Brisshell: A Visitor from Afar

Hmm... An unknown something, you say?

Are you sure it wasn't just a gigantic ♡ monster?

A monster? Yeah... What else could that have been but a monster?

No! It was not some monster!

It was... It was some... thing... some kind of thing that shouldn't exist in this world!!

Ugh, ugh... I'd rather have my memories erased!

Geez, that's scary! Don't say things like that.

I'll give you some medicine to calm you down for now.

I've put all of my love ♡ into it, so I'm sure it'll work like a charm.

Was I hallucinating...? That must be it... It has to be...

Hmm... Most times unknown phenomena can be explained with psychological or neurological origins...

Buuuuut, since there's been a lot of similar witness accounts, it may not just be your mind.

Noo... How am I supposed to live now...?

I'm investigating what this "something" is, so don't worry your cute little self about it.

Oh! A god! A new god has descended!

We must kneel and look to the god's infinite mercy!

Hm... Did you also see a giant monster?

A monster! Blasphemy! You shall be devoured!

O foolish one who knows not the great one, more radiant than the sun and darker than midnight...

Okay, okay. I get it. It's time to take your medicine now. ♡

Take this and have a nice, sweet nap, and you'll come back to your senses when you wake up.

Last time I saw them, I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I was unable to properly look at their full majesty.

Next time, I will see their beauty in its entirety! ...Even if that means taking more medication.

Hmm... The situation seems more serious than I'd imagined.

Hmm?

Two knocks...

Might not be enough, so three...

Might be too loud if there's a patient inside...

Oh, maybe I can cough to signal my presence?

Ahem?!

No, they'll think I'm a patient with a cold! Agghh!

Hm... Who is that? She looks positively ♡ adorable.

Should I watch some more?

Ex-excuse me is a good way to start...

Ugh...! But if sound too normal they'll ignore me...

Hello! I'm here to buy medicine!! Uh...

No... I'm gonna look like a weirdo...

*Cries*

Hehe, I wonder when she'll knock...

Alright. Enough practice!

Start with a cheerful, "good morning!" Two lively knocks!

*Deep breaths...* Hup!

Welcome. ♡

Aaaaahhhhh!!

Oh my. That's quite an intense "good morning."

Oh no, did I surprise you too much?

Wh-who are you?!

I'm the person you're looking for. Francis, medic and earnest believer in the power of love. Mm! That's me. ♡

Now! What's hurting? Whether it's your heart or your body, I'll treat you with love and care!

I-I'm not hurt... or sick... I'm here... because I want to buy some medicine...

Okay. What kind of medicine?

Here, I have a list. Give me everything, please.

Hm... Huh?

Why are you trying to buy so much medicine?

Uh... well... it's for me?

I thought you weren't sick?

I-I'm sick... later! I mean, I-I-I will be sick later. I-I was gonna buy in bulk an-and take it as needed...

Anyway, please give them to me... sell... them to me. Hnngh...

Hmm... Okay. Fine.

But before that, I'll have to give you a quick checkup. ♡ Is that okay?

I-I don't want a checkup... Just give me the medicine!

That would be illegal. I can't sell medicine without a proper prescription.

Ergh... okay...

Okay then, shall we relocate?

Why?

Because I want to talk to you alone?

The private examination room ♡ is this way.

First, your name?

It's... Brisshell.

Perfect, Brisshell. Let me ask you something first.

So, about this medicine...

Why do you need it?

The person you want this for is clearly...

Brisshell, you said this medicine was for yourself.

Err, why do you keep asking...? I already told you before...

Hmm... Is that the truth? I feel like you're hiding something...

Brisshell, this medicine isn't for you, right?

Uh... uh.... Of course it is...

Haha, I can just tell by looking at your cute ♡ face.

Ugh...

Alright, next question.

Shall we find out who you're trying to buy the medicine for?

It might even be for a complete stranger. ♡

H-how did you...?

Mhm, I can just tell.

I'm sorry about lying... but I really... need that medicine...

Then, can you be honest with me?

Certain kinds of medicine can be very dangerous depending on how they're used, so I can't just give it to you.

Uh... It's actually a favor for a friend.

He wanted me to buy him some medicine but said not to tell anybody it was for him...

And that's why... I couldn't say anything.

Hmm. Normally, people who ask for those types of favors... aren't your friends, but wicked people without your best interests at heart.

H-he's my one and only precious friend... Don't talk about him that way!

Hmm? Is he really such a precious friend?

He helped me when I was completely lost... H-He's a precious friend.

Without him... I'd be left all alone again.

I see...

Brisshell. How about you introduce me to that friend ♡ too?

Oh, okay! I'm sure that once you meet and talk to him, you'll realize he's not a bad person!

He's a good person... who wanted to be friends with someone like me... Hehe.

I see. Well, I'll find out once I meet him.

...And that's why you're going to such lengths to get this medicine!

Uh... The thing is... uh...

I don't have a family...

Oh, I'm sorry. I've made a mistake.

But he might be even more precious to me than family... Although, I can't be sure because I've never had family...

Hm... I'm not too sure about that...

My friend said he would be waiting at the pier in Port Vellum.

Okay, let's head there now.

Oh, wait! This jar!

What about it?

We agreed to leave a note here if something urgent came up.

He seems to have a lot of secrets. Is he a shy one? ♡

What does it say?

Hm... Some bad people were looking for him, so he's hiding.

This is starting to smell pretty fishy. And not just because we're near the pier!

He wants me to find him using the message below.

Open the mouth of the tyrant who yearned for the sun and left behind the freedom of the sea.

Is that some kind of code? I can't make heads or tails of it.

Oh, I think I get it! Follow me.

There'll be something inside this fish's mouth.

Amazing. ♡ How did you know?

Uh, my hobby is observing humans...

I heard the fishermen calling this fish a tyrant.

A tyrant who yearned for the sun and left behind the freedom of the sea...

It's talking about a fish caught in the sea, drying up under the sun...

Brisshell, you're more observant ♡ and sensitive ♡ than you look.

I-it's nothing... Uh, let's see the next note. *Ahem*

Follow the path laid by the seals of the promised ones. Follow that path beneath the wall of nets.

What do you think? Where is this one talking about?

I don't know... I'm sorry for becoming useless so quickly...

Hehe, that's okay. ♡ Brisshell would still be cute even if she was completely useless.

Huh? Wait.

This mark... It's something my friend uses a lot.

Ah, he's a very cautious and secretive friend, isn't he?

It's so suspicious that my heart is fluttering. ♡

Brisshell! You're finally here. Do you have the medicine?

Uh, I'm sorry, Mr. Barken... Uh... the-the-the thing is... um...

We finally meet, Brisshell's secret friend Mr. Barken.

You! You're that quack doctor...!

I told you not to tell anybody...! You betrayed a friend?!

Eek! I-I'm so sorry!

Stop lying. You were never planning on being her friend.

Brisshell, let me tell you exactly why this man tried to get medicine.

Tch, I really didn't want to do this...

Go! Get 'em, boys! Rip 'em apart!

Ha! There are plenty more dogs where those came from!

You won't get away!

Brisshell! Run!

Ugh... I let my friend down...

Someone like that is not your friend! Forget about him!

Hnngh...

He was my very first friend. I worked so hard to get one... but I've lost him now.

Mhm, you're way more innocent ♡ than I thought, Brisshell.

If that man really considered you his friend, he wouldn't have attacked us, right?

That's because I did something wrong...

Shh. Now, now. Forget all about that fake friend.

Hnngh...

Haha, it's starting to look like I'm going to have a lot of work to do.

Come back to Hananis with me, Brisshell.

I have some important business to attend to now, so wait here just a minute, okay? I'll be back.

Oh, Francis. Did you find out anything from the patient I sent earlier?

Before that, I have something to report.

Someone named Barken tried to buy my medicine illegally. Using a truly nasty method, no less.

After all the depraved behavior you've been up to, you're worried about illegal activity?

Oh? ♡ Next time you come in for a treatment, shall I charge a special interest on your fees? It'd be my pleasure.

Ha, haha... I was just jokin'.

Anyway, Barken... He's a really nasty one... He's here?

Yes. Search around Port Vellum.

Alright... That aside, how's the investigation going into those people who saw some kind of monster?

There's definitely something going on, but I don't have a clear picture of what it is yet.

What in the world would terrify those people so much?

Hmm... I've made a request for an investigation, so we should see some progress soon.

If you find out anything new, please let me know. ♡

Brisshell?

Listen... ah...

I really like people... and-and I wanna make friends...

But I always end up causing trouble... and Francis is probably sick of me... ahh...

I was wondering what you were up to. Are you feeling sad again?

Francis?! Th-this is... I-I was... I thought you had left me...

Hehe, I wouldn't do something like that!

Now! If something is bothering you, try talking to me, not a horse. ♡

So, why are you so desperate for a friend?

Because I'm alone... I was lonely and isolated...

Hmm... What about your family? Is there a story there?

I'm actually... from another world...

So... actually... I'm...

I'm... a really gross...! Creature...

Everybody is afraid of me, so, I, uhh... created this fake appearance.

And...

This guy over here... his name is Alfred...

He's a part of my body. Normal humans can't make stuff like this, right...?

Ahh!

Ah... I'm sorry. It's gross, isn't it...

Honestly? My actual appearance... is similar to this...

When people see the real me, they're so shocked they faint...

Hmm... The monster witnessed by the villagers was you.

S-s-sorry... I wasn't meaning to do that to them, really... I'm terribly...

Wonderful! The monster is actually...

A really cute little girl. They'll be so relieved!

Ehh... Francis... aren't you afraid of me?

Let me ask you something.

Is the Brisshell who is conversing with me right now a counterfeit?

When you said you wanted to make friends, was that on false pretenses?

No! I'm... me.

It doesn't matter if people get scared of you or call you a monster.

The only person who gets to decide who you are is you.

...You're the first person to ever say something like that to me, Francis.

This is what friends do!

Friends?! Could I really dare to be your friend?!

Of course. ♡

Now! Shall we go make some more friends? ♡

What?! I'm actually pretty tired because I talked so much today...

Once you set your mind to something, you've got to act!

Hnngh...

Do you know what the single problem you have is, Brisshell?

My existence itself...?

You need confidence! When we build yours up, you'll be able to make as many friends as you want.

Confidence... Is there way to get that?

The most important thing is changing yourself from within, but there are kinds of medicine that can help.

We can get some medicine that can relieve you from your anxiety when you talk to people.

Oh... Something like that would be really good.

But since you're a little bit special ♡, you'll need special medicine too.

How about we try some troll sedative first? Let's gather the ingredients together!

Where do we need to go...?

Just follow me!

First, let's look for some mushrooms to use as ingredients for the troll sedative.

You don't know which ones to look for, so come with me.

The sun mushrooms should be around here.

Is there anything I can do to help...?

Of course there is! Come on and chat with me while I'm working. ♡

Hnngh... Chatting is really hard...

Don't worry, we're friends! It won't be hard.

I-it's e-e-even harder because I think of you as a real f-f-friend...

The more I talk, the-the more mistakes I make, and...

Mhm, you're a really thoughtful ♡ and kind little girl.

Ahh! I've gathered enough sun mushrooms now. Shall we move on?

Francis, you probably have lots of friends, unlike me.

Hmm... Not necessarily.

I-I would have guessed...

Found the moon mushrooms too. Should we pick some here for a bit?

Francis! Uh...

Huh? What's wrong?

I have a favor to ask... Can Alfred be your friend too?

Of course! ♡ Since he's your friend, and I'm your friend, Alfred is my friend too!

That's what I think, am I wrong?

No! I think you're right!

However, I'm not sure if Alfred considers me a friend.

But I still want you to be Alfred's friend!

...Because I know how much it hurts when you have no friends.

Hmm, okay. How about this then?

You convince Alfred that he should be my friend first, and then he can be my friend.

Huh? Alfred isn't sentient, so I can't convince him of anything.

You can't start making sense all of a sudden!

If convincing him won't work, how does being friends work?

But... some people call their stuffed toys their friend, so... I thought something like that...

...N-nevermind! Don't worry about it! For-forget I said anything! Sorry!

Alright, I found the final ingredient. Star mushrooms.

I'm going to pick these, so sit here for a bit.

Why are there orcs here?

Sh-should we run?

It's too late to run now.

The orcs that I've hired have this place surrounded.

Mr. Barken...! D-don't do this!

Get lost! I have no business with a dimwit like you!

Francis... You will pay for butting into my work.

It'll be best for you to just follow quietly.

He seems to have come for me, so.... Run, Brisshell.

N-not... alone...

Hehe... alright. Then, wait just one moment.

Brisshell!

Stop...

Don't... hurt my friend...

Uh... Huh?!

Brisshell...?

It's scary, isn't it? I knew it... this form...

Scary? All I can see...

Is just how brave you are.

Francis!!

But I must say, this form is very cute. ♡

Should we head back together?

You don't need medicine to make friends now, right?

Ugh...

I should greet her with, "How have you been?" No, she's hurt. I can't ask that. How clueless can I be...?!

Knock, knock? ♡

Uwaaaaahhh!

That's an intense greeting, Brisshell! Good morning.

Uh, uh... Is your injury... okay?

Of course. ♡ I would die if I wasn't healthy. Hm? Wait, that's kind of obvious.

Hehe, what brings you today? Do you have another secret friend?

I came to see you because I was worried... I'm going to head back to the forest now.

It would be a shame to just leave, no? Want to hang out with me for a bit?

I-it's okay. I used up all my courage getting here, so...

You've already put in the effort, might as well keep going a little!

Hnngh...