Moddey (Swimsuit ver.)/Memories

## Chapter 1

We took some time off our journey to visit a lake...

but to tell the truth, I hate water...

I'll take it slow and start by dipping my feet in... Aaah!

I get only one toe in, but that's all it takes to make goosebumps run all over my body,

and my tail stand straight up.

Sabrina softly giggled as she watched me.

"To think that you're scared of the water, of all things.

I guess you *are* a child, after all."

The *nerve*...!

I'm already a fully fledged, grown-up gravekeeper!

Not some kid!

I-If I get serious enough...

I can...at least... Nnrrrgh...!

"There, there. Everyone has something they're not good at dealing with."

The water was barely up to my knees, but I was already clinging onto Sabrina for dear life...

Nnnrrggh... You dummy!

You big, blue DUMMY!!

## Chapter 2

Nnnrgh... Why did I run away crying like some kid...?

I wanna hide under a rock...

I thought for sure Sabrina had enough of me, but she came to see how I was doing.

"We'll start by helping you get accustomed to the water," she said.

Y'know, Sabrina might not be so bad after all...

...Yeah! I know I'm better than this!

If water's the problem, all I gotta do is fix it!

"*That's* the spirit. As it so happens, I know something that'll help us out."

After saying that, I saw her holding a bucket filled to the brim with water.

...What's thaaat...?

I hope you're not gonna do what I think you're gonna do...

"If you have fun playing with water, it'll stop frightening you. Here!"

AAAHHH!!

I can't believe you just splashed me!

No matter what you say, I...AAAH!!

Why's there water attacking me from behind?!

Hey...uh...guys?

What's with all the smiles?

This isn't some water splashing game, y'know...

No, wai... Sto... AAAAAAH!!

## Chapter 3

Humans are hapless in the face of the stormy sea.

There's nothing we can do but accept our fate and get soaked...

I was gazing out at the lake, letting the truth of life sink in,

when I heard voices.

Voices so faint, only a gravekeeper like me could make them out.

I could hear their pain and suffering...

Something happened here a long time ago...

At that moment, I heard screams coming from the lake.

I turned to see everyone cowering in the water,

and in front of them, a cursed creature!

Right as I was about to go and save them, a strange fog ell over me.

"You're useless."

...!

Inside the fog, my late dad appeared right before my very eyes.

"When the disease came to our village, all you did was watch."

Then, all of a sudden, I fell right into the lake.

The fog trapped me in an illusion. I knew none of this was real, but I was so scared...

I couldn't breathe...or move...

"Nothing's changed. You're *still* useless."

Then, everything went black.

## Chapter 4

A gravekeeper's job is to watch over the departed.

Ensuring they have a peaceful rest is all we can do.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

I mean, can you imagine someone dying, only to be left all alone?

It'd be so sad if no one watched over them.

But, that doesn't mean a gravekeeper should wait around for someone to die.

After seeing the Duke save one person after another, I did some soul searching.

What *is* the job of a gravekeeper?

And, as a gravekeeper, what can *I* do for everyone?

## Chapter 5

"My foolish daughter. Just give up, and rest in peace."

My father's voice echoes throughout the inside of the lake.

...It's true. I'm just a tiny, useless kid.

But, I realized something after I left the village.

To let someone rest peacefully in their grave,

I gotta make sure they're smiling before they go in.

Make them smile, just like what the Duke does.

Gravekeepers aren't bystanders who just watch over the departed.

We have another important job--taking care of everyone so they can smile!

At that moment, something dove into the lake.

No way... It's Laila!

...That's right. You always knew how to make me smile, huh Laila?

I rise to my feet with Laila at my side.

The illusion no longer had me in its clutches.

## Chapter 6

When I opened my eyes, the fog had waned.

The area was still blanketed in white, but I could see a figure hanging their head.

"Sabrina!"

There's no answer.

The fog's trapped her in its prison.

But, now I know the words I should say to her!

"Your mother's resting peacefully. If the same thing happened to you,

you'll make her so worried she'll jump straight out of her grave!

Go on, show her.

Show her who you are now...!"

The fog starts to thicken once more, hiding Sabrina away.

But, I'm not worried.

Sabrina's someone who fights so that everyone can smile.

...See, look.

The fog is torn apart by a blinding cascade of light.

## Chapter 7

It looks like everyone's saved now that Sabrina defeated that cursed creature.

Laila nuzzles against me, then runs off into the sky.

Next to her was Dad, smiling like he does once in a blue moon.

"Keep it up," he tells me.

That goes without saying, y'know.

I'll make everyone smile, whether they're alive or not.

That's a job only a gravekeeper like me can do! Hehehe.

So...don't worry about me.

Dad had already said his piece.

Laila barked happily...then they both disappeared into the big blue sky.

Thank you, Dad...Laila... Goodbye.

As I saw them off, Sabrina smiled happily at me.

"You don't seem bothered being this deep in the water.

It looks like you've overcome your fear."

"...Ah... Ahhhhh...!

Just as I thought--I can't do water...!

Lailaaa! Saaave meee!!"