[The episode resumes inside the Angels May Weep Clinic. After a couple of minutes relaxing in Rea's Momo Friends paradise, the trivia game comes to a close...]
Sensei:
- "And the winner is..."
Sensei:
- "Lady Rea!"
Rea: Fufu~.
Hifumi: (defeated expression) Ugh...
Azusa: (defeated expression) It was... all in vain...
Hanako: Impressive! Lady Rea dominated the trivia game!
Koharu: (surprised face) Huh... she really won! I thought those two were the best Momo Friends fans, but she proved them wrong.
Rea: Ho-ho-ho! Even with a two-opponent handicap, I could not allow myself be defeated in my favorite hobby.
Sensei:
- "It was a great game, Hifumi-chan, Azusa-chan."
Hifumi: Ooh... We were just two points off from taking the lead.
Azusa: Lady Rea took us by surprise and answered "What is WaveCat's favorite toy?" perfectly.
Rea: A yarn of silly string, fufu, gets me every time.
Azusa: (sad expression) ...
Hifumi: Ah, cheer up Azusa-chan! We'll win next time!
Koharu: She looks pretty down. Did you really want to win that badly?
Azusa: ...It's not the victory that mattered. Rather... I wanted to know if I was still worthy of being called a best friend.
Hifumi: (surprised face) ...!
Hanako: Could you elaborate by what you mean, Azusa-chan?
Azusa: When Hifumi disappeared for a while, she kept messaging about this "new friend" she was hanging out with. After Sensei and I finally found her, I was surprised by her new friend doing exactly the things she described, helping others and enjoying cute things. Maybe it is the repeated loop at fault. But, I was worried... if Hifumi didn't want to keep hanging out with me.
Hanako: Aww... You were super worried about Lady Rea taking Hifumi's heart as a best friend.
Hifumi: Azu-
Rea: (interrupts the conversation) Pardon me, may I speak to you, Azusa-chan?
Azusa: ...?
Rea: Azusa-chan. Hifumi-chan mentioned your name over and over more times than I could count. She values you very deeply, as a friend and a partner.
Azusa: (surprised face) ...! Really?
Rea: Yes, it's true. I prefer to continue supporting the friendships she made, not ruin them. *sigh* To be quite honest, I adore Hifumi's honesty and spirit, though I wish she doesn't waste her youth on a relic such as me.
Azusa: ...? "Relic?"
Rea: Never mind that, it's not a tragedy to lose a game. I haven't agreed to anything you said. And listen to your Sensei, it was a fun game. You had a marvelous time playing with your best friend, did you not?
Azusa: (deep thought) ...Yeah, I did have fun.
Rea: Good. And Hifumi-chan.
Hifumi: Y-Yes?
Rea: I hope today teaches you to closely value your current and new friends. While you can continue to visit me at your own leisure, don't be so easy to forget those around you. You may cause unintentional harm, even if you didn't mean it.
Hifumi: ...! I get it. Azusa, I'm sorry for making you worry so much.
Azusa: (sincere expression) Hifumi... No, it's my fault for thinking the worst of things.
Hanako: Everyone is finally opening up. Isn't that great, Koharu-chan?
Koharu: Why are you asking me? I-I wasn't worried about them at all. If anything, it means the club can finally get back on track.
Sensei:
- "That's right. You guys were looking for me?"
Hifumi: Right! Umm, Sensei? Could you help us find a way to bring back our club? The Make-up Work Club?
Rea: Ah, the Make-up Work Club. I believe I heard Hifumi-chan mention it a few times.
Sensei:
- "Do you mean you want me to use SCHALE's authority?"
- "Need me to speak with President Nagisa for approval?"
Hifumi: N-No! Nothing like that. I was hoping if you could give us some pointers or suggestions to bring back the club with our own strength.
Azusa: We want to take on the challenge of taking it back through hard work, not a free pass. So, could you provide any insight for us?
Sensei:
- "Hmm... Not right now. I need a bit more time to come up with a plan."
Hifumi: Too soon to tell?
Koharu: Of course, Sensei may be good but not that good.
Hanako: I suppose it will take a bit more brainstorming before things can be set in motion. As things stand, the club isn't the main point of interest like last year. It is no longer a place to judge failing students or uncover traitors within the school. Now that everyone's focus is elsewhere, they see the club as an unimportant topic without much reason to support it.
Hifumi: But there has to be something we can do! Our club's adventures can't end here if they haven't even started yet!
Hanako: True. I suggested we'd flunk on purpose, but it seemed everyone is too busy to care.
Azusa: Then as our last resort-
Koharu: No attacking the Tea Party!
Azusa: (sweating face) Mmm...
Koharu: So, we're stuck in our own loop.
Hifumi: (worried expression) Hmm...
Rea: Ho-ho-ho! My goodness, what a conundrum this is becoming. Speaking of which, (looks at the time) deary me... I wonder what is taking those angels so long.
Sensei:
- "Something wrong, Rea-san?"
Rea: My temporary residents, the trio from the other day.
Azusa: The Arius students?
Rea: Yes. They left to do some errands for me but have yet to return. I would like to search for them, but I cannot leave my clinic unattended.
Azusa: ...We can search for them.
Hifumi: (surprised face) ...!
Rea: Are you sure, little angel? Mustn't you focus on solving your own problem?
Azusa: It's no immediate issue. We can reconvene after a quick mission.
Hifumi: Like Azusa said, a trip won't hurt. Maybe we can discover a solution on the way. Please leave it to us, Lady Rea.
Rea: Hmm... I can't say no to such charitable angels. All right, I'll allow it. Though, do keep in mind to return on task afterwards. I won't tolerate a second instance of neglecting what's important and what's not, especially with you, Hifumi-chan.
Hifumi: Understood!
Rea: Good. Sensei, please do bring everyone back safe and sound.
Sensei:
- "Leave it to us, Lady Rea."
Koharu: I guess we're heading out.
Hanako: (deep thought) ...
Koharu: Hanako? Are you listening?
Hanako: Actually, I think I'll stay. Everyone can head out without me. Meanwhile, I would like to stay with Lady Rea and try one of those "treatments" she's offering.
Koharu: What? You want a massage?
Hanako: I've been dying to relieve myself with all the stress that's built up at the start of this year. Koharu, do you want to try it too? I heard massages are good for all sorts of relief, even the one's in that book you're reading. The raunchy skin-to-skin contact, the sensual touch of masterful fingers, and don't forget the luscious foreplay! That is what massages are for, a release of all bodily stress at once!
Koharu: (embarrassed face) W-What are you talking about!? That can't- Is that what massages are?
Hanako: You won't know till you try it for yourself.
Koharu: W-Would you stop teasing me! A simple massage can't be anything like what you said!
Hanako: Even so, I real~ly want to enjoy one of Lady Rea's treatments. If Sensei enjoyed them, why can't I try it?
Rea: (composed expression) ...Very well. Sensei, could you bring the others and check on my assistants? They should be out running errands. I will stay here and "entertain" Hanako until you return.
Sensei:
- "All right, I guess it shouldn't be a problem."
- "Will you be able to handle Hanako alone?"
Rea: Don't worry, I'm a professional. She'll be in safe hands.
Sensei:
- "If you say so..."
[Sensei and the others leave the clinic, leaving Hanako and Rea alone on the clinic lever.]
Rea: Now... (closes and locks the door) Why don't you make yourself comfortable?
Hanako: ...? Of course. Should I sit on this bed?
Rea: (smiling face) Yes... that will do.
[After locking the door, Rea begins closing the window shutters one by one...]
Rea: Hanako-san, may I call you Hanako-chan?
Hanako: Hmm? Yes, I don't mind.
Rea: Fantastic. Tell me Hanako-chan, what pleasures have you experienced thus far?
Hanako: (surprised expression) P-Pleasures...? Well, I've done almost everything that would have my heart skip a beat. Running around in a swimsuit, splashing in water, and sharing the wonders of *** and ***.
Rea: (unfazed face) Ah, I see. Then, you must be well versed in *** and ***, not to mention ***, ***, ***, and ***.
Hanako: (stunned face + blushing) !!? Wha- What did you say?
Rea: I'm saying... (lifts Hanako's chin with her index finger) You haven't experienced all this world has to offer...
Hanako: (blushing face) Wah- (H-How bold!)
Rea: (approaches Hanako in close proximity) Do not be afraid. Leave the rest to me...
Hanako: (extensive moaning) ...Ah~!
[Meanwhile, Sensei and the rest of the Make-up Work Club head through the Black Market and arrive at the location where the Arius students were doing their shopping.]
Azusa: We've almost arrived at their last known location.
Koharu: So, these Arius students... You said they're "deserters" who left their school?
Azusa: Precisely, they left of their own volition and are searching what to do next.
Koharu: (doubtful expression) ...I don't buy it.
Azusa: ...?
Hifumi: Why not, Koharu-chan?
Koharu: I remember Arius students were filled with students who are trained killers and fully organized terrorists. Vanitas this, hatred that. They could be undercover agents attempting to sabotage something in Gehenna or Trinity.
Hifumi: It's different now! They genuinely changed thanks to the repeat.
Koharu: Hmph, I'll be the judge of that! As an elite Justice Task Force member, I need to uphold justice and prevent anybody that could be threatening the peace.
Sensei:
- "The students don't seem that awful. If anything, they are genuinely normal students."
Koharu: Sensei, don't be fooled! Anyone can act innocent or normal if they try hard enough!
Azusa: (concerned face) ...Does that include me?
Koharu: (embarrassed face) ...! Wha- Of course not! You-You're a special case! You've been a friend to the club since the beginning.
Hifumi: Then, can you trust them just like when we trusted Azusa-chan, Koharu-chan?
Sensei:
- "Once we do find them, please give them a chance. I'm sure they'll come around, like how we met Azusa."
Koharu: (pressured face) Mmm... Fine, Fine! I won't accuse anyone or cause any problems! Let's just find them and get this over with.
Hifumi: Wait, I think I see them!
[Sensei and the studnts find the Arius Trio and walk up to them. The Arius Trio don't notice them until Hifumi finally calls out to one of them.]
Hifumi: Hello! It's so nice to see you guys again!
Arius deserter #1: Hmm? ...Oh! It's assistant Hifumi-san and the Sensei!
Arius deserter #2: (remains silent) ...
Arius deserter #3: Hey, remember what Lady Rea said? It's rude to stay quiet.
Arius deserter #2: (unenthusiastically) ...Hello.
Koharu: (serious expression) ...
Sensei:
- "How has everyone been?"
Arius deserter #1: G-Good! Lady Rea's been taking care of us at her clinic.
Arius deserter #3: Including her lectures on "proper manners." She said we need it to talk better with others.
Arius deserter #2: Grr...
Arius deserter #3: Well... mostly for one of us.
Arius deserter #1: W-What about you? What is everyone doing out here in the Black Market district?
Sensei:
- "Lady Rea sent us. She was wondering what was taking you three so long to return."
Arius deserter #3: Yikes. We forgot to check the time. After the errands were over, one of us wanted to take a detour and search the bookstore for what she needed.
Azusa: (notices something in the student's arms) ...? What are you holding?
Arius deserter #1: Oh, it's a textbook. Truth is, I'm trying to prepare for an exam.
Koharu: (surprised face) ...? An exam? What exam?
Arius deserter #2: It's none of your damn business.
Koharu: (offended expression) Eh?!
Arius deserter #2: I said it's none of your business, you good-for-nothing Trinity girl.
Koharu: (angry face) You... say that again! Don't mess with me!
Hifumi: Hold on Koharu-chan! Please don't fight!
Koharu: She's the one trying to start it!
Arius deserter #2: Hmph, there's no way we'll give up intel to the enemy.
Arius deserter #3: *sigh* ...We wanted to take part in club activities.
Arius deserter #2: !!? What the heck!? They didn't need to know that!
Arius deserter #3: Come on, what's the harm? None of us are planning on fighting Trinity General School with just the three of us. If we can't go back to Arius, then it makes no sense to make more enemies, right?
Arius deserter #2: Grr... Fine.
Sensei:
- "You said you wanted to join a club?"
Arius deserter #1: Y-Yeah... I wanted to sign up in some of the open clubs around the city. They were going to give trials, but... We didn't have any grades to show for them...
Koharu: No grades? Is taking tests not part of the Arius Satellite School curriculum?
Arius deserter #3: No. Most of the time we spent training, making new tactics, or listening on the Madame's speeches of hatred and vengeance. Tests and exams were not part of our daily lives.
Koharu: (stunned face) ...Okay. Then, why bother joining a club?
Arius deserter #1: Well... I always wanted to try something new! There was never the right time or place to try any activity, so I figured now's a good time as any.
Azusa: What kinds of activities are you interested in?
Arius deserter #1: Any of them, really! The explosive battles of the Gourmet Research Society, the festivals of the Hyakkiyako clubs, even cooking at the Black Tortoise Promenade sounds like fun.
Arius deserter #3: She never stopped talking about the coolest clubs around Kivotos, even inside the Arius district. It seemed like a start, so the "both of us" decided to tag along, right?
Arius deserter #2: Mmm... I still think it's a waste of time.
Arius deserter #3: Hey, stop that. All of us agreed to participate.
Arius deserter #1: W-We're hoping to pass the next upcoming exam to show everyone we had passable grades!
Azusa: ...Admirable. I like it.
Arius deserter #1: You think so?
Azusa: Absolutely. If finding a new path forward means taking tests, I don't see why not.
Arius deserter #2: I still think my plan of becoming freelance mercenaries was good...
Arius deserter #3: Oi, enough of that. I said this already, we're trying to remain a low profile, not pick unnecessary fights.
Azusa: I wish you three the best of luck. I think our president agrees too, right, Hifumi-chan?
Hifumi: (deep thought) ...
Azusa: Hifumi?
[Suddenly, a spark of realization crosses Hifumi's mind and immediately speaks up.]
Hifumi: (realization) ...! I know! Let's help the Arius students pass their exams!
Everyone: (baffled expression) ...!?
To be continued... Episode 9: A New Purpose