Ann's dates

One should always give a special gift on a first date, and this grocery store is always full of surprises.

Just take a look around, you're sure to find something special here...

Whoa! Where did you come from, Leader!? You almost gave me a heart attack!

But a mighty puppeteer's mind is a fortress! One shouldn't be scared so easily!

But since you dared to even try, are you ready for your comeuppance, Leader?

Wait... Why are you so surprised? We agreed to meet here...

You're a little early, Leader... Your gift isn't ready yet.

But since you're already here, maybe you can just choose a gift you like.

This is my favorite grocery store. There are a lot of ancient items on offer here. There's a story behind everything.

This is the first time we've gone out together alone, so I wanted to get you a special gift... Something to help us remember this special day.

But since you now know that I want to get you something, you should really also get something for me, too.

So, how about it? Let's get each other a gift, eh?

I already know what I'm going to get you.

Now it's your turn to find something for me.

This is your first time in this grocery store, so I suppose you're not familiar with the rules here.

This is a mysterious ancient grocery store, and as such, only the chosen few are welcome to enter. But those who are allowed in have to pick something they want and exchange it with something important to them.

It can be money, an item, an emotion, it can even be a part of your body. Erm... Leader, why do you look afraid all of a sudden?

Don't be scared! I was just playing with you. What else did you expect from a master puppeteer?

But if it were true, I'm still curious. If there were something you wanted, and needed to exchange that which is most important to you in order to get it, what would you be willing to give up?

Ah! I never would have guessed you were so materialistic. I thought you were an idealistic hero!

I can't say I'm not a little disappointed, but I suppose you need to have your finances in order if you're really serious about saving the world...

You know, if I had a lot of money, I'd make the whole city a stage for my puppets to perform on... The more I think about it, the more I realize money really does matter!

Hah! That's rather witty! Although air really is important, it's a bit too sneaky trying to trade air for a gift.

If this were a fairy tale, you'd be a brave hero fighting the evil demon lord, but one who uses his wits to outsmart his opponents.

It would be great to be so sharp and quick-witted in battle, then I'd have more time to put on puppet shows. Cissi and Nana are always complaining that I don't spend enough time with them.

Before you choose a gift for me, let me tell you what I got for you.

Ta-da! It's a music box!

They say that, a long time ago, there was a family of three living together in harmony.

One day, a terrible robber broke into their house, killed them all, and stole everything of value in their house. Before leaving, he accidentally knocked this music box off the table, smashing it to pieces.

The sound of the music box rang out across the land and reached the ears of the townspeople. Everyone began searching for the source of the sound, and they eventually discovered the tragic scene. However, the robber was nowhere to be found.

In order to catch the culprit, the residents of the small town entrusted their best craftsman to shape the bones of the family members' index fingers into parts. He then used these parts to repair the music box.

So, whoever owns this music box always feels like there's someone poking their back when they hear the song it plays, telling them to go and catch that evil robber!

Leader, do you feel like someone's poking you in the back?

Yes... But I made up that story just now. It's just an ordinary music box, albeit a very beautiful one.

That was just Cissi and Nana who poked you. They always like to make an appearance at the climax of my stories.

Perhaps that's because the box hasn't started playing its melody yet.

Leader, after you take this music box home, it'll comfort you on even the loneliest nights.

Now it's your turn to find something for me! I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose!

Whether it's a scented candle on a skull or a magical pocket watch, I'll cherish it!

I don't know how they dyed these roses red, but they're certainly pretty!

I've already made up a little story for them in my mind...

This is an ivory fan, so it's skeleton must be made of ivory... I wonder, does that mean it's actually made of bones?

Those poor elephants... It's so easy to get your hands on human bones, so why must they hunt elephants?

Maybe when I use it, I'll be able to follow the direction of the wind and stop those mean elephant poachers!

What a fun day! I thought it would be boring hanging out with you, Leader! Hah! Don't look at me like that! I'm joking, of course!

You know how to keep things interesting. Maybe we can do something a little more challenging next time...

I hope you're looking forward to it, Leader!

I want to put on a puppet show with Cissi and Nana, and I need ideas for a new story. Leader, can you take me to the movies? Maybe I can get some inspiration there.

...What did I just watch? I feel like I just spent two precious hours of my life staring at a heap of garbage.

Are kids these days really into stuff like that? An evil villain who happens to be a moron, a noble protagonist who's a complete dimwit... who also manages to effortlessly find happiness and love?

It was so, so terrible...

Was that your body double in there watching Cinderella with me!? Didn't you see it!?

Hmm... If you look at it that way, I guess you have a point.

But it still gave me an idea.

If I were Cinderella's stepmother, I wouldn't use such childish tactics. If I didn't want her to go to the dance, I'd lock her up in the basement! Put her in chains, you know?

Then Cinderella, desperate to go to the ball, gnaws off her own foot to escape. The fairy godmother, moved by her courage, makes her a new foot from roses and puts a pair of beautiful glass slippers on her.

So then we get a brave, fully-developed Cinderella and an essential injection of ultraviolence!

And it also serves as a kind of romantic foreshadowing of when the prince puts the slipper on her, with her foot made of roses, beautiful and pale, and exuding a charming fragrance!

It's the perfect story.

I knew a few changes here and there would make all the difference.

But there was something fascinating about that film... The struggle between the sisters, the inheritance of the father's property...

Even the fact that the prince could become obsessed with a shoe... These are all places my creativity could run wild!

It's like my brain is bursting with creativity!

Aren't you impressed with my story, Leader?

Once I adapt it into a puppet show, performed by Cissi and Nana, it'll be even more wonderful!

So, how would you like to be the first to watch it?

Mm-hmm, I've got an idea! Would you like to be in the show, Leader? After all, there are many other characters in the story!

I can ask Flora to make some new dolls for me and prepare some costumes!

New costumes would make Cissi and Nana so happy!

Don't be scared! I was just playing with you. What else did you expect from a master puppeteer?

But there are still too many characters in the story. Maybe we should find someone else to perform it with us...

If you had to choose a role, what would it be, Leader?

How predictable... Leader, you'd be better suited to the fairy godmother role!

Isn't that what you're good at, showing people what it means to reinvent oneself?

Ah... I wasn't trying to compliment you! You've got a big enough head as it is!

Yeah, you're my Leader, but now you want to be my father!?

But I must admit, the father role is quite suitable for you. He's always bending over backwards to keep his daughters happy.

In that case, Cissi and Nana will play the two elder sisters. They should be able to play these characters perfectly!

Hmph! This will be the best puppet show ever!

You see, this is the difference between a creative genius and an ordinary person.

Even you can't escape this fact, Leader.

With you joining the cast, it'll be the best show ever!

Well, now that we've come this far, let's get this show on the road!

First, I'll write a rough draft of the script, and then customize the dolls and costumes with Flora.

We also need to arrange some new music and backdrops... Hey, for the pumpkin carriage and ball scene, do you think we should use a real pumpkin?

Come on, Leader! You need to get into the spirit of things and start contributing to the preparations. At this stage... You can start by watching the movie again with me!

A truly wonderful story needs to be repeatedly analyzed from every angle to make every detail perfect!

Although the movie is... well, stupid, there are still a lot of inspirational elements we can draw from it.

I have absolute confidence in my puppetry skills, but one should always maintain a modest attitude when it comes to learning new things.

It's not a bad idea. Perhaps we can find ourselves a little more inspiration!

What are you waiting for, Leader? Let's go!

Cissi! Nana! Leader will be here soon! How am I going to break such a big secret to him?

No, we can't do that! Leader's our partner now, we should try to treat him with respect.

Well, I guess you have a point. Let's prepare a little prank before he gets here!

What!? You frightened me...

Hmph! I was the one who said we shouldn't mess with Leader, and now he's the one messing with me!

You won't get away with this...

Huh...!? He heard me!?

But can't you just pretend that you didn't hear me and let me play my prank...?

(Pointing behind you) Leader, look! Who's that over there!?

Poke!

......

...

Hmph!

You're no fun at all! No wonder Nana said you're boring...

I guess the only way to brighten up your boring life is for me to be more interesting!

Today, I've prepared a huge surprise for you! I haven't told anyone about it yet! You'll be the first to know!

And you're also the first person to go on an adventure with me. Happy?

Well, yeah, Cissi and Nana are here, but you're the first human I've shared this secret with.

Well, if there are any ghosts nearby, they might also know your secret...

Look, maybe you're not actually the first to know my secret, it doesn't matter! You're the first person I've actually wanted to tell it to!

You really don't know how to express yourself appropriately, do you? You should be over the moon that someone's being so nice to you!

Cissi and Nana are like a part of me! How can you count them as other people!?

It's rare that I find myself in such a good mood, but you've ruined it completely!

Forget it... It's not important.

Leader, do you know why I asked to meet you here?

Well, it's true that it's quite beautiful here, but it's because this is where my secret is!

Wow, you're smarter than you look! I can't believe you guessed it!

That's right, my secret is in this cherry tree!

This world is like an intricate treasure. No matter how small its details seem, they each hold different secrets.

Leader, do you know why cherry blossoms are red?

YOU... ARE... SO... BORING!

But revealing this secret to an ignorant dullard such as yourself is somewhat satisfying.

Hmn... Right. Why are some cherry blossoms red while others are not?

What makes them so different? Haven't you ever thought about it!?

Because... buried under this cherry blossom tree...

Hey, what's that look for? Quit rolling your eyes at me like I'm talking nonsense! Phoebe discovered this from Miyuki's secret notes locked in her safe!

After analyzing Saya and Sachiko's swordsmanship for a long time, I realized that they both have an obsession with cherry blossoms, and the reason they attach so much importance to cherry blossoms must be because there's a secret hidden in the cherry tree itself!

You've got to believe me! Let's dig around here and see what we find!

Damn... Nothing so far...

Ah, it's getting dark! Something special's bound to happen!

...Leader, let's go home.