3-9 A Reason to Be

1: Reinforcements (1)

At that time, in Kashima's industrial district. Origami Yukari and Ichikishimahime were--

Ichikishima: ...This "industrial area" is like a labyrinth. A fitting place for one such as myself, who cannot see where she is headed...
Ichikishima: However, all things here are vital to human livelihood. Such a vast difference from myself, whose existence goes unneeded.
Yukari: Ichikishimahime. This may sound like a joke, but is it possible for you to fuse with me again?
Ichikishima: It is not.
Ichikishima: Once the three of us had left, you were no longer...
Yukari: --!!
Imperial Guard A: Origami Yukari, Ichikishimahime. We finally tracked you down.
Imperial Guard B: We'll be taking her in!
Yukari: ...You won't.

2: Reinforcements (2)

Imperial Guard A: Origami Yukari... She's as tough as you'd expect...
Imperial Guard B: Even so, the area is being surrounded by the imperial guard. There's nowhere for her to run.
Ichikishima: --Yukari. The enemy has brought reinforcements.
Yukari: So they have.
Imperial Guard C: Origami Yukari! You can give up now!
Yukari: --Heh.
Imperial Guard C: Do you find this funny!?
Yukari: No... We just seem to have reinforcements of our own.
Imperial Guard C: Huh...?
Imperial Guard C: --Ahh!!
Kanami: Yukari-sama! Sorry we're late!
Mai: We'll keep them busy! Please take Ichikishimahime and escape!
Kaoru: Go on ahead; we'll handle things here!
Kaoru: ...I've always wanted to use that line.
Yukari: --Sorry about this.
Imperial Guard C: Stop-!
Sayaka: ...You aren't getting past.
Ellen: Not unless you deal with us first!
Imperial Guard C: Gr...!!
Hiyori: I hope you're ready, imperial guard.
Kanami: Everyone! Let's do this!

3: Satsuki Yomi (1)

While that was happening, in Kashima's industrial district, the three former elite guards were--

Imperial Guard A: Shidou Maki! Prepare yourself-!
Maki: --HAAHH-!!
Imperial Guard A: GYAAAAAAA!!
Maki: ...Yukari-sama should be somewhere here in this industrial area.
Suzuka: However, with the imperial guard appearing one after another, we aren't able to get any searching done.
Yume: Why do they keep throwing themselves at us when they're so weak?
Maki: Maybe they think they can beat us if they attack consecutively for long enough. Or maybe...
Suzuka: They have a reason to stall us however they can.
Suzuka: For example... If they're waiting for the arrival of a toji skilled enough to defeat us.
Yume: No way, Suzuka-onee-san. There's nobody in this mishmash of toji who could do anything to us~!
Maki: ...No, there is someone. More than likely, she's the one leading the imperial guard right now--
Suzuka: Yes, just her.
Maki: I guess we now know why they're stalling us.
Yume: Those aradama... They're Yomi-onee-san's!?
Maki: That's right. But she doesn't seem to be here to greet us.
Suzuka: In that case, we can drag out Yomi-san after we finish with these.

4: Satsuki Yomi (2)

Maki: That should be all these aradama disposed of.
Suzuka: Which leaves us with finding Yomi-san...
Yume: Ah!! Look!! Yomi-onee-san's over there!!
Yomi: ...Tsubakuro-san? Is that really you, Tsubakuro-san...?
Yume: It's me! Yomi-onee-san! Let's go back to being the elite guard with all four of us again!
Yomi: ......

5: Uchizato Ayumu (1)

At that time, in Kashima's industrial district, Etou Kanami and the girls of Ichikishimahime's main rescue team were--

Ellen: HYAHH!!
Kaoru: KIEEEEEE!!
Nene: NE NEEEE!
Sayaka: ...There's so many reinforcements.
Hiyori: I know, every time I turn around there's more.
Kanami: There's just no end to them...
Kaoru: We're trying to go a little easy on them here, but they're coming with all they've got.
Ellen: Kaoru, complaining won't get them to change their minds!
Kaoru: I know that. But after this is over, nothing's stopping me from getting a vacation!
Nene: Nenne-!!
Kaoru: Sayaka! When we go on vacation, I'm getting my revenge on you in table tennis, okay!
Sayaka: ...Okay.
Mai: It really does feel like they could keep coming forever...
Mai: --Kanami-chan! Hiyori-chan! The four of us can manage here, so you two should go guard Yukari-sama and Ichikishimahime!
Kanami: Got it! Let's go, Hiyori-chan!
Hiyori: Right!
Imperial Guard: Stop right there! You won't get to do as you please!

6: Uchizato Ayumu (2)

Hiyori: Finally, they're out of the way...
Kanami: Now to catch up to Yukari-sama and Ichikishimahime--
Ayumu: Etou-san!
Kanami: ...Ayumu-chan?
Ayumu: I've been waiting so long for this! For the day I could fight you!
Kanami: Ayumu-chan...!
Hiyori: Kanami! Aren't you coming!?
Kanami: --Sorry, Hiyori-chan! Go ahead without me!
Hiyori: ............Fine then.
Ayumu: Come on, let's fight, Etou-san! A serious clash of our skills!
Kanami: ......

7: We Won't Let You Go! (1)

Imperial Guard: Don't let Origami Yukari and Ichikishimahime escape! After them!
Kaoru: Whoa, hold it right there! You're not getting an inch past me!
Kaoru: ...Hnnng~! I always wanted to say that one too.
Imperial Guard: Grgh... You think you can get in our way...!
Ellen: We did something like this before too, didn't we. When we entered the Origami estate and let Kanamin and the others go on ahead.
Mai: Kanami-chan and Hiyori-chan are without a doubt our strongest fighters.
Mai: So, no matter what it takes, I know we have to help them reach Yukari-sama.
Sayaka: Mm. If that's what you think, Mai, then I'll trust you.
Sayaka: I'll defeat everyone who tries to stop them.
Imperial Guard: Just try if you think you can!!

8: We Won't Let You Go! (2)

Ellen: Phew... I think that's about half of the guards here taken care of.
Sayaka: There will be reinforcements coming. We have to stay on guard.
Mai: Yukari-sama made it away, so when the timing is right, we might be able to retreat as well.
Kaoru: --Huh? Oi, wasn't Kanami supposed to go protect Origami Yukari? Isn't that her in a 1v1 over there?
Sayaka: Yes. ...That girl seems different to Kanami than the other toji.
Kaoru: What does that have to do with anything? What the hell is she thinking at a time like this...

9: A Strike Full of Feeling (1)

Kanami: --Ayumu-chan! Please, just stop fighting!
Ayumu: But why! This is my mission, and we're toji, and toji fight together!
Ayumu: I got stronger so I could fight with you, Etou-san! I have to fight with everything I have!
Kanami: (It's no use... I can't talk sense into her...)
Kanami: (Because of the noro, she's not acting rationally...)
Kanami: ...Is this the strength you wanted, Ayumu-chan?
Ayumu: Yes! The strength I got so I could fight you, Etou-san!
Ayumu: I'm strong now, aren't I!?
Kanami: ...Okay. Then I can't fight with you, Ayumu-chan.
Ayumu: ......!? Why not!?
Kanami: ...When we first met, when I found out how much you liked swordfighting too, I was really happy.
Kanami: I thought we could have fun getting stronger together.
Ayumu: Fun...? I don't understand what you're saying!
Ayumu: Come on, Etou-san!! Please... Please fight with me!!

10: A Strike Full of Feeling (2)

Ayumu: Urgh...
Kanami: --I just put all my feelings into that strike.
Kanami: Because I know you'll be able to take it.
Kanami: ...I'm sorry, Ayumu-chan. I have to go after Yukari-sama.
Kanami: ...Let's have another match someday.

11: Elite Guard VS Elite Guard (1)

Maki: Yomi...
Suzuka: What are you doing to yourself, without utsushi...
Yomi: ...I have no more of my life to give if I hope to defeat you.
Yume: You're serious about this, Yomi-onee-san.
Yomi: I am. Please come at me with the intent to kill. I will do the same.
Suzuka: --!? You'd let the noro eat away at your body just to be strengthened by an aradama...!?
Maki: Stop it, Yomi! You can still come back from this!
Yomi: What about you, Shidou-san? Will you be fine repressing the aradama in you?
Maki: I will! Because I have people I can rely on more than aradama now!
Suzuka: Well, as sappy as that was, I'll accept the flattery.
Yomi: ...I don't mind if you resent me for this.

12: Elite Guard VS Elite Guard (2)

Yomi: Urgh...
Suzuka: You may resent me as well... Yomi-san.
Suzuka: ...There's no coming back for you, is there...
Yomi: ...No, there isn't.
Yomi: No matter how twisted the path, as long as she walks it...
Yume: Ah... Yomi-onee-san!
Maki: She left. So that's it...
Suzuka: Yes...
Yume: She looked like she made up her mind. I thought that the four of us could finally be back together again.
Yume: Why would Yomi-onee-san act like that...?
Maki: ...Yomi was unique even among the elite guard.
Maki: Maybe we should have been trying harder to understand her.
Suzuka: Yomi-san was likely fighting for a different purpose than we were.
Suzuka: ...Here, let's resume our search for Yukari-sama...

13: At Kashima Shrine (1)

Ichikishima: ...Kashima Shrine. Dedicated to Takemikazuchi, god of thunder and martial arts.
Yukari: And the birthplace of Kashima Shinto-ryu. I've visited here before, together with Kagari and Yuzuki.
Ichikishima: ......
Yukari: What's the matter?
Ichikishima: Kagari, Yuzuki. They are the humans you need... While, I...
Yukari: ...Why do you think I was able to hold onto myself for the twenty years I remained host to the great aradama?
Yukari: Because of you... Because you were there with me, Ichikishimahime.
Ichikishima: Me...?
Yukari: Tormented by the severity of Tagitsuhime and the rationality of Takirihime, my humanity was fading day by day.
Yukari: But because of you... Because I had the cautious, timid, and self-defeating Ichikishimahime within me, I was able to stay human.
Yukari: You aren't an unnecessary existence. More than anyone else... I need you.
Ichikishima: Yukari...
Mihono: --Ahh!! Yukari-sama!! I finally found you!!
Yukari: Asakura... The girl chosen by Kiyomitsu.
Yukari: I see... So you came. Carrying the end of an unbreakable sword within you, you came here, now.
Yukari: It's too much to call coincidence. The will, the fate, of Kashuu Kiyomitsu. That's what this is.
Yukari: Fufu... So that's why. After twenty years, I understand at last.
Mihono: Huh? Uhhh, what are you...
Yukari: Asakura Mihono!! Get back!!
Mihono: Huh-!?
Tagitsu: --Have you been well? I've longed to see you, Ichikishimahime.
Mihono: Tagitsuhime... And the imperial guard with her...!!
Tagitsu: Ichikishimahime, become mine. In doing so, I shall grant you meaning.
Yukari: Tagitsuhime... I won't allow it!!
Imperial Guard A: Tagitsuhime-sama! Please, leave this to us!
Imperial Guard B: Origami Yukari! Ichikishimahime! Prepare yourselves!

14: At Kashima Shrine (2)

Imperial Guard A: Ngh...!! So strong...!!
Tagitsu: ...You're in my way.
Imperial Guard A: AGHHHHH!!
Imperial Guard B: Tagitsuhime-sama... Why...
Tagitsuhime: Enough of these games. I will take you myself.
Yukari: Gagh!!
Ichikishima: Yukari-!!
Yukari: ...Ichikishimahime, I'll give you time. Hurry and get away from here.
Ichikishima: Kh...!!
Ichikishima: Yukari... Just hold on!
Yukari: Good... That's it.
Yukari: Asakura Mihono, you run as well.
Mihono: --I won't.
Yukari: What...!?
Mihono: Yukari-sama!! I'll stay with you... I'll fight!!

15: Sword of the Thunder God (1)

At that time, only a short distance away from Kashima Shrine--

Ichikishima: Juujou-- Hiyori.
Hiyori: --Huh!?
Hiyori: You... You're Ichikishimahime!? Why are you here, alone...
Ichikishima: I want you to lend me your power.
Ichikishima: --No, I want to entrust my power to you.
Hiyori: Grh!!　Don't be ridiculous!! You're just another part of Tagitsuhime!!
Hiyori: Just the same great aradama that made my mother suffer!! So, why would I!
Ichikishima: Even so, I want to entrust myself to you, Juujou Hiyori.
Ichikishima: ...I want to save Origami Yukari, who said I was needed.
Hiyori: Kh.........
Yukari: Asakura Mihono! Run away! You stand no chance against her!
Mihono: I'll be fine!! Where there's a will, there's a way!!
Tagitsuhime: It does not bother me. There is no great difference whether I swat one fly or two.
Tagitsuhime: Try to entertain me some, will you?

16: Sword of the Thunder God (2)

Mihono: Pant... Pant...
Tagitsuhime: You put up a short fight, but even with two you could not hope to defeat me.
Tagitsuhime: Just a woman outliving her time. Even so, you were once my... No, nothing more than a broken vessel now.
Yukari: Ngh...!!
Tagitsuhime: Now then, it's time you died.
Tagitsuhime: ...!?
Yukari: Takemikazuchi...? --It can't be!?
Yukari: Kogarasumaru... Juujou Hiyori...
Mihono: Juujou-san!? Wait, that's Juujou-san!?
Tagitsuhime: So you've found yourself a new vessel, Ichikishimahime...
Tagitsuhime: Then, I will draw back.
Mihono: Tagitsuhime... You scared her off, Juujou-san!
Hiyori: --Don't come near me!!
Mihono: -!? Wh-Why!?
Hiyori: Urgh... AGHHHHH!!
Yukari: This isn't good!! Juujou Hiyori doesn't have control over the aradama's power!!
Hiyori: Ugh... Ghrh... AAAGGHHH!!

17: Sword of the Thunder God (3)

Hiyori: Aghh... Ahh...!!
Mihono: Juujou-san... Does it hurt...?
Yukari: ...After using her power, she seems to have calmed down some. Though...
Kanami: --Hiyori-chaaaan!! Yukari-sama!!
Mihono: Kanami!?
Kanami: Ah! Mihono-chan, you're here too!
Kanami: What's going on? What happened here? Ichikishimahime, where is she?
Kanami: --!?
Kanami: H-Hiyori-chan...!?
Yukari: ...The person before you is both Juujou Hiyori and Ichikishimahime.
Kanami: Huh!?
Yukari: Juujou Hiyori has absorbed the great aradama. The same as I once did.
Hiyori: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Other: The Source of the Lightning?
Chie: ...Did anyone else see that!?
Mirja: Yes... In the direction of Kashima Shrine... That was... Clearly not a natural phenomenon.
Kofuki: No way, with that bigass lightning strike. Must have had something to do with an aradama. And a big shot too.
Mirja: Then... Tagitsuhime? Still, why would such a massive lightning strike occur...
Kiyoka: I don't know... What if, something happened to Hono-chan...
Chie: Mihono-chan...
Mirja: Did I misjudge the situation, sending Asakura Mihono there alone...? Another of my mistakes...
Kofuki: Oi, Mirja. It's too early for that stuff! We don't even know anything yet.
Kofuki: I'm tired of fighting people, and things are looking interesting over there. Come on, guys! Let's check out where that lightning hit!