#also i might actually go drink something and immediately get started on chap 14

[tendebill]

me: man, this chapter only has 1.7k words... i don't know if i wanna post a chapter this short... meh, whatever...

also me, 2 hours later, covered in sweat, bent in half over my keyboard, with cramped fingers and a 3.5k words long chapter: i should write chapter 14 like right now.

[lawleon]

An Analysis of Touhou - Cheating Detective Satori

What We Know So Far and Some Minor Speculation

If you haven't read the manga yet, I would encourage you to do so before reading this post as I will be writing about and speculating on all currently released chapters. Speculation is half the fun of a monthly mystery series like this and I feel like there’s enough meat available now to finally start talking about it so don’t spoil yourselves here and read it first. Chapter 7 came out today and the whole series can be found here.

So, a vengeful spirit huh? It feels like this type of ghost has been brought up quite regularly in Touhou ever since the geyser opened up a pathway to Former Hell during the events of Subterranean Animism. So far in windows canon their only confirmed appearance has been their use in Rin's spellcards, but they've been spoken or written about about in most print works by characters like Kasen and Akyuu who are some of our best in universe information sources. Vengeful spirits are ghosts that are capable of possessing others. While this trait isn't particularly harmful to humans, it can be fatal or quite disastrous to youkai if it causes them to take actions that go against how they are perceived by humans. However, observing the actions of the antagonist of Cheating Detective Satori leads me to believe that this vengeful spirit has no desire to do any lasting harm to those who she possesses. Thus far this vengeful spirit only seems interested in robbing the energy from some rather high profile targets, but her true motive or grudge remains to be discovered.

TIMELINE Let's take a look at the timeline in regards to the true culprit thus far:

(A known vengeful spirit escapes form Former Hell) (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 4) The vengeful spirit finds its way into Marisa and then subsequently Marisa brings it into the SDM* (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 17) (The vengeful spirit moves into Sakuya) (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 5) The possessed Sakuya makes coffee for Patchouli, Patchouli drinks the coffee and is subsequently possessed and drained of energy by the vengeful spirit (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 5) The possessed Patchouli comes to and finds an opportunity to tamper with Meiling's tea set (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 2) Meiling made some tea for herself which allowed the vengeful spirit to swap from Patchouli to Meiling and drain her of energy (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 3) (Marisa is the second individual to find the unconscious Meiling, this allows the vengeful spirit to possess Marisa and escape) (Completely inferred) The possessed Marisa makes her way to Hakugyokurou bearing a gift (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 14) (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 16) The possessed Marisa uses this alcoholic present to swap from Marisa to Yuyuko and drain her of energy (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 16)

DIVERGENCE PATH A - 90% (The vengeful spirit repossesses Marisa and makes it's way out of the Netherworld) (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 17) The possessed Marisa flees into the Forest of Magic when Satori arrives at the Hakurei Shrine (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 15) Satori senses the vengeful spirit hiding within the Forest of Magic (CDS Chap. 7, Pg. 13) Arriving at Alice's house, the spirit finds a way to have Alice drink tea so that the vengeful spirit can drain Alice of her energy (CDS Chap. 7, Pg. 16 & 17)

PATH B - 10% The vengeful spirit flees into the greater Netherworld and hides among the other spirits (CDS Chap. 7, Pg. 9) Yukari uses her shikigami, Ran and Chen, to locate and surround the vengeful spirit (CDS Chap. 7, Pg. 10)

*  Speculation by Satori () Inferred events

I am placing more weight onto PATH A due to most these events being said, or learned via Satori's ability. Events in PATH B are coming from Team Yukari, and thus could be the result of inaccurate instructions issued to her shikigami.

To note, I have tried to back up the events in the timeline with statements from Satori herself, or learned via Satori's power. Thus far Marisa(the main vessel for the vengeful spirit) and Satori have yet to be together in the same room, when this finally occurs I assume that a large amount of information will be revealed.

FINDINGS In regards to the vengeful spirit there are three critical things we've learned. A) When possessing a youkai the vengeful spirit must do so via liquid ingestion (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 7) B) The vengeful spirit can leave it's current target at anytime (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 12) C) The vengeful spirit can hide within humans without controlling them (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 17)

ASSUMPTIONS One thing that we are being led to believe, but have yet to be shown directly, is that the vengeful spirit can possess humans without using a liquid medium. The assumed possession of Marisa initially, the assumed swap from Marisa to Sakuya, and the assumed swap from Meiling back into Marisa are not shown. (Once again, Marisa is involved in all three of these assumed events.) Due to the harmful nature of vengeful spirits towards youkai a condition needs to be met to circumvent a possible natural defense. A human isn't in danger of having their existence disturbed in the same way a youkai would be, so the defense might not be present in humans.

NOTES AND SPECULATIONS First, if you weren’t already aware, Satori’s title in both Subterranean Animism and Symposium of Post-mysticism is “The Girl Even the Vengeful Spirits Fear“ so it looks like she’s going to finally show us how she got that title.

I originally wanted to write some analysis of CDS framed around the idea of ZUN using the fanon interpretation of Meiling being lazy as a massive misdirection in the first arc. Meiling in canon isn't just a lazy gatekeeper who naps frequently. She exercises in the morning, guards the gate, makes rounds around SDM, and does most of the gardening. When she slacks off she reads tengu published manga, and chats with those who come by the SDM giving off a rather positive impression of "that house filled with devils." While there are canon references to her napping on the job, that is not all that she is. Reducing her character to such a one note existence is quite sad in my opinion. So I thought it quite strange that Meiling was told by Rin that the detective can read minds (CDS Chap. 1, Pg. 20) and yet shows a shocked reaction when Reimu talks about Satori's power (CDS Chap. 2, Pg. 5) like she wasn't already informed.

However, considering that Patchouli is the first to "find" Meiling passed out in the flowers (yet doesn't even try to help her) (CDS Chap. 4.5, Pg. 3) it's most likely that Patchouli stops being possessed at this time, meaning any weirdness with Meiling is just due to Meiling being weird.

Even if that is the case there is one Meiling interaction I would like to point out. (CDS Chap. 2, Pg. 12-15) When Meiling brings down food for Sakuya and Flan, Sakuya remarks, "This soup is missing the shaved truffles.", "If you forget them, the mistress [Flan] will be mad." To which Meiling slams the door.

Flan goes on to state two pages later that she hates truffles. I wonder if this is an indicator of their speculated friendship that often appears in fanon works. Meiling knows that Flan doesn't like truffles so she has her soup made without them. Then again, the next time we see Flan she's gleefully choking the unconscious Meiling so who can say for sure. This is Touhou after all, and these are the two least developed SDM characters with actual names.

Now, for a bit of plot speculation. ZUN does like to hint at general trends and plots in his print works. Upcoming and past incidents are shown in minor manga plots quite regularly and we happen to have had quite a few incidents where the magical/spiritual/natural energy in Gensoukyou is manipulated, along with the most recent game involving animal spirits possessing our protagonists. This time we're dealing with a vengeful spirit, a soul with a longstanding grudge. Currently her motives and identity are a mystery, but she seems to want the magical energy present within powerful individuals residing in Gensoukyou for something. We haven't had many interactions with the vengeful spirit herself, and the exact point in time that she leaves Patchouli is up for debate, but it's not a good idea to trust Patchouli in general as a source of any factual information, the only times I'm willing to reference the things Patchouli says and remembers in the timeline is due to the presence of Satori. The only other time that a known possessed individual is spoken to is the conversation between Reimu and Marisa in chapter 6, however, immediately after Marisa bails it is revealed that the vengeful spirit has multiple modes of operation. (CDS Chap. 6, Pg. 17) "However we don't know if she's [Marisa] being controlled by it or not. Be careful not to get yourself possessed..." - Satori. The vengeful spirit might not have been in control for the conversation between Reimu and Marisa, but it will have knowledge of the conversation. It's my belief that the only time we've heard the vengeful spirit speak is after Patchouli wakes up at the end of chapter 2 through chapter 3. At some point after chapter 3 during chapter 3.5 the vengeful spirit switches to Meiling. During this time Patchouli steers the conversation she's apart of towards blaming Sakuya, in fact the first thing possessed Patchouli asks when she wakes up is "What happened", to which Remilia reveals to her everything allowing the vengeful spirit to mislead the cast.

There are still a few too many questions to rule anything conclusive, but one thing I want to know is if the vengeful spirit can hold off draining a magical existence of their energy upon first contact or if that's just a set rule. Satori has confirmed with Meiling that the spirit can just leave whether the victim is conscious or not. Satori has also confirmed that the spirit can hide within a human target without rendering them unconscious. Can those attributes be combined? To possess a magical entity and control them before draining them of energy?

The thing I'm most looking forward to is having Satori and Marisa in the same room. I feel like quite a bit will be revealed if Satori has the opportunity to read Marisa's mind.

DUMB FINAL THOUGHTS Alice hasn't had any speaking lines in over a decade, is ZUN going to continue that trend by having her be the mouthpiece of the vengeful spirit instead of being able to speak her own thoughts? If the magic circle in Alice's book is being used to generate heat for her stove-top why is the same magic circle on the floor of the SDM atrium? Is Youmu purposely avoiding learning anything about vengeful spirits because she's afraid of ghosts? DID SATORI DRINK THAT GLASS OF WATER FROM RIN AND GET POSSESSED AT THE END OF CHAPTER 7???

Thanks for reading.

[sekinosemimaru]

Joker Game: The Animation Chapter 14

Joker Game Manga Chapter 14 - 「Double Joker Part One」Translation

Read chapters here -> http://comic.mag-garden.co.jp/jokergame/

Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter 3 / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight / Chapter Nine / Chapter Ten / Chapter Eleven / Chapter Twelve / Chapter Thirteen / Chapter Fourteen / Chapter Fifteen (April 25)

I dearly apologise for the delay. I recently found a job out of the country so my schedule became really strange last month and I couldn’t find the time to translate this chapter. I attempt to find time last weekend, but unfortunately, I had to push this behind in order to get the paperwork for my visa all in order. Because of my job, these translations might be a little delayed, but I will finish what I’ve started. Sorry for the delay and without further ado, let’s begin the chapter. 

Page 1

Imperial Army General Staff Headquarters

Akutsu: ...Do you recognise this man?

Mutou: !! Shirohata Kiichirou… He’s the diplomat who once served as the English ambassador. If I recall correctly, at this moment he’s been confined in his mansion in Izu…

Akutsu: That Shirohata…

Page 2

Akutsu: is suspected of stealing the “Grand Strategy”  

Mutou: Wh-what!? For someone like Shirohata, of all people…. Than man was greatly opposed towards the military’s action of joining forces with Germany. I’ve also heard that he’s an English sympathiser who has many friends in Britain. Not to mention, British consul general Earnest Graham and him are old acquaintances….

Page 3

Akutsu: Though it’s not yet official, however, Graham suddenly planned to return to his homeland very soon.  

Mutou: Could it be that Shirohata…!? We must absolutely prevent our army’s greatest secret, the “Great Strategy”, from being leaked to Great Britain! Shouldn’t we arrest Shirohata and Graham?

Akutsu: …….! Definite proof is needed in order to interrogate them. ...In addition, if we can secure the location of the delivery, it can become a foreign diplomacy card against the British. It’s also a good justification to repress English sympathisers…. ...I call forth immediate action for this situation.     

Page 4-5

Akutsu: ...Use them.

Joker Game

The Animation

File 14.

Double Joker (first part)

Page 6

(Yokohama British Consul Estate)

Jirou: Check.

Graham: !! (glances at board) ...Hmm…

Page 7

Graham: ….. ...So you had that tactic in mind…

Jirou: With this it’s my 15th win, 17th loss, and 6th tie. Consul, I believe you must be awfully busy today, so let’s end it here…

Graham: Now, now just wait, let’s play one more game.

Mrs. Graham: Dear...

Graham: !?

Page 8

Mrs. Graham: ...Ah, um… Can I have a moment?

Graham: What’s wrong?

Mrs. Graham: ….. ….That man

Page 9

Mrs. Graham: he’s standing at the back gate today again.

Graham: What?

Mrs. Graham: The maid informed me that he’s from the waterworks bureau….. But I’ve been feeling uneasy about him.

Graham: ...What do you think?

Jirou: He’s most likely a military policeman.

Graham: How do you know….?

Jirou: His face is extremely tanned. And yet from his forehead up, his skin is awfully pale. In other words, this man’s job was done walk around about all day while wearing a hat on duty. The reason why he’s not wearing a hat now is...

Page 10

Jirou: because the hat would reveal his occupation. If I think of a job that requires a specific kind of hat that would immediately reveal your profession, the military police would be the first to come to mind.

Gamou: That pretty much sums it up. ...Are you surprised? Even as a Japanese and at this age, this young chap is very sharp.

Mrs. Graham: Mr. Gamou ….Japan is steadily heading towards the wrong direction. It's action toward China…. And even sending spies to our residence, this shameful….

Graham: No Jane! Stop it!

Page 11

Graham: Mr. Gamou is the employee of Tailor Terashima and furthermore a friend of mine. He has no affiliations with the Japanese government or to the army.

Mrs. Graham: Yes… you’re right. My apologies, Mr. Gamou.   

Jirou: No, it’s fine. I’m not offended.

Graham: Go outside and get some fresh air to relax yourself.

Mrs. Graham: Yes…

Graham: Take the umbrella I gave you with you. We wouldn’t want your skin to tan like that MP.

Page 12

Graham: ...I apologize for my wife. Because of this unaccustomed climate, she hasn’t been resting properly at night nowadays… Now then, let’s begin our game shall we?

Jirou: I’m afraid that I will have to decline. I actually have to do some business with one more customer today...

Graham: …….Well that can’t be helped…

Jirou: Then, until next time, I shall take my leave.

Page 13

Jirou: Thank you.

Page 14

Graham: ...Idiot… Spying is a gentleman's job. How can such a filthy man be a spy?   

Page 15

[Servant walks through alleyway]

Page 16

[Walks to a door]

Page 17

Jirou: Chou-san.

Chou: ...

Page 18

Jirou: What’s wrong? It seemed like you were tailing me.

Chou: I was following instructions from Graham…

Jirou: Why?

Page 19

Chou: I don’t know much of the details…. However, for the past week, he’s become awfully nervous. He’s not only tailed you but also his other visitors after they leave.

Gamou: …! ...I was anxious that he would have been found out that you introduced me to this place.

Chou: No, I believe it’s related to work. He was elated that he would advance in his career if things went well.  

Gamou: Were there any other noticeable changes?

Chou: ….

Page 20

Chou: …………… !?

Page 21

Chou: ...In the near future, Graham will depart from Japan. It seems that he was provided private instructions from his homeland.

Gamou: The reason is?

Chou: Well, he hasn’t disclosed any of the details to the servants…

Jirou: Well… do enjoy your time here again…. Is what I would like to say, but I recall that I still haven’t recieved the money I loaned you the other day.

Chou: ! I’m begging you! Can’t you please wait another week!?

Jirou: The total amount I lent you was 15,000 yen... That’s five years’ worth of your entire salary. Nothing would come out of it if I wait one week.

Page 22

Jirou: It seems this is the limit for you.

Page 23

Chou: P-please wait. Three days is all I need, I will surely prepare it so…! At this rate I…. P-please. I’ll do anything!

Page 24

(Shirahata Residence)

Mistress: Oh? Hydrangeas?

Morishima: Is it no good? I happened to receive them during my errand…

Mistress: No, no it’s fine.

Page 25

Mistress: The only houseboy who attentive to even flowers… is Morishima-san after all.

Morishima: Hearing that makes me feel embarrassed.

Mistress: Fickle and disloyal, while beautiful it is represented as cold and heartless. The hydrangea doesn’t have many good meanings…

Morishima: Ah, but there’s a splendid tanka poem about them. “The Hydrangea blooms like the Yae blossom for an eternity, As I overlook this spectacle I am reminded of you my dear”*...

Shirahata: “Manyoshu”, Tachibana no Moroe.  

Page 26

Shirahata: “The hydrangeas flowers are blooming like the Yae flower, so please stay in good health” huh….  

Mistress: Shirahata-sensei!

Morishima: I have a great debt to repay for your services after all….

Shirahata: Hahaha, thank you for your thoughtfulness Morishima-kun.

Jirou: Have a good day.

Page 27

Jirou: As chess is a simple game, the personality of the player comes out. The personality of Graham that I’ve obtained from our games is… simplicity. And yet, he still makes haste to work out his plans. He is exceptionally paranoid… Vain...Ambitious..

Page 28

Jirou: Surely the information from the “Great Strategy” which he can collect and bring back to his home country while gaining a new position in return, is something Graham would so desperately want. ….My impression is that he’s ‘black’. It’s also clear that he’s been having Chou tail after all the guests during this past week. However… I have yet to find any evidence of Graham directly contacting anyone… ….In other words, the situation is ‘white’.     

Page 29

Jirou: So you saw through me huh?

Graham: I’ll have you know that a diversion tactic of that level won’t fool me.

Jirou: Mr. Graham is sure one step higher when it comes to perception and deception.  

Graham: Fufufu Is that an attempt to lower my guard?   

Page 30

Jirou: So it seems I have no choice but to confirm it myself…

Chou: ….

Page 31

Jirou: Make the guard on duty drink this drug. It’s tasteless and odourless, therefore if you slip this into his drink he wouldn’t notice anything.

Chou: ……

Jirou: There’s nothing to worry, it’s only a sleeping drug and all I’ll be taking is the money. As long as no one makes a fuss, no one will get injured. I hate to be insistent, but are you sure the money is in the safe?

Chou: …..Yes

Jirou: We’ll split it all in half, that would be 20,000 for the each of us.

Chou: ……..

Jirou: In the first place, didn’t the Englishmen made that money after selling opium in China… there’s nothing to feel guilty about it.

Page 32   

Chou: I made the opportunity to create a spare key of the safe as you instructed… I just need to leave the front door unlocked, right?

Continues in file. 15 Double Joker (Second Part)

*あぢさゐの 八重咲く如く 弥つ代にを いませわが背子 見つつ偲ばむ

This was a huge pain to translate and decode. I’m not a poet nor am I 100% sure everything is correct, but I did the best I could. The poem was written by Tachibana no Moroe and comes from the Manyoshu, the oldest known collection of Japanese poetry. There seem to be several interpretations of this poem, but it basically means “Just as the hydrangeas continue on to bloom in great multifold layers, I also hope that you also stay well. Each time I look at these flowers I will think fondly of you.”