A Warm Welcome

**A Warm Welcome** is the first story episode of Niku Yoko Stand Up.

## In-Game Summary

Akisa joins the ever more lively group of magical girls. To make her feel at home, the girls decide to hold a welcome party at an arcade, but they accidentally end up at one catered to hardcore gamers. There the group runs into Lilly and Marianne, and you learn that they both can see Omnis.

## Plot

Kamisaman is unimpressed with Tobio, chastising him in the White Room for his tactical orders. She says he doesn't deserve to be the leader of the magical girls, and her statement makes him realise what his role is.

Upon connecting to Omnis, he finds himself in the Karaoke room with the magical girls. Iroha immediately suggests a welcome party for Akisa. Akisa is reluctant, but the rest of the girls push forward with the idea. Since Kaori received coupons for the arcade from the front-desk of the Karaoke Bar, they decide to throw the impromptu party there.

Upon arriving at the arcade, the Arihane girls are taken aback by the poor state of the location. They decide to hold the welcome party elsewhere, only to discover Akisa has already started playing. The rest of the girls decide to play as well. They split up, and Omnis decides to watch Akisa play.

Some time later, Akisa has five straight wins. When Omnis compliments her on her skills, Akisa reveals that she grew up watching her second cousin, Eliza Yukifune, play video games. Eventually she became better than her through enough button-mashing practice.

A new challenger asks to play against Akisa. She is confident as she accepts, but is quickly handed ten defeats in a row. She continues to try and win, asking Omnis to get more change, but after the end of the round her opponent appears next to the pair. She's startled by Akisa's appearance and believes her to be a child. Before Akisa can respond, the rest of the magical girls show up.

The girl teases Akisa about getting backup. She introduces herself to the group as Lilly, and Akisa grumbles about their pleasant interaction. Lilly lords her victory over Akisa, but is reproached by her arriving friend, who tells her not to be mean to a child. The comment makes Akisa snap, and she rants that with one more game she'll win. Lilly accepts her challenge.

Before they start, Lilly and her friend Mar Mar ask where the magical girls got the mascot toy from. Startled that they can see him, Omnis starts speaking, which shocks Lilly and Mar Mar. A demon alert then goes off. The magical group prepares to leave, with Lilly amazed and amused by Omnis' existence. Iroha starts explaining what they do in response to Lilly's questions. She's scolded by Akisa for wasting time, and the magical girls rush off.

Left behind at the arcade, Lilly and Mar Mar discuss the group. Lilly is intrigued, and decides to follow them, but with a deadline Mar Mar decides not to join her.

## Transcript

*(In the White Room)*

Kamisaman
\*Sigh\* What is the matter with you? How could you upset such a small girl like that?
Kamisaman
Things like teamwork and cooperation are the basics. That's number 1 in "How Not to Die 101"!?
Tobio
I know. Our fighting style has completely made a 180 since Akisa joined.
Kamisaman
You can't just use random magic. You've got to use your darn head too. You need to realize these are real magical girls.
Kamisaman
Unbelievable, you don't deserve to be their leader.
Tobio
Their leader, huh... You're right. I've finally started to see what my role really is.
*(Scene change to the Karaoke Room)*

Narration
The day after the fight with Akisa. With a new (tiny) member on the team, the magical girls are in particularly high spirits.
Iroha
Oh, Om-om is finally here!
Iroha
We were thinking... Let's have a welcome party for Akisa!
Omnis
Hm? Oh, right, she does still go to a different school than you. It may be good to give her a warm welcome.
Omnis' Thoughts
This may also be a good opportunity to help Akisa get closer with the others.
Akisa
...I don't really think a welcome party is necessary. Besides, I have some more things I'd like to discuss with you, Omnis.
Cocoa
Oh! Oh! I want to talk more with Aki-Aki!
Akisa
A-Aki-Aki...?
Kaori
Oh, right! Um, the front desk gave me these coupons for the arcade. Why don't we all go play some?
Iroha
Kaorin, you're a genius! Everyone to the game center for the welcome party!
Akisa
Whaa, If that's what's happening, wouldn't staying here be easier to have a conversation than a noisy arcade!?
Seira
She's right. And aren't those arcades pretty sketchy? The air there reeks of cigarettes, too...
Kaori
Not so much recently! And I wanna go take some cute pics in a photo booth with you, Seira!
Seira
Y-you do? Well then, I guess we could...
Cocoa
Aki-Aki, you look just like a little doll! I bet you'd have lots of fun getting your picture taken all dressed up in cosplay!
Iroha
Yaaay! Alright, off we go to the arcade to cosplay in the photo booth!
Akisa
It's my welcome party, but no one seems to listen to me...
*(Scene change to the Arcade)*

Cocoa
Umm... Isn't this arcade a little run down?
Kaori
And I'm not seeing any costume corner, let alone photo booths...
Man A
What the hell! This joystick ain't working'!
Man B
Ughhh! Arghhh!!
Man C
Git gud, you casual!!
Iroha
Wow...
Kaori
I-I'm scared...
Narration
The shabby arcade was filled with angry gamers.
Seira
So this place is just as wild as I thought... Shall we hold this welcome party elsewhere? Don't you agree, Akisa? ...Akisa?
Akisa
Heh, this cabinet brings back memories.
Narration
Akisa appears to have found a game she liked and now was glued to the screen.
Cocoa
Well then, it looks like Aki-Aki went off to play some games. Why don't we go play some too?
Iroha
Okay! I wanna play one that lets you win some candy! Kaorin, come with!
Kaori
Hey, wait up, Iroha!
Seira
\*Sigh\* I'm going to go pick some flowers then...
Omnis
Alright then... I guess I'll go watch how Akisa's doing at that game.
Akisa
5 wins in a row already. Hehe, piece of cake.
Omnis
Wowza, you're real good. I wouldn't have thought you were into games.
Akisa
I grew up watching my second cousin play. Her name's Eliza.
Akisa
After randomly mashing buttons enough, I managed to get better than her at most games.
Omnis
Oh, that blonde girl from earlier... So she's your second cousin?
Akisa
A new challenger, huh? I hope this one's got some actual skill for once.
Omnis
Hey, Akisa... Are you alright?
Akisa
I lost... Ten times in a row?
Akisa
Ugh, again!? I can't read them at all! Is their pressure really solid, or is just luck?
Akisa
I haven't fought someone like this in ages... Omnis, hate to ask you, but go break these bills for me!
Omnis
But I don't have hands...
???
Ahahahaha!!
???
LOL! Still have some fight left in you? This is seriously hilarious!
Omnis
(She sounds just like a Shibuya valley girl...)
???
OMG! You're just a little kid! Shouldn't you be in school, honey?
*(Other magical girls arrive)*

Cocoa
What's going on?
Iroha
Oh, looky looky! I found Akisa and Om-om!
Kaori
I ate too much of that candy we won. What a tummyache...
???
Oh? Have your friends come to join the fray?
Seira
Who are you...?
Lilly
Who me? I'm Lilly Yarimizu. Nice to meetcha.
Cocoa
Lilly Bean, huh? Put 'er there!
Lilly
Ahahaha! Lilly Bean, huh? Never been called that before! And you are?
Akisa
\*Grumble, grumble\*
Lilly
You've been mad for a while now, huh? You can't expect to win by button mashing. Let's cool off and try again, 'kay?
*(Another girl arrives as Lilly is talking)*

???
Whoa there, Lilly. She's just a little kid...!
Akisa
I've had it with being called a little kid! Enough! Just one more match. One more and I'll win!
Lilly
Heheh, sure thing. I can keep going as long as you want? But there is something I'm itching to ask though...
Lilly
I didn't see that toy in any of the crane games here. How about you, Mar Mar?
Mar Mar
Oh, I was thinking the same thing! What show do you think it's from?
Omnis
Huh? You guys can see me?
Lilly and Mar Mar
I-it talked!?
*(Dynamisphere alert goes off)*

Cocoa
Whoa!
Omnis
A demon alert at a time like this!? They're nearby. Let's go, everyone!
Lilly
That's so lit! That thingy really talked! What was that other noise though!?
Iroha
Oh yeah! Um, we're all actually magical girls...
Akisa
Iroha! Now's not the time for explanation. Ugh, we can pick this fight up next time.
Lilly
Hey, w-wait a second here!
Cocoa
We're off to kick some butt with our cool magic! Bye bye, Lilly Bean!
*(Magical girls run off)*

Narration
The magical girls and I rushed to where the Dynamisphere directed us, leaving Lilly and her friend to stare at each other in disbelief over what they saw.
Lilly
Mar Mar, what do you think of all that?
Mar Mar
Straight up, those normies gave me the creeps...
Lilly
Well, they caught my interest, so I am gonna trail 'em! Wanna come with, Mar Mar?
Mar Mar
Haha, exactly something you'd do, Lilly. But I have a deadline to meet, so I gotta head home...
Lilly
Oh, boo. But, alright! I'll slide into your DMs later!
Mar Mar
T-try and be safe now, okay...