Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 4, Part 3

[Oldmansour]

>Well, um.... that is to say....
>Ahem
>So as to make it clear that that I'm not withholding information on matters of supernatural concern, I think the most likely explanation for this 'pink aura' you sensed is that...
>Ahem
>Small voice: Until just now, Rin and I were being... intimate.

>A simple 'yes' would have sufficed, Byakuren. Kiku replies, though you think you can hear a smile in her voice. I realize how I come across, but I do respect people's privacy. Certainly the people I trust.

[DracoOmega]

>I appreciate that, Kiku. But after asking you to be forthright on matters I knew you were uncomfortable about, I didn't want it to seem as if I were hiding anything of consequence from you. We're a team, after all.
>Though, um... I hope I wasn't too forthright this time, in retrospect....

[Oldmansour]

>I appreciate that, Kiku. But after asking you to be forthright on matters I knew you were uncomfortable about, I didn't want it to seem as if I were hiding anything of consequence from you. We're a team, after all.
>Though, um... I hope I wasn't too forthright this time, in retrospect....

>You have nothing to be embarassed about. You are, after all, a teenaged girl.

[DracoOmega]

>Well, I'll do my best....
>In other matters, how are things at the shrine? I would have contacted you about this sooner, but I didn't want to risk waking you.

[Oldmansour]

>The situation remains largely unchanged, though the tension has lessened somewhat. I have spoken with the other temple heads about this issue. Tenshi-sama had a somewhat direct means of resolving the situation, while Suika-sama said the situation needed more observing.
>But then, at Youmu-sama's request, Haruka-sama visited us. And she went a long way in soothing the anger of my sisters. It's still there, but it is no longer threatening to boil over the minute I turn my back. I think she even managed to make Satori think twice about killing herself. She and Youmu recognized me as the new head of the Metal Tiger Shrine, and while that isn't official yet, it means a great deal to myself and my sisters.

[DracoOmega]

>About killing herself.... I suppose it's not surprising, given the circumstances; it's hard to imagine what it must be like to awaken suddenly to the knowledge that you've done so many things you consider abhorrent.

[Oldmansour]

>About killing herself.... I suppose it's not surprising, given the circumstances; it's hard to imagine what it must be like to awaken suddenly to the knowledge that you've done so many things you consider abhorrent.

>She would have done it already, were it not for her jack. She's been standing next to her since we destroyed that giant thing that possessed her.

[DracoOmega]

>I was going to ask what became of her. And whether there was anyone else at the shrine that you trusted to keep watch on Satori and not turn a blind eye to her harming herself. I guess that answers both questions.
>Though I still know so little about her.

[Oldmansour]

>I was going to ask what became of her. And whether there was anyone else at the shrine that you trusted to keep watch on Satori and not turn a blind eye to her harming herself. I guess that answers both questions.
>Though I still know so little about her.

>You may have more success at getting some answers from her than us. She hasn't been very forthcoming, not even with Haruka-sama. But you fought to save Satori's life. That has to count for something with her.

[DracoOmega]

>I take it you'd never met her before last night, either?

[Oldmansour]

>I take it you'd never met her before last night, either?

>Not that I can recall. Then she growls softly. After these events, that phrase does not sound as benign as it used to.

[DracoOmega]

>Have any of the other's memories seemed to return after Satori was freed from that corruption, or should I take a look at everyone myself and see what I can fix?

[Oldmansour]

>Have any of the other's memories seemed to return after Satori was freed from that corruption, or should I take a look at everyone myself and see what I can fix?

>I would recommend against that course regardless. The risk of revealing your true identity is too great from that intimate a connection.
>But that said, I don't believe it's necessary. Every one of my sisters has revealed that Satori tampered with them. Some moreso than others, and none moreso than me. I don't know if she did that to anyone at the other three shrines, though. Haruka-sama reported no alterations to her mood, memories or temperament, but she couldn't say that for sure about her fellow Bird mikos. She said she would check with them and get back to me.

[DracoOmega]

>And they remembered what had been tampered with, also?

[Oldmansour]

>And they remembered what had been tampered with, also?

>Yes.

[DracoOmega]

>That's something positive, at least. Even if it may not feel that way to them at the moment.
>Is there anything I can do to help with the situation there?

[Oldmansour]

>That's something positive, at least. Even if it may not feel that way to them at the moment.
>Is there anything I can do to help with the situation there?

>Yes there is. You can talk to Satori. She won't talk to me, the other shrine maidens still want to prosecute her, and that jack of hers is a bomb waiting to go off. Even with Haruka's help, I don't know how much longer I can control things here. Sooner or later, someone is going to do something irrevocable. I don't want to see anyone die here, but I don't know if I can stop it alone.

[DracoOmega]

>Then I shall be there before the evening is out. But you say that Satori won't talk to you at all?

[Oldmansour]

>Then I shall be there before the evening is out. But you say that Satori won't talk to you at all?

>Nothing beyond what she's already said. All she wants is for one of us to kill her. I think she genuinely hates herself for what she's done, but I can't change that. You know me, Byakuren, I'm not a sensitive person. Besides. I'd be lying if I said I had entirely gotten over what she did to me. She messed with the minds of all of us, but me most of all.

[DracoOmega]

>It is a rare sort of conundrum, since she undeniably did a great many terrible things, and yet isn't actually fully responsible for them; in the end, she may have suffered the worst mental violation of anyone there. I cannot blame anyone for feeling anger towards her, after what she did to them, but from how broken she feels now at knowing her own actions, I can only believe she's truly a good person at heart. And one who has already suffered far more than enough. I do not know how much I will be able to help her, but I will try.

[Oldmansour]

>It is a rare sort of conundrum, since she undeniably did a great many terrible things, and yet isn't actually fully responsible for them; in the end, she may have suffered the worst mental violation of anyone there. I cannot blame anyone for feeling anger towards her, after what she did to them, but from how broken she feels now at knowing her own actions, I can only believe she's truly a good person at heart. And one who has already suffered far more than enough. I do not know how much I will be able to help her, but I will try.

>And you may also be able to tell my sisters what happened to her, to make them understand. You saw something the rest of us didn't. And as much as I may be their elder, you have a way with people that I don't.

[DracoOmega]

>But they trust and respect you deeply. I will admit I'm surprised that they struggle to take your word for it, even in a matter such as this. But I suppose it is the kind of betrayal that is hard to come to grips with quickly.

[Oldmansour]

>But they trust and respect you deeply. I will admit I'm surprised that they struggle to take your word for it, even in a matter such as this. But I suppose it is the kind of betrayal that is hard to come to grips with quickly.

>If ever. To some of my sisters, they thought of Satori as a sister, or even mother, moreso than a temple head. And now that turned out to be a lie. As you put it, a grvious betrayal. And since she betrayed me, too, they can't quite understand why I'm not as angry as they are. Some of them have tried, to their credit, but emotions are frayed here all over.

[DracoOmega]

>Of that, I have no doubt. I am sure it will take some time for wounds to heal. Unfortunately, as you say, the state of Satori herself is more volatile than that. After supper, I'll come over to the shrine and try to speak with her, and then maybe we can figure out where to go from there.

[Oldmansour]

>Of that, I have no doubt. I am sure it will take some time for wounds to heal. Unfortunately, as you say, the state of Satori herself is more volatile than that. After supper, I'll come over to the shrine and try to speak with her, and then maybe we can figure out where to go from there.

>Very well. I await your arrival.
>On a personal note, may I assume you wish me to be discreet?

[DracoOmega]

>What do you mean?

[Oldmansour]

>What do you mean?

>About you and Rin.

[DracoOmega]

>I don't intend our relationship to be a secret. I love her deeply; after what happened last night, that became even more clear to me.

[Oldmansour]

>I don't intend our relationship to be a secret. I love her deeply; after what happened last night, that became even more clear to me.

>I understand.

[DracoOmega]

>So... is that everything for now, then?