Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 1 Ep. 13: A Tree in the Forest

Hatami Erika and Yozakura Kirara. Hello.

Huh, have we met?

You're...

You're the leaders of that trendy new club, aren't you? And you, you're...

Igarashi Shouko.

Ah! Right! Cool, we're in the same grade. Did you know that?

Somewhat.

Heehee, nice to finally meet you! So, what're you all up to?

Likewise, hi, hello, put 'er there! We actually wanted to ask you something. Is now a good time?

Ah, not that we're forcing you. No worries if you can't.

Huh, you know what? I think I've seen you all around! You look familiar.

Sensei's here too? Whoa, what's going on?

To reiterate, it's a simple question. Would you happen to have a moment?

"Yes." Does that answer your question? We were about to head back.

Excellent. We can walk and talk.

All right! The more the merrier! Let's go!

Oh, totally! The white chocolate here always hits!

You really didn't have to do this, but I do appreciate it. Thank you.

"I'm buying, so enjoy to your heart's content. Order as much as you like!"

...That's what you were about to say, isn't it, Sensei?

Ahaha. I assume that's an inside joke. You really hit it off with everyone, Sensei.

So, what did you want to talk about?

Great! Then I'll get straight to the point.

You two hosted a school broadcast together, right?

Ah, yeah. We did.

One night only, but it was a blast! I'd never done one before, and then Erika got to sing!

Is the Heritage League looking into broadcasting?

Um, we wouldn't rule it out. But there's something else we need to figure out first.

During your last school broadcast... Did something happen?

Ah, right. That whole program shut down after our episode.

I wonder why. Iroha said people loved it, and we didn't misbehave. Hmm...

Maybe we were just SO GOOD that no one can take the pressure of following us?

Haha. Yeah, right.

I figured the former Broadcasting Club president would have returned by now.

We were even asked if we wanted to continue! So we weren't fired, or anything!

But we declined because we thought it would be more respectful. Someone in the actual Broadcasting Club should have had a chance...

And what followed was dead air.

Did anything unusual happen when you were live? Was anything odd or out of place?

"Out of place"...?

Like an accident or a strange sound...

Yeah, there was this quick beep. It was really high-pitched. Almost like a test tone, super annoying.

...Is that so?

Yup. But Eri fixed it on the spot!

Some cords got wound into each other, so I untangled them. It was no big deal.

Was that it?

Um... Ah.

Now that I think about it, I thought I heard something weird.

Huh? You did?

Yeah. Though I didn't tell anyone because it seemed like no one else caught it.

What did you hear...?

Well... It was a woman's voice...

Like she was trying to say some words...

I forgot the details. It was like "Iron, blood, order"...something like that. Maybe like a medical thing? I'm not sure.

Um, Eri? Is that what you prefer to be called?

Lots of my friends call me that! But "Erika" is good too.

Erika, did you hear those words clearly? Because we couldn't make out much, but we heard something...

Um, I'm not sure I'm such a reliable source. It was something about blood and stuff, but don't quote me.

Huh... Interesting.

By the way, why are you asking us about all this?

Oh, we're trying to solve a ghostly mystery.

Wow, how cool! That sounds so fun! There's a certain "twinkle" to it!

We somehow ended up being student counselors...and paranormal investigators. Yaha!

So the Heritage League does that kind of stuff? I had no idea! Ahaha! Sounds super fun!

Oh, are you interested? Do you want to join the Heritage League?

Ah, sorry, but we're already in a club. In fact, we ARE the Twinkle Twinkle Club.

I think you'd both be perfect fits! Let's restore glory to Gehenna together! What do you say?

A glorious Gehenna...

Oh no, what'll happen if it gets to be TOO glorious? Sounds scary, ha.

Hm? What do you mean? There is no ceiling to our potential. We're going to make Gehenna the most glorious school in Kivotos!

Well... That might be a bit too much for me.

Oh, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. I just like to keep things low-key.

Yeah, tell me! What will this glorious Gehenna look like?

Ahem. I'm glad you asked. The GLORIOUS GEHENNA!

A campus united under orderly rule and coordinated cohesion...

...racing toward a single goal, aligned under one mind!

A picture-perfect ideal academy! Just like how Gehenna used to be! How it SHALL BE AGAIN!

Um, but like wouldn't it be boring if everyone is "under one mind"?

No. It would be COOL and GLORIOUS and FUN because it's an accomplishment! It's unified!

If everyone thought the same thing, then wouldn't all the TV shows and music be the same?

I feel like things are fun mainly BECAUSE people have different ideas...

...

Huh, Mayumi's left speechless.

Th-That's different! You know, like creative content and um, the overall direction! Society! Those are totally different!

Hm...

...Sho...!

Shouko!!

Shouko! What are you doing? Step in here and explain all the brilliant details!

Ah...

What's wrong, Shouko? Did something happen?

It was nothing. I was just thinking.

About what?

...

I think we need to get into the broadcasting room.

Ah, right, the ghosts. Gotcha. We should wrap up that loose end.

How are we getting in?

...I suppose we would have to go through the Pandemonium Society.

Whoa! So bold!

We've grown considerably, so I believe we would no longer be outmatched...even if we had to face them head-on.

Sounds like things are getting serious. Well, we'll be rooting for you.

Yeah! Have a twinkling time storming the fortress!

...But before that...

Can I have one more white chocolate chip frappé, Sensei?

"Order as much as you like..."