nothing anyone could've done to change how things turned out...but I get that someone had to stop him.
It's sad, but...I don't hate anyone for it, and I don't really want to either.
... ...
Still...even with all that said, I figured it's kind of awkward for us to meet like this, y'know?
So I thought it'd be better if we kept our distance from each other. That's the only reason I was avoiding you.
Well...
Maybe not the ONLY reason. I might've, you know, maaaybe been a teeeny tiiiny bit scared of you.
You don't gotta do anything more here, Boss! Let me deal with her!
Please! I'm beggin' ya!
If you insist on goin' on ahead, then I'll
After you came to Chaldea, I noticed...
...Kintoki always seemed so sad whenever he looked at you.
I killed a great many in my time. I'm very much accustomed to people holding grudges against me.
But forcing Kintoki to do something he is so firmly against...
...is not something I will ever get used to.
... ...
Nnn...
Man, this is really throwing me off. I always thought you were kinda scary...
I had no idea you had a cute side.
(Gasp!)
I-is that...one of those nicknames of yours I've heard so much about!?
P-please, don't do this! Nobody could respect a mother who's known by either of those nicknames!
Shut it!
Now that we've come this far, you and I are gonna be pals whether you like it or not!
P-please! Be reasonable!
(...)
((Sigh) So that's how it is.)
(And here I thought I would be in for quite the entertaining bloodbath, simulator or not.)
(Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to try my luck again another day.)
Gaaaaaah! My eyes! You nailed me with a tangerine again.
Douman!?
Mmm... Mmhm... Mmhm!
How did you ever hit me with that blind shot, Lady Sei Shounagon!? Just what kind of divine protection are you under!?
No, wait. Don't tell me it was just... Just...!
A hunch.
...Mmhm! I must congratulate you on seeing through my spell, Lady Sei Shounagon!
Why did you bring us together like this, Douman? What was your endgame here?
Hmm, how can I put this...?
I thought having two Heroic Spirits fight to the death unbeknownst to Master would be a refreshing change of pace.
Or at least an entertaining way to pass an evening.
But seeing how close you two have grown now, well...
It seems my idea simply wasn't meant to be.
Is that so?
Ah well, as they say, you can't win them all! Now, if you'll excuse me...
Hold it.
I think it must be fate that brought us together like this, good monk. So while we're all here...
...would you be so kind as to spar with us?
You know, Mambo-chan, I think a solid sock to the jaw would do you a world of good.
Mmm...
Well, I suppose there's no getting out of this, is there?
I don't suppose I could ask you to take it easy on me...could I?
Ohohoho! Not on your life, good sir!
Hope you brought your A game, Monk Boy, 'cause I'm playing for keeps! Do forgive me♡
3. After the battle
208 linesMmmgaaaaaah!!!
Just kidding.
Hahahaha! Of course I was using another shikigami! And with that, I'm off!
...Hmph.
Man, he really is a sneaky little devil.
Are you two okay!?
You all right, Raikou!?
Aw, c'mon. Worry at least a little, Kaorucchi.
Yes, well... I suppose I should...
But I assumed you would figure something out. You always do.
Kintoki... Hehe, Mother's sorry she made you worry.
N-nah, it's okay. I wasn't all that worri
Now, where do I begin...? Oh yes, I know.
Huh?
You'll never believe this, but Mother has her very own nickname now!
Damn, really!? That's so golden!
Wait. That really IS golden, but how the hell did that happen?
I can handle Mambo-chan okay, but as an opponent, Rikopin here is a totally different story.
Fighting her's more like a penalty game than anything.
I see...
... ...
(Huh? I don't got a clue what she's talking about.)
(Still...)
Lady Sei Shounagon. No...
Kiyoko.
...I can't ask that we go back to how things used to be, and I know better than to try.
But even so...
I'll never forget how much you helped me out back when I was first brought to Kyo.
So if you ever need help with anything, I'll be there for you.
...Just remember that, okay?
... ...
Hehehe.
Far as I'm concerned, you paid me back for that stuff a long time ago. But I gotta say...
Look at you now! Hahaha, you're so grown-up it's disgusting!
Yeow! That hurts! But in a weirdly nostalgic way!
Okay, if I need help with anything, I'll come to you first.
Thanks for the offer, Blondy!
...Hehe.
Wahahaha!
Hmm...
Those two are just friends, yes? Or like close siblings?
Personally, Mother isn't worried about a thing.
...Not a single thing.
You don't have to worry about those two, Raikou.
It's okay, Raikou. It's not like that with them at all.
Lord Fujimaru is right.
A thousand years after they lived...and those two are smiling around each other again.
Isn't that enough?
Aw yeah, now I'm friggin' HYPED!
What say we all head down to the cafeteria and stuff our faces with all the sweets we can eat?
C'mon, guys, don't just stand there! Time's a wasting!
Huh? You...want me to join you for sweets?
Oh, Nagiko. There you go taking charge again...
S-still...I can appreciate a plate of sweets as much as anyone...
So I suppose I wouldn't mind joining you...
Uh, that sounds like a ladies-only outing. You don't need me to be there for that, do ya?
Of course we do! Don't even think about trying to get out of this!
...
...Douman?
Yes, Master. I'm here.
Lady Sei Shounagon is certainly a character, isn't she? I'm still trying to learn how to handle her.
Hang on.
Don't tell me...
Were you trying to get Nagiko and Raikou to open up to each other?
You weren't trying to get Nagiko and Raikou to become friends, were you?
？！
Mmmmmm?
Haha. Hahahahaha!
Please, Master, you mustn't make me laugh so hard. My spell hand could slip.
Must I remind you, Master, that I am a master of harshing everyone's vibe.
She...she's gotten to you!
...
Nagiko.
Oh, hey, Chan-mas. What're you doing here so late?
You saw someone was in the simulator and figured it was me?
Wahaha, I guess you know me pretty well by now, huh?
Well here, pull up a seat. It's a beautiful moon tonight, even if it's a projection.
Man... Today was kind of jam-packed, huh?
I can't believe I got to laugh and talk with Blondy like that again.
And I never in a million years thought I'd end up giving THE leader of the Genji a nickname.
I guess I oughta thank Mambo-chan for making this happen... Nah, never mind.
But seriously...I never thought I'd ever see a day like this back when I was in Kyo.
Man, getting summoned rocks. I totally recommend it. Wahaha.
...I heard about your brother.
...Kintoki told me what happened to your brother.
？！
Oh... I see.
... ...
Munenobuor Brother Mune, as I always called him...
He was always one heck of a rascal, and he loved fighting more than anything.
I wasn't the most forthcoming type back then, either, so we'd argue pretty much every time we talked.
But, we also got along really well in some weird ways... I really enjoyed being around him.
Which I guess is why...
...I never expected to see his final moments play out like that.
...Do you know why things turned out that way?
...Are you aware of everything that led up to that?
？！
Alas, I have not the faintest of notions.
Hah, just kidding.
Brother Mune would never admit it, but I think, instead of wielding a sword...
...maybe he would've rather been a poet like our dad, Kiyohara-no-Motosuke and his group of scholars.
Alternatively, if he'd stuck with Lord Yasumasa, he might've gone on to do something really great.
But, things didn't turn out that way. Instead he just got more and more hurt, inside and out.
In the end, he might have even changed into something inhuman.
This is all just my headcanon, of course. I never planned on sharing it with anybody else.
But there's just something about you that makes me wanna spill my guts, Chan-mas.
...Thanks, Nagiko.
I'm glad you told me.
？！
Hehe.
Anyway, I hadn't thought about this stuff in a long time, but once I started...
...I just kind of ended up here without realizing.
So I figure, at least for one night...
...what's the harm with indulging in a little sentimental moongazing?
Anywho...
I was just getting lost in my thoughts when you showed up.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you.
？！
Wahaha, what're you being so modest for now?
Anywho, it's getting pretty late. You should call it a night, Chan-mas.
I'm gonna stay here and soak in the night a little longer.
And when tomorrow rolls around...I'll be the same Nagiko as always.
Don't worry about me. Go on, get back to your room already.
...
No. I'm not going back yet.
Something tells me you shouldn't be alone right now.
I wouldn't feel right, leaving you alone right now.
？！
... ...
You can be pretty weird sometimes, can't you, Chan-mas?
Well, that's okay. I'm not gonna kick you out or anything.
Besides, I have to admit...it'd be a shame to keep such a pretty moon all to myself.
So hey, pop quiz.
Let's say one day, totally out of nowhere, I turned into a monster and couldn't stay here anymore.
What would you do?
Capture you, I guess?
？！
Hmm, pretty levelheaded thinking. No wonder you're our Master.
Then again, that just makes sense.
I mean, you couldn't leave a monster out on its own. There's no telling what kind of trouble it could cause.
You'll always be you no matter what form you take, Nagiko.
It doesn't matter what you look like, Nagiko. You'd still be you.
So...
I'm gonna have to hold onto you to make sure you don't disappear.
I have to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't up and vanish on me.
？！
... ...
...Now I see.
That really is so like you, Chan-mas.
Well then, I guess I don't have to worry...
...even if I do end up becoming a monster.
Just let me know before you do, okay?
I'd appreciate a heads-up first, though.
？！
Wahaha, 'course I'll tell you. Don't worry, I don't plan on that happening anytime soon.
After all, being out here with you and the others...
...well, let's just say I wanna stay a Servant for a good, long time.
There you are. I was wondering where you two went.
Oh, hey, Kaorucchi.
Great timing! Wanna join us for some moongazing and chitchat?
Hehe. The night's still young, and we're only just getting started!
It is?
Oh... So, the simulator doesn't automatically change time to match the clock?
That explains why we ran out of topics and had to start playing word games.
I THOUGHT this night was lasting an awfully long time.
Old maid can only go so far with just two players...
There's only so much two-player Go Fish you can playbefore you start to go a little crazy...
O-oh, for... I can't believe you two!
You should be doing this sort of thing in the library! Why do you think I had that kotatsu brought in!?
Man, you really are getting used to things here, aren't you?
... ...
Even as Nagiko listened, she thought to herself,
"Aw crap, I totally lost track of time. But hey, since it looks like Kaorucchi wants to join us..."
"...we might as well take this to the library and keep the party going."
"What do you say, Kaorucchi? Wanna invite the others to join us, too?"
Please stop using my Commentary Fest to talk to me!
(Mmm...)
(She can protest all she likes...)
(...but I can tell she's genuinely enjoying this repartee.)
Gaaaaaah! My eyes! How does she NEVER miss with the tangerine juice!?