Camus: Is there somewhere you'd like to visit? Something you'd like to try?
Cheppie: Well, umm... no, there's not, so...
Cheppie: I-I'm happy to go wherever you two want to go.
Cheppie: If you'd prefer that I choose somewhere, please command me.
With his eyes erratically darting around, Cheppie's face seems somewhat pale.
Camus & Emma: ......
When I glance at Camus-san, our eyes meet, as if we feel the same way.
Cheppie: B-Being confronted about places I want to go or things I want to do is just a little overwhelming.
Cheppie: I'd rather be given a command for... for things like that...
Camus: ...Cheppie. Just come over here for now.
Camus-san and I stand on either side of Cheppie to support him, and we make our way closer to the sofa.
Cheppie: ......
Camus: Have you calmed down a little?
Cheppie: Yes... I'm very sorry for burdening the two of you...
Emma: I don't think you're burdening us.
Emma: We're just... concerned about what's hurting you so badly.
Emma: If you don't mind, could you tell us what's wrong?
In response to my question, Cheppie gives a small nod.
Cheppie: ......I hate the concept of freedom.
Cheppie: I was touched by your kindness when both of you asked me what I wanted to do.
Cheppie: But most of all, I was afraid.
Cheppie: Freedom means being uncertain, and that thought is just terrifying.
Emma: (...What does freedom mean to him?)
Camus: ...Perhaps you are not accustomed to a life of having choices.
Cheppie: ......
Cheppie: I guess so...
Cheppie raises his downcast head and turns to look somewhere in the distance.
Cheppie: ...The human I had blessed long ago was subjected to cruel and ruthless commands one after another.
Cheppie: Naturally, that means he had no freedom.
Cheppie: But eventually he learned to find pleasure in being forced around. That is how he lived, having changed himself like that.
Cheppie: That's why... That's why I'm...
Emma: That's why you're not sure what path to take.
Camus: ...Rest assured, this is not that uncommon of a story.
Camus: Anyone would feel lost when faced with the unknown.
Cheppie: ...Really?
Camus: Yes. When you've only ever known a life without freedom or choices, it's only natural you'd be overwhelmed when they're suddenly thrust your way.
Camus: Although it may seem terrifying now, someday you will grow accustomed to it.
Emma: Cheppie, thank you for sharing your story.
Cheppie: No, I... I should be the one thanking you.
As he whispered that, a faint, restrained smile returned to Cheppie's lips. I let out a small sigh of relief.
Camus: We aren't going to force you to decide where we go next.
Camus: Emma-san, if you have anywhere you would like to visit, I'll be happy to join you.
Camus: And if not, just strolling through this beautiful town with those close to me is enjoyable in itself.
Emma: Hehe, you're right. Let's just go explore!
Emma: Cheppie, make sure to tell us if anything catches your eye along the way.
Cheppie: ...I will.
Some time has passed since we started exploring the ship.
Cheppie: Ah...
Cheppie had stopped in front of something.
Cheppie: Um... If the two of you would allow it, could we stop in here?
Camus: That is perfectly fine, but... this place...
Emma: I've heard that Aqua Regina is a cruise ship for the rich.
Lavish splays of food are laid out on grazing tables, while live string music flows through the venue.
Now that the ship has departed, a welcome party is being held in the hall.
Camus: Cheppie, Emma-san. I need your attention for a moment.
Camus: I found our target.
Cheppie & Emma: ......!
Ushered by Camus-san's hushed voice, I glance over to see a man in an elegant suit.
That man is a broker who distributes illegal magical gadgets in Graveland.
All of this started after a con trick was exposed at a casino. It involves the use of a magical gadget that interferes with the target's will.
Cheppie: Camus-san! At your command, I will apprehend that man!
Cheppie: Without my physical form, I can sneak up as close as possible and catch him off guard! You can count on me!!
Camus: I appreciate your enthusiasm, but that wouldn't be a wise course of action. We need to move with the utmost caution this time.
Camus-san is after the man's distribution routes and documents, as well as a list of his clients.
All of this information is recorded within a tie clip-shaped magical gadget that the broker never takes off.
Camus: He might become wary of us if we approach him too soon, so we'll wait and observe for now.
Emma: Understood.
Cheppie: Ehh...? You don't want me to do anything? I was hoping I could help you...
Camus: First we'll make sure to cut off all escape routes, then find the perfect moment to strike him down in one fell swoop... That is how I do things.
As a smile slips on Camus-san's face, the music switches to a waltz, a cue that it is time to dance.
Camus: In the meantime, I propose we dance for a song. This is an excellent chance to play up our innocuous married couple act.
Emma: Okay.
Taking Camus-san's outstretched hand, I initiate the dance steps I learned a while ago.
Cheppie: Hwahh......
When Camus-san and I finish our dance, we return to Cheppie, who was watching by a pillar.
Cheppie: Dancing is so majestic...
Emma: If you're interested, how about a dance with me? It'll be fun.
Cheppie: N-No, I must refuse! I was just awestruck by the two of you!
Cheppie: Besides... I don't know one bit about this sort of thing.
Camus: ......
Camus: Then I'll give you a command.
Camus: You must dance with Emma-san—no, you must enjoy this cruise together until the time comes.
Cheppie & Emma: ...Huh? / Eh?
Cheppie: B... But...
Camus: Oh? Protesting my orders?
Cheppie: No, no, no, no! I would never ever! I will enjoy myself until I can't move anymore!!
Cheppie: But... Is it possible to dance with my restraints on...?
Camus: Dancing in a venue like this requires neither experience nor technique. Just enjoy the atmosphere.
Emma: Cheppie, let's dance.
Cheppie: ......
(Cheppie materializes)
Fortunately, his restraints are not as tight as usual, so Cheppie timidly places his hand atop the one I offer him.
Pulling his hand, we begin gently swaying to and fro.
Cheppie: So this is what dancing is like...
Emma: Hehe, fun, right?
And so, until the song changed, I savored the dance I shared with Cheppie...
Yumekuro will be ending service on November 19, 2024 at 12:00 JST.
Below is some information on Yumekuro Offline, a version of the game that can be accessed even after the servers close. Please let me know if I missed anything important.
Yumekuro Offline
Yumekuro Offline is a static copy of your user data. You will be able to preserve and view all progress you personally have made in the game, but you cannot build your account or obtain new cards.
To download your data, click this button in the lower right of your home screen. The file size will depend on how much content is in your account.
The download option is available from now until November 19, 2024.
After completing the download, if you obtain any new data (ie. new cards or story chapters), they will not carry over to your version of Yumekuro Offline by default. You must redownload your data to preserve any new content you acquire. You can redownload as many times as needed.
IMPORTANT: You will not be able to regain access if you delete or try to reinstall the app after November 19. Some devices have a setting that automatically offloads apps or puts them into "deep sleep" mode. Please make sure to turn this setting off if you're worried about losing access.
What Carries Over to Yumekuro Offline?
Many features will be disabled in Yumekuro Offline. Below is a list of what you can still access.
▪ Home Screen
Remains mostly unchanged. You can still set characters, backgrounds, and time-specific voice lines. You can now view player's birthday messages from your owned characters any day of the year.
▪ Stories
The following will be made fully accessible, even if you haven't unlocked them yourself:
Main story*
All event stories (including collabs)
Misc stories (ie. login stories, Black Summer, Grand Finale)
*The current Prologue & Chapter 0 of Main Story will be slightly rewritten to omit the battle and gacha features.
All other stories will only be available if you've already unlocked them. This includes:
Meister and fairy cards
Affection stories
Voice dramas
"His perspective" stories
Past stories
Guild stories
Other stories (past exploration, hunting, stadium, fairy events)
EXCEPTION: These card stories will be available to read even if you don't have them unlocked:
・ Crow, Itsuki, Grandflair (Beginning of a Dream)
・ Evan, Navi, Himmel (Beginning of a Bond)
This only includes the card chapters, not their affection stories or outing lines.
Keep in mind that you cannot upgrade cards in Yumekuro Offline, so you MUST unlock all the chapters you want to preserve before completing your data download.
▪ Guild Life
All Guild Home features remain intact, limited to the cards you own. You can now view player and meisters' birthday dialogues regardless of the day. Keeper's Board messages will still be available, but you can't obtain new ones.
▪ Library
All information in here will remain viewable. The glossary can still be updated if you unlock new terms.
▪ Collection
You can view badges and boards you already own.
▪ Alarm
You can still use the alarm function.
▪ Player Profile
Able to edit your profile like before.
New Additions
Some new features will be exclusive to Yumekuro Offline. As usual, access to these features is limited to the cards you own.
You'll now be able to access meisters' outing invites and thank-you messages under the "Memories" (思い出) section of the Keeper's Board.
A LOT of voice lines will be added to the Library:
Outings - Max skinship
Outings - Give a present
Login bonus - Daily
Login bonus - Total
Shop lines
Past exploration - Start exploration
Past exploration - During exploration
Past exploration - End exploration
Outings - Max presents
Various battle lines
★ Some unreleased voice lines will also be available:
Seasonal voice lines - Date on a cold day (all meisters)
Seasonal voice lines - Things to do at the harvest fair (all fairies)
Meister birthday lines for years 2-3
Player birthday lines for years 2-3 (from meisters & fairies)
Disabled Features
All quests/battles
Building characters/cards
Campaigns
Data restoration
Data transfer
Events
Event reruns
Friend feature
Gacha
Guild orders
Hunting
Increasing affection level
Increasing guild level
Increasing player level
Login bonuses
Meister birthdays (you can still access the voice lines in the Library)
――The boy I once gave my blessings to was the son of an aristocrat's mistress.
Boy's Mother: You must become a flawless and perfect heir. This will prevent you from being condemned as an illegitimate son.
His mother kept him under constant supervision, raising him with a strict and disciplined hand. One day, for example...
Boy's Mother: Your private tutor informed me that you've been falling asleep during lectures, yes?
Boy's Mother: Your father would be upset if he found out. Do not let this happen again. Is that understood?
All the servants of their estate were on his mother's side. If there was anything he did inadequately, she would be notified immediately.
Maid: Madam, the young master――
Butler: I have a report about the young master.
Gardener: Keep this between us, but when I was in the garden earlier...
Be perfect. Be perfect. Be perfect...
Like a curse, those words controlled everything. Even so, he still tried to live his life as best as he could. Then one day...
A sudden tragedy changed the course of the boy's life.
Boy's Mother: ...Impossible! This is just terrible...! We've always said that my child will be the next successor!
――The father, who hadn't had any children since his marriage, now had a son born to his legal wife.
As the direct descendant, the younger brother would succeed the family. Their father determined that the older brother must now support his sibling.
Mad with rage, the mother directed her fury towards her own son.
Boy's Mother: I've raised you to be perfect... but in the end... you're just the lousy brother who failed!
Boy's Mother: I have no need for a... a son who can't be the successor―a son who's not perfect!!
Even though he got the best grades at school...
Even though he was admired by many...
He was not perfect, because he had one flaw: the inability to be the heir.
Boy: So that's why Mother abandoned me. If you're not perfect... you're worthless.
I couldn't do anything for that boy as he fell apart like that. So I'm... just as worthless.
And yet―
And yet, why does that man called Volks...
Why does he pour all that love into garbage gems? Why does he praise his flawed guild members so much?
Why does he look at someone worthless like me... as if he has high hopes for me?
I don't get it... I don't get it at all.
[Emma's POV]
Some time had passed since Mel shut himself in the key, and the outfit was safely delivered. But then―
(Mel appears)
Mel: ......
Emma: Ah... Mel! It's been a while. I was just about to make some tea. Want to join me?
Emma: I'll be sure to steep it the right way so that you're happy with it. I also have some sweets that Canaan-san shared with me.
Mel: ..........Steep it the right way, you said?
Mel: Your steeping methods and choice of teacup are so mediocre. It doesn't do justice to the tea at all.
Mel: I bet the sweets will just overpower the tea, so I'll pass. ...Later.
Emma: (He went back inside the key...)
Emma: (His criticism didn't seem that passionate either. I hope Mel's okay.)
Volks: I see Mel is glum as usual.
Emma: Volks-san...!
Volks: I just happened to be passing by and saw you two.
Emma: ! Oh, by the way... Is that gem in your hands the one Mel picked out before?
Volks: It is. I see you remembered.
Volks: Humor me, Mel. Out of these uncut gems, which one do you consider the most valuable?
Mel: …You’re so pushy. Fine, whatever, I guess that one.
Volks: To tell you the truth, I was secretly elated the moment Mel chose this gem.
Emma: Huh?
Volks: It occurred to me that perhaps he has a great talent smoldering within him.
Emma: What do you mean?
Emma: To me, it looked like he just picked it by chance, without anything particular in mind...
Volks: ......
Volks: Emma, I have a favor I'd like to ask of you. Could you arrange a place for me to speak with Mel?
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[TL Notes]
"More Perfect Than Perfect"
The title of this chapter (完璧の上にも完璧に, lit. "Perfect on top of perfect") is likely skewed from the Japanese proverb, "Three years on top of a stone" (石の上にも三年), which means that sitting on a cold stone for three years will make it warm. In other words, that patience and perseverance will lead to success. This connection is reinforced by the fact that Volks views Mel as an 石 (stone/gem) to be polished.
A few days after Volks-san asked for our opinions on his debutante commission――
Emma: Volks-san, I heard you finished putting the final look together.
Volks: Yes. I'm certain it will turn out wonderfully.
Volks: I apologize for taking your time, but would you be willing to participate in the final check?
Emma: Yes, of course!
Volks: Thank you. Is that alright with you, Mel?
Mel: ...You'll never be able to make it perfect anyway.
Mel: Well, I guess I'll help you. Just so you don't embarrass yourself, Volks.
Heading further in, I find a beautiful mannequin fully styled from head-to-toe.
Emma: Wow. Canaan-san's ring and Adel-san's gown match the concept so well. They really complete the look!
Mel: Hm...
Mel: ! Ah, ah, right here! There's still some basting thread left on the hem. If you forgot and delivered it like that, you'd totally get laughed at.
Mel: And the gem in the ring has a small smudge on it. Make sure it gets polished properly. This is total nonsense.
Emma: Mel, we're just discussing the overall impression of the dress today. All those little details will be checked before it gets delivered――
Mel: Hah~? I'm just mentioning them because I noticed them. You can appreciate my input without brushing it off.
Volks: Thank you for pointing those out, Mel. Though... don't you think the pieces those two made are just wonderful?
Volks: These results sufficiently meet the expectations for this commission. Excuse my boasting, but this is just what you'd expect of Dream Weavers' meisters.
Mel: ......
Mel: ...Really? Are you blind or something, Volks? All I see are a bunch of flawed screw-ups.
Mel: Like, Canaan's as fickle as they come and slacks off every chance he gets. Even by my standards, Adel is so haughty it gets on my nerves.
Mel: Merryrose doesn't look like it, but he has a filthy mouth. His looks are totally deceiving.
Mel: Look around! All of you are so full of flaws, you're nowhere near perfect!
Emma: ...Are they really flaws? Can't you call those quirks?
Mel: Quirks? These are things that need to be fixed. They're flaws through and through.
Mel: And this outfit you put together? Whoever's going to be wearing it won't be perfect anyway.
Mel: So no matter what you do, it'll never be perfect.
Mel: Meaning it's all worthless in the end!! Good job on all your wasted efforts!
Emma: (I wonder why Mel is so fixated on "perfection"...)
Volks: ......
Mel: ...What, Volks? Why are you just staying quiet?
Mel: If you want to argue, throw it at me! I mean, not a single perfect thing exists in this world, though!
Volks: No. It's only right to respect your opinion. I have no objections to that...
Volks: I'm just curious, Mel. From the way you talk, you sound as if you're telling yourself that you're not perfect―
Volks: In other words, that you're worthless. Why is that?
Mel: !!
Mel: ......
Emma: Mel? What's wrong? Are you okay?
Mel: ...So what if that's how it is?
Mel: Perfect things don't exist. So I'm not perfect either.
Mel: I'm worthless too...!
(Mel retreats into the key)
Emma: Mel...!?
Mel suddenly let out an emotional tone of voice.
Emma: (What exactly... is Mel dealing with...?)
Volks-san and I silently fix our gazes on the key he disappeared into.
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