Sentimental Signals
Index
Sentimental Signals
Miko
...
Miko
...
Byakuren
So, Miss Miko... did you manage to find any friends?
Byakuren
I did. I found some new friends who will help me leave Makai.
Byakuren
It won't be long until I reunite with my youkai disciples. You've already lost.
Byakuren
Then again...
Byakuren
There shouldn't be any reason for us to fight.
Byakuren
We can't resolve the Lost Word Incident unless we work together.
Byakuren
Having been labeled a youkai priest, I know that very well.
Byakuren
But perhaps you don't―because you have always stood on the side of humans.
Miko
...
Miko
...
Miko
That makes you sound like a true overlord of evil.
Miko
No, that's not quite right.
Miko
From your perspective, I'm the evil one.
Byakuren
You're referring to the Tenryaku era Night Parade spoken of in The Great Mirror, aren't you? It was full of vengeful spirits.
Byakuren
They sought revenge on the Soga clan, their political opponents. I had assumed it was an isolated incident, but...
Miko
Of course, it wasn't. The later Night Parades took inspiration from this.
Miko
Back in my day, those who refused to obey the Imperial Court faced extermination.
Miko
However, our military assets were limited, so maintaining the court's sovereignty was never simple.
Miko
The Soga clan was sent to exterminate the people in the east. And they succeeded despite their martial inferiority.
Miko
Can you guess how?
Byakuren
Don't tell me...
Miko
They succeeded because they also came from the east.
Byakuren
B-But that's just a rumor, isn't it? Their origins are contested!
Miko
Yes, you would think that, wouldn't you?
Miko
Living in a different age is effectively the same as living in a different country or region.
Miko
In this respect, time and space are the same thing.
Miko
I'm talking about my own experiences, not history...
Miko
So, for you, having lived in a different age, my experiences are merely one interpretation of what might have happened.
Miko
They can never be any more than that.
Byakuren
...
Miko
But that isn't limited to just you.
Byakuren
What do you mean?
Miko
The same applies to me. Or, to be more exact, my present self. The experiences of my past self are mere interpretations.
Byakuren
Th-That can't be right! They're YOUR memories!
Miko
That's the thing with memories... They're like a hand-written copy of a book―liable to bias and teeming with errors.
Byakuren
Do you really believe that? You, who can unravel the past and foresee the future by listening to the ten desires?
Miko
Yes. And don't fool yourself... You believe it, too.
Byakuren
...
Miko
Do you remember everything that happened in your past, Byakuren Hijiri, Grand Acharya of Gensokyo?
Byakuren
Uhh...
Miko
You don't. And even the things you do remember are hazy and incomplete.
Miko
They've also changed slightly from when you last remembered them.
Miko
It doesn't matter if you're a youkai or one of the original gods―that's just how memories work.
Miko
Do you understand why? It's because memories share the same properties as data.
Miko
The only perfect and complete memory is the subject of memories.
Miko
A unique position, condition, and moment in time.
Byakuren
Umm, I'm not sure you can call that a memory!
Miko
The source of all memories is reality. Thus, they can only exist as copies of reality.
Miko
In other words, a memory is an incomplete reality, and reality is a complete memory.
Miko
Yes. A complete memory.
Miko
Perfect memory is the Child of Miare's area of expertise. The people of Hourai can probably replicate these memories, too.
Miko
It might also be possible for the boundary-manipulating greater youkai or the half-beast with her power over history.
Miko
What about those who manipulate time or distance? Or someone capable of manipulating waves and phases?
Miko
Perhaps they can remember things perfectly. But that's all.
Miko
A complete memory is more than that. For a complete memory, you have to remember everything.
Byakuren
Everything...? You mean all of history from every perspective? Every detail of every second?
Miko
Yes.
Miko
But that would only be a complete memory for a single universe.
Miko
For a truly complete memory, you'd need that for every universe.
Byakuren
I doubt anyone could achieve that level of omniscience... not even a god or the Buddha.
Miko
I agree.
Miko
If there was such a being with a constant presence, all things in every universe would follow their design.
Miko
But the lack of any design is self-evident. The universe is a chaotic mess that constantly cries out for more order.
Miko
Thus, there are no truly omnipotent or omniscient beings. The knowledge and power of the gods are limited.
Miko
Not even the Child of Miare can store the entire universe in her head. Only the universe itself can completely remember it.
Byakuren
...
Byakuren
So, basically, you're saying you can never form a complete picture of reality. You can only copy incomplete snippets.
Byakuren
And the past can never be anything more than incomplete data... Is that right?
Miko
Yes, but it's not just the past.
Miko
The present and the future are also incomplete snippets of data.
Byakuren
Right. Obtaining a complete set of data is impossible. But if that's the case, why are we even discussing it?
Miko
Because of hope.
Miko
Hope that all our repetitions mean something. Hope that we'll find a way to resolve the Lost Word Incident.
Miko
Hope that we'll expose and foil the masterminds' plans. Hope that we'll attain our ideal future...
Miko
And the hope of a better tomorrow.
Miko
I've lost count of how many times we've relived everything, but we still don't know what the masterminds are after.
Miko
Fortunately, there is one sure-fire way to expose any scheme.
Miko
And that's to know everything.
Byakuren
Sure, if you knew everything, you would know about their plans...
Byakuren
But haven't we just concluded that's impossible?
Miko
Yes.
Miko
But I can do it anyway.
Byakuren
...Seriously?
Miko
When I first woke up in Gensokyo, I drew countless desire spirits to me. My mausoleum was teeming with voices.
Miko
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this mausoleum was Gensokyo's Akashic Records.
Byakuren
...!
Miko
And now that I've spent countless lives investigating everything from beginning to end...
Miko
I can become the true Akashic Records.
Miko
There's no need for me to store everything in my head when I can just ask the cosmos directly!
Byakuren
Has this been your plan from the beginning...? Is that why you've endured the Hellish torment of these successive lives...
Miko
That's right.
Byakuren
Th-Then you must know you cannot possibly do this alone!
Byakuren
Surely, in all these repetitions, you've encountered plenty of obstacles that were unassailable without help!
Miko
I've also seen more than enough of the opposite. Cooperating with others has played right into the masterminds' hands.
Miko
There have also been times when you've betrayed me. And, from what I hear, I've also betrayed you.
Miko
There's no use relying on something so fickle.
Miko
Do you know why I wear these earmuffs?
Byakuren
Why...?
Miko
So I don't hear too much. The material world of grief and suffering abounds with desires too terrible to hear.
Miko
Same goes for societies, both real and fabricated via technology, and this infinitely repeating limbo.
Miko
I wouldn't be able to function in my day-to-day life if I didn't filter these unwanted desires out.
Miko
But now, I'm taking the earmuffs off. Chaotic noise may be irritating, but it's an integral part of the universe.
Miko
And then, I shall become what scholars in the outside world would call Laplace's Demon.
Miko
I know what you're going to say next...
Miko
"Talking to you was a complete waste of time."
Byakuren
Argh! Talking to you was a complete waste of time!
Byakuren
Namusan!
Byakuren
Did Miss Miko really say all that...?
Okina
It's like the legend of Prince Shoutoku and the starving beggar―a saint knoweth a saint.
Okina
Despite your opposing views, you are very much alike. This wouldn't have worked without the strong bond you share.
Miko
Where am I? Right... I see.
Okina
Would you like me to explain, Toyosatomimi no Miko?
Miko
There's no need, Okina Matara, secret god and sage of Gensokyo.
Miko
...Or would you rather I call you Kawakatsu?
Okina
Call me however you wish. I am currently bearing the weight of all my possible pasts.
Okina
You should understand that more than anyone.
Okina
I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. You have the potential to propel us and this place forward.
Okina
And you are most welcome here.
Miko
Hmm...
Miko
The 80th provisional Gensokyo, huh?
Okina
Yes. It certainly seems like you don't need any explanation.
Okina
I cannot wait to hear what you can tell us. We cannot afford to stagnate here forever.
Okina
I'll go get Reimu and Marisa.
Byakuren
...
Byakuren
This is where those who have finished their journey gather. You aren't the first to get here, but you won't be the last.
Byakuren
How was your journey? Did you follow the correct path?
Miko
...
Miko
I'm not sure yet.
Byakuren
You sounded plenty sure earlier...
Miko
But... I have figured a few things out. For starters, I know that we won't succeed unless we work together.
Byakuren
Really...? I'm glad to hear that.
Miko
Byakuren.
Byakuren
Y-Yes?
Miko
I don't think I would've realized that without your help. Thank you.
Byakuren
Huh? Oh, umm... Y-You're welcome!
Marisa
Wordsmith No. 80? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've heard that code name before.
Marisa
This spacetime looks like the Land of the Back Door, thanks to Okina, but it serves a completely different function.
Marisa
I've been wandering around investigating the items that wound up here the same way we did.
Marisa
But I also found some items that appear to have always been here. One of 'em had an inscription about this place.
Reimu
An inscription? Why am I only hearing about this now?
Marisa
'Cause I haven't told you yet.
Marisa
The inscription named this place the 80th provisional Gensokyo. And get this. It was signed.
Marisa
By none other than Wordsmith No. 80.
Reimu
Wordsmith No. 80? What kinda name is that?
Miko
I can answer that. But there are also many other things I must share with you.
Miko
Fortunately, there is some semblance of time here―enough for a story.
Miko
Can you please gather everyone you can? The more people who hear this, the better.
Reimu
OK! I'll be right back!
Miko
...
Miko
...
Miko
(This is probably my last chance.)
Miko
(My last life.)
Miko
(I've already experienced every other pattern.)
Miko
(If there is a next time, it'll just be a repeat of one of the lives I've already lived. There won't be anything more to learn.)
Miko
...
Miko
Let's hope it goes well...
Tojiko
What's wrong, Lady Taishi? If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know!
Miko
Tojiko... Sorry, I was just thinking out loud.
Miko
I'm fine. Don't worry about it.
Futo
What's this, Tojiko? Dost thou seek a measure of courage from our great Lady Taishi?
Futo
I understand. 'Tis a scary thing, to become a shikaisen.
Futo
Fear not. I have prepared a most fitting jar to act as thy vessel.
Tojiko
Futo... This isn't another one of your pranks, is it?
Tojiko
I'm gonna go check that jar, and you're coming with me!
Futo
Ow ow ow ow! Not the ear!
Miko
(This is just before we enacted the rite that will elevate us to hermits. We're about to enter the mausoleum...)
Miko
(Futo is a fearsome warrior who destroyed her own clan to prove her allegiance. Despite this, she's strangely endearing.)
Miko
(Tojiko should become a ghost later on... but for some reason, I can only see her in her ghost form.)
Seiga
How are you feeling, Lady Taishi? The rite will soon begin.
Seiga
I was planning to guard your mausoleum from the outside, but then I wouldn't be able to help if something went wrong...
Seiga
So, I've decided to get sealed down there with you!
Seiga
I hope you don't mind!
Miko
No, that's fine, but, ummm...
Miko
Who's that with you?
Seiga
Oh...
???
Seiga?
???
I kinda feel outta my depth here...
Seiga
Don't say that. You're my most adorable prototype yet!
Seiga
You're a super jiang shi with the corpse of Ichii combined with the soul of the legendary hero, Takahase!
???
Wow, I sound amazing!
Seiga
I still haven't decided on a name for you, though!
???
I bet it'll be good.
Seiga
Anyway, we'll both be protecting you while you sleep, Lady Taishi.
Seiga
You can rest assured!
???
Super assured!
Miko
...
Miko
(Strange. Is this another possible interpretation of history...?)
???
Hey, Taishi. Feeling good?
???
I guess not, huh? We've just had that huge national funeral to fake your death.
???
Oh, right, you can just call me Imoko if you want. We're no longer at Ikaruga.
Miko
Imoko...
Miko
(A shinigami. Is that how she's interpreted here? I guess I'll play along. There's not really much difference anyway.)
Miko
I don't feel that bad, actually. It seems I've grown accustomed to attending my own funeral.
Miko
No... That's not the only reason.
Miko
This isn't the first time I've forged my own path while turning my back on my grieving subjects.
Miko
I chose to ignore them... but perhaps I've grown a bit too desensitized to it.
???
I getcha. We've both been doing this for a long time now.
???
I bet some of your subjects hate you. It's inevitable, no matter how perfect you are.
???
In fact... that just makes people hate you more.
Miko
...
???
But it ain't all bad.
???
Look at Futo and Tojiko. One betrayed her clan for you, and the other is completely devoted to you, body and soul.
???
You couldn't ask for two more loyal advisors... Though they can be a bit much at times.
???
When I met Seiga Nyan Nyan at the Sui court, she wanted to come back with me before I even got the chance to ask her.
???
Your name and deeds have reached the wider world. Everyone knows the sovereign of the land of the rising sun.
???
Wow, I can't remember the last time I saw such lavish burial offerings.
???
Yeah, it's quite rare for the dead to be buried with things that could still be used.
???
The people are poor, and those in charge aren't much better off.
???
Your teachers, Uzumasa and Ooube no Oo, are infamous for their rivalry...
???
But even they have decided to play nice and join you in death.
???
You'd think they'd try to direct the court after you're gone, but I guess they felt their duty lies with you, huh?
???
You kinda have that effect on people.
???
Anyway, I think that's everyone. This mausoleum is the true Ikaruga now.
???
I can't see Choushimaro anywhere, but there's nothing new about that. Your dutiful servant tends to go unnoticed.
???
It's probably like this every time.
Miko
Every time?
Miko
What do you mean by that?
???
I'm a shinigami. Did you think I'd let you escape death by becoming a hermit?
Miko
What?!
???
Haha, I'm just kidding. Sure, shinigami also have boats, but I'm Imoko right now.
???
Even if I wanted to drag you off to the Yama, I couldn't. I don't know the Yama yet. And besides, this is my day off.
???
You've got nothing to worry about.
???
Also, it kinda goes without saying, but this is your life.
???
I've also experienced countless repetitions, but it's not my turn yet.
???
I'm not gonna interfere.
???
I'm Imoko and I genuinely respect you. That's not a joke.
Miko
...That's good to hear.
???
Everyone here loves you. They wouldn't be here otherwise.
Miko
...
Miko
I'm not so sure...
???
Something the matter?
Miko
It feels like I'm forgetting something...
???
Right...
???
Well, I've got no idea what that might be, but maybe you'll figure it out while you sleep.
Miko
Sleep?
???
That's why you're here, isn't it? To sleep?
???
That's what you do in graves.
Miko
...
Miko
......
Miko
.........
Miko
It's dark.
Miko
Did I die?
Miko
Am I asleep?
Miko
Or is there just nothing to see but darkness?
Miko
I can never seem to tell, no matter how many times this repeats.
Miko
How can this nothingness feel so familiar?
???
Good evening. It's nice to finally meet you.
Miko
Hm?
Miko
You're...
Miko
Yuyuko Saigyouji? No...
Miko
The Lady of Rapturous Death!
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes, I suppose you can call me that. Lady Mortal Phantasm is here, too.
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Lady of Rapturous Death, we don't have much time. Let's finish this quickly.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Thank you. I'm well aware of how much time we have.
Miko
Wh-What are you doing here?! What have you done with my advisors?!
Lady of Rapturous Death
Quiet. Didn't you hear? We don't have much time.
Lady of Rapturous Death
And besides, the dead tell no tales. You're a corpse, so you should act like one.
Miko
(Look who's talking...!)
Lady of Rapturous Death
Don't worry.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We do not wish you ill. Not yet. That's not our goal.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Now, about the people you were buried with... I cannot see them either.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Don't get me wrong. We didn't do anything to them.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You assumed they would be here, but for reasons unknown to us, they are not.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I don't know what else to tell you.
Miko
(Th-That can't be right! How can Futo and Tojiko not be here?!)
Miko
(Were they... not as loyal as I thought?)
Miko
(It's not like I wanted to be liked. That was never my motivation.)
Miko
(Still, I always relied on the support of those loyal to me. I was grateful and loved them for it.)
Miko
(But that's fine. People change.)
Miko
(Everything changes. From politics to desire spirits. Not even Gensokyo or fabricated societies remain constant.)
Miko
(I know that. So why...?)
Miko
(Why do I feel so empty inside?)
Lady of Rapturous Death
Oh, you seem distraught. Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything.
Lady of Rapturous Death
This isn't good. I was planning to end this quickly...
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Lady of Rapturous Death, we've wasted half our time chatting, and we still haven't achieved anything.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Oh, time sure does fly, doesn't it?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Toyosatomimi no Miko, you're thinking about this all wrong.
Miko
What do you mean?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Perhaps they weren't as loyal as you thought. Or maybe they were.
Lady of Rapturous Death
That's the thing. No one―not even you―can truly know...
Lady of Rapturous Death
...how someone else truly feels.
Miko
...
Lady of Rapturous Death
But you shouldn't need me to tell you that.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Managing territories, policies, and resources is much easier than trying to manage the hearts of the people.
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Please hurry.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Oh, I thought we still had more time.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Toyosatomimi no Miko. The reason for our visit is twofold.
Lady of Rapturous Death
First, we must regain what we lost.
Lady of Rapturous Death
But we're practically searching blind, so I do not expect to find it right away.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We will fail, then try again. We'll fall, then get back up. We will probably give up hope, but we will not stop.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We cannot stop searching. And the reason for that is simple―we must reflect on what we have done.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We must pick up what we've dropped and recheck what we might have missed.
Lady of Rapturous Death
That's why, sometimes, we revisit worlds we've already abandoned.
Miko
Do you mean to say you're also searching for the future?
Lady of Rapturous Death
...The future?
Lady Mortal Phantasm
We don't have the time to answer that!
Lady of Rapturous Death
Fine, I'll make it quick.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Returning to the past is practically impossible, even for Sakuya with her ability.
Lady of Rapturous Death
That's why you and the others are repeating your lives over and over again.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You cannot go backward, so you start again from the beginning after reaching the end.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We skirt around this time loop by traveling along the imaginary time axis...
Lady of Rapturous Death
But we still can't return to the past. That is the one thing that cannot change.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Does that answer your question?
Miko
(I've got no idea what she's talking about, but it sounds important...)
Lady of Rapturous Death
We're here looking for what we lost.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Speaking to you will help us determine its location.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Do you understand?
Lady of Rapturous Death
You are the living Akashic Records, and I am reading them as we converse.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You could say that my word bullets are unlocking the records within you.
Lady of Rapturous Death
It's much quicker than sifting through all the countless possibilities.
Miko
No way...!
Lady of Rapturous Death
And as long as your gifted ears pick up my words, you don't even have to talk.
Lady of Rapturous Death
That's why I've been telling you all these things that I don't really have any reason to share with you.
Lady Mortal Phantasm
We're seriously running out of time! Please hurry!
Lady of Rapturous Death
Don't worry. I've just completed our first objective.
Miko
Completed...? Does that mean...?!
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes. I've found what we were looking for.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Now, we can move one step forward. Thank you, Miko.
Lady of Rapturous Death
When I need to find something again, I'll call upon another version of you.
Miko
Argh!
Lady of Rapturous Death
Now, the other reason for our visit is to tell you something. It shouldn't take long.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Well, it's really for the one on the other side, but they will hear it if I tell you. It's kinda complicated.
Miko
You... What?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Have you found the True Lost Word yet?
Lady of Rapturous Death
It's a word that should appear in true data, secondary true data, fake data, and data from the outside...
Lady of Rapturous Death
But it has disappeared from them all. Of course, this applies to data from our world and from every other world.
Lady of Rapturous Death
But you know that word from before it disappeared. You can figure it out.
Lady of Rapturous Death
We want you to know that. And through the miraculous power of prayers, we will learn it from you.
Lady of Rapturous Death
You heard that, too, didn't you, Miko?
Lady of Rapturous Death
You and your friends have to want the True Lost Word to be found.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I came here to tell you that. We may be enemies, but this is a gift given freely.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Don't squander it.
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Lady of Rapturous Death!
Lady of Rapturous Death
There's no need to panic. We're done here. Let's hurry home.
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Um, actually...
Lady Mortal Phantasm
We have more time than I thought. We can stay a bit longer if we need to.
Lady of Rapturous Death
Oh...
Lady of Rapturous Death
In that case, we might as well take one of this world's possibilities back with us...
Lady of Rapturous Death
How about one Toyosatomimi no Miko? She might be useful.
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Shall I do the honors?
Lady of Rapturous Death
Yes, please do.
Miko
St-Stop!
Lady of Rapturous Death
To start, we will grant you a complete and perfect death.
Lady of Rapturous Death
I thought you were alone...
Lady Mortal Phantasm
Oops, we ran out of―
Miko
Wh-What happened?
???
...r!
???
...er!
???
Father!
Miko
B-Byakuren? No, you're not her...
Miko
You're my child.
???
Father! Why...? Why did you leave without telling us?!
Miko
How can you be here?
???
One of your aides told me you were leaving and that my place was by your side...
Miko
Right... That makes sense.
???
It's terrible outside, Father.
???
While everyone's fighting over bloodlines, religion, and new policies, the people are starving...
???
It's hopeless. No one listens to your teachings anymore...
???
And I'm sure they'll come to kill me too.
Miko
...
Miko
...
Miko
I didn't know at the time, but now I do. I caused all of that.
Miko
Do not blame the people or the officials. Blame me. It was my fault.
???
Father...
???
Does a brighter future truly exist?
Miko
...
???
You always said our country had a bright future―a future of peace and harmony where no one had to starve.
???
Was that true?
???
Will that future really come?
Miko
...
Miko
Yes. It will come.
???
...You're not just saying that?
Miko
Of course not. I've never lied to you before, have I?
???
No... You haven't.
Miko
Then there's your answer.
Miko
I've seen that future in a paradise hidden among the mountains to the east.
Miko
That's why I'm sleeping right now―so I can go there. Do you understand?
???
Yes... I understand.
???
I wanna go there too, father.
Miko
...
???
I wanna go there and help you rule. I'll help you bring peace to the land.
???
No... that's a lie.
???
I just wanna be with you.
Miko
...
Miko
All right. Close your eyes.
???
I closed them...
Miko
Good, now come closer.
???
OK!
Miko
Let's go to sleep.
Miko
It'll be a deep, peaceful sleep.
Miko
And when we wake up...
Miko
We'll be in Gensokyo.
