Why did this have to happen to me...?
Study for the exams?
I don’t need to study, Pinochle.
That’s unacceptable, Freecell.
After everything we’ve been through, our grades in the red.
We need to pull them up by doing well in our next exams!
Let’s start studying together tomorrow.
I’ll see you at 8:00 at the school dorms’ stairwell.
You win!
Is that a bit too early?
Will you be able to wake up?
Should I pick you up? I think I will!
I swear, you’re as big of a worrywart as ever.
I’ll be just fine.
Would you care for a flower?
Really? Then I’ll see you tomorrow.
Yep. See ya.
Would you care for a pretty flower?
Oh! I think I’ll take one.
Thank you kindly, Mister.
Would you also like a flower?
It’s a pretty flower you could place in front of your mother’s grave.
Why is she after me...?
I won’t let you escape!
Melancholy!
Would You Also Like Some Flowers?
Here! Have another.
It’s too early to stuff my face!
But who knows when a Master Brain will show up?
You’ve gotta keep your strength up!
Good morning, Kaito and Nonoha.
Upperclassman Jikukawa?
Guys, why the glum looks first thing in the morning?
Director Rook needs to have a word with us.
What?
Puzzle Number N927M along with V129W and X836Y...
are Puzzles of Fools recorded in the POG’s archives.
I’ve come to learn that it is highly likely that Jin Makata created these puzzles.
Whoa, there! Are you for real?
Kaito...
Look, Rook...
Talk about Jin hating puzzles has already put me in a foul mood!
Now you’re telling me Jin was making Puzzles of Fools?!
There are some things you don’t joke about and this is one of them!
He’s telling the truth, Kaito.
What?!
As you’re aware, puzzles contain quirks unique to the Givers who make them.
It’s like how you can recognize the work of a great artist.
I used Iwashimizu to digitalize the puzzles Jin Makata has made in the past.
When comparing those Puzzles of Fools against that data,
I found that there is a 98.73% likelihood that the same Giver made them.
Jin made Puzzles of Fools...?
In which case, doesn’t Jin Makata hate puzzles, just like Raetsel claimed?
It’s too soon to jump to conclusions.
All three of these Puzzles of Fools
were destroyed by the time anyone found them.
I believe that Jin destroyed them with his own two hands.
What’s up with that?
I, Ana, think he did it to avoid hurting anyone.
Kaito!
But if he’s gonna trash the things, why bother making ’em?
During his blank year, supposedly Jin’s skill as a Giver improved dramatically.
By creating perilous Puzzles of Fools,
he may have been trying to push himself to greater heights and hone his skills.
So he was tryin’ to up his game by becoming a Giver?
That logic isn’t lost on me!
Why are you trying to sound cool, ex-traitor?
What was that?!
No matter what, there is no way Jin would ever make a Puzzle of Fools!
I’m sure he had his reasons.
And they were important enough that he was willing to do
that to improve himself as a Giver.
No matter what they were, he’d never make puzzles meant to hurt others!
The Jin I knew--
What if he quit being the Jin we knew?
The Armlet of Orpheus...?
Right. That power devours one’s soul, corroding it.
It is impossible for anyone to defy that power, even Jin...
There is no way!
That would never happen to Jin!
Kaito!
Right. I will annihilate all of the puzzlers.
Together with Jin, I will...
You’re... missing something.
For some odd reason, I can’t help but get that feeling.
Jin...
Freecell? Where are you right now?
A discontinued subway line.
Why?! What happened?
I’m being chased by a Master Brain.
A Master Brain...?
As in the one who’ve been attacking Kaito and the guys?
Uh-huh. And it’s Mela--
You’ve talked long enough.
Melancholy!
Why are you after me?
Are you truly all that curious?
“As such, Jin Makata has my solemn word
“that I will assist in annihilating all puzzlers.”
A Master Brain, huh?
As you have been chosen by an Armlet, we hold you in high regard.
Could you sign my contract and lend me your brains?
You’ve failed to pique my interest.
Then allow me to put it another way.
Melancholy, wouldn’t you like to get revenge on the ones
who’ve taken everything from you?
Now you have managed to pique my interest.
I shall prepare the stage.
You’re free to avenge yourself however you like.
May I ask a question?
Ask anything.
The Master Brains are meant to annihilate all puzzlers, correct?
Yeah.
Then what will happen to all of the Master Brains
once they have run out of targets?
What an insightful question!
Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter.
As long as I enjoy the present, nothing else matters.
I am willing to accept your proposal, M-I-S-T-E-R.
Did all of that sink in?
I am the Master Brain, Melancholy.
Please be sure to remember that.
I’ve completely dropped puzzles!
Excuse me?
I’m scared of solving puzzles.
I’m afraid that I’ll lose sight of myself and go berserk again...
So--
I won’t let you steal victory and pack your bags!
Uncle Klondike and I have lost everything.
Meanwhile, you’ve cast puzzles aside as you try to enjoy a carefree life.
Did you think I’d let that happen?!
I expect you to pay for your sins in full.
She is absolutely right. I... I...!
Kaito...
Oh, Jin!
What’s up? Did you eat lunch?
Aren’t the Puzzles of Fools dangerous puzzles that take human lives?
I can’t believe I created such monstrosities...!
Was I a deplorable person in my past after all...?
Jin, you heard us back there?
Maybe it would be for the best if I didn’t remem--
That’s not true!
What’s that?
It’s the very first puzzle you taught me,
back when I had fallen into the pit of despair.
It was simple, yet strong.
And... it was a warm puzzle.
This is a puzzle that you made.
There is no way someone who could make such a warm puzzle
is a scoundrel, Jin.
There is just no way you could have made a Puzzle of Fools.
Kaito...
I
know this puzzle...
Who could it be?
Kaito! It’s me, Pinochle!
What’s wrong?
It’s horrible! They got Freecell!
Freecell is being attacked by a Master Brain?!
He’s been chased into an underground maze.
Pinochle is trying to pinpoint Freecell’s location as we speak.
Freecell...
Wait a sec.
Why would a Master Brain bother goin’ after Freecell?
I think... it’s because Freecell is a Phi-Brain child like us!
Then he’s in serious trouble!
He’s given up his Orpheus Ring!
Up against a Master Brain, he won’t...
Iwashimizu! Activate Emergency Code: Q!
Roger! Activating Emergency Code: Q.
Sending an e-mail to “Apple Juice.”
Confirming that he has opened the e-mail.
Obtaining empty seats in economy.
The road to the airport is clear!
Cube?
I have a bunch of backup plans on standby just
in case a Master Brain shows up.
Here you go.
It’s my new mechanic bug for international transmissions.
Kaito, I want you to fly to England straightaway.
If you catch the last flight today, you should arrive tomorrow morning.
Take Nonoha and have Gammon tag along.
I’m just tagging along?!
What about you, Cubik?
I’ll stay here at the school.
You need someone to protect Jin, don’t you?
Ana, too!
I’ll be fine, so please go.
I would like you to stop that Master Brain.
The Master Brains claim that they are keeping a pledge
they swore to me.
But I cannot let them attack your friends!
Didn’t you say that Jin Makata is the
type of person who makes strong, kind puzzles?
Huh? Yeah...
I want to reclaim that part of myself.
I’d like to regain my memories
and do everything I can to prove that I had nothing
to do with people like these Master Brains.
From here on out, that will be my personal battle.
So, Kaito,
please solve puzzles to save your friends.
Jin...
He actually said to “solve puzzles.”
Jin, you never once said that to me!
You actually came, guys!
The way you are now,
it’d be cruel to make you face a Master Brain on your own!
Thank you! I appreciate it.
So, where is Freecell?
This is where I found Freecell’s cellphone.
Going by the trail he left, I believe Freecell ran this way.
It really looks like a maze!
This leads to a branch in the discontinued subway lines.
But the eastern branch heads toward town,
so if the Master Brain wants to trap him,
he’ll push Freecell westward to keep him isolated.
This path eventually leads to an old switchyard.
That is the extent of what I was able to find out.
Freecell should still be running...
I’m sure he has just about reached his limit.
Kaito, I’m begging you! Please save him!
Let’s go!
Hang tight, Freecell!
You’re late.
I had grown tired of waiting.
Melancholy...
Freecell!
K-Kaito?!
Thank goodness! We managed to find Freecell.
Yeah!
If it ain’t Melancho?!
I had a feeling you would come, Einstein and Galileo.
What is Melancholy doing here?
It couldn’t be...
Are you the Master Brain?!
Yes, that’s right!
Everything went according to plan,
from your coming here down to where you’re standing!
Einstein!
Eh?
Take a few steps to the right.
Huh?
Just go to the right!
Now for Galileo! Take one step forward!
Huh? S-sure.
Kaito!
Freecell!
What’s this supposed to be?
The Contact Network. It’s a Puzzle of Fools.
Now then, allow me to explain the rules.
This area is five blocks long, five blocks wide and five blocks high.
This cube makes the puzzle field.
The players are dispersed across Rooms A, B, C and D.
But you don’t know which players are in which rooms!
These are your contact blocks.
Have you noticed that the blocks contain pipes that
extend in three directions?
Link the contact blocks to your room and make the
pipe grow until you connect with your partner!
Only the two who manage to link up will get to escape from this puzzle.
How can we link up when we don’t know where our partner is?!
If you connect with a room that doesn’t belong to your partner
or if two players place a contact block in the same place...
You must connect with your partner.
That is the only way to make it out alive.
But if I do that, I’ll be condemning the other two players!
Now then, it’s time I selected the fourth player.
If I wanted to torment Freecell, I should go with Pinochle.
But using Nonoha Itou to tease Kaito Daimon would be great fun!
I’ve made my mind! The fourth player will be--
You.
That hurt!
What is the meaning of this?!
You are going to participate in this puzzle.
Melancholy, you are one of the Phi-Brain children.
Kaito Daimon with Gammon Sakanoue.
Freecell with you, Melancholy.
Those will be our pairings.
And Melancholy,
didn’t you say in your explanation that this was a Puzzle of Fools?
You’re such a naughty girl!
You mustn’t disarm the bomb.
You may have acted like a villain,
but ultimately, you intended to spare them, didn’t you?
I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!
Is that right?
I had figured as much and took the liberty to rearm the bomb.
Now, go and destroy each other, Phi-Brain Children!
Use this Puzzle of Fools, created by none of other than Jin Makata!
Wh-what did you say?!
Commencing setup.
This is a Puzzle of Fools made by Jin?!
I know this puzzle...?
What’s going on?
What are you up to, Enigma?
I thought I had outsmarted that man, but he pulled a fast one on me!
I will not let this slide!
Just kidding!
I was fully aware that he was using me.
But for him to use me as a disposable pawn
when I was raised as tenderly as a flower or butterfly...!
Curse that old fart!
Setup: Complete.
Puzzle: Start.
This puzzle is...
I see! So that’s how this puzzle works.
This doesn’t make any sense!
I can’t see what my next move should be!
I’ll die if I don’t solve this.
In that case, I’ll simply have to solve it!
Sheeit!
I have no stinkin’ idea who is in which room!
What the hell?!
He intentionally trapped himself?
There’s no doubt about it!
Kaito is the only idiot here who’d do somethin’ that stupid!
In which case, Kaito is in Room B.
Melancho and Freecell are in Rooms A and C.
Now I know where Kaito is!
All that’s left is to connect with him.
But if we link up, it means we’ll be condemning the other two!
Would the ever-friendly DaiMORON actually wanna see that happen?
He’s givin’ us a message.
Catch on, Freecell! Melancho!
There is no doubt in my mind that Kaito is in Room B.
But that pattern...
What is Kaito trying to accomplish?
I don’t get it...
I have no idea which one Freecell is in!
But I’m not about to give up!
I will survive this puzzle! I swear it!
So please notice! Please find me!
Please save me, Freecell!
It’s no use! I don’t know where she is!
Having given up puzzles, I’m completely lost...
Kaito is challenging a Puzzle of Fools?
Big pinch! Big pinch!
I’m heading straight for England! Wait for me, Kaito!
Finished searching for a route.
You will never make it in time.
Don’t try to stop me, Iwashimizu!
Distance means nothing to me and Kaito!
Next time, “Farewell Forever.”
Farewell Forever
Does not compute.
You are on leave for the next episode.
So I don’t get any airtime?
It-it’s not like I’m getting lonesome or anything!
Let’s try to study some, Freecell!
Fin Art: Akeru Otsuki