Everyone is searching for a new world
to attain that overflowing dream.
They all jump over the horizon,
regardless of what lies beyond.
We've run,
we've dived into hope,
and forgotten only courage.
And we've been swept away by the crowd
only to lose something dear to us.
I smile with a twisted face,
and it was the best smile I could put on.
The inside of my mask overflowed with tears
so I covered my wet mask with yet another mask.
I continue to walk through the flat battleground,
and I struggle, unable to warp.
The dream waits quietly on a cape far away.
Even if I fumble around clumsily,
I'm sure I'll still be able to make it there.
Be careful, or you're gonna catch a cold.
Thanks. I appreciate the warning.
In return, I have a warning especially for you.
You know I wasn't fooling around with what I said the other day,
about you keeping your nose out of police business.
Just come clean with me, Ayumu.
You're hiding something about the Blade Children, aren't you?
I'm not.
I see. So I'm just gonna be left in the dark about all this, huh?
Now I have one more warning for you.
You better hurry up or you'll be late.
Oh, crap!
"Madoka's Birthday"
Takoyaki? That reminds me, I haven't had breakfast.
Ayumu! Hey, Ayumu!
Good morning, Mr. Grumpy.
Yeah.
Hey, what's wrong? You look so glum.
Leave me alone.
I wasn't trying to insult you. That look is perfect.
It's proof that things are peaceful right now.
And that's always a good thing, isn't it?
What kind of reasoning is that?
It's simple logic. When the wrinkles on your forehead come out,
it usually means you're wracking your brain on a difficult problem.
See? Your "twinkles" are back again.
Kanone Hilbert.
Man, is that really you, Kanone?
Hello.
Pleasure to see you again, Ryoko. You've grown into quite the young lady.
Just showing up out of the blue like this is a real shock.
What have you been up to all this time?
I traveled by myself for awhile. I see you haven't changed a bit Kousuke.
It's good to see you're still crabby as ever.
Too funny. Guess you haven't changed either.
Anyways, it is good to see you both again.
So Kanone, did something happen with you and the Hunters?
Not at all. I came to Japan simply to relax and enjoy some takoyaki.
Takoyaki?
He's no ordinary person if he came all the way to Japan just to eat takoyaki.
There's still plenty of time until I leave.
Let's get together soon. Take care!
Kanone! Have you seen Rutherford?
You know celebrities. They're always so busy.
He was the last person I expected to show up.
Well, you have to remember he was the one who told Rutherford
that a large-scale hunt was about to begin.
It looks to me like that guy is one of the Blade Children as well.
Looks like it.
Nice shot, Sayoko!
"Newspaper Office"
Your boxed lunches make me oh so happy!
Wow! You made chakin sushi today!
Ayumu there's no doubt that your cooking skills are special,
but the menu these past few days has been spectacular!
Could you stop stealing people's lunches all the time?
Me? Steal? Now that's just rude!
Wasn't our deal that I would let you take naps in here
in exchange for boxed lunches?
Don't mind if I do.
That reminds me, Ayumu. I was thinking about what happened the other day.
Does it not bother you at all
that the police aren't doing a single thing about that huge explosion
at the abandoned hotel where Rio and I were held hostage?
I lightly poked Detective Wataya for info on the situation,
but he said it was swept under the rug and deemed a non-incident.
Madoka doesn't seem to agree with the decision either,
but she wouldn't elaborate. Have you heard anything at home?
I'm pretty certain that she's worried about you.
Ever since the incident with Rio, she's probably fully aware
that you're involved with the Blade Children in some way.
Actually she must know because of the explosion the other day.
Are you even listening to me, Ayumu? Don't tell me you fell asleep already!
That mouth of yours never stops, does it?
My stomach never stops either.
Hungry, hungry Hiyono!
Could these so called Hunters have infiltrated the police department too?
Is that even possible?
Hi there!
Young Ayumu Narumi.
How do you know who I am?
Why, almost all the Blade Children are familiar with you,
the younger brother of Kiyotaka Narumi.
What is it you want from me?
Well, I came to Japan to enjoy some takoyaki.
And I hear you're an excellent cook. Is that right?
Sorry for being so abrupt.
I look forward to your takoyaki.
Who exactly is this Kanone person?
We already told you.
He's one of the Blade Children. Just like us.
I mean how does he relate to you?
Kanone taught us all how to protect ourselves.
Actually, he's the only person to do so.
How to protect yourselves?
In our eyes, he was an angel.
An angel with black wings.
I hear you over-exerted yourself again. Are you alright now?
I'm fine.
That's good to know, because this place is no longer safe for you.
It's okay. I don't think they're the type of people
who would attempt the same trick twice.
And I'm sorry I got Hiyono involved in this mess.
I never meant for that to happen.
But then, Little Narumi is probably the one troubling her the most.
It just can't be helped. After all, he was...
Rio.
We will always be who we are.
I know that. And I understand. It's just that I have high hopes for Little Narumi.
I want to believe Kiyotaka when he says his brother holds the key to our fate.
Because without him, I don't know if we have any hope at all.
Hold on.
Yes? I see. Alright then.
That was Kousuke.
What'd he say?
Kanone is here in Japan.
So he came to assist us when he heard the Hunters were getting serious. Tell me.
Do you really believe that his presence can help us in the long run?
Rio, the only thing you need to focus on right now is getting better.
Right.
Our path will come to an end someday.
I doubt there will be any ships to guide us to safety.
She's really late.
Did you see her?
Yeah! She was great!
Talk about incredible!
; Outside the window, Kira kira kira ki. ;
; A shooting star streaks... ;
Sayoko?
Hi. Thank you so much for your help that time.
You seem like you're doing pretty well.
I am. Thanks to you, of course.
Who was that?
Sayoko was all smiles back there, huh? That's good. I'm glad she looks so happy!
Happy.
Hey, how about if you and me play tennis some time?
Yeah!
Stunning. Wouldn't you say?
The color of irises in full bloom.
Don't you agree?
I wonder, what do you suppose it means?
You know, "The happiness of those who believe."
You're...
Assistant Inspector!
There you are!
You shouldn't disappear during work like that.
I had a tough time finding you.
What's the matter with you?
Nothing.
No luck so far. I can't find a single bit of data on this Kanone Hilbert guy,
like he doesn't exist.
His name sounds like it might be German, but he could be from America.
Have you ever wondered how many Blade Children there actually are?
I mean, how many could there possibly be?
Cause there's Eyes and Kanone and...
Do you suppose there could be even more groups of them in different countries?
Ayumu are you even listening to me? I'm racking my brain over here, you know!
What's the point in trying?
We don't even have a way of learning a single thing about their background.
But we can't attempt to change the situation
unless we're able to learn something.
Or have you decided that you just don't care anymore?
Yeah, nice try. You're not fooling me.
Seems you're popular wherever you go, Eyes.
You look great, old friend.
Have you lost some weight?
Kanone.
Eyes, there's really no easy way to put this,
but I have come to realize that I'm unsure of the path ahead of me,
as it has now split in two.
Eyes, I have to know. Which path will you choose?
We don't have much time left to make our choices.
My mind is already made up. I will not choose the path of destruction.
I figured as much. There's so many of us after all. But...
Surely that's not because you're foolish enough to believe what Kiyotaka said.
After all, it's inconceivable that our backward-looking friend Ayumu
could possibly hold the key to our fate.
Let's continue this another time.
Are you a Hunter?
If you don't want to lose one of the Blade Children,
then I suggest you do what I say.
I have Sayoko Shiranagatani. Four o'clock in front of the fountain in Central Park.
If it's me you're after, why don't you just come and get me?
Because you're just not as easy to take advantage of.
That was a Hunter on the phone.
Yes.
If there's anything that I can do...
That won't be necessary.
I'll help you anytime you need it, Eyes. You know that.
All you have to do is ask.
Hey Madoka. You're home early.
Well it is my birthday.
I should have bought a cake.
Didn't even think of it when I was at the store just now.
Ayumu.
You're gonna come clean with me today, and tell me everything.
I've barely been able to hold myself back since Sayoko Shiranagatani's incident,
but I can't stand it any longer.
I'm aware of what's going on. I know you're involved with the Blade Children.
Look I'm not involved with them because I want to be.
Why can't you just tell me what you know? Stop keeping secrets from me!
Wait. Did something happen to you?
Today l...
Yeah, hello.
Terrible news, Ayumu!
Oh, it's you. What's up?
It's Sayoko! She's disappeared!
Her chauffeur came to pick her up from school but she never showed.
We searched the whole campus and couldn't find her.
I have a feeling that something bad may have happened to her.
It's not like her to go missing like this.
Sayoko seemed so happy today.
What if she got mixed up with the other Blade Children?
Stay right there. I'm on my way.
I'm sorry. I have to go now.
Wait!
Please tell me. That call just now,
it was something about the Blade Children, wasn't it Ayumu?
Come on, say something, will you?
If I don't explain everything carefully, there's no doubt she'll act recklessly.
And now that I have reasons to suspect the police,
I can't afford to let her get involved.
You do understand why I'm asking you this? Don't you?
I'll be back soon.
Fine, just go.
Fancy meeting you here, Rutherford.
I haven't the time to deal with you today.
Neither do I.
Sayoko Shiranagatani is missing!
Where are you going in such a hurry?
It's none of your business!
You and I both know we're running after the same thing.
And no, it may not be any of my business
She may be one of the Blade Children, Rutherford,
but she's different from the rest of you, and you know it!
What exactly am I doing?
Sayoko Shiranagatani, I take it? If you want things to stay peaceful
then you'll come to the fountain in Central Park at 4:00.
A sweet scent washes into my throat
and my feelings continuously overflow...
Don't look at me with that same gaze
that's like you're following a soccer ball.
I've already grown used to my third year at the office,
but did I lose something instead?
Those days long ago when we would talk about anything...
We're finally old enough now
to have those slightly awkward discussions about love.
A single day seems so long, but a whole year ends so quickly.
A whole year seems so short,
but how well will I be able to live the rest of my life?
Time for Hiyono's Useful News Report!
Cuckoo! Cuckoo!
If the cuckoo doesn't cuckoo, then let's just wait.
A silent firefly burns itself.
They say speak to be heard,
but the one who holds his mouth is the one with the strongest feelings.
Next episode's highlight is Ayumu's fried blowfish and sunfish tempura!
A dangerous dish indeed!
On the next Spiral: "Mirror of the Heart"
Uh, the kanji for "tempura" is really hard to write!
That's all for today's Hiyono's Playhouse!