# E3 - Balloon Hunter
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GRW4W7XMY/balloon-hunter)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:02] ---**
Okay, the next competition is...
**[00:04] ---**
"Balloon Hunter"
**[00:04] ---**
...the Balloon Hunter!
**[00:06] ---**
"Hazamaya Kana, Class 1-3"
**[00:07] ---**
In this contest, 30 students
chosen from each school
**[00:10] ---**
will compete to break the paper balloons
attached to their opponents' heads
**[00:13] ---**
using the designated beanbags!
**[00:15] ---**
Contestants whose balloons
are popped are disqualified,
**[00:18] ---**
and the team with the most
students remaining at the end wins.
**[00:22] ---**
The game area is spread out,
but going onto roads open to the public
**[00:25] ---**
and going indoors is prohibited!
**[00:28] ---**
--Also, as with the other games,
direct attacks with one's ability are off-limits!
**[00:28] ---**
--All right, let's get going. Miss Misaka...?
--Also, as with the other games,
direct attacks with one's ability are off-limits!
**[00:32] ---**
--Miss Kongo, we're getting started!
--All right, are all of the school teams ready?
**[00:38] ---**
I'll give you points for not
tucking your tail and running away.
**[00:41] ---**
Ha! *You* might be laughing on the
other side of your face when this is over!
**[00:46] ---**
Okay,
**[00:47] ---**
ready...!
**[00:49] ---**
Huh?
**[00:50] ---**
**[00:50] ---**
Just keep running as far as you can!
**[00:54] ---**
If we all make it through
this, it'll be a tie!
**[00:57] ---**
H-How negative!
**[00:59] ---**
Let's go after them!
**[01:02] ---**
"Pursuing them individually is dangerous.
We should act in three-man teams,"
**[01:07] ---**
proposes Misaka...
**[01:11] ---**
Oh well, then.
**[01:14] ---**
How in the world did this end up happening?
**[01:18] ---**
Actually, I can pretty well imagine.
**[01:22] ---**
On the other hand, the fact
that no one could tell she isn't me
**[01:26] ---**
is kind of lucky, but
kind of dejecting, too...
**[01:30] ---**
Well, there's no helping what's already done.
**[01:34] ---**
You're competing in my place,
so go ahead and tear it up.
**[01:54] ---**
"A Certain Magical Railgun T"
**[03:10] ---**
Uiharu, are you sure you
don't have to patrol?
**[03:12] ---**
I'm about to go, but it will be over the net.
**[03:17] ---**
In a large-scale event like this,
they anticipate a number of cyberattacks.
**[03:23] ---**
Ah, and that's right up your alley, isn't it?
**[03:27] ---**
Okay, three minutes have passed
since the start of the balloon hunter game,
**[03:30] ---**
and there is still no one
out from either team.
**[03:32] ---**
Who will be the one to break this tie?
**[03:35] ---**
Isn't that the event that Misaka
said she was competing in next?
**[03:38] ---**
It probably is. I wonder if
she changed her clothes in time.
**[03:43] ---**
Oh, this is Misaka we're
talking about. I think she's fine.
**[03:47] ---**
Ah, Kongo!
**[03:49] ---**
We have to split up, everyone.
**[03:51] ---**
--Right!
--Right!
**[03:53] ---**
A competition to break the
balloons on each other's heads, huh?
**[03:56] ---**
Tokiwadai has lots of other espers
besides Misaka who are amazing, right?
**[04:01] ---**
They're going to win
with no trouble, aren't they?
**[04:03] ---**
Hmm... good question.
**[04:11] ---**
Why don't you give up already?
**[04:16] ---**
A telekinesist...
**[04:18] ---**
Let me guess, you lured me here?
**[04:21] ---**
Heh-heh, it seems pretty
juvenile to do this against a girl,
**[04:24] ---**
but don't worry, I'm not
going to hit you in your face!
**[04:29] ---**
If that's your best,
you're not even a Level 3, are you?
**[04:34] ---**
I, too, am a telekinesist.
**[04:37] ---**
One who is in a class way
above yours, to boot.
**[04:42] ---**
Damn!
**[04:44] ---**
Do you think you can keep dodging them all?
**[04:53] ---**
Contestant Omoshi is out!
**[04:55] ---**
At this rate,
**[04:57] ---**
I could take all of you on,
and still have change left over.
**[05:02] ---**
Your schoolmates will soon be--
**[05:07] ---**
Contestant Kirifu is out!
**[05:09] ---**
Huh?!
**[05:10] ---**
But didn't that attack happen
after he was disqualified?
**[05:12] ---**
It was completely invalid!
**[05:15] ---**
It *would* be, if I had done it.
**[05:20] ---**
H-Hi, there.
**[05:23] ---**
She's the one who
telekinetically threw it at you.
**[05:26] ---**
You dropped your guard, thinking it was over,
**[05:29] ---**
Level 4 telekinesist Kirifu Megumi.
**[05:33] ---**
Why do you know my full name?
**[05:35] ---**
Because we're all weak.
We checked out everything to know about you,
**[05:40] ---**
and came up with some strategies.
**[05:45] ---**
Is everyone in position?
**[05:49] ---**
I can confirm that moments ago,
at least five members of the other team
**[05:54] ---**
came into this alleyway.
**[05:56] ---**
We are in control of all three
exits leading out of it.
**[06:01] ---**
I will telepathically give
the signal to move in.
**[06:06] ---**
All right then, three... two...
**[06:10] ---**
...one...?
**[06:19] ---**
M-Miss Kobayashi, take it easy...
**[06:23] ---**
Screams that are delivered
telepathically echo directly within the brain.
**[06:27] ---**
It amounts to a sonic weapon
that can't be blocked out.
**[06:32] ---**
Oh, and that's just a toy, so relax.
**[06:34] ---**
"Kobayashi Satori: LV3 telepath"
"Weaknesses: bugs (especially spiders)"
**[06:38] ---**
They just keep scampering away.
**[06:39] ---**
They don't know when to quit!
**[06:45] ---**
M-Mud?
**[06:46] ---**
We have to go through there?
**[06:48] ---**
Our shoes are going to get dirty.
**[06:52] ---**
How about we go around?
**[06:54] ---**
Y-Yes, let's do that.
**[06:58] ---**
There they go.
**[07:00] ---**
They don't even realize
they're being led around.
**[07:02] ---**
Incredible. We're playing
Tokiwadai like a violin.
**[07:07] ---**
Just like you said we would, Baba.
**[07:09] ---**
Oh, I just collected some
data and made some suggestions.
**[07:13] ---**
But how did you get such
detailed information?
**[07:17] ---**
Including personalities and weaknesses?
**[07:19] ---**
I have a friend over at
the Garden of Learning.
**[07:22] ---**
That's how.
**[07:23] ---**
Hey, what do we do next?
**[07:24] ---**
Oh, hold on a second.
**[07:26] ---**
--Sure enough, wars are won
by detailed intelligence
--Let's see... Next, we move.
**[07:29] ---**
--and a leader who can make effective use of it.
--Let's see... Next, we move.
**[07:29] ---**
--and a leader who can make effective use of it.
--We rendezvous with Nomura and the others at Point 5A.
**[07:32] ---**
--and a leader who can make effective use of it.
--Where is Point 5A again?
**[07:32] ---**
--Know the enemy and know yourself,
--Where is Point 5A again?
**[07:33] ---**
--Know the enemy and know yourself,
--That would be...
**[07:34] ---**
--and even these knuckle-draggers
will make good pawns.
--That would be...
**[07:36] ---**
--and even these knuckle-draggers
will make good pawns.
--...the stockyard over on Block 2.
**[07:38] ---**
Over there, huh?
**[07:39] ---**
Okay, let's get going...
**[07:41] ---**
Baba?
**[07:42] ---**
Hmm? Okay, let's get going.
**[07:48] ---**
Things are going pretty smoothly so far.
We're way in the lead.
**[07:52] ---**
Stay on your toes, though.
They have Misaka Mikoto on their team.
**[07:57] ---**
That radar warning thing she does
means sneak attacks won't work.
**[07:59] ---**
She's like her own fortress.
**[08:03] ---**
Still,
**[08:04] ---**
there's no need to eliminate
*all* of them, is there?
**[08:06] ---**
Yeah. No reason to go out on a limb.
**[08:10] ---**
We should spread the word to not go near her.
**[08:13] ---**
Isn't that the way?
**[08:15] ---**
If we didn't have enough numbers,
we couldn't move the plan forward,
**[08:18] ---**
so I intervened here and there,
**[08:21] ---**
but now that we're overwhelming them,
the real goal is getting left behind.
**[08:25] ---**
What a pain.
**[08:27] ---**
Well, let's see what shakes out.
**[08:33] ---**
No way! No way!
**[08:35] ---**
Why did I have to run into the Level 5?!
**[08:51] ---**
I-Is she gone?
**[09:03] ---**
There was an incident in
this alleyway previously,
**[09:08] ---**
so the layout, not to mention
the locations to hide
**[09:11] ---**
and from which to attack are all familiar.
**[09:13] ---**
Damn, that was a stretch, all right!
**[09:15] ---**
Ah, that way is dangerous.
**[09:19] ---**
"There, you see?" says Misaka with a sigh.
**[09:24] ---**
Contestant Misaka defeats
her second opponent!
**[09:27] ---**
Can Tokiwadai bounce back
in the time remaining?!
**[09:31] ---**
Did you see that, kitty?
**[09:35] ---**
Miss Misaka is amazing.
**[09:39] ---**
That really is an adorable cat, huh?
**[09:47] ---**
It looks as though this is
the end of the line for me...
**[09:51] ---**
Ecaterina, limit yourself
to only one rat per day...
**[09:57] ---**
That's fine and all, but please
hurry along to the sidelines, okay?
**[10:00] ---**
Huh? Oh, really?
**[10:02] ---**
You were awesome. There
were seven of us, too.
**[10:06] ---**
Given the power of Kongo Mitsuko,
it is no surprise!
**[10:10] ---**
--She apparently just transferred in,
so there was hardly any data on her.
--You should be proud that you managed to beat me at all!
**[10:14] ---**
Just transferred in, and
she's still that pompous?
**[10:18] ---**
Bad news! Nomura and the
others were wiped out!
**[10:20] ---**
For real?!
**[10:21] ---**
This is bad. Our lead has
been nearly eliminated.
**[10:25] ---**
What's worse, so is our precious Level 3.
**[10:27] ---**
Nice!
**[10:29] ---**
Maybe we should go after
Misaka Mikoto after all.
**[10:32] ---**
Huh?
**[10:34] ---**
Right now, the other team
isn't acting cohesively,
**[10:36] ---**
but with the time limit
approaching and no time to spare,
**[10:39] ---**
they might start working together.
**[10:40] ---**
If they team up against us,
it will be hard to maintain our slim lead.
**[10:45] ---**
But if we take out their head right now,
**[10:47] ---**
we can shake them up,
and their leadership will get muddled.
**[10:50] ---**
Yeah, we get that, but...
**[10:52] ---**
...there's no way to beat her.
**[10:54] ---**
Don't you worry.
**[10:56] ---**
There's a stunningly simple way...
**[10:58] ---**
"#3 Balloon Hunter"
**[10:59] ---**
...to bring her down.
**[11:07] ---**
Heh-heh, looks like I got away clean!
**[11:12] ---**
Judgment!
**[11:14] ---**
You are under arrest for
flagrant snatch and grab-- Huh?
**[11:18] ---**
You would be better off not
making this harder for both of us.
**[11:21] ---**
I am in an especially poor mood right now!
**[11:25] ---**
After all, so far today...
**[11:29] ---**
--...I have not seen Sissy even once.
--What is this?! Damn it! Pull them out!
**[11:35] ---**
Sissy must be competing right about now.
**[11:38] ---**
Where is the largest street
monitor around here again?
**[11:49] ---**
"Strange," says Misaka, tilting her head.
**[11:53] ---**
That girl does not appear
to have any desire to fight,
**[11:57] ---**
but she also does not seem to
be running away in any random direction.
**[12:01] ---**
Rather, perhaps the reason she came
to an area with open vantage points
**[12:04] ---**
may have something to do with her ability,
**[12:07] ---**
or perhaps...
**[12:08] ---**
...this is a trap.
**[12:13] ---**
If you can't hit your opponent
by throwing at them,
**[12:15] ---**
then don't throw anything.
**[12:18] ---**
Huh?
**[12:19] ---**
The rules of the competition
**[12:21] ---**
state that you have to break the paper
balloons using the designated beanbags,
**[12:24] ---**
and that's all they say.
**[12:26] ---**
In other words, you can break them
by holding the beanbag in your hand.
**[12:30] ---**
If Misaka Mikoto tries to use
her electric shocks against the beanbags,
**[12:35] ---**
it counts as attacking an opponent
with her ability, and she'll be disqualified.
**[12:39] ---**
By simply holding the beanbags in
our hands, we can lock down her shocks.
**[12:43] ---**
If she can't use her ability,
then the playing field is level!
**[12:47] ---**
In that case...
**[12:48] ---**
You're mine!
**[12:54] ---**
"Misaka has engaged in combat
over 10,000 times with someone
**[12:57] ---**
who could take her life with a single touch.
**[13:00] ---**
It will not be a simple matter
to catch her," warns Misaka.
**[13:07] ---**
Don't let up! Everyone charge her together!
**[13:11] ---**
Oh! Contestant Misaka,
faced with a flurry of hands,
**[13:15] ---**
dodges, dodges, and dodges!
This is incredible!
**[13:30] ---**
Good grief,
**[13:31] ---**
it took a lot of work
to set up those conditions.
**[13:36] ---**
Typically, Misaka Mikoto
emits faint EM waves around her,
**[13:41] ---**
which can serve as a kind of radar
if she pays attention to them.
**[13:45] ---**
And it's nearly impossible
for an electronic device,
**[13:49] ---**
--even a small one, to get near her undetected.
--Everybody, close the gap!
**[13:51] ---**
--even a small one, to get near her undetected.
--Don't give her any room to dodge!
**[13:53] ---**
However, under these circumstances,
with her focus distracted by the contestants closing in,
**[13:58] ---**
and the rules of the game preventing
her from using her ability...
**[14:02] ---**
Listen!
**[14:04] ---**
Everybody, together--
**[14:06] ---**
A hole in the wall has opened up.
**[14:09] ---**
Now is the chance to--
**[14:14] ---**
Contestant Misaka is eliminated!
**[14:17] ---**
Huh? No way! We did it!
**[14:19] ---**
We beat her!
**[14:22] ---**
Misaka is...
**[14:23] ---**
...defeated.
**[14:26] ---**
Mission accomplished.
**[14:29] ---**
Man, that was an unusual mission, though.
**[14:31] ---**
I mean, incapacitate Misaka Mikoto?
**[14:35] ---**
The Balloon Hunter competition is now over!
**[14:39] ---**
Tokiwadai Middle School,
which was favored to win,
**[14:41] ---**
has been beaten by a razor-thin margin!
**[14:44] ---**
Their first black mark in the tournament.
**[14:47] ---**
One might say this is the greatest takeaway
**[14:49] ---**
from competing in the Daihasei Festival.
**[14:51] ---**
Yes. There is much that
can be learned from defeat.
**[14:56] ---**
For those who are conceited
because of their Level or status,
**[14:59] ---**
it's just what the doctor ordered.
**[15:01] ---**
It won't do to have them worrying
about soiling their clothes over winning.
**[15:06] ---**
Yes, indeed.
**[15:09] ---**
Shall I add scrubbing toilets
to their dorm chore rotation?
**[15:12] ---**
That is a good idea.
**[15:16] ---**
"Misaka did not remain vigilant,
and fell for the opposing team's plan,"
**[15:21] ---**
says Misaka, reflecting on her own mistake.
**[15:25] ---**
She was unable to fulfil
her role as your substitute.
**[15:27] ---**
Did you have fun?
**[15:30] ---**
Did you have fun competing?
**[15:33] ---**
Y-Yes.
**[15:35] ---**
Then there's nothing to feel down about.
**[15:38] ---**
The switch itself wasn't fair play,
**[15:40] ---**
but you couldn't help it
that you got mistaken for me,
**[15:42] ---**
and it's also my own fault for being late.
**[15:45] ---**
Besides, there at the end,
I think you held out longer than I would have.
**[15:52] ---**
I'm impressed.
**[15:55] ---**
It's just about lunchtime.
**[15:57] ---**
Have you had anything to eat?
**[15:59] ---**
No.
**[16:00] ---**
Here.
**[16:01] ---**
These are street stall vouchers
that they gave out to the students.
**[16:04] ---**
I have a date to eat lunch with my mama,
so you can use them if you like.
**[16:09] ---**
Street stalls, you say?
**[16:11] ---**
The festival is going on anyway,
**[16:13] ---**
so let's both enjoy ourselves.
**[16:16] ---**
Oh, you still have the gym clothes
on that you borrowed from Miss Wannai.
**[16:21] ---**
Get them back to her as soon as you can.
**[16:26] ---**
I know it's okay to bring your own food in,
**[16:29] ---**
but I'm not so sure that includes
cheese fondue with your own pot.
**[16:33] ---**
Oh, now, mother and daughter,
**[16:36] ---**
sitting around a pot during
the sports festival is pretty nice, isn't it?
**[16:39] ---**
How so?
**[16:40] ---**
Aw, but it's gonna take a
while before the cheese is melted.
**[16:44] ---**
I should have cut these up smaller first.
**[16:47] ---**
Okay, I'll go buy us something to drink.
**[16:49] ---**
I'd sure like some wine.
**[16:52] ---**
There's no way they have that here.
**[16:56] ---**
Ah, man...
**[16:58] ---**
It sure is crowded, huh?
**[17:03] ---**
You, too, huh?
**[17:05] ---**
You, too? This is aggravating, huh?
There are lines everywhere you go.
**[17:10] ---**
Yeah. Ol' Kamijo here very nearly
wet himself, even as old as he is.
**[17:15] ---**
What are you talking about?!
**[17:16] ---**
How the restrooms are so crowded,
you nearly whiz in your pants, right?
**[17:19] ---**
I just came here to buy some drinks!
**[17:22] ---**
Oh, *that*.
**[17:24] ---**
You really do have no delicacy...
**[17:26] ---**
In that case,
I'll go buy enough for you all, too.
**[17:29] ---**
What my old lady prepared
for us probably won't be enough.
**[17:33] ---**
Just sit tight for a bit, okay?
**[17:36] ---**
Plus, he's an unusually nice guy...
**[17:39] ---**
See? Just like I told you, right?
**[17:42] ---**
Yes, indeed.
**[17:44] ---**
Still, I'm surprised you could
tell from the video footage.
**[17:48] ---**
Mental Out can be used many different ways.
**[17:51] ---**
I'm not telling, though.
**[17:53] ---**
Okay, then. I guess I should
expect as much from a Level 5.
**[17:57] ---**
You can skip the brown-nosing.
**[17:59] ---**
Just keep up your fine powers of observation.
**[18:07] ---**
Well, well...
**[18:09] ---**
Miss Misaka, enjoying a relaxed lunchtime?
**[18:13] ---**
Relaxed?
**[18:14] ---**
What, are you training somewhere
out of sight during the lunch break?
**[18:18] ---**
Don't be silly.
**[18:19] ---**
I had all my afternoon
competitions cancelled.
**[18:23] ---**
Huh?!
**[18:24] ---**
After everything this morning, I'm exhausted.
**[18:26] ---**
Listen to you.
**[18:28] ---**
Do you think this will be enough for lunch?
**[18:31] ---**
It's mostly tea, though...
**[18:34] ---**
Um, and who is this lady here?
**[18:37] ---**
My classmate.
**[18:39] ---**
Sort of.
**[18:40] ---**
She's in your... class...?
**[18:44] ---**
O-Oh, she's your classmate, huh? Okay, okay.
**[18:47] ---**
I detected his gaze dropping 30 cm just now!
**[18:52] ---**
Nice to meet you,
**[18:53] ---**
Mr. Kamijo.
**[18:55] ---**
I am Miss Misaka's friend, Shokuho Misaki.
**[19:01] ---**
It's a pleasure.
**[19:03] ---**
Wh-Who are you calling a friend?!
**[19:05] ---**
Ooh, how scary!
**[19:07] ---**
Miss Misaka doesn't seem to like me.
She's always so bristly with me.
**[19:12] ---**
Y-Yeah, she's always prickly with me, too...
**[19:16] ---**
Oh, yeah? So she's bristly
and prickly, huh? How funny!
**[19:21] ---**
Stop describing me...
**[19:25] ---**
like I was a sound effect,
and hitting it off after just meeting!
**[19:28] ---**
See you later, Miss Misaka.
Compete hard enough for the both of us!
**[19:40] ---**
Hmm...
**[19:42] ---**
Is something the matter?
You look unusually lost in thought.
**[19:47] ---**
Uiharu, how's work going?
**[19:49] ---**
There were three fairly
large-scale server attacks,
**[19:53] ---**
but they were only slightly
worse than amateur level,
**[19:55] ---**
so I dealt with them in no time at all.
**[19:57] ---**
O-Oh, yeah?
**[19:59] ---**
What about you, Miss Saten?
**[20:05] ---**
Tell me,
**[20:06] ---**
where would Shadow Metal be lying around?
**[20:09] ---**
Are we still talking about that?
**[20:12] ---**
If it's created wherever esper
powers engage with each other,
**[20:16] ---**
it would probably be on the grounds
where powerhouse schools competed.
**[20:19] ---**
Didn't Miss Shirai warn you about this?
**[20:23] ---**
You're not having financial trouble, are you?
**[20:26] ---**
Uh-uh.
**[20:28] ---**
I mean, I'm not exactly well-to-do, either.
**[20:31] ---**
How can I put this?
It's the adventure, you know?
**[20:34] ---**
Of obtaining something that
isn't conventionally recognized,
**[20:36] ---**
and which you'd otherwise
never find in your day-to-day life.
**[20:40] ---**
Just like being a Level 5.
**[20:48] ---**
Ah, what the hey.
**[20:51] ---**
I'll follow your lead on this.
"Shadow Metal," did you call it?
**[20:56] ---**
I'll check around for
whatever information I can find.
**[21:00] ---**
There's my Uiharu!
**[21:04] ---**
How come you're wearing
gym shorts under here?
**[21:06] ---**
So I can go out and compete right away.
**[21:09] ---**
Um, please don't tug.
**[21:14] ---**
Cotton candy...
**[21:15] ---**
...and candy apples...
What must they taste like?
**[21:19] ---**
The *yakisoba* might
have egg in it, so rule that out.
**[21:25] ---**
"Ah, cats are able to eat
*ikayaki*," says Misaka...
**[21:39] ---**
Oh...
**[21:41] ---**
...no... These clothes...
are borrowed, too...
**[21:48] ---**
Now they're dirty...
**[23:24] ---**
"Next episode preview"
**[23:25] ---**
Sissy, at last, the two
of us are alone together!
**[23:26] ---**
"Next episode preview"
"#4 Tampering"
**[23:28] ---**
It's not that big a deal.
**[23:30] ---**
Oh, no! It has been 23 episodes
since the two of us did a preview together!
**[23:33] ---**
So, Sissy, go ahead and lay one
of your usual passionate kisses on--
**[23:37] ---**
I do not even get to make a quip?!
**[23:41] ---**
**[23:43] ---**