Highlander Chapter 3.1

Underground man appears. He says "Hey, that's fine. Your turn indeed [name]-Sensei. A game should have alternating offense and defense"

But the man says he is uninterested in playing by the rules, and won't stay on defense, while giggling. He notes that, basically, he is not doing Gematria work (says it's not research, ritual, or experimentation)

His 3rd strategy is that minds can't be predicted, and can't be controlled. He then talks like Shuro about despair and stuff and says he's interested in what Sensei will do

Underground Man Speech

I missed it, but this text appeared after the Underground man spoke.

It's the usual "these events do not represent reality" text.

I...don't understand? Is it a joke of some sort? Is the Underground Man supposed to be saying this?

Highlander Chapter 3.2

Sensei has found Nonomi. She's actually in the same building the meeting will be taking place in which. That's surprising. Shiroko is chuffed that Sensei is so helpful, and mentions how he helped like this when Serika was kidnapped by the helmet gang--Serika hates this being brought up, but Shiroko isn't trying to tease her, she's just saying that it was a bad situation back then, and we get a brief flashback to when Sensei risked looking into things just to find Serika.

Just a small note about how much everyone cares about each other, basically--though they hadn't told all this to Serika before, maybe not to worry her. Serika thanks everyone, and Sensei says this is just Sensei things

A timer starts showing up, with the 1s minute as an X. So, time is naturally a factor from hereon out. It's just before 9AM. Everyone goes over the goals 1 more time, and Ayane is embarrassed when Shiroko calls her "president". After that, it's just details on the forces we'll be facing. They do think reaching Hoshino is the best idea though and consult Shiroko, who knows her best. Shiroko says Hoshino actually prefers to be up close and personal, even used CQC, so she's probably gonna be fighting folks who are big and heavy. She's right, and we get a small scene of Hoshino fucking up some robots.

Highlander Chapter 3.3

Back to Hoshino, she's got a chopper on her, and she folds up her shield. It fires missiles and she no-sells the hit. Then, she jumps--TO the helicopter. She grabs its leg and swings in.

Butler from Nephthys scene next. When he speaks up at the meeting place(?), the private funders pull guns on him although he plays dumb initially. Then he is revealed...to be working with...

Kaiser PMC :|. He says the super gun was always property of Nephthys. They then fire on each other. On a side note, the prison and building look high tech instead of a broken down shit building for some reason (that's how it looked last time we saw the prison at least). Anyways, this segment ends with the girls very near to Hoshino

Highlander Chapter 3.4

Hoshino's ponytailed chibi wrecks shit and we can only barely follow in her wake during a battle segment. Ayane is flagging a bit but they've gotta try to catch up.

Next: Butler wins the firefight in the meeting. He explains that they aren't really willingly working with Kaiser, but Kaiser had conditions to sell what it previously owned. When they remark that it's heinous they kidnapped the daughter of Nephthys, butler says "eh, we'll apologize later". He does note that, essentially, this much punishment is not enough for Nonomi given how she fucked Nephthys over by going to Abydos.

That said, he wants to know how they learned of their betrayal early. Suou comes in and says she told them. And who with?

KAISER! FUCKING KAISER AGAIN

President says she's been working for them, Suou says yeah for a long time, and Butler says, basically, FFS, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE THE ONES WHO SAVED YOU (???). She says she never asked for their help. President and General then get their troops to shoot the Butler, and afterward everyone other than Kaiser/Suou is captured. When captured, the president looks over what info they've gathered and he is curious why they never mentioned the railway gun to him. As a reminder, the Butler earlier said that Kaiser would never be interested in that, but they do seem really interested. They talk about how they've lost contact with Black Suit for a while, and then the president says aight, let's take the gun, as the General insinuates it can be used for future plans

Highlander Chapter 3.5

Butler brings up that this is against the law and President is like "Law?" He then basically explains their goals to them, and their plans. He's pretty amused at what they were all trying to do and basically says "You fucked with the wrong guy, I honestly am surprised you thought you could get away with pulling the rug out from under the president of Kaiser". He laughs at them, and says he's surprised Nepthys would go so far as to kidnap Nonomi.

Anyway, the one thing he wasn't quite sure about was why tell Abydos at all, and he wagers it was so that they could obfuscate the existence of the gun (which, of course, Kaiser hadn't known about). He has a short maniacal laughter moment, and then presents the private funders with a document to sign: become subsidiary to Kaiser for...1000 yen, that should do it. He also explains the obvious: Kaiser's logo is an octopus because it reaches out all over. Ultimately, they sign, and are all taken away (including Butler, but only the private fund signed). Pres says to General: keep Abydos busy and protect this place until 12pm. Worry about Hoshino--Black Suit wanted her, so she's probably not normal. In the meantime, they have people looking for the railway gun

Highlander Chapter 3.6

We get a short scene of Kaiser dispatching of the private armies, and Ayane notices them and does remark that Kaiser shouldn't be here. Here's an odd part though: they notice that the shupogaki and Highlander in general are getting guns pointed at them from Kaiser. Fuck is Suou up to?

Anyway, Kaiser catches up to Hoshino. Hoshino takes out her shotgun AND pistol and tells them to back off, and they clash. The girls ask Sensei what they should do and, lmao, Sensei says "We're okay. If it's the General, Hoshino will win". Pfff. He tells them that we should help the Highlanders. Anyway, time for another fight. The time is 10:5Xam

Highlander Chapter 3.7

After the fight, the general has been defeated by Hoshino, and so his troops can't reach him. Also...so much for us stopping Hoshino, huh? Hoshino says Uhe~ You guys really are stubborn, huhh
and she leaves

The shupogaki are delighted that we saved them. The Highlander crew are under the impression that they're working for the private fund, it seems, and so...hm. Okay. They think they're working for them, so they are NOT apprised of Suou's motivations. Suou told them to start moving, though. It did not seem like Kaiser was attacking the Highlanders to get their help, but to get them off the tracks so they can look for the gun themselves. If Suou asked them to move, is she still "on Highlander's side" and she's indeed doing Ocelot tier 4D chess? Well, I don't know yet. Moving on.

The Highlanders are told to evacuate. The twins want to stay and work but the mobs are like no no let's gtfo. After this, we start moving to the meeting place

Highlander Chapter 3.8

Kaiser has roughly found the railway gun. President is like alright find the exact place, let's get ready to move--and we'll take the daughter with us too when we do.

Nonomi is brought up by Suou, and she immediately determines "great, so Butler and Nephthys were working with Kaiser". This leaves the President chuffed with her intuition, sasuga company child. Nonomi asks why, and Butler sputters that it's for Abydos. Get a super weapon, become strong again, and restore Abydos. And Nonomi says NO, NEVER. She says Hoshino was right all along about how one should never succumb to simple revenge or temptations.

Suou says Abydos would have taken that gun with no hesitation in the past. She also says Trinity would've too. They used to peel off their enemies' fingernails.

An attack is noticed, and Pres wonders if it's Schale. However no, it is Hoshino. ATM there are 30 minutes left. He remarks that this is a blow to Kaiser's reputation. They also still haven't exactly found the gun although transportation will be ready in 20 minutes. Just as they find the exact location, Hoshino bursts in.

Highlander Chapter 3.9

The specific location, btw, seems to be a place both the President and Hoshino are familiar with: Abydos Sector 35-9

President doesn't fight Hoshino, but does note hey, nice to finally meet you. He says there's still time so don't worry, let's do the meeting. Hoshino seems to intend to deny the legitimacy of the student council if it means freeing Nonomi. However, the President does not want that and says no (in English). He says that if that happens, Nephthys gets the gun. He wants the contract to be cancelled, and then he'll pass Nonomi back to Abydos.

Nonomi says NO, DO NOT. She says don't give them the gun, and don't deny your time with President Yume. Hoshino thinks about it. Butler won't shut the fuck up and says that Hoshino should consider the future of Abydos and not to let the gun fall into Kaiser's hands. Nonomi is like Butler, ffs, and Butler tells her you know you can still transfer.
Nonomi shouts: I AM DROPPING OUT OF ABYDOS
Wha

Highlander Chapter 3.10

Hoshino chooses to recognize the Student Council as illegitimate. However, here is when the crew finally arrives and stops her with a few minutes left as Sensei says that statement is invalid. Ayane says Hoshino has no power on the student council, and that she herself, Ayane, is the President of Abydos. Hoshino is baffled, but Sensei says yup, it was voted on and I was the witness. Serika tells Hoshino she shouldn't think she can do things by herself.

Ayane says also you were demoted to secretary. To think a mere secretary would cause such trouble! That is hilarious.
Ayane declares the formalities and Sensei adds, to Nonomi, that if she wants to drop out of the club she needs his permission first.
Now it's 12PM. The President concludes the meeting. He says he doesn't care about recognizing anyone's validity in particular, he tears up the contract and says the gun is Kaiser's. He also says that they'll be taking Nonomi with them. Ayane threatens him against these actions, and he doesn't care.

Highlander Chapter 3.11

Nonomi is rescued! Hoshino confirms that she's okay, is relieved, and then runs after the heli with the president in it. Pres still seems calm, and is like Suou, where's the thing? Suou takes out the thing: Nonomi's credit card. I don't understand this, but he says it's needed to go to 「生徒会の谷」--"The Valley of the Student Council". What?
Even Ayane doesn't know what that is. President says to go there you need the Nephthys group's authority. Nonomi would've been preferred in that case, but the card will do. He also says that the Shemata is probably worth approximately 80 billion yen. And, if they damage it, they'll have to pay for those damages. He says Hoshino can work for them to pay off anything--she'll look good in black. He's also looking forward to her graduating, and him getting the chance to torture new students.

AND THEN...
AW SHIT
I CAN TELL, IT'S OCELOT TIME

Highlander Chapter 3.12

Suou KICKS HIM OUT OF THE HELICOPTER HOLY SHI

She takes out everyone in the copter too, shooting them. When the heli crashes, we can see that of course the President survived. I mean, he's from Kivotos too.

Suou says Takanashi Hoshino, you know where the valley is right? If you want to stop the railway gun, meet me there. If you don't, then I'll get the gun moving.

After Suou cuts contact, Hoshino remembers being in the Valley of the Student Council. It's that place where Yume initially played dead, I believe. She says it was an exhibition hall that the old student council built. She gets ready to move, and Shiroko stops her. Everyone tells her that they can work together, and Sensei tells her to wait too. Hoshino says sorry. To destroy the cannon without incurring penalties, someone not on the task force has to do it. She'll be the one, as she renounced her position already. She calls this an act by Takanashi Hoshino who acts under claim of student councilship. She then pulls a Kuroko and throws a smoke bomb. Shiroko tries to stop her one more time, but she gets away while thanking them for trying to protect her memories, and saying that she'll protect Abydos for her cute underclassmen

Highlander Chapter 3.13

President is meanwhile pissed and says summon everyone to deal with this. Every single "Kaiser" piece there is. Pic related. Pres says this is war. Get the gun.
Kaiser is currently gathering every single force it has as a last attempt at getting the gun, I'd say this is the last time we'll see them
As far as I can tell, only Hina has been called by Sensei and it has been built throughout these chapters (only Gehenna is linked with Abydos through the railway system, she's the only student Sensei could think of that could rival Hoshino, etc)
Hoshino actually gets defeated by Shiroko at one point and starts to break down, but then Clockdude activates the train (or uses Suou to activate the train?) and apparently the conclusion is that "Hoshino wasn't serious during the fight" and once again she runs off

Highlander Chapter 3.14

Funnily enough, the girls help the private fund folks and butler before doing anything else--I suppose seeing as they already know they can't catch up to Hoshino. Ayane says there's basically a war brewing, and anyone not involved needs to evacuate. Meanwhile Nonomi says she gets why the buter did what he did, and that even if it was a different means to that end, the end goal is shared with Abydos: wanting Abydos to get better. He admits he was preoccupied with the gun and Nonomi says "I'm just going to hold my tongue, okay? : )" I do believe she is mad. She bids her butler farewell. When he asks where she's going, she says "to stop Hoshino-senpai". Hoshino will be expelled if she destroys the gun, after all.

After this, as they leave Shiroko is bothered that she's still too weak to stop Hoshino. They wonder why Hoshino is doing this, and Shiroko says it's like the time she tried to quit before. Nonomi speculates it has to do with her interpretation of Yume's "will", and we get another flashback

Highlander Chapter 3.15

In this flashback Yume wants to go on a treasure hunt and comes across a Hoshino in a swimsuit. She says oh no, you finally started to think you're a fish and Hoshino says wtf no. She was trying to fix some plumbing and got wet so she changed. She says she wasn't able to fix it and Yume says she's surprised there are things Hoshino can't do. Right now, she looks like a clumsy old man (yes, ojisan) and it's kinda cute. Hoshino doesn't really rebuff this, and her reaction is a soft forget it, what did you want? This is about the Valley of the Student Council, and the potential treasures that could be found there (which leads into an early flashback). Hoshino is dubious, but Yume says she found a document suggesting where the place is. After showing it to Hoshino, Hoshino is like Senpai...amazing! You should have told me sooner! She hurries off in her swimsuit, and Yume's like wait! Get changed! We then get a bit of a repeat of that flashback where they couldn't find anything before it returns to present day, with Hoshino at the location

Highlander Chapter 3.16

Nonomi calls what's happening like being a "prisoner". Held captive by things, in this case Yume I suppose. Sensei is like hm to this.
Anyway, back to what they need to do--stop the destruction so they don't need to pay for damages. Side note: it does bother me that there is literally no fucking legal basis for what Kaiser is trying to do. They should be held accountable, and this definitely would breach laws. They cannot actually do what they did because it's bullshit. The only thing is that you could argue because they waited until 12, the contract IS invalid. In that case, the gun belongs to the private fundees--who in actuality belong to Kaiser now. Overall though, it is horse shit as they signed under threat of violence.
whatever; maybe some day
Serika wonders if Sensei knows anyone who could stop Hoshino. He doesn't have an immediate answer, he just wonders who it could be. Thanks to OP for spoiling this you stupid niggerfaggot, I would have liked if I could have guessed naturally at this point you dumb fucking shithead. To those reading this summary after that thread: I hope you remain unspoiled for now.
Anyways they want to go right away but they don't know where TO go. Butler then appears and says he heard where it is from the President talking. Next, we return to Hoshino who seems to have found something.

Highlander Chapter 3.17

Okay, so that sector we mentioned and had gone to in a flashback was a train station (I mean, it looked like one too). Sorry if I Yume and Hoshino never went to the valley as they couldn't find it. In present day, Hoshino goes to station control and finds that the Valley of the Student Council is set as a destination with Izayoi Nonomi's adminstrator privileges (from her card probably, so Suou must've been here). Hoshino speculates this indeed: Eyepatch-chan must've just left here. She pulls a lever to get a train.
Meanwhile Butler explains this: that the station is one that goes to the Valley. Sensei thanks him and he's like uhhh no no, don't. Anyway, Nonomi wonders what Suou's deal is. Who is she working for?
Suou...apparently has Kazusa's backstory, somewhat. Doesn't seem she was infamous, but she was a wandering deqinquent without a school. She was selected as Nonomi's escort for Highlander, but after that Nephthys ignored her. On her own, she wound up being a supervisor, and Butler is not sure what her deal is other than what he's said. Still vague possibility that she's a child of Nephthys and related to Nonomi? Who knows!
Anyway to catch up we need a high speed train
Then we hear PIHYAHYA

Highlander Chapter 3.18

Your heroes have arrived. As thanks for helping earlier, and because they're involved in this train stuff in the first place, the shupogaki and 1 mob are here and offering to help. Of course we accept and Hikari's is like yeeeaaahhh multitrack drifting time (she really says this). Nozomi says it's dangerous so they can only do that a little bit.
Before they go though, at the station Ayane notices they have rocket propellant. Nozomi says that's just in case--we probably won't use it. Hikari says Maybe (in English again)
Everyone tells Ayane it'll be okay even though she's worrying a lot and fretting. Then, they're off. Hikari says Go~ go~
On the train, Ayane worriedly wonders why there are seatbelts on the seats. It's a just a train, right? Serika is dumb and says roller coasters have them too so what's the problem? Nonomi is just happy to be here.
The twins say everyone ready? And LAUNCH
And holy fucking shit Hikari says the thing.
SHUPO!!
they blast ahead

Highlander Chapter 3.19

We continue after dealing with Kaiser trying to stop the train. After that, we use the fuel to propel forward. Still, Kaiser is in full force and catch up. We have to get off the train while the twins play decoy (but of course, they will also do some multitrack drifting). Nozomi remarks, laughing, that this is almost like they're on the side of justice and that that's not the sort of characters they are. Hikari says, Nozomi, what? It's good to play the hero.

Shiroko says she'll hold me. The drift begins, and we leap off as the train stops. We get an animation that repeats the train crash, with the twins using it to dislodge some kaiser troops from another train. Things explode afterward.

At one point Hoshino asks her who she is and what her objective is, and Suou replies "My objective all along was you, Takanashi Hoshino. Who am I? I want to know too. A vagabond that belongs to no school, Kaiser's soldier, Nephtys' errand girl, Highlander's manager or the Fund's double agent... My roundabout path finally brought me here and now I know why... It was all to fight you. I am here to deny the mystic and terror of Abydos."

Highlander Chapter 3.20

In the aftermath, the twins immediately surrender, beggin them not to shoot and saying let's talk instead. Kaiser says they're after the Abydos students, but the twins play dumb, saying their ride doesn't need passengers. They start being bratty before we cut back to us, where we can reach our destination in an hour. We get to the station after that.

In the control room, Ayane notes that this station has access to a lot of places, like the Great Oasis Station and even access to Gehenna. Anyways, they call a train and get on it to head to the valley.

Highlander Chapter 3.21

Cut to Hoshino in a new place...
And she finds it. The Shemata. It has the logo of Abydos on it...
but also Gehenna.
Hoshino wonders why the emblem of Gehenna is on the gun. She also wonder why this place has munitions everywhere. Suou shows up, and says what, it's like a fortress?
True. Wasn't this supposed to be an exhibition hall? Did they exhibit weapons...?
Hoshino is like Eyepatch-chan and Suou's like :|
Suou says it didn't always have the look of a fortress. It was remodeled at some point. Suou says it was the work of someone who has

IMPORTANT

GRADUATED and LEFT KIVOTOS and that person was the Thunder Emperor.

Suou says 2 years back, that girl was a threat to all of Kivotos. A genius, strategist, inventor, and politician. She also was the one who came up with the Eden Treaty and proposed it to the GSC President.
Hoshino says she's never heard of the woman.
Suou seems a little surprised, but is like whatever. The railway project turned weird because of that girl. When Hoshino asks her why the girl did that, Suou says she does not know -- the Thunder Emperor was fully unpredictable, and her encroachment on Abydos may have just been a whim.
It doesn't even matter in the end because she had no more influence on Abydos. She was defeated by her own subordinates and her rule ended.
Uhhh...MAKOTO??? No. She was voted in, right? What happened?
Well anyways, the emperor's inventions were left behind.

Highlander Chapter 3.22

Suou says sure, but you need this card first (Nonomi's gold card). It is needed to activate the gun, or to destroy it. Here, she takes off her coat, ready to fight.
She says right, I didn't answer you before: my aim is you, Takanashi Hoshino. Hoshino asks, who are you? Suou says she wants to know that as well. She's worked with a lot of people, and by now has determined that all of it was to fight Hoshino. She says she is here to 否定する the fear and madness of Abydos. So, I look this up and first result is "deny" but that doesn't make sense...? Another result is negate/erase. Maybe that's what she's saying.
She wants to know why Hoshino acts so seriously, and says oh yeah...right, if you defeat me I'll tell you where that notebook is.
Hoshino is ready to tear Suou apart for that ofc, telling her she needs to feel pain first. Suou is pleased with the face Hoshino is making, and their fight starts

Highlander Chapter 3.23

Hoshino wins and tells Suou she has to destroy the gun before her underclassmen get here. Suou yells at her, insisting the fight continue and Hoshino not leave her here. She hasn't been defeated yet, she says. Hoshino is simply annoyed, but allows her to try.

Meanwhile the Underground Man has commentary. He says his strategy has reached the last steps. He repeats 3 of his strategies, and adds a 4th: "a small wound can be fatal". He says this campaign is about exploring the torments brought on by desires and guilt. In the aftermath of the mess, he'll achieve/get the 「六つ目の古則」 which is apparently the "6th ancient rule"? Hmmm, was that like the laws of Jericho? Anyway, he notices something and we stop his commentary there

Highlander Chapter 3.24

The girls also think this place is weird, particularly because Abydos and Gehenna logos are both around. They see the massive Shemata and Serika in particular is baffled it's so colossal. While they're talking about it, and Gehenna, Arona chimes in.

She says it uses technology that doesn't currently exist in Kivotos. Arona and Sensei wonder if this is Gematria's doing somehow. Arona wishes Plana was up to help them, but she's still--oh hey she just got up. They ask if she's alright. She says while she was asleep, she felt like someone was watching her.

She tries to explain who she believes is watching, and she collapses again.

Highlander Chapter 3.25

We hear Suou and Hoshino fighting and head there. Amusingly, Shiroko identifies Hoshino as "that's the sound of Hoshino's gun" basically
Cinematic fight, very cool. They modeled the Shemata, but the sand effect is broken, damn. Still. This fight was cooler than the last one. Hoshino is using guns like fucking mad in it

Highlander Chapter 3.26

Hoshino wins again, really fucking Suou up in the process. Suou still says she's not done, but she's hacking and coughing. She says "Why can't I win?" She seems to confirm one of my theories: she IS from Abydos? She wonders if she lacks the strength to deny (that word again) Abydos, even though she wandered the desert for so long. Hoshino asks what she's after, and if she wanted to fight is that because they'd met before?

No answer, so Hoshino asks if Suou really knows where the notebook is. Suou says if that actually existed, it would've been found in the 2 years since it was lost. She tells Hoshino that being stuck in the past is a fool's errand, and says she herself needs to be the best in order to "bid farewell to this cursed land"

I didn't mention it, but a Highlander mob earlier referred to Abydos as a cursed land as well. It just seemed like a joke at the time, but something else I skipped since it was minor and just seemed jokey: the private fund folks were also talking about how they should have never touched Abydos.

Highlander Chapter 3.27

Suou collapses as Hoshino wonders what Suou meant about being the best/strongest/whatever. She says eh, it's over, let's finish up, and of course the team is here to stop her. Shiroko says "Okaeri", which is funny. Anyway we song and dance once again with Hoshino being stubborn and the girls saying stfu. They're truly fed up with her constantly acting on her own. (imo this is still consistent and good, though sliiightly annoying since without a true time limit Hoshino is truly acting rash; there may be other ways to deal with this weapon other than destroying it and hurting herself and potentially Abydos as a whole. Though, she believes if she drops out she'll take all the damages, and she also thinks since she'll graduate soon it's fine to do this).

Ayane says they'll capture her if she won't listen to reason.

Hoshino says Ahh Ayane-chan, you're fired up.
Ayane says "Again with the Ayane-chan, Ayane-chan"
She yells at Hoshino, telling her PLEASE call be PRESIDENT AYANE

It's a fight LMAO
it was a "you actually lost" win. Hoshino is perfectly fine, and everyone got fucked up.

Shiroko still has a bit of fight left in her, so there's one more fight with solo Shiroko. Hoshino does say though, you couldn't win 4 on 1 so 1 on 1 again? You know you're gonna lose. Shiroko says once again she only listens to people stronger than her. This time she won't lose.

SHIROKO

WIN

Hoshino is impressed, but Shiroko says it's because Sensei is with her. Still, Hoshino insists she's impressed, and she's surprised that today's the day Shiroko beat her.

Sensei tells Hoshino enough, and Hoshino somewhat reluctantly agrees. Ayane says the claim of ownership from Kaiser is bogus. Hoshino says right, Sensei should be able to find a way (YEAH, MAYBE DON'T BE SO RASH? PTSD-RIDDLED PINK)
Sensei says yeah, let's figure out what to do together.

Hoshino asks what Nonomi thinks, since she's lookin' sad. Nonomi talks a bit poetically. While remembering seeing Hoshino sobbing in the past, from what I gather Nonomi says well, once someone dies, that's it, and you can't turn back time and she wonders whether Hoshino was truly acting to rid herself of her guilt over her old fuckups maybe, with Yume. She's been shackled to those old sentiments, and wanted release.

Shiroko tells Hoshino that she doesn't know about Yume, but Hoshino should tell talk to everyone fully about what happened. Serika agrees, and says Hoshino can rely on them. She doesn't have to do everything alone. Ayane reiterates this as well, and when Hoshino says "Ayane-chan...ah, no, President Ayane", Ayane tells her it's okay to call ehr Ayane-chan

Highlander Chapter 3.28

Hoshino admits what she thinks: "The one killed Yume-senpai was me."
Nonomi tries to deny this and Hoshino says yes, I know, it was an accident and not truly not fault. But, Yume always worked so hard, and she was nice to me, and I fucked everything up and couldn't protect a damn thing once she was gone. I could only complain and get angry. She couldn't even say thank you, because now Yume is dead and she will never see her again.

Sensei tells her it's not her fault, and Hoshino says she's "aware" of that. Says she knows it in her head, but still...still...
Sensei tells her come on, let's go home. You've suffered enough, Hoshino.
She finally agrees. I actually like this scene a lot, personally... It really just digs in that mentally, Hoshino is absolutely fucked up. Even at this point, she just is stuck in the horrible feelings she has.

Somewhere, the underground man snaps his fingers, saying Who said you could do that? And there's a loud sound.

Highlander Chapter 3.29

Shit I forgot about Suou lol

Suou is moving the Shemata. She calls out TAKANASHI HOSHINO! and tells her she is going to destroy the school first. She tells Hoshino if she wants to stop that, she'd better come. She'll be waiting at the Oasis Station. She threatens "something" (I guess school destruction) one more time before the communications are disrupted.

Hoshino pretty much immediately gets ready to fight again and she one-shots Shiroko. Hoshino says she's sorry but this pain is hers. She says this must've been what Yume tried to do, and that this should've been been done 2 years ago. She runs off, despite us trying to stop her.

Sorry people who were happy Shiroko won. Looks like Hoshino just wanted to lose.

Highlander Chapter 3.30

Okaaaay so, Arona says she figured out the Shemata. It uhhh...is able to fire plasma at the same temperature as the sun. Also, if it is forcibly destroyed, it could lead to humongous devastation in the area.

Underground man says lol

lmao

He's like kek I bro if I was 1 second late I would've lost hot damn. That was close! Just at the line. He admits: [Name]-sensei, you're the toughest enemy I've had to face yet. But, no miracles now. No powers. Time for the climax.

He calls me a sinner, and... hm
実態なき虚を追う求道者
Apparently this is a person who seeks falsehood "without reality". Didn't Phrenapates have a similar name from the Nameless Priests?
Anyways he says that's what death is.

Death.
Death.
Death.
Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death.

He says this is a truth you can't escape, and bids Sensei show him the answer to (I finally figured it out) the 6th Koan "Is the truth that doesn't exist true?"
I think
It's 「非有の真実は真実であるか」

Highlander Chapter 3.31

Underground Man: NO THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! I'M IN CHARGE HERE!!

I mean basically. He asks how the fuck she's in here, this is his realm. Plana ignores him and keeps analyzing. She confirms he is "the underground man", but cannot determine where he is. He doesn't exist in this world (as the Underground man babbles that this is a place outside of existence, so HOW)

He says something that seems important so I want someone better at Japanese to read it. It's
ヒッ、ヒヒッ、神聖の器ですか。
しかし、何かに汚染されていますね。
Is it a sacred vessel (the shittim chest? I don't know if it was ever called that... Maybe by priests?) And he says it is contaminated with something.
Is he saying the color tainted Plana...?

There's a stinger sound like very early in the story, like DUN!! strings and he makes Plana gtfo, saying he has no want of hindrances. He really can't believe she found this place, but now, it's a race against time.

Highlander Chapter 3.32

"...It has been discovered" says Plana.
After she ignores us going omg Plana Plana says that she knows what's been watching, someone in "「混沌の領域」", the realm of chaos, I believe. Googling the kanji for "chaos" also gives this from Chinese https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundun
Not sure if relevant.

Plana says she was able to sense that person because she got acclimated to the Throme of Naram-Sin, saying that that place was a place defined by neither existence and nonexistence. True, it was a weird place like that.

That might mean Plana was tainted either by that place, or by the Color/Chroma. Anyway, she tells us who the guy is, but she can't say what his goals are. She has, however, figured out what he's doing (a bit). He can mess with the world from that realm of Chaos. She doesn't say how much, but given after he snapped his fingers Suou acted, I think this does confirm he can influence people as well? I know I said GMs can't mess with PCs, but HE said "fuck the rules" earlier, and that he has no interest in always following them. Anyway, because Sensei has Arona AND Plana, it seems they were able to survive earlier. Plana says the Underground Man is challenging me to a match.

Plana says she suspects he is using Hoshino to some end, and bids that I be careful. Sensei is like hm, just like Black Suit.
Plana urges us to mind things as she remembers Hoshino's death (right...she would remember that :( we see Hoshino's halo shattering). She tells us this has the potential to spill out of Abydos, and asks us to stop Hoshino. Sensei says, leave it to me.

Highlander Chapter 3.33

Back in reality, Sensei says we have to stop Hoshino. Ayane is like yeah but we can't do anything else. This is the limit. Shiroko says that Hoshino's already on the move, too.
Sensei says he'll call someone to help. Shiroko tries to stop him like, this is our problem, but Sensei says no, it's fine. This kid is involved with us already.
And if it's her
she can DEFINITELY stop Hoshino.
"I want your help."
"Got it."
"Thank you. Right, this is the situation..."
"No, it's fine, I already know everything."

Highlander Chapter 3.34

The girls confirm the situation, noting she'll be going back to Sector 35-9 and changing to the Oasis Station.

And sorry again Shiroko folks but Shiroko admits it after Ayane is like "Kaiser will be there and surely by now Hoshino's at her limit"--Shiroko says no, Hoshino was holding back before. And Serika's like fuck, and we still lost.

Sensei says we'll go after Hoshino and stop both her and Suou.
The girls are at their limit and the sun is setting, but they head out.

Highlander Chapter 3.35

Hoshino arrives at the Sector changeover station with shield up and ready to fight to...nobody. She wonders where Kaiser is, and says it's too quiet. Still she puts her shield away and heads in, so she can pull the lever to go to the Oasis. However, at the doorway she stops and asks "Who's there?"
She gets no answer but heads in with shield out.
And by now, you know who it is.

Highlander Chapter 3.36

I was waiting for you, Takanashi Hoshino.

Huh?
Right, the head of the displinary committee at Gehenna. Hoshino says if she's lost, she can show her the way back.

Hina simply says you can't destroy that gun on your own. Seek out some other way to deal with this.

Hoshino says this old man can do everything, and she doesn't have time to deal with a lost child so...could she head back?

Hina says I see...
Looks like I'll need to do everything in my power to stop you, huh? (and here, she has that glowing eyes darkened face)

Highlander Chapter 3.37

Hoshino's like...hm, right. They each step forward slowly, then quickly.

And they clash.

Hina introduces herself, straight up, "...My name is Sorasaki Hina."

and it's over from there. Next time: 激戦
Fierce Struggle

TO BE CONTINUED

Random Notes That Are Worth Reading

Serika talks about how this feels like being backed into a corner. The way it's brought up reminded me of Ayane and Sensei saying similar things, and those things relating to the Underground Man. He did say he'd still be on the offensive. Is he manipulating Hoshino somehow? We still don't actually know what he's capable of. He seems to have made non-living things move from his weird cosmos hideaway so far but maybe he's amping Hoshino up as well? Not sure.

Basement Dweller is thematically and literally the gamemaster; in this current game he's the one rolling the dice. Have you ever played D&D before? The gamemaster is the one creating scenarios and traps for players, trying to make them fall into bad ends, as players try to survive against him

He's not manipulating just Hoshino, he's manipulating everything, the entire scenario, the entire world perhaps. Plana says she feels reality being warped right before the gas explosion. Everything that happens that feels "convenient" is most likely him at the moment. The entire world is a giant game of D & D right now as he's rolling the dice trying to trap them in a scenerio where they all lose in the worst way. They've already avoided two of his plans by sheer luck, but he said he had five plans in total so far. Did you think it was odd Highlander finding an old contract Yume signed for a giant gun, that was two days away from expiring. Suddenly Schale explodes randomly, there's too many events that he most likely has a hand in creating, by just warping reality in very small ways to cause things to come together in a bad way for the heroes. He's not controlling everything, or else he'd just control himself to win instantly. He's causing certain events to happen somehow..

Sensei doesn't state out loud that Hina is the strongest he can think of, but Nonomi and the others at one point do ask him if there's anybody that can and Hina is the one he calls at the end

Sensei states out loud that he's gonna save both Hoshino and Suou at the end

Before Sensei and the others fight Hoshino, Hoshino calls Ayane by her usual "Ayane-chan", but Ayane gets angry and shouts at her to call her "President Ayane", and after Hoshino is defeated by Shiroko, Hoshino actually does call her President Ayane, but then Ayane backs out

Similarly, Hoshino sees Hina and starts to call her Prefect Head-chan, but then they start fighting and the last line we see between them is Hina telling her that her name is Sorasaki Hina and to call her that

Basement Strats - 1 What's done is done. 2 A body has limits 3 You can't control or predict the mind and 4 A small wound can be fatal

Plana wasn't tainted by Chroma
Plana isn't corrupted arona
She followed sensei into hell willingly, she was never corrupted. If anything Arona is the corruption in the tablet that doesn't belong.