Chiikabu (Beetle) Arc

Story guide

While sharing fruit in a field, Hachiware asks Chiikawa and Usagi whether they should try a Subjugation against an opponent bigger than usual. Chiikawa hesitates, thinking of the danger, while Usagi bites into the fruit with force as they listen. Something hard strikes their teeth, and a red object like a push button on a base comes out. The three interrupt their Subjugation discussion and gather around to examine the unexplained thing that had been hidden in the food. Hachiware thinks it may be a switch, and the scene ends before they decide what to do next.

Story guide

Picking up the red object, Hachiware checks its pressable shape and ends up activating the button. Chiikawa and Usagi watch without knowing what will happen, but repeated vibrations soon begin sounding from beyond the ground. Looking toward the noise, the three realize it seems to come from a cave in a rock wall at the far end of the grass. Still holding the fruit, they approach and stop before the dark entrance. The scene reaches the point where they recognize that the switch they pressed by chance may be connected to the cave, while the source of the sound remains unseen.

Story guide

Against a pale yellow background, Hachiware and Chiikawa stand side by side holding hands. With narrowed eyes, flushed cheeks, and calm expressions, they gently swing their joined arms. Their full bodies are shown, including Hachiware's blue tail and Chiikawa's small round ears, but no props from the chapter's events, such as the cave or red switch, appear around them. White flower symbols sit on either side. Rather than a scene heading toward danger, it reads as an interlude that captures their affection itself. No conversation or new event occurs; only the two walking close together at the same pace remains.

Story guide

When Hachiware presses the red switch outside the cave, the bars sealing the rock face move with a loud sound, revealing a dark space that continues inward to Chiikawa and Usagi. The three enter without preparing equipment and proceed through the cave where it is hard to see their feet. Soon something moves from behind cover, and Usagi cries out and runs ahead. In the next instant, a black shadow and claw-like parts leap out and small fragments scatter around them. Hachiware and Chiikawa cannot keep up with the sudden turn and stop to find out what appeared and what was defeated.

Story guide

Coming out of the cave, Chiikawa brings along a small creature with a white face surrounded by a brown shell. Hachiware is startled by the sudden new companion, then comes close to smell them and says they are like sweet omelet. Looking at the shell on their back, Hachiware also notices parts that seem like wings. When the creature sways on their short legs as if dancing, Hachiware observes that their body is soft like mochi. With Usagi watching nearby, Chiikawa holds the small body in both arms and quietly shows growing affection as their caution eases.

Story guide

When Hachiware says they are going home and promises to visit again, Usagi sends a loud farewell too. After Chiikawa sees the two off and returns home, the small creature from the cave has followed behind. Chiikawa does not send them away and starts reading a Weeding Certification book at the low table. The creature comes to the side of the table and sits quietly as if looking at the same page, but soon suddenly makes a loud cry. Chiikawa, who had been concentrating on studying, jumps up and runs around the room in surprise. The quiet of the home changes all at once.

Story guide

Chiikawa holds a forked pole for Subjugation but stops when the small creature approaches their feet. From a distance, Hachiware says that their body is soft and feels like mochi. When Chiikawa cautiously touches them, the creature returns to their shape after being pressed and does not try to run away. They then press close against Chiikawa's cheek as if seeking affection. Chiikawa realizes there is no need to use the weapon, checks their smell, and lifts them in both arms. The scene moves from observation to contact as the distance between them closes.

Story guide

Hachiware learns that the small creature from the cave has followed Chiikawa home and is surprised by how attached they have become. When Chiikawa holds them up, the creature rests against them as if at ease. Usagi then approaches, and the creature eagerly pounces and begins playing by clinging to Usagi's face. Usagi does not shake them off and runs around with them; eventually they keep playing while rolling on the grass. Hachiware takes this as the two getting along and exchanges a look with Chiikawa, happy that they have welcomed a new friend.

Story guide

Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi make oden in a large pot, serve it into bowls, and begin eating. Hachiware is delighted that the flavor has soaked into the ingredients, while Chiikawa slowly enjoys a hot bite. The small creature watching beside them does not approach the pot on their own and simply waits for a plate to be offered. When Chiikawa scoops out an easy-to-eat amount and brings it to the creature's mouth, they hesitate before eating. Hachiware and Usagi do not miss the moment and cheer that they have accepted the food, confirming that they have joined them at the table.

Cultural and language noteOden is a Japanese pot dish in which daikon radish, fish cakes, and other ingredients simmer in dashi. Saying that the flavor has soaked in signals that it is ready to eat.

Story guide

At night, inside the lit house, Chiikawa spreads out their Weeding Certification study materials on a low table, marking circles with a red pen while saying out loud, 'Circle, circle.' A small creature nearby climbs onto the book and lies flat right there, crumpling the open pages. Chiikawa lets out an 'Ahh!' and lifts the wrinkled study material to show it. After the creature hops away, Chiikawa holds the pages down on the table with their hands, stretching and pulling them to try and fix them. The creature peeks its face out from the side to observe the situation, and finally leaves while letting out a squirming chirp. Chiikawa watches this and lets out a little chuckle to end the scene.

Story guide

Against a solid light brown background, the text "KOSSORI" written in romaji is placed near the top. From the bottom edge of the screen, Hachiware, Chiikawa, and Usagi line up from left to right, showing only their heads and the upper parts of their round bodies, all looking straight ahead. All three keep their mouths closed, resting their small hands on the bottom edge, staying low in a posture with only their faces peeking out. There are no speech bubbles or dialogue, so what they are peeking at and who the other party is are not depicted. Rather than a panel that advances the story, it is an illustration cut out to capture only a single scene of secretly peeking.

Cultural and language noteThe Japanese adverb represented by KOSSORI describes acting quietly so that others do not notice.

Story guide

Carrying a pink forked pole, Chiikawa goes alone to a Subjugation against an opponent with green stripes. Even after pinning down the first one, other individuals appear one after another, and Chiikawa keeps fighting while being thrown about. As the day leans toward evening, Chiikawa returns home with injuries on their forehead and body, dragging the weapon. Chiikabu (the Beetle), who has been waiting inside, runs over, and Chiikawa's tense expression softens. Chiikawa hugs Chiikabu (the Beetle) tightly and shares the relief of getting home safely. More than the outcome of the Subjugation, the day leaves the importance of someone waiting at home.

Story guide

The small creature sits on Chiikawa's head, sways, and repeatedly makes cheerful sounds. Hachiware is pleased that the two have become close, while Usagi watches nearby. Because the creature keeps making their distinctive sound, Hachiware leans in to try to understand its meaning. Before they can determine what the sound means, the creature suddenly bites Hachiware's blue ear. Hachiware freezes without understanding what happened, and Chiikawa runs over in surprise. A calm observation abruptly becomes tense through an unexpected contact.

Story guide

Hachiware reassures Chiikawa that they are fine because the bite on their ear only touched them a little. Chiikabu (the Beetle) returns home as though nothing happened, and Chiikawa's concern settles for the moment. Later, while Chiikawa points a forked pole at a white segmented opponent in the grass and continues a Subjugation, Chiikabu (the Beetle) approaches from behind. They suddenly bite the fallen opponent and appear to tear off part of the opponent's body, leaving Chiikawa frozen with the weapon in their arms. A nature unlike their affectionate behavior first comes to the surface at the site of a Subjugation.

Story guide

Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) notices the brown-shelled creature beside Chiikawa and asks what they are. Hachiware explains that they pressed a red switch, opened a cave, met the creature there, and became friends. Chiikawa and Usagi gather around them and treat them as a companion that poses no danger, but Yoroi-san remembers the wild expression they saw when the creature was eating. The possibility that they are a Mimic-type occurs to them, and they cannot easily decide that they are safe. Still, seeing Chiikawa hold them so dearly, Yoroi-san moves first to check the situation.

Story guide

Seeing a small creature run off, Hachiware calls out to them, asking where they are going. Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) tells them that, based on experience, that is likely a Mimic-type, surprising Hachiware. Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) then lists clues such as the switch and the opening cave, continuing that they can infer the rest from there. Hachiware correctly deduces that this means a dangerous Mimic-type had been confined in the cave, which Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) confirms. Hachiware is bewildered, protesting that the creature was a friend, but Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) tells them to just give chase anyway and starts running. While running, Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) asks where the switch is now, to which Hachiware replies that it has gone off somewhere, letting out a groan.

Story guide

After hearing Yoroi-san (Armor Knight)'s assessment, Chiikawa holds Chiikabu (the Beetle) and heads to the original cave with Hachiware and Usagi. Once inside its darkness, Chiikawa sets the creature down while holding back the desire not to part, and the group starts to return to the exit. Chiikabu (the Beetle) does not follow even when left behind, and Chiikawa hesitates between seeing them as a friend and fearing they may be dangerous. But as the group turns away, a horn-like part of Chiikabu (the Beetle) begins stretching longer. Yoroi-san notices the change, warns of danger, and stops everyone just as the scene cuts off.

Story guide

Yellow glowing particles spill one after another from the end of Chiikabu (the Beetle)'s lengthened horn, and the ones that fall to the ground turn into small sweets on paper. Hachiware recognizes the mysterious gift as confectionery, and Chiikawa and Usagi lower their guard and come closer. With Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) back among them, everyone takes one and finds sweet bean paste inside fragrant baked wafers. Chiikawa and Hachiware eat eagerly, Usagi takes a big bite, and Yoroi-san enjoys one with tea. The place where they had intended to leave Chiikabu (the Beetle) becomes a time gathered around their hospitality.

Cultural and language noteThese are Japanese sweets made by sandwiching sweet bean paste between thin baked wafers. In the image, they appear individually wrapped and are enjoyed with tea.

Story guide

After eating the sweets Chiikabu (the Beetle) produced, Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) judges from their gentle behavior that they may be a friendly type rather than a dangerous Mimic-type. Hachiware and Chiikawa are relieved and happy that they may be able to stay together forever. When Chiikawa hugs Chiikabu (the Beetle), their small body wraps their arms around them in return. In the next moment, however, the brown shell rapidly expands and they transform into a huge form with thick arms and legs. Yoroi-san and Hachiware immediately retract their conclusion and realize that they were a Mimic-type after all. What they thought they knew is overturned just after their trust has settled.

Story guide

Now much larger, Chiikabu (the Beetle) spreads wings on either side of their brown back and rises through the trees with a strong beating sound. Chiikawa and Usagi press themselves against the shadow of a trunk, too shocked even to speak as they follow their flight with their eyes. Hachiware, standing near another tree, sees the creature that was small enough to hold moments earlier moving freely through the air and lets out that they are strong. Chiikabu (the Beetle) does not attack the three and flies farther away with their back turned. Amid caution and surprise, a quiet pause remains in which they cannot decide whether to follow or see them off.

Story guide

Hachiware and Chiikawa use a capsule-toy machine hoping for the secret version, turning it once each and receiving blue and yellow capsules. Without being able to see inside, they shake them to check the sound and open both lids at the same time with shared anticipation. Each contains a golden figure wearing a hat and playing an instrument. Realizing that both drew the special version they wanted, they set the figures side by side in their palms and compare the details with excited cries. The chance of pulling the same secret from one machine in succession becomes a small stroke of luck they share together.

Cultural and language noteA capsule-toy machine dispenses one toy-filled capsule when a coin is inserted and a lever is turned. A secret version is a rare type.

Story guide

Holding the golden figures they drew, Hachiware and Chiikawa play together, pretending to make their instruments sound and joining their voices. Seeing Chiikawa laugh and move around, Hachiware says they are glad Chiikawa has regained their energy. Chiikawa answers vigorously, but stops moving for a moment at those words. That evening, alone at home, Chiikawa looks at the figure on the table and remembers the small friend who flew away. The loneliness that could be laughed through during the day wells up again, and Chiikawa crouches on the floor and cries quietly.

Story guide

A knock sounds at Chiikawa's door while they are crying over the small friend who left. Hachiware and Usagi have come to visit, thinking Chiikawa has not yet recovered their spirits, and offer pink juice squeezed from nuts. Hachiware recommends it as rich in vitamins, and Chiikawa holds the bowl in both hands, drinks it all, and settles a little. As the three wait for its effect, Usagi notices a small pale lump left on the floor. It slowly melts, but none of them knows what it is, and the time of encouragement ends with a new question.

Story guide

The scene begins with Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi gathered beneath the cherry blossoms. Hachiware sings while strumming strings, and Chiikawa listens nearby with a drink in hand. When Chiikawa reacts with interest in the instrument, Usagi picks it up without hesitation and makes sounds in their own energetic way. What began as a hanami meal naturally turns into taking turns trying the instrument in front of them. The song lettering and guitar are small anchors that add each person's own rhythm to the quiet gathering.

Story guide

Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) arrives at the hanami spot with dango and finds Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi gathered around a single package. The dango in Yoroi-san's hands prompts nearby Armor Knights to wonder about the three's relationship, while Hachiware simply accepts them as people who eat together. Chiikawa and Usagi also turn their attention to the food, and the dango connects the scene as something to share. The differently colored dango peeking from the package and the figures sitting down to eat convey the familiarity of the meal before any question does.

Story guide

In front of Yoroi-san (Armor Knight), who is holding dango, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi keep eating. Yoroi-san asks again about the connection among the three, and Hachiware does not make the answer complicated: they are together as friends. Chiikawa eats a dango while Usagi focuses on their own share, so the answer is confirmed through the meal rather than through an explanation. The pale cherry-blossom background and the round dango on their skewers bring the focus back to the time they are sharing instead of making their relationship into a grand definition.