Elite Guard Memoirs: Hakone Arc
1: Let's Go to the Hot Springs#
Yume: Ahhh, I'm so bored-. Hey, can't we all go to some hot springs together?
Suzuka: That sounds nice, hot springs. We've been working nonstop lately, so a chance to let our hair down would be much appreciated.
Maki: There's no way all four of us can take a trip at once. Who's going to guard Yukari-sama then?
Suzuka: I know that. It's only wishful thinking. You take everything so seriously, Maki-san.
Maki: Oh, you weren't serious? ...Still, it would be good if we could visit hot springs together.
Yume: What if we say it's for an elite guard training camp? Then Yukari-sama will take us and we can all go to the hot springs! Like in Hakone!
Yomi: That's an unrealistic plan.
Yume: ...Wait? Didn't all four of us go to a hot spring in Hakone before?
Suzuka: We did. If I remember right, it was around when the elite guard was still being formed, shortly after Yume joined.
Maki: Back then we were elite guard in name only. We weren't used to each other yet, so it was disgraceful the way we struggled with each other.
Maki: Especially on that day. Just thinking about it makes my cheeks burn red.
Suzuka: Though it's thanks to that incident that we began mutually respecting each other's ability--
2: In the Past: Aradama Eradication Operation#
Yukari: --Maki, Suzuka. This time, I'll have you two aid in an operation to eliminate aradama located in Hakone.
Yukari: The scale of this operation will be greater than anything you two have been assigned since the formation of the elite guard.
Yukari: To that end, I've arranged for many toji to be under your command. All the equipment and rations you should need have been prepared as well.
Maki: Thank you for trusting me with such an important mission.
Suzuka: I'll see to it that this operation is carried out without fail.
Suzuka: --So then, Maki-san. Were you planning on leading the charge again?
Maki: Of course. Having the captain at the front allows you to react and give orders as fast as possible.
Suzuka: Is that so. However, it's my opinion that a captain should stay behind the unit, to get the clearest picture looking after the whole group.
Maki: But my unit suffers less injuries compared to others. The numbers don't lie.
Suzuka: That they don't. Then this time, I suppose I'll have to stick close to you and study how you fight.
Suzuka: I might even learn the secret behind your strength for myself, Maki-san.
Maki: Do whatever you want. Let's go, there's aradama to cut down! --Haah!
Suzuka: As I've come to expect, you handle your sword well, Maki-san.
Suzuka: ---! There's one coming around behind you! I'll dispose of it! Haaaah!!
Maki: -!? Suzuka, you're too close!! Give me more room to fight!!
Maki: I almost hit you when I swung at that aradama!
Suzuka: What's with your attitude!? I moved in to save you, you know!
Maki: I didn't need your help! Worry about yourself instead of me!
Suzuka: ...!! Is that so!! Then the next time you're in a pinch, Maki-san, I'll look the other way!!
Maki: Good! That works for me!
Suzuka: Honestly, what is with you...! ...Forget it. I'll return to the rear of the unit, like usual--
Suzuka: ...Eh-!?
3: Army of Aradama#
Suzuka: We've been completely surrounded by aradama! Just where did they all come from...!?
Suzuka: They can't have been lying in wait for us, can they...?
Maki: It's just a coincidence. Aradama setting up an ambush is unheard of.
Suzuka: ...You're right, I'm overthinking it. Aradama don't have the intelligence for it, after all.
Maki: Still, this is bad. We've been separated from the rest of the group.
Maki: We need to hurry and regroup--
Suzuka: Still, against these numbers, reuniting with them won't be easy.
Maki: We need to come up with a plan. But with their attacks coming one after another, it's hard getting a grip on the situation--
Approximately six hours after Maki and Suzuka were separated from the rest of the unit.
Commander A: What's going on out there!? The amount of aradama hasn't decreased in the slightest!
Commander B: Are Shidou-san and Konohana-san still unaccounted for!?
Commander C: I don't care how big the operation was supposed to be, how can you lose track of two of our top toji like that...!!
Commander D: This shouldn't be possible...!! There's no record of anything like this happening...!!
Commander E: The toji on site are asking for instructions! Can anyone deal with them--
Commander B: What do you want us to say!? Tell them to act at their own discretion!
Watanuki Kazumi: --I've heard that Maki-sama and Suzuka-sama were separated from their unit, but how did this happen!?
Commander F: Those two were fighting in the vanguard, when a sudden swarm of aradama overwhelmed them.
Commander F: Their current whereabouts are unknown. The numbers of aradama in the area are too great to conduct a search.
Naeba Wakako: For both captains to have been isolated by a swarm of aradama, isn't this a complete disaster...!?
Kazumi: It's been six hours already since they began fighting. We need to re-establish contact immediately to get them out of this war of attrition.
Kazumi: Have the toji on site form a rescue party, and search from where those two--
Commander F: On top of the immense numbers of aradama in the area, none of the other toji have experience commanding a unit. They have their hands full just keeping themselves safe.
Commander F: Given their circumstances, they don't have the toji to spare separating into a rescue party.
Kazumi: You can't be serious... Then you plan on leaving Maki-sama out there to die...!?
Commander F: I-I didn't say that... It's just, we have no other options to work with.
Wakako: So you're praying for a miracle that the aradama are dealt with before it's too late...?
???: Don't waste your breath on prayer. Miracles are something we must make for ourselves.
Wakako: -!? Y-Yukari-sama-!!
4: At the End of a Fight for Your Life#
Maki: Pant... Pant... Shit... No matter how many we cut down... There's more...
Suzuka: My arms and legs are like lead... Can hardly find the strength... To grip my okatana...
Maki: Phone's out of battery... Pant... Pant... Out of water... Out of food...
Suzuka: If this goes on much longer... We'll...
Suzuka: Since it's come to this... We may as well... Take as many with us...
Suzuka: Make things easier on... The other toji...!
Maki: Suzuka... What are you thinking...?
Suzuka: ...The same as you, I'd imagine...!
Maki: Got it... Suzuka, there's something I have to say.
Maki: When you saved me back then... I shouldn't have been so harsh with you. Sorry.
Suzuka: -!? ...No, I was acting childish as well...
Suzuka: ...Alright. Gather what strength you have left. This is our last dance!
Maki: Good...... Then, let's make this count!! URAAAAAAAHHH-!!
Suzuka: YAAAAAAAHHH-!!
Yume: YOU TWO! I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU!
Suzuka: ...Ehh? (Am I hallucinating from the fatigue...!?)
Yomi: Sorry we kept you waiting. You're safe now. There's a team of guards close behind us.
Yume: The hero always shows up at the last minute, you know! They're not always a girl though!
Maki: ...Yomi and Yume!? What're you doing here...!?
Yomi: We came to rescue you two, on Yukari-sama's orders.
Yume: That's how it is! --Still, you two got beat up pretty bad, huh!
Yume: You've got a long way to go if all it took was some aradama for you to end up like this, Onee-san~.
Maki: Sh... Shut up...! Did you come here to save us or humiliate us; make up your mind...!
Yume: Ahaha! Seems like you're feeling better already if you can talk back like that!
Yume: Anyway, just leave the rest to me!
5: Origami Yukari's Might#
Several hours before Yomi and Yume met up with Maki and Suzuka.
Commader A: The aradama are gathering their numbers! Find some way to keep them in check!
Commander B: How long before the situation returns to normal!? I need enough time for a bathroom break!
Commander C: Quit complaining; you're bringing down morale! You're not the only one having a rough time here, you know!
Commander D: That's right! The toji on the scene are really suffering out there!
Yukari: Everyone in Operations Headquarters, may I have your attention?
Commander B: -!? Y-Yukari-sama...!? Why is Yukari-sama here...!!
Commander A: Silence, everyone! Yukari-sama's speaking!
Yukari: --In regards to Maki and Suzuka, I've already formed a rescue party. I will be taking command from here.
Commander C: Yukari-sama formed a rescue team...!? More importantly, she's taking control of Operations HQ herself...!!
Yukari: Is there a seat for me to borrow?
Commander C: T-Take mine...!!
Commander D: Just being in the same room with Yukari-sama; what an honor...!!
Commander A: To all of you in the field! Yukari-sama has arrived here at Operations Headquarters! Just hold on a little longer! Hang in there!
Yukari: ...Hmm.
Kazumi: ...Excuse me, Yukari-sama. Thank you, for forming a rescue party.
Yukari: Maki and Suzuka are both very valuable. I wouldn't allow them to be lost here.
Yukari: --Yomi, Yume. Continue forward, suppressing all aradama in your way. Rescue Maki and Suzuka.
Yomi: --Yes. Please count on us.
Yume: This'll be a piece of cake for me~. By the way, Yukari-sama, after this is over, I want a match with you as my reward-!
6: Searching for Their Comrades#
--Several hours before Yomi and Yume met up with Maki and Suzuka.
Yume: Ahahahaha-! Keep it coming, aradama-! Take this-!
Yume: --Mmm-? This one's pretty tough! Still no match for me though!
Yomi: --Kh! As the reports mentioned, there's an incredible number of aradama here...!
Yume: Wah-!? That one snuck up behind me! You pervy aradama!
Yume: Hey, stop-! You're not getting away!
Yomi: Please wait, Tsubakuro-san. We aren't headed in that direction...
Yukari: Yume, don't act on your own. Stay by Yomi's side.
Yume: Ahaha, sorry 'bout that-!
Yomi: Tsubakuro-san. Thank you for coming back.
Yume: You're welcome! By the way, where're we going anyway?
Yomi: You were fighting without knowing that...? Shidou-san and Konohana-san are approximately three kilometers away, bearing 12 o'clock.
Yume: ...Ahh! Is that cause of your special searching ability? You can use that to find allies too, huh!
Yume: Since we know where we're going, I won't get lost! So let's push on ahead!
Yomi: No, we need to maintain this pace with the rest of the unit--
Yume: The sun'll set if we go as slow as them! Do you want those two to die before we get there!
Yomi: ...Understood. Then, please clear a path for the others to follow, Tsubakuro-san.
Yume: Roger that~! Then, just follow me-! Take that-! Ahahaha! I keep cutting and cutting and there's still more of them!
Yomi: Haaah! I won't allow you to interfere with our mission!
Yume: By the way, you're pretty good for being able to keep up with me, Onee-san.
Yume: What was your first name again, anyway?
Yomi: ...I introduced myself earlier, but it seems you forgot...
Yomi: It's Yomi. My name is Satsuki Yomi.
Kazumi: Despite the number of aradama, they're progressing so quickly...!! The elite guard are on another level...!!
Wakako: At this rate, they'll find Suzuka-sama before sunset, won't they!!
Yukari: ......Yomi, Yume. Stay on guard as you advance.
7: Escape from the Brink of Death#
Yume: --So we kept on going like Yukari-sama told us to, and then we found you two!
Yomi: Yukari-sama's directions were always on the mark.
Maki: ...Is that, so...
Suzuka: All of you... Thank you... Very much...
Yume: Hmmm? Are you two feeling pretty tired?
Yomi: They were fighting for nearly half a day. I think this goes beyond being tired.
Maki: That's... Right. For a while now, my arms and legs have gone numb.
Suzuka: I suppose this is what they mean by "on your last legs".
Yume: Really! Then you should just rest here and watch as I finish off the aradama!
Yume: Ahahahaha! Take this-!!
Yomi: ...Tsubakuro-san. Our mission was to rescue those two. There's no need to fight these aradama.
Yume: But I want to have some more fun! Don't be such a spoilsport, Yomi onee-san!
Yomi: ...Understood. It could make extraction difficult if we were attacked from the rear, so let's first eliminate all the aradama in the area.
Yume: Yaay! That's more like it! Get ready, cause here I come-!
Yomi: I simply destroy. --Haah!
Maki: ...They're impressive, Yomi and Yume.
Suzuka: Yes... They saved us...
Maki: ......
Suzuka: ......
Maki: ...Haha.
Suzuka: ...Fufufu.
8: Everyone in the Hot Springs!#
Suzuka: Ahh... The water's nice... I feel like I've passed on to heaven...
Maki: The hot springs after crossing the verge of death are something else...
Maki: I really thought it was the end for us when we were surrounded by those aradama.
Suzuka: I doubt we'd still be around if Yomi and Yume hadn't arrived when they did.
Suzuka: I have to thank you all; without you I'd never be able to relax in the hot springs like this.
Yume: Hmph...! Hmmmph~!!
Suzuka: ...Yume?γWhat are you groaning about?
Yume: Your boobs are all too big, Onee-sans!
Suzuka: -!? Wh-Where did that come from!?
Yume: Suzuka onee-san and Yomi onee-san both are like grown up ladies!
Yume: But even Maki onee-san, who acts like a boy, is way bigger than I thought... I wanna get that big too already...
Maki: Hahaha... You know, even when you grow up, they might stay small.
Yume: That's not gonna happen! I'm gonna keep on growing!
Yomi: ...If they stay small, you could try surgery.
Suzuka: Don't give her such terrible advice, Yomi!
Yomi: ...By the way, you two are tired, aren't you? I can wash your backs for you.
Suzuka: Will you? To tell the truth, my arms are at their limit after all that fighting. It would be a great help...
Yomi: Leave it to me.
Yume: Then I'll wash Maki onee-san's back!
Maki: Thanks, if you could. ...You're the only ones I'd trust my back to.
Suzuka: Fufu... Maki-san, that phrase is a bit of an exaggeration in this situation, don't you think?
Maki: Pff, you're right about that. Hahahaha!