Event Quest:I'm Not Afraid of Halloween!:VN:3-1

[Translation by Kukuru]

Location: Daikanyama Academy

[Night 3: A Puppy Dances a Rondo]

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Sounds of happiness echoes from somewhere. That is, the voices of people enjoying themselves and getting excited.

Summer festivals may be different from Christmas, but it has a joyful and calming atmosphere.

One lone dog beastman is walking happily in the town.

The sweet smell of pumpkin candy tickles my nose. Even the sounds of cheerful people can be heard from a feet away...

Everyone's having so much fun, ehehehe~! I've been waiting forever for this Halloween event.

Before I came to Tokyo, I was looking forward to seeing the kids, with the candy I made together with Master.

That was on a mere whim. Like going for a little stroll.

Because his Senpai is too busy with his research, this boy decided to read a magazine to kill the time.

In the middle of reading, a special feature article suddenly caught his attention. It was a Halloween event that is being held in a few days in Daikanyama Academy.

Happy Halloweeeeeen~! Hiya, Big Brother!

Awoooooooo! I am a Wolf-man! Haaaaappy Halloween~!

Trick-Or-Treat! If you don't give us candy, we'll play a prank on you!

Since pranks are very scary, I'll give you candy. This special candy is something I made together with everyone, including Senpai!

Thank you, Big Brother~! That costume looks great on you!

Gee, thanks! You all look awfully cute in those costumes too!

Get out there and get a ton of candy! Make sure you don't go and trip yourselves though!

Got it! Thanks again! See you later, Big Doggy Brother! You look like a puppy too, by the way~!

Wolf! I'm supposed to be a wolf, for pete's sake! Dawwww, maybe I don't give a big enough impression yet...

Receiving and handing out candy......

Cusith having finished what he was doing, He finds and sits down in a comfortable spot with some juice in one hand.

Cusith sips on some special orange juice to match the Halloween feeling.

Cusith is happily looking at the children all dressed up in costumes while swinging both his legs.

I'm really happy about giving a tooon of candy to the kids.

I also got a bunch of candy too! When I get home, I'll be sure to share some with the Ueno Guild.

That said, he takes another sip of his orange juice. The children passing by waved their hands at Cusith, prompting Cusith to happily wave back.

It's not a bad thing to do something different than usual. Getting in the holiday spirit is important too.

Although... I wonder why the costume Leib-senpai picked out is a wolf?

I wonder if a dog is supposed to be a wolf in disguise? Wait, if that's the case, then I would be scary cool like Garmr-kun!

Still... I wish Senpai and the others were here with me. Senpai is so selfish because he's so busy writing his research papers.

Garmr-kun is the watchdog of the day for the guild; Xolotl-san is working while Moritaka-kun is at a kendo tournament.

Nothin' I can do about it when everyone's busy with what they're doing, but... I'm darn sure it will be a lot more fun if we came together.

Feeling a little miserable, a mere faint shadow casts inside Cusith's heart.

Cusith made lots of friends after he was summoned to Tokyo. Every day was full of excitement for him.

And yet... yet...

N-No, I can't be sad like this! Today's Halloween! Halloween's a fun festival!

I can't let myself cry even if I'm bummed out! Senpai and Jambavan-san told me so!

Alright! There's still lots of kids I haven't met yet! Because of that, I gotta go and meet them!

Cusith got down from his seat and fixed up his looks. Then, when he threw away the paper cup he finished drinking from...

Note: The Female Clerk is a Light Mage mob

Female Clerk:( face) Oh my, what a cute little wolf! Happy Halloween!

H-Happy Halloween! Wait, you actually understand that I'm a wolf?!

Female Clerk:( face) ... Hmm? What are you talking about? You're a very handsome, wolf boy aren't you?

Yay, I'm sooo happy! This is the first time I've been called a wolf!

Did you need something from me, Ma'am? I-Is it candy candy you want? Let's see here...

Female Clerk:( face) No? I was actually worried about you. Weren't you sad about something? Did you get separated from someone?

Uuuuuum, no not really. Thanks for your concern though! Here, some candy for you!

Female Clerk:( face) Ah, thank you. Then, I'll return the favor with this. Here you go.

It was a big, big pumpkin pie. It's fairly heavy, and it still feels like it's fresh from the oven.

An indistinct sweet smell tickles Cusith's nose, completely stimulating his appetite and making his mouth water.

Female Clerk:( face) I'm handing these out to everyone right now. It's special pumpkin pie. It's very yummy and I'm sure it'll cheer you up.

Wooow~, thank you so much! I was getting awfully hungry.

Then, I'm gonna eat this right away! Thank you for the food! Nom Nom*... *Ahm*... *Munch Munch*.

Wow, it's nice and crunchy on the outside! It’s freshly-baked, sweet and super yummy too!

Female Clerk:( face) Hehehe, I'm glad I had the time to make it if you enjoyed it that much. I'm glad it cheered you up.

Yeah! I feel so much better now! Thank you again for the delicious pie! Hehehe~.

So… good! *Crunch crunch*. Mmm... Ah, this is great!

His hunger gets satisfied with every bite he takes. However, his body gradually got warmer.

H-Huh... I wonder why... My head's... dizzy...

???:( face) Trick…… or…… …… Trick…… or……

Trick…… Candy…… ? A voice...? Who's... there?

I'm sure that was a whisper just now. I shouldn't have any more candy, what I need now is...

Trick…… or…… …… Trick…… or……

Trick-or-Trick!! Awoooooooooooo!!

[Transitioning...]

……?

What's wrong, Alice-chan? Are you burned out from all this walking?

No, I'm sorry. I believe I heard something like a howl just now.

A howl, you say?

Now... Shall I go over what's been happening around here?

Pretty Girl Alice who was walking and standing in front of the crowd turns over in your direction.

She's behaving like a teacher who waves her finger and teaches difficult formulas to students.

We are currently pursuing the mysterious pumpkins, while also following the trouble they've caused.

They attach themselves to people and become Jack-O-Lanterns. Their intentions are very ambiguous to us at the moment.

-T-The new species of pumpkins I grew... are the cause of this... Why?

Oh my, you shouldn't jump to conclusions like that. I'm only reviewing what's happened. Don't put yourself down over that right now.

1 option
.........

You are intently staring over this way for something. Do I have something on my face?

3 options (Same Response)
That was very nice of you.	Alice is so smart.	You're no ordinary kid.

I see... My "behavior" seems that way to your point of view.

You're free to think however you like... Please remember one thing, however.

The "me" you're seeing today is the "me" only for today, surely for this place only.

Tomorrow morning, I will wake up, I will stand before a mirror, already I put on a different face.

The "me" is not "me." There are infinte me's, as I will wake up every day.

I got the slightest idea on what Alice-chan is talkin' about. You see, even plants are the same yet different.

Everything differs in shape and color, even flowers that are part of the same foliage, the same roots.

After all, our bodies are metabolized by cells, and we become "new selves" sometime in the future.

"Life"... We make a fresh start every day, continuously shining anew.

You... You are surprisingly a poet. I wonder if all researchers are poets like yourself?

Hahaha! Whether I'm a poet or not, this is the first time I've been praised like that.

2 options
Volos sure knows a lot of stuff I'm telling you!	You can't pay attention to things around you, but that's just a fly in the ointment.
You think so? I do specialize in that field, y'know. Isn't everyone curious about the things they're interested in?	Oh... Ahahah. Yup, I feel like that sums it up about me.

Note: "Fly in the ointment" means "A flaw or imperfection that detracts from something positive."

I'm absolutely crazy about them. Plants... they're always intriguing to me.

Days, weeks, months, heck I'll never get bored of them all year round!

3 options
Don't you have friends?	Are you eating okay?	Are you able to do your everyday routines?
C-Course I do!! I have lots of friends in the lab. Everyone works well together on their research, and we have discussions every day. Point being, I'm not alone. We discuss about a lot of things. It's fun.	Daw, you don't have to worry 'bout that. I eat while I go through the research results. Other research teams bring fish and meat and have barbeques. Well... They would bring a bunch of food, so I end up eating more than I should.	T-That's...... I don't know what to say about that. It's embarrassing but, I'm generally not good with those things... I'm indifferent to fashion much less clothing, so my room is mostly a mess. Gah, that doesn't mean I'm a slob! R-Research! Yup, I'm always busy with research so there...!

I see. I now understand the nature of your character. Simplistic, brimming with curiosity and... relatively sloppy.

You're the exact opposite of a bear in a white coat who is somewhat hard to please. You two seem to match, however. You two are the same bear.

Nevertheless... It's not like someone who abuses research for the purpose of mischief.

In the name of a great detective, I can assure you there's a mastermind behind this scandal.

2 options (Same Response)
What's the culprit's objective?	A great detective's reasoning never fails.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. That is still impossible even for I, Pretty Girl Detective Alice-chan.

...... Don't look at me like that. I haven't gathered enough evidence that I need for my analysis.

Rushed conclusions is a work of a moronic police detective. Detectives don't rush, are smart, and elegantly solves mysteries, no?

Pardon, [Player]. I'm sorry, but go and buy any kind of drink for me please.

My throat feels dry while I was explaining my hypotheses. Let's see now... I'll improve my deductive powers with some black tea.

You have been chatting for a while now. Alright, [Player], will you accompany me?

I'm sure there should be a vending machine in the nearest building. Wait here, Alice-chan.

Hmph... Do not treat like a child. Go quickly.

By the way, Alice-chan, you are somehow a pleasant little girl. The things you talk about are very interesting.

I feel it's somewhat strange, but innocent. I have never met anyone like you until now.

Of course, you too, [Player]. I don't think there's anyone as friendly as you are.

2 options (Same Response)
Is that right?	You think so?

... I’m surprised. Aren't you self-aware? It's not something I should say, but I say it's fitting for you.

No, that's actually a good thing. That one thing defines who “you” are.

Cherish that feeling with great care. That's what I like about you, pal. Truly.

???:( face) Kyaaaaaaa!! Someone, anybody come quick!

???:( face) Pumpkins! Pumpkiiiins!!

-D-Did you hear that just now? There might be Jack-O-Lanterns on the loose again!

Let’s head in that direction! I'm positive it must be my pumpkins... Let's get a move on!

2 options
Let's get Alice!	We'll meet up with Alice later!
Out of the question! It’s too dangerous for Alice-chan! We’ll meet up with her after this is over!	Right! It’s too dangerous for Alice-chan. As expected, [Player]. I think we get along well.

[Transitioning...]

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At the place where the shrieks came from, something was waiting for you before you arrived...

Ah, ah, awooo, awoooooooo~! We are all brothers and sisters~! All of us~!

Bark bark, hold your muzzle high in the sky~! Awooo, awooo! Come on, dance with us~!

What you see is Jack-o-Lanterns perfectly lined up together, shoulder to shoulder, dancing.

Oooo~ Oooo~ It's a fun festival today~!

Everyone is still together as a pack~ That's the way of a wolf~!

E-Everyone's dancing this time...? Why in tarnation are those pumpkins doing this?

... Oi, [Player]! Over there! I see someone over there!

Looking ahead where Volos is pointing at... Inside the row of Jack-o-Lanterns is a dog beastman donning a green scarf.

Whoa, you guy heard the voice too and came too! I’m Cusith! Let’s be friends!

You said... you're Cusith-kun right? I'm Volos and this here is [Player].

What's this...? Just from looking at you, it seems you're not under the effect of the pumpkins?

Pumpkin? What's that supposed to be? Come on! Let’s sing and dance already!

Sing? Dance? Are those things you do during Halloween?

You bet! I'm planning to have fun dancing and playing together with the children for a long time!

Sorry, I know you're having fun, but... We have business with the children you're dancing with.

Could you stop dancing for a minute and cooperate with us?

Uncle bear... You came by to stop us from dancing?

U-Uncle...!? Do I really look like one...? H-Hey, wait just a minute!!

Awaawoooooooooo~! Now, everybody! Are you ready?

Let's howl more and more, everybody! Let's call out for more friends!

Yeah, of course, Mr. Boss~! Our leader, leads the pack!

All the children all let out a wolf's howl at the same time of Cusith's lead.

You rang? Come on, this way~! Dance with us~, let's all dance together~!

Everyone howl! We're all the same! We're all friends here~!

Yup! Don't be afraid to howl together with everyone! We'll spend time together and have fun every day.

We will populate the world with ourselves! Everyone will be together as one big pack!

W-What's this voice I'm listening to...? I... It makes me want to scream too.

T-These are my pumpkins...? But, that child doesn't have a pumpkin stuck on him...!

That voice is full of a strong, strange power, as if a soul is being stirred up by it.

A seductive voice resembling enticement, greatly attracts the mind and soul.

Oh... Maaasteeeer~! He'll become helpless if he listens to voice for too long!

A-At any rate, you need to stop that dog right now! If you don't... everyone will become like beasts!

2 options (Same Response)
Quit it!	Settle down and listen to me!

What? Why? I'm feeling great, just so you know!

You should come to my pack too! I'm telling you, we'll have lots and lots of fun!

Or... are you two "grave-robbers"? Does that mean... you're my enemy...!?

Cusith's eyes flickers with a suspicious glow. Also, the shape of his mouth distorts slightly...

If that's the case, then you leave me no choice! Everyone, let's get those kids to dance!

Okay~! Come on, everybody! Let's go!

Following Cusith's command, the Pumpkins all started marching over to you.

As they danced, as they sang... The Pumpkins moves closer together, hand to hand.

Awawawa! W-What should we do!? I'm not good with rough situations like this!!

2 options (Same Response)
Drive out the pumpkins!	Cusith's waiting for us to make a move!

Okay! I'll give this my best shot...! I'm doing this... for my pumpkins...!