Miura Asahi MSS

thanks SerenDark, Vivi for reviewing!

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

The Newcomer's True Face
Asahi: "Coming all the way out to this assembly... I'm beginning to regret it."

-1-

Chiharu
Today we gather to commemorate Asahi-chan joining the Tokime Clan!
Thank you all for coming!

Sunao
Does everyone have their drink in hand?

Chiharu
Alright then, to Asahi-chan joining Tokime Clan-

Shizuka
Kanpaaai!

Everyone
[Kanpaaai!]

Asahi
Goodness me...
It's regrettable that I've only joined this late...

Shizuka
No need to fret over that.
This serves as a celebration of all the Tokime Clan gathering together as well,
so while this makes our acquaintance formal, from here we'll further our friendships.

Chiharu
She's got that right!
With this, all of the Tokime Diviners are finally gathered here in Kamihama.

Sunao
From now on we will be doing our best together in this unfamiliar city,
and we cannot be united without banding together, can we?

Asahi
Is that true as well?

Shizuka
Indeed, so let us enjoy ourselves today!

Sunao
Okay, everyone,
I ask that you step forward one at a time and introduce yourselves.

---

Chika
...And that's why
the wish came true in a roundabout manner.
I was living with the Tokime branch family deep within the mountains,
but then I received contact from the head family to return to Kamihama...

---

Ryouko
Seriously, that story gets me erry time I hear it.
*SNIFF*... 'Kay! Chiharu's turn next!

Chiharu
Sure thing! My name is Hiroe Chiharu!
My favorite things are... Todoroki Koichi and Yusurinbo Shogun and...
Ah, Yusurinbo Shogun, you see that's...

---

Shizuka
Is that the end of introductions then, I wonder.

Ryouko
Ya sure ya didn't mean Chiharu's Yusurinbo Shogun lecture?

Chiharu
Sorryyy... I just got so into it.

Asahi
After listening to Chiharu-dono's explanation
I've grown curious about Yusurinbo Shogun.

Chiharu
Really!?
Then after this we'll throw our own party and watch them all night, starting from episode 1...!

Asahi
How many episodes are there?

Chiharu
The series has around 1,000 episodes total!
And I just happen to have every subtitle memorized!

Asahi
...That...is quite amazing,
but of course I will have to decline watching 1,000 episodes...

Chiharu
Guess you're right...

Sunao
And finally we come to Asahi-san. Could you please introduce yourself?

Asahi
Ah, must I? I am not...

Shizuka
You are the star today, Asahi, so if anything you should be the one giving a speech.
Everyone, if you wish to learn about Asahi.

Asahi
...Then, if I may be so forward,
Miura Asahi, age 16.
Though I may be a late entry... As a member of the Tokime Clan,
I fully intend to carry out my duties.

Chiharu
Mm-hmm!

…………

Chika
...?

Asahi
...That is all.

Chiharu
Ehh!? That's iiit!?


-2-

Chiharu
Ehh!? That's iiit!?

Asahi
Indeed...that's it.

Chiharu
No way, can't you introduce yourself a bit more!?
Like hobbies, where you're from, anything like that...
I wanna know more about you, Asahi-chan!

Asahi
What a hassle this is...
There cannot possibly be anything of interest regarding me, could there?
…………
Well, I can discuss the details of hunting.

Chiharu
Alriiight!

---

Asahi
...And thus, the finishing stab procedure is extremely important
as to reduce suffering as much as possible.

Chiharu
...The weight of a life...
I'm...going to put more effort into being thankful for my meals from now on...

Asahi
That is a fine mindset.

Shizuka
And with that, it is just about the time to bring things to a close.

Chiharu
...Say whaaat!
Wasn't this just all hunting talk? I didn't get to hear aaanything!

Asahi
I tried imitating Chiharu-dono's crash course on Yusurinbo Shogun...
but was that unwise?

Chiharu
D-darn it all~!

---

Chiharu
WAAAAH! I'M SO CURIOUS!

Shizuka
Calm yourself, Charu. What's gotten into you so suddenly?

Sunao
She's right. Being noisy at night will upset the neighbors.

Chiharu
S-sorry... It's because of Asahi-chan's story!
During her introduction, all she talked about was hunting, you know!?

Shizuka
That was because she tried to match your storytelling, Charu.

Chiharu
But she's not from the same branch family we came from,
and her wish...I don't know what her hobbies are... I don't know aaanything about heeer!

Shizuka
Ah, speaking of wish, I also forgot to speak about mine, didn't I?

Sunao
...Well, wishes are a sensitive topic for Diviners, so...
Forcing her to speak about it is not justifiable...

Chiharu
You're both right, but... Still, I'm kind of curious.

Shizuka
...Do you sense any malice?

Chiharu
Not at all...

Shizuka
Ehh... Charu... What in the world has gotten into you?
Asahi is going to be our comrade from now on, so it is not okay to thoughtlessly pry into her life.

Chiharu
...Yeah. It's just as you say, Shizuka-chan.
...But I want to know Asahi-chan, to be better friends with her...
It's kind of eating me up...

Shizuka
...Then the three of us can have a sleepover tonight!

Chiharu
Ehh!?

Shizuka
If we talk a lot, then that weight may be lifted from your shoulders.

Sunao
Huhu, that may be pleasant. Almost like a field trip.
This is girl talk... I believe it is called?

Shizuka
...Garl tawk?


-3-

Shizuka
Munya...suu...

Sunao
Suu...suu...

Chiharu
Nnu...
(Oh, I dozed off while we were chatting...?)
(Uu...I kinda need to go to the bathroom...)
(The temple's so dark and scary at night, so I don't wanna, though...)

[*Rustle rustle...*]

Chiharu
(Hie...! Sounds coming from outside at this hour...?)
(It might be a thief, so I oughta go check it out...!)

---

Chiharu
(I could have sworn the sound came from around here...)
(...Ah-)
(It's Asahi-chan... ...She's talking to someone?)
――っ!?
(That woman...!)
(But we held her funeral at the temple recently...!?)
(There's no way, yet...)
(Ah- her l-l-leeegs are see through! I-it's a ghost...!)

---

[*Thud thud thud...fall*]
[*Rustle rustle*]

Sunao
Hyaa!? Is something in my futon...!?

Chiharu
Hiiin... Sunao-chaaan...

Sunao
Charu!? What happened!?

Chiharu
A g-ghooost... A ghost appeaaared...

Sunao
Ehh?

Chiharu
Asahi-chan might have been a ghost...

Sunao
Pardon...?

---

Sunao
Um, so let me get this straight...
Asahi-san was speaking to a woman who should have died recently,
and before Asahi-san noticed you, you ran away...then?

Chiharu
Yeah...

Sunao
Then how did Asahi-san become a ghost at that point?

Chiharu
Because...because... I saw it on Yusurinbo Shogun...
The kid who was talking to the ghost ended up already being dead...
That's why she was able to talk to the ghost...

Sunao
This story has taken quite the leap...

Chiharu
...It was a special edition for the Obon holiday that never got printed to disc,
so I only got to see it once, but I can still faintly remember it...

Sunao
Hmm...Asahi-san could be a spiritual medium... Though, as Diviners,
unique magic is also involved...so that possibility also exists.

Chiharu
But, if it's her unique magic, what in the world would she wish for...

Sunao
It is true that unique magic can sometimes be related to one's wish...

Shizuka
Good heavens, Asahi is not a ghost.

Sunao
Ah, you are up as well, Shizuka.

Shizuka
Asahi has legs, and they can be touched!
Oh, why ghosts... why ghosts...!

Sunao
Ah, you're trembling. You're scared too, then...

Shizuka
I'm sure Charu was just half-asleep and mistook whatever she thought she saw...!

Chiharu
T-that's definitely not possible!
Ha-...!
(That reminds me - in the second volume of the Yusurinbo Shogun Obon Holiday special...)
[Just like this moment, the shogun who saw the ghost told his vassals all about it, but they didn't believe him.]
[However, that night they began disappearing one by one... Because the ghost was controlling everyone, trying to take them all to the underworld itself. ...That's how the episode went!]
(Which means these guys might be under the ghost's control too...!)

Sunao
...Charu?

Chiharu
(I have to protect Shizuka-chan and everyone...!)

Shizuka
...Well, since you were clearly mistaken, perhaps we can go back to sleep now?

Chiharu
Ah - wait!
Um...could one of you go with me to the bathroom?


-4-

<The next morning>

Head Priest of Suitoku Temple
You said you had something very important to tell me, so what could that be?

Chiharu
The truth is that there might be ghosts in this temple!

Head Priest
I see...
Perhaps this is the Onibaba's doing.

Chiharu
...Onibaba?

Head Priest
It's an old tale passed down for generations within the temple...
[This Onibaba, it is said, controls those who she wishes to eat, but children are especially likely to be her target...]
[At the dead hours of the night she comes, using her brainwashing craft on the children, but every child brainwashed by her would become blind to her presence...]
And then without warning you get...GULPED!

Chiharu
HIIiii...!

Head Priest
Right, right, hold a sec.

---

Head Priest
Take this.

Chiharu
An old scroll...?

Head Priest
This painting made here, this is Onibaba.

Chiharu
She's scary... And she's holding a really huge knife.

Head Priest
The Onibaba, ya know, spends night after night sharpening this knife,
walking, hunting for her prey under darkness of night.

Chiharu
――っ!?
(That's right, when I passed by Asahi-chan's room earlier...)
(It sounded like a blade was being sharpened.)
(And when I took a peek into her room)
(I saw some scary looking carving knife and a handgun...)
Ah...!
(Don't tell me, last night she was outside looking for prey!?)
(Then... That ghost woman -)
(She already fell victim to the Onibaba...!?)
I can't let this go on...!
If I don't wake everyone up soon they're going to be in trouble!
I have to keep the peace of Suitoku Temple...!

---

Shizuka
EHH!? ASAHI IS AN ONIBABA!?

Chiharu
Shh! Keep your voice down, Shizuka-chan...!

Sunao
I was wondering why I was summoned so early in the morning...
Charu... This is incredibly rude of you...

Shizuka
R-right...Asahi could never be such a horrid youkai...!

Chiharu
But I heard a knife being sharpened and even saw a handguuun!
The head priest even said there was no mistaking it...!

Shizuka
...But...uuuh... Asahi is our comrade...
…………Ha-!
It's possible Asahi herself is being controlled by the Onibaba...!

Sunao
Shizuka...?

Shizuka
Yes...that certainly must be the case! Asahi is being possessed by an Onibaba!

Chiharu
Well...there's no denying that's possible either...!

Shizuka
Then we must exorcise the Onibaba from Asahi!

Chiharu
Yeah...!
Whether Asahi-chan herself is the Onibaba, or if she's been possessed by it,
our first step is to investigate!

Sunao
H-hold on, you guys!?
Could you please not trouble Asahi-san!?

---

Asahi: My life's story... None of it is particularly interesting.

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

The Onibaba Battle
Asahi: "Even as a Mahou Shoujo I have to put up with insufficient sleep..."

-1-

Asahi
Nn...
(Is it because I've yet to grow accustomed to this environment...?)
(I was unable to sleep well last night either...)

Chiharu
Ah, Asahi-chan!

Asahi
Chiharu-dono...
You are looking rather pale. Did something happen?

Chiharu
Um, about that... Does anything seem out of the ordinary?

Asahi
...Nothing in particular?

Chiharu
I-is that so...of course! Got it!

Asahi
...?
(The air is a little strange this morning...)
(I feel their eyes burning holes through me...)
(Did they find out the group I really belong to...?)
(...No, I haven't revealed as much as a scrap to them...)
(However, there is no guarantee that they won't find me out, so...)
(It'd be best to increase my guard.)

---

Shizuka
Asahi!

Asahi
――っ!?
(Something so suddenly...)

[*Slap!*]

Asahi
Owah-!?
Why did you suddenly slap my back!?

Shizuka
I heard this was best for possessive spirits...
But did that make any difference...?

Asahi
No, haa...ehh?
(Possessive spirits...?)

---

Chiharu
Mumu, I see it...I can see you...!

Asahi
Uuummm... See what...exactly?

Chiharu
The evil spirit, Asahi-chan! I gotta purify it...!

Asahi
(Well honestly, me being possessed wouldn't seem that strange...)

Chiharu
Okay, from now on do exactly as I tell you!
First: jump in place!

Asahi
There...like that?

Chiharu
Huh, what...there wasn't any sound at all. Maybe you don't have it on you after all...

Asahi
...Is this a shakedown?

Chiharu
Nothing like that - just checking for hidden weapons... N...n-n-nothing!
Ah - you can have this!

Asahi
...Ofuda?

---

Asahi
Huah...tired... .....guu...

Shizuka
Away, evil spirits~ Away, evil spirits~

Chiharu
Asahi-chan is getting closer and closer to telling the truth...

Asahi
...What is this about?

Chiharu
Ueeeh!? She woke uuup!?

Shizuka
Was the exorcism a success...!?

Asahi
...Anyone would wake up after being spoken directly into their ears.
(And when was the last time I got proper sleep...)

Shizuka
Geez, you and your loud voice, Charu. It won't reveal itself now...!
You were not even trying to drive it out to begin with. What were you doing?

Chiharu
I was trying to solve the mystery surrounding Asahi-chan through hypnotism!
To get a lead in solving a case you have to throw away all prejudice.
Todoroki Koichi even said so.
Things are going to be really bad if Asahi-chan really is "that",
so we need to take things besides possession into consideration too!

Shizuka
So, Charu, you say you suspect your friends then!?

Chiharu
That's not what I was getting at...!

Asahi
E-excuse me...?

Chiharu
Ha-!

Shizuka
T-this is not the same Asahi, this is...!

Sunao
I-I am so terribly sorry! I apologize for all the trouble...!

Asahi
Really, what is going on around here...
(Exorcism...possession... Ah, exorcising an evil spirit?)
(Is there a spiritual medium within the Tokime Clan or something...)
(A medium...if anyone would fit that it would be me, but...)
(No, what I should be more concerned with is what Chiharu-dono stated...)
(She spoke as if... Alluding that I am hiding a secret...)
(Has she discovered something regarding me...?)
...Haa, has she been doing a little peeping?

---

Tokime Girl 1
Asahi-san is...? But...that cannot be...

Tokime Girl 2
Either way...it's just all hearsay, but...

Asahi
(I wasn't able to hear the important part,)
(but for some reason a strange rumor is circulating regarding me.)

---

Asahi
(For some reason Chiharu-dono seems to be the center of this story...)
(...Speaking of, they seem to be having some kind of dispute.)

Chiharu
We tried practically everything, but none of it worked. In the end, Asahi-chan herself may be...

Sunao
Like I was saying - you two are going overboard...!

Chiharu
But this is also to prove Asahi-chan's innocence.

Shizuka
...If Asahi truly is,
then like Charu says, we cannot just ask her herself.

Chiharu
Yeah...so we have to investigate her ourselves...!

Shizuka
For the sake of proving Asahi's innocence...there is no helping it, is there?

Sunao
Are you really sure about this...?

Chiharu
Yeah. Let's go examine Asahi-chan's room.

Asahi
――っ!?


-2-

Asahi
(Examine my room...?)
(So it's true, my infiltration was exposed...!?)
(They should be unable to find evidence searching through my room,)
(but still, there are some things I don't want them to see...)
(And if I draw suspicion from the very group I've infiltrated,)
(I may be unable to do what must be done here.)
(Whatever the case may be, first I must defend my room from invasion...!)
(This is just like trap hunting... It's making my blood pump.)
(...Wait, before that can happen I need to provide a chance for them to intrude...)

---

Asahi
Now, I've reported to Chiharu-dono and the others of the time I will be stepping out.
It is likely they will attempt their break-in during that time.
I must prepare to intercept them immediately,
and I have to be ready for them to get inside.
The survival knife I sharpened for hunting the other day
is dangerous, so that will need to be put away as well.
...My model guns I collect as a hobby and the replica rank insignias...
And all the wonderful things Ojii-chan gave me...
The goggles and watch I bought because I thought they were steampunk, too...

[*Click, rumble, clunk*]

Asahi
Uu...there's a mess in here with all these things strewn about...
And looking in here, there's so many things with camouflage patterns...
Perhaps I should have left my hobby memorabilia with my parents a little longer...
No, I cannot go back home any longer...
I have no choice but to tidy up, one way or another.
...If they see a real deactivated gun, they are likely to get the wrong idea.
Huu...my collection ended up distracting me along the way,
but I managed to put away all these problematic things which mustn't be seen...
Well... It is all mostly hobby,
but even the calendar, the stationary, and the bookshelf all exude my hobby.
After putting it all away, my room has become completely empty, hasn't it.
I would be in trouble should anything happen to these difficult to find antiques
and the pocketwatch that Ojii-chan gave me, so these will go in my desk drawer...
Next is to place traps in the vicinity of the room...
...and complete!
Hallway...engawa...garden... Traps have been set all along the establishment leading up to the room.
No one will be hurt
as I have mainly used simple rope traps,
but it will be enough to hamper any invasion upon my territory.
Next is...
...The foundation of hunting. To lie in wait.

---

Asahi
There is no telling how far the rumors have been spreading,
but if it has circulated amongst the branch families, the number of people who may break in and attack remains unknown.
If there is any fear that my circumstances become known, I will have to consider the option of leaving the Tokime Clan as well...

---

Chiharu
Guys, are you all ready?

Shizuka
Yes, for the sake of proving Asahi's innocence.

Sunao
...We've already come this far. I am prepared...
I really am not happy to do it, though...

Chiharu
Alright, let's go in from the garden!

Asahi
.....Here they are.


-3-

Chiharu
~ Alright everyone, let's go! ~

Tokime Girl
~ I'll be the first spear...! ~

Chiharu
~ Everyone, storm right with her! ~

Shizuka
~ Understood! ~

[Kyaaa!?]

Chiharu
W-what was that about!?

[UwaaAH!]

Shizuka
I'm going in...!
Kya-!?

Chiharu
S-Shizuka-chan just vanished!? What the heck's going on!?

---

[UwaAAH-!]

Asahi
(Sounds like the traps are handling things smoothly.)
(If this keeps up, the room invasion will be successfully deterred.)
――っ!?
(It can't be...!)
For her to make it inside of my room...
No, just getting in won't be a problem...
The moment she places a hand on the wardrobe or the desk...

---

Chiharu
...Huh, wasn't there a sturdy kitchen knife lying around here earlier?
It was serrated, like for something other than cooking,
but maybe I'm really just mistaken...
Forget that – the whole room's empty!
...Ah, the desk drawer is slightly open...
.....Slightly... If I can just take a little peek...

Asahi
That is as far as you go.

Chiharu
――っ!?

Asahi
Regardless of whatever intentions you may have,
I would like you to cease your meddling.

Chiharu
D...Do-do...

Asahi
...Do?

Chiharu
D...Don't eat meee~!

Asahi
Hah-?

[*Click clack*]

Asahi
...Chiharu-dono, are those prayer beads you are holding!?

Shizuka
A-awawawawawa – away, evil spirits, away, evil spirits~~!

Asahi
Ehh...? Shizuka-dono, what in the world are you doing...?

Sunao
I-I am so sorry, I'm so sorry!

Sunao's Voice
I wasn't able to stop these two, this is all my fault!

Asahi
Wai – Sunao-dono!? Stop kneeling on the ground!
And why is everyone holding prayer beads and talismans...!?

Ryouko
Oi oi, what's with all the noise? Did one of them evil spirits pop up!?

Chika
Is there a suspect in our midst!?

Asahi
No, I nor anyone is. What in the world...
(The feeling I'm getting here...is that no one actually discovered my identity...?)

Chiharu
Motheeer! Uwaaan!

Shizuka
Away evil spirits, kuwabara kuwabara...

Sunao
I'm so sorry I'm so sorry.

Asahi
Oh enough!
Calm! All of you calm yourselves at once!


-4-

Asahi
I'm an...Onibaba?

Shizuka
That is what Charu said at first, but...
I am the one who believed you were possessed by an Onibaba...

Asahi
So those were purification rites -
abruptly slapping me on that back and other such odd behavior...?
Plus these prayer beads and talismans... You've convinced me...
But the only reason you believed me to be an Onibaba
is because... I was talking to a ghost?

Chiharu
In Yusurinbo Shogun something similar happened,
and the head priest even showed me a scroll of the Onibaba...
So now that I've put two and two together,
you're really not anything like the Onibaba, are you Asahi-chan...? I'm really sorry.

Asahi
No need...so long as you understand, that is what's most important...
(Then this means my secret hasn't been revealed after all...?)

Ryouko
Hey now, you said you asked about this Onibaba to the head priest, didn't ya?

Chiharu
Yeah, he said it's a story that's been passed down in this temple.
Maybe you heard about it too, Ryouko-chan?

Ryouko
Nah, I ain't ever heard of it...
I HAVE heard kid's tales real similar to it, though...

Chika
...Could it be that...

Head Priest of Suitoku Temple's Voice
[U-UWaaAAAAH]

Chiharu
――っ!?
That was the head priest's voice.

Asahi
Perhaps he was caught by one of my traps in the garden...

Chiharu
Let's go and see!

Head Priest
H-help me out here...

Ryouko
Well shoot, if he ain't hangin' upside down.

Asahi
I didn't account for the head priest being caught. ...I feel incredibly ashamed.

Head Priest
No, I'm the one who oughta be ashamed here...

Asahi
Let me help you down and then we can talk about this...

---

Chiharu
...Eh, you mean it was all a lie?

Chika
And after that happened...you really played it up, didn't you?

Ryouko
Oi oi, head priest, what gave ya the idea to pull a fast one like this?

Head Priest
There are no words I can return in kind...
The legend of Onibaba itself is true, but the tale I told to Chiharu
is a tall tale that's gone through many a change solely to keep children from staying up at night.
Chiharu-chan's reaction was just too good that I had to have some fun, but...
I knew not such a thunderous uproar would be my doing.
I was only just running here to see what the commotion was.
For troubling you, Asahi-chan, I am deeply ashamed...

Asahi
So long as the misunderstanding has been resolved, it's no matter to me.

Chiharu
I'm really sorry too...

Asahi
No, I am too...as I got a little too serious with the traps.
Letting my hunter's blood get to me like this, it's inexcusable...

Shizuka
Not at all... We're the ones who distrusted you to begin with.

Sunao
...I am so sorry.

Tokime Girl
We have no excuse for what we did...

[…………]

Ryouko
The hell's with the mood here!?

Chika
She's right. Our dear head priest's lie won't be forgiven, but...

Head Priest
Uu...

Chika
At least our misunderstandings with each other is taken care of.

Ryouko
Oh, sure has. How 'bout we go get some grub together.
Just this morning, Chika 'n I got a real good haul fishing,
so we can all eat outta the same pot!
Well, we already stuffed ourselves full at the welcome party, but hey, what's another, huh!

Chika
That's a wonderful idea.

Asahi
Then as my apology, I shall treat everyone to some wild game cooking.

Head Priest
I will treat you all to something as repentance for my actions as well...

Asahi
There's no need; I am already over it...

Chiharu
Then...juice and sweets!

Sunao
Hey, Charu...

---

Asahi: "Onibaba...you say?"

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

A Wish That Won't Come True

Asahi: "At any rate, I am glad the misunderstanding was resolved."

-1-

Shizuka
And now, as a symbol of our renewed peace...

Chiharu
With the juice the head priest bought for us...

Everyone
[Kanpai!]

Asahi
Goodness me, the Tokime Clan has so many banquets.

Shizuka
We certainly do, as the adults from our village held many banquets of their own.

Chiharu
Hey hey, Asahi-chan, is this what you made?

Asahi
Indeed it is.
It may seem unrefined, but wild game cooking is my specialty.

Chiharu
It's super good!
I was thinking it was gonna reek more of animal,
but I was completely wrong about that!

Sunao
Yes, it's very delicious!

Asahi
I'm glad you found it pleasing to your palate.
To lessen the animal smell,
I did all sorts of prep work. It was well worth it.

Chiharu
...Um, Asahi-chan, I'm really sorry for all this time.

Asahi
Not at all, there's no need to continue talking about it.
I was just as responsible for the misunderstanding to begin with.
We equally went overboard.

Chiharu
But...um, there's just been one thing really bugging me.
Would it be okay if I asked?

Asahi
That depends on what it is...

Chiharu
Um, the ghost!
That one thing has me so super curious!
If you don't want to talk about it, though... That's...totally fiiine...

Asahi
Your face and your words and conflicting.
...That was my unique magic.

Chiharu
Unique magic?

Sunao
See, was I not saying that from the start!?

Chiharu
Huuuh, that's all it was?

Shizuka
Asahi's unique magic is something that allows talking to ghosts?

Asahi
Well, that is about the gist of it.
The woman I was speaking to was the previous owner of a cat she sheltered.
I heard she lived alone, and wondered if the cat had been adopted,
so using my unique magic, I confirmed it myself.

Chiharu
So that's what happened...

Shizuka
You're kind to humans and animals alike, aren't you Asahi?

Chiharu
And here I was calling her Onibaba...Uu...

Asahi
Ahh, Chiharu-dono's become blue again...

Ryouko's Voice
Oooi!

Ryouko
The head priest's gotten us snacks as his treat to us!

Chika
I also prepared some hot tea, but...
Are you in the middle of something...?

Asahi
No, my thanks. I will gladly partake.

[*Sip*]

Asahi
Ouchie...!

Chika
Eh, was it that hot? Excuse me...

Asahi
Ahh no, don't worry, there's no problem. I just have a bit of a cat's tongue is all...
I am usually attentive, but it is entirely my responsibility for becoming distracted.

Chiharu
...There's something kind of unexpected.

Ryouko
Sure is, feels like we mighta just discovered a whole new side of her.

Asahi
Ehh...? I was just overreacting about the cat's tongue.

Shizuka
Is that so...

Asahi
Is something the matter?

Shizuka
There is no need to pry information to get to learn about someone.
Like how I learned that Asahi has a cat tongue just now,
as we spend our days with one another, we will come to learn details.
It's just natural.
...Which is why I'm sorry.
We wanted to become your friends, Asahi. We tried to get to know you by force,
but that was not okay, was it?

Sunao
...That's right.
Not hurriedly, but leisurely getting to know each other is what is okay.

Chiharu
Yeah!

Asahi
If you would do so, I will be equally as grateful to you.


-2-

Rabi
...So, how are things on your end, Asahi?
That Onibaba...something or other that you had a fight about?

Asahi
This story just has to keep getting brought up again and again...

Urara
It's gotta be Rabi-san's favorite topic.
Her bustin' that out with a straight face catches me so off guard I almost start laughin'.

Alexandra
I see Rabi-chan's shoulders shake every time she remembers it too.

Asahi
I wish you wouldn't treat someone's crisis as a joke...
And as I've said many times already, the suspicion that I was an Onibaba was already cleared up...
Also...

-Flashback-

Chiharu
Asahi-chan, morning~

Asahi
A fine morning it is.
(Now that the Onibaba misunderstanding has been cleared...)
(Every day has been calm as can be.)
[Chiharu-dono's sniffing all about me has completely ceased, and I no longer feel unpleasant stares my way.]
(It's gotten somewhat easy to breathe around here.)

---

Asahi
Huwah...
(I only planned on settling down a while, but I fell asleep instead...)
(When was the last time I slept like this...)
(...Nn, a towel on my stomach... Who put this on me?)

Sunao
Ah, excuse me. ...Did I wake you up?
I didn't want you to get a cold so I put a towel over you, but...

Asahi
...No, you have my thanks.

Chika
I see Asahi-san is up. If it's okay, would you like some tea?

Asahi
Eh, sure... I will have some.

[*Sip*]

Asahi
...Ah – it's not hot.

Chika
Huhu, so you noticed? I made it cooler since I learned from last time.

Asahi
Hu – just right. It is pleasantly warm...

-End Flashback-

Asahi
The Tokime Clan has accepted me warmly.

Rabi
...Then that is wonderful to hear.

Asahi
The main issue is after that...
I went to the Tokime village the other day...
And how the head family can remain so straightforward and pure given their situation...
On one hand I honestly find them amazing, but I also feel a sense of danger.

-Flashback-

<Kirimine Village>

Asahi
Is this where the coming-of-age ceremony took place...?

Shizuka
It was.
Go out of your way to dress up in fine dress, and then they pushed you off from here.
Straight into the waterfall basin ahead.
All the people I admired are resting there...

Asahi
っ...

Chiharu
I saw them too. Because I sunk down into the basin with her...

Shizuka
[We of the Tokime Clan have been with the Diviners since birth, and we are here to devote our lives for the sake of others!]
[We must carry the wishes of the Diviners who left this world before their time, defeat the injustice of Witchification, and do our utmost for the sake of the Land of the Rising Sun and its people!]
[We are not like those who treat Diviners’ lives as tools to escape their fate!]

Asahi
Surrounding those girls were the ulterior motives of adults, stained with desires...
And yet they live, not with corruption, but with honesty.
Going to the Tokime village, I...

Rabi
Asahi...

Asahi
Ahh, I shouldn't.
I need to return soon or I will make them worry.
I shall take my leave.

Rabi
.....

---

Asahi
(I know this is to remain merely a temporary relationship.)
(Even so, if I am not careful, I will find myself not wanting to distance myself...)
(They have yet to become sullied. They are pure and so carefree.)
(For someone who believes in resignation like myself, they are a little dazzling.)
(Even though we will all end up at the same place,)
(I...)

Chika's Voice
Ah – Asahi-san! So this is where you were!

Asahi
...Chika-dono. How do you do?

Chika
Um, we were all talking about stargazing
over at my cabin right now,
but would you like to join too, Asahi-san?

Asahi
...Certainly, I would be happy to accompany you.


-3-

Sunao
It seems today is the peak of the meteor shower.

Asahi
Is that right? I was not aware.

Shizuka
Compared to the village you can't see as many stars,
but even in the mountains of the city you can still see them properly...

Chiharu
Hey, hey, speaking of shooting stars, we gotta come up with wishes!

Ryouko
I bet ya got all kindsa worldly desires, Charu!

Chiharu
You say that, Ryouko-chan, just after making your own wish earlier!

Ryouko
Well, nothin' wrong with a little world peace!

Chiharu
You went large-scale!
I've been thinking about it for a while now, but I haven't come up with a wish at all.

Shizuka
To us Diviners, wishing is an important matter.

Asahi
...Indeed it is.

Chiharu
Asahi-chan, what did you wish upon the stars?

Asahi
...You are asking me?
I...
.....
If it were to come true, I would somehow go back to the day I became a Mahou Shoujo
and scold myself for it.
...And stop myself from making such a wish.

Sunao
Was it... A wish you regret?

Asahi
...Indeed it was.
["In days long gone, I loved being with people... I used to go to a children's center to teach them how to study, becoming an adviser for my acquaintances. I was a positive influence in their lives."]
["However, I hated people meddling in my personal life... Even back then I had a troublesome personality."]
["Wherein, perhaps because of my rebellious phase, I hated the meddling that came from my grandfather..."]
["And that is when I wished to Kyubey: I wish Grandfather would stop interfering with me..."]
["But because of that wish, Grandfather's father's war memorial that was dedicated to him was demolished, spiraling him into depression and falling ill..."]
["Through a very indirect series of events, it did come true..."]
I watched my grandfather break down, day by day.
I regret it so, so much...
And now...I know the reason why my grandfather meddled with my life so much.
Even back then I wasn't foolish enough to not see that I was loved.
Even so, I was so saddened that I couldn't help him.
...But I never imagined my wish would come true in such a way.
...And as a result of those feelings of mourning, my unique magic took shape.
So, if I were to make another wish as a Mahou Shoujo...
Indeed, I would scold my old self.
That will never come true though.

Chiharu
Uu...uu...

Asahi
Chiharu-dono!?

Chiharu
How could he... That's terrible of you, Kyūbē-sama...!
*Sniffle...*

Sunao
...If I may,

Asahi
...?

Sunao
his interference - what were you doing?

Asahi
Wha-...

Chiharu
Interfering...were you in love or something!?

Asahi
～～～～!

Shizuka
Eh – l-l-love!? You were in love...excuse me!?

Asahi
Y-you're wrong! It was nothing of the sort!

Sunao
A-ahh apologies...
It was not my place to ask you so much...

Asahi
...No, it was...my future after high school, my school life, and then...

Chiharu
And then...?

Asahi
っ... Will you hold your laughter?

Chiharu
No matter what kind of great love it is, I will absolutely not laugh!

Asahi
I told you this is not that kind of story...
...Um, my hobby is what he began meddling with.


-4-

Asahi
...Um, my hobby is what he began meddling with.
...Because I come from a samurai lineage, Grandfather would tell me war stories.
The people around the JSDF base had an impact on me...so...
I liked military things...
And from there I grew to like things like steampunk...


Chiharu
Sure.

Asahi
...Sure!?
You don't find it childish or funny?

Chiharu
No, because I've already seen your Mahou Shoujo outfit... And know about your hunting...
So a hobby like that fits the Asahi-chan image.
Or rather, I don't think it's childish at all, okay?
If anything I'd say it looks more like an adult hobby.

Asahi
Is...that right?

Sunao
I agree with her.
I am the same, um... I like cute things...
So having said that, my hobby may be much more childish...

Chiharu
Ah, so that gun looking thing that was in your room earlier,
it was related to your military hobby?

Asahi
You saw it, did you... ...Well, that it is.

Chiharu
So that's why there was that knife sharpening noise...!

Asahi
That I use for hunting. It's a survival knife, you see...

Chiharu
Ah...!
You didn't want us to see that you have a hobby like this, so you set up all those traps!
And the reason your room was empty was because you put everything away!?

Asahi
Well, I did do that...

Chiharu
I was curious about so much, but the whole puzzle's been solved!
Ah, hey hey! Next time I want to see more of your stuff!

Chika
I would like to accompany you as well! If that's okay with Asahi-san, that is...

Asahi
As long as push doesn't come to shove, I don't mind showing a little...

Chiharu
Ah-... I was being blunt with you again, sorry.
But I will never push you to!
Because I'm happy just to learn more about you, Asahi-chan!

Asahi
...っ, is that so?

Shizuka
...By the way, this milly tarry and steemu ponk...what are those?

Asahi
...Is that where you're left at?

Ryouko
I don't really get it all myself, but I'm guessin' they're similar enough, ain't they?

Asahi
They are completely different...!
First of all, the word military means...

Ryouko
Oh! A shooting star...!

Asahi
Hold on, I do not want you changing the subject...!

Chiharu
Ah, but there really are shooting stars!

Sunao
This must be the peak time.

Chiharu
What do I do, what do I do, I gotta hurry and make a wish!
Umm, umm...that's it!
[Even when we're all grannies, may we all continue to be friends just like this!]

Asahi
.....

Chiharu
Come on come on, hurry you guys!

Sunao
Then... Peace and harmony in our everyday lives, I suppose...?

Ryouko
.....

Chiharu
Ryouko-chan, what did you wish for this time?

Ryouko
Mm? Gimme a minute.

Chika
It would be nice if I could live with my parents in nature again...

Shizuka
What do I wish for... Prosperity for the Tokime Clan...or something?

Sunao
That is the head family's wish, is it not? What about yourself, Shizuka?

Shizuka
...Hmm, I'm not really sure,
but I would like a future where everyone is happy and equal.

Chiharu
And Asahi-chan?

Asahi
Me...you ask?
...Let's see.
(Our wishes will never come true.)
(Becoming grandmas...a future of peace, none of it.)
(The only thing awaiting us is destruction...)
(But...even so, if by chance it could come true...)
To stay together with everyone quietly now and long into the future...
If it could be, it would certainly be delightful.

Chiharu
Yeah-! It so would, Asahi-chan!

Shizuka
Huhu.

Sunao
What is it, Shizuka?

Shizuka
It feels like we have all become a little closer again.
To be honest, I wasn't sure about Asahi at first.
Even now that still hasn't changed,
but even so, we are becoming her friend little by little.
...That's all I was thinking.
...Hey, Asahi.
I wonder, will you walk the path together with us from now on, as Tokime Clan?

Asahi
っ... Of course I will.
(Until the day comes where we must part ways,)
(I will do everything I can here.)
(...Truthfully, it is unnecessary to support them this much.)
(Even so...)

Shizuka
Thank you, Asahi!

Asahi
(They laugh so innocently that I don't want to see them unhappy.)
[Even if we all go to the same place...]
[I want them to live a little longer. I want them be able to just laugh. Yes, that is  how I feel.]
[So...even though I know it will never come true, even if I am led to despair greater than I anticipated, I see just a sliver of hope.]
[...I cannot help but pray.]
[Until that time comes.]
[Please...]

Asahi: "I have no hope... Even so, I want to believe."