6-5 One Way Trip

1: Escape

Kohime: [pant pant pant pant]...
Nene: Nene!
Kohime: Mm, the shrine's close.
Kohime: ...Kagutsuchi didn't chase us.
Nene: Nene, ne-!?
Kohime: Yeah... I don't know why. But, right now, we have to go.
Nene: Nene.
Kohime: Ah-- I see the shrine...
Kohime: ...
Nene: Nene?
Kohime: ...I don't think we can make it to the torii. We can't get out from here.
Kohime: What should we do...
Nene: Nenene!
Kohime: You'll protect me? Thank you, Nene.
Kohime: But, that's okay. I can fight a little too. Let's do our best to make it to the bottom.
Kohime: And then... we can see everyone again!
Nene: Ne-!
Nene: NEEEEEEEEEEE-!
Aradama: GUOO!?
Nene: NE!
Kohime: Nene, you're strong... I'll help!
Kohime: YAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Kohime: We couldn't beat them all, but... We should run now, Nene!
Kohime: A little further... A little further to the bottom...
Nene: Nene!
Kohime: !?
Kohime: There's so many...
Nene: ...
Kohime: I don't know if we can make it...
Kohime: But, I wanted to see Mihono again...
Hiyori: KOHIME! NENE!!
Kohime/Nene: !?
Kanami: Are you two okay!?
Kohime: Hiyori... Kanami... and...?
Sayaka: Itomi Sayaka.
Sayaka: We'll stop the aradama. So... it's okay now.



2: The Strongest Allies

Thirty minutes ago--

Mai: ...Myougan!
Sayaka: Mai, where are Kohime and Nene?
Mai: ...They're being chased by aradama.
Mai: They're running while fighting back, I think... I'm not sure if think if can suppress them though? More and more keep coming...
Kanami: We have to hurry up and save them!
Hiyori: Right, let's go, Kanami! Sayaka!
Mai: You can't!!
Kanami/Hiyori: !?
Sayaka: ...Mai?
Mai: I saw the results from the tests Hiyori-chan and Sayaka-chan did before.
Mai: If you went now, it would take all your energy just reaching them; there's no way you could keep fighting.
Mai: You wouldn't make any difference.
Hiyori: Still, Mai...
Mai: I'm worried for them too. I promise, I'll let you go as soon as you can save them... so please trust me.
Kanami: Of course! We've always trusted you, Mai.
Kanami: Right, Hiyori-chan?
Hiyori: ...That's right. Just tell us when it's time.
Sayaka: I'll be ready to go any time.
Mai: Okay, thanks.
Mai: (If I get this wrong... We wouldn't just lose Kohime-chan and Nene-chan, but you three too...)
Mai: (So, stay calm... Don't panic... Find the last possible moment!)

Kanami: ...We made it back, Mai-chan.
Sayaka: ...We're back.
Mai: Welcome back! Where are Kohime-chan and Nene-chan...?
Hiyori: ...They're fine.
Nene: Nene-!
Mai: Ow, that's hot!
Nene: Ne!?
Mai: It's alright, it just surprised me a little. So it's hot enough in there to warm you up this much, Nene-chan...
Mai: ...It's good you made it back safe.
Kohime: ...Thank you for saving us. Um...
Mai: I'm Yanase Mai, Kohime-chan.
Kohime: Thank you, Mai!
Mai: Mmhm, I'm just glad you two are alright.
Mai: Sayaka-chan, Kanami-chan, Hiyori-chan. You did great.
Sayaka/Kanami/Hiyori: ...
Mai: ...You three must be exhausted.
Kanami: Yeah. I never thought it'd be that hard fighting in the heat like that...
Sayaka: ...Mm.
Hiyori: Just breathing normally starts to burn your body up from the inside...
Hiyori: It worked because of you, Mai.
Mai: Eh?
Hiyori: If we hadn't listened and ran in then... We wouldn't have saved Kohime and Nene.
Kanami: You always know what's best, Mai-chan.
Mai: Y-You don't have to go that far! Here, hurry up and have some water! And, something for you to eat...
Sayaka: I want cookies.
Mai: ...Okay! I really am glad you all came back safe. I mean it.



3: The Eye of the Storm

Yukari: Tell me your report.
Kohime: It didn't work.
Kohime: Kagutsuchi didn't want to listen to us telling her to change her demands.
Mihono: ...Oh.
Mihono: Hey, Kohime. Why did Kagutsuchi... say to kill me?
Kohime: I think it's because she's scared of you.
Mihono: Scared of me...? Is that cause I exorcised her before...?
Kohime: I don't know for sure.
Kohime: I don't know if that's what made her scared, or if there's some other reason.
Kohime: But, I know that Kagutsuchi is scared of toji.
Kohime: Not just scared of fighting toji. She's even scared of talking to you.
Kohime: I think that's why she demanded to kill you.
Kohime: She wants to get Kanayamahime back, but she's too afraid of you.
Kiyoka: She's scared...? I think, I can kind of understand that...
Mihono: Wait; Kiyoka, you're scared of me!?
Kiyoka: N-Not that part!? That's not what I meant!?
Mirja: We can save this for later.
Mirja: More importantly, Kohime. You say that, even with that much power, Kagutsuchi is afraid of toji?
Kohime: Yeah.
Kohime: I'm not scared of Mihono. I'm not scared of Kiyoka, or Mirja, or Chie, or Kofuki either.
Kohime: But, it's not strange for an aradama to be afraid of Mihono. It wouldn't be strange if an aradama was afraid of any of you.
Kohime: Because toji kill lots of aradama.
Mirja: ...That's true.
Kohime: I told Kagutsuchi, Mihono's not scary. But...
Kanami: She didn't listen and attacked you...
Kohime: Yeah...
Kohime: She thinks I'm her enemy... because I'm helping Mihono.
Yukari: I see...
Yukari: What were things like at Mt. Choukai?
Kohime: There's a lot of aradama. And, it was very hot. Humans can't be in that heat.
Yukari: Etou, Juujou, Itomi. How did it feel to fight in abnormal temperature conditions?
Hiyori: The heat's definitely a bigger bottleneck than the enemy strength. It wouldn't be possible to fight for long in there.
Yukari: ...Alright.
Kohime: Ah, but, it wasn't that hot around Kagutsuchi.
Yukari: Was it?
Kohime: Yeah. I don't know exactly how hot it was, but... I think humans can handle it.
Tsugumi: That's likely out of consideration for Hitakami-san's body, while Kagutsuchi possesses her.
Tsugumi: Even if it wouldn't affect Kagutsuchi herself, Hitakami-san's body is still human after all.
Tsugumi: I suppose Kagutsuchi is keeping a small area around herself hospitable for humans.
Yui: But like, in manga and stuff, isn't it always that your own fire can't burn you?
Tsugumi: There's likely a reason for that. Kagutsuchi is currently incomplete.
Tsugumi: Most of Kagutsuchi's power was exorcised by Asakura-san.
Hirona: ...Basically, you're saying it's more efficient for Kagutsuchi to keep the temperature around her lower.
Yukari: Then if we could only reach Kagutsuchi, fighting would be possible...
Kanami: Well, what if we tried using those things?
Mai: You don't mean...
Hiyori: That again...
Sayaka: The storm armor launch unit.
Yukari: ...That would be possible. If we were to use it, the ones who would go are...
Mihono: ...Please let me go!



4: Ceremonial Attire

Mirja: The members of this operation have been decided. To start, our investigation team will be joining.
Mihono: I'll do my best!
Kofuki: If there's aradama-chan to play with, I'm not complaining.
Kofuki: But like, are you coming?
Tsugumi: No, I'll be staying here. We have enough storm armor launch units ready, but it doesn't seem there'll be enough ceremonial attire in time.
Yui: Ceremonial attire? Was that something else we'll need for this besides the storm armor launchers?
Mirja: I'm told it's equipment to ward off Kagutsuchi's heat.
Tsugumi: It's not wrong to think about it that way, but... To be more precise, it's equipment that blocks off power from the netherworld.
Tsugumi: It's an approach not dealing with the physics of the heat, but the impurity.
Kiyoka: But if we have that, do we still need the launch units...?
Tsugumi: Unfortunately, our testing is still incomplete. In a lot of ways, this is a trial by fire.
Kofuki: So what, it's basically suntan lotion?
Chie: We can't rely on it too much then. But still... It's nice to have something to fall back on.
Mirja: Let's get back to the main topic.
Mirja: Joining us will be Inago Akira and Nitta Hirona.
Kiyoka: What about Toribane-san?
Mirja: Toribane Yuuki is still recovering from her previous injury and will not be joining.
Kiyoka: Oh...
Kiyoka: I'll work even harder to make up for Toribane-san then.
Mirja: I hope so.
Kofuki: Is that everybody?
Mirja: No, in place of Toribane Yuuki, Satsuki Yomi will be joining. That makes everyone.
Kofuki: Huh? Why the hell's Yomi-senpai coming?
Mirja: It seems that Satsuki Yomi grew up with Hitakami Makoto, Inago Akira, and Toribane Yuuki, and has volunteered herself for the position.
Kofuki: Grew up with them? Can't even imagine what that was like!
Mirja: ...
Mirja: Are you all aware?
Mirja: By using storm armor launch units in this operation, we don't have a means of retreat.
Mirja: Essentially...
Chie: If we aren't able to destroy Kagutsuchi... In the high temperatures, we wouldn't be able to escape, and we'd all lose our lives.
Mihono: That's wrong, Chii-nee.
Mihono: We're not going there to destroy anything. We're going there to talk to a scared and afraid aradama.
Yui: When you put it like that, it's weird, it kinda gets me in the mood for it.
Kiyoka: Will we actually be able to talk to her? Even Kohime-chan couldn't do it.
Mihono: I'm sure it'll work out!
Kofuki: Whatever, so long as I get to have some fun.
Mirja: Honestly, just as we're about to stake our lives on this mission... It really is a relief.
Chie: Fufu, she is.



5: Wait for Us

Chie: Is everyone ready to go?
Mihono: when you say it like that, it makes me feel like I forgot something.
Yui: I know what you mean! I think I'll check one more time if there's anybody I forgot to call.
Yui: There's Miku, there's Hana-san...
Kiyoka: ...Are you making your last requests?
Yui: Isn't that a little dark to be joking about, Kiyoka-chan!?
Mirja: You certainly don't seem nervous.
Kofuki: Not like we were nervous from the start.
Mihono: Ah, Kohime!
Kohime: ...
Mihono: ? What's wrong, Kohime?
Kohime: Take me with you.
Mihono: But...
Kohime: I might not be able to help much... But I want to go with you, Mihono.
Kohime: I don't want to have to wait!
Mihono: ...Sorry, Kohime. I can't take you with me.
Kohime: Please, Mihono! I won't get in the way! I'm worried about you!
Mihono: Uhh... But, see, the storm armor launchers?
Kohime: I'm an aradama, so I'll be fine even without those!!
Kohime: I'll go the same way I went before!
Mirja: No, it's unlikely you'll be able to reach the summit that way again.
Mirja: You know that too, don't you, Kohime?
Kohime: I...
Mirja: Kagutsuchi not recognizing you as an enemy played a large part in allowing you to reach the summit last time.
Mirja: Now that she has though, the aradama across the mountain would attack the moment they saw you.
Mirja: In fact, it's highly likely the shrine you used before will have aradama stationed there.
Kohime: ......
Mihono: Thanks for worrying about us, Kohime. But, we're gonna be just fine.
Mihono: So, could you still wait here for us?
Kohime: Fine... But, I want to do something to help Mihono...
Yui: Haa, haa, Kohime-chan's so cute...! Kohime-chan just existing is enough to fill me with energy!
Kiyoka: ...
Kofuki: Do something about that, Mihocchi.
Mihono: Ehh!? What am I supposed to do!?
Kofuki: Like, wasn't there something you wanted to ask Kohime?
Kohime: You wanted to ask me something?
Mihono: Eh? Ahh! Oh yeah, I did! I was wondering if you could talk to Kanayamahime for me!
Kohime: I know about Kanayamahime. That's the aradama inside Mihono, isn't it?
Mihono: Yeah! I want to know what she's feeling right now. Do you think you could tell?
Kohime: I'll try it.
Kohime: .........
Mihono: Did it work?
Kohime: She's not responding.
Mihono: Maybe she's sleeping?
Kohime: I'm not sure... But, I could feel her power there.
Mihono: ...So she's still there. Then, I'm sure it's fine.
Mihono: Mmhm, now I'm not worried anymore! Thanks, Kohime!
Mihono: We gotta go now!
Kohime: Okay, have a safe trip!



6: Come Right Back

Yume: It's no fair only Yomi-onee-san gets to go!! I wanted to go too!!
Yomi: I'm sorry.
Maki: ...I know how she feels. I won't say it's unfair, but I wish you had at least consulted us first.
Maki: I never thought you'd offer yourself for this...
Yomi: I'll do that next time.
Suzuka: I'd prefer if there wouldn't be a next time.
Yomi: Alright.
Yume: Hey, can't you trade with me? Yomi-onee-san!
Yomi: I won't do that.
Suzuka: ...Though, aren't your abilities a bad match for Kagutsuchi's flames, Yomi-san?
Yomi: I'm not sure how useful my powers will be, but please let me do this.
Yomi: ...Akira is a close friend. Hitakami-san isn't a stranger to me either.
Yomi: I want to be there for them.
Maki: ...This operation is a last stand. You know if you fail, you're not coming back alive?
Yomi: I know that.
Yume: You really don't know when to give up, Yomi-onee-san.
Yume: Well fine. But you're going there representing the special defense team, so you better do your best.
Maki: Representing the special defense team...?
Maki: That's right, it'd disrespect you to worry about you any more. Take care of Kagutsuchi for us.
Suzuka: Our faith is in you, Yomi-san. Please be sure to keep the others safe.
Yomi: I will.

Yomi: Excuse me.
Yukina: ...
Yomi: How are you feeling?
Yukina: ...
Yomi: I'll change out the water for the flowe--
Yukina: Yomi.
Yomi: Yes?
Yukina: Your face is stiffer than usual; what's bothering you?
Yomi: !?
Yukina: Are you really that surprised? You come here almost every day; of course I can tell.
Yomi: ...
Yomi: ...This might be the last time I can come to see you.
Yukina: The operation to suppress Kagutsuchi is starting, isn't it.
Yomi: It is.
Yukina: ...Origami Akane approached me, asking me to return to my position after I'm discharged.
Yomi: Congratulations.
Yukina: When that happens, I'll have trouble without you there. That's why, you need to come back alive.
Yomi: .........I will.



7: I'm Not Hesitating Anymore

Yuuki: We're finally going to save Makoto-nee-sama! Akira-nee-sama! Hirona-san!
Yuuki: I feel terrible that I can't go with you though...
Hirona: There's no other way, since your injury still hasn't fully healed. I'll work even harder for you, Yuuki-san.
Akira: ......
Hirona: ...What's wrong?
Akira: I'm just gonna let you know.
Akira: If it comes down to it... I'll kill Makocchan if I have to.
Yuuki: Nee-sama!? What are you saying all of a sudden!?
Akira: We were gonna do the same thing with Mihono, weren't we.
Akira: I'm not about to... say I can't do the same for Makocchan or anything.
Yuuki: But...
Akira: Makocchan's family to me.
Akira: That's exactly why... I gotta be the one to do it... I gotta be ready if that's what it comes to.
Yuuki: ......
Hirona: ...I've thought this for a long time, but you really are an awkward person, Akira-sann.
Hirona: Well, not just Akira-san, but Makoto-san and Yuuki-san too.
Akira:  ...Can't really deny that. But, this is the only way I know how to do things.
Hirona: ......
Hirona: Are you an idiot?
Akira: Huh?
Hirona: I know Yuuki-san won't say it, so I'll say one more time.
Hirona: Are you an idiot?
Yuuki: Hirona-san...
Hirona: I know you've been feeling responsible the whole time this has been going on.
Hirona: That's just who you are.
Hirona: You were probably thinking it's wrong for you to not take the blame for anything, weren't you?
Hirona: That's why you at least want to take responsibility at the end... Why you want to handle Makoto-san yourself, isn't it?
Akira: ...Yeah, you got it.
Yuuki: ...It does sound like Nee-sama. Staying quiet and keeping all the responsibility for herself... Not letting me do anything...
Yuuki: You are an idiot, Akira-nee-sama. Why do you try to do everything by yourself?
Yuuki: I'm here... Hirona-san is here.
Akira: ...Would ya shut up already.
Akira: Getting called an idiot by my kouhai really stings.
Hirona: ...I think Asakura-san would be upset if she knew you were using her as an excuse.
Hirona: All we need to think about is saving Makoto-san.
Hirona: Thinking about anything else is inefficient.
Akira: You know I... can't do that...
Yuuki: Why can't you want to save somebody important to you?
Yuuki: I want to save Makoto-nee-sama! I want to sit around and eat with all of us again!
Hirona: Responsibility is something for other people to tell you to take. Don't go taking it for yourself.
Hirona: After all... You are our leader.
Akira: ......I'm not really the leader type.
Hirona: Well you are the type who's much better at using her body than her brain.
Akira: Alright, Hirona. When this's all over I'm putting you in your own hospital bed.
Hirona: Ehh-.
Akira: Though... I'm feelin' way better now!
Akira: For now, I'm gonna try like hell to get Makocchan back!! That's all I'm thinkin' about!
Akira: Is that good enough!
Yuuki/Hirona: Sure!