Ishitsumugi no Shou 38

You are irreplaceable - 1

[Jukai]

Tou:  Cadenza confirmed behind the large one! The backline can't shoot at it!

Fuu: Someone in the vanguard circle around!

Its: I can't! Too much Stardust!

Yuu: My punches won't reach it! The beam's coming!

Shi: There!

Suz: Whoa! Awesome, Shizuku! What a great finishing shot!

Shi: ...That was close.

Meb: Well done. Looks like you've gotten stronger lately.

Kar: SHIZUKU only appears something like once in every four battles now, so it's Shizuku herself getting stronger.

Uta: That's a good tendency. Great job, Shizuku-san!

Shi: Not... at all.

Gin: Are you being humble? So modest.

Tam: You've gotten stronger, so be proud of it! Puff up that chest and raise that head!

Shi: Maybe...

Anz: That's right! I can't stand at the front like you bayonet users, so I have a lot of respect for you.

Tak: You levelled up, Shizuku-chan!

Shi: Than... ks...

Yum: Hm?

Mit: This is Fujimori. All the enemies have been defeated. Good work out there, everyone.

Aya: We're waiting for you with some hot tea, so stay safe and come back.

Sek: Mmm, so glad to hear that. Our respite after battle are a smoke and Aya-chan's voice.

Meb: Come on, let's go back.

Suz: Hm-hm-hm. Wonder what sweets we're having today?

Tou: Botamochi.

Shi: ...

Yum: Shizuku-san? Is something the matter?

Shi: ...Nothing.

Yum: Nothing, she says... Certainly not with that look.

You are irreplaceable - 2

[Hero Club room]

Aka: Controlling them yourself and fighting them upfront sure feels different.

Tam: Right? Those things that shoot beams at you from behind are the worst!

SON: If you don't see them in the bustle, you're gonna get one right in your face.

Son: But Shizuku-senpai saved us today!

Uta: Oh? Where'd our aforementioned MVP go?

Tou: She didn't even eat any botamochi...

Suz: Hm? Miroku-san isn't here either, now that I look.

Tou: And she didn't even eat any botamochi...

Meb: That's strange...

[Rooftop]

Shi: ...

Yum: The tea is ready, Shizuku-san. Come now, have some.

Shi: ...Black tea?

Yum: If you are here, then surely you have come for my tea, yes?

Shi: Not really...

Yum: T-There was no need to be that direct!

Shi: ...

Yum: ...So, what happened?  Lost in thought, and with an expression like that.

Shi: If I... get strong and able to fight on my own... What will happen to Shizuku?

Yum: Eh? SHIZUKU-san?

Shi: SHIZUKU protects me... But... What if the need to protect me disappears?

Yum: So that was weighing on your mind? ...Let us have some tea first. It is hot, so be careful.

Shi: Okay... Phew... Phew... *Gulp* It's bitter... Add more sugar.

Yum: Personally, I see no need to worry about SHIZUKU-san.

Shi: Why?

Yum: Why, just take a look at me! Equally skilled in housework, cooking, studies and combat as I might be...

Yum: Alfred stays by my side regardless! Phew... Phew... *Sip*

Shi: I'm not here for your drivel...

Yum: Pfft! D-D-Drivel!?

SHI: You piece of-! How many times do I have to tell you not to spray all over my face before it gets through!?

Yum: Oh my my my my, SHIZUKU-san. Please excuse this Miroku Yumiko, if you would.

SHI: Pull this shit again and I'm gonna shove my hand up your mouth and make your teeth clatter, got that!?

Yum: H-H-How d-d-dare y-y-you t-t-thrust y-your h-hand i-into M-Miroku Y-Yumiko's...


You are irreplaceable - 3

[Sanshuu Middle - Rooftop]

SHI: For crying out loud, I'm drenched... Shit.

Yum: Phew... You certainly did make my teeth clatter. Ow, my jaw...

Yum: But SHIZUKU-san. Were you listening to the conversation I and Shizuku-san were having a moment earlier?

SHI: Yeah...

Yum: Ah, how imprudent of me! SHIZUKU-san, have some tea.

SHI: *Sip* I'm... If there's no need for me to be around anymore, wouldn't that be a good thing for Shizuku...?

SHI: That's what I think. *Sip* Hey, this tea's too sweet. Too much sugar!

Yum: But she treasures you, deeply. And you still think you are better off disappearing?

SHI: ...It's better for something like me not to exist. It's healthier that way.

Yum: Healthy... That very word sounds quite unhealthy coming out of your mouth...

SHI: Shut your trap before you catch these hands, fake rich girl!

Yum: Gah! F-F-Fake!? That is straight up insulting, like a stab to the liver!

SHI: I'm like a barrier made to cover up Shizuku's weakness.

SHI: If I disappear, that means Shizuku's no longer facing any pain or hardship, right?

SHI: So me disappearing would be the happiest, most proper outcome for her, right?

Yum: Is that truly so?

SHI: You know... I was born when Shizuku didn't have any friends by her side.

SHI: Just to shoulder her physical and mental pain, to protect her and save her...

SHI: I alone was her ally, her friend. I alone understood her...

SHI: But not anymore, right? It's not just me. She's got the whole Hero Club. Heh heh...

SHI: There are people all over the place that treasure her even without me around. Ain't that just the best?

SHI: My job's about done. If I get dismissed, she'd be all the happier for it.

Yum: SHIZUKU-san... I have suspected this for quite a while, but you are quite dim-witted, are you not?

SHI: Huh!? The hell was that!?

Yum: You understand nothing! You blithering fool!

SHI: Wha-!?


You are irreplaceable - 4

[Sanshuu Middle - Rooftop]

SHI: W-What are you doing!? Let me go, dammit!

Yum: Silence!

SHI: Rgh!?

Yum: You were always watching us all through Shizuku-san's eyes, were you not?

Yum: Then... You should realise this much.

SHI: Realise what?

Yum: Starting with Mebuki-san, all of the Sentinels. All of the Heroes and Mikos we fight alongside with... It is not only Shizuku-san.

Yum: SHIZUKU-san. You are beloved by them just as much.

SHI: Eh...

Yum: I shall not allow you to run your mouth, trying to decide that it might be fine for you to disappear so simply.

SHI: But... Shizuku won't become genuinely stronger as long as I'm around...

Yum: So that is how you are trying to disguise it as a clear solution? But...

Yum: SHIZUKU, you cannot disappear so easily.  You, too, are our friend in the Hero Club.

SHI: M-Me too...?

Yum: Yes, exactly.  And what am I supposed to call you but a blithering fool when you fail to understand that!?

Meb: Miroku-san is right.

SHI: K-Kusunoki!?

Meb: I was wondering if Miroku-san caught you in her tea party, and that was exactly the case.

Yum: C-Caught? How rude! Shizuku-san was the first to-

Suz: My, my. Miroku-san, I've changed my mind. You say some good stuff, just veeeeery occasionally.

Yum: Raaaagh!  Why must I put up with such repeated rudeness, insolence and insults from you all!?

Aya: That's right! Miroku-senpai was speaking for all of us about what we felt, we should be thankful to her.

Meb: SHIZUKU, we cannot decide whether your existence is good or bad.  But what we can say is...

Meb: Shizuku and SHIZUKU, you both... Well, uh... *cough* You get it, right?

SHI: ...Huh?

Suz: Look, what Mebu wants to say is, she loooves you both! Get it?

SHI: Wha-!?

Meb: Rgh! Damn you, Suzume, cutting in and blabbering on...  W-Well, kind of like that I suppose.

Shi: ...Huh? My face is really hot. Wonder why...

Yum: Shizuku-san, no need to worry. SHIZUKU-san shall not disappear all of a sudden, I assure you.

Shi: I... see. Mhm. Miroku... I want to become... stronger. I will.

Shi: I don't want SHIZUKU to only taste pain... I want her to taste joy, too.

Yum: Indeed. The rest of us feel the same.  Is that not so?

Meb/Suz/Aya: Of course!

SHI: Miroku... Thanks a bunch.