Chapter 36

**Copy and Egoism** (コピーとエゴイズム *Kopī to Egoizumu*) is the thirty-sixth chapter of Oumi Noko's manga series S Rare Soubi no Niau Kanojo.

## Summary

After her victory over Cantarella, Marimo explores the corridors of Shogakukan, but is still suffering the effects of the poison. Since she has plenty of healing items to recover herself, she decides not to waste the drop item she got from Cantarella. She also hopes to share the Wi-fi password with the others once she reunites with them.

Marimo discovers a strange door and enters to find Ea inside, strapped to a chair. Marimo explains she is an ally of Daigo and tries to rescue Ea, but she is interrupted by Nightshade, Medusa, and Puppeteer. Despite being outnumbered and weakened by the poison, Marimo tries to fight them. She attempts to use her Etoile Filant, but Puppeteer throws a puppet that latches onto her and electrocutes her. Marimo is unable to move her body and Puppeteer explains that her movements have been connected to the puppet. Puppeteer twists the puppets, causing Marimo's arm to do the same, breaking it. Seeing she is in a losing battle, Marimo tries to give her phone to Ea. She is then attacked by Nightshade who forces her hand into her abdomen and shifts her organs around, causing Marimo to vomit. Nightshade then grabs Marimo's heart, planning to crush it and kill her instantly, but Medusa stops her as she wishes to add Marimo to her "collection". Medsua then has her one-eyed pet Catoplepas glare at Marimo, causing her body to turn to stone. Medusa is pleased, but tells Nightshade and Puppeteer to deal with the other Heroes as she is concerned about their progress. Additionally, Ea realizes that Marimo succeeded in placing her phone next to her. She grabs it and conceals it from the monsters.

Meanwhile, after defeating several monsters, Karasu meets up with Rin Mei who is reluctant to associate with her. Though Rin Mei pretends that she did not see Karasu, it is clear that she is afraid of her. Nevertheless, Rin Mei agrees to go with Karasu, but from a distance. As the two depart, Karasu seemingly discovers Marimo who appears to be hurt. Karasu comes to her aid and "Marimo" explains that a monster churned her intestines around, after which she phases her arm through Karasu's stomach. Karasu fends her off and deduces that this is not the real Marimo. The fake Marimo continues to assault the weakened Karasu, moving her intestines around and drinking her vomit. Rin Mei then arrives and the fake Marimo tries to trick her by asking for help. However, Rin Mei immediately stabs the fake Marimo as she realizes her breasts are too large to be Marimo's and the fake dissolves into a puddle of goo. Karasu is impressed by Rin Mei's deductive skill and criticizes herself for falling for the trick. However, Rin Mei commends Karasu for being so concerned about Marimo and believes she must be a kindhearted person. Karasu angrily refutes this, scaring off Rin Mei once again.

Suddenly, Rin Mei is ambushed by what appears to be a Yuki-Onna who begins to freeze her body. Karasu saves Rin Mei by striking the monster who, just as before, dissolves into goo. The monster then reveals herself to be Nightshade and explains that she can change her appearance to that of anyone she's fought against. Nightshade then takes the appearance of Princess Titan and attacks Karasu and Rin Mei with her iron ball. Rin Mei manages to land a hit, causing Nightshade to change back as she always reverts to her true form after taking one hit. Rin Mei then begins to panic as she realizes that, since she copied her appearance, Nightshade must have fought Marimo and, presumably, defeated her. Karasu restores Rin Mei's confidence by telling her to believe in Marimo and assuring her that she is fine. Returning her attention to the battle, Karasu comments that Nightshade's very existence is fake, prompting Rin Mei to remember a conversation she had with Marimo.

A flashback shows an incident in which Rin Mei complains to Marimo about an editor rejecting her work due to it being a rehash and a copy of other work. Marimo advises that it's not so much that Rin Mei is copying other people's work, but that she lacks "Egoism" and is using others' work as a mask to hide her true self. Marimo tells Rin Mei to be careful or the "mask" will become her true self.

Back in the present, Rin Mei tells Karasu to attack Nightshade next time she transforms and dispel her disguise. Nightshade then assumes the form of Moth Lady, attacking them with poison scales. As instructed, Karasu attacks Nightshade and she reverts to her normal form. However, before she can transform again, Rin Mei strikes, splitting Nightshade's mask in two. Nightshade cries out in agony as she dissolves and disappears, completely defeated. Rin Mei scorns Nightshade as she realizes the mask was her true body.

## Key Events

* Marimo finds Ea, but is defeated by Nightshade, Puppeteer, and Medusa and turned to stone
* Rin Mei and Karasu battle and defeat Nightshade

## Character Appearances

* Marimo
* Ea Yuki
* Nightshade
* Medusa
* Puppeteer
* Karasu
* Rin Mei