Sekibanki
Sekibanki's Fantasy Rebirth Story
*pant* *pant*
(Wh-Why are those enemies chasing me?!)
Ur... Urgh!
(I can't run any more...! I'm done for!)
???
Don't give up!
Huh?!
Whoa!
The enemies... They're gone.
Sekibanki
Are you OK, PLAYER?!
Sekibanki
You're not hurt, are you?!
I-I'm fine! Th-Thanks, Sekibanki.
(The Red Knight saved me!)
Sekibanki
I can't let anything happen to you. I have to set a good example for Wakasagihime and Kagerou.
Sekibanki
Anyway, I'm glad you're safe.
Thanks so much! But I have to hurry!
M-Mmph!
(I can barely breathe!)
Too tight, Sekibanki! Too tight!
Sekibanki
I need to stop you running off. Take a breather. You won't make it otherwise.
Sekibanki
You've got something important to do, right?
Y-Yeah...!
Sekibanki
The village is larger than you think. If you're in a rush, then your best bet is to rest now and recover your strength.
Sekibanki
Don't worry, I'll protect you.
Sekibanki
...I've been helping evacuate the humans, but now the youkai are shorthanded, so I'm heading over to help there next.
Sekibanki
It's lucky I ran into you, PLAYER.
Sekibanki
Pretty sure Miss Keine needs you at the school.
The school? ...OK, got it!
Sekibanki
I'd take you there if I could, but I don't have much time to spare.
Sekibanki
Sorry. But there are other youkai still in the village.
Sekibanki
I'll let them know you're coming. I'm sure they'll keep you safe.
Sekibanki
But don't do anything reckless, OK? You never know who might end up paying the price.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
I don't wanna be harsh, but if you go down, it's likely curtains for the rest of us.
Sekibanki
So be careful. Keeping yourself out of harm's way is the best thing you can do for everyone.
Sekibanki
It's OK to prioritize your own life over others. No sacrificing yourself to save people, OK?
Sekibanki
I need you to promise me.
Sekibanki
You've spent enough time with me to understand what I'm saying... Right, PLAYER?
Umm...
Sekibanki
...
I can't promise you that.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
Then I can't let you go. You'll have to stay here.
Sekibanki
Right by my side.
I... I can't do that either.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
Fine. If you wanna go, go.
Sekibanki
Wriggle out from my arms and leave this place.
Sekibanki
Go on, what are you waiting for?
I-I can't! Your grip's too tight!
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
I know.
Sekibanki
You're just a human. Even one youkai is enough to stop you.
Sekibanki
You're weak... and fragile.
Sekibanki
If the enemies got to you... they'd break you.
Sekibanki... You're kind and strong.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
I'm...
Sekibanki
I'm not kind.
Sekibanki
...Or strong.
...
Sekibanki
I'm scared. And weak.
Sekibanki
I'm not as powerful as the other youkai, and I'm not courageous like Kagerou and Wakasagihime.
Sekibanki
I'm always uncertain, unable to make up my mind. I feel like I'm lost without a map to guide me.
Sekibanki
Even now, I can't decide whether I should stop you or let you go.
Sekibanki
There's no way I can protect anything like this.
Sekibanki
Not Wakasagihime, not Kagerou, and certainly not Gensokyo.
...
Sekibanki
The least I can do... is stay out of your way.
Sekibanki
Go, PLAYER... I won't try and stop you.
Sekibanki
Forget about me―
It's because you're kind.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
What do you mean?
That's why you're always so unsure.
Sekibanki
I want to be strong. I want to be decisive. But...
Earlier, you saved me.
Not because you were decisive.
Because you always search for the best option.
Sekibanki
...
I owe you my life, Sekibanki.
Sekibanki
Wakasagihime and Kagerou told me something similar before.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
I don't have answers now. And given all my uncertainty, I probably won't find them any time soon.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
But...
Sekibanki
That's fine!
Sekibanki
I've always been this way!
(Phew, she's back to her old self.)
Sekibanki
To be honest, owning up to your weaknesses like I am is a sign of strength.
Sekibanki
Only weak people act tough or try to show off what little strength they have.
Sekibanki
Not to mention, it's cooler to embrace your weaknesses. I'm sure Wakasagihime and Kagerou would agree.
(Would they? ...Yeah, I guess they would.)
Oh, I almost forgot!
Now things have calmed down, I can give you this.
Sekibanki
I've heard rumors about them... They're from the Youkai Sage, aren't they?
Go ahead, open it.
I'm sure it'll suit you.
Sekibanki
I-It's beautiful!
Sekibanki
I-I mean, it's so cool! I've never seen such a cool outfit!
Sekibanki
It's totally my style. I'd expect nothing less from the most stylish youkai in Gensokyo.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
Umm...
What's the matter?
Sekibanki
Th-Thank you.
(Is she blushing?!)
Sekibanki
...You better get going, right? It doesn't seem like there are any enemies around.
OK! Thanks, Sekibanki.
Sekibanki
Heh.
Sekibanki
Now, c'mon, get out of here.
See you later!
Sekibanki
I'm a youkai... A rokurokubi youkai.
Sekibanki
The thirtieth youkai in the Night Parade.
Sekibanki
Those are old memories, but they're coming back to me now.
Sekibanki
...
Sekibanki
Guess it's time for me to take things up a notch.
Costume Presentation
Sekibanki
Kagerou and Wakasagihime are my dear friends. To protect them, I have to stand up to any threats. You've always fought with the same conviction, right? I'll be with you until the end so we can protect what you hold dear... Let's do this, partner!
