San Diego and her team finally caught up with the pumpkin monster, Jack-o'-Lantern. However, the enemy was much more persistent than expected, and escaped after a brief scuffle. |
This time, we couldn't let them escape, so we immediately followed it and rode into the hideout, but it was much bigger than we had expected. |
Dover |
"Ah, another dead end." |
Detroit |
"It's a good thing there aren't that many Mist Monsters, though. This is going to be a pain in the ass." |
Dover |
"But we're definitely making progress. Just a bit more, bit more♪" |
San Diego |
"Hey, Dover." |
San Diego's words cause Detroit to turn around in surprise. San Diego only ever spoke to her and Conductor--
A rule that had never been broken before was broken. Detroit is understandably surprised. |
Dover |
"Hmm, what's is it?" |
San Diego |
"You know, earlier when I was telling you my story, you said, 'I don't think it's just a personal thing'. That means you cared about your hometown, right?" |
Dover |
"Yes! I love my village!" |
San Diego |
"But... back when you were eating the galette, you also said that you 'longed for the city', didn't you? You love your hometown so much, but you wanted to leave it?" |
Dover |
"Oh, about that. I'm a bit embarrassed because it's also my failure story..." |
Dover |
"However, since you told me about the old days, San Diego, I'll tell you about mine." |
Dover |
"It's not a big deal at all, though. I've always wanted to be a mature woman. Ya see, over there I'm uh, what should I say as... quite petite, you know?" |
San Diego |
"Well... you're right. Oh, no, this is not meant to be a dig at..." |
Dover |
"You know what I mean. You don't have to be so upset about it, it's all right." |
Dover |
"And then I saw all these grown-up women in magazines who were all big and beautiful and cool in different ways, so I had no doubt that if I went out and refined myself in the city like them, I would grow up and become a woman." |
Dover |
"So I thought that the reason I didn't grow up was because I couldn't go out to the city, and I even said terrible things like, 'It's your fault I'm like this, mother!'" |
Dover smiled apologetically, perhaps remembering those days. |
Dover |
"A little while later, I took the entrance exam for the Knight Academy in St. Iris. But I failed it... and only then did I realised for the first time, that I was only selfish and thinking of myself." |
San Diego |
"Yes. So at the moment, you're only thinking about the city." |
Dover |
"Yes, that's right. I'm really, really ashamed of myself..." |
Dover |
"So, you know, I went back to the village after I failed my exams, and everyone was so nice to me. I had been thinkin' bout leavin' the village all the time. I've already felt so much remorse. I've been helped by my parents and the people in the village, and I thought, the heck am I doin'?" |
Dover |
"So I decided that this time I would do my best for my parents and the village. And this time it worked out well. And this is how I was able to join the SSS." |
Dover |
"So now I want to go to the city so that I can be in the SSS and clear the Mist. I think it's a way to repay my parents and everyone in the village." |
Detroit |
"You're doing great growing up, Dover." |
Dover |
"Heh heh, I know, right? And don't treat me like a kid!!" |
San Diego |
"I see, you care about your parents and your hometown because it's important to you... I understand how you feel." |
If more people knew how hard it was for those living in the suburbs and cared about them, it would probably make life a little easier. |
Yes, at their core, San Diego and Dover are kindred spirits. |
Dover |
"Good, you understand! This big sister is happy!" |
San Diego |
"What's with the big sister, you little... Don't you dare hug me!" |
Dover |
"Don't be shy, Big sister will give you a BIG hug~" |
San Diego |
"Help me Detroit, stop laughing and get her off me!" |
Detroit |
"Nah, I think San Diego deserves to be teased with once in a while, don't you?" |
San Diego |
"You backstabbing bastard...! I'm going to settle this with my own hands~!" |
Dover |
"Ah, you got away!" |
San Diego |
"I forbid you to be so sticky with me! Come on, let's move on--" |
San Diego |
"Hm...? Looks like this is the far end of the building." |
While they were talking, they seemed to have reached the innermost room of the hideout. As we cautiously looked around inside, and saw Jack-o'-lantern hurriedly stuffing a pile of sweets into its bag as much as it could. |
San Diego |
"Where are you going to run off to?" |
Jack-o'-Lantern |
"Hey...! You guys have already caught up with me, kaboo." |
Detroit |
"We've taken care of all the Mist Monsters along the way. Now it's just you, got it?" |
Jack-o'-Lantern |
"Grrr...!" |
Dover |
"Hey, why are you attackin' people in the town and robbing them of their treats?" |
Jack-o'-Lantern |
"That's obvious! Halloween treats are for kids, kaboo!" |
Jack-o'-Lantern |
"The town's festivities these days are boring and outdated! That's why I'm going to turn this place into a real haunted house and give the children, who are used to shoddy costumes, the real Halloween experience, kaboo!" |
San Diego |
"I see, so the treats are a reward for the kids who make it through the haunted house." |
San Diego |
"But what's the point if you take sweets from the town and let it fall into a scary situation?" |
Detroit |
"I'm sure the Phantom Mist reacted to a guy who wanted to build a haunted house for his kids before he died. That's how we end up with a guy whose thoughts and actions are so twisted." |
Dover |
"So this Jack-o'-Lantern is a victim in a way, too..." |
Jack-o'-Lantern |
"So, now that you're here, you have to pay an admission fee. Three adults and one little kid, and cough it up pronto kaboo!" |
The amount of money that the Jack-o'-Lantern demanded was so large that you would think it was a bill for a high-end restaurant. |
Detroit |
"We're getting ripped off!" |
San Diego |
"I was a fool to feel sorry for him, even a little bit." |
Dover |
"I'm not the little kid here, am I?" |
Jack-o'-Lantern |
"I knew you can't be reasoned with. Then I'll just get rid of anyone who gets in my way kaboo!" |
The Jack-o'-Lantern released its power in fury. |
San Diego |
"Well, I'm glad he's a jerk. I can take him down with no worries." |
San Diego |
"Detroit, Dover. Let's bring Halloween back to this town." |
Detroit & Dover |
"YEAH (MHM)!!" |
Detroit and Dover responded fiercely to San Diego's call. |