Of Foxes and Flowers is an event in SINoALICE.
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| "Of Foxes and Flowers" |
Intro Scene[]
Parrah:
Ever hear of the "trolley problem"?
Noya:
Basically, there's a trolley coming down the tracks
Parrah:
and five people down the line are about to get hit.
Noya:
Or more accurately, get run over and killed.
Parrah:
But, if you pull a lever, the trolley will
Noya:
switch tracks and instead only kill one person.
Parrah:
And that decision is up to you.
Noya:
Who will you save?
Parrah:
And who will you sentence to death?
Verse 1 - Normal[]
You are my star.
And you are my beautiful flower.
Wherever we went we were always together.
You are me.
And I am you.
No matter what happens,
we'll always be together.
※
Rikone:
Lookie! It's a pretty firefly!
Lelai:
Wait up!
Rikone:
Hurry up! It's gonna fly away!
Lelai:
You're just too fast, Rikone...
Rikone:
And you're slow!
※
For as long as I can remember,
it's always been the two of us.
But for some reason, none of the
adults were too pleased about that.
Every day we would play together
under the veil of night.
"Vessy" was my best friend.
Although she got special treatment from others,
none of that really bothered me.
Verse 2 - Normal[]
We'll always be together.
Even after we're adults and grow old,
you'll always be by my side.
Verse 3 - Normal[]
Every year during the festivity season,
the adults are all frantic with preparations.
So while they were decorating the
shrine and hanging lanterns about,
we went off and played
together behind their backs.
They said the fireworks this year
are gonna be the biggest yet!
※
Rikone:
This year's fireworks are gonna be awesome!
Lelai:
Yeah...
Rikone:
What's with you?
Lelai:
It's nothing.
Male Villager:
Dammit... Where did they go?!
I only took my eyes off them a second!
Gone, just like a fox.
I'll get them next time they come around...
※
It was starting to get harder and harder
to sneak away from the adults without them
catching us.
And when they did, they would double down
on the punishment each and every time.
The next morning, my body continued to sting and
turn blue from my beating the previous night.
But I don't care.
I'm still going to see you tonight.
That thought alone is all I need
to get through the day.
Verse 4 - Normal[]
You are my star to protect.
I'll get even stronger so that
you'll never lose you glow.
Verse 5 - Normal[]
The fox god seems especially enraged this year.
This year we presented even more offerings
and fireworks compared to last, but it
isn't enough to settle them.
It's still early, but let's try throwing
that girl into the sacrificial pit.
The peace of this village depends on it.
※
Male Villager 1:
The Foxes! The foxes are attacking!
Village Chief:
Grab the torches!
Bring that girl to us.
Male Villager 2:
Move it and walk!
Lelai:
No... I...
Riko...
※
Blindfolded and bound with heavy chains,
the adults dragged my body away.
I had no idea what was happening.
But the change in the air around me
gave me a good clue.
My nose caught a whiff of damp mold.
My body stiffened.
I was next to the sacrificial pit.
No sooner had I thought that, was I
pushed hard from behind
and my body fell into darkness.
Verse 6 - Normal[]
That malignant deity is beyond one's control.
No human stands a chance once touched by its power.
Verse 7 - Normal[]
Its been days since I've last seen my best friend.
When I asked the adults about it,
they tried to convince me she'd gotten bored of me,
but I knew that couldn't be true.
As the day of the festival grew near.
I noticed the adults were gathering late
at night arguing about something.
Sensing it had something to do with my friend,
I crept quietly to their location and listened in.
※
Male Villager 1:
The sacrifice was useless!
Normally the god should have quelled by now.
Village Chief:
The foxes this year are out of control.
That's why I sent Lelai.
Rikone:
What?
※
It was then I learned the whole truth.
My best friend was a vessel of the fox deity.
During the annual festival,
one vessel would be offered.
Only those who had a special ability to
communicate with the deity were called vessels.
Nevertheless, I ran.
I ran to find my friend at that "sacrificial hole".
Verse 8 - Normal[]
There's still more I must do.
But no matter what happens,
I promise to see it through to the very end.
Verse 9 - Normal[]
"Lelai... Lelai!"
My voice echoed deep inside the cavern.
The bottom of the pit was musty
and I felt something nonhuman.
I could only imagine how painful it must have
been to be tossed out alone in such a place.
The further I progressed, the darker it became.
And that aura of something
not of this world, drew closer.
It must be the fox deity's aura.
※
Rikone:
Lelai...
Lelai:
Riko...ne...
Rikone:
Lelai?!
Lelai:
Help...me...
※
Evading the loitering foxes,
I eventually arrived at the pit's end.
Until this point, the air was musty with mold,
but now the air smelled somewhat nostalgic.
I looked up and saw a shadow much greater
than my own. I peered down at me from the darkness.
Oh, you're the fox deity.
There I was, facing the deity itself.
Verse 10 - Normal[]
He stared me in the eyes.
But wasn't about to run away.
Not without her.
"Please! Give me back my friend."
I pleaded.
After a short pause, the fox deity
quietly shook their head.
So that's how it is.
Then you leave me no other choice.
I might fail, but
I have to at least try!
※
(Route 10-A)
The Fox deity fell easily.
But why?
I thought the fox deity was
suppose to be incredibly strong.
But it barely defended itself.
It just... stopped moving.
And where's Lelai?
I looked around, but there was only
silence. No other presence, no nothing.
My shallow breathing was
suddenly the loudest sound.
※
(Route 10-B)
"Lelai, Lelai!"
As I shouted, the fox's body trembled heavily.
"Everything's okay, Lelai."
"I'm here now."
I hugged the deity's body一
no Lelai's body with all my might.
Just then I felt something flow
from Lelai's body into mine,
and the ground grew increasingly hot.
The curse is lifting.
Verse 11-A - Normal[]
I was sitting on the ground staring blankly
when I heard the voices of the adults behind me.
"Who's there?!"
"How dare you disrupt the purification rite!"
"Show yourself!"
Someone got ahold of my arm and
pushed me hard to ground.
I felt something cold against my neck.
"No-No... Help me..."
But no one would hear my call for help.
※
Male Villager 1:
You'll pay for this...
Male Villager 2:
It's your fault the village is in disarray!
Rikone:
No... Please forgive me...
Male Villager 3:
Forgive you? You don't deserve forgiveness!
Thanks to you, we've all been cursed!
Village Chief:
It's too late now. Feed her to the fox deity.
But don't kill her. Let her die by her wounds.
Rikone:
No... NOOOOOO!!!
※
How long had I been subjugated to their torture?
The pain I felt was soon replaced by pleasure.
"Ah. ahahaha..."
"AHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
The following pleasure that pierced
my skull tore all thoughts away.
But in the midst of it all, I saw it.
Oh, now I get it.
You were the deity.
Sorry, I know it hurt.
I'm really, really sorry.
Let's go back一 back to that day and place.
I need to see you just one more time.
※
My wish was granted.
We were back to that time and place.
When a beautiful flower
crossed paths with a star.
Verse 11-B - Normal[]
When I came to, my beloved Rikone
was holding me, wailing.
"What is it?" I asked.
Rikone shook her head.
"It's nothing."
But I didn't need her to tell me.
You saved me again.
Just like the time I was crying
all alone on the shrine grounds.
Thank you, Rikone.
I love you.
※
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Your hair's white!
And you have big ears...
Morning Star, Rikone:
Lelai, those chains...
We're not human anymore.
Male Villager:
Who's there?!
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Someone's here...
Morning Star, Rikone:
We'll be just fine.
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Yeah...
※
Together we shot icy glares at the
villagers below us, cutting off their oxygen.
"Hey, I feel super strong right now."
"Yeah, me too."
Raiding my head. I saw a beautiful
full moon hovering above the pit.
"Let's avenge this curse."
"And make them pay for what we went through."
We turned to each other and giggled.
With my hand in hers, and hers in mine,
we began our way towards the exit.
Verse 1 - Hard[]
When we stepped outside the pit, we
got a good look at our distorted bodies.
What are we waiting for?
Let's get going!
Though the night was short, the
festivities were just beginning.
We'll set off tons of fireworks!
And sing as much as we like!
We gripped each other's hands
and headed towards the village.
※
Male Villager:
Who the hell are you?
Ngh...!
Morning Star, Rikone:
It's been a while.
Remember us?
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Ah... You're...
You're those troublemakers...
Morning Star, Rikone:
Bingo! Now let's get 'em!
※
I'm kinda scared, but as
long as Rikone's having fun
everything will be just fine.
Verse 2 - Hard[]
We'll always be together.
Even after we're adults and grow
old you'll always be by my side
Verse 3 - Hard[]
The lady from the ironmonger's shop.
Didn't she chase us with a pot and
knife when she caught us together?
Isn't it funny how the tables turn now?
Someone's gotta be the sacrifice
for peace and tranquility!
※
Female Villager:
No wait... Please stop!
I have a child at home...!
Morning Star, Rikone:
Oh...
Thanks for that wonderful news!
※
I'm starting to have more fun with it.
Rikone is after all my one and only star.
What's with these adults?
They're like mushrooms!
We can slice them up one by one
and turn them into a delicious
delicious meal for dinner!
Verse 4 - Hard[]
You are my star to protect.
I'll get even stronger so that
you'll never lose your glow.
Verse 5 - Hard[]
I think we got most of them.
Who should we visit next...
Oh1 How about the shrine priest?!
He definitely knew
you were the fox deity!
We'll have him hurt really bad,
and make him regret living.
And use him as the source of the curse!
It's for the good of the village!
Gotta do what ya gotta do, right?!
※
Shrine Priest:
Gaaaah! No! Help! Somebody!
Please, I don't want to die! Let me go!
Morning Star, Rikone:
Just give it up!
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
It'll be less painful if you just stay quiet...
※
You always expressed how important
it was to help those in need.
Thank you, priest.
Now I finally understand!
You thought you could beat me,
tie me up, take away my dignity,
and then die for everyone's sake.
So I expect you to do the same.
I'll even help you with that.
Verse 6 - Hard[]
That malignant deity is beyond one's control.
No human stands a chance once touched by its power.
Verse 7 - Hard[]
Everyone desperately begged for forgiveness.
They spilled their guts to us, admitting how
wrong they were for treating us the way they
did as if they'd suddenly turned over a new leaf.
When we told them no, their faces turned
beat red in anger and they assaulted us.
You can't blame us for defending ourselves.
※
Male Villager:
Violence isn't the answer!
Morning Star, Rikone:
Then why ae you holding a weapon?
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
I'm not buying it...
※
In the beginning I thought it would
all be over if I just sacrificed myself.
But then Rikone told me something.
She said, I didn't have to die for
the village people to live in peace.
The fox deity never needed a human sacrifice.
Rice and friedd bean curd offerings were
more than enough to receive their blessings.
So you see, all adults are liars.
They all have to go.
Verse 8 - Hard[]
There's still more I must do.
But no matter what happens, I promise
to see it through to the very end.
Verse 9 - Hard[]
But are you sure about this?
We've killed so many already.
What about the people who
had nothing to with this?
Maybe it doesn't matter.
I'm enjoying myself so much
I can't think straight.
※
Morning Star, Rikone:
You sure about this?
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Definitely!
Morning Star, Rikone:
Okay!
※
Rikone doesn't seem very convinced.
But how can we be wrong when
we're having this much fun?!
Yeah... This is fun.
I'm having a lot of fun.
Verse 10 - Hard[]
Last one left is the village chief!
You were a wonderful leaders, chief!
Oh? Where do you think you're going?
That's a lot of money you got there...
Oh, I know!
That's everyone's money, isn't it?!
You won't get away from us!
※
Morning Star, Rikone:
Here we come, Mr. Chief!
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Here we come, Mr. Chief!
Village Chief:
Gwaaaah!
Stay away!
Morning Star, Rikone:
AHAHAHAHA!
Beautiful Flower, Lelai:
Heeheehee!
※
When the deed was done,
we splashed down into a pool of red.
Above use sparkled fireworks in the sky.
"I wonder who lit it up."
"Everyone's dead, right?"
"But it is beautiful."
"Yeah, it is."
"KA-BOOM!"
we shouted together.
And then we burst out laughing.
It was the first real laugh
I had in my entire life.
Ending Scene[]
Parrah:
Basically, the key question is:
Noya:
Can you kill a few to save many?
Parrah:
You'd never kill many to save a few, of course.
Imagine if the lever started set towards a single victim.
Noya:
If you left it alone, five people would have been saved!
What happened?!
Parrah:
What happened?!
Noya:
But maybe we should switch it up now and then.
Parrah:
After all, we have to consider the poor soul
who always ends up getting squashed flat.