Kei: There! Ke~n, ke~n--- (TN: Kei is making the sounds you'd hear in the Japanese version of hopscotch, albeit cut short.)
Sakuya: Shh!
As Sakuya-san comes to a sudden standstill, I hit her back with my nose. What's more, with an unmitigated jump.
Kei: Uuu, hy yose hurt......
Sakuya: Be quiet. Something's there.
Kei: Fwe!?
Having raised my voice without thinking, I lower the hand covering my nose to my mouth.
What is it? I guess if the house was empty so long, someone could have settled in, but...
Sakuya: *sun* *sun* *sun*
An unexpectedly loud sniffing sound reaches my ears, and just as I wonder whether a bear is in the area or not, I find that Sakuya-san was the culprit.
Sniffing about, she tilts her head this way and that, searching for the smell's origin.
Come to think of it, she did say her nose was sensitive, but I would think it's better to strain your ears.
Of course, my nose wouldn't be able to smell beyond the scent of grass. In fact, the pain from hitting it still remains.
Sakuya: ---*sun*
Whether she had succeeded or given up, Sakuya-san's movements stop.
Sakuya: There you are-------!
The switch from stillness to motion is quicker than the rocket start of a hundred meter dash, the sudden flight of a wild animal.
Bringing her long legs to a slide, she skids across the grass, corrects her facing, and plows straight ahead.
---: Uwaa! She's here!?
A girl's voice.
With the pitch of a still tiny girl, a voice sounds, and the brush rustles in its direction.
What bursts from the rustling brush is the pure white coat of an animal.
That animal, bending its tail like a bundle of pampas grass, streaks off towards the forest.
Intermittently it turns, appraising the area behind it, so regardless of its nimble movements, it enters my vision.
Kei: Wah, it's a fox, a fox! It's so small and cute and all white and IT'S A SHUTTER CHANCE!
I hardly ever get to see any animal other than a cat or dog up close, so I got a little excited...
...but then I come to my senses.
Kei: ......Huh? Not...... a girl?
Straight in my vision, a white fox. As for the standard mischief done by foxes...
Kei: ......Sakuya-san, were we just shown a mirage or something? (TN: Mythical foxes come with the standard ability to bewitch - and shapeshift as - humans in Japanese lore.)
There's a basis for me to accept a story that seems so much like a joke. If blood-sucking oni exist, I would bet foxes and tanuuki can bewitch people.
Sakuya: Kei, if you're satisfied with that, then you really were bewitched. That one's the bait!
Ignoring the fox, Sakuya-san stops and thrusts her hand in the brush.
Girl's Voice: Uwawawawa!
Sakuya: Even if you can throw your voice or appearance, you can't hide your smell.
Removing her hand with a rustle, a girl around elementary school age pops out, held by the nape of her neck.
Girl: Tahaha, I have been caught. Do I really smell that much?
Stretching her forearm to her nose and giving a whiff, she seems unafraid.
Sakuya: My nose is special, you see.
Girl: Hah, I suppose that was unlucky, but the main progenitor of defeat would be my failure to discern my escape opportunity, I'd say---
Girl: This place here in particular has become rather clamorous of late, yet so comfy, I somehow became lax in my discretion......
Girl: I suppose I should have taken my leave once I caught a glimpse of someone climbing that mountain this morning---
Kei: Someone climbing the mountain......?
Girl: Yes indeed. With not even a glance at this house, they went straight up the side road, however.
Press circle once more and then check your divergence map.
Note the branching of the white line and pick the appropriate path below.
If you do not yet own the game and want to know which branch you have just taken, click here.