Star Ocean -Encounter With the Toji-

-2: Encounter With the Aradama

Reimi Saionji: YAH...!
Reimi: If this isn't working either...!
Rena Lanford: Reimi-san! I'll push up front! Please use that chance to retreat!
Reimi: Alright! I'm counting on you, Rena!
Rena: Right! YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
Millie Chliette: The aradama's staggered! Let's run while we can!!
Reimi: ...Phew, after that much running, we should be safe for now.
Rena: It doesn't seem as if we'll be able to beat aradama without a toji after all.
Millie: Rena, what'd I tell you! You're talking all formal again!
Millie: We're all on the same team, so didn't we say you don't have to be so polite?
Rena: Ah...
Rena: I get that, I just can't help it.
Reimi: It's not worth making that big a deal of either, Millie.
Reimi: Anyway, let's get back to everybody. We'll have to think up a plan for dealing with aradama.
Rena: We need some kind of strategy, don't we.
Millie: A strategy? The fastest way would be getting some toji to help us.
Reimi: That's true. To carry out what we're after, we're definitely going to need a toji's help at some point.

-1: Sci-Fi Technology

Maria Traydor: Reimi got in touch. Like we expected, it doesn't seem they were able to defeat an aradama.
Miki Sauvester: Well shoot, so they really couldn't beat it? Hmmm, so that means, we're in trouble here... aren't we.
Maria: We are. It's impossible for us to resolve this on our own. But, we aren't entirely without options.
Miki: You mean, how you said we could borrow help from a toji?
Maria: That's right, from toji.
Welch Vinyard: Fidget, fidget...
Miki: W-Welch...?
Welch: Aghhh, I want to hurry and work our way in with the toji so I can see storm armor up close and personallll!!
Welch: That stuff has to be that crazy sci-fi technology kinda thing, right!?
Welch: As an item creator, there's no way I can pass it up!
Welch: You think they'd notice if we swiped just one of 'em~? Just whisk it away and start taking it apartttt...!!
Maria: ...Sigh.
Maria: Forget about that and take a look at this.
Miki: It's... a picture of a girl?
Maria: The toji, Ban Tsugumi.
Maria: And this next. The contents of Ban Tsugumi's current research.
Welch: Hmhmm~, I see, I see. So basically, we make contact and get in good with her, yes?
Maria: That's the plan.
Miki: That's fine and all, but... Maria-san? Where'd you get all this info?
Maria: That's not something you should worry about.
Miki: Ehh!? That just makes me worried!!
Maria: Now's not the time to be talking about this, is it?
Welch: Maria's got the right idea! Okayyy, we meet up with Reimi and them, then it's off to meet Ban Tsugumi!

1: Tsugumi's Assistants

Yukari: I see you're here, Asakura, Yanase.
Mihono/Mai: Yes ma'am!
Yukari: Ordinarily, Akane would be the one to tell you this, but she can't make time. I'll be the one reporting to you instead.
Yukari: I'd like for the two of you to help at Ban's laboratory.
Mai: At... Tsugumi-san's laboratory?
Mihono: Ah, I know about this! It's that thing she's been stuck up in her lab working on lately, right?
Mihono: I think she said... it's some kinda crazy research that could revolutionize a bunch of things like storm armor and stuff?
Yukari: I've heard the same.
Yukari: However, at the current stage, we can't spare her too many people, so for now I'd like you two to go.
Mihono/Mai: Yes ma'am!
Mihono: So the stuff she's working on is actually pretty crazy! I couldn't believe it.
Mai: Didn't you hear about it before, Mihono-chan?
Mihono: Yeah, but, I mean, it's Tsugumi-san, y'know? I never really know how much to trust her...
Mihono: Like, sometimes, you can't tell whether she's being serious or lying about something, right?
Mai: You're right, she can be like that sometimes.
Mihono: But it looks like she was telling the truth here, so let's work real hard to help her out, Mai!
Mai: Sure thing, Mihono-chan.
???: Hah hah hah! I'm glad you're here, assistants! We've been waiting for you!
Mihono: Who's that!?
Mai: A friend of... Tsugumi-san's?
???: Of course they'd react like that...
Miki Sauvester: I'm Miki Sauvester. I'm helping out Tsugumi.
Miki: And, this is...
Welch Vinyard: Likewise, helping out Tsugumi, the beautiful genius creator, Welch-chan at your service! Looking forward to working with you, assistants!
Mai: You're helping her...? I don't mean to pry, but, you aren't from the Sword Administration, are you? Could you tell us where you're associated with?
Welch: What's any of that got to do with anything!
Welch: More importantly, you two have an impossibly important job getting the necessary items for Tsugumi's research!
Welch: So anyway, go on, get going and get them back!!
Mihono: We got shooed out... That person seemed really worked up about this...
Mai: That's for sure... And, she didn't even tell us what it is we're supposed to get...
Mihono: Ah.
Miki: Oh, there you are!
Mai: Miki-san?
Miki: Sorry about that, how she kicked you out and all. Welch isn't such a bad girl, it's just...
Miki: Uh, could I ask for your names?
Mihono: I'm Asakura Mihono.
Mai: And I'm Yanase Mai.
Miki: Mihono and Mai then. I'll be helping you two out, so, I hope we can get along!

2: Ears and a Tail

Mai: Where are we heading?
Miki: There's others besides Welch and me who are working with Tsugumi, so we're going to see them.
Mihono: Huh, what're they like?
Miki: Well...
???: Ah, Rena! Miki's here!
???: There she is! Heeey, Miki!
Miki: Millie! Rena-!
Miki: I'll introduce everybody; that's Millie and Rena. And, these two are Asakura Mihono and Yanase Mai.
Mihono/Mai: ......
Millie Chliette: Hey, Miki? They look frozen stiff...
Rena Lanford: I think... they're looking at my ears and Millie's tail?
Mihono: Mai! Millie-san's got a tail!? And, Rena-san's ears, they're all long and pointy!?
Mai: I-I know... That's not part of a costume, is it...?
Millie: They're all real! Want to give it a touch?
Mihono: Eh!? Can I!?
Millie: Sure!
Mihono: It's so fluffy...
Rena: Uhh... You want to touch mine too, Mai?
Mai: Ah, then... just a little bit.
Mai: (Oh, they twitched... These ears really are real...)
Mai: H-Hey, Mai...? People don't grow tails, right... Or those ears...
Mai: R-Right...
Miki: Millie, Rena, about that thing...
Rena: Ah... Yeah. It's over here.
Aradama: Gyou~
Rena: Ahaha, that tickles.
Mihono: That aradama's acting friendly with Rena-san!?
Millie: When we first found this aradama, it was really weakened.
Millie: Rena and I felt sorry for it, so we worked together to heal it... And then, it kinda got attached to us.
Mihono: Normally, we should probably kill it, but... Mai... I don't think I want to kill this aradama.
Mai: ...I know. There's cases like Nene-chan, so, as long as it's not harming anyone, I don't think there's any need to suppress it...
Aradama: GyaA!!
Mai: --!! Did it turn aggressive!?
Mihono: No, wait, Mai... Behind you!!
Large Aradama: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Rena: Watch out, Mai! Kyah...
Mai: Thank you, Rena-san! But, you're hurt...
Miki: Just let me take care of her injury! Healing!
Millie: I'll back you up, so Mihono, Mai, take care of the aradama!! Delay!!
Mihono: The aradama slowed down... We can take it out while it's like this, Mai!!
Mai: Right, Mihono-chan!
Mihono/Mai: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Large Aradama: ooo...
Mihono: Thanks for letting us know that aradama was there.
Aradama: Kyuo~
Mai: Now we should contact the Sword Administration Bureau and collect the noro... Hm? What's this here?
Miki: Ah-! That's it! That's the geregere slime we need for Tsugumi's research!!

3: Welch's Identity

Welch: That's some geregere slime alright! Nice going getting some so quick, assistants!
Mai: Geregere slime... I've never seen or heard of that kind of material before...
Welch: Course not! Of course not! After all, it's a totally unknown material!
Mihono: If it's unknown, then how'd you know it's called geregere slime?
Welch: Shaddup! Even though we know what it's called, it's an unknown material, and it's absolutely needed for Tsugumi's experiment!!
Mihono: Oh, okay!
Mai: ...Don't let her fool you, Mihono-chan.
Mai: Welch-san, are you really Tsugumi-san's assistant? We haven't seen Tsugumi around even once...
Welch: ...Seems like the cat's out of the bag now.
Mihono: Welch-san?
Mai: ...
Welch: That's right, I'm not Tsugumi's assistant or anything...
Welch: My true identity is, the one who hijacked this lab, the beautiful genius creator Welch-chan!! Hah hah hah!
Tsugumi: You look like you're enjoying yourself, Vinyard-san.
Miki: What are you up to, Welch?
Welch: Wait, you're back already?
Miki: "Already"? Weren't you the one who told me to call Tsugumi-san over?
Tsugumi: Thank you for watching the lab while I was gone, Vinyard-san. I got to have a nice break.
Welch: I could do this anytime!
Welch: Everything you're working on here's super interesting, so you have to make sure to take breaks so you can get on with the research!
Mihono: So wait, you were just messing with us?
Mihono: Tsugumi-san and Welch-san have the same kind of energy... Or, they seem like they really get along, don't they, Mai.
Mai: ...Mmhm. It looks like I was worried for nothing.
Mai: Miki-san, there's still more geregere slime, isn't there? Let's go get it.
Miki: Sure! Then, we're off again, Welch, Tsugumi!
Tsugumi: Now then, back to my research-.
Welch: Sure-!
Tsugumi: By the way, what exactly is geregere slime?
Welch: Rather than talk about that, tell me more about noro!
Tsugumi: It doesn't seem like you're about to tell me, are you. Oh well; what about noro would you like to know?
Tsugumi: (...Well, I suppose I can press her about geregere slime later.)

4: Guns and Arrows

Mihono: Rena-san and Millie-san turned out to be nice people!
Mai: Mmhm, though I was a little surprised by their tail and ears...
Mihono: So Miki-san, do the people you're taking us to meet have tails too?
Miki: Nope, the two we're going to see now don't have any tails. But, they're wonderful people, so I'm sure...
Mai: Miki-san?
Miki: U-Urgh...
Mihono: What's wrong!?
Miki: I'm hungry...
Mai: Eh? You're hungry...?
Miki: Come to think of it, I haven't gotten much to eat lately...
Mihono: D-Don't scare me like that... I thought something bad happened to you.
Miki: Sorry about that... But... I think I might be too hungry to keep going...
Mihono: Then, I'll go and buy something for you. You stay with Miki-san, Mai.
Mai: Alright!
Mihono: I've got onigiri, and tea, and... Okay, this should be enough.
Mihono: Better run back over to Mai and Miki-san!
Mihono: Aradama!?
Mihono: I can handle this many on my own!
Mihono: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Mihono: There's still more!?
???: We'll back you up.
Mihono: Huh?
Mihono: Was that a beam she shot!?
???: YAH!
Mihono: She stopped the aradama with arrows!?
???: Don't just stand there; finish them off!
Mihono: O-Okay! YAAAAAAAAAA!!
???: Keep it up like that.
???: We'll slow the aradama down, so you can use that to take them out!
Mihono: I-I don't really know who you are, but... I got it!!

5: Secrecy

Aradama: ooo...
Mihono: That's the last of them... I think. Thanks a lot for helping me!
???: We only did what was natural.
???: I'm glad you're safe.
Mihono: ......
Mihono: Uh, there's something I want to ask...
Mai: Mihono-chan! Where are the aradama!?
Mihono: Ah, Mai!
Mihono: I already took care of them. I had these people helping me...
Miki: Maria-san, Reimi-san?
Maria: Miki... Then, that would mean, these girls are...
Miki: Yep, that's right. That girl is Asakura Mihono, and this one's Yanase Mai.
Maria: I'm Maria Traydor.
Reimi: And I'm Reimi Saionji.
Mihono: Maria-san and Reimi-san...
Mihono: ......
Mihono: Um, who are you people, Miki-san?
Miki: Eh?
Mihono: Maria-san had a gun that shot beams, and I've never seen somebody fight aradama with a bow like Reimi-san...
Mihono: Hey, Mai, there's no kind of archery that fights aradama, is there?
Mai: ...There's not. If there were archery like that, it would be very well known.
Miki/Maria/Reimi: ......
Maria: It seems like it'd be faster to explain our circumstances.
Reimi: Hang on, Maria! We don't have to tell people from this world about ourselves!
Maria: We can't get by without Mihono and Mai's... without the help of toji.
Maria: We won't be able to move forward with them harboring suspicions towards us.
Reimi: Still...
Miki: I get what you mean, Reimi-san, but I think I'm with Maria-san here.
Miki: We haven't spent much time together, but I can tell we can trust Mihono and Mai.
Reimi: Miki...
Reimi: Alright. I understand. These two are going to be fighting alongside us, after all. We shouldn't be hiding anything from each other.
Reimi: But, if that's what we've decided on, we should move somewhere quieter to explain ourselves.
Maria: Right. I'll call Millie and Rena here too.
Mai: Explain yourselves? So you really were hiding something...
Miki: So you were doubting us after all...?
Mihono: It's not like I was doubting you... Just, I did think it was weird.
Maria: Have no fear. The secret we've been keeping shouldn't be anything like you're expecting.
Mai: ...I'll decide on that on that after you tell us.
Reimi: Of course; that's fine too.

6: An Ocean of Stars

Maria: Rena and Millie still aren't here, but we're wasting time, so I'll go ahead and start.
Maria: I'll get straight to the point. None of us are from this world. We came here from a different one.
Mai: From a different world...?
Reimi: That's right, Mai-chan.
Reimi: Back from the future of another world... We came here to this world from the star ocean.
Mihono: Eh? Eh? Star ocean; is that like, space?
Mihono: And, you came from there to our world?
Mihono: My head feels like it's spinning...
Mai: ...Why is it that all of your clothes are so different from each other?
Maria: The differences in the eras and places we're from.
Maria: It seems like Miki and Welch knew each other before, but for the rest of us, it's our first time meeting.
Mai: So you're from different times and places... But, you're all working together with each other...
Mai: ......
Mai: Did you all come to our world for the same reason?
Maria: Yes, that's the case.
Maria: We came to this world to recover geregere slime, a biribiri plasma rod, and an energy stone. Those three materials.
Maria: The three of them are things that ordinarily should not exist in your world.
Mai: And, when you said you're helping with Tsugumi-san's research... Was that just a way to gain access to those?
Maria: That's right.
Maria: If I could add one thing... Another of our goals is to stop Tsugumi's research.
Mihono: Eh? But, you can't do that! I mean, I don't really get what it's about, but she's researching something amazing, right!?
Reimi: ...That's why we have to.
Reimi: This world wouldn't have any way to substantiate Tsugumi's research.
Reimi: But... With those three materials, it suddenly becomes possible.
Mihono: ...
Mai: Why was it that aradama absorbed those materials?
Maria: They have a high affinity with noro. To tell the truth, we had wanted to recover them all without making contact with anyone from this world.
Mai: I get it... But because of that, you needed toji to help you.
Mai: ......
Mai: When Welch-san stayed behind in the lab, was that just so she could get in the way of Tsugumi-san's research...?
Maria: ......This is for the sake of your world.
Mihono: But, Tsugumi-san's working so hard...... I kind of don't like that you're doing that.
Reimi: Maria, if you leave it at that, they're going to misunderstand.
Mihono: Huh?
Welch: Hey, it's not like I have any intention of getting in Tsugumi's way?
Miki: Welch's gotten way too interested in this world... That's why Maria-san said, so she couldn't make trouble, Welch isn't allowed out of the lab.
Welch: Hey--! It's not like that either!!
Welch: Tsubumi's laboratory is just full of so much neat stuff that I haven't felt any reason to leave! The whole world is packed up in here~!
Mihono: H-Haha... So that's all. Somehow, hearing that's a relief.
Mai: ...I understand most of what you're going through now.
Maria: We'd like for you to help us, Mai, Mihono.
Maria: We need your toji powers to keep this world protected.
Mihono: ...Okay, I'll help you. What about you, Mai?
Mai: I'll... help too.
Miki: Thank goodness... If we didn't get you on our side, things would get really messed up.
Mihono: Messed up?
Maria: If Tsugumi were to complete her research... It could potentially destroy your world.

7: Threat to the World

Maria: If Tsugumi were to complete her research... It could potentially destroy your world.
Mihono: It's that dangerous!? Then, let's tell Tsugumi-san right away to stop the experiments!!
Maria: ...We don't want to do that. Tsugumi is a researcher, after all.
Mihono: She's a researcher... Wait, what do you mean?
Maria: What Tsugumi is studying really is something incredible. A civilization mature enough to apply it properly might improve the lives of countless people.
Maria: But... it's too soon for this world.
Maria: Would she really be able to stop halfway through researching something that incredible? Could she curb her curiousity? There's a chance it could have the opposite effect and only make her obsess over it.
Mai: Still...
Reimi: We can't dispel the fear that it would only increase the risks. So, we decided that we shouldn't explain the situation to her.
Mihono: Mmm, but I think it'll go fine? If Tsugumi-san knew going on with her research could destroy the world, she'd stop it for sure!
Welch: I'm with Mihono on this! Tsugumi's just like me! So we can trust her!
Miki: Just like you. That just makes me even more worried...
Mihono: Maria-san! Reimi-san! Please give her a chance!!
Miki: ...If Mihono's that sure about it, why don't we try talking to Tsugumi?
Mihono: If it's hard for you to tell her about it, I'll do it!
Maria: That's not the issue here... But fine then.
Maria: But if, on the other hand, Tsugumi tries to continue her research, we're going to keep her restrained until we finish collecting the three materials, understood?
Mihono: Understood! Then, I'll call up Tsugumi-san!
Tsugumi: I see, so that's what's been going on. Then, we'll have to put a stop to this research, won't we.
Mihono: See, it's fine!
Maria: It seems so.
Maria: Now that Millie and Rena have made it back, I'd like to once more set out searching for the materials, but... Mihono? Who are these two?
Mihono: That's Chii-nee and Yui! Since there's three things you had to look for, I thought it'd be better to have more help, so I brought them!
Maria: It wouldn't hurt to have more hands available, but...
Yui: I get to go on a mission with these pretty ladies!? Score! Thanks, Mihono-chan!
Chie: Yui-chan. Mihono-chan told us the world was in danger, didn't she?
Yui: I remember!
Maria: ...Will they really be up for this?
Mihono: Yeah! Chii-nee and Yui are both really reliable toji!
Maria: ...Sigh. We'll explain the details on the way. ...Yui, you're coming with me. We're recovering the energy stone.
Maria: You didn't need to come along with us, Reimi, Rena.
Reimi: I was a little worried after the harsh look you were giving Yui-chan.
Reimi: Do you... not trust her?
Maria: I don't doubt Mihono's appraisal of her. Still... with how she was acting, I highly doubt she has a proper grasp on the situation.
Yui: Maria-san! What other places haven't you looked yet? Nothing's showing up on the spectrum finder, so we should check the next one.
Maria: Yui, you're suddenly taking this a lot more seriously, aren't you?
Yui: Well, the world's in danger, right? Which means... I can't fool around too much. My sister's on the line here too.
Reimi: So you want to keep others safe. ...She is a good toji.
Maria: ...It seems.
Yui: Thanks for the compliment! Even better coming someone as good looking as you!
Rena: Hey, Yui. That, spectrum finder you called it? Could I see it for a minute?
Yui: Ah, sure thing. Here you go, Rena-san.
Rena: Thanks.
Rena: Eh!? Ehh!? It started making noises all of a sudden!?
Rena: It stopped...? Did I... break it!? I'm sorry, Yui!!
Yui: No, that's not it!!
Aradama: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Maria: Aradama!
Rena: We'll back you up! Yui, you finish off the aradama!!
Yui: Right!
Yui: TORYAAAAAAAH!!
Aradama: ooo...
Rena: Now if this aradama just had an energy stone...
Yui: There's noro, and... Is that it...?
Maria: Yes, that's an energy stone.

8: Gluttons From the Stars

Chie: We're supposed to be looking for a biribiri plasma rod... but now Millie-san's gotten lost somewhere...
Miki: Where'd you run off to, Millie... Heeey! Millie!
Chie: First, we should go back the way we came. She might be waiting for us somewhere.
Chie: She's not here either... I wonder when we got separated...
Miki: ......
Chie: Miki-san?
Miki: I know this...!!
Chie: W-Wait, Miki-san! Where are you going!?
Chie: (Miki-san must have found Millie-san!)
Miki: Right here, Chie!!
Chie: This is... a roasted potatoes stand?
Miki: This smell... It smells so good...
Chie: ...Miki-san? Weren't we meant to be looking for Millie-san?
Miki: O-Of course we are! I just thought, Millie must have smelled this too and will come here!
Chie: You know that's not true. We can leave the potatoes for after; let's find Millie-san now.
Millie: Something kinda smells really good!
Millie: ...Ah, Miki! And Chie too!!
Miki: Geez, where'd you disappear to? We were worried about you!
Chie: (We actually did find her... These two must have big stomachs...)
Millie: Ah, now that I've found you, I'm so relieved I'm hungry...
Chie: I'm hungry too, now that we can settle down. I'll buy us some roasted potatoes, so how about we take a break?
Miki: Can we!?
Chie: Sure; I'll be back in a minute.
Millie/Miki: Thanks for the food-!
Aradama: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Millie: Uwah!?
Miki: Kya!?
Chie: Aradama!? Are you two alright!?
Millie: We're fine, but our...
Miki: Our potatoes...
Chie: Ah, you dropped them just then, didn't you.
Millie: ...You're not getting away with that.
Millie: Miki!
Miki: Sure, Millie!
Millie: Tractor Beam!
Aradama: GUOO!?
Miki: Earth Grave!!
Aradama: GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!?
Chie: That's incredible... So that's the kind of power you have, Miki-san, Millie-san...
Millie: Chie! Please finish it!
Miki: As payback for our potatoes!
Chie: R-Right... HAAAAAAAH!!
Aradama: oooo...
Chie: With the noro, there's... so this is a biribiri plasma rod? Luckily we managed to get it.
Chie: Let's head on back, Miki-san, Millie-san.
Millie: Our potatoes...
Chie: ...I guess there's no getting around that. I'll buy you both one more.

9: To the Star Ocean

Maria: You have my thanks for helping us with these.
Maria: The geregere slime Mihono and Mai collected. The energy stone Yui found. And the biribiri plasma rod Chie gathered.
Maria: Now we have them all togethere.
Mihono: That means the world's not in danger anymore, right...?
Reimi: Yes, it's alright now.
Mai: Sigh, thank goodness...
Chie: Good work, everyone.
Yui: By the way, how are you all going to get back to your world, Maria-san?
Yui: If you can't make it back for some reason, you're welcome to stay in my room!
Maria: We have this with us, so we'll be fine.
Yui: And what's that?
Maria: A quad scanner. With this...
Chie: The slime, rod, and stone are glowing...
Tsugumi: Now that's a fascinating phenomenon.
Maria: We can now return at any time.
Welch: Wait; hold on!
Welch: Since we can go back anytime, that means we don't have to go back just yet, right!?
Welch: I haven't gotten my hands on the storm armor yettt~!!
Miki: ...Maybe it'd be better if we left right away.
Miki: Thanks, Mihono, Mai, Yui, Tsugumi. And Chie, the potatoes were really tasty!
Reimi: Thank you for helping us... It was fun.
Rena: Thanks for everything! Maybe it's a bit imprudent, but it was nice having you take us around places.
Millie: Same! I wish we could've done some sightseeing in the end...
Welch: Tomorrow! At least wait until tomorrowwww!!
Millie: ...I think we'd better go today.
Maria: So long, toji.
Mihono: They vanished...
Mai: It'd be nice if we saw them again... but it's probably hard to do.
Chie: They did come from another world's future, after all.
Yui: I wish I could've had just one more day with them.
Tsugumi: Now then... the real problem starts here.
Yui: Eh?
Tsugumi: I already secured a budget for doing this research.
Tsugumi: And I know it's destined for failure... so what now?