The Kamihama Rumor Files Part 6

Chapter 3
Part 6: The People They Wanted to Meet

Iroha: Huh? It's... dusk...? Yachiyo-san's not here... (Is this inside the Rumor...? Did my wish... go through?)
(If that's the case, Ui might be somewhere around here...)

Woman A: .....
Iroha: (Everyone looks so happy sleeping... Is it because they got to meet the person they wanted to see...?)
(If the rumor is true, then these are the people who are so happy they can't go home...?)
I wonder if I'll become one of them... once I meet Ui...
Ui... Where is she...?
.....
?????: ....ere...
Iroha: I just heard a voice...
?????: Here...
Iroha: Could this voice be...?

Ui: Onee-chann!

Iroha: ...It's Ui's voice. Ui...Ui...? Ui!? Where are you--!? ......

You're given the option of saying Mokyu (Look to your right!) or Mokyu (Look to your left!)

q: Mokyu (Look to your right!)
Iroha: ---!? ....Ui, is that you...?

Iroha: That is you... Ui, right...?
Ui: .......
Iroha: Ui, it's your Onee-chan!
Ui: ......
Iroha: Why are you being so quiet? Come on, let's go home together! If we leave this rumor, this time for sure, we can go to school together. We can live with Dad and Mom, the four of us together again. So let's go home! Onee-chan will even make you a hamburg steak again, so come on, take my hand... Right now, we can still leave together...
Ui: ......
Iroha: Why aren't you saying anything...
Ui: ....Here....
Iroha: Eh?
Ui: If you want to change fate, then come to Kamihama City, because magical girls can be saved in this city.(1)
Iroha: Magical girls...? Fate...? What are you saying... Ui....? Why do you know about magical girls, Ui?
Ui: If you want to change fate, then come to Kamihama City, because magical girls can be saved in this city.

come to Kamihama City magical girls fate change
magical girls fate change come to Kamihama City
fate change come to Kamihama City magical girls
change come to Kamihama City magical girls fate
come to Kamihama City magical girls fate change

Iroha: --!? What... are you...? You're not Ui...? Hey, answer me!
---!? .....What was that...?
(It looked exactly like Ui...but it wasn't Ui...Then who/what was that kid...?)
Ui....I need to calm down.
...Right now, I need to find Yachiyo-san...

Yachiyo: Are you really Mifuyu...?
Mifuyu: When you say things like that, it makes me sad...
Yachiyo: I think it's more unreasonable for you to expect me to just believe you...
Mifuyu: Then, what could I do to make you believe me...?
Yachiyo: Let's see... I'll have you answer my questions.

Yachiyo: ...Then, this is the final question... what did you and I write every year at New Years?
Mifuyu: Let's see... As magical girls, we were always side-by-side with danger so just in case something happened we wrote down all the things we wanted to do into a letter, didn't we? ...Am I wrong?
Yachiyo: .....Are you really...?
Mifuyu: Geez, I really don't think you need to be this suspicious, but...?
Yachiyo: Are you really Mifuyu?
Mifuyu: I know what you wished for Ya-chan, along with the fact that you keep and treasure your friend's coffee mug, and eve-rything else about you.
Yachiyo: The mug...true... that's something only you would know...I'm sorry I doubted you...
Mifuyu: I don't mind. It doesn't bother me at all.
Yachiyo: Sorry. I didn't think that I would actually be able to meet you...
Mifuyu: I said it several times, didn't I? I wouldn't die or anything while you're here, Ya-chan. Even if I did die, I wouldn't let you see me like that.
Yachiyo: True, that's right. Now, let's go home together, Mifuyu... Let's get out of this barrier, to the place we should actually be.
Mifuyu: .....
Yachiyo: What's wrong...?
Mifuyu: I'm sorry, Ya-chan. I can't go back...
Yachiyo: Why...!?
Mifuyu: Because my body has grown too accustomed to this world. But if you come back with me, Ya-chan, it's okay. We can be together forever.
Yachiyo: I can't... I can't go over there... MIfuyu, let's leave this barrier together...
Mifuyu: Please come this way...Didn't we promise that we'd be together forever...?
Yachiyo: --!? Th, That's right...
Mifuyu: That's right, that's why you should come over here...
Yachiyo: Stop... I... I...!
Mifuyu: Ya-chan...
Iroha: There you are, Yachiyo-san! ---!?
(Something's wrong...)
(Could it be something's...)
Yachiyo-san! Get a hold of yourself!
Rumor: 1*&!(@)$!)@$*(!@#
Iroha: Kyaaaa! Move out of the way!

Iroha: Why would a Rumor come at a time like this...
(Is it because I didn't sleep just like the rumor said? Or is it because I tried to stop Yachiyo-san....?)

Iroha: Yachiyo-sa, get a hold of yourself! Please don't go!
Mifuyu: Ya-chan, hurry. If you don't come, I'll hate you?
Yachiyo: ....Eh....
Iroha: Yachiyo-san!
Yachiyo: Tamaki-san, it's okay, I won't go... Even though I went around warning people, I'm a bad role model, aren't I...?
Iroha: N, Not at all, it's okay. I'm so relieved that you're safe...
Yachiyo: ...That isn't Mifuyu. She would never say something like she hates me, even if by mistake...
Mifuyu: Oh my, don't try to trip me up. Come on, hurry and come here, Ya-chan.
Yachiyo: Kuu, uuu... Trying to tempt me like this...
Mifuyu: If you don't hurry, I'll disappear?
Yachiyo: I refuse to accept that you're anything like Mifuyu!
Mifuyu: My my, then what can I do to make you accept me?
Yachiyo: Defeat Tamaki-san... if you do that, then I'll accept you.
Mifuyu: Eh?
Iroha: Ehhh!?
Yachiyo: If you can be beaten by the likes of this girl, then you're not the Mifuyu I know...
Iroha: Wa, Wait a second, Yachiyo-san!?
Yachiyo: .... I'm sorry, Tamaki-san. To think I would have to rely on you...Please, defeat this fake... Since the way I am right now, I don't think I can even move...
Iroha: I, I... ...Understood.
Mifuyu: Oh my, are you seriously going to fight me?
Iroha: Yes... Please don't deceive Yachiyo-san anymore...
Mifuyu: My my, I think you're the one doing the deceiving, aren't you?
Iroha: You're wrong, I'm!
Mifuyu: What are you? What are you to Ya-chan?
I'm Ya-chan's best friend...we're childhood friends who just can't abandon the other. There's not even a space for you to come in between us you know?

Iroha: I'm glad... it really was a fake.
Yachiyo: ..... I'll have to start looking for Mifuyu from the beginning, again... Eh? Tamaki-san, you...
Iroha: Your soul gem had a good amount of taint built up in it so...
Yachiyo: Built up you say? But you're the same...!
Iroha: Y, Yours was a lot worse than mine Yachiyo-san, so...
Yachiyo: No way, why would you, for someone like me... you're too soft-hearted...!
Iroha: Um, I'm sorry...
Yachiyo: ---!? ...No, that was my bad... this is where I should just say my thanks, right? Thank you...
Iroha: No, you don't need to, it wasn't that big of a deal...
Yachiyo: Besides, I pushed that awful role onto you...
Iroha: ..... Um.... was that person just now the one you wanted to see, Yachiyo-san...?
Yachiyo: .....That's right... That girl, you see, was my very important childhood friend. That's why I also investigated the Summoning Shrine...
Iroha: ...... (She's the same as me...
Me and Yachiyo-san are... both looking for someone important to us...)

Iroha: We're back...
Yachiyo: Yes... In the end, we were just played by a rumor... Especially me, I was deceived by a fake...maybe that's why it was dusk that entire time in there...
Iroha: What do you mean?
Yachiyo: Tasogare... It means to ask a question to someone you don't know... (2)
Iroha: .......
Tsuruno: Ahh, you two took a really long time!
Iroha: Tsuruno-chan, are you okay?
Tsuruno: Yeah, I told you didn't I!? That I'd become your guys' shields! Even Rumors will be defeated in punch by my hands, the hands of the strongest! Hey, hey, anyway, how'd it go, you two!? Yachiyo, were you able to meet Mifuyu!?
Yachiyo: I was able to meet her, but she was a fake...
Tsuruno: Hoh...? A fakeee!?
Iroha: Mine was also a fake... Actually, I don't even know what it was...Seemed like the rumor this time was a terrible rumor that takes advantage of peoples' weaknesses...
Tsuruno: So that's what happened... Anyway, even after we go home, I'll also still still still still! Still search for Mifuyu!
Yachiyo: This is about me, so Tsuruno you don't have to bother...
Tsuruno: Ehhhh, I also want to see Mifuyu---Besides, we're the same team!
Yachiyo: Again, I told you that's all in the past, didn't I? Besides, it's still not over.
Iroha: You're right, the rumor still hasn't been erased like last time...
Yachiyo: Not only did I reject the person I wanted to meet, but I came back without falling asleep... From the Rumor's point of view, this should be a situation it can't ignore.

???: You, who who came here seeking reunions with your loved ones only to murder them. The price of the sin you bear for deceiving God is ten-thousand deaths.

Yachiyo: So you've come...!
Rumor: #)(@*@$*#*@!!
Yachiyo: This was the Rumor that was making the rumor a reality...
Iroha: Looks like it...
Yachiyo: I think I heard something like we deceived it but if those were this Rumor's words, then we need to throw them right back at it.
Iroha: Yes, to use our feelings like that...
Yachiyo: ...is worth ten-thousand deaths!
Tsuruno: Then the first hit is miiiineee!
Iroha: Eh!? With the way things were going, I think one of us should hit first, but!?
Yachiyo: That's Tsuruno for you...

Rumor: *(!#&$(!#*$&^!^*
Iroha: Yachiyo-san, my arrows are being repelled!!
Yachiyo: It doesn't even feel like my attacks are working...
Tsuruno: Could it be? Does it some kind of magic repellant coating or something? Just like a kitchen covered in grease!
Yachiyo: Why are you making such unsuitable comments right now...there's no way that it coul...d...wait...
Rumors are Rumors...They have nothing to do with Witches, so....
Tsuruno: So it could be possible after all!
Yachiyo: Yes, but that being said, we still don't know of a solution...
Iroha: Isn't there something that could help think of something...? Horse, Frog, Summoning, God...
Tsuruno: Ho?
Iroha: Tsuruno-chan?
Tsuruno: Hm-mm...God!!
Iroha: Tsuruno-chan's got something!
Tsuruno: Yep, I got it! Um, Gods grant wishes, don't they? And magical girls were born from wishes, right? Both of them have to do with miracles, so I was thinking, that's why the nature of our magic is similar! And if that's the case, don't you think that stuff like magic wouldn't work?
Yachiyo: Let's assume that's true... if that's the case, then what should we do...?
Tsuruno: Hmmmmm....physical attacks....? We could yank a tree out and hit it with one or something!
Yachiyo: A different idea!
Tsuruno: Uh....the power of curses or impurity?
Iroha: W, We don't have that kind of power!
Tsuruno-chan, could it be that right now...we're...
Iroha: In a dire situation, teehee-- Besides, we don't know if I'm right or not.
Yachiyo: Putting aside why the enemy's powerful, it is true that we're in a grave situation...
.... ....The power of curses and impurity.

Rumor: *(!#&$(!#*$&^!^*
Iroha: Kyaah!
Yachiyo: Tamaki-san!
Iroha: It's just a little scratch...I'm still okay.
Yachiyo: But your movements have clearly become sluggish. Tsuruno, can you still fight!?
Tsuruno: If it takes time, I might run out of magic!
Yachiyo: Well it can't be helped. If attacks don't work, then there isn't even a hint of the self-proclaimed strongest left.
...We're at our wits end.
Iroha: Yachiyo-san... it pains me to say this, but I think we have no other option... but to run.
Yachiyo: Yes, you're right. Tsuruno, we're retreating!
Tsuruno: Aye ye sir! A strategic retreat it is! Reaaadddyyy, go!
Yachiyo: Hey wait, don't go too far ahead! Think about coordinating with us!
Geez...
Iroha: Let's go, Yachiyo-sa.... Huh...?
Yachiyo: Tamaki-san!?
Iroha: I, I'm sorry. Suddenly my strength just left my body... Fuuu...uuu....
Yachiyo: ---!? You, your soul gem...
Iroha: My soul gem...? Huh? There's a lot of taint built up in it... I thought it'd be fine for a little while longer but... maybe it was the shock from not being able to meet...Ui?
Yachiyo: With it in that state... Why did you give me your grief seed!
Iroha: It's okay, Yachiyo-san... It just made it a bit... harder for me to move, that's all.
Yachiyo: Don't move! I'll carry you out of here.
Iroha: ...I'm sorry. I'm being such a burden on you...
Yachiyo: You said it before, didn't you...? You don't intend to die in front of me...Please don't forget that.
Rumor: *29374028304@&!
Yachiyo: What bad timing...I'm sorry, Tamaki-san. My movements will be rough for a little bit.
Iroha: Okay...
Rumor: !*(#$&#&$!!
Yachiyo: Ku...I can't dodge it!
Rumor: @#*$*%&$%!!
Tsuruno: Sorry, sorry, I got a little too carried away and went a bit too far ahead! While the Rumor's stopped moving, we should hurry and make our escape!
Yachiyo: You saved us, Tsuruno. That's just what I expect from the strongest magical girl.
Tsuruno: Ehehe.
Yachiyo: Are you okay? Using a pretty powerful move like that?
Tsuruno: Eh? Well, I can't use powerful moves anymore though!
Yachiyo: Why are you saying that with a smile on your face...
Iroha: Yachiyo-san...
Yachiyo: Please, just hold on for just a little while longer...

~*~
(1) Note that this is the same thing she says to Homura in the prologue.
(2) The origin of the word for dusk=tasogare 黄昏時 comes from the archaic phrase 誰そ彼 with the same pronunciation which roughly means "who is that". In ancient times, at dusk you couldn't really see the face of the person so you'd have to call out to them with the phrase "誰そ彼". As time passed, it got adopted and molded into the word for dusk.