Hina Kagiyama
Hina Kagiyama's Fantasy Rebirth Story
(It sure is tricky walking down by the river at night.)
(I'm only here because I heard Miss Hina was nearby...)
???
Who's there?
Miss Hina! Good evening!
I'm so glad I found you!
Hina
Stop right there!
Wh-What's the matter?
Hina
I've told you before, PLAYER. My job is to gather misfortune and give it to other gods.
Hina
So misfortune is always swirling around me. And that's bad news for any nearby humans like you.
Hina
It seems like misfortune barely affects you, but you'd still be better off keeping your distance.
Hina
You never know when misfortune will strike. And when it does...
Hina
...who knows what kind of danger it'll put you in?
Hina
So don't get too close to me, OK?
Y-You're right. I'm sorry...!
But I just had to see you tonight!
Hina
Oh, really?
Hina
Well, all right then. Come on over.
Hina
I know what I said, but you can get a little closer than that if you like. After all, it seems like you're here for a reason.
Hina
However! You mustn't forget to cross your fingers and say "engacho" after you leave!
Hina
You promise?
I-I promise! I won't forget!
Hina
About before...
Hina
I... I'm sorry. You came all this way to see me, and I ended up shouting at you.
It's OK!
I know you were really just worried about me!
Hina
Phew. I'm so glad to hear you say that. Oh, and...
Hina
...I'm really happy you're here.
Hina
My job is to watch over humans and rid them of their misfortune, which I then gather.
Hina
But in doing so, I've given the humans cause to distance themselves from me. I'm both worshipped and feared.
Hina
If you think about it, they treat me more like a god than they do most other gods.
Hina
But we misfortune gods can exist even without much faith, which I guess makes us more similar to youkai.
Hina
That's why, when people come to visit me like you've done tonight...
Hina
...it makes me really happy.
Hina
But it's kinda strange. As a misfortune god, I have to keep away from humans, yet I'm this happy when one comes to see me!
Hina
It'd probably be better for my work if I rid myself of these emotions...
I feel happy when someone comes to see me too!
Besides, getting rid of them would be so sad...
Hina
...Yes, you're right.
Hina
I'm sorry, PLAYER. It's not like me to talk that way.
...Ah, that reminds me! Can I ask you something?
What were you doing in the river before?
Hina
Huh? I was just doing what I always do―collecting things that float downstream.
Even though there's a big incident going on?!
Hina
I was doing it BECAUSE of the incident. Right now, everyone's got their hands full trying to resolve it―
Hina
―but someone still has to deal with the dangers that came before it, right?
Hina
I might not have the power to resolve the big incident, but I can protect people's lives by gathering misfortune.
Hina
That way, there'll be fewer problems, and everyone can focus on the incident.
So this is your way of helping!
You really are amazing, Miss Hina!
Hina
Teehee, thanks.
Hina
...Hm?
Miss Hina?
What is it?
Hina
I-It's nothing. Probably just my imagination.
Hina
Anyway, what did you come to see me for?
Oh, right! I came to give you a present!
Hina
You did?! Are you sure it's not just an offering?
Uh-huh! It's definitely a present!
Hina
Wow, this is beautiful! I couldn't have picked a better costume myself!
Hina
...Hey, PLAYER.
Hina
As a thank you, let me tell you all about dolls!
Sure, why not?!
(That was unexpected.)
Hina
Humans have been crafting objects made in their own image since long ago.
Hina
The first dolls were shaped from mud.
Hina
The fact they used mud is important, as it can be molded into whatever shape you please.
Hina
They made all kinds of dolls and used them to play. This, in turn, gave rise to many different customs.
Playing with dolls... You mean like playing house?
Hina
That's one type of doll playing, yes. But there are more.
Hina
For example, dolls are used in some curse rituals, are they not? The origins of this, too, stem from doll playing.
Hina
The very first dolls were made from mud, but as time went on, different materials came to be used.
Hina
One famous example are doguu, figures made from clay. But that was just the beginning.
Hina
Doll making became much easier with the advent of paper dolls and straw dolls.
Hina
The straw dolls ended up being used in curse rituals, but still...
Hina
A doll's a doll, right?
Hina
Across all the ages, humans have been using objects made to look like themselves.
Hina
Even now, dolls are used to represent parents, siblings, and unborn babies.
Hina
I've even heard humans in the outside world use dolls without physical forms to represent themselves.
Dolls without physical forms?
If they look human, I guess that makes them dolls...
Hina
Apparently, humans there have devices that let them communicate with each other from afar.
Hina
And they can use them to project images of themselves or create virtual dolls to speak for them... or something like that.
Hina
Hmm, that's enough about the outside world. It's not like I really understand all that stuff anyway.
R-Right!
(I didn't really understand the stuff before that either!)
Hina
But one thing I do know is that as time goes by, more and more dolls are being made.
Hina
Which means dolls are doing more on behalf of humans.
Hina
It's possible that humans are using them not only as friends but as family members too.
Hina
And the only explanation for that would be there aren't enough humans fulfilling those roles!
A-Are you serious?!
Hina
Like I said, it's only a possibility. Maybe I'm just overthinking things.
Hina
...Are you enjoying our conversation?
???
Oh, my. So you knew I was here all along?
Okina
How have you been, PLAYER?
Miss Okina?!
What are you doing here?!
Okina
We're in the midst of an unprecedented incident. I figured I should come and speak with my fellow hidden god.
Hina
Well? How long were you listening?
Okina
From just before you received that present.
Hina
I thought so. That's why I decided to talk about dolls.
Okina
Hahaha, I see! Perhaps you and I are not so different!
(I don't get it, but it sounds like they're getting along.)
(With so many gods, I know we can end the incident!)
Okina
Anyway, that costume was made especially for you. Why don't you try it on?
Hina
Yes, you're right. PLAYER, will you wait there a moment?
No problem!
Okina
Now, PLAYER, I have something to ask of you.
Sure... What is it?
Okina
As you know, Hina is constantly isolated because she is a misfortune god. There are few who approach her as you've done.
Okina
Would you spend some more time with her? So long as it doesn't put you in danger, that is.
Okina
The potential for infinite power lies in her ability to gather misfortune.
Okina
She hasn't realized it yet, but she may end up playing a crucial role in resolving this incident.
Okina
So I want you to look out for her until the time comes. What do you say?
That sounds like a really important job...
Are you sure I'm up to it?
Okina
Don't overthink it.
Okina
Just keep doing what you've been doing. Come see her when you can and give her someone to talk to.
Okina
That should help her to relax. Even gods need a break every now and then, you know?
Really? That's all I've got to do?!
Okina
Yes, that'd be more than enough.
Okina
You're the only one I can trust with this task.
Can I really help Miss Hina...?
What am I saying? Of course, I can!
Hina
PLAYER, I'm ready! Wanna take a look?
Coming!
(This is as good a start as any!)
Costume Presentation
Hina Kagiyama
You've accumulated so many slivers of misfortune... Come here, I'll take them. Misfortune doesn't affect you much, but it can still be deadly if it piles up. It's a pain to cleanse, so you should be more careful... I really should've warned you earlier!
