Another Story Arc2 Ch4

Thanks bigscarythings(bst) for reviewing
===============

Puella Care
The salvation we've found always comes with a painful, unbearable weight.

===============
===Episode 1===
Scars of the Next Morning

Yozuru
This heavy atmosphere...
...It can't just be my imagination.
Something must be going on with the mahou shoujo...

=====1=====

<Shinsei Ward, Near Mikazuki Manor>

Yozuru
Mikazuki Manor is that home we can see over there.

Sudachi
Humu!

Yozuru
....

[*Ring♪*]

-Flashback (Puella Care Interior)-

Sunao
Shizuka, you've been getting messages for some time now.

Shizuka
But, at a time when Charu's like this...

Sunao
It may be something important. Besides, Livia-san is here too...

Shizuka
Okay...
.....
It can't be...

Sunao
What's wrong...?

Shizuka
Union's Midori Ryou...was killed by Promised Blood...

Sunao
Eh...

Livia
.....

-End Flashback-

Yozuru
In addition to Hiroe-sama's case yesterday, Midori-sama has died.
Many things have been taking place lately, it seems...
This is why we have come to the Union leader's home to check on them...
.....

Sudachi
.....

Yozuru
It's quiet...is it not? Perhaps they're out?

Sudachi
Hunmumu~
Mu!?

Yozuru
Mu?

Sudachi
~ Over there! That window glass! ~
~ It's broken! ~

Yozuru
~ That's... ~
We are going to have to do a little trespassing, but this needs to be checked out.

-Mikazuki Manor (Outside)-

Yozuru
.....

Sudachi
~ Well? It looks like it was smashed pretty badly, but... ~

Yozuru
~ Please look at this. These broken pieces here were not cleaned up. ~

Sudachi
~ You're right, this glass...it's dangerous. ~

Yozuru
~ There are also more pieces scattered inside the house. ~
~ This means that the window was broken by an impact from outside, ~
~ and I can feel faint traces of magic coming from the pieces... ~

Sudachi
~ It was broken by a large amount of magical power from outside of the house? ~
~ That means... ~

Yozuru
~ Yes, I believe they have been attacked by a mahou shoujo. ~
~ There is dirt covering the window sill as if their shoes were on it, ~
~ so there is no mistaking that this is where the intruder entered. ~

Sudachi
~ They forced their way in... ~

Yozuru
~ The room itself has not been disturbed, and there is no sign of a struggle here, ~
~ but it is practically proven that something has happened here. ~
~ There was also Himuro-sama's premonition... ~

Sudachi
~ We need to contact Livia-san! ~

=====2=====

-Phone Call-

Livia
I get it...

Sudachi
Hunmummuhumu hunmumu~...

Yozuru
What if they're dead~... She says.

Livia
Well, that feels like...that'd be the worst case.

Yozuru
Is that so...

Livia
That email that Shizuka got yesterday...
that hadta been from Iroha's group.

Yozuru
Ahh, that reminds me, I'm certain I heard that they exchanged contact information.

Livia
If they were attacked before sendin' it, well, they're probably alive.
But if it happened after they sent it, then who knows what happened.

Yozuru
There is broken glass everywhere, so I don't believe they have come home.

Livia
We don't know what happened first or second, so we don't have any clear evidence.
But, well, I gotta feeling they're alive somewhere.
If they're still alive,
we can't deny the possiblity that they're still bein' hunted,
but they're also not goin' back home after it was raided.

Yozuru
That's true...

Livia
Well, that an' they coulda just forgotten their house key and the punch line is they ended up goin' through the window.

Yozuru
If it was just a punch line like that, then I will be forgetting how to be nice.

Livia
Don't be doin' that.

Yozuru
Then, what shall we do now,
find out what Tamaki-sama's group is doing?
We could find where they're hiding...

Livia
Nah, that's fine an' all, but could you do me a couple of favors?

Sudachi
Mu...?

Livia
First is regarding yesterday...I want you to find out what happened.
I know it's outta the ordinary for us to rush to the scene,
but we can't be standin' around while things are moving fast.
Besides, it's about time those eight Kimochi stones came out to play.

Yozuru
I'm afraid they've already appeared...

Livia
Suppose so.
That's why I want ya investigating what happened yesterday,
including what happened to all of those mahou shoujo.

Yozuru
Understood.

Livia
And 'cause of that, my other request is also related to it,
but if ya happen ta meet any of the girls while you're investigating,
take good care of them, will ya?

Yozuru
...Care, you say?

Livia
It's times like this when they rely on us, the adjusters,
so we need ta appeal ta them. That's how trustworthy businesses are workin'.

Yozuru
Umm...that's fine, but...
When you say take care of them...what exactly are we supposed to do?

Sudachi
Humunmumu?

Livia
That all depends on the situation. Even I don't know what's goin' on.
Suppose that means ya gotta look at the big picture and make your own judgment call.
I'm sure all those memos ya've been takin' so diligently have gotta be reliable.

Yozuru
You're very right. Please leave it to me.

Sudachi
Humumuhun...

Livia
...But hey, there's one thing ya gotta be careful about.
While you're investigating, don't be talkin' about Ryou-chan.

Yozuru
Why is that? Talking about her would move things along...

Livia
Because it'll make it look like we found out about Ryou-chan's death by eavesdropping.

Yozuru
When Tokime-sama received her email,
I had just happened to be there, though...

Livia
I'm sure they wouldn't feel too happy about us knowin' the details.
Besides, the death of a friend is a sensitive subject.
A lot of girls won't wanna talk about it or hear about it.

Yozuru
I see, I will make a memo.

Livia
Sorry 'bout that.
From where we're standin', Union tends to be unhappy with us,
so we have ta leave a good impression...and be discreet.

Yozuru
Yes.

-End Phone Call-

Yozuru
Now then...the investigation begins anew.

Sudachi
Humu!

Yozuru
First let's make our way to the busy shopping district.

=====3=====

Sudachi
Hunmumuhun!

Yozuru
You're quite full of spirit.

Sudachi
Hunhunhumumu humumuhuhumun.
Humuhuhunhumuhuhu!

Yozuru
We have to do what we can for everyone...
Does that...make you happy?

Sudachi
Humu...humumunhumuhu humuhunhumuhu...

Yozuru
I think it's good, even if that was her motive.

[*Grumble~*]

Sudachi
Humu!?

Yozuru
Are you hungry? Then let us stop somewhere.
Investigating is important, but meals provide the energy to live.

-Hozumi Coffeehouse-

Sudachi
Humuhumuhuhhu, huhumu...

Yozuru
Yes, this is the establishment that Hozumi-sama works. Though I also chose it for our investigation.

Shizuku
What would you like to order...?

Yozuru
Let me see, two mixed sandwiches.

Shizuku
Anything to drink?

Sudachi
Huhumu.

Yozuru
Cocoa and...
I will have a hot coffee, as a...blend please.

Shizuku
...Okay... I will have it right to you.

Sudachi
~ Ryou-san and Shizuku-san... Weren't they close friends...? ~

Yozuru
~ I'm not sure. ~
~ I don't have much information on relationships within Union... ~
~ But... ~
~ It doesn't appear to have affected how she handles her work. ~
~ There doesn't seem to be any signs of trauma with her, so she must not been involved with the conflict. ~

Sudachi
~ Then maybe she doesn't know anything about what happened yesterday. ~

Shizuku
Sorry for the wait.

Sudachi
Humuun♪

Yozuru
.....Excuse me a moment.

Shizuku
Eh, w-what is it...?
Ah...

Yozuru
Apologies for my selfishness,
but your soul gem was cloudy,
and my memo dictates that I should purify it.

Shizuku
...Memo?
Ah, nevermind. Um...thank you...
You're from Puella Care...aren't you? I need to repay you somehow...

Yozuru
No, there is no need.
If there is any way I may help you, my current task is to provide care.

Shizuku
But, that's not how this works...

Yozuru
...You're right...then...

[*Gulp...*]

Yozuru
Yes, this blended coffee is quite delightful.
It has a hint of sour, with a fruity flavor.
If you don't mind, may I ask how to make this?

Shizuku
...The recipe is a trade secret, but... I can give you some simple tips...

Yozuru
Then I will accept that as gratitude for the purification.

Shizuku
Sure...

Sudachi
Hunmumu, hunmumu.

Yozoru
That was quite filling.
Now that I've gotten those tips as thanks, let's head back.
Excuse me.

Shizuku
The bill? Then I'll take it at the register here...

Yozoru
Yes, thank you very much. Also...
Do you have enough grief seeds on hand?

Shizuku
Ah, yeah...I'll be fine...
It was cloudy because I had forgotten my stock in my room...

Yozuru
Is that so? Then please be more careful.
...While it is true that the system in Kamihama has eliminated the worry of becoming witches,
the risk of using doppels is still unknown.
There is also the case with Hiiragi-sama.
Keeping your soul gem beautiful above all else is what provides the energy to live.
Please cleanse your soul gem as often as possible.

Shizuku
Yeah, thank you.

-Outside-

Yozuru
Now then, back to the shopping district once again...
――っ!?

Sudachi
Hunmumuhu?

Yozuru
...Nothing, I just felt a gaze on me...
.....It was just my imagination. Let's go.


===============
===Episode 2===
Trouble at the Consultation Office

Emiri
It's okay to take today off from the consultation office, right...?
Even I'm a little...

=====1=====

Sudachi
Humumuhumunhumu hunmuhumumuhumu?

Yozuru
That's true. It has nothing to do with what happened yesterday,
but we did what we were able to.

Sudachi
Humuhunmumu, hunhun. Hunmumuhumumu...

Yozuru
That's fine too, but our main purpose is to be investigating.
First we need to find out what happened
because what is required of us will change depending on the results of our investigation.

Sudachi
Humuhumu...?

Yozuru
For example, if there was a very violent battle, then there will be some wounded people.

Sudachi
Humuhumun...

Yozuru
You're right, there could be more people like Hiroe-sama.
However treatment is not the only thing they may need.
There may be some that are injured due to exhausting their magical power in battle
that have used up all of their grief seeds.
In that case, the first thing we would need to do is collect grief seeds for treating them.

Sudachi
Hunmu?

Yozuru
We are usually repayed in grief seeds for our adjusting,
so we have some on hand.
However, if there are too many injured, of course we have our limits.

Sudachi
Humuhumuhunhumuhu...

Yozuru
Yes, if we run out we will have to exterminate witches.
Well, we are nearly at the shopping district. Let's go this way first.

-Emiri's Consultation Office-

Emiri
Yesterday's email...

Asuka
We're in a lot of trouble now...
I couldn't just sit still, so I came over here...

Sasara
...Tch, too much is happening...too fast...! Ryou-san and...those Kimochi...!

Yozuru's Voice
[Excuse me.]

Everyone
――っ!?

Emiri
Oh no, I forgot to put the closed sign up...

Yozuru
Good morning to you.

Emiri
G-good morning...
Ah! You're Puella Care!

Yozuru
Yes, we are people from Puella Care, conducting business as adjusters in Chuo Ward.

Emiri
.....

Yozuru
...? Excuse me, have I interrupted something?

Sasara
Umm...sorry, but today we're not open for consultations...

Yozuru
That is not a problem. We didn't come here for a consultation.

Emiri
Oh, ohhh... Then why are ya here...?

Sudachi
~ What do you think? ~

Yozuru
~ They don't appear to be injured, but... ~

Sudachi
~ They all look a little unhappy. ~

Yozuru
~ You think so? ~
~ I was going to avoid mentioning I heard, ~
~ but the conversation these girls were having just before we entered... ~
~ "Email," "Ryou," "feelings"... Those were all words I heard. ~
~ Though I'm uncertain if the "feelings" were related to the Kimochi matter... ~

Sudachi
~ They must know about all of the fighting, then. ~

Yozuru
~ I'm ashamed of seeming like I'm eavesdropping, ~
~ but I cannot miss this opportunity. ~

Sudachi
~ But don't say anything about Ryou-chan. ~

Yozuru
~ Yes, so let's ask them about it indirectly. ~
~ They seem to be on guard. ~

=====2=====

Asuka
~ What is with this timing... ~
~ Why did Puella Care people suddenly show up... ~
~ Wait, maybe it has to do with... Yesterday's attack? ~

Sasara
~ T-that's a bit of a leap... ~
~ ...First of all, are they our enemies? Or are they allies? ~

Emiri
~ Hm~mm... I heard Mitamaccho was given a verbal beatdown, but... ~
~ Ah, that was when they first came to Kamihama, though. Some neutrality this, breaking that, or something. ~

Yozuru
...Are you okay?

Emiri
Eh!?

Yozuru
No, it's just...apologies, but you have a gloomy look on your face.
Did something happen to make you feel unwell?
Perhaps yesterday, for example...

Emiri
――っ!? Y-yesterday!?
G, g-g-g-...good as I'll ever be!!
In fact it's the opposite; nothing at all happened!

Yozuru
...Is that so?

Asuka
~ Emiri-san, that was too quick and unnatural sounding! ~

Sasara
~ She's probably thinking "you just dodged the question..." ~

Yozuru
~ ...They're avoiding talking about it. ~

Sudachi
~ What do we do? ~

Yozuru
~ It's because they're cautious of us. ...Let's try gentle persuasion. ~
~ Do you have any ideas...? ~

Sudachi
~ Hm~mm... ~

[*Growl~*]

Yozuru
Eh...Again...? Sudachi.

Sudachi
Hun! Hunhun!

Yozuru
I was wrong...?

Emiri's Voice
Ah, umm...
That was...me just now... Ehehe...

Asuka & Sasara
.....

Emiri
W-what's up with you two,
laugh, laugh~...

Sasara
I'm not laughing. I'm feeling the same way...

Asuka
I also...have not gotten any food in me since yesterday...

Emiri
Eh...

Yozuru
None of you have an appetite? That is not something you should avoid...is there anything...
Ah, there's coffee beans in this box.

Sasara
Those we ordered in bulk for a festival a while ago.

Yozuru
It is said that coffee is good for loss of appetite,
so let me serve some to you here.

Emiri
Eh!?

Yozuru
May I borrow this pot here?

Emiri
S-sure...go ahead...

---

Yozuru
Apologies for the wait. Here is my new coffee blend.

Asuka
What should we do? It smells nice.

Emiri
This is crazy, huh...

Sasara
But...

Yozuru
It seems to be quite popular.
Actually, this blend is something I heard from Hozumi-sama earlier...

Asuka
Eh!? From Shizuku-san!?

Sasara
W-why...?

Yozuru
That's...right now we have a reason for going around to everyone...
At that time, I noticed Hozumi-sama's soul gem was cloudy,
so I purified it
and in return she gave me tips on how to make this blend.

[*Gulp...*]

Emiri
This really tastes like it's right outta Shizuku-chan's store.

Sasara
Then it's true...
~ Shizuku-san...her soul gem was getting dark... ~

Emiri
~ We've been friends since she was a feather... ~

Asuka
~ Maybe instead of worrying about her...we should have given her encouragement? ~

Sasara
~ At least these guys went...and helped her... ~

Asuka
~ They did... ~

Emiri
~ Hey, then... ~

Sudachi
~ You told them we were looking around... ~

Yozuru
~ Yes, I'm sorry. I don't lie well... ~
~ I may have made them even more wary of us... ~

Emiri
Hey, you two went to see Shizuku-chan, right?

Yozuru
Yes.

Emiri
How was Shizuku-chan...what was she like?

Yozuru
...She didn't appear to be much different.

Emiri
That so? Well, she wouldn't show it on her face, would she...
I need to ask you something, though...

Yozuru
W-what is it...?

Emiri
What's happening right now...?

Yozuru
Huh...?

Asuka
Could you...please tell us...?

Sasara
So many things are going on... We don't know what to think anymore...

Yozuru
.....!

=====3=====

-Phone Call-

Livia
I see, I see...
For now Iroha-chan's group is alive.
Well that's nice an' all, but the difficult part is...
The Kimochi are balancin' out each side's power...was it.

Yozuru
"Difficult..." We're also at a disadvantage.

Livia
I can't say for sure yet,
but originally these things were meant for alotta mahou shoujo ta be fightin' over...
Now that the numbera mahou shoujo that are allowed ta join in is limited...

Yozuru
Things are not going as planned now...

Livia
Plans can go wrong, though.
Ta think somethin' like this would derail us,
it's completely unexpected. These Kimochi, just what are they thinkin'?

Yozuru
Speaking of unexpected, I did make one mistake.

Livia
Eh, there was somethin' else?

Yozuru
When we heard about this... We were taken by surprise.
I told Kisaki-san and her companions that this was a situation we would never have expected...

Livia
Then they already know?
Well, don't ya worry about that. There's no reason ta be vain about it.

Yozuru
Thank you very much.

Livia
Anyways, I appreciate the information ya gave me,
though I thought ya'd be more cautious about it.

Yozuru
My gentle persuasion strategy was... Not exactly successful.
Those girls insisted I talk to them.
They were wary of me, but still wanted to talk,
so I think they just sought more information.

Livia
That's great, ya observed their facial expressions correctly.
So, ya think ya helped them out by listenin' ta them?

Yozuru
...I am not sure.
Everyone at the consultation office knows that we don't know anything
which... Left them very disappointed.
Also...

-Flashback-

Emiri
That so...
Guess it's something the peeps at Puella Care don't know about either.

Asuka
And I was hoping to ask you about the mahou shoujo that were selected...

Yozuru
I was not able to meet your expectations, I am terribly sorry.

Sudachi
Humu~...

Sasara
Ah, don't apologize for that.

Yozuru
If I may, could I ask one more question?

Asuka
What is it?

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-

Yozuru
Those girls...didn't finish their coffee.


===============
===Episode 3===
No Way Towards Redemption

Sudachi
(What everyone at the consultation office said...
If that's true,
then we need to...apologize to Shizuku-san...)

=====1=====

Livia
The way things are going, I'm going ta have ta move, too.

Yozuru
Sensei, you are?

Livia
Yeah, I need ta leave the city for a little while.
What will you two be doing?
You've gathered enough info if ya want ta come back.

Yozuru
...No, we will be walking around a little longer.

-End Phone Call-

Sudachi
Hunhumumu... Humuhuuhuu...

Yozuru
Yes, Kisaki-sama had told me:
That blended coffee was something that Midori-sama would often order while she was alive.

Sudachi
Humu...

Yozuru
As I recall...

-Flashback-

Yozuru
Cocoa and...
I will have a hot coffee, as a...blend please.

Shizuku
...Okay... I will have it right to you.

-End Flashback-

Yozuru
~ I was at a loss as to what to order. ~
~ I even asked her how to make it, ~
~ so I must have stepped on Hozumi-sama's land mine. ~

Sudachi
~ Everyone was so worried about Shizuku-san. ~
~ Maybe Ryou-san and Shizuku-san were... ~

Yozuru
~ They were close friends? ~

Sudachi
~ Emiri-san had said that she isn't a person that shows her face much... ~
~ So she may be really depressed. ~

Yozuru
~ That was insensitive of me. ~

Sudachi
~ Let's go back to Shizuku-san! ~

---

Yozuru
~ We're almost there. ~

Sudachi
~ So... What are you going to do? ~

Yozuru
~ I know it was Sudachi that suggested it... ~
~ But I'm certain that no matter what I say I will come across as insensitive... ~

Sudachi
~ But, we can't just go home like this... ~

Yozuru
~ This is troubling... ~

Yozuru & Sudachi
――っ!?

Yozuru
A magical reaction...
But this one is not coming from a witch...

Sudachi
Mm!?

Yozuru
This feeling...it's a doppel...
And this magical reaction...is coming from Hozumi-sama's store.
Let's hurry!

Sudachi
Humu!

=====2=====

-Park-

Shizuku
U-uuu...
Ah...! Aahhh...!

Yozuru's Voice
Sudachi! Not in the store!
Over there! In the park!

Yozuru & Sudachi
――っ!?

Yozuru
Hozumi-sama...

Sudachi
Humu...
Humu!?

Yozuru
...What is it?
Ah...

Ayaka
.....

Yozuru
Mariko...sama...?

Ayaka
Eh...? Ah... You're Puella Care...

Yozuru
What are you doing here...?
You were watching Hozumi-sama's doppel come out...

Ayaka
Ah, looks like it's gone.

[*Thud...*]

Ayaka
Shizuku-chan!

Shizuku
.....

Yozuru
She's all right.
It appears that she fainted from physical exhaustion.

Ayaka
Thank goodness...
But we can't leave her like this, so let's get her to that bench...

Yozuru
Let's carry her, I will help you.
Were you...watching her for quite a while?

Ayaka
Yeah...

Yozuru
Then that gaze I felt as I left the coffee shop...

Ayaka
Was me.
...A lot of sad things happened yesterday...

Yozuru
Is that so...?

Ayaka
You know, Shizuku-chan's a real good person!

Yozuru
Huh...

Ayaka
Even in a pinch, she's always keeping a cool face.
She's a hundred times better than I am.
So yesterday
I reminded her that it's dangerous if she doesn't keep purifying,
but as always, she just told me I was being meddlesome.
So, that's what I was thinking.

Sudachi
.....

Ayaka
And she left her grief seed in her room.
What a vital time to be so careless! ...Right?
What're the odds, right? Really, what a sly, clumsy girl.

Yozuru
You mean to say...that you were watching over her from here since yesterday?

Ayaka
I had a real bad feeling about this... So I'm glad I kept watch.

Sudachi
HUNHU!!

Ayaka
っ…！

Sudachi
HUNHU, HUNHUHUMUHUMUHHUHU!
Hummuhumu, humuhuhumuhumuhhu...

Yozuru
Sudachi...

Ayaka
This girl...what is she saying?

Yozuru
That's...

Ayaka
...It's fine, I totally get it.
Doppels are dangerous, so I shouldn't sit back and watch.
She's telling me I should've been more serious about protecting Shizuku-chan.
Right, isn't that why you're angry?

Yozuru
.....

Ayaka
I did lots of things. Yesterday...and this morning.
But ya know, none of it worked out.

Sudachi
.....!

=====3=====

Ayaka
I did lots of things! I encouraged her and got her purified!
But none of it helped.

Sudachi
.....

Ayaka
Even though I've got this personality and I'm so noisy,
all I do is put a mask over Shizuku-chan's loneliness.
I can't heal the sadness she keeps underneath. Really, what's the point.

Yozuru
.....

Ayaka
I even forced her to purify with a grief seed.
And then... Ehehe, she got angry at me.
I didn't want to bother her,
and even after purifying it, the thing just quickly got cloudy again. So there was no point to that either.

Yozuru
It got cloudy again quickly... Then, I...at that time...

Ayaka
So, well... All I could do is watch over her.
It's just as Shizuku-chan said:
It's sad when you can't do anything.

Sudachi
Humunhuhun...

Ayaka
You don't gotta apologize~

Yozuru
Can't...do anything...

-Flashback-

Livia
But if ya happen ta meet any of the girls while you're investigating,
take good care of them, will ya?

Livia
That all depends on the situation. Even I don't know what's goin' on.
Suppose that means ya gotta look at the big picture and make your own judgment call.

-End Flashback-

Yozuru
T-there is still something we can do.

Sudachi
Humu?

Ayaka
Eh!?

Yozuru
Let's carry Hozumi-sama to her home.
And then Mariko-sama can take good care of her until her mind is settled.
My memo also says this is a good idea in situations like this.

Ayaka
.....Thank you.
But I can't. If I carry her and take care of her,
Shizuku-chan will think I'm the cause of her problems again.

Yozuru
But...

Ayaka
Right now the best thing I can do for her is to be a total stranger
and call an ambulance, saying there's a fainted girl in the park.
There's nothing I can do for her as her friend.
There's nothing I can do. Just like Shizuku-chan.

Yozuru
Can't...do anything...

Ayaka
Alright, I'm really calling an ambulance now.
You two should hurry on home.

Sudachi
Humu...

Yozuru
...Let's return home. There is nothing we can do here.

---

Yozuru
We were instructed to help in any way we can,
but we were unable to do anything...
And purifying Hozumi-sama was a pointless endeavor.

Sudachi
Humuu...

Yozuru
Are you sad, Sudachi? Because we could not do anything.

Sudachi
.....

Yozuru
...Is there anything you would like to eat?
We'll make tonight's dinner whatever Sudachi wants to eat.

Sudachi
...Humumun.

Yozuru
...You don't want to?
Ahh...

-Flashback-

Emiri
I'm sorry.

Sasara
It's not like that...

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

-End Flashback-

Yozuru
...Is that what is going on...?
Both Sudachi and I... Hozumi-sama and Mariko-sama,
and Kisaki-sama, Tatsuki-sama, and Minagi-sama,
none of us are able to do anything...
And we will continue to be unable to...

Sudachi
Humuu...

Yozuru
Kind people lament when they are unable to do anything.
Then, does that result in "going along with it," I wonder.
If so, then that is more than just lethargy,
that has become more like self-harm.
...No, I can't be making a judgment like that right now.

Sudachi
Humu?

Yozuru
When we return home,
we'll report to Sensei that we were unable to do anything.

Sudachi
Humu!

Yozuru
By the way, I wonder where Sensei went.
She said she was going out of the city.


===============
===Episode 4===
A Taste of Hope

Livia
Come now, I'll talk ta ya.
Well, I don't expect
ta get any answers, though.

=====1=====

Livia
.....
Kyubey.

Kyubey
Hey, Livia.

Livia
I'd like ta ask ya something. Ya mind?

Kyubey
Only if I have an answer.

---

Livia
I see...
So even you didn't expect anythin' like this.

Kyubey
As you may have imagined, what's happening in Kamihama is irregular.
I'm unable to predict what will happen either.

Livia
Well, I know you're not one ta lie ta me,
so I'll believe ya for now.
...But, that means we gotta 'nother problem.

Kyubey
That's correct. I never expected this either,
so I can't accurately suggest the best course of action for now.

Livia
Then let's get this sorted out.
All of the Kimochi stones have appeared and been grabbed by mahou shoujo from each group.
We've gotten that much outta this.

Kyubey
With slight deviations, of course.

Livia
And it's expected that they're gonna be competin' for the bracelets that hold the Kimochi stones.
In fact, Chiharu-chan was targeted yesterday.
And since Kamihama is where the stage is set, a lotta mahou shoujo are fightin' there,
which resulted in all that energy bein' collected.
But, y'know...

Kyubey
The results deviated too far from the calculations.
What will happen next is a small-scale battle between a select few mahou shoujo,
which means at first glance I can't expect great results.

Livia
First glance? What, ya implyin' something?

Kyubey
It is true that some girls were selected,
but I don't know how the conflict between the remaining mahou shoujo will work.

Livia
...Something's gonna happen?

Kyubey
I'm not certain yet,
but there are other factors at play causing turmoil in that city,
since not all mahou shoujo there are straightforward.

Livia
It's unusual for you to be havin' wishful thinking.

Kyubey
Wishful thinking? I don't agree with that.
You humans are always so full of uncertainties
that you put me in situations I would never expect.
So it's not wishful thinking. This is a result of statistics.

Livia
I see... But, even if that's the case,
for me, it's more about hope.

=====2=====

Livia
.....

Kyubey
What we talked about here today,
are you going to inform Sasame Yozuru and Sawa Sudachi?

Livia
...I won't tell them everything.
If I tell them, they'd be stuck with a burden they're not gonna want,
so I'm gonna have ta be the villain as I've always been.

Kyubey
Hiding, yet not hiding. You humans are puzzling.

Livia
If ya don't understand, then there's no point in thinkin' about it.
What we need ta think about is what'll be happenin' next,
if we should keep observing the mahou shoujo as we have been or not.

Kyubey
Then may I make one request to you, Livia?

Livia
...Request?

Kyubey
It's about Satori Kagome.

Livia
Kagome-chan...

Kyubey
Do you know her?

Livia
I've spoken ta her before... She asks a lotta questions.
Wait a second. That girl's not even a mahou shoujo, though?
Is this because that girl's possessed by an Uwasa?

Kyubey
I would like you to keep watch over her.

Livia
You're sayin' it all nice, but you mean ta observe her, don't ya?
Ya mind at least tellin' me the reason?

Kyubey
I will explain it to you step by step.

=====3=====

Livia
I'm home~

Yozuru
Welcome home.
Dinner has been prepared.

Livia
You're so considerate.
I'm practically starving.

Yozuru
Then I will start serving right away.
How about Sudachi?

Sudachi
Humu...

---

Yozuru
Thank you for the meal.

Sudachi
Huhuhumuhumu.

Livia
Thank you for the meal.
*Munch chew...*
So goood~

Sudachi
.....

Yozuru
.....

Livia
Nothin' beats a good meal right after work.
Ahh, of course thanks to Yozuru's excellent skills.

Yozuru
Thank you very much.

Livia
*Munch chew...* *Gulp*
So, how'd today's investigation go?

Sudachi
Humu...

Yozuru
.....
We saw several mahou shoujo, but...
We were uable to do anything.

Livia
That so?

Yozuru
Please excuse us.
Our instructions were to provide care in any way, but...

Livia
Mm? ...Well, yeah I did say that, but I don't mind.
Havin' nothin' to do is the biggest sign of peace.
*Munch chew...*

Yozuru
No... Yes...that's right.

Sudachi
Humu...

Yozuru
How are you, Sensei? You went out of the city, right?
I'm assuming with Kyubey...

Livia
Yeah, but Kyubey didn't know anythin' either.
He said the members selected was unexpected.

Yozuru
Did he?

Livia
And just after, Kyubey asked me ta do a job for him.

Sudachi
Humu!?

Yozuru
What is it?

Livia
He wants me ta keep a watch over what Kagome-chan's doing.

Yozuru
Satori-sama...you say? What reason would he have for that?

Livia
Eh, ahh...
Ya know, that girl, she's not a mahou shoujo so she's really weak?
If she got involved there's nothin' she'd be able ta do.
So we gotta keep an eye on her, help her out.

Yozuru
That's...it is as you say.

Livia
Just 'cause Kyubey asked doesn't mean ya gotta take it seriously, though.
Think of it more lightly.

Sudachi
Humu...

Livia
By the way Yozuru, Sudachi...
Why aren't ya eating?

Yozuru & Sudachi
.....

Sudachi
Humunmuhun...

Yozuru
I'm not in the mood, she says. I feel the same way.

Livia
Uh oh... Are ya guys sick?

Sudachi
Humumun.

Yozuru
It's not that, but...

Livia
Hmm. Well, we all have days like that.

Yozuru
Don't mind us, Sensei. Please continue eating.

Livia
You're right, you went through the trouble of makin' it.
*Munch chew...*
So good!
Today's was just exceptional!