5-4 Even If It Scares Me

1: Something I Won't Bend On

Akira: We were looking for you, Mihono. Though I figured you'd be wandering around closer to the mansion...
Butterfly Shaped Aradama: ...
Akira: So that's why. You'd make it this far if Yomi's leading you around.
Akira: We don't want to get rough with you if we don't have to. Come with us, Mihono.
Yuuki: Please, Mihono-san.
Yuuki: If you won't... Akira-nee-sama and I will bring you with us, even if we need to cut you down.
Mihono: I'm on your side with trying to reduce the amount of toji getting hurt... But, I'm sure what you and Hitakami-san are doing is wrong!
Yuuki: I know that Makoto-nee-sama isn't wrong. I want you to believe in her too.
Akira: ...Either way, you already know what's going on. You can't go back anymore.
Mihono: I'll... trust in the investigation team.
Akira: Sure you would.
Akira: The investigation team wouldn't abandon you either. They'd give everything trying to do something about Kanayamahime.
Akira: But, that's as far as they'd get. You can't stop Kanayamahime from awakening. Makkochan's probably the only one who can, alright?
Mihono: Then...
Akira: I won't tell you you've gotta work with us forever. I won't make you join our faction either.
Akira: Just, stay until we can settle this thing with Kanayamahime.
Mihono: ...And in return, I have to help with your experiments, right?
Akira: That's right.
Akira: Y'know, I think pretty highly of you. I've been watching you a long time, under Makocchan's orders.
Mihono: Huh?
Akira: You didn't know, didja?
Akira: The first time we met was at that shopping mall, but I'd known all about you before then. I'd heard about you from your buddies too.
Akira: So what I'm saying is, I know just what kinda girl you are. And honestly, in the back of my mind... I knew you were never gonna work with us.
Mihono: If you knew I wouldn't go along with you, then... why bother with this?
Akira: I told ya, didn't I? I took a liking to you. That's why, just give in on this just this once. We won't do anything bad.
Akira: Makocchan and us'll do everything we can. We'll figure something out with Kanayamahime, and we'll make sure there's no more failures with tamayori!
Akira: So come on, Mihono... Just help out Makocchan.
Mihono: ......
Mihono: I'm sorry.
Akira: ...So that's it.
Akira: For Makocchan... I'd do whatever it takes.
Akira: Yuuki! We're bringing Mihono back with us! Don't go easy on her!!
Yuuki: Right! I feel the same as you do, Akira-nee-sama!
Akira: Last time we went up against each other was back in that shopping mall.
Mihono: ...Don't think I'm the same as I was back then.
Akira: You are. If you're not using Kanayamahime, you're not gonna beat me.
Mihono: I'll use her... It scares me, and I really don't want to, but...
Mihono: If it'll get me back to see everybody again...!!

2: Hitakami's Experiments

At the same time.

???: Ah, aghh, ah, aghhh...
Kiyoka: What... is that...?
Mirja: There's an aradama wrapped over her body... No; or has her body itself turned into aradama...?
Yui: When they said the Hitakami faction was doing experiments, is this what they made...?
Hitakami Toji L: That's... one of the failed tamayori subjects...?
Hitakami Toji H: Who went and brought one out here...?
Kofuki: Oi oi, even the enemy's backing off. Isn't that thing with them?
Chie: Makoto... Just what are you doing...?
???: Haghh, hghh...
Hitakami Toji L: Kh, we might not be able to control her, but we can still use this! We'll beat down the intruders with her!
???: RRRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!
Everyone: !!
Kiyoka: Did she just use hachimanriki...?
Mirja: It didn't look as though she did.
Mirja: Though... to have that much power without hachimanriki... That's clearly not something a human could do...
Yui: I wouldn't want to fight with that either.
Kiyoka: B-But, can her body even take it...
???: ...et, not yet...
Kofuki: Seems fine to me.
Mirja: This is troubling... How should we respond to this... Setouchi Chie?
Chie: ...We know much too little about what we're up against, so I'd like to avoid combat as much as possible, but...
???: HAAAAAAAHHHH!!
Yui: UWAH!?
Kofuki: Oi! It's not like we've got all the time in the world here!
Kiyoka: Chie-san!
Chie: We're counterattacking! Mirja, give us combat orders!!
Mirja: Understood.
Mirja: Our only threat here is that enemy. Eliminate the other toji first and focus all your efforts on that one!
Mirja: Don't take her attacks head on! Utilize the openings after each attack!
Mirja: Here she comes!

3: Unexpected Help

???: Ugh, urghh...
Kiyoka: She still won't go down...?
Yui: I get the feeling I've seen this scene in zombie movies before...
Mirja: If you can speak that casually about it, you must be taking this stride.
Yui: It's not like that... It's more like, if I don't joke about it, fighting a toji in this state is too sad...
Chie: That's for sure...
???: You're right; this is as ugly as it gets.
Yui: That voice!?
Yume: What're you onee-sans doing here?
Mirja: The special defense team?
Mirja: You aren't here acting on Asakura Mihono's case... are you?
Maki: That's right. We're here on our own circumstances.
Maki: But that doesn't mean we're cold enough to ignore your situation. Yomi.
Yomi: Right.
Yomi: Please follow after these aradama. They will lead you to Asakura-san.
Maki: Go. You can leave things here to us.
Yume: More like, you're getting in our way!
Yume: Maki-onee-san and me can handle that thing easy.
Chie: ......Mirja.
Mirja: ...Understood. We'll leave you to it.
Maki: Good, that's a smart call. Get going!
Yume: All that's left is to bring down that onee-san, huh.
Maki: Even looking like that, we're still up against a toji. Are you alright with that, Yume?
Yume: I know already. I won't overdo it like back when I fought against Mokusa.
Maki: That's good then.
Maki: Now, let's bring her under control!

4: Welcome and I'm Back

Mirja: The direction Satsuki Yomi's aradama are moving in... It's the opposite direction of the mansion.
Yui: So Mihono-chan's this far out in these hills. Without them leading us, we might not have met up with her.
Kiyoka: Hono-chan is probably running away, isn't she... Which means... wouldn't she be in a pretty bad situation?
Mirja: There's no mistaking that she must have fought against the Hitakami faction.
Mirja: We have no way of knowing what happened or the result, but... her current circumstances can't be good.
Kofuki: She could've also just gotten lost out here. And it wouldn't be weird if her phone just wasn't getting a signal out here.
Mirja: That would be the most harmonious outcome. Though... In that case, I can't understand the reason for the Hitakami faction being on such high alert.
Kofuki: I guess so. What a pain in the ass-.
Chie: Mihono-chan...
Chie: ...Let's hurry! We should reach her as soon as we can.
Mihono: Huh? The aradama stopped moving...? Does that mean I should just wait here?
Mihono: More of these aradama...?
Chie: Mihono-chan!
Mihono: ......Eh?
Chie: Thank goodness, you're safe! Look how dirty you are... Are you hurt anywhere?
Mihono: Chii-nee... And, everybody else... Am I dreaming?
Mihono: Why would all of you be out here in the mountains...
Kofuki: C'mon, we didn't hike through all this just for this to be a dream.
Kofuki: Though, it figures you'd say something like that, Mihocchi.
Yui: Mm! That's Mihono-chan, no doubt about it!
Kiyoka: You're not dreaming...! We came to get you, Hono-chan!
Mihono: You really did...?
Mihono: Guys...!
Kofuki: O-Oi!? What're you crying out of nowhere for!!
Mihono: Of course I'm gonna cry...!
Mihono: Cause, I was all alone up in the mountains in Tohoku, and Hitakami-san's toji were chasing after me, and I couldn't use Kashuu Kiyomitsu's power...
Yui: You worked really hard, Mihono-chan! Come and dive right into my chest!
Mihono: Yui~!
Kofuki: The two of them've lost it. Right, Kiyoka?
Kiyoka: Hono-chan... I'm so glaaad...
Kofuki: Now you're crying too!?
Kiyoka: Of course I'd be crying...
Mirja: ...Asakura Mihono. I'm glad to see you're safe.
Mihono: Mirja-san...
Chie: I'm so sorry, Mihono-chan. I... I had no idea what Makoto was getting into now...
Mihono: That's not it! That's now how this should go, Chii-nee!
Mihono: This is... It's my fault for not listening properly to what you and Mirja-san were telling me.
Mirja: Asakura Mihono...
Mihono: I just let it get to my head. Since that power made me stronger... I'm sorry, Chii-nee, Mirja-san.
Mirja: You aren't the only one at fault. When this was troubling you, Setouchi Chie and I should have stayed closer at your side.
Chie: Mirja and I thought, if we could just do something about Kashuu Kiyomitsu... But you were worrying about this the whole time, Mihono-chan...
Mihono: Kashuu Kiyomitsu's... No. Hitakami-san told me about what's really causing this power...
Mihono: My strength... It wasn't coming from Kashuu Kiyomitsu after all.
Mihono: I'm...
Mirja: Please tell us everything after we've returned. For now... Welcome back, Asakura Mihono.
Mihono: ...!
Kofuki: Wait, isn't it weird telling her welcome back when we're the ones who came out to get her?
Mirja: Is it really?
Kiyoka: I feel like it's alright to tell her welcome back.
Yui: Then, I'm on Kofuki-san's side here! We're enemies this time, Kiyoka-chan!
Kofuki: I mean, who cares either way? It just crossed my mind.
Yui: She betrayed me~!
Chie: Okay, that's enough fooling around now.
Chie: It's too soon for us to relax yet.
Mihono: ...
Chie: What's wrong, Mihono-chan?
Mihono: ...It just feels like, I'm really back.
Mihono: I'm back, everybody!

5: Tamayori (1)

Maki: HAAAAH!!
Yume: Alright, now you're done!
???: Grgh...!
Yume: I'll give you that you're a little tough and got some power, but that's it. You're no big deal.
???: Ugh, urgh......!
Yume: Ah, she ran off! Stop!
Akira: You're the ones who should stop. Trampling over somebody's yard and all.
Maki: Inago Akira and Toribane Yuuki?
Akira: The elite guard... Or wait, you're the special defense team now? Well, it's all the same.
Yomi: ...Akira.
Akira: Hm? Hey, it's been a while, Yomi. Seems like you've been through a lot, but I'm glad you're looking alright.
Yomi: How is Hitakami-san doing?
Akira: She's just fine. Wanna see her?
Yomi: ...No.
Yuuki: Akira-nee-sama, please don't make small talk with the enemy. Especially not in front of... Tsubakuro Yume.
Yume: Have we met somewhere before? Since I don't remember you, I'm pretty sure that means you're weak.
Yuuki: This is our first time meeting. However... I know about you. What you did to everyone at Mokusa.
Yume: ......
Akira: ...Yuuki. The way you are now, you're not beating Tsubakuro Yume.
Yuuki: With all due respect, Nee-sama. Do you only pick fights that you know you'll win?
Akira: ...
Yuuki: You don't, do you?
Akira: Haha! You got me there! I don't mind that attitude one bit, Yuuki!
Yuuki: I've been watching your back, Nee-sama. So, even if we won't win... We'll give them a fight!
Yume: Fine by me, I'll take you on!

6: Tamayori (2)

Yume: And, there.
Yuuki: Rgh!
Yume: That's my win, uh... Who were you again?
Yuuki: I'm... Toribane Yuuki.
Yume: I'll take you anytime, so whenever you think you can beat me, bring it on, Onee-san.
Maki: That leaves only you left.
Akira: Tch... You guys really are tough as hell.
Maki: Inago Akira. Put a stop to your research.
Maki: The Sword Administration Bureau can't turn a blind eye to what you're doing.
Akira: Hah, what a joke. You're gonna play innocent to the shit you did and talk down to us?
Maki: As someone who made their own share of mistakes... I'm warning you not to make them too.
Akira: ...Tch. Oi, Yomi. You're not gonna lecture me like Shidou Maki here, are ya?
Yomi: I am also a member of the special defense team.
Akira: ...That so. Well, what can you do. We've both got our own positions. And what we think matters most ain't the same.
Akira: --Yuuki, we're pulling out!
Yuuki: Right!
Maki: Kgh...!
Maki: They ran away...
Yomi: Will we give chase?
Maki: ...No, we should hold off. This is the Hitakami's territory. Pushing in too deep could bring on too much danger.
Yume: I'd already pretty much figured out how strong those two are too. Well, whatever.
Maki: At any rate, we should return and report to Yukari-sama and Akane-sama. The Hitakamis seem to be doing something even riskier than we thought...

7: For My Desire

Akira: Sorry, Makocchan. Mihono gave us the slip...
Yuuki: I wasn't able to be any use either...
Makoto: No, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I've pressed the both of you into an unpleasant role...
Makoto: Akira-chan and Yuuki-chan, the two of you have both taken an interest in Asakura-san, haven't you?
Makoto: In spite of that, I had forced you to fight against her...
Akira: Don't think that you forced me to do it. That was my own choice doing that.
Yuuki: The same goes for me. There's no need for you to feel bothered by it, Makoto-nee-sama.
Makoto: Thank you very much, the both of you... I always find myself depending on your support.
Makoto: Even though, by all rights, as the head of the Hitakami family, I should be much more reliable...
Akira: Y'know, Makocchan. It's not like the reason I'm helping you's got anything to do with you being the head of the Hitakami family.
Akira: I'm just helping you cause you're Makocchan. The same Makocchan I've known since we were kids; cause we're best buds.
Akira: And when your best buds are in trouble, you do everything you can to get 'em out. That's just the way it is.
Yuuki: That's exactly right! I'll help you too, Makoto-nee-sama!
Makoto: Akira-chan... Yuuki-chan...
Akira: You'd do the same too, right? If Yuuki or me were in trouble, you'd do whatever you can for us, wouldn't you?
Makoto: Yes. Of course I would.
Akira: So we're the same.
Akira: Ever since we were little, no matter what the three of us did, we pulled through it together. So this time too, all I'm doing is trying to help a buddy of mine out.
Yuuki: Please use me however you see fit, Makoto-nee-sama. The three of us work together as one.
Makoto: Fufu. That's right, isn't it. I'll continue to be in your care, you two.
Akira: Anyway! Let's put an end to the pity party here.
Akira: While we were chasing after Mihono, we came across another failed tamayori toji. We managed to catch and put her under safety.
Makoto: You did...? Thank you very much.
Yuuki: Those old Hitakami bosses... Next time, let's light a fire under their asses!
Akira: Hey... Where'd you learn to talk like that?
Yuuki: From you, Akira-nee-sama.
Makoto: Fufu. Bit by bit, Yuuki-chan might be coming to speak more like you, Akira-chan.
Akira: Seriously...? Oi, Yuuki. You don't gotta go out of your way to copy me.
Yuuki: It's not that I was trying to copy you... It just happened to slip out.
Akira: Sigh~... Well, it's fine.
Akira: More importantly, how many failed tamayori toji are we at now...?
Akira: The ones up top are working out their alibis and hiding who's doing it, so we can't even pin down who's to blame.
Makoto: We can't have the girls who were experimented on remain in that state forever. We'll have to cure them, no matter what.
Akira: And, to cure them, we're gonna still have to improve on what we can do with tamayori.
Makoto: We cannot put it off any longer. If we could only create one successful case of a tamayori toji, we could gather enough data from it...
Makoto: Now that we can no longer hope for Asakura-san's assistance, I will use myself as a tamayori test subject.
Akira: Wha--!?
Yuuki: Y-You'll use yourself, Makoto-nee-sama!?
Makoto: If you trace it back, the Atago and Hitakami come from the same bloodline. Though not nearly as much as Asakura-san, I am still suitable for tamayori.
Akira: But still, there's a good chance it's gonna fail, isn't there!?
Makoto: Yes. I understand that, of course.
Makoto: But, if we continue to sit idly by, we won't be able to save those toji who were victims of the experimenting.
Makoto: There are times that risks must be taken to achieve success. And there is no greater time for that than now.
Other: Tamayori Toji
Suzuka: Akane-sama, Yukari-sama. A report came in from Yomi-san.
Akane: Please, go on.
Suzuka: The Hitakami faction are attempting to create "tamayori toji."
Suzuka: It appears to be research into improving a toji's abilities by equipping noro onto the body.
Akane: Equipping noro onto the body...
Suzuka: They've already begun human experimentation, and it seems they entered combat with one of the experiment results.
Yukari: ...I see.
Akane: What about Asakura-san?
Suzuka: She safely escaped, from the sound of things.
Akane: That's good to hear...
Akane: Nee-sama, why do you think Hitakami-san found it necessary to bring in Asakura-san? Is there some connection between her and these tamayori toji...?
Yukari: We should hear that from Asakura herself. Prepare to be ready to act against whatever those details may be.
Akane: ...Right.