Last time, we beat the boss and met Cain and Touma. Now let’s get the fuck out of here.
As it turns out, the red dome dumps us out right above the exit. How convenient.
:sigh: But it’s never that easy, is it?
Ah! There’s a whole bunch of them!
Crap, that’s a lot… Things might get a little rough here…
There’s nowhere to run. We have to fight!
But there’s so many of them…!
What!?
And suddenly the area gets coated in ice. Thanks mysterious benefactor, but we totally could have taken those fights, there was only like six of them. :colbert:
Huh-Kiria!? Wh-Why is she here live, in person!?
Ohmygosh Kiria’s looking at me… Wait-don’t tell me Kiria’s a Mirage Master too…?
Wh-What do I do? Ooh, I can feel my brain pounding…
Uh, Tsubasa… if it’s your brain that’s pounding, something might be wrong.
Hm…
Kiria can clearly see where this is going, and gets out before she gets cornered by a fangirl.
Uh, I think we have more important things to worry about… Come on, let’s get out of here while we can.
We finally made it back.
Yep! Nicely done, you two.
I can’t believe all that happened… but I’m just glad we all made it back safe.
You can say that again… Man, I’m beat.
Ah yes, the “sexy boss” character, just what we were missing.
Yeah. Though, uh, Kiria had to bail us out at the end there.
And these two would be…?
Oh, they’re my friends: Itsuki and Tsubasa.
Oh, um, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Tsubasa Oribe.
I’m Itsuki Aoi.
Ms. Maiko… Somewhere in the middle of all that mess, these two got the powers of Mirage Masters.
…Both Masters… Maybe this is fate then…
Sorry, but you are…?
I direct others who investigate incidents like this one. I suppose you could call me their leader.
…Investigation?
Yes. Although Mirage-related incidents aren’t often made public, they’re more common than you know.
…The Mass Disappearance. I’m sure you’re familiar with the name, at least?
That was the incident where a huge number of performers and audience members just… vanished, right?
Mirages were responsible for that phenomenon, too.
We still don’t have all the information on what they truly are… But we’ve confirmed that they reside in areas known as Idolaspheres and cause harm to humans.
Their existence lies beyond that of our physical realm… so conventional weaponry doesn’t really faze them. The only thing that can stop a Mirage is the power of another Mirage.
You catch on quick. Certain Mirages can harmonize with talented humans and grant them their powers… Using these gifted powers to combat this threat to humanity - that is what it means to be a Mirage Master.
Since we investigate cases involving Mirages, we NEED the help of Masters to do it. Unfortunately, those who have the natural ability for it are very rare…
…
Tsubasa?
Huh!?
I don’t know if I’ll be any good at it… but if I do have some rare ability… then I want to help out!
I see…
You’re Ayaha Oribe’s little sister, aren’t you?
H-Huh…? How do you know that…?
Still, I never dreamed that you’d get yourself involved in all this.
During the incident five years ago, you were in the audience, and Ayaha Oribe disappeared before your eyes.
…Yes.
And you’re thinking if you become a Mirage Master… you might find some clues about your sister… correct?
I’ve been looking all this time… I only auditioned in the first place because I thought being in the industry’d help… If becoming a Mirage Master will help me find her, then… I’ll do it! I… I want to become a Master!
…
Th-Thank you so much!
And what about you, Itsuki?
I’ll do it. If there’s any way I can help, just say the word.
Itsuki!
I knew we could count on you, man.
Thank you, Itsuki. I just love kids who are always willing to help.
I’ll do my best, Ms. Shimazaki.
Uh, oookay… I’ll do my best… Ms. Maiko.
Itsuki… are you sure about this…?
I can’t just let you do something dangerous like this on your own, Tsubasa.
Thanks… Just having you by my side makes me feel like I can do anything!
N-No, I mean, I’ll be counting on you too, Touma!
Giggle You three are pretty close, aren’t you?
Hah hah hah! It’s a shame you aren’t about 10 years younger, Ms. Maiko, or you could’ve gotten in on this.
Oh, Touma? I think you and I need to sit down for a nice long chat… about your future.
S-Sorry, uh, my schedule’s all full up!
You… have a hidden base?
It’s only appropriate for a secret organization to have a secret headquarters, right?
Uh, Ms. Maiko, I think base might be stretching it a little-
Well, I’m a very busy woman. I have some errands to take care of, so I’ll see you later.
And with a quick wave, Maiko disappears just as quickly as she came.
