Yumimi's Story

Mmm! The morning in the forest is so refreshing today!

The sunlight is warm, the breeze is gently blowing...

And the scent of flowers... sniff, sniff...

Wait, what?! My flower bed! Where did all my flowers go?!

Look at this flower, Beni! Its petals look just like Diana's ears!

Do you think it's edible?

Hmm, not sure. Shall we give it a taste?

Taste it?! Stay away from them right now!

What are you two even doing here?!

What else? We're looking at flowers!

Those are my precious flowers! Don't touch them.

Oh, come on, don't be so stingy. The forest is full of flowers everywhere!

Yumimi, are those flowers edible? I'm curious about the taste!

Do you really think I'd say yes? Really?!

Hey, Beni, it's your fault Yumimi is mad!

Let's get out of here before it gets noisy!

Aww, I really wanted to try tasting one...

Hey, you two, stop right there! Ugh, they're so fast when they run away.

And they pulled out all my flowers! Grr, I'm so angry!

I need to make sure those troublemakers never pull a stunt like this again!

No... Entry... Troublemaking Werebeasts...

Alright! I've put up a warning sign. Now those pests won't come back!

Munch munch... Yumimi, this is really tasty. Do you always cook like this?

W-what? You?!

This? I found it in the kitchen. Can I have one more? I think I'll figure out the recipe if I eat just one more!

That's not the point! Why are you even here?!

Don't you see this? "No Entry for Troublemaking Werebeast!"

You troublemaking Chow Rebels members aren't allowed in here!

It's true, we do cause a lot of trouble.

But Yumimi! You only know half of it!

The Chow Rebels exist solely to cause trouble!

Y-you... little brats!

Beni, grab all the food and let's bolt!

Yeeah!!!

Grr, those pests are seriously...

That's it. Now I'm really mad!!!

Hehe, those fools. Now that I've set up proper traps, they can't come around anymore.

I'm the kind of Werebeast who always follows through!

Hmm... but who is that over there...?

Huh...!

So this place is supposed to be packed with traps? This is all you've got?

Who are you?! Why are you messing with my traps?!

Get off my land!

I refuse! The Chow Rebels don't deal with weaklings!

This is the perfect place for a little warm-up.

Grr... grrr... I'm so, so, so mad!!!

Fine, you want to see this through to the end?

Bring it on! I'll rip every single hair off your tail!!!

You pests! This time, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!

Confident, aren't ya? I'll be your first opponent!

The challenge... let's see. Alright, games with dice will do.

Acting all generous while sneaking to choose something that gives you an advantage, huh?

Hehehe, that's the brilliance of Rufo's strategy!

I heard Rufo is good at board games. If I want to win, I'll have to...

Alright! I've decided!

We'll use dice! The winner will be the one who stacks the dice the highest!

And, we'll only use four-sided dice!

What?! Four-sided?! Triangular pyramids?!

How is anyone supposed to stack those?!

Didn't you say any game involving dice would do?

Changing the rules now? Hehe!

Ugh, I fell for it!

Tch, I can't lose face without at least trying.

Alright, I'll place one down first... line up the edges of the pyramid just right...

What a boring game... *SNORE*

Hey, Beni! Don't start snoring at a critical moment!

Agh! My dice fell!

Pfft, Rufo only scored 1 point. Acting all high and mighty, and she only stacked one die.

Let's see how good you are!

Hmph! This is easy!

First, turn the pointed edge downward... and press it into the ground with force!

Then, stack another die on top of the fixed one! Ta-da, 2 points! I win!

That's cheating!

Hah, you were the one who chose a game that works in your favor. Now you're calling me a cheater?

Step aside, "Excuse Maker Rebels."

Grr... Fine! Beni will be your next opponent!

Beni! You gotta avenge me!

Munch munch... *SNORE*

... Beni?

*MUMBLE* Don't... stop me... I'll eat more... yes, more... munch munch...

Can I just claim victory and move on?

Darn it, Beni! Stop eating... no. Stop sleeping!

Defeating both Rufo and Beni, huh? Not bad.

Your final opponent is me. I am Tig, the greatest swordsman of the Werebeast Village!

A match sounds fine, but let me ask something first.

You guys seem to have plenty of fun among yourselves. So why do you keep coming to my house?

Why? Playing outside is fun, but sometimes we just want to play inside, you know?

What? That's it? That's the only reason?

Yeah. Other Werebeasts won't let us into their homes.

I will not either!

Think about it. You might not dislike us visiting as much as you claim.

What kind of nonsense is that? I am telling you, I do not like it either!

Really? That's strange.

You're playing with us right now.

I am not playing because I want to!

*Sigh* Fine. You just need a house to hang out in, right?

Yup.

Then go to my house in the village. You can play there.

Nobody will bother you since it's empty.

Wait, really? You're giving us a house?

But you have to promise not to come near my cabin in the forest. Got it?

Hmm?! Are you sure about this?! Fine, deal!

Rufo, wake Beni up! Let's head to the village!

We just got a free hideout from that fool! Hahaha!

Woohoo, a hideout! Beni! Wake up before the owner changes their mind!

Huh...? Sleep somewhere else? Okay...

*Sigh* Finally, they're all gone.

Now I can enjoy some time to myself. That was so exhausting.

I really prefer a quiet life on my own.

Ah, the peaceful and serene heart of this forest...!

This is what living in the forest is all about.

Maybe I'll do some decorating today. I should replant the flowers too.

But before that, maybe a walk... Huh? What's that? Something just sparkled over there.

... Seems suspicious.

What is this? A machine?

Never seen anything like it. Sniff sniff, it smells weird.

There was something else sparkling over there too. Let's take another step and—

Arrrgh!!! Please don't shoot! Don't shoot!!!

I hate getting hurt!!!

Wait, it's just an Elf? Wearing armor? Do Elves wear armor now?

Hey Elf, what are you doing here? This isn't your side of the woods.

W-well, yeah, haha...

Y-yeah! I got lost! I was on an errand, you see!

I'm late, this is really bad. I'm going to get scolded!

Sweating bullets like that, huh? Pretty suspicious.

I-it's because of the armor! It's so hot!

Ugh, my armor is such a hassle. Let me just... cool it off! Hah!

No matter how I look at it, you're hiding something.

Hey, you! You've got something in that bag, don't you? Take it all out.

N-no! There's nothing weird in my bag!

Shut up!

Yikes!!!

What is all this? Magazines, a bento, a tent, and even a sleeping bag... You've practically moved in with all this stuff!

Why not bring a pillow too?

W-well, I can sleep just about anywhere, so I didn't really need a pillow, haha...

You really think I asked of curiosity?!

I'm sorry...!

You came here planning to settle down, didn't you?

Who are you? Are you a spy?

W-well, yes, I am a spy!

But I can't tell you why I'm here!

Trying to act stubborn now, huh?

If that's how it is, I guess I have no choice. I didn't want to be a bad Werebeast, but...

W-what are you planning to do...?

If you don't tell me the truth, then all your stuff...

I'll toss all your stuff to those Chow Rebel brats to use as toys.

N-no, please...!!!

I'll call them right now, so just wait. Enjoy watching your precious tent get shredded to pieces.

P-please, anything but that!

I saved up every tiny scrap of my wage to buy that...!

Oh, really? From tomorrow on, it won't be a tent. It'll be nothing but a rag!

Alright, alright! I'll talk! Just let me explain!

See? Should've done that from the start.

Now spill it. What were you trying to do, sneaking around the forest like this?

Well... the thing you shot with your arrow earlier was... uh, it's called a camera...

Have you ever heard of... a documentary?

Dock... a... what? Dock-a-Mary?

No! Doc-u-men-ta-ry! A documentary!

So what is this "documentary" thing anyway?

Explain it in a way I can understand.

*Sigh* How do I even begin to explain this to a Werebeast who knows nothing...?

Keep messing around, and you'll get a taste of some chow.

S-sorry! My bad, I'll explain properly...!

Well, a documentary is... a type of film...

What's a film?

Do I really need to start from there...?

Wanna piece of chow?

Ack...! F-fine! A film is... a kind of moving picture.

Elves really like films, so we often go to a place called a theater to watch them.

Moving pictures? I don't really get it.

Gathering to watch that kind of thing... Elves sure like weird stuff.

Think whatever you want...

Anyway... a documentary is a type of film that focuses on real-life events.

If you say something complicated one more time, I'll turn your armor into a grill for cooking meat.

I-it's about showing the daily lives of ordinary Elves, that's all!

A documentary is a film that shows the natural, daily flow of life! T-that's it for my explanation!

Hmm... I see. I think I kind of get it now.

T-thank goodness... Right, my dear armor...?

But I've got one question.

W-what is it?

Wasn't the camera hidden in the forest?

So... what exactly was it recording?

W-well, I'm just a passing spy, so I wouldn't really know...?

Time to heat up my grill.

I-I'm sorry! It was actually recording you, Yumimi!

Me? Recording me? Why?

W-well, it's because lately in Monatium, content like "Outsiders: Werebeast Living Off the Edge" has been trending...

Everyone's become really curious about life in nature.

But don't you guys like living in cities? Why the sudden interest in nature?

It's because we live in cities that we long for nature.

T-to be honest, we mostly just enjoy watching it from a distance.

You Elves are so weird.

Anyway, that movie you filmed of me, delete it.

W-what?! Why?!

The thought of Elves gathering in some dark place to watch me is just creepy.

W-well, when you put it like that, it does sound kind of creepy, but... it's a wholesome tradition!

Even Miss Elena went ahead and booked a theater, telling me to make sure to get this footage...

I don't care. I hate it. It's creepy.

Stop clinging to it and give up. I already smashed that camera, didn't I?

Without it, you can't make your movie anymore, right?

W-well... technically, yes, that's true...

The camera... It wasn't the only one, was it?

I-I'm not saying anything! Elves have the right to remain silent!

Doesn't matter. I've memorized the scent of those cameras.

Let's see... two in the trees, one hidden in the bushes, another by the water.

And... there's even one tucked inside your armor, isn't there?

Eek! H-h-how did you...?!

Running won't save you! No matter how far you run or how well you hide, I'll track you down!

I'll find you. And I'll smash every last one of those cameras to pieces!

Ahhhh!!! Please, just this once, spare me...!!!

Hey! Who's there?

Huh? Master? Is that you?

What are you doing out here alone in the middle of the night?

Never mind that, let's not stand around here. Let's go to my camp.

So... you took a nap. When you woke up, it was already dark, and you couldn't find your way home?

So, did you receive any visions?

...

If the Master says so, then I'll believe it.

I don't really know much about visions... or care about them, to be honest.

More importantly, if you've been asleep this whole time, you haven't eaten yet, have you?

I'll prepare something for you to eat.

And since it's already late, you should stay here for the night.

Don't worry about it. The camp might be a bit modest, but please make yourself comfortable.

Of course! Bringing furniture out here would be too much trouble.

It might not be perfectly crafted, but it works just fine. That's the vibe of handmade furniture!

Are you calling my furniture trash after looking at my tent setup?

Hmph, it might look a bit shabby, but it works perfectly fine, thank you!

Master, try looking at it differently.

Living in the forest wouldn't be as enjoyable if I had everything like in the village.

When something's missing, you make it yourself. When there's less, you learn to make do with less. That's the kind of vibe here.

Since you're staying here tonight, think of it as a special experience.

I've even prepared a special late-night snack just for you.

That's caterpillar steak. It grows on caterpillar trees.

The long one is dried, roasted caterpillar, and the round one is mashed caterpillar dough shaped into balls and deep-fried.

What is it?

All of a sudden?

Hey, Master! At least take one bite before you go! Master...!

Phew, it's been a while since I last visited the village.

This place is always so lively, isn't it?

Oh, Yumimi! You've finally come.

You're making sure to eat properly, right?

Of course, Chief! The forest is full of food!

Lately, the caterpillars have gotten really plump.

Want me to bring some for you?

Haha, no need. Eating things like that doesn't sit well with me anymore.

But the reason I called you back to the village is...

It's about taking care of some household matters.

Household matters? Is your back acting up again? Want me to help?

It's not about my house, Yumimi. It's about your house.

There's nothing wrong with my house. I mean, sure, there's a bit of a draft and some leaks when it rains.

You should really get that fixed before you catch a cold...

I'm not talking about that house. You have another house, don't you?

Another house? Why are we suddenly talking about houses...?

Oh... wait a minute. I think I get it. You mean the one here, in the village?

Haha, if it were a minor issue, we would've handled it ourselves.

But those Chow Rebel troublemakers are at it again...

Noise disturbances, blocking sunlight, illegal trash dumping...

They're causing every kind of problem imaginable.

I'm not sure how those kids ended up staying there, but since it's your house, I thought I should let you know.

Got it. I'll head over right now.

Hey! Trouble Rebels!

What kind of chaos have you been causing to the point where they had to call me all the way here?

Ack, w-what do you mean? This is our hideout now!

You can't just take it back! We won't accept it!

Hmm? Yumimi? What brings you here?

Shut up! The Village Chief had to summon me all the way here because of you lot!

These Chow Rebels... huh? Wait a second, where did all the doors go?

Oh, the doors? We got rid of all of them. Beni kept doing handstands and it got confusing.

We broke them apart and roasted sweet potatoes over the fire. They were delicious...

What...? Then what's with the hole in the ceiling? Why is the roof missing?

We made that so we can see the stars at night. I heard rich people have stuff like that.

But when it rains, all the water will pour inside!

Haha, do you think we're fools?

We drilled another hole in the floor beneath the ceiling hole so the water doesn't get inside!!!

Such a brilliant idea!

Thanks to Rufo, flooding only happened once!

I'm the one who used the axe to cut through the floor! I made the hole extra big, too!

You guys... sure, I told you to hang out here, but...

I never said you could half-destroy my house!

What's the big deal? Houses get a little busted up when you're having fun, that's normal.

Yeah, I thought you'd expect at least this much.

Isn't making a hole in a house a common thing?

No. Absolutely not.

I don't believe it. Let's check, shall we? Any Werebeast here living in a house with holes?

That would be me!

Me too.

And of course, my house has holes too.

That makes it 3 to 1. Houses without holes are clearly more rare. Just accept it.

Fine... What's the point of even talking to you guys?

Go ahead, put holes in the house or bury it in a pit. Do whatever you want. I'm washing my hands of it.

But! Absolutely! No more causing trouble in my house! Do you know how annoying it is to get called all the way to the village because of you?!

If this keeps up, I'll tell the Village Chief and get my house back!!!

Ah! Then let's cause some trouble outside from now!

We'll make trouble at someone else's house so Yumimi doesn't get called back here!

We'll keep this house as our hideout, no matter what!

Yeah! We've already formed a deep bond here!

Exactly, where else would we go after claiming our hideout?

It's perfect for naps too. So cozy and relaxing.

*Sigh* Fine!

But listen, don't drag me into this again, got it?

The day I get called back here, I'm kicking all of you out!