Suika Ibuki
Suika Ibuki's Fantasy Rebirth Story
...Miss Suika.
Suika
Good, you're here.
Suika
C'mon, take a seat and join me for a drink.
Um... I'll have some orange juice!
Suika
Huh?!
(Eeep!)
Suika
...
Suika
Fine, whatever.
Suika
I've had a chat like this with Reimu and other humans before, but never with someone sober.
Suika
The times really have changed.
...?
Th-Thanks for the orange juice. Cheers!
(She didn't look happy, but she still got me some juice!)
Suika
Cheers.
Suika
Aah.
Suika
Now, as I was saying...
Uh-huh.
Suika
I never thought I'd share a drink with a normal human like you ever again.
Suika
In the past, I'd often welcome humans who came to hunt oni with a drink. And now, Reimu and the like fulfill a similar role.
Suika
But you already know that, don't you?
Yes, but I noticed they're not with you tonight.
Suika
Yeah, 'cause I didn't call them. I didn't gather anyone here but you.
Suika
Oni aren't your average youkai. In fact, you could say we're the original youkai.
Suika
Spirits of the dead, kidnapping monsters, and strange invisible presences are all oni, but not in the truest sense.
What do you mean?
Suika
The oni that humans can comprehend aren't really oni. Humans and oni can't understand each other any longer.
Suika
However...
Suika
Things were different in the past.
Suika
Back then was a better time for both humans and oni.
Suika
Though, maybe I only think that 'cause I'm an oni.
Suika
The humans probably thought the whole thing, from start to finish, was a colossal nuisance.
Suika
But I'll never know for sure 'cause those humans are no longer with us.
Suika
Those really were the days.
Suika
I partied every night.
Suika
But there's no use dwelling on the past. The world keeps changing. Like, you didn't even bring a sake cup with you...
Suika
Change is the fundamental nature of youkai.
Suika
And humans also change... even if they try not to.
We both change... but in different ways?
Suika
I didn't really want to say it, but yeah. That's why we can't coexist.
But what about Gensokyo?!
Suika
Yeah, that's why Gensokyo was made.
Suika
Haven't you ever thought about why Yukari made it how it is, or why she named it Gensokyo―the Land of Fantasy?
Suika
Even if you're not the brightest, it's not that hard to understand.
...
Suika
You've wandered deep into dangerous territory.
Suika
And if you go any deeper... your humanity might get left behind.
Huh?
Suika
...
Suika
PLAYER...
Suika
...
Suika
Do you wanna come to the Land of the Oni?
What?
Suika
I don't mean just for a visit, but to live there for good.
Umm... Why are you asking me this...?
Suika
Everyone's got their own theories about the Lost Word Incident.
Suika
That goes for the sages, the Tenma, and even the hated youkai of the Underworld.
Suika
There's no way of knowing what's true and what's not... which makes it all the more terrifying.
Suika
It's like an incident youkai.
You mean the incident itself... is a youkai?
Suika
Kinda. It's a metaphor.
Suika
Living in the Land of the Oni ain't gonna be easy for a kid like you.
Suika
I don't know if you'll survive, and even if you do, you'll stop being human.
Suika
But giving up your humanity's much better than getting done in by a Lost Word. Don't you think?
So you want to save me...?
Suika
What gave you that idea? Of course not.
Suika
I'm an oni. There are legends about me.
Suika
Oni can only exist 'cause people talk about us. The same goes for other youkai as well as Gensokyo itself.
Suika
That's probably why the Child of Miare continues to remember and record the history of Gensokyo.
Suika
But the Child of Miare also lives in Gensokyo. When the Lost Word arrives, she might disappear along with everything else.
Suika
I need a contingency. That's all.
...Right, that makes sense.
Suika
I'm gonna take you away when the time comes. Well, as long as neither of us changes our minds before then.
Suika
The word "oni" comes from "onu," which means "hide" or "conceal."
Suika
If I choose to take you away, no one can stop me. Even Yukari, the master of spiriting away, can't compete with oni.
Suika
You should ready yourself 'cause there's not much time until the Lost Word Incident gets here.
OK.
Suika
...
Suika
How can you be so calm? You're just a lowly human.
Suika
This is a real letdown. Are you a coward? Or are you just stupid? Or worse...
Suika
...a liar?
Suika
You could die as soon as tomorrow. And even if I save, you'll lose all your freedom.
Suika
All that awaits you is pain and misery, with no guarantee that your life will ever improve.
Suika
There's no hope for you. Once you're in the Land of the Oni, no one can save you. Not even Reimu or Yukari.
Suika
Now's your last chance to cry, scream, and unleash your anger. You haven't lost your freedom or your life yet.
Suika
Go on.
Suika
Let it all out, like the human you are.
Suika
You can even try to act brave if you want. I'd enjoy that.
Suika
Hurry up and throw a tantrum. I'll raise a cup as I watch how pathetic you are.
Suika
Go on, do it.
No.
I want to scream.
I want to get angry.
I want to cry.
Suika
Then―
But I won't.
Suika
...
Suika
Actually, when I stop to think about it, seeing you all afraid of the Lost Word Incident wouldn't really be that much fun.
Suika
Besides... haven't you noticed yet?
Noticed what?
Suika
There's an oni sitting right next to you.
Suika
I'm an oni.
Suika
It's pretty rude how you haven't even considered the possibility when there's an oni right in front of your eyes.
What are you talking about?
Suika
It's an oni's job to cause chaos.
Suika
Lost Words hide words and distort their meaning. Don't you think it'd be easy for an oni to do something like that?
Suika
I don't know about the other oni, but I definitely can.
But...
...you'd never do such a thing.
Suika
...
Suika
I was joking. Don't take it so seriously.
Phew.
Suika
Really, just forget about it. I don't want Yukari getting any strange ideas.
Speaking of Miss Yukari... I've got a present for you.
Suika
Tch. Is that her way of saying she predicted everything?
Suika
...Ooh, nice.
Suika
It's said that oni come in five colors, but there's also a theory that our original color was white to match the Metal Phase.
Suika
That's 'cause metal clubs and tigers are Metal Phase. With all this white, perhaps oni are more suited to Heaven than Hell.
I bet you'll look great in those clothes.
Suika
...
Suika
...I'll try talking to some of my oni friends.
Huh?!
Suika
I wasn't lying when I said oni can do something similar to the Lost Words.
Suika
So I reckon one of them's gotta know something. I have to understand... and make that knowledge my own.
...
Suika
Good, don't say anything.
Suika
No decent human would side with an oni. If we exchange words, you'll become an accomplice.
Suika
Stay silent...
Suika
...and watch with bated breath.
Suika
Chaos, alcohol, flowers, and disorder. Tonight, you'll witness the beginnings of a wild oni dance.
Costume Presentation
Suika
Humans are weak. They have shorter lives than oni and can die from pretty much anything. They're also liars. Even Reimu and Marisa aren't exceptions. I don't rightly know why I'm so friendly with you... but our friendship makes the sake taste better.
