Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko (刀使ノ巫女)

Come on.

Yet another transfer.

It's what the parents wanted.

We have more dangerous missions lately,

and there is severe criticism against the Toji as well.

How did she feel about it?

She seemed to want to stay, but you're just students, after all.

Your parents have to agree to it. Otherwise, you have to hand in your okatana.

Absence Permission Slip

You're off to Kamakura again next week, right?

I'm sure it will be tough, but do your best.

I will, thank you.

Please excuse me.

Father

Father?

Katana Maidens

Episode 14 Family Scene

I'm home.

Huh? Mai-oneechan!

You're not staying in the dorms today?

No, something came up. Where's Mio?

Mio-oneechan would be...

Potato Chips

Welcome back, Mai-nee.

Don't "welcome back" me. You're lazing about in your uniform again.

I'll change after I'm done with this.

You're getting it all wrinkled.

Come on, take it off.

Jeez, it's such a pain...

Father and the others will be home soon, so behave properly.

Huh? Dad is coming home?

He was actually in Japan?

Does that mean Mom is coming home, too?

Yes, she is with him.

That's unusual.

When was the last time we were all together?

Let's see... Not since Shiori's birthday, I think?

They've been pretty busy, it seems.

Hey! Don't eat standing up!

Yes, yes.

Only say "yes" once.

What?

Fussing over details like that is why you don't have a boyfriend.

That is none of your concern!

Welcome home, Father, Mother.

Welcome home!

Welcome back.

We're home.

Mai, we need to speak with you.

Yes, sir.

Mai, we want you to leave Minoseki Academy.

Your mother and I have decided on a new school for you.

You can transfer there immediately.

That's not what you said before.

You said I could do what I wanted until I graduated from high school.

Surely you understand that the circumstances have changed.

The number of Toji getting hurt during missions has been increasing, hasn't it?

Even you've been in a fair amount of danger.

That's true, but...

Magorokukanemoto here chose me, and I chose to become a Toji.

I am prepared for what that means.

You shouldn't say such frivolous things!

Mai, don't forget, you are a member of this family, too.

Is it that bad for the reputation of the Yanase family to have a Toji in it?

Mai...

I'm sorry. I went too far.

You too, dear.

Okay, then. We'll give you some time.

Think it over well.

Yes, sir.

Etou Kanami

Headquarters to all units on guard:

take action as soon as you capture the target.

Don't let it contaminate anything else!

Sakuma!

She took down an aradama that powerful with a single blow?

Who was that?

You make the most delicious breakfasts, Mai-oneechan.

I'd rather have toast, though.

Stop complaining and eat.

Yes, yes.

Only say...

..."yes" once.

Morning, Dad!

Morning.

Is Mom still asleep?

Yes, we were pretty busy for a while.

You even have to work on a Sunday?

Yes.

What about breakfast?

Dad always just has coffee.

Then, I will get your coffee right away.

No, I don't have time.

Shibata, bring the car around.

Certainly, sir.

Mai, I need you to get ready to leave, too.

Where are we?

Up until recently, this place was known as

the Special Rare Metals Research and Development Organization.

I'm sure you've at least heard of it.

Yes, but wasn't it closed when the structure of the Sword Administration changed?

Only as a state-owned independent administrative corporation.

We provided it with funding and re-opened it

as a private research institution, the Special Rare Metals Utilization Research Institute.

Utilization?

That's right.

It is a facility searching for uses for tamahagane steel

beyond just okatana.

What is this?

Here, they are currently conducting research to extract energy

from the netherworld with tamahagane steel as an intermediary.

Is something like that even possible?

Theoretically.

Tamahagane steel is a metal that can affect the netherworld while existing in this world.

By using that characteristic,

we can blur the boundary between this world and the netherworld

and make a substance emerge in this world that has never existed before.

If this becomes possible,

we could acquire an inexhaustible energy source

that ignores the conventional laws of physics.

Pardon me, but you are?

Oh, forgive me.

I am Kohagura Kimitake. I serve as the chief of research here.

And I'm his wife, Jacqueline.

Nice to meet you.

Likewise.

Kohagura? Then...

Yes, we are Ellen's mom and dad.

Huh?!

Are you surprised?

Friedman-san!

It's been a while, Mai-kun.

What are you doing here?

Your father asked me to come.

I'm serving as honorary advisor to this institute.

My father did?

That's exactly right.

But you must really have some kind of connection with my family

to be acquainted with my granddaughter, my daughter, and her husband.

I've heard a lot about you, Mai-mai.

Mai-mai?

Ellen-san, their daughter, likes to call me that.

I see.

Chief, the proximity reaction experiment is finished.

I'd like to move on to data analysis.

Got it. Please return the noro to the storage area.

Noro?

What's wrong, Mai?

What experiment is that?

We are observing the reaction that occurs

when tamahagane steel is brought close to noro.

You use noro here in your experiments?

Well, yes, we do.

You seem to be exceedingly afraid of noro, Mai-kun.

I am not afraid of it. I respect it.

You were the one who taught me to do so, Friedman-san.

That's true. I did tell you it was better for it to be separated and enshrined.

But while that may be a better way, perhaps it is not the best.

Noro has a consciousness and will.

Not to mention, we have Princess Tagitsu and Nene as examples.

So you're saying you don't wish for noro to be enshrined?

It's much better than just leaving it alone.

But I'm saying maybe there is an even better way.

An even better way?

I've been wondering if the noro's impurity

is actually loneliness.

Loneliness?

Enshrining noro seems to be nothing more

than just a gesture with the intent to forget it while appearing admirable.

Just like the festival in the village.

Why do noro feel so lonely?

They seek the tamahagane steel.

The other part of itself

that it was forcibly separated from by the hand of man.