Track 1
HAMA House - Living Room
...Phew.
(This troublesome task finally got settled. Time for a little break.)
So, this was where you were, Chief.
Raito-san. Is something the matter?
I’d just like to ask you a question. Do you have any plans this weekend?
No, not really.
Perfect. Actually, there’s somewhere I’d really like to take you. Just the two of us—shall we go out?
(Huh...? This feels familiar somehow...)
(Wasn’t there a time before when he dragged me to that UFO summoning ritual1?)
Uh...so, this place you want to take me is…?
A cruise ship. I received a pair of tickets to a dinner party on board. If you’re up for it, would you care to join me?
Dinner party? On a cruise ship?!
(So it’s not another UFO ritual, and not a ramen shop either… Guess this isn’t deja vu after all…)
...Are you not interested?
No, no, that’s not it! I’m grateful and happy for the invitation. But are you sure you want it to be me?
Of course. In fact, it has to be you.
You’ve always been running around for the sake of us in the Evening Team. I wanted to take this chance to show my appreciation.
Raito-san… Thank you. In that case, I’d be honored to join you!
I’m glad. Honestly, I was worried about what I would do if you turned me down. There was no one else I’d even considered bringing.
Besides, it would feel wrong to waste such an invitation.
Right, it is an invitation, after all... How amazing… Is it from a client you’re close with?
No, actually. I fund an organization called the UMA Observation Research Group. The foundation that oversees it sent me this invite as a token of appreciation.
(UMA observation … What?! So, it really is related to that kind of thing after all!)
What’s wrong? You froze up all of a sudden.
Ah, no, nothing at all! I’m looking forward to it. And… I’ll do my best!
...Do your best?
HAMA House - Chief's Room
(—The day has finally arrived.)
(Ever since he invited me, I’ve been studying up on UMA nonstop. I’m fully prepared this time!)
A knock is heard from the door.
Chief, are you ready? It’s about time we head out.
! ...Yeah!
Cruise Ship - Outer Corridor
Amazing... What a luxurious ship! And HAMA looks so beautiful from offshore...
Having dinner in a place like this is such a rare chance… I can’t help but feel nervous.
There’s no need to be so tense. I’ll be your escort tonight. All you need to do is relax and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
That’s the whole reason we came here.
Yeah, thank you so much!
—Now then, let’s head inside. I’d love to admire the view a little longer, but the party will be starting soon.
! You’re right.
(…Raito-san said I should relax, but just in case, I’ll review my notes!)
(Let’s see…the chant to summon UFOs is: Ventura, Ventura, Space People2. And then, and then… *mumble mumble*…)
Cruise Ship - Party Venue
Mmm… this “Holadeira3-style braised spare ribs” is delicious…!
I wonder what country “Holadeira-style” comes from…
Excuse me. Would you care for some champagne? It’s a special selection prepared just for tonight.
That’s a name I’ve never seen before… But since it’s a special occasion, I’ll have some too.
Champagne is poured for the both of them.
(I thought we’d be talking about UMA nonstop, but so far… This is just a perfectly normal dinner party.)
…Mm, this is good. What do you think, Chief? Does it suit your taste?
Ah, yeah. The fruity flavor is really to my liking.
I’m glad to hear that. If you enjoyed it that much, perhaps we could arrange to have it supplied to HAMA House.
Ahaha, when Raito-san says it, it doesn’t sound like a joke at all.
Because it’s not a joke. If such is what you want, just leave it to me. This alone may not be enough to repay all you’ve done, but it’s a start.
That’s far too generous!
A brief timeskip occurs.
—Ladies and gentlemen, the cruise ship Sea Serpent will soon begin preparations to return to port. Please enjoy the remaining time at your leisure.
Huh? We’re already heading back…?
Reference to Raito's Initial SSR Card Story, “A Secret Invitation”.
Ventura Ventura Space People is a Japanese UFO summoning chant that came from 1960s–70s alien and occult culture. The phrase was treated as an “alien language” used to call UFOs, and it later became part of Japanese pop culture through Urusei Yatsura, which helped make it a recognizable retro UFO/alien reference in Japan.
The holadeira is a cryptid that has been reportedly sighted at a lake from the Brazilian Amazon Basin. It is also sometimes called “the sawtooth dolphin.”
The tatzelwurm is a cryptid from Alpine folklore, typically described as a short dragon- or lizard-like creature with a cat-like face and either very short legs or only front legs.