Original subtitles

Thank you very much.

I couldn't have done that without you.

Think nothing of it.

You'd do the same for me, I'm sure.

So... what is it you wanted to ask me?

I'd like to work for your employer.

What?

Would you be willing to scout me?

I'm sorry, but I don't have the authority to make that call.

Perhaps you could put me in touch with your superior, then?

Might I ask why you want this?

I've grown quite interested in you.

Surely you jest!

I'm a perfectly average middle-aged man.

You create icicles and unleash electricity.

I can't imagine what psychic power could be at the root of it.

You also blocked that magical girl's Magical Beam, did you not?

And I can't help but wonder if you're hiding your abilities from the Bureau...

Sh-Sh-She's got me there!

What a... curious theory.

Now, if you'll connect me with your superior,

I won't breathe a word of this.

Akutsu

Incoming call

Accept

Reject

Yes?

What in the world are you people off doing?

In call

We traded fire with a magical girl on-site.

So that Iruma Air Base freighter that went down was...

Destroyed by one of the magical girl's attacks.

I don't know why she let us go, but we managed to get away, so...

I'm told a fireball was seen at the time the freighter went down.

Isn't the use of psychic powers permitted when fighting a magical girl?

Very well.

It's certainly easier for us if that's what happened.

I do appreciate your understanding, sir.

By the way, Chief,

I've received an application request from an unregistered psychic other than the boy...

And what kind of psychic are they?

Well, her name is Futari Shizuka...

EP 6\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hInterview and Wine and Dine

He's agreed to interview you.

Why, I'm so very grateful!

May I ask you something?

What is it?

Assuming you get hired by the Bureau,

the chief will likely have whatever residence or business you give as your address

bugged with a surveillance camera.

You should pick a random time to find and dismantle it.

I'm sure it's against the rules to tell you this,

but you'll likely be treated as a potential spy for some time,

so I wanted to tell you while I could.

Is that all true?

Good morning, Hoshizaki-san.

E-Er... what exactly do you mean by "all that"?

If she overheard the part about my powers,

things could get a bit awkward...

Does the chief really install surveillance cameras in agents' homes?

Tell me, Sasaki!

It wasn't an exception he made for you?

He really does that to all his agents?

He said everyone gets the same treatment, so...

Hoshizaki-san, I'm sure he has no underhanded motives.

We've recovered our target.

Let's return to the Bureau.

Right...

Front Desk

Store on 1F

And what exactly are you doing with Futari Shizuka, anyway?

Store on 1F

Why, I resent your tone.

Um, if I may...

There's somewhere I'd like to stop by first.

Plum Jam

Plum Jam

What do we have here? You're a lover of jam?

What fine tastes you have.

Oh, no. I just heard using pickled plums makes meat more tender.

I don't particularly enjoy sour flavors, so I thought this might work instead.

It appears you understand very little about plums.

You two seem close.

Huh?

You and Futari Shizuka.

I wouldn't say we're close, exactly...

Then what's that all about?

Oh, this?

She said they were "true pickled plums."

She's sharing from a homemade stash. They've been pickling for years, she says.

Heaven's sake...

Do you realize how dangerous that woman is?

Futari Shizuka's an A-rank psychic.

Her psychic power is energy drain, the ability to sap life force via touch.

And not only does her touch drain, it provides her incredible regenerative power.

I see.

That explains things.

Moreover, despite how she looks,

they say her real age is in the triple digits.

Then do you think these pickled plums are...

So, you two are finally back.

The boy in question has been transferred to the care of the relevant department.

Oh, has he?

Chief, I heard something I want to confirm with you.

Do you really put surveillance cameras in agents' homes?

What if we do?

Do you honestly think that's acceptable?!

I have the authority to do so.

I don't leak the footage, obviously.

That's not the issue here!

It's sexual harassment!

You can rest easy on that account.

I'm gay. I have no interest in women.

Chief, I think you're about to give some other people the wrong impression...

I'm the one who told her about this.

You have no reason to worry either.

You're not my type at all.

Besides, I'm not the kind of fool who would date within the Bureau.

It's still no excuse to use cameras!

The surveillance cameras I've installed have caught no shortage of spies.

Knowing that, would you still sing the same tune?

At any rate... could you please remove my camera immediately?

Very well. I'll see to it at once.

By the way, what might that be?

These? They're pickled plums.

Oh, do you like pickled plums?

I'm quite discerning about them, in fact.

Would you like to try one?

You're sure?

Yes.

In that case...

Well, that looks quite good.

That's... I've never seen that expression on Chief Akutsu's face!

This is certainly one of the finest pickled plums I've ever tasted.

You mean... they're good?

You haven't had one yet?

No. I like pickled plums well enough, but I have a hard time with sour things.

Pickled plum ochazuke to close out a night of drinking is great, though.

Then it's on you, Hoshizaki-kun.

It's rare you encounter plums of this level.

I can tell these were pickled

by someone with a deep love of food and refined sensibilities.

A-Are you all right?

Now, Sasaki-kun,

about scheduling the interview in question...

What interview?

She's enduring the sourness through force of will!

Futari Shizuka-kun seems to have asked Sasaki-kun to arrange one.

I'm sorry, Hoshizaki-kun, but the interview will go through.

Today was even more exhausting than usual.

You were out late.

Working overtime?

G-Good evening.

Would you consider letting me lodge with you this evening?

What?

Um, er... why?

A listening device and thermal camera.

What about them?

I was spying on your place and saw something like a bird just talking away.

The "thermal" part is likely a bluff.

She probably installed a regular camera just like my boss!

A bird, gazing at the computer screen and murmuring to itself...

Isn't that a curious thing?

Emissaries from the fairy world

sometimes possess the bodies of beasts to visit ours.

Um... what on Earth are you talking about?

I could share this memory card with your superiors...

I'm just joking, of course.

Still, you're quite lax with your personal security, aren't you?

The psychics of this nation do not look kindly on magical girls.

You may feel safe, having acquired your status as an agent,

but you really should take better care.

I see.

She actually believed that "magical man" stuff I made up?

Futari Shizuka-san, what exactly do you want from me?

My former organization is after me.

In other words, you want to join forces?

I think I understand your situation,

but helping you will require me to take on extra risk.

I'm wealthier than I might appear.

Perhaps we could strike a monetary deal?

A very appealing proposal!

Spending my income on supplies for the other world has left me scraping by in this one!

Sugar

I wouldn't say no, for the right price.

Is that so?

But it's not entirely up to me to decide.

Will you give me time to discuss it?

Let's speak again tomorrow.

But can't I stay the night?

I'm in truly dire straits, you know!

Just how uncooperative are you?

Before I work with Futari Shizuka in earnest,

I need to get my story straight with Peeps.

And I need to do another check for surveillance cameras in my apartment!

My name is Piercarlo.

I'm told you wish to take shelter here.

How much are you offering in recompense?

You're quite receptive to the idea, I see.

Yes.

After we spoke, I told Peeps what had happened, and we discussed what to do next.

He had several qualms with the situation,

but in the end, his hopes of eating chateaubriand once a month won out.

There is merely one thing I must confirm.

What is it?

Would you object to non-monetary forms of payment?

Peeps?

The way you've built your wealth

suggests you have go-betweens who will buy things of great value.

We lack such connections at the moment.

So, as payment for housing you,

would you share some of those resources with us?

I have no objection,

but what does your partner think?

Do you agree?

I certainly share Peeps's interest on that front.

But I'd like to avoid doing anything that might bring on the wrath of my employers.

I see.

May I assume you have something to sell?

Something you've brought from the fairy world, no less?

Indeed, we do.

What is it you intend to sell?

Precious metals, for the time being.

We've struggled with converting our other-world earnings into Japanese yen.

I'd be great if her go-betweens could solve that problem for us...

Are these minerals that exist in this world as well?

Hmm? Why?

Bringing the wrong thing over could potentially have grave consequences.

Although, that would be intriguing in its own right...

Either way, I can't speak to an item's value until I see it with my own eyes.

We'll have it ready soon.

I simply can't wait to see!

What a thrill! I feel like a young girl again.

Futari Shizuka-san, it's about time.

Oh, of course.

It's good to see you, sir.

Good to see you, Sasaki-kun.

This is Futari Shizuka-san.

I'm most grateful you've taken time out of your busy day to speak with me.

Your desire to join the Bureau is genuine?

Yes, quite so.

Can you offer any evidence of that?

You're a high-ranking official of an enemy organization.

Without a token of good faith, I'm afraid I can't accept your request.

Your reaction is only natural.

Even so, you are a talented psychic.

I dearly hope you consider it.

We can't take you on as a full employee at this time.

But I'd be willing to try you out on a contract basis.

Ah, I see.

I'd be happy to help your operation under that arrangement.

Very well.

But where precisely do I stand personally?

If I may work under the Bureau's aegis, I don't mind it being mere contract labor...

But I would hate to not have any proof of affiliation.

Regarding that, I intend to leave you under Sasaki-kun's supervision.

Please hold on, Chief!

Have you forgotten that I only recently joined the Bureau myself?

I haven't forgotten.

But it's my personal policy to promote skilled agents,

regardless of their tenure with us.

And here I was excited for the chief's reaction

when I dropped Futari Shizuka into his lap...

I barely have any authority.

I would struggle to respond promptly if anything were to go wrong.

In that case, I'll see that you're given the same authority as Hoshizaki-kun.

What?

As I'm sure you know,

our hierarchy doesn't work like that of the other central agencies.

I have full discretion with our employees.

You should be happy, Sasaki-kun.

Two promotions in your first few weeks is unprecedented in our agency.

This concludes the interview.

I leave the rest to you, Sasaki-kun.

Mizumura

Day drinking on the taxpayer's dime is a truly exquisite experience!

Yes, I suppose.

By the way, what became of my pickled plums?

Oh, those...

Have you tried cooking meat with them yet?

Oh, er, not yet.

You haven't tasted them at all, then?

Well, I shared them with my coworkers.

I'm sure they all enjoyed the taste of true pickled plums.

It's hard to say if they enjoyed them or not,

but I certainly saw some novel expressions.

Novel expressions?

Yes.

As if they'd lowered their guard, I suppose.

I'm glad you gave me these pickled plums.

I believe I understand why your superiors trust you.

You are charmingly honest.

No, the boss just believes in rewarding performance.

You played a large part in earning his favor, I'm sure.

I see. Your fate is linked to mine, then.

Even if you stumble, I'll do my best to compensate.

Oh? Putting on airs to my face?

I'd be uneasy if I didn't say at least that much.

And even if it is contract work, you still got hired.

Please do your best to recruit your old allies.

Personally, I'd love to spread juicy rumors

that I've begun an affair with an agent.

Huh?

That could end up blowing back on me...

Affairs aside,

given that I'm asking her to fence my assets from the other world,

instead of just earning her trust, I should probably offer her my aid too.

Are you familiar with the magical girls' Magical Field?

The mysterious technique that lets them travel anywhere instantly?

If anything happens, I'll come to help you right away.

Really?

Yes. You have my word.

I've been looking all over for you, Sasaki.

Hoshizaki-san?

I hear you got put in charge of Futari Shizuka.

Even if that's the case, what in the world are you up to?

Chief's orders...

I'm sure he didn't think you'd actually take your subordinate out drinking!

Huh?

Was he kidding about that?

Well, don't just stand there.

We're a drink ahead of you.

You're welcome to place an order of your own.

Um, Hoshizaki-san,

if you haven't eaten yet, why not join us?

Very well.

Sasaki, I need to speak with you.

What is it?

Um...

Actually, there's something I need to ask you, too.

What is it?

I heard that your psychic power is manipulating liquids.

Does that include human bodily fluids?

Well, if I touch them after they've left the body, I can control them.

So you can't do that if they're still under the skin?

I've tried in the past, but it's never worked.

If she could manage it, it would be an excellent check against Futari Shizuka.

It was an idea I had while considering my continued association

with our dangerous contractor.

Hey, Sasaki?

What is it?

Yesterday was so chaotic, I never got to thank you.

You don't need to thank me.

It was just a series of coincidences.

Even if it was a coincidence, you still saved me.

Because you covered for me, I get to keep doing my job.

A thank-you.

A rolled omelet?

You said you like pickled plums, but not their sourness, right?

I heard from a friend

that if you seal them in egg, you can enjoy their flavor with less intensity.

So you made this yourself?!

Keep it down, will you?!

S-Sorry.

Well... you can eat them when you get home, if you'd rather.

Hey! Why are you eating them?!

His fate is linked to mine, after all.

I'm testing it for poison.

It's clearly not poisoned!

Hey, these are great.

Oh? Really?

The addition of mayonnaise might bring out the flavor...

Hey!

Yes?

How is she someone with "a deep love of food and refined sensibilities"?

What are you talking about?

Could it be you're jealous of our close relationship?

Say "ah"!

Um, of... of course not...