raid 14/another hiyori

1: Prologue: The Illusory Aradama

Mihono:　A strange acting... aradama?
Mirja: Yes. An aradama that causes people to see visions... There's been reports of a fair number of toji coming in contact with it.
Yui: Visions? Like what happens in manga, where they're like, "Where are you aiming; that's an illusion!"
Yui: ...Or something.
Kiyoka: (I don't think they'd call that visions though... It's probably more like...)

Mai: They say it shows you the future.
Sayaka: The future?
Ellen: Like seeing yourself even better at swordfighting than you are now, or seeing yourself caught in a tough situation...
Ellen: That's apparently why they keep saying, "I saw my future!"
Kanami: Huh, so there's aradama like that out there. That actually sounds kinda fun.

Yume: I wanna try seeing those visions once.
Maki: This isn't all fun and games.
Maki: Things are alright for now, since none of the toji have been directly hurt yet, but... we have no idea what that aradama is trying to do.
Maki: We need to suppress it as fast as possible.
Suzuka: That's right. Which is why so many toji have been gathered to find it, us included.
Yomi: Everyone, I've located the aradama. The nearest unit is...

Illusory Aradama: ...
Hiyori: So it showed up for us! We're going to start suppressing it!
Kaoru: ...Wait, it's gone?
Hiyori: There's a good chance it's still around here. Let's search for... Nn? Where's Kanami?

Illusory Aradama: ...
Suruga: You brought yet another in? It's impressive how you never tire of this.
Illusory Aradama: ...
Suruga: You do understand? What you show them are no more than illusions.
Suruga: However many illusions you show, it will bring you no closer to your objective.
Illusory Aradama: ...
Suruga: Hmph. You shouldn't waste the effort; simply kill them. It would be better for you.
Illusory Aradama: ...



2: Kanami's Disappearance

Mihono: Hey, Mai. Did Kanami... message you or anything?
Mai: She didn't... I haven't heard anything today either.
Mihono: She's already been gone for a week, hasn't she!? Aghh, what if she got in an accident or something...
Hiyori: If she had, we'd have heard about it from the bureau.
Mihono: But then... did Kanami really run off somewhere by herself?
Mai: I think... that's pretty likely.
Mai: Actually, it seems like there was some kind of proposal from people in the government to monitor and put restrictions on Kanami-chan.
Mihono: No way!? Why though!?
Hiyori: Because of her strength... isn't that it?
Mai: They gave up on it after Akane-sama and the others pushed back, but there's still plenty who think she could be dangerous...
Mihono: But, that's all messed up. Sure, lately Kanami's been really strong, and she totally outplays me a lot, but...
Mihono: Still, Kanami's been protecting everybody this whole time, so I know she's not dangerous or anything for anybody.
Mai: That's true. I feel the same way. But, if someone has powers... the kind of strength they don't understand, there's people who would feel afraid of that.
Mai: And that's why, Kanami-chan might have...
Hiyori: She does tend to pick up on things pretty well. So, what happened is... she didn't want to cause trouble for the rest of us, so she ran away?
Mihono: ...Kanami.

Hiyori: Are you kidding me...! You're just going to disappear like that!?
Hiyori: ......
Hiyori: (Today... what Mai said is probably right. I heard something similar from President Gojou and Origami Yukari.)
Hiyori: (But... I get the feeling there's more to it, something else that made Kanami leave.)
Hiyori: I'm going to find you and bring you back, Kanami.
Hiyori: (I won't leave you all on your own... So, there's something I have to do here.)

Hiyori: ...HAAHH!
Kaoru: You sure are pushing yourself.
Kaoru: Couldn't you at least take a break when you come out here on an expedition?
Kaoru: Knowing you, you've probably been at this every single day the last half a year she's been gone.
Hiyori: I make sure to take breaks. It's not going to be an issue.
Kaoru: I guess I'll take your word for it. Though, it's pretty important, finding time to relax-. Here, take this.
Hiyori: This brand of chocomint ice cream; they just started making it. That's actually thoughtful of you.
Kaoru: Right? By the way, did you hear from Mihono and Mai? Seems like they ran into Kanami.
Hiyori: They told me. She came to help when they were struggling with an aradama going wild.
Kaoru: But then she tried to bail right away, and even though they chased after, there was no way they could keep up.
Kaoru: Just when it's been forever since they saw her, she goes and ditches them again; she's a real pain in the ass, isn't she?
Hiyori: Must have been... her jin'i. And she's got to be able to go very deep with it by now.
Kaoru: Well, that's how she is, Hiyori. You've gotta take care of her for us.
Kaoru: Anyway, I'm going to bed. Don't go staying up too late, alright-.
Hiyori: ...Sure.
Hiyori: (I have this feeling... If I can cross okatana with her, I'll understand what's going through Kanami's head.)
Hiyori: (I'm sure I'll get this across too. How badly I-- How much everyone wants you back with them.)
Hiyori: (And when I beat you, I'm dragging you right back here.)



3: Even if You Reach Even Greater Heights

Hiyori: I see. So you're saying, on the mountain up ahead, whenever people encounter aradama, they disappear right after.
Local Resident: Well, it's been happening for about a year now I think. We thought maybe it was a toji helping us, but we never saw sight of one.
Local Resident: It's happened so many times now that folks are saying there might really be a god of the mountain up there.
Hiyori: Thanks a lot for telling me all this. I'll try looking into it.
Hiyori: (Exorcising aradama in an instant and never letting anyone see her; who else would be pulling that off?)
Hiyori: Just a little longer, Kanami.

Hiyori: Found you. ...Seeing you still just swordfighting even out here; in a way, it's actually a relief.
Hiyori: (Kanami... It's been a while since I saw her, but she definitely feels different from before. Like there's an air of purity to her.)
Kanami: Hiyori-chan...!
Hiyori: (Though even with that, she's still Kanami.)
Hiyori: You're going to be coming back with me.
Kanami: So that's why. Alright then.
Hiyori: Let's go!

Kanami: Hahh~... You really are strong, Hiyori-chan... It's sorta hard dealing that "hitotsu no tachi" of yours.
Hiyori: Does that mean you're admitting I beat you?
Kanami: Hmm. Sure, you beat me this time. You're even faster than I was imagining you'd be!
Hiyori: Well, I spent as much time as I could to show you just how strong I can be.
Hiyori: (Though, I don't know how serious Kanami was about our fight just now...)
Hiyori: (The way she's gotten, if she used kongoushin or went all out with jin'i, could she have defended against me?)
Kanami: Hehe, that makes me kinda happy...
Hiyori: "Kinda happy"-- That's all you have to say? Honestly... Don't go running off to be all alone again, you idiot.
Kanami: Mm, thanks.
Hiyori: If I said all the things I wanted to, we'd be here all day. We're going home. Everyone's waiting.
Kanami: I think this is the first time took me by the hand like this, isn't it?
Hiyori: There's no way that's true. Probably.
Kanami: That day when we first fought each other, back at the tournament. I was the one who grabbed your hand and we ran away together. Now it's totally the other way around.
Hiyori: And just like back then, I'm still always the one getting swept up in whatever you do.
Kanami: Hey, Hiyori-chan. I don't think... I'll ever be able to give up on training with the sword.
Hiyori: What's wrong with that? I couldn't imagine you giving up swordfighting anyway.
Hiyori: And besides, it's not like I'm planning on giving up training anytime soon either.
Kanami: ...Yeah! Let's spar again then!



[Another - Hiyori: Start]: I Want It to Be Me

Several days after Etou Kanami disappeared.

Hiyori: YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
Ellen: Uwah!?
Kaoru: Gh...!
Hiyori: Is that the best both of you have got!?
Kaoru: Is that how you want to play this... Don't blame us if you get hurt then!
Ellen: You'd better be ready, Hiyoyon!

Sanae: She's really intense about this...
Sanae: (Seeing her like that... It's like Juujou-san's back to when I first met her.)
Sayaka: I think Hiyori feels like that's not enough.
Sanae: Even though they're fighting so fiercely?
Mai: Kanami-chan can copy the schools of swordfighting of people she's faced against.
Sanae: She copies them... so it's like fighting against multiple toji at once...?
Mai: That's right.
Sanae: So, in order to beat Etou-san, she'd need more than just the thunder god's power, she'd have to have the skill to fight multiple schools at the same time?
Sanae: And that's why Juujou-san's fighting them all at once...
Mai: I'm not sure if doing it this way will actually get her her powers back. Still... this training won't be for nothing though...
Sanae: Juujou-san really is incredible, isn't she. Wait, what are you making that face for?
Mai: ...Even still, this training is just too much. It's only a matter of time before she hurts herself.
Sanae: ...I know.
Hiyori: Next, come on!!
Kaoru: ...Oi, don't you think you should be taking a break?
Ellen: She's right, Hiyoyon. You're going to get yourself hurt before you manage to get your powers back.
Hiyori: [pant pant]... I'll be fine.
Sayaka: What should we do, Mai?
Mai: Let's take a little break, okay, Hiyori-chan?
Sanae: (...Juujou-san when I first met her, she would never take breaks...)
Sanae: In that case, let me fight you.
Hiyori: Thanks, Iwakura-san.
Mai: ...Are you sure about this, Iwakura-san? If she keeps wearing away at herself like this, her body's going to give out first...
Sanae: ...Etou-san is someone special to Juujou-san. So I'm sure, no matter what anyone says, she won't stop.
Mai: ...
Sanae: Here I come!!
Hiyori: Bring it on then!!

Hiyori: Mihono, there's something I want to ask you. Could you face off sparring with me?
Mihono: Sure, I'll do it!
Hiyori: ...You're not going to ask why?
Mihono: I can tell even if I don't ask. It has to do with Kanami running away, right?
Hiyori: ...It does.
Hiyori: I want to get back the power of the thunder god. That's why, I thought it'd be best if I came to you, since you became an evil god once, like I did.
Mihono: Okay; I don't know how much I'll be able to help out, but I'll try!

Hiyori: Kgh, one more time!
Mihono: Nah, we should pause here! Let's take a break.
Hiyori: Mihono, we don't have time for...
Mihono: You can't rush yourself, Juujou-san. You have to make sure to rest too.
Hiyori: Still...
Mihono: It'll be fine. I mean, there's a whole bunch of people looking for Kanami.
Mihono: So for what we can do, we've gotta make sure we do it right.
Hiyori: ...
Hiyori: I never thought I'd see the day Mihono turns logic on me. But... yeah, maybe you're right.
Mihono: Yeah, see!
Mihono: If we all try convincing her, I know Kanami'll come back!
Hiyori: No, that's not going to work.
Mihono: Eh?
Hiyori: Kanami's getting too strong. That's why she left us.
Hiyori: Sure, if we talked to her, maybe she would come back. But... it wouldn't change anything.
Hiyori: Kanami needs a toji on her own level, someone as strong as her, to tell her she's not alone.
Mihono: ...Maybe, yeah.
Mihono: So you want to be that person, Juujou-san?
Hiyori: Yeah; I don't think it can be anyone but me.
Hiyori: Besides, if I couldn't do anything to Kanami, how frustrating would that be?
Mihono: ...I know what you mean.
Mihono: Breaktime's over! Let's get back to it!
Hiyori: Sure!



[Another - Hiyori: End]: Surpass This Feeling

Hiyori: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!
Mihono: --!!
Mihono: (Juujou-san's really passionate about this.)
Mihono: (But... it's not like I don't want Kanami back either. I want to be able to help both Kanami and Juujou-san!)
Mihono: Ah...
Hiyori: Mihono, that glow...
Mihono: Looks like Kanayamahime's giving me her strength.
Mihono: Get your okatana ready, Juujou-san... Here I come!
Hiyori: ...!
Hiyori: Gh--!
Hiyori: (She's strong... It takes everything I've got just keeping up with her... This is what Mihono's like when she's using Kanayamahime's power...)
Hiyori: (...)
Hiyori: (With Mihono like this, I'm sure Kanami would...)
Hiyori: ...I guess that's enough.
Mihono: Huh?
Hiyori: If you're this strong, you can get through to Kanami. You could convince her, Mihono...
Mihono: We can't do that!!
Hiyori: But...
Mihono: I don't think I'll be able to use Kanayamahime's power any more than right here, right now.
Mihono: Kanayamahime's backing me up because of how much I want to help you, Juujou-san.
Mihono: That's why... You have to do better than me!!
Hiyori: ...It shook my confidence, getting overtaken by you.
Hiyori: But, you're not the one that gets to stand with Kanami... THAT'S MY PLACE!
Mihono: Yeah! That's how it's gotta be, Juujou-san!
Hiyori: Come on!!

Mihono: Here goes, Juujou-san!

Hiyori: Just now, that was...
Mihono: Mihono: Here goes, Juujou-san!
Hiyori: I can see it, Mihono!!
Mihono: --!?
Hiyori: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!

Mihono: You got your powers back, huh.
Hiyori: Because of you, Mihono. Thanks.
Mihono: I'm glad I could do something to help you! ...You have to bring Kanami back, okay.
Hiyori: Yeah, just leave her to me.

Hiyori: Alright, I'm going now.
Sanae: Are you really going to go by yourself?
Hiyori: Yeah.
Sayaka: ......
Sayaka: Hiyori! I want to go with you after all.
Hiyori: Sorry, but no.
Sayaka: ...
Kaoru: Just bear with it. Hiyori's the only one who can take on Kanami. If we were there, we'd be in their way.
Sayaka: ...I don't like this.
Kaoru: It's not like I do.
Mai: We might not be able to go with her, but we can give her our support.
Ellen: Feel free to call us for anything! We all feel the same as you do, Hiyoyon!
Hiyori: Sure, I'll keep it in mind.
Sanae: If we hear anything, we'll let you know right away. ...Have a safe trip.
Hiyori: I'll be going then!

A few weeks later.

Aradama: ...
Hiyori: That's it?
Woman: Thank you, you've saved us!
Hiyori: No, this much was nothing.
Woman: You're awfully strong, aren't you. Almost like that tengu they keep talking about!
Hiyori: Tengu?
Woman: Right! There's this rumor lately, whenever an aradama appears, the tengu comes from nowhere to take care of them!
Woman: Let me find it... Ah, here it is! Here's a picture someone uploaded!
Hiyori: ...Looks like I'll finally get to see you.
Woman: Eh?
Hiyori: Nothing; thanks. I've finally found what I'm looking for.

Hiyori: Just up ahead...
Hiyori: ...Wait for me, Kanami.
Hiyori: I'll be there with you soon. And then... I'm going to beat you.