A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.1

Sensei was saved by Plana, but surprisingly Plana collapses afterward. She's still conscious and says something that makes me want to cry.
"I never want to see Sensei hurt again..."
Sensei loses consciousness from smoke inhalation I guess.
The Underground Man remarks Huh, the Ark that causes miracles was more impressive than I thought. Sure, I knew it brought down the walls of Jericho but I really underestimated it. Still, Sensei is just a person so he thinks while he needs to change strategy, it's still good to follow the idea of him being vulnerable

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.2

Back in Abydos, the girls can't get in contact with Sensei and wonder why. Hoshino can't be contacted either, which annoys Serika. We cut to Hoshino, who's been wandering around since the night before. She remarks that she'd better head back, and also remarks that lately Shiroko's been getting stronger. She thinks it might be the case that soon enough, beating her in the blink of an eye won't be possible (as a reminder, Shiroko kept up with chasing her for a long time the night before). I personally think it's worth noting that Hoshino's speech patterns are exactly the same as usual, even by herself. She remarks the place is empty here anyways and nothing is going to change. Then she hears someone shouting something. We enter a new flashback

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.3

Yume is trying to get citizens of Abydos to sign something. The doggies there ignore her or get annoyed with her, 1 mentioning how Nephthys has already abandoned them so it's hopeless anyways. Hoshino is there as well and starts to leave, but Yume stops her. Also Yume makes really weird eyes after a dog snaps at her. Pic related. Lookit that

She knows that Hoshino enrolled recently, and fishes for her name (maybe slipped her mind?). Hoshino sighs and leaves just before Yume remembers her name.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.4

Yume keeps trying until nightfall. Hoshino spots her again and sighs. When Yume sees her watching and calls out, Hoshino runs off. Yume chases after her (she did before as well, but had to give up I guess) but trips and falls. Hoshino sighs, and goes to help her up.

Hoshino asks how Yume knows her. Yume says everyone's been talking about the recently admitted super strong student. Also apparently this student is something of a bully. Still, she heard Hoshino beat up some thugs and wanted to thank her. Hoshino just tells her she should go home before it gets dark since it's dangerous in Abydos at night. Hey! That's what she told (me)!

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.5

Oh and I should note, when she told her to go home Hoshino called her by her full name. After Yume tells her that she still has stuff to do and Hoshino sighs and leaves again, Yume realizes that she never gave Hoshino her name.

Dead of night, Yume handed out almost no printouts, has a bunch left, and got no signatures. She remembers Hoshino told her to leave, and so starts heading home. Of course, thugs creep up.

As a side note, I think they changed Yume's log portrait? Her eyes are closed. Were they always closed?

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.6

Oh and the printout and stuff are like, getting people to sign up on a briefing meeting so people can help Abydos. In case it wasn't clear, I believe at this point Abydos apparently actually does have more than 2 students.

Anyways the thugs chastise her since this whole mess is because they didn't pay their debts. How is she going to take responsibility? Huh!?
The robot thug starts throwing her printouts to the ground. The helmet says whatever, it's just trash. They start moving in on Yume herself next, and Hoshino comes in and saves her.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.7

Hoshino yells at Yume for not listening. She asks her straight, are you an idiot? Yume says sowwy and Hoshino reminds her that Abydos is currently a lawless shitzone. The thugs get up after this and say they'll remember her face before they leave.

Anyway, Hoshino checks if she's injured. Yume thanks her, and Hoshino asks why she didn't try fighting them. Yume says that would just start a vicious cycle. She also repeats a lesson Hoshino echoes and she herself say later in time: that if you keep saying "let's just do x" it becomes easier and easier to do bad things. Hoshino says that makes no sense and asks her how she intends to deal with issues like this, then. Yume has no answer, so Hoshino grumbles one more time, warns her again, and leaves again. The flashback ends, and Hoshino in present day moves.

AND ANOTHER FLASHBACK STARTS!

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.8

It's a new day. The music is the Hina RPG music (You can't convince me it's anything else, Nexon). Yume's trying to get signatures again. Hoshino finds her again. Yume's really trying to rally the citizens, though of course she's stuttering sometimes.

When she notices Hoshino, she asks what she's doing here. Hoshino says she figured maybe the thugs from yesterday might come for Yume again.

Yume: You came to protect me?
Hoshino: No, it'll be easier to deal with them at once since you're basically bait for them, President.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.9

She didn't use the word bait, so Yume evaluates Hoshino's "you'll lure them in" talk as "Like BAIT!?" Hoshino tells her it's because a lot of people are coming after Abydos's student council.

And Yume's like AHA! I get it! Hoshino-chan, you aren't honest! You're worried! Hoshino gets a bit angry over that accusation and gives a "Wh-Who's worried!?" Yume surprises her by saying "Hoshino-chan, you're always frowning. Isn't it a shame, since you're super cute?" Hoshino gets annoyed again, saying "Wh-What are you saying!?" and telling Yume if she keeps that up, Hoshino's done. Yume thanks her and says it's reassuring having a strong kouhai by her side. Hoshino tells her to get back to work.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 3.10

Hoshino says let's also get one things straight: this is the first and last time I'll be helping the student council. Yume tells her "Um, but, y;know, I think I'd be waaay~ happier if you called me Yume-senpai instead of Yume-kaichou : )" Hoshino gives her a cold "...Are you even listening to me?" and the episode ends. Another long one!

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.1

Still flashbacking. We're at a point where Hoshino has started calling Yume "Yume-senpai". They were...looking for something? Hoshino says she couldn't find anything. Yume says it was a miss for her too and comically collapses, saying this is her limit. She apologizes to Hoshino. Hoshino sighs and tells her to cut it out and stand up. Yume plays around saying "No no, forget about me... thank you for everything until now, Hoshino-chan" This makes Hoshino REALLY made and she explodes. She doesn't appreciate her playing dead.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.2

Yume hops up and they get moving to another station after she says she's sorry. Hoshino says it's probably all going to be the same, though. The previous student council members have probably sold everything that they could've by now. Nothing expensive can be found anymore, probably. She says they should go home and that treasure hunting is a waste of time (!! not my Hoshino!)
Immediately Yume is surprised and says "But, weren't you excited at first too, Hoshinio-chan?" (I knew it!) Hoshino stammers over this. She also remarks that Yume dropped her notebook.
Yume hurriedly takes it, and is like phew, I almost lost Hoshino-chan's notebook. Hoshino says since when was it mine, and Yume doesn't answer.
This depresses me. Is the notebook full of Hoshino observations? Yume has said before that everything got better once Hoshino joined her, and she's always thankful for Hoshino.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.3

Yume and Hoshino are shopping for stuff. Yume finds a backpack-shaped water bottle (convenient! she says) that Hoshino tells her looks like it's inconvenient and low quality. Hoshino says buying bullets would be better and Yume says yeah...right, that's right. And, I hope that isn't alluding to how Yume seems to have died of dehydration. As a reminder--that is not new info, we learned that in the previous update--or at least Hoshino's speculation.

Anyways, it seems like the student council only consists of Yume even at this point in time, so Hoshino asks how she became president because it's bizarre there's only 1 member. Yume's like aha, you're curious! Well yeah they didn't hold any proper elections. Hoshino's like wut, really? And Yume says it was a show of hands on "Who should be president?" Yume got the most hands, she was made president, and before she knew it everyone left. Hoshino is actually shocked by this, and Yume simply tells her that Abydos was far gone even then. This makes little Hosh angry--we can hear her gripping her fists and see her trembling. She remarks that they basically forced this responsibility onto Yume.

However, Yume says no. She wanted to be president and accepted the job. When Hoshino asks her why, Yume says it's because she figured with presidential authority she could maybe protect Abydos.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.4

Of course, Yume says well once I became president I realized that no, I was wrong about that. However! So long as she has this Student Council Notebook, everything will be fine! She writes in it every day!
Hoshino is like the fuck is that. It's just a regular studying notebook? Student Council Notebook--insists Yume, though she does say it's basically her diary.
Then she makes me sad because she says "Aw come on! One day I'll pass it on to you, Hoshino-chan!" As a reminder, Hoshino could never find the notebook.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.5

Hoshino says that future (her inheriting the position) will never come. Yume reveals that this flashback takes place before Hoshino entered the student council and is like Aw, right : (
She says right, I know you keep rejecting my offers, but I misunderstood since you always come with me.
AND SHE FUCKING STARTS CRYING
THE CHEERFUL MUSIC DOESN'T MAKE IT LESS SAD FFS

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.6

Hoshino hurriedly says that's not the problem, the problem is the book is friggin lame. Yume says it's just cute.
And then she notes, ah, right. you like fish right? And Hoshino is shocked. Apparently Yume caught her looking at a notebook with cute whales on it, and Hoshino's eyes were sparkling while she looked at it. Hoshino says Yume was just imagining that, and also whales are not fish (fish fact). Yume is like "I knew it". Hoshino blushes and says she's fed up >:(

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.7

The girls do be digging up dirt, but Yume is dazzled by the stars of Abydos's night sky. Hoshino says that's normal for an empty place (they're in the desert) and Yume wonders if that's really the reason (what an innocent being--of course, it is, for any of you who have always lived in cities: night sky stars are incredible when you're out in the middle of nowhere)
Anyway, Hoshino tells her to forget the stars and look at her feet, complaining that this is why Yume can never find stuff. Right now, they're looking for something someone lost, and Hoshino is really annoyed about it. Yume says well, someone was in trouble, and I can't ignore people in trouble.
A sandstorm starts coming up and Yume says they've gotta skedaddle. She looks for her compass, and says she forgot it. Hoshino says what the fuck, you KNOW you'll get lost in sandstorms if you don't have that.
:(
Well, Hoshino brought one herself just in case.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.8

Back to present day. Nonomi and Shiroko have gone somewhere, and Hoshino and Sensei are still missing (RIP me). The kouhai are...repairing something? Probably heli. Ayane says their senpai probably understand something that they simply can't, and Serika is grumbling about how their senpai won't talk to them.
Serika asks if Ayane's lower back is okay...? Uh, did something happen to Ayane, or is that just a remark on Ayane doing repairs on her back or something? She says she's fine at any rate, then says Hey...Serika...let's go into the Student Council Room. The cat says that's locked though...? Ayane just says she suspects that the secrets regarding the student council president are probably in their. Serika agrees, but is a little hesitant to enter without getting permission.
Ayane says yeah, Hoshino is probably going to be mad, but she can't afford to wait for Hoshino any longer.
Oh. Wow!

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.9

Ayane runs to the room, and a panicked kot follows her. Scene changes to Hoshino arriving at school. Uh oh! Hoshino spots a raincloud and wonders if this is an omen for an Angry Ayane. She starts remembering Yume again, in present day, like hearing her voice. Right, I forgot, Hoshino was triggered super hard last time. No wonder she's having a full on "episode". She remembers when Yume first showed her the "new" school building that we usually go to in present day.
We enter a proper flashback of the moment, with Yume remarking that it's just the 2 of them now : ( Hoshino says whatever, they're gone, let's forget them. Shouldn't' have expected anything of them. Yume says it's not okay to put it like that, because the desertification of Abydos really is quite bad, and it's hard to leave your home territory. Hoshino says everyone still LEFT though and Yume reminds her that not everyone left. Hoshino stayed--and so did she.
Let's do our best, just the 2 of us. I'll protect Hoshino-chan so, Hoshino-chan, protect me too kay?
Hoshino says "worry about yourself, please. You're weak" which upsets Yume cutely. She tells Hoshino, aren't you just weirdly strong? And Hoshino says no, in fact, I need to get stronger.
With that, she hands Yume her entrance form for the student council. When asked why, Hoshino says it doesn't really matter if she is or isn't at this point, and she'll probably be with her senpai here forever regardless. She also says she won't take the lame notebook.
Yume pulls her into a STRONG hug while crying from happiness She wonders if this is a dream (YUME, HEH, I GET IT) then says no, this is a miracle.
Hoshino complains that she can't breathe.
Yume suggests they take a photo to commemorate the occasion. Hoshino complains Yume's too close, but does let a picture happen. I must assume this is THAT picture. As Hoshino remembers this in present day, she smiles fondly.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.10

They go to the student council room, which is tiny. But Yume is sure one day they'll get more students and kouhai and it'll be a bustling room.
There's a very cute and sad sequence of Hoshino remembering the times she spent in that room, until we see 2nd year Hoshino in the room, with everything boxed up and dusty before she leaves and turns the lights off.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.11

In present day...the room is spotless.
Hoshino...!?
No it was actually Shiroko and Nonomi keeping it clear

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.12

Shiroko is rummaging through stuff. Yume's locker is cleaned out and she goes to check Hoshino's with a lockpick ready. This shocks Serika. She didn't know Shiroko had lockpicks. Shiroko says it's just a hobby. That said, the thing is already opened, though Nonomi does think opening it without permission would make Hoshino mad. In it is a bulletproof vest and sidearm--Serika wonders what Hoshino used to do when she was in the student council.
Hoshino arrives.
She's mad, and yells "Don't you guys know not to open other peoples' things without permission~!?"
Come to think of it, Shiroko did that in chapter 2

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.13

This episode is called "That day". It starts with Hoshino remembering several of the things Yume said to her before.
A new, fairly sad BGM starts as Hoshino starts explaining her past.
She used to be angry about everything. Abydos's circumstances, the sandstorms, the ceaseless desertification, the apathetic citizens, the old and irresponsible students, the idiot former student council, exploitative adults doing evil, and her senpai who kept fucking up every single day. It was draining, and she felt helpless.
I want to side note: this literally confirms a problem I had with the most recent anime episode. Hoshino in the game does NOT readily express that she actually liked Yume. Yume frustrated her as well.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.14

She says, all I could do was get more and more angry and think maybe that passion will fix everything (? not sure, JP is a little confusing to me here)
ただただ、怒りに身を任せるしかなかったんだ。
それで、すべての問題が解決できると信じて。

Hoshino starts remembering her falling out with Yume, where she tore up the poster and yelled at her. After she'd torn it up, she left the room.
Btw Yume's expression was D: not :) like in the anime

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.15

Hoshino tells them about one of the first flashbacks--the one to Yume almost getting enslaved and how she saved her. She says that that day she was pretty pissed off, so she yelled at Yume before going home. She figured she'd just apologize the next day.

But then Yume went missing. We see the day that happened, as Hoshino walked into the room saying I'm back and grumbling as usual, then slowly noticing Yume isn't there. She began to search for Yume, and we see she looked all over Abydos. To my surprise, she received a call from Yume (it is corrupted). Yume said "Hey sorry, the signal's not good. Actually there's a sandstorm and I forgot my compass again. Well, I left my notebook there in an obvious place, so you should be able to find it right away" Fucking hell. Her last message is just "Hoshino-chan, I"
And Hoshino says 33 days letter, Yume was found.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.16

Hoshino speculates that Yume might've headed to the desert because someone was in trouble and asked her to. Since she didn't have her compass, she certainly got lost. And of course, she died of dehydration.
And hey guys who keep saying "She only found the shield" Hoshino says "I recovered Yume-senpai's body and equipment". She couldn't find the notebook.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.17

Hoshino starts rambling a little. She wondered why Yume even went there, but couldn't find out anything. Where was the notebook? It wasn't in any of the places she figured she should check. And then, honestly depressingly, she wonders aloud why it was she, specifically, couldn't find it. She seems to be implying that despite caring about Yume, maybe she didn't know her as well as she thought she did, which has to have also been fucking her up. Nonomi wonders whether Nephthys had something to do with it, and what she would do if that were the case.
And I might need a minute because seeing this has really fucked me up

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.18

It's me. Open up, if you would.
More info time. Butler is also here to explain some stuff.
Also I guess Sensei is just fucking dead at this point.
Anyways Suou was the butler's bodyguard on the way here. Butler is like "Been 2 years since we met in person. Anything amiss since then? No, thanks to your help--sayeth Nonomi. The butler presents her with a card with an increased limit, just like she didn't ask for. Nonomi refuses it. He also asks if she's going to return to Highlander.
Anyways, Suou chimes in (she's usually quiet during meetings) to say that because Nonomi left, Nepthys almost went bankrupt because the Highlander/Nepthys deal almost fell through. She flatout asks Nonomi if she has any self-awareness over how rude she's being to the people who bend to her selfish whims.
Fucking hell girl

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.19

Shiroko interprets this as "starting" and takes a step toward Suou to defend her friend's honor. Serika steps in front of her and tells her to hold it. Shiroko says Nn...I wasn't gonna do anything. Suou tells her "If you want to go, let's go--so long as you think you can win".
Butler "Suou-san, please don't provoke them so much."
Suou: "...Hmph." /steps away

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.20

Butler explains that he's not here to take Nonomi back to Highlander, and Ayane says can we hurry the fuck up to the point please (in a very polite way, she isn't mad or anything)

Anyways,
He mentioned something interesting, Nephthys is pursuing new research. He claims what they're secretly doing in the Abydos Desert is the missing piece:

A weapon to surpass Geburah
"Railway Gun Shemata"
A WEAPON CAPABLE OF FIRING AN INVISIBLE INTERCONTINENTAL NUCLEAR MISSILE FROM ANY TERRAIN

In all seriousness, I do not doubt for a fucking second that the MGS fanboys who make this game were inspired by MGS for this, but this is the actual deal, no jokes: the Shagohod--I mean Shemata is an unbelievably destructive weapon with incomparably (to most conventional weapons) large firing range capabilities. The Butler says it would be best to call it a "fortress weapon". It really is essentially a Metal Gear or the Shagohod, as it is capable of firing over 1 ton of bombs up to 500km away. They wish to run this on the railway in Abydos.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.21

Even the Butler can't really believe what he discovered. He says they want to complete it so it can become an "overwhelming deterrent" to all surrounding regions.
Ayane can't believe it either and asks why. Suou's like come on. For money. Duh. It'd help pay off your debt. When Serika also indicates confusion, Suou tells her there are many applications for powerful weapons.
And uh, new lore. Ayane speculates the name "Shemata" comes from a legendary student council president. This is...wow I mean it really is new Abydos lore.
Suou says nice, you know about her: "Iron Fist politics" Shemata (that was what Tekken meant, right)?
Ayane says that in Abydos's heyday there were...
Bruh.

There were SEVENTY (70) STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENTS.
鉄拳政治のシェマタ (Tekken Seiji no Shemata - Iron Fist Politics Shemata) ruled over them all. Serika is like NYANI and Suou says even she knows about this despite not being from Abydos

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.22

Abydos was an affluent and huge military power in the past. All schools feared it in its heyday. Suou says given this, it's curious indeed that the weapon is named Shemata. When Nonomi asks if this was the plan all along, her Butler tells her that it wasn't, and this came up after the railway project started.
This all being said, Suou says please calm down--this thing is already over. The plan has gone kaput. The butler corroborates, saying it was an impossible ask.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.23

The unfinished project is somewhere in the desert to this day, and the plan was canceled. HOWEVER... they recently ran some tests, and Shemata seems viable again. Something like, in the past it wasn't feasible but with technological advancement etc it now is. And with that in mind, value was found in this idea once again sayeth Suou. Blah blah blah this is what the bond buying and collective buyers was about, to raise funds for this valuable thing.

Nephthys apparently just wanted the railroad, and seriously did not know about the project. So, scratch that joke I made about this being "Nephthys". It seems to instead be the investors or whatever, who sneakily asked for Nephthys to help buy stuff without explaining their plans.

Shiroko says OK let's blow it up.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.24

Nonomi asks if the Butler knows where the gun is but he doesn't, it's top secret and the private funders probably were hoping Nephthys knew where it was. So I guess now the idea is try to find the gun?
On this note, it cuts to Suou as they're wondering where the gun is.
Anyway, the CCC (Shupogaki) wouldn't know about this, but they will likely inevitably find it. The private fund needs a contract signed in order to properly acquire the Shemata, The butler notes...the rights are split between the Abydos Student Council, Nepthys...and the designer? Huh.
I didn't mention it before but the Butler has a remark wondering whether the Designer excepted things several years into the future. Is it the Underground Man, somehow...?
Ayane wonders if Kaiser knew about it, and the Butler says he's heard they want Sanctum Tower so they probably don't care about such a weapon.
Anyway, the contract Yume signed protects the gun from falling into the hands of the investors

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.25

Hoshino asks about Yume, but the Butler says he doesn't know, and they didn't know about the contract. He can only speculate it was for money.

Hmkay so the contract will auto cancel and that's why they want it to autocancel. Abydos has no current student council president, so there's nothing Abydos can do to stop it. Once it autocancels, the rights fully pass to "Nephthys". This does not mean full rights, because of the debt being purchased jointly. This means the private fucks will get the weapon.

Hoshino says she'll go to the meeting to keep the contract, which the Butler's happy to hear. They'll try to find the gun in the meantime. Naturally, they'll try to stop them though. They're already preparing a huge amount of resistance.

Uhhh, and then...pug here says...The gun was left behind by a ruler of GEHENNA? HUH?

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.26

Serika says Sensei can save them, but Suou notes that Schale can't interfere with private deals like this. I mean...he has before, but it is true that the last time he interfered with private property it almost became a huge mess (in chapter 2 of volume 1). The meeting's in their territory so they have every right to "protect" it.
They say they'll go, Suou asks you guys? They say yeah all of us and Suou says no, I mean, who is going? The task force or the student council? Technically this is a matter of the student council? Furthermore, the old president's name is on the contract but she isn't here.
And she doesn't say this, but while this is effectively the student council, it is true that there is no president at Abydos.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.27

The girls are wondering about what to do after Suou notes that they can't force their way through. The Butler surprises me here by telling Nonomi there IS a way: enroll in Highlander, become president there, and do as you wish. Nonomi is like nyooo... and Hoshino rejects the offer, which is funny.
Butler says fine, there's one more idea: invalidate the power of the contract by invalidating the power of the student council president who signed it. He explains that Yume was given power in an illegitimate way (show of hands) and therefore you COULD say she never had power at all. This would completely dissolve the contract. However, he doesn't recommend this.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 4.28

Butler says welp seems like it's all fucked up. Bye. If I figure out another possible way, I'll let you know. He and Suou leave. Everyone's bummed out, but Hoshino and Shiroko are both still set on figuring something out. Ayane then suggests everyone take a break.
btw I'm still dead???

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.1

Flashback to that scene where they find Shiroko. Small bit of scarf lore: Hoshino bought it on sale, but tells Shiroko to take good care of it. It looks good on her. Shiroko says Nn, got it.
Meanwhile Nonomi once again notices the weird "ojisan" referral Hoshino's doing and also notices the Uhe~ so she brings it up. Now, when relaxed Hoshino always has Uhe~'d but she first used Ojisan as a name in an earlier meeting with Nonomi. Now it seems like it's stuck with her, or maybe she's consciously doing it, but she gets awkward when Nonomi asks about it. Shiroko sneezes and Hoshino changes the subject so they can go inside.
I didn't expect the scene to cut there Nonomi says the uniform Shiroko has is the old one, so she'll get a correct one ASAP. Shiroko likes it, though, so she refuses. That said...I can't tell how the uniform is any different from the "new" uniform? The pockets on Serika's blazer have white lining on top. That's the only difference I can notice.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.2

Present day, Shiroko's saying we've gotta break through. Serika says that is NOT a good idea, and Shiroko says they just need to plan out their routes and do scouting. Serika reminds her this is not a bank heist, and Shiroko says that they can win since they have Hoshino with them. Hoshino's in memory land so they get her attention and she mentions how it's surprising Shiroko, who used to just be a cute runny nosed tyke, can say such wild things nowadays. For once, Shiroko says this is proper embarrassing and she doesn't want to talk about it.
Nonomi: It's okay. You're still cute.
Shiroko: ...Nn.
flashback again

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.3

Shiroko wants to fight.
She says she only listens to people who are stronger than her (wow). Hoshino's fine with this and accepts a fight, though she does warn Shiroko that she's said it before--no one's ever beaten her 1 on 1. Shiroko says she won't lose this time and Hoshino asks--if she DOES lose, what will Shiroko do for her? Without hesitation, Shiroko says anything, and Hoshino says in that case enroll in Abydos and call her Senpai.
Right, she does call Hoshino simply "Hoshino" here. Shiroko agrees.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.4

Shiroko has brought a BUNCH of stuff to the school. When asked where she got it, she says she stole it all--from an ironworks. She also says she intends to sell it back to said ironworks to help clear the debt.
Wow. Hoshino tells her no, bad dog. When Shiroko asks why, Hoshino is at a loss for words. Then a guy comes up and says THIS NIGGA STOLE MY TRUCK! Hoshino says you stole his TRUCK TOO??
Yes : )

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.5

Hoshino apologizes for Shiroko, explaining she doesn't know a lot just yet. Nonomi also offers to pay him back and Hoshino tells her no no, we have to APOLOGIZE first. Nonomi apologizes and tells Shiroko to as well. She says she's sorry, awkwardly. The doggie she stole from is mad as fuck, but eventually accepts their apologies and leaves (but says just this once--and he's still annoyed). Hoshino's like phew, it all worked out. Eh, Shiroko-chan?
Shiroko: Nn, next time I won't get caught.
Hoshino: Shiroko-chan!?
The dog, who's still here, is like what the fuck, but says whatever it's fine since you're students of Abydos. He's surprised there are still students here. Then as he leaves he says...if you have spare iron...sell it to me...
HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE GUY FROM AYANE'S MOMOTALKS! THEY'RE STILL SELLING STUFF TO HIM SHIT THAT'S ADORABLE

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.6

Nonomi notices blossoms are coming in. It'll be the end of winter soon (AKA spring). Hey, that's school entrance season in Japan.
Hoshino says we'll be saying goodbye to Nonomi in that case, and Shiroko is confused. Nonomi's going to Highlander after all.
Flashforward obviously Nonomi enrolled in Abydos and it's very cute and I think it's another new BGM? Anyway Nonomi's embarrassed since Hoshino wants to take a picture. It's a callback! Hoshino is the one who says of course, it's to commemorate things (just like Yume said before). Hoshino says hey, things are getting hot, aren't you gonna take that scarf off Shiroko? Shiroko says Nn, I'm fine.
Cute picture, and then we move forward to Hoshino opening the Task force and them making their first (quickly rejected) plans: bank robbery or credit card. In present day, the senpai are all just silently 'membering. They say they also fondly remember their kouhai enrolling. Turns out they enrolled together, and from the start wanted to help save Abydos. Serika and Ayane are confirmed to have been friends before entering Abydos High School. They were both high energy and happy to help from the very beginning

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.7

Nonomi reminisces on everything and says she doesn't want the Task force to disappear. There are too many precious memories within it. She also explicitly says that it was because of Shiroko that she decided to stay in Abydos, and it's because of Shiroko that Hoshino's smile returned. She says, Shiroko and Hoshino surely feel the same way.
Shiroko also puts Hoshino on the spot--the reason she is still "in the student council" is since she wants to keep the memory of Yume, right? To not let it disappear. Also, that's why she didn't take the president seat. Hoshino evaluates: "So you're trying to say I think that if I became president, I would finally be acknowledging Yume-senpai's death? well, you're not wrong"
However, she steers the topic to the most important thing: finding that gun. She remembers Yume's speech about how she refuses to give up on Abydos and let it become a horrible place, and with that in mind Hoshino says that that gun can't be allowed to exist in Abydos (basically)

A weapon to surpass Geburah 5.8

Hoshino says the names aren't that important and besides, yes, the task force is full of cherished memories for her as well. Every day has been fun with them all.

Anyway, they need a way to get to the meeting place.
Sensei mentioned
guys it's nearly nightfall, Sensei should absolutely fucking be dead by now

Ayane brushes it off since Sensei is a busy guy, so this'll happen now and then NO IT WON'T I'LL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR MY STUDENTS IF CONSCIOUS
She checks her phone and goes EH!? News: Schale got blown up

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.1

Sensei is in the hospital...
uuhhhhhhhh
This has happened before. I hope Sensei doesn't get perma-fucked up from this.
Next episode...Shiroko's eyes look familiar...

...It was a fakeout. That's fucked up, devs. I guess Shiroko was just tired? Serika welcomes her back and tells her to close the door.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.2

Sensei is alive and...well, NOT well, but he has no lifethreatening injuries. That said, he's in a coma for now. I guess just "unconscious"--it hasn't been so long to say "coma" I suppose...
Still, Hoshino says in this case they can't rely on Sensei. This worries me, but hopefully they can figure stuff on because they've exposed all their secrets, talked everything out, and nothing bad happened in chapters 1 or 2...? They think about asking for help from other schools, but without Sensei that'd be tough (indeed, if Hina was here like...ALL of their forces would mean fucking nothing). I bet Hina would help regardless, but without Sensei's involvement Makoto would make a fuss about it for sure.
Besides, they have a long way to go and not much time to get there. Also Nonomi is missing and...here? To meet with her Butler. She simply told her friends she has something to do. Hoshino admits she's a bit worried.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.3

Sensei is alive and...well, NOT well, but he has no lifethreatening injuries. That said, he's in a coma for now. I guess just "unconscious"--it hasn't been so long to say "coma" I suppose...
Still, Hoshino says in this case they can't rely on Sensei. This worries me, but hopefully they can figure stuff on because they've exposed all their secrets, talked everything out, and nothing bad happened in chapters 1 or 2...? They think about asking for help from other schools, but without Sensei that'd be tough (indeed, if Hina was here like...ALL of their forces would mean fucking nothing). I bet Hina would help regardless, but without Sensei's involvement Makoto would make a fuss about it for sure.
Besides, they have a long way to go and not much time to get there. Also Nonomi is missing and...here? To meet with her Butler. She simply told her friends she has something to do. Hoshino admits she's a bit worried.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.4

But it twas not the butler, it was Nonomi's cousin Suou (TL Note: Nonomi and Suou are not confirmed in any way to be related, nor even hinted other than physical resemblence and Suou's curiously high amount of knowledge about Nephthys, Nonomi's family, and Abydos).
Suou however is just here to be messenger again. The butler is on her phone or whatever it is. He is excited that it seems like Nonomi's decided to enroll in Highlander and come back to Nepthys. Nonomi says nyo! :<
She says that there HAS to be some way, like consolidation of powers or something. After all, she can't lose the power-entities within Abydos. While she's saying all this, Suou goes "..."
The takes a moment of silence, and then laughs! lmao "Let's just win everything and make no sacrifices". Milady, the world doesn't work like that. You haven't grown up at all since middle school--you really think you can just selfishly always get what you want? I did say, you can enroll in highlander and solve everything that way. He then unsubtly threatens that they COULD just force Nonomi to enroll--they'd just prefer not to : ) Nonomi doesn't miss the threat. However the butler maintains--hey, Milady, do you know how many people suffered because you backed out?
Suou speaks up and asks Nonomi what point there is in making her people arbitrarily listen to her.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.5

The Butler politely tells Suou to stfu, saying this concerns Nephthys. He emphasizes it, and Suou goes "..." again, further stoking my wondering whether the two of them are related and Suou is from a branch family of some kind.
Nonomi apologizes. The Butler "apologizes" too for saying something rude (he really is a bizarre character--I'd prefer if he just came out and said FUCK you kid, do you know how shitty my life has been for the last 2 years? not saying he's badly written--his writing makes perfect sense and it is perfectly annoying)
Anyways he says they do expect Sensei to get involved, and should that be the case there will definitely be a clash. However, in that clash, Nepthys is planning to swoop in and do something to their own benefit in the confusion--despite on paper being in collusion with the private investors. When Nonomi asks when this was decided, he says "From the start". He seems to wring his hands in frustration as he recalls their previous losses, and how now this is such a boon. He politely asks when Sensei is going to show up and help. Clearly, Nephthys wants this badly.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.6

All that aside the butler is happy Nonomi came alone, he didn't expect that. Suou gets behind Nonomi then and shoots her unconscious--though before she does, she tells Nonomi "You've been used." As she fades out, she just thinks "Butler...so this is what you wanted to do from the start"
Man, poor Nonomi. This is fucked.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.7

GUESS WHAT FLASHBACK TIME
Hoshino is sobbing while looking for Yume, begging her to come back, and saying she's sorry.
But surprise: this isn't a Hoshino flashback.
It's a Nonomi flashback.
Nonomi has been watching Hoshino since Hoshino was a first year, and remarks that Hoshino seems to not found her again today. She wonders how long Hoshino will look. She goes day after day. Why go that far? She thinks, you could just leave all of this behind, forget it, and move on.
It'd be better if everything in the past had just been some dream (YUME). She also notes, this applies to herself as well as she remembers entering Abydos. Mournfully, she says Hoshino's name and passes out. Suou notices this, but doesn't remark on it. The butler tells Suou to take Nonomi's ID and credit card...
To my surprise Suou asks a question of the butler: Was it a lie when you told her she'd become Highlander's student council president?
Butler says "duh." She's going to be a "hostage". That's much better than her being a student council president.
Suou says ok, but isn't she still a daughter of Nephthys?
Butler says ehhh yeah but this is a Board decision. We don't mean anything by it. Anyways contact the task force, tell them to go to the meeting. If Milady isn't there, she'll be transferred to Highlander.
Suou asks if continuing the contract is fine. Butler says whatever and basically describes that no matter the outcome in this case, Nepthys is getting the gun. He tells Suou to take Nonomi, and says he'll reach out to Abydos.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.8

There's a call? Nonomi contacts her friends...? Or tries to...? Kinda like Yume. It's not corrupted. She says she never should have gone to Abydos. She says she went to Abydos out of guilt and doesn't belong there. She'll always be "Nepthys". She begs them to forget her and says the student council never existed. Please find Sensei and deal with things
I can't tell if this is actually her. It does use her portrait in the log--but this is 1000% opposite of what she just said earlier. This must be that fucking butler. No fucking way it's Nonomi, right?

...Well the butler appears RIGHT after and says "THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID" so yeah BULLSHIT
FUCK THIS GUY OH MY GOD I HATE HIM

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.9

The butler tells them welp, just say Abydos's student council was bullshit tomorrow. Nonomi's definitely sad about this, but hey no time left. Make the right call! Bye!
Hoshino says she's going to the meeting, though not what she plans to do, saying she won't lose anyone else precious to her. Shiroko says we need to wait for Sensei, Hoshino says everyone--wait for me k.
Serika is baffled Hoshino is going to do this alone. Hoshino says "...I can win" Shiroko is not baffled, and asks "You're planning to do that, save Nonomi, and destroy both Nephthys and the fundees after aren't you?" Hoshino says don't worry about what I'm gonna do.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.10

Hoshino says this is her sole responsibility. She'll deal with everything. Everyone else should stay here.
When Shiroko asks for clarification on what "everyone" means, Hoshino says everyone in the task force.
Immediately, Shiroko starts blasting, and challenges Hoshino to a fight.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.11

They're fighting, on the roof, it seems intense, but Hoshino wins shortly after the episode starts. She is completely unscathed afterwards and has not broken a sweat. She says Shiroko will get stronger than her one day, though.

"But that day is not today."
"Back then, when I felt like the entire world was my enemy, it was Nonomi-chan who saved me."
"If it hadn't been for her, 'today' I wouldn't even be here."
"So now it's my turn to save her."

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.12

Hoshino say she won't let their time together disappear, and asks everyone to believe in her.

Shiroko still has hopes that Sensei will come and set things right--simple and straightforward as ever. Hoshino agrees Sensei would help here, but he won't be here. He's in the hospital. Besides, she cites that Yume would never allow that gun. If she had learned of it after signing, she would've tried to get rid of it. Now, Hoshino's going to stop everything. This is a student council problem, and the task force has nothing to do with it.

Shiroko begs Hoshino not to go.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.13

Shiroko explains that she can't understand anything about the old student council, and she didn't know Yume. She only knows the task force, and that it means everything to her. She pleads with Hoshino to tell her why she's talking like she is. Hoshino is a part of "everyone", right? After saying this, Shiroko collapses.
Hoshino says sorry, but I still have to go.
Ayane shouts DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH
In summary, you're just saying you're leaving us right?
ISN'T THIS WHAT YOU PULLED BEFORE!?
ARE YOU INCAPABLE OF LEARNING A SINGLE THING?
Ayane tells Hoshino that thanks to Sensei, they came back together, and yet Hoshino's doing this.
Hoshino says sorry, and raises her shotgun at Ayane, explaining she has to go.
Ayane says she'll make Hoshino understand

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.14

Anyways, Yume-senpai. This is a flashback to Hoshino's memory of Yume telling her she's thankful for everything. BGM is upbeat, not sad. She cried when she remembered this when captured in chapter 2. As a reminder, it's Yume saying out of the blue (revealed to be at the end of the day) that she keeps thinking everything's a dream ever since she met Hoshino. It's like a miracle. Hoshino told her that they're together every day, it's whatever. What's the big deal? A miracle is something much more significant than that. Yume told her no, and one day when you've got some cute underclassmen, she'll want them always by her side and feel like that time is a miracle. And then, she'll understand what Yume's saying

We see a little more, with Hoshino saying if new kouhai came here it really would be a miracle, which bother Yume since she's ruining a sweet sentiment.
She tells Hoshino to protect them, should she ever get her own underclassmen. Hoshino says fine, sure, I'll do what I can.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.15

Yeah of course Hoshino beat them (again no sweat, unscathed). Ayane is baffled.
Hoshino says sorry, and explains that controlling 3 helicopters at once--of course Ayane wouldn't be able to manage them well. She asks them to apologize to Sensei for her, and tells them they're the future of Abydos and she's happy they enrolled. Because they're important to Abydos, she says she has to protect them. That's what senpai do.
When Serika tries to stop her, Hoshino says "hey, I'm a 3rd year, I'll graduate soon anyway" (!???!?!?!??? BUT WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEEEEAAAANN)
Anyway, Hoshino says they'll play their own parts when they're 2nd and 3rd years. For now, today the student council will dissolve and the task force will persist and Hoshino will be the only thing going away. She explains that passing these sentiments along is Yume's will.
I'm not surprised this traumatized ojisan completely fucking misunderstood Yume's will and is fucking things up. AGAIN.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 6.16

Hoshino says this is her last order as the vice-president.
Shiroko comes in after Hoshino leaves, and everyone talks about how they couldn't stop her. Ayane seems particularly frustrated as she's barely talking. She notes that this is the first time she's seen Hoshino like that. Meanwhile, Hoshino is in the student council room, taking something--probably her battle gear.
Ayane remembers something about the contract: with all timing considered, today is the anniversary of Yume's disappearance. Hoshino is in the student council room, gearing up. She Says "Wait for me, Nonomi-chan...
Never again. I won't make the same mistake."

A weapon to surpass Geburah 7.1

Nonomi is being locked in a cage. Suou, who's locking her in, tells her to please bear with it.
She leaves.
She's in an abandoned building and contacts...presumably the butler, telling him that Abydos is probably going to move soon.
...wait no it's not him. It's an unknown person.
Suou says prepare to attack, and the unknown person asks why she's calling.

She says "Nephthys is betraying us". I think? No subject.
The unknown person is the fat robot private investor who isn't surprised it seems. He says they'll buff security. This info is conveyed to the other investors. They aren't surprised either. The pug notes that even if Sensei gets involved it won't matter.

More sudden lore. The only recently introduced mafiabot fundee says he doesn't care about the gun at all, he's interested in finding other technology, and refers to 雷帝. The "Thunder Emperor" is who they call a genius from Gehenna that seems to have designed and built the Schwerer Gustav (Railway Gun), at least 2 of the fund dudes want the railgun only for the chance to get a hand on its technology, it's possible there are more weapons like that lying around Kivotos

A weapon to surpass Geburah 7.2

Enter Shupogaki.
They're told that it's okay to start work, and Nozomi seems hyped for this.
Sensei wakes up after this.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 7.3

Having woken up, Sensei gets up and starts to leave. The doctor asks what he's doing, he says he made a promise with his students, and he's gotta get to Abydos.
The doctor performs some tests and lets him go...A little suspicious imo but nothing seems to have happened. Sensei goes to Abydos, and finds a helicopter burning at the gate. He runs in. The girls are still at the field. Shiroko tries to tell him about Hoshino, but I suppose detecting the vibe and let's be real probably guessing what Hoshino did (he knew she was still fucked up back in the Abydos summer event) he tells Shiroko and everyone else to calm down for now.
They take some time to clean up the wreckage and themselves and have a meeting.
Discussion discussion, Sensei is ofc trying to help sort out what's going on. With it all laid out, he asks if everyone's ready to go. Ayane says it sucks that they can't fight or convince Hoshino. Shiroko says "Yeah, she can't forget the girl from her past" which Serika tsukkomis

A weapon to surpass Geburah 7.4

Ayane and Sensei once again detect "particular directed malice" in what is happening. Obviously(?) alluding to the Underground Man. Shiroko separately acknowledges that the student council is important to Hoshino so ideally that should be protected too. She doesn't want Hoshino to be sad, and apologizes to Sensei for Selfishly, basically, wanting everything to work out. Of course Sensei says it's totally alright. Adults are supposed to listen to selfish kids.
Ayane pipes up being obviously sad. She asks Sensei why is this happening, what can they even do, and what's gonna happen from now on?
Sensei says "...Alright." like he's ready to do something. The kids are confused, and Sensei says so, first, lets figure out this student council thing. The presidency is still vacant, no? OK, let's hold an election.

A weapon to surpass Geburah 7.5

Ayane immediately gets it. There's a majority of "Abydos" here, and Sensei says a pres was elected before. This should work.
Furthermore, as "Schale" he can validate it.
Ayane IMMEDIATELY says OK! Stands up. ME, OKUSORA AYANE
I WOULD LIKE TO RUN FOR STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT

A weapon to surpass Geburah 7.6

Ayane seems to imply that this is how Yume was elected, and she was legit, so this is legit.
Serika says: lol so straightforward. Well yeah I vote for you!
Shiroko: Yeah, you have my vote.
Ayane: I vote for myself!
Sensei: OK you're president now

As an advisor of Schale
And, as an advisor to Abydos,
As witness, I recognize this election's result.

and Sensei knocks like a gavel or something lol

Ayane's first declaration:

The Abydos Foreclosure Task Force is now merged with the Abydos Student Council!
And its name is the task force!

Serika says lol wut. Really?

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, KUROMI SERIKA?

N-No...

FIRST POLICY

(Serika whispers wait, is this "Iron Fist Politics"...?)

WE SHALL ATTEND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND UPHOLD THE CONTRACT SIGNED BY THE FORMER STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT

THE GUN WILL BECOME OURS BY RIGHT AND NEVER BE HANDED TO NEPTHYS NOR THE PRIVATE FUNDEES!

And we shall request that Nepthys return Nonomi-senpai!
If they don't, we will consider it a hostile act and we WILL use force to in our response!

she acted like this when Ako moved in too.
Sensei says he'll find out where Nonomi is. Shiroko asks about Hoshino-senpai.
Ayane rumbles.

Hoshino-senpai huh..

HOSHINO SENPAI
HAS BEEN DEMOTED TO SECRETARY

Serika thinks to herself, this means Ayane is forcing her old work onto Hoshino. Actually, Sensei did this to Natsu in the recent ASS Club event. That's right. Make the lazy ones work. Shiroko has no issue with this.

Ayane says that with this, Hoshino can do nothing in regards to the contract.
A mere secretary has no such power

She thanks Sensei, and everyone confirms their plans to act. First, get to the meeting. Next, stop Hoshino, and finally save Nonomi.

Ayane says OK LET'S MOVE OUT! FIRST MISSION OF THE TASK FORCE IS AGO

...and then she finally blushes and wilts. Sensei says she was cool, huh? There's a bit of Ayane teasing, Shiroko is hyped up, and Sensei says Aight, let's move.

TO BE CONTINUED