Open on Hoshino laying awake in bed.
'What were you really up to?' Shiroko's eyes narrow at her senior.
Black Suit: Well, well.
Flash back to Blacksuit at his desk.
Black Suit: I've been waiting for you, Horus of Dawn- or rather, miss Takanashi Hoshino.
Hoshino emerges from the darkness.
"Hoshino, you know him?" Ayane questions.
"Unfortunately." Hoshino grunts.
Hoshino: What do you want this time?
The Abydos can't believe they're seeing their carefree vice-president act with such animosity and anger. It was a side of her they'd never seen!
Black Suit: The situations changed a bit. Once more, I have a purposal for you, Hoshino or should I call you, Abydos greatest mystery?
"Greatest mystery? What the hell's he talking about?" Saki questions.
"Exactly how high is this guy?" Momoi agrees.
Hoshino: Don't be ridiculous!
Black Suit: Oh my... Please calm down. I think you'll find my offer difficult to refuse.
With that, Black suit reaches into his desk and lays a contract in front of Hoshino. It should be rather enticing in fact.
"Hoshino, don't take any deals from this man." Ayane says seriously.
"Oh, I know that. Oji-sans age cones with wisdom you know." Hoshino says. 'Enticing deal, huh? Must be pretty big if I'm thinking about it like this. What could he want?' She thinks.
Hoshino's alarm puts the flashback to an end. Hoshino hugs herself before looking to the crumpled Abydos poster on her wall.
"Hoshino, you aren't thinking about it are you?" Nonomi can't help but question.
"I don't know what the deal is. But it has to be really good if its cone to this." Hoshino voices.
"Nn, you still shouldn't take it." Shiroko advises "It might be really benifical, but it might have a high cost."
"Whats that on the wall?" Hifumi questions.
Ayane squints at the screen. "Looks like an old poster for the Abydos Oasis festival back when the school hosted them."
"Why are you keeping something like that? Did you go to one?" Serika asks.
"Just memories is all." And Hoshino left it at that.
Cut to the streets of Abydos as the news plays out loud for the populace to hear.
News Anchor: We'll wrap up with some revent events from Abydos district. While there were reports of explosions, its been buisness as usual for the dessert district. And thats the news for the day! We'll see you tomorrow!
A bike speeds along the street, Shiroko keeps up this insane speed until she reaches the taped off wreckage of Shiba Seki Ramen. She looks down to find a very familer bag near the "Keep out" sign. She tilts her head a little to this.
"Hey! At least now the money will go to someone who deserves it!" Nonomi beams.
"Nn. Still a win." Shiroko agrees.
"Should he really take that though?" Koharu wonders out loud. "Its dirty money."
"Oh, Koharu. I'm pretty sure the money hasn't made out with each other in that bag." Hanako assures her with a smile."
"Eh?! Not that kind of dirty! Whys your mind always in the gutter you pervert?! Death penalty!" Koharu demands.
"I think it was dirty before they took it." Midori points out.
Cut to someone writing a report on a table. Their hands and breasts being the only parts visible, resting on the table.
"Neuron activated." Momoi jokes.
"Thats lewd! Also execution!" Koharu screams.
"It was a joke. A joke!" Momoi defends.
The person drops their pen with a sigh. Its then revealed to be Ako.
Ako: How did I end up here?
"Gee. Its quite the mystery." Serika bites.
Hina: Did you just say something?
Ako immediately gets back to work. Hina is nearby, looking out the window.
Ako: Um, Head Prefect... How much longer do I have to do this for?
Hina: You're at around 200, yes? Didn't you tell me you would complete 1,000 pages?
"Ah. Paperwork. Truely a befitting punishment." Hoshino sighs.
"1000 pages? Sounds like a nightmare." Midori comments.
Ako: Well, that was... It was a metaphor for my deep remorse...!
Hina: Use your hands, not your mouth.
"Damn. That was a good one." Moe says.
"Yeah. Shut up, Ako." Serika agrees.
Ako: I-I'll do my best.
Ako continues writing before spareing another glance at Hina.
Ako: So, um, are you well aquainted with Abydos' Hoshino?
All sans Hoshino can't help but lean forward, Ako's own question on thier minds.
Hina: No, I just investigated her when I was on the Intelligence Committee. That was my first time meeting her in person.
Ako: I see. Its just, you spoke as if you knew her well.
Hina: Takanshi Hoshino. She was hailed as a genius, an elite. The Intelligence Committee's analysis two years ago identified her as a potential threat to Gehenna's security.
"Sorry, Hoshino? An elite?" Ayane questions.
"A threat?" Serika exclaims. "Is the Head Prefect sure she didn't get the reports mixed up? Uh, no offense."
"Like I said, I was a lot more energetic back in my youth." Hoshino says.
"That was 2 years ago!" Serika points out.
"This goes beyond that." Miyako says.
"Yeah. It should take a lot to reach Gehenna's "Oh shit" list." Saki says.
'A lot indeed.' Hanako mentally agrees. 'According to the Tea Party, that list still sits in the single didgets. If Hoshino was on it at one point, that would put her at the level of Tsurugi and Mika.'
Ako: She didn't give me that impression.
Hina: Ako, don't judge a book by its cover.
Hina: But... she does seem a bit different from two years ago.
It shows a flash back of Hoshino flipping around and fireing at ludicrous speeds as Hina talks.
"Woah! What was all that?!" Serika exclaims.
"Such speed and agility!" Azusa awes.
"She's not just at the level of SRT, but at the level of a veteran like the FOX squad." Miyaki says.
"Truly, such a high level!" Arisu exclaims.
"Ah, to be young again." Truthfully, Hoshino would rather have not had her past shown like that. But with no way to stop it, she figured she might as well play along. "All you youngins, don't ever grow old."
"Nn. I won't and one day, I'll beat you." Shiroko says.
"Beat you? So you're still at that level?" Momoi questions.
"Nah. Like I said. Old bones and all. Can't do much of that anymore." Hoshino says.
'Or you can and just don't want to.' Hanako thought 'Just like me. I'd be put in a pretty uncomfortable position if someone dug up my school work from last year.'
Hina: She's an agressive frontliner, so she was inheritantly combatative by nature.
'Agressive? Combatative? Thise don't describe Hoshino at all.' Ayane thinks. 'She must have been really different in her first year as compared to now. I wonder, what changed?'
Hoshino loads a shell into her Berreta 1303.
Hina: She had a vicious, cutthroat aura.
Hoshino slowly readies and aims her shotgun. She fires once before turning in the direction of the camera.
Serika finchs at the look of past Hoshino, almost not recognizing her. Needless to say, nearly the entirty of the FTF found it hard to reconcil that the stern, almait cold hearted person being shown to them was their carefree President, who they had never so much as seen get seriously angry.
Likewise, all the students who were not a part of Abydos felt intimidated in a similar maner from when Hina was introduced.
It cuts back to Hina then.
Hina: Well, regardless if we hadn't retreated then, most of the Prefect Team would've been incapacitated.
"Yeah they would." Shiroko simpky states with a proud smile on her face.
'I think she's refering to Hoshino, not the rest of the Task Force.' Yuzu thinks, but doesn't say it aloud due to her nervousness as well as not wanting to offend the Abydos students.
Hina: Ako, your lack of preparation is to blame here.
Ako: I thought my analysis of their capabilities was flawless, but I just didn't know...
Hina: Well, her name did stop appearing in activity reports out of the blue. The Intelligence Comittee deemed her negligable after that. If you're curious, dig through some old records.
Azusa wondered if she would be aloud to dig through the Tea Partys records on the matter, now being a part of Trinity. 'Probably not.' She thought. 'I doubt they'd let a relativly low ranking student rummage what could be sensitive information, regardless of how old it may be.'
Ako ponders this for a moment.
Hina: Ako, you've stopped writing.
Ako: Oh, sorry!
Ako gets back on it.
Hina: Takanashi Hoshino. I didn't think she'd still be in Abydos.
Hina slowly moves her wings before quickly extending them to thier full length. Despite this, she still stares fiercly out the window.
"I'll be the first to admit that she is terrifying." Momoi admits.
"You wouldn't be the first, actually." Hanako states.
"Dang, how big are thise wings?" Moe questions.
"Th-Thats an insensitive question!" Hifumi points out.
"I'm just genuinely curious." Moe defends.
'They're almost as big as Hasumi's, who herself has a pretty large wong span.' Koharu mentally answers, not saying it aloud due to, as Hifumi said, being insensative as well as generally being a non-answer.
Cut to PS68 office.
Haruka: Um, where should I put this?
Haruka holds up the "An Evil a Day" sign. Mutsuki looks over to her.
Mutsuki: Aru made that with her esteemed calligraphy tallents. Throw it in the trash pile.
"If its Aru's, she can't make that call." Hifumi says.
"I got a feeling sis and Mutsuki would get along well if they met each other." Midori mutters to herself, eyeing the other blonde, who had previously thrown out some of her school work when the two had to clean out thier dorm or the clubroom.
Haruka: Are you sure?
Kayoko: Its just something she made during calligraphy class. Well, knowing her, boss might want it.
Aru sighs in her chair, looking somewhat asleep.
Haruka: Aru...
Kayoko: She's bummed about having to move.
Mutsuki: I get how she feels, but the Prefect Team found out about this place, and our client might come after us since we failed the job. Theres no other choice.
"Oh no." Nonomi coos.
"Least they deserve for coming after us." Serika mutters.
"I know they started it and all, but I still feel bad that they'll have to leave their office." Nonomi says.
Mutsuki packs up a box and tapes it as she talks. Aru meanwhile, sits face down on her desk.
Kayoko: Now that you say it the way things ended with Abydos was kind of awkward.
Kayoko approaches the guns held up behind Aru as she finally lifts her face from her desk.
Aru: W-Well that situation is out of our hands! I can hardly attack then after we fought together side-by-side!
"But they could when you all ate together?" Koharu questions.
"Stop trying to figure her out. She'll bring up morals when its convenient for her conscious." Saki says.
"Hmm, not very convenient for an outlaw, I'd think." Hanako says.
"She's just trying to get the good karma run." Aris says, as if that would explain everything.
Kayoko: I see.
Kayoko inspects the rifle she got off the wall. In the background, Haruka can be seen with a potted plant.
Aru: We may be outlaws, but thats just the proper way...
Mutsuki: I agree! So lets get moved out right and proper too!
Mutsuki quickly fixes up a box as she talks. Aru simply groans as Mutsuki presents an old style phone.
Mutsuki: Kayoko, what should I do with this?
Kayoko: Do you need it?
Aru quickly swipes the phone from Mutsuki.
Aru: Of coarse I do.
Kayoko: Just use your cellphone.
Aru: Convinence is nice, but this has sentimental value!
Mutsuki: What even is that?
Aru: Look at its antique design! It fits an outlaws asthetic perfectly!
"I actually agree with Aru in this case. The whole look is important, and that old phone helps." Momoi says.
"You know what?" Midori brings up. "Thats fair."
"I wonder if the dinosaur struggles taking or giving calls to all the new stuff we have going around." Moe points out. "It is pretty old."
Haruka: I-I agree!
All attention is on Haruka.
Haruka: Because... its cool.
"I suppose I can see the appeal in the retro design." Hifumi admits.
"It is functional and that is what matters." Azusa nods.
"Not functional enough." Saki mutters to herself. 'Looks unreliable.'
A moment of silence passes before Aru smirks
Aru: As expected of Haruka. This isn't a retreat. We're taking a step back to spring forward. We'll overcome all adversity!
Aru dramatically holds the phone above her head while anime lines lay the dramatic backdrop.
The audiance just watches the spectacle silently.
Aru: And return to this office! Because-
Her teammates smile.
Aru: We are true hardboiled outlaws, Problem Solver 68!
The four come together to pose dramatically. A camera flash goes off.
Aru: Tomorrow, we say goodbye to this place.
Mutsuki stretches as Haruka fiddles with the camera that took their picture earlier.
"Not the best situation for a picture." Miyako comments.
"Who knows. They might look back on it to see how far they've climbed." Hifumi optimistically says.
Kayoko's phone rings and she looks at the resulting message.
Kayoko: Boss, the landlord says to leave by today since we couldn't pay last months rent.
Aru's mood visibly plummets, causeing Mutsuki to laugh.
Haruka: Aru.
Mutsuki: Then we're homeless now.
"W-Well, they just fell further." Miyu comments. "All the way down t-to the pebbles."
"Rock bottom." Moe nods.
"Better start climbing." Koharu mutters.
Aru: Wh-Wh-What... What did you say?!
It fades to later as Haruka loading up a moving truck.
"How do they even afford a moving truck if they're broke?" Momoi questions.
"I imagine they simply scrounged up the money for it." Ayane says. "On top of that, things of this nature come quite cheap in Abydos."
Haruka: I've loaded everything.
She says to Kayoko who is further down the ally, leaning on the truck.
Kayoko: Okay.
"Why isn't she helping?" Miyu can't help but ask.
"She's standing guard and looking cool while doing it." Momoi answers.
"And I keep telling you, that just an excuse to get out of work and a poor one at that." Midori sighs.
"Hey, hey. She's right." Hoshino says.
"No she's not! I don't ever want to hear that excuse from you, Hoshino!" Serika declares.
"Dang. Foiled again." Hoshino doesn't sound to broken up about it.
Aru and Mutsuki walk together. Mutsuki had a bag while Aru has an air if inconsolable disapoontment.
Mutsuki: Cheer up, Aru. It's not our first time being homeless. Its just going to our roots for a little bit.
Miyu can't help but squirm at this. With SRT shutting down, if she and her squad refuse to relocate, would they be homeless too? Homeless and forgotten like the pebbles laying among the roots of plants? Her anxiousness can't help but spike from there.
Aru: Going back...No. No! We're moving forward!
Mutsuki laughs.
Mutsuki: Exactly.
Kayoko: Where to now?
Mutsuki: I mean, theres nowhere else to go, so back to Gehenna?
Kayoko hears a bicycle approaching them. Sure enough, Shiroko's bike stops by the group.
Shiroko: Are you leaving?
The group turns to her.
Mutsuki: Um, Sunaookami Shiroko, right?
Shiroko: Right.
Aru: Wh-What are you doing here? You can't be looking for another fight!
Shiroko: No. I was just tiding my bike in the area and spotted you.
Aru narrows her eyes. Mutsuki drops her bag and gets in between the two.
"Someone better do something before this tension erupts into a fight." Miyako warns.
"It'll be fine." Shiroko assures.
Kayoko stares down Shiroko, slowly drawing her pistol from her jacket pocket before quickly shoving it back in as Haruka walks past her.
Haruka: U-Um. About yesterday...
Haruka then deeply bows to Shiroko, surprising her friends.
Haruka: We really owe you.
"Aw, you're welcome, Haruka." Nonomi smiles.
"She can't hear you." Saki points out.
"I know, but saying it anyway feels nice." Nonomi responds.
Aru seems to calm down and looks back on Shiroko. The girl in question unflinchingly stares back at Aru with the same expression. Aru looks perturbed as Shiroko keeps stareing. Its a back and forth between the two until Shiroko gives them a thumbs up. Haruka finally lifts her head.
Haruka: And about the ramen shop...
Shiroko: I can't forgive you for that. But you seem remorseful, so I'll consider it a debt.
"I can settle for that." Serika says.
"Uhehe. Look at our Serika being so forgiving." Hoshino says.
"It just warms the soul." Nonomi agrees.
"Hey, you make it sound like I was the only one angry with them." Serika retorts.
Shiroko: And you're the ones who left the bag there, right?
Aru: I don't know what you're talking about! We don't know anything about any bag of money! Never heard of it, never seen it!
"Wow... really?" Koharu questions.
"I truly did not think there would be anyone in the world who'd spill this easily." Midori states.
Kayoko sighs.
Mutsuki: Aru, the way you said "bag of money" makes it super obvious.
Aru: Th-Thats... You're the ones who stole that money by robbing the bank. We're not so corrupt as to keep someone elses spoils. Even hardboiled outlaws have their principles.
Mutsuki: Ah, Aru's back.
Shiroko: I gave the bag to the master.
Kayoko: I see. Thanks.
Shiroko nods.
Shiroko: Where will you go?
Aru laughs before Kayoko can answer.
Aru: To meet a client who needs Problem Solver 68's services.
Shiroko merely stares. Her ear twitches.
Mutsuki: Aru, shall we go?
Aru: Y-Yeah.
A hand reaches out.
Kayoko: We need to find somewhere to sleep tonight.
Aru: O-Okay.
Her eyes fall back to Shiroko who has her arm stretched out to her.
Shiroko: No handshake?
Aru crosses her arms and looks away.
Aru: I-I don't do goodbyes. Because-
"I hate goodbyes." Momoi says.
"Quoting or serious?" Midori asks.
"Both. Don't you get that feeling after that person you're working really well with longs off?" Momoi questions.
"I like to think we'll meet again." Aris says.
Shiroko: You're an outlaw? Will we meet again?
Aru: Well, if that ramen shop re-opens, maybe we'll see you there.
Shiroko smiles.
Shiroko: I'll be waiting.
Aris nods at this with a smile.
"It would be nice to have some more familar faces when we go there." Ayane admits.
"The more the merrier." Nonomi agrees.
Aru: Then its time to head out!
Mutsuki: Where to?
Aru: We're riding off into the sunset!
Kayoko: Its the afternoon...
Aru: Anyway, lets go!
"Um, well if it works, it works." Hifumi says.
"Exits don't always have to be so cliche." Saki agrees.
With that, the four walk off. Elsewhere, Hoshino rests against a chain fence. As the wind blows her hair, she seems contamplative. The scene then changes to the Abydos Clinic, where Master Shiba rests in a hispital bed with his head bandaged up. Serika moves a curtain partitioning his space off. Behind it are her, Nonomi, and Ayane.
Serika: We've come to visit, master.
Nonomi: How are you feeling?
Master Shiba: What are you worrying about? Its just a few scratches. More importantly, considering the size of the explosion, I'm relieved that no one else was hurt.
"How realistic would it be for the Master to have the kind of money to rebuild and reopen the shop, given Abydo's... situation, with out the robbery money?" Miyako questions.
"It would be unlikely." Ayane answers. "The Shiba Seki Ramen is one of the few establishments in Abydos that still brings in a decent amount of money, but its still not enought to fully rebuild everything from the ground up."
"Best case, Shiba Seki will be rebuilt, but it'll have to be downsized. But even that possibility is slim." Nonomi says.
As he talks, the three approach his bedside.
Nonomi: Yes but...
Ayane: The Shiba Seki Ramen shop...
Master Shiba: I know. I'm sorry I can't offer you a job anymore, Serika.
Seeika: Thats hardly the issue here, Master.
Master Shiba: I'm fine. I've been thinking about closing shop anyway.
Serika seems surprised at this.
"What? Even before the bombing?" Nonomi sounds saddened by this.
"Thats such a shame. It looked like it'd be such a nice place to eat. And delicious food according to you all." Hifumi says.
"I'm curious about the ramen as well." Momoi says. "Say, when we get back, I'm going over to give it a try. Give the Master my support. You with me, sis?"
"Thats the smartest thing you've said all day." Midori smiles.
Master Shiba: It's just hapening a little earlier than expected.
Nonomi: Closing up?
Master Shiba: Yes, I got an eviction notice recently.
"Eviction notice? Rid any of you send one out?" Ayane questions the Task Force to which they shake their heads.
"I didn't even know we could write eviction notices." Serika mutters.
Ayane: What do you mean an eviction notice? Abydos High School owns the land and buildings within the Abydos district.
Master Shiba: Ah, you didn't know. A few years ago, the student council transfered ownership of the land to another entity.
"We transfered ownership?! When?!" Serika questions.
"Not us. The Student Council before our time." Hoshino answers. "The ones before even I was there."
Nonomi: Even though its the Abydos district? Serika, did you know about this?
Serika: No, its the first I've heard of it. Does that mean there's some other debt besides the one we're paying off?
"Don't go overcomplicating things. We just have the one debt." Ayane advises.
"Yeah. Its just that now that debt covers less of our land." Shiroko says.
'But why?' Hanako is left to wonder. 'There isn't much in the way of natural rescources besides some oil, but even just for that Kaisier would need no more than small plots of the land out in the desert.'
Ayane has similar thoughts. 'Do they simply want a district of their own? It would certaily explain why they want to push us out, but for what purpose? Kaiser wouldn't get much out if what many outsiders percive as a district which can only barely support itself.'
'Unless their goal is something else entirely and the buyout is simply a means to an end.' Hanako continues.
'But what could they want? The previous student council has already sold everything that can be considered valuable long ago.' And that, both the smart ones knew they needed more information on this.
Nonomi: I didn't know about this either.
Serika: Then, who owns the buildings now?!
Nonomi seems to think on it.
Nonomi: Could it be... Kaiser Corporation?
Master Shiba scratchss his head.
Master Shiva: Something like that. Sorry, I can't remember the details.
Ayane takes the time to absorb this information.
Ayane: We need to dig into this more.
Serika: Ayane, let me help!
Nonomi: Me too. Just say the word!
Master Shiba: I'm really sorry about this. Its a weird situation.
Serika: No, its our problem too. Besides Master, don't think about retiring just yet. Got it?
Master Shiba: Ah, okay. ...Oh, right. Could you pull out the thing under the bed for me?
Nonomi brings out the bag of heist money, seating it on a stool. The three recognize it for what it is.
Master Shiba: Do you recognize this?
The three share a look.
Ayane: No, well...
Serika: I wouldn't say that...
Nonomi: That is...
"Liars." Shiroko states. "Besides money, that is filled with precious memories."
"Well... thats one way to put it." Nonomi says.
"But not the way I would put it." Serika states, with Ayane noding in agreement.
Master Shiba: Really? Shiroko dropped it off earlier. She said she found it in front of the exploded shop. So I opened it to see what it was... and there was an astonishing amount of money inside. There must be a story behind that, right?
"A dang good one there is." Momoi says. "Something like that should be our next game."
"I...I can see the appeal." Yuzu admits.
"Yeah. I can get behind that too." Midori agrees. "Once we get back, we'll start on the rough drafts for it."
"Nn. Sounds like the perfect game." Shiroko comments.
"Do NOT make me a character!" Serika affirms.
Serika: I don't think so.
Nonomi: Someone with good intentions must have sent it.
Ayane: Right. They probably wanted you to use it to repair Shiba Seki Ramen.
"So, with that array of crash, re-opening is possible?" Moe asks.
"Yes. Although theres a chance that there will still be a downsize." Ayane answers.
Serika: Yeah! The people who left this money must have been moved by the taste of your ramen!
Master Shiba: Is this real life?
"-or is this fantasy." Momoi sings.
"Sis, one more reference, and I'm going to sell something behind your back." Midori warns. "I'm not going to tell you what it will be, and you won't know till its gone."
Master Shiba: If thats the case, I'll have to repay them with a hot meal!
Master Shiba has tears in his eyes.
Master Shiba: I've kept the shop running all this time because I wanted to seeve delicious ramen to hungry customers.
Ayane: Everyone's waiting for your ramen, Master.
Nonomi: Get well and reopen the shop soon, please!
Serika: And I want my old job back again, Master.
Master Shiba: Okay! Don't you worry! When the shop reopens, you'll be my first customers!
Serika: I'll be looking forward to it!
Cut back to Abydos High School where Hoshino is still deep in thought on the roof.
Sensei: Hi, Hoshino.
Sensei walks up to her, his grey jacket is missing.
"Lewd! Sensei will be executed for indecency!" Koharu exclaims.
"Indecency? His jacket is off. Nothing more." Hifumi says.
"Besides, The temperature is hot out in Abydos. It makes sense that Sensei would not want to overheat again." Arisu says.
"Maybe he should take more off. Just to be sure." Hanako comments.
"I wouldn't mind that." Shiroko mutters.
"Lewd! All of you!" Koharu screeches.
Sensei: Nice weather today. Taking a rooftop nap?
Hoshino: Yeah. Something like that.
Hoshino seems to wipe her face as she speaks.
"Hoshino..." Nonomi says, worridly
"Ah, just sweat in ol-ojisans eyes is probably all." Hoshino assures her. "I sure didn't look like I was crying before Sensei got there."
Hoshino: What about you, Sensei?
Sensei: I was looking for somewhere to take a break.
Sensei then stretches.
Hoshino: Its been awhile since you first came here, huh?
Sensei: Huh? Now that you mention it.
Hoshino: At first, I thought you were some weird adult.
"A lot less weird then most of you." Saki can't help but mutter.
Sensei: But I'm pretty reliable, right?
Hoshino: No way. You're clumsy and a bit naive.
Sensei laughs at this.
Hoshino: But... The Foreclosure Task Force kids seem more lively these days.
"We are?" Ayane questions.
"No, its just Hoshino's been more awake to watch us do all the work." Serika says.
Sensei: Thats not anything I did.
Sensei joins Hoshino in resting on the fence.
Sensei: But rather you all chasing after the goals that matter to you.
Hoshino: You're probably right.
It shows a still of the FTF just bumbling around.
Hoshino: Serika's started to rely on others. Ayane's been looking up more than down lately. Nonomi has had this big smile meant for herself rather than others, and Shiroko... Its like she can breath again.
"Its amazing that you can pay attention to small details like that." Azusa comments.
"Yeah, well, if you really know someone so well, you can pick up on small things like that." Hoshino says.
Azusa can't help but once again think of her own situation. 'Saori and the others were never able to pick up sonething similar on me. I still think of them as family and will continue to do so once everything is done, but perhaps we weren't as close as I thought. Not that the at comes as a surprise.'
Sensei: You're working hard too, Hoshino. Everyone depends on you.
Hoshino: This old timer just wants to protect their youth.
Sensei: Thats right.
Sensei stops leaning on the fence. A cloud covers the sun.
Sensei: So those kids can keep on smiling.
Hoshino smiles back before looking away.
Hoshino: To do that, we have to keep moving forward...
Sensei: Huh?
Hoshino: Nothing. Hearing you say that makes me feel free to nap all I want!
"Hoshino, what do you mean by moving forward?" Shiroko asks.
"Hehe, what else do I mean, Shiroko? We aren't going to revive the school by sitting on our tooshie's all the time." Hoshino says. Shiroko doesn't seem to by it, but she lets the matter drop.
"She keeps moving forward. Until her enemies-" Momoi starts.
"I'm opening up ebay right now." Midori fishes for her phone.
"No! Leave all my stuff alone!" Momoi begs.
Hoshino balances on one foot as she maintains a carefree expression.
Sensei: Just when I thought we were having a serious conversation! How like you.
Cut back to the Shittem Chest where Arona sleeps soundly on the desk. Sensei approaches.
Sensei: Good morning, Arona.
Arona's halo activates, quickly turning into a heart as she smiles. Her halo reverts back to normal when she fully wakes up. She shoots up, out of her seat.
Arona: Eh?! Wheres my strawberry bread?! Bannana bread? Am I being punished for trying to eat both?
"How can she want food so badly? She's and A.I." Yuzu quietly points out.
"I mean, maybe she's based of a student? Like um... they scanned her brain and made a digit version of it and thats why she know's that those taste good?" Hifumi throws out. "I don't know. The Millennium students might know more about this sort of thing."
"Sorry, but as we've said before, this level of A.I. is beyond even what Millennium can create." Midori tells them.
"Maybe she's a special item that the General Student Council made independently from Millennium." Aris brings up.
"Thats... a reasonable idea given that they were in possession of the Shittem Chest and not Millennium." Miyako agrees.
"But even with that, I don't see how the GSC could have made something like that." Not that Azusa was knowledgeable on the matter.
"True." Ayane agrees. "Unfortunately we're just throwing ideas at the wall, and nothing seems to be sticking completely. We'd need to know more before we can make a more accruate guess."
Sensei: Arona?
Arona: Just one bite, please... Huh, Sensei?!
Sensei: I'll bring you bread next time. Strawberry and Bannana.
"Oh, so you can bring items in to the chest." Koharu points out.
"I wonder if you can bring things out." Moe salivates at the thought of digitally creating explosives and bringing them into reality with virtually no cost.
Arona: I'm so embarrassed. But thank you! I'll look forward to it. Anyway, didja need something?
As Arona asks, the camera focuses on her swaying bow.
Sensei: There's something thats been bothering me. Could you look into Kaiser Corporation for me?
Arona: Kaiser Corporation?
Sensei: They seem to be up to something in the Abydos Desert.
Arona salutes.
Arona: Understood! Anything else to investigate while I'm at it?
Sensei: About Hoshino's...
Arona: Huh?
"Huh? He wants to look into Hoshino?" Nonomi questions.
Hoshino gains a frown at this. She really wouldn't appreciate someone invading her privacy like that. 'I figured. Only a matter of time before something happens. Damn adult.'
Sensei: No, its nothing. I think thats something I need to do myself. Because I'm her teacher.
Hoshino lightens up at this. Maybe she misjudged Sensei. 'True, he's... kind of useless, but he's stuck around and really helped us out. Perhaps I oughta give him the benefit of the doubt.'
Arona: Is that so? Whatever you say, Senesei...
Sensei: Thank you. You're a great help.
Arona: You can count on me. After all, I'm the Shittem Chest's system manager, main OS, and, of coarse, your trusty secretary!
Back in the physical world, the Shittem Chest shits back down as Sensei looks up from it.
Sensei: Now then, is everyone here?
Sensei enters the club room and Ayane and Nonomi stand up to greet him.
Nonomi: Hello Sensei.
Sensei: Welcome back, everyone! How is the Master?
Nonomi: He's doing well in body and spirit!
Serika: He plans to reopen Shiba Seki Ramen soon!
Sensei: Really? Thats great news.
Sensei sits down.
Nonomi: Yes.
Sensei: Is something wrong?
Nonomi: There's a new problem, actually...
Serika: We were just about to discuss it.
Ayane: To cut to the point, it seems the ownership of the district doesn't belong to Abydos High School.
Hashing opens her eyes from her light nap.
Sensei: How?! I thought the school owned all the land in the district.
Ayane: The Master told us that the building Shiba Seki Ramen was in isn't owned by Abydos.
Shiroko clenches her fists.
Shiroko: Since when?
Nonomi: We don't know exactly. According to the Master, its been that way for a few years.
Serika: Then who owns it now?
Sensei rests his head in gis hand, looking both angry and distressed.
Sensei: Kaiser Corporation.
"I guess we can expect them to be involved for this sort of thing." Momoi says. "Anything bad happens, its Kaiser."
"I wouldn't say that, but I guess they have it coming." Ayane says.
Hoshino can only look saddened at this, head still down on the table.
Ayane: This isn't a recent development. From Problem Solver 68 to the Helmet Gang, since the begining, really, We've been trapped under Kaiser Corporation's thumb.
Serika: Ugh, this is so frustrating!
Nonomi: W-We haven't confirmed anything, so we don't know for certain yet...
"But it was confirmed. That director guy was looking at a report of Problem Solver's progress." Koharu points out.
"Yes, we know that, but they didn't see it." Hifumi points out.
"I-I knew that! I was just reiterating that we all know now!" Koharu defends.
Hoshino stretches and then yawns. She then stumbles off towards the window.
Hoshino: Lately, no matter how much I sleep, it never feels like enough. I really am an old-timer now.
"Don't gotta be old to feel that way." Momoi says.
"Eheh. Maybe you're getting up there in age along with me, Momoi." Hoshino grins.
"You both need to try coffee." Hanako says.
She quickly spins around, pointing to something in the sky outside.
Hoshino: Hey! Look, look, Doesn't that cloud look like a whale?
"How is that relevant?" Midori questions.
"It's just intresting is all." Hoshino waves off.
Nonomi looks confused.
Ayane: Uh, Hoshino?
Hoshino: C'mon! Look at that big old cloud!
Nonomi smiles, getting it now.
Hoshino: Ayane, you can't see well from where you're sitting! Come over here. I won't bite. Come on!
Ayane: Don't pull me!
Nonomi goes over to Shiroko and smiles.
"I see what you're doing. You're keeping moral up by distracting them." Miyako says.
"I wouldn't quite put it like that..." Hoshino starts.
"But its true." Nonomi finishes. "Because our President doesn't like frowny faces on her juniors."
Serika: Wait, this is a serious matter! Nows not the time for...
Nonomi sneaks up behind Serika and clamps down on her shoukders.
Nonomi: Come on. Serika, you take a look too.
"Why do you have drag me? I can come on my own." Serika says.
"Nn, because you're easy to drag." Shiroko says.
Serika: Why are you joining in, Nonomi?
Sensei merely sits and watches.
Ayane: That cloud, right? Doesn't it look more like a dolphin than a whale?
Hoshino: Hm? Maybe?
Nonomi guides Serika to the window where the others stand.
Nonomi: Hoshino, are you referring to the one above that?
Shiroko: Oh, I see. The one right under does look like a dolphin.
Hoshino: Then, what about the one under that? Is that a jellyfish?
Ayane: What kind of jellyfish have you seen before?
"Space jellyfish?" Momoi brings up.
"It'd be easier if the screen would actually show us." Midori says. "But yeah, I could see that."
Hoshino: I guess there might be some that look like that!
Sensei chuckles at this.
Hoshino: Since we're talking about it, should we all go to the aquarium?
Serika: B-But...
Hoshino: Nothings certain right now. Sitting around. Moping won't change that! And so, at the very least, I'd like to keep smiling while I can.
This earns her smiles from her classmates. Hoshino then creeps up beside Serika, hands halfway up and moving her fingers.
Hoshino: Besides, Serika, the aquarium has lots of jellyfish. They're so beautiful, gracefully floating around!
Hoshino then clamps onto Serika's mid section and rams her head into her belly, turning her head side to side as she speaks.
Hoshino: Let's go together, just this once!
"Why do you have to do thise kinds of things to me?" Serika sighs.
"Its not my fault my junior feels so cuddly." Hoshino yawns.
"Whats that even mean?!" Serika shrieks.
Serika: Fine, I'll go!
Ayane: That's right, Taking breaks is important too!
Nonomi: Of coarse! We need to keep out spirits up!
Shiroko: Sensei, You'll come too, right?
Sensei seems surprised at the offer.
Serika: What? You're gonna just abandon us?!
Nonomi: We're students, so Sensei has to chaperone us.
Sensei: Thats true. All right, lets all go.
Shiroko turns back towards the window to see in deed shaped like a dolphin.
"Dolphin, huh. It looks more like a shark." Momoi comments.
"I mean, its got the fin, so yeah..." Hifumi agrees.
"B-But doesn't the dolphin also have the fin? Or was that just the shark? I can't remember..." Miyu squeaks.
"No no. They both have the fins." Hoshino amends with a dopy smile. "You can interpret it as either one."
Ayane: We're counting on you!
Hoshino: This will be fun!
Cut to a porch outside during sunset. We are shown the inside of Shiroko's apartment. She is taking a shower, steam is covering her private bits.
Koharu practically jumps out of her seat. "Lewd! Nudity! Shower scene! Take your pick! Whoever made these future videos is subject to public execution!"
"It is a distrubing prospect." Ayane says with a grimace.
'I may somehwat be an enjoyer of the natural body, but even I can aknowledge that this is not at all okay to see without her consent.' Hanako frowns.
"They decide to show me, I'm breaking the screen, consequences be damned." Serika says.
"I'd do the same." Saki agrees.
Shiroko frowns heavily at this being shown.
She steps out and walks towards the mirror, tying her hair into a bun.
"At least nothing was actually shown." Nonomi looks on the bright side.
She then draws a fish on the steam covered mirror before wiping it away. She then hears a crash from inside.
"Is this another kidnapping attenpt?!" Serika exclaims.
"If so, they messed up." Shiroko says. "I know, so I'll be better prepared.
She rushes up to the door, placing her ears against it. She then takes out a small case which contains a pistol and a mag for it.
"Smart. Always better to keep a weapon around no matter where you are." Saki says.
"Its better ro be prepared." Shiroko nods.
She loads the pistol and then rushes out of the washroom. Checking the corners of her main room, finding something damaged on the floor. Shiroko takes a breath before hoping out of cover, checking all around the room with her gun. A crow flys around which Shiroko attempts to swat at multiple times before it lands next to some of her food which was knocked unto the floor.
"Well... thats anticlimatic." Momoi says.
"Oh... then why bother with this scene then?" Hifumi questions.
'I may be looking into this too much..." Hanako thinks. 'But crows commonly represent death. Perhaps... perhaps this is forshadowing that Shiroko might die?' Hanako shakes her head at this. 'This isn't a story. This... will be the future. Besides, a studnet dying is a bear impossability due to how durable a halo is.'
It pick up a piece, looking to Shiroko who switches the safety back on the gun. After letting it back outside and closing her screen door, she looks back to find her little model is among the things destroyed.
Episode end.
Midori sighs, having ended up with a few broken toys and collectibles. "I know that feeling."
AN: Heh, its quite a change of pace having the cast react with shock when the shower scene came on. In my last react fic, it happens so often that I just had the characters groan when it comes up again, already being used to this shit. First time? Once again, sorry for the two month wait on this one. IRL circumstances led to me not having enough time to fully write this, not to mention the actual reactions themselves were pretty hard to do since not much happens in this episode. Anyway, sorry if the reactions get pretty thin at points. At least you know why now.
What did everyone think of the new Red Winter - Shahaijing event? I found myself surprisingly liking it because going in I had the expectation that it'd just be pretty mediocre, given that I find these two academies the least interesting in the whole game.