Light illumination.
She’s late ~de arimasu na.
Business matters.
Even so…
It’s been like this for the past few days. It’s unusual ~de arimasu.
Welcome back.
Return to dwelling.
I’m back.
You’ve been coming back rather late these days ~de arimasu na…
Wandering suspicion.
A lot of things happened.
Things, meaning?
Vague.
Well, wait.
We shouldn’t be idling around the entranceway.
Let her bathe and change first.
Isn’t it almost time for dinner?
Yeah.
See you in a bit.
So, that’s how it is.
No matter what question I ask, she avoids it.
Even the Lord of…
I mean, even friends I’ve spoken to on the phone won’t tell me anything.
I see.
Alastor-san too?
Are you worried?
That always serious Yukari-san has suddenly stopped talking to you, after all.
It’s only natural.
After knowing her for half a year,
I’ve learned a thing or two about her.
I don’t believe Yukari-san would hide things just because she thinks it’s convenient.
Yes.
But because she’s like that, she probably has a good reason for it.
Why not just see how things go for the time being?
If it worries you that much, there should be a way to find out.
Even if his mother proposed it, this is…
Need for compromise.
We don’t have to sneak around like this…
Isn’t it better to just ask her directly?
That’s what Mom said too, right?
If you carelessly make contact and negatively effect her attitude,
then the action would become meaningless.
Make sure your presence is not detected.
Concentration.
O-Okay…
Has she behaved differently at school?
No, not that I’ve noticed.
You aren’t just letting it slip by, are you?
I wouldn’t know that.
Until you asked me, I hadn’t noticed Sha-
…Noticed that she’s been hiding anything or taking detours on the way home.
Carmel-san, you saw her too, right?
After we went our separate ways at the usual place today…
See you later, Shana.
That’s proof that she’s hiding it from me too.
Indecent tidings.
His mother must have been right after all.
But… just because she’s taking some detours doesn’t mean you have to worry so much…
…is what I think…
Even small things can mean life or death.
The spoils of war.
That’s true, yes…
If spending time on this world is affecting her determination,
it may be best to reconsider her location ~de arimasu.
Reconsider her location?
A-Are you saying she should quit school?
It depends.
There are other ways to guard the Hougu.
No way…
Enough chitchat.
We should resume our pursuit now.
Okay…
What’s wrong ~de arimasu ka?
Urgent signal.
Sorry, I lost sight of her.
Then you did not fail to pursue her presence; she blocked it off herself ~de arimasu ka?
Yes.
It suddenly got cut off, so I don’t think there’d be any other reason for it.
That sounds reasonable.
Yes?
Margery-san is here, isn’t she?
We’ve got some things to ask her.
Well, about that…
She’s locked herself in since the afternoon,
and unless a Tomagara shows up, anyone who bothers her will receive a death sentence.
Is it something really urgent?
It’s urgent ~de arimasu.
Immediate meeting.
Carmel-san!
Any objections?
Solution meaningless.
Why would you retreat after coming this far ~de arimasu ka?
Wait…
Looking at they way Satou acts, there’s no doubt that Margery-san’s got something to do with it.
It’d normally be impossible for those two, who usually don’t get along, to be planning something together.
It’s proof they’re preparing something.
Of course, they must have known that we’d be coming here.
If we force ourselves to meet them, they’d just lie to us to cover tracks.
You have to stay undercover for the investigation.
So, besides that…
They aren’t here after all.
Since they’re hiding their presence, it’s only obvious ~de arimashou na.
Useless reference.
That’s good.
No, it’s really not that good, but…
Um, it’s just that there haven’t been other Torches disappearing.
Those words just now to reassure himself showed concern with his surroundings.
There weren’t any traces of grudges or abhorrence against the world.
Why can he see things like that?
Even if he were to encounter danger or armed soldiers,
does he maintain the capability to look at things rationally despite his emotions?
In other words, he’s slow to take consciousness of his feelings gathered from daily life.
Premature conclusion.
He’s right that there’s no meaning to rushing it now ~de arimasu na.
Carmel-san.
Display the Unrestricted Spell usage, please.
Even if they erase their presence, they can’t hide from the Unrestricted Spell display.
I understand ~de arimasu.
Did Margery-san put these out?
It seems so ~de arimasu na.
I’ll ask her again tomorrow at school.
I don’t think they could be up to something bad.
If it’s a secret, then she should at least be able to tell me why it’s a secret, right?
No, no, Sakai-kun!
Go home by yourself today!
Shana-chan’s going shopping with us today.
We promised to.
Sorry.
It’s not just Satou…
Are Yoshida-san and Ogata-san cooperating with Shana too?
Could it be that they’re all planning something like a surprise party for Carmel-san?
Then why won’t they tell me?
Did they think I’d end up telling Carmel-san if she confronted me?
No, I’m not sure if they’re planning a party…
But…
What, you’re heading back alone?
Seems like Shana-chan was avoiding you all day.
Well, I suppose.
Looks like she’s got a secret.
Every time I try asking, something comes up…
Ike, have you heard anything about it?
For example, planning a surprise party for someone’s birthday…
I wonder.
If I were trying to hide something, would I answer honestly about it?
I could mix up some fake info and end up on Shana-chan’s side, you know?
What business would they have at a place like this?
Explain yourself ~de arimasu.
Business, you say?
They’re just shopping.
I handle the purchasing of life necessities ~de arimasu.
Managing products.
What is it ~de arimasu ka?
Nothing… I was thinking it’s just like when I first met her.
Carmel-san, you want her to
go back to being an ordinary girl, like she was before she became a Flame Haze, don’t you?
Was she like that when she was younger?
Of course ~de arimasu.
She was strict on herself, took her duties seriously,
and challenged herself to training daily…
That has nothing to do with the conversation now.
Useless digression.
By the way, Carmel-san.
Don’t you think you stand out a bit in that outfit?
No, I mean, it’s fine…
But I was wondering if you had any other clothes…
As my main occupation is to handle maintenance matters,
this is the most suitable attire ~de arimasu.
In actuality, it’s built for function,
so I just kept it after leaving Tendoukyu.
Um, were the two of you…
No, I mean when the four of you lived together, did you ever get bored?
Did you have New Year’s or Obon?
There were five of us ~de arimasu.
Really-
And be silent.
Keep silent.
Okay…
This should be everything, right?
I think it should be all right.
Good luck, Shana-chan.
Yeah.
Thanks, both of you.
She really must just be hanging out with Yoshida-san.
This is all we can do for you.
I’ll do my best.
Then I’ll see you later.
Yeah.
Yeah!
Carmel-san!
Be silent ~de arimasu.
Short distance recovery.
We’ll pursue her with our bare eyes from now on.
We’ll go from above.
Why are you going so far?
It’s not like she doesn’t trust you.
You know she’s not trying to avoid her duties as a Flame Haze, right?
Then why are you still so concerned?
Regret.
Hiding things leads to regret.
I don’t want her to feel such foolish pain.
Like how I once felt about Engage Link…
Is she all right ~de arimashou ka?
Even if it’s something trivial, does she not feel the pain of hiding it ~de arimashou ka?
Carmel-san…
To be honest, compared to when I first met her, she’s changed.
Since living here, she’s been much more…
Yes.
She’s grown up.
That’s nothing you need to worry about, Carmel-san.
While having all these feelings, I think she’s found something.
Even now, I’m sure that’s how it is.
Good evening.
I heard you came to visit me while I was sleeping in yesterday?
Are you sure you aren’t mistaking that for a hangove-
Shut up, idiot Marco.
What is the meaning of this ~de arimasu ka?
What meaning? Of what?
Um, you’re the one who’s been lending her Unrestricted Spells to hide her presence, right?
Her?
There we go.
Oh, there it is. I’ll tell you.
Hiding things on the way back home from parents is just common sense for the youths these days.
Meaningless redundancy.
Why is someone like you lending a hand in this situation ~de arimasu ka?
Even I’m in this world for now.
You sure have a lot of complaints just because of a few Unrestricted Spells.
Sorry for being late.
Welcome back.
Hurry, Shana-chan.
We’re running out of time!
You’ve spent a week training for this day.
We have to finish everything before Carmel-san comes back.
Or else it wouldn’t be a surprise party, right?
Yeah.
By the way, it’s a little late in asking,
but what are we celebrating for Carmel-san?
I’m not sure.
But Wilhelmina said it was an important day.
Her birthday?
Maybe.
Either way, as long as it’s important, it’s all good.
What, Kazumi?
That’s… not flour.
Carmel-san, you know they’re just covering for themselves, right?
We should avoid accusing them as accomplices so they can’t play innocent.
I’ll have you give us a clear explanation afterwards ~de arimasu.
Interrogate later.
Wait!
Hi. What is it?
Sorry, Margery-san.
We had a little mix-up when we went shopping.
We need you to buy us some more time.
15 minutes will be enough. Please!
Th-That’s impossible!
I can’t buy that much time off Carmel-san by myself.
Do it anyway, even if you can’t.
We’ve already come this far.
Even so…
I knew it…
You’ve been checking me to see where Carmel-san’s been.
So Tanaka was left here to keep watch and inform Shana and the others.
In other words, having me stick around with Carmel-san was part of the plan.
Sorry, Yuu-chan!
You sure like picking people out.
What are you all doing?
Fine, I’ll explain everything.
Yes, that was a cold wintry wind on a winter morning.
It was winter, and all of the trees in the city were bare!
All of them!
Can you imagine it?
And it was just as cold.
It was cold…
No, actually, it could’ve been a summer afternoon when the sun was shining.
It was especially hot on that day,
so the watermelons tasted better than usual.
Or perhaps it was a spring sunset,
or the autumn overpass…
or late at night during the rainy season!
That time, Satou said this…
“Let’s eat!”
And then I thought…
“Food!”
Then I made croquettes, and Satou brought out the sake.
Oga-chan… Oga-chan had rice with an egg on top.
And then we…
What are you trying to say ~de arimasu ka?
Excessive provision.
Th-That’s… Well…
Thanks for waiting!
Sorry for everything!
Ane-san and Alastor will explain the rest, so…
Please walk back to the Hirai residence.
Alastor will?
Doubtful intention.
Tell them I’m counting on them for a present.
It seems we’ve taken quite the detour.
Welcome back, Carmel-san.
Yoshida-san, Ogata-san!
What’s the meaning of this ~de arimasu ka?
Anyway, come in.
We’ll tell you inside.
Sakai-kun too.
Welcome back.
Well, to hide things from someone like you,
it’s no surprise we had to go this far.
So since you had some concerns, we had Yuji stick with you and keep watch.
We planned for you to figure things out just at the right time.
Well, my role’s over.
I’ll be taking Keisaku’s part of the reward with me too.
Carmel-san, Shana-chan worked really hard!
Kazumi coached her from start to finish.
No, I only picked the ingredients.
After that, I just made sure she didn’t burn anything.
Right, Shana-chan?
Then I’ll be bringing Tanaka’s share with me.
I’ll take Ike-kun’s.
I knew it, Ike was in on it too.
Now then, Sakai-kun, you better head back as well.
Me too?
This is for your mother.
Um, Carmel-san…
About her at school…
What are you talking about ~de arimasu ka?
Thank you!
Pannenkoek, is it?
Yeah.
Carry out true intention.
I’d like to know why you did not let that Mystes know this plan ~de arimasu ga…
Was it okay to have him leave?
It’s okay.
Actually, it’s best if he does not hear it.
I thought I couldn’t have the relationship between you two be so bad all the time.
Therefore, to prevent something bad from happening in the future,
we came up with this plan to raise your trust in him.
How was Sakai Yuji in your eyes?
He’s a unique boy ~de arimasu na.
Then that’s plenty.
Then eat up, Wilhelmina!
How is it?
It’s delicious ~de arimasu.
Appetite envy.
Hey, Wilhelmina, I was talking to Kazumi about it earlier.
What kind of day is today?
You said it was an important day.
You remembered ~de arimasu na.
Yeah.
After all…
Hey, Wilhelmina!
Is there anything else you want to mark?
Yeah!
Frankly speaking, today is the day you came to us ~de arimasu.