Kagerou Imaizumi
Imaizumi Kagerou's Fantasy Rebirth Story
Kagerou
...
Kagerou?
Kagerou
Whoa! You scared me!
S-Sorry!
Kagerou
Even with my keen hearing, I didn't hear you coming. How do you even walk that quietly?!
Kagerou
...Hold that thought!
Aaaah!
Kagerou
PLAYER, grab onto me! I'll get us to safety!
*muffled squeal*
Kagerou
No matter what, don't let go. Got that?!
Kagerou
Here we go!
Kagerou
...
...
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
Phew, I think we're in the clear. I don't sense any enemies nearby, at least.
We're... near Eientei, aren't we?
Kagerou
We sure are.
Kagerou
I guess the enemies are scared of all the ultra-powerful folk here.
Kagerou
Or maybe there's some sort of barrier in place. In fact, that seems more likely.
So what were you doing around here, Kagerou?
Kagerou
There's an important meeting being held. No doubt they're discussing how to deal with the Lost Word Incident.
Kagerou
Miss Tewi is usually in charge of the bamboo forest, but since she's at the meeting...
Kagerou
I've been helping Miss Mokou evacuate all the youkai rabbits and other folk who live here.
Sekibanki and Wakasagihime are doing similar work...
Kagerou
The three of us talked and decided to help out however we can. We're split up for now, but we'll see each other again.
Kagerou
We know we're not the strongest youkai, but we're happy we found a way to pitch in.
Kagerou
...
...
Kagerou
You've come a long way, PLAYER. You're nothing like when we first met.
What do you mean?
Kagerou
You're on your way to Eientei, aren't you?
Kagerou
There are so many wise and strong people at that meeting, and yet they want to hear what you have to say... Incredible.
Kagerou
Humans live short lives, but you grow so quickly. Other youkai might not appreciate that, but I do.
Kagerou
As a werewolf, I think a part of me misses the days when I was just a simple beast.
Kagerou
In the past, wolves lived alongside humans in the outside world. And I'm sure they were happy to do so.
Kagerou
They weren't as intelligent as I am now. But despite that, they were able to survive out there.
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
Sorry, I know I'm not making any sense.
Kagerou...
I always had a feeling we'd talk about this one day.
The nicer you were to me, the stronger that feeling got.
It was humans who wiped out the wolves in Japan.
Kagerou
Yes, but that wasn't your fault. Besides, I'm sure there are still some of my kind surviving in the outside world.
Kagerou
You're a kind person. If only all humans were like you...
Even if I was alive back then...
I wouldn't have been able to stop the killing.
Human greed knows no bounds...
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
You don't want forgiveness and you aren't apologizing... I think that's probably for the best.
Kagerou
Even if you asked me to, I'm not sure I could forgive you...
Kagerou
Oh, what am I saying? Of course I could. You're just so kind.
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
Some of my memories don't feel like they're my own. Especially the older ones.
Kagerou
But I found something in Kourindou. It was a book written by humans.
Kagerou
It said wolves were the first animals that humans worshipped, around the time they started forming settlements.
Kagerou
It was us wolves who hunted wild animals and kept your crops safe. We were seen as guardian deities.
Kagerou
And when we ate livestock and even humans, we were seen as cursed gods, and you put up fences to keep us out.
Kagerou
Many of those fenced-off areas went on to become shrines.
Kagerou
But when humans descended from the mountains to live in the flatlands, the wolves didn't follow.
Kagerou
Why should you humans stay on the mountains when you could grow rice in the fields below?
Kagerou
You started using foxes to protect your crops and over time, you came to see wolves as your enemy.
Kagerou
Human history documents your pursuit of happiness. You remade the world to suit your needs.
Kagerou
You turned beasts into submissive livestock, wild plants into crops, and wolves into pets.
Kagerou
Everything you didn't like perished. That's the story human history tells.
Kagerou
And now you've realized you don't want things to disappear permanently...
Kagerou
So you try to protect the environment and pull some species back from the brink of extinction. You make a big show of it.
...
Kagerou
You were right when you said human greed knows no bounds. Which is why we wolves will never see eye to eye with you.
Kagerou
For all your pity, sorrow, grief, and outrage, self-preservation and greed are your only true motivators.
Kagerou
And so the rift between us will only grow.
Kagerou
But I'm talking about all humans, not just you.
Kagerou
I don't want you to feel bad, but I couldn't hold it all in any more.
Kagerou
It felt good to let it out...
...
I...
Kagerou
It's fine. You don't have to say anything. I'm just a weak youkai, a beast that humans wiped out.
Kagerou
If you don't forget about what I said, you won't be able to do what you have to do.
...I don't remember anything about myself.
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
I said you don't have to talk, didn't I?
Sorry. I don't have it all figured out...
But I understand why humans study the world.
Kagerou
Huh?
Some humans study the world to mistreat or rule it.
But not all of them.
Some of them just love learning new things.
Kagerou
...
And, well, they can't help themselves.
They try to study, to research, to understand...
Because they want to protect what they hold dear.
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
Yeah... I knew that already.
Kagerou
I don't know how... Maybe it was written in that book I found in Kourindou.
Kagerou
But I don't remember.
Kagerou
I wonder if the future humans create will ever be like the one that we wish for...
I don't know...
But I want to believe it could be.
Kagerou
...
Kagerou
Haha, you're right. To build a future, we first have to protect the present.
Kagerou
Thanks for talking to me. I'm glad I got to hear your point of view.
No, thank YOU, Kagerou.
Kagerou
Is this...? I heard you were delivering outfits.
Yeah, pretty much.
Kagerou
Whoa...!
Kagerou
This must've been designed knowing I'm self-conscious about all my fur!
Kagerou
This has to be the work of a sage.
It was made just for you. It'll definitely suit you.
Kagerou
Thanks... I love it. I've always wanted to dress like a princess from a fairy tale.
Kagerou
Wolves are usually villains... but who says they can't be the hero or the princess instead?
Kagerou
We wolves ended up in Gensokyo after we were wiped out, and now I live here with Wakasagihime and Sekibanki.
Kagerou
I'll protect our home. Just you watch!
Kagerou
Say goodbye to the timid wolf you once knew. I've got claws, and I'm not afraid to use 'em.
Costume Presentation
Kagerou
...That's my report. I've gotten kind of used to this. I'm still scared to investigate the incident, but Sekibanki and Wakasagihime are helping too, so I can't give up. I want to believe that even weak youkai like us can deal with this incident...
