Conception (CONCEPTION)

I was just researching the ancient documents,

and I found out that Granvania has a labyrinth

other than the twelve Labyrinths of Constellations.

Congratulations, Itsuki!

This must be a sign that there's also a thirteenth maiden!

A new maiden?

I wonder where she is?

A new maiden?

Not a woman?

Wait a minute! Cool off!

Calm down!

Even if your brain's telling you to calm down, your body isn't listening.

The more you try to cool your head, the more your body heats up.

It's getting maddeningly hot and it feels like you're engulfed in flames!

It's hot here, here, here, here, here, and here!

I'm burning up! I can't take it anymore!

Burning!

Crispy margherita!

Oh, if it isn't Itsuki!

What a coincidence.

Ouch.

Better not burn myself.

Dripping sweat.

Twitching muscles.

There's no need for words.

Your instincts take over...

as wild breaths blow against you.

Itsuki.

What a coincidence.

I can't stop sweating.

See you.

We keep bumping into each other.

I'm wet.

Seiya's body wasn't the only thing getting wet.

Itsuki was wet, too.

His heart was burning up!

Love confused Itsuki.

This is Granvania,

where the Visitor around the corner gets wet...

Wait, this is a public bath for men.

It's normal that there's a lot of men here.

Itsuki was unsure of himself.

The smell of men all around him.

The fabulous scent caused a marvelous feeling to well up inside him.

Rising libido!

Yes, I am now about to open the forbidden door...

Even though I'm still hesitant...

I'll let my body take over...

The thirteenth maiden is a man?!

Maybe I can do it!

Enough of your weird narration!

Not so hard!

I'm starting to become dirty!

So dirty as you get cleaner!

Jeez...

Huh? Itsuki?

I just happened to be here.

Maybe this isn't a coincidence anymore.

Not so hard!

I'm starting to become dirty!

So dirty as you get cleaner!

No, if you keep scrubbing me...

I-I-I... no!

I can't take it anymore!

That's... that's... a danger zone!

Maybe it's fate... right?

Fate? Coincidence? Supernatural?!

Want me to wash your back?

Huh? No... Next time.

Why are you staring blankly into space?

You have to find the thirteenth maiden and perform a Love Ritual!

Even though I don't know who it is?

He might be closer than you think!

Closer than I think?

Maybe he hasn't realized his destiny yet.

Even if he did, there's no guarantee that he would just show up.

No, he must know just how important a maiden's duty is!

Hey, can you stop saying "him" this and "him" that?

How come?

Why are you talking as if the thirteenth maiden is a man?

What? You're still worrying about that?!

We teased about a Love Ritual between two men at the end of the previous episode,

and that's where the story is going so far in this episode!

No way! It's a maiden!

How can that be a man?

You're still stuck on the stereotypes.

You'll never get rid of your old fart smell!

When you've finally finished Love Rituals with twelve maidens...

When you've finally bonded with the twelve women...

That's when they added the plot twist about a thirteenth labyrinth!

This means they're trying to stimulate and shock the viewers!

Plot twist?

Even in sentai or bishoujo series,

you get new allies midway through the season.

It can sometimes even be an enemy commander, or an android...

That's trending right now.

The thirteenth maiden being a man...

That's not a stretch for episode 9 material.

You're very well-informed.

I've heard from Narcisstes

that the thirteenth labyrinth has been sealed all this time.

In other words, it's a forbidden door!

Don't twist the meaning like that!

Forbidden door! Then...

Forbidden

could it be anything other than a Boys' Love Ritual?

Forbidden

Visually so, as well!

No, no, no way!

Does that mean it'll be forbidden in some other way?

Where should we go?

Forbidden

What?!

Love Ritual with optional play.

No!

Forbidden

Or sibling love?

Onii-chan, I don't mind.

Forbidden

Or stepmother?

Are you sure you're fine with me?

I don't have a little sister or a stepmother!

Are you saying we should think outside the box?

Would you like an episode title of "Itsuki-kun and horsey"?

Horsey?

Will you go to Sue's farm and find a partner?

Are you going to drive the legal team crazy?

Which one would you like?

You can pick from all the cuties here!

You beast!

Who are you going to have?

Or maybe they'll have you!

No, no way!

What are we going to do, then?

Second round.

Huh?

I'll go for second rounds and make the next Star Child.

Second round?

I'll start with Mahiru, again...

This is the second round, so I've gained the skills.

I'm pretty confident this time.

Huh?!

Men are so simple-minded, don't you think?

They're maidens, after all.

And... women.

But that would still be a second round. Not the thirteenth maiden.

Reboots are important, but we need a new one here!

But a man?

It feels like I'm betraying Mahiru and the others...

Yeah?

What's the phrase you've said to all of twelve of them?

Please have my child.

I'm despicable!

Don't cry.

Well, I guess you would be despicable in Sola,

but in Granvania, those are the words that will save the world.

What are you going to do?

Go for horses?

Not horses.

All right!

I guess this is pretty much it.

Way too few choices!

How can we introduce a new character now?

That would be too convenient!

It would be more visually pleasing with a hottie.

Tasty!

I mean, are they even...

Huh?

Well, you know...

Huh?

Oh! You mean, are they fine being with another man?

No!

Maidens have to be chaste, right?

Oh, you mean, are they virgins?

Narcisstes reads ancient documents and researches all the time,

so he's probably only had books as partners.

Please, please bind me!

Bind me and put me on a shelf!

Seiya, as you know, is a playboy and looks like he's good with women,

but guys like that would never want girls to know they're actually inexperienced

and throw away opportunities when there's a real chance.

No action for me.

No, the king can't be, right?

You'll know by whether or not he can perform the Love Ritual when the time comes.

It feels like you're not trying as hard as you did with the other twelve maidens.

That's not true.

Listen! This is all for saving Granvania!

To seal the thirteenth labyrinth!

We need a new Star Child!

There's no time for hesitation—

But I don't have any feelings for...

I know how you feel, but for the peace and future of Granvania...

Itsuki!

I was shooting for a new photo book.

Selfies again?

Yeah.

Anyway, it looks like you're down, Itsuki.

Is something bothering you?

I'll be happy to hear you out, if you want.

Look, your prey has come on his own!