Okay, that phoenix appeared to be headed in this direction...

Hey, check it out! I got a big balloon!

Oh, we should go down to the water together!

I wasn't expecting this harbor to be a part of such a bustling city.

Look at all the plushies!
It's like a big festival!

Excuse me. Did any of you happen to see a large bird flying overhead?

No, sorry. I don't think so.

I see. Thank you.
Enjoy yourselves!

There are so many plushies here, but none of them seem to know anything about that phoenix...

I tried asking around too. They all said they didn't see it either...

I see...
But we may want to keep asking.

Yeah. Plus, Tsukasa and the others still might learn something—

Hey, all of you!
We have some good news!

Tsukasa, there you are!

You have good news?

Yes! While talking to some of the plushies...

We found that none of them knew anything about that phoenix, but they told us instead to ask around at the inn.

Apparently, lots of different plushies from all over gather there to talk about the rumors they've heard and stuff!

Yes, which means one of them may've seen or heard something about that phoenix.

Alright, let's try heading over there.

The inn's supposed to be around here somewhere...

Huh?
It sounds like there's a fun party going on!

Oh, is it coming from that place?!
I'm seeing a lot of plushies gathered outside talking☆

It is like a party!
Wait, is that the inn we're looking for?

Ah, are you all guests?

And you are?

I'm the innkeeper.
We have a party going on today.

So, why don't you all join in on the fun?

Yeah☆ I wanna talk to the plushies♪

Hey, don't forget that we're here to investigate!

Yes, but...
Joining in on this celebration may actually make it easier for us to draw out information.

People do tend to be more talkative when they're in a good mood.

Hmm... Good point...

Then, we can split up and ask around, while also enjoying this party!

I don't know anything about this phoenix of yours.

A phoenix? Like the mythical creature?
Are you sure you saw one?

Sorry we can't help you.

No, thanks for talking to us!
You guys enjoy yourselves☆

Hmm... No one here seems to know anything about that phoenix...

I suppose information should be difficult to come by considering how incredibly rare a creature it seems to be.

Still...

Hey, wanna hear me sing?
I'm from an island where everyone's a great singer!

I'm looking for work. I'll do anything.

I'm seeing so many different types of plushies here. Mermaids, androids...

Well, of course! What you're seeing here is a gathering of plushies from all different islands.

Really?!
Then, does that mean there's a Mermaid Island and an Android Island?!

Mermaids and androids...
Hehe. It reminds me of our shows.

Yeah! Do you think that's important?

SEKAI was born out of Tsukasa's feelings, so they may be a reflection of his personal experiences.

Hehe. It's really never a dull moment here.

Whoa, look! What's going on with those plushies?!

Huh? O-Oh no!
They're hurt all over!

Some have their eyes popped out, and others are wrapped in bandages... I feel really bad for them...

Haha. Don't feel bad!
They're from Zombie Island!

Oh, okay☆
They're zombies! Now it all makes sense!

Then, there's no need to worry♪

Are you gonna ask them about that phoenix?

Yes, but... Would that be a bad idea?

Just be careful!
The last time I tried talking to them, they decided to bite me for no reason!

What?! Th-They bit you...?

I didn't get hurt...
But they're a really grumpy bunch, so be really careful when you go over to talk to them.

Good luck!

It sounds like they're a bit of an odd bunch.

They're not actually evil or anything.

Oh, is that so?

Yeah. In the beginning, they tried their best to make friends with everyone. You see, biting someone is apparently how folks greet each other on their island.

But people have a tendency to judge a book by its cover, and they were misunderstood...

(Misunderstood...)

Really...?
That's so sad...

Imagine wanting to get to know someone better, but them feeling scared of how you look and the way you greet them. That'd definitely make me sad...

Which is why they're somewhat prickly now. They've completely given up on trying to get along with everyone else...

I see...
Still, aren't they lonely...?

...

In any case, we should try talking to them.

They may know something about that phoenix.

Right!

Hello there.
Do you all have a minute to talk?

...!

We have a question for you all.
We're looking for a phoenix that—

CHOMP!

Oh my.

H-He bit you!
Are you hurt, Rui?!

CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP!

I'm okay. It doesn't hurt.

(Oh, perhaps he's replying to my initial greeting with his own?)

Alright, I should give a greeting in return.

Pardon me.
CHOMP.

!!!

Oh, I wanna chomp too!
That looks like fun☆

Me too☆
CHOMP.

Wh-What are you all doing...?
Weirdos...

Anyway, there's something we wanna ask you zombies!

We're looking for a phoenix☆

But we don't know where it went...
Do you guys happen to know anything about it?

A phoenix...?
Are you talking about...

No, I'm not telling you anything!

Wait, why not?

Because you're trying to trick us!
You're not trying to become our friends! You think we're ugly and say nasty things about us behind our backs!

What he said!
You hate us, so why should we help you?!

No, that's not true!
We don't hate you...

Hmph... You're lying.

Everyone else before you ran away scared when we tried to make friends with them...

Yes, it's true that some of the other plushies are scared of you...

But dispelling them of those fears should help you all get along better. Help them understand that you want to become friends with them.

Yeah, he's right!

Y-You think that would work...?

Yeah☆ So, let's go over and talk to them♪ I'll help you guys break the ice!

...

No, go away!

What?! Why?!

Because there's no way we can ever be friends...

...!

(There's no way...?)

Hmph... Let's go. We're leaving!

Those zombies seemed so sad...

Yeah...
And if nothing changes, they're gonna keep getting misunderstood...

...

Is something wrong, Rui?

Oh...
Nothing's wrong. It's just...

They reminded me of my own past...