Parallel World Arc

Story guide

In this single illustration of Hachiware, the central figure expels something long from their mouth. Around them are images of coughing, sweating, and seeming lighter afterward. Roman letters at the bottom indicate that vomiting made them feel better. With no conversation partner or surrounding events shown, the post briefly depicts a change in Hachiware's condition.

Story guide

Chiikawa covers their mouth with both hands and sneezes repeatedly. Hachiware briefly asks whether it is pollen and offers a blue packet of pocket tissues, although this post never shows Chiikawa accepting or using it. Usagi then extends an arm with a short questioning sound and presses a small purple clip-like object against Chiikawa's face. A clamping sound follows, while Chiikawa keeps their eyes closed and remains silent. The post does not confirm whether the sneezing stops or whether pollen was truly the cause.

Story guide

Hachiware wonders whether they have somehow arrived in a parallel place. They notice small differences in the weapons and appearances of those around them, and also confirm that a familiar figure has not grown larger. Seeing a Level 5 Weeding identification card on a portable device, Hachiware takes it as a sign that the versions of them in this place are in a different state. They try to make sense of the situation.

Story guide

Standing in a grassy field, Hachiware recalls scenes spent with their friends and a bulletin board showing Subjugation score rankings, asking themselves if perhaps this world is better. Then, a bee-like insect flies over, and noticing the unfamiliar bug, Hachiware thinks it might be related to an incident they were worried about in their original world and starts running. A large hand then holds out a bug net, encouraging them to catch it with the net. Hachiware accepts the net with thanks, and being told to run, chases after the bug. After starting to run, they realize that the one who gave them the net and sent them off was a tree with a face, and the story ends with them letting out a surprised cry.

Story guide

Holding a net, Hachiware hears from a tree-like creature that something will soon come to suck it up. The creature explains that something laid on a head has mixed with a brain, creating a concentrated parallel world that it can suck up. Without grasping the explanation, Hachiware asks whether becoming a resident of this world would mean they could not return to the original one. The tree-like creature continues explaining.

Story guide

A figure shaped like a tree stump tells Hachiware that if they want to return to their original world, they should crush that bug. Hachiware asks what will happen to this world if they crush it, but the other deflects the question, replying that they wonder what will happen. With a net in hand, Hachiware recalls the laughter they saw in this world and the people who obtained Weeding ranks, and insists that there are good things here too. Even so, the other warns that if they do not hurry, the bug in the original world will begin to move, and it ends with the warning that the bug will land on a sleeping white body and start to feed.

Story guide

Hachiware acknowledges that this world has good points too, but decides to return to the original world anyway. Prompted by the tree-like creature, they try to catch the insect with a net, but the net lets it escape as it draws near. The surroundings then let out a great roar, and the creature says the sucking has begun. Hachiware watches the sudden change with the net in hand.

Story guide

In a post labeled Chiikawa, a creature with a leaf-bud-like ornament on its head gives a brief indication that someone should sit down. The image provides no counterpart or context for the action, only the posture of sitting and waiting. Because the label and the depicted subject's features do not appear to match, no specific event or role is determined. It remains a single image with only the short utterance.

Story guide

In their other-world form, Hachiware realizes that they are beginning to fit into this place while pursuing the insect with a net. Two residents approach, ask whether they are helping, and offer a large fork-shaped tool. But the residents take Hachiware to be simply catching insects. Faced with the offered tool, Hachiware stops pursuing the insect in confusion.

Story guide

Hachiware decides to return before their body fully adapts to this world. After hearing from the tree-like creature that an adapted body is strong, Hachiware reaches for the insect. With their claws grown long, they are surprised to catch the flying insect easily. The people around them notice the change as Hachiware looks again at their own body.

Story guide

A fork-shaped tool is swung at Hachiware, but Hachiware takes it only as proof that they have become stronger. Reconsidering that there is something they need to tell the others, Hachiware lets them know they can return to the original world. As those around them are surprised, Hachiware runs toward the light. With the tree-like creature and those seeing them off behind them, Hachiware offers a parting word.

Story guide

Hachiware looks at Chiikawa's ears as they rest in bed and confirms that they are real. Hachiware apologizes for panicking, and Chiikawa responds with puzzlement. Hachiware hugs Chiikawa and says that what they saw may have been a frightening dream. Yet Chiikawa's reaction does not provide certainty, leaving a small question between them.

Story guide

Hachiware checks on Chiikawa and asks what they received as a gift for passing Level 5 Weeding. Chiikawa cannot answer, but Hachiware recalls the picture of the gift and feels relieved to have been right. Without explaining why they asked, Hachiware invites Chiikawa to eat flavored corn. By the window, the two spend time together as Hachiware tries to return to ordinary conversation.

Story guide

In an illustration depicting Hachiware arranged in two tiers, they face forward in the upper tier and assert that those are not whiskers. In the lower tier, they open their mouth, raise a front paw with extended claws toward the lower part of their face, and add that the lines in question are vaguely on the cheek side. The accompanying romaji also forms a continuous sentence from the upper to the lower tier, serving to correct what the lines on the face are called. No conversational partner is depicted, and it concludes with Hachiware's own explanation of their facial features.

Story guide

Ano-ko watches small black creatures move from branch to branch behind a tree. Sensing their presence, Ano-ko turns around. Ano-ko then realizes that the creatures are not shaking them, but stomping near their feet to make the ground rumble. Dekatsuyo also appears beside the vibration, and Ano-ko stays wary of the surroundings.

Story guide

Chiikawa sneezes repeatedly as Hachiware and Usagi approach in concern. Hachiware explains that drops falling from a pink leaf can be used as eye drops to clear the eyes and nose. Usagi collects a drop and uses it on Chiikawa, who reacts by lifting their face. Hachiware tries to see whether it worked as the three look at one another.

Story guide

Chiikawa fills out a campaign postcard for various kinds of rice crackers at a table. Hachiware says they will support this entry and watches Chiikawa carefully write the address. Imagining the postcard being mailed, Hachiware says they want to value Chiikawa's feelings for rice crackers more than the expectation of winning. Usagi watches the two nearby.

Story guide

In this single illustration of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi, several of Hachiware's expressions are shown side by side. Hachiware complains of being hungry, Usagi sways their body, and Chiikawa looks uneasy. With only short responses, the image presents a brief sketch of the three faces and their reactions to hunger. No food appears before it ends.

Story guide

Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi learn from the campaign entry tickets that they seem to have won the B Prize. Chiikawa checks the prize, while Hachiware celebrates and realizes that they want everyone to share it. Usagi joins with an entry ticket in hand, and the three look forward to imagining the flavors of the rice crackers they won. Their exchange over the tickets leads into talk of food.

Story guide

In this single illustration of Usagi, Chiikawa, and Hachiware, Usagi changes posture and has something like water drops on their face. Chiikawa tilts their head, and Hachiware watches as if at a loss for words. The reason for Usagi's movements is not explained; brief reactions and sound effects convey the three's confusion. Even after the drops disappear, Usagi keeps moving in the same manner.

Story guide

Hachiware opens by saying they have done it again, and Chiikawa and Usagi nod. Before the three sits a plate of yakisoba piled on white rice. Once they begin eating, however, it tastes good: Chiikawa eagerly takes bite after bite, and Hachiware wonders aloud why it is so delicious. Kurimanju walks by carrying a bento, drops takoyaki onto their plate, and continues on. Chiikawa notices and cries out, and Hachiware peers at the plate and points out the takoyaki now sitting on the rice and yakisoba, surprising Chiikawa. Before long, Hachiware eats a piece and someone exclaims that the combination works. A short distance away, Kurimanju pauses with their own bento and a drink and exhales contentedly.

Story guide

This is a single illustration imagining Chiikawa as a cherry-blossom fairy. Five figures appear with petal wings and cherry-blossom buds in hand, including one smiling with closed eyes and another turned to the side. Pale petals drift around them. Roman letters at the center identify the cherry-blossom fairy. Rather than a story scene, the illustration stands alone as a springlike Chiikawa outfit.

Story guide

Usagi nibbles toast while two nearby figures explain that it is Easter. They wear patterned eggshells and suggest that one would suit Usagi too. When a purple creature appears holding a broken eggshell, Usagi climbs into an eggshell as well. In the end, Usagi wears an orange pattern and seems to accept the transformation.

Cultural and language noteEaster is a Christian-rooted spring festival, and eggs are used in decorations and games as symbols of new life.

Story guide

A single illustration shows small creatures leaning close together or sitting back to back. At the center, a creature with a large pale-blue tail enters the circle and brings its face close to the others. There is no dialogue or explained event; the image is a sketch of overlapping movements and varied expressions. Chiikawa and Hachiware join the circle nearby.

Story guide

Seeing where Kurimanju sits, Chiikawa and Hachiware recall a scene of Kurimanju washing a dirty rug. Kurimanju scrubs the stains with a brush and rinses them with water. As the mud-like grime comes away, the rug becomes clean, leaving a blue ground with small patterns. Chiikawa and Hachiware admire the result while Kurimanju looks satisfied.

Story guide

Chiikawa and Hachiware stroll along humming a tune, pass in front of Kurimanju and the others, and are led to a yellow counterpart wearing a white collar with a necktie. The counterpart plays a video on a computer screen of vehicles passing through a puddle, showing a pink car plunging into a deep puddle, splashing up muddy water, and driving away as it is. Next, a yellow car carrying a Hoshi also passes through the same puddle, and Hachiware calls out that the cars are going through one after another. However, after finishing watching, Chiikawa and Hachiware are at a loss for words and let on that they do not understand it at all. Only the yellow counterpart is glowing with a proud look on their face.

Story guide

A short illustration post featuring Hachiware and Usagi. They start side by side facing forward, then lean toward each other, turn their backs, and move their feet in unison. Musical notes and small motion lines appear along the way; rather than a comic explaining circumstances through dialogue, the image presents the two continuing to move briskly. The white background remains to the end, leaving the afterimage of their movements as they change direction.