nebulancer

Summary – In her years as a student, she was referred to as a perfect Goddess candidate student. Now, she is a role model, currently being called a perfect Goddess candidate. The person she has been assigned to support is Bakuro Shuka (CV: Nakano Saima), a mold-breaking Goddess with the self-proclaimed nickname, “Destroyer on the side of Justice.” She tells Yuki to her face that she “looks confined.” On a long-awaited holiday, Yuki discusses her path to become a Goddess with her best friend Ai.

The current Goddesses also appear! You’ll be able to check out different sides of them during their Goddess assistance work, so do look forward to it!

1. Drama – "The Path of a Goddess"

Yuki: Phew... HAAH!

[Yuki slashes the logs. When they topple, she puts the sword back in its sheath.]

...Haah... Hah...

Ai: *clapping* A-amazing! Absolutely amazing!

Yuki-chan, you’re completely amazing...! You can cut something down and sheathe your sword immediately after...

Wow~! Such a hefty target went down with a single slash.

Yuki: Ai!

Ai: Good morning, Yuki-chan.

Yuki: Good morning, Ai. I’m sorry. Was it already the time we promised?

Gosh, I can’t believe I got too absorbed in doing it.

Ai: Oh, no! I just got here a bit early.

It’s been so long since the two of us got to go out together, right? There’s still some time left before we said we’d meet up, but I just couldn’t wait! So I came to get you!

Ah—Um, I didn’t mean to interrupt, so keep going. Go ahead! Please, continue.

Go on and, er, slashy-slash those things down.

Yuki: Ufufu. Well, what a shame. I would like to do that very much, but I was just about to finish here.

Wait a little bit, would you? I’ll clean up right away.

Ai: All right~!

Yuki: *sighs* The sunlight’s strong today, so it’s perfect weather to go for a walk.

Ai: Mhmm. It sure is.

I’m so happy... I get to peacefully walk with you like this, Yuki-chan.

Mm... How long has it been since...?

Yuki: I think the last time the two of us were able to take it easy was... perhaps, a month ago?

Ai: Ah, mm! Yes, it was!

That much time’s passed, huh?

One month ago, I had to descend to Earth for about two weeks...

Yuki: And when you came back, it was my turn to descend to Earth, so we just missed each other.

Fufu. Have you been doing well, Ai?

Ai: Yep. Thanks for worrying about me.

Yuki-chan, you’re... healthy enough to get swinging around a sword in a dojo, so I’m sure you’re doing quite well!

Yuki: Ufufu! You’re right.

I’m, at the very least, doing well enough to slash down a log target from shoulder down.

Ai: *giggles* We graduated from the academy and entered the institute. And then we got to undergo training underneath our individual Goddesses...

What I did as a student in the academy already feels like it’s years and years away...!

Yuki: I feel the exact same way. I guess that could also mean just how much we’ve gotten accustomed to our current lifestyles, feeling satisfied with our daily lives.

Ai: Hmm. We’re really satisfied, aren’t we...?

In fact, I’m so satisfied that there are times I feel like my head’s gonna burst with... just about everything going on!

Yuki: If that’s how things are with you, then I’m the same way.

There are so many things I need to do every day, and it’s packed to the brim with changes.

It’s completely different from my time in school, where things complied to a set time slot that was portioned out for it and moved according to plans.

Ai: You can say that again~

I’ve heard that there are Goddesses and their own teams that work according to their time schedules, but...

Yuki: The Goddesses we both ended up supporting have a rather... individualistic... approach regarding Earthlings, and our jobs are irregularly timed, after all.

Ai: Yeah, that! There are times we just barely miss each other, like what happened recently. I thought it was a huge shame that happened~

Yuki: Same here, Ai! There are lots of things I want to talk about with you!

And when I say lots... I mean, lots.

Lots of things... Just so many, so, so, sooooo many things I want to talk about with you!!

Ai: Y-Yuki-chan, calm down!

Yuki: *gasps* ...Aah...! Goodness, how could I let myself do that?

It looks like I was dealing with a lot more mental load than I thought I was.

Keep calm, keep calm... *sighs*

Ai: You’re totally right. Keep calm, keep calm~ *giggles*

Yuki: ...Ai?

Ai: *giggles* Sorry! When I think that you’re able to act like that now... I know it’s rude, almost improper to say this, but I just got so happy...

Yuki: I’m glad I pleased you, but the situation being what it is... Why, it makes me feel complicated inside.

Ai: Looks like your circumstances are also the same as always, huh?

Yuki: By “also,” you mean, your situation’s...?

Ai: The same as always, too.

Both of the Goddesses we’ve been assigned to support are incredibly... well...

Yuki: Individualistic, after all...

Yuki, Ai: *giggle*

Yuki: I’ve never ever met anyone like her before in my life.

Her thought processes and her actions are all so unexpected.

Ai: Mm!

Yuki: That’s why sometimes, she completely bewilders me.

Ai: Mm.

Yuki: Hey, Ai? Am I really... that secluded in my own shell?

Ai: Eh?

Yuki: Yesterday, Shuka-san told me...

[flashback.]

[The rubble is crashing to the ground.]

Bakuro: HAHAHA! How pleasant, truly pleasant indeed! I’ve succeeded in some fine nightmare extermination again today~

Yuki: *coughing* Shuka-san...! This may be just the world of dreams, but don’t you think you’re going a bit too crazy?

*coughs* ...See...?

A building just collapsed.

Is that... Tokyo’s Government Office, perhaps?

Bakuro: The sight of a giant object being destroyed has quite the impactful presence, does it not? A magnificent spectacle, truly!

Yuki: You’re the one who destroyed it, Shuka-san...

Bakuro: Ah, indeed I did! ‘Twas an inevitability.

Yuki, you saw that the nightmare escaped into that building, did you not?

Yuki: Well, yes, I did see that, but it was a little imp, small enough to be cut down with a sword.

Was it really necessary for you to burn down all the buildings and launch flames big enough to cause all the buildings to collapse?

Bakuro: Ooh, scary, scary~

Worry not, Yuki. I’ve said this time and time again.

These are dream worlds which Earthlings see. Not only that, but this here is a nightmare world.

No matter how much is wrecked, no negative effects will be dealt to their realities at all.

Even when the person dreaming this nightmare wakes up, will only be thinking, “Wow, I feel so nice waking up today~! I feel so refreshed for some reason!”

Yuki: Well, yes, I understand that. Shuka-san, you’re a Goddess who desires peace for the world of dreams.

By materializing nightmares and beating them up physically, you produce tranquility for the hearts of those who live on Earth.

Not only that, but your goal is also to achieve sufficient spiritual energy by doing this, correct?

Bakuro: Why, exactly that!

My name is Bakuro Shuka. The crimson-red flower scattered upon the road which devours bad dreams!

I am a direct descendant of the generational bloodline which rules over dreams, after all!

My Goddess way is crossing between dreams~

I take responsibility for the Bakuro name as I fight and crush nightmares!

Bakuro Shuka is the Destroyer on the Side of Justice, you hear~? ✨

[T/N: Bakuro Shuka’s name is written as “獏路朱華”.

Analyzing all these kanji in order, “baku” is a tapir, but it can also refer to a chimera tapir which devours bad dreams.

“Ro” means path or road.

“Shuka” means red flower.]

Yuki: Shuka-san...! I do suppose you nailed this line quite fantastically, but at the end, shouldn’t you be referring to yourself as a “Goddess,” and not a “Destroyer”?

Bakuro: Hohoho! My apologies. It seems that my true feelings slipped out before my ceremonial position did.

Yuki: Please, don’t treat your Goddess duties as just a ceremonial position...

Bakuro: Though you say such boring things, Yuki, you looked quite destructive with that sword in hand~

Yuki: ! *clears throat* ...Well. If I were attacked by a nightmare, I believe it would be obvious that I counterattack. It’s justified self-defense.

Bakuro: Your posture seemed a bit too eager for it to be considered simple self-defense.

Yuki: ...It’s because I don’t get many chances to swing around a sword in the real world.

In that way, I suppose... Yes, well... I might have been slightly... eager.

Bakuro: Like I said.

Yuki: However! I’m only swinging my sword to take out these nightmares for the sake of taking them out.

It’s an absolute and obvious goal to have as a Goddess if I want to save the Earthlings’ dreams, and it’s not that I have the destruction itself as my end goal. Do you understand?

Bakuro: All right, all right~ I got it~

You’re a straight-laced girl, aren’t you, Yuki~?

Yuki: It’s because you’re such a mold-breaker, Shuka-san...!

Bakuro: I can’t deny that, though.

Yuki: And you’re going to accept it so easily...

Bakuro: I accept it, I do! What could I do but accept that description of me?

I cross between dream worlds and fight nightmares in person. There is no other Goddess aside from myself who does such a thing~

Yuki: I’d expect as much.

Bakuro: However! Nevertheless!

That is exactly why it is so amusing.

Yuki: You think... it’s amusing?

Bakuro: Why, yes, quite amusing indeed.

Truly, very amusing! And it’s very worth doing.

I believe it is my calling to work as a Destroyer—

Yuki: Goddess.

Bakuro: Ahaha! Oh, yes, that was the name! My work as a Destroyer-slash-Goddess is my life’s calling.

Yuki: You’re going to stubbornly keep that “Destroyer” title no matter what, hm?

It’s very clear that you enjoy your work, Shuka-san. I can tell.

Though I do nag you, it’s true that you’re showing it with your results.

Bakuro: Of course that’s the case.

See, take a gander, Yuki. The dream world will reveal the truth.

Yuki: Wha...

[The scene shifts into a grassy field with chirping birds.]

Yuki: There’s sunlight, flowers... and little birds... What a peaceful and beautiful world this is!

Bakuro: Normally, the world of dreams is one packed with the people’s ideals. ‘Tis obvious that it is beautiful.

Within their dreams, the people visit this world, relieve their exhaustion from the real world. They give their hearts a nice rest and refresh their energy to live.

Yuki: ...And the nightmares create worries and fears that tarnish this world.

Bakuro: Exactly so. If we were to leave them be, the heart will lose its place to rest, falling into ruin. People will become mentally unstable. As a result, their spirit energy will be lost as well.

That is why we...

Yuki: Defeat nightmares.

Bakuro: Quite right! This, too, is splendid Goddess work!

Yuki: Now that the nightmare’s gone, the heart of the person dreaming this dream has recovered its brilliance. I can tell.

With this, our mission is complete, isn’t it? Thank you for your hard work, Shuka-san.

Bakuro: No problem!

Yuki: Well, then, should we return to the Moon?

Bakuro: Sure thing.

[They begin walking.]

Bakuro: ...Hey, Yuki.

Yuki: Yes, ma’am?

Bakuro: I am enjoying myself. So you, too, should enjoy yourself, Yuki.

Yuki: Huh?

Bakuro: Recently, I feel as if I have come to understand the reason why they assigned you to me. Despite everything, it seems as if the institution is thinking things through quite thoroughly~!

Yuki: ...? Shuka-san?

Bakuro: Young Yuki. For you... The nightmares are not your first priority. There is something you should be destroying before that.

Yuki: ...Eh...? What... do you mean by that?

Bakuro: It is your very own... shell.

Yuki: My... shell?

Bakuro: Yes.

It seems to me that you are constraining your own heart and thought processes with a rigid restraint. That is what I mean by your shell.

What are you even protecting with that tough shell of yours?

Yuki: ...! I...

Bakuro: Listen, Yuki. The world is much more vast than you think.

It is also much more tolerant. You are truly just one little life compared to the entire world! Where is the need to restrain yourself so?

Be free, Yuki! Soar ever further, ever higher!

You’re strong enough to do that. If you destroy your own shell, you can go to even greater, greater heights!

[Yuki is brought back to the present.]

Yuki: ...And that’s what happened.

Ai: Oh...

Yuki: What do you think about what Shuka-san had to say, Ai?

Ai: Instead of you asking me what I think... I bet it’s more important to ask you how you think about it.

Yuki: Yeah, I guess that’s true... I know. Yes, I know, but...

Still, I wanted to ask you what you thought about it.

You’re closer to me than anyone else, and you know me so well.

Ai: Mm, I... think I sort of understand what Shuka-san said.

Yuki: Ngh... I see.

Ai: Yuki-chan, you can do just about anything. You’re beautiful, kind, and you’re dignified no matter who you’re faced with. You’re a perfect Goddess candidate, aren’t you?

I’m just so proud to know that I can keep being the friend of someone like you.

I’m so proud that I feel like going up to some random stranger and bragging about you, like, “Yuki-chan’s this amazing! She’s just this wonderful! So lovely!”

But...

Yuki: But...?

Ai: There’s definitely a part of Yuki-chan that isn’t the perfect Goddess candidate that everyone wants you to be, right?

Like before, there’s a side of you that unknowingly puts in a little too much effort... acts a little stubborn... the air around you softens when you see something cute... and there’s also a side of you that does some prankster-like things.

I know all sorts of sides you have.

With all of that in mind... that’s the Yuki-chan I love.

There are times I think that it’s fine for you to express that side more often, to others aside from me. It’s okay for you to not be perfect.

Yuki: It’s... okay... that I’m not perfect?

Ai: Oh... This is just speculation on my part, but...?

I was thinking, maybe the things people are saying about you, like “Yuki-chan’s the most likely candidate to become the youngest Goddess in history,” or that you’re a “perfect Goddess candidate” are putting pressure on you.

And you’re trying to answer those expectations, which is why you’re pushing yourself.

Yuki: Ah... I suppose... That might be the case.

Especially when it comes to the phrase, “history’s youngest.” I feel like it’s making me feel aware that there’s a time limit.

In order to achieve that, I can’t do anything unnecessary. I need to go through the shortest path in the shortest time possible. It’s like... I, myself, am limited on time.

Ai: That’s just plain weird. Because in reality, there’s no time limit when it comes to becoming a Goddess. There are people out there who remain Goddess candidates for decades to come.

And Yuki-chan. You’re not a failure if you don’t become history’s youngest Goddess.

Yuki: Ah—You’re... you’re right... *chuckles* You’re right. You’re absolutely right about that!

Now that I think about it, er, actually... I don’t really have to think about it so much.

This “history’s youngest” phrase isn’t my goal, my dream, nor is it my wish. I didn’t even declare I’d be it myself.

Yet, why am I... getting so concerned about that?

Ai: Exactly, Yuki-chan! Keep it up!

Yuki: The fact that I’m aiming to be the best isn’t changing from now on, but that’s... not to become history’s youngest Goddess. It’s because I wish to become that way for myself!

I’m always aiming to be better and better! Because that’s what makes me the human I am!

Ai: Mm, nice!

Yuki: It’s not to become someone else’s ideal Goddess, but to become the ideal Goddess that I want to be. For that to happen, I’ll go down the best path that I decided for myself!

The type of path that’ll be... I won’t know what it is until I go for it myself.

I guess I’ll make mistakes, but... I’m fine with that. If I walk on it with my own two legs, step by step, that will be my own path!

Isn’t that right, Ai?

Ai: Mmhmm! Definitely, Yuki-chan!

That’s what makes you, you! My beloved, beautiful, kind, ultimate Goddess candidate, Yuki-chan!

Yuki: Ufu... Thank you.

2. Drama – "Hanazono Yuki, Heading Forth!"

Bakuro: *humming* ~♪

Work as always, work as always~♪

I’ve quite the passion for my work, if I do say so myself. Makes me want to praise myself~

A Goddess who gracefully lays waste to the world of bad dreams! That is me, Bakuro Shuka-sama~!

...Oh?

Yuki: Good morning, Shuka-san!

Bakuro: Oh, well met, Yuki! Have you rested up well enough during yesterday’s holiday?

Yuki: Yes, ma’am. I was able to reset both mind and body on that fruitful day off.

Bakuro: ...! ...I see.

It does seem to me that you had a nice time.

You’ve gained quite a fine countenance over that one day we were apart.

Yuki: Oh, you could tell?

Bakuro: Why, yes. You needn’t answer me, but... what did you do yesterday?

Yuki: My reply to that isn’t something to be all that concerned about.

I just went shopping, had tea, and talked with my best friend for the first time in a while.

That’s all there is to it.

Bakuro: Best friend... Hmm... Ahh! The pink-haired one who works with Nogami.

Yuki: Yes. We get along well enough to tell one another how we’re doing at the moment, so we talked about work to each other.

I spent a very beneficial time with her.

Bakuro: Nogami’s an oddball, that’s true~ She must be suffering horribly.

Yuki: I’ve heard that the person in question is saying the same thing about my situation with you.

Bakuro: *gasps* Darn you, Nogami!

Yuki: *giggles* You’re same-year coworkers, right?

Bakuro: Well, yeah. It’s an inseparable relationship, no matter how undesirable it is.

I wander the world of dreams, while she wanders the world of reality. Our niches as Goddesses, and our approaches, are like polar opposites.

Still, we’re quite close to one another. And despite all odds, we hear each other’s names.

We’re inseparably bound to each other!

Yuki: Ufufu. My best friend and I are definitely dissimilar to each other, so we might be the same in that way.

We have our respective ideals of what we want to be as Goddesses, and we have our respective paths. Yet, we’re walking down those paths with the other nearby.

Bakuro: *chuckles* That may be so.

*claps* Well, then! Let’s wrap up the conversation here and begin our work.

Yuki: You’ll go about destroying things as usual today?

Bakuro: You know me very well, don’t you! You’re very correct! Any problems with that, Yuki?

Yuki: None at all, ma’am. As I said before, my mind and body were reset well.

I’m very motivated, too! Let us get working dependably and without fail.

Bakuro: Ufufu ♪ I’d have it no other way!

Bakuro: I suppose this is where I’d say, “I’d expect nothing less from a little child’s nightmare.”

Take a look at that. There’s a beast that would be very fitting in a monster movie.

Yuki: Why, yes, there is. It’s incredibly fitting.

Phrased differently, it’s a villain from head to toe. One could even say that it looks worth defeating.

So, that’s the progenitor of this nightmare?