LP

Alright friends, welcome back. We’ve come to the second half of Holiday Star, so grab your tissues. I think this part is pretty tame but the suckerpunches are winding up around the corner, and spoilers for BBL will be popping up in the short stories and radio versions. I’m so excited!

If you haven’t read Night on the Galactic Railroad yet, and you’d like to in order to get the most out of Holiday Star, now is the time.

00

00

Ruler of the stars — the Dreaming King.
The path to his kingdom quietly awakens in the sleeping night sky.

We must not miss the train.
We cross the glowing river.
We follow the obsidian map into the world of shadows.


black

Nageki

I am not here.

story49

It’s almost the end of the year.
And Nageki just came out to me.

Hehehheheh *snort*

hiyoko

What do you–

nageki1

I believe I am what you would refer to as a ghost, bound to the place of my death.
Or something like that.

black

I only ever see him in the library, but I just thought he was a shut-in!
I never expected this.

I’ve seen a thousand wonders in my time, but even I’m a little surprised… of course, he’s still Nageki.
It’s not like we can’t be together anymore!

No matter who or what he is, he’s still my friend.
This won’t change anything.

story49

nageki1

…you are very strange, Miss Tosaka.
Shouldn’t you pick your friends a little more carefully?

hiyoko

What are you talking about?
I can be friends with a ghost if I want!


001

nanaki1

That’s all for today… see you all tomorrow.

ryouta2

Half-days remind you that it’s the end of the semester, huh?

sakuya1

Indeed.
There is perhaps a week left?

hiyoko

Aww, that’s so lonely… I want to stay in class 2-3 a little longer.

okosan1

Coooo!
(Okosan feels lonely, too!
Okosan does not want to be thrown out of this room!)

sakuya1

Hmph! Why not repeat a year, if you want to stay that much?

Repeating a year in high school would be a little much…

hiyoko

You don’t mind, Sakuya?
You don’t feel sad that we might all split up at the end of the year?

sakuya1

Erm… n-not at all…
Group mentality is for the weak!

ryouta2

I guess I’m one of the weak, then.

hiyoko

I hope we’ll all be in the same class again next year!
With Mister Nanaki!

nanaki1

Hmm, hmm.
Well… I hope I see you all in the spring, too.

The year is almost over.
Meaning I’m almost through at the library, too… I should be heading over there about now.

nanaki1

Oh, could you wait a moment?

hiyoko

Huh?
We’re not done?

nanaki1

Sorry… I forgot to tell you all something.

Umm… they’ll be opening the school the night after tomorrow!

sakuya1

Opening the school?
At night?

ryouta2

Is it some sort of school-wide bravery challenge…?

hiyoko

A grand tournament of guts to close the year!
Perfect to make the blood boil and the flesh crawl!
Think of the memories we’ll make!

ryouta2

I-I don’t want to make those memories!

nanaki1

Unfortunately… that’s not it.
It’s the astronomy club’s activity night.

hiyoko

The astronomy club?

Meaning–

The astronomy club used to do a lot of serious observation, but after a while their activities devolved into bonfire mixer parties.

After a long and circuitous tale they turned into a cult and worshipped the bonfire as a god, and the student council had to enact punitary measures.

If you want to hear more about their story, go buy that thing and listen to it!
You know the thing?
The one that isn’t out in English.

ryouta2

Will people even know what to buy from that description, Hiyoko?

okosan1

Coooooo!
(It’s stealth marketing! Stealth marketing!)

sakuya1

It didn’t sound very stealthy to me.

A true Samurai is never stealthy!

Hiyoko is talking about the first Drama CD: Prologue. Luckily it’s fully translated here on youtube. If you speak Japanese or you’re just a collector, you can also buy them online. Moa has released her own summaries of what happens track by track but they’re extremely… barren. Enjoy the youtube link, and buy the CD when you can, to support the artist! Moa is understanding about these kinds of things. I’m sure she won’t mind.

hiyoko

So the astronomy club has started having activities again?

nanaki1

That’s right, though the bonfires are still banned.

There’s going to be a total lunar eclipse that night.
We decided… to open up the roof, so everyone could see!

You don’t need to be a member of the astronomy club to come.
Everyone’s welcome.

A total lunar eclipse? That sounds exciting!
Who knows when another one will happen? I think I’ll go!


story48

hiyoko

I heard there’s going to be a radical lunar eclipse, Nageki!

nageki1

It’s a total lunar eclipse, Miss Tosaka.
Not a ‘radical’ lunar eclipse.

Nageki’s stare is like the frigid wind of a Siberian winter night.

hiyoko

Have you ever seen one, Nageki?

nageki1

Perhaps.
I may have, or I may not have.
I do not remember.

I suppose he did only realize that he’s dead a few days ago. His memory must still be foggy.

hiyoko

They’re opening the school at night the day after tomorrow so we can see it!
Want to watch it with me, Nageki?
We could have a moon-viewing party in the library!

nageki1

The moon’s going to be eclipsed.
I’m not sure how much of a moon-viewing party that would be.

Wouldn’t we have a better view from the roof, anyway?

hiyoko

Oh… yes… It is going to be open, after all. But can you get out of here?

nageki1

If it’s on the roof, then yes.

002

hiyoko

What, really?!
Aren’t you trapped in here?!

nageki1

Perhaps I didn’t tell you.
I can’t leave the library… but I can move straight up and down.

To the chemistry lab directly underneath us, for instance.

Mobility: vertical only!

hiyoko

That’s amazing! I’ll have to train my legs so that one day I can move like that, too!

Umm… so, you’ll be able to join us on the roof?

nageki1

Yup.

hiyoko

Yay!
That’s amazing, Nageki!

nageki1

Really?
I’m not sure I see what good it does us.

hiyoko

Just think about it!
We can go sunbathing on the roof during lunch breaks, and stuff!
Aah, I’m getting excited already…

nageki1

I suppose so.
But you’re always taking naps on the library windowsill anyway, so I don’t think it will be all that different.

Geez, Nageki! Isn’t a change of scene supposed to be romantic?!

hiyoko

Anyway, let’s watch the eclipse together!
If you want to?

nageki1

Well… all right.

hiyoko

Yay!
Yaaaaaay!

nageki1

…you’re awfully enthusiastic.

Of course I am!
Aaah, I can’t wait! I can’t wait!


003

Please be aware!

This episode contains spoilers for the Inugami Clan, by Yokomizo Seishi

004

If you are reading it or plan to read it, you may want to wait until after that to play this game.

Otherwise, enjoy the ride!

“Yasu did it” is a bit of a meme in Japan that I’ve heard a few times. Consider it an exclamation of “Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s Father” or a more mystery-related equivalent. I double-checked with the Powers That Be to get a clarification. Spoilers for what it comes from, click here. Moa also gave me the rundown on how this is a spoiler, which I will discuss once we get there.


005

The promised night of the total lunar eclipse!
And not a cloud in the sky. Perfect for a moon-viewing party!

nanaki2

I’m not sure it’s exactly a moon-viewing party… but I am glad it’s clear. The weather report said it might get cloudy, after all.

It’s cold up here, so make sure to stay warm, everyone!

ryouta1

I see you even brought a blanket, sir!

nanaki2

Yes, this blanket always helps me relax… zzz

sakuya1

Wake up, you fool!
Aren’t you supposed to be the chaperone?!

Looks like the regular crew is all here.
Meeting up in the school at night like this is so exciting!

006

okosan1

Coooooo!
(It is a full moon!
Okosan’s bestial heritage awakens!)

Coo, cooo?
(Can you feel your bestial inner selves calling, Hiyoko? Nageki?)

nageki1

My bestial inner self?
I don’t think I have one.

hiyoko

I can, Okosan! My hunter-gatherer blood boils!

nageki1

…looking at you I almost wonder if there ever really was a time when humans ruled the earth, Miss Tosaka.

okosan1

Coo, cooo!
(Okosan thinks Hiyoko is probably not a human!)

NO!! I am a human!

Can the others even see him?

Okosan doesn’t seem to be having any trouble… I’ve heard that animals can see ghosts, so maybe the same is true of older breeds?

What about Ryouta?

ryouta1

Oh, hi, Nageki!
I thought you only ever showed up in the library!

nageki1

…indeed.

He can see him just fine.
Maybe Ryouta and I are attuned to the paranormal?

Sakuya…

sakuya1

Is there… really someone there?

hiyoko

Yup!
You can’t see him?
A kind of skinny mourning dove?

nageki1

I am not surprised.
Most birds haven’t paid any attention to me until now.

sakuya1

I am not sure I believe it.
Is this a joke?

hiyoko

No!
Though if it were I bet you’d fall for it completely!

okosan1

Cooooo!
(Only birds who are pure of heart can see him!
Okosan is pure!)

sakuya1

Wha… do you mean to mock me, filthy mongrel?!

hiyoko

Aaah! Geez, don’t fight, you two!

Doves aren’t usually nocturnal, are they?
Why do they all have so much energy?

mirukaku

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!!

Aaagh, these two have too much energy, as well!

shuu1

I had hoped they would calm down once Christmas was past, but… it would seem that they become excited in response to any sort of special event.

hiyoko

Doctor!
You’re here to see the eclipse, too?

shuu1

I suppose I am… it is certainly an interesting phenomenon, and these two insisted on seeing it.

mirukaku

Merry Christmas!
(It’s hide-and-seek!
Mister Moon is playing hide-and-seek!)

Well, everyone seems to be having fun!

nanaki2

Mmm… it’s almost midnight.

Look at the sky, everyone.
It should start soon!

hiyoko

Nageki, Nageki!
It’s starting!

nageki1

You don’t need to shout. I can hear you perfectly well.
You’ll bother the neighbors.

OH!!! It’s the middle of the night!
I forgot!

hiyoko

Umm… Nageki?
Can I sit next to you?

nageki1

…go ahead.

I can’t tell if his feathers are warm, or cold…
I can barely even tell that I’m touching them at all… it could just be my imagination.

But, sitting here gazing up at the night sky, he seems happier than usual.
Seeing his face makes me feel warm inside…
This must all be my imagination.

nageki1

The eclipse is starting.


007

There’s a gentle rumbling of train tracks.

I can see no one else on the train. It is very quiet.

hiyoko

Is this… the last train?
It’s dark outside.

I look up, and address the dove leaning his head out the window opposite.

hiyoko

Don’t stick your head out too far, Nageki!

nageki2

I won’t.

hiyoko

It looks so strange outside… what are those lights floating by?
Are we next to a river?

nageki2

I think so.
The river of stars, that is.

hiyoko

The river of stars?

nageki2

The Milky Way.
Those are the stars you see.

hiyoko

Oh, so that’s it?
I see blue stars, and green ones, and all colours…

nageki2

There are indeed a great variety.

008

The concept of one of these seems weird to me. I wish I could play with one to see how it worked. It is also worth noting that the writing around the edge is the final stanza from Oscar Wilde’s Tristitae

Nageki takes a black planisphere out from somewhere and points at it.

nageki2

We’re here.
Near Cygnus.

hiyoko

Cygnus… Is that a constellation?

nageki2

That’s right.
Maybe you know it as the swan.

hiyoko

Oh, yes! Yes!
I know that one!

So Cygnus is the Swan?
I never knew!

nageki2

The bright one we just passed is Deneb. I think we’ll see Albireo in a few minutes.

hiyoko

You know a lot, Nageki.
I was always told that every hunter-gatherer needs to be able to find Polaris, but other than that I don’t know any of them.

nageki2

If we passed its tail, and are nearing the head… we must be traveling from north to south.

But… the swan is a summer constellation. It’s a little early for us to be seeing it from the northern hemisphere.

hiyoko

It’s still the third semester, after all.

…wait, Nageki… when did we get onto this train?

nageki2

Who knows?

hiyoko

Where are we going?

nageki2

I don’t know.

hiyoko

And the train is going through outer space?!

nageki2

…it would seem so.

hiyoko

Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-what do I do?!
We’re finally on a date in outer space and… I forgot my spacesuit!

What will happen if I go into a vacuum without a spacesuit on?!
Will I explode?!

nageki2

The window’s been open the entire time.

hiyoko

Close it, Nageki!
Before we explode!

nageki2

Calm down, Miss Tosaka.
It’s all right.

This is probably just a dream.

hiyoko

A dream…?

That’s right.
Nageki can move vertically, but he still can’t leave the school.
There’s no way we could be on a train together.

hiyoko

Ummm… what were we doing…?

nageki2

Astronomy.

hiyoko

Oh… right!

We were watching the eclipse on the roof with everyone.

hiyoko

Does this mean… we fell asleep in the middle of the eclipse?

nageki2

Perhaps.

It’s a little bit cliche, but you could try pinching your cheek.

Oh! Yes!

hiyoko

Hmmm… it… doesn’t hurt.
It feels kind of… unsatisfying.

nageki2

I feel the same as always.
But if you don’t feel normal, this must be a dream.

hiyoko

I see… that’s too bad.
Going on a trip with you would be so much fun, but it’s just a dream…

nageki2

I don’t mind if it is.

He continues staring out the window at the pale stars.
He seems more open than usual.

I guess he’s right. We should enjoy ourselves, even if it is just a dream!

???

We will be checking tickets now. Please have them ready as the conductor comes by.

009

conductor

Howdy there. Please show me your tickets.

The conductor appears without a sound. I never felt him coming!
He’s as good as the Doctor!

hiyoko

…umm… wait, have I met you somewhere before?

conductor

Could be. I see too many people every day to know.

I really feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence?

:,)

conductor

Anyway, tickets, please.

nageki2

Tickets…?

hiyoko

You mean we need to pay to ride the train, even if it’s a dream…?!

conductor

Oh… I see you have a Scorpion Flame, sir. The planisphere gets you on for free.

hiyoko

Wow!
You get a free ride, Nageki?

nageki2

I don’t remember getting this anywhere…

conductor

Of course not.
The Scorpion Flame is a treasure passed down only to the chosen ones.

Space can be a dangerous place for someone without one of those.
Take good care of it.
Never, ever, ever give it to anyone, no matter how they ask.

nageki2

…all right.

It is a far cry from what a middle-schooler might use in a science fair project. It looks antique, and valuable.
The stars aren’t printed on the surface, and instead glitter almost with their own light.

Are those real gemstones?

conductor

And you, miss?
You don’t have a planisphere, do you?

hiyoko

I need to pay a fare, too?!

conductor

Of course you do.
Only the one with the planisphere gets on for free.

Aaaagh! What a financially troubling dream!

Wh-what do I do…?
Do I have anything I could use as a ticket?

010

hiyoko

Here!!!

nageki2

…what …is that?

hiyoko

It’s the fortune I drew at the temple at New Year’s…

nageki2

You’ve been holding onto it for a while.

conductor

Aah, that’s a ticket for the green car.

It is?!

conductor

You can stay here if you want, but you could move to the celebrity car.
See you around.

What a convenient dream!

Part 2>