02x09 - Kireigoto ga Kikitakute Kita n desu ka?

[bunniefuu]

Even so, why would a Kaii
appear at the shrine like that?

That Kaii didn't spawn naturally.

Clearly, humans are behind this.

C'mon, you're telling me
they spawned a Kaii just for kicks?

Nasty creatures, for real.

Igni is a Kaii too, you know.

Uh, oh yeah!

Still, regarding Nikoyama's claim.

If human intervention caused this,
who was it? And what's their motive?

I'll take it upon myself to explain that.

Hey. You wanted to talk?

Yeah, thanks for coming.
How is Tonomori's condition?

Uh, Sasa-poyo is--

She woke up about 15 minutes ago.

She seems just fine.

Huh? How did you... know that?

According to her, she's doing okay, so...

Glad to hear.

Now, let's dive in
to the topic of this Kaii case.

As Nikoyama said, this was
definitely a human-induced incident.

Thought so...

The hell?

There's a bozo out there
lookin' to wipe out Magical Girls?

No. Quite the opposite.

What was behind this incident

was Magical Girl enhancement
and the easing of regulations.

Could you clarify?

Ease regulations? Not that again.

First, intentionally spawn a Kaii
in an area considered absolutely safe.

Obviously, this would scare bystanders
who didn't know the Kaii was man-made.

In addition,
use the barrier to strengthen the Kaii

and make it appear
more frightening than it actually is.

That scares the public...

THIS IS NOT OKAY

...and encourages
magic power deregulation.

HOW TERRIFYING

I assume that's what they're planning.

They're willing to go that far?

Starting a fire themselves
to get credit for putting it out?

Please, hold on.

Who is "they"?

Boss, do you know
the mastermind behind this?

I only know the perpetrator.

But I don't know
who's pulling the strings.

It ain't that scrawny four-eyes
from before?

No, I presume the RIMT incident
was his final stunt.

Besides, I doubt he could pull off
a bold move like this.

So then...

The perpetrator is...

Sho Manao.

At least, that's the name he used
back when we first became acquainted...

My name's Sho Manao.
Pleasure to work with you.

This is Shigemoto,
our engineering supervisor.

I trust him the most
out of everyone here.

Wow, you must be the real deal.

If you have any questions, ask him.

Yes, sir.

Next, over there.
I'll show you around the office.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Koga! What was that about?!

Nobody told me about a newcomer.

Wasn't this your idea, Shigemoto?

You said we could use
more engineers overseeing magic output.

That's true, however...

Yeah, so I found you one.

I thought this would
lessen your workload a little.

Consider it a surprise gift.

"Surprise"?

It's a tough position,
both technically and mentally.

You can't just hire anyone off the street.

Did you screen properly before hiring him?

Come on, don't worry.

I'm just doing my job as director.

You stayed up all night again, didn't you?

Overdoing it will only burden your future.

Go home early today and rest, okay?

Wait, "Koga"? You mean like, from AST?!

You used to be coworkers?

Yeah.

Um, did everyone else know about this?

Nope, not at all.

Is that a big deal?

I speculated that might be the case.

At the EXPO, they talked as if
they already knew each other.

Why does nobody else look shocked?

Whoa, is that all true?

Yes, pretty much.

Back then, we weren't necessarily
strict opposers of magic regulation.

But seeing as though we generated
huge spells barely within regulation,

we thought that easing the rules
would help our development progress more.

Manao was as brilliant as Koga expected.

A brilliantly talented engineer.

But then...

So, I'm nearly finished
developing that spell.

Good.

The hardest step is final adjustments.

It's tough calculating
the burden on Magical Girls.

Larger magic spells will put
their mental and physical state at risk,

so I'd rather avoid
experience-based calculation.

Ideally, we'd want newbie Magical Girls
to master it without overexertion.

But, like...

couldn't we just experiment with people?

What did you just...

Uh, I mean...

Pardon me.

Maybe "people" was a strange word choice.

I meant "guinea pigs."

What are you saying?

These calculations are supposed to
protect Magical Girls and save lives.

Huh? No, listen.

I mean, if we tested the burden
on five Magical Girl guinea pigs,

assuming each had an annual salary
of six million, that totals 30 million.

Once this magic is finished developing,
we can recover that in a single month.

By simply investing some Magical Girls
who seemingly lack earning potential,

our achievements could write
a new page in the industry's history.

Are you...

Oh, okay. You don't care, huh?

Oops, my apologies!

I tried to soften the mood,
but my joke fell flat.

That was the last "joke"
Manao ever tried to make.

He ultimately vanished as soon as
that calamity-class Kaii surfaced.

We never saw Manao again
until his picture appeared in the paper.

OUTPUT BEYOND REGULATION?

So, he just waltzed outta jail
like nothing ever happened...

Someone must've wanted Manao's skills
enough to give him a pardon.

It certainly sounds like
someone who supports deregulation...

Maybe AST, or something?

No.

Even Koga wouldn't have the power
to discharge a criminal from prison.

Besides...

I still have faith in Koga.

Magilumiere should be squashed.

Their system is difficult to reproduce.

Adopting that for widespread use
will only further delay deregulation.

This industry's already hung up
on solving everything with willpower.

Sure about that?

In the case of Magilumiere,

I think your sentimental feelings
are holding you back.

Please spare me
the off-putting jokes, Kamakura.

Ignoring one or two companies
won't change the whole industry.

Public opinion is undoubtedly
moving toward easing regulations.

Would you care for one?

Nobody allows
indoor smoking these days, you know.

And that's also due to
a shift in public opinion.

Cigars smell foul. I despise them.

You've only tried cheap ones, haven't you?

Either way, I don't care
about other companies.

I don't intend to squash them,
nor do I care if they get squashed.

Your company should have
its own agenda to carry out.

We do, and it's coming along nicely.

We're prepared to unveil at any time.

MIYAKODO LTD.
LILY AOI, MAGICAL GIRL DEPT.

MAGILUMIERE MAGICAL GIRLS INC.

This is Sakae? She's just adorable!

Oh, no. You've got to snatch her up.

Uh, I do?

Yes, you do.
When's your next trip back to Kyoto?

Huh? I haven't planned a trip back yet.

Maybe around New Year's?

What?

Use paid vacation
for Christmas and birthdays.

I'll speak with your coworkers.

Seriously? Dang, you're powerful...

Here's a sample
of my company's new release.

Send this with a personalized letter.

A letter? Like, as part of the gift?

Yes, you must pretend
that it wasn't planned in advance.

Theoretically,
this should help you grow closer.

What do I even write, though?

I can't do this...

Why can't you?

Are you proud of that attitude?
I think not!

Uh, sorry, I guess...

We're home.

Ms. Sakuragi!

Can I make a request for paid vacation
on Mr. Yamimori's behalf?

Um, right this second?

I thought we were
talking about Miyakodo today--

Mr. Yamimori's livelihood
is a much more important topic!

Livelihood?

Whoa, hey, you don't have to exaggerate.

All righty then, let's get changed.

Miyakodo is considering the Alice System?

Yes, but it's not set in stone yet.

I intended to ask Mr. Yamimori about this,
but I ended up giving him love coaching...

Femininity levels off the charts...

Mutations are awfully common nowadays.

You've noticed a change too, haven't you?

Especially after
the recent Tonomori incident.

R... Right...

What happened at Tonomori
was human-induced, though...

We're keeping it a secret?
- Exactly.

Do not speak of this incident
to anyone outside our company.

Um, but why?

Hehe, I'm pickin' up
what you're puttin' down.

We're gonna pummel him ourselves
before the cops show up, eh?

I'm all in, Boss Man.

For real?

No.

We don't even have direct proof.

Just eyewitness reports of Manao
and a suspicious magic barrier.

But if we analyze the coding
in that barrier, we might find proof.

If we move too hastily here,

they'll likely assume we're spreading lies
as anti-deregulation protesters.

Additionally, it may give the impression
that all Kaii are man-made.

Pointlessly raising wariness
will never solve the discussion.

Uh,

what's the point
of having regulations in the first place?

They say the main reason
is prevention of secondary disaster, yes?

Kaii are considered disasters too,

but using large-scale spells
could severely damage surrounding areas.

Yeah, we don't wanna destroy towns
like those Edo-period firemen.

Using larger spells
will emit residual energy.

Some theories blame this accumulation
for causing Kaii mutations, correct?

Yeah, residual energy
encourages Kaii growth.

Years from now, this could spark disaster
on a scale too large for us to prevent.

Therefore, easing regulations
could very well open a Pandora's box.

And that's why you developed
the Alice System, Boss?

I believe in the Alice System,
and I believe in everyone here.

Abandoning all hope
would render this company meaningless.

Ms. Sakuragi.

Did you see
AST's press conference last week?

Um, yes.

There was even a live stream.
Incredible, right?

Sure was...

NEW AST PROJECT

The Kaii are continuing
to grow in strength.

We believe in the importance of adapting
to meet the near future's demands.

AST Corporation, anticipating
deregulation in the coming future,

will be developing large-scale spells.

Is developing large-scale magic
the only way to fight this issue?

Why not adopt the methods of Magilumiere
with small doses of high-efficiency magic?

Um, well! Our company strives
to develop large-scale magic, and--

Did you come here
expecting us to sugarcoat this?

If k*lling everyone in our way
could soften future concerns,

we should be prepared
to do so, without question.

Mr. President!

I think AST has their own way
of devising Kaii countermeasures.

Although different from ours...

Certainly.

In this moment, I still don't know
which stance is correct.

But Magical Girls like us
can choose our spells on the spot, right?

Ms. Lily...

Thank you for your interest!

For Miyakodo,
and for you personally, Ms. Lily Aoi.

Our pamphlet,
assorted materials, and some freebies.

Is this the legendary Belgian chocolate
said to have a five-year wait?

That it is. Impressive, right?

Two members, rushing to the scene.
Yes, one is a trainee...

This time last year, my hands were full
with the work right in front of me.

But lately, I'm seeing the bigger picture.

That some firmly uphold
their beliefs in the workplace.

That some companies have different means
of achieving similar goals.

That I exist in a society
operating like an enormous whirlpool.

That every tiny step I take
could affect people I don't even know.

Conventionalism isn't a set of rules
established by someone far away.

I or my company
could rewrite the rules.

Can I shoulder a responsibility like that
and see it through to the end?

Greetings, fellows at work.

This area is off-limits
to unauthorized personnel.

Who might you be?

I'm authorized personnel, though.

He's with me. Let him in.

I appreciate it, fellows.

Oh, pitch these while you're at it.

Sorry I'm late. I was meeting someone.

No worries. Please have a seat.

It's growing quite nicely, huh?

Yes.

And next,
we'll be producing genuine results.

After that, all we have to do
is adjust its attack power.

How's its compatibility
with AST's new Magical Device?

All according to plan.

It's adjusted so the Magical Girls
just barely win in an all-out clash.

Here's the magic power data
on AST's Magical Device.

Companies like you
are always on top of things, huh?

Any word on Koga?

He'll never find out.

For all he knows, the next Kaii incident
will be another mere coincidence.

Gee, pleasing those idealists
must be a pretty tough job.

It's what we do.

This job ain't a cake walk!
- Oh, "Resting Princess"?

They say, "Work is found in death."
- Yeah, Episode 34.

We risk our lives for the company, 'kay?!
- Momo's emotions depicted with rain...

Sheesh, could you quiet down?

Captain Niko and I are exchanging
views on Miracle Momo.

Yeah, speaking of rain,
remember that rain shower from Episode 45?

Heck yeah, that was cinema!
One of the best scenes, for sure.

What are you, his new puppy dog?

What's it to ya?
Am I not allowed to respect my senior?

Niko's got a way longer history with me!

Oh, you jealous?

Really, though. You have incredible taste.

It only took you two days
to finish the DVDs I lent you.

You know it.

Our work conversations
are phenomenal, too.

I'm lucky to have
such a great junior engineer.

Thanks...

Come on, you two!
I'm still in the room, ya know!

Gimme a break. All you talk about
is brawling and baseball.

The Showa era's over, pal.

You little...!

This company's getting lively, isn't it?
- It sure is.

With a small group of elites like this,
personally, I'm excited for what's ahead.

This w*r against the deregulation faction
sure is worth fighting!

Right, Ms. Sakuragi?

I still feel a little confused sometimes.

With regulations easing
and the industry fluctuating,

things are more serious
compared to my early days.

The company is quickly
establishing firm objectives.

Although I don't want to be left behind,
I'd rather think carefully as we advance.

Ms. Sakuragi.

Your confusion is justified.

It's safer than having your thoughts
shut down when faced with a major issue.

Let's use that confusion as fuel to grow.

Ms. Iroha...

Don't you agree, Akane?

I sure do.

And if your views don't match up,
you could always leave the company!

Start your own company
and smash everyone in your way.

Um, maybe that's going too far...

Let's give 'em a good pounding!

I see you worked hard.

It's my job.

Did you find out who's using Manao?

I did.

Since they're already making big moves,
their next plan should be on the horizon.

Right. And that "plan" entails...

Intentionally spawning more Kaii
at higher mutation rates, nothing less.

What's our next move?

Shall we get ahead of the game
and fight the Kaii ourselves?

If possible, that's a reasonable solution.

But we don't know
where they'll unleash them.

What if we did?

Midorikawa?

The location they're likely considering

is Tokyo Bay.

NEXT TIME: EPISODE 10
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