Mahoromatic – Seasons of Change

By Dr. Memory

(AKA Carl A. Potaczala)

Introduction

Mahoromatic – Seasons of Change is the second installment (a fourth season) in the extension of the Mahoromatic series. It picks up from where New Beginnings ended (actually there is about a two week break) and takes you through approximately one year in the life of the Mahoromatic characters.

Although this series is still centered around the lives of Suguru Misato and V1046 R Mahoro, stories that develop characters like Rin, Miyuki, Hamaji and the rest of Suguru's close friends are also included. This season will also introduce a number of new characters. Several of them will add to the main plot of the story, others are only supporting characters… but, for the most part, they all have names.

As the title implies, this story is about change. Some of those changes are quite obvious (like the formal establishment of relations with the Saint people) and others are subtle (like the relationships between some of the characters).

When I first started writing New Beginnings, I realized quickly that I had more story than I could fit into a 26-episode season and began outlining Seasons of Change. Then, when I began to work on Seasons of Change, I discovered that I had a similar situation. Seasons of Change has become a 39-episode story, and a fifth season (which will bring the story to a logical conclusion at least in my mind) will have another 26-episodes (16 of which are already fully outlined; the other 10 have a basic story line developed).

I wish to thank everyone who has offered their comments and support for this endeavor. At this writing, the FanFiction edition of the story has seen over 7000 hits. I could not have done this without your encouragement.

Thank you again.

Doctor Memory

a.k.a. Carl Potaczala

Disclaimer

Mahoromatic and all associated characters are the property of Gainax, TBS, Pioneer LDC and the character creators, Ditama and Nakayama. This story is not written for personal profit, but as a tribute to a wonderful story that I think ended poorly and knowing that as long as I write, Mahoro lives. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.

Episode 1: Sisters

(From previous season) Show opens with Suguru entering the house.

Suguru: (Entering the house through the front door) Mahoro, I'm home.

Voice of Mahoro: I'm upstairs in our room. Would you please come up here for a moment?

Suguru: I'll be right there.

Suguru goes up the stairs, carrying his book bag. He arrives at the room and opens the door and enters. As he enters, suddenly in shock, drops his book bag where he stands. The scene shifts to view Suguru from Mahoro's point of view. It is quite obvious that Mahoro is naked.

Mahoro: Close the door, Suguru.

Suguru does so, almost robotically.

Suguru: (Finally recovering enough to speak) Mahoro, are you trying to seduce me?

Mahoro: In fact Suguru, yes I am. Now take off your clothing and come over here and make love to me.

Scene cuts to Mahoro sitting up on the couch in the living room suddenly waking up from sleep.

Mahoro: Oh! My!

Cut to opening theme.

Scene returns to Mahoro sitting on the couch, but now showing Suguru who is sitting across from her working on a school project on the table.

Suguru: Mahoro, are you all right?

Mahoro: I'm fine. I guess I just nodded off.

Suguru: Another dream?

Mahoro: (Mahoro begins to blush; quietly) Yes.

Suguru: Oh… (Extended uncomfortable silence) You know, you don't have to sit here while I work on my project. You could go out and do something on your own.

Mahoro: No… Actually, I was waiting for you to take a break. I wanted to talk to you about something.

Suguru: I can take a break now. I'm not making much progress.

Mahoro: What kind of project is it?

Suguru: It's on current events. Each of us has to put a presentation together about some major news event that occurred over the summer, but we can't use anything that mentions our trip, or anything about Saint or Vesper or Kaemisa. All of the classes from our grade have to do it. Somehow I get the feeling the principal had his hand in this.

Mahoro: So what are you doing your project on?

Suguru: That's the problem. During the summer break, not much occurred that didn't have something to do, directly or indirectly, with those items. I've already had three ideas disallowed, but everyone else is having the same problem. Some people are beginning to complain that they are going to get bad grades because of us.

Mahoro: That isn't fair. We should really talk to the principal about this.

Suguru: I've already tried. He won't see me, or anyone else from our group.

Mahoro: Maybe I should go in to talk to him. I'm sure that I can get him to see the error of his ways.

Suguru: Mahoro, people will get suspicious if they can't find the body. No, our class has to beat him at his own game. But enough of that, you said you wanted to talk about something.

Mahoro: I received a call today from Professor Hokato. He would like to meet with my sisters and me tomorrow at the university tomorrow.

Suguru: I don't see any problem with that.

Mahoro: But I would need to be there all day and possibly into the evening. I wouldn't be able to fulfill my duties around the house.

Suguru: Mahoro, I don't think that the world will end if you aren't here one day and the chores don't get done. The house is spotless. There is next to no laundry to do. I'll be at school most of the day…

Mahoro: But I may not be here to make dinner for you.

Suguru: Hmmm… The university area… I'll ask Chizu-chan if she knows any good restaurants there. I'm sure she does. I can take the train and meet you there and we can go out to dinner. We can go out on a date. Would that be OK, Papa Slash?

Slash: (Entering the living room from the dining room) Very funny. You know that the Commander is not pleased about you taking the train… and then there is all of the hassle of getting me on the train.

Suguru: You know that permit we have gets you on the train with no problem… and think of it this way… I'm sure there will be plenty of pretty girls on campus for you to check out.

Slash: (Baring his fangs) I don't have to take this.

Mahoro: But you know he's right.

Slash: You too, Mahoro. I don't know what this boy has done to corrupt you, but you haven't been the same since you came back from space.

Mahoro: I think it has something to do with being in love. (To Suguru) But what about Minawa-chan and Kaito-kun and Riku-kun?

Suguru: Kaito-kun will be with Chizu-chan. Riku-kun will be going with Miyuki-chan to take Harune-chan to physical therapy. And Hamaji-kun and Minawa-chan are working on schoolwork together at his house. The house will be empty. I'll come home and feed Guri-chan and head straight to the train. Maybe I can find some ideas for my project at the university library.

Mahoro: It would be alright then?

Slash: We could arrange for a car to take you there.

Suguru: (To Slash) I don't think that will be necessary. The university is not that far away by train. (To Mahoro) So what is the Professor doing at the university?

Mahoro: He is doing the weapon system decommission on my sister combat androids at the university since the lab facilities at the Vesper headquarters were damaged. Tomorrow is the last phase and the professor would like me there when he restarts their combat processors. It was quite disorienting for me, so he would like some additional support. But I would also like to talk to the Professor about the dreams.

Suguru: I understand. I'll wear my wristband tomorrow and you can let me know where I can find you.

Mahoro: Thank you Suguru.

Suguru: (Turning his attention again to his homework) Now, let me see if I can find something important that happened this summer that didn't involve me.

Scene shifts to Miyuki and Riku who are working on homework together in the living room of Sakura house.

Miyuki: You know, it isn't fair that they put you into the same Japanese History class with the rest of the class. The teacher is proceeding as if you had taken all of the previous years of Japanese History and Culture. Exchange students that come from other countries take introductory courses.

Riku: The books that Ryuga-sensei got for Kaito-kun and me are providing a great deal of help.

Miyuki: I'm amazed at how you can read and remember so much of it.

Riku: It was part of our training in school on my home ship. We didn't have books like this. Our books were all on the computer. We had to read there and remember it for class.

Miyuki: Riku-kun, there is one other thing that I don't understand. You speak almost perfect Japanese, as do most of the other people of Saint that I have met. Is that really your native language?

Riku: At least on my home ship and a on many others, that is the case. There are a few other languages on other ships, but they are all very similar. What you call Japanese is the language my family and I have always spoken.

Miyuki: There are so many things that I don't understand yet.

Harune enters the living room and looks at the school work spread out on the table..

Harune: Hi, Onee-chan… Hi, Riku-kun. What are you working on?

Miyuki: Hi Harune… History.

Harune: Euuu! I hate history. Too much stupid stuff you have to memorize.

Miyuki: I'll agree to that.

Riku: Hi, Harune-chan. You look like you're moving around pretty well.

Harune: Yeah. My legs still get tired if I walk a lot or if I run. And they won't let me take PE until the doctor sends a note in.

Miyuki: Well you have at least another three weeks of physical therapy to go. In fact, you have a session with Nurse Hanaki tomorrow, don't you?

Harune: Yep. Right after school. Are you and Riku-kun taking me?

Miyuki: Dad wanted me to take you tomorrow.

Harune: That's nice. I'm so glad that I don't have to use the zero-G chair any more.

Miyuki: Why's that? I thought you liked it.

Harune: I did… until the kids at school figured out that they could grab the chair and give me a big spin and there was nothing I could do about it.

Riku: Would it be better if it came equipped with a particle beam cannon?

Harune: That would have been neat. Watch out Natsune and Akine.

Miyuki: Speaking of which, any idea what your sisters are doing?

Harune: Mom has Akine helping with the dishes and dad has Natsune working the entrance while he is trying to figure out where the leaky pipe is.

Miyuki: That can't be good. Natsune hates working there. And Akine thinks she'll melt if her hands touch dishwater. We'll never hear the end of it.

Harune: It's their own fault. They were the ones who had to get their homework done before dinner. I guess they figured that you would get stuck working the entrance after dinner too.

Miyuki: I don't know what it is with those two. By now, they should know that mom and dad won't let them get away with it.

Riku: Does their current attitude have something to do with me?

Harune: No, not at all Riku-kun. They've been like this for as long as I can remember.

Miyuki: And now having Natsune in the same school as me doesn't make it any better.

Harune: It will help when mom starts letting me do chores again. I think she's going overboard with how helpless I'm supposed to be.

Miyuki: Take it easy on mom. She really freaked out when she thought she might lose you or that you might be permanently in a wheel chair. She'll come around, and then you'll have more chores to do than you ever wanted.

Harune: It would be better that listening to our sisters whine about it all of the time.

Miyuki: Maybe it's time we all had a talk about this.

Scene shifts to Rin and Kiyomi and they enter the apartment where Rin and her mother are staying.

Rin: (Calling out as she enters) Hi mom, I'm home.

Voice of Karen: Hey, Rin. I'm in the kitchen.

Rin and Kiyomi begin to walk across the living room and Karen enters the living room from the kitchen.

Karen: You're home early… (Seeing Kiyomi) Oh! Hello Kiyomi-kun.

Kiyomi: Hello, Mrs. Todoroki.

Karen: Please, don't be so formal. Calling me Karen would be nice. Calling me mom would even be better.

Kiyomi: I'm sorry. It's very difficult to get use to doing that. I still have problems calling Shikijo-sensei Saori.

Karen: That's OK. So why home so early?

Kiyomi: My dad let us out so we could work on a project for school.

Karen: What kind of project?

Rin: On some event that occurred over the summer.

Karen: Well that should be easy. You were part of most of them.

Kiyomi: It won't be that easy. We can't use any event that involved us, or Saint, or Vesper. I think it's our principal's way of getting even with us. He's being a real jerk.

Karen: That really narrows down the number of things to do your project about… maybe a couple of restaurant reviews.

Rin: And Chizu-chan is probably already using those. Kiyomi-kun is really being nice just calling him a jerk.

Karen: That explains the letter then.

Kiyomi: Oh! That… My parents got the same letter, I think.

Karen: So you two caused a major disruption through your grossly inappropriate behavior… He makes it sound like you were doing something quite lewd in the middle of the school yard.

Kiyomi: All I did Mrs. Todo… (Catches himself) Karen-san… was give Rin-chan a little kiss… outside the school gate… before we were even on school property.

Rin: He must have been watching for us with his binocular.

Karen: If that's the case, maybe you should have done something really lewd in the middle of the schoolyard. At least he would have gotten his money's worth.

Rin: Mother!

Karen: (Laughing) I'm sorry, Rin-chan, but I've heard Saori-sensei talk about him. I think it's time the parents get involved with this idiot.

Kiyomi: My dad will help. He's angry because he has to give me extra time off to work on this project.

Karen: I'll make some phone calls after dinner… Have you eaten dinner yet?

Rin: No, mom. I wanted to put in at least a couple of hours before having to get started my schoolwork.

Karen: I'll finish getting dinner ready. You and Kiyomi-kun can get on the internet and see what you can find.

Scene shifts to Hamaji and Minawa sitting on a bench in the park. Hamaji's head is bowed and he is holding it as if trying to prevent it from exploding. Minawa is sitting next to Hamaji trying to comfort him.

Hamaji: (Slowly shaking his head as he talks) I don't believe it… I can't believe this is happening… I don't want to even think about it.

Minawa: I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do that will help?

Hamaji: No Mi-chan. At this point there is nothing that we can do but see it though.

Minawa: I'm so sorry…

Hamaji: Minawa, there is no reason for you to be sorry. I'm the one who should have kept better control of the situation. I should have known that this would happen.

Minawa: But it seems like it was always part of the plan…

Hamaji: I just hadn't expected to happen this soon. I don't think I'm really ready for this.

Minawa: But it is going to happen, ready or not… But I don't see what the problem is with you having a little brother or sister.

Hamaji: That's not really the problem. It's the visualization of my parents…

Minawa: Did you expect to have a little brother or little sister any other way? You knew that is what your parents had intended.

Hamaji: (Deep sigh) I know.

Minawa: And think of it this way. You and I can help your mother. It will be good experience for when we decide to have children.

Hamaji: I guess you're right.

Minawa: Come on. Let's go tell Suguru-kun and Onee-chan. Onee-chan will be so happy.

Hamaji and Minawa get up from the bench and begin to walk, hand in hand.

Minawa: So, Hamaji, which would you prefer, a little brother or a little sister?

Hamaji: I don't know… it doesn't really matter… although a little sister might be nice.

Scene shifts to Chizu and Kaito working on homework in Chizu's room. Her room is decorated with movie posters and menus from various restaurants.

Kaito: You're sure it is OK with your parents for me to be alone with you in your bedroom?

Chizu: My parents trust you Kaito-kun. You really impressed them that night when you brought me home the first time. Plus this is really the only place in the house where we can work on homework. My parents have some guests coming here tonight. Something about a new movie my dad is supposed to direct. It will probably get pretty loud.

Kaito: Your mom and dad are very nice… a little strange… but still very nice. Now, can you explain to me what this project is supposed to be about?

Chizu: We have to do a report on some event that took place during the summer break. The problem is that it can't be about our trip, or about anything Saint or Vesper. (Picking up a stack of printouts from her desk) The problem is not much happened over the summer other than that. I haven't found one major news story that doesn't have something to do with us.

Kaito: I'm really not going to be much help. I only was here for half of the summer and I really don't understand that much about what is happening on Earth.

Chizu: The funny thing is that when news about contact with Saint broke, most other newsworthy events stopped. I mean, three major wars that have been going on for years came to a complete halt. They are talking about signing peace treaties within the week.

Kaito: Do you think it's because Kaemisa wasn't interfering any longer?

Chizu: That is more than likely the case, but it doesn't help us with our homework. (Showing Kaito the stack of printouts as she looks through them herself) I've used the computer to search most of the newspapers in the area, but everything… wait a minute…

Kaito: What is it? Did you find something we can do our project about?

Chizu: You bet… Take a look… (Chizu shows the printout to Kaito) A major gourmet restaurant from the United States is going to open a location in Tokyo…

Kaito just looks at Chizu and smiles.

Cut to mid-show break.

Scene opens with Saori and Ryuga walking side by side to Saori's apartment.

Saori: So Sera-san left this morning to go to the command ship.

Ryuga: Yeah. She went to bring Leesha-san, the new Ambassador and his family, and some other staff members for the embassy. She'll be back in a couple of days.

Saori: A couple of days… doesn't it usually take about a week for the round trip?

Ryuga: Sera is going to try the micro-jump again on the trip to the command ship, so that cuts off a few days.

Saori: Is your ship the only one available for these type of trips? It seems like Sera-san is always making the trip to or from the command ship.

Ryuga: Unfortunately, that's the case right now. Our ship is the only one at the command ship with the transport capability. The others only have ship to ship transfer capability. But there are supposed to be at least three more ships like ours coming from the main fleet soon.

Saori: That will be good. So where would you like to eat dinner tonight… your apartment or mine.

Ryuga: Actually is was wondering… would you mind… if we went out to eat.

Saori: You mean sort of like a date.

Ryuga: (Blushing) Well… yeah… ahhh… sort of like… a date.

Saori: That would be wonderful. (Saori puts her arms around Ryuga and gives him a hug and a little kiss on the cheek) I'll be ready to go in about a half hour, if that's OK with you.

Ryuga: (Blushing even more) Yeah… Sure… Ahhh… I'll be back… to get you… in about a half hour.

Saori: Thank you so much.

Saori give Ryuga another kiss on the cheek and then enters her apartment, leaving Ryuga standing outside. It takes several moments for him to regain his composure and realize that he has to go to his own apartment to get ready for his date.

Scene shifts to Miyuki's room. Already in the room are Miyuki, Riku and Harune. There is a knock at the door.

Voice of Natsune: Miyuki… It's Akine and me.

Miyuki: Come in.

The door slides open and Natsune and Akine enter. They sit down on the floor with the rest.

Akine: OK we're here, just like you asked. What kind of trouble are we in now?

Miyuki: You're not in any trouble.

Natsune: Does mom know he's (indicating Riku) in here with you? She is going to freak if she finds out.

Miyuki: She knows that Riku-kun is in here with me. I already also told her that we slept together while you guys were gone.

Akine: (Faking a shocked look) What did mom have to say to that?

Miyuki: She asked if I was pregnant. I said no and she said to keep it that way.

Natsune: Wow! That was rather blunt. So what did you want to talk about?

Miyuki: I have an idea that will make life around here a lot less miserable for everyone, including mom and dad.

Akine: What… you and Harune are moving out?

Miyuki: Enough of that.

Harune: At least hear Miyuki out. This sounds like a a good plan, even considering its from Miyuki.

Miyuki: Watch it, or I'll let your little secret out of the bag.

Harune: Sorry.

Miyuki: I just seems to me that we spend more time screaming at each other about chores that we do actually doing them and I think it's really getting to dad and mom… especially mom.

Akine: So what are you proposing?

Miyuki: Some terms and conditions on the chores. If we divide them up before mom has to start handing them out, we might actually get to do chores that we don't absolutely hate and mom and dad might get some peace and quiet.

Natsune: Your point…

Miyuki: You and Akine like to do your homework right after you get home from school, while I like to wait until after dinner and do it with Riku-kun.

Akine: Do what with Riku-kun… your homework… or…

Miyuki: You'll never know for sure. But back to what I was talking about, I can work the baths right after school.

Riku: And I can help your dad with other things around the baths.

Miyuki: And Akine, you can work the entrance while dad eats dinner.

Natsune: That means I get to do the dishes.

Miyuki: I can help you with that, except nights when I have dinner with Riku-kun at Mahoro-san's and Suguru-kun's house… and that won't really be that often. But then you and Akine will be done before you TV shows come on.

Harune: And Akine doesn't have to get her hands anywhere near the dishwater.

Akine: OK, and where does the little invalid fit into this plan?

Harune: I'm sorry, but mom is really being a pain about me doing anything.

Miyuki: But I figure if she just shows up to help, like with setting the table or washing the dishes, she'll be able to contribute to the cause… at least until mom notices. But the big thing is that we have to work this out and just do it, even without mom or dad asking. If anybody has to do something that would take them away from their normal routine, that person has to make arrangements for coverage… and for repayment of services.

Akine: I'm willing to give it a try, especially if it means that I don't have to wash dishes.

Natsune: I guess you can count me in too. I still don't see what's in this for you, Miyuki.

Miyuki: Just peace and quiet… Just peace and quiet. Start tomorrow after school?

Harune: Let's do it.

Natsune: Fine with me

Akine: Same here… OK, Harune, what's this secret… or do we have to tickle it out of you?

Harune: Nothing special… Just that I slept with this cute guy when we were on the command ship.

Akine and Natsune: (Looking in disbelief) What!

Miyuki: (Shaking her head) That's my little sister.

Scene shifts to Mahoro and Suguru sitting at the breakfast table with Hamaji, Minawa, Kaito and Riku.

Mahoro: I still can't believe that Hamaji-kun's mother is going to have a baby.

Suguru: I still don't think that Hamaji-kun believes it yet… or wants to.

Hamaji: Well I feel a lot better about it this morning than I did last night. Minawa did point out that it would be a good opportunity for us to get some practice for when we have children.

Kaito: So when is the baby due?

Hamaji: I guess sometime in May.

Kaito: (After a moment of thought) Hmmm… That would mean that your mother probably got pregnant the night that you and Minawa-chan walked in on your parents…

Hamaji: Don't bring that up. The image of that is still burned into my brain.

Mahoro: Well, if your mother needs any help with anything, just let me know. I'll do whatever I can.

Hamaji: Thank you very much. I'll let my mother know that.

Suguru: So you are going to the university today to help Professor Hokato?

Mahoro: Yes. Everyone knows that they will have to find dinner elsewhere tonight.

Riku: It won't be a problem here.

Minawa: Hamaji and I were already planning to eat at his house tonight,

Kaito: Chizu-chan has something planned for me tonight, but she won't say what.

Mahoro: Then I will let you know where I will be at the university with the wristband.

Suguru: I'll ask Chizu-chan if she has a favorite restaurant in the area.

The is a moment of silence as everyone continues to eat breakfast.

Kaito: I asked Chizu-chan's father. He says that the living room is as good a place as any.

Hamaji has to swallow hard to prevent himself from choking and Suguru sprays the coffee he is attempting to drink.

Scene shifts to a laboratory setting. Professor Hokato (wearing a white lab coat) and Mahoro (in a Vesper school uniform) are with Kanoko, Nekoto, Chiako, Sanako and Akiko (all of whom are wearing their battle armor). Kanoko is seated in a chair and there are wires attached in various places to her battle armor.

Kanoko: I guess I don't understand why we need to wear the battle armor.

Hokato: Your battle armor is equipped with the necessary sensory connection points for this process. Otherwise I would have to attach the leads directly to you skin and it would be impractical for you to wear any clothing.

Kanoko: I don't understand why that would be a problem.

Hokato: It's more for me than for you, I guess. (Mahoro lets out a little giggle; to Mahoro). That will be enough out of you. (addressing the other androids) I have already downloaded your new power consumption and equipment usage parameters. What I am going to do is reset your combat processor so that it will load and use these new parameters.

Kanoko: Will this be painful?

Hokato: No, (rubbing his left arm with his right hand) but when we did this process with Mahoro-san, she experienced sensory disruption and disorientation. It did not last very long… only about fifteen or twenty minutes, but that is why Mahoro-san is here; to help you during the initial stages and maybe provide some comfort.

Mahoro: I will warn you. You will lose all sensory input for a short period of time. It will seem as though you have gone blind until your combat processor recalibrates to your new visual input levels and that will be the last of your senses to come on-line. Your hearing will be the first to return after about fifteen second. It is that first fifteen seconds of total sensory deprivation that will cause the greatest disorientation. But I will be counting the time, so you will hear my voice as soon as the auditory systems come on-line. Focus on that and it will make the remaining time easier… Are you ready?

Kanoko: As ready as I will ever be.

Mahoro nods to Professor Hokato.

Hokato: Then I will move to a safe distance.

Mahoro: I'm sorry. I had not been my intention to break your arm when my systems were downgraded.

Hokato: (As he moves about twenty feet away to a control panel) I know Mahoro-san. I should have realized that you might react that way… (When he reaches the control panel) On my mark… five… four… three… two… one… mark.

Suddenly Kanoko draws in a deep breath and the expression on her face changes to one that is both blank and in shock at the same time.

Mahoro: One… Two… Three…

Kanoko's body begins to twitch, particularly her hands.

Mahoro: Four… Five… Six… Seven…

Kanoko's face begins to twitch also, particularly around her mouth and eyes.

Mahoro: Eight… Nine… Ten…

Kanoko begins to breathe again (gasp) and the twitching begin to subside.

Mahoro: Just a few more seconds… Thirteen… Fourteen… Fifteen… Kanoko… Kanoko… It's me Mahoro… Kanoko… Kanoko…

Kanoko: (Gasping for air) Ma… ho… ro

Mahoro: Kanoko… listen to my voice… focus on my voice… it will help the disorientation… don't try to talk… your touch senses should be retuning next along with your sense of smell. Everything will smell sweet, like you're in the middle of a huge flower garden, but that will return to normal in about a minute. Kanoko, don't worry. It will all get better and soon everything will be fine. Don't worry. Everything will be fine…

Scene fades to Mahoro with Akiko sitting in the chair. The other battle androids have changed into Vesper student uniforms and are with Mahoro and Akiko.

Mahoro: Are you all right, Akiko-chan?

Akiko: Yes, I think I'll be fine now. I will tell you, I think I would rather die than face that again.

Mahoro: I agree with you completely. Although, when my systems were downgraded, they did not realize that it would be good idea to take my weapon systems off-line first. My particle beam made quite a large hole in the wall at the Vesper headquarters.

Hokato: (Joining the group) As well as almost making a large hole in me.

Akiko: Well, I should change out of this. I won't be needing it any more.

Mahoro: I would suggest that you keep your battle armor. I have found it useful on several occasions, especially with the upgraded sensor system and the external weapons that it provides.

Chiako: Am I correct in detecting that the Shining of the Dark is still on-line?

Mahoro: Yes. It is the one weapon system that cannot be disabled. Please don't be tempted to use it. Its implications go far beyond anything we might have considered about it before.

Hokato: Well I would suggest that you all get a good nights rest. By morning, all of your systems should have completely recalibrated.

Nekoto: Mahoro-chan, will you be here for a while?

Mahoro: I need to talk to the Professor about something and then I will be waiting for Suguru to arrive.

Hokato: Sounds like you have yourself set up for a date tonight.

Mahoro: Yes, he's planning to take me out for dinner.

Nekoto: If you have some time after you talk to the Professor, I think we would all like to talk with you.

Mahoro: I'll make some time. Professor Hokato, may we talk with you for a moment?

Hokato: Sure, no problem. Why don't you come to my office with me?

Kanoko: We'll wait here for you Mahoro-chan.

Mahoro nods her head and then walks with Professor Hokato.

Hokato: Is everything well at home?

Mahoro: Everything is fine. Everyone is quite busy with school and projects. Oh! Hamaji-kun's mother is going to have a baby.

Hokato: I'm sure Hamaji-kun is quite excited about that.

Mahoro: Actually, Minawa-chan is more excited than Hamaji-kun. I think she is looking at this as an opportunity to practice for when she and Hamaji-kun have their own children.

Hokato: You could look at it that way. (Looking at Mahoro) Hmmm… I would say that you are filling out that uniform a little more than you used to.

Mahoro: (Blushing) Actually it's only one size. It's barely noticeable.

Hokato: But it looks good. (Reaching Professor Hokato's office) So Mahoro-san, what was it you wanted to talk about?

Mahoro: (As both sit down; Mahoro still blushing) I'm not sure how to put this. It seems that I have been having some rather… ahhh… disturbing dreams lately. Rather… I guess the word for it is… ahhh… erotic.

Hokato: Hmmm… If you were a normal teenager, I would tell you that dreams like that are perfectly normal… although boys tend to have dreams like that more than girls. And in fact, considering the results of the last set of blood tests that I did, I would not say that it was abnormal for you.

Mahoro: It's just that…

Hokato: I know. You're not comfortable with them because of your previous conditioning. The only thing I can tell you is to not worry about them quite so much. They will eventually pass. You might want to share them with Suguru-kun, if you want someone to talk to about them. He would be more than understanding.

Mahoro: The problem is that if we are both asleep, we tend to share the dreams. I think Suguru finds them as disturbing as I do.

Hokato: Well, you might want to talk to him about it. You may be pleasantly surprised that talking about it may actually help the dreams pass. On the other hand, let me do another blood test and make sure nothing has changed.

Professor Hokato and goes to a cabinet to get a blood draw kit as scene fades to Mahoro and Suguru sitting at a table in a restaurant.

Suguru: You should have seen it at school today. All they would have needed was torches and pitch forks and it would have looked like peasants storming a castle is some old monster movie. There must have been at least two hundred parents there with Rin's mother and Kiyomi's father leading the group.

Mahoro: I'm sorry I missed it. I would have loved to see the look on the principal's face.

Suguru: He tried to ignore the fact that the parents were even there. He even tried to call the police chief, but the police chief was already in the crowd.

Mahoro: So what happened?

Suguru: He finally met with Karen-san and Mr. Kawahara and several of the other parents. We have an extra week to do our projects and the restrictions was taken off of what we can do the project about.

Mahoro: That's good. What do you think convinced him?

Suguru: When the call went up from the parents to have him tarred and feathered probably had something to do with it.

Mahoro: I'm just sorry I could not be there to help.

Suguru: So how was your day?

Mahoro: The system downgrade of my sisters is complete. It was far more difficult for them than I expected, but I think they are resting quietly tonight and should feel better in the morning. They are still quite worried about what will happen to them now. I had a purpose when I retired, but they are not sure at all what they are going to do with the remainder of their time.

Suguru: I can understand that. Although I was just thinking. Hamaji-kun's mother will probably need some additional help as time goes on. One of them might be able to help out there.

Mahoro: That is true. I will have to remember that.

Suguru: Did you talk to Professor Hokato about your dreams?

Mahoro: Yes. (Blushing a bit) He said that actually it might be perfectly normal. He did take another blood sample, but he said that the best thing to do might be to talk to someone about them. He said that you would be a good person to talk to about them.

Suguru: Ahhh…

Mahoro: Especially when I told him that sometimes we have the same dreams. (Seeing that Suguru is starting to blush) I'm sorry Suguru. I didn't mean to embarrass you.

Suguru: Mahoro, please don't worry about it. I really never talked to you about it because I didn't want to embarrass you.

Mahoro: And I didn't want to embarrass you or think I was pressuring you.

Suguru: Maybe when we get home, we need to talk, even if it is embarrassing.

Suguru reaches across the table and takes Mahoro by the hand… just as their meals are delivered. Both start to giggle.

Scene fades to an image of a Mrs. Sakura with a stunned look on her face. Zoom back to show her sitting at the dinner table with her daughters and Riku.

Natsune: Akine, could you please get me some more rice?

Akine: Sure Natsune. Would you like some more Harune?

Harune: If you would please.

Akine stands up and take Natsune's and Harune's rice bowls and exits to the kitchen.

Natsune: Harune, how did your physical therapy go?

Harune: It went well, but Nurse Hanaki says that I should be getting more exercise around the house. She said that doing simple chores would actually be a good thing.

Akine returns with the two bowls of rice and places them in front of Harune and Natsune.

Akine: Mother, would you like some more rice?

Mrs. Sakura: (Jolted from her stupor) Ahhh… no… I'm… ahhh… fine. Thank you though for asking.

Akine: You're welcome. I've had enough dinner. May I be excused so that I can let Father come in and eat?

Mrs. Sakura: Sure… that will be fine…

Akine stops to get her dishes to take them to the kitchen.

Natsune: Don't worry, Akine. I'll take care of it. Go let dad come in and have dinner.

Akine exits the dining room. Natsune gets up and takes Akine's dishes to the kitchen. When she re-enters the dining room, she is carrying a full bowl of rice which she sets down on the table at her father's spot, just as he is entering the dining room. He looks around for a moment with a puzzled look on his face, but then sits down. Natsune exits again and returns with a glass of ice tea which she also sets down at her father's spot. Natsune then quietly sits down and begins to eat the bowl of rice at her spot.

Mister and Missus Sakura look at each other for a moment and then Mrs. Sakura leans over to her husband and whispers.

Mrs. Sakura: We are in the right house, aren't we?

Mister and Missus Sakura look at each other again and Mr. Sakura just shrugs his shoulders

Cut to closing theme

Preview:

Scene shows Miyuki walking with Riku, Natsune, Akine and Harune. Scene shifts to Miyuki and company speaking with Leesha and Commander Hayato. Scene shifts to Mahoro and Suguru's dining room. Seated around the table are Mahoro, Suguru, Minawa, Hamaji, Miyuki, Riku, Chizu (who looks rather sullen for Chizu), Kaito, Rin, Kiyomi and Karen. Scene shifts to a sobbing Chizu in Kaito's arms

Voice Over

Voice of Rin: Do you believe that? Miyuki-chan and her sisters together and the riot police haven't had to be called in?

Voice of Kiyomi: That's just not natural. And Commander Leesha has returned to Earth. It's hard to believe that she is Suguru-kun's grandmother.

Voice of Rin: Keep that in mind when you look at her. She is Suguru-kun's grandmother.

Voice of Kiyomi: Its nice get have everyone together. We really don't get the chance now that school is back in session.

Voice of Rin: Isn't it something about Hamaji-kun's mother having a baby?

Voice of Kiyomi: Hamaji-kun doesn't look all that happy about it. And is it me, or is Chizu-chan very quiet tonight.

Voice of Rin: You're right… Chizu-chan doesn't look very happy at all.

Episode 2: Embassy