Mahoromatic – New Beginnings
By Dr. Memory
(AKA Carl A. Potaczala)
Disclaimer
Mahoromatic and all associated characters are the property of Gainax, TBS, Pioneer LDC and the character creators, Ditama and Nakayama. This story is not written for personal profit, but as a tribute to a wonderful story that I think ended poorly and knowing that as long as I write, Mahoro lives. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
Episode 7: Departure
Show opens with the regular theme
Show opens in the living room of Suguru's house. He is there with Mahoro along with Commander Hayato, Ryuga, Rin, Miyuki, Chizu, Kiyomi, Hamaji, and Saori Shikijo.
Miyuki: OK everyone is here, What is this big opportunity?
Hayato: Ryuga-san, why don't you begin.
Ryuga: Earlier today, I received a communication from the Saint command ship. It seems that Minawa-chan will be transferred to the command ship on July 23rd and Sera and I have been requested to transport her back to earth.
Hamaji: When will she be back? How long will it take to get her to earth from the command ship?
Ryuga: The voyage takes about three days, each way, depending on a number of factors, but there is more. Also in the communication was a request from Leesha, our commander. She would like to meet with Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun. I am not exactly sure why, but she asked if it was possible for me to bring them to meet with her on the command ship.
Mahoro: (To Commander Hayato) Do you have any idea what this is about?
Hayato: I'm not really sure I understand, but I believe that it has something to do with Suguru's Grandfather. I have talked with Leesha-san on a number of occasions over that past few weeks and she has expressed a desire to meet with both of you. I guess this just provided the best opportunity.
Miyuki: So Suguru-kun and Mahoro-san will get to travel in space to the command ship.
Suguru: (Smiling) Well it is a little more than that. At one point Hamaji-kun expressed a desire that he would like to go with Ryuga-sensei when he went to get Minawa-chan. Well, before we came here, we made contact with the Saint commander and the invitation has been extended to include Hamaji-kun. In fact, it has been extended to any of you who wish to go.
Everyone, including Mahoro, is in a state of shock, staring at Suguru.
Mahoro: (Breaking the silence and speaking to Ryuga) Would such a trip be safe?
Ryuga: It would be perfectly safe.
Hamaji: (Eyes wide open, deeper in shock) I would get to go and see Minawa-chan.
Rin: But what would we tell our parents?
Miyuki: I think my dad might freak out if I asked him if I could go on a field trip into space for a week.
Chizu: But wouldn't it be great to go into space.
Suguru: Well, it is my intention to go. How about you Mahoro?
Mahoro: Ahhh… Ahhh…
Ryuga: One other thing to consider Mahoro-san. I don't think Minawa-chan has any idea of your current status. Communication to the main fleet where Minawa-chan has been cared for tends to be one way. Minawa-chan probably does not know you are alive.
Mahoro: I guess I should go then
Hayato: If any of you are honestly interested in going, Vesper will go and talk to your parents and make the necessary arrangements.
Miyuki: I've never been farther away from home than on vacation in Okinawa.
Chizu: Just think though. It would be a week long vacation away from your sisters.
Miyuki: Oh! (Taking a deep breath) There is that.
Hamaji: (Still in shock) I would get to go and see Minawa-chan.
Kiyomi: I think Hamaji-kun is already in space.
Everyone laughs, except Hamaji, who is oblivious to everything.
Suguru: Shikijo-sensei, the invitation is extended to you also… to go as one of our chaperones.
Shikijo: Ahhh… I don't know. I don't do well with heights. I… Ahhh…
Ryuga: Once you are ship board, you would have no perception of heights.
Shikijo: I will still have to think about it.
Mahoro: When would we have to leave?
Ryuga: More than likely on the evening of the 20th. That would get us there about a half a day before Minawa-chan arrival on the command ship.
Suguru: Well then, who is interested in going?
Hamaji: I would get to go and see Minawa-chan.
Kiyomi: I think that means he wants to go. Count me in, someone has to keep track of Hamaji-kun.
Chizu: What kind of food would we be eating?
Rin: Leave it to Chizu-chan to ask important questions like that/
Ryuga: The same kind of food you eat here. Sera and I have grown quite fond of earth food. And Sera is quite a good cook. Maybe not quite as good as Mahoro-san, but don't tell her I said that.
Chizu: Count me in then.
Miyuki: A week away from my sisters is worth the risk. Count me in also.
Rin: I don't know. I guess that…
Chizu: Come on Rin-chan. We've been doing things together and getting into trouble together since we were in first grade. It just wouldn't be the same without you.
Miyuki: Yeah. It wouldn't be right to split up the team now.
Rin: It's just that… I just can't imagine going into space, let alone our parents giving us permission to do it. My parents have always been so protective. Oh… if they say yes I'll go.
Chizu: That's the spirit.
Mahoro: Ryuga-san, will your ship be able to handle this many people.
Ryuga: There will be plenty of space for people and provisions. It was designed as an exploration ship for a crew of twenty.
Hayato: I will begin working on arrangements here on earth. Ryuga-san, you can make arrangements for whatever help you will need for provisioning with the Vesper staff.
Kiyomi: This is going to be one heck of a school field trip, right Hamaji-kun.
Hamaji: I would get to go and see Minawa-chan.
Everyone just looks at Hamaji, who is still wide-eyed
Scene shifts to the Sakura bath house. Miyuki, Rin and Chizu are in the bath talking.
Rin: I can't believe that my parents said that it was OK for me to go.
Miyuki: My parents were a little hesitant until they found out that Mahoro-san would be going with us. Although Dad was a little disappointed to find out that my sister wouldn't be going with me.
Rin: Do your sisters know where you are going?
Miyuki: No. They think that I'm going on a school field trip to the mountains, which is the story everyone is being told.
Chizu: It didn't take much talking to convincing my mom and dad to let me go. They're going to use the opportunity to take a vacation.
Miyuki: Any word on Kiyomi-kun and Hamaji-kun.
Rin: Who would have guessed that Hamaji-kun's father had done some contracting work for Vesper and that he knew Commander Hayato.
Chizu: Kiyomi-kun's dad was the hardest to convince, but even he said OK.
Miyuki: Any word on Shikijo-sensei.
Rin: I can't get used to calling her anything other than "Shikijo-sensei".
Miyuki: Me neither.
Rin: But this morning even she said she would go. I would have figured that the opportunity to spend time with Suguru would have been enough to overcome any fears she might have.
Chizu: I don't think that's the case any more. Sensei has not been going after any of the boys recently.
Miyuki: What finally convinced her?
Rin: Maybe Mahoro-san had a talk with her.
Chizu: So when are we leaving?
Miyuki: Vesper is going to send cars for us the morning of the 20th, and we'll be leaving from somewhere in the mountains.
Rin: It would raise a bit of commotion if the space ship landed here in the city to take us away.
Miyuki: Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun have something to take care of before they can come up, so they will drive up on Mahoro-san's motorcycle.
Rin: Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun have become almost inseparable.
Miyuki: (Head down) Yes they have.
For a moment, Miyuki just sits, but when Rin sees a tear coming from her eye, she gives Miyuki a hug, resting Miyuki's head on her shoulder.
Rin: I'm so sorry.
Miyuki returns the hug and they hold that position with Chizu looking on.
Scene shifts to the morning of the 20th and stills of Rin, Miyuki, Chizu, Kiyomi, and Hamaji saying their goodbyes to parents and family.
Scene shifts to the cemetery and the Misato grave. Mahoro is washes the grave and then places a bouquet of Chinese Bellflowers by the grave. Suguru is kneeling and preparing incense. When Mahoro is finished, she kneels next to Suguru and both assume a praying position.
Suguru: (To himself) Mother… Father… I am doing well, and despite my absence from school, my grades were good. Mahoro and I will be going away for a short time, to experience one of those wonderful opportunities grandfather spoke about… Mother, I love Mahoro, and I ask for your blessing. I must take leave of you now. I will be back soon.
Mahoro: (To herself) Commander Misato… I am doing my best to take care of your son. He is a wonderful young man and is very much like you. I will care for him on our journey… Commander Misato, I now know what you were talking about when you talked about something more beautiful. I have found it. It is you son, and I love him very much. I ask for your blessing and guidance
Suguru and Mahoro both bow before the grave. Mahoro does some final arranging of the flowers and then both stand up.
Mahoro: I think we need to get started, It is a long ride to the lodge that Vesper is now using as their headquarters.
Suguru: How long will it take us to get there?
Mahoro: If we leave now, we will get there about five tonight. In time for dinner and maybe some time in the hot springs.
Mahoro and Suguru begin to walk from the grave.
Suguru: Have you been there before?
Mahoro: Three times. Once right after training. I spent a week that time before my first field assignment. Once after a major battle our entire group spent a weekend… And then… right after your father died. In fact I spent almost a month there before they would allow me back to active service.
Suguru: You liked my father.
Mahoro: He was a special man and very much like a father to me… You know…You and he are very much alike.
Suguru and Mahoro stop for a moment and Suguru turns and looks at Mahoro. They both turn to walk again, but as the do, Suguru takes Mahoro by the hand and they continue walking.
Cut to mid-show break
Scene opens showing the outside of the Vesper lodge. The scene shifts to the front entrance where Mahoro and Suguru have entered, carrying their travel bags, and are greeted by the Commander Hayato and Professor Hokato.
Hokato: You arrived here just in time. Dinner will be on the table by the time you get cleaned up.
Suguru: Is everyone here?
Hayato: The rest of the contingent arrived about two hours ago. They have been making use of the hot springs and other facilities.
Mahoro: Has a departure time been set?
Hayato: Ryuga-san believes that it would be best to depart before midnight.
Mahoro: That will give me some time to show Suguru the hot springs.
Hayato: We will have a briefing right after dinner, but the remaining time before departure will be available.
Hokato: Leave your things here and get freshened up after your trip. Everyone else is in the dining room. (To Mahoro) It is good to see you again.
Mahoro: It is good to see you also. We will have to talk before I leave.
Hokato: We will do that.
Suguru looks at Mahoro and Professor Hokato, wondering about the exchange. Both Mahoro and Suguru exit to get cleaned up.
Scene shifts to dining room. Mahoro and Suguru enter to find it set for a formal dinner. In attendance is much of the Vesper staff, and at the head table are seated with Commander Hayato and Professor Hokato are Shikijo, Ryuga, Sera, Kiyomi, Hamaji, Rin Miyuki and Chizu. There are two seats open at the table and the commander motions to Suguru and Mahoro to sit there.
Rin: We're glad you two could make it. We thought you might have chickened out on us.
Suguru: Not a chance.
The two seats available are between the commander and Miyuki. Mahoro sits next to the commander while Suguru takes the seat next to Miyuki.
Miyuki: What took you two so long?
Suguru: Mahoro and I stopped at the cemetery before we left. Today is the fifth anniversary of my father's death.
Miyuki: Oh… I'm sorry… With everything that has been happening over the past two weeks, I forgot.
Suguru: That's OK. So what do you think about all of this?
Miyuki: I don't know. Sometimes it seems more like a dream than anything else.
Suguru: I know what you mean. I'm always afraid that suddenly I'll wake up and everything will be different. Mahoro will be gone and…
Miyuki: (After taking a deep breath) Mahoro is someone really special to you, isn't she?
Suguru: Yes that's true. She really turned things around when she came into my life. Even you said that to me. Maybe right now it's because I lost her and then she came back…
Miyuki: (Another deep breath) Do you love her?
Suguru: I guess I do. But I have a special feeling for you too. At the worst times of my life, you were there to help me. And I would be there for you too. I guess that's love also. It's just so very confusing.
Suguru hears Mahoro laughing and he turns to see what has happened. Mahoro is talking to Commander Hayato. She turns to Suguru.
Mahoro: The commander has some wonderful news.
Hayato: We were looking through the files we captured from Kaemisa and we found some information about Minawa-chan, including her date of birth. As it turns out she will be fifteen years old on the day she is scheduled to arrive at the command ship, on the 23rd.
Mahoro: We can have a birthday party for her. I can bake a cake and make her favorite food.
Suguru: That will be wonderful… Although I think the best gift she will have is having her big sister.
Mahoro: (Beaming) Big sister! I get to see my little sister!
Mahoro turns back to Commander Hayato. When Suguru turns to talk to Miyuki, he finds that she is talking to Rin who is sitting next to her. Servers begin delivering food to the tables at which point the Commander and Mahoro stop their conversation and the Commander stands.
Hayato: If I may have your attention! Please, may I have you attention! (room quiets) I wish to propose a toast to our honored guests. Our first goodwill ambassadors to Saint. It is the hope of Earth that this will be the beginning of many such goodwill exchanges leading to a lasting peace between our people.
The Commander raises his glass in salute, along with everyone else in attendance.
Suguru: Goodwill ambassadors.
Suguru drinks from his glass, which is sweet sake.
Scene shifts to after dinner. Suguru, Mahoro, Chizu, Rin, Miyuki, Kiyomi, Hamaji, and Shikijo are seated around a long table. Commander Hayato and Professor Hokato are standing at one end of the table conducting the briefing.
Hayato: I will keep this as short as possible. Ryuga-san is making final preparations right now for your boarding. He would like to begin the boarding process at 2330 hours…
Mahoro: (Whispering to Suguru) That's 11:30…
Suguru nods his head. The commander looks at Mahoro, who then turns her attention back to the briefing.
Hayato: So until then you may avail yourself of the facilities here. Your gear has already be transferred to the ship, so you won't have to worry about that. Ryuga-san has informed me that there may be a small problem with sleeping quarters. Although the ship can carry a contingent of twenty, some of the sleeping quarters are currently not set up for that purpose. There are four rooms available with two beds per room. He had not taken into account the male/female mix of the group. So we will send along two cots and you can arrange things when you are ship board. I have been assured that the problem will be rectified when you reach the command ship so that there will be sleeping quarters for everyone, including Minawa-chan. Unless there are any questions… (The commander looks at his watch) It is now 7:45 (Looking at Mahoro) Everyone should meet here by 11:00. (Silence) Since there are no questions, enjoy the remainder of the evening.
Everyone stands and begins to leave. Mahoro turns to Suguru.
Mahoro: I need to talk to Professor Hokato for a moment. I will meet you by the baths.
Suguru: Sure. Hamaji-kun and Kiyomi-kun can show me where the locker rooms are.
Suguru exits and Mahoro approaches the professor who is just finishing a conversation with the Commander.
Mahoro: Professor Hokato, may I talk with you for a moment?
Hokato: Of course Mahoro-san. What is it?
Mahoro: (Blushing a bit) I don't know exactly how to ask this. Ahhh… The question came up about… ahhh… the functionality of my android body… (blushing a bit more) and ahhh… that you told me at one time that my bio-functions were almost identical to a human. Well I was wondering… (blushing a whole lot) how completely human it was in terms of…
Hokato: Having sex?
Mahoro: (Hyper response; defensively) It's not like I really going to go out and do it right now or anything like that.
Hokato: (Quietly laughing to himself) With all of the training we did with you, in order to have you fit in as a human, that is the one thing we never touched on. You are perfectly able to participate in sexual activities, and I expect you would respond as any human would, although I actually can't say for sure. I don't know.
Mahoro: Actually though it's more than that… Ahhh… could I ever have a child?
Hokato: You are really asking the tough questions tonight. Bio-functionally, you could carry a child and give birth, but actually… again I don't know. You might want to talk to the people on the Saint command ship, since they are responsible for your current android body.
Mahoro: Thank you for the information. I hope you will be discreet about telling anyone about my asking.
Hokato: (Sighing) You have my word. Have a safe voyage. Take care of yourself and Suguru-kun and the others. I wish that I could go, but I think I still need time.
Mahoro: Time?
Hokato: Time to get over the years of mistrust I developed, thinking that Saint was our enemy and not Kaemisa.
Mahoro: You never knew.
Hokato: Apparently, only Suguru's father and grandfather knew the whole story. It never really made sense to me how we ended up with all of the Saint technology to fight them. It puzzled me that we were so evenly matched against a race that had mastered space flight. If they had really wanted to, they could have wiped every human off the face of the earth, but they chose a battle method that had no civilian and almost no military casualties.
Mahoro: Maybe you can go on the next trip.
Hokato: Maybe. Enjoy the baths. You know that you may use any of the staff reserved baths if you like.
Mahoro: (Blushing a bit again) Thank you.
Mahoro exits. Professor Hokato remains, smiling.
Scene shifts to outside the bath locker rooms. Suguru is there with Kiyomi and Hamaji. Rin, Miyuki and Chizu enter.
Rin: Hi there. You gentlemen waiting for an invitation to the baths. The men's locker rooms and baths are right there.
Suguru: Actually, I'm waiting for Mahoro. She should be here in a few moments.
Miyuki: Where is she?
Suguru: She needed to talk to Professor Hokato about something. (Looking around) Where is Shikijo-sensei?
Chizu: I think she was going to ask the Commander if it was OK for her to take beer onto the ship?
Kiyomi: I guess she really is afraid. But I don't think there is enough space on that ship to hold that much beer.
Shikijo: (From behind Kiyomi) That will be enough out of you. If you had been a good boy, you would have brought some with you. But the Commander said that Ryuga-san did bring beer with him. It seems after meeting with you grandfather, he developed a taste for it.
Kiyomi: But did he bring enough for you Sensei?
Shikijo: Again, that will be enough out of you. And please, as of yesterday, I am no longer your sensei. Please call me Saori.
Mahoro: Here I am. Thank you for waiting.
Everyone turns to see Mahoro. When they see her they are shocked. She is not in her maid's uniform, but wearing a blouse and short skirt.
Kiyomi: Wow!
Hamaji: (Almost at the same time) Wow!
Suguru: That's beautiful.
Mahoro: I decided that my maid's uniform would be difficult to manage aboard ship, so I acquired some, I guess you would call them, regular cloths.
Shikijo: They look very good on you.
Mahoro: Thank you Saori-san. I am glad that everyone waited. I wanted to show everyone the one hot spring that I used when I visited here. It's called the garden spring and it is usually reserved for the Vesper officer staff, but the Commander said that we could use it tonight.
Hamaji: We… (blushing) but ahhh…
Rin: Oh Hamaji-kun, you're so cute when you're embarrassed.
Mahoro: Don't worry. There are several pools that are separated from each other, but follow me.
Mahoro lead them down a corridor which ends in a doorway. Mahoro uses a pass card to activate the door. The door opens to a terrace overlooking the hot spring garden. There is a stairway leading down to the garden. The group starts down the stairway.
Miyuki: This is beautiful.
Chizu: (Sniffing the air) The flowers are so fragrant. Hmmmmm!
Shikijo: It looks so peaceful.
Mahoro: (Upon reaching the bottom of the stair) The ladies dressing room is to the right (pointing) and the men's dressing room is to the left. There are wraps available for you to wear to the pool since there is only the single access to the gardens.
Rin: You gentleman can choose your pool first.
Kiyomi and Hamaji look somewhat down-heartened at the though of being in a separate pool, but the three boys head to the men's dressing room.
Shikijo: They actually looked disappointed that we weren't sharing a pool.
The girls begin to walk to the ladies dressing room.
Rin: (Snickering to herself) Who says we aren't
All the girls turn to stare at Rin in shock
Rin: Just kidding.
The girls continue into the dressing room.
Scene shifts to girls exiting the dressing room. Rin, Miyuki and Chizu are leading the way in one group, with Mahoro and Shikijo following. All are wearing wraps (although the one Shikijo is wearing is less than adequate for the job)
Rin: Really, I was only kidding.
Miyuki: I know, but I never would have expected Mahoro-san to actually agree to something like this.
Chizu: Well if we do it like we agreed, I don't think it will be a problem.
Rin: My dad would freak if he knew that I was doing this.
Miyuki: I don't think my dad would. On the other hand, my mom…
Chizu: Actually, it isn't so bad once you're in the water. I've actually been to mixed bathes with my parent.
Miyuki: Why am I not surprised?
Scene drifts back to Mahoro and Shikijo. Mahoro's head is bowed.
Shikijo: (Quietly to Mahoro) Mahoro-san, are you going to be all right?
Mahoro does not answer, but keeps on walking silently.
Scene shifts to a hot spring pool with Kiyomi, Hamaji and Suguru soaking in it.
Hamaji: This is great. The water from the spring feels so much different from a regular bath.
Kiyomi: It's from the minerals in the water. (Sigh) It would have been nice if they had shared a pool with us.
Hamaji: Dream on. You know that is about as unlikely to happen as…
Kiyomi: Us going into space. Mahoro-san not confiscating an Ecchi magazine. I can dream can't I.
Hamaji: Suguru-kun, you've had the chance to be close to a beautiful woman. What's it like?
Suguru: (Blushing profusely) Well… ahhh… Errr… It's like… different. It's hard to describe. When we were at the hot springs this spring, we were both so embarrassed. But to have Mahoro close to me was…
There are voices in the distance which soon become recognizable as that of the girls. Before they come into view, Rin calls out.
Rin: If we have a promise that you will behave yourselves, we'll share the pool with you.
All three boys: We promise.
Rin: OK then. Turn your backs until we are in. We'll tell you when you can turn back.
The three dutifully turn their backs to the entrance side of the pool.
Suguru: All right, we're turned.
Chizu: No peeking now.
There is the splashing of water as the girls enter the water.
Miyuki: OK, it's safe.
Suguru, Hamaji and Kiyomi turn around to find that Rin, Miyuki, Chizu, Mahoro and Shikijo have entered the pool and have seated themselves near, but not too near, to them. The girls are submerges so that only the very tops of their breasts are above the water.
Shikijo: No funny stuff now.
Kiyomi: No Sen… Saori-san.
Chizu: This feels great. It is so soothing.
Rin: It's so relaxing, although our male friends don't look so relaxed. (Kiyomi's and Hamaji's mouths are hanging somewhat open. Suguru is focused though on Mahoro, who looks somewhat uncomfortable about the whole thing). I hope we are not showing so much that you get any funny ideas.
Kiyomi: Ahhh… actually… ahhh… we got so see more last year at the beach.
Rin: Huh?
Hamaji: Yeah, last year when that crab thing… ahhh… cut away you swimsuits.
Rin: What? You looked
Kiyomi: It's not like we could help it. You were right in front of us trying to cover up.
Hamaji: Who do you think it was who found the towels for you?
Kiyomi: I have to admit thought, the three of you have beautiful bodies.
Rin is just sitting in the water up to her chin, fuming (almost to the point that you expect the water to be boiling around her).
Kiyomi: But you don't need to worry. You are all too good of friends for us to do anything funny. Unless of course you want us to.
Miyuki: No… No… This is fine
They guys begin to laugh and then the girls join in.
Scene shifts to some time later. Everyone is dressed after the bath and gathered outside the locker rooms.
Suguru: It's almost time for us to get back to the briefing room and get ready to leave.
Miyuki: I hadn't realized that we had been in the baths that long.
Mahoro: It is very easy to lose track of time in the springs. They are not so warm or cold that you get uncomfortable. I would spend three or four hours at a time.
Suguru: Let's get to the briefing room and see what is going on.
The whole crew heads to the briefing room. When they arrive, they find Commander Hayato, Professor Hokato and Ryuga.
Hayato: I'm glad that you're here. Ryuga-san says that you can depart any time now.
Hokato: Did you all enjoy the baths?
Chizu: They were wonderful.
Ryuga: I apologize, but that will have to do until you return to earth. The ship is not equipped with a bath, although there is a shower for cleaning.
Mahoro: Oh! I never though of it, but where is Slash. I had expected him to come along.
Hayato: Slash is on a special mission with Sub-Commander Yoshihiko. They are keeping watch over your house during you absence.
Suguru: Oh, we'll never hear the end of this when we get back. Slash is stuck dog sitting Guri-chan. Poor Slash.
Hayato: Actually, he volunteered for the duty.
Suguru: Maybe that's not all that hard to believe. They do end up spending a lot of time together.
Shikijo: OK where is this ship we're supposed to be boarding.
Ryuga: Oh! It is still in orbit. It is not designed for planetary landing.
Shikijo: Well how are we supposed to get on board then.
Ryuga: Actually, Commander, if there is nothing else…
Hayato: I don't have anything.
Hokato: Nor to I.
Ryuga: Then let us step outside and I will show you.
All exit the building.
Shikijo: What, is it some kind of shuttle that you use?
Ryuga: No, not quite. If you will all just gather around me and I will demonstrate.
Everyone gathers around Ryuga, with Shikijo standing right next to Ryuga. When everyone is in position Ryuga pulls a small box that looks like a cell phone from his pocket and places it next to his mouth.
Ryuga: Sera, we are ready.
Voice of Sera: (From the communicator) Ready
Suddenly a bright beam of light appears and surrounds the whole group. What appears to be a platform of light begins to rise from the ground, and with it a scream (unmistakably that of Shikijo) begins to rise with it.
Cut to ending theme
Preview:
Scene shows Suguru, Mahoro, Rin, Miyuki, Chizu, Kiyomi, Hamaji, Shikijo, Ryuga and Sera seated on the bridge of the ship. Scene shifts an image of Earth from the ships observation deck view port. Scene shifts to an image of Kiyomi who is rather battered and beaten up. Scene shifts to an image of Suguru and Mahoro sitting together holding hands, sitting on the observation deck.
Voice Over
Voice of Chizu: Miyuki-chan, I'm not sure these sleeping arrangements you made are going to work out for everyone.
Voice of Miyuki: I tried to keep people with similar interests together.
Voice of Rin: Why am I sharing sleeping quarters with her. We have nothing in common.
Voice of Miyuki: You have at least two things in common.
Voice of Rin: I'm not sure Kiyomi-kun and Hamaji-kun sleeping in the same room is a good idea. They both snore like buzz saws.
Voice of Chizu: I hope they don't do anything rash.
Voice of Rin: Wait a minute. Where are Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun in your sleeping arrangements.
Episode 8: Flight