The Summer Soft Serve Plan
While dreaming of going on beach dates with (Captain), Catura overhears talk of the great expenses involved in the crew's summer vacations and decides to forgo hers to make money instead. Kumbhira offers to help, and the two open a food stall they call "Moo-Moo Soft Serve". However, they find that no customers are showing up.
On an Auguste beach, under the blazing summer sun...
Catura and Kumbhira are busy preparing to open their food shop.
Catura: The soft serve machine is ready to go...
Kumbhira: Our ingredients and permits are all in order too. We can start any time!
Catura: Thank you for helping me so much, Kumbhira...
Kumbhira: No, I haven't really done all that much. It's your passion that made this happen.
Kumbhira: How about we try a cone before starting? I want to see how today's milk tastes.
Catura: I thought you might say that... So I already made some!
Milky: ...!
Catura: Moohoohoo... This summer, I'm going to show you one or two new sides of me!
Catura: Here you are, Kumbhira. One Moo-Moo Soft Serve cone!
Kumbhira: Thanks! Now, let's see...
Kumbhira: Mmm! It's so rich and refreshing!
Kumbhira: Your ice cream really is the best, Catura!
Catura: Hehe... It's the Ox Temple's special recipe that Mama and Papa taught me...
Kumbhira: They're going to sell great! Don't you agree, boss?
Catura: Yeah... We're going to make this a success!
Catura: We have to do it for (Captain)... To save the crew...
Some time earlier, when the days had just become hot enough for the crew members to start wearing summer clothes...
Several of them gather in the Grandcypher to excitedly talk about their upcoming vacation.
Among them, one Divine Cow is imagining her near future with a particularly blissful expression.
Catura: Seaheehee... I'm going to think of my 97th plan for going on a beach date with (Captain) today...
Moomoo: Mooo?
Catura: Of course... I have to prepare a lot so that I have a plan for whatever happens...
Catura: We could draw our names next to each other in the sand... The waves would wash them away, but our love would still be eternal...
Catura: If we went to a festival, I could get chafed by the sandals and then (Captain) would princess-carry me...
Catura: Even if I suddenly became a zombie, we could chase each other up and down the beach as we watched the world end...
Catura: Moo... I just can't wait for our vacation to...
Vyrn's Voice: Wow, that's crazy!
Catura: Ah, (Captain) and...
Vyrn's Voice: I had no idea going on vacation every year costs so much money!
Catura: ...!
Catura, who had been approaching the source of the voices, suddenly freezes.
Lyria: Ahaha... We have a lot of crew members, after all. It's gotten so lively around here.
Vyrn: I just happened to see the account books, and the total cost is nuts! You could buy a skyskimmer with that much money, right?
- Yeah, I guess...
- I don't think it's that much.
Choose: Yeah, I guess...Vyrn: I thought so. I know there's a lot of us, but that was still a shock...
Choose: I don't think it's that much.Vyrn: Yeah? It seems like enough to me...
Continue 1Catura: ...
After hearing the trio's conversation, Catura quietly leaves.
Vyrn: Well, all those new crew members mean we can take on a lot more jobs, so our earnings have gone up just as much!
Lyria: That's right! And everyone can work harder because they have the vacation to look forward to!
Vyrn: All right! Let's get to work, (Captain)!
These last lines of their conversation never reach the Divine General's ears.
Catura: Sigh...
Kumbhira: Hm? Catura?
Kumbhira: What's wrong? You were so excited about making date plans when I saw you yesterday.
Catura: Kumbhira... Well, you see...
Kumbhira: What! Our vacations are causing problems for the crew's finances?
Catura: Yeah... I heard (Captain) talking about it with Lyria and Vyrn...
Hamward: Squee-squee!
Moomoo: Moo...
Kumbhira: I see... But still, you seem awfully down about it, Catura.
Catura: I'm just no good at all...
Catura: I wasn't thinking about anything but enjoying my vacation with (Captain)...
Kumbhira: Hmm... Well, that's how everyone...
Catura: Even though (Captain) is supposed to be the person I love...
Kumbhira: ...!
Catura: And that means I need to be concerned about this crew, since it's so important to (Captain).
Kumbhira: Catura...
Catura: ...
Okay, no more moping. I know what I'm going to do.
Catura: I'm... not going on vacation!
Milky: ...!
Catura: Instead, I'm going to earn a lot of money while everyone else is away!
Catura: I'm going to spend this summer working hard... to support (Captain) and everyone else's time off!
Kumbhira: I see... You're really something, Catura.
Kumbhira: All right, where do we start?
Kumbhira: Even if we're not taking a vacation, Siero told me that there are lots of opportunities in Auguste during the summer...
Catura: W-wait a second! You don't have to join me, you know?
Kumbhira: No, let me help! I, well... I have an interest in business!
Catura: Really?
Catura: Thank you... I'm sure it will go wonderfully with you helping!
Kumbhira: ...
I want to do my best too.
Catura: Huh?
Kumbhira: Oh, nothing!
Kumbhira: What do you think we can do? Just work at a beach house?
Catura: You know, opening up a food stand on the beach is a classic plot in illustrated stories...
Kumbhira: Catura running a food stand on the beach... During summer...
Kumbhira: Hey, Catura. What do you think about running a soft serve stand?
Catura: A soft serve stand? Why?
Kumbhira: Well...
After that, Catura and Kumbhira start getting ready to open their stall.
They acquire milk from the Ox Temple, secure a spot on the beach, and get the necessary equipment and decorations, until finally...
The day that they can open their business, Moo-Moo Soft Serve, arrives.
Catura: I can't believe we managed to open such a proper stall all by ourselves... I'm so proud!
Kumbhira: Me too! But what comes next is going to be the hard part.
Catura: (Captain) and the others who went to Venera Beach don't know about this, right?
Kumbhira: Yes, don't worry! I told them that our temples had to jointly run an event.
Kumbhira: Anyway, we sure were lucky to find a vacant beach house we could use.
Catura: Actually, isn't it a little quiet around here? It looks like the other beach houses are closed...
Kumbhira: They are? I wonder why...
Kumbhira: Maybe because we're far away from Venera Beach?
Catura: But there are plenty of people swimming nearby...
Kumbhira: Hm? Well, let's just open for business!
???: ...
Some time passes after Catura and Kumbhira open their stand.
As the sun reaches its zenith in the sky and everyone starts yearning for something to help them cool off...
Catura: But why?
Not a single customer is lined up before Moo-Moo Soft Serve.
The Two of Us
Catura and Kumbhira discover that they are getting no customers because of Sierokarte and Kyuta opening a sushi place, Revolving Miyasato, nearby. Though Sierokarte suggests that they partner with her to sell their ice cream there, Catura refuses, saying that she wants them to succeed on their own ability and declaring her intent to beat the rival eatery.
Catura learns that the crew spends a huge sum of money on the yearly summer trip and becomes worried about its finances.
She therefore decides to forgo her vacation this year and make money with Kumbhira while everyone else is having fun.
But when they open their shop, Moo-Moo Soft Serve, they find very little customer interest.
Catura: But why... There are plenty of beachgoers around here!
Kumbhira: All right, we'll have to advertise to them directly!
Catura: We've got cold, delicious ice cream... It's made from Ox Temple milk...
Curious Beachgoer: Huh, some kind of white sweets? I just ate sushi though, so I'm already full.
Kumbhira: Our soft serve ice cream is really delicious! Would you like to try some?
Hungry Vacationer: Oh? That sounds interesting, but I'm about to go eat sushi.
Catura: It seemed like everyone... was talking about sushi, didn't it?
Kumbhira: Sushi is a famous dish from Tono Island, right? I've never heard about it being available around here...
Sierokarte: Well, well! A soft-serve stand isn't something you see every day!
Kumbhira: Ah, Siero! Welcome!
Sierokarte: Hehehe... Could I have one?
Catura: Of course! Thank you for your purchase...
With one lick of the ice cream, Sierokarte's eyes widen.
Sierokarte: This is wonderful! The milk is so rich that my eyes almost popped out of my head!
Moomoo: Mooo?
Sierokarte: Teeheehee! The techniques and ingredients are both top-grade!
Kumbhira: I know, right? But for some reason, we have no customers...
Sierokarte: Oh dear... I'm sorry, that might be my fault.
Catura: Huh?
Sierokarte: Here, let me show you what's happening at my beach house...
With that, Sierokarte leads them to a restaurant so large it almost seems like a factory.
Catura: Wow, it's so big! And look at all these customers lined up!
Sierokarte: The best part is still coming! Head on inside with me!
Kyuta: Hey there! Welcome to Revolving Miyasato!
Kumbhira: Kyuta?
Kumbhira: If you're here, this must be the sushi restaurant everyone is talking about.
Catura: Kumbhira, look! The plates are going around the center on that track...
In the middle of the restaurant is a ring formed of conveyor belts which are carrying sushi and a variety of other foods in a circle.
Kyuta leaves the work to his apprentice Yasu and approaches the group.
Kyuta: Hello Catura, Kumbhira!
Kyuta: This is our new business... A revolving sushi restaurant!
Catura: Revolving sushi?
Kyuta: Yeah! Siero suggested it, and I thought it sounded fun!
Sierokarte: I wanted to sponsor a project to let people casually enjoy sushi on the beaches of Auguste!
Kyuta: The plates spinning around are cool, and we have things other than sushi so that people who don't like raw fish can eat here too!
Catura: Wow you're right! I see curry, yakisoba, and even a Blue Auguste...
Sierokarte: We partnered with the surrounding beach houses to have them make their food here in our kitchen!
Kumbhira: I see... That's why none of the nearby ones were open.
Sierokarte: It caused a big stir and attracted lots of attention to us!
Kumbhira: This looks so novel and fun! I'd expect no less of you, Siero!
Catura: ...
Sierokarte: And on that note, I have a suggestion for Moo-Moo Soft Serve...
Sierokarte: Would you like to sell your ice cream here at Revolving Miyasato?
Catura: Huh?
Sierokarte: It was so delicious, after all... Needless to say, I'll pay you enough to cover your time, expenses, and more.
Sierokarte: It should be quite profitable for you... What do you think?
Kumbhira: Well, all the beachgoers are gathered here.
Kumbhira: It would probably be best to sell out of...
Catura: I'm sorry, Siero.
Catura looks Sierokarte directly in the eyes as she speaks.
Catura: It's a wonderful offer, but we'll have to turn it down.
Kumbhira: Huh?
Sierokarte: I see... Could you tell me why?
Catura: Well, we put a lot of work into getting Moo-Moo Soft Serve going.
Catura: Kumbhira helped me when the paperwork confused me, and we struggled through it together...
Catura: Moomoo and Milky spent a lot of time thinking of a name with us, and we drew the cow on our sign together...
Catura: It's like a skyfaring crew, you see?
Catura: I'm the captain, for better or for worse. And (Captain) would never have us combine with another crew.
Sierokarte: We wouldn't be combining, so to speak... Won't you join me in looking for the way we can both profit most?
Catura: Well... I know that cooperation is important...
Catura: But if I do what you're suggesting, I won't be able to say that I gave it my all when I go back to (Captain).
Catura: That would be fine if making money for our vacation was all that I wanted, but...
Catura: The mooost important thing is that we do this with our own effort...
Unsatisfied with her ability to explain, Catura clenches her hands together.
Catura: That's why... I...
Catura: No, we are going to make Moo-Moo Soft Serve win against revolving sushi!
Kyuta: Kappappappa!
Moomoo: Mooo?
Catura: Oh my!
Those gathered are all taken aback by Catura's declaration, none more so than Catura herself.
The Two of Us: Scene 2
Reaffirming their dedication to their venture, Catura and Kumbhira think about how to gain popularity among the beachgoers. Catura realizes that soft serve is unusual in the Sky Realm and the two enact a plan to show off how tasty and refreshing it is, finally attracting customers to their stand.
Catura and Kumbhira leave Sierokarte's shop and return to Moo-Moo Soft Serve.
Kumbhira: You really surprised me back there! I can't believe you made a declaration of war.
Catura: Yeah... Neither can I...
Catura scratches her head as she laughs embarrassedly.
Catura: Even though Siero's suggestion made me happy...
Catura: I got stubborn about doing it by ourselves...
Catura: And then made the decision without asking you. I'm sorry, Kumbhira.
Kumbhira: No, I'm the one who's sorry!
Kumbhira: When I was working alone on the paperwork, you quietly brought me some hot milk.
Kumbhira: That kind of stuff makes me really happy!
So I decided that I wanted to make this stand a success no matter what.
Kumbhira: But when we were talking to Siero, I just went with the flow...
Catura: Kumbhira...
Kumbhira: Boss... No, Captain! You were really cool!
Kumbhira: I want to beat Siero too!
Thomboar: Squee-squee!
Milky: ...!
Though the group has found new unity, there are still no customers coming to them.
Catura: What can we do to win against revolving sushi...
Catura: I would think that everyone would want something cold to eat in this heat...
Kumbhira: Well, nobody has ever seen revolving sushi before. I honestly wanted to try it myself...
Catura: Nobody has ever... seen it before...
Moomoo: Moo, moo!
Kumbhira: What is it, Moomoo? Why are you spinning?
Kumbhira: Are you saying... that we should try revolving as we sell our food too?
Thomboar: Squee!
Kumbhira: Look at you rolling around with your little tusks... What are you, a drill?
Catura: Oh, I see! They're talking about soft serve, with how it twists around!
Kumbhira: Catura? What do you mean, twists around?
Catura: Don't you remember when you suggested we sell soft serve?
Catura: A soft serve stand? Why?
Kumbhira: Well...
Kumbhira: When you gave me some for the first time, I thought it was delicious!
Catura: Yeah?
Kumbhira: Remember that time I ran into you eating it in the dining room?
Kumbhira: That was my first time seeing it. I had no idea what it was, with its white, twisty shape.
Catura: Huh? You'd never seen it before?
Kumbhira: Yeah, never!
Kumbhira: I had no idea that something so cold, sweet, and delicious existed until you gave me some!
Kumbhira: I'm absolutely certain that people are going to love it on the beach!
Catura: People eat it all the time around the Ox Temple... so it never occurred to me that it would be novel.
Kumbhira: I grew up pretty much entirely on the Boar Temple's island, so I had no idea it existed.
Catura: Hmm... I think soft serve might not exist in many places at all...
Kumbhira: Huh, really?
Catura: My mama and papa told me that it's a special food invented at the Ox Temple...
Catura: There are people all over the skies who know how to make it, but there aren't a lot of them...
Kumbhira: Now that I think about it, Siero said it was uncommon too... and the beachgoers didn't seem to know about it either.
Catura: That's why we need to have them find out what it's like, just like you did...
Kumbhira: And then once they experience the taste... You're a genius, Catura!
Moomoo: Moo, moo!
Kumbhira: Oh, right. Sorry Moomoo. It was your idea, wasn't it?
Catura: But how do we show them the taste?
Catura: I'll do whatever it takes! Anything but dancing or running fast or sewing or accounting!
Milky: ...!
Kumbhira: All right, leave it to me! I have a plan that you'll be able to pull off perfectly!
A little while later...
A long line of customers has formed in front of Moo-Moo Soft Serve.
Kumbhira: All right, that's one regular cone and one mixed one, right?
Catura: One regular and one mixed, coming up on the double!
Moomoo: Moo, moo!
Hamward: Squee-squee!
Kumbhira: Moomoo, Hamward! Thank you for helping us serve everyone!
A little while ago, a couple had been walking along the beach.
Man: It's so hot... I wish I had something chilly to eat.
Woman: How about we go to that revolving sushi place everyone's talking about? I'm sure that they'll have some kind of cold dess—
Man: Whoa! Is that a dust devil?
Woman: Let's get away from it!
Man: Pant... Running just made me feel even hotter.
Woman: Oh?
Catura: ...
Woman: I wonder what that girl's eating. It's white and... twisty?
Man: She's not sweating at all. And...
The Couple: (That looks delicious...)
Kumbhira: That's the ice cream we sell at Moo-Moo Soft Serve!
Woman: Soft serve?
Catura: It's a cold, tasty treat made with milk from the Ox Temple...
Catura: Would you like to try some? Here, open up...
Kumbhira: After that, through a combination of people seeing others eating it and word of mouth...
Catura: Business is booming for us!
Milky: ...!
Catura: That's right, Milky. Thank you for kicking up that sand...
Pigchelle: Squee, squee-squee?
Kumbhira: Oh, yeah. I just thought back to why I wanted to try Catura's soft serve for the first time.
Catura: Moohoohoo...
Kumbhira: She really looked like she was enjoying it...
Kumbhira: That's why I thought having them see her eat it would be the best way to advertise.
Catura: You really surprised me when you said all I had to do was have some ice cream...
Catura: The Divine Ox is really at her best when she can take it easy...
Sierokarte: Teeheehee... You sure look like you're making money!
Catura: Ah, Siero!
Sierokarte: That was a classic yet impressive strategy. Even our customers at Revolving Miyasato are abuzz about your soft serve.
Sierokarte: Your stand is a perfect rival for my restaurant. Let's make this beach the talk of the town together!
Catura: Rival? The two of us and you?
Sierokarte: Of course! Competing to deliver the best quality will help both our businesses develop.
Sierokarte: Let's make this fight fair and square, Captain Catura!
Sierokarte offers her right hand to the Divine General with a smile.
Catura: Yeah... We won't go easy on you...
Returning the smile with a nod and a bright expression, Catura exchanges a firm handshake with the merchant.
The Two of Us: Scene 3
(Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria visit Moo-Moo Soft Serve just as it is closing. Kumbhira kindly arranges for (Captain) and Catura to end up alone on the beach. As they eat ice cream there, Catura shares how her experience creating a business has helped her understand how (Captain) feels about the crew. Afterwards, at Catura's request, the two head off on a nighttime beach date.
As the sun sets, Catura and Kumbhira put up a "closed" sign and start cleaning.
Kumbhira: Phew... We managed to sell all the ice cream we had ready for today!
Catura: Yeah! Let's keep this up tomorrow!
Kumbhira: Siero and Kyuta asked if we want to come eat at Revolving Miyasato once we're closed. What do you think?
Catura: I'll go, of course... I can't wait to eat sushi!
As the two talk, several figures approach them.
Catura: Oh, I'm sorry... We're closed for the day...
- You're sure doing well!
- What a shame...
Choose: You're sure doing well!Catura: It's all thanks to everyone's...
Choose: What a shame...Catura: We'll be here again tomorrow, so be sure to...
Continue 1Catura: Huh? (Captain)?
Before them are (Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn, who were supposed to be enjoying their vacation at Venera Beach.
Lyria: Hello, Catura! It looks like we were a bit late...
Vyrn: I told ya we shoulda just gone tomorrow.
Vyrn: But (Captain) really wanted to come, so we got a boat.
Lyria: Vyrn, that was supposed to be a secret!
Catura: Wha... You did?
Lyria: Well... We heard rumors that there was a place serving delicious soft serve ice cream on this beach...
Vyrn: And (Captain) said that it might be you, Cow Prints.
Catura: Moohoohoo... (Captain) found me...
Catura: Wait just a second, I should be able to make three cones with our backup...
Kumbhira: I'm sorry Lyria, Vyrn! We only have enough ingredients for one more!
Kumbhira: So we can only make a cone for (Captain)!
Lyria: Huh? But Catura just...
Moomoo: Moo!
Vyrn: Hold up, we're hot and tired t—
Kumbhira: Yeah, I know! How about you come with me to eat revolving sushi?
Kumbhira: See you later, Catura! Come meet us once you finish eating that ice cream with (Captain)!
Catura: Huh? What is happening?
Kumbhira: ...
Enjoy yourself.
Catura: ...!
Vyrn: Right, we were hearin' rumors of revolving sushi too!
Lyria: Oh my! I can't wait to spin the sushi!
Kumbhira: Ahahah... We don't do the revolving ourselves...
Hamward: Squee-squee?
Kumbhira: ...
Yeah, it's fine.
Kumbhira: Today is Catura's day, I think.
As the ocean takes on a red hue, Catura finds herself alone with the captain.
After she makes a cone for herself and (Captain), the two of them sit down on the beach.
- It's delicious!
Choose: It's delicious!Catura: Thank you... But it's even better when Mama and Papa make it, you know?
Catura: You should try some the next time we're back at the Ox Temple.
(Captain) finishes the ice cream and turns to face Catura with a serious expression.
With a bow of the head, the captain apologizes for worrying her.
Catura: (Captain)? What do you mean, worrying me?
(Captain) had met Sierokarte on the way here and heard about why Catura opened the soft serve stand.
Vyrn: Cow Prints was sayin' she wants to make money to fund our vacation?
Sierokarte: That's right. It seemed like she had deep reasons for opening her business.
Lyria: Oh, (Captain)... Didn't we talk about the money we spend on vacations a little bit ago?
Vyrn: Yeah, in the mess hall! Did she hear us?
(Captain): ...!
(Captain) explains that, though their expenses grow year by year, their finances are totally fine on balance.
Catura: I see... Thank goodness, I was just jumping to conclusions.
(Captain) continues, thanking Catura for being concerned for the crew.
Catura: It was nothing... You're like both the papa and mama for this crew...
Catura: It's only natural that I try to become like that too...
Catura: After all... I want to stay by your side forever.
Catura smiles and looks back at Moo-Moo Soft Serve.
Catura: After running this ice cream stand...
Catura: I think that I understand how you feel about your crew, just a little bit...
Catura: Up until now, I've always wanted to do my best for your sake...
Catura: But now, I want to do my best alongside you...
Catura smiles widely, but then looks wistfully out at the ocean.
Catura: Though to be honest, I regret it just a little bit...
Catura: I won't have the chance to use any of my beach date plans now...
- There's still time.
Choose: There's still time.Catura: Huh?
(Captain) stands up and offers Catura a hand.
Catura: ...!
Catura tries to feign calmness as she takes her beloved's hand, but her joy is betrayed by her tail wagging side to side.
Catura: All right, then! Since I have this stall and all, I'll use this plan...
Catura: You're the customer... So could you give me the payment for your ice cream?
Catura: We've closed the register for the day, so instead of money... Well...
Catura: Will you go on a date with me, for all my hard work?
(Captain) readily nods and the two start walking along the beach.
The footprints they leave behind them paint the perfect picture of happiness in the sands.
