Hotaru's dates

Huh, isn't that the Leader?

Eh? You want to be with me today...? Well, okay then. Give me a second.

Okay, let's go on an operation together.

Date? Is that why you wanted to come out with me?

What? I am at an age where I can be pursued. If Dad knows, would he be happy or would he go crazy?

Your have good taste, Leader.

That said, alchemists like me believe everything must be done in order. Don't get annoyed!

You look like someone who has no opinion...

So you're giving yourself to me out of trust? Okay!

I'll definitely make it worth your while.

Oh yeah, I haven't said where we're going to go today. It's actually because I haven't been home for a long time, so...

...Hey, don't look at me like that. I didn't arrange all this because of you! Don't get me wrong!

My home... is in a small mountain village where transportation is not convenient. My father opened a kendo dojo there. I've been studying sword and alchemy from him since I was a child.

Ah, I haven't been back for almost two years. I wonder how my family is doing.

Let's take a break first. Be sure to stay vigilant when you arrive in the village later, Leader.

Ha, every alchemist's residence is a mystery.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

It seems that you've already sensed something.

That's my Leader. You're pretty sharp. Or...

In a sense, you understand my style.

Time passes so fast when I'm with you. We're already here.

Be careful! Don't touch the runes!

Are you all right? Leader!

This is what happens when you don't listen to your elders... Tsk tsk. Do you remember what I just told you?

You'll get into serious trouble if you're don't follow the rules at an alchemist's home!

This is actually a simple rune mechanism I designed.

... I don't know if I should say you are carefree or praise your bravery.

But you do have great eyesight!

This is just a small rune mechanism I designed!

A trigger rune hangs on the stone. Once touched, it'll activate a sub-rune hidden on a distant tree branch.

The activation of the sub-rune will launch the arrows placed on the runes...

Good thing I was prepared. Listen to me well and follow me closely, got that?

You look a little tired. But trust me, it'll be fun after you get used to my tricks!

I designed these in order to protect the village. Later, when I was going to remove them, the villagers stopped me. They said the mechanism gave them a sense of security!

But I guess you won't have too many chances to come...

Eh, but that's not important. Come on. Next, these red and green tiles. Be sure to follow my footsteps!

Heh, you sounded desperate for help, Leader!

I have a soft spot for that, though. It makes me look like I am very powerful.

No problem. You have to watch carefully where you go!

Hmm?! Shift your weight on your heels! Quick!!!

Phew... That was close. Let me see...

I suppose that was because your feet are much larger than mine. Besides, you weren't familiar with the grid. That's why you stepped outside of it, hahahaha!

Try to step on the grid with your toes, Leader. Hold on, we are almost there.

Whew, finally done. The five color grids here represent the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth. You must walk in the same way as the five elements, otherwise you will trigger another contraption.

Except for a little carelessness at the entrance of the village, you've performed very well along the way!

It's getting late. How about I thank you by letting you stay over?

My mom lives in a house behind the dojo. I wanted to go by myself, but she should be happy if I bring friends.

But mom's place only has room for me. There is no way for you to stay there.

...I think, Leader, you need to get our mind out of the gutter.

My mom lives in a house behind the dojo. I'm staying with her tonight!

You'll be sleeping in the dojo!

Ever since I left, the dojo has been abandoned. Mom rarely comes here, so it probably hasn't been cleaned recently.

Also, I used to train here, so there might be traps still...

I wonder if you'll accidentally touch any residual arrays and trigger something by accident!

Hahaha! The look on your face was gold, Leader! I was kidding!

I told mom that you were coming, so it's been cleaned! Have a good meal in the evening, and then sleep well!

I'm very happy today. Thank you for coming with me.

Even if you hadn't asked me out, I'd have come to you, Leader!

You can say that, but I believe in fate!

Leader, you always talk like that.

But I prefer someone more straight-forward.

Here's the thing. I don't know whether it's the work of Phoenix, or my close relationship with you. My identity as an alchemist is known by many people.

...Hey, don't look at me like that. I didn't arrange all this because of you! Don't get me wrong!

Everyone is so interested in Heaven and Earth alchemy, which makes me so happy...

But most of them looked for me to... tell their fortune.

That's right. And I do know a bit about it.

With the help of the Book of Changes, Bagua, and my understanding of people, I can easily tell their general fortunes.

But that doesn't tell them what they REALLY want to know.

Leader, you are really honest. But this is good, perhaps this is how people who don't understand alchemy feel.

I don't dislike this kind of ignorance. In this world, no one is obligated to understand another person or another professional field.

I believe that curiosity comes from good intentions. If I can help them, why should I turn them down?

So all I want to do now is to refine the technique of fortune telling, especially...

Relationships!

Leader, come practice with me!

Set aside your thoughts. In your mind, repeat the question you want to ask the most... 3, 2, 1, shake the cup and give the stick to me.

So, what's your question?

"The first ray of sunshine after the snow. The birds are coming with spring." It's a good sign!

A new relationship should be coming soon; or, perhaps, love is in the air, but you haven't noticed it at all.

I'm curious about who is the apple of your eye, but it's harder to tell that than telling your fortune...

"Hold wine to persuade the setting sun, and appreciate fleetingness of the golden light among the flowers." It's an ambivalent sign.

That is to say, when you are still yearning for love and fantasies of the future, that person's already set their heart on somebody!

If you don't pay attention to the people around you, you might miss her!

I think the interpretation was pretty good. What do you think?

Well, that was too easy. Why not ask a harder question?

For example... How will the relationship between you and a woman develop in the future?

Quick, Leader! 3, 2, 1, shake the cup, and hand me the sign. Which woman do you want to ask?

Huh? You don't know who you want to ask? I guess you love everyone, then.

But this doesn't meet the requirements of love... Or are you shy and hiding your feelings?

Basically, it doesn't matter if you won't say. I'll just go ahead.

Hmm, "Only wishing that the moonlight shines on the golden bottle when wine is paired with song." An ambivalent sign.

In short, no matter whether you are together or apart, the relationship between you will always be, um... Whether you are together or apart...

It's neither good nor bad. It sounds like I didn't say anything... Well, after all, this is my first time doing this without knowing who you have in mind. Don't worry it.

What? ...If the stick holder is involved, it might be inaccurate... Ignore that, let's take a look.

"My heart is like your heart, lovesick without leaving." A good luck sign?

Live together for a long time?! Me and Leader? That's impossible!

Don't laugh! Who can tell what will happen in the future!

Eh... It seems like when I try more difficult fortunes, my interpretations might not be accurate.

I have to practice more often.

So don't take the one you just asked for seriously!

Not possible, not possible. There are always mistakes the first time!

... Okay, okay, I admit that it's my fault I'm not good at the art, Leader. Don't look at me like that!

Just don't take it seriously!

Hmm... True, though.

But fortunes are told so they can be changed.

Don't tell me that Leader is a man who accepts his fate.

I'm going to practice more.

Thank you for everything today!

Please keep our time together today secret!

Because I have a very private issue I need your help with...

Even though I don't know what you're thinking about, I'm sure we're not thinking about the same thing.

Besides, "close"... Wait, what expression is that?

Hey, be serious!

I knew I could rely on you!

Then I'll tell you about it!

The last time I met you... Well, after the date, I went back to practice fortune telling. But just when I was starting to improve...

The tarot card divination, which was only popular with the Liberos, started to become popular with the Phoenix!

I can't take it!

We aren't in the same trade! Chinese Qimen divination is so profound. I don't want anything to do with those silly cards.

Even if Ms. Yuffie on the back of a card is so attractive that I run around in circles, I'll not admit this method of fortune-telling!

Of course!

I want to win back all the young ladies who were attracted by the bells and whistles of scams!

Let them know that I am the one worthy of their trust, hmph!

There is an old saying, "Learn from others to surpass them."

So I secretly bought a limited edition of Ms. Yuffie's deck. Today, let us debunk its shallowness together!

Don't talk nonsense! Calm down!

Fortune telling is about to begin...

The atmosphere and environment are very good... Well, it seems we're just missing a tablecloth.

I only have a piece of yellow cloth with sixty-four hexagrams for divination... Well, we'll have to manage.

Now everything is ready!

Before shuffling, think of a question in your mind.

I'll leave it to you. If you're ready, I will continue.

Ten of Coins, Hanged Man, the Empress... It's time to announce the result. Tell me what is your question!

The Ten of Coins means I'm satisfied with the present... No way! There have been a lot less young ladies who came to me for fortune telling. Do I like somebody who's satisfied with the present?!

The Hanged Man means that there will be difficulties that will require patience... Do I have to bear humiliation in order to be popular?!

The Empress points out that I have a promising future... This is okay. But isn't that obvious?

...Of course it's most accurate! Do you still have doubts about it?

The Ten of Coins means that I'm satisfied with the present... I'm only satisfied with the images of Ms. Yuffie on the back of the cards!

The Hanged Man means that there will be difficulties that will require patience... Well, it makes sense. I need to wait for the opportunity to prove myself and my divination as the best in the divination world!

The Empress pointed out that the future is full of anticipation... What is worth anticipating? Is it referring to being the most accurate? Obviously, I already am!

Meh, the things fortune-telling predict are either inaccurate or established facts that don't need predicting.

I knew it was all a trick!

W-Why are you serious all of a sudden... Ah! Not that I care about what you just said!

But hearing you say that, I was really a little excited...

... Nah! I didn't say "excited"! Absolutely not! You must have hallucinated it!

Me, subjective?! I'm completely objective. I didn't bring even the tiniest bit of my subjective emotions into it, okay?

I wouldn't do something so unprofessional!

Besides, why are you suddenly become obsessed with fortune-telling? You really are a serious and rigorous Leader, huh?

Anyway, it's more important to do my own thing. I know that.

I don't actually have to care about other people. Right, Leader?

Yes! Thank you for your affirmation!

There's still a lot of time. Shall we continue to play? We can treat it as entertainment!

As long as it is with you, I am very happy with whatever we do.