#Start
"The Chocobo Raceway"
The only place in the country to permit gambling,
and it's packed with passionate racing fans every weekend.
Chocobo owners, in search of the huge payoffs for winning birds,
come in from all over.
These races had been held nationwide,
but thirty years ago, the previous king issued an edict unifying the races at one single gambling arena, the Chocobo Raceway.
Considering how popular Chocobo racing was,
they expected (and indeed got, believe you me) huge profits;
racing only became more popular,
and the betting grew to such proportions that on the day of a big race,
amounts rivaling the budget of a small nation might change hands.
Moneymaking heaven, this was, and people nicknamed the raceway "The Golden Palace".
Let's have a look, now, at a certain middle-aged man who's at the track today.
His name is Tango.
He'd take a Saturday of gambling over three meals a day, and on this particular Saturday he's facing the biggest crisis of his life.
A little while ago, he withdrew 500,000 gil from the bank
and then dropped his wallet and after that, troubles came so thick and fast that one could hardly keep track of them.
Thuggish roughnecks accosted him in the street.
Then, at his house there was a fire.
Part of the house was damaged, and any relief felt at the light damage was quickly offset when this very same fact caused the insurance company to deny the claim.
'Tango's Papermaking', the business he'd just begun, went bankrupt.
Upon which Tango's wife left the house.
And then a black cat crossed our hero's path!
There was nothing I could say.
I clutched my ticket and headed for the track.
But my legs wouldn't carry me any further. Why!? I can't see the race!
And I won't be able to hear the announcements with all these people around!
Just then, Pippin, the son of the Good Luck Restaurant's owner, passed by.
After all this, all Tango had was the 5,000 gil in his pocket.
Many times, after losing money,
Tango had thought of giving up gambling.
But today, in the very throes of despair, he thought,
"It's all over. There's nothing left for me in this world."
This day of inconsolable depression for our hero also happened to be a chocobo racing day.
In fact, it was the day of the "Great Race", which is only held once a year.
Tango looked up at the sky and made a decision.
"One more race before I give up!"
Depressed as he was, he couldn't stop so easily.
When he arrived at the track, the first race had already finished.
But because the payoffs were higher later in the day, he didn't mind.
He picked up a racing form that someone had tossed away, and headed into his usual bar.
But today, he couldn't relax. Ever since he got up in the morning, he'd been hearing a buzz in his ears that just wouldn't stop.
He sat in his usual seat and ordered his usual drink.
On his tab, of course.
Drink up and listen to what people are talking about.
This bar was inside the racetrack grounds,
so as you might guess, people were usually talking about chocobo racing.
There were also lost of unrelated conversations, such as men and women flirting, mixed in as well.
Listening in on everyone's banter was one of Tango's hobbies,
but with the ringing in his ears, he found himself utterly unable to concentrate.
He tried cleaning out his ears and pulling on them,
and finally he caught some people talking about chocobos in the second race.
'Hey, Pippin!' I shouted.
"Oh, it's you!" he answered. "You've got a red nose. You're funny."
'Yeah, thanks, kid. Listen, can you do something for me?
Watch the race and tell me how it turns out, OK?'
"OK. But Daddy wants you to pay off your tab,
 all right?"
A lot of different birds' names came up,
and as it turned out, only one was never mentioned:
Sol Cannon.
Tango decided that he would pull for Sol Cannon since no one else seemed to be doing so
No betting (as if he had money for that!),
just honest support.
And then the race began.
It was a short one -just 1200 meters- and so it ended quickly.
The winner: none other than Sol Cannon.
In the following races,
Tango decided to root for the one chocobo whose name he could never hear.
And every time, this one turned out to be the winning chocobo.
luck, coincidence, or something else?
All the chocobos that Tango supported finished in the winner's circle.
That, our hero noticed, had never happened before.
Perhaps this ringing in Tango's ears was helping him.
Could God be giving him one last chance?
The next race ended the early session,
and Tango decided that if this pattern continued for this race, well, why not try it for the afternoon races?
So he went around listening to people talk, and as he heard names of chocobos,
he crossed them off the list that was in the paper he'd picked up.
The only one left for the fourth race was Hermaden.
And as Tango predicted, Hermaden won it!
Now it was time for lunch,
and Tango could hardly stop himself from shaking.
"Quick, let's start racing again!"
He went down to the "Good Luck" restaurant,
and once again sat in his usual seat and ordered his usual drink, which,
needless to say, went on his tab.
While Tango waited for his order to arrive, who should walk through the door but Lance,
 a man who (in our hero's words) might be described as a "stuck-up, full-of-himself, fancy-pants nogoodnik!
And filthy rich, to boot!"
Then this Lance personage called out, "I say! Is that you, Tango?"
"Uh-huh. Mind keeping it down a bit?" replied our hero.
"So terribly sorry; just wanted to introduce this charming lady I just met."
And who should come into the restaurant behind Lance? Why, it was Tango's wife!
"Lucilda, honey?
 What are you doing with a ruffian like Lance!?"
"..." She had no reply.
"Might I point out," Lance answered,
 "that 'twas you who upset her? Which is why she's here on a date with me."
"My darling? Why are you with this... this...!?"
"Now, now, Tango, no need to get angry.
 Lucilda, staying here would only be unpleasant.
 Let us dine at the caf? across the way instead."
As frustrated as Tango was,
 there was nothing he could do.
"She certainly won't come back to me if I fight with the man.
 Gotta get a hold of her before she leaves."
"I'll win every race this afternoon!
 And then I'll give up gambling forever!" Tango shouted.
"Give me one more chance, my darling!"
There was nothing more to do than to hope to bump into her after the next race.
'I'd sure like to get a fistful of money and wave it in that low-down Lance's face, that rotten filth-monkey!
And then I'll get my wife back!'
...
"Three races to go," thought Tango.
"I'll have to use that ringing in my ears if I want to win them all!"
Then an announcement over the loudspeaker: "Ladies and gentlemen, the fifth race is about to start."
'Uh oh, they're starting already!
I've gotta listen for as many names as I can!
And then hope that those chocobos don't win!'
There wasn't much time for Tango to waste, for the fifth race was only a few minutes from getting underway.
He decided to pick one place and listen for names there.
"Let's see...
 someplace where people are eating would be good.
 Back to the 'Good Luck' restaurant!"
'Time for the race.
I headed for the ticket booth.
How much should I gamble?
I've got 5,000 gil...
until now, I've gambled small and piled up big debts.
Gotta risk it all!
Rely on those ringing ears! Here we go!'
And Tango arrived at the ticket booth.
'Here we go!'
"Hey, Tango!" said the attendant.
"Are you sure, Tango? Don't you have a lot of debt?"
'I couldn't answer.
 I just held on to my ticket and headed for the track.'
'Finally!
 I've finally won!
 Wow, did it really feel this good...?
 A ten-to-one payoff; I've got 50,000 gil!
"Congratulations, darling."
I turned around and there was Lucilda.
"Honey?
 I, I... uh..."
1. "What are you doing with Lance!?"{Newline}2. "I'm so sorry."{Newline}3. "Did you see that!? I won!!"
'What are you doing with that no-good Lance!?'
"Well, uh...," my wife stammered.
"Allow me to explain, dear Tango" 
 Interjected Lance.
"As we discussed,
 Lucilda deserves better than a ruffian such as yourself.
 Someone as lovely as she belongs with a real gentleman.
 Like me, for example.
 And now we must be off. Ta-ta."
'Hey, wait!'
' I'm so sorry...'
"If you're sorry, then quit gambling!
 Get the print shop back in business!
 Spend time with me!"
'Lucilda...'
"That's why I..."
And here Lucilda, unable to finish the sentence, ran off in tears.
'Honey, wait!" Tango exclaimed.
"Did you see that!? I won!!"
"Tango, darling.
 You're always like that.
 You just think about yourself, and pay no attention to people around you.
 That's why..."
'But, honey!"
I chased after her,
 but surrounded by people, I couldn't catch up.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the public address system intoned, "the sixth race is about to start. The sixth race will being shortly."
They're gonna start while I'm standing here dawdling!
'Not enough time to wander around!
 OK Tango, concentrate here, pick one place, and listen for birds!
 Now where's everybody hanging out?
 It's tea time, so that means...
 Yes! To the Cafe Friend!'
Time was running out!
I hurried to the ticket booth.
But how much should I bet this time?
I've got 50,000 gil.
Up to now, I've always made small bets, and usually they haven't panned out.
OK, then! I'll bet it all!
Gotta trust in these voices! Be a man, bet it all! Yeah!
"Here we go!" I said as I ran to the ticket booth.
"Hey, Tango!" said the attendant.
"Luck's on your side today, isn't it?"
"You're betting all your money!?" shouted the ticket seller in surprise.
'I couldn't answer.
 I just held on to my ticket and headed for the track.'
Wow! That meant I had a "Myriad Chocobo"!
One that pays off over 100 times; you only see these a few times a year.
And in my 20 years of chocobo racing fandom, I'd never had one... until today!
Two hundred to one! That brought my holdings to... 10,000,000 gil!
"Congratulations, darling."
I turned around and there was Lucilda.
"Honey?
 I, I... uh..."
'Honey... I was just... you see...'
"Tango, darling, of course I love you.
 Can you assure me that you love me too?"
1. A lot more than that jerk-noggin Lance!{Newline}2. Of course! I'll never gamble again!{Newline}3. I'll be loyal to you forever!
'I love you a lot more than that jerk-noggin Lance does!'
"Tango, darling...
 I don't want men fighting over me.
 I just want the pure feelings in your heart. That's all I ask for."
'But honey! Wait!'
'OK, I'll never gamble again!
 Today is the last, I promise.'
"That's how you'll show that you love me?
 By quitting gambling? That's not love;
 that's something that's for your own good!"
'But, honey...!'
"Even then, I still love you..."
'Huh? Lucilda, wait!'
'Honey... Lucilda...
 I'll be loyal to you forever.
 I'll always support you and never betray you.
"Darling,
 I don't want one-sided support. We're equal.
 I help you, and you help me. That's how I want to love you."
'But...
 hey, Lucilda! Are you crying!?'
She ran off
 and was lost in the crowd.
Then the announcer came on again. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final race will begin shortly.
 Held just once a year, the race you've all been waiting for, it's the Great Race!
 If you haven't placed your bet yet, hurry up!"
Oh, no, they're gonna start!
My other two wins won't mean squat if I don't win this one!
OK Tango, no time to fool around!
Gotta pick a spot and listen in!
Where should I go... everybody's probably heading out to the grandstand to watch...
 so,
 grandstand it is!
Time to place my bet.
I hurried off to the ticket booth.
How much money should I wager...?
I've got 10,000,000 gil.
Maybe I should bet on several birds to hedge my risk?
No! That's only brought me defeat.
This time, my whole life is on the line, and this time,
 I won't end up the loser!
I'm betting the whole pile!
...
And with this I found myself in front of the booth.
'Here we go!'
Ticket seller: "Tango, big day today, huh? What's going on?"
And after a few minutes, the race was over.
'Pippin! Who won?'
"Uhhh... it was a white chocobo.
 I think it was Heavy Kick...
 The payoff was 200 to 1!"
Come on, Tango!
You're a man!
You're cool!
What's with these tears!?
I clutched my ticket and headed for the track.
"Wait for me, Lucilda!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please!
 Entering Gate Three is Tango!
 Earlier this afternoon, he picked a Myriad Chocobo winner, the only one to win! Not something you see every day!
 Can his dream continue through to the Great Race!?
 What will he show us today? We soon shall see!"
Uh oh...
Ticket seller: "Tango, you made it!"
But my legs froze up!
I couldn't move!
This is it... the race is starting!
I was too nervous to even move... my legs became like bricks.
And I couldn't get to the track to see the race...
Oh well; just have to listen to the announcements.
And after a few minutes, the race was over.
Soon it was over and they broadcast the results over the PA system.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the results of the fifth race, the Southern Classic: The winner: Yashinoki,
 with a payoff of ten to one.
 I repeat, the winner..."
'... ... ... ... ... ...!
I... I've... ... I've done it! I've done it!!
Lucilda, I've done it! Woohoooooo!!!!'
Thus shouted our hero as the grandstand, too, roared exultantly 一 it was as if they had won it with him.
Lost bets forgotten, they were sharing in their fellow gambler's ecstasy.
"Ladies and gentlemen,
Tango has done it!" shouted the announcer. "Tango has done it! The pay off is..." (he fumbled for the odds table) "Three hundred to one! Three hundred to one! Unbelievable!! Tango has won it again!! I don't believe what I just saw!"
It was as if the announcer had forgotten his job entirely, and was shouting like any deliriously happy fan.
"Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go!"
The assembled throng were chanting Tango's name. Can you imagine it? The Chocobo Raceway was on the verge of bedlam.
Pandemonium, this was! "Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go!"
"Darling?"
Suddenly our hero spotted Lucilda in the crowd.
"Outta the way,
 I've got to get through!"
He implored as he fought his way through the mass of people.
Finally, he found himself face to face with her.
"My darling..."
'Lucilda...'
The two of them looked in each other's eyes, and the huge crowd immediately fell silent.
'Lucilda, I..."
1. I love you, Lucilda!{Newline}2. I'm sorry, Lucilda!{Newline}3. Let's be married again!
'I love you, Lucilda! I don't want anyone else to have you.'
"I want to be with you always, darling."
'I'm sorry, Lucilda!
 I've had nothing but bad luck, and it's ruining my life.
 I've put you through so much...'
"But,
 Tango! I got to see your smile!" Lucilda was in tears.
'Don't cry, Lucilda.'
"Darling (sob)... let's be together always..."♥
'What? What!? It was!?
 Woohoo! I won! I won again!
 Pippin, thanks a million!
 Tell you what, I'll get you a Dr. Lugae robot! The Balnab-Z?'
"Really!? That's a promise?
Don't forget to pay off your tab too!"
'Let's be married again! Here, today, now.
 Let's begin our lives again from the start!'
"Darling... Tango...
 we'll make a wonderful home together!"
And then the assembled crowd roared in appreciation again!
They surrounded Tango and Lucilda.
"Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go! Tan-go!"
And then they started chanting Lucilda's name!
"Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda! Lucilda!"
And in the middle of this frenzied, delirious, chanting throng of ecstatic racing fans
 stood the happy couple, in a loving embrace.
People didn't know this at the time,
but in fact Lucilda never had any intention of leaving her beloved Tango.
She just wanted him to straighten himself out,
and so she left the house so that he could be alone.
When Lance invited her on a date, of course it was she who picked the Chocobo Raceway to go to.
She chose this spot because she knew her husband would be there.
She didn't mind being poor. (Not that they'd even been rich, of course.) 
She didn't even want Tango to quit gambling.
(Though she wouldn't have minded him making smaller bets, it must be admitted.)
She just wanted to help her poor husband, who had lost his job and was distracted by alcohol and gambling.
She wanted him to rediscover himself and begin life anew.
And when Tango heard this, he cried tears of joy.
Tears of farewell, as it turned out, to his old self.
Score ♥♥♥♥♥
And with the money earned at the Great Race, Tango got his business running once again. But that, of course, is another story.
I.. I lost...
Did I not get enough information?
Did I buy the wrong ticket?
Or was that ringing in my ears just an illusion?
Total funds: zero.
And my debts haven't gone anywhere.
Farewell, Lucilda.
I suppose.. I'll never... see you again.
Good... bye.
"Say, what was that awful noise?
 Someone jumped from the 20th floor?
 How absolutely bothersome! It must have been another failed gambler!
 Lucilda, dear, is something wrong?"
"No, I just felt a bit cold..."
"You mustn't feel unpleasant!
 Say, try some of this apple tea.
 And shall I order some pumpkin pie?
 It's absolutely de-lect-able!"
～5th Race: Southern Classic～
{LS}No.一 Chocobo Name 一 Prediction {Newline}{LS}1 一 Tropical 一 Strong finish 
{LS}2 一 Yashinoki 一 Strong finish 
{LS}3 一 Angel Fish 一 Early lead 
These are the three chocobos entered in this race.
"So which one will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Tropical!{Newline}2. Yashinoki!{Newline}3. Angel Fish!
'And so I bet the whole 5,000 gil on Tropical.
 No going back now!'
'And so I bet the whole 5,000 gil on Yashinoki.
 No going back now!'
'And so I bet the whole 5,000 gil on Angel Fish.
 No going back now!'
～6th Race: The Fighting Sprint～
Group 一 No.一 Chocobo Name 一 Prediction{Newline}{LS}{LS}1 一 1 一 Da Thwompa 一 Strong finish
{LS}{LS}1 一 2 一 Smackmaster 一 Tail-ender
{LS}{LS}2 一 1 一 Power Fist 一 Tail-ender
{LS}{LS}2 一 2 一 Heavy Kick 一 Early lead
These are the four chocobos entered in this race.
"So which group will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Group 1{Newline}2. Group 2
"So which one will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Da Thwompa!{Newline}2. Smackmaster!{Newline}3. Go back
"So which one will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Power Fist!{Newline}2. Heavy Kick!{Newline}3. Go back
'And so I bet the whole 50,000 gil on Da Thwompa.
 No going back now!'
'And so I bet the whole 50,000 gil on Smackmaster.
 No going back now!'
'And so I bet the whole 50,000 gil on Power Fist.
 No going back now!'
'And so I bet the whole 50,000 gil on Heavy Kick.
 No going back now!'
～Final race: Great Championship～{Newline}Group 一 No.一 Chocobo Name 一 Prediction{Newline}{LS}{LS}1 一 1 一 Taishinoh 一 Runner-up
{LS}{LS}1 一 2 一 The Weapon 一 Runner-up
{LS}{LS}2 一 1 一 Red Sephiroth 一 Strong finish
{LS}{LS}2 一 2 一 Gilgame Attack 一 Early lead
{LS}{LS}3 一 1 一 Mad Ski 一 Tail-ender
{LS}{LS}3 一 2 一 Adamantimer 一 Strong finish
These are the six chocobos entered in this race.
"So which group will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Group 1{Newline}2. Group 2{Newline}3. Group 3
"So which one will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Taishinoh!{Newline}2. The Weapon!{Newline}3. Go back
"So which one will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Red Sephiroth!{Newline}2. Gilgame Attack!{Newline}3. Go back
"So which one will it be?" says the ticket seller.
1. Mad Ski!{Newline}2. Adamantimer!{Newline}3. Go back
'And so I bet the whole 10,000,000 gil on Taishinoh.
 No going back now...'
'And so I bet the whole 10,000,000 gil on The Weapon.
 No going back now...'
'And so I bet the whole 10,000,000 gil on Red Sephiroth.
 No going back now...'
'And so I bet the whole 10,000,000 gil on Gilgame Attack.
 No going back now...'
'And so I bet the whole 10,000,000 gil on Mad Ski.
 No going back now...'
'And so I bet the whole 10,000,000 gil on Adamantimer.
 No going back now...'
"Ladies and gentlemen, the 128th annual Great Race is under way!
 Mad Ski has the early lead... he's pulling away from the pack."
"They come around Turn 1 and are stretching out into single file.
 Chocobo fans, this is the 128th annual Great Race!
 And Mad Ski is in front.
 He's a few lengths ahead now, but Gilgame Attack is getting close! Adamantimer is in there as well.
 Trailing them are The Weapon and Taishinoh."
"Pre-race favorite Red Sephiroth is falling back. He's in last place 一 not where he expected to be, let me tell you!"
"Whoa, Gilgame Attack and Adamantimer are making their move!
 Look at the clock; the pace this time is even faster than in the sixth race!
 Mad Ski is in the lead and is approaching Turn 3...
 oh my goodness! Mad Ski has fallen! Mad Ski has fallen!
 He tripped up and is on the ground!
 The other birds
 are catching up!
 Red Sephiroth, the popular favorite, has moved back even with the pack."
"Now they're at Turn 4... will their stamina hold out?
 Gilgame Attack and Adamantimer are slowing down, folks!
 Mad Ski's early pace has tired them out!
 And as we pass Turn 4, Red Sephiroth takes the lead! The Weapon is close behind!"
"Down to the final corner and then the final straightaway!
 It's a two-bird contest!
 Will it be Red Sephiroth? Or will it be The Weapon?"
"Red Sephiroth? Or The Weapon?"
"The Weapon is dropping back!
 Red Sephiroth has the lead!
 Can he win the Great Race three times in a row? He's 100 meters from the finish line!"
"Fifty meters away!
 Can Red Sephiroth win it?"
"Taishinoh is approaching from the outside! Can Red Sephiroth pull away?
 Will Taishinoh catch up?"
"Twenty meters to go!
 Can Red Sephiroth pull away?
 Will Taishinoh catch up?"
"Down the stretch they come!"
"They're at the finish line! Taishinoh has passed Red Sephiroth! Taishinoh has won it!
 It's Taishinoh! Three years without a win, and he takes them all down in the Great Race! Unbelievable! Taishinoh!"
This is the entrance to the 'Good Luck' bar and restaurant.
There's a table in front, labeled "2".
A dancer named Stacia is sitting in the chair.
1. Go somewhere else{Newline}2. Talk to Stacia
Table No. 2 is in front,
 with the rest of the restaurant behind it.
1. Go to table no. 2{Newline}2. Don't go anywhere
Table 2. The exit is to the north,
 some plants are to the west, and Table 1 is to the east.
At this table, the owners of the local weapon shop and armory are drinking beer.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the weapon shop owner{Newline}3. Talk to the armory owner
The exit is to the north, some plants are to the west, and Table 1 is to the east.
1. Head for exit{Newline}2. Head for the plants{Newline}3. Head for Table 1
Table 1.
Table 2 is to the west, and to the east there's a jukebox. The counter is to the south.
Willis, owner of the equipment shop, is there drinking.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to Willis
Table 2 is to the west, and to the east there's a jukebox. The counter is to the south.
1. Head for Table 2{Newline}2. Head for the jukebox{Newline}3. Head for counter
Some plants. Table 2 is to the east.
1. Move{Newline}2. Look at the plants
This is the Good Luck's western edge. Table 2 is to the east.
1. Head for Table 2{Newline}2. Don't go anywhere
It's a jukebox. Table 1 is to the west.
1. Move{Newline}2. Look at the jukebox
It's pretty old.
Parts of it are broken, and now you can only select from two tunes.
And the titles are missing!
But it doesn't look like that means anything special.
It's pretty old.
Parts of it are broken, and now you can only select from two tunes.
And the titles are missing!
1. Give it a smack, sir{Newline}2. Do nothing
Table 1 is to the west. This is the eastern edge of the "Good Luck" restaurant.
1. Head for Table 1{Newline}2. Don't go anywhere
The counter. Table 1 is to the north.
Wedge, the assistant hired bartender, is here.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the owner{Newline}3. Talk to Wedge
Table 1 is to the north. This is the back end of the "Good Luck" restaurant.
1. Head for Table 1{Newline}2. Don't go anywhere
Stacia: "Heeey, Tango! How's it going?
 Drinking on your tab again? The bartender's not gonna let you do that too much longer, y'know?
 What? Which chocobo? I dunno; I don't gamble.
 Dancing is hard enough!"
Maclaine, weapon shop owner: "Yo, Tango! Lookin' worn out as always!
 Huh? Who'm I betting on? Buy me a drink and I'll tell you!
 Special cocktail, 4,000 gil!"
You now have:{LS}{LS}5,000 gil
1. Treat him{Newline}2. No thanks
Maclaine: "Really?
 Thanks, but don't worry about it. The owner knows you don't have any money.
 It'll go on my tab!
 Anyway, the chocobo. I'm goin' with Angel Fish. That bird's the goods!"
Armory owner Bruce: "Hehey, Tango! Lookin' depressed, my man!
 What? Chocobo? Not this time around; I'm lookin' forward to the Great Race later on!
 The Great Race is where it's at."
Equipment shop owner Willis: "Man, do my shoulders hurt!
 Tango, why are you sneaking up on me like that?
 But you sure have come at the right time! Could you pound on my shoulders? They're really stiff."
1. Pound his shoulders{Newline}2. Forget it
Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound! Pound!
"Ooh, that felt good!
 Listen, put your money on Tropical, OK?"
Nothing special here. A lot of restaurants have plants like these.
1. Look again more carefully{Newline}2. Give up
Nothing spe...
 huh? What have we here?
 A 50-point coin buried in the soil!
Nothing special here. A lot of restaurants have plants like these.
There's nothing else in the place you just looked, either.
Wedge, assistant bartender: "Tango!
 Today's the day of the Great Race, sir! I'm so excited, sir!
 Makes me want to smack that old jukebox and see if it'll start up again.
 That thing really bothers me, sir."
Suddenly it came to life.
Looks like it's working again.
Wedge: "It's working, sir! Perfect!
 Here, let me give you this, sir!"
You got a 1000-point coin.
Wedge, assistant bartender: "Tango!
 Today's the day of the Great Race, sir! I'm so excited, sir!"
Good Luck owner: "Hello, Tango. You OK?
 Don't worry; you can pay off your tab whenever you like.
 Is something wrong? How about some water?"
1. Drink some water{Newline}2. No, I'm fine
The boundless sky seemed to be smirking at me.
Not too pleasant. I headed back to the Cafe Friend.
Mesa Ricksen, vaguely-familiar adventurer: "I'm Mesa Ricksen, writer of adventure novels.
 You wouldn't happen to be familiar with my work, would you?
 I'm back home for the first time in a while; are my books selling well in these parts?"
1. 'Yeah, I've read it all the way through!'{Newline}2. 'Dunno, I haven't read it."
Ricksen: "Oh, I believe you. I can see it your eyes; you have indeed read it.
 Here,
 let me give you a 500-point coin as an oh-so-small token of my undying gratitude.
 What's that? Who am I betting on in the next race?
 Smackmaster, but why do you ask?"
Ricksen: "Oh, don't lie me,
 there is no need.
 Anyway, if you get a chance, read it, OK?
 What's that? Who am I betting on in the next race?
 Smackmaster, but why do you ask?"
Ricksen: "Oh, that's too bad.
 If you get a chance, read it, OK?
There's nothing special about them.
There's no time; I've got to get going!
Owner of the Cafe Friend: "Oh, Tango. How have you been lately?
 Could I ask you a favor? I need you to give this to the woman sitting at Table 1.
 Tell her it's from me."
He handed me the "Pleasant Cocktail".
Biggs, hired bartender: "Hi, Tango.
 Listen, this is just between us, OK?
 The owner's in love with Kajitena, the material shop owner. How 'bout that?"
Russell, serious card aficionado: "Whoa-ho, if it isn't good old Tango? How's the wife treating you, big guy?
 What? Who'm I betting on?
 Well well well well well... I suppose I could reveal that tasty bit of information... if you draw a card higher than mine!"
1. Draw a card{Newline}2. No thanks
Russell: "OK, here we go!
 I'll pick first... whoa! An ace of spades!
 Sorry, dude, looks like I gotcha!"
1. Pick the card on top{Newline}2. Pick a card in the middle{Newline}3. Pick the card on the bottom
Russell: "What'd you pick?
 ... Aha! I win!
 Can't tell you what I'm betting on then.
 By the way, how's Lucilda? She's totally too good for you, dude."
Russell: "What'd you pick?
 ... A *joker*!? Aww, maaaan. You totally lucked out, dude!
 Awright, I'll tell you.
 I'm picking Power Fist. And here, have this gift too."
Got a 100-point coin!
Kajitena: "Why aren't there any good men left?
 And why doesn't anything good ever happen to me?
 Why is life so boring? I need a drink!"
Kajitena: "Tango, what's up?
 What? A gift from the owner?
 Wow! I'm so happy! This is great! Here, have this!
 You know, if you look closely enough, the owner might just be handsome, you know?"♥
Got a 100-point coin!
White-haired dandy: "Tango, my good man!
 Sitting here, looking out at the world, drinking my ryokucha... I look back on those lovely days of the dim and distant past.
 Say, shall I regale you with a tale of the olden times?"
1. OK, let's hear it{Newline}2. No thanks; no time
Dandy gentleman: "Now this was a loooooong time ago... quite a ways back indeed... let's see, was the war still going on? I think maybe it was. Yes, yes, of course, it was during the war. That's right. War's no fun, young man, let me tell you. Never know what's going to happen. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes ..."
Suddenly,
I could see his betting slip in his pocket!
 He's betting on Da Thwompa!
Someone inside the cafe calls out to me.
Cafe Friend owner: "Tango,
 we've got a private party on the second floor! You can't go up there!"
1. Go up anyway{Newline}2. Well, forget it then
Someone inside the cafe calls out to me.
Master: "Tango, you can't!
 I said we've got guests there!"
1. Go up anyway!{Newline}2. OK, I give up.
I could hear people talking on the second floor.
"I say, darling, what do you think of this pie? Is it not de-lect-able?"
Hey! That's Lance... and my wife!
I'll get her back, just wait and see!
And I found a 300-point coin.
Relieves my anger a bit... just a bit.
This is the entrance to the Cafe Friend.
Table 2 is right in front of me.
1. Move{Newline}2. Look up in the sky
Table 2 is right in front of me. The rest of the cafe is straight ahead.
1. Head for Table 2{Newline}2. Don't go anywhere
I headed for Table 2. I could see the exit to the north,
 some plants to the west, and a counter to the east.
At this table, an adventurer type was sipping some tea.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the adventurer
I could see the exit to the north, some plants to the west, and a counter to the east.
1. Head for exit{Newline}2. Head for plants{Newline}3. Head for counter
Some plants. Table 2 is to the east, and table 1 is to the south.
1. Move{Newline}2. Look at the plants
Table 2 is to the east, and table 1 is to the south. This is the western edge of the Cafe Friend.
1. Head for Table 2{Newline}2. Head for Table 1{Newline}3. Don't go anywhere
This is the counter.
Table 2 is to the west. To the south, there's a stairwell leading to the second floor, but I can't go up there.
The cafe owner and Biggs the bartender are behind the counter.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the owner{Newline}3. Talk to Biggs
Table 2 is to the west. This is the eastern edge of the Cafe Friend.
1. Head for Table 2{Newline}2. Don't go anywhere
I headed for Table 1.
There are some plants to the north, and a terrace to the south.
At this table, a man and a woman are playing cards.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the card-buff man{Newline}3. Talk to the slightly-stuck-up woman
I can see some plants to the north. There's a terrace to the south.
1. Head for the plants{Newline}2. Go out on the terrace{Newline}3. Don't go anywhere
There's a table here on the terrace.
To the north, I can see Table 1. There's an exit to the east.
At this table, a white-bearded gentleman is drinking tea.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the white-haired tea-drinking gentleman
To the north, I can see Table 1. There's an exit to the east. This is the south edge of the Friend Cafe.
1. Head for Table 1{Newline}2. Head for the somewhat suspicious-looking exit{Newline}3. Don't go anywhere
The somewhat-suspicious-looking exit has a stairway to the second floor.
1. Up the stairs we go{Newline}2. Head for the terrace table instead
This is Entrance 2.
There are seats to the north, but it's pretty packed.
A dog is yapping at my legs.
1. Head for the seats{Newline}2. Talk to the dog
I pushed my way through the crowd.
To the south is Entrance 2. The central front row seats are to the north. Entrance 3 is to the east.
1. Head for entrance 2{Newline}2. Head for front row seats{Newline}3. Head for entrance 3
I was back in the crowd of people.
I could see Entrance 3 to the south, and Entrance 2 to the west.
In front of me is a girl with long hair.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the long-haired girl
I could see Entrance 3 to the south, and Entrance 2 to the west.
1. Head for Entrance 3{Newline}2. To Entrance 2{Newline}3. Don't go anywhere
This is Entrance 3.
Some seats are to the north, but there are crowds blocking them.
Standing in front of me is a girl wearing red.
1. Head for the seats{Newline}2. Talk to the girl in red
I reached the front row of the central grandstand.
I could see Entrance 2 to the south, the eastern grandstand front row to the east, and the west grandstand front row to the west.
In front of me is a guy who looks like a chocobo rider.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the chocobo rider
I can see Entrance 2 to the south,
 the eastern grandstand front row to the east, and the west grandstand front row to the west.
1. Head for Entrance 2{Newline}2. Head for eastern grandstand front row{Newline}3. Head for western grandstand front row
I found myself in the front row of the eastern grandstand. The central grandstand is to the west.
Here, there's a scary-looking man muttering.
1. Head for central grandstand front row{Newline}2. Talk to the scary-looking man
I headed for the front row of the western grandstand section.
I can see Entrance 1 to the south, and the front row of the central grandstand to the east.
1. Head for entrance 1{Newline}2. Head for front row of central grandstand
I pushed my way through the crowds.
I can just barely see Entrance 1 to the south; to the north is the front row of the western grandstand.
Here, there's a gambler and his son.
1. Move{Newline}2. Talk to the father{Newline}3. Talk to the son
I can just barely see Entrance 1 to the south; to the north is the front row of the western grandstand.
1. Head for exit 1{Newline}2. Head for front row of western grandstand{Newline}3. Don't go anywhere
This is Entrance 1.
There are seats to the north, but crowds of people are in the way. To the west is a garbage can.
Standing here in the entranceway is a bored-looking girl.
1. Talk to the bored-looking girl{Newline}2. Make your way to the seats{Newline}3. Check out the garbage cans
Some garbage cans. Nothing special about them.
1. Return to Entrance 1{Newline}2. Look inside the cans
Pavlov, the old dog: "Grrrrrr......"
...
The dog seems to be giving me something.
It's a 50-point coin.
Pavlov: "Rarf! Rarf!"
Huh? He seems to want me to head into the crowd.
Sara, airheaded girl: "Oh... my... god!
 Lemund is, like, totally the handsomest jockey!
 You've, like, gotta bet on Red Sephiroth!
 That bird is totally gonna crush the competition!
 Lemund is so cool! Wow!"
Phoetha, girl in red: "I just saw Joe, the famous chocobo rider!
 I tried to get his autograph, but he disappeared!
 He's not riding in this race; I wonder what happened to him...?"
Hey! Did I just see Adriguez, who used to work for me at Tango's Papermaking?
Maybe not; it wouldn't be surprising if one person in this huge crowd looked like him.
What's this on the ground?
Found a 500-point coin!
Chocobo rider Joe: "I can't believe I lost his lucky charm!
 Man, how can a loser like me even show his face in here..."
Chocobo rider Joe: "Hey! That's... that's... the "Never-Lose Lucky Charm"!
 Thanks for finding it for me!
 It has been like my racing partner; I don't know what I'd do without him.
 Here, let me thank you with this."
Got a 7777-point coin!
Chocobo rider Joe: "Yo, this is my comeback race, you hear me? I gotta break out of this slump!
 How can I face the boss like this?"
Madrom, the gravekeeper: "Heheheheh...
 a thousand gil on Adamantimer at 30-to-1! Thirty thousand in my pockets!
 Heheheheh..."
"Ten thousand gil on Adamantimer at 30-to-1!
 Three hundred thousand in my pockets!
 Heheheheh..."
Woman passing by: "Ouch!
 Hey, you!
 You made me drop my wallet!"
...
1. Pick it up for her{Newline}2. Too busy, keep moving
Hey, she's got a betting slip!
She's betting on Gilgame Attack!
Woman: "Thanks. But watch where you're going next time!
Fernando the Gambler: "Dagnabbit, it's time for the Great Race already!
 Huh? Whaddaya you want? 'Who'm I betting on?'
 Gedouttahere! Why should I tell you that!?"
Chio, the Gambling Kid: "Yo, pops! I'll tell you who dad's betting on...
 if you can answer my Proverb Quiz!"
1. Bring it on!{Newline}2. Sorry, some other time.
Chio, the Gambling Kid: "OK, question number 1! Which of these proverbs means 'don't lose your cool'?"
1. 'Haste makes waste'{Newline}2. 'He who hesitates is lost'{Newline}3. 'A bird in hand is worth 3 pigs in a bush'
Chio: "Great! OK, question 2: what's the real meaning of the proverb 'compassion is not for others'?"
1. 'Never be kind to others, it won't help them'{Newline}2. 'Be kind to others, kindness will spread'{Newline}3. 'People don't like others take pity on them'
Chio: "Great! OK, question 3! Which proverb is the meaning of the Silver Rule?
1. 'Do unto others before they do it unto you!'{Newline}2. 'Don't do to others so they don't do to you.'{Newline}3. 'Do for others what they cannot do for you'
Chio, the Gambling Kid: "Wow, you got all of them! Fantastic!
 Guess I'll tell you:
 Dad's betting on Mad Ski."
Chio: "Ding-dong, you're wrong!
 So I'm not gonna tell you. Am I a shrewd businessman, or what?"
Nachelina, bored-looking girl: "I'm really bored.
 So bored that even a meteor falling from the sky would be exciting!
 When will this race get started!?
 I sure hope The Weapon wins..."
Could anything useful be in here?
 Whoa,
 someone left a 100-point coin
 in a used lunch bag!
Hey, there's a man rummaging through the garbage!
Don Corneo, Hedonist: "Ho, hee!
 What a find!"
The man seems to have picked up some kind of lucky charm.
1. Ask him what it is{Newline}2. Leave him alone
Don Corneo: "Ho, hee! What do you mean!?
 I stole this fair and square!
 Ho, hee! What a fix! I can't deal with this!"
The man ran off, dropping a "Never-Lose Lucky Charm"!
Score ♥♥♥♥♥
"Now what's wrong?
I just drank it all night, and it wasn't before the sun gave it first light.
Anyway, there is no change in going to the Golden Palace?
1. Head straight away{Newline}2. Slowly head down while holding your good
1. Normal Mode{Newline}2. Score Challenge Mode
ED ♥♥♥♥♥
Game ♥♥♥♥♥
Title ♥♥♥♥♥
Life ♥♥♥♥♥
5th ♥♥♥♥♥
6th ♥♥♥♥♥
Final ♥♥♥♥♥
{Delay 02}No matter how alike two people may look on the outside, or how alike their voices might sound 一even if they were parent and child; brother and sister一 no, even if you were to take your own cells and make another self from them, not even then would they be the same.
{Delay 02}For all human lives, similar though they be, are different!
{Delay 02}You yourself are walking down a path that no one else can tread.
{Delay 02}Every event on this road of life, no matter how important or trivial, is yours and yours alone no matter how many centuries and millennia may pass.
{LS}{LS}{LS}{LS}{LS}Nanai Valencia
