Back at the Forester residence, Katie and Sailornyan were getting ready for bed.
"Ahh, what a night!" Katie yawned as she plopped down on her bed, spreading her arms and legs across the mattress for maximum comfort.
"You said it!" Sailornyan agreed while pushing something resembling a tall wheeled hat rack in the corner of Katie's balcony door. "You saved the concert, your friendships, and the secrets of any future victims of Tattlecast all in one night! You should be proud!"
"Oh come on, you know I couldn't've done it without you guys. I don't deserve all the credit."
"Perhaps, but you were the mastermind behind the whole plan, so you do deserve most of it. Especially for the idea of carrying it out secret agent style! That was oodles of fun!"
"For you maybe. I was stressed out the entire time. And I can only hope all those people somehow forget about anything I said while under Tattlecast's control."
"I'm sure as soon as the concert started they forgot who you even were. Concert elation does that to people."
"Also, still feel bad for making Alex cry like that. Even if that was how I felt, Tattlecast made me say it harsher than I intended. Alex may be tough but she's really sensitive too."
"Well now she knows and as a result you two are even closer than before. You can't be afraid to hide your true feelings, Katie. No matter how harsh they may seem."
"I guess." Katie sighed. "And all that money I spent on fan merch for disguises when I could've saved it for candy apples and other sweets as a reward for losing weight. Still, if I want to keep it off it was probably a good thing that I wasn't able to buy them. Gotta watch what I eat at Café la Gomme tomorrow too."
"I've never heard of such a café opening up so soon. Seems rather suspicious." Sailornyan puzzled, now while hanging a pink enclosed cat bed in the shape of a conch shell on one of the rack's hooks, then jumping onto it. "Definitely worth investigating at least."
Katie looked over at Sailornyan sitting on top of her new contraption. "Uh, what is that?"
"Like it? Even though your bed is quite comfortable, I felt like I needed my own sleeping space, so I ordered it from the pet store and with a little DIY I was able to transform it into a hanging bed!"
"Emphasis on "a little" I see." Katie thought to herself while half-grinning with a sweat drop in the corner of her head.
Whisper entered the room with a towel on his shoulders and holding a bottle of water while smiling. His body was no longer burnt and glistened like a shiny new pearl.
"Ah, even though it was freezing cold that felt bath heavenly, whis~." He beamed before drinking from the bottle and floating over to Katie and Sailornyan to flaunt his restored appearance. "My skin is almost back to 100 percent." He then pulled out a bottle of moisturizer from behind him. "All I need is a friendly volunteer to rub this moisturizer on my back."
Silence filled the room.
"Well goodnight." Sailornyan said as she tucked herself away in her bed like a hermit crab.
"Hmph. What say you, Katie?"
"Maybe in the morning, Whisper. I'm really tired." Katie groaned.
"But the sooner we do it the sooner my skin will be back to being flawless."
"Goodnight, Whisper. Get the light, would you?"
Whisper grumbled as he floated towards the light switch. He then looked towards the closet for a few seconds, but after hearing a loud hissing noise he quickly turned off the lights. "Aah! I'm not that desperate, whis~!"
…
The next morning, Katie was putting on her tube socks in preparation to meet her friends at Café la Gomme. "Hey Sailornyan, are you coming with us this time?" she asked while putting on the last sock.
"Of course!" Sailornyan responded. "This mysterious unknown café could pose some sort of danger and I need to be there to protect you just in case."
"But she already has her more than capable temporary Yo-kai butler for that." Whisper proudly stated before teasingly smiling at Sailornyan. "Besides you only want to go to see what kind of desserts they have, don't you?"
Sailornyan blushed "That's not true at all you vexatious blowhard! We don't know anything about this place and neither does the internet according to my findings! We need to approach it with caution and not let our guards down!"
"Sailornyan it's fine if you want to come with us just to enjoy yourself." Katie reassured. "That's why I asked in the first place."
Well that's very considerate of you Katie, but as I said my only intent is to make sure you're protected from danger. We wouldn't want certain, easily distracted scatterbrains to accidentally put you in harm's way."
While she was talking, Whisper was swiping through his Yo-kai Pad. "I'm sorry did you say something, whis~?"
"I rest my case."
Suddenly the podcast notification sound played on the pad causing Whisper to gasp. "Could it be!?" Whisper quickly opened the podcast application. "It is! Tattlecast put out a new update!"
"This early!?" asked Katie.
"Play it already!" demanded Sailornyan.
Whisper hit the play button and the podcast's intro song played.
"Tell tell. (Good morning or whatever time it is when you hear this.)" Tattlecast began, sounding less cheerful than usual. "Tell tell… Tell tell. (Today I have some… News for you.)
Tell tell… Tell tell… Tell tell! (Don't worry The Tattlecast isn't going anywhere, however the content you're used to… Well… Darn it!)" Tattlecast sighed after audibly slamming her fist. "Tell tell. (I'm not going to reveal anyone's secrets anymore.) Tell tell. (Not humans', not Yo-kais', nobody's.)
Tell tell. (That means the secrets of Next HarMEOWny and any other future candidates I may have had in mind will forever remain secret.) Tell tell. (Long story short, I had a misfortune last night that really opened my eyes to see that what I've been doing is wrong.) Tell tell. (If how I felt was how humans felt after I made them reveal their secrets, then it was time to make a change because that wasn't a good feeling at all.)
Tell tell. (I just want you all to know that this was a conscious decision and no one else pressured me into making it.) Tell tell. (We've had fun with this for years now and I hope we can continue to do so with what I have planned for the future, so I'm going to need your support more than ever.) Tell tell. (I understand that this news is quite difficult to take in and some of you might not even want to support little old me anymore after this, thinking that I'm jumping on a bandwagon of some sort and that's totally fine.) Tell tell. (Change is hard.)
Tell tell. (For those who are going to stick around, thank you very much and I want you to write in with some suggestions on topics you'd like to hear me cover.) Tell tell. (For now, I'll be covering news from the world of technology, continuing to provide commentary on Directator's disasterpieces, and continuing to cover non-harmful rumors floating around in the Yo-kai World.) Tell tell! (I'll even be giving free signal boosts to anyone who needs them so write in if you do!) Tell tell! (With your support, we can make this change work for the better!)
Tell tell. (That's all I have for now everyone.) Tell tell. (Thank you all for being such amazing fans, whether you continue to support me or not, and making for this more than just a hobby!) Tell tell! (Until next time, this is Tattlecast signing off!)"
After the podcast ended, the three friends all had smiles on their faces.
"She's right about change being hard, but I have a good feeling that this is going to work out just fine for her." Katie stated.
"Agreed. And we should do our best to help make sure it does too." Sailornyan replied.
"Whis~!"
"Also it was a real smart move of her to keep you anonymous, Katie." Sailornyan acknowledged. "Don't want any crazy fanboys knocking down your door."
Katie giggled. "Right! Anyway, let's go before the queue gets too full!" she said as she ran out of her room and down the stairs.
"Indeed! We didn't wake up 3 hours early for nothing!" Sailornyan agreed.
"I still say we should have camped out. Even if we leave this early, there's still the possibility of the queue being quite lengthy. It is Next HarMEOWny after all, whis~." Whisper explained.
"Like my parents would've let me do something like that!" Katie replied while slipping her on shoes. "Honestly, don't so pessimistic, Whisper."
"I prefer the term, "realistic" thank you."
"Whatever, let's just get out of—eh?" Katie opened the front door to see Goldenyan standing on her porch. "G-Goldenyan?"
"Good morning, Katie. I'm glad to see you're awake." She greeted. "I have something important to tell you."
"Can it wait? I kinda have to go stand in line with my friends at Café la Gomme before the queue gets too full."
"That won't be necessary as Café la Gomme was a complete hoax."
"Huh!? A hoax!? I don't understand. Next HarMEOWny said they were having a handshaking event there today for everyone who attended the concert last night."
"That we did!" confirmed Pandanoko who jumped from behind Goldenyan. He was wearing his sunglasses and red bandana disguise. "But we lied!"
"Pandanoko!?"
"Okay, I'm officially perplexed." Sailornyan said while scratching her head.
"Yeah! What's going on here!?"
Goldenyan pointed to the left of Katie's house. "First, shine the light from your watch in that direction."
Katie walked outside and followed Goldenyan's directions. The watch revealed a large light purple-pink colored box-like creature that had short arms, two eyestalks with swirled pupils, and orange lips with jagged and separated teeth. Inside its mouth was a miniature yellow room with furniture.
"HOLY COW!" marveled Katie.
"MY GOODNESS!" exclaimed Sailornyan.
"IT'S THE SIZE OF A HOUSE, WHIS~!" Whisper shouted while pushing his cheeks together.
"Wha-What Yo-kai is that?" Stuttered Katie.
"I'm looking I'm looking!" Whisper stammered while swiping through the Yo-kai Pad. "Ah yes! That's the Yo-kai Houzzat! This Yo-kai can devour someone's entire memory in one gulp! He mostly haunts grocery and convince stores causing the Yo-kai Incident known as, "Darn it! I knew I should've made a shopping list! Now I've forgotten what I came in here for!", but he can also be found near hospitals and business towers."
"Ho ho! You guys talking about Houzzat?" He asked.
"I… Still don't follow. What's the big idea?" questioned Katie.
"There is a lot to explain but in the interest of time I'll sum it up as best as possible." Goldenyan began. "After making my renovations to Sun Pavilion, I quickly sought out Houzzat to eat the memory of the chef, so he could forget about what happened the week before and the fact that he was planning on closing the restaurant."
"Ho ho! Are you talking about the guy with the big nose and pointy mustache?" asked Houzzat. "His memories tasted like salmon roe… I think."
"He couldn't remember exactly what the restaurant looked like, so he accepted all the changes I made without question. For my final touch, I secretly left him a list of recipes for enhanced versions of his dishes to attract new customers, which in turn would help bring back old ones. Still just to be safe, I used my superior technology to pinpoint the locations of every other customer who ate at the restaurant during the time he revealed his secrets to make Houzzat eat their memories of that as well."
"That's when I ran into them at Mogmog Burgers!" Pandanoko jumped in. "I asked what they were doing and Goldenyan told me everything. I decided I wanted in on this after what you told me about Tattlecast."
"We figured those same people who heard your friends reveal their secrets at Café Shanista would be attending the concert as well, and that Tattlecast would eventually possess you while Pandanoko and the idols were under Horyū's power, both of which happened."
"My, what lucky assumptions." Whisper chimed in.
"So I came up with the idea of the girls hosting a handshaking event at a place called Café la Gomme as an apology for being late to perform." Pandanoko explained. "Goldenyan booked the fake reservation and the girls believed it was real. It didn't feel good lying to them like that, but it was for their own safety."
"Wait, so you and the idols knew Horyū was going to freeze the bus and it wouldn't wear off for three to six hours?" asked Katie.
"Yes and no. You can keep a secret right Katie?"
"Sure."
Pandanoko leaned forward and moved the tip of his tail on the side of his mouth. "It turns out that Fiona and her entire family-line can see Yo-kai without a watch." He said quietly.
"SERIOUSL-" Katie caught herself and began to speak quietly. "Seriously? That's amazing."
"Right? I found this out when she saw stopped a cat Yo-kai with a pompadour from taking unsolicited photos of her."
"Oh Baddinyan." Sailornyan mumbled.
"So I filled her in on the plan and she played along, with the other girls being none the wiser. We agreed that Horyū causing us to delay our performance would feel better than doing it intentionally. Although, Goldenyan forgot to tell me the part where it could have lasted three to six hours, so we were lucky your friends thawed it out in time."
"You're welcome." Sailornyan proudly stated.
"I helped!" Whisper butt in.
"I told you that was Houzzat's fault, Pandanoko." Goldenyan claimed.
"Ho ho! It was just a small nibble. Houzzat was just curious about what a robot's memories tasted like. It was indescribable… I think." He explained.
"And today what everyone thought was Café la Gomme was actually Houzzat under a hologram I created."
"But I thought the event didn't start until noon?" Katie brought up. "It's only 11:15."
Pandanoko chuckled. "Katie. Honey. People camped out overnight and most of them showed up as early as 7 in the morning."
"See? I told you so!" stated Whisper.
"Around 9, everyone who attended the concert had shown up except for you." Goldenyan continued.
"Even Alex and Sarah?" Katie asked before clenching her fist. "I'm gonna have a few choice words for those two."
"That's when Houzzat unleashed his Soultimate Move to give them all slight amnesia before we disappeared without a trace, but don't worry the people and your friends are fine. In fact…" Goldenyan pointed to the right of Katie's house at Alex, Sarah, and Stephen who were making their way up the street.
"Katie!" Alex called out.
Pandanoko quickly jumped into the nearby bushes to avoid being seen.
"Hey guys." Katie greeted unenthusiastically. "What's up?"
"See? I told you she would be upset with us." Sarah said to Alex.
"Well look I'm sorry we ate there without you, but that queue was insane so we couldn't just wait around for you or we'd still be in it." Alex explained. "But not to worry because…" Alex pulled a greasy brown paper bag from behind her back and handed it to Katie. "Your good pal Alex got you a doggy bag!"
"Thanks, you shouldn't have." Katie said with a fake smile.
"I know it's not the chili shrimp like you probably would've ordered, but trust me the gyoza is just as good!"
"Gyoza? From Sun Pavilion, right?"
"Yep! Best gyoza in town ever since they opened up again!"
"Yes, the quality has increased tenfold since the last time I ate there." Stephen agreed. "I don't just mean the food either! The décor and overall atmosphere of the restaurant feels so authentic that you'd think you were actually eating in China, from the porcelain antique vases to the expertly woven tapestry hung around the walls. Had it not been for Alex insisting I'd join her and Sarah after running into them while grocery shopping, I never would've given it another chance."
"Alex even treated him to lunch." Smiled Sarah. "I was surprised."
"Yeah after last night I feel really generous today for some reason." Puzzled Alex. "I just can't figure out exactly why."
"They don't remember the concert?" Katie thought to herself while looking worried. "Houzzat must've eaten that memory too. Oh well."
"Katie are you okay?" asked Sarah.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine! Thanks for the gyoza, Alex."
"You're welcome, but I can tell by the look on your face that you're not fine." Observed Alex. "Hey, how about you come to dinner at my place tonight? We're having baked tonkatsu! That should make up for eating at Sun Pavilion without you, no?"
"Oh sure, but I'm telling you I'm fi-"
"In fact, why don't you all come? I'm sure we'll have more than enough!"
"Thanks Alex, but I promised my mom I'd help her with our dinner tonight." Sarah declined.
"My parents are a bit strict about me going to others' houses on such short notice." Stephen replied. "Plus, I have to study for the upcoming kanji test."
"Well more for us then, Katie!" Alex smiled with her eyes closed. "See ya at 6! Don't be late or I'll eat your plate!"
"O…Kay." Katie replied, looking confused.
"You'll love it, trust me! I gotta go tell the folks we're having a guest for dinner, so I'll see you two tomorrow!" Alex announced to Sarah and Stephen as she began to run off. The two bid her farewell as well.
"I suppose I should take my leave as well." Decided Stephen. "I need to get these groceries home and get back to studying. Many thanks for allowing me to join you and Alex for lunch, Sarah. I know we normally run in different circles, but I really enjoyed spending time with the both of you."
"Not a problem, Stephen! We should do it more often!" beamed Sarah.
Stephen nodded before waving and walking off. "Well, I shall see you both tomorrow. Goodbye!" Sarah and Katie waved back.
"Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into Alex lately, but I like this giving side of her. Normally she'd never invite someone like Stephen to lunch or even buy someone else food like that. You didn't say anything to her did you, Katie?"
"Nope! Not as far as I know ehehehe!" nervously laughed Katie.
"Well I just hope she doesn't go overboard with it." Sarah then giggled. "Like that would ever happen! Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, Katie!"
"Bye Sarah!"
After Sarah walked off, Pandanoko jumped out of the bushes. "So you see, Katie? Your friends are okay!"
"Yeah but they don't remember anything about the concert last night." She replied before thinking about it a little more. "I guess in hindsight that's actually a good thing. And Alex's become more generous without remembering that I hurt her feelings."
"Therefore, this mission was a complete success." Goldenyan proclaimed while giving a thumbs up.
"Thanks for everything you did, Katie." Said Pandanoko. "You've done the girls and I a great service."
"Not a problem Pandy!" smiled Katie. "Thank you and Goldenyan too!" Katie then turned around to face Houzzat. "Oh! And you too Houzzat!"
"Ho ho! It was no problem… I think." He replied. "Anyway, you're nice. So are your friends. Can Houzzat be your friend too?"
"Sure!"
"Ho ho! Excellent!" Houzzat began to glow as his medal materialized and fell towards Katie who caught it. The medal depicted him struggling to remember something.
"Nice! Another medal!"
"You're making a lot of friends lately, whis~!" Pointed out Whisper.
"Well I better get going." Said Pandanoko. "The girls and I need to hit the road. Fiona wanted to meet you since you both can see Yo-kai, but she was too busy. Maybe one day you two will run into each other."
"Yeah that'd be awesome!" exclaimed Katie.
Pandanoko nodded and began to slither away. "Arrivederci!" He said while waving with his tail."
"Bye Pandy!"
Goldenyan then opened a portal to the future under her feet and sank into it. "I'LL BE BACK."
"So, I guess you'll be leaving too Houzzat?" asked Katie.
"Ho ho! Yeah! It's time for me to go home." He replied. "It was nice meeting you… Whoever you are."
"Same… Even though I know who you are teehee."
"Sure thing!"
Houzzat sat still for a minute without moving.
"So… Are you going to go?"
"Go where?"
"Home! You said you were going home!"
"I did? Ho ho! I guess I'd better go then!"
Houzzat sat there for another minute without moving.
"You don't know where you live do you?" asked Sailornyan.
"Ho ho! Nope!"
All three friends fell on the ground after hearing that.
"I have a feeling being his friend is going to be troublesome." Whisper groaned.
"Ho ho! Who are you people? Where is Houzzat?"
That evening, Houzzat was gone by the time Katie left home to go eat dinner at Alex's house. Where did he go? Well, that, no one knows.
"Hey Whisper, do you have the feeling we've forgotten something?" asked Katie.
"Yeah it certainly feels that way, but I can't put my finger on what it is, whis~." Whisper replied. "Eh. If we can't remember, then it's probably not that important!"
"Right!"
In Breezy Hills, Horyū was lying on the ground near the waste bin he threw up in the night before, with his stomach rumbling out of hunger. "Mmm. What a draaag."