Praise Ribbon Arc

Story guide

Hachiware tells Chiikawa and Usagi about being praised for a blue ribbon and keeps returning to the happiness of that moment. The ribbon appears among Hachiware's belongings, and Hachiware handles it carefully as if trying to hold on to the feeling of being praised. Usagi also wears a small blue decoration while Chiikawa watches the two nearby. This opening is not about acquiring something, but about an object tied to praise becoming special to the person who received it.

Story guide

This short cut places Kurimanju alone at the center of a pale orange background. With a dark brown marking on their head and their hands held in front of their body, Kurimanju is neither walking nor eating. There is no setting, tool, or conversation partner, so no particular purpose is explained. Rather than guessing how the image connects to nearby events, it is best enjoyed as a simple portrait of Kurimanju's forward-facing pose, small mouth, and red cheeks.

Story guide

Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi discuss how to eat the shellfish they have found. Hachiware suggests simmering it in a sweet and savory sauce, prepares bowls and a pot, and imagines serving it with white rice. Once the cooking is done, the three try it and brighten at a flavor that goes well with the rice. Instead of merely looking at what they collected, they turn it into a dish for the table, with Usagi's energetic reaction and Chiikawa's straightforward delight joining Hachiware's idea.

Story guide

In the morning, Hachiware notices a blue ribbon near a pot and broom while looking outside toward the sound of birds. The ribbon looks the same color as something Hachiware had treasured before, so they carefully examine where it was placed and how it is tied. Decorated beside flowers, it makes the object look brighter but also seems liable to fall off easily. Hachiware does not immediately decide that it belongs to them, instead watching how it is being used; their interest in the blue decoration quietly foreshadows later worry.

Story guide

Seeing a blue ribbon beside a flower container, Hachiware realizes that the decoration they thought had been placed there before is gone. They search the ground and behind the container, thinking it should be nearby if it fell, but cannot find it right away. Hachiware then waits near the flowers as if hiding, to see what happens to the ribbon. The image does not settle whether it moved by itself or was taken by someone, but the unease around the blue knot becomes clear through Hachiware's careful search and wait.

Story guide

While Chiikawa and Hachiware choose candy at a shopfront, Hachiware spots a blue ribbon on a bag or wrapper. The familiar color and shape make Hachiware wonder whether it could be the ribbon they have been concerned about, rather than simply passing it by as decoration. Chiikawa watches the reaction beside them as the two compare the wrapping with their surroundings. The pleasure of buying sweets becomes mixed with the hope of finding the lost decoration, and Hachiware's attachment to the blue knot is shown through their actions rather than a hurried explanation.

Story guide

In a place where lively voices fill the air, Chiikawa and Hachiware stand side by side near a low fence, stuffing their cheeks with a fried, bread-roll-like food. After taking a bite, Hachiware falls silent and repeatedly tries to begin speaking with "Hey, so, you know," but each time the words catch in their throat. Eventually, with eyes brimming with tears, Hachiware stammers out "I lost, I lo—," and confesses that the ribbon they received has gone missing. Beside the still-holding-their-food Hachiware, who is now crying, Chiikawa is so startled that their eyes go wide and they drop the food in their hand. No scene of Chiikawa replying is depicted, and the story cuts off right after the confession.

Story guide

Hachiware finds a blue ribbon tied to someone else's belongings and connects it to the one they have been searching for. Chiikawa watches Hachiware's sudden reaction as Hachiware tries to approach where the decoration is. At this point, it is still unclear whether it only looks similar or is truly related. Even so, seeing the blue color linked to the memory of praise sets Hachiware's uncertainty moving again, and Chiikawa accepts the intensity of that hope without the answer being revealed.

Story guide

Chiikawa finds the blue ribbon that had been on their mind and shows it to Hachiware. Hachiware comes closer to check the knot and color, brightening as if they can finally touch what they had been seeking. The decoration placed near the flowers returns before their eyes instead of remaining lost. Chiikawa does not make a big explanation of it, simply giving Hachiware the discovery itself, and Hachiware's happiness becomes the scene's answer. The worry around the small ribbon is eased for the moment, making the reunion feel brighter because of the memory of being praised as well.

Story guide

Walking with their head down, Hachiware notices something at their feet, picks up the fallen blue ribbon, and calls out that it was here. Chiikawa comes running over, and Hachiware lets them know the ribbon was found. Chiikawa cries out in delight, and Hachiware also breathes a sigh of relief. Afterward, Hachiware says they will attach it here once more and reties the blue ribbon around the neck of a small vase holding a flower. While Chiikawa watches from the side, Hachiware hums while adjusting the knot, mentions that it feels like their memories are overlapping, and gives a shy smile. Beside them, Chiikawa lets out an "Ah," presses a white paper against their face, rubs vigorously, and wipes their eyes, which is where the story ends.