Morning already?
Wh-Wh-Why's Julie here?! Th-This is my bed, right?
J-Julie, um... this, uh...
Good morning, Thor.
Oh, g'morning.
No, wait! Why were you sleeping next to me?!
We lived in a closed-up past
With an ever-distant future and time unmoving
Finding in our battle now what we were searching for
The power to believe in each other, beyond even destiny
We'll get stronger, you and me: a pair to the end
This light reflects a bond even deeper than our wounds
I want to protect you... and so my soul runs out to you now
Just hand it over to me (all of it)--even your pain
We're together (together) that's why (that's why) we can make it our strength
I'll be your shield, and yours alone
My back to yours, I believe m miracles (in meetings)
No one can intrude on that (can't stop it)
Looking down on our limits from far above: Absolute Soul
"#2 Duo"
Hey, aren't those two...
I heard he's an Irregular.
Are you even allowed to have a coed Duo?
The rumors are already flying.
Is something wrong?
No, not really. Let's sit there.
Ja.
Let's dig in.
Bon appétit.
Morning, Kokonoe.
G-Good morning.
Mind if we join you?
Sure, go right ahead. Uh... Tachibana and Hotaka, right?
Yep. Then if you don't mind...
What's with the one-note breakfast you've got there?
I, uh, I like meat.
Listen, Kokonoe: meals ought to be balanced.
Sorry. Miyabi's kind of awkward around guys.
Oh, yeah?
Like Julie was yesterday.
Let's get down to brass tacks.
Truth is, we sat here today because we were a little worried about you.
About us?
Rules notwithstanding, you're an adolescent man and woman
living in the same room.
And that's not... awkward...? It's perfectly... all right?
Ja. We have no problems with it.
Oh?
Thor embraced me gently last night as well.
Wait just a minute! You're taking that the wrong way! I didn't--
K-K-K-Kokonoe... you...
...you dog!
"Lukifer"
It's said that one person in a thousand is suited for a Lukifer.
People who've been given Lukifers get physically stronger--
and mentally, too, as a spirit-like entity inside them gains power!
And when that soul-power takes shape?
Yes, you, with the glasses!
It's Torasaki!
The embodiment of soul-power is known as a Blaze.
"Lukifer"
Bingo!
And the chosen people suited for Lukifers who can use a Blaze?
"Soul-Power" "Blaze"
You, with the boobs!
They, uh, they're called Exceeds.
"Soul-Power" "Blaze"
Bingo bango bongo!
Now, a Blaze is essentially a weapon of simple construction.
"Exceed"
They can be swords or spears-- or any number of unusual things!
Isn't that right, Cohabitating Irregular?
We're not "cohabitating"--we're roommates!
All right, let's move on!
Yesterday it was Julie, today it's Tachibana...
Something wrong with Tomoe?
It's about this morning in the dining hall.
I guess we were asking for trouble.
Because, uh... "embrace" can mean...
I'll tell her it was a misunderstanding.
Please do.
You're pretty good at Japanese, Julie.
Mama taught me. She's an interpreter.
Oh, really?
"Soul-Power" "Blaze" "Exceed"
And she didn't teach you the written language?
I'm still bad at writing.
And so, you can think of the Lukifer's physical enhancement
as a kind of multiplier, so...
Yes! Mr. Barbarian!
Right! The more you train your body, the stronger you'll get!
How'd she understand that?!
And! There! Fore!
Our curriculum includes heaps of battle training.
So start training up to be muy macho!
But we don't want to be macho!
"Rite of Sublimation"
Now, Lukifers have levels you can raise in the Rite of Sublimation.
The Rite of Sublimation is always held at the end of the term,
but without training both body and mind, those levels'll never rise!
If you don't go up a single level all year, you're expelled.
Expelled?!
And you don't want that to happen.
Which is why we're diving right into battle training next!
Hooray!
I'm here before you now, asking your forgiveness!
"Perfection in Unity"
Where'd this come from?
The dining hall this morning! Julie told me--it's all my fault!
I'm just glad we cleared things up.
Now please stop that bowing and scraping!
This is how I'm conveying my feelings!
Well, quit it!
"Perfection in Unity"
But it'll keep hanging over me!
Your feelings came through loud and clear, so please spare me the rest.
Someone might take this the wrong way.
I-I-I I am doubly, triply sorry! Truly, truly sorry!
Stop that, I said!
O-Oh, right. Sorry.
Sorry! I'll fix this!
Hey! Watch where you're touching!
I-It wasn't on purpose!
I know--just do something, and fast!
You're working on your pinning technique!
--No! --No!
Has Tachibana done any martial arts? She's good.
You haven't heard of the Tachibana School?
It's mostly ancient martial arts--you can see its influence all over.
It's famous.
Well, huh...
I'm more interested in Tachibana's partner--she can really take her on.
What's the deal with your roommate?
I haven't really asked.
Why not?
We're only roommates for a week.
I want my official Duo to be with you.
Y-You can't just go around deciding that stuff!
But a coed Duo is bad news.
I guess it was inevitable...
But I don't plan on pairing up with any weaklings.
That is a problem.
Let's do this!
I'll show you how much stronger I've gotten these past two years, Thor.
Thank you very much.
And thank you as well.
It was nice being able to go all-out like that.
Thanks, Julie.
Ja, same here.
Here you go, Tomoe, Julie.
Thanks.
Thank you, Miyabi.
You two are amazing. I couldn't believe my eyes!
Will you be my next partner, Miyabi?
Who, me? Oh, no no no! I'm no match for you.
Oh, I see...
Training isn't just about moving your body.
Seeing others move can be a kind of practice, too.
Those two have real skill.
Whoa! They sure do!
Thanks for waiting up for me, Thor.
Sure.
You didn't have to wait outside, though.
Yeah, I really kind of did.
Did you practice anything, Julie?
Like what?
Like martial arts or something.
Nej. I'm self-taught.
Self-taught, and you're that powerful? Wow.
You and Tora are powerful, too.
We attended a dojo when we were kids.
That sounds fun.
Well, when I'm up against Tora, I can really let loose.
I see...
"Cherry" "Deciduous tree in the rose family." "Cherry"
"Koryo Academy"
Waiting for her again today, huh?
Yeah. Can't bear to just leave her.
You're totally Julie's caretaker.
What's that supposed to mean?
Just what it sounds like.
Hey, Tora?
What?
Don't forget that Duo application tomorrow.
I won't.
"Koryo Academy"
Hey, Julie?
Um... good job making it through the week.
Ja, you too, Thor.
So... who'd you ask to pair with for your official Duo?
Duo?
I'm thinking of asking Tomoe.
That's great. You and Tachibana are closely matched--
you'll make one tough Duo.
Are you pairing with Tora?
Yeah.
Do you like cherry blossoms?
Mama always told me Japan had beautiful cherry blossoms.
Yeah? So what's your verdict?
They really are gorgeous.
This is the second time I've taken in the cherry blossoms with you, Thor.
The day of the opening ceremony. You were here looking at them, too.
And you noticed me?
Ja. I'm glad I could see them with you again.
S-Sure... Next year we can all come together.
Right.
Not again!
Papa...
She's lonely, all right.
Students filing Duo applications, please form an orderly line!
"Office"
The deadline is 6 PM today--no need to rush!
Aren't we done yet?
Class is gonna start!
Is it crowded, or is it just me?
--Okay! Will the two at the front of the line come forward?
--Looks like we should come back later. --Okay! Will the two at the front of the line come forward?
Yeah. Let's do that.
Julie...
She's asked Tachibana.
Oh, right--
who's your roommate pairing with?
Julie? She's going with Tachibana.
They'd make an interesting Duo.
OMG, how embarrassing!
Professor Bunbun never told us we'd have to do that!
--Right? My heart is pounding!
--What the--? --Right? My heart is pounding!
What's that all about?
"Office"
Applying for a Duo? I'll need your student IDs.
"Koryo Academy Student ID" "Student No.348N277..." "Name: Thor Kokonoe" "Campus: Japan" "I hereby affirm that the above-name is a student at this institution." "Koryo Academy Headmaster Sakuya Tsukumo"
"Koryo Academy Student ID" "Student No.348N277..." "Name: Aoi Torasaki" "Campus: Japan" "I hereby affirm that the above-name is a student at this institution." "Koryo Academy Headmaster Sakuya Tsukumo"
Now I'll need to have you two pledge your Duo-hood.
Pledge...
...our Duo-hood?
Put one Blaze on the other and recite this pledge
to make your Duo official.
Go ahead.
We have to read this?
Yes, that's the rule.
Oh, you two are here, too.
Tachibana... and Hotaka? What happened?
We're filing our application, too. Right?
Uh-huh. Although I thought I'd only hold her back.
No way! I wanted to be in a Duo with you, Miyabi--
I'd like a trustworthy partner to join forces with around here.
W-Wait a minute, Tachibana! What about Julie? What happened there?
She did approach me, but I'd already decided to pair with Miyabi.
I'm afraid I had to turn her down.
Then Julie...
Er... the Duo pledge, please?
Sorry, Tora!
No problem. Go!
One hour left...
Was that...?
Julie!
Thor... What is it?
What are you doing up here?
I thought... it'd be nice if I could see Gimle from here.
Can you?
I heard Tachibana said no.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because talking about it wouldn't change anything,
and because I didn't want to bother you.
We're a Duo--you can be straight with me.
Temporary or not, we're still a Duo. I wish you'd lean on me more.
Julie...
...let's make our Duo official.
What about Tora?
He'll understand.
Tomoe might take it the wrong way again.
You can explain it to her when the time comes.
My written Japanese is terrible.
I'll teach you.
Um... er...
I'll drink up all your apple tea.
It's tastier when we drink it together.
I want to protect you, Julie. To be your strength.
So please...
...be a Duo with me.
You don't mind pairing with me?
Mind? I want to.
Ja.
So bound, we two shall remain together always
to the best of our ability.
In joy, in sorrow, in health--
until death do us part.
The wind stops, having touched your back
As you walked all alone
The sound of bells echoes beside you
Loneliness melts away in time
Wishes to the skies, oaths to eternity: my soul
Though caught in the driving rain, we are two: Just believe, believe, believe
Even the faintest voice will reach you-- that alone is enough
For even trembling hands to hold a shining hope
Courage spread wide, we breathe together and grab the sky
In my world, you're here
C'mon, you're sleepy. Let's get to bed.
Ja...
"Koryo Academy Student ID" "Student No.348N277..." "Name: Julie Sigtuna" "Campus: Japan" "Duo: Thor Kokonoe" "I hereby affirm that the above-name is a student at this institution." "Koryo Academy Headmaster Sakuya Tsukumo"
Are you half asleep or what?
Nej. A Duo is always together.
They don't have to sleep together!
Nej. We swore. "Together always to the best of our ability."
Look, we can't be sleeping in the same bed!
Nej. I sleep with my mama back home.
Oh. Oh, well, then.
Nooo no no no! I am not your mother!
You're special.
Uh... "special" how?
You feel like a papa to me.
Oh. A papa.
Can I sleep with you?
J-Just for tonight.
Ja.
This is gonna be a long night.
Thor?
Nothing. Good night, Julie.
Good night, Thor.
...do the bunny dance!
Now that our Duos are decided, it's time for our first mock battle.
I hope we'll do okay.
No foe can stand up to the two of us, Miyabi!
"Next time: Avenger"
Next time: "Avenger."
But I've got a bad feeling about this...