Pillow for a New Year's Day Dream

Become a dead soul/I'll head to the summer field/For my own delight.

Ah...I wanna be better...

...I wanna get better...

I wanna paint...something that's right... The real deal...

...What's that now? Am I hearin' things?

...Somethin' is calling me...

A voice from deep below...is calling...

What in tarnation...keeps barkin' out my name...?

Quiet, you... There's no need to be shoutin' like that. Even a dead child would wake with that kind of ruckus.

...Wait...

Stop right there. You mustn't go further into the Abyss...

Who the heck are ya?

I was just gettin' cozy, sinkin' down into the depths like this...

Oh hey, you're the voice I've been hearin'.

That is no good...So you're hearing it already...

You mustn't heed that voice.

That is...the voice of the devil who lives in the Abyss.

Oh? Well, that's a hoot.

I've always wanted to meet a real devil.

No...go...back...

Heh. The hell I care.

...Ph'nglui...ph'nglui...ph'nglui...

Natto beans! Natto beans! Beans with miso!

Littleneck clams! Freshwater clams! Littlenecks, freshwater...both are clams!

Mo...mo...mo...mochi! Get your mochi!

Get your fans here! Folding fans are a must to celebrate the New Year!

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Amazake! Get your sweet and tasty amazake! Great for ringin' in the New Year!

Right here! I'll take a cup!

Hey there, thanks for your purchase! And a Happy New Year, missy!

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Oh. You're awake? Master...Master!?

If you sleep in the middle of the street, you'll like, literally get hit by a cart and die, you know?

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Sup, Master☆ Like, Happy New Year.

Here you go. A hot cup of amazake. It tastes pretty good, and you know, it'll totes warm you up.

HNY! We're gonna slay this year!

Now that the New Year's greeting's done, it's time for the year's first selfie☆

Don't you get it? We're on, like, a big crowded street.

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We're at the foot of the Ryougoku Bridge in Tokyo...no, Edo.

The shore over there is Musashi Province, where Edo Castle stands. This side is Shimousa.

That's why it's called "Ryougoku" Bridge, meaning "Two Provinces." It connects the two. Even I know that.

Apparently it's, like, January 1 today... So I thought it'd be all calm and peaceful, y'know?

But OMG! It was among the busiest places in the world at the time...a literal million people living there! Known as the city of eight-hundred-and-eight towns!

There are playhouses, sit-down teahouses, food carts and peddlers, and even freak shows! So Master and I don't stick out. Sick, huh?

But aren't we totally in the Edo period? I can't even. Master, did you like, just time travel?

Did you think you were dreaming?

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Hmmm? A first dream? Maybe? I guess that's possible...

But no matter how you look at it, you can't change what's happening IRL. Think about what you're gonna do, not what has already happened.

So, tell me...how much do you remember before you lost consciousness, Master?

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...Uh-huh.

So there was a NYE party at Chaldea? Oh yeah, there was. LIT.

And you ate New Year's udon with Musashi? And you got New Year's mochi and pickles from Hijikata?

And you ate sweet red bean soup with Chacha? And you gave a New Year's gift to Baraki and ate sweets?

Oh, come on! You ate your way through New Year's! Rather than doing traditional stuff like visiting a shrine, you're just in it for the fun?

...Hm? You, Okki, and Archerferno played board games together?

What!? Well, thanks for the invite! No fair! Bah...and what else?

Nobbu crashed your game and forced you to drink some super sketch drink from a foreign country...?

That's it! Bingo!

I drank that too! Maybe that's why I'm here with you!?

A golden, honey flavored drink!!! I say that's the cause of this whole mess!

My senses are totally telling me that! It may have been honey flavored, but it was TOO sparkly!

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OMG... I also let my guard down from all the hype...

So let's rewind. Our current galaxy brain for this place is...

A Reality Marble, virtual reality on a Spiritron level, a parallel world that went off the rails from the timeline...or, to go totally cray cray...a collab dream?

I'm getting that you really want this to be your first dream of the year or something. Guess I can let you have that much. Not like I've got another explanation.

Are you talking about Musashi?

I heard the deets, and I think it was more like you were in a different world that made you THINK it was a dream. But whatevs.

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Anyway, let's assume that we're in some kind of dream.

Servants don't usually dream, so I'm, like, ninety percent sure that this is totes all you...

Hmmm, in which case, that's lit AF! I mean, it's so realistic and stuff! You keeping your genius on the DL?

Even though I only know the basics of the Edo period, I knew right off that we were totally in Edo!

Actually, it feels more realistic than the real thing. Like some god is lurking in the shadows or something!

And if this is all a dream, there's nothing to worry about, and by the time that shady drink wears off, we'll be back in Chaldea, right?

So if that's the case, I wouldn't mind hooking up for a mini-New Year's date with you, Master. Teehee.

Right!? Nothing beats going out!

We'll be fine! After all, you got me here with you, right?

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...Whoa! Watch out, Master! No getting stomped on my watch!

Okay, outta my way!

Only crazy people would be stupid enough to be standing in the middle of this traffic!

What!? YOU'RE the one who's insane for bolting over the bridge so fast! SUPER dangerous, guy.

And where's the fire? Shouldn't you be taking it easy 'cuz it's New Year's!?

I'm in a hurry BECAUSE it's New Year's. It's almost time for the kakizome, the first calligraphy writing of the year, at the Ekou-in!

THE Katsushika Hokusai is gonna be doing the honors...and I get to watch it with my own eyes!

Katsushika...Hokusai!? I swear I've heard that name before...

Do you know the name, Master?

For real!? Then we should go check it out too!

Ooh, a celebrity! Did you secretly wanna go to art school or something? Not many people wanna dream about someone like that, you know?

So I think the whatsit temple that guy mentioned is near by. Wanna go check it out?

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...

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Wow, what's going on?

Okay, that brush is STUPIDLY big! And that paper she's writing on could cover the whole temple!

That young girl is the painter? Is SHE Hokusai!?

Uh, considering the people you got on speed dial, that means literally nothing, you know...

Still, the townspeople seem a little confused too. Maybe it isn't actually Hokusai after all?

Hey Master! I thought we came to see a painting!?

If your mood right now is a high school girl who looks killer in a kimono, then, uh, I'm right here.

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Wow. I hear the calligraphy paper's the size of one hundred and twenty tatami mats.

The disciples are all hovering around her, ready to blow water over the paper and wipe away ink...

Still, that's not Master Hokusai, right? Who the heck is she?

What, you don't know? That's Hokusai's daughter.

I hear she's quite the artist herself. Can't remember her pseudonym, though...

Heh. Don't act like a know-it-all. You don't know any more than I do.

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Ooooh-kay! Done and done!

Hang the paper up! Higher! Higher! Up like a kite!

Hm? Oh, we can finally get the whole pic and see what's she painting this whole time!

Ah... It's Hotei-son! A manifestation of the Maitreya Buddha!

Huh. Not bad.

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Everyone, take a nice, long gander! A picture of Hotei-son, the great monk Qì Cǐ from Karakuni.

I had the honor of offering my drawing to the gods using the first water, the first ink, and first brush of the year on this auspicious New Year's Day!

As you should all know, I've drawn one of the Seven Lucky Gods! Just one peek at it will grant you good luck in the coming year!

With this incredible start-of-the-year painting that requires one to step back ten paces just to see...

...I hereby offer a small New Year's greeting from the Katsushika Hokusai school of art.

Everyone who's come to see this spectacle...take a look at these goods, too!

Fresh off from the printing press! Master Hokusai's latest ukiyo-e!

And for the kiddos, a painted board game where they can take a tour around Enoshima!

We even have Treasure Ship ukiyo-e that you put under your pillow! A necessity for your New Year's dream!

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Whew...all done for now...

...Oh? Oh? Oh, oh, oh?

She's totally staring. And she's coming closer.

You...

You! You're quite the beauty!

Are you an actor? Or are you one of those traveling courtesans?

You don't see a beauty like this every day...even among Yoshiwara's hostesses! A great omen! A sight for sore eyes...right at the beginning of the New Year!

...!? Huh!?

Th-that...isn't...completely fake news...

...Hm? A hostess? Traveling courtesan? Aren't those...

Ahh...if I wasn't so swamped, I'd totally ask you to model for me.

By the way...

That sodden-looking boy next to you is in a weird-looking getup. Is that some sort of European outfit?

Or is he just pretending to be an old sage or something? Year's just started! Kinda early for that sort of weirdness, isn't it?

Oh, pardon me. Don't take my words too personally. Just a bit of festive teasing.

There's always a buncha weird guys walkin' around here, it being the freak show neighborhood and all.

Ahaha! Nope, nope. I'm just a measly assistant.

Katsushika Hokusai is my Toto-sama. Ya know, my father.

What's wrong? What you starin' at?

You lookin' for Hokusai? Sorry, but he's not here.

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If you're not the legit Hokusai, why were you the one painting with the big brush?

...Hmmm...well...it's a long story.

Oh?

My name is Suzuka. This is Fujimaru.

We're on like...a cross country pilgrimage kinda thing right now.

I...uh...

I'm...Ei. I'm but a humble painter.

Master Oei! Come here, quick!

...The other disciples and townsfolk here call me "Oei."

What's going on? Something the matter?

Katsushika Hokusai! Is Katsushika Hokusai the painter around!?

...!

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Oh, crap. It's the town's police from the magistrate's office from the south! It's Hatchoubori!

What is this? Are we seriously seeing a police raid on New Year's?

We received intel that there is a miscreant who's been falsely claiming to be the famous painter, Hokusai, here at the Ekou-in!

Katsushika Hokusai! Is Katsushika Hokusai around!? If the real Katsushika Hokusai is not here...

...then we're taking the imposter into custody immediately!

You're under arrest!

Under...arrest...

...Ungh...

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This is, like, hella chaotic.

But Oei and the others didn't do anything bad.

Hokusai himself coming out and explaining himself would be the real move, but...

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Please wait! I am Nishimuraya, an ukiyo-e publisher.

I was the one who organized this giant calligraphy event.

Just as you mentioned, that Hotei-son painting was not produced by the great Hokusai himself.

It was done by a group of Hokusai's disciples.

But the ukiyo-e that I sell really are the works of the great Hokusai.

Such arrangements were already explained to Ekou-in personnel, and should have been passed on to you!

Should there be any problems, I will personally take responsibility...!

Hm? That's not even close to what our report said. Hey, what's going on?

(Whisper) Look, we've already been paid for our services...

Let's just arrest them all and make them fess up at the magistrate's office later.

Under...arrest...

Hmmm...if we can't get the stories straight here, there's nothing we can do about it, is there?

It seems like we'll have to head over to "Hoeidou"...

Huh? What did you just say? Did you say "Hoeidou"?

Isn't that the name of the publisher of the Utagawa school?

Quit your complaining! You're under arrest!

Aiya! Wait, Nishimuraya!

There's no way I'm letting you get arrested, since you've done so much for me.

Besides, there's no need to bend over backwards so much, just because it's the police!

Hey, hey! When did Edo's town police get so violent!?

I came here to entertain all the folks who came for the New Year's festivities! Didn't charge anyone a single coin, you know!

What a spirited young lady. Hokusai sure has quite the disciple.

O-Oei...please calm down.

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Aw, crap... What should we do, Master? This is getting kinda outta hand...

I mean, that Oei girl... She said I was pretty and everything...

I can't just, like, left swipe this whole situation.

YEET!!!

Got it! Peaceful, right!?

Those police who came to make arrests don't seem to be all bad either, TBH...

You sure you're good with that? This dream dictates your luck for the rest of the year, you know?

Though really, I like it when things get flashy!

All right then, Master. Count on me!

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Um, misters and misses of the police...

You weren't going to accuse us of some crime we didn't commit to collect hush money, were you!?

Sorry, but I'm not gonna pay for something like that!

What's wrong with having a painter paint what they want!? I've got nothing to be ashamed of!

If you still insist on arresting people, you'll have to start with me!

...But know I got this giant brush, and like any ukiyo-e painter worth their salt, I'm not afraid to use it!

...Hm. I have no issue being a fool and a lazy bum...

But if you say it out loud like that in public, you're making our jobs difficult.

Ah, and the way you're mocking us! I can't just let that slide!

You're going to die...and all for our secret money stash! Don't underestimate the accounting department of the magistrate's office!

You're under arrest♪

Oei! We're going to lend you a hand! Master and I are TOTES ready after all that hype!

Oh? That sword of yours isn't a theater prop? It's real!?

What a surprise. A female samurai... You're straight out of a novel! I like you even more now!

Whew...what a surprise...but I don't know what happened here...

I charged in without thinking, but what the heck happened? My body feels really light.

I can run as fast as a bolt of lightning and swing my brush like a tornado.

Okay, that was impressive.

You wield a brush so wonderfully. It is a shame that you remain but a painter.

Hm... Whether you are the real Hokusai or not, you certainly have the skills of a true artist.

We were at fault here, I admit it. We framed you for a crime you didn't commit, and I apologize for that.

O-okay... It's fine, as long as you understand.

I got a little carried away, too. A-are you hurt?

Heh. When did you get so soft, Hatchoubori?

Whatever their reasons, they interfered with the duties of agents of the shogunate! They are definitely not getting off the hook here!

That's not true. Take a good look...we are within the grounds of the Ekou-in.

And that means that this was all merely a round of sumo held in offering to the gods, though I'll grant you it was a lively round.

Sumo...? You really are a softie. Well, if you want to call this a minor offense, so be it.

We shall take our leave. My apologies, Nishimuraya.

Please think nothing of it!

Oh? A dream? This whole city?

Ahaha! That's so ridiculous, Fujimaru!

Literally!

Well, you know...you SAY it's a dream, but battle totes hurts. And...if I do this...it tickles, doesn't it?

Well, if you think about it, this is probably more than your everyday dream, Master. It's probably, like, some kinda vision or something.

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Haha! No, sorry for laughing. To tell you the truth...

I've always loved wild stories like that, even if people look at me like I'm crazy when I say so.

So thinking that this world is actually someone's dream...why not?

Take "The Butterfly Dream" or "The World Inside a Pillow," for example. Both stories from Karakuni.

I'm not sure if you're the one in our dream, or if we're the ones in your dream...

...But that's probably not really important right now.

Are we dancing...or are we being made to dance...? OMG, Oei, you're sooo funny!

Hehe! Sorry to drag you into all this trouble.

I would also like to thank you.

Nishimuraya, I won't let you get forced out of business like Tsutajuu.

But...where in the world has my Toto-sama gone wanderin' off to?

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Come on, why don't you tell Master?

...Yeah... Maybe I can confide in you.

So actually...and please keep this confidential...

...Missing? Since yesterday? So you have no clue where this Katsushika Hokusai guy is?

...Yeah, I've got nothin'.

I've been searchin' for him with help from the other disciples, but he's not at the bars in back of Asakusa Shrine or in Yoshiwara, and we didn't find him on the pleasure boats either.

Toto-sama is real flighty, but he's never just up and left without telling anyone.

If he tripped and fell into the Sumida River, it'll be a few more days before he floats up.

Oh great, now I've got an image of a drowned body stuck in my head! Don't say that kinda stuff! Bad luck and such!

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This? Well...this is...

It's...an octopus, duh.

It ain't unusual for things to be floatin' during New Year's. I guess it'd usually be a kite though, yeah...

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It's getting all hyped up too. Totally ugly-cute. Let me squeeze it!

Oh, wait! Don't touch it!

Eek!

It spit ink!?

Totally my bad. S-sorry! Let me wipe it off!

Ungh...don't worry about it... My face is dirty from ink already anyway. Haha...

This octopus is a little crabby (wipe wipe), and I've just been ignoring it because there's nothing I could do to control it (wipe wipe wipe).

Phew. So...about Toto-sama...

I know I managed to make it through the Hotei-son gig at the Ekou-in...

...but actually, the original plan was to follow up by doing a miniature painting of sparrows on a grain of rice.

Sadly, the best I can manage is maybe one bird to a grain. Toto-sama would have been able to get two or three birds on a single grain.

One grain of rice...? That's a pretty crazy standard you're setting.

And there's also one more incredibly important job left.

We definitely need Toto-sama for this one.

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It appears that the cops we sent to Ekou-in have failed.

Perhaps you should have been a bit more generous with your payoff?

I don't care if a clown who thinks she's a painter wants to make a fool of herself.

But since Hokusai himself didn't show his face even after all that, his disciples must not know where he is, either.

Where the hell did he go?

Either way, if Hokusai's not around...he won't be able to appear before the court tomorrow.

The painting performance before the court... Before the shogun, Lord Tokugawa Ienari.

Do you really think so, Grand Mentor? They may still send a substitute.

After all, he's a man who had a chicken draw a painting in his place.

The nerve of him. What does he think art is? Exactly the sort of nonsense I'd expect from that clown.

A substitute, you say... There's no harm in being cautious. Do you know who was used?

Out of the hundred disciples in Hokusai's school...

The one most likely to be chosen as a substitute is his daughter, Katsushika Oui.

If we're to tarnish his reputation for good, we need to be absolutely sure.

Indeed. Let's communicate with "Hoeidou" and plan our next steps.

We're going to run that imposter clown out of Edo, once and for all. You. You're going to be a part of it, too.

Understood, Hiroshige?

Yes, Grand Mentor. I, Utagawa Hiroshige, will see this through.

...By the way. Are you sure this was the right casting choice?

Haha. Probably. There still aren't many artist Servants, so there is nothing for it, really.

I think it's fine. Dream or no dream, I'm having fun.

A human's life dazzles the brightest when one dreams.