Mai-HiME #21 Bullet Summary

Natsuki talks to the man she's supposed to exchange info with, "John Smith" of SEARRS. First he asks if she knows where Miyu's remains are, because they've lost her tracking signal. Natsuki asks what he'll tell her in return. Smith says he'll tell her the truth about her mother. Natsuki says she doesn't personally know where Miyu is, but she's heard a rumor about a lake in the hills with a huge ice flower in it. Smith says that's where the signal stopped, but the remains were already gone. He feels that Natsuki really doesn't know where Miyu is but keeps his end of the bargain and gives her his info, which is that Natsuki's mother sold her (but hadn't handed over yet) to SEARRS for research. When First District found out, they tried to get rid of her (mother), which led to the accident. Smith said it sucked, because they had already transferred money into her account and everything. Natsuki takes the news hard.
As she's riding down the road on her motorbike, Natsuki thinks back to what Yamada told her in episode 11 about the plushie she found in episode 9. To refresh, the numbers on the collar of the plushie were to a bank account. They were able to trace who was depositing money into it and found two names: "Iwasaka Pharmaceutical" and "SEARRS Foundation." This was obviously the account Natsuki's mom was using for Natsuki's sale.
Nao uses her claws to make Natsuki fall off her motorbike. She uses Julia to tangle Natsuki up in webs then takes some photos of her with a cellphone. Natsuki could care less. Nao is about to scratch Natsuki's eye area with her claws when Shizuru stops her. Shizuru explains how pathetic Nao is, then says she(Shizuru) only cares about one thing: protecting Natsuki. Then she materializes her naginata. Nao uses her claws to grab the naginata, then Shizuru calls Kiyohime, who proceeds to erupt from the ground knocking Nao down and knocking Julia out of the ballpark. Funny stuff. Nao, down, tries to reach for her cellphone, but Shizuru crushes it, then uses her naginata to cut the piece of cliff Nao is on. Nao falls down to the ocean below. Shizuru is cold! Of course Nao, ever the fighter, survives the fall, and asks herself why these morons keep coming after her.
While all this is going on, Mai is at Reito's house. She gives him a summary of episodes 1-20. Mai says she still doesn't believe all this is happening. Reito says if everything she said is true, it's still too early to give up. He says if the person that wins the fight gets enormous power, then there's still hope. He reminds Mai that she's realized love for her most important person. He says for the sake of an important person, one can become a demon, and even so, will most likely be forgiven (by the MIP) for their actions. Then he leaves Mai to go check on the school (in theory). When he's outside his house, Nagi is there to greet him. Nagi remarks that he's jealous - Reito could've scored easily. Reito says he can't own someone with just their body, then says they'll follow through with the plan. Nagi kneels before him.
On the outskirts of who knows where, Shizuru has taken Natsuki into her loveshack to let her rest. Shizuru says the loveshack belongs to one of her tea ceremony students, and no one else knows the location of it. She says if her HiME status was known, it would've burdened Natsuki. She says she was happy that they hadn't talked about it up to this point. But, she couldn't let it go by this time, even if it meant throwing her school status out the window. Natsuki tries to hold back some tears, then says whatever happened would have been fine (meaning she wouldn't have cared if she died, poor Natsuki). Shizuru stays by Natsuki's side all night. The next morning she says she likes Natsuki, and will protect her no matter what. Natsuki says she likes Shizuru too. When Shizuru leaves the room, she says to herself that Natsuki's definition of like (suki:like) is different from hers (suki:love, of the hot lesbian variety). I still find it hard to believe Shizuru is only 17 freakin' years old.
At Mashiro's mansion, Midori is still trying to get some answers, when Fumi storms in with a piece of paper for Mashiro. Mashiro says Kokuyou no Kimi predicted that they were up to something, and sent a letter of invitation before they could take any action against him. She blows into her hand to create a barrier around the mansion so eavesdroppers can't listen in, then says she has some important stuff to tell Midori. The audience doesn't get to hear Mashiro's information, but Midori is shocked by it. Mashiro says yes, that is how the Ikusahime "Matsuri" works. (She says Ikusahime no Shinji. Ikusahime is of course another name for HiME. Shinji is like a ritual, but can also mean a festival. I saw some people on the net mention "jewels" in this part, but there is NO MENTION of any kind of jewel in what Mashiro says. For reference, I believe the first time the "Ikusahime no Shinji" was talked about was near the beginning of episode 13. Midori talks about it with Mai as they're walking around campus.)
Midori says "Kokuyou no Kimi, Suishou no Hime (Crystal Hime), then you're...!?" Mashiro doesn't acknowledge her, and goes on to ask if she did indeed say that you can change fate with love. Midori says yes. Mashiro says that's what they'll be putting all their faith in (when they, as in Mashiro and Fumi, go take on Reito). Midori wants to go too but Mashiro says no. Mashiro presents a card key and says she's entrusting it to Midori. Fumi is concerned, saying "she isn't (ready) yet!" Then they switch to a scene showing some kind of capsule tank with Miyu inside. Mashiro says "Yes, but repairs should be completed soon. I'll leave it up to you (Midori) to decide whether or not she should be awakened."
Sakomizu is seen on the phone acknowledging an order given to him. Then Ishigami is shown finishing a call on his phone, to which he angrily says "they've finally entered the Kokuyougu!" Kokuyougu means Obsidian Shrine, which is the place underneath the school.
Back to Mashiro and Fumi. Mashiro thinks she's given Midori a heavy burden. Fumi thinks it was a good idea, and says she likes Midori. Mashiro thanks Fumi for all her services over the years. Fumi says no thanks are neccessary, because she is Mashiro's maid. After drinking the tea Fumi gave her, Mashiro says that this is probably a trap (referring to the upcoming meet with Reito), but they have to go. She says it's their responsibility to go, as they've been forcing these girls to fight while fully knowing their fates.
At Kokuyougu, Nagi tells KnK/Reito that it seems Mashiro and Fumi have been planning to take KnK down for a while, but they just didn't know who he was. Nagi thinks he's to thank for that. KnK smiles.
Mashiro and Fumi arrive at Kokuyougu on a little boat. KnK asks Mashiro if she came down there because she was unhappy with her position as Queen of Hell. Mashiro confirms that Reito is the vessel for KnK. He says all his memories have returned, and thanks Mashiro for all her hard work over the years. He calls her Suishou no Hime. Mashiro says she's going to defeat him to free the girls from their fates. KnK says "You entrusted that soul to a Child; sheltered yourself in a puppet. Did you want to defeat me that badly?" Mashiro says "Yes, because it was you, who I once loved...brother." Then she sicks Fumi on him.
As Fumi goes in for the kill, Mikoto cuts in and blocks her. Mikoto says she won't allow anyone to defeat her brother. Mashiro yells to KnK, "You (did it)...again!?" Reito says "Because it would only make your power as a Child useless if -I- were to defeat you." This is his reason for making Mikoto fight instead of himself, but it's a bit cryptic. It'll probably be important later on. KnK then tells Mikoto to fight for him. Fumi is hesitant. Mashiro says "I guess I have no choice," then stands up and transforms into her Child form. Mikoto yells "Miroku!" then charges after her.
We don't get to see the fight(bah!), but we do get to see lots of pulsating colors coming out of the mountains. Midori and Mai see them too.
The scene switches back to Kokuyougu now. The fight is apparently over already. KnK and Nagi are walking to the center area. KnK looks up and it shows the puppet Mashiro was using as her body. It's lifeless now and is hanging there in a sacrifice position. KnK turns around and tells all his lackies in First District that they did a good job while he was gone. He says the time of fate is near, and that he'll be handling everything from now on.