Another Story Arc2 Ch10

pending review
===============
Kamihama Magia Union
On the opposite side of this sinking town, what rose to the surface was a faint divide.
===============
===Episode 1===
Sense of Imperfect Justice

Sasara: "I can tell these scattered witches are a decoy, but... It's not like we can just leave them be."


-1-

Kagome
On the night Neo Magius' operation was carried out,
the main members of Kamihama Magia Union put up a desperate resistance,
while behind the scenes Mikage-chan and friends preceded with Operation Best Buddies.
It will play no mere minor role on the future of Kamihama's people...

Asuka
――っ!?
There it is! A witch's reaction from behind that shop there!

Sasara
――っ!?
Ah – at the end of this road too! Another witch!

Emiri
And over here...!
Oh you~ Neo Magius~
Just how many witches are you guys tossing around~

Sasara
To think they would be keeping this many grief seeds on the verge of hatching...

Asuka
What terrible people...

Emiri
But guess what, Asukyan, Sasaran.

Asuka
What is it?

Emiri
Compared to back then, we're much more up at at 'em, aren't we?

-Flashback-

Yozuru
Was the coffee... Not to your liking?

Sasara
Eh!?

Yozuru
None of you have been drinking for a while now...

Everyone
.....

Emiri
I'm sorry.

Sasara
It's not like that...

Asuka
I just...can't right now...

-End Flashback-

Sasara
Back when Ryou-san had died...
...Yeah, you're right.
Compared to that frustration of being unable to do anything-

Asuka
This level of hardship is nothing!
Come, let us restore the honor we lost then!

Emiri
Gotchaaa!

---

Asuka
Executed!

Sasara
Just as you said that, another reaction!

Emiri
Alrighty, let's gooo!

---

Emiri
T-they're even coming out in a place like this...

Asuka
Despite defeating who knows how many... Of course I would become fatigued after so many battles...

Emiri
Use one of those grief seeds we collected?

Asuka
No, I will refrain.
I will spare not a single one and leave them to Iroha-san's team!

Sasara
Besides, wasn't that the last witch around here?
Yep, no more reactions.

Emiri
Everyone else in Union
must have taken out the witches in their areas...
Oh? Is our part done already then?

Asuka
Let's ask Iroha-san if there are any other troubles to take care of.

-Phone Call-

Iroha
Wah – every single witch in the shopping district!?
Thank you so much! You really helped us out!

Asuka
Nothing but paltry work!

Iroha
Well then, I'm sorry for all the help,
but I do have another request...

Asuka
It's fine! Please don't hold back and tell me!

Iroha
Right now, Mikage-chan is carrying out her idea,
"Operation Best Buddies" as she calls it.
She went on a signature site to create what's called the "Student Council for the Future of Kamihama"...
Which is necessary for the operation to be a success.

Asuka
Oh ho.

Iroha
So I would like everyone to spread this site.


-2-

Sasara
A signature site...
Ahh! Earlier Yachiyo-san had introduced it on television!

Emiri
I saw it too!

Asuka
Yes, and she would like us to spread the site around more.

Emiri
Then it'd be better if we shared it through group chat!

Asuka
That is a great idea! Now then...
"Dear members of our union,"
"is there anyone available currently"
"who can respond to this chat?" And...

Everyone
["""Yeees!"""]

---

Meiyui
[Something happening?]
[I heard the plan commenced without use of my ability, yes.]
[Just returned to Kamihama a short time ago btw.]
[So if power is needed, plenty to spare.]

Aimi
[All witches this side are wiped out, so talk away!]

Maria
[Same over here.]

Meguru
[My voice is pitch perfect! I'll deliver the best support possible!]

Rui
[Over here...there's just 1 left... Missed it while fighting the other witches...]
[But once I take it out... I can help...]

Riko
[Sorry... I don't think I can go.]
[Otou-san said "strange things are happening today, so let's hold hands together and get some sleep..."]

Asuka
Everyone, thank you so much! And Riko-san, please relax and have a good night!
So what I wish to tell you is... Actually, just now Iroha-san gave a request.
On this signature site here... She wants to spread word of this "Student Council for the Future of Kamihama" everywhere.
Currently, the number of people accessing it is gradually growing, so let us use our power and hasten it!

---

Maria
This is the site Yachiyo-san introduced during the live broadcast.
I had heard they were going to talk about Kamihama so I started watching,
but seeing someone I know on there suddenly gave me a surprise.

Meguru
It sure seemed like a split-second decision~!
And now, Meguru logs into her SNS account straight away
and posts this link!

---

Meiyui
The net, huh... Not something I am very good with...

Aimi
Meiyui-chan, you have an account?

Meiyui
Not a personal one, but one of the Blue Sea Family.

---

Sasara
We referred the site with each account, but...

Asuka
The number accessing it hasn't increased much, has it...

Sasara
In the end we're lacking in name recognition. It's just normal people promoting it...
So we get weak results...

Asuka
Plus...there's this reply to Kisaki-san's post...

Emiri
Hm?

[Hol up lol, you srsly doing this lmao? just cut it out lol]

Emiri
Ahaha!
A boy from class is sending me shitposts!

Sasara
He's not helping...?

Emiri
Well, some kids are just like that. Don't mind, don't mind.
Even if a boy from class laughs at me, it's still something worth doing.

Asuka
How admirable your view is!

Maria
[Hello @ Tatsuki Asuka-chan]

Asuka
Whoops, Maria-san is contacting me to chat...

Maria
[It's unfortunate, but... I think we've hit the limit to gaining popularity on the signature site with what we have.]
[Maybe we should think of other options.]

Asuka
It's not just us, then. Everyone seems to be getting the same impression...

Meiyui
[If so, we should turn to the children of Asuka's school, yes?]
[At Asuka's school there must be children famous for their performing arts who have fans, yes?]
[Ask those children directly for their support. By their nature, that is the purpose of performance arts.]

Asuka
I get it!
Model Ria-senpai and Idol Sayuki-senpai!

Sasara
That's the old-school historical Mizuna Girl's School for you.

Emiri
They're like in the group chat too, aren't they?
You'd think they would've replied too, though...?

Asuka
It's possible they may be busy. Let me give them a call.

-Phone Call-

Ria
If that's the case, I agree to it. Leave it to me!
I am still in a meeting,
but it's with a Dotuber I know from Takarazaki
who's broadcasting remotely.
I'm handling her management as my mother passed the task on to me.
Ah, and the theme is all about the mysterious happening in Kamihama...however,
I believe we can the opportunity to promote the signature site.

Asuka
Thank you so much! It's the same method as Yachiyo-san!

Ria
I-I did not get inspiration from Nanami Yachiyo,
and I am NOT paying homage to Nanami Yachiyo.
This is merely stealing Nanami Yachiyo's success-!

Asuka
It's rare for you to correct yourself like that...

---

Asuka
Ria-senpai readily agreed, so now onto Sayuki-senpai...

-Phone Call-

Sayuki
Understood~! Please leave this to Sayuki!

Asuka
I'm glad... Thank you so much.

Sayuki
Ah – but all content Sayuki posts on SNS
has to be checked by Manager-san~
So we'll have to wait for permission to post~

Asuka
You mean you'll be a little late?

Sayuki
It'll be fine~
Sayuki's in a video call with Manager-san right now, sooo
let's get verbal permission right nooow.
～～～～ ～～～～
～～～～ …………Fugya-!

Asuka
――っ!?

Sayuki
Asuka-chan, sorry about this...
I didn't get permission...

Asuka
Why...!


-3-

Sayuki
According go Manager-san,
political speech on Sayuki's SNS seems to be NG...

Asuka
W-why...?

Sayuki
It seems like it would damage
the whole "SayuSayu" character~
As for Sayuki, I tried to tell Manager-san
that pretending I don't see what's going on...is even worse, but...
Manager-san just stuck to her word and said it's NG~...

Asuka
So that's how it is...

Sayuki
I'm sorry~

Asuka
No, I didn't think it through enough. My apologies to you!
...By the way, being in a video call with your manager -
were you in the middle of working...?

Sayuki
Ah, Sayuki's not a work.
It's just there's a new title to be submitted by noon tomorrow
that Sayuki hasn't decided on yet.
Manager-san is worried,
so she's just been discussing it with me at this hour.
I really want to help everyone out, though...
Sorry...

Asuka
My goodness, this late at night...
If I may, have you decided on your new song's title?

Sayuki
Unfortunately, in the end we couldn't decide... So we gave up for the day.
I'm leaving it all to the Sayuki of tomorrow mornii~iing.

Asuka
I-I see... Good work there.

---

Maria
[...So that is that...]

Meguru
Is that sooo. Sayuki-san's office gave the NG...

Maria
Well... It was a sensitive issue from the start...

Meguru
Guess they figured carelessly touching on that subject would start a flame war...

Maria
That's right. And the reality is the risk is just too high.

Meguru
But...It's not like we're saying anything wrong...
If anything they're in the wrong...

Maria
It only seems that way to us.

Meguru
To us...

Maria
Compared to those who harass the east, of course we seem to be right.
But you see, even if it seems wrong to the public eye,
they have their own sincere reasons.

Meguru
Reasons...

Maria
To a young idol... ...Well, this is also biased,
but taking it as "giving a lighthearted denial without properly understanding"
is just a fire waiting to ignite the wrong side...
So it may be something they can't help.

Meguru
Then our sincere reason... Is because we...
…………

Maria
What's up?

Meguru
...It's just a sudden thought,
but on the contrary...why can Meguru... No, why can all us mahou shoujo,
east or west,
treat each other so normally without divide?

Maria
That's...

---

Sasara
Why...

Emiri

Why can we?

---

Aimi
Is there some special power at work...?

Meiyui
No, it's actually that...
Eh – is that why...?


===============
===Episode 2===
Etched Log Unearthed

Meguru: "Meguru uses SNS pretty often. For live broadcasts, of course!"


-1-

Sasara
Well, special influence or not, we need the site to gain more popularity now.

Asuka
You're right! It's unfortunate about Sayuki-senpai,
but there must still be a way to spread word about the signature site!

Meiyui
[Then I have a good idea.]
[This is something I heard from a Blue Seas Family associate,]
[but SNS has a function called "hashtag," yes?]
[We will use that.]
[If you place a "#" symbol before a word that is a "trend" on a post you wish to spread,]
[then everyone may see it.]

Aimi
Hmm, I'm pretty sure I've seen a phrase that was trending, too.
What topic was it though? Something I searched a bunch.
Must've been something that would catch the eye of a kid like me...
Is it...

[Please sign from the link below! www.～～～～ #FinishDecagonBallUniverse]

Aimi
...Something like that?

Meiyui
That is it, much like that! Very good sense!

Aimi
Well, chances are it will get more eyes on the signature site,
but like, I wonder if unrelated people will start seeing the site...
And...the way we're doing it...like...they'd think we're sending them to a scam site...
I think we'll get some disapproval from them...

Meiyui
Wha-!?
Blue Seas Family never scam, we are a wholesome, clean organization!!

Aimi
Y-yeah... I know that.
But like, hashtags are more
"I want my words to reach out to tons of people"
is more what they're for, don't you think...

Meiyui
Romanticist, are we.

Maria
But even with varying opinions,
I don't think the idea itself to use trends is bad.
If a trend that's highly relevant to the signature site gets popular,
they may not disapprove of it, but rather want to sign it themselves.

Meguru
So current trends are...
Hmm, there isn't anything really related to it, is there.
And setting the region to "Kamihama" to narrow it down...
It's just filled with hunger and thirst...

Maria
You're right...

Asuka
Any other good ideas...

Sasara
Is there no other way...?

[～～♪～～♪]

Emiri
――っ!?
Group call! It's from RuiRui-!

-Phone Call-

Rui
G-GUUUYS-!
U-umm... A-anyway, there's trouble-!
E-everyone get over here now-!
I'm between Kosho Ward and Daito Ward.
By a huge river, though... I-I'll post a map in a second...
For some reason there's c-crowds of people here.
Anyway, this is going to get really bad...!

Asuka
I don't know what is happening, but she said it's trouble.

Emiri
It's rare for RuiRui to call on the phone.

Sasara
It's a little far, though, so let's get moving!

Emiri
Right, the trains have stopped~

Asuka
To the rooftops at once!


-2-

DJ Disco
Hey there, all my viewers on Dotube!
It's your superstar born in Takarazaki, DJ Disco here!
Today's an emergency stream
delivered straight in front of Kamihama's 1090~!
...Now, what am I cooking up, you may ask...let me explain...
Now before that, do you what's going down in Kamihama City right now?
Right, not a person can eat or drink all of a sudden.
But here's the real issue. ...About a week ago?
An anonymous source contacted your D-sco here with,
believe it or not, a direct message prediction of this very phenomenon​
happening this very day!
This is totally an incident~ We gotta investigate~
However, we have no choice but to investigate blindly!
So to start with, I've asked a friend of mine who lives in Kamihama,
the model Ami Ria-san, to make an appearance remotely from her home!
Hello~! Ria-chaa~~aan!

Ria
Heey! It's been a while, D-sco-san~!
And all of D-sco-san's fans, too – nice to meet you~~!
(Friend...?)
(All you did was work one event in a department store!)

DJ Disco
[Thanks for agreeing to appear today, Ria-chan.]
[By the way, speaking of appearing remotely – is the room you're in now your room, Ria-chan?]

Ria
Astute of you, D-sco-san! Indeed, you're right!
So please don't be looking around too much!
(It's a free virtual background!)

DJ Disco
[Ahaha, sorry, sorry. It's a young woman's room so I started feeling the tension.]

Ria
Let's move on to the main topic!

---

DJ Disco
[I see, I see~ Despite being hungry and thirsty, the body's not taking anything in.]

Ria
Yes, it's been really tough...

DJ Disco
[Sure is... Just listening to your story is tough. It's making me hungry...]

Ria
Ah, D-sco-san, that was a bit rude just now.

DJ Disco
[Oops, tongue slipped. Sorry about that. Ask my anything as an apology.]

Ria
(Is this...my chance...?)
Then if I may take you up on that for a moment, I would like to bring up an unrelated topic.

DJ Disco
[Eh, what's that?]

Ria
I would like to introduce a signature site
to D-sco-san and D-sco-san's many fans...
May I speak for a moment?

---

DJ Disco
[I see. Kamihama's got a real problem with the east and west, don't they...]
[I'm a dude from Takarazaki myself, so I've always heard about these old timey fights.]
[Pretty deep-rooted too, isn't it.]
[All my wonderful viewers, please sign it too.]

Ria
Please do so~!

DJ Disco
[But hey now, Ria-chan, did you really just do this?]

Ria
Yeah?

DJ Disco
['Cause like, you harass the east]
[since you're from the west, don't you, Ria-chan?]
[...I'm jokin' I'm jokin' lol. We all know not everyone hates the east, and we all know Ria-chan's not that kind of person.]

Ria
Oh-ohh ho ho!
That's D-sco-san for you, such a terrible joker!

DJ Disco
[You're right, sorry about that.]
[But hey, you got me wondering why.]

Ria
Why?

DJ Disco
[Why, despite being from the west, you're getting close to people from the east, and even promoting a signature site for them]
[while there's people who hate the east with all their hearts.]
[There's such a discrepancy here. What in the world is the difference, I'm wondering.]

Ria
…………
...No, D-sco-san, there's a bit of a mistake there.

DJ Disco
[Meaning?]

Ria
There is fundamentally no difference
between myself and those who speak poorly of the east.
I, too, am like them.
Even if we are different now...


-3-

Ria
There is fundamentally no difference
between myself and those who speak poorly of the east.
I, too, am like them.

Sayuki
…………"I, too, am like them."...

Asuka's Voice
Sayuki-senpai!

Sayuki
...!
Asuka-chan! You guys, too!

Sasara
Are you heading to the riverside in Kosho as well, Sayuki-san?

Sayuki
Yes-!

-Flashback-

Asuka
If I may, have you decided on your new song's title?

Sayuki
Unfortunately, in the end we couldn't decide... So we gave up for the day.
I'm leaving it all to the Sayuki of tomorrow mornii~iing.

-End Flashback-

Asuka
I see, after that you even took time to take care of this matter.

Sayuki
Sayuki got a telephone call from Rui-chan, saying
"people are gathering at the river, it's serious," and rushed out right away!

Emiri
Same as us!

Sayuki
Sayuki checked the group chat log to make sure,
so I got most of the picture~

---

Emiri
...Hum, isn't this around where RuiRui was talking about?

Asuka
But where is Rui-san...

Sasara
Wah – what's that-!?

Asuka
That must be the crowd Rui-san spoke of...?

Sayuki
Look closer... Everyone has been kissed by witches.

Emiri
Witch kisses!? That many!?
And not only that...
They got hella heavy bags on their backs, don't they?

Rui's Voice
Stop~~! Don't go~~!

Seira's Voice
Hey--! Knock it off--!

Rui
Gununu~...

Maria
Meguru-chan, is it possible for your live broadcast magic
to cool down these raging people?

Meguru
S-sorry, but Meguru's magic is better at riling people up...

Maria
I understand.
Seems like I'll have to use my magic
to tie them up on by one, then...!

Meguru
You got this!

Asuka
I-I don't know what's going on, but let us assist them too!

Rui
Y-you guys, thank you for coming...!

Sasara
W-what's the situation!?

Rui
I think...
These were the witch-kissed people I couldn't catch...
M-Meiyui-san and Aimi-san went to go defeat the witch...!

Sasara
You're saying this entire situation was caused by one witch...!?
(Neo Magius prepared such a powerful witch...?)
(No, it's worse than that.)
(Neo Magius' plan was to weaken everyone's hearts...)
(And that gave an opening for a witch to take advantage of...?)

Emiri
Isn't this like everyone from Kosho Ward!?

Rui
Perhaps not... Look at those kids...

…………

Emiri
Huh!? Those uniform's...!

Rui
Yeah...Shinsei, Mizuna, Sankyoin, Sakae, and Chuo uniforms...
And the adults look wealthy,
so I don't think they're from Kosho Ward or Daito Ward...
And all of these people were trying to cross the river from here...
Like they were trying to head towards Daito Ward...

Asuka
All west people who were kissed by the witch...
Who were invading Daito Ward while carrying heavy bags...
W-what is it that's happening...!?


===============
===Episode 3===
Keyword of Sudden Interest

Rui: "Why is everyone going to Daito with such heavy bags...? Don't tell me...t-they can't be, can they..."


-1-

Maria
If you're not going to be good children, I'll have to get strict with you...!
Ei-!

Meguru
And another conneeects-!
Her magic rope from outta nowhere wraps the rushers up
like a gentle mother, and like a mother, she'll never let 'em go!
Ahh-! And like teary-eyed children,
they all quiet down, down, down~!

Maria
Huu...huu...

Meguru
Woah – you okay!?

Maria
It's just using it repeatedly has tired me out a little...
While you guys hold them down, I'll quickly tie them all up...!

Meguru
Got it. Meguru's on the scene to give support!

Seira
Ah – that's right, Mizuki!
Let's find out what those tied up people had in their bags!

Rui
R-right...! What's in their heavy bags...
Forgive me for borrowing these...!

[*Rustle...*]

Rui
――っ!?

Seira
What's wrong!?

Rui
Lots of...hammers, and wrenches, and dumbbells...

Asuka
Another's was full of concrete blocks
and lots of soil for gardening.

Rui
.....All very heavy things...
(And hard enough to be used as weapons...!)
(Blocks and soil aren't exactly weapons, though...)
(Even Ignoring that for the moment...)
(All of them have something to use as a weapon anyway...!)
I knew it...that's right...
I didn't want to believe it, so I tried not to think about it, but...
As I suspected, all of you crossed the river carrying so many weapons,
all for your plan to destroy Daito Ward!!
HOW COULD YOU-!!
Why, of all things, did THOSE feelings
have to be amplified from a witch's kiss!
WHY DO YOU PEOPLE OF THE WEST HATE THE EAST SO MUCH!!

Seira
(Mizuki...)

Man
Must stop...this...destruction...
I didn't want...this... Destruction...I...just...

Rui
(I was wrong!)
Heh? Heh? W-what do you mean...
Then maybe...this one...?
.....Grant me sight, Heaven's Gate Eye...!

Emiri
Eh – what was that..."Grant me sight..." That's...kinda sick, isn't it...?

Rui
――っ!?
Everyone who has been kissed have incredibly dark shadows of death...

Seira
Meaning...

Man
u...let me go...
I'm worthless... I must sacrifice myself...
To...the river...

Boy
Me too...

Girl
Me too...

Everyone
――っ!?

Rui
Everyone here must be...

Sayuki
T-then...it can't be. All of their heavy bags were...
To stop them from floating after jumping into the river...

Man
We're all...a laughing stock...
You guys don't care either.
Come on, toss us and have a laugh...

Asuka
I-I cannot...

Maria
...Now that you've said that, there is no way I'm letting you go.

Meguru
Why would we laugh at you to begin with?

Man
The people of the east will be happy...
This is a ritual...to do just that...

Sasara
Why the timing on this of all things...

Man
I had a guilty conscience... It was my fault for not changing...
I don't have courage like Nanami Yachiyo.
This is the only way...

Sasara
You mean...
[After watching that broadcast, you were going to commit suicide from your sense of guilt for the people of the east...?]

Maria
You felt partially guilty for the east from the beginning...

Seira
Anxiety from the unusual state Kamihama's been put in...

Asuka
Then Yachiyo-san's broadcast aired.

Sasara
And after all of that, a witch's kiss to kick him while he's down...

Sayuki
As a result...you've become hopeless...despairing over your own self...


-2-

Man
Come now, we have a ritual to do... That is justice...
The people of the east aren't bad...
We just thought they were bad...

Sasara
――っ!?

Man
It's only natural to want to attack the bad guy... I just wanted justice...
All I wanted was an easy target to lash at...
So make it easy for me now. Let me finish...the ritual...

Sasara
…………
(...I can totally sympathize with him...)
(But, I used to...have some similarities to this guy.)
(My wish was granted to become a knight, and became a mahou shoujo...)
(Trying to deliver justice with impure motives.)
(But afterwards I met Asuka and the mahou shoujo community.)
[What I had lost... ...No, what I forgotten.]
[The knight in the picture book saved people honestly.]
[As did Otou-san...]

-Flashback-

Sasara
Alright! I am dooone thinking!

-End Flashback-

Sasara
(I came to my senses... And didn't lose my way...)
(But if, if I hadn't become a mahou shoujo,)
(I never would have met Asuka and everyone in all their different schools and grades.)
(My desires I held so tightly would have just swelled up...without changing...)

Man
…………

Sasara
(I may... Have become just like you.)

Girl
I'm scared of her... Because we like the same person...
We hated the same things... We didn't like the east in the same ways...

Asuka
How could you...!

Girl
Because I'm weak...

Asuka
――っ!?

Girl
I'm weak...I have no choice but to go along with the stronger kids in class...
Living weakly... Just to hurt people I don't even know...
That's why I also joined this group... In this ritual circle...

Asuka
("Because I'm weak," she said...)
(I've only heard half of this lady's grievances...)
(What vileness! Utterly shameful!)
(I cannot sympathize with her in the slightest...)
(Though I suppose I can only say that)
("because I am strong...")
(I've trained since I was little and became a mahou shoujo during my adolescence.)
(Strength brought by arrogance...)
(If I were born into a normal family,)
(I would not be a mahou shoujo, but a normal, weak human...)
…………

Emiri
(I kinda get how she feels too.)
(Nowadays, when kids in class make fun of me,)
(I don't think anything of it, but...)
(Until a while ago...)
(Just the kids in class gossiping about me)
(would make my doppel come out...)

-Flashback-

Hinano
It's probably your doppel. I experienced it a while ago myself.
Was it hard? I'm just glad you're back safely...

Emiri
I came back 'cause I heard what you said, Myaako-senpai.
So, thanks for that.

-End Flashback-

Emiri
(I was able to overcome that...)
(Because I became a mahou shoujo, have reliable older people to turn to,)
(and have amazing friends outside of class, too...)
(If I hadn't become a mahou shoujo, I'm sure I'd have spent my youth)
(worrying how everyone in class looks at me...)

Asuka
I, too, may...

Emiri
I might also...

Asuka & Emiri
Be the same as you... (Be just like you.)


-3-

Seira
Ahh, damn! What is this!
I'm not from Kamihama so I don't know about any of this,
but why's everyone gotta be so selfish!? I just don't get it!

Rui
Seira-chan...!

Boy
It sure is nice to not know... So happy not knowing...
When I didn't know I was so happy.

Seira
Haah?

Boy
Wish I hadn't known about those Daito folks...
I shouldn't have... Talked to them at the game...
They're nothing like what my parents told me...
They were all so kind-hearted, we coulda been rivals...
Then I had to go talk shit about them... And assume the worst in them...
Ahh...how idiotic of me...it's absurd...
Now that I'm aware of myself... I'm ready...to just disappear...

Maria
…………

Meguru
....Maybe, that's...

-Flashback-

Meguru
But on the contrary...why can Meguru... No, why can all us mahou shoujo,
east or west,
treat each other so normally without divide?

-End Flashback-

Meguru
The answer to that question...?

Maria
All of us mahou shoujo are part of a big community.
Without even realizing it, we connected with children of the east and got to know each other.
If we hadn't become mahou shoujo...we too...

Sayuki
May have been the same, right...

Everyone
…………

Rui
If that's true... No, because it's true...
(I really don't want to say it, but...)
There is still hope...!

Seira
.....!

Asuka
You're right!
Between us, there is fundamentally zero difference!

Sayuki
Taking time to reflect on it,
it may not be an issue of one's personal character.

Sasara
If there were any difference between us...
It would be "luck."

Maria
If we had bad luck, we could have ended up the same as you.

Emiri
It's not like you guys have bad character!

Meguru
It's all just because of the environment that fate gave you!

Rui
So don't think that you must despair over yourselves...!

Everyone
[…………]


===============
===Episode 4===
#I'm Like You, I'm With You

Sayuki: "I'm like you..." Then, Sayuki is...


-1-

Everyone
[…………]

Aimi
We beat iiiit! Haven't seen a witch that huge in a long time!

Meiyui
Huu, some time, indeed...

Man
...Huh? What the heck am I doing...?

Asuka
…………

Aimi
Guys! Everything okay!?
Or rather...what? The heck is going on now...?

Asuka
Ahh – we're okay! That was perfect timing!

---

Man
Is that so... We were apologizing by drowning ourselves...
While it is selfish, I've always felt guilty about it...
I've always regretted. That's the truth...
I can't commit suicide... But I also want to make amends somehow...
But now I can't just flip my life around.
I don't have the courage to speak up alone...!

Asuka
…………

???
...You're not alone.

Boy
If there's anyone who has the same regrets, it's us right here.

Girl
Let's raise our voices together...

Everyone
[We're all together.]

Man
All of you...thank you...

Asuka
There is hope after all...!

Sasara
If you're aware of your own mistakes, than instead of taking the easy way out with suicide,
it may be better to prepare for a little backlash
and go down the right path instead.

Asuka
That is precisely right!

Man
I don't know if it's okay for me to live so carefree,
but, little by little, I will make up for it...

Meiyui
...I do not understand the situation,
but is this not what the signature site is for?
Then here – all of you be quick and sign this.

Aimi
Uwaah~ Good thinking, Meiyui-chan.

Man
You're right. I'll sign it right away.

Girl
I felt so hopeless looking at this signature site, but now it's saved me...

Sayuki
…………
Huhu, looks like some joy is spreading.

Boy
Wait.....are you by chance...SayuSayu...?
And that costume...I've seen that before...

Sayuki
――っ!?

Asuka
B...B-B-B-BIG PROBLEM!
THEY FOUND OUT WE HAVE THE IDOL SAYUSAYU-SAN!

Meguru
Everyone returned to their senses so quickly
that we didn't even get a chance to untransform...!

Sayuki
…………

Sasara
W-what do we do...? Lie to them...?

Maria
Let's avoid panicking now...
Besides, if the office saw you at such a scene,
they would be furious...

Sayuki
Auu... Y-you're riiight~...
U-um, excuse me... I'm actually...not Sayuki-san...

Boy
Did I get the wrong person... Pardon me, sorry to bother you...
Haa...

Sayuki
.....Ah, my mistake.
Sayuki iiis Fumino Sayuki. I'm SayuSayu!

Sasara
Wait – ehh-!?

Boy
N-no way...!? You're actually SayuSayu!?
W-what're you doing in a place like this...!?

Sayu
Yes! I'm really SayuSayu!
Here for a guerrilla live performance.


-2-

Sayuki
Here for a guerrilla live performance.

Boy
――っ!?

Aimi
What!? W-why are you saying that!?

Sayuki
Because... Everyone is worn out
from all the desperate struggling with their worries, aren't they?
Not being able to eat anything or drink water on top of regretting they way they've lived -
their depressed hearts are how the witch took advantage of them...

Aimi
…………

Sayuki
But now they're trying to overcome that and move forward.
So if I don't cheer them up by singing here and now,
then I don't know what it means to be an idol anymore~!

Meguru
It's SayuSayu...!
This, this is SayuSayu-!

---

Sayuki
Everyooone~, good eveniiing-!
It's Kamihama's own sword idol, SayuSayu heeere~!

[*Chatter...*]
[Eh, SayuSayu...THAT SayuSayu...?]

Sayuki
Right now, our Kamihama is in a vee~eery difficult time,
but together, we'll cheer up! Let's slash our way throuuugh~!
The guerrilla concert live from the center of East Kamihama is about to begin, begin, begin~!

[[A live concert...] [But this isn't the time to be listening to songs...] [I was about to die just moments ago...]]

Sayuki
Please don't say things like that and listen to me~
The song you're about to hear is a new, unreleased song by SayuSayu.

[[.....Unreleased...] [Then...well...since we're already here...]]

Sayuki
This song is filled with my hopes and wishes to reach out and get close to the feelings of as many people as possible.
But the title is the only thing I couldn't think of.
I was even working so hard late today.
But just now I decided on a title!
So I have a request for all of you:
To grant me my wish to get close to as many people as possible...
Record this concert with your smartphones
and please share it
to everyone suffering in Kamihama~!

[*Chatter...*]

[[Eh...would that be okay...?] [Even though it's...a new unreleased song...?]]

Sayuki
And now please listen. "#I'm Like You, I'm With You."

---

[Uwaaaah!]

Emiri
Aren't live concerts just hella exciting!

Sasara
You wouldn't even think they were just trying to drown themselves moments ago...

Asuka
Is this also...the power of Sayuki-senpai's magic, you think?

Sasara
Who knows...
It could just be the charms of an idol.

Rui
～～♪

Seira
Mizuki, that was great what you did back there.

Rui
Eh...?

Seira
You said "there's still hope" earlier,
and I think that led to everyone becoming convinced after that.
...I know you didn't want to say it, though...

Rui
I-it was nothing...
Besides, those people only stopped because the witch was defeated,
so convincing them was pointless to begin with...

Seira
For saying something so pointless you sure did great!

Rui
S-Seira-chan...

Boy
By the way, um... All you SayuSayu companions here...

Rui
――っ!?
Y-yes...what is it...?

Boy
Your costumes are kinda wild...

Seira
(Uu, he noticed...!?)
(And all because they calmed down and recovered so fast...)

Boy
Are you guys... Some SayuSayu groupies...?
'Cause your costumes are kinda similar to SayuSayu's style.

Rui
...S-something like that...

Boy
If you are, you almost got it!
SayuSayu loves swords, not scythes!

Rui
E-excuse me, I'm just on the bandwagon...
(O-otakuuu...!)

Seira
Well, if he's in that good of spirits, I guess that's a relief.

---

Asuka
I-incredible! Just as I expected, Sayuki-senpai is the star of the city!

Emiri
What's up!?

Asuka
"#I'm Like You, I'm With You" is third in trending for the Kamihama region.

Emiri
Sweet! For reals!

Aimi
It's because everyone at the concert are putting it all over the net,
and people who see the posts are quoting to give their thoughts.

[SayuSayu's going a guerrilla live concert! And it's a new song! Crazy! The title is #I'm Like You, I'm With You. www.doutu.be~~]
[I saw SayuSayu's guerrilla live concert video! She's hungry and thirsty, but she's still giving it her all! I'm pumped up too! #I'm Like You, I'm With You]

Aimi
Look!

Sasara
Huh...? Now that I think about it, this tag...
It's very relevant...to the signature site, isn't it...?

Meguru
It really is!

Emiri
We said it ourselves, didn't we?
We're the same.

Asuka
Indeed, and that is our saving grace when we lose our way,
the words that encourages us to move forward.

Meguru
T-then... Using this hashtag
together with a link to the signature site...
We might catch the eyes of tons of people in Kamihama!

Meiyui
Already said and done.

Aimi
That was quick!

Maria
――っ!?
She's right-!
The number of people accessing the site is flying up!

Emiri
Yippee!

Sasara
It really worked out...

Asuka
Yeah-!


-3-

Sayuki
...And that's how it went.
The riverside concert was suu~uuper exciting~!
Everyone from the office was more suuuu~uuuuper mad, though...

Ria
Performing a new song as you please, sending it out all over the net,
and on top of that, deciding to declare the title yourself...

Sayuki
Never did I imagine at my age
I would cry my eyes out from being scolded~...

Ria
What were you thinking...

Sayuki
But I have no regrets!
And I also wanted to give you my thanks, Amime-san...

Ria
Me? What did I do?

Sayuki
The title of that song... "#I'm Like You, I'm With You"
was from a hint you gave
from what you you said on your Dotube livestream~

-Flashback-

Ria
There is fundamentally no difference
between myself and those who speak poorly of the east.
I, too, am like them.

-End Flashback-

Ria
So I did, then...

Sayuki
When I was listening to the stream it didn't quite click with me,
but after the trouble by the river – that's when I finally got it
and was hit with inspiration!

Ria
And I think that is quite literally plagiarism, but... Well, it's fine.

Sayuki
But, why did you say that on the spot, Amime-san?

Ria
Eh?

Sayuki
Something must have made you realize...

Ria
…………

[*Ding Dong Bing Bong*]

Sayuki
Ah-! Not good! I'm going to be late for class!

Ria
...? School is already over, though...?

Sayuki
I have to make up for the time I missed during recording~!

Ria
The life of a test-taker is a tough one.

Sayuki
Well then, Amime-san, thank you so much for everything!
If you'll excuse me~

Ria
Huu...
(Why I said that during the livestream...)
(It's because...)

-Flashback-

Ria
The perfume ad from last month was taken down!?
...We were supposed to start shooting next week...

Ria's Mother
Yes...It wasn't in my power... I'm terribly sorry...
I was looking forward to becoming the manager, but this is how it is...
An absolute shame.

Ria
Hmph! Well, that's fine.
In the modeling world, it's natural for there to be competition for work opportunities.
If anything, I am the one who didn't put forth the effort.
That brand must have found a very good model then.

Ria's Mother
That's... The reason is a bit different...

Ria
What do you mean?

Ria's Mother
The right values change daily... They advance, right...
Companies have to protect their image,
so they constantly change to the "current values."

Ria
...What are you telling me?

Ria's Mother
As I was saying, the brand has conformed to those new values
to appeal by showing they don't distinguish... between how people look.
Their policy is now to not use people who look well off.

Ria
――っ!?

Ria's Mother
So they seem to be applying that policy immediately with next week's ad...
...They're already on board with the current values.
The appeal of beautiful looks – the yearning to be the object of desire, to be fawned over –
has now become a bad thing.

Ria
What...is this...

Ria's Mother
Of course there are opinions that this is all crazy...!
It's the complete opposite...

Ria
…………

Ria's Mother
But hey, you will be okay!
I ensure that you will not lose your job!
I will always stand by your side!
So trust Okaa-san! Don't give up!

Ria
…………

---

Ria
[I was shocked.]
[But not because I lost my advertising work...]

---

Ria
("Wanting to look beautiful is a bad thing" now?)
(So I... Wished for "something bad," then...?)
[I wished to Kyubey and got these beautiful looks I always wanted.]
[Meaning in my heart I assigned good and bad based on appearances.]
[Of course, I don't hurt others because of their looks.]
[But, this value of *rejecting* those who look bad in favor of beauty...]
(I've already...become undesired)
(in the face of current values...)
[The value of purely desiring to protect oneself, while unknowingly hurting others... I started to notice that.]

-End Flashback-

Ria
(That's why I was able to say that during the livestream...)
(I am just like them too...)
…………

Manaka
...Um, what kind of melancholic daydream are you having, Ami-senpai?

Ria
Eh?

Manaka
You promised you'd taste test my newest omelette today.

Ria
Ahh, I'm terribly sorry. I will head there right away.
...Hey, have you ever cursed your cooking skills?

Manaka
Sure have. Manaka's still pretty inexperienced, after all.
Though it's less cursing and more wanting to improve.

Ria
...Not in that way. I mean comparing your own skills...
For example, feeling bad for those who have poor cooking skills...

Manaka
'Scuse me?

Ria
Blaming your good cooking for hurting people who aren't good at it...
Or being condemned because of it...

Manaka
Manaka's never given so much as an ounce of thought about that,
and there's been zero people who've told me that. Zero.

Ria
Is...that so...

Manaka
And as was just said,
while Manaka is pretty good, there's still a "long way to go."
There's always someone above you.
Such problems belong to the world's greatest chefs... Unless you're a "god," that is.
It's all nothing but arrogance and hubris, isn't it?
Manaka's just saying before worrying about being at the top of mankind, you have to improve yourself first.

Ria
I see, it's arrogance, then...
Thank you.

Manaka
Eh – for what?
Have you been scrounging up weird food again?