Waltz of the Grotesque

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STRANGE EDEN: Introduction TL

This paradise is corrupt — oh, what a wonderful paradox.

「 ABOUT 」

Come, fall into this bizarre paradise.

「 STORY 」 + 「 GLOSSARY 」

「 MIITSU CITY WARDS 」

「 CHARACTERS 」

What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy.

「 SHIKYO WARD 」

This is the one secret I hope you never find out.

— Yurano Senri: 「 The eyes searching for a future 」 — Tachibana Kosei: 「 The eyes longing for the past 」

「 AIUN WARD 」

God, this is why I love humans.

— Itsuki Shuichiro: 「 The virtuous, misguided shepherd 」 — Luka: 「 The happy, fortunate bluebird 」

「 TOKOTSU WARD 」

What I found then was you, shedding your first tears despite your old scars.

— Uzuki Hinata: 「 The overburdened youth 」 — Oujin: 「 The merciful hand 」

「 SEKIGO WARD 」

Eternity awaits you.

— Jin Feiran: 「 The emptiness hidden by thorns 」 — Yao: 「 The arrogant, beauty-devouring snake 」

「 SEITO WARD 」

Your heart is like glass in my hands.

— Yurano Michitaka: 「 The perfect, fractured man 」 — Rin: 「 The ocean waves, consumed by love 」

「 OUDO WARD 」

— Mayoru: 「 Eden's guiding cat 」

「 PLAY? 」

STRANGE EDEN (In order)

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Fleeting Light

It matters not how many times one tries to wipe away their tears They’ll keep on falling, like flower petals blown in the wind

Transient hopes, wished on the twinkling stars It would be fine even if they were to fade away— So long as your eyes keep on shining in their stead

No matter how many times the hands of those you lose grow cold There is no hope of stopping that perpetual train Memories, all slowly fading away, like water slipping through fingers

Those promises spoken aloud are nothing more than fleeting dreams Despite knowing what awaits, still try and reach out Towards that light, which flickers in the wind, far away

All of the nights spent clinging to feelings of grief, Can be warped by doubt into rage So that they can’t become painful, One must hold precious memories close Just as a downpour eventually turns into light showers, Put on a gentle smile, And wait for the morning come

Lying buried at the bottom of a lake, Are the soliloquies of the pale-skinned Being able to escape what hurts, Means first weathering the rain Finding ‘true’ love’s form, Means first learning how to forgive people their sins, No matter what they conceal

The truth behind everything, Should not be overly depended on, But left undisturbed, sleeping in its ever-changing beauty

One must never forget That still-clear path leading back home Which was woven and laid by the still-pure crimson What a delight, to watch the seeds one has planted begin to grow

The sun’s rays starting to break through the thick clouds overhead Call for you to let go of your pain, and just break free Head for that light, shining down onto you, far away

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by daylight

Time for the exam to begin.

Hey teacher, you think I’m gonna get better at this someday, right? Can’t let myself get apathetic — “don’t try and be something you’re not”

That’s wrong, that’s wrong, that’s wrong? Well then, please That’s wrong, that’s wrong, that’s wrong? Well then, please That’s wrong, that’s wrong, that’s wrong? Well then, please Just teach me how to do it right—

—by daylight Wrong answer! By daylight (Can’t succeed, can’t conform, can’t escape, can’t explain, can’t go on) Wrong answer! (Can’t succeed, can’t conform, can’t escape—) Bz-bz-bzzt!

CHORUS Everybody else just seems to understand But what about the ones who fail and get left behind? (What of them?) Echoes [lives] seemingly free of impurities— Losing control, as we make ourselves dance by daylight

Hey teacher, you’re watching to see if I can solve this problem, right? Just before the deadline, someone gave up, standing from their desk Chose to fail Choosing now to fall

Question 1: Recall a single happy memory you have of your family. Question 2: Please guess what your classmates really think about you. Question 3: Are you able to keep chasing your dreams, even knowing they’ll never come true? Are you? Are you? Are you?

CHORUS Everybody else just seems to understand But what about the ones who fail and get left behind? (What of me?) Echoes [lives] seemingly free of impurities— Losing control, as we make ourselves dance by daylight

What is “right”? I gave up on answers long ago All my dreams crossed out with a red pen Alone again as always Still unsuccessful by daylight

Wrong answer! Wrong answer! Wrong answer! (Can’t succeed, can’t conform, can’t escape, can’t explain, can’t go on) Wrong answer! (Can’t succeed, can’t conform, can’t escape—) Bz-bz-bzzt!

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Burdens

In the silence I pretended to clasp my hands in prayer Endlessly telling myself it’s all for the sake of those around me But the truth is that I’ve chosen the path that won’t bring me pain With nowhere else for me to turn I’m left behind, different from the rest

Day by day I do— My best to imitate— What remains of your beliefs: Bringing salvation

CHORUS A voice I can no longer keep suppressed Cries out from deep within my heart Haunted by my own false and fraudulent prayers Once questioned by that voice only I could hear

With kindness as my mask I do my best to act as if I’m strong Trying to fill this hollow shell, praying that I might feel fulfilled here But God never hears; my world stays grey; I look away again I feel dread ever hearing the words: “It’s alright to want to stay with me”

Please don’t walk away I can’t bare to watch— Any more pieces of— Myself disappear

CHORUS A voice I can no longer keep suppressed Cries out from deep within my heart Haunted by my own false and fraudulent prayers Now questioned by that voice only I can hear

Though I feel I may break any day now A glimmer of hope still remains in my heart Even as I tremble alone I know how to embrace my own flaws

CHORUS Even with this voice I can’t keep suppressed Even as it cries out without end All of my false and fraudulent prayers Are still within my reach —And yet, even now I wish I could be kind to myself and say “well, it’s alright” sometimes But so long as those questions remain unanswered That voice will keep asking them

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Invitation to the Waltz

A light that breaks down all common sense Lies in wait for you behind this single door…

Racing through crowded and disorderly streets— Why rush through life without a destination? Ahh, how foolish — I adore it Watching you struggle and stumble Praising, feeding that weak, noisy, and untrained dog

A chaotic convergence of filth and neon Peel back the veneer and all that’s left is a monster But maintaining our disguise is what makes us worthy If substance is all that you look for — well, how naive Driven by feelings of pride, or an instinctive shame You know you’re just a simple machine, now let’s go

It’s fine if you want to lose control Just pay attention to the abnormal murmuring of the city Keep walking while still gripped by fear Even if all that’s awaiting you is the darkness itself

CHORUS Now, see the waltz of the grotesque go on Dancing in ecstasy, not caring if it’s unrepeatable Now, see the waltz of the grotesque go on Yes, come see it, watch it, perceive it, until— There’s no going back

What lies in wait for you behind this door Is a world of fantasy; come step inside What lies in wait for you behind this door Is cruelty so dazzling you can never look away

Watch your step Do be careful ^^ It’s almost time to take the stage— Yes, I’m talking to you

Keep moving forwards, don’t hesitate Even if futility is the only thing that’s left within reach Take the leap while still gripped by fear And plummet into the abyss you could have never hoped to cross

CHORUS Now, see the waltz of the grotesque go on Dancing in ecstasy, inside this dream we’ll never have again Now, see the waltz of the grotesque go on Yes, come see it, watch it, perceive it, until— There’s no going back

What lies in wait for you behind this door Is a world of fantasy; come step inside What lies in wait for you behind this door Is cruelty so dazzling you can never look away