Section 5: To Grab the Star of Dreams... (2/2)

There it is! A nice, big, nutritious meal for Lord Plesiosaurus!

Isn't this great, Boss Anning? Lord Assassin's map turned out to be perfect!

I still think there's something real fishy about all this...

Skreee!

...but if it'll make my baby big and strong, then I'll do it! Let's take it down!

With a bow and a smile, we'll go the extra mile!

Done and done!

What shall we do with our catch, Boss Anning?

Let's bring it back to the ship. We'll roast the whole thing. It'd probably be tough to digest raw.

...and being near the Holy Grail oughta help spice it up.

Understood. Then I'll gather the rest of "me" and carry it to the Takarabune right away!

Well, Plesio, you're in for a real treat tonight. Eat up, rest up, and grow big and strong for me, you hear?

Skreee!

And once you're all grown up...

Félicitations! The railroad company is now fully compensated!

Now let's all have a celebratory glass of maple syrup!

Right? There's nothing better than maple syrup straight from the tap!

If you'd rather not drink it, would you like to use it to make some taffy, instead?

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You really do love it, don't you, Bunyan?

I wonder why that is. The flavor is just so...nostalgic. Like I've known it since long before I was even born...

...Maybe it's the taste of something I'm secretly longing for.

Anyway!

I know we've made a lot of side stops, but now, it's time to get down to business.

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Where's the Takarabune located now, Assassin?

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She just pulled a map right out. I guess she had it ready? According to this map of the area, it looks like...

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...the Great Lakes?

You'll join my companions, right!?

Hmm. Not my best work...

You'll join my companions, righ Fujimaru!? How long have you been watching!?

Oh, right. Makes sense. We were just having dinner together not too long ago.

Well, I don't have anything else to do at night, anyway... And it's a good time to write in my notebook, so...

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Anyway, when I'm out camping is really the only time I can get any private time...when I can take a break from being everyone's leader.

So this is more hobby than practice. I just really like getting cuter. I'm sure you noticed that, though.

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Of course. Anything. There are few things more important than communication, after all.

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Uh-huh. That's my whole purpose.

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I can't. I'm not cut out for lead roles. It just doesn't suit me.

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Hmm, how can I put this... Of course I want to be cute. Oh, not that I'm not now! I get tons of likes and everything.

But, acting in a movie, being a star... That's a whole different thing.

...You know, I made a brief cameo in one movie.

And the response was huge! Like, just enormous!

Granted, a lot of it was pretty negative, and it ended up becoming something of a meme...

BOOOHHHHHH♪

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Of course, it was all done for laughs! And in that sense, it was a huge success! Really, it was!

But, I guess, um...I just didn't feel like that sort of thing was fun.

Of course, being a comedian is an amazing profession, and I know how wonderful it is to make people laugh.

But I want to shine bright...to be loved by everyone. That's much more fun!

So I decided not to appear in any more movies myself. I mean, what's the point when I know I won't enjoy it?

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W-well...

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A role I'd want to play...

...

...You know, if I'm being honest here...there is one role I've always wanted to play.

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Uh-huh. I just know this last movie's going to be my magnum opus. I still can't tell you what it's about yet...

...but I hope you'll perform in it, too.

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The very first time we met, I sensed that you were the last piece of the puzzlethe actor I'd been searching for.

So please, Fujimaru. You're the only one who can make my dream come true.

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Remercier Dieu!

Ahh, what a relief. Now my dream can finally come true. You'll be way better at this than I could ever be, Fujimaru.

All right, enough about that for now.

We still need to take back the Takarabune before we make this last movie. Ooh, this is so exciting!

I can see our target farther up the Mississippi River now. The Takarabune appears to be anchored near Lake Michigan.

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Right, Senpai. Our confrontation with Anning is just over the horizon!

Make sure you all get plenty of rest tonight!

I think I'll go do just that then. Good night, Senpai.

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Very well then, if you'll excuse me, Big Boss, I'll be on my way as well.

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Thank you for your kindness...

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I'm sorry for coming back so late, Boss Anning.

Hmm? What's with the getup?

What do you think you're doing, "me"!? How could you forget to change your outfit!?

Ah...

It's fine. You're gonna go back to Bunyi in the morning anyway, right?

Well, yes, but I also wanted to help take care of Lord Plesiosaurus, so...

You don't gotta worry about him anymore. I'm just letting him swim around in this great feeding ground we found.

We were just collecting snacks for him. Looks like he's especially fond of those big Meganeura dragonfly things.

...So if you came here to check up on him, you're outta luck, Fujimaru.

Big Boss!?

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You mean...you're not mad?

What unbelievable generosity... You're the pinnacle of understanding we should all strive for.

But then, why follow me at all? You could have just let me go without saying anything.

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Huh? Me?

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Stop? We never started. I just stuck around 'cause it was part of my job.

Like I told you before, it was the only way for me to survive.

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I only materialized in this Singularity world 'cause Bunyi summoned me, just like with the rodents there.

But I got sick and tired of being one of her employés and when I couldn't take it anymore, I bailed.

...And if I'm gonna keep going on in this world, I'm gonna have to settle things with her once and for all.

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...Why would you ask that? You really care about me that much...?

Ha! Nice try, but you can't fool me. I already decided not to ever count on anyone else again.

You're not just one of Bunyi's employés. You're here to get rid of this world so you can restore humanity...

...which means you and I can never be allies. Ever.

The only way to settle this is the old-fashioned way! ...You know that too, don't you?

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There, you see! I knew you were my enemy! I knew it all along!

So cut the whole nice guy act!

In fact, since you're here...I might as well just kill you and have done with it!

Please, don't!

Hmph... Oh, fine. Never mind. But don't mistake this for mercy, you hear?

I just want you to see how strong my baby is; I want to see you quake in your boots before he ends you.

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Shut up! Just go already!

Get out of here!!!

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