RYUKEN: So, I just have to take this off?

MIE: Yep, it's that easy.

RYUKEN: Okay... (takes off paper seal from his stomach) Alright. Sawai-san, here's the pap- (the seal starts burning) Ah!!! (let's go of the seal, burns on the ground)

MIE: Oops... (chuckles embarrassingly) I forgot to mention... it does that...

RYUKEN: What?! That could have burned me!

MIE: Relaaax. It's just for show. It doesn't hurt.

RYUKEN: For show?

MIE: Once you pull it off, it's already useless. So, it disappears.

RYUKEN: By burning?!

MIE: (shrugs shoulders) I don't know. That's just how it works.

RYUKEN: Right...

KENZAKI: Now that that's done...

RYUKEN: ... sempai.

KENZAKI: We'll just have to wait. (walks in front of Ryuken, stands still, and stares quietly at the grove of trees beyond him)

RYUKEN: ...

KOUGA: Yo, Ryuken. Mind holding the bag for me? (hands the sword bag)

RYUKEN: Oh, I should hold onto that, actually. (grabs the sword bag) Thanks, Kouga-san.

KOUGA: Thanks, buddy. I just need to do some stretching before the big guy shows up.

RYUKEN: Oh... right. (slowly sits down on the grassy ground)

MIE: (walks away from Ryuken & Kouga)

RYUKEN: (notices Mie walking to Tsuyuki, who is sitting alone on the grass, away from them)

KOUGA: (on the ground, trying to reach his toes) Erggh...

RYUKEN: (looking down, feeling worried)

KOUGA: ... what's wrong, buddy?

RYUKEN: ... I don't... know about this plan, Kouga-san... it's... starting to get to me.

KOUGA: What?! Don't tell me you forgot who came up with it in the first place?

RYUKEN: (murmurs regretfully)

...

28 minutes ago, under the streetlight.

KOUGA: I could just... run around the town until I find him.

TSUYUKI: And search every corner and alley? Our town is not that big, but it's still big for the five of us. (glances at Ryuken)

RYUKEN: ...

TSUYUKI: (whispers) ... four of us.

KENZAKI: What's important is that we have to search the rooftops. The Stone Ape has a knack for... surprising introductions...

MIE: I could use some seals that could detect any weird movements around town.

KENZAKI: Do you have them?

MIE: W- well... I haven't... made them yet... (smiles embarrassingly)

TSUYUKI: And if she does, what does "weird movements" even mean?

KENZAKI: We have no choice but to find him the natural way. Search every part of the town for any weird tracks that the Demon might leave. Hopefully, we could find him by morning.

TSUYUKI: Morning?! We won't get to find him even by a week.

KENZAKI: We have to start somewhere.

TSUYUKI: Why can't Mie just make a new seal for backpack kid here every day?

RYUKEN: B- backpack?

TSUYUKI: If the Stone Ape can't find him in a couple of days, he might just leave the town and search elsewhere.

KENZAKI: I don't think the Stone Ape would give up that easily.

TSUYUKI: Then, what then?! We can't track him, and none of us are good enough to find him with our first five senses.

RYUKEN: ... y- you can't track him?

TSUYUKI: Didn't you hear me? What are you, dea-

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki.

TSUYUKI: (scoffs, looks away)

KENZAKI: No, we can't, Ryuken. What's annoying about these Level Fours and Fives is that they're skilled enough to hide their Sense. We could... ask for Rangers to help us, but... (glances at Tsuyuki) ... I'm afraid if we report this, they might investigate deeper, and... it may lead them to you.

TSUYUKI: ...

RYUKEN: But... but Demons can track their own kind, right?

KENZAKI: Yes, but very likely, only the ones that they are familiar with.

RYUKEN: And that... Stone Ape... is tracking after me?

KOUGA: Well... yeah. That's why we're thinking of a way to not have him track you anymore.

RYUKEN: ... but you shouldn't.

KOUGA: Hmm?

RYUKEN: ... what if...

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: What if you... make me the bait?

KENZAKI: (shocked)

KOUGA: Woah, what?!

MIE: Ishinara-san! That's not-

RYUKEN: No, think about it! All of you wanted to take him down together, right? If you take the seal off, then... then the Stone Ape will just... come after me, and... you just need to take care of the rest.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: But, that's...

KOUGA: Er...

RYUKEN: R- right?

KENZAKI: ... that's not a bad idea.

MIE: Kenzaki-kun!

KOUGA: Wait, you shouldn't-

KENZAKI: The only problem with this plan... is that you'll be exposed to the danger, Ryuken.

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: (looks down) And I can't imagine putting you in that position.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: Kenzaki-sempai... I don't want to play this cat-and-mouse game forever. It has to end someway.

KENZAKI: ...

RYUKEN: I know I'll be in danger, Kenzaki-sempai. But I don't want to trouble anyone anymore. If anything, I want to end this by tonight.

KENZAKI: (stares at Ryuken)

RYUKEN: I trust that all of you will protect me. I'm only asking to be useful... just this once.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: ... everyone, listen to me. (faces the rest) Here is the plan. We're going to head to the outskirts of Machi Town, away from the people. Once there, we'll remove the seal and wait for the Stone Ape. (faces Ryuken) Ryuken, when the time comes, I need you to hide and stay safely away from the fight. The rest of us will keep the Stone Ape busy, so get ready.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: (anxious)

KOUGA: We're- we're doing this, huh?

KENZAKI: Our job as Exorcist tonight is to take down the Stone Ape, once and for all. But, remember... our top priority, is Ishinara Ryuken.

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: No matter what happens, if he is in any danger, we have to protect him, at all costs. Understand?

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: ...

KOUGA: (smiles nervously) As crazy as this plan is... it's kinda exciting, don't you think?

MIE: (anxious) Ah... my first Level Four...

KOUGA: (chuckles) Who am I kidding? At times like these, (fist bumps his palm, smiles eagerly) you gotta take a leap, right?

MIE: (building courage) Ahhhhhhhhh, I'm in! I'm in!

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki...

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: (sighs) ... sure.

KENZAKI: ... then, it's settled.

KOUGA: Wooooooooooooooooo!!! (pats Ryuken's shoulder) Ryuken!

RYUKEN: Ah?

KOUGA: To tell you the truth, I kinda underestimated ya. But I see it now. You got balls, buddy.

RYUKEN: Um... thank you?

KOUGA: Alllllll-Riiiiiight!!! Let's kick his sorry-ass ape butt back to hell!!!