"My apologies, brother. I was just reminiscing about days gone by."
"Were they fun memories?" "No. I was young and foolish. It's a bit
It's embarrassing actually. I can't help but laugh.
There's so much I should have realized as your younger sister.
But you were a mystery. I didn't know the first thing about you.
No. I didn't even try to know you.
Miyuki.
I'm gonna get you all set up!
Hey, welcome back to "Goruchu" let's register.
Now, I mean alright here we go!
I'm gonna get you all set up!
♪♪
[MUSIC]
♪♪
[crowd chattering]
Come join the trap team!
[grunts]
The recruitment process sure is quite peaceful this year.
Yes. And hopefully it stays that way.
You said it.
I still can't help seeing the irony.
Last year I was this close to being suspended for causing an uproar.
But this year I'm on the side that cracks down on up-roars.
Kirihara, would you kindly stop talking about that?
Someone might get the wrong idea and that could spell trouble.
Are you listening?
Extracurricular Activities Federation.
That's so. Got it.
Shiba, Miss Shiba?
Yes?
There's a situation in the Robot Research Club's garage. Please go mediate.
Yes, affirmative.
Geez, just give it up already.
He said he wants to join the Robot Research Club.
Whatever, we're the ones who called out to him first.
Go play with your little robots and stop betting it.
Well, uh, I, uh...
Robot Research and Motorcycle Clubs, please settle down.
Hey, please settle down. I'm with the Federation. What's the problem?
Hey! Out of the way!
I'm with the Disciplinary Committee.
The Extracurricular Activities Federation's already handling this,
so the Disciplinary Committee can get lost.
Except disputes between students are under the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Committee.
Hey, hold up!
You're a persistent one. Just stay out of my way!
I already told you that we deal with this, Saegusa.
Or wait, do you need me to spell it out for you?
This is none of your business.
Hate to break it to you, pal,
but the Disciplinary Committee doesn't have to do a damn thing you say
so you can move along.
Hold on here. Are you picking a fight with me?
That's not my intention at all.
But if it's a fight you want, I'll gladly oblige.
Oh, yeah?
So a Saegusa's going to take on a shipboats challenge to fight?
Sure, why not?
It'd be my pleasure to teach you a big lesson.
I'll make it so that you never want to pick a fight with me again.
You sure you'll be okay without your other half to help you out?
You want her with me so you have an excuse for losing?
Hey, that's enough! Just calm down!
Both of you, what do you think you're doing?
The Federation and the Disciplinary Committee, the Student Government, fighting each other? What's this about?
I apologize for causing a commotion.
We'll look the other way this time, but there's no next time.
Now get back to your duties, both of you.
Same goes for the rest of you. You should also get back to whatever you were doing.
Rest assured, the Student Council will not pursue this case any further.
As for the disciplinary committee and the federation, I'll make things right on my end.
I mean, you get what I'm saying, right? He was being totally annoying.
It's a good thing you were able to control yourself, Kasumi.
Mmm... well...
If I'm being completely honest, I really wanted to shred him to pieces.
Still, isn't it strange? Doesn't it seem like Shippo's behavior towards you is unnaturally unfriendly?
Unfriendly doesn't begin to describe the half of it.
I'd say he was pretty much antagonistic.
Alright then.
Let's just talk a bit about that antagonistic attitude.
It's likely that this goes deeper than a rivalry between the Extracurricular Activities Federation and the Disciplinary Committee, right?
Yeah, exactly.
He came at me as a Shippo picking a fight with a Sayagusa.
Whether or not he did it because he's a Shippo, this does sound like it stems from a personal animosity.
Wait, you mean he's holding a grudge against me or something?
I hear that the current head of the Shippo family is rather easygoing and of gentle nature.
I doubt he'd ever make such a blatant move against us, especially so publicly.
Yes?
(suspenseful music)
- Did you find the root of it, Nakura?
- Yes.
The New Breed Front,
the ones who terrorize the Offshore Tower,
they are in a cooperative relationship with FAIR.
- FAIR?
They're a magician supremacist extremist group from the US.
That's odd.
I thought that the Offshore Tower
was a model of human-magician relations.
They showed magicians being treated as people
and not merely as weapons.
So why did they try to destroy it?
Because their motivation has nothing to do with magicians and humans coexisting peacefully.
Even so, if they trample on the hopes of so many magicians they risk creating a fissure within their group.
Not to mention the public outcry. I can't imagine them doing something so thoughtless.
From what I've gathered, there's a USNA humanist working among the upper echelon of their society.
Hmm
By having the new breed front destroy a giant monument such as the offshore tower
They were surely trying to show the world just how dangerous magicians could be I
Understand you may go now
It's Koichi connect me to mr. Kudo
So all right, what did you want to talk about big sister? Do you know what kind of person the head of the Shippo family is?
Hey Kasumi
It's just a question. Oh really you started some trouble with Shippo didn't you?
How'd you know about that
Just what were you thinking before you blame Kasumi sister, please understand that she wasn't solely responsible
Shippo, in fact, was the aggressor and should be held more accountable in this instance.
Well, all right. I believe you.
So, you wanted to know what kind of person the head of the Shippo family is?
Yes.
Let's see.
Not that I have ever interacted with him personally,
But I hear he's pretty diligent and thorough.
He's a diligent and thorough person.
Right.
He formulates multiple strategies so he can keep risks to a minimum.
And he makes modest choices, so he always gets his money's worth.
That's what I hear.
But if that's true, that means...
Right.
That's not at all how Shippo was with you.
In fact, it sounds like the exact opposite of how he behaved.
Oh yeah, so it's a personal grudge against me after all?
Can you think of a reason he'd be upset?
*sigh* Nope.
But still, if he ever tries to pull something on me, I'm going to destroy him first.
Kasumi.
*gasp*
Huh?
I'm sorry!
Mr. Kudo, sorry for calling so late.
It's fine.
Thank you for understanding.
I've just received word of a plot being orchestrated by the USNA's humanists.
They're using their influence to actively manipulate the media as part of a negative press campaign against magicians.
Hmm?
Apparently this operation of theirs is already gaining traction.
Considering it's you, I assume you've known about this issue for a while.
Looks like you've seen right through me.
So what are you planning to do with all this?
The Otsubas have grown far too powerful.
Before long, they could disrupt the balance between the ten Master Clans and the nation.
I'm not alone in thinking this, am I, Mr. Kuda?
You're going to use the Anti-Magic Faction as a means to diminish the Otsubas' power, then?
At first high school, there's a student who has some close ties to the 101 Battalion.
The collusion between this teen boy's high school and the military...
Sounds like something the media and those humanist politicians would eat up, don't you think?
You have no concerns? Aren't your daughters enrolled at first high school?
I am emphasizing a simple fact, that there's a link between the 101 Battalion and the Yotsubas.
Is that what you're after?
Your thoughts, Mr. Kudo?
Personally, I believe that approving a limited negative campaign will also allow the anti-magic movement to lose steam in the long run.
Their target is still just a high school student.
If we handle this right, we might even be able to direct the public's outrage toward the anti-magic faction.
I firmly believe that this plan would have merit for the Tin Master clans.
Hmph. Meritorious or not, I don't have the authority to approve your plan.
No authority, maybe, but you do possess influence.
I don't have any objections to your proposal.
That's all I needed to hear. Thank you for your time. Excuse me.
Brother Tatsuya. Miyuki. Long time no see.
It really has been a while hasn't it?
We're sorry for coming over so late. What brings you to to Tokyo?
I'm surprised that you're in Kanto isn't this beyond your territory Fumio
Actually, there's something that I thought you should both be aware of
Currently there's a group of anti magician forces that are starting to manipulate the media
Where do they come from from the USNA humanists movement?
So it's an anti magician campaign through the media it's not only the media they've also approached members of Parliament
Tell me everything, you know, right
First they plan to criticize the military's use of magicians using human rights as a pretext
Next, based on the fact that a quarter of Magic University graduates wind up serving in the military,
they create a false narrative that Magic Education institutions are colluding with the armed forces.
In the third phase, they call for the liberation of the children who are purportedly going to be exploited by the military.
First High is their prime target, since it sends the most graduates to Magic Universities.
That's their plan. At least, that's everything we could find out about it so far.
I'm impressed you were able to dig so deep.
Well, thank you very much, big brother.
I'll try to come up with a countermeasure.
Just let me know if you learn anything new.
Yes, of course.
Sorry to keep you waiting, Jemonji.
It's my fault for making you come all this way.
You know I don't mind that.
Something pretty important must have come up, or you wouldn't ask to meet.
A soundproof field.
It really is something serious.
Starting earlier this week, there's been an uptick in anti-magician reporting by the media.
From what I can tell, the tone of the coverage is divided in two.
That's because they each have different sources.
You mean there are two different forces behind these stories?
I'm sure you're aware that information gathering isn't really the Jumanji family's forte.
I can't verify what I'm about to say, but it may be upsetting to hear.
All right then, what have you found out?
It's looking highly likely that one of the sources is attempting to censure the JDF and the press.
We believe the Sayagusa family is that source.
(door opening)
I do admit that my father is a tactician
fond of covert tactics.
And even I, his daughter,
don't always know what he's thinking.
But no matter what the reason may be,
his loyalty to the Tin Master clans is absolute.
There's no way that he'd ever do anything
to jeopardize Japan's magic industry.
- All right.
Then Mr. Saegusa must believe that his actions
are actually good for Japan's magic industry.
But I haven't the slightest clue why that may be.
All I really know is, looking at it in this light,
it appears that Mr. Saegusa
may be betraying the Tentmaster clans.
- If that's how you see it,
would you mind coming to my place, Jumonji?
I'm going to ask my father about it directly,
and I'd like you to be there.
Fine.
Thank you for making time in your schedule to see me.
I appreciate it.
Well, it was at your request, Katsuo.
So tell me, why did you want to talk today?
Right.
Someone's been pushing anti-magic sentiments in the media.
Are you behind this?
I am. Good job on figuring that out.
Father!
How could you?
Now, Mayumi, what about this is making you so flustered?
You've betrayed the Tin Master clans with your scheme.
No, the entire Japanese magic industry.
Sayagusa.
Mr. Sayagusa, I fail to understand how any of this makes sense.
Therefore, I'd like you to explain it for me.
Is this a request as a member of the Jumanji family?
Yes, I am asking you as a Jumanji.
Firstly, I want to dispel any misunderstandings.
This is not my initiative.
This campaign was launched by a foreign anti-magician faction.
Not only did they feed sensationalist stories to the mass media,
but they're also responsible for funding them.
I see.
Does that mean that your intervention in the press
is meant to be a countermeasure to prevent its spread?
That is my intention. And unfortunately, the anti-magician movement is about to become public sentiment, just as they had planned it.
However, since the movement lacks a spokesperson to speak on behalf of their collective cause, it's hard to effectively refute.
Kotsuto, do you know the most effective way to sway public opinion? Try taking a guess.
By causing a division?
That's exactly right. You can put a fire out faster by dividing the coals into multiple small fires before it becomes a single large blaze.
Small fires are better than a big inferno. I guess that's true. I can see the logic.
Except... people's lives are endangered by even small fires.
If you fail to extinguish the blaze in time, a mere spark can become a firestorm that takes human lives.
I'm speaking hypothetically.
That makes the two of us, sir.
Excuse me.
The Jumonji family hereby requests that you publicly express your regret in this matter,
and immediately suspend your efforts to manipulate the press and media.
The Sayagusa family requests a written petition provided by the Jumonji family.
I prefer to give my response after seeing your official protest
Understood I'll draw one up as soon as I return home
I'm sorry you had to make a trip out here today. It's a shame. We have to deal with this
Has Katsuo taken his leave yet? Yes
I'm sure I could guess what it is that he would like to say.
Go on and say it.
Based on what was just discussed, I think Jimonji has a sound argument for you to stop
what you're doing.
Mayumi, Master Kudo was already aware of my plan, and he showed no indication of being
opposed to me going through with it.
I don't know what the venerable master is thinking.
It doesn't make sense to me.
All I can say for sure is that it seems like a mistake to carelessly disrupt the lives
of our fellow magicians living in the same country.
Everything about this seems wrong.
We're just giving them a chance to vent.
All of this will be over in a month at most.
But even in a mere month, thoughtless slander can inflict deep and lasting wounds that can
linger for a lifetime.
Mayumi.
For whose sake are you feeling such pronounced anger?
Is this all for Katsuo? Or is it for someone at First High School?
About that matter we discussed, Tuesday April 24th, you can expect a visitor.
A member of parliament will be arriving at First High School that day.
Is it Democratic Diet member Kanda?
That's right. Apparently he's going to crash First High with his usual entourage of reporters.
Crash and do what, exactly?
From what we've uncovered so far, he wants to expose the link between First High and the military.
But there's no link for him to expose.
If he fails to find any evidence, he'll manufacture some by cutting together testimonies and interviews.
Then his trusty entourage of journalists
will blow everything out of proportion, make a giant commotion, and will turn the whole thing into a media circus.
That sounds right. I can see that happening.
Mm-hm.
Thanks for providing so much intel. It's very useful.
Glad to be of service, Tatsuya. I look forward to seeing how you handle this one.
Looks like the time has come to set that plan in motion.
♪♪
I'm not afraid of the future, but I'm still waiting for you.