Enoko Mitsugashira
Enoko Mitsugashira's Fantasy Rebirth Story
Enokooo!
???
Yeah?!
Enoko
No need to shout so loud. Yamainu's have AMAZING hearing, heh heh!
Enoko
So what's up? Looking for Marisa? She's been out a lot lately.
Enoko
From what I hear, she's flying all over with Reimu and the others. The Forest of Magic's under my watch, so it's fine.
Enoko
Together with Alice and Narumi, I've been watching Marisa longer than anyone. Except maybe Mister Rinnosuke.
Enoko
I'm practically her guardian.
Guardian... As in you're her mom?!
Enoko
Foster mom! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?!
Enoko
Anyway, that's enough kidding around.
Enoko
What brings you here today? Surely things are dangerous enough as they are.
I came for that item around your neck!
Enoko
Th-This?! But I'm borrowing it from Lady Zanmu!
Enoko
You can't have it! No way, no how!
Enoko
And not just 'cause I'm mean. It's, like, super dangerous! Especially for a human!
Enoko
If something went wrong, a warp item like this would... Well, let's just say you wouldn't live to tell the tale!
Enoko
You'd need expert supervision. Without that, this item stays put.
About that!
Enoko
Hm? If you've got some kinda secret plan, fill me in!
(She really is just a big, excitable dog!)
Enoko
Uh-huh, uh-huh... Oh, I see.
Enoko
You want to copy a part of this item's ability into your journal, then use it with other items' abilities?!
Enoko
Whoa!
Enoko
...Wait, I don't get it.
Enoko
Hang on... maybe I do!
Really?!
Enoko
Even if they're just copies, you're gathering magical items. Your journal will be just like Marisa!
Enoko
It'll be like having her with you at all times! If that's the case, you can totally copy this thing's ability.
Enoko
I'm right... right?!
(It's kinda rude to call Marisa a journal... but whatever.)
Enoko
This way, it all works out. I'd already decided I wanted to help you.
Enoko
I talked it over with Lady Zanmu and Lady Saki not long ago. We were in complete agreement!
Enoko
*chatty woofs*
Enoko
So, yeah. That's the deal.
Enoko
I'm a yamainu. We're basically dogs who don't depend on humans.
Enoko
That makes us beast youkai. To humans, a dog that doesn't obey them is nothing but a threat.
Enoko
But that gets me thinking... Why did some dogs choose to live alongside humans?
Enoko
Hey, you're a human. Do you know why?!
Because dogs are cute...?
Enoko
Hmm...
Enoko
Pretty much!
Enoko
Humans give dogs food and affection. In return, dogs help with hunting and protection. Plus, they're cute!
Enoko
The fancy term is a "symbiotic relationship." Dogs and humans have supposedly been this way for a looong time.
Enoko
The cute part is no joke, though.
Enoko
It turns out, humans really need something to love and take care of.
Enoko
It's a psychological thing, I guess. Or some kinda instinct that evolved to ensure the survival of the whole pack.
Enoko
Whatever it is, dogs are happy to go along with it.
Enoko
Saying humans take care of dogs is plain wrong. Dogs' patience and understanding bring happiness to humans.
So what's the difference between dogs and yamainu?
Enoko
It all comes down to how we choose to live. Fundamentally, there's probably not much difference at all.
Enoko
Yamainu limit their sense of kinship to other canines. Dogs extend it to humans.
Enoko
Dogs see humans as family, friends... or even as pets.
That's exactly how we see them.
Enoko
That's right. Humans and dogs are equals.
Enoko
Yamainu, too. But as equals, we choose not to accept orders.
Enoko
When we want to help humans, we help. Simple as that.
You're starting to sound a lot like Miss Saki.
Enoko
Busted, huh? Watching her helped me realize overthinking is a waste of time.
Enoko
With her confidence and power, there's no need for it.
Enoko
And no overthinking means no worrying. Honestly, it felt like a profound realization.
Enoko
Point being, I decided to take a leaf outta her book.
Enoko
Marisa's good at learning from others, too. Hard to believe she used to be such a crybaby.
Maybe that's how she survived here when she was little.
Enoko
Could be.
Enoko
Or it could be that a big old yamainu decided to protect her from all the nasty youkai.
Enoko
Like I said, we yamainu don't take orders. We do as we please.
Enoko
B-But why they'd want to protect a lost human girl is anyone's guess.
Here, this is for you. In part, it's from Marisa.
Enoko
This is for me?!
It's from the sages, with Zanmu and Saki's approval.
Enoko
That means I'm free to wear it, right?!
Enoko
Th-This is...!
Enoko
Urgh, this isn't fair!
Enoko
I don't want to like it! But how can a girl say no to THIS?!
Enoko
I'm so happy I can barely contain myself!
Enoko
Thank you so much!
(Her tails are wagging like crazy!)
Enoko
Ahem! I lost my composure there, but I know what this gift means.
Enoko
Gensokyo's gone so long without a real incident. I didn't trust it at first, but eventually, I let my guard down.
Enoko
I even started wishing for something interesting to happen. Then it did. I never thought things could fall apart this quick.
Enoko
My yamainu instincts tell me that the Lost Word Incident had begun long before we first noticed it.
Enoko
PLAYER. I'll help you and the other humans.
Enoko
That's what Lady Zanmu and Lady Saki would want. I'm sure of it.
Enoko
I'm ready to fight alongside you.
Costume Presentation
Enoko
Sometimes, I get overwhelmed by Lady Saki's go-go-go attitude, but it's an amazing quality of hers. I don't know my path yet, but I gotta show respect for her strength. I think I wanna become a trap master. Will you watch over me? You will? Thanks!
