# E17 - Return
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GEVUZMXW1/return)
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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.)
***SIGN*** December 17th, 2001 10:38 pm
***SIGN*** Hakuryou University Nuclear Research Laboratory
***SIGN*** Return
**[01:48] Takeru**
Where are we?
**[01:49] Yuuko**
The nuclear research lab
attached to Hakuryou College.
**[01:52] Takeru**
Sensei, when I get back to the other side...
**[01:57] Yuuko**
The Shirogane who's originally
from this world will be left behind.
**[02:00] Yuuko**
The effects you've caused
will remain intact, though.
**[02:04] Yuuko**
Which is why you need to go back.
**[02:07] Yuuko**
Otherwise, we could be looking at
five billion dead on this world, too.
**[02:11] Yuuko**
Go on, get us in there.
**[02:13] Takeru**
Right.
**[02:15] Yuuko**
If my hypothesis is right, you won't
even be able to die on the other side.
**[02:21] Yuuko**
More accurately, you're capable of dying,
**[02:25] Yuuko**
and have already done so
quite a few times without remembering.
**[02:29] Takeru**
A few times?
**[02:32] Yuuko**
I'm wondering if the trigger for the loops
**[02:34] Yuuko**
that other world experiences
might be your death.
**[02:37] Yuuko**
That could explain why your
memory is spotty, as well.
**[02:41] Takeru**
Then that's why my memories
of the previous loops is so vague?
**[02:45] Yuuko**
Until you remove whatever's
turned you into a causality conductor,
**[02:49] Yuuko**
you're going to be indefinitely locked
inside of a cyclical fragment of space-time.
**[02:56] Yuuko**
Come on, let's get going.
**[03:07] Yuuko**
This is what we're going to use
to send you to the other world.
**[03:11] Takeru**
This stuff?!
**[03:12] Yuuko**
Oh, come off it. I had to
improvise with what I had available.
**[03:16] Takeru**
But it's been over 24 hours
since I came here.
**[03:20] Yuuko**
Relax. This'll be enough to send you back.
**[03:26] Takeru**
How can you be so sure?
**[03:28] Yuuko**
I learned how from my counterpart.
**[03:31] Takeru**
Were you able to communicate
with the other world?!
**[03:32] Yuuko**
Can you imagine how much easier
this would've been in that case?
**[03:35] Yuuko**
I found it in the documents
you brought me the first time around.
**[03:40] Yuuko**
She had a few contingencies outlined.
**[03:43] Yuuko**
Including one for what to do if you
went AWOL and didn't want to come back.
**[03:49] Yuuko**
She couldn't afford to let you go until she
had the formulas that would save the world.
**[03:55] Yuuko**
An understandable bit of insurance.
**[03:57] Yuuko**
But there were a few falsehoods
subtly slipped into what was written, too.
**[04:01] Yuuko**
By the other me, of course.
**[04:03] Yuuko**
My theory for inter-world travel
did have unresolved problems.
**[04:06] Yuuko**
And she had all the answers
for how to deal with them.
**[04:09] Yuuko**
I didn't realize what she had done until
the causality influx led to Marimo's death.
**[04:16] Yuuko**
I was too excited at my theory for
inter-world travel being proven true.
**[04:21] Yuuko**
And I'm pretty sure the other me
expected that to happen,
**[04:23] Yuuko**
and altered what she wrote
to keep me from realizing the outcome.
**[04:27] Takeru**
She went as far as tricking
an alternate version of herself?
**[04:31] Takeru**
I swear, I'm going to fix
whatever's causing this.
**[04:34] Yuuko**
I thought you might start sulking again.
Glad to see I was wrong.
**[04:38] Takeru**
Right now, my only concern is getting back
to the other world and finishing my job.
**[04:42] Takeru**
Rubbing the other Yuuko-sensei's
nose in it will be an added bonus.
**[04:46] Yuuko**
I would love it if you did that.
**[04:52] Yuuko**
You're about to be forced
to encounter situations
**[04:55] Yuuko**
where your choices will get people killed
over and over again.
**[05:00] Yuuko**
You'll have to choose to let people die
in pursuit of achieving your goals.
**[05:05] Yuuko**
Are you going to be able to endure that?
**[05:08] Yuuko**
Will you always be able to
make the practical choice?
**[05:12] Takeru**
Either way, because
I'm the causality conductor,
**[05:15] Takeru**
I'm the only one who can save
the worlds I've passed through.
**[05:20] Takeru**
Right?
**[05:23] Yuuko**
You know what to do?
**[05:24] Takeru**
Yeah.
**[05:25] Takeru**
I'm gonna save the multiverse!
**[05:29] Yuuko**
A successful transfer is linked
to a strong sense of purpose.
**[05:33] Yuuko**
That resolve, your feelings for Kagami,
Marimo, and everyone else,
**[05:38] Yuuko**
will guide you back to the other world.
**[05:42] Security Guard**
No good! It won't open!
**[05:47] Yuuko**
Damn it all! When we're doing this
to save them, too! So annoying.
**[05:52] Takeru**
Sensei!
**[05:52] Yuuko**
All we need now is power.
**[05:54] Takeru**
If I vanish now, Sensei, the police will—
**[05:56] Yuuko**
Shut up! Conversation over!
**[05:59] Yuuko**
Or are you already losing your nerve?
**[06:02] Takeru**
I'm not going to let my feelings stop me
from doing my duty ever again.
**[06:08] Takeru**
I'm going to do what only I can do,
and I'll feel sad once it's over!
**[06:16] Yuuko**
Maybe Marimo had better taste
in men than I thought.
**[06:20] Yuuko**
You love Kagami, right?
**[06:22] Takeru**
Sensei?
**[06:23] Yuuko**
Answer the question!
**[06:24] Takeru**
I-I do!
**[06:26] Yuuko**
I can't hear you!
**[06:28] Yuuko**
Are your feelings as soft as your voice?
**[06:30] Takeru**
I love Sumika!
**[06:33] Yuuko**
Louder!
**[06:34] Takeru**
I love her!
**[06:36] Yuuko**
Louder!
**[06:36] Takeru**
I love her!
**[06:38] Yuuko**
Still not enough! Again!
**[06:40] Takeru**
I'm in love with Kagami Sumika!
**[06:46] Security Guards**
There they are!
**[06:48] Security Guards**
Damn! It's locked...
**[06:49] Security Guards**
Open up!
**[06:51] Yuuko**
That's parapositronium light!
This is gonna work!
**[06:54] Takeru**
Sensei...
**[06:57] Yuuko**
Shirogane, Kagami is somewhere
in the other world.
**[07:01] Yuuko**
That's how this miracle happened.
**[07:05] Yuuko**
Now, go take care of business,
Shirogane Takeru!
**[07:08] Takeru**
Sensei!
**[07:26] Takeru**
I'm back.
**[07:27] Yuuko**
Well, I didn't expect to find you in here.
**[07:32] Takeru**
Sensei...
**[07:36] Takeru**
I'm sorry for the pathetic way I behaved.
**[07:39] Takeru**
You might not need me anymore,
but please, let me stay here again!
**[07:45] Takeru**
Please give me another chance!
**[07:48] Takeru**
I have to save all of the worlds
I've interacted with!
**[07:52] Takeru**
All the worlds that have
gone wrong, because of me!
**[07:55] Yuuko**
I think you've misunderstood something.
**[07:59] Yuuko**
I never gave you any kind of opportunity,
or took one away from you.
**[08:04] Yuuko**
Did you forget? Weren't we only working
together because our interests were aligned?
**[08:11] Yuuko**
You got to play savior thanks to me.
**[08:15] Yuuko**
And I got to obtain vital formulas
for the completion of Alternative IV.
**[08:19] Yuuko**
It's that simple.
**[08:21] Takeru**
*Playing savior...*
**[08:23] Takeru**
*She's got a point.*
**[08:25] Yuuko**
So, what can you do for me now?
**[08:30] Yuuko**
This needs to be mutually beneficial.
**[08:35] Yuuko**
Since you don't seem to have any idea,
I'm going to arrange an interview.
**[08:38] Yuuko**
Depending on the outcome of that,
I can find a role for you.
**[08:43] Yuuko**
And that'll give you a place here.
**[08:46] (Flashback) Yuuko**
Now, go take care of business,
**[08:48] (Flashback) Yuuko**
Shirogane Takeru!
**[08:50] Takeru**
Please!
**[08:57] Yuuko**
The 00 Unit is ready.
**[08:59] Yuuko**
It was completed the day after you left.
**[09:02] Takeru**
It was?!
**[09:04] Yuuko**
I don't know what you're so surprised about.
**[09:06] Yuuko**
That outcome was guaranteed as soon as
you made it back with the formulas.
***SIGN*** To me
***SIGN*** To me
***SIGN*** To me
***SIGN*** To me
**[09:14] Yuuko**
*Yes. That's right.*
**[09:17] Yuuko**
*Could you bring the 00 Unit to my office?*
**[09:20] Takeru**
So, about this interview...
**[09:22] Yuuko**
Don't rush me.
**[09:28] Yuuko**
There they are.
**[09:30] Yuuko**
Yashiro, right this way.
**[09:33] Takeru**
Kasumi?
**[09:38] Sumika**
* If I forgot about you... I wouldn't be*
* the same person anymore!*
**[09:39] Takeru**
*Sumika?*
**[09:42] Sumika**
*I swear, I'll never forget you!*
**[09:44] Yuuko**
*Kagami is somewhere in the other world.*
**[09:46] Takeru**
What is Sumika doing here?!
**[09:48] Yuuko**
Let me make the official introduction.
**[09:50] Yuuko**
You're looking at the ultimate objective,
and product, of Alternative IV.
**[09:53] Yuuko**
The harbinger of mankind's victory.
**[09:56] Yuuko**
The 00 Unit.
**[09:58] Takeru**
Is this some kind of joke?!
**[10:00] Yuuko**
I wasn't trying to be funny.
**[10:04] Yuuko**
We're in the presence of the key
to eradicating the BETA.
**[10:09] Yuuko**
You and I—
**[10:10] Sumika**
Kill them... I'll kill them all.
**[10:14] Sumika**
The BETA! The enemy, the enemy!
Kill, kill them, I'll kill them!
**[10:17] Takeru**
Sumika? Sumika!
**[10:20] Sumika**
I'll slaughter them all!
**[10:24] Sumika**
BETA! Kill! Kill them, kill them...
**[10:28] Sumika**
Kill them all...
**[10:28] Yuuko**
Well? Anything?
**[10:31] Kasumi**
No. I don't see anything.
**[10:33] Takeru**
Sumika! Are you okay?!
**[10:35] Sumika**
No! No!
**[10:41] Yuuko**
She's never reacted like that before.
**[10:44] Yuuko**
I guess you really are special.
**[10:53] Yuuko**
Oh, are you crying?
**[10:57] Yuuko**
Honestly, and here I thought
you had your head on straight this time.
**[11:02] Yuuko**
You pass, though.
This was a successful interview.
**[11:06] Yuuko**
You've got your place at the table.
**[11:08] Takeru**
Hang on a second. I don't understand!
**[11:11] Yuuko**
You'll be helping to debug
and adjust the 00 Unit.
**[11:14] Yuuko**
Although I prefer to call it "tuning."
Sounds more elegant.
**[11:18] Takeru**
Tuning?
**[11:24] Yuuko**
Our interests have aligned again.
**[11:26] Yuuko**
For the last week, you've been
on a top-secret mission for me.
**[11:31] Yuuko**
Got it?
**[11:33] Yuuko**
It was a dangerous, grueling mission on
the front lines that put your talents to use.
**[11:38] Yuuko**
The documentation already attests to that.
**[11:42] Takeru**
*Did she anticipate me coming back?*
**[11:45] Yuuko**
Do you understand?
**[11:47] Yuuko**
I don't mind impulsiveness,
because it makes you easy to use,
**[11:50] Yuuko**
but unless you get a handle on it,
**[11:52] Yuuko**
you're gonna spend your whole life
as someone else's tool.
**[11:56] Yuuko**
I'll call for you tomorrow.
**[11:58] Yuuko**
In the meantime, try and cool off a bit,
**[12:01] Yuuko**
Shirogane Takeru.
**[12:04] Takeru**
Understood.
**[12:25] Takeru**
*Why does the 00 Unit look like Sumika?*
**[12:30] Takeru**
*Is there some reason?*
**[12:34] Meiya**
Takeru? Takeru, is that you?
**[12:40] Takeru**
Meiya...
**[12:41] Meiya**
Have you just returned?
**[12:43] Meiya**
I imagine your special mission
must have been difficult.
**[12:46] Takeru**
Meiya...
**[12:47] Takeru**
Meiya, back then, I was—
**[12:51] Meiya**
This is for leaving without letting us know!
**[12:54] Meiya**
This is for making us worry!
**[13:01] Meiya**
And that was... my appreciation
for your safe return.
**[13:06] Meiya**
Fool... You are such a fool!
**[13:10] Meiya**
I thought I might never see you again!
**[13:15] Takeru**
Meiya...
**[13:16] Takeru**
Meiya, I'm so sorry. I was...
**[13:19] Meiya**
It doesn't matter. Not anymore.
**[13:22] Meiya**
It seems you've found the resolve
to grapple with your destiny.
**[13:27] Takeru**
Yeah. Finally.
**[13:29] Takeru**
The way you acted during the coup...
**[13:34] Takeru**
And the things that Her Majesty
told me about...
**[13:38] Meiya**
She spoke to you?
**[13:40] Takeru**
And the day Sergeant Jinguuji died...
**[13:44] Takeru**
I think I actually understand
what you really meant now.
**[13:50] Takeru**
On the front lines, I...
**[13:53] Takeru**
I encountered some people
I thought I'd never see again.
**[13:59] Takeru**
And to make sure I never lose them again...
**[14:03] Meiya**
Takeru...
**[14:05] Takeru**
Sorry.
**[14:07] Takeru**
I should be back with the unit tomorrow.
**[14:10] Takeru**
I'll see you then.
**[14:12] Meiya**
The others were quite worried
about you, as well.
**[14:16] Meiya**
I'm curious to see just how many
blows you can weather.
**[14:20] Takeru**
I thought you said you hit me
for their sake already?
**[14:23] Meiya**
A man shouldn't let such
trivial details concern him.
**[14:26] Takeru**
I guess so...
***SIGN*** December 18th, 2001
**[14:37] Michiru**
All right, it looks like we've finally got
A-01 assembled in its entirety.
**[14:41] Michiru**
Shirogane!
**[14:42] Shirogane**
Ma'am!
**[14:43] Tama**
Takeru-san!
**[14:44] Michiru**
Starting today, you're part of A-01 Squadron.
**[14:44] Mikoto**
Takeru!
**[14:50] Takeru**
Second Lieutenant Shirogane Takeru!
**[14:52] Takeru**
It's an honor to be serving with you!
**[14:54] Michiru**
Very good. And good work
on your special mission.
**[14:57] Michiru**
We know better than anyone else
that the XO never runs an easy operation.
**[15:03] Michiru**
We operate under a independent
command structure,
**[15:06] Michiru**
undertaking high-risk missions
in service of Alternative IV.
**[15:11] Michiru**
We were a regiment when founded,
but are down to a squadron's numbers.
**[15:17] Michiru**
The personnel you see are all we've got.
**[15:17] Takeru**
*Suzumiya? Kashiwagi?*
**[15:20] Takeru**
*You guys are here too, huh?*
**[15:21] Michiru**
And we can't count
on any kind of reinforcements.
**[15:25] Michiru**
So you can imagine how glad we are
to have a superstar like you in the lineup.
**[15:28] Michiru**
Hope you're ready to be worked, and hard.
**[15:31] Takeru**
It'd be my pleasure, Captain!
**[15:33] Michiru**
All of the pilots in our squadron are
graduates of the same training school.
**[15:36] Michiru**
Which makes us all
Sergeant Jinguuji's students.
**[15:40] Michiru**
You're joining us, so make sure
not to do anything to shame our teacher.
**[15:43] Takeru**
Ma'am!
**[15:44] Michiru**
Good. Welcome to A-01 Squadron.
We're glad to have you.
**[15:49] Michiru**
I'm Captain Isumi Michiru.
**[15:50] Takeru**
Yes, Captain!
**[15:52] Isumi**
Ease up on the protocol. The XO ordered us
to keep things efficient around here.
**[15:57] Isumi**
Let me introduce you
to the squadron's leadership.
**[16:00] Isumi**
On the far right is First Lieutenant
Suzumiya Haruka, our command post officer.
**[16:04] Isumi**
She monitors battlefield operations
from the command vehicle.
**[16:06] Isumi**
She's a lot scarier than
she seems, so watch yourself.
**[16:09] Haruka**
C-Captain!
**[16:10] Haruka**
What are you saying? Don't you know
how important first impressions are?
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron Command Post Officer
First Lieutenant Suzumiya Haruka
**[16:15] Michiru**
Sorry, sorry.
**[16:17] Haruka**
It's nice to meet you, Lieutenant.
**[16:19] Takeru**
It's a pleasure, ma'am!
**[16:20] Michiru**
Next is First Lieutenant Hayase Mitsuki,
who's in command of B-Flight.
**[16:24] Hayase**
Welcome to the Isumi's Valkyries.
**[16:26] Takeru**
Valkyries?
**[16:28] Hayase**
It's the squadron's nickname.
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron B-Flight
First Lieutenant Hayase Mitsuki
**[16:30] Hayase**
Though having a guy added
to our number kinda ruins the name.
**[16:36] Isumi**
And then C-Flight's commander,
First Lieutenant Munakata Misae.
**[16:40] Isumi**
She's a bit of a man-hater. Watch yourself.
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron C-Flight
First Lieutenant Munakata Misae
**[16:44] Munakata**
Captain, I am not a man-hater.
**[16:47] Michiru**
So she says.
**[16:49] Michiru**
Good for you, Shirogane!
Maybe you've got a shot.
**[16:53] Michiru**
Make sure to familiarize yourself
with your other squadmates ASAP.
**[16:57] Michiru**
Finally, you need to learn the squadron's motto.
**[17:00] Michiru**
Carry out your mission at all costs!
**[17:04] Michiru**
Squadron, recite!
**[17:06] A01**
Carry out your mission at all costs!
**[17:08] Michiru**
Fight to your very last breath!
**[17:10] A01**
Fight to your very last breath!
**[17:12] Michiru**
Make your death count!
**[17:14] A01**
Make your death count!
**[17:16] A01**
Make your death count!
**[17:18] Michiru**
There it is.
**[17:19] Michiru**
Lieutenant Shirogane Takeru?
**[17:21] Takeru**
Carry out your mission at all costs!
**[17:24] Takeru**
Fight to your very last breath!
**[17:26] Takeru**
Make your death count!
**[17:28] Isumi**
Good. Now, you've got a week's
worth of catching up to do.
**[17:32] Isumi**
Brace yourself.
**[17:34] Takeru**
Roger that.
**[17:36] Isumi**
That is all. Shirogane stays behind,
and the rest of you are dismissed.
**[17:44] Hayase**
Hey, Shirogane!
**[17:46] Takeru**
Lieutenant Hayase!
**[17:47] Hayase**
You don't have to act
so buttoned up around here.
**[17:50] Takeru**
Sorry, force of habit.
**[17:52] Hayase**
I heard you're pretty torn up about
what happened to Sergeant Jinguuji.
**[17:57] Takeru**
Lieutenant, listen, I'm...
I'm sorry I couldn't protect her.
**[18:01] Hayase**
You're not the only one
who feels that way, okay?
**[18:04] Hayase**
We're all her students here.
**[18:07] Hayase**
And all of us feel responsible
for what happened.
**[18:10] Hayase**
But we're all trying to keep it together.
Do you get why?
**[18:16] Takeru**
Survivors need to put their experience to use
to help as many people survive as possible.
**[18:22] Marimo**
* I wanted to put my experience to use to help*
* as many pilots live for as long as possible.*
**[18:28] Takeru**
Because there's no other way
to make it up to those who have died.
**[18:35] Hayase**
You got it.
**[18:37] Hayase**
Seems you understand!
**[18:40] Hayase**
And your classmates seem really worried.
**[18:43] Hayase**
So try and act like nothing happened.
**[18:47] Hayase**
That's the etiquette among pilots.
**[18:49] Hayase**
And it's only once you can pull that off
that you're considered fully fledged!
**[18:54] Takeru**
Understood!
**[18:56] Touko**
Lunch was very good.
**[18:58] Kashiwagi**
I'm looking forward to dinner, too!
**[19:00] Touko**
Of course you are.
**[19:03] Akane**
Hey, Lieutenant Shirogane!
**[19:06] Takeru**
Hello, there.
**[19:08] Touko**
We didn't get to introduce
ourselves earlier, did we?
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron C-Flight
Second Lieutenant Kazama Touko
**[19:11] Touko**
I'm Second Lieutenant Kazama Touko.
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron C-Flight
Second Lieutenant Kashiwagi Haruko
**[19:13] Kashiwagi**
I'm Second Lieutenant
Kashiwagi Haruko.
**[19:16] Kashiwagi**
This is Second Lieutenant
Suzumiya Akane.
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron C-Flight
Second Lieutenant Suzumiya Akane
**[19:18] Kashiwagi**
She's Lieutenant Suzumiya's
little sister.
**[19:21] Akane**
So you're the ace pilot
everyone's talking about!
**[19:23] Akane**
Hope you're ready for some competition.
**[19:25] Touko**
And this is Second Lieutenant Usuki Sakura.
***SIGN*** A-01 Squadron A-Flight
Second Lieutenant Usuki Sakura
**[19:28] Sakura**
Nice to meet you.
**[19:30] Kashiwagi**
Great to have you on the squad.
**[19:32] Takeru**
It's a pleasure to meet all of you.
**[19:34] Touko**
We should get going.
**[19:36] Akane**
See you around!
**[19:37] Takeru**
See you later.
**[19:40] Sakura**
Here.
**[19:41] Sakura**
I don't need it.
**[19:48] Takeru**
Thanks.
**[19:52] Ayamine**
Stop that.
***SIGN*** Quiet in the mess hall!
**[19:55] Takeru**
I'll have meal A.
**[19:57] Kyouzuka**
Sure thing!
**[19:58] Kyouzuka**
Well, I'll be! You been okay?
**[20:01] Takeru**
Yeah.
**[20:02] Kyouzuka**
Well, hang in there!
**[20:03] Takeru**
Thank you!
**[20:05] Chizuru**
Shirogane!
**[20:06] Takeru**
Guys!
**[20:08] Meiya**
We were all waiting for you to arrive.
**[20:10] Chizuru**
I-I wasn't exactly waiting.
**[20:13] Ayamine**
So all that fidgeting was a coincidence?
**[20:16] Chizuru**
Did you say something?
**[20:17] Ayamine**
Not really.
**[20:18] Mikoto**
Come on, you two!
**[20:20] Tama**
Th-That's right!
**[20:24] Takeru**
It's good to be back, guys.
**[20:26] Meiya**
I'm sure you faced a difficult task.
**[20:28] Mikoto**
We were seriously worried!
**[20:31] Chizuru**
I'm just glad you're okay.
**[20:34] Tama**
And you managed to
make it back, so that's great!
**[20:37] Ayamine**
Welcome back, Shirogane.
**[20:39] Ayamine**
Now that you're here, we can finally go.
**[20:41] Chizuru**
We were waiting for you to get back
so we could all go together.
**[20:58] Chizuru**
The body was already sent back
to her family, so it's mostly symbolic.
**[21:08] Takeru**
*Sergeant Jinguuji... Jinguuji-sensei...*
**[21:15] Takeru**
I survived, and I'm going to do
everything I can.
***SIGN*** This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents
either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.