First year
It's morning!
My first morning at the academy!
How do you do?
Oh! Did I wake you?
I'm so sorry!
This is my roommate, Ito Shizu.
She's a natural-born leader raised to stand above others... apparently.
First year
Did you sleep hugging your CHARM all night?
Huh? Yeah.
They told me to keep it with me at all times when they issued it to me.
Plus, CHARMs are kind of warm, so it came in handy at night in Koshu.
What a weirdo.
Assault Lily
Well, I'll head out now.
Oh, okay.
Umm, uh...
I'll help.
Face away from me.
Th-Thanks.
Does your injury from yesterday hurt?
No, it's fine.
I see. You were lucky.
Episode 2
Oh, morning, Riri.
Alfheim first year
Oh, hi.
I mean, how do you do?
Don't stand on ceremony.
How about a more substantial hello?
"Substantial"?
You there!
Get away from my Riri!
first year
You again?
I thought you were after Miss Yuyu.
I guess you'll go for anyone.
We had a fateful encounter.
It was so dramatic that even I could not resist.
Oh, yeah?
Well, the "girl of your destiny" doesn't seem so convinced.
Show some resistance, too, Riri!
Are all Lilies like this?
If you really are destined to be with Riri,
you'd better tie her down tight,
or I'll gobble her up.
You needn't worry.
The bond between Riri and I is not so fragile that...
Oh my, Riri?
Riri?!
Gardenia House
I have to thank Miss Yuyu for yesterday!
Good morning, Miss Yuyu!
Second Year
Huh?
Umm, Miss Yuyu?
Excuse me, Miss Yuyu!
It's me, Riri.
I wanted to thank you for yesterday, and...
H-How do you do?!
Oh.
Riri!
First year
Oh, Fumi!
Ho--
--Ho-- --Ho--
How do you do?
It just hit me that I'm really at Yurigaoka!
Me, too!
And we're in the same class!
Really?
Thank goodness.
I'm so glad!
It makes me happy to see you so delighted.
Oh, Kaede!
"Hara Midori" "Yamada Samidori" "Kaede J. Nouvel" "Hitotsuyanagi Riri"
It's true.
You and I are side by side.
This is Magie guiding us together!
Isn't it in alphabetical order?
Wow, what a view!
We even get footbaths.
Is it really okay to soak in them this early?
Lectures start tomorrow.
I hear it's the director's policy.
The academy is on the front lines of Huge interception,
but it's also meant to be a place of sanctuary for Lilies.
"Sanctuary"?
Like holy ground.
A heaven where we aren't ruled or threatened by anyone.
"Heaven"?
I suppose it's the adults' way of atoning for relying on little girls like us.
But it's strange.
Newbies like Riri and me are in the same class
as experienced Lilies like you, Ms. Nouvel.
So many different experience and skill levels.
You've done your homework.
Please, call me Kaede.
You mean it?
Wow!
I can't believe I get to get so close to the head of Grand Guignol's daughter!
Think nothing of it.
What's Gui... Guigno-guigno?
You mean you don't know?!
But I already explained it to you!
Grand Guignol is based in France. It's one of the world's top CHARM manufacturers, Riri!
No, it's the top manufacturer!
Father makes the best CHARMs in the world.
Just say the word, Riri,
and I'll order you a finely tuned, custom-made CHARM of the finest quality.
I hope you like it!
Riri,
where did you go after breakfast?
Oh, I stopped by the old building.
I see.
You went to say hello to Miss Yuyu, right?
I'd like Miss Yuyu to be my Schutzengel, so...
Oh, but normally the older student is the one to ask about that.
But Kaede, yesterday you--
I'm not bound by the past.
At Yurigaoka Girls' Academy,
"Schutzengel" means a pledge of sisterhood between an older and younger student.
The older girl acts as a Schutzengel, or guardian angel,
and guides the younger girl, her Schild.
But Miss Yuyu wouldn't even look me in the eye.
What? But you seemed to get along yesterday.
I wonder if she hates me.
Well, she is known for being moody.
Forget Schutzengel pledges; Miss Yuyu isn't even in a legion right now.
I hear she always fights the Huge alone.
Kaede!
Would you teach me how to use my CHARM?
I'd be delighted.
But training starts tomor--
Silence, shrimp!
"Shrimp"?!
I want to become a full-fledged Lily as soon as possible.
That way...
I understand how you feel, but you mustn't rush...
...is what I would normally say,
but this is the front line against the Huge.
We have a mix of beginners and veteran Lilies
because we're expected to help each other improve on our own.
Then...
I would be happy to help you.
Meaning?
I'll thoroughly, legally...
Hey, look what you made me say!
Let's go, Kusumi.
All right, Soraha.
Second-year Amano Soraha and first-year Egawa Kusumi!
Those two made a Schutzengel pledge, too.
What, already?!
Alfheim second year
Alfheim first year
They've known each other since junior high.
Come on, Riri, draw your CHARM, too.
Oh, yeah.
Umm...
Like this.
An Yggdrasil Gungnir.
A good CHARM for beginners.
Lighter than a bird's feathers,
sharper than a bee's stinger,
and sometimes heavier and harder than steel.
This is a CHARM.
That ostentation is Grand Guignol all over.
"Ostentation"?
Training on your own? I'm impressed.
What brings you here, Miriam?
First year
CHARM tune-ups.
I come every day since I arrived.
You can tune up CHARMs?
Naturally.
I'm in the arsenal division.
She's in Arsenal Division and also a Lily!
That's Miriam Hildegard von Gropius, Riri!
Fumi, you're bleeding!
Are you well?
Yes, don't worry!
It's been happening since yesterday!
You've got some Magie stored up.
You seem fairly frank.
You can tell?
CHARMs learn their owner's Magie through always being at their side.
So, a Lily's CHARM becomes a part of her body.
Wow.
I wonder if we'll be like that one day, too.
Hmm...
Still, the fact that you got into Yurigaoka
means there must be something exceptional about you.
I hope so.
I'm positive Kaede feels the same way.
She's holding her peace because...
...unconfident people are easier to manipulate.
"Kaede is surprisingly unscrupulous."
Hey! You take that back!
If you want to learn about CHARMs,
why not stop by Arsenal Division?
Miss Moyu will tell you all about them.
Well?
Yes, it's fine.
It was a touch shaky, so I changed out several parts.
Replace the barrel after two more sorties.
Don't forget; I almost always do.
You're welcome.
Yes.
Thank you.
Honestly, she's so unendearing.
Arsenal Division second year
This is Arsenal Division.
There are all these facilities underground?
Are you in, Miss Moyu?
So bright!
How do you do?
Hang on.
I'm just about to temper a CHARM blade.
Welcome.
Riri and Kaede, right?
And you're...
Fumi! Futagawa Fumi!
Nice to meet you, Fumi.
You came at a great time.
Come on, turn out right.
I've been working on that for a month!
What is it?
CHARMs have spells for controlling Magie engraved on their blades.
These spells activate the Magie that flows from a Lily's body
and cleave through the Magie that supports a Huge.
A Huge's Magie...
Magie is what gives Lilies our power,
but it's also what empowers the Huge.
Well, it stands to reason.
I assume you know that?
Yes, I learned about it.
We've got these, too.
Here.
Huh?
A CHARM gun barrel. Look closely.
It's got spells etched into the rifling.
When a bullet travels through, its marked with a spell as well as with Magie.
Unlike the Huge, Lilies rely on CHARMs to control Magie, but...
Oh, I screwed up again.
Still, a Schutzengel pledge with Yuyu of all people.
Yes.
But she won't even give me the time of day.
Umm...
What CHARM does Miss Yuyu use now?
A Brionac.
And two years ago?
A Dáinsleif.
Why did Miss Yuyu switch CHARMs?
I see.
You'd have to ask her about that.
Do you know anything about it, Miss Moyu?
I do, but I won't tell you.
Why not?
I can't go around chatting about things she wouldn't want me to, now can I?
Oh.
Lilies are public entities, and tax money is invested in them,
but their personal info is private for a fixed period unless they wish otherwise.
Psychological states directly impact combat effectiveness,
so it probably has to be this way with sensitive teenage girls.
Miss Yuyu doesn't seem very sensitive to me.
She's too sensitive.
So sensitive she withdrew from--
Oops, I said too much.
Ask her for the rest.
If she'll tell you.
Okay.
Why are you so fixated on Miss Yuyu, Riri?
It's like she's a different person from when I first met her.
I don't understand it, and I want to know why.
Even if Miss Yuyu doesn't want you to?
Or do you think you can change her?
Isn't that just your ego talking?
You...
...might be right, but...
What changed Miss Yuyu?
Second year
What is she carrying locked up in her heart?
I want to know the answer.
I suppose you'll just have to risk it.
Once Miss Yuyu chews Riri out and leaves her like a worn-out rag,
I'll reach out a helping hand,
and that will be that!
Kaede, you said all that out loud.
W-Wait!
Miss Yuyu!
Please make a Schutzengel pledge with me!
You saved me,
and I became a Lily because I admire you.
You're free to admire whomever you like,
but that has nothing to do with you becoming my Schild.
Well...
Making a Schutzengel pledge with you would only lower my tactical capabilities.
Is that what you want?
Stop, Kaede!
She blocked me again?
That's not what a Schutzengel pledge is supposed to be!
It's about communicating mutual love and care across generations.
I've heard it's not something you do for short-term gain.
Am I wrong?!
A fool like you actually needs a pure girl like Riri!
I see. I understand.
What do you mean?
I accept your proposal.
What?
I will agree
to be Riri's guardian angel--her Schutzengel.
Miss Yuyu...
I feel a little refreshed. Thank you.
You're nicer than I thought, Kaede.
I was wrong about you.
Oh, what have I done?!
You're lovely and cool. That's our Kaede.
Riri.
Y-Yes?
Don't regret this.
Right! I know I won't!
"Rooftop Garden" "18:00: third years" "19:00: second years" "20:00: first years"
Is anywhere giving you a hard time?
Wherever it is, I'll wash it for you.
It's been bothering me:
the way you look at Riri is kind of sinister, Kaede.
Nonsense! My gaze is pure as the driven snow!
Are you sure you won't pretend your hand slipped and touch her in weird places?
Interfering little...
There are no "weird places" on Riri's body.
Anywhere is fine.
That's right, Fumi.
I mean, we are both girls.
What, you don't mind?!
I'm definitely concerned.
This is my just reward for helping Riri.
What are you, a dog?
What did you call me?!
Listen, Riri, there are all sorts of people in the world.
It goes without saying that all orientations should be accepted,
but you ought to keep your lusts under control.
That's what that shrimp was trying to say.
First year
A shrimp just called me a shrimp!
Curse you, pipsqueaks!
What a racket.
Welcome back.
Huh? Oh, uh, I'm home.
Did you have a nice day?
Yup!
I became a Lily and got into Yurigaoka, and everyone is so nice.
It's like a dream come true.
Seriously?
It's only your second day.
Yeah.
I'm just so glad.
Are you punishing yourself?
Oh, but you made the first move, so I suppose it's a net zero.
Be that as it may, congratulations, Yuyu.
I can't believe you made a Schutzengel pledge with an underclassman.
I'm touched.
It isn't something I wanted.
But you did open your heart, didn't you?
That's...
...because she won't understand otherwise.
How scary.
I see you're heartless, too.
Yes.
I'm a cruel woman.
A Schutzengel pledge with me?
I hope she regrets it.
To be continued
Next time
Episode 3
Next time, Miss Yuyu activates Lunatic Trancer?!
No, Miss Yuyu!
Illustration: Fujima Takuya