Hata no Kokoro
Hata no Kokoro's Fantasy Rebirth Story
There you are, Kokoro.
Kokoro
Oh, hello, PLAYER. What are you doing out this late at night? It's dangerous.
Kokoro
I heard there's a new type of youkai roaming about called a Lost Word. You should go back inside and get some sleep.
I was looking for you.
Kokoro
Well, you found me. I was dancing.
Kokoro
Mo―... I mean, Miss Toyosatomimi no Miko was looking for people to investigate the Spiritual Realm, so I volunteered.
Oh, so she's already started gathering people, huh?
Kokoro
I'm a menreiki, so I can understand all sorts of things without the need for words. At least, I think that's how it works.
Kokoro
When I express myself with Noh, I release a spiritual power. I've been using that power to investigate the Spiritual Realm.
Kokoro
It's kinda similar to investigating temperaments. No, scratch that. I get the feeling that it's basically the same thing.
Kokoro
Hakurei Shrine is on a barrier, so I hoped I'd also be able to see what's happening in the outside world by dancing here.
Kokoro
I'm also pretty used to dancing here now.
Kokoro
Wait... What were we talking about?
Kokoro
...Oh, right. Why were you looking for me, PLAYER?
Th-Thanks for reminding me!
Here, I've got a present for you!
Kokoro
Wow, really? Why? What's the occasion?
Kokoro
Is it my birthday?
Um, I dunno... Maybe you'll find out if you open it.
Kokoro
Oooooh, now I'm really curious.
Kokoro
N-No way.
Kokoro
These clothes are so cute!
Kokoro
Are you really giving this to me? Thanks, PLAYER.
Actually, it's not from me.
Why don't you read the letter that came with it?
Kokoro
Oh, there's a letter...?
Kokoro
Hmm, what does it say?
Kokoro
I'll read it out...
Kokoro
"There's a theory that Hata no Kawakatsu was actually the one who created a menreiki."
Kokoro
...
Kokoro
...?
Kokoro
No way!
Kokoro
Is this from my dad?!
(Err, that wasn't the reaction I was expecting...)
Kokoro
Well, whatever. I'm really thankful for the gift.
Kokoro
Woohoo!
Kokoro
Hmmm.
What's wrong, Kokoro? Why'd you stop dancing?
Kokoro
I can't seem to investigate the Spiritual Realm as well as I'd like.
Kokoro
Maybe I need more practice controlling my emotions...
Kokoro
At this rate, I'll never be worthy of wearing that lovely costume I got.
(Right, her expression still hasn't changed at all...)
Kokoro
Perhaps I need to better understand the floating spirits' feelings.
Kokoro
Like, think about it, I'm a tsukumogami, right? So I've never left this tool body of mine.
Kokoro
There's no way I can understand them. Have you ever left your body before, PLAYER?
No, of course not. I'm just a normal human.
Oh, but maybe you could experience something similar.
Kokoro
Really?! How? Please tell me!
You could go to the Dream World.
Kokoro
What?!
Unless they have some weird out-of-body experience...
...people can't meet face-to-face with their own spirit.
But almost anything's possible in the Dream World.
Kokoro
...!
Kokoro
Right, that makes sense! 'Specially since dreams can manifest as dream souls!
Kokoro
I can't remember who told me, but...
Kokoro
I heard that a dream version of me was super wild and annoying 'cause her emotions were out of control.
Kokoro
...A-Actually, that sounds pretty scary.
Kokoro
I know that going to the Dream World might help me... but I'm too scared to go there.
Kokoro...
Kokoro
...
Who is your dream self? Who do you wanna become?
Kokoro
Hm?
Kokoro
I wanna perfectly control my emotions! Like, I wanna stop immediately saying whatever comes to mind.
Kokoro
I wanna be more mature.
Kokoro
I wanna express myself and have the same emotions as an ordinary girl! Though, it'd be boring to grow up too much.
And how are you going to do that?
Kokoro
Umm, I can do that by... Err...
Kokoro
...By coming to terms with who I am now.
Yeah, it won't be easy. But I have to do the same.
Kokoro
Right... you also have to face your fears, don't you, PLAYER?
It's scary, but we have to do this to beat the Lost Words.
Kokoro
...
Kokoro
I think I'll go meet my Dream World self, after all.
Kokoro
I don't know what will happen, but I have to take this step forward...
Kokoro
Otherwise, I'll never perfect my dance, and we'll never make any progress in resolving the Lost Word Incident.
Kokoro
I have to be brave and master my emotions.
I'll help you!
Kokoro
Thanks, PLAYER!
Kokoro
I'm most scared of doing something stupid and messing everything up, so it'd be great to have a friend come with me.
Kokoro
Also, we should probably talk to Doremy Sweet first 'cause I reckon it'd be dangerous to just step into the Dream World.
Kokoro
And if we're lucky, we might also find a way to help Koishi in there.
Yeah, we both have friends who can help us.
Kokoro
...
Kokoro
Right, we don't have to go it alone.
Kokoro
I'm all fired up now!
What expression do you make at times like this?
Kokoro
A BIG SMILE!
(Her expression hasn't changed!)
(But I can still tell how she feels.)
(And seeing her like this makes me happy too!)
Hata no Kokoro's Fantasy Rebirth Story
Kokoro
I've felt this way for a while now, but the Dream World and the Underworld seem to be connected. Like they're both connected at their very cores... No, I haven't given this enough thought. I know! Let's ask Miss Doremy and Koishi for help!
