Infinite time stopped beating its heart, and humans burnt away without making any noise.
Not one person notices as the world becomes dislocated and is covered in the flames of Guze.
And stain this sky red.
Just walk through the coming times with your own body.
People that walk by you and things that get lost in the mess are all memories that will disappear.
Violently shaking strength...
Transiently wavering weakness...
After all, they'll come to the same end.
Such a day melts the red mist
As the sun rises, the world is stained in crimson.
Draw a line as the wind blows you.
Tips of hair flowing like water spear the enemy.
Forsaken loves and dreams that well up.
All I have to do at this moment is to complete the mission with these hands.
Okay, send me power a little bit at a time.
Got it.
We're starting.
Looks like you can easily materialize the wings.
I'm managing.
Shana, it's time already.
Okay, then that's it for today.
It's twelve.
Reiji Maigo, eh?
It's good that all my power gets restored, but I don't like this feeling.
You've got to get used to it.
Yeah.
I'm... a little hungry.
Want to eat something downstairs?
What's that?
It's a rerun of a drama.
"Drama"?
A made-up story?
W- Well, something like that.
Should I turn it off?
I don't care.
Rie!
That looked painful.
Hey, why was he punched?
Well, wouldn't you hate it if someone tried to kiss you all of a sudden?
Just over a kiss?
"J-Just"?
That's right.
Everyone... Everyone's looking at us.
I'm scared, Tiriel.
Don't worry, Onii-sama.
Those blunt actions and flashy outfits are what's attracting attention.
My, why must a beautiful flower act modest when presenting its beauty, Sydonay?
I do not want to hear you commenting when you are being protected by my Cradle Garden.
Hey, hey Tiriel, can I eat them?
Yes, Onii-sama. But will you wait just a bit longer?
What kind of unrestricted spell is that?
What Onii-sama's searching for is about to be found, so I am preparing for it.
It would be a waste of our time if someone takes it away when we find it.
W- We're going to trap it in our cradle so it won't get stolen, right?
Now, Onii-sama.
Please eat any of them except for that one.
Yup. Itadakimasu!
Do you know what an orgel is?
Orgel? You mean a music box?
Yes, that is what it is usually referred to as,
but doesn't orgel sound more aesthetically pleasing?
Is that the Hougu that was used to make this cage and that unrestricted spell?
It plays a very pleasant tune.
A- At our age, why dodgeball?
Are you all right?
Y- Yeah, I'm totally fine.
Yeah!
Are you all right?
Tanaka?
That was a heavy rain.
But it was good that the match ended.
If it'd kept going, it could've become dangerous. Definitely.
A- Ane-san...
"Ane-san"? Who's he talking about?
Looks like he got hit bad.
Hey, Sakai.
About Hirai-san...
Something wrong?
No, I just see you guys coming to school together often, so...
...I was wondering if there's something between you two.
Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.
Are you sure?
They say, "It's just a kiss," but I can't give one away that easily.
Ah, I know what you're talking about. If you let them have one, they'll just keep going.
That's not where I was going.
How do I say this... I think a kiss is important.
Oh, you mean like that.
Yeah... I guess.
Kiss... Yuji was acting weird last night, too.
There isn't anything wrong with what I was taught.
But...
Oh, so this is where you are.
Researching something?
Well... yeah...
What?
Nothing important.
You don't have to worry about it.
Ike-kun...
I just told you that he's good friends with her and doesn't see her as anything more than that.
So keep at it.
Yup.
We're back, Ane-san.
How was your day?
Oh, shut up. You're hurting my head.
Yo, Eita, what's up with that scar on the face?
Oh this? Ý just got hit with a ball.
Keisaku, Eita.
I'm starting to get bored of alcohol, too.
Why the hell?
Why the hell? Why the hell?
Why the hell?
I was wondering about the meaning behind kisses.
Oh, but why?
Because...
That was an easy-sounding, yet hard, question.
You said you researched...
Yeah. Even reading books in the library gave me nothing more than what I already knew.
I know what the act is, and I've seen one, too, but...
"But"?
It feels like the meanings I have and what others have are really different.
I thought you might know, so...
Have you read any novels or literature?
No, since Alastor said books with personal opinions are not useful for accurate analysis and logical contemplation.
Arasu Toru-san is your father-like figure living away, right?
He has a great deal of insight.
Yeah.
But...
But you know, Shana-chan...
...in this case, you might not get the correct answer.
Dictionary definitions are pure facts and nothing more.
But what you're wondering about is something that's not purely factual.
So it is a matter of thoughts and feelings, where everything is ambiguous and there is no one right answer.
Thoughts and feelings?
You know that physical contact is a sign of friendship and affection, right?
Yeah, and isn't a kiss one of those?
Like handshakes and hugs; everyone does them.
You're right, but...
Ah, here, you wouldn't mind kissing Arasu Toru-san, right?
Yeah.
Then could you kiss Yu-chan?
Th-That's...
If you think about it, it's a little embarrassing, isn't it?
Y- Yeah.
That's the heart of this story.
And even with kisses, ones on the cheek and ones on the lips are different, too.
W- With Yuji... on the lips...
I- I don't want that; I don't want him to do that.
That's right.
Chigusa...
You can't let him.
And it shouldn't be done with Arasu Toru-san either.
You see, Shana-chan, this is what I think:
A kiss between lips is like an oath.
An oath?
That's right, to allow someone to come as close to you as they can ever come;
to allow you to give them everything you have;
an oath to make such a pact.
That's a kiss?
That's it for tonight.
I'm a little tired.
Say, Shana.
What is it?
Thanks to Reiji Maigo, my power gets restored every day at twelve, right?
What about it?
So does that mean I don't age?
You can test that yourself.
It may take some time, but...
Right.
What?
Just wondering if that means I can always stay with you.
Shana.
W- What?
I have a favor to ask of you two.
Is this okay?
Yeah.
Chigusa, I'm borrowing the phone.
Go ahead. But Shana-chan, it's time for you to go to school.
Yeah.
Hello?
Yeah, please start.
Chigusa.
For me?
Hello, I've taken the phone.
H- Hello.
Yes.
This will be the first time I have spoken to you, Madame.
My name is Alastor.
Oh, Arusu Toru-san, is it?
I'm always well-cared for by Hirai Yukari-san.
I'm Sakai Yuji's mother, Chigusa.
Same here, sorry for all the trouble she's causing you.
Oh no, I've done nothing special.
So why have you called me today?
I assume it's about Hirai Yukari-san?
Exactly. And there's no problem calling her Shana.
I do so, too.
Oh, so it's an official nickname of hers that you acknowledge, too.
Well, something like that.
And about my reason for calling...
Yes.
It's about yesterday.
Yesterday?
Please hold for a moment.
Yu-chan, Shana-chan! Hurry up and go to school!
We're leaving.
Yes, have a safe trip.
Come on now!
Sorry to make you wait.
I do not mean to deny your idea of relationships,
but I would appreciate if you would refrain from conversations like the other day's.
So Shana-chan told you about it?
No, I forced her to tell me.
Either way, for Shana-chan to tell you that story,
it's proof she trusts you deeply.
You must have taken great care in raising her.
She is a very pure and nice girl.
Of course.
That is why I'd like you to refrain from conversations,
such as the one from the other day, which might ignite a relationship between her and Sakai Yuji.
I see what you mean.
She is a wise person.
She should be able understand what I am worried about, too.
But...
May I say a few words on Shana-chan's behalf?
As you say, Shana-chan is full of pride and is a very good, strong girl.
But on the contrary, I feel she has a very transient and fragile side.
Please continue.
Yes, pardon my rudeness.
I feel she is not used to and is vulnerable to interaction with others.
If a man, including Yuji, were to approach her,
how could she, who is pure and innocent, put up much of a fight?
I sensed fear of that, and that is why I had that conversation yesterday.
Isn't it too early for her?
I was thinking of spending time on it, teaching her slowly through multiple experiences.
Troubles do not always come when we want them to come, do they?
T- True.
I think it is never too early to teach what must be taught.
For Shana-chan's sake, too.
Additionally, girls mature a lot faster than they appear to.
Madame.
Yes.
May I take back the inconsiderate demand I forced upon you?
Please, I've been very rude to you.
If it's Shana-chan, there's nothing to worry about.
I'm sure she can find the correct answer in her own way once pointed in the right direction.
You have faith in her for that, don't you?
Of course.
Onii-sama...
It's close. It's close.
What's wrong? You seem to be searching for something.
Could it be...
Sorath's sensitivity to desires sure is something.
This annoying feeling is none other than that of a Flame Haze.
Where? Where? Where's the Flame Haze?
I want it fast.
And one more.
They'll probably find out soon.
That's fine. We knew Flame Haze showing up would just be a matter of time.
Then what are you doing?
I wanted to set up a few more traps to be perfectly ready,
but shall we get started, Onii-sama?
Yup.
Let us go greet them as a courtesy.
It is easy to find them, after all.
Did something happen yesterday?
Well, Alastor said something about yesterday and whatnot.
I don't know.
What's wrong, Shana?
I'd never, ever do it with you.
Let's eat together.
If you don't mind, I made lunch for you.
For me?
Since you always eat onigiri...
So...
Yeah...
Thank you.
Itadakimasu.
Wow.
Which one should I start with?
I can't make up my mind.
Eh?
That was some shopping.
It's more than just shopping.
What are you talking about? The shopping's only just begun.
These are some major guests at a bad time.
Who are they?
Ane-san?
It's been a while, beautiful assassin.
What are you doing in a place like this, you flimsy stud?
Oh, someone you know?
Yeah, let me introduce her to you, Tiriel.
One of the best assassins among Flame Haze,
the Interpreter of Condolence, Margery Daw.
Oh, the Fang of Devastation's?
But they don't have what I want.
Oh, just when we thought we had found it, it was not our prey.
Yeah, so let's go.
If you say so, Onii-sama.
Aren't they Tomogara?
You're going to let them go?
We didn't let them go.
They let us go.
Shut up, stupid Marco.
So what did you talk about with Mom?
You don't have to worry about it.
But...
Rather than that, concentrate on your training.
You shouldn't shame your mother.
A... Ahh...
Yu-chan, Shana-chan. Dinner's ready.
Yeah.
Got it.
I'll never do it with you.
Where is Nietono no Shana?
Those born with the dawn
Do not lose sight of it.
You are you, girl, it is time.
Shake it off and stand up!
There is not a single way to just gaze at you as you run through the wind
With that hidden wounded heart.
Are those eyes of yours searching for the you that stands somewhere ahead of you?
But I can hear your deep sad heartbeat...
Screaming!
I'm just telling, the darkness before the dawn
Could even determine the fate of the life
Don't worry girl, it is time.
There's no need to be mortified or be ashamed.
Far away...
Carry the cross on your back and run through the fire ready to die.
It is the best declaration of war that could come from the girl who likes Yuji...
Shana goes to accept it.
But right then, Aizen-ta Tiriel's trap is sprung.
Next time, A Flower Blooms in the Cradle.