5-8.1 One With the Flame

1: To Save Mihono (1)

Mihono: ......
Chie: We finally found her...
Chie: Mihono-chan!!
Mihono: ......
Kiyoka: Is that Kanayamahime...?
Chie: When it happened to you, Juujou-san, you were still conscious, weren't you!? So what's going on with Mihono-chan!?
Hiyori: ...This is different from what I went through. Probably closer to what happened with Tagitsuhime and Origami Yukari.
Hiyori: Mihono's consciousness should be trapped up by Kanayamahime...
Mihono: ......
Hiyori: But I don't see Kanayamahime in there either...
Kanami: Then we'll just have to feel her out sword to sword.
Kanami: Give me a response, Kanayamahime!



2: To Save Mihono (2)


Mihono: AAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHHH!!
Hiyori: Kanami.
Kanami: ...Yeah. That footwork just now was Shingyoto-ryu. But...
Mihono: GAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!
Kanami: I'm not feeling anything from her swordfighting...
Mai: You mean, her body is just moving from memory...?
Kofuki: Oi oi... I've gone up against Mihocchi when she's serious a couple times, but this's on another level.
Mihono: AAAAAAAAAAGGHHHH!!
Hiyori: ...! If she got the name -hime, Kanayamahime has to be past a certain level of intelligence.
Kiyoka: But it doesn't seem like we can get through to her if she just keeps acting wild!
Yui: So then, is Kanayamahime even fully awake...? Or am I being too optimistic?
Ellen: We came here riding on a one in a million hope. That's plenty for us!
Nene: Nene!
Kaoru: Oi, don't go out there! You're gonna get hurt!
Kaoru: Seriously... So, what's the plan?
Kanami: If Kanayamahime hasn't fully woken up, couldn't we get Mihono-chan conscious again?
Chie: Could we still do that!?
Hiyori: It's possible.
Hiyori: But that'll depend on whether Mihono has the willpower left to fight off Kanayamahime...
Chie: ...Mihono-chan wouldn't ever give up.
Chie: If there's a chance, I'll do anything! What do you need from me?
Hiyori: All you can do is keep calling out to her while we wear down Kanayamahime's strength.
Hana: And if Kanayamahime wakes all the way up, then what?
Hiyori: ...If that happens... We just have to try talking Kanayamahime down.
Kaoru: So what, we ask her to give Mihono back? Let's hope she's the understanding type.
Ellen: Don't be like that, Kaoru. If we want to save Mihomiho, all we can do is give this a shot!



3: I'll Save Her (1)

Mihono: GAAAAAAGGHHH!
Kanami: HAH!
Hiyori: Gh!!
Akira: ...Good, it's not over yet.
Yui: Boss...
Akira: You here too, Yui?
Akira: And...
Hana: ......
Akira: These're some familiar faces. Though, one of us is...
Mihono: GRAAAAAAAAAGGHHH!
Akira: ...It's just like I told you...
Yui: Boss?
Akira: Forget it. So right now, you're swapping off trying to wear Kanayamahime out...?
Akira: Let me through.
Akira: You're not gonna be able to save Mihono. I can help her, so swap with me.
Yui: You mean you can!? Boss, you can save Mihono-chan...!
Akira: ......Yeah.
Akira: I'll be the one to do it.
Yui: Boss?
Hana: Stop her, Yui!
Yui: Huh?
Akira: --!
Ellen: STOP!
Akira: Gh!?
Ellen: This road's closed, Akira.
Akira: --!?
Kaoru: Don't go... playing cool!
Akira: So it's Ellen and Kaoru first...
Yui: H-Hey, what're you doing!? Boss said she's going to save Mihono-chan...
Hana: Not like that, Yui. That's not... how she's going to save her.
Kaoru: Right?
Kaoru: You're gonna kill Mihono, aren't you?
Akira: ......
Ellen: You're not going to hurt Mihomiho. You'll have to get through us, Akira.
Akira: ...I won't go easy. You better be ready to lose a couple arms!
Kaoru: Same to you!
Yui: But, why, Boss!? You and Mihono-chan were...
Akira: ...That's why.
Akira: That's why... I'll be the one to make this right!!
Kaoru: Let's go, Ellen! Don't let her get Mihono!
Ellen: Yes!
Akira: Come on then!!



4: I'll Save Her (2)

Chie: Stop!
Ellen: Chie?
Chie: ...Help us, Inago-san.
Kaoru: The hell are you talking about!? She came here to kill Mihono!
Chie: I said we'd handle it... But all I ever did was talk; I couldn't do anything for her...
Chie: So... talking isn't going to be enough right now! Help us, Inago-san!
Akira: ...Give it up.
Akira: After she's that far gone... we don't have a way to save her either.
Akira: The only way to free her from that is to cut her down and exorcise her.
Chie: You're wrong! Kanayamahime still hasn't fully awakened yet!
Chie: This is... our one and only chance!
Akira: ......
Akira: ......It's not happening.
Chie: Because Makoto ordered you not to?
Chie: But still... Makoto doesn't want this either, does she?
Akira: You think you know Makocchan...?
Chie: I do know her... Because she hasn't changed.
Chie: She's kind hearted, and stubborn...
Chie: Which is why I can tell.
Chie: Makoto would never want to have to make a sacrifice out of Mihono-chan!
Chie: After how much she cried when Miyako gave up her future as a toji... deep down, she'd never want to sacrifice anyone!
Akira: ...You've got that right.
Akira: But then, you get this too, don't you?
Akira: She already made up her mind.
Chie: But...
Akira: Yeah, Makocchan's stubborn as hell. Once she settles on something, she never backs down.
Akira: And I'm right there with her!
Mirja: In that case, we'll offer something that would persuade Hitakami Makoto as well.
Akira: I'm not letting you waste any more time!
Mirja: Grh...
Mirja: ...We'll have Asakura Mihono participate in your research.
Akira: ...What?
Chie: Mirja!?
Mirja: That's the compromise we'll need to make, Setouchi Chie.
Mirja: What do you say?
Akira: ............
Mirja: Then, one more thing. If you're concerned for your future, you should take our side.
Akira: ...What's that supposed to mean?
Mirja: Let's assume you destroy Kanayamahime and Asakura Mihono with her.
Mirja: The general populace and many toji will likely turn a blind eye to Asakura Mihono's sacrifice.
Mirja: However... It's not going to sit right with those who knew her personally.
Mirja: And Asakura Mihono has a way of getting to know people. I think you might be surprised just how many that could be?
Akira: ......
Mirja: If you hope to keep the reputation of tamayori toji stable, you'd be better off having tried to save Asakura Mihono.
Mirja: Am I wrong?
Akira: You sure are a smooth talker.
Akira: ...I've got one condition.
Chie: ...Are you really... helping us?
Akira: It's not like I'm going against what Makocchan said to do.
Chie: Thank you!
Akira: Don't thank me yet!
Akira: If I decide Mihono's past the point of saving, I'm killing her. Got that?