Datasets:

KaraKaraWitch

/

AnimeSubtitle

like 2

Andou: "Tomoyo..." Kudou: "You showed it to me!" Hatoko: "What? What happened?" Sayumi: "You stopped time and transported us all out of the club room, didn't you?" Tomoyo: "Thanks to Andou's directions." Andou: "After we fought Kudou-san last time, I went through daily simulations of what to do if we ever faced an opponent with the same power." Sayumi: "I'd like to ask why you did something so stupid..." Sayumi: "But this time, your extraordinary chuunibyou saved us." Tomoyo: "It's raining." Sayumi: "Let's relocate for the moment." Tomoyo: "You know, given our situation, aren't we taking this a bit lightly?" Andou: "But she isn't likely to find us here from the outside." Sayumi: "We can't help it. First, we should calm down, and then sort through and get a grasp on what's happening." Tomoyo: "R-Right..." Sayumi: "I don't know why Kudou-san decided to attack us," Sayumi: "but right now, I think it's best that we stick together and avoid splitting up." Hatoko: "Kudou-san was serious, wasn't she?" Hatoko: "She was genuinely trying to..." Sayumi: "But I wonder if that was really Kudou-san." Tomoyo: "What do you mean?" Sayumi: "I know she looked like Kudou-san, but it felt as though she were a different person." Chifuyu: "Then that Kudou was a fake?" Andou: "Her appearance and power were both Kudou-san's, but her personality seemed different." Andou: "Wouldn't this kind of pattern mean someone is manipulating or possessing Kudou-san?" Sayumi: "You mean another power-user is involved?" Andou: "Shall we find out?" Hatoko: "Find out?" Tomoyo: "How?" Andou: "Ask her directly." All: "Huh?" Andou: "Is this Kudou-san?" Kudou: "Andou Jurai?" Andou: "First, let me confirm one thing." Andou: "Is Kudou-san safe?" Kudou: "I'm Kudou, aren't I?" Andou: "I'm referring to the real Kudou-san." Kudou: "No comment." Andou: "Who are you? Why did you attack us?" Kudou: "No comment." Andou: "I understand. Then I guess we won't get anywhere over the phone. Would you like to meet in person to talk? Meet us one hour from now in the literature club room." Kudou: "Very well." Kudou: "Are they idiots, calling me out to see them?" Sagami: "Well, none of them know anything about the Fairy War, after all." Sagami: "They probably don't get what's going on yet." Kudou: "What kind of people are they, possessing powers without knowing anything about the war?" Sagami: "Who knows? I'm not sure of the details, either." Kudou: "Oh, well... It saves us the effort of looking for them, and this time, I'll put all of them down." Kudou: "You meant that promise you made, right?" Sagami: "Of course I did. Their powers are immense." Sagami: "They're on the level of cheating, even compared to those in the war. If you defeat Team Andou by yourself, no one will complain about your officially joining our side, even though you're a remnant of F." Kudou: "That's cheap logic, but I guess I have no choice but to trust you." Sagami: "Trust me! I'll keep an eye on your real body, Hagiura-san." Sagami: "Wait... Or do you think I'll do something strange to you while you're out?" Sagami: "Come on, I'm kidding!" Kudou: "I'm going." Sagami: "I'm not interested in grannies, you know." Tomoyo: "What are you thinking? Going to see her? Are you an idiot?!" Sayumi: "What do you intend to do?" Andou: "It looks like it's a possession power." Tomoyo: "Andou!" Andou: "I have a strategy." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Sayumi: "A strategy?" Andou: "Sayumi-san," Tomoyo: ""That"? You mean..." Tomoyo: "No! Absolutely not!" Tomoyo: "That's too dangerous! You even promised you wouldn't use it again!" Andou: "But there's no other way." Andou: "We can't fight Kudou-san's power using ordinary means. I know this might be reckless, but as far as I can tell, it's the best way." Andou: "Do you have any better ideas?" Sayumi: "I can't think of anyone else here who can fight her with their powers." Chifuyu: "All right." Chifuyu: "I'll help you, Andou." Kudou: "Where are your friends?" Andou: "They aren't coming. It's only me." Andou: "Can we talk this out first? To begin with, we have no intention of fighting anyone. In fact, as people facing the same challenges, we could even help each other..." Kudou: "Stop spewing nonsense. This is a war." Andou: "War?" Kudou: "Why don't you call your friends right away? If you don't, my next blow really will crush you." Andou: "You know something, don't you?" Kudou: "Well, I probably know more than you do... Though there's no need for you to know, since you'll all be falling here." Kudou: "Call your friends." Kudou: "It's better to die with friends than alone, right?" Andou: "You know I can't call them. I don't know why you haven't killed me yet, but the fact that you haven't suggests that killing only me won't do you any good. I already told the others to hide themselves if they can't get in touch with me again. So if you kill me, you'll lose your only lead and won't be able to fulfill your objective." Andou: "If I don't call them, my chances of survival are higher, aren't they?" Kudou: "Hmm, you think so?" Kudou: "Takanashi Sayumi, was it? The girl with the healing powers." Kudou: "I'll send her this picture." Kudou: "Do you think she could abandon you?" Andou: "She could! I told Sayumi-san not to come, no matter what happens." Kudou: "Well, let's find out." Kudou: "You're a fool, too. If you'd only listened to me instead of being stubborn, you wouldn't have to suffer so much." Andou: "I'd be a fool to let myself get killed easily." Kudou: "You guys really don't know anything, do you? If you die in this war, you actually... Huh?" Andou: "It's just about ready." Kudou: "What?" Andou: "It's just about ready to awaken to stage two." Kudou: "Are you trying to threaten me? I know that your power is completely useless!" Andou: "You know nothing!" Kudou: "Huh?" Andou: "When the main character's power starts off completely useless..." Kudou: "M-Main character?" Andou: "...it awakens into the strongest power of all. That's the orthodox pattern, you know!" Kudou: "Huh?" Andou: "The gates of Hell are now opening. Inferno Gate:" Andou: "Maximum!" Kudou: "Ah! It's hot?!" Andou: "Take this!" Kudou: "However..." Kudou: "My hand! My hand!" Andou: "That's right! A dark flame whose scalding heart burns even its user. That is Dark and Dark of the End!" Kudou: "I never heard about this. What kind of useless power is this? It's even more useless than before! And why can't I put it out?" Andou: "It's impossible! Not even the wielder can snuff those flames!" Andou: "I've attempted it before. There is nothing you can do to extinguish those flames!" Andou: "I'll show you now. Dark And Dark of the End!" All: "Whoa!" Hatoko: "Ju-kun?" Tomoyo: "Andou!" Sayumi: "Andou-kun, hurry up and stop it!" Andou: "I-I can't... I can't stop it!" Tomoyo: "Hatoko," Tomoyo: "freeze Andou's hand!" Hatoko: "All right!" Andou: "It's not working!" Hatoko: "No way! Why not?" Tomoyo: "Andou!" Sayumi: "Chifuyu-san, do you know what a guillotine is?" Chifuyu: "Yes, I do." Sayumi: "Chifuyu-san, add a gate, too." Sayumi: "Ready, Andou-kun? Andou-kun," Andou: "Okay." Andou: "Yes... Once these forbidden flames begin to burn, they will burn for eternity. Just as you see!" Kudou: "Don't be ridiculous! Who needs a power like that?!" Kudou: "Why can't I put it out?" Andou: "I told you that it can't be put out." Kudou: "D-Do something about this!" Kudou: "You'll die, as well!" Andou: "Undo your possession. If you return to your original body, you'll be spared, right?" Kudou: "No! I can't defeat you all without her power!" Andou: "Then you'll burn to death here?" Kudou: "Huh? A-Andou?" Andou: "Tomoyo!" Andou: "It's okay!" Andou: "Trust me." Kudou: "Andou?" Andou: "Kudou-san, return Chifuyu-chan's power to her!" Kudou: "Huh?" Andou: "Hurry!" Kudou: "Okay!" Hagiura: "What's with him?! That's completely preposterous!" Sagami: "Now, now..." Sagami: "The fearsomeness of a beginner?" Hagiura: "Beginner's luck won't happen twice. Next time, I'll end it for sure!" Sagami: "Well, the situation's changed..." Hagiura: "Huh?" Hagiura: "You're..." Kiryuu: "Watch it." Kiryuu: "I'm Kiryuu Heldkaiser Luci First." Hagiura: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "I think your fooling around went a bit too far this time." Sagami: "But it was a much better show than the last..." Sagami: "Right?" Kiryuu: "Listen." Kiryuu: "Never lay a hand on Virgin Child again." Sagami: "Yes, yes." Kiryuu: "It's best to save the fun for last, right?" Kudou: "I see. Then that unfamiliar woman who visited me must have taken possession of my body." Sayumi: "So it would seem." Kudou: "Still, if I slept for two days because of that, I suppose I have a long way to go as a power-user." Sayumi: "I'm sorry. We used a fairly forceful measure." Kudou: "You saved me. I'm nothing but grateful." Kudou: "Thank you, really." Sayumi: "If you want to thank anyone, thank Andou-kun. He's the one who worked the hardest." Kudou: "I-I see." Kudou: "But why did Andou go so far to save me?" Kudou: "Why would he risk such danger?" Sayumi: "Andou-kun considers all of us with powers, including you, his friends." Sayumi: "And Andou-kun could never abandon a friend." Sayumi: "Sometimes, I think that sentiment of his has grown too strong. In those times, it feels as though there's another Andou-kun I don't know inside him." Sayumi: "The plan Andou-kun devised was positively reckless. Yet I couldn't even object to his plan. I thought Andou-kun could pull it off." Sayumi: "It might have resulted in something that could have never been undone." Sayumi: "I can't say it was a very logical judgment. However, if the same decision were forced upon us again, I think I would still support Andou-kun's plan." Kudou: "I understand. I guess even the perfectionist, Takanashi-san, has a surprisingly foolish side, too." Sayumi: "I guess so." Kudou: "Well, I have no right to talk about someone else." Kudou: "Since we both fell in love with someone so troublesome." Sayumi: "You said it." Tomoyo: "Even though that book is a light novel, it's basically slice-of-life. So I think it's pretty interesting, even if it's read as a normal romance. At the very least, it should be easier to read than the ones Andou chooses." Hatoko: "Yeah, it sounded interesting just from reading the summary." Hatoko: "I'm excited to read it. Thanks." Hatoko: "Sorry for dragging you along to shop with me." Tomoyo: "No, ask as much as you'd like. Sometimes, it's nice to go with someone, and I've only gone with Andou before..." Tomoyo: "Ah... But I've still only gone with Andou once." Hatoko: "I think I saw you both that day." Hatoko: "You two seem really natural together. It just looks right." Tomoyo: "R-Really? I don't think that's true... It feels like we fight all the time." Hatoko: "You get along so well, you can fight." Hatoko: "I think I probably panicked when I saw you two like that." Hatoko: "It felt like Ju-kun was going to go away and leave me behind." Tomoyo: "No way!" Tomoyo: "I really think you're special to Andou." Hatoko: "Yeah." Hatoko: "And I probably want Ju-kun to love me, too. But I think I might also want things to stay the same just as much, if not more." Tomoyo: "All outcomes are predetermined, huh?" Hatoko: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "It's something someone once told me long ago." Kiryuu: "The outcome is already there, and after the fact, people seek a process they can accept to explain it." Kiryuu: "That's the truth behind this world." Tomoyo: "At the time, I had no idea what he meant," Tomoyo: "but now I think I understand it a bit." Tomoyo: "I couldn't answer your question before, Hatoko." Tomoyo: "I love Andou." Hatoko: "Yeah, I knew." Tomoyo: "Yeah." Hatoko: "Tomoyo-chan, you know about special readings, right?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Hatoko: "The example Ju-kun taught me as the easiest one to understand was to write "friend" and read it as "rival."" Tomoyo: "Yeah." Hatoko: "In the end, I couldn't even understand that basic example very well." Hatoko: "But now I think I understand it a bit." Tomoyo: "Yeah." Hatoko: "I won't lose, Tomoyo-chan." Tomoyo: "Yeah. I won't lose, either." Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, there's still plenty of time before we agreed to meet. It's fine since I'm here early, too, but you'd get sunburned if you'd waited there the whole time." Chifuyu: "I'm surprisingly tough. I'd be fine. Besides..." Andou: "Besides?" Chifuyu: "You came." Andou: "Okay." Andou: "But from now on, at least wait in the shade, okay?" Andou: "Hey, Chifuyu-chan..." Chifuyu: "What?" Andou: "Frankly, I'm a bit conflicted. If you stay with us, scary things might happen to you again." Andou: "But I can't just leave you alone, either. I want you to stay with us as much as possible." Andou: "What do you think?" Chifuyu: "I'll stay with you." Chifuyu: "That's my duty." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Because I'm going to protect you." Andou: "Thank you, Chifuyu-chan!" Andou: "But promise me one thing." Chifuyu: "What?" Andou: "Even if you're trying to protect someone, you must never use your power to hurt others." Chifuyu: "Even if it's to protect someone?" Andou: "Yes." Chifuyu: "Okay. If you say so, then I won't." Andou: "It's my belief that powers aren't meant to hurt people." Andou: "Nor are they meant to make others happy." Chifuyu: "Then what?" Andou: "Purgatorial hellfire dancing in the abyss, distorting black flame in turbid crimson darkness, the light that leads to madness, screams, and destruction," Andou: "Superpowers are the coolest thing ever! And cool is all they need to be." Chifuyu: "Yeah!" Tomoyo: "What are you doing, Andou? Jeez, quit doing stupid things in the middle of town like this. You're embarrassing me, too." Andou: "What are you saying? You and I are both on the same side!" Tomoyo: "D-Don't be stupid! I'm completely different!" Andou: "Be honest with yourself, Tomoyo. Let yourself out more." Tomoyo: "You're letting too much out!" Andou: "Exactly! Because there's no shame at all in displaying myself before the world." Tomoyo: "We might have special powers that normal students don't, No, have some shame! Seriously!" Tomoyo: "but everyone has something that's a bit different from others, right? But we still worry, get angry, and laugh like normal, and spend similar yet slightly different days together." Tomoyo: "Where will we be five or ten years from now?" Tomoyo: "No one knows. All we know right now, all we can see right now, is what's right in front of us."

Andou: "Listen up, everyone! What matters most is your own feelings. Nicknames and aliases don't have rules! You're free to choose what you like. Free!" Andou: "Hey, Kanzaki! Are you even interested in doing this?" Tomoyo: "No. Of course I'm not." Tomoyo: "Why do we all have to take part in a boring event like thinking up nicknames?" Andou: "You fool! Because we all agreed to do it together!" Tomoyo: "What do you mean by "we all agreed"? You just tempted Chifuyu-chan to your side, and created a situation where none of us could refuse." Andou: "Hmph... Regardless of my methods, what's decided is decided. And if you're going to do something, you should give it your all!" Hatoko: "In any case, Chifuyu-chan seems to be having fun." Chifuyu: "Yeah, this is pretty fun..." Sayumi: "Once you try it, it's kind of interesting." Tomoyo: "Fine. Since arguing any further with Andou won't help, I'll give it some thought." Andou: "So long as you understand. Now then, Hatoko, are you finished with yours?" Hatoko: "I have confidence in this one. Ta-da! Red Hatoko!" Hatoko: "Huh? Just adding a color in front isn't enough?" Andou: "No, using a color for the first word is orthodox," Andou: "but yours is too straightforward." Hatoko: "Then... Blue Hatoko!" Andou: "That's the same!" Hatoko: "What? But all my top ten are colors." Andou: "Are you a colored pencil?!" Hatoko: "That comeback analogy wasn't very clever." Andou: "You're strict on jokes, aren't you?" Hatoko: "Oh, I thought of a good one!" Hatoko: "Play-Along Straight Man Hatoko!" Andou: "I don't think you could pull off being a play-along straight man." Hatoko: "Huh? That's not true! I can do it! Wait, of course I can't!" Hatoko: "Then my nickname will be Play-Along Straight Man Hatoko!" Andou: "Uh... Sure, why not? You seem to be enjoying it." Andou: "Oh, looks like you're also done, Sayumi-san." Sayumi: "I'm not very confident, but..." Sayumi: "Konayukihime." Andou: "I get it! It's a play on words with "Shirayukihime."" Sayumi: "Or I could leave it as is, and go with "Snow White."" Andou: "So your pattern is to apply different readings to the kanji!" Sayumi: "Iron Maiden. Sleeping Beauty. This might fit Chifuyu-chan more than me, huh?" Andou: "True." Sayumi: "Senran no Utahime." Andou: "Nice! They're all great!" Sayumi: "Thank you very much." Andou: "It's impressive that you've already mastered the main points. By the way, Sayumi-san, you usually seem pretty mature, so I thought you'd use terms like "Witch" or "Queen." It's surprising that you picked all cute ones." Sayumi: "C-Cute?" Andou: "Are you the type that admires princesses and such? Huh?" Andou: "Sayumi-san, where are you going?" Sayumi: "The bathroom." Andou: "Huh? What?" Tomoyo: "You tripped a land mine." Andou: "Huh? Where?" Hatoko: "You've done it now, Ju-kun." Andou: "Seriously?!" Andou: "Um..." Chifuyu: "I'm done, too." Andou: "Ah, yes, yes! Then, next is Chifuyu-chan!" Chifuyu: "Mikan." Chifuyu: "How is it, Andou?" Andou: "Hmm... I don't think it's quite right." Chifuyu: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Andou, you said we were free to choose." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "You said we were free to choose." Andou: "Ah, um..." Andou: ""Mikan" is great!" Chifuyu: "Mikan Mikan!" Andou: "Why do you say it twice?" Chifuyu: "I'm imitating your "Dark and Dark."" Andou: "Oh, okay... Did you have any ideas other than "Mikan"?" Chifuyu: "I do." Chifuyu: "Father." Andou: "That looks like a complicated family..." Chifuyu: "Demon Lady." Andou: "What happened between you and your mother in the past?" Chifuyu: "Adulterer." Andou: "I'm sure that's not true! His work just ran late!" Chifuyu: "Homewrecker." Andou: "I'm sure she's just a coworker! Try to trust your father!" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, that's enough with the family ideas. Let's pick the one you like most." Chifuyu: "This one. "Pineapple."" Chifuyu: "I love the pineapple in sweet and sour pork." Andou: "I see." Chifuyu: "From now on, call me "Pineapple."" Andou: "Right... Sure." Tomoyo: "Okay, I thought of one." Andou: "O-Oh... Okay." Tomoyo: "Endless Paradox." Tomoyo: "I-I just tried to think of something good, okay? I used your lecture as reference to come up with a chuuni one you might like. That's all." Andou: "You win!" Tomoyo: "I win?" Andou: "I have nothing more to teach you. You have my blessing." Tomoyo: "I don't need your blessing!" Andou: "Master!" Tomoyo: "Don't call me "Master"!" Andou: "Master!" Tomoyo: "Don't give it another reading!" Andou: "Okay, a round of applause, everyone." Kudou: "Pardon me." Kudou: "I see your club's as loud as ever... I could hear you from all the way outside. Tone it down." Sayumi: "My, Kudou-san... You came all the way out here just to warn us?" Kudou: "No." Andou: "Huh? Me?" Kudou: "Andou Jurai, allow me to answer your letter..." Kudou: "To answer your love letter, here and now!" Andou: "Huh?" Kudou: "I love you, too! Let's go out!" Andou: "Um... Kudou-san, what do you mean by that?" Kudou: "Didn't you hear me?" Kudou: "though it's slightly embarrassing." Kudou: "I love you, too! Let's go out!" Tomoyo: "Hold on a minute!" Tomoyo: "What are you doing, all of a sudden? Wh-Why would you c-confess to this idiot? What are you thinking?!" Andou: "Hmm, Kanzaki Tomoyo..." Andou: "By any chance, do you love Andou?" Tomoyo: "H-Huh? N-No way. I'd rather turn into a lesbian than fall in love with a dark past personified, like him." Kudou: "I see." Kudou: "Outsiders should butt out." Tomoyo: "Andou! What's going on here? Kudou-san just said something about a love letter, but don't tell me you—" Andou: "No, no... I don't know what's going on, either!" Kudou: "Why are you lying, Andou? I found the letter from you in my shoe locker." Tomoyo: "See? See? See? See? See? See? See?" Andou: "What? You thought it was a love letter? I-It wasn't!" Kudou: "What are you saying? How is this not a love letter?" Andou: "How is that a love letter?" Tomoyo: ""Kudou Mirei-dono, In our last battle, I tasted more than enough of your power. Thy power has pierced mine heart! Therefore, I bestow thy sinful title upon thee: Grateful Lover. — The Conqueror of Chaos, Guiltia Sin Jurai, AKA Andou Jurai."" Tomoyo: "Andou, I think I can imagine, but what did you mean?" Andou: "I was trying to let Kudou-san know, by letter, the name I devised for her power." Tomoyo: "Right, that's what I thought. Kudou-san, how did you interpret this letter?" Kudou: "How? No matter how you read it, this is a love letter. If you analyze this difficult wording one line at a time, it can be read, "Please go out with me. I fell in love with you at first sight." "Thy power hath pierced mine heart" is brilliant! It's such a straightforward expression of love. And "Grateful Lover" written with the kanji for "Greed" clinches it. He calls me "lover," as in the one he loves." Tomoyo: "Yes, that's what I don't get, Andou." Kudou: "I, Kudou Mirei, was touched!" Tomoyo: "I can understand the "Greed" part, but you made the reading "Grateful Lover"?" Kudou: "Writing it entirely with archaic expressions" Tomoyo: "Why someone in love?" Kudou: "to hide his embarrassment..." Andou: "That's not it." Kudou: "And trying to further obscure it" Andou: "It's not "Lover," or someone in love. It's "Robber," someone who steals." Kudou: "with a strange name makes him so cute! Well, I don't mind that myself." Tomoyo: "Then why not use a normal term like "Hunter" or "Thief"?" Kudou: "In fact, it'd be more accurate to say "I like it" than "I don't dislike it."" Andou: "Well, I had a good reason..." Kudou: "But, well, if you really wanted, maybe I could say it once..." Andou: "Um, Kudou-san?" Kudou: "Hmm? Oh, Andou..." Andou: "What?!" Kudou: "In fact, you just have to call me "Mirei."" Andou: "Mi... Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi..." Kudou: "And I'd like to call you "darling." Is that okay?" Tomoyo: "Hatoko! Hatoko, say something!" Hatoko: "Huh? Since the student council president took the time to visit us," Chifuyu: "No! No, no, no, no, no!" Kudou: "Hmm? You're Satomi-sensei's niece..." Chifuyu: "No, no! I won't hand over Andou!" Kudou: "I'm not trying to..." Chifuyu: ""No" means "no"! No!" Tomoyo: "A-Anyway, Kudou-san..." Tomoyo: "If you start dating this dark past personified," Kudou: "Hmm, you've been arguing with me since the very beginning. Do you regard me as an enemy because my breasts are bigger?" Kudou: "If that's the case, I can only say you're too shallow. Does a woman's caliber grow smaller with her breast size?" Tomoyo: "Wha— Huh?" Kudou: "From what I see," Kudou: "yours are small, even among the literature club's small-breasted members. Though they're larger than Chifuyu-chan's, just barely." Tomoyo: "J-Just barely?" Kudou: "I don't know how having small breasts feels, but don't let it bother you. A woman is worth more than her breast size. So don't pay it any attention." Tomoyo: "Be sealed within a gap in time, and continue to roam there for eternity!" Kudou: "Naïve!" Kudou: "You were careless, Kanzaki Tomoyo. Your power to stop time now belongs to me." Andou: "Um, Kudou-san..." Andou: "Closed Clock is a power that belongs with Tomoyo. Kudou-san? Oh! M-Mirei?" Kudou: "Yes! If you say so, I will, darling! I will! Goodness, you should be grateful to the generosity of my darling." Kudou: "Take that!" Andou: "Both of you, calm down!" Sayumi: "This is a rather amusi— troubling situation." Studenta: "Let's get something to eat." Studentb: "Why is the student council president here?" Kudou: "Oh, darling!" Kudou: "I came to visit." Kudou: "Darling, are you heading to your club?" Andou: "Y-Yes, I am..." Kudou: "Oh, okay! I was thinking we could start going home together. But unfortunately, I have student council work, too, so we can't. I also have to make up for skipping yesterday." Andou: "That's too bad." Kudou: "Right! Let's go to the literature club room together! After I see you to your club room, I'll head to the student council room." Andou: "Won't that just be extra work for you?" Kudou: "I want to spend as much time together as we can... I shouldn't?" Andou: "No, it's not that you shouldn't..." Kudou: "Great!" Kudou: "Oh, right, darling... Could you give me your e-mail address? I meant to ask yesterday, but there were so many interruptions." Andou: "Oh, sure..." Kudou: "This is my address." Andou: ""mirei_jurai_foreverlove"..." Kudou: "I was thinking about you so much last night, I couldn't sleep. So I changed it!" Kudou: "Oh, I see. You're so happy, you're speechless." Kudou: "Well, darling, good luck in your club today. I know there are lots of cute girls in the literature club, but you mustn't cheat, okay?" Andou: "Right..." Kudou: "Then, see you tomorrow." Kudou: "I'll e-mail you tonight!" Andou: "Seriously, what am I going to do?" Andou: "Wh-What? What's wrong with you all?" Everyone: "Nothing." Andou: "H-Hey... Tomoyo, did something happen?" Tomoyo: "Who knows? Why don't you ask yourself?" Andou: "Okay, um..." Andou: "Hey, other me! Can you tell me? Can you answer me? What am I, really?" Tomoyo: "Who told you to talk to your inner self?" Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "You came to our club room with Kudou-san just now. It's pretty unpleasant to watch you flirting together in public like that." Andou: "We weren't flirting!" Tomoyo: "And you don't seem that displeased about it! Kudou-san is pretty and has a nice body." Andou: "Wait, are you jealous?" Tomoyo: "H-Huh?" Andou: "Oh, not of Kudou-san. Of couples in general. People who are single tend to be jealous of couples." Tomoyo: "Huh? That's what you meant?" Andou: "What did you think I meant?" Tomoyo: "I-I don't know!" Andou: "I don't get it..." Andou: "Oh, Hatoko, can I also have some tea?" Andou: "H-Hey..." Andou: "Why do you keep saying "silent" out loud?" Hatoko: "I, Kushikawa Hatoko, am presently ignoring Ju-kun. So please don't speak to me." Andou: "But, Hatoko..." Hatoko: "Presently ignoring... Please don't speak to me." Andou: "But you can't ignore me if I don't speak to you." Hatoko: "Huh? What do you mean?" Andou: "Ignoring someone is only possible if they try to speak to you first, and you pay them no attention." Hatoko: "Huh? Huh? Then, what do I need to do to ignore you correctly, Ju-kun?" Andou: "Why are you asking me? Think it over yourself." Hatoko: "Huh? Huh? Hmm, all right. I'll think about it." Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, are you upset, too?" Chifuyu: "Chifuyu-han is not talking to An-san today. So today, on behalf of Chifuyu-han, Lissun will respond to An-san." Andou: "Ch-Chifuyu-chan?" Chifuyu: "Just so you know, you shouldn't underestimate Chifuyu-han just because she's a kid." Chifuyu: "Give it back... Andou, give Lissun back. We both know what it means for a man and a woman to da— Andou! Lissun! Would you cut it out? I'll beat you into a pulp!" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, you messed up. You messed up." Chifuyu: "Hatoko, Andou's being mean..." Hatoko: "Then, Chifuyu-chan, let's ignore Ju-kun together." Chifuyu: "Yes. I'll ignore Andou." Hatoko: "That's right, just ignore Ju-kun!" Andou: "Um, Sayumi-sa—" Sayumi: "Die. Oh, my mistake. Good day, Andou-kun." Andou: "No, no, no... How in the heck does "die" come out as a greeting by mistake?" Sayumi: "My, you're right." Sayumi: "Allow me to restate it." Sayumi: "Why do you continue to exist, Andou-kun?" Andou: "This isn't like you, Sayumi-san. You aren't the type to use such easy, direct insults." Sayumi: "Well, it makes me want to bully you a bit" Sayumi: "when you act like you're trying to show off your lovey-dovey mood." Andou: "Kudou-san's doing that on her own..." Sayumi: "I know that." Sayumi: "But we don't like it, and that's that." Sayumi: "We need to do something about it soon. I never thought Kudou-san would be the type to lose herself that much over love." Andou: "You're right." Sayumi: "Anyway, let's devise some kind of plan. This problem is beyond what Andou-kun can handle by himse—" Andou: "No." Andou: "I'll settle it myself." Andou: "After all, I sowed the seeds for this." Andou: "I'm really sorry." Kudou: "Uh, you mean..." Kudou: "The letter you sent me wasn't a love letter?" Andou: "Yes." Kudou: ""Grateful Lover" was a name for my power, and you meant to put "Robber," not "Lover"?" Andou: "Yes." Kudou: "So it was only a coincidence, not something you'd planned?" Andou: "I'm sorry. I lied because I wanted to look cool." Kudou: "Th-Then you didn't send that letter because you wanted to go out with me?" Andou: "I did not. I'm sorry for sending a letter that made you misunderstand." Kudou: "And the e-mail address..." Andou: "I'm truly sorry!" Kudou: "Raise your head, Andou. A man shouldn't bow his head so easily." Kudou: "So that's it... After hearing it, I suppose it's ultimately my fault for misunderstanding," Kudou: "I should apologize for troubling you." Kudou: "And I'm really not bothered at all. I'm not hurt over it or anything." Kudou: "So having you apologize this way just makes it harder for me... I mean, from the start, I never liked you that much, either. I just thought I'd try going out with you since you confessed to me." Andou: "I'm sorry for doing something misleading." Kudou: "You don't have to apologize." Kudou: "It isn't as though..." Kudou: "I'm hurt at all! Apologizing so many times like that makes it seem like I am," Kudou: "Oh, right... My curry asked me to buy ingredients to make mother, so I should hurry home. Meat and snakes... Dried tofu, meat, and onions," Andou: "Kudou-san..." Tomoyo: "You made a woman cry." Tomoyo: "Well, this was for the best, right? If you'd let it go any longer, Kudou-san would've just added more to your dark past, so you were right to clear it up while the wound would still be shallow." Andou: "I hope you're right..." Tomoyo: "Although you started it all," Tomoyo: "So you don't need to beat yourself up that much for it." Andou: "What? Are you trying to cheer me up?" Tomoyo: "Wha— N-No!" Andou: "I'm not beating myself up that much. I just, as a man, feel pathetic for hurting a woman." Tomoyo: "That's what people call "beating yourself up."" Tomoyo: "Hey..." Andou: "Why?" Tomoyo: "For the name of Kudou-san's power..." Andou: "Oh, that? Promise not to laugh?" Tomoyo: "What? If it's a funny reason, I'm going to laugh." Andou: "I wanted the character count to match." Tomoyo: "The character count?" Andou: "All the names of our powers" Tomoyo: "Yeah." Andou: "And I made the readings' character counts match. Did you notice?" Tomoyo: "I did notice, but wasn't that only because you wanted them to look good listed next to one another? I thought your chuunibyou was just making you worry about silly details." Andou: "The main reason" Tomoyo: "Unity?" Andou: "The kanji count in names of powers is often unified in media..." Andou: "But not many works unify the character counts of their readings. I wanted us tied together more strongly than any other party in the world. And I felt we had to be." Tomoyo: "I get it..." Andou: "We were a group of five," Andou: "The hurdles we overcame together... She had to conquer them all by herself." Andou: "So I wanted her power name, at least, to match ours." Andou: "To show that she was one of our friends, too." Tomoyo: "That isn't true." Tomoyo: "Your chuuni letter may have caused a misunderstanding with Kudou-san... But I think about a tenth of your deeper feelings" Andou: "You think so?" Tomoyo: "I do." Tomoyo: "A-Anyway... If you've learned anything from this, restrain your chuuni a little! Better yet, why not graduate from it?" Andou: "Don't call me "Chuuni"! Hmph! No matter how much this world may change," Andou: "I shall always remain myself." Tomoyo: "Yeah, yeah." Andou: "I know it... I know there must be" Hatoko: "You're a romantic, aren't you? Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Satomi: "Andou, do you know why you've been summoned here?" Andou: "I don't." Satomi: "Because of your last test." Andou: "My test? Was there a problem with it?" Satomi: "First of all, here." Satomi: "Why did you use "awaken" here? You wrote "awaken," but you even neatly added the reading "wakes up" above it." Satomi: "What in the world is happening to Tom every morning at six?" Andou: "Who knows? You'd have to ask Tom." Answer: "Well, leaving that and moving on," Satomi: "I was surprised you could write difficult kanji like "lamenting." As for the "dark"... I didn't even know this kanji could be read as "dark." This kanji's generally only used in "twilight."" Andou: "Aww..." Satomi: "I'm not praising you." Satomi: "I could endlessly list other examples." Satomi: "Hey, Andou... Why do you deliberately use difficult kanji?" Andou: "Because... Isn't it kind of cooler that way?" Satomi: "What's worse, you still earned a high score, which irritates me." Satomi: "I want to mark all of these answers you screwed around on as incorrect." Satomi: "But they aren't exactly wrong." Andou: "Okay..." Satomi: "Forget it. I give up. In fact, I've had it." Satomi: "Goodnight, then." Sagami: "Huh? Andou?" Andou: "Oh, Sagami..." Sagami: "Did you have business with Satomi-sensei, too?" Andou: "I'm finished with mine. So, why are you here, Sagami?" Sagami: "I just came to get my lover back." Andou: "Your lover?" Sagami: "Satomi-sensei, please hurry up and return my lover." Satomi: "Here. Don't play games during class anymore." Sagami: "Sensei, I wasn't playing a game." Sagami: "I was nurturing my love." Satomi: "You two are both such pains." Andou: "Speaking of lovers, Sagami... I heard you started dating a first-year a while back?" Sagami: "Oh, we already broke up." Andou: "Huh? Already?" Sagami: "She dumped me, like all the others. It's cruel, right? She was the one who confessed." Andou: "You bought another bishoujo figure while you were walking home with her, didn't you?" Sagami: "Wrong. This time I bought a galge." Andou: "That's the same thing, idiot." Satomi: "You two get along as well as always." Andou: "Satomi-sensei, please don't lump me in with this creepy moe pig. He's the kind of pig that chooses anime to watch based on voice actresses." Sagami: "That's right! I refuse to be associated with this chuuni loser. Please don't list me with this embarrassing freak who creates his own original characters so he can project himself into every new anime!" Satomi: "I don't understand what you two are saying, but it basically means you both like anime, right?" Both: "No!" Satomi: "Ah, this is such a pain. That's enough. Go home, go home!" Sagami: "Andou, do you have club now?" Andou: "Yeah." Sagami: "I need to get going, too." Sagami: "A girl from Class 3 called me behind the gym." Andou: "I don't even want to comment on that." Sagami: "Later!" Andou: "Yeah." Sayumi: "Yes, Andou-kun." Andou: "What are you doing, just standing here?" Sayumi: "Nothing much. I wasn't observing the interaction between you and Sagami-kun in detail" Andou: "Um, Sayumi-san, could you seriously not do that?" Sayumi: "Now, then... It's about time we headed to the club room." Sayumi: "By now, I think everyone else should be there already." Andou: "Oh, that reminds me, today's..." Sayumi: "Yes, today is the literature club's recreation day." Andou: "Perfect!" Tomoyo: "Too bad for you!" Andou: "No way..." Tomoyo: "This... ends it!" Andou: "Tomoyo, don't hit the net in situations like that. You'll make stopping time to catch it pointless." Tomoyo: "I can't help it! Tennis is harder than it looks!" Andou: "Also, "This ends it"?" Tomoyo: "What does it matter?! I just felt like saying it!" Andou: "Still, hardball tennis is definitely difficult." Tomoyo: "I guess you and I aren't ready to play on a competitive level yet. We'd need to be at least as talented as they are... Sayumi-san doesn't surprise me, but I never thought Hatoko would be this good." Andou: "That's because she played soft tennis in middle school." Tomoyo: "Hatoko's more athletic than she looks, isn't she?" Tomoyo: "Where are you looking?" Andou: "Huh? What are you... I wasn't looking! I wasn't thinking about how awesome it was that I could almost see, but couldn't!" Tomoyo: "You pervert!" Andou: "B-Besides, that's the kind of underwear that it's okay if people see, right? It's not embarrassing since they're not panties, right?" Tomoyo: "True, she's wearing an underskirt, but..." Tomoyo: "No one likes to be leered at." Andou: "The female heart is complicated... Well, it's thanks to Chifuyu-chan that we're all able to do this, though." Tomoyo: "Yeah." Sayumi: "Think it's about time we switched partners?" Hatoko: "Here I go, Ju-kun!" Andou: "I'll show you a most terrifying nightmare!" Andou: "Oh, and no overhand serves, okay? They're too fast for me to return." Hatoko: "Okay!" Hatoko: "Fireball..." Andou: "Huh?" Hatoko: "Ah, that's no good, Ju-kun! You have to return it!" Andou: "Who can return that?!" Hatoko: "Huh? Oh, right. I thought that, since you used fire, you'd be able to return a flaming ball." Andou: "Interesting." Andou: "Let's find out once and for all who the best flame-user is!" Andou: "I am the Conqueror of Chaos. My purgatorial hellfire dances in the abyss," Hatoko: "Ah! Ju-kun, sorry!" Andou: "distorting the dark chaos with turbid crimso—" Hatoko: "I hit it already!" Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "I thought I was going to die!" Tomoyo: "No, you nearly did die." Hatoko: "I'm sorry, Ju-kun." Sayumi: "I had to perform another worthless restoration." Andou: "However, thanks to wandering between life and death, I've come up with a new nickname!" Chifuyu: "Andou fell, and he won't get up." Andou: "That would mean I'm still down... Forget it." Tomoyo: "There it is! The notebook of his dark history!" Andou: "It's not dark history! It's my Bloody Bible!" Tomoyo: "Hey, Andou..." Andou: "Hmm?" Tomoyo: "Right here..." Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: ""Bible" is spelled b-i-b-l-e." Tomoyo: "But here, you spelled it v-i-v-r-e." Andou: "S-S-Sayumi-san!" Sayumi: "Sorry." Andou: "Sayumi-san?" Sayumi: "I taught you the wrong spelling by acci—" Tomoyo: "Andou, that spells "vivre." "Bloody Vivre"!" Tomoyo: "Why is the Aeon Group's fashion store covered in blood?" Hatoko: "Oh, but Ju-kun..." Hatoko: "so it must be fate!" Tomoyo: "I feel like going to karaoke today." Sayumi: "Good idea." Andou: "Oh, sounds good!" Sayumi: "If Andou-kun's coming, I'll pass." Tomoyo: "Yeah." Andou: "Why?" Sayumi: "Because it's you." Andou: "What did I do? I didn't do anything, did I?" Andou: "It's gone!" Andou: "This is bad! Bloody Bible's gone!" Tomoyo: "Huh? Your Bloody Vivre's missing?" Andou: "Don't call it "Vivre"! And I wanted to record the new nickname" Tomoyo: "How many nicknames do you come up with in a day?" Andou: "Oh, crap... I'm going to look for it, so you guys, go home without me!" Tomoyo: "I guess we'll go home, then." Sayumi: "Right." Hatoko: "Ju-kun really is scatterbrained." Tomoyo: "He doesn't even need to panic. I'm sure he'll think up lots more nicknames." Hatoko: "Nicknames, huh?" Tomoyo: "Hmm?" Hatoko: "Ah, nothing. I was just recalling something from the past. When I was in elementary school, I was often called "Yakitori-chan."" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Hatoko: "Since my last name is "Kushikawa," it came from "kushi," meaning "skewer," and "kawa," meaning "skin." I don't mind it at all anymore, but at the time, I really hated being called that. But then Ju-kun said, "I will not stand for such a lame nickname," and he gave me a new nickname." Hatoko: "If I recall..." Hatoko: "Then everyone else said, "What? If we have to call her something dorky like that, we'll just call her 'Hatoko-chan.'" From then on, no one ever called me "Yakitori-chan" again." Tomoyo: "Hatoko, you don't think Andou did all of that on purpose, do you?" Hatoko: "No, I don't believe that. When the kids said his nickname was dorky, Ju-kun was sad, and I'm sure he was just doing what he wanted to, anyway." Hatoko: "But in the end, I do think he saved me." Sayumi: "Yes... It's true that Andou-kun is a hopeless idiot, but he's surprisingly reliable. For example, my power: Route of Origin," Sayumi: "The moment I received this power, a question popped into my head immediately." Sayumi: "The question of whether it could be used to bring back the dead." Sayumi: "However, Andou-kun saved me from that." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "Listen, Sayumi-san..." Andou: "No matter what, please don't try to bring a dead person back to life. No animals, either." Andou: "Whether you can or not doesn't matter. Please don't even consider it." Sayumi: "Now I understand him better. The power to revive the dead" Sayumi: "If I were to try it and succeed, I'm not sure I could maintain my mental stability." Chifuyu: "Andou told me something, too. He said that I shouldn't create life." Hatoko: "Ju-kun has really given a lot of thought to each of our powers, hasn't he?" Sayumi: "Yes." Sayumi: "He's considered them, analyzed them, sometimes imagining their scope, sometimes calculating them, and given us wonderful names for them." Sayumi: "Even if they are lame chuunibyou names." Andou: "Now your powers are partly mine. I've bound them with names." Tomoyo: "He's bearing half of our burden." Tomoyo: "Hmph, you're overthinking this. He definitely isn't thinking that deeply about it." Sayumi: "You're right." Sayumi: "Andou-kun only ever thinks about his chuunibyou character setting." Chifuyu: "Andou's a super chuuni." Hatoko: "That's right, Ju-kun is a chuuni." Andou: "Oh, I can't waste time here!" Andou: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "Could this be yours, perchance?" Andou: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "Is this notebook yours?" Andou: "Y-Yes... It's mine." Kiryuu: "Then is this your name written here," Andou: "Yes." Kiryuu: "You have good naming sense." Andou: "Huh?" Kiryuu: ""Guiltia" recalls guilty, as in "guilty of a crime," and "Sin" also brings to mind crime and wrongdoing. The double meaning makes it deep, too. "Sin" can also mean a wrong in God's eye, connoting an evil existence that carries the weight of more wrongs than one can repent. "Guiltia" also gestures to "Arcadia" and "Utopia,"" Kiryuu: "And finally, a cursed thunder." Kiryuu: "It gives me goosebumps." Kiryuu: "However, this is a coincidence." Kiryuu: "I happen to own something similar." Kiryuu: "I call it the Reverse Crux Record." Andou: "What? Reverse Crux?" Andou: "An upside-down cross?" Andou: "The cross of the fallen, a symbol of rebellion against God? Who in the world are you?" Kiryuu: "My name is Kiryuu Heldkaiser Luci First. Although, in this world, I go by the temporary moniker "Kiryuu Hajime."" Andou: ""Heldkaiser" is a play on "Hell" and "Kaiser," recalling the Emperor of Hell. Which is further emphasized by "Luci First," signifying Lucifer, the fallen angel. Every part of that name symbolizes the rebellion against God... Wonderful!" Kiryuu: "You're great! Jeez, I came to the literature club to play around, and now, I've found a man of outstanding talent. Right, Guiltia Sin Jurai?" Andou: "I sense our encounter was destined," Andou: "Wait, the literature club? Why are you visiting our literature club?" Kiryuu: "Oh, I'm an alumnus." Andou: "Huh? Really? This really does feel like destiny." Kiryuu: "Oh, sorry, phone call. Litia?" Kiryuu: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "Don't push your failures off on me. You're ostensibly calling a truce with those who are trying to break the war system itself, while secretly crushing them with all your might, huh? That's so underhanded, it disgusts me." Kiryuu: "Fine... I'll do it for you. I was planning to take them out sooner or later, anyway. I'll teach them who the real emperor of this war is." Kiryuu: "Power on a par with God? Who cares? Whether they be a god or otherwise, whoever stands in my way will be beaten down to heavenly Hell." Kiryuu: "Sorry. That was my boss at work." Andou: "Okay, we'll just leave it at that." Kiryuu: "What were we talking about?" Kiryuu: "Oh, right, right... Chuunibyou names." Andou: "Right." Kiryuu: "Hmm? What's wrong? You're suddenly looking down." Andou: "Well, um..." Andou: "Kiryuu-san, do you think someone like me really is a chuunibyou?" Kiryuu: "Hmm? Ah." Kiryuu: "Hey, Andou..." Kiryuu: "What is "chuunibyou" to you?" Andou: "I see it... as not lying to myself." Kiryuu: "Good answer, but a bit abstract." Kiryuu: "Chuunibyou comes in varieties, but they share a core." Kiryuu: "It starts with self-denial. Creating a different self and a fictional setting, because you can't accept yourself and the world you live in." Kiryuu: "However, those emotions are also a fierce craving for self-affirmation. You wish for someone to accept you," Kiryuu: "This unresolved paradox of self-denial and self-affirmation" Andou: "Unresolved paradox?" Kiryuu: "Endless Paradox." Andou: "What? That's—" Tomoyo: "Huh? Is that you, Andou?" Andou: "Oh? Tomoyo?" Tomoyo: "I just came here to study. I often use this family restaurant. More importantly, Andou, did you find Vivre?" Andou: "Don't call it Vivre! Yeah, this kind older man picked it up for me." Kiryuu: "It's been a long time, Endless Paradox!" Tomoyo: "Hajime-niisan?" Andou: "Huh? Nii-san?" Kiryuu: "Not "Hajime-niisan"! Kiryuu Heldkaiser Luci First!" Tomoyo: "You came back here?" Kiryuu: "Yeah." Tomoyo: "Then you could've at least called me!" Kiryuu: "Yeah, sorry." Tomoyo: "I see you haven't changed." Tomoyo: "Hey, Hajime-niisan, why don't you just come home?" Kiryuu: "I refuse." Tomoyo: "Everyone's worried about you. Even Dad isn't mad anymore." Kiryuu: "I said that I refuse. When you go home, tell our father this... "Send living expenses for this month, too."" Tomoyo: "I don't think that's something to say while trying to sound cool." Kiryuu: "It seems we've been interrupted." Kiryuu: "Our phantasmal conversation ends here, Guiltia." Kiryuu: "After we finally renewed the ties of our past lives, too..." Kiryuu: "Oh, that's right, Andou." Andou: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "I nearly forgot to mention it. Both madness and a weapon, a calamitous disaster, the power of destruction to even topple Heaven... "Lucifer's Strike." That is my other abhorrent alias, and the name of the power that can overturn this world..." Kiryuu: "One day, the wheels of fate will lead you and me to meet again." Kiryuu: "I look forward to that moment." Andou: "So that guy's your older brother?" Tomoyo: "It's embarrassing, but yes." Andou: "I see. So Endless Paradox came from Kiryuu-san's naming sense." Tomoyo: "Huh? Oh, yes, that's actually true. I remembered how Hajime-niisan gave me that nickname, so I..." Tomoyo: "You know, don't you?" Andou: "Huh? Wait... Kanzaki and Kiryuu?" Tomoyo: "Yeah, we're siblings by different mothers. We share a father, but our mothers are different." Tomoyo: ""Kiryuu" is the family name of Hajime-niisan's mother. He's lived with us since we were little, but he's always gone by his mother's last name." Andou: "Hmm, that sounds complicated." Tomoyo: "Do you want to know?" Andou: "Do you want to share?" Tomoyo: "I don't." Andou: "Then it's fine." Tomoyo: "Yeah..." Tomoyo: "Hajime-niisan was always an incredible person. Keen intellect, handsome, good in both literary and physical realms. He was always first or second on the High School National Exams. During high school, he was in the literature club, but during middle school, he went to nationals for track." Andou: "That's incredible!" Tomoyo: "But about one year ago, he said, "This world is wrong," quit college, and left home." Andou: "That's incredible..." Tomoyo: "Hey, Andou, that reminds me, Hajime-niisan called you "Dark and Dark."" Andou: "Oh, yeah." Tomoyo: "You haven't told him about our powers, right?" Andou: "I haven't. Don't sell me short." Tomoyo: "Yeah, I thought so." Andou: "Still, he really is incredible." Andou: "He just casually left me with the entire bill." Tomoyo: "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." Chifuyu: "I'm home." Andou: "Hmm?" Andou: "Good morning, Chifuyu-chan." Chifuyu: "Good morning, Andou." Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, what are you doing here? Are you waiting for Satomi-sensei?" Andou: "Will you be okay with school? If you don't go soon, won't you be late?" Chifuyu: "I won't be late. I don't need to go to elementary school anymore." Chifuyu: "I quit school." Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, do you have any friends in elementary school?" Chifuyu: "I have a best friend." Andou: "Oh? What's she like?" Chifuyu: "I'm not telling you, Andou. Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Chifuyu: "Andou, are you all right?" Andou: "More importantly, why don't you use World Create like usual?" Chifuyu: "In the morning, lots of people are around, so it'd be hard to keep it secret." Andou: "Oh, right. Anyway, I'm starting to get tired, so can I stop carrying you now?" Chifuyu: "No." Chifuyu: "I love having you carry me." Andou: "What?" Chifuyu: "Your back is big and warm, so it's comforting." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "It's reliable, manly, and really cool." Andou: "Huh?! Ah..." Chifuyu: "Oh, but if you don't want to, I'll be a good girl and refrain from asking." Andou: "Who said I didn't want to, young lady?" Chifuyu: "Thanks, Andou. You're so eas— I mean, nice." Andou: "I'm only doing what any man would do." Chifuyu: "Good job, Andou. You did well." Kuki: "Chi-chan!" Kuki: "Jeez, Chi-chan, you're late! I was worried about you! Ah, your ribbon's crooked again. And put Lissun in your bag, okay?" Kuki: "Okay, now you're set!" Andou: "A friend of Chifuyu-chan's?" Kuki: "Huh? Oh, good morning." Kuki: "I'm Chi-chan's friend, Kuki Madoka." Andou: "Kuki Madoka?!" Kuki: "Huh?" Andou: "That's so, so, so cool! Cool! Cool! So cool! Cool! Cool! So cool!" Kuki: "Hey, Chi-chan, who is that?" Chifuyu: "That guy's Andou." Kuki: "Huh? You're Andou-san, from the literature club?" Andou: "Oh? You know about the literature club?" Kuki: "Chi-chan always tells me how she goes there to play." Andou: "Oh!" Andou: "Then, Kuki-chan, I hope you'll continue to get along with Chifuyu-chan." Kuki: "You don't have to tell me that." Kuki: "Chi-chan, let's get going." Chifuyu: "Yeah, okay." Andou: "Oh..." Andou: "That reminds me, I never asked why Chifuyu-chan was dropping out." Andou: "Oh, I should hurry back to school, too." Andou: "Ow!" Satomi: "Hey, Andou, watch where you're walking." Andou: "S-Satomi-sensei..." Satomi: "Some people walk while sleeping, you know. It's dangerous." Andou: "I think you're the only one who does that, Satomi-sensei..." Satomi: "By the way, Andou, has Chifuyu visited the literature club lately?" Andou: "Huh? Well, yes." Andou: "Is something wrong?" Satomi: "No," Satomi: "You'll be late for class." Satomi: "It's just, Andou... Please don't forget this." Andou: "Huh?" Satomi: "It isn't normal for a lone elementary schooler to mingle with high school students." Andou: "Right..." Andou: "I don't think I've ever lamented my foolishness as much as today." Hatoko: "What? What's wrong?" Sayumi: "Did you learn something about our powers?" Chifuyu: "Andou?" Tomoyo: "What's that box?" Andou: "I should have noticed it sooner." Andou: "With Chifuyu-chan..." Andou: "With Chifuyu-chan's power..." Andou: "We can cosplay all we want, can't we?" Tomoyo: "After creating that oppressive atmosphere, that's what you say?!" Hatoko: "I thought something was wrong because you looked so serious." Sayumi: "True, with Chifuyu-san's power, we might be able to, but..." Chifuyu: "That sounds fun. I want to try." Andou: "So, write something you want to cosplay, and put it in here!" Tomoyo: "In that box?" Andou: "What is this?" Hatoko: "Oh, that's the one I wrote." Tomoyo: "It really suits you, Andou!" Hatoko: "Yes, you're cute, Ju-kun!" Andou: "Hey, Sayumi-san, why are you taking pictures?" Sayumi: "Now, if I combine this picture with the one I took of Sagami-kun..." Andou: "Why are you bringing up Sagami?!" Sayumi: "Oh, no reason. Just talking to myself." Andou: "Anyway, up next is Sayumi-san." Hatoko: "Oh, that's another one I wrote." Sayumi: "L-Laugh if you want!" Chifuyu: "Sayumi, bloomers don't suit you." Sayumi: "I know I look too old..." Andou: "What are you saying? In fact, Sayumi-san's bloomers work because they don't suit her. The sense that she's forcing herself to make an effort carries a perverse charm! Just like someone who's obviously over thirty, trying to be a gravure idol—" Hatoko: "Okay, I'm up next! Ta-da-da-da-da!" All: "The sun?" Chifuyu: "Oh, that's mine." Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, by "sun," do you mean that sun?" Chifuyu: "Yes, the sun in the sky. When I grow up, I want to be someone who brightens everyone, just like the sun." Andou: "I... I see..." Hatoko: "I'm the sun!" Chifuyu: "It's my turn next." Andou: "Oh, that one's mine!" Tomoyo: "A-Andou, what are you trying to make us wear?" Andou: "Th-That's not it! I wanted to wear it." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "Well, it's kind of cool, right?" Andou: "Out!" Chifuyu: "I feel alive again." Chifuyu: "Hey, do I look cool?" Andou: "Sorry, it's not quite what I expected." Tomoyo: "Then I'm last." Andou: "That's it! Wait, who wrote that one?" Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "Well, if you wrote it yourself, then you reap what you sow." Chifuyu: "What's "bikini armor"?" Sayumi: "Something like this." Chifuyu: "Okay." Hatoko: "Wow, bikini armor's cute." Sayumi: "It looks good on you, Tomoyo-san." Tomoyo: "S-Say something." Andou: "Huh? Oh..." Tomoyo: "Wh-What's that supposed to mean? This isn't any fun at all..." Chifuyu: "Andou, take a picture of us." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "As a memento. We still don't have a single picture with all of us together." Hatoko: "Oh... She's right!" Tomoyo: "I-I don't want to, but if Chifuyu-chan's asking, it can't be helped." Satomi: "Hey, unlock the door, you guys! It's me! It's Satomi-sensei! Hey! Andou! Chifuyu-chan, dispel your power!" Hatoko: "H-Huh? When did Tomoyo-chan change into her uniform?" Sayumi: "I understand. You used Closed Clock, didn't you?" Andou: "How could you..." Tomoyo: "Huh? Did you say something?" Andou: "No, nothing." Satomi: "Honestly, what were you all doing?" Sayumi: "I'm sorry. All these books were lying around, so we cleaned up in a panic." Satomi: "Well, it's not like I came here to talk to you guys today. Chifuyu," Satomi: "I heard you left school early today." Andou: "Huh? But I walked her to school this morning..." Satomi: "She said her stomach hurt" Andou: "Did your stomach hurt, Chifuyu-chan?" Satomi: "Are you all right now?" Chifuyu: "It's better." Satomi: "Did you think feeling better made it okay to come here?" Chifuyu: "Yes." Satomi: "Hey, Chifuyu... Did it really hurt?" Satomi: "Hmm... Oh, well. Be sure to go to school tomorrow. I'll explain it to my sister." Satomi: "Head home before it gets too late, you guys." Andou: "Chifuyu-chan..." Chifuyu: "I'm going home for today." Andou: "I'm home." Andou: "Sis is running late today." Andou: "Your immoral wings rend a sky devoid of stars... Blood becomes a spray and disappears," Andou: "Oh, yeah. I can watch that late-night movie I recorded because the title sounded erotic." Chifuyu: "Andou..." Andou: "Y-Yes?!" Chifuyu: "You watch late-night movies with erotic titles?" Andou: "I don't!" Chifuyu: "Didn't you just say you did?" Andou: "N-No, I didn't." Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, did you need me for something?" Chifuyu: "I fought with Cookie." Andou: "Huh? Cookie? You mean Kuki, from this morning?" Chifuyu: "Cookie said" Chifuyu: "not to hang out with you and the others anymore." Andou: "Not to hang out with us?" Chifuyu: "She said I should stop visiting the high school." Andou: "So you fought over that?" Chifuyu: "She said it's weird for me to hang out with high schoolers." Andou: "I think you should go home for today. We can talk about it in detail tomorrow." Chifuyu: "It's awkward." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Cookie's at my house now." Andou: "What?!" Andou: "I really think you should get back soon, then..." Chifuyu: "It's awkward." Chifuyu: "Really?" Chifuyu: "Then, Andou, please do." Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "Ow!" Kuki: "Ch-Chi-chan?" Andou: "Huh?" Kuki: "I-I'm sorry! I went too far earlier— Huh?" Andou: "Hey... Uh, good evening, Kuki-chan." Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "Ah! Kuki-chan, there's a good reason for this!" Kuki: "Stay away! Stay away!" Chifuyu: "Andou, how did it go?" Andou: "Sorry, I think I just made the problem even more complicated." Kuki: "Chi-chan?" Kuki: "Chi-chan, I was right! You shouldn't hang out with a guy like this! He's a pervert! He'll make you a pervert, too!" Kuki: "Hey, you already have me, right? Can't you hang out with me? Stop hanging out with high schoolers, okay?" Chifuyu: "No." Kuki: "Why, Chi-chan?" Chifuyu: ""No" means "no."" Kuki: "Why? Chi-chan, you won't listen to me?" Kuki: "Do you have more fun with them than with me?" Chifuyu: "No, it's also fun being with you, Cookie. But..." Kuki: "But what?" Chifuyu: "There's a reason I need to be there, with them. There are things I wouldn't understand without Andou and the others." Kuki: "A reason? What reason? Tell me!" Chifuyu: "I can't say." Kuki: "You can't say? Why not?" Chifuyu: "I can't say what I can't say." Kuki: "Tell me!" Chifuyu: "No." Kuki: "Okay..." Kuki: "So, Chi-chan... You do have more fun with them than with me, don't you?" Kuki: "Bye-bye." Andou: "Thanks for yesterday." Andou: "For not telling Kuki-chan about our powers." Chifuyu: "Yeah. That was our promise. I won't tell Cookie about our secret." Andou: "But that secret is what caused this mess in the first place..." Chifuyu: "I wasn't able to make up with Cookie today." Chifuyu: "Cookie wouldn't fix my ribbon, so I did it on my own." Chifuyu: "She wouldn't show me her homework, either." Chifuyu: "And she wouldn't eat my green peppers at lunch." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Without Cookie to guide me, I nearly got lost at school." Andou: "Aren't you a bit too dependent on her?" Chifuyu: "I need to find a replacement quickly." Andou: "You're so stoic!" Chifuyu: "I'm joking." Chifuyu: "No one can replace Cookie." Chifuyu: "Maybe Cookie and I..." Chifuyu: "can never be friends again." Andou: "Princess Chifuyu," Chifuyu: "Huh?" Andou: "Tonight, Guiltia Sin Jurai will be Princess Chifuyu's knight." Andou: "The nine-headed fiend bares her fangs against the master of creation." Andou: "she is a kind girl who cares for her friend." Andou: "I shall return this fiend to her true form." Chifuyu: "Andou, you'll help me make up with Cookie?" Andou: "Yes, Your Highness." Kuki: "Y-You're Andou-san! What do you want?" Andou: "Ah, hold on. I just want to talk for a bit..." Kuki: "No! I'm busy right now!" Andou: "You commute to this piano classroom by bus, don't you? So if we could just talk until the next bus comes..." Kuki: "How do you know about that? And how did you know about this place? Have you been stalking me?" Andou: "No, no, no, I wasn't. I heard it from Chifuyu-chan." Kuki: "Huh?" Hatoko: "Oh, Chifuyu-chan. Where are Tomoyo-chan and the rest?" Chifuyu: "They left, saying they'd be right back." Hatoko: "Hmm?" Hatoko: "I see. So Lissun was a present from Satomi-sensei." Chifuyu: "I've always napped with Shiharu, slept with her at night, and gone back to sleep with her in the morning. We were always together. But... Once she became busy as a teacher," Chifuyu: "she gave me Lissun." Hatoko: "So that's why you treasure her." Chifuyu: "She won her in a crane game, and I was really happy." Hatoko: "There, all done!" Chifuyu: "Thank you, Hatoko." Hatoko: "See? If you try hard enough, anything can be fixed." Hatoko: "So it'll be all right, Chifuyu-chan. I'm sure you'll be able to make up with Kuki-chan." Hatoko: "You're close enough to fight, after all." Andou: "But you know," Kuki: "I know that. But I don't like it. I don't like Chi-chan lying or hiding things." Andou: "All right!" Kuki: "Huh?" Andou: "If you're willing to go that far, I will tell you our secret." Kuki: "A-Are you sure?" Andou: "Can you promise never to tell anyone?" Kuki: "Y-Yes." Andou: "Kuki-chan, the truth is..." Andou: "I am a lolicon!" Kuki: "U-U-Um..." Andou: "I am a lolicon." Kuki: "No, it's not that I didn't hear you." Andou: "I am a true lolicon. My strike zone for women lies between seven and twelve years old. In other words," Andou: "Though at times, I may aim lower, it is impossible for me to go any higher!" Andou: "Good grief, elementary schoolers are the best!" Andou: "Anyone works for me." Kuki: "No!" Andou: "Lolicon is not a disease! It is a way of life!" Kuki: "What are you saying?!" Andou: "Even I realize that I'm a pervert! But all the same, Chifuyu-chan was willing to accept me. Just being able to play with Chifuyu-chan satisfies me!" Kuki: "Th-That's..." Andou: "When you open Pandora's Box, that's what you get." Kuki: "Don't try to look cool, you pervert!" Chifuyu: "Cookie..." Both: "Huh?" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, what are you doing here?" Chifuyu: "I asked Shiharu." Chifuyu: "Cookie, this is for you." Kuki: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "I just won it at the arcade with Shiharu," Chifuyu: "as a symbol of our making up." Chifuyu: "I like everyone in the literature club." Chifuyu: "But I also like you, Cookie." Chifuyu: "So..." Kuki: "Chi-chan, I'm sorry!" Kuki: "I was scared... I was afraid the high schoolers would take you away from me..." Kuki: "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were watching out for Andou-san." Chifuyu: "Cookie, will you keep taking care of me?" Kuki: "Yeah." Satomi: "Sorry for all the trouble." Andou: "No, it was partly our responsibility, too." Satomi: "Uh, this girl is called "Chifuyu," and she's my sister's kid. I promised to play with her today, but I suddenly got called to a meeting." Satomi: "I'm sorry, but would you mind watching her for a while?" Tomoyo: "Oh, it's Lolicon Knight." Andou: "Wh-Who are you calling "Lolicon Knight"?" Chifuyu: "Andou, look, look. Cookie did this for me." Andou: "Wow!" Chifuyu: "Hey, Andou, is it cute?" Andou: "Yeah, it's cute, Chifuyu-chan." Andou: "Oh, whatever. I don't care if I'm a lolicon." Andou: "Hey, Chifuyu-chan?" Andou: "Why were you trying to quit elementary school before?" Chifuyu: "I was trying to quit elementary school and enter high school." Andou: "High school? You mean ours?" Chifuyu: "Yeah. I was skipping classes to study, so I could skip grades." Andou: "You really only wanted to go to high school?" Chifuyu: "Yeah." Andou: "That's all? I worried for nothing." Hatoko: "That sounds like Chifuyu-chan." Sayumi: "Chifuyu-san, don't your powers make it hard for you? Doesn't it get hard," Chifuyu: "Don't worry. I'm fine because you're all here. I'm fine because I have Andou, Tomoyo, Hatoko, and Sayumi." Chifuyu: "Also, Kudou." Chifuyu: "I'm glad my powers awakened." Chifuyu: "It's fun getting to play in different ways." Chifuyu: "And it's okay because it's fun." Sayumi: "I see." Chifuyu: "Plus, I realized I'll catch up to Andou soon." Andou: "Hmm? What does that mean?" Chifuyu: "In two years, I'll graduate elementary school, so... Yes, in four years, I'll catch up to Andou." Andou: "Hmm? What do you mean?" Sayumi: "Oh, I get it." Sayumi: "Indeed, only four years to go." Tomoyo: "Oh, that's what she means. Right." Hatoko: "Huh? Huh?" Hatoko: "Oh, yes, that's true." Andou: "H-Hey, what are you all saying? Tell me, too." Chifuyu: "In four years, I'll be in eighth grade. Then I'll be the same as you, since you'll be a chuuni forever." Andou: "That's right, Chifuyu-chan." Andou: "My name is Guiltia Sin Jurai. No matter how many months or years may pass, I shall await you" Chifuyu: "Yeah." Tomoyo: "Once you reach this age, there are more things to be embarrassed about, you know?" Chifuyu: "I understand. You're at a sensitive age." Tomoyo: "Stop that! It's kind of embarrassing! Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Andou: "Yo." Andou: "To live is to confess one's feelings each day." Andou: "Is it possible for me to make music that moves the hearts of others?" Hatoko: "Ju-kun, what's that?" Andou: "Oh, you noticed it? Well, darn..." Andou: "Why does it have to stand out so much?" Tomoyo: "You're annoying. Jeez, we were ignoring you because we knew this would happen." Hatoko: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "Knowing Andou, he probably thought, "It'll be cool to show up at school carrying a guitar and attract attention," and bought one on impulse even though he can't play it, right?" Andou: "Tomoyo, you are still naïve. Just because you see a guitar case, you assume a guitar's inside? It might contain an assault rifle, you know!" Tomoyo: "It doesn't! Though that's common in movies and manga." Andou: "Until it's opened, how do you know? Remember, the properties of all things in creation can be discerned only after observation by a viewer. In other words, right now, this guitar case contains both possibilities, a guitar and a weapon..." Tomoyo: "Yep, there it is. Every chuunibyou's favorite, Schrödinger's cat." Hatoko: "Ah, it isn't a guitar?" Andou: "Well, no, it's a guitar." Sayumi: "That's enough of your act. If you want us to see it, hurry up and show us." Andou: "Very well!" Tomoyo: "Looks like exactly the colors you'd like." Andou: "How do you like my Infinity Maria?" Hatoko: ""Infini"?" Andou: "Infinity Maria! The name of my guitar." Hatoko: "So her name's Maria-chan?" Sayumi: "Oh, Chifuyu-san..." Chifuyu: "I was playing with Cookie, and I ended up late." Chifuyu: "It's a guitar! Cool!" Andou: "No." Chifuyu: "Stingy." Andou: "No, I'm not being stingy." Chifuyu: "Please?" Andou: "No, Chifuyu-chan..." Chifuyu: "Boo!" Andou: "Hmm? Like this?" Chifuyu: "You can open them." Andou: "Th-There are two Marias?" Chifuyu: "Now, Andou, right or left... Which is the real one?" Andou: "I see..." Andou: "In other words, this is a game to test my love for Maria. You're trying to say that if I truly love Maria, I won't choose mistakenly, yes?" Chifuyu: "Yes. If you're wrong, the guitar is mine." Andou: "Interesting. You're on, then!" Andou: "No one stop me." Tomoyo: "That reminds me, I heard the baseball club's won twice already." Andou: "Even if I'm up against Chifuyu-chan," Hatoko: "They're working hard this year." Andou: "I must fight this battle," Sayumi: "Apparently, they have a new first-year who's really good." Andou: "though it pains me." Andou: "This copy is frighteningly perfect. I can't tell which one's real..." Chifuyu: "I know, Andou... I'll have you take the one you think is fake," Andou: "What?" Chifuyu: "If you're confident, it shouldn't be a problem." Andou: "All right... Huh?" Andou: "I see." Andou: "Now I understand perfectly, Chifuyu-chan." Chifuyu: "Huh?" Andou: "Right or left? Nay, this very test is, itself, a grand trap!" Andou: "Both of them are fakes!" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, that wasn't a bad strategy. However, this game of yours" Andou: "and your condition for victory was my choosing the wrong guitar." Andou: "However, that would mean I'd have to smash the real guitar. Even if you are an elementary schooler, there's no way you'd take such a foolish risk." Chifuyu: "Why did you smash both?" Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Didn't I tell you that either the right or left one was real?" Andou: "But that was going to end up being a lie, right?" Chifuyu: "I wouldn't do something that sneaky. I was being fair and square." Andou: "But if I smashed the one I thought was fake, and it turned out I lost the game, the real guitar would be broken, right?" Chifuyu: "Oh..." Andou: "Did you just now realize that?" Chifuyu: "I didn't think..." Andou: "Hold on, hold on!" Andou: "Maria!" Sayumi: "Don't worry." Sayumi: "I can fix it with my power, anyway." Chifuyu: "Oh, yeah." Hatoko: "You're right! We should tell Ju-kun." Tomoyo: "No need to tell him." Tomoyo: "I'm sure he's acting this way knowing that perfectly well." Hatoko: "Huh? Ju-kun, where's your bag?" Andou: "Hmm? Oh, shoot! I was so preoccupied with Maria, I forgot my bag!" Hatoko: "Sounds just like you." Andou: "Sorry, Hatoko, can you go on ahead?" Hatoko: "Huh? Then I'll wait here..." Tomoyo: "Fine. If that's how it is, then I, Kanzaki Tomoyo, will be your opponent. But with powers such as yours, are you a match for me, for she who controls the fabric of this world," Tomoyo: "It's too late for regrets! Now, be sealed within a gap in time, and continue to roam there for eternity!" Tomoyo: "Y-You saw that?" Andou: "You go, chuuni." Andou: "You're pretty disturbed..." Tomoyo: "I want to die." Andou: "Man... That's not very friendly of you, though, Tomoyo. Despite everything you say, you like the name I gave your power, don't you?" Tomoyo: "You do this stuff all the time!" Andou: "Yes, I do. After all, it's cool. It's nothing to be ashamed about. But who's the one that has scorned my wonderful ceremonies as "chuuni" all this time?" Tomoyo: "You're making fun of me!" Andou: "Hey, hey, I'm not making fun of you in the least. Actually, I'm trembling with joy. I've finally found a comrade, after all!" Tomoyo: "Ah, jeez, I'm not serious about that!" Andou: "Now, now, now, now... You say that, but inside, you really think it's cool, don't you?" Tomoyo: "Shut up! I'll settle this by force, then!" Andou: "Hey, hold on, cut me a break. I'm no match for she who controls the fabric of this world, Closed Clock-san." Andou: "No! I'm scared! I'm going to be sealed within a gap on time!" Andou: "Hmph, looks like I didn't even need to use Dark And Dark against the likes of you." Tomoyo: "Why did you even come back? I thought you went home?" Andou: "Oh, I forgot my bag. I noticed on the way, and came back for it." Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "Did you see?" Andou: "See what?" Tomoyo: "You didn't see, did you?" Andou: "You mean the porn site you just had open?" Tomoyo: "No! I didn't have anything like that open!" Andou: "Well, I think I caught a vague glimpse." Tomoyo: "Vague?" Andou: "Are you trying to be a light novel author?" Andou: "You wrote that, right?" Tomoyo: "Wh-Why did you look, you jerk? You're invading my privacy! Die!" Andou: "S-Sorry. I'm sorry." Tomoyo: "I-I'm not seriously trying to be one, okay? I just started writing something to kill a little time." Andou: "Don't lie." Tomoyo: "I'm not lying!" Andou: "But you made a clear memo of the New Author Award submission deadline. You even wrote "Seeking Artist."" Tomoyo: "How did you manage to see all that in a second? More importantly, why do you look so calm? It's just irritating me! If you want to laugh, then laugh!" Andou: "Why? What's to laugh at?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "What's embarrassing about light novels?" Tomoyo: "That's right. It's you I'm talking to..." Andou: "Besides, you shouldn't be embarrassed about writing a novel. If you find that embarrassing, then how embarrassing does that make me, when I spend day and night writing the truth of this world in my Bloody Bible?" Tomoyo: "Yeah, you're so embarrassing that it's painful to watch." Tomoyo: "Forget it. After talking to you, I feel like my shame is gone. I guess people really do feel relieved when they see someone worse off." Andou: "Hey..." Tomoyo: "That's right. I'm trying to be an author." Tomoyo: "Well, I guess that's not quite right." Tomoyo: "It isn't so much that I want to be an author, as that I enjoy writing stories. And if possible, I'd like for lots of people to read them... I know it isn't easy to become a professional, and I don't consider myself to have any talent." Tomoyo: "But right now, writing stories is fun." Andou: "I see..." Andou: "Then, as long as you're having fun, who cares?" Tomoyo: "You'll root for me?" Andou: "No, I won't root for you." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "How do I put it? I feel this isn't a situation where I should say I'll root for you that easily." Andou: "Not when a good friend is uncertain, and trying to go down an insecure path. If you were the type to go around talking about your dream, like "I want to be an author. Isn't that awesome?" Then I might root for you some." Andou: "But..." Andou: "Anyone can cheer for you and your dreams, but only the people closest to you can worry about you." Tomoyo: "Andou..." Andou: "I still don't know how serious you are, and I think it's fine if you're just having fun writing light novels. But if you seriously want to be an author, and you're trying to be a professional," Andou: "I can't cheer you on irresponsibly." Tomoyo: "Why?" Andou: "Hmm?" Tomoyo: "Why do you act like such an idiot all the time," Tomoyo: "but say serious things at times like these?" Andou: "Shut up. I'm always serious. Well, if you ever want someone to read what you've written, I'll read it for you." Andou: "By the way, how did your previous submissions turn out?" Tomoyo: "I-I've failed in the first round twice." Tomoyo: "It's never that easy, is it? Even though I have this grand power to manipulate time, I can't even write one interesting novel." Tomoyo: "It won't make the relationships within my family any better..." Tomoyo: "And it's not like it'll help me achieve my dreams." Andou: "Then, you wish you had the power to make your family get along, or the power to write an interesting novel?" Tomoyo: "Hmph, you're kidding, right?" Andou: "Tomoyo, watch this." Andou: "I am the Conqueror of Chaos. Purgatorial hellfire dancing in the abyss, distorting black flame in turbid crimson darkness, the light that leads to madness, screams, and destruction, admonishing sin with sin: gouge your dark fragment in my body, and bare your fangs against arrogant providence! Dark And Dark!" Andou: "How's that, Tomoyo... No, Closed Clock?" Tomoyo: "What do you mean?" Andou: "Cool, right? My power is the coolest." Andou: "That's all it is." Andou: "That's all it needs to be." Tomoyo: "You go, chuuni." Teacher: ""Sun and moon are the passing guests of generations and passing years, but travelers, as well. Those who sail their entire lives on boats, and those who grow old leading their horses..." Hey, Kanzaki!" Tomoyo: "Yes?" Teacher: "Put away your cell phone in class!" Tomoyo: "Sorry!" Tomoyo: "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Andou: "Hey?" Tomoyo: "A-Andou?! Why?" Andou: "Well, um, you were looking at your cell phone so intensely earlier, so I came after you to see what was up." Tomoyo: "Huh? What are you? A pervert? A stalker?" Andou: "So, what are you so happy about?" Tomoyo: "Huh? Uh, r-right... If you insist on knowing, I guess I can tell you!" Andou: "Why are you acting so haughty?" Tomoyo: "Um, Andou," Andou: "Yeah... Yugami Hizumi, wasn't it?" Tomoyo: "Look here." Andou: "Hmm?" Tomoyo: "Today was the announcement of the first round results for the New Light Novel Author Award." Andou: "Did you win?" Tomoyo: "Well, so far, I've only made it through the first round." Andou: "Awesome... That's awesome! You're awesome, Tomoyo!" Tomoyo: "I-It's not awesome." Andou: "No, even just making it through the first round is awesome. All right, let's celebrate the occasion!" Tomoyo: "Hey! Stop! Don't tell the other literature club members, okay? You're the only one who knows about my dream." Andou: "I know. But I can still treat you to something, right?" Tomoyo: "Well, if you want to..." Andou: "Okay. Is there anything you'd like to eat?" Tomoyo: "Uh... Then, the mille-feuille from Mild. They only serve it during lunch, though." Andou: "Lunch? So, Saturday, then?" Tomoyo: "Yeah. Okay, we'll let everyone know..." Andou: "Weren't you keeping it secret from everyone else?" Tomoyo: "Oh, right. Uh, then what should we do?" Andou: "What else would we do? We go by ourselves, right?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "Ah, darn it! Oh, what do I do? I can't decide! This is too cute... This makes me look like a middle schooler... Ah, jeez, this is the worst." Tomoyo: "What do I do?" Tomoyo: "I'm glad I bought this the other day. Wait, wait, wait... Why should I have to break out clothes just for Andou? I can just wear my usual stuff. It's only Andou." Tomoyo: "Actually, I'm more worried about what Andou will wear. What if he wears something so chuunibyou, I won't want to walk with him?" Tomoyo: "It's totally possible... Now that I think about it, Hatoko goes out with Andou all the time, doesn't she? If I ask her what sorts of things he normally wears..." Tomoyo: "No, no... I forgot I wasn't telling the others." Tomoyo: "Jeez, why should I agonize this much over a date with Andou? Ah... No, this isn't a date!" Tomoyo: "Normal, normal, normal! Normal is best! I'm going with my most normal!" Tomoyo: "But which is my most normal?" Tomoyo: "He's late. More importantly, is my skirt too short?" Tomoyo: "I hope it doesn't look like I'm trying too hard. This should be fine, right? It's normal. Yes, normal, normal." Andou: "Hey!" Andou: "Sorry, I'm a bit late." Andou: "What? Is there something wrong with my outfit?" Tomoyo: "No, I'm actually surprised there isn't anything wrong with it." Andou: "Oh, this was actually picked out by my older sister. I'm forbidden from buying my own clothes." Tomoyo: "Forbidden? Oh, I see. That makes sense." Andou: "Speaking of which, this is my first time seeing you in casual clothes." Andou: "Okay, shall we go?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "What's wrong, Tomoyo? Let's hurry up." Tomoyo: "I know, I know..." Andou: "Hey, Tomoyo..." Tomoyo: "Huh? What?" Andou: "How many times do you think you need to visit a café before you order "the usual"?" Tomoyo: "I don't know." Andou: "Oh, look at this! "Couples only! For today only, get 300 yen off when you buy two cake sets!" Let's get this!" Andou: "We look like a couple together, right?" Tomoyo: "Wh-What are you saying? No! Why should you and I..." Andou: "Shh! You're too loud! What's the problem? Let's pretend to be a couple!" Tomoyo: "N-No." Andou: "Okay, then. If you don't want to, I can't make you. Today is to congratulate you." Tomoyo: "All right, fine." Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "I said it's fine! We can pretend to be a couple!" Andou: "Oh! Then it's settled!" Tomoyo: "Just so you know, we're only faking, okay? Faking!" Andou: "I know. Excuse me, can we order?" Waitress: "Thank you for waiting. I'll take your order now." Andou: "We'd like the couples-only cake set. And for drinks, we'll have espresso and..." Andou: "My legs and feet are starting to hurt now. But I had fun." Tomoyo: "Yeah." Andou: "Usually, I only go there alone. Hatoko doesn't read many books, so if we stay long, she asks to go home." Tomoyo: "I've only gone alone myself. I keep the fact that I enjoy manga and light novels secret from my classmates." Andou: "So you're the only one, really, that I can reveal my true interests around. You already know that I hope to be an author, and that I used to have chuunibyou." Tomoyo: "Want something to drink? I know it's not enough to thank you for today, but I'll treat you." Andou: "Oh, thanks. Uh..." Tomoyo: "You can drink something sweet, you know. You forced yourself pretty hard to drink that espresso earlier, and you ordered a double, too." Andou: "No, I usually only drink black. But... I'll have a strawberry au lait." Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "Hey, Andou..." Andou: "Yeah?" Tomoyo: "Um, next week, a book I want is coming out. S-So, could we—" Andou: "Sorry, I didn't hear the end of that." Andou: "What about the book you wanted?" Tomoyo: "Oh, never mind. It wasn't important." Andou: "Oh... You sure?" Tomoyo: "Yeah." Andou: "Still, today was a lot of fun, huh?" Tomoyo: "Yeah." Sayumi: "Andou-kun, you have a lot of useless knowledge, don't you?" Andou: "Naturally." Sayumi: "Is that really true?" Tomoyo: "Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Sayumi: "Why, Demon King?" Sayumi: "Did you not once loathe mankind so?" Jurai: "Humans are indeed foolish and absurd. However..." Jurai: "I'd hoped to live up to mankind's foolish expectations. I desired to save them, to live alongside them." Tomoyo: "Do you still think such ideals are still possible?" Hatoko: "Demons like us have constantly been persecuted by humans!" Jurai: "I don't know, either! But is there truly no way for mankind and demons to coexist?" Chifuyu: "Demon King..." Jurai: "I am not your Demon King." Jurai: "I am Jurai the Hero!" Sayumi: "It would appear that" Sayumi: "We will have to force him to open his eyes!" Tomoyo: "Right. That's the kind of man you were. That's why I decided to follow you." Hatoko: "I already knew... That the real Demon King was kinder than anyone." Chifuyu: "I'll always be with you, Demon King." Sayumi: "It seems I am no match for our Demon King, after all." Jurai: "Why? Why didn't you face me seriously? If you had used your Route of Origin..." Sayumi: "I wanted to pin my hopes on you, as well. Just as humans entrusted their world to the reborn Hero, I also wanted to try entrusting our world to you." Jurai: "All of you..." Jurai: "I swear I will live up to your hopes, so lend me your powers!" All: "Demon King!" Andou: "A-Awesome! What is this godly game?" Andou: "When did you make a game like this?" Chifuyu: "It's too soon to be surprised." Andou: "There's still more?" Tomoyo: "Just watch it until the end." Andou: "S-Sure." All: "Happy Birthday!" Sayumi: "How do you like your surprise present from all of us in the literature club?" Andou: "Surpri— Th-Then, this game..." Sayumi: "All that talk about the culture festival was a lie." Hatoko: "We all did our best in hopes that you'd enjoy it, Ju-kun!" Chifuyu: "I worked hard, too." Andou: "You guys..." Tomoyo: "Huh? Hey, why are you crying, Andou?" Andou: "I'm not crying!" Hatoko: "Ju-kun, you don't need to be shy." Sayumi: "Tomoyo-san's Closed Clock, Hatoko-san's Over Element, Chifuyu-san's World Create, my Route of Origin, and Andou-kun's dark flame. I think I should use my Route of Origin" Sayumi: "After thinking it over on my own, that's the conclusion I've reached. We should erase everything and return to being normal high schoolers. I think that's our best option." Sayumi: "You all agree with that, right?" Andou: "Please wait." Andou: "Our powers shouldn't be erased." Sayumi: "Why not?" Andou: "Because..." Andou: "Sayumi-san's stuck in bed with a cold?" Tomoyo: "I think the fatigue of working on the game finally caught up to her. In the end, she had to handle most of the important parts alone." Andou: "True... That wasn't something high schoolers could make" Chifuyu: "Sayumi worked hard." Hatoko: "I was thinking we should pay her a visit, but if we all show up together, it might just be a nuisance." Tomoyo: "So we thought we'd have one person go, representing all of us, but..." Andou: "Well, she did push herself for my sake, so I'll admit it makes sense for me to go, but..." Andou: "Nobody told me Sayumi-san's house was a mansion like this." Sayumi: "Yes, I'm coming." Andou: "H-Hello." Andou: "Are you already over your cold?" Sayumi: "Yes." Sayumi: "I only stayed home to be on the safe side." Andou: "I'm sorry you went through that for me." Sayumi: "You don't need to apologize. It was something I chose to do. Also," Andou: "S-Sorry! This is just sort of new for me..." Andou: "So this is what you look like at home." Andou: "Your pajamas are cute, too." Sayumi: "Th-They're not! Mine got all sweaty, so they're in the wash. So I had no choice but to borrow my little sister's." Andou: "It's my first time seeing them, but Sayumi-san," Andou: "you look good in glasses." Sayumi: "I don't need your flattery." Maiya: "I'm home!" Maiya: "Sayu-nee, I bought you some Pocari! Huh?" Maiya: "Sayu-nee brought a man home!" Sayumi: "Maiya! What are you saying?" Maiya: "Oh, did I intrude, by chance?" Sayumi: "Maiya!" Sayumi: "I'm sorry, Andou-kun." Andou: "Uh, is this your..." Sayumi: "My foolish little sister, Maiya." Maiya: "Hey!" Maiya: "Nice to meet you. I'm Takanashi Maiya." Sayumi: "This young man is Andou Jurai-kun. He's an underclassman in the literature club." Maiya: "Oh!" Andou: "Y-Yeah, nice to meet you." Maiya: "Oh, yeah! Hold on a second!" Maiya: "Ta-da!" Maiya: "Sayu-nee's middle school graduation album! When you go to your girlfriend's house, you have to see her graduation album!" Sayumi: "Maiya! Please don't dig out other people's belongings!" Sayumi: "Also, Andou-kun and I are not going out!" Maiya: "You mean not yet?" Sayumi: "Never, ever." Maiya: "Okay, okay. Then this nuisance will disappear. Later, Andou-san." Maiya: "Enjoy yourself!" Andou: "She's nothing like you at all." Sayumi: "I hear that a lot." Sayumi: "She's a bit wild and ill-mannered... If our grandmother were still alive, who knows what she would think?" Andou: "Your grandmother?" Sayumi: "She was a strict, fastidious woman. She often chastised me over things." Andou: "You were chastised?" Sayumi: ""Become a proper woman."" Sayumi: "My grandmother often said that to me." Andou: "A proper woman?" Sayumi: "Ever since I was a child, I've always kept those words in mind." Andou: "I'm sure your grandmother must be pleased, then. You grew up just the way she taught you." Sayumi: "I hope so." Andou: "Sayumi-san, you haven't changed at all." Sayumi: "You think so?" Andou: "You seemed mature even in middle school. Oh, Sayumi-san, you were student council president in middle school?" Sayumi: "Yes." Andou: "You do seem cut out for being a student council president. Why didn't you join the student council in high school?" Andou: "U-Um, Sayumi-san?" Sayumi: "I'm sorry," Andou: "Huh?" Sayumi: "Perhaps it's the medicine I took earlier, but I'm feeling a bit drowsy. I'd like to lie down." Andou: "I-I see. All right. Excuse me, then. Sorry for staying so long." Sayumi: "I'm sorry I didn't offer you anything." Andou: "Um, take care." Sayumi: "If you're going to apologize, now is your chance, Andou-kun." Andou: "That's my line, Sayumi-san." Sayumi: "Let's go over the rules. No time limit, weaponry is forbidden, and our field is this area behind the gym. The first to make their opponent say "uncle" wins." Andou: "Also, powers may be used freely." Sayumi: "The other three may be different, but I don't see how banning your power" Andou: "It would." Andou: "Normal battles and superpowered battles are different genres!" Sayumi: "Tomoyo-san, give the signal." Tomoyo: "Then let's begin. Andou, remember to give up before you get hurt." Tomoyo: "Start!" Andou: "I am the Conqueror of Chaos." Sayumi: "Are you an idiot?" Andou: "C-Crap!" Sayumi: "If this were a match, that would be a winning point." Andou: "Ow! Ow!" Sayumi: "Do you understand now, Andou-kun? Against me, you cannot—" Andou: "Ah, I scraped my elbow... It's bleeding! It's bleeding! You fell for it!" Andou: "How arrogant of you to heal your enemy in battle! That is the cause of your undoing!" Sayumi: "Let's stop this, Andou-kun." Andou: "N-No! I still have an ace up my sleeve!" Sayumi: "Since I'm a woman, you can't hit me, can you?" Sayumi: "I don't dislike that feminist side of you, Andou-kun. However, if you can't even attack me, you'll never attain victory." Sayumi: "Just admit defeat quietly." Andou: "I am the Conqueror of Chaos..." Chifuyu: "What?" Chifuyu: "Sayumi isn't coming again?" Tomoyo: "But she was in school today. Hey, Andou..." Tomoyo: "How was Sayumi-san yesterday?" Andou: "She seemed well. We chatted normally and everything... But..." Tomoyo: "But?" Andou: "Oh, it's nothing." Maiya: "Oh, hello, Andou-san? It's me, it's me." Andou: "Maiya-chan?" Maiya: "Yes, yes, it's been a day! So, Andou-san," Andou: "Huh? Ah!" Maiya: "What should I do? Want me to give it to Onee-chan?" Andou: "Oh, yeah. If you could do that, I'd appreciate it." Maiya: "Got it." Andou: "Hey, Maiya-chan..." Maiya: "What is it?" Andou: "After I left, how was Sayumi-san?" Maiya: "How was she?" Maiya: "Andou-san, did something happen between you and Sayu-nee?" Andou: "Well," Maiya: "Hmm... What happened?" Andou: "Well, I was looking at her middle school album, and we got to talking about how she was student council president. Then it was like her attitude suddenly changed." Maiya: "Student council president..." Andou: "Does it ring any bells?" Maiya: "Actually," Maiya: "Well, she was the perfect student council president, apparently." Andou: "I can imagine that." Maiya: "But due to that, she got into a few arguments with the other council members." Andou: "Huh?" Maiya: "Sayu-nee sought the same perfection from the other student council members, so the ones who couldn't keep up steadily drifted away." Andou: "Oh..." Maiya: "So, since it didn't work out in middle school, she decided to create a proper student council in high school..." Andou: "Hold on. Sayumi-san said she wanted to join the student council in high school, too?" Maiya: "Yes, that's what she said before entering high school." Maiya: "That she'd aim to be student council president." Kudou: "Why didn't Takanashi-san become student council president?" Kudou: "Andou, are you making some sort of dig at me?" Andou: "Huh? No, I didn't mean it that way at all!" Kudou: "I'm kidding." Andou: "Huh?" Kudou: "I've actually wondered that myself for a long time." Kudou: "But lately, I feel like I might have some idea." Andou: "You mean..." Kudou: "It's probably due to her powers. I think Takanashi-san decided to prioritize her bond with you literature club members over becoming student council president." Andou: "Kudou-san, when was the student council election?" Kudou: "You had to apply by the end of September," Kudou: "and then, after debates, there was voting." Kudou: "But what about it?" Andou: "Why didn't you join the student council in high school?" Andou: "Damn it!" Kudou: "Huh?" Andou: "It's all my fault!" Kudou: "Andou?" Sayumi: "That's enough, isn't it, Andou-kun?" Tomoyo: "Stop this already, Andou!" Hatoko: "That's right, Ju-kun!" Hatoko: "Chifuyu-chan!" Chifuyu: "We can't interfere." Tomoyo: "But Andou's..." Chifuyu: "Andou hasn't lost yet!" Sayumi: "Why do you keep getting up?" Andou: "I'll rise as many times as it takes." Sayumi: "Are you trying to win by perseverance?" Andou: "Sayumi-san, would you please stop attacking during my chant? Are you that frightened by my full power?" Sayumi: "Very well. Use your power." Sayumi: "I won't attack during your chant again. Please do whatever it is you hope to do." Andou: "Are you sure? Don't come running to me later." Sayumi: "Hurry up." Andou: "I am the Conqueror of Chaos. Purgatorial hellfire dancing in the abyss, distorting black flame in turbid crimson darkness," Andou: "Behold! This is my true form! Ugly and heartless..." Andou: "How sinful..." Sayumi: "That reminds me, did you decide on a name for your power?" Andou: "I just decided." Andou: "I shall name my flames "Dark and Dark"!" Sayumi: "Now, you have no more regrets, right?" Andou: "Huh?" Sayumi: ""Dark and Dark," is it? I feel bad for you, but this is where you'll have to bid farewell to your power." Sayumi: "I'll use Route of Origin to erase it." Sayumi: "You've had enough fun, haven't you?" Andou: "Please wait! I haven't admitted defeat yet!" Sayumi: "It was you who said we're free to use our powers." Sayumi: "Return to the form in which you belong!" Andou: "All right!" Sayumi: "Did you need something from me?" Andou: "S-Sayumi-san! I'm very sorry!" Sayumi: "For what, Andou-kun? Did you do something bad again?" Andou: "Even though I didn't know better, I said something so insensitive. And it's all my fault, too, isn't it? If I hadn't been persistent about not erasing our powers, you could've become student council president." Sayumi: "Huh?" Andou: "Huh?" Sayumi: "So that's what this is about." Sayumi: "I see Maiya and Kudou-san both talk too easily." Sayumi: "First of all, let me undo one misunderstanding. Andou-kun..." Andou: "Yes?" Sayumi: "I'm not angry." Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "But when I started talking about that, you suddenly got upset..." Sayumi: "I didn't. I think it was the medicine, but I suddenly felt sleepy. That's all." Andou: "That wasn't just something you said to make me leave?" Sayumi: "It was not. I really was drowsy. I went to lie down as soon as you left." Andou: "Then, the reason you didn't come to club today..." Sayumi: "I was at the ophthalmologist near the station" Andou: "No, it's all right. You don't need to cover it up." Andou: "If you don't want to see me anymore, you can just say so." Sayumi: "Here's the receipt." Andou: "So, this was all my misunderstanding?" Sayumi: "Yes, it was." Andou: "Aw, man... I was worried over nothing." Andou: "But, Sayumi-san..." Andou: "It's true that you didn't become student council president because of me, isn't it?" Sayumi: "That may be so..." Sayumi: "However, I don't resent you at all for that." Andou: "Huh?" Sayumi: "Actually, I'm grateful for it." Andou: "Huh?" Sayumi: "Because... How could I resent you? After that kind scheme of yours..." Sayumi: "It won't disappear?" Sayumi: "Andou-kun, don't tell me..." Sayumi: "You knew? You knew that I couldn't erase your power? That I couldn't recognize your powerlessness as your natural state?" Andou: "I wasn't completely certain. However, I thought there was a chance... No, I thought that chance was high." Andou: "Sayumi-san, you said we were not meant to have our powers, but... That would also mean you saw yourself using your power as being an unnatural state for you. After you awakened to your own power, could you really accept, with all your heart," Andou: "I always questioned that." Andou: "You're not the type to leave vague questions like that unanswered, are you? I thought if such a person were to try and use their power to erase a power, it would create a paradox." Sayumi: "In that case, why not just tell me that?" Sayumi: "If you'd told me, we wouldn't have needed to go out of our way to fight." Andou: "I wanted to leave hope." Sayumi: "Hope?" Andou: "If we used Route of Origin, we could erase our powers at any time... I wanted to keep that possibility alive. That way, everyone could feel a little better about it." Sayumi: "I'm scared." Sayumi: "I'm scared of my own power. Scared of all of our powers. I can't trust myself or anyone else. If anyone among us were to use our powers for evil, what are we supposed to do? What am I supposed to do if my power goes out of control?" Sayumi: "I don't know how I'm supposed to act. I don't know what's the right thing to do." Sayumi: "What am I... What are we... supposed to do?" Andou: "Why don't we play?" Andou: "Let's use our powers to do something fun." Andou: "I have plenty of things I want to do." Andou: "I'll teach you, Sayumi-san. Powers are nothing to be afraid of." Sayumi: "No." Andou: "Naturally, I'm sure there will be things to think about, Andou-kun knows better than anyone how frightening our powers are. but we can think about those together. If by chance anyone goes out of control..." Andou: "I'll stop them." Sayumi: "What can you even do, with your power?" Andou: "If it comes down to it, I'll awaken it." Sayumi: "Like something that convenient would ever happen!" Andou: "Are you sure? I get the feeling that, for the sake of everyone here, I could awaken it anytime." Sayumi: "I give up... In middle school, I was isolated because I sought perfection. I thought I was right," Sayumi: "But I was the one who was wrong. I valued efficiency and results so much, I forgot to look at my friends. Completely different from a certain someone." Andou: "Huh?" Sayumi: "The reason I wanted to become student council president in high school was partially to clear away my trauma from middle school. In the end," Sayumi: "I was trying to be student council president for my own self-satisfaction. Someone like that isn't fit to be the student council president." Sayumi: "It's a ridiculous story. I wonder how that makes me proper..." Andou: ""Become a proper woman."" Andou: "That's what your grandmother told you, right?" Sayumi: "You remembered?" Andou: "Who cares if you're not proper?" Andou: "There's no such thing as a perfect person." Andou: "I think you're charming enough as you are." Sayumi: "There's actually more to her words." Andou: "More?" Sayumi: ""Become a proper woman... Then, you'll surely find someone who tells you it's okay not to be proper."" Sayumi: "I never thought it would be you who said that to me, Andou-kun." Sayumi: "This world is filled with kind and compassionate words. "You don't have to work hard. Be the only one, not number one." However, I believe my grandmother was trying to tell me that such words are meant for praise or gratitude, not for compromise or surrender. Just as you say, Andou-kun, there is no perfect person." Sayumi: "But I'd still like to try to be one. Even if I cannot be a proper woman, I don't think the desire to try to be one is wasted effort." Andou: "If I were a girl, I might have just fallen for you, Sayumi-san." Sayumi: "Andou-kun, you occasionally say things with an extreme lack of delicacy, so be careful." Andou: "Huh? Did I just say something weird?" Sayumi: "My goodness..." Sayumi: "but it seems there are still many I need to teach you." Andou: "Wh-What do you mean?" Sayumi: "For example..." Sayumi: "Perhaps? Sometimes there are moments when you suddenly realize your mistake, aren't there?" Hatoko: "Ah! Like when you wake up on Sunday, and realize you set your alarm?" Sayumi: "I'm not sure about that example..."

Hatoko: "What do I do?" Andou: "This is where you were?" Hatoko: "Ju-kun, why are you here?" Andou: "Silly. I know where you're likely to hide." Andou: "Don't underestimate my pesquis." Andou: "Still, Hatoko, what are you doing?" Hatoko: "Well, my mom taught me yesterday... On TV, when the entertainer says, "Don't push,"" Andou: "Sure, that's how it works in variety shows. But that doesn't mean you should push the emergency alarm." Hatoko: "But..." Andou: "Everyone's already finished evacuating to the courtyard." Hatoko: "What do I do? What do I do, Ju-kun?" Andou: "Jeez." Andou: "If you're that afraid of them getting mad at you, I'll apologize with you." Andou: "Why are you laughing? We're going to apologize, so you need to look sorry." Hatoko: "Your hand's kind of warm." Andou: "I'm sure. After all, a black dragon of blazing darkness sleeps within my right arm." Hatoko: "I see! So that's why it's warm..." Machi: "That's way too loud first thing in the morning! Get up already, stupid brother!" Andou: "Don't just barge in here! This floor is the one place my tainted body can—" Machi: "Don't try to act cool when you still have bed head!" Andou: "What do you want, anyway?" Machi: "Summon Hatoko-chan tonight." Andou: "Wait, "summon"?" Andou: "She isn't a monster. And, what? Why?" Machi: "Mom has a neighborhood meeting, so she won't be home tonight." Andou: "Huh? You're planning to make Hatoko fix dinner?" Machi: "Well, it'll taste much better than anything either of us would make." Andou: "Well, that's true, but... I guess I'll try and ask her." Hatoko: "Yeah, sure." Hatoko: "It's been a really long time since I last went to your house. Hey, Ju-kun, is there anything you'd like to eat?" Andou: "Anything works." Hatoko: ""Anything works" is the answer that makes it hardest for me." Andou: "The meat and potato stew. Without the potatoes, carrots, onions, and stringed konnyaku." Hatoko: "Then that's just flavored meat!" Tomoyo: "Huh? Hatoko, did something good happen?" Hatoko: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "What? You're acting weird." Sayumi: "Okay, that's enough." Andou: "Doing some actual literature club activities for once isn't so bad." Sayumi: "The topic for today's regular literature club composition contest is light novels. Have you all written yours?" Sayumi: "Now, if you think yours is a winner, raise your hand." Hatoko: "Me, me!" Sayumi: "Then we'll start with you, Hatoko-san." Hatoko: "All right! My theme is the pursuit of reality." Chifuyu: "My theme is the pursuit of reality, too." Andou: "Everyone, don't be too taken aback by my unconventional sense. My theme is Dazai—" Sayumi: "All right, I'll go next. My theme, if I had to name one, would be chuunibyou." Andou: "Then, Tomoyo is last." Tomoyo: "Oh, yeah... Uh, well, I didn't write one. Um, how do I put it? I couldn't come up with anything..." Tomoyo: "I'm sorry. I know you planned this out, Sayumi-san." Sayumi: "Please don't worry about it." Sayumi: "Originally, I proposed it more as recreation than as a club activity, anyway." Hatoko: "Ju-kun, let's go home together!" Andou: "Oh, sorry, could you go on ahead?" Andou: "I think my sister should already be home." Hatoko: "Huh? What's the matter?" Andou: "I just need to talk with Tomoyo a bit." Tomoyo: "Huh? What? Me?" Andou: "It's nothing really big. I'll be done soon. That's okay, right?" Tomoyo: "Well, I don't mind." Hatoko: "But if it won't take long, I can wait for you." Andou: "No, it's something you wouldn't understand, so I think listening would bore you." Hatoko: "Okay, got it. I'll go on ahead, then." Andou: "How'd it go?" Hatoko: "Oh, the new class? It seems fun. The teacher's nice, too." Andou: "Not that. The light novel I lent you! Aren't you the one who said you'd be able to read it over spring break?" Hatoko: "Ah..." Hatoko: "But first, I couldn't remember everyone's names. And then there was so much difficult kanji and katakana..." Hatoko: "So I couldn't get anywhere, and I never finished it." Hatoko: "It just isn't the same as a normal book, you know? B-But it did make me think that everyone has different interests, after all, so maybe this is your thing..." Andou: "I see." Andou: "I guess you couldn't understand it. Well, I guess that's how it goes." Hatoko: "Wait, Ju-kun!" Tomoyo: "Oh, eternal time, that foolish traveler that continues to advance without cessation..." Andou: "Oh grand flame, that sad sinner that turns everything to ash..." Tomoyo: "Clad your body in crimson garb, and etch an unhealing wound." Andou: "In a prison of binding chains, count your own sins." Tomoyo: "Time is..." Andou: "...guilty." Both: "Time Is Guilty!" Tomoyo: "Wait, what are you making me do? What is "Time Is Guilty" supposed to be, anyway?" Andou: "A union skill for you and me. If two humans have complete faith in each other, then when they combine their contrasting powers, it can create a completely new power." Andou: "What's important is acknowledging your partner." Tomoyo: "Jeez... You know, it's not as if I have nothing to do. Why am I doing something as sad as staying behind" Tomoyo: "I'm going home!" Andou: "Hey, wait. I'm not done talking yet." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "I wanted to talk to you about the creative writing earlier. Since you have some desire to be a light novel author, you felt like you couldn't afford to lose to the others. And that odd sense of pride put unnecessary pressure on you. That's the real reason you couldn't write it the way you wanted, right?" Tomoyo: "H-How do you know that?" Andou: "Honestly, you're way too vain." Tomoyo: "When I thought of you reading it, I couldn't write very well. I've been having a hard time writing lately," Tomoyo: "and I'm a bit stuck with the story I'm working on now, too." Andou: "Oh? You're in a slump?" Tomoyo: "No!" Tomoyo: "It's not a slump. It's my own lack of ability. I don't want to ignore my lack of talent and use the word "slump" as an excuse!" Andou: "Oh?" Tomoyo: "Wh-What?" Andou: "This is the first time I've admired someone else." Tomoyo: "Yeah, yeah, there you go again—" Andou: "I'll hear you out." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "I mean, I'm curious anyway, so tell me. What kind of work are you writing? Where are you stuck?" Tomoyo: "But..." Andou: "Hey, someone's going to read it eventually. There's nothing to lose by asking someone else's opinion, right?" Tomoyo: "All right. I'm working on a story of youth at the moment, and I'm struggling with the protagonist's name..." Andou: "I'm home!" Hatoko: "Oh, Ju-kun, welcome home." Andou: "Huh? Where's Sis?" Hatoko: "In her room." Hatoko: "She said she's really busy finishing a report due tomorrow. She told me to call her when it's ready." Andou: "Sorry for leaving everything to you." Andou: "Anything I can help with?" Hatoko: "Hmm, I'm fine. It's almost done, so just relax and wait for it." Andou: "Hey, that reminds me..." Hatoko: "You said it'd be quick, but you sure took a while, huh?" Andou: "Huh? Yeah..." Hatoko: "What were you talking about?" Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "Oh, hold on, sorry." Hatoko: "Hmm? Who's it from?" Andou: "Oh, yeah..." Hatoko: "Tomoyo-chan?" Andou: "Huh? Good guess." Hatoko: "I could tell! What is it? Something interesting?" Andou: "Man, I'm frightened by my own imaginative power." Hatoko: "Wow, that sounds amazing. Did you come up with something? What?" Andou: "Well, many things." Hatoko: "Huh? What is it? You're making me curious. What kinds of things?" Andou: "Well, all kinds of things." Hatoko: "Huh? Why won't you tell me?" Andou: "I don't want to." Hatoko: "Tell me." Andou: "What does it matter?" Hatoko: "Why not? What would it hurt?" Andou: "Because saying it wouldn't do any good." Andou: "You wouldn't understand, anyway." Andou: "Hatoko?" Hatoko: "I don't understand." Andou: "Huh?" Hatoko: "I don't understand!" Hatoko: "I don't understand a single word you say, Ju-kun!" Hatoko: "I don't understand what's good about the things you call good! I don't understand! I can't understand!" Hatoko: "What's so cool about "Bloody"? I don't like blood. Bleeding just hurts!" Hatoko: "What's so cool about "madness"? I don't understand what's good about being crazy!" Hatoko: "What you mean by "sinful"? What's so good about having sin? Is it cool being a criminal? And what's with "chaos," anyway? Chaos? What about it? What about "darkness"? You want it to be dark? Between justice and evil, why is evil better? Why do you prefer evil? Isn't it evil because it's wrong? What's so cool about your right arm aching? "I love the feeling of being unable to control my power"? What's that? That just makes you a fool! It's much cooler when you have control! That's worthy of respect! What's so awesome about hiding your power all the time? That's just slacking off! It's much cooler to face things head-on, at full strength, without hiding anything!" Hatoko: "Why do you give everything nicknames and aliases? Having so many different names only makes them hard to keep up with! Don't use English or katakana for everything! I can't remember those!" Hatoko: "Don't write "elegy" and read it "requiem"! Don't write "forbidden" and read it "taboo"! Don't write "holy war" and read it "jihad"! Greek myth, the Bible, Norse myth, Japanese myth... Don't start talking about them just because you did a little research! If you don't properly explain it, I can't understand what you mean! If you're going to teach me, teach me right!" Hatoko: "Listening to explanations about mythological weapons is not fun! Gungnir, Longinus, Excalibur, Durandal," Hatoko: "I don't understand what's cool about them! All your other terminology is confusing, too! Original Sin, Ten Commandments, Book of Genesis, Book of Revelations, Armageddon... What do you mean by "their names are cool"? It's impossible for me to "feel it by their atmosphere"!" Hatoko: "Relativity, Schrödinger's cat, universal gravitation... Don't act like you understand them because you read a little on the net!" Hatoko: "I can't understand them at all if you give half-baked explanations! Don't quote Nietzsche or Goethe! When you start quoting people I don't know, I can't understand what you're trying to say at all!" Hatoko: "Talk to me in your own words! I'm begging you, speak so I can understand you! What is "chuuni"?" Hatoko: "I don't understand, I don't understand, I don't understand, I don't understand! I don't understand! I don't understand a single word" Andou: "H-Hatoko?" Andou: "Where did she go?" Andou: "Hatoko?" Sagami: "What are you doing?" Andou: "Sagami?" Sagami: "Are you, by chance, chasing after Hatoko-chan?" Sagami: "I just saw her racing off, full-speed, in her slippers." Sagami: "Wearing her cooking apron, too. It was pretty funny..." Andou: "Where?" Sagami: "That way. But it was a while ago." Sagami: "What? Did you two fight?" Andou: "We didn't fight." Andou: "She suddenly snapped and then ran off." Sagami: "Oh, finally?" Andou: "Huh? What do you mean by "finally"?" Sagami: "Well, I figured this was bound to happen eventually." Andou: "What do you mean?" Sagami: "Well, it always felt pretty uncomfortable" Andou: "Uncomfortable?" Sagami: "You two have always been such a poor fit, it's almost funny. If you think you've been getting along, that's thanks to Hatoko-chan. But the price she's paid for it is that she always felt the stress, right?" Andou: "Hang on, Sagami! She isn't the type to ever feel stress or concern—" Sagami: "Hey, hey, Andou..." Sagami: "This isn't a manga or an anime. Well, to put it simply, Hatoko-chan's finally had enough of you. That's all it is." Andou: "Hatoko has?" Sagami: "Later. I was on my way to the arcade, so say hi to Hatoko-chan for me." Tomoyo: "Hello, Andou?" Andou: "Tomoyo, Hatoko isn't at your place, is she?" Tomoyo: "Hatoko? No, she isn't here. What's going on?" Andou: "Yeah... Of course she's not. Sorry for calling you so suddenly." Tomoyo: "What? Did something happen?" Andou: "Hatoko disappeared." Tomoyo: "Hold on, what do you mean?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "Damn it." Andou: "Damn it." Andou: "Where the hell are you? Why am I panicking so much?" Andou: "What?" Tomoyo: "Don't "what" me. Don't hang up on me after that half-finished call, either. Where are you, anyway?" Andou: "Oh, yeah... This is the first time Hatoko hasn't been with me." Hatoko: "I've really done it now... Why did I have to say those things?" Hatoko: "What is "chuuni"?" Hatoko: "I'm the only one... I'm the only one who doesn't understand it at all." Hatoko: "Even though I've been with Ju-kun the longest." Hatoko: "Huh?" Hatoko: "Huh? Huh?" Hatoko: "Wow, I amaze myself. I came all the way to an unfamiliar town." Hatoko: "Ju-kun..." Kiryuu: "You really have done it now." Tomoyo: "Andou!" Sayumi: "My goodness, what's happened to you?" Andou: "Sorry for bringing you into this, Sayumi-san." Sayumi: "I didn't call Chifuyu-san. We can't very well call an elementary schooler out this late." Tomoyo: "Are you all right, Andou?" Andou: "I'm fine. Okay, I'll search over there, so you two—" Tomoyo: "You don't look fine at all to me." Tomoyo: "Hey, what on Earth happened? Explain it to us." Andou: "I..." Andou: "Manga, light novels... Not only that," Andou: "When I thought something was cool, I always wanted Hatoko to find it cool, too. I wanted to share the fun. That's really all there was to it." Andou: "But maybe it's always been a bother for Hatoko. Maybe she's been forcing herself for me. Maybe she found it all annoying. Maybe it was hard for Hatoko to be with me—" Tomoyo: "You spineless idiot! Don't say such pathetic things! There's no way it was hard for Hatoko to be with you. Hatoko was always happy around you! She was always smiling whenever she was with you, wasn't she? There's no way that smile of hers was fake!" Tomoyo: "Don't get depressed over speculations. I don't want to see you so wishy-washy." Tomoyo: "Get it together. You're Guiltia Sin Jurai, aren't you?" Andou: "Yeah, I am." Kiryuu: "To start at the conclusion... Your concern, young lady, is a simple feeling of guilt." Hatoko: "Feeling of guilt?" Kiryuu: "You're ashamed of yourself for being unable to understand your childhood friend. You feel guilty for not being able to understand him. Good grief, you're astoundingly caring," Kiryuu: "What you don't understand is "chuuni," right, young lady? Then the answer is simple. You don't need to understand." Hatoko: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "Those who suffer chuunibyou seek the understanding of others. However, just as much, they also don't want to be understood." Hatoko: "Huh? But isn't that a contradiction?" Kiryuu: "Yes, it's a paradox. Just one unsolvable paradox." Hatoko: "Endless paradox?" Hatoko: "Huh? I feel like I've heard that before." Kiryuu: "Those who suffer chuunibyou, and seek to be cool due to their differences from the world, shouldn't be understood too easily. If they could be accepted by everyone, they wouldn't be chuunibyou at all. They don't want to be understood, just as much as they do. So someone like you, who can't understand chuunibyou at all, is absolutely necessary for your childhood friend to live as himself." Hatoko: "Is that true?" Kiryuu: "Hey, young lady," Hatoko: "Huh? Uh..." Hatoko: "That would be love." Kiryuu: "Not a bad answer. That's extremely close to what happiness is for people." Kiryuu: "However, the answer is simpler than that. Happiness, for people, is to be chosen." Hatoko: "To be chosen?" Kiryuu: "Every single person wants to be "the chosen one."" Hatoko: "Oh, I see. I just wanted Ju-kun to choose me." Kiryuu: "Thank you, young lady. This was a good way to kill time." Kiryuu: "No... More accurately, a good way to buy time." Hatoko: "Huh?" Hatoko: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "Oh? What's wrong, young lady? Your body looks awfully heavy." Kiryuu: "Now, look into my eye." Kiryuu: "You guys are late." Andou: "It's no good... Hatoko-chan hasn't returned home, either." Tomoyo: "What do we do? Maybe we just missed her. Should we split up and search from the beginning?" Sayumi: "No, searching blindly is likely to get us nowhere." Sayumi: "Why don't we think of another method?" Tomoyo: "Another method?" Sayumi: "A method only we can use." Andou: "Our powers." Tomoyo: "But none of us has a power for finding people..." Andou: "I get it!" Sayumi: "Awakening Dark and Dark will have no effect here." Andou: "That's true." Sayumi: "So this time, I'll awaken my power." Both: "Huh?" Sayumi: "I'll awaken Route of Origin's next stage." Hatoko: "Fighting isn't good, right?" Chifuyu: "Yeah, it's tiresome." Hatoko: "So fighting with super powers is even worse, right?" Chifuyu: "Yes, it's more tiresome. Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Yukawa: "Even if avoiding enemy detection is a fundamental rule of this war, did we really need to fight all the way out here?" Kiryuu: "Consideration for the neighbors, Yukawa Touhei." Yukawa: "Huh?" Yukawa: ""Ancient Lucifer," Kiryuu Hajime. Ha! That's an awfully exaggerated alias you have." Kiryuu: "It's simply what others began to call me as I fought." Kiryuu: "Understand? It isn't a name I devised for myself." Yukawa: "You have my sympathy... For ending up with such a lame alias!" Kiryuu: "Your voice is cracking, you know? You must be quite frightened." Kiryuu: "Relax. I don't intend to use my power today." Yukawa: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "Didn't you hear me? I said I don't even need to use my power against the likes of you." Kiryuu: "I won't take a single step outside this circle. If you manage to make me move, I'll even call it your victory." Yukawa: "Are you mocking me?!" Kiryuu: "Come on... I will demonstrate the difference in our levels." Yukawa: "Don't get carried away, you idiot! I'll turn that pretty face of yours into a battered mess!" Yukawa: "Huh?" Yukawa: "You... weren't going to leave the..." Kiryuu: "Maxim of superpower battles #21: "Never trust what your enemy says."" Yukawa: "Screw you. If I use my abilities, I'll never lose to you! After all, my power—" Kiryuu: "Your turn will never come." Kiryuu: "It's always my turn." Yukawa: "Hold on... I haven't done anything ye—" Kiryuu: "Be devoured." Kiryuu: "Pinpoint Abyss." Yukawa: "K-Kiryuu Hajime!" Kiryuu: "Not "Kiryuu Hajime"..." Kiryuu: "Kiryuu Heldkaiser Luci First. That is the name of the man who crushed you." Kiryuu: "Though, I guess you can't hear me anymore." Kiryuu: "Still, that's the thing... Returning the loser, regardless of if they die or are crippled, to their normal lives without any memory of the war?" Kiryuu: "The Fairy War operates under some awfully lax rules..." Litia: "Well, this war is basically set up so it won't bother humans." Hitomi: "Hey, Litia-chan... Why do you all try to make humans fight each other, anyway?" Litia: "Well..." Kiryuu: "It's a show." Hitomi: "A show?" Kiryuu: "The fairies are playing around, watching our battles and betting on the winner. Using these powers as weapons." Hitomi: "You mean it's only for the fairies' amusement?" Kiryuu: "Did you think it was a more grandiose reason?" Hitomi: "So, despite knowing that, those with powers continue this fight because..." Kiryuu: "Yes, because we have a wish we want granted as one of the Last Eight." Hitomi: "So if you're one of the final eight participants, the Last Eight out of nearly a thousand, you can have any one wish fulfilled?" Litia: "But I can only imagine that Hajime's doing this for the fun of it." Litia: "I have some new information from my friends on the committee. That man with powers, Yukawa Touhei, wasn't registered in the war." Kiryuu: "In other words, that guy was another member of F?" Litia: "Probably." Hitomi: "What is F trying to do by overproducing rogue power-users?" Kiryuu: "Who knows? Regardless," Hitomi: "Not really. I'll always come for you." Hitomi: "Hajime-kun, you never tell me anything about the battles." Kiryuu: "Don't I?" Litia: "Today, I called her here. I summoned all your members." Kiryuu: "Then there's been some development?" Litia: "Yes." Toki: "So? You want us to infiltrate the base and crush F?" Hitomi: "It won't be that easy." Toki: "Huh?" Litia: "Apparently, they have someone with an ultimate power who's their trump card. F's group calls that one "System."" : "They can call them "ultimate," but until we know what their power is, we won't know if it's really strong or not, right?" Litia: "A power on a par with God's." Litia: "That's how they describe System's power, evidently." Aki: "I could learn their ability in a glance using my Head Hunting, though..." : "What does F hope to accomplish? If they really have someone with a power no one can beat, there'd be nothing to bet on anymore, right?" Akutagawa: "Maybe they're trying to end the Fairy War itself?" Litia: "Well, that's probably it." Aki: "What do you mean?" Litia: "There are all kinds of fairies, too. Some don't think very highly of the Fairy War." Akutagawa: "Well, then, what should we do?" Akutagawa: "Doesn't this mean the war itself is in danger? Has the War Management Committee shown no reaction toward F?" Litia: "They haven't decided anything yet. The committee's opinions are divided." Akutagawa: "That again? Litia, you're just an errand girl, aren't you?" Litia: "Huh? Say that again, you whiner!" Toki: "What are you planning on doing?" Kiryuu: "Huh?" Litia: "You are their boss, aren't you? Why don't you try making a decision when it's needed?!" Kiryuu: "Hey, Litia, if you want me to crush F, why not just come out and say it? If the War Management Committee has yet to make a decision, why would you share that information with us? If F's goal is the war's end, then once I learned that, it wouldn't be strange for me to go and crush F. In fact, it would be natural to assume that I would." Litia: "S-So what?" Kiryuu: "This is my own theory, but..." Kiryuu: "Do you suppose F's ringleader was originally a War Management Committee member?" Hitomi: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "But they betrayed the organization, and are trying to end the war. Put simply, they're an internal disgrace." Kiryuu: "So the committee can't take any drastic action." Kiryuu: "Thus, if I were to crush F on my own, wouldn't everything be perfect for you?" Kiryuu: "Indeed, that is a good plan. It sounds exactly like something I would do." Litia: "Seriously, you should die." Kiryuu: "I wouldn't mind crushing F for you." Kiryuu: "However, I don't like your attempt to manipulate me." Kiryuu: "The only thing allowed to manipulate me is the crazy, destructive impulse in my head." Kiryuu: "Litia..." Kiryuu: "When you have a request, you bow your head and ask, "Please."" Litia: "I don't want to hear that from you, you trash!" Hitomi: "Hajime-kun!" Hitomi: "What are you going to do, Hajime-kun? The war might come to an end..." Tomoyo: "I feel like going to karaoke today." Sayumi: "Good idea." Andou: "Oh, good idea!" Sayumi: "If Andou-kun's coming, I'll pass." Tomoyo: "Yeah." Andou: "Why?" Kiryuu: "It's been a while since I was here." Hitomi: "Hajime-kun..." Hitomi: "You haven't lost interest in the war, have you?" Litia: "So Hajime isn't here?" Hitomi: "Jeez, Litia-chan, don't scare me!" Litia: "How noble of you. You really like Hajime, don't you?" Hitomi: "Wh-Wh-What are you saying? I d-don't like that man at all!" Litia: "It's obvious from your attitude." Litia: "The committee's finally reached a decision on F." Hitomi: "But Hajime-kun is already mad about that, so he won't get involved now, will he?" Litia: "Yeah, I know... I really messed up." Hitomi: "Then trying to get us to crush F was your idea, after all?" Litia: "Yeah. Frankly, I can't count on our old geezers." Hitomi: "What did they decide?" Litia: "To propose a truce, while secretly gathering everyone with powers to launch a surprise attack and eliminate F." Hitomi: "They've chosen clear, strong measures, haven't they?" Litia: "Actually, in the Second Fairy War, when there was a similar case, the committee did employ a similar method." Litia: "Though, naturally, those in F should also know that." Hitomi: "You mean they'll know our strategy?" Litia: "It's just a hunch. But from your perspective, wouldn't it be better if the war ended?" Litia: "You don't like Hajime continuing this war, right?" Hitomi: "I... thought I hated it, but..." Hitomi: "Litia-chan?" Litia: "Yeah?" Hitomi: "Even without Hajime-kun, our team is pretty strong, isn't it?" Litia: "Yeah." Hitomi: "Right." Hitomi: "Aki-chan? Can you come to our base at once? Yes, now. Right now." Hitomi: "We're going to crush F now." Litia: "Huh?" Hitomi: "Later, Litia-chan." Litia: "I never thought you'd go wild like this, Hitomi." Hitomi: "We're just doing what we want. I don't like being forced in or out of this war" Hitomi: "After all, this is our war." Litia: "Just so you know, if you fail, I'll report this as you all acting out of control." Hitomi: "Yes, as you should. Thanks." Litia: "Hitomi..." Litia: "I like you, personally." Hitomi: "Whoa..." Litia: "Come home, okay?" Hitomi: "I'll be back." Litia: "Oh, well... I guess I'll tell him at least." Kiryuu: "Hey, hey... That's the job of you guys in the War Management Committee." Litia: "I said I was just reporting the committee's decision." Kiryuu: "You're ostensibly calling a truce, while secretly crushing them with all your might, huh? That's so underhanded, it disgusts me." Litia: "I agree it's underhanded. So..." Kiryuu: "Fine... I'll do it for you." Litia: "Huh?" Kiryuu: "I'll teach them who the real emperor of this war is." Litia: "But do you have a plan? System's—" Kiryuu: "Power on a par with God? Who cares?" Litia: "Well, if you don't care, I guess it's fine." Kiryuu: "Sorry. That was my boss at work." Litia: "What's gotten into him?" Toki: "Look out, Hitomi-san!" Hitomi: "Everyone's here now?" Hitomi: "Good." Hitomi: "System is in here." Hitomi: "Akutagawa-kun, if you would." Hitomi: "Wh-What is this?" Aki: "Hitomi, th-that's..." Aki: "System?" Hitomi: "That is?" Aki: "What is that? That's not fair!" Hitomi: "Did you see their power?" Aki: "We can't beat that! It isn't even in the same dimension as winning or losing. A power like that, meant only for victory, shouldn't exist..." Akutagawa: "Running won't help, huh?" Kiryuu: "Maxim of superpower battles #1:" Kiryuu: ""Never close your eyes, no matter the situation. Don't let either fortune or misfortune slip by."" Kiryuu: "Oh, come on... What are you doing closing your eyes, Eternal Wink?" Hitomi: "H-Hajime-kun?" Kiryuu: "Not "Hajime-kun."" Hitomi: "Wh-Why are you here, Hajime-kun?" Kiryuu: "And what are you all doing?" Hitomi: "Huh? Um, y-you might say..." System: "First off, why did you stop me? You're the one who told me to eliminate F, right?" Kiryuu: "These guys aren't part of F. They're my friends." : "Hitomi-san, what happened? Wait, huh? Wh-Why is Kiryuu-san here? Plus, that girl... Is that System?" Kiryuu: "Oh, everyone's here? Perfect." Kiryuu: "Listen up, men!" All: "Huh?" Hitomi: "H-Hold on... Hold on, Hajime-kun! That girl is..." Kiryuu: "At first, I also planned to crush her. But against a cute kid like this, I couldn't get serious, could I?" Hitomi: "B-But how in the world did you..." Kiryuu: "Oh, actually... As luck would have it, I had some emergency soft candy. I told her, "I'll give you this, so be my friend," and we became friends." Kiryuu: "I hereby order all members of Fallen Black... Crush every last member of F!" Aki: "Tsk... Taking all the good parts?" Toki: "This is pointless." : "Good grief." Akutagawa: "Can I go home now?" Kiryuu: "Akutagawa! You need to actually work. I'm the only one who can go home. I'm tired from getting up early." Hitomi: "W-Wait, Hajime-kun! H-Hajime-ku—" Kiryuu: "Take care of the rest, Hitomi." Hitomi: "You can't mean..." Kiryuu: "I've done it now..." Hitomi: "I told you to stop sleeping with color contacts in. You brought it on yourself. Anyway, until it heals, you're banned from color contacts." Kiryuu: "If I knew this would happen, I would've put at least one person with healing powers on our team." Hitomi: "Wh-What is it?" Kiryuu: "Virgin Child! One of their members has recovery powers." Hitomi: "But are you sure?" Kiryuu: "That's where you come in, right? Use your hypnosis to somehow scramble their memories." Hitomi: "Use it "somehow"?" Hitomi: "I got the wrong person?!" Kiryuu: "Good grief, what are you doing, Hitomi?" Hitomi: "I-It isn't my fault. You only said, "The one with long hair,"" Toki: "If Natsu had just been watching them from the beginning," Hitomi: "so I was positive it was her. She seems like the type to have healing powers," Toki: "this wouldn't have happened." Hitomi: "and I asked Akutagawa-kun, just like you said." Kiryuu: "Jeez, you're all useless..." All: "It's your fault to begin with!" Hitomi: "Hajime-kun, take responsibility!" Kiryuu: "Huh? Why me?" Hitomi: "Because this is all your responsibility!" Kiryuu: "I wonder if any of those guys will conveniently awaken a new power and steal her back soon..." Hitomi: "There's no way such a miracle of convenience would occur!" Andou: "Thanks, Chifuyu-chan. We owe you one." Chifuyu: "It's all for Hatoko." Sayumi: "Now, let's take roll. Please answer, once you're called." Tomoyo: "Here." Sayumi: "Andou Jurai." Andou: "Here." Sayumi: "Himeki Chifuyu." Chifuyu: "Here." Sayumi: "Kushikawa Hatoko." Sayumi: "Oh? Hatoko-san isn't present? That's troubling. We're only the Senkou Private High School literature club when all five of us are together. If even one of us is missing," Sayumi: "In that case, I'll return us to our proper state!" Andou: "Route of Origin's next stage! Route of Origin: Ouroboros Circle!" Sayumi: "Andou-kun, please be quiet so I can concentrate." Hitomi: "Huh?" Hitomi: "It happened... A miracle." Sayumi: "Once I tried, that was surprisingly easy." Andou: "Hatoko!" Andou: "Hey, Hatoko!" Hatoko: "It's Ju-kun... Good morning!" Andou: "Jeez, this is no time for "good morning."" Hatoko: "Is this the club room?" Andou: "What have you been doing, and where?" Hatoko: "Uh, after getting tired from running around, this older man with an eye patch was nice, but then he got scary, and then a bunch of his friends showed up, and..." Andou: "You're not making any sense. Are you still half asleep?" Sayumi: "Well, I'm glad you're all right." Hatoko: "Did I cause trouble for everyone?" Tomoyo: "It was no trouble, but you worried us." Hatoko: "I-I'm sorry!" Andou: "No, I'm the one who should apologize. Hatoko, I'm sorry." Hatoko: "Oh, n-no... I'm the one who's sorry." Andou: "No, it's all my fault." Hatoko: "No, it's mine. You did nothing wrong, Ju-kun." Andou: "It's my fault." Tomoyo: "Um, everyone, please listen!" Tomoyo: "I'm trying to become a light novel author!" Andou: "Huh? Tomoyo... Now?" Tomoyo: "I thought I should wait until I produced results before telling everyone, so I've kept it secret, but I wanted to tell everyone now." Chifuyu: "Tomoyo, that's incredible." Tomoyo: "Andou happened to discover it a while ago. And today, Andou was giving me advice, since I'm not very good. So, Hatoko, that's really all it was." Hatoko: "I see, so that's what it was." Andou: "Hatoko..." Andou: "Um, well... I know how it may seem, but I'm really grateful to you." Hatoko: "Huh?" Andou: "I don't know how many times I've been saved by the way you always cheerfully listened to me. I was really happy that you understood me." Andou: "So, um... I know I'll probably continue to say lots of nonsensical things," Andou: "but still... y-you and I... There is no path before me, and no retreat behind me! I am destined to advance on an endless road, over rivers of blood and mountains of corpses! However, even for me, it would be hard to travel that road of suffering alone." Andou: "Therefore, I need companions. Let us walk together, Kushikawa Hatoko. I need you." Hatoko: "Okay, sure." Hatoko: "Ju-kun, your hand's kind of warm." Andou: "Huh?" Andou: "After all, the hellfire of purgatory sleeps in my right arm." Hatoko: "No, that isn't why. It's warm because it's your hand, Ju-kun." Chifuyu: "Andou, more importantly, open this." Andou: "Huh? Oh, yeah, sure!" Andou: "This bag is tough." Chifuyu: "Andou, hurry." Andou: "Yeah, hold on, Chifuyu-chan." Tomoyo: "Why don't you just give up and use scissors?" Andou: "Damn it! How can I give up?" Tomoyo: "Wh-What are you doing, Andou?" Andou: "I-I awakened it." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "I surpassed my limits, and awakened it." Andou: "Dark And Dark of the End!" All: "Just now?" Tomoyo: "Andou, are you trying to get a laugh?" Andou: "You think I could awaken it just for a laugh?!" Tomoyo: "Well? What just happened, exactly?" Andou: "I'll show you now. Dark and Dark of the End!" All: "Whoa!" Sayumi: "We have final exams coming up tomorrow." Tomoyo: "Once they're over, it's summer break." Sayumi: "Have you finished planning for everything?" Tomoyo: "This year, I'm not losing to anyone! Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Andou: "You finished your new work?" Tomoyo: "Yeah, sort of..." Andou: "Sort of?" Tomoyo: "There was too much I wanted to do, and I don't think I organized it very well." Tomoyo: "But I've reached the point where I can't look at it objectively anymore." Andou: "Right..." Tomoyo: "So I wanted you to read it, and, well..." Tomoyo: "Give me a second opinion on it, if you can?" Andou: "Okay!" Andou: "If my opinion can help you, I'll share it anytime." Tomoyo: "Thanks! Well, times like these are one of those few that I'm glad you're a chuuni." Andou: "Hey... That's the attitude you take toward someone you're asking for a favor?" Tomoyo: "Y-You're right... I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry!" Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Andou: "Well, I didn't imagine you'd apologize so readily. I was just running with our usual joke..." Tomoyo: "Actually, I do think you're pretty amazing, Andou." Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "The things you do are certainly foolish..." Andou: "Huh?" Tomoyo: "So foolish I can't believe it. But I think it's incredible that you persist in doing what you want to do." Andou: "It isn't like I'm that persistent about it." Andou: "There was actually a time I thought about graduating from chuunibyou." Tomoyo: "Really?" Andou: "When I was in eighth grade, my second year of middle school. Back then, I seriously considered quitting such a painful lifestyle. But a fateful encounter changed my life!" Tomoyo: "This already sounds chuuni again." Andou: "No, it really was a fateful encounter. If it weren't for those words back then, I wouldn't be who I am today." Tomoyo: "Wow... So? Who said what to you?" Andou: "I don't know their name. In fact, I've only met them that one time." Tomoyo: "Oh, that really does sound like a fateful encounter. And?" Andou: "The girl wore a silver wig and sunglasses." Tomoyo: "She was this really crazy girl who referred to herself by an archaic pronoun." Andou: "And then she... Uh..." Andou: "Tomoyo?" Tomoyo: "J-Just listening is embarrassing me! Sorry, I can't take it!" Andou: "Wha?" Tomoyo: "Okay, Andou, after you read it, let me know what you think. I'm counting on you!" Andou: "S-Sure..." Tomoyo: "That was..." Tomoyo: "That was..." sia: "I'm already bored! I know I'm the youngest, but leaving all the menial work to me is cruel. This is Hitomi-san's room, and even she took off somewhere..." Akutagawa: "If you have time to chat, then get back to work. I want to go home soon, too—" sia: "So going back to before... Don't you think cute girls only get away with pink knee-highs because they're cute and thin? And yet, that girl was eating candy like crazy. Oh, speaking of candy, have you heard about the new chocolate at the convenience store? Apparently, they have this totally cute, colored heart on them, and they're just super cute!" sia: "What is it?" Akutagawa: "Oh, here..." sia: "Is that an F member?" Akutagawa: "Yeah, we missed one." sia: "Huh? Wh-What do we do?" Akutagawa: "About what?" sia: "If Kiryuu-san finds out, I'm sure he'll be really mad!" Akutagawa: "Yeah, what a pain..." sia: "It is a pain." Akutagawa: "Let's delete it." sia: "That'd be best." Akutagawa: "And... Delete." sia: "He won't catch us, right?" Akutagawa: "Well, we'll deal with that if it comes to it." Andou: "This kanji, "Gen," means "black." That's why Genbu of the four guardian deities, who guards the north, is associated with black! Thinking about it again with that in mind," Andou: "isn't "Sugita Genpaku" a really cool name?" Tomoyo: "That doesn't matter!" Andou: "Hey, hey! But it's Genpaku! Genpaku! His name has "black" and "white" in it. It's cool, like he controls the world's yin and yang, right?" Sayumi: "Andou-kun... Since we are studying together today, please try not to get overly sidetracked." Andou: "But I'm already tired, and I can't keep going if I don't do this." Andou: "Maybe I should activate my power again to keep myself awake..." Tomoyo: "What are you saying?" Andou: "Er, huh? I'm joking..." Hatoko: "You can't, Ju-kun!" Sayumi: "I know even you haven't forgotten what happened back then." Andou: "Come on, guys... You know I wasn't serious—" Chifuyu: "Andou, promise me" Chifuyu: "that you won't use your awakened power anymore." Tomoyo: "That's right, promise us! Promise to seal your awakened power!" Andou: "A-All right..." Sayumi: "Andou-kun, please be quiet and focus on your studies. If you do that again, prepare to lose two or three ribs." Andou: "Okay..." Chifuyu: "Hatoko, teach me this." Hatoko: "Sure, okay. Hmm, let's see... Oh, well, for this..." Andou: "That reminds me, Chifuyu-chan, how are your grades in school?" Chifuyu: "Hmm, normal?" Andou: ""Normal" doesn't tell me anything. Like, what were your last test results?" Chifuyu: "My last math test score was a 0." Andou: "Oh, I see. 0, huh? Well, I guess that is normal... Wait, what?! 0? Seriously? Don't tell me you get a 0 on every test?" Chifuyu: "Before that, I scored 100, and before that a 0." Andou: "Wow... Both extremes, huh?" Chifuyu: "Depending on my mood and condition that day, my head works completely differently. How about you?" Andou: "Me? Well, I'm normal. About upper average." Chifuyu: "Then, who's smarter, you or Hatoko?" Andou: "Huh, which is it? Hatoko, which of us scored higher on our midterms?" Hatoko: "I ranked thirty-second!" Andou: "Ah, I lost. I was ranked thirty-eighth." Andou: "Wh-What's wrong, Tomoyo?" Tomoyo: "Huh? What? Hold on. A-Andou, your grades are that good?!" Tomoyo: "What? No way. I knew Hatoko's grades were good, but Andou's are better than mine? Oh, no, um..." Chifuyu: "How about you, Tomoyo?" Tomoyo: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Where did you rank on your midterms?" Tomoyo: "I... I... I, um..." Tomoyo: "Eighty-eighth..." Andou: "Oh, that isn't so bad. Right in the middle." Tomoyo: "No. Now I'm too ashamed to keep living." Andou: "Don't get so depressed. So what if your grades are worse than mine?" Tomoyo: "I don't like it! "Dumber than Andou" is practically a discriminatory phrase!" Chifuyu: "How did you do on your tests, Sayumi?" Sayumi: "This time, I ranked second." Chifuyu: "You're amazing, Sayumi!" Sayumi: "It's not that impressive. Besides, the amazing one is Kudou-san, since she beat me and ranked first." Hatoko: "But last time, Sayumi-san was first." Chifuyu: "Sayumi and Kudou are both really incredible." Chifuyu: "Tomoyo's the biggest idiot." Tomoyo: "What?!" Tomoyo: "I'll study! I will study! I'll definitely beat Andou on our finals!" Hatoko: "Hey, Tomoyo-chan?" Tomoyo: "What?" Hatoko: "Well, if you'd like, why don't we study together after this?" Tomoyo: "Huh? Uh, sure." Hatoko: "When you do this, the "p" here fulfills the conditions, so now you know that "f" has to have a limit." Tomoyo: "Oh, I get it. Hatoko, you're amazing!" Hatoko: "That's not true." Tomoyo: "Sorry I ended up just having you teach me." Hatoko: "No, not at all. I invited you out. Besides, this is kind of fun, anyway." Tomoyo: "I hope so." Hatoko: "Let's do our best and beat Ju-kun, okay?" Tomoyo: "Still, when I look at Chifuyu-chan and compare it to how I panicked over comparing my grades to others, I feel tainted. I regret that." Hatoko: "Hey, Tomoyo-chan, "tainted" means "dirty," right?" Tomoyo: "Yeah, it does. Sorry for using such a weird word." Hatoko: "It's fine. But "tainted" is a word Ju-kun often uses, right? "Tainted power" and all that." Tomoyo: "Y-Yeah, that's right." Hatoko: "I don't really get it. Why does Ju-kun say bad things about his power?" Tomoyo: "Bad? Has he ever said anything bad about it?" Hatoko: "He calls it things like "tainted power" or "detested power," right? Ju-kun seems to love his power, so why does he say such bad things about it? It's contradictory." Tomoyo: "Oh, that. It isn't actually contradictory. Chuunibyou often admire and yearn for those sorts of taboo powers." Hatoko: "Oh, so that's how it is? You're incredible, Tomoyo-chan. You understand everything about Ju-kun." Tomoyo: "I-I'm not that incredible... Really, you're much more incredible for being so good at your studies." Hatoko: "That's not fair." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Hatoko: "Oh, right! I'm going to buy something sweet. Want something, Tomoyo-chan?" Tomoyo: "Oh, sure... I'll come, too." Hatoko: "Maybe I'll get a cinnamon roll. I can't decide!" Andou: "At long last, our tests are over, and once we finish cleaning the club room, it'll finally be summer break!" Sayumi: "Andou-kun, did the study sessions help?" Andou: "Man, we should start holding them every time, those study sessions." Andou: "Well? How did you do? Did you beat me?" Tomoyo: "Ah, jeez, leave me alone! I'll definitely, definitely beat you next time!" Andou: "Tsk... And here I was trying to console you." Andou: "Sayumi-san, is there anything I can help..." Andou: "Sayumi-san?" Sayumi: "Oh, Andou-kun... Sorry. I found something that looks a bit interesting." Hatoko: "Oh, I remember this!" Chifuyu: "What?" Sayumi: "It's the resume Andou-kun submitted to join the club." Tomoyo: "Oh, from Andou's legendary club application interview incident? Show me, show me!" Tomoyo: "Oh, man, my stomach hurts..." "Weak Points: "What part of you is, in any way, emotionless? You wear your emotions on your sleeve!" Chifuyu: "Hey, Andou, do you like me?" Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "Then you have emotions." Andou: "Ah! N-No, no! I don't have any emotions. I don't like you at all, Chifuyu-chan." Chifuyu: "Oh..." Andou: "Ah, sorry! I lied, I lied! I really like you a lot, Chifuyu-chan!" Chifuyu: "Then you have emotions." Chifuyu: "Andou, you're a liar." Sayumi: "Now, since Andou-kun has obtained human emotions," Sayumi: "shall we have him take the trash out for us?" Andou: "Thanks for coming with me, Chifuyu-chan. You really are a good girl, aren't you?" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan?" Chifuyu: "Andou, there's something I don't understand." Andou: "What?" Chifuyu: "Is curry a drink? Or is it a snack?" Andou: "Uh, is "meal" not an option?" Chifuyu: "That's exactly what I mean." Andou: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "What about you?" Andou: "Huh? Wait, what do you mean, that's what you mean?" Chifuyu: "Andou, were you listening to what I said?" Andou: "Sorry, I was listening, but I didn't understand." Chifuyu: "I see..." Andou: "No, I mean, just please give me a hint!" Chifuyu: "Andou, you can't read between the lines. I won't repeat myself." Andou: "Come on, please!" Chifuyu: "Very well." Andou: "Thank you!" Chifuyu: "When curry has rice, it's a main course meal. When it doesn't, it's just a liquid." Andou: "Yeah?" Chifuyu: "Rice has an obligation to be with curry, in order to make curry a meal." Andou: "I think I get it, but I don't..." Chifuyu: "Curry hints of summer." Andou: "Does it?" Chifuyu: "Yes, and summer hints of?" Andou: "Uh... Summer break?" Andou: "Chifuyu-chan, don't you like summer break?" Chifuyu: "I don't dislike summer break, but..." Andou: "But?" Andou: "Hey, Chifuyu-chan, are you free during summer break?" Chifuyu: "Totally free." Andou: "Same here. Want to go somewhere during summer brea—" Chifuyu: "Pool." Chifuyu: "I want to go to the pool." Andou: "Oh, yeah, th-that's fine..." Chifuyu: "Good." Andou: "All right, then it's a promise." Chifuyu: "Nothing." Andou: "Are you all right?" Chifuyu: "I'm fine. Everyone's waiting." Andou: "That's right. We won't be able to come to the literature club during summer break..." Kuki: "Chi-chan, are you all right? You've seemed kind of down since this morning." Chifuyu: "There's something wrong with me." Kuki: "Huh? What's wrong?" Chifuyu: "My chest..." Kuki: "What about your chest?" Chifuyu: "My chest hurts..." Kuki: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "My chest squeezes. And my face gets warm, and I space out." Kuki: "Chi-chan, that might be arrhythmia! This is bad! A hospital! We need to call a hospital!" Chifuyu: "Yeah." Kuki: "Hey, Chi-chan, when do you usually feel your chest hurt? When you first wake up? After you eat?" Chifuyu: "Andou..." Kuki: "Huh?" Chifuyu: "When I'm with Andou. When I think about Andou. Those times, my chest pounds. Cookie, what should I do?" Chifuyu: "Am I going to die from an illness?" Kuki: "Chi-chan, that's not arrhythmia." Kuki: "Chi-chan, that's..." Sagami: "You shouldn't do that." Sayumi: "Sagami-kun?" Sagami: "Wearing your glasses is a defeat flag. Lately, the unspoken rule is that glasses-girls are forever sub-heroines." Sayumi: "This is the women's bathroom!" Sagami: "I know." Sayumi: "Then hurry up and—" Sagami: "Andou often talks about you, Takanashi-senpai." Sagami: "I'm kidding. That's a joke." Sayumi: "Please don't waste my time with pointless lies!" Sagami: "Oh, did I make you mad?" Sayumi: "I'll say it once more. Hurry up and—" Sagami: "Still, Takanashi-senpai, you really love Andou, don't you?" Sayumi: "Huh?" Sagami: "Oh, right, right... That reminds me, I heard something. For Andou's birthday, everyone in the literature club made him a game." Sagami: "I heard that was your idea, Takanashi-senpai. Did you decide to have everyone make a present together, so none of the other members could get the jump on confessing to Andou? Quite the sly idea, isn't it? Hey, please don't glare at me like that. You're ruining your cute face." Sagami: "I don't want you to misunderstand. I'm not trying to make fun of you at all." Sagami: "I actually want to help you." Sayumi: "Help me?" Sagami: "Yes. I want you and Andou to hook up." Sagami: "I want you, not anyone else, with Andou." Sagami: "This kind of thing goes against my policy, honestly. It violates my role as a reader. But that's just how much merit I feel there is in doing this. If you, the least popular heroine, were to win Andou's heart," Sagami: "I'd get to a watch a novel, eccentric, and slightly twisted romantic comedy." Sayumi: "What on Earth are you?" Sagami: "I'm a reader. Just your average, everyday reader, who wants to see something interesting or enjoyable." Sagami: "So, what will it be? You're head-over-heels for Andou, Takanashi-senpai." Sagami: "Will you take me up on my offer?" Sagami: "I'll turn you into a main heroine." Tomoyo: "Andou's running late..." Hatoko: "Yeah, he is." Tomoyo: "He's the one who asked us to wait while he went to the storage room." Hatoko: "I know, right?" Hatoko: "Tomoyo-chan, would you like some tea?" Tomoyo: "Oh, sure. Thanks." Hatoko: "Sure." Tomoyo: "It's already summer, huh?" Hatoko: "It really is..." Tomoyo: "Oh, that reminds me. When you helped me study the other day—" Hatoko: "Hey, Tomoyo-chan?" Hatoko: "Can I ask you a serious question?" Tomoyo: "Huh? What?" Hatoko: "Oh, um, maybe it's not a serious question..." Tomoyo: "Which is it?" Hatoko: "Sorry. I don't know if it's serious or not. I just wanted to talk to you for a bit about love." Tomoyo: "L-Love?" Hatoko: "Hey, Tomoyo-chan, do you have someone you love?" Tomoyo: "Huh? No, I don't! Not at all!" Hatoko: "Oh." Tomoyo: "Of course I don't." Hatoko: "I do." Tomoyo: "Huh?" Hatoko: "I love Ju-kun." Hatoko: "I really, really love Ju-kun." Hatoko: "I want to talk more with Ju-kun. I want to go out with Ju-kun, and go shopping with him. I want to go to lots of places with him. I want to be with him every day. I want to fix him meat and potato stew every day. I want to hold his hand, go on dates, and..." Tomoyo: "Why?" Tomoyo: "Why are you telling me this?" Hatoko: "Because you're the one who understands Ju-kun the most." Hatoko: "And I'm the one who understands him the least. Since I understand him the least, I felt like I needed to tell you, the one who understands him most, while I had the chance." Hatoko: "I want to become the chosen one." Tomoyo: "The chosen one?" Hatoko: "I want Ju-kun to choose me." Hatoko: "Tomoyo-chan, I'll ask again." Hatoko: "Tomoyo-chan, is there someone you love?" Andou: "This is heavy. When did we let all this manga pile up?" Andou: "I should have asked Tomoyo and Hatoko to help me carry this... No, I really shouldn't ask girls to handle manual labor." Andou: "Hey, have those in the underworld finally sensed my presence?" Andou: "In that case, I guess war can no longer be avoided. Who knows how many lives will be scattered as flowers upon the battlefield?" Andou: "Summer break starts tomorrow, huh?" Chifuyu: "Life is like a maze." Sayumi: "There are times one goes mad or loses sight of oneself." Chifuyu: "It seems stupid to others." Sayumi: "It's something everyone wants to escape." Chifuyu: "Next time, on When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace:"

Seiya: "There are two kinds of people in the world." Seiya: "Those who are attractive..." Teacher: "Everyone, be quiet!" Teacher: "We have a new student who has just transferred." Teacher: "Come on in." Teacher: "Go ahead and introduce yourself." Seiya: "Oh, yes." All: "It's too small!" Seiya: "I am Toudoin Seiya." Seiya: "How do you do?" Yoshie: "Toudoin-kun, what type of girl do you like?" Miku: "Why did you transfer?" Haruka: "What club will you be joining?" Student: "Are you biracial?" Ryo: "Good Looking's popular with the ladies already." Oka: "He's so lucky." Megumi: "You're all bombarding him with too many questions." Megumi: "Are they bothering you, Toudoin-kun?" Seiya: "C-Cute!" Ryo: "Sounds like a fun conversation. Let me in." Megumi: "What's the matter?" Seiya: "Um..." Megumi: "What?" Seiya: "You guys are..." Seiya: "...lovers, right?" Ryo: "Huh?" Megumi: "Oh, please. Ryo-kun and I are just friends." Ryo: "That's right, friends. Friends." Megumi: "Why would you ask a question like that?" Seiya: "What the heck?!" Seiya: "Why did she touch my shoulder?" Seiya: "Is it love? Is it my destiny?!" Seiya: "Um..." Megumi: "Yes?" Seiya: "What's your name?" Megumi: "Oh, yeah. Sorry. I'm Ohori. Ohori Megumi." Seiya: "Ohori-san..." Megumi: "And this is Kikuchi Sayaka, my best friend." Sayaka: "How do you do?" Seiya: "How do you do?" Housekeepers: "Master Seiya, welcome home." Imada: "How was your first day at the new school?" Seiya: "It was tiring," Seiya: "but fun." Imada: "That is good to hear. Now you will no regrets about returning to Japan." Imada: "Brings back the memory..." Imada: "...of that day when you were in 4th grade, master." Seiya: "How could I ever forget..." Seiya: "...that Valentine's Day in 4th grade?" Haruna: "Seiya-kun!" Seiya: "U-Um..." Haruna: "Seiya-kun, thank you for coming." Seiya: "U-Um, wh-what do you want to give me?" Haruna: "W-Well, it's chocolate." Haruna: "It's Valentine's Day, right?" Seiya: "Th-Thank you." Seiya: "I'll treasure it all my life." Haruna: "It'll go bad, you should just eat it." Seiya: "I didn't know it back then," Seiya: "but she had been giving chocolates to many other boys. Had I known," Haruna: "I'm so disappointed." Mina: "Haruna, did you give one to Seiya-kun, too?" Haruna: "I did. But I'm so disappointed." Mina: "Why?" Haruna: "I thought he was the most awesome boy in class. But he was so horribly awkward when I gave him the chocolates. Seiya-kun is cute," Seiya: "That was the first time I'd been humiliated in my life. The embarrassment of thinking she loved me when she didn't, and worst of all, the fact that girls found me boring. Subsequently, I went overseas to be with my father, and attended school there," Seiya: "running away from Japan and its girls." Seiya: "But I'm sixteen years old now." Seiya: "I mustn't let my past haunt me." Imada: "Outstanding, master. Which reminds me, master," Seiya: "Oh, I want to see it. So this is what they call "happy for real."" Imada: "Yes." Imada: "whose happiness is for real." Imada: "It's slang used to refer to high-school couples in Japan." Seiya: "The realness of Japanese high-schoolers is fearsome, but this is the ultimate ideal I'm seeking." Seiya: "Now that I'm back in Japan, I'm going to become one of them. I'm going to find a girlfriend at my new school, and be reborn!" Megumi: "Oh, please, Toudoin-kun." Seiya: "Ohori-san..." Seiya: "If only I could have a girlfriend like her..." Seiya: "Let's do this." Seiya: "I'm going to learn all the methods." Student: "Wow, this awesome! Check it out!" Yoshie: "He's amazing. Toudoin-kun is a perfect superman." Miku: "He's good looking, smart, and athletic! He lacks nothing!" Haruka: "Not only that, he's classy. Unlike other idiot boys." Yoshie: "I want to make him mine, but I'm sure he's got a girlfriend." All: "I'm sure he does." Haruka: "Megumi, it seems you hit it off with him from day one." Megumi: "Who, me? No way. Everything's normal." Miku: "How about you, Sayaka? You like that princely type, don't you?" Sayaka: "He wouldn't give me the time of day." Harada: "That Toudoin is amazing." Sawada: "Aren't you a little worried, Motomiya? You've got a rival." Ryo: "Why should I be?" Glasses: "Don't be coy, guy who's most popular with the girls." Ryo: "I'm not being coy. But he's also an amazing athlete." Hayakawa: "He must have a super-cute girlfriend. I bet his life is full of girlfriends." Guy: "And I hear he's rich, too." Guy2: "How lucky." Guy3: "He must have some kind of fault, damn it!" Harada: "I wish I was born with a face like that." Oka: "Is he that handsome? Aren't I more handsome?" Hoshino: "Dream on." Guy4: "Let's get some drinks." Guys: "Yeah." Guys: "Sorry!" Seiya: ""It all begins with the greeting."" Seiya: "True, that's fundamental." Sawada: "Megumi, will you have lunch with me?" Megumi: "Sure." Sawada: "Thanks." Seiya: "The greeting. All I have to do is greet her, that's all there is to it!" Seiya: "Why can't I do it?!" Haruka: "Forgot your textbook? For crying out loud..." Seiya: "Th-That makes me jealous!" Seiya: "All right, I'm doing that, too." Teacher: "You have to put yourself in the author's shoes." Oka: "What's the matter? Forgot your textbook?" Oka: "For crying out loud..." Seiya: "Why'd it end up like this?" Sayaka: "But that's what's so good about it." Miku: "You're totally into it?" Sayaka: "I am. Look at this dialogue..." Seiya: "A girl manga?" Sayaka: "Toudoin-kun." Seiya: "Do you like girl manga?" Sayaka: "You can borrow this if you'd like." Seiya: "Huh? You sure?" Seiya: "Thank you." Voice/Bubble Right: "Ah, an eraser." Voice/Bubble Right: "Thank you." Voice/Bubble Left: "No problem." Voice/Bubble Far Right: "You made me happy." Voice/Bubble To Its Left: "You picked up my loving heart." Voice/Bubble Oval Bubble: "Ikemen-kun..." Voice/Bubble 2Nd From Left: "Will you let me pick yours up now?" Voice/Bubble Farthest Left: "Huh?" Seiya: "I see. The eraser was the pretext." Seiya: "All right! That's the ticket!" Seiya: "Length of desk: 65 centimeters." Seiya: "Width: 45 centimeters. Furthermore, the height: 75 centimeters. And the distance from Ohori-san's desk to my desk:" Seiya: "90 centimeters." Rika: "Master, here are additional erasers." Seiya: "Okay, thanks." Seiya: "The brick-shaped ones would roll more predictably. The spherical ones bounce, so they're more unpredictable." Teacher: ""So as it." "In order to." Please take note of these phrases." Teacher: "Okay, let's start." Seiya: "Distance: approximately 90 centimeters. The angle is 36 degrees, southwest." Seiya: "The wind direction is..." Seiya: "It's just a subtle breeze from the air conditioner." Seiya: "Now the weight of the eraser is 15 grams." Seiya: "Go." Ryo: "Hey," Seiya: "Thank you." Seiya: "Why?!" Seiya: "Why must God test me like this?" Seiya: "What is this? Could it be..." Seiya: "Oh, your eraser." Megumi: "Thank you, Toudoin-kun." Seiya: "Here." Megumi: "You made me happy." Megumi: "You picked up my loving heart." Seiya: "Ohori-san." Megumi: "Will you let me pick yours up now?" Seiya: "There goes her loving heart. I must pick it up, even if it kills me!" Seiya: "Eraser, why must you run away from me?" Teacher: "Toudoin-kun, what happened?!" Megumi: "I'm glad. You're awake." Megumi: "Are you okay?" Seiya: "I..." Megumi: "You banged your head on a desk and passed out." Megumi: "That was exerting too much effort just to pick up an eraser. You had me worried, you know." Seiya: "Worried..." Seiya: "It's just the two of us here?" Seiya: "Maybe a chance like this will never come again." Seiya: "Ohori-san." Seiya: "Please..." Megumi: "Huh?" Megumi: "Wh-What do you mean, all of a sudden?" Seiya: "With the hope of eventual marriage." Megumi: "Marriage? That's nuts. That'll never happen." Seiya: "No." Megumi: "Oh," Seiya: "Huh?" Megumi: "See ya." Megumi: "By the way..." Seiya: "Ohori-san." Megumi: "I forgot something." Megumi: "Can I have that back?" Seiya: "Here." Megumi: "Thanks." Megumi: "You're very interesting, Toudoin-kun." Rika: "Master, welcome home." Imada: "Master Seiya ignored me." Rika: "Imada-san, get a hold of yourself." Seiya: "I professed my love to her, and she didn't take me seriously. What am I going to do?" Seiya: "But that was only day one." Seiya: "There are plenty more days to come. I will definitely get a girlfriend, and become "happy for real!"" Seiya: "Imada! Bring paper, brush, and ink!" Imada: "Yes, sir! Right away." Seiya: "Maybe I'm aiming too high..." Seiya: "A study session with the girls tomorrow... Tachibana-san... She's so cute..." Girl: "If it's a guy like you, Toudoin-san..." Imada: "Awesome, Toudoin-kun."

: "His good looks are too perfect." Imada: "Master." Seiya: "Oh, yeah." Imada: ""Personal space," is it?" Seiya: "It has to do with the distance between yourself and others. From the farthest, which is public distance, then social distance, personal distance, and intimate distance." Seiya: "In other words," Seiya: "your fingertips would touch the other person." Imada: "Well done! I did not know you had shortened the distance between yourself and girls to this extent." Imada: "I, Imada, am moved to tears." Seiya: "Well..." Seiya: "Ohori-san is at public distance." Seiya: "It's the farthest distance. Something like the distance between the stage and the audience." Seiya: "Not even my voice will reach that far." Seiya: "I guess there's nothing I can do about it." Seiya: "What is the distance between me and those guys? Social distance? If I speak, they'll hear me." Seiya: "What?" Seiya: "This is strange." Seiya: "This must've happened because I'm uninteresting." Seiya: "And all the girls know about it already." Haruka: "Looks like Todoin-kun is in deep thought again." Miku: "He's too cool, which makes him unreachable." Megumi: "You think so? Todoin-kun has a pretty good sense of humor." Sayaka: "I think so, too. He seems like an interesting person." Yoshie: "Are you serious?" Oka: "Hey, you." Oka: "Hey, you." Seiya: "Too close. You're too close." Seiya: "closer than 15 centimeters." Oka: "Huh? What are you talking about?" Oka: "Anyway, come here." Seiya: "What do you want?" Oka: "Let's study for the test after school, at the library. You're smart. You can help me out." Seiya: "Personally, I don't do anything special to study for tests." Oka: "Oh, come on. Don't say that." Oka: "There'll be girls there." Oka: "Tanaka Chinatsu and Tachibana Shizuka." Oka: "Those two, there." Seiya: "Tachibana-san." Seiya: "She's my type... maybe." Seiya: "I can study with those girls tomorrow..." Seiya: "Maybe at an intimate distance. If I know factorization of formulas with squares, formulas with sums, differences, products, and formulas with cubes, I'll be all set." Imada: "Awesome, Todoin-kun. I expect no less of you." Seiya: "This formula here..." Imada: "You teach so super well. I'll get 100% on my next test for sure." Seiya: "Imada." Imada: "Yes." Seiya: "I don't think this is a good simulation." Imada: "But, master, the way you have coached is perfect. I am certain the female students would say the same." Seiya: "Imada." Imada: "Yes. I shall go now." Seiya: "Study session with the girls tomorrow..." Seiya: "What a thoroughly good situation. If all goes well," Shizuka: "Seiya-kun..." Seiya: "Let me see." Seiya: "Why must Oka get so close?" Seiya: "Okay." Teacher: "The test will cover up to what we studied today." Ryo: "Hey there. You two." Ryo: "Where are you two friendly chums off to?" Oka: "We're going to the bathroom together. That's all." Ryo: "When did they become friends?" All: "They're suspicious." Ryo: "Hey, you're too close." Seiya: "What's the matter?" Oka: "No." Oka: "At least take that anatomy model back to the science lab." Seiya: "No, these are all my personal belongings." Chinatsu: "These are all yours?" Shizuka: "That's amazing!" Seiya: "Oh. Yeah." Chinatsu: "Hey, hey, Seiya-kun." Seiya: "Hm? Oh." Seiya: "She's close! She's within personal distance all of a sudden. And she casually called me by my first name." Chinatsu: "Why does this sentence end with "kemu"?" Seiya: "Because it's a conclusive inflection." Chinatsu: "Oh, yeah. You're awesome." Seiya: "Intimate distance?" Oka: "Hey, hey, Chinatsu-chan. You're being a little too flirty, aren't you?" Oka: "Todoin-kun doesn't like aggressive women." Oka: "Right?" Seiya: "No." Chinatsu: "He's wrong, isn't he, Seiya-kun?" Seiya: "Uh..." Chinatsu: "You mean he's right?" Seiya: "Huh?" Chinatsu: "I'm going to buy a soda." Oka: "I'll go with you." Oka: "I'm after Chinatsu, so we'll split up. You go for Shizuka, okay? Good luck." Seiya: "Hey, wait a second." Seiya: "She's so cute... Tachibana-san..." Seiya: "Though she's somewhat plainer than Ohori-san." Seiya: "She's gentle." Shizuka: "What's the matter?" Seiya: "Oh, uh," Seiya: "We're in a library, after all." Shizuka: "I see. I'll go with you." Seiya: "She's going with me." Seiya: "Could this..." Seiya: "What am I going to do?" Seiya: "The silence is overwhelming." Shizuka: "Oh, this one looks good." Seiya: "I'll get it for you." Seiya: "I'm sorry." Shizuka: "It's okay." Seiya: "Why is my heart beating so fast?" Seiya: "Don't tell me..." Seiya: "My fingers could reach and touch her. In other words, we're within personal distance." Seiya: "Or maybe we're already within intimate distance." Seiya: "We're at h-h-hugging distance." Seiya: "Should I hug her?" Seiya: "No. Calm down." Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "Tachibana-san..." Shizuka: "Huh? If it was a guy like you, Todoin-kun," Seiya: "I did it! I did it!" Seiya: "So I took a detour, but a goal is a goal!" Imada: "Master, congratulations." Imada: "We have prepared red bean rice for you." Imada: "We are so, so glad for you." Seiya: "Imada." Seiya: "Thank you." Imada: "Master." Seiya: "I am not the same man as I was yesterday. I am the new Todoin Seiya ...who has a girlfriend!" Seiya: "I'm..." Chinatsu: "Sorry about that yesterday." Seiya: "Huh?" Chinatsu: "I think I acted a little gross." Seiya: "No, don't worry about it." Oka: "Chinatsu. I have to talk to you. Come here." Chinatsu: "I'm busy right now." Oka: "Never mind, just for a second." Chinatsu: "You're being a serious pain." Seiya: "Do your best, Oka." Shizuka: "I guess they needed to be alone." Seiya: "Yeah." Shizuka: "Oka-kun is so positive." Seiya: "Huh?" Shizuka: "Even though he's so gross." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "What..." Shizuka: "He used you yesterday to get near Chinatsu." Shizuka: "He really is super disgusting." Shizuka: "And yet you spend time with him. Todoin-kun, you're being too kind." Shizuka: "Chinatsu always talks about how disgusting he is. I think that's why she flirted with you yesterday, on purpose." Seiya: "Why?" Seiya: ""...disgusting" and "super disgusting" and such cruel things?!" Shizuka: "Todoin-kun..." Seiya: "Say no more." Seiya: "I..." Shizuka: "Sorry, I can't read any of it." Seiya: "Huh?" Shizuka: "It looks like calligraphy practice. Did you write this, Todoin-kun? It's amazing." Seiya: "You can't read it..." Seiya: "In that case..." Shizuka: "Okay." Seiya: "I... I'm going to say it! I'm sorry to have to tell you this," Seiya: "but I can't go out with you." Shizuka: "What prompted you to say something like that?" Seiya: "But you said..." Seiya: "...it'd be great if you could have a boyfriend like me." Shizuka: "Did I say that?" Shizuka: "In that case, why don't you and I go somewhere together, soon?" Seiya: "No!" Oka: "So what happened after that?" Seiya: "Oh, well..." Seiya: "I decided not to go out with Tachibana-san." Seiya: "Or it seems we were never going out in the first place." Oka: "Huh?" Seiya: "Nevermind me. What about you?" Oka: "Oh, Chinatsu?" Oka: "But in any case, I'm done with her." Seiya: "I see." Seiya: "Women who say things like "you're disgusting" are too harsh." Oka: "Huh?" Seiya: "Huh?" Oka: "Don't you know that?" Oka: "You're a virgin, aren't you?" Seiya: "What? I..." Oka: "I dumped Chinatsu simply because she's not as fine a woman as I'd thought." Oka: "I just move on to the next thing. That's the best course of action." Seiya: "Oka." Seiya: "Is that the kind of strength one needs to have a girlfriend?" Seiya: "Will I..." Megumi: "What are you daydreaming about?" Seiya: "Oh, Ohori-san." Seiya: "And Kikuchi-san." Sayaka: "Are you okay?" Seiya: "Yeah." Megumi: "On that note, see you tomorrow." Megumi: "Let's go, Sayaka." Sayaka: "Yeah." Seiya: "I want to flirt with girls. The power of personal spaces is extremely influential, but it's not absolute. Even if she's cute and nice," Seiya: "And girls will casually call a boy disgusting," Seiya: "so one's feelings needn't be hurt over that." Seiya: "But..." Seiya: "I don't understand them." Seiya: "Girls. What kind of creatures are they?" Seiya: "Cute." Yuki: "I'm so glad I got grouped with you, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Hooray!" Suma: "I bet you're not popular with the girls." Imada: "It's unacceptable!"

: "His good looks are too perfect." kada: ""Know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles."" Seiya: "Nakada." kada: ""The Art of War," huh?" Seiya: "Well..." Ryo: "Reading another difficult book, I see." kada: "You should read it, too. It'll help your soccer tactics." Ryo: "You think so?" Seiya: "That's right." Seiya: "After all, I know far too little about girls." Hayakawa: "We will now assign duties for next week's anniversary festival." Megumi: "Okay, everybody pay attention. We'll divide into three groups: chorus, group gymnastics, and collage." Sawada: "What a hassle." Harada: "That's too much trouble." Hayakawa: "But it's a tradition for first-years. We don't have a choice." Ryo: "I definitely want to avoid "collage."" kada: "Besides, we have other club activities." Kodama: "I hear "collage" is the most time consuming." Seiya: "Sounds fun." Oka: "You can't be serious. It's a hassle, nothing more." Sayaka: "I think your positive attitude is good, Todoin-kun." Megumi: "Absolutely right, Sayaka. You boys ought to follow his example." Seiya: "Ohori-san..." Seiya: "Stop it! Calm down, Seiya. She's merely being a nice classmate. That's all." Seiya: "But still..." Hayakawa: "Next," Hayakawa: "Nobody?" Megumi: "This is a problem. I'm supposed to find at least one student to volunteer from this class." Megumi: "Anybody want to participate? Please!" Seiya: "Ohori-san is in a crisis." Seiya: "All right!" Seiya: "Yes." Seiya: "I'll do the collage." Megumi: "Really?" Sayaka: "Maybe I should've opted for the collage, too." Imada: "So you are in charge of the collage." Imada: "I see." Seiya: "But... I hear it's a lot of work." Seiya: "I'd better be prepared for it." Seiya: "I know I'll do a fine job doing the collage." Seiya: "I just have to..." Seiya: "C-Cute." Teacher: "We'll split you up into groups of two. We'll decide by lottery and not by classroom. Get in line, get in line." Seiya: "Oh, God..." Teacher: "Please help me." Teacher: "I'm..." Teacher: "And next, Todoin-kun and Hayashi-san." Teacher: "And next, Tanaka-kun and Suzuki-san." Seiya: "Thank you, god." Seiya: "Thank you, collage!" Seiya: "Um..." Yuki: "Yes. I'm Hayashi Yuki." Seiya: "Um, I'm Todoin Seiya of Class A. I'm a new student here," Yuki: "Are you done?" Seiya: "Huh?" Yuki: "The outlines." Seiya: "Oh." Yuki: "That's pretty." Yuki: "Sorry. I'm clumsy." Yuki: "I'm so glad I got grouped with you, Todoin-kun." Yuki: "Let's do our best with the collage." Seiya: "Hooray to the collage!" Yuki: "How should I do this part, Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "Oh, that?" Seiya: "Sorry." Seiya: "Calm down. I'm still learning. I know nothing conclusive." Seiya: "Where's your mother?" Yuki: "My mother got sick and passed away..." Seiya: "I see." Seiya: "My mother also..." Yuki: "You must've..." Seiya: "Hayashi-san..." Seiya: "A girl's hand is..." Seiya: "I'm sure Hayashi-san doesn't seem to mind." Seiya: "Maybe it can really happen between us!" Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "could we..." Yuki: "I sort of want to stay focused on the collage." Seiya: "Y-You're right." Seiya: "The collage takes..." Teacher: "Okay, collage #1 is finished. Congrats." Teacher: "Everybody go finish what you've started." Seiya: "The collage..." Yuki: "Yes." Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "l-let's go somewhere together this weekend." Seiya: "Like an amusement park, for example." Seiya: "Um, or..." Seiya: "Anywhere you'd like to go, Yuki-san." Yuki: "Then how about my home town?" Seiya: "I'd like that." Seiya: "Who's he?" Suma: "Okay, here goes." Seiya: "Wh-What the heck?" Suma: "I bet you're not popular with the girls." Seiya: "Huh?" Suma: "Girls are unfathomable." Suma: "That is why they are so precious." Oka: "Hey! Did you see Suma-senpai?" Seiya: "Huh?" Oka: "Suma-senpai, also known as "charisma-senpai."" Hoshino: "He's a graduate of the school, a legend with girls. He's impossible to meet." Seiya: "Oh. I just..." Oka: "You saw him?" Seiya: "I did." Seiya: "A senpai who's like an urban legend, huh?" Seiya: "No." Seiya: "I've got..." Seiya: "So that's the situation." Imada: "Well, well. She must be from an exceptionally proper home." Seiya: "Should I practice asking their permission to date their daughter?" Imada: "No." Imada: "that would be jumping the gun." Seiya: "I see." Imada: "First, you must introduce yourself to her parents." Seiya: "I am Todoin Seiya." Seiya: "Um, I have created a collage with your daughter." Imada: "It's unacceptable!" Seiya: "Please..." Seiya: "Father." Seiya: "Please reconsider." Seiya: "Oh, come on, Dad." Seiya: "I'm thirty minutes early. Maybe that's too early." Seiya: "But the anticipation is part of the enjoyment of dating." Seiya: "This will be the first time I'll see Hayashi-san out of uniform." Seiya: "I wonder how she'll look." Seiya: "Maybe she'll wear a very feminine dress..." Yuki: "Thanks for waiting, Todoin-kun!" Seiya: "I hardly... waited." Yuki: "Um, may I call you "Seiya-san"?" Seiya: "Of course, Yuki-san." Seiya: "So, where shall we go?" Seiya: "To the..." Yuki: "Yes." Seiya: "I hope I'm in the right place." Seiya: "Not to the south, but north." Seiya: "It's five minutes after already." Seiya: "Could Hayashi-san have gotten in an accident on the way?" Seiya: "What am I going to do?" Yuki: "Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "Hayashi-san." Seiya: "I'm so glad..." Yuki: "Yeah." Seiya: "She looks different from what I imagined, but..." Seiya: "...she's still so cute." Seiya: "Oh, no." Seiya: "It's nothing. Anyway," Yuki: "Let's see..." Yuki: "There's really nothing around here." Yuki: "My kindergarten is back over there. And there's a delicious cake shop over there." Yuki: "Which is better?" Seiya: "Maybe this one." Yuki: "I think this'll look good on you." Yuki: "There. How's that?" Yuki: "Gosh, that was fun." Seiya: "My home town is the best." Yuki: "How about you, Todoin-kun? Did you have fun?" Seiya: "Oh..." Yuki: "I'm sorry. I got carried away." Seiya: "That's fine." Yuki: "Thank you." Seiya: "Hayashi-san..." Seiya: "Please..." Seiya: "Please go out with me!" Yuki: "Huh?" Seiya: "I think we have a lot in common." Yuki: "I'm sorry." Seiya: "What way is that?" Kazuya: "Hey! What the hell are you doing, Yuki?" Seiya: "Who are you guys?" Seiya: "Yuki-san, stay behind me." Yuki: "Kazuya." Seiya: "They're your friends?" Yuki: "Yeah, my friends since junior high." Seiya: "Since junior high?" Yuki: "Yup, we went to the same junior high." Seiya: "I've only seen these types on TV." Seiya: "They're the so-called greaser-hoodlums." Seiya: "Could they really be Hayashi-san's friends?" Seiya: "Could they?" Kazuya: "Yuki, haven't seen you around lately." Yuki: "Shut up. I can't just always hang in our town." Seiya: "They seem so friendly with each other." ki: "What?" Atsushi: "What is your connection to her?" Seiya: "Um... we made a collage together. That's our connection." Both: "Huh?" Yuki: "You creeps lay off Todoin-kun." Kazuya: "Yuki, there's something I want to show you." Yuki: "This is crazy awesome. Right, Todoin-kun?" Yuki: "You gotta take me for a ride." Seiya: "So this is..." Kazuya: "Hey, you, come here a second." Kazuya: "What do you think of Yuki?" Seiya: "At first I thought she was gentle and cute. But tension began to rise when I came to her home town," Seiya: "and I still thought she was cute." Seiya: "But..." Seiya: "I don't know if she's all that cute any more." Kazuya: "What the hell are you babbling on about?!" Kazuya: "Don't hang around with Yuki unless you're serious." Seiya: "Serious?" Seiya: "Am I serious about her?" Seiya: "Is that how I feel?" Seiya: "But I have a lot in common with her, too." Seiya: "I believe she's my destiny." Kazuya: "So you still want to see her, huh?" Seiya: "Be careful." Kazuya: "Now you're talking." Kazuya: "This is for real." Seiya: "Nah," Kazuya: "We're even." Seiya: "Huh?" Kazuya: "Come on." Yuki: "What happened to you guys?" Kazuya: "Yuki," Seiya: "And I..." Seiya: "Um... well..." Seiya: "Can you really say you love her?" Seiya: "What do you really know about her anyway? You saw a part of her you didn't expect," Seiya: "and yet, can you really say..." Kazuya: "What? What's the matter?" Seiya: "No." Yuki: "Thank you, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Hayashi-san." Yuki: "Kazuya, you should've told me a long time ago." Kazuya: "Sorry I took so long." Yuki: "Do the bruises hurt?" Kazuya: "I'm fine." Seiya: "What?" Seiya: "But you just held my hand." Yuki: "Yeah." Yuki: "It was a handshake of gratitude." Seiya: "Handshake..." Kazuya: "Let's go." Seiya: "Just because she holds your hand and didn't outright reject you..." Seiya: "...doesn't mean our feelings are mutual." Seiya: "That must mean that things aren't solid until there's a kiss or something." Seiya: "But that handshake..." Seiya: "The more I learn about girls," Oka: "She's a cute club manager!" Seiya: "The baseball club. I will join the club!" Manager: "Isn't Todoin-kun awesome?" Manager: "The pitcher is kind of special." Seiya: "Kaneko-senpai, I challenge you."

: "His good looks are too perfect." : "So why can't Todoin Seiya, age sixteen, get a girlfriend?" Ryo: "Seiya, that was an amazing shot. Why don't you join the soccer club?" Guy: "That was awesome." Seiya: "Well, I..." Matsui: "What? You don't have enough time to study?" Oka: "Well, well, well, Seiya-kun... What a waste that you won't join any clubs," Oka: "even though blissful days of youth with girls await you." Seiya: "What?" Seiya: "Say, Oka." Seiya: "About what you were saying..." Oka: "Interested?" Oka: "What am I going to do with you?" Oka: "Listen carefully." Oka: "I'm talking about cute girl club managers!" Seiya: "Girl... club managers?" kamura: "What club activity do you do, Oka?" Ryo: "What club are you in?" Oka: "I'm in the biology club." kada: "That club has no manager." Oka: "Shut up, I'm just saying they're out there." Hoshino: "Oka, don't tell me you're..." Oka: "Huh?" Oka: "I don't have a girlfriend yet." Seiya: "Girlfriend?" Guy: "Thanks, #11." Guy2: "No problem, don't worry about it." Guy: "I won't." Guy2: "That place had a great lunch the other day." Glasses: "I didn't eat anything." Seiya: "Do you guys..." Ryo: "Nope, not me." kada: "I'm not interested." Ryo: "But come to think of it," Ryo: "our manager hangs out with club members." Seiya: "I see..." Seiya: "Club activities. The possibility escaped my attention." Hoshino: "So, Oka," Oka: "Huh?" Hoshino: "You did? Where and how?" Oka: "Well, let's see..." Oka: "Oh, yeah, Motomiya, how about you?" Oka: "You've been doing it a lot, haven't you?" Ryo: "Huh? No, just normally." Oka: "What's normal mean? How many times a week?" Ryo: "Club activities take up all my time. About once a week for now." Seiya: "What have they been talking about? What does "doing it" mean?" Seiya: "Why are they dodging the question?" Oka: "Oh, Seiya. How about you?" Seiya: "Huh?" Ryo: "At Seiya's level of course he's been doing it. Right?" kada: "It's a natural assumption." Hoshino: "And don't deny it. We'll know you're joshing us." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "Doing what?!" Seiya: "It can't be helped." Seiya: "I'll tell them what they want to hear." Seiya: "Yeah... naturally..." Hoshino: "He's so confident, that Todoin Seiya." All: "Ouch." Seiya: "What word fits the blanks in all these?" Imada: "Does this pertain to what your classmate friends were talking about?" Seiya: "Yeah, it does." Imada: "Perhaps that is because it is an uncomfortable subject matter." Seiya: "How's that?" Imada: "To be blunt:" Seiya: "Kissing?" Seiya: "Have they..." Imada: "Master, are you all right?" Seiya: "I've decided." Seiya: "I will join a club!" Oka: "So, have you decided?" Seiya: "No, not yet." Megumi: "Hey, Todoin-kun and company. What are you up to?" Seiya: "Oh. Ohori-san." Seiya: "I was thinking of joining a club." Megumi: "I see. Which club?" Seiya: "I'm still undecided..." Seiya: "Ohori-san, are you in a club?" Megumi: "I am. The volleyball club. Sayaka is in the art club. Right?" Megumi: "Club activities... I couldn't decide at first." Megumi: "I was inspired by the baseball club's manager, too." Sayaka: "Me, too." Sayaka: "Here. I'm really into this manga right now." Bubble/Vo: "Um..." Bubble Right/Vo: "Manager, I..." Bubble/Vo: "I'm in love with you!" Bubble/Vo: "Sure." Megumi: "Ah, the wall slam..." Sayaka: "The wall slam. It's great, isn't it?" Seiya: "The wall slam." Seiya: "That must've been it." Seiya: "So her reaction was in anticipation of a kiss." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "Is something the matter?" Seiya: "Oh, no." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san..." kamura: "Sorry, Todoin, can you toss me the ball?" Seiya: "Sure." Minami: "Amazing!" Minami: "Amazing, amazing, amazing!" Minami: "Whoops. Sorry." Seiya: "It's okay." Minami: "You got fine shoulders. Are you in a club?" Seiya: "Sort of..." Minami: "I'm Asai Minami. I'm the manager of the baseball club." Seiya: "I'll join." Minami: "Huh?" Seiya: "The baseball club." Seiya: "I will join the club!" Seiya: "This is... fate." Coach: "You're a new student?" Coach: "You can't just waltz in here mid term, we're not that easy." Coach: "Stop breathing and let me see you look serious." Minami: "Please let him join." Coach: "Huh?!" Kaneko: "Come on, coach." Kaneko: "Let him join." Kaneko: "I'm Kaneko, the captain. I'm a second-year." Kaneko: "Nice to meet you, Todoin." Seiya: "I think I'll get along well with him." Kaneko: "Seriously, you're awesome." Catcher: "That was like 163 kilometers per hour!" Glasses: "That's professional caliber." kamura: "It's unreal, right?" Minami: "See, didn't I tell you? Isn't Todoin-kun awesome?" Seiya: "Asai-san?" Seiya: "I get nervous when Asai-san is watching me..." Seiya: "Cold." Minami: "Did I surprise you?" Minami: "Todoin-kun, it's cool." Seiya: "Asai-san." Minami: "You can call me Minami." Seiya: "Minami-san..." Seiya: "First-name basis." Seiya: "This could work! Just one more push," Seiya: "Seconds." Imada: "Yes. Right away. Please retire early tonight, and sufficiently relieve your fatigue." Seiya: "Not yet." Seiya: "I think this is how it was..." Imada: "Master. If this is for kissing, perhaps your left hand should be on the wall." Seiya: "Oh? Is that so?" Seiya: "Um, then..." Imada: "And perhaps the right hand should touch the jaw." Seiya: "The jaw?" Imada: "Not your jaw." Imada: "Like this." Seiya: "So this..." Minami: "I can't do that." Guy: "Come on, do it." Seiya: "I have been forgetting one important fact." Ryo: "Our manager hangs out with club members." Seiya: "Which means..." Seiya: "Well..." Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "I know it's a rather forward question, but..." Seiya: "I'm just wondering if you..." Seiya: "...are in a relationship with someone special in the baseball club." Minami: "Huh? Someone special? In the baseball club?" Minami: "No way, no way." Seiya: "I see." Minami: "But..." Minami: "The pitcher is kind of special." Minami: "Oh, well..." Seiya: "The pitcher..." Seiya: "That's Kaneko-senpai." Minami: "Senpai!" Minami: "Please take me... to Koshien Stadium." Kaneko: "Leave it to me." Seiya: "Relax." Seiya: "That being the case," Seiya: "I still stand a chance." Coach: "Hey!" Coach: "Uesugi... got hit by a car." Seiya: "Minami-san likes the pitcher." Seiya: "She likes Kaneko-san because he's the pitcher. Based on that formula: She would like him more if he is a more awesome pitcher. And if I'm a more awesome pitcher," Seiya: "she would like me. Sorry, Kaneko-senpai," Seiya: "but the position of pitcher is mine!" Minami: "Go, everybody, go!" Seiya: "Defeat Kaneko! Defeat Kaneko!" Minami: "Todoin-kun gets first prize. " Minami: "Todoin-kun..." Minami: "Good job." Seiya: "Minami-san." Seiya: "You're still here." Minami: "Yeah. I wanted to finish this." Minami: "Good. Okay." Minami: "Oh, you need to change. I'm leaving." Seiya: "Just the two of us in the club room, in the evening." Seiya: "This situation..." Seiya: "Now is the time to show the fruits of practice." Seiya: "Minami-san." Seiya: "I..." Minami: "Oh no! I made a mess..." Seiya: "It didn't work." Seiya: "I still have work to do." Seiya: "I have to improve." Seiya: "Kaneko-senpai." Seiya: "I challenge you." Kaneko: "Oh? You're really fired up, Todoin. Okay then," Glasses: "Starting pitcher: Todoin Seiya." Voice: "Here goes." Seiya: "Kaneko-senpai. If I don't defeat you," Kaneko: "Todoin, your batting ability is outstanding, too." Minami: "Todoin-kun, fight!" Catcher: "Seiya, relax. One more strike and you win." Seiya: "Senpai." Seiya: "This is how I return your favor." Ump: "Strike! Batter out!" Kaneko: "Todoin, you're awesome!" Kaneko: "Thank you for joining our club." Seiya: "Crap." Seiya: "He's a super nice guy." Seiya: "And yet..." Kaneko: "What's the matter?!" Seiya: "I'm totally defeated." Kaneko: "Are you okay?" Kaneko: "What's the matter?" Seiya: "I'm quitting the baseball club." Kaneko: "What?" Minami: "Why? Why are you quitting?" Kaneko: "I'm confused." Kaneko: "I lost the challenge, you know." Seiya: "Minami-san..." Seiya: "Kaneko-senpai will..." Seiya: "...definitely make you happy." Minami: "Um... Kaneko-senpai and I will... what?" Seiya: "Don't worry about me." Seiya: "You should tell him your true feelings." Kaneko: "What?" Kaneko: "Minami, you're in love with me?" Minami: "Get out! Of course not!" Kaneko: "Right? I already have a girlfriend anyway." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "...you said the pitcher was special to you." Minami: "Oh, that?" Seiya: "Then..." Seiya: "Why did you say you were embarrassed?" Minami: "Because I felt like a tomboy." Seiya: "So that's all that was..." Minami: "Of course. And my boyfriend's in the basketball club." Seiya: "Huh?" Ryo: "Todoin, I heard you quit the baseball club." Seiya: "Well... yeah." kada: "Join our soccer club, then." Oka: "My comrade!" Seiya: "What is it, Oka?" Oka: "I quit my club, too..." Seiya: "But what about your girlfriend?" Hoshino: "He was dumped in three days. Now they think he's a stalker!" Oka: "Shut up! Shut up!" kada: "So he was blowing smoke about doing it." Ryo: "But you kissed at least, right?" Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "When you say "doing it," isn't that about kissing?" Ryo: "What? When I say "doing it," I'm talking about "that."" Seiya: "Oh. That." Seiya: "Sure. What is "that?!"" Seiya: "I guess..." Seiya: "let alone kissing..." Seiya: "I failed with my classroom..." Seiya: "I failed with another classroom..." Seiya: "I failed with clubs..." Seiya: "So... What am I going to do now?!" Seiya: "I wonder if I should get a temp job." Lady: "We have a new worker?" Lady: "Could I call you "Seiya-kun"?" Ul: "Hey." Seiya: "She's too cute..." Lady: "Let's exchange addresses."

: "His good looks are too perfect." : "So why can't Todoin Seiya, age sixteen, get a girlfriend?" Megumi: "I've been hearing rumors." Megumi: "You have a girlfriend, right, Endo-kun?" Endo: "Well, sort of." Megumi: "Show us her picture." Endo: "No way. What for?" Megumi: "Come on. Don't you want to see it?" Sayaka: "Yeah." Student: "I want to see!" Endo: "Oh, all right." Endo: "But only just a little." Megumi: "Hurry, hurry." Megumi: "Wow, she's cute!" Endo: "Stop it." Guy: "Amazing!" Endo: "What's wrong with that guy?" Oka: "So lucky... I wish I had a girlfriend, too..." Guy: "I heard Endo's girlfriend goes to a different school." Guy2: "Yeah, I heard that, too." Seiya: "Endo's is at a different school..." Megumi: "Where did you guys meet?" Endo: "At a part-time job." Guy: "How do you have time to work a part-time job? You're swamped with club activities." Endo: "I work part-time jobs because otherwise it's hard to meet people from other schools." Ryo: "Nice." Oka: "Part-time jobs are the place to meet people." Guy: "So true..." Guy: "I see. So a part-time job is the place to find a date." Imada: "Master, what are you doing?" Seiya: "Oh..." Seiya: "I was thinking of getting a part-time job." Imada: "A part-time job. And why is that?" Seiya: "Well..." Seiya: "To learn about the real world." Imada: "Your intention is outstanding. However, this kind of shady job is unacceptable. If it is a job you seek, I will arrange one for you with a business under the Todoin Group umbrella." Seiya: "A part-time job at the Todoin Group?" Seiya: "What kind of job is that?" Imada: "How about working as secretary of Todoin Mercantile's president?" Seiya: "President?" Imada: "He is seventy years of age, and a very kind gentleman." Seiya: "Well, that..." Seiya: "I don't know if that's conducive to..." Imada: "Then how about tutoring at the Todoin Children's School?" Seiya: "No... I prefer working with people a little more grown up—" Imada: "How about teaching your expertise? Ballroom dancing at the Todoin Dance School." Seiya: "No, that's a little too grown up." Imada: "How about newspaper delivery at Todoin News?" Seiya: "I'll be too lonesome working alone." Imada: "How about working at the Todoin Cemetery?" Seiya: "I don't think so. I'm afraid of ghosts." Imada: "How about working at Todoin Beach?" Seiya: "I can't wait until the summer." Imada: "How about working as a priest at Todoin Wedding Hall?" Seiya: "No, all the customers are couples!" Imada: "How about working as a caddy at Todoin Country Club?" Seiya: "My voice isn't loud enough to yell "Fore!"" Imada: "How about tending cows at Todoin Farm?" Seiya: "No, the hay they eat is too prickly." Imada: "In that case..." Rika: "How about working at a family restaurant?" Seiya: "Family restaurant?" Rika: "Family restaurant." Rika: "Family restaurant." Rika: "Family restaurant." Rika: "Family restaurant." Rika: "Family restaurant." Seiya: "One older woman and the rest are men..." Sasamoto: "What are you doing, Yamashita-kun?!" Yamashita: "I'm sorry." Sasaki: "What are you going to do about this?!" Sasaki: "Look, look over here. It's dirty, right? If you put that there it'll be dirty, right?" Seiya: "This won't do. I'll have to ask Imada to find me a different job." Sasaki: "Are you stupid? Huh? Are you stupid?" Seiya: "Um..." Madoka: "Good morning!" Madoka: "We have a new worker?" Cook: "We do, Kirishima-san. Please teach him what to do." Madoka: "Yes." Madoka: "I am Kirishima Madoka. How do you do?" Seiya: "U-Um..." Seiya: "How do you do?" Madoka: "To-do-in-kun?" Seiya: "Yes!" Madoka: "Then let's start with guiding customers to their table and taking orders." Seiya: "She is older than me, I think..." Madoka: "Seiya-kun?" Madoka: "Are you okay?" Seiya: "Oh, sorry." Seiya: "Guiding customers, was it?" Madoka: "Correct." Seiya: "Welcome." Glasses: "Table for two." Seiya: "Smoking or non-smoking?" Guy: "No. Don't smoke." Cook: "This is for your table." Seiya: "Oui, monsieur." Seiya: "Thank you for waiting." Madoka: "Seiya-kun is such a fast learner." Seiya: "Kirishima-san..." Seiya: "She's unbearably cute!" Madoka: "I think you'll do fine without my help." Seiya: "What?" Seiya: "Uh, no..." Waiter: "I am very sorry. I am very sorry. I am very sorry." Madoka: "I am sorry. I am sorry." Suma: "Hey." Student: "Suma-senpai, please swap email addresses with me." Suma: "Sure." Student1: "Lucky." Student2: "It's sending." Suma: "Doing this is a little embarrassing." Student3: "I can't stand the gap between his personalities!" Student5: "It grows on you, doesn't it?" Seiya: "Gap..." Seiya: "Gap, huh? He's so smooth," Seiya: "yet so shy." Seiya: "Shaking range 60 centimeters." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "That wasn't cute." Seiya: "But why? "This is embarrassing."" Seiya: "Huh? "Sure. I'll swap email addresses."" Waiter: "Thank you for waiting. This is the German-style hamburger." Guy: "I didn't order this." Waiter: "Huh?" Lady: "It was something else." Madoka: "Pardon me." Waiter: "I'm very sorry. Pardon me." Madoka: "Thank you for waiting." Voice: "I'm the German-style hamburger, the rice is for him." Waiter: "Thank you for waiting." Madoka: "You have to confirm the table before you serve." Waiter: "Yes. I'm sorry." Madoka: "Can you really do this?" Waiter: "Yes." Madoka: "Then, next." Seiya: "Me, too." Seiya: "I want her to be kind like that to me, too!" Sasaki: "What did you just do?!" Seiya: "Really?" Seiya: "Why must this happen?" Seiya-Drag: "Yamashita-san didn't get in trouble." Seiya-Ojisan: "Not to mention Kirishima-san didn't see it." Seiya-Twerp: "Obachan is mad at me." Sasaki: "Hurry up and pick it up!" Seiya: "Yes." Madoka: "Seiya-kun." Madoka: "You look pale. Are you feeling okay?" Seiya: "I'm fine." Madoka: "I see." Madoka: "Oh, right." Madoka: "If ever you need anything, text me." Seiya: "Huh?" Madoka: "Let's swap email addresses." Seiya: "Yes!" Madoka: "Wow, that's super fast." Seiya: "Not really." Seiya: "I did shaky-shake..." Seiya: "A text from her already?" Seiya: "This is great." Madoka/Text: "Are you really feeling okay?" Madoka/Text: "If you have any worries, you can discuss them with me. It's nice working with you" Seiya: "Oh wow..." Seiya: "Thank you ever so kindly." Seiya: "I am feeling perfectly healthy. For having caused you concern... Inasmuch as I am still new, I very much look forward to your instructions." Seiya: "Send!" Seiya: "Receive!" Madoka/Text: "Seiya-kun, you use so many kanjis in your text. Boo-hoo. You sound so serious, like a nerd. <3" Seiya: "This is so fun..." Seiya: "Send!" Seiya: "Receive!" Seiya: "Send! Receive!" Seiya: "She stopped." Rika: "Master. It is your bed time." Seiya: "So it is." Seiya: "Nothing..." Seiya: "Uh..." Madoka: "Hm? What?" Seiya: "Did I..." Madoka: "What? Why do you ask?" Seiya: "Well..." Madoka: "Oh. That's because I fell asleep." Madoka: "Sorry about that." Seiya: "So that's what happened." Sasaki: "You two are so friendly." Madoka: "Sure, I love younger people." Seiya: "Huh? She uses the heart emoji," Seiya: "and she says she loves younger people." Seiya: "This has got to be Seiya-kun-love!" Sasaki: "That dish is my favorite." Sasaki: "It's delicious, isn't it?" Seiya: "Good job today." Sasaki: "Good job today!" Madoka: "Seiya-kun. Good job today." Sasaki: "It was a good day." Seiya: "Um..." Madoka: "Hm?" Seiya: "If you don't mind," Seiya: "can we go home together?" Waiter: "Madoka." Seiya: "Yamashita-san?" Seiya: "I thought it was his day off. I mean, why is he—" Madoka: "You're late." Waiter: "Sorry." Waiter: "Here's my token of apology." Seiya: "Yamashita-san with a bouquet of flowers?" Madoka: "For me, really?" Madoka: "I'm so happy." Seiya: "Wh-What is the meaning of this?" Seiya: "Oh!" Seiya: "Is it your birthday today, Kirishima-san?" Madoka: "No, it's not." Seiya: "Yeah, but..." Madoka: "We're going out." Madoka: "Thanks." Madoka: "The pink ones are pretty." Madoka: "Yeah, I like them." Seiya: "H-He's awesome." Suma: "Doing this is a little embarrassing." Student3: "I can't stand the gap between his personalities!" Student4: "I know, right?" Seiya: "He must be..." Madoka: "He's older than he looks. He's thirty-three, you know." Waiter: "Hey, you." Madoka: "That hurt." Waiter: "Sorry, sorry, sorry. "Hey, you."" Waiter: "What? What?" Seiya: "She said she loves younger people!" Seiya: "But you love way older people!" Imada: "Yes?" Seiya: "What were those?" Seiya: "Those heart emojis." Imada: "What is the matter, master?" Imada: "Is something the matter with this text?" Seiya: "This." Imada: "I've gotten it as well." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "You're texting your girlfriend?" Imada: "Oh, no." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "It can't be..." Imada: "Are you all right, master?" Imada: "Master." Writing Top To Bottom/Seiya: "Meet a cute girl at a part-time job." Writing In Square/Seiya: "The heart emoji..." Seiya: "I will..." Ryo: "Wanna go to a co-ed party tomorrow?" Seiya: "Finally, I get to go to a co-ed party!" kada: "Motomiya's girlfriend is cute." All: "Who is the king?!" Seiya: "Co-ed party..." Seiya: "It's too much fun!" Yumi: "I should've gone out with someone like you, Seiya-kun."

: "His good looks are too perfect." : "So why can't Todoin Seiya, age sixteen, get a girlfriend?" kada: "Almost vacation, finally." Hayakawa: "A long, one-week vacation." Ryo: "Wanna go to a co-ed party tomorrow?" kada: "One-two..." Ryo: "You win. So, what do you say?" Hayakawa: "You're still going even though you have a girlfriend?" Ryo: "It's her idea to have the co-ed party." Sawada: "Really?" Kodama: "She asked you to find guys to match her friends?" Ryo: "Back off. But, yeah, that's right. There's going to be four girls." kada: "So it'll have to be five on five." Ryo: "You guys are coming, right?" Hayakawa: "I'd like to, but I'm busy." Sawada: "Sorry, me, too." Ryo: "What the heck?" Kodama: "Sorry, I can't go tomorrow." Ryo: "I didn't ask you." Kodama: "That's not nice!" Sawada: "What, you're too busy, too?" Kodama: "None of your business." kada: "What are you going to do?" Ryo: "Let's see..." Ryo: "Endo has a girlfriend..." Endo: "What's this about?" Ryo: "We're having a co-ed party tomorrow, but you can't go, right?" Endo: "I'd better not." kada: "Yeah, because if your girlfriend found out..." Saiki: "Maybe I could go." kamura: "You've got a baseball game tomorrow, idiot." Saiki: "Oh." Matsui: "Now he remembers!" Ryo: "That crosses out the whole baseball team." Oka: "Yes, yes. I'm free tomorrow." Ryo: "You, huh?" Oka: "Why not? Please let me go." Voice: "Me, too." Ryo: "Oh, well. Then you, and you, and you." kada: "You need one more." Oka: "How about him?" Harada: "Me? What?" Oka: "There's a co-ed party tomorrow. Let's go." Harada: "Oh. I have a date tomorrow." Oka: "Good for you! Get out of here!" Harada: "What was that for?" Seiya: "Huh?" Ryo: "Wanna go?" Seiya: "Finally, I get to go to a co-ed party!" Oka: "Are you excited about the co-ed party tomorrow?" Seiya: "I guess." Hoshino: "Don't you have to work tomorrow, Seiya?" Seiya: "I had to quit the job, for an unavoidable reason." Oka: "Unavoidable?" Seiya: "I have to focus on my studies." Oka: "Oh..." Seiya: "I wonder what the dress code is for tomorrow." Oka: "Huh?" Seiya: "You know, because débutante balls and proms are formal. Maybe I need to wear a tuxedo." Hoshino: "Huh?" Oka: "You're amazing, Seiya. You know all those English words. But we only know Japanese." Seiya: ""Débutante" is French." Seiya: "What should I wear? Maybe a suit." Both: "Huh?" Hoshino: "Don't tell me..." Hoshino: "You've never been to a co-ed party?" Seiya: "Of course I have." Oka: "For example, have you played the king game or the Pocky game?" Seiya: "Pocky game?" Oka: "Right." Seiya: "From both ends?" Hoshino: "Indeed a most delicious game." Oka: "What command will I give when I get picked as the king?" Seiya: "Oka knows what to expect." Seiya: "I'm going to need preliminary training." Oka: "What are you doing?" Seiya: "Huh?" Imada: "Master, will these suffice?" Seiya: "Yeah. Thanks." Seiya: "Perhaps the girl should get the chocolate-dipped part..." Seiya: "The length is 13.5 centimeters..." Seiya: "If 2.0 centimeters at a time were to be eaten from both ends..." Seiya: "In a matter of..." Seiya: "it'll be gone." Seiya: "Yes, but I don't get it..." Seiya: "Imada, can you eat this from the other end?" Imada: "What?" Seiya: "Go ahead." Imada: "Yes." Seiya: "This is amazing." Seiya: "If Rika-san didn't stop us..." Seiya: "Who knew such a heavenly game existed?" Seiya: "I'm going to play the Pocky game." Ryo: "They're late." Yumi: "Sorry we're late." Ryo: "You're late, Yumi." Yumi: "Sorry, Ryo." Seiya: "Huh?" kada: "Motomiya's girlfriend is cute." Oka: "Hello!" Seiya: "Co-ed party! It's too much fun!" Ryo: "Is it time for the king game?" Yumi: "Yes!" Yumi: "Ta-da." kada: "She's well prepared." Hoshino: "Motomiya, your girlfriend is great." Seiya: "She is." Ryo: "One-two..." Ryo: "Ready? One-two..." All: "Who is the king?" Mana: "I'm the king." Mana: "#1 and #3 will hold hands." Mana: "Hold hands." Mana: "One-two..." All: "Who is #1?" Oka: "I am." Guy: "You're good at this." kada: "Why are you so nervous?" Oka: "I'm not nervous." Yumi: "Next, here goes." All: "Who is #3?" Ryo: "Me. It's me." Ryo: "Here." Ryo: "That's enough." Ryo: "One-two..." Ryo: "Here goes. One-two..." All: "Who is the king?" kada: "It's me... #5 and #2 will do "carry the princess."" kada: "Who are #5 and #2?" Ryo: "He's a lone dictator. Be democratic." kada: "Shut up. Hurry up and decide." Ryo: "It's me." Rio: "I'm #2." All: "One-two..." Mana: "How does it feel?" Rio: "It feels good. Sorry, Yumi." Ryo: "Let's just do one last round." Mana: "Okay!" Seiya: "But we didn't play the Pocky game." Eyo: "Let's go." Guy: "All right!" Ryo: "Ready?" Ryo: "One-two..." Ryo: "One-two..." All: "Who is the king?" Ryo: "I am." Yumi: "King, what is your command?" Ryo: "Since it's the last round..." Ryo: "The Pocky game." Seiya: "Finally." Seiya: "Finally." Seiya: "The time has come!" kada: "The king has commanded." Aoi: "What numbers?" Hoshino: "Ready..." Seiya: "Oh, God, please..." Ryo: "#6..." Yumi: "One-two..." All: "Who is..." Seiya: "Me!" Seiya: "Oh, no." Yumi: "One-two..." All: "Who is #7?" Yumi: "I am." Guy: "No way." Seiya: "But..." kada: "No buts. The lottery's been drawn, right?" Ryo: "That's right. Don't worry about it." Seiya: "But..." Yumi: "That's right. Let's do it, Seiya." Seiya: "Well..." Voice: "Ready... go!" Voice2: "Getting closer." Seiya: "C-Close..." Oka: "Seiya loses." Ryo: "Too bad. That was close." Yumi: "It doesn't bother you?" Ryo: "Huh?" Yumi: "I might have kissed him. What are you so excited about?" Ryo: "Stop it. Don't spoil the fun." Yumi: "I'm going home." Seiya: "Oh, well..." Seiya: "Hey, Motomiya." Ryo: "Let her go." Oka: "Shall we sing now?" Seiya: "Um..." Yumi: "Seiya-kun." Seiya: "I'm sorry." Yumi: "Huh?" Yumi: "It's not your fault, Seiya-kun." Yumi: "Ryo is always like that." Seiya: "Oh... He is?" Yumi: "He brazenly flirts with other girls right in front of me." Seiya: "That's terrible." Yumi: "Right?" Yumi: "Ryo is self-confident. So he thinks I'll never leave him." Yumi: "He's not sensitive to my feelings." Yumi: "I'm going that way." Seiya: "Oh..." Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "Be..." Yumi: "Thank you, Seiya-kun." Yumi: "I..." Yumi: "I should've gone out with someone like you, Seiya-kun." Imada: "Master, are you not feeling well?" Seiya: "Maybe Motomiya..." Seiya: "Maybe I should go out with her." Oka: "Morning, Seiya." Seiya: "Morning." All: "Morning." Megumi: "How was the co-ed party yesterday?" Oka: "Oh, yeah..." Sayaka: "What was it like?" Miku: "Was it fun?" Oka: "It was... fun." Oka: "Right?" Ryo: "Morning." Oka: "Morning, Motomiya." Megumi: "What's wrong? You seem down." kada: "He had a fight with his girlfriend." Oka: "Must be about yesterday's thing..." Yoshie: "What happened?" Ryo: "I called her after the party. It was normal at first," Ryo: "but..." Ryo: "...it turned into a fight." Ryo: "Man..." Ryo: "It's always like that. She always gets mad when I'm having fun." Ryo: "I guess everybody grows apart from each other eventually." Megumi: "But a co-ed party is risky for a couple." Sayaka: "I wouldn't want my boyfriend flirting with another girl." Ryo: "But it was..." Ryo: "What am I supposed to do?" Seiya: "Maybe you should go separate ways." Ryo: "No way." Seiya: "Why not?" kada: "Hey, hey..." kada: "It's just a lovers' spat. You shouldn't jump to conclusions." Seiya: "Lovers' spat?" Megumi: "Pretty much. They'll recover." Oka: "Sometimes you have to be friends before you do it." Seiya: "What's that mean?" kada: "You know. Lovers' spats are like a mating ritual." Sayaka: "It makes them want each other more, right?" Yoshie: "Right, right." Seiya: "Is that... right?" Seiya: "Lovers' spat..." Yumi: "Hello." Seiya: "Wait there. I'll get Motomiya." Yumi: "That's not why I'm here." Yumi: "I came to..." Yumi: "Thanks for yesterday." Seiya: "It's nothing." Yumi: "We got in a fight after that." Seiya: "I see..." Yumi: "I always have to put up with his antics," Yumi: "but it's always me that ends up apologizing." Seiya: "Here." Yumi: "Thank you." Yumi: "You're so kind, Seiya-kun." Seiya: "No..." Yumi: "Can I talk with you again?" Yumi: "Let's exchange email addresses." Seiya: "Huh?" Ryo: "Yumi." Yumi: "Ryo." Ryo: "Sorry about yesterday." Seiya: "Huh?" Ryo: "Don't be so mad." Yumi: "Don't touch me." Seiya: "Motomiya. Yumi-chan is..." Ryo: "Next Sunday," Ryo: "let's go to karaoke." Yumi: "Huh?" Ryo: "The tournament is still a ways off." Ryo: "I can ditch it." Yumi: "Really?" Ryo: "I'd rather..." Yumi: "Ryo." Ryo: "I'm sorry." Seishi: "Lovers' spat, huh?" Sayaka: "It makes them want each other more, right?" Seiya: "Maybe..." Seiya Blue: "Next Sunday," Seiya Drag: "But don't you have a club activity, Ryo?" Seiya Blue: "It's okay." Seiya Blue: "I'd rather spend time with you, Yumi." Seiya Drag: "Ryo!" Seiya: "I was..." Seiya: "A couple in love..." Imada: "Master." Rika: "He has moved up another rung on the grown-up ladder." Seiya: "It must be so nice..." Seiya: "I..." Seiya: "....have a lovers' spat, too!" Seiya: "Suspension bridge?" Imada: "It is about mistaking the thrill of crossing a suspension bridge for love." Megumi: "You have a girlfriend, don't you, Todoin-kun?" Sayaka: "Would I..."

: "His good looks are too perfect." Megumi: "Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "Do you have any plans this Sunday?" Seiya: "Not..." Sayaka: "Um..." Megumi: "We were planning on going to an amusement park. If you're free, will you join us?" Kodama: "What? What? What? What? Where are you going this Sunday?" Megumi: "Oh, how convenient." Haruka: "Yeah. Nakada-kun, you guys should go, too." kada: "An amusement park, huh?" Megumi: "Don't go if you don't want to." Kodama: "Come on. Let's go." kada: "All right. I guess." Sayaka: "It's decided, then." Megumi: "You're going, too, right, Todoin-kun?" Oka: "What? What? What?" Kodama: "Too bad, you missed the cutoff." Ryo: "What a bummer, Oka." Hoshino: "Divine punishment?" Ryo: "Where are you guys going?" Megumi: "An amusement park." Oka: "I wanna go, too." Megumi (Vo): "Why don't you two go by yourselves?" Megumi: "You're going too, right, Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "Why did Ohori-san make my heart flutter again?" Seiya: "Suma-san?" Student: "That was super thrilling!" Student2: "My heart flutters when senpai pushes me on the swing!" Seiya: "Fluttering... from being swung?" Suma: "I will show you the best view ever." Seiya: "Come in..." Imada: "Fluttering?" Imada: "An area of interest?" Seiya: "Yeah..." Rika: "Dopamine?" Seiya: "The source of "fluttering" is a substance called dopamine, which gets released in the brain." Rika: "Oh." Seiya: "In other words, when your heart flutters, it's because dopamine got released for some reason." Rika: "In other words, somebody made your heart throb." Imada: "That would be something like the "suspension bridge effect."" Seiya: "Suspension bridge?" Imada: "Yes." Imada: "It is about mistaking the thrill of crossing a suspension bridge for love." Seiya: "I see..." Seiya: "Suspension bridge, huh?" Imada: "Master, um..." Seiya: "Found it." Megumi: "Where should we meet? I'm not sure." Megumi: "Go ask him." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun. About the meeting place on Sunday..." Seiya: "Instead of an amusement park..." Seiya: "Why don't we go hiking in the mountains instead?" Sayaka: "Huh?" Megumi: "What's up?" Sayaka: "Todoin-kun suggested we go to the mountains." Kodama: "The mountains? What's going on?" Seiya: "The hiking trail of Otaki Gorge of Mt. Komiyama is highly recommended." kada: "Let's just do the amusement park. Mountains are too much trouble." Seiya: "Regarding that..." Seiya: "Mountain hiking is aerobic exercise using every muscle in the body." Seiya: "It's effective for building stamina." Seiya: "In short, it's healthy." Seiya: "Furthermore, the energy consumed in an hour's mountain hiking... ...is approximately 6,000 calories per kilogram of body weight. In other words, if a person weighing 50 kilograms hikes for five hours, approximately 1.5 million calories would be consumed." Seiya: "It's very effective if you're on a diet." Megumi: "I like it. Hiking." Haruka: "Me, too." Vo: "Let's go hiking!" Seiya: "The weather will be sunny this Sunday." Seiya: "Northeast wind approximately 5.0 meters per hour." Seiya: "Let us assume we will be crossing a suspension bridge..." Imada: "Master, I have brought you hiking shoes and clothes." Seiya: "Thank you." Imada: "That looks like a suspension bridge." Seiya: "Yeah. I'm going to be crossing one." Imada: "I see. And with whom, may I ask?" Seiya: "I will profess my love to her." Seiya: "I will succeed this time!" Haruka: "Sayaka, did you do your hair?" Sayaka: "Oh, yeah." Haruka: "Looks good on you." Seiya: "Everyone. Thank you for waiting." kada: "What's with all the gear?" Seiya: "What do you mean? It's for mountain climbing." kada: "But that's too much." Seiya: "You mustn't underestimate the mountains." Seiya: "You could get badly injured." Megumi: "Okay, let's go." Seiya: "Okay, this way." Seiya: "Another two kilometers to the suspension bridge." kada: "I'm starving." Megumi: "Sayaka, what a cute bento." Sayaka: "I made enough for everyone." Koda: "That looks so good." Koda: "Seiya, what's that?" Seiya: "Bento." kada: "Whoa! New Year's celebration food?" Megumi: "You didn't make these, did you, Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "I did. Why?" Megumi: "Well, it's amazing, Todoin-kun. But you should try Sayaka's bento, too. It's delicious." Voices: "That looks great." Kodama: "I'll eat some." Kodama: "Good!" Megumi: "Right? Todoin-kun, go ahead." Seiya: "Sure. Thanks." Sayaka: "Enjoy." Seiya: "Enjoy this, too." Voice: "Here goes." Voice: "Nice catch!" Voice: "Nice catch!" Voice: "Nice!" Seiya: "The moment has arrived." Seiya: "We must cross the bridge together!" Seiya: "Um... Ohori-san." Megumi: "What?" Seiya: "Uh, well..." Megumi: "The suspension bridge?" Megumi: "Let's go and see." Seiya: "Ready?" Megumi: "Yeah." Megumi: "It's quite shaky." Seiya: "Scared?" Megumi: "No, not really." Megumi: "Don't do that, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Now!" Seiya: "Um..." Megumi: "Hey, do you have a girlfriend, Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "I don't. Absolutely not." Megumi: "I'm so glad!" Seiya: ""I'm so glad"?" Seiya: "Could it be possible?" Seiya: "Ohori-san also feels the same about me." Seiya: "This could happen." Seiya: "This could definitely happen!" Seiya: "All right... Um..." Megumi: "Did Sayaka say anything to you?" Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "No." Seiya: "Nothing in particular." Megumi: "I see." Megumi: "You know, Sayaka is good to her friends. She's kind." Megumi: "She's a really great girl." Seiya: "Yeah." Megumi: "Not to mention she's the best cook, right?" Megumi: "Oh, I have an idea. I'll go get Sayaka. Wait here." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "No way..." Seiya: "Th-The suspension bridge effect didn't work!" Sayaka: "Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san." Sayaka: "It's quite shaky." Seiya: "Yeah." Sayaka: "It's a little scary," Sayaka: "but fun." Seiya: "That's true." Sayaka: "Um, Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "Your bento..." Sayaka: "It was so extravagant..." Seiya: "Oh, no..." Seiya: "So was your bento, Kikuchi-san." Seiya: "It was delicious..." Seiya: "Is something the matter?" Seiya: "Should we head back?" Sayaka: "Hey!" Sayaka: "Ever since..." Sayaka: "I've been watching..." Seiya: "Huh? Watching..." Seiya: "...the whole time?" Sayaka: "Would I be..." Seiya: "What?" Seiya: "Is she professing h-her love for me?" Seiya Devil: "You're having lots of fun with Kikuchi-san on this bridge." Seiya: "Well, sure, but..." Seiya Devil: "The suspension bridge effect didn't work on Ohori-san," Seiya Devil: "but it worked on you instead." Seiya Devil: "Why don't you just go out with her?" Sayaka: "Todoin-kun, I—" Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "I..." Seiya: "I remembered I have something to do." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun!" Seiya: "Why?!" Imada: "Master, what is the matter?" Imada: "Master..." Seiya: "I want a girlfriend so much, and yet..." Sayaka: "Enjoy." Sayaka: "Would I be a candidate?" Seiya: "Kikuchi-san..." Seiya: "You so bravely professed your love for me, and yet..." Seiya: "And yet..." Seiya: "Why did I run from her?" Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "Sorry about yesterday." Sayaka: "It's okay." Sayaka: "It was fun, wasn't it? Hiking." Seiya: "Yes." Seiya: "It was." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san." Seiya: "Thank you so much. But from now on—" Sayaka: "From now on..." Sayaka: "Let's stay good friends." Seiya: "Huh?" Sayaka: "See you later." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san." kada: "Seiya." Seiya: "Morning." kada: "What happened yesterday?" Oka: "I heard you suddenly went home." Seiya: "Well..." Seiya: "I remembered something important I had to do." kada: "Yeah, but that was too weird." Kodama: "We tried calling your cell, but it was turned off." Seiya: "I'm sorry." Ryo: "You got scared of the suspension bridge, didn't you?" Seiya: "Huh? No." Endo: "No? Then what was it?" Seiya: "Well, um..." Oka: "So you were scared." Ryo: "You're such a strange guy." Imada: "Master, may we have a moment of your time?" Rika: "You left this in the dressing room." Imada: "With regard to the suspension-bridge effect... Riding a roller-coaster together," Imada: "or watching a horror movie together..." Imada: "I believe such activities would have been more effective." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "Is that so?" Imada: "My apologies. I should have suggested them sooner." Imada: "Master!" Seiya: "I never realized Kikuchi-san was so cute." Sayaka: "You're the only person I could talk to about this, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Maybe she'll be my girlfriend..." Takeda: "I see. Thanks for taking good care of her."

: "His good looks are too perfect." : "So why can't Todoin Seiya, age sixteen, get a girlfriend?" Voice: ""The Season of Eighteen."" Ryo: "Don't touch it, don't touch it." Sawada: "I'd say she's around a B or a C." Kodama: "What are you talking about? She's an F at the very least." Hoshino: "Idiot. They can stuff their bras to make them look as big as they want." Kodama: "Really? I don't believe you." Ryo: "I know. We should ask the ladies." Hoshino: "Who do we ask?" Ryo: "Hey, Megumi, Sayaka." Megumi: "What?" Ryo: "How big can you make breasts look?" Megumi: "Ryo-kun, you're too blunt." Kodama: "Damn it." Kodama: "Megumi, what's your size?" Ryo: "Serves you right." Seiya: "That was a month and a half ago..." Seiya: "Nowadays it's almost as if nothing ever happened." Sayaka: "Would I be..." Seiya: "Was that my first chance..." Imada: "I wonder if Master Seiya is all right." Rika: "He has not been his usual self recently." Imada: "You have noticed, too, Rika-san?" Rika: "You do not have any clue as to what might have happened?" Imada: "Right." Rika: "This is..." Imada: "Might I ask you, Rika-san, to help me with this?" Rika: "Yes?" Seiya: "Oh, we should go there." Rika: "Master." Seiya: "No." Rika: "Huh?" Seiya: "You took me out of the house because you were concerned about me, right?" Rika: "So you knew." Rika: "Imada-san is very worried about you." Seiya: "I'm sorry." Rika: "You could talk to me, if you would like." Seiya: "Well..." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san?" Sayaka: "Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "What a surprising coincidence." Seiya: "You work here?" Sayaka: "Yeah." Seiya: "I see..." Sayaka: "It's kind of embarrassing to be seen here by somebody I know." Seiya: "I never realized..." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun..." Sayaka: "Is she your girlfriend?" Seiya: "No, it's not like that." Sayaka: "It's okay. Don't worry about me." Seiya: "No, I'm serious. It's not like that. She is..." Rika: "I'm his big sister." Sayaka: "His sister?" Rika: "Thank you for taking good care of Seiya." Rika: "Gosh, Seiya. I didn't know you had such a cute girlfriend." Rika: "Master..." Rika: "Fight." Seiya: "Huh?" Rika: "I have things to do, so I must be leaving." Sayaka: "Thank you very much." Sayaka: "I didn't know you had a sister." Seiya: "Yeah..." Seiya: "Sort of." Seiya: "By the way..." Seiya: "You're not wearing glasses today." Sayaka: "Yeah. I wear contacts for my job." Seiya: "I see." Seiya: "You look really nice." Sayaka: "You think so?" Seiya: "You should wear contacts at school, too." Sayaka: "They'd make me feel too shy." Seiya: "What is the fluttering I feel in my chest?" Seiya: "Could it be..." Seiya: "Maybe I'm in love with her..." Seiya: "She was so easy to talk to..." Seiya: "She was cute, too. Not to mention," Seiya: "Could it be..." Seiya: "I could..." Seiya: "But wait..." Seiya: "No, no. She definitely loves me." Seiya: "But..." Imada: "How frustrating this is." Rika: "Indeed, very." Ryo: "Hey. What's up, Seiya-kun? You're all serious again." Oka: "Maybe he's seriously thinking about girls." kada: "Maybe he is." Oka: "A crush? Do you have a crush?" Ryo: "You got a girlfriend?" Seiya: "Not yet." Hoshino: "A one-sided crush?" Ryo: "I didn't know you were so vulnerable." Seiya: "Just a general question..." Ryo: "Sure, what?" Seiya: "Let's say that a girl professed her feelings to you." Seiya: "But you didn't love her, so you turned her down." Oka: "You're good looking and popular with the girls. How lucky for you." Seiya: "No, no. This is just a general question." Endo: "Sure, sure. And?" Seiya: "And..." Seiya: "So..." Seiya: "Do things like that happen?" Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "Never, right? Something that shameless would never, never happen." Ryo: "Of course it happens, all the time." kada: "I don't understand the question." Ryo: "All right." Ryo: "Without further ado," Seiya: "Huh?" Ryo: "Ask her out." Seiya: "Oh... No... I'll walk her home, and if the moment is right," Seiya: "Oh. Um..." Seiya: "C-Could I..." Seiya: "That day on the suspension bridge..." Seiya: "I'm sorry I ran away like that." Sayaka: "It's okay." Sayaka: "I'm actually grateful to you, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san..." Seiya: "She is such a genuinely nice girl." Seiya: "Is she an angel?" Seiya: "A detour on my way home with her..." Seiya: "What a fulfilling experience! Maybe it will happen this time." Sayaka: "I've always had difficulty talking to boys." Sayaka: "But you were different, Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "So, that time when I..." Seiya: "That time..." Sayaka: "I've been..." Sayaka: "Anyway," Sayaka: "You're the only person I could talk to about this, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san..." Seiya: "C-Could it be?" Seiya: "Her second love confession?" Seiya: "What?" Sayaka: "You see..." Sayaka: "I..." Sayaka: "I'm in love with somebody." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "Emergency. Emergency. It's an emergency! She's in love with somebody. What could that mean? Wasn't it me you were in love with?" Seiya: "Incomprehensible! Incomprehensible! Incomprehensible! Incomprehensible!" Sayaka: "He's a senpai at my job. Admittedly, I got a little discouraged after you rejected me," Sayaka: "so I decided to do something new to take my mind off it. I found a job, and thanks to having done that, well... Anyway, senpai's birthday is coming up and—" Seiya: "Sorry, I just remembered I had to do something. I'm going home." Seiya: "Pardon me." Sayaka: ""Pardon me"? Todoin-kun!" Seiya: "In love with somebody else..." Seiya: "Why is she in love with somebody else?" Seiya: "I thought you were in love with me!" Seiya: "A person I love loves somebody else." Seiya: "But a month and half ago, the person I love..." Seiya: "But now, the person I love loves..." Seiya: "What brought on the change?" Seiya: "The lag time of a month and half?" Seiya: "Or..." Seiya: "She loves somebody." Seiya: "Where is Kikuchi-san?" Sayaka: "How's it going?" Sayaka: "Oh, that looks so good." Seiya: "That must be him." Seiya: "So that's the man Kikuchi-san loves." Sayaka: "It's okay? Thank you very much." Takeda: "It's been a long time." Seiya: "He's just normal looking." Seiya: "There's something smarmy about him." Seiya: "What's so good about him?" kada: "What do you think of selling shells by the seashore? What do you mean?" kada: "I mean, who sells seashells there anymore?" Sayaka: "Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "Would you walk me home today?" Seiya: "Huh?" Sayaka: "But if you're busy, that's all right. I understand." Seiya: "No, I'm not busy. In fact, I have lots of free time." Sayaka: "I'm so glad." Sayaka: "I wanted to talk to you about something." Sayaka: "Um..." Sayaka: "I wonder what would make senpai happy." Seiya: "What kind of things does he like? Or does he have a hobby?" Sayaka: "I remember he said his wallet chain broke." Seiya: "Maybe that might make a good gift, then." Seiya: "I agree. Thanks. I'm glad I consulted you, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Maybe they're on that side." Sayaka: "Yeah." Sayaka: "Found it." Sayaka: "Which do you prefer, Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "Let's see..." Sayaka: "I wonder if senpai will like my gift." Seiya: "Don't worry." Sayaka: "Actually, I don't think so. Senpai is popular with the ladies, and I think he already has a girlfriend." Seiya: "Is that so?" Sayaka: "I still want to express my feelings to him somehow." Sayaka: "I'm going to hand him the present after work today." Sayaka: "And profess my feelings to him." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun..." Seiya: "I guess it didn't work out." Seiya: "Are you okay?" Sayaka: "Senpai..." Sayaka: "...said he'll go out with me." Seiya: "Huh?" Sayaka: "It's all thanks to you, Todoin-kun." Sayaka: "Thank you!" Seiya: "This can't be happening!" Megumi: "Seriously? That's a real date." Sayaka: "You think so?" Megumi: "Of course it is." Megumi: "Who asked who out?" Seiya: "It's Kikuchi-san..." Megumi: "And where are you meeting him?" Sayaka: "Central Park at ten o'clock." Megumi: "So early!" Seiya: "A date." Seiya: "I'm unbearably jealous." Seiya: "Ten o'clock." Seiya: "I know the meeting time and place of their date, but if I went there," Seiya: "But I'm here anyway." Takeda: "Sorry, sorry! I made you wait." Sayaka: "No problem at all." Sayaka: "Thank you very much." Seiya: "It's only their first date, that's too much." Seiya: "That guy..." Seiya: "I'm sorry." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "Huh? No. Oh." Seiya: "What a coincidence." Sayaka: "Yeah." Takeda: "Who's this, Sayaka?" Sayaka: "Todoin-kun. We go to the same school. He's my classmate." Takeda: "I see. I'm Takeda, Sayaka's boyfriend." Sayaka: "Oh, please stop, senpai." Sayaka: "It's embarrassing." Takeda: "But it's true. Who cares?" Sayaka: "I confided a lot in Todoin-kun." Takeda: "Thank you for taking care of Sayaka." Sayaka: "Stop." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san." Sayaka: "What? Why would you ask that, out of the blue?" Seiya: "Please give me a serious answer." Sayaka: "Um..." Sayaka: "I know! Todoin-kun, are you free right now?" Seiya: "Yeah." Takeda: "I've got plenty more." Seiya: "Takeda-senpai..." Sayaka: "He doesn't seem the type, right? But when I eat his cakes," Seiya: "Admittedly, Takeda-san is a wonderful person." Seiya: "But so am I." Seiya: "Takeda-san." Seiya: "What do you find attractive about Kikuchi-san?" Takeda: "That's a straightforward question." Takeda: "But that's something that'll become clear after we spend time together." Seiya: "S-Spend time together?" Seiya: "Who knew there was such a concept?" Seiya: "What am I going to do?" Seiya: "I don't think I can win this one." Boy: "Onii-chan your face is scary. Are you angry?" Kids: "Are you angry?" Seiya: "I challenge you." Seiya: "The winner is the man who makes the cake Kikuchi-san likes better." Sayaka: "It's so good." Suma: "If you have confused feelings, you just have to find your soul mate."

Sayaka: "I'm in love with somebody." Seiya: "I thought you were in love with me!" Seiya: "What do you find attractive about Kikuchi-san?" Takeda: "That's a straightforward question." Takeda: "But that's something that'll become clear after we spend time together." Sayaka: "But when I eat his cakes, I become happy, too." Seiya: "I cannot give up now!" Seiya: "Because Kikuchi-san is the first girl in my life... ...who has ever loved me!" Seiya: "Canelé pastry made in Catholic monasteries in the 18th century..." Seiya: "The opera cake of the Palace of Versailles..." Seiya: "An eye for an eye." Seiya: "A cake for a cake..." Seiya: "I challenge you." Takeda: "Huh?" Sayaka: "What are you challenging him about, Todoin-kun?" Seiya: "The winner is the man who makes the cake Kikuchi-san likes better." Seiya: "That is the challenge." Sayaka: "But why me?" Takeda: "Fine. Let's do it." Seiya: "Temperature: approximately 35 degrees Celsius." Seiya: "Next, the blanchir. The mixture must be perfect." Seiya: "Perfectly baked." Seiya: "Finished. The ultimate cake made using all five of my senses." Seiya: "This one's the winner." Sayaka: "Wow. These are amazing." Seiya: "Enjoy." Sayaka: "I will." Sayaka: "It's so good!" Sayaka: "It has layers of taste." Sayaka: "And now I'll try senpai's." Sayaka: "It's so good!" Sayaka: "I'm so happy!" Seiya: "H-Happy? She used no such key word for my cake." Sayaka: "I can't decide." Sayaka: "What am I going to do?" Seiya: "This isn't good. I think I'm going to lose." Seiya: "But I'm not the same person I used to be!" Seiya: "I've experienced so much." Seiya: "I know I've grown!" Seiya: "Kikuchi..." Seiya: "Sayaka-san." Seiya: "I love you." Sayaka: "Todoin-kun..." Sayaka: "Thank you..." Seiya: "Kikuchi-san." Sayaka: "But..." Sayaka: "I'm sorry." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "I don't understand." Seiya: "I don't understand anything at all." Rika: "He's normal looking, somewhat smarmy, a liker of girls, able to make sweets." Rika: "He would be popular with women." Rika: "It would be strange if he weren't." Seiya: "Is that so?" Imada: "It is an impressive matter to excel in one skill." Imada: "They say women fall in love with men they respect." Seiya: "Well, I'm respectable, too." Rika: "Master. Perhaps it is presumptuous of me, but may I express my personal opinion?" Seiya: "What is it?" Rika: "Indeed, you excel at everything. However, as the object of a woman's desire, you are lacking in the area of being interesting." Imada: "Rika-san. That is enough." Seiya: "I'm..." Seiya: "...not interesting?" Rika: "You are too much of a perfectionist, Master." Rika: "Too perfect, without much personality." Rika: "Personality?" Girl: "Seiya-kun is good looking, but he's not very interesting." Seiya: "I see..." Seiya: "What I'm lacking is..." Rika: "Um, master..." Seiya: "What kind of personality do I have?" Megumi: "Huh?" Seiya: "I've been wondering." Megumi: "Oh! I know! I know your personality, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Huh?" Seiya: "What is it?" Megumi: "You're a little heavy." Seiya: "Heavy?" Megumi: "Yeah." Megumi: "Like you think too deeply about everything." Megumi: "You're like that, Todoin-kun." Oka: "Heavy, heavy. It's true, you're definitely heavy, Seiya." Ryo: "Good looking, but heavy. That's Seiya." kada: "Women are really observant about things like that." Hoshino: "That's why you don't have a girlfriend, even if you're handsome." Seiya: "You don't have to gang up on me like that." Seiya: "I'm don't want much." Seiya: "I just wish I weren't heavy." All: "You're being heavy again!" Seiya: "Gravitational attraction..." Suma: "They say you "fall" in love. And if you speak of attraction, that is the power of attracting women." Seiya: "Suma-senpai..." Suma: "What's up? You look gloomy again." Seiya: "Um..." Suma: "You are mistaken." Suma: "You have no girlfriend not because you are heavy." Suma: "And there is no guarantee you will have a girlfriend because you are light." Seiya: "What is it, then?" Suma: "Love is a scale." Seiya: "A scale?" Suma: "Correct." Suma: "In other words, it's a balance. When one side becomes heavy, the other side becomes light." Suma: "And so it goes." Seiya: "Maybe..." Seiya: "Ouch!" Suma: "How many girls do you know at your school?" Seiya: "Let's see... In my class..." Seiya: "One, two..." Seiya: "In other classes..." Seiya: "One, two..." Suma: "And as for the remaining 100 plus," Suma: "they are all your potential soul mates. Do you understand this? If you have confused feelings, you just have to find your soul mate. But if all you do is wait, the chances of your meeting her are zero." Seiya: "I see." Seiya: "I have to increase my chances of encounters! Then maybe, somewhere in the world..." Seiya: "I can't be bothered about keeping up appearances anymore." Seiya: "Um..." Seiya: "Excuse me. Please come." Seiya: "Here. Please come." Seiya: "Please come." Seiya: "Nobody came." Seiya: "Why is that?! How am I going to encounter a girl like this?" Seiya: "How do people ever become boyfriend and girlfriend?" Ryo: "There he is. I knew it was here." Oka: "We were looking everywhere." kada: "You forgot to write the name of the place." Hoshino: "I heard about it from other girls. None of them thought it was for real." Seiya: "Why?" Ryo: "Probably because of that letter." Oka: "It was written like a business letter. Too rigid." Seiya: "First I was heavy," Ryo: "You know, I don't dislike your heaviness." kada: "Yeah, I don't dislike it, either." Seiya: "Really?" Oka: "Okay! Today, since there is no co-ed party, let's all have a man-to-man discussion!" Ryo: "Okay!" Hoshino: "First of all, the worth of a man is not about being light or heavy." Ryo: "That's true. If she truly loves you, lightness or heaviness doesn't interfere with her happiness." kada: "I received a handmade present from my girlfriend the other day." Seiya: "Hold that thought!" Seiya: "Why?" Seiya: "Nakada, I didn't know you had a girlfriend." kada: "Yeah, we just started going out." Seiya: "What?" Hoshino: "Actually, me, too." Seiya: "Since when? Where? How? Where?" kada: "Speaking of, I just got a text from her." kada: "Whoops. Sorry. I gotta go." Seiya: "Wait a second. Hey!" Ryo: "It's okay, relax." Ryo: "Oh. Me, too. I'm sorry, Seiya." Seiya: "Wait, I thought we're having a man-to-man discussion." Hoshino: "Me, too. Sorry, Seiya-kun." Seiya: "Don't go!" Seiya: "Whatever became of man-to-man friendship?!" Seiya: "We're comrades, aren't we?" Oka: "Someone's calling." Oka: "Oh, it's you? A little. What, you're coming here?" Oka: "Okay, if you say so." Oka: "I have a girlfriend now, too. She said she's coming here. I have to wait for her." Seiya: "Why do you have a girlfriend, too?! This isn't fair!" Oka: "She's here." Megumi: "I didn't know Todoin-kun was with you." Oka: "Ohori-san... So that's how it is. See ya, Seiya." Megumi: "See you later, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "It can't be true..." Seiya: "Suma-senpai." Suma: "Have a seat." Seiya: "Suma-senpai." Seiya: "I don't think..." Suma: "If you give up, the game is over." Seiya: "But..." Seiya: "I don't know if I have a soul mate in this world." Suma: "You do." Suma: "You just don't see her, that's all." Suma: "Because all you ever see is yourself." Seiya: "That's not true." Suma: "For example," Suma: "maybe it's her." Seiya: "What?" Seiya: "Who are you?" Seiya: "Who on earth are you?!" Seiya: "A dream..." Sayaka: "Morning." Seiya: "Morning." Seiya: "What's that?" Sayaka: "I started drawing a manga." Seiya: "Wow..." Seiya: "That's amazing." Sayaka: "Lately I've been enjoying this more than my dates." Seiya: "More than your dates?" Sayaka: "Takeda-senpai has been acting weird." Seiya: "Takeda-senpai has?" Sayaka: "He's so controlling." Sayaka: "I'm getting tired of it." Seiya: "He's such a light person," Seiya: "but he's controlling?" Sayaka: "Maybe because he thinks you're his rival, Todoin-kun." Seiya: "Rival?" Seiya: "Somebody thinks of me as a rival?" Seiya: "Now I know that people can change," Seiya: "for better or for worse." Seiya: "Which means that maybe..." Ryo: "There he is!" Seiya: "I will definitely have a girlfriend some day!"

S: "Tonight on Why did YOU come to Japan?..." H: "It's a special where some of YOU are nearly in their forties losing it, visiting their sacred spots! This time around we've got a lot of YOU who are getting way more excited than you'd expect from their age after visiting locations that are special to them!" S: "I'm curious, Himura-san," H: "Yeah?" S: "Is there any place that's sacred enough to you that you'd get excited about getting to visit it?" H: "I can think of a few..." S: "You don't have to talk about them." H: "I do have some... Hey, man!" S: "He got mad!" H: "Let's start by heading to Narita International!" S: "Yeah!" H: "Ready and..." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Bob: "This place is sacred to us! Connecting Japan to the rest of the world— Narita International Airport!" Bob: "Let's track down some exciting YOUS!" S: "What is on her head?" Interviewer: "Are you two a couple?" S: "I see." S: "Oh, is that it?" S: "2 million viewers?!" S: "So they travel all over while filming, then?" Bob: "These YOUS are travel bloggers!" H: "That's cool." S: "He looks nervous!" S: "He wants another take!" S: "He's a real director." S: "He's really exacting." S: "He's just made his international debut." S: "See ya. Wonder where they're headed next? Huh, 3 days later?" H: "Is it already up?" S: "Wow, already?" H: "It looks like it is!" S: "What is this?" S: "That's impressive!" H: "Is it seriously done already?" H: "Hey, they used it!" Bob: "A lot of the common sights the YOUS have seen show up in the video!" S: "That's impressive." Interviewer: "What country are you from?" Interviewer: "The Netherlands! Why did YOU come to Japan?" In: "Oh, Enoshima?" Interviewer: "How long are you going to be there?" S: "They came to visit Enoshima and Kamakura?" Interviewer: "What are you most looking forward to?" S: "It's gotta be the Daibutsu statue, right?" H: "It's gotta." H: "What the heck is that?!" Both: "Shaka shaka... drink?" H: "Moe moe..." S: "That explains it!" S: "A maid café, then?" H: "That's it!" S: "@Home!" Maids: "Here you are! We've got your Furi-Furi Shaka-Shaka♪ Mix Juice right here! Ready and... Furi-Furi! Furi-Furi! Shaka-Shaka!" H: "Shaka-Shaka!" Maids: "Shaka-Shaka! Moe-Moe!" S: "Himura-san do you go here a lot?" Maids: "Moe-Moe! Nyan-nyan! Nyan-nyan!" Himura: "Nyan-nyan!" Maids: "Wan-wan!" H: "Wan-wan!" Maids: "Wan-wan! Piyo-piyo!" H: "Piyo-piyo!" Maids: "Piyo-piyo! Be really tasty!" H: "Be really tasty!" Maids: "Be really tasty! Moe-moe! There's plenty of moe in it! Moe-moe kyun!" S: "And kyun in the end, huh?" H: "It's really good." S: "You have had it before, then?" H: "Oh, it is. I have had it!" Bob: "Moe moe kyun!" Eagle Shirt: "Sure, okay." Interview: "You know Japanese?" Interview: "Where are you from?" Eagle: "Canada." It: "Canada." Eagle: "I live with my wife at the moment." Bob: "This YOU's beloved wife is Japanese!" It: "What kind of work do you do?" Canada: "Right now, just part-time work, stuff like cleaning dishes in restaurants. But long-term, I'd like to get into acting, or maybe comedy or modeling. I'm interested in stuff like that." It: "Is there anyone in particular you look up to?" Canada: "Matsumoto Hitoshi." H: "That's comedy alright." S: "Ambitious! Matsumoto of all people..." Canada: "The way he puts his creativity to use is really amazing. That's what makes him funny. I'm pretty confident in my conversational skills." It: "So, would you be able to keep a monologue going without slipping up?" Canada: "All right, let's do it." It: "Here we go." H: "Wow!" S: "He's gonna try a monologue!" Canda: "Well, I'm at the airport because a friend of mine came over from Canada," Canda: "and they just headed back home." Canda: "That's really it, basically..." Canda: "In the end... uh...." S: "Come on, man! Come on." Canada: "What do you call it...?" S: "Come on!" S: "I mean, there was no real point to that story in the first place!" It: "Have you told your wife you want to get into entertainment?" Canada: "Yes, I have. She said I could do it." H: "She really said that?" S: "After what we just saw... Maybe it was just because it was sudden." Bob: "Good luck!" H: "What's up?" It: "Where have you all come from?" It: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" H: "It's an international exchange thing..." Student: "It's for the Chiba City International Association." It: "I'm sorry, you two are Japanese, then?" Students: "Yes, we are." S: "Is that a thing?" Bob: "Everyone's become good friends!" S: "They're here for homestay." H: "Man, I always thought that sounded so cool." S: "Yeah?" H: "I wish I could've done it when I was young!" It: "Any fond memories in Japan?" S: "What is this?" H: "They seem to get along pretty well." S: "What are they doing?" H: "The Chiba dance." S: "Chiba dance?" S: "Oh, so they do during the dancing for Bon." Bob: "It's supposed to be a traditional part of the routine in Chiba!" S: "That's nice." S: "What food is this?" S: "What are they eating?" H: "It's probably natto..." S: "Natto." S: "It had to be." H: "Yeah." H: "Makes sense. That's natto for you..." S: "No good, huh?" It: "Have a safe trip." H: "Man, that seems like so much fun." S: "Seems like it'd be an emotional parting, too." H: "This guy looks like a teacher." It: "You speak Japanese?" Kiwi: "A bit. I've been back and forth between the two countries for 15 years now." S: "That long?" It: "So what brings YOU to Japan this time?" Kiwi: "There's a lot of events I'm doing, in Shimokitazawa." S: "In Shimokitazawa?" Kiwi: "It's almost time for the Curry Festival." H: "I know that one!" S: "The curry festival!" H: "I know that one." S: "The Shimokita Curry Festival, I've heard of that one too." Kiwi: "It's what I'm looking forward to the most. It lasts ten days, with 300 different places serving all kinds of different curry..." H: "That's right." S: "And he's here for that?" Kiwi: "I look forward to it every year!" It: "You go every year?" Kiwi: "Yes, I do." S: "He's a curry festival regular!" Kiwi: "I started five years ago... So five years in a row." H: "Five consecutive visits!" Bob: "How's that work?!" Kiwi: "I want to get the T-shirt, so I need to move fast or it'll end before I can." It: "So the reward for visiting 15 stops before the time limit is a T-shirt? And they do that every year?" Mike: "I've gotta have it." It: "So you end up going to two or three places every day?" Kiwi: "That's been the case a few times, yes." It: "Isn't that a little rough?" Kiwi: "Well, a little." Kiwi: "I have my own shop, too." It: "You do?" Kiwi: "Yes. It's a bit of a gift shop. I'm the owner, sort of. I teach English conversation at universities." Bob: "He's come all the way to Japan for the curry festival!" S: "He seemed like a teacher." It: "So do you have a long-term room you rent?" S: "So he has a place?" H: "Oh, wow." S: "All this for the curry festival..." H: "Man, I wanna see that!" It: "Do you mind if we join you when you go to the curry festival?" Kiwi: "That'd be fine." It: "Oh, it is?" Bob: "On to Shimokitazawa!" Bob: "We'll be tagging along with the curry-loving Michael-san!" S: "How long has the curry festival been running, anyway?" H: "This is really interesting." S: "I don't think it was a thing when we lived there. You don't really associate Shimokita with curry, y'know?" H: "True enough." H: "It's raining." It: "Thanks for agreeing to let us come along." Mike: "We need to go to Kitaguchi now! Right now. Because they're only in until 8." S: "They better go." H: "Gotta move." Mike: "Okay, let's go." H: "Off they go..." H: "This is up by where where Kitazawa used to live." H: "Oh, so there's a stand like this?" Mike: "Hey, good evening. So, how does the stamp rally work?" Lady: "It'll be 300 yen..." Mike: "Sure." Bob: "Our YOU enters the rally!" Bob: "Collect stamps from 15 restaurants you eat curry at, and you'll score a T-shirt!" Lady: "I remember you from last year." Mike: "Yeah, I'm here every year." Lady: "Did you ever miss out because the shirts run out? There was a time we had to get a second order, but they were gone by the fourth day." Mike: "Yeah, two years ago they ran out pretty fast, I think." Bob: "You need to act fast if you want to grab one of these 200 limited T-shirts!" It: "And they didn't have any left in your size?" Mike: "Right, right." Lady: "We've already handed out five shirts." It: "But it's only the first day?! Then that means someone visited 15 stops on the first day?" Lady: "It was amazing..." Mike: "There are honestly people like that every year. So I need to get going." S: "People are able to make 15 stops on the first day?" H: "That's really something." It: "Do you know where you're going to make the first stop?" Mike: "Yes I do! I look forward to going here every year. It's really delicious!" H: "Nice!" Mike: "Right, this is it." S: "That's a bar." H: "A bar? Curry from a bar?" Bob: "Do they even have curry?" It: "We're with TV Tokyo's Why Did YOU Come To Japan?" Bar: "I love that show, come on in!" It: "Thank you!" S: "That's great." It: "This isn't a curry restaurant, right?" Mike: "No, it's not. You try curry from all different kinds of places..." Mc: "The 2017 Shimokitazawa Curry Festival... Has t-roux-ly started!" S: "Roux..." H: "T-roux-ly...!" Bob: "It's an event that t-roux-ly paints the neighborhood in it's colors!" Rapper: "I'm repping a dish while wearing a shade of yellow! Shimokitazawa decked out in my colors head to toe! Ichijo-san, you mentioned eating curry for 365 days a year... Yes? Do you get a lot of questions about getting tired of it? Every day! Someone always asks." Bob: "You can t-roux-ly find a lot of famous curry shops in Shimokitazawa!" S: "Huh, really?" Server: "Here you are." M: "Thanks." M: "Looks good, right?" H: "It does." M: "The chicken nanban here is really great, and the curry is, too..." S: "It comes with chicken nanban?" M: "And the tartar sauce goes well with the curry." H: "That's looks good." S: "Seriously... Nice!" Bob: "The curry dish our YOU enjoys every year!" Bob: "Some thoroughly cooked, gooey curry..." S: "That looks good!" Bob: "With some punchy chicken nanban!" Mike: "This really is good!" H: "He was so ready for it." S: "Really." S: "Chicken nanban." S: "He's enjoying himself! He's really loving his curry." S: "Looks good!" S: "Okay!" Mike: "Thank you for the meal." H: "Didn't touch the lettuce, huh?" It: "You ate that really fast!" Server: "You come every year, right?" Mike: "Yeah, that's right." Server: "I'm pretty sure he's the only foreigner we get every year. You're the first person in here this year." Mike: "Seriously? Thanks!" Server: "It's your lucky curry day." S: "So that's how you get it?" Bob: "That's one stamp down!" H: "That looks like fun!" Interviewer: "That many?!" Mike: "The popular ones tend to be full up..." H: "Seems like a good way to get stuffed." S: "Next is a busy one?" Mike: "Good evening!" Greeter: "Good evening!" Mike: "I'm here for some curry." S: "More curry..." H: "That's a stylish bar." Bob: "What kind of curry is up next?" Mike: "Hey, thank you very much." It: "That looks unique..." S: "Wow!" Mike: "It's a Peruvian cream curry." S: "Wow, I guess there's all kinds of curry." Bob: "Curry from Peru is pale!" Both: "Aji de gallina..." Bob: "It comes with a spicy cheese sauce." H: "A cheese sauce..." S: "So it's not a white sauce?" S: "Damn, and he just ate, too! That's gotta be tough." Mike: "It's real good." Mike: "You can really taste the cheese, and it's really creamy." H: "Wow!" Mike: "Thanks for the meal." S: "He left a little this time!" S: "He left a little bit!" H: "Man, he's loving it!" M: "Let's try this one." S: "I see, you just need to visit 15 out of hundreds!" Bob: "They serve curry here, too?!" H: "Surprised by how many bars serve curry..." H: "What is that?" S: "Is it lassi?" Mike: "It's some kind of curry cocktail." H: "A curry cocktail?" S: "They've got it looking great, as usual." H: "There's curry in that?" S: "And this counts, too?" H: "It's got to, right?" Bob: "It's a vanilla frappe, flavored with curry!" S: "He doesn't look sure about this one!" H: "How is it? I'm kinda curious." Mike: "It's spicy! Super spicy." H: "It's spicy?!" S: "Wait, if he doesn't like spicy..." Mike: "Let's get something a little cuter this time!" S: "What does he mean, cute? And he's still going to eat?" H: "He apparently is." Mike: "Oh, this is it." Bob: "Isn't this a sweet shop?" Mike: "Thank you very much." Server: "Please, enjoy." Mike: "Thanks." Mike: "Looks like curry, right?" H: "It's a desert..." Mike: "But it's banana, strawberry, and fresh cream." H: "Whoa, what the heck?" S: "That's interesting!" H: "This festival seems like a lot of fun." Bob: "It looks like curry, but it tastes like desert!" S: "Oh, I get it, it's supposed to look like curry." H: "That part looks like rice..." S: "So, what's the curry then?" S: "I see, they made a kind of banana jam..." S: "Oh, so that's it? That's how they do it." H: "That's a good idea." S: "There isn't." H: "It still counts, though?" S: "I get it, though, some sweets would help mix it up." Mike: "So good. Really sweet." S: "I bet he can make four stops at this rate." H: "That looks really good." S: "Right?" H: "Talk about variety..." S: "I wanna see this T-shirt!" Mike: "Thanks for the meal." H: "He can probably go for one more, right? Since that was just a desert." Bob: "He scarfs on curry french fries!" H: "Fries..." S: "That's gotta be good." S: "That's crazy, he's getting through them so fast. Seeing how he's been going, makes it seem a little more plausible." Mike: "I was really surprised! I mean, this is my sixth year, but someone else already has the shirt. That means 15 stops in one day!" Mike: "I'm heading home, now." H: "He's done for now?" It: "You're done for today?" Mike: "Yeah, for today." S: "That seems like fun." S: "It's cleared up!" S: "There he is." It: "Good morning!" S: "Wait, is that shirt...?" Mike: "I slept really well!" Mike: "I went home and was out right away." S: "Is that last year's shirt?" H: "Seems like it." Bob: "Time for some breakfast curry!" Mike: "Huh..." Mike: "This might be the place." S: "A gyoza shop...?" S: "Curry gyoza, then?" H: "Seems like it." Server: "Here you are. These are edible without any extra sauce." Mike: "Look how yellow they are." S: "I wonder what that's like! Curry in gyoza...?" Bob: "What's it taste like!?" S: "It's glistening! That looks fantastic." H: "Man, awesome!" Mike: "Hot!" Mike: "Juicy. It's very juicy, and the juice is hot." Bob: "Looks like we've got someone with a sensitive tongue!" H: "Not bad..." Mike: "Hot!" It: "You've been eating curry non-stop. Do you get tired of it?" Mike: "Nope! Not at all." It: "No?" Mike: "I love curry." Mike: "So I can't get sick of it!" S: "He can't!" S: "That's a nice picture!" Bob: "Our YOU grew up in a lively, sunny family!" Bob: "He had a homestay exchange with a Japanese family during high school." Mike: "That was the first time I had curry. It was really simple, with just a boxed block of roux from a store... But I thought it was really good. This was 20 years ago or so, so there wasn't any curry back home at the time, and it felt like discovering curry." Bob: "After falling in love with curry," Bob: "he's visited Japan time and time again!" Mike: "When I first came here to work, I would eat curry eight or nine times a week." H: "That's a lot!" Mike: "Curry is warm, and simple, but has a very homespun taste. It really brings to mind eating with family. There's something very comforting about." S: "That's nice!" Bob: "Curry tastes like eating with family!" S: "Curry reminds him of family, huh?" Bob: "Keema Curry!" S: "Oh, that looks good!" H: "I could go for that!" Bob: "Japanese curry!" S: "Another drink?" H: "It says curry cream soda!" S: "What the heck?" H: "Now that's some old fashioned curry." S: "That's really something." H: "Oh, wow." Mike: "My stomach's feeling a bit funny." It: "It is?" S: "That sounds bad. Well, I mean, if you eat and drink non-stop..." Mike: "Never been here before!" H: "You wouldn't think a place like this would be participating." S: "They've got all kinds of food in Shimokitazawa, huh?" Server: "Here you are, your keema curry with three types of cheese in a stone bowl." Mike: "Thank you so much!" Mike: "Looks hot." S: "Man, he's done after he eats that." H: "He has to be. It's too much." S: "Even if it looks good! Oh, this has to be good." K: "It looks great but it'll put you down for the day!" Bob: "That's Keema for you!" S: "And it's gotta be hot, served like that." S: "It's weird how he's got trouble with hot and spicy food, considering." S: "Is he tilting his head?" Mike: "I've eaten so much today... I can't tell if this tastes like curry or not." S: "That's bad!" H: "Well, after all of that spice..." Mike: "I could go for some pancakes, now." H: "He wants pancakes! He made the wrong choice, then! This is starting to seem like a penalty game!" Mike: "It was very good. Thank you so much." Bob: "He finishes the dish with willpower!" Mike: "I'm going at a faster clip than I figured... Because I want that T-shirt!" S: "He must really want that shirt!" It: "Why go so far, for a T-shirt?" Mike: "I think it helps me feel connected to Shimokitazawa. I really love it here." Bob: "Let's get that T-shirt!" S: "I could see how having a goal like a T-shirt could motivate you." H: "Yeah, true." It: "Is this the place?" Mike: "This is it." Bob: "Here we are, at our twelfth stop." S: "Taking the traditional approach now, with Indian curry. He's still going!" Mike: "I'm starting to feel drowsy because I ate too much..." S: "Hang in there!" S: "I mean, he's been eating non-stop." Mike: "Thank you very much." S: "Here we go." S: "Oh, that looks so good! It's got rice, too." H: "Oh, yeah." S: "I wonder why? Why not just the naan?" Bob: "Talk about heavy duty!" Bob: "Will YOU be able to eat it?" It: "There's cheese..." Mike: "Right, there's plenty of cheese." S: "That seems really heavy! I bet it'd be fantastic when you're really hungry." H: "I mean it looks good, but..." S: "Is he gonna be okay? This could put him off curry." Mike: "It's good!" Mike: "The nan is really good, but... I know that I can absolutely not finish this by myself." S: "Yeah, makes sense." Mike: "Maybe you could join me?" S: "Maybe—" S: "That's a good idea! Let's all eat it together." Mike: "Good, right?" Bob: "Everyone enjoys the meal!" S: "Okay, I think someone's getting a shirt today." S: "Oh, he's only got three stops left!" H: "Three to go?" Server: "Excuse me, could you..." Mike: "Oh, right." Both: "Everyone's lined up!" S: "Well, it is Sunday." Zoom In Sign: "1st and 2nd Two-time Shimokitazawa Curry Championship Winner" S: "Whoa, they won two years in a row!" Bob: "This stop's a famous one!" S: "It's pronounced Shirokuma?" H: "Yeah, it's 46kuma." Server: "Sorry about the delay, here's your spicy chicken curry! There you go, please enjoy." H: "Champion curry!" S: "Looks good." Bob: "This is the championship curry that people line up for!" Bob: "A collaboration between daisen chicken and a spice mix!" Mike: "It's really delicious! And spicy. The flavor is really cooked into the meat, and the bone is still there," H: "That looks tender!" Mike: "So you get a bit of umami." Mike: "That was really good!" Bob: "That T-shirt is within grasping reach!" S: "Oh, man, the last stop! Where's he going?" S: "Makes sense. Mapping out your choices like this seems like it'd be fun, too." H: "The whole thing seems like fun." Bob: "After mulling over his choices..." S: "Oh, there we go." H: "Tobira..." S: "You think it's gonna be green curry or something? I bet he wraps it up with green curry." It: "Why choose this place for the last stop?" Mike: "Well... Because they have mini-portions here. After making 15 stops, I'm feeling a little stuffed..." S: "He's just after the T-shirt now! Because he's stuffed." Server: "Your green curry." S: "Here's the green curry!" Mike: "Lots of coriander! I love coriander, so this is great." S: "Shimokita is pretty amazing!" H: "This is the kind of food power it has." S: "Yeah, Shimokita power." H: "Right? Looks good." S: "Seriously!" Bob: "Last up is some green curry made with plenty of coconut milk—bon appétit!" S: "He's eating so reluctantly at this point!" S: "He must be stuffed. He's had too much;" H: "Enjoying it in silence!" S: "That's some good looking green curry, though." H: "I bet it's good." Mike: "Thank you for the food." H: "He left a bunch this time." Mike: "Well, that does it. It was very good!" H: "Should that really count? I guess it's fine." S: "Aw, come on..." Mike: "And with that..." Mike: "comes my T-shirt!" Bob: "At long last!" S: "Here we go, time for the shirt! If they're already out, after all that..." H: "That would be terrible!" Mike: "Good afternoon!" Lady: "Did you get them all?" Mike: "I did!" S: "I'm glad he gets his shirt." Lady: "What color shirt would you like?" Mike: "Can I get a blue one in a large size?" Lady: "Large?" Bob: "Oh, yeah!" Mike: "I got it!" S: "There it is! Cool! That's kind of impressive." S: "I think it's the fact that you had to complete a challenge to get it..." Mike: "I've got my shirt... but I'll still be going out, every day for curry. Because I love it. I think, after ten years, it'd be great if I could go to every location." S: "Can you imagine how much he's gonna have to eat to keep getting these shirts, every year?" S: "That was nice! Seeing a man on a mission like that makes me want a T-shirt, too." H: "Seeing the stamps gradually stack up on your phone has to be fun, too." S: "Yeah! I want to try that one... from 46ma?" S: "The two-year consecutive champion!" H: "It's literally champion curry!" S: "And then there was that place with the cheesy naan?" H: "Right." S: "How can you possibly eat all that if you go there on a full stomach?" H: "On the back half, that YOU was barely able to finish his curry anymore!" S: "It's not like he's a big eater." H: "He's not!" S: "He's just a YOU who loves curry. Are there any curry places you thought looked interesting, Himura-san? You don't have to answer." H: "Hang on a second! You're too quick to quash my answers!" H: "Anyway, let's head back to Narita Airport." S: "Right." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Bob: "We're back at the sacred ground for YOU! Narita Airport!" It: "Where are you from?" It: "Russia! Why did YOU come to Japan?" H: "Beach tennis?" It: "What's beach tennis?" S: "That's gotta be rough!" H: "How's the ball bounce?" It: "Is it the same as tennis with a ball and racket, mostly?" It: "Is he gonna show us?" H: "How's that work on sand?" It: "It is softer..." S: "The racket looks totally different." It: "It's short!" S: "Do they play it without bouncing?" H: "It has to be, right?" It: "This is easier than I thought." H: "Wow, that's something!" Bob: "Wow!" It: "Do you think you can win the competition?" S: "That's impressive..." H: "He asked for coverage!" It: "Do you mind if we come along?" Bob: "It's on!" S: "I've never heard of this sport, before." Bob: "We're going to get to see him play, live!" S: "The fact that they're on the beach already means it's gonna be a lot more draining!" It: "Hello, thank you for taking my call. My name is Tokunaga, and I work at TV Tokyo..." S: "Thank you very much." S: "I really wonder what the court is gonna be like." Bob: "We'll be covering him from the day before the tournament starts!" H: "There he is." It: "So, where are we headed?" It: "He's meeting an opponent for rally." H: "Where's the beach, though?" Bob: "Are we headed to the beach?" It: "This is it?" It: "Wow!" S: "Hey, look at that." Bob: "We're here!" S: "I still don't know if it'll bounce right." Bob: "How's it work?" S: "It looks pretty cool, though." S: "I thought so, they're not bouncing them. This is pretty impressive." S: "Looks hard." H: "Yeah, seriously." S: "It's more like badminton." H: "Yeah." S: "You've gotta be fast." Bob: "Beach tennis was born in Italy!" S: "Wow! You've really got to jump in there sometimes." H: "This looks really exhausting." Bob: "It's a sport whose notoriety is growing every day!" S: "What the heck...?" Bob: "By the way, most matches are doubles." S: "This is him?" : "Sorry to interrupt..." Interviewer: "Oh, it's no problem!" It: "What kind of player is Ivan-san?" : "He's Russian, but he plays well enough to take down the Italian players, from where the sport originated. Most serves are around 120 kmph, but his are 130." Bob: "A globally ranked player with a powerful serve!" Bob: "He's one of the top players who's able to make a living off the sport!" S: "Man, he's really in shape." H: "Hey look, fans." Camera: "Three, two, one..." Camera: "So cool!" S: "He's popular." H: "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" S: "What was that all about?" H: "Hey, now." s: "He's really amazing. Really nice. Everyone loves him." It: "So, you're pretty popular, then?" Ivan Sign: "Not really." Bob: "It turns out this YOU is a former tennis pro!" Bob: "But while he was working as a coach, after leaving the pros..." Bob: "He transfers to beach tennis at 26 years old!" Bob: "He flies around the globe as a top player!" Bob: "Beach tennis changed his life!" S: "What's up? Eel...? Eel." S: "He went right in there." It: "Excuse me, we're with TV Tokyo's..." Clerk: "Oh, right, right." Both: "Thank you very much." Bob: "It's an eel restaurant!" S: "Very nice! Eel!" Lady: "Beach what now?" Int: "Beach tennis." Lady: "They play tennis on beaches?" Chef: "You can play tennis on a beach?!" Int: "It's just what it sounds like." Chef: "But the ball's not gonna bounce!" H: "That's the first thing that comes to mind!" S: "I thought the same thing." S: "But they're playing without bouncing the ball..." Server: "Y'know, Honda Soichiro would come here for the eel. And we've got former prime minister Nakasone's autograph." S: "That's a lot of famous folks!" Bob: "A famous restaurant, beloved by many a VIP!" S: "He picked a crazy place to eat." H: "That's really something." Lady: "It tastes so good, your mouth'll melt! Just like that!" Lady: "Here you are." S: "That is quite the price." H: "Seriously, that's expensive!" S: "But it looks really good!" H: "I haven't had eel in a while..." Bob: "Gotta build some stamina for tomorrow's matches!" S: "That's good." H: "Uh oh!" H: "That's rough." H: "Makes sense." H: "Oh, wow." S: "Oh Valentine's Day?!" H: "Wow!" S: "Seriously? I guess beach tennis was more important" H: "Seriously?" S: "He's gotta win, then." H: "Yeah!" Bob: "The Rakuten Japan Open!" Bob: "There's plenty of big names playing!" S: "There's 16 players..." S: "Oh wow, the third-ranked is there." H: "That's something!" Bob: "A pair from the sport's home country, Italy, is favored to win!" Bob: "It's YOU's partner, Paolo!" S: "He's getting up there in years." K: "That's true" Bob: "Their opponents for round one are a Japanese pair!" Bob: "First to win 6 games wins one set!" Bob: "Win two sets, and you're victorious!" Bob: "In broad strokes, it's the same as tennis!" H: "That's fast!" S: "No one can hit that!" H: "No way." S: "You can't even see it." H: "They're good..." Bob: "YOU wins!" H: "Things are really moving along." S: "I don't see how anyone can hit that serve." Bob: "YOU wins!" H: "It's already the semi-finals." Bob: "This time he's up against Yamamoto!" S: "Got it in! This is getting good—" S: "There it is! But they hit it back!" S: "Seriously? I guess when you get to this level..." Bob: "They're a tough pair!" H: "This is rough..." S: "You see this pattern sometimes, where an easy start has a rough turn..." Bob: "Our YOU's team loses a set!" Announcer: "And that was a beautiful shot!" H: "Looking good!" S: "They've got the front and rear covered." H: "This is a lot of back and forth." S: "Wow, wow, wow!" S: "Got it! This is a good match! It's fun to watch!" Bob: "They're caught up!" Bob: "The match moves to the final set!" H: "They've gotta win this one! Oh, wow!" H: "Yamamoto-san is really good! Seriously." H: "That was in? No, out, out, out!" H: "Very good. That was a nice call. This is a good match." S: "No!" S: "Whoa, whoa, whoa... Yeow!" S: "Okay, that's match point." H: "They turned it around." S: "If they can get this, they win." H: "A comeback." H: "They won! They turned it around." Bob: "YOU wins!" It: "How was it?" S: "What a relief. They made it to the end." Bob: "Their opponents in the finals?" H: "It's gotta be the Italians." S: "Makes sense." B: "It's the favorites!" S: "I see." Bob: "Make it happen!" S: "Wow!" H: "They're really tough." S: "That was fast!" H: "Wait, it's over?" S: "Is that it?" S: "Wow." H: "That was fast!" S: "They're way too good!" Bob: "I hope we'll see you guys in the Olympics someday!" H: "Alright, let's head back to Narita Airport again! Ready and..." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Bob: "Back to Narita we go!" It: "Where are you from?" It: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" It: "Are you a drift-racing driver?" S: "It's like from the manga... Initial D." It: "You really like drifting, then?" It: "What about it do you love?" S: "So he's here to drift?" H: "How's that gonna work?" Bob: "He's got confidence in his skills!" Bob: "This drift-loving YOU!" S: "Ebisu?" It: "You can race in Ebisu...?" S: "In Ebisu...?" S: "Is that right?" S: "I've never heard about that before." S: "But Ebisu is in the middle of the city..." S: "Fukushima?" It: "Is it okay if we join you for your drifting?" S: "So it's not the Ebisu neighborhood in Tokyo." Bob: "Coverage confirmed!" Bob: "Let's drift all over the course!" Bob: "That just leaves getting his friend's approval." S: "Going from Akikawa..." S: "Wow, two whole hours?" S: "He's just wandering around while he waits?" Bob: "Time to eat!" S: "Let's go inside." Bob: "It's a stylish little Chinese place!" S: "Mozart?" S: "Ramen?" S: "Oh, Szechuan noodles! Nice!" H: "You don't have to!" H: "What the heck?" Bob: "He's been dreaming about drifting for a while!" S: "Wow!" Bob: "The hype is real!" H: "That's really cool..." H: "Is he here yet?" H: "Finally..." Bob: "The drifting boys have assembled!" S: "They're all going?" Ravi: "This guy is amazing. He's won some big drifting tournaments in America. He was the champion in 2013." S: "An American drifting champion?" Bob: "Michael Essa's a world-class drift king among us!" Ravi: "There's a drifting tournament at the end of the week that's a bit like a world championship, and people are coming in from all over. He's here in Japan because he's entering. And I'm on his team." S: "Oh, so that's it!" Bob: "They're heading to Ebisu for the world tournament!" S: "Makes sense.." S: "So they're a racing team?" S: "That's how they're going to Fukushima?" Bob: "That's a lot of drift cars!" H: "Makes sense." S: "You're not gonna want to drive that on a normal road, then." H: "Absolutely not." Bob: "Cut out everything you can!" S: "They're serious. Impressive!" S: "I get it, they take the car with them." Bob: "Let's head to Fukushima!" H: "It's in the safari park?" Bob: "A safari park?!" Bob: "What the heck?" S: "Are they sightseeing?" H: "Oh, they're on the grounds." Bob: "The circuit is on the grounds of the safari park!" Both: "Wow!" Bob: "It's all-you-can-drift for the day!" S: "He's finally on hallowed ground." H: "He made it." H: "He's excited." H: "I recognize that level of hype." S: "Well, when you get to visit something you're really interested in... And what he's gonna get to do next." H: "You've got that right." S: "He's moved." H: "He really is." H: "Already, wow?" S: "That's fast. Seriously? You take corners at that kind of speed?" H: "That's crazy!" H: "Are they for real?" H: "That's gotta be dangerous, right?" H: "Oh, wow." Bob: "Rev it up, YOU!" Bob: "It's time to go full throttle on his holy ground!" S: "Wow, that was good good!" Bob: "Nicely done!" S: "Aw, he spun out!" H: "Makes it clear how impressive the other guy was." S: "Yeah. Whoa, whoa, whoa, scary!" H: "I'm amazed he's trying it." S: "This has gotta be hard!" S: "Especially at that speed, it's hard." S: "It's really hard. He keeps spinning." H: "He's laughing." Bob: "But he's having fun!" S: "That's really impressive." S: "He looks so happy." Bob: "Come drive again sometime!" S: "I was shocked when he mentioned Ebisu, at first." H: "Well, there's no drifting courses like that in the other Ebisu!" S: "He really had a great time."

: "Approximately 8 million of YOU visit Japan every year." : "We're ambushing YOU at the airport and putting YOU in front of the camera! Why did YOU come to Japan?" : "Up close and personal coverage on interesting people like YOU!" : "An amazing cosplayer comes to visit Tokyo!" Man: "It's cold! It's so cold!" : "A middle-aged lady can't be stopped!" : "We've also got a new segment for you!" : "Plus real visits to YOUR home! Thanks for the food!" : "Why Did YOU Come to Japan? With your narrator: Bobby who lives in Saitama!" H: "And now it's time for our show: Why Did YOU Come to Japan?" S: "So, Himura-san, please explain what this show is like..." S: "in your best Lou Oshiba impersonation." H: "Lou Oshiba?" S: "Yes." H: "All right, then! YOU come here and show up at Narita Airport! And we TV men gotta catch, catch, catch! We'll get real up close and personal, and broadcast together!" H: "Number two. This is our second episode. They're already running out of footage." S: "I see." H: "The production staff asked me earlier, if they couldn't get any more footage..." S: "What? No footage?" H: "If they couldn't record anything." S: "The production staff said that?" H: "They did. In case they couldn't record anything, they said... "Please talk for 90 minutes." That's what they told me." S: "Okay." H: "We got the okay!" S: "I'll do anything they tell me to." H: "I know!" S: "Let's begin!" H: "Ready, and..." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" : "People from all over the world show up at the doorway of Japan: Narita International Airport!" : "We have more real walk-up interviews again this week!" R: "Excuse me! Hello!" R: "May I have a bit of your time? We're a Japanese TV program." Woman: "Sure." R: "Where are you from?" Woman: "Los Angeles." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "From LA." : "YOU'RE a newlywed on the way back home!" Man: "Hello." H: "This is a cute couple." R: "What do you like about him?" : "Could we see some proof of how close the two of you are?" H: "In Japan?" H: "Aww..." S: "A long one." Both: "Enough, enough!" S: "He's on fire." H: "That's enough." S: "Crazy!" S: "Oh, crazy!" R: "Excuse me... Japanese TV program interview, okay?" S: "I see..." R: "Hello! Hello, konnichiwa! Good morning!" H: "That clip was totally unnecessary!" : "Where are you from?" : "Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "Birds?" R: "Is this for business, or pleasure?" : "Birdwatching in the north and south of Japan!" R: "What kind of birds do you want to see?" R: "What kind of birds do you want to see in Kyushu?" R: "What would you say to us following you and recording you birdwatching?" S: "Well, you can't expect them to agree." : "I hope you find those birds!" : "We found someone with a lot of luggage!" R: "Hello." R: "Excuse me, we're from Japanese TV. Where from?" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" : "That's sure a lot of luggage!" : "What? What's going on?" H: "There's a whole group!" R: "We're from TV Tokyo." Woman: "TV Tokyo?! We were waiting over there the whole time." R: "Really?" Woman: "He wasn't there, and here we found him outside." S: "Did he walk past them?" Woman: "He's a famous cosplayer!" S: "Oh, he's famous?" R: "Can we cover you?" S: "They're so excited!" R: "We can?" : "We'll be covering this mysterious cosplayer!" S: "Up close and personal with a famous cosplayer." : "Carrying the cosplay costumes! Where is this?" Woman: "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Come on, come on! Open the door." Woman2: "Amazing!" S: "It is amazing." H: "They decorated for him." S: "They were ready to welcome him." R: "Is this your home?" Woman: "We're actually renting the place. It'll be his home while he's here in Japan." R: "You rented it? Out of your own pocket?" H: "Why? Why?" Woman: "Out of my own pocket." S: "Why?" : "You're very generous, miss!" Woman: "He took really good care of me in Los Angeles." R: "Can I speak with you? Are you going out with him?" Woman: "No, I'm not. It's not like that. He's like a brother to me." R: "Do you want to, though?" Woman: "No." R: "Not at all? Just returning the favor?" Woman: "Yes." : "She says she's returning the favor from when she was studying abroad!" R: "These are all your costumes, right?" S: "Here it comes..." R: "Was there a character like that in Dragon Ball?" S: "A new enemy? From the movie?" S: "It's the one playing now!" S: "The name does sound familiar." : "Apparently, he's a pretty popular cosplayer in America." S: "So he's the guy inside? You say he's popular, but we can't even see his face." H: "Maybe he's big in America?" : "He's carrying a expensive looking camera!" S: "It must be early. There's nobody on the street." S: "He's so mysterious. What kind of person is he?" R: "We're looking forward to seeing the cosplay you brought. When will you get into costume?" : "Shichiri-san will be helping him out while he's working in Japan." S: "He's a unique guy." S: "She put him up for two months, so she'll have to follow him around forever." : "Oh, he's wearing the mask!" H: "It's going to be tough." : "Where are they going?" Woman: "Hello." S: "It's some kind of studio?" : "Here's where they're painting the mask!" S: "They have private spaces." H: "This is very professional." : "Looks like he's finally ready to cosplay." H: "Whoa." Woman: "He brought amazing technology from Hollywood. I'm a cosmetologist, so this is very educational for me." S: "There's always a deeper meaning." H: "I like him." : "YOU called us to a salon. Is he going to get a haircut?" H: "This guy is so funny!" S: "The big day's tomorrow. They're getting ready the day before?" : "It's really professional-looking!" S: "This is a total makeover, not just a cosplay! Wait, he's going to be walking around half-naked?" Woman: "We were planning to finish it, but Krys couldn't take it anymore." H: "Krys-kun couldn't take it anymore?" R: "Going to sleep?" : "Are YOU gonna sleep?" : "Cosplay complete!" : "The cosplay is finally complete!" S: "He's leaving the house like that?" Man: "I'm Beerus." H: "Incredible!" S: "Wow!" : "Here he is, Dragon Ball's new character!" : "Time to head out!" H: "He's just walking around in that?" Boy: "Scary..." H: "It's not surprising he's popular." S: "It's very high quality." Man: "What's that?" Woman: "What is that?" S: "Yeah." H: "Is the movie out?" S: "This is a new character, so..." : "He's getting on the train?" H: "What? You're allowed to ride while dressed like that?" S: "I guess so. Yeah, that's amazing." H: "On Yurikamome, too." Man: "Cold!" S: "He has to be cold." Man: "So cold!" H: "He's half-naked." S: "He's totally half-naked." : "We've finally made it to the venue!" H: "There are few other attendees cosplaying." Woman: "Excuse me. I'm sorry, but please refrain from entering in cosplay. This goes for everyone. I'm sorry." S: "What does that mean?" R: "What should we do?" Woman: "Please wear regular clothes." Woman: "The makeup, too. Please take it off for now..." S: "No, no!" R: "The makeup?" H: "Not the makeup!" R: "The makeup, too?" Woman: "Yes." H: "It's all makeup!" : "YOUR effort was wasted!" S: "They're trying to appeal for the show?" : "Please! Let him in!" H: "This is a big hurdle!" S: "Yeah. He got in?" : "We're sorry for the trouble!" S: "They used the power of TV." R: "Where would you like to go?" Man: "There!" H: "It's his character." : "There's Beerus! YOU look just like him!" : "Found Goku!" S: "It's Goku." : "They found Goku!" H: "This is funny." : "The showdown between Goku and Beerus!" S: "That's an official cosplayer." S: "He's gonna kamehameha him right off the bat?" : "Thanks for playing along!" Woman: "Wait! I want a photo!" R: "Do you know this character?" Woman: "Beerus!" R: "You know Beerus?" : "YOU are super popular at the event! Good for you!" Man: "Thank you!" : "Yakisoba?" H: "What kind of footage is this?" S: "Wait, you made him eat there on purpose!" H: "Don't mess with him." Man: "Oh yeah, I had lots of fun. I came here to do what I wanted to do, and I did it. I'm not finished with my goal. Because I have no goal. So I'm gonna keep going." S: "I'm so glad he got in." H: "Good for him." : "What are YOU gonna do in Harajuku?" H: "He's making an appearance at Harajuku Station, too." R: "What are you going to do in Harajuku?" Man: "Find the Dragon Balls." : "He wants to make friends!" S: "He's going to find friends?" H: "He's practically a comedian." Man: "Excuse me. Dragon Ball..." Guard: "Dragon Ball?" Man: "Where's the Dragon Ball?" Man: "Where is it?" Guard: "I guess he's a nut. But I admire his nuttiness." Girl: "Say cheese!" : "YOU became popular in Harajuku, too! It looks like he made lots of friends in Japan!" S: "It's over." Man: "I'm going to all the cities in Japan." Man: "I'll be coming to your town next!" S: "That costume... I can understand cosplay events, but going out in broad daylight?" H: "Yeah!" S: "That was shocking." H: "It was amazing." S: "He was half-naked, right?" H: "It had to be cold. Especially considering the season." S: "The newest character and everything!" H: "As it turns out, he stayed in Japan in that cosplay... and found a Japanese girlfriend." S: "What?" H: "By the way, our show has finally made it to primetime. Don't you think we should have a female special guest?" S: "Who would you want to come?" H: "I guess Serina-chan." S: "Then I'll do an impersonation." H: "You can do that?" S: "She's the only one I can do." H: "You sure? It's Serina-chan." S: "I can't do many impersonations, but this one's good." H: "Are you going to do it for us?" S: "Yeah." H: "Then, hello, Serina-chan." S: "I'm Serina! It's Serina! That was good, right?" H: "I'm Serina! It's Serina!" S: "Surprisingly good, right?" H: "Surprisingly. We are..." S: "I'm Serina!" H: "I'm Serina! Hello!" H: "We can impersonate her, so we don't need her as guest." S: "We don't." H: "Let's begin. Ready, and..." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" : "It's time for more walk-up interviews with YOU at Narita!" R: "Hello, excuse me! Hello!" H: "He's really waving." R: "Hello." Man: "Hello! Where are you from?" Man2: "We are from Czech Republic." R: "Czech?" Both: "Czech." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man2: "To practice aikido." S: "Aikido?" R: "Are you into aikido?" Man2: "Yes." R: "Who teaches aikido in the Czech Republic?" Man2: "We have our own dojo. And some teachers... We have also a teacher from Japan." : "YOU came to Japan to hone your skills!" R: "Could you give us a demonstration?" Both: "Okay. Why not?" S: "No, no, no! You'll get beat up." H: "He's really gonna fight them?" S: "He's in for a beating." H: "This isn't good." S: "Excellent. That was great. This guy does a good job. He's a good reporter." S: "That's gotta hurt. Aikido..." S: "He's doing a great job." H: "But getting beat that easily?" S: "Aikido is like that." : "Impressive! Thank you!" : "We found a very tall gentleman!" R: "Hi, hello." Man: "Hello." R: "Can you speak Japanese?" Man: "I can speak a little." S: "This guy's really is tall." R: "Where did you come from today?" Man: "I came from the hotel." Man: "Hilton Narita. I came from Los Angeles in America." R: "Los Angeles? Yesterday? Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "To find a job." Man: "I want to work at an English language school." R: "You're huge! I'm short, though." Man: "Yeah..." H: "This is hard to compare." R: "Isn't this amazing?" Man: "I'm two meters tall." H: "He's two meters tall?!" : "What a height difference!" S: "Is the director 110 centimeters tall?" H: "Those hands are huge!" S: "What... What are they doing?" R: "What's this?" H: "I have no idea. Don't say that!" R: "I'm dizzy." S: "What was that?" R: "Thank you." Man: "That was fun." S: "I'm dizzy..." Man: "That was nice." H: "He did that for us." Man: "See you! Bye-bye!" : "Thanks for playing with us!" S: "That was funny." R: "Hello." R: "Hello there. Japanese TV program. Interview okay?" Man: "Yes, that's fine." S: "He's speaking Japanese!" Man: "It's a bit sudden, but all right." R: "You speak very good Japanese." Man: "I don't think it's that good." R: "Where did you learn to speak it so well?" Man: "I studied on my own for few years." S: "Studied on his own?" R: "And where did you come from today?" Man: "I came from the States. Los Angeles." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "For interviews." R: "For translation and teaching jobs. That's why you're all dressed up. Are you on your way to an interview?" Man: "No, I'm heading to a hotel to restore my energy. Then I'll get up and head to an interview in Kyoto." S: ""Restore my energy"? I'm surprised he learned that on his own." : "He has an interview in Kyoto tomorrow!" R: "So you studied on your own... by yourself, in America?" Man: "Yes. My ex... Maybe that word choice is too casual... My previous girlfriend was from Nagano." S: "Oh, a Japanese girlfriend." Man: "We met in the States, and it became a long-distance relationship." R: "Your girlfriend went to Japan?" Man: "Yes." R: "And that's why you broke up? So she's how you learned Japanese?" Man: "Yes, thanks to her, I learned all kinds of dialects, too. Like the Nagano dialect. "Iizura." "Iidabe." "Iikaya."" S: "Wow, he knows all that, too?" R: "So are you going to see your ex-girlfriend here?" Man: "I will. We're not getting together, though! But I'll go see her." R: "Did your ex-girlfriend get married?" Man: "She got married and had a kid, but she's divorced now." R: "Then... you might get together again?" S: "It was a long time ago, then." Man: "Who knows?" Man: "I don't think we will, but..." R: "Good luck." Man: "Thank you." R: "Good luck with everything." H: "With everything!" Man: "Hi." R: "Huh? Is that your ex-girlfriend?" Girl: "Huh? No! I just came to pick him up." Man: "Best friend! Best friend!" R: "A friend from the last time you came to Japan?" Man: "Tiny friend." R: "All right." Man: "Thank you." R: "Have a nice trip!" Man: "Thank you. Goodbye." : "Hope you do well in your interview! Good luck!" R: "Hello! Hello. Hi there." Man: "India, India. India?" R: "Where did they come from?" R2: "Where are you from?" Man: "India, India. India? India, India." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "I'm attending a conference. International conference in Japan." S: "International conference?" : "So YOU are professors?" Man: "Ajanta. Near Ajanta. Ajanta." R: "What do you teach?" Both: "Commerce, commerce." Man: "Commerce management teachers. Management science. Management science." R: "We understand." : "Let's keep it coming!" H: "Who's that? What is he carrying?" R: "Hello. Japanese TV program." S: "What's that long thing he's carrying?" R: "Where did you come from?" Man: "Australia." R: "Australia? Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "For business." R: "What's your job?" Man: "Engineer. Software." H: "What's that?" R: "What are you carrying?" Man: "Didgeridoo." Man: "A musical instrument." S: "Digeridoo?" R: "Can we see it?" R: "What is that? An instrument?" : "That's an uncommon instrument. What does it sound like?" R: "It's like this." S: "You blow into it?" H: "I still don't know what kind of an instrument it is." R: "Why do you play it?" Man: "Hobby." Man: "You blow in here." H: "I'm amazed he brought that here while working in Japan." S: "Yeah." Man: "It's been a while since I tried..." R: "Did you just fail?" Man: "I can't do it." Man: "It's been one year since I played." : "You can do it!" H: "He likes it so much that he brought it, though?" S: "It's just a hobby, right?" H: "Yeah. He's here to work." S: "Why would you bring something that big? Here we go." S: "Oh, there it is. It goes "brrr"! That's it, that's it!" S: "There's the sound." R: "Thank you for the wonderful tune. Thanks. Thank you." : "Play for us again sometime!" S: "What is he thinking?" H: "What is he?" : "Grandma, hello!" R: "Hello. Japanese TV program. Interview okay?" S: "A grandma." H: "I wonder how old she is." S: "She just fixed her hair." R: "Where did you come from?" H: "London?" S: "England." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "Work?" S: "She came to discuss work?" R: "What kind of work do you do?" H: "Wow, a psychotherapist? What's that?" R: "Is the person you're waiting for Japanese?" : "Nobody's coming to pick her up from airport?" R: "Hello, excuse me. Is this Fumiko-san? She's right beside the arrivals lobby." R: "What?" R: "You're in Kanazawa?" S: "What?" H: "Huh?" S: "Huh?" : "Why is the person picking her up in Kanazawa?" S: "Why?" R: "Okay, I'll give her the phone." S: "She didn't come to the airport?" S: "Yeah, this is surprising." H: "I feel so sorry for her!" S: "How did this happen?" : "Looks like YOU misunderstood." : "Apparently, they already booked a hotel for her in Tokyo. That's great." R: "A hotel in Taito district of Tokyo..." H: "I'm so glad our crew found her." S: "Yeah, if our staff hadn't..." H: "She can only speak English, and Fumiko-san is in Kanazawa." S: "Seriously, how did this happen?" H: "What happened to her?" S: "Grandma came by herself?" H: "Is she going to be okay?" : "Take care on your way to the hotel!" R: "Hello." Man: "Hello." R: "Where did you come from today?" Man: "Sri Lanka." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "I came to study." S: "To study?" Man: "I'm going to Nagasaki." S: "Lots of people are here to study, huh?" Man: "I'm a medical doctor." H: "Yeah." R: "Your child? Is this your wife and child?" S: "Seven months?" S: "He's got more kids." R: "They look just like you." Man: "Just like you!" R: "What does she have on her forehead?" Man: "That's a good luck charm." H: "Oh, is it?" : "It's a sign on the forehead to bring luck." R: "Nothing good happens to me lately." Man: "For you, it's bad luck." Man: "Put it on for him." S: "They'll do it here and now?" H: "This is going to be funny." S: "It's not fair. His face would be funny just by putting ink on it." H: "This will be funny." S: "We already know the result." H: "Viewers, this is going to be funny." S: "Yeah. This is unfair." H: "This... I mean, look." S: "It didn't even need the dot to be funny." R: "What do you think? Will this bring fortune for me?" Man: "Of course it will." R: "Will something good happen to me? Thank you." H: "Thank you." R: "Thank you very much." : "Wishing both their family and our staff lots of happiness!" R: "Hello." Man: "Hello." R: "You can speak Japanese?" Man: "A little. A little." R: "What are you doing?" Man: "I'm waiting for my mother." R: "Your mother?" Man: "Yes." : "A mother and son reunion!" R: "And what brings her to Japan?" Man: "She's coming to see my son. My wife is Japanese." H: "I see." R: "How old is your child?" Man: "How old? Thirty years old." R: "Your child..." Man: "My mother?" R: "Your baby." Man: "Oh, my baby is six months old." R: "Has your mother met him yet?" Man: "This'll be the first time." : "YOU are an English teacher. He met his wife in Japan!" Man: "My student... Student at English class. We're the same age." R: "You put your hands on a student?" Man: "It's not perverted like that." S: "What was that?" Man: "Shotgun wedding." S: "It's called a shotgun wedding in English?" H: "It's called a shotgun wedding?" Man: "Momsey!" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "Together." Man: "Half... Half Japanese..." R: "Can we go with you and film?" Man: "Today?" Man: "You want to come... with us?" : "We'll be covering her first encounter with her grandson!" : "We followed them directly to his home in Kamakura!" : "Looks like it's his mom's first visit in Kamakura." S: "Great. Kamakura." Man: "Would you like to try?" S: "Mother and son haven't seen each other in a long time..." Woman: "Delicious!" : "It's finally time to see her grandson!" Man: "I'm home!" Man: "My mom is here." H: "Mom came with a camera crew. She must be confused." S: "Yeah." H: "She wants to see her grandson." S: "Did his wife notice the camera?" H: "I wonder..." H: "Mom's crying?" H: "She must be so happy." R: "Miss, we're from TV Tokyo. Do you mind?" Wife: "Not at all." S: "He's explaining now? "Miss, we're from TV Tokyo."" S: "Shoes! Her shoes!" S: "That's the same prank older comedians play on us when they come to our homes." Man: "They stink." H: "Come on! You're still wearing your shoes!" : "Mom, you're too funny!" Wife: "You must be tired." Woman: "Your house is lovely." Wife: "Thank you. It's a small... small house." H: "Mom can't stay still." S: "A report card?" S: "Incredible." H: "Why would you bring that?" Man: "Oh, no! Don't show it to her!" Wife: "Come on, it's cool! Let me see!" S: "Why doesn't he want her to see?" Man: "Math... B." Woman: "B, B, B." Both: "English... B, A." Wife: "This isn't very good." R: "How does the grading work?" Man: "C is perfect. B is perfect. A is also perfect." S: "He's lying." Wife: "That's a lie!" Man: "C is 60 percent, barely passing. A is 80 and up..." : "Ancestors' belongs are passed down to offspring." S: "Oh, that's their tradition." : "They say that's part of a parent's duty." S: "Passing down the bible..." Woman: "Finally." S: "She's crying." : "Mom's dream is about to come true!" S: "This is her dream." S: "Uh-oh... Is this safe?" H: "Don't fall!" : "Be careful, Mom!" Man: "Your shoes, your shoes!" H: "Mom, mom!" S: "Mom, what are you trying to do?" H: "Wait..." S: "She's making me nervous. No, no!" H: "This is what she wanted to do? It's nothing like what I thought it would be." S: "If I were his wife, I'd be shocked." Man: "Don't get the stroller wet!" : "YOU are unstoppable!" H: "She's too fast!" : "That was a surprise!" H: "She's funny." H: "Mom!" S: "Enough, enough!" : "Make lots memories with your grandson!" H: "Incidentally, that stroller... We heard from our staff that it was soaked. Soaked with seawater... And broke soon after." S: "What?" S: "Seawater would rust the metallic parts. Normal people wouldn't get seawater on it." H: "She got too excited." H: "Next up, our new segment!" S: "I really like this. It's that one, right? Why did YOU come learn Japanese?" H: "It's a different one. A new segment." S: "The one where famous people sumo wrestle?" H: "No, no, no. Why do you want to sumo wrestle? We actually have someone special here with us right now." S: "Huh?" H: "I don't think our viewers know yet, so let's try turning off the CG. Okay? Ready, and... go!" S: "Wait, what?" K: "I'm Kobayashi, the director. I'll be in charge of the new segment." S: "We do see him appear sometimes." H: "That's right." S: "You're very unique." H: "What's the title?" K: "The title is... What is YOUR favorite home country food?" H: "Favorite food? Favorite home country food?" K: "We'll find YOU on the street..." K: "Then we'll go home with them and try the cuisine of where they're from." S: "You're going home with them?" K: "We are." S: "That's not going to be easy." H: "It'll certainly be tough!" S: "Just getting to eat would be difficult already..." H: "And you want to go to their homes for it?" K: "There are foreigners from 190 countries living in Japan, so we'll try food from all of them." H: "What? You're going for all 190 countries?" S: "That's impossible. How long will that take?" K: "Probably three or four years..." H: "How did you get that number?" S: "That's a long time." H: "Let's get started with the new segment! Ready, and..." Both: "What is YOUR favorite home country food?" : "Narration by Caiya! The city where YOU gather, "Giroppon." Tell us YOUR favorite foods from home!" R: "Hello!" Man: "Hello." R: "Where are you from?" Man: "America." R: "America?" Man: "Yes." Man2: "I'm from Venezuela." R: "Venezuela?" Man: "Venezuela." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "To work." R: "You're here to work? What about YOU?" Man2: "Me, too." R: "Work. What's YOUR favorite Venezuelan food?" Man2: "It's hard to describe, but... Hallaca." R: "Hallaca?" S: "Hallaca?" Man: "It's a special food for Christmas. The dough is made of corn. The fillings are meat and... When it's Christmas time, everyone wants hallaca." R: "Everyone gets that craving?" Man: "I know I do." R: "If possible, I would like to try some." Man: "They're very hard to make. They're hard to make, so they're only for Christmas." : "It's a no-go!" R: "Can you draw one for us?" Man: "Who, me?" R: "Draw a hallaca?" Man: "You wrap it in banana leaves and tie it with string." R: "Wrap it?" R: "Hello." : "Excuse us!" Man: "How are you?" R: "Which country are you from?" Man: "Where am I from? I'm from London. I've been here seven years, yeah." R: "What's your favorite English food?" Man: "Japanese people ask me... how many times do I eat fish and chips. This is a myth." S: "It's a myth?" Man: "In England, maybe... I eat it maybe once or twice a year." S: "No way!" H: "Really?" Man: "English people think Japanese people eat sushi everyday. Sushi Zanmai is very good. So that's good to have going for them. See you." R: "Thank you." : "Many of YOU love sushi." : "YOU there on the bicycle, wait!" S: "You'll never catch them. Never..." R: "Hello, hello! Hello!" S: "They caught him!" R: "Interview okay?" S: "Impressive." Man: "I don't understand English for the interview. I don't understand Japanese, either. No, I'm fluent." R: "Which country did you come from?" Man: "I came from Iran." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "I'm a professional boxer in Japan. I came to Japan for boxing." R: "What's YOUR favorite Iranian food?" Man: "Kebabs." H: "Kebabs." S: "Kebabs, huh?" R: "What's this?" Man: "Meat." R: "This is meat? Wow! Can we see it?" H: "He's got kebabs!" S: "No way!" H: "Is this for real?" R: "This is the meat for kebabs, right?" Man: "Yes, it is." R: "Wow." S: "Did he show up just for this segment on us finding food?" R: "Do you cook this at home?" H: "I've never seen this before." S: "That's what they roast while spinning, right?" Man: "Yes." H: "Yeah." R: "You make kebabs at home?" Man: "Yes." R: "Could I have some at your house?" Man: "Okay, sure." S: "Seriously?" R: "Can I come now?" Man: "That's fine." H: "They got to go!" S: "Incredible! What a coincidence!" R: "I can walk fast." Man: "Can you run?" R: "We'll run." : "We'll run to YOUR home!" S: "Wait, why are you holding the mic out?" Man: "Wanna eat?" R: "I'd like to at your place." Man: "Not my place." R: "Not your place?" H: "He said not his place?" S: "Huh?" H: "This is a problem." Man: "If you can record at your home, then you can record at mine. But if you can't, then I can't. Same thing. Right?" R: "I understand..." : "Another no-go!" H: "Wow, denied!" Man: "Thank you." : "We can't visit his home after all." Man: "We're busy. Anyway, I have to go." : "We asked plenty of YOU, but no one agreed." S: "This is herculean." H: "Wow, you can do it, Kobayashi-kun." : "Oh, a happy-looking family." R: "Hello." R: "Which country are you from?" Man: "I'm from Bulgaria." R: "Bulgaria?" S: "Bulgaria." R: "What about you?" Woman: "Mongolia." S: "She's also..." R: "You're..." Woman: "An international marriage." R: "You're married?" Woman: "Yes, we even have a child." R: "A baby." Woman: "He's a year and half old." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Woman: "To come study Japanese." : "They met at a university in Japan, and then got married." R: "What is YOUR favorite Bulgarian food?" Man: "The most well-known Bulgarian food in Japan is yogurt, I think, but..." H: "But?" Man: "There's also... Moussaka." Both: "Moussaka?" Man: "Moussaka. It's similar to nikujaga." : "You bake nikujaga?" R: "What's YOUR favorite Mongolian food?" Woman: "It's similar to nikuman... Buuz. Buuz." : "Buuz?" R: "Could you treat us to some?" Woman: "When?" S: "Go! Anytime." R: "Are you free today?" Woman: "Today?!" : "Please, miss!" Woman: "Friday, maybe..." R: "Really?" S: "That'll do! Yes!" H: "Meal time?" S: "Meal time!" : "You did it, Kobayashi!" R: "Thank you. We'll come see you then. We look forward to it!" : "Looking forward to the day after tomorrow!" Ts: "Pardon us!" R: "Good evening." Woman: "Good evening." R: "We came for dinner." Woman: "Come in." : "We're looking forward to see which dish it will be!" H: "This is a good segment." S: "I'm glad they get to eat. From two countries, too!" H: "Yes, you're right. Quite lucky." R: "What's this?" Woman: "I wrote our baby's name in Mongolian characters." R: "This is in Mongolian?" Woman: "It says Radkov Nathan. Nathan." Woman: "Alexandrov Radkov." R: "Can we see inside your fridge?" Woman: "Inside the fridge..." R: "Your husband is from Bulgaria, but... no yogurt?" Woman: "We have yogurt. Here. I feed the baby yogurt every morning." R: "Don't you eat it?" Man: "I don't eat yogurt much." R: "Even though you're from Bulgaria?" Man: "I don't really like it." Woman: "Really?" Man: "I'm sure there are other ways to feed kids medicine in Japan, but in Bulgaria, they put it in a spoonful of yogurt. They put the medicine in a spoonful of yogurt and feed it to kids that way." S: "We do that sometimes in Japan, too." Man: "That's why I always associate the taste of yogurt with medicine. I don't care for it much." H: "I get that." : "Unbelievable!" S: "This is my first time hearing a Bulgarian doesn't like yogurt." R: "Thank you for feeding me. Thank you." S: "Buuz." H: "Here we go. The buuz." R: "It's similar to making dumplings." Woman: "Yes, a lot like dumplings. The Chinese kind, too. It's the same dough. Here we have minced meat and onion. For flavor, salt and pepper. You can get all the ingredients in Japan." Woman: "Nikujaga and yakisoba. Mongolian food takes a lot of time, so I make it when I have time or for special occasions." : "Sorry for taking so much of your time!" R: "This is a bit larger than before." Woman: "Yeah, it's a little bit larger. I'm making khuushuur." : "How is this different from buuz?" Woman: "And then... There." : "Frying using oil!" : "Looking forward to comparing their flavors!" Man: "We studied at Osaka University." H: "They're both smart." Man: "I asked her out for a date. She's beautiful and I was single at the time, so..." Woman: "Yes, I was happy. I thought he was a nice guy, so we became a couple." S: "She's making another dish?" R: "What are you making now?" S: "Bansh?" Woman: "This is black tea. I make the black tea first. Add milk." R: "You put in a lot. How much was that?" H: "So bansh is milk tea?" Woman: "About 200 milliliters." R: "That's more than you would for milk tea." Woman: "You can add a bit of sugar, too." S: "What is she making?" Woman: "Oh, not sugar. I just added salt." R: "That was salt?" Woman: "Yes, salt." : "Don't tell me. Those are..." : "Oh, the buuz!" S: "Buuz again?" H: "The buuz?" R: "It's hard to imagine the flavor of this one." S: "So, like, milk-boiled buuz?" H: "Really?" S: "What was that?" : "Kobayashi screwed up!" S: "He deserves some scolding for that reaction." : "Dinner is served!" Woman: "Here are three different types." Ts: "Bansh is for breakfast." H: "Bansh." Woman: "Khuushuur is for lunch or your lunchbox. For dinner, or usually for festivals. For the lunar new year... Each family would make over a thousand buuz." H: "What?" H: "They make a thousand?" : "They really like to wrap!" R: "Do you usually say "itadakimasu"?" Man: "We don't say that too often. There probably isn't a word for it in English." Woman: "Not in Mongolian, either." R: "What about in Bulgarian?" Man: "There's not." S: "You don't say anything before eating?" H: "There isn't?! Really?" Woman: "Khuushuur and buuz are usually eaten with your hands." S: "Baldy's eating buuz." : "How is it, Kobayashi?" R: "It's delicious. Can I have another?" S: "Must be good, huh?" : "Describe the flavor, Kobayashi!" S: "What's it taste like?" : "It's similar to xiao long bao." S: "Yeah, that's how I imagined it." Man: "Yes." R: "It has, like, less soup than xiao long bao." H: "That doesn't sound very tasty. Not when you say it like that." : "How is the fried flavor of this one?" S: "How about this one?" R: "A bit chewier than fried dumplings." Woman: "That's right." H: "At least say it's good." : "Finally, the milk tea-style bansh." S: "He's wasting all of his reaction opportunities!" : "Just how delicious is it?" H: "First, you say it's tasty." R: "Not as..." S: "He's critical about everything!" R: "sweet as as cream stew, since it's tea." S: "Absolutely everything!" R: "It's similar to cream stew, though." S: "This is an issue." R: "It's not greasy at all." H: ""Not greasy" is like..." R: "Delicious. Delicious." H: "You say that when it's not very good. It's over?" R: "The food here on the table... Is there any Bulgarian food here?" Man: "No, this is all Mongolian food." R: "I see..." Man: "Maybe next time." R: "Can we come again?" Man: "Y-You're coming again?" R: "We got to try Mongolian food, so..." H: "They'll be doing this!" S: "I see." H: "The proof that we've had Mongolian." S: "It's now colored in." : "We enjoyed YOUR favorite Mongolian food!" H: "Appreciation for the meal?" R: "I want to show my appreciation." Woman: "No, I can do it." H: "He should!" S: "He'll be washing dishes every time?" H: "I see, I see, I see." S: "But yeah..." H: "This is good." R: "Thank you for the meal." Woman: "Please come again." R: "Can I really? Thank you." : "If you say that, Kobayashi really will come back!" S: "His reactions warrant some scolding." H: "The reactions were an issue." S: "The idea is good." H: "That was fun." S: "Visiting homes..." H: "Yeah." S: "We can see all kinds of food this way. It's just that, Kobayashi-kun..." K: "Yes?" S: "You're here." K: "Yes." S: "Your reactions are terrible." H: "Kobayashi-kun, those reactions were horrible!" S: "You have to praise people's cooking!" H: "You can't be like that!" R: "It was delicious..." H: "Less soup than xiao long bao?" S: "Something like, "Oh! Oh! I see!"" H: "That's what we want." S: "You have to say things like that." S-Ts: "When you're on camera, you're an actor." H: "This is a serious tongue-lashing!" K: "I'm sorry." S: "Please be more careful with your reactions." K: "Okay, I understand." S: "Don't tell me you've already recorded more." K: "We haven't yet." H: "They already did!" : "We're serious for the second half, too!" : "Wave, wave, wave... We found some of YOU with some strange moves!" S: "What was that? Mysterious stretching?" R: "Hello. Where did you come from today?" Woman: "Malaysia." R: "Malaysia?" S: "Malaysia?" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Woman2: "We want to go to Hokkaido." H: "Go to Hokkaido, and...?" Woman: "Skiing." R: "Ski?" H: "So they ski." R: "You were raising hands earlier. What was that?" Woman2: "Exercise." Woman: "Exercise." Woman2: "Qigong." Woman: "Qigong." : "It was a breathing exercise to reduce stress." Woman: "My son... My son." R: "Your son?" Woman3: "He's our qigong teacher." R: "Your son is a teacher? Was that really historical qigong?" Man: "Yes, it's from China. Our whole body... Our blood circulation is better after practicing qigong." R: "Then can we see some qigong?" S: "Wow, sweet!" H: "Do they have a formation?" S: "They'll do it like that? Right here?" S: "Amazing." H: "They must do it every morning." S: "Like at the park." H: "I'm sure they do it at the park." : "Sorry for making you do it at the airport." S: "Does this make you healthy?" H: "Our crew is making them do it quite a while. Isn't that enough?" All: "Ha!" S: "Huh? That was fast." : "YOU'RE in sync!" : "Stare..." H: "Maybe that's enough? Don't force them." S: "This is a bit long." H: "A bit." H: "We got it." S: "They'll do the whole song." H: "Next person, just like that?" S: "Made them do all that..." R: "Where are you from?" R: "Is your hair style inspired by the samurai of Japan?" S: "He tied it up?" H: "Somehow. Just barely." S: "Just barely." H: "Barely." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" H: "A movie?" R: "Director?" Man: "Yes." R: "Really?" H: "Star Trek?" R: "So you're a big deal!" S: "That's amazing!" : "YOUR name: Cosmos" S: "Yamaguchi?" R: "Are you making a movie about Japan?" S: "That's a lot of information, isn't it? Is he allowed to reveal that much?" H: "Right?" S: "He already revealed the story." R: "We want to follow you when you visit Yamaguchi. Would that be all right?" : "We'll be covering a Hollywood director!" H: "So not today?" : "Looking forward to it!" S: "That's really cool." S: "It's a big movie... Huh?" H: "This is interesting. What will..." S: "What?" R: "Hello." Woman: "Hello." R: "Where are you from?" Woman: "Vietnam." R: "Vietnam? This is for a Japanese TV show." R: "It's all right." H: "Don't put the mic there!" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Woman: "I live in Japan." R: "You live here? Is it in his way? Do you have a store or something?" Woman: "I work at a store. Part-time." R: "You work at a store? Is your husband also Vietnamese?" Woman: "Yes." R: "I see. Oh, sorry." R: "So you came back from Vietnam today?" S: "He really hates it." Woman: "Yes." R: "By the way, why did you return to Vietnam?" Woman: "For New Year's." S: "New Year's?" : "Bear with us for a bit longer, baby!" R: "How old is he?" Woman: "Almost twelve months." Woman: "Eleven." R: "Eleven?" R: "Oh, eleven months? I see. Thank you." S: "That was good. The whole thing." R: "Hi. Where did you come from today?" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "Harvard!" R: "Harvard?" H: "He must be really smart." R: "That Harvard? The famous one?" R: "Do I look like a student?" : "Handmade by an assistant director!" H: "He's getting lectured!" S: "He's from Harvard, where they do everything perfect." R: "Thank you." R: "Thanks for the advice." : "YOU have some valid criticism!" R: "Hello." R: "Hello." H: "Why..." Man: "Hello." S: "Why..." H: "Why did they laugh at him?" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" R: "Where are you from?" Man: "England." R: "England? Are you two friends?" Man: "Yes." Man2: "Friends." : "You guys are so cheerful!" R: "What are you looking forward to the most on your trip?" R: "Am I the first Japanese person you've talked to?" : "Was it really that funny?" R: "Well, welcome to Japan. Thanks for coming." Both: "Thank you." R: "Please enjoy Japan." : "Have lots of laughs in Japan!" R: "Hello." S: "What's this group?" R: "Hello." Man: "Hello." Woman: "Hello." R: "Where did you come from today?" Woman: "From Germany." R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Woman: "Koi dealer. Koi hunting. Nishikigoi." R: "Nishikigoi?" H: "Nishikigoi!" Man: "This trip goes to Ochiya from Niigata. We have a lot of dealers." S: "Wow, that's cool." Man: "Buy the kois. And then we bring them to Germany." : "They say they sell koi in Germany." Man: "Money here!" R: "Money?" H: "Koi are expensive, right?" S: "Good ones are very expensive." R: "You go to places like these? This photo was taken in Japan, right?" Man: "In Japan." R: "The last time you came?" Man: "Yeah." R: "You scoop them up like that?" R: "Wow, big size!" Man: "Eighty-eight centimeters." R: "How much would that cost?" Man: "About 200,000 yen." H: "Wow." R: "Which countries are they popular in?" Man: "In Europe? Germany. England." Man2: "Dutch." Man: "The Netherlands." R: "Is this job profitable?" Man: "No, the fish is..." Man2: "Yes! Yes!" S: "Yes! Yes!" R: "Nishikigoi colors..." Man2: "Big koi!" R: "Bye-bye." : "Take care of your koi from Japan!" : "YOU there in line..." R: "We're a Japanese TV program." Man: "I can speak Japanese." R: "You can speak Japanese?" Man: "Yes." R: "Where are you from?" Man: "India." R: "You're from India? Why did YOU come to Japan?" Man: "Medical equipment..." R: "Oh, medical equipment." : "He's a Indian salaryman who works for a Japanese company!" Man: "I wanted to buy a Chu-Hi." S: "Chu-Hi..." R: "Chu-Hi? Need a drink, huh?" Man: "I want a drink." R: "Is Chu-Hi in Japan good?" Man: "Really, really good. I missed them for three weeks on my business trip." R: "Nothing else like it, huh?" Man: "No. No. No. Probably not." R: "What flavor do you like?" Man: "Grapefruit." : "Buying a Chu-Hi for the first time in three weeks!" S: "I see..." Man: "Do you want a drink, too? Let's have a drink together." R: "Oh, no! We're working." R: "What did you buy?" Man: "They didn't have grapefruit, so I had to get this instead." H: "He really likes these." S: "That's a Toketsu." H: "Toketsu, huh?" S: "Toketsu is pretty popular." H: "It's good." Man: "Ah, that's good!" R: "Feels like you're back in Japan?" Man: "Totally. That's exactly how it feels. Whenever I drink Chu-Hi. Don't think of me as an old man." : "This is YOUR flavor of Japan!" Man: "Delicious." R: "How do you say that in your country?" Man: "Huh? There isn't really one..." Man: "What would that be in an Indian language?" S: "There has to be a word for delicious, right?" Man: "I've been living here for so long, I forgot. I only have Japanese in my head now. Good luck with you work." R: "Thanks. Please watch our show. Thank you." : "Don't drink too much!" : "Wait, YOU guys!" R: "Hello! Japanese TV program! Where did you come from?" R: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" H: "Huh?" R: "Married? You're both... m-male, right?" R: "When did you get married?" R: "You mean two days ago?" S: "They just got married." R: "Is that the wedding cake?" H: "Stacked 'em up." : "They had their ceremony and went straight to Japan for their honeymoon!" R: "Love at first sight?" H: "That's wonderful." Ts: "Show me how much you love each other." Man2: "Do it!" S: "What are you trying to make them do?" Ts: "Is there a reason you chose Japan for honeymoon?" R: "Can we follow you with a camera?" S: "Snow monkeys?" H: "Here we go!" R: "One, two, three days..." R: "Would that be all right?" S: "Really?" : "We'll tag along on their honeymoon!" S: "It's their honeymoon, right?" H: "Yeah." : "What kind of lovey-dovey experience will they have on their first trip to Japan?" : "First, to the hotel!" S: "Akihabara first?" : "So kind!" S: "That's a big size difference in their backpacks." : "Oh, looks like a nice place!" H: "They must have wanted to be alone." S: "Pretty." H: "That's a nice hotel!" R: "Is this your room?" H: "Obviously, but one bed." S: "You're right." : "It's their honeymoon trip, after all!" S: "It's a big place." H: "Yeah." : "What's wrong?" R: "What is it?" R: "So you don't know about washlets?" H: "Japanese toilets are the best in the world." S: "They're in for a surprise." R: "You open the cover, and after you finished your business..." : "Try it!" R: "Good morning." R: "How did you two sleep?" H: "Why do you want to see it that much? About how lovey-dovey they are?" R: "Was it small?" H: "They're husband and wife, right?" S: "Yeah." H: "That's strange." R: "What are your plans for now?" : "They want to share the hot spring with monkeys!" : "Skiing in Hakuba first! It's going to be fun!" S: "What?" : "We don't want that!" S: "What?" H: "Is this the end?" : "But we're cleared for the hot spring!" Ts: "We meet again at Nagano Station!" : "Did you enjoy skiing?" R: "How was the skiing?" R: "Why are you smiling so much?" S: "That's fine. They're having fun." H: "What's wrong with smiling?" S: "His arm..." H: "It's fine." H: "They're married." S: "I guess." S: "Now, are they doing that for the camera? Or is that just how they are?" : "Arrival!" : "Just one hand warmer?!" S: "Why show this footage?" H: "Nothing wrong with it!" : "What lovey-dovey newlyweds!" H: "You have to walk that far?" S: "You walk 1.6 kilometers?" H: "No bears?" S: "Yeah, you can't drive to a place like this." : "Arrived at Jogokudani!" S: "Will there be monkeys in the hot spring?" S: "They came to a really remote place." Woman: "Okay, please follow me." : "Will there really be snow monkeys?" H: "That's a nice inn." Man2: "Wow!" H: "You can stay in here." Man2: "Monkey." S: "Oh, it's that kind of hot spring." Woman: "Are you guys friends?" H: "English!" Man2: "We just got married." Woman: "Eh? What?" Man2: "We're married." Woman: "You guys are..." Man: "Yeah, we're married." Woman: "What?" S: ""What? What?"" Woman: "You? Really?" R: "It's pretty rare in Japan." Woman: "Yes! Not yes... I was so surprised! I was like, "Huh?!"" H: "Looks tasty!" S: "Nice! That's the kind of food they serve." : "Have a taste!" : "Is it good?" S: "How is it?" Man: "Thank you." H: "We had enough of this already!" S: ""Nicholas is kind."" H: "Nicholas is kind." S: "He is." : "The long-awaited hot spring!" : "Will snow monkey come in the hot spring?" S: "Monkeys show up here?" H: "That's a nice hot spring." Man2: "See any?" : "They're not here!" S: "There weren't any..." H: "It's nighttime." S: "He went in with them?" S: "A big monkey went in." R: "Hello." H: "He really looks like a monkey!" R: "How is the outdoor bath?" R: "Do you two never fight?" R: "Did the people around you congratulate you?" : "Let's go to sleep soon." R: "You're going to sleep already?" S: "This is what newlyweds do." H: "It feels strange." S: "Putting futons together like that..." S: "This is really up close and personal!" H: "You're right!" S: "This is right before they sleep!" : "Time for a morning bath!" H: "I think the monkeys will be there now." S: "I hope there will be. I want to see." H: "They should be there in morning or at noon." S: "Don't they run away?" H: "Yeah, I wonder." S: "This is a really cool place!" S: "Where? Where? Where?" : "Monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey!" : "A monkey arrives!" S: "Where? Where? Where?" S: "Here it comes! Wow! Wow! Wow! Really? They come that close?" H: "Wow! It has a baby." S: "Will they get in the bath?" S: "I guess not." Man: "Hi there." S: "I hope they get in." H: "This one looks like the boss monkey." S: "Yeah." H: "It's a bit scary. Scary!" Man2: "That's close by." S: "Very close." Man2: "Not what we were expecting." Man: "I didn't think we would get that close." : "Made some great memories!" R: "How was your honeymoon in Japan?" R: "Thank you." Man2: "Goodbye." R: "Thank you." Man: "Goodbye." S: "Their honeymoon was just like anyone else's." R: "Have a good one." S: "They're holding hands." R: "This is the first time we've seen them hold hands." : "Congratulations on getting married! May happy days await YOU!" H: "Somehow we made it to the end of the 90 minutes this week." S: "Maybe our next episode will just be us talking." H: "That's possible." S: "You never know." H: "Who knows? See you again at the airport. Ready, and..."

Int: "Careful on your way back!" S: "It's time again for "Why Did YOU come to Japan?" This time..." H: ""There are so many different kinds of YOUs!!" "Wow, there are seriously so many different kinds of YOUs!" This special episode will make you want to say just that!" S: "What are you talking about?" H: "You could describe this as an episode where the show gets back to basics. After seeing the kind of drama that spins out from visiting an airport, I know that you will say "Wow, there are so many different kinds of YOUs!"" S: "That sounds more like nobody could think of a good theme to base the episode around." H: "You're totally wrong!" S: "Nah. Not gonna say it." H: "That's the thing, you will, after watching it!" S: "You think so?" H: "All right, let's get started over at Narita Airport! Ready and..." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Bob: "It's the place where YOUs from all over the world cross the threshold into Japan, Narita International Airport!" Bob: "But are there really so many different kinds of YOUs?!" S: "Huh." Int: "Excuse me, are you Japanese?" Int: "No? What country are you from?" Int: "Vancouver? Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "What is up with those flowers?" Int: "I was just thinking, those flowers are impressive." Int: "Every day, when you go out?" Int: "You made it yourself?" Int: "For seven years?!" Int: "You've had flowers on your hair for seven years?" Int: "Are you a student? Or working?" Int: "A writer?" Int: "I'm curious... the flowers, they're just.... what I'm asking is..." Int: "Why?" Bob: "She's coordinating her fashion to match her flowers!" Int: "Is there nothing inconvenient about wearing flowers like this, every day?" S: "It does look nice." S: "No one gets on her about it?" S: "Sounds complicated." S: "That's fashion for you. He was like "Ah!"" H: "He knows us." Int: "That's right, yes." S: "He's in a band?" Int: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Int: "What's your band called?" S: "Tera Melos." Int: "Oh, I see." S: "From the response he got..." H: "I can see why he'd have that reaction." S: "I totally get where he's coming from! Like, if it's lead guitar..." Int: "Are you two friends, or...?" Int: "Where did you come from?" Int: "Why did YOU come to Japan this time?" S: "Oh, that's his girlfriend." Int: "Oh, you're going home today?" S: "They're on their way back." Int: "I see, I see." Bob: "His first trip to Japan with his girlfriend! Please, share a few memories with us!" Int: "Did you enjoy Japan?" Int: "Was it really that bad?" S: "Where...?" H: "Oh, wow." Int: "Were you okay?" H: "Oh, man." S: "Oh, come on. Is she gonna get mad about that?" S: "Whoa, really?" H: "They're in the middle of a fight?" S: "That's wild!" K: "Oh, he's really going now." H: "Aw, come on." Int: "I hope you have a better trip, next time." Canuck: "Thank you." Int: "Oh, you learned a little Japanese? Was there anything else?" Canuck: ""Please help."" H: "Not bad." Bob: "Now, make up with your girlfriend!" Int: "Where are you from?" Int: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" H: "Whoa, what the heck?" S: "There's sound in space?" Bob: "It's an assembly of big shot scientists from around in the world, in Japan!" S: "I thought there was no sound in space." Bob: "People are making noise about the noise coming from space!" Int: "What kind of noise is there in space?" S: "" S: "That's higher than I would've imagined." Int: "And that's sound from space?" S: "Oh, he's got a recording?! Wow!" H: "What?" S: "Is he gonna play it for us?" H: "He has it?" Int: "If you've got it, we'd be glad to hear it." S: "Is this for real?" S: "He was right!" H: "It sounded like there was clattering to me." Int: "The sound of two celestial bodies colliding..." S: "Really?" H: "Come on man, what kind of reaction is that?" S: "Oh, come on." Int: "What did you think when you first heard it?" H: "That's messed up!" Bob: "It's a historic discovery!" Poland: "Thank you." H: "He should've been like "That's what it sounds like?!"" S: "Don't just go "Hmm..."" S: "That's like, valuable science stuff!" Int: "You're on your way back? Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "And they're all over the place!" S: "Wow!" Int: "278?!" S: "Oh yeah, they're really restaurants." H: "Yeah." S: "So even if he goes overseas, he still eats at Hard Rock Cafe!" Bob: "Scarf down a hamburger while enjoying the rocking rhythm!" Bob: "You can get funky like a monkey, no matter where you go in the world, baby!" Int: "Are the different Hard Rock Cafes different, depending on the country?" H: "Oh, he's got something to show." S: "Probably different pins from different locations..." H: "Yeah, from all over." Int: "Wow!" S: "I can see how that'd be fun, collecting all of those." S: "That is really something!" Int: "Oh, yeah, they've got the different locations on them." S: "Yeah, there's gotta be no end to it." H: "Wow..." Int: "That's a lot of different countries..." S: "This is definitely impressive." Int: "This is the one you got in Japan?" Int: "It's definitely got a Japanese style to it." Int: "This one's got Fukuoka written on it." Int: "There's a lot of variety, here's one of the Fukuoka Art Museum." S: "There's 40 for the Fukuoka Hard Rock alone...?" Bob: "The first?" H: "There's a VIP card?" H: "Fastest in the world..." Bob: "Even Usain Bolt would be shocked by this guy's speed!" H: "Oh, right..." S: "There's always new ones showing up." H: "The one in Roppongi..." S: "He has to have been already, right?" Int: "Where are you from?" Int: "From Chicago? Why did YOU come to Japan?" S: "What's up? Is he in transit?" Int: "Are you in transit for your stop, then?" S: "I wonder what's up." H: "Gotta be something." S: "Wow!" H: "Really." S: "In Asakusa?" S: "Makes sense to go, if you can." H: "And he never forgot about it?" S: "Wow!" Bob: "This Asakusa ramen is to die for!" Int: "What kind of ramen is it?" S: "That makes sense, considering..." H: "Yeah, he's got no time to waste." Int: "Oh, I understand!" H: "Man, he's cutting it close." S: "He's gotta go and eat in three hours?" Int: "If you don't mind, I'm kind of interested in this ramen now, so is it okay if we come along?" S: "Hey, alright!" H: "He's gotta go now!" Bob: "Carry on, ramen traveler!" S: "But he's only got three hours..." Bob: "Off to Asakusa to eat ramen before heading back to Narita!" Bob: "Gotta go!" S: "Is that enough time...?" H: "Might by train..." Int: "Here we are." S: "He seems to know where he's headed." H: "He's probably hungry." S: "He skipped the airplane food!" H: "Seriously?!" S: "Wow." H: "I would definitely have eaten." S: "I mean, eating on the plane is part of the fun of traveling..." H: "Exactly!" H: "No time for Kaminarimon, yeah." S: "I mean he's been 12 times already." H: "Yeah, he probably knows the way." H: "Wait, did he mean Kagetsu?" S: "It's Kagetsu!" H: "That's just great, wow." S: "It is pretty good, yeah." Int: "Is this it?" Building Sign: "Ramen Kagetsu" Int: "Oh, I see... Ramen Kagetsu." H: "He came to Japan to eat at Kagetsu." Int: "Yeah, okay, it makes sense. It is good. Let me get permission real quick." Bob: "Who'd have thought it was a franchise?" S: "Yeah, but I could see—" H: "That is something!" S: "That's a relief." H: "Now, what kinda order are we looking at?" H: "Gotta move fast!" S: "He's already sitting down?" S: "Oh, he hadn't made his order yet." S: "Wait, did he order a special?" H: "I think there was a girl on the button." e Sign: "The Spicy Red Rose" H: "Rose?" Server: "So, two the Spicy Red Rose golden miso ramens?" Int: "Is it a popular dish?" Server: "Definitely. One of our best-sellers. It's also running for a limited time. It's a slightly spicier version of the regular golden miso ramen." Int: "So, Tony-san, what do you do for a living? I know we kind of came here in a rush..." Int: "Oh, you work for an airline!" Bob: "We're looking at someone who's got a heavy helping of stress in his busy lifestyle!" Bob: "And his hobbies?" H: "I see, he goes out to eat." S: "That makes sense, since he goes all over the place." H: "Oh, Hong Kong." S&H: "Croquettes?" Server: "Sorry to interrupt you, but here are your two the Spicy Red Rose golden miso ramens." Int: "So, this is it..." Int: "You think?" H: "Man, that looks delicious." Bob: "Taking the beloved flavor of miso, and remixing it to be super spicy for a limited time only!" Bob: "He says he wanted to try something a little different!" Tony: "Thanks for the food." H: "He's a southpaw?!" S: "Why does that matter...?" H: "I'm just surprised!" S: "Lots of YOUs are left-handed." H: "With the beansprouts already..." Int: "You're not even at the noodles yet..." S: "Plus, it's a spicy version." Int: "Really?" H: "He is really enjoying his food! Well, that's good. Man, now I want ramen!" H: "Must be fantastic." S: "He really does love it, huh?" H: "Is this like, limited to Asakusa?" S: "It can't be." H: "I feel like I've seen them around before, but..." S: "If you're at the airport, Asakusa might be ideal, though. Can you think of anywhere else?" H: "I don't think so." S: "Maybe if you wanna go to Shinjuku..." H: "I'm surprised there's nothing in Narita." S: "There's gotta be something, right?" H: "I'm pretty sure." Int: "Are you happy?" H: "He's sighing a lot." Int: "Taking it slow, then?" S: "That's some pretty soup." H: "He keeps dabbing it..." S: "He's just trying to cherish it." S: "He must've been starving, too." H: "It's gonna be gone soon." S: "Then you'll have to wait before having it again..." H: "Again with the sighing!" Int: "He seems kind of sad..." Int: "He really does." S: "After all that anticipation..." S: "That's true, though, it's always kind of sad to finish something really good." S: "There goes the soup." S: "His reactions are great! I can't help but laugh. It must be really good!" White Sign: "Manager \hFujiasawa-san" Manager: "Thanks for coming!" Staff: "Thanks for coming." Tony: "Thank you!" Staff: "Thanks for coming." H: "All that for Kagetsu..." S: "Time to head back now!" Manager: "Actually, our restaurant..." S: "I knew it." H: "We knew it!" White Sign: "Manager \hFujiasawa-san" Manager: "Thanks for coming! Thanks for coming all the way." Staff: "Thanks for coming." Tony: "Thank you!" Staff: "Thanks for coming." Manager: "Actually, our restaurant.. There's a location in Narita airport, too." S: "I knew it." H: "This is great!" S: "I knew it was there." H: "There's one in the airport...!" S: "There is one, right? A Kagetsu." S: "I know there's a lot of them, but there's one in Narita, right?" S: "Oh, man, seriously? Better tell him, then." Int: "It turns out there's actually a Ramen Kagetsu location inside of the airport." H: "Did he seriously not know?!" H: "He says he's coming back to this one!" S: "Seriously?" H: "He's really in a rush. All that rush to eat..." Int: "Bye!" S: "Next time you're hungry." H: "That was funny." S: "That was a surprise. I wonder when he'll get hungry again?" H: "I'm not sure I recognize him..." Int: "Do you mind if we interview you?" Bob: "It's Christ Hart's friend!" S: "Oh, I remember now." Int: "You're going to see him tomorrow?" Int: "Would it be alright if we joined you on your way to go see Chris-san?" Int: "Thanks!" Bob: "That went smoothly!" Bob: "Chris Hart turns out to be in Guam!" H: "I see. Oh, well." Bob: "No coverage this time!" S: "Wait, whys he get a gift?" Int: "Is this really okay? Ask him if it's okay." Int: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" H: "Wow." S: "He's always coming and going." H: "A musician?" Int: "Are you famous as pianists go?" H: "Oh, wow, cool!" Bob: "A prodigious pianist from Canada!" Bob: "He's entranced countless fans with his soulful melodies!" S: "That expo in Aichi was a big deal..." H: "Seriously?" Int: "Anything planned other than work?" S: "That's kind of cool, I'd love to do a shopping festival." H: "Wow." S: "It'd be interesting to go with him when he's shopping." Bob: "A present for this YOU's friends!" Int: "What are you planning on buying?" H: "I wonder what it'll end up being..." S: "I wonder if they can follow him when he goes shopping..." H: "That'd be interesting." Int: "If it's alright with you, can we join you when you go shopping?" S: "Oh, nice." H: "This'll be something new." S: "Awesome!" Int: "Thank you very much." Bob: "To for a shopping trip with no plans!" Bob: "Let's track down some new gifts!" S: "Steve-san." S: "Okay." S: "Did it not work out...?" H: "Aw, come on..." H: "Oh, he wants to meet in Shimokitazawa!" S: "Shimokita?" S: "So he's going shopping in Shimokita...?" Steve: "Good morning!" Int: "Good morning." Int: "Good to be along today. Why'd you decide to go shopping in Shimokitazawa?" Int: "Is this your first time in Shimokitazawa?" S: "It doesn't seem like Shimokitazawa would have anything uniquely Japanese." H: "Well, y'know..." S: "It's got more of an air of internationality to it." H: "Yeah, it's in Japan, but..." S: "I get the feeling he's not gonna find anything too interesting. First he's gotta find a store." H: "There he goes..." Bob: "What's he gonna buy in Shimokita?" S: "Why's he going here? Does he want a haircut?" S: "Is that it?" Bob: "What's up with that?" S: "Hairspray..." Int: "I'm with the show "Why did YOU come to Japan?" on TV Tokyo..." S: "Thanks!" S: "Hairspray as a souvenir is kind of unique. I guess he wants weird stuff." H: "I wonder if he has it in mind for someone in particular." Staff: "Uh, let's see..." Staff: "Hang on a sec." S: "Oh, nice! I see." H: "I see, that's what he's after..." H: "We've got a new character. Ben." H: "Nice." H: "I see, that's what he's after..." H: "We've got a new character. Ben." H: "Nice." H: "I wonder what's up? Very odd." S: "That does seem like a good choice, then." H: "Really, seriously. That's well-kept hair." H: "Yeah, he does look like he'd be picky about his product." S: "Huh, I didn't know that." Staff: "How about a few smaller ones that would make a good set together? Oh, that sounds good." Bob: "What's that?!" Staff: "It's hair oil," Staff: "but it's made with ingredients that will help moisturize your hands or skin, as well." Staff: "I hope he's not about to rub it all over his face." S: "It definitely is." H: "Nice." S: "That turned out well." S: "Wow, I never thought about doing gift shopping like this." S: "It's interesting." H: "Let's see what's next..." S: "Oh, vintage stuff." S: "And the stores down there are constantly changing..." Bob: "You're not gonna find a lot of chain stores in this part of town!" S: "Oh, that one's been there a while. I shopped there once before." H: "He's going shopping for vintage clothing?" H: "What's he gonna buy?" H: "Hats." S: "But y'know, they're bound to have new stuff that's original." H: "This one's for Jim?" S: "Huh?" S: "An old T-shirt, though...?" H: "Oh, he plays the violin!" H: "He's kind of big, though." S: "He is." Bob: "Relaxed fit Jim!" H: "Oh, nice!" H: "Wow." Bob: "He's a big time violinist who's even worked with Paul before!" S: "Wouldn't the shirt be too small?" H: "I was thinking that, too." H: "Does it cost a lot?" S: "Is it pretty expensive?" S: "It is?" S: "Oh, that's true." S: "I'm still wondering about the size." H: "I doubt it'll fit..." S: "" S: "He's got interesting friends." H: "Sumo, huh?" Bob: "A sumo-loving cameraman YOU who was in town for the Nagano Olympics!" S: "So he worked here." H: "When he lived in japan." S: "You think they've got any sumo stuff in Shimokita...?" H: "Good question! I'm not so sure." H: "You think he'll find anything?" S: "Maybe something with a sumo design on them." H: "Hey look, there it is!" S: "One with sumo." S: "So, he is gonna go with the sumo stuff." H: "I see." Bob: "That's a good match!" S: "I guess a bento box is pretty Japanese." H: "Hideki-san?" H: "I bet he'd like a bento box." S: "Oh, matching ones. That's nice, he's really putting a lot of thought into everything." S: "The way he's shopping is pretty interesting!" S: "He's got it." Bob: "25 years ago! Invited by an old friend, he makes his first trip." H: "Yeah, that's Japanese people for you." Bob: "All the gifts he got created a deep impression!" H: "He got gifts himself." H: "He's got a caregiver." Bob: "He's known Sally-san for a long time." H: "Oh, yeah, you definitely need to take good care of people like that." S: "I see." Bob: "In a store with Harajuku fashion for sale, our YOU decides to pick..." S: "Sweaters?" S: "You'd think Canada would have way better choice for sweaters." S: "They're not cheap, either." H: "Sure are." S: "Oh, hats again." Clerk: "For fluffiness..." S: "Fluffiness?" H: "Fluffiness." H: "He's really trying to keep her warm!" H: "It's nice how considerate he is, though." S: "This is interesting." S: "So that's what his shopping was for..." S: "I wonder if he's got anything else to buy." H: "Who's this?" S: "Nishimoto?" Bob: "He's out to give a big surprise gift!" S: "What's up?" Int: "Here we are in Shimokitazawa." S: "Shimokitazawa again?" H: "Look at that stuff!" Int: "Good morning. That's a lot of luggage, today." Int: "Ikoma as in Nara?" Bob: "Off to Ikoma we go!" S: "Was he staying in Shimokitazawa?" H: "I think so. Seems that way." S: "Where'd all that luggage go?" H: "Seriously." S: "So, where is he? Which one's Nishimoto-san?" Building Sign: "Nishimoto Pharmacy" S: "Nishimoto Pharmacy...?" S: "This is Nishimoto-san?" H: "It has to be." Bob: "Our YOU had worn out his arms from playing too much piano." H: "So, that's the story." Bob: "A friend who helped him at low point." shimoto: "I think it's been about six months..." Bob: "And the gift to show his gratitude?" S: "That's huge." S: "What, what, what is it?" S: "Is it fabric?" S: "Does he like the color of what?!" H: "A blanket?! Do you see Nishimoto-san's reaction?" S: "I don't think he gets it!" H: "He has no idea what it is! It's like, "What's this?"" Int: "What do you think?" shimoto: "It's quite the gift. I think I'll be having some colorful dreams when I use it." shimoto: "Maybe I should think of something more thoughtful to say..." S: "More thoughtful!" S: "Wow. I wonder why he got that for Nishimoto-san?" S: "He went all that way to hand it over?" H: "And now he's just leaving." S: "That's impressive!" H: "That was really interesting, all the thought he put into the gifts. And they all ended up being totally different. Pretty nice, right?" S: "None of it was stereotypical Japanese stuff, either." H: "Right, right." S: "I mean, that old t-shirt probably originated from overseas, right?" H: "Probably." S: "But it's still good." H: "Yeah. Something about that Beatles shirt, I think you were worried about it, too... Is it going to fit?" S: "It's small!" H: "It seemed kind of small! The gentleman from the picture seemed on the bigger side." S: "He did. Also, the blanket at the very end was huge." H: "Okay, let's head back to Narita Airport. Ready and..." Both: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Bob: "It's time for our shocking final YOU!" Int: "Good afternoon. Is it all right if I interview you for a bit?" Int: "Thank you so much. Where are you from?" Int: "Why did YOU come to Japan?" Coat: "And probably work." Int: "Work? What kind of work do you do?" Coat: "I don't know." H: "What, what, what?" Int: "Do you mean you're going to look for work?" Coat: "I am, yes." Int: "You're looking for work?" Coat: "Right. I'm gonna do my best." H: "He's looking for work." Int: "Which has a bigger priority? Let's say this is sight-seeing and this is work." Coat: "Right now, sight-seeing." S: "Sight-seeing for the moment?" H: "For now, huh?" S: "I wonder what's going on." Int: "What kind of job are you looking for?" H: "Anything...?" H: "What's going on?" Int: "What did you do in Spain?" Int: "That sounds like a pretty legit job. What exactly happened?" Int: "What made you choose Japan as a place to come to?" S: "He's not giving any specific answers!" Int: "Oh, anime?" Bob: "After a series of events, he's in Japan looking for work!" S: "Huh, okay." Bob: "This YOU's got me feeling kinda worried!" S: "So he's staying this time? Not going home?" H: "I don't think so." Int: "While you're looking for work," S: "I dunno, he seems like he might just float back and come again, too." Int: "we would follow around and go in-depth on your story... What do you think about that?" Coat: "That's okay." S: "What the heck? It's hard to figure out what he's thinking." H: "Why'd he give the okay?" S: "Is this gonna turn into a long-term story?" H: "What's with this guy?" S: "Reuben-san. Unemployed." Bob: "He quit a job at a Spanish museum to come to Japan!" H: "And that's all he brought?" Int: "I'm Togashi, by the way." H: "What's gonna happen with Reuben-san?" S: "See? This make it seem like it's gonna be a bigger story." H: "What?" H: "What's going on?" H: "Monzennaka-cho?" H: "Not in the room. Okay." Int: "I'm glad you came." Bob: "This is where he lives, starting today!" S: "Monnaka." H: "What kind of story is this going to turn into...?" Int: "What did you wish for?" Bob: "You can do it!" Int: "I'm curious, when you were in Spain, did you live by yourself, or with family?" H: "What happened?" Bob: "He's left his home for the first time." Int: "Wait, why?" Bob: "He ran away from home!" H: "A run-away YOU...?" S: "What's with this format?" S: "I don't think we've ever had the story unfold like this before." S: "That's bad!" H: "He really did run!" Int: "You're not running because of something you did, though, right?" H: "That's a relief." S: "I wonder what happened to him." Int: "I know we just met... But I'm on your side, okay?" S: "What brought that on?" H: "Where's this going?" Bob: "A surprising twist." Bob: "Close-up coverage of a runaway you." S: "What is going on with him?" Int: "I'm kinda surprised you agreed to the interview, considering." S: "It's like something out of a movie." H: "Right?" S: "What's gonna happen?" H: "What is going on?" Int: "Hey, good afternoon." Rueben: "Sorry that I'm late." Int: "Oh, it's fine." H: "This is kind of scary." S: "Yeah, but now it looks like... I think we're going to get some details." H: "Oh, no, no, no..." Bob: "Why'd he leave?" Bob: "Our YOU ran away from home. But why?" S: "I think we're going to get some details." Int: "Has your family or anyone you worked with tried to contact you?" Interpreter: "And the second?" S: "Yeah, of course." S: "This is the kind of thing you'd report to the cops if you didn't have any clue about it." H: "True enough." Int: "Did you reply at all?" S: "He probably should, right?" H: "He did?" S: "At least he did leave something." S: "Still..." H: "Oh, no, no, no..." H: "What could've happened?" H: "Seriously?" Int: "Would you say that your parents are part of the reason you decided to leave?" Int: "What if you didn't tell them where you are..." Int: "But just that you're alive? What do you think?" S: "He's got a point." Int: "Have you explained what's going on with the friend you're staying with?" S: "In India...?" Bob: "He left Spain without saying a word!" Int: "What happened?" S: "Maybe we can get the details." S: "Yeah, what caused this?" Int: "Was it something to do with your job? Or with your relationships?" Int: "It sounds like he was under a lot of stress." S: "But the details about what happened are still..." H: "Not really clear." Int: "If things get really bad, just let me know, okay?" Rueben: "I understand." Int: "Okay." S: "It is worrying." S: "I have to say... our crew is being really nice. What's going on with him?" Rueben: "130,000 yen. I think." H: "130 thousand's a little..." Int: "And that's everything?" H: "That's not gonna cut it." Int: "Have you contacted your parents?" S: "" S: "That'd really be a good idea." Bob: "Rueben's finally changed his mind." Bob: "It's time to let mom and dad know he's okay!" H: "Man, it's gotta be scary." Dad: "I tried calling. Where are you?" Rueben: "In Tokyo. That's where I've been since last week." H: "Man, it's gotta be scary." Bob: "A week since running away." Dad: "Hello?" Dad: "I tried calling. Where are you?" Rueben: "In Tokyo. That's where I've been since last week." Rueben: "But I..." Dad: "Just listen to me. If you need money to come back—" Rueben: "No, I don't. I'm not coming back." S: "Aw, come on." Rueben: "And I'm not calling again after this." Dad: "Hang on a second—" Dad: "You're not coming back?" Rueben: "And that's why..." Dad: "You talk first." Phone: "This notice means that this call has been concluded." S: "Wait, what?!" Phone: "Thank you for using our service." S: "Why?" Bob: "An unexpected overage fee!" Int: "519? Okay." Rueben: "3..." Dad: "Hello?" Rueben: "It's Rueben. This isn't my phone." Dad: "You've got a friend or someone you know with you?" S: "That's kinda..." Rueben: "I'm with some people who are interviewing me for TV." Dad: "TV people? What're you talking about?" S: "Seriously!" Rueben: "They've been filming me since I got in at the airport." H: "That's gotta be hard to explain." Dad: "I don't follow, what happened at the airport?" S: "He's kind of gotten caught up in this." Rueben: "They're filming me." Dad: "Filming?!" H: "Yeah, tell me about it." Dad: "You don't have a job in Tokyo. What're you gonna do?" Rueben: "I don't know. But I'm going to figure it out myself." Dad: "I just want to know if you're doing okay. I don't care how, just stay in touch." Rueben: "I'll message you once I've got some stuff sorted out." Dad: "All that aside... I still don't know what you mean about this TV stuff." S: "Yeah, seriously..." Rueben: "Hey." Mom: "You okay? How are you?" Rueben: "I'm doing okay." Rueben: "This is someone else's phone, so..." Mom: "I see. We can't talk too long, then." H: "She sounds motherly." Mom: "We're gonna be here, okay?" Rueben: "I just don't want to stay the way I have been." Rueben: "I want to change." S: "He wants to change..." Mom: "Just try and stay healthy." Rueben: "Okay." Mom: "I'm sending you a kiss. Talk to you later." Rueben: "Thank you." Bob: "One less thing to worry about!" S: "That's good. At least he called them." S: "This has turned into a weird documentary..." Int: "He came to Japan to run away from home." Chef: "Run away?" Chef: "That's pretty rough..." Rueben: "I think so." S: "Yeah, seriously." Bob: "Rueben's heart is slowly but surely starting to clear up." Rueben: "Thank you very much." S: "What the...?" S: "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" H: "Hey careful, he almost got hit!" S: "There's are so many different kinds of YOUs..." H: "You said it! You actually said it." S: "I guess I did!" H: "You did!" S: "What do you suppose happened? And what's he gonna do?"

Agent: "She would definitely catch your eye in a crowd of other girls." Shitara: "Yeah, he's sketchy." Himura: "Nope. Nothing suspicious about him." Aminyan: "Okay, it was, um... It went well." Himura: "She's cute. She's like Rola." : "Good luck with your concert!" Himura: "She's performing in a month." : "It's been a while since we've seen her." : "Aminyan looks like she's doing well." Shitara: "Oh, so we're two days before the concert now?" Aminyan: "Hello." Reporter: "Hey. Where's your mother?" Aminyan: "Mom went back to Michigan. Yeah, she went home." Himura: "Is she going to be all right on her own?" Shitara: "I'm sure she'll be a bit lonely." : "There isn't much time until the concert." Himura: "She went to karaoke by herself?" Reporter: "Do you practice in a karaoke box?" Aminyan: "Yes, I do." : "She comes here five times a week." Himura: "Five times a week?" Shitara: "Really?" Himura: "Karaoke?" Himura: "Wow, that's an oldie." Himura: "Mikitty!" : "Mikitty!" Aminyan: "Thank you." Shitara: "She gets pretty shy, huh?" Himura: "I know, right?" Reporter: "The same song again?" Shitara: "She's pretty Japanese in that way." Himura: "It's Mikitty's song." Shitara: "Is this what she's going to sing?" : "Two straight hours of Mikitty!" Shitara: "Two... Two hours?!" Reporter: "Do you think you sing it well?" Shitara: "Two hours of nothing but this song?" Aminyan: "I think I do okay." Shitara: "And five times a week! Wow, she sings like crazy!" Aminyan: "But I want it to be perfect." : "She wants to become a perfect Japanese idol." Shitara: "It's the loop from hell. The camera guy can't get anything new!" : "It's the day of the concert." Shitara: "I like her. She's hardworking." Himura: "Yeah." Shitara: "I guess it's got to be in Akihabara, huh?" Aminyan: "Hey! Look! Yay!" Shitara: "Which one? She found the venue?" A: "Good morning." B: "Hello." Rep: "Good morning." Reporter: "Do you work here?" A: "I'm the vice host. He's the host." Reporter: "Are you a YOU, too?" A: "Yes, he's a YOU." Shitara: "Would you really call the host a "YOU," too?" B: "Well, I first learned about her online. I found out she was coming to Japan, so I wanted to support her." : "The internet sure is a big place." Shitara: "I see. So that guy finds people online and gives them a venue. Oh, come on." Reporter: "May we come in?" Himura: "Oh my." Shitara: "She's showing a lot of skin." Aminyan: "Yes." Himura: "Yeah." Aminyan: "I chose white because I'm going for an angelic look." : "New idol coming through!" Shitara: "That guy was right. She does have good style." Himura: "Yeah." : "Aminyan's going to be a guest performer at this event." Shitara: "Is that Yama-chan?" Shitara: "Aminyan." Himura: "It's Aminyan." Reporter: "Aminyan, what's that?" Aminyan: "It's a Valentine's Day event flyer." Shitara: "She's got another event?" : "Her next event is already set." Himura: ""I'm Aminyan." "Here you go."" Shitara: ""I'm Aminyan."" Himura: "Come see her." Shitara: "Aminyan." Guy: "May I take a photo with you?" Aminyan: "Of course!" Guy: "Thank you!" Shitara: "She has a fan already." Himura: "Here we go." : "How do you have a fan even before your debut?" Guy: "This is my first time seeing Aminyan, so I'm looking forward to her performance." Reporter: "Are you here to see Aminyan?" Reporter: "How did you find out about Aminyan?" Guy: "We're friends on Facebook." Shitara: "So he knows her already." : "Her fans give her a hundred times more confidence!" Shitara: "Man, it'd be awesome if she gets her start here and she becomes an idol that makes appearances on TV and stuff." Shitara: "This really is the first step." Himura: "Yeah." Dj: "Who's performing next?!" Guy: "Aminyan! Aminyan!" Shitara: "Cool!" Himura: "Aminyan!" Shitara: "People already know her, huh?" Shitara: "Great." Aminyan: "Nice to meet you all!" Shitara: "It's gotta be that song." Aminyan: "I'm Aminyan!" Shitara: "Please sing it." Aminyan: "How is everyone doing?" Guy: "Great!" Aminyan: "Great!" Shitara: "All right." Himura: "Here she goes." Shitara: "Nice. She sang this a ton." Himura: "She practiced a lot." Shitara: "That's it!" Shitara: "Whoa, she's got the crowd going." Himura: "Nice, nice." : "It's starting to get good." Himura: "Here we go." Himura: "An original?" Shitara: "She has an original song?" Himura: ""Cotton Candy"?" Shitara: "That's nuts. She wrote it?" Himura: "By herself?" Shitara: "I feel like she could make it." Aminyan: "Thank you very much! I'm so happy right now! Thank you!" Himura: "She's going to cry. You're just getting started!" Shitara: "I like your fan perspective, Himura-san." Reporter: "Hello." Aminyan: "Hello." Aminyan: "I'm doing great." Shitara: ""Aminyan, you're just getting started!"" Rep: "Hello." Shitara: ""Aminyan!"" Reporter: "What are you doing today?" Aminyan: "We're doing agency interviews." Rep: "We received an interview request from a talent agency." Reporter: "Yes." Reporter: "Oh, I see." Himura: "Nice." Shitara: "Well?" Himura: "Finally." : "Things are moving fast, and she's nervous." Shitara: "I guess they're an idol firm, right?" Rep: "Nice to meet you." Talent Person: "Nice to meet you. Come in." Shitara: "They let press in here too." Rep: "Please and thank you." Talent Person: "Please and thank you." Aminyan: "Please and thank you." Guy: "Please accept this." Shitara: "Aminyan's cute, huh?" Himura: "She is." Guy: "I'm with an idol group called Shyness Rescue." Shitara: "Did he just say Shyness Rescue?! Himura-san!" Himura: "That name... What was that again?" : "Isn't that..." Shitara: "It was... Yes! Right! Is this for real?!" Himura: "She passed!" Shitara: "Wait a second, why don't we just make her our own show's idol?" : "It's Shyness Rescue from a previous feature!" Shitara: "With Shyness Rescue and..." Shitara: "And..." : "Keru-chan has since left." Shitara: "She left?" Himura: "What?!" : "They're currently looking for a new member." Shitara: "So it's just Mami and Cecil now?" Himura: "They got Mami and Cecil?" Guy: "What made you want to become an idol?" Guy: "What's your best quality?" Guy: "Anything that you think is worth bragging about?" Aminyan: "I'm not Japanese, but I like Japanese culture. So I think I would appeal to fans both in Japan and in the States." Shitara: "True." : "Aminyan is assertive." Himura: "Great comment." Guy: "I know this is sudden, but could you sing a song—anything you like—a cappella?" Shitara: ""Romantic Ukare Mode," definitely." Himura: "She's got this." Rep: "Now, a capella." Guy: "One chorus." Himura: "She's got something on standby." Shitara: "That's not going to faze Aminyan." Himura: "Definitely not." Shitara: "She's been singing five days a week." Shitara: "Let's do this." Aminyan: "Okay." Shitara: "This one?" Shitara: "What? Why this one? Why Macross?" : "She bets it all on Macross!" Shitara: "She didn't sing "Romantic Ukare Mode"?" Shitara: "I mean, that was good too, but it's not the song she worked so hard on." Guy: "That was terrific." Aminyan: "Thank you." Himura: "I guess she likes this song more." : "She blushes." Himura: "That seemed promising though, didn't it?" Guy: "Thank you so much." : "The results will come in later." Himura: "So she's getting into Shyness Rescue, right?" Shitara: "I think she's getting into Shyness Rescue." Guy: "It was cute how she was kind of timid." Shitara: "She's got Shyness Rescue on lockdown." Guy: "Of course, I'm sure she was nervous too, but I found that part of her endearing." Aminyan: "Thank you." : "Her journey to idolhood has only just begun." Shitara: "Her eyes are kind of crossed on her way home." : "Good luck, Aminyan!" Shitara: "Did something happen off camera? She didn't even meet eyes with us on her way home." Himura: "Aminyan! Keep at it, and good luck, nyan! Aminyan's so cute, nyan!" Shitara: "And you're creepy, nyan!" Himura: "Aminyan is apparently a huge, huge, huge fan of Mikitty. "Romantic Ukare Mode" was the song that got her hooked on idols. It's actually, like, "Mikitty!"" Shitara: "Yeah, I was all, "Mikitty!" I wonder what she's got coming up next." Himura: "She auditioned for... I mean, it was like it was meant to be. Shyness Rescue of all groups!" Shitara: "Maybe we're camping Shyness Rescue's turf."

Raeliana: "This is..." Raeliana: "not my house." Rinko: "Of course there aren't any withdrawals..." Rinko: "I took a year off and still couldn't get into any of my top schools." Rinko: "What is life, anyway?" Rinko: "Huh?!" Rinko: "You're kidding..." Rinko: "I did it!" Rinko: "I got in!" Rinko: "Mom..." Rinko: "Onii-chan..." Rinko: "Everyone..." uneteller: "I see a short life in your future." Rinko: "I get it." Rinko: "I was fated to die either way." Rosemary: "I, Hanasaki Rinko," Rinko: "was reborn as Raeliana McMillan..." Rinko: "in the world of a novel." Raeliana: "What the heck is going on?!" Raeliana: "Why am I alive? And inside a novel?" Raeliana: "That night..." Raeliana: "Someone called out to me." Rinko: "I can't remember their face, their voice, or even what they said to me." Raeliana: "I woke up in this world." Raeliana: "I don't think I'll ever get used to this. I can't believe I was reborn as someone so beautiful." Maid1: "My lady, your meal is ready." Raeliana: "Oh... Okay. I'll be right there." Johndein: "Raeli." Raeliana: "Good day, Father." Johndein: "Did you sleep well last night?" Raeliana: "Yes." Rosemary: "Sister!" Raeliana: "Rosemary!" Katie: "Rose..." Katie: "Haven't I told you not to wander around during meal times?" Johndein: "Now, now. Let's eat before it gets cold." Katie: "You're far too easy on Rose." Rosemary: "Sister, you know what? I had a dream I was flying!" Raeliana: "We're like the picture-perfect happy family." Johndein: "So as for the next contract..." Raeliana: "Its head, Johndein McMillan, was granted the title of baron for his success in the oil industry. He's what they call "nouveau riche" among the nobility." Katie: "Right, Raeli?" Raeliana: "On top of being reborn," Raeliana: "I was blessed with this family and a life in which I want for nothing..." Raeliana: "aside from the fact that Raeliana McMillan is a character in a novel." Raeliana: "Raeliana McMillan is just a supporting character. The heroine of this story is a girl who returns from studying abroad in response to her friend's death..." Raeliana: "in other words, Raeliana McMillan's death." Raeliana: "I, Raeliana McMillan..." Raeliana: "am going to die soon." Rosemary: "Sister?" Raeliana: "I have to die twice?" Raeliana: "Over my dead body!" Raeliana: "In the novel, the cause of Raeliana's death was arsenic poisoning." Raeliana: "Her fiancé mixed it into the tea she drank every evening." Brooks: "Hi there, Raeliana." Raeliana: "Francis Brooks." Raeliana: "He's my fiancé. Greetings, Lord Brooks." Raeliana: "The one behind it all... Brooks, a man trusted by the McMillan family, wins over Raeliana's parents when they're heartbroken over her death and tries to take over the family business. That's when the heroine of the story appears and exposes the truth of what happened." Raeliana: "At least, that's how it goes in the novel..." Raeliana: "But if it gets that far, I'll already be dead." Brooks: "It's such lovely weather today. Shall we walk through the garden?" Raeliana: "Of course." Raeliana: "The engagement was agreed upon by both families. The Brooks family is a long-standing noble household, so I can't just call it off on my own. And even if I told anyone that he's trying to kill me, no one would believe me." Raeliana: "Which means there's only one thing to do..." Raeliana: "I have to make him want to dissolve our engagement." Brooks: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "We should break up." Brooks: "Look at that crow." Raeliana: "I want to break up with you." Brooks: "What a silly-looking crow!" Raeliana: "Hello? Are you listening to me?" Raeliana: "Why did I think that would work?" Raeliana: "I need to come up with a better plan." Raeliana: "Oh, dear. I'm sorry." Raeliana: "My hand slipped." Raeliana: "I've ruined your precious clothes." Brooks: "No... It's fine." Raeliana: "Look! There's a piano over there!" Raeliana: "I would love to hear you play, Lord Brooks." Brooks: "With pleasure." Brooks: "If it is your wish..." Raeliana: "I'm sorry. Please excuse me for a moment." Brooks: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "Victory!" Raeliana: "Why won't he say anything?! I even read a book for this!" Raeliana: "What is going on?!" Raeliana: "Third time's the charm. This time, I'll make it work!" Brooks: "This is your first hunt, isn't it? Do you know how to hold a gun?" Raeliana: "How little you know, Brooks. As far back as I can remember, I grew up watching my father, Johndein McMillan, go hunting." Raeliana: "It's my first time holding a gun. I hope I'm doing it right." Brooks: "Aim carefu—" Raeliana: "Oh, dear, I'm sorry! I'm still new to this." Raeliana: "After all this, surely even he'll get sick of me and want to break up..." Raeliana: "He didn't!" Raeliana: "What is going on?!" Brooks: "Good day, Raeliana." Raeliana: "What brings you here? We made no prior plans to meet today." Brooks: "Prior plans? Raeliana, you and I are engaged, are we not?" Raeliana: "Even in a close relationship, manners are still important." Raeliana: "Please return home today." Brooks: "Raeliana!" Raeliana: "What are you doing?!" Brooks: "Why are you suddenly talking like that?! Even if this is a political marriage, I thought we had a deeper relationship! Or was I the only one who felt that way?!" Raeliana: "Yes, you were mistaken, Lord Brooks." Raeliana: "So please let go of me now." Brooks: "What the McMillan family wants is the Brooks family's social standing!" Brooks: "They should be grateful to me for agreeing to marry a nouveau riche like you." Raeliana: "Wh-What did you say?" Brooks: "However you may fight it, you can't escape this marriage." Brooks: "You'd best prepare yourself to obediently serve your future husband." Raeliana: "That guy..." Raeliana: "I wish I could just kill him myself, right now!" Raeliana: "I already live in a world I barely understand. I refuse to spend every day here living in fear!" Raeliana: "I'll have to think of some other way..." Raeliana: "So he finally shows up." Raeliana: "Noah Voltaire Wynknight... A duke of this nation," Raeliana: "and the protagonist of the novel. In the Kingdom of Chamus, where I live now, royal authority has decayed significantly with the rise of capitalism. The old nobles came up with a law to pluck new nobles out from the root before they can acquire any power." Raeliana: "The transfer of noble ranks is forbidden. They call it the "Nouveau Riche Prevention Law." But the royal seal they needed to enact that law was stolen by someone. As the old nobles were scrambling to come up with a new way to suppress the nouveau riche, the one who showed up out of nowhere like a comet... was the younger brother of the current king and first in line for the throne, Noah Voltaire, simply known as "Noah." The Wynknight family has been the core of the kingdom's military strength for generations, and he is the former queen's eldest son." Raeliana: "He's basically the last bastion for conservatism. Though he was removed from the line of succession at one time due to an unfortunate scandal, he's now known as the young ace who'll take center stage again and carry the hopes of the old nobles." Raeliana: "He must have it rough." Raeliana: "But... wait a minute... Since his rank is higher, maybe he could stop Brooks..." Raeliana: "If this works out, it could be an incredible bargaining chip." Raeliana: "I know that guy, and I know this story's ending." Raeliana: "This is stuff that only someone who came from outside this world could know." Raeliana: "I don't know if something like this will work on a pure-blooded noble, but..." h: "Excuse me for a moment." Raeliana: "It's do or die." Raeliana: "It's worth a try, at least." Jake: "Well, well!" Jake: "If it isn't Francis Brooks." Brooks: "Jake Langston..." Jake: "It's been a while, Brooks." Brooks: "One moment, please." Jake: "You sure you should leave your cute little fiancée all alone?" Brooks: "That's none of your business!" Jake: "Don't be so aloof." Jake: "We're both in the same boat, aren't we? It's only natural that I'd worry." Brooks: "There's nothing for you to worry about! So just go—" Jake: "Even our client has told me that you and your fiancée haven't been getting along well lately." Jake: "Let me just give you one little warning." Jake: "Do your job." Jake: "If you screw this up, you're dead." Jake: "So yeah, do your best not to make your fiancée get tired of you." Brooks: "This is all that woman's fault! I thought she was a shy girl..." Brooks: "but recently, she's changed completely!" Brooks: "You there. Have you seen Lady Raeliana?" Bowie: "Yeah. I saw her walking toward the garden." Brooks: "I see." Brooks: "I swear... She is such a headache!" Raeliana: "I followed him out here without even thinking. What do I say to him?" Raeliana: "And... he's obviously suspicious already, isn't he? It's not as if we have any mutual friends. And this is my first time speaking to a noble I've never met—" h: "Do you have some business with me?" Raeliana: "Duke, this is my first time meeting you. I am the daughter of Baron Johndein McMillan. My name is Raeliana McMillan." h: "Ah, the young lady of the McMillan family. I am Noah Voltaire Wynknight." Raeliana: "Wait, why am I just gawking at him?! I can't be deceived by the sweet mask this man wears! If I may be so bold, I have come in hopes of making a deal with you." h: "A deal?" Raeliana: "I know who this guy really is." Raeliana: "I don't know if this is something I should say here..." Raeliana: "It's about the royal seal. Behind that calm, angelic smile" Raeliana: "lurks a terrible demon." h: "Oh? Well..." h: "How very intriguing..." Raeliana: "Two-faced bastard!" h: "Why don't you tell me" h: "all the details of this deal of yours?" Raeliana: "He's on board! Now I can..." Brooks: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "Of all the times... Must he get in my way at every single step?!" Raeliana: "What should I do?" Raeliana: "Wait for the next opportunity?" Raeliana: "Actually..." Raeliana: "This might be my best opportunity!" Raeliana: "I suppose I can't keep it hidden any longer." Raeliana: "Lord Brooks, I'm very sorry." Brooks: "F-For what?" Raeliana: "It would seem..." Raeliana: "that the Duke and I have grown fond of each other." Brooks: "What?" Raeliana: "The royal seal..." Raeliana: "He actually... picked up on that?" Brooks: "Wh-What in the world is..." Raeliana: "Right here!" Raeliana: "Lucky break!" Raeliana: "Well, I must take my leave now." Raeliana: "Please have a wonderful evening." Brooks: "Wait!" Brooks: "Is what you just said true?" Raeliana: "I swear, this guy..." Raeliana: "Yes, it's true. As I've said many times before, I'd like to call off our engagement." Brooks: "But why now?!" Raeliana: "It's quite late already. May I leave now?" Brooks: "You lowly nouveau riche! You want to call off our engagement?! Do you really think you have the right to—" h: "That's enough." h: "Take her home." Servant: "O-Of course." Servant: "Come, my lady. If we're home too late, the baron will scold me." Raeliana: "Yes. I'm sorry." Brooks: "It had to be Noah Voltaire Wynknight, of all people?!" Brooks: "Even if you are a duke, this is just too much!" Brooks: "That girl is my fiancée!" h: "Did you not hear what she said?" h: "I don't believe you have the right to call yourself her fiancé anymore." Brooks: "I'm not the type... who'll just sit quietly and let this happen." h: "Whitton..." Whitton: "Yes?" h: "Investigate Raeliana McMillan. And assign someone to watch that man, so that we can act quickly in case he tries anything." Whitton: "Understood, Your Grace." h: "A deal?" h: "With me?" Servant: "My lady?!" Johndein: "Raeli, what's wrong?" Raeliana: "I'm all right. The night breeze just gave me a chill." Johndein: "Well, that won't do. Wear this coat over your dress." Raeliana: "Thank you, Father." Raeliana: "Did I really do the right thing?" Gideon: "You are returning awfully late." h: "Yes." h: "I encountered a puppy on my way home." uneteller: "I see a short life in your future."

Baylene: "There he is!" Baylene: "I refuse to give up just because he has a fiancée now!" Baylene: "If he'll just take this handkerchief in his hands..." Keith: "Duke! You're stepping on Lady Baylene's handkerchief!" h: "Whoops. Dear me." h: "Lord Westernberg..." h: "Go apologize to the lady in my stead. Tell her I'll make it up to her." Keith: "Very well." h: "It's been a while." Raeliana: "Yes." Raeliana: "What have you been looking at?" h: "I was getting a lesson about never touching things that belong to someone else." Raeliana: "To someone else?" h: "Let's go." Raeliana: "Right..." h: "You seem to have lost some weight." Raeliana: "Yeah... you could say I went through some things." Raeliana: "Aren't those..." Raeliana: "the Holy Knights? I had heard that I might or might not see them once in my life, but I thought it was incredibly rare for them to leave the Holy Land." Heika: "Raeliana!" Wade: "His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff, Heika Demint." Raeliana: "The light's so bright..." Raeliana: "They didn't bring the Holy Knights here just to do this, did they?" Heika: "You didn't seem to understand what a big deal I am, so I opened the gate to the Holy Land and brought the Holy Knights here." Heika: "What is with that disapproving look?" Heika: "Just what is it she objects to?" Wade: "You could try being a bit more friendly, or..." Heika: "Friendly..." Heika: "But I've lived the past 150 years with no family or friends. Oh, I know! There was one member of the Holy Land's council of elders who bragged about his granddaughter!" Heika: "Raeliana..." Raeliana: "Yes?" Heika: "I will be your grandpa!" Heika: "Go on, call me "Grandpa"!" Raeliana: "I could never say something so rude to Your Holiness." Heika: "I'm giving you permission to!" Raeliana: "I really don't need that kind of permission. Wh-While that is truly a great honor..." Wade: "Y-Your Holiness, might I have a moment?" Heika: "What is it?" Wade: "Pardon us, my lady." Heika: "How dare you take away my precious time with my grandchild?!" Wade: "What is the meaning of suddenly calling yourself her "grandpa"?!" Heika: "Well, there's a bit too much of an age gap for me to be her father." Wade: "True... But considering your real age, even "grandpa" is a bit... Wait, that's not the point! I'm asking what you're trying to achieve by suddenly taking her as your granddaughter!" Heika: "You're the one who told me to be more friendly!" Heika: "I'm offering to be her grandfather! What greater honor could there be?!" Wade: "Honor?" Wade: "H-He is so..." Heika: "What's the matter? Are you in pain?" h: "Lord Westernberg, you seem tired." Keith: "Are you quite pleased with yourself for sacrificing me to Lady Baylene?" h: "Better than sacrificing you to a dragon, no?" Heika: "Just stop getting in my way already!" h: "Raeliana..." Raeliana: "Uh... Yes?" h: "Where are you going?" Raeliana: "Um... The restroom." h: "I believe that would be in the other direction." Heika: "Raeliana, what's that?" Raeliana: "Huh?" h: "Raeliana!" Heika: "Don't move!" Heika: "Stay still." Raeliana: "No way. That thing was obviously about to explode right on my head..." Heika: "Raeliana..." Heika: "How about it? Will you call me your grandpa now?" Heika: "Crystallite. A mineral produced in the Holy Land." Heika: "Very few people have it due to strict limitations on its import. It looks beautiful, but when exposed to light, it absorbs it..." Heika: "and explodes." Heika: "He has the look of a wild beast in his eyes. I've learned in my 150 years that those who don't plainly show their emotions are the most underhanded." Heika: "How very disagreeable." Heika: "What is your relationship to my Raeliana?" h: "Your Raeliana?" Heika: "What? You have a problem with me calling her that?" h: "I am her fiancé." Heika: "It's difficult for women to exercise their full abilities once they're married." Heika: "If she marries him and I lose access to her talent with languages..." Heika: "I foresee you self-destructing as a result of your dual personality. Break up with my Raeliana." Wade: "This old fool..." h: "Your Holiness, I give you my most heartfelt thanks for saving my fiancée today." h: "I have heard that your organization's financial situation has suffered of late." h: "I would like to offer it my support." h: "Because you saved my fiancée." Heika: "Your fiancée, you say?" Heika: "Well, she's my granddaughter, so you needn't worry about her. Ever." h: "You may advise me not to worry about her, but it is my duty to take care of my fiancée." Wade: "Your Grace, please allow me to explain the financial support procedure." h: "Sir Adam..." Adam: "Your Grace." h: "Choose the most talented knights and send them to Granger Castle." Raeliana: "If even a few more seconds had passed... No, if Heika hadn't been there..." Heika: "The moment it entered this dome, it was fated to die." Raeliana: "Since Raeliana McMillan is just a side character..." Raeliana: "Maybe she really is destined to die in the end?" Raeliana: "As Beatrice's reason for returning home..." Raeliana: "I have to stop this! They say negative thoughts will bring negative outcomes. Before I get all disheartened, I have to find out who was behind this." Raeliana: "When did it get darker in here?" Raeliana: "Who's there?!" h: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "You startled me!" h: "You were genuinely in grave danger today!" Raeliana: "Noah... I don't think it's very considerate of you to come here without notice." h: "Francis Brooks and Jake Langston are dead, and yet..." Raeliana: "So he lied about them being sent to Saint Bell Prison?" h: "Who is it?" Raeliana: "I don't know what you're asking me." h: "Someone is trying to kill you." h: "Someone other than Francis Brooks." h: "Who is it?" Raeliana: "I don't know!" h: "Does it have something to do with the royal seal?" h: "Or is there something else going on? Tell me the truth!" Raeliana: "I'll tell you tomorrow." h: "No! Right now!" h: "I don't want you getting into any more situations that I can't control!" Raeliana: "You're hurting me!" h: "Tell me right now!" Raeliana: "Take some time to cool your head, Duke Wynknight." Raeliana: "Do you know what this place is?" h: "The purification chamber, into which only those with permission may enter." h: "Why am I so unable to stop myself?" Keith: "Are you serious about Miss McMillan?" Raeliana: "Why are you so angry?" Raeliana: "Because I won't tell you the truth?" Raeliana: "It's only natural that Noah wouldn't believe me. We're only together because of our contract, after all." Raeliana: "So why is he so agitated?" h: "Raeliana..." h: "I'm sorry." h: "It's just..." h: "when I thought that I might lose you..." h: "I nearly lost my mind." Raeliana: "What... does that mean?" h: "Please rest well." Raeliana: "What did he mean?" Eugenia: "This way, please." h: "I nearly lost my mind." Raeliana: "The moment I start thinking about it, I lose. I've got this all wrong!" Raeliana: "Yeah! It's all a mistake!" Wade: "Normally, His Holiness refrains from presiding over the lighting of the sacred flame in the interest of fairness." Wade: "He must have really taken a liking to Miss McMillan." Heika: "Raeliana, I am your grandpa." Raeliana: "Your Holiness, my rudeness toward you the other day was by no means intentional." Heika: "Go on. Call me that." Raeliana: "I was just treating it as a casual exchange..." Heika: "It's true that I had never been spoken to in such a barbaric way before. It was the first time I'd lost sleep over something in all my 150 years." Raeliana: "Raeliana's real grandfather, wherever you are... This isn't what I want at all, so please forgive me." Raeliana: "I am grateful... Grandpa." Wade: "Absolutely not! What do you mean, you're going with Miss McMillan?!" Heika: "I am the supreme pontiff! If I say I'm going, I'm going! What is the issue?!" Wade: "It is a tremendous issue! It is unheard of for a supreme pontiff to walk around anywhere he pleases!" Heika: "Get out of my way!" Wade: "I absolutely will not allow this!" Heika: "Would you give it a rest already?! Of all the times for you to use that damn brute strength..." Raeliana: "Thank you, Head Priest." Raeliana: "From the bottom of my heart." her: "Justin, you are the eldest son of the Shamal household. You have a duty to succeed me in leading this family." her: "Hey! Are you listening to me?" Justin: "I hear you quite well." her: "Are you ever going to stop fixating on that woman?" Justin: "I have been planning this trip for some time. It has nothing to do with her." her: "You think I know nothing? This is why I told you to stay away from her." her: "Justin, wait!" Justin: "Well, then..." Justin: "Your ungrateful son will now take his leave." her: "Go check in on Vivian. She always listens to you." Justin: "Has something happened?" her: "Apparently, the young McMillan lady was involved in an accident on the day of the lighting ceremony." Justin: "An accident?" her: "There are rumors that it was all set up, but the Wynknight household is keeping strictly silent about that." Justin: "And what does that have to do with Vivian?" her: "Well, only that she's probably asking herself, "What if it had been me?"" her: "In any case, Vivian is to become queen one day. I need you to convince her to visit the king frequently." Justin: "He's desperate to get royal blood into his family line." Justin: "Very well." her: "I'm counting on you." Justin: "I know Vivian. This is most likely about Duke Wynknight's fiancée." Justin: "How should I convince her?" Vivian: "This is all your fault! What are you going to do about it?!" Beatrice: "No, not mine. This was your choice, my lady." Justin: "Vivian?!" Vivian: "Brother? When did you return?" Justin: "What is going on here?" Vivian: "Nothing." Justin: "Ah, forgive me! It was rude of me to behave that way in front of a guest!" Beatrice: "Please, think nothing of it." Beatrice: "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Beatrice."

Raeliana: "Who is it that wants me dead?" Raeliana: "Sword fighting? Usually, Noah's buried in paperwork since it's his duty to assist the king, but in the novel, he was described as more talented with the sword than with the pen." Raeliana: "Wait, why am I paying so much attention to him right now?!" h: "Raeliana..." h: "Were you bored?" Raeliana: "Uh, no. Is the training finished?" h: "You were gazing at me so intensely, I couldn't just ignore you." Raeliana: "I was just looking at the swords. I thought I might learn swordsmanship, too." h: "That could be a good idea. In that case..." h: "Why not do something more fun?" Raeliana: ""Something more fun"?" h: "You there. Call Grace." Employee: "With pleasure." h: "I thought..." h: "I'd take this opportunity to organize my jewels." Raeliana: "Why?" h: "Well, you see, I actually have a fiancée." Raeliana: "You mean that really beautiful fiancée, right?" h: "Yes, she is a "really beautiful" fiancée... But because she has no self-respect and lacks good judgment, she tends to bring home every little thing she finds." h: "Even after I've warned her against it so many times..." Raeliana: "Is he saying that was my fault? Actually, my Duke, I also have a fiancé." h: "You mean the fiancé with the very handsome face?" Raeliana: "Yes, and that fiancé with his slightly good looks shows no respect or consideration for his fiancée, so he just goes around telling half-truths." Raeliana: "Even after I've warned him against it so many times..." h: "Come with me." h: "He can't keep his hands to himself, either." Raeliana: "Noah..." h: "Do you see these jewels?" h: "I brought my "really beautiful" fiancée here out of respect for her. Now do you feel that your fiancé with the "slightly good looks" shows consideration for you?" Raeliana: "Hey..." Grace: "Duke Wynknight, thank you for waiting." h: "Grace." Grace: "Well, well! This must be the fiancée I've heard so much about. I had thought you weren't interested in women, but I suppose you just hadn't found one you liked before now." Raeliana: "Uh, a-actually..." h: "Well done, Madam Grace. You've seen through me." Grace: "I've just received some fine articles. Would you like to see them?" h: "Please." Grace: "This one is called the "Mermaid's Tear." It fetched the highest price of all the items in the Devassa Auction." h: "What do you think? Do you like it?" Raeliana: "It's absolutely beautiful!" h: "I'm glad to hear that." Raeliana: "Of course, they're all beautiful, but..." h: "In that case, I'll take everything in the store." Raeliana: "What?!" Grace: "A fine choice, Your Grace! We'll start with this, then." h: "We'll take this now. Have all the others sent to my mansion." Grace: "With pleasure." Raeliana: "Can I really accept this?" h: "It suits you well, Raeliana." Raeliana: "D-Don't think about it!" h: "You aren't tired?" Raeliana: "We haven't been walking that much." h: "I heard you gave the maids time off." Raeliana: "Yes. Doesn't it seem heartless to not at least let them spend Thanksgiving with their families? Of course, that's just the excuse I gave. I just wanted a day to take it easy!" Gideon: "Master..." h: "Raeliana, there's been a problem. I need to leave now." Raeliana: "All right. Take care." Raeliana: "Yes?" Haley: "Pardon me..." Haley: "My lady." Raeliana: "Haley! You haven't gone home yet?" Haley: "I truly thank you for granting me time off." Raeliana: "Go and enjoy Thanksgiving." Haley: "I will." Haley: "Actually, there's something I need to tell you." Raeliana: "Wh-What is it?" Haley: "You must never, under any circumstances, look at the mirror in the back room of the west building." Raeliana: "A mirror? Why not?" Haley: "A certain maid was assigned to do the rounds there, and she said she heard a voice." Raeliana: "Wh-What does that mean?" Haley: "There's a spirit trapped inside the mirror in that room. It's said that if you make eye contact with the spirit in the mirror, it'll talk to you." Raeliana: "Wh-What does it say?" Haley: ""I'll tell you anything you want to know."" Raeliana: "Anything?" Haley: "Oh, look at the time! Well, my lady, I still need to prepare my luggage for my return home." Raeliana: "If there really are mirrors like that, there is one thing I'd like to know. Where is Beatrice, the actual heroine of this story?" Raeliana: "This is scary... I should've just stayed quietly in my room." Raeliana: "This must be it, right?" Raeliana: "This is so scary!" Raeliana: "Oh, just some birds." Raeliana: "Wh-What do I do? Do I really need to make eye contact with it? What if the thing about telling you what you want to know is a lie, and it actually curses me instead?!" Raeliana: "A voice... I couldn't hear it very clearly, but I definitely heard it." h: "Are you all right?" h: "Why do you look so startled?" Raeliana: "Because... I saw it!" h: "Saw what?" Raeliana: "A ghost." h: "A ghost?" Raeliana: "Do you think I'm making it up?! It's the truth!" h: "Well, then, we'll get a priest here tomorrow." Raeliana: "What are you doing here, anyway?" h: "Oh... I forgot something in here." Raeliana: "Because you were worried about me?!" h: "No, I forgot something." Raeliana: "Are you going straight back, then?" h: "No. It's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow." h: "Do you want me to walk you back to your room?" Raeliana: "Oh... Yes!" Raeliana: "But... why did he come back? He says he forgot something, but would he come to get it at this hour?" Raeliana: "Maybe he really was worried about me?" h: "Let's go." Raeliana: "R-Right. Nah, couldn't be." Raeliana: "Thank you for taking the time to do this." Raeliana: "Goodnight, then." h: "Aren't you scared?" Raeliana: "Of what?" h: "Ghosts. You saw one, didn't you?" Raeliana: "Well, yes, I did, but..." h: "I bet you'll just lie awake crying, won't you?" Raeliana: "Just go now, please!" h: "Now, don't say that." Raeliana: "H-Hey!" h: "Here. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. Go to bed." Raeliana: "You can sleep in the bed, then. I'll sleep in the chair." Raeliana: "Wh-What... Noah?" Raeliana: "W-Wait!" h: "It's not as if it's your first time. Why react that way now?" Raeliana: "D-Do you have to say it like that?! If anyone else heard you, they'd get the wrong idea!" h: "I don't want to be the kind of scum that makes his fiancée sleep in a chair, so please sleep beside me." h: "Mind if I read this?" Raeliana: "A love story about the forbidden romance between a knight and a princess. I don't think it's your kind of story, though." h: "It's all right. I don't pay attention to genres." Raeliana: "It's no use! I can't sleep!" Raeliana: "Noah?" h: "Yes?" Raeliana: "How far have you gotten?" h: "To the point where the two of them meet at the ball." Raeliana: "Oh, that part! Doesn't it just make your heart race?" h: "Indeed. It's so comical that it's actually dramatic." Raeliana: "Comical?" h: "They meet by chance and fall in love at first sight, but a sudden accident separates them. A few months later, they happen to meet again at a ball. The way it's built on a series of coincidences is comical, and it lacks realism." Raeliana: "Says the protagonist of a romance novel. If all you're after is realism, you'll never experience any thrills or romance." Raeliana: "Did you read the part where the knight confesses his love?" h: "Not yet." Raeliana: "Well, hurry up and read it! It'll make your heart flutter!" h: "Raeliana... Aren't you going to sleep?" Raeliana: "Why do you ask?" h: "Because you're a nuisance." Raeliana: "Oh... Right, right." h: "It's late enough already. Go to sleep." Raeliana: "Fine." h: "I'm going to go crazy." h: "Count O'Brian." mi: "Ah, Duke Wynknight. It's good to see you again." h: "I'd heard you were far from home on a mission." mi: "Yes, and I have safely completed it." h: "I see. Is His Majesty inside?" mi: "Um, Duke... Might I ask you to wait a moment?" h: "Ah." mi: "Your Majesty King Siathrich, Naomi O'Brian is here." mi: "Your Majesty!" mi: "Please wake up." Siathrich: "Naomi... Why are you so insensitive?" Siathrich: "You could at least knock." mi: "I did." Siathrich: "I didn't hear it." mi: "You've never once heard me knocking on your door." Siathrich: "Really?" mi: "Perhaps it would be a good idea to have your hearing checked." Siathrich: "A-Actually, maybe I do remember hearing a knock... No, I heard it perfectly well!" mi: "I'm glad to hear that." Siathrich: "Oh, right. That young lady I was with told me an interesting rumor. She said that while I was hovering between life and death, my dear little brother, Noah, got engaged to a woman he absolutely loves." Siathrich: "I believe her name was... Rally?" mi: "I think "hovering between life and death" is an exaggeration. And it's not "Rally." It's Miss Raeliana of the McMillan family." mi: "So even the current King of Chamus discusses such things in bed?" Siathrich: "This is all out of love for my little brother." Keith: "Pardon me." Keith: "Your Majesty, I see your injuries have fully healed." Siathrich: "Keith! Long time no see. And where's Noah?" h: "Right here." Siathrich: "Oh, Noah! You were standing there?" Siathrich: "It seems like someone's missing. That red-eyed..." h: "Sir Adam had business to attend to and has not yet returned." Siathrich: "Hmm... How unusual. Well, now that everyone is here, why don't we raise a toast for tomorrow? The current session is ending at last." Siathrich: "Rejected bills can't be proposed again for a few years." h: "So we've averted the Nouveau Riche Prevention Law for the time being?" Siathrich: "Which means there's no longer any need to hide the royal seal." h: "Regarding the horse that threw you..." h: "Stimulants were found in its system." Siathrich: "I knew that horse was acting too strangely for that accident to be a coincidence." h: "Yes." h: "It was orchestrated by Count Bennett as part of a plan to assassinate you." Siathrich: "Bennett, eh? No one would be happier than him if I were to die." mi: "Count Bennett would hang your corpse up in the square and dance around it. He'd probably sing, too." Siathrich: "I don't know how you can so cheerfully say such a terrifying thing." mi: "You misunderstand, Your Majesty." Siathrich: "Anyway, Noah, I hear you got engaged. I believe the lady's name was... Ralliana?" mi: "As I told you earlier, her name is Raeliana McMillan." Siathrich: "Right! Raeliana! What changed in your head while I was in an analgesic-induced haze?" h: "Well, various things happened." h: "The truth is..." Haley: "Pardon me." Haley: "I'll leave this over here." Raeliana: "Thanks, Haley." Haley: "The autumn rains have passed. It will start to get truly cold soon." Raeliana: "Autumn rains? I feel like that might jog a memory." Raeliana: "What was it? "The session ends at last. What will come of the royal seal?"" Raeliana: "Don't tell me..." Haley: "My lady?" Raeliana: "How could I have forgotten?! The day before the session's end, at the Wynknight family grave..." Raeliana: "According to the novel, she should be there." Raeliana: "The blonde, Beatrice!" Siathrich: "Which means your engagement will be called off now, right?"

Raeliana: "Robert Wynknight, who was supposed to become a duke, died in an accident. The mother he left behind, the mistress of the Wynknight household, granted the title to Noah, her nephew and the second prince, before she departed," Raeliana: "so Robert lies alone in the family grave." Raeliana: "Noah buried the royal seal in that grave." Raeliana: "And that's where Noah and Beatrice..." Raeliana: "Beatrice!" h: "Our engagement... will be called off?" Siathrich: "Why wouldn't it be? The diet's session is formally closing, so she can no longer threaten you with the royal seal." Siathrich: "Your fiancée's personal issue is resolved now, too, isn't it?" Siathrich: "What's the point in staying engaged?" Siathrich: "You can just call it off, and it's over." Siathrich: "You don't want to carry on with a marriage by contract either, do you?" h: "I won't end our engagement yet." Siathrich: "Huh?" h: "There's still something I need Raeliana to do as my fiancée." Siathrich: "Hmm..." h: "What?" Siathrich: "Really, you're so out of touch when it comes to these things." h: "What do you mean by that?" Raeliana: "Be—" Justin: "Do you have business with me?" Justin: "Are you all right?" Raeliana: "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." Raeliana: "It wasn't Beatrice. In the novel, on the day before the end of the session, Beatrice was supposed to pay a visit to this grave." Raeliana: "But she's not here." Raeliana: "Is she not able to come here anymore?" Raeliana: "If that's the case, is it because I... because I survived?" Raeliana: "Because I changed the story?" Justin: "Please rest on this if you like." Raeliana: "Thank you." Raeliana: "I'm sorry about this." Justin: "Please, help yourself." Raeliana: "I will, thank you." Raeliana: "Alcohol?" Justin: "I came to visit a friend's grave for the first time in a while, and the grave was gone. Only the alcohol that I had brought to drink with him remained." Justin: "This must be the work of fate. Would you care to drink with me?" Raeliana: "If I have just a little, maybe it'll calm me down." Raeliana: "Who was your friend?" Justin: "His name was Robert Wynknight." Raeliana: "He's Robert's friend? Then the grave that disappeared..." Raeliana: "It's gone. Robert's grave is really..." Raeliana: "The seal... What about the seal?!" Justin: "He was a good man, but he died before he could pay back the money I lent him." Raeliana: "A Wynknight had to borrow money?" Justin: "It's hard to believe, isn't it?" Justin: "Maybe I was actually the one who borrowed it." Raeliana: "Why did the Wynknight family grave suddenly vanish?" Raeliana: "And where is the royal seal now?" Justin: "I asked the grave keeper earlier." Raeliana: "Huh?" Justin: "Apparently, there was a grave robbery," Justin: "so they moved all the graves to a location where the Wynknights could manage them." Raeliana: "A grave robbery?" Raeliana: "That didn't happen in the novel. Is this my fault, too?" Raeliana: "Oh, I get it. The grave robbery is just an excuse. The real goal..." Raeliana: "was to change the location of the royal seal by moving the grave site!" Raeliana: "The grave of your cousin, Robert Wynknight..." Raeliana: "is where it's buried, correct?" Raeliana: "It really is all my fault." Justin: "Do you like the drink?" Raeliana: "Yes. It's very good." Raeliana: "What a strange man. We've only just met, but it feels like I know him." Justin: "Was it your boyfriend?" Raeliana: "Huh?" Justin: "The person you mistook me for." Justin: "Was it not your boyfriend?" Raeliana: "Oh..." Raeliana: "He must think I'm some girl who's hung up on her dead boyfriend!" Raeliana: "That's why he offered me a drink to calm me down! N-No, it wasn't anything like that." Justin: "Then was it a family member, or a friend?" Raeliana: "Someone who was supposed to come here didn't, because of me." Raeliana: "And as a result, two people who should have met each other... didn't." Justin: "Have you been forced into a political marriage with a man who was already in a relationship?" Raeliana: "Huh? Well, uh... something like that." Raeliana: "He's not that far off, actually." Justin: "And the woman he's involved with was supposed to be here today?" Raeliana: "Yes." Justin: "So in other words, you were trying to arrange a meeting between her and the man you're marrying?" Raeliana: "Yes, but it didn't work out." Justin: "Why?" Raeliana: "Huh?" Justin: "Why would you do such a thing?" Raeliana: "I just... feel like it's all my fault. It is, to be honest." Justin: "If the two of them couldn't meet, doesn't it simply mean that's all there was to their fate?" Raeliana: "Huh?" Justin: "I don't know what happened between you, this man, and his girlfriend, but one's life is one's own responsibility." Justin: "Wouldn't you agree?" Raeliana: "One's own responsibility..." Justin: "That means you ought to live your life the way you see fit." Justin: "Only you can take hold of your own relationships and fate." uneteller: "I see a short life in your future." Heika: "I told you. It's the bird's fate." Raeliana: "Well... I guess that's why I'm forging my own path in this life, isn't it?" Raeliana: "You're very convincing." Justin: "Right? Love is a fleeting thing. There are kings who pledge eternal love," Justin: "and then get a new queen ten times." Raeliana: "He has the most handsome face I've seen besides Noah's since I came to this world." Justin: "Oh, dear. I've kept you here too long." Justin: "Where do you live? I'll walk you home." Raeliana: "Oh, no, that's all right. I have a horse, too... and..." Justin: "It would be inappropriate for an unfamiliar man to bring you home, would it?" Raeliana: "Yes, unfortunately." Raeliana: "Thank you for helping me." Justin: "You're quite welcome. A man who has such a lovely fiancée, but is seeing someone else..." Justin: "I don't know who he is, but he sounds terribly indulgent." Justin: "Come to think of it, I never asked for her name." Justin: "Oh, well. I'm sure I'll never see her again." h: "I'll be back tomorrow after the diet meets." Siathrich: "Sure." h: "Please take care." Siathrich: "Same to you." Siathrich: "Take care... of your fiancée." Siathrich: "Raeliana, eh?" Siathrich: "I'll have to meet her in person." h: "He really hasn't changed at all. He's seen through everything." h: "That's why, back then..." h: "My brother is..." hmom: "Everything is all right now. You don't need to worry about a thing." Haley: "Welcome home, my lady." Gideon: "Where have you been? We've been so worried!" Raeliana: "I'm sorry. My horse was a bit..." Gideon: "Get the doctor!" Haley: "My lady!" Haley: "Here's a blanket!" Gideon: "A special cocktail that's effective against colds!" Haley: "It's a bit chilly, isn't it? I'll hold your hand!" Raeliana: "I'm definitely a target for pampering in this world." Raeliana: "I suddenly feel so embarrassed." Justin: "They moved all the graves to a location where the Wynknights could manage them." Raeliana: "Why didn't I think of that? Anyone could've had the idea to just move the grave," Raeliana: "especially Noah." Raeliana: "I guess the story really has changed." Raeliana: "It's clear why Beatrice didn't come to the graveyard." Raeliana: "Because Raeliana McMillan didn't die." Raeliana: "But I really wanted to have faith." Raeliana: "That graveyard is where Noah and Beatrice first meet. I wanted to believe she'd still go there," Raeliana: "even if I was still alive." Raeliana: "Is there nothing I can do anymore?" Raeliana: "I've worked so hard because I wanted to change my own fate." Raeliana: "But it's not like I wanted to change Noah and Beatrice's fate." Raeliana: "Beatrice is the one who should be living in the duke's mansion." Raeliana: "Why am I the one living here?" Raeliana: "I feel so cold... It's all because I went out dressed too lightly." Heika: "Raeliana, you have received my blessing as the supreme pontiff. You won't have to worry about any illnesses for at least a year." Raeliana: "So much for what he said." Raeliana: "I feel so drained... But I can't sleep here, can I?" h: "Raeliana..." Raeliana: "Noah." h: "I hear you went to play outside, unaware that it was winter, and caught a cold?" Raeliana: "Who told you about that?" h: "Everyone." Raeliana: "I wasn't just playing." h: "What, then?" Raeliana: "I just wanted to— Huh?" Raeliana: "I just wanted to introduce you to the woman you were supposed to meet! Even though I'm your fiancée, I was trying to help you get with another woman!" Raeliana: "No matter how I explained it, it would sound insane!" h: "What? Finish your sentence." Raeliana: "Oh... Uh, I'm sorry. I was just playing." h: "Medicine?" Raeliana: "I took some. Wha—" h: "I smell alcohol." Raeliana: "I-I had that, too." h: "Alcohol?" Raeliana: "A cocktail that's supposed to be good for colds." Gideon: "It's very effective!" h: "Ah, Gideon's special cocktail, eh?" Raeliana: "I had a little while I was out, too." h: "And that's why you can't move?" Raeliana: "Well, yeah, that's pretty much it." h: "That's exactly it." Raeliana: "Uh... W-Wait a minute..." h: "Don't worry yourself over silly things. The knight in the novel you were reading carried the princess this way, didn't he?" Raeliana: "N-Nobuddy shed anyhing about..." h: "If your speech is that slurred, you must be quite drunk. Don't vomit now." Raeliana: "Wh-Who's gunna vomid?! I never vomided b'fore! When d'you think I did?! That time wuz all your fault!" h: "Yes, yes, I know." Raeliana: "Wh-What's wrong with me? Was it the drinking? It must have been Noah who moved the grave site," Raeliana: "which means... my bargaining chip has been meaningless all this time. So... why hasn't he nullified our contract," Raeliana: "or our engagement?" Raeliana: "It doesn't make sense." h: "What doesn't?" Raeliana: "You're always so mean and irritating, and you wear a mask over your heart." h: "Doesn't the same go for you?" Raeliana: "And yet..." Raeliana: "Lately, I feel like you've been kind." Raeliana: "Is that weird?" h: "I didn't realize you felt that way about me." Raeliana: "Only occasionally, though." Raeliana: "We're going to break up, aren't we?" Raeliana: "There's no reason to continue the contract, right? So why..." h: "Go to sleep. Your fever is high." Raeliana: "I'm not finished talking." h: "What is it?" Raeliana: "Recently, for some reason..." Raeliana: "I can't help wondering about you." Raeliana: "And it's not about how useful you are." Raeliana: "Noah..." Raeliana: "One's own relationships and fate... are one's own..." Raeliana: "It's no use. I'm at my limit. I'm falling asleep." h: "Shall I cure this cold for you?" Raeliana: "How... would you..." h: "The best way is to give it to someone else." h: "So you can blame this..." h: "on the cold." Haley: "My lady, should you be up and about already?" Raeliana: "Yes, my fever has gone down. I thought that would last a lot longer, but it didn't!" Haley: "I'm glad to hear that." Raeliana: "The diet session is over." Raeliana: "I shouldn't have been alive to see this day. But I am alive," Raeliana: "and I may have changed this story... and the future of this world. But even so," Raeliana: "there's no guarantee that I'll stay alive. Someone's after my life." Raeliana: "I don't know where Beatrice is, either." Raeliana: "And..." h: "Do you feel better now?" Raeliana: "Y-Yes, thank you." h: "I see." Raeliana: "Why did he pause like that?" Raeliana: "Wait, did I do something?" Raeliana: "I remember him taking me to my room last night, but..." Raeliana: "Noah... Was I, um..." Raeliana: "a nasty drunk or something?" Raeliana: "What does that reaction mean?" Raeliana: "Are you sick?" h: "No..." Raeliana: "Well, I've fully recovered! Bye!" h: "Yes, I'm sure you have."

Raeliana: "I'm so hung over..." Venia: "Miss Raeliana." Raeliana: "Venia..." Raeliana: "I'd really like to sleep a little longer today..." Venia: "There is someone here to see you, my lady." Raeliana: "To see me? Tell them I'm not feeling well and send them home." Venia: "But it's His Grace the Duke..." Raeliana: "What did you say?" h: "A deal?" Raeliana: "It's about the royal seal." Venia: "Neither the master nor the mistress are at home. What shall I do?" Raeliana: "All right. Have him wait in the living room. I just have to come out and tell him that if he doesn't want me to expose the dirt on him, he has to help me break off my engagement." Raeliana: "Welcome, Duke." h: "Miss McMillan... I'm glad to see you made it home safely last night." Raeliana: "Yes, thanks to you, sir." h: "Are you feeling unwell? You look pale." Raeliana: "No, I was just a bit surprised. I feel like puking..." Raeliana: "But I never dreamed I'd see you again so soon. I am honored." Raeliana: "He doesn't even look like the same man today." h: "I fervently wished to see you as soon as possible." h: "Please pardon my imposition." Raeliana: "Sir..." Maid1: "Isn't His Grace the Duke the one that even Vivian Shamal couldn't seduce, no matter how hard she tried?" Maid2: "And yet he's here, and with a bouquet, no less!" Raeliana: "Nothing's better for a hangover than ice cream!" Elma: "Why did you drink so much, anyway? You know you can't hold your liquor." Raeliana: "It had been so long... I thought I could get away with just a little bit." Raeliana: "I can't tell her I don't know this body's limits because it isn't my own." Elma: "So... why did His Grace the Duke come here?" Raeliana: "You're curious about that, too?" Elma: "Of course I am!" Raeliana: "I can't talk about it in a lot of detail... But I happened to meet him at the banquet yesterday, and we realized that we had certain things in common." Elma: "Oh, my!" Raeliana: "I think he could prove to be a great partner if things work out." Elma: "Wow! My lady with His Grace the Duke?!" Raeliana: "I mean a business partner, of course..." Raeliana: "Okay, so..." Raeliana: "For starters..." Raeliana: "I guess I should learn how to write a contract." Johndein: "I hear the Duke came to see you." Johndein: "Would you mind explaining what that's all about?" Raeliana: "We... I mean, I..." Raeliana: "want to break off my engagement to Lord Brooks." Johndein: "Raeli, did you not love Lord Brooks dearly?" Raeliana: "I didn't, Father. I was only abiding by the decision made by both of our families, for the benefit of the McMillan family." Raeliana: "But now... I want to spend my life with someone I truly love." Raeliana: "That said, this affects both the McMillan family and my father's business. I don't expect him to just calmly tell me he understands." Johndein: "I understand." Raeliana: "Huh?" Raeliana: "Um... Father?" Johndein: "You have always done as we said, without a single word of complaint. We were proud to have such a daughter, but it also made us worry about you. We questioned whether or not you were truly happy." Katie: "Yes. You don't need to endure anything for our sakes." Katie: "Our beloved daughter's happiness is our happiness." Raeliana: "I was so disgusted with myself, I thought my heart might burst." Raeliana: "Okay..." Raeliana: "I'm not even..." Raeliana: "your real daughter." Raeliana: "I swallowed the words down so hard, they stuck like thorns in my chest." Gideon: "It is an honor to welcome you, Miss McMillan." Gideon: "The master awaits you inside." Raeliana: "Duke, I hope the day finds you well." h: "Let's skip the tiresome greetings, shall we?" h: "You spoke of the royal seal." Raeliana: "Yes, it seems the royal seal that disappeared still has not been found." Raeliana: "If you wonder why I spoke of this to you, of all people..." Raeliana: "I believe you yourself know the reason better than anyone. I'm sure no one hates me, the one who knows where the seal is, as much as you do." h: "What makes you think so?" Raeliana: "Because you are the one in possession of the royal seal." Raeliana: "He serves as a guide to lead the old nobility against the new nobility. No one would expect him to have the royal seal that the royal family uses to enact laws." Raeliana: "But that's exactly what the royal family wants." Raeliana: "Noah's role in leading the old nobility is just for show. He's actually the king's pawn. The only ones who know the truth are the duke's household and those closest to the royal family... and me, one who came to this world from outside." Raeliana: "Though it's actually supposed to be the novel's heroine who knows it, not me." h: "Are you being serious?" h: "And here I decided to have this discussion with you. Now it's no fun." Raeliana: "What did he say?!" h: "We've wasted precious time. Let's pretend this never happened." Raeliana: "I can't lose my composure. He's testing me right now." Raeliana: "I believe your family graveyard is located at 31 Vangelio Street. The grave of your cousin, Robert Wynknight..." Raeliana: "is where it's buried, correct?" h: "Saying any more will do you no good. Please leave now." Raeliana: "After all I've said, he's still feigning ignorance?" Raeliana: "In that case..." Raeliana: "Very well." Raeliana: "I will take my leave, then." Raeliana: "He definitely reacted when I brought up the royal seal. Which means everything I said must have been right." Raeliana: "So I can't lose heart. I have to appear confident." Raeliana: "That said..." Raeliana: "I don't have that many cards to play." Raeliana: "If he decides to say everything I told him was made up, it's all over." Raeliana: "So please..." Raeliana: "Stop me from leaving!" Raeliana: "Is this really the end of it?" Raeliana: "There must be some way..." Raeliana: "A chess board with only one king on it." Raeliana: "The number of pieces don't add up..." Raeliana: "Is this..." Raeliana: "the current state of the Kingdom of Chamus?!" Raeliana: "Sir..." Raeliana: "Please move that bishop to the right." Raeliana: "That would place the Gale family under you." Raeliana: "Because the next head of the Gale family..." Raeliana: "is not the eldest son, Valdur, but the second, Harrelson." Raeliana: "Valdur is backing and financially supporting a militia that the kingdom is wary of." Raeliana: "I'm sure you're aware that this is no mere rumor." Raeliana: "To the Gale family, he is essentially a ticking time bomb. That means they have no choice but to select the second son, Harrelson." h: "Don't they? We have no way to be certain." Raeliana: "The truth will be known in time." Raeliana: "Well, then..." h: "Wait." h: "Very well." h: "Let's negotiate." Raeliana: "Was this really a good idea? I feel like I'm getting myself mixed up with someone even more dangerous than Francis Brooks." h: "In other words... You want me to pretend to be your fiancé?" Raeliana: "Yes. That is my only condition." h: "Why?" Raeliana: "Is a reason necessary?" h: "Depending on the situation." Raeliana: "And in the current situation?" h: "It's necessary." Raeliana: "Uh... right. Then again, I came from a different world, and I've read about what happens in this world." Raeliana: "That's how I know where the royal seal is. But it's not as if I can tell him that." Raeliana: "I heard a rumor that Lord Brooks was trying to kill me." Raeliana: "So I want justification for ending my engagement to him as quickly as possible." h: "You would take such a rumor seriously even with no evidence?" Raeliana: "It doesn't matter if you don't believe me." h: "Did this rumor come from the same place as your knowledge of the royal seal?" Raeliana: "Well... yes, that's right." h: "Why don't you tell me what this source of yours is?" Raeliana: "I would like you to agree to a contract without requiring me to tell you." h: "I can't do that." Raeliana: "The source of my information has already died. I cannot reveal their identity." Raeliana: "If you cannot agree to that, we will forget all talk of this contract." Raeliana: "The information I possess is extremely valuable. There are many who would pay any price to obtain it. I'm sure some would happily lick my boots if it meant they would have a chance to bring you down." Raeliana: "What's so funny?" h: "Did you not come to me because you fear those people wouldn't believe you?" Raeliana: "Can we just stop these negotiations now?" Raeliana: "Six months. If you'll pretend to be my fiancé for just six months, you will likely never see me again after that period is over." Raeliana: "Never again." Raeliana: "So just hurry up and sign this already!" h: "All right." Raeliana: "The deal is made? Seriously?" h: "In return... For as long as this farce goes on, you will play your part as my fiancée whenever I need you to." Raeliana: "What do you mean by that?" h: "Oh..." h: "You'll see soon enough, whether you want to or not." Raeliana: "Then, some days later..." Raeliana: "I would wish to death that I had never made a contract with this man." Raeliana: "From one disaster to the next... "Immense compensation demanded in return for one-sided engagement annulment."" Raeliana: "I never thought a family as high-ranking as the Brooks would go this far. Besides, if this could be resolved with money, I wouldn't have needed to go through all this." Raeliana: "Nothing I can do about it now, though." Raeliana: "The one bound to cause the most trouble for me now is..." Raeliana: "Yep, this guy. Adam Taylor. The knight Noah assigned specifically to me." Raeliana: "He's also known as the Observer." Raeliana: "Jeez, his gaze stings!" Raeliana: "He had a pretty strong presence in the novel, too." Raeliana: "He stood on the battlefield from a young age as a child soldier. He's an exceptional fighter who's been through many battles. But then the royal family halted the use of child soldiers," Raeliana: "so Adam had nowhere to go. He was then hired by the Wynknight family to serve as a knight, at which point he swore loyalty to Noah. The maids gushed that Noah's assignment of Adam, someone so close to him, must be out of love for me, but in truth, it's no more than a warning that if I do anything funny, I'll lose my head." Raeliana: "But that's all well and good. The problem is..." Raeliana: "Master Taylor." Raeliana: "Will you serve as my guard even when I move to the duke's mansion?" Raeliana: "Say something, would you?! Yes... In three days, I have to go to the duke's mansion." h: "I'll need you to move to my mansion as soon as possible." Raeliana: "Why is that?" h: "Because you will be a candidate for marriage into the House of Wynknight." Raeliana: "Y-Yes, but we're still only engaged." h: "That's exactly why it's necessary." h: "Call it bridal training, perhaps?" Elma: "My lady." Raeliana: "What is it?" Elma: "My lady, this must be so difficult for you." Raeliana: "Huh?" Elma: "I can't fathom why the master and mistress don't say anything!" Raeliana: "Everyone else just says I couldn't have found a better man to marry. Elma's the only one who understands me." Elma: "Those red eyes..." Raeliana: "Huh?" Elma: "He looks like he might swing that sword at any moment." Raeliana: "Oh, you meant Master Taylor?" Elma: "Yes. I hear some people call him the God of Death." Elma: "Plus, they say he descends from that band of savages, the Alsasa. Why would he hire someone like that?" Raeliana: "Elma, Master Taylor is a hero of this kingdom and a fine knight." Elma: "My lady?" Raeliana: "That's why the Duke assigned him to guard me." Elma: "But..." Raeliana: "Please refrain from saying such rude things." Elma: "I'm very sorry. I was just concerned about you." Raeliana: "Yes, I know. I just don't want you to judge people based on their looks and backgrounds." Elma: "Right..." Raeliana: "So you wanted to talk to me?" Elma: "Oh... Yes. I finished making the chocolate-covered almonds that you asked for." Raeliana: "Wow, really?!" Raeliana: "Thank you! That must have been a lot of work!" Elma: "Not at all." Raeliana: "Are you knowledgeable about flowers, Master Taylor?" Raeliana: "Um... What foods do you like?" Raeliana: "He's too silent!" Rosemary: "Sister!" Rosemary: "Sister!" Raeliana: "Rose!" Raeliana: "Rosemary!" Raeliana: "My angel!" Raeliana: "What have you been doing?" Rosemary: "Praying!" Raeliana: "Praying?" Rosemary: "That you and the Duke will be happy forever and ever!" Raeliana: "Rosemary! Oh, I just can't stand it!" Rosemary: "I'm getting dizzy!" Raeliana: "What's the balloon for?" Rosemary: "Oh, this?" Rosemary: "To let go into the sky, like this." Rosemary: "What do we do?" Raeliana: "Let's have Hans get it when he comes later. I'm sure a gardener would have a stepladder." Rosemary: "It has to go up into the sky." Raeliana: "Why?" Rosemary: "The balloon is going to carry my wish up to the gods. My wish for you and the Duke to be happy forever and ever. What if it takes too long to carry it to the gods, and the balloon forgets my wish?" Raeliana: "She's just too cute!" Rosemary: "Sister?" Raeliana: "Sorry. You're so cute, I just can't..." Raeliana: "Don't worry about the balloon. I'm sure it'll remember your wish." Rosemary: "Really?" Raeliana: "Yes. So eat these with me while we wait for Hans to get here." Rosemary: "Okay." Rosemary: "The balloon flew away!" Raeliana: "I didn't expect that..." Raeliana: "I figured he'd think a thing like this was none of his concern." Raeliana: "Thank you, Master Taylor. Go on, Rosemary. You should thank him." Rosemary: "Give me your hand." Rosemary: "Thank you very much!" Raeliana: "Huh? He seemed like he reacted more quickly than usual to that." Raeliana: "Could it be that you like sweets?" Raeliana: "Aw, there's a cute side to him! Since he had to be on the battlefield since childhood, he probably never had a chance to act much like a child." Raeliana: "Once again..." Raeliana: "I look forward to your continued service." Raeliana: "I should get Elma to make more of those before I move to the duke's mansion." Raeliana: "And then..."

Raeliana: "What is this? Can you even call this a carriage?" Venia: "Goodness. I suppose this is what one should expect of a duke's carriage. It's like the horses are pulling our house behind them." Driver: "Are these all of your things? If there's anything else you'd like carried out, please let me know." Raeliana: "Oh, no, this is quite enough. Are they trying to make me move out entirely?" Rosemary: "Please take good care of my sister." Raeliana: "Rose..." Katie: "Raeli, do take care of yourself." Gideon: "We have been awaiting your arrival, Miss McMillan. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gideon Jura, the supervising butler of this mansion." Raeliana: "It is an honor to see you again, Gideon." Raeliana: "Four butlers in one mansion?!" Gideon: "The servants will carry your things for you. You need not worry." Raeliana: "I appreciate your consideration." Gideon: "Now, before I show you to your room, allow me to tell you about this mansion's history." Raeliana: "Th-The mansion's history?" Gideon: "Indeed. This is a venerable mansion that the Wynknight family has called home for centuries." Gideon: "It is packed full of the Wynknight family's history." Raeliana: "Ah... That certainly does sound intriguing." Raeliana: "I'm gonna die! What is this? Some new form of hazing? Like a "don't think someone like you can just come into the duke's mansion like that" thing? All that stuff about who they got the mansion from, and how every single pattern has immeasurable value... And how diligently the designer worked to design it, and how much all that work influenced designers who came after... I don't even care about all that!" Raeliana: "They're not going to tell me that even this bed is a national treasure, are they?" h: "Don't worry. That bed isn't included." h: "Want a drink?" Raeliana: "Wait a minute! How long has he been there?!" Raeliana: "Wh-What are you doing here? You shouldn't just enter someone's room without warning!" h: "Are you saying you require privacy?" Raeliana: "Of course I do!" h: "Well, give it up. It's pointless to expect such a thing." Raeliana: "You're lucky you were born in this world. In my world, you would've been arrested long ago." Raeliana: "And?" Raeliana: "Did you have business with me?" h: "My fiancée has moved into my home. She can't just stay in her room all the time." Raeliana: "Yes, yes, I see." h: "The Brooks family is seeking monetary compensation." h: "You have no taste in men." Raeliana: "Yes, so it would seem. After all, I proposed a deal with this guy. Could my taste in men be any worse?" h: "I will take care of the Brooks family. You can just focus on acclimating yourself to life here. Your bridal training will begin in earnest tomorrow, but I hold no expectations for you." h: "You needn't concern yourself with mastery." Raeliana: "Mastery? Who's worried about that?" Raeliana: "Yes, I also have no intention of becoming your perfect bride. I wouldn't ask as much of you, either." Raeliana: "All I need you to do is keep up the appearance of my fiancé." h: "I see." h: "I'll keep that in mind." Raeliana: "Um... There is one thing I'd like to ask you." Raeliana: "Are there any others, excluding myself, who know of our deal?" Raeliana: "I need to ensure that our stories match if so." h: "Currently, there are only two who know of our deal other than you and me." h: "One is someone you are already aware of." Raeliana: "Master Taylor?" h: "Yes. And the other..." h: "Well, you'll know soon enough." Raeliana: "Oh... I bet he means his chief aide. He was in the novel, too. This does mean we'll have to play the part of a harmonious couple whenever we're in this mansion, though." h: "I will have you conduct yourself as my beloved fiancée both publicly and internally." Raeliana: "W-Wait just a moment!" h: "What is it?" Raeliana: "Um..." Raeliana: "I believe we should discuss the more detailed rules that aren't in the contract. First, please address me not with formalities, but as "Raeliana."" h: "I will do that, Raeliana." Raeliana: "Second, I understand that you have your suspicions of me, but within this room, at the very least, could you please respect my privacy?" h: "If I refuse?" Raeliana: "Even now, I act with utmost respect for your intentions." Raeliana: "I simply hope you will understand that." h: "Very well. And now, our fun must come to an end. I will take my leave." Raeliana: "Fun? How was that fun?" h: "If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. There is nothing we can't get for you here..." h: "Raeliana." Raeliana: "To have you show such consideration for me, Duke, makes me so happy, I feel like I could cry." Raeliana: "In that case, I won't hesitate to ask. The one thing I want right now is some time to myself. Just get out of here!" h: "If you are my fiancée, should you not call me "Noah" rather than "Duke,"" h: "my beloved Raeliana?" Raeliana: "That's right. I have to play the part of his loving fiancée now. But that doesn't mean I can just use his first name!" h: "What's the matter? If you don't like that, we could use pet names." Raeliana: "No, that's quite all right. I'll call you by name." h: "Say it, then." Raeliana: "I will, the next time I need something." h: "Words don't always come naturally when you need them to if you aren't accustomed to using them." h: "Say my name right now." Raeliana: "N-N... No..." h: "Come, now. Quickly." Raeliana: "No...ah..." Raeliana: "Noah." Raeliana: "This jerk!" h: "Well, that'll do." h: "I will take my leave now, Raeliana." Raeliana: "That... That... That jerk!" h: "Adam, what do you think of that girl?" Taylor: "She's strange." h: "That's an unusually positive assessment for him. Does he actually like her?" h: ""Strange," is she?" h: "Don't let her out of your sight." Raeliana: "Social etiquette." Raeliana: "Embroidery." Raeliana: "Dancing. I had no words for all the things they made me do as part of my bridal training. But luckily for me, Raeliana McMillan was someone who had grown up exposed to that sort of culture, so it all came naturally. The only problem is the differing range of education associated with our differing ranks. The McMillans are common nobles of the Estota class," Raeliana: "and Raeliana is their daughter..." Math Tutor: "It's time for your math lesson." Raeliana: "But if they think I'm just another noble's daughter, they're very wrong!" Raeliana: "I was just studying for college entrance exams." Raeliana: "I can solve these problems with my eyes closed." Raeliana: "It's been almost two weeks since I came to the duke's mansion." Raeliana: "I'm so bored." h: "You feel the need to wear leaves on your head?" h: "If you desire jewels, I'll buy you as many as you want." Raeliana: "Damn him! Why is he so utterly revolting?" Raeliana: "What brings you here today?" Raeliana: "A bouquet? For me?" Raeliana: "Absolutely revolting! Calm down, me. Just hold it in..." h: "My people have been hailing you as the perfect bride," h: "flawless and above all reproach." Raeliana: "Why is he suddenly speaking to me respectfully?" h: "You said you had no intention of being my perfect bride. Why the change of heart?" Raeliana: "I-I'm simply studying to learn things I didn't know before. It has nothing to do with you, Duke—" h: "Noah." Raeliana: "It... has nothing to do with you, Noah. Besides, I'm forbidden from leaving the mansion," h: "so I have nothing to do other than focus on my studies." h: "You're saying it's my fault?" Raeliana: "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." h: "There happens to be a ball that I am required to attend tonight. You will accompany me there." Raeliana: "Huh? Well, I have nothing else to do..." h: "I plan to announce my engagement there." Raeliana: "What?! You can't just do that without—" h: "Well, the engagement ceremony is in one week." Raeliana: "Engagement ceremony?! But..." Raeliana: "In what world can you have an engagement ceremony without the engaged party's knowledge?!" h: "This world." Raeliana: "Oh, of course." Raeliana: "Well, then, I'll go get ready." h: "No need for that." h: "Come in." ck: "Well, well! If it isn't the young Miss McMillan! What an honor! My name is Nick Maddox. I am the magician who will make you shine at tonight's ball. Please, call me Nick." Raeliana: "What is this?!" h: "I'll be off to get ready, as well." Raeliana: "Hang on!" h: "Nick, take good care of my fiancée." Raeliana: "Wait!" ck: "Just leave it all to me!" h: "Well, then... I eagerly await the sight of you looking even more beautiful than usual, Raeliana." Raeliana: "Noah!" ck: "Oh, yes! The wonders of youth!" ck: "Your skin is so pliable!" ck: "But then again... Oh, dear! Honey..." Raeliana: "Honey?" ck: "Don't worry about the little things. Just come and look at this! Those bags under your eyes!" ck: "Come here. I'll cover those up nice and neat for you." Raeliana: "I have been studying all the time and not sleeping lately." ck: "Oh, dear. Now that I look closer, your skin is so rough. Sleep deprivation is beauty's natural enemy, you know. How can you let yourself get this exhausted when you're about to get married? But never fear! My magic can transform any type of skin into smooth, silky beauty!" Raeliana: "B-By the way, um... How shall I address you? Would you prefer M-Madame?" ck: "Non, non! I am Monsieur Nick." ck: "Yes! Very nice!" ck: "Ta-dah! What do you think?" Raeliana: "Monsieur Nick, you're amazing!" ck: "Please, just call me "Nick."" Raeliana: "Is this really my skin? I look like a doll!" ck: "Do you believe me now?" ck: "With my power, I will make you the star of the ball tonight." Raeliana: "Nick!" ck: "Mademoiselle!" Raeliana: "Wow... I can't believe I get to wear such a gorgeous dress." ck: "Très bien!" ck: "I knew it would suit you perfectly." Raeliana: "This is all thanks to you, Nick!" ck: "All right, come sit down. I'll do your hair next." ck: "High society values nothing more than a smile." ck: "Two different types are popular right now. One is this: the Noah Wynknight smile. It is offered to everyone equally, and though it may look sincere, the true message is: "You have no business speaking to me."" Raeliana: "Nick..." ck: "Ah, but only Noah Wynknight can pull that one off, so never mind." Raeliana: "I guess I wasn't the only one who felt that way." ck: "Seeing the true feelings hidden behind a smile is a trivial matter for Monsieur Nick!" ck: "And the other is the Vivian Shamal smile." Raeliana: "Vivian Shamal?" ck: "She's a real vixen." Raeliana: "Huh? A vixen?" ck: "Anyway, putting the little things aside... This is the Vivian Shamal smile." Raeliana: "He's a pro." ck: "And finally, this is the smile that you will make popular. Feel free to call it the Nick Maddox smile." ck: "Go on. Do what I do." Raeliana: "Easy for him to say!" ck: "Non, non, non! Your eyes and mouth are too tight!" ck: "Picture the face of the person you hate the most." Brooks: "However you may fight it, you can't escape this marriage." ck: "If you saw that person again, would you shoot them in the head or the chest?" Raeliana: "Without a doubt, the head." ck: "Then imagine you're about to land that head shot!" Raeliana: "Yes, sir!" ck: "Not "sir"! I'm Nick!" Raeliana: "Yes, Nick!" Raeliana: "Master Taylor." Raeliana: "What do you think? I don't look strange, do I?" Raeliana: "I guess I shouldn't expect him to answer me." Gideon: "Miss McMillan..." Gideon: "The master awaits you in his study. Allow me to escort you there." Raeliana: "Thank you, Gideon." Gideon: "You look truly beautiful, Miss McMillan." Raeliana: "You honor me." Gideon: "Master, the young Miss McMillan's preparations are complete." h: "Enter. Wait just a moment. Once I finish this, we'll go—" Raeliana: "Do I look strange?" Raeliana: "Why isn't he saying anything? I was sure he'd say something snarky again." Raeliana: "I guess he doesn't even want to bother with flattery for me." Gideon: "I have arranged the carriage." Gideon: "I'm certain he is being bashful because you look so beautiful." Raeliana: "Bashful? Him?" Raeliana: "No way." Maid: "Have a lovely evening, Miss McMillan." Raeliana: "Thank you." Maid: "Have a lovely evening, Lady Vivian." Raeliana: "Noah, do you know about the two types of smiles that are popular in high society?" Raeliana: "That's..."

h: "Do not leave my sight for more than five minutes." Raeliana: "What a funny joke. You know ladies need time to fix their makeup." Raeliana: "He got more guards?!" Raeliana: "And four of them, not counting Adam?!" Raeliana: "Could he trust me any less?!" Guests: "It's Miss Raeliana. The one they all talk about? That's her?" Guests: "She's beautiful..." Raeliana: "Everyone's looking at me." Eriteal: "Oh, my lord Duke." Eriteal: "Congratulations on your engagement." h: "Ah, Marquess Eriteal. Thank you." Eriteal: "A pleasure to meet you, Miss McMillan." Raeliana: "The pleasure is mine." Raeliana: "My name is Raeliana McMillan." Man1: "So that's Miss Raeliana McMillan?" Man2: "The one Duke Wynknight chose?" Man2: "I heard he'll be formally announcing their engagement here." Woman1: "Isn't Lady Vivian Shamal here tonight, as well?" Raeliana: "Vivian Shamal..." ck: "She's a real vixen." Eriteal: "Dear me! What a beautiful young lady! I can see why the Duke and the Brooks household are at odds. It's no wonder you've seemed to be happy of late, sir." h: "Have I really?" Raeliana: "Yep, there's the Noah Wynknight smile." h: "Meeting this lady was indeed the greatest fortune I could ask for." ble1: "Miss McMillan, may I have this dance?" Raeliana: "Huh?" ble2: "No, dance with me!" ble3: "No, me!" Raeliana: "Right... Smile, smile..." h: "I do apologize." Lady1: "Hey, did you see that?" Lady2: "How wonderful!" Ladies: "That's the Duke for you!" Raeliana: "He's acting! He's just acting!" Raeliana: "I mean, he's definitely the type who'd keep his girlfriend on a tight leash. Even for the novel's heroine, to be bound to a restrictive guy like this... I feel for Beatrice." h: "May I have this dance?" Raeliana: "With pleasure." h: "Why do you look like a little village girl who's been sold off into marriage?" Raeliana: "How very like you to know so well how I feel inside." h: "What are you talking about? I'm the one being held captive." Raeliana: "Excuse me?! You're enjoying the hell out of this!" h: "Watch your expressions. Everyone will notice right away that you're my false fiancée if you keep making faces like that." Raeliana: "You're such a cheat!" h: "What's the matter, blackmailer?" Raeliana: "What a thing to say to a lady! I wish everyone else could hear you talking like this!" h: "I wouldn't mind that." h: "As a certain someone said, I am a cheat." Raeliana: "Oh, dear. Pardon me." h: "Oh?" h: "It appears you still need more practice, Raeliana." Raeliana: "It would seem so." ck: "Oh, my! Your hairstyle is just lovely! And your dress is beautiful! Did you just buy those earrings? They suit you so well!" Raeliana: "Nick is the same no matter where he goes." Raeliana: "I keep getting the feeling someone's watching me..." Raeliana: "It's not Master Taylor or the other guards." Raeliana: "With this many people here, I can't even guess who it is." emale Guest: "It's Lady Vivian." Male Guest: "Lady Vivian..." Raeliana: "Vivian?" Servant: "Of course! Vivian Shamal!" Raeliana: "I knew that name sounded familiar. She's a very important character in the novel. She tried everything in her power to appeal to Noah, but he wouldn't give her the time of day. Her heart broken, she accepted a timely marriage proposal from the king," Raeliana: "and now she's undergoing her education as the only candidate for future queen. But once the novel's heroine, Beatrice, enters a relationship with Noah," Raeliana: "Vivian tries to get between them at every step." Raeliana: "She's basically positioned as the book's villainess." Raeliana: "This is..." Raeliana: "Vivian Shamal." Lady1: "Lady Vivian, I hope the evening finds you well." Lady2: "You are as beautiful as ever. How I envy you." Raeliana: "Wow, she definitely looks like a total villainess..." Raeliana: "Hang on." Raeliana: "If she tried to get between Beatrice and Noah... Since I'm his fiancée now, does that mean I'll be her target?!" Raeliana: "Just dealing with Noah is bad enough! If I have her gunning for me too, I'm done for!" h: "Raeliana..." Raeliana: "Y-Yes?" Raeliana: "Uh..." h: "What are you doing?" Raeliana: "Oh, nothing... My shoulders just felt a bit stiff." h: "Do you remember the promise you made when we negotiated our contract?" Raeliana: "Promise?" h: "For as long as this farce goes on, you will play your part as my fiancée whenever I need you to." Raeliana: "Oh..." Raeliana: "And you need that right now?" h: "Yes." h: "For that woman." Raeliana: "Noah, are you still mad at me for stepping on your foot earlier?" Raeliana: "That's Vivian Shamal, right?! So does that mean... He wants to throw me at her as a decoy so he can get away?!" h: "I'm talking about the woman beside her." Raeliana: "Huh?" h: "Freese Eriteal," h: "the wife of Marquess Eriteal." Raeliana: "Marquess Eriteal... That guy with the mustache?" Raeliana: "That's his wife?!" Raeliana: "Not his daughter?!" h: "There's a group that certain wives of old nobles are part of." h: "What it's called and who's part of it are unknown." h: "Only wives of high nobles who are friendly with each other are allowed to join. Because the high status of their husbands reaches them as well, the things these women discuss with each other affect the whole kingdom. At least, some joke that they do." h: "Raeliana..." h: "I need you to receive an invitation to that group from her." h: "I'm counting on you." Raeliana: "I thought you doubted my intentions. If I were to join that group and tell them a mixture of fact and fiction, what would you do?" h: "Do as you please. It is my policy to use whatever I have at my disposal." Raeliana: "Who's using whom, exactly?" Raeliana: "You owe me one after this." Raeliana: "And it's going to be a very big favor! I intend to make sure you return that favor. Don't forget that." Raeliana: "Unfortunately for you, I also use whatever I have at my disposal." eese: "Excuse me... May I have a plate?" Servant: "Of course." Servant: "I-I'll bring something to wipe that off with at once!" eese: "I-I'm so sorry!" Raeliana: "Don't worry about it. More importantly, we should clean off your hands." eese: "Right..." Raeliana: "Plan successful!" Raeliana: "Let's go to another room." Vivian: "So you are Miss McMillan?" Vivian: "What an honor it is to meet you." Raeliana: "Oh, crap." Raeliana: "It is I who am honored to meet you, Lady Vivian Shamal." Vivian: "Oh, you know who I am?" Raeliana: "But of course. There is no one in this kingdom who doesn't know you. I have an urgent matter to attend to at the moment. Do forgive me, if you please." Vivian: "Let me bring something for you to wipe your hands with." Raeliana: "No, this will require water to wash clean. Only my glove was soiled, but I fear having it on her hands will be inconvenient for my lady." Vivian: "My lady..." Vivian: "You would be fine with simply wiping your hands, would you not?" eese: "Y-Yes... That would be fine." Raeliana: "She's not going to be easy to deal with, is she?" Vivian: "Miss McMillan, I have heard much about you." Vivian: "They say you have remarkable academic talent. As a member of the Estota class, I'm sure you had little opportunity to study." Raeliana: "She just had to go out of her way to bring up that abolished class system. She really wants to stress that she's above me, doesn't she?" Raeliana: "No matter what age you live in, if someone throws down the gauntlet..." Raeliana: "It's common courtesy to pick it up." Raeliana: "My! What an honor it is to receive a compliment from you!" Raeliana: "You are correct. As part of the Estota class, I had few opportunities. But I'm sure learning even more difficult subjects in such a short time would have been challenging. To make up for my lack of experience and knowledge, I have devoted myself to my studies so that I won't shame the Duke's good name. But to receive such praise from you makes all the effort worthwhile!" Vivian: "Well, how lovely." Raeliana: "Even a monkey could have solved those problems." Vivian: "I had heard that many of the women of the Estota class carried themselves quite confidently. It appears that was true." Raeliana: "Her smile isn't reaching her eyes... So she's saying someone who's ranked lower should act more humble, huh?" Raeliana: "Thanks to His Majesty, the status of women in society has risen. Current trends value a proactive attitude, especially among the younger generation, who are more perceptive of changing times." Raeliana: "Though I'm sure those of the older generations find it undesirable..." Raeliana: "Please overlook this as just another part of the new age we live in. Humble, my ass! What century does she think we're in, anyway?!" eese: "Lady Vivian..." Vivian: "Miss McMillan, you may have academic talent, but it seems you still have much to learn about etiquette." Raeliana: "It is my greatest shame." Vivian: "I—" ck: "Well, well! I wondered who that was! If it isn't Lady Vivian!" Raeliana: "Nick?" ck: "When did you get here?" ck: "You have so little presence, I didn't even notice." Vivian: "Nick Maddox..." ck: "Oh! I'm so honored that you remember me!" Vivian: "I see you still manage to sneak around, despite having the physique of a bear. You're quite the little mouse." ck: "Oh, but I quite like mice. They're adorable. And much better than malicious little vixens who always put on airs." Vivian: "When did you become friends with Miss McMillan? You two are quite the lovely match. So very much alike." ck: "Ah... bitchoo!" ck: "Oh, I'm so sorry! That sneeze came out of nowhere! I'm allergic to vixens, you see." ck: "Ah-bitchoo!" Raeliana: "Allergic to vixens?!" Vivian: "How dare you?! I will not tolerate such rudeness!" Raeliana: "Oh, right! Let's go wash your hands." Raeliana: "Thanks, Nick." Raeliana: "Let's wash your hands in that room over there." eese: "U-Um..." Raeliana: "Huh?" eese: "Will those people be coming with us, as well?" Raeliana: "I'm sorry, but would you please leave us for the time being?" Raeliana: "Then could that lady knight over there..." Ansley: "I am Ansley." Raeliana: "All right. Could all of you but Dame Ansley please return to the ballroom?" Raeliana: "Please tell Noah that I'm with Marquess Eriteal's wife." Raeliana: "I greatly appreciate it." Raeliana: "Come along, my lady." Ansley: "Adam Taylor is taking orders from someone other than our master?" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley?" Ansley: "Yes, right away!" Raeliana: "Please, use this." eese: "Thank you." eese: "My household may be of the nobility, but our territory is small. After being stricken by several disasters in recent years, some now call it a ghost town. I only came to the capital after I married the marquess, so I'm not used to things yet." Raeliana: "So that's why she was hanging out with Vivian Shamal." Raeliana: "I can relate. My circumstances also changed quite abruptly, and I struggled to get used to the change." Raeliana: "It's been hard on you, hasn't it?" Raeliana: "I met your husband, the marquess, earlier. He's a very dignified man, isn't he?" eese: "Yes..." Raeliana: "Oh, crap! Maybe I shouldn't have said that! She does look at least two decades younger than him... Maybe she was forced to marry him for political reasons?!" Raeliana: "Wh-Wh-Wh-What do I do now?! Gotta change the subject! New topic! B-By the way, I heard there's a group that all the noble wives are a part of." eese: "Oh... Yes. Many of the women at the ball tonight are members of it." Raeliana: "I see. What sort of group is it?" eese: "Huh?" Raeliana: "I'm a bit envious. I haven't had many opportunities to interact with other noblewomen." eese: "Miss McMillan..." Raeliana: "Not that I ever wanted to in the first place. Please, call me "Raeliana."" eese: "In that case, um... Madam Raeliana... Would you like to join the group?" Raeliana: "What?" eese: "I mean... It would be reassuring for me to have someone there who can help me, too." Raeliana: "I really can?" eese: "Yes, by all means." Raeliana: "That makes me so happy!" Raeliana: "I hope we can be good friends from now on!" eese: "I hope so, as well." eese: "In that case, I'll send you an invitation in the coming days." Raeliana: "Thank you so much! That was a cinch! And now Noah owes me one! What should I ask him to do? Well, shall we return to the ballroom?" eese: "Yes." Raeliana: "What?!" Raeliana: "A fire?!" Ansley: "I don't smell anything burning. So it's not a fire, but a deliberate smokescreen?! Miss McMillan! Are you all right?! Miss McMillan!" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley!"

Brooks: "Turning the love of women into money... That was how I always did things. All the women who were dazzled by my status and came to court me..." Brooks: "Jake Langston's little sister was one of them." Brooks: "But... Unlike the other women, she tried to take her own life in hopes of saving my soul." Brooks: "All I did was try to stop her!" Brooks: "What are you doing?! Stop!" Brooks: "N-No... I didn't do this!" Jake: "Do you..." Jake: "have money? Yeah, I guess a guy who tricks a woman into financially supporting him probably wouldn't have money, huh?" Jake: "Get yourself engaged to that woman." Jake: "Her name's Raeliana McMillan. She's nothing special, just a baron's daughter, but she's one of those "nouveau riche."" Brooks: "And what am I supposed to do once I'm engaged to her?" Jake: "Relax. After you've done it once, the second time is no big deal." Jake: "Right, Francis Brooks?" Brooks: "It's not my fault!" Brooks: "I just had bad luck!" Brooks: "All because I chose that woman..." Brooks: "Damn it!" Brooks: "There's no... going back now." Raeliana: "Where am I?" Jake: "You're awake now?" Jake: "And how are you feeling, Miss McMillan?" Raeliana: "Wh-Who are you? I remember... going to the ball, and getting close to Marquess Eriteal's wife because Noah asked me to..." Raeliana: "And then, smoke started filling the room..." Raeliana: "Was I abducted?!" Raeliana: "There's only one person who'd do something like this. Francis Brooks!" Raeliana: "That absolute coward!" Jake: "What's wrong? Can't even speak?" Raeliana: "Come any closer, and I'll scream!" Raeliana: "Someone help me! Hello! Is anyone out there?! Please!" Jake: "Scream all you want." Raeliana: "Someone!" Jake: "Nobody's gonna come for you." Raeliana: "I've been abducted! There's a kidnapper here! Please! Is anyone out there?! Please!" Raeliana: "There's really nobody around?" Jake: "It'd be smarter of you to just keep quiet. So long as you do as I say, I'll be nice to you." Raeliana: "Don't think you can kidnap the beloved fiancée of Duke Wynknight and get away with it!" Raeliana: "Not that I have any love for him, either." Jake: "You don't seem to understand the situation you're in." Raeliana: "You're the one who doesn't understand!" Raeliana: "You won't get any money out of killing me here." Jake: "Is that supposed to be a threat? Are you trying to keep me from doing anything to you?" Jake: "So basically, as long as you're still alive, anything goes?" Raeliana: "No! If he ruins my face..." Raeliana: "I'm shorry." Jake: "Say what?" Raeliana: "I shaid... I'm shorry." Jake: "What the hell, girl? You're actually kinda cute!" Raeliana: "Then can you just let me go home now?" Jake: "You just stay right there and keep quiet. You don't want your precious face to be hurt right before you get married, do you?" Raeliana: "He's serious. He'll really kill me if it comes down to it." Raeliana: "Between this guy and Brooks..." Raeliana: "Seems like I'm surrounded by horrible people." Raeliana: "Hey." Raeliana: "Why are you doing this?" Raeliana: "You can at least tell me that much, can't you?" Jake: "My little sister died." Jake: "Sophie died because of him." Jake: "Isn't it natural to avenge the death of a family member?" Raeliana: "Are you saying... Lord Brooks killed your sister?" Jake: "Yeah, pretty much." Raeliana: "Your sister..." Raeliana: "Your sister wouldn't want you to do this!" Jake: "What?" Raeliana: "If she knew her brother was sullying his own hands to avenge her..." Raeliana: "It would make your sister in heaven so sad! So please... stop this foolishness!" Jake: "Did you actually think platitudes like that would convince me? It'd make my sister sad?" Jake: "As long as I get my money, I don't give a shit about that!" Jake: "Nobles think they can solve any problem as long as they have their status. What a bunch of idiots." Jake: "He's a great example! The eldest son of the Brooks family, getting involved in crime for the sake of money." Jake: "Money is all that really matters in this world! Giving my sister a nice grave is what would really make her happy!" Jake: "She's already dead, after all!" Raeliana: "It's no use." Raeliana: "Nothing I say to him will do any good." Raeliana: "Platitudes like those only work in books and movies. Besides, I'm not even the protagonist of this story." Jake: "Wh-What the..." Brooks: "Langston!" Jake: "What happened?" Brooks: "A wheel broke." Jake: "What?" Jake: "A landslide, huh?" Jake: "We'll ditch the carriage and head into the woods, then. You keep an eye on the woman." Raeliana: "What in the world happened?" Raeliana: "Francis Brooks..." Brooks: "If you had just been a good girl and married me, everything would have gone smoothly." Raeliana: "If we had gotten married, would you have let me live?" Raeliana: "I know you wanted to kill me. You planned to kill me by putting arsenic in my evening tea, didn't you?" Brooks: "How... do you..." Brooks: "Raeliana!" Jake: "Hey! What the hell are you doing?!" Brooks: "She's as quick as a damn mouse!" Raeliana: "What in the world is going on?" Raeliana: "I don't want to die. I'm scared. Someone help me. I want to go home." Raeliana: "Wait, no! Stop! Why am I setting my own death flags here?! If I keep this up, I'll just be some side character who randomly croaks!" Raeliana: "I have to keep it together! I can't die here!" Raeliana: "Taylor!" Raeliana: "You saved me!" Jake: "Those red eyes... You must be the famous Adam Taylor." Jake: "It's such an honor to meet you." Raeliana: "Wh-What's going on here?" Adam: "I will handle this." Raeliana: "Is he awaiting my orders? Master Taylor, have him—" Jake: "My name is Jake Langston. I'm 27 years old. As I said earlier, my younger sister's already dead, and my mother was left to live alone on our land, drowning in debt." Raeliana: "Where'd all that come from?" Jake: "The debt's so deep that even if we sold the land and our status, it wouldn't be enough to repay it. Even my mother, who grew up a noble and never wanted for anything, will have to work until the day she dies." Jake: "If I'm apprehended now, I'll probably be imprisoned for life." Jake: "I doubt they'd execute me, since I'm a noble myself. So yeah, go ahead and kill me if you think you can! But unlike that murderer there, I bet you'll never be able to forget me or my mother, either." Raeliana: "Don't call Master Taylor a murderer!" Jake: "Oh, come on. That's not the important part here, is it?" Raeliana: "Everything he says is so infuriating!" Raeliana: "But... he's exactly right. If I kill him here, I'll never get over the guilt." Raeliana: "And I don't want to give Adam orders to kill anyone." Raeliana: "Master Taylor, would it be possible to capture him alive?" Jake: "Didn't expect them to track me down this quickly." Jake: "No choice now, I guess." Jake: "Hah! Didn't take you long to show up!" Raeliana: "Wh-What the heck is this?!" Jake: "It's a secret drug that lures monsters. Wasn't expecting it to bag me a mountain monkfish, though." Jake: "Even Adam Taylor won't have an easy time with a monster like that." Raeliana: "Master Taylor! There's a cliff behind us!" Raeliana: "Why..." Raeliana: "I want to tell Adam to get away as quickly as he can, but I..." Raeliana: "This feeling of being pushed off the edge in the darkness..." Raeliana: "I recognize this." Raeliana: "This feeling..." Raeliana: "I'm going to end up dead this time, too?" Raeliana: "Noah?" h: "Raeliana..." Raeliana: "Hang on! Put me down right now!" h: "Just hold still." Raeliana: "Master Taylor is in danger!" h: "Adam is?" Raeliana: "We have to hurry!" Raeliana: "But... how is he so calm right now?" h: "Looks like he made quite the show of it." Raeliana: "So this isn't even unusual to the people of this world?" Raeliana: "A monster like this?" Raeliana: "It's so hard..." Raeliana: "It feels like a rock. And he took it down so easily?" h: "And you let them go?" Raeliana: "If only I hadn't hesitated, Jake Langston would have been apprehended for sure." Ansley: "My lady!" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley!" Ansley: "You aren't hurt, are you?" Raeliana: "No. I'm sorry for worrying you." Raeliana: "Anyway, is that..." Ansley: "Yes. We found him on the road, and he fled the moment he saw us." Raeliana: "Th-That's him! He was working with Francis Brooks to abduct me!" Ansley: "We were right to capture him." h: "Each of you will search your assigned areas." h: "Inform me the moment you locate Francis Brooks." Knights: "Right!" Raeliana: "Thank... you." Raeliana: "A gun?" Knight: "There he is!" Raeliana: "Francis Brooks." Brooks: "R-Raeliana..." Raeliana: "This is all your fault." Brooks: "Y-You've got it all wrong! Please, hear me out!" Raeliana: "What have I got wrong?" Brooks: "W-Wait! If you had just been a good girl and married me, everything would have gone smoothly." Raeliana: "If you hadn't been thinking about marrying me, everything would have gone smoothly." Raeliana: "Ah, I feel so much better! I almost want to take a picture to remember this! Now he'll be in the slammer for life! That weight is finally off my chest!" Raeliana: "I'm actually pretty good with a gun..." Raeliana: "Being short on horses really shouldn't be an excuse to ride double." Raeliana: "Noah, this horse seems to be moving a lot slower than it should." h: "I wonder whose fault that is." Raeliana: "Damn it!" Raeliana: "I hate you!" Raeliana: "Noah..." Raeliana: "Thank you... for coming to find me." h: "You're welcome." Raeliana: "All I did was thank him. Why do I feel so embarrassed?" Raeliana: "I'm suddenly so sleepy..." Raeliana: "But I can't... fall asleep here..." h: "Why... did I feel so angry? The death of a woman who has dirt on me should be a good thing for me." h: "So why?" h: "Adam." h: "I want you..." h: "to get rid of them." Raeliana: "Morning already?" Raeliana: "I wanna sleep a little longer..."

Raeliana: "Why..." Raeliana: "is he naked?" Raeliana: "And my lower back kind of hurts. W-Wait. Just calm down for a second. Be natural... Be casual..." Raeliana: "W-We..." Raeliana: "didn't do anything, did we?" h: "You forgot?" h: "After you were the one begging for it so much?" Raeliana: "Please stop!" h: "Raeliana?" h: "Raeliana!" Raeliana: "Master Taylor!" h: "Adam!" Raeliana: "Please help me!" h: "Bring Raeliana to me!" h: "What the..." Gideon: "Master, you are awake? Count Westernberg has just arrived to—" h: "Send him home." Gideon: "What? B-But to call off an appointment on such short notice..." h: "Raeliana has been kidnapped." Gideon: "S-Something so terrible has happened here at this estate?! And tomorrow is the engagement ceremony..." h: "Assemble all of the knights at once." h: "The kidnapper should still be on the grounds." Gideon: "You saw who did it?!" h: "He's 183 centimeters tall, and wearing a black uniform. His hair is a deep gray color and wavy. And he has red eyes." h: "He's in his late teens, but already carrying weapons. He's very dangerous." Gideon: "Did the young lady simply go out with Master Tay—" h: "Gideon..." h: "Try saying that again." Gideon: "The young lady was taken... by someone resembling Master Taylor, then?" h: "Exactly." Raeliana: "That was a pretty spirited exit," Raeliana: "but we're still on the estate grounds." Raeliana: "Master Taylor..." Raeliana: "Why don't we go out for a bit?" Raeliana: "That's what I thought." Raeliana: "I'll just consider that an accident and forget about it." Raeliana: "When I really think about it, he did save my life." Raeliana: "But this body isn't even mine to begin with." Raeliana: "Should I really be treating it like this?" Raeliana: "Master Taylor..." Raeliana: "Do you think... I smell bad?" Raeliana: "I didn't take a bath last night." Raeliana: "I feel so much better! Thank goodness there's a separate bathroom for the maids." Raeliana: "I always wanted to try on a maid uniform." Raeliana: "Feels like I'm cosplaying." Raeliana: "Master Taylor!" Raeliana: "Master Taylor..." Raeliana: "Are you... hungry, perchance?" Keith: "Searching for the young lady? The duke went out to search for her himself?" Gideon: "Yes." Gideon: "I am very sorry, my lord." Keith: "Why would the duke go to the trouble of searching for her?" Keith: "It's all right. If you don't mind, I'd like to wait in the study." Gideon: "Very well. I will inform the master." Keith: "Miss Raeliana McMillan, eh?" Cook2: "It's been awfully noisy around here today." Cook1: "You didn't hear? Apparently the young lady just up and left the estate with Master Taylor." Cook1: "The duke has all the knights in the mansion out looking for her." Cook2: "Why'd it turn into such a big commotion? Does he think she's gonna cheat on him with Master Taylor? When their engagement ceremony's tomorrow?" Cook1: "Who knows?" Cook2: "I didn't know the master was so narrow-minded." Cook1: "You don't know much about the world, do you? It's the people who seem as cool and composed as he does who are the most persistent when it comes to love." Raeliana: "Uh-oh..." Cook1: "Who're you? Haven't seen you before." Cook2: "Maybe she's from the south building? A lot of new people have been hired there for the ceremony." Raeliana: "Uh, that's right. I've just begun work in the south building." Cook1: "So what are you doing here?" Raeliana: "W-Well..." Raeliana: "I was instructed to pick up some food that the young lady can eat easily." Cook2: "The young lady?" Cook1: "They found her?" Raeliana: "Uh, yes!" Raeliana: "But, well... She says she wants to be left alone for a little while, so... P-Please excuse me!" Cook1: "Hang on." Cook1: "Take this, too." Cook1: "I heard she likes it." Cook1: "The young lady, I mean." Raeliana: "Master Taylor!" Raeliana: "Look what I got! Chocolate fondue!" Raeliana: "Let's enjoy it out there." Raeliana: "So it seems like he has all the knights out looking for us." Raeliana: "I don't know if I'm ready to face Noah again just yet..." Raeliana: "And I'm sure there's someone in my room waiting for me. Since I finally got into this uniform, I'd like a little more time to myself." Raeliana: "I get it. Nobody would try to come into Noah's personal study." Raeliana: "Thank you, Master Taylor." Raeliana: "I gotta get my head on straight." Raeliana: "It's strange. Since I came to this world, I understand the languages of every country. Is it an ability I gained when I reincarnated? I mean, it's a big help either way." Raeliana: "Huh? It can't be... Noah?!" Keith: "Is this the book you wanted?" Keith: "I was watching from behind, and it looked like you were struggling." Raeliana: "Count Keith Westernberg!" Raeliana: "He's Noah's right-hand man. He's well-loved in the novel, too." Raeliana: "Wow... I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity!" Keith: "Was this the wrong one?" Raeliana: "Huh?" Keith: "You can read Cryptian?" Raeliana: "Uh... yes." Keith: "I had no idea any woman in this kingdom could read Cryptian. I'm shocked!" Raeliana: "Huh?" Keith: "Who taught it to you?" Raeliana: "Um... I learned it on my own." Keith: "Really?! I've never known anyone who learned Cryptian independently! Why in the world are you working as a maid?" Keith: "Have you any interest in academics?" Raeliana: "Uh..." h: "I see." h: "With you dressed like that, it's no wonder nobody could find you." Raeliana: "U-Um..." Keith: "P-Pardon me!" Raeliana: "Oh, no, it's all right." Raeliana: "S-Stay away from me, you pervert!" h: "Per...vert?" Keith: "Pervert?" Raeliana: "Yes! You took advantage of the fact that I was asleep!" h: "Raeliana, you seem to have the wrong idea about something." Raeliana: "I do?" h: "Nothing happened between us last night." Raeliana: "Huh? B-But my lower back was sore..." h: "That's because you slept on horseback." Raeliana: "But you said I begged..." h: "Yes, in your sleep. My bedroom is closer to the entrance than yours, so I let you sleep there. That's all." h: "I only wanted you to get a good night's sleep." Raeliana: "Then why didn't you tell me honestly from the beginning that nothing happened?" h: "I'm sorry." h: "It wasn't my intention to deceive you." Raeliana: "Huh? Did he just apologize?" Raeliana: "Noah, of all people? Am I dreaming?" Raeliana: "Is what you just said how you really feel?" h: "Yes, it is." Raeliana: "All right, then." Raeliana: "Please don't ever play mean jokes on me again." Raeliana: "Hey!" h: "So you forgive me, then?" Raeliana: "Should I, I wonder? Considering all that's happened, I don't really want to forgive him that easily." Raeliana: "What are you doing?!" h: "You forgive me, right?" h: "I won't let go until you forgive me." Raeliana: "Where did this come from?! I thought I finally had the advantage for once!" Raeliana: "Fine! Just let go of me, please!" Raeliana: "What is going on here?" Keith: "Was what I just saw actually real?" Keith: "Is that really Noah Voltaire Wynknight? Did he eat something funny?" Keith: "I had no idea that girl was Miss Raeliana McMillan. I heard the two of them had a contractual relationship," Keith: "but what I just saw between them was more than that. C-Could it be... he's actually serious about Miss McMillan now?" h: "Keith..." Keith: "Duke... He finally realized I was here?" Johndein: "When we heard that Brooks had kidnapped our daughter, my wife and I were deeply upset and rushed here." h: "Please rest at ease. Francis Brooks and his cohorts are being held at Saint Bell Prison." Raeliana: "Saint Bell Prison?" Katie: "The highest-security prison in the kingdom?" h: "No matter what dangers may arise from now on, I will protect Miss Raeliana McMillan for the rest of my life." Katie: "Then you will be carrying out tomorrow's engagement ceremony as planned?" h: "Of course." Raeliana: "Who... might you be?" Mary: "I am Mary Wayne. The Mary Wayne!" Raeliana: "Mary Wayne's dress shop is a place that all brides-to-be dream of. Anyone who wants to wear a dress that she made must be at or above a certain level of status and wealth. All of her sales come with strict conditions, and even when they're met, it's rumored that the buyer must wait a year to get the dress." Raeliana: "The Mary Wayne?" Mary: "This is the dress you will wear to your engagement ceremony tonight. It is a masterpiece I am most proud of!" Raeliana: "I-It's beautiful." Mary: "The duke placed the order on such short notice! It was a real challenge to complete in time!" Raeliana: "I-I'm sorry Noah wasn't more thoughtful..." Mary: "We need a fitting to see if it needs any modifications! Put it on now!" Raeliana: "Y-Yes, ma'am!" Raeliana: "An engagement ceremony... Saint Bell Prison, where Brooks and his buddies are now, is a place that no one ever leaves once they enter." Raeliana: "Which means..." Raeliana: "Brooks won't be able to kill me now." Raeliana: "So should I really go on with this engagement?" Crowd: "Congratulations!" Raeliana: "I first proposed this contract with Noah to avoid being killed by Brooks. The one who falls for Noah in the novel is the protagonist, Beatrice," Raeliana: "and I'm just Beatrice's friend..." Raeliana: "but I'm the one engaged to him now." Raeliana: "Is this really right?" Raeliana: "Noah?" Raeliana: "What are we doing?" h: "We're on a date." Raeliana: "But I'm sure I was just lying in my bed a moment ago." h: "There are fireworks over the Shamcane River tonight." Raeliana: "Uh, that's not what I was asking..." h: "I sensed that you've been avoiding me, even before the ceremony." h: "It will make others suspicious if you so blatantly avoid me." Raeliana: "I've fully taken on the role of his fiancée now. We're even on this fake date now..." Raeliana: "Noah, there's something I want to talk to you about." h: "I know." Raeliana: "Huh?" h: "You've used me to suit your purposes all this time, and now you don't need me anymore, so you want to dump me, right?" Raeliana: "You don't have to put it that way. You make me sound like complete scum." h: "But I'm right, aren't I?" Raeliana: "I mean, he is, but..." Raeliana: "Well, as a certain someone said, I'm guilty of blackmail." h: "Raeliana..." h: "Stay by my side." h: "Until you have no further use for me." Raeliana: "Yeah, of course. He makes it sound cool, at least..." Raeliana: "And... that's all?" h: "That's really all you want?" h: "Yes, it is." Raeliana: "Noah..." Raeliana: "Have you ever loved anyone before?" h: "No." Raeliana: "Why not?" h: "Because I'm a duke of the royal family." Raeliana: "What, is a duke of the royal family not allowed to love?" h: "No. Because the moment you do," h: "you're taking on a tremendous risk." Raeliana: "Well, even so..." Raeliana: "Even so..." Raeliana: "I think you'll end up loving someone someday." Raeliana: "Just watch. I was right about the Gale family, wasn't I?" Raeliana: "How pretty!" h: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "A girl..." h: "A girl?"

eese: "Raeliana, this is Freese Eriteal." eese: "I know you suffered through a terrible experience with the Brooks scandal." eese: "Have you been well since then?" eese: "I have enclosed the invitation to the gathering that I promised you." Raeliana: "Thanks, Freese! Now Noah will owe me one!" eese: "I look forward to seeing you at the monster hunt." Raeliana: "Right, the monster hunt... A three-day event held every year in the Sycret Mountains in preparation for winter." Raeliana: "Monsters come down from the mountains looking for food in winter. The hunt is a state project held to stop them from attacking citizens. Nobles famous for their combat prowess participate, and they offer the monsters they caught to the lady of their choice. But I'm told Noah has never offered his monsters to anyone, so it has nothing to do with me, right?" Raeliana: "These are... the letters I wrote to Beatrice?" Raeliana: "They were returned? But why?" Raeliana: "The name and address are correct." Raeliana: "Was there some reason she couldn't receive letters?" Raeliana: "Surely not... Originally, what prompts the protagonist Beatrice to return from abroad" Raeliana: "is Raeliana's death." Raeliana: "But Raeliana survived. As things stand, Beatrice will never return from abroad, which is why I sent letters. I wouldn't think a story change as minor as receiving a summons from Raeliana would have that great an effect." Raeliana: "In fact..." Raeliana: "I only acted because my life depended on it. I never had any intention of ruining this story." Raeliana: "Yet..." Raeliana: "If my surviving caused some fundamental change in the story..." Teacher: "My lady... y-you have done lovely work... but..." Raeliana: "Huh?" Teacher: "If you intend to present it to the duke, why not use the bamboo-leaf oak and birds depicted in his family crest? Though, to my knowledge, the duke has never accepted any handkerchiefs presented to him by ladies..." Raeliana: "I never intended to give it to him, actually." Teacher: "But you are his one and only fiancée, after all." Raeliana: "Isn't it normal to have only one of those?! What kind of scumbag does she think Noah is?" Raeliana: "I had heard that he'd be busy because of the monster hunt, but..." Raeliana: "Still, I've never seen him sleeping like this before." Raeliana: "He was born with such good looks." Raeliana: "He could act like he enjoys life a little more." Raeliana: "Then again, he is the leading male in this story." Raeliana: "In the end, he ends up with the female lead in a happy ending." Raeliana: "With Beatrice Trancet. They first meet as a result of a misunderstanding, giving them a terrible start. But for some reason, Beatrice is drawn to him... They continue to be met by one chance encounter after another, and then, one windy day, as her hair flutters about her face," Raeliana: "Noah suddenly murmurs her name as he falls in love with her. Beatri—" Raeliana: "Huh?" h: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "Uh... I-I was..." Raeliana: "What excuse can I even make here?! He caught me sneaking a look at his face! That he just looked so handsome in his sleep? No, no, no, no, no!" h: "Are you not feeling well? Your face is very red." Raeliana: "That's just... um..." Raeliana: "I-It's just hot." Raeliana: "Ouch! Noah!" h: "Sneaking a look at someone's face as they sleep, eh?" Raeliana: "Led go ud me." h: ""Led go ud me"?" Raeliana: "Led go ud me... please." h: "Don't you mean, "I'm sorry"?" Raeliana: "What?! And he watched me when I was sleeping before, too!" h: "How did sneaking around like that make you feel?" h: "I had no idea you were into such things." Raeliana: "I'm... sorry." h: "Good enough." h: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "He's so infuriating!" h: "Not bad at all." Haley: "It's extremely cold where you're going. This is the bare minimum you should wear." Raeliana: "With all this on, I feel like summer's already here." Haley: "You mustn't underestimate how cold it is in those mountains. In Sycret, people freeze to death even in autumn!" Raeliana: "I won't even be able to eat on my own in all this." Gideon: "Please place your things here, my lady. Good morning, my lady." Raeliana: "Good morning, Gideon." Raeliana: "I've heard where I'm going is very cold." Gideon: "Yes, in Sycret, people freeze to death even in autumn." Raeliana: "That again?" Vivian: "Are you sure you won't be coming, Brother? All the combat veterans will be there." Justin: "I only just returned from my trip abroad. Let me have this break." Vivian: "I'll be on my way, then." Justin: "Take care." Keith: "This concludes the opening ceremony." Keith: "I wish you all the best of luck." Raeliana: "I guess it doesn't even matter to them whether Noah has a fiancée or not." Ansley: "My lady?" Ansley: "My lady, you're looking very... warm today." Raeliana: "I heard it would be cold here." Ansley: "Yes, in Sycret, people freeze to death even in autumn." Raeliana: "Is that Sycret's official slogan or something?" Ansley: "My lady, your hand, please." Raeliana: "Huh?" Raeliana: "A vow to a lady?" Raeliana: "Will you be participating in the hunt, as well?" Ansley: "Yes." Raeliana: "I had no idea... I didn't make a handkerchief for you." Ansley: "That's all right. I didn't come here just to receive a handkerchief." Raeliana: "Still..." Ansley: "In that case..." Ansley: "This is enough for me!" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley..." Ansley: "Well, wish me luck." Raeliana: "What a dreamboat..." h: "Raeliana..." h: "Raeliana?" Raeliana: "Noah..." h: "You look very..." Raeliana: "Warm, right? In Sycret, people freeze to death even in autumn." h: "More importantly, aren't you forgetting something?" Raeliana: "Oh, right!" Raeliana: "Master Taylor, please wait just a moment." h: "Master Taylor? Quite gutsy of you to give a handkerchief to another man right in front of your beloved fiancé." Raeliana: "Oh? "Beloved fiancé"? I do believe you are mistaken." h: "Should we not at least stick to the script we both agreed upon?" Raeliana: "What is it you want?" h: "A handkerchief." Raeliana: "I don't have one!" h: "Then what's this?" Raeliana: "It's Master Taylor's." h: "You and your little jokes..." Raeliana: "He just never gives up, does he? I thought it was your policy not to accept handkerchiefs." h: "I'm in the mood to accept one today." Raeliana: "But you turned them down from other people earlier!" h: "I want one from my fiancée." Raeliana: "Oh, what shall I do? I was certain you wouldn't want one." h: "Then I'll just have to accept this one instead." Raeliana: "Give that back! He's never accepted one before in his life! Where's this coming from?!" Raeliana: "All right, fine." Raeliana: "More importantly, aren't you forgetting something?" h: "Am I?" Raeliana: "Well, go on! Lower your head already!" h: "Oh, dear. Do forgive me." Raeliana: "What the heck?! He could just do it normally! He's so dramatic! Here." Raeliana: "Well, do be careful." Taylor: "Is she asking me to bring back a dragon?" Raeliana: "The air is so clean here." Raeliana: "This is my first time leaving the capital since I came to this world." Raeliana: "So this is the wall erected by the Granger family to protect the front line of Sycret..." Woman1: "Please be careful." Knight: "For you, I would give my very life." Stephanie: "They way they're acting, you'd think they were going off to war." Raeliana: "Stephanie Carlisle." Raeliana: "Christine Barkley." Vivian: "It must be their first time. You must try to understand if they seem a bit dramatic." Raeliana: "Vivian Shamal." Raeliana: "They gave Beatrice a rough time throughout the novel." h: "Raeliana!" Raeliana: "He's just going to hunt some monsters. He'll be fine, right?" Jasper: "Miss McMillan. Those are the claw marks of a creoder." Raeliana: "The lord of Sycret Castle, Jasper Granger." Jasper: "It's a terribly fierce monster with the appearance of a black lion. One might call it the true lord of the Sycret Mountains. One day, I will capture it with my own hands. That is my dream." Vivian: "Miss McMillan..." Vivian: "Please come and have a seat." Raeliana: "I do appreciate the offer, but I humbly decline. I'm not stupid enough to sit beside you." Christine: "Well, well!" Christine: "If it isn't the Duke's fiancée!" Stephanie: "You must sit in the center, of course." Christine: "Come, now." Christine: "Oh, yes! In the last hunt, Lady Shamal was presented with three high-ranking monsters, right?" Stephanie: "Yes. I look forward to seeing how this hunt ends, as well." Vivian: "I only pray that no one out hunting finds themselves in danger." Raeliana: "M-My, how admirable of you, Lady Shamal." Vivian: "Oh, it's nothing." Raeliana: "Is she happy now? Um, where is Lady Eriteal?" Vivian: "It seems she's caught a cold and won't be joining us. What about you, Miss McMillan? Are you feeling all right? With the Duke out on the hunt..." Raeliana: "What a disgusting attitude. She thinks I don't know? Whatever do you mean?" Vivian: "Oh, my! Were you not aware that the Duke has never offered a monster to anyone before?" Stephanie: "Miss McMillan has never been a part of the monster hunt before. Of course she wouldn't know." Christine: "And it would seem she didn't have anyone to inform her." Vivian: "Yes, it's true that low-ranking women don't usually come to the hunt." Vivian: "There's nothing else to be done. We shall have to teach Miss McMillan all she needs to know." Raeliana: "I'm quite all right." Raeliana: "Just the fact that the duke accepted my handkerchief is enough for me. Incidentally, I heard that he's never accepted a handkerchief from anyone before. Is that true?" Raeliana: "I don't know the Duke as well as you all do. It's terribly embarrassing. So might I ask you to continue teaching me so that, little by little, I might understand things better?" Raeliana: "Oh, dear. Have I said something imprudent?" Stephanie: "W-Well... If he hadn't accepted the handkerchief then, it would put Miss McMillan in an awful position as his fiancée." Christine: "Y-Yes! I'm sure he'll bring back at least one high-ranking monster." Raeliana: "Yes. If he truly thinks so fondly of me, that makes me happier than any number of monsters he could bring back." Raeliana: "And don't you think being loved by the one you love... is much better than being loved by a hundred others, Lady Vivian?" Vivian: "Wh-Why do you ask me that?!" Raeliana: "I assumed you would understand better than all the other ladies." Raeliana: "Am I wrong?" Vivian: "W-Well..." Raeliana: "It's common knowledge that Vivian has been making all kinds of intense passes at Noah." Christine: "Miss McMillan! It looks as if your salmon has gone bad!" Stephanie: "Get the head chef out here at once!" Raeliana: "Huh?" Stephanie: "The Duke's fiancée has eaten rotten food! This is an emergency!" Raeliana: "Wh-What are you talking—" Stephanie: "Perhaps you should rest in your room? You mustn't overdo it." Raeliana: "Ugh..." Woman: "The weather certainly doesn't look good." Raeliana: "I can't see the Wynknight crest." Raeliana: "Did he go that deep into the mountains?" Keith: "The rain will make it difficult to walk, too." Keith: "And there are high-ranking monsters that are more active in rain." Raeliana: "I have a bad feeling..." Stephanie: "Oh, dear! You should have dodged." Christine: "Indeed!" Raeliana: "These girls again... I had no idea your vision was as poor as your discernment." Stephanie: "Wha— What do you mean by that?!" Raeliana: "Don't feel bad." Raeliana: "Failing to consider your immaturity was my own mistake. Seriously, who does something that childish?" Raeliana: "What was that sound?" Maid: "Ah, right." Maid: "It would seem the first group has returned." Maid: "That's... an affitee elk, if I'm not mistaken. A high-ranking monster, I believe." Knight: "This is our top monster of the day! I present it to the beautiful Lady Shamal!" Vivian: "Thank you kindly." Knight1: "I present this to Lady Shamal, as well!" Knight2: "I present this to Lady Shamal, as well!" Vivian: "Thank you so much." Raeliana: "Noah's group is still out there?" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley?!" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley, are you all right? Dame Ansley! Where are the others who were with you? What happened?" Ansley: "H-Hell..." Raeliana: "Hell?" Raeliana: "Noah..."

Raeliana: "Dame Ansley! Please wake up! What do you mean by "hell"?!" Raeliana: "What happened?!" Raeliana: "Dame Ansley! Dame Ansley!" Raeliana: "Okay, calm down. It's clear something happened to Noah." Raeliana: "I have to get a search party together right away..." Stephanie: "Th-The mountain... The mountain just moved!" Christine: "What are you talking about? Pull yourself together!" Vivian: "The mountain moved?" Keith: "What is that?" Raeliana: "Noah?!" h: "Raeliana. Maybe it's because the rain washed away all the blood, but I saw no sign of any dragons." h: "I think, perhaps, there are no dragons in the Sycret Mountains." Raeliana: "Dragons? W-Wait just a—" h: "Please accept this instead." Mob1: "What in the world is that?" Mob2: "I've never seen anything like it." Christine: "Th-The duke offered his kill to..." Mob3: "Leave it to the duke." h: "As for the dragon you wanted..." h: "I promise I'll find one in a different mountain range someday." Raeliana: "When did I say I wanted a dragon?!" Stephanie: "He never offered a monster to anyone before now..." Jasper: "Th-This is... a creoder!" Raeliana: "What?! The one you called the lord of the Sycret Mountains?" Jasper: "Remarkable, Your Grace! It appears Lady McMillan will be the one to light the sacred flame this year!" Jasper: "I can't believe you brought down a creoder! It must have been a grueling effort!" h: "Well, I just happened to come across it." h: "I thought I'd just grab it quickly..." h: "and use it as bait to catch a dragon." Jasper: "H-How remarkable..." Raeliana: "That poor castle lord..." h: "Raeliana..." h: "I'm terribly sorry it isn't the dragon you wanted so badly." Raeliana: "What?" h: "You must have had your hopes up quite high." Man: "Miss McMillan wanted a dragon?" Woman: "Oh, my... a dragon?" Man: "A dragon, of all things?" Raeliana: "Everyone, you have it all wrong! I'm not that kind of girl!" Raeliana: "Goodness, my Duke." Raeliana: "The rain is soaking you." h: "You don't smell of alcohol. What's this about?" Raeliana: "I wish I were drunk, honestly." h: "For you, I would endure the rain any day." Raeliana: "C-Come inside quickly. You'll catch a cold. You too, Master Taylor." Raeliana: "Noah! What is the meaning of all this?!" h: "I sent Ansley ahead to inform you." Raeliana: "The effort of trying to catch a dragon must have been horrific. Dame Ansley described it as "hell." When did I ask for a dragon, exactly?" h: "Adam..." Raeliana: "He saw that and thought..." Raeliana: "I wish I could toss it in the fire right now!" h: "You go change, too." Raeliana: "I'll have to give Adam a different handkerchief. One without a dragon, obviously." h: "Don't be so disappointed." h: "I'll find you a dragon in another mountain range." Raeliana: "Are you... just teasing me?" h: "You finally caught on?" Raeliana: "I want to hit him. I wish I could hit a pillow to calm myself down." h: "Anyway..." Raeliana: "Huh?" h: "How long do you intend to stay?" h: "I'd like to change." Raeliana: "P-Please go ahead! I'll leave now!" h: "If you want to watch, you're welcome to stay." Raeliana: "Oh, dear! For the sake of my eyes, please refrain from doing such things!" h: "You're into peeping, right?" Raeliana: "Huh? What did he say? First I'm a clueless rich girl who begs for a dragon at a state event, and now I'm a peeper?! What kind of character is he trying to make me into? I do wish you wouldn't keep saying such nonsensical things." h: "Nonsensical? Then when you were secretly watching me sleep that ti—" Raeliana: "That wasn't because I'm "into" anything like that... Anyway, you're mistaken! I apologized for that, didn't I? Also, you were watching me when I was sleeping in bed, too!" h: "That time?" h: "Oh... When you thought I'd assaulted you in your sleep," h: "and you cried out like the world was coming to an end?" Raeliana: "When did I "cry out"? You're the one who gave me the wrong idea in the first place!" h: "I'm sorry." Raeliana: "You even apologized for it, didn't you?!" Raeliana: "This jerk!" Raeliana: "Noah, didn't you know?" Raeliana: "Nobody likes men who fixate on other people's mistakes." Raeliana: "Understand?" Raeliana: "He's acting awfully meek. Promise me you'll never bring this up again! All right? Well, then... I'm sure you're exhausted. Please get some rest." Raeliana: "How could I have done something like that to a duke?" Raeliana: "I feel like... I've come a bit closer to him." Butler: "Are you returning to your room?" Butler: "Allow me to escort you." Butler: "The lady knight you arrived with has made quite the recovery. She's resting in a separate room." Raeliana: "Thank you... and, um... Is the castle lord all right?" Butler: "Yes... He keeps shouting "Creoder!" as he drowns his frustrations in drink." Raeliana: "Ah... Forgive me, but... Yes?" Butler: "Is it true that His Grace was insistent on finding a dragon?" Raeliana: "Actually, that was sort of a misunderstanding..." Keith: "I was worried when you were late returning, but I'm glad you're safe." h: "As if you really mean that." Keith: "It's a relief to see you haven't changed a bit." h: "What does that mean?" Keith: "I feel bad for that creoder, the lord of the mountains, if you really killed it just for sport." h: "For sport?" Keith: "Yes." Keith: "Am I wrong? If so, I find it a bit concerning." Keith: "That was your first time catching a monster during the hunt, yes?" h: "It was my first time bringing one back." Keith: "Right. And..." Keith: "It was your first time offering one to a lady, as well." h: "What's your point?" Keith: "Oh, just that it doesn't seem like you." h: "That aside, what of the matter with Duke Blake?" Keith: "There are rumors that he has grown quite close to a certain woman of late." h: "A woman?" Keith: "Whitton is currently looking into her identity." h: "A woman, eh?" h: "I hope he doesn't ruin himself over something stupid." Keith: "Some say women are monsters, but, at times, they can be far more terrifying." h: "If there's something you want to say, just say it." Keith: "Noah, I'm asking you this as your aide and friend." h: "Let's hear it." Keith: "Are you serious about Miss McMillan?" h: "No." h: "That's what you wanted to ask?" Keith: "You've been acting strange lately." h: "I think you're the one who's acting strange." Keith: "Then if I were to pursue Miss McMillan, you'd be fine with that?" h: "What are you saying," h: "Keith Westernberg?" h: "Remember your place." Keith: "Right." Vivian: "It's all mine." Vivian: "Every single man I meet showers me with adoration. A bisque doll with glittering eyes of gold..." Vivian: "A beautiful woman who bears the scent of a pink rose..." Vivian: "The teeth behind these red lips shine like diamonds, they say. These long legs that look so lovely in lace stockings captivate all men, they say. No matter how hated I was or what anyone said, I was always the winner." Vivian: "I had everything, and getting what I wanted was easy..." Vivian: "Until I met that man. The only reason I accepted the proposal of that limping king was to make him regret turning me down. I was supposed to light the temple's sacred flame again this year, while looking down on him and his fiancée." Vivian: "And yet..." Vivian: "I can't bear the thought of him not becoming mine!" Beatrice: "There's something you want, right?" Beatrice: "This will help you." Raeliana: "What? Vivian Shamal's leaving?" Ansley: "Yes. She is returning to her mansion." Raeliana: "So she won't be going to the temple?" Ansley: "Correct." Raeliana: "But doesn't everyone go to the temple after the hunt every year?" Ansley: "Yes, but none of the ladies are obligated to go except for you, as the one who will light the sacred flame." Raeliana: "I see." Ansley: "We will depart for the temple as soon as you are ready. Please continue." Raeliana: "All right. I mean, not only is she not lighting the sacred flame, but I'm the one doing it. I guess I can't blame her for not wanting to go." Raeliana: "Maybe I went a little too far..." Wade: "Your Holiness Heika, you really don't intend to go?" Heika: "Why should I go out of my way to be there just for the sake of a bunch of petty nobles?" Wade: "But Duke Wynknight will be in attendance this time. That is what I've come to tell you." Wade: "He's not even listening..." Wade: "He has always detested nobles, regarding them as selfish fools." Wade: "But this is the one time I can't afford to back down! Our organization's financial situation is worsening. Donations have decreased with each passing year, and our organization's internal operations are struggling." Wade: "The monster hunt is our best opportunity to get donations from the nobles! And above all, residing in the temple right now is the great priest and legend who changed theology as we knew it: the great Heika Demint himself!" Wade: "This is clearly divine guidance!" Heika: "So I'm required to personally attend every little thing, you dumb shit?" Wade: "Sh-Shi—" Wade: "I can't lose heart now! Letting the current conditions continue would hinder our theological research and the upbringing of the next generation!" Heika: "What?" Wade: "You are surprisingly— I mean, you have always wanted nothing more than the best education for your pupils, have you not?" Heika: "Well, maybe if you were a smarter disciple who could advance my research along with me, it would've shaved five years off our studies! Then we could've saved five years' worth of funds rather than spending it frivolously! Are you telling me that's not your own stupid fault?!" Wade: "I, Wade Davis, despite appearances, graduated top of my class from the Fyatt International School of Theology! I may not be the genius you are, but I can confidently say I qualify as a prodigy!" Heika: "The school of theology will take just any idiot these days, huh?" Wade: "Your Holiness!" Heika: "Judging by your character, I bet that squawking parrot mouth of yours is gonna be why you die young!" Wade: "What are you saying?! You can't see my character at all!" Heika: "Yeah, that's right! No one can see your character under that clay mask you call a face!" Wade: "That has nothing to do with character! That'd just be a curse!" Heika: "Shut up! I'm just advising you to keep quiet, work hard, and live a happy life! So shut your trap and listen!" Wade: "Oh, God, please grant me the strength to claim victory against this geezer." Wade: "Your Holiness, please listen to me. As far as those petty nobles are concerned, even the briefest appearance by you, the head of our organization, carries unspeakably tremendous value. A mere word of greeting and a handshake from you would bring in enough donations to keep the temple running for another year. Your Holiness, all it takes is for you to simply show your face." Wade: "He's always been a very proud man. He can't ignore my request after hearing all that!" Heika: "Well... I suppose so. Wade, come here." Wade: "You finally understand?!" Heika: "Get out of here." Raeliana: "Raeliana, I'll be heading to the temple first. Have a safe trip." h: "I look forward to the ceremonial lighting of the sacred flame." Ladies: "What a man!" Vivian: "Miss McMillan, greetings to you." Vivian: "I will pray for the success of the ceremonial lighting." Raeliana: "Th-Thank you." Raeliana: "Was that in my luggage?" Ansley: "Lady McMillan. Whitton was at the mansion running errands, and Gideon left this with him." Raeliana: "Thank you." Ansley: "It's time for us to depart." Raeliana: "Okay." Vivian: "It's all mine." Raeliana: "The Fyatt International School of Theology..." Raeliana: ""I am writing in response to the matter you asked about." Raeliana: "A student by the name of Beatrice Trancet... does not attend this school."" Raeliana: "Beatrice isn't there? Did she come back home?" Raeliana: "Or is she somewhere completely different?" Raeliana: "Originally, she came back because I, Raeliana McMillan, died..." Raeliana: "But I survived." Raeliana: "So because of me..." Raeliana: "The things that happen from now on might change?"

Raeliana: "Oh, wow! The street's lined with birch trees!" Knight1: "Pilgrims plant birch trees here on their way to the temple. They say the custom originated with a priest who planted a birch tree here after a terrible disaster." Raeliana: "Wow..." Knight1: "His Holiness Heika is currently staying in the temple." Raeliana: "His Holiness Heika?" Knight1: "He is known as a living legend." Raeliana: "A living legend, huh?" Knight1: "Look, it's within sight now." Raeliana: "What?" Raeliana: "Master Taylor?" Eugenia: "Welcome to the temple. I am Eugenia, the servant of God who will guide you through the lighting of the sacred flame. Right this way, please." Raeliana: "Huh? It's warm here..." Eugenia: "This temple and the surrounding area are protected by our priests' powers." Raeliana: "The priests' powers?" Eugenia: "You can think of this place as being enclosed within a large dome." Raeliana: "I guess it's like a barrier?" Eugenia: "That dome keeps the temperature within the temple comfortable." Raeliana: "Oh... I get it." Eugenia: "The one to light the sacred flame must be purified, so you will be taken to the purification chamber." Eugenia: "Your companions cannot accompany you any further." Eugenia: "Someone else will guide you from here. Please wait where you are." Raeliana: "Master Taylor, I'll be fine." Raeliana: "Wow, there are so many books!" Eugenia: "This is the library. Books from across the land are kept here. Please feel free to look at any that interest you." Eugenia: "Over there is the courtyard. Just past it is the boundary line of the dome." Eugenia: "This is the bath used for purification. You will bathe here in the morning, midday, and evening." Raeliana: "Okay..." Raeliana: "Well, I'm lighting a sacred flame, after all." Eugenia: "Now, allow me to show you to your room." Raeliana: "Wh-What is this?" Eugenia: "Before your bath, you will consume this gruel." Raeliana: "Um, Miss Eugenia, I have a question..." Eugenia: "What might that be?" Raeliana: "What... is that stuff made of?" Raeliana: "Come on, say something!" Eugenia: "It is vital in removing toxins for your purification." Raeliana: "I think this stuff would purify me all the way into my next life!" Eugenia: "It is essential that you eat it." Raeliana: "I think it'd be healthier to eat nothing at all..." Eugenia: "You'll get used to it after the first taste." Raeliana: "I-I can't!" Raeliana: "No!" Raeliana: "That tasted even worse than I imagined." Raeliana: "I have to eat that stuff in the morning, midday, and evening? Every day until the ceremony? Just thinking about it is making me nauseous!" Raeliana: "I want to run away." Raeliana: "A bird? Is it drowning?" Raeliana: "Are you okay?" Heika: "That's a flying bird." Heika: "A bird that can only survive in the low temperatures high up in the sky. Once they reach adulthood, they don't come near the warmth of this dome. When birds that can't fly high enough stray into the dome, they lose the ability to fly, grow weak, and die." Heika: "Whether they die by drowning or simply by being in here, they still die. That's the bird's fate." Raeliana: "I see." Heika: "Huh? Most people would be saddened by that." Heika: "Did she not understand what I said?" Heika: "What are you going to do?" Raeliana: "She said the boundary line of the dome was past the spring, right?" Heika: "Are you thinking of letting it outside? That won't work. They can't withstand drastic changes in temperature." Heika: "What's her deal? Doesn't she know who I am?" Heika: "I told you. It's the bird's fate. The moment it entered this dome, it was fated to die." Raeliana: "Fate..." Raeliana: "Would you shut up already?!" Heika: "Wha—" Raeliana: "Whether you're fated to die or not doesn't matter!" Raeliana: "As long as you have the will to live, you'll live!" Raeliana: "You keep talking about dying! Is that what they teach at this temple?" Heika: "Do you have any idea who I am?!" Raeliana: "No, I don't." Heika: "What utter insolence!!" Raeliana: "Okay, then, do you know who I am?" Heika: "How would I know that?!" Raeliana: "What a rude child." Heika: "Excuse me?! I am the one and only Heika!" Raeliana: "It flew!" Raeliana: "There you go. You saw that, right?" Raeliana: "You can't just give up on everything right away. Understand?" Raeliana: "That's right. You can't just give up on everything right away! Yeah! Ugh... Gruel for dinner... Isn't there some way out of that?" Raeliana: "There's gotta be somewhere to run." Eugenia: "Miss McMillan." Eugenia: "So this is where you were." Eugenia: "It's time for your purification." Heika: "That's not her!" Wade: "You may go." Heika: "How useless can you be?! You can't even do what I ask of you?!" Wade: "Uh-huh..." Heika: "Take a good look! I told you, this is what she looks like!" Heika: "And you still don't understand?!" Wade: "What does he expect me to get from such an abstract drawing?" Heika: "Bring in the next one!" Wade: "The apprentice you just saw was the last one." Heika: "That can't be right!" Wade: "Pardon my saying so, but perhaps you misremembered her face..." Heika: "What did you say?!" Wade: "N-Nothing!" Wade: "Um, why are you searching for this priestess?" Heika: "To teach her once and for all just who I am!" Wade: "Has he finally gone mad? He's definitely around that age." Heika: "What?" Wade: "Nothing... Surely there is no priest or priestess who doesn't know who you are." Heika: "I'm telling you this because there is one!" Wade: "But that can't be... All the priests and priestesses here are well educated." Heika: "I've had enough of you, you fool!" Wade: "Y-Your Holiness? Where are you going? Your Holiness!" Heika: "I've never been treated that way by such a barbarian before!" Raeliana: "I can't take any more. I wonder if I can find some way to avoid that midday gruel." Raeliana: "She looks familiar somehow." Raeliana: "I wonder how Noah's doing..." Raeliana: "while I'm stuck here, going through all this misery... And the whole reason I'm suffering like this" Raeliana: "is because he had to go and bring me that creoder." Raeliana: "That idiot." h: "Adam, we'll go to the Heeler Mountains next." h: "I hear a dragon lives there." Eugenia: "The star of this year's ceremony is nothing like Lady Vivian Shamal in past years." Eugenia: "She complains, but she eats the food she's given." Eugenia: "It's truly admirable." Eugenia: "M-My lady... Wh-Whatever is the matter?" Raeliana: "Please... Please spare me just this once..." Eugenia: "Huh? Spare you from what?" Raeliana: "From... From that, of course!" Raeliana: "Miss Eugenia, I really, seriously can't take any more of this!" Raeliana: "Miss Eugenia, please! Have mercy on me!" Eugenia: "In that case, will you transcribe the holy texts in the library instead?" Raeliana: "Y-Yes! I'll do anything!" Eugenia: "Transcribing the holy texts is quite challenging." Raeliana: "That's fine!" Eugenia: "Then we'll have you do that today. Your writing implements are ready for..." Eugenia: "you?" Raeliana: "Pardon me..." Raeliana: "Typical temple. All the books look super difficult." Raeliana: "This must be it." Raeliana: "So they're translating other countries' holy texts into the official language?" Raeliana: "I guess that means I'm not just transcribing it, but interpreting it, too. Suddenly knowing every language after coming to this world sure is nice at a time like this." Raeliana: "I just need to write it the way it's been written so far, right?" Wade: "Your Holiness... Your Holiness! P-Please wait!" Heika: "What?! Unhand me, you boor!" Wade: "W-We completed ten laps around the temple yesterday, and this is already the third one this morning..." Wade: "You really must get back to your work now." Heika: "You're the one who decided to follow me. Having you around doesn't even help me at all. Just go away right now." Wade: "B-But I can't—" Wade: "Wh-Where are you going?" Heika: "The library. Since you won't shut up, I'll at least finish the translation!" Wade: "Th-This is... Who in the world had the audacity to finish the work you had started?" Wade: "I-I'm so sorry, Your Holiness! I was so distracted by our visitors, I forgot to instruct them to let nobody enter the library!" Heika: "It's perfect." Wade: "Huh?" Heika: "Their vocabulary is only around the level of a new enrollee in theological school, but the writing is as natural as a native speaker's." Wade: "Surely not..." Heika: "We had someone this talented? With a bit of education from me, they could..." Heika: "Find them!" Wade: "What?" Heika: "Why are you so slow on the uptake?!" Heika: "I'm telling you to find the person who wrote this!" Wade: "O-Of course!" Heika: "Something that cute shouldn't come from someone with a mug like yours." Wade: "P-Please leave me alone." Raeliana: "What's this?" Heika: "You!" Heika: "You're the barbarian!" Raeliana: "What? Are you talking to me?" Raeliana: "What's with this kid? He's been like this since yesterday." Heika: "Are you the one who worked on the translation of the Third Holy Text that I had started in the library?" Raeliana: "The library? Third Holy Text? Yes, that was me. Why?" Heika: "Nairabrab a rof dab ton." Raeliana: "Nairabrab a em gnillac pots uoy dluow? Edur woh!" Heika: "Eugnot Enivid eht dnatsrednu uoy?!" Raeliana: "Yrtnuoc rehtona morf uoy era?" Heika: "A girl like her can speak a special language used only within this temple? And so fluently?" Heika: "Eugnot Enivid eht nrael uoy did erehw? Ygoloeht fo Loohcs Lanoitanretni Ttayf eht ta?" Raeliana: "Huh?" Heika: "Oetemog dratod dlo taht morf Esenoryp esrap ot woh nrael uoy did?" Raeliana: "Wh-What's he talking about?" Heika: "Wade! Wade!" Wade: "Y-Yes?" Heika: "I'm making this girl my disciple!" Wade/Raeliana: "Huh?" Wade: "Your Holiness, please don't." Raeliana: "Holiness?" Wade: "You are Miss McMillan, yes? I am Wade Davis, the head priest. I'm terribly sorry for startling you." Heika: "Just hurry up and put her name on the register already!" Raeliana: "Um... What did you mean by "Your Holiness"?" Wade: "This is His Holiness Heika Demint." Raeliana: "Excuse me? His Holiness Heika Demint?" Knight1: "He is known as a living legend." Raeliana: "A living legend?" Wade: "His divine powers are sealed at the moment, which has unfortunately left him in this state." Raeliana: "No way..." Raeliana: "Why didn't anyone tell me to watch out for a white-haired kid in the temple?! Or that he was the leader of this whole religion?!" Raeliana: "Your Holiness, allow me to introduce myself. I am Raeliana, the eldest daughter of the McMillan household." Heika: "Uh-huh. No wonder I didn't recognize her. She's a noble." Raeliana: "I couldn't possibly be worthy of personal instruction from you." Heika: "Wait, what is this girl talking about? Are you refusing a glorious decree to become my disciple?" Raeliana: "Disciple? Would I have to stay here and transcribe that weird language all the time? Never gonna happen! I do apologize for failing to meet your expectations." Heika: "You mean because you were so rude to me?" Raeliana: "Oh, right..." Raeliana: "So this is what they mean when they say you should be polite to everyone, no matter who." Heika: "I'm willing to forgive you for that." Raeliana: "I am grateful for your generosity, Your Holiness." Heika: "Nah, think nothing of it!" Raeliana: "But still, I really must decline." Heika: "Wade, I think I heard her wrong." Wade: "You heard her exactly right." Heika: "But why?!" Wade: "I'm afraid asking me won't help." Heika: "Why?!" Heika: "She left?" Wade: "Yes." Heika: "She really left?" Wade: "Yes." Heika: "Why did she turn me down?!" Wade: "Again, I don't think asking me will help..." Heika: "Wade... Why do you think she turned me down?" Wade: "The geezer's been asking me this since the crack of dawn... I would guess that she thought it was too great a burden..." Heika: "So what should I do, then?" Wade: "Huh? Normally he'd be flying off the handle, like, "That petty noble had the nerve to refuse my offer?!"" Wade: "Perhaps you should start by reducing the burden it would impose on her?" Heika: "How?" Wade: "You could try being a bit more friendly, or... C-Crap! As if this old geezer is even capable of that! Your Holiness! Forgive my— Huh? Your Holiness?" Heika: "It's clear that she still doesn't realize who I am." Wade: "No, I... huh?" Heika: "Open the gate to the Holy Land immediately." Wade: "P-Pardon? What?!" Priest: "Hurry! There's no time!" Priestess1: "Why do we have to open the gate?" Priest: "Orders from His Holiness, apparently." Priestess2: "Less talking, more working!" Priestess3: "What about this?" Priest: "Someone help me move this!" h: "Something feels different from how this usually is." Raeliana: "That's quite a commotion. Did something happen?" Maid: "I believe they're preparing for tomorrow's banquet celebrating the lighting of the sacred flame. Though the preparations aren't usually quite this hectic." Raeliana: "So that's it." Maid: "Pardon me, my lady, but about this..." Raeliana: "Oh, that..." Maid: "It's truly a beautiful hair accessory. I believe it will go well with your outfit for today." Raeliana: "I don't know why, but I've had a bad feeling this whole time." Maid: "It suits you beautifully." Raeliana: "Thank you." Maid: "Now, come with me, please."

Himuro: "Yeah!" Seirin: "All right!" Riko: "Today's game will be nothing like the others. In short, we'll have to establish and hold a lead." Riko: "It's what we have to do to win." Riko: "Kise-kun's Perfect Copy is too strong." Kise: "He's coordinating with Kurokocchi?" Kagami: "Kuroko!" Kasamatsu: "It's an alley-oop!" Kise: "No, you don't!" Kagami: "I don't need you to pay me back!" Kagami: "Because the game ends now!" Kasamatsu: "But you still can't play." Kise: "What? Why can't I—" Kasamatsu: "Shut up!" Kasamatsu: "That's an order, moron! Don't talk back to me, first-year!" ew Member: "I'm Nagaoka Shohei. I'm from Iwai Middle School. I'd like to play the shooting guard position." Moriyama: "Okay, next." Kise: "Me? Since I'm last, I'd better make it good." Kise: "I'm first-year Kise Ryota. I play basketball for fun, and I'm great at karaoke. Wait, I mean the other way around. I'm from Teiko, and I'll play any position. I'll have to miss a lot of practice since I model, but I look forward to being on the team." All: "Isn't he one of the Generation of Miracles?" All: "He's a superficial idiot..." Kasamatsu: "Shut up. I asked for your name, school, and position." Kasamatsu: "Just give me the answers I asked for, you flashy moron!" Kise: "Ow! This is no way to treat the promising rookie you scouted!" Kasamatsu: "I don't care! First-years shouldn't talk back to their seniors!" Kise: "I don't like that kind of rigid thinking. You think being a few years older makes you more important than me?" Kise: "Besides, I'm probably better at basketball." Kasamatsu: "I am more important." Kise: "What?" Kasamatsu: "Regardless of your skill, this is the Kaijo High basketball team." Kasamatsu: "It's not because I'm older. The second- and third-years have all worked hard for this team for longer than you." Kasamatsu: "I'm telling you to respect that." Kasamatsu: "I don't care if you're one of the Generation of Miracles." Kasamatsu: "Now you're Kise Ryota, Kaijo first-year. And I'm the captain, Kasamatsu Yukio." Kasamatsu: "You got a problem with that?" Kasamatsu: "Now you're Kise Ryota, Kaijo first-year." Kasamatsu: "You got a problem with that?" Koganei: "That's amazing, Kuroko. That's not incomplete at all." Tsuchida: "If you know how Kise moves, the we can use it against him." Kuroko: "We may be able to stop him." Kuroko: "But that's only if he still plays solo, like he did in middle school." Kuroko: "Kise-kun is different now. With passes added to his repertoire," Kuroko: "I can't narrow down his plays enough." Kuroko: "I'm sorry."

Girl: "Morning." Girls: "Princess!" Tanpopo: "Found you..." Taka: "Princess! Princess!" Taka: "Oh..." Taka: "Thanks." Girls: "Princess, listen to this!" Hoozuki: "You've got some nerve, you know. Just because you happen to sit next to the Princess, you made her pick up the eraser you dropped, didn't you? Did you do it on purpose? Obama-kun, get him." Obama: "The best is yet to come!" Hoozuki: "If you've learned your lesson, you won't dare ogle the Princess again." Taka: "Ow..." Teacher: "Oh, good, you're here. Take these to the classroom for me." Taka: "Sure." Girl: "Takamiya-kun! That's day duty stuff, right? Mind handing it over? Princess! I got it! Let's go!" Taka: "What was that?" Taka: "Oh, I guess Kagari-san's on duty today, too." Girl: "Listen to this, Princess! For breakfast today, I had miso soup with shimeji mushrooms, marinated spinach, flavored nori, and rice with a raw egg on top, and when I broke the egg... You won't believe it! It had twin yolks! Princess, I was so surprised! I just knew today was going to be my lucky day! Can you believe it?" Guy: "Takamiya!" Guy: "Hey, Takamiya, up for karaoke after we're done? It's no use asking him." Taka: "I'm on duty today. I'll pass." Guy: "See? Told you. He never wants to hang out. Seems like a real downer, too." Girl: "You boys! Quit slacking and get to work! Takamiya-kun, you're on garbage duty!" Taka: "School buildings?" Taka: "Why?!" Taka: "I'm not dead?" Taka: "Something smells... nice..." Taka: "Huh? What? Kagari-san? Whoa! What are you doing, Kagari-san?!" Kagari: "Quit flailing. You'll fall." Taka: "Huh?!" Taka: "Something crazy's happening in the courtyard! And we're floating in the air! S-Sorry..." Tanpopo: "A Workshop Witch, huh?" Tanpopo: "Let's see... what you can do." Kagari: "They're coming." Taka: ""They're coming"?" Kagari: "You're not hurt?" Kagari: "Stay close to me." Tanpopo: "Takamiya-kun, over here. It's safe over here." Taka: "Who's that?" Kagari: "Burst!" Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Kagari-san?" Kagari: "I told you to stay close to me." Taka: "Even in my dreams, you really are beautiful." Kagari: "Dreams?" Taka: "Yeah, I'm dreaming. There's no other way to explain this. There's no way you'd save me..." Kagari: "It's my mission." Kagari: "I'm sure you're confused now, but there's no need to worry." Kagari: "I'm going to protect you." Kagari: "Because..." Taka: "What?" Kagari: "Just give up and let me protect you." Taka: "Kagari-san, why did you cover for me?" Taka: "Why did you come here?" Kagari: "I told you, because you're my princess." Taka: "That's not what I'm talking about!" Kagari: "What are you angry about?" Taka: "I was tricked. You could have just left me alone." Taka: "Why did you get your hair burned doing something so stupid?" Taka: "Your hair is..." Taka: "Your hair is like a miracle granted by the gods!" Taka: "Look out!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "All I've done is make myself look like a loser..." Kagari: "This was my fault for not finishing the job." Kagari: "I should have returned you to dust..." Kagari: "and left no trace behind. Incinerate them," Tanpopo: "Time to pull back..." Tanpopo: "I won't forget this, Fire Witch." Kagari: "Good morning. How are you feeling?" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Where are we? Are you the only one here? Wait, wasn't I..." Kagari: "This is my own private room within the school." Kagari: "You don't remember what happened?" Kagari: "It wasn't a dream." Kagari: "I'll explain everything one day." Kagari: "For now, let's go home." Kagari: "Your bag is right there." Taka: "Wait, Kagari-san... I..." Kagari: "There's no need to protect you in secret anymore." Kagari: "We'll go home together." Kagari: "My mission is to protect you. Because you are my master." Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "Come and walk beside me," Kagari: "Princess Takamiya-kun." Girls: "Princess! Princess!" Kagari: "May I sit next to you, Takamiya-kun?" Girls: "What was that all about? Who is he?! The Princess is walking with a boy! Why is she walking beside such a lame guy? What is her fan club doing?!" Taka: "Um, Kagari-san... why are we coming to school together?" Kagari: "We'll be doing so every day." Kagari: "What's the matter?" Taka: "Er... my stomach..." Taka: "I gotta go to the restroom!" Girl: "Princess! Why did you come to school with that boy this morning?! The whole school's talking about it! Please tell us why, Princess! Tell us it was some kind of mistake!" Taka: "I'm at a loss here..." Hoozuki: "Hey, why don't you explain what that was all about this morning, Takamiya-kun?" Hoozuki: "Why was scum like you walking with our sublime Princess? Well? Why?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, homeroom is starting." Hoozuki: "Princess!" Kagari: "Your collar is all messed up." Taka: "I-It's fine!" Kagari: "Come on, sit still." Kagari: "Was someone rough with you? If anyone tries to harm you, make sure you tell me. I'll burn them." Kagari: "Done." Kagari: "Let's go, Takamiya-kun." Girl: "Princess, I can't hold it in any longer! I have to ask! What's he doing here?! He's an eyesore! Yeah, that's right! Who does he think he is? Out of place doesn't begin to describe him! Tell us, Princess!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, look at this wiener. It came out well, if I do say so myself." Kagari: "Open your mouth." Taka: "Kagari-san, I'll just eat in the classroom. You should enjoy your lunch out here with everyone else." Taka: "Um, I mean, people have to make reservations to eat with you, right? Your fan club keeps track." Taka: "All of these people have been looking forward to eating with you today. Me being here is totally against the rules." Kagari: "Where I eat, and with whom, is my choice." Taka: "Your choice?" Kagari: "Don't be selfish." Taka: "Selfish?" Taka: "I'm not! I was just thinking of the others. If you say this is your choice, then it's my choice to go back right now!" Taka: "Bye!" Girl: "He yelled at the Princess! How rude!" Girl: "What happened?!" Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "This is where the school building fell, right?" Taka: "It's back to normal, and the building is unharmed..." Tanpopo: "Of course it is." Tanpopo: "That was illusion magic." Tanpopo: "Yesterday, I wasn't sure whether you were harmless or not." Tanpopo: "I needed to find out, and that's why I did things that way." Tanpopo: "The fact that you came to me yourself tells me you're harmless." Taka: "What are you talking about?" Tanpopo: "I'll get to the point." Tanpopo: "I've come here for you." Tanpopo: "I am Kuraishi Tanpopo-sama of the Tower Witches! Gotcha!" Tanpopo: "I figured you'd come, Fire Witch. He belongs to the Tower. I'm taking him back, and returning the favor from yesterday. I lost last time because" Tanpopo: "Today, I'm going into battle in full force... With my entire army!" Tanpopo: "Prepare to be run through together!" Kagari: "Are you all right?" Kagari: "You're not hurt, are you?" Taka: "Kagari-san! Why... What is this?! Kagari-san, why would you do this for me?!" Kagari: "You're angry again?" Kagari: "You're safe. Why are you angry?" Kagari: "It mystifies me." Taka: "Why?" Kagari: "Are you crying?" Taka: "I see now... I shouldn't be getting angry." Taka: "I should believe in you, no matter what happens!" Taka: "Wait, no! This isn't the time! I have to help you! The ambulance! I have to call an ambulance!" Kagari: "You mean, from tomorrow on," Taka: "Oh... yeah, I guess you could sum it up that way." Taka: "Wait, no! We have to do something about you right now! If we don't stop the bleeding, you'll..." Kagari: "It's all right. I'm made of fire." Kagari: "You don't need to worry anything." Kagari: "I'll put an end to this soon." Taka: "Will you be okay once you do?" Kagari: "Close your eyes." Tanpopo: "Having them attack in full force was all well and good, but I forgot how much work it is to move them." Tanpopo: "Hey! Don't fight! Jump down in order! They said "dead or alive," but they'll probably get mad if I don't bring him back in one piece." Kagari: "You've done it now, little animal-eared girl." Kagari: "Burn into nothingness." Tanpopo: "Crap! Plan B!" Tanpopo: "I won't forget this!" Kagari: "You can open your eyes now." Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "You're back to normal..." Taka: "Girls are such a mystery." Taka: "Sorry about what I did at lunch." Taka: "Thanks for the wiener." Teacher: "Good morning, everyone. We have new transfer students joining our class today." Tanpopo: "I'm Kuraishi Tanpopo." Rin: "I'm Kazari Rin." Kotetsu: "I'm Katsura Kotetsu." Mei: "I'm Menowa Mei." Kanna: "I'm Utsugi Kanna." Teacher: "Everyone be nice to them, okay?" All: "Nice to meet you." Taka: "There's more of them..." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, I'm sure this goes without saying, but..." Taka: "I have a bad feeling about where you're going with this."

Kagari: "The exit is finally in sight." Taka: "That was so long..." Taka: "I feel like we've been walking for hours." Kagari: "It's after 5 PM now, so we've probably walked about two hours." Kagari: "You came here by way of the courtyard, right?" Kagari: "This is a different route." Kagari: "It's the long way around, but no one uses it, so it's safe." Kagari: "It will put us out in the mountains behind the school." Taka: "The town is..." sume: "At 10:00 this morning, a magic circle rigged by a Tower Witch was activated" sume: "causing explosions all over town. Though there were no civilian casualties due to the contract with the town, the Workshop head is now in enemy hands. Many allied witches were caught in the explosions," sume: "Those of us who escaped harm are currently conducting a rescue operation." Touko: "The barrier protects ordinary people, not witches, after all." Rinon: "What of our requests for assistance?" sume: "Headquarters said it'll take a few days for help to arrive. We've sent requests to neighboring cities as well, but I feel we shouldn't expect much. To be honest, the witches in this area, including ourselves, aren't accustomed to situations such as these." Touko: "We've lived in peace all this time..." Rinon: "But we can't leave things like this." Touko: "We Workshop Witches can't use magic if the barrier is gone." sume: "We've been ordered to" Rinon: "We know what the enemy is after." Rinon: "If we can just keep him safe..." sume: "It'll depend on how long it takes for the chairwoman to return." Rinon: "Is there a way to temporarily restore the barrier?" sume: "Unfortunately, only a witch of immense magic power can do so. Others would lose their magic to the town and die." sume: "This town is safe. The Tower Witches cannot enter. I believe we should focus on regrouping for now, and wait for an opportunity." Touko: "R-Right!" Taka: "Kagari-san," Taka: "Something terrible happened to the town! Oh, no! My mom! She was at home today!" Kagari: "It's all right. Your mother and all the others are safe." Taka: "Hey... What's going on? Is all of this... my fault?" Taka: "Did the Tower Witches do this because they wanted me?!" Taka: "Did this happen... because of me?" Kagari: "That's right." Taka: "Why did this happen?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, take a deep breath. We don't have time for grief. There's someplace we have to go." Taka: "Something terrible just happened! People could be dead!" Taka: "Our town is gone!" Kagari: "They're all safe. No one is dead yet." Kagari: "If we do what we need to do, no one will be hurt." Kagari: "The town was destroyed because of you." Kagari: "But remember. When I was petrified by Medusa, it was you who cured me." Kagari: "What were you prepared to see happen when you saved me?" Taka: "I'm sorry I lost it." Taka: "What do I need to do?" Kagari: "Come with me." Kagari: "The enemy plans to break into the Workshop after this." Kagari: "I want to get where we're going before then." Taka: "The enemy knew about that courtyard, didn't they? Is everyone there okay?" Kagari: "The Tower Witches can't enter there." Kagari: "It won't come under attack without warning." Kagari: "But now, the sun is setting." Kagari: "Let's hurry." Taka: "Still, this looks horrible..." Taka: "Like the end of the world." Taka: "We have to walk through this?" Kagari: "Watch your step. Even though the robe's power makes your body lighter," Kagari: "it'd be dangerous if you fell." Taka: "By the way, you said we can't use magic. What did you mean?" Kagari: "There's an old Workshop custom." Kagari: "A representative of the Workshop Witches forms a contract with the town. In accordance with that contract, a barrier is erected, and if a situation arises where civilians could be harmed by magic, the town absorbs the witches' magic to protect them. Though, in this peaceful society, it's rare to see towns that follow that old custom. At any rate, the contract with the town is the prerequisite that allows Workshop Witches to use magic." Taka: "I see... The chairwoman used up her power saving the town, and that's how she ended up in enemy hands." Kagari: "Yes. Where are the people she saved?" Kagari: "They've been isolated in a safe location. Right now, the town is in ruins while the contractor is absent, but once the contract is restored," Kagari: "They'll return to the town then." Kagari: "After that, we'll come up with a consistent cover story." Taka: "Is this really the only way?" Kagari: "Yes. Takamiya-kun, watch your step." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Kagari: "Hold on tight!" Taka: "Are you okay, Kagari-san?" Kagari: "Yes. Are you?" Taka: "Yeah, I'm fine." Taka: "Sorry. It was my fault." Kagari: "It's all right. We needed to come down eventually, anyway." Taka: "Please tell me now, Kagari-san. Where are we going?" Witch: "Coming through!" Witch: "Coming through! Coming through! Rinon-sama," Witch: ""You have thirty minutes. Bring him to me."" Weekend: "I can't go there myself, but these little ones can." Weekend: "So, what will you do?" Tanpopo: "Hmm... There's a Tower Witch on the school grounds. Blonde with a red hooded cape... I've never seen her before. Workshop Witches all around her. There's something tied around them... Crap! They're bombs! So what do you want us to do?" Kasumi: "You're the only ones who can use magic right now." Kasumi: "I'll make sure you earn your keep!" Taka: "The location of the contract?" Kagari: "Yes. That's where we're headed." Taka: "Is this thing I'm supposed to do..." Gib: "Well, now... I thought Weekend-sama had already taken you two" Gib: "Why are you here? Well, no matter." Gib: "I was right to wait here for you." Kagari: "You knew about this place, too?" Gib: "I am Gibraltaar the Tower Witch. Here I come!" Kazane: "There! Done! It's not so bad to get away" Kazane: "Well... I think I'll pray for those two to do okay," Taka: "Kagari-san!" Taka: "I have to help her!" Taka: "Damn it!" Gib: "What a bore. How did you intend to face me without your magic?" Gib: "Well, no matter." Gib: "I'm not into tormenting my opponents. This is the end!" Gib: "It's no use resisting! No matter how you struggle, you can't win—" Taka: "That was incredible, Kagari-san! What kind of magic was that?!" Kagari: "Magic?" Gib: "That's right..." Gib: "You shouldn't be able to use magic... How?" Kagari: "It was just a flying knee attack." Gib: "You can't be serious..." Kagari: "I was forced to fight people like her often when I was younger." Kazane: "To be strong even without your magic is my witch's code! You get no dinner until you can defeat them with your bare hands!" Kazane: "Well, our destination is just ahead." Kagari: "Let's hurry." Touko: "Rinon-chan!" Rinon: "How'd it go, Touko?" Touko: "It's no use. They're not answering. Maybe they fell asleep?" Rinon: "It would take us 45 minutes to go" Rinon: "That would take too long. We must call Takamiya-kun and the Princess" Touko: "You want to give Takamiya-kun to the enemy?" Rinon: "I have no intention of giving him to them! But if we don't have a good plan, we'll need him to act as bait." sume: "Rinon." sume: "I've taken a look over these. Please listen." sume: "It's a simple rig. There are no traps." sume: "Unlike the magic circle that blew up the town, there's no blood contract. With a Dispel incantation, even the most incompetent witch could disarm it." Rinon: "If we could use magic, you mean?" sume: "Yes." Witch: "I'm part of Kashiwagi's group. I was rescuing a girl from the rubble in 2-chome when I was attacked. We're a group of eight." Witch: "The witch was blonde with a red coat. She captured me and said that" Witch: "the others would die if I didn't obey." Witch: "Rinon-sama, report from Kasumi's group inside the school. There's a blonde witch in a" Rinon: "Eighteen minutes left..." Chronoire: "Hey, Sebas, is it time to eat yet?" Sebastian: "Please wait about eighteen more minutes." Chronoire: "But I just woke up and I'm famished! Make it quick! Honestly, I wake to find my room reduced to rubble, and the whole town looks different! What's going on?" Sebastian: "A Tower Witch has attacked. I believe it was one with whom we have dealt in the past," Sebastian: "the informant called Weekend..." Chronoire: "Oh... The witch who tried to use me?" Sebastian: "Yes." Chronoire: "I see." Chronoire: "I've changed my mind." Chronoire: "We leave immediately. Get ready." Sebastian: "What? But your meal is almost ready..." Chronoire: "What is my favorite dish, Sebas?" Sebastian: "Powerful witches, ma'am." Chronoire: "The witch who defeated Kazane is right before me." Chronoire: "I would love a taste of her!" Kagari: "We're here." Taka: "This is the Workshop's sacred ground, the heart of the town?" Kagari: "You understand why we've come here, right?" Taka: "So I can make a contract with the town." Rinon: "We're about to meet the enemy." Rinon: "Keep your wits about you." Weekend: "Good evening, Workshop Witches. It would appear he is not among you. You have twelve minutes and five seconds left." Rinon: "That's why we've come to negotiate. We want more time." Weekend: "More time, eh?" Weekend: "You don't seem to know who you're up against. In eleven minutes and fifty seconds, I will blow her up, as per my warning. Then the others will explode one by one, every five minutes. I have nothing more to say." Rinon: "There's no room for negotiation, then?" Weekend: "What a scary face. Do you prefer hand-to-hand combat? I'm quite weak, so I would probably lose quickly. But the moment that happened, everyone here would be blown to pieces." Weekend: "And defeating me won't stop the explosions. If you understand, bring him to me immediately." Tanpopo: "Just so you know, we're only helping you to earn our keep. One bomb counts as one rent payment." Kasumi: "She just called herself weak. Do you think that blonde might just be a negotiator?" Tanpopo: "You mean a different witch rigged the bombs?" Kasumi: "If that's true, it makes sense that defeating her wouldn't stop the bombs." Tanpopo: "So where's the one who rigged them?" Kasumi: "She's watching over this exchange, just like us!" Tanpopo: ""Just like us"?" Kasumi: "That's it! She's inside the school! Animal girl, keep an eye out!" Rinon: "It looks like Kasumi's group has come up with a plan." Rinon: "Seven minutes left... If the bombs don't stop, you and I attack the moment they explode." Witch: "I'm going to die, aren't I?" Rinon: "If you do, so will the rest of us." Rinon: "Still, let's fight back. Even if we can't use magic, I'll at least knock a tooth out of her!" Kagari: "Keep going forward." Kagari: "When the contract is signed, a burden will be placed upon you." Kagari: "Magic will be sucked out from your entire body. You will feel severely exhausted, but you mustn't sleep." Taka: "Okay." Kagari: "The contract will only be temporary. If you're successful, we'll be able to use magic." Taka: "What if I can't do it?" Kagari: "Don't worry. You can do it." Taka: "But..." Kagari: "Whether you can do it or not isn't for you to decide." Kagari: "It's for me to decide." Weekend: "Thirty seconds to go. He's still not coming?" Kasumi: "I can't find her!" Rinon: "Looks like Kasumi isn't going to make it." Weekend: "Twenty seconds to go. Seventeen. Sixteen. Fifteen. Fourteen. Thirteen. Twelve. Eleven. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Time's up! Now for the first—" Rinon: "Dispel?!" Tanpopo: "I'm only earning my keep!" Weekend: "You deceived me!" Rinon: "She's got the switch!" Rinon: "You saved us, Animal Ears! Natsume!" sume: "Right!" Rinon: "She intends to push it! She's wondering if we've" Rinon: "She might keep one alive as insurance, but we can't save all six. We'll worry about it later! Right now, we strike!" Rinon: "Natsume, you feel that?" sume: "Yes! Our magic is back!" Rinon: "We're changing our plans, too!" Rinon: "We're saving them all, Natsume!" sume: "Right!" Rinon: "Don't underestimate the Workshop Witches!" Weekend: "They took apart all my bombs in an instant..." Weekend: "They can use magic again?" Weekend: "So he's signed the contract?" Weekend: "Things are getting interesting now!" Taka: "Kagari-san..." Kagari: "Good morning, Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Huh? Did I fall asleep?" Kagari: "For three hours and ten minutes." Kagari: "You can sleep until morning if you like. It's only 2 AM." Taka: "I can't! This is no time to sit around!" Kagari: "I think you should recover your strength first." Taka: "I'm fine." Taka: "I'm worried about Rinon-san and the others." sume: "We did it, Rinon! What a great achievement! My heart is still racing! Come on, Rinon, you should be happier! Oh, yes. I've sent Touko to the lowest level" sume: "It bothered me that they didn't answer the phone. And Kasumi's group is still searching the school, just in case. We should head back to the courtyard and continue our work..." sume: "Rinon?" Rinon: "There's something I want to say to you. I couldn't care less what you're after or why." Rinon: "The chairwoman will be back soon. All we have to do is keep you here until then." Rinon: "This cell is sealed in glass that magic can't affect." Rinon: "The shackles you're wearing prevent use of magic." Rinon: "And no matter how many allies you have, we'll take them all down! Don't you forget it!" Rinon: "Let's go, Natsume." Weekend: "I was paying my respects to you." Weekend: "I came here quietly out of respect to you for shattering my plans." Weekend: "There was something I wanted to say to you promising rookies." Rinon: ""Came quietly"?" Rinon: "You talk as though you let us capture you on purpose! You're here because you lost to us, you know!" Weekend: "Then why did you come here just to give me that brazen lecture?" Rinon: "You're worried, aren't you? You know the witch who beat Kazane can't be that easy to defeat." Weekend: "You girls are strong, but you are young and naïve. You lack experience, and you've never known a real battle. You should think more flexibly. Abandon your prejudice and observe your enemy with greater caution." Rinon: "What is it you want to say? If you want to teach, bug your Tower Witches!" Weekend: "Did you think I would be powerless if you negated my magic?" Weekend: "You should learn from what you've experienced today." Weekend: "This is an ordinary bomb." Rinon: "Damn!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun! Hang in there." Taka: "Someone just..." Witch: "I've come for you." Weekend: "Good." Weekend: "Don't assume a witch needs magic to fight." Weekend: "Just sit there and watch, Takamiya Honoka-kun! Your friends are about to die! What will you do now?!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "You..." Taka: "It's terrible! Rinon-san and her friend are hurt!" Weekend: "No intention of fighting if it's just the two of us? That's fine." Taka: "You don't mean—" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "How could she..." Taka: "Rinon-san and her friend are hurt." Taka: "I have to help them!" Kagari: "What are you saying? That contract protects civilians. It can't save witches." Taka: "But you told me yourself... to do what I need to do." Taka: "I think the time is now!" Weekend: "Yes, that's it..." Weekend: "Burn everything to ashes, and all will be reborn." Weekend: "That is the power of the fire craft work you possess." Weekend: "I have no further business here. Let's go." Witch: "Yes, ma'am." Weekend: "Where's Nietzsch?" Witch: "She appears to be facing off with several witches in the school." Weekend: "I see." Kasumi: "I will restore my honor! I'm going to defeat you!" Kanna: "Can we go home?" Chronoire: "I was just wandering around when I found you. You are her underling, are you not? Answer my question, or your precious hair will wind up in an" Chronoire: "Not that it isn't already." Chronoire: "Where is your boss?" Kagari: "Sorry I had to be rough." Kagari: "But you can't continue this any longer." Kagari: "It will put your life in danger." Kagari: "The rest is a job for me." ?: "Hey! I'm Kuramine Atori. Or, to be precise, this is me speaking for the silent Atori. Huh? Who am I, you ask? Don't worry about those little details! Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and Weekend, Part 2."

Komachi: "Ouch..." Kazane: "I finally come back to school," Kazane: "and the stuff I see people doing makes me sick." Guy: "What's with her?" Girl: "Has she always been here? I've never seen her before." Girl: "I think she's been suspended from school for a long time..." Komachi: "Could we... start as friends, and go from there?" Kazane: "Stick close to me, Honoka." Taka: "Okay." Kazane: "Did Komachi say anything to you?" Taka: "She said not to be rude to Kazane-san." Kagari: "Mom, I have a request." Kazane: "It's late. I'll listen to your request tomorrow." Kagari: "Listen now!" Kagari: "I found it." Kazane: "Found what?" Kagari: "I found him." Kagari: "I won't ask what it is you're hiding." Kagari: "I just want to go to school together with him." Kazane: "And what is it you want me to do?" Kagari: "Become the most important person in school," Kagari: "and put him and me in the same class." Kazane: "Ayaka, look..." Kagari: "I want to know. Back then, why did he..." Mikage: "Hi, Takamiya-kun! Welcome to the world of chance! If you've come here," Mikage: "Well, have a seat." Mikage: "There's no need to be on guard. I'm here to be your escort." Taka: "Huh?" Mikage: "I saw you stray into the cycle of recollection." Mikage: "You just experienced the chairwoman's memories." Mikage: "Most likely, she has a deep connection with you as the former contractor." Mikage: "But you don't want to stay there for too long." Taka: "What is this place?" Mikage: "The space between dimensions. A world dreamed up by the town." Mikage: "You used the town's power, remember?" Mikage: "That connected you to this place." Mikage: "You came here instead of having dreams of your own. But, as they say, seeing is believing. Come with me. I'll show you something good." Mikage: "Oh, right. I heard Natsume put one over on you." Taka: "Huh?" Mikage: "That tranquilizer gun of hers." Taka: "Do you... Wait, Mikage Natsume?" Taka: "The same name... Is she your daughter?" Mikage: "No, I'm a bachelor. She's my niece." Mikage: "The Mikage family comes from a long line of witches. Natsume's in line to be leader, but she's a bit unreliable yet." Mikage: "If she should encounter any trouble, please help her out." Mikage: "Men have low standing in witch families, after all..." Mikage: "I have no say in any household matters." Mikage: "One day, it'll probably be the same for you." Taka: "I see..." Mikage: "Well, this is it. The heart of this world." Mikage: "Looks like a starry sky, doesn't it?" Mikage: "Each one of these little lights is a human life." Mikage: "This is where we evacuate civilians in times of magic disasters." Mikage: "All the non-magical residents of Tougetsu are housed here." Mikage: "Your mother is here, as well." Mikage: "When the town is restored to normal, they will return to their own world." Mikage: "After their memories are erased." Taka: "Their memories?" Mikage: "Yes. We make sure they forget anything they shouldn't know." Mikage: "I am a memory-erasing mage, you see." Taka: "Memory... erasing?" Tanpopo: "Hey, Kanna! Rin! Mei! Kotetsu! Where are you?" Tanpopo: "What's going on? An earthquake?" Kasumi: "Why, you...!" Kasumi: "Did you see my awesome somersault?! This fight is over!" Kasumi: "Oh, come on! What's with this thing?! No matter how much I hit it, it always gets back up again! And worst of all... I can't stand that her familiar is a copy of mine!" Kotetsu: "That's a doppelgänger." Kanna: "A do-what?" Kotetsu: "It's magic that imitates the opponent's power. She made a copy of the Takamiya sister's bear." Mei: "Oh, I've heard of that. Like when they say, "Doppel the Gänger," right? When the Takamiya sister's bear grows huge, so does hers, and when she uses a technique, the copy uses it back on her. She could be in trouble." Rin: "We should..." Kanna: "What? You think we should help her? If she's losing, what good could we hope to do?" Rin: "We can't..." Kanna: "What? We can't give up? Hmm..." Kasumi: "Hey, you guys! Stop yammering and help me out here! Don't you owe us for giving you food and lodging?!" Mei: "Kazarin!" Kasumi: "Which one... Oh, darn it!" Kasumi: "Crap... my body won't..." Puppet: "So how's he doing?" Puppet: "Looks like he's delirious with fever." Kagari: "It's not your job to worry about Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "Do you have a report for me?" Puppet: "Yeah, yeah. You're not a very amiable Princess, you know that? I carried out my mission, just like you ordered. Here's the thing you wanted, and the information I found about the enemy." Puppet: "Can I ask one thing?" Puppet: "She's the Tower Witch who" Puppet: "The Workshop head seemed content to just let her do her thing, but now she's started" Puppet: "Not that it's unusual for Tower Witches to go after their own allies. They don't care about anyone but themselves, after all. Anyway, she's already gotten to" Kagari: "Thanks for the information." Kagari: "Keep an eye on Takamiya-kun for a while." Puppet: "You're going alone?" Takamiya: "He's suffering right now because I forced him to use the town's power." Kagari: "If I were to fight by his side, I would draw upon his strength." Kagari: "I want him to use his strength to recover right now." Kagari: "Plus..." Puppet: "Plus?" Kagari: "That woman is my prey." Kagari: "I won't let anyone have her." Kazane: "Should be about time..." Kasumi: "Huh?" All: "Medusa-sama!" Kasumi: "Who's that?" Kotetsu: "You came to save us!" Kanna: "Wow, we hardly ever see you in human form!" Tanpopo: "Damn, that was a rough ride..." Mei: "Medusa-sama?" Medusa: "I saw every moment of that fight just now." Medusa: "Skulking around, not trying to fight such a weak foe... It looks like I've been going too easy on you. I guess I'll have to whip you into shape again." Medusa: "I'm being pursued." Medusa: "You'll all be living in seclusion with me for a while. Come!" Tanpopo: "Wait for me, Medusa-sama!" Kasumi: "What was that?" Laurent: "Hold it!" Laurent: "Medusa! You're under arrest!" Puppet: "You won't let anyone have her, you say?" Puppet: "I guess even you get passionate, huh?" Puppet: "For the sake of your destroyed town, or your defeated friends..." Puppet: "What? Lend you a weapon?! Fine! If that's what you want, I'll be glad to help! My sword is in the umbrella stand by the door! Use that!" Weekend: "You're here, eh?" Weekend: "You found my hideout sooner than I expected. You must have quite the superior informant on your side..." Weekend: "Such an impatient Princess. Back at the school, your buddies got the upper hand on me, but that won't happen here. I've filled it with my bombs." Taka: "Sensei, please continue with what you were saying." Mikage: "Oh, yes, I believe I was just telling you that it was I who took the" Taka: "What?! It was you?!" Mikage: "Huh?" Taka: "How can you declare something like that so casually?! The last thing you said was just that you're a memory-erasing mage!" Mikage: "Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "Sensei?!" Mikage: "Sheesh..." Mikage: "I can't believe the enemy's even showing up here." Weekend: "Why did you come alone? Without him, you lack your invincible power of recovery, as well as your source of magic replenishment." Weekend: "As it stands, you can't even touch me." Weekend: "If you want to run, now's your chance." Weekend: "That's what I like to see!" Weekend: "That won't help!" Weekend: "I'm surprised. You shouldn't be invincible now, but you've barely taken any damage..." Weekend: "Now I see how you canceled out my magic with your own. You didn't attack with magic because you were" Weekend: "You were just swinging that huge weapon around... But I never expected you" Weekend: "You're an impressive girl." Weekend: "Magnificent!" Kazane: "My other half is still out there." Kazane: "She's my top student and my finest work..." Kazane: "My daughter, Ayaka!" Weekend: "Entertain me more!" Puppet: "Hey, his condition's getting steadily worse! He's soaked with sweat! Is there something wrong with your nursing skill, Atori?" Puppet: "What? You excel at this, and you're doing a fine job? Who are you to talk?! Something's obviously wrong here! I'll give the orders, so just do as I say! Got it?!" Puppet: "Strip him naked right now and shove an onion up his butt! He's sweating because of his clothes, and onions are the ultimate medicine! Huh? This is..." Weekend: "Without him here, our battle was down" Weekend: "It looks like the bombs I planted outlived your magic power." Weekend: "This is the end." Weekend: "Don't bother struggling. Unlike when you just can't use magic, running out of magic means you can't even move." Kagari: "I finally got you." Kagari: "You're right that my magic power is gone..." Kagari: "But this is his." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, I'm going to go face the enemy boss." Kagari: "But I can't beat her as I am now. Lend me your strength." Kagari: "I know it's unfair to do this while you're asleep, but..." Kagari: "Forgive me." Kagari: "You're not the type of witch to fight at close range." Kagari: "Yet, you fought a melee battle with me. You did so knowing that I didn't bring him with me, and since you know where my magic comes from, you were sure you'd win." Kagari: "But your mistake was believing that he isn't with me." Kagari: "He's right here." Puppet: "Th-This is..." Puppet: "He's got a pretty nice body!" Weekend: "I don't know how you gained more magic power, but..." Weekend: "I shouldn't have fought at a closer range than I'm used to." Kagari: "Her injuries..." Kagari: "Are you..." Kagari: "You figured out my magic?" Weekend: "Now, let's move on to round two." Mikage: "Are you all right, Takamiya-kun?" Taka: "Sensei, what's happening?!" Mikage: "I can't believe they came to a remote place like this... We'll have to talk later. Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Yes?" Mikage: "You're their target." Mikage: "I'm going to return you to reality." Taka: "But what about you?" Mikage: "Don't worry about me. I won't lose to these weaklings. Just worry about what happens after you wake up." Mikage: "There's a good chance the place where you're resting will be attacked. Okay, close your eyes and take a deep breath. I'm going to force you awake. You'll feel a bit of a shock." Taka: "Where am I?" Taka: "Wh-Why am I naked?! D-Don't look!" Puppet: "I noticed when I was undressing you. The shirt you had on was the Princess's. It's not my place to judge people's hobbies, but..." Taka: "It doesn't matter! Just turn around!" Taka: "Kagari-san went to finish it by herself?" Taka: "Where?! I have to go help her! Mikage-sensei told me..." Puppet: "Hang on, hang on! Take a breath already!" Taka: "Ventriloquism?" Puppet: "You're sick, you know. You still have a fever. Just rest for now. Don't think about anything." Taka: "But..." Puppet: "The Princess left you in my care!" Puppet: "Don't try anything funny!" Puppet: "Can you hear me, Atori?" Puppet: "I'm borrowing your partner to communicate with you. This is Mikage." Mikage: "I'm at the civilian evacuation site. The enemy came all the way out here. I finally... I mean, I immediately took her out, but she said something strange." Mikage: "She said she placed a bomb here in the evacuation site. Takamiya-kun was just here, so I thought she came here for him, but it looks like she had a different goal." Meteora: "The bomb will detonate in thirty minutes. If you want to stop it, bring him to Weekend-sama." Mikage: "You heard her." Mikage: "Not to mention, she could be lying." Puppet: "Oh, and don't tell Takamiya-kun and the Princess about this. We can't let the enemy have them." Taka: "Is that true?" Puppet: "If the enemy gets her hands on him, it's all over." Puppet: "Just to remind you..." Taka: "Atori-san!" Taka: "Take me to wherever Kagari-san went!" Tanpopo: "That's Takamiya-kun and that girl. Looks like they're in a hurry... What's going on in this town?" Weekend: "Looks like you're out of fuel." Kagari: "You have the power to recover from injury quickly, just like me..." Weekend: "That's right." Kagari: "That's why you recovered right away after I hurt you." Weekend: "Yes." Kagari: "But how did you offset my attack?" Weekend: "Let me reveal one of my secrets. I keep an automatic recovery spell in effect within" Weekend: "But it consumes a great deal of magic, and I'm not a witch who has a lot of magic power. So how did I defeat your magic power?" Weekend: "The answer is simple. I spent about half a year rigging the explosive magic in this church. Same goes for the magic circle that blew up the town. I spent more than a year setting it up, but in battle, I only used my magic power to heal myself." Kagari: "But now your regenerative magic is used up, right?" Kagari: "You're using your own magic to manipulate these things now." Weekend: "Exactly. I'm defenseless right now. My magic reserves have run dry. I'm at my limit." Weekend: "Mine is only a false "destruction and regeneration," after all." Weekend: "But soon, it will become real." Taka: "What was that?! Atori-san, is that where she is?!" Taka: "Stay here, Atori-san!" Weekend: "She was a tough opponent..." Witch: "You called, Weekend-sama?" Weekend: "Find the girl. I'll be resting inside." Witch: "Yes, ma'am. But..." Weekend: "Even dead, she carries the blood of the White Princess." Weekend: "I'm sure she's still in one piece." Puppet: "Atori, you look like you're worried about him." Puppet: "Relax. They'll be fine. There's no way they'll lose when things have heated up this much!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun..." Kagari: "What are you doing here?" Kagari: "Just moving must be agonizing..." Taka: "Kagari-san... use my power." Taka: "There's no time. We have to stop her..." Taka: "There's a bomb... where the townspeople are..." Kagari: "Leave this to me, Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "Give me the switch!" Weekend: "Too... bad." Weekend: "I already detonated it." Weekend: "My name is Weekend, the End Witch. Basically, I'm the boss character. Next time, the final episode of Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and Weekend, Part 3." Weekend: "Bad endings aren't so bad..."

Tanpopo: "What do you want?!" Tanpopo: "Huh? You didn't come to fight me?" Tanpopo: "I have no idea what you're saying." Tanpopo: "What?! So where is she?" Weekend: "Too bad. I already detonated it." Mikage: "What's going on?" Mikage: "It hasn't been thirty minutes yet." Meteora: "It's begun? So it's time at last, Weekend-sama..." Weekend: "That's not a time bomb. It was my plan to detonate it the moment you showed up," Weekend: "Did you see it? Did you feel all those lives vanishing?! It's your fault! It's your f—" Kagari: "Quiet!" Weekend: "Everything is ready. Now, break the seal!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, don't! This is a trap!" Ever: "You're powerless, you know. Didn't I tell you? Don't get into situations where you need to call me." Tanpopo: "You can't use your strength when your master is unconscious?" Tanpopo: "But still, why do I have to help her?" Tanpopo: "Help me out here!" Ever: "Honestly..." Ever: "Give a little more thought to what you're doing." Taka: "You're..." Ever: "Oh, you remember me?" Ever: "We're within my barrier. It's also your own dream... But enough of that." Ever: "You have a wish, don't you?" Ever: "No need to tell me. I know." Ever: "You want to get back all the people and buildings that were blown up. I'm willing to help you..." Ever: "But a big wish calls for big compensation." Ever: "Your life." Ever: "I will have your life." Ever: "But don't forget." Ever: "Your death means..." Taka: "Give me power!" Tanpopo: "Hm? What's wrong?" Mei: "Medusa-sama..." Kotetsu: "What is this?" Kanna: "What's happening?" Medusa: "Look at that, girls." Medusa: "That is the power I want." Medusa: "Yes!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Kagari: "Stop this magic right now! This isn't the way to use it!" Taka: "Kagari-san..." Kagari: "This is reckless! Don't think you can—" Taka: "Kagari-san, listen! I have to end this!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun..." Taka: "I need to apologize to you." Taka: "I made a deal to exchange my life for everyone else." Taka: "And you're part of it." Kagari: "It's all right." Kagari: "I can't live on without you, anyway." Kagari: "Do what you believe is best." Kagari: "And you won't die." Kagari: "I won't let you." Kagari: "Evermillion! You can hear me, right? Use my life! I'm going to fulfill the promise!" Taka: "Ka—" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Weekend: "Go after her. I never thought she'd take your place in a deal for your life... You guys can do that? Damn it! My plans are ruined!" Weekend: "I lost all my magic power fighting with her. This knife is all I have left. But if you hadn't restored me, too, I couldn't have done this! Before, I couldn't even stand!" Taka: "I might be stupid... But no matter how many times you blow me up or stab me," Taka: "I would do the same thing! I'll save whoever I see before me." Taka: "But I won't be careless with my own life anymore! I won't give in to you!" Taka: "If you had to resort to this knife, it means you ran out of options. In other words, you had no other way to get your hands on me! Which means you've lost!" Weekend: "Reached your limit?" Weekend: "Evoke, give him emergency treatment." Weekend: "Sorry I lost my temper and stabbed you. Once I leave, I'm sure your friends outside will come in. Get them to take care of you, and prepare for our next meeting. Until you give in, I need only do the same thing over and over." Evoke: "Weekend-sama..." Weekend: "We still have plenty of time before Kazane recovers." Weekend: "We're going with Plan F. Get ready. I'll be resting at Hideout #13." Weekend: "Come for me in eight hours." Evoke: "Yes, ma'am." Puppet: "He did it! Let's go, Atori!" Puppet: "I don't believe it!" Puppet: "Didn't Takamiya-kun win?" Chronoire: "From the look on your face, it seems you lost." Weekend: "Chronoire Schwarz VI." Chronoire: "We meet at last, bomb woman." Puppet: "Is that Chronoire?" Puppet: "Were they in it together?" Puppet: "Whatever. The Princess and Takamiya-kun come first! Let's go in, quick!" Puppet: "Takamiya-kun! You did it!" Taka: "Kagari-san is..." sume: "Rinon..." Rinon: "Natsume?" sume: "Look! Our wounds are all better!" Ai: "What the heck is going on?" Mai: "Beats me." Mii: "Dunno." Kasumi: "What are you doing?! You were using my unconsciousness to try to kidnap me, weren't you?!" Tanpopo: "Hang on! Don't get the wrong idea! I was—" Kasumi: "Macaron, get her!" Kasumi: "Huh? Saved me?" Kasumi: "Now, Macaron!" Bunny: "Even if I fight my hardest, I can't beat you, anyway. Give me your best shot." Bear: "But..." Bunny: "It didn't last long, but I had fun talking with you. Come on. You can't keep your master waiting. See ya." Tanpopo: "Hey, what are you saying?" Tanpopo: "Why did this happen?!" Mom: "What should I make for dinner tonight?" Mikage: "Hello, this is Mikage. I'm surprised." Mikage: "but now everything's back to normal, like nothing ever happened." Mikage: "The stars are disappearing, too. They've all returned to their own world. His power must have done this. Is he safe?" Mikage: "What? Is he there? Put him on." Mikage: "Well done, Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Sensei..." Taka: "Sensei, I haven't done well at all." Taka: "Because of me..." Mikage: "You sound awful. What's wrong?" Taka: "Kagari-san is..." Chronoire: "The town is completely back to normal." Weekend: "Where are we going, Chronoire?" Chronoire: "Do you not excel in strategies that take advantage of location? I thought I would at least let you choose where you wish to die." Weekend: "No need." Weekend: "We can start right here." Chronoire: "Is that right? Then I won't hold back!" Mikage: "You made a contract with the White Princess and wished for power in exchange for your life." Mikage: "And then the Princess gave her own life in your place, correct?" Taka: "Yes." Mikage: "How is she now?" Taka: "Well, it's sort of strange. She's not breathing, but she's still warm." Taka: "I can't believe she's dead yet..." Mikage: "Something about your story struck me as strange. The White Princess gave you power in exchange for your life, right? Then someone else's life shouldn't work." Mikage: "What's going on?" Taka: "Now that you mention it, the enemy witch was surprised to hear that Kagari-san took my place, just like you." Taka: "Or maybe she was angry... Oh, right... and before Kagari-san went down, she said she would "fulfill the promise." I don't know what she meant, though..." Mikage: "Takamiya-kun, I want to try something." Mikage: "Follow my instructions. Atori, you can make a Völsunga magic circle, right? Draw the magic circle on the floor with the Princess in the center." Taka: "Sensei, is this..." Mikage: "If I'm correct, we may be able to save her." Chronoire: "Good grief." Weekend: "Damn you, Chronoire..." Chronoire: "When the town was returned to normal," Chronoire: "It alleviates the boredom." Ai: "Wait a minute! We had nothing to do with anything!" Mai: "You even got our llama!" Mii: "Yeah!" Chronoire: "You've lost." Weekend: "Lost? The plan I spent years putting together? Right now, he should be dead, and his power should be in my hands. Why didn't he die then? That's right... that's where my plan fell apart! My plan should have been flawless!" Mikage: "Are you both ready?" Mikage: "Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Yes?" Mikage: "First, make a small cut on your fingertip. Then touch it to the Princess's chest. I'll recite the incantation. Atori, you repeat what I say. Takamiya-kun, while we recite the incantation, you kiss the Princess." Taka: "Okay! You can count on me! I'll kiss— What?! What do you mean?!" Mikage: "To kiss is to touch another with your lips." Taka: "That's not what I mean!" Mikage: "I believe she didn't actually take your place," Mikage: "but died by breaking her contract with you." Taka: "What does that..." Mikage: "I'll explain later. But the solution is simple." Mikage: "This is the ritual of re-signing." Mikage: "Huh? Not her mouth?" Taka: "It doesn't matter as long as it brings her back, right?! I'm sure it'll work!" Taka: "And say "good morning"..." Mikage: "How is she, Takamiya-kun? Um... She doesn't seem to be waking up." Mikage: "Then you'll have to try again." Puppet: "Yeah! Try again!" Mikage: "And do it right this time." Puppet: "Do it right, you wuss!" Taka: "Sorry, Kagari-san." Taka: "I can't do it!" Puppet: "I've never seen such a coward! Just hurry up and plant one on her!" Taka: "I can't! We're not even married! I can't do something that audacious!" Puppet: "I've had it with you!" Taka: "H-Hey!" Puppet: "What?!" Chronoire: "Your plan was flawless? Don't make me laugh! You forced me to make that candy, then used Medusa to get him to swallow it. I don't care about Medusa, but using me was a mistake." Weekend: "You and Medusa have strong ties with Kazane. And you had incentive to go along with it. Medusa was freed from her constraints, and you got to fight. No, I now know what your true goal was." Chronoire: "My goal? It seems you're capable of thinking a bit, after all. But it was different for Medusa. She was more..." Chronoire: "Plus, you misjudged his strength. The Fire Witch protects him, but she also binds him." Weekend: "Binds him?" Chronoire: "You lost because you didn't understand that." Chronoire: "And there's one more thing you missed." Chronoire: "You're there, aren't you?" Chronoire: "Kazane! Yeah, since the town is back to normal," Weekend: "You came out? How?! You were imprisoned!" Chronoire: "You still don't get it? You estimated that it would take her a week to recover, but she regained her strength in twenty hours." Weekend: "Then why didn't you come out right away?!" Kazane: "It's still true that I lost. I decided to leave the rest of the fighting to the kids" Kazane: "I came here to clean up the aftermath. Chronoire, that's enough. Give her to me." Chronoire: "What are you saying?! She's my dinner!" Kazane: "I must see to it that she is suitably punished." Chronoire: "I suppose so. How many centuries has it been since I met you?" Chronoire: "Every time I've seen you since, we've ended up in conflict." Kazane: "I have no intention of discussing the past with you here. Give Weekend to me." Chronoire: "Perfect timing." Chronoire: "I had just been thinking that it was high time we settled things." Kagari: "Promise me. If he ever needs your power, or is about to die, release him from our contract" Kagari: "and give the power he uses for me back to him." Ever: "Ah, I never should've made that promise. Normally, it's the exclusive right of my host to break a contract." Taka: "Sensei... and the white woman?" Ever: "Ayakacchi broke the contract and returned your power to you." Ever: "After that, I didn't even need to give you my power. You saved the town and its people on your own." Ever: "So our deal for your life was called off." Mikage: "Never be so careless with your own life again. Now, wake up." Mikage: "She's waiting for you." Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "I get the feeling someone carried me here in my sleep..." Taka: "What did I do yesterday?" Taka: "Oh, yeah! Kagari-san! Where's Kagari-san?! Ow!" Kagari: "Good morning." Taka: "Kagari-san," Kagari: "I'm fine. It'll take a little time for my magic power to recover," Kagari: "I don't think I'll need it for a while." Taka: "Yeah..." Taka: "The town is totally back to normal." Taka: "It's like it was all a dream." Kagari: "You protected it." Taka: "No, I can't do anything by myself." Taka: "Not without you to keep me strong. I hope" Kagari: "Always..." Kagari: "together." Tanpopo: "Yo, Fire Witch! You've got some nerve, flirting on the way to school!" Tanpopo: "Today is the day we finally finish this!" Kotetsu: "Take us on fair and square in a real fight!" Kanna: "We've got a lot of steam to blow off!" Mei: "We'll show you how far our training" Rin: "Yeah!" Tanpopo: "I know you're out of magic after the battle" Tanpopo: "And just so you know, we're not playing dirty! Well? Have you had enough?" Kagari: "Stay back." Taka: "But your magic is..." Kagari: "It's okay." Tanpopo: "Damn you! Always looking down on us like we're nothing! Let's go! Operation "Go Back to Sleep in Summer!"" Tanpopo: "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Tanpopo: "That hurts! You don't have any magic... How..." Mei: "Hold up! I can't take any more! I give!" Taka: "I guess, in a way, everything is the same."

Katsura: "How vexing..." Kagari: "Oh. Good morning, Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Wh-Wha—" Taka: "This isn't our classroom! Huh? But I'm sure I came the same way I always do..." Kagari: "I cast a spell on you so that you'd subconsciously choose to come here." Kagari: "This is part of the club room building." Takamiya: "What are you doing?" Kagari: ""What"? This is a witch hunt." Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "You said they were trouble." Taka: "Those girls are after me, aren't they? Talk about trouble." Taka: "If I'd been hurt like you were before..." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun. Do those five truly trouble you?" Kagari: "I did want to come to school with you. I meant to finish this quickly, but the last one got away from me." Kagari: "I thought she might show herself if I tortured the other four here." Taka: "Listen, Kagari-san..." Taka: "Hey, let's take that thing out of her mouth. She's trying to say something, after all. And... lose the fire." Tanpopo: "You stupid woman! What are you thinking, attacking us out of nowhere?! We only wanted a peaceful commute to school!" Katsura: "That's right!" Tanpopo: "This only happened in the first place because you" Taka: "Discipline?" Tanpopo: "She's your woman, isn't she?!" Taka: "What?! What are you talking about? Kagari-san is just my classmate. We don't have that kind of relationship!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, may I burn her up? She's noisy." Taka: "No, you may not!" Taka: "Listen, Crisis-san... or was it Crazy-san? It's Kuraishi! Why are you after me?" Taka: "I don't understand why I'm your target. Did I do something to make you angry?" Tanpopo: "She didn't tell you?" Tanpopo: "I guess that's not a surprise. She's a Workshop Witch, after all. She's on the side that's been hiding you all this time." Tanpopo: "We bear no grudge against you." Tanpopo: "We just want your body." Taka: "My body?" Tanpopo: "The white stuff that's inside of you." Kanna: "Tanpopo-chan, Tanpopo-chan." Kanna: "Don't you think that might give Takamiya-kun the wrong idea?" Tanpopo: "Why?" Kanna: "Never mind. It was stupid of me to ask." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, don't take what your enemy says at face value." Tanpopo: "Anyway, can you guys afford to be so easygoing right now? You only caught four of us... And there's five." Mei: "I'll leave the girl to you." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "Kagari-sa—" Tanpopo: "You'll be facing us, Fire Witch!" Mei: "For crying out loud... I can't believe those four were caught so quickly. That was way beyond my expectations." Mei: "Well, I set the stage for them. They should be fine now. I'll just make a graceful exit with Takamiya-kun" Mei: "No, no..." Mei: "No, no, no, no, no, no! What are you, Mario with a Super Star?!" Mei: "D-Don't come any closer! I'll bite his head off!" Taka: "Kagari-san, don't worry about me!" Mei: "Quiet, you!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, don't worry about a thing. Just be still." Kagari: "I won't fail to save you." Kagari: "Now, how shall I cook this woman? Burning that wavy hair off first might be interesting." Taka: "If possible, I'd rather you used a more peaceful method..." Mei: "You seem awfully confident, Fire Witch. I thought you were just protecting his white stuff, but it looks like the boy himself is valuable to you. I can see that's your mission." Mei: "But he's in my hands now. How are you going to save him from this situation? Just try something, Fire Witch! Do you think I'm so afraid of you that I won't kill him? If so, then you're wrong!" Mei: "What?" Mei: "Takamiya-kun is caught fire?" Mei: "Why do you have the same injury as Takamiya-kun?" Mei: "I'll bow out here for today. Until next time, you two." Kanna: "I don't think we can beat her." Tanpopo: "There must be a trick to it!" Rin: "More importantly, my skin is..." Katsura: "And it's still only first period..." Taka: "This is Kagari-san's..." Taka: "Something like this happened before." Taka: "If I remember right, I..." Taka: "There's no wound..." Kagari: "You're awake?" Taka: "Kagari-sa— Whoa, why the scarf?" Kagari: "It's a bit chilly today." Taka: "But it's June." Kagari: "You know, Takamiya-kun..." Taka: "Yeah?" Kagari: "I wanted you to be able to live your life without having to know about all this." Kagari: "That was my wish. But if things go on like this," Kagari: "You know the circumstances now, to some extent." Kagari: "To restore your usual daily life, we'll have to make a move ourselves." Taka: "Make a move?" Kagari: "We have to defeat the mastermind who's behind all of this, the one who stole away your peace. If there's any problem, it's that I don't know who that mastermind might be." Taka: "Isn't that the biggest possible problem?" Kagari: "Still, there's nothing to be concerned about." Taka: "You were injured because of my weakness." Taka: "Kagari-san, tell me everything. About you and me, about those girls..." Taka: "Don't fight alone anymore. I'm the one they're after." Taka: "I can't keep watching you get hurt because of me. So, I want to ask you a favor. Teach me magic. No..." Taka: "Would you make me your apprentice?" Kagari: "What?" Maids: "Welcome home, Master." Maids: "Right this way." Chronoire: "It's been a long time indeed, Kazane." Kazane: "For what purpose would a villain like you summon me out of the blue to a place like this, Chronoire Schwarz?" Chronoire: "You're as cold as ever. This is our first encounter in 130 years. Isn't it Workshop custom for a visiting witch" Kazane: "That's between Workshop Witches. You're a Tower Witch." Chronoire: "True! We're enemies. But we're also comrades who've survived many an age together." Chronoire: "We've known one another since the Crusades." Kazane: "When did you arrive?" Chronoire: "Late last night." Chronoire: "I heard that Medusa's underlings picked a fight with your people." Chronoire: "I'd hoped to join the fun! Once he's found, war will break out, sooner or later." Chronoire: "We'll see Walpurgis Night." Sis: "Onii-chan!" Taka: "Can't you knock?" Sis: "Phone call from some girl." Taka: "Huh? Oh..." Taka: "Hello?" Kagari: "Good morning. Did you wait long?" Taka: "No, I just got here." Taka: "You're wearing your uniform, I see." Kagari: "I stopped by the school first." Taka: "I see." Kagari: "Let's go." Taka: "Would you make me your apprentice?" Taka: "Kagari-san, where are we going?" Kagari: "You'll find out when we get there." Kagari: "We'll be walking for a while, so let's talk." Kagari: "There's a story I'd like you to hear." Taka: "A story?" Kagari: "It's about witches. Takamiya-kun, when I was fighting with the Tower Witches yesterday," Kagari: "do you remember when they called me a Workshop Witch?" Taka: "Uh, yeah." Kagari: "That was correct." Kagari: "I'm a witch employed by the Workshop." Taka: "Workshop?" Kagari: "Witches of this world are divided into two main types." Kagari: "One seeks to protect this world. We are Workshop Witches. Workshop Witches build" Kagari: "We monitor those cities to make sure that magic isn't used for evil there. We set up a workshop in each designated sector and take up residence in that sector to protect it. That's why we're called Workshop Witches." Kagari: "The other type of witch uses magic for selfish ends. They are Tower Witches. Their motives are unknown, but they are forever concocting schemes to bring chaos to the world. They don't care what happens to our world, even if people die. If you were to fall into their hands," Kagari: "it would spell disaster for this world." Taka: "Kagari-san, just what would I..." Kagari: "To be specific, all humans would die, the Earth would explode," Taka: "What? All of that?!" Kagari: "Maybe." Maids: "Welcome home, Milady." Taka: "Kagari-san?" Kagari: "I'm a bit tired. Let's rest for a bit." Maid: "May I take your order?" Taka: "Uh, I'll have one of these." Maid: "Enjoy." Kagari: "Challenger..." Taka: "So this is one of those things I shouldn't eat?!" Touko: "Ah! There you are, Princess!" Touko: "The part-timers are making a huge fuss in the back! If you're here, you should've..." Touko: "...told me so." Touko: "Oh, did you come to watch me working hard? And you're usually so aloof!" Touko: "Is that your usual, "Get out of my sight, you cow," look?! That's okay. I'm happy just to have had the chance to see you, Princess! Oh, yes, Princess... Did you hear about Chronoire? That notorious witch is here in town! And I heard the Star Team and Cherry Blossom Team just came into town, too!" Touko: "More and more Tower Witches are coming here! What's about to happen in this town?!" Touko: "Those eyes! That's the same look as when you drove your" Touko: "I'll get out of your way!" Touko: "Take care of the Princess, Takamiya-kun." Touko: "Bye!" Taka: "How did she know my name? Hey, was that the student council vice president?" Kagari: "You don't know her." Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "I'm kidding. In truth, you don't need to know her." Taka: "That's even harsher..." Kagari: "Let's get going." Taka: "Eh? Oh, right..." Ai: "Are you lost? Come on, don't cry. What's your name? I'll help you find your family, okay?" Ai: "Excuse me, is there a mother here whose child is missing?" Taka: "Is there something..." Ai: "I just got here, and I've already found him. Good job, me." Girl: "Onee-chan..." Ai: "Get lost, brat." Kagari: "Sorry about the wait. Let's—" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Ai: "Today's my lucky day!" Mai: "Ai-chan, sorry for the wait! We were out messing around and..." Ai: "Don't just stand there! That's a Workshop Witch!" Mai: "Mii-chan!" Mii: "Right!" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Stay down." Mai: "Is she—" Girl: "Onee-cha—" Taka: "Look out!" Taka: "That sound..." Kagari: "Don't worry. It won't last long." Ai: "Ow, hot!" Ai: "What is this?" Kagari: "Bang." Ai: "Crap!" Ai: "Mai-chan, Mii-chan..." Ai: "We're pulling out." Mii: "Aww, but I can still—" Ai: "Don't be indulgent! You two were knocked out in one blow! You two! We're leaving for today, but you'd best be careful. From this point on, you'll be targeted no matter where you go. I got a little unlucky today, but I won't forget this!" Mom: "Koharu-chan!" Girl: "Mama!" Taka: "There sure are a lot of weird people among you witches..." Tanpopo: "Crazy hyper! I just don't get it! Your eyes create their own illumination!" Taka: "Um, Kagari-san... Sorry for suddenly getting caught like that." Kagari: "Yes... I believe you may be a bit too vulnerable." Kagari: "Do you think you'll be able to work hard as my apprentice that way?" Taka: "Huh? You mean..." Kagari: "Rather than idly waiting for an ever-increasing number of enemies to attack, I've decided it may be better for you to learn a bit about magic." Kagari: "This won't end until we defeat the true mastermind." Kagari: "I hope we find them quickly..." Kagari: "But this may be a very long battle." Taka: "Kagari-san..." Taka: "Hey, can I ask you something?" Taka: "Why haven't you done anything with me? I mean, if letting those Tower girls have me is so bad, wouldn't it make sense to hide me or seal me away somewhere?" Taka: "Like today, if I hadn't left home, we wouldn't have been attacked. Besides..." Kagari: "Don't worry about those things." Kagari: "Have you reviewed for tomorrow's grammar quiz? I've meant to say so for a while," Kagari: "but tests in that subject always seem to give you trouble." Kagari: "It's not difficult if you review the material." Kagari: "Or do you have trouble even after reviewing?" Kagari: "Either way, if you're going to worry, it should be about things like that." Kagari: "That's the world I'm trying to protect, after all." Kagari: "What's wrong? Are you tired?" Taka: "Oh, no. Not at all." Taka: "So you were heading to our school. I thought you might be, just from the route we took." Kagari: "It's the workshop." Kazane: "Yes?" Kazane: "You're finally here? How is it that you left in the morning to pick him up, and didn't get back until after tea time?" Kazane: "Ayaka, I just got a phone call. It was a complaint from the shopping district. They said my little "shrew" drew a" Kazane: "Did I not give you a very stern warning" Kazane: "I told you not to wreak havoc indiscriminately!" Kazane: "Really! What good is a Workshop Witch that destroys everything?" Taka: "Um, I'm sorry to interrupt, but... With all due respect, ma'am, Kagari-san was—" Kazane: "Well, well... This is the first time we've spoken face to face, Takamiya Honoka-kun." Kazane: "Setting aside the complaint against my daughter, Ayaka... She told me that you asked to be her apprentice. That's why I had her bring you here today. It's Workshop custom that, when a subordinate witch takes an apprentice, that person must first be brought before the witch's superior." Kazane: "I welcome you, Takamiya-kun." Kazane: "Welcome to the Workshop." Chronoire: "I wanna do more next time." Kagari: "My name is Kagari Ayaka. I'm a witch of the Ultima Syria Workshop. I like sweets. Next time on Witch Craft Works:" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun and Chronoire's Trap."

Tanpopo: "Hey, Fire Witch! Today's the day we defeat you" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, stay there and watch closely. You can learn by watching your teacher." Kagari: "That's what an apprentice does." Taka: "Right!" Kanna: "Tanpopo-chan, are you sure about that? She's invincible." Tanpopo: "We discussed this yesterday!" Tanpopo: "Get into formation!" Tanpopo: "This won't end like it always has before!" Tanpopo: "Prepare yourself! Rapid Stream!" Taka: "Right... watch closely." Girl: "It's the Princess! Who does that guy with her think he is?" Taka: "Those girls must have a lot of energy," Taka: "I imagined your locker being full of love letters, but I guess not—" Kagari: "The people in my fan club manage that." Kagari: "By the way, were you watching that fight earlier?" Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "This time, it ended quickly, but that doesn't mean there was nothing to be learned from it." Kagari: "There is meaning in even the smallest things." Taka: "And right now..." Kagari: "Understand?" Girl: "Princess, good morning! She's beautiful again today! Good morning, Princess!" Kagari: "Read these during breaks." Taka: "Science, math, and English? Is this..." Kagari: "It's part of your training." Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "If there's anything you don't understand, ask me immediately." Girl: "Why is she helping him? Teach me, too!" Taka: "I'm already lost..." Kagari: "This part is..." Girl: "He's so annoying. What's with that guy?" Teacher: "All right, everyone, line up! For today's gym class, we'll be playing tennis. You'll play doubles, so boys and girls, split up to form pairs." All: "Yes, ma'am." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, let's team up." Taka: "Kagari-san? Uh, no, boys and girls are separate." Teacher: "You there, boy. Team up with the Princess. I don't think the girls' team is enough of a match for her. You two will be a team." Girls: "What?!" Kagari: "This is also part of your training, Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Um..." Kagari: "Your hand." Kagari: "We're going to win every game." Taka: "S-Sure." Taka: "You're really close..." Kagari: "Come on, stand up." Kagari: "Hold the racket like this and relax your shoulders." Teacher: "All right, those of you going home, be safe. Those in clubs, work hard. See you tomorrow. You're dismissed." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "Get ready to leave." Taka: "Oh, right." Taka: "What?! We're going home?!" Taka: "I was prepared for things to get a lot harder after classes were over." Kagari: "That was the plan, but you looked exhausted." Kagari: "There's no need to rush. What we can do tomorrow, we'll do tomorrow." Taka: "I'm sorry to make you go out of your way for me, Kagari-san." Taka: "Still, I was really surprised yesterday. I never thought our school would be your organization's base." Taka: "Or that the school chairwoman was your boss..." Kagari: "Our school is a prestigious witch school." Takamiya: "What? It is?" Taka: "What's up, Kagari-sa—" Kagari: "Stay put." Chronoire: "My teacher once said that life is like dessert." Chronoire: "Most things are either strawberry shortcake or gateau au chocolat. Why, I wonder, is life like a dessert?" Chronoire: "But no matter. It's a pleasure to meet you both. I presume you're Takamiya-kun and Kazane's daughter, the Firestarter, correct?" Chronoire: "Behold the Tower Witch, Chronoire Schwarz VI, as she makes her resplendent entrance!" Taka: "What's wrong? Who is she?" Chronoire: "I can't have you putting up a fight." Chronoire: "I've frozen you so you can't move." Chronoire: "I used Waters of Nous following Aion Extraction." Chroinoire: "But, I'll spare you the complicated details." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Chronoire: "Not even a scratch on you." Taka: "Stop! I'm the one you want, right?!" Chronoire: "How admirable. You're putting yourself at risk to protect her? You truly understand nothing." Chronoire: "Let's get to the point. Whether you skewer her, rip off her limbs, or gouge out her heart, that woman will never die." Chronoire: "I've just verified that." Chronoire: "Now, this is the important part..." Chronoire: "Does it hurt?" Taka: "My shirt is torn, but there's no wound..." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Taka: "What did you do to her?!" Chronoire: "Look at her wound." Taka: "Right, I have to treat the—" Chronoire: "Have you noticed? She's wounded in the place where you were stabbed." Chronoire: "It's called Damage Transfer." Chronoire: "It means any injury you suffer is inflicted upon her body instead. But..." Chronoire: "This power only works when you two are close to one another." Chronoire: "There are also times when the damage won't transfer, even if you are close. It can't be easily explained." Taka: "I don't care! I have to stop the bleeding!" Chronoire: "Be silent and listen. Fail to do so and she dies." Chronoire: "So, why does she suffer wounds meant for you?" Chronoire: "It's simple. That is the rule for one who signs a contract with you." Chronoire: "She has borrowed the power within you to become an invincible witch. She swore to serve and sacrifice herself for you. It is her privilege as your knight. I don't know what happened in your past, but you two are connected by a strong bond. If you wish to save her, you need only give her even more of your magical power... using the "white stuff" within you." Chronoire: "Swallow this." Chronoire: "It's a pill that will unleash your power." Taka: "So that's your goal." Chronoire: "Indeed. I could force you to swallow it, but that would lack style." Taka: "Kagari-san said that if the Tower Witches took me, terrible things would happen to the world." Chronoire: "Hmm, that may be... But I really don't care what happens to the world." Chronoire: "There's no other way to save her." Chronoire: "I promise you..." Chronoire: "Without a doubt, you will swallow this pill." Chronoire: "Come, now. You'll have to take it sometime, anyway. Now is your chance to swallow it through a kiss. A fabulous deal, no?" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Taka: "Why are you always so reckless?!" Kagari: "It's all right, Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "A wound like this is nothing to me." Kagari: "Right now, I need to ask a favor. For a short time," Kagari: "I need to become something that isn't me." Kagari: "Would you close your eyes?" Taka: "Is there... anything else I can do?" Kagari: "Keep thinking of me..." Chronoire: "Oh, it looks like my prediction was right! Sorry I had to be so mean—" Chronoire: "It's out in the open now... What a beautiful sight." Chronoire: "I wish I could have played with you both a bit longer..." Chronoire: "But it looks like my barrier has reached its limit." Chronoire: "Unfortunately, I must take my leave here." Chronoire: "We shall meet again soon, on Walpurgis Night." Chronoire: "Be well..." Taka: "This is... the bus stop in front of the school?" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Teacher: "It's mild anemia. She's just sleeping right now, so don't worry." Chronoire: "I promise you..." Chronoire: "Without a doubt, you will..." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, are you ready?" Kagari: "We're going to begin lessons for real today." Taka: "Okay. I'm ready, Kagari-san." Taka: "Um, this outfit is kinda embarrassing..." Taka: "Wh-What? What?" Taka: "Um, Kagari-san?" Kagari: "It suits you so well, I couldn't help myself." Taka: "Thanks... No! Be serious about this, Kagari-san!" Kagari: "My, Takamiya-kun, you're certainly ready to go. Then, today, I'll give you a lesson about the witch outfits, these robes that we're wearing." Kagari: "Then again, seeing is better than hearing. Takamiya-kun..." Kagari: "Jump for me." Taka: "I don't have any change on me..." Kagari: "Not like that. Build up momentum and jump, as if you want to shoot through the ceiling." Taka: "I'm sorry!" Taka: "I'm falling!" Taka: "Thanks..." Kagari: "You see?" Taka: "See what?" Kagari: "If you still don't understand after that..." Kagari: "Hold me." Taka: "H-H-Hold you?!" Kagari: "The same way I always pick you up and hold you." Taka: "Oh..." Kagari: "More to the right." Taka: "Uh..." Kagari: "That's my butt." Taka: "I'm sorry!" Kagari: "Don't be loud." Taka: "Forgive me!" Kagari: "How was that?" Taka: "Well, it was..." Taka: "...soft." Kagari: "Not that. Am I heavy?" Taka: "Um..." Taka: "Huh? You're really light. Kagari-san! Are you eating right?! You're way too light! Don't go overboard dieting—" Kagari: "Now I know that you're quite the airhead." Ai: "Yo!" Tanpopo: "Why did you guys transfer here? Back off!" Ai: "The Star Team will be taking Takamiya-kun." Tanpopo: "And don't ride a llama to school!" Ai: "Nothing in the rules said it was wrong." Taka: "Oh, so the robe makes your body lighter when you wear it." Kagari: "Yes. Next, watch closely." Taka: "Ooh, a broom appeared!" Kagari: "A broom is stored inside the robe, and we can take it out at will. The switch that releases the broom differs between robes," Kagari: "but yours is the same as mine." Kagari: "Try it." Taka: "Right." Kagari: "Well, I'm sure it's tough to get the hang of at first." Kagari: "Looks like time's up." Kagari: "I was only able to get the gym today for an hour after classes ended." Kagari: "It's time for the clubs to use it now." Kagari: "Let's go somewhere else." Taka: "Wait, Kagari-san! This is no time to be so calm! We have to hide before they see—" Kagari: "Don't worry." Kagari: "They won't notice us. The robes have a charm on them to prevent it. The one thing we have to be most careful about" Kagari: "is making sure everyday citizens don't find out about us." Taka: "People seem to clear a path for us as we walk, though." Kagari: "Yes. The robes are made that way." Kagari: "It's complicated to explain, so perhaps another time." Taka: "Roger." Kagari: "By the way, Takamiya-kun, do high places bother you?" Taka: "Huh? No." Kagari: "Well, even if they do, I'll make you get over it." Taka: "The sky! It's the sky! We're in the air, Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Calm down." Taka: "Right..." Kagari: "This will be flying practice, until you can draw out your own broom." Taka: "Okay!" Kagari: "We usually do it at night, not during daytime, but we Workshop Witches patrol the town like this every day." Kagari: "It's always five witches in high school who watch over the town." Kagari: "In the first place, magic is..." Taka: "It's pretty..." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, wake up." Kagari: "We're almost at school." Taka: "Oh, crap! I fell asleep!" Kagari: "Don't flail. We're in the sky." Kagari: "This week has been rough on you, hasn't it?" Kagari: "Exhaustion finally caught up with you." Taka: "Sorry..." Taka: "Wait! Stop, Kagari-san!" Taka: "Go back for a minute!" Kagari: "What's wrong?" Taka: "Look. Behind that building. A girl is getting mugged!" Kagari: "So I see." Taka: "Yeah. We have to save her." Kagari: "Why?" Taka: ""Why"?" Taka: "Don't you patrol the town to stop that sort of crime?" Kagari: "You seem to be mistaken, Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "We're witches who protect this town from bad witches. The troubles of everyday citizens don't concern us." Kagari: "That's a job for the police. If you're worried, do you want to report them from a pay phone?" Taka: "Are you being serious, Kagari-san? That girl goes to our school! Let's go help her!" Kagari: "We can't." Kagari: "What if it puts you in danger?" Kagari: "We're forbidden to use magic on everyday citizens, anyway." Taka: "But if we can help her, but don't... I won't use magic!" Kagari: "Throwing a fit won't work." Taka: "Stay away, in case I mess up!" Taka: "I've decided to try!" Taka: "Kagari-san! Sorry! Teach me how to fly!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun..." Taka: "Hurry!" Kagari: "All right, listen closely! Clear your head and concentrate! That broom is your loyal servant! Give it your command!" Girl: "I told you to hand over all your money. I don't have any more! Then jump for me." Girl: "That hurt! Seriously, what the hell? King, it was him! He came flying into us!" Girl: "Hilarious! What is that? Cosplay? Who are you, Harry Hopper? Isn't it Parry Hotter? Parry? We're not talking about a bear!" Girl: "What should we do? Beat him up and leave him here naked? Come on, get up. He's got a pretty cute face. You're a total predator, King!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, you poor thing." Kagari: "You shall feel firsthand the weight of the crime you have committed!" Taka: "Kagari-san! I thought you couldn't use magic on everyday citizens..." Kagari: "It was a trap." Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "The enemy knew your personality and set a trap for you. Terrorizing that girl was a roundabout method to lure you here. Those girls are Tower Witches." Taka: "What?!" Taka: "Well, I guess they did notice me, after you said nobody would. You're smart, Kagari-san." Kagari: "That was because you ran into them. Touching someone exposes you." Kagari: "Remember, when you're exposed, so am I." Taka: "Then what makes you think they're witches?" Kagari: "Because they tried to attack you, of course." Girl: "Ya-chan, listen to this!" Girl: "I got mugged yesterday! What? Are you okay? Well, the girls mugging me just went flying, like there was an explosion! I see. Anyway, this morning my brother... Believe me!" Tanpopo: "My name's Kuraishi Tanpopo. I'm a cat-eared mammal of the Felidae family. It's tough when I go into heat! Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and his Mean Little Sister." Tanpopo: "Wait, how is it "tough"?"

Guard: "So about the "Medusa" being kept in the monolith..." Guard: "What's up with that? Is it really necessary to lock her up with such high security?" Guard: "Well, she is a medusa, after all. I don't even get what's so remarkable about medusas. Sealing her in an underground monolith like this, keeping her tightly-restrained on top of that, and posting special guards to keep watch..." Guard: "Is she really worth all that?" Guard: "If she gets out, the world is done for." Guard: "You serious?" Guard: "That's what the head warden told me." Guard: "But he probably doesn't really know, either." Guard: "She's been here since long before he became the head warden. Regardless, the fact that she's kept under the tightest security in all of Rothenburg must mean that's the kind of creature she is, right?" Guard: "This excessive enclosure just makes Rothenburg look cowardly to me." Guard: "That's fine by me, though. Watching something that might as well be a wall decoration is easy work." Guard: "Did you see that?! She just smiled! What are you talking about? She's surrounded by liquid. It probably just distorted her—" Tanpopo: "Kagari Ayaka is invincible. I once impaled her on blades from head to toe, but she was fine." Kanna: "Her fire magic is problematic, too. We can't avoid it." Mei: "On top of that, she's gorgeous and smart. And that figure is just unfair. I want her to hold me, just once!" Rin: "Um..." Tanpopo: "What is it, Kazarin?" Kanna: "That's unusual. Kazarin has something to say." Rin: "Don't... fight... the Fire Witch... anymore." Tanpopo: "Don't fight her?" Kanna: "What do you mean?" Katsura: "We should give up?" Tanpopo: "After all this time, you want to back down now?!" Rin: "N—" Tanpopo: "If we withdraw that easily, we'll be labeled as cowards forever among the Tower Witches!" Rin: "No!" Katsura: "What did you mean, then?" Rin: "Fire... head..." Mei: "I get it." Mei: "we wait until Takamiya-kun is alone and attack him then, right?" Rin: "Yeah!" Katsura: "Good idea." Kanna: "Takamiya-kun is nothing on his own." Mei: "All right, let's make our move right away." Kanna: "Agreed." Katsura: "Never wait to do good!" Kanna: "This isn't really "good," is it?" Katsura: "Never wait to do evil?" Tanpopo: "Wait a minute!" Kanna: "What?" Tanpopo: "Now that I think about it, aren't those two together all the time?" Mei: "Now that you mention it, that's true." Kanna: "What do we do, then?" Katsura: "Are we out of options?" Tanpopo: "Not yet!" Chronoire: "Mind if I join in this conversation?" Tanpopo: "Who are you?!" Chronoire: "My name is Chronoire Schwarz VI." Chronoire: "Worry not. I am a Tower Witch, as well." Taka: "I feel... so heavy." Taka: "Good morning." Mom: "Morning, Honoka-kun." Mom: "Breakfast is almost ready." Taka: "Okay." Kasumi: "Morning, Onii-chan!" Taka: "Morning, Kasumi-chan." Kasumi: "Bed head!" Taka: "Sorry to make you help out." Kasumi: "It's fine. I wanted to talk to you, anyway." Taka: "You did?" Kasumi: "Yep. I had something to ask you." Taka: "What?" Kasumi: "Well, this past Sunday..." Kasumi: "Someone called you in the morning, right?" Kasumi: "She didn't give me her name, so I didn't know who she was. Who exactly was the girl who called you?" Taka: "Well, uh... Just a classmate." Kasumi: ""Just"?" Taka: "Our class uses a contact chain, and she was just going in order..." Kasumi: "In order?" Taka: "Yeah. She's the one before me in the chain." Kasumi: "I see! So, what did she call to tell you?" Taka: "I think it was..." Kasumi: "Really? Wow! A fun day on the very first day of the week! So what will you be doing there?" Taka: "Um... A penguin! A penguin statue dissection show!" Taka: "Uh, I mean... A speed penguin-carving exhibition!" Kasumi: "You sure do love penguins, Onii-chan." Taka: "That's right! Penguins are awesome! Especially chinstrap penguins!" Kasumi: "What? It's strange, though. If she called to tell you about the fun day, why did you leave in such a hurry afterward?" Taka: "Well, you know... I didn't have the right chisel and V-gouge, so I rushed out to buy them. I had spare 45° and 90° V-gouges, but I just happened to be out of 120° ones..." Kasumi: "I see! And here I thought you went out to meet someone. You left right after getting a call from a girl, after all." Taka: "Me? Going out with a girl on a weekend? Yeah, as if that'll ever happen!" Kasumi: "Yeah, you're right!" Kasumi: "So, Onii-chan..." Taka: "What?" Taka: "Wh-Wh-What are you doing?" Kasumi: "The Princess..." Kasumi: "Was that phone call from the Princess?" Taka: "I-I have no idea what you're talking about..." Kasumi: "Don't lie! We go to the same school, you know! Of course I know the rumors about you two! It's caused a lot of trouble for me, too. People ask me things and bully me just because I'm your sister." Kasumi: "So, listen... I'll let you off the hook for all that, if you just answer my question." Taka: "Nothing's going on! Kagari-san and I just happen to be in the same class," Taka: "It's all just coincidence! Pure chance!" Kasumi: "Did you know this hair dryer has settings for 1200 watts, 1800 watts," Kasumi: "and a super-powerful 3500 watts?" Taka: "What the hell?" Kasumi: "Tell me the truth." Kasumi: "What's really going on between you two?" Mei: "Bad morning, Fire Witch." Kasumi: "On Sunday, you were at your meet-up point an hour early, but you said "I just got here." The Princess sure keeps you on a tight leash, doesn't she?" Taka: "You..." Taka: "followed me?!" Kasumi: "You expect me to believe that my lame," Kasumi: "It was the perfect chance to find out! So... I saw everything you did that day!" Mom: "What are you two doing? Breakfast!" Kasumi: "That's enough, for now. I don't want to be late." Kasumi: "I'll be coming to your room this evening." Taka: "Oh, crap! I was late leaving the house today! I need to catch that bus!" Kagari: "Take the bus that comes at this time." Taka: "Okay!" Taka: "What..." Tanpopo: "You should watch where you're going, Takamiya-kun." Mei: "We heard all about it, Fire Witch. We know the secret behind your strength." Mei: "But now that I see you up close, you really are beautiful..." Mei: "I don't dislike that kind of attitude. Now that Takamiya-kun's magic power is out of your reach, how long can you keep that calm look on your face?" Mei: "I can't wait to find out, Fire Witch! Let's see what you can do on your own!" Tanpopo: "My friends should be beating the Fire Witch to a pulp right about now." Tanpopo: "Our goal was to divide and conquer you two, after all." Chronoire: "You'd do well to listen to what I have to say. The woman called Kagari Ayaka is invincible, but there's a mechanism to it." Chronoire: "She needs to keep Takamiya-kun within a certain range. When she does, she draws an endless supply of magic" Chronoire: "It works because both the source and the user of the magic are together. The time to attack is when they are apart." Chronoire: "Try before they board the bus." All: "Ooh!" Tanpopo: "All right! We can beat her this time!" Mei: "We've got the advantage now!" Kanna: "What should we call our plan?" Katsura: "Let's call it Operation: Spring Awakening!" Chronoire: "This is your chance to avenge all of your past humiliations." Tanpopo: "You won't be fighting with us, Chronoire-san?" Chronoire: "I used Nous the other day, and then produced the candy, so my magic power is gone. Besides, if your teacher, Medusa, finds out you consorted with me, there would certainly be trouble." Tanpopo: "Well, when you put it that way..." Chronoire: "What an underwhelming reaction." Kanna: "It'd be fine, right?" Mei: "Yeah, fine." Rin: "I think." Katsura: "I see no problem with it." Chronoire: "Stupid Medusa is way too soft on you..." Tanpopo: "Take him." Taka: "Wait! If I'm what you want, isn't this enough? Leave Kagari-san alone!" Tanpopo: "That wouldn't be enough to satisfy us." Tanpopo: "Jean? Pierre?" Tanpopo: "Nyow what?!" Taka: "Wha— Kasumi-chan?!" Kasumi: "Messing with my brother on my turf?" Kasumi: "You've got some nerve!" Taka: "Hey! Watch it, Kasumi-chan!" Tanpopo: "Things were finally going our way! And you Workshop Witches are here again?! You're always getting in our way! If it's a battle of size, we won't lose!" Tanpopo: "Bunny." Tanpopo: "Go!" Tanpopo: "Bunny, bunny... Bunny, bunny!" Tanpopo: "Bunny!" Kasumi: "Darn it!" Tanpopo: "Too gullible!" Ai: "What?!" Girl: "I'm sorry. As I told you before," Girl: "llamas are not permitted in this establishment." Mai: "This llama is our beloved pet!" Ai: "Isn't this a café that allows pets?! So that sign was lying?! Saying dogs are allowed but llamas aren't is unfair!" Mii: "I'm afraid I can't accept this. Bring us the manager!" Tanpopo: "Time to finish you!" Mai: "What's happening?!" Ai: "Forget it! We have to get out of here!" Mii: "The llama ran off without us!" Ai: "What?!" Mai: "That ingrate!" Kasumi: "Really..." Kasumi: "You thought a rabbit could beat a bear?" Taka: "Just what is this battle?!" Taka: "Bunny." Kasumi: "Evil has never once prospered in this world. No matter. I'll teach you that my noble mission won't be defeated..." Kasumi: "by garbage like you! No matter how many of you there are, you can't beat me." Kasumi: "Because I have the grand mission of protecting my brother..." Kasumi: "and the town he lives in!" Kazane: "Another peaceful, sunny day. Oh, it's almost time for the horoscopes." Tanpopo: "Damn!" Tanpopo: "I won't forget this!" Taka: "Kasumi-chan, you're a witch?" Kasumi: "Were you surprised?" Taka: "A little..." Taka: "Thanks for saving me, though." Kasumi: "That's not enough gratitude." Taka: "What's with you?" Kasumi: "Who do you think has always" Taka: "That's right, Kasumi-chan! We can't take it easy now! Kagari-san's in trouble! We have to go help her!" Kasumi: "There." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Taka: "You're okay?!" Taka: "Are you hurt?" Kagari: "No." Taka: "Thank goodness..." Taka: "If anything happened to you, I..." Kasumi: "What?! What is that?! I'm the one who saved you! Aren't I the one you should be thanking?! Why are you tossing me aside and running off into your own world?! I am not okay with this! Princess, I'm going to tell you this now! At home and on weekends and holidays, I'm in charge! On the bus and at school, you're in charge! Didn't we agree to share him that way?! But you broke our promise and took him out on a weekend! What the hell?! That's a huge problem for me! Could you please not do that again?!" Taka: "Wait, so, this morning..." Kasumi: "Yes, I was picking on you. It's a little sister's job to make things tough for her brother." Taka: "So that stuff about you being bullied..." Kasumi: "Do you want to know the fate of the people who bullied me?" Taka: "No, that's okay..." Kasumi: "Also, Princess, this is a message from the chairwoman. There are about 30 Tower Witches in this town now, yet they've shown no sign of making a move. Something's going to happen soon, so be—" Kagari: "All this time, I've been thinking." Kagari: "When I didn't see you on the usual bus..." Kagari: "I never thought you'd be so lonely just because we met up a little late." Taka: "Lonely? I was worried, but..." Kagari: "So I've decided. From now on, I'll protect you 24 hours a day." Kagari: "Starting tonight, let's live together at my house." Kagari: "Or would you rather look for a place of our own?" Ai: "Damn! What was that about?" Mai: "What are you?" Ai: "You wanna fight?!" Mai: "Just so you know, we're the Star Team, able to terrify a crying child into silence!" Mai: "Stand in awe!" Ai: "Impudence!" Ai: "You big wad of wallet leather!" Kanna: "What the hell? That was nothing like what we were told." Mei: "The Fire Witch is pretty damn strong even on her own..." Katsura: "I guess this means Tanpopo-chan will be calling for a review meeting." Chronoire: "So it was still a failure... Pawns are pawns, after all. Even with five of them, no matter how much they try to tune up their shikigami," Chronoire: "it seems they're no match for a queen's checkmate. Looks like we'll need to know more about their past before I can get him to take that pill." Croc: "Milady." Croc: "As you ordered, I have captured all of the Tower Witches in this town." Chronoire: "Good. Now for our next move." Kazane: "Yes?" Kazane: "If it's about this morning, the Workshop will take care of it." Kazane: "What? It's not about that?" Kazane: "Medusa has escaped?!" Kazane: "Yes, her underlings have been meddling with my students. I thought she must be a tough witch, to be giving them orders from within prison." Kazane: "Thank you for the information." Kazane: "Good grief..." Kazane: "Looks like things are going to get noisy." Tanpopo: "Creation! Let me be a part... Sensation! ...of something fun! Crazy hyper! I just don't get it! Your eyes create their own illumination! Partition! Just as you wished... Formation!" Kasumi: "My name's Takamiya Kasumi. I won't forgive anyone who disturbs the peace in this town! Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and the Witch of Stone Eyes and Stone Hands. Go, Macaron!"

Mom: "Ayaka-san, please take good care of our Honoka-kun." Taka: "Mom, what are you doing?!" Kasumi: "You're a mother! Be more responsible!" Mom: "Now, you two, and the bear... Don't all talk at once. I'm not Shotoku Taishi, you know." Mom: "You'll startle Ayaka-san too. Honoka-kun and Kasumi-chan," Mom: "you can say what you want to say later. Just listen quietly for now." Mom: "I have something important to say." Mom: "I never told you before, but it's not that I was hiding it from you. I didn't say anything because nobody asked. I didn't do anything wrong. Don't blame me, okay? I'm a crybaby, you know." Mom: "Anyway..." Mom: "Honoka-kun, Kagari Ayaka-san is your fiancée." Taka: "Eh?" Taka: "What?!" Kasumi: "Hang on! Mom, what are you—" Mom: "It all started a very long time ago." Mom: "I was still in school." Mom: "Due to a series of accidents, I met a certain girl. Everyone called her Dragon Tooth." Mom: "She was Kagari Kazane... yes, Ayaka-san's mother." Mom: "She and I became very close." Mom: "How close? Well..." Mom: "So close that we promised to get married. But we couldn't, since we were both girls." Mom: "Eventually, we both married men." Mom: "Later, when we had children, we made a promise... That, since we couldn't get married," Taka: "Huh? What kind of logic is that?" Mom: "When I talked to her on the phone earlier," Taka: "Huh? Well, yeah, I did meet her on Sunday... That's why she wanted to meet me?" Mom: "I always told myself that the day Ayaka-san" Taka: "Are you serious?" Mom: "Of course, the engagement was just the parents' decision. We'll respect your feelings about this, too. But it looks like I have nothing to worry about, eh?" Mom: "I can see the love between you!" Taka: "Wh-Wh-What are you saying, Mom?! We're not like that!" Mom: "Even though you're asking to live together?" Taka: "Well, the thing about living together just... kind of came up..." Taka: "You know, in the flow of things?" Mom: "You're such a bad liar, Honoka-kun." Kasumi: "Wait a minute! What kind of joke is this?! I might be grateful, modest, and kind enough to forgive this kind of tyranny, but God will never forgive you!" Mom: "Kasumi-chan..." Kasumi: "What?!" Mom: "Just let your brother go already." Kasumi: "Huh?" Mom: "Every other day, you jump into his bed, saying you can't sleep. Every other day, you barge in on his bath," Mom: "On weekends, you make him dig up talismans in the game you're obsessed with, and collect your favorite equipment. And it's all rare!" Kasumi: "Huh?! What's wrong with that? It's all my right as his little sister! ...as his little sister! ...as his little sister!" Mom: "Oh, dear..." Mom: "It's too late for her! I'll hold her down! Quickly, pack your things and go!" Kasumi: "Onii-chan! I swear I'll get you back!" Taka: "Sorry about that, Kagari-san. My family's a little weird..." Kagari: "They're a nice family." Taka: "I guess so..." Kagari: "But are you okay with this yourself?" Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "You don't mind living with me?" Taka: "Of course not." Taka: "I don't think there's any guy who wouldn't want to live with you." Taka: "But more than that..." Taka: "This'll sound weird, but it takes me back." Taka: "I feel at ease when I'm near you like this." Taka: "It's almost like, long ago, we..." Kagari: ""Something happened between us long ago." "I'm sure it was something very important." "But I can't remember it even if I try." "What does Kagari-san know?"" Kagari: "Like that?" Taka: "Yeah..." Kagari: "Well..." Kagari: "The answer to your question, regarding what I know... I have vague memories of being with you, but I don't remember any more than that, either." Kagari: "Right now, I think someone made us that way." Kagari: "Someone with some connection to your powers." Kagari: "So, I'm sorry, but I can't shed any light on anything. There's just one thing that differs between you and me," Kagari: "and it's that I remember my mission." Kagari: "To protect you with my life..." Kagari: "That is the one thing remaining in my mind." Taka: "You mean..." Butler: "Milady, your ride awaits." Kagari: "Get in, Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "Want some?" Taka: "We're underage!" Kagari: "This is sweet red bean soup." Kagari: "I'm home." Maids: "Welcome home, Milady." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, my room is on an upper floor, so we'll take the elevator." Medusa: "You're finally home? I was growing tired of waiting." Taka: "Um, is that a maid?" Kagari: "Change of plans." Taka: "What's going on, Kagari-san?" Kagari: "Go to the 12th floor." Taka: "Kagari-san?!" Medusa: "I am Tower Witch Medusa, youngest daughter of the Gorgon. If you have any last words, I'm willing to listen." Kagari: "I am here only to protect Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "I have nothing to say to my enemy." Medusa: "Then let us begin. Come at me with all your strength, or you will die." Kagari: "That was my intent!" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun... that outfit..." Taka: "Forget that! Are you hurt?" Kagari: "Don't look." Taka: "Hey! This isn't the time for—" Medusa: "So, no matter how much I attack you, I can't damage you, eh?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, take out your broom." Taka: "Got it! To support you, right?" Kagari: "I'll break the window behind us. You run." Kagari: "I'll keep her here." Taka: "I'll fight, too!" Kagari: "Fight?" Taka: "Yes!" Kagari: "I haven't taught you how to fight." Kagari: "Only how to run away on your own." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Taka: "I get it!" Taka: "I'll do whatever you want! Let Kagari-san go!" Medusa: "I can't do that, Takamiya-kun." Medusa: "Her soul is linked with yours." Medusa: "Sacrificing you would mean her death." Taka: "Now I see. We share the same fate." Medusa: "Exactly." Chronoire: "It's a pill that will unleash your power." Medusa: "I think it's time we ended this." Taka: "I won't let you take tomorrow from her!" Taka: "Our future belongs to us!" Ever: "Very well. I will grant your wish." Medusa: "So, you showed up." Taka: "Who are you?" Ever: "The White Princess, Evermillion." Medusa: "I've been waiting for this moment!" Taka: "Um, I don't know who you are, but I'm in a real bind right now..." Ever: "Here it comes." Kazane: "I finally got all of today's work done..." Kazane: "Thanks, Ofuku." Kazane: "Almost 7:00 PM..." Kazane: "The setting sun lines up with my mansion around this hour." Kazane: "Seeing this always blows away all the exhaustion of the day." Tanpopo: "I'm glad I thought of this! With a group of five, we can form a new club, and there happened to be an unused club room. Starting today, this'll be our home base!" Kanna: "Actually, Tanpopo-chan, we should run..." Tanpopo: "Run?" Kanna: "Yeah. It looks like the mountain behind the school just erupted." Tanpopo: "What are you talking about? We just got a home base—" Tanpopo: "Run!" Kazane: "My mansion... The school... Who did this?" Kazane: "Medusa..." Kazane: "It was you, Medusa, wasn't it?! Ofuku! Get every Workshop Witch in Tougetsu together right now! Every last one of them!" Kazane: "It's time for a witch hunt!" Tanpopo: "You two okay?" Kanna: "I think so." Tanpopo: "The other two were out buying snacks..." Tanpopo: "We'll meet up and go to the mountain!" Kanna: "Roger." Ever: "It's all right now." Ever: "Don't you think it looks beautiful now?" Ever: "That really opened up the view!" Taka: "Wh-Wh-What have you done?! I mean, I should thank you for saving us, but that and this are two different things!" Ever: "You probably shouldn't move around too much." Ever: "It's all about balance!" Ever: "Well, Honoka-kyun, no time to sit around and relax." Ever: "You want to return her to normal, right?" Taka: "Oh, yeah! Yes, I do! She's my classmate and I care about her, and she turned to stone... Can you fix her?" Ever: "Calm down." Ever: "Don't worry. Who do you think I am? That's a simple task, but I can't do it for nothing. Nothing in our world is that easy." Ever: "You understand, right?" Taka: "You want money?" Ever: "Why would a bargain with the devil require money?" Taka: "What? You don't mean... my soul?" Ever: "That's right. Granting a wish has a cost." Ever: "But a soul won't be necessary just to cure petrification. Let's see... How about..." Ever: "Your eyes!" Taka: "Yes! If my eyes are enough, take them!" Ever: "Wait, wait! So quick to answer?!" Taka: "Huh? I shouldn't be?" Ever: "No. You pass. Lend me your ear." Ever: "Just do it." Taka: "My ear? Not just my eyes?" Ever: "Idiot. I won't take anything. I was joking. Just listen." Ever: "That's how it is." Taka: "What?! W-Wait a minute... are you serious? I have to..." Ever: "You hear it in fairy tales all the time, right?" Ever: "The only way to awaken a sleeping beauty..." Taka: "Don't joke at a time like—" Ever: "Medusa uses a divine curse called Eyes of Stone, Hands of Stone. It's a ridiculously strong power that can petrify not only objects," Ever: "But you saw her, right? Her eyes and hands are sealed. She must be very troubled by not being able to free them." Ever: "In other words, this is not her true power, but only pseudo-petrification." Ever: "There's no way this girl would lose to someone like her." Ever: "She ended up like this because your belief in her wasn't strong enough. Because of the weakness in your heart." Ever: "Use your bond to kindle the fire in your heart." Ever: "Expressing them gives your feelings meaning." Ever: "Looks like Medusa's awake." Ever: "She'll attack again." Ever: "Understand? There's only one way to save you both." Taka: "That's really the only way?" Ever: "Believe." Ever: "Well, my time's up, so I'll be going." Ever: "The first seal has been broken, so I'll probably see you again soon." Taka: "Um..." Ever: "But try not to get into situations where you have to call me." Ever: "Bye, now!" Taka: "Thank you..." Medusa: "Now you've done it, Evermillion!" Kagari: "I slept so well..." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Medusa: "Do it, girls!" All: "Leave it to us, Master!" Medusa: "Well, them aside..." Medusa: "Prepare yourself!" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "It's all right." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Don't worry. We've won." Kagari: "You're awake?" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "We're in the school nurse's office. We could have gone to my room, but if you were hurt, this seemed to be better." Taka: "Anyway, you're okay now?! You're okay, right?" Taka: "Thank goodness!" Taka: "Wait... huh? Was I just... having a bad dream or something? Someone called Medusa turned you to stone, and..." Kagari: "It wasn't a dream." Medusa: "Oh, you're awake, Takamiya-kun?" Taka: "Whoa! There she is!" Medusa: "Aww, you really don't like me at all, do you?" Kagari: "Don't worry. She won't be attacking us now." Kagari: "I'll explain in more detail later." Kagari: "First, would you lean this way a bit?" Kagari: "Yes... and tilt your face up a little more." Kagari: "I'm returning the favor." Kagari: "Don't ever say you'll give up your eyes for me again." Taka: "Okay..." Mom: "My Honoka-kun went off to become a bride!" Kasumi: "Also, he's not a bride..." Kasumi: "Yes?" Kasumi: "An emergency summons? To everyone?" Taka: "Huh? Those are Workshop Witches, right?" Taka: "Kasumi-chan... And the girl across the street, and the old supermarket lady..." Taka: "They're all witches?" Kagari: "A summons was just issued." Kagari: "My priority is you, though." Taka: "S-So, by the way, Kagari-san... I have a suggestion." Taka: "I'm back." Mom: "What's the matter, Honoka-kun? You didn't have a fight with Ayaka-san and run out already, did you?" Taka: "No, actually, it's..." Taka: "I decided Kagari-san should live here with us from now on." Mom: "W-We can't even compare to the Kagari household, but it's a pleasure to have you!" All: "Chronoire-sama!" Chronoire: "I've finished brainwashing all the Tower Witches we captured. Next, I'll give them my orders and—" Croc: "It's terrible! Droves of Workshop Witches are—" All: "Hey! Behave yourself!" Kazane: "We've known each other a long time. You know what they used to call me, don't you?" Chronoire: "Dragon Tooth... and also the Torturer, right?" Kazane: "Very good. Now, let's have a chat about this incident..." Chronoire: "What incident would that be?" Mom: "My name is Takamiya Komachi. I'm Honoka-kun and Kasumi-chan's mother," Mom: "Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and the Test of Love. I look forward to many long years together!"

Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, it's time to get up." Kagari: "Oops. It opened." Kagari: "They should use more durable locks." Kasumi: "I'm home. Man, I'm exhausted. I spent all night looking for Medusa, but never found her, and now it's time for school already. At least the Princess's house" Kasumi: "I heard Onii-chan's back home, so I'll drop by his room..." Kasumi: "What? Oh, well... Good morning, Onii-cha—" Kasumi: "Excuse me! What's going on here?!" Kasumi: "Why is the Princess in our house?!" Mom: "I have a question." Mom: "First, there's something I'd like to ask. May I?" Mom: "About you being out all night..." Kasumi: "You be quiet! Whose fault do you think it is that I'm so mad?! You decided to let the Princess move in! Stupid Mom! Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Taka: "Whoa, Kasumi-chan, that wasn't nice! You should apologi—" Taka: "Too late!" Mom: "Forget it. I won't do anything. I can't even be bothered to breathe." Taka: "Mom!" Taka: "This discussion is over! And apologize to Mom, or I'm gonna get mad! Really mad!" Kasumi: "I'm sorry I took out my anger on you." Taka: "Good. I'll call work for her. You go have breakfast." Kasumi: "'Kay. Thanks." Taka: "Hello, this is Takamiya." Taka: "Yes, thanks for being kind to my mother. Yes... Well, about my mother... She's not feeling well, so... Yes. I'm sorry." Taka: "Okay, Mom. I'm going. I'll be home as soon as I can." Pres: "It's been two weeks since Takamiya Honoka showed up. What are you fan club people doing? Are you not aware of what your jobs are? Get rid of nasty insects that bother our Princess!" Hoozuki: "But, President, the Princess said..." Kagari: "Don't touch him." Hoozuki: "So there's really nothing we can..." Pres: "I don't need to hear excuses!" Touko: "Now, now, please calm down..." Pres: "How can I be calm?! You're the vice president, Touko! You should be panicking yourself! And you, our advisor, Mikage-sensei!" Mikage: "Yes?" Pres: "You always hide in the science room! At least make yourself useful!" Mikage: "Right..." Pres: "I know you're only our advisor because you're" Pres: "But my patience is at an end!" Pres: "I just had an idea! You take care of this problem!" Pres: "If you don't, the student council will have you fired!" Girls: "Good morning, Princess!" Girls: "Just disappear!" Mikage: "Hey, you two!" Taka: "Mikage-sensei!" Taka: "Good morning." Mikage: "Yes, good morning." Taka: "What is it?" Mikage: "Well, there's something I need to discuss with you. Meet me at the student guidance office?" Taka: ""Student guidance office"?" Mikage: "Sorry to bother you this early. We'll be finished before homeroom." Mikage: "You see, I'm actually the student council advisor, and... Takamiya Honoka-kun, to be frank, you're causing a problem." Taka: "Do you mean..." Mikage: "You transferred in May of this year, starting with your second year of high school." Mikage: "So you don't know what the Princess was like in her first year, correct?" Taka: "Well, yes." Mikage: "But surely you've at least heard... ...why everyone calls her "Princess."" Taka: "I heard it had something to do with this school's tradition." Mikage: "It's been a custom at Tougetsu High since the old days. At the fall culture festival, students and faculty take a vote. The objective is to elect the most outstanding student as the one who will serve as the face of Tougetsu High School. Candidates are chosen based on looks, grades, athletic skill," Mikage: "The one elected represents the entire school as a model student." Mikage: "The winners have always been called the Prince or Princess." Mikage: "The problem is..." Mikage: "What do you think happens when bad rumors spread about that student?" Mikage: "Nothing good, right? Especially when a guy is involved." Taka: "Wait a minute! It's not like that—" Mikage: "You attended her lunch party without a reservation. You were seen disappearing together after school. You went out together on a Sunday. And there have been other claims." Mikage: "It makes no difference what your relationship really is. The Princess doesn't belong to you. She belongs to this school." Mikage: "Could you please stay away from her, Takamiya-kun?" Kagari: "Don't make that face." Kagari: "There's no need to worry. No one can stand between us. Supposedly, long ago, a messenger" Kagari: "and took classes together with the local citizens." Kagari: "This ritual imitates that, so it puts me in a bit of a peculiar position." Mikage: "That's the thing." Mikage: "The student who becomes the Prince or Princess has authority second only to the school chairperson." Mikage: "In other words, she doesn't have to listen to anything a teacher says. And therein lies our problem. If I don't fix this, I'll be fired." Mikage: "I was told as such by the student council president. Even if I complain to the chairwoman, this is her daughter we're talking about." Taka: "Kagari-san..." Kagari: "So basically, I just have to end the complaints about" Kagari: "Let's speed up our plan." Taka: "What plan?" Mikage: "I see! I'm relieved to hear you have a plan, Princess! Looks like I won't have to be fired." Mikage: "That ends that discussion. Now, it's on to the main subject, yes?" Taka: "Huh?" Mikage: "I'll be borrowing him." Kagari: "No! Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "Where are we? Where's Kagari-san?" Mikage: "Relax. She's unharmed. Go on, have a seat." Taka: "Mikage-sensei, are you..." Mikage: ""Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." That's one of Clarke's three laws. Quite an interesting mechanism, isn't it? You can think of it as a scientific experiment." Taka: "No, this is obviously magic..." Taka: "Kagari-san is safe, right?" Mikage: "I swear to Heinlein." Taka: "Who?" Mikage: "I asked the Princess to leave because I needed a moment alone with you." Mikage: "All because you used your wild card." Taka: "Huh?" Mikage: "This is a replica, but the real one must have burned going down, eh?" Mikage: "You swallowed this candy and called forth the White Princess." Taka: "Wh-What are you talking about?" Mikage: "Within your body, there are five seals." Mikage: "They exist to keep the White Princess locked in. And one of them was just broken." Mikage: "I suspect the chairwoman will soon be your enemy." Mikage: "Headquarters entrusted you to her. She is an exceptionally powerful witch. It's thanks to her that you've been able to live a free life, but that was only under the condition that your five seals remained functional." Mikage: "That candy was poison. It broke the first seal." Mikage: "It's likely that the other seals will soon break, one after another. Nobody can stop it now." Mikage: "Not without sealing you away entirely." Mikage: "And the only witch who can do that is the chairwoman. Fortunately, the chairwoman is preoccupied with Medusa and hasn't realized that your seal has broken. It's only a matter of time before she does, but try to hide it as long as you can. Along with the fact that the Princess is sheltering Medusa. Got it?" Taka: "Sensei, what are you trying to say?" Mikage: "I only want to help you." Mikage: "You're important to me." Taka: "Important...?" Mikage: "If not for the Princess, that place would've been mine... Yes! It's not too late! Would you become my prince?" Mikage: "I'll protect you from everything! I won't botch things like the Princess." Mikage: "In fact..." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, are you hurt? Ow..." Taka: "Uh, no..." Kagari: "Did he do anything to you?" Taka: "I'm fine." Kagari: "Good, then." Taka: "Uh... Homeroom..." Taka: "What was Mikage-sensei, anyway?" Kagari: "An enemy. Nothing more than a pervert." Taka: "Oh..." Taka: "Kagari-san, class isn't that way..." Kagari: "Come with me." Taka: "but please assemble in the gym immediately." Taka: "Was that okay?" Kagari: "Yes. Let's go." Pres: "Chairwoman! There's trouble!" Kazane: "Oh, Student Council President. What's going on? You could at least knock." Pres: "Just, please, come and see!" Girl: "The Princess is going up on stage! No way! It was the Princess who called us here?!" Kagari: "I believe this is the first time I've spoken in front of you all." Guy: "She talked! I've never heard her voice before!" Kagari: "Quiet, please." Hoozuki: "Shut up!" Kazane: "What is this about?" Pres: "The Princess called everyone to the gym! By the way, Chairwoman, your eyes are red..." Kazane: "I had trouble getting that bastard to talk." Pres: "Huh?" Kagari: "I've called you all here because I have an important announcement to make. Since I was elected as the school's model student last year, I have not taken any public actions." Kagari: "I kept my own thoughts within and remained quiet." Kagari: "But this has lead to misunderstandings. So I want to clearly state my thoughts, so there can be no misunderstandings." Kagari: "As the Princess, I hold the power of life or death over each of you. In other words, whether you live or die is up to me." Kagari: "I am using this power to fire the former student council president." Kagari: "The new student council president is this boy, Takamiya Honoka-kun." Kagari: "He is the ideal person for the position, hand-chosen by myself." Taka: "What?" Pres: "Chairwoman, you can't let her do this!" Kazane: "I had no idea my daughter cared so much about this school!" Taka: "U-Um, I realize that you're thinking of the school's best interests, but me as student council president?" Kagari: "That was all just talk." Kagari: "Be happy. Now there's no one left who can oppose us." Girl: "Wow... That's your brother, isn't it, Mya-chan? Mya-chan?" Kagari: "I've eliminated all obstacles." Tanpopo: "Medusa-sama, how long do we have to stay here?" Medusa: "Dunno." Touko: "Okay, everyone, attention! This is our new student council president as of today, Takamiya Honoka-kun! Tah-dah!" Touko: "And I have one more important announcement. This is our new vice president as of today, the Princess! As such, the former vice president, Touko, has been granted the inexplicable title of "vice vice president."" Touko: "What? I can wash your gym uniform? Does that mean I can do as I please with it until tomorrow?" Touko: "Okay! I'll concede the title of vice president to you! Now, if you would say a few words." Taka: "Uh, okay..." Girl: "Just a minute! Princess, what is this all about? We're all completely confused!" Girl: "The previous president was an upstanding student! Why did you fire her? Please explain this in a way that we can understand!" Taka: ""Stop barking, you useless mutts. All dogs who oppose the student council president are fired. Thank you."" Touko: "Oh, there's a line for me, too." Touko: ""That's right! Starting today, you're all dogs! Woof, woof! Salute the student council president!" Gosh, I'm terrible!" Taka: "Kagari-san, I appreciate that you came up with lines for me," Taka: "Um, everyone, I know... that I didn't become student council president for reasons you can agree with." Taka: "But since it was Kagari-san's decision, I can't refuse. I'm at a loss here myself. So I have a suggestion. Could you all acknowledge me as president for the time being, and then judge me for yourselves? Just a brief time would be fine. If you decide that I'm not good enough, you can expel me or something." Taka: "I'll accept whatever you decide. That said, could everyone hold off on the anger and complaints for now?" Kasumi: "Just you watch, Princess! I won't let you have Onii-chan!" Tanpopo: "Oh, I hear something from upstairs." Medusa: "Skip." Tanpopo: "Huh?!" Taka: "Man, now I've done it..." Taka: "What do I do, Kagari-san?" Kagari: "If it comes down to that, I'll use my Princess power to..." Taka: "You can't! Listen, you have to stop firing people at random." Taka: "You're our school's idol, and everyone looks up to you." Kagari: "But I can't let you be expelled." Taka: "I can't leave things as they are. All of this made me realize that." Taka: "Just by being with you, I'm causing a lot of trouble." Taka: "If I don't change, it's always going to be this way." Taka: "Trust me a little more." Kasumi: "What is he laughing about? It's not funny! Not funny at all! That's right, Kasumi!" Kasumi: "I'll show you who Onii-chan really belongs to! Just wait, you homewrecker!" Kagari: "What's the matter, Takamiya-kun?" Taka: "Nothing important. Wait here. I'll be right back." Clerk: "These two? Will they be gifts?" Taka: "Oh, uh..." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun?!" Kagari: "Wh-What is..." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kasumi: "Evil is no more." Taka: "Kasumi-chan!" Kasumi: "She'll be fine. I just put her to sleep for a bit. It's not like physical attacks can damage her. That big game tranquilizer was enough." Kasumi: "She should be out for two or three days." Taka: "What are you trying to do, Kasumi-chan?!" Kasumi: "I've come to get you, Onii-chan." Kasumi: "I really blew it. I should've done this sooner." Taka: "What are you saying, Kasumi-chan?" Kasumi: "But this paper plane flies pretty well. I made it out of our house." Kasumi: "We're going to leave this town for a place nobody knows." Kasumi: "You and I will live on our own, Onii-chan." Taka: "What?" Kasumi: "As long as you're in this town, you'll never be happy." Kasumi: "I heard that the chairwoman will be your enemy soon." Kasumi: "So you can't trust her daughter, either." Taka: "Huh?" Kasumi: "So we're leaving town. The chairwoman leads the Workshop. So she can't enter other territories. No matter how powerful she is, if we leave her town, you're mine!" Taka: "Wait a minute! Kasumi-chan, were you following me again?" Kasumi: "I heard everything Mikage-sensei said. So the chairwoman's goal was to keep an eye on you, eh?" Kasumi: "And the Princess is no better! She's reckless! Irrational! What exactly does your life mean to her?!" Kasumi: "Now I know my only choice is to run away with you!" Taka: "If you heard everything he said, then you heard about the seals, right? No matter where I run, I'll end up being a hazard eventually!" Kasumi: "I can handle that with my sister power!" Taka: "What do you mean, "sister power"?" Kasumi: "The power of a sister's love for her big brother is infinite!" Kasumi: "What's that?" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kasumi: "Now, look, Princess!" Taka: "What are you provoking her for, Kasumi-chan?! Can't you tell she's really mad?!" Kasumi: "That's just for show!" Kasumi: "She fired at me! It was like a beam attack!" Taka: "I told you! Kagari-san is serious! Surrender and apologize!" Kasumi: "I won't!" Kasumi: "Higher! Higher!" Taka: "Kasumi-chan! In front of us!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Taka: "Kagari-san, get Kasumi-chan!" Kagari: "I know." Witch: "Here! This is where she fell! Looks like she got away. Who on Earth was that?" Witch: "Who else would do this to a Workshop courtyard? It had to be a Tower Witch." Guy: "Look over there. I heard the buildings exploded. What the heck?" Kagari: "Little sisters are mysterious things." Kagari: "Good morning." Taka: "Kagari-san?" Taka: "Where's Kasumi-chan?!" Kagari: "Sleeping in her own room. She's unhurt." Kagari: "Would you like to visit her?" Taka: "Onii-chan, run... No, if she's safe, it's okay..." Taka: "Um, Kagari-san..." Taka: "My sister was out of line. I'm sorry!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, lift your head. All she did was throw a car at me, gun me down, and leave me with the parting remark, "Evil is no more."" Kagari: "Honestly, I had to admire her. Her dynamic energy showed me" Kagari: "It made me interested in her. So, Takamiya-kun..." Kagari: "Shall I try being your little sister?" Taka: "What did you say?" Kagari: "Your little sister. It sounds like fun." Taka: "I don't know what makes you think that... but I don't think you can be my little sister." Kagari: "Why not?" Taka: "Why not?" Taka: "Besides, you're more like an older sister than a younger one." Kagari: "Older sister?" Taka: "Yes, older sister." Kagari: "Then I'll be your older sister. Try calling me "Onee-chan."" Taka: "What?! How did that conversation lead to this?!" Kagari: "Just say it." Taka: "O-Onee-chan..." Kagari: "Your heart wasn't in it. Again." Taka: "Onee-chan." Kagari: "Again." Taka: "Onee-chan." Kagari: "Again." Taka: "Onee-chan. Wait, what is this, Kagari-san?" Kagari: "That's "Onee-chan."" Taka: "My bag! And the stuff I bought!" Taka: "I got them for Kasumi-chan and Kagari-san..." Taka: "I was hoping it would help them get along..." Mom: "Takamiya residence. We're not home at the moment. Please leave a message. Take care." Kazane: "Hello, this is Kazane. There's something I need to ask my daughter and your sister right away, so I'm coming over." Mom: "Kazane-chan is coming!" Tanpopo: "I'm bored." Kazane: "My name is Kagari Kazane. I'm the head of the Tougetsu Workshop. Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and Noblesse Oblige. My hobbies are wooden dolls and torture."

Mom: "Honoka-kun, Kasumi-chan, I have something important to tell you." Taka: "What's going on, Mom? Why the serious look?" Mom: "You see... right after I got married, I had an affair." Kasumi: "An affair?!" Mom: "On top of that, I got pregnant... and had the baby." Taka: "You had the baby?! Bear?!" Mom: "I left it with a distant relative right after it was born, but I just got a call asking me to take the child back. And since your dad isn't around anymore, I agreed. So, allow me to introduce..." Taka: "What?!" Mom: "The new member of the Takamiya family, and your older sister..." Mom: "Ayaka-san." Kagari: "It's a pleasure." Kasumi: "Wow, this is great, Onii-chan! We're happy to meet our lovely sister, aren't we?" Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "What a nightmare..." Kagari: "Good morning." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "You're up early, for a weekend." Taka: "Why are you here right now, wearing an apron?" Taka: "You're not really my older sister, are you?!" Kagari: "I don't need to hear your "Onee-chan" with no feeling behind it anymore. Just address me as you always have." Kagari: "We're living together. Did you forget?" Taka: "Oh, yeah..." Taka: "Wow, you made breakfast?" Kagari: "Yes. I wanted to have it ready when you woke up." Kagari: "Let's eat." Taka: "Sure!" Taka: "Where are Mom and Kasumi-chan? Sleeping?" Kagari: "They both left early this morning." Mom: "Ayaka-san, take care of things while we're gone." Kasumi: "I'm staying here!" Mom: "No, you're not." Taka: "This miso soup is great!" Kagari: "Really? Thank you." Kagari: "I'll wash the dishes." Taka: "I'll help you." Taka: "You're wearing your school uniform on a weekend?" Kagari: "Yes. All my clothes were blown up along with my house." Taka: "Oh..." Kagari: "What about you? You're in your school uniform." Taka: "I just fell asleep in mine." Tanpopo: "Damn them and their flirting." Kanna: "They look like a married couple already." Tanpopo: "We'll hide in this room for a while. Hey, is this place—" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Tanpopo: "Hey! I wasn't done talking to you!" Kagari: "Yes?" Taka: "Mom says dinner's ready." Kagari: "All right." Taka: "Anyway, I'm glad we had a room we weren't using." Kagari: "Don't enter my room without permission." Taka: "I won't!" Tanpopo: "They're totally looking down on us! Why do we have to keep quiet and do as they say, Medusa-sama?!" Medusa: "Not so loud. You'll disturb the neighbors." Tanpopo: "How can you take this so lightly?! It's true that we lost that last fight, but that wasn't your true power!" Medusa: "I wanted to take Takamiya-kun without using Stone Eyes and Stone Hands." Medusa: "But I failed. I lost because I underestimated that little girl." Medusa: "Isn't it the rule that we keep quiet and obey after we lose?" Medusa: "Hey, if you're bored, you're free to betray me." Medusa: "Besides, getting found by Kazane is the last thing we want right now. And I'm sure that girl doesn't want" Medusa: "As long as we have mutual interests, they won't do anything careless." Taka: "And done." Tanpopo: "Don't make a sound." Kanna: "Hey. Should we really be doing this behind Medusa-sama's back?" Tanpopo: "If we get our hands on him, she can't get mad at us." Tanpopo: "It's the middle of the night." Kanna: "The Fire Witch isn't sleeping." Tanpopo: "Should we wait until she does?" Kanna: "Someone's here." Tanpopo: "Ignore it. Probably the mom's lover." Mom: "Welcome, Kazane-chan!" Kazane: "No, I'm just—" Mom: "Never mind, never mind!" Kazane: "Look, Komachi, I came for Ayaka—" Mom: "Kazane-chan, is sake okay?" Kazane: "Huh? Why do you have that many bottles?" Kazane: "I can't drink any more!" Mom: "I won't let you get away, Kazane-chan!" Kazane: "Come on, cut it out..." Mom: "This brings back memories of our bittersweet high school days..." Kazane: "What does that mean?" Mom: "We're going out, Ayaka-san." Kasumi: "I'm staying here!" Mom: "No, you're not." Kazane: "Ayaka! Expect a lecture when we come back!" Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "Good morning." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "You're up early, for a weekend." Tanpopo: "Does that woman never sleep? Change of plans! We wait for a chance to attack!" Kanna: "That again, huh?" Taka: "You know, Kagari-san, it just occurred to me..." Kagari: "Is there something you don't understand?" Taka: "Uh, no..." Taka: "It's been two hours now since I started solving these problems. What kind of training is this?" Kagari: "Um..." Kagari: "It's to improve your grades." Taka: "What?! So this is just studying?!" Kagari: "What else would it be?" Taka: "But, Kagari-san..." Taka: "I became your apprentice so I could get stronger and fight by your side!" Kagari: "What are you saying, Takamiya-kun?" Kagari: "What if you skinned your elbows or something?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, I haven't taught you how to fight." Kagari: "I haven't taught you how to fight." Taka: "I don't wanna walk." Kagari: "I'll always carry you." Taka: "I don't wanna get dressed." Kagari: "I'll always dress you." Taka: "I don't wanna eat." Kagari: "I'll always feed you." Taka: "Kagari-san, let's put studying aside for now. Can't we do something practical?" Kagari: "Put studying aside? But there's quite a difference between my grades and yours." Taka: "That's because we're not built to the same specs." Kagari: "That's not what I'm saying." Kagari: "We won't be able to go to the same college." Kagari: "Ask if you don't understand something." Taka: "Thanks." Taka: "Looks like it's going to rain. Oh, the laundry!" Taka: "Ah, it's raining!" Taka: "They got a little wet." Mom: "We're back!" Mom: "Ayaka-san, could you come here, please?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, you go to the bathroom and dry off." Taka: "Huh? I'm not that wet." Kagari: "What if you catch a cold?" Taka: "Okay..." Taka: "Kagari-san is too overprotective." Mom: "Look, Ayaka-san! We bought an outfit for you, too!" Kasumi: "Mom, don't hold that up in the foyer." Kazane: "Ayaka, carry her bags in for her." Taka: "I guess it's because I'm just unreliable." Taka: "Huh? The light's on..." Mei: "Man, that was a great bath." Mom: "You like it?" Kazane: "Hurry up and get inside already!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Mei: "Damn!" Katsura: "We blew it!" Kasumi: "Hey! You guys! Your luck just ran ou—" Kazane: "You..." Kazane: "Ayaka! We're going to capture them!" Kazane: "What are you doing?!" Kagari: "I'm sorry, Mother, but I can't let you have them." Kazane: "What are you talking about? Do you realize what you're doing? Get out of the way, Ayaka!" Kagari: "No." Kazane: "You're hiding something, aren't you?" Kazane: "Is it something you're willing to defy me for?" Kazane: "Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Y-Yes?" Kazane: "Tell my daughter to move. She'll listen to you." Kazane: "I can't afford to let her have her selfish way any longer!" Mikage: "Try to hide it as long as you can." Kazane: "Takamiya-kun! Takamiya-kun! Are you listening?!" Taka: "Kagari-san, you can't let her have them!" Kagari: "Change of plans, Medusa." Kagari: "We're doing it right now." Kazane: "Ayaka... That form..." Medusa: "Oh, dear..." Medusa: "I had hoped to spend plenty of time getting you accustomed to me." Kazane: "Medusa!" Medusa: "Here I go, Fire Witch." Medusa: "We've lost, Fire Witch." Medusa: "Remove my head and present it to Kazane." Medusa: "Hey, now. What do you intend to do with me?" Medusa: "I understand what you're saying." Medusa: "So, what do you mean when you say we'll form an alliance?" Medusa: "Even if you hide us, someone will find out sooner or later. You must be quite troubled." Medusa: "How can you oppose Kazane? How can you make his days peaceful again?" Medusa: "That's the Apple of Discord!" Medusa: "It's a magical apple that merges the power of two witches!" Medusa: "You have no qualms with stooping so low just for him? Interesting. I accept your offer. This means you'll become one with me, Fire Witch." Kagari: "I will protect Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "To do that, I would..." Taka: "Ka—" Kazane: "I see. So that's how it is." Kazane: "I finally understand everything now." Kazane: "Medusa's objective was not the White Princess. It was to raise a successor! And you chose my daughter Ayaka, the flawless witch, to fill the role!" Medusa: "I can see why people call you" Medusa: "So smart, yet such an idiot." Mei: "So that's what it was, Medusa-sama!" Katsura: "You're so amazing for nabbing the Fire Witch!" Tanpopo: "We're too late." Rin: "I'm still sleepy..." Kazane: "I'll have you tell me your reasons in much more detail later. More importantly, what's the deal with that lousy cosplay? Didn't I teach you that strength is obtained through grace and beauty?" Kazane: "And I absolutely cannot approve of your illicit union with Medusa!" Kagari: "I'm sorry, Mother. Stay as a rock for a while." Kazane: "Did you think that would be enough to beat me? You must find it strange that you can't breathe after merely being hit in the back." Kazane: "It's because your invincibility has been undone." Kazane: "Ayaka, let me make this clear. Evermillion hates impurity. She has most likely cut off your supply of magic power." Kazane: "You've weakened yourself by joining with Medusa." Kazane: "Now, grit your teeth and submit to the iron fist of justice!" Kagari: "No, Takamiya-kun! Not that power!" Kazane: "You stupid little girl!" Kagari: "You're awake?" Taka: "Kagari-san?" e: "Princess, these iron bars won't melt! It's no use, Princess! We can't burn them! Princess, we can't do it! Princess!" Taka: "Where are we?" Kagari: "A punishment room." Kagari: "We lost to my mother, and were captured after that." Taka: "Oh..." Kagari: "Medusa's been torn out of me. You can relax." Kagari: "But this is the worst thing that could have happened. Medusa is surely being interrogated now, and all our secrets are out." e: "Cheer up, Princess!" Taka: "Kagari-san, what's going on?" Taka: "Tell me!" Kagari: "My mother warned me to make sure of one thing." Kagari: "That even if you're hurt or I die, the seals must never be broken. As long as the seals were in place," Kagari: "But..." Taka: "If they were to be broken, we would lose that protection, and I'd become a danger, right?" Kagari: "That's right." Kagari: "Stay still." Kagari: "You surprised me back there." Kagari: "You tried to use your power, didn't you?" Kagari: "I was sure everything around us would be burnt to the ground again. But trading places with me..." Kagari: "That's just like you." Taka: "That was..." Chronoire: "There's no other way to save her." Taka: "Anyway, go on with the story." Kagari: "I hid Medusa and her underlings so" Kagari: "If even one of them were caught, my mother would torture them into spilling everything." Kagari: "There's no defeating my mother unless you beat her to the punch." Kagari: "That's why I allied myself with Medusa." Kagari: "Things turned out that way because I was careless. I underestimated the seals, and believed they would never break." Kagari: "They only break if you wish them to, Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "Are you listening?" Taka: "Yeah... Kagari-san, what do we do now?" Kagari: "We defeat my mother." e: "Let's do it! Yeah!" Taka: "Defeat her?" Kagari: "She's very sportsmanlike. If we defeat her, she'll become our ally." Taka: "But we were no match for her! She's your mother, you know! Fighting her can't be wise!" Kagari: "Then what do you want to do?" Taka: "U-Uh, well... That's it! Kasumi-chan! She said if we leave town, the chairwoman would be powerless against us!" Kagari: "What are you talking about?" Kagari: "Leaving town is not an option." Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "Listen. There is a power inside you. And there are witches who want that power." Kagari: "Why should you have to run away?" Kagari: "You just happen to possess power, so you must live in hiding? That's wrong. They're evil, and you must never give in to evil." Kagari: "I won't let you run away or hide." Kagari: "I will fight, no matter what I must do. And we're going to go to school together." Kagari: "Live with pride. We're going back to school tomorrow. Tomorrow is student council day. It's your first day on the job." Kagari: "I arranged things so that you could show them your skill." Taka: "Okay." Taka: "But what should we do? The way things are now..." Kagari: "There is a way." Chronoire: "Check. And don't tell me to wait." Kazane: "You could wait just this once. Stingy." Chronoire: "Do you not feel sorry for treating me as a criminal and" Chronoire: "You have always been smart, yet stupid." Chronoire: "And? What became of Medusa?" Kazane: "Yeah, Medusa! Just listen to this!" Kazane: "I came back all excited to torture Medusa after I captured her..." Laurent: "Hello." Laurent: "You are this town's Workshop head, Kagari Kazane, yes? I've heard much about you." Laurent: "We've come from the Workshop in Rothenburg in pursuit of Medusa. I am Laurent, and this is Wine. That's Medusa you've got on your back, isn't it? You've done a fine job catching her for us! Please allow us to handle the rest. We'll begin extradition right away." Kazane: "Extradition?" Laurent: "Yes. Medusa is dangerous." Lauent: "We must return her to the monolith." Kazane: "Wait a minute! She was on the loose in my town! We'll deal with her!" Laurent: "That is our job. I know how you must feel, but..." Kazane: "Two hours! Give me two hours! Yeah! Just say you got here two hours later than now! Give me just a little time to torture this snake woman!" Laurent: "Is that something a Workshop head should say?" Kazane: "Wait! Those rotten b*tches!" Chronoire: "An educator shouldn't use words that require censorship." Kazane: "I didn't get to wring a word out of her." Chronoire: "And what of Medusa's underlings?" Kazane: "I let those five go. They're insignificant." Chronoire: "For a Workshop head, you certainly are irresponsible. Even when you caught me, you used every witch in this town." Chronoire: "The rules state that five high school students are supposed to protect things." Kazane: "That kind of restriction annoys me. I don't like it," Kazane: "but at least we'll have peace again." Kazane: "What now?! My school..." Kagari: "Looks like we made it out." Kagari: "Are you ready?" Kazane: "Hey, you two!" Kazane: "This is a school! How many times must you destroy it?!" Kagari: "The fight is on, Mother!" Kazane: "What do you mean, "fight"?! Put your school uniform back on and get" Kagari: "You won't fight me?" Kazane: "Of course not! Why should I have to fight you?!" Laurent: "Kagari Kazane, we have Medusa." Laurent: "We'll be going now. Auf Wiedersehen!" Kazane: "You were still here?!" Chronoire: "Ooh, that bird is a Roc! Which means those two are the tattooed sisters of Rothenburg!" Kazane: "Don't ever come back! Are you stupid?! Causing an explosion" Kazane: "That's enough for today! Just go home! You'll be helping me clean up the school tomorrow!" Taka: "Looks like she didn't find out about the seal." Taka: "There's a way?" Kagari: "Yes, but I'll need your help to do it." Taka: "Anything! You name it!" Kagari: "When I was petrified before, you brought me back." Taka: "Yeah..." Kagari: "That gave me power like nothing I've ever felt before." Kagari: "I just need you to do the same thing again." Taka: "The same thing? You mean... What?!" Kagari: "But the way you did it before won't be enough to beat Mother. It must be a stronger bond." Taka: "Whoa, wai—" Kagari: "Be still and close your eyes." Taka: "A lap pillow and an ear cleaning? Will doing this really make you stronge—" Taka: "We're home." Mom: "Welcome home." Mom: "Our family has grown." Tanpopo: "A pleasure." Mei: "A pleasure." Kanna: "A plea..." Rin: "...sure." Kazane: "What?! Medusa disappeared again?!" Chronoire: "My name is Chronoire Schwarz VI. My age is just over 700 years old. I am still a child, but please be kind to me. Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and Kagari-san's Wounds."

Hoozuki: "Pardon our intrusion." Touko: "Pardon." Kazane: "You are the daughters of Hoozuki and Hio, yes?" Kazane: "Thanks for making the long trip here. I called you here on the last day of spring break because I wanted to ask you a favor, as two girls of the same age as my daughter." Hoozuki: "Yes, ma'am. My mother has told me to do anything you say." Kazane: "Good. That will save us some time." Kazane: "Come in here." Mikage: "Okay, everyone take your seats. New students, welcome to the Tougetsu Girls'" Hoozuki: "Touko, you idiot! We're all late because you overslept!" Touko: "I'm sorry!" Hoozuki: "Sorry we're late! We're Hoozuki Kanae, Hio Touko, and Kagari Ayaka! We're here!" Girl: "Did you hear about that new girl? Yeah. A really gorgeous girl joined class B, right? I heard she's a rich upper class girl, and has two attendants in class with her. Seriously? Let's go see! I'll pass. Just look at that crowd." Mikage: "Aoki-san." Aoki: "Here." Mikage: "Okazaki-san." Okazaki: "Here." Mikage: "Kagari-san." Mikage: "Kagari-san?" Hoozuki: "Princess, you must answer." Kagari: "Here." Hoozuki: "Princess, you're supposed to hit the balls back when they come!" Mikage: "Now, Kagari-san, would you come forward and solve this problem?" Mikage: "Kagari-san?" Hoozuki: "Princess, when this happens, you go up to the blackboard and... Come to think of it, Princess, I've kind of been wondering..." Hoozuki: "Is this, by chance, your first time attending a school? I mean, you sort of..." Girl: "May we eat lunch with you? Kagari-san, I hear you're really smart." Girl: "Kagari-san, what club are you joining?" Hoozuki: "The Princess is very shy..." Girl: "If you're trying to be her manager, cut it out." Girl: "You're not even that cute." Girl: "Huh?" Hoozuki: "P-Princess! Please wait, Princess!" Hoozuki: "Princess, associating with friends is important." Hoozuki: "But as soon as you have free time, you always come straight to the library. What information are you looking for?" Hoozuki: "Okay, okay. No reply again today, huh?" Hoozuki: "I'll just read my manga quietly." Hoozuki: "Touko, are our lives as students always going to be like this?" Hoozuki: "Touko?" Hoozuki: "Are you listening, Touko?" Hoozuki: "What?" Touko: "Hoozukicchi, you'll understand soon enough." Hoozuki: "Understand what?" Touko: "That even if every student in the school becomes your friend," Touko: "it'd be more fun just staying beside the princess." Hoozuki: "No surprise there." Touko: "Wow! I'm on the list, too!" Hoozuki: "I'm not..." King: "You're Kagari-san?" King: "Wanna come with us for a sec?" Hoozuki: "What do you all want with us, Senpai?" King: "You three have been standing out a lot lately. So we thought, to keep things entertaining going forward, we'd give you a little guidance." Hoozuki: "No, thank you!" King: "Keep still. If you resist... You think you can get away with—" Kagari: "There's only one person in this world who" King: "What did you—" Hoozuki: "Princess, what just..." Kagari: "I raised their body temperatures a bit." Kagari: "Maybe next time, I'll make their blood boil." Hoozuki: "You didn't go to the library to look for information today. Where are we going?" Hoozuki: "Please, wait for us! Princess!" Hoozuki: "What's this place?" Touko: "A boys' school?" Hoozuki: "Princess?" Hoozuki: "It's not like you to hide in shadows, Princess." Hoozuki: "Was the information you were searching for..." Hoozuki: "It's spring already..." Hoozuki: "We're second-years now, Princess." Hoozuki: "We met in a spring full of beautiful cherry blossoms too, didn't we? You know, Princess, back then you..." Hoozuki: "That's why I— Princess?" Kagari: "I found you." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, it's morning. Wake up." Taka: "Morning, Kagari-san." Kagari: "Good morning." Kagari: "What's the matter?" Taka: "I had a strange dream." Kagari: "Dream?" Taka: "It was about you in middle school." Kasumi: "Ugh, my head hurts..." Kasumi: "I remember everything up to when I came home yesterday, but... Why was it suddenly the next morning when I woke up?" Mom: "Oh, good morning, Kasumi-chan." All: "Mornin'!" Kasumi: "Wh-Why are you people here?!" Mom: "Kasumi-chan, they're our new family." All: "It's a pleasure!" Kasumi: "What?! Are you stupid, Mom?! Are you stupid, Mom?! Are you stupid?!" Takamiya: "You're sure this is necessary?" Kagari: "Yes. It must be done every day from now on. One of the five seals in you is broken." Kasumi: "I'll go get Onii-chan." Mom: "Okay." Kagari: "but there's no doubt that the other seals will break. At the moment, there's no way to stop it. Once they've all broken, we lose." Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, does any part of your body feel strange?" Taka: "No, everything's normal." Taka: "K-Kasumi-chan... D-Don't get the wrong idea! K-K-Kagari-san was just checking me over..." Taka: "You know we've got trouble since one of my seals broke, right?" Taka: "But I'll admit, the nurse costume is pretty surprising! Get this! Mom dug it up from the bottom of her dresser, and roped her into wearing it by saying it'd make me happy. So this is just... You know, it's like that! I mean, not like that, but like that!" Kasumi: "I can't believe you! Never do anything like that again!" Kasumi: "The Princess is uncontrollable, so you have to be the responsible one!" Kagari: "Grr... Takamiya-kun, about what I said before." Kagari: "Grr... I wasn't exaggerating. Even if you find yourself in danger," Taka: "It's bad enough that everyone hates" Taka: "Now there's even more controversy around me." Rinon: "Are you ready, everyone?" All: "Yes!" Mikage: "Now, for this problem... Takamiya-kun, could you solve it for us?" Taka: "Yes." Taka: "I don't know." Tanpopo: "You're pretty dumb, aren't you?" Taka: "Oh, yeah, we have class outside next. Let's go." Taka: "What's going on?!" Kagari: "Look out!" Guy: "This is nuts!" Girl: "If I found an abandoned puppy, I'd just ignore it. That's hilarious! You're so bad!" Taka: "What on earth is going on?" Taka: "The whole school is a lawless zone!" Taka: "Kagari-san..." Kagari: "We've got trouble. This is a rebellion." Taka: "A rebellion?" Kagari: "Yes. Think about how this world's leaders operate. If they don't have the support of the masses, how would the masses feel?" Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "Well, dissatisfied, I guess..." Kagari: "They would riot." Tanpopo: "You really are clueless. Since you're the student council president, Takamiya-kun, this school's leader is you." Taka: "Huh? What?! You mean since I became the student council president, my terrible approval rating led to a revolt?" Taka: "Touko-san!" Rinon: "Well, well. So this is where you were. I found you, Student Council President." Taka: "Who are you?" Rinon: "Nobody worth naming. You are Takamiya-kun, yes?" Taka: "Huh? Uh, yes..." Rinon: "Give him this." Girl: "Ma'am!" Girl: "Read it." Taka: ""Come to the gym today at 2:30 PM..." A duel?!" Rinon: "Come to the gym after school, and come alone." Rinon: "We will cease rioting until then." Rinon: "So long." Taka: "What?" Touko: "Takamiya-kun... I might have an idea what's going on..." Taka: "Huh?" Touko: "It happened yesterday evening. I was working my part-time job as a bartender, as usual, when..." Taka: "Bartender?" Kagari: "She has many part-time jobs." Touko: "Just then, I saw..." Touko: "Isn't that... the old student council president?" Rinon: "Is that true?" Pres: "Yes." Pres: "He's a horrible man! His name is Takamiya Honoka. He smooth-talked his way close to me, then he got me drunk and attacked me! Then he took embarrassing pictures of me... I had no choice but to do as he said! He had his way with me, tossed me aside," Pres: "I don't know what to do!" Touko: "She strung together all those lies to vilify you." Taka: "I see." Taka: "Where's the old student council president today?" Touko: "She's absent today." Kagari: "It's okay, Takamiya-kun. I'll handle it." Taka: "No." Kagari: "Otometachibana Rinon. Class 2-B at Tougetsu High School. Her number on the roll is 11. A known delinquent. She became boss of Tougetsu Girls'" Kagari: "She went on" Kagari: "She's the ringleader of this town." Kagari: "They call her Rinon the Bear Killer." Taka: "Bear Killer?" Kagari: "A few years ago, a zoo tiger escaped. She strangled it with her bare hands. She strangled a tiger, so they call her the Bear Killer? The tiger's name was Lucky Bear. About two months ago, perhaps, she was suspended from school for causing trouble, so it's no surprise that you don't know her." Taka: "Still, with a riot like this going on, I'd think your mom would be furious." Tanpopo: "Hey, Fire Witch, I ran into Chronoire-sama in the hallway earlier." Chronoire: "Kazane is away on business, so I'm filling in as chairwoman." Chronoire: "Young folks these days are so wonderfully chaotic! Youth is all about violence!" Tanpopo: "That's what she said." Kagari: "You're going alone?" Taka: "Don't stop me, Kagari-san. I'm sure you don't want me to go, but..." Kagari: "I understand." Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "You don't mind?" Kagari: "The woman should walk quietly behind the man." Kagari: "I have one bit of advice for you..." Kagari: "A way to defeat Rinon." Taka: "Um..." Rinon: "Looks like you came alone, as promised." Taka: "Um, look, take it easy! I have a suggestion. Let's talk this out first. I think we're both mistaken here." Rinon: "Talk it out? You had your way with my best friend." Rinon: "You ran her out of the student council and made her a social disgrace! How am I mistaken?!" Taka: "W-Well, about her leaving the student council..." Rinon: "Is true, isn't it?! If you're a man, talk with your fists!" Rinon: "You're about to be punished in front of the entire school!" Rinon: "If you don't like it, fight back!" Rinon: "What's the matter? The only justice in this world is power." Kagari: "You mustn't call upon your power." Rinon: "A weakling shouldn't try to play tough!" Rinon: "It's over!" Taka: "A way to defeat her?" Kagari: "Her final attack is a straight punch." Kagari: "She'll swing her arm wide." Taka: "How do you know that?" Kagari: "We went to the same middle school." Kagari: "Anyway, that moment is your chance to get under her guard. Her punches are fast, but if you know it's coming, dodging isn't impossible." Kagari: "Not for who you are now." Taka: "Who I am now?" Kagari: "After you dodge, push your leg forward like this." Kagari: "Don't move." Taka: "But, that's..." Rinon: "It's over!" Taka: "What do I do once I'm on top of her?" Kagari: "Hit her." Taka: "Hit her?! I don't know if I can..." Taka: "You can. I know you can do it." Rinon: "You set me up, didn't you?!" Taka: "Huh?" Rinon: "Fine by me!" Kagari: "What have you done..." Kagari: "to my Takamiya-kun?!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun." Taka: "Kagari-san... I..." Kagari: "You don't have to say anything. Just rest." Tanpopo: "Ordinary people can't see us when we're in our robes..." Touko: "A plan to improve the president's popularity?" Pres: "And if it works, you'll reconsider my sentence? Just leave this to me!" Rinon: "How dare you deceive me?!" urse: "Falling and hurting yourself... You really are clumsy, Mikage-sensei." Pres: "I did something awful..." Pres: "The Princess must be disgusted with me!" Touko: "But you went with Rinon-chan to apologize to him, didn't you?" Pres: "Uh-huh." Hoozuki: "Why didn't you tell Rinon everything in the first place?" Pres: "Well... His name is Takamiya Honoka. He smooth-talked his way close to me, then he got me drunk and attacked me! Just kidding. Actually..." Rinon: "He'll pay for that! Huh? Er..." Pres: "I'll pluck out every hair on that f***er's head and feed them to pigs! The image of her feeding his hair to pigs suddenly came up in the back of my mind, and I just couldn't resist going further. I'm the worst!" Pres: "I'm scum! I deserve to die! I'm trash! I'm a tick! I'm an idiot! I'm a floral egg crab!" Touko: "What are you saying?! The Princess would never turn her back on you over something like that! I mean, I swiped her underwear from the washing machine in the dead of night and had all kinds of fun with it! Every day for the six months until she found out! But she didn't stop being my friend!" Hoozuki: "So you did that, too? I did something similar, and she found out, but she's still my friend. Don't stress over it." Hoozuki: "Worrying is just a waste of time." Touko: "You never told me about that..." Hoozuki: "Remember in middle school, when we lived together at headquarters? When you live with someone so gorgeous, you're bound to commit an indiscretion or two." Pres: "I was wrong to confide in you two." Hoozuki: "You've just gotta learn to take it easy." Touko: "My name is Hio Touko. I'm the vice vice president whose staple diet is ice cream. My favorite time period is the ice age! Anyway... Next time on Witch Craft Works: Takamiya-kun and the End Witch."

Kanna: "Something's going to happen today. I just have that feeling." Taka: "I..." Kagari: "I know." Kagari: "Rest for a few days, and we'll begin." Kagari: "I decided it during the last battle. Starting today, I will teach you how to fight." Taka: "Th-This place is pretty high up to do that..." Kagari: "No one else can get involved here, and it creates a sense of urgency, right?" Kagari: "I'm a tough teacher." Kagari: "This training won't be easy." Taka: "But you didn't teach me before now because you said it was dangerous. Why the change of heart?" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun, you're hiding something from me, aren't you?" Kagari: "You do sit-ups and push-ups every evening now." Taka: "What's... wrong with that?" Kagari: "Not to mention..." Kasumi: "Onii-chan, it's amazing that you beat Rinon-senpai! You know, she's my..." Taka: "I mean, you said you wouldn't teach me because I might get hurt. I just wanted to do whatever I could for myself..." Kagari: "Quiet." Taka: "Ow!" Kagari: "I don't want to hear secrets or excuses." Taka: "I get it. I'm sorry." Kagari: "As long as you understand. And respond clearly." Taka: "S-Sir, yes, sir!" Kagari: "Watch closely." Kagari: "First, you'll learn how to manifest your magic." Kagari: "Relax your shoulders and focus." Taka: "Okay..." Taka: "But I'm still a beginner, you know. Isn't it too soon for something this difficu—" Kagari: "Don't think unnecessary thoughts." Kagari: "Only produce flames." Taka: "O-Okay..." Kagari: "Appeal to the depths of your soul. Call up a strong image." Kagari: "You know, Takamiya-kun, you have poor posture. Stand up straight. Here, tuck in your chin—" Taka: "Could you step back a little? I can't concentrate! Kagari-san, did you say you'd be tough? You're just doting on me like always! Hey! You just made a face like you forgot—" Kagari: "What are you talking about?" Kagari: "I was only gauging your power." Kagari: "It looks like this will work better for you." Taka: "H-Huh?" Kagari: "Don't worry. Even if my attack hits you," Kagari: "no damage will transfer to me. So you can fight him without restraint." Taka: "Er..." Kagari: "By the way, his best ability is fire breath." Taka: "Huh?! Fi... re?" Kagari: "Don't run from it." Kagari: "Call your own familiar and fight!" Taka: "That's easy for you to say!" Kagari: "Keep your guard up!" Kagari: "Behind you!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun!" Kagari: "This is terrible! Your elbow is scraped!" Kagari: "Let's stop for today." Taka: "So soon?! I haven't even done anything yet!" Kagari: "But, your elbow..." Taka: "No one ever died from a scraped elbow!" Taka: "I want to get stronger, as quickly as possible! I'm prepared for a few injuries!" Taka: "Didn't you say you're a tough teacher?" Taka: "H-Hey!" Kagari: "Don't call up your broom." Taka: "Wh-What..." Kagari: "Call up something that can fly." Taka: "That's too tough!" Kagari: "Takamiya-kun! Focus! Appeal to the depths of your soul!" Kagari: "Call up a strong image!" Tanpopo: "Kuraishi Tanpopo." Kanna: "Utsugi Kanna." Rin: "Kazari Rin." Mei: "Menowa Mei." Kotetsu: "Katsura Kotetsu." Tanpopo: "We are the proud underlings of Medusa-sama! We are not domesticated cats! This is the training facility I blew my entire savings to rent!" Tanpopo: "Now, let us begin! For tomorrow's glory!" Kanna: "What happened?" Tanpopo: "I slipped and broke a toenail." Rin: "Are you okay?" Kotetsu: "Maybe we should play it safe and cancel training for today." Mei: "Yeah. You don't want bacteria getting into it." Taka: "Why am I remembering the dream I had this morning now?!" Taka: "It's huge! It's a huge Kagari-san!" Kagari: "You're the one who summoned it." Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "Why do you look so... Eh?! Wait! It's not like that! I would never associate a "strong image" with you in a miniskirt nurse form! Huh?" Taka: "Huh? Eh? Eh?" Taka: "Eh?!" Taka: "How do I control... this... thing..." Taka: "What? I suddenly... Why...?" Chronoire: "Quite a flashy display." Mikage: "Again?" Mikage: "It's not easy to pretend this never happened, you know." Chronoire: "That was very powerful magic. A feat he couldn't have pulled off without breaking the second seal." Chronoire: "As I thought." Mikage: "The seal must have broken when he fought Otometachibana Rinon the other day." Chronoire: "Warn those two. If they put on displays like that, even a dolt like Kazane is bound to notice." Chronoire: "That would be bad for us both." Mikage: "Tell her yourself!" Chronoire: "I'm her enemy!" Mikage: "You're bored enough to have tea with me, aren't you?" Chronoire: "My goal was only to get him to swallow the candy." Chronoire: "From there, I need only wait until all the seals break." Chronoire: "Speaking of Kazane..." Chronoire: "Do you have any idea what she's doing, and where?" Mikage: "No." Chronoire: "She forced me to become chairwoman, claiming she was too busy..." Kazane: "Rinon..." Kazane: "Thank you." Kazane: "I'm impressed you figured out I was here." Rinon: "Touko told me." Kazane: "After I told her not to tell anyone..." Rinon: "What is this?" Kazane: "It's best you don't know." Kazane: "Anyway, what brings you here?" Rinon: "Well, some witch calling herself a messenger of the Tower showed up and said, "Tell the Workshop head that I have taken everyone in this town hostage."" Kagari: "Good morning." Taka: "Oh, did I pass out again?" Kagari: "You used too much magic," Kagari: "summoning something that big." Taka: "Sorry." Kanna: "Hang in there." Tanpopo: "Go on without me!" Kotetsu: "It's probably sprained." Taka: "Kagari-san, can I ask you something? You suddenly decided to train me because of that fight the other day, right?" Taka: "Back then, I felt some kind of power." Kagari: "You knew?" Taka: "The girl with animal ears told me that you all met up before the fight to plan a strategy." Taka: "The former vice president came up with the plan. First, the delinquents would riot and challenge the student council president; namely, me. Then, they'd lose on purpose, boosting my popularity. That was the gist." Touko: "So it finally comes down to a fight! How are you going to lose?" Pres: "I'm sorry! Rinon doesn't know about the plan!" Tanpopo: "Where are we going? Hey! Hey, I said!" Taka: "So, that happened, and this is how it turned out, right?" Taka: "I heard you made a run for the gym to save me." Taka: "Thanks." Taka: "But I think school should take a back seat right now. What's most important is..." Kagari: "Training trumps student council." Kagari: "The most important thing to us now is in the school." Boy: "Once spring break ends, we'll be middle schoolers." Girl: "Who are you?" Boy: "We'll make new friends, and meet people who interest us." Girl: "Why do you always appear in my dreams?" Boy: "We'll sit next to each other, share day duty... We'll probably go to school together someday, too." Girl: "I can't remember anything." Girl: "I'm sure there was something important..." Boy: "You should be on the student council. You belong at the center of the class." Girl: "This dream is my only clue." Boy: "Everything we lost is in the school..." Girl: "Very well. I'll find you, whatever it takes." Girl: "I'll sit next to you, share day duty with you, and go to school with you." Girl: "If I do that, I'm sure someday I'll..." Taka: "Kagari-san?" Taka: "Is something wrong?" Kagari: "I was... remembering a dream I had a long time ago." Kagari: "More importantly..." Kagari: "We have finals next week, Takamiya-kun." Kagari: "That's far more important than training." Girl: "Okay. I'll feed you when we get home." All: "Let's eat!" Tanpopo: "Mama-san's cooking is the best!" Kotetsu: "Isn't mayo better on fried eggs?" Kanna: "What? Not Tabasco?" Kasumi: "Hey, Mom!" Mom: "Eat up, everyone." All: "'Kay!" Taka: "Kagari-san." Taka: "Our exams start today, huh? Let's do our best." Weekend: "Did I keep you waiting?" Kazane: "You surprised me. I never thought the villain would call me out herself. What exactly are you planning," Kazane: "Weekend?" Weekend: "You waste no time before the impertinent questions, Kazane." Kazane: "Don't play dumb with me." Weekend: "It sounds like you know what that is." Kazane: "I saw them a few times during the great war..." Kazane: "Magical weapons that slaughter friend and foe alike." Weekend: "In a word, it's a bomb. It can wipe out this entire town." Weekend: "You were wise not to mess with it. One wrong touch, and "kaboom."" Kazane: "It's bound by a blood contract." Kazane: "Only the contracted party can use it." Kazane: "Well, let's negotiate. You called me here because you want him, right?" Weekend: "You seem to be mistaken. I didn't ask you here to negotiate." Kazane: "What?" Kazane: "You're holding everyone in the town hostage, aren't you? Don't you want to use the contract holder, the weapon's switch, as a shield and demand that I give him to you?" Weekend: "I will have him, but the bomb has a different purpose." Weekend: "You know, Kazane, people die easily with just a stab from a blade." Weekend: "But when you're fighting with magic, it's a different story. It's one thing if your opponent is a witch, but if it's an ordinary person, it's next to impossible to kill them." Kazane: "What are you saying?" Weekend: "Just listen. The reason for that is within the Workshop system. The job of Workshop Witches is to protect the town from magic. Their leader, the Workshop head," Weekend: "It's designed to automatically guard ordinary people from taking damage from a magical attack. In other words, even if you destroy something with magic, no one gets hurt. It's a barrier that works at full power 'round the clock. However, each time it guards people, it loses magic." Weekend: "Of course, you possess a tremendous amount of magic power. Blowing away a building or two wouldn't hurt in the least, but... What if you had to protect the lives of everyone in the town at once?" Kazane: "You wouldn't..." Weekend: "That was my plan to begin with." Mikage: "Everyone! Get out of the classroom!" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Return to your seat. You need to be quiet during an exam." Taka: "Right..." Taka: "No, this is clearly not right!" Taka: "What the...?" Taka: "Hey! If we're evacuating, it's that way..." Kagari: "Just come with me." Taka: "What's going on?" Kagari: "It must be a Tower Witch." Kazane: "I'm sure your superiors won't keep quiet about a flashy show like this." Weekend: "I'll get my hands on the White Princess and be gone before they can complain." Kazane: "Were you behind Medusa and Chronoire's attacks, too?" Weekend: "They made fine pawns. I only gave them a little information, and they moved just as I wanted." Weekend: "Kazane, my goal is to render you powerless. With you gone, we Tower Witches can do as we please." Weekend: "Looks like your magic is about to run out." Kagari: "This way!" Weekend: "Take her." Taka: "I didn't know there was a place like this in the school." Weekend: "One week. It'll take one week for your magic to return. All I have to do is nab him before then, and I've won." Kasumi: "Onii-chan!" Taka: "Kasumi-chan..." Rinon: "Welcome, Takamiya-kun... to our Workshop." Taka: "Rinon-san..." Rinon: "I heard that you're the Princess's apprentice. And that you're Kasumi's brother." Rinon: "Putting aside what happened the other day, it's nice to meet you." Kasumi: "Rinon-senpai is my teacher!" Taka: "Oh..." Rinon: "You haven't met these two, have you? Let me introduce you." Rinon: "First, this our leader, Natsume." sume: "Nice to meet you, Takamiya-kun. My name is Mikage Natsume. I'm the leader of the five witches who protect the town." sume: "Um, a-anyway, I hope we can be friends." Rinon: "And this is Atori." Taka: "Animal ears?!" sume: "Um, she's not too social, but she's very nice! I hope you'll make friends with her." Taka: "Sure..." Kasumi: "By the way, I'm the alternate... the sixth witch. I'm allowed to protect the town only when you're in trouble." Taka: "So, um..." Taka: "What the heck just happened outside?" sume: "Yes! Yes! I can answer that!" sume: "Actually, there was a bit of an accident." Taka: "An accident?" sume: "Yes. During an experiment in the science room, Kyouichirou-sa— I mean, Mikage-sensei made a mistake. That's why you felt a tremor and heard a loud noise." Taka: "Huh?" Taka: "Mikage-sensei was overseeing our exam in the classroom..." sume: "Oh, he was?" sume: "Then it must have been another teacher. At any rate, just relax..." Kasumi: "Onii-chan!" Kasumi: "Are you okay, Onii-chan?!" Taka: "Yeah, no problem." Kasumi: "Onii-chan!" Taka: "I thought so." Taka: "It only put her to sleep." Kasumi: "What are you trying to do to my brother?! Depending on your response, even if you're my teacher, I'll—" Rinon: "Sorry I had to be so rough. Something's come up," Rinon: "and it's become necessary to confine you. You'll come with us, won't you? I can't tell you what's happening right now, but when it's all over, I'll answer anything you ask. If you like, I'll even tell you my measurements." Taka: "Huh?!" Rinon: "I was kidding." Rinon: "Regardless, I was surprised back there. I've known the Princess since our second year of middle school," Rinon: "but I've never seen her like that before. I guess she is a young lady, too..." Rinon: "I thought she was a heartless robot." Rinon: "Please wait quietly in here for a while. Just one word of caution for you..." Rinon: "If you try to break out, I'll kick your ass, you got that?! Oh, dear. A lady shouldn't use such coarse language." Taka: "She's scary!" Taka: "If they're hiding me in here, that means I'm a target." Taka: "The Tower Witches must have attacked..." Taka: "And they tell me to hide in here until it's all over?" Taka: "That's just..." Taka: "Oh, yeah!" Taka: "Huh?" Kagari: "We can't use magic." Taka: "Kagari-san!" Kagari: "Good morning." Taka: "Are you okay?" Kagari: "Yes. I was careless. I can't believe Natsume got me. I should've realized sooner..." Taka: "What's going on?" Taka: "Explain it so I can understand!" Kagari: "I don't know, either." Kagari: "I only know that, during the exam, I felt a Tower Witch use immense magic. Locking us in here means that either my mother found out your seals have broken, or my mother's protection is gone." Kagari: "But if she found out, she should come here herself." Taka: "You mean..." Kagari: "It's hard to believe, but my mother's been defeated." Taka: "The chairwoman was defeated? Is she okay?" Kagari: "There's no one we need to worry about less than her. I don't know how long it'll take, but with time, she'll return to normal. I suspect the enemy knows that, as well. They shut you and me in here because, as long as you're not captured before Mother recovers, we win." Taka: "We "win"?" Taka: "Kagari-san!" Weekend: "I've found them." Weekend: "I'll be going to collect them now." Kazane: "I suppose the idea of escaping hasn't even occurred to her..." Taka: "Was that a good idea?" Taka: "That doll was obviously still talking..." Kagari: "It was probably just going to say, "I'm on my way, so wait there."" Taka: "But still..." Kagari: "Besides, look. Conveniently, it looks like we can get out." Taka: "But, what do we do from here? If we're free when the chairwoman's magic returns, we'll be okay, right?" Kagari: "I've memorized her face." Kagari: "I'm going to defeat her. Oh, right. I started to tell you before, but we can't use magic now." Taka: "What?!" Rinon: "My name is Otometachibana Rinon."

Dog: "Dog and Cat!" Hide: "They say you shouldn't call a dog by multiple names." Text: "Pochi! Pocchan! Poppo!" Hide: "It's hard not to, though. Doggy-woggy-poo!" Dog/Text: "Yes!" Hide: "Mr. Pupperpants!" Dog/Text: "Yes!" Hide: "Demon King of Outie Bellybutons!" Dog/Text: "Yes!" Hide: "Zubobonnu Bobbososubonboko-chan!" Dog/Text: "Yes!" Dog/Text: "She's calling me!" Hide: "Catterson!" Hide: "Occhonan-chan!" Hide: "Blacknose-sensei!" Hide: "Cat-san?" Hide: "Dinnertime." Cat/Text: "I heard that." Hide/Text: "My cat doesn't care what I call him." Cat: "Dog and Cat." Hide: "The hot new game my dog and I have been into lately..." Hide/Text: "Dog Machinegun!" Hide: "Da-da-da-da-da-da-da! Da-da-da-da-da-da-da!" Hide: "I'm not sure why, but this is so fun! Da-da—" Hide: "Wait... does he want to try it, too? Okay! Here we go!"

Dog: "Dog and Cat!" Hide/Text: "Dog's birthday is April 1st." Hide: "Happy birthday, Dog! happy birthday, Dog!" Hide: "You're gonna love your present this year!" Dog/Text: "What? What?! What are you giving me?!" Hide: "Ta-da! What do you think?!" Dog/Text: "Um... Hey! Let's play!" Hide: "When you have a cat or dog, you put too much thought into gifts that fail." Hide/Text: "Dog's thoughts on his own birthday:" Dog/Text: "The song was fun!" Hide/Text: "Cat's birthday is March 31st." Hide: "Yay, Cat! Here's your present! High-end treats!" Cat/Text: "Indeed..." Dog/Text: "I want some, too! I want some, too!" Hide: "No! Those are for Cat!" Dog/Text: "I want some, too! I want some, too!" Hide: "Quick! Eat it while you can!" Dog/Text: "I want some, too! I want some, too!" Hide: "Don't worry about me! Just eat it!" Hide: "H-How'd you like it?" Hide/Text: "Cat's thoughts on his own birthday:" Cat/Text: "It was too noisy." Hide/Text: "I'm sorry..." Cat: "Dog and Cat." Hide: "I bought a new toy for Dog. Here." Dog/Text: "For me?! Really?! What is it?! What is it?! Whee! It feels funny in my mouth! Ah..." Dog/Text: "It jumped! Woo-hoo!" Cat/Text: "Truly foolish." Hide: "I bought one for you, too." Cat/Text: "Hmph. Ridiculous."

Dog: "Dog and Cat!" Hide: "When all's said and done, Dog is nine years old. In human years, he'd be in his mid-fifties. Old age makes moving around a hassle, but..." Lady/Text: "Pon-chan!" Hide: "Dog-kun!" Hide: "When I open a snack bag..." Dog: "Can I have some?! Can I have some?!" Dog/Text: "Can I have some?! I can, right?!" Hide: "Not now, and not ever! So far, he hasn't changed at all. Cat is nine years old, too. He'd also be close to sixty in human years." Hide: "He sleeps a lot more than he used to." Dog/Text: "Let's play! Let's play!" Hide/Text: "I wonder if they'll just continue to age quietly..." Hide: "Sigh... Well, I guess that's how it goes." Hide/Text: "I'm so glad! Nothing's changed at all!" Cat: "Dog and Cat." end: "Some people from some weird religion came by the other day, so I let them in..." Hide: "Whoa, that's dangerous!" end: "I served them tea." Hide: "Don't do that!" end: "They were talking about God and how people go on some spirit journey after death... What happens to dogs after they die? When I asked that..." Lady: "Oh, dogs are just animals, so nothing." end: "Get out! So I started crying and ran them out." Hide: "I bet that gave them a scare." end: "Dog and Cat." Hide: "Summer."

Cat: "Dog and Cat." Hide: "When I took my cat to the vet recently..." Hide: "We took a taxi." Hidebg: "It's okay... It's okay... Relax..." Driver: "He doesn't sound very happy." Hide: "I-I'm sorry about the noise!" Driver: "Cats are just too smart. They always know when you're going somewhere. And they're so cute." Hide: "Thank God! He's a cat person!" Driver: "I used to have one myself. He was such a pampered little thing. He absolutely hated being left home alone. Whenever I left home in my work clothes, he very unhappily watched me go..." Driverbg: "I'm heading out now. Be good, okay?" Driver: "But when I left in my regular clothes, he'd pick a fight with me!" Hide: "How cute." Driver: "No, seriously, he fought like a grown man. Eventually, I started leaving the house in my work clothes and changing into regular clothes later." Driver: "He lived 23 years and never got sick once." Hide: "That's amazing!" Driver: "He really was adorable." Hide: "Have you considered getting another one?" Driver: "No, at my age, I'll probably die before the cat does." Driver: "Besides..." Driver: "That cat was so spoiled and selfish..." Hide: "He never finished that sentence," Hide: "but it sounded as if he was saying his old cat would never let him get a new cat." Hide: "That cat still has an important place in his heart."

Dog: "Dog and Cat!" Hide: "My dog and cat took over my futon! But they're so cute, I can't move them!" Hide: "Not much room..." Dog/Text: "There you go." Hide: "A-Are you an angel?" Hide: "No way! You, too?" Hide/Text: "I mean, it's not like I didn't know... Yeah..." Hide: "Dog and Cat! The one thing dogs fear more than anything is getting their shots at the vet!" Hide: "My dog..." Dog/Text: "Hiya! It's me! Hiya! Hiya! I'm Dog!" Golden/Text: "Uh, hi..." Lady: "Ms. Matsumoto and Dog?" Dog/Text: "That's me! Hi, lady! That's me! It's me! That was so much fun!" Hide: "He comes home happily, with no idea where he's been or what happened." Hide: "And the cat..." Hide/Text: "I saw a movie like this once..." Dog/Text: "Throw it! Throw the ball!" Hide: "My dog has learned a new game. Wanna play fetch? There!" Hide: "Good boy! Bring it ba— huh?" Dog/Text: "I did it!" Hide: "Did what? I don't get it. The cat learned a game, too. There's a teddy bear here—"

Hide: "Dog and Cat! When you pet a dog, it opens up." Dog/Text: "Pet me more!" Hide: "When you pet a sleeping dog, it opens up... then closes... then opens up. How funny. Pets for kitty, too." Cat/Text: "Do as you wish." Hide: "He's fine with it! I can tell! I can see it! He's flattened his ears in expectation of pets! But I won't. No, I will. Nah. No, I will. Or not." Hide/Text: "Those ears never lie." Cat: "Dog and Cat." Hide/Text: "My files for work on my computer vanished." Hide/Text: "Even my normally-hyper dog is silent." Dog/Text: "Uh..." Hide: "Better call support..." Dog/Text: "Are you okay? Are you okay? Can you walk?" Hide/Text: "My dog normally follows behind me," Dog/Text: "Hang in there!" Hide/Text: "but now he's taking the lead, frequently looking back at me." Dog/Text: "Whoop, whoop, whoop!" Hide: "I thought he'd always be like a little kid, but now he gives me comfort as a parent would. I'm getting emotional." Hide: "The cat's looking at me... He looks like he's saying, "Shut up." Yeah, yeah, I'm sor—" Hide: "Y-You..." Cat/Text: "Just on my way to sharpen my claws." Hide: "You—" Cat/Text: "Just on my way to take a look outside." Hide: "Don't be coy! Just comfort me!" Cat/Text: "Don't care."

Older Kyousuke: "It's been ten years since my best friend died." Older Kyousuke: "My dashing friend. My lying, mischievous friend. My quick-to-cry, steadfast in fellowship, self-satisfied friend." Older Kyousuke: "A chatterbox and a show-off... he drank and loved women... A romantic sadist... A poet who could see farther than anyone... and..." Older Kyousuke: "a genius of tanka poetry. My friend." Older Kyousuke: "Even now, shades of him as he was linger in my heart." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "Yes?" Takuboku: "It's me." Kyousuke: "What's wrong?" Takuboku: "It's just... I ran out of cigarettes." Kyousuke: "Oh. I've got some extra." Takuboku: "That's a relief. Sorry I keep bothering you like this..." Kyousuke: "Right. Here you go." Takuboku: "Wait, I can just take two or three..." Kyousuke: "Don't worry about it. I was thinking of quitting, anyway. Here. You can take these, too." Kyousuke: "Have you gotten used to things here? It's a lot different than Kushiro, isn't it?" Takuboku: "This is the third time I've come to Tokyo and I'm still a mess." Takuboku: "I'm truly ashamed." Kyousuke: "Please, stop treating me like I'm a stranger. We're friends from the same hometown, aren't we?" Takuboku: "Isn't this Heine's Buch Der Lieder? It must have been really expensive." Kyousuke: "I know I should give it up, but... I still don't want to leave the world of literature. Still... It isn't as though I have any talent of my own. I'll probably continue on as a teacher and earn a living that way. In exchange, Ishikawa-kun, you have true, undeniable talent, and, if you don't mind, I hope you'll allow me to cheer you on." Takuboku: ""If there were a pleasant occupation I could work at wholeheartedly, then when it was finished, I could happily die."" Takuboku: "Thank you, Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "I really let you treat me to a feast." Kyousuke: "Yes. Tonight has been really fun, hasn't it?" Takuboku: "Should we walk off some of this alcohol by going up to the 12th floor?" Kyousuke: "What? But, Ishikawa-kun, that way's the..." Takuboku: "It'll be fine." Woman: "Oh, you silly, stop it..." Man: "Come on, Sayaka, just a little..." Takuboku: ""Let me touch your hair, just a little... an encounter at a teahouse." Right? I'm sure that even now, men and women in secretive relationships are inside getting along very nicely." Kyousuke: "Right..." Takuboku: "Look. This one seems like a good one, doesn't it? What do you think?" Kyousuke: "Wha—Stop that!" Takuboku: "Whoops!" Takuboku: "Honestly. It's been 40 years since Westernization. We're supposed to be a first-class power, and he's... Huh?" Kyousuke: "Is something wrong? H-Hey! I-I'm not going in there, understand?" Woman: "Excuse me..." Takuboku: "I just left something behind." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun!" Kyousuke: "Um... Ishikawa-kun?" Kyousuke: "What are you... Oh..." Man: "You got a problem or somethin'?" Kyousuke: "Will you stop this already?" Kyousuke: "Huh?" Woman: "Yes. He just burst in..." Ooyama: "Are you acquainted with the murdered man?" Kyousuke: "Not at all! We just happened to be passing..." Ooyama: "Don't lie. We have many witnesses stating they saw you going around peeking into all the rooms." Ooyama: "You had a reason you were looking for this man. Isn't that so? Perhaps you were blinded by jealousy, for example?" Kyousuke: "W-Wait, just a moment, please. You're talking like we're suspects..." Takuboku: "Now, now, Kyousuke-san. It's standard practice in an investigation to doubt the people they encounter." Takuboku: "I'm a poet, Ishikawa Takuboku. Pleased to make your acquaintance. As you can see, on the tatami near the body, there are traces of blood being dragged across the surface. They were probably left when the murderer tried to wipe blood off their hands. Meaning that the murderer's hands were covered in a lot of blood. Now, look at this. Even if I'd wiped the blood off the palms of my hands, blood under my fingernails wouldn't have been wiped away so easily." Takuboku: "And, if I could just say..." Takuboku: "The letter that was on the desk was probably taken after the man was stabbed." Kyousuke: "Letter?" Takuboku: "See? Just this one spot. There's no blood spray here. Right?" Kyousuke: "That's incredible, Ishikawa-kun!" Ooyama: "That's enough. You're interfering with my investigation. Get out." Kyousuke: "Wow... Ishikawa-kun, the way you played the genius detective back there was amazing." Takuboku: "It was nothing. And unless I become a police detective or something, it won't make me any money." Kyousuke: "No, really. Recently, a man named Iwai Saburou opened a detective agency. It seems he's doing very well for himself." Takuboku: "Really? Is that so... A detective, huh?" Takuboku: "Now that I think about it... detectives and poets might have a lot in common." Kayo: "Ishikawa-san! I'm coming in!" Kayo: "Come on, now. Hurry up and put your bedding away." Takuboku: "What are you in such a hurry for?" Kayo: "How many times do I have to tell you? I always go help with the emergency soup kitchen at the church on the weekends!" Kayo: "Take the tray back yourself, all right?" Kyousuke: "Whoops!" Kyousuke: "She seemed to be in quite a rush." Takuboku: "Something about distributing emergency soup..." Kyousuke: "Ah. There's a church in Koishikawa where they're distributing food to the poor. It seems Kayo-chan is helping them there." Takuboku: "Really... Well, what an admirable endeavor from someone so small." Kyousuke: "Oh! Here it is! Take a look at this!" Takuboku: "Hey, that's the guy I ran into." Kyousuke: "It seems he's the head clerk of the Arakawa Mines, a man named Oguri Takatoshi." Takuboku: "Arakawa? You mean that huge conglomerate?" Kyousuke: "Yes. The man killed worked at Oguri's house, Hoshino Tatsukichi. For the last six months or so, Oguri had been putting pressure on Tatsukichi, but unable to endure any more, Tatsukichi refused him. This caused Oguri to fly into a rage and kill him. That's what they say happened." Takuboku: "Really... Speaking of which, did they find that letter?" Kyousuke: "About that! You're really amazing, Ishikawa-kun! They said they found it in Oguri's garden along with the kitchen knife used as the weapon! Though, apparently, Oguri keeps insisting he knows nothing about any of it." Takuboku: "It seems that those who set their sights on literary goals shouldn't simply sit on their laurels and put on airs. They need to have a noble spirit, and at the same time they need to understand the desires of the flesh or they won't be able to create real literature." Yoshii: "Hmm... You think so?" Takuboku: "Just leave it to me. If it's for my friend Yoshii Isamu, I wouldn't mind putting myself through a bit or two of trouble." mura: "Speaking of which..." mura: "I heard you happened to be at the scene of that murder in the teahouse." Takuboku: "That's right." mura: "In the accusatory letter the victim, Tatsukichi, left, they say he wrote that the Arakawa mines are leaking poisons." Takuboku: "Accusatory letter?" Takuboku: "You mean the letter they found with the murder weapon?" mura: "Yes. From what I understand, it could have been that a relative of Tatsukichi's was a victim of the poison." Yoshii: "Still, with it being this big a story, even those high-ranking officials who have been bribed won't be able to turn a blind eye to it." Takuboku: "So, Tatsukichi wasn't murdered because he wanted to sever his relationship with Oguri... it was to stop him from talking?" mura: "Well, I don't know about that, but on the letter, almost like he wanted to curse Oguri, there was a skull-like shape in thick, dark blood—" Takuboku: "Did you say a skull?" mura And Yoshii: "Huh?" mura: "Huh?" Takuboku: "Excuse me." Takuboku: "Could I ask for a moment of your time?" Ooyama: "Was it you? You called me out here?" Kyousuke: "What? No, I just..." Ooyama: "I know you, don't I?" Kyousuke: "N-No..." Ooyama: "Hey! Tell me where we've met!" Takuboku: "The other day. At the teahouse." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun!" Ooyama: "And who are you?" Takuboku: "I apologize for requesting your presence here when you must be very busy. Remember? We met at the scene of that murder." Ooyama: "Huh? And what do you want? Using the military... I don't need this kind of interference!" Takuboku: "To be frank, it seems that the suspect, Oguri Takatoshi, has been framed." Ooyama: "Huh?" Ooyama: "Don't be stupid! Oguri is the culprit!" Kyousuke: "I-Ishikawa-kun?" Takuboku: "Making an innocent man a criminal... Letting someone who's committed a crime run free... All those signs point to a miscarriage of justice!" Ooyama: "You... Are you calling me incompetent—" Ogai: "Ishikawa-kun." Ogai: "I am also quite a busy man, you see." Ogai: "If you have time for all that posturing, then perhaps you could move things along?" Takuboku: "My deepest apologies." Ooyama: "And who are you?" Takuboku: "Excuse me for not introducing you sooner. The army's surgeon general, Dr. Mori Rintarou." Ooyama: "I-I apologize for my rudeness. I am Ooyama from the Asakusa police station." Kyousuke: "Wh-Why is someone like him with you?" Takuboku: "He's a colleague from tanka poetry circles." Ogai: "Well, I'm just being used, willingly, as a herald of sorts. So, what are you planning to start here?" Takuboku: "I promise I'll show you something interesting, so I do hope you'll stay to watch." Takuboku: "I won't take much of your time. To that end, it's just as I outlined over the phone." Kyousuke: "Huh? Oh, you can't mean... I said I understood, but I didn't really understand..." Takuboku: "Now then, Inspector." Takuboku: "I wonder if I could use the restroom." Kyousuke: "T-To think that this mansion belongs to the head clerk of the Arakawa conglomerate... It's really quite impressive..." Ooyama: "Hey. What on earth are we here for?" Kyousuke: "Well, you see... "The letter found in the garden with the kitchen knife used as the weapon was stained with blood in a skull-like shape," is what's written here." Ooyama: "You there." Ooyama: "Calling it a skull or whatever is just an inflammatory phrase used by the local papers." Kyousuke: "Well... A-According to Ishikawa-kun... Given the way the blood sprayed the area... it shouldn't have pooled on the accusatory letter. Which means that the letter found in the garden might not have been the letter taken from the scene." Ooyama: "Don't be stupid! Keep your wild delusions in check! In addition to the fact that other servants here heard the two of them arguing, the letter we found was definitely in Tatsukichi's handwriting. And, most importantly, the knife found alongside it matched the shape of Tatsukichi's wounds. How do you explain that?" Takuboku: "It's quite simple. Tatsukichi's real murderer took the knife that was the murder weapon and a letter Tatsukichi had been forced to write in advance, stained them both with blood, and tossed them in the garden here." Ooyama: "Who would do that? And to what purpose?" Takuboku: "In order to make it seem like Oguri had murdered Tatsukichi." Ogai: "Wait. In that case, what happened to the real letter of accusation? Who did got rid of it, and where?" Takuboku: "Most likely, Oguri took it and disposed of it." Ooyama: "This is ridiculous. It's all just your wild imaginings!" Takuboku: "You there. Where is Oguri's study?" Takuboku: "Try to imagine it. Beside the body of a man you had motive to kill lies an accusatory letter. What would you do, Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "Well... If it were me..." Takuboku: "If it were you, Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "If something like that existed, I would fall under suspicion, so... I'd hide it and take it with me..." Kyousuke: "and then I might burn it so no one would find out." Takuboku: "Crackle, crackle, crackle..." Takuboku: "Ouch, that's hot... Now then, all those gathered here, the real letter of accusation is..." Takuboku: "You see? It's right here. Which means that the existence of a person who would go to the trouble of making a fake letter to frame Oguri for murder has been proven." Kyousuke: "Still... it's amazing that you knew the burnt letter would be there." Takuboku: "It wasn't." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "A man working as the head clerk for a big company like that would never be so inept. He'd go somewhere it would never be found" Takuboku: "and dispose of it there, of course." Kyousuke: "What? But..." Takuboku: "I pretended to use the restroom, burned some random paper, and left it there." Takuboku: "Luckily, the Yorozu Chouhou paper had details about the way the letter looked. These ended up being pretty useful, thanks. The fact that Oguri is innocent should be clear from the fact that the letter found in the garden was a fake. It's just that I thought that stubborn inspector wouldn't be convinced without some evidence." Kyousuke: "Honestly. You're just so... But in that case, who is the real killer, and why did they kill Tatsukichi?" Takuboku: "The real killer..." Takuboku: "might be someone like me." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "Aren't you getting hungry?" Kyousuke: "What? Uh, no, I don't think I'm particularly hungry..." Takuboku: "I see." Takuboku: "My hometown..." Takuboku: ""My hometown... I long for its voices, and at the train station amidst the crowds of people I go to listen."" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun... People like you... are usually known as geniuses, right?" Takuboku: "Not at all. I didn't compose that poem." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "My friendship with you allowed me to read it." Takuboku: "Huh? Is something wrong?" Kyousuke: "Let's go." Takuboku: "Huh?" Kyousuke: "Let's go eat something to give us some stamina before we go home!" Takuboku: "I see. Well, if you say so, Kyousuke-san..." Takuboku: "They say there's a new place with delicious beef nabe in Kodenmacho. Let's try going there!" Kyousuke: "Good morning, Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: "Come in!" Kyousuke: "The weather seems nice. Shall we go for a walk or..." Kyousuke: "This is..." Kyousuke: "What are you doing?" Takuboku: "Well, I let my rent get overdue, you see..." Kyousuke: "What? But what about the money I gave you the other day?" Takuboku: "I'm embarrassed to say I used it to repay a friend, so..." Takuboku: "This is entirely due to my own lack of moral fiber." Kyousuke: "N-No, but still, there's no reason for you to leave!" Kayo: "I do feel sorry for him, but I was told quite firmly, so..." Takuboku: "I can't allow myself to cause any more trouble for you, Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "I wasn't here for very long, but thank you for everything you did." Kyousuke: "Just... please, wait here a moment!" Kayo: "Honestly. How can you eat at a time like this?" Takuboku: "A man who loses his composure over a trifle like this should be ashamed of himself. The lightly pickled cucumbers and potato miso soup you made really are superb." Kayo: "That may be so, but I'm still charging you for them." Kyousuke: "Oh, thank goodness." Kyousuke: "You're still here." Kyousuke: "Huh?" Takuboku: "It's a "not a last supper, but a last breakfast" sort of thing." Kyousuke: "Please, use this." Kyousuke: "There's about 40 yen." Kayo: "My, my." Kyousuke: "No, it's just, I remembered I had some money stashed away." Kyousuke: "Well... This seemed like the perfect chance to let go of my regrets and dive into scholarship." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san..." Takuboku: "Even if I die..." Takuboku: "I will never let anything bad happen to you." Takuboku: "Now that I think about it, detectives and poets might have a lot in common. "Thick clouds rise Clouds rise forming fences within fences, encircling my wife Forming fences within fences Ah, those innumerable fences..." Thus, since ancient times when the god Susano'o no Mikoto composed a poem, poets have worked every day to sharpen their sensibilities, trying to catch the slightest of changes, and turn them into poems. It begins with the beauties of nature, and carries through to changes in people's clothes and mannerisms... even changes in their expressions... Amidst the trivial things people pay no attention to poets have discovered stories and brought them to light." Kayo: "Hey! What are you doing?" Takuboku: "I can't keep depending on Kyousuke-san's money forever." Kayo: "Honestly." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun, is that..." Takuboku: "If someone who composes and reads poems is a poet, then what a detective reads is a crime scene. Shall we just say that, Kyousuke-san?" Older Kyousuke: ""Quite the stylish name, isn't it? 'Woodpecker Detective's Office'."" Takuboku: "Nothing beats a glass of milk after a job well done, am I right? By the way, Kyousuke-san... There's a wonderful girl at Hananoya in Asakusa. Won't you come with me next time?"

Kyousuke: "You've been locked in there for three days now, haven't you?" Kyousuke: "It's not good for your health." Kyousuke: "What happened with Tamaki-san was terrible, but... But, it wasn't your fault..." Kayo: "He's still not coming out?" Kyousuke: "No." Kayo: "I'm coming in!" Kyousuke: "What? Wait! Kayo-chan!" Kayo: "Pull yourself together! You're a man. Aren't you embarrassed acting like this?" Kayo: "Sleeping under a roof like this, eating cooked meals... It all takes money!" Kayo: "Get to work, and be of use to society!" Kayo: "It's what Tamaki-san... told you to do, isn't it?" Kyousuke: "K-Kayo-chan?" mura: "Why such a long face?" Kyousuke: "Lately, Ishikawa-kun has been isolating himself." Sakutarou: "I don't blame him. That man—Sonobe—seems to have been acquitted on the grounds of self-defense, after all." Kyousuke: "Yes..." Yoshii: "There's no need to worry so much, is there?" Kyousuke: "What?" Yoshii: "I mean... He only met this Tamaki about two weeks ago, right?" Kyousuke: "That's true, but..." Yoshii: "We are speaking of Ishikawa-kun. He's always quick to change." Yoshii: "Give it a week and I'm sure he'll be chasing some other woman's skirts." Yoshii: "Huh? What's wrong?" Yoshii: "Ishikawa-kun! I-I didn't mean anything by it!" Takuboku: "It's just as you say." Takuboku: "Up until now, I've been... egotistical, selfish, pretentious about my so-called genius... an utterly unbearable man." Takuboku: "Nomura-san." mura: "Huh? Yes?" Takuboku: "Nomura-san, I've borrowed 26 yen from you." mura: "I-Is it really that much?" Takuboku: "It pains me to do things this way, but if I paid back just one tenth to everyone this time, would that be all right?" mura: "O-Of course. It's fine." Takuboku: "It really was a great help." mura: "Sure. If anything else comes up, let me know." Takuboku: "Hagiwara-san, I've borrowed 13 yen from you, so... If one yen would be all right this time..." Sakutarou: "Yes. That's more than enough." Yoshii: "What on earth is he doing?" Kyousuke: "I don't know." Akutagawa: "Even demons get sunstroke." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun?" Takuboku: "Come in." Kyousuke: "What are you writing?" Takuboku: "The story of me and Tamaki-san." Takuboku: "A little while back, Morita-kun's Soot and Smoke was popular, remember?" Kyousuke: "The novel about his failed attempt to commit a lovers' suicide with Hiratsuka-san, right? But, you... Didn't you say you didn't like that kind of flaunting of faults?" Takuboku: "Yes. I despise it." Kyousuke: "Then, why..." Takuboku: "Making a show of one's faults or whatever else... if it isn't being talked about, there's no point in writing it." Kyousuke: "Talked about?" Takuboku: "If it doesn't have the power to change society, writing it is pointless." Takuboku: "How people should live their lives in this world... I want to make people think about that." Kyousuke: "But... What about your poetry?" Takuboku: "Poetry? That's just a simple pastime. It isn't a man's vocation." Takuboku: "I must be reborn." Takuboku: "That's what Tamaki-san wanted." Sakutarou: "I wonder what's happened. Ishikawa-san returning our money is..." Yoshii: "It's just a whim of his." Sakutarou: "But, somehow, he seemed different." Yoshii: "Putting you off guard like that is his usual play, isn't it? He hasn't changed at all." mura: "Could be it's us who need to change." Sakutarou: "What do you mean?" mura: "He's always done what he likes and enjoyed life, right?" mura: "If that's what serves to enrich his poetry, then..." mura: "he might be the one who's living his life the way it should be lived." Kyousuke: "Morning!" Takuboku: "Good morning." Takuboku: "What is that?" Kyousuke: "It's the wild pansy you bought while drunk about two months ago." Takuboku: "But, didn't it dry up and die?" Kyousuke: "After taking care of it every day, it's turned out as you can see." Takuboku: "I see." Takuboku: "That might work, too." Takuboku: "Thank you. It was delicious." Kyousuke: "Looks like much of your appetite has returned." Takuboku: "You can't write a novel when you're hungry." Kyousuke: "It's a nice time of year, isn't it?" Takuboku: "Actually... I had a favor to ask..." Kyousuke: "What is it?" Kyosuuke: "Ask me anything. If it's something I can do, I will." Takuboku: "Would you lend me five yen?" Kyousuke: "What do you need it for?" Takuboku: "I was thinking of setting the novel in Izumo, Tamaki-san's hometown. I thought I need to go see it once." Kyousuke: "This is all I have at the moment, but..." Takuboku: "I'm in your debt." Kyousuke: "I'm glad it's going well." mura: "So, how is Ishikawa doing?" Kyousuke: "He's working hard, writing a novel." mura: "Huh? Not poetry?" Yoshii: "Three milks." Kyousuke: "No." Server: "Right away." Sakutarou: "When he came here to return our money... I wonder what that was about." Yoshii: "He'll show up to borrow money again soon enough." Kyousuke: "Right now, Ishikawa-kun is desperately trying to change." Yoshii: "I'm not so sure. Even if he is thinking that way, trying to change his personality or lifestyle at this point, it's pretty much—" Kyousuke: "He can change!" Kyousuke: "I know he can change." Yoshii: "There's no need to be so vehement about it..." Yoshii: "What was all that about, I wonder." Sakutarou: "What?" Yoshii: "When it comes to Ishikawa-kun, he gets worked up so quickly. And, anyway, it's only because Kindaichi-kun spoils him that Ishikawa-kun pushes his luck in the first place." Sakutarou: "That may be true, but... he may be struggling, in his own way." Sakutarou: "At the very least, that's what Kindaichi-san..." Yoshii: "Something wrong?" Sakutarou: "No. It's nothing." Takuboku: "If you'd please give me your honest opinion." sume: "There's a sense of reality that could not be achieved unless one had lived it." sume: "I felt this when I read Morita-kun's Soot and Smoke, too, but... At first glance, the young people seem to be living dirty, unsightly lives... but in reality, they are fighting a resolute battle against the antiquated structures of society." sume: "It has been depicted very well here." Takuboku: "Thank you for your words." sume: "Has your health improved?" Takuboku: "Yes." sume: "You shouldn't push yourself too hard, but I hope next time you'll let me hear a tanka." Takuboku: "Then I'll take my leave, for today." Akutagawa: "Professor..." sume: "And what should I have said?" sume: "He looks in poor health, after all. There will be another opportunity." Yoshii: "And today, once again, we'll drink cheap alcohol and find our way to bed, shall we?" Sakutarou: "Whether he's thinking of changing or not, we're just the same as always. Aren't we?" Yoshii: "But... having a friend who believes in him so completely... I have to say I am jealous." Sakutarou: "Are you?" Geisha: "Are you all right?" Geisha: "Honestly." Takuboku: "One more cup!" Geisha: "Of course. Here we go." Geisha: "There you are. Should you be drinking so—" Takuboku: "Hey, you two!" Takuboku: "Care to join me?" Yoshii: "You've been a frequent topic of conversation recently. We've been wondering if maybe it's your brazen shamelessness that we're lacking." Takuboku: "It does take talent to be this brazenly shameless, you know." Yoshii: "You see? I knew he hadn't changed—" Sakutarou: "How are you going to pay for this?" Takuboku: "Luckily, I happen to have a very kind friend." Sakutarou: "Kindaichi-san said that you were trying to change... That you were suffering, that he wanted to help you..." Geisha A: "We'll take our leave here." Sakutarou: "Betraying Kindaichi-san's friendship like this... aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Takuboku: "Just the sort of thing someone with no talent would say." Takuboku: "What you speak of is the reasoning of an ordinary person. A genius capable of anything does not fret over such trivialities! This life of mine—my time here— must be used to serve society!" Sakutarou: "Even if it means trampling over friendships?" Takuboku: "It's really only ever been a nuisance, anyway. He's always forcing his "friendship" on me when—" Yoshii: "My apologies." Yoshii: "When I heard you belittling a friend, I couldn't help wanting to punch you." Yoshii: "Let's go." Takuboku: "People without talent can be so uncivilized." Takuboku: "This thing..." Takuboku: "Reality? Not even a little..." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "Come in!" Kyousuke: "Have you not slept much?" Takuboku: "I was busy reading over my materials. Were you able to gather the money?" Kyousuke: "Here." Takuboku: "I don't know where you borrowed it from, but people really do seem to like you, Kyousuke-san." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun, would you like to give it some water?" Kyousuke: "Somehow, it makes you feel happier." Kyousuke: "Are you all right?" Kayo: "Hey! Be more careful!" Kyousuke: "I-I'm so sorry!" Sonobe: "You, there." Sonobe: "Could I borrow a light?" Sonobe: "A light... Hey! You, there!" Sakutarou: "Kindaichi-san." Sakutarou: "I think the feelings you have towards Ishikawa-san are beautiful." Kyousuke: "I see..." Sakutarou: "But... they'll never come to anything." Kyousuke: "What are we talking about?" Sakutarou: "The thing is—" Yoshii: "Stop it. This isn't for us to interfere in." Sakutarou: "No. Let me say this." Sakutarou: "Tattling isn't something I particularly want to partake in, but..." Kyousuke: "Is it about him going to the pleasure district?" Kyousuke: "Can I come in for a moment?" Takuboku: "Can you come back later?" Kyousuke: "I bought some soy sauce mochi..." Kyousuke: "How is the novel going?" Takuboku: "Can we do this later?" Kyousuke: "I'd like to at least leave you this soy sauce mochi..." Takuboku: "Please, just go away! You're always pretending to help me just to make yourself feel better!" Kyousuke: "When have I ever done that?" Kyousuke: "I know you're a genius. I feel it from the bottom of my heart." Takuboku: "It's fine." Takuboku: "I'll come get it later." Kyousuke: "What?" Kyousuke: "What are you doing?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: "It's hilarious..." Takbuoku: "This will never be enough to kill me..." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "Why do you bother being kind to someone so absurd?" Takuboku: "Enough is enough!" Bokusui: "What's this?" Bokusui: "Why, if it isn't Ishikawa-san!" Takuboku: "Did you just get back?" Bokusui: "Yes. I took the Tokaido line down to Omi, and came back up through the Hokuriku region." Bokusui: "And the wounds from my love have pretty much healed." Takuboku: "I'm jealous, Wakayama-san." Bokusui: "Has something happened?" Takuboku: "I think... I'm tired..." Bokusui: "Well, that's no good. We need you working away at your poetry! I really love your poems." Takuboku: "In your travels..." Takuboku: "what poems did you find?" Bokusui: ""Over many mountains and rivers I travel far This loneliness a land where it finds its end... Today, too, I travel..."" Song: "If I go, just as my heart wishes, crossing over many mountains and rivers, will this loneliness that will not release me fade away These feelings that will never be fulfilled... made the smiles of my younger days a little brighter... I only wish I could say it were true." Kyousuke: "Quite nostalgic, isn't it?" Takuboku: "How?" Kyousuke: ""Over many mountains and rivers I travel far..."" Takuboku: "But... I didn't even tell Wakayama-san where I was going..." Kyousuke: "When I heard this poem," Kyousuke: "I felt an overwhelming desire to come back home." Kyousuke: "I was sure you'd feel the same, Ishikawa-kun." Takuboku: "In the end..." Takuboku: "this was the only place I had to come home to." Kyousuke: "Isn't it a little too soon to come home with your dreams in tatters?" Takuboku: "Why do you look out for me?" Takuboku: "I mean, it's not going to get you anything." Takuboku: "And soon, I'll be..." Kyousuke: "Maybe because it's just the way things are..." Kyousuke: "The time I spent here with you all those years ago... Living in the same boarding house in Tokyo with you..." Kyousuke: "And standing here beside you now..." Kyousuke: "At some point, it just became the way things are supposed to be for me." Kyousuke: "When I'm with you, I can go back to the way we were, anytime." Takuboku: "I can't write a decent novel..." Takbuoku: "I can't avenge the woman I loved..." Takuboku: "You keep stopping me, so I can't die, either..." Kyousuke: "Whether you go to the pleasure district, or sell my books to the pawnshop without asking... I don't care about any of that." Kyousuke: "If you need money, I'll lend you however much you ask for." Kyousuke: "But..." Kyousuke: "the one thing I will never allow is your death." Kyousuke: "I will continue to watch over you, forever." mura: "Kindaichi, I heard you went back to Morioka with Ishikawa." Kyousuke: "Yes. He seems to be feeling better."

Kyousuke: "I'm coming in!" Takuboku: "All right." Kyousuke: "Are you writing another novel?" Takuboku: "No. Just getting ready for my poetry anthology... that's all." Kyousuke: "I see." Kyousuke: "Here. Seems there's been another unsettling incident." Takuboku: "How did I... used to write poetry?" Kyousuke: "It seemed like they just came to you as you spoke them, but..." Takuboku: "Oh, right. I decided to take on a case." Kyousuke: "A case? You mean as a detective? You shouldn't push yourself too hard yet..." Takuboku: "I can't just keep relying on you all the time." Kyousuke: "Please, don't speak as though we're not friends." Kyousuke: "So, what kind of case is it?" Takuboku: "Well, it seems a child has been kidnapped, but more importantly, the reward is an unprecedented 40 yen and—" Kyousuke: "Is something wrong?" Takuboku: "It looks like they've found another letter of accusation." Kyousuke: "Oh, yes. It's quite a tragic case, isn't it?" Kyousuke: "For an important government official to kill a servant like that is..." Kyousuke: "Is something wrong?" Takuboku: "No..." Kyousuke: "Are you all right?" Takuboku: "Yes. It's nothing." Kyousuke: "You seem a little feverish. Is there anything I can help with?" Takuboku: "I can't let you do that. I'm sure you must be busy with your school lectures, Kyousuke-san..." Kyousuke: "I told you, don't treat me like we're not friends." Takuboku: "Really?" Kyousuke: "Yes." Takuboku: "In that case, would you go listen to the client's story for me?" Kyousuke: "What? By myself?" Takuboku: "Yes! We've arranged to meet them at their place at 6 o'clock." Kyousuke: "You mean 6 today? Well, I don't mind, but... I mean, it's a lot of responsibility, and I'm not observant the way you are..." Takuboku: "It's all right." Takuboku: "I'll go myself." Kyousuke: "W-Wait! It's really no trouble! If it's just listening to what they have to say, even I can do that." Takuboku: "Thank you. The best thing to have really is a good friend." mura: "What's wrong? Why the long face?" Yoshii: "I'm sure it's just that Ishikawa-kun has thrust some unreasonable demand on him again." Sakutarou: "Is something troubling you?" Kyousuke: "Actually... I have a favor to ask..." Ooyama: "What is it?" Takuboku: "I'm sorry to ask for you like this." Takuboku: "Thank you for your help the other day." Ooyama: "Hurry up and tell me why you're here." Takuboku: "Actually, I wanted to ask about this case..." Kyousuke: "This is... quite a large store, isn't it?" Sakutarou: "I'm not going to speak a single word, all right?" Kyousuke: "Huh?" Sakutarou: "I have no intention of going to any trouble for Ishikawa-san's sake, and I'm not particularly good at this kind of thing..." Kyousuke: "I understand. I've served as a detective's partner this whole time. I can do this." Kyousuke: "Excuse me!" Ooyama: "You actually discussed this with Inspector General Mori, right?" Takuboku: "Yes. Of course. Please, feel free to look into it, if you'd like." Ooyama: "Hurry up and get this done with." Kyousuke: "So, you mean... You'd like us to look for your child, who was kidnapped a month ago." Kahei'S Wife: "Even if it's just the sound of wind, I can't help but think my child's returned... I can't sleep at night." Kyousuke: "Of course you can't. Truly, I can only imagine..." Kahei: "So... Will it be possible to bring our child back?" Kyousuke: "I don't know. I have no idea what to do... None at all." Kahei: "Please, don't say that..." Sakutarou: "May I ask a few questions, actually?" Kahei: "Of course." Sakutarou: "Firstly, why haven't you taken this to the police?" Kyousuke: "That's right! Let's do that! If we go to the police, everything will work out—" Sakutarou: "Next, why are you only acting after a month has passed?" Kahei: "Actually, since the beginning of the year, my son was the fifth to be kidnapped." Kyousuke: "The fifth? That's terrible! We really should go to the police—" Sakutarou: "Kindaichi-san." Kahei: "All of the kidnappings have been from within the mutual aid association we formed between businesses in the neighborhood. The first one was the kidnapping of the son of the Urata-ya, but he came back in just two days. Next, the child of Mino-ya was taken, but in that case, the child returned in four days, too. In the same manner, children from Harada-en and Sudou-Shichibei Dry Goods were also kidnapped, but although the period of absence increased, the children all came home safely." Kahei'S Wife: "My husband said our child would soon return, too, but it's already been a month..." Kahei'S Wife: "I couldn't just sit by and do nothing anymore." Kyousuke: "And that's how it went." Takuboku: "I see. I do understand." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san, you may be surprisingly suited to detective work!" Takuboku: "Succinct and to the point. A perfect report." Kyousuke: "Well, maybe... But, with this, I feel like the weight has finally been lifted." Takuboku: "You've really been a great help. When people speak of a "best friend," they must mean someone like you, Kyousuke-san." Kyousuke: "Oh, right." Kyousuke: "Is the preparation for the poetry anthology coming along?" Takuboku: "No." Kyousuke: "I see." Kyousuke: "Well, this is you we're talking about. I'm sure they'll come out even if you don't want them to." Takuboku: "No, all that's coming out is my cough, with this change in seasons." Kyousuke: "Why don't you leave the detective work here? I really want to help you, but the responsibility is so heavy..." Takuboku: "Don't trouble yourself. This work is mine, after all. I don't intend to entangle you in it any further—" Kyousuke: "That ship has already sailed. I'll see it through to the end." Takuboku: "But that's..." Kyousuke: "It's all right. Just get some rest. The truth is, I've started having fun with it." Takuboku: "Really? In that case, will you go talk to the others who experienced the kidnappings?" Yoshii: "So, in the end, you ended up talking with the client." Sakutarou: "Yes. Kindaichi-san kept sympathizing with the client, so..." mura: "He really is hopeless. Though, that's one of the things I like about him." Yoshii: "At this rate, it looks like someone is going to remain a sacrifice until the case is solved." Akutagawa: "Speak rumors of someone, and from the shadows..." Kyousuke: "I was wondering..." Sakutarou: "I really wish I could be of help, but..." Yoshii: "I decline. I have no intention of working on Ishikawa-kun's behalf." Kyousuke: "Nomura-kun. I know this is a lot to ask, but as a friend from the same boarding school, would you help me?" Kayo: "I've brought your tray!" Kayo: "You gave up on your novel?" Takuboku: "Did you want to read it?" Kayo: "No. It's just that Tamaki-san was looking forward to reading it." Takuboku: ""That literary talent should be used for the benefit of society." That's what Tamaki-san said to me." Takuboku: "Unfortunately, I have no talent for novels." Takuboku: "Though, I can't seem to write poetry anymore, either." Kayo: "Why do you write it?" Takuboku: ""Why?"" Kayo: "Tamaki-san told you to write a novel for the sake of the world, right?" Kayo: "So..." Kayo: "Why do you write poetry?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun, may I come in?" Takuboku: "Please do." Takuboku: "I've put you to all this trouble... I'm sorry." Takuboku: "And all I've got to show is this mess..." Kyousuke: "Don't say that. I don't think of it as any trouble at all." Takuboku: "I feel much better for hearing that! Looks like I'll be able to leave it to you to the very end. So, how did the investigation go?" Kyousuke: "Well, for now, I've collected everything I heard here." Kyousuke: "Before Narita-ya, four homes had cases of kidnapping. All of them were between the ages of two and three, and only Narita-ya's child was younger. He's only just turned one." Takuboku: "I wonder if there are other children among the association members." Kyousuke: "There are two other families with young children. The parents are worried their children could be next. It seems all of the children disappeared during the busy twilight hours. It really is the "hour of demons." Were they kidnapped by gods or spirits?" Takuboku: "Spirits that hid people or lead them astray are just folktales spread by aspiring onmyouji." Takuboku: "Though, moving forward, it's unlikely any other children will be kidnapped." Kyousuke: "Why do you say that?" Takuboku: "The shops you investigated for me. I tried arranging their names in the order the incidents occurred." Kyousuke: "Ura. Mi. Hara. Su. Nari... "I have been avenged!"" Takuboku: "Which means that, with Narita-ya, the perpetrator's strange kidnappings have ended." Takuboku: "But, you know..." Kyousuke: "What is it?" Takuboku: "If that's the case, why hasn't the perpetrator send Narita-ya a threatening letter or something?" Kayo: "Ishikawa-san!" Takuboku: "Come in." Kayo: "Someone with a message from Narita-ya is downstairs for you. They've apparently received a threatening letter." Kyousuke: ""Put 300 yen in this purse, give it to one of the shop boys, and come to Nakamise-dori," it says." mura: ""Make sure the pouch is visible, and have him hold it in his right hand." How very detailed." mura: "This is... clove?" Kyousuke: "They're late. It's long past six." mura: "We told him not to look this way!" Kyousuke: "He can't help it. And he's in much more danger than we—" Boy: "Hey! Wait!" mura: "That's why they put the scent of cloves on it!" Kyousuke: "S-Someone..." mura: "Hey! Stop that man!" mura: "Calm down and come quietly!" Kyousuke: "Very... well done..." Kyousuke: "Nomura-san..." Kyousuke: "You're..." Kyousuke: "from Mino-ya!" mura: "So, you're saying you were taking advantage of the kidnapping to extract a ransom, is that it?" Mino-Ya: "It was just a sudden impulse. Please, don't call the police. I'm begging you." Kyousuke: "But, you know... A crime is a crime." Kyousuke: "You returning this money to Narita-ya would be the proper thing to do here. I'll talk to them to try to settle things peacefully." Mino-Ya: "Thank you." mura: "Well... That was a huge waste of effort." Kyousuke: "Oh. By the way... We lined up the first characters in the names of the shops that had kidnappings... Do you have any idea what it might be about?" mura: "You're thinking someone had a grudge against Narita-ya?" Kyousuke: "I'm not sure. We don't know anything yet." Mino-Ya: "The proprietor of Narita-ya was keeping a mistress named Ochou—the butterfly—but... as soon as his wife became pregnant, he cut ties with her, is what I heard. Around spring of last year, I saw Ochou-san in front of Ryouunkaku." Mino-Ya: "Her belly had grown big, and I believe she was selling candy sculptures." Kyousuke: "You mean she was carrying the proprietor of Narita-ya's child?" mura: "Not necessarily. Ochou might have found another man, and the man from Narita-ya got angry and cut ties with her." Mino-Ya: "I'm fairly certain that after that, Ochou-san was living with a man— Hashimoto—who runs a candy shop." Kyousuke: "And that's why she was selling candy sculptures." mura: "So, what is this Hashimoto doing now?" Mino-Ya: "Well..." Mino-Ya: "just the other day, he was killed." Kyousuke: "What do you think it means?" mura: "Who knows? This sure has gotten complicated." Kahei: "My son has come home!" Kyousuke: "Your son?" Kahei: "Look. You see?" Kyousuke: "And so... here. The reward of 40 yen, and another 5 yen as thanks for his son returning safely." Takuboku: "This just doesn't feel satisfactory..." Kyousuke: "No. It doesn't make sense." Takuboku: "The murder of that Hashimoto might be connected to this case." Kyousuke: "That seems unlikely." Takuboku: "Why?" Kyousuke: "Apparently, Hashimoto was killed in a fight over a game of hanafuda." Takuboku: "How do they know that when they haven't caught the perpetrator yet?" Kyousuke: "There were hanafuda scattered around the murdered Hashimoto, and they say he was holding the peony card in his hand." Takuboku: "The peony..." Takuboku: "Can I ask you to accompany me?" Kyousuke: "Of course..." Kahei: "Why have you brought her here?" Kahei: "The case has already been solved." Takuboku: "I know this must be quite an imposition on you. But, Narita-ya," Takuboku: "if we left things this way, that would be even more trouble... for the children." Kahei: "What are you talking about?" Takuboku: ""I have been avenged." You realized this before you came to me, didn't you? That the perpetrator's primary target was Narita-ya, and the other incidents were just preparation for the prolonged kidnap of the main target." Kyousuke: "Preparation? What do you mean?" Takuboku: "The kidnappings lengthened from two days to four days, then a week. That way, even if there was another kidnapping, you'd end up thinking your child would come home eventually, wouldn't you? The perpetrator wanted to take the Narita-ya child in a way that wouldn't involve police and keep him close for as long as possible." Kyousuke: "Why would they do that?" Takuboku: "The wife's child has just turned one, and Ochou-san's child is 11 months old." Takuboku: "When you think of a one-year-old baby, what's the first thing that comes to mind?" Kyousuke: "Huh? Well..." Kahei'S Wife: "Do you mean toddling?" Takuboku: "Exactly. Ochou-san was waiting for her own child to start walking." Takuboku: "Why? So that the Narita-ya child, who has already started walking, and her own child could be switched in a way that seemed as natural as possible." Kahei'S Wife: "Th-That can't be true! I mean, look! On his earlobe..." Takuboku: "Come in!" mura: "Excuse the intrusion." Takuboku: "Moles can be faked with tattoos. And, in a baby of this age, a little change in facial features wouldn't be strange." Takuboku: "Not to mention, they have the same father, the proprietor of Narita-ya." Kyousuke: "To think Ochou-san was also the one who killed Hashimoto..." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun, how did you know?" Takuboku: "The card that the murdered Hashimoto was holding, the peony..." Takuboku: "It was the last cry of a man facing death." Takuboku: "After all, where there are peonies... there are always butterflies." Kyousuke: "Oh!" Takuboku: "I'm sure that all Ochou could think about was her son's future." Takuboku: "However, I think Hashimoto had started planning a blackmail plot for the future. Ochou learned of it and killed Hashimoto..." Kyousuke: "She loved her child, and she planned to entrust him to someone else, and on top of that, she took someone's life... Nothing went the way she wanted..." Takuboku: "Speaking of which, actually, while you were working on the kidnapping case like I asked you to, I was pursuing a different case." Kyousuke: "Did you get another client request?" Takuboku: "No. This is a case that I, myself, feel I need to close." Takuboku: "What I was looking into was... Accuser X." Kyousuke: "Don't you think you've done enough with that already?" Kyousuke: "Take some time to rest." Kyousuke: "For me, you're..." Kyousuke: "You're important, someone irreplaceable!" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "Come in." Takuboku: "Morning." Takuboku: "How are you feeling?" Kyousuke: "Well... Last night I drank far too much. I'm pretty embarrassed." Kyousuke: "You were able to write one! "Arrived in the world of pleasure my friend droops, teardrop-shaped waving his hand like a drunkard he speaks earnestly."" Kyousuke: "This drunkard..." Takuboku: "It is, of course, you from last night." Kyousuke: "That's horrible of you." Takuboku: "Forgive me. I had an overwhelming urge to write about you." Takuboku: "Because that troubled look of yours, with you nearly in tears..." Takuboku: "I wanted to see that scowl of yours. The reason I write poetry is to give those tiny, faint sparkles around me form, because I want to capture them somehow." Takuboku: "And in the center of those sparkles, was you, Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san. Do you remember the day we first met?" Kyousuke: "Why ask that all of a sudden?"

Tatsukichi: "I can't endure any more. Every day. Every day, I'm forced to..." Tatsukichi: "But if I die, it will all be over." emale Servant A: "What am I supposed to do? It's so difficult, so painful..." emale Servant A: "I can't take any more..." emale Servant A: "The thought of living is just..." Man A: "It's Hell. This world is Hell itself. With someone like him doing whatever he likes... For someone like him, I..." use: "Please, trust me. I will see it through." use: "I will find the reason I was born." Takuboku: "Even so... a new tomorrow will always come." Takuboku: "That's what I believe." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun?" Takuboku: "Come in." Kyousuke: "Is all this..." Takuboku: "The people who were killed leaving an accusatory letter." Takuboku: "Thirteen people in the last two years." Kyousuke: "That many?" Kyousuke: "Oh. That's Kayo-chan." Takuboku: "Is she going out?" Kyousuke: "Yes. Probably to the soup kitchen." Takuboku: "Do you remember the case where Hoshino Tatsukichi was murdered?" Kyousuke: "Of course. That was the case that started your work as a detective, wasn't it?" Takuboku: "He was killed, not by Oguri, but by someone else. The real murderer." Kyousuke: "You don't mean... All thirteen of these victims were killed by the same person?!" Takuboku: "The true culprit, whom I have named Accuser X, has them write accusatory letters, then kills them. If you think of it as a way to frame those named in the letters, then it all makes logical sense." Kyousuke: "If that's true, then... that is a truly horrifying killer." Takuboku: "And the killer..." Takuboku: "may be closer than we think." Kyousuke: "It looks like we can't go in." Kyousuke: "Are you all right?" Takuboku: "Yes. No need to worry—" Kyousuke: "What's the matter?" Child B: "A priest yelled at him. Because of that." Kyousuke: "Oh, dear." Takuboku: "Broken quite spectacularly, isn't it?" Child B: "How long are you going to keep crying?" Child A: "The father was scary! I've never been yelled at like that before..." Takuboku: "With an expression that scary, people will be suspicious." Kyousuke: "You're the one looking unnaturally pale..." Kyousuke: "Are you sure it's him?" Takuboku: "Yes. Be careful he doesn't notice—" Kyousuke: "Careful, don't strain yourself." Takuboku: "It's nothing. But... Could I leave the rest to you?" Kyousuke: "That would be fine, but..." Kyousuke: "Go straight home." Takuboku: "Hello!" Takuboku: "Is that..." Kayo: "It's the thing you threw out the window." Takuboku: "Oh. I'm very sorry about that incident." emale Student A: "It's much too strict, isn't it?" emale Student B: "We only just started at university. There was no reason to say it like that." emale Student A: "Tomorrow, let's give them a piece of our minds." Takuboku: "Speaking of which, Kayo-san, how old are you?" Kayo: "I'll be fifteen next month." Takuboku: "Well, that is a coincidence! Kyousuke-san's birthday is in May, too. Since that's the case, we should just hold them together." Kayo: "Hold what?" Takuboku: "Birthday parties. There happens to be a piece I'm practicing at the moment. I'd love for you to hear it, too..." Kayo: "Ishikawa-san!" Kayo: "I'll go bring your medicine right away." Takuboku: "Sorry for the trouble..." Store Clerk: "Thank you for your patronage!" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun?" Takuboku: "Come in." Kyousuke: "How are you feeling?" Takuboku: "You've figured it out, haven't you?" Kyousuke: "Huh? Yes..." Kyousuke: "Well..." Takuboku: "So, who is that man?" Kyousuke: "A rickshaw driver named Naruse. He's targeting a wealthy man named Murakawa who offers back-street, high-interest loans. That's the assistant of the Woodpecker Detective's Office for you." Takuboku: "Today is Saturday, so... the circumstances are perfect." Kyousuke: "There's no need for you to go. If we take this to the police—" Takuboku: "How much do you have on you right now?" Kyousuke: "What?" Kyousuke: "Five yen and... a little more..." Takuboku: "That won't be nearly enough..." Kyousuke: "What are you using it for?" Bokusui: "Felicitations, Kindaichi-kun! Now... Tonight, we will drink to our heart's content!" Kyousuke: "Thank you, but, my birthday isn't until next month..." Bokusui: "Then, this is extremely early, isn't it?" Takuboku: "I used Kyousuke-san's birthday party as an excuse to gather you all here, but the truth is, a person's life is on the line here." Yoshii: "What an exaggeration. It isn't as though this is his last supper." mura: "A person's life is on the line? Whose?" Sakutarou: "Ishikawa-san. Could it be that you—" Kyousuke: "Don't worry. Ishikawa-kun is recovering from an illness. His complexion's still a little poor, is all." use: "Excuse me. Is Ishikawa-sensei there?" Takuboku: "We've been waiting for you!" Takuboku: "Come in!" Kyousuke: "Huh? Oh! You're..." Takuboku: "Now... let's have our party!" Kyousuke: "You're already awake?" Takuboku: "Yes. Kyousuke-san, you should sleep a little more." Takuboku: "It smells delicious." Woman A: "Everyone seems to be sleeping very well. Though, we're not an inn here." Takuboku: "Yes... I do apologize." Takuboku: "May I have a little of this?" Woman A: "Go ahead." Woman A: "If you'd like." Takuboku: "Thank you. You're very kind." Takuboku: "A certain person told me... that making onigiri for others" Takuboku: "made her feel like she'd found the reason she'd been born." Kayo: "Have you written the accusatory letter?" Kayo: "You mustn't be afraid. You are going to find the reason you were born." Kayo: "What's wrong, Naruse-san?" Takuboku: "Thank you for nursing me the other day." Takuboku: "It was you, wasn't it?" Takuboku: "Kayo-san." Tatsukichi: "I can't endure any more. Every day. Every day, I'm forced to..." Tatsukichi: "But if I die, it will all be over." Kayo: "Do it. However, whether your life is spent in vain— or whether it has purpose— is something you can choose." Takuboku: "Look. This one seems like a good one, doesn't it?" Takuboku: "What do you think?" Kyousuke: "Wha—Stop that!" Takuboku: "Tatsukichi, who tried to speak against Arakawa Copper Mines... the young woman and Uchimoto Steamships, and now, Naruse." Takuboku: "Here, in this room, you found people driven to despair by their grievances." Kayo: "You used their lives to accuse those who had done wrong." Takuboku: "That day... Naruse-san came out of the chapel that no one was supposed to enter or exit." Takuboku: "And afterwards, when I met you, on your geta..." Takuboku: "there was stained glass." Takuboku: "The one who pushed Naruse-san to do it was you, wasn't it?" Takuboku: "Did you meet Tamaki-san here, too?" Kayo: "She said she wanted to measure the extent of Sonobe's wrongs. So, I told her how to do it." Takuboku: "Why have you done all of this?" Kayo: "I simply wanted to punish the villains who prey on the weak." Kayo: "It's because people like them do whatever they like... this room is always filled with sorrow." Takuboku: "That's why you used human lives as sacrifices?" Kayo: "They were not sacrifices! I gave their lives meaning!" Takuboku: "Naruse-san has gone back home to Mikawa." Takuboku: "Now, eat as much as you like!" use: "Um..." Takuboku: "Come now, no need to refrain." use: "But... why are you doing this for me?" Takuboku: "Well, I mean, if you're stomach's full, your feelings might change, too." use: "What?" Takuboku: "If you want to give money as thanks, you should give it to them." Takuboku: "Oh. If you could pay the bill on your way out. I'm completely penniless, you see." Takuboku: "I heard that you tried to stop Naruse-san from killing someone. Why?" Kayo: "Because he lacked both the courage to kill someone and the courage to kill himself." Takuboku: "In that case, couldn't there have been another way for the others who died?" Kayo: "You don't know anything! What a person is feeling when they really want to die..." Kayo: "What they've gone through..." Kayo: "Why they want to die..." Kayo: "What I... What I've had to live through! You don't know any of it!" Takuboku: "I am self-indulgent and a liar. I'm a weak person." Takuboku: "If Kyousuke-san weren't around, I wouldn't be able to pay my rent. If you didn't come wake me up, the sun would go down with me still in bed." Takuboku: "Writing poetry is just about the only thing I can do..." Takuboku: "and I do it because I want to remember the tiny, faint sparkles I find around me." Takuboku: "It must be the reason I was born." Takuboku: "And... right in the middle of those sparkles, there was Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "You're Kayo-san, aren't you?" Takuboku: "All of the victims, they actually took their own lives." Takuboku: "They weren't killed by someone else." Takuboku: "You haven't killed anyone with those hands, have you?" Takuboku: "You really are the Kayo-san I know." Takuboku: "No one knows the future. The next moment may bring darkness, or it may bring light." Takuboku: "Even so, a new tomorrow will always come." Takuboku: "That's what I believe." Takuboku: "Oh, right." Takuboku: "Here." Kyousuke: "Kayo-chan doesn't seem to have come back since yesterday." Takuboku: "Really?" Takuboku: "I'm sure it's fine, right?" Takuboku: "She is fifteen already, after all." Kayo'S Mother: "Kayo, your hair is so beautiful." Kayo'S Mother: "Mother has something important to discuss with the father." Kayo'S Mother: "Go play outside, please." Kayo: "All right." Child A: "Are you ready?" Children: "Ready!" Kayo'S Mother: "Father..." Kayo'S Mother: "I'm tired of this." Kayo: "Mother?" her: "This again? I won't abandon you—" Kayo'S Mother: "You're lying! You're a liar." her: "H-Hey! Keep your voice down." Kayo'S Mother: "This is the end. I'll put an end to everything." her: "Calm down. Until Kayo grows up, we'll stay at this church and—" Kayo'S Mother: "That girl... I should never have given birth to a child like her." Kayo'S Mother: "Father... I'll be waiting in Hell for you." Kayo: "Mother?" Kayo: ""In Kozukata... lying on the grass of the old castle drawn up into the sky the heart of a fifteen year old."" Kyousuke: "I heard Kayo-chan went back to the countryside." Takuboku: "Nothing wrong with that, is there? There aren't really lodgers here, anyway." Takbuoku: "What do you say to a meal?" Kyousuke: "I gave you all the money I had for the birthday party the other day." Takuboku: "That's right." Kyousuke: "Oh! I have a comprehensive encyclopedia of Japan. Shall we go pawn it?" Takuboku: "Don't you need that for work, though?" Kyousuke: "If I borrow it from the library, it should work out for the time being." Kyousuke: "You should... I think you should eat something to give you strength." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "I..." Takuboku: "Even if I die, I will keep you safe." mura: "Come on. Drink up." Takuboku: "I am drinking." mura: "I wonder where Wakayama-kun is watching this sunset from." Sakutarou: "How is your novel going?" Hirai: "It's going well! I am thinking of setting it in a used book shop on Dangozaka." Sakutarou: "Yoshii-kun... Could it be that you think Yae-san is..." Yoshii: "Lovely..." Sakutarou: "Wait, what?! You're trying to take the girl I love again!" Yoshii: "You make me sound terrible! Yae-san doesn't belong to anyone, you know!" Sakutarou: "B-But... you said you'd support my love." Yoshii: "Wise men change their minds, you know." Sakutarou: "But..." Takuboku: "Those two never learn, do they?" mura: "And Yae-san was saying she'd held her wedding ceremony recently..." Akutagawa: "Ignorance... is bliss." mura: "He was here?" Yoshii: ""Life is short, so fall in love, young ladies." Yoshii: "Before the crimson fades from your lips..." Yoshii: "Before the passion in your blood cools... For there is no such thing as tomorrow."" Sakutarou: "I like that." Takuboku: ""Life is short... so fall in love, young ladies."" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san." Kyousuke: "Huh?" Takuboku: "Why don't we go on a trip?" Takuboku: "One day, I'd like to ride an airplane." Takuboku: ""Look, again today... an airplane flies high in pale blue skies A young man who works waiting tables happens to have the day off, a Sunday. Together at home with his mother who suffers from consumption, he works away at his reader, educating himself, tiring his eyes..."" Takuboku: ""Look, again today... an airplane flies high in pale blue skies..."" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun..."

Sahara: "Police! Behind Asakusa's Ryouunkaku at the Hananoya, there's a woman who goes by the name Otaki. You know her, don't you?" Kyousuke: "O-Otaki-san..." Sahara: "Do you know her, or not?!" Kyousuke: "Oh! Yes. I know her." Sahara: "That Otaki was stabbed in the throat with a short sword and died." Kyousuke: "What?!" Yamafuji: "No, no. We don't consider you a suspect as yet, Professor. But, there was a certain person with you at the time." Kyousuke: "Wh-What about him?" Yamafuji: "Around eight—the time of the murder— he saw you in Otaki's room. That's what he said, at least." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun said that?" Takuboku: "Well, this is a problem. Starting this month, if I'm late with the rent, I'll be thrown out immediately." Kyousuke: "You're saying that now, but Ishikawa-kun, last night you went out drinking and didn't come back until after midnight." Takuboku: ""The thoughts I have all revolve around my lack of money that seems to be the root and an autumn wind blows."" Takuboku: "Poems just don't make money, do they?" Kyousuke: "If you abstained from frequenting brothels, your troubles would all be over, wouldn't they?" Takuboku: "If you'll permit me to say, I'd rather not hear something like that from someone who knows nothing of women, Kyousuke-san. I have a feeling that you'll take your leave from this world without ever knowing the joys of life..." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun! What are you doing? Hurry up!" Kyousuke: "It isn't as though you're going to be gobbled up. There is absolutely no reason to feel hesitant!" Takuboku: "Isn't that what I've been saying for a while now?" Kyousuke: "Let's not do this after all, Ishikawa-kun..." Takuboku: "Just as I thought." Kyousuke: "There's no need to take that attitude. In any case, I'm a teacher. I shouldn't—" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san. Using the "teacher" excuse every time things get inconvenient is cowardly." Kyousuke: "W-Wait, Ishikawa-kun... Wait!" Takuboku: "Look. It's starting to rain." Kyousuke: "Huh?" Waitress: "Welcome." Takuboku: "Perfect. Let's have a meal here. After all, when you're hungry..." Waitress: "Party of two!" Customer A: "But that Arakawa mines thing was incredible, wasn't it?" Customer B: "If it weren't for something like this, those guys at the top who'd taken a lot of bribes probably would've just killed the story." Customer C: "The police are saying Oguri isn't the killer, but you never know." Kyousuke: "Lately, it seems like that's all anyone's talking about." Takuboku: "Somehow, people have started treating the victim, Tatsukichi, like some kind of hero who exposed evil doings." Waitress: "Here you go." Takuboku: "Thanks." Takuboku: "Something wrong?" Kyousuke: "Ah, no." Takuboku: "Hello, Madam." Madam: "If it isn't Ishikawa-san. Huh? You..." Madam: "Oh, please, come inside." O-En: "Oh! Is that Hajime-san?" Takuboku: "It's been a while, hasn't it, Oen?" O-En: "Oh. I see you've brought someone with you." O-En: "Could it be..." O-En: "Otaki-chan! Come down here! Hurry up!" O-En: "Otaki-chan, that gentleman over there. All right?" Takuboku: "Well, enjoy yourself, Kyousuke-san." Kyousuke: "Wha—Wait! Ishikawa-kun!" Kyousuke: "Pleased to make your acquaintance." O-Taki: "My, what a strange thing to say." Kyousuke: "I'll have one of those, if you don't mind." O-Taki: "Here you go." Kyousuke: "Sorry." O-Taki: "Oh..." O-Taki: "Please go up to the room. I'll be back in a moment." O-Taki: "I'm sorry." O-Taki: "I've kept you waiting." Kyousuke: "Not at all!" Takuboku: "Now, the players are all assembled." O-En: "Are you planning to listen in like that all night?" Takuboku: "Just wait a little. Today is Kyousuke-san's day in the sun. Oh! It's starting..." O-En: "How is it going?" Takuboku: "Very nicely." O-En: "Ow!" Kyousuke: "W-Wait!" O-Taki: "Don't worry." Kyousuke: "How is it?" Kyousuke: "Pretty hard, right?" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san's pretty good at this." O-Taki: "Then... how about... here?" Kyousuke: "Wait..." Takuboku: "Or maybe Otaki is the one I should be praising here..." Kyousuke: "No! Stop!" Takuboku: "Oh, dear... Honestly." O-En: "Hajime-san." Takuboku: "Sorry. I'm just not in that sort of mood today." Takuboku: "Honestly... If only he wouldn't hold himself back out of pride." Takuboku: "Huh?" O-En: "Well, I can't hold myself back any more!" Takuboku: "H-Hey! Stop that! Wait! I just told you—" O-Taki: "That's enough!" Kyousuke: "J-Just calm down..." O-Taki: "It's horrible of you... treating me this way..." Kyousuke: "I-It isn't... I didn't mean anything by it." O-Taki: "And it's because you're like that..." Kyousuke: "Otaki-san. That's going too far, don't you think?" Takuboku: "Huh?" Takuboku: "I wonder what happened." Kyousuke: "I've heard enough!" O-En: "I'm going to get some cigarettes. I'll be right back." O-En: "Is something wrong?" Takuboku: "No, I just... I went to take a peek just now, and Kyousuke-san was sitting there all depressed. I didn't see Otaki, but maybe... she was sulking in her bed." O-En: "Well. Come join me, won't you?" Madam: "Police! Someone call the police!" O-En: "What's going on?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun..." Kyousuke: "What did he say?" Yamafuji: "Around eight—the time of the murder— he saw you in Otaki's room. That's what he said, at least." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun said that? I don't know anything. I—" Sahara: "Don't play dumb with us!" Yamafuji: "Now, now, Constable Sahara." Yamafuji: "Apologies for the late introduction. I'm Yamafuji from the Asakusa station. I'm sorry to say that the circumstances put you in a very unfavorable position." Yamafuji: "The madam says that you were the only guest there. Your jacket was found left at the scene. And, you were seen there around the time of the incident..." Yamafuji: "as testified by Ishikawa-san." Kyousuke: "It's a lie!" Kyousuke: "He would never say something like that!" Yamafuji: "One more thing. This was left at the scene, as well... The contents are all written horizontally, so I can't read any of it." Yamafuji: "Oh, that's right. There were two copper coins tucked inside. This notebook... it wouldn't be yours, would it, Professor?" Kyousuke: "A-Absolutely not. It isn't mine." Yamafuji: "I see." Takuboku: "I'll go get some more alcohol, so you can go ahead and go up to my room." Yoshii: "All right!" mura: "Bring as much as you can find!" Takuboku: "Well, well. If it isn't Kyousuke-san! Were you lonely without me?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun, I need to talk with you." Takuboku: "Are you going to give me some alcohol for my hangover? A good friend is indispensable—" Kyousuke: "Just come in and sit down." Takuboku: "I'd be happy if you just lent me a bottle of sake." Kyousuke: "Late last night, the police came here." Kyousuke: "And you know why, don't you?" Kyousuke: "How could you say something so irresponsible?" Kyousuke: "Pull yourself together! You cause me so much trouble and now you take that attitude?!" Takuboku: "When you're telling the truth, attitude has nothing to do with it." Kyousuke: "The truth? What truth are you talking about?" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san. Around eight, when Otaki was killed, I saw everything. There, in that room, I saw you." Kyousuke: "D-Don't be stupid! I went into the room, and less than 30 minutes later, I left." Takuboku: "I heard the chimes of the wall clock as I went to the room." Takuboku: "You're so awkward with women. How would you do with someone like Otaki?" Takuboku: "I just couldn't help wondering." Kyousuke: "That wasn't me! There's some kind of mistake here!" Takuboku: "Could the truth have gone something like... this?" Kyousuke: "W-Wait!" O-Taki: "Don't worry." Kyousuke: "How is it? Pretty hard, right?" O-Taki: "Then... how about... here?" Kyousuke: "W-Wait... No! Stop! Wait!" O-Taki: "That's enough!" Kyousuke: "J-Just calm down..." O-Taki: "It's horrible of you... treating me this way..." Kyousuke: "I-It isn't... I didn't mean anything by it." O-Taki: "And it's because you're like that... because you're like that..." O-Taki: "that you still know nothing of women. Pathetic doesn't even begin to describe it." Kyousuke: "Otaki-san, that's going too far, don't you think?" O-Taki: "A useless lump who can't even make love to a single woman shouldn't try to put on airs. So what if you're a professor at an imperial university. Everything's all laid out for you like this, and you're running away, tail between your legs." Kyousuke: "I've heard... enough." Kyousuke: "That's insane! You know that I'm not the type who would do something like—" Takuboku: "Really? You can't judge people on appearances." Kyousuke: "But... I... Otaki-san and I, we... we kissed... but that's all. I left right away." Takuboku: "You might be trying to defend yourself by saying all you did was kiss, but for Otaki your behavior was probably humiliating! Besides which, the madam said she had to leave the reception area because of a personal matter." Kyousuke: "I just remembered, Ishikawa-kun! It was in the hallway on the second floor!" Kyousuke: "A man in the same kind of clothes I was wearing... It was almost like he was trying to hide... That's it. That man. That's who you saw in Otaki-san's room! He must have gauged when I might leave and then killed her! What do you think? Everything makes sense, right?" Takuboku: "My goodness. What a truly ridiculous fiction." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "You see, Kyousuke-san... the madam has testified that you and I were the only guests last night." Takuboku: "Confessing your crimes honestly is for the best in the long run." Kyousuke: "I must have known... but I wanted to believe it wasn't true..." Kyousuke: "so I shoved it into the corner of my mind..." Kyousuke: "because, for me, friendship was more important than anything..." Kyousuke: "The one who killed Otaki-san..." Kyousuke: "was you, wasn't it?" Takuboku: "Me? What motive could I possibly have for killing Otaki? That is the most absurd thing I've heard." Kyousuke: "The notebook the inspector brought..." Kyousuke: "it was your romaji diary." Kyousuke: "The events of the incident must have been something like this..." O-Taki: "Um... Will you come to bed?" Kyousuke: "No." O-Taki: "Am I not good enough?" Kyousuke: "No! It isn't that! Huh?" O-Taki: "I was born in Hokkaido." Kyousuke: "Really? I went there last year." O-Taki: "Yes. I've heard. I heard that." O-Taki: "I've always..." Kyousuke: "W-Wait!" O-Taki: "Don't worry." Kyousuke: "How is it? Pretty hard, right?" O-Taki: "Then... how about here?" Kyousuke: "W-Wait..." Kyousuke: "Ow... I can really feel that!" Kyousuke: "No! Stop!" O-Taki: "I can hear it... the beat of your heart in your chest, Kindaichi-sama." O-Taki: "Kindaichi-sama..." O-En: "Well, I can't hold myself back any more!" O-Taki: "That's enough!" Kyousuke: "J-Just calm down..." O-Taki: "It's horrible of you... treating me this way..." Kyousuke: "I-It isn't... I didn't mean anything by it." O-Taki: "And it's because you're like that..." O-Taki: "You don't know anything about Ishikawa-san." Kyousuke: "No. I do know him." O-Taki: "No, you don't know anything. You don't know what kind of person Ishikawa-san is—" Kyousuke: "Otaki-san, that's going too far, don't you think? He's a little bit different... a show-off, and all he does is go around borrowing money, but he is a genius poet!" O-Taki: "You see? You really don't know anything, do you?" Kyousuke: "I've heard enough!" O-Taki: "Peeping is wrong." Takuboku: "How was Kyousuke-san?" Takuboku: "Did he go home without doing anything? Pathetic." O-Taki: "He is a very kind man." Takuboku: "Yes, he is kind. Stupidly so." O-Taki: "That is no way to speak of a friend, is it, Mr. Genius Poet?" Takuboku: "What's that?" O-Taki: "Your name might be slightly known in the world of poetry, but the truth is, you're simply presuming on your friend's affections, nothing but a half-baked amateur." O-Taki: "Stay back." Kyousuke: "And that's how... you made your crime seem to be mine." Takuboku: "I don't know about that notebook." Takuboku: "By the time I'd gone up to Oen's room, I'd already lost it." Takuboku: "The truth is the truth. It cannot be ignored. In the same way, the sight of you in your jacket—" Yamafuji: "Kindaichi-san, we have a warrant for your arrest. If you'll come with us to the station." Sahara: "Hurry up!" Kyousuke: "But I'm—" Sahara: "Come on! Walk!" mura: "Stop right there!" Sakutarou: "We heard everything." Yoshii: "The real culprit in this crime..." mura: "We'll find him for you!" Sakutarou: "Things have turned out very badly for Kindaichi-kun, haven't they?" mura: "We'll just have to find the real murderer and save him!"

mura: "Now, then..." Yoshii: "Kindaichi-kun ended up getting arrested, didn't he?" Takuboku: "At this point, putting our heads together isn't going to accomplish anything." Takuboku: "I suppose today, I'll just go home and sleep." mura: "We can't have that. Kindaichi is our friend. "Just leaving him there" is not an option." Yoshii: "Even so, we still don't know who really killed that woman, Otaki..." Sakutarou: "Um... Would it be all right if I..." mura: "Oh... You offering an opinion yourself is pretty rare, Hagiwara." Sakutarou: "From what I understand, the culprit isn't Ishikawa-san and it isn't Kindaichi-san, either. It's... the proprietress of Hananoya's" Sakutarou: "cat, Kuro!" mura: "What do you mean, the cat's the culprit?" Sakutarou: "First, if you'll allow me to review. According to Ishikawa-san's logic, Otaki's offensive remarks caused Kindaichi-san to fly into a rage, and kill her. On the other hand, the late— my apologies, the recently imprisoned Kindaichi-san's logic says that when Ishikawa-san was caught peeping and she sneered at him, he killed her." Ishikawa: "Which means, we need to figure out how to expose Kyousuke-san's lie." Sakutarou: "It's true... Kindaichi-san's logic does seem somewhat forced. However... it's also true that he isn't the type of person who would lie if he had a choice." mura: "Can't argue that." Yoshii: "At the very least, he's more honest than Ishikawa-kun is—" Sakutarou: "If Kindaichi-san is lying, then..." Sakutarou: "could it be because telling the truth would be too embarrassing?" Kyousuke: "It's all right. I'll find a way to get you out of here." Otaki: "It's because you're like that... Thinking you can do the impossible..." Kyousuke: "Otaki-san... That's going too far, don't you think?" Otaki: "It's just... All that's left for me is to stay here, as I am, sleeping with men I don't love..." Kyousuke: "I've heard enough!" Kyousuke: "I will find a way for us to be together!" Sakutarou: "But the tremendous sum necessary to pay for the release of a prostitute... It would be impossible for a mere teacher like Kyousuke-san to prepare that. Having fallen in love with Kindaichi-san, she couldn't stand the thought of other men making love to her." Sakutarou: "She decided she would join the Buddhist ministry. Which means that Otaki-san's death is a tragedy born of the fact that the two of them made love." Takuboku: "Just the kind of logic I'd expect from someone as naive as you, Hagiwara-san." Sakutarou: "What do you mean?" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san could never even conceive of the idea of buying her freedom. Why? Because..." Takuboku: "He's a die-hard virgin. That's why." Sakutarou: "Well... I don't think his status as a virgin means he wouldn't think of—" Yoshii: "No. Regardless of how I feel for him as a friend, it's difficult for me to imagine Kindaichi-kun being adept when it comes to women." Sakutarou: "If you say so, Yoshii-kun, then... it might be true, but..." mura: "On top of all this, I don't get why Kindaichi and Ishikawa are pushing the blame on each other." Yoshii: "True. The two of them get along almost too well, after all..." mura: "But if you think about it this way, it makes sense." mura: "The two of you are both the murderers and not the murderers. In other words, accomplices, right?" Takuboku: "What's that supposed to mean?" mura: "Wasn't the truth something like this?" Otaki: "That's enough!" Kyousuke: "J-Just calm down..." Otaki: "It's horrible of you... treating me this way... It's unforgivable!" Kyousuke: "I-It isn't... I didn't mean anything by it." Otaki: "And it's because you're like that... You're planning to ravish me, aren't you?" Kyousuke: "Otaki-san. That's going too far, don't you think? This place is a brothel, after all." Otaki: "Just because it's a brothel doesn't mean you can force yourself on me!" Kyousuke: "I've heard enough!" Otaki: "How does 40 yen sound for now?" Kyousuke: "What?" Otaki: "With all due respect, if I lodged a complaint with the police, that would put you in a tough spot, wouldn't it?" Otaki: "You have your position as a teacher to consider, after all." Kyousuke: "You wouldn't..." Takuboku: "I've heard everything!" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: "Taking advantage of the fact that Kyousuke-san is an inexperienced virgin to blackmail him... I'll take this to the madam— no, I'll tell the police!" Otaki: "Please, forgive me. I don't want to die yet." Kyousuke: "What?" Otaki: "I have consumption." Kyousuke: "Now that I think about it... You have been coughing..." Otaki: "I desperately needed money for medicine." Otaki: "Please..." Takuboku: "No." Takuboku: "We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by these lies. Now, come along quickly." mura: "In short, to conceal the fact that you're working together, you're only pretending to fight, as a ruse!" Yoshii: "You're right... I did think it was strange for Ishikawa-kun to give testimony that put Kindaichi-kun in a bad light. There's no reason to entrap him." Sakutarou: "And... for Kindaichi-san, who would gladly give his life 3 or 4 times for Ishikawa-san, to do something that would hurt Ishikawa-san is also strange." Takuboku: "This is ridiculous. When I wrote in one of my novels that Kyousuke-san put hair restorer on his upper lip, he..." Kyousuke: "How could you?! You promised me you'd never say anything about that!" Takuboku: "C-Can't breathe..." Souseki: "Can I have a moment?" mura: "Professor Natsume!" Souseki: "We were sitting in the back, you see, and couldn't help overhearing." Souseki: "And... it seems he has something he'd like to say. Come on." Akutagawa: "Pleased to meet you." Akutagawa: "My name is Akutagawa Ryuunosuke." mura: "Oh! You're the one who wrote And I Am a Dog, right?" mura: "So, what are your thoughts on this?" Akutagawa: "Let's say that Professor Kindaichi left the room long before the murder. And let's say that Ishikawa-sensei saw Professor Kindaichi at the time of the murder, and that the proprietress rightly said there were no other guests..." Akutagawa: "I believe that everything the three of them said could be entirely truthful." Sakutarou: "What... would that mean?" Akutagawa: "In other words, that there is no singular truth, that truth is, after all, unknowable." mura: "So... What are you trying to say?" Akutagawa: "That everything is "in a grove."" Yoshii: "So, in the end, you're saying that you don't know what happened?" Akutagawa: "No. The truth of a life can only be found in a grove. That is what I have realized." mura: "We're getting nowhere!" Hirai: "If I might interrupt, as well..." Takuboku: "And who are you?" Hirai: "I'm honored to make your acquaintance." Hirai: "My name is Hirai Tarou." Hirai: "I heard everything you've said... Oh! But, I wasn't eavesdropping. It was more, I happened to overhear." mura: "What is this? One after another..." Hirai: "The thing is, an acquaintance of mine is lodging in the room next to Professor Kindaichi's. I'm imposing, at the moment, by staying there without paying." Yoshii: "You seem young. What about school?" Hirai: "I thought I'd try writing a novel, so I'm taking a little break." Takuboku: "So? What is it you want to say?" Hirai: "To tell the truth, I've been following both of you since yesterday evening." Hirai: "Everything started during the events of two nights ago." Kyousuke: "Oh, that's right. Did you finish your novel?" Takuboku: "Yes, thanks to you. I should be receiving payment for the manuscript soon, so I think I'll be able to repay all the money you lent me." Kyousuke: "Oh, you don't need to worry about that. I'm just happy I can be of some help to you." Kyousuke: "Were you able to write that ending you were stuck on?" Takuboku: "Well, whether it was a fitting..." Takuboku: "I really do have a good friend in you." Kyousuke: "What are you talking about? After all this time... Once it's published, I hope you'll let me be the first to read it." Takuboku: "Of course. I want you to read it before anyone..." Kyousuke: "I see. Well, I can't wait." Takuboku: "Oh, that's right. I used that story." Takuboku: "You know. The one about you using hair restorer on your upper lip." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "Really, thanks to that, the character gained a lot of depth." Kyousuke: "How could you?! You promised me you'd never say anything about that!" Kyousuke: "You stop it right now! I told you never to breathe a word to anyone! Honestly!" Kyousuke: "That's why I didn't want you knowing!" Yoshii: "So you followed them to tell them this?" Hirai: "No. It isn't as if the woman did anything, after all. It's just..." Takuboku: "What?" Hirai: "Certain actions by Ishikawa-sensei caused me to take a sudden interest." Takuboku: "I have a feeling that you'll take your leave from this world without ever knowing the joys of life..." Kyousuke: "Let's go! Let us go, Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: "Oh, Kayo-chan. Do you have a minute? Kyousuke-san, would you mind going ahead? It's about my rent..." Kayo: "Again? You really need to stop this." Kayo: "What is this money for?" Takuboku: "Can you hurry over to Hananoya and ask them to keep a woman called Otaki free for me? Tell them that Ishikawa will be bringing a guest." Kayo: "That's a place they have prostitutes, isn't it? I don't want to." Takuboku: "It's for her sake, too! Please!" Kayo: "I'll have another five sen." Hirai: "Otaki... san?" Kyousuke: "Wha—Wait! Ishikawa-kun!" Kyousuke: "Pleased to make your acquaintance." Otaki: "My, what a strange thing to say." Kyousuke: "I'll have one of those, if you don't mind." Otaki: "Here you go." Otaki: "Oh..." Otaki: "Please go up to the room." Kyousuke: "What?" Otaki: "I'll be back in a moment." Otaki: "You there! Could it be that you're..." Otaki: "Did you tell them what happened yesterday?" Hirai: "Here..." Hirai: "He forgot this. I found it at the restaurant..." Otaki: "I see." Otaki: "I'll give it back to him." Otaki: "Are you a student?" Hirai: "Uh... Yes..." Otaki: "Once you've grown a little more, come and see me." Takuboku: "So, you're the one who gave the diary to Otaki." Hirai: "Yes. If I'd given that diary to you in person," Hirai: "things would have been more straightforward." Hirai: "The culprit in this case is neither Professor Kindaichi nor Ishikawa-sensei." mura: "You must have some basis for that statement." Hirai: "Yes. The reason neither of them can be the killer is the way they light their cigarettes." Hirai: "Each of them lit their cigarettes with their right hands. If either of them had been the culprit, the wound in Otaki's throat would have to have been on the left. If a right-handed person had used that short sword, with Otaki facing her attacker, her wound would be on the left side of her throat. But her injury was on the other side." Yoshii: "I see! So the man Kindaichi talked about must have been left-handed. He's the culprit!" Hirai: "No. That man is not the killer." Hirai: "But I do believe it's true that Professor Kindaichi saw him. A man Professor Kindaichi witnessed, who later disappeared, and the madam who left the reception area empty. This means that two people disappeared." Hirai: "A man and... a woman." mura: "So that's what it was! The man Kindaichi saw is the madam's young lover!" Hirai: "Most likely." Hirai: "That's why she wanted to conceal his identity." Sakutarou: "If that's the case..." Yoshii: "Then the person who killed Otaki has to be either Ishikawa-kun or Kindaichi-kun, doesn't it?" Hirai: "No. There's one more person." Hirai: "The person who killed Otaki-san..." Takuboku: "...was Otaki herself." Hirai: "Exactly." Hirai: "She struck the match with her left hand. If a left-handed person were to stab themselves in the throat, they would hold the short sword on the right to gain some distance, and stab in one motion." Yoshii: "But what was her motive?" Hirai: "Her motive was..." Hirai: "The question as to why Otaki-san came to Gaiheikan two nights ago... I found the answer in Ishikawa-sensei's diary. About a month ago, Ishikawa-sensei received a letter from the proprietress of an inn in Kushiro." Hirai: "The proprietress and he had, well, their relationship was..." mura: "They'd been together, huh?" Hirai: "And... she'd written that a woman who worked at the inn had fallen in love with Professor Kindaichi when he'd gone to Hokkaido to research the Ainu. She'd shaken off attempts to stop her and gone to Tokyo, so could he possibly help the two of them meet." Sakutarou: "And that girl was Hananoya's... Otaki..." Hirai: "Otaki-san must have waited, wondering when Professor Kindaichi might come. Each day must have felt like a thousand years." Hirai: "But no matter how long she waited, he never came." mura: "So, she finally decided to see him herself, huh?" Hirai: "When she heard Professor Kindaichi's habit of speaking more femininely when agitated, Otaki-san must have started to wonder about their relationship... But the next day, when Otaki-san had sunk into despair, the professor appeared before her. Otaki-san must have decided she'd been jumping to conclusions the night before. I'm certain that's what she thought. But, in the end, frustration, joy, despair, these emotions had their way with Otaki-san..." Hirai: "Ishikawa-sensei... the truth is you knew Professor Kindaichi wasn't the killer, didn't you? The reason you treated Professor Kindaichi as the criminal lies within the yearning, pure love of a prostitute from the countryside, and the vexation of seeing Professor Kindaichi be unable to respond to it. That's what I think." Akutagawa: "It's all in a grove." mura: "But if Otaki was deeply in love with Kindaichi, why would she enter a brothel?" Hirai: "I don't know, either. But even so..." Hirai: "Otaki-san was always coughing badly..." Hirai: "Maybe... she didn't have long left..." Takuboku: "I dragged you all into this ridiculous farce with me! I'm sorry. "Just once before I die, I want to be with the man I love." Otaki sold her body to make money and came here. And that obstinate, unsociable blockhead just..." Takuboku: "No matter how many times I invited him, he never went to Hananoya. And just when I thought he'd go see her, this time, he wouldn't even try to touch her. I know! Of course I know! I know that's the kind of person Kyousuke-san is..." Takuboku: "I know, but..." Takuboku: "What I saw in that room... was Otaki preparing for death. Her last moments in this life, you could say, with Kyousuke-san's jacket draped about her." Takuboku: "When I saw that, an overwhelming hate for Kyousuke-san rose up in me... I hated him, hated him, hated him, hated him, hated him! That's why! That's why I served him up to the police!" Takuboku: "Oh, it's so ridiculous." Takuboku: "A memento." Takuboku: "Well... Now that the truth behind the farce has been revealed, let's put an end to it, shall we?" mura: "Where are you going?" Takuboku: "That's obvious, isn't it?" Yoshii: "What is it?" Sakutarou: "Ishikawa-san... didn't leave his part of the bill, did he?" Kyousuke: "Oh, right." Kyousuke: "Here." Kyousuke: "The fact that I was released... means the killer was found, right?" Takuboku: "That jacket. Did you really forget it?" Kyousuke: "What? Yeah... Well..." Kyousuke: "Ow! Wh-What was that for?!" Kyousuke: "Hey! Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: ""Casual remarks spoken casually... you must have heard them too that's all it was."" Sakutarou: "Hirai-kun, your deductions were really impressive." Hirai: "I just can't help poking my nose into strange incidents! Right now, I'm interested in those popular rumors!"

Woman: "...throat..." Woman: "...moon..." Takuboku: "This is such a great help! But... You were saving this to buy an unabridged dictionary of Japanese history, right?" Kyousuke: "No, it's all right. If you can use it, that's enough." Takuboku: "Then I'll be sure to use it well." Kyousuke: "You were playing Humoresques, weren't you?" Takuboku: "Yes. The truth is, I want to play Wagner, but I just can't play well enough, and Nomura-san recommended it so ardently, I decided to try it..." mura; Bakground: "Have you gotten used to it yet? That part where it changes keys is particularly tricky, right?" Takuboku: "The rain's stopped." Takuboku: "Come with me to the Twelve-stories." Kyousuke: "What? Now?" Takuboku: "The thing is... I received a detective request, you see." Kyousuke: "In these modern times, something like that couldn't possibly exist." Takuboku: "Oh! Looks like a crowd is gathering!" Takuboku: "7:30, huh? It's just about the right time for..." Kyousuke: "That's..." Takuboku: "The phantom of the demon tower..." Man 1: "Summer's long over already..." Man 2: "It must be holding a grudge." Man 3: "Namandabu, namandabu, namandabu..." Kyousuke: "I-It really appeared... A ghost!" Takuboku: "Yes... It did appear, but..." Yamaoka: "Ishikawa-san!" Yamaoka: "It's me. Yamaoka." Takuboku: "It's been a long time! Have you been well?" Yamaoka: "Yes." Takuboku: "Oh, this is Kindaichi Kyousuke-san. My talented investigative assistant. Kyousuke-sa—" Takuboku: "Kindaichi-kun." Kyousuke: "Huh?" Takuboku: "This is a reporter for the Maichou Shimbun, Yamaoka-kun. Oh. I've just started proofreading for the Asahi." Yamaoka: "Really?" Takuboku: "Well, let's not stand around talking. How about a little refreshment?" Takuboku: "Three orders of your finest kabayaki eel, and three bottles of sake, too." Kyousuke: "I'm not very hungry, so... just two of each." Kyousuke: "I'm not feeling very well either, you see." Takuboku: "Really?" Kyousuke: "Really." Takuboku: "That's all. Oh! Maybe we should have had monkfish instead." Takuboku: "Oh. Your nails." Takuboku: "Did you do that with the person you mentioned?" Yamaoka: "No, these aren't really..." Yamaoka: "I was wondering. You said something about investigating?" Takuboku: "That's right. I recently started working as a detective." Takuboku: "My talent flowers best, you see, when confronted by reality." Takuboku: "Poems, tanka, and novels are all just fictions in the end." Kyousuke: "Still, saying that poets and detectives are alike is..." Yamaoka: "So... what are you looking into?" Takuboku: "The ghost at Ryouunkaku." Takuboku: "Are you here gathering material, too?" Yamaoka: "No..." Takuboku: "The manager of the Twelve-stories asked me to reveal the truth behind it." Takuboku: "He said it was just too eerie." Yamaoka: "To tell the truth... it's causing me problems, too. I work at the sumo hall next to the Twelve-stories." Takuboku: "What? Did you end up quitting the newspaper?" Yamaoka: "Yes. At the end of September." Takuboku: "The end of September..." Takuboku: "Keep the change!" Kyousuke: "What?" Yamaoka: "Thank you for treating me." Takuboku: "It doesn't even come close to repaying your kindness." Yamaoka: "As conscientious as ever, I see." Takuboku: "And you... you've changed a little, I think." Yamaoka: "I haven't changed at all." Takuboku: "Three years ago, when I was moving back to Kozukata, he really helped me out." Takuboku: "Speaking of which... Kyousuke-san, you haven't been home in a while. Aren't you starting to miss your hometown?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun." Takuboku: "Is something wrong? That's quite a frightening expression." Kyousuke: "I'm not... lending you any more money! I feel you need to grow up a little." Girl: "Oh! The moon is so pretty!" Mom: "You're right. It's beautiful." Girl: "Isn't it?" Yamaoka: "Throat..." Yamaoka: "...moon..." Takuboku: "So, you're saying all the ghost commotion at Ryouunkaku is because of a trick being played by an entertainer in the area?" Rokurou: "People are turning away from the Twelve-stories and the moving pictures. The traditional entertainers are all excited." Takuboku: "I see." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun?" Takuboku: "Kindaichi-kun!" Takuboku: "This is Asakusa's Rokurou-san. He's notorious in Asakusa, If he sets his sights on you, you're as good as dead in Asakusa. A very scary person." Rokurou: "No, no. Nothing like that." Kyousuke: "My name is Kindaichi Kyousuke." Takuboku: "Sorry, but could you make some tea for us?" Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "And if you could put these golden lace flowers I bought in a vase?" Takuboku: "I remembered the way they bloom at the foot of Mount Iwate, and I couldn't help myself." Takuboku: "Now then. If we assume that the ghost is a trick being played by the entertainers, then exposing the truth behind it might be simpler than I thought." Takuboku: "For example... a magic lantern?" Rokurou: "That sounds like a good line of inquiry." Rokurou: "If I make a move, people get upset, so I'll just ask around a bit." Kyousuke: "Here you go." Rokurou: "Sorry for the trouble." Takuboku: "Thanks for waiting." Yamaoka: "Um... Is it true? You've discovered the truth behind the ghost?" Takuboku: "The articles on the ghost in the Maichou Shimbun..." Takuboku: "You wrote them, didn't you?" Yamaoka: "What?" Takuboku: "You quit at the very end of September. And the daily ghost articles also stopped abruptly on September 30th." Kyousuke: "W-Wait, hold on a minute. There were articles about it after that, too, weren't there?" Takuboku: "Yes. Even major papers who hadn't reported on it at all before started reporting on it simultaneously starting on October 10th." Takuboku: "What do you think about that?" Kyousuke: "What do we think? You can't mean... There's no reason for the Maichou Shimbun to print a false story." Takuboku: "That's exactly what I mean. Just what I'd expect from you, Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "In short, up until that point, no ghosts had appeared. That's why the big papers had no reason to write about it." Takuboku: "To put it a different way, the ghost began to appear on October 10th. And the one who made it appear..." Takuboku: "was you, wasn't it, Yamaoka-kun?" Takuboku: "Come to think of it, Rokurou-san got in touch with me recently. He told me a gentleman named Koiso Matsukichi used to be a magic lantern operator." Takuboku: "Yamaoka-kun, you wouldn't know him, would you?" Yamaoka: "I have no idea what you're talking about. I have work, so..." Takuboku: "Your nails! Crimson nails, right? "In the pale crimson lingering emotions of balsam flowers a breath blown across nails waiting for snow."" Takuboku: "There's a poem about it. The ghost wouldn't have anything to do with those crimson nails of yours, would it?" Takuboku: "You can't tell me about it?" Yamaoka: "Throat. Moon." Yamaoka: "What time is your train?" Takuboku: "Three o'clock." Takuboku: "I'll leave once I've finished this." Yamaoka: "It's a shame." Yamaoka: "A talent like yours..." Yamaoka: "Actually, I'm going to start working at the Maichou Shimbun." Takuboku: "Oh, that's great news. So you can write your novel while you're working." Yamaoka: "No. I won't be writing a novel... There's someone I've grown very fond of," Yamaoka: "but right now, there isn't any way for me to..." Takuboku: "To live for love... that's life, too." Takuboku: "Well then, let's meet again one day." Yamaoka: "I like your poetry." Takuboku: "In that case, I'll accept." Takuboku: "I'll leave the money here." Waitress: "Thank you!" Takuboku: "The dango here really are exceptional." Takuboku: "After seven, is it? We should arrive at the prearranged spot right on time." Kyousuke: "This is crazy, isn't it?" Takuboku: "What is?" Kyousuke: "You never have money, and you just went and paid without any prompting!" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san. I simply want to be honest with myself, that's all." Kyousuke: "Honest?" Kyousuke: "Why are we meeting in a place like this?" Kyousuke: "What's wrong?" Takuboku: "It seems we're being followed." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "Don't look back. See?" Kyousuke: "You're right!" Kyousuke: "Now that I think about it, they say a woman was killed here not long ago." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san!" Kyousuke: "I wonder who was following us." Takuboku: "The only ones who knew we'd be in Asakusa at this time were..." Kyousuke: "Rokurou-san, and the man he introduced us to, Matsukichi, makes two. Oh, but Rokurou-san is helping you, so..." Takuboku: "Yamaoka-kun?!" Man: "Someone's dead over here!" Crowd: "That's Mattsan! It's old man Koiso!" Kyousuke: "This man is Matsukichi-san?" Kyousuke: "An artificial leg!" Kyousuke: "Wait!" Kyousuke: "You shouldn't just go touching things..." Kyousuke: "This is from over two months ago." Takuboku: ""In a copse behind Sensou-ji, an unidentified young woman, collapsed and bleeding from the head, was discovered by a man named Koiso Matsukichi. With her last breath, the woman was heard to say these mysterious words: 'throat moon.'"" Takuboku: "Throat moon..." Takuboku: "Throat... moon..." Takuboku: "Throat moon, huh?" Takuboku: "That's what it was, Kyousuke-san! The ghost of Ryouunkaku. This newspaper article is what caused it to rise." Takuboku: "A throat moon..." mura: "Did you hear? About the man who worked the magic lanterns getting killed." Yoshii: "The man on the run is named Yamaoka. A friend of Ishikawa-kun's I believe." Sakutarou: "About two months ago, the woman he loved was killed behind Sensou-ji. He thought the magic lantern operator who found her had done it, and this crime was the result." Yoshii: "Oh, right. Are you feeling better?" Kyousuke: "Huh? There's nothing particularly wrong with me..." Yoshii: "Well, Ishikawa-kun came to me recently saying you weren't feeling well, and to build your stamina, he wanted to feed you monkfish, so could I please help. He was quite persistent." Sakutarou: "Really? With me he said that Kyousuke-san was always helping him, and wanted to give him a history dictionary, but he didn't have the means, so..." mura: "Hold on! With me he said he wanted to help him go back home for a visit and could I help with travel expenses..." Takuboku: "This is where you were!" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun! Feeding me monkfish! Buying me a dictionary! Sending me home! What were you think—" Takuboku: "This is no time for that! Come on! Hurry up!" Kyousuke: "Wh-What? Wait!" mura: "My, my..." Takuboku: "It just won't focus correctly, but that's part of the fun." Kyousuke: "Where did you get something like this?" Takuboku: "To expose the truth of the ghost, I asked the client to borrow it for me." Kyousuke: "But, there wasn't really a need to try it yourself, was there?" Takuboku: "In addition to the client's request, I thought I'd try reeling in the Matsukichi-killer." Kyousuke: "You're saying Yamaoka-san will come here? Oh. That's right! You went and made out I was sick so you could borrow money, didn't you? And you said you wanted to buy me a dictionary and send me home..." Takuboku: "But... Kyousuke-san, you did seem unwell, and you wanted that dictionary," Takuboku: "and said you wanted to go home for a visit, didn't you?" Kyousuke: "But you ended up using the money you borrowed on yourself, didn't you?" Takuboku: "It just happened to turn out that way." Kyousuke: "Happened to?" Takuboku: "Yes. I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to feed you monkfish, but it so happened that on the way back I caught sight of the golden lace flowers." Kyousuke: "But, that's..." Takuboku: "That's right. Now that I think about it," Takuboku: "Wagner, and Wordsworth, too... all the geniuses were burdened by tremendous debt!" Kyousuke: "You're just so..." Takuboku: "Someone's here." Takuboku: "It was you, wasn't it?" Takuboku: "Asakusa's Rokurou-san." Rokurou: "Wh-Why are you here?" Takuboku: "And you, Constable Sahara. We've met before." Sahara: "You're... from that other case..." Sahara: "Wasn't Yamaoka supposed to be here?" Rokurou: "Well..." Takuboku: "The person who killed Matsukichi-san wasn't Yamaoka-kun. Rokurou-san. You killed him and tried to frame Yamaoka-kun for it, didn't you?" Rokurou: "D-Don't be stupid. Why would I do something like that?" Takuboku: "The thing that made me suspicious was that despite you profiting from the uproar about the ghost, you offered to help me in trying to expose the truth behind it. And when you even offered to introduce me to Matsukichi-san, I was certain my suspicions were right." Rokurou: "And why would I need to kill Matsukichi?" Takuboku: "Because... there was a certain fact regarding the origins of this ghostly uproar" Takuboku: "that Matsukichi-san had figured out." Rokurou: "Kicking up a fuss..." Matsukichi: "Is someone there?" Woman: "...throat... moon..." Takuboku: "It's very likely that Matsukichi-san realized that you were the killer, but as an entertainer in Asakusa, crossing Asakusa's Rokurou-san was strictly forbidden. On the other hand... he felt sorry for Yamaoka-kun, who had lost his beloved, and to expose the killer, he agreed to help create the ghost." Rokurou: "If that's the case, then it would be even stranger for me to help you meet Matsukichi, wouldn't it?" Takuboku: "You made sure Matsukichi-san knew of us, while keeping your name out of it, in order to test his loyalty. Matsukichi-san brought the newspaper article about the murder, intending to meet with us, so... You decided he meant to betray you, and..." Takuboku: "you killed him." Kyousuke: "But, then... What about when you saw Yamaoka-san?" Takuboku: "Rokurou-san used Matsukichi-san's name to call him out, intending to frame him for the murder." Sahara: "What are you talking about?" Kyousuke: "Well... When we were on our way to the meeting place, we were followed by Matsukichi-san..." Sahara: "By Matsukichi?" Takuboku: "I'm sure he must have agonized to the very last moment." Rokurou: "This is hilarious. So, you're saying that just before Matsukichi's body was found, the man was following you, right?" Kyousuke: "Well, I suppose so." Rokurou: "But, you see..." Rokurou: "I was drinking in a place on Nakamise when I got word that he'd died. If Matsukichi was out by the haunted jizo statue playing tag with you, then I couldn't have killed him." Takuboku: "How did you know we were near the haunted jizo?" Takuboku: "I'm asking you how you knew where we were when Matsukichi-san was following us." Takuboku: "It's because the one following us..." Takuboku: "was you." Rokurou: "I don't know what you're talking about." Takuboku: "Rokurou-san. Would you mind taking off your scarf? "Throat moon." The strange words in the article Matsukichi-san was holding, are referring to your neck, right? Not "throat moon," "throat wound."" Rokurou: "This is stupid. I'm leaving." Rokurou: "You're..." Yamaoka: "Show us." Yamaoka: "Your neck! Show us!" Yamaoka: "Throat wound..." Takuboku: "Yamaoka-kun!" Kyousuke: "He'd been searching this whole time for someone with a scar on their throat, hadn't he? He started by writing an article about the ghost, then he made the ghost appear, making everyone look up." Kyousuke: "Oh! It's the first snow." Takuboku: ""In Asakusa atop the tower that scrapes the clouds arms crossed, I ponder the day a long journal entry, perhaps?"" Takuboku: "It's a little... too late, isn't it?" Kyousuke: "Too late?" Takuboku: "Crimson nails... it's another name for balsam flowers. You crush the petals and paint your fingernails, and if the color lasts until the first snow falls," Takuboku: "then your love will endure. That's what they say." Takuboku: "Living for love... and dying for love the way he did... I believe I'm a little bit jealous." Kyousuke: "What do you say to some monkfish on the way back?" Takuboku: "What?" Kyousuke: "I'll pay, of course, so if you'd just feel greatly indebted to me..." Kyousuke: "It's true. You are a very honest person. You eat what you want to eat, wax nostalgic when you want to wax nostalgic, when you feel something, you compose a poem..." Kyousuke: "In short, you are a genius... and a child." Kyousuke: "And I... I want to help you, just the way you are." Takuboku: "Somehow... I don't feel the need to fight you on that." Takuboku: "What's this? Hagiwara-kun, are you lovesick?" Sakutarou: "What? It's... um..."

Kyousuke: "She loved you!" Kyousuke: "And I loved you... your talent, your poetry, and you." Kyousuke: "But that ends today." Kyousuke: "I am going to cut ties with you." Takuboku: ""That accursed beast, the dyer's daughter, Oroku" Takuboku: "carrying a cat along the beach in the setting sun... with an innocent expression, lissome and lithe..."" Takuboku: ""I ponder... the dangerous religion of this dissolute age the witchcraft of the Christian Deus..." Takuboku: "the captains of the Black Ships... the mysterious land of the Red-haired..." Takuboku: "the crimson colored glass... and sharply scented carnations the striped cottons of the barbarians from the West and arrak, that strange and rare liquor. The pale people of Dominica speak in multisyllabic litanies, even in my dreams, of the forbidden god of their sect or of the blood-stained holy crucifixion..."" Kayo: "I'm coming in!" Takuboku: ""The deceptive instrument which shows poppy seeds large as apples... The strange spectacles which bring the heavens closer as you peer into the sky..."" Kayo: "What is that? It's too early in the morning for something so creepy. Come on. Hurry up and eat." Takuboku: "Is it creepy? This is called "Gateway to Heresy." A friend of mine, Kitahara Hakushuu, a man overflowing with wisdom wrote..." Takuboku: "The son of the Uchimoto steamship company seems to have killed someone." Kayo: "Honestly... There isn't a single decent person among the so-called upper class." Takuboku: "You have a grudge against the Uchimoto ships or something?" Kayo: "It's nothing like that. I just feel sorry for the young lady who was killed. That's all." Kayo: "Oh! Ishikawa-san! Do you have this month's rent?" Takuboku: "Yes. I'll have it within the next day or two." Kayo: "Really?" Takuboku: "A poet never goes back on his word." Kayo: "Honestly. What does he think he's doing? At his age..." Kyousuke: "Good morning!" Takuboku: "Morning." Kyousuke: "Were you up all night?" Takuboku: "Yes. I couldn't sleep, so I opened up Kitahara-kun's Gateway to Heresy and ended up even more awake than before. People like him are geniuses." Kyousuke: "True, Kitahara-san may be a genius, but your talent is in no way inferior to his." Takuboku: "You really are kind, Kyousuke-san." Kyousuke: "In any case... Don't push yourself too hard. If you let your health fall apart, nothing else matters." Takuboku: ""For me... to soothe my troubled heart someone sang me a song of praise."" Takuboku: "I composed that yesterday while thinking of you." Kyousuke: "Changing the subject, aren't you going to work?" Takuboku: "Yes. Of course I'm going. As an ordinary consumer, I need to earn my daily living. Though I work and work..." Kyousuke: "Do you have any plans tonight? Let's go eat something to give you some stamina." Kyousuke: "I received my wages yesterday." Takuboku: "I somehow feel apologetic toward you." Kyousuke: "Oh, right. You paid your rent, didn't you?" Takuboku: "Oh. I'll take care of it in the next day or so." Kyousuke: "Let's meet in the usual place at seven, then." Yoshii: ""Every morning... always on the same beach if we meet, I begin to smile—this maiden."" Sakutarou: "That's good." Yoshii: "You think so?" Sakutarou: "Yes. That is exactly the frame of mind I'm in." Sakutarou: "So, who were you thinking of when you composed that?" Sakutarou: "What? She's the one that I—" Yoshii: "But you haven't made a single move." Sakutarou: "Even so... How could you be so cruel?" Yoshii: "What do you mean, "cruel"? It's not as though Kiku-san belongs to you." Sakutarou: "But..." mura: "Hey! You guys fighting?" Sakutarou: "Nomura-san!" Sakutarou: "Yoshii-kun has betrayed me." Yoshii: "Hold on! You're making me out to be a disgrace!" mura: "Now, now. I have no idea what you're talking about." Sakutarou: "Well, I... Ever since she started working here, my heart follows her." Sakutarou: "I talked with Yoshii-kun about it, but he..." mura: "Would that "she" be..." Sakutarou: "Yokoyama Kiku-san." mura: "What?!" Sakutarou: "Could it be that you also—" mura: "D-Don't be stupid. Who'd want a girl like..." Takuboku: "Excuse me!" Proprietor: "Huh?" Takuboku: "I'll take this please." Takuboku: ""Fresh and new... the smell of the paper of Western books makes me hunger for money all the more."" Sakutarou: "So Nomura-san, you have feelings for Kiku-san, too." mura: "That girl stole something important to me." Sakutarou: "Something important?" mura: "My heart." Sakutarou: "Beautiful, genuine, and dignified..." Sakutarou: "It would be hard not to fall in love with her." mura: "You're not wrong." Yoshii: "I will not let you have her! Whether my opponent be Nomura-san or Hagiwara-kun, I will not give her up!" Sakutarou: "And I— I'd never give her up, even if it kills me." mura: "Well, there is the question of her feelings..." Yoshii: "I see. Then why don't we settle this with our poems?" Sakutarou: "With poems?" Yoshii: "We have staked our lives on literature. It's only logical that a battle on love's pathway be settled through literature." Sakutarou: "That's true, but..." mura: "I'll pass." Yoshii: "What about you, Hagiwara-kun? Do you think you can surpass the poem I read earlier?" Sakutarou: "Of course. I accept your challenge." Satou: "It's already after three. What happened?" Takuboku: "Yes... I wasn't feeling very well." Satou: "I see." Satou: "You do seem tired..." Takuboku: "Not at all. Work is work. I can't let my circumstances dictate everything." Satou: "Good. Then we'll be counting on you today." Takuboku: "Yes, sir. Leave it to me." Satou: "Is something wrong?" Takuboku: "Well... I was wondering if I might have an advance." Satou: "What? But you asked for an advance last week, too, to pay your rent." Takuboku: "Oh. I ended up sending that to my parents..." Satou: "It's really hard to talk to accounting about this..." Satou: "Will this be enough?" Takuboku: "Thank you." Takuboku: "I will forever be indebted to you!" Takuboku: "That's a nice suit." Satou: "Oh, this? The other day, I splurged and bought it on monthly installments. I just happened to see it in the store and fell in love at first sight. It's not often..." Takuboku: ""So large and great... his physical being loathsome standing before him, speaking."" Sakutarou: ""I simply wish... for a day beside you for a dream of a thousand years."" mura: "Impressive... Very passionate." Yoshii: "Exactly the kind of poem I'd expect a closet lecher like you to compose." Sakutarou: "There's no need to talk about a person's poem like that!" mura: "Oh, I forgot." mura: "Shall we get this warmed up?" Yoshii: "Drinking will hardly help with the poetry, will it?" Sakutarou: "You're wrong. Drinking will help our tongues move more freely." Yoshii: "But it will slow the movement of our minds, won't it?" Sakutarou: "Poems are not spoken from the mind." Yoshii: "Even so, they aren't spoken from the tongue, are they?" Sakutarou: "You speak them with your tongue! Or do you speak them with your teeth? If you don't—" Bokusui: "Poems are read from the heart." mura: "Wakayama-kun." Bokusui: "Kiku-san!" Kiku: "Yes?" Bokusui: "Sorry for the trouble. Can I ask you to heat this up?" Kiku: "Of course." Kiku: "All of you have had the most troubled expressions. Are you discussing literature again?" Sakutarou: "No..." Yoshii: "Well, it is literature of a sort..." Kiku: "Don't give up." Bokusui: "Truly, that is what you call lovely." Bokusui: "I've been thinking Kiku-san is pretty lovable, too, you see. Will you let me join in?" Yoshii: "That's..." Sakutarou: "Wakayama-san is like us, aspiring toward literature. There's no logical reason to refuse." Bokusui: "In that case, allow me to read a poem. To be honest, I've already written it. "Look at the mountains The mountains shine in the sunlight Look at the sea The sea shines in the sunlight Now! My lips to yours."" Man A: "About Oen..." Takuboku: "Yes. Hananoya's proprietress told me all about it." Man A: "Meaning you understand and accept?" Takuboku: "Well, now, that's... It isn't something I can do at my own discretion." Takuboku: "Oen's feelings are what's most important here, you see." Man A: "You're quite an impressive man." Takuboku: "Am I? If I were just a little more brazen, providing for my lifestyle would be easier... "Though I work and work, still, the way I live..."" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san!" Takuboku: "Sorry to keep you waiting!" Kyousuke: "No, I just got here. Have you already been drinking?" Takuboku: "With a certain wealthy man." Takuboku: "Now, shall we go to the foot of the Twelve-stories?" Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "That's right. It's simply a lust for flesh. But it's still a lust for flesh, you know. Besides which, Kyousuke-san... Are you sure you're all right like that? Your whole life... like that?" Kyousuke: "Well, no, but..." Takuboku: "Then tonight is the night we settle things!" Bokusui: ""Once drunk, everyone jokes about their triumphs in love with tears mingled in, ah, these youths."" mura: "Huh. The more he drinks, the more Wakayama he gets." Sakutarou: "The more he drinks, the more his heart sings, I suppose." Yoshii: "Nomura-san! Which poem is it? A poem worthy of giving to Kiku-san. Tell me!" mura: "About that... The thing is, Kiku-san has..." Kiku: "I'm leaving for the day!" Sakutarou: "Kiku-san!" Sakutarou: "Um... There's something I'd like to give you." Kiku: "What is it?" Sakutarou: "It's just... Um..." Sakutarou: "This." Kiku: ""Every morning... always on the same beach if we meet, I begin to smile—this maiden."" Sakutarou: "Yoshii-kun wrote this poem for you." Kiku: "My." Yoshii: "That's right. I love—" Kiku: "Senjaku-sama!" Senjaku: "Hey." Kiku: "I was waiting for you." Senjaku: "Is it all right for you to leave?" Kiku: "Yes." Kiku: "Yoshii-sama! Thank you for the beautiful poem." Yoshii: "No problem..." Madam: "I'm very sorry. Another guest came just before you." Takuboku: "Oen is such a beauty, you see? There's no end to the offers from people wanting to take her home." Kyousuke: "Really." Oen: "Stop talking about that." Takuboku: "If you let someone take you in, you'd never worry for money and you could live how you liked..." Kyousuke: "Honestly. What is it you like about Ishikawa-kun?" Oen: "I'm from Hanamaki." Oen: "When I came here, my first guest was Hajime-san..." Oen: "I started crying... When that happened, instead of making love to me, he just patted my head all night." Takuboku: "Oen..." Oen: "Wha—Hajime-san!" Takuboku: "Does it tickle?" Kyousuke: "I'm going home!" Oen: "Oh, my." Takuboku: "Well. Shall we head up?" Takuboku: "There's something I wanted to talk to you about." Yoshii: ""Upon visiting... my friend happens to be pleasantly drunk delighted in love, the moon on a misty night."" Sakutarou: "One of Wakayama-san's poems, isn't it?" Sakutarou: "When it comes to poems about alcohol, no one can match him." Yoshii: "Indeed." Yoshii: "Hagiwara-kun. Why did you give her my poem?" Sakutarou: "Because that poem moved me." Yoshii: "Love truly is a fragile thing, isn't it?" Sakutarou: "Yes, it is. "Two pitch-black cats on a rooftop in the seductive, restless night from the tips of their tall, pin-straight tails a crescent moon, thin as a thread, grows hazy meow, good evening meow, good evening mraow, mraow, mraow meow the master of this house is ill."" Takuboku: "I really do feel that the hearts of people who come from the same area are connected at the root." Oen: "Yes. I feel that, too." Takuboku: ""One's hometown those children who have left are all alike there is no sadness which can overwhelm happiness."" Oen: ""One's hometown those children who have left are all alike" Oen And Takuboku: "there is no sadness which can overwhelm happiness."" Takuboku: "Are you crying?" Oen: "I'm sorry." Takuboku: "Do you want to go back? To your hometown..." Oen: "No." Oen: "If I did, I wouldn't be able to see you, Hajime-san." Takuboku: "Oen, I have something I want to ask you." Sakutarou: ""In the distance, a pistol shot rings out." Sakutarou: "And another pistol shot." Sakutarou: "Ah! My detective dons clothes of crystal and sneaks in through the lover's window." Sakutarou: "The floors are of clear jade. From the spaces between each finger flows ghastly pale blood. Atop the tragic woman's corpse a cold katydid chirps. One morning, at the beginning of the Month of Frost, the detective dons his clothes of crystal and turns at the intersection in town." Sakutarou: "At the intersection, a fountain of autumn." Sakutarou: "Now, the lone detective feels troubled." Sakutarou: "Look. That distant, desolate marble footpath where the villain slips away at speed."" Takuboku: "Oh, my. They've arrested a statesman who'd been receiving money from Uchimoto steamships. It says it started with a letter the woman killed by the son of the family left. This looks like it'll be a big deal." Kayo: "Serves him right. The murdered young lady will be happy, too." Takuboku: "This seems very similar to..." Kayo: "To what?" Takuboku: "Well, it's just... With the Arakawa mines case, too, it started with a murder related to a letter, which lead to uncovering the mine pollution issues... Now that I think about it, the real murderer who tried to frame the head clerk hasn't been caught yet." Kayo: ""And that real murderer might be pulling the strings behind this case, too." You weren't going to say that, were you?" Takuboku: "Kayo-san, are you sure you don't have a talent for writing fiction? But in the Arakawa mines case, more than the murder of Tatsukichi, it seemed like exposing the scandal about the minerals was the real objective." Kayo: "Educated people always make things too difficult. That's the problem." Kayo: "More importantly, your rent." Takuboku: "There's two month's worth in there." Kyousuke: "Excuse me..." Kyousuke: "Oen-san? Is something wrong? It's cold out here. Please, come inside." Oen: "No, thank you. I have to catch a train." Kyousuke: "Are you traveling far?" Kyousuke: "Is someone waiting for you?" Oen: "The man who will be my husband." Kyousuke: "What? Then, you—" Oen: "Will you give this to Hajime-san?" Takuboku: "Well, that was a close one!" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun! Just now, Oen-san was..." Takuboku: "Yes. I saw." Takuboku: "Is that for me?" Kyousuke: "Oh. Yes..." Takuboku: "Quite the conscientious woman, isn't she..." Takuboku: "I could buy another suit like this and still have change left over." Kyousuke: "What on earth is going on?" Takuboku: "What do you mean?" Kyousuke: "That suit and that money." Takuboku: "Oh. This was from the remuneration for persuading Oen, and this..." Takuboku: "I suppose you could call it a farewell gift." Kyousuke: "Which means you... After selling Oen off and receiving money for it, you took her money, too?" Takuboku: "I didn't "sell her off." Oen agreed to it, after all. She should be grateful to me, really." Kyousuke: "Grateful?" Takuboku: "Yes. The man is very wealthy. From now on, she'll never have to worry about money—" Kyousuke: "She loved you!" Kyousuke: "And I loved you... your talent, your poetry, and you! But that ends today." Kyousuke: "I am going to cut ties with you." Takuboku: ""That accursed beast, the dyer's daughter, Oroku" Takuboku: "carrying a cat along the beach in the setting sun... with an innocent expression, lissome and lithe... The accursed beast ties fabric in the chikuzen-shibori style her slim, elegant fingertips stained dark blue and her gold ring flashes..."" Oen: "I'm from Hanamaki. When I came here, my first guest was..." Kyousuke: "What is it you like about Ishikawa-kun?" Man A: "You're quite an impressive man." Kyousuke: "I am going to cut ties with you." Takuboku: "Cut ties? Well, that's just fine." Takuboku: "You know, I'm... trying so desperately... "Though I work and work still, it never gets any easier to live I stare at my hands."" Bokusui: "Kindaichi-kun, they say you cut ties with Ishikawa-kun?" Kyousuke: "I can never forgive him!"

Yoshii: "Seven days ago, on December 10th, the body of a popular actor of the Senba-za troupe, Tachibanaya Otojirou, was discovered at his home." Yoshii: "Beside him, lay a "living doll," its mouth stained with blood. A doll known as "Kinginka." Recently, Otojirou has visited the doll museum "Kugutsukan" nearly every day to view the doll Kinginka on display. There are many witnesses to his visits. According to rumors, this Kinginka, bound by Otojirou's love for her, gained a living spirit, and, in the dead of night, when the lights of Asakusa sleep, she roams the city." Yoshii: "The world today overflows with the irrational and the absurd. Here, a deep attachment was formed between a human and a doll, and this eerie lover's suicide has captured the public eye." Yoshii: "Kiku-san!" Yoshii: "What's wrong?" Kiku: "Please..." Kiku: "Please, help me... Yoshii-sama!" Kiku: "I'm so sorry." Kiku: "Causing you so much trouble like this..." Yoshii: "No. There's no need to worry about that. Has something happened?" Yoshii: "It seems lately you haven't been coming here to work." Kiku: "Actually, it's about that incident..." Yoshii: ""The Man-eating Doll, Kinginka"?" Yoshii: "Honestly. The rumors of the masses are ridiculous, don't you think? Saying a doll killed a real, live human..." Yoshii: "Besides, the culprit already turned himself in, hasn't he? If I recall, he was a younger member of the same troupe as the murdered actor, Otojiro—" Kiku: "No!" Yoshii: "Senjaku-sama would never kill anyone!" Yoshii: "K-Kiku-san?" Kiku: "The one who killed Otojirou-san was Kinginka." Kiku: "Senjaku-sama would never..." Yoshii: "Could it be... the actor they arrested..." Kiku: "My... My beloved... Yuuki Senjaku-sama." Kiku: "Please! Please prove that Senjaku-sama is innocent!" Yoshii: "What? But..." Kiku: "It was Kinginka who killed Otojirou-san. After all, the doll is still missing from Kugutsukan, walking the streets." Kiku: "So, if we can catch Kinginka, then..." Kiku: "It's the only way to save Senjaku-sama..." Yoshii: "I see. Then, I shall—" Takuboku: "I guess I'll help you!" Yoshii: "Ishikawa-kun! What are you..." Takuboku: "Well, the thing is, I'm a little short on cash... I thought I could earn myself a little spending money." Takuboku: "I'm a poet, Ishikawa Takuboku." Takuboku: "You've waited on us here quite a few times." Kiku: "Yes." Takuboku: "To be frank with you, I'm running a detective's agency, and I've managed to solve quite a few difficult cases." Kiku: "My!" Takuboku: "So, I'm more than willing to lend my talents here, but not for free." Kiku: "Then, how much would I need to pay for you to..." Yoshii: "Stop right there, Ishikawa-kun. You cut in on this business, and you intend to take payment, too?" Takuboku: "I do apologize. To think you'd help pay, too, Yoshii-kun. Since Kyousuke-san cut ties with me, he won't lend me even a tiny bit. It's quite a problem. Still, you're quite the schemer, aren't you?" Yoshii: "What do you mean?" Takuboku: "It's obvious that Kinginka's "walking" must be someone playing tricks. A doll couldn't possibly have killed Otojirou. If the person behind Kinginka's "walking" is exposed and it's shown to be simply a trick, then she won't be able to deny the fact that her beloved is the killer anymore. And if you gently approach Kiku-san in her sorrow..." Yoshii: "I'll pay double." Takuboku: "What?" Yoshii: "If everything works out, I'll pay double!" Takuboku: "Fortunately, there don't seem to be any police or curious onlookers." Yoshii: "W-Wait just a moment. Are we really going in there?" Takuboku: "Well, you want to reveal who's behind Kinginka, don't you?" Takuboku: "So, this is where Otojirou and Kinginka were found collapsed..." Yoshii: "Honestly. This place is creepy." Takuboku: "Now that I think about it, they haven't found the murder weapon, have they?" Yoshii: "That's right. They say Senjaku testified that he threw it in the Sumida River." Takuboku: "Well, well... It seems Otojirou had quite the obsession with dolls. "He fell in love with Kinginka."" Takbuoku: "This makes that seem possible." Yoshii: "We're done here! Now, let's move on." Takuboku: "Oh, are you scared?" Yoshii: "They're just dolls." Takuboku: "This is quite the elaborate design." Yoshii: "I suppose it would be all right to be a little frightened of this." Tokuboku: "Once they've gone this far with it, you just have to laugh, don't you?" Yoshii: "Come on. Let's go." Man 1: "She tore out a man's throat, and they put her back on display just as she was..." Man 2: "That's horrific!" Takuboku: "It seems our main objective is next." Takuboku: "Oh? Are you all right?" Yoshii: "Of course. I'm fine." Takuboku: "So, what I saw really was..." Man A: "This person's fainted." Man B: "Carry them out!" Takuboku: "Dear, dear. It seems we had someone quite sensitive here." Manager: "Now, children, ladies, those weak of heart, please stand back! Every evening, every night, she walks, haunting men and tearing at their throats! Behold, the terrifying Kinginka!" Takuboku: "He seems to be the manager here..." Takuboku: "That was worth seeing, don't you think?" Yoshii: "In the end, it was all just tricks for children." Yoshii: "Now, let's get to work." Yoshii: "You seem to be doing very well. Other doll exhibits are going dark, but business is thriving here." Doorman: "You could say that. It's all thanks to that man-eating doll." Yoshii: "With business so profitable, the manager must have increased salaries, right?" Doorman: "The opposite. He's only working on his own appeal." Yoshii: "By which you mean?" Doorman: "I'd noticed he got rid of his beard, and every night he chases us all out." Doorman: "He lives here, you see. Lately, at night, he makes sure that everyone who works here leaves. He's gotta be bringing a woman in." Yoshii: "I see." Yoshii: "Too bad. Seems there was no need for you in this, Ishikawa-kun." Takuboku: "By which you mean?" Yoshii: "The one behind the "walking Kinginka" is... the manager of the Kugutsukan!" Takuboku: "Really? Why do you say that?" Yoshii: "You still haven't figured it out? Who was it that turned this uproar into a profit?" Takuboku: "That would be... the manager of the Kugutsukan!" Yoshii: "Exactly. The Kugutsukan is failing, so to bring more customers in, that man becomes Kinginka and wanders the streets." Takuboku: "It's true, he has a motive, but deciding he's the one behind everything just because of that seems..." Yoshii: "Did you notice the manager has a scar on his chin?" Takuboku: "Now that you mention it, he might have..." Yoshii: "It's likely that he was in a hurry to shave off his beard so he could pretend to be Kinginka." Takuboku: "I see..." Yoshii: "If we can catch him coming out of the Kugutsukan dressed as Kinginka tonight, then..." Takuboku: "Well, seems I underestimated you!" Yoshii: "I'm sure it will be simple, but if you help me catch him, I might be inclined to give you a little something." mura: "What's going on? You seem to be in a very good mood." Takuboku: "The thing is, Yoshii-kun might be able to win the heart of the girl he likes!" mura: "The girl he likes? You don't mean..." Sakutarou: "You don't mean... Kiku-san?" Takuboku: "That's exactly what I mean." Yoshii: "Kiku-san... wait for me. Just a little longer!" Hirai: "A lover's suicide between a human and a doll... It's quite a fascinating subject, isn't it? Inhuman love. It is a type of love that exists in this world." Takuboku: "Do you have a moment? I feel bad because it's cold outside, but I was wondering if you'd run an errand for me." Hirai: "An errand?" Takuboku: "It might even help with your story." Hirai: "Excuse me! Is Yokoyama Kiku-san here?" Middle-Aged Woman: "Kiku-san." Kiku: "Yes?" Middle-Aged Woman: "A Hirai Tarou-san gave this to me just now..." Middle-Aged Woman: "He said he was on an errand for someone named Ishikawa-sensei? What's going on? And at this hour of the night..." Middle-Aged Woman: "I'd rather not have any trouble." Kiku: ""Three A.M. Come to the Kugutsukan." Kiku: "I will tell you who killed Otojirou. Ishikawa Takuboku."" Yoshii: "It looks like the manager has already left." Takuboku: "What should we do?" Yoshii: "It's not a problem. When he comes back dressed as Kinginka, we can catch him then." Takuboku: "I see. But, can't we wait inside? It feels like it might snow." Yoshii: "Just as I thought." Yoshii: "Ishikawa-kun. I found makeup and fake blood. The manager really is dressing as Kinginka and—" Yoshii: "What are you doing?" Takuboku: "It's just this puppet is so handsome. See? He looks a little like me, doesn't he?" Yoshii: "Honestly, you... If you're only going to fool around, I don't need your help." Yoshii: "He's back." Takuboku: "What is it?" Yoshii: "There was a person's shadow at the window." Yoshii: "That's strange." Takuboku: "Maybe, after Otojirou, Kinginka is after our blood..." Yoshii: "Stop being creepy! Besides, it was Senjaku who killed Otojirou. Not Kinginka." Takuboku: "You still think that?" Yoshii: "What?" Yoshii: "What do you mean?" Takuboku: "The root cause of all of this was the murdered Otojirou's sexual disposition." Takuboku: "A deviant lover of dolls." Takuboku: "A fetish for artificially created human bodies. He had a particular fondness for Kinginka. Even going to the Kugutsukan daily couldn't satisfy him. He began arranging trysts with her at his home. Otojirou probably ordered Senjaku to bring Kinginka to his house every night, and paid the manager some sum of money." Takuboku: "The truth is, I once saw Kinginka like that." Yoshii: "Then, that means that Senjaku was at the scene of the murder, doesn't it?" Takuboku: "And his motive? What motive did Senjaku have to kill Otojirou?" Yoshii: "Who cares? I mean, Senjaku's confessed!" Takuboku: "Exactly. Senjaku has confessed to a murder he did not commit. Why would he do that? It's only natural to think he's covering for the real killer. There's only one person Senjaku would go so far to protect." Yoshii: "You can't mean..." Takuboku: "Exactly. The one who killed Otojirou was..." Takuboku: "Yokoyama Kiku-san." Yoshii: "Wait... What are you saying? You were talking about motives. Kiku-san doesn't have one either, does she?" Takuboku: "Kiku-san's..." Takbuoku: "Her left eye..." Takuboku: "it's a false eye, isn't it?" Yoshii: "And... what of it?" Takuboku: "For Otojirou, who had an abnormal fixation on man-made bodies," Takbuoku: "don't you think Kiku-san, with her glass eye, would be the perfect woman?" Takuboku: "That night, amid the heavy snow... Otojirou asked Senjaku to bring Kinginka as he always did, and, off-setting the timing, called Kiku-san to him..." Takuboku: "And that is how the events of this case unfolded." Yoshii: "That can't be..." Yoshii: "Kiku-san would never... It's all just guesswork on your part!" Takuboku: "What Kiku-san wants is to be in this world with Senjaku. In order to prove Senjaku's innocence without the true killer— herself—being caught, no matter the cost, it was absolutely necessary!" Takuboku: "Someone had to be sacrificed." Yoshii: "K-Kiku-san..." Takuboku: "I believe that's... the weapon that killed Otojirou. Correct? If she killed us here, she could frame the manager, who had dressed as Kinginka to wander the streets, for everything. I'm sure that's what you must have thought, but instead, you only ended up proving your own guilt." Yoshii: "Kiku-san..." Takuboku: "Just as Yoshii-kun said, this is all just the results of my guesswork." Takuboku: "There is no evidence of your crime." Yoshii: "It's all right. Once you've atoned for your crime, you'll be able to start over. I will wait for you, no matter how long—" Takuboku: "Look out!" Kiku: "That's right." Kiku: "As long as I keep you two from talking..." Kiku: "I... just want to be with Senjaku-sama... the two of us..." Kiku: "We can have a life together..." Takuboku: "Do something!" Yoshii: "What?!" Takuboku: "She's your client, right? Do something!" Yoshii: "I'm the client here!" Takuboku: "No! I don't want to die!" Yoshii: "Neither do I! Besides, you're always—" Kyousuke: "This is the police! Who's there?" Takuboku: "And you even had it right all the way to the part about the manager dressing as Kinginka..." Takuboku: "It's too bad, Yoshii-kun. Things didn't go the way you'd hoped." Yoshii: "Kiku-san isn't the only woman out there." Takuboku: "Oh! That's the spirit! In that case, should I take you to the foot of the Twelve-stories with me sometime?" Yoshii: "Yes, I'd like that. Now that I think about it, who do you think called out, "This is the police"?" Takuboku: "You wouldn't have asked someone for that, would you?" Takuboku: "Indeed. Honestly. What took him so long?" Hirai: "Why are you hiding here?" Hirai: "Are you all right?" Kyousuke: "W-Well, there's a lot that goes on, you see, between adults... What about you? Why are you here?" Hirai: "I took a look at the letter Ishikawa-sensei entrusted me with. Then I couldn't contain my curiosity, and ended up coming to see. Oh, that was fun!" Hirai: "It was worth enduring my sleepiness and the cold!" Bokusui: ""The mountains have died..." Bokusui: "The sea, too, dies, and there is no sound. When I was young, all the world was love."" Sakutarou: "What did he write?" mura: "That it's hard to cut off his feelings for Kiku-san." Sakutaoru: "If he knew what happened, it would make him even more depressed, wouldn't it?" mura: "Well, we are talking about him. Somewhere on his journey, under a distant sky, he'll find a new love." Yoshii: "To Ishikawa-kun, I hear that even after Senjaku was released, he insisted that he was the one who killed Otojirou. The bond between him and Kiku-san must be far stronger than I could ever imagine." Yoshii: "Which means that there never was any room for me to try to get between them." Yoshii: ""In misery... even the phrase 'it's you' unable to be whispered the world grieves at the end of love."" Takuboku: ""P.S. In the language of flowers, the honeysuckle, also known as kinginka, is 'bonds of love.' A devoted love." "Somehow feeling the desire to try to write something I reach for a pen Flowers in a vase A fresh, new morning."" Sakutarou: "I think I'll follow in Wakayama-kun's footsteps and go on a trip." mura: "Oh, Shikoku might be nice." Sakutarou: "But someone's gone ahead of me."

Reporter: "I'm from the Asahi Shimbun's local news section. My name is Adachi." Kanemura: "Good to meet you." Kanemura: "I'm Kanemura, the president of the company." Kanemura: "Please, have a seat. The employees have all gone out for lunch, so I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of hospitality..." Reporter: "Please, don't trouble yourself." Reporter: "Would it be all right if I..." Kanemura: "Of course." Reporter: "Well, to get straight to the point, if I could ask your opinion on the issue of the treatment of workers. Recently, incidents involving certain higher-ups at large companies have been triggers to expose supposed wrongdoing at those companies, and these incidents continue to occur..." Kanemura: "I can only call it outrageous. Companies only exist to make the world a better place. To say they're committing crimes is... Mistaking the result for the cause is just as terrible." Reporter: "Quite the inspiring answer! If all companies were run by people who thought this way crimes like this would never happen." Reporter: "Excuse me. Might I borrow your restroom?" Employee A: "Hello. Editorial department." Employee A: "Yes. I see..." Employee A: "Then send it our way." Employee B: "This printing technique is amazing." Satou: "Yes. It's almost frightening." Takuboku: "What is that?" Satou: "A print from the Uchida print shop." Satou: "Well-made, isn't it?" Takuboku: "That's very impressive." Employee A: "Adachi? From our local news department?" Kanemura: "That's right. He's a completely disrespectful man. He got up to use the restroom and left, just like that." Employee A: "But... our local news department doesn't have anyone named Adachi..." Man B: "President! President!" Man B: "It's gone! The bag with the wages in it..." Kanemaru: "What did you say?" Yoshii: "It was over much too quickly." mura: "Just goes to show, the sun sees everything." Akutagawa: "Ill-gotten gains never remain long." mura: "He was here?" Sakutarou: "But where do you think it went? The 5,000 yen..." Yoshii: "With 5,000 yen, you could live comfortably your whole life." Kyousuke: "There are those... who manage to play around their whole lives even without money." mura: "You two still haven't made up?" Kyousuke: "I see no reason to do so." Takuboku: "Hello, everyone!" Akutagawa: "Speak rumors of someone, and from the shadows..." Takuboku: "Oh! Kyousuke-san's here, too." Yoshii: "They managed to catch him. The gentleman thief." Takuboku: "What? They caught him?" mura: "Oh, come on. He said he was from your paper's local news section." Takuboku: "True, but... my health has been poor, so... I didn't go to work yesterday or today." Yoshii: "Are you sure you should be here, then?" Takuboku: "Yes. After all, milk is very nutritious." Takuboku: "Yae-chan, one more milk." Takuboku: "It's impressive the police managed to catch him." Sakutarou: "Yes." Sakutarou: "They found something at the scene where the money was stolen. A very unusual brand of cigarette called "Figaro."" Detective: "Figaro, Figaro..." mura: "Seems a very persistent detective went all over Tokyo looking for a shop that sold those cigarettes." Detective: "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro..." Detective: "Do you have a moment? I'm looking for a tobacconists called "Marumi-ya."" Older Woman: "Oh. Look." Older Woman: "You can see it right there." Detective: "Ah." Detective: "Thank you." mura: "In the base of the brazier they found in the room where the man was staying," mura: "they discovered clothes, a false mustache, and other things he'd used for the crime." Takuboku: "And so, he was arrested." mura: "Tracing cigarettes from Egypt to discover the criminal... Pretty classy move." Takuboku: "It was." Yoshii: "Even so, the culprit is still stubbornly refusing to say anything about the stolen 5,000 yen." mura: "The police are saying there's nothing they can do, so the president of the company is offering a reward of 500 yen." Takuboku: "500 yen?! That's a lot of money!" Yoshii: "Well, if it gets the 5,000 yen returned, it's a small price to pay." Takuboku: "Forget 5,000 yen, if I only had 500 yen... I could just about pay back the money I owe all of you." Takuboku: "Still, I'd like to try one of those "Figaro" things just once. I wonder where the gentleman thief bought them." Sakutarou: "If I'm not mistaken... they said it was at a shop called Marumi-ya in the Hongo Kikuzaka-cho area." Takuboku: "Really? That shop's close to where we live. Let's stop by on the way home. What do you think, Kyousuke-san?" Kyousuke: "You're trying to make me buy you things again, aren't you?" Takuboku: "There's no need to put it that way. Though, the truth is, I don't have any money." Takuboku: "I'm in your debt! Once I get paid—" Kyousuke: "I'm giving that to you. There's no need to repay it." mura: "Why don't you two just make up already?" Takuboku: "Yeah. I'm not bothered by it anymore, but..." Sakutarou: "Kindaichi-san is still troubled by what happened with Oen-san?" Takuboku: "That was an issue between me and Oen." Takuboku: "No." Takuboku: "Once everyone agreed, it wasn't even an "issue" anymore." Takuboku: "So why is Kyousuke-san so angry? It doesn't make any sense." Akutagawa: "Stricken by the same illness..." Akutagawa: "they pity each other." mura: "He was here?" Yoshii: "What are you talking about illnesses and pity for?" Akutagawa: "I believe that Kindaichi-san is unwittingly projecting his own feelings." Takuboku: "Oh! Is something wrong?" Kyousuke: "I just... wanted to ask you something." Takuboku: "What could it be? If it's something I can answer, you can ask me anything." Kyousuke: "Are you all right?" Takuboku: "Yes. It's just a cold. So..." Kyousuke: "Where did you get that two-sen copper coin?" Takuboku: "Two-sen copper coin?" Kyousuke: "You left it on my writing desk, didn't you?" Takuboku: "Oh!" Takuboku: "It was change from buying these." Kyousuke: "Y-You bought that from Marumi-ya, right?" Takuboku: "Yes, I did... Why do you ask?" Kyousuke: "Well... No real reason..." Kyousuke: "When you bought the cigarettes, were there any other customers?" Takuboku: "I don't think there were, but... Oh, right! There wouldn't have been." Takuboku: "The old woman was napping." Kyousuke: "At that tobacconists, aside from the old woman, I wonder what kind of people work there." Takuboku: "What exactly are we talking about here?" Kyousuke: "I have a bit of a situation... Oh, right! Isn't there a young lady at the counter sometimes?" Takuboku: "Oh! That's their only daughter. She's not bad-looking, but about six months ago, she married into the family that runs the procurement shop." Kyousuke: "The procurement shop?" Takuboku: "It's basically a dry goods store," Takbuoku: "but they procure items for those arrested and waiting for trial and those convicted and imprisoned." Takuboku: "Apparently, they make quite a lot of money, so with the bride's allowance, that tobacconist is probably doing pretty well." Kyousuke: "Prison... Procurement shop... Allowance..." Kyousuke: "Thank you!" Kyousuke: "Hirai-kun! Are you there?" Hirai: "Yes." Hirai: "What's going on? It's late." Kyousuke: "I was hoping to borrow your intelligence." Kyousuke: "Would you mind closing the door?" Hirai: "Of course." Takuboku: "Who's there?!" Kyousuke: "It's me." Kyousuke: "Kindaichi." Takuboku: "Wh-What are you doing?" Takuboku: "I-Is that..." Kyousuke: "There's exactly 5,000 yen." Takbuoku: "Five thousand?!" Takuboku: "Could it be..." Takuboku: "the gentleman thief's?" Kyousuke: "I think I understand how you feel a little better." Kyousuke: "The glow of victory... I just can't get enough." Takuboku: "Oh! Is something wrong?" Kyousuke: "I just... wanted to ask you something." Takuboku: "What could it be? If it's something I can answer, you can ask me anything." Kyousuke: "But really, at the beginning, I just thought that maybe a coin meant for magic tricks must have gotten mixed in somehow. But once you told me that the daughter had married into the procurement shop, suddenly the whole thing seemed very intriguing." Takuboku: "I'm sorry, but I really don't understand what you're talking about. Could you tell me what happened, in order?" Kyousuke: "Oh, how rude of me. I wondered if the gentleman thief might be using this two-sen copper coin to communicate with someone from inside his prison cell." Kyousuke: "Just for argument's sake... If, because of his sudden arrest, he had been unable to tell his partner where the 5,000 yen was hidden... What would he do? With the gentleman thief in a cell, if he wanted to communicate with the outside," Kyousuke: "the procurement shop would be the perfect way. If that were the case, and some error had occurred in their method of correspondence, then this two-sen copper coin could have, through the bride's allowance, been sent to the tobacconist's shop, just by chance. It isn't impossible." Takuboku: "Quite the convenient deductions. No. Not even deductions. More like imaginings." Kyousuke: "You're free to say what you like, but the reality you can see here." Kyousuke: "Now, then... Still, I knew I wouldn't be able to solve the code, so..." Takuboku: "You turned to Hirai for help." Kyousuke: "Yes." Hirai: "I see. Kindaichi-sensei, you think that this is a code that leads to the 5,000 yen, correct?" Kyousuke: "Yes. I know it seems absurd, but..." Hirai: "Not at all! I would never think that." Hirai: "First, about this... I have heard of prisoners using small saws to break out. If something like a saw were used to carve out two copper coins to make a vessel, it and its contents could easily pass though the bars of even the strongest of prisons." Kyousuke: "I-I see! Then... this coded message I found inside the two-sen copper coin..." Hirai: "It's a very simple code, don't you think? If it were me, I'd have used a more complicated code." Kyousuke: "What? You don't mean... You've already solved it?" Hirai: "Yes." Hirai: "This paper was found in a hollow two-sen copper coin." Hirai: "So... if you read it by skipping two characters..." Hirai: "Shinyuu-do." Hirai: "Prop paper money." Hirai: "Go retrieve." Hirai: "Name of recipient..." Hirai: "Tagane Hajime." Kyousuke: "Prop paper money?" Kyousuke: "Does this seem like a prank?" Hirai: "No! The gentleman thief must have considered worst case scenarios and prepared the safest place he could think of!" Hirai: "This Shinyuu-do... It must be a shop that theaters use to make their props. The gentleman thief must have used the name "Tagane Hajime" to place an order for play money there in advance." Kyousuke: "But why would he do that?" Hirai: "It must be that he secretly carried the real money he stole there and switched it out with the play money he'd ordered. That way, until the person who ordered it arrived, the 5,000 yen, the money of the land, would be treated as simply a prop and left there in storage." Kyousuke: "Which is why I'm dressed as the one who made the order and am going to retrieve it." Kyousuke: "And so... I went out early this morning and managed to lay hold of the 5,000 yen, just like that. Hirai-kun said it was great material for his story, and holed himself up in his room, writing." Takuboku: "Well done! Wonderful!" Kyousuke: "Not really. After all, it was Hirai-kun who broke the code." Takuboku: "Even so, your powers of observation, noticing something odd about the two-sen copper coin, and your imagination, using that to discover the hiding place of the 5,000 yen." Takuboku: "If not for those... this mystery would never have been solved!" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san." Takuboku: "Won't you forgive me?" Takuboku: "A lot has happened, but..." Takuboku: "Losing a good friend, one as gifted as you... I just can't bear it." Kyousuke: "D-Don't say that!" Kyousuke: "I've been being stubborn, too..." Kyouosuke: "I feel the same." Takuboku: "So, what do you plan to do with this 5,000 yen?" Kyousuke: "I'll take it to the police and claim the 500 yen reward." Takuboku: "You can't do that." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "The gentleman thief laid his life on the line to protect this money. If he learned it was taken, he's sure to come for revenge." Kyousuke: "What? He wouldn't..." Takuboku: "Besides which, with that level of disguise, if the gentleman thief's accomplices ask around Shinyuu-do, it's possible they'll realize the one who snatched the money was you, Kyousuke-san..." Kyousuke: "I didn't "snatch" anything..." Takuboku: "You don't need to convince me. I'm saying that's what the gentleman thief will be thinking." Kyousuke: "What do I do?" Takuboku: "Still, it is 5,000 yen here... Killing one or two people over it..." Kyousuke: "I-Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san, you may have meant it a just a little trick, but... money makes people do crazy things." Kyousuke: "Huh? Th-That's me! Why?" Kyousuke: "Huh?" Takuboku: "So sorry! They're pretty well-made, aren't they?" Kyousuke: "These are... What's going on?" Takuboku: "The name of the recipient was "Tagane Hajime," right? If you write that in kanji..." Takuboku: "and switch the first two characters around..." Kyousuke: "Kindaichi..." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san, you were being so stubborn... I just wanted to play a little trick on you." Takuboku: "I'm so glad you had fun!" Kyousuke: "Then... what happened to the gentleman thief's 5,000 yen?" Takuboku: "How would I know that?" Takuboku: ""Without realizing... I was lying about my feelings back then, I couldn't even grow a beard."" Takuboku: "Well, then. Now we've managed to make up, want to head to the milk hall?" Takuboku: "What's this? Looks like the bat-man has been killed." Kyousuke: "Bat-man? You mean that illusionist, Kagami or something?" Takuboku: "He seems to have fallen while flying, but... It says they found a letter of complaint against his employer, Sonobe, in Kagami's room..." Kyousuke: "Sonobe, isn't that... the man with that huge entertainment business that's been doing so well lately?" Kyousuke: "There were a lot of bad rumors going around about him..." Takuboku: "Now, Sonobe's evil deeds will be revealed one after another, and everyone will go crazy about it..." Kyousuke: "What do you mean?" Takuboku: "The homicide which revealed the Arakawa mine pollution issue... The murder of a young woman which revealed the bribery scandal with Uchimoto steamships... And this time, too... Something keeps nagging at me." Kyousuke: "What keeps nagging at you?" Takuboku: "In each of these cases, there was an accusatory letter. It's almost as if exposing these problems is the purpose of these incidents." Kyousuke: "But the murderer in the Arakawa mines case hasn't been caught yet, right?" Kyousuke: "You can't lump it in with the other cases..." Kyousuke: "You can't mean... the culprit in that case is causing other cases?" Takuboku: "Yes. For now, we'll call him..." Takuboku: "Accuser X." mura: "Hey there, you two!" mura: "Once you take a prank to this level, you can only call it brilliant. Right?" Takuboku: "With the hopes that Kyousuke-san will one day be able to grow a beard!" Kyousuke: "Stop that!" Sakutarou: "How much did it cost to make these?" Takuboku: "Just about 500 yen." Sakutarou: "Five hundred yen?!" mura: "Hold on..." mura: "Wasn't the reward for finding the 5,000 yen..." Sakutarou: "Five hundred yen..." Takuboku: "Yae-chan! Another milk!" Akutagawa: "With this, we are truly..." mura: "He was here?" Akutagawa: "...in a grove." Plant Shop Clerk: "Thanks for your business!" Kyousuke: "What did you buy?" Takuboku: "It's a wild pansy. Beautiful, isn't it? Oh, right. Would you mind?" Takuboku: "A letter arrived from Oen." Takuboku: "It seems Oen's husband is an exceedingly good man. He's taken over Oen's parents' debts for them." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun..." Kyousuke: "Could it be that you..." Takuboku: "If things were going to turn out this way maybe I should have asked for a slightly higher price." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun. I won't fall for that again." Sakutarou: "Ishikawa-kun seems quite ill, doesn't he? Do you think he's all right?"

Kyousuke: "The doctor is here." Kyousuke: "You seem quite engrossed in reading that." Takuboku: "Dostoevsky's return from his death sentence is depicted here... I wanted to reread that part." Kyousuke: "Would it be all right if I invited the doctor in?" Takuboku: "Yes." Kyousuke: "Please, come in." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san, could you step outside?" Doctor: "Well then, take care. I told him this, as well, but please make sure he rests as much as possible." Kyousuke: "I will. I'll bring your payment soon." Kyousuke: "And..." Kyousuke: "Thank you." Kyousuke: "The rain doesn't seem to be stopping." Kyousuke: "What did the doctor say?" Takuboku: "That I seem to be doing much better." Kyousuke: "I see. You're not cold?" Takuboku: "No." Kyousuke: "Maybe I'll try reading that, too." Takuboku: "I heard Natsume-sensei collapsed at an inn in Shuzenji where he'd gone to recuperate." Takuboku: "And here I am in this run-down place..." Kayo: "Sorry it's so run-down." Kyousuke: "Oh. Today was Sunday, wasn't it? You're already back from helping with the church's soup kitchen?" Kayo: "Yes." Kayo: "The doctor's fees must be ridiculous. I can't say it's because of that, exactly, but I've brought you some investigative work." Kayo: "Come in!" Tamaki: "Pardon the intrusion." Kayo: "This is my friend." Kyousuke: "Friend?" Kayo: "A threatening letter arrived at my friend's house." Kyousuke: "A threatening letter?" Takuboku: "We're not interested. Please look elsewhere." Kyousuke: "I'm sorry. He's not feeling well right now..." Kayo: "It's not like he has to go jumping around. If he'd just listen to—" Takuboku: "I said we're not interested. If you'd please leave." Kayo: "You really are pathetic, looking like you're carrying all the sorrows of the world alone." Takuboku: "Kayo-san. It's important to consider your words based on timing and circumstances." Kayo: "Huh? Failing to consider timing and circumstances is your specialty, isn't it, Ishikawa-san?" Kyousuke: "Kayo-chan, that's just cruel..." Kayo: "But... considering he's the one saying it..." Kyousuke: "Where are you going?" Takuboku: "Bathroom." Kyousuke: "Aren't you being too mean? The day before yesterday, he coughed up blood and collapsed right in front of me!" Kyousuke: "Is that... for Ishikawa-kun?" Kayo: "Is something wrong with that?" Kyousuke: "No. I didn't mean it that way..." Kayo: "I... When I was young I was sick, too." Kayo: "That's why..." Tamaki: "Ishikawa-sensei left." Kyousuke: "Huh? Yes... He said he was going to the bathroom." Tamaki: "No. Just now, he went outside." Kyousuke: "What?" Kyousuke: "You're sure it was Ishikawa-kun?" Tamaki: "Yes. And he wasn't carrying an umbrella." Kayo: "I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help." Tamaki: "Not at all." Yoshii: "Looks like that entertainment producer the police arrested, Sonobe, has been released." Sakutarou: "Sonobe?" Yoshii: "Remember? There was that "bat-man" everyone loved, an acrobat named Kagami, who fell to his death." Sakutarou: "Right... I can't believe that bat-man would..." mura: "Did you see him in person?" Sakutarou: "Yes. Just once at the Twelve-stories." Sakutarou: "It was quite impressive. To think he fell because his rope broke. I did think it was strange, but..." Akutagawa: "Even monkeys fall from trees." Sakutarou: "Isn't that idiom a little inconsiderate?" Akutagawa: "Masters of mountains die in the mountains." mura: "But they say they found a note accusing Sonobe of things in Kagami's room, right? Why was he acquitted?" Yoshii: "It says there wasn't enough evidence. This Sonobe seems to have a lot of influence in political circles." Kyousuke: "Have any of you seen Ishikawa-kun?" mura: "What's wrong?" Kyousuke: "He went out. And he didn't have an umbrella... and..." mura: "Just calm down a little." Kyousuke: "The doctor said to make sure he rested as much as possible, but... he's gone..." Yoshii: "Probably just doing it for attention again and intends to act innocent later." Kyousuke: "No. He didn't seem like that at all..." mura: "You're always letting him trick you like that." Kyousuke: "He told me not to say anything about this, but..." Kyousuke: "The truth is, Ishikawa-kun..." Kyousuke: "coughed up blood and collapsed." Tamaki: "Are you jumping in? I hear death by drowning is quite excruciating," Tamaki: "but from here, I'm sure your death would be certain." Takuboku: "I'm not going back." Takuboku: "What's so funny?" Tamaki: "You're just as Kayo-san said you were." Tamaki: "You're quite spoiled, aren't you?" Takuboku: "What did you say?" Tamaki: "After all, I was simply passing on my way home, but you thought I was here to fetch you, didn't you?" Tamaki: "Still, this must be some kind of fate. I hear you've solved quite a few difficult cases." Tamaki: "Won't you accept my request? I'll pay however much you want." Takuboku: "Even the act of living seems pointless. Why would I care about other people's problems?" Tamaki: "Everything that is born dies... whether humans, or puppies, or flowers by the roadside... No matter what you do, no matter what you leave behind, it all returns to nothingness." Tamaki: "There is no meaning to the act of living. But if this body, which has no meaning in simply living, can be of use to someone, doesn't that create a reason for having been born?" Tamaki: "Please, come to my house. I'll make you some nice warm cocoa." Kyousuke: "He says it's just light inflammation of the abdominal membranes, but..." Kyousuke: "I don't know if that's true or not." mura: "Stop worrying! He wouldn't die even if you killed him!" Yoshii: "He's just pretending to be weak as an excuse to borrow more money." Kyousuke: "That's what I thought at first, too, but... last night, I found this poem. "If a young man who laughs often were to die, would the world feel even a little saddened..."" Sakutarou: "Even the poems he writes to pay his debts are such wonderful poems. It's one of the amazing things about Ishikawa-san, isn't it?" Akutagawa: "Wonderful poems born of lies." Kyousuke: "It's not like that!" Kyousuke: "He's... At his heart, he's... very straightforward, and... if it seems like he lies sometimes, it's because his brain works too quickly!" Yoshii: "True. He might be serious this time." Kyousuke: "What?" Sakutarou: "I'm sure... it's already too late..." Kyousuke: "It can't be..." mura: "Namandabu, namandabu..." Akutagawa: "Nothing more can be done." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun!" Takuboku: "You live in quite the impressive house." Tamaki: "It's a house built through many evil deeds." Takuboku: "Is your dad a bandit or something?" Tamaki: "My dad?" Tamaki: "If you'll wait a moment, I'll bring you a change of clothes." Takuboku: ""To Sonobe, who killed my older brother, and to you, who cared for him and just watched him die, I swear my revenge."" Tamaki: "That is the matter I wanted to bring to you." Tamaki: "Here. I believe they'll be the right size." Tamaki: "I'll go change and return." Takuboku: "In other places it's called "adolescence," the awkward age." Tamaki: "In that case, I'll change here, as well." Tamaki: "Apologies for the late introduction." Tamaki: "I'm Sonobe's wife, Tamaki." Ringleader: "Now, gather 'round! The power of flight, so rare in this world. People call him the bat-man, Kagami!" Spectator: "He really is a bat-man!" Sonobe: "Here's your share." Sonobe: "What is it?" Kagami: "I want you to leave Tamaki-san." Sonobe: "What did you say?" Kagami: "I know everything. You're using the church as a front to sell children." Kagami: "I'm planning to lodge a complaint against him." Crowd: "I've heard he really flies! Won't they hurry up?" Crowd: "I've only heard of him." Crowd: "Oh! It's the bat-man! Oh! Over there! Where? Where?" Tamaki: "Kagami-san..." Ooyama: "Why don't you just confess?! You learned Kagami was going to publicly accuse you, and tampered with his lifeline. Isn't that right?!" Sahara: "Ooyama-san, a moment." Ooyama: "What is it?" Sahara: "The superintendent's asking for you." Ooyama: "The superintendent?" Sonobe: "What is the meaning of this?" Tamaki: "Has something happened?" Sonobe: "To think Kagami had a younger brother..." Sonobe: "As I suspected, you and Kagami were..." Tamaki: "That silly man. He's afraid for the world to learn I was unfaithful to him." Tamaki: "That's why he can't take that letter to the police." Tamaki: "He says it has to do with a man's pride or something." Takuboku: "And... what do you think?" Tamaki: "About what?" Takuboku: "About this threatening letter." Tamaki: "Kagami-san lost his parents at a young age. He and his brother were very close." Tamaki: "So, I believe he is serious." Takuboku: "But, why bring it to me?" Tamaki: "On the weekends, I go to help at the church soup kitchen." Tamaki: "While there, I asked Kayo-san for advice, and..." Kayo: "We've got the perfect person at our boarding house." Takuboku: "Honestly." Takuboku: "So, what is it you want me to do?" Tamaki: "I'd like you to find Kagami-san's brother. Kagami-san was a noble, honorable man." Tamaki: "I can't allow his little brother to commit a crime." Tamaki: "It's the only thing I can do now..." Tamaki: "It's my husband." Yoshii: "Where could he have gone?" Sakutarou: "What should we do?" Yoshii: "Even if you ask that, it doesn't..." Yoshii: "How did it go?" mura: "Someone saw someone like him at the Ookawa Bridge." Kyousuke: "What?" Sakutarou: "Anything else?" mura: "He seemed to be staring at the water with a troubled expression." Yoshii: "That's certainly unpleasant news." Akutagawa: "Even kappa are swept away by rivers." Sakutarou: "Akutagawa-kun, this is no time for jokes." Kyousuke: "Now it's come to this, we should go to the police..." Takuboku: "Two cocoas, please!" Takuboku: "We didn't get to have any earlier, after all. What's this?" Takuboku: "You all look like drowned rats. What have you been doing?" Kyousuke: "A-And you! After leaving like that. What is going on?" Takuboku: "Going on? Just because I was a little ill, you want me to lie around forever?" Kyousuke: "Wait..." Kyousuke: "Aren't you Kayo-chan's..." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun. Please, explain! What on earth..." Takuboku: "It hardly requires explanation..." Takuboku: "In short, it's a case, Kindaichi-kun!" Takuboku: "So the house where Kagami lived with his brother is this way?" Tamaki: "Yes, but... it seems no one's lived there since the accident." Takuboku: "After the incident, you went there alone, Tamaki-san?" Tamaki: "Yes. I thought that if we had a chance to talk, he'd understand." Tamaki: "Excuse me..." Older Woman: "Yes?" Tamaki: "I wanted to ask about the people who used to live here." Older Woman: "And who are you?" Takuboku: "I'm with the Asahi Shimbun." Older Woman: "A reporter?" Takuboku: "Yes. Did Kagami-san live here with his younger brother?" Older Woman: "Yes. They came here from the countryside about a month before he died." Takuboku: "After Kagami-san's death, have you seen his younger brother around?" Older Woman: "The police asked me that, too." Older Woman: "The night of the incident..." Older Woman: "he was screaming something about "I'll kill you," but..." Older Woman: "I haven't seen him since." Takuboku: "What kind of person is the younger brother?" Older Woman: "I don't really know. The elder brother was a sociable sort, but the younger brother wouldn't even answer when you greeted him." Takuboku: "Tamaki-san! What about this?" Tamaki: "It must belong to his brother." Takuboku: "Are you sure?" Tamaki: "Yes." Tamaki: "I know all of Kagami-san's clothes." Takuboku: "Wait!" Takuboku: "He got away." Takuboku: "Was that Kagami's brother?" Tamaki: "Yes... Though I didn't see him clearly." Takuboku: "Don't worry. I will catch him." Takuboku: ""The grief... and envy in a young man's eyes as he watches little birds in flight watches as they fly and sing."" Tamaki: "Is that how you attract interest from women?" Takuboku: "Huh?" Tamaki: "Ishikawa-san, I am aware that you possess great literary talent." Tamaki: "However, in the end, poetry is simply emotional." Tamaki: "Shouldn't you be using that literary talent for the good of society instead?" Kyousuke: "So, how are things going?" Takuboku: "Not good. I've got nothing. I don't even know what to try next." Kyousuke: "Do you think the threatening letter is real? Maybe he just can't accept his bother's death, so he's started looking for someone to blame?" Takuboku: "Huh?" Takuboku: "Oh. I've got nothing there, either." Kyousuke: ""There, either"?" Takuboku: "Possessing the strength to carve a path to a new era..." Takbuoku: "and still so lovely..." Takuboku: "I've never met a woman like her before." Kayo: "Ishikawa-san!" Takuboku: "Yes?" Kayo: "A telegram." Takuboku: "Thank you." Kyousuke: "Who is it from?" Takuboku: "From Tamaki-san! I'm going out for a bit!" Takuboku: "Kayo-san. The soy sauce mochi you left when I was sick was tasty. Thank you!" Kayo: "He really just does whatever he wants, doesn't he?" Kyousuke: "Yes." Takuboku: "What's wrong? What happened?" Tamaki: "This morning, this arrived..." Takuboku: ""First, I will take the life of your husband, Sonobe, right in front of you. Even now, I am watching you with narrowed eyes..." Ridiculous. This isn't a detective novel. I can't believe you of all people would take this seriously— Huh?" Takuboku: ""5:13, Sonobe returns home. 6:32, husband and wife have dinner in the dining room. The brand of cigarette Sonobe smokes after dinner is 'Kokka.' 10:32, husband and wife retire to the bedroom. Sonobe starts by removing your clothes..."" Tamaki: "It happened just like that." Tamaki: "It happened just as Kagami's brother wrote in that letter." Takuboku: "But there's no way for someone outside to know what happened in your bedroom— Could it be a maid let it slip?" Tamaki: "Come this way." Tamaki: "This is the second floor. And outside the window is the Ookawa." Tamaki: "There is no way for a maid to peer in." Takuboku: "But... if that's the case... how?" Tamaki: "The thing is, sometimes I can feel someone's presence." Hirai: "The death of the bat-man! A beauty in men's clothes! A figure hiding in the rafters! It really stirs the imagination!" Akutagawa: "Truly bizarre."

Tamaki: "How is it?" Takuboku: "The dust on the floor has been disturbed. Someone has definitely been hiding up there recently." Takuboku: "This had fallen there." Takuboku: "It must have come off of the clothes of whoever snuck in." Tamaki: "A button." Tamaki: "Could this be..." Takuboku: "Yes. It's very likely the button from the shirt we found in Kagami's house." Tamaki: "And that shirt belonged to Kagami's brother, didn't it?" Takuboku: "Is that your husband?" Tamaki: "Yes. My husband, Sonobe." Children: "Yay! I'm over here!" Takuboku: "There sure are a lot of children here." Children: "Wait!" Tamaki: "This church takes in parent-less children and looks after them." Children: "Hurry up! You're too fast... This way!" Children: "Whoops! That was close." Child A: "Onee-chan! Come play with us!" Tamaki: "I'm showing a guest around. Some other time, all right?" Child B: "Do you know where Sacchan went?" Tamaki: "What?" Child A: "Sacchan disappeared..." Tamaki: "I see..." Tamaki: "Yes, I'm sure someone nice took her in." Takuboku: "What was written in the letter of accusation, that your husband is using his philanthropic work as a front to make money selling children. It's true, isn't it?" Tamaki: "Yes." Tamaki: "He went to confession." Takuboku: "Confession?" Tamaki: "That's the confessional." Tamaki: "In there, you confess the sins you've committed and receive absolution." Takuboku: "How beautiful." Tamaki: "What?" Takuboku: "No, you know... that stained glass." Tamaki: "Oh!" Takuboku: "It really is a beautiful church! Once I've published a book and received the money from it, I'd love to make a donation here." Kayo: "Before you do that, would you please pay your rent?" Takuboku: "K-Kayo-san? Why are you here?" Kayo: "I should be asking you that." Takuboku: "So the church where you help with the soup kitchen was this one, huh?" Tamaki: "I come here every week to help, too. That's how I met Kayo-san." Tamaki: "Today, I hope you'll help, too, Ishikawa-san." Takuboku: "Hot! Hot, hot, hot!" Kayo: "Come now. If you don't make them faster, you'll never catch up." Takuboku: "I'm amazed you can make them when it's this hot." Kayo: "It's only hot because you're thinking about things you don't need to." Tamaki: "When I'm making onigiri like this for people in need, for the children," Tamaki: "I find it very heartening. I mean... doesn't it make you feel like your life is being given meaning?" Tamaki: "Hot! Hot!" Takuboku: "Wah! Whoops..." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun? What's happened?" Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun?" Takuboku: "Oh! Perfect timing! Will you help me?" Kyousuke: "All right. With what?" Takbuoku: "I'm gathering these up to pawn them." Takuboku: "I don't think they'll fetch very much, but..." Kyousuke: "This Buch Der Lieder..." Kyousuke: "Is this..." Takuboku: "That's right! I was going to return it, but let me do that some other time." Kyousuke: "That's fine, but what do you need so much money for? This month's rent isn't due until later..." Takuboku: "I was thinking of making a donation to the church." mura: "A donation?!" mura: "When he can't even take care of his own living expenses?" Kyousuke: "He said he wanted to be of some small use to the world." Kyousuke: "I don't think it's a bad thing to confront society like that, but... Still..." mura: "Well, compared to when he's depressed, you could say this is a lot better." Kyousuke: "That's true, but..." Sakutarou: "It's all done for love... isn't it?" Yoshii: "And what's happened with the threatening letter sent to this Tamaki-san?" Kyousuke: "He does seem to be investigating, but I don't think there's been significant progress." mura: "Speaking of which, that "bat-man" incident seems to have been wrapped up as an accidental death." Sakutarou: "If—as the rumors suggest—Kagami was killed by that man, Sonobe... It's not a pleasant thought." Hirai: "Um, might I say something?" mura: "What is it?" Hirai: "About the unhappy Kagami..." Hirai: "I heard a very interesting story." Takuboku: ""6:30, woke... dressed and groomed. 7:15, breakfast."" Tamaki: "My actions were exactly as written." Tamaki: "It seems my life and Sonobe's are in the palm of that man's hand." Takuboku: "I want to protect you... and keep you safe." Tamaki: "Ishikawa-san..." Tamaki: "My husband is home." Tamaki: "Please leave through the back." Kyousuke: "Can I come in?" Takuboku: "Please do." Kyousuke: "How is it going with Tamaki-san?" Takuboku: "It's going all right." Kyousuke: "I see." Kyousuke: "And what about your health?" Takuboku: "I can't say it's remarkably good, but it isn't bad." Kyousuke: "Please don't push yourself too hard, all right?" Kyousuke: "What are you reading?" Kyousuke: "Kropotkin? An Appeal to the Young?" Kyousuke: "Why that all of a sudden?" Takuboku: "Up until now, I've put all my energy into poetry." Takuboku: "But poetry won't change society." Kyousuke: "That may be true, but..." Takuboku: "I want to be of use to society. That is the reason for my being born into this world." Takuboku: "I was afraid of death. More precisely, of dying and becoming nothingness. But I finally feel like I know what I need to do! The life I've lived until now, not knowing why I was alive, it's as though I were a living corpse! I will live, in the true sense of the word, together with Tamaki-san!" Kyousuke: "What is a "living corpse"?" Takuboku: "The living dead. Also called "zombies," I hear. I suppose they're like what we'd call ghosts." Kyousuke: "Speaking of which, I heard that ghosts appear in the house where Kagami lived." Takuboku: "Ghosts?" Kyousuke: "Yes. According to what Hirai-kun heard, though no one lives in the house, you can see a light flickering through the window." Takuboku: "I don't see anything." Kyousuke: "Let's just go home. There can't be a ghost—" Takuboku: "Let's try going around the back." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun! I-I'm not going!" Takuboku: "Then just wait here, please, Kyousuke-san." Kyousuke: "What?" Takuboku: "I'll go take a look around." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san! He's coming!" Kyousuke: "Huh?" Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san!" Kyousuke: "Ow, ow, ow... That was close. Someone suddenly came bursting out..." Takuboku: "I was hoping you would catch him." Kyousuke: "Like I could do something like that." Beggar: "Let go! Hey!" Beggar: "I said let me go!" Beggar: "Stop it, you little punk!" Takuboku: "So, you used us, didn't you?" Hirai: "A brilliant deduction." Hirai: "I thought he'd get away if I were by myself, so... I'm very sorry." Takuboku: "So. You have some idea of who this is, then?" Hirai: "You're the beggar who lives under the bridge, aren't you? I apologize for treating you so roughly." Hirai: "I was hoping to ask you something..." Takuboku: "Kyousuke-san. Are you carrying any money with you?" Kyousuke: "Huh?" Kyousuke: "Yes." Takuboku: "Let me borrow a little." Takuboku: "Not enough?" Takuboku: "Then..." Kyousuke: "So, after Kagami had died and the police had finished searching the house, you started living here. Right?" Beggar: "Yes!" Kyousuke: "Did anyone come here after that?" Beggar: "Just once. A man and a woman came looking for something." Takuboku: "That would have been Tamaki-san and I." Kyousuke: "Did anyone else come?" Beggar: "No. No one's come." Takuboku: "Was there a shirt in the house?" Beggar: "A shirt? Oh! I was thinking of pawning it, but it was missing a button, so..." Takuboku: "Tamaki-san..." Kyousuke: "Ishikawa-kun?" Tamaki: "Darling, just now, there was someone at the window!" Sonobe: "Don't be ridiculous." Tamaki: "But!" Sonobe: "That's enough. "There's someone hiding in the ceiling." "There's someone peering in a second story window." It's all absurd." Takuboku: "Please, open the door! Tamaki-san!" Takuboku: "It's me! Ishikawa!" Ooyama: "Hey!" Ooyama: "If I'm not mistaken, you're..." Ooyama: "Why are you here?" Takuboku: "Where is Tamaki-san?" Ooyama: "Answer the question! Why are you here?" Takuboku: "I took on detective work at Tamaki-san's request..." Takuboku: "Tamaki-san!" Tamaki: "Ishikawa-sama!" Ooyama: "We came because we heard there'd been a murder." Takuboku: "Tamaki-san! Did..." Tamaki: "He appeared... Kagami's younger brother..." Ooyama: "So, it was from here that he was dragged out and down. Your husband couldn't swim?" Tamaki: "That's right." Tamaki: "Thank you." Takuboku: "Would you like some, Inspector?" Ooyama: "What is it?" Takuboku: "Cocoa." Ooyama: "No, thank you." Ooyama: "Can I ask you for the details?" Tamaki: "Of course." Tamaki: "It was... a little after nine." Sonobe: "That's enough. "There's someone hiding in the ceiling." "There's someone peering in a second story window." It's all absurd. There is a limit to the amount of nonsense— You're—" Tamaki: "Darling!" Ooyama: "So, you saw the face of the man outside the window?" Tamaki: "Yes. I saw it clearly." Ooyama: "Why didn't you bring this to the police when it first arrived?" Tamaki: "Because... my husband said not to..." Ooyama: "Were you involved with Kagami? If so, then that would mean you yourself had a motive to kill Sonobe." Tamaki: "That's not..." Takuboku: "You're being disrespectful! Stop casting suspicions without bothering to think things through first!" Ooyama: "What's that?!" Takuboku: "It is a fact that I found a button from Kagami's brother's shirt in the rafters of this house. If you intend to charge Tamaki-san, then I hope you'll take it all the way to Army Surgeon General Mori Rintarou." Takuboku: "Let's go." Tamaki: "Yes." Ooyama: "For the time being, don't leave this house!" Takuboku: "I want to keep you safe." Takuboku: "Is there a place the two of us can be alone?" Takuboku: "What is this place?" Tamaki: "It's my room." Tamaki: "The servants don't come in here, either." Tamaki: "Kayo-san told me. Humoresques. I like them, too." Takuboku: "I'm going to borrow some paper." Takuboku: "Kagami never had a younger brother." Tamaki: "I would expect no less from a detective Kayo-san recommended." Tamaki: "When did you realize?" Takuboku: "The man who was there when we went to the house" Takuboku: "was just a beggar. He started living in the house soon after Kagami died, and the shirt with the missing button was already there. Which means, the button from that shirt was left in the rafters before Kagami died." Takuboku: "That's strange, isn't it? To begin his revenge before his older brother is killed? That button... You used the threatening letter about Kagami as the basis to suggest the ceiling to me, where I found it." Takuboku: "But, I..." Takuboku: "I still don't understand." Takuboku: "Why did you kill Sonobe?" Takuboku: "And how is it connected to Kagami's death?" Tamaki: "I am not Sonobe's wife." Tamaki: "I am a mistress he bought. Soon after I began living with him, I realized Sonobe was selling children from the church to the rich." Tamaki: "I went to the police." Tamaki: "But..." Sonobe: "I have to make sure you never think to do anything so stupid again, don't I?" Tamaki: "Sonobe's clients are influential in political and business circles." Tamaki: "As soon as he's accused of something, it gets crushed." Tamaki: "But then, a once in a lifetime chance came to me." Kagami: "My body is being eaten away by illness..." Kagami: "My life... will soon be no more." Kagami: "I'm so scared..." Kagami: "I can't take it anymore." Tamaki: "I told Kagami about Sonobe's true identity." Tamaki: "Then..." Tamaki: "It's all right." Tamaki: "Your fear of death is because you fear it's pointless." Tamaki: "But what if it was given meaning? "What if your death could wipe away many other people's unhappiness?" "Then, you would no longer fear your death, would you?"" Tamaki: "But... Even with Kagami's death... Sonobe was not charged for his wrongdoings." Tamaki: "So that Kagami's death would not be in vain..." Tamaki: "Sonobe had to be killed." Takuboku: "Accuser X." Tamaki: "What's that?" Takuboku: "The homicide where the issue of mine pollution was revealed in the Arakawa mines. The murder of a young woman revealed the bribery scandal with Uchimoto steamships." Takuboku: "And this time, the killing of Sonobe." Takuboku: "The other cases also had letters of accusation... almost as if revealing the societal problems were the true motive for the crimes." Takuboku: "Could it be that you are Accuser X?" Tamaki: "That's a genius poet for you. Impressive powers of imagination." Tamaki: "Sonobe was a person who should die. I have not a single regret—" Takuboku: "I asked Mori Rintarou-sensei to mobilize the police." Takuboku: "Ooyama-san. I apologize for not being able to tell you." Sonobe: "Foolish woman. Being exposed by the man you meant to use." Takuboku: "I wanted to keep you safe. I didn't want to let you become a murderer." Tamaki: "Something like that... that's nothing." Takuboku: "How can you say that? How?! Will killing this man give your life meaning?!" Ooyama: "You're coming with me." Takuboku: "You... You saved me! Was that not enough?!" Tamaki: "You should, in your own way," Tamaki: "find your own reason for having been born." Ooyama: "Hey! Stop!" Ooyama: "Stop, I said!" Takuboku: "Tamaki-san!" Tamaki: ""If there were a pleasant occupation I could work at wholeheartedly, then when it was finished..."" Hirai: "Wakayama-san, you really love to travel, don't you?"

Moroha: "I remember now." Moroha: "I won't forgive anyone who takes from me!" Jin: "We are the swords of salvation." All: "We are the Saviors!" Moroha: "Write!" Edward: "England Headquarters will face the left wing." Angela: "Don't let your guard down, Edward-sama." Sophia: "Long nails!" Shizuno: "Freezing Shade." Moroha: "Step Eight Dark Art, Thunderstorm Helix!" Moroha: "Thanks, everyone." Maya: "Moroha-san." Maya: "I believe that hope exists in the despair of certain death." Maya: "Like a speck of gold dust buried in a gray gravel." Mari: "I believe you've already been informed. You are all special people chosen from across Japan. You've inherited the memories of your previous lives," Mari: "You may hesitate at first. It may be difficult. But you must never give up." Mari: "I want you to become Saviors that can break down the Metaphysicals. That is what I, Principal Shimon Mari, and the other teachers wish for." Satsuki: "That's what you get" Satsuki: "for falling asleep at the entrance ceremony, you failure." Satsuki: "I hate people who don't try." Moroha: "Sarasha?" Satsuki: "Flaga..." Satsuki: "Flaga! I missed you, Flaga!" Moroha: "Wait, I'm Moroha. Haimura Moroha." Satsuki: "No, you're my brother, Flaga. You called my name." Moroha: "No, actually, I have almost no memory of my past life." Satsuki: "Really?" Moroha: "The name Sarasha just popped up in my head." Satsuki: "Oh. Oh, then maybe I should head-butt you again." Moroha: "No!" Moroha: "What happened?" Satsuki: "Maybe she's anemic or something." Moroha: "Are you all right?" Shizuno: "Shu Saura." Shizuno: "Morning, dear." Satsuki: "What are you doing?! You have me, your sister!" Moroha: "I didn't expect that." Moroha: "Don't fall asleep!" Satsuki: "Hey, wake up, you homewrecker! What do you think you're doing, messing with my Flaga?" Shizuno: "I had the wrong person." Satsuki: "You'd kiss the wrong person by accident?" Shizuno: "I was half asleep." Satsuki: "You kiss people half asleep?" Shizuno: "What are you so upset about?" Satsuki: "I've never done it before in this life! How could you steal my turn?" Moroha: "There, there, you two." Shizuno: "What did you think of my lips?" Moroha: "You want my feedback?!" Moroha: "Aren't you in shock or something?" Shizuno: "It's not a big deal." Moroha: "It is." Shizuno: "How so?" Moroha: "You're devaluing women." Shizuno: "You're interesting." Satsuki: "Why are you flirting? How can you leave your sister out? You can't even remember me. Nii-sama, you idiot! Loser! Sly bastard!" Moroha: "What?" Satsuki: "You were always the ladies' man!" Tanaka: "All right, let's start with introductions." Satsuki: "Me, me!" Tanaka: "Um, you're..." Satsuki: "Student Number 30. Ranjou Satsuki. I'm going to work hard to become the second strongest Savior at school. Follow me, everyone!" A: "I don't even know who you are. Why should I follow you? Aren't we going in order of student number?" Satsuki: "Come on, I was just setting an example because you're all as quiet as cats." B: "Who do you think you are?" C: "Know your place!" Moroha: "What're you doing?" Moroha: "Sensei, we're running out of time." Tanaka: "We're all in the same class. Let's all get along, shall we? Okay, Student Number One, please." Tanaka: "Um..." Tanaka: "Urushibara Shizuno-san. What's wrong?" Satsuki: "Are you still sleeping?!" Satsuki: "Jeez, everyone's so mean. Just watch me, I'll waste them in the practicals. And then, and then, Nii-sama will praise me." Satsuki: "Yes. Our love won't be a taboo this time!" Satsuki: "Hey, Onii-sama." Satsuki: "Let's go on a date after school." Moroha: "I was thinking of going job hunting." Satsuki: "This school doesn't let you have part-time jobs." Moroha: "Seriously?" Satsuki: "Wh-What was that?" Shizuno: "The coliseum is a disjointed space." Shizuno: "Even if you get injured in here, you'll be fine once you leave." Moroha: "You know a lot." Tanaka: "There are two kinds of Saviors. Shirogane, who use Light skills," Tanaka: "Today, I'll teach you how to use Light skills." A: "What was that?" B: "He's shining." B: "This is the Plana, the source of Light skills." C: "How did you do that?" D: "I want to try, too." Tanaka: "You all have memories of your past lives." Tanaka: "So you should know how you used to bring out the Plana intuitively." A: "Got it." B: "All right, let's do this!" C: "Something else is going to come out." A: "Ranjou-san." B: "From both hands, right off the bat?" A: "Wait, no." Satsuki: "See what you can do when you channel your Plana into your arms." A: "I'm light to begin with. Really." A: "I'm so dizzy." Satsuki: "Sorry." Satsuki: "Did you see that, Nii-sama?" A: "This class is so pointless. If only a Metaphysical would go on a rampage or something." B: "What makes you say that?" A: "If it's bad enough that people get killed," B: "I see." Satsuki: "Hey, you." A: "Huh?" Satsuki: "You're scum. You bring shame to the Saviors." A: "What gives you the right to call me scum, shrimp?" Satsuki: "Put your hand on your heart and recall what you just said." A: "Are you one of those "I'm a hero of justice" type people?" Satsuki: "You smell. Go stuff your head in the incinerator." A: "What was that?" B: "Wow." C: "It came from his whole body." Tanaka: "Hey, you two, stop fighting." A: "Hey, Sensei, there're two of us that can use Plana. How about a practice round?" Tanaka: "But it's our first day. A practical might not be a good idea." Satsuki: "I'd like to, too." Tanaka: "Are you ready?" A: "Show me your power of justice." Satsuki: "Yeah, I'll teach you what a real Savior is, you failure." Satsuki: "Come, Arciel." Moroha: "What the..." Shizuno: "By channeling your Plana into your dog tag," Moroha: "Wow." Moroha: "Is she going to be all right?" A: "What's wrong?" Satsuki: "Watch this." A: "Pick it up." A: "Don't be polite. This match is supposed to be an example for everyone else. Let's start again." Satsuki: "I'll make sure you're sorry!" Moroha: "Are you all right, Satsuki?" A: "You're that scum that couldn't even bring out Plana." A: "You're both scum. You make a good couple." Tanaka: "That's enough, Isurugi-kun." Tanaka: "You win the round, but I don't condone bullying the weak." A: "Sorry." A: "Hear that, Ranjou? You're weak." Moroha: "Satsuki." A: "The weak will always lose to the strong. Remember that." Moroha: "Cheer up. I don't know anything about being a Savior," Satsuki: "I..." Satsuki: "The city where I lived was constantly under attack by Metaphysicals. I had to move many times." Moroha: "I see." Satsuki: "I couldn't make too many friends because of that," Satsuki: "I had Sarasha's memories, and I met Flaga in my dreams every night. I took the test and found out I was a Savior," Satsuki: "I learned there's a school for Saviors, and I thought just maybe." Moroha: "Just maybe?" Satsuki: "Just maybe I might meet Nii-sama." Moroha: "That's me?" Satsuki: "All that stuff about justice and saving the world is secondary to me." Satsuki: "I just wanted to look good in front of you and have you praise me." Satsuki: "That's all I wished for." Satsuki: "I can't talk about Isurugi." Satsuki: "Seeing him is like seeing all the things I hate about myself. I couldn't take it. So I picked a fight and lost." Satsuki: "I'm pathetic." Satsuki: "Please, Nii-sama, scold me. Lecture me like you used to. I'll listen to anything you have to say." Shizuno: "I'll scold you, then." Satsuki: "Why? Did you invite her?" Shizuno: "You're one homewrecker, sneaking out on a date." Satsuki: "What? Why are you taking my fries?" Shizuno: "You're too depressed to eat, aren't you? I'm eating them for you." Moroha: "I guess we shouldn't let them go to waste." Satsuki: "That's not the point." Satsuki: "We were siblings in our past lives. We have so much to catch up on. You just met us. Go away, stranger." Shizuno: "I can't do that." Shizuno: "Does this devalue women, too?" Satsuki: "What are you doing, exactly?" Satsuki: "It feels that good, huh?" Satsuki: "Nii-sama, you idiot!" Satsuki: "Freak! Pervert! How could you be so dirty in public? Do you like boobs that much? Are they worth committing social suicide for?" Satsuki: "You, too, Urushibara. Using your lady parts to seduce men." Shizuno: "I don't think you should get jealous, just because you don't have lady parts." Satsuki: "I have lady parts, too!" Shizuno: "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Satsuki: "Please don't apologize like you mean it." Shizuno: "You're right, there are some things that just shouldn't be said." Satsuki: "I'm not that miserable!" Shizuno: "But don't worry, we're both growing still." Satsuki: "Don't pity me after all that!" Shizuno: "Fine. I feel sorry for you, so I'll lend him to you for a little bit." Satsuki: "There, Moroha, do you like that? Tell me honestly what you think of my lady parts. Don't be shy just because we're siblings." Moroha: "Ow, ow!" Moroha: "You're too bony!" Satsuki: "I don't care about you anymore! You sly bastard!" Moroha: "Thanks, Urushibara." Shizuno: "Huh?" Moroha: "Satsuki seems a bit better now. You really came to cheer her up, didn't you?" Shizuno: "I..." Shizuno: "No, it's still too early." Moroha: "Well, then." A: "What did you want, calling me out here?" Moroha: "Apologize to Ranjou, to Satsuki." A: "Huh?" A: "I get it." A: "Choose one you like." A: "That's what you wanted, isn't it?" A: "Sure, I'll apologize." A: "But only if you can hit me at least once!" Satsuki: "Jeez, that Urushibara girl." Satsuki: "But..." Satsuki: "Nii-sama was so kind. Just like in the past life." Shizuno: "Ranjou-san, come quick. Moroha is..." A: "Dude, I only bumped you. You flew way too far." Moroha: "I can't read his moves." B: "He's fast, isn't he?" C: "Isurugi-kun's Jinsokutsu!" Moroha: "Which one is it?" A: "Over here." Satsuki: "Moroha!" A: "Perfect. Ranjou's here, too." A: "After I crush you, we can pick up where we left off." A: "It won't be just your outerwear this time. I'll tear it all off." Moroha: "Apologize! Apologize!" Moroha: "Shut up!" Satsuki: "Moroha." Satsuki: "No." Satsuki: "Are you going to lose?" Shizuno: "Keep your head up, Ranjou-san." Shizuno: "Moroha is fighting for you. So you have the obligation to watch him until it's over." Shizuno: "I won't let you look away." Satsuki: "Sorry." A: "Come on! Right! Left! Keep up, or I'll hit you!" A: "This is fun, isn't it, Haimura?" Sarasha: "You're right, you surely won't lose, Nii-sama. You're the guardian of the holy sword—the most powerful knight!" Satsuki: "You won't lose, Nii-sama." Satsuki: "You're the guardian of the holy sword." Satsuki: "The most powerful knight!" ga: "No matter how arduous the battlefield," A: "It's over!" Satsuki: "I'll give you a kiss if you win!" Moroha: "I remember now." Moroha: "Come, Saratiga!" Tanaka: "You! Stop!" A: "Jinsokutsu?! It took me two years to master it." A: "You've only just awoken to Plana!" Tanaka: "Someone, get aid!" Satsuki: "Moroha." Moroha: "What did" Satsuki: "Moroha! Moroha!" Mari: "Ancient Dragon." Mari: "A dragon from long ago." Satsuki: "Or the oldest spirit of the war dead. When I heard those words from Mari-oneechan," Satsuki: "Wait, Nii-sama, what do you mean I'm so bony it hurts?" Moroha: "Your ribs, I guess." Satsuki: "Next time, "Imbue My Sword, Magic Flame!" Break through the stormy current life!"

ga; Shu: "Stop." ga; Shu: "Stop taking from me!" Moroha: "Stop!" Moroha: "Calm down, act natural!" Moroha: "Calm down and assess the situation!" Moroha: "Why isn't she dressed?" Angela: "Ed-sama, I'm cold." Moroha: "Angela-san, stop! This is bad! This is really bad!" Angela: "You're awake." Moroha: "Yes. Thanks to you." Angela: "Thank goodness." Moroha: "Um, well, your boobs are touching me." Angela: "D-Don't get the wrong idea! It's not like we're cuddling after we just did it or anything!" Moroha: "I know, I know." Angela: "I-I had to do it for the treatment!" Angela: "Damn." Angela: "Haimura!" Angela: "Idiot. Idiot! You may be going to war by yourself," Angela: "This is all I can do for you." Angela: "Wake up. Please, wake up." Angela: "Well, y'know, uh, yeah!" Angela: "I'm glad you're okay." Moroha: "Angela-san." Angela: "Eh?" Angela: "Thank you." Angela: "Stop watching me change!" Moroha: "Sorry." Angela: "You perverted brat! I'll kill you!" Katia: "How's it going?" Katia: "M-My bad, I didn't know you were having sex. Take your time." Angela: "That's not true!" Katia: "I'm Katya Eskevna Honda. I'm half Japanese and half Russian." Katia: "Yekaterinburg district leader, 18 years old." Angela: "I already heard that. So, how did you learn about this place?" Katia: "I had one of my direct subordinates" Angela: "Th-Then why didn't you come in?" Katia: "Don't kid. You guys looked murderous." Katia: "Besides, I don't really want to fight against Haimura-han. Haimura-han's been making sure" Katia: "When I saw that, I decided this person would surely grant me my wish." Moroha: "Your wish?" Katia: "Help my best friend Yuli get away from the Lightning Emperor." Katia: "Did you know?" Katia: "Most Saviors in Russia don't have family." Katia: "That way, no one will complain if they get treated poorly." Katia: "The Lightning Emperor gathers those kids to make them fight each other." Katia: "And she makes the survivors her bodyguards." Katia: "So, this friend Yuli of yours is still with the Lightning Emperor." Katia: "Then she's there where you're going, correct?" Katia: "The Lightning Emperor." Katia: "Sverdlovsk capital Yekaterinburg." Angela: "I see." Angela: "Yeah, I'll call you later." Angela: "Where are you going?" Moroha: "Washroom. What about you?" Angela: "Nothing. Anyway..." Moroha: "Want to go together?" Angela: "Fool! Anyway, did you predict that this would happen?" Moroha: "Predict what?" Angela: "You said I'd eventually find out why you're not killing anyone in this war." Moroha: "Of course not. Things would be a lot easier if I could be so calculating. But..." Moroha: "I just had faith that there are proper-minded people in the Russia branch." Angela: "You're an amazing man." Angela: "Second to Edward-sama." Katia: "Finally." Moroha: "There." Katia: "Another head flick?" Moroha: "I don't think she'll wake up for a while now." Angela: "Are you sure we don't need to bring her?" Angela: "She seems like she'd make a good soldier." Moroha: "No." Moroha: "Katya-san is needed in Russia's tomorrow." Angela: "I'm amazed you can care about another nation so much." Moroha: "If you want to fight with a clear conscience, you have to have motivation. Isn't that true?" Angela: "Smartass." Angela: "Hey, do you really not need my sword, too?" Moroha: "I couldn't see eye-to-eye with Edward-san if anything to happen to you." Angela: "I can take care of myself." Moroha: "Let's stop playing tough. I don't have the confidence to protect someone" Angela: "I seriously hate you." Moroha: "I like you a lot." Angela: "Dammit." Darco: "Haimura didn't kill any of us. That very naiveté is his weakness. It wasn't because I fled that I came back to you—" Vasilisa: "Enough." Vasilisa: "Failure is not forgivable." Vasilisa: "You will die. No exemptions." Darco: "N-No. Your Majesty. Lightning Emperor!" Vasilisa: "Now, then." Moroha: "I'm here, Lightning Emperor." Vasilisa: "Shall I begin preparing for your greetings?" Vasilisa: "Write!" Vasilisa: "My level 13 Dark Arts, Cruel Crusaders. How will you fight against this army of lightning?" Moroha: "Come, Saratiga!" Moroha: "Here I come!" Moroha: "There's just too many of them." Moroha: "Then..." Moroha: "Perfectly prepared for anti-air intercept?" Moroha: "Let's do it." Vasilisa: "What trickery is this? My Cruel Crusaders defeated a Dreadnought class in minutes." A: "With respect, Lightning Emperor," A: "Haimura moves so fast that not even lightning beasts can keep up. He's focusing on attacking only each of the enemies before him. Therefore he's fighting not one against a thousand," A: "It's as though he's a military genius general. It's as though he's comfortable with fighting an entire army by himself." Vasilisa: "Very well. If he's going to fight with military art, then I'll respond with military art." Moroha: "All right." Moroha: "They're the captive Saviors that Katya-san was talking about." A: "Are we really doing this?" B: "We have no choice." A: "Now, kids, it's time to make yourself useful to our savior, Her Majesty!" Moroha: "Your comrades are here!" Moroha: "Stop. Stop, Lightning Emperor!" Angela: "It's just as Darco said. He can't kill people." Angela: "This is my military art." B: "Impressive, Your Majesty." Moroha: "My body..." A: "Yuli's gravity trap is working." B: "Yes." C: "What the hell are you doing?!" A: "Die, Haimura!" Angela: "Angela Johnson of the UK branch. By White Knight Sir Edward Lampard's orders," Katia: "My best friend's in trouble, I can't be sleeping." Moroha: "You two..." Angela: "Not two." Satsuki: "Nii-sama!" Moroha: "Satsuki, Shizuno." Shizuno: "This is the Lightning Emperor's castle. It's quite tasteless." Angela: "A Transportal, I see. That's a useful magic." A: "There're more?!" B: "What do we do?" Katia: "Yuli." Yuli: "Who are you? Why do you know my name?" Katia: "Yuli." Vasilisa: "All these nobodies, and then some." Lesya: "Children of Russia, listen to me." Lesya: "I am Elena Arshavina. You know me as a man eater." Lesya: "But that man eater no longer exists. She went to Japan and fought Haimura Moroha," Lesya: "I was reborn as just Elena." Lesya: "to be reborn." Lesya: "So now I'm going to share that sentiment with you. I want you all to be reborn" Yuli: "Move, I'll do it." Katia: "Yuli." Katia: "What are you doing? It's me, Katya." Yuli: "I, I..." Lesya: "Yuli Olegovich Jilkov." Yuli: "What was I..." Lesya: "I knew it." Katia: "Yuli!" Yuli: "Katya." Katia: "Yeah, it's me, your best friend Katya." Angela: "All right, let's take out the lightning beasts!" Satsuki: "Got it!" Katia: "I'm gonna do this!" Yuli: "Me, too." Yuli: "What about you guys?" A: "Huh?" B: "Us?" Katia: "Take the Lightning Emperor down with us." Angela: "Be gone, freaks!" Yuli: "No you don't." Shizuno: "Freezing Shade." Katia: "Incinerate." Vasilisa: "Contact the Russian government." A: "No..." Vasilisa: "Tell them that Yekaterinburg is about to disappear." Angela: "Haimura, go to the Lightning Emperor." Moroha: "But..." Angela: "The only one that can defeat her is—" Moroha: "A song?" Satsuki: "A lightning..." Angela: "...giant." Moroha: "Perfectly prepared for ground surround attack, perfectly prepared for anti-air intercept, and to top it off, she's prepared with a boss character." Shizuno: "Dreadful Blizzard." Katia: "Blaze Storm." Moroha: "Write!" Moroha: "Yin Yang Kurikara!" Satsuki: "Even with Nii-sama's Yin Yang..." Moroha: "Everyone, get down! Now!" Satsuki: "No way." Moroha: "The next one's coming!" Satsuki: "Urushibara, defense magic!" Shizuno: "It'd be useless against it." Katia: "Yuli." Yuli: "Katya." Angela: "This is the end." Moroha: "I remember." Moroha: "You're the one that used it first. I won't accept any complaints. Write!" Shizuno: "It's the thirteenth level." Katia: "He's going to use a forbidden curse?" Moroha: "Ouroboros!" Satsuki: "No way!" Lesya: "Amazing. This is Haimura's..." Shizuno: "...new forbidden curse." Katia: "Dammit, I can't swim!" Yuli: "Hang on, Katya." Vasilisa: "Impossible." Vasilisa: "Wait! Where do you think you're going?" A: "Does it matter? The empire is done for!" B: "I'm more afraid of Haimura than I am of you." Moroha: "A tyrant's end is pretty pathetic, huh?" Vasilisa: "I haven't lost yet." Vasilisa: "Thunderbolt Dragon!" Moroha: "Are you finished?" Vasilisa: "I promise to never lay my hands on you again. In fact, I would serve you. So please, stop. You purge your men mercilessly for failure." Vasilisa: "Yet you plead for your life? I don't want to die. I don't want to lose the empire. Please don't take away that which is important to me." Moroha: "Why?" Moroha: "Why do you people not understand something so simple? If you don't want to be taken from," Vasilisa: "I'm defeated." Satsuki: "Nii-sama." Lesya: "Brother!" Angela: "He actually pulled it off all the way." Angela: "He didn't kill anyone in the war." Mari: "Yes, understood." Maya: "How did it go?" Mari: "Everyone's safe." Mari: "Haimura-kun's coming home." Maya: "Yay!" Maya: "The days are long in the northern lands." Maya: "No doubt the sun is gently shining on Moroha-san and the others. But at the time, I didn't know" Maya: "That the sun will eventually set and bring a ominous, cold night."

A: "He's coming home. Haimura-kun." Maya: "Yay!" Maya: "Yay!" A: "They say they're going to spend a night over there. He wants to take the Transportal tomorrow." Maya: "Really?" A: "Yeah." B: "Damn Haimura, flirting with the Russian beauty!" C: "A soldier needs his rest." D: "I wish I could have gone with them." A: "Maya." Maya: "I... I wanted to see Moroha-san as soon as I could." A: "Be patient, until tomorrow, okay?" Maya: "Okay." Angela: "I've had it! I'm going to kill you now!" Angela: "How could you just go off with the forbidden curse?! Russia's map changed because of you!" Angela: "We might as well call it the Sea of Haimura." Moroha: "Anything but that." Shizuno: "Angela, please forgive him now." A: "Yeah. Don't go lecturing in a sauna, it's getting so stuffy." Moroha: "Why are we even in a mixed bath? It's Finland-style, of course we're mixed! How could you not know that?" Moroha: "Right." A: "There, there, there, you two. You shared a bed naked. That's enough." Shizuno: "Angela-san, would you please explain?" Angela: "W-We had some complicated circumstances." Angela: "Complicated." Lesya: "I'm depressed. I'm so depressed. Why did my beloved brother sleep with an English woman?" Satsuki: "Brother?! You're still saying stuff like that?" Lesya: "My brother is my brother." Satsuki: "Who's your brother?!" Shizuno: "They've been at it since we were in Japan." Lesya: "He's my brother, so he's my brother." Satsuki: "What the heck are you talking about?!" Satsuki: "Then I challenge you for the position of younger sister!" Lesya: "I accept that challenge." Satsuki: "The first one to give up loses." Lesya: "Agreed." Angela: "It's too hot." A: "Oh, my God." A: "I can't take it! I'm leaving!" B: "Me, too." Angela: "Oh no, I'm getting dizzy from the heat." Moroha: "Huh?" Satsuki: "Get it? Strength is love, love is strength." Lesya: "I have just as much love for Moroha." Satsuki: "Then..." Satsuki: "Can you do this in this heat?" Lesya: "Easily." Satsuki: "Not bad." Moroha: "So what's the point of this?" Satsuki; Lesya: "You stay out of this, Moroha!" Moroha: "Okay." Satsuki: "Let's arm wrestle, then." Lesya: "All right." Satsuki: "Ready, go!" Moroha: "Why arm wrestling?" Shizuno: "We'll just have to watch over them with mild kindness." Satsuki: "I'm not handing Nii-sama to you!" Lesya: "I'm not giving up, either!" Lesya: "Khorosho!" Satsuki: "Dosukoi!" Lesya: "I'm hot. I think I'll die." Satsuki: "It's set, I'm the true younger sister!" Moroha: "Hey, guys!" Shizuno: "Leave this to me. Write." Shizuno: "White Breath!" Lesya: "My heart is freezing." A: "Here you are, warm Russian tea." Satsuki: "Thank you." Angela: "These two are idiots." Angela: "Hot!" Satsuki: "Hey, where's Urushibara? She did this to us!" A: "Gross!" Shizuno: "Are you all right? You aren't sick from the sauna heat, too, are you?" Moroha: "No, it's just been a while since it's been so lively. I've been traveling with only one other person for a while." Shizuno: "I see. And that's why you held each other naked." Moroha: "Like I said, that's..." Shizuno: "I knew from the beginning. We kept in contact the whole time, after all." Moroha: "Seriously..." Shizuno: "You better not leave us behind anymore." Shizuno: "We're going to be together forever. Past life, and present life." Moroha: "Speaking of past lives, I had a strange dream during the trip." Shizuno: "What about?" Moroha: "I don't remember too clearly, but there was an unfamiliar monster." Moroha: "It took away the things I cared about one after another." Moroha: "It was an ominous dream." Shizuno: "That dream might not have been a memory" Moroha: "No way." Moroha: "No way." Ed: "I see, understood. Please tell Haimura-kun I said hi." Ed: "Was that from Mari?" Ando: "Yeah, the Russia group is coming home." Ed: "I wish I could have seen it myself, too. Forbidden curses against forbidden curses. I bet it would have been as awesome as the Battle of Kursk." Ando: "Stop with the nonsense. It's thanks to that—" Ed: "Ando!" A: "It's a sign that a Metaphysical is approaching." A: "So this is a Transportal." B: "Haimura-han, I wish we could spend more time, but be well." Moroha: "Say hi to Katya-san and Yuli-san." Satsuki: "Nii-sama, come on, come on." Moroha: "Yeah, coming." Satsuki: "I'm home." Maya: "Welcome home." A: "I'm glad you're safe." Shizuno: "Japan's still stuffy." Lesya: "That was a short return home." Maya: "Huh?" Maya: "Moroha-san." Angela: "I've never used it before." Angela: "It's a strange sensation." Maya: "Satsuki-oneesan? What's Moroha-san doing?" Satsuki: "Nii-sama is..." A: "Sorry, Haimura-han." Moroha: "It was me who defeated the Russian Rank-S. I can't just leave them." A: "The Lightning Emperor is sorry, too. She'll be back eventually, I'm sure." B: "It's coming." Moroha: "Katya-san, cover me from behind." A: "Got it." Moroha: "Yuli-san and I will stop it." B: "Roger." Maya: "Moroha-san." Maya: "Moroha-san!" Satsuki: "Nii-sama told us to come home because everyone must be worried." Satsuki: "And he told me to say hi to you, Maya." Maya: "I've been sleeping alone in my room, ever since Moroha-san went to Russia. I was so lonely. My pillow was drenched in tears every night." Satsuki: "All right, let's sleep in my room together, then." Satsuki: "I might not replace Nii-sama, but..." Angela: "What's going on?" Ed: "I don't know, either. Jack was successful in defeating the Metaphysical that turned up in Russia. There's no mistake about that." Ed: "Yet Ando's pain is only getting worse. He finally lost consciousness." Ed: "Just wait over there, please." Angela: "Why? I want to be with you as soon as possible, sir." Ed: "I just have a really bad" Satsuki: "Cheer up. Nii-sama will be back tomorrow." Satsuki: "Momo-senpai." Satsuki: "I thought Maya might be lonely. Is it okay if I sleep with you?" Satsuki: "Of course, you're always welcome." Shizuno: "A very middle-class room. But it might be good social education for me" Satsuki: "Well sorry I'm middle class." Sophie: "Good evening." Satsuki: "You, too, Sophie-senpai?" Angela: "Sorry." Lesya: "I'm depressed." Satsuki: "Huh?" Satsuki: "When you're lonely, I'll talk to you about adult things!" Maya: "There're so many people here." A: "No problem, let's pajama party!" Satsuki: "That's not the point!" Shizuno: "Ranjou-san, are you not even going to serve your guests tea?" Lesya: "I heard potato chips are a given at gatherings like this in Japan, so I brought some." A: "I brought cola, too." B: "That's so American, such barbaric taste." Satsuki: "Dammit, do whatever you want!" A: "Did you hear that?" B: "I did." C: "No mistake about it." Satsuki: "Wh-What?" Lesya: "I've been told that pillow fights are a custom at sleepovers in Japan." Satsuki: "Huh?" Shizuno: "Oh? My apologies, Ranjou-san." Satsuki: "Urushibara!" Angela: "London Bridge!" C: "Here I go, Maya!" Maya: "How could you?" A: "Pillow attack!" A: "Payback!" Satsuki: "I'm pissed now!" A: "Y-You little..." A: "Take this, pillow attack finisher!" A: "I can't eat anymore." Satsuki: "Can't sleep?" Maya: "No." Maya: "But I'm not lonely anymore." Satsuki: "Oh, yeah?" Satsuki: "What?" Maya: "What's wrong?" Shizuno: "Ranjou-san. Shame on you, wetting your bed at your age." Satsuki: "That's not it! Wait, you were awake?" Shizuno: "I'm good at feigning sleep." Satsuki: "Jeez. Anyway, Maya, let's make a wish before we go to sleep. So that Nii-sama gets home soon." Maya: "Okay." Maya: "I wish Moroha-san comes home soon." Satsuki: "I wish Nii-sama comes home soon." Shizuno: "I wish Moroha comes home soon." A: "Come quick!" Ando: "It's coming." Ed: "What is, Ando?" Ando: "It's not just an ordinary Metaphysical. It's the Ancient Dragon." A: "Good morning, manager." B: "What is that?" C: "Th-The sky..." A: "All non-Striker students please evacuate to Stadium One. This is not a drill. I repeat. All non-Striker students please evacuate to Stadium One." Satsuki: "The chills I got last night..." Shizuno: "It's as if it was waiting for Moroha to be absent." A: "Don't dismay." A: "We just have to attack it without Haimura." B: "Let's do this!" A: "The Metaphysical that emerged is a new type, unknown to us. Branch coordinator Suruga is hospitalized" A: "Sir Edward of the UK branch is currently rushing this way." A: "Haimura-kun is still in Russia." A: "The principal is currently evacuating to prepare a Transportal. Until the Transportal is available again," A: "We are fighting for the fate of this Akane Academy." A: "Everyone, I'm expecting more than your best." A: "We don't need Haimura, all he's doing is flirting with the Russian beauty, anyway!" Lesya: "This academy gave me peace. I will protect it." Shizuno: "That's a good attitude." Angela: "Captain Isurugi," Angela: "May I have permission?" A: "Gladly." Angela: "Angela Johnson hereby reporting to the Strikers." A: "We are the swords of salvation." A: "We are the saviors." A: "We are the strike for our people, our peace, and our justice." A: "We are the strike for our people, our peace, and our justice." A: "It's so big." Satsuki: "It's not a hydra, though, and it's" A: "We can do it, even without Haimura." B: "Of course we can. Otherwise Akane Academy will vanish." C: "Good luck, everyone." Shizuno: "It smiled." B: "What?" Shizuno: "Everyone, fan out! It knows our plan!" A: "Our ambush..." B: "It figured it out." C: "Where did it go?" A: "Shh." A: "It's coming." Sophia: "Burning!" Sophia: "Everyone, leave the forest!" A: "Run, Satsuki! Run!" B: "Attack with your highest step!" Shizuno: "Bright White Frost! Incinerate! Lightning!" A: "No way." Shizuno: "It's cast a dispel by chanting in reverse at high speed." Shizuno: "It can cancel out any spell." A: "Impossible!" B: "Wait, if it can cancel out any spell..." Shizuno: "It can also use those spell." Shizuno: "Everyone, anti-fire magic!" A: "Haimura-han." Moroha: "I remember." Moroha: "It shows up over and over, even when we're reborn." Moroha: "The black shadow that takes away everything I hold dear." Moroha: "That's what it is." Moroha: "It was like the flames of hell, engulfing everything." Moroha: "Our faint wish for Moroha-san to return." Moroha: "Our desire to protect the academy. Everything." Moroha: "It burns through literally everything."

A: "It's coming!" Sophia: "Take my special Babe Ruth Swing!" A: "No way." A: "What was that?" B: "Are we going to die?" Maya: "Mari-oneechan, where's the transportal?" Mari: "I can re-cast it." Mari: "Write!" I: "You're wide open from behind!" Tokiko: "Get down, hardhead!" I: "Kanzaki-kun, what are you doing here?" Tokiko: "Disobeying orders isn't anything new, is it?" I: "Dammit, what a vice captain." Satsuki: "Isurugi-senpai and Kanzaki-senpai!" Moroha: "Satsuki!" Satsuki: "Hang in there, Momo-senpai!" Moroha: "I'm not losing to you in speed yet." Satsuki: "Momo-senpai!" Mari: "Maya!" Maya: "Mari-oneechan!" Maya: "I need to heal you now!" Mari: "No." Mari: "You have to continue my chant from where I left off. It hasn't been done many times," Maya: "What?" Mari: "Maya, you have to open the gate for me." Maya: "I can't. I can't do it." Mari: "You can." Mari: "Please." Maya: "Mari-oneechan." Mari: "I'll do it, watch me." Mari: "Once again, write!" Satsuki: "Momo-senpai!" Lesya: "What are you doing?" Satsuki: "But Momo-senpai..." Lesya: "Just draw its attention toward us." Edward: "Hey, sorry to keep you waiting, little lady." Maya: "Edward-san." Edward: "Would you kindly finish the chant?" Edward: "I want to see the jack-in-the-box spring open." Maya: "Okay." Maya: "Transportal." Maya: "Moroha-san." Edward: "What happened, Jack?" Ange: "It's not just any Metaphysical. What is that thing?" Shione: "Don't you think it's strange? With its firepower," Shione: "Yet it's as if it's playing with us." Ange: "That can't be. It doesn't have that kind of intelligence." Shione: "Or it might be waiting." Ange: "Waiting?" Ange: "It's coming again." Satsuki: "Not you, too, Lesya." Satsuki: "Come on, this way." Satsuki: "What was that?" Satsuki: "Nii-sama." Shione: "Finally." Moroha: "How could you?" Tokiko: "The healing magic isn't finished yet." I: "I don't have time to rest." I: "Stand up, everyone! Back up Haimura-kun with everything you've—" Moroha: "Stand back!" Moroha: "Everyone take the wounded and retreat." Moroha: "Satsuki, Shizuno, don't you dare come here." Satsuki: "Nii-sama." Shione: "Moroha." Moroha: "This bastard trampled over all the things I cared about in my past life." Moroha: "So I'm doing it by myself." Moroha: "Decree's Weight!" Moroha: "Write!" Moroha: "Yin Yang Kurikara!" Shione: "Magic doesn't work on it! It dispels everything!" Moroha: "Then I'll do it just with Plana." Satsuki: "Nii-sama." Moroha: "Not yet." Shione: "This attack." I: "A Fortress-class..." Tokiko: "...sonic attack!" Edward: "Whoa." Katia: "That's the UK boss for you!" Maya: "Moroha-san." Yu: "At this rate..." Moroha: "Dammit!" I: "Are you telling me that that Dragon has the powers" Satsuki: "Urushibara, let's go give Nii-sama support." Shione: "It was waiting." Satsuki: "Huh?" Shione: "It was waiting for Moroha to come." Satsuki: "What are you talking about?" Moroha: "Move! Move!" Moroha: "Stop!" Shione: "Yes, this is its..." Moroha: "Again." I: "What..." Tokiko: "He sounds like a howling monster." Edward: "Jack's transformed." Edward: "Pandora's Box." Edward: "The box of despair." Moroha: "Damn you!" Moroha: "Die! Die! Die!" Maya: "That wound." Katia: "Magic runes." Ange: "It's the thirteenth step water magic that defeated the Lightning Emperor." Lesya: "It can't dispel words carved directly on its body. But still, it's..." Moroha: "Go to hell!" Ange: "Stop, Haimura! You'll erase this city from the map!" Lesya: "It's not the usual Moroha" Lesya: "He's a murderous beast, as I used to be." A: "What's going on?" Moroha: "Everything, begone!" Satsuki: "What are you doing there?" Satsuki: "Who are you?" Satsuki: "Do you really want to be sleeping when Nii-sama's in trouble?" Satsuki: "But I can't do anything anymore." Satsuki: "Remember." Satsuki: "Remember?" Shione: "The wizard of the netherworld going down so easily. How laughable." Shione: "Laugh all you want." Shione: "I couldn't do anything for Moroha." Shione: "Remember." Shione: "Remember?" Satsuki: "Flaga was always lonely, fighting by himself. And you're always just waiting at home. But that's because Nii-sama thinks that's best for me." Satsuki: "Sure, you're just a cowardly girl letting him pamper you." Satsuki: "No, that's not true. I really, really wanted to go with him." Satsuki: "Then isn't now the time to do that?" Satsuki: "Huh?" Satsuki: "How many times should you see him off?" Satsuki: "I, I... Now, wake up." Satsuki: "So that you can walk alongside Nii-sama on the same path." Shione: "Have you already forgotten? You didn't even have a name when you were a slave." Shione: "I wouldn't forget." Shione: "I had no hope for the future." Shione: "I lived for the sake of living. I wouldn't forget that. Then who was it that removed you from" Shione: "That's Shu Saura, of course." Shione: "Then isn't it your turn to remove him from his chains?" Shione: "A wife is to be by her husband, always." Shizuru; Satsuki: "I remember." Moroha: "Everything, begone!" Moroha: "Satsuki. Shizuno." Moroha: "No." Shione: "That's half correct and half incorrect." Satsuki: "Remember, Nii-sama," Shione: "This life, and the next." Satsuki: "And when we're next reborn." Shione: "Forever." Satsuki: "Forever." Moroha: "I remember." Moroha: "I'm Kensei Flaga!" Moroha: "And now... Shu Saura, king of the netherworld! And now," Ange: "Haimura changed." Lesya: "He's embodied his two past lives in a single body?" Edward: "You really pulled out something crazy from Pandora's box in the end, Jack!" Maya: "Yes." A: "Haimura-han." Maya: "You're so awesome." I: "We are the swords of salvation." All: "We are the saviors." umihiro: "Kamii went around casting healing magic." Sophia: "Sometimes he's useful." Kame: "A true hero is there when you really need him!" I: "We Strikers are going to open a path for Haimura-kun!" All: "Understood." Sophia: "Destroy!" umi: "Who's next?" Momo: "Take care of the rest!" Moroha: "Guys." Satsuki: "You're not alone this time." Shione: "Now, let's go, dear." Moroha: "All right." Moroha: "Write!" Tokiko: "Take this sexy adult third step magic." Kame: "Don't fall in love with me!" Ange: "No you don't!" Katia: "We're here, too!" Yuli: "Support troops from Russia have arrived!" Lesya: "Go, Brother!" Moroha: "Thanks, everyone." A: "Haimura-kun!" B: "Go!" Tanaka: "We're all rooting for you!" I: "You beat me, you can do it!" Maya: "Can you hear me, Mari-oneechan?" Maya: "Our Moroha-san is back." Lesya: "A sonic attack." Lesya: "Ginrei Argusten!" Edward: "You've grown up, little girl." Ange: "Ed-sama." Edward: "Oh, whoops." Edward: "Now, Jack, it's your turn!" Moroha: "Yeah, I know." Satsuki: "Nii-sama." Shione: "Dear." Moroha: "I won't forgive anyone that steals from us!" Moroha: "Yin Yang Vlitora!" I: "He did it! Tanaka, Yeah." Takanashi: "Branch Chief." A: "He defeated it, huh?" Edward: "Man, it's been a while since I've been in Japan. It was fun, Jack." Moroha: "Come on, stop calling me Jack." Ange: "It's almost time." Shione: "Angela-san, you can text me whenever you get lonely." Ange: "Who would ever?" Edward: "Beware of the France branch chief, Charles." Moroha: "Huh?" Edward: "See you." Shione: "I'll go find my chauffeur, Tatemura-san." Moroha: "Hey, Satsuki," Moroha: "Do you really not remember about when we defeated the Dragon?" Satsuki: "Oh, yeah. I had something like a dream." Moroha: "A dream?" Satsuki: "The same dream I always have. From when I was Sarasha and you were Flaga." Satsuki: "Anyway, now that we're alone together for once..." Satsuki: "Okay?" Shione: "Oh, look." Shione: "A washed-up octopus." Satsuki: "Who are you calling an octopus?" Shione: "It's boiled red." Satsuki: "We had so many memories together in there." Moroha: "We can make more memories." Satsuki: "Yeah. We can make lots of memories, just the two of us." Shione: "Oh, that's too bad." Shione: "Moroha is going to be living at my place for a while. Let's see, for you, Ranjou-san," Satsuki: "I'm a dog?!" Shione: "No, John's a cat." Satsuki: "That's so confusing!" Moroha: "There, there, you two." Satsuki: "Nii-sama, hurry up, I'll leave you behind." Moroha: "Why is she so hyper?" Shione: "She's like a dirty little puppy." Moroha: "You didn't have to say "dirty."" Moroha: "Hey..." Shione: "What is it?" Moroha: "When I almost lost control of my powers," Moroha: "Was that your—" Shione: "That's our secret." Satsuki: "Urushibara!" Lesya: "Welcome home, Master." Satsuki: "What now?" Lesya: "I learned that this is how greetings are done in Japan." Moroha: "Greetings?" Kame: "A party, of course!" Tokiko: "Where were you? You're late!" Moroha: "We were waiting for you!" Katia: "Let's make some noise!" Yuli: "Ochen horosho." Moroha: "You guys are still here, Katya?" Mari: "Thank you, everyone. The academy is safe, too." Moroha: "But it's a shame most of it is demolished." Mari: "No," Moroha: "Right." I: "Now, today, we're going to hold" Tokiko: "Drunken orgy!" All: "Yeah!" Satsuki: "Nii-sama!" Shione: "Moroha." Lesya: "Brother!" Maya: "First prize!" Maya: "I surely will not forget about this day." Maya: "The day Moroha-san came home, and everyone had glowing smiles." Maya: "No matter how many times I'm reborn."

Satsuki: "I believed you, Nii-sama. That you would keep your promise. That you would be victorious and come back to me. So" Moroha: "Satsuki." Moroha: "Your lips are like a kid's lips." Moroha: "Uh, who are you?" Maya: "Your hurt's gone, right?" Moroha: "Principal." Mari: "She just sent in mana from your lips to replenish what you'd lost." Moroha: "Then I just kissed..." Mari: "Oh, Ranjou-san. I don't approve of illicit sexual relationships," Mari: "I watched you fighting earlier." Mari: "You're an Ancient Dragon, aren't you?" Moroha: "Huh?" Mari: "The people of the Japan branch" Moroha: "The oldest?" Mari: "Saviors are all reincarnates with past lives. It's been hypothesized for a long time" Moroha: "Wait a second. I'd finally remembered about my past life as a warrior." Moroha: "And now a second?" Mari: "When you swung your sword down for your last strike," Mari: "Anyway, you have no physical injuries. You're lucky you fought in the arena." Moroha: "Right." Mari: "Go back to your dorm and get some rest." Maya: "I'm reading poor fortune with women." Moroha: "Huh?" Mari: "Don't forget to take this writhing classmate of yours with you when you go." Moroha: "Right." Satsuki: "Flaga! Thank goodness! You remember everything now, don't you?" Moroha: "No, not really everything." Satsuki: "Oh, right, the promise!" Shizuno: "Oh look, an ugly, washed-up octopus." Satsuki: "S-Stop showing up out of nowhere. Moroha and I were about to have our promised... Promised..." Satsuki: "Kiss." Shizuno: "Something like this?" Shizuno: "Look, the octopus is boiling over." Satsuki: "Hey, what are you doing to my Nii-sama?!" Maya: "I knew it, ill fortune with women." Satsuki: "Hey, Moroha, let's exchange phone numbers and email addresses. Can we?" Moroha: "Of course we can." Satsuki: "Yay." Satsuki: "Yay! That's my third number, after Dad and Mom!" Moroha: "Dad and Mom..." Shizuno: "Congratulations on your heart-wrenching level up, Ranjou-san." Satsuki: "I get it, I'm a loner." Shizuno: "I'm kidding. Trade with me, too." Satsuki: "S-Sure, I guess." Shizuno: "Shoot, my hand slipped. I deleted it." Satsuki: "You want a fight, Urushibara?" Shizuno: "To the regular beauty shop, then." Ishi: "Is Haimura Moroha-kun here?" Moroha: "That's me." Ishi: "Could you come with me for a bit? You, too, Urushibara Shizuno-kun." Moroha: "Rank C you say?" Ishi: "The principal recommended you, as well." Ishi: "And I watched your fighting in the arena." Ishi: "My younger brother caused you some trouble. As a Rank C, you'll have some pay in the form of scholarships," Moroha: "But there are downsides." Ishi: "I see. You're not only strong, you're also smart." Ishi: "That's correct." Ishi: "When you become Rank C, you're required to become one of my Strikers." Moroha: "Strikers?" Ishi: "A real-combat troop of anti-Metaphysical fighters. You serve only once or twice a month," Ishi: "You can have some time to think it over." Moroha: "So that pay, the scholarship, roughly how much do I get?" Moroha: "I-I did it, Auntie!" Shizuno: "You're content with that?" Moroha: "Looking forward to working with you, Senpai!" Ishi: "Welcome." Shizuno: "I'll show up starting today, too, then." Moroha: "Huh?" Ishi: "We've been asking Urushibara-kun to join as a reserve." Ishi: "See you after school." Satsuki: "Let me in, too!" Ishi: "Um, who are you?" Satsuki: "If Moroha and Urushibara are joining, I have to join, too!" Ishi: "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I don't know anything about your ability." Shizuno: "Her ability is enough for her to suffer a total loss against your brother." Satsuki: "Urushibara!" Ishi: "I think it's too soon for you to even the reserves." Ishi: "I'm sorry." Satsuki: "No way." Ishi: "Well, then." Moroha: "Hey, Satsuki?" Satsuki: "I'm not upset or anything! I'm going to get stronger really fast, and I'll be standing" Moroha: "Satsuki." Ishi: "I'll give a formal greeting. Welcome to the troop, Haimura Moroha-kun, Urushibara Shizuno-kun." Sophia: "Our third-years from last year graduated, so we're glad to have more forces." Yu: "He's not bad-looking." Kamekichi: "I'll work you good, so be prepared." Moroha: "Okay." Ishi: "All right, let's begin." Ishi: "We are the swords of salvation." All: "We are the Saviors!" Ishi: "We are the strike for our people, our peace, and our justice." All: "We are the strike for our people, our peace, and our justice." Moroha: "Do I have to shout that, too?" Ishi: "You should." Moroha: "Understood." Ishi: "All right, once more. We are the swords of salvation." All: "We are the Saviors!" All: "Isurugi-senpai's generation is called the golden generation." All: "They defeated more Metaphysicals than anyone in the Japan branch." Moroha: "So they're stronger than the adults in the White Knight Agency." Shizuno: "Yes, most of them have surpassed Rank B." Moroha: "Can I really keep up in a place like that?" Shizuno: "You'll be fine." Moroha: "I'm beat." Moroha: "I've never been so tired in my life." Shizuno: "I know when to back off." Satsuki: "You're late. My Nii-sama is the only person that can get away with" Moroha: "I'm that Nii-sama, aren't I?" Satsuki: "Hey, I found a good okonomiyaki shop. It's only 300 yen, in this economy!" Moroha: "Seriously?" Satsuki: "Hey, let's go." Shizuno: "Sorry, go alone, if you wish." Moroha: "Huh?" Shizuno: "Moroha and I are both extremely tired. We want to hurry home and rest." Moroha: "Well, I..." Shizuno: "We're going to have exercises every day. I believe being rested and ready for the next day is" Satsuki: "Okay. Sorry," Shizuno: "It's not your fault. But we're going to be late every night from now on," Satsuki: "But can I call you guys to hang out on break days, at least?" Shizuno: "You're very welcome, right, Moroha?" Moroha: "Like I said, I..." Satsuki: "Okay." Moroha: "Hey, Satsuki." Moroha: "Why would you say something like that?" Shizuno: "You want money that you earn yourself, don't you?" Shizuno: "You adore Ranjou-san, too, don't you?" Shizuno: "I just took that into consideration so you don't have to lose, either." Moroha: "That's not the point. I don't like the way you act like you're willing" Moroha: "Thanks for backing me up. But keep in mind" Moroha: "If anything, make me happy by smiling for me." Moroha: "Satsuki!" Shizuno: "I thought you'd say that." Shizuno: "Urushibara's keeping up, but I..." Satsuki: "Hello?" Moroha: "Are you all right? You sound like you're crying." Satsuki: "I'm not crying. Don't go imagining things. Oh man, pollen allergy this year is really brutal." Moroha: "Liar. You're a wreck from crying." Satsuki: "Don't talk like you can see me." Moroha: "I can." Moroha: "Let's go have okonomiyaki or something during a break." Moroha: "You better make it good." Satsuki: "I'll make okonomiyaki so good that you won't be able to" Moroha: "Hey, Satsuki," Satsuki: "Y-You sure can't let go of your little sister, can you? Fine. I'm busy, too, but maybe three times a week or so." Moroha: "Fine, fine. Three times a week. I appreciate it." Satsuki: "Jeez." Shizuno: "So early in the morning..." Satsuki: "Hello? It's me. Can you go out with me for a bit?" Shizuno: "Sorry, there's already someone I like." Satsuki: "That's not what I meant!" Satsuki: "What a weird day." Shizuno: "So why did you call me out to a place like this?" Satsuki: "You said I'm very welcome if it's on a break, didn't you?" Shizuno: "Did I?" Satsuki: "Anyway, I want to get Moroha a present to congratulate him" Shizuno: "So why do I have to come along?" Satsuki: "Because I don't know what to get him. And I don't have much spending money this month," Shizuno: "Goodbye." Satsuki: "Wait." Shizuno: "Good grief..." Satsuki: "I can't choose." Shizuno: "I'm tired." Satsuki: "Sorry to drag you along." Shizuno: "Did you know?" Satsuki: "Huh?" Shizuno: "Strawberry and banana would be fine." Satsuki: "What?" Shizuno: "Goodbye." Satsuki: "Okay, fine!" A: "Here you are." B: "It's good." Satsuki: "It won't rain, will it?" Satsuki: "What's going on?" Satsuki: "A Metaphysical?" Satsuki: "Urushibara." Satsuki: "I'm scared. But" Satsuki: "Come, Arciel." Satsuki: "I'll be the one to fight you. You better thank me." Satsuki: "Urushibara, take care of the kids." Shizuno: "Ranjou-san, you can't take on it alone." Satsuki: "I have to stop it here." Satsuki: "That's right, you're up against me. Don't go cheating on me." Shizuno: "Write." Shizuno: "Freeze them." Satsuki: "Urushibara." Shizuno: "I contacted the school and Moroha. The shoppers are being evacuated, as well." Satsuki: "Then you go evacuate, too." Shizuno: "Who do you think you're talking to? I'm the revered witch of the netherworld. I can support you no problem." Satsuki: "Dammit. I don't need your help, though." Satsuki: "I can do it." Satsuki: "Another one?" Satsuki: "You've got to be kidding me." Shizuno: "It's hydra-headed." Satsuki: "This is hopeless." Shizuno: "Satsuki!" Satsuki: "My feet!" Shizuno: "Raise your Plana and fight off the stone curse." Satsuki: "Bring it on. I'll take as many of you down with me as I can." Satsuki: "Are they enjoying this?" Satsuki: "What do you think?" Satsuki: "Moroha!" Moroha: "Tell me what's going on." Ishi: "This is bad. They're as high-ranked as" Ishi: "There's never been one with nine heads." Moroha: "Then we have to send help quickly." Moroha: "Satsuki and Shizuno are on the scene, too." Ishi: "We can't send help." Ishi: "It wouldn't be a match for us if it were an ordinary Metaphysical. But it's not one that we could win against without an army of a hundred." Moroha: "No way." Ishi: "Please understand." Moroha: "Dad! Mom!" Moroha: "Please, use my blood. Save my Dad and Mom." A: "You're still too young. You can't donate blood." Moroha: "No way." A: "Please understand." Moroha: "Listen." Moroha: "There are no lives in this world that shouldn't be valued. How can we call ourselves the swords of salvation" Satsuki: "Open your eyes, Urushibara." Satsuki: "Urushibara!" Satsuki: "No!" Satsuki: "Moroha!" Satsuki: "Nii-sama isn't going to praise me at this rate." Satsuki: "It's over." Moroha: "Saratiga!" Moroha: "Sorry to keep you waiting." Satsuki: "Nii-sama." Moroha: "Dammit." Moroha: "These things..." Shizuno: "It's okay." Shizuno: "You won't lose." Shizuno: "You should have another power." Moroha: "Another power?" Shizuno: "You can do it." Shizuno: "Don't hesitate." Moroha: "I remember." Moroha: "I won't forgive anyone who takes from me!" Moroha: "Write!" Moroha: "More!" Moroha: "More!" Moroha: "More! More! More!" Moroha: "More! More! More!" Satsuki: "What is that?" Shizuno: "Step Five Dark Art, Black Gehenna." Moroha: "Yin Yang Kurikara!" Mari: "I was right about him." Satsuki: "In the reserves?" Ishi: "You bravely challenged that monster and tried to protect the defenseless." Ishi: "We want someone like you, with a true sense of justice, in the Strikers." Ishi: "We really want you." Satsuki: "Me? In the Strikers?" Ishi: "And Haimura-kun," Ishi: "I don't think my decision was wrong. But" Ishi: "You'll continue working for the Strikers, won't you?" Moroha: "Yes." Ishi: "All right, see you at the exercises after school." Satsuki: "Yay! I'm not left out anymore. We're together, Nii-sama. I'm so happy." Shizuno: "Be careful not to drag us down." Satsuki: "Shut up. I'll fix up your attitude real good. You'd better thank me." Shizuno: "Good grief..." Moroha: "So by the way, what were we in our past lives?" Shizuno: "Let's talk about that later." Maya: "Where do miracles happen?" Maya: "In the depths of a forest maze?" Maya: "Up high on a tall tower?" Maya: "Our miracles were right in front of us." Maya: "Our two past lives, our two memories." Maya: "The more we remember, the stronger they become. Haimura Moroha-san, the oldest war dead spirit." Shizuno: "So, Moroha, my kiss or Maya-san's kiss, which did you like more?" Moroha: "I don't remember any of it." Shizuno: "Next time, "Witch of the Netherworld."" Moroha: "Write!"

A: "So your friend is an Ancient Dragon, I hear." A: "Not only that, but the two of you defeated a Dreadnought class Metaphysical. Good job, Shizuno. An Urushibara woman indeed." Shizuno: "We're just friends. We aren't like that." Satsuki: "Urushibara. Come on, Urushibara." Moroha: "Are you all right, Shizuno?" Shizuno: "Yes. What were we talking about?" Satsuki: "That Metaphysical. Why do you think the principal made a statement that the three of us defeated it?" Satsuki: "The truth is, Nii-sama defeated it himself." Moroha: "It's because you two held through that no one died. The three of us defeated it." Satsuki: "But what you did was truly amazing." Moroha: "Was it?" Shizuno: "I suppose. Aside from you, only a Six Head could have done what you did." Moroha: "A Six Head?" Satsuki: "That's what they call the upper echelon of the White Knight Agency. They're Rank S. There are only six of them in the entire world." A: "Welcome. Feel free to take a seat." A: "Are you ready to make an order?" Edward: "Are you all right? Today is a great day. Can I have a tea please? What do you have?" A: "I, uh..." A: "Manager, help me, please." Satsuki: "May I help you?" Edward: "Oh, I couldn't read the menu." Satsuki: "Oh, well then... Wait, you can speak Japanese, so speak Japanese!" Edward: "Maxwood Golden Chips tea leaves. Heated to 61 degrees. Have the milk sterilized at low temperature. And Wasanbon sugar, please." Satsuki: "Go to Starmucks if you want that stuff!" Moroha: "Small Japanese cafés, like this one, don't handle complicated orders too well." Edward: "Oh, that's a shame." Shizuno: "Are you here from Great Britain?" Edward: "Hey, good guess." Satsuki: "I can understand your obsessiveness, then, I guess." Edward: "Then again, the tea they serve in English cafés are mostly in tea bags." Satsuki: "Manager, bring me the thing!" Satsuki: "It's the manager's best piece, based on tapioca milk tea." Edward: "Oh, it looks good." Satsuki: "And it's called natto milk tea!" Moroha: "What a waste." Edward: "Dammit! This is blasphemy against tea! It's a declaration of war against my nation!" Moroha: "I'll go get a towel." Edward: "Jeez, what a terrible cultural exchange." Edward: "Have you had any, Moroha-kun?" Moroha: "Me? Well..." Moroha: "He's not there." Moroha: "Time's stopped." Moroha: "No, that's not it." Moroha: "He's just too fast." Edward: "Couldn't you move?" Edward: "Or did you not want to move?" Moroha: "I would have been dead if you really meant to kill me." Edward: "You've let me down, then." A: "Thank you." Satsuki: "What just happened? White magic Hagun." Satsuki: "A secret move of Jinsoku secret moves." Moroha: "You know about it?" Shizuno: "He's one of the Six Heads." Shizuno: "Head of the Great Britain headquarters. Sir Edward Lampard." Satsuki: "Apparently that Edward person is here to visit Akane Academy." Satsuki: "He's probably really here for Moroha." Satsuki: "Not just Britain. The US, China, France, Russia..." Satsuki: "There's no doubt that every country is interested in Moroha." Satsuki: "He's my Nii-sama, after all. Of course the Six Heads want to meet him in person." Shizuno: "I suppose." Satsuki: "But how rude of him to pick a fight out of nowhere. Nii-sama is a lot more than what he saw." Shizuno: "I suppose." Satsuki: "Yeah, Nii-sama is going to become a Rank S at light speed," Shizuno: "Is that really the best thing?" Shizuno: "Rank S is a nation's final weapon. They have no freedom. They need permission just to take a walk, not to mention traveling. On top of that, they're forced to fight against" Satsuki: "N-No way!" Satsuki: "How can I go on dates with Nii-sama, then?" Shizuno: "I envy your sweet way you think." Maya: "Moroha-san." Moroha: "You were..." Satsuki: "Hey, it's you from before." Shizuno: "I can't let that slide." Moroha: "No, that was for medical purposes." Maya: "And you're..." Maya: "Shimon Maya. Call me Maya." Moroha: "M-Maya, huh? Nice to meet you." Satsuki: "You're not a student here, are you?" Maya: "I awoke as a Savior, a lot sooner than most people. I can't go to elementary school. That's why I'm here with Mari-oneechan." Satsuki: "Mari-oneechan?" Shizuno: "The principal. She's a relative." Moroha: "Ah." Moroha: "Shizuno, you knew Maya?" Shizuno: "My older brother is the president of this school." Maya: "Tee-hee." Tanaka: "Since this is a joint class between first and second year," Kame: "Yeah, I know, Tana T!" Kame: "You want me to do it, don't you?" Kame: "All right, first-years, you can call me Kamii!" Kame: "Bring it, Haimura." Kame: "They set me aside to call you a super-rookie. I'll drag you across the coals." Satsuki: "How is he a member of the Strikers?" A: "I'm embarrassed to be a second-year." Maya: "Moroha-san, good luck!" A: "That's the Ancient Dragon that attends our school, sir." A: "Sir Edward." Edward: "Hm? Why should I watch?" Kame: "Let's do this, Haimura!" Tanaka: "Mannendo-kun! That's a Step Two..." Kame: "Blaze!" Satsuki: "Nii-sama!" Kame: "Burn well!" A: "He stopped a Step Two with an Anti-Magic!" B: "Just how much Plana does he have?" Moroha: "Nice, Haimura." Kame: "Haimura! Why don't you feel the burn a little more? Suffer a little!" Satsuki: "This is Nii-sama's true strength!" Kame: "Such no!" Edward: "See?" Moroha: "My turn now, Kamii-senpai." Kame: "Step Three is cheating! No fair, Haimura!" Kame: "I'm sorry! I was kidding! Forgive me!" Moroha: "Here we go, Senpai. Incinerate." Kame: "Such no!" Maya: "Welcome to the principal's office." Moroha: "Um... Is the principal not back yet?" Maya: "You can wait here." Maya: "Are you here to hear about Shizuno-oneesan and the president?" Moroha: "Yeah, actually." Maya: "I can tell you what I know." Maya: "Mari-oneechan is with Sir whats-his-face. She won't be back for a while." Moroha: "You tricked me." Maya: "I never said she's coming back." Maya: "The Urushibara family is huge. Shizuno-oneesan's grandpa was this school's capital investor." Maya: "He wants to make Shizuno-oneesan an executive, so he can become even greater. That's why he's been training Shizuno-oneesan as a Dark Mage since before she entered school. And he nominated her for the Strikers." Moroha: "He treats his own sister like a tool." Maya: "That's right." Maya: "But she's been happier since she met you, Moroha-san. Mari-oneechan and I are happy, too." Edward: "You're one of the people who defeated that Metaphysical, aren't you?" Edward: "I envy the Japan branch." Edward: "We don't have too many able Dark Mages at headquarters. It's because of the Ancient Dragon that my sister was able to come back alive. I hear Haimura-kun defied orders to come to Shizuno's aid." Principal: "That's true, but Shizuno-san is truly talented." Shizuno: "I wish we'd get hit by an asteroid or something right now." A: "It's cold." A: "Another nation falls." A: "Because you used the forbidden spell." A: "It's a frozen hell." A: "Not a single blade of grass will grow here ever again." A: "An act befitting Pluto, Shu Saura." Shu: "Do you fear me, witch of the netherworld?" Moroha: "That was my other past life." Moroha: "That felt rather convincing to be a dream." Moroha: "It was, like, soft." Moroha: "What are you doing, Shizuno?" Shizuno: "I'm having my boobs groped." Moroha: "I'm sorry." Shizuno: "What?" Moroha: "Are you a witch of the netherworld?" Shizuno: "I don't know what you're talking about." Shizuno: "Do it." Moroha: "What? What are you thinking? I had a feeling you were going to kiss me." Shizuno: "Stop messing with me already." Satsuki: "Yeah? Oh? Ah." Satsuki: "I was wondering where you'd gone. You were flirting behind your own sister's back!" Moroha: "How much did you hear?" Satsuki: "From "I had a feeling you were going to kiss me!" Nii-sama, you kiss freak! You womanizer!" Moroha: "Look out! Look out!" Angela: "According to Principal Shimon's report," Angela: "No visual records." Edward: "That sounds suspicious." Angela: "It seems that President Urushibara is becoming frustrated because you won't agree, sir." Edward: "Tadanori can wait." Angela: "But if you do any more, you'll cause an international diplomatic issue." Edward: "You're right. Oh yeah, about dinner tonight." Angela: "I've rented out a well-established sushi restaurant." Angela: "I was hoping we could take it easy tonight." Edward: "Cancel that, please." Angela: "E-Excuse me." Angela: "Cancel it?" Edward: "Yeah." Edward: "Take-out, please." Angela: "Yes, my lord." Tachimura: "Haimura Moroha-sama is waiting in the dining hall." Shizuno: "I see." Moroha: "Hey. I was waiting for you, Shizuno." Shizuno: "Moroha." Shizuno: "Is this your doing, Nii-san?" Moroha: "You could smile, you know." Shizuno: "You look good. You don't have to be embarrassed, Moroha." Moroha: "Yeah? You look good in that, too, Shizuno." Moroha: "This is the first time I've seen you in regular clothes." Shizuno: "Yeah?" President: "Sorry to call you out on such short notice, Haimura-kun." Moroha: "It's fine. This is delicious." President: "I hear you're good friends with my sister. Is she being of any help?" Moroha: "Help? Well, she's being good to me." President: "You will continue to work hard so that you can be by Haimura-kun. Got it?" Shizuno: "Understood, Nii-san." President: "Now, Haimura-kun. Do you know what the condition is to become a certified Rank S?" Moroha: "No, I don't." Shizuno: "To defeat a Metaphysical on your own that can't normally be defeated one-on-one." President: "That's you, Haimura-kun." Moroha: "If you're talking about that Metaphysical, the three of us defeated it." President: "If the two others agree, you'll be certified Rank S, won't you?" President: "A simple lie can make you the Number Two man of the Japan branch. You'd have all the fame and fortune you could desire. There'd be no better way to repay your aunt and uncle." Shizuno: "Stop it, Nii-san." Shizuno: "If he becomes a Rank S, Moroha won't have any more freedom." President: "Shizuno, this is the family's decision." Shizuno: "I'm sorry my brother is so selfish." Moroha: "I'm fine." Moroha: "It's kind of a lonely room." Shizuno: "What makes you say that?" Moroha: "I can't really picture your face here." Shizuno: "I suppose. There's nothing in this room that I chose for myself." Shizuno: "Urushibaras aren't allowed to have their own interests." Shizuno: "But now I'm interested in sleeping." Shizuno: "Because I can dwell in happiness in my dreams." Shizuno: "Of course, it's different when I'm with you, Moroha. I've never fallen asleep when I'm with you, have I, Moroha?" Moroha: "You did tease me, pretending to be asleep, though." Shizuno: "This is getting lame. Let's go get some fresh air." Shizuno: "It's cold." Moroha: "Should we go inside?" Shizuno: "No. It's depressing." Shizuno: "I want to feel the night air." Tachimura: "Are you really good here?" Moroha: "Yes, I want to get some fresh air before I go home." Tachimura: "Understood. Have this." Tachimura: "Please eat it soon." Moroha: "Thank you!" Moroha: "There's enough for three days." Moroha: "Come out." Moroha: "I don't know who you are and I don't intend to ask what you want." Moroha: "I don't intend to chase you down if you'll end this peacefully." Moroha: "Come, Saratiga!" Angela: "Dammit!" Moroha: "You're a woman?" Angela: "I'll prove to you that you're not fit to trouble that person." Angela: "This is the end!" Moroha: "I remember." Moroha: "Breeze Blade!" Maya: "None of us noticed the ominous way the stars twinkled. The omens of what Sir Edward's true goals were," Angela: "My lord, I've ordered sushi take-out." Edward: "Oh, sounds delicious!" Angela: "Natto rolls." Edward: "Boo!" Angela: "Next time, "White Knight's Fierce Attack."" All: "Come, Saratiga!"

Edward: "Moroha, was it? I went to see how good he is." A: "Don't tell me you attacked him." Edward: "Don't worry, I just tested him. I haven't hurt anyone." A: "So how is Haimura Moroha?" Edward: "He was a complete let-down. Sadly I can't nominate him for Rank S." Ange: "Dammit! I was going to test him, and he ended up going easy on me." Edward: "I'm disappointed, too, of course." Edward: "But they'll find out sooner or later, even if we lied." A: "He defeated a Dreadnought class, even if it took the three of them." Edward: "Three Rank As might cause a miracle." Edward: "Maybe the other two besides Moroha are pretty good, too." Maya: "Welcome home, Moroha-san." Moroha: "Oh, Maya. Why? I mean, how?" Maya: "I'm going to be your roommate starting today, Moroha-san." Moroha: "Huh?" Maya: "Just think of me as the world's warmest, softest, cutest body pillow." Moroha: "How could I? Hurry up and go back to the principal." Maya: "This was Mari-oneechan's decision." Moroha: "S-Seriously?" Maya: "Seriously." Maya: "Good night." Moroha: "This isn't illegal, is it?" Shizuno: "Study abroad?" A: "Great Britain HQ doesn't have enough able Dark Mages. They're more than happy to have one of the three that took down that Metaphysical. After graduation, you'll work as an executive—" Shizuno: "No! I'm not going." A: "Sit down, Shizuno." Shizuno: "Nii-san!" A: "This was decided on by the family." Moroha: "Hey!" Moroha: "Morning, Shizuno." Shizuno: "Morning, Moroha." Satsuki: "Hey, hear me out, Urushibara! This Maya kid says she's Nii-sama's roommate now!" Maya: "I hope you'll be patient with me. Tee-hee." Shizuno: "Do you care to tell me what's going on?" Moroha: "I don't have a clue myself." Maya: "Time to eat." Satsuki: "Your lunches have no flair! Look at mine!" Maya: "Don't you know, Satsuki-oneesan? Rice balls are delicious." Satsuki: "I know that. That's not the point." Moroha: "I never pictured you eating curry buns." Shizuno: "I heard it's popular here, so I thought I'd give it a try." Maya: "It's the chef's favorite. He was a chef in his past life, too." Moroha: "Seriously? I should have had that, then." Shizuno: "Want a bite?" Moroha: "Thanks." Satsuki: "What're you doing, Nii-sama?!" Moroha: "It's pretty good." Satsuki: "I don't care about how it tastes. You have me, your sister! How could you have a second-hand kiss with her, you cheat!" Moroha: "Cheat?" Satsuki: "Nii-san wasn't so heartless in our past lives. He used to do the "say ah" thing with me every day." Moroha: "Fine, fine. Here, say ah." Satsuki: "You used to kiss me when I said ah with my eyes closed." Moroha: "We were really siblings, right?" Moroha: "All right, see you tomorrow." Shizuno: "Yes, see you tomorrow." Moroha: "It was good, right?" Satsuki: "Yeah!" Moroha: "The one with lots of meat." Satsuki: "The meat was so good." Moroha: "Let's go again sometime." Shizuno: "I envy Ranjou-san." Shizuno: "She gets to call Moroha "Nii-sama" and have him pamper her as much as she wants." Shizuno: "Meanwhile, I... Why do I always" Satsuki: "I went to negotiate with the principal directly. I asked if I can be your roommate, since I'm your actual sister." Moroha: "How'd it go?" Satsuki: "I can't." Moroha: "Of course not." Satsuki: "Listen, Nii-sama. I'll let you cheat on me for now. But she's not your sister. I won't let anyone else be your sister." Moroha: "But you're going to let me cheat?" Satsuki: "Why isn't Urushibara at school? Did she contact you, Nii-sama?" Moroha: "No." Maya: "Oh, no! Moroha-san, Satsuki-oneesan." Edward: "I'm really glad you decided to study abroad, Shizuno." A: "My sister couldn't possibly refuse an offer from you, sir." Tachimura: "Sir, Principal Shimon is calling to speak to the lady." A: "To think she's asking for Shizuno specifically. What a nuisance that woman is. Shizuno, make it quick." Shizuno: "Okay." Shizuno: "I'm here." Moroha: "Is this Shizuno? It's me." Moroha: "What happened today?" Shizuno: "I caught a cold." Moroha: "Yeah, right. If you're not going to tell me the truth, I'm going to barge into your place." Shizuno: "I'm going to study in England." Moroha: "That's pretty sudden." Shizuno: "It is." Shizuno: "If you're the one that wants to go, I'll support you." Shizuno: "But you don't, do you?" Moroha: "Forget what that brother of yours says." Shizuno: "I can't." Moroha: "Why?" Shizuno: "I'm tied down to the Urushibaras." Moroha: "Listen, Shizuno. There isn't" Shizuno: "Even without your memories you say the same things, Shu Saura." Shizuno: "I'll be okay, don't worry." Moroha: "Shizuno!" Shizuno: "Moroha." Edward: "I intend to have Shizuno become an executive as soon as she graduates." A: "That's more than I'd ever hoped for." Edward: "It's going to get lonely for you, Tadanori." A: "Don't worry about me. Please make good use of my sister for as many years as you need." A: "Tell him to kindly leave." Shizuno: "Thanks, Moroha." Moroha: "Coming through." Moroha: "I told you I'd barge in if you lied." A: "You! What do you think you're doing? Property damage and trespassing!" Moroha: "I lost control of myself." Moroha: "I won't ask you to forgive me." Edward: "So what are you here for?" Moroha: "To warn you that you're so blind," Edward: "Oh?" Shizuno: "Moroha, don't say it!" Moroha: "I defeated that Metaphysical by myself." A: "Are you declaring that you're a Rank S now?" Shizuno: "Do you know what you're saying?" Shizuno: "Once you're a Rank S, you won't have any freedom." Moroha: "Yeah, I know, and I'm ready." Shizuno: "Why? Why would you do that for me?" Moroha: "You don't get it, do you?" Moroha: "It's because it's for you that I can do it." Shizuno: "I ought to go to hell." Shizuno: "You're a fool. We already died once before, and yet we got to meet again. Compared to that, studying abroad is nothing." Moroha: "I told you I remember almost nothing from my past lives, remember? That's why you're everything to me as you are now." Moroha: "I don't want to be separated from you." Moroha: "What about you?" Moroha: "Tell me how you really feel, Shizuno." Shizuno: "I want to be with you. In the past life, in this life, and in the next. I want to be with you forever." Moroha: "Then come with me." A: "Haimura! Are you trying to run off with my sister?" Satsuki: "Nii-sama, over here!" Maya: "I'm flooring it." Moroha: "Shizuno?" A: "Please, take my sister back from that kidnapper!" Edward: "I'd cause a huge problem if I got involved in internal affairs. I appeal to you formally with the rights afforded to me" Satsuki: "Stop carrying her around like a princess already." Moroha: "Bind!" Maya: "I'm so dizzy." Angela: "Dammit!" Moroha: "Wow, so that's what you look like." Edward: "Now, give her back to me." Moroha: "I'll never give you Shizuno." Edward: "Well, if you really defeated the Metaphysical yourself," Edward: "But there's no evidence." Moroha: "What if I were to defeat you?" Edward: "Are you challenging me to a duel?" Edward: "Then as a Knight I have to oblige." Moroha: "Satsuki." Satsuki: "I know, Nii-sama." Moroha: "Come, Saratiga!" Edward: "Wow, that's a nice sword. Mine's a pretty shabby piece. Don't be too disappointed." Moroha: "Taihaku!" Moroha: "Silly." Moroha: "You're still not giving up?" Ange: "It's over!" Shizuno: "Freezing Shade." Satsuki: "I hope you're not done yet." Ange: "Don't get too cocky. I'll kill you." Moroha: "Freeze Blade!" Edward: "That's more like it." Moroha: "What kind of trickery is all this?" Edward: "It's nothing, really. It's a Kougi where I concentrate all of my body's Plana into one point. Kinnu. And a Kougi to condense time" Edward: "They're both variations on Konnoutsuu." Moroha: "Invincible for a split second. Then even if he can fend off my Step Three" Edward: "I can't give you your S at this rate." Moroha: "It's the Hagun Kougi. I've seen it before." Edward: "Shall we stop there?" Maya: "Field of Dreams!" Moroha: "What's this?" Moroha: "It's the same as back then." Maya: "Yeah." Maya: "So don't worry about everything else, just go for it." Moroha: "Thanks, Maya." Moroha: "Now I can finally fight with everything I've got." Edward: "Oh?" Moroha: "Write!" Edward: "You never learn, do you?" Edward: "What? The Dark Art was a trap?" Moroha: "Yin Yang Kurikara!" Edward: "That's what you've been hiding!" Edward: "Oh, boy." Moroha: "He has two dog tags?" Edward: "You did well. To think you'd made me invoke the Ginrei Argusten." Ange: "What?" Ange: "What's going on?" Edward: "It's useless. Give it up. I'm invincible!" Edward: "Then don't be reborn!" Edward: "I'm shocked. Impressive!" Moroha: "What do I do? How can I defeat him?" Moroha: "I have to defeat him, or Shizuno..." Moroha: "Shizuno." Shizuno: "You raze many nations and take tens of thousands of lives." Shizuno: "But you save even more lives." Shizuno: "As I used to do." Shizuno: "Even if the whole world turned against you, I'll stay by your side." Shizuno: "I'm your wife, after all." Moroha: "I remember." Moroha: "Decree's Wait!" Moroha: "Write!" Edward: "Good, that's it!" Ange: "There's someone other than the prince of Russia that can use Step Eight Dark Art?" Shizuno: "It's not over." Shizuno: "Moroha's chanting the forbidden spell." Edward: "Are you ever going to stop letting me have fun?" Edward: "Lose your humanity, Haimura Moroha!" Text: "Cocytus!" Edward: "You're a captured monster now! You're our seventh comrade!" Ange: "Edward-sama!" Satsuki: "What? You didn't defeat him?" Moroha: "I just froze him so he couldn't move." Maya: "I wanted you to avenge the car." Principal: "Avenge?" Moroha: "Sorry. But I attacked him all that much, and I finally put a bit of a dent in him. If you know how to defeat him, tell me." Principal: "How's your injury?" Maya: "I'm almost done." Moroha: "Are you all right, Shizuno?" Shizuno: "Yes, Ranjou-san protected me." Principal: "That's good." Principal: "Sorry it's so cramped, but make yourselves at home." All: "Thank you." Edward: "Sup?" Edward: "Don't worry, I won't do anything. Knight's honor. I admit you won. I'll call off Shizuno's transfer, as promised." Moroha: "Then why are you here?" Edward: "There's something I wanted to ask." Edward: "Why didn't you dodge my punch?" Moroha: "Because you didn't intend to kill me." Edward: "How did you know?" Moroha: "You can tell from looking at your opponent's Plana, obviously." Edward: "No, you really can't. You sure are a jack-in-the-box of a man." Edward: "Moroha Haimura. With the rights granted to me as the president" Moroha: "What'd he say?" Shizuno: "That you're going to become central to the White Knight Agency someday," Moroha: "That's extreme. Oh well. It'd be better than being far apart from you." Moroha: "So you're the Witch of the Netherworld, right?" Shizuno: "I don't know." Moroha: "Don't play dumb now." Moroha: "I'm not playing dumb. I just don't want to declare it like Ranjou-san did." Moroha: "I want you to remember me properly." Moroha: "You're free." Moroha: "There isn't a chain in this world for a person to chain down another." Shizuno: "I was a slave, and you freed me. You have the responsibility to chain me down." Shizuno: "Please, don't let me go. Not until we die, and not after we're reborn." Shizuno: "Forever." Shizuno: "That's your..." Shizuno: "You chained me down in the past life and in this life." Shizuno: "Your atonement towards me." Shizuno: "Say, Maya, what do you think of Haimura-kun?" Maya: "He has a pretty strong chest." Shizuno: "How do you know?" Maya: "Next time, episode 5: "We are the Summer!"" All: "I remember."

Maya: "Nearly a month had passed since the Edward-san incident and it is now summer." Maya: "Akane Academy is entering summer break." Ishi: "So, anyway, camp will be held on a small island in Yamaguchi Prefecture this year." Ishi: "Be well prepared, everyone." Satsuki: "Hey. What do we do at summer camp?" Moroha: "Training, I be—" Tokiko: "Haimura, do you have time after school? Make time if you don't. As vice captain, I, Kanzaki Tokiko, order you to go swimsuit shopping with me." Moroha: "What?!" Tokiko: "I'll pick out your swim shorts for you. Disgustingly tight boomerang pants!" Sophia: "Oh, boomerang street!" Ishi: "I'm sure when you think of summer at the beach, you think of partying. But I expect you all to behave yourselves." All: "Yes, sir." Satsuki: "Urushibara, Kanzaki-senpai... I have a ton of enemies going after Moroha. I'm going to beat them all! With a killer, seductive swimsuit!" A: "Mommy, that person's weird." Mom: "Don't look." A: "I heard the news, Shizuno." A: "That you're going to the beach with Haimura-kun!" A: "These are professional designers and stylists." A: "Find the perfect swimsuit to use to seduce Haimura-kun!" Shione: "Calm down, Nii-san. Think this through." A: "You could go have a kid or two while you're there. Giving birth as a student isn't without its worries," Moroha: "This shop will do." Moroha: "Huh? Momo-senpai." Momochi: "Haimura." Moroha: "You'd look better in that bikini." Momochi: "Haimura, you pervert! A tiny-breasted girl like me? In a b-b-b-bikini?" Moroha: "You'd look good in it. After all, you're cute, Momo-senpai." Momochi: "Liar! People have been saying Momochi-san's daughter Haruka-chan" Moroha: "Come on, don't say that." Momochi: "Go away!" Moroha: "Enjoy your stay." Mari: "Write!" Moroha: "Is this the Principal's?" Maya: "Yes." Text: "It's a transient gate. Transportal. It's a precious magic she can use only once a day." Mari: "Well then, everyone, take care." Satsuki: "We're here!" Text: "I love the beach!" Moroha: "She's way too hyper." Moroha: "What the?" Satsuki: "The waves took my bikini top!" Moroha: "Not bad for Ranjou-san." Satsuki: "Help me, Nii-sama!" Moroha: "Hide it a little, will you?" Maya: "No fair, leaving me out of the fun." Moroha: "The barrier?" Maya: "Perfect." Momochi: "Hey." Moroha: "Senpai, you're letting your brand new swimsuit go to waste." Momochi: "Hey!" Satsuki: "How do you know it's a brand new swimsuit, Nii-sama?" Moroha: "Well, y'know... Hide it already." Satsuki: "Don't switch the subject!" Shione: "I'd like to hear all about it, too." Maya: "I'm reading ill fortune with women again." Momochi: "It's because I..." Taketsuru: "Don't move." Momochi: "What's this about, Taketsuru-senpai?" Taketsuru: "Watch this." Taketsuru: "You worked so hard for you-know-who. Make sure he sees it." Momochi: "I don't know what you're talking about." Moroha: "You look good, Momo-senpai." Tokiko: "What are you doing?" Tokiko: "Get a hold of yourself." A: "Don't touch me!" Tokiko: "Quit swinging them around so much!" Taketsuru: "You said you wanted to have fun at the beach, too, Kanzaki. What's with that shabby outfit?" Tokiko: "I was banned. I tried so hard to find something I could show Haimura," Tokiko: "The captain is such a stubborn, lame, antisocial loner, and he's taking it" Ishi: "I appreciate your remonstrance, Vice Captain." Tokiko: "Ow, ow, ow! Wait, Captain, all I meant was— Ow, ow!" Ishi: "It looks like we're all here." Tokiko: "Stop pressing so hard, my head's going to crack!" Ishi: "Let's start training now." Tokiko: "Not Gorikitsu! Something's spilling out of my ears!" A: "Is something spilling out of me?" Tokiko: "No!" Ishi: "So for this year's camp," Kamekichi: "That sounds fun." Sophia: "I'm in." Ishi: "We meet up at the residence at 6 PM. Don't be late." All: "Yes." Satsuki: "I've decided." Shione: "Decided on what?" Satsuki: "My challenge is Momo-senpai. I'm going to be faster than you." Momochi: "Uh, why don't you choose another challenge?" Satsuki: "Oh no, Momo-senpai, are you intimidated by my prospects?" Momochi: "I-It feels like bullying, I don't like it." Satsuki: "Obviously, I know I can't beat you right away. I'm not that arrogant. But "bullying" is a bit much, isn't it?" Momochi: "Fine, I'll take your challenge." Moroha: "All right." Moroha: "Ready..." Moroha: "Go!" Moroha: "Are you all right?" Satsuki: "O-One more." Taketsuru: "Go go, both of you!" Shione: "She really doesn't know her bounds, does she?" Shione: "She doesn't even have the basics down." Maya: "And she thinks she can beat Haruka-oneesan of all people. She's so reckless." Edward: "Hullo, Jack, how've you been?" Moroha: "Who the heck is Jack?" Edward: "It's the nickname I gave you, remember? Because you're so full of surprises, like a jack-in-the-box. Lucky you. I'm busy with meetings, and Jack's off on vacation with girls." Moroha: "How did you even hear about that?" Edward: "When I was talking to the principal on the phone about" Moroha: "For me?" Edward: "Are you curious?" Moroha: "Not really. Bye." Moroha: "Yes?" Edward: "You're awful, Jack!" Shione: "What was that?" Moroha: "That nuisance is being a nuisance again. He's nominating me for Rank-S," Maya: "Th-That's dangerous." Moroha: "Dangerous?" Maya: "Mari-oneechan always told me the Lightning Emperor of Russia is a really scary person." Shione: "It's because of me." Moroha: "That's not your fault, is it, Shizuno?" Momochi: "A-Are you all right?" Satsuki: "I'm fine." Maya: "After training today, we broke open a watermelon with a stick. After we split the watermelon, Moroha-san ate a ton of watermelon," Maya: "Today we had a courage test. But compared to the captain and the scary vice captain, it was nothing. Vice Captain kept sneaking into Moroha's room at night, and every time," Maya: "Mari I'm glad you made a lot of friends, Maya. Speaking of which, Moroha and Satsuki are sneaking out at night together." Satsuki: "Please, Nii-sama." Satsuki: "Coach me so that I can be faster than Momo-senpai." Moroha: "Why don't you choose a different challenge?" Satsuki: "I-I knew it would be difficult." Satsuki: "But at this rate, I'm just going to drag you down, like in my past life." Moroha: "Calm down." Moroha: "Don't be in such a hurry, Satsuki." Satsuki: "This is our first time doing this." Moroha: "I remember." Satsuki: "Huh?" Moroha: "In my memories, Flaga was always fighting." Satsuki: "And I was always being left behind." Moroha: "Yeah." Moroha: "I didn't want you to be on the battlefield." Satsuki: "So you mean to say I'm not reliable." Moroha: "It's the opposite." Moroha: "I knew your hidden talents were extreme. If they were to surface during battle," Moroha: "I couldn't stand it." Satsuki: "I never knew." Moroha: "Back during the Edward thing, I felt safe leaving you with Angela." Moroha: "Pathetic, isn't it?" Satsuki: "It's not pathetic. I'm happy." Moroha: "Knowing that, I'm telling you to give up your challenge to beat Momo-senpai." Moroha: "Momo-senpai specializes in speed. You could even say speed is all she has." Moroha: "She knows that all too well, and that's why she polishes her Jinsokutsu. So to say so casually that you're going to become faster" Satsuki: "I know that, but..." Moroha: "You have your own fortes, Satsuki. Work on those, and you'll get stronger—" Satsuki: "Momo-senpai's always your partner during training, isn't she, Moroha?" Moroha: "Well, that's because there's no one else that can keep up with our speed." Satsuki: "I want me to be your partner." Moroha: "I can't guarantee I can make you win." Moroha: "We're training every night from now on. Can you do it?" Satsuki: "Of course, Nii-sama. Thank you!" Moroha: "Let go!" Moroha: "Hey!" Mari: "I'm grateful that the Japan branch executive himself would come." Suruga: "I don't hate beautiful people. I just want to make sure I, Suruga Ando," Mari: "I'm honored." Mari: "As soon as we get to headquarters, I'll be taking a Transportal to London. Come with me. By the way," Suruga: "Yes?" Mari: "I heard a rumor that a majority of" Suruga: "It's true." Suruga: "I suspect it's only your Rank-A and B students that haven't been summoned." Sophia: "Your barbecue skills are Rank-S, Satsuki!" Shione: "They're cooked just right. I'm jealous." Satsuki: "Leave the cooking to me!" Momochi: "Have you been practicing?" Satsuki: "I wanted Nii-sama to enjoy a good meal someday. I've always been practicing." Taketsuru: "The principal must be in the Six Heads meeting right now. It's amazing though, isn't it? All of the Six Heads are gathering for your sake." Moroha: "Nah." Kamekichi: "Haimura!" Kamekichi: "I heard your Rank-S promotion might get canceled. Too bad for you!" Moroha: "Right." Kamekichi: "Well, you can get a fresh start from now on as my errand boy." Moroha: "Why am I set to be your errand boy?" Kamekichi: "Because you're the junior here. That's how it's always been, since time immemorial. So were you the errand boy last year, then, Kammie-senpai?" Kamekichi: "Shut up, leave me alone." Tokiko: "That kid didn't come to last year's camp." Moroha: "Huh?" Tokiko: "He wasn't even a reserve yet." Moroha: "Kammie-senpai." Tokiko: "More importantly, are you eating well, Haimura? We're going sunbathing together tomorrow." Tokiko: "You're going to be all over my entire body..." Satsuki: "You're going to make him spread sunblock on you?" Tokiko: "Do you think I'd be so cliché? You insult me! It's grown-up lotion I want him to lather on me!" Moroha: "What the hell are you thinking?" Tokiko: "Nothing but pervy things, of course." Tokiko: "I love meat. It stimulates the soul and heightens the libido." Moroha: "What the hell are you talking about?" Tokiko: "My ass meat is good, too, Haimura." Moroha: "That's a terrible picture." Tokiko: "Come on, let's go now. Your ass is mine, my ass is yours. Stroke it, knead it, suck on it, bite it," Ishi: "When are you going to understand what I'm telling you, Kanzaki-kun?" Tokiko: "Ow, ow, ow!" Ishi: "Okay, everyone. We have self-guided training tomorrow." Ishi: "Work hard towards your goals." All: "Okay." Tokiko: "My head's going to crack." Sophia: "Oh, is my ass a crack?" Tokiko: "Stop playing dumb!" Moroha: "Ten meters, maybe." Satsuki: "That's it?" Moroha: "Momo-senpai could run a few hundred meters on the water without stopping." Satsuki: "O-Once more, Nii-sama." Moroha: "Listen, take it easy. Be natural. I don't mind you being pumped up on the inside. In fact, be strong of will, but calm of mind." Satsuki: "I'll try it." Moroha: "Are you okay?" Satsuki: "I'm okay." Satsuki: "I want to be beside Nii-sama always. I can't give up now." Maya: "What are we going to do?" Shione: "I'll let her borrow Moroha for a while. Out of consideration for Ranjou-san's futile efforts." Moroha: "Come on, get a grip." Satsuki: "Thanks, Nii-sama." Moroha: "What's wrong?" Satsuki: "Don't you get a weird feeling from over there?" Moroha: "I don't see anything." Satsuki: "Maybe it was just a cold breeze." Satsuki: "Maybe I'm just imagining things. Or I got the chills from being cold." Moroha: "Maybe we should call it a day." Satsuki: "Okay." Maya: "The fun days are going by so fast. Summer camp is only two more days." Sophia: "Fire!" Satsuki: "Fire!" Momochi: "Fire!" Satsuki: "Maya-chan, do you like sparklers?" Maya: "Yes. When I awakened" Maya: "I didn't know which was the real me, the one in the past or the one now." Maya: "I couldn't stop crying." Maya: "But Mari-oneechan told me while we were doing fireworks. I'm the same Maya in the past life and in the current life. I have the same soul. I'm the same person." Taketsuru: "The principal's pretty awesome." Maya: "She is." Kamekichi: "You! Who do you think bought those fireworks? Don't go raising the roof without Kammie-sama here!" Tokiko: "How could you young'uns sit around with sparklers? You're way too dried up!" Satsuki: "Payback for my pent-up anger! Fire!" Kamekichi: "Wait, wait!" Tokiko: "Let's go, Haimura. It's our memorable first night!" Taketsuru: "There're kids here. You could be a little more indirect about it, Kanzaki. Why don't you go talk to the girls about cabbage patches, then?!" Kamekichi: "My beautiful ass!" Satsuki: "Kanzaki-senpai spotted ahead!" Text: "Payback for my pent-up anger! Fire!" Taketsuru: "Kanzaki!" Tokiko: "I take that as a declaration of war." Tokiko: "Bring it on, little girls! I'll burn you all! Write!" Moroha: "What the hell?" Kamekichi: "Dude, Haimura! Our fireworks are down to half. Go get some more!" Moroha: "Fine, I'll do it." Moroha: "Shizuno, you're pretty late." Shione: "I took a while to get changed." Moroha: "Huh?" Shione: "Nii-san forced me to bring this. Did I do the right thing wearing it here?" Moroha: "I have errands to run for Kammie-senpai." Shione: "We're finally alone." Shione: "Since it's a yukata, I'm not wearing any underwear. Put it in my cleavage, and whee!" Moroha: "Stop it!" Moroha: "F-Fine. Let's hang out for a while." Moroha: "Sorry I couldn't spend too much time with you." Shione: "Camp was more fun than I thought." Moroha: "Yeah. I want to bring Auntie and them sometime." Shione: "Oh, I hope you invite me, then, too." Moroha: "With my family?" Shione: "Yes. I hope you introduce me to them." Moroha: "Introduce you? You're not—" Shione: "But in the meantime..." Shione: "Let's have all the fun we can tomorrow." Moroha: "Yeah, you're right." Maya: "Fireworks in the night, lighting up and then burning out fleetingly. It was like the passing of the summer days." Maya: "And we hadn't known at the time that there was another light in the night sea." A: "Hey, let's get started." B: "All right." Momochi: "Huh? There isn't really a secret to my speed." Satsuki: "Teach me how to reduce drag on your chest." Momochi: "Next time, episode six: "We Are the Swords of Salvation.""

Edward: "Well then, now that we're all here, why don't we begin?" Edward: "On Moroha Haimura's Rank-S certification." Vasilisa: "I oppose. Any objections?" Charles: "I agree with the Lightning Emperor of Russia." Ando: "I'm in favor. He has the aptitude." Edward: "And the rest of you?" Lu: "I wouldn't dare impose." Arlene: "Do we even have enough information to measure what's-his-face's abilities?" Edward: "Don't worry. He defeated a nine-headed Metaphysical. He's a prodigy." Charles: "And the evidence?" Ando: "Haimura-kun disposed of the multi-head in an instant. He didn't leave time for any records." Vasilisa: "This is what they mean when they say you put your foot in your mouth." Charles: "Forget it." Charles: "How could you possibly expect us to accept it without any evidence?" Arlene: "I guess I can't agree either, then." Edward: "Wait." Edward: "I know where you're coming from. I was skeptical, too. That's why I—" Ando: "Not at a time like this." Edward: "What is it, Ando?" Ando: "It's a Metaphysical." A: "Target is maintaining speed." B: "Understood. Continue following it from a distance." A: "Understood." Tokiko: "Three hundred meters in length." Kamekichi: "No! The Dreadnought Class is nothing compared to this." Isurugi: "The Six Heads have called it the Fortress Class." umi: "So where is it now?" Kamekichi: "In the Sea of Japan, moving southward. It'll be past this island's shores and reach Honshu in an hour." Kamekichi: "If that thing set foot on land..." Sophia: "It'd be a catastrophe." Momo: "When are we getting backup?" Isurugi: "Japan Headquarters is ordering us to retreat." Isurugi: "They decided that we mustn't attack recklessly while the Japan Executive is absent." Tokiko: "I don't get it." Maya: "Yes. Mari-oneechan's Transportal can bring them back right away." Isurugi: "I don't know the details, but the brass must have made their decisions." Satsuki: "Are you going to follow their orders?" Isurugi: "Their orders are absolute." Isurugi: "Besides, as the leader of the squad, I can't lead you into a hopeless battle." Sophia: "Look! At that!" Tokiko: "They should have been at a safe distance." umi: "It's either highly intelligent or aggressive." Isurugi: "You understand now, don't you?" Isurugi: "We have no time to waste. Gather your things immediately." Isurugi: "The islanders are already being evacuated. We'll follow them off the island." Isurugi: "What's wrong?" Kame: "I have a tummy ache all of a sudden! I'll have to see a doctor on the mainland!" Kame: "Bye!" Satsuki: "Moroha." Moroha: "Go back to your rooms. Let's prepare." Vasilisa: "This is interesting." Vasilisa: "Ando, you will not move a step from where you are." Ando: "What?" Arlene: "What is this nonsense? How are they going to defeat that thing without the Six Heads at the fronts?" Vasilisa: "How is it nonsense?" Vasilisa: "Isn't there a man in Japan that may become Rank-S? Ando has no reason to return." Charles: "Good idea." Charles: "Sleep for a while. That way you won't have to suffer, either." Ando: "So you have a kind side. I'm impressed." Vasilisa: "He's as cute as he is young when he's asleep." Edward: "You'll have to take care of it, Moroha." A: "Everyone, please evacuate calmly. There are enough ships for everyone. Please evacuate calmly." Moroha: "Are you sure about this, Maya?" Maya: "Yes. I want to make myself useful, too." Moroha: "Shizuno?" Shizuno: "Obviously." Moroha: "Satsuki?" Satsuki: "I don't want to run anymore." Moroha: "Aren't you retreating?" Isurugi: "The strikers are, yeah." Isurugi: "But I'm neither a captain nor a squad member. I'm just here as Isurugi Jin. "How can we call ourselves the swords of salvation" Isurugi: "Those words struck me." Isurugi: "There're only five of us, but depending on how we play it out..." umi: "You're counting wrong." Sophia: "We missed the boat." Momo: "Let us fight with you." All: "Please." Tokiko: "Asses are more massive than the world. That's why I fight." Isurugi: "Guys..." umihiro: "Anyway, what about our orders?" Isurugi: "No, I'm not a captain right now." Tokiko: "Be a little more flexible. You're so stubborn." Isurugi: "We are the swords of salvation." All: "We are the Saviors." All: "We are the Strike for our People, our Peace and our Justice. We are the Strike for our People, our Peace and our Justice." Moroha: "Sound?" Isurugi: "Yeah." Isurugi: "The first victim was a fishing boat that was playing loud music. And..." Moroha: "The Defense Force helicopter made a loud blast." Isurugi: "Right. It's likely that the Fortress responds sensitively to sound. We'll form lines based on this fact." Tokiko: "It's here." A: "Wh-What is that?" B: "It's too big." Tokiko: "Stop warbling, chicks!" Isurugi: "First we'll lure the Fortress towards the harbor siren. The Black Mage squad will make use of Shimon-kun's barrier as a safety zone" Satsuki: "It's headed toward the harbor." Isurugi: "Just as planned. That's our captain." Momo: "It's like a moving island." Isurugi: "Meanwhile, the Shirogane squad will focus on" Isurugi: "Momochi-kun will use her speed to relay messages between the squads. And when the Fortress becomes immobilized," Satsuki: "I-Independent? Who's doing it?" Isurugi: "I'll be doing the left. And I want you, Haimura-kun, to handle the front, where we expect" Moroha: "You say that so casually, Captain." Isurugi: "It stopped." Satsuki: "But now we can't..." Momochi: "We can't surround it." Isurugi: "What the?" Isurugi: "Who is that?" Kame: "Woohoo! I'm the party of the century!" Kame: "I'm so awesome!" Moroha: "Kammie-senpai!" umihiro: "Fireworks." Satsuki: "It's moving." Kame: "Never mind, go away!" Moroha: "Kammie-senpai!" Isurugi: "Run, Mannendo!" Isurugi: "All right, it's in formation. Commence operation!" Takenaka: "No way. I had no idea. I can't do it." Tokiko: "It's already been explained. It can be done. And you're already standing on the battlefield, Takenaka!" Tokiko: "You have nice balls. You pass." Tokiko: "Step up, if any of you want to be checked, too!" Tokiko: "Then let's proceed as planned." Shizuno: "Write." Shizuno: "Dreadful Blizzard." Shizuno: "Fell everything in the blink of an eye. Lightning!" A: "Flare!" B: "Hydrosquirt!" Tokiko: "Incinerator!" umihiro: "We did it." A: "We did it!" Tokiko: "It's too early to celebrate, you buffoons." Sophia: "Surprise, surprise! They came out of the Metaphysical!" Satsuki: "More Metaphysicals!" umihiro: "Well it's not uncommon for giant insect types to have bugs inside." umihiro: "It's our job to exterminate them and protect the Dark Mage squad. Don't forget that." Satsuki: "R-Roger." Sophia: "Bring it on!" Isurugi: "Stubborn, huh?" Isurugi: "You're absolutely right. And that's fine. Let's go. With honesty. With naiveté." Isurugi: "My challenge to myself in this camp..." Isurugi: "is to come even one step closer to Haimura-kun!" Isurugi: "How can I become as powerful as you?" Moroha: "I think it's just a matter of spirit." Isurugi: "I get it, Haimura-kun. I finally get it." Moroha: "Start the music." Moroha: "Come, Saratiga." Moroha: "Let's go!" Moroha: "Black Gehenna!" Moroha: "Yin Yang Kurikara!" Moroha: "Sorry, but..." Moroha: "they told me not to let you through!" Satsuki: "Senpai!" Satsuki: "You always make such a mess." umihiro: "I wish you'd say I'm a jack of all trades, master of none." Sophia: "Bimbo? I see vermin!" Satsuki: "Sophie-senpai makes even more of a mess." Satsuki: "Shoot." Tokiko: "This is because I didn't get to do grown-up lotion stuff with Haimura! And this is because I didn't get to have Haimura take off my grown-up swimsuit! My challenge at camp is to take it all out on you! Die! Take this! And this!" Maya: "It's scary what you can do when you're angry." Momochi: "Captain Isurugi!" Isurugi: "What's the status?" Momochi: "Sir, the Dark Mage squad has destroyed the left leg portion. They're now attacking the trunk." Isurugi: "All right, now we need Haimura-kun to take out the head." Isurugi: "What?" Momochi: "No, it's..." Momochi: "It was multi-headed?!" Isurugi: "No, order everyone to retreat! Immediately!" Momochi: "Right!" Sophia: "My head's pounding." Tokiko: "Use defensive magic!" B: "I can't!" Isurugi: "At this rate..." Satsuki: "Guys." Tokiko: "Damn you." Maya: "Y-Yes." Satsuki: "Shizuno!" Shizuno: "I'm fine." Shizuno: " Hurry..." Satsuki: "Shizuno!" Momochi: "Ranjou." Momochi: "We have a retreat order. Hurry, bring everyone." Moroha: "Be pumped on the inside." Moroha: "In fact, be strong of will, but calm of mind." Satsuki: "Take care of the others." Momochi: "Ranjou." Momochi: "That Plana." Satsuki: "I'm going to protect everyone until Nii-sama gets here!" Moroha: "What the?" Momochi: "Haimura!" Moroha: "Momo-senpai." Momochi: "Satsuki went berserk. She's as fervent as you and Captain." Moroha: "Satsuki's in danger." Moroha: "Run, Momo-senpai." Moroha: "I'll defeat it." Momochi: "What? We wouldn't be having so much trouble if we could defeat it that easily." Moroha: "Still, it has to be done." Moroha: "Before it turns to face Satsuki." Moroha: "But what do I do?" Moroha: "I can't defeat it with a half-assed attack." Moroha: "I remember." Momochi: "That won't do, it's too shallow." Moroha: "No, this is good. Just get out of here, Momo-senpai." Momochi: "Dammit, whatever! I'll go down with you! Moroha, I'll cover your rear." Moroha: "Thank you!" umihiro: "Come on, hang in there." Maya: "We're safe in my barrier." umihiro: "Ranjou!" Moroha: "Satsuki!" Satsuki: "Nii-sama!" Moroha: "We're good here. Go retreat with the others." Satsuki: "I'm so glad." Moroha: "Satsuki!" Momochi: "I got this." Momochi: "Your running was awesome just now." Moroha: "Dammit..." Moroha: "If it does that thing now..." Moroha: "I..." Moroha: "I won't forgive anything that takes from me!" Ando: "Oh? So they won. Not bad. Those are my men for you." Arlene: "Um, yeah. I think what's-his-face is set for Rank-S." Edward: "Well then, how's this? Taking into consideration he'd only just recently awakened," Ando: "So he gets three years parole. Fair enough. He'll be working for me soon." Moroha: "I'm so tired." Satsuki: "Me, too." Satsuki: "Come on." Moroha: "Don't your legs hurt?" Satsuki: "What about you? Do you hurt anywhere?" Moroha: "No, I actually feel good." Shizuno: "Let's do something that feels even better, then." Moroha: "Shizuno." Moroha: "Are your injuries better already?" Shizuno: "Yes, I'm fine." Shizuno: "Maya-san gave me treatment." Satsuki: "You have good complexion, too. Good for you, Urushibara." Shizuno: "Huh, didn't you call me Shizuno earlier, Satsuki-san?" Satsuki: "You were out of it, so forget about it!" Moroha: "Ow, this pillow moves!" Shizuno: "Maybe it's not a good pillow." Shizuno: "My pillows are softer." Satsuki: "Hey! Stop talking like the vice captain!" Tokiko: "Do you have a problem with me?" Satsuki: "Crap!" Sophia: "Good work, everyone." umihiro: "You did well treating everyone, too, Maya-chan." Maya: "I wish I could make myself more useful." umihiro: "No, you did great." Kame: "You guys, did you see me being a badass? Wasn't I awesome?" Moroha: "Oh, yeah, what happened since then?" Sophia: "He took a sonic attack and slept through the whole thing." Tokiko: "Anyway, Ranjou, I heard you saved the Dark Mage squad from being wiped out. I'll praise you for now." Satsuki: "It was nothing." Tokiko: "So you can rest now." Tokiko: "I'll be Haimura 's pillow now. This is an order from your vice captain." Isurugi: "That's enough, Kanzaki-kun." Tokiko: "Mercy!" Maya: "The waves ebbing and flowing are a lullaby. I prayed in my heart so that we, wearied from combat," Vasalina: "You, go to Japan and take him down." A: "Understood." Vasalina: "He's a Rank-S. Do whatever it takes." Vasalina: "Give your all to show them Russia's might." A: "Yes, ma'am." Tokiko: "I'm going to wait until that stubborn bastard's not looking, and then Haimura—" Isurugi: "Your head is as soft as a tomato, Kanzaki-kun." ext Episode; Episode Seven: "Next time, episode seven: "The Silver-haired Alien." Write!"

Lesya: "Haimura Moroha." Lesya: "I thank you for coming." Moroha: "You're the new exchange student from Russia?" Lesya: "Yes." Moroha: "This is the first time we've met, isn't it?" Moroha: "So the love letter was a trap to lure me out." Lesya: "The letter wasn't a trap." Moroha: "What?" Lesya: "I—" Lesya: "I..." Moroha: "Don't fall in love with me after you send your letter!" Lesya: "I'd heard from a reputable source that there's a tradition" Lesya: "But if that wasn't the correct custom..." Moroha: "I guess we do have a custom like that, but..." Lesya: "Then my feelings must have reached you as they should." Lesya: "Let us be in a relationship together, Haimura Moroha." Moroha: "Are you sure that's the look of love? What exactly are you plotting?" Lesya: "I'm plotting for us to become lovers," Moroha: "Oh, man." Moroha: "Sorry, I don't know you very well." Moroha: "I can't go out with you." Lesya: "I want to die." Moroha: "Huh?" Lesya: "Haimura Moroha rejected me." Lesya: "And now I want to die." Moroha: "It doesn't look like you're kidding." Lesya: "I'm depressed. Time to die." Moroha: "Why don't we start by being friends?" A: "She's so pretty." B: "Though there're lots of scary rumors about the Russia branch, aren't there?" Lesya: "My name is Elena Arshavina." Lesya: "They called me Lesya at the Russia branch." Tanaka: "Okay, Elena-san, have a seat over there." Satsuki: "Me! Me! Me!" Tanak: "Yes, Ranjou-san?" Satsuki: "Russian people have their dad's names in their last names, right?" Satsuki: "Don't you have one, Lesya?" Lesya: "I don't have parents." Lesya: "The name Arshavina is simply the name of the facility where I grew up." Satsuki: "S-Sorry, I..." Lesya: "There's no need to pity me." Lesya: "I have a precious younger brother. I'm not entirely alone." Tanaka: "Urushibara-san." Shione: "Elena-san, what is your objective?" Shione: "An investigation? Head hunting? Abduction?" Shione: "Or assassination?" B: "Hey, what'd she just say?" A: "What's wrong with Urushibara-san?" Tanaka: "Urushibara-san." Lesya: "My objective is to be in a relationship with Haimura Moroha." Shione: "Huh?" Satsuki: "What?" Satsuki: "How could I allow that?" Lesya: "Why wouldn't I be allowed?" Lesya: "I've already made my confession." Satsuki: "Say what?!" A: "Hey, what's going, Haimura?" B: "Foreigners are so assertive." Satsuki: "How could you mess with Nii-sama without my permission?" Lesya: "Who might you be?" Satsuki: "Ranjou Satsuki. Moroha's sister." Lesya: "I never knew Haimura Moroha had such a cute sister." Lesya: "I'm envious." Satsuki: "Oh, you. Stop it, you're embarrassing me. I know it's true, but still." Shione: "Ahem." Satsuki: "I-I'm not here for you to flatter me. Listen, if you want to confess to Moroha, you have to go through me first." Lesya: "Give me your brother, please." Satsuki: "Thank you for your offer. No, that's not the point, you idiot!" Shione: "What do you think you're doing?" Satsuki: "B-But..." Shione: "Elena-san, what is it about Moroha that you like?" Lesya: "It was love at first sight." Satsuki: "That's not a real answer!" Shione: "Ranjou-san is right. If you're really in love, you ought to be able to answer." Lesya: "What about you, then? What do you like about Haimura Moroha?" Shione: "Everything." Lesya: "I don't think that's a real answer, either." A: "Haimura, that bastard, he's globally popular!" B: "Even more rivals!" Tanaka: "Um, can we start with class?" Moroha: "How am I supposed to deal with this?" Satsuki: "She deflected it with her boobs!" Moroha: "No, that was a Kongoutsu." A: "What are you, a steel wall?" Sophia: "Even a mosquito's better at kissing than you, Uisuke." Satsuki: "Sophie-senpai has this won." Kame: "No, not yet. Takkie-senpai isn't going down that easily." Momo: "Hey, Moroha, I heard you got confessed to. By a transfer student." Moroha: "How do you know about that?" Maya: "The whole academy knows." Principal: "It's nice being young, isn't it?" Moroha: "Principal!" Principal: "Differences in nationality, differences in ethnicity—" Principal: "Be good to the transfer student, okay?" Satsuki: "Wh-What is that?" Satsuki: "Light skill, Keikoku." Kame: "Go, Takkie-senpai, you're awesome!" Sophia: "I see, nice trap. But..." umihiro: "Wait, stop, Sophie! Stop! Are you upset because your skill was defeated?" umihiro: "Your bottom! Your bottom!" Sophie: "My bottom?" Sophie: "Oh my god." Sophia: "Uisuke, you pervert!" Tokiko: "Looks fun." Sophie: "Oh, hand pleasure!" Tokiko: "They're so chock full of the American Dream, you can't even hide it, can you? Your American Cherry is going to fall ou—" Isurugi: "Sorry I'm late. Let's begin training." Lesya: "I've been waiting for you, Haimura Moroha." Moroha: "Lesya." Satsuki: "What do you want from Moroha?" Shione: "You were lurking. How distasteful." Lesya: "Haimura Moroha." Lesya: "I want you to go on a date with me tomorrow." All: "A date?!" Moroha: "They're both late." Satsuki: "Why would I allow you to go on a date with Moroha alone?" Satsuki: "We're going with you. Right, Urushibara?" Shione: "Sadly, I have plans tomorrow." Shione: "Ranjou-san, I'm counting on you." Satsuki: "Jeez. Fine. I'll protect him for you, too." Lesya: "I will prove to you that I'm the most worthy of being Haimura Moroha's lover." Lesya: "Kept you waiting, Haimura Moroha." Moroha: "Lesya. Morni—" Lesya: "I'm late because I couldn't put on my underwear by myself." Lesya: "I'm so clumsy." Lesya: "I'm so clumsy." Moroha: "It's not like I didn't hear you. But what's up with the cat ears?" Lesya: "Is this outfit weird, even to the Japanese?" Moroha: "Sorry, honestly..." Lesya: "I'm depressed. Time to die." Moroha: "Wait!" Lesya: "I heard Japanese boys are suckers for clumsy girls dressed like this." Lesya: "I've embarrassed myself. Time to die." Moroha: "Where did you even hear that?!" Lesya: "I studied Japanese culture from a reputable source in order to become your lover." Moroha: "Again, who?!" Satsuki: "I can't go on the date! Sophie-senpai broke her arm in church during prayers," Satsuki: "Oh, yeah!" Moroha: "Ah, good luck. Later." Moroha: "I guess it's just the two of us." Moroha: "Let's go, then." Lesya: "Okay." Moroha: "It's not like you're escorting a prisoner." Moroha: "Do you like WacDonald's?" Lesya: "I've never had it." Moroha: "Do you want to?" Lesya: "If that's what you wish." Moroha: "Your thoughts?" Lesya: "It has a blunt taste. I think it warrants amazement." Moroha: "Oh. I heard WacDonald's is popular in Russia." Lesya: "Yes. I've never had time to stand in line, so I never went." Moroha: "You were that busy, huh?" Moroha: "What's school like at the Russia branch?" Lesya: "There is no school." Lesya: "The Russia branch raises Saviors military style." Lesya: "Training is rough, and we're sent to action early." Moroha: "If it's okay with you, let's hang out more in the future." Lesya: "Are you asking me out on dates?" Moroha: "Yeah. I know a lot of friendly people." Moroha: "I'll introduce them to you." Moroha: "What's wrong?" Lesya: "Don't you suspect me of being an assassin from Russia or something?" Moroha: "Do you plan to kill me, Lesya?" Lesya: "I don't." Moroha: "Then it's fine." Moroha: "Huh?" Lesya: "Watching you, I'm reminded of someone I met a long time ago." Moroha: "Is there someone that's like me?" Lesya: "The UK branch executive." Moroha: "Please, no!" Shione: "Please stop being angry already." Angela: "It's two in the morning here, you freaking brat!" Shione: "How could you say such nasty things? We're friends, aren't we?" Angela: "Who and who?" Shione: "Oh, but I looked up everything on" Shione: "Just because the Urushibara family has clout in Europe doesn't" Angela: "Dammit!" Lesya: "I'm told that Japanese couples always kiss when taking photos with this machine." Moroha: "Do you want one?" Lesya: "I thought these machines were rigged so that you can never get the prizes." Moroha: "That's not true." Lesya: "For me?" Moroha: "A gift." Moroha: "You wanted one, didn't you?" Marisu: "All who live shall feel my wrath." Dekosuke: "Here it comes! Marisu-tan's Infinite Hell Attack, Ultimate Gehenna!" Eiji: "Why do you know the names of the enemy's moves?" Dekosuke: "Huh? I came up with this plot." Eiji: "You're the culprit again?!" Dekosuke: "Listen to me, Nii-san, that skill was a" Eiji: "Quit rambling! We're the target here!" Dekosuke: "It could make minced meat out of Earth and then some!" Marisu: "The arrogance of humanity has overtaken the earth." Marisu: "This is divine punishment." Eiji: "Saying that doesn't make it any better!" Dekosuke: "I could go without food, just thinking about a last-day-on-earth plot." Angela: "And her details?" Shione: "Her name is Elena Arshavina." Shione: "A beautiful woman with steel-silver hair. About fifteen years old." Angela: "What?" Shione: "Does that ring a bell?" Angela: "She might be a maneater." Moroha: "Kept you waiting." Lesya: "Spasiba." Moroha: "This takes me back. I used to play catch with my uncle, too." Lesya: "Your uncle? Not your father?" Lesya: "My dad died when I was little." Lesya: "Mom with him." Lesya: "We're the same in that sense, that we don't have parents." Lesya: "But I do have my uncle and aunt." Lesya: "And you have your younger brother. Right?" Lesya: "My younger brother is always with me." Moroha: "Ah." Moroha: "I'd like to meet your brother someday." Lesya: "I understand." Lesya: "I'd like to meet your uncle and aunt when you do." Moroha: "Sure. That's a promise." Shione: "So you came, Elena-san." Lesya: "What is this about, Urushibara Shizuno?" Shione: "A love letter... or not." Shione: "It's a letter of challenge. I'm requesting a duel." Lesya: "You intend to fight me?" Shione: "Yes. You're a maneater, aren't you?" Shione: "The Lightning Emperor's trump card." Shione: "A Savior-killing Savior." Shione: "You don't have to answer me." Shione: "Either way, I can't allow you near Moroha." Shione: "Write!" Shione: "Freezing Shade!" Shione: "Again! Freezing Shade!" Shione: "Good job, Nagravitts." Lesya: "That staff... The Origin." Shione: "Write!" Shione: "Dreadful Blizzard!" Shione: "She absorbed it?" Lesya: "If I die now, my brother will have no future." Shione: "With decisiveness!" Shione: "Lightning!" Shione: "A maneater's The Origin, the demon sword Replazan." Shione: "I didn't expect it to be so much." Lesya: "You saw nothing today. And you will not stand between Haimura Moroha and me going forward." Lesya: "Promise." Shione: "And if I break the promise?" Lesya: "Next time, I will erase you. Such kind words, coming from a rabid dog from the Russia branch." Lesya: "Don't act tough." Lesya: "I'll leave a permanent scar on your beautiful face to teach you a lesson." Lesya: "A deep scar, so you couldn't show yourself to Haimura Moroha." Shione: "Do it, if that'll make you content." Tanaka: "What do you think you're doing?" Tanaka: "Saviors are banned from fighting each other!" Maya: "The heart of the so-called maneater girl is as dark and piercing as obsidian." Maya: "But Shizuno-oneesan was certain she could feel it wavering." Kame: "Takkie-senpai, that move was seriously awesome!" umi: "Nah, it was nothing." Kame: "You stripped a girl naked! Total respect!" umi: "Next time, episode eight: "The Demon Sword and the Holy Sword.""

Moroha: "Home..." Satsuki: "...curfew?" Maya: "Yes." Satsuki: "What did that Urushibara do?" Maya: "I haven't been informed, either." Maya: "Lesya-oneesama is absent, too..." Satsuki: "I see..." Satsuki: "I'll go check on them later." Shizuno: "I'm glad you came, Moroha." Moroha: "Wait, what happened to you?" Shizuno: "Don't worry about it." Shizuno: "Do you know what a maneater is?" Moroha: "A maneater?" Shizuno: "A demon sword-wielding, Plana and Mana eating assassin from the Russia branch. Apparently Sir Edward's been hurt before, too." Moroha: "Listen carefully, Moroha. Elena-san is a maneater." Moroha: "Lesya's an assassin?" Moroha: "There must be some mistake." Shizuno: "No, I..." Moroha: "How could you?" Shizuno: "I went to fight without even giving you so much as a warning." Shizuno: "Not even you could forgive me this time, huh?" Shizuno: "But I'm not wrong." Moroha: "Forget it." Shizuno: "Listen to me, Moroha, the Russia branch..." Moroha: "I said forget it!" Moroha: "I'm glad you're safe." Moroha: "Moroha." Shizuno: "Please, be more careful with yourself." Shizuno: "If something were to happen to you, I..." Shizuno: "I'm sorry." Moroha: "Even if Lesya is a maneater, I'm not changing anything." Moroha: "I can't believe she's a bad person deep down." Condrat: "Lesya." Condrat: "Lesya!" Condrat: "Lesya! Get up!" Condrat: "It's not the time to be resting." Condrat: "Haimura might have found out who you are." Lesya: "I know." Condrat: "Why didn't you kill Urushibara?" Condrat: "Don't you want to complete your mission and live happily with your brother?" Lesya: "I know." Lesya: "I know that." Lesya: "It's not safe here." Satsuki: "Oh, so you are here." Moroha: "You shouldn't peep through her window. It's an invasion of privacy." Moroha: "Hey." Moroha: "Sorry about Shizuno yesterday." Moroha: "Ice dark magic with an added curse, huh?" Moroha: "Shizuno can be pretty macabre." Moroha: "It'll take a while, but I'll take responsibility in making you better." Lesya: "There are lots of dark mages in Russia, too," Satsuki: "Kept you waiting. It's my specialty risotto." Moroha: "Can you get up? If not, I can feed you." Satsuki: "I'm not letting you play "say, ahh" with another woman in" Moroha: "Come on." Lesya: "Are you two really siblings?" Moroha: "Yeah, in our past lives, to be exact." Lesya: "I don't believe it. It would take a miracle for siblings to be reincarnated into the same age." Satsuki: "Love creates miracles!" Moroha: "Love aside, I think every time you meet someone it's a miracle." Moroha: "Even you and I, we're together right now because of a ton of miraculous coincidences." Satsuki: "Come on, I'll feed you. Say ahh." Moroha: "Dude, dude! I'll go get water." Satsuki: "Sorry!" Moroha: "Ranjou Satsuki hates me. I knew it. This is quite an elaborate harassment. Time to die." Satsuki: "I said I'm sorry, come on, forgive me!" Moroha: "What the heck are you doing?" Lesya: "What is your relationship with Haimura Moroha?" Maya: "I'm harem personnel of the future. Tee-hee." Lesya: "I don't understand." Momo: "Why do onions make you cry so much?" Momo: "Water! Water!" Satsuki: "Ta-da!" Satsuki: "I thought you might be missing your hometown cooking by now." Satsuki: "Borscht." Satsuki: "How is it? Do you like it?" Satsuki: "Thank goodness. There's more, too. Eat well, sleep well and get well soon, okay?" Lesya: "Got it." Maya: "You can call me if you get lonely at night." Lesya: "Got it." Moroha: "Maya's the world's cutest body pillow. I am." Satsuki: "Wait, do you mean you're using Maya as a body pillow?" Maya: "Yes." Satsuki: "Seriously?" Moroha: "No, you're kidding, right?" Sophia: "Hi, Elena." Sophia: "Are you enjoying Japan?" Lesya: "Yes." Sophia: "Me, too. I'm even thinking of joining the Japan branch after I graduate." Sophia: "I think you should think about it, too." Moroha: "Hey." Lesya: "I..." Sophia: "I see. But you'll like the people at school even more. You're going to want to live in Japan, I guarantee it. If you stay here." Lesya: "This mission is a failure." Moroha: "I'm back." Lesya: "Welcome back." Moroha: "I'm glad you're feeling better, but don't push yourself too hard." Lesya: "I can handle it. So I have a request to make of you." Lesya: "Take me on a date, on the next break." Shizuno: "Are you certain? Thank you." Satsuki: "Hello?" Shizuno: "It's me. Has Moroha said anything about going out today?" Satsuki: "Actually, hear me out, Urushibara!" Satsuki: "Nii-sama's on a date with Lesya again!" Moroha: "You're not going to put your arm through mine or anything today?" Lesya: "Replazan." Lesya: "I'm a maneater. With a single swing of my demon sword I kill anyone who opposes Russia." Moroha: "Lesya." Lesya: "Haimura Moroha." Lesya: "I will now kill you." Satsuki: "Are you really serious? I can't believe Lesya's an assassin." Shizuno: "We'll talk later. You need to hurry ahead." Satsuki: "Sophie-senpai." Sophia: "Sorry, I can't let you through here." Satsuki: "But why?" Shizuno: "You want Moroha to defeat the pesky Russian assassin. Is that what the US branch is thinking?" Satsuki: "Sophie-senpai..." Satsuki: "Shizuno, let me handle this." Shizuno: "Thanks." Sophia: "I said I'm not letting you through." Sophia: "She's fast." Satsuki: "Let's fight, Senpai." Moroha: "She's strong." Moroha: "She's absorbing Plana!" Moroha: "Piercing will!" Moroha: "So this is the power of the demon sword." Moroha: "I can't keep this up." Moroha: "Gorikitsu!" Moroha: "She can absorb, even when our swords aren't touching?" Moroha: "Why don't you strike me down?" Moroha: "Weren't you going to kill me?" Sophia: "You improved at summer camp, huh, Satsuki?" Satsuki: "It's not like I'm not trying!" Sophia: "I'm going to get serious, too, then. Don't die!" Moroha: "I'm not getting anywhere just defending myself. But what am I supposed to do?" Lesya: "Why?" Lesya: "A normal Shirogane would use sword techniques that involve Plana." Lesya: "Why do you train in swordsmanship itself?" Moroha: "I don't know. Maybe it's because things never worked out for me in the beginning," Moroha: "I'm not done yet. I can still keep it up." Moroha: "I can improve myself a lot more." Moroha: "I remember!" Lesya: "What's this about, Haimura Moroha?" Moroha: "I don't know, you should try it yourself." Lesya: "I understand." Satsuki: "It's crumbling!" Sophia: "In my past life, I could never find a weapon that could keep up with me." Satsuki: "Just how much Plana do you have?! Dirty American extravagance!" Sophia: "No more talking." Sophia: "Have courage! Light the flame in your heart! You can do it, Satsuki!" Moroha: "I don't mind you being pumped up inside. In fact, be strong of will, but calm of mind." Satsuki: "Kongoutsu!" Sophia: "I can't fight without my weapon." Sophia: "I lose, Satsuki you overachiever. So cute! So cute! Senpai, I'm going to suffocate!" Moroha: "Go ahead, pick it up." Moroha: "But I think the result will be the same, no matter how many times you try." Lesya: "I have to kill you." Moroha: "For your brother?" Moroha: "Your brother's going to be killed unless I am? Something like that?" Moroha: "Then I'll help." Moroha: "I'll save your brother from the Lightning Emperor. Then you'll be free. Right, Lesya?" Lesya: "It can't be done." Moroha: "I couldn't save my parents." Moroha: "I don't want you to go through the same thing." Moroha: "I'm going to save him. I promise." Lesya: "I... My brother..." Shizuno: "Moroha!" Shizuno: "Stop now. You don't have a reason to fight each other." Shizuno: "Elena-san, you don't have a brother." Lesya: "What are you talking about, Urushibara Shizuno?" Shizuno: "The president of the institution told me." Shizuno: "You were abandoned, alone on the night of a snow storm." Shizuno: "Just you, alone, moments after being born." Shizuno: "Don't you think it makes no sense that you'd have a biological brother?" Lesya: "I don't need your silly lies!" Shizuno: "Then can you say your brother's name?" Lesya: "My brother's name... My brother's name..." Shizuno: "Can you remember what he looks like?" Shizuno: "How old is he?" Lesya: "His face?" Lesya: "His age?" Lesya: "I can't remember." Lesya: "Why? Why?" Condrat: "Because Urushibara-san is right." Condrat: "Nice to meet you." Condrat: "I'm Condrat, of the Russia branch." Lesya: "What's going on, Condrat? Where's my brother?" Condrat: "He's a figment." Lesya: "Huh?" Condrat: "I implanted it in you. The illusion that you have a brother. Human illusions are a pesky thing. You might have figured it out if you'd given even just a little consideration," Moroha: "How could you treat a person's mind like that?" Lesya: "I see." Lesya: "I was alone." Lesya: "I could have died." Moroha: "Lesya!" Condrat: "It's no use." Condrat: "I'm sure she'll listen to no one now." Moroha: "What?" Condrat: "Me? I'm over here." Lesya: "Even a Savior's body can be taken over if their mind is broken." Condrat: "How about we continue the swordplay? Though I'm sure it'll be difficult fighting and protecting Urushibara-san at the same time." Condrat: "You did well, Lesya. Haimura can't kill you." Condrat: "It seems that immense Plana of yours is backfiring on you." Moroha: "How long do you plan on sleeping? I remember now. So should you. Saratiga!" Condrat: "Wh-What?!" Moroha: "Tranquilize!" Moroha: "Don't say you could have died. That's so sad. If you need a reason to live, I'll be that reason." Moroha: "I'll be your family." Condrat: "My eyes! Ow! Ow!" Vasilisa: "Who said you could touch my feet?" Vasilisa: "I do not forgive failure." Vasilisa: "That Haimura seems to have destroyed only the mind that dwelt in the maneater. How kind of him." Lesya: "Why?" Moroha: "I figured you'd do this." Lesya: "I don't want to get you involved." Moroha: "You're so stubborn." Lesya: "Sorry." Lesya: "But thanks for everything, Haimura Moroha." Moroha: "Sleep near death." Ed: "Hi, Jack. You're rarely the one to call me." Moroha: "I need to ask you for a favor." Moroha: "I want to go to war with the Russia branch." Moroha: "By myself." Maya: "Elena Arshavina. May her life be repaired into a brightly shining one," Maya: "That prayer is what sparked Haimura Moroha to fight." Elena: "Moroha, how many children do you want?" Moroha: "That's not what I meant by family!" Elena: "Next time, episode nine: "To Siberia."" All: "Break through the stormy present life."

Bernard: "Who's there?!" Bernard: "Indeed. Let's hear your name." Moroha: "Haimura Moroha." Bernard: "It's you..." Bernard: "Then you shall test my loyalty!" Bernard: "Not bad. But my barrier has the approval of the Lightning Emperor herself." Moroha: "I remember!" Moroha: "Write!" Bernard: "What?!" Bernard: "No!" Bernard: "Stop chanting! Don't tarnish our lord's sacred land!" Moroha: "Thunderstorm Helix!" Angela: "Did you kill him?" Moroha: "Of course not." Moroha: "I'm not killing anyone in this war." Moroha: "A fake passport and a fake visa." Moroha: "I wouldn't expect less from UK Headquarters." Angela: "Damn it, why do I have to be away from Edward-sama to take care of this kid?" Moroha: "Please don't say that." Angela: "Edward-sama is no better," Angela: "What if this becomes public?" Moroha: "That's why I don't want you to be involved, Angela-san." Angela: "You don't have to tell me that." Angela: "So, what do you mean by you won't be killing anyone in this war?" Moroha: "It means exactly what it sounds like." Bernard: "Unfortunately for you, I don't know where the Lightning Emperor is." Moroha: "I thought you'd say so." Bernard: "What?" Moroha: "Don't you want to inform the Lightning Emperor that I'm here to wage war?" Angela: "Hey, what the heck are you thinking? I'm going to be talking to the Khabarovsk leader next." Angela: "You could inform her on that, too. Wait, wait. You're here to wage war, aren't you? Why would you give the enemy information?" Moroha: "I don't want to waste time taking prisoners or interrogating people." Bernard: "You Japanese people sure are naïve. One can't be blamed for accusing you of having gone senile from the peace." Angela: "Hey, he's mocking you, Haimura." Moroha: "Naïve, huh?" Bernard: "Y-You..." Moroha: "Do you have dreams about your past life?" Moroha: "And do you remember them?" Bernard: "Of course, why would you even ask?" Moroha: "I do, too." Moroha: "I'm always standing alone on the battlefield, fighting countless enemies." Moroha: "Japanese people are naïve?" Angela: "Wait..." Moroha: "Let's go, then." Angela: "Hey, wait. Haimura!" Moroha: "He's a Rank A Russian. That won't kill him." Angela: "That may be, but isn't the Lightning Emperor who you're really after?" Moroha: "It's simple. Neither Edward's intel nor interrogating district leaders will tell me" Moroha: "So I just have to wreck all the district leaders, one by one." Moroha: "Then the Lightning Emperor will have to mobilize." Angela: "But it'll be a nuisance if the others meet up and start another battle." Moroha: "Well, I don't think we'll run into any other people from the Russian Branch." Moroha: "Apparently they'd be disciplined immediately if they mess up." Angela: "I hope so." Angela: "Their loyalty to the Lightning Emperor is extreme." Angela: "What if they inform the Lightning Emperor accepting that they'll die?" Moroha: "That's not completely implausible," Angela: "It's not because you're naïve?" Moroha: "No, it's better that way for sure." Moroha: "You'll understand soon." Angela: "Jack-in-the-box." Angela: "You really are a man full of surprises." Vasilisa: "Raise your head, Bernard." Vasilisa: "I forgive you." Vasilisa: "Skip the greetings. State your purpose." Vasilisa: "I am sleepy." Bernard: "I... I was defeated by Haimura!" Vasilisa: "And?" Bernard: "O-Ordinarily I would ought to kill myself. However, if I am to die either way, I would like to take Haimura with me." Vasilisa: "That must not be." Vasilisa: "I do not accept failure." Vasilisa: "Die." Bernard: "Then one more thing!" Vasilisa: "You're persistent." Bernard: "Haimura couldn't kill me with his Thunderstorm Helix." Vasilisa: "Did you hear that, people? You are impressive indeed. I know your loyalty well." Vasilisa: "I will make good use of your life." Bernard: "I am deeply grateful." Vasilisa: "Yes, noble." Vasilisa: "Thunderbolt Dragon!" Bernard: "S-See that, Haimura?" Bernard: "You'll never come close!" Bernard: "This is true pleasure. True pleasure." Bernard: "True pleasure." Bernard: "Long live the Lightning Emperor!" Katia: "What a foolish man." Darco: "According to Bernard, Haimura intends to destroy Khabarovsk next." Darco: "What shall we do?" Vasilisa: "We needn't do anything." Darco: "What?" Vasilisa: "Instead, the people here should, say, reinforce defenses around Krasnoyarsk." Darco: "You're going to abandon everything east of Siberia?" Vasilisa: "They wouldn't be able to surround Haimura if I asked them to do it now." Darco: "I see, that is impressive, Lightning Emperor! An astute decision!" Vasilisa: "I don't care who, I hope someone will at least take an arm with them." Moroha: "Uh, are we seriously going to be here in this cramped room, just the two of us?" Angela: "Oh dear, does Moroha-chan have trouble sleeping without his favorite pillow? Shall I hold you, then?" Moroha: "Oh, really?" Moroha: "Why thank you, then." Angela: "Hey, kid! I wasn't serious, you pervert!" Angela: "Don't you dare cross this line! I'll kill you if you do." Moroha: "How do we get changed?" Angela: "We'll both face the other way and plug our ears! I'll kill you if you look or try to listen." Moroha: "Understood, I'll be careful." Angela: "Yeah, it's fine." Lesya: "Did you not hear me?" Lesya: "I said I'm going to become Moroha's younger sister." Satsuki: "I-I'm Moroha's younger sister, past, present and future lives, forever! Only me!" Lesya: "Moroha told me he would be my family." Satsuki: "Then you can at least be his older sister!" Lesya: "No, I want to be his younger sister." Shizuno: "How can you two keep fighting over something so silly?" Satsuki: "It's not silly! It's a serious matter of identity!" Shizuno: "Is it really about identity?" Lesya: "Urushibara Shizuno." Lesya: "I want you to help me. I want you to explain to this blockhead for me." Shizuno: "Why would I bother?" Satsuki: "See! Urushibara is on my side!" Lesya: "I'm depressed. Time to die." Shizuno: "You both ought to stop this silly fight. I think Moroha would be disappointed" Shizuno: "Moroha is at war all by himself right now. So..." Satsuki: "Sorry." Maya: "You look like you're getting along well." Satsuki: "For Nii-sama's sake, yeah." Satsuki: "I wonder how Nii-sama's doing right about now, though." Maya: "Yes." Maya: "His body pillow is lonely sleeping alone these days." Lesya: "Please survive." Lesya: "Please show me your smile once more." Satsuki: "Of course he will. My Nii-sama would never lose." Satsuki: "Never." Maya: "Yeah." Moroha: "Haimura Moroha." Moroha: "Remember that. That's the name of the man who defeated you." Angela: "Ed-sama, your necktie is crooked again. Silly you." Angela: "Have you noticed?" Moroha: "There're eight of them." Angela: "Isn't it seven?" Moroha: "No, eight." Angela: "Don't blame me. This is all your doing." Moroha: "I know. Is there anywhere we can really fight," Moroha: "Are you calling someone again?" Angela: "What do you mean, "again"? I'm not calling anyone. It's a little far, but there's a large grove." Moroha: "I'll go check it out." Angela: "Alone? really?" Moroha: "Take care of my luggage, please." Angela: "Hey, I'm not your bellboy!" Moroha: "They're following me." Moroha: "Why don't you show your faces already?" Kirsan: "I'm the Krasnoyarsk district leader, Kirsan Romanovich Pavlyuchenko." Moroha: "Haimura Moroha." Kirsan: "You must have realized that the leaders of each district—" Moroha: "What of it?" Kirsan: "I won't ask you to surrender." Kirsan: "Just go back to Japan in peace!" Kirsan: "If we fight, the majority of us will end up dead with you. We can't go against the Lightning Emperor's commands," Darco: "That's enough, Kirsan." Darco: "The Lightning Emperor's order is to slay that monster." Darco: "No exceptions." Kirsan: "For the Lightning Emperor!" Moroha: "Come, Saratiga!" Moroha: "Freezing Shade! I need to find somewhere open." Moroha: "Shadow clones! Die, Haimura! For Bernard-sama! No, twins!" A: "Then..." B: "How about this!" A: "You!" B: "Die, die, die!" A: "You'll pay for killing Bernard-sama!" Moroha: "Said who?" A: "The Lightning Lord!" Moroha: "That's a false charge!" Moroha: "They'll hit their friendlies!" A: "Now die!" Moroha: "Idiots, you're going to be the ones who'll die!" Moroha: "Hot!" Moroha: "I hope those twins are safe." Moroha: "Poison gas." Moroha: "Breeze Blade!" Moroha: "One down." Moroha: "So they lured me in." Moroha: "I won't fall for that twice!" Moroha: "Decree's Weight!" Moroha: "Is this your first time in aerial combat?" A: "Die!" Moroha: "Freeze Blade!" A: "Spirit of ice and snow..." Moroha: "That's four." Moroha: "Now..." Moroha: "I noticed you." Moroha: "You went easy on me with your Freezing Shade, didn't you?" Moroha: "Why?" Katia: "Y-You saved the twins, too. Why?" Moroha: "No one wants to die." Katia: "Yeah, you're right." Moroha: "Tell them I defeated you." Katia: "By a flick to the forehead?" A: "You won't get away!" B: "Bernard-sama's enemy!" Moroha: "I told you, I didn't kill him." Moroha: "Seven down." Moroha: "And..." Angela: "Damn, so there really were eight." Moroha: "Angela-san?! What are you doing?" Angela: "I'm not your bellboy." Angela: "That one's mine." Angela: "The Lightning Emperor." Moroha: "Her?" Moroha: "She finished chanting." Angela: "Haimura!" Maya: "Far away, in the great lands of Russia." Maya: "I pray again, tonight." Angela: "Haimura!" Maya: "May the wind blowing westward take our wishes with it." Maya: "That Moroha-san will be protected from all disasters. That is all." Maya: "I have a feeling Nii-sama is getting close to another woman."

ephren: "It's been a while, Rhantolk." ephren: "I'm glad you're all right." Rhantolk: "Likewise. But what happened to your hair, Chtholly?" Chtholly: "Uh, well..." Rhantolk: "And who are you?" Willem: "Willem Kmetsch, fairy warehouse caretaker. Nice to meet you." Rhantolk: "You're disfeatured... Are you also a troll?" pht: "Nygglatho's husband?" Chtholly: "No!" Willem: "I'm human." Rhantolk: "An emnetwiht? If that's a joke, it isn't funny." Willem: "Never mind me. There's something I want to ask you." pht: "Stop it! That tickles!" Willem: "I knew it. She's showing symptoms of venenum poisoning." ephren: "Deal with it, Nopht." Rhantolk: "What do you think you're doing?" Chtholly: "Relax. It'll be fine." Rhantolk: "How is this "fine"?" pht: "I can't... Help, Rhan!" Rhantolk: "Unhand Nopht immediately! Or else!" ephren: "I sense dirty thoughts." Willem: "Feel better now?" pht: "My body feels so light, it's almost creepy." Rhantolk: "How unsettling it is to have your fatigue suddenly disappear." Chtholly: "I told you it'd be fine, didn't I?" Willem: "What?" Willem: "You can't trust me so easily, huh?" Rhantolk: "I mean, you're an emnetwiht. To accept one of the sinners who destroyed the world would be messed up." Willem: "Everyone who knows has done just that. So I must be a very lucky man." Rhantolk: "I find your relaxed attitude fishy, too. You must be used to hiding your evil intent and tricking women." Rhantolk: "I'm grateful you helped Chtholly survive a battle in which she was supposed to die. But as long as you are an emnetwiht, there is no guarantee you aren't a danger." Rhantolk: "Do you remember how your people spread the seventeen beasts across the world?" Rhantolk: "A few days after the beasts appeared, two islands vanished from the map. When next week came, five countries, four islands, and two oceans were gone. And the week after that, the world map had lost all meaning. Not long after, humanity was wiped out." Rhantolk: "How did the beasts increase so rapidly in number?" Willem: "I don't know for sure, but I've heard they were originally some kind of biological weapon." Chtholly: "Biological weapon?" Rhantolk: "Then they must have used some organism as a base, yes?" Rhantolk: "From what, exactly, did the humans create the beasts?" Willem: "Beats me." Chtholly: "If they're biological weapons, then they were created solely to fight." Chtholly: "Just like us..." Willem: "No need to know everything about them. Only that they're archenemies that make you suffer. Isn't that right?" Rhantolk: "I simply wish to learn the truth." pht: "Well, I don't really mind people like you. Later." Chtholly: "Sorry. She's usually a nice girl." Willem: "I get it..." Willem: "I'm gonna check on things over there. You stay on the ship." Chtholly: "Huh? But..." Willem: "Didn't I say not to push yourself? Just stay put." ephren: "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him for you." Willem: "Keep an eye on me? Why?" ephren: "You were having dirty thoughts about Rhan." Willem: "Forget about that..." Chtholly: "Jeez, always treating me like a kid. Sure, Rhan has a more mature aura..." Wolf: "All right! Last one!" Wolf: "Now, which one is it?" Wolf: "Gotcha!" ggo: "Oh, come on! Not again!" Wolf: "Ribbit all! Quit croaking. What are you, a baby? A tadpole? You ain't got legs there?" ggo: "Tadpoles don't croak!" Cat: "Quit spacing out." Chtholly: "S-Sorry." Birdy: "If it isn't Madam Secretary. What brings you here?" Wolf: "Wanna join us for a drink?" Cat: "I can't believe she's just a disfeatured kid." Wolf: "Kid or not, she's an esteemed secretary." Birdy: "Indeed. She helps our honorable technical officer. In more ways than one." ggo: "Would you help us out in more ways than one, too?" ggo: "Just ribbing!" ephren: "You probably don't need to worry about Nopht and Rhantolk. They have never been the kind to seriously hate someone." Willem: "Yeah, I get it. Thanks." Willem: "You've always got my back. I appreciate it, really." ephren: "Yep." ephren: "I do because you might break otherwise." Willem: "Do I really seem that fragile?" Willem: "But thank you. Keep looking out for Chtholly, too." ephren: "Sure." Grick: "You moron! What have you done?" Mogdaman: "I'm a first-grade technical officer, you know? The highest-ranking officer here, you know?" Grick: "I don't care! Who died and made you boss?" Willem: "I see you're as loud as ever." Grick: "Willem!" Mogdaman: "Do you know this man, Second-Grade Technical Officer?" Willem: "Yes." Willem: "What's up?" Grick: "This idiot sent an extra excavation squad underground." Mogdaman: "We have to grab as many relics as possible before we leave." Mogdaman: "Do you realize how crucial this operation is?" Grick: "Sending too many men underground at once is considered a bad idea." Mogdaman: "That's probably just a myth." Grick: "It's real! As far as I know, no group of more than seven has ever returned alive! That's why we salvagers tend to work in small groups." Willem: "Well, no point complaining now. They've already left. All we can do is prepare for the worst. Is that all right, sir wise First-Grade Technical Officer?" Mogdaman: "Very well. See how bighearted a first-grade technical officer I am?" Mogdaman: "Take care of things here." Willem: "Thank you, sir." Grick: "I didn't expect you to show up, Willem." Willem: "And I didn't expect you to be here, Grick." Grick: "Wow, another cutie pie." Grick: "Met Nopht and Rhantolk yet?" Willem: "Yeah." Grick: "You were right. These fairies really are nice girls." Willem: "I won't walk one down the aisle." Grick: "Get away. Your eyes are scary." Willem: "Oh, right. Will the entire haul be loaded on the Plantaginesta?" Grick: "Yeah, including everything on the Saxifraga. Why?" Willem: "I'm looking for something." Anteater?: "Adviser, we need your help here." Grick: "Coming. See you later. You too, missy." Chtholly: "All done." ggo: "Ribbit?" Wolf: "There." Birdo: "I'm done, boss." Chtholly: "Thank you." Willem: "I told her not to push herself..." Bunny: "My, if it isn't the technical officer." Bunny: "What brings you down here?" Pigeon: "Sure you shouldn't be with your esteemed secretary?" Willem: "My esteemed secretary is kinda busy." Willem: "Say, where's the dug weapon you found?" Pigeon: "No idea. Our orders were simply to carry it here." Bunny: "We lost a lot of men in the attack. How are we supposed to keep track of everything?" Willem: "Oh..." Willem: "So I'm looking for a needle in a haystack?" Anteater?: "An earthquake?" Grick: "Be careful!" Wolf: "We have a big one today." Birdo: "There have been lots of tremors lately." Chtholly: "Lillia..." Elq: "Who are you?" Elq: "What do you want?" Lillia: "I'm Lillia Asplay... Just a brave who's gonna kill you to save the world!" Elq: "Sounds like a pain." Lillia: "It really is!" Elq: "Why do you wanna save the world?" Lillia: "For the one... I love." Lillia: "Goodbye..." Lillia: "And rest in peace!" Chtholly: "I'm Chtholly." Chtholly: "All right, I'm still fine." Chtholly: "Here you are." Wolf: "When was the last time I had a soup this good?" Birdo: "Seconds please, Madam Secretary!" Chtholly: "Coming right up!" pht: "Yum! This is seriously great!" Rhantolk: "The kick of the pepper, and this rich mouthfeel..." pht: "So good! How, and when, did Chtholly become such a good cook?" ephren: "It's the power of love." Grick: "Why so mad? Scared someone's gonna steal your Chtholly away?" Pigeon: "Hey, Casanova Officer. You'd better make Madam Secretary happy." Wolf: "She'll make a great wife." Cat: "If you make her sad... Don't make me spell it out for mew." Willem: "Screw you!" Willem: ""A great wife," my foot!" Willem: ""Make her happy," my ass!" Willem: "You don't have to tell me. I already..." Willem: "I already... what?" pht: "Don't come crying to me if you trip." pht: "What does this part say?" Rhantolk: ""Carried the corpse of a god to the city." The text is blurry after that, so I cannot read it." pht: "May that god have mercy on their souls." Cat: "I love it! Thanks!" Chtholly: "You're welcome. Next!" pht: "Wow, you're good." Chtholly: "Well, I am working on a bunch of my skills." Rhantolk: "Chtholly, may I ask you something?" Chtholly: "What?" Rhantolk: "Why did you come to the surface? For that Willem guy? Is it because he saved your life?" Chtholly: "He may usually look relaxed, but he always walks a tightrope. He's really awkward, and he overthinks everything. So, well, you know..." ephren: "She just wants to be with him." Chtholly: "Ow!" Chtholly: "Hey, Ren!" Wolf: "Damn that jerk!" Birdo: "She's too good for him!" ggo: "Well, I'm rooting for you two!" pht: "Oh? Is that how it is, Chtholly?" Chtholly: "Don't you start, too!" pht: "Whoa!" pht: "Did you sort them all yourself?" Willem: "Why are you two here?" pht: "We figured we could help you look for that dug weapon." Willem: "Huh? What brought that on?" pht: "We heard a bunch of stuff about you." pht: "You're taking good care of the little ones, huh?" Willem: "Sheesh." Willem: "You didn't hear anything weird, right?" pht: "Like how you and Chtholly are close to hooking up," pht: "or how Ithea thinks you like young girls?" Willem: "Never mind! Forget I asked." Rhantolk: "We aren't doing this for you. It's for Chtholly." Willem: "Thanks." Willem: "But I'll be fine." Willem: "This is my job." Willem: "I want to find it myself." Willem: "Oh, right. Bring me your swords. I'll tune them while I'm at it." pht: "What the heck?" Guy: "What is this?" Guy2: "It wasn't on the list." Chtholly: "There you are." Willem: "Oh, Chtholly... What's up?" Chtholly: "I'm giving out lunch boxes to those who can't make it to the mess hall." Chtholly: "This one is for you." Willem: "Listen, the secretary thing is just an excuse. You don't have to go so far." Chtholly: "If I just sat around, doing nothing, you really would have brought along your useless lover." Willem: "Who cares?" Chtholly: "I care." Willem: "Is that so?" Chtholly: "Is that Nopht's sword?" Willem: "I found the other one, too." Chtholly: "The other one?" Willem: "There." Willem: "That's Lapidemsibilus." Willem: "I'll have to take a closer look at it once we get back." Chtholly: "You really found it for me." Willem: "Do you still remember that night when I tuned Seniorious?" Chtholly: "Yeah. And also Nephren, Nopht, Rhantolk, and Ithea." Chtholly: "I remember them. Though I'm not sure if I remember everything." Willem: "I see." Willem: "Now that we have the sword, we won't have to worry." Chtholly: "Yeah." Chtholly: "What's the matter?" Willem: "There isn't anything wrong with it." Chtholly: "Of course there isn't. If there were, Nopht would've been in real trouble by now." Willem: "Not that... This sword is the Kinslayer." Chtholly: "And what about it?" Willem: "It specializes in killing one's kin, one's own kind." Willem: "In other words, it's a sword that can only be used by humans to kill humans." Chtholly: "But Nopht's fighting beasts with it." Willem: "That's why I thought there must be something wrong with it." Willem: "How else could she fight beasts with a sword that only kills humans?" Chtholly: "Willem?" Willem: "A sword that only kills humans..." Rhantolk: "Then they must have used some organism as a base, yes?" Rhantolk: "From what, exactly, did the humans create the beasts?" Willem: "No..." Rhantolk: "A few days after the beasts appeared, two islands vanished from the map. When next week came, five countries, four islands, and two oceans were gone. And the week after that, the world map had lost all meaning. Not long after, humanity was wiped out." Rhantolk: "How did the beasts increase so rapidly in number?" Willem: "It can't be..." Willem: "No need to know everything about them. Only that they're archenemies that make you suffer." Rhantolk: "I simply wish to learn the truth." Willem: "You mean the ones making Chtholly and the rest..." Willem: "The ones making Chtholly suffer are..." Souwong: "That's right." Souwong: "Humans did destroy the surface." Chtholly: "Willem?" Chtholly: "Willem? Seriously, what's the matter?" Chtholly: "Talk to me!" Willem: "Not losing your cool?" Chtholly: "For what it's worth, my heart is about to explode. But while I don't know what happened, you're showing me your weak side, when you usually act so tough. So when you combine my resulting happiness with my desire to see you feel better, they take priority." Willem: "You..." Chtholly: "Right now, you look like you might vanish if left alone." Chtholly: "Sure, this is embarrassing, but I can't push you away." Willem: "You're a great gal." Chtholly: "Sorry, I didn't catch that. Come again?" Willem: "Never mind." Chtholly: "Hey, don't be a sore loser. Say it again. Just one more time." Willem: "Marry me." Chtholly: "Not tha..." Chtholly: "Wha?" Willem: "You helped me find what I needed. Something I want to protect." Willem: "A home to return to. A reason to keep living." Willem: "You helped me realize that it's okay for me to live on." Willem: "So I promise..." Willem: "I'll make you happy." Chtholly: "Yeah." Chtholly: "I want to stay by your side, too. Let's be together forever." Guy: "H-Help—"

Willem: "Marry me." Willem: "I'll make you happy." Rhantolk: "What's with the smug look?" Chtholly: "S-Smugging!" Chtholly: "Smugging, really..." Rhantolk: "Did something good happen?" Chtholly: "Huh? W-Well, uh..." Chtholly: "Gee, I wonder." Rhantolk: "You're like an open book." Chtholly: "Say, Rhan... What do you think finding happiness is all about?" Rhantolk: "For starters, happiness means different things to different people." Rhantolk: "To some, it means food on the table." Rhantolk: "To others, it means books on their shelf." Rhantolk: "Some say doing your best is all that matters." Rhantolk: "And some are only content overcoming hurdles in their path. Some take happiness in the joy of others, and some, unfortunately, revel in others' sorrow." Chtholly: "I must say I wasn't expecting a thesis in response." Rhantolk: "That said, most do not realize these things about themselves." Rhantolk: "They do not know what brings them happiness." Rhantolk: "Still, they all keep talking about their desire for happiness. One day, such people may learn they were blessed all along, but they can never seize their own happiness." Rhantolk: "In the end, what matters is listening to your heart's advice." Rhantolk: "Does that answer your question?" Chtholly: "O-Oh, god... I can't look Willem in the eye." Chtholly: "How was I hitting on this guy up until yesterday? I don't remember it at all! If I asked to kiss him again, would he accept this time?" Chtholly: "Yeah, it should work. I mean, he proposed to me. We're practically a couple now." Chtholly: "I'll give it a shot later. Yeah, sounds good. I'll do that!" Chtholly: "Wh-What's with that reaction?" Chtholly: "Quit blushing! You're making me blush!" Willem: "Uh, listen..." Chtholly: "Y-Yeah?" Willem: "About yesterday's you-know-what..." Chtholly: "Y-Yeah." Willem: "I, uh, fully intend to keep my promise. I'll spend the rest of my life making you happ—" Grick: "There you two are!" Grick: "This way!" Chtholly: "Relax." Chtholly: "I promised, didn't I?" Chtholly: "I'll be with you forever!" Guy: "Boss, where do you want me to put this?" Grick: "Oh, just put it over there." Grick: "Sorry to keep you waiting!" Chtholly: "What's this?" Grick: "The forces of the visitor Elq Hrqstn." Chtholly: "Elq?" Grick: "According to legend, this world was once home to gods." Grick: "But they attacked the humans, in a bid to wipe them out. The one at the top is Carminelake, the middle one is Jadenail," Grick: "and the last one is, uh..." Willem: "Eboncandle." Grick: "Yeah, that's it!" Grick: "Of course you'd know." Willem: "Well, I did fight him myself." Grick: "Dude, you're trying way too hard." Willem: "I should've asked them what happened with the war after we took each other out." Grick: "Yeah, yeah." Grick: "All right. Let me guide you to your destination." Boy: "Hey, it's Pops!" Girl: "Sis! Pops is finally back!" Willem: "Now I have no right to say, "I'm home," do I?" Chtholly: "Something feels weird." Chtholly: "Like something is calling me..." Chtholly: "Underground?" Chtholly: "What is it?" Grick: "Something wrong, missy?" Mogdaman: "Wh-Wh-Wh-What is that?!" Crew: "A m-monster!" Mogdaman: "That much is obvious, fool! What I want to know is... Hold it! D-Don't l-leave me... Th-This is scary—" ephren: "Timere?" Grick: "Ow..." Grick: "Looks like we fell quite far..." Willem: "A massive cave was beneath Gomag City?" Willem: "Why?" Willem: "Chtholly?" Chtholly: "Willem..." Chtholly: "What's wrong with you? You know your body can't take this!" Willem: "No big deal..." Grick: "Hey, you okay?" Willem: "Yeah." Grick: "We should probably get out of here at once." Willem: "How?" Grick: "This seems to be the underground ruins where that moron sent a squad." Grick: "Look at the markers. They should lead us to the exit." Grick: "If the path hasn't caved in somewhere, that is." Chtholly: "Too bad. I could've just flown out before." Willem: "No need to worry. I'll keep you safe." Chtholly: "I'd rather be the one keeping you safe." Willem: "Don't be like that. Guardians have the right, and duty, to guard their charges." Chtholly: "Who are you calling your charge?" Chtholly: "I'm now, uh, your..." Chtholly: "wi..." Grick: "Where's this stench coming from?" Grick: "Is this it?" Willem: "Is that the squad?" Grick: "Yeah, this is awful." Grick: "These messed-up wounds are definitely a timere's work. If it's nearby, then we're in trouble..." Willem: "Timere... One of the beasts that destroyed the world. If they were really humans all along," Willem: "then the ones who did this..." Chtholly: "Elq..." Chtholly: "Yeah, okay." Chtholly: "You want me to go there?" Chtholly: "Got it." Willem: "What's wrong, Chtholly?" Chtholly: "I'll be right there." Willem: "H-Hey... Ch-Chtholly!" Grick: "Missy! Oh, come on! What's going on?" Mogdaman: "Prepare to take off at once!" Crew: "We can't! Shaft 3's been done in!" Mogdaman: "I'm a veteran first-grade technical officer. I can fix that in my sleep! I'm telling you to be ready to leave once I'm done!" Crew: "Y-Yes, sir!" pht: "Hey! Welcome back!" ephren: "Same to you. Where's Rhan?" pht: "Keeping watch over there." pht: "Can we call it a day now? Haven't we taken out enough?" ephren: "You really think we can?" pht: "I really do want this to end before more people get hurt." pht: "I hope Chtholly, Grick, and that TO get back in one piece." ephren: "Yeah." Pig: "Moron! Leave that crap behind!" Anteater?: "But I went to all that trouble!" Pig: "We don't have time for this! Our lives are more important!" pht: ""Our lives are more important," huh? Wise words." pht: "I don't really understand them, though." pht: "You must be tired, so get some rest." pht: "Guess I'll do my job and guard everyone's lives and futures!" Willem: "Chtholly!" Willem: "Chtholly!" Willem: "Hey, Chtholly!" Chtholly: "Willem?" Willem: "Yeah, it's me... Get a grip! Don't lose sight of yourself!" Grick: "Holy cow!" Grick: "I never thought I'd see two of these within a borgle's short lifespan... Ouch! She's been stabbed clean through." Willem: "Is that Seniorious's hex?" Grick: "What?" Willem: "You know how fairytales have curses that can turn people into frogs and stuff?" Willem: "This is similar. A curse that can turn anyone, god or immortal, into a corpse." Willem: "A world-altering ability exclusive to the holy sword Seniorious. If it was used on her, then she must've been no ordinary child." Willem: "Chtholly?" Willem: "Chtholly!" Grick: "Crap! Let's take the missy and bail!" Willem: "Yeah. Chtholly, we're leaving. Try to stay in control of yourself." Willem: "Chtholly... I promise to save you." Chtholly: "Willem..." Willem: "Yeah, I'm right here. I'll always be here with you." Chtholly: "Listen, I..." Willem: "Chtholly?" Willem: "What's wrong, Chtholly?" Grick: "This way, Willem! Hurry up!" Willem: "Chtholly? Hey, Chtholly... Talk to me, please!" Mogdaman: "Gah! Even the pressure valves are blown!" Crew: "What? Is the ship done for, then?" Mogdaman: "I'm not about to die here!" Mogdaman: "Bring me every last thing I could use to repair this!" Willem: "I haven't brought happiness to anyone in my entire life." Willem: "That's why I wanted to make you girls..." Willem: "I wanted to make you happy..." Willem: "So why did things end up like this?" Grick: "Missy..." ephren: "I just want to be with them." Grick: "I see... I'm sure that would make them feel a lot better." Grick: "I'm sorry. I couldn't do more than bring her back." ephren: "It wasn't anyone's fault. No one was in the wrong." ephren: "We were all just walking on very thin ice." Chtholly: "Where am I?" Lillia: "For the one... I love." Elq: "Love?" Lillia: "For that reason alone, I'm here trying to slay a god. Even I know that it's stupid..." Lillia: "But I don't have a choice. I mean, he's the walking definition of stupid." Lillia: "So I have to act on these stupid ideas before he has them." Lillia: "Because Willem's a complete and utter moron." Lillia: "Goodbye..." Lillia: "And rest in peace!" Chtholly: "What was that?" Elq: "Welcome back, Chtholly." Chtholly: "I know you. I've met you before." Elq: "There's something I wanna tell you!" Chtholly: "What is it?" Elq: "A long time ago, a race called "humanity" was trying to destroy the world. To prevent that, the poteaus, three gods who were watching over the world, led an army to wipe out humanity." Elq: "But they failed. Because a human brave killed their master first. No one could stop the humans now." Elq: "They turned into beasts and destroyed everything." Elq: "What was the master's name?" Elq: "Elq Hrqstn!" Elq: "The last of the visitors, who died as a child." Chtholly: "And that's your name?" Elq: "It's also the name of your soul." Elq: "Fairies are made from the soul of a kid who was too young to realize she was dead." Elq: "Ever since Lillia killed me back then, I've been dreaming. A dream of being like her, putting my life on the line and fighting for those I love." Chtholly: "And that's what I am?" Elq: "That's what all of you leprechauns are." Ch: "What will happen to me?" Elq: "You already know, don't you? No dream lasts forever." Chtholly: "And it's quickly forgotten, until nothing remains of it?" Elq: "It's all right. You made it back here just in time." pht: "Rhan!" pht: "Thanks." pht: "Man, I'm beat..." Rhantolk: "Do you want to switch with Nephren?" pht: "Nah, she's kinda preoccupied." pht: "Besides, we've probably taken out all the timere in the area by now." Rhantolk: "By the way, Nopht... How does your body feel?" pht: "Oh, super great, for some reason. And Desperatio's doing exactly what I want, too!" Rhantolk: "Same here. In which case," Rhantolk: "could these be the effects of that dubious massage?" pht: "Ah..." Rhantolk: "So that man wasn't just touching us all over for perverted reasons." pht: "Wow, mean... You really hate him, huh?" Rhantolk: "I simply haven't accepted him as readily." Rhantolk: "Break time is over, it seems." pht: "Okay, okay. Given the shape I'm in today, I could take another ten or twenty, easy!" Rhantolk: "How about a hundred or two?" pht: "That's a bit too much..." Rhantolk: "Is that so? Unfortunate." Rhantolk: "It appears we must prepare for the worst." pht: "Yeah, sure does." pht: "This sucks." pht: "In the end, I couldn't get around to it." Rhantolk: "Get around to what?" pht: "I wanted to talk to Chtholly more. Even getting into a fight would've done." pht: "I got another chance, and I wasted it again." Rhantolk: "Indeed." Mogdaman: "All right... Emergency repairs finished." Mogdaman: "Power up the circuits!" Crew: "Roger that. Power up the circuits!" Wolfb: "Take aim!" Wolfb: "Fire!" Pigeon: "Captain!" ephren: "Get back. We're the only ones who can kill beasts." Bunny: "B-But..." ephren: "This is our battlefield. Here, "kill or be killed" applies to us alone." Pigeon: "You..." Pigeon: "You got hurt protecting us?" Pigeon: "H-Hey!" ephren: "Hurry up... Run." ephren: "I won't be able to hold them off for much longer." Crew: "Three's too damaged to stay on the grid!" Crew: "Two and six are fine! Reroute the load to them!" Grick: "Oh, for crying out loud! I've only flown small ships!" Willem: "Chtholly, I..." Willem: "I really..." Willem2: "Maybe you didn't really care about her at all." Willem2: "You couldn't stop Lillia from fighting." Willem2: "So you used her, another wielder of Seniorious, as a substitute." Willem2: "You couldn't keep your promise to Almaria. So you made another promise with her instead." Willem2: "You never really saw her for who she was. And you kept treating her like a child" Willem2: "so you'd have an excuse to not take her seriously." Willem: "That isn't true! I wanted Chtholly to... It is true! I wanted Al and the others to..." Willem: "I'll make you happy." Willem: "I failed to fulfill my promise again." Willem: "Are you one of the so-called beasts?" Willem: "Sucks to be you. Right now, I'm extremely pissed off, and I need someone to take it out on." Elq: "There's hardly anything left of you now. You mind and body have been almost entirely replaced by mine." Elq: "I'm glad you made it here before you disappeared completely. Your joys, your sorrows, and your love for someone... You still remember them a little, don't you?" Chtholly: "Yeah." Chtholly: "Only a little, though." Elq: "It's all right, then. You're still you!"

Willem: "Hey. I probably know you, don't I? Long time no see." Willem: "Forgive me..." Willem: "It's been so long, I can't put a name to your face anymore." Chtholly: "You wanted to fight, didn't you?" Willem: "Yeah, I did." Willem: "I believed I could help people and protect what was important that way." Willem: "But I was being delusional." Willem: "I couldn't protect a thing." Willem: "Everything I had slipped from my hands." Willem: "Doing this now won't change a thing." Willem: "I've learned that lesson over and over." Willem: "But all I can do is fight." Willem: "What the hell am I doing?" Mogdaman: "Hey! Stabilize the ship!" Grick: "I've got my hands full here!" Mogdaman: "Attention, all hands on board. The bridge and power circuits are top priority. Defend them at all costs! Otherwise, the ship will crash. Grit your teeth and fight!" Cat: "Easy for you to say." Birdy: "Thanks, missy." ephren: "Get back." Birdy: "Hey, are you okay?" Cat: "We'll fight with you!" ephren: "Just get back." ephren: "This is my job." Rhantolk: "Oh, for... There's no end to them!" Rhantolk: "But my sword is performing better than it ever has. That TO's skills are the real deal, I see." Rhantolk: "My body's in top shape, too. Historia and I can do this." Rhantolk: "Oh, no!" Willem: "Hey, are you okay?" Rhantolk: "What in the world did you just do?" Willem: "How does the situation look?" Willem: "Are Nopht and Nephren okay?" Rhantolk: "I saw Nopht earlier. She should still be fighting. I haven't spotted Nephren, but she's probably guarding the people in the hold." Rhantolk: "H-How did you get that wound?" Rhantolk: "What have you been doing?" Willem: "Fighting... Whether in the past or now," Willem: "that's the only thing I've ever been good for..." pht: "Even you went and died, huh? I still don't get what you meant by "Our lives are more important."" pht: "But even so, we..." pht: "I wonder if Rhan and Ren are still okay." Willem: "How long have I been out?" Rhantolk: "I'd say a couple of minutes, at most." Willem: "Oh..." Rhantolk: "You would be highly ill-advised to move around with those injuries." Willem: "Are you worried about me?" Rhantolk: "I simply don't want you to commit suicide using my friend as an excuse." Willem: "Yeah, fair enough." Rhantolk: "Awfully strong, aren't we?" Rhantolk: "Even unarmed, you can hold your own against timere." Willem: "You could say that." Rhantolk: "Were all humans this stupidly strong?" Willem: "I used to be a brave, you see." Rhantolk: "Huh?" Willem: "One of the chosen warriors who took enemies down and saved people." Willem: "It was my dream, so I trained in the sword and hand-to-hand combat. I even learned to tune carillons." Willem: "I gained as much strength as one can through sheer effort." Willem: "But it wasn't enough." Willem: "The "strength" I attained wasn't enough to help anyone." Willem: "Not Al... Not Lillia..." Willem: "Not Chtholly." Rhantolk: "Winning in battle isn't the only way to save people." Willem: "Sit tight for a while longer." Willem: "In your state, generating more venenum would be suicidal." Rhantolk: "Nevertheless, I'm sure that you were a source of salvation for Chtholly." Chtholly: "Hey." Elq: "What?" Chtholly: "I need a favor." Chtholly: "The last one." Elq: "No!" Chtholly: "I think I made a promise. A promise that he wouldn't have to fight anymore." Chtholly: "And that I would take on all of his battles." Elq: "No! No means no!" Chtholly: "I want to say something to him, too." Chtholly: "So please." Elq: "No matter what?" Chtholly: "Yeah, no matter what." Elq: "But you'll definitely disappear this time. Not just your memories. Even your most important feelings." Elq: "They'll all be gone forever!" Chtholly: "Hmm, that would really suck. But letting things end this way would suck even more." Elq: "Chtholly..." Chtholly: "So please..." Chtholly: "Let me go back, one last time." Birdy: "Missy! Damn it!" Birdy: "Get the bastard! Keep her safe, no matter what!" ephren: "Get back." g: "What's wrong?" Cat: "You all right?" pht: "Damn you... Get off! Go away! Please go away!" Anteater?: "Regained control of the main rotor." Mogdaman: "Sweet!" Anteater?: "We've lost attitude-control wings 3 through 5. And 7 is done for, too!" Mogdaman: "D-D-D-D-D-Do something!" Grick: "I know, I know! Listen up! We're leaving this area at full speed! All hands, grab on to something so you don't get thrown off!" g: "Shorty!" g: "Hang on... I'm coming to save you." ephren: "Don't." ephren: "Stay away." ephren: "The Gate will open soon." ephren: "I-It's too late." ephren: "I can't hold it off anymore." Cat: "Hang in there, missy! And hurry up, you toad!" Willem: "Ren!" ephren: "Willem?" Willem: "You okay, Ren?" Willem: "Thank goodness. I thought I'd fail to save anyone yet again." ephren: "Huh?" Willem: "Hold on. I'll pull you up now..." ephren: "Hey." Willem: "Shut up." ephren: "I generated too much venenum, so..." Willem: "I'll figure something out." ephren: "The Gate will probably open soon. If it does, this entire ship will blow." Willem: "I said I'll figure it out!" ephren: "Willem, saving people is our job, as leprechauns." Willem: "Ren, what are you..." ephren: "Also," ephren: "you've already saved us plenty." ephren: "So don't worry." Willem: "What... are you saying?" Willem: "This can't be happening..." Willem: "I am not letting this happen!" pht: "Okay, now this is bad..." pht: "It's almost funny how I can't move at all." pht: "H-Hey." pht: "You idiot..." pht: "If you can get up, then go hide somewhere. Chtholly!" Chtholly: "What am I going to do with him?" pht: "No, Chtholly! Don't go!" pht: "We'll handle all the fighting, even your share. So now that you don't have to fight anymore, don't do it! Now that you're free to pursue your happiness, go and grab it with your own hands. Otherwise, we won't be able to live with ourselves!" Chtholly: "Sorry." Chtholly: "I definitely can't find happiness anymore." Chtholly: "Because I realized that I'm already..." Chtholly: "I'm already as happy as I could be." Elq: "Chtholly," Elq: "hang in there." Willem: "I'll save her, if it's the last thing I do." ephren: "Chtholly?" Chtholly: "We vowed to be together forever. And that vow brought me happiness." Willem: "We vowed to be together forever." Willem: "And that vow gave me peace." Chtholly: "I realized how much I loved him." Willem: "I realized how much she meant to me." Chtholly: "And that realization brought me happiness." Willem: "And that realization gave me joy." Chtholly: "He told me he would make me happy." Willem: "I told her I would make her happy." Chtholly: "And those words brought me happiness." Willem: "And those words gave me satisfaction." Chtholly: "He brought an incredible amount of happiness and joy into my life." Willem: "She gave me so many things I never thought I'd have." Willem: "But I..." Chtholly: "Which is why I can say for certain, and no one can convince me otherwise," Chtholly: "that I am the happiest girl in the world right now." Chtholly: "Willem..." Chtholly: "Thank you so much." Willem: "You goddamn fool." Limeskin: "No matter how many times I experience the loss of warriors, I can never get used to it." Limeskin: "The struggle within your hearts must have been the harshest battlefield of all." Limeskin: "Well done on staying fighters to the very end." pht: "I can't deal with this!" pht: "I told her not to fight anymore. I told her it was our turn. But in the end, she did it all herself. "I'm already as happy as I could be," my ass. Did you really think that'd help us live with this?" pht: "You go out in a blaze of glory, and all's well that ends well? There's nothing "well" about this, you moron!" Rhantolk: "Quiet, Nopht." Rhantolk: "One's happiness is one's own to define and decide. Looking down on someone's decision or making it for them is nothing but heavy-handed." pht: "Well, excuse me for having heavy hands! Gah!" Rhantolk: "Well, that said, if anyone can bestow happiness on others, it's the ones who realize and stay true to their heavy-handed natures." Rhantolk: "Spring is coming." Tiat: "Another five laps!" Collon: "Hard work and spirit!" Pannibal: "They're full of energy..." Lakhesh: "You can say that again." ygglatho: "I see that those girls are working hard." Ithea: "They sure are. But while their beloved older fairies are gone," Ithea: "I think they're getting a bit too worked up." ygglatho: "This takes me back. Chtholly was like that, too. After losing her older sister figure, she used her sorrow as motivation to grow much stronger." Ithea: "Ah, youth..." Ithea: "I don't think... I could ever do that." Ithea: "I'm sorry, but could you pretend you didn't see anything?" Ithea: "I'm not setting a great example as the eldest." ygglatho: "I don't see a thing." Souwong: "No response? My pulse tracing is sure to locate anyone, so long as they're alive." Souwong: "Black Agate Swordmaster, you couldn't have..." Assistant: "Great Sage, you have visitors waiting." Sou: "I know!" Sou: "O-Oh, no... I didn't mean to frighten you." Souwong: "Forgive me!" y A: "Listen to her go. She hasn't let go of her feelings from her past life. I bet she's a really pure-hearted girl!" y B: "Straightforward and naïve, you mean?" y A: "That's one way to look at it. Good evening, miss. How do you do?" y A: "She isn't listening." y B: "Jeez, gimme." y B: "There..." y B: "See? She got tired and went silent!" y A: "How pushy... Welcome, little one, to this fragile, dying world with no redeeming qualities whatsoever."

Chtholly: "You needn't overthink it. I mean exactly what I say. We are the special weapons that you mentioned." Chibi: "What should we do after breakfast?" Chtholly: "Special weapons." Chibi: "Mine! No, it's mine!" Tiat: "Sit down and eat." Tiat: "Hey!" ygglatho: "Attention, girls!" Willem: "These girls are special weapons?" ygglatho: "Allow me to introduce you. This is Second-Grade Technical Officer Willem, and he'll be living with us from now." Willem: "Pleased to meet you all!" Willem: "You're up early!" Pannibal: "Up for a duel?" Willem: "Not really." Willem: "Hup." Willem: "Can you reach it now?" Chibi: "Lakhesh's gonna get eaten! Kidnapped!" Lakhesh: "No, I'm not!" Lakhesh: "I'm not... Right?" Chibi: "This way!" Willem: "Hey." ygglatho: "The children here aren't used to having adult men around, so they don't know how to interact with one." Willem: "I get that, but I can't deal with them being terrified every day. Honestly, it's depressing." Ithea: "I understand!" Ithea: "You like little girls, Technical Officer Willem?" Willem: "I do like kids, yes." Ithea: "Wow, really? So which one is your type? You have me, the boisterous Ithea, capricious li'l Nephren here, and my recommendation, the fresh-faced and moody..." Willem: "...Chtholly. I know." Ithea: "Oh? When did you get close? You sure move fast. What's your story?" Chtholly: "Cut it out, Ithea!" Ithea: "Okay, I will." Willem: "I find you three, and all the little ones, very cute." Chtholly: "What? Lumping me in with the kids?" Willem: "You aren't that much older." Chtholly: "I'll have you know I'm a whole fifteen years old!" Ithea: "The question is if that falls within the technical officer's range..." Chtholly: "Ithea!" Willem: "Anyway, I wish I could make the little ones open up to me." ygglatho: "Even when agonized, you look ve-ry de-li-cious." Chtholly: "N-Nygglatho? Being an adult doesn't mean you can just do anything—" Ithea: "I'll get the syrup and caramel ready, then." Chtholly: "Oh, that's what she meant?" Willem: "I see!" Willem: "That's it!" Chtholly: "You can cook, huh?" Willem: "A bit, yeah." Ithea: "A man who can help around the house is a keeper!" ephren: "Yep." Willem: "Where did you pick that up?" Willem: "There." Willem: "Here. Tell me what you think." Chtholly: "I-I'll pass." Willem: "Yeah? Then..." ephren: "Yum." Chibis: "Looks yummy! It smells so good!" Ithea: "Let's dig in right away, girls!" Chibis: "Yeah!" ygglatho: "How you've changed." ygglatho: "Before, you seemed more like an aloof degenerate." ygglatho: "Is something wrong?" Willem: "Yeah, I had lost sight of myself for a moment. Won't happen again." ygglatho: "I see." ygglatho: "But..." Chibis: "Seconds!" Chibis: "We want seconds!" Chibis: "Willem! Willem! Willem!" ygglatho: "I think it's too late now." Chtholly: "Looks like you got them to open up. Good for you." Willem: "Yeah. Kids really are great. They wear their hearts on their sleeves." Chtholly: "Agreed." Willem: "Thanks for cleaning up with me. You've been a great help." Chtholly: "Don't mention it. It's a good distraction." Willem: "What? Something on your mind?" Chtholly: "No, nothing. Cleanup complete! Well, goodnight." Willem: "Goodnight." Willem: "See you tomorrow." Chtholly: "Yeah, see you." Collon: "Here I go... Take that!" Tiat: "Lakhesh is dead!" Chibis: "It's my turn to throw. No, I'll throw it!" Willem: "Hey, stop fighting." Chtholly: "Such a weirdo." Ithea: "Can't stop thinking about him?" Ithea: "Wow, nice reaction." Chtholly: "What's wrong with you?!" Ithea: "Sorry, sorry. But yeah, the kids took to him instantly. It's like he's been here for years." Chtholly: "Yes." ephren: "The new hat." ephren: "You're really cherishing it, putting it at the back of the closet." Ithea: "Oh, so that's what that was about." Chtholly: "I-I'm not cherishing it or anything. It's just that you don't need a hat like that often, you know?" Ithea: "Oh?" Chtholly: "What's with the look?" Ithea: "Well, I'll leave it at that." Ithea: "Ren, are you interested in him, too?" ephren: "Not really. Though I do find him rather curious." Ithea: "So you are interested in him." Ithea: "Chtholly..." Ithea: "How many days left?" Chtholly: "Around ten." Ithea: "I don't know if that's enough time to make your romance blossom." Chtholly: "Knock it off, Ithea." Ithea: "Don't be shy, now. In this day and age, lots of fairies never hit adolescence. But you fell in love, and that makes you a winner in life!" Chtholly: "It isn't like that..." ephren: "I see. I'll search the study for any books that might help." Chtholly: "Not you, too. Don't bother!" Chtholly: "Let's hurry up and get dressed already." Ithea: "Yeah, yeah." Lakhesh: "Tiat's on your team, Collon!" Willem: "Jeez..." Almita: "I'll get it!" Almita: "Wait up!" Willem: "Almita!" Willem: "Hey..." Willem: "You okay, Almita?" Almita: "Yeah... Ow..." Almita: "Hup." Almita: "I went and fell." Willem: "Don't move. You've got a deep cut." Almita: "I'm fine." Collon: "Almita!" Collon: "Get the ball!" Tiat: "It's over there!" Almita: "Hup." Collon: "Hurry up!" Willem: "You girls..." ygglatho: "You look like you have something to say." Willem: "I didn't realize it until today." Willem: "They aren't at all concerned about their lives, huh?" ygglatho: "Yes, they're pretty indifferent." Willem: "It isn't normal." Willem: "Just who and what are these girls, anyway?" ygglatho: "Honestly, I'd rather not tell you." ygglatho: "Do you really want to know?" ygglatho: "Once you do, your attitude toward them will change." ygglatho: "I don't think you'll be able to treat them the same way." ygglatho: "The past few days, you've acted like a nice young man. At first, I found it a bit creepy. But now, I'm thankful for it. If possible, I'd like you to keep things the same for a while longer." Willem: "Tell me." ygglatho: "You don't need me to tell you about the seventeen beasts, right?" Willem: "The ones created 500 years ago by the foolish humans... I mean, emnetwihts?" ygglatho: "Awfully self-deprecating, aren't we? Around 500 years ago, the beasts wiped out all life on the surface, including emnetwihts." ygglatho: "To this day, everyone in these skies continues to live in fear of them." ygglatho: "How do we fight those beasts?" ygglatho: "The answer lies beyond this door." Willem: "Are those... carillons?" ygglatho: "They're called "dug weapons" now. They're our only means of fighting the seventeen beasts." Willem: "Insania." Willem: "Ignareo." Willem: "Percival." Willem: "Say... Carillons were special weapons that only chosen emnetwiht braves could use." ygglatho: "Correct." Willem: "So, with the emnetwihts gone, who's fighting with them?" ygglatho: "You already know, don't you?" Willem: "Tell me." ygglatho: "Those girls are leprechauns." ygglatho: "Fairies who have imitated emnetwihts since ancient times. They can use emnetwiht weapons as an emnetwiht would." ygglatho: "And... Their bodies were made as weapons to be expended in battle, and they know no fear of death." ygglatho: "You wanted to know what those girls are. Now you have your answer." Willem: "I see." Willem: "So those girls are your partners now?" Lakhesh: "Slow down, Pannibal!" Chibi: "Wait up!" Willem: "By yourself, Nephren?" ephren: "Yep." Willem: "Where are Chtholly and Ithea?" ephren: "Went out." Willem: "And they didn't come back for several days." Willem: "Venenum output is inversely proportional to a spell caster's life force." Willem: "The more they want to live, the lower the output. And if one who doesn't care about their life uses it, the output rises drastically. All that power will go out of control immediately, causing a massive explosion. Caster and enemy will be blown up," Willem: "leaving only the dug weapon on the battlefield. Yeah," Willem: "those girls are excellent weapons." Ithea: "If it isn't Technical Officer Willem. Long time no see." Willem: "Are you okay?" Ithea: "Oh, I'm fine! She is, too. She's just napping 'cause she's all worn out." Willem: "Good." Ithea: "Fancy running into you here, though. Out on a walk?" Willem: "Nygglatho told me you were coming, so I'm here to pick you up." Ithea: "Wait, does that mean..." Willem: "You were away fighting the seventeen beasts, right?" Ithea: "You knew? How embarrassing." Limeskin: "That uniform..." Limeskin: "Are you Willem?" Willem: "Yeah. And you are?" Limeskin: "Their weapons. Return them to the vault." Willem: "Seniorious and Valgulious, right?" Ithea: "Wow, I'm amazed you know. Seniorious is the one Chtholly's compatible with. And I've got Valgulious." Ithea: "You're awfully well-informed. Did you check our equipment list or something?" Willem: "Nope. They just happen to be swords I'm familiar with." Ithea: "Oh, really?" Ithea: "Well, how much do you know?" Willem: "Not much." Willem: "I know that you're fairies. And you fight with dug weapons to protect the world." Willem: "That's about it." Ithea: "Weren't you creeped out by the idea of weapons that look like us?" Ithea: "Basically, we're disposable lives." Ithea: "And we're even using relics of those wretched emnetwihts." Ithea: "What's up?" Willem: "A long time ago, I knew someone in a similar situation." Willem: "And I owe her a great deal, for many things. So when I heard your story, I couldn't just leave you be." Willem: "That's all." Ithea: "A sudden mention of your past! Two people having a heart-to-heart all alone. Are you hitting on me right now?" Willem: "All alone? Are you forgetting about the girl on my back?" Ithea: "Oh! It's the start of a love triangle filled with love, hate, and jealousy!" Willem: "Keep it down. You'll wake her." Ithea: "Yeah, yeah." Chtholly: "What are you doing here?" Willem: "Taking care of a patient." Chtholly: "Who are you calling a patient?" Willem: "Don't push yourself. You still have a fever. I'm your caretaker. Let me show some concern." Chtholly: "I don't need your concern, caretaker or not..." Chtholly: "I don't have much time left, anyway." Willem: "Time? What are you talking about?" Chtholly: "Hey..." Willem: "What is it?" Chtholly: "If... And I do mean if... If I were going to die in five days, would you be a little nicer to me?" Willem: "What's that supposed to mean?" Chtholly: "In five days, Island 15 will come under a powerful timere attack." Willem: "One of the seventeen beasts?" Chtholly: "The beasts cannot fly. But a timere can release parts of its body into the air and make it to the sky islands." Willem: "How can you say it'll be five days?" Chtholly: "We can predict the attacks. After centuries of fighting beasts, we can do that much, at least." Chtholly: "Apparently, the incoming timere cannot be fought with our usual methods." Chtholly: "But a fairy wielding a dug weapon..." Willem: "...can take it out at the cost of her life?" Chtholly: "Indeed. If I use Seniorious to blow myself up," Chtholly: "I can just barely destroy it." Chtholly: "How lucky is that?" Chtholly: "Nobody else will have to die." Chtholly: "Well? There you have it. Feel like granting me a final request yet?" Willem: "Depends on what it is." Chtholly: "Well, uh..." Chtholly: "For example, let's see..." Chtholly: "What if I asked you to let me kiss you?" Willem: "After all that talk about having five days left, that's what you ask for?" Chtholly: "Problem?" Chtholly: "Ouch..." Willem: "You're just a kid. Quit trying to be something you're not." Chtholly: "What the heck?! What's wrong with wanting fond memories before I go?" Chtholly: "I'm about to die, but I want to leave a mark! To remain in someone's heart. To be connected to someone..." Chtholly: "What's wrong with wishing for that?!" Willem: "I'm telling you not to sell yourself short. Don't settle for just anyone." Chtholly: "Buy me while I'm selling myself short! It's a basic rule for shopping smart." Chtholly: "Go away!" Chtholly: "If you won't kiss me, don't touch me! I'm not crying!" Willem: "You sound like you are." Chtholly: "I'm not crying." Willem: "Jeez... Hey, get on your belly for a sec." Chtholly: "Can't hear you." Willem: "Just do it." Chtholly: "I can't hear you!" Willem: "Oh, come on." Willem: "Could you be any more stubborn?" Chtholly: "What just happened?" Chtholly: "Er, I didn't really feel that one..." Willem: "I knew it. You're showing typical symptoms of venenum poisoning." Willem: "Due to generating too much, you've got muscular fever." Willem: "Here..." Willem: "And here?" Chtholly: "O-Ow! That really hurts!" Willem: "Once it loosens up, you'll feel better." Chtholly: "That doesn't... really help..." Lillia: "Just leave it all to me!" Lillia: "The mightiest brave is here with the mightiest sword." Lillia: "There's nothing for you to do." Willem: "Yeah, I really can't leave them be. Next Episode:"

Willem: "What an ungodly mess." Willem: "Oh, jeez..." Willem: "Didn't anyone consider sorting this mess out?" Willem: "Oh, Nephren?" Willem: "It's late. What's up?" ephren: "Ren. Just call me "Ren."" Willem: "Thanks for the coffee, Ren." ephren: "What are you doing here so late?" Willem: "Looking for your sortie records." ephren: "In this pile of junk?" ephren: "Need help?" Willem: "Would you?" ephren: "Okay." Willem: "Then, look for files on timeres. I need to know sortie frequency and timing, strength differential between sides, and overall losses. The more I learn, the better." ephren: "You're asking a lot, but roger." Willem: "Great. Let's get this done by morning." Chtholly: "If I were going to die in five days," Chtholly: "would you be a little nicer to me?" Chtholly: "What if I asked you to let me kiss you?" Chtholly: "Hang on..." Chtholly: "What the heck did I say?!" Chtholly: "What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?! What have I done?!" Collon: "Chtholly, you doin' all right?" Collon: "Oh, you are!" Lakhesh: "That's great. Usually after a battle, you seem to be in a lot of pain." Chtholly: "Now that you mention it..." Chtholly: "My body does feel a lot better." Collon: "Yeah, it's all about heart and spirit!" Chtholly: "Oh, it's because of last night's..." Chtholly: "D-Do you know where he is?" Lakhesh: "You mean Willem? Well..." Collon: "Sleeping with Nephren!" Willem: "Fairy weapons, huh?" Willem: "Morning, Chtholly." Chtholly: "Good morning." Chtholly: "What were you doing together all night?" Willem: "Trying to find a way for you to avoid opening the Fairy Gate and dying." Chtholly: "Don't you understand?" Chtholly: "We have to be the ones to fight because it's the only way to take them out." Willem: "Is that really true?" Chtholly: "We don't have a choice! And we don't need your pity!" Willem: "You're feeling better now, I take it?" Chtholly: "Wh-Why?" Willem: "Tag along for some morning exercise." Willem: "Chtholly..." Willem: "Are you ready to die because you want to secure a future for these kids?" Chtholly: "What does it matter?" Willem: "Let's see how good you are. Bring it." Chtholly: "Huh?" Chtholly: "We're the only ones who can wield dug weapons. You can't..." Willem: "I wouldn't be so sure. Maybe I can wield it better than you." Chtholly: "Oh, really?" Chtholly: "I hope you don't regret those words!" Chtholly: "I'll end this farce." Chtholly: "What just happened?" Willem: "Is that it?" Chtholly: "I'll..." Willem: "You'll?" Chtholly: "I'll get you this time!" Chtholly: "What did you do?" Willem: "Listen... Carillons, or dug weapons, aren't powerful swords that gain potency from the wielder's venenum output." Chtholly: "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Willem: "They're swords that use the enemy's force against them when it hits the blade." Willem: "The stronger the opponent, the more lethal they are." Willem: "Say... Don't you think there could be a better way to fight than what you've done so far?" Willem: "A way that doesn't use your so-called trump card of self-destruction?" Chtholly: "What could you possibly understand about us?" Willem: "You fight without knowing the basics, so you can only swing your sword with brute force." Willem: "You're the one that doesn't understand." Chtholly: "What the heck? What is with you? You show up out of nowhere and act like you know it all!" Willem: "Do you seriously think this fighting style is good enough?" Chtholly: "I won't accept it! I can't accept it!" Chtholly: "I can't accept that everything we've done has been a mistake!" Willem: "Just listen to me!" Chtholly: "Don't listen to him!" Willem: "If you understand how dug weapons are meant to work..." Chtholly: "Don't say it!" Willem: "And if you learn the proper way to fight with Seniorious..." Chtholly: "Don't find out!" Willem: "You could come back alive." Chtholly: "What in the world are you..." Willem: "Your movements are sharp. I like your guts and instincts, too. And your venenum flow is pretty special." Willem: "I can breathe easy now. You're plenty strong. And you have the potential to grow much stronger." Willem: "So..." Willem: "You'd better come back alive." Chtholly: "What's happening?" ygglatho: "Let me confirm. Three days from now, when the clock strikes eight, we are to dispatch three wielders of dug weapons, along with their swords, from Island 68's port." ygglatho: "One of these will be the fairy who wields Seniorious, and during this operation... During this operation," ygglatho: "she is to open the Fairy Gate." Limeskin: "Confirmed." ygglatho: "Why must one of our girls be the only one to die?" ygglatho: "They have yet to experience love or any of life's other joys." ygglatho: "What the hell? What is wrong with this world?" Pannibal: "Pardon us." ygglatho: "Wh-What? At least knock..." Pannibal: "It's an emergency." Tiat: "Willem's... Willem's gonna die!" Eboncandle: "You managed to defeat me?" Eboncandle: "Your strength is impressive, young human. But all those spells you used will surely return to torment you as curses." Eboncandle: "I shall now enter slumber for a century. Unfortunately, I don't think I shall be able to see you die." Willem: "Get going already, you zombie. Let me die in peace." Eboncandle: "Goodbye, human brave." Willem: "I always knew I wouldn't die a peaceful death." Willem: "My bad, Lillia. Forgive me, Souwong." Willem: "I must leave the rest to you." Willem: "Almaria..." Willem: "I'm truly sorry." Willem: "A dream?" ygglatho: "You seemed to be having a pretty bad one. What's with your body? Your bones are all broken, your organs are barely functional, and your muscles are so frail, I could easily bite them off." Willem: "Wouldn't be very filling, right?" ygglatho: "I'm seriously worried! I don't know what happened, but how can you live in this state?" Willem: "They're what you'd call battle scars." ygglatho: "From the past?" Willem: "Well, I went through a lot." ygglatho: "Get some rest. No getting out of bed." ygglatho: "It happened quite a while ago. I was helping a certain group of salvagers. While exploring one day, we came across a frozen underground lake." ygglatho: "That's where we found him." ygglatho: "Our investigation revealed that he'd been placed under a petrification curse. After that, we carried him back to the sky islands." ygglatho: "When he woke up, things got crazy. With him going wild and our inability to communicate." ygglatho: "But the babel talisman he had on him helped us to talk to one another." ygglatho: "That was how we finally learned who he was. The human race turned other races against it, kept fighting, and was wiped out, along with all surface life." ygglatho: "That wretched race we call emnetwihts had one sole survivor. That's him, Willem Kmetsch." ygglatho: "I know how that makes you feel." ygglatho: "But I don't want for you to fear or hate him. So please..." Chibi: "Wait for me!" Collon: "Willem! What's this I hear about you being wiped out?" Tiat: "Emnetwihts aren't really very different from us." Pannibal: "How intriguing. Tell me all about your people." Lakhesh: "Uh, I don't know how to say this," Lakhesh: "but cheer up!" Willem: "Sure." ygglatho: "You girls..." Chibi: "Wait for me!" ygglatho: "What am I going to do with them?" Ithea: "It sure got quieter all of a sudden." ygglatho: "If you don't keep it down, I'll throw you out, as well." Ithea: "Please don't. Since the half-dead man over there is apparently an emnetwiht, there's something I'd like to ask him." Willem: "What is it?" Ithea: "I'm just wondering why a great emnetwiht would go so far for us. I mean, risking your life for no real reason?" Ithea: "That's pretty disgusting." Willem: "Well, you know... Isn't it only natural to be nice to cute kids?" Willem: "Especially if they're girls." Ithea: "We're only cute in appearance. Besides, we're all girls. Gender isn't a consideration." Willem: "An attractive appearance is a manifestation of one's desire to be loved. That desire to be held dear is why they look like that." Ithea: "And that applies to us, too?" Willem: "I mean, as a race, you're all born in this form. Convincing argument, right?" Ithea: "So you're saying our entire race is all attention-seekers?" Ithea: "And if we take into account your love for young girls... Oh, it makes sense now!" Willem: "Wait, you've got it wrong." ygglatho: "What the heck? That's hilarious!" ephren: "Chtholly?" Chtholly: "You must be kidding me." Chtholly: "You can't be saying he's right." Willem: "You're the one that doesn't understand." Willem: "Do you seriously think this fighting style is good enough?" Girl: "There we go. I'm off, then." Chtholly: "I was so, so scared." Chtholly: "It took me so long to finally resign myself to my fate." Chtholly: "I don't want to go back." Chtholly: "I'm sorry I showed up without notice." Limeskin: "No problem." Limeskin: "Proud warriors always have a place to seek refuge from the winds." Chtholly: "Thank you, Officer Limeskin." Chtholly: "That's bitter..." Limeskin: "What happened?" Chtholly: "It's too late to say I'm afraid of dying, isn't it?" Chtholly: "Technical Officer Willem showed me a new, different fighting style." Chtholly: "I can't..." Chtholly: "I can't accept it! It'd mean accepting that the older fairies died in vain!" Chtholly: "But..." Limeskin: "It struck fear within you?" Chtholly: "Yes." Limeskin: "I see! That man wants to fight the wind blowing inside of you?" Chtholly: "Wind?" Limeskin: "What you call resolve. Would it be a bit easier to understand if I call it "resignation"?" Chtholly: "Are you saying I lack a warrior's resolve?" Limeskin: "Nay. Resolve and resignation are essentially the same thing." Limeskin: "They both indicate a choice to cast aside precious things to achieve one's goals." Limeskin: "All warriors have wind in their hearts. On their aimless path, it shows them the way. So once the battle ends, their pure souls may find rest." Chtholly: "Officer... I don't understand half of what you're saying." Limeskin: "Is that so?" Chtholly: "But I'd like to make a confession, even if it gets me yelled at. Actually," Chtholly: "I have never wanted to be a warrior." Willem: "Good job hanging in there, Seniorious." Willem: "Hey." Willem: "Welcome home, runaway girl." Chtholly: "I was just out for a walk." Chtholly: "What are you doing?" Willem: "Maintenance on your partner." Chtholly: "Don't do as you please without the wielder's permission." Chtholly: "What a beautiful performance." Willem: "Performance, huh?" Chtholly: "Say, what are these lights?" Willem: "Shining talismans. Carillons are made by fitting a bunch of talismans together in the shape of a sword." Chtholly: "Huh..." Chtholly: "So this must be light from a wish someone made." Willem: "The talisman you just flicked lets you avoid burning your tongue on a hot drink. The one next to it lets you know which way is north, even in a place you've never been. And the ones above it prevent nightmares when you have a cold, help you imitate cat meows..." Chtholly: "Isn't it a legendary weapon?" Willem: "Magically connecting talismans causes a complex reaction and gives them entirely new effects, apparently." Chtholly: "Since it's called a legendary holy sword, I thought it'd be something more extraordinary." Willem: "Too bad about that, huh?" Chtholly: "I just spoke with First-Grade Officer Limeskin. He said that if I make up my mind by the day of the battle, I don't have to open the Fairy Gate. And that he'd stake Island 15's fate on my resolve and potential." Willem: "Yeah?" Chtholly: "Can I really grow stronger?" Willem: "I'll make you, even if you don't want to." Chtholly: "Let me take you up on that and say this, then." Willem: "What?" Chtholly: "You see..." Chtholly: "I don't want to be strong!" Willem: "That's where you're supposed to notice my affection and accept it in tears!" Chtholly: "I'm being as accepting as I can." Chtholly: "Take a hint, dummy." Willem: "Then, if you come back alive, I'll grant you a wish, anything you want." Willem: "Oh, but no "marry me" or anything like that, okay?" Chtholly: "But you said anything!" Willem: "Pick something more grounded in reality." Chtholly: "Sweets..." Chtholly: "The other day, you made sweets in the mess, remember?" Chtholly: "Can you make butter cake, too?" Almaria: "I'll feed you enough cake to give you heartburn." Chtholly: "You see, one of the older fairies would feast on butter cake every time she came back from battle. But since it's no longer on the mess hall menu, I can't imitate her." Chtholly: "So, please." Willem: "Of all things..." Chtholly: "Willem?" Willem: "Oh, fine." Willem: "You're on. I'll feed you enough to give you heartburn." Willem: "So come back alive, no matter what." Chtholly: "You got it." Grick: "And? Why are you grabbing lunch with me here?" Willem: "I taught them all I know and tuned their swords as much as I could." Grick: "Uh, go see them off, dude!" Willem: "Not like it'll improve their chances of victory." Grick: "You never know. A heart full of faith could give birth to a mysterious power!" Willem: "It won't. That's why everyone has such a hard time." Grick: "You're way too cynical, man." Chtholly: "We're off, then." Willem: "Oh, right..."

Pannibal: "So that's it." Collon: "That's it!" Tiat: "That was beautiful..." Collon: "So mature!" Pannibal: "Yes." Lakhesh: "I hope I'm in love someday, too." ygglatho: "Couldn't get into it, huh?" Willem: "Not with lizards, no." ygglatho: "Are you worried about Chtholly and the rest? Half a month has passed without any word." Willem: "I know I can't do anything but wait." ygglatho: "At times like these, it might be best to stay busy! Mind doing some work for me?" Willem: "Work?" Master: "H-H-H-Here's your order!" ygglatho: "Wow, that looks so good... Thank you, master." Master: "I-I'm sorry! Don't eat me! Please don't eat me!" Willem: "Did you do something to him?" ygglatho: "Of course not!" Willem: "Man... We should probably call in pros to fix this. Guess I'll patch it up for now." Willem: "Hey, Chtholly. Get me the hammer." Willem: "Chtholly?" Willem: "Ithea? Ren?" Willem: "Chtholly! Ithea!" Willem: "Ren!" Willem: "Ch-Chtholly! Chtholly!" Willem: "Chtholly!" ygglatho: "Just accept it." ygglatho: "Have you forgotten that we sent them off to battle?" ygglatho: "Those girls are gone now. They are all" ygglatho: "dead." Willem: "Damn, I'm so glad it was a dream!" Tiat: "What? What's up?" Willem: "Uh, look. We can see it now." Tiat: "See what?" Willem: ""Just a hop, skip, and a jump away," my ass. It took a whole day to get here..." Willem: "Wow, seems even the disfeatured can live normal lives in this city." Tiat: "It's such a beautiful place!" ygglatho: "Tiat had a dream. Of somewhere she has never been, sights she has never seen," ygglatho: "and speaking to someone she has never met." ygglatho: "That kind of dream." Pannibal: "Drinking milk won't make you taller immediately." Tiat: "W-We don't know that." Lakhesh: "Tiat has been doing her best and drinking her milk every day." Collon: "She might suddenly go zoom!" Willem: "Isn't that how most dreams are?" ygglatho: "No. Apparently, the girls can tell." ygglatho: "The moment they wake up, they know that the dream they had was special." ygglatho: "And that is the harbinger. All fairies who have the harbinger dream are to get a checkup at Corna di Luce's general hospital." Golem: "G'day." Tiat: "Whoa, no way!" Tiat: "It's the clock tower from The Iguana Bride, that movie we watched! Amazing!" Willem: "Are there any sights you wanna see? It's your first time out of Island 68, right?" Tiat: "I-I'm not here to have fun. I'm here to become a great fairy soldier like Chtholly." Tiat: "There's no way I wanna... sightsee." Willem: "That's what I thought. But we still have time. We could stop by some places on the way to the hospital." Tiat: "Hmm... Okay. Very well. If you want to sightsee that much, I'll tag along." Willem: "Right..." Tiat: "Let's get going, then!" Willem: "Yeah, yeah." Tiat: "Look! Look at this!" Willem: "What about the bench?" Tiat: "In When the Bell Rings Thrice, the heroine cries here, holding her former lover's severed tail!" Willem: "Is that another romance movie with lizards?" Tiat: "You haven't heard of it? It was a big deal. The heroine laid her eggs during filming." Willem: "Yeah, that does sound like a big deal." Tiat: "Island 11's Corna di Luce is also the setting for loads of stories. It's a place overflowing with history, a jewel in the sky, and a stew pot of adventure and legend!" Willem: ""Stew pot"? What?" Tiat: "The staircase where the couple in The Airship Thief clawed at one another. I hear the lead actor's shed skin fetched a fortune at auction. I wonder who bought it. Lucky them." Willem: "You sure do love lizards." Tiat: "In Each Scale Is a Symbol of Love, the heroine and the soldier, covered in scales, smacked tails in this river! While filming, the director served food for everyone on set. A million steelbottle flies. Can you believe that? Did they really eat all that?" Willem: "Ah, I see." Tiat: "I feel stuffed just thinking about it!" Willem: "Isn't that great..." Golem: "G'day." Tiat: "This is the café... where the two went lickity... on the egg in Sweet Nest. P-People are actually doing it here. In the middle of the day..." Willem: "I don't really understand, but I do get the feeling kids shouldn't see this." Willem: "Say, Tiat, it's about time." Willem: "What now?" Tiat: "The Great Sage statue in Fulshter Memorial Plaza!" Willem: "And why is it famous?" Tiat: "Long, long ago, he founded this city. It's the most popular spot for lovers' rendezvous. It also appears in several stories! Legend says that if a couple vows their eternal love in front of it, they'll be happy for five years." Willem: "Talk about a half-assed legend." Goon: "Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate!" Owner: "Stop... Please stop. Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate! I beg you, please stop!" Golem: "Cease. Cease." Goon: "Tch. Let's get outta here. Yeah." Goon: "Outta my way! Wh-Why, you—" Golem: "Arrest." Goon: "D-Damn it all!" Willem: "Are you okay?" Tiat: "Th-Thank you. Hey... Hey, put me down. I'm not a child!" Willem: "Oh, my bad." Man: "The Annihilation Knights again?" Woman: "That stall's owner supported the mayor, remember?" Tiat: "What was that?" Willem: "I guess there are always people with too much energy on their hands." Willem: "Oh? It's almost time." Willem: "We don't want to be late." Tiat: "N-No." Tiat: "I know! The sightseeing ends here! Let's go, Willem." Willem: "It's obvious you're forcing yourself, you know." Tiat: "Hurry up!" Willem: "Yeah." Doc: "Tiat and Willem Kmetsch, yes?" Doc: "NyNy told me you were coming." Willem: "NyNy? Oh, you mean Nygglatho." Doc: "Let's get the checkup started, then." urse: "This way, Tiat." Tiat: "R-Right." Willem: "Tiat..." Willem: "Well, our airship back home is tomorrow evening... Once we're done here, I think we'll have time for a leisurely stroll." Tiat: "Okay!" Doc: "There you are. I've checked several kids from the fairy warehouse before, but you are the first caretaker other than NyNy to accompany one. The checkup will be done soon. Tiat is a good, responsible girl." Willem: "What is this checkup for?" Doc: "Didn't NyNy tell you?" Willem: "Not in detail, no." Doc: "Basically, it isn't like any fairy can wield a dug weapon..." Doc: "The ability is there, but it won't awaken in all of them." Willem: "And the fairies that have the harbinger dream will awaken that ability?" Doc: "Exactly." Doc: "And we tune their bodies so that they can fight as adult fairies." Doc: "The dug weapons are too precious, and the enemy too powerful." Doc: "Forcing swords onto kids when they're still immature would be pointless." Willem: ""Tune," huh?" Doc: "Her growth is steady and is as expected of her age. And she has no major health issues. The only problems are her digestive organs are struggling to process the excess milk she drinks, and a few of her teeth are developing cavities." Willem: "I'll tell her to tone it down." Doc: "The fairies are unnatural beings." Doc: "Sometimes, a problem may arise and severely affect the body. In the worst case, they may suffer mental disintegration and lose their minds completely." Doc: "But in Tiat's case, there is no cause for concern. She is firmly in control of herself. She is in great shape." Willem: "That's good to hear." Willem: "Hey. Done with the checkup?" Tiat: "Yeah. I'll stay the night, and tuning will be tomorrow morning." urse: "We'll be finished by noon, so come pick her up around then." Willem: "Got it." Willem: "Will you be okay? Can you stay overnight by yourself?" Tiat: "O-Of course! I'll be perfectly fine! What about you? Where will you stay tonight?" Willem: "At Guardian Wings Military HQ." Willem: "Evidently, they have a resting room for officers like me." Tiat: "Officers like you?" Willem: "I'm actually pretty high up the pecking order." Tiat: "Huh... Well, I'll be all grown up tomorrow! Just you wait!" Willem: "It seems tuning won't make you any taller." Tiat: "I... I wasn't hoping for that!" Willem: "Hang in there." Doc: "Goodbye, then." Willem: "Take care of her." Willem: ""All grown up," huh?" Willem: "Do you realize what you're saying?" Willem: "It means becoming a soldier and going off to battle." Willem: "This sucks." Soldier: "This way, Technical Officer Willem." Willem: "Wow, technical officers really do rank high in the pecking order." Soldier: "Please use this room while you're here. Goodnight." Willem: "Oh, hey." Soldier: "Yes?" Willem: "Have you heard any word about the battle on Island 15 against the timere?" Soldier: "No, nothing." Willem: "I see. Sorry to have kept you." Soldier: "Excuse me." Willem: "I didn't get much sleep." Willem: "The bed was so soft, it was off-putting..." Willem: "Guess I'll go for a walk." Willem: "I have to go sightseeing with Tiat this afternoon. Maybe an advance look—" Willem: "Take a damn hint, Corna di Luce!" Soldier: "Okay, this is bad. We should patch it up for now. But how? Did we have a ladder that tall? You have a point." Soldier: "Well, only one choice! We'll start by building a ladder." Willem: "Are you all right?" Phyracorlybia: "I'm fine. No problem." Willem: "That so?" Phyracorlybia: "U-Um, wait a second!" Willem: "What? We were both equally at fault." Phyracorlybia: "No, I was entirely to blame for that, so I'll keep my blade sheathed." Willem: "I see. I'm glad you understand... Wait, blade?" Phyracorlybia: "I have a favor to ask." Phyracorlybia: "I need to make a request of Officer Limeskin. Is there any way I could see him?" Willem: "Limeskin?" Willem: "That giant lizard is fighting somewhere far away." Phyracorlybia: "When will he be back?" Willem: "That's what I'd like to know. They've put up a magic field—" Willem: "A barrier around the battlefield, making communication impossible." Soldier: "Is it true? Yeah, send word at once. Are we sure? Apparently. In battle with the timere." Phyracorlybia: "W-Wait..." Willem: "What happened?" Soldier: "I-It's classified. This information can only be circulated on a regulated channel." Willem: "I'm Second-Grade Technical Officer Willem Kmetsch." Soldier: "Forgive me, sir." Willem: "The dug weapons and fairy soldiers... The ones that wield them are under my care. Of course, I also have the right to all data pertaining to battles they take part in!" Willem: "Again, I ask that you provide me with this information. What happened?" Soldier: "Sir, Fleet 1 just sent word regarding the results of the battle on Island 15." Soldier: "The defense of Island 15..." Soldier: "has failed." Soldier: "Excuse me, then." Phyracorlybia: "Um, what's wrong?" Phyracorlybia: "What's the matter? Are you all right? Hello? Hello?" Phyracorlybia: "Hello, are you all right? Can you hear me?" Chtholly: "The other day, you made sweets in the mess, remember?" Chtholly: "Can you make butter cake, too?" Phyracorlybia: "Uh, does it hurt somewhere?" Soldier: "What? Really? Do we have confirmation? We just received it from General Command HQ. How many casualties? Survivors? Fleet 1 of the 2nd Division has returned. We've received an accurate casualty report! Send medics, just in case!" ephren: "I think we should send word as soon as possible." Ithea: "Agreed. A certain someone's heart is probably jumping out of his chest as he waits." Chtholly: "But..." Limeskin: "Given the circumstances, I allow you to use the communication crystals." Ithea: "See? We even got the big boss's permission." Chtholly: "But use of a communication crystal lets the other person see us, too. And I'm covered in mud. I haven't even taken a bath." Ithea: "You'll be fine as you are." Chtholly: "But it would be rude, and I'm not mentally prepared..." Willem: "You girls!" Chtholly: "Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Whahat?" Chtholly: "H-H-Hey, it hurts... I can't breathe." Ithea: "Where the heck did he come from?" Chtholly: "This is embarrassing! I'm covered in dirt. I hurt all over." Limeskin: "My eyes could not keep up with him." Chtholly: "I haven't taken a bath... Everyone's watching!" Limeskin: "Did he use a lost secret art?" Chtholly: "Hey, you're wet from the rain!" ephren: "This is why I said we should send word quickly." Chtholly: "Brr! You'll catch a cold, you know?" Ithea: "Yeah, you did." Chtholly: "Wait, that isn't it..." Ithea: "But did you expect to find the TO this broken?" Chtholly: "Jeez, what's wrong with you?! Let me go already!" ephren: "Broken?" Chtholly: "Are you listening to me? Hey!" Ithea: "I mean, he usually tries to play it cool, right? The fact that it doesn't suit him at all is cute, though." Ithea: "Anyway, I was expecting a less emotional reunion." ephren: "This is how Willem is. One-track mind. Dial turned to eleven. You have to watch over him so he doesn't get hurt." Ithea: "Yeah, I kinda get what you mean..." Ithea: "What do you think, Chtholly?" Chtholly: "I think you should finish your fun, little chat and help me!" ephren: "I feel like we should let him hug you until he's satisfied." Chtholly: "No way! My spine will break, I'll suffocate, or I'll die of embarrassment first!" Ithea: "If you can yell like that, I don't think we need to worry about suffocation." ephren: "Don't worry. We're all here. We aren't going anywhere." Willem: "Ren..." ephren: "Yep." Willem: "Ithea." Ithea: "Heya." Willem: "And..." Willem: "Chtholly." Chtholly: "Seriously, let me go already... My heart can't take any more!" Ithea: "Things sure have gotten messy."

Chtholly: "This makes 217!" Ithea: "She's insane. I think the rest of us can just go home..." ephren: "The next one might sprout from inside." ephren: "Have to stay focused." Soldier: "What's that?! Never seen it before! What the hell?" Chtholly: "What is that?" ephren: "It isn't a timere. A new beast?" Ithea: "I've never seen anything like it!" Limeskin: "All hands, retreat." Limeskin: "We've detected the appearance of a new, unexpected beast. As such, this operation is hereby declared a failure. Island 15 is to be abandoned. All hands, retreat." Chtholly: "No way!" Ithea: "Hold it! What are you thinking?" Chtholly: "I promised to return alive." Chtholly: "I'm going to say, "I'm home," and feast on butter cake!" Chtholly: "I can't let the world end before that." ephren: "Chtholly!" Elq: "Trees vanishing in morning mist." Elq: "Milk stains. Dazzling petals. Air mass. Herring on a wall. Hedgehog standing on its head. Organ in a bag." Chtholly: "What the hell is this?" Ithea: "So, yeah, the new enemy plunged the battlefield into chaos. Not only was it absurdly strong, but we had no idea how to fight it. We had no choice but to abandon the island." Willem: "For real?" Ithea: "For real. So we're totally beat!" Willem: "Good job hanging in there." Limeskin: "In the end, I decided to accept defeat and fell the island." Limeskin: "But I must praise you. The blades you forged shone brilliantly." Ithea: "Seriously, this lizard's on the money!" Ithea: "I wish you could've seen her fight." Chtholly: "It's all my fault." Chtholly: "By blowing myself up, I could have neutralized the enemy." Chtholly: "But I said I wanted to live, and now..." ephren: "You're wrong." ephren: "The tactical projections failed to account for that other beast. If you'd self-destructed to take out the timere, we might have had to fight the new one without you." ephren: "That would have yielded a far worse outcome." Ithea: "Agreed." ephren: "We never had a chance to defeat them." ephren: "So don't worry about it." Chtholly: "Thank you. By the way," Chtholly: "what are you doing?" ephren: "Willem will feel much better if we warm him up." Willem: "I already do. Please get off." ephren: "You're forcing yourself a bit. Not yet." Willem: "Hey!" Willem: "Say something to her, Chtholly..." Chtholly: "It's fine." Phyracorlybia: "Uncle!" All: ""Uncle"?" Limeskin: "No! She's the daughter of an old friend!" Limeskin: "Phyr, how many times must I tell you not to come here?" Phyracorlybia: "I am fully prepared to face the consequences. I have no one but you to turn to. Someone has threatened to kill Father if we don't cancel next weekend's ceremony" Phyracorlybia: "As mayor of this city, his policy is to ensure peaceful racial coexistence. I know there are many who do not look favorably upon that, but I am appalled they would resort to this to impede his stance." Limeskin: "Forgive me, Phyr. I cannot help you." Phyracorlybia: "Uncle!" Limeskin: "Willem, I have a favor to ask." Willem: "I refuse." Limeskin: "But I haven't asked anything." Willem: "I can guess. I'm sorry, but I'm not about to play hero." Willem: "Also, I'm already up to my neck in babysitting!" Phyracorlybia: "Uh, I would prefer to keep this between us." Limeskin: "No need to worry. I don't know if he's dependable or trustworthy, but you may have high hopes for him." Phyracorlybia: "Right..." Willem: "Whoa, it's time to pick up Tiat." Willem: "Sorry. Find someone else." Phyracorlybia: "Please wait! At next weekend's ceremony, my father plans to unveil a new policy that will open the door for those of all races. But these Annihilation Knights oppose this policy, and they plot to assassinate him!" Ithea: "I get the feeling they'll regret that name in five years' time." Phyracorlybia: "They destroy property, kidnap children, and beat people up. They want to rid the city of all disfeatured races, and they'll stop at nothing." Willem: "Uh..." Phyracorlybia: "So I wanted Uncle's help..." Willem: "Not happening." ephren: "The Guardian Wings Military's role is to defend Règles Aile from external threats." ephren: "It cannot interfere in the political affairs of cities." Ithea: "Archipelago Military Charter, Chapter 4, Article 3." Phyracorlybia: "What?!" Phyracorlybia: "But we are clearly in the right!" Willem: "Being right doesn't make use of force okay. It's the opposite." Willem: "Righteousness is merely a tool to legitimize one's reasons for violence. People like you, who really believe in it, will clash and start a war." Willem: "That's how it's always worked." Phyracorlybia: "But that's..." Willem: "The lizard turned you down for the same reason." Willem: "I can't help you." Tiat: "I-It wasn't the least bit scary or painful!" Tiat: "I laugh... in the face of injections..." Chtholly: "Well done to make it through, Tiat." Tiat: "Chtholly!" Willem: "Still a child, huh?" Tiat: "I am not!" Willem: "Yeah, yeah." Ithea: "Hey, TO..." Ithea: "Aren't you awfully cold to the lady? What, is it because of her age? Like, "girls who aren't younger than I am aren't girls at all"?" Willem: "It's not like that. No matter who I'm faced with, I just don't want to accept anything but the stuff I can't accept." Ithea: "What's that supposed to mean?" Willem: "I can't explain it too well." Ithea: "And why are you smiling? What are you thinking about?" Chtholly: "Nothing, really." Ithea: "I don't get you two!" Tiat: "Something smells nice!" Tiat: "Look! They're wrapping meat in leaves!" ephren: "That's called "wrapped ram."" Ithea: "I am pretty hungry, come to think of it." Willem: "Want to get lunch here, then?" Phyracorlybia: "Wait a minute. They're clearly using too much spice, and they do not have their permit displayed. I have little doubt they'll feed you meat that is barely legal." Phyracorlybia: "And they are charging more than market price!" Willem: "R-Right." Phyracorlybia: "Come with me. I shall get you some real Corna di Luce wrapped ram." Ithea: "Is that really the same person?" ephren: "Maybe?" Tiat: "So good!" Ithea: "I can't stop wolfing it down!" Willem: "They used less spice, and mixed in lots of sour herbs instead?" ephren: "This flavor makes it easy to eat large quantities." Phyracorlybia: "I know, right?" Willem: "What's wrong? You haven't taken a single bite." Chtholly: "Just thinking." Willem: "Don't force yourself. The girls will eat any extra food." Both: "Leave it to us!" Phyracorlybia: "Wrapped ram is a big part of traditional Corna di Luce cuisine." Phyracorlybia: "And this is the best place in the area to have some. All the locals know this, even if they're only five." Willem: "Wow, local five-year-olds are pretty nuts." Phyracorlybia: "To top it off, countless movies have been shot here!" Tiat: "Like the scene in Clockwork Love and Dreams, where the golem gets drunk!" Phyracorlybia: "Yeah!" Tiat: "I also saw it in Let Me Trick You, The Return of Detective Curio, and Howl, Lazioni!" Phyracorlybia: "My, how delightful! Very impressive!" Willem: "Wow, our ten-year-old is pretty nuts." Phyracorlybia: "Beautiful Corna di Luce has been the setting for countless stories. Its rich cuisine, featuring classics such as wrapped ram, artistry, history, and luminaries" Tiat: "You really love this city, don't you?" Phyracorlybia: "I do!" Phyracorlybia: "Corna di Luce is my home. I love this city dearly!" Tiat: "I love it, too!" Willem: "Love it dearly, huh? I'm amazed you can say that with a straight face." Phyracorlybia: "Is it a problem?" Willem: "Nah, I love it, miss. You're much more charming this way." Phyracorlybia: "I hate when people are too casual with their words." Willem: "Is that so?" Ithea: "Something happen to her?" Chtholly: "Who knows?" Phyracorlybia: "This is the Perjurer's Grave. A legendary con man from around 200 years ago rests here." Tiat: "I've seen this in movies!" Willem: "I see." ephren: ""Here lies an honest man."" Ithea: "How did we end up on a sightseeing tour?" Willem: "What's the problem? We have time until our airship home." Ithea: "It's just, weapons like us sightseeing? That's some special treatment! Better thank the lizard and the lady." Elq: "Locked red grimoire." Elq: "Sweet cry of death." Elq: "Headless clown, wandering in twilight. He laughs, laughs, laughs, laughs, laughs, laughs, and laughs." Willem: "...holly. Chtholly." Chtholly: "Wh-What is it?" Willem: "Do you feel sick or something? You've been so quiet, it's like we have a statue among us." Ithea: "That does sound pretty quiet!" Willem: "If you're tired, tell me. I don't want to push you." Chtholly: "No, it isn't like that." Chtholly: "Sorry to have worried you." Willem: "If the venenum generated in combat is still lingering in your body, want me to do the deal again—" Chtholly: "N-No, thanks! I couldn't walk if you did that now!" Ithea: "What's "the deal"?" Chtholly: "And you! Don't take an interest!" Phyracorlybia: "Next up, we have the Lovers' Staircase." Phyracorlybia: "Where a legendary couple whose love transcended social status met." Tiat: "I've seen this in movies!" Willem: "I see." Phyracorlybia: "The two accidentally bumped into each other and rolled down the stairs together, marking the start of their romance, but..." Ithea: ""No rolling"?" Tiat: "We can't roll?!" Chtholly: "Hey." Willem: "Guess it's time to set the bait." Phyracorlybia: "Do you like the city?" ephren: "I'm really enjoying my time here." Tiat: "I already loved it, but I love, love, love it now!" Willem: "Really? That's good." Willem: "Say, is there a fun spot where not too many people go?" Phyracorlybia: "I know just the thing." Phyracorlybia: "This is the Well of Wishes." Tiat: "I've never seen this one before!" Ithea: "The Well of Wishes? Like, you throw in a coin, and your wish will be granted? Sounds like something straight out of a fairytale!" Thug: "Sorry to interrupt your fun, ladies." ephren: "We're surrounded." Phyracorlybia: "Who are you people?" Thug: "We are the Annihilation Knights! Annihilate! Annihilate! Annihilate!" Phyracorlybia: "So it's you!" Ithea: "For real?" ephren: "Seems like it." Thug: "For all that is right, we must assassinate the mayor for all that is right! As an insurance policy, we will take you into custody as an insurance policy!" Tiat: "He talks weird." Ithea: "For trying to put on a show, he sure does suck at it..." Phyracorlybia: "Children are here! You disgust me!" Thug: "Filthy disfeatured would never understand our righteousness." Phyracorlybia: "Silence! For the sake of all that I believe right, I shan't ever give in to you! " Thug: "Take her in." Chtholly: "Wait." Willem: "Bang!" Willem: "Bang." Willem: "Bang." Willem: "Bang!" Willem: "Bang." Thug: "What just happened?" Willem: "I felt your gazes all along. So we tried walking in very public places and then moved to a desolate one. And you fell for it." Phyracorlybia: "D-Don't tell me, you used me to lure them in?" Willem: "Yeah. I used you as bait." Willem: "I don't care one bit about politics or justice. But I've decided to side with you for personal reasons. After all, the little ones seem to love this city, too." Ithea: "Yikes... Our TO is one scary man." ephren: "A con man." Chtholly: "That's how he really is." Thug: "Damn disfeatured. Know your place." Willem: "Bang!" Willem: "Try to mask your bloodlust. You're pros, right?" Thug: "Damn it! Gang up on them—" Golem: "Arrest." Golem: "Arrest. Arrest. Arrest. Arrest." Tiat: "Willem's like a bad guy." Ithea: "Well, he is the sole survivor of the terrifying emnetwiht race." ephren: "A con man." Phyracorlybia: "I am extremely grateful for your help, but I cannot accept your methods!" Willem: "I thought not." Phyracorlybia: "Also," Phyracorlybia: "you touched my belly when we first met..." Willem: "Huh?" Phyracorlybia: "Don't play dumb with me! To us lycanthropos, our bellies are sacred places that we may only reveal to our spouses." Willem: "O-Oh?" Phyracorlybia: "I hate you!" Phyracorlybia: "Thank you for everything today. Please visit again sometime." Willem: "Beautiful city, huh?" Chtholly: "Yes." Willem: "I can see why the lady wanted to protect her home so much." Chtholly: "Yes." Willem: "Well, given how much she hates me now, she'll probably never look to someone like me for help again." Willem: "That's good. Straightforward people like her should stay as they are." Chtholly: "Listen to yourself." Willem: "Chtholly?" Chtholly: "The finger guns were simple camouflage. You attacked them by shooting these coins with speed." Willem: "Well spotted." Chtholly: "I probably know your fighting style and strength better than anyone else in this world." Chtholly: "Did you forget?" Chtholly: "You're the one who taught me to fight this way." Willem: "That's right... You were such a good student, I did forget." Chtholly: "You wanted to fight, didn't you?" Chtholly: "I don't know what you're playing at, but please stop." Chtholly: "You don't have to fight anymore." Chtholly: "I... We've taken on all of your battles." Willem: "I'm thankful to you." Willem: "I spent years of my life waiting for death." Willem: "All I ever wanted was to go back to the people waiting for me." Willem: "But after meeting you all, I've changed a little." Willem: "I started to want a home again." Willem: "Meeting you brought me a little salvation. And your returning alive has brought me..." Willem: "well, a little happiness." Willem: "Hang on! Don't try to slowly walk away! Don't look at me like I'm some embarrassing fool!" Willem: "Anyway, I'm surprised you're keeping such a close eye on me." Chtholly: "Well, I am in love with you." Ithea: "Man, we can finally go back!" Thug: "I wanted to check out some more places." Chtholly: "Well, you're a fairy soldier now. I'm sure you'll get the chance to come back." Tiat: "Yes, ma'am!" Buronny: "Technical Officer Willem Kmetsch, yes?" Willem: "And you are?" Buronny: "First-Grade Officer Buronny Maxi, of the military police." Buronny: "I see Officer Limeskin's report was quite accurate. "A tall, black-haired disfeatured. Likely has a thing for young girls."" Ithea: "If he really did, a certain someone wouldn't have such a hard time..." Buronny: "There's someone I must have you meet." Buronny: "Come with me." Willem: "No, thanks. I already have plans." Buronny: "Souwong Kandel." ephren: "Willem?" Willem: "Yeah. I can't walk away after hearing that." Willem: "Buronny, was it?" Buronny: "Yeah." Willem: "Can I ask you to take care of these girls?" Buronny: "Most definitely." Chtholly: "Wait a second! What the heck? You promised me... Don't go!" Willem: "I have to." Chtholly: "If you do, I'll get mad. Really mad!" Willem: "Chtholly..." Chtholly: "I won't let you go! Jerk. You big jerk!" Willem: "I'm sorry." Chtholly: "I'll be waiting." Chtholly: "I'll be waiting, so you had better come back." Willem: "Yeah, I promise. I'll come back, for sure." Chtholly: "Okay." Chtholly: "It's a promise." Willem: "I never did say, "Welcome back."" Buronny: "I must say, you make quite a peculiar face when you cry." Willem: "Next Episode:"

ygglatho: "Welcome back!" ygglatho: "Chtholly?" Chtholly: "I'm h..." Chtholly: "Jerk." Souwong: "A man who can tune dug weapons? O-Oh, no... I wasn't rebuking you." Souwong: "I just have a naturally menacing look." Souwong: "But talk about a tall tale." Souwong: "There once was a monster who could tune them, but he's long gone." Souwong: "Is he in this room? Yes. What will you do, Great Sage? If you've brought him here, then so be it. Let me see this con man for myself." Willem: "Oh, is that you, Souwong?" Willem: "Long time no see. Man, you've really changed." Souwong: "Black Agate Swordmaster?!" Willem: "It's been ages since anyone's called me that," Willem: "Magus of the Pole Star. Aren't you happy that we both seem well?!" Souwong: "You spent five hundred years petrified on the surface? I assumed you were dead because my pulse tracing never got any response." Willem: "Well, I was petrified. My heart wasn't beating—" Souwong: "Give me back the tears I shed that day!" Willem: "Oh, you cried for me?" Souwong: "U-Uh, no! I did not! Why would I waste time crying for the likes of you?" Willem: "Hmm? Anyway, why are you still alive?" Willem: "Five hundred years have passed, right?" Willem: "You..." Willem: "What is that?" Souwong: "Back then, I was also killed in the battle." Souwong: "Along with Emissa." Souwong: "But just before I died, I placed a curse on myself and altered my life force." Souwong: "So I can't be called human anymore. And I won't die of injury or old age." Willem: "I see." Souwong: "Just so you know, I don't need your pity. I quite like my current life." Willem: "Actually..." Willem: "I'm more shocked by Emissa getting done in than by your story." Souwong: "Hey..." Willem: "Look at them go... Is that Emissa?" Souwong: "Nah, it's probably Hillgram. I saw some gaping ridge lines on the way here." Willem: "Jeez, this party is full of monsters." Souwong: "You aren't much better yourself, Black Agate Swordmaster." Willem: "How many times must I tell you not to call me that, Souwong?" Willem: "Also, you should quit wearing that dumb white cape already." Lillia: "But hey... He's so tiny, he'd be hard to spot without it." Lillia: "It is lame as hell, though." Willem: "It does indeed suit the great Magus of the Pole Star very well." Souwong: "You two really know how to get on a person's nerves!" Willem: "Well, eat this and calm down. One of Almaria's special ginger cookies." Willem: "Almaria baked them for me?" Lillia: "For me?" Willem: "Huh? No..." Willem: "Ow..." Willem: "Man..." Willem: "What am I gonna do with you guys? Until I took this job, I wasn't stable enough to even reminisce about the past." Souwong: "That's it! What do we do now? You're the only one who can tune carillons, so you're perfect for the fairy warehouse caretaker job. That said, I don't know if I should really leave you there to rot." Willem: "Sorry to interrupt your brainstorming, but hurry and decide what you're doing." Willem: "I promised to head back right away." Souwong: "Head back? Where? To the fairy warehouse?" Willem: "Yeah." Willem: "While I'd love to stay and chat, I'm glad to know we're both doing well." Souwong: "No, wait." Souwong: "Before you go, I want you to meet someone." Willem: "Huh?" Souwong: "You probably never wanted to see them ever again, though..." Willem: "Don't tell me, another of our friends survived?" Souwong: "We're heading for Island 2! Ready an airship immediately!" Willem: "Hang on... I never said I'd go!" Willem: "Hey, Souwong!" Elq: "Room without an exit. Black cat that doesn't stop meowing. Dazzling gray sky. Unfamiliar blue-eyed girl." Chtholly: "What a weird dream..." Chtholly: "Come back already." Willem: "She's probably really mad at me right now." Willem: "This feels very much like the temple of an evil clan." Souwong: "Despite knowing you forever, I will never understand your tastes." Willem: "Look who's talking. Five hundred years have passed, but your love of white capes hasn't been cured yet." Souwong: "Don't make it sound like a disease! This is part of my very heart and soul! I would never cast it aside, not in a thousand years!" Willem: "Thanks, man." Souwong: "Where did that come from? Why would you thank me?" Willem: "Just felt like it." Willem: "Don't worry about it." Souwong: "S-S-Stop that. Why are you grinning? Gross." Souwong: "Out on a walk, are we? Well, it is a pleasant day." Willem: "You wanted me to meet her?" Souwong: "No, the other one down there." Souwong: "Hey, you oversized piece of trash, I'm here." Eboncandle: "Oh, if it isn't the Great Sage. Perfect timing. I was pretty bored." Souwong: "I've brought someone I'd like you to meet, Eboncandle!" Eboncandle: "It's you! That, uh... What was it? You know, the guy from back then." Willem: "Hey, Souwong... Please tell me this is all a bad dream." Souwong: "Want me to slap you so you can make sure?" Willem: "I think I'll pass." Eboncandle: "It's been eons, human brave." Eboncandle: "I never thought the day would come when our paths would cross again." Eboncandle: "But sadly, we are fated to always cross swords. We cannot avoid walking down this bloody path." Willem: "Look, you can give that a rest." Willem: "Really? How boring... Why do you look like that, anyway? The Eboncandle I fought in the past had skin, flesh," Willem: "and an actual body from the neck down." Eboncandle: "You're the one who burned my body to a crisp! Can you imagine how shocked I was to wake in this state?! And I've had to keep using my powers ever since, too. I haven't had the chance to heal myself." Willem: "I see now. So the paradise in the sky was built by you two." Souwong: "That is correct. In order to escape the seventeen beasts, I used brute force to elevate some land into the sky. And somehow, it has lasted for five hundred years." Eboncandle: "Eight-tenths of it is thanks to my powers." Willem: "What are the seventeen beasts, anyway? What the hell happened to cause their appearance? And where?" Eboncandle: "They are humanity's sin. To begin with, ancient—" Souwong: "Remember True World?" Willem: "Oh, yeah. I remember them. Some old, armed cult that we took out, right?" Souwong: "Yeah. The beasts are biological weapons born as a result of their failed research." Willem: "I see. So that's why the people here say that emnetwihts destroyed the surface." Souwong: "That's right." Souwong: "Humans did destroy the surface." Souwong: "Don't you want to take it back?" Souwong: "You're an annoying guy with a rotten character, personality, heart, and soul." Souwong: "But you have top-notch, reliable skills. You are worthy to be a part of our plan..." Souwong: "No, you're indispensable for it." Eboncandle: "Oh?" Willem: "Isn't the surface done for, though? Isn't it a danger zone with beasts everywhere? What are you planning?" Souwong: "We'll attack them ourselves." Souwong: "With you, we can again use the carillons that couldn't be tuned or wielded." Souwong: "This is significant progress." Souwong: "The battle will probably require all the resources from every Règles Aile city. It will be a long road, fraught with danger. However, we stand a good chance of coming out on top. We can procure as many fairies as we need. Our only problem was the shortage of usable carillons." Willem: "Oh?" Souwong: "Uh, forget what I just said..." Eboncandle: "You messed up." Chtholly: "We are the special weapons that you mentioned." Willem: "So you guys are the ones producing them." Pa: "Attention, all operatives." Soldier: "Hurry up!" Pa: "Unknown beast detected. Island 15 will hereby be abandoned. Strategic HQ is to fall back to Island 16." Elq: "Warm melody. Black and white zigzag. Swaying boat. Damaged cocoon. Red water. Ashen wind." Elq: "Seven-eyed frog. Endless orange road. Fabric with a silver glint." Chtholly: "What? What the hell is this?! Quiet! Shut up! Get out of my head!" Ithea: "Chtholly..." Chtholly: "...sed." Chtholly: "I will go back. I promised..." Chtholly: "I promised." Chtholly: "I promised!" Willem: "They're swords that use the enemy's force against them when it hits the blade." Elq: "Lion eating a snake. Round rainbow. Pile of gold coins. Tiny bowl filled with sweets. Burning signpost. Fish flying between the stars." Chtholly: "Shut up! No matter what," Chtholly: "I will go back!" Chtholly: "I have to go back..." Chtholly: "Go back to..." Chtholly: "Go back to him." Souwong: "Those fairies are borderline unstable ghosts. Souls of children who, not realizing they're dead, wander into our world." Souwong: "They aren't even life forms. One of my necromancy skills allows me to produce fairies from wandering spirits." Eboncandle: "Since they don't fear death, they're ideal, mass-produced weapons that can cause venenum explosions." Souwong: "They have very short lifespans. And if they generate too much venenum in combat, memories of their past lives can eat into them, causing mental disintegration." Souwong: "But we're trying to protect the world here. They're sacrifices that can be overlooked." ygglatho: "You three really overslept today." Ithea: "Well, yeah. The battle was totally awful..." ephren: "Dead." Ithea: "We'd like to take it easy for a while. Right, Chtholly?" ephren: "Chtholly?" ygglatho: "Yes, it seems you are still worn out." Ithea: "On that note, excuse us from chores for the time being." ygglatho: "No can do!" Chtholly: "Sorry." Chtholly: "I think I'll get some more sleep." Elq: "Flat spider." Elq: "Used-up candles and burned envelopes." Chtholly: "Be quiet." Elq: "Half-eaten cookie. Metal bird and rainbow-colored arrowhead. Vivid mine. Stomach with a thorn. Giraffe bending toward the water." Chtholly: "Shut up." Chtholly: "Shut up." Chtholly: "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut your damned mouth!" Chtholly: "We made a promise." Chtholly: "Will I... not make it?" Chtholly: "Man, I really wanted to eat that butter cake." Elq: "Threads made of morning dew. Breaking world. Father. Yellow plushie. Shining skylark nest. Pebble in a paper packet. Carnival in the water. Black cat that doesn't stop meowing. Dazzling gray sky. Kiss of a golden butterfly." Chtholly: "And then?" Elq: "And then..." Chtholly: "And then..." Elq: "And then..." Chtholly: "I... I..." Elq: "Who am I?" Eboncandle: "It's a fact that the fairies are the only way to use the carillons." Willem: "Sure, defense is one thing. But don't discard their lives for some imperialistic urge!" Souwong: "The world heads steadily toward ruin. Who knows how long Règles Aile will last? And we must return to the surface someday, as well." Willem: "But no one knows, or cares, about it. For everyone living out there now, Règles Aile is their home! Not anywhere else! Am I wrong?!" Souwong: "But don't you hate this? Don't you want to go back?" Willem: "Souwong, even if we do retake the surface, who will we find?" Willem: "Do we have any family who will welcome us back there?" Eboncandle: "Great Sage, give it up for now." Eboncandle: "He is a resolute man. Once he decides to protect something, he'll protect it, even if it means sacrificing everything else." Souwong: "You care more about fairies who will soon die than this world's future?" Willem: "Yeah." Willem: "Right now, I just want to hurry up and get back to them." Souwong: "Is that the choice you've made, Willem Kmetsch?" Willem: "That's right." Souwong: "I always thought you were a bit more of a heroic brave." Willem: "Same here." Buronny: "I'm here to make an urgent report. It's about the wielder of dug weapon Seniorious. Memories of her past life" Buronny: "have started to disintegrate her mind." Eboncandle: "There he goes... Why didn't you tell him the truth about the beasts?" Souwong: "I used to look up to him as an older brother." Souwong: "I don't want him to hate me any more." Chibi: "No, it's mine! No, I took it first!" Lakhesh: "Hey, do you know where Nygglatho is?" Chibi: "She's up in the mountains!" Chibi: "Hey, give it back!" Pannibal: "Whenever someone doesn't return, she goes to the mountains to fight bears." Lakhesh: "Oh... Then I guess we'll have stewed bear for dinner tonight." Collon: "What's wrong, Tiat? You seem kinda gloomy." Tiat: "I don't know. It feels like there's a big hole in my head." Collon: "Why? Because Chtholly broke?" Tiat: "Maybe." Ithea: "She kept her promise, you know." Ithea: "She wasn't supposed to return from that battle. But because she wanted to see you and have you baby her again, she did everything to return with a little bit of time left." Willem: "Yeah, she kept her promise." Willem: "But I didn't say what she wanted to hear." Willem: "Or do what she wanted." Willem: "I did nothing for her." Willem: "Chtholly!" Chtholly: "Are you looking for something?" Elq: "Jade... Ebo." Chtholly: "Jadeebo?" Chtholly: "I see. Hey, what's your name?" Elq: "Elq!" Chtholly: "Elq, huh?" Chtholly: "I hope you find Jadeebo." Chtholly: "I'll help you look. I mean, this place seems huge." Chtholly: "Me?" Chtholly: "My name is..." Chtholly: "Huh?" Chtholly: "Who am I, again?" Chtholly: "I don't know." Chtholly: "But I think there was something important..." Chtholly: "That's right. I have to go back." Elq: "No matter what?" Chtholly: "No matter what." Elq: "Even though it'll only bring you lots of pain?" Chtholly: "Well, yeah." Chtholly: "But I have a promise to keep." Elq: "Oh..." Willem: "It's rare that I see you drinking anything other than tea." ygglatho: "I'm glad you're here." ygglatho: "I'm sick and tired of crying alone." Willem: "In the past, I wanted to fix things that couldn't be fixed, like the tragedies or unhappiness people went through." Willem: "But I was always too powerless. In the end, I couldn't do anything at all." Willem: "I thought I'd learned my lesson over and over by now." Willem: "But I wanted to make Chtholly happy. Seriously, what did she ever see in me?" Chtholly: "How do you not know the answer to that?" Chtholly: "I mean, you gave me so many firsts." Chtholly: "At that market, you became the first to help me." Chtholly: "You were the first to take me somewhere with a great view." Chtholly: "You were the first to inspire many different emotions in me." Chtholly: "You were the first person to let me lean on them. And you were the first opponent I lost to." Chtholly: "Man, I can't keep count." Chtholly: "So it's obvious that you'd be the first person I ever fell in love with." Chtholly: "Take a hint, dummy." Chtholly: "What happened to me, anyway? I remember getting to the warehouse and having a weird dream. And you just wouldn't come back..." Chtholly: "What's with that look?" Willem: "Welcome home, Chtholly..." Willem: "Welcome home." ephren: "A miracle of love?" Ithea: "I don't know about love, but this is definitely a miracle. Knowing her, though, she probably ignored the consequences and paid a huge price to make it happen."

Kids: "Go for it! Hang in there!" Kids: "You can do it!" Chtholly: "It's so cold..." Chtholly: "Where did this come from?" ygglatho: "Chtholly, are you awake?" pht: "Man, I'm bored! Bored, bored, bored! So bored!" Rhantolk: "Quiet, Nopht." pht: "Rhan, I know you're actually bored, too." pht: "What is that? An ancient book?" Rhantolk: "One of our finds from yesterday." pht: "You can read emnetwiht writing?" Rhantolk: "I can connect the dots between words and guess at what they say." pht: "And... well? What does it say?" Rhantolk: ""The human race should have never come into being." Rhantolk: "The visitors were the ones who created them. It was the gods' first mistake, and it was the biggest."" pht: "What the heck?" Rhantolk: "That is my best guess at what this book is saying. "Beasts... by humans... truth... leash..." Oh, this might be vice versa. "Humans unleash the beasts, and fill the world with the ashen truth."" pht: "Whoa!" Rhantolk: "Get off me, Nopht." pht: "It's talking about the beasts destroying the surface, right? Wow. It's a prophecy." Rhantolk: "No. This seems to be a fairytale or a textbook of sorts. More likely, humans created the beasts in accordance with this text. " Rhantolk: "That would be the natural assumption." pht: "I see." Rhantolk: "However, this almost makes it seem like..." pht: "Who is it?" Grick: "Is this the waiting room for the fleet escort?" Grick: "I'm a salvager with your fellow passengers, the Orlandry Merchant Guild." Grick: "The name's Grick! Pleased to meet ya." Tiat: "Chtholly!" Tiat: "It's you! You aren't a ghost!" Chtholly: "Tiat..." Pannibal: "Hey, she hasn't fully recovered yet. Forgive her. She seemed out of sorts the entire time you were broken." Tiat: "Yeah. For some reason, I just felt so down..." Chtholly: "I see." Chtholly: "I see you've grown up, too." Collon: "Hey, Chtholly! Are you all better now?" Willem: "Morning. Feeling all right?" Chtholly: "Yeah, morning..." Lakhesh: "Are you going out now? You're wearing your hat." Chtholly: "Oh, no. I just have horrible bed-head today. Anyway, how was morning practice?" Collon: "Piece of cake!" Collon: "Now I'm hungry..." Kids: "Same. I'm starving." ygglatho: "Pipe down, girls. You can have breakfast after you wash your hands and face." Kids: "Yes, ma'am!" ygglatho: "Shall we get going, then?" Willem: "Aren't you two eating?" ygglatho: "I'd like to give her a checkup first, just in case." Willem: "Oh..." Chtholly: "See you." Rhantolk: "The survey unit's adviser, you say?" Grick: "Yeah. I figured I should come say hello to the ones who'll hold my life in their hands!" pht: "That's a funny thing to say. Do we really look like beast-fighting escorts to you?" Grick: "Frankly, I still don't fully believe it. Really, I'd very much like to laugh it off... But the thing is" Grick: "you're girls with dug weapons. It matches what I've heard too perfectly." Grick: "What's the word? "Leprechauns"?" pht: "You know that much?" Grick: "A couple of friends happen to be in the know. Anyway, here's a token of friendship!" Grick: "You haven't been home in more than a month. You probably miss good food." Grick: "I bought these on Island 31 on my way here. They're meat pies!" pht: "A-Are you kidding me? You can't curry favor with us using such—" Rhantolk: "We'll gladly take them." pht: "Hey, Rhan!" Rhantolk: "As it turns out, we have nothing in particular to do." Rhantolk: "We could join him for a chat, don't you think?" pht: "Well, if you say so..." Rhantolk: ""Grick," was it?" Grick: "Yeah." Rhantolk: "Have you been a salvager long?" Grick: "Somewhat, yeah." Rhantolk: "Have you ever run into a beast?" Grick: "Huh? You want to ask me something about beasts?" Rhantolk: "Yes." Rhantolk: "What in the world are the beasts, anyway? Where were they born? And how? And why did they wipe out the emnetwihts on the surface?" Grick: "You seem to care an awful lot about that." Rhantolk: "While they may threaten your existence," Rhantolk: "they are the very reason for ours." ygglatho: "I would learn a lot more if I could just bite off some of your flesh." Chtholly: "Yeah, please don't." Chtholly: "So..." Chtholly: "Is there anything wrong with my body?" ygglatho: "I wouldn't say "wrong."" ygglatho: "I wouldn't say that, but..." Lakhesh: "Thanks for coming shopping with me. You're even carrying the stuff back." Willem: "I had an errand to run anyway, so don't mention it." Willem: "You've been working at that bakery for a while, right? I'm surprised they let you." Lakhesh: "The military brass didn't like the idea, but Nygglatho convinced them." Lakhesh: "What do you think? How do you feel about us weapons working for money like anyone else?" Willem: "Grown-ups are supposed to ensure that kids can do what they want. As long as it's not anything wrong, I won't have a problem with it." Lakhesh: "Um, I love you, Willem! I don't know what having a father is like, but this sure feels like it." Willem: "I already consider you my kids, more or less." Lakhesh: "Really?" Lakhesh: "Wait, who would that make the mother?" Lakhesh: "Nygglatho?" Lakhesh: "But Chtholly's..." Willem: "Come on, get going. I have to start cooking." ygglatho: "The silver test came up negative." Chtholly: "And what does that mean?" ygglatho: "Silver powder reacts to irregular death. Simply put, it's a drug that's used to detect spirits. And leprechauns are a type of spirit, so your blood should have turned black when mixed with the silver reagent." ygglatho: "But there was no reaction at all. I don't know the reason, but right now, your body is not a leprechaun's." Chtholly: "Wait! What are you talking about? What's happened to my body?" ygglatho: "I have no idea." ygglatho: "This is simply the natural conclusion based on the findings." Chtholly: "Are these strands a result of that, too?" ygglatho: "A side effect of your coma, perhaps?" Chtholly: "What's going to happen to me?" ygglatho: "You really don't feel anything wrong with your body?" Chtholly: "N-No, I feel perfectly normal." ygglatho: "Then don't worry about it now. Leave it to me. I'll look into it some more." Chtholly: "Okay." ygglatho: "Don't get any weird ideas about dyeing your hair. I don't think it'd bother Willem." Chtholly: "Wh-What are you talking about?" ygglatho: "But until everything is cleared up," ygglatho: "stay away from your dug weapon. No telling what might happen." Chtholly: "But then..." Chtholly: "What good is a fairy soldier who can't wield a sword?" ygglatho: "Want to prepare to get married, then?" ygglatho: "Seriously, Willem's contract will eventually expire. Of course, knowing him," ygglatho: "I'm sure he would stay if we all asked." Chtholly: "Why not just do that, then?" ygglatho: "Non, non! That wouldn't be persuasive enough! We need to drill it into his head that this is his home!" Chtholly: "R-Right..." ygglatho: "The best way to do that is for him to have a wife and family." Chtholly: "Huh?! Is that how it works?" ygglatho: "That is how it works. Honestly, I was thinking of volunteering myself—" Chtholly: "Don't!" Chtholly: "I... wouldn't stand a chance." ygglatho: "Then become a fine lady and hook that man already. Waste too much time, and I or another girl will beat you to the punch." Kids: "Looks yum! Time to dig in! So good!" Collon: "Wow, this is heaven!" Ithea: "You're too well prepared, TO." Willem: "What do you mean?" Ithea: "If you only baked cake for her, you figured she'd hold back, right? I'm impressed you baked enough for all of us." Willem: "Now, that's what you call a plan." Willem: "Hey, Ren. Where's Chtholly?" ephren: "Probably in her room." Willem: "Did something happen?" ephren: "She doesn't eat sweets in front of others." Ithea: "Talk about putting on airs!" Ithea: "Well, it isn't much of an issue. You can take it to her room yourself and spend some sugary-sweet time together." Willem: "Don't make it sound dirty." Chtholly: "Er, you know... I don't want to seem childish in front of the other girls. And, uh, from what I've heard..." Chtholly: "When I eat stuff like that, I really let myself go. As the eldest, I have a reputation to uphold." Chtholly: "What's with the look?" Willem: "It's just that making a big deal out of the most pointless thing shows that you're still a kid." Chtholly: "Say what?" Willem: "Shall I also get you some tea, my lady?" Chtholly: "Such a nice, sweet aroma." Willem: "Right?" Chtholly: "Seems delicious." Willem: "It actually is." Chtholly: "Can I really eat this?" Willem: "Do you even need to ask? Who do you think I baked it for?" Chtholly: "I did it..." Chtholly: "I... I kept my promise." Willem: "Must've been rough, huh?" Chtholly: "Yeah... Yeah!" Chtholly: "It really, really was!" Willem: "I know I said this yesterday." Willem: "But welcome home, Chtholly." Chtholly: "I'm home..." Chtholly: "I finally got to say it." Willem: "Yeah. And I finally got to hear it." Chtholly: "Does the red hair look weird?" Willem: "It's a very pretty color." Willem: "Looks great." Chtholly: "Huh? Oh." Chtholly: "Hmm..." Chtholly: "O-Okay, I'm good!" Willem: "Really? You aren't under the weather or anything, right? I'll be mad if you push yourself." Chtholly: "I'm fine! And I have cooking, laundry, and lots of other stuff to do!" Willem: "Don't get too worked up." Chtholly: "I won't." Chtholly: "Just wait, and you'd best be ready!" Chtholly: "Hey! What happened to wiping your shoes before you come inside?" Kids: "We're sorry." Chtholly: "If I'm really freed from being a fairy soldier, and I'm allowed to pursue the same dreams as everyone else," Chtholly: "then..." Chtholly: "I want to live, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him. I want to see the same things, walk down the same path," Chtholly: "eat the same food, and take in the same sights as he does." Chtholly: "If I could spend my life that way, with him..." Ithea: "Getting better at housework is all well and good, but it's like..." ephren: "She only does stuff for Willem?" Ithea: "Making yet another spicy meat dish?" Ithea: "And this one's tailored to a certain someone's taste buds, too..." Chtholly: "O-Oh, shut up! Only the one on cooking duty is allowed in the kitchen!" Ithea: "It's a very pretty color. Looks great." Ithea: "Yep." Chtholly: "When did you hear that?!" Ithea: "It's amazing how girls in love are so full of life!" Ithea: "But I don't know about hogging the kitchen just to get through to one guy's stomach." Limeskin: "How is said fairy soldier?" ygglatho: "It's been around five days since she awoke, and so far, she seems fine." Limeskin: "I see. That's great news." Willem: "Uh..." Willem: "What's with your getup?" Limeskin: "I'm currently under suspension for leading a losing battle. I cannot wear my uniform." Willem: "Huh..." Willem: "So, why are we here? We even made the off-duty lizard come all this way." ygglatho: "To discuss Chtholly's immediate future." ygglatho: "I thought we three should talk about it." ygglatho: "Those girls are weapons. They cannot retire or be discharged from duty. So, although Chtholly is not a leprechaun now, she is still a fairy soldier on paper." Willem: "And she can't turn down an order to sortie, huh?" ygglatho: "Could you adjust the sortie lineup on your end, First Officer?" Limeskin: "I could, but the order might come from a higher-up." Willem: "Say, doesn't the Great Sage have some influence with the military?" Limeskin: "That man is the military's top adviser." Willem: "Then make sure he receives a report that goes like this: "In order to research leprechaun physiology, TO Kmetsch has chosen fairy soldier Chtholly Nota Seniorious as a test subject."" ygglatho: "What is that about?" Willem: "If I indirectly ask to be given responsibility for Chtholly, he'll probably agree to it, figuring he can make me owe him one." ygglatho: "What kind of relationship do you think you and the Great Sage have?" Willem: "The bigger issue is how to replace Chtholly. Ithea and Nephren can't handle the load by themselves." ygglatho: "Oh, about that..." ygglatho: "I heard from the guild that beasts attacked the surface survey team. And that the Saxifraga was sunk." Willem: "Saxi..." Limeskin: "And what of the warriors aboard?" ygglatho: "Both are a bit worn out, but apparently unhurt." Willem: "Hang on a second, you two. Survey team? Both?" ygglatho: "Oh, right. You only arrived a month ago." ygglatho: "Do you know how many battle-ready fairies we currently have?" Willem: "Other than Chtholly, three. Including Tiat, who hasn't been paired with a sword." ygglatho: "The answer is five. Ithea, Nephren, Tiat. And then, we have Nopht and Rhantolk." Willem: "And where are they right now?" ygglatho: "Surely you can put two and two together." Willem: "For real?" Limeskin: "For real." Soldier: "What's that?" Soldier: "B-Beast!" Grick: "You moron! That thing reacts to sound and motion. Shut up and sit tight." Grick: "Oh, come on... What's wrong with them?" Grick: "Okay, this is bad news." pht: "I expected a beast to put up a better fight." Grick: "Insane..." Rhantolk: "Do you mean the beast?" Rhantolk: "Or perhaps..."

ygglatho: "We've received a message for you. You are to report to the base on Island 49 at noon tomorrow." Willem: "About the surface thing?" ygglatho: "I wonder if they want to use one of our girls to help." Willem: "I can't say this excites me." Chtholly: "Oh, no... I forgot the pepper." Chtholly: "Huh?" Chtholly: "Which one's the pepper, again?" Soldier: "Get a move on! Need medicine here!" Grick: "We've sent word to the Guardian Wings Military. We just have to take it easy until help arrives." pht: "Easier said than done." Grick: "It'll be fine. We won't run into any legitimitates, the Fourths, for a while. Here." pht: "And why is that?" Grick: "They tend to avoid living close to their own. There shouldn't be any around here now." pht: "Huh... First I've heard that." pht: "Did you know, Rhan?" Rhantolk: ""Humans unleash the beasts and fill the world with the ashen truth."" pht: "Rhan! Fix this habit of yours! Doesn't Nygglatho always tell you to focus on food at chow time? Eat up already! Open your mouth wider!" Grick: "They really are just normal kids." pht: "Good. Be sure to chew well." Grick: "He was right on the money." Mogdaman: "We want to send a rescue squad to the surface. But the Plantaginesta, the Moby-class transport airship we would use, is currently being remodeled. It won't be ready for fifteen days." Willem: "Why the heck do you need such a big ship, anyway?" Mogdaman: "Hey..." Mogdaman: "Watch your mouth, Second-Grade Technical Officer! I'm a First-Grade Technical Officer! Your superior!" Willem: "Pardon me, First-Grade Technical Officer, sir! I'm a country boy, so please excuse my lack of manners." Mogdaman: "Very well. I forgive you. See how bighearted a first-grade technical officer I am?" Mogdaman: "Anyway, let's get back on topic. The Saxifraga's survey team was going to some big emnetwiht ruins." Mogdaman: "They retrieved numerous relics, and we need a big ship to bring them all back." Mogdaman: "Understand, Second-Grade Technical Officer?" Willem: "Uh-huh..." Mogdaman: "Excuse me?" Willem: "I fully understand, First-Grade Technical Officer, sir! But the longer the rescue op is delayed, the more danger the survey team faces." Mogdaman: "That's why we sent two swords with them in the first place. I hope they do their jobs, even if they must sacrifice themselves." Mogdaman: "Is something wrong?" Willem: "Not at all. You are absolutely correct, sir wise First-Grade Technical Officer." Mogdaman: "It's hard to read a disfeatured's facial expressions. Here. Go through this." Willem: ""Ground Level K96-MAL Ruins Second Survey Report."" Mogdaman: "Once you read it, you will see the importance of this survey." Willem: "Hang on." Willem: "Streets with thick stone paving. Jerry-built housing blocks." Willem: "No doubt about it. This is Gomag City, in Imperial territory." Willem: "My... birthplace." Mogdaman: "The next page lists their finds, including talismans and the like. All those precious objects await our rescue." Willem: ""Dug weapon Lapidemsibilus"?" Willem: "This is it! This sword can..." Willem: "Sir bighearted First-Grade Technical Officer." Mogdaman: "Oh? What is it, Second-Grade Technical Officer?" Willem: "I have a favor to ask." Chtholly: "What took you so long?" Willem: "Sorry. It's a long story." Chtholly: "Give me a second." Chtholly: "Let me finish this." Willem: "No need to rush." Chtholly: "That was delicious." Chtholly: "Let's go." Willem: "Now can you tell me why you came along?" Chtholly: "I wanted to buy something. And the others gave me a big list." Willem: "Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself." Chtholly: "It isn't often you and I can take a leisurely stroll alone." Chtholly: "In fact, I don't think it has ever happened." Willem: "Did you forget how we ran all over the place when we first met?" Chtholly: "Uh, right. But that kind of didn't have the same feel, you know? Come on, let's go." Willem: "Chtholly?" Baker: "Is that a cute missus I see?" Chtholly: "Missus?" Baker: "Are you newlyweds? I'll give you a discount." Willem: "No, we're—" Chtholly: "That's right! Thank you very much!" Willem: "Are you finished shopping, "missus"?" Chtholly: "Yes, thanks for all your help. Newlyweds, huh? So we looked like a couple." Willem: "Are you really happy with this? You're finally free to roam outside the island now," Willem: "so why come with me to shop?" Chtholly: "Oh, please... Quit playing dumb when you know the answer." Chtholly: "I don't care where it is." Chtholly: "I just want to be with you." Willem: "I have no idea what you see in me." Willem: "I was ordered to send a fairy soldier to the surface." Chtholly: "Okay." Willem: "I picked Nephren. And I'll be going with her." Chtholly: "Okay." Willem: "I'm done just sitting around and waiting for someone to return." Willem: "Also, I'm interested in a sword they found on the surface." Chtholly: "A sword?" Willem: "It's called Lapidemsibilus. I think it has a special ability that keeps its wielder in tip-top mental condition." Chtholly: "Huh..." Willem: "You're putting on a brave face, right? The disintegration might worsen at any moment, so I figured the sword could help if it ever came down to it." Chtholly: "You were worried about me, huh?" Willem: "Did you really think I wasn't?" Chtholly: "But don't worry. Nothing has happened since that one time. I even sparred for a while with Tiat the other day, and I was fine afterward. I'm perfectly—" Willem: "You're no longer a leprechaun." Willem: "There's no telling what's happening inside your body." Willem: "So please don't push yourself." Chtholly: "Okay." Chtholly: "So, when are you leaving?" Willem: "Not for a while yet." Willem: "Look after the others." Chtholly: "I'm going, too." Chtholly: "I said I'm going with you." Willem: "Hey, I just said not to push yourself." Chtholly: "I know! But I don't want to sit and wait for you to return, either." Willem: "Wait, wait... That's not gonna fly. You're not a fairy anymore. You can't come along to sightsee..." Chtholly: "You think I'd suggest this just to sightsee?" Willem: "Uh, wait. That's not what I meant! I'm saying it's not a place you can casually go." Chtholly: "You think I'm being casual about this? Now I'm mad! I'm going with you, no matter what!" Willem: "Oh, come on... You know that's not happening!" Chtholly: "Looks like it is happening. Yay, I got permission!" Willem: "You sure did." Chtholly: "Wait, are you mad?" Willem: "Don't you realize why you got permission?" Chtholly: "Uh... Because a second-grade technical officer introduced me?" Willem: "He thought you were my lover." Chtholly: "Lover?" Willem: "Apparently, officers often take lovers on trips as their secretaries." Willem: "And that's what he thinks I'm doing." Chtholly: "Lover..." Chtholly: "I think it's fine!" Willem: "Uh, it's not fine." Chtholly: "I guess. Let's go back to "missus," then." Willem: "Oh, for..." Willem: "Well, whatever. I don't wanna be separated from you, either." Chtholly: "Wait, wait! That makes me very happy, but it sadly wasn't a proposal, right?" Willem: "Duh." Chtholly: ""I don't wanna be separated from you, either," huh?" Chtholly: "Oh, no... I forgot the pepper." Chtholly: "Second from the right, window side." Chtholly: "Pepper!" Ithea: "Hup." Ithea: "TO... Hey, TO." Willem: "Ithea?" Ithea: "Aye aye. It's your beloved Ithea Myse Valgulious." Ithea: "If you want anything for breakfast, better hit the mess hall soon." Willem: "Right." ephren: "Ow." Willem: "You were my blanket, Ren? No wonder it felt so warm." ephren: "Yep. It gets chilly this time of year, and I didn't want you to catch a cold." Ithea: "This should be really problematic when you think about it. So why doesn't it come across that way?" Willem: "Because your mind isn't completely in the gutter yet." Ithea: "And you've basically reached pet status, Nephren. You okay with that?" ephren: "Providing emotional support is crucial. It's a worthwhile role." Ithea: "Is that so? Anyway, what were you researching all night?" ephren: "Dug weapon Lapidemsibilus. It could stop Chtholly's mental disintegration." Ithea: "Huh..." Willem: "What?" Ithea: "I'm just wondering if she actually has a chance with you." Willem: "She's had a big one all along. Some may hold out longer, but no man can remain unfazed forever when a cute girl likes him." Willem: "But I still can't give in, which is why I'm trying to keep her at arm's length." Ithea: "Wow." Willem: "Don't you dare tell her." Chtholly: "You slept with Nephren?" Willem: "Why does everyone have to be like this?" Willem: "What, exactly, is the problem with a parent and child sleeping together?" Chtholly: "Spare me. You aren't much older than she is!" Willem: "People tend to think I'm a young guy, but I'm actually more than five hundred years old." Chtholly: "Well, I can guess Nephren probably snuggled in herself." Willem: "You don't have to guess." Chtholly: "But I still can't accept it! I know you can sense people sneaking up on you!" Willem: "Only the hostile ones. I don't notice the mostly harmless." Chtholly: "Then let me ask you this. What if it were Nygglatho?" Willem: "Defenestrated in two seconds flat." Chtholly: "That isn't how it went with Nephren." Willem: "Nygglatho might not be hostile, but she is harmful. What sane person sleeps around someone who wants to eat them?" Chtholly: "And if it were me?" Willem: "Huh? Well, you know..." Willem: "I'd throw you out, obviously." Chtholly: "Please take more care in the future." Chtholly: "You don't want the little ones to start doing it too, right?" Willem: "Huh? R-Right..." ygglatho: "I give up. I have no idea why Chtholly isn't a leprechaun now, or why her hair changed color." ygglatho: "What about you? Will the dug weapon on the surface really come in handy? Willem?" Willem: "Oh, sorry." Willem: "Chtholly was acting kinda weird this morning, you see." Willem: "So I said I'd throw her out, obviously. I thought she'd be mad over why it's okay with Ren and not her, but she just walked away. Is she still not well?" ygglatho: "For such a perceptive guy, you can be amazingly obtuse." Willem: "What's that supposed to mean?" ygglatho: "She was happy that you put her in the same category as me." Willem: "Why would that make her happy?" ygglatho: "Because I'm the rival in love she's most worried about." ygglatho: "And treating us the same would mean you also see her as a girl." Willem: "Huh? Rival in love?" ygglatho: "Yes." Willem: "Are you saying she thinks we could get together?" ygglatho: "That would be the implication." Willem: "I guess at her age, you tend to get the wrong idea about these things." ygglatho: "I wouldn't say it's the "wrong idea," exactly." ygglatho: "I actually do rate you quite highly as a man." Willem: "Huh?" ygglatho: "Honestly, I wouldn't mind being with a man like you. Our races aren't very different, so I might be able to provide you with kids of your own. If I could be part of your happiness in five or ten years' time," ygglatho: "I would love nothing more. Well, Chtholly's happiness takes priority for me, so I'm not about to go all out for the kill." ygglatho: "But she simply can't bring herself not to consider me a threat. Well? Make sense to you now?" Willem: "I'm gonna make a really despicable request." ygglatho: "And what might that be?" Willem: "Can I pretend I didn't hear any of that?" ygglatho: "You weren't kidding. That is despicable." ygglatho: "But..." ygglatho: "It's fine by me." Pannibal: "Hurry!" Collon: "Yeah!" Kiddo: "Last one there's a loser!" Lakhesh: "Wait for me!" Willem: "Hey, watch out! Don't—" Chtholly: "Don't run in the halls!" Willem: "What's gotten into them?" Chtholly: "Shooting stars." Lakhesh: "So pretty!" Collon: "Over there! And there!" Pannibal: "How very spectacular." Chtholly: "There are a lot tonight." Pannibal: "Oh, look." Lakhesh: "Here comes a whole bunch!" Tiat: "Hold it right there!" Almita: "But we'll miss the shooting stars!" Tiat: "You're supposed to dry your hair as soon as you get out of the bath! You'll catch a cold!" Willem: "Tiat's playing the "big sis" role to perfection." Chtholly: "She's probably imitating me. Not too long ago, I was running around after her like that." Willem: "Ah, yeah. I can totally see that." Chtholly: "Thank you." Chtholly: "For looking out for me. Like taking me to the surface." Willem: "Nah, I'm just doing it for my own peace of mind. Don't worry about it." Chtholly: "Let me thank you anyway." Tiat: "Hey, Almita!" Chtholly: "Almita!" Willem: "Please make it!" Willem: "Chtholly!" Willem: "Chtholly? Chtholly!" Chtholly: "Oh... Don't cry out like that." Chtholly: "Some grown-up you are." Chtholly: "I'm fine, see?" Chtholly: "Uh..." Chtholly: "Sh-She's all right, too." Willem: "Chtholly!" Chtholly: "Y-You're too close! I really don't mind... But not like this! Once more, from the top!" Willem: "You're not a leprechaun anymore!" Willem: "You can't generate venenum like that! What if things go wrong?" Willem: "I..." Willem: "I thought I was gonna lose you again, even though I was right here!" Chtholly: "You're one to talk, with your wreck of a body." Chtholly: "I'm perfectly fine. I'm a bit numb, but this will go back to normal in no time." Willem: "You aren't pretending, right?" Chtholly: "No faith in me at all, huh?" Chtholly: "You're all banned from the roof! Get all the kids there downstairs!" Tiat: "G-Got it!" ygglatho: "What? What's happening?" Chtholly: "Nothing to worry about." Chtholly: "I'll take her to the bath." Chtholly: "Handle the rest with Nygglatho and the others." Willem: "O-Okay." Chtholly: "Come on, let's go." Almita: "Y-Ya..." Almita: "I'm sowwy." Chtholly: "Tiat is the one you should apologize to. If you'd listened to her, you wouldn't have put yourself in danger." Almita: "Y-Ya." Almita: "I'm sorry." Chtholly: "Close your ears." Chtholly: "Time to switch." Almita: "Ya!" Chtholly: "Huh?" Almita: "Chtholly? What's wrong?" Chtholly: "Elq? Next Episode:"

Chtholly: "What am I going to do?" Chtholly: "This is bad." Chtholly: "Ithea?" Ithea: "Aye aye. I'm Ithea Myse Valgulious!" Ithea: "And..." Ithea: "Who are you?" Chtholly: "Wh-Who am I? What are you..." Ithea: "Spell it out for me." Chtholly: "Chtholly Nota Seniorious." Ithea: "Guess I didn't need to worry! You're still Chtholly, all right." Chtholly: "Worry... What are you talking about? Why would you worry?" Ithea: "You have to ignore those nonsensical visions, words, and memories of a past life. Otherwise, they'll eat away at you, and you'll lose your memories and your sense of self." Chtholly: "So these really are memories? A red-haired girl keeps talking—" Ithea: "Don't think about her anymore!" Ithea: "She doesn't matter. She has nothing to do with you. She's a total stranger, of no relation to you." Ithea: "Think about yourself, as much as you can. Cling to your memories so they aren't swept away by someone else's!" Ithea: "No generating venenum, either. What were you thinking back there?" Chtholly: "B-But I had to— Ow." Ithea: "No "buts"! You may have come back once, but who knows what might happen next time?" Ithea: "Avoid anything that might trigger a memory of a past life. Don't generate venenum. If you wanna stick around as long as possible, you'll follow these two rules!" Chtholly: "My disintegration hasn't really stopped, huh?" Ithea: "Even so, you decided to live on, right?" Ithea: "Mind if I tell you an old story?" Ithea: "It's about a girl I know very well. Just like you, her past life ate away at her, and her entire persona vanished." Ithea: "Meanwhile, the girl who woke in her place was also at a loss. She thought she'd died, but now she found herself in an unfamiliar place and body!" Ithea: "Fortunately, she found a diary. The girl who'd disappeared had updated it every day without fail." Chtholly: "Are you..." Ithea: "A cheery busybody who kept sticking her nose in other people's business but never revealed her own true feelings." Ithea: "That's the kind of girl Ithea Myse Valgulious was..." Ithea: "Back then, I even thought about killing myself." Ithea: "But that would've been meaningless. The only way I could atone was to take over as Ithea without letting anyone find out." Ithea: "I've kept telling myself that and somehow made it all the way to today." Chtholly: "Oh..." Chtholly: "I see." Chtholly: "Maybe I should start a diary, too." Ithea: "Do you want someone to take over your life?" Ithea: "How does the Chtholly here, right now, want to live the life she has?" Chtholly: "The Chtholly here, right now..." Ithea: "It's getting kinda chilly. I'm not as warm as Nephren, but make do." Chtholly: "Thank you. You're actually pretty warm." Ithea: "Glad to hear it." Ithea: "Chtholly..." Ithea: "Are you gonna keep this from the TO?" Chtholly: "Yeah. It'd only worry him more." Chtholly: "I won't beg for sympathy like some tragic heroine." Chtholly: "Oh, I see." Chtholly: "Right now, I just want to savor the joy of being by his side like usual." Ithea: "There's that whole "look at me, I'm in love" shtick. You're definitely still Chtholly!" Collon: "Jeez..." Ithea: "You're the first." Ithea: "The first person I've ever told about Ithea and her diary." Chtholly: "It can be our little secret, then." Ithea: "Aren't you going to ask?" Ithea: "Don't you want to know my real name or the kind of person I was?" Chtholly: "You're Ithea, too. A cheery busybody who keeps sticking her nose in other people's business but never reveals her own true feelings. Our fellow fairy and our precious friend. Nobody else." Ithea: "I really am grateful to hear it." Chtholly: "All right!" ygglatho: "Oh? It was you, Chtholly?" Chtholly: "Oh, sorry. Was I too loud?" Chtholly: "Your hair..." Chtholly: "Not bad, right?" y: "Yes, you're owning it!" Chtholly: "Right?" Chtholly: "I'm done moping about. Even the sadness that tears me apart and the tears that are always ready to flow prove that I'm still here. All the worries, frustration," Ch: "Hey!" Chtholly: "sorrow," Chtholly: "and joy... They're all parts that make up the person standing here right now," Chtholly: "who is, without a doubt, me. Chtholly." Chtholly: "Yes, at least for now." ephren: "Knitting?" Chtholly: "It's gotten quite cold lately. And the little ones aren't dressed warmly enough." ephren: "Is that so?" Chtholly: "Yeah." Chtholly: "Well? Don't you think this color suits me, too?" Chtholly: "What's wrong?" Chtholly: "Don't worry." ephren: "Okay." ephren: "If you say so." Chtholly: "Thanks, Ren." Willem: "How's Collon's cold? Is she gonna be okay?" ygglatho: "Still not over the hump, I'd say. I'll go get some medicine later." Willem: "Okay." ygglatho: "My, this is great! You've improved!" Willem: "Chtholly... When you get the chance, put this under Collon's pillow." Willem: "It's an ancient talisman to prevent nightmares when you have a cold." Willem: "What? Didn't you hear me? Her cold has lasted a while now." Chtholly: "O-Oh, right... Collon. Got it." Chtholly: "Wow, I didn't know you had something so handy." Willem: "It's a part of Seniorious." ygglatho: "Seniorious?" Willem: "Didn't I tell you that dug weapons are comprised of several different talismans? The others prevent cuts when the blade isn't imbued with magic, or raise an alarm when the wielder uses an alias... Kinda useless, so we can ignore—" ygglatho: "Put it back, right this instant! What is wrong with you?! Dug weapons aren't just everyday charms! They are ultimate weapons! Get your priorities straight!" Willem: "Oh, don't be silly..." Willem: "Collon's getting a good night's sleep obviously takes priority." ygglatho: "What will I do with you? Oh, whatever. I'm worried about her, too. Just put it back before you go to the surface." Willem: "Sure." Willem: "Speaking of the surface, are they okay? Nopht and Rhantolk, was it?" ygglatho: "No need to worry for now, it seems." ygglatho: "For what it's worth, the military is rushing to finish the ship's remodeling." Willem: "That's good to hear." Willem: "I'm worried about that artifact they recovered, too." ygglatho: "What was it called, Lapidemsibilus?" Chtholly: "You worry too much about me." ygglatho: "Talk about an overprotective father..." Willem: "Shut it." ygglatho: "Well, better that than "sugar daddy."" Willem: "Oh, come on... Not you, too." Chtholly: "S-Stop it. What are you even saying?" Chtholly: "Hup." Willem: "Huh..." Chtholly: "What?" Willem: "You've gotten much better at these things lately. It gives you a more traditional, girly charm—" Chtholly: "I-I have to count the stitches, so don't distract me!" Willem: "What? I'm complimenting you." Chtholly: "Let me focus, jeez!" pht: "You're still up, Rhan?" Rhantolk: "Yes." pht: "Man, how long is the rescue squad gonna take?" Rhantolk: "I heard we got word that it'll take them a bit longer to prepare." pht: "You're reading that again?" Rhantolk: "Yes." pht: "Figure anything out?" Rhantolk: "No." Rhantolk: "But I think I can come up with an alternate interpretation for this. "Humans by the surface..."" Rhantolk: "No. "By the humans, the surface..." "The surface's..."?" Rhantolk: "Nopht, get off me." Willem: "It's open." Chtholly: "Staying up late again?" Willem: "Yeah, kinda." Chtholly: "Huh..." Chtholly: "Uh, say..." Chtholly: "You know those things you do?" Chtholly: "Could you teach me to do them, too?" Chtholly: "Like how to tune swords." Chtholly: "And that thing you did for me." Chtholly: "You know, the deal..." Chtholly: "Wh-What's with the look?" Willem: "What's gotten into you, really?" Chtholly: "Lately, you haven't given me much attention because you've been busy." Chtholly: "But the time I spend learning will count as time with you." Willem: "Oh, come on..." Chtholly: "Although I can't fight, I'm forcing you to take me to the surface. I want to be of use." Willem: "Neither of those is a skill you can master overnight. You need to put in lots of time and effort." Willem: "Don't get too worked up. Despite how you feel, I won't make you push yourself." Chtholly: "I wouldn't be pushing myself." Willem: "Don't play dumb. You've been losing your memories, right?" Chtholly: "You knew?" Willem: "It was obvious from watching you." Chtholly: "So you were watching me." Willem: "But if we have Lapidemsibilus, we won't have to worry about that." Chtholly: "A map of the surface?" Willem: "Yeah. It's the area near the ruins, where the survey team was attacked." Chtholly: "Isn't this where the rescue squad is supposed to land? It's a bit close to camp, isn't it? Oh, but I guess that makes it easier to transfer the haul." Willem: "What do we have here? Aren't you quick on the uptake." Chtholly: "I am your secretary, after all!" Chtholly: "That's your home, right?" Willem: "It used to be, 500 years ago." Chtholly: "Do you want to go back?" Willem: "This place is our home now." Chtholly: "That's right." Chtholly: "Say, what was your city like? Did it have good food? Anyone you were in love with?" Willem: "What's all this? Why the sudden interrogation?" Chtholly: "One needs detailed intel on their destination beforehand, right?" Chtholly: "Give me a minute. Let me get some tea for myself." Willem: "Give me a break... You're just curious." Willem: "This is great." Chtholly: "Rather than worry and stand still, I'll keep walking, one step at a time. My footsteps may fade behind me," Chtholly: "and the path ahead may be dark. But I won't regret the past or be pessimistic about the future." Chtholly: "I shall simply live in the moment. Because no matter how I fight it, the clock keeps ticking down on me. Eleven, twelve," Chtholly: "thirteen, fourteen... All right!" Kid: "Auntie Ny!" Chtholly: "And time keeps passing me by." Chtholly: "I'm glad I finished in time." Chtholly: "Ah, this is for... Tiat." Tiat: "R-Right! Thank you so much! I'll treasure it forever!" Chtholly: "This one is for... Lakhesh!" Lakhesh: "Um, thank you very much!" Collon: "Hey, what about me? What about me?" Pannibal: "Wait your turn, Collon." Chtholly: "Here you go, Collon." Ithea: "Whoa, so warm! The rest of you hurry and get over here, too. Chtholly's giving out presents!" Willem: "What's with this party?" ygglatho: "It's a snowfall fest. On snowy nights, when you can't go out, you wine and dine all night long." Willem: "Huh..." ygglatho: "It's a popular event now, but originally, it was a troll festival." Willem: "Uh..." Willem: "I think I'll pass on the details..." ygglatho: "Well, let's say it's also a send-off for all of you." Willem: "It's not that big a deal." Lakhesh: "We have presents for the older fairies, too." Lakhesh: "Though they aren't exactly from us..." ygglatho: "Gosh! You look so lovely, I could eat you up right now!" Tiat: "I-I can't breathe! And you'll wrinkle my dress!" Ithea: "That's a high-class lady for you!" Ithea: "I tip my hat to Lady Phyr's taste." Willem: "Why would she send us all this?" ephren: "For the snowfall fest, apparently." Willem: "Er, "Thank you for all your help back then. They aren't much, but I sent some gifts for the snowfall fest. I hope you all visit Corna di Luce again."" Willem: "What is it, Ren?" ephren: "You get this." ephren: "Don't worry about it." Willem: "Why, that little..." Tiat: "Wow!" Ithea: "Get going..." Ithea: "This is the time to compliment her, TO." Willem: "Uh, but..." Ithea: "Say everything you want. Ask about everything you want. You know better than anyone that putting it off can be a bad idea, right?" Willem: "Hey, Chtholly..." Willem: "You look beautiful." Chtholly: "Do..." Chtholly: "Don't I?" Chtholly: "This should be enough clothing. What about books?" ephren: "Chtholly, it's almost time to leave." Chtholly: "Oh, okay." Chtholly: "Who am I?" ephren: "Later." Chtholly: "We're off." Chtholly: "Slowly but surely, my memories are fading away." Chtholly: "The person I am is crumbling away." Willem: "You girls be good, you hear?" ygglatho: "We'll prepare a "welcome back" party for you as we wait." Ithea: "Don't push yourself. It's a promise, okay?" Chtholly: "Of course." Chtholly: "I'm sorry." Chtholly: "The truth is..." Chtholly: "I can relearn names I've forgotten," Chtholly: "but the memories I've lost won't ever return. As everything I am falls apart," Chtholly: "I'm heartbroken, hurt, and just so sad." Chtholly: "But right now, I want to hold all these feelings close to my heart. Because the moment they disappear, too," Chtholly: "there will be nothing left of me." pht: "Ren!" pht: "I never expected you to be part of the rescue squad! Man, you're as tiny as ever! Hey, since you're here, that means the massive timere was taken out..." pht: "So Chtholly opened the Fairy Gate, right?" ephren: "Well, uh..." pht: "You know, we never got along well. But now, I feel like I should have talked to her more." Chtholly: "Uh..." pht: "What? Let me grieve for Chtholly." Chtholly: "Long time no see, Nopht." pht: "Gho—" Chtholly: "Go where?" pht: "Ghost!" Chtholly: "Hey, wait up!" Chtholly: "Nopht!" pht: "Stay away from me!" Chtholly: "Hear me out!" Willem: "Talk about lively."

Yin: "No, Fifi!" Zhao: "Yin!" g: "Yin!" Yin: "Wait, Fifi!" Yin: "Gotcha. Come on. Let's go back to the—" Zhao: "What's wrong, Yin?" Yin: "Zhao, look." Zhao: "Constructs." Zhou: "It's the Taibai army. They're going to war." g: "War?" Zhou: "Yeah. They're off to invade some country." Yin: "An invasion." : "When the phrase "Taibai Ke Dachen" was inscribed into the Wheel of Taiyi, one of ten ancient artifacts, history changed dramatically." : "The Taibai Empire mass-produced constructs. With its powerful army, the empire unified the Shenzhou region. Seeking to expand its territory further, the empire plotted to unify the world." : "It is the 99th year of the Taibai calendar. This is the story of a group of young men and women caught in the currents of fate amidst this twisted history." Yin: "Slicing work of god." g: "Like the light." Yin: "Flashing spear. Like the wind." All: "Wow! Wow!" g: "Pay what you will." Yin: "Please reward this pair of helpless sisters." Yin: "Here. Good work, Ning." g: "Thanks, Yin." g: "We didn't make much today." Yin: "Maybe they're tired of our act." g: "And they know about that device, too." Yin: "Should we head to the next village?" ga: "Yeah. We'll come back here next year." Mengji: "I, Construct Commander Meng Ji, present myself to the court." Bailizhen: "Thank you for coming, Meng Ji, Lord of Juanyang. How goes the war in the seventh sector?" Mengji: "Yes, Minister Baili. Our front line is advancing smoothly. We are expanding our territory." Shangyue: "Commander Meng." Mengji: "Yes, Minister Shang." Shangyue: "I heard there have been rebellions in the regions we've seized." Mengji: "The are a few small pockets of impudent fools who defy the Taibai Empire. But they are rabble and of no importance." Shangyue: "Their numbers may be few, but we cannot ignore any who are hostile toward the Empire." Mengji: "There is no need for concern." Mengji: "Your Excellency." Moheng: "I, Chief Engineer Mo Heng, present myself to the court." Mengji: "Chief Engineer Mo is developing a new weapon at the Engineer's Palace." Shangyue: "A new weapon?" Moheng: "Yes. I have designed a new construct of unprecedented power that I call the "Zhengtian."" Bailizhen: "I see." Moheng: "When the Zhengtian is complete, people will fear its great strength. None will dare to defy the empire." Shangyue: "I see. Then we leave it to you." Shangyu: "But do not lower your guard." Both: "Yes, sir." Boss: "Hurry up!" Boss: "Get to work!" Worker: "Yes, sir." Boss: "You there!" Boss: "What are you doing?" Boss: "Hurry up and fix it. Request more copper-and-wood slaves to replace the ones we lost." Worker: "Yes, sir!" Yin: "Ning!" Zhou: "That should do it." Zhou: "Are you okay?" Zhou: "It's just a toy." Zhou: "His name is Fifi. Who are you?" Girl: "I couldn't sleep. I was out for a walk." Zhou: "Me, too." Zhou: "I'll show you something special." Zhou: "I made them using discarded parts. Here." Girl: "Are you an engineer?" Zhou: "No, just a copper-and-wood slave." Zhou: "I taught myself engineering by tinkering every night." Girl: "Every night? You don't sleep?" Zhou: "No. I can't sleep." Zhou: "Not since my village was attacked three years ago." Zhou: "But I've learned a lot during that time. I can even read now." Zhou: "I can even read blueprints." Girl: "You must like to study." Zhou: "Zhou." Zhou: "It's my name. Pu Zhao." Girl: "My name is..." Girl: "It's a secret." Girl: "I'll tell you once we're friends." g: "Look, Yin." Yin: "It's a village." Yin: "Seems no one lives here." g: "I thought we'd be able to get some food." Yin: "But now we won't have to camp out." Yin: "I'll go look for a well." g: "I'll go." Yin: "No, you should rest." g: "I can handle drawing water." Yin: "I don't want to push you too hard." Yin: "It's my fault things are hard for you." Yin: "Where am I?" Yin: "A snake demon!" Yin: "What was that?" Yun: "I have responded to your summons." Yin: "Who are you?" Yun: "My name is Yun. What is your command?" Yin: "Please help me." Yun: "Understood." Yin: "Wow..." Yin: "Yun?" Yin: "Ning." g: "Welcome back." Yin: "Sorry I'm late. But I brought dinner." Tanyuezhi: "A Taibai supply unit will be passing through this valley soon." Tanyuezhi: "We will attack them." Muyurou: "But don't push yourselves too hard." Muyurou: "We're just the bait. Run once you've shaken them up." Tuobayuan: "Go as wild as you want, Can Lang." Canlang: "Already planning on it, Yuan. It's time to settle old scores." Soldier: "Now!" Xiangchu: "They're sending reinforcements. The decoy unit has begun their attack. Chi, there's no turning back now." Luantichi: "I am ready, Father, for the day we defeat the Taibai and build our utopia." Xianchu: "Let's go." Luantichi: "Yes, sir." Moheng: "Staying up again, Pu Zhou?" Zhou: "Chief Engineer Mo Heng." Moheng: "It's fine. You're passionate." Moheng: "Do you enjoy engineering?" Zhou: "Yes. It's fascinating how lifeless contraptions can move as though they're alive." Moheng: "Have you thought about facing real life with those contraptions?" Zhou: ""Real life"?" Zhou: "What's this?" Moheng: "The blueprints for the Zhengtian." Zhou: "The Zhengtian..." Moheng: "It's a fortress powered by an unlimited power source called "black fire" found within a Kuican ruin." Moheng: "Once it's completed, no army will be able to defeat it." Zhou: "These plans are fantastic, Chief Engineer." Moheng: "I don't think so." Zhou: "What?" Moheng: "I hope someday that even people like you can have happy lives." Soldier: "Sir, Chief Engineer Mo Heng has escaped!" Mengji: "What? The Chief Engineer?" Soldier: "He burned the construct blueprints and fled. He's betrayed us." Mengji: "Send men after him! Tighten security in the Engineer's Prefecture and Palace! Arrest anyone plotting escape, betrayal, or rebellion!" Soldier: "Yes, sir!" Yin: "It's a village." g: "Yeah." Yin: "Seems we'll find food this time." g: "Let's go." Yin: "Yeah." Chinzei: "Apparently Chief Engineer Mo Heng betrayed the Taibai Empire and fled here to the west." Soldier: "The Chief Engineer?" Chinzei: "We can't allow him to join the rebellion's forces. There's a village around here, isn't there?" Soldier: "Yes, a small one." Chinzei: "The perfect hiding place." Soldier: "Shall we search for him?" Chinzei: "That's too much work. Burn the whole village down. We'll smoke him out." Girl: "What's that?" Zhou: "My childhood friend gave it to me." Girl: "A girl?" Zhou: "Her name's Yin. Ning's sister." Zhou: "She's not very good at chasing sheep." Girl: "Huh. That's your treasure?" Zhou: "No, more like a keepsake." Zhou: "They all died when the village was attacked." Girl: "Were you close?" Zhou: "They loved me like a brother." Girl: "Really? Let's do this, then. I'll be your childhood friend." Zhou: "Thanks, but I'm too old for childhood friends." Girl: "How about a younger sister? Age wouldn't matter then." Zhou: "You're right." Girl: "Then it's decided, Brother Zhou." Zhou: "What should I call you?" Zhou: "Will you tell me your name now?" Girl: "I..." Soldier: "Hey, what are you doing?" Zhou: "Sorry. I was finishing some work from this afternoon." Soldier: "Don't lie to me! What's this?" Girl: "Stop!" Soldier: "Who are you? Where did you come from?" Girl: "I..." Zhou: "Please don't! She hasn't done anything." Soldier: "You're that kid Mo Heng liked. You're suspected of rebellion. You'll be tortured!" Girl: "Zhou!" Soldier: "You, too!" Soldier: "You may be children, but I won't go easy on you!" Zhou: "Let her go!" Soldier: "You dare to defy me?" Soldier: "They're rebels! Arrest them!" Yin: "New towns always love our act." g: "Yeah." Yin: "Pay what you will. Please reward this pair of helpless sisters." Chinzei: "Don't let anyone escape! Burn it all!" Yin: "Ning, run!" g: "Yin!" Yin: "Someone help..." Yun: "I have responded to your summons." Yin: "Yun!" Yin: "Are you a construct?" Yun: "No, I am not a construct." Yun: "I was crafted using the art of Mujia." Yin: ""Mujia"?" Chinzei: "She destroyed my construct with her bare hands? Fire!" Yin: "Yun!" Yin: "This sword is so heavy, but it feels like a feather." g: "Incredible..." Yin: "Ning, take her and run!" g: "Got it!" Chinzei: "My constructs!" Chinzei: "Retreat! All units fall back!" Bailizhen: "You're Pu Zhou?" Zhou: "Yes." Shangyue: "The Empress has decided to issue orders directly regarding this commotion." Bailizhen: "Listen closely to your punishment." Zhou: "Yes, sir." Shangyue: "The Empress has arrived!" Longchen: "Raise your head." Longchen: "Pu Zhou, was it?" Longchen: "You made this?" Zhou: "Yes." Longchen: "I heard you made this using materials from the Engineer's Palace." Longchen: "Is that correct?" Zhou: "Yes, I used discarded materials." Longchen: "Though they were discarded, they still belong to the Empire. They are not something a slave should use without permission. This mistake must be corrected." Longchen: "We shall now issue your orders." Zhou: "Yes." Longchen: "Pu Zhou, we grant you the title of Lord Steward and Chief Engineer. You shall be henceforth known as Lord Zhaoyang and develop constructs in the Engineer's Palace." Longchen: "Now you will not be questioned no matter what you make." Shangyue: "Your Excellency!" Bailizhen: "Not only have you designated this peasant of unknown origins an official position, but you've granted him a noble title!" Longchen: "Silence!" Longchen: "Why do you question the ancestry of a boy who was kidnapped by our army?" Longchen: "The genius it took to teach himself engineering is worthy of praise. Someday he shall benefit the Taibai Empire." Longchen: "You will continue honing your skills and devote yourself to your studies." Zhou: "Thank you." Longchen: "In the name of Empress Long Chen, I dismiss the court." Mengji: "I commended him for his deeds and got him a job in the palace. How could he embarrass me like this?"

Yin: "Wood magic..." Rou: "You've learned to use it." Yin: "Rou." Rou: "The black fire armor has drawn out your talents." Tuoba: "You'll surely be powerful in battle once you master it." Tuoba: "The black fire is immensely powerful. If the Taibai learn to use this..." Rou: "We can't win." Tuoba: "We'll defeat them before that happens." Zhao: "Cheng." Cheng: "Zhao." Cheng: "What's the meaning of this, Zhao?" g: "Who is she, Zhao?" Cheng: "Don't call him like that!" g: "Neither should you!" Zhao: "Cheng!" Cheng: "Are you Fu Ning?" Cheng: "Rebel solder and Commander Pu Zhao's childhood friend?" g: "No!" Cheng: "There's no point in lying. We've already investigated your background." g: "I'm not a rebel soldier. I'm part of the resistance!" Cheng: "You think you're equal to the Empress? We don't have time for the nonsensical pride of peasants." g: "The Empress?" Cheng: "We are the Empress of the Taibai Empire, Long Cheng." g: "You deceived Zhao?" g: "This child?" Zhao: "Cheng!" Zhao: "Stop!" Zhao: "Please stop!" Cheng: "Silence!" Cheng: "If you defy me, I'll have you beheaded." Cheng: "Were you lying to me?" Cheng: "Zhao, are you a rebel, too?" Zhao: "No!" Cheng: "Then why didn't you tell me about her?" Cheng: "If only you'd told me, we could've discussed the matter." Cheng: "We wouldn't have to be enemies." Cheng: "Did you think I would betray you?" Cheng: "Or did you not want to tell me about her?" Zhao: "Huh?" Cheng: "Is she that important to you?" g: "No..." g: "Zhao loves Yin." Zhao: "What?" g: "She's my sister." g: "She's kind and strong. I look up to her. She loves Zhao," g: "and he loved her." Cheng: "Yin?" Cheng: "Is she the one who gave you that necklace?" Cheng: "So she's most important to you." Cheng: "In other words, I'm second to her as well." Cheng: "I understand now!" Cheng: "Fine. I'll let you choose. Kill me!" Zhao: "What?" Cheng: "Kill me! Then I'll forgive everything! You and the girl!" Zhao: "Cheng..." Cheng: "Kill me!" Zhao: "I can't do that!" Cheng: "How about now? If you don't kill me, I'll kill her!" Zhao: "Don't." Cheng: "What will you do?" Zhao: "Don't do this, Cheng!" Zhao: "Please stop." Zhao: "Stop! Please stop!" Cheng: "No!" Cheng: "Stop! Stop, Zhao!" Cheng: "Don't!" Cheng: "Please don't!" Cheng: "Baili Chen..." Baili: "Are you all right, Cheng?" Shang: "I told you so." Cheng: "You were listening?" Shang: "Of course." Cheng: "You're awful." Shang: "We told you we'd accompany you." Baili: "Can you stand?" Cheng: "Yes." g: "That child..." g: "That child did this to us?" g: "I'll never forgive you!" Cheng: "You..." Cheng: "You ruined Zhao's future!" g: "What?" Meng: "This is where our forces were attacked." Meng: "It's safe to assume the rebels are amassing in areas where our control is still weak." Meng: "Send reinforcements to the construct army." Meng: "Have the southwestern and northwestern armies send reinforcements as well." Soldier: "Yes, sir." Shang: "The following is your punishment. Pu Zhao, after capturing a wanted rebel, not only did you fail to report this incident, but you made her your own, employing her as a slave within your mansion. To pay for these crimes, you are demoted four ranks from siche shouchang to zhong geng. That is all." Zhao: "What?" Zhao: "That's all?" Baili: ""That's all"? Being demoted four ranks is a serious punishment indeed." Baili: "The Empress has ordered the construction of the zhengtian. Begin construction immediately." Zhao: "Ning and I are childhood friends! I was protecting her, a rebel!" Shang: "We know that." Zhao: "Am I not suspected of being a rebel? Will I not be punished as an enemy of the Empire?" Shang: "Don't be so vain!" Shang: "A rebel? You could never do something so ambitious." Baili: "She may be the Empress, but Cheng is still a child." Baili: "You're nothing more than her playmate. You were playing with constructs instead of toys, killing enemies instead of insects, and playing in nations instead of fields, nothing more." Zhao: "No..." Shang: "You can be beheaded at any time. Don't do anything stupid." Zhao: "What about Ning?" Zhao: "What will happen to Ning?" Shang: "The Empress will decide her fate soon." Zhao: "Cheng will?" Meng: "Four ranks? Demoted four ranks, and that's the end of it?" Meng: "Why don't they do more to punish him?" Meng: "He's connected to the rebels." Soldier: "Perhaps there's insufficient evidence." Meng: "Evidence? That girl should be enough. She's a wanted rebel." Juan: "Play with me." Meng: "I'm busy. Children should play with other children." Juan: "Play with me!" Meng: "Did you not hear me? I don't have time for children." Pang: "Oh, that's too bad. I thought you were good with children." Meng: "Lady Pang?" Pang: "Didn't you just teach some bratty children a lesson yesterday? Two—no, three of them? I believe children who don't listen should be harshly scolded." Meng: "Go on ahead." Soldier: "Yes, sir." Meng: "Perhaps I should play every once in a while with your sweet little daughter." Cheng: "What is your goal?" g: "My goal?" Cheng: "Do you want to kill us?" g: "I don't care about that." Cheng: "Then why were you with the rebels?" g: "Because there was something I could do." Cheng: "Something you could do?" g: "I couldn't do anything before." g: "I relied on Yin for everything." g: "But there was something there that even I could do." Cheng: "That's all?" g: "That's all, but it was everything to me." Cheng: "I see." g: "What are you going to do to me?" Cheng: "Poor me." Cheng: "I feel sorry for myself." Cheng: "This is all that necklace girl's fault." Cheng: "This is your punishment. Drops of water will fall onto your forehead." g: "That's all?" Cheng: "That's all." g: "Are you making fun of me?" Cheng: "You'll wish we were." Cheng: "Goodbye." Baili: "You must be exhausted." Cheng: "What's going to happen to her?" Baili: "Forget about her." Cheng: "She loves Zhao." Baili: "Yes." Cheng: "Zhao loves her, too." Baili: "Yes." Cheng: "Will he hate me?" Baili: "You should have let someone else handle it." Cheng: "No! I don't want to." Baili: "Cheng." Cheng: "What should I do?" Baili: "Forget all about it." Baili: "Punishment by water. A single drop falls periodically." Baili: "The drops that fall with unpredictable timing slowly gnaw away at people's minds." Baili: "Within a few days, they lose their minds. It is a horrifying form of torture." Baili: "Soon the girl won't be able to understand anything." Li: "Master." Zhao: "Li Xiang, where is everyone?" Li: "They were released." Zhao: "I see. That's good." Li: "Where is Miss Ning?" Zhao: "In prison." Zhao: "Starting tomorrow, I'll begin construction on the zhengtian." Zhao: "It's a major project. I hope you'll assist me." Zhao: "This is all I can do right now." Zhao: "Lend me your strength." Li: "Yes, sir." Shang: "How long are you going to mope? The construction is experiencing obstacles." Cheng: "Do what you want. Isn't that why you're the regent?" Shang: "Your father asked me to look after you. I cannot abandon you." Cheng: "What did my father say?" Shang: "The Taibai king and his assassin dealt each other fatal blows. On the brink of death, he said he'd leave his country to you and asked me to support you." Cheng: "Then support me." Shang: "I always do." Cheng: "Then why does it hurt so much?" Shang: "It is the destiny of those born into royalty." Cheng: "Destiny? What is destiny? I'm the Empress who rules this world. Destiny should do as I say." Shang: "It is the destiny of the Taibai king's daughter." Cheng: "I don't... I don't care about that!" g: "Why? Why?" g: "I just love Zhao." g: "I just love Yin." g: "Is it because Zhao loved Yin?" g: "Is it because Yin loved Zhao?" g: "Is it wrong for me to love him?" g: "Is it wrong to love someone?" g: "Yin." g: "Yin makes..." g: "makes me..." g: "makes me... suffer!" g: "Yes. Whenever I was suffering, Yin was at my side." g: "She was always there when I was suffering." g: "Because of her..." g: "Because of her..." g: "Yin..." g: "It's Yin's fault." g: "It's her fault I suffer." g: "Even now..." g: "It's all..." g: "her fault!" General: "I'm impressed you were able to gather so many soldiers." Commander: "Reinforcements have arrived from the southwestern and northwestern armies as well. Even if all the rebel forces gather in one place, it will be impossible for them to defeat us." General: "Indeed." General: "We'll take out the rebel base with this army. All units, move out!" Commander: "General, enemy forces have been spotted ahead." General: "They're attacking us? What fools." General: "What's that?" Rou: "We'll handle this!" Xiang: "We'll keep the constructs at bay! All units, charge!" General: "Charge!" Xiang: "Let's go!" All: "Yes, sir!" Xiang: "Mo Heng, we need to borrow your strength!" Yuezhi: "Impressive, father! Let me join you!" Luanti: "Take this! Out of the way!" Tuoba: "My skills with the sword are enhanced! This armor is delightful!" Canlang: "Come on, come on! It's my turn!" General: "Impossible..." Soldier: "The command construct fell! The command construct has fallen!" Soldier: "Retreat! Retreat! Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!" Xiang: "This is the black fire armor." Luanti: "It's incredibly powerful." Yuezhi: "And its power is also horrifying." Rou: "If this power will restore the peace, then..." Yin: "Ning, Zhao." Zhao: "This..." Zhao: "is the last bit of strength I have." Zhao: "The zhengtian." : "If the answer I see is mad, if I go mad myself, it starts to look right."

Baili: "Your Majesty, please open the door." Baili: "You must eat. At least have some water." Xiang: "Our rebel forces engaged the enemy forces centered around the Taibai Empire's construct army and successfully drove them back. We have Mo Heng's black fire armor to thank for that." Luanti: "There are no words to thank you for this power you granted us at great personal risk." Moheng: "We fight to prevent the constructs I designed from making any more innocents unhappy. You made that a reality." Moheng: "I thank you for that." Xiang: "We appreciate your words." Yin: "Rou, how is Mo Heng?" Rou: "He's all right. His injuries are healing." Yin: "That's good." Rou: "But he'll need to rest for a while. He pushed himself quite hard." Yin: "I see." Tuoba: "But we've received a great power." Yin: "Yes. The black fire armor." Tuoba: "Indeed. Real power that allows us to fight on equal footing against the Taibai forces." Canlang: "We'll get your sister back." Yin: "Yes." g: "It's dark. It's cold. I'm scared. It hurts. Stop. Please. Help me. Forgive me. Why? Why? Why? Why?" g: "Yes, it's her fault. Because of her. She's wrong. She's bad. That's why I hurt. That's why I suffer. That's why I'm sad. That's why I'm going to die." g: "It's dark. It's cold. I'm scared. It hurts. Stop. Please. Help. Forgive me. No, don't." g: "I despise her. I hate her." g: "Hate. Hate. Hate. Hate. Yes." g: "I hate her." Commander A: "Move faster! We're behind schedule!" Sub A: "Don't you think we're rushing too much?" Sub A: "If we don't let them rest, they won't last much longer." Commander A: "The Senior Engineer was up working all night! We can't rest!" Sub A: "Senior Engineer!" Zhao: "Okay, stop! Fix the rope in place!" Sub A: "What are you doing, sir?" Zhao: "Assembling the keel." Zhao: "This will become the backbone of the zhengtian. All the strain will fall on this essential component." Sub A: "Manual labor is the responsibility of slaves." Zhao: "I'm a former slave. I'm used to manual labor." Sub A: "But, sir..." Zhao: "More importantly, we need water and food. Our supplies are late." Sub A: "The transportation unit is prioritizing construction materials." Zhao: "Even with the materials, we can't produce anything if we can't work. In order to do twice as much work, we need twice as much food. Rush the supplies." Sub A: "Yes, sir." Zhao: "We'll build the supplementary structures next! We'll suppress any distortion in the keel!" All: "Yes, sir!" Li: "I brought you a change of clothes." Zhao: "Thank you, Li Xiang. I made them so dirty, but they're so clean now." Li: "A dignified appearance will reassure your subordinates." Zhao: "But they'll become dirty again soon." Li: "Dirtying your clothes and being willing to work will help you gain the trust of others. Don't worry about it. I'll clean all the clothes you need and mend any tears." Zhao: "Thank you." Zhao: "Have you learned anything about Ning?" Li: "No, nothing. But I haven't heard that she's dead." Zhao: "I see." Zhao: "Could you deliver this to the Empress again?" Zhao: "It's a request for Ning's pardon." Li: "Sir, the Empress isn't reading your messages." Zhao: "Deliver it anyway. Please." Li: "Very well." Shang: "We heard the construct army was defeated by the rebels and retreated. Is this true?" Meng: "Yes, it is true." Baili: "After all the reinforcements we sent? What are you doing?" Meng: "There are reports that seven soldiers wearing mysterious suits of armor destroyed the constructs." Meng: "We believe them to be new weapons created by Mo Heng." Shang: "How many times have you been defeated?" Meng: "I have no excuse. However—" Shang: "What?" Meng: "War is not simply about soldiers. Demoralized soldiers will not fight. A soldier's morale comes from his faith in his Empress." Shang: "What are you trying to say?" Meng: "The Empress has been neglecting her duties for some time now. Unease is spreading amongst the soldiers." Baili: "The Empress is simply resting because she is tired. There is no need for scrutiny." Meng: "The Empress is a twelve-year-old girl. Perhaps serving as the Empress is too heavy a burden for her to bear." Shang: "Are you criticizing me as the regent?" Meng: "That is not my intention. However, I do not know what those residing within the palace think." Meng: "A powerful country needs a leader of strong mind and body to rule it. A leader who has a nervous breakdown over a subordinate's scandal cannot be trusted." Shang: "You go too far, Commander." Meng: "The soldiers have doubts. That doubt affects their performance and can even affect their lives. I am responsible for the lives of my soldiers. Though it may be disrespectful, I must offer my advice." Meng: "Please try to understand." Meng: "Undermine the trust between the Empress and those around her. Find more people who will side with us if anything happens." Sub C: ""If anything happens," sir?" Meng: "Yes. It will eventually." Meng: "Yes, in the not too distant future." Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?" Cheng: "Why?!" Cheng: "Please. Say..." Cheng: "Say something to me!" Ass B: "You're a fool to wander around without any bodyguards." Cheng: "Who do you work for?" Ass B: "You don't need to know that." Cheng: "Are you an ally of the man who killed our father?" Ass B: "You don't need to know that." Cheng: "Are you going to kill us?" Ass B: "That I will tell you. That's exactly right. Your life is mine." Ass B: "Where are you, girl?" Guard A: "Your Majesty! What's happening? Your Majesty!" Cheng: "A rogue! Get him!" Ass B: "There you are!" Ass B: "Prepare to die!" Sub D: "The assassin was slain." Pang: "What? That skilled assassin?" Sub D: "Yes. He was slain by a convicted rebel." Pang: "A rebel? How ironic." Pang: "Well, no matter. He was a mere pawn. How is Long Cheng?" Sub D: "Fine. Security around the Empress will surely be tightened. What should we do?" Pang: "Let's wait quietly. Once the palace becomes disconcerted, something will happen." Pang: "Yes. There are those who want to make something happen." Xiang: "We'll attack our enemies next. The Taibai Empire extends its reach using conquering armies and leaves suppression forces to rule the conquered regions." Yuezhi: "The conquering armies receive supplies from suppression forces as they extend their reach even farther." Xiang: "Those of us who have black fire armor will use its mobility to attack their supply lines and interrupt their supplies. We'll isolate the construct army we fought earlier and strike once we've exhausted them." Xiang: "They may be a transportation unit, but it's still a large force. Be careful." All: "Yes, sir." Xiang: "Are you worried about your sister?" Yin: "Yes. I wonder what she's doing right now." Xiang: "Is there anyone else you're worried about?" Yin: "There is one other. Someone I loved like a brother since we were children." Xiang: "I see. That must be hard." Yin: "They're both important to me. If they died, I..." Xiang: "Yin, why don't you become my daughter?" Xiang: "Tan Yuezhi, Luanti Chi, Muyu Rou, Tuoba Yuan, Can Lang. They all exchanged vows with me to become my sons and daughters. We're not related by blood, but we're still family." Xiang: "Fu Yin, if you become my daughter, they will be your siblings." Yin: "Siblings..." Xiang: "Including me, our family will be seven. You won't be alone anymore." Yin: "Xiang..." Tuoba: "The world is at war. There's no telling where or when someone will die." Rou: "It's always better to have more family." Xiang: "We'll rescue those two. I'll make them my children as well. Then our family will be nine. What do you think, Yin?" Yin: "Yes." Canlang: "All right!" Xiang: "Let's gather around the stove and eat from the same pot." Cheng: "How are you all right?" Cheng: "Punishment by water is one of the harshest punishments. The drops that fall with unpredictable timing rob people of their minds. After only a few days, they lose their sanity. That's what I heard." g: "The necklace..." g: "Zhao's... Ning's... I stared at it the whole time." Cheng: "I see. Your feelings toward that necklace kept you grounded." g: "My feelings? What?" Cheng: "You can't remember? Then..." Baili: "Your Majesty, you should not play with her so much." Cheng: "You're late." Baili: "I brought him." Zhao: "Ning..." Cheng: "Are you glad to see her again?" Zhao: "Cheng!" Cheng: "Your Majesty." Zhao: "Yes, Your Majesty." Cheng: "We have become friends with this person." Zhao: "What?" Cheng: "Zhao is mine. I won't let you have him. But you are mine as well, so I'll lend him to you for a while." Cheng: "Commander, we order you..." Cheng: "to fix her." Luanti: "It's the Taibai supply unit." Xiang: "Attack!" Xiang: "Strike down their escort first! Once we crush their defenses, defeating the transport constructs will be easy!" Canlang: "Another easy win!" Rou: "We did it!" Rou: "What's that?" Tuoba: "It was a trap!" Luanti: "What?" Canlang: "The mobile forces used this tactic!" Yin: "The mobile forces?" Yin: "Zhao!" Xiang: "We misread the situation!" Yuezhi: "That's the new model!" Yin: "The new model?" Rou: "Wait, Yin!" Yin: "Zhao is a commander. That must be the command construct." Yin: "Yun!" Yun: "Understood." Yin: "Zhao!" Xin: "Prepare yourself!" Yin: "Can Lang!" Canlang: "Don't fall for the same trick twice!" Xin: "Open the cage!" Canlang: "What's that?" Yin: "Ning!" Canlang: "I'll save her!" Canlang: "What?" Yin: "Can Lang! Ning! Why?" Yin: "Ning! Why?!" Yin: "Stop, Ning! Stop!" Yin: "Stop, Ning! It's me, Yin!" g: "So, what?" Yun: "That's enough. Come to your senses." g: "Out of my way!" Yin: "Ning! Why?" g: "I realized that I actually hate you! So I'll kill you!" Yin: "Stop, Ning! You're not that kind of girl!" g: "Don't talk about me as if you know me!" Yin: "You're my dear sister!" g: "That's why I hate you!" g: "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! You always took good care of me! You always were kind to me! You always consoled me! I hate you for it! I despise my sister! It's your fault! It's your fault! I hurt! I suffer! All because of you! Because of you!" g: "So I hate you!" Yin: "Ning! Ning! Ning!" g: "You actually tried to kill me." Yin: "No, Ning." g: "Good. Now I can really hate you." Yin: "Ning!" g: "I'll have Zhao make stronger ones." Yin: "Ning!" Yin: "Ning!"

Yin: "I'll tell you everything." Yin: "Ning left to be with Zhao." Xiang: "Zhao?" Yin: "Yes. My childhood friend." Yin: "He's a general of the Taibai Empire now." Zhao: "The test will begin now. Everyone take cover." Zhao: "Black fire reactor longmai circuit at full throttle." Zhao: "Raise power output." Zhao: "Raise foresight. Fill the black fire cannon." Zhao: "Open muzzle." Engi: "Muzzle capacity at 80%... 90... 100%... exceeded." Zhao: "Fire the black fire cannon!" Meng: "Incredible. Such power..." Rebel: "They're here! It's the mobile forces!" Rebel: "Release the tunzhi!" Soldier: "What is that?" Soldier: "Tunzhi!" Xin: "Engage them!" Xin: "Now! Fire on the rebels!" Xin: "Unbelievable. They use such makeshift tactics." Xin: "We're heading back now." g: "Okay." Messenger: "We received word that at Mt. Jiuyan," Messenger: "the hill suddenly caught fire and was blasted apart in an instant." Xiang: "The hill was blasted apart?" Luanti: "That's impossible." Messenger: "Three hills in a row were shattered," Messenger: "and the vegetation was burned in a straight line." Canlang: "A straight line?" Messenger: "If you extend the line of shattered hills and burned vegetation," Messenger: "there's a secret Taibai facility about 200 li away." Yuezhi: "Our sources say that massive quantities of materials are being transported to that location." Moheng: "It's the zhengtian." Xiang: "The zhengtian?" Moheng: "There's no mistaking it." Moheng: "It's the flying fortress construct I designed." Tuoba: "Flying fortress construct?" Moheng: "Its black fire cannon has a range of one thousand li" Moheng: "and has the power to shatter mountains." Rou: "They can build that?" Moheng: "There is no Taibai engineer who can use black fire." Moheng: "It's impossible for them to construct it." Yin: "It's Zhao." Xiang: "Your childhood friend Pu Zhao?" Yin: "Ning said Zhao made her new arms." Canlang: "Their power certainly was similar to the black fire armor's." Canlang: "I was blown away by a single shot." Moheng: "Pu Zhao. That boy?" Xiang: "You know him, Mo Heng?" Moheng: "He was teaching himself engineering, but I never thought..." Luanti: "A construct that shatters mountains, huh?" Canlang: "How are we supposed to fight that?" Moheng: "There's still time." Moheng: "They're still only testing it." Moheng: "It will take time to complete it." Moheng: "The black fire cannon is the zhengtian itself." Moheng: "Unless the zhengtian flies, it can't turn." Tuoba: "I see. It's a bow that can't be aimed." Luanti: "There's no need to fear an arrow that can't hit you." Canlang: "Which means we have to destroy it before it can fly." Yuezhi: "But it's a massive construct an entire li across." Yuezhi: "It won't be easy to destroy." Moheng: "I have an idea." Rou: "Are you okay, Yin?" Yin: "Rou. Yes, I'm fine." You: "We're going to be fighting the people you love." Yin: "That's why I'm going." Yin: "I can't see them unless it's on the battlefield." Rou: "What will you do then?" Yin: "I'll stop them and save them." Tuoba: "Personal feelings are not for the battlefield." Yin: "Yuan." Tuoba: "What you need is a cause." Yin: "I don't quite understand what that is." Yin: "What I do understand is that my sister is important to me." Yuoba: "If you're controlled by your emotions, you'll lose your life." Yin: "Nonetheless, I still want to protect Ning." Xiang: "That is right as well." Yin: "Lord Xiang." Xiang: "Villages and nations are formed when families gather. Those who can't love the families that are the foundation of the nation" Xiang: "can never love the nation itself." Xiang: "We're trying to change a nation that uses power to control its people." Xiang: "It's important to love those closest to you." Yin: "Lord Xiang." Xiang: "Don't call me "Lord Xiang."" Xiang: "I'm your father now." Xiang: "Let's save your loved ones together." Yin: "Yes, Father." Shang: "The black fire cannon tests produced marvelous results, Senior Engineer Pu." Baili: "We look forward to the completion of the zhengtian." Zhao: "Thank you." Zhao: "Your Majesty, I have a request." Cheng: "Don't worry. You'll be granted a suitable rank and salary." Zhao: "Please pardon Fu Ning." Cheng: "We have already pardoned her." Zhao: "I want you to release Ning from her military service." Cheng: "Fighting against the rebels is the condition for her pardon." Zhao: "At this rate, Ning will cross blades with her sister Yin again." Cheng: "Won't you as well?" Cheng: "As a commander of the Taibai Empire, will you not battle against Yin as well?" Cheng: "Between Yin, Ning, and us, who is most important to you?" Zhao: "You are, Your Majesty." Cheng: "Tell me your answer not as Commander Pu, but as Zhao." Cheng: "When you have to kill two and can save only one, who will you choose, Zhao?" Cheng: "You're so honest." Cheng: "Send him away." Shang: "Leave." Xin: "I've just returned, Commander Pu." Zhao: "Welcome back, Lieutenant Xin. How did it go?" Xin: "We met a rebel ambush, but we annihilated them." Zhao: "Well done. I'm glad I entrusted you with the mobile forces." Zhao: "How is Ning?" Xin: "She achieved great results once again." Xin: "We were able to keep our casualties to a minimum." Zhao: "Ning..." Zhao: "These artificial arms will protect Ning from battle." Zhao: "The only way I can protect Ning is to make these stronger." Zhao: "But if she encounters Yin..." Li: "Here you are." Li: "Here." Li: "There's a dragonfly on your head." Zhao: "Zhao." Zhao: "It's my name. Pu Zhao." Zhao: "What's yours?" Cheng: "My name is..." Cheng: "It's a secret." Cheng: "I'll tell you once we're friends." Cheng: "I never should've become his friend." Cheng: "Then I wouldn't have told him my name." Cheng: "I wouldn't told him I am the Empress." Cheng: "She's the enemy." Cheng: "I'd be forgiven if I killed her." Cheng: "Killing the enemy is my job." Cheng: "It's not my fault." Cheng: "No. It is my fault." Cheng: "I'm making them kill." Cheng: "Because I love Zhao, I'm trying to kill everyone in my way." Cheng: "Am I wrong?" Cheng: "Why did you have to die, Father?" Cheng: "You left this giant nation behind." Cheng: "Just loving one person is too much for me." Juan: "Are you crying?" Cheng: "Who's there?" Juan: "It's me." Cheng: "Juan..." Juan: "What are you crying about, Sister?" Cheng: "There are bad people in this world. We are mourning that." Juan: "Bad people?" Cheng: "Yes. People who place restrictions on others and make them do their bidding." Cheng: "Who hate those they can't defeat and wish they would just go away." Cheng: "Those kinds of bad people." Juan: "What should we do with bad people?" Cheng: "They must be defeated." Juan: "Then let us defeat them." Cheng: "It's not that simple." Cheng: "The world isn't that simple." Juan: "That's a difficult problem." Cheng: "That's why we are crying. What are you doing, Juan?" Juan: "Mother is sleeping." Juan: "She won't let me play how I want when she's awake." Cheng: "So you're restricted as well. That must be hard." Juan: "It is indeed." Meng: "The palace's army has been divided in order to defend the zhengtian." Meng: "They're all soldiers loyal to me." Pang: "How dependable." Meng: "If I start a rebellion, the palace will fall." Meng: "The rest will be up to you." Pang: "Such encouraging words. I must offer a suitable response." Pang: "I won't disappoint you." Moheng: "I will tell you my plan." Moheng: "The zhengtian is not made of ordinary bronze." Moheng: "It is strengthened by black fire and cannot be destroyed easily." Yuezhi: "So it's like the black fire armor." Moheng: "But even the zhengtian has a weakness: the black fire reactor." Moheng: "Enter the zhengtian's engine room and destroy the longmai circuit. The black fire reactor will run out of control" Moheng: "and cause a massive explosion shortly afterwards. However, the pressure-resistant shell protecting the longmai circuit" Moheng: "is full of black fire." Moheng: "If you attack carelessly, you'll reverse the flow of black fire and die." Luanti: "We're prepared to risk our lives." Canlang: "But the zhengtian is surrounded by soldiers. Just getting close to it will be tough." Tuoba: "Even if we do get close, if it's protected by a tough shell, we won't be able to get inside." Xiang: "That's why we'll attack while it's still incomplete." Moheng: "The engine room is here." Yin: "It's like a maze." Moheng: "Memorize this map before you attack." Cheng: "The zhengtian's assignment?" Meng: "Commander Pu was just recently imprisoned for sheltering a rebel." Meng: "He's not fit to command the zhengtian." Cheng: "That issue has already been resolved." Meng: "But he is not of sufficiently noble birth to make him suitable to be the highest ranking commander of the newest and most powerful construct." Cheng: "His talents exceed that." Meng: "So you say, but he was once a slave. He's hardly fit to command." Meng: "He's a peasant who was brought here after I attacked Dianhaixi." Cheng: "Commander Meng, you brought Zhao here?" Meng: "Yes. He was captured by the army I commanded." Cheng: "Then Ning's—the arms of the rebel Zhao sheltered were cut off by...?" Meng: "I don't know." Meng: "Everyone who couldn't be used as a slave was killed so they wouldn't become rebels." Cheng: "You killed them all?" Meng: "If she survived that, then it wouldn't be strange that she suffered a serious injury." Meng: "It's nothing special." Meng: "As our supply lines are stretched, we are disadvantaged in war." Meng: "Securing our own supplies by pillaging the local area is common practice in war." Meng: "And I am the one who expanded our country's territory." Meng: "Make me the commander of the zhengtian!" Cheng: "No. It's not my fault." Cheng: "Commander Meng chose to do it on his own." Cheng: "Subjugate the enemy king immediately and regain control." Cheng: "But it was on my orders." Cheng: "But I never said to kill everyone." Zhao: "They all died when my village was attacked." Zhao: "Since the day I lost my village, I've been afraid to close my eyes at night." Cheng: "Is it all my fault?" Cheng: "I made Zhao suffer and hurt the people he loved." Cheng: "Now I'm trying to kill them." Cheng: "It's because I'm the Empress." Cheng: "I hurt people because I'm the Empress." Cheng: "If my father hadn't died..." Cheng: "If my father were the Emperor, I wouldn't have to suffer like this." Cheng: "Zhao, help me." Cheng: "Juan!" Cheng: "Juan, give that back!" Cheng: "Wait, Juan! Wait!" Cheng: "Juan?" Cheng: "What?" Pang: "Such waves on the surface." Pang: "You seem upset." Cheng: "Lady Pang!" Pang: "Those who harm the Empress must be punished." Cheng: "What are you talking about? We are the Empress!" Pang: "Yes, for now. But when you die, your sister Juan will become the Empress." Cheng: "You're the one who sent the assassin!" Pang: "I've been waiting so long for this opportunity!" Pang: "Don't be afraid! It'll be over soon!" Pang: "Follow your father in death!" Pang: "Now it's over!" Pang: "She can use magic?" Pang: "Lanzhi fangxin!" Pang: "Water magic!" Pang: "Thunder!" Pang: "Wood! Could it be?" Pang: "She uses all types of magic?" Juan: "Those who hate those they can't defeat and wish they would go away are bad people." Juan: "Bad people must be defeated." Cheng: "What happened to me?" Shang: "Your Majesty!" Shang: "Your Majesty, you're all right!" Cheng: "Did I kill my father?" Baili: "What are you talking about?" Cheng: "Is it all my fault?" Xiang: "We're going to destroy the Taibai flying fortress zhengtian now." Xiang: "Are you ready, Yin?" Yin: "Yes, Father." Yin: "Ning, Zhao." : "You're the one who wants to protect everything no matter what's taken from you. Even if you lose yourself, you'll continue to defend yourself. Next time, "The Sky Fortress." The Wheel of Taiyi, one of ten ancient artifacts, begins to turn."

Cheng: "Did I kill my father?" Shang: "I'm the only one who knows. So long as I don't say anything, it's as if it never happened." Baili: "I don't believe it." Cheng: "I'm the one who killed my father and toyed with Zhao's destiny." Soldier: "Tell us everything! What was Lady Pang planning? Speak!" Meng: "Lady Pang is dead?" Soldier: "She failed to incite a rebellion. At this rate, your plan..." Meng: "It's not a problem. I've been made commander of the zhengtian." Meng: "Take this to the Empress." Soldier: "The rebels are coming! All non-combatants evacuate!" Zhao: "This place is dangerous. You should flee before the fighting starts." Li: "I shall be with you until the end, Master." Zhao: "I want you to give this to the Empress." Li: "What is it?" Zhao: "A very important letter. I can't trust anyone else with it. Li Xiang, you're the only one I can trust." Li: "Master..." Zhao: "Will you do this for me?" Li: "Yes. I promise I'll deliver it." Xin: "Is that letter that important?" Zhao: "I'm not sure. But she wouldn't have listened unless I said that." Zhao: "I've been waiting for you, Commander Meng." Meng: "Spare me the pleasantries." Meng: "I've been appointed commander of the zhengtian." Meng: "I shall now take command of the zhengtian." Zhao: "You can't! The zhengtian is incomplete!" Meng: "The rebels are approaching." Zhao: "But its armor is incomplete!" Meng: "Arrest this man!" Soldier: "Yes, sir." Meng: "Rebel spy, you're under arrest for treason!" Xiang: "That's it, huh?" Yuezhi: "A unit of constructs has been added to its defenses." Luanti: "Really? I'm excited to test my skills." Yin: "Zhao must be there... And Ning, too." Xin: "Forgive me, Fu Ning." Soldier: "The rebels are approaching!" Soldier: "There are around 5,000 of them!" Luanti: "Can Lang, obscure their vision!" Canlang: "You got it!" Soldier: "The rebels have entered the castle." Meng: "This will be good practice for the zhengtian. Intercept their forces." Canlang: "How are they attacking so many times?" Luanti: "Their firepower is unbelievable." Rou: "At this rate, we'll never get close to the zhengtian." Xiang: "I'll serve as bait." Yuezhi: "I'll join you." Xiang: "One of you get to the engine room and destroy the black fire." Tuoba: "Can Lang, support them with your smokescreens." Canlang: "You can count on me." Rou: "Yin, are you ready?" Yin: "Yes." Xiang: "Let's go." All: "Yeah!" Tuoba: "Let's go, too." All: "Yeah!" Luanti: "No!" Yin: "Luanti!" Tuoba: "Don't look back! Think only of moving forward!" Yin: "Ning." Tuoba: "To think we'd meet here of all places." Yin: "Brother, sister. Let me handle this." Rou: "But Yin..." Tuoba: "Very well. It is your destiny." Rou: "Yuan." Tuoba: "But move away from this place immediately. Don't get caught in the zhengtian's explosion." Yin: "I won't." Yin: "Ning." Yin: "Ning!" Yin: "Please, Ning! Stop! Open your eyes!" g: "My eyes are open. That's why I'll kill you!" Tuoba: "It's exactly like Mo Heng's map." Rou: "They're trying to stop us." Tuoba: "Get out of the way!" Meng: "What eyesores. Zhengtian, to the skies!" Soldier: "Yes, sir." Soldier: "Zhengtian lifting off." Xiang: "What?" Yuezhi: "Could it be?" Xiang: "The zhengtian is flying." Yuezhi: "I thought it was incomplete." Meng: "Prepare to fire the black fire cannon. Targeting the rebel army." Meng: "Firing the black fire cannon!" Canlang: "What is this?" Meng: "How delightful. The training exercise is over. Now it's time for actual battle." Yin: "Yun!" Yun: "Understood." g: "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" Yin: "Please, Ning! Stop!" g: "You were always special. Destiny, fate, responsibility, and Zhao's heart! You took everything, even though I had nothing!" Yin: "Ning!" g: "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" g: "I hate you and me and everything!" Yin: "I love you! I don't want to fight you!" g: "That's why I hate you. I hate that you love me!" Yin: "Ning!" Soldier: "This man confessed. Lady Pang was scheming with Commander Meng." Soldier: "I have a message from Commander Meng." Baili: "He demands that the Empress vacate the Taibai Palace. Otherwise he will incinerate her along with it." Shang: "What?" Meng: "Firing the black fire cannon!" Zhao: "That direction... Is he aiming for Cheng?" Li: "What's happening?" Shang: "Damn that Meng." Baili: "Empress, you must evacuate." Cheng: "We will not move." Cheng: "We have fulfilled our duties according to our destiny. If someone is to punish us, then that must be fate as well." Cheng: "We surrender ourselves to our fate." Shang: "Your Majesty..." Lin: "Excuse me!" Lin: "I have a letter from my master." Zhao: "Lieutenant Xin." Meng: "Prepare to fire the black fire cannon. The target is the Taibai Palace!" Soldier: "Should we not wait for their surrender?" Meng: "I've changed my mind. I don't need the palace. The zhengtian is my castle!" Zhao: "I'll stop the zhengtian. Once I'm in, have all forces evacuate. Flee as far and as quickly as possible." Zhao: "Thank you for everything, Lieutenant Xin." Xin: "Good luck." Zhao: "Cheng attacked my village. She's the Empress of the Taibai Empire." Zhao: "But she saved me when I was a slave." Zhao: "Our fates are connected." Zhao: "Because of my mistake, Yin and Ning misunderstand each other. They're unhappy because of me." Zhao: "Cheng, I even caused trouble for you." Zhao: "I want to end this sadness, so everyone can be happy." Zhao: "And to do that, I'll find something I can do." Zhao: "Black fire, maximum power!" Tuoba: "There's more of them?" Rou: "I'm running out of energy." Tuoba: "A new enemy?" Rou: "They're fighting amongst themselves?" Zhao: "Yin's allies?" Rou: "It's open!" Tuoba: "The longmai circuit is in there." Tuoba: "I'll do it." Rou: "Wait! The black fire will flow into you! You'll die! There's no other way." Tuoba: "Look." Tuoba: "That's the longmai circuit." Tuoba: "Let's go." Soldier: "It has finished cooling. The black fire cannon will now begin charging." Yun: "I require... repairs." Yin: "Ning." Yin: "Ning!" Soldier: "The black fire cannon is charged to 50%." Yin: "Ning. Ning!" g: "Yin..." Yin: "Ning." Yin: "Hold on. I'll get you out of here." Yin: "I can't cut it." Yin: "It's because I don't have the power of the black fire armor." Zhao: "Yin, are you there?" Yin: "Zhao." Zhao: "Are you okay?" Yin: "Yes, but Ning is trapped." Zhao: "The black fire will cause an explosion soon." Zhao: "Take Ning and run." Yin: "Come with us, Zhao." Zhao: "I can't. My eyes were destroyed." Yin: "No..." Zhao: "Please. I want you to live." Yin: "Zhao..." Xiang: "Is everyone all right?" Rou: "Where is Yin?" Tuoba: "Is she still inside?" Soldier: "The black fire cannon is charged to 80%." g: "Yin, run." Yin: "I won't run." g: "It's okay." Yin: "Ning..." Yin: "No matter what happens, I won't abandon you!" Yin: "Back then, when you lost your arms, I couldn't be there for you." Yin: "During your hardest moment, I couldn't be there for you!" g: "Yin..." Yin: "I wanted to protect you. So I won't leave you!" Yin: "I won't leave you." Zhao: "There's no time. I'll stay with her until the end. You have to escape alone." Yin: "Zhao, Ning..." Yin: "Please let me have this." Yin: "No matter what happens, I want you to survive. I don't want you to die. Please forgive me, Ning." g: "Okay." Yin: "I love you!" Yin: "Yun!" Soldier: "The black fire cannon is charged to 90%." Zhao: "I'm sorry. It's all my fault." Zhao: "That day..." Zhao: "I should've invited you myself, but I pushed it onto Ning and hurt her." Yin: "No, it's my fault for pretending I believed her." Zhao: "I couldn't answer your feelings." Yin: "Neither could I." Zhao: "I'm sorry, Yin." Yin: "I'm sorry, too, Zhao." Soldier: "The black fire cannon is charged to over 100%." Meng: "Firing the black fire cannon!" Soldier: "Wh-What?!" Meng: "Impossible!" Zhao: "Is it over?" Yin: "Yes. It's all over." g: "No, you're wrong. It's just starting now." Peasant: "These are the seven outlaws? They're rebels wearing mysterious armor." Shang: "Empress, the enemy nation has been surrounded." Cheng: "Attack with all our forces. No mercy for those who defy us." Baili: "They appear willing to negotiate." Cheng: "It doesn't matter. We have nothing left to lose. There's no need to hesitate." Juan: "Even though you have all this stuff?" Cheng: "Until we get what we want, we may as well have nothing." Juan: "Sounds hard. Really hard." Juan: "There!" Cheng: "We live only according to our destiny." Yuezhi: "The Taibai army is on the move." Xiang: "I see. Let's go." g: "Zhao, to the left." Zhao: "Thanks." g: "It's good." Zhao: "That's great." Zhao: "I'm your arms and legs. Let me know if you need anything." g: "I'm your eyes. Ask me anything." : "It is the 100th year of the Taibai calendar. The battle of the young men and women caught in the currents of fate"

Yin: "No, Fifi. Don't go that way." Yin: "Go back to the flock. Go on. You never listen." g: "It's because you're too nice." Yin: "Ning." g: "Fifi's mischievous. He won't listen unless you're stern." Yin: "I am stern." Zhao: "You can't handle it, Yin." Yin: "Zhao." Zhao: "The sheep already take advantage of you. Just being stern won't scare them. Ow!" Yin: "I can be scary when I'm mad." Yin: "Jeez!" g: "Yin, the sheep!" Yin: "Oh, no!" Zhao: "Come back!" Zhao: "Come on! This way!" Mother: "Good work. Did anything happen?" Yin: "Nope." g: "Fifi escaped from Yin again." Yin: "Ning!" g: "Zhao helped us catch him." Mother: "Really? Did you thank him?" Yin: "Huh? Oh, yeah." g: "No, we didn't." Yin: "Ning!" Mother: "Aren't you going to play with him now? Make sure you thank him." Yin: "Okay..." g: "What is it, Zhao?" Yin: "What's that?" Yin: "Are these..." Zhao: "Yeah. They're construct components." g: "Constructs?" Zhao: "What are they doing here?" Zhao: "They weren't here yesterday." Bailizhen: "Your Majesty," Bailizhen: "we have received a report from General Meng Ji of the Western Construct Army." Longxiao: "Read it." Bailizhen: "Yes, sir. "The Western Construct Army have attacked the Dianhaixi stronghold." "The king and his family have been subjugated."" Longxiao: "I am indebted to him." Longxiao: "Establish a local government at once." Bailizhen: "As you wish." Shangyue: "Your Majesty, the Taibai Empire has now extended its reach to all corners of the world." Longxiao: "My dream is finally coming true." Longxiao: "Cheng." Longcheng: "Yes, Father." Longxiao: "This is a good opportunity. I want to show you something." Longxiao: "These are the constructs that will make my dream come true." Longcheng: "Constructs?" Shangyue: "They are bronze devices built using Taibai engineering." Shangyue: "Their defenses are greater than human armor. Their strength is greater than human weapons." Shangyue: "No soldier stands a chance against these devices." Bailizhen: "Previous devices were powered by small animals, but we now use spectral power that doubles their strength. Our military might has increased." Longxiao: "Look closely. Someday you will succeed me and control these bronze weapons." Moheng: "Thank you for coming, Your Majesty." Longxiao: "Mo Heng, the constructs you built were once again victorious." Moheng: "That is good to hear." Longxiao: "We have your engineering skills to thank for that. You should be proud." Moheng: "I am very delighted to receive your praise. I am currently developing a new power source that will grant us even more strength." Longxiao: "A new power source?" Moheng: "Yes. It is a limitless power that was discovered in an ancient Kuican ruin known as "black fire."" Longxiao: "Black fire..." Yin: "Again!" Yin: "Don't. Back to the herd." g: "Now he can't escape." Yin: "Yeah." Zhou: "Those construct components are useful." Zhao: "Let's try making something else." g: "Yeah. Let's go get more." Yin: "Thanks." Zhou: "Huh?" Yin: "Thank you." Zhou: "Sure." Yin: "Zhou, you're not going to swim?" Zhou: "I'm good." g: "Yin. Listen..." Zhou: "This chunk of bronze can move. How strange. I wonder how it works." Zhou: "Seriously, you two!" Zhou: "There!" Zhou: "Take this!" Zhou: "And this!" Yin: "Sorry, Zhou." Yin: "Oh, Ning." Zhou: "It's okay. She must be exhausted." Zhou: "You two sure are close." Yin: "Really? We fight, too." Zhou: "That doesn't count." Yin: "Sure it does. We pull each other's hair for real." Yin: "What's so funny?" Zhou: "Nothing." Yin: "But we always make up in the end." Yin: "I love my sister." Zhou: "Me, too." Zhou: "You two are like family to me." Ladypang: "You're him?" Assassin: "Yes." Ladypang: "What can you do?" Assassin: "I am skilled in water magic." Ladypang: "Nonsense. The Taibai King Long Xiao is the greatest water user in the nation. You'd never stand a chance against him." Ladypang: "This is what happens when amateurs try to get involved. I can't allow my secret to get out. Those I can't trust are not allowed to leave alive." Ladypang: "I indulge in water magic as well. Die by your own magic." Assassin: "I am skilled in both water and fire magic." Ladypang: "Two kinds of magic?" Assassin: "Do you trust me now?" Ladypang: "Very well." Assassin: "I take it the target is Taibai King Long Xiao?" Ladypang: "No. Long Xiao and his successor Long Cheng." Ladypang: "Kill the father and daughter." g: "Zhou, you're tinkering with that again?" Zhou: "Ning." g: "You must really like it." Zhou: "Yeah. It's really interesting." Zhou: "I wonder who came up with this." g: "Teach me." Zhou: "You?" g: "Yeah. How does it work?" Zhou: "If you pull this part here..." g: "Ow!" g: "Hey!" Yin: "That looks fun." g: "Yin." Yin: "Here. This is for you." Zhou: "What is it?" Yin: "A necklace." Yin: "I copied you." Zhou: "Thanks. I'll treasure it." Yin: "Yeah." g: "Let me see." Yin: "I gave it to Zhou." g: "Come on. Let me see." Zhou: "Yin!" g: "Zhou, let me see." Yin: "Mom, need any help?" Mother: "It's fine. Where are the other two?" Yin: "I think Ning would be upset if I interfered." Mother: "Really? In that case, I'm making dinner. Help me with this." Yin: "Okay." g: "Zhou, what's this?" Zhou: "Huh?" Zhou: "If you turn that rod, the finger-like parts move." g: "This is interesting." Longxiao: "This world's history is a history of war." Longxiao: "If you don't fight, you'll be attacked and killed." Longxiao: "The only way to live is to keeping fighting and winning. That is our destiny." Longcheng: "Destiny..." Longxiao: "Once I've conquered the world, I will abandon the title of king and declare myself the emperor." Both: "Emperor..." Longxiao: "It will be my new title taken from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors." Shangyue: "That is a fantastic title." Longxiao: "And I shall call myself "we."" Bailizhen: "We? That is what the sailors call themselves." Longxiao: "Indeed. I shall lead the nation as a sailor pilots his ship." Servant: "Your Majesty." Servant: "A report from the Western Construct Army has arrived." Bailizhen: ""The Dianhaixi stronghold thought to have been conquered" "has been attacked by an enemy king."" Longxiao: "I thought the royal family had been executed." Bailizhen: "Only the younger brother's family that claimed the throne through rebellion was executed. The previous king and elder brother have taken up arms against us." Longxiao: "Cheng, what should we do?" Cheng: "You are asking me?" Longxiao: "Someday you will succeed me and rule this nation. Try issuing an order." Cheng: "Yes, Father. Subjugate the enemy king immediately and regain control." Bailizhen: "As you wish." Longxiao: "Good." Longxiao: "Show no mercy to your enemies." Soldier: "Orders from the king. We are to subjugate the enemy king and regain control." Mengji: "We'll defeat the new king. We are returning to the Dianhaixi stronghold." Soldier: "But General Meng," Soldier: "we haven't finished resupplying." Mengji: "I don't want to give our enemies the chance to organize themselves. We'll have supplies delivered to us on the road. Move out at once." Zhou: "Yin." Yin: "What is it, Zhou?" Zhou: "Well, uh..." Yin: "Well? What is it?" Zhou: "About the festival tonight." Zhou: "During the dance..." Yin: "Ning, that's not right." Yin: "You have to mix it from the bottom." g: "This is fine." Yin: "No. From the bottom." g: "Okay." Yin: "Zhou, watch Ning. I'm going to draw some water." Zhou: "Okay." g: "Zhou, what's wrong?" Zhou: "Nothing." g: "Yin is so mean. She makes me do everything." Zhou: "Ning." g: "What, Zhou?" Zhou: "I want you to do something for me. Will you do me a favor?" g: "Sure. I'll do anything." Zhou: "During the dance at tonight's festival," Zhou: "I'll be at the foxglove tree outside the village." Zhou: "Could you tell Yin I want her to meet me there?" Man: "Heave!" Zhou: "Could you do that?" g: "Yeah, sure. That's fine." g: "I'll make sure she goes. Don't worry." Zhou: "Thanks." g: "Sure." g: "Hey, Yin." Yin: "What is it?" g: "Zhou said he wants to tell you something." Yin: "Really?" g: "When the dance starts, he'll be at the foxglove tree outside." g: "No, he wants you to wait for him at the top of the hill." Yin: "I see." Yin: "But I might forget by the time the dance starts." Yin: "Tell Zhou I'm sorry if I do." Zhou: "Ning." g: "I'm sorry." Zhou: "It's fine." Longxiao: "This is the Shenzhou region. Our country." Longcheng: "The country..." Longxiao: "Four hundred years ago, beginning with our old enemy the Taichen, the Taibai kingdom has conquered numerous nations. We invented constructs and sent our forces further abroad, extending our reach to nations along the frontier." Longxiao: "We brought all the land shown here under our control as part of the Taibai Empire." Longcheng: "That is a marvelous achievement, father." Longxiao: "But it's a sham." Longxiao: "This country is only one part of the world." Longxiao: "The unseen territories that extend beyond our country are the world." Longchen: "The world..." Longxiao: "Cheng." Longxiao: "Now that I have conquered the country, I will conquer the world." Longxiao: "Who's there?" Longxiao: "Where are the guards?" Longxiao: "You must be skilled. Cheng, stand back." Yin: "I'm sure I made the right choice." Zhou: "What's wrong, Ning?" g: "Huh?" Zhou: "You seem down." g: "Really?" Zhou: "Did something happen?" g: "I did a bad thing." Zhou: "A bad thing?" g: "Yeah." Zhou: "I see." g: "What should I do?" Zhou: "Well, you could apologize to them." g: "Apologize?" Zhou: "Yeah. I don't know whether they'll forgive you, but I'll go with you." g: "It's fine. I'm sure they'll forgive me. They'll forgive me. They'll understand. That's why I don't want to." g: "Huh?" Zhou: "What's that?" Mengji: "Take everything you can! Show no mercy to anyone who resists! They're only peasants!" g: "Fifi!" Zhou: "Ning!" Soldier: "This one's a slave! Put him in a cage!" Zhou: "Stop! Let go!" g: "Zhou! Let go! Let Zhou go!" Soldier: "What are you doing?" g: "Stop! Don't take him!" Zhou: "Run, Ning!" g: "No! Zhou!" Soldier: "You're in the way! Let go!" g: "Please! Let him go! Let Zhou go! Please!" Soldier: "You brat!" Zhou: "Ning!" Bailizhen: "Minister Shang, how is the king?" Bailizhen: "Your Majesty..." Shangyue: "Minister Baili." Shangyue: "As of this moment, she is the queen now." Shangyue: "She is Queen Long Cheng." Yin: "Ning..." Yin: "Ning!" Yin: "Ning..." Yin: "Ning! Ning!" g: "Yin..." g: "Again?" Yin: "Yeah." Yun: "The Taibai Empire did this." Yin: "The Taibai Empire..." Yun: "They will not stop until the entire world is under their control." : "The light they unconsciously grasped was the shadow of their dreams."

g: "It's all burned down." Girl: "No, it's okay." g: "You're right." Yin: "You should be fine now. The medicine should work well." g: "It's really bitter, though." Girl: "Thanks for saving me. You must be strong." Yin: "I'm not the strong one. It was the sword." Girl: "The sword?" Yin: "When I wished for a sword, it suddenly appeared." Yin: "It's a strange sword that seems to have magical powers." Yin: "The Xuan Yuan Sword?" Yun: "It's one of ten ancient artifacts. The sword was forged by the Yellow Emperor and a celestial maiden during the age of mythology." Yin: "It's a heavy bronze sword," Yin: "but when I fight with it, it's practically weightless. It does exactly what I want." g: "It's a mythical sword?" Yun: "Ning, what happened to your arms?" Yun: "Are they broken?" g: "Yeah, they're broken." g: "It's because I made a mistake a long time ago." Girl: "Wait!" Yin: "It's that girl." Girl: "This is for you to eat." Girl: "Thank you for saving me." Yin: "Thanks." Yin: "Are you okay? It doesn't hurt anymore?" Girl: "No. Thank you." Yin: "This is great. We hadn't had anything to eat." g: "Yeah. I'll help you carry our baggage. Give me some of our stuff." Yin: "It's okay. It's not heavy." g: "Liar." Yin: "Ning." g: "Stop treating me like a child." Yun: "Ning." Yun: "Why don't you use your tianshu?" Yin: "This?" Yun: "The tianshu can be used to store your baggage magically." Yin: "Wow. Is all our baggage in here?" g: "Where's Yun?" Yin: "Yun?" g: "Is Yun in there, too?" Shang: "Your Majesty, beginning today, Pu Zhao will be assigned to the Engineer's Place as Chief Engineer." Baili: "He has been granted a home, salary, and maidservants. We have arranged for him a life appropriate for his title." Longcheng: "Thank you." Shang: "Your Majesty, why have you appointed that boy Chief Engineer?" Longcheng: "Do you object?" Baili: "Your Majesty, you rule the entire Taibai empire." Baili: "It would not do to rule according to your emotions." Longcheng: "Are you saying our orders were emotional?" Shang: "Then why?" Longcheng: "We believed Pu Zhao would benefit the empire." Longcheng: "Is that not enough?" Shang: "There is no basis for that assumption." Longcheng: "There is." Man: "Starting today, this is where you'll work." Zhao: "Thank you, Senior Engineer." Man: "Ask if you have any questions." Man: "Farewell." Zhao: "Excuse me. What is this?" Man: "It's the "daoche" Mo Heng was working on." Zhao: "Mo Heng?" Zhao: "I see." Xiangchu: "Hide here for a while, Mo Heng." Xiangchu: "My allies are throwing off your pursuers." Xiangchu: "They will meet us once they're sure you're safe." Moheng: "Thank you, Xiang Chu and Luanti Chi." Luantichi: "I was surprised. You're the Chief Engineer. Why did you betray the empire?" Moheng: "I was born into an engineering family that served the Taibai Empire. Since I was a child, I studied engineering at the palace and was made an engineer." Moheng: "I focused on developing constructs and knew nothing of the outside world. But eventually, I wished to see my constructs in action instead of simply building them." Moheng: "However, what I saw was hell on earth. Like a child breaking dolls, the constructs I had built easily tore people apart without any sense of guilt. They devastated not just enemy soldiers, but villages and settlements that had nothing to do with the war. They repeatedly slaughtered, plundered, and kidnapped." Moheng: "The constructs are like my children." Moheng: "I don't want them to continue committing any more sins." Xiangchu: "You have my sympathies." Xiangchu: "But Mo Heng..." Xiangchu: "I ask that you endure that same suffering once again." Luantichi: "We want the strength to fight the Taibai Empire. We want you to build us constructs." Xiangchu: "It would mean sending your children to war again. But we are desperate for that power now." Luantichi: "Please, Mo Heng." Luantichi: "Grant us your strength." Moheng: "I cannot create constructs." Moheng: "But I can help you." Xiangchu: "My lord." Moheng: "It's still in the planning stages..." Moheng: "But once it's complete, it will surely be useful." Luantichi: "What is this?" Moheng: "It is armor that will increase the power you have. I call it the "black fire armor."" Yin: "Yun, bring us lunch." Yun: "I have responded to your summons." g: "Wow." Yin: "There's so much." Yin: "Here, have some." Yin: "You don't eat?" Yun: "I do not have the necessary mechanisms to eat." g: "So that's what in there." Yin: "This is Mujia?" Yun: "Indeed." Yun: "And these..." Yun: "is Mujia as well." Yin: "What's that?" Yun: "I repaired these spare parts." Yun: "Now Ning can be repaired." g: "Repaired?" g: "Wow! They're a lot better than the props I was using!" g: "They're like real arms!" Yun: "They operate using magnetism." g: "You're sure I can keep these?" Yun: "Of course." g: "Thank you." Yin: "That's great, Ning." g: "Yeah. I feel like a kid again." Yin: "What are you talking about? You are still a kid." g: "I'm so happy. I can hug you with my own arms again." Man: "What's he trying to do? Chief Engineer Pu repaired some daoche. The former slave boy?" Longcheng: "Begin." Man: "It destroyed those constructs as if they were nothing." Longcheng: "Minister Shang, you said you wanted to know on what basis we believed he would benefit the empire." Shang: "I am sorry. That was an adequate demonstration. Your Majesty, that daoche the boy created is fascinating indeed. We should mass-produce and deploy them in our armies." Longcheng: "No." Longcheng: "He is not a boy." Longcheng: "He is Pu Zhao." Servant: "Excuse me!" Servant: "I have a message from the commander in Zhenxi!" Baili: "What is it, Commander Meng?" Meng: "His construct unit encountered a group of rebels. They've suffered serious casualties and retreated." Meng: "Dispatch reinforcements immediately!" Servant: "Yes, sir!" Longcheng: "What are you drawing?" Zhao: "Your Majesty." Zhao: "I was terribly rude to you when we first met." Zhao: "I didn't recognize you. Please forgive my disrespectful attitude." Longcheng: "It's fine. Don't worry about it." Zhao: "I appreciate your graciousness. I was prepared to lose my head." Longcheng: "Do you remember our promise?" Zhao: "Our promise?" Longcheng: "That you'd be my brother." Zhao: "Yes, of course." Longcheng: "A brother doesn't speak to his younger sister that way." Zhao: "I do not think I could speak to you any other way. Allowing me to do that would tarnish your dignity." Longcheng: "Stop!" Zhao: "But—" Longcheng: "I'll have you executed." Longcheng: "Plans for a new construct?" Zhao: "Yeah. It's called the "Zhengtian."" Longcheng: "Did you design it?" Zhao: "No. I saw the plans Chief Engineer Mo Heng drew." Longcheng: "You remembered something so complicated after just looking at it?" Zhao: "Yeah. I remember everything I've seen." Longcheng: "That's amazing." Zhao: "But there are sections I don't know." Zhao: "I wasn't able to see the most important part." Zhao: "Will this help you?" Longcheng: "I don't know." Longcheng: "But if you build it, I'm sure it will." Zhao: "Yeah." Yin: "You're not going to sleep?" g: "I'm too happy. It feels like a waste to sleep." Yin: "I see." g: "Let me draw water from now on. And carry our baggage. And cook food." Yin: "Sure. Please do." g: "I used to rely on you for everything, but now I can help you." g: "I'm glad." Yin: "That sound..." g: "Yin." Yin: "The Taibai Army. In the middle of the night?" g: "Yin, that direction..." Yin: "Could it be?" Yin: "How awful." g: "Why?" g: "Why would they do something so awful?" g: "Why destroy the village? My arms? Zhao?" g: "Why?" Commander: "I was right to set a net. This time will be different!" Yin: "Yun!" Yin: "Yun." Yun: "Understood." Yin: "Xuan Yuan Sword!" Yin: "Ning, stand back." g: "No way. I hate them." g: "Stop!" Yin: "Ning!" g: "You..." g: "I hate you!" g: "These arms..." g: "They're strong." Commander: "Release the new weapon!" Yin: "Yun!" g: "Yin!" g: "You..." Commander: "A single blow?" Commander: "Do you want my head?" Yin: "No." Commander: "Then why do you fight?" Yin: "I don't want to fight." Commander: "You think you can win without a fight?" Yin: "I don't want to win!" Commander: "What are you talking about?" Yin: "Please stop." Yin: "Stop causing so much sadness." Yin: "We haven't done anything. We haven't done anything wrong. Why do you do such awful things to us?" Yin: "To this village." Yin: "To my sister." Commander: "In this world, might makes right. If you don't win, you'll lose everything. That's why we fight to win!" Yin: "That doesn't make sense!" Commander: "If that's what you think, then fight and win!" Commander: "Win and change the world!" Yin: "I don't want to." Commander: "Then die." Yin: "I can't die!" Yin: "I have a sister." Commander: "Then both you and your sister can die!" Yin: "Ning..." g: "They killed her." g: "She enjoyed my performance." g: "She gave us so much to eat." g: "We saved her. We treated her injuries. But we can't fix that, no matter how many bitter herbs we chew." Yin: "Ning." : "People choose to defy their destiny even as they seek it,"

Yin: "Let's go, Ning." g: "Okay." : "When the words "Taibai conquers Taichen" were inscribed into the Wheel of Taiyi, one of ten ancient artifacts, history changed dramatically. The Taibai Empire mass-produced constructs. With that powerful army, the empire conquered the Shenzhou region. Seeking to expand their territory further, they plotted to conquer the world." : "It is the 99th year of the Taibai calendar. This is the story of a group of young men and women caught in the currents of fate amidst this twisted history." Meng: "What happened?" Sub B: "I'm sorry, sir." Sub B: "The Chinzei construct unit has been destroyed. Our captain was killed by rebel forces." Sub B: "It was three women. The servant was neither a construct nor a spirit." Meng: "Three people could not possibly have defeated a state-of-the-art construct unit." Meng: "Look into it." Sub C: "Yes, sir." Meng: "The rebel forces' rise in power and Chief Engineer Mo Heng's betrayal make no sense. The Taibai Empire's power has been steadily increasing, but now a faint shadow has been cast upon it. Is this a sign of things to come?" Cheng: "Was is it?" Shang: "We received a report that the Chinzei unit we sent as reinforcements has been destroyed." Cheng: "Were there many casualties?" Shang: "Yes." Cheng: "Our soldiers?" Shang: "Yes." Cheng: "And our people?" Shang: "Yes." Cheng: "I see." Shang: "The rebel forces have become more active lately." Shang: "The rebels in the various regions have begun working together. They're starting to behave like an organization. We should handle them now before they become any more—" Cheng: "How long?" Cheng: "How long will this war continue?" Shang: "Until the Taibai Empire controls the entire world." Cheng: "Liar!" Cheng: "Our father said his ambition would be achieved once he unified the land. What if once we find the world beyond and conquer it, we find a new world beyond that?" Shang: "Ruling that world is your duty, Cheng." Cheng: "Our duty..." Shang: "Yes." Shang: "It is the destiny of those born into royalty." Cheng: "Destiny..." Cheng: "Our father said the same thing." Cheng: "What about Pu Zhao's constructs? We sent those, but they were still defeated?" Shang: "Yes. They were useless against our enemies." Cheng: "No..." Shang: "Perhaps they were not suited to battle." Shang: "He was a peasant once. You shouldn't overestimate his abilities." Cheng: "Quiet! As empress, these are our orders: Destroy the enemies who defeated the Chinzei construct unit! Leave no stone unturned in your search!" Shang: "Yes, Your Majesty." g: "Hey, Yin." Yin: "What, Ning?" g: "Why do important people do such scary things?" Yin: "I'm not sure." g: "Why do officials and soldiers make everyone suffer?" Yin: "I'm not sure. To expand the nation, I suppose." g: "Why do they expand it? I was happy in our small village." Yin: "You're right." g: "If they didn't try to expand..." g: "If not for the Taibai, my arms..." g: "And Zhao..." g: "Yin?" Yin: "Quiet." g: "A cyclops." Yin: "Ning, stand back." Yin: "Xuan Yuan Sword!" g: "Yin..." Tuoba: "Impressive." Tuoba: "That cyclops was attracted by the smell of dead flesh. You must be quite skilled to kill it in a single blow." Tuoba: "And you can use magic, too." Yin: "You were watching?" Tuoba: "Are you the ones who defeated the Taibai construct unit? I heard from the fleeing soldiers" Tuoba: "that there was a woman stronger than a construct." Can: "I wasn't expecting such a small girl." Yin: "Are you Taibai, too?" Tuoba: "No, the opposite." Tuoba: "We want the same thing." Tuoba: "My name is Tuoba Yuan." Can: "My name is Can Lang." Tuoba: "We're warriors who fight for peace." Tuoba: "My hometown was a small village in the grasslands far to the north." Tuoba: "But it was destroyed by the Taibai. When I returned from my training, my friends, family, and everything else had been burned." Can: "My village was destroyed by the Taibai as well. If my brother hadn't saved me, I would be dead." Yin: "You, too..." Tuoba: "Fu Yin, Fu Ning, we're in the same boat. Why not fight with us against the Taibai?" Yin: "You want me to fight the Taibai?" Can: "We hear there are others who also stand against them." Can: "We're going to join them and organize a rebel army." Tuoba: "Our enemies are strong. We need all the help we can get." g: "Yin..." Yin: "I reject your offer." Can: "What?" Yin: "I don't want to kill anyone." Tuoba: "Then more people will die. Your loved ones will suffer." Tuoba: "It's a small price to pay to prevent that." Yin: "Killing someone to further my own goals makes me no better than the Taibai!" Yin: "I don't want anything to do with such cruelty! I want to live happily with my sister!" g: "Sister..." Can: "You're not going to do anything despite how strong you are?" Yin: "I'm not strong. I just happened to find a mysterious object." Tuoba: "A mysterious object?" Yin: "The tianshu. It's not my strength." Tuoba: "What is this writing strip?" Can: "There's nothing written on it." Yin: "When I wish for it, that sword appears. You can have it if you want." g: "Yin..." Yin: "It's fine. If strength is a reason to fight, then if I'm not strong, it's none of my business." Yin: "What are you doing?" Tuoba: "I can't use it." Can: "Want me to try?" Tuoba: "It's pointless. It's sealed." Yin: "Sealed?" Tuoba: "By its previous owner. It can be used only by designated individuals." Yin: "Then..." Tuoba: "Yin, you have been entrusted with that power." Tuoba: "No, it is your destiny." Yin: "Destiny..." Tuoba: "It is your duty to do what's right." Yin: "I don't want that!" Yin: "I refuse to believe in a destiny that was chosen for me! Especially if I'm destined to fight people!" Yin: "Ning, let's go." g: "Yin..." Can: "Are you sure we should let them go?" Tuoba: "No." Can: "Yuan!" Tuoba: "If it's her destiny, we'll see her again." Pang: "Rebel forces?" Sub D: "Yes. They appear to be organizing." Pang: "They would normally be a problem, but this could be favorable for me." Pang: "This country is peaceful. The Taibai Empire that has continued to extend its frontiers, expand its territory, and grow like doesn't know how to slow down." Pang: "At this rate, Empress Long Cheng's country will flourish indefinitely." Pang: "And I can't have that. "A small leak will sink a great ship."" Pang: "Let's hope the rebellion disrupts this country's peace." Luanti: "Mo Heng, you're building your armor out of wood?" Moheng: "This is the mold. The bronze armor will be built according to its form." Luanti: "Bronze armor? Sounds heavy." Moheng: "The armor itself is powerful. The ones wearing it will not feel its weight. If anything, it will increase their power and they'll feel lighter." Luanti: "How mysterious." Moheng: "Chi, that is what you call engineering." Luanti: "Engineering..." Xiang: "The Taibai have used that mysterious power to expand their control. In order to stand against them, we will need the same strength." Moheng: "It's not the same. This black fire armor uses a limitless power source found in an ancient Kuican ruin known as black fire." Xiang: "Black fire..." Moheng: "No one in the Taibai Empire is capable of using black fire yet. Once this is complete, it shall be our trump card." Cheng: "Don't work so hard. You'll make yourself sick." Zhao: "Don't worry. I can't sleep anyway." Cheng: "All the more reason not to push yourself so hard. You need rest." Zhao: "My daoche was defeated." Zhao: "If I don't do something, you'll lose face for promoting me." Cheng: "That's fine. Don't worry about it." Zhao: "Once this is complete..." Cheng: "What is that?" Zhao: "Black fire." Zhao: "Once I learn to use this, our constructs will become even more powerful." Zhao: "But..." Cheng: "Don't rush. We have plenty of time." Cheng: "Zhao, I have a job for you." Zhao: "A job?" Cheng: "I want you to lead a unit of constructs." Zhao: "You want me to be a soldier?" Cheng: "Yes. You'll command the unit and gain combat experience." Cheng: "But that's just an excuse." Cheng: "I want you to see the outside world." Meng: "Are you the slave the empress made an engineer on a whim?" Zhao: "Yes. My name is Pu Zhao, my lord." Meng: "Not bad. I welcome you." Meng: "Those who are strong move up in this world." Meng: "Your talents were worthy of the empress's recognition." Meng: "But they won't work here." Meng: "The skill you need here is war. Without it, all that waits for you is death." Meng: "Got it?" Zhao: "I understand." Meng: "Pu Zhao, I'm assigning you the rank of lieutenant! You are in charge of guarding district 10!" Meng: "Head there immediately!" Zhao: "Yes, sir." Zhao: "Move out!" Zhao: "This is her country." Yin: "Wow." Yin: "It's so good." g: "Eat all you want." Yin: "Okay." g: "I'm glad. I can do anything you can now. I've relied on you for everything until now." Yin: "I'm glad, too. You seem happy." g: "I suddenly acquired this power. If I can help the people I love, then I have to use it." g: "What's wrong?" Yin: "I suddenly acquired power, too." Yin: "But I don't want to use it for anyone." g: "Yin..." Yin: "For the people I love..." Yin: "But that means..." Yin: "They said more people would die if I didn't fight." Yin: "What should I do?" Yin: "I don't want the people I love to die like that." Yin: "Ning! Are you okay?" Yin: "Yun!" Yin: "Wait! We don't want to fight you!" Captain A: "You match the description. You must be the rebels who defeated the Chinzei unit." Captain A: "By the empress's decree, you will be punished!" Yin: "Ning!" Captain A: "Don't think you can escape after defying the Taibai Empire!" Yin: "Xuan Yuan Sword!" Zhao: "Another half day until we reach the military base... I should let the soldiers rest once we make it through this valley." Xin: "Falling rocks! Take shelter!" Zhao: "It's an enemy ambush! All soldiers, retreat!" Zhao: "They've blocked our retreat." Rebel: "Next volley, hurry! Keep dropping rocks on them!" Zhao: "Not even the tanu are strong enough!" Zhao: "In that case..." Zhao: "Cut power to the armaments. Stop doors number 2, 3, and 4. Release the demonic power." Zhao: "Connect all channels to door 1. Infuse with demonic power. Release the longmai." Zhao: "Power to undercarriage number 1!" Zhao: "Shatter it!" Zhao: "All units, charge! Attack! Go!" Xin: "Reporting in. The rebel forces have been defeated." Xin: "We lost 15% of our forces." Zhao: "Provide aid to all injured soldiers immediately." Xin: "Yes, sir." Zhao: "Good work, Construct Knight Xin Wuxu. Let's return once the unit has been reformed." Baili: "My lord, for defeating the rebel forces, you have been granted the salary" Baili: "and title of You Shouchang." Zhao: "I am delighted to hear that." Tuoba: "Destiny, huh..." : "Recognized. Loved."

Zhao: "All units, advance!" Longcheng: "Good luck." : "When the words "Taibai conquers Taichen" were inscribed into the Wheel of Taiyi, one of ten ancient artifacts, history changed dramatically." : "The Taibai Empire mass-produced constructs. With its powerful army, the empire conquered the Shenzhou region. Seeking to expand their territory further, they plotted to conquer the world." : "It is the 99th year of the Taibai calendar. This is the story of a group of young men and women caught in the currents of fate amidst this twisted history." Guard A: "What kind of coins are these?" Guard A: "This isn't the Taibai Empire's currency. Why are you still using these?" Mother A: "My father left those to us." Guard A: "You could be rebels. We'll need to investigate." Guard A: "Wait!" Guard A: "Did you think you could run?" Mother A: "Give him back! Have mercy, please!" Guard A: "It's too much trouble to investigate you. I'll kill you here and now!" Yin: "Stand back." Guard A: "This girl..." g: "You shouldn't be so rough with children." Guard A: "Rebels! Get them!" g: "I'm good with my feet." Mother A: "Thank you." Yin: "There's no end to them." Canlang: "Don't draw so much attention to yourselves." g: "Can Lang." Tuobayuan: "Let's run." Yin: "Tuoba." g: "We didn't get to go shopping." Yin: "Yeah." Tuobayuan: "I told you not to cause a commotion." Yin: "But we couldn't ignore them." Canlang: "Don't cause so much trouble." g: "You're the ones who told us to fight the Taibai." g: "Kill all the bad guys. That's all." Canlang: "Yuan." Tuobayuan: "How dependable." Canlang: "I wasn't expecting so many Taibai soldiers on the frontier." Tuobayuan: "The Taibai's influence is expanding." g: "Their influence?" Canlang: "Don't worry. We have more allies, too." g: "Allies?" Tuobayuan: "Rebel forces." Tuobayuan: "Until now, there were only small groups interspersed throughout the country. But they're unifying in an attempt to become a single large force." Canlang: "You're rebel forces, too." Yin: "Wait. We never said we were rebels—" Yin: "What are those?" Tuobayuan: "A Taibai transport unit. They're delivering crops from the farmland to the capital." Yin: "Good. They're not a combat unit." g: "Let's attack." Yin: "Ning, this again?" Tuobayuan: "No, it's a good idea." Yin: "Tuoba." Canlang: "If we take them out, we'll deal a solid blow to the Taibai." Tuobayuan: "They're being guarded by two mantis constructs and two horse constructs." g: "We can beat them. Let's do it." Yin: "Ning..." Canlang: "Can Lang has arrived!" Canlang: "Now, little girl!" g: "I'm not a little girl! I'm Ning!" g: "We did it!" Tuobayuan: "This isn't good. They're not a transport unit." g: "What?" Tuobayuan: "They're a combat unit in disguise. It's a trap!" Yin: "What is that?" Canlang: "A new model?" Tuobayuan: "Retreat! Let's get out of here!" g: "No!" g: "We can still fight!" Tuobayuan: "We have no information on the new construct! We'll retreat and revise our strategy!" g: "No! We can handle this!" Canlang: "We're the ones who have fallen into a trap!" Yin: "Ning, listen to them!" g: "Yin..." Yin: "Ning!" Xinwuxu: "The rebels have retreated." Zhao: "They escaped." Xinwuxu: "Should we pursue, Commander Zhao?" Zhao: "No, let's not." Zhao: "My attacks were slow because the control system reacted slowly." Zhao: "I'll need to make adjustments." Xinwuxu: "But the rebels seem to have fled because they feared this construct. It was a good first battle for the new model." Zhao: "I don't need flattery." Zhao: "Cavalry Commander Xin Wuxu, is there a facility nearby? I'd like to perform maintenance." Xinwuxu: "The closest facility is..." Xinwuxu: "the mansion of the Songnan chief." Canlang: "They're resupplying at that mansion." Tuobayuan: "Let's get information from our rebel contacts hiding in this village." Yin: "They grow millet here." Canlang: "It'll be a good harvest. The ears are large." g: "The villagers will be able to eat their fill." Canlang: "You're such a carefree girl." g: "What does that mean?" Canlang: "Look." Canlang: "Guards are watching the fields." Villager: "But we can't spare anymore!" Guard D: "Shut up!" g: "That's..." Guard D: "Are you defying the Empress? Take this! And this!" g: "He's..." Tuobayuan: "Wait." g: "Why?" Tuobayuan: "Not now." Tuobayuan: "The villagers present almost all of this millet to the authorities." Yin: ""Present"?" Canlang: "It's the taxes they pay to the Taibai Empire." Tuobayuan: "That's not all. They also give it to the officials who rule the area." Canlang: "Those officials fatten their stomachs. The villagers are left with only a handful of millet." Yin: "No..." Tuobayuan: "If they resist, they're executed." g: "We should kill them." Canlang: "It's pointless. New officials would come." g: "Then kill them again." g: "Kill all the bad guys. Again and again. Until every last one of them is dead!" Yin: "You shouldn't think that way, Ning." g: "Why not?" Yin: "Because it's rash. There are many Taibai soldiers, but you..." Yin: "There's only one of you." Yin: "I don't want you to put yourself in danger." g: "So you're just going to watch while people suffer? Even if they're treated like me and Zhao?" Yin: "Ning..." g: "I don't want that." Shangyue: "Those are the reports from the 52 counties in the empire." Longcheng: "Thank you. Anything else?" Shangyue: "I have a message from Meng Ji." Longcheng: "Commander Meng Ji?" Shangyue: "He's requesting for the construct mobile forces to be formally integrated into the army." Longcheng: "We see." Shangyue: "He praises the leadership and engineering skills of Commander Zhao and wants him to join the army." Longcheng: "We won't allow it." Longcheng: "He is our toy. No one else may have him." Zhao: "I am Pu Zhao, construct mobile forces commander, under direct command of the Empress." Ance: "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am responsible for governing this county. My name is Ance." Zhao: "We were attacked by rebels on our way here." Ance: "What? You were attacked? This area is peaceful. There are no rebels." Zhao: "Lately we've seen ominous movements throughout the Empire. I will investigate." Ance: "If it pleases you. But first... Bring it to him." Ance: "This is for you." Zhao: "What is it?" Ance: "A gift I always offer visitors from the capital. Everyone always loves it." Ance: "Take it." Ance: "I can't believe that child commands the mobile force." Servant: "Is there a problem?" Ance: "He reports directly to the Empress. He's not like those worthless officials they always send. If he discovers and reports on our corruption..." Yin: "Ning..." Yin: "It feels as though you're slipping further and further away." Woman: "You seem lonely." Woman: "Are you alone?" Yin: "I have a sister." Woman: "Did you have an argument?" Yin: "We had a misunderstanding." Woman: "It happens all the time." Yin: "I wish that were all." Yin: "I believed my sister's little lie, even though I knew it was a lie." Yin: "I thought I was helping her." Yin: "But I was wrong." Yin: "So no matter what happens, I..." Yin: "But she's always running toward danger." Woman: "She's like her sister." Yin: "What?" Woman: "Instead of prioritizing your own happiness, you sacrifice yourself for others." Yin: "I'm no saint. I just want to protect my sister." Woman: "Perhaps that kindness is your sin." Yin: "What?" Woman: "The sin of kindness can be very cruel." Zhao: "The angle of the sear was too high, which delayed its release. It should work better with the control system now." Zhao: "Well, Cavalry Commander Xin?" Xinwuxu: "I investigated the village. They're collecting more taxes than they should be. Their warehouses must be bursting with crops." Zhao: "In other words, he wants me to keep my mouth shut about the corruption." Xinwuxu: "A jade lion. It's very valuable." Zhao: "Is it?" Xinwuxu: "Yes. Based on the craftsmanship, I believe the artist must be famous." Zhao: "But I could carve that." Tuobayuan: "We got information from our contacts." Tuobayuan: "We fought against the Taibai mobile forces." Tuobayuan: "The details are unknown." Tuobayuan: "They are elusive, and hard to track. They're also using a new model of construct." Canlang: "New military capabilities, huh? That won't be easy to handle." Tuobayuan: "There's more." Tuobayuan: "We've acquired a new weapon as well." Tuobayuan: "Chief Engineer Mo Heng has betrayed the Taibai. He's sided with the rebels." Canlang: "Can we trust him? We've been badly burned by the Chief Engineer many times." Tuobayuan: "My father has assured me that we can. Apparently they're building a new weapon." Yin: "A new weapon?" Tuobayuan: "Let's meet up with my father. We'll head for the rebel base. Prepare to depart." g: "Wait." g: "We're going to ignore the bad guys here? What about the Taibai mobile forces?" Canlang: "What are the four of us going to do?" g: "We're not going to save the villagers?" Canlang: "We can't fight a battle we have no chance of winning." g: "What's wrong with you?" Yin: "Stop, Ning." Yin: "Don't put yourself in danger." Yin: "Ning, why are you like this?" g: "What?" Yin: "You weren't like this before." g: "I liked them better before." g: "Do you want me to be who I was before?" Yin: "Ning!" g: "Stupid sister!" Guard D: "What are you doing this late at night?" Guard D: "You..." Yin: "I'm sorry! She's my sister. We got into an argument, and... Please forgive us. I'll take her home now." Guard D: "Fine. Go home." Yin: "Thank you. Come on." Yin: "Ning?" g: "Yin, I don't want to go back." Yin: "Ning." Yin: "Yun!" Canlang: "They're fighting the guards!" Tuobayuan: "We don't have a choice." Canlang: "Seriously?" Zhao: "What's happening?" Ance: "The rebels are attacking. This has never happened before." Zhao: "I understand. We'll help." Ance: "Thank you." Zhao: "All units, advance!" Canlang: "There's a lot of them for country guards." Tuobayuan: "It's the mobile forces." Canlang: "Bastards!" Servant: "There are five rebels." Ance: "I see. This is a good opportunity." Servant: "What?" Ance: "The mobile forces commander will encounter the rebel ambush and die in battle. That's the report we'll make to the Empress." Servant: "Good idea." Ance: "Send our surprise." Canlang: "They just keep coming." Tuobayuan: "What's going on?" Canlang: "Did they have a falling out?" Ance: "Kill them and the rebels!" Xinwuxu: "Commander, this is treason! Ance is trying to silence us!" Xinwuxu: "What's this giant construct doing on the frontier?" Zhao: "That's an old model. He must've acquired it illegally!" Yin: "Ning!" g: "Yin, I..." Yin: "Who are they?" Tuobayuan: "Rou." Canlang: "Tan." Yin: "You know them?" Muyurou: "It's a bit dark." Tanyuezhi: "You're right. How's this?" Muyurou: "Thank you, Yuezhi. I can see clearly now." Tuobayuan: "Now!" Yin: "Yun!" Xinwuxu: "Rebel reinforcements have arrived!" Zhao: "We'll use this opportunity! The old models have weak armor plating! Cavalry Commander Xin, assist me!" Xinwuxu: "Yes, sir!" Yin: "Now!" Zhao: "You can have that back." Zhao: "I won't betray Cheng." Tuobayuan: "It's good to see you again." Muyurou: "You seem well." Tanyuezhi: "New friends?" Tuobayuan: "Yes." Tanyuezhi: "My name is Muyu Rou." Muyurou: "My name is Tan Yuezhi." Canlang: "They're our in-laws. They're strong and on our side." Muyurou: "Nice to meet you."

Zhao: "Hey." Longcheng: "Don't scare me like that." Zhao: "I've been waiting for you, my lady." Longcheng: "Not a problem." Ambassador: "Empress of the Taibai Empire, thank you for allowing me an audience." Longchen: "Is it true that the Bianchen Nation wishes to surrender?" Ambassador: "Neither of us will gain anything by prolonging this war, stacking corpses in the mountains, making the rivers flow with blood, and leaving piles of bones in the fields." Longcheng: "You mean the Bianchen Nation no longer has enough soldiers to stack their corpses." Ambassador: "You are correct. It is our nation's desire to end this war peacefully." Longcheng: "What do you want? Our guarantee that the royal family will retain its status?" Ambassador: "Impressive, Your Majesty. It is as you surmised." Longcheng: "Very well. We dislike pointless fighting as well." Longcheng: "Tell your masters that we will make the arrangements." Ambassador: "Thank you." Ambassador: "This is a map of our territory. It is proof of your lordship. Please accept this gift." Longcheng: "The Bianchen Nation will become the 53rd county of the Taibai Empire. Approach." Ambassador: "Your life is mine!" Longcheng: "Fool." Shang: "Arrest him." Longcheng: "I'm surprised your first blow missed, Minister Baili." Baili: "I'm terribly sorry." Longcheng: "It's fine. It was entertaining. That man must not have been an ordinary ambassador." Shang: "He was quite skilled. However, his mind was weak." Longcheng: "It's pathetic for a man's legs to shake before an assassination. They must not think much of us to send one so unskilled." Baili: "What shall we do?" Longcheng: "We'll listen to his request." Longcheng: "His nation shall be mine. Launch an all-out attack." Baili: "Very well." Messenger: "I have a message." Messenger: "Commander Pu Zhao's mobile force has returned from its expedition." Tuoba: "Yuezhi and Rou, that wasn't very nice of you." Canlang: "If you noticed us, you should've told us immediately." Muyu: "Sorry, Yuan and Can Lang." Tan: "You had strangers with you. We were just being careful." Yin: "Careful?" Tan: "You could have been Taibai spies." g: "You thought we were working with the enemy?" Muyu: "Sorry. We don't mean any harm." Tan: "We just needed to confirm you weren't. I'm sorry. I apologize." Tuoba: "The Taibai Empire took their home from them as well. They're still young, but they're strong." Tan: "You put on quite a show. You're both fast and accurate with your blades. Your familiar is useful as well." g: "She's not a familiar. I owe Yun my life." Tan: "I see. Then I welcome her as well." Tan: "Fight with us." g: "Fine. I'll help you." Canlang: "You seem awfully haughty." g: "They're inviting us." Yin: "Hold on, Ning. We never said we'd join the rebels." g: "Yin..." Yin: "And Ning, you shouldn't casually accept their offer." g: "Why not? We'll have lots of allies. We can fight together." Yin: "That's why. Fighting will become commonplace for us." g: "Of course it will. They'll be our allies in this war." Yin: "You'll just be putting yourself in that much danger." g: "This again? I'm sick of hearing this." Yin: "Ning." g: "Stop treating me like a child!" Yin: "Ning!" Tuoba: "Your sister's the mature one." Tuoba: "If someone has to do it, then it should be done by those who are strong enough." Yin: "But Ning's only 13." Tuoba: "The Taibai Empress is only 12." Tuoba: "There are younger soldiers in the rebel army. Age isn't a reason to keep from fighting." Yin: "Tuoba, you're a terrible man." Tuoba: "So what if I am?" Tuoba: "I have a goal." Tuoba: "I'll do anything to accomplish it." Tuoba: "I'm not trying to be a good person." Yin: "Then you evil people can fight each other all you want." Muyu: "Yuan." Tuoba: "What is it, Rou?" Muyu: "You're a terrible man." Tuoba: "Maybe. I've heard that twice today." Longcheng: "Lord Pu Zhao, we are very satisfied with the results of your recent battle." Zhao: "Thank you, Your Majesty." Longcheng: "More than anything, we are glad you have returned safely." Zhao: "You honor me. I work every day to repay the kindness you have shown me." Longcheng: "You have already repaid us. Do not worry about it. Anyway, do you have any complaints about your life?" Zhao: "No. I am very satisfied." Longcheng: "Do not be shy. You can tell us if anything is bothering you." Zhao: "Well, there are two things I cannot do." Longcheng: "Things you cannot do?" Zhao: "The first is sleep." Zhao: "Since the day I lost my village, I've been afraid to close my eyes at night." Zhao: "The other is forget." Zhao: "Everything I see is burned into the back of my mind." Longcheng: "Does that hurt you?" Zhao: "Only one wouldn't be so bad. But together..." Zhao: "On long nights when I cannot sleep, I clearly recall the events of that day." Zhao: "Each time, I recall my dead childhood friends, and my heart aches." Longcheng: "How miserable. What can we do for you?" Zhao: "You've already given me more than I deserve. You are my savior." Longcheng: "Of course! We shall visit your village." Zhao: "My village?" Longcheng: "Yes. We will construct graves there and mourn for everyone you loved." Zhao: "You are too kind. I am delighted to hear those words." Shang: "Corruption in small prefecture on the frontier?" Shang: "What was the local constable doing?" Baili: "He was accepting bribes." Shang: "As our country grows, the number of men who use their influence for evil will increase. There will be places on the frontier where our eyes do not reach." Baili: "Some men think little of the Empress because she is still young." Baili: "Any corruption should be punished harshly." Shang: "It's Pu Zhao." Shang: "The Empress gives him too much of her attention." Baili: "He's achieved enough to deserve it. He's loyal as well. He isn't a problem." Shang: "That's the problem." Baili: "What do you mean?" Shang: "If things continue in this manner," Shang: "eventually their relationship will become more than master and servant." Shang: "If there's ever a problem within the Empire, those feelings could become an obstacle." Shang: "We should watch Commander Pu Zhao's actions carefully." Shang: "The moment we discover a problem, we should eliminate him immediately." Xin: "Commander Pu Zhao." Zhao: "Cavalry Commander Xin." Xin: "I bought what you asked for." Zhao: "Sorry for using you to run a personal errand." Xin: "It was easy." Xin: "I was told it came through the Northern Corridor." Zhao: "From that far away?" Xin: "Are you sure you want such a small piece of jade?" Zhao: "I was a slave until recently. I can't tell good gemstones from bad." Xin: "Then why did you want it?" Zhao: "I thought I'd send a bribe of my own." Yin: "Yun, come on out." Yun: "I have responded to your summons." Yin: "Please find Ning." Yun: "Understood." Muyu: "Worried about your sister?" Yin: "Miss Muyu Rou." Muyu: "Call me Rou. Was that your power?" Yin: "Yes, Rou. Apparently it's called the Tianshu." Muyu: "The Tianshu..." Yin: "It can be used only by designated individuals." Yin: "Tuoba said it was my destiny." Muyu: "Your destiny..." Yin: "That I'd been entrusted with this power." Muyu: "I see. He's right." Yin: "What?" Muyu: "The fact that you acquired that proves it." Muyu: "Or did you come across it by chance?" Yin: "It was a coincidence." Yin: "No..." Yin: "I felt as if I was called to it." Muyu: "It needed you in this age and place." Yin: "I'm just a traveling performer." Yin: "An ordinary girl who lost her village." Muyu: "So am I." Muyu: "No matter where you're born, if you don't act with purpose, nothing will ever happen." Muyu: "If you don't actively strive for a goal, then it may as well not exist." Muyu: "When you acquired that power, you fought. Because you fought, you're here now." Muyu: "That is your volition, and that volition is your soul." Yin: "I just wanted to protect my sister." Muyu: "Some choose not to fight even though they want to protect something." Muyu: "Your soul fought against absurdity." Muyu: "You were called by the Tianshu." Yin: "I was called?" Longcheng: "Surprised? Got you back." Longcheng: "What's wrong?" Zhao: "Nothing. Thank you." Longcheng: "What?" Zhao: "It's nothing." Longcheng: "You're so weird, Zhao." g: "Stupid sister." g: "I can finally do things myself." g: "I finally don't have to rely on her anymore." g: "What should I do?" Yun: "You should go back." g: "Yun." Yun: "My master commands you." g: "No." Yun: "Why not?" g: "I don't have a reason." g: "What?" Yun: "I shall wait." g: "Do what you want." Yun: "Understood." g: "Hey, who made you?" Yun: "The name of the one who made me is Che Yun." g: "Che Yun?" Yun: "Four hundred years ago, Lady Che Yun was born into a family of Mujia users and lost both legs as punishment." g: "Both legs?" Yun: "She made legs for herself using Mujia. The war drove her to a faraway land where she settled down." g: "Then these arms were made by Che Yun, too." Yun: "Indeed." Yun: "Lady Che Yun received the Tianshu from Mujia user Yuan Yuanzhi. Then she sealed away the Tianshu so it would reach whoever inherited her soul and entrusted it to me." g: "Does this mean Yin has inherited this Che Yun's soul?" Yun: "Indeed." g: "Then she's destined to do this? She's special?" Yun: "Indeed." g: "Seriously?" g: "So I'm being protected, and I got new arms because of her." g: "But I..." Yun: "Lady Ning?" g: "I'm an idiot." Longcheng: "There are lots of secret passages in the palace." Longcheng: "They're escape routes in case we need them. There are even passages only those closest to the Empress know about." Zhao: "Should you be telling me such vital information?" Longcheng: "Well, as long as you become royalty, it shouldn't be a problem." Zhao: "What?" Longcheng: "But you're my brother now. You're practically royalty." Zhao: "Yeah." Longcheng: "This is the main hall." Longcheng: "This is the office." Longcheng: "This is the guest room." Longcheng: "The bath." Longcheng: "The bedroom." Zhao: "Incredible. I can't believe there are so many secret passages. It's like a sand fox den." Longcheng: "What's a sand fox?" Zhao: "It's an animal from my home." Longcheng: "I'd like to see one." Zhao: "We'll go see them together someday." Longcheng: "Yeah. After all, we made a promise." Zhao: "A promise?" Longcheng: "I promised we'd build graves for your loved ones in your village." Zhao: "Thank you." Longcheng: "Did you have fun?" Zhao: "Yes." Longcheng: "I'm glad. When I can't sleep, I take a walk through these passages. You can use them, too." Zhao: "Are you sure?" Longcheng: "Make sure no one sees you. It'd be a real hassle." Zhao: "Okay." Zhao: "It's late." Zhao: "You should head back." Longcheng: "It's okay. I can stay a little longer." Zhao: "But if you don't sleep, you'll pay for it tomorrow." Longcheng: "I can handle it. After all, you can't sleep." Longcheng: "When you can't sleep, you recall painful memories, right?" Zhao: "Cheng..." Longcheng: "I am the Empress. All the people of this nation are mine. So are you." Longcheng: "You're my toy." Longcheng: "I'm sad that one of my toys is broken." Zhao: "It's okay." Longcheng: "Zhao..." Zhao: "I'm okay now. I'm not broken anymore." Zhao: "After all, I can fix anything." Longcheng: "Yeah." Zhao: "Cheng, thank you." Tuoba: "Where are the sisters?" Muyu: "I'm not sure, but don't worry." Muyu: "I'm sure they'll make powerful allies." Tan: "It's good to have more allies." Muyu: "I'll be sad to have more unhappy allies, though." Tan: "I'll bear any unhappiness to achieve my goals." Muyu: "It's difficult for such young children to bear that burden." Tan: "I will bear that guilt as well." Muyu: "Yuezhi..." Tan: "In order to shatter the ambition of the Taibai Empire and create a peaceful world, many will die." Tan: "I may die as well." Tan: "But we must fight nonetheless." Muyu: "Yuezhi..." Yin: "Ning." Yin: "I've been looking for you. Thank you, Yun." Yun: "No need to thank me." Yin: "Um..." g: "Look." Yin: "It's Rou and Yuezhi." g: "Hey." Yin: "What?" g: "Were you in love with Zhao?" Yin: "What?" g: "Tell me." Yin: "Weren't you? You loved Zhao, didn't you?" g: "Did you know I lied to you?" Yin: "I want you to be happy." g: "I want you to be happy, too." Yin: "Ning..." g: "So I don't want you to feel responsible for my arms." Yin: "I'm sorry." g: "I'm okay now." Yin: "Yeah." g: "You have a destiny." Yin: "What?" g: "But I don't have anything. I have to seize my destiny with my own two hands." Yin: "Ning..." Yin: "Don't look." g: "But..." g: "They're gone." g: "That was surprising. Right, Yin?" Yin: "We'll be together forever." g: "Yeah."

Zhao: "Senior Engineer." Engi: "Lord Zhaoyang." Zhao: "How is the production of the new model coming along?" Engi: "We're substantially further behind than expected." Engi: "Many of the scorpion construct's components require precision. We'll need more time if we want to mass produce them." Zhao: "Mass produce? I haven't ordered mass production." Engi: "It's an order from the commander." Zhao: "Commander Meng Ji?" Zhao: "Why have you ordered mass production of scorpion constructs? I'm still testing them." Mengji: "The world is vast, Commander Pu Zhao." Mengji: "In order to conquer it as quickly as possible, we need powerful constructs. Would you not you agree?" Shang: "Normally the production of constructs is the responsibility of the Chief Engineer." Shang: "But since Mo Heng betrayed us, the Chief Engineer's seat has remained empty." Shang: "What shall we do, Your Majesty?" Cheng: "Are there any candidates for a new Chief Engineer?" Baili: "The Left Senior Engineer was punished for allowing Mo Heng to escape. The Right Senior Engineer's talents are nothing compared to the previous Chief Engineer's." Cheng: "I see. In that case, Pu Zhao, why don't you become the new Chief Engineer?" Shang: "That cannot be!" Cheng: "Why not, Minister Shang?" Shang: "He lacks experience. He is still young. He is too green to bear the responsibilities of the Chief Engineer." Cheng: "Minister Baili, what do you think?" Baili: "I acknowledge Lord Zhaoyang's talents. However, I believe it would be premature." Cheng: "Very well. Commander Pu Zhao." Zhao: "Yes." Cheng: "In accordance with Commander Meng Ji's wishes, mass produce the new model." Zhao: "As you wish, Your Majesty." Cheng: "To do that, you will need the authority to command the Engineer's Palace." Cheng: "Therefore, we appoint Commander Zhao Left Senior Engineer." Cheng: "Senior Engineer Pu Zhao, mass produce the constructs and strengthen our army." Zhao: "As you wish." Cheng: "Zhao." Zhao: "Uh huh." Cheng: "What's wrong?" Zhao: "Nothing." Cheng: "Did you not like my order to mass produce the scorpion constructs?" Zhao: "That's not it." Cheng: "But I promoted you." Zhao: "You shouldn't be promoting me so suddenly." Zhao: "You'll weaken your position." Cheng: "But you've proven yourself worthy." Zhao: "But..." Cheng: "I'm still the Empress. I've seen all kinds of people. That's how I know I can trust you more than anyone." Cheng: "I'm sure you'll help me make this nation bigger." Zhao: "You think so?" Cheng: "Yeah." Zhao: "Thank you." Zhao: "For granting me strength." Cheng: "Strength?" Zhao: "With strength, you can make bend anything to your will." Zhao: "With strength, you'll never be oppressed or made unhappy." Zhao: "You can live happily with those you love." Zhao: "Without strength, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now." Cheng: "Zhao, you'll become stronger. Both as an engineer and as a commander." Cheng: "You'll acquire more strength." Zhao: "Yeah. Someday I'd like to surpass Mo Heng." Zhao: "Cheng, there's something I want to give you." Cheng: "What is it?" Zhao: "Well... a bribe, I suppose." Cheng: "What?" Zhao: "For promoting me." Cheng: "I'm the most distinguished person in the world. You can't bribe me. I already have everything. There's nothing you can give me that will surprise me." Zhao: "I suppose you're right, but..." Cheng: "What is this?" Zhao: "I carved it." Zhao: "Apparently the jade came from the west." Zhao: "Xin said it came all the way through the Northern Corridor." Cheng: "Thank you, Zhao." Zhao: "You like it that much? But you already have more impressive jewels." Cheng: "No. This one's prettier than all the others." Zhao: "I see. I'm glad." Cheng: "Zhao, become bigger." Zhao: "Bigger?" Cheng: "Once you're strong enough, we can be together more. Not just at night, but when it's light out, too." Zhao: "Okay." Zhao: "Cavalry Commander Xin Wuxu." Xin: "Lord Zhaoyang... Or should I call you Chief Engineer?" Zhao: "I'm your commander now. Prepare the mobile force for departure. We leave in three days." Xin: "Where to this time?" Zhao: "We'll head north. I'm curious about something." Xin: "You mean the enemies we encountered in Songnan?" Zhao: "Yes." Zhao: "They're rebel forces who use magic." Xin: "They're warriors powerful enough to fight alone against a construct." Zhao: "And..." Xin: "Commander?" Zhao: "It's nothing." Tan: "This is a horse construct of the Taibai army. This is a mantis construct, and this is a doache. This is its subtype, the new daoche. And this is a banu, a command construct." Tan: "And this is the new model that appeared the other day." Tan: "According to our information, it's called a scorpion construct." g: "A new model?" Canlang: "We'd never seen this construct before." Muyu: "I can't believe they're capable of creating such weapons." Tan: "The new daoche, the scorpion construct. Two new models have appeared in a short amount of time." Tuoba: "In other words, it's possible we'll see new constructs in the future." Tan: "Not just constructs. That independent unit called the mobile force is curious as well." Tuoba: "Yeah. Their strategies are different from those of the enemies we've faced until now." Yin: "Really?" Canlang: "Until now, the Taibai army has relied on the power and numbers of its constructs." Canlang: "They're just that confident in their combat strength." Tuoba: "But the mobile force is different. They set traps and use new models. They're difficult to read." Tan: "They are likely receiving orders from a different commander." Yin: "A different commander..." Tan: "However, our rebel forces have acquired new power as well. A powerful ally." Tuoba: "You mean former Chief Engineer of the Taibai Empire, Mo Heng." Tan: "The weapons he create are sure to help us. We should meet with your father." g: "This is easy." Canlang: "Don't move. We'll fall in if you shake it." Tan: "We'll ride the river south before heading west on foot. It's a long journey, but this way is faster." Yin: "We can't take the raft the whole way?" Tuoba: "The river doesn't flow that conveniently." Muyu: "Sometimes it flows opposite of the direction you desire. Other times, there are waterfalls. No journey is easy, just like our destinies." Yin: "Destiny..." g: "Yin's destiny... She's a special person who inherited the soul of someone named Che Yun entrusted with a certain destiny." g: "And that person is protecting me." g: "Do I have any meaning?" Yin: "I hope we don't reach our destination." g: "Why not?" Yin: "Because I want to stay like this forever." g: "Yeah." g: "If this is my purpose, then..." Tuoba: "We're under attack!" Canlang: "Where are we supposed to run?" Muyu: "I'll handle it." Tan: "Run!" Canlang: "Seriously?" Tuoba: "It's an ambush." Xin: "It's the water user and lightning user. They've taken the bait." Zhao: "All units, charge!" Xin: "All units, charge!" Yin: "Xuan Yuan Sword!" Yin: "Yun!" Yun: "Understood." Tan: "Let's follow up on them." Tuoba: "They've blocked the river upstream." Tan: "We'll break through the enemies downstream." Yin: "A dead end?" Xin: "You're rats trapped in a bag." g: "The new model." Yin: "Ning!" Zhao: "You're mine!" g: "Yin!" Zhao: ""Yin"?" Yin: "Zhao?" g: "Huh?" Zhao: "Yin, Ning..." g: "Zhao?" Zhao: "Why?" Canlang: "Run!" Canlang: "What?!" Yin: "Ning!" Canlang: "Yin! Ning!" Xin: "Commander!" Canlang: "They're not over here!" Muyu: "They're not here, either." Tuoba: "Where did they go?" Yin: "Ning..." Zhao: "She's breathing. Her pulse is steady, too." Yin: "Good." Zhao: "You're alive. Both of you." Yin: "Yeah. You're okay, too." Zhao: "I thought you were dead." Yin: "I thought we'd never see you again." Zhao: "Yin..." Yin: "Zhao..." Zhao: "What about the other villagers?" Yin: "It's just me and Ning." Zhao: "I see." Yin: "Her body's cold." Yin: "We need to dry off our clothes." Zhao: "Me, too." Zhao: "Ning's arms..." Yin: "They were a gift. Apparently they were made using some really old magic called Mujia." Yin: "Zhao, that necklace." Yin: "You still have it." Zhao: "Yeah. It was my anchor." Yin: "Your anchor?" Zhao: "I lost everything. This was all I had left." Yin: "Zhao..." Zhao: "But things are different now. I've gained all kinds of things." Yin: "Like what?" Zhao: "Power." Yin: "Power?" Zhao: "I don't have to suffer anymore." Zhao: "There's no better life. Someone else handles anything that's unpleasant." Yin: "Who do you mean?" Zhao: "The slaves and servants." Zhao: "We're allowed to do only the things we want to do." Yin: "But aren't those people suffering, then?" Zhao: "That's because they're powerless." Zhao: "I was a slave for a long time. But now I have power. The power to live a happy life." Zhao: "The power to make you happy, Yin." Zhao: "Come to the Taibai Empire." Yin: "I can't do that." Zhao: "Why not?" Zhao: "Yin, you didn't come to see me the day of the festival." Zhao: "I wanted you to come during the dance." Zhao: "But..." Yin: "I wanted Ning to be happy, so I..." Zhao: "I know." Zhao: "What about you? What did you want?" Yin: "I..." Zhao: "Yin, tell me the truth." Yin: "The truth is, I wanted to go see you." Yin: "But I didn't want Ning to cry." Zhao: "Yin..." Zhao: "Come with me to the Taibai Empire." Yin: "Zhao..." Zhao: "Please. Do it this time." Yin: "But..." Zhao: "I finally got to see you again. I don't want us to be apart." Zhao: "Yin..." Yin: "But I can't." Zhao: "Why not?" Yin: "The Taibai are our enemy." Yin: "I'm a rebel." Yin: "The Taibai have killed many..." Yin: "many, many, many of the people I've loved." Yin: "And I've killed many, many, many Taibai soldiers." Zhao: "Yin..." Yin: "So I can't join the Taibai." Yin: "Zhao, you should leave the Taibai." Yin: "Help us and the rebel forces. Then we can be together forever." Zhao: "I can't do that." Yin: "Why not?" Zhao: "Because I've acquired so much power. Why would I let go of that?" Yin: "There's someone else who threw away his power. His name is Mo Heng. He was an important person in the Taibai Empire," Yin: "but he threw it all away and joined the rebel army. Now he creates weapons for the rebel army. You could—" Zhao: "No!" Zhao: "Right now I'm working hard to surpass that man. Besides, the Empress would be sad if I left her." Yin: "The Empress?" Zhao: "A little girl named Cheng. She's the Taibai Empress." Zhao: "I'm close to the most important person in the Taibai Empire." Yin: "Stop." Zhao: "My future is guaranteed!" Yin: "Stop." Zhao: "I can have even more power!" Yin: "Stop!" Zhao: "Come with me, and you'll be happy!" Yin: "Stop!" Zhao: "Please, Yin. I've missed you." Yin: "So have I." Zhao: "Then why?" Yin: "Because I can't do that." Zhao: "Please, Yin. Come with me to the Taibai Empire. Ning will be happy." Zhao: "Ning doesn't have to suffer, either. Ning can live in peace and happiness, too." Yin: "Stop." Zhao: "Isn't Ning important to you?" Yin: "That's why I can't! Don't talk to me about Ning!" Zhao: "Ning is important to me, too." Yin: "I told you not to mention her." Zhao: "You and Ning should come with me." Yin: "No!" Zhao: "It's what's best for Ning!" Yin: "Zhao..." Zhao: "I'm responsible." Zhao: "After all, it's my fault Ning lost her arms." Yin: "That was my fault." Zhao: "It was my fault." g: "No, it was my fault." Xin: "Don't move!" Xin: "Commander, you're all right." Zhao: "Don't, Xin! Take them as prisoners! Don't hurt them! Yin, please come quietly." Xin: "They're attacking!" Zhao: "Yin, let's go." Yin: "Zhao!" Zhao: "Quickly." Zhao: "Hurry!" Zhao: "Come with me!" Zhao: "Yin..." Tan: "There you are!" Xin: "Commander, we should retreat!" Canlang: "Wait!" Xin: "Commander!" Zhao: "All units, retreat!" Tan: "Wait!" Canlang: "Damn! They escaped." Tuoba: "It's no use. They're gone." Canlang: "Where did they go?" Tan: "The enemy has retreated. There's no one here anymore." Yun: "I have failed." Muyu: "Yin..." Yin: "Ning..."

Yin: "Ning..." Tuoba: "We've searched and searched, but still haven't found a body. It's likely they took her prisoner." Tan: "We should head for Lake Dian." Tuoba: "The rebel base?" Tan: "Yes. We'll join our father." g: "Don't move." Li: "Forgive me. I'm here simply to do my job." g: "Your job?" Li: "Yes. I came to help you get ready." Zhao: "What's wrong?" g: "Zhao..." Zhao: "This is my mansion. Under Empress Cheng's orders, I'm commanding the construct mobile force and serving as the Left Senior Engineer at the Construct Palace." Zhao: "My current title is siche shouchang. My official rank is bi erquian shi." g: ""Siche shuchang"?" Zhao: "It's the 17th rank." Zhao: "Ning, have you been well?" g: "Yeah. How about you?" Zhao: "When I was brought here, I could've died at any time." Zhao: "But as you can see, things are different now." g: "That's great." Zhao: "I'm going to work now." g: "Work?" Zhao: "I'm actually pretty busy." Zhao: "Don't go outside until things cool down. Got it?" g: "Okay." Zhao: "Let my servant Li Xiang know if you need anything." Li: "Let me know whatever you'd like." Zhao: "Starting today, this is your home." Zhao: "I'm sorry, Ning." g: "Huh?" Zhao: "I couldn't do anything then." Zhao: "If only I'd been strong." Canlang: "It's huge. This is Lake Dian?" Tuoba: "What's wrong, Can Lang? Tired?" Canlang: "That journey wasn't enough to exhaust me." Tan: "It can't be helped. The air is thin here." Canlang: "The air?" Tan: "It looks flat, but these highlands are as high up as Mt. Bailing." Tuoba: "No wonder. I've been feeling out of breath." Rou: "I hope we don't run into any enemies under these circumstances." Tan: "Not a problem. Our enemies would be fighting under the same conditions." Rou: "Yin, are you okay?" Yin: "Yes. I was born there..." Yin: "at the foot of that mountain." Canlang: "So you're used to thin air." Yin: "Yes. My village is gone, though." Rou: "I see." Tan: "According to our contacts, our father's hideout is nearby. Let's hurry." Mengji: "Tell me everything you know. Then I'll let you die painlessly." Mengji: "Resisting will only prolong your suffering." Sub C: "Commander Meng Ji, the new models have arrived from the Construct Palace." Engi: "I am delivering five scorpion constructs." Mengji: "Thank you. I'm sure we can expect great results." Engi: "Yes, sir." Mengji: "Commander Zhao... Rather, Senior Engineer Pu Zhao. Where is he?" Engi: "He's focused on developing plans for a new weapon. I came in his place." Mengji: "How rude. He's not even present for the delivery of the new model he developed." Mengji: "I'm amazed you can work for that child." Engi: "Senior Engineer Pu Zhao's position and title are greater than mine." Engi: "In the lawful Taibai Empire, I am expected to serve him." Mengji: "I see. No wonder you can't become Left Senior Engineer." Mengji: "The new models will be assigned to the western construct forces. Form an expeditionary force immediately." Sub C: "Yes, sir." Zhao: "Activate the black fire." Engi: "Activating black fire." Engi: "Black fire reaction point rising. Reactor temperature normal. Demonic power area normal." Engi: "Reaction point and revolutions rising. Threshold will be exceeded shortly." Zhao: "When the reaction point crosses the threshold, focus the demonic power area. Prepare a duality conversion." Engi: "Reaction point will exceed threshold in three... two... one. Threshold exceeded." Zhao: "Focus the demon power area." Engi: "Duality conversion confirmed." Engi: "Zhoumai circuit, longmai circuit, renmai circuit: all normal." Zhao: "Activate the black fire reactor." Engi: "Activating black fire reactor." Zhao: "Again. The demonic power area's convergence rate is too low." Engi: "I believe it's an issue with the accuracy of the reflector." Zhao: "It's not possible to achieve higher accuracy than this." Zhao: "We'll have to rethink the design." Zhao: "Prepare a report on the results of the experiment." Engi: "Yes, sir." Zhao: "I'll make it work." Zhao: "Black fire... The unlimited power found in the ancient Kuican ruins." Zhao: "Once we can control it, uniting the world will be a simple task." Zhao: "But it's also very dangerous. There's no telling what will happen if we lose control of it." Xin: "Is it not possible to construct the zhengtian without using black fire?" Zhao: "That's impossible. Doubling the size of a construct requires eight times the power." Zhao: "The zhengtian is five hundred times larger. In other words, it requires a hundred million times the power." Zhao: "Our current power sources could not possibly produce that." Xin: "The giant construct fortress, zhengtian..." Zhao: "Mo Heng found a way to control this black fire." Zhao: "We know it's not impossible." Tan: "According to our contacts, that hovel is our father's hideout." Canlang: "We're finally here. Let's get inside and rest." Canlang: "Dad, are you in here?" Canlang: "It's a trap!" Yin: "Xuan Yuan Sword!" Canlang: "Damn! This isn't what we were told!" Tuoba: "Be careful! There could be other enemies about!" Rou: "Were you given false information?" Tan: "That's not possible." Xiang: "No." Xiang: "Your information wasn't wrong." Tan: "Father!" Xiang: "It's good to see you again." Xiang: "Is that girl a new ally?" Yin: "Yes." Yin: "My name is Fu Yin." Xiang: "I see." Xiang: "I'm the leader of the rebel forces. My name is Xiang Chu." Tuoba: "He is our father." Luanti: "I am Luanti Chi. I'm their sworn brother." Moheng: "And I am former Chief Engineer of the Taibai Empire, Mo Heng." Yin: "This man..." Yin: "There's someone else who threw away his power. His name is Mo Heng." Zhao: "Right now I'm working hard to surpass that man." Yin: "This man is Mo Heng." Tan: "Why didn't you tell us where your real hideout is?" Luanti: "Don't be so angry. It's in case our contacts are captured and made to divulge information." Canlang: "What if that trap had gotten us?" Xiang: "I don't remember raising you to be such fools." Tuoba: "Sounds like you." Moheng: "I'm impressed that you destroyed my contraption with a single blow. You are skilled, Fu Yin." Yin: "Not at all." Tuoba: "Father, I believe it is her destiny to join this battle." Xiang: "I see. Her destiny." Tuoba: "I have a request. Please allow her to take the vow and become our sworn sister." Canlang: "Good idea. I'd gladly welcome another sibling." Yin: "Siblings..." Rou: "That's right. By swearing a vow to our father, we become family." Yin: "Family..." Tan: "Yes. Our family will have seven members." Tuoba: "Father, please." Xiang: "Let me think on it." Tuoba: "Why?" Xiang: "I took you in and raised you in order to protect you from the Taibai that took your families from you as children." Tuoba: "Then her situation is the same. The Taibai took Fu Yin's family from her, too." Xiang: "It's not the same." Xiang: "As family, we trust each other. We were forced to become rebels in order to live in peace. We didn't become family to gather more soldiers." Xiang: "If she's destined to fight, then all the more reason not to take her." Yin: "Excuse me." Yin: "I lost my family and the village I lived in because of the Taibai." Yin: "I've now been separated from my sister Ning as well." Yin: "Ning is my only family." Yin: "I want to see Ning." Yin: "I don't want anything else." Yin: "The truth is, I wanted to go with Zhao, too." Zhao: "I finally got to see you again. I don't want us to be apart." Cheng: "Zhao." Cheng: "Zhao? Zhao!" Zhao: "Cheng." Cheng: "What's wrong? You've been acting strangely since you returned from your expedition." Zhao: "Have I?" Cheng: "You'll get sick if you work so hard." Zhao: "I will acquire strength." Zhao: "I will become stronger than I am now." Zhao: "The strength to do whatever I desire. The strength to acquire anything." Cheng: "Zhao..." Zhao: "And to do that, all I can do now is complete the zhengtian." Cheng: "Fine. Then I promise you this: Once it's complete, I will make you a guan neihou." Zhao: "Guan neihou?" Cheng: "After achieving so much, not even Shang Yue or Baili Zhen will be able to object." Zhao: "Cheng..." Cheng: "So don't push yourself too hard. Take it slowly." g: "Zhao..." Tan: "This is the new weapon." Moheng: "Black fire armor. It increases the magical power of those who wear it." Moheng: "That said, it is still only a prototype." Rou: "We can't use it?" Moheng: "My control over the black fire is imperfect." Moheng: "It puts great strain on the body. It's too dangerous to use in battle." Moheng: "This is the black fire I took from the Taibai." Canlang: "Is this all?" Moheng: "This alone has the power to burn an entire nation to the ground." Moheng: "The power of black fire is great. It's no exaggeration to say whoever learns to control it will control the world." Tan: "Then..." Moheng: "Don't worry. Not a single person in the Taibai Empire can use black fire. Excluding me, that is." Xiang: "Eventually this armor will be completed. It will be our trump card against the Taibai." Luanti: "What was that?" Rou: "Constructs!" Tan: "Bastards!" Xiang: "Mo Heng!" Moheng: "Th-The armor..." Luanti: "Damn it!" Yin: "That's..." Tuoba: "Did they get information on us?" Xiang: "Quickly, to the boat!" Luanti: "We'll be fine out on the lake!" Yin: "Hurry, everyone!" Rou: "Yin!" Tuoba: "We'll stop them here! Get the boat ready!" Xiang: "Rou, take care of Mo Heng." Rou: "Yes, sir." Canlang: "Yuan, Yin! Hurry!" Xiang: "Hold on, everyone!" Tan: "That was close." Rou: "Are you all right, Mo Heng?" Canlang: "Wow. It's so fast." Luanti: "Mo Heng made this boat. They won't be able to follow us." Luanti: "What?!" Canlang: "I thought you said they couldn't follow us!" Luanti: "My fire magic is useless!" Tan: "Let me handle it." Luanti: "The water is absorbing the lightning!" Tan: "Is this salt water?" Canlang: "I can't use my earth magic unless we're standing on solid ground!" Rou: "I'll handle it." Rou: "They're quick." Xiang: "This isn't good. If they get in front of us, we're finished." Yin: "How do you use this?" Lunati: "It's incomplete!" Yin: "But if it can help..." Rou: "Yin!" Tuoba: "Yin!" Tan: "That's the black fire armor." Rou: "Yin." Rou: "Yin. Yin!" Juan: "Mother." Pang: "What is it, Juan? Can't sleep?" Pang: "Come here." Juan: "Mother, why can't I play with my sister?" Pang: "Your sister is the Empress. She's very busy." Juan: "But she plays with a boy." Pang: "That's part of her job." Juan: "I don't understand. I want friends to play with, too." Pang: "You have me. I'm right here." Juan: "My sister was always Father's favorite. He gave me nothing. He could've given me something. Right, Mother?" Pang: "Yes, you're right. You'll be getting something soon. Something very nice." Juan: "Really?" Pang: "Yes. So be a good child and wait until it's given to you." Pang: "Yes, the Taibai Empire and the seat of the Empress..."