Scenario:Mirin - Gozaru! The Guide to Yokai

Gozaru! The Guide to Yokai

After Mirin stumbles upon "The Complete Guide to Yokai" from her childhood at a flea market with (Captain) and the others, she and Shion reminisce over the book's many depictions of the strange spirits from the far east. On the way home, they run into a merchant claiming to have been attacked by a tengu. Mirin and Shion then decide to venture deeper into the woods to retrieve the merchant's stolen goods.

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Mirin: Gozaru!

Having stumbled upon a certain flea market, Mirin lets out a gleeful cry when she spots a familiar-looking publication.

Lyria: You seem super happy! Did something good happen?

Mirin: Ta-da! I found this "The Complete Guide to Yokai" at one of the shops!

Lyria: Isn't that the book from the far east with records of all those yokai?

Mirin: Yep!

Mirin: Wow, to think I'd find this so far away from home... I have countless memories flipping through these pages with Shion...

Mirin: What an amazing coincidence!

Vyrn: Hey, didn't you have trouble going to the bathroom by yourself at night after reading it?

Shion: That's correct. To this very day, I can clearly recall Mirin's thin, pale lips trembling in fear.

Mirin: You weren't supposed to say that, Shion! I was still really little then!

Mirin: I'll have you know that I'm very much an adult now! I mean, look at me! I'd never get scared over something like this...

As if to prove something, Mirin opens the guide and leafs through it, her face growing darker with every passing second.

Mirin: Aha... ha... This isn't scary at all! Nope, not in the slightest!

Vyrn: Ya sure 'bout that?

Lyria: If it isn't too scary, I'd also like to give it a quick read!

Shion: None of its contents are worthy of fear. It is, after all, meant for children.

Shion: As a matter of fact, I find the yokai's exaggerated depictions rather entertaining.

Convinced, Lyria takes the book and flips through it before quickly slamming its covers shut.

Lyria: Sh-she's right! There's nothing scary in here!

Vyrn: Ya barely even looked at it!

Shion: Hmmm... In that case, what do you think about this yokai over here?

Shion: It has no interest in harming people and is curious in nature. Take a look.

Shion extends the book out for the others to see, and on the open page is a uniquely drawn yokai with the funniest of expressions.

Lyria: This yokai is called a "tofu-kozo." Its only job is to go about town delivering tofu and sake to the local residents.

Vyrn: Huh? That's all it does? It's just helpin' out!

Shion: This one is also quite interesting. It's often referred to as an "azukitogi."

Lyria: Wha? Does it just spend all its time washing beans by the river?

Vyrn: You sure that's right? That sounds more like an ol' geezer with nothing better to do, not a yokai!

As Lyria curiously gives the yokai in the guide a second look, one particular question suddenly comes to mind.

Lyria: Um... So about these yokai... Is there somewhere you can actually find them?

Mirin: Hm, let's see...

Mirin: A lot of the more dangerous yokai are said to exist even outside of fiction.

Mirin: However, monsters are sometimes mistakenly labeled yokai as a result of various folktales or legends passed down from one generation to the next.

Mirin: There are also yokai that were clearly made up by writers and artists for amusement.

Mirin: It's hard to tell exactly which yokai are real and which ones are make-believe.

Mirin: I think it'd be fun to meet one of the harmless yokai though.

Lyria: Yeah, I totally agree! I feel like I'd really get along with a tofu-kozo!

Vyrn: H-hey, guys... Take a look at this!

Vyrn points at one of the yokai in the guide. Drawn on one of its pages is a kappa.

Lyria: Why is Kyuta in a book about yokai?

Mirin: Whoa... Not only have I already met a yokai, but turns out I'm pretty close to one too!

(Captain) and the others are shocked to discover that, at least in the far east, Kyuta is regarded as a yokai.

On the way back from the flea market, the crew passes through a forest when, out of the blue, the sound of clapping thunder reverberates in the distance.

Shion: How unusual. There isn't a cloud in the sky. It shouldn't be possible for lightning to form under such conditions.

Mirin: I think it's dry lightning! I remember hearing about it from my father!

Mirin: Folks back in the olden days probably blamed yokai for these kinda weird phenomena.

???: Heeelp!

Shion: Roaring thunder followed by an echoing voice. Is this the screech of a bird or the cry of a yokai? The oddities continue.

???: Is anybody there? Help me! Please!

Mirin: Gozaru?

Mirin: Wait, I think I hear someone's voice! He's calling out for help! Everybody, let's get moving!

The group weaves through the trees to the voice's source. There, they find an old merchant with an injured leg, unable to move.

Mirin: Are you okay?

Lyria: Let me treat his wounds first...

Merchant: Phew... I feel much better now. Thank you.

Sensing fear in his voice, Mirin stares at the merchant for a few moments.

Mirin: I don't mean to pry, but did something happen?

Merchant: Y-yes, actually... As I was carrying my goods to the next village, I came across a good-for-nothing thief.

Merchant: I'm ashamed to admit it, but I abandoned my wares and ran for my life. In my haste, I ended up tripping over and—well, you know the rest of the story.

Mirin: Where exactly did you cross paths with this thief?

The merchant, sensing Mirin's readiness to dash off at the drop of a hat, tugs at her kimono as if to stop her.

Merchant: I appreciate the concern, miss, but it's best you stay here! I wouldn't want to put you in harm's way...

Mirin: We're skyfarers—it's our job to help people. Besides, we found you for a reason. There's no way we can just leave you be!

Merchant: I'm warning you. This isn't some run-of-the-mill thief you're dealing with. I was attacked by a tengu—a monster capable of summoning gales of wind and shooting bolts of lightning!

Mirin & Shion: A tengu?

Mirin and Shion give each other a quick glance before flipping through the yokai guide once more.

Mirin: Possessing a red face and a long nose, this flying beast boasts large wings that grow out of its back.

Mirin: A demon that leads people down the path of evil, it uses its divine powers to manipulate wind, lightning, and even people's minds.

Mirin reads the entry on tengu out loud before quietly closing the book.

Vyrn: This one doesn't sound nice like the tofu-kozo or azukitogi...

Shion: It is, in fact, a perfect example of how dangerous yokai can be. I have no doubt in my mind that it would cause significant trouble were we to leave it as is.

Mirin: ...

Shion: Mirin?

Mirin: Hey, mister. Do you know where we could find the tengu?

Merchant: Did you not hear me? You're dealing with a monster! Are you really going to go?

Mirin: Yep! I'm a samurai. It's what I do.

Seeing the look of determination within Mirin's eyes, the merchant finally concedes, and he shares with the party the tengu's whereabouts in more detail.

Mirin: Thank you, mister! Don't you worry! We'll make sure to get all your stuff back!

Shion: Allow me to join you, Mirin.

Mirin: Okay! Thanks, Shion!

Mirin: Hey, (Captain)! Do you think the rest of you could take our injured friend to a doctor?

Vyrn: Sure, but will you two really be okay by yourselves?

Mirin: Uh-huh! It'll be a piece of cake! Leave the tengu to us!

Her spirits high, Mirin declares her next plan of action before heading deeper into the forest with Shion.