Vol. 5 Ch. 1 Ep. 21: Yours, Nevertheless

HYAH!

We're fighting back the smaller Artifact Spirits, but...

"We can't land a bullet on Kurokage."

They've retreated for now, but they're only regrouping.

They could return at any time.

The bad person is getting away! We need to get past these thingies!

What do I do?! Mimori? Tsubaki?

Yukari is in danger.

I won't let anything happen to her!

We need to blast through their ranks! What's the plan, Kikyou?!

...

"Nagusa."

"I understand that Shuro needs Yukari."

"Shuro manipulated and planned every moment of tonight."

"But what does Shuro mean about writing her own ghost story?"

"What is Shuro trying to achieve with Yukari?"

That's...

We don't have time to dilly-dally, Sensei!

The longer we wait here, the greater the danger to Yukari!

Just like Ayame? Nagusa?

Hello? Kikyou?

Must I repeat myself to you for the rest of our lives? Battles are won with information, and we currently have none.

There is no such thing as a strategy without it.

I need more intel if you want me to create a plan.

Sensei understands this. So inform me, Nagusa. Only you seem to have a grasp of the situation.

Only I...

I'm looking to you. What are her intentions? Her motivation? The next course of action?

Allow me to emphasize again. Only you can do this.

...

...I see.

You will cling to your foolishness until your last dying breath.

Nature's Beauty...

Nagusa...?

Nature's Beauty is a group of monsters that once ran wild in these lands, before the Hyakkiyako alliance was formed.

They're known for many things.

"As the wicked club against Hyakkiyako's alliance..."

"Bewitching monsters that carry strange, powerful tomes."

...As Sensei said.

We know nothing of their intentions. Do monsters even have reasons? But we do know how they operate.

They use their tomes and spread rumors through the human world. When the rumors gain enough power, they become corporeal.

That's how...That's how Ayame disappeared. We encountered the Nature's Beauty's president, Kokuriko, in the snow fields.

She used her tome to turn her into a Phantom Fable, and snatched her away to the spirit realm.

And I...I did nothing. I watched in abject horror, but did nothing.

That's how Ayame...

...

I expect Shuro intends to do the same thing to Yukari.

I don't know what to do. It'll be like losing Ayame all over again.

This is the secret you were keeping? You could've told us the truth.

...I was afraid. Terrified and ashamed.

...Nagusa.

Wh-What is that?!

Am I going crazy or is everyone else seeing this?

Look, Sensei! Over there!

Ahaha! Hello, everyone! Are you having fun tonight?

I'm sure you all are!

I hope you appreciate all of the effort I've put into this Lantern Festival!

That's the Yin-Yang Club's live stream blimp...

She's broadcasting all over Kivotos!

All of Kivotos?! How?

The how isn't important. Why?

There's lots more exciting events coming tonight!

Let me introduce a very special guest first.

As you well know, this is the first time the Lantern Festival is being held in twenty years. And this little lady right here is the main attraction!

"She has Yukari!"

Ahaha! Can you see her?

Of course you can, after all, this whole stage was made just for her!

Before we get things going, let me tell you a little bit more about our main character.

...

Now then, she's taking a little nap, and a well deserved one.

After all, our pitiable miko has been through so much. Abandoned. Betrayed. Judged.

She's clinging to the skirts of her beloved role model, only to be left behind in her shadow.

She tried to tell someone her dream of going back to the good old days, and what did she get in return? Derision and ridicule.

When she did return to what she thought was her home, she was summarily kicked out. Told to go back to where she belongs.

And so, she dutifully returned to the Kadenokouji family.

She thought she would be happy! But she discovered a horrible secret when she returned to this supposed "home."

Kadenokouji Yukari was nothing but a tool to them. They wanted her to dance and dance and dance, so they could cleanse their house of the disgrace from twenty years ago.

...

That's right. No matter where she went, this miko couldn't find a single soul to empathize with her pain.

While everyone basked in the revelry of the festival, she was left alone to suffer in unimaginable ways.

Isn't that...unfair?

Why should everyone be happy at her expense? Everyone should suffer just as she did.

So in her stead, I'll be returning all of the hurt and pain you caused her.

Welcome to Nature's Beauty's elegance.

The sight of Hyakkiyako burning in flames will be the greatest show you've ever witnessed!

Please prepare yourself for this story!

"Yukari...!"

She threatened to burn down all of Hyakkiyako.

Things are only going to get worse from here on out.

We gotta do something! I don't know what, but something!

"The timing... Kurokage's on the move!"

Damn it all!

This is hopeless! How are we supposed to beat a monster we can't even touch?

Let's say in some impossible world we do slip past it, the kid is invulnerable to our attacks too.

...There is a way.

Wh-What? How?!

"Kikyou, this is the Hundred Lotus?"

Yes, the Hundred Lotus. Nagusa's last gift to me.

If we can believe Shuro's words...

She told us exactly how to defeat her.

It's you, Nagusa. You're the only one who can save Yukari.

So do it. Please.

She's right. We have the Hundred Lotus, but Nagusa is the only one who can wield it.

I...

I can't.

Huh?! Wh-Why?! Nagusa!

Ayame is the only one qualified to be the Hyakkaryouran president.

It was never me.

Despite everything, Shuro was right about one thing. I was lying. I lied to all of you.

I was afraid you would see me for who I truly was, I ran.

What would you all say when you found out "Nagusa" was just an act? Just a girl desperate to stay by her best friend's side?

So I lied. I ran, and I lied.

I suppose I was simply cosplaying from the beginning.

I've been an imposter all along. I only wanted to be good enough to stand by Ayame's side.

I faked it all. The image of the strong, intelligent student you admired was all a mirage.

Then I lost Ayame, and I couldn't do anything to help her. How could I tell the truth to you all?

I was afraid of being blamed. I didn't want to be found out for the fraud I am.

A coward like me will never be qualified.

A coward like me...isn't good enough to save Yukari!

Goryou Nagusa!

Ah...

"Kikyou, let's take a deep breath."

...Kikyou?

I hurt Yukari.

I told her playtime was over, that it was time to return home.

I convinced myself to utter lies for the sake of protecting Yukari.

Our "protection" put her in the position she is in now.

...Kikyou.

...

A part of me despises you still. Your abandonment isn't so easily forgotten.

Because I waited. I remained behind and waited and waited. And you did not return.

Regardless...

Despite that...

My mistakes are my own. I understand that.

I hurt her, badly, and I wish to correct it.

But it's beyond me. Nagusa, only you can save Yukari now.

Not me nor Renge...nor even Ayame. You.

I beg of you.

My arrogance has always been my greatest flaw. I have no right to hold my head high after today.

But here I am, pleading.

Please. Tell Yukari all will be well. Help me apologize to her.

Save her, Nagusa.

Please.

Nagusa!

Ah.

I...I feel the same way!

Not that I can talk either. After all, I ran away from the Hyakkaryouran after you left.

But I still agree with her!

I hurt someone we really care about, and I need to look her in the eye and apologize.

I just need to talk to her one more time.

We're asking a lot of you, I know. We shouldn't be asking you to fix our mistakes.

But...

Like Yukari said... I want to go back too...

So please, Nagusa.

But I'm a fraud...

I lied to all of you.

"I'm begging you too, Nagusa."

...Okay.

I promise nothing, but I can try.

"This is going to be an uphill climb."

Who cares?! We'll blast open a path!

Yes. From what I understand, you need time, right?

We can't defeat all of them, but we can buy you as much time as we can!

We've got this, Sensei!

...Go save Yukari, Sensei. Nagusa.

"We'll bring her back safe and sound. Let's go, Nagusa!"

Yes!