⚠️ Please note that this is a fan translation and may contain inaccuracies ⚠️
Please enjoy~!
@shonenkun309
Part l
—A gentle May breeze carried the scent of fresh greenery through the lively streets of Asakusa’s Rokku district.
Amid the bustling crowds, I made my way to a familiar liquor store.
Futaba: "Good afternoon."
Shopkeeper: "Well, if it isn’t the young lady. On your own today?"
Futaba: "Yes. I’m having dinner at home with Koga-san tonight..."
Futaba: "Could you recommend a sake he might like?"
Shopkeeper: "Haha, leave it to me. I know that gentleman’s taste like the back of my hand."
Shopkeeper: "For him... let me think."
Shopkeeper: "Ah, we just got in a fresh barrel of sake from Kansai. How about that?"
Shopkeeper: "It’s got a crisp taste and a great aroma—real sake lovers won’t be able to resist it. I think it’ll suit the gentleman’s palate perfectly."
Futaba: "In that case, I’ll take it, please."
Shopkeeper: "You got it."
(I hope Koga-san likes it.)
Shopkeeper: "...Careful now, it’s a bit heavy."
Futaba: "Thank you so much!"
I carefully cradled the sake bottle, wrapped neatly in a furoshiki cloth.
(Alright, I’ll make a meal that goes perfectly with this sake.)
(Better pick up the ingredients on the way home.)
Just as I started walking, thinking about what to cook—
Masanobu: "No, big bro, not like that..."
Koga: "What? It’s not that bad, is it?"
When I looked over, I saw Koga-san and Masanobu standing in front of a small trinket shop.
Futaba: "Koga-san, Masanobu—good afternoon."
Koga: "Hey, Futaba."
Masanobu: "Sis! You’ve got to hear this!"
Masanobu looked up at me with a troubled expression, as if silently asking for help.
Futaba: "What’s wrong?"
Masanobu: "There's this girl… a friend of mine. I want to give her a present, and I’ve been asking big bro Koga for advice, but..."
Masanobu: "He keeps suggesting all these weird things..."
Koga: "Weird? What are you talking about? A folding fan, a scented sachet, a calligraphy brush—those aren’t bad gifts."
Masanobu: "Ehhh… they’re kind of plain..."
Koga: "All you've done is complain since we got here."
Koga: "If you can’t make up your mind, let’s just roll the dice and bet on even or odd."
Masanobu: "Leave it to chance!? No way!"
(They really do get along well.)
Watching the two bicker like that was just too amusing—I couldn’t help but chuckle before chiming in.
Futaba: "So this friend… is she someone from your school, Masanobu-kun?"
Masanobu: "Yeah. She’s in the same class as me."
(So that means she’s the same age as him, huh.)
Futaba: "Then yeah… maybe your ideas were a bit too grown-up for her?"
Masanobu: "Right!? See? Sis, help me pick something too!"
Futaba: "Sure, I’d be happy to."
When I nodded, Masanobu beamed and turned to Koga-san.
Masanobu: "You can go now, big bro! We’re good here!"
Koga: "So I’m being dismissed now, huh?"
Koga: "Alright, alright."
Masanobu: "Her family runs a lumber business. She have lots of siblings, and she’s the youngest..."
Masanobu: "We always play together. She’s really good at catching freshwater crabs."
Futaba: "I see, you two are really close."
Masanobu: "Y-yeah. We’ve known each other since forever..."
Futaba: "Then maybe something you can play with together would be a good gift?"
Masanobu: "......"
Masanobu: "Hey, sis."
Futaba: "Yeah?"
Masanobu: "I’ve been thinking… I want to give her something cute..."
Masanobu: "She always treasures this small hand mirror with a rabbit pattern."
Masanobu: "So... I think she really likes things like that."
Masanobu: "Lately, she hasn’t been feeling very well, so I want to give her something that can cheer her up."
Futaba: "I see... That’s really kind of you, Masanobu-kun."
Futaba: "Then let’s find something cute that she would like, and make her happy."
Masanobu: "Yeah...!"
(What would be good...)
(A figurine, a drawstring pouch, a hair tie...)
Masanobu: "......"
Masanobu: "Hey, sis."
Futaba: "Yeah?"
Futaba: "Oh, what about something like these paper balloons—?"
Masanobu: "Sis, why don’t you marry big bro Koga?"
Futaba: "Marry...?!"
Startled, I glanced over and saw Masanobu looking straight at me with honest, unhesitant eyes.
Futaba: "W-why would you say that all of a sudden...?"
Masanobu: "Well, you’re both adults, so I wondered if that kind of thing might happen."
Futaba: "W-well, that’s..."
Futaba: "It’s still too soon, or rather... I’m still going to school, and Koga-san is busy with work..."
Masanobu: "Hmm... I see..."
Masanobu: "But I want you to marry big bro Koga."
Futaba: "Why’s that?"
Masanobu: "Because otherwise, it’d be sad for big bro Koga."
Masanobu: "He loves you so much."
Futaba: "W-why do you think that?"
Masanobu: "It’s totally obvious. The way his face looks when he talks to you is different from when he talks to others."
Futaba: "Different?"
Masanobu: "Yeah. When he talks to you, sis, he’s much kinder."
(...So that’s how he looks when he’s with me.)
I couldn’t help but smile happily.
Futaba: "I-is that really so...?"
Masanobu: "So, maybe... I look that way too."
Masanobu: "With big bro Koga, it’s so obvious."
(...Ah...)
Futaba: "You like that friend of yours, don’t you?"
Masanobu: "......Yeah."
Masanobu whispered softly, then gave a shy little smile.
Masanobu: "So when she’s feeling down or sad, I want to cheer her up."
Masanobu: "But... I’m not as cool as big bro Koga."
Masanobu: "I don’t even know what to give her, and that’s why I’ve been worrying about it for so long."
(Masanobu-kun...)
Futaba: "I think that’s really admirable."
Masanobu: "…Really?"
Futaba: "Yeah. Wanting to cheer up someone you love, and caring enough to worry about it—that’s really cool, Masanobu."
Futaba: "It means you really care about your friend."
Masanobu: "……"
Masanobu: "I see."
Masanobu: "Alright, I’ll do my best…! I’ll work hard and pick something!"
Futaba: "Yeah!"
Just as Masanobu spoke enthusiastically, Koga, who had been browsing nearby shops, came back.
Koga: "Have you decided yet?"
Koga: "Or are you still struggling?"
Masanobu: "You’re so annoying."
Futaba: "Ah… how about a netsuke?"
Masanobu: "A netsuke?"
Futaba: "Yeah. It’s practical, and you could pick a design that would suit her."
Futaba: "I’m sure she’d be even happier with something you chose yourself."
Masanobu: "……"
Masanobu: "A-alright."
After thinking it over for a while, nodding to himself, Masanobu finally picked a netsuke with a glass bead painted with a goldfish design.
Masanobu: "…I’ll go with this!"
Masanobu: "Last summer, I bought and have been raising goldfish from a goldfish vendor."
Masanobu: "This netsuke looks like one of those goldfish."
Futaba: "It's cute. Summer is coming soon, so it feels refreshing and lovely."
Masanobu: "Thanks, sis!"
Masanobu: "Your help was much better than big bro's advice!"
Koga: "Hey. You were the one who told him to ask me."
Masanobu paid, then happily looked at the netsuke.
Masanobu: "Alright... I'll go give this to her right away!"
Futaba: "Yeah, good luck!"
Masanobu: "See you later, sis, big bro Koga."
Masanobu: "Big bro, you better get along well with sis."
Koga: "None of your business."
Koga and I watched Masanobu walk away, laughing.
Futaba: "Masanobu has really grown up, hasn’t he?"
Koga: "Yeah, and he's gotten pretty sharp-tongued too."
Koga smiled, then suddenly looked closely at my face.
Koga: "So, what were you two talking about just now?"
Futaba: "Huh?"
Koga: "You two were pretty deep in conversation, weren’t you?"
Futaba: "………"
Masanobu: "Sis, aren’t you going to marry big bro Koga?"
Futaba: "………"
Futaba: "I-it’s a secret."
Koga: "What’s that supposed to mean?"
Koga: "By the way, let me carry that for you. It’s heavy, right?"
Futaba: "Ah… thank you."
Futaba: "I was thinking of using this for tonight’s dinner."
Koga: "Oh, Nada, huh? That’s good sake."
Futaba: "I’m just about to buy ingredients for dinner and head home, but Koga-san, what will you do?"
Koga: "I’ll come along too. At least I should help carry the bags."
Futaba: "Hehe, thank you."
As the sky slowly began to turn crimson, we started walking side by side.
Tonight, since Father was out working, it was just Koga-san, Nagichi, and me for dinner.
…but then―――
Nachi: grumble "Guu…"
Futaba: "Nachi, Nachi."
Nachi: "Mmm… I can’t drink anymore…"
Nachi was asleep, resting his head on the low table.
And in his hand was an empty sake cup.
Koga: "You’re still as weak with alcohol as ever."
Futaba: "Geez… you just keep trying to compete with Koga-san."
Futaba: "At least you should go sleep in your futon…"
Koga: "I’ll carry him."
Koga: "Come on, let’s go. Nekokichi."
Koga picked up Nachi over his shoulder and carried him to his room.
While that was happening, I started clearing the dishes—and then glanced outside.
(The moon… it’s really beautiful.)
I couldn’t help but pause and gaze for a moment, completely captivated.
The garden, bathed in moonlight, wore a calmness different from the daytime.
Then—
Koga: "What a beautiful moon."
Koga-san, who had just returned, was also looking up at the night sky.
He lifted the sake bottle left on the dining table.
Koga: "Still up for some more?"
Futaba: "Of course."
We sat side by side on the veranda, gazing up at the moon.
A quiet night meant just for the two of us quietly began—
Part ll
— The moon shone brightly in the clear, cloudless night sky.
The faint sound of pouring sake into the cup was the only thing echoing on the veranda.
Koga: "…It’s a good night."
Futaba: "Yes. Spring nights are peaceful and nice, aren’t they?"
A spring breeze carrying a sweet fragrance gently brushed against my cheek.
In that softness, I could feel Koga-san’s presence beside me even closer.
Koga: "………"
Koga: "When I sit here drinking like this… it reminds me of that day."
(That day…)
I understood what Koga-san was trying to say.
It was probably about the night when Koga-san transformed into a carnage form.
Futaba: "I was really surprised that time."
Futaba: "I had lost consciousness just before, but when I came to, you were drinking sake."
Koga: "Sake is the best medicine..."
Koga: "…I feel like I said that that night too."
Futaba: "Yes, you did say that."
(How nostalgic.)
Together, step by step, we have been moving forward since that night.
And now, here we are.
Futaba: "A lot has happened since then...
But even now, I’m happy to be by Koga-san’s side like this."
Koga, suddenly turning his gaze to me, hesitated a little before speaking.
Koga: "Actually... there’s one thing from that night I regret."
Futaba: "Huh?"
Koga: "No, it’s not really something as serious as regret. I was just... scared, that’s all."
Koga quietly gazed at the night sky, as if tracing his memories, and continued speaking.
Koga: "You pulled me back from the depths of madness, brought me back to this world."
Koga: "Back to my comrades—and to the world where you exist."
Futaba: "…………"
Koga: "Honestly, I felt relief. That was my strongest feeling."
Koga: "More than just being alive myself, I was relieved that you were alive."
Koga: "I wanted to hold you tightly, with all my heart."
Futaba: "…………"
Koga: "But back then, all I could do was just touch you."
Koga: "I was still afraid... afraid of myself, that I might break you."
Futaba: "…I’m not so fragile that I’d break from something like that."
Koga: "Yeah... you’re right."
Koga: "But for me—just the thought of holding you back then felt too much, because that’s how much you meant to me."
Futaba: "…………"
(...Maybe it’s the sake talking.)
Koga-san seems more talkative than usual tonight.
Futaba: "…Is it different now?"
Koga: "Now?"
Koga: "Now... if I’ve got time to hesitate, I’d rather just hold you."
Koga: "You’ve gotten pretty good at making me feel that way too."
Futaba: "Eh—"
Koga: "It’s true, isn’t it?"
Koga: "Even the other day..."
Futaba: "W-What are you talking about?! Please stop!"
I didn’t expect the conversation to turn toward me so suddenly, and I ended up raising my voice in surprise.
Koga: "Don’t get mad."
Koga: "I'm happy, you know—when you come to me for comfort like that."
Futaba: "Ugh…"
(I mean… it’s true that lately I’ve been wanting to reach out to him more than before,
but still, when he says it like that… it’s just too embarrassing…!)
Futaba: "When you say things like that… it makes it harder to be affectionate…"
Koga: "Oops, guess I dug my own grave there."
Koga chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
--In front of me, a row of bright red torii gates continued on forever.
(Where am I...?)
Looking more closely, I saw a woman standing among the row of torii gates.
The woman turned to me and whispered something.
(...? What was she saying?)
Her lips were moving slightly, but I couldn't hear her clearly, and I couldn't see her expression.
Suddenly a breeze blew through, causing the shadow of the torii gate to sway.
Futaba : "Ummm...! Who are you?"
I asked in a loud voice, but the woman's figure faded away...
(---Ah)
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When I woke up, I found myself awake in my bed in my room.
(Was this a dream?)
(Who was that woman?)
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
That same day, Koga and I were drawn to the spring weather and visited Nezu Shrine.
Futaba: "There are a lot of people here."
Koga: "As expected,it's that time of the year."
The temple grounds are usually quiet, but at this time of year they are bustling with colorful azaleas and the laughter of people.
Koga: "We came on a beautiful day. It was just the right time to see them."
Futaba: "Yes, it's very beautiful!"
Koga and I walked deeper into the temple grounds, admiring the azaleas. After a while, we came into view of a narrow path lined with vermilion-painted torii gates.
(Ah...torii gates)
Suddenly, I remember the dream I had this morning.
(This is similar, but I think there were more torii gates in that dream.)
Futaba: "Umm, Koga?"
Koga: "Hmm?"
Futaba: "Do you know any other places with lots of torii gates lined up like this Otome Inari shrine?"
Koga: "Torii gates, huh...?"
Koga: "The famous one is the Thousand Torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine."
(Oh, I've heard of that before. I think it's a shrine in Kyoto.)
Koga: "What about it?"
Futaba: "Actually, I had a strange dream..."
I told Koga about the dream I had this morning.
Koga: "A dream about a young woman...?"
Futaba: "I was wondering what she wanted to tell me."
Koga: "Yeah..."
Kouga stared at me, then suddenly spoke as if an idea had occurred to him.
Koga: "Shall we go to Fushimi Inari shrine?"
Futaba: "Eh?"
Koga: "If it's a dream you're having, it must have some meaning."
Koga: "If that's the case, wouldn't the quickest way be to go to that place?"
(I guess... I wonder what I'll find out if I go there.)
To be honest, I was skeptical, but I was happy to be able to go to Kyoto with Koga.
Futaba: "Well, why don't we make it a birthday celebration for you as well?"
Koga: "Oh, that sounds good."
It was decided that we would take a trip to Kyoto to coincide with Koga's birthday, which was coming up soon.
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--And so, the day before Koga's birthday.
Futaba: "We've finally arrived...!"
Koga and I traveled by train for a whole day, arriving at Sanjo in Kyoto at night.
Futaba: "It's quiet, unlike the imperial capital."
Koga: "That may be because it's night now."
Sanjo was lined with inns and townhouses, a quiet and charming town compared to the imperial capital.
Koga: "Wait here for a bit. I'll go ask for directions."
Futaba: "Oh, are we going to Fushimi Inari shrine already?"
Koga: "No, I'm going to ask about an inn I want to go to."
(An inn Koga wants to go to...?)
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Feeling puzzled, I followed Koga and found a sign that read "Kikyoya."
At Kikyoya, a kind-looking proprietress showed us around.
Proprietress: "Please, make yourself at home."
After putting our luggages down in the room we were shown to, I finally took a breather.
Koga: "Futaba, aren't you tired?"
Futaba: "A little... but it's okay."
I said, looking around the lovely room.
Futaba: "This is my first time in Kyoto, but I've already fallen in love with this city."
Futaba: "The people in Kyoto are kind, and the cityscape is beautiful."
Koga: "I see."
After hearing what I said, Koga's face softened.
Koga: "The name of this inn was actually mentioned in a letter from my father."
Futaba: "Huh?"
(Letter...)
Futaba: "So that's something that Koga's father sent to Kagemaru's father...?"
Koga: "Yeah. It's a letter they exchanged."
Koga: "Apparently, in the past, the Senki-tai used Kikyoya as a meeting place."
(This inn...?)
I couldn't help but look around the room.
Futaba: "...I see."
Koga: "It's weird. When I come to go into some places related to my father... I feel like something of him is still there."
(Koga...)
I gently placed my hand on Koga's.
(I understand how Koga feels)
(When I see the things my mother left behind, I feel like she's still there too.)
Futaba: "...I understand."
Futaba: "Well, we're family, after all."
Koga: "...That's true."
Koga looked at me and smiled softly.
I glanced at the clock and saw that it was past 12 o'clock.
Futaba: "Ah... the day has changed."
Futaba: "Happy birthday, Koga."
Koga: "Thanks."
Once again, Koga smiled deeply and drew closer to me―――
We softly shared our first kiss on his birthday.
Koga: "I love you, Futaba."
Koga whispers softly, then his fingertips touch my cheek.
This time he presses pecking kiss onto me――
Koga: "......"
Futaba: "Hmm..."
The kiss soon becomes one and sinks deeper.
(...I love you, Koga.)
My heart naturally melts in the warmth of his arms as he holds me close.
My heart was filled with happiness at being able to wholeheartedly celebrate the birthday of the person most important to me.
Part 2 :
We stayed the night at Kikyoya, and the next day, Koga and I had arrived at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Futaba: "Oh... this is just an ordinary shrine."
Koga: "The Thousand Torii Gates are at the back."
With Koga's guidance, we proceed deeper into the shrine's grounds――
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(.……………!)
There was a place where vermilion torii gates continued on forever.
(There's no doubt, this is the place...!)
Futaba: "Koga, this is the place I saw in my dream!"
Koga: "My guess was right."
Koga looks at me with satisfaction as my voice gets higher with excitement.
Koga: "These 1,000 torii gates are a mountain trail. They lead from the main shrine of Fushimi Inari to the top of Mount Inari."
Koga: "How about we go up to the top?"
Futaba: "Yes!"
I walked through the torii gates in high spirits,
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Koga: Hey, are you okay?
Futaba: Y-yes...
After walking for a while, I was already out of breath.
(I didn't think it would be this hard...!)
Seeing how my legs were slowing down, Koga laughs.
Koga: "We're climbing a mountain after all. It's going to be tough."
Koga: "Let's take a little break."
Futaba: "Thank you..."
Koga stopped and we were taking a break.
Visitor No. 1: "The Thousand Torii gates are truly magnificent."
I overheard the conversations of other visitors passing by.
Visitor No. 2: "Do you know? It's said that it's good to make a wish while passing through these torii gates. The torii gates were built one by one as a token of gratitude for wishes being granted."
(I see...)
I've never heard that story before, so I lock eyes with Koga.
Futaba: "It's amazing that so many wishes have come true."
Koga: "If our wishes come true, we should donate a torii gate too."
(Koga seems like he could easily build a torii gate.)
Futaba: "...Okay, I feel better now!"
Futaba: "Let's make a wish and try to reach the top."
Koga: "That's good, but don't push yourself too hard."
Together with Koga, we begin walking through the torii gate again.
Koga: "Now that I think of it, what will you wish for?"
Futaba: "I..."
I thought to myself, a little bit, and made a wish in my heart.
(I hope I will continue to be happy with Koga.)
I muttered to myself as if praying.
And then, the next moment--
Futaba: "Ah...!"
A strong wind suddenly blew and she instinctively closed her eyes for a moment.
I waited for the wind to stop, then opened my eyes-
Futaba: "Huh?"
???: "......"
Koga, who should have been walking ahead of me, was gone, and in front of me was a woman who looked just a little older than me.
???: "......"
(She's the person I saw in my dream.)
With that in mind, I spoke to the woman in front of me.
Futaba: "Um... who are you?"
??? "I'm Ayame."
The woman answered briefly and smiled.
Ayame: "I often come here to make wishes. I wish that the person I love, and the world, would be happy forever."
Ayame-san walked over to me and gently wrapped both my hands around hers.
Ayame: "Thank you for meeting him. Please continue to take good care of him."
The woman disappears as if melting into the air.
Futaba: "Ah... wait!"
Instinctively, I reach out my hand and...
Koga: "Hey, what's wrong?"
Surprised, I look forward and see Koga peering at me quizzically.
Futaba: "Um, just now--"
Koga: "....?"
As I was about to tell him what had just happened, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
(The similarity...)
Futaba: "...sorry, I know this is a weird question, but... Your mother's name was... Ayame, right...?"
Koga: "....!"
Koga: "Ah, that's right..."
(I knew it...!)
The person who appeared before me was Koga's mother.
Futaba: "I just met your mother..."
I told Koga everything that had happened, like a daydream.
After hearing the whole story, Koga smiles.
Koga: "I see... So that's what my mother was trying to tell you."
Koga looked up at the sky and squints at the sunlight filtering in through the gaps in the torii gate.
Then――――
Ayame: "......"
(--Ah!)
A faint shadow of Ayame appeared, embracing Koga.
Koga: ".....!"
Koga also seemed to sense her presence and opened his eyes wide.
Ayame: "......"
Ayame whispered something in Koga's ear, then smiled and disappeared this time.
Futaba: "Koga, what just happened...?"
Koga: "Yeah... I guess she came to see me too."
I heard Koga say it with a bit of embarrassment.
Futaba: "Ayame, what did she say?"
Koga: "Ah..."
Koga told me with a slightly embarrassed laugh.
Koga: "«Make the girl you love happy. Just like your father did.» That's what she said."
Futaba: ".....!"
Koga: "Well, I'd have done that even if she hadn't told me to."
(Koga...)
Koga: "...I never thought I'd be reunited with my mother like this."
Koga: "I don't know what's going to happen when I'm with you."
Futaba: "That just shows how much you are loved."
Koga: "Geez..."
Koga laughed awkwardly and opened his arms wide towards me.
Koga: "Come here." *HE OFFERED A HUG TO HIDE HIS EMBARRASSMENT 😭💖*
I hugged Koga with all my might.
We smile, look into each other's eyes, then I stretches my toes and leans in closer to Koga.
Futaba: "I'm looking forward to make you happy too, Koga."
With emotion in my heart, I lightly kisses Koga on the cheek.
Koga: "Leave it to me."
Koga looks at me lovingly and nods.
Koga: "Let's live happily together, so that our parents will be surprised."
Futaba: "Yes...!"
The thoughts and wishes that have been woven together have made us who we are today.
Realizing this, we kissed each other as if to confirm each other's love and existence.
Also I would like to point out I only have one copy of this, this is from the gacha result screen and my ass forgot to screenshot it when it first came home so like
I folded and downloaded JP. But Voltage having this event rn when Koga's bday is in May is straight up GREEDY BEHAVIOUR 🫠
And yes it looks a bit off because I really just use the.. uhh those 5 cards display thing on the profile function for this and just crop out the other 3 cards.
My Koga bday funds went down the drain trying to get his SSR from gacha (only for him to come home on a single pull with a ticket, not that I'm complaining). At least all the bonus helped me get his dad's card easier.
I think a bonus boss fight with the Successor of the Blood would be kickin' rad, especially if it reads your Code Vein save file and uses their appearance. The postgame fight with Red in Pokemon Gold/Silver was the best thing about those games, and they missed a trick in not having a Hilbert/Hilda vs Nate/Rosa fight in Black 2/White 2.
andulkaphoto
kianamaiart
dailybridgerton
turnnoffyourmind
