(Rika is very happy as she gets ready for the briefing, and is happy in a normal way compared to the others…though how happy she’ll be tonight when she has to deal with the killer’s game will be interesting.)

Rika: Well…I’m sorry I had to forgo the evenings meeting…but…well…I was…preoccupied…

(A few give a few knowing glances, but we’ll nudge and wink and just move along…)

Rika: However, fortunately I was able to look through the reports that Jerry reported and I know about the whole Yomi incident. Can you tell me what else happened?

Ban: Well…pretty much…there was that…

Rika: (nods) I’m well aware of Jet’s murder. In fact, we have a bit of evidence which may help.

(Rika puts up a sheet and flashes a projector at it. It appears to be a bullet shell showing on the screen…)

Rika: Analysis of the information given’s Jet’s autopsy suggests that the bullet was caused by a sniper rifle, standard made, bullet through the cranium – he didn’t have a chance.

Ban: Hmmm…it’s seem a bit unusual.

Rika: How?

Ban: Well…Kalos was murdered by getting stabbed, a death by physical strength in Kensuke…

Satoshi: That’s what you think, I say it was a blunt weapon…

Ban: Even so, that’s still three ways of being killed if you include this death – Jet was shot, Kalos stabbed and Kensuke…well, his throat was crushed.

Rika: Yes…and if you forgive a poor joke, variety is quite the killer’s game.

(It is a poor joke, but she continues…)

Rika: Anyway, it’s Yomi who is a focus considering what she said…plus considering that yesterday a number of suspects weren’t at their locations when you visited them…

Negi: That’s right…Tenchi was there but then run off…and Anna-san wasn’t there…

Aya: Seta-san wasn’t there when me met Chiriko…

Kotone: …and Duplica turned up so suddenly after that…she looked like she was hiding something…

Rika: (nods) Looks like we’ve got a few suspicious minds, but of course, anybody that you didn’t investigate could have been just as suspicious. However, Yomi’s story still is interesting, especially as she mentioned Tamahome, who seems to be the odd one out in this case. So…despite the fact I know he doesn’t really like you guys now…

Hinata: …I can see that…

Rika: …we do need to speak to him. And I’ll let Team 1 have that fun.

Ban: (smirks and pounds his fists) I look forward to it.

Rika: (sweatdrops) O.K…I want to know what this meeting was about with Yomi and see if he can shed some light on it and this murder – see if he knows anything about Jet’s death as well – a gun doesn’t seem his style, but maybe that’s what he wants us to think?

Rika: O.K…next we return to another suspect, and one that we’ve found out a bit more information now. Ukyo Kuonji.

(Ucchan’s is about to be staked out…)

Rika: We’ve found out from time records from Ukyo’s shop Ucchan’s, that 20 minutes before Jet’s murder …she closed. Unusual coincidence…especially considering Jet’s was caused in the morning…considering Ukyo’s business, peak time is at midday…and Jet was killed at 11.56am.

Negi: Interesting…

Rika: Anyway, a secret weapon…she likes kids, so Team 2, I want you guys to go oer to Ucchans – establish where she was and what she was doing…

Negi: (sweatdrops) She likes us so much she’s going to cut us up and make okonomiyaki out of us…

(Rika turns over to Aya and Kotone…)

Rika: That leaves us with Team 3. Indeed, Seta-san wasn’t at the digs when you found Chiriko and of course, Yomi mentioned him during her drunken outburst. I think we need to find Seta-san right?

Aya: I’d agree.

Rika: Team 3, you need to further analyse this Seta/Yomi relationship and find out what his say in the meeting was, and where he was during Jet’s death. Also, remember the death of Kensuke as well, we still need to discover why those fingerprints were there…

Rika: I’m sure you’ll pick a few surprises up…as Negi and Hinata found out…

(The two shudder…)

Rika: I’m sure you know, but the killer struck outside their van during their inquiry with Akari Kanzaki. The killer locations are THE ULTRA SKI or THE ULTRA DELUXE STORE. Tonight, I’m afraid one of you 8 remaining detectives will leave us…permanently. Make sure you do well to make sure you avoid one chance…and then leave your fate in Shiine-chan’s hands.

Shiine: Thanks…

Rika: Sorry…but it’s true.

(Rika does seem sorry, but the group are now in a bit of a sombre mood…)

*

Ban: Tamahome has got to be sick of us hounding him now…

Triela: Well, he shouldn’t be so suspect right?

Satoshi: Indeed. This meeting may be a key as it suggests possible alibi and what people saw…

Ban: …that, or if not, can I just kick his ass? I’ve been itching to hit someone for a while…

Triela: Hey, don’t leave me out of it…I’ve felt so rusty…no metal jokes Ban…

Ban: Aww…

(Satoshi just shakes his head…)

*

Negi: …Ukyo-san is someone that seems to have gone under our radar, but she does have that photo of course that we found with Kensuke’s camera…

Hinata: …she was also the one that tries to put the scent of suspicion on Tamahome…even though he is genuinelly suspicious…

Negi: …plus she is very physically capable of the murder – considering we know the weapon.

Hinata: It’s Seta’s prints though…

Negi: I don’t think it’s that easy to be honest…

(The two discuss the case seriously as meanwhile…)

*

Aya: Do you think Seta did do it?

Kotone: I’m not sure…the evidence clearly sees him as a prime suspect if this sword was the murder weapon and the prints were on it…

Aya: But we know Tenchi is also skilled with a sword…I suspect it could be a frame job…

Kotone: …or it’s so obvious that we immediately suspect it can’t be that obvious…

(Aya smiles)

Aya: Never thought of that…well, let’s sort this out and be in time for tea…

Kotone: Right!!!

*

(Not good…)

Satoshi: He’s glaring at us…

(The three are still in the van – as outside Tamahome’s beach place, he has already got the look of death at them with a ‘please leave me alone dammit’ look…)

Ban: (chuckles) I want to see how my glare works against his…

Triela: I’d put bets.

Ban: A 13 year old betting…shame on you!

Triela: That means Satoshi would also be in trouble too…

Satoshi: The only thing I usually gamble with is my life…

(The scary thing is, Triela and Ban know he’s telling the truth…)

Ban: O.K…let’s get this over with…

(The three step out, not nervous…in fact, Ban seems to relish the challenge, with Triela’s smirk and Satoshi’s poker face, Tamahome is not going to be intimidating for these guys…)

(…that doesn’t mean he can’t try though…)

Tamahome: O.K…I’ve had enough. I don’t know what you guys want now…

Triela: The truth sound O.K?

Tamahome: You’ve found that out right? You’ve made my life already hell with your little tricks so…

(Ban puts his best foot forward…)

Ban: You had your ass handed to a plate by a 13 year old girl…

(Ban points to Triela…)

Ban: …this one is even stronger.

(Ban points to Satoshi.)

Ban: This guy is a real life detective.

(Ban adjusts his glasses…)

Ban: And the less you know about me the better.

(Ban’s mouth breaks into an evil grin…)

Ban: You think you had it bad when Hinata kicked your ass…you haven’t seen anything yet…

(Tamahome looks at them, but he somehow realises that Ban isn’t lying. And 3 against 1 (and with two of them being Ban and Triela), the odds aren’t good for Tamahome…he sighs.)

Tamahome: Fine…so what do you guys want now…

Satoshi: Well…

*

(Ukyo’s restaurant is always a pleasant place to go, with good home made okonomiyaki cooking. Negi has already enjoyed some of this, but it’s a first for Hinata…)

Hinata: Can I have the recipe please?

Ukyo: Sure thing darlin.’

(Shot of Ukyo in a yukata, enjoying Negi and Hinata having a late breakfast. However, they haven’t lost track of the case, and they quickly ask her a question during meal time…)

Negi: You probably guess this isn’t a pleasure visit…

Ukyo: I know…so you figured out Taka-chan has done it? Jet as well?

Negi: That’s what we’re here for.

Hinata: Ukyo-san…

Ukyo: Call me Ucchan sugar…

Hinata: Erm…Ucchan…we know you close shop around 20 minutes…prior to Jet Black’s murder yesterday…

(Ukyo, all smiles, stops as her spatula drops to the ground. Suddenly, she goes a little on edge…)

Ukyo: S-surely, you don’t suspect little ol’ me…

Negi: We are trying to find out and make sure that isn’t the case…it’s about finding who is innocent as much as who is guilty…

Hinata: Please…er…Ucchan-san…

(Ukyo looks around…and nods.)

Ukyo: You two…back of the shop quickly…

(The two nod, though both are on edge as well, ready to attack in case Ukyo decides to get a bit violent…)

*

(Aya and Kotone are once again at Seta’s quarters…and once again…)

Pedro: Sorry senoritas…

Aya: It’s O.K.

(The two look around his quarters, as once again, Seta has vanished. Maybe for real reasons…or is he getting nervous?)

Aya: Great…we try and find out about this vital clue, and the one person we need to speak to isn’t around…

Kotone: So what do we do now?

Aya: We look around I guess…

(Kotone and Aya don’t have a search warrant, and don’t seem to be able to find their way in without breaking and entering…and neither seems to want to do that…)

Aya: There has got to be something…

(Suddenly, Aya’s phone rings…as all good gals have their phones at the ready, but this one is a different ready…)

Aya: Hello…

(A pause…)

Aya: …so why us?

(Another pause…)

Aya: Right…O.K…we’ll get there. Ja ne.

(Aya ends the call…)

Aya: Kotone…we’ve just been relocated. We’ve got to head over to Shinobu’s restaurant…

Kotone: Shinobu? Why?

Aya: I’ll explain on the way…

*

Satoshi: …we know about this meeting, and Yomi confirmed it.

Ban: Considering everything we know about you and Mia…

Tamahome: That was trickery, and you don’t know anything about me! It’s her fault this happened…her fault!!!

(They don’t seem to be getting anywhere with Tama.)

Triela: So you didn’t have any say in having an affair with this performer from Kaleido Stage? Why are you saying it’s all her fault?

Tamahome: (pause) It’s just his…it’s her…and that bastards’ Kalos fault…

???: Oh really?!!

(A surprise catches everyone as Mia Guillem makes her appearance, and her pretty face looks pretty pissed…)

Mia: You saying you didn’t want it then? That I drugged you and raped you or something? You two-timing jerk!!!

(Mia gets her phone out…)

Mia: Well, let’s see if you like this…I’m calling Miaka…your wife…and telling her all about this!!!

(Tamahome’s eyes….turns dead…)

Tamahome: WHAT?!!!

Mia: Oh, I believe I found her number when we were getting intimate…all my fault of course…

Tamahome: DON’T YOU DARE!!!

(Like a crazed Tasmanian devil, catching the detectives off guard…Mia looks and screams…)

Ban: WAIT!!!

(Tamahome turns and throws what appears to be a smoke grenade – it catches the three off a moment, allowing Tamahome to gain distance on Mia…)

(Mia drops the phone and runs – and whilst fast, Tamahome is catching up…)

Mia: HELP ME!

(Tamahome jumps and grabs Mia on the shoulder, ripping part of material of her dress. She struggles free…)

Tamahome: STOP YOU BITCH!

Mia: NO!

(Behind them, Ban and Triela have recovered from the grenade…)

Ban: Bastard…this one’s mine!

Triela: Save a piece left for me…

(The two run off…)

(Mia is down as she’s has either fainted, or Tamahome did knock her out…Tamahome senses the other two so he begins to run…)

(…unaware that Mia apparently wasn’t alone…)

Tamahome: Dammit…now…

(Suddenly, a small figure steps in front on Tamahome. Tamahome can’t stop…but he doesn’t need to…because the figure does that for him…)

(…a strong open palm to the stomach sends Tamahome gasping…and out…)

Tamahome: No…way…

(Before he passes out, a shot of the striker…combined with the words of Tamahome confirm who it is…)

Tamahome: Du…pl…ica…

(Tamahome collapses. The ditto girl runs away, leaving Mia and Tamahome for the detectives…)

Triela: Huh?

Ban: What…oh…

(The two see the two unconscious people on the floor, as Triela seems to have caught something there…)

Triela: I’m sure…he said…Duplica?

Ban: What? That brat was here?

Triela: Did she do this?

Ban: You’re kidding…

Triela: You’ve been hanging around a cyborg, two magicians, a ninja and a psychic for the last 10 days…no, I’m not kidding. Let’s see if they are O.K…

(Triela checks on Mia…no damage on the head…)

Triela: I think she just fainted…she suffered a fall though…how bout angry boy over there?

Ban: Unfortunately…he’s fine. He was hit in the stomach though…and not by me, darn it!

Satoshi: Well…let’s face fact.

(Both are spooked as Satoshi came out of nowhere, but he continues to speak…)

Satoshi: The facts are he tried to attack Mia, therefore attempting to cause assault. Also possible adultry. I’d say this is a good chance for us to actually get a straight story out of him.

Ban: Sounds good…permission to get an arrest charge?

Satoshi: Permission granted…I doubt he’s getting up soon.

Ban: But…if that was true…that little brat knocked him out with one punch? Geez…

Triela: Want me to demonstrate how?

(Ban sweatdrops…)

Ban: No thank you.

*

Ukyo: …so you are…

(Negi shakes his head)

Negi: Of course not…but we need to get through everything, plus we’ve got some information we knew as well…

Ukyo: About what?

Negi: About what happened on Kalos’ murder.

Hinata: We…we know that you, along with Hikari and Shinobu, shut shop early that day…and we’ve established alibis for Shinobu and Hikari…

Ukyo: How…how did you know that?

Negi: (smiles) We didn’t.

(Ukyo steps back…)

Negi: We just assumed it because of Hikari and Shinobu being elsewhere at the time of the murder…but thanks for confirming that!!!

*Ukyo’s face begins to seethe, but surprisingly…

…smiles.*

Ukyo: Young uns’ today, they get smarter by the second…

(Both blush…)

Ukyo: Fine sugars, you want info, you can find it…here.

(Ukyo begins to rummage through her back room…she rummages a while actually, before with a shriek of delight finds something, and returns to the two young detectives…)

(…with a newspaper clipping.)

Hinata: Another one?

Ukyo: Yeah sugar, but I’m not trying to prove that Taka is guilty…even though I think he is.

Negi: Then…

Ukyo: This is about something you may be interested in…

(Negi reads, as the paper is in English…and stops a few lines in…)

Negi: THE THIRD EYE?

Hinata: What?

Ukyo: (nods) Yeah sugar, founded by one Seta Noriyasu as an Egyptian artificat – supposedly as some sort of ancient item to cause miracle mumbo jumbo…trust me, if I had that, Ranchan would have been mine by now…

Negi/Hinata: Huh?

Ukyo: Oops…er…never mind kids, story for when you’re older…

(Negi wisely doesn’t mention his ‘aging pills’ as Ukyo continues…)

Ukyo: I found it as poppycock as you can probably tell, but Seta insisted it was something to help Hikari-chan and Touji-kun, something to help their future…or the past…

(The two listen, interested…)

Ukyo: …personally, no idea about it…but then I learned that Kalos has arrested Seta on grand theft, and supposedly got in possession of the item…

Negi: (whispering) Didn’t Seta say…

Hinata: (nods) Yeah, he said it was taken from that explosion…so could he have…

(They quickly stop as Ukyo continues…)

Ukyo: …and bobs your uncle. Kalos wins, Seta loses, life sucks.

Negi: How did you know all this?

(Ukyo smiles and flexes a muscle…)

Ukyo: Sparring practice sugar, that Seta is as good with his fists and feet as he is with a sabre. My Masamune spatula has been taking a pounding from Seta in the past…he tells me all…but not enough for me trying to not defend myself on suspicion of murder…

(Ukyo pauses…)

Ukyo: …maybe someone with a true instinct of fighting or martial arts would be your man or woman…

(They both stare at Ukyo, who fits that description perfectly…she sweatdrops…)

Ukyo: OTHER THAN ME!!!

Hinata: Like?

(Ukyo pauses…)

Ukyo: Seta-san and Taka-chan of course, but Touji’s got those arms of steel, then there’s Ditzy-chan who seems to imitate any style she can with ease…

Negi: Ditzy-chan?

Hinata: Sounds like Imite-san…

Ukyo: You got it sugar…young man, your girfriend is crushing you…

(Both blush and are about to deny it but Ukyo continues…)

Ukyo: Anna…man…she’s an angel…but fights like a devil when she’s pissed. Not to mention Ten-chan…er…Tenchi Masaki-chan…he’s got that fighting ability deep down inside him, he’s like got royal blood or something…

Hinata: So…you meet or something?

Ukyo: (nods) Yeah, we get a lot of our information from each other, especially when Kalos had a few of us down for blasphemy…include myself…

Negi: Oh yes…

Ukyo: (sighs) Him ruining me…Kalos of course…ruined my business nearly, and a close friendship with Ranch…er…Ranma Saotome back home…mainly because he was engaged to me…as well as another girl Akane-chan…Akane Tendo.

Negi: You don’t sound like you hate her…

Ukyo: (shakes her head) Hate…no…I can’t. Jealous? Certainly…I’m…well…I was his best friend…and she…well…

(Ukyo stops to wipe a tear)

Ukyo: Anyway, word got round that I had ‘illegally’ changed my last name to Saotome – and once word got round to them in Nerima…I was metaphorically screwed….

(Ukyo sighs again)

Ukyo: But…well…I guess…

Negi: We still need to know about the location of where you was on those two nights…

(Ukyo looks a little annoyed, but smiles…)

Ukyo: Damn, hoped you’d have forgotten about that…well…at the time of Kalos’ murder…to be honest, I believe I was sorting out a lease to get my business back up and running – a temporary pass you can say…but I think I just kinda gave up and cried all the way back home…

Hinata: What about Jet’s…

Ukyo: Jet? Well…I was heading over to Akari-chan’s place, but she wasn’t in…so I kinda wandered around a bit.

(That’s interesting…they spoke to Akari yesterday…and she didn’t mention anything on that…but before they can question Ukyo further…they are rudely interrupted.)

Touji: UKYO!!!

(Ukyo turns as does Negi and Hinata, seeing the metallic Eva pilot outside, out of breath…)

Ukyo: You all right sugar?

Touji: Never mind…you’ve got to help!!!

Ukyo: Help who?

Touji: Seta…and Tenchi! (He sees the two detectives) Hey, can you guys come – we need to get too Kaleido Stage!!!

Ukyo: You seem able sugar…why is that?

(Touji breathes out…)

Touji: THOSE TWO ARE TRYING TO KILL EACH OTHER!!!

(THAT got everyone’s attention…)

All: Who?

Touji: Tenchi and Seta!

*

(…and like the ass I am, I cut off there and change scenario as we go from one restaurant to another…this time Shinobu’s.)

Aya: Busy?

Shinobu: I know…Klemm-san, Table 4!!

Klemm: O.K Shinobu-chan! (he notices the detectives and snaps his figures) If Hinata-chan was here and Negi-kun…

(Shot of the Nodoka keychain on his jeans as we have our first reader cameo…but back to basics…)

Kotone: Should we be wary of speaking to all of them?

Aya: Shinobu is cleared…

Hikari: Hey, don’t just stand there!

Aya: Hikari as well?

Yomi: Hey guys, glad you could come.

Aya: We’re glad you’re sober…are you alright?

Yomi: Yeah, I think it’s time I explained a few things…

Kotone: Why here?

Yomi: I feel I do my best thinking in a busy environment…that, and my limiter removal is out today so no dieting.

(Aya and Kotone sweatdrop…)

*

(Shot of Shinobu and Hikari cooking – it seems Hikari is now working for Shinobu, guess her place still isn’t available yet so she trying to make ends meet – but Yomi enjoys some neo Chinese-Italian as both girls try not to be tempted by the delicious smell…)

Kotone: It’s a late breakfast…after breakfast right? (Slurps down some ramen with Italian chilli base as the sauce)

Aya: Indeed…we know Negi and Hinata are probably chewing down okonomiyaki so we don’t feel guilty… (Aya takes some tortillini with mango sauce with chinese sweet and sour chicken balls as a serving)

Yomi: You’re as bad as me.

(The three girls chuckle, but soon it’s all business…)

Yomi: O.K…last night, I was a bit drunk and talk to you guys a bit, and still didn’t know whether I was coming or going. But now…I’ve got everything straight, and I believe I can finally confirm everything that has happened during that night of Kalos’ murder.

(Straight answers – a first in MG history. Even Aya and Kotone look surprised…)

Yomi: Don’t look that surprised.

(They resume a normal position and Yomi continues…)

Yomi: I was moving around that night…and I was a bit drunk after the meeting…so I thought I didn’t know where I was going.

(Yomi takes a moment to enjoy some Italian sausage with a Szechwan touch before continuing…)

Yomi: …however, during my drunken surge, I somehow got the clarity to do something…something I needed to have done since I got my release papers from that bastard Kalos…but was too busy drowning my sorrows to get on with my life…

(Kotone sweatdrops…Aya deals with Yuya (2^nd place) all the time so she’s not as bothered…)

Yomi: Anyway, the place shuts at 8, so I had to get there…

(That’s news…)

Aya: Where?

Yomi: Oh, the social office – a place where you get government works, leases and other things approved, looked at and such. I needed to go into business again, otherwise Touji…

(Yomi goes forlorn for a moment…)

Yomi: …even though I got there – he doesn’t have the money…

Kotone: Please continue Mizuhara-san.

(Yomi nods)

Yomi: Sorry. Anyway…

(Yomi puts a piece of paper in front of the two detectives…it appears to be some signed document under her own name…)

Yomi: Basically, I had made the application a while back, and got it accepted, but it took me forever to get my thoughts in gear to get the approve licence. So bang on the stroke of 8 on that night, I got in there before it closed, no lines and just shutting shop…and I got this.

(Aya and Kotone inspect it…)

Aya: It’s a licence of purchase for a property…to be renevated into a medical clinic…

Kotone: …with a provisional medicinal licence?

(Yomi nods)

Yomi: To my surprise, they knew about that I fired…and amazingly, they were on my side as Kalos’ speculations were on the dodgy side to say the least. So here I am…trying to sort out my life, if some bastard didn’t try to pin this on me with that whole bounty crap…

(The girls aren’t listening…they are scanning the document…)

Aya: Ah ha.

(The date on there is confirmed as NOVEMBER 5^TH, 19.58PM – Whilst not quite on the bell, it’s two minutes before, and it’s impossible for her to be committing a murder 2 minutes later…)

Aya: We’ll check the maps to make sure…but I think this is evidence enough. Can we borrow it for today just to get through all the wires and confirm you were here?

Yomi: Of course…but bring it back by tomorrow morning, I have to do kidney surgery tomorrow using a pair of chopsticks…

Aya/Kotone: WHAT?!!!

Yomi: Kidding.

(They actually believed her…well…crazier things have happened, and add another crazy to the list…the INNOCENT list.)

*

Aya: Well…we’ve got to cross everything, but if Yomi’s cleared that means somebody did sabotage her…

Kotone: But who?

Aya: Well…

(Before Aya can solve the case, her phone is ringing…again. Aya sighs and wonders who has got it in for her…probably those three tanned gals back in Shibuya…)

Aya: Hello?

Aya: We’ve just finished possibly clearing someone…what’s up?

Aya: The Hoshinos…why?

Aya: (confused) Everything?

Aya: Right…well…we’ll go. I think we have had a long conversation ready for her when we get there…I think she owes us that.

(Aya hangs up…)

Aya: He doesn’t seem energetic…but never mind. Kotone-chan, we’ve got to visit Ruri…

Kotone: Ruri?

Aya: (nods) I’m not sure what about…but I’ll guess we’ll know when we get there.

Kotone: O.K!

(The two girls head off…)

*

(It’s not like Ban, Triela and Satoshi are used to prisons despite their work, but seeing the once mighty Tamahome, sullen and depressed – bare chested and crying, is not what they expected…)

Satoshi: Tamahome…you were put under arrest for attempted assault…and on a lesser charge as well, most likely adultry as well…so we want to get to the end of this now…

(Tamahome is silent…)

Satoshi: Tamahome…we know about your affair with Mia Guillem. We’ve got evidence from conversations and pictorial evidence. I don’t want to force you into speaking, but anything that you may…

Tamahome: No…I think it’s time…I explained everything.

(Ban and Triela are on another side, where Mia is…but here…)

Tamahome: I’ll admit it…attempted assault…adultry…I admit it! I didn’t mean it!

Satoshi: (slight edge of sarcasm) You didn’t mean to go sleeping with another girl and then attack her when she tries to reveal the truth…

Tamahome: NOT LIKE THAT!

Satoshi: Then…tell us.

(Tamahome slowly calms down, wipes a few tears, and begins to explain…)

Tamahome: I’ve been working as a model in Los Angeles for over a year – and have been using a majority of my earnings to help my family back in Japan – Miaka Sukanami and my daughter Hikari Sukanami.

Satoshi: A family then…

Tamahome: (nods) So it was on a business trip – an extended vacation…whatever you want to call it. But the long and the short is that…I haven’t seen my wife in a long time. So…

(He pounds his fist on the table…)

Tamahome: That bastard…doesn’t like competition…

Satoshi: I would assume you mean Kalos…

Tamahome: Correct. He’s ruined so many lives, so he thought ‘hell, one more wouldn’t be much of a problem.’ I’m sure he got his little hit list…

(Tamahome then sneers…)

Tamahome: …that was, until he was hit himself.

(Satoshi makes a note of that, as Tamahome further implicates him to murder…and he continues…)

Tamahome: O.K, so basically…I was invited to Kaleido Stage on a couple of photoshoots – even performed a couple of time when I was used as a Chinese style fighter and used a few spectacular moves on there…though compared to May…well…the difference shows…

(Tamahome looks a little embarrassed before continuing…)

Tamahome: Anyway there, Mia introduces herself as the head writer and producer – as well as a performer herself. She’s a very nice girl – don’t get me wrong – it was impossible not to be friends with her, a charming sense of humour, a winning smile and an infectious energy which is hard not to catch…

(Tamahome smiles sadly…)

Tamahome: …and Kalos seemed to take advantage of it. Realising that this popular Chinese model was being friendly with his head writer and one of his biggest stars. So…he made a mention in the newspapers that I was dating Mia Guillem.

(He nashes his teeth…)

Tamahome: Let’s just say that doesn’t always make you popular with the wife back home…fortunately she isn’t exactly high on the LA times. But Kalos’ insinuating got worse, and I was getting mad…

(Tamahome stops, as a few teardrops drop onto the table…)

Tamahome: …but the worst thing…is IT DID BECOME SOMETHING FURTHER…

(Tamahome is now all out sobbing…)

Tamahome: I tried to stop it…I tried to stop…but…I couldn’t…

*

(Shot of Triela talking to Mia, who looks just as depressed as Tamahome is…)

Mia: …I was forced to do this. My boss forced me to.

Triela: Kalos?

(Mia nods…)

Mia: I…well…I guess we…were blackmailed into it. It was not completely because of Kalos worried about Tamahome’s popularity…

(Mia looked down…)

Mia: …he was afraid recent rumours would drag down Kaleido Stage.

Ban: (raises the people’s eyebrow) Rumours?

Mia: The rumours…that I was having a relationship with a fellow performer.

Triela: Why would that drag down Kaleido Stage?

Mia: Because…the performer was a WOMAN.

(Pause…)

Triela: (thinks) Again…Why would that drag it down?

(Ban collapses…)

Ban: I would worry about you, but you can kick my ass so I won’t bother…dammit…

(Mia nearly smiles…but she continues…)

Mia: Anna Hart…she’s my best friend…yes, the rumours were not completely false…

Ban: Seriously?

Triela: Completely?

Mia: We were close…but let’s just having that Kalos’ values on human life are old fashioned…you saw what he did to Anna and Tenchi, not to mention Chiriko, Shinobu, Ukyo and probably the Hoshinos too.

Triela: Continue.

Mia: (nodding) So apparently this wasn’t the best way to show business relations with the general public with Kalos’ eyes…so hence why this ‘plot’ was hatched. I get close to Tamahome, the papers see us together, two popular cultures mix…we all win…except…

Triela: You and Tamahome…but we know that…

(Mia nods again and the tears fall down her face…)

Mia: Before Kaleido Stage…I worked as a model in my native Holland…so from said rumours, I was able to work on a few model shoots with him…and he was so handsome…and friendly…and sweet…and…

(Mia collapses…)

Mia: …I fell for him. It was wrong…but…that…and not wanting to lose my job at Kaleido Stage…I went from this…

(Mia lifts her face up and smiles…)

Mia: Well…it’s over know. Tamahome is screwed, his wife most likely knows, and my life isn’t worth living, unless the new Stage will welcome me…

Ban: The New Stage?

Mia: (nods) The New Wings Stage…our new owner will be unveiled soon…I just hope I haven’t dragged my name in the mind with the new boss…

Triela: Hmmm…who is it?

(Mia shakes her head)

Mia: I don’t know yet…all I know is that Tamahome has been angry with himself…and with me…

(Dramatic pause…)

Mia: …and Kalos for a long time…I’m sure he knew about that bounty…

(Triela’s ears prick up…)

Triela: Really? Well…

(Everything is wrapped up nicely as Mia is escorted out, whilst Tamahome is left to have a night in the cells…)

Satoshi: …so it all checked out.

Triela: Yeah, their stories check out. I guess it just adds passion to motive now for Tamahome…

Ban: Whatever…these circus people are crazy…monkey-boy should be hired to them…

*

(Speaking of Kaleido Stage, after a quick call to TL Shiine-chan, a road trip is organised inside the detectives van…)

Negi: …so they’re trying to kill each other?

Touji: (nods) I was there…and I heard the commotion…

Negi: So how did you get here so quickly?

Touji: I didn’t! I passed here after I heard it over my phone from May!

Hinata: May Wong?

Touji: Anyway, that’s not the point, the point is…

Ukyo: We’re here!

(The four step outside the van as it seems that Kaleido Stage has been doing a little redecorating outside, with some violet and blue lighting effects over the very big top. However, a small crowd is outside…)

Julie: Like…stop them!

Charlotte: Like hell? Sora might encourage stupid yet daring acts, but I’m not getting in between them…

(Ukyo armed with spatula, Negi armed with wand, Hinata armed with kunai and Touji arms with metal fist and feet move…Negi makes a note that Touji seems more than able to keep up with them despite his condition…)

Negi: Detectives here, through!!!

Rosetta: Ah, please stop them…they just came in there arguing and well…it’s…

May: It’s a bad flashback to Yuri and Leon…and Sora isn’t here to save them either…DAMN WHY ISN’T SHE HERE WHEN WE NEED HERE?!!!

Rosetta: (sweatdrops) I don’t think that’s the point…

(Ukyo parts the sea as she confirms…)

Ukyo: Oh crap…

(Shot of two swordfighters battling on the stage, not quite as nimble as the brilliant swordfight between Yuri and Leon, but they are close…as Tenchi Masaki and Seta Noriyasu trade insults with their sword blows…)

Tenchi: …why are you trying to frame me?

(The two sabres clash as Seta backflips away, landing on a trapeze…)

Seta: …I never did such a thing, besides…considering my skill, wouldn’t I be considering the more guilty?

(Tenchi curses, jumps onto a trapeze, and they begin dueling on the trapeze like a Cirque Du Soleil version of Utena…)

Tenchi: You’re friend with Anna…so why?!

Seta: You DID have my sword remember…

Tenchi: SO IT WAS YOUR WEAPON THAT KILLED KALOS?!!

Seta: BUT I DIDN’T WIELD IT!

(You can see Ukyo, Negi and Hinata all worrying…and not sure if they should stop this…)

Negi: If I catch a spell…

(Negi begins to judge the distance between himself, the walls and the height…he looks like he’s trying a wind spell to cushion them down…)

Negi: But I need to stop them as well…and those swords…I don’t want to hurt anyone…

Hinata: I…I could disable them if you get them down…but those swords…I’m not sure I can Kamawari in time…

(Both kids are hesistant…but fortunately…someone else comes to their rescue.)

Anna: MOVE!!!

(From the rear, Anna Respighi runs, and jumps, somersaults over the crowd. She leaps onto the trampoline, and a la Sora, in a similar sword fight (subliminal message – WATCH MORE KALEIDO STAR…^_^) – she gets in between as they each go for the killer blow…)

(…and in a real ‘ouch’ moment, in a spiral arc, she blocks both thin sabres with her bare arms – immediately, claret arcs from her arms but she still grabs both trapezes…)

Anna: SO THIS IS HOW YOU WANT IT TO END? WITH PETTY ANGERS AND POINTING?

(Tenchi seems to calm down, with a disgusted face…still a bit angry. Seta drops into a frown, with a ‘tsk’ in his voice, but then he sees the red flow down Anna’s arms like Niagra Falls.)

Anna: WHO CARES WHO DID IT? YOU DID IT, YOU DID IT, I DID IT (points at Ukyo and Tenchi) THEY DID IT?!!!

Ukyo/Touji: HEY!!!

Anna: IT DOESN’T MATTER! HE’S GONE…BUT DON’T YOU DARE NAME DROP IN THE VACINITY WHEN YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE RETURNERS…TENCHI MASAKI…

(Tenchi drops down from the trapeze as Dark Anna (or pissed off Anna in this case) glares at Seta.)

Anna: AND YOU? YOU SAVED ME A FEW TIMES AND HAVE DISAGREED WITH ME AS WELL, BUT THE RESPECT WAS ALWAYS THERE – IF YOU ARE INNOCENT, WHY ARE YOU POINTING FINGERS?

(Seta…looks pissed off…but he can’t avoid Anna’s cold glare. With a sigh, he jumps down. He looks at Tenchi and passes by everyone…)

Seta: This isn’t over Masaki.

(Seta leaves, as Negi and Hinata, a bit dumbstruck…look in awe of Anna. Suddenly, Anna grabs a sabre and throws it…just over Seta…it planks down in front of him.)

Anna: If you touch him again…

(Now Seta can crap his pants…)

(Suddenly, the literal rush of blood flows to Anna as her veins show red…she begins to topple…)

Ukyo: Anna-chan!!!

(Ukyo superjumps and catches her…as Anna’s claret flows, the shapes of rose petals mixed with sweat surrounds the two beautiful girls as Ukyo’s face get’s nearer to a pale Anna’s…)

(One Nabeshin-esque ‘sorry’ later and a ‘WTF’ moment from the audience…)

Ukyo: We need to get this girl to the hospital…

Negi: …what about those two?

ToujI: Gah…shouldn’t you be arresting them or something?

Negi: They were attacking each other…

(Negi looks around…)

Negi: Hinata…follow Ukyo and Anna…I think if you catch up with them, have a word with them if you can – if they need to go to the hospital, follow them.

Hinata: But…what about you Negi-kun?

(Negi looks over the crowd of people trying to not panic…)

Negi: I’m going to speak to a few people here – and see if I need to get those two arrested. Leave it to me…

(The two take a risky move – they separate. Is this on the agenda or is it youth thinking higher than experience?)

*

(Shot of Team 1 back at HQ…)

Satoshi: So…we think that Tamahome is now getting more and more suspect, slipping in between the main motives. I’m sure he’s not the only one…Yomi, Duplica and Ukyo have very different motives as well…

(Obviously they don’t know that Yomi is now innocent…)

Ban: So…we have to play the waiting game now…that sucks…

Triela: What else can we do? Unless Shiine-chan has something for us to do…

(Cue the phone ringing…)

(A quick conversation is ended as Shiine calls…)

Shiine: Tenchi and Seta were involved at a scuffle at Kaleido Stage – Negi has just called me to see if we need to make an arrest for them.

Ban: Yes…get to pound on a pretty boy and a professor…

Triela: Ban, you’re way too gung-ho at the moment.

Ban: The game is keeping my energy high Triela…I’m not going to lose this rush…

Satoshi: Really…it appears you’ve lost the corner though…

Ban: WHAT?!!!

(Shot of Triela going ahead as Wario in Mario Kart on the DS…^_^)

*

Rosetta: …well basically, Tenchi insinuated to me that Seta probably did it…

Negi: Tenchi was here?

Rosetta: (nods) He’s quite a popular young man around here…

(Turns as the Tenchi fangirl acrobats swoon as Rosetta tries not to make a face…)

Negi: …but he’s not part of Kaleido Stage right?

Rosetta: True…but Anna was, and I guess it was something to do with that – or with…the new boss…

Negi: Everyone is going about this ‘new boss’ and I guess you can’t tell me anything about it either?

(Rosetta pauses and begins to act fidgetty…)

Rosetta: Um…I’d like to…but…I can’t…

(Negi sighs…but seems to smile.)

Negi: No, that’s fine. So, about Tenchi being here…

(Rosetta goes back to the topic on hand…)

Rosetta: Yes…he came here and seemed to try and convince us that Seta was the one who probably did it. Well, someone…I don’t know who…must have contacted Seta about this…

Rosetta: …basically Seta was all mad and said that the weapon used was his…and he admitted it, but he suggested that Tenchi was the one who borrowed it, and Tenchi was the one doing the name dropping!!

(Negi thinks for a moment…)

Negi: Who could have called him? And how did Anna know about this?

(Rosetta again fidgets…)

Rosetta: Well…I think…it might have been Hoshino…

Negi: Ruri or Haley?

Rosetta: Ruri.

Negi: Why?

Rosetta: She seems to have a link with everyone here…it’s spooky, she seems to have an eye on us at times through Kalos after everything that happened at the Lumiere agency…

Negi: So, did Ruri also call Seta then, assuming it was her…

Rosetta: Well…(sighs)…fine. Seta said it himself.

Negi: Huh?

Rosetta: He said during the fight ‘Ruri called me to explained what you were doing!!!’ and Tenchi said ‘That traitorous bitch!’

(Rosetta seems ashamed to casually swear but she recovers soon enough…)

Rosetta: Anyway, this lead to the confrontation, and from Ruri…or Tenchi…I dunno, Anna got wind of this and…well…you saw what happened.

Negi: Right…let’s hope we can get this from the horses’ mouth as well…we do need to speak to them…

*

(Speaking of Ruri, Aya and Kotone are still on their tracks as Ruri have finally decided to speak to the detectives. The young wife sits on a chair and on a panel remarkably similar to the one she used on the Nadesico with Omokoaine.)

Ruri: I think I can safely say that I haven’t been the most welcoming to the detectives here.

(Aya and Kotone are afraid to say anything in response…fortunately, Ruri does that job for them…)

Ruri: I do apologise – but it was necessary. I didn’t want people going into what happened to the church and the orphanage, but I guess that didn’t matter in the end. So I’m happy to speak to you…regarding on people who I consider would have committed the crime.

(The girls are a bit surprised at this, but Ruri doesn’t give them a chance to question her…)

Ruri: I’ll start with Anna. She’s a girl of a cultural charm and elegance that is hard to duplicate in any space, world, or time. At least…most of the time.

(Ruri sips a cup of tea…)

Ruri: A beautiful shy girl…but with a huge dark side. I’m not sure if you know about her sister Elaine but…

(Ruri puts forward a photograph…one that seems rather blood curdling – of a girl in a hospital bed, bandages around her skull…)

Ruri: That’s her sister – in a coma – caused by Anna throwing a tennis racquet at her skull. Anna’s motive appears to be revenge against Kalos for the trouble he’s put through the church…but don’t let that fool you. It’s only part of the reason.

Aya: Part of the reason?

Ruri: Yes. Anna has been looking to cure her sister – and learned from Tenchi about the Evan virus problem. You see, the item which has been come across called the Third Eye is a possible link to the cure…

Kotone: Cure?

Ruri: …possibly a miracle blood which has caused the fragmentation of the stone within the third eye – Anna’s belief is the DNA structure of it may be able to cause a miracle cure…

(The girls note this down, but Ruri is no where near finished…she’s been picking up lessons from MG1 entrant Inez I think…)

Ruri: Tenchi…well…he never forgave Kalos for not allowing him to return back to Japan after his grandfather died. And well…helping Anna seemed to work with both their benefits…but the structure of the DNA…well…he can dream can’t he?

(The girls seem a bit confused, but Ruri continues…)

Ruri: (slightly wistful) Tenchi…handsome as he is…is trying to hold on the image of vengeful, but he’s obviously having a relationship with Anna, and I believe he is looking with her for a way to bring back his grandfather. He WAS an immortal Jurian but when he came to the Earth he became mortal. I think he’s trying to do this for that, as well as trying to hide a relationship with Anna, if certain OTHER ladies knew this…

(Ruri does an evil little grin before continuing…)

Ruri: Speaking of duplicity, there is that Imite girl. Don’t be fooled by her age – she could potentially be the most lethal person here – after all, her career at Kaleido Stage was ending when she was injured by Kalos…all for the sake of a petty insurance claim.

(Old news yes, but Aya makes a note – ‘How does Ruri know this?’)

Ruri: What people don’t know is her ability to imitate isn’t just on personality…her ability to manipulate disguises…not to mention have a creature with the ability to transform into ANYTHING…

(That kind of surprise the girls, and Aya makes another note ‘Duplica: Potential murder weapon?)

Ruri: …objects, living creatures, anything…she’s a powerful one that girl.

(Ruri takes another drink…)

Ruri: Seta…he is a worker who has travelled the world supposedly helping people, but she knows that he is working on a theory to bring back his deceased wife…

(THAT’S new. Kotone and Aya hastily write that down)

Ruri: …something that his current wife Haruka is UNAWARE of – he has some theory about the Third Eye like Anna does – he believes the DNA within it and also the Evan virus has a link…and is the main reason why he was looking for the third eye.

(The girls are unsure if Ruri knows the eye is in their possession, but it’s seems this earlier killer clue is now becoming more prominent in investigation…if even half of what Ruri is saying is true…)

Ruri: Tamahome…well…I’m sure you know about his current situation now anyway. He seemed to be angry about the fact that Kalos is trying to get him to be with Mia…

(Ruri sneers, distastefully…)

Ruri: …but he put it all on himself and is now desperately trying to get out of it, blaming everyone but himself. He’s going to be surprised…

(Another smirk…)

Ruri: …when his wife will be coming after I called her.

(What a snitch!!! Nevertheless, Kotone makes that note…)

Ruri: I guess all that blackmail really can come back to haunt you…

(Ruri yawns as she comes to the end of her sermon…)

Ruri: Lastly, Ukyo. She was…like a number involved, did the ‘marriage’ with the help of the Returners – and Kalos screwed them over. Unlike many of the others though, Ukyo is vicious enough to do something about it…and Kalos’ knew about it.

(Ruri shakes her hair – no longer pigtailed…)

Ruri: But that’s not all. She had work with trying to keep a business on the front, and dealt with…less unconventional methods to do and to keep afloat…Kalos however learned of a few things, namely blackmail.

(Ruri gives that evil smile again…)

Ruri: After all, she attempted to kill her fiance and his up to be wife.

(Now this is surprising, again, a new bit of information and again Aya wonders how the heck Ruri came up with this…)

Ruri: According to May Wong at Kaleido Stage, there was a ruccus in China when an ‘acquaintance’ of Ukyo, named Shampoo, tried along with Ukyo to kill Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo – Ranma’s other fiancee…was Ukyo.

(Wow…this explains the whole name change and why Ukyo’s relationship with Ranma is not what it was.)

Ruri: Well…I think I’ve said my piece. I believe you have enough to work on without suspecting me. So…

(Both girls seem hesitant to move, but eventually they do – both relieved of getting out of there and surprised at what they got…and how they got it…)

Kotone: How did she…

Aya: That’s the thing. She somehow knew all this, yet never sought to tell us. And…

Kotone: And?

Aya: Did you notice…the only people she picked upon were the people that had not been cleared.

Kotone: Yes, that’s true…

Aya: Which means…how did she know that Yomi had been cleared today?

(Kotone pauses…)

Kotone: Y-You’re right…how could she have know that…

Aya: Does she have spies or something? This is scary…

*

(Lastly, we go to the hospital, where Anna is being treated for her veins being cut during the barrage at Kaleido Stage between Tenchi and Seta. Outside the room where she is being treated, Ukyo and Hinata have been talking…)

Ukyo: …sugar, that was a forgery…those loan sharks there were sent by Kalos to try and insinuate that I was having problems. When I didn’t succumb to that crap, he went and blackmailed me…

(This doesn’t exactly match what Ruri just said…but Hinata obviously doesn’t know that…)

Hinata: I apologise…but we do need to cover all angles…

Ukyo: Why would that Kensuke-guy want with a picture of that anyway?

(Hinata makes a mental note…how did she know it was Kensuke?)

Hinata: …well, I guess two and two made five here…

(Ukyo looks over at Hinata and smiles…)

Ukyo: Damn…can’t get mad at you darlin’, you’re just too darn cute.

(Hinata blushes…and at that moment, a knock on the door inside the room as a doctor in a white suit exits…)

(…expect she’s about 4 foot 5 inches tall, blond hair, half Japanese, half American and omega kawaii. Yep, with Joe in this ep, had to make a reference to his new fave character…and rightfully so…)

Rebecca: O.K, that checks out everything, just leave the payment in the money box there on the way out…

(Rebecca Miyamoto (Pani Poni Dash!) – not one for the usual things in life…I could swear there is a Ichijou-san label outside the door saying ‘DO NOT DISTURB’)

Ukyo: (sweatdrops) Er…yeah.

Rebecca: (annoyed) Hey, I’m serious! If you don’t pay up before you leave, we’ve got a squad out there ready…

(Shot of the UFO way up above with a satellite aimed…just in case…)

Ukyo: Gah…

Hinata: Um…is Respighi-san O.K?

Bekky(I’ll stick with her nickname): Yeah, she’s fine. Her arms are pretty bandaged up but she’s O.K to be seen.

(Hinata nods)

Hinata: Thank you…

Bekky: Wish my students were this polite…

(Hinata turns to Ucchan…)

Hinata: Kuonji-san, can you stay outside for a moment, I need to speak to Respighi-san first, is that O.K?

(Ukyo looks a little oddly at Hinata first, but nods…)

Ukyo: Sure thing sugar.

(Hinata nods and enters the room, and quickly activates her Byagukan…in case Ukyo ‘changes her mind’…)

(…inside, Anna seems a little dazed, and probably a tad surprised at seeing another girl who could have been an ancestor of hers…)

Anna: You…

Hinata: It’s me, Hinata Hyuuga – I’m one of the detectives…

(Anna shifts weight a little to look at Hinata, she flinches a bit as pain takes over – her arms are covered in bandages…)

Anna: O.K…this really hurts…note to self…jumping into dangerous situations is not smart…

Hinata: You’ll get used to it…

(Anna looks bemused at that remark, though quite true in Hinata’s case…still, she does seem to relax…)

Anna: I guess you need a few questions asked…

Hinata: I promise not to be too long…

Anna: No, it’s O.K…I know there are a lot of unanswered things here…

Hinata: Sure…(twitches)…hold on a second…

(Hinata turns – Ukyo, trying to see through the window freezes…she then makes herself scarce…Hinata smiles.)

Hinata: …O.K then Res…

(Anna tuts…)

Anna: Anna please…

Hinata: R-right…Anna-san…can I ask that how did you know this was going to happen?

(Anna sighs…)

Anna: You’ve searched our place right? Well…there’s a phone upstairs. I was basically listening into a conversation between Tenchi and Ruri…

(This is news. Hinata makes a note…so was Rosetta right then?)

Anna: …and Ruri saying that Tenchi was going over to Kaleido Stage, learning about some information about Seta killing Kalos. However as the call ended, I heard Ruri say ‘…now to call Seta…’

Hinata: So…you had a feeling…

Anna: (nods) Things were going to be hectic. Good job I did go there…though whether Tenchi appreciates it is another story…

Hinata: Was Tenchi focused on the weapon involved then?

Anna: (nods) It is Seta’s sword – before all this happened, the two trained quite hard outside the church – it became like a means of making money for charities at times.

(Both girls suppress a chuckle…)

Anna: Seriously, I know what this is about…but I can’t say…

Hinata: (not so innocently) The Third Eye?

(Anna turns…a bit surprised. Whilst Hinata doesn’t know about the information Ruri told Aya/Kotone, the link with Seta is now there and of course, the Third Eye was Seta’s…and is now in possession of the detectives.)

Anna: So…you have been working hard then?

Hinata: Well…er…

Anna: (smiles) Sweetheart, don’t know yourself down – I was just like you, not confident in my abilities…but people made me open up, they helped me out…so there’s no reason why you can’t be the same. You’ve already proved it…

(Hinata, knowing how right that statement is, just nods.)

Anna: Yeah, the third eye…you know I’m from the future right?

(Again, the ninja nods…)

Anna: Well, along with myself, there are people like Ruri, Haley, Hikari, Touji and Jet who are from the future…

(Hinata makes a note: ‘Does Anna know Jet is dead?’ before Anna continues to speak…)

Anna: However, I’m from the furthest in the future, and the only one who knows the future of the Third Eye…you see, it was destroyed in the year 2834 once people realised what it could do…and was destroyed as a possible world danger…

Hinata: You mean…the rumours were true?

Anna: (shakes her head) It was never confirmed as fact, but I understand it was. The blood of the stone within was able to create feats where would be impossible before the year 4999…and I should know this.

(Hinata sweatdrops…)

Anna: Basically, I’m from the future…and I, along with a few other people shall we say, are trying to protect…or acquire this to protect this relic, knowing what will happen to it in the future…

Hinata: Is there any reason why you would want it?

Anna: Hmm…well…I guess for Tenchi.

Hinata: Tenchi?

Anna: (nods) His grandfather…well…

Hinata: We’re aware…

Anna: O.K…glad didn’t need to explain that…

(…but then…)

Hinata: Anna…we know you worked at Kaleido Stage, and found some receipts under your name…and an Elaine…

(Anna nearly freezes up…)

Hinata: …who is that?

Anna: Well…she’s my sister. We worked together at Kaleido Stage for a while…

(Anna gripped her fist…)

Anna: …but then, she suffered a fall…and Kalos wouldn’t help us try and help her. She’s…she’s…well…

(Anna sighs…)

Anna: …she’s been in a coma.

(Interesting. On one side, Ruri says the coma was caused by the tennis accident, but Anna says from the fall…interesting. Someone is lying…or are they both lying…or telling the truth?)

Anna: Yes…I can see your thoughts…but I’m not a murderer. I told you where I was…

Hinata: No, that’s O.K. I don’t want to put you under more pressure considering the circumstances…I’ll leave now if you wish…

(Anna seems to be surprised – but smiles…)

Anna: Sorry…I…I do get like that sometimes…you’re so sweet…really…

Hinata: No, I’m just doing my job…

(Suddenly Hinata is stunned…Anna has leaned over to give a little peck on the cheek to the ninja girl…cue the red face.)

Anna: You’re welcome.

(Hinata nearly freaks it…it’s not really a first kiss is it? Then again, would Naruto and Sasuke count their’s as a first kiss as well…bewildered, Hinata escapes…as Anna chuckles sweetly…)

*

Negi: She kissed you?!!

(Hinata seems very embarrassed as Negi (brought back by the van) and Hinata (brought back by Ukyo) are underneath the stairs, as she is trying to pretend it didn’t happen…

Kotone: (red herself) Well…it’s not that bad right…

(Considering Kotone’s shoujo-ai overtones with Aoi, probably not the best person to get an opinion of…)

Hinata: Sh-she just did it to t-try and put herself o-off the trail…

Aya: (smiling) Yep, I’m sure she would have done the same if Negi had done that…

(Now Negi is red…)

Negi: Don’t let Shiine-chan hear that!!!

(As the gossip gets silly, the serious side of the game is now back in motion with Satoshi making a note of all the new information on the white board…)

Satoshi: Yomi is now cleared, and in a very suspicious circumstance, Ruri knew this and seemed to bring up information on all the remaining suspects.

Shiine: I think…we need to bring this up in the meeting in a bit…

Satoshi: (nods) This is to make sure it’s fresh in the mind…plus I’m sure everyone else has other things they need to think about as well…like the vote.

(Shot of Ban…hearing that…)

Ban: How can we really do that until we find out who is safe?

Satoshi: Oh, I’m sure everyone’s got their own ideas…and back up plans.

Triela: So you have right…

(Satoshi doesn’t react, and all he does is adjusts his glasses…)

Aya: …in conclusion, we are concerned of the fact that Ruri knew which suspects were remaining in the game, even like 30 minutes after Yomi was cleared…

Shiine: That is suspicious…

Ban: …but with Yomi cleared, we can guarantee that the bounty was not a motive right?

Satoshi: Not necessarily, the person who obviously put the money in Yomi’s account may have called a bluff with that – the bounty could still be a key motive – think about it, Ukyo and Touji both would have wanted that.

Negi: Do you think Touji has the intelligence to hack?

Hinata: Well…Anna mentioned he was from the future…

Triela: I certainly don’t think it’s impossible…maybe Hikari did it for his benefit?

Satoshi: Possibility…it’s something to keep in mind that’s for certain.

Triela: Can I tease Hinata now about Anna?

(Blush…)

Shiine: Maybe not…though can you explain what happened…

Hinata: Y-yeah, Ukyo was obviously trying to listen in, but I stopped her, but Anna was very informative about facts like the Third Eye, and it appears she didn’t know the murder of Jet…also interestingly enough, she mentioned about Elaine’s injuries…

Kotone: …but Ruri said they were caused by a tennis accident?

Negi: Well…in the records we got…we know they were in an act, and what Kanzaki-san said…

*

Akari: Anyway, they were working as acts on behalf of the Church, and also to help plug their patiserrie back in their native Switzerland. However, Elaine got into a relapse and nearly died on the trapeze…

*

Negi: …suggests that there is some confusion. Ruri is saying that it was always from the tennis injury, whilst Anna says it was from the trapeze…

Aya: …and Akari saying it’s from both.

Satoshi: That…actually makes sense. So in a weird way, all three are telling the truth.

(A general consensus is made as they speak about Tamahome’s jailing…)

Ban: Duplica…she is a real pain…all we’ve got is Tamahome’s word…and Triela’s ears…

Triela: Hey, it better than nothing!

Ban: …but it was obvious that they weren’t intending to have a relationship, but it became one. The worst thing for a marriage…

Satoshi: Tamahome’s motive just increased tenfold…

Shiine: So, in two days, we have Jet being killed, Tamahome committing assaults and being taken out by a 15 year old girl, Ukyo snooping and denying everything, Anna getting in between two grown men and bleeding…Yomi getting cleared from the case and Ruri being a snitch…

Satoshi: Pretty much.

Shiine: Good…meeting adjourned…

(Facefaults…)

Shiine: Hey, I’m not going to play mind games like Satoshi-san did, besides…I’m sure everyone has their own mind games…

(It is a silent truth…everyone knows it’s correct…just no-one wants to admit it…)

*

Rika: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 5^th killer’s game of this season.

(Not exactly a welcoming statement to the group…)

Rika: I trust you know what we have to do first. We have to confirm which of the three teams will avoid the vote by confirming which team performed the best.

(Rika looks over to Team 1, consisting of Satoshi, Ban and Triela. Will this dream team manage to survive, and Satoshi continue his perfect streak since his surprise defeat in episode 1?)

Rika: The three of you worked well as a team, despite very different personalities. Ban and Triela, you worked well during the Tamahome struggle, whilst Satoshi, you were the questioner and calming effect to make sure everything was done, as your style of questioning worked on Tamahome, whilst Triela’s did so with Mia accordingly.

(Rika smiles)

Rika: You also located Jet, sadly he tragically was killed. So we have to eliminate Jet from our line of inquiries. However, overall the two days, your skills and inquiries were more than acceptable. So…

(Rika does her own vote – the scoring of the detectives. Remember, whoever gets the best average score in the team will win – Team 1 has 3 members so their score is divided by 3, whilst Teams 2 and 3 have two members, so their score will be divided by 2.)

(Rika smiles)

Rika: So the score to beat is 8.33…

(Rika turns to the cute duo of Negi and Hinata…(actually, you could replace Hinata with any of Negi’s har…I mean pactio group and it would be a cute duo) as Rika’s smile is infectious.)

Rika: You two work really well together, able to bring up ideas that others wouldn’t come across. Seperating in today’s inquiry to get the story from the Kaleido team and from Anna was a real surprise and showed your skills increasing. You were more determined than I expected as you explored the Church and that was very encouraging.

(Rika bows her head slightly)

Rika: A slight problem was during when Touji came was that you didn’t question him though, and I believe you considering stopping the fight but hesitated. Well done though to the inquiries with Ukyo…so…

(That seems to mean not unable to beat the other three…indeed…)

(Both seems disappointed especially considering their teamwork. But can Aya and Kotone knock Satoshi a peg or two? They need around 18 points to win…)

Rika: So….Kotone and Aya…

(She looks over them thoughtfully, both girls appears to be nervous…)

Aya: Overall, a well done performance, able to investigate and interrogate well – and probe further. This led to two clearances from you, for Yomi…(Rika smiles)…and for Chiriko.

Aya: …the talk…with Ruri…you just let her speak. You didn’t challenge her or investigate her. The intention seemed to be there, but you were hypnotised with her info. Whilst most likely relevant information, it could have been a ploy – questioning would have been vital.

(Both girls know the inevitable…)

(The relief on Ban’s face is almost comedic – he avoids a vote from the group, and another interesting fact is that 3 of the core friends (Negi, Hinata and Kotone) are now up for blood…does that mean Aya is screwed or…)

Rika: I will leave you to think for a moment about what you are going to do considering the vote…but I will ask for people to come as soon as possible. Ban, you first…come in about 5 minutes…but you cannot be voted for, as neither can Satoshi or Triela. Negi, Hinata, Kotone and Aya are the only one you can vote for…whilst Shiine-chan can vote for anybody he wishes once the initial vote has been cast. So, I’ll leave you to think.

(Rika seems reluctant to say that, but her beautiful face moves upstairs, as the others look extremely nervous, even Ban and Triela…only Satoshi has his poker face…)

(Shot of Ban, the first of the 7 detectives that can make a vote…)

Ban: Well, I feel like the hourglass is still full for me…

Rika: …but who’s hourglass will you cast the end for?

(Ban thinks, looking at the 4 he can cast a vote…)

Ban: Aya has not been too friendly with me…but…I can see that. She is still a good detective (under his breath) andshedbeeasiertovoteofflater…

Rika: Hmmm?

Ban: Never mind. I guess…I can’t break up the other two because they seem to inject life into the team…and we need it…so on process of elimination, and I believe she is the weakest link…

(Ban moves his vote to…)

Ban: …I’ll go with Kotone.

*

Rika: You’ve been on fire since episode 3 Satoshi-kun.

Satoshi: This is, on the whole, a normal day in the office, though it has had it’s moments to say the least.

Rika: So…your choice?

(Satoshi nods)

Satoshi: I meant what I said before and now I’ve pointed it out, I feel it might be more effective. So my vote is once again…

(Satoshi makes his choice…)

Satoshi: Hinata.

*

Triela: This is tough…I’m close with those three, but Aya’s been my roomate now…and I kind of feel bad voting for her if I do…

(We pause on Triela’s vote…)

*

Negi: Aya-san is definitely the better one of us all, but…I can’t vote for Kotone and Hinata…

(Negi (rather upset) makes his vote for Aya…)

*

Hinata: Gomen Aya-san…but…I can’t vote for Negi-kun or Kotone-chan…

(…and Hinata also feels the guilty as she votes for Aya…)

*

(…on the other hand…)

Rika: Are you sure?

(Kotone nods…)

Kotone: I won’t vote for my roomate…or my workmate – she helped me so much that despite today’s turnout, I respect her…

(Kotone’s vote…is a surprise. Negi.)

*

Aya: Geez…I feel I’m doomed no matter…but…

(Aya makes her vote…)

Aya: I did feel let down…

*

(We end it now…as we check out the stats, as Rika comes down…)

Rika: I trust you are all nervous. I can understand that – but now we have to find out who is the first player of the killer’s game.

(Rika moves over to a mouse as she clicks a button…)

Rika: In a moment, the votes for Aya, Hinata, Kotone and Negi will be shown. Whoever gets the most votes of those 4 will be sent to play the killer’s game. In the event of a tie, we will do a revote involving only the people involved in the tie.)

(The group nods as they await the results as four pictures here…and after a moments pause…)

(…the eyes of one detective open wider…)

Rika: (shakes her head) I’m sorry…

(Pause for effect…)

Rika: ..Kotone-san.

AYA (2) – NEGI, HINATA

(Kotone is stunned. Ironic now as well if she had voted for Aya it would have gone to a tie, with Satoshi as the other vote…)

Kotone: I…well…I can’t say much now…

(She wipes a tear but smiles anyway. Hinata next to her clutches her hand like she did for her last time out…Triela avoids the look around as the others whispers commiseration’s…)

Rika: It’s not over of course. Shiine-chan…I believe you have to do the honours of picking a second person for the killer’s game.

(Shiine slowly gets up…he certainly isn’t relishing this, but he looks straight at the detectives…)

Shiine: I’m not sure if those who haven’t been a team leader yet are aware, but we have the option of watching various parts of each person’s inquiries. And we can see how well they’ve been doing…and after today, I had to look very hard to pick someone who I felt…could be considered a weak point for the team, whether it’s in terms of teamwork, personality, skills or commitment.

(Shiine sighs…)

Shiine: But I have to make the decision.

(Shiine seems to struggle for words…)

Shiine: There…there was an incident…at the circus…and there was a fight…and the two detectives there…one of them had the ability to immediate stop them with his powers…

(Suddenly, everyone looks at one person, who is in utter shock…if Hinata’s vote two days ago stunned everyone…)

Shiine: (quickly) I pick Negi Springfield to play the killer’s game!

(The silence can be cut with a knife…even Rika seems stunned. A moment for everyone to wonder what the heck happened…and another moment when they realise they don’t know…before Rika snaps people to attention…)

Rika: R-right…O.K, well from that…Kotone Himekawa and Negi Springfield are the two people to play this killer’s game…so if you don’t mind…

(Rika hands two envelopes out…both Kotone and Negi are…well…they’re nervous and a bit surprised, but they do go up…)

Rika: The Ultra Ski or the Ultra Deluxe. Where are you going, and what will you find there? Negi-kun…if you please…

(Negi seems still a little stunned, but he does get enough strength to grab an envelope. He opens it…)

Rika: Tell us where you are going.

Negi: T-the Ultra Deluxe.

Rika: Kotone, take the other and confirm please…

(Kotone does, with a bit more clarity but with just as much disappointment…)

Kotone: The Ultra Ski.

Rika: Good luck you two…let your last moments together be pleasant ones.

(I’m not sure that is the case, at least the two shake hands with each other…but about 10 seconds after Rika is no longer in earshot…)

*

(…Shiine rushes into the kitchen to avoid everyone. Negi starts to move…but stops…)

Negi: Oh…

(Negi stares, wondering whether to confront him or not…behind them, Hinata is in the most shock (considering her two closest friends are going out tonight) as Kotone looks around…)

Kotone: Is this a good time for me to mention that I can tell who voted for me?

(Crap: NOW the psychic powers kick in…)

Kotone: Right Ban…Triela…

(pauses)

Kotone: Aya…

(Aya seems stunned…both on Kotone knowing, and that Ban DIDN’T for her…)

Aya: Ban…

Ban: Hey, you’re good…I voted more on skill rather than preference…I’m not totally a devil incarnate…

(Aya gulps as Kotone runs upstairs, as Negi…)

Negi: Why?

(Triela looks at the young mage, then at Shiine…and then at the retreating stairs…)

Triela: I have a hunch…

(Shot of Satoshi, as even he looks stunned…)

Satoshi: Shiine is playing the game…perhaps the biggest move of the game…wow.

*

(Shot of Shiine, who seems to be refusing to speak – we can see Ban and Triela outside the door…)

Ban: Was he really playing the game?!!!

Triela: He was…but perhaps not the way expected. They were best friends – helping each other, common skills and interests…I think they would have been together to the end. I don’t think tactics came into playing this…

(Triela sighs as she looks outside and quietly says…)

Triela: Now jealousy on the other hand…

(Ban hears that…and begins to add 2 and 2 together…to make 5…)

Ban: I see…jealously is the true evil here…

*

Kotone: …I’m sorry…

Hinata: Don’t say that!!! I…well…I’m going to lose someone I care about now…and the relations…

(She looks outside…)

Hinata: I think I should say I’m sorry…

(Kotone smiles…)

Kotone: Well, I want to return, and I want to make sure I can prove everyone wrong…but well…

(Kotone hugs Hinata as both girls cry…)

Kotone: Anna already beat me to it…but…

(Kotone kisses Hinata on the other cheek, as Hinata goes red again but this time doesn’t faint and hugs her best friend in the game harder…)

Hinata: I-I’ll be crying tonight…I know it…

(Suddenly, a cry downstairs makes both girls stand up…)

Negi: (shouting) WHY?!!!

(Both girls head downstairs, as a little confrontation is about to happen…)

*

(It appears that Negi had to know…but Shiine is giving Negi-kun the silent treatment. Ban watching outside, doesn’t stop them, whilst the others are on standby…)

Negi: We were so close up until yesterday – what happened Shiine-chan?

(Shiine refuses to speak)

Negi: Are you really playing the game? Do you think I’m a threat? What went wrong?

Shiine: I…

(Shiine pauses but does speak, though what comes out of his mouth maybe a house of lies…)

Shiine: I…meant what I said – I believed you was the weakest…

Negi: I don’t believe you. The emotion you are pouring into the words suggests something else…I won’t get angry I promise, but why?

(Shiine refuses to speak…)

Negi: Fine…if you’re going to be immature then…

Shiine: THAT’S NOT IT!!!

(Shiine makes a step as Negi turns a bit stunned – it looks like the Chacha rep is going to attack him (whether or not that is the case is never discovered) but Triela, Hinata and Kotone step in very fast before they can find out…)

Triela: You two, stop it. We have to say goodbye to either Kotone or Negi, and I’m not proud of my decision to vote for Kotone either…

(Kotone feels a bit of pain, Triela does an ‘I’m sorry’ look…)

Triela: …but we’ll be saying goodbye to one of these two, and they have both been our friends as much as our competitors, so the last thing I want to see before they leave is a violent blood bath between you two kids!!!

(Kotone holds her head…)

Kotone: Last minute visions really hurt…

(Kotone wipes a pained tear as Hinata helps her up – Aya comes in…)

Aya: O.K boys – I think it’s best before the vans came here we split this up…

(Aya leads Negi out, as Triela grabs Hinata’s arm…)

Triela: We have to talk.

(Hinata doesn’t argue…as Ban enters with a smile…)

Ban: These brats are making the game more fun…maybe I’m liking them more and more now…they are at least more capable than the people I know back home…

(Ginji at home sneezes…)

*

Satoshi: So you believe Shiine acts as a snake in the grass, or was the reason more personal?

Aya: I’m not sure…it couldn’t have been that…

(Satoshi thinks…)

Satoshi: I wouldn’t think so – he seems to be the mage type than the ninja type, but after last night…

Aya: Oh no…

(Shot of Negi doing his case and packing his things…)

Negi: I won’t be sleeping here tonight…IF I come back…

*

Triela: …that’s what’s happened, but keep it yourself.

(Hinata looks absolutely devastated…she runs out…)

Triela: Sorry sweetheart…

*

(The vans are at the ready – not too surprisingly, Shiine isn’t there to show them out. The others are, though Triela and Aya in particular seem on edge after their votes for Kotone…)

(…Negi exits from the room…clutching Kotone’s hand. A smile greets the group…)

Negi: I think I can safely say that we’ll miss each other right Kotone-san? And everyone was right – we don’t want to end this on a bad note.

Kotone: I agree. It’s the worst thing that the game comes between friendship…

(Kotone leans down and kisses Negi on the cheek…sorry, no pactio circle…:P)

Ban: Lucky bastard…

(A few laughs from the group as they begin to give their greetings on leave. Both were quite popular with the group. Negi and Ban shake hands…)

Ban: Hey, come back kid – I’m almost starting to like you guys now…what’s wrong with me?

(Negi chuckles as Triela glomps him…)

Negi: Tr-iela-san-pain…

Triela: Hey, I’m not letting Kotone be the one…

(Triela pecks Negi on the cheek as well, Triela actually whilst smiling, we do see a tear down her face as she sees Kotone hugging Aya…)

Aya: You don’t…

Kotone: (shakes her head) I know why you did – and why you felt. If I come back, I’ll show why I’m a manager, and prove I can do this job as well…

Aya: I’m…I’m sorry.

(Kotone shakes her head as Negi goes over to Aya as well…Kotone and Triela have a similar conversation as Negi thanks Aya…)

Negi: You helped me so much…yet I…

Aya: (Nods) I can understand, but whoever comes back I’ll still be ready.

Negi: (nods) I’ll understand.

(Satoshi simply nods, though does shake Negi’s hand. Hinata obviously is the most emotional, as she hugs Kotone with all her strength…)

Kotone: If I don’t see you again, I’ll introduce you to Aoi-chan…you two would be a good match…

Hinata: (nods) Hmmm! (crying) Please be O.K…

(With Negi, it’s more embarrassing, as the two seem to refuse to hug, but after some careful prodding from Triela, Negi and Hinata do hug…though she doesn’t kiss him.)

Hinata: It’s…it’s going to be either way for me…Negi-kun…

Negi: Please…don’t be like that Hinata-san. I want to see you smile…

(Hinata wipes her tears, and grants Negi’s last request…or is it?)

(Kotone is the first out, a mini group hug with the girls and Negi (Satoshi and Ban staying out of it) before they leave…both look at the kitchen…)

Kotone: Shiine-chan…

(Negi doesn’t say anything…)

(Kotone is the first to her vehicle for the Ultra Ski. And her cameo driver for this episode…)

(…cue irony again.)

Sabrina: You’re in?

(Sabrina from Pokemon is our driver this time. Guess the first link…right, they’re both psychics.)

(And as for Negi?)

Onizuka: Damn, why didn’t I get the high school chick?

(Eikichi Onizuka is our Negi-kun’s driver. Yep, both teachers…so sue me I’m running out of cameos…but he’s taking Negi to the ULTRA DELUXE.)

Sabrina: So…you see your future tonight?

(Kotone shakes her head…)

Kotone: I’m afraid not…I don’t have control of my future now…only my destiny.

Sabrina: I see.

Kotone: It’s going to be hard…but…I do really hope I return. Not just for my own benefit, but if I’m eliminated, I’m scared of the atmosphere between Negi and Shiine…

*

Negi: …I almost don’t want to come back.

Onizuka: Why’s that kid? Oh, I see! So you can return back to those hot little girls back at that academy you at…you’re one lucky dog, any chance I can get a transfer there?

(Negi chooses to ignore Onizuka there…though the thought of returns back to his friends may be welcoming…)

Negi: In a way yes…but I can just sense how cold it will get if I come back…

Onizuka: Well, let’s head there and heat things up…

(Onizuka speeds off…as nerves abound and killer’s clue are found…)

*

Kotone: This killer has one interesting imagination…

(Back at HQ, it’s once again tense, as tonight, lucky 7 will remain. Though Shiine-chan is still isn’t willing to watch, the others await the returning winner.)

Ban: Hinata, you’re going to be O.K kid?

(Hinata nods, though her pale face is somehow even paler than normal…)

Aya: O.K…now let’s breathe in…

Triela: We felt nervous two days ago, but today…

Satoshi: I think no matter what happens here, we’ll lose something we can all say we got along with to a degree. Well, I guess at least until 4 hours ago anyway…

(Suddenly, the lights of a van flash as the group tense up. It’s going to be very interesting to see the reaction…)

(…the HQ room goes dark, as the doors open…)

(…and it’s obvious who is the winner just from the height…)

Triela: (smiles) Well done…

(Shot of the winner, as HE shakes his head.)

Negi: I’m glad to be back…though whether I feel like a winner…

(No-one cheers, more out of respect of how Negi is feeling…and the fact that Kotone is gone. Triela does a gentle hug to Negi, who holds on for a while. Aya and Hinata crowd around him…)

Negi: Hinata-san…I eliminated your room-mate…I’m sorry…

Hinata: N-no…I’m happy you are back Negi-kun…

(Hinata’s tears are there…as Aya looks back…)

Aya: Shiine-chan isn’t going to come here is he?

Negi: It’s O.K…I think I’m fine sleeping downstairs…

(They turn and look…realising…)

Negi: It won’t be comfortable up there…sorry…and I will need a bit of time alone….

(We find out more on Negi, Shiine, the clue and the aftermath of this very emotional killer’s game in Inside HQ. For now, Negi Springfield has survived his first killer’s game. Kotone Himekawa hasn’t.)

*

• The most obviously Team Leader in MG History hits the stand, and will make a number of difficult choices.
• Another roomate is in trouble when the vote makes two of the detectives realise there is more dissension in the ranks…
• Duplica’s REAL motive comes clear during a brush in with Kaleido Stage – so financial motive is as much a case as personal now…
• Can Shiine and Negi recover from their destroyed friendship and manage to finally stop Satoshi and Ban passing again?
• The truth about the Third Eye comes and when one of the suspects is kidnapped, how do the detectives deal with it?
• And who is the half way hit as we narrow it down to 6 detectives.

Wow – I’m really enjoying this now – I guess I could say this is more my niche than the Survivors and AR’s – Mole’s I enjoyed more – I’m just a Brit you can’t trust…but we all knew that.

Ah yes. Shiine has finally snapped. I enjoy this and will enjoy this more next episode. Negi escapes again…Kotone didn’t.

Kotone…I fell for her in the original To Heart, but I’m probably one of the few people who enjoyed Remember my Memories more – mainly because of the fleshing out of the side characters whilst keeping true to the whole Akari/Multi/Hiroyuki triangle. Kotone was perhaps the most fleshed out character in the series.

First of all, it’s revealed she has a crush on Hiroyuki, which differs from the original anime where it seemed she had a crush on Masashi (who in the new version has a crush on Akari, but is liked by Shiho – brain go dizzy) – next of all, a real surprising friendship between her and Aoi, the kohai martial artist/extreme fighter – she joined the extreme martial arts club to get close to Hiroyuki, but somehow became best friends with Aoi when Aoi defending people making fun of Kotone’s psychic abilities. And in turn, Aoi/Kotone has become one of my most favourite anime friendships, after Sakura/Tomoyo, Sara/Yakumo and Ginji/Ban.

They are so frikkin sweet. Kotone is the brains, Aoi is the brawn, the manager and the fighter, yet whilst opposites, they fit together so well it’s a match in heaven. Kotone says in the episode she confesses to Hiroyuki that she loves Aoi – and whilst it has limited shoujo-ai-ness (seriously) the fact that they seem to know each others’ troubles instinctively and seek each other out (they are always together) – it makes you wonder…I remember showing this ep at a romance anime night at club, and the seen between Kotone/Aoi hugging got a huge ‘awwwwwwww’ (from the ones that WEREN’T drunk…)

But Kotone…here’s a secret. Kotone WAS my original pick to win. There, I said it. Only discussions with Arpulver-sempai on various ideas made me make a few rearrangements. I guess TH isn’t really too popular which sucks, but that’s the main reason why she linked with Hinata (that, and the coincidences between her and Aoi were scary). I hope you guys enjoyed her run…I’ll certainly miss her.

A reference to Air this episode as in the game Negi was playing. I believe it’s based from some variation of the dating sim game (which makes Negi playing it more funny) but all I’ve seen is the anime. It is literally just outside my top 20 as it is an awe-inspiring animating brilliance of tragedy and sweetness. Mizuzu is amongst the most moe-esque characters I’ve seen and it falls into the same trap as Kino’s Journey – why only 13 episodes? Gau…:)

A quick Excel joke – Pedro accidently refers to Seta as ‘that man’ which of course becomes a running joke/supervillain in ES.

Note: Anna’s country is never actually revealed in the show, but from her name and the fact she is a great sweets cook gave me the idea of possible being Swiss or German – I went with Swiss.

Joe Klemm is our first reader/author cameo here – he specifically wanted some sort of bit with Shinobu and/or Hinata, so this is where he ended up. The Nodoka keyring is a reference to Negima, as Joe is a big fan of Nodoka Miyazaki, the cute blunette bookworm of Negi, also referred to as Honya-chan…hence why the reference within Shinobu and Hinata, two other stereotypical shy blunettes.

Speaking of Hinata, the joke that she’s an ancestor of Anna’s actually was not brought my me – it was referred to in AR2 during the Naruto leg when Jessie at first is a bit concerned that they got ‘Anna-chan’ on their leg…and it turns out to be correct…though not in the way they expected…^_^

Satoshi’s comment about the mage type than the ninja type is of course, a reverse twist of irony considering the show of Akazukin Chacha. To explain; basically in the show, Shiine-chan has a crush on little witch Chacha. Now, in said show, kawaii little ninja Orin-chan has a crush on Shiine-chan – and whilst the two are good friends, Shiine is still more into Chacha. Now can you see the plot twist? Yep – this time, he’s upset at the mage and in love with the ninja. (Applause for being perversely twisted…)

And the next twisted chapter is in the usual timescale…and Amecon is coming soon…get Greg and Monica to sign this…

P.S: If there are any people on AnimeOnDVD, I’m now an official member under the name ‘Spirit Of The Stage.’ I’ll see you there!