Flowers, Feasts, and the Twilight Maiden/Story

### Hectic Flower Viewing

The annual flower viewing is being held at Feria Flower Garden. However, there is an unusually large amount of pests, making it a difficult situation. Armeria who had come to see the cherry blossoms, saw how extremely busy the Flower Knights were, so volunteered to help with security.

*However, it seems that it is extremely busy this time for a very different reason...?*

**Branch Breaking Pest:** BakibokiiiI----i!!
**Asian Bleeding Heart:** Hey! Don't mistreat the flowers!
**Garbage Spreading Pest:** BarabaraaA----a!!
**Bleeding Heart:** Pick that up! Don't litter!
**Armeria:** Th-the security Flower Knights look really busy... Does Feria's flower viewing always feel like this?
Either way, it would probably be better to help out...
**Pest:** BarabaraaAa!!
**Armeria:** Kya!?
**Calibrachoa:** Watch out!
**Muscari:** Are you alright? Any injuries...
**Armeria:** Ah, yeah, I'm fine! I was surprised by the mindless strike... Thanks!
**Cowslip:** Oo-ii, are you OK over there?
**Calibrachoa:** Yes-- All fine--. But there are definitely a lot more pests than other years.
**Armeria:** Ah, so there are a lot more than usual. Everyone seems to be having a lot of trouble, so I did wonder...
**Cowslip:** That's right! There's a ton of pests for some reason this time!
On top of that, they're going around snapping branches and throwing litter and causing all kinds of other trouble!
Thanks to that, the venue we always use is a lot smaller as normal, and the patrol area is twice as large, and things are super tense! It's unbelievable!
Hey, ah! I'm sorry!? To talk about such a horrible subject...
**Armeria:** No, it's fine! Rather I'm thinking I have no choice but to help!
Even though I haven't mentioned it yet, I am a Flower Knight! The pests showed off such a pitiful sight earlier, so if you don't mind, I'd like to help out with the security!
**Calibrachoa:** Eeh? Is that alright? We're certainly short handed... But didn't you come here to see the cherry blossoms?
**Armeria:** I did, but... But everyone looks like they're having a lot of trouble, so I can't just sit by and watch! As a Flower Knight, I need to defend the peace!
**Cowslip:** Hyu! Super serious! Cyoot! But saying that, it'd super help out! I'll go straight away to the bosses and ask them if it's alright!? Umm...
**Armeria:** It's Armeria! You can count on me!
**Cowslip:** Thankya! Well, we don't have enough people, so could you team up with Bra-tan and Mu-chan♪
**Armeria:** Bra-tan... And Mu-chan?
**Calibrachoa:** Ye-es! Bra-tan is Calibrachoa. Pleased to meet you.
**Muscari:** Mu-chan... Umm, I'm Muscari, a pleasure to meet you.
**Armeria:** Calibrachoa-san and Muscari-san... Yeah, let's do our best together!
**Calibrachoa:** Let's make this a fun flower viewing!
**Muscari:** ............
**Armeria:** ...? Muscari-san, are you alright?
**Muscari:** Ah, eh......!
**Armeria:** Ah, I'm sorry! I just thought you might be feeling unwell. Are you alright? If something happens, please don't hesitate to say, OK?
**Muscari:** N-no... Ummm... My hair isn't a very good colour, so it might cause you to feel uncomfortable... It might be better to not get too close...
**Armeria:** Eh, is that true? Hair colour... Really? It doesn't make me uncomfortable at all! I think it's really pretty!
**Muscari:** ... Thank you. I also want to try to not feel bad as much as possible, but I've had this habit since I was little...
... I'm sorry, it's nothing. I'm fine, so let's do our best together with this security.
**Armeria:** Ah... Did I say something wrong?
**Calibrachoa:** I haven't really asked the details, but Muscari-san doesn't seem to like the colour of her hair for some reason, so she's always wearing some kind of hat like that.
**Armeria:** I see... But I think it's a pretty colour. She said she's been like that since she was little, so I wonder is some kind of bad thing happened.
**Calibrachoa:** Maybe.
**Armeria:** Hmmm.........
... Well, the job comes first! Muscari-san's already left, so let's catch up!

### Lost Little Girl

Armeria and Calibrachoa are worried about the lack of self confidence from their fellow team member Muscari. Meanwhile, during their security detail, a girl whom they are escorting asks the strange question “Is onee-chan a 'Twilight Maiden?'”

**Armeria:** First of all, let's secure this area!
**Muscari:** Yes. There aren't many reports of pests appearing in this area, but there are a lot of blind spots where smaller pests could easily hide in.
**Armeria:** It could be possible that there are only a few reports because they're well hidden and can't be found.
**Calibrachoa:** You're right. Let's split up and take a look around.
**Muscari:** ... Could it be that Armeria-san's angry? The way she said that...
... As I thought, it's impossible like this. Even after I ended up becoming a Flower Knight...
Kya!
Ouch... To trip up in such a place... I'm still as clumsy as ever...
**???:** \*Sniff... Sniff...\*
**Muscari:** Someone's crying...? From the other side of this shrubbery...?
! Are you alright!? Are you injured...!?
**Lost Girl:** No, I'm fine... \*Sniff\*... I came to see the cherry blossoms with my granny, but we got split up and now I'm all alone...
**Muscari:** Is that so...? It must have been scary to be alone, but you're fine now. Let's go and find your grandmother together.
**Lost Girl:** \*Sniff\*, yeah...
**Calibrachoa:** Ah, Muscari-san! How is it over... huh, who's this?
**Muscari:** She's lost. I'd like to go back and look for her grandmother, is that alright...?
**Armeria:** Of course, we should find her fast! Her grandmother must surely be worried too!
**Muscari:** Thank you. Well, let's go.
... It's alright. You'll be able to see your grandmother soon.
**Lost Girl:** Yeah, thanks... Onee-chan...!
**Calibrachoa:** There's a lost child desk near the security post, so your grandmother might already have gone there. Let's check over there.
**Lost Girl:** ......
**Muscari:** ... Um, what's the matter? Is there something on my face... Ah, could it be my hair...?
**Lost Girl:** Yeah! You know, onee-chan's hair...
**Muscari:** Ah! I-I'm sorry, it's...
**Lost Girl:** Could it be that onee-chan's a “Twilight Maiden”!?
**Muscari:** ... Eh?
**Armeria:** Twilight...
**Calibrachoa:** Maiden...?
**Lost Girl:** Yeah! You must be! Onee-chan's a Twilight Maiden!
**Muscari:** Eh, ummm...? What could you mean by that...?

### Painted the Colour of the Night Sky

Muscari and the others hear of the tradition of the “Twilight Maiden” from the lost little girl. Purple coloured hair like twilight is said to be an auspicious colour. What could Muscari, who doesn't like the colour of her own hair, be thinking after hearing that story and Armeria's conversation...?

**Calibrachoa:** ... Ooh, that's pretty cool.
**Lost Girl:** Ehehe, my granny told me!
In the place where my granny lived when she was small, there was a Flower Knight called “the Twilight Maiden” who protected everyone.
**Armeria:** Eeh, what a wonderful story! The colour of twilight... I wonder what it looks like?
**Lost Girl:** Twilight is the colour you get when you mix sunset and night! That's what granny said!
**Armeria:** Twilight and night... That would be...
**Calibrachoa:** Could it be purple?
**Lost Girl:** Yeah! That's why purple is a super lucky colour!
Onee-chan has really pretty purple hair, so she definitely looks like a cool “Twilight Maiden” Flower Knight!
**Muscari:** ...! I-I'm not that...
**Lost Girl:** Ah! My granny's over there! Grannyyyyy!
**Girl's Grandmother:** Aaa...! You're safe, what a relief...!
**Lost Girl:** Yeah, these ladies saved me! Also... Look, a “Twilight Maiden” onee-chan!
**Girl's Grandmother:** My my... Thank you everyone.
**Calibrachoa:** It's great that we could find her grandmother so quickly.
**Armeria:** She's not lost any more!
**Girl's Grandmother:** Thank you for looking after her. It really is a beautiful twilight colour like my granddaughter says.
**Muscari:** ...... I'm happy that we could bring her to you safely. Please enjoy the cherry blossoms.
**Lost Girl:** Onee-chan, thank you so much! See you!
**Muscari:** Yes, see you...
............
**Armeria:** Yeah yeah, purple really is an amazing colour! I've also heard the purple is a noble colour!
**Muscari:** ...! That's...
**Calibrachoa:** Oh, I also heard that! It used to be the colour worn by high ranking people. It's like it's mysterious and wonderful.
**Armeria:** You might have your own circumstances, Muscari-san, but at the very least, we think it's a amazing colour and it really suits you.
**Muscari:** That's, for me...
**Armeria:** There's no need to talk down about yourself like that! Muscari-san is wonderful, so I want you to have more self confidence!
**Muscari:** Armeria-san...
**Armeria:** ... I mean. We just met for the first time today, so I'm sorry. I've been too forward. I just can't let it be, Muscari-san.
**Muscari:** ... No, you weren't too forward. Thank you for saying these things, Armeria-san.
**Armeria:** ... Ehehe, you're welcome! Well, let's get back to our patrol! There looks to still be a lot of pests around, so we need to work hard!
**Calibrachoa:** Ara, Armeria-san's gotten a little bashful. Fufu, you've made a wonderful friend.
**Muscari:** I see, it might be wasted on someone like me...
**Calibrachoa:** ... Muscari-san?
**Muscari:** Ah... You're right. Yes, I've gotten to know a wonderful person.
**Calibrachoa:** Yeah yeah, that's the spirit♪ Well, shall we go too?

### Expecting Looks

The Flower Knights defeat the pests who appear and protect the people who have come for flower viewing. The people who are watching the flowers give their respect to those Flower Knights. Muscari, who is very bad at talking to people, gradually begins to accept the people's gratitude.

**Muscari:** No drinking! Haa...!
**Harassment Pest:** Nomeii!!?
**Muscari:** Now, Armeria-san!
**Armeria:** Don't force alcohol on oth--ers!! Ee---ii!!
Good grief! Acting in a way that disturbs others' harmony is unforgivable!
**Calibrachoa:** Nice combo you two♪
**Muscari:** Thank you Calibrachoa-san.
**Cowslip:** Ooh! We're not going to lost to you! An-chan! Peach-neesan! I'm going to set up a boob tornado attack!
**Peach:** Yes? I don't know that technique though?
**Anchusa:** Umm, but it sounds really interesting!
**Branch Breaking Pest:** BakibakiiiI---!!
**Female Tourists:** KyaAaa!!
**Calibrachoa:** I won't allow it!
**Muscari:** Are you alright? Any injuries...
**Female Tourist A:** N-none, I'm fine...
**Muscari:** Is that right, great... Once we defeat that one, we'll take you to a safe place. Please don't leave my side.
**Female Tourist B:** Y-yes... Thank you Flower Knight-sama! The Flower Knights really are cool...!
**Female Tourist A:** You're right, they're super amazing...!
**Muscari:** (Th-they're line of sight is... Could it be they think my hair colour is strange...?)
(... No it can't be that, Armeria-san and Calibrachoa-san told me that too. I want to think so too.)
(--- That girl said the same thing as those two too... So I'll also...)
**Armeria:** Teyaaa!!
**Branch Breaking Pest:** Ba...... Kii----...!
**Calibrachoa:** O-K, we did it!
... Ah, Muscari-san behind you!
**Garbage Spreading Pest:** BarabarabaraaaaA----!!
**Muscari:** !! I won't let you!
**Garbage Spreading Pest:** Baraaa!?
**Muscari:** For everyone... I won't let you lay a single finger on any of them...!
**Calibrachoa:** YaaA---!!
**Armeria:** Haaa----!!
**Garbage Spreading Pest:** Baraaaa......!!
**Armeria:** Everyone, are you OK!?
**Muscari:** Yes, all thanks to you, Armeria-san. I'm so happy that we could protect those two...
**Female Tourist A:** ......!
**Female Tourist B:** A-a blessed lady's smile...
**Muscari:** Eh, ummm...
**Calibrachoa:** Fufu, Muscari-san's pretty popular♪
**Female Tourist A:** Thank you very much! Everyone's fighting styles were super dignified...!
**Calibrachoa:** Waa, thank you! Hey, Muscari-san also.
**Muscari:** Th... Thank you.
**Armeria:** We will absolutely protect everyone! So don't you worry!
**Female Tourist B:** Yes! We believe in you Flower Knight-sama!
**Muscari:** ............
... Thank you. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations.

### Flowers, Feasts, and the Twilight Maiden

It doesn't seem like the number of pests are reducing at all. As Muscari's group make further patrols, they discover a pest that reeks of alcohol that seems to be the leader of all the pests. In order to protect the cherry blossom viewing venue, the Flower Knights join forces and stand against the pest leader.

**Armeria:** Wai---t!!
**Calibrachoa:** Haa, haa...! Please wait!
**Muscari:** W-wait... Plea... Th... Th...
**Armeria:** Th- They're momentum isn't slowing down at all...!?
**Calibrachoa:** Also, there are a lot of pests doing strange things so I'm starting to feel a lot more tired as usual...
**Peach:** We're going to need to find a pest nest or some kind of leader. At this rate, we're probably going to come up short handed...
**Cowslip:** We have no choice but to wait for the report from the special unit that's gone out to investigate...
**Muscari:** ... Well, while we're waiting for that, we'll go and do another patrol of this area.
**Anchusa:** Is that OK? Don't push yourself!
**Calibrachoa:** Thank you! But it's fine, we've been training a lot for this kind of situation.
**Armeria:** We'll be back soon!
**Cowslip:** Once we have a little break, we'll go and patrol too...
**Bleeding Heart:** The special unit has just returned!
**Cowslip:**Ooh! Nice timing! So, how was it? Did they find anything?
**Bleeding Heart:** Yes, it's a little far from here, but we've discovered a pest nest. But... It's already an empty husk.
**Asian Bleeding Heart:** Maybe the rest of the pests and their leader have already come here.
**Bleeding Heart:** We came back by the shortest route, so we shouldn't be too late. We should hurry up and sortie a unit!
**Peach:** The leader of these annoying pests... Just thinking about it makes me sigh. Did you find out the route that the pests took?
**Asian Bleeding Heart:** Yeah, we looked at the footprints and the condition of the surrounding plant life, so the route the probably took was this... They seem to be heading...
**Anchusa:** ... Hm? Huh? That is, could it be...
**Cowslip:** The place that Mu-chan's team are patrolling...!?
**Flower Viewing Child A:** Aaah! Flower Knight-neechans!
**Flower Viewing Child B:** So cool!
**Armeria:** Ehehe, thanks! Listen to what your mother tells you and enjoy your flower viewing!
**Children:** Ye-es!
**Muscari:** Armeria-san is really good at talking to children.
**Armeria:** I used to babysit the kids in my neighbourhood. Thanks to that I know how to take care of them, but it's hard work.
**Muscari:** ... That can't be true. I think it's proof that you're a caring person.
**Armeria:** Ehehe, it makes me happy to hear you say that!
**Muscari:** !! This shaking is...!?
**Drunk Pest:** UiiiiIIIII------ PaaAAIi!!
**Calibrachoa:** So big...! Also, this one seems different from the others! Could it be... This is the boss!?
**Drunk Pest:** NooooOONDEiiiiIIIIII----i!!!!
**Calibrachoa:** I-It's spilling alcohol everywhere! This doesn't feel like much of a boss.
**Armeria:** I-it definitely.... S-s-s-s-stinks of booze... But if we defeat this one, then the other pests' momentum will also...
**Muscari:** Yeah, they will probably calm down. However despite it's behaviour, that huge body... It's going to be tough on our own. Also there's visitors not too far away from here...
... Armeria-san, please give evacuation instructions to the visitors! Calibrachoa-san, please rush back to Cowslip and the others and request reinforcements!
**Armeria:** What about you Mu-Muscari-san!?
**Muscari:** I'm... I'm going to hold the pests back until reinforcements get here!
**Armeria:** That's! That's dangerous! Muscari-san should come with...!
**Muscari:** No, you two should be able to act faster than I can. Also, I have to stop them here so that there won't be any more damage to the Flower Garden.
... It's fine. I'll absolutely protect this.
**Armeria:** ...... Understood, I'll be back right away!
**Calibrachoa:** Good luck Muscari-san!
**Muscari:** ... I'm fine. I believe in everyone. I won't disappoint them.
**Drunk Pest:** NooooOONDeeeeeEEEEEE----e!!!!
**Muscari:** I'll be your opponent! You won't go any further than here...!

### Epilogue

The Flower Knights who defeated the leader pest are heavily praised by the flower viewing visitors. Among them is the little girl who told them about the “Twilight Maiden”. The little girl again says “Onee-chan really is a 'Twilight Maiden'” to an openly delighted Muscari.

**Armeria:** TeyaaAAAAAAa!!
**Calibrachoa:** Ee-----ii!!
**Drunk Pest:** UiiiiIIPaaAAIi!!
**Calibrachoa:** It dodged...?
**Armeria:** ...... But!
**Muscari:** The target is... Here! Haaa...!!
**Drunk Pest:** Non... Deee......
**Muscari:** Haa, haa... We beat it...!
**Calibrachoa:** W-we did it! We won!
**Flower Viewing Child A:** Yippee! Onee-chans won!
**Armeria:** Everyone! You came back?
**Flower Viewing Child B:** We watched from a safe distance! It was super cool!
**Female Tourist A:** Thank you for protecting the cherry blossom viewing venue, Flower Knight-samas...!
**Female Tourist B:** It was truly... Incredible!
**Muscari:** Thank you... Everyone.
**Previously Lost Girl:** Onee-chan, you were amazing! You were really cool!
You're so strong, so kind, and have pretty hair... As I thought, you really are a “Twilight Maiden”!
**Muscari:** .........
... Thank you. I'm really... Happy.
**Calibrachoa:** ......! Muscari-san...!
**Muscari:** ... I was told that purple was a very unlucky colour in the village where I was born. I was the only one in the village with purple hair, so I was often bullied about it.
As a bonus, I was really clumsy at whatever I did... I had given up from the very beginning on the dream that everyone has, to “become a Flower Knight.”
**Armeria:** Muscari-san... So that's what happened when you were little...
**Muscari:** But there was one person who complimented my hair. She came from another town to recuperate and said “Purple is a noble colour. It would really suit a Flower Knight. So don't hate yourself so much.”
**Calibrachoa:** Ara--? That's...
**Muscari:** Yes, it's the same thing that Armeria-san and Calibrachoa-san said to me. You reminded me of her words once again.
I haven't completely gotten over it. Still I now realise that there are people other than her out there that would tell me the same thing. So... I'm going to have to face myself.
**Armeria:** ... Yeah, that's the spirit!
**Calibrachoa:** There are a lot of people other than us that like you, Muscari-san! Look♪
**Muscari:** ... Yes, you're right.
**Cowslip:** Mu-chan! Goo job! What a huuuge victory! It was making a total mess!
**Bleeding Heart:** The damage is minimal thanks to you holding it back.
**Asian Bleeding Heart:** We all now stink of alcohol, but none of the visitors have been hurt.
**Cowslip:** That's true! Thanks to that I super want to drink something!
... Talking of that, now that this is all over, is it time to throw the party?
**Muscari:** Sounds good. I've worked hard today, so I'll stick together with everyone.
**Cowslip:** Ooh! Yaaay! If Mu-chan is going to come along, then I'm going to go all out♪
**Bleeding Heart:** Wait! I have no patience for drunkenness! Please drink responsibly!
**Muscari:** Are Armeria-san and Calibrachoa-san also going to join us at our party?
**Calibrachoa:** ...! Yes, of course!
**Armeria:** Ehehe, I'm looking forward to it! Let's do our best to finish up all the leftover jobs!

-*An unexpected crisis had hit the Flower Garden. What's left behind is the stench of alcohol and a little more self confidence. Let's do our best to work hard today so that we can like ourselves a little more tomorrow...*