Shiori’s Diary

Keiji turned out to be an expert in convincing and influencing people. He turned my fears and insecurities into trust.

He made me feel that no matter how great the dangers will be, I’ll always be safe and protected under his massive wings. I went through many grueling and tiring tests.

Yet, at the end of it all, my dojo training and my studies as a star student paid off.

And I became the youngest agent to date in the GI.

After three months of training,

I was assigned to my first mission with Nishi.

Shiori hurriedly made her way toward the Goemon Investigations Headquarters, her steps rumbling off the cold concrete floor.

Shiori had been busy with her online classes, the convenience of which was marred by the lack of human interaction. She approached her office on the second floor when someone’s voice reprimanded her.

“Hey, you’re late!” Nishi’s voice rang out from across the room. Shiori quickly made her way over to her, eager to hear what she had planned.

“How was your online class?” Nishi asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“It was convenient, except that I can’t chat or hang out with my classmates,” Shiori replied.

“Well, you can hang out with me, as we’re going to go to an exciting place,” Nishi said with a grin.

“Exciting as in, dangerous?” Shiori asked, her heart racing with anticipation.

“Maybe, but it can be fun too, from a certain point of view,” Nishi replied cryptically.

“What do you mean?” Shiori asked, her curiosity piqued.

“A powerful person… or entity took over an old toy store in Eastern Daitoshi Light Commercial District,” Nishi said, her voice dropping to a low whisper.

“He animated the puppets in the store and sent them out to steal valuables from people, houses, and buildings all around the city,” she continued.

“Like spirit doll users in the old times?” Shiori asked, her mind racing with possibilities.

“Yeah, but the doll masters, that’s what they were called, used dolls made from fresh corpses preserved and molded into the persons they want,” Nishi said, her face darkening with the memory. “They even killed the original person and put a spirit inside that person’s corpse to control him.”

“That’s horrible! Inhumane too!” Shiori exclaimed, her hands trembling with anger.

“The Ancient Shima, as well as in other countries were that way before human rights became the base for making laws,” Nishi said, her eyes blazing with anger.

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“Enough about history. We have a supernatural crime in our hands, handed over by the police, as usual,” Nishi continued, her voice calm once again.

“So, what are we waiting for? Let’s gear up and go!” Shiori said, her excitement overcoming her fear.

With that, they quickly geared up and set off to investigate the mysterious toy store, their minds racing with the possibilities of what they might find.

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After a ride across Daitoshi Downtown in Nishi’s tuned car, the two GI agents arrived in front of a shabby Aurelian-style old-fashioned shop. The Tokichi Toy Shop sign just above the front door was barely readable, its colors were faded by the weather.

Shiori and Nishi entered the Tokichi Toy Shop cautiously, their weapons at the ready. The shop was dimly lit, and the only light came from outside, through the broken windows. The air was musty, and there was an eerie silence enveloping the place.

Shiori took a step forward, and as she did, the floorboards creaked beneath her feet.

She noticed that the shop was furnished and decorated with a variety of toys. Some of them were vintage, and others were more modern.

The shelves were lined with stuffed animals, dolls, and action figures, and there were board games and puzzles stacked on the floor.

Nishi joined her, her eyes darting around the room, wary. “No one, even the police dare to step into this place. So, it’s up to us, the GI agents to settle this case once and for all,” she said, her voice low and steady. “So, let’s proceed with caution. Surprises may come any minute now.”

Suddenly, a strange-looking thin man wearing thick glasses appeared before them, his eyes scanning the agents with a hint of suspicion. “Welcome to our shop, guests. I’m Banshi, at your service. As you can see, we’re not open for business. So, please just be on your way,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.

Nishi stepped forward, her eyes locked on Banshi’s. “I don’t think so. We had too many reports of thefts and strange puppets roaming around here, so we’re here to investigate the matter,” she said, her voice firm and steady.

Banshi raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. “Are you with the police?” he asked, his voice cold and unforgiving.

Shiori stepped forward, her eyes locked on Banshi’s. “No, we are GI agents, and we’re here to arrest the Puppet Master. Are you him?” she asked, her voice calm and collected.

Banshi hesitated for a moment before answering. “That depends,” he said, his voice low and ominous.

Nishi stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. “Just go straight to the point, Mister! Depends on what?!” she demanded, her voice sharp and impatient.

Banshi smiled coldly, his eyes glinting in the dim light. “Depends on who’s asking. Since you are with the law, we, the lawbreakers must break you to pieces. Come, my minions!” he exclaimed, his voice rising in anger.

Shiori and Nishi sprang into action, dodging and weaving around the puppets that sprang to life from the shelves. The puppets were fast and nimble, their movements smooth and fluid, as if they had been alive all along.

Banshi watched from the sidelines, his eyes gleaming with pleasure. “Oh, have fun playing with the puppets here! I’ll be waiting for you in the living room,” he taunted, his voice mocking and cruel.

Shiori and Nishi drew their weapons as a horde of puppets with menacing looks rushed toward them. Some were wielding knives and swords, while others had sharp claws and teeth.

Shiori dodged the first attack and struck back, slicing the puppet in half with her katana. Nishi followed suit, kicking a puppet in the face and firing a round from her gun, which hit the puppet’s head, shattering it into pieces.

Shiori and Nishi carefully moved forward, keeping their guard up as they approach the first toy. It was a wind-up monkey, with sharp teeth and long, metallic claws. The monkey’s eyes glowed red as it started to move towards them.