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.
"Madoka's Birthday"
Sayoko was all smiles back there, huh?
That's good. I'm glad she looked so happy.
Why can't you just tell me what you know?
Stop hiding secrets from me!
Terrible news Ayumu! It's Sayoko! She's disappeared!
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.
What exactly am I doing?
I'm old and I don't have many years left.
Little Sayoko is the only thing important to me at this stage of my life.
You have to understand her.
She once said that her life today was the only life that really mattered.
That, regardless of what she may have hidden in her past,
believing in her happiness today was the most important thing.
At least, that's the way I see it.
Even if she is one of the Blade Children, or whatever anyone says.
All I know is that as long as she is my salvation,
my wish is to protect her, even if it costs my life.
And, as long as she is happy with her life the way it is,
then it's nobody's business but her own.
If you ask me, she hasn't been cursed, she's been blessed.
That's a bomb in the box she's holding.
If you can disarm it, you win. If you can't, the girl dies.
It's a simple enough game, don't you think, Rutherford?
Take a look in the bushes behind you.
It's a present.
I don't care if you and your friend work together.
After all, I never said you had to come alone.
But the instant you get too close to the girl, boom.
Game over.
Good luck.
It's over if we get close to her.
That's the game, right?
This doesn't look good.
Not only are the bomb schematics too complex to figure out,
but I can't even get near her.
The Hunter is somewhere close!
Did you get it?
Yes.
Then, I think it's time for you to take a little walk.
You know this is none of your business, Little Narumi.
I can do whatever I want to.
Watch it kid!
Oh, sorry 'bout that.
It doesn't look like you've been followed.
That means there's two of us and only one of them.
We can use that to our advantage.
Have you figured out the number of players?
One of me and two of you.
It's up to you whether the game gets more exciting or not.
In fact, I'm counting on it. Gimme some fun.
It sounded like he hung up before the ambulance passed by.
Which means...
The Hunter must be within two blocks of here.
If it's just one guy, then we have a chance.
The Hunter didn't give you any sort of time restrictions, did he?
That means the bomb won't be detonated by a timer,
but by a remote control he's carrying with him.
Even if we can't disarm the bomb, we can save Sayoko by getting to the Hunter.
We just have to keep him from using that detonator.
Of course, it's up to you whether you want to go along with my plan or not.
You go and do what you want to do, and I'll go do what I have to do.
Yo!
How much farther are you going to make me walk?
Come on now, don't sound so scared.
Things are just about to get interesting. You'll really enjoy this.
I promise.
What do you mean? What's going to happen?
What are you planning to do with my grandfather and the others?
Oh, nothing, really.
Your fate was sealed a long time ago.
From the moment you were born one of the disgusting Blade Children.
I don't know what you're talking about.
You'll know soon enough.
That's it. Just keep on walking.
Despair is all that awaits you.
He had to have been within two blocks.
The Hunter is here somewhere.
Hello?
Well? Have you spotted me yet, Little Narumi?
What's that sound?
Where is he?
Say, I bet I can guess what you're thinking.
First, you run off and hide, then Rutherford disappears too.
You expect me to panic when I lose sight of the both of you and chase you down.
You're planning to draw me out into the open instead of disarming the bomb.
Your strategy is to catch me and prevent me from using the detonator.
Well? Did I guess right?
What is that sound?
I'm actually a pretty nice guy, you know.
Wouldn't you agree?
I've given you the bomb schematics and great hints, like this.
But regardless, you won't be able to catch me.
The Hunter knows Rutherford would risk his life to save Sayoko,
and probably built his plan around that fact.
The Hunter is merely toying with Rutherford before he kills them both.
But, he didn't count on me being involved.
Your fate was sealed a long time ago.
From the moment you were born one of the disgusting Blade Children.
Thanks, sorry about that.
Man, I'm dying of boredom here. Do something will ya?
What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?
I just started the timer.
You're bored with this too? Fine, the game will end in 5 minutes.
A marionette clock.
I'm sure that's what that sound was.
A marionette clock?
This way.
Less than 5 minutes!
I've dug my own grave.
There!
Now that he's set the timer, I can get as close to her as I want.
The fact that he gave us the schematics
tells me that he doesn't think I can disarm the bomb.
His overconfidence will be his undoing!
The Hunter chose this area for a reason. He's familiar with it.
He probably hangs around this square in his free time,
which would put him somewhere in his twenties.
And, considering his cocky attitude,
there's no question he's extremely confident in himself.
He's convinced that he's mentally and physically superior to us
and he has no fear of being caught.
And, naturally, he would have a well-prepared escape plan.
Your strategy is to catch me and prevent me from using the detonator.
Well? Did I guess right?
That's him!
This is a bomb!
Stop!
Damn kid.
The game is over.
Damn! The disarm switch!
Did you look inside the package?
Who is this?
I believe your future was inside.
The box was empty. There was nothing in it.
Yes, that is your future.
Who are you? What do you want?
The Blade Children have no future.
No hope, no despair, nothing.
There is nothing for the Blade Children, but ruin.
I am Sayoko Shiranagatani.
Even if what you say is true and a cursed fate does await me,
I believe in now. I will believe in now and never look back.
There was a third party involved.
I really doubt that Hunter was just playing around with us.
There's no question there was a bomb in that box.
But, who would've switched out those boxes, and why?
Rutherford could have disarmed that bomb on his own.
I guess, he didn't really need my help after all.
I probably could have dealt with this by myself.
So, why didn't I refuse Little Narumi's help?
Where have you been lately?
Oh, the Chief asked me to fill in on a minor case. It was no big deal.
What kind of case?
Just some routine questioning on a missing person.
You worked a missing persons case?
Hey, I need the work, you know. The economy's bad.
Yeah, I guess.
Sometimes I just think that kind of work's beneath me, know what I mean?
Well, you gotta do what you gotta do.
I wonder sometimes.
Even so, it's better than no work at all.
What, you want to work missing persons?
Sure, I'll work any kind of case they assign me.
An assistant inspector for the Metro police searching for lost kids?
I suppose it could happen.
The economy is bad.
Which is a pretty lame excuse, if you ask me!
Ah, let's have a couple more beers.
Okay.
Go ahead, order the best in the house if that's what you want.
Thanks, but don't we usually split the tab anyways?
Yeah, well... Anyways, how much of your paycheck goes to spending money?
Thirty thousand yen, tops.
Wow, that must make it tough.
Well, I have a car payment and stuff.
It's all over if you're working your whole life just to pay off loans.
You think so?
You'll never find your role in life as long as you're buried under possessions.
Food for thought.
Material things are a waste of time.
They just get in the way of your true goals.
Spend your life trying to buy things you can't afford and all you have is debt.
Stick to your dreams, and good things will happen.
Good advice.
Then again, that's what I do and my life stinks!
The economy is bad.
Then stop taking out stupid loans you idiot!
I think it's time to start looking for a new career!
One cucumber salad!
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!
And the crowd goes wild! Yea!
Flower petals flutter and hearts go thump-thump!
Next episode's highlight is telepathy!
People can grow stronger when they think of someone dear to them!
Because no matter how far apart they might be,
a gentle wind will carry their sorrow and love on flower petals!
On the next Spiral: "Whispering Shadows"
Red light! No crossing the street all at once!
That's all for today's Hiyono's Playhouse!