5-5.3 Time Won't Stop

https://streamable.com/dxgm29
7: Spreading Ripples

Akane: Now then, Maki-san, Yomi-san, Yume-san. Please give your report on the Hitakami faction.
Akane: It was already reported to me that the Hitakami faction is attempting to produce "tamayori toji"; toji with aradama equipped to their bodies...
Maki: Yes, we engaged in combat with what we believe was a tamayori toji. It didn't seem like they've perfected it, but it definitely raises a toji's overall capabilities.
Maki: It's just...
Yukari: What is it?
Yume: It was like she'd turned into some kind of monster.
Yukari: ......
Chie: Excuse us.
Kaoru: ...
Maki: Setouchi Chie and Mashiko Kaoru?
Akane: I called them here, thinking we would need information on Mokusa's side as well.
Maki: Do they know the situation?
Yukari: We'll tell them what they need to know.
Kaoru: Tamayori toji... Is it true they're doing experiments fusing aradama and toji?
Kaoru: I'd heard the Hitakami faction was doing research on strengthening toji, but this tamayori thing...
Kaoru: Are Akira and them seriously doing that?
Maki: It's the truth.
Maki: We personally fought with a toji we think was subjected to those experiments.
Yomi: ...
Chie: And they tried forcing Mihono-chan... Asakura Mihono to help with their research.
Kaoru: ...Why Mihono? Because of that power she got from Kashuu Kiyomitsu?
Maki: That power of Asakura Mihono's...?
Chie: That's...
Akane: I'll tell them.
Akane: Asakura-san's power stems from the great aradama, Kanayamahime. As it goes, the great aradama Kanayamahime has been passed down for generations through the eldest daughters of the Asakura family.
Maki: A great aradama!?
Yume: You mean, like Tagitsuhime?
Yukari: That's correct.
Chie: ...
Maki: I propose having Asakura Mihono give up her okatana.
Maki: We can't allow the Hitakami faction to have her either, so she'll need guards... We can do that.
Chie: Wait! You're saying you'll make Mihono-chan quit being a toji!?
Maki: That's right. It's only a temporary measure, but, if this is as dangerous as with Tagitsuhime, it's something we'd better do.
Chie: That's going too far!
Chie: We already took into account the risk of her losing control and had her pulled off of any missions!
Maki: That's just turning a blind eye to the heart of the problem. So long as there's a risk of the great aradama awakening, there's steps we need to take.
Akane: Please calm down, both of you. As for what should be done with Asakura-san... I will give you my answer on behalf of the Sword Administration Bureau.
Akane: Asakura Mihono will continue to be left with the investigation team. However, the next time she shows signs of rampancy, we will immediately place her under confinement.
Chie: Confinement...
Akane: This is a government issued directive and will not be altered.



https://streamable.com/1auqeg
8: The Reason Behind her Decision (1)

Akira: I'm against this. Let's stop the final experiments on tamayori toji.
Makoto: Akira-chan...
Yuuki: I want you to rethink this, Makoto-nee-sama.
Makoto: Yuuki-chan...
Makoto: Having failed to win over Asakura Mihono, a descendant of the Atago family, I am the one left with the highest compatibility.
Makoto: As someone with blood ties to the Atago family, this is something I must do... Please understand that.
Akira: We've already heard all that.
Akira: Anybody closest to the Atago family has the highest compatibility for tamayori. That's why somebody from the Hitakamis like you has the best shot, right?
Akira: But, since Yuuki and me are related to the Hitakamis, that means we should be plenty compatible.
Akira: Am I wrong?
Makoto: ...
Akira: This isn't something you can laugh off!
Yuuki: ...We're serious about this.
Yuuki: Why can't you just tell us to be tamayori test subjects! Please, Makoto-nee-sama!
Yuuki: All you have to do is say that, and we would gladly do it for you!
Makoto: ...
Makoto: (That's the very reason I can't tell you that, Yuuki-chan.)
Makoto: ...You know, don't you?
Makoto: If someone incompatible is forced through the experiment, rather than equipping onto the body, the aradama becomes fused to the flesh...
Akira: Do you not get it yourself?
Akira: If that's what'll happen to us, then an experiment with you is bound to fail too.
Akira: And, if there's a chance it'll work for you, then there's just as much a chance it'll work for us!
Akira: So let us do it!
Makoto: ......Among the three of us, I am still the most compatible. Which makes this something I need to do.
Makoto: (So another tragedy like that can never be repeated...)



https://streamable.com/tssi8w
9: The Reason Behind her Decision (2)

--Five years ago.

Chie: I didn't think we'd come under attack from aradama...... Captain! Let's retreat for now and re-organize!
Captain: Don't lose your nerve, Setouchi! We aren't retreating... We can't retreat here!
Chie: But, with this many of them!
Captain: The head of the Origami family gave orders to recover noro without fail!
Sasano Miyako: The head of the Origami family, then...
Chie: Miyako...
Miyako: That puts us in a bind.
Miyako: She's normally more composed... But she can't go against the head of the Origami family, can she.
Chie: Still, there's more of them than our unit can handle.
Makoto: Chie-san... Miyako-san...
Miyako: You don't have to look so worried. I'll get you through this, Makoto.
Makoto: I-I'll be fine! I'm a toji myself!
Miyako: And I feel better having you here.
Miyako: ...Chie, keep an eye on the captain.
Chie: I will.
Chie: ...Makoto.
Makoto: Yes!
Chie: Be careful not to get separated from Miyako... Once we're home safe, we can wind down with a nice long bath.
Miyako: That's a death flag, you know?
Miyako: ...Look after yourself, Chie.
Chie: You too.

Makoto: MIYAKO-SAN! MIYAKO-SAN!!
Miyako: ......
Makoto: The bleeding won't stop... Why did, we even take this mission...
Aradama: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Makoto: Gh!
Makoto: LEAVE US ALONE!
Makoto: If... If Miyako-san isn't treated soon...
Makoto: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGHHHHHH!!

Makoto: Over at last... Miyako-san, I have to...
Makoto: Ngh, my vision's fading...
Makoto: I can't, faint here...
Makoto: Need to take Miyako-san...
Makoto: ............
Chie: Miyako! Makoto! Where are you!?
Chie --!!
Chie: G-Get a medical team right away...
Makoto: (Chie-san's voice...? Thank God... Miyako-san...)