Scenario:Conquest of the Dark Singularity - Chapter 2: Tropical Paradise - Episode 3

Conquest of the Dark Singularity - Chapter 2: Tropical Paradise - Episode 3

Neruko tells (Captain) about her past experiences of being utterly rejected by others for being weird. The only one who ever offered her a fin was her big brother Tunaro. Just then, the two notice a strange glow coming from a jeweled box in a shrine. They swim toward it to take a closer look, but Kuragi the lumber jelly tells them not to touch what is known as the "tamatebako." (Captain) and Neruko have no choice but to return to their room.

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(Captain) continues to swim around the vicinity of the palace, meeting a few more of its residents.

Suika Kattosai: I dare say you have made a clean slice into my heart, (Captain).

Suika Kattosai: Will you grant me the honor of another bout in the future?

Frai: Hehe. Someday I wanna be Frai, the shooting star of the ocean! I'll shoot through the water and blossom like fireworks!

Frai: Huh? I'm outta my mind? Well you helped me gather materials for it, so what does that make you?

Salmrick: Who's the king? I am, of course!

Salmrick: No one's ever been willing to play King's Game with me before. I'll give you the title of being the very first one, mun!

After meeting everyone, (Captain) decides to search deeper in the palace for clues on how to switch bodies again.

The ruins continue on and on like a labyrinth. Eventually, Neruko lets out a small sigh.

Neruko: It's amazing how you were able to get along with everyone so quick, (Captain)...

Neruko: I'd never be able to do the same.

1. You're getting along with me just fine.

Choose: You're getting along with me just fine.

Neruko: That's different! I mean, you look the same as Big Bro Tunaro... and you're kind.

Neruko: The fact that you can actually get along with me just proves you're that amazing.

The captain asks Neruko if she wants to share why she is feeling so low.

Neruko: ...

Neruko: I've always been alone, ever since I was born.

Neruko: All alone in these dark waters... floating, drifting.

Neruko: It was really, really scary.

The young albacore hesitates before nervously continuing.

Neruko: Even when I tried to talk to the other fish, they told me I was weird or that I was gross. They avoided me, yelling at me to get away.

1. Weird?

Choose: Weird?

Neruko: Apparently I look creepy to other sea creatures.

Neruko: It's not like I wanted to be born like this...

Neruko: Then, one day...

Regular Fish 3: What a weirdo! You're not like the rest of us, sun!

Regular Fish 4: God, I don't wanna be your friend! Now scram!

Neruko: Hngh...

Tunaro: ...!

Neruko: Glu-glub?

Tunaro: I've got plenty of space in my mouth for you to hide.

Tunaro: As an albacore, there's no need to force yourself to blend in with the other sea creatures, cor.

Neruko: ...!

Neruko: Big Bro Tunaro came to my rescue.

Neruko: He gave me my name too—said "neru" means "to sleep" in a language somewhere. He put it in my name so I'll always be able to sleep well and grow up strong.

Neruko swims round and round, showing off her powerful fins.

Neruko: Deep down, I do want to get along with other fish. But some things just aren't meant to be, I guess.

Neruko: But it's all right! I've got Big Bro Tunaro now, after all!

Neruko smiles at (Captain). The captain is about to say something in response when something distracts the both of them.

Neruko: Glu-glub? That light just now... It came from over there.

The two of them follow the enticing glow and swim further into the ruins, finally arriving at a space that looks like a shrine.

At the heart of the shrine sits a solemn, wooden box.

Neruko: What is that box? And that light...

Kuragi: You're not allowed here.

Neruko: Glu-glub!

Kuragi: This shrine houses the "tamatebako"—the jeweled box. Even we residents are forbidden to approach it. I believe you were warned not to come here...

1. I was... looking for the bathroom!

Choose: I was... looking for the bathroom!

Kuragi: Bathroom?

Neruko: (What's inside that jeweled box?)

Kuragi: Well, let's go back then, shall we? I'll show you back to your common room.

Mysterious Voice: Look for... clues... on the body switch...

Mysterious Voice: You'll find... something... in the palace...

Something is hidden within the walls of the Dragon Palace.

With the puzzling voices from earlier still fresh in (Captain)'s mind, the captain trails after Kuragi, caudal fin flipping pensively.