A/N: And here, we finally have another chapter for BNA: The Beast Heroes Academia! Now, there's where things get a little switcheroo, so to speak.
BNA: The Beast Heroes Academia
Chapter 6: Tanuki Waltz
It all started one morning at the Beastmen Co-op when Melissa scolded her husband.
"Gem! I asked you not to take baths while you're morphed. Your feathers will plug the drain.", Melissa scolded.
"I want to take a bath the way I want to.", Gem sighed as Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru ate their breakfast while Shirou only drank some tea.
"You can't even do the one thing I ask! The Silver Wolf is watching, you know.", Melissa scolded, pointing to the statue.
"Hold on. I heard something about that.", Kazuma spoke.
"You have?", Gem asked.
"Yeah. It was while we were teaching kids how to write and talk earlier.", Sichiru added.
"All we know about it is that it helps Beastmen who are in trouble.", Nazuna stated.
"My, my. It seems you know about the legend all ready. Word is, there are many legends of which the oldest is from 1,000 years ago that tell of beastmen being saved by the Silver Wolf.", Gem spoke.
"So, you actually drew those?", Sichiru asked.
"This is how I'm going to earn a living once I retire.", Gem responded.
"Don't try to change the subject on me! You're always like this! Are you even listening to me right now?", Melissa scolded as Shirou started taking his leave.
"Hold on. Are you going somewhere?", Kazuma asked as he, Sichiru, and Nazuna stood up.
"Can we come with you?", Nazuna asked.
"Wait a minute, you guys.", Melissa spoke, puzzling the group before she held her hands for a moment and then gave four pieces of green charms to them.
"Here.", Melissa spoke.
"What are those?", Nazuna asked.
"Those are good luck charms. If you ever need help from the Silver Wolf, just give those to him.", Melissa advised.
"Okay. Thank you so much, Melissa.", Nazuna grinned.
Later, the group of four were walking out with Shirou taking out the green wrapper and eating the meat inside.
"If you're gonna eat that, at least save some for the Silver Wolf.", Nazuna spoke.
"There is no way there's a god who refuses to save you, just because you won't give it food.", Shirou responded.
"You don't have to talk like that about something that everyone believes in, you know.", Sichiru commented.
"With talk like that, it's really no wonder you don't have any friends.", Kazuma added.
"Kazuma...!", Nazuna glared whisperingly.
"I'm just saying.", Kazuma responded.
"Apart from each other, you three don't seem to have friends either.", Shirou spoke.
"Actually, at least one of us does, and you're looking at her. I even had a best friend, too. She's cute.", Nazuna responded.
"What are you boasting about right now?", Shirou asked.
"I'm not boasting about anything. I'm just saying that Michiru's cool.", Nazuna responded before it went to a flashback with both Nazuna and Michiru as humans.
"What's your name? Nazuna. Say it backwards, Nazuna. And my dream is your dream! I'm an idol from whichever direction you look. The name's Nazuna Hiwatashi!", Nazuna spoke before Michiru laughed.
"Oh, you're gonna be a big hit. Why don't you audition?", Michiru spoke as Nazuna came down.
"I don't like having other people choose me. I want to be the one who chooses them.", Nazuna explained.
"Or maybe you're just scared.", Michiru smirked.
"Why would I be? We almost died in an accident, right? So, we're not afraid of anything now. Every obstacle is an opportunity. So, just do it. Become a real idol.", Nazuna spoke before she started climbing up despite having a crutch.
"Hey! That's dangerous!", Michiru exclaimed.
"Listen, I'm not gonna give up being an Idol, so you shouldn't give up on basketball, either if you get any ideas. No matter what happens, we can be anything! Let's both climb to the top of the fields, okay?!", Nazuna spoke before Michiru sighed.
"You're amazing, Nazuna.", Michiru spoke before it showed a flashback of Michiru being taken away not long after her transformation as Nazuna explained.
"But... then Michiru transformed and she got taken away almost right after that. It happened right before my eyes. And I never saw her again...", Nazuna spoke sadly.
"Hey, don't worry. We'll find her. She may be your best friend, but she's my sister, too.", Sichiru assured.
"Yeah. Knowing her, she's not the type to give up easily. Right, Shirou?", Kazuma asked before noticing that Shirou wasn't here.
"Wait. You're not Shirou.", Kazuma spoke to Marie, who was now in Shirou's place.
"If you're looking for Ogame, he went to see the mayor.", Marie spoke.
"Is it that important?", Nazuna asked.
"I wouldn't put it past him...", Kazuma responded before Marie handed Nazuna the phone bill.
"Here. This is your phone bill. It covers the month.", Marie spoke.
"What?! But that's highway robbery!", Nazuna exclaimed.
"If you can't pay, then go and earn some money.", Marie suggested before it then showed, a moment later, several mugs with a faucet along with the eyes and a smile labelled, "Mizukirei".
"So, what's your plan with those, exactly?", Sichiru asked.
"I'm going to sell those to those idiots in the slum for a buttload of cash. You want in?", Marie asked.
"What do you think?", Kazuma growled, irate with Marie before later, Kazuma, Nazuna, and Sichiru were at the slums.
"I can't believe I let her talk me into this.", Kazuma growled.
"I'm not sure I like this either. How do you think we feel?", Nazuna asked.
"Nazuna!", Jackie shouted as he ran in, carrying one of the mugs.
"Jackie?", Nazuna puzzled.
"Wait. Is that one of those things we have here?", Kazuma realized.
"Look at this cool water purifier. Takes water from the drain. And turns it into water you can drink. I took out a loan to buy it. With lifetime payments!", Jackie exclaimed.
"I don't think you should've done that.", Nazuna spoke in worry before a voice spoke up.
"Hey. Which one of you people is Jackie?", a beastman with a cigar and glasses spoke before all except Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru pointed at Jackie.
"Seriously? We specifically told you not to buy those with lifetime payments!", Kazuma scowled.
"Who knew that shopping could become so addicting?", Jackie asked as he was tied up to a stake and then taken to the center where piles of wood were erected.
"Even if I force you to pay, I know it's not gonna be a lot of money. So, I'mma use you as an example. Anyone who's late by even a single day is gonna be burned at the stake, you understand?", the beastman spoke before turning on the lighter and then morphing into his hippo beastman form with the other beastmen morphing and cheering as well.
"Hey! Stop it! You can't do this!", Nazuna exclaimed.
"Yeah, barbecuing him is a little much for being late!", Kazuma added before he and the others heard a wolf howl from nearby, puzzling Nazuna, Kazuma, Sichiru, and the other beastmen.
"Hey. What is that sound?", the beastman spoke before boats of Beastmen arrived with one in a mask speaking to the hippo beastman.
"Enough. It's over, Beastman.", the masked figure spoke.
"Who the heck are you?", the hippo beastman asked.
"The act of one beastman hurting another is... well, let's say, worse than what humans do.", the masked figure spoke.
"What the heck are you talking about? If someone don't pay, it don't matter whether they're a beastman or a hu-man. They're as good as trash and trash has to be taken out.", the hippo beastman retorted as Jackie noticed a fly zooming by and then tried to get it with his tongue, although it was out of his reach by now.
"They are not trash. Don't you see? We're noble beastmen first and foremost. We must not ever forget our pride. Remember, the Silver Wolf is watching.", the masked figure warned.
"You stupid and ya stupid. The Silver Wolf's just a made-up story for the weak to believe in.", the hippo beastmen retorted.
"May you all be blessed! The Silver Light will shine down upon all unenlightened Beastmen!", the masked figure spoke before someone in a white hood stepped forward with Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru quite puzzled by the sight.
"The Leader of the Church of the Silver Wolf, Ms. Déesse Louve, has now come down to Anima City, the capital of the Beastmen!", the masked figure spoke.
"I don't care if you're their leader or not. Stay out of my way. If you interfere in my business, I'm gonna burn you, too. Like this!", the hippo beastmen exclaimed as he turned on the lighter and then tossed it toward the logs, igniting the fire as the beastmen cheered, all except Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru, who looked on in worry.
"Now, burn like a weenie roast!", the hippo beastman spoke.
"Ah, hot! Hot! I'm going to burn! I smell like barbecue!", Jackie exclaimed before the hooded figure removed the hood, revealing her now fur-covered body, which glowed a blue transparent glow.
Play SDS Music: "Saikoshin" (1:00/2:45)
In no time at all, the figure got on all fours as her form became more wolf-like with her wolf tail sprouting up with everyone looking in awe.
"It's the silver wolf!", one Beastman spoke.
"Look at that!", another exclaimed.
"What are you guys, doin'! Shoot! Shoot now!", the hippo beastman ordered before his two henchmen took aim at the beast, which only roared loudly at the trio, not only blowing them away, literally, but also blowing out the fire at the stake, leaving it charred with only smoke escaping the wood, relieving Jackie.
When the trio recovered, the beast stepped forward with a snarl, calm as it is.
"It's no good. I can't do it!", one henchman spoke.
"Have mercy on us!", another added.
"What the heck is with you guys?!", the hippo beastman scolded before the beast roared again, prompting the three beastmen to run away before they could be blown away again with every beastman now cheering for the beast.
"Wow... So, that's the Silver Wolf?", Nazuna spoke in awe as she freed Jackie from the rope.
"Thanks, Nazuna.", Jackie grinned.
"You're welcome.", Nazuna grinned.
"Silver Wolf? For real?", Sichiru spoke in surprise.
"You think that could be the same one we saw when we first arrived on Anima City?", Kazuma asked.
"The Silver Wolf is the god of Beastmen. The Silver Wolf erases our struggles and fears. With its silver light, worship our deity: the Silver Wolf!", the masked figure praised before the Silver Wolf howled, prompting the beastmen to hold their hands fervently and kneel down.
Soon after, the Silver Wolf then morphed into human form, which revealed none other than...
"Ms. Déesse Louve, our maiden of the Silver Wolf!", the masked figure spoke.
End SDS Music: "Saikoshin"
"Michiru...?!", Nazuna gasped with Sichiru and Kazuma slack-jawed in surprise.
"The Silver Light is with you, now and forever more. Let us all shine together.", Michiru spoke.
"Wait a second, isn't that Michiru?!", Sichiru exclaimed, puzzling Nazuna and Kazuma before Sichiru jumped up and shouted.
"Hey, Michiru! Michiru! It's me, it's me! Hey, it's me! Hey!", Sichiru shouted before four members of the church approached Sichiru and dragged her off.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Stop it!", Sichiru shouted.
"Sichiru!", Nazuna spoke in worry.
"You let her go!", Kazuma shouted as he and Nazuna tried to get to her only to get dragged off by 8 more as well.
"Hey! What are you doing?! She's my friend!", Nazuna exclaimed.
"So, help me, if you've done something to her...!", Kazuma added before later, he, Nazuna, and Sichiru were tied up and gagged before being tossed aside next to each other, worrying Nazuna and Sichiru as they noticed how irate and Kazuma was getting, especially up to a point that his eyes started to turn blank red again, albeit a little as his irises only glowed among the red eyes that time, growling ferociously, shocking the followers before a voice spoke up.
"Stand back.", a voice spoke before Kazuma became puzzled, his eyes turning back to normal.
"I sense a strong aura of evil coming from that person. Do not approach until I tell you it's safe to do so.", Michiru spoke before the followers then took their leave.
When they did, Michiru removed the gags and ropes from Nazuna, Sichiru, and Kazuma, all of which gasped before Michiru grinned.
"Nazuna? It really is you! What are you, Kazuma, and Sichiru doing here? I didn't know that you turned into beastmen, too.", Michiru spoke.
"Michiru...", Nazuna spoke.
"Yeah. This is awkward, isn't it?", Michiru guessed before Nazuna then hugged Michiru.
"Oh, Michiru...! I thought something horrible happened to you! I'm so glad you're safe!", Nazuna sobbed a little in joy.
"Oh, Nazuna.", Michiru spoke before noticing the tails and forms that Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru have.
"So, you're a fox, Kazuma's a wolf, and Shichiru's a Tanuki?", Michiru asked.
"No, I'm not. I'm a racoon. If anything, YOU'RE a tanuki!", Sichiru retorted.
"We transformed a little while after you did. And we only started living in Anima City just recently.", Nazuna explained.
"Ms. Déesse Louve!", the masked figure shouted, attracting Michiru's attention.
"We gotta go.", Michiru spoke before morphing into her Wolf Beastman form and then took off.
"Hold on!", Nazuna shouted before she, Kazuma, and Sichiru took off after Michiru, eventually arriving at the rooftops.
"Do you think it's a good idea to leave them there?", Nazuna asked.
"Yeah.", Michiru responded.
"Michiru, I...", Nazuna began.
"Hey. You're a tanuki. What do you mean Racoon?", Michiru asked.
"I mean I'M a racoon! Clearly, you don't know how Tanukis and Racoons can be easily confused. Nobody ever takes the time to look at the tails and see for themselves. You ever think of that?", Sichiru responded.
"Okay, Sichiru, just calm down.", Kazuma warned.
"Ha! Like you're one to talk.", Sichiru spoke, shocking Kazuma.
After a moment, though, Sichiru started to laugh as did Michiru, Nazuna, and even Kazuma.
"That's not what a racoon looks like.", Sichiru grinned.
"So, you're a silver wolf and I'm just a fox.", Nazuna spoke.
"I may be a wolf, but I don't think I'm anywhere near as silver as you.", Kazuma spoke before Michiru stood up and then morphed into her true beastman form: a Tanuki Beastman form.
"I'm not exactly a silver wolf. I'm a Racoon. Or as you said, Sichiru, a Tanuki.", Michiru spoke.
"Wow. Guess I was actually spot-on. I thought that was just a comeback I came up with.", Sichiru spoke.
"So, you just transformed?", Kazuma asked.
"It's a secret, okay? If word gets out, I'll be in big trouble.", Michiru spoke before Nazuna and the others nodded.
"I understand.", Nazuna spoke.
"Nazuna, are you even able to turn back into a human anymore?", Michiru asked.
"Huh? Oh. Well, we couldn't exactly do it at first, but now we can. I just feel like this is more comfortable for me.", Nazuna grinned.
"I guess that explains why you're still like this now, huh?", Michiru grinned.
"Yes.", Nazuna nodded.
"Oh. Why don't you come over to the Beastman Co-op? We have so much to talk about.", Sichiru grinned.
"Wait. You and Nazuna live here?", Michiru asked.
"What am I, chopped liver?", Kazuma interjected.
"No. Not at all. Kazuma lives here, too.", Nazuna added.
"Really? I want to see.", Michiru grinned.
"Great. Then, let's get going.", Nazuna grinned.
Meanwhile, Mayor Rose was speaking with Shirou.
"The Church of the Silver Wolf. They're a religious group that worships the Silver Wolf and travels around in search of freedom for the Beastmen. I've heard rumors about them, but I didn't know that the Silver Wolf was their leader.", Mayor Rose spoke.
"Complete Beast Transformation...", Shirou guessed.
"Normal Beastmen shouldn't be able to do it, should they?", Mayor Rose asked.
"Are you still going to accept them?", Shirou asked.
"As you know, we accept all beastmen. That's the basic policy of our city. You don't agree?", Mayor Rose asked.
"No.", Shirou responded before Rose gave a slight chuckle.
"I thought so. I was putting off meeting them to give us more time to investigate them. But we might be able to learn more about them if we meet them directly.", Mayor Rose spoke.
Act II
"So, you three were watching when they carried me off?", Michiru asked.
"Yeah. It wasn't a sight I wanted to see or even remember.", Kazuma responded.
"We couldn't even see well, exactly, back then. You went missing right after that. And that's how I knew you were gone, like something bad happened to you...", Nazuna spoke sadly.
"We had to comfort her for weeks on end ever since. And our beastmen transformations didn't exactly help matters.", Sichiru replied.
"I was seriously scared. I really thought they were going to kill me. If anyone suddenly turned into a Beastman, they'd definitely freak out.", Michiru responded.
"I hear that.", Kazuma agreed.
"After all that, they brought me down to this really weird research laboratory. It was someone named Boris who actually saved me. He knew about my ability to transform, so he made me do the specialized training. Then, we joined the Church of the Silver Wolf together. And since I can transform into the Silver Wolf, I became the leader while Boris became the head of training.", Michiru spoke.
"So, Boris was that masked guy who was with you earlier, right?", Sichiru asked.
"Yeah. That's right.", Michiru grinned.
"Do you really think you can trust him, though? He smells suspicious.", Kazuma responded.
"He's not suspicious at all.", Michiru spoke.
"Did you even see him take off his mask?", Sichiru asked.
"No, I haven't.", Michiru responded.
"Then that makes him suspicious. Doesn't he creep you out?", Nazuna asked.
"No, he doesn't. I told you. Boris came and rescued me from the facility. He's not a bad person.", Michiru spoke.
"So you believe...", Nazuna spoke cautiously before Michiru then took a look at the pictures nearby.
"Anyway..., what about you three? When did you three transform?", Michiru asked.
"Well, it was right after you changed.", Kazuma responded.
"We had to lock ourselves up in our homes for more than a year. But we needed to find a way to go back to normal. I thought maybe we could find a way after we came here to Anima City. But it turns out, not a single one of them was human before.", Nazuna explained.
"Yeah. Nobody even heard about the disease that turned us.", Kazuma added.
"Wait. Disease?", Michiru puzzled.
"Yeah. Or at least we thought of it like that at first. We even called in Beastman-Itis.", Nazuna repleid.
"Beastman-Itis...", Michiru spoke.
"But while we didn't get a good start, we did get better.", Kazuma responded.
"We even made some new friends along the way. And, unfortunately, some enemies, too. Like the Shie Hassaikai. Whoever they are. But mostly, we made friends.", Sichiru added.
"I guess that explains why you guys were having a lot of fun by the looks of it.", Michiru grinned.
"Yeah. I guess.", Nazuna grinned before Michiru noticed someone in the picture.
"Oh. Is that Mayor Rose?", Michiru asked.
"Yeah. We help her out, too, sometimes.", Kazuma responded.
"I know. Why don't you and I live here together? And with Kazuma and Sichiru, too.", Nazuna suggested.
"What?", Michiru puzzled.
"Yeah. It's time to stop pretending to be some religious leader. We'll find some way to heal all of us no matter what.", Sichiru assured.
"And then, we'll all go back to being human again.", Kazuma assured before Nazuna's ears twitched.
"Oh. It looks like he's back already.", Nazuna grinned, turning to see the door open with Shirou stepping inside.
"Mr. Shirou. Welcome back.", Melissa grinned.
"Yeah, thanks.", Shirou responded.
"Hey, Shirou.", Sichiru grinned.
"Mrs. Melissa. Would it be okay if a friend of mine lives here?", Nazuna asked.
"What friend is that?", Shirou asked before Michiru stepped in and looked to Shirou, making him widen his eyes before he turned away.
"Impossible.", Shirou spoke.
"But why not?", Sichiru asked.
"That girl can't live here.", Shirou responded.
"It's all right. I can show myself out.", Michiru spoke before leaving.
"Michiru, wait! Please, don't go!", Nazuna spoke before Shirou stopped her.
"Hold on. That friend of yours is... She's a human?", Shirou asked.
"Yes. She is. Weren't you paying attention?", Kazuma asked.
"Michiru has Beastman-Itis just like us.", Sichiru added, surprising Shirou.
"Why is it okay for us to live here, but not her, too?", Nazuna asked.
"There's something strange about them. That religious group. And I don't trust that girl, either. At least not for the time being.", Shirou responded.
"What are you saying? Then, why don't you kick me out, too?!", Nazuna exclaimed before she ran off.
"Nazuna, wait!", Kazuma urged as he ran to catch up to her.
"You're such a jerk, you know that? That was my sister and you just scared her away with your stupid mistrust.", Sichiru scolded before she went after Nazuna and Kazuma.
Later, Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru arrived at the slums where the Church's tents were.
"Hey! We'd like to join! I'm Sichiru Kagemori!", Sichiru shouted before the followers moved in toward the trio.
"I'm Nazuna Hiwatashi!", Nazuna added.
"And I'm Kazuma Hiwatashi.", Kazuma added before Boris stepped forward.
"Oh, Sir Boris.", one of the members spoke before Boris blinked his eyes the way a snake does, making Kazuma's glare toward him more piercing to him while it made Nazuna and Sichiru shake in worry.
"Earlier today, we were really moved when we heard the leader give her speech. Could you let us join?", Sichiru asked.
"I'm afraid I can't do that.", Boris spoke.
"What?", Nazuna puzzled.
"What do you mean? I'm her older sister!", Sichiru exclaimed.
"Oh? Is that so?", Boris asked puzzledly.
"That's right.", Sichiru responded.
After a moment, Boris spoke up.
"Very well. And your friends are welcome to join as well. The Silver Wolf shall be the one to guide you.", Boris spoke before walking away.
"Well, you were definitely right about him being suspicious. I can agree on that much, Sichiru.", Kazuma spoke.
"Hello, comrades. Welcome. These are for you. Let me show you all to your tents.", one of the members spoke.
"Uh, okay. Thanks a lot for having us.", Sichiru grinned nervously.
Meanwhile, Boris spoke with Michiru in her tent.
"The mayor says she's busy. She won't see us.", Boris spoke.
"Oh. I see...", Michiru spoke.
"By the way, someone named Kagemori and Hiwatashi joined us just now. I can understand your older sister, but do you know the rest of them?", Boris asked.
"Well...", Michiru began before Boris then moved in a bit closer to her.
"Just be beautiful. More than the gods...", Boris requested.
Sometime later, while Nazuna and Kazuma still slept with the other followers, Sichiru woke up and snuck in to Michiru's tent to look for her. Of course, when Sichiru found her, Michiru was already awake, surprising her before Michiru shushed her.
"Boris said you were here. I never thought you guys would join the Church of the Silver Wolf.", Michiru grinned.
"Let's run away. That guy, Boris is suspicious if not creepy. You shouldn't even be around a guy like him.", Sichiru whispered.
"You know, Sichiru? If you want to leave, you can all do it without me.", Michiru spoke.
"What?!", Sichiru exclaimed before Michiru shushed her again.
"Oh. Right.", Sichiru whispered.
"I just think it'd be better if you go back.", Michiru spoke.
"But why...?", Sichiru puzzled.
"Anima City said they're not going to accept our church. So that means we're all going to have to leave soon.", Michiru spoke.
"But why? You're going to leave too? Why don't you stay here with us?", Sichiru asked.
"Because... this isn't a place where I belong like it is for you, Nazuna, and Kazuma. Besides, the man said that I couldn't stay with you. And Mayor Rose wouldn't see us either.", Michiru responded.
"Wait. You said Mayor Rose? You went to see her?", Sichiru asked.
"We tried. But she wouldn't even open the door", Michiru spoke.
"I think I might know how you can go see her.", Sichiru assured.
"Really? How?", Michiru puzzled.
"Just leave it up to me. Every morning, she goes to the same restaurant. We can go over there together. I'm sure she'll understand when I explain things to her. We'll go before the others wake up.", Sichiru whispered before she then cuddled herself.
"Hey, wait a minute.", Michiru spoke.
"We have to get up early tomorrow. I already let Nazuna and Kazuma know about what to do when we get there. So we'll sleep for now. It's been a while since I had a sleepover.", Sichiru whispered before Michiru only gave a sad look.
The next morning, both Sichiru and Michiru, with the company of Nazuna and Kazuma, arrived at the Café where Mayor Rose is.
"Mayor Rose.", Sichiru spoke.
"Ms. Sichiru.", Mayor Rose said.
"We brought someone here that I really think you should meet.", Kazuma spoke.
"When we were human, we were...", Nazuna began before Michiru interrupted.
"I'm the leader of the Church of the Silver Wolf, Déesse Louvre.", Michiru spoke, puzzling the trio.
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I really appreciate it. I'm here today to ask for permanent residency in Anima City for the members of the Church of the Silver Wolf.", Michiru spoke.
"Michiru...", Nazuna spoke.
"If that's what you want to talk about, then...", Mayor Rose began before Michiru interrupted.
"Why won't you even listen to what I have to say? Anima City is supposed to accept all beastmen, right? Or is that just another lie?", Michiru interrupted.
"Easy, now.", Kazuma spoke.
"You know the Silver Wolf is holy to the beastmen. Playing around with the Silver Wolf's identity is not something we allow. This city is open to, and welcomes all Beastmen. However, we don't need to allow people who pretend to be beastmen in.", Mayor Rose responded.
"But that's not what...", Nazuna began.
"You're right. I'm not a beastman, let alone the Silver Wolf. I'm actually human.", Michiru spoke.
"I figured that.", Mayor Rose spoke.
"But... Does the Silver Wolf even actually exist at all? Some immortal beastman who's been roaming the world for 1,000 years. A beastman in the form of a wolf? There's no way something like that would exist. But the beastmen there have been suppressed so badly for so long, they keep clinging onto his existence because they wanted some salvation. Isn't that right? That's why I'm making its existence come true. For the Beastmen's peace and mind. I'm not just giving them false hope. I'm also offering them the true hope they're all looking for. And I think Anima City could use some of that hope right about now. Don't you think so, Mayor Rose Barballet?", Michiru spoke.
"Michiru...", Sichiru spoke.
After a moment, Mayor Rose spoke.
"Your friend is very interesting indeed. Come to City Hall this afternoon. We'll set up the permanent residency.", Mayor Rose spoke.
"All right.", Michiru spoke as Nazuna, Kazuma, and Sichiru look on in worry.
Sometime later, the four were walking down the road together with Michitu stretching her arms.
"Great day. I could grab a bite to eat right now.", Michiru spoke.
"Wait a second.", Nazuna spoke.
"What's up?", Michiru asked.
"You lied and acted like it's nothing.", Nazuna spoke.
"Lied how, exactly?", Michiru asked.
"Well, we were trying to help you because we felt sorry that you were being forced into tbeing their leader.", Sichiru spoke.
"But what was all that about just now? Were you just using us all along?", Kazuma asked.
"Oh, wow.", Michiru spoke, making the trio gasp.
"That's the first time I saw you mad that things don't turn out the way you want them to. And here, I used to do that all the time.", Michiru spoke.
"What? How'd you figure that out?", Nazuna asked.
"Thing is, I wasn't really depending on you to do this. Don't get so excited about arranging a meeting with the mayor.", Michiru spoke.
"But you said you weren't able to meet with her. Was that a lie, too?", Sichiru asked.
"You probably think the reason the mayor's allowing me to live here is because you asked her, right? Well, that's not necessarily true. The fact was it was already decided. They were already just investigating the group anyway. So, things probably would've turned out this way even if you three weren't involved in the first place.", Michiru guessed.
"You don't know that!", Kazuma growled.
"Easy, Kazuma.", Sichiru spoke.
"If what you're saying is true, then why did you even ask us to help you? Unless..., you didn't even ask, did you?", Nazuna realized.
"You got that right. Guess you weren't as caught up in your imagination as I thought at first.", Michiru spoke.
"What the heck is that supposed to mean?", Kazuma asked.
"I don't think I mentioned anything to you three about not wanting to be their leader.", Michiru spoke, making the trio gasp, Sichiru most of all.
"See? Not one of you understands. There's no way I'm going to quit.", Michiru responded.
"What do you mean?", Nazuna asked.
"Being a leader is practically like being a star player. Lots of Beastmen worship me and praise me. They look up to me for hope and dreams. That's what a star player is, right?", Michiru asked.
"First off, that's more like something an idol would do. Secondly, are you seriously considering using a creepy man like Boris to be a star player?! This is insane!", Kazuma exclaimed.
"You really have changed, haven't you? ", Michiru spoke, puzzling Nazuna before it then showed a flashback of Kazuma and her running over toward the distracted Michiru with Sichiru following the duo before it showed Nazuna breaking her leg.
"Who'd have thought that you'd be the first one to jump right in without thinking? You even imagine things, jump in, make a judgment. Decide that you feel sorry for other people and then go and feel good about yourself for helping out even though no one asked you to. Are you sure you're not doing that just to feel good about yourself?", Michiru asked.
"No...", Nazuna spoke.
"Oh, and about Boris? He's not as creepy as you think he is.", Michiru added.
"No, you're wrong! You'd have to be out of your mind to even...", Nazuna exclaimed.
"Believing what you want as usual...", Michiru sighed, making Nazuna gasp.
"I've decided. I'm going to do whatever it takes to achieve my dreams. I'm not Michiru any longer. I'm the maiden of the Silver Wolf, Ms. Déesse Louve.", Michiru spoke with a grin, making Sichiru gasp as she widened her eyes.
"That's not my sister at all...!", Sichiru thought before Nazuna lowered her head, worrying Kazuma.
"Nazuna...!", Kazuma spoke in worry.
"Fine... Do what you want... But... I don't believe that you would willingly want to do this, Michiru, and I'm going to prove it. So for now, I'll see you around.", Nazuna spoke before turning around and walking away.
"Well, guess I'm going with you..., Déesse Louve.", Sichiru spoke as she joined her before the two siblings started to walk away as well.
"Hey!", Kazuma shouted, prompting Sichiru to turn back.
"Keep Michiru safe, all right?", Kazuma asked before Sichiru nodded to him.
Sometime later, both Kazuma and Nazuna looking back at the picture with her and Michiru in it, especially showing the four friends in the hospital before it went back to the present with Nazuna getting a determined look.
"I'm going to help you, Michiru, even if I have to force you to accept my help.", Nazuna thought.
Hours later, at night, Michiru suddenly started to cry, worrying Sichiru.
"What's wrong, Michiru?", Sichiru asked.
"You were right about Boris! He IS creepy! Worse than that, he tried to rape me like he didn't even care!", Michiru sobbed.
"He WHAT?! When I get my hands on that creep, I'm gonna...!", Sichiru growled.
"No! Please...! Don't confront Boris...! You don't know what he could do...! And please..., don't tell anyone about this either.", Michiru sobbed.
"But, Michiru, I...", Sichiru spoke before sighing.
"All right. Fine. In the meantime, I'll figure out a way for you to get this to stop.", Sichiru assured as she and Michiru walked along, not knowing that Overhaul had already seen what happened.
"Well... It seems we have some leverage to get the heroes to back off of us.", Overhaul spoke, having watched the scene unfold the way it did.
A/N: Sounds like Overhaul's got something planned and it isn't good. Who knows what would happen with him and the Shie Hassaikai involved.