"Taki, I'm gonna head down by the river for a training session today. My offer still stands, you know!" Chie says hopefully.

Mitsuha considers the offer carefully. She doesn't think she'll ever need to learn something like kung fu, but then again, she never thought she'd need to learn how to wield a naginata on the fly. Besides, the skill might come in handy, both against Shadows and in the real world.

"Sure, why not?"

"All right!" Chie cries, her voice carrying clearly across the open floodplain. "Today's the day!"

Just as they begin to get into some warmup exercises, Mitsuha spies Nanako walking along the riverbank.

"What are you doing?" the young girl asks inquisitively.

"Oh, Nanako!" Chie greets her. "We're training, of course!"

"Training. . .who are you fighting with, Chie?" Nanako asks innocently.

The question, however, catches Mitsuha and Chie off guard. They both scramble to find an answer, as telling Nanako they're preparing to fight monsters inside a TV isn't exactly on the table.

"Hmmm. . ." Chie hums, mind racing. "Myself. . .I guess. . . ?"

Nanako lights up, somehow inspired by Chie's introspection. "Wow, cool!"

"Y-you think?" Chie laughs uncertainly.

Nanako peers around Chie, focused on something behind her, and forgets about the current topic. ". . .Oh. a grasshopper!"

Chie jumps up, shoulders hunched in apprehension. "Huh?! N-no way! Where?!"

"It just landed on your back," Nanako says simply.

Chie shrieks. "Get it off! Get it off me!"

To Mitsuha's surprise, Nanako calmly obliges. ". . .You don't like grasshoppers?"

"I'm no good with anything with thin, jointed legs! Or anything creepy or squirmy! Now I can't get 'em out of my head! I can't stand t hose things!"

"But they're cute. . ."

"You're like Yukiko," Chie notes. "Oh, see, 'cause Yukiko's fine around bugs. But me, I totally lose it. . .kind of funny, huh?"

"I completely understand you," Mitsuha sympathizes. "They're just. . .gross. The way they move freaks me out."

Chie brightens, having found an unlikely ally. "Right?! And they always end up where you don't want them!"

Mitsuha shudders. "Don't remind me. . ."

"You guys would get along with a lot kids in my class. They don't like bugs, either. Don't worry!" Nanako says in an attempt to console the two.

Chie actually does take heart from this. "Oh, you don't know how happy that makes me. Thanks! Come on, you want to train too?"

Nanako jumps at the opportunity. "Okay!"

Chie begins by showing them both some basic forms. Can't exactly get started with flying kicks and back flips, after all. Before it gets dark, Mitsuha sends Nanako home while staying back with Chie.

"I'm gonna get over my fear of bugs," Chie resolves. "I don't wanna look like a sissy next to Nanako! N-no offense, of course, Taki!" she quickly amends.

Mitsuha remembers that she's actually a boy right now, but that won't change her opinion of bugs. "None taken. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes—I don't think bugs will ever do it for me."

"I feel you. But I want to get stronger and face my fears!" Chie says passionately, fists clenched. "All I have to do is think of them as Shadows! Then I'll be able to grab a whole fistful!"

Silence reigns as the two visualize that image.

"I-I just gave myself goosebumps," Chie mutters.

"If you do that, make sure I'm not there," Mitsuha requests. "That's just. . ." she trails off, shivering.

"Getting used to bugs might take a while," Chie concedes, "but I won't lose to Shadows!"

Mitsuha can feel Chie's fighting spirit rubbing off on her, and she feels more determined to get to the bottom of Tartarus. And the TV World. And her switches with Taki.

Her plate really is quite full.