My Dear Bro Kou
You invites Kou out for a day of fun, treating him to all sorts of goodies. Kou, wanting to return the kindness, offers to pick out a kimono for her. When You comes out of the fitting room, Kou is nowhere to be seen.
Ninetails, a terrifying epitome of evil.
Sealed away long ago, she toyed with the fates of Societte, Yuel, Kou, and You in order to be brought back once more.
However, the four worked together to resist this cruel destiny and succeeded in defeating Ninetails.
They now live like a family as part of (Captain)'s crew.
On one of those halcyon days...
You exhibits strange behavior.
She paces back and forth before the door into someone's room, squatting on occasion.
You: Siiigh...
As if having made up her mind, she reaches for the doorknob.
You: Ah!
Kou: Um... You? What were you doing all this time?
You: "A-all this time," you say... You mean you noticed?
Kou: Sure, I can tell when it's you.
You: That makes sense. Hahaha... I mean, I can sense your presence too. Of course... Haha...
You: B-Bro Kou? Um...
You: You see, (Captain) gave me a bit of an allowance!
You: So I was wondering...
You: If... we could go out together...
Countless thoughts race through Kou's head in the second it takes her to say that.
Kou: (She paced around in front of my room all this time just to say that?)
Kou: (Must be a big decision for her.)
Kou: (Well, I definitely don't want her feeling lonely.)
Kou: Sure. Let's head out together—just the two of us.
You: ...!
Yay! I get to be all alone with Bro Kou!
Kou: Haha. Yep, that's right.
Kou: (There's no trace of Ninetails's last fragment, so it should be fine. Probably.)
Kou and You walk around town, holding hands all the while.
You: Bro Kou, Bro Kou! I'm gonna bring you someplace real nice today!
You: And don't even think about whipping out your wallet! Because everything's on me!
Kou: How nice. Are you really sure about this though?
You: You bet I am! I saved up plenty of money just for today!
Kou: (I know you've been helping out (Captain) with a bunch of jobs lately...)
Kou: (No idea it was just to go out with me though...)
Kou: You're such a sweetheart, You.
He gives her a loving head pat.
You's large ears droop as her tails wag with excitement.
You: Eh... Ehehe... That tickles...
You: Okay now! It's this way! You're gonna love it, Bro Kou!
Kou: (I wonder where she's gonna bring me.)
Kou: ...
You: Bro Kou! This is it!
Kou: A... tofu stand?
You: You love tofu too, don't you? Check out the bean curd! Sis Yuel recommended this place!
You: Fresh off the stand! Let's eat up while it's hot!
Kou: Ah, thanks... Nom...
You: Mmm! It's so soft and chewy...
Kou: Yeah, it's fried to a perfectly crisp brown. Although...
You: Huh? Y-you don't like it?
Kou: Oh, no, no! I love the flavor. Thanks for bringing me here, You.
You: Ehehe, glad to hear it! We're headed this way next!
Kou: All right. Let's go.
Kou: Th-this is...
Kou: A teahouse?
You: You're a fan too, right? Sis Yuel said the green tea here is especially thick and full-bodied.
You: Freshly brewed! Let's drink some together!
Kou: Sure... What a pleasant bitterness. A refined taste to boot.
You: Whoa... This is bitter...
Kou: Ahaha...
You: And here's our next place of interest! Beautiful, don't you think?
Kou: It certainly is beautiful. But...
Kou: A natural garden?
You: I thought you had a thing for gardens!
Kou: I do, but...
You: C'mon, Bro Kou! I'll piggyback you to give you a better view!
Kou: Ah!
You: Huh? Don't you enjoy being piggybacked? Sis Yuel told me!
Kou: So she's the one giving you ideas, huh...
Kou: Anyway...
Kou: It feels like you're just catering to all my interests today, You.
You: Of course I am! I want you to be happy!
Kou: And I am, but you should be enjoying yourself too.
You: Just being around you keeps me happy, Bro Kou! You can be sure of that!
Kou: (What a sweetheart...)
Kou: I mean, it's your money after all. I'd want you to spend some of it on yourself—
Kou: Oh, I know. How about we go shopping for a new kimono for you?
You: A kimono?
Kou: Haha, that reaction tells me I hit the mark. Kimono shopping it is. I'll help you pick one out.
You: Bro Kou! That's so nice of you!
You: But today's supposed to be for you... I want to do stuff that makes you happy.
Kou: Seeing you in fashionable dress puts a smile on my face, You.
You: ...!
You: Okay, let's go!
Kou: Haha.
The two arrive at a kimono shop and delightfully browse the selection.
Happy to try out Kou's recommendations, You makes for the fitting room.
Clerk: It's this way. Will you be able to change alone?
You: Mm-hm! Not a problem.
Clerk: Great. Haha, what a lovely brother you have.
Clerk: He picked out such a fine piece. It seems to be just your size, is soft to the touch, and offers great breathability. It's also incredibly light and unobstructive.
You: Oh yeah? I didn't even notice...
Clerk: What's more, it's made of remarkably sturdy cloth to ensure that the kimono lasts.
Clerk: You might just be the nicest big brother in the world.
You: Y-you think so? Hehe...
Clerk: C'mon, go ahead and change and show your big brother!
You: Bro Kou... Ehehe...
You: I ended up being in his debt again.
You: He's always so nice to me.
You: This morning too. He realized what I was feeling and offered to spend time alone with me...
You: I sure hope seeing me in this kimono brightens up his day.
You: Bro Kou, sorry to keep you waiting! How do I look?
You: ...?
You: Huh? Bro Kou?
Clerk: He paid for the kimono and stepped out earlier. I wonder if something happened.
You: Wha...
You: Without saying anything to me?
The blood quickly drains from You's face.
She cannot imagine Kou leaving her without saying a word.
Whatever the case, something doesn't feel right about this.
You focuses her senses, searching for Kou's presence.
You: Why... Why don't I feel anything!
You: Bro Kou... Kou... Where could you possibly be!
You frantically runs around town.
You: Huh?
She finds... something.
Something that turns her world upside down.
You: No, no... This can't be true!
You: Bro Kouuuu!
Give Him Back
You runs into a figure taking the form of Kou. It lures her to abandoned ruins on the outskirts of town, where the real Kou is captured.
You: Aah...
Sprawled out on the ground a short distance from the stupefied You is Kou's body, drenched in blood.
You runs over to check on him.
She immediately notices an abnormality and stops in her tracks.
You: Eh...
You: Who the hell are you!
You glares at the body of what was supposed to be Kou, its outline starting to turn to mush.
It slowly rises and flashes a creepy grin at You.
???: Ah? Aahhh?
You: ...!
???: Gee, how did you know? Especially when I look and smell juuust like him.
???: Is it the power of love? Aha, that must be it. Geh! Gehehe!
???: That delightfully terrified look on your face earlier... Kou being in a pinch really puts you on edge, eh? It can only be love.
???: Gehe! Gehehehee!
You: Ngh!
You: Urk!
Just as the being taking on Kou's appearance dissolves, a grating sound resembling scraping glass reverberates in You's head.
The sound then changes into words that flow into You's consciousness.
???: No worries, sweetheart. I wouldn't disappear on you.
???: I'll continue watching you as I always have.
You: Y-you've been watching me?
???: So tell me, Is Bro Kou your brother by blood? Or no?
???: If not, then all the sweeter that love is. Wish I could have some of it for myself. Too bad I goofed.
???: I know! Why don't you come with me? Just like all the others, show me the affection you and him share.
???: Just say yes and come on over. I can't wait to see what a loving pair of siblings you two are.
You: You're not making any damn sense! Where's Bro Kou! What have you done to him?
You: Rgh!
The uncomfortable sensation of dirt suddenly presses against You's mouth...
Forcing her to clamp it shut.
???: Shh... Could you stay quiet for a second? I'm talking now.
???: There's an abandoned ruin in the outskirts of town. You really ought to check it out.
???: Alone, of course. Definitely alone. If you want to see your brother in one piece again, that is.
A dull shattering sound rings in You's head.
Kou: ...!
You: (Bro Kou!)
???: Oh? You're not gonna scream? Gehe! Impressive! Very impressive! Don't want him to worry, eh? Must be the power of love!
???: Actually, hey, why don't we try that again? Whaddya—
Kou: You... Don't follow me no matter what... Calm yourself and get back to the Grandcypher!
???: Ignoring me, are ya? Hah! Now that's what I call love!
Kou: ...!
You: (Bro Kou... Bro Kou!)
???: Gehe... Well, you have your options. Take your pick, You.
???: I'm waaatching. I'm listeniiing.
???: Gehe! Gehehe!
You crumples to the ground, struggling to catch her breath as she collects herself.
You: Huff... Huff... The heck is your problem!
You: You with Ninetails?
You: No, can't be—that old hag gives off a different presence. You're...
You: A different kind of evil...
You: What do I do, what do I do... Need to ask everyone... for help...
You: Except I can't... It said to come alone... and that it's watching...
You: Can't risk Bro Kou's safety... I do this alone...
You: But Bro Kou said to run back...
You: Urgh!
You: Bro Kou... What do I do!
Kou: You're such a sweetheart, You.
You: Bro Kou... I might be too much of a sweetheart...
Give Him Back: Scene 2
You confronts the freak of nature that's captured Kou—and now her as well. It reveals that it wishes to observe the sibling love of the pair up close. When it transforms into You, she sees it as a chance to attack but is suddenly drained of strength.
Kou, lying on the ground, can feel the sensation of his limbs fading away.
Yet the entire time he's only been concerned with You's well-being.
You: Bro Kou!
Kou: You... No... Why...
You: I'm sorry... But I just knew that if I was the one captured...
You: You'd come save me no matter how dangerous it might be!
You: That's why I'm going to do the same! You're not alone, Bro Kou! We're getting out of this together!
Kou: Appreciate it, You...
Kou: But you have to leave... That thing is dangerous... Go alrea—
Kou: Gwah...
You: Bro Kou!
???: Sweeeet. Loves makes me so jealous. Wish I could have some of it for myself.
You: Screw you! Why you don't just drop dead!
Wreathed in flames, You charges forward, ready to torch the evil presence that seems to be torturing Kou.
But her flames fade away before she makes contact with anything.
You: !
???: Gehehe! Can't attack even though you know I'm a fake, can you? La, la—love is in the air!
You: Stop it! Taking on Bro Kou's appearance is just playing dirty, you filthy scum...
You: Let him go already!
???: How about no? Not when love's about to fall into my hands.
You: You're not making a lick of sense! What the heck are you even!
???: You really wanna know, huh? I'm nothing. Nothing at all. Everyone calls me a freak of nature though.
???: You see, I'm just dying to know what true love feels like.
???: I want to see it firsthand.
???: Which is exactly why you two are going to spend an eternity loving each other right before my eyes. Well?
???: And don't worry—you won't be alone. I'll make sure you have plenty of friends to accompany you! The more love, the merrier.
???: I'll be drowning in everlasting love. Forever and ever.
You: How about hell no, you damn freak!
You: Me and Bro Kou belong with (Captain)'s crew, where Sis Yuel and Sis Societte are waiting for us!
You: Wouldn't go along with you in a million years! Back off from Bro Kou!
???: ...
You: ...?
???: Gehe!
???: Gehehehe!
You: ...!
???: Ooh, spunky! Quite the display of love there!
???: Now just keep it going!
Taking advantage of the instant in which You is completely dazed, the freak of nature closes in on her.
It places a hand on her quivering shoulder...
And gradually shifts in appearance from Kou to You.
You: Wha...
???: Whoo, I'm literally you now. Gehe, gehehe!
???: And as you, I'm going to win over the love of (Captain), Sis Yuel, and Sis Societte!
You: ...!
???: Oh, but you noticed right away that I wasn't Kou. Strange, I've fooled everyone else up until now.
???: Could the love between you two be that strong? Gehehe! Yep, yep, that's gotta be it!
You: I don't know what the hell your problem is. How about you just tell me what you want...
???: Like everyone else, I wanna know what love is. That's why I'm gathering people from all over to observe.
You: You're full of crap!
You: Don't know if that's your attempt at scaring me into submission, but it's not gonna work!
You: Because I'm not afraid of myself! Only need a second to bury you six feet under! Time to die!
???: What's that? You think you can beat yourself? Can you reeaally kill yourself?
You: Heck yeah! I've done it before, and I can do it again!
However...
You: Wha?
You: Huh...
Drained of strength, You collapses to the ground.
Give Him Back: Scene 3
It turns out the freak of nature possesses the ability to drain the power and presence of the person it's imitating. Before it can gain full control over You, Kou—pushing past the incredible pain he's in—stabs the freak of nature and forces it to withdraw. You then hurriedly piggybacks Kou back to the Grandcypher for safe harbor. Unbeknownst to them, the freak of nature continues to watch from the shadows.
You: Why am I... feeling so weak...
???: Gehehe! Gehehehe!
You: Mng...
The freak of nature mercilessly kicks the fallen You.
Unable to withstand the impact, her body goes flying into the wall.
You: Gwuh!
???: Like I said, I'm literally "you" now. Don't you get it?
???: That includes every facet of you, including your powers and presence. The person I'm copying becomes an empty shell of themselves.
???: I can use my newfound powers or hide my presence like the flick of a switch.
You: (Meaning it has full control...)
You: (Must be why it didn't have Bro Kou's presence that time...)
???: You know, I made sure I was Kou earlier.
???: What gave me away?
From the outside in, the freak of nature slowly melts away into the surrounding space.
Cold sweat runs down You's body as she watches the thing turn into a heat haze.
Tears well up in her eyes. With pained sobs, her throat quivers.
You: Huff... Huff...
???: Oh, there's no rush. I'll take my sweet time with you two later.
???: For now, I'm going to put you aw—
Kou: Don't count me out just yet...
???: Wha?
Kou: You laid hands on her...
You: Bro Kou!
Kou: Time to pay for it with your life, monster!
???: Figures... I wasn't copying your form just now.
???: Though I wonder if you'd have hesitated had I remained as You.
???: Tch, let my guard down.
???: Hold on a sec! How are you even moving with limbs like that? Oof, talk about a gross skin color.
Kou: Shut up and die already!
???: Gehe! Must be the power of love again.
???: How nice...
Kou: Pant... Wheeze...
You: Bro Kou!
Kou: Yeah... You okay?
You: Mm-hm! I'm sorry you ended up having to save me again though...
You: You're always around to get me out of a jam, while I—
Kou: I was able to move only because you came for me, You. Really appreciate it.
Kou: You helped me big-time.
You: Bro Kou...
Kou: Haha... With that beautiful kimono you're wearing, a smile would suit you so much better.
Kou: Ah, You... You look so nice in that...
You: Bro Kou!
As he shuts his eyes, You panics and listens for his heartbeat.
Seeing that Kou's pulse is faint but steady, You breathes a sigh of relief.
You: Now's not the time for flattery, Bro Kou.
You hoists Kou onto her back and rushes out of the ruins.
You: (Have to get back to everyone...)
You: (Whatever that thing is, I bet it's still alive... Could be pursuing us right now.)
You: (Need to get away fast with Bro Kou...)
You: Huff... Huff... Sis Yuel, Sis Societte... (Captain)...
You: Help us...
Battered and beaten, the warm sensation of her brother on her back is enough to keep her going.
A mysterious figure watches from the shadows.
???: Peeerfect. So perfect. I'm still dying to see more of that love.
???: I'll be waatching. I'll be liistening.
???: Gehehehe!