It’s been a looong time since I posted a ‘formal’ deep frying post… and this one wasn’t actually intended to be a separate post. But, things got out of hand and the thoughts / commentaries I had for the episode will end up too cluttering if I include this lengthy deep frying. Hints and tidbits of what to expect in this deep frying session have been briefly mentioned in my episode 22 summary, so sit back and relax.. and enjoy :3

(I still have plans to post my formal deep frying of the previous episodes, particularly for episodes 17-20, covered by volume 3, which I’ll be working on once I get to catch up with episode 23)

And on with the deep frying… :3

As I’ve mentioned in my summary, the anime went all dramatic with its portrayal of how Ayano gained the determination to fight against Kazuma. The novel however takes the “entertainment route” as it provides its readers with amusement despite the intense situation in this arc (there’s also some drama, but on a different ‘scene’). Let me first mention some difference in the battle in Central Park which Ren witnessed. Kazuma should’ve fought with not only one, but five guys all at the same time (headed by the “Fang” I believe). They were all tasked by Vesalius to defeat Kazuma with the great amount of experience points at stake. I don’t know why they decided to show only one o__O It could’ve added some more ‘action’ to this episode… since it pretty much lacked that.

The Brotherly Encounter

Another difference is the way some things went during that brotherly encounter. After expressing his surprise to see Ren in the park, Kazuma gave Ren a brotherly warning (he was still in the midst of his battle at this point, or rather… their battle is just about to begin), “This place is dangerous you know. It’s not a place where little kids should lurk about. It’s going to be safe in a little while, so [wait here until then]” And then the “Fang” (the one shown in the anime) goes to attack Kazuma, which he defeats with much ease. Kazuma beats up the guy, and Ren questions what he’s doing.

Ren: What are you doing, onii-sama?!
Kazuma: Well, I’m making them spit out information about Pandemonium.
Ren: But for you to do this… you’re not even sure if they actually hold that information in the first place!
Kazuma: But these guys were actually prepared for me by him (Wernhard), for the purpose of giving me the information that I need. (Kazuma knows well that Wernhard is making a game out of all this, and simply tags along… mercilessly)

It was only after this that Kazuma told her not to interfere with him… and the rest went along as in the anime.

Ayano’s Hesitation Turned Determination

Now when Kirika found out about the incident, it was greatly emphasized that they noticed just how much Kazuma has changed with the way he treated Ren. Ayano first refuses to believe that Kazuma can be merciless to his brother whom he loves so much. Kirika tells her to accept that fact, because it’s true. Despite all this, Ren stands firm and gains the resolve to face his brother as was portrayed in the anime, but his declaration goes like “I want brother to become happy (and be able to laugh again)! That’s why… [I can’t tolerate him being like this]” But despite this resolve, Ren himself is clueless as to how they can manage to bring Kazuma back.

Seeing how Ayano was greatly disheartened by how Ren’s words didn’t get through Kazuma, Kirika tells Ayano that she wants her to awaken Kazuma with her “love”

Ayano: Sorry, I believe that’s out of my league.
Kirika: Ayano-chan, don’t you want to bring Kazuma back?
Ayano: I do, but are you telling me to grow teary-eyed and say “Forget about Tsuoi Rin, and look at me~ <3”
Kirika: Well, yes.
Ayano: Over my dead body.

Then Ren goes into the scene…

Ren: Nee-sama, how could you say that… Do you hate brother?
Ayano: It’s not a matter of whether I like or hate Kazuma! But for me to say that [chilly statement], even the usual Kazuma will simply laugh at me. It’s totally impossible!
Kirika: But it will probably have an effect with the Kazuma now? [the “not usual Kazuma”]
Ayano: No way!
Ayano: Kazuma doesn’t even see me as a “woman”

Kirika realizes some truth in this and hesitantly replies, “Well, it might be so…” and then diverts from the topic and just tells Ren and Ayano that she leaves the matter in their hands, no matter what method they use.

Night came and Ayano is still filled with much hesitation and doubt. She lies on her bed, thinking about Ren’s firm resolve to face Kazuma despite knowing that it’s almost impossible to actually beat him. Ayano remembers the time Pandemonium was left in shambles. She could vividly remember the expression on Kazuma’s face that time. Filled with feelings of rage, hatred, and grief… a state of confusion that Ayano never thought Kazuma will ever have. Despite this, Ayano had this firm belief that he’ll be able to get through this and return to his normal self. “It’s Kazuma, so it’ll certainly be all right” without any doubt, she thought about this.

“Kazuma is certainly pushing himself too far, for a guy like him to ask for an unshaken and absolute power at his young age”, Ayano thinks. She further reflects on the past encounters she had with Kazuma, and the instances in which he also seemed to have lost control of himself (but not as much as his state at present). Like that time when Michael Harley revealed his identity and his real intentions (where Kazuma found out that he’s from the same organization as Arwin, the one who murdered Tsuoi Rin) Then there’s also that time when Ayano was about to attack Lapis…

Ayano buries her face against her pillow as she thinks about these unpleasant memories, still worrying about how she can bring Kazuma back when her “enemy” is the deceased Tsuoi Rin (who was brought back to “life” in the person of Lapis). Ayano knows well the grief that Kazuma feels, but believes that it’s not enough reason for her to let pass everything he’s done. Nanase was captured and got involved into this ‘war’ because of Kazuma, and whatever reason he has won’t justify that act. And with this, Ayano gains the resolve to face Kazuma and give him the clobbering he deserves (she didn’t need someone like Kirika nor Catherine for her to gain the determination she needs). All she can do that time is hope and pray that Nanase is alright (Yukari still hasn’t gone out to the seed players’ gathering at this point)

Yukari, The Heroine (of Her Own Short Story)?!

Yukari’s message to Ayano went a little different than was shown in the anime. After she mentions about the advent of the Pandemonium and the race which will happen in 3 days (another change the anime did… talk about being fast paced ^^;;; ), she also told Ayano about Utsumi, a fourth class player and some disciple of Pandemonium. Then another message came “Nanase-chan is sexy~” making Kirika go all o__O because of the sudden shift in the topic Ayano explains that Yukari has seen Nanase with Utsumi, wearing clothes which the perv guy likes. Yukari continues and tells Ayano that she’s in some room, hiding from Utsumi who seems to have noticed her presence and is now after her.

And then Yukari starts her novel-like message which reads… “There’s no way I can condone Grand Mage’s great power. Dreadful. Even my heart cringes just by the sound of mice running around. I hear a voice. Grand Mage is calling out my name. And his presence is looming. Perhaps that magician has already found me, and is just trying to scare me out of my wits. I hear his footsteps. Stomping, stomping… He’s drawing near this place. What appalling situation have I gotten myself into, O God!…” LOOL

Yukari continues…

“Ahh! I can’t take this anymore! To whoever gets to read this mail, please tell my friend Paul (?) that I’m a fool, that it’s my fault that I didn’t heed his advice (I need some help to gain further insight on this joke… I’m thinking this is a parody of something /hmm). The sound of footsteps has been silenced. Instead, I hear someone knocking at the door. Clonk, clonk– ah, he’s here…. right by the door.

He opens the door. An ominous creak is heard, slowly… And from the crevice of the door, a pallid scrawny-looking hand reaches out to me– Ahh! Ahh!”

…and there’s no more message after this… (Yukari gets caught, duh) ^^:;;;

(It would’ve been really funnier if they sticked to this Yukari-original message ^^;; This is certainly something only Yukari can pull off)

Kirika admires Yukari for her courage (and I do as well, especially as I read the novel LOL), but Ayano is not at all amused. Ayano is filled with disbelief that Yukari can write out this message like she’s the heroine of some novel, to the point of telling her “Ahh! Ahh” instead of just escaping Kirika tries to defend Yukari by saying that she probably thought there’s no more escape, and decided to send out that information before being captured. Ayano then follows it up with a question, “Even that poorly written short story?”, which Kirika could no longer justify ^^;;;;

Kirika diverts from the topic and tells Ayano that it’s still good to find out that Nanase’s alive, and so is Yukari. But Ayano knows well the danger of a woman being caught in this mess and exclaims how knowing that Nanase and Yukari are alive is not much of a consolation (they might have been defiled already (God forbid)). Despite this burst of anger she felt, Ayano is not blaming Kirika for what happened, since Yukari was the one who got herself in this mess.

It wasn’t shown in the anime anymore, but Nanase was the one who dragged Yukari all the way to Vesalius. Upon her arrival, she quickly recognizes Wernhard and acts all cute and even greets him, “Good evening, Mr. Werndhard” Wernhard corrects her and says that his name is Vesalius, to which she replies, “Oops, my bad. Sorry” (with that innocent-looking face of hers :p) Utsumi then blows Yukari’s innocent act and tells Wernhard that she’s a spy, so there’s no need for her presence to be welcomed like a guest :p And it was only after this that Utsumi made his report and told Wernhard his declaration of “war”.

(yoshi… on to the summary of episode 23… please cheer for me and hope I’ll be able to finish that up with some deep frying by tomorrow X3)

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