Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 2/Special Episode 2

This is the special episode, "Mirai's Story" (未来の話), of the second chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light.

Episode text
Mirai was sitting alone in the classroom after school. Inori entered the room.

–Mirai: Ah, Inori, did you forget something?

–Inori: No, I was just wondering why you're still here.

–Mirai: I was copying my notes for Sakura, since she hasn't come for a while.

–Inori: Ah, that. I keep telling her not to overdo her training, but...

–Mirai: Inori, what exactly happened that night? I know she's suffering from the effects of mana poisoning, but... what went wrong? She was practicing mana collection, so...

–Inori: She overestimated her ability to control mana. I warned her, but she insisted on continuing. The next thing I knew, hundreds of trees were flattened and she was falling.

–Mirai: Well, she'll be fine in a few days. I checked on her last night, and she seems to be improving.

–Inori: I see. Anyway, have you finished what you're doing?

–Mirai: I have. I'm going to head to Sakura's house now. Are you coming with me?

–Inori: I will. Let's go.

The two girls left the classroom, and the school, and headed to Sakura's house.

At Sakura's house, Mirai rang the doorbell. The door opened, revealing Sakura's mother Momoko.

–Mirai: Hanazono-san, I'm back. And I've brought Inori with me.

–Momoko: Come in, then.

The two girls entered the house. Mirai headed upstairs by herself and entered Sakura's room. Inside, Sakura appeared to be sleeping in her bed. Mirai opened her bag, took out the notes she copied, and placed it on the desk. She then approached the bed.

–Mirai: Sakura... hang in there. I'm sure you'll get better in no time.

Mirai left the room and headed back downstairs.

–Momoko: Mirai, you seem really dedicated to Sakura.

–Mirai: That's because she has looked after me for all this time. I felt that maybe I should pay her back.

–Momoko: I see. I can't help but think that you're in love...

–Mirai: What are you saying?! We're both girls, you know!

–Inori: I see that, despite what has happened, you're still your old self, Hanazono-san. Anyway, don't you have to submit the next chapter of your work soon?

–Momoko: Don't worry about it; I told my editor that I'll be taking temporary leave to look after Sakura. Wait, do you actually read my comics?

–Inori: No, but Michiru's sister reads it. Anyway, Sakura's birthday is in four days; do you think she'll be all right by then?

–Mirai: She sometimes wakes up every now and then, although she's currently asleep. Four days should be plenty of time for her to recover. Anyway, Inori, do you want to stay over?

–Inori: Ah, I'd love to, but I'm a bit worried about my brothers. You know how they are.

–Momoko: Ah, of course.

–Inori: Anyway, Mirai, can I ask you something?

–Mirai: What is it, Inori?

–Inori: How long are you going to stay here this time? I mean, you've been constantly moving between Japan and Namari since last month.

–Mirai: I'm not sure myself. I've been called over here by Kotone, but I don't know why. She said that she would contact me yesterday regarding that but...

–Inori: Wait... you refer to Miyauchi-san by her given name?

–Mirai: Is there something weird with that? We're closer than you think.

–Inori: Ah, sorry. Anyway, why hasn't she contacted you yet?

–Mirai: She was busy doing last-minute preparations for the assault on Yamamoto's headquarters. Additionally, I don't know when I'll head back to Yaezora; even if I finish what I was assigned to do here, I still have to look after Sakura.

The doorbell rang. Momoko opened the door.

–Momoko: Ah, Kotone, what brings you here?

–Kotone: Is Mirai here? I came to speak to her.

–Momoko: She is. Come in.

Kotone entered the house. Mirai noticed her.

–Mirai: Kotone! You're finally here!

–Kotone: Sorry I couldn't come yesterday, Mirai. I had some stuff to do.

–Mirai: I know. Anyway, why did you call me here?

–Kotone: Mirai... can you come to my house?

–Mirai: Eh? Umm... okay. Inori, Hanazono-san, see you later.

–Inori: Take care, Mirai.

Mirai and Kotone left the house and walked all the way to Kotone's house.

On the way:

–Mirai: Kotone... do you know why Yamamoto is acting the way he is now?

–Kotone: That's what I've been trying to figure out.

–Mirai: Surely you must know something! I mean, you're his granddaughter!

–Kotone: Sometimes, even the closest of people keep secrets. But... he was never happy with the current state of things. For most of his life, he always wanted revenge, revenge against the Americans.

–Mirai: Why, though?

–Kotone: Mirai... he was in Hiroshima on that fateful day 67 years ago. As a seven-year-old boy.

–Mirai: So... he experienced what no one in the world should experience ever again...

–Kotone: That's right. The bomb was dropped. Tens of thousands of people died. Grandfather himself was seriously injured, his parents killed. It was only by a miracle that he survived. But, there was nothing we could do. Japan was spent trying to fight a futile war against the entire planet, and the nations of other planets, in particular Namari, were held back by the web of alliances.

–Mirai: But to think his actions came from a grudge...

–Kotone: It wasn't a mere grudge. He vowed never to forgive the ones who dropped the bombs. He vowed to change the world so that the suffering the Americans brought to the Japanese would never be repeated. But above all, he concluded that the mere concept of a nation-state leads to war and suffering. After all, wars are fought between nation-states, often for petty reasons such as superiority complexes. But to turn against the Zodiac Warriors? To what end does he want to bring about his vision?

The two girls arrived at Kotone's house.

–Kotone: Ah, we're here.

Kotone walked up to the door, took out the house key, and unlocked the door and opened it. The two entered.

–Mirai: Kotone, why did you call me here? Is there something only I can do?

–Kotone: Mirai, I called you here because of your Inherent Ability.

–Mirai: My Inherent Ability?

–Kotone: I've been searching for a way to get rid of Pablo, or at least seal him away. However, his immense power, even for a demon, has proven to be a big problem.

–Mirai: So you want to use my Inherent Ability to defeat him, right?

–Kotone: Well, it's not that simple. We're not sure how or why, but he has accrued so much demonic energy that it is impossible for a single magical girl to kill him.

–Mirai: You have a point. From what I've heard about him, he has absorbed the essences of countless demons, meaning that the amount of Innocence needed to kill him far exceeds that of a single magical girl or Innocence Shard. Kotone, what do you have in mind?

–Kotone: At the moment, we don't have any idea how much Innocence is needed to kill Pablo, but it might be possible to seal him away with much less. Mirai, you know about the Cave of Illusions, right?

–Mirai: That's right.

–Kotone: The entity within that cave is sealed with the assistance of the World Orbs, but the seal itself is composed of four Innocence Shards.

–Mirai: So, can we do the same to Pablo?

–Kotone: It certainly is an attractive proposition. However, Innocence Shards are rare, and we're not sure if a magical girl can create an Innocence Shard without losing her special powers.

–Mirai: It can be done, Kotone.

–Kotone: What?

Mirai took out an Innocence Shard.

–Mirai: I created this with my own power, in the battle against Gakran three years ago. Admittedly, though, it was an accident. I didn't tell anyone as I thought it wasn't really important.

–Kotone: What are you talking about, Mirai? Of course it's important! It means that we can create more Innocence Shards for the older mages.

–Mirai: But... I can't remember how I did it. As I said, it was an accident.

–Kotone: Well, we'll figure it out.

–Mirai: If you say so...

–Kotone: Anyway, the first thing to do is to activate your Innocence.

–Mirai: Eh, what? I've never deliberately activated it.

–Kotone: Well, the fact that you have that Innocence Shard means that you must have activated it before.

–Mirai: What about you? Can you activate it?

–Kotone: Me? I'm in high school now; I've almost lost the ability.

–Mirai: Ah, right.

Mirai walked to the middle of the room and began to focus. A white glow began to envelop her.

–Mirai: Hang on...

–Kotone: What is it, Mirai?

–Mirai: The fire-elemental World Orb... it's damaged.

–Kotone: Wait, damaged? And how do you know?

–Mirai: It seems that Innocence is tied to the World Orbs. It's possible that the World Orbs themselves are powered by Innocence, rather than magic alone.

–Kotone: But aren't the two forces incompatible? I mean, we possess a significant level of natural magic resistance because of this.

–Mirai: They are incompatible; that's why boys cannot use magic before their Innocence begins to disappear at around puberty. But why do you think us girls can use magic before that age? Why are Innocents called "magical girls" rather than something gender-neutral?

–Kotone: So... is it possible that the mere fact that we are female is the reason we can use both magic and Innocence?

–Mirai: That is likely. So far, no male or human-built robot is able to use both forces at the same time. But it is possible that the Donsilans were able to impart a female essence into the World Orbs.

–Kotone: I don't quite get it, but if you say so. Anyway, Mirai, can we try again?

–Mirai: Ah, okay.

After a few hours:

–Kotone: Well... I guess that didn't work out...

–Mirai: I told you, that time was an accident. And besides, it's not like it's reproducible.

–Kotone: Okay. Instead of trying to create Innocence Shards, let's investigate the World Orbs to see if they can be used to seal Pablo.

–Mirai: I see. Then, let's head to Krukia and investigate the World Orbs there. They should be intact.

–Kotone: Actually, Akari told us to stay away from that planet.

–Mirai: Wait, why?

–Kotone: I'm not sure myself; all I know is that it's an order from her mother, and that it relates to Yamamoto.

–Mirai: Wait, is Yamamoto there?

–Kotone: No; he's still on Earth.

–Mirai: Then what does Krukia have to do with all of this?

–Kotone: As I said, I'm not sure myself. You'll have to ask Akari herself. If I recall, she's currently in Fukuoka.

–Mirai: I see. Well, I can't head there right now, seeing as I have to take care of Sakura.

–Kotone: I didn't ask you to go and speak to Akari. Anyway, there's something I'd like you to retrieve from the library.

–Mirai: What is it? Is it related to our task?

–Kotone: This is related to the World Orbs. If I recall, there was a book in room 49 which described the World Orbs in detail. If we can retrieve that book, we may be able to figure out what to do with regards to sealing Pablo away.

–Mirai: I see. Well, I'll get it for you.

–Kotone: Wait, Mirai.

–Mirai: Is something the matter, Kotone?

–Kotone: Room 49 of the Mimori-Mikura Academy Library is a particularly dangerous place. That's why it was sealed away in the first place. It contains all sorts of dangerous books, and the monsters that appear in the room are no pushovers. The book you're about to retrieve has the potential to corrupt those with even a little bit of desire for power. Fortunately, as magical girls we should be immune to its effects.

–Mirai: I see. So, should I wait until tomorrow?

–Kotone: That'll be best. Anyway, you should head back.

–Mirai: Ah, okay.

Mirai headed to the entrance.

–Mirai: See you later, Kotone!

–Kotone: Take care.

Mirai exited.

The next day, after school, Mirai headed to the library with Mizuki.

–Mizuki: Mirai, why did you want me to come with you to the library?

–Mirai: You see... I was told by Kotone to retrieve a book in room 49.

–Mizuki: Couldn't you do that by yourself? I mean, it's just a book, right?

The two walked up to one of the librarians at the front desk.

–Mirai: Excuse me, but I'd like access to room 49.

–Librarian: That room is a restricted area. I cannot allow entry without clearance.

–Mizuki: Eh? W-What exactly is in room 49?

–Librarian: That room is a place full of dangerous monsters and books that can harm or corrupt any hapless readers. As such, access is restricted.

Mirai placed her Zodiac Warriors ID on the desk.

–Librarian: I see. Aooka-san, for what purpose are you intending to enter the room?

–Mirai: It's to retrieve a book on the World Orbs.

–Librarian: According to our systems, you have been granted permission to enter room 49.

–Mirai: Thank you.

Mirai turned towards Mizuki.

–Mirai: Well, Mizuki, let's go.

–Mizuki: Ah, okay.

When the two girls reached the entrance to room 49, they found it blocked by a magic seal.

–Mizuki: So this is room 49...

–Mirai: Hold on.

Mirai walked up to the entrance and held out her right hand. A blue magic circle appeared in front of it, and the door responded by glowing white. Eventually, the door disappeared.

–Mirai: Well, what are we waiting for?

The two girls headed inside the dark room, when suddenly they were set upon by a massive winged beast.

–Mizuki: Monsters!

–Mirai: I knew this would happen. Mizuki, let's do this!

–Mizuki: Right!

The two girls changed into their mage outfits and activated their magic devices. Mizuki stepped towards the beast, with axe in hand.

–Mizuki: Take this!

Mizuki charged at the beast, while Mirai began to cast a spell. A blue magic circle appeared beneath Mirai's feet, and a cyan magic circle appeared under Mizuki.

End of Special Episode 2

Commentary
Like the first special episode, this one ends right at the beginning of a (minor) battle.

If it isn't obvious, Momoko is a yuri manga artist. When doing the character design for Momoko, I took a few traits from Comic Girls character Ririka Hanazono (who is a former yuri manga artist), although the identical surname is merely a coincidence (having done the design for her daughter long before).

Because I wrote this episode after the main episodes, I was able to look back and incorporate events that happened within the main episodes. This episode takes place at around the same time as episodes 17 to 19.

Kotone mentions that she has nearly lost the ability to use Innocence due to being in high school. She says "nearly", because she is still 15, and her birthday is in March (the Japanese school year begins in April). This means that she has around nine to ten months before her Innocence disappears completely upon her 16th birthday.