Rin Kaenbyou
Rin Kaenbyou's Fantasy Rebirth Story
???
...If you're looking for Lady Satori, she isn't here. These are dire times.
Rin
I can take a message for her, though. If you came all the way here, it's gotta be important, right?
Rin
You must've known you were putting yourself at risk with the Lost Word Incident raging on.
Rin
And yet, here you are, hoping to see her.
Well, I DO wanna see her...
But I also came to talk to you, Orin.
Rin
Huh... I guess that's not so surprising. You know, since we're such good friends.
Rin
But it still doesn't quite add up.
Rin
With everything going on, with our existence on a knife's edge, why take the time to talk to me?
'Cause there are some things only you know.
And they might be the key to resolving this incident.
But to find out, I need to talk to you.
Rin
...
Rin
Well, if there's a chance it'll help resolve the incident...
Rin
All right, I'll tell you whatever you wanna know. Even the things I've kept secret until now.
Thanks. Mind if I make notes in my journal?
Rin
Go ahead.
Rin
I've been picking up on the memories of phantoms and vengeful spirits since before this place became FORMER Hell.
Rin
Not many can communicate with the dead, and far fewer can detect their scattered memories. It's normally impossible.
Rin
But being Miss Satori's pet-slash-assistant, I'm a pretty good fit for the job. And I learn a lot from corpses.
Rin
A unique information network builds a unique worldview. I've been doing this for... well, a really long time.
Rin
And yet... What's happening now with the Lost Word Incident is unlike anything I've ever seen.
Rin
...So yeah, that's my story. It's been a wild ride since I met Lady Satori.
Rin
But it was like that way before, too... Even going back before the split between Hell and Former Hell.
Rin
Youkai live long lives, so we tend to be pretty laidback and patient. But even I have to admit, a LOT has happened.
Rin
Youkai are complicated beings. Most of us take things slow, but we're always looking for ways to kill time.
Rin
Since Reimu and Marisa appeared, there have been way more incidents... and deep down, most of us were thrilled.
Rin
That includes the youkai, the oni, the phantoms, the vengeful spirits... even me, Okuu, Lady Satori, and Lady Koishi.
Rin
Actually, I can't tell if Lady Koishi was thrilled... But I bet she was.
Rin
Us youkai are supposed to be individualistic, but sometimes, I don't feel that way inside.
Rin
Then again, the tengu and the kappa have their own societies, and even down here, the oni have clans of sorts.
Rin
So maybe it's not so strange for a kasha like me to feel this way.
Rin
To feel as if they're my family.
You're talking about...
Rin
Uh-huh.
Rin
Lady Satori, Lady Koishi, and Okuu.
Rin
After all the time we've spent together, after everything we've been through, I can't think of them any other way.
Rin
I even have fun with Reimu and Marisa when they're around. In your human terms, I guess you'd call us friends.
Rin
But you see the problem, right? Youkai can't get too close to humans.
Rin
And not just because it goes against what it means to be a youkai, but because we're fundamentally incompatible.
Rin
What youkai consider "play" is deadly for humans.
Rin
We'll never see eye-to-eye. And yet, I still feel like you could call us friends.
Rin
Lately, though, nothing's been happening. It's like a storm passed, and both humans and youkai are just... resting.
Rin
It's almost as if everyone's forgotten how to cause incidents and stir up trouble.
Rin
At first, some people were worried and tried to get others to feel the same... but eventually, they gave up.
Rin
After that, some youkai even started trying to blend into human society. And no one bothered stopping them.
Rin
That's around the time you arrived, PLAYER.
Me?
Rin
Uh-huh. And then...
Rin
The Lost Word Incident began.
...
Rin
This isn't the kinda incident we wanted.
Rin
As someone who handles the dead... I can't stand for an incident that causes such unnatural harm to humans.
Rin
But more than that...
Rin
I want to... I want to...
Rin
I want to protect my family and friends.
...I understand.
Rin
Sorry, I talked too much.
Rin
I shouldn't keep you here. I'm sure you're short on time.
I am. But first, I need to give you this.
Rin
What is it?
Rin
...
Rin
So the sages of Gensokyo are trying to send me a message.
Rin
They want me to change my outfit... and my mindset.
Rin
They're telling me to take all my thoughts and feelings and burn them up, like a corpse in Blazing Hell!
Umm, I'm not so sure about that!
Rin
Don't worry, it'll be fine.
Rin
The flames of Blazing Hell heat the Underworld and create geysers up in Gensokyo.
Rin
If I just keep my thoughts and feelings locked away, they'll never be of any use.
Rin
Thanks to you, PLAYER, I finally understand that.
Rin
I'll do all I can to help you.
Thanks, Orin.
Rin
Don't mention it. This is my way of protecting my family and friends.
Rin
And don't forget, you're my friend, too.
Costume Presentation
Rin
I want your body, and that won't change, but I've started to think of you as a friend. While all corpses may be the same, getting to know one while it's alive could help it grow as a conceptual source of power. It's worth testing. Let's stay friends.
