Arc2 Ch6 Ep4

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==============================

The Meaning of Life

Ikumi
Alright, I'll see you soon, Ryou-chan.

=====1=====

Kagome's Diary
Suspicions of the Kimochi, suspicions of the conflict, suspicions of the relationship between the west and the east... Suspicions swirl all about in chaos.
In a situation that begs to question just what the meaning of fighting is, Union moved out at 5:30 to be met by Promised Blood.
But at the time, Iroha-san and her friends were so busy saving Felicia-san that they had noticed the sun already rising...
This meant that Kureha-san's calculations were correct. The sunlight shining down was like a light of salvation, but from another's perspective, it was the light of hope crumbling away.
Yes, at this time the fighting had already begun. Kanagi-san and the mahou shoujo of the east walk with trembling steps.

Kagome
Today will surely be another great turning point, won't it...

Aru-chan
<Yeah, so hurry, it's almost time!>

Kagome
(I'm positive the closest entrance to the barrier is through the ventilation...)
(Today I will be going there to watch the situation unfold...)

<5:30>

Momoko
It's about time.

Kaede
You didn't happen to hear from anyone cancelling the mission today, did you?

Momoko
No one's contacted me in the past 30 minutes, so there can't be any problems.
Either way, Kanagi-san's team should be under the prison already.

Rena
Then let's get going. Rena's ending all ties to her.

--

Hinano
Is this where Ryou's photo was taken?

Kanagi
Mm, part of this wall is a secret passage.

Hinano
No wonder no one noticed it except her...
...At least her work has finally been put to proper use.

Ikumi
Yeah, that's why I made Ryou-chan a promise.
I'm going to end this on a good note and then move forward.

Hinano
Mm, good to hear.

Kanagi
Now let's proceed.
We will defeat the offshoot Mirrors witch and destroy their shortcut.

---

Mifuyu
Everyone, it is time for us to begin the plan.
The offshoot Mirrors being used by Promised Blood
and the parent Mirrors terminal being connected are an honest bet.
Let us say our prayers as we go.

Reira
Kanagi-san is okay now, I hope...?

Mifuyu
I know you're worried, but I cannot say if she is safe or not.
However, something as foul as trapping our own people will not happen.
Please rest assured knowing that.

Reira
Okay...!

Tsukasa
Wait, Alina-san!

Tsukuyo
Do not go ahead of us if you would please!

Karin
That conduct goes against the Alina-senpai Reform Project!
We're supposed to cooperate to break the Mirrors!

Mifuyu
Some of these girls are from the east. I cannot imagine what their future holds...
Okay everyone, we are going.

Kanoko
Yeah, I'm ready to go.

---

Momoko
These magic reactions... It's similar to back in the prison...

Rena
If they're the same as before, don't you think they're just pretending to have mahou shoujo here?

Kaede
You mean someone could be hiding around?

Rena
Their goal is to move the offshoot Mirrors,
so they're buying time.

Momoko
That's likely, but we should still take care.
Huh, we got here nice and carefully, but there ain't a soul around the rendezvous point...

Kanagi
Mm, you're here too, Togame?
The magic reactions were a bluff. They're likely inside the barrier.

Kaede
Then we need to hurry, too. We can't just lounge around, can we?

Ikumi
But what about Iroha-chan's team?

Hinano
They the only ones that didn't show up?

Rena
Couldn't they be fighting Promised Blood people?
Tsuruno said it would be perfectly fine to get ambushed,
so while Iroha's team is distracting the enemy,
Rena's side should take out the enemy in the barrier.

Kaede
You mean the witch, right?
Rena-chan, I swear you're talking about Ranka-chan 80% of the time...

Rena
Of course.

Kanagi
No, there's people lying in wait here as well!

Ao's Voice
YaaAAAHH!

Kanagi
Mu-...!

Ao
I will be taking back that Kimochi stone you stole from me - right here!

Kanagi
A personal grudge?
You must be looking for a partner. Looks like I'll be your opponent.
Togame, Miyako, I will be her opponent. Take everyone ahead.

Hinano
Isn't that dangerous...?

Kanagi
If I cause delay for my own fear, tens of people will cower in fear.
For now let's keep the number of lives at risk to a minimum to keep our superiority.

Hinano
Got it.

Momoko
We'll be waitin', Kanagi-san.

Kanagi
Mm.

-Battle-

Kanagi
You're brave standing alone.

Ao
This is for the sake of my pride. My sisters have nothing to do with this.
To take hold of peace, to create a world without exploitation,
I have to surpass you and Onee-sama. You're both unchanging and hopeless.

Kanagi
The death you fear lies before you.

Ao
I don't care...

-End Battle-

Ao
Hu - yaa!

Kanagi
(Compared to before she has no hesitation. What happened in such a short time...)
Ha-!

Ao
っ!

Kanagi
Let me see.

Ao
I'm not scared of that anymore because I'm not the same me~

Kanagi
Huu...
A peaceful world without exploitation and a world where people can accept each other as equals peacefully.
You're still the same as me, naively wishing for such a future.
However, your heart is still in disarray.

Ao
I feel it's more like I've finally gotten over my fear and made an amazing transformation.
Kinda like using a hidden command to enter invincibility mode?
Now I feel like I can make anything happen!

Kanagi
Hiding behind your delusions, that only leaves you vulnerable!

Ao
Uu-
Uu...huu... It's okay, don't be afraid...don't be afraid...!

Kanagi
Having no fear of death or pain is no proof of becoming stronger!

Ao
It's not about me getting stronger. It's about me getting over it.

Kanagi
.....
Don't tell me, something happened when the Kimochi swallowed you up...

---

Kagome
No one came to the ventilation opening. It's different from what I had heard...

Urara
What's up?

Kagome
Urara-chan, who are you waiting for here?

Urara
All the Mikazuki Villa girls.

Kagome
Ah, Iroha-san's group is coming.
Huh? You mean you knew they were coming?

Urara
Other members confirmed movement at the old trainyard and Kamihama Prison,
so that just leaves Mikazuki Villa.

Kagome
You can't possibly mean to fight alone? Isn't that dangerous...?

Urara
I'm just here to make sure no one's coming.
If they don't show up like the eldest sister is expecting, then Felicia's having a hard time at the moment.

Kagome
...Um, I also heard the story about Felicia-san,
but was it that necessary to hurt her hurt so much...?

Urara
We knew that Union wanted to rush an attack.
Since we did, I think it's only normal for us to want to reduce their strength.
Ignoring the options available to us I feel would be strange.

Kagome
So you did that to her so everyone would be late...?

Urara
I feel sorry for her, but it was too good of a strategy...

Kagome
.....

Urara
It is alright if I ask you a question now, Kagome-chan?

Kagome
Eh - sure...

Urara
I get that you're doing interviews to spread the story about mahou shoujo,
but how exactly are you planning on spreading it?

Kagome
That's impossible for me to do alone, right?
First, I'm doing interviews and setting them to photos and words,
but Nemu-chan is arranging the articles.
Then Touka-chan will send it out to the world.
So you see, with the help of those around me, I think it can be possible.
And then, Satomi Tasuke-san, Nayuta-san's father will...
W-w-w-w-w...

Aru-chan
<Suddenly attacking me, what is the meaning of this!?>

Kagome
Ha...huu...

Urara
What are you planning on making the professor do...?

Rii-chan
――――

Urara
――っ!?
Ah - that was my bad!
It was just an emotional outburst, I hope you'll forgive me!

Kagome
(If Rii-chan was still incomplete I could have been killed...)
(Aside from that, Urara-chan's reaction just now...)
(That means she knows Nayuta-san's father, doesn't it?)
(I heard that he even stopped by Futatsugi,)
(but when did he...?)

=====2=====

<Endless Mirrors>

Mifuyu
Even so, it is difficult to just dive back down into the Mirrors, isn't it.
This time we must go down to the 16th floor...

Kanoko
Um, you've taken into account the time it took to get everyone here and to enter
into how long this will take, right?

Mifuyu
Of course I did. You know I can at least do math?

Mifuyu
With that said, getting down there quicker will result in a surprise attack, yes?

Mifuyu
It's impossible to say.

Tsukuyo
Considering the time, there is no need to rush.

Tsukasa
Ne.

Mito
Mm, but, that girl's been on edge the whole time, though.

Seika
She's not going to lose control, is she...? We're going to be okay, right...?

Reira
Chill out, Seika, don't be saying scary things.

Seika
B-but!

Himika
She might be losing her patience, but it's not like she's gonna bite you.
Probably...

Mifuyu
Alina, be mindful of those around you. Please do not be impatient.
You know, those wrinkles on your forehead are making you look aged?

Alina
Unlike you and Fool Girl,
it's better than having no wrinkles on the brain, however.

Mifuyu & Karin
How cruel... (That's mean...)

Mifuyu
Well, setting the jokes aside, please calm yourself a little.
The time has been carefully calculated, so there should not be any delays.

Alina
Who gives a damn about your takutikusu, they hardly matter. 					(*tactics)
Alina just wants to get rid of her own problem...
Alina would much rather just bureiko the furoa so we can descend, though.		(*break, floor)

Karin
Absolutely no way, Alina-senpai.
Familiars could pop out, plus this isn't even a plot point in the reform plan!

Alina
When plots bureiku they get way more interesting, okay?

Karin
Ha-...I see the light!

Tsukuyo
I am not convinced of that statement...

Mifuyu
...Anyways.
Why don't we just try what Alina says?

Tsukasa
Eh - Mifuyu-san...!?

Mifuyu
We are still at the low levels, so the bigger threat familiars will not appear.

Tsukasa
Trying it in the deeper levels would definitely spell danger, though...

Reira
Then could we help out, too?

Seika
This isn't the time to be fighting, and we want this to be a success, too...

Mito
If you do it, we'll do it! If we can go on down then we're lucky!

Tsukuyo
Uu, there is a knot in my stomach!

Mifuyu
Then, at attention everyone, let us do this!!

-Battle-

Himika
Uwaaaah! A weird me just showed uuup!

Karin
A whole bunch of copies! I knew this was a total mistake!

Seika
When they all look the same it's very difficult to fight...

Meiyui
Follow their magical reactions while looking for differences and it will be a trivial battle, yes.

Alina
Haa...figures. Have to go down wan furoa at a time...							(*one floor)

Mifuyu
Alina!
We gave it a try, so please do your part and fight!

-End Battle-

Alina
Disappear now!

Karin?
Uu, looks like I'm out of print...

Karin
.....
Even though they're copies, erasing them feels kind of complicated...

Mifuyu
Destroying the floor is impossible, then...

Meiyui
We just wastefully expended our magic. A small regret, yes...

Mifuyu
Now then, everyone, are there any injured?

Alina
.....
(If whoever's inside Alina said they're kamingu, too,)
(now would be a very good time to sapouto Alina.)								(*support)
[Heey...]
[If you want Alina to get to the bottom, then you have to put in work too, ya know?]
[Alina believes the deeper she daibusu into Mirrors, the deeper she gets within herself and the closer she draws to her deriito memorii.]		(Dives, deleted, memory)
[That's why Alina is doing exactly what the you inside me said to do...]
[However if you can't even be bothered to sapouto me, Alina will gibu appu. Alina will just risutaato my memory and live as a new Alina then.]		(*support, give up, restart)
[At that time you'll go byebye, too. That okay with you?]

Mifuyu
Okay, there seems to be no particular problems, so shall we move on?

Alina
...Ueito.																		(*Wait)

Mifuyu
Mm?

Tsukuyo
Perhaps Alina-san is speaking with the person inside her again...?

Mifuyu
Yes, it's likely...

Alina
.....
Okay, just for a little, Alina will lend you her mouth...

Mifuyu
Eh-...?

Alina
Huu...
―●―★―■＿￣■―＊									(＊eD―isYm￣oteMgni★rb―...●emE―k★aT)

Mifuyu
What is this voice...!?

Kanoko
That doesn't seem like a human's voice. That's extremely eerie.

Alina
.....

Tsukasa
It stopped...?

Alina
...Oupun.																		(*Open)

Tsukuyo
Heh?

Everyone
[Kyaaaaa!!]

=====3=====

<Offshoot Mirrors>

Hinano
I don't see any more descent points around here.
Looks like we're at the lowest layer.

Kaede
Unlike the parent Mirrors, the offshoot has some really short and small floors, doesn't it?

Rena
Isn't it only natural since the power it stole and how long it's lived for are way different?

Hinano
So the complexity of the barrier is a barometer of its strength.

Momoko
Wait... There's a reaction of a mahou shoujo nearby...

Ikumi
The only people that came in before us were Promised Blood people, right...

Momoko
Yeah, and the witch is also just around the corner.

Ikumi
I would be so happy if Mifuyu-san and her group could meet with us now, though...

Momoko
Well, that's an impossible ask, so we're gonna have to knock 'em ourselves.
We have to focus entirely on catchin' up with Promised Blood.

Hinano
Kanagi letting us go ahead was a big help.

---

Juri
A'ight, we've finally gotten to our sweet little mirror witch.

Ranka
Ahh, I'm hella tired...

Sakuya
The way we had to handle those copies...

Ranka
Seriously, they all look the same, but on the inside they're totally different.
This is...

Juri
The Union punks seem to have caught up.
They got a ride on the road we cleaned up, so it's no wonder they're here.
You've got the mirror connected to Futatsugi, don't ya?

Sakuya
Yuna told me to bring it, so I brought it.
Worst case scenario we put this in and send them to Futatsugi, right?

Juri
Yep, that's what I was talkin' about.
You bitches ready to go?

PB Girl
Yeah, we're ready any time.

Juri
Members that can't fight Union, get in the barrier first and be the witch's opponent.

PB Girl
Understood! We'll go ahead and fight the witch!

Momoko's Voice
[You're not going anywheeere!!]

PB Girl
They caught up...! Let's get moving!

Momoko
Damnit, two of 'em got in first.
HINANO-SAN! IKUMI-SAN!

Hinano
Even if it's not a strong explosion, this'll send all of you straight to the Kimochi barrier!
With the gas in this flask, I'll finish this up in one shot!

Ikumi
Me too! Because my mop water is freezing cold!

PB Girl
Oh no, in one shot!?

PB Girl 2
This is bad...! We can't let those two fight the witch!

Hinano
Nice!
The unchosen members got sent packing to the Kimochi barrier!

Ikumi
We told you we wouldn't let you get in first!

Rena
Here we are, Ranka.

Ranka
You're faster than I thought.

Rena
Kya-!

Ranka
When you're fighting, don't move your mouth before moving your hands.

-Battle-

Juri
Ranka, I'll leave that one to you. This one's lookin' more fun to kill.

Momoko
I don't find fun in people killin' each other, so I'll have to pass,
but I'll gladly take your seal of approval over my abilities.

Ranka
Now, how do you feel about whoever wins getting the right to challenge the witch?

Rena
Kaede, Rena will be fine going alone.

Kaede
I'm fighting together with you, I already told you, Rena-chan.
I can't forgive Ranka-chan for making you sad.

Rena
What, why this suddenly...

Kaede
Because, Rena-chan, if it was the other way around you would be mad.

Rena
...Well...probably?

Ranka
The hell am I looking at?
Great, I gotta fight a cutesy couple.

PB Girl
Ranka, I'll help you.

Ranka
Looks like I'm not alone now either, huh.

-End Battle-

Ranka
Haa...huu...

Rena
っ, Huu...Ranka... Isn't it about time you gave up...?

Ranka
What do you want if I do...? You want me to say I'm sorry...?

Rena
And disappear from Kamihama.

Ranka
As I said word for word... "Not as long as I live."

Rena
Why do you hate Rena and Kamihama so much!?

Ranka
Love thy people, hate thy country. That's sorta how I feel...

Rena
Rena doesn't understand whatever that metaphor means...

Ranka
It's why I hate...!

Rena
Kua-!!

Kaede
Rena-chan!

PB Girl
I'm your opponent here!

Kaede
Out of my way!

PB Girl
This magic... You're the one that grew all those plants in Kamihama Prison.
Hu, I know how to deal with you.

Momoko
.....

Juri
You wonderin' how Izumi Kanagi's doin'? Well, it's too late.

Momoko
She'll catch up soon.
...Hold on now, why do you know about Kanagi-san?

Juri
Mikazuki Villa ain't comin' for a while either.
I knew they'd be left in the dust.
Includin' Nee-san and The Horse, you gonna be able to stand here all by yourself?

Momoko
Don't tell me - Kasane Ao wasn't the only one back there!?
You bastard, you were planning on killing Kanagi-san from the beginning!!?

---

Ao
Haa...Huu...
HP recovery, I'm still good to go.

Kanagi
I didn't think you would have one on hand...

Yuna
Third sister, the fact you've gotten this far is more than enough.

Ao
Thank you, Nee-sama.

Hikaru
You don't look any different, but what's really goin' on?

Ao
I already told you, I just got over my fear.

Kanagi
.....
They scattered so much magic everywhere to conceal the numbers they had hiding.

Yuna
You're not going home alive with three of us, now are you?

Hikaru
Trying to escape into the barrier's as useless.

Kanagi
They saw right through me.

Yuna
With this, your life is forfeit. Makes you wonder what will be left of Miyako Hinano, doesn't it.

Kanagi
What are you talking about...

Yuna
I've made up my mind about what to do with the lives of the west's mahou shoujo.

Kanagi
Ha...?

Yuna
I want Kamihama's mahou shoujo to experience the same sorrow.
To do that, wouldn't it be better to arrange for a mahou shoujo
that has a strong influence over everyone around her to die than someone from the area?

Hikaru
Midori Ryou's death may a been'n accident, but she sure had to of known our intent to kill.
So to start keepin' our promise, you're next.

Kanagi
And then Miyako? You speak as if I've been sold out.

Yuna
You were sold out. Solely to end this conflict as soon as possible.
After having her little sister kidnapped, Tamaki Iroha put on a calm face and went down the road of cooperation.
Haven't you been feeling out of place...?

Kanagi
...It would be strange to feel anything of the sort.

Yuna
If you knew what she was planning from the start, perhaps it would be easier for you to understand.

Hikaru
Not to mention you were left in a pinch at the old trainyard yest'day.
Even now there's not a single Mikazuki Villa girl around 'ere.

Ao
I just heard about this from Nee-sama, too, but I feel sorry for the people of the east.
They sell their lives for other people to gain peace.

Kanagi
All of this has been arranged?
.....I see.

=====4=====

Yuna
Will you die here?
Or perhaps will you come to us and we will crush the west together?
You can both kill Nanami Yachiyo and her side, as well as spread your sorrow.

Kanagi
Hm...

Ao
We were being impacted by Magius' plans without ever knowing...
And now you've been sold out by the west without even knowing too.
You must be feeling the same way as us?

Hikaru
You should be honest with your feelin's.

Kanagi
...To make it clear, if I were to approach them and read their minds, the truth would be revealed to me.
However, I've not dared to do so.

Hikaru
Why's that?

Kanagi
It was my way of testing Tamaki-kun and Nanami to see how much I can trust them.

Yuna
Then... What was the outcome of that?

Kanagi
That they are easier to trust than I thought.

Yuna
Isn't that because you don't want to deny them yourself?

Kanagi
It's because we Kamihama mahou shoujo don't have a simple history ourselves.
Conflict between the east and west happen often, and has been discussed time and time again.
We were able to come to compromise, to know each other, even now.
The faith I've held for those girls has been nurtured.
The only one who was suspicious to me was Tamaki-kun,
but all of you injuring me at the previous battle in the old trainyard
ended up being just the deed that was necessary.

-Flashback-

Kanagi
One day, Tamaki-kun, you had told me that foolishness is a virtue...

Iroha
Yes...

Kanagi
I really do believe that.
I don't understand it logically, and would rather rebuke it,
but that pure, foolish reasoning I find to be charming.
I think the true answer lies beyond normal understanding.

-End Flashback-

It gave me an opportunity to reevaluate her...

Yuna
So you won't break then, will you?

Kanagi
Apologies, but I like Tamaki-kun and Nanami more than I realized.

Yuna
That is a shame...

-Battle-

Yuna
Third sister, Hikaru, we will kill Izumi Kanagi here.

Hikaru
Third sister, you gonna be okay...?

Ao
Yup, I can do it now. I'm not afraid to kill her.
And I'll be getting that bracelet back.

Kanagi
Hm, as if I would fight head-on by myself.

Yuna
I thought you'd say that - Urara!

Urara
I've finally been called.
Mikazuki Villa never showed up and the surface was so boring.

Yuna
Block out the path to the barrier.

Urara
You got it.
If you touch this yoyo or string, you're going to be sliced into ribbons, got it!?

Kanagi
Damn...

-End Battle-

Yuna
It's all over now...
With all my strength... SWING AND DESTROY!!

Kanagi
GuAAAH-!!
KA...Haa...

Hikaru
This's the kinda battle you got, so don't hold it against us.

Ao
It's game over now~

Kanagi
Gu-...

Hikaru
She undid her transformation - so the soul gem is in her ring...!?

Kanagi
Hu...you can't...break it this way...
Mu-...kuu...the Kimochi...!
Were you anticipating me getting weakened so you could steal my body...!?

Ao
Don't tell me you're about to borrow its power...!?

Kanagi
Until I've lost myself, I am not...going to be possessed!

Ao
THEN GIVE IT BACK!
HaaAAH!!

Kanagi
Ga-...!

Ao
Game set. With that your debt's paid.

Yuna
Now you're covered in wounds. Even if you resist, there is nothing you can do.

Kanagi's Voice
Then...even if it wounds me further... I'll doppel and entomb...all of you...!

Yuna
Resisting like this is futile. Why is that you put up so much fight.

Kanagi's Voice
Killing me, dividing the east... That is your true objective...
And to do that, you used... Mitsuki's trauma...

Yuna
You read my mind, did you.

Kanagi's Voice
I'll return your hatred... UNTIL MY DYING BREATH...!
Gu...

Urara
All I have to do is tighten this binding and you're in pieces.

Kanagi
Even in this state...
I'LL SLAUGHTER ALL SEVEN OF YOU!

Yuna
Spit all you want!
GU-...
This arrow, it can't be...

Kanagi
Tamaki-kun...

Ao
This way, she's shooting from the coming from the trainyard!

Felicia's Voice
SUCKS TO BE YOU, 'CAUSE I'M COMIN' FROM ABOOOOOVE!!
[KA-BLAAAAAAM!!]

Urara
Nna-!

Hikaru
Uwappu!

Ao
There's dust in my eyes...

Yuna
Damn-...I thought you would be beyond saving...

Felicia
Everyone at Mikazuki Villa...
and Daddy and Mommy all saved me!

Kanagi
So you're safe...

Felicia
Yep, - UWAAH!
You ain't safe! Your stomach's all red!

Kanagi
Forgive me... I can't...move anymore...

Felicia
You just leave this to us.
'Cause I'm the girl that gives blessings 'n happiness after all.

Kanagi
...What are you talking about?

Felicia
It's fine, don't worry about it!

Iroha
Ha - ha - haa...
Kanagi-san I'm so sorry!

Yachiyo
It wasn't supposed to be like this...

Kanagi
I understand the situation. Now, please...

Urara
Oh dear, we're suddenly in a pinch here.

Hikaru
'Sall good.
We got the eldest sister and the third sister's even stronger now.

Ao
But they're mad and in berserk mode.
This is rushing straight to very hard mode, isn't it~

Tsuruno
I don't use this kind of language often,
but I'm really pissed off right now.

Felicia
Just as Felicia-san cried, you will suffer here.

Ui
I'm mad at you too!

Yachiyo
This is where the tables will turn.
We're going to destroy the barrier and your lifeline as a group.

Iroha
.....

Yuna
.....

Iroha
It's over, Kureha-san.

=====5=====

<Endless Mirrors>

Alina
...Oupun.																		(*Open)

Tsukuyo
Heh?

Everyone
[Kyaaaaa!!]

Tsukasa
Ouch...

Tsukuyo
Does the spot you fell on still hurt...?

Tsukasa
A hole appeared out of nowhere and made us fall...

Tsukuyo
Nee...

Mifuyu
I fell before I could even gain my balance...

Karin
But just as Alina-senpai said, we'll get there quicker now, won't we?

Mifuyu
Mm, to be honest it is hard to say.
Because of that we made it to the 16th floor immediately,
but now we've spent time unable to move from crashing onto the bottom floor.

Karin
Back to square zero...

Mifuyu
(Just then, there is no doubt that there was a reaction after Alina said that word...)
(And including Alina exploring the depths of the Mirrors in her dreams,)
(this is yet another mystery...)

Alina
This is where the terminal connects, ya?

Mifuyu
Your hands should pass through the wall, there is no doubt about that.

Kanoko
Since it's filled with impurities like Kamihama was,
it probably lets the witches easily become active, right?

Mifuyu
That is correct.
There is no telling what witches will appear in the mirrors,
so I believe we are stuck taking guesses.

Meiyui
In other words, there is no telling what will happen within the lion's den.
Being unprepared will be of danger to us, yes.

Alina
But Alina's unique magic will let me esukeepu.							(*Escape)

Karin
Not a chance!
Alina-senpai, you're going to help the right way and destroy the Mirrors.
And then everyone will praise you and you'll turn over a new leaf in life.

Alina
Alina forgot because it's got nothing to do with me, ya know.

Karin
It's got tons to do with you!

Alina
Once this place is erased Alina's going to sebuntiin furoa.				(*Seventeenth floor)
Okay?

Karin
...She's not interested in the Alina Gray Reform Project at all...

---

Mito
Woah! There's so many mirrors!

Seika
I can feel all kinds of magic...

Mifuyu
Yes, each mirror is an offshoot barrier of the Mirrors,
so a countless number of magical energies are intertwined.

Seika
Wa - what was that light just now...?

Mito
I felt something! There was a whoosh and magic started moving!

Himika
I felt that too!

Alina
Hmm, so when Mirrors face each other they rinku.						(*Link)

Himika
Rinku... You mean like connecting together?

Mifuyu
Yes, that is what it appears to be.
However they only seem to face each other when someone moves,
so it may be an incredible amount of work to find which mirrors pair together...

Meiyui
So it is called the terminal because it contains many such mirrors.

Kanoko
But this is how familiars keep growing outside, isn't it?
This is giving me the creeps.

Meiyui
They are not only from this time.
When they went through the Endless Mirrors the other day,
I believe they mentioned a witch that had come across time as well.

Mifuyu
In that case, if we break the mirrors causing this,
we should be able to defeat all the witches over here
as well as the witches on the other side of the offshoot Mirrors at the same time.
Although, if they are only connecting places and not points in time,
destroying the mirrors will allow the offshoot Mirrors to remain.
In other words, we would have to defeat the witches on the other side to resolve this...

Karin
Mifuyu-san! There's some witch's reaction going on!

Mifuyu
She must have sensed our presence.
Please be careful, a witch must be coming in!

---

Mifuyu
Huu...
That makes three broken mirrors! How is everyone!?

Karin
I-I'm trying my best, but...
Uwaan! They just keep getting in the way!

Meiyui
Allow me to cull the herd!!
They will not give us an inch, will they...
Destroying the barrier itself does not appear to be realistic after all!

Kanoko
At best we'll only be able to break one or two mirrors!
There's absolutely no way we can get rid of them all!
Kya-!
っ...And I have to fight a witch? My body can't take it...!

Alina
Looks like there's denjaa, so Alina's going to esukeepu.					(*Danger, escape)

Mifuyu
Stop, Alina, ueito! Please wait!											(*Wait)

Alina
Getting pointlessly hurt is kinda baddo for Alina, though.					(*Bad)

Mifuyu
New plan! That mirror over there! Get to it!
You can step back from this place!

Tsukuyo
Is something the matter?

Mifuyu
That mirror. It was only a moment, but there was a reaction from Juri Ooba!
It was a gamble, but it really was here!

Tsukuyo
――っ!?

Tsukasa
Tsukuyo-chan!

Tsukuyo
Yes, let us go - together with everyone else!

Reira
A-alright!

Mito
If we can get rid of Promised Blood's shortcut,
Kamihama will be a little more peaceful, yeah?

Seika
Yes, I hope so... Let's go...!

Mifuyu
Okay, everyone, move together!

<Offshoot Mirrors>

Hinano
Huu...haa... We took 'em out...
Ikumi, let's go...! We're leading the charge!

Ikumi
O-okay...huu... We have to defeat the witch, and make her disappear...!!

Sakuya's Voice
ACCELERATE!!

Hinano
Nu-...Uu... Even after all that poisoning...
You stabbed me at full strength...

Ikumi
Hinano-san!

Sakuya
And here's one for you...!

Ikumi
U-...no, not my face...!

Sakuya
Sorry...it'll heal soon...

Ikumi
aaAAAH!

Sakuya
Ha-, huu...guu...
Ku...*cough*...u... I'm also...at my limit...
*Cough*...
My regeneration's supposed to be good, but... Miyako Hinano...you used some horrible poison...

Ranka
Looks like Sakuya had a tough time going for the face.

Rena
Don't you dare look away from me!

[*Shove...!*]

Ranka
Gu-...kuu...

Ranka's Voice
Well...? You knocked me to the floor, what'll you do now?

PB Girl
Ranka!

Ranka's Voice
BACK OFF! SHE CAN'T DO IT ANYWAY! SHE WON"T BREAK MY SOUL GEM!
COME ON, DO IT. YOU HATE ME, DON'T YOU!?

Rena
っ Uu, aaAAAAHHH!
Haa...haa...

Ranka
You're all talk.
If you killed me, I wouldn't have to kill you.

Rena
Eh...

Ranka
See you, Rena.

Kaede
STOP IIIIIT!!

Rena & Kaede
["Kyaah!!" "KuUUH!!"]

Juri
Huu...huu... Hu - Ah hahaha!
Oh man...

Momoko
What are you laughin' at...!?

Juri
Nothin', it's just fightin' you is making me feel real damn good.

Momoko
I'm not too happy,
I mean, you're still just holdin' back...

Juri
Nahh, I was just buildin' up the flames while I play with ya!

Rena & Kaede
["Kyaah!!" "KuUUH!!"]

Momoko
Woah! Rena...Kaede...!?

PB Girl
There's two more down over here.

Ikumi
っ, Uu...

Hinano
Hu-...huu...

Juri
Besides this one it looks like they ain't fightin' anymore.
I'll make all five of ya well-done.

Momoko
――っ!?

Juri
If you go through that mirror, you'll get sent straight to Futatsugi.
I can roast all of ya here, or hunt ya down in Futatsugi, whatever sounds better.

Momoko
No, not yet! We still have a chance to win!!

Juri
What...is this magic reaction?

Mifuyu
Connection connected!!

Tsukuyo
The mirror's destination really was the other Mirrors!

Tsukasa
Ne!

Momoko
What an entrance...

Alina
Having to deal with that offshoot witch, Alina's seriously in a baddo muudo...		(*Bad mood)

Juri
Hey now, I'm feelin' worse over here.

=====6=====

Momoko
The only ones who can fight the mirror witch right now are Mifuyu-san and her team.

Rena
The only group that's supposed to be fighting here is Rena's...

Kaede
Yeah, so go... Defeat the witch...!

Mifuyu
Yes, without fail...! So please, hold on a little longer!

Tsukuyo
Everyone! We will defeat the witch!

Tsukasa
Guys, follow Mifuyu-san and Tsukuyo-chan!

Alina
Baddo muudo...																	(*Bad mood)

Juri
Think you can get away!?

Momoko
That's my line... I'm not done playin' with you, second sister...!

Juri
There ain't any fun here, this ain't the TPO!

Mifuyu
Where is the witch!?

Tsukuyo
Hee-...Mifuyu-san...!

Mifuyu
What is wrong!?

Tsukasa
These people...

Mifuyu
.....
I'm sorry. They have already passed...
This sensation...

Kanoko
The air is freezing, and my heart feels like it's about to burst from my chest...

Reira
This ended up being a trap, didn't it...? We can't deal with this enemy...

Mito
This isn't the parent witch, right!? A familiar really grew up this much!?

Alina
So that's why this magic is chou maaberasu.											(*Supremely marvelous)
Haa~~, haha-
Alina's been in such a baddo muudo, however now she's getting ekisaito, ya know.	(*Bad mood, excited)
Kamon...																			(*Come on)

???
――――!!

Mifuyu
This thing has already killed Promised Blood members.
Do not let your guard down, and work together with no less than two!
Himika-san, you are with me! Alina, please do as you wish!

Himika
O-okay!

Alina
You don't have to tell Alina, because she has furiidamu.				(*Freedom)

Ranka
っ, Is Sakuya not able to move?

PB Girl
Ranka, let's go. We can't leave them in there alone.

Ranka
Juri, I'm going ahead, 'kay!?

Juri
Daa! Hold on! I'll be with ya in a minute!

Momoko
If you're gonna stand there calmly, then I'm gonna get pissed off too!

Juri
Dammit, what a pain in the ass!

Rena
Huu...っ...
Rena and Kaede can still stand and fight, too...!

Kaede
Yeah, we can still support Momoko-chan enough...!

Juri
God damn you're cocky.
HOW 'BOUT I RELEASE ALL THIS HEAT I BEEN SAVIN' UP AND MAKE ALL YA BITCHES WELL-DONE!

Momoko
Wha-...

Juri
[Infinite Incandescent Blazing Dragon Smash!!]

---

Mifuyu
This witch lying in the depths - she must have become angered having her bed disturbed.

Himika
What do we do! There's no way we're getting close to her!

Mifuyu
Alina! Can you place a cube!?

Alina
Alina thought to buriido it with a barrier and torai, but it failed, ya.		(*Breed (as in "raise as livestock"), Try)

Mifuyu
You already gave it an attempt...
In that case, while I use my hallucinations and Kanoko-san's stitching technique
to stop her, please attack her all at once!
Connect your hearts through Mito-san to ready your timing!

Juri's Voice
THAT PLAN'S JUST BEEN CANCELLED!

-Battle-

Seika
KYAA!!

Mito
Naa-!

Reira
Seika! Mito!

Juri
I'm gonna keep on sendin' you punks to the Kimochi's barrier.

Ranka
I'll send these three myself.

Juri
Thank you.

Mifuyu
If they touch us, it is over. There is no way to avoid this...

Juri
It's nice you caught on so fast.

Mifuyu
I did not say I would obediently be sent off.

---

Ikumi
[.....]
[The world around me is quiet, and I can only feel a little bit of magic from everyone close by.]
[Mifuyu-san's team must have come to help, and while everyone is fighting the witch, Momoko-san's team has been holding them back.]
[Even if that's what happened, we've been beaten. I think Promised Blood girls have already entered...]
[We may have already lost.]
[I'm sorry, Ryou-chan. I can't smile anymore, and I can't seem to stand up on stage either.]

-Graveyard-

Ikumi
Ryou-chan, I... Sometimes think about dying.
There's been times where I imagine how everyone around me would react...
But, all the things I do - being a maid and idol,
one day I'll lose my popularity, and disappear from everyone's minds.
And mahou shoujo... Never know when they will die...
Maybe having such a fleeting life is normal...
This whole time, I've always thought that everyone would grieve at first
and then slowly forget about me over time...
...But you know, I think differently now. I feel sad...
In the little corner that was your life, everyone thinks you're gone, but you're still there...
Ryou-chan, you've passed away, and realizing that feels so horrible...
So I'm going to keep you alive inside of me.
I'm going to go to the subway and destroy our enemy's shortcut.
What you did was meaningful, Ryou-chan,
and I'm going to make sure you're remembered, and I'll be filled with pride when you are.
I know it's for my own satisfaction, but I want to smile while I cry.
If I carry your weight on my back, I feel like I can step onto the stage again.
[I can't...]
[If I mess up here, all this meaning will be lost. The meaning of Ryou-chan risking her life, the meaning of her living...]
[This isn't about me. It's about keeping you alive...stand...stand up... ]
[Huu...huu...uu...]
[All the blood pouring into my eyes makes it hard to see. But, I'm...walking...!]

Mifuyu
Karin-san disappeared. All that is left is Alina and me...
I have to take my chances here...!
I beg you... PLEASE GO DOWN!!

???
――――っ!?!

Mifuyu
Haa...no... We were...so close...

Juri
Huu...you're wearin' me out... This...is the end!

Mifuyu
――っ!?
ALINA, THE REST IS UP TO YOU!

Juri
NEXT IS THIS BITCH! RANKA, CATCH HER!

Alina
Tch...

Ranka
You're about to get a nice big punch from Juri!

Juri
Well, on closer look, she's a Magius, ain't she?
So I ain't gotta hold back when I send ya to the other side!

Ranka
Woah!

Alina
Very baddo muudo. You don't understand what that means, do you!?			(*Bad mood)

Juri
DIIIIE!!
You actually stopped...all of that!?

Alina
Gu-...

Juri
U-...

Alina
っ...

Juri
Tch...
I mean, that's weird. Why the hell aren't you disappearin'...

Alina
Wattoebaa.																	(*Whatever)
Alina doesn't care about this stone thing,
SO STOP DRAGGING ALINA INTO THIS, OKAY!!

Juri
Gaah-...gu...
Don't yell at me, piece a shit...!
If your ass is Magius, you better damn well believe you're gettin' dragged inta this!

Alina
Aha, okay.
If you want to go that far, Alina WILL make you into her aatowaaku.			(*Artwork)

Juri
And I'm gonna make you well-done!
GAahh! Kiddin'... me...

Alina
Alina WILL keep you in this.

Juri
ッ, This punk! She's a total irregularity...
――っ!?
I get it now, your purpose here was different from the start... So that's why you didn't get sent to the barrier...

Alina
Well, whatever. You're not as interesting as the witch.
Besides, Alina's much more interested in that girl, ya know.

Juri
っ, What the hell are you...
Right now it's just your stupid ass and Juri-sama, there's only two of us here...

Alina
Rukku.																		(*Look)

Ikumi
っ...Huu...

Juri
Oi, what's she doin'...
You ain't beatin' the witch with your body like that. You're gonna die in vain...

Alina
Aha, Alina feels lots of enajii coming from that girl right now...			(*Energy)
How she will cross the boundary of life and death...
Just imagining it is giving Alina shivers, though...

Juri
You're okay just lettin' someone die? You really are Magius...

Alina
Alina only enjoys the besuto aato, ya know.						(*Best art)

=====7=====

???
――――!!

Ikumi
Gu-...u...
(I can't even stand up to a light attack anymore...)
(Frustrating...it's so frustrating... I'm so sorry, Ryou-chan...)

-???-

Ikumi
This is...
Where the Kimochi is. I see, just as Iroha-chan said.

Kimochi
∵グスッ＿フゥ―!!

Ikumi
You're right...
You've come all this way with me, but it's too hard for me.
I don't think I can take you to the automatic purification system anymore...
Will you take my body...?

Kimochi
∵ひっく＿ウゥ―ァアア￣―

Ikumi
You really do want to go home, don't you.

Kimochi
∵ウァア＿グスッぅ―＿

Ikumi
But...you can't...?

Kimochi
∵ヒッ￣ク――ゥゥゥ

Ikumi
I see. I'm weak.
Even if you take my power and my body, I have nothing to give...
This body and this soul...
You were the strongest Kimochi of them all, weren't you?
.....
Hey, I don't care what happens to me anymore, so can you use this body?

Kimochi
∵ヒッ＿ァ￣ァ…!?

Ikumi
This is my first and final request: destroy the offshoot Mirrors.
The strongest piece of Eve can at least do that, right?

Kimochi
∵ウゥァアア――＿フゥゥ￣

Ikumi
Yeah, I'm okay with that.
If I can't die going through this living hell,
then let me fulfill my wish. Let me die now.

-Battle-

Juri
What is that, the hell's goin' on...!?

Ranka
っ...What...is that...

Hinano
Huu...っ...ku... Ikumi...
Oi, what do you think you're doing!?

Ikumi
I'm sorry, Hinano-san...
But this is the only thing that will give me comfort now.

-End Battle-

…………

Ikumi
I see, this witch is so weak compared to you.
Thank you, for all your help.
I can leave behind meaning to what Ryou-chan did. That alone fills me with so much happiness.

…………

Ikumi
Yeah, I know I won't last much longer.
My emotions are going everywhere... I'm...losing my sense of you.
I can't...control...my power...
All of my magic is leaving...my body is fading... The feeling...in my fingertips...is gone.
So, you should also... Go find the person that you like...go on.
I want to give you...my body...but there's...nothing left.

Ikumi
[My legs, my hands... My body is breaking apart little by little...]
[There is no pain. I'm dissolving into the air...]
[But...I'm not sad and I'm not scared.]

Ikumi
[Now I can work with a smile again, and even sing up on stage.]
[For everyone.]

=====8=====

Iroha
Kanagi-san's injuries look okay. I'm finished with the first aid...!

Yachiyo
From here on our mission is to protect!
Until Momoko's team takes out the witch we're keeping them glued in place!

Ui
Right!
Sana-san and I are stopping them from moving over here!

PB Girl
This damn thing darting around the air is annoyin'...!

Urara
Wawa-! An iron ball came out! That shield's like a jack-in-the-box surprise!

Sana
What's not a surprise is that you are still scattered around here...
Be careful, or else you will get hurt, okay...!?

Felicia
Nuu-...
Damn, I wanna beat this girl, but I keep messin' up.

Yuna
Now, where will the next one come from, I wonder.
Target change...!

Felicia
From the right!

Yuna
Incorrect...

Felicia
Uwa-!

Yuna
At this rate, I'll be taking your Kimochi stone as well.

Felicia
Who's doin' the taking!?
I've decided I ain't turnin' my back on this digustin' Kimochi!

Yuna
That's irrelevant.

Iroha
That Kimochi that Felicia-chan decided to carry is of disgust.
She won't give it to anyone until she finds someone to entrust it to.

Yuna
Tamaki Iroha...

Felicia
Oi, she doin' better over there?

Iroha
Yeah, for now Kanagi-san is okay with the first aid she was given
and Hikaru-chan's side is fighting against Tsuruno-chan's group.
Felicia-chan, you should go over there and help them out.
I don't think you would make a good match for Kureha-san.

Felicia
I wanted to be the one to beat her, but... Tch, fine, I get it.

Yuna
Huhu, you are just too kind, Tamaki Iroha.
At first I thought Yui Tsuruno would be the one to come defeat me,
but now I'm wondering if you came because you thought I would kill her.

Iroha
If you think that's why, please put at least a little thought into how bad you've been!
The wish of a mahou shoujo is a serious and irreplaceable thing,
and you violating hers, hurting our friend, we're angry at you!

Yuna
Then use that anger and hit me.
I'll strike you with all of my anger and take your Kimochi stone.

Iroha
Is this how it went on in Futatsugi...? You crushing people's wishes...!

Yuna
Of course.
When a wish is known their weaknesses are revealed. There's nothing unusual about making others despair.
The world I've lived in is far different from yours.

Iroha
...You've wanted to survive so much, haven't you...?
You keep seeking salvation, don't you...?
Can you not believe that people from places other than Futatsugi are the same...?

Yuna
But we have a grudge, and have no interest in your salvation.
Because all I desire is the happiness of Futatsugi's children.
Besides, it's impossible for everyone to be happy.

Iroha
But vengeance and happiness are not the same thing, Kureha-san!!

---

Yuna
Uu...gu...

Iroha
Haa...っ, huu...

Yuna
Tamaki Iroha...
That vague hope you hold onto will trap you and leave you stuck.

Tsuruno
Iroha-chan!

Iroha
Tsuruno-chan...

Tsuruno
I'll take it from here...
I don't have to hold back against someone that doesn't even understand human emotions...
It's a shame I can't teach you with my fists...!

Iroha
Tsuruno-chan...

Yachiyo
Tsuruno, I understand how you feel, but calm down.
There's no need to fight anymore.

Yuna
It can't be!
The barrier's reaction disappeared...!

Iroha
It looks like the offshoot Mirrors has been defeated...

Yuna
Ku-...

Momoko
We really did it...?

Mifuyu
We were sent away by the Kimochi's barrier...

Rena
Then, who could've...

Ranka
One of yours...

Hinano
Ikumi...!

Juri
In exchange for getting rid of the witch, the least you could do is gimme this.

Hinano
Stop it... Give back that braceleeet!
Gu-...

Juri
Juri-sama's tellin' ya you oughta go cool off.
Here, Nee-san.

Yuna
Thank you, Juri.
A price has been paid, but perhaps this result is reasonable enough.

Ao
Including Nee-chan's, that's four in total. We're halfway there~
Kusu.

Yuna
Wha-...

Hikaru
Did that just flash the moment ya got close...?

Ao
Is this Kimochi stone reacting to the others?

Ui
.....

Sana
What's wrong, Ui-chan?

Felicia
You hearin' the voices of those Kimochi again...?

Ui
No...not a voice...
When the four stones came together... I could feel what the Kimochi were thinking...
I can feel it... What they've been doing to us...

Mokyu
Mokyuu...

Iroha
Mokyu also seems to be sensing something...

Yuna
Hu-huhuhuhu...
I can feel their intentions as well... These things really are witches after all...

Mokyu
Mokyu...mokyuu!

Iroha
Ui, can you tell us what the Kimochi are thinking?

Ui
...Yeah.
[Return to Eve...]
[They think if all eight Kimochi become one, we will finally merge with the automatic purification system and return to Eve.]
[And since it would be inconvenient to have powerful mahou shoujo around when we return to Eve...]
[We went through the trouble of choosing twelve of the strongest mahou shoujo to have them kill one another... We lend them our power so we can find openings in their hearts and corrode them from the inside...]

Felicia
So we've been tricked!?

Sana
There was no point in collecting the Kimochi stones, was there...?

Tsuruno
I had my doubts about them, but they totally manipulated us...

Yachiyo
That means we've been helping to create Eve...

Iroha
This whole time, we've...
...Kureha-san, could we stop now...?
We've been cutting our own lives to create a powerful witch...
The Kimochi have been toying with us... Isn't all of this fruitless...?

Yuna
Hu, from your point of view it is fruitless,
but despite you learning the Kimochi's intentions,
you don't understand the sensation of holding these stones, do you...

Iroha
What do you mean...?

Yuna
By collecting four stones, I can control and rule over the Kimochi.
That's the strong feeling I'm getting.

Juri
For sure.
Feels like we're startin'a get a firm grip on the Kimochi.

Ao
And we can feel a little reaction coming from the automatic purification system.
Kusu, Kyubey created this whole conflict,
but it looks like he wasn't lying
when he said the automatic purification system can be taken away~

Yuna
In the end we may have to fight the Kimochi,
but that doesn't mean there's any reason to stop the fighting.
In fact, with Tamaki Iroha and Mitsuki Felicia's stones being here,
it seems more convenient to take them all and go home...huhu.

Iroha
They could take your body and corrode your heart...

Yuna
If overcoming the Kimochi is the only way take control over them,
then you're not wrong in theory.
Now, Tamaki Iroha, hand over your Kimochi stone...

Yachiyo
You have a time limit.

Yuna
Stop bluffing. We can fight to our heart's content here.

Yachiyo
Assuming this ends up being a fight to the death, you're being given an opportunity to retreat.
Gas is going to start leaking out soon and coming through the vents.
It won't explode, but it's only a matter of time before people start showing up.
I know in the back of your mind you're flustered about your shortcut being destroyed,
but right now there is no reason to rush.

Yuna
...You never know what a wounded tiger will do.

Yachiyo
Then you understand the situation.

=====9=====

-Mitama's Adjuster Shop-

Mitama
.....

Kanagi
Yakumo...I have a request...

Mitama
Don't talk... You're bleeding badly...

Kanagi
~ I want you to tell the eastern mahou shoujo that what happened to me has nothing to do with the west. ~

Mitama
~ Yes, I know. You fell into the enemy's trap. ~

Kanagi
~ No one placed expectations on me to destroy it alone. ~
~ I would be dead if that were true. ~
~ However, Mitsuki overcame her despair and saved me. ~
~ This event has led to winning back trust. So please, I want you to tell them. ~

Mitama
~ Leave it all to me. ~
~ This is the center of Kamihama's mahou shoujo network after all. ~

Kanagi
~ Of course, I needn't remind you, do I. ~
~ Although, it is difficult to truly be happy after having survived like this... ~

Mitama
~ It is a great thing that Promised Blood's lifeline was cut off, ~
~ but the price in doing so was too high... ~

Kanagi
~ Yeah, I can still hear her... ~

---

Yachiyo
She really just disappeared without a trace...?

Hinano
Don't make me keep saying it! I saw it with my own eyes!
Ikumi used the Kimochi's power to kill the witch and vanished...
With my own eyes...!

Yachiyo
I'm sorry...

Hinano
Iroha...Yachiyo-san...

Iroha
Yes...

Hinano
Honestly, I'm past my limit. I want you to let me out of this fight.

Iroha
Hinano-san...

Hinano
I've lost Ryou and now Ikumi... What kind of a leader am I...
I don't feel like I can stand above anyone and lead them anymore.
I'm sorry I'm so weak...
I really want to be here to help...but...now I just can't anymore...!

Iroha
Ah-...
.....っ

Tsuruno
I don't even know what to say to her...

Yachiyo
She's left us with a lot of mysteries, but we'll talk to her again later...

Mifuyu
I have sent the others back home.
Ah, umm...what is this... Did something happen here...?

Yachiyo
If there's something you need to tell us, you'd better say it first.
Because once you hear this, I don't think you will be able to report it...

Mifuyu
...That alone is enough for me to make a guess.
Huu...let's see...
No, I will just give you the report.
After the witch in the offshoot Mirrors was defeated earlier...

Yachiyo
Yes?

Mifuyu
Alina and Karin-san disappeared...

-Promised Blood-

Ao
In the meantime, you should go bring your luggage
so we can continue our activities~

Hikaru
You say that, but Iunno how I'm gonna explain this to my parents!

Yuna
As the president of Torayacho, I will try to support you.
That said, there are limits...
And our infiltration team has been severely damaged...

Hikaru
Sakuya-san and Ranka-san... They gonna be okay?

Yuna
Sakuya is alive, but she needs some time to detoxify,
and Ranka's taken a lot of damage herself.
That aside, are you fine, Juri? Are you going to stay in Kamihama?

Juri
My old man's as wild as Juri-sama, so it's fine doing some bad things once in a while.
Or, that's how I feel it'd go down, but I ain't got a clue how he'd feel right now.

Yuna
In short, this is much like a war of attrition.

Juri
What's that.

Ao
Our parents nor anyone else knows about our situation,
since we've just been glossing over why we keep coming to Kamihama, right~?
Now that our shortcut is gone, it's going to be hard going back and forth.

Juri
Yeah, s'pose so.

Ao
We don't have any support to cover the costs between Kamihama and Futatsugi, since we're suddenly in a pinch~

Yuna
That's the gist of it.
It's not like we can all just live in Kamihama...

Juri
Well, this city's definitely got the strongest allies with the Tokime village, don't they.
Man, this is rough.

Yuna
It's too late to find out.

Juri
.....Hey, Nee-san, I got another somethin' to tell ya.

Yuna
What?

Juri
I met that Magius artist in the Mirrors.
She was a hell of an irregularity.

Yuna
This is sudden, what's wrong with that...?

---

Ranka
Haa...this is harder than I thought...
I think healer might be a better role for me...

Ao
Eh - Ranka, are you okay...?

Ranka
I'm fine, I just got something in my eye.
More importantly, are you doing okay?

Ao
Yeah, totally! All my problems have just poofed into thin air~

Ranka
...No one around here's going to say it, so I'll put it gently to you.

Ao
W-what...?

Ranka
Looking from the sidelines, you are seriously insane.

---

Kagome's Diary
The clamor of the conflict that began at dawn now dies down, as numerous wounded mahou shoujo make their way back home.
The four Kimochi stones gathered by Promised Blood answered the suspicions in everyone mahou shoujo's mind, revealing their true intentions as clear as day.
They, who were once Eve, desire to return to that witch, and are using mahou shoujo to do so.
Now that the Kimochi's evil intentions were brought to light, I thought the ongoing conflict would finally be put to rest, but the people of Promised Blood, stones in hand, were confident that they could control the automatic purification system, choosing to continue the battle.
Thus, I believe it became clear that the Kimochi and mahou shoujo were using one another, and the struggle against Promised Blood began its countdown towards the end.
Iroha-san found her way, no longer lost...

Kagome
You're going to the adjuster to treat Kanagi-san, right?

Iroha
Yeah, I think today is the special day, so I wanted her to recover in time.

Kagome
Iroha-san, will you be participating as well?

Iroha
It's her last time on stage, so I want to be there myself.
What about you, Kagome-chan?

Kagome
I was asked as well, but I may have to be a little late...

Iroha
That reminds me, you were invited by Touka-chan and Nemu-chan, weren't you?

Kagome
Yes, and since Kamihama itself is about to become noisy because of the elections,
I would also like to see how Mitama-san's side is doing.

Iroha
So, first you're going to the adjuster,
then you're going to Touka-chan's, followed by meeting Mitama-san...
No wonder you can't help being late.

Kagome
I'm glad you said it like that.
...The other day, I was asked something clearly for the first time in a long while,
but everyone, including you, Iroha-san, never ask me things.

Iroha
Mm, what do you mean?

Kagome
Ah, nothing, just about what I do... Or the information I know about each group...

Iroha
I never thought about that, but I guess you're right...?
Maybe no one wants you to have a hard time moving around?

Kagome
I wonder if everyone is being careful of me...

Iroha
I think everyone subconsciously wants you to stay in one piece.

Kagome
That gives me a strange feeling.

Iroha
At the very least it's how I feel.
Kagome-chan, you wish for the future we all desire.
You're interviewing each and every person and saving them, right?

Kagome
Yes...

Iroha
I'm sure anyone who reads them will feel at peace,
regardless of whether they're mahou shoujo or not.
Every girl in your book is a human just like everyone else.

-Mikazuki House (Laboratory)-

Touka
So did you take any photos of the fight at the old subnyaa?

Kagome
Yes, and I even got some beautifully taken videos.

Touka
I wonder if posting these together with the gas leak fiasco would stir up some excitenyaant.

Kagome
Ehh-!?

Aru-chan
<Y-you can't do that, Touka-chan! Wouldn't Iroha-san and everyone be arrested...!?>

Nemu
What Satori Kagome said.
If the police find out, Onee-san and everyone will be taken away.

Touka
They're all minors, they're fine.
Better yet, this is our chance to let the whole world know mahou shoujo exist!

Nemu
In an endlessly negative image, yes.
This isn't like you. You seem to be a little impatient, Touka.

Touka
This is just the start so I wasn't really paying attention,
but the reactions on SNS would be pretty mixed, nyaa...
I also found the account of a girl that looks like a mahou shoujo,
but despite all the flashy content, she doesn't get much reaction out of people...

Nemu
Isn't there a problem with the discrepancy between the public's interest and the method itself?

Touka
That's why I'm doing my part as a genius creator to attract interest.
There are people that seem interested, but only at about one tenth of the reactions I was expecting...
...By the way, there is one terrible hypothesis, buuut...

Nemu
What would that be?

Touka
Hey, Satori Kagome.

Kagome
Y-yes...!?

Touka
Can you provide me information about Futatsugi and Tokime?

Kagome
(She asked me immediately...)

Touka
Ah, but nothing about the fighting.

Kagome
That's what you meant...

Touka
Of course I'll keep their backgrounds and upbringings a secret!

Nemu
Is this related to SNS?

Touka
I'd rather it not be...

-Cafe-

Kagome
[On this day, after taking care of business with Touka-chan and Nemu-chan and investigating the dark part of Kamihama with Mitama-san and others, I went to a maid cafe.]
[It was where Ikumi-san was working, and everyone was invited by Kanagi-san.]

Kagome
[Just looking around, I could tell everyone at the front of the stage were mahou shoujo.]
[Many people who watched over Ikumi and supported her were crowded around, waiting for her to take the stage one last time.]

Kanagi
Welcome, Master, what would you like to drink?

Kagome
――っ!?
U-umm...

Kanagi
Greetings like this are the rule here.
She sang, she danced, she worked as a maid.
I can't help but bow to Makino-kun.

Aru-chan
<Kagome-chan, this kind of store makes me nervous...>

Kanagi
I see.
Then to be safe I shall prepare some Darjeeling tea for you.

Aru-chan
<T-that's fine...!>

Kanagi
Mm, pardon, it seems it's time.

Kagome
[When the time came and the sound calmed down, loud music came through the speakers as everyone cheered over a small box.]

Ikumi's Voice
[Alright, everyooone~!]
[Once again, I'll be sending loo~oots of love to my masters♪]
[Kumi's still bashful about being a 19 year old flower♪ But I still shine brightly as everyone's angel, riiight?]

Kagome
[I'm sure everyone is watching Ikumi-san as she smiles out across the empty stage.]
[But the only thing I could hear was soft muttering.]
["We were supposed to make our dreams come true together."]
[Sorrow begets sorrow. That small murmur made me realize my heart is filled with the sense of helplessness.]

---

-Interview Recording-
     Azusa Mifuyu

Mifuyu
"What I desire has not changed since long ago."
"Spending time as a normal girl, living as a normal woman and having a family, raising my child when they are born, and dying a grandmother surrounded by my grandchildren."
"That being said, the moment I became a mahou shoujo I started going in reverse since I couldn't find the rail I wanted to ride anymore, so it is all in vain now."
"However, I have not given up, and that is why I am working hard to expand the automatic purification system as one with the Kamihama Magia Union."
"Though not being one of the chosen members does make me a little sad..."
"Ah, I cannot be so negative. As a senior, I must create an atmosphere that doesn't bring down everyone around me."
"I spoke a little negatively just now, but truthfully, I am not negative about my current situation."
"There is still a path filled with hope for salvation, where no one will become witches."
"And because I passed my university entrance exam Touka imposed upon me, instead of listening to my parents and taking over the Mizuna kimono shop, I feel like I can walk the path of a normal girl."
"And I am still connected with my matchmaking partner that led me to the opportunity to join the Wings of Magius."
"So even though it has not been smooth sailing, a tailwind is blowing. If I can reach a new world for mahou shoujo while this wind blows at my back, I would feel so overjoyed."


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Due to pastebin's "SMART Filter" I had to tone down Juri's language in order to keep updating. Apologies for the inconvenience.