Episode 23

* Episode
* Title Card
* End Card

## Episode Guide

**"The Value of Friends"** (仲 (なか) 間 (ま) の価 (か) 値 (ち) , *Nakama no Kachi*?) is the twenty-third episode of the *Shadows House* anime series and the tenth episode of the second season. It aired on September 10, 2022.

## Summary

Kate and John are forced to continue running when Maryrose breaks up her phantom into scorches to corner the two by numbers. Emilico and Shaun are revealed to have held water in their mouths as they predicted Maryrose would use scorches on them and only pretended to suffer soot sickness, and leave the manor in search of their masters. Kate shares bread with John to regain his strength and reach an aqueduct, which they jump into in order to escape the scorches. They decide to head to a fountain garden nearby as Kate doesn't want to head to the manor, angry that the current situation is happening because the Star Bearers accused her. At the fountain, Kate leads scorches to the fountain, followed by John who tries to use John Punch on the water to spray it, only for the scorches to reform into a phantom and capture the two. Maryrose appears, only for a second John to appear and use John Punch on the fountain, destroying the phantom. The soot wash off "Kate" and "John", revealing to be Emilico and Shaun in disguise. Maryrose and Rosemary are captured, with Maryrose admitting the actions she took to buy time were unforgiveable. Despite their hesitance, the group hands over the seniors to the Star Bearers in the morning.

## Plot

Kate plans to head to the manor to get help, only for Maryrose to predict this and break up her phantom back into scorches to force Kate and John to run. While running, John believes their living dolls will be alright, as they held water in their mouths, having predicted that Maryrose will use scorches against them and only pretended to suffer soot sickness.

Back in the manor, the living dolls are held back as the soot Kate had put in their eyes to add to the act irritated their eyes. After washing their faces with water, the two note that Maryrose was kind enough to adjust the size of the scorches so the two will only end up with light soot sickness, causing Emilico to hesitate on if they should really hand over the seniors as culprits. They decide to focus on their masters and leave the manor, while Kate shares bread with John to help him recover his strength.

Reaching an aqueduct, the two are cornered by scorches, but Kate decides to jump into the water, stopping the scorches from following. She decides to head to a garden with a fountain instead of going for help at the manor as she is still upset over being accused by the Star Bearers. During this, Emilico and Shaun search for their masters, finding the aqueduct Kate and John went through as well as the bread Kate left behind, deducing they left through the water and attempts to decide which location they were heading to. At the fountain garden, Kate leads the scorches to the fountain, followed by John who heads to the fountain, attempting to use his John Punch to spray water. However, the scorches form into a large hand and catches John, with the scorches that reached Kate also capturing her as Maryrose appears, having predicted Kate's actions. As Maryrose states her final lesson has ended, John suddenly appears from behind a wall and uses John Punch on the fountain, destroying the phantom. Shocked at the appearance of a second John, only to see the "Kate" and "John" she captured were Emilico and Shaun in disguise. The group apprehends Maryrose and Rosemary and celebrates their victory, and Maryrose admits her defeat as she was unable to create allies like Kate. Despite their victory, Kate is hesitant to turn over Maryrose, despite the achievements she will gain. Maryrose refuses to accept Kate's concern, as she notes that she harmed innocent living dolls and forced the Belle twins to take the blame for her only to buy time. The two seniors choose to accept their punishment to the sadness of everyone. In the morning, Maryrose and Rosemary are handed over the Star Bearers.

## Characters

1. John
2. Kate
3. Maryrose
4. Rosemary
5. Emilico
6. Shaun
7. Loretta's Face (Flashback)
8. Victor (Flashback)
9. Mia (Flashback)
10. Belle Twins (Flashback)