Mizuha had killed her mother, Izumi.
But Izumi lived.
Sheesh, where were you?
Have you eaten breakfast?
And another figure appears before Fushi.
No need to worry. Mizuha-kun will be there.
Besides, that's the wish of the missus behind you.
Unheard Words
Mizuha's mom is here?!
Are you serious?
Shh! Keep your voice down!
Good thing I brought Mizuha here.
We can ask them what really happened.
Izumi, descendant of Hayase of the Guardians.
She says Mizuha did indeed stab her.
Damn it.
So who's posing as her living mother right now?
I suspect she's one of those "CG" things—
I'll tell you what she thinks.
That entity acting as Mizuha's mom is, in fact, a Nokker.
There's no way!
I took out all the Nokkers!
I destroyed every last enemy! That's what the Black One said, too!
You're right.
But what if you two just happened to overlook some?
Would the Black One be that careless?
He might be.
What if he's actually a total klutzy klutz?
What?
Hey, Black One!
He's making fun of you!
Come out and tell him why he's wrong!
Nailed it.
That's odd.
He hasn't shown up in a while.
I bet he's embarrassed. Give him some space.
In any case, I'm worried about Mizuha-kun living with the impostor.
Fushi, bring her back to life.
But Mizuha said...
Is something wrong?
No.
You're always in favor of life.
That's what you said.
Right.
Sorry, Mizuha.
I'm sure it'll work out.
That's weird! She isn't coming back to life.
Usually, the soul would go "schloop"
into the body and, "bam," come back to life.
Why?!
Is it because the impostor's using her body?
That's never happened in the past.
There's never been a time a real soul couldn't return to their real body.
A body being manipulated by a Nokker is really no more than a moving corpse.
It isn't human.
Defeating that impostor might solve this mystery, too.
Wait.
Tell Fushi to tell Mizuha that the old Mom is gone and doesn't exist anymore.
Tell her that what happened that day really was a bad dream,
and that that's her real mother.
But why?
There are things I need to do in this form.
That's all.
If that thing is a Nokker, then they've evolved somewhat.
There must be people we haven't noticed who are in the same state as I am.
We can learn something if we find them.
I can search for them.
What did she say, Bon?
She said to keep everything a secret from Mizuha.
We're going to do some investigating to keep her safe.
I'll let you know as soon as I learn something.
I want you to keep an eye on her until then.
Keep an eye on her?
With that, good luck starting tomorrow.
I put you in the same grade as Tonari.
I'm talking about school.
A new life. Isn't that nice?!
Well, come in.
Fushi.
Nice to meet you.
His hair's white.
Is he a foreigner?
He's kinda hot, isn't he?
Well, you can take that empty seat over there.
Uh-huh.
"Uh-huh"?!
Never mind.
We can discuss it later.
T-Tonari here.
Nice to meet you.
I've never been to school before, so you'll need to help me out.
Hey, how do you use this?
Oh, here.
Push it like this.
Huh...
By the way, what's everyone doing?
Oh, just copy what's written up there.
Okay. Thanks.
This thing's awesome!
Is that the transfer student everyone's talking about?
Oh, man, he's so cute!
Hey, where did you come from?
Up, I guess?
Which country?
I dunno.
Oh, come on.
Hey, can I touch your hair?
Sure.
It's so smooth.
Those girls are so cringe.
Why? Just let them be.
Hey, which club are you joining?
Club?
We're in the naginata club.
Oh.
Hey, Mizuha, are you in a club?
I used to do naginata, too, but I already quit.
Oh, right.
You're in Yuki's thing now.
Yeah.
Hey, Mizuha, I heard you were hanging out with an underclassman yesterday.
Are your parents less strict now?
Come hang out with me sometime, then.
I dunno...
I'll think about it.
Hanna!
How was it at Aoki-kun's place?
It was fun.
Lots of people there.
I think I know who you have a crush on.
Stop it! You don't need to say his name!
You're gonna be wrong anyway!
I'm surprised your mom allowed it, though.
Yeah.
Everything's changed between my mom and me.
Perfect for you, then?
Yeah.
My mom's awesome now.
I wonder what your mom would think if she heard that.
Dunno. She might cry in joy.
What are you talking about?
Also, is this that transfer student?
Yeah. Fushi.
Isn't that the guy Aoki-kun was talking about?
Your mom would probably be disappointed.
Stop it!
Why would you talk about that now?
Mizuha!
Sorry! Did I say something wrong?
It's not your fault.
Bon! Why are you here?
I got a job here so I could watch over you guys.
I'm your janitor bro!
Pretty badass, don't you think?
Fushi, Mizuha's mom, Izumi-san, said thanks for what you said.
Oh, okay.
So, did you learn anything?
Not yet.
It's not often that you come across a soul in the same state as Izumi-san.
Yeah...
Hey, Fushi-kun, are you close with Mizuha?
Close? I guess we're normal?
Where did you meet each other? When?
Recently.
Oh, we have a common acquaintance.
Oh.
This might surprise you, but you should stay away from her.
She's a bitch.
What's a "bicchi"?
It means she's a slut.
What's a slut?
Someone who tries to whore herself out to men.
Whore?
A whore is...
I'll tell you later.
Thanks.
See?
I told you he exists!
The beast boy, ultimate weapon, and messenger of God, Fushi!
He's real!
The legendary?
May I touch you?
Soft.
And warm.
What's the proof that he's the real thing?
Promise not to tell anyone what you're about to see?
Fushi, can you make something?
Okay.
I-I should not have seen that!
This is not reality!
This is the occult!
I can't believe it! It's good!
Man, how can kids these days put up with all this?
Math? Science? Phys ed? What's that?
Do you get some kind of reward for listening to that pompous grown-up?
Er, may I ask who you are?
That's Tonari-san.
Warrior of light.
She's with Fushi.
Hey, could we join this club? What's it called again?
Can we join?
No way! We're at capacity!
Who said no?!
Why not, Vice President?
Screw you! I'm gonna rat you out!
Whatever! Not everyone can join the Occult Club!
Dummy! Nerds!
Hey, Mizuha, I hate seeing you so sad.
Tell me what happened sometime when you feel like it.
I'm fine.
It's nothing.
Don't hide it.
We're friends, aren't we?
By the way, why aren't you wearing the accessory I gave you?
Sorry, I forgot to put it on.
You're a friend, aren't you? Don't forget.
I'm heading home, Fushi-san.
Mizuha...
Senpai!
Well, I'm headed back, too, then.
Is something going on between you and that girl?
No, nothing.
I just feel like it.
Later!
Don't skip club just because you don't feel like it!
What's up with that?
Seriously.
Made it!
Saki, you're late.
Have you seen Fushi-kun?
Over there.
Mizuha...
What, does it bug you?
He said they have a common acquaintance.
I guess you can't blame them for being friends.
Get started once you're ready.
You talked to him?
I guess.
Where's Funa? She's absent again.
I have no idea.
Why not?
You used to be close. Is something wrong?
It's nothing.
Really.
She is at school, though...
Tell her to come to practice on time.
Okay.
I feel like people are getting suspicious of us because she's skipping.
I know.
Why would she even go after Saki for her own heartache?
Remember how she lashed out at everyone when a first-year got hurt
tripping on bamboo scraps?
Let's do our warm-ups.
Yeah...
Hey, did you watch Monaniji last night?
Not yet. I have it recorded.
Hey, Fushi, do you like me?
Huh? Yeah.
I don't mind you.
What's wrong?
Sorry about earlier.
I didn't bring up your mom because I hate you.
I'm just worried about you.
Oh. Yeah.
It's okay.
I'm not bothered by it.
Thank goodness.
We haven't learned anything about your current mom yet,
but I'll keep an eye on her so you aren't in danger, so don't worry.
Okay. Thanks.
Getting back to my question...
Is there anyone you like?
Sure. There is.
Oh.
Ah, that dark-skinned girl, Tonari? She's cute.
Yeah.
And Yuki, Aiko, Kazumitsu...
I love everyone close to me.
Oh, Messar's kinda hard to deal with, though.
Sheesh, you surprised me.
That's not what I meant.
Are those two going steady?!
What's "steady"?
I don't get anything!
Keep it down! They'll hear you!
They aren't going to hear us, because we can't hear them!
Who're they?
Hairo and Gugu. They live with us.
Why are you here?
We bumped into you, so we came along.
You went to school with that mask on?
Yup.
Has there ever been anyone you had your sights on?
Had my sights on?
I'm asking if you've ever been in love.
Sorry, I can't really follow this subject.
Yeah?
You know, you were so popular at school today.
Popular?
I think a lot of girls are going to ask you out now.
You can't go out with anyone.
Go out?
The relationship that comes before marriage.
Oh, that relationship where you kiss and stuff.
Messar does it all the time.
You have to go out with someone you really like!
Really?
Yes, really!
Also, you can't get in that kind of relationship
with someone without telling me first.
Why would you be the one deciding?
Well, I wonder why?
I don't plan on experiencing that kind of thing for the foreseeable future.
I don't know what it's really like,
but I can tell from reading books and seeing other people that it's important.
Besides, even if I do experience it,
it's going to end up becoming a more and more irrelevant part of my long life.
That would suck, wouldn't it?
You wouldn't go out with someone even if you had feelings for them?
There's nothing I could do about it.
So I won't do anything.
So what would you do if I asked you to go out with me?
I'd do as we just agreed I would.
I won't go out with anyone.
What if there was someone close to you who liked you?
What could they do that would make you happy?
I'd appreciate it if they did nothing.
I'm heading home.
They're totally hitting it off!
Aoki-kun, I don't think they have the kind of relationship you think they do.
What makes you think that?!
If they were in a relationship,
they'd be a lot more lovey-dovey sitting at such a secluded shrine.
Why don't you confirm with Mizuha yourself?
You can't be afraid of getting hurt!
Be strong!
Be assertive! You'll be more attractive that way!
You're right! I'll give it a shot!
Let's eat!
Senpai, Senpai...
Boyfriend, boyfriend...
All right!
Gugu-kun, did anyone say anything about your mask at school?
Not really, actually.
Oh? That's great.
Let me know if you need anything.
Why not talk to a doctor?
You might think about getting surgery to rebuild your face.
And we don't know when that booze in your belly's going to burst.
And Hairo-kun, why not go to the dentist to get dentures made?
I'm interested.
I want to try something, too.
I like playing in the sand, but I want to get to help more, too.
I have you and Eko-chan signed up for home schooling.
Home schooling?
Yeah. You'll enjoy it.
Kai-kun, how's your job hunt going?
Actually, I want to make a workshop.
I don't know what you hope to work on, but I don't have that kind of money.
Not to worry.
The Foundation will offer support.
All right. I go now.
Off you go, Mizuha.
See you.
Watch out for traffic.
Okay.
Mizuha's impostor mom appears to be the same as usual.
Looks like she'll get to school safely.
The world's still peaceful.
Where's Fu-chan?
I didn't see him yesterday morning, either.
I'm worried.
Hey, I'm here.
Where were you?!
Taking a walk.
Don't tell me you were with that Mizuha girl.
For real?!
Good going, Fushi!
Is it true?
I don't think you should get involved with her.
Yo, I'm back!
Eat up, girls.
I have gifts for the dudes, too.
Girl here!
You won in the horse races, huh?
Thanks for this.
This is good shochu.
Mister Messar, do you have anything for us?
Sure, what do you want?
A cap.
A bicycle.
Buy 'em yourself.
You're pretty cold to your juniors.
This age is pretty decent.
With the Nokkers gone, I feel like the world loves me.
Here you are.
Good.
All's peaceful here, too.
Fushi-san.
School.
Mizuha-senpai!
You're up early, Yuki-kun.
S-Senpai, d-do you have a boyfriend?
Nah, I was just curious.
You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
I do.
Of course!
Of course you do.
Why wouldn't you, right?
What if I wasn't joking?
I-I'd be rooting for you!
What would you do if you had a crush on someone who wasn't interested in you?
What would you want me to do?
Don't do anything.
Right, right!
It'd be a pain in the butt!
What if I wasn't joking?
I'd pretend I never heard anything!
Otherwise, I'd be so sad.
Right?!
I know how you feel!
You really understand?
Yeah!
I'm gonna do my best!
Let's both do what we can!
Okay.
What are you two even doing?
Hey, you put it on today, Hanna!
Mizuha's a normal girl.
What do you mean, I shouldn't get involved?
Sure, she looks normal.
Like Hayase and Hisame and Kahaku,
in the beginning.
But you never know when she might shank you.
I get that you're worried.
But there are no more Nokkers.
Relax.
I know.
I watched you for hundreds of years as you fought on a chair.
Those were boring times,
waiting for you to wake up, not knowing when you even would.
But what if they steal everything from inside you again like in your past life?
Are you going to get Bon to commit suicide again?
I wouldn't do that!
Is she your replacement for Kahaku because he didn't make it to the current age?
I guess Kahaku was one of your own.
Sure, that's fine.
But just because March is okay with it, I don't know if you should be.
March might be thinking something else if she were a grown-up.
"Why do I have to get along with the people who killed me?"
Wh-Why would you say that?!
We defeated the Nokkers!
They aren't in Mizuha, either!
I just want to believe this world really is peaceful.
We're going to live in this world and die in it.
What?
I thought that was the plan when you brought us back to life!
Don't tell me you weren't considering that!
Well...
Tonari, I'll prove it to you!
That this world is the paradise you've been hoping for!
Preview
Ominous shadows appear and disappear in a quiet town.
Bon searches for leads to the Nokkers that remain lurking.
Appearing in front of Fushi is a young girl and...
Proof of Peace