What is a Phantom?
[noun] 1. A figment of the imagination 2. An apparition or specter
A lot remains shrouded in mystery,
but they're thought to be hallucinations, or the man-made manifestations of such.
So some Phantoms are made by people?
It's believed that Phantoms owe their existence
largely to the human subconscious and language centers.
That "collective unconscious" thing by Jung also has something to do with it, right?
In Jungian psychology, there are also "archetypes."
Everyone carries, in their minds, impressions of great mothers,
sage old guides,
themselves as the opposite sex,
and an unconscious aspect of their personality, the Shadow.
These are what become Phantoms?
That's not all...
Anything that can be pictured by humans can become Phantoms,
including folktales and fairytales.
Momotaro
Then Snow White and Cinderella might show up as Phantoms someday, too!
Cinderella Snow White
Hanasaka Jiisan Urashima Taro
Don't count out Urashima Taro or Hanasaka Jiisan, either!
I want to meet them!
Folktales aren't copyrighted, so we're in the clear!
Albrecht, please!
Thrashing Phantom, reveal your secrets to the Book of Thoth!
Awesome!
Go, Mai!
That was amazing...
Nice teamwork.
I love you, Reina-chan.
Look this way, Kurumi-chan.
Smile, Koito-chan!
Mid-July.
Before we knew it, our team had the highest grades in Phantom-hunting.
Phantom-Hunting Grades (First-Half, July)
Summer break is soon.
We've been so busy lately, I totally forgot.
You're going to the beach for training camp, right?
The beach!
I got permission from my parents to attend the camp.
So you're doing well with your parents.
Yes.
These days, they pay more attention to how I feel.
Yeah?
That's great.
Yes.
Do you know what that is, Koito-chan?
It's a communication device.
Specifically for the Alayashiki servers.
A communication device?
You can't access the Alayashiki servers without it.
Where'd you get this?
Remember when we went to the defunct Alayashiki factory?
They'd left it lying around there, huh?
Um, Minase-senpai...
We're fans of yours.
We'd like to take a photo with you!
Okay, smile.
Say, "Cheese."
Thank you!
Let's go brag to everyone.
You're so popular, Koito-chan.
Some even send me letters...
What's going on?
Come on, don't pretend you don't enjoy it.
I'm doing a good job, too.
Why can't I get more popular?
I'll praise you, Haruhiko.
Atta boy.
I don't feel any better!
Say what, punk?!
It was almost summer vacation.
Things were looking up.
Or so we thought.
Did you hear?
A Phantom attacked someone with special abilities in the next town over.
Yeah, I heard.
Looks like someone from another school was attacked before that, too.
Whoa!
Sorry.
N-No, I'm fine.
Senpai?
Senpai!
Yeah.
You're a Phantom, aren't you?
What do you want from us?
Are you the one attacking people with special abilities?
Get ready!
Neural Error Corrections Room
Three students with special abilities from another school
were attacked yesterday by an unidentified Phantom.
The Phantom is called "Enigma."
Its origins and characteristics are unknown.
So far, the only thing we know
is that the victims all have their special abilities stolen.
Stolen? You mean their abilities are transferred to the Enigma?
Yes.
The Phantom Control Agency has begun an investigation.
I want you all to exercise utmost caution.
Commute to and from school in as large a group as you can.
If you encounter it, don't fight... Run.
Understood?
If seen, contact the Phantom Control Agency immediately.
A Phantom that attacks people with special abilities...
That's an odd one.
"Winniegma"? Like, the Pooh Bear?
"Enigma." It's not a bear.
It's Ancient Greek for "riddle."
It's also the name of a World War II cryptographic device,
as well as an orchestral work.
It's odd that it's unidentified.
Something's not right if both Alayashiki and the Phantom Control Agency have no information.
What will happen to the summer training camp?
That's what you're worried about?
What?
Haruhiko! Koito! Let's go!
Reina-chan, stay here with Kurumi-chan!
Got it.
Be careful, Onii-san, Onee-san.
Wake up...
Please come to.
Just what have you done?
Nothing to say?
Damn you!
It's the girls from the Beach Angels!
Run, it's Enigma.
Enigma...
It goes after the li—
It kissed her!
Senpai!
You...
Get back, you two.
Invoke Cthulhu!
Cthulhu!
Thrashing Phantom, reveal your secrets to the Book of Thoth!
Good, let's finish it!
It's gone?
How did it...
Does this mean we sealed it?
Who cares?
Either way, we win!
Alayashiki Hospital
The Beach Angels girls were hospitalized
at an Alayashiki-affiliated hospital.
They weren't severely injured, but their special abilities weren't coming back.
Alayashiki was the corporation that first caused the change
in human neural-function, to begin with.
They are the best in the world at Phantom- and special-ability research.
All we could do was leave it to them and their expertise.
I hope they get better soon.
Their stolen abilities have not returned.
That might mean Enigma is still around.
That's possible.
We don't know if we managed to seal it.
If it comes back, we just defeat it again.
Silence in the Hospital
Exactly!
But summer break came, and Enigma still hadn't shown up.
Are you playing with that thing again, Haruhiko?
I've almost fixed it.
I'm so bored...
Let's go hang out with the gang at school!
Shut up.
Go bug Mai-senpai or someone for once.
Bleh!
You suck, Haruhiko!
Jeez...
Why does she keep bugging me?
Ichijo here.
Hello?
Haruhiko...
It's you, isn't it?
Mom...
Oh, so you haven't been in touch with Dad?
I suppose he's still really busy...
Are you on summer break now?
You're in high school now, aren't you?
Where do you go to school?
Why?
Why now, out of nowhere?
It isn't out of nowhere.
I've been worried about you this whole time.
What about the man you married?
We separated quite a while ago.
To be honest, I wanted to contact you sooner.
But I didn't think you would forgive me, so I didn't have the courage.
Haruhiko...
I'm glad you came out to meet me.
I'm sorry to I called you out of the blue like that.
Study hard.
Bye.
Mom!
And so, my mom, who'd once abandoned me,
and I started living together again.
Haruhiko... Haruhiko...
Morning.
Morning, Mom.
Breakfast's ready.
Rise and shine.
Just a little longer.
What do I do with you?
I made your favorite, natto tempura.
I'll get up, then...
Jeez.
Morning, Ruru-chan. Let's have breakfast.
Thank you.
And a week went by.
Isn't it a bit weird?
What's weird?
She suddenly came home and just settled in.
Is she really your mom?
Are you saying it might be a Phantom playing tricks on me?
No way.
She knows a lot about my childhood.
And physically, she looks totally human.
Haruhiko, would you come shopping with me?
Okay!
I'll be right there.
Take this!
Sunflower seeds are edible.
Give it up already!
Sunf, sunf, sunf!
All the sunflowers in this field are mine!
The sunflowers here belong to the land owner!
Volume lower, volume lower, volume lower!
Guys, his weakness is the sun!
Sunf?
He's a sunflower.
He can only face toward the sun.
Sunfammit!
I know.
All units, move out!
D-D-Damn it...
Damn you, cowards—
Shut up!
What's Haruhiko up to?
He's been gone for a whole week!
I think he's having more fun with his mom.
They went shopping together today.
All this time, he was waiting for her to come home.
I can understand wanting to be with her.
That doesn't mean he can neglect our work.
You know, I hadn't even noticed that you'd joined our team.
Took you long enough.
What's his mother like?
Well...
Kind of like her.
Wait, that's Haruhiko.
Aren't they heavy? I'll carry half of them.
I'm fine...
What's next?
That's his mother?
She's pretty.
And she looks kind.
What's wrong, Koito?
It might just be me, but...
Combustibles Non-combustibles
It was faint, but I felt a strange aura.
So she is a Phantom?
No, it's an aura I've never felt before.
What?
I don't know what's going on.
What do we do?
First, we should contact Himeno-sensei.
Then we barge right into the danger zone!
Ichijo
Coming...
My, how nice.
So many guests!
Come in.
Thanks for having us.
I'm glad I bought so much food.
What perfect timing.
You must be Kawakami Mai-san.
Thanks for taking care of my son.
Not at all... Likewise.
Izumi Reina-san, right?
I like kids who eat a lot.
Eat well.
Thank you very much.
It's delicious.
And you're Minase Koito-san.
I have a lot of sweets, too.
I, uh, thank you.
Kumamakura Kurumi-chan.
Albrecht-chan's so cute.
Th-Thank you...
Well, eat up, everyone.
How about that aura?
I can't figure it out.
It isn't the family Phantom I met, either.
I'm glad Haruhiko has so many girlfriends. That's my son for you.
Stop it, that's rude.
You get to live with your mom again. Good for you, Haruhiko.
We're happy for you.
Thanks.
I'm still not used to it, though.
Hey, do you have a crush on any of these girls?
M-Mom!
How could you?!
I mean, one of them might become my daughter-in-law someday.
I'd like to start getting to know them now.
Stop it!
You're all good friends with my son, aren't you?
Well, we did live together for a week or so.
He did once say I belonged "where we are," with him.
He's, uh, really nice to me...
Haruhiko-oniisan always gives me courage.
I'm ready to welcome you with open arms.
You're all free to marry my son whenever you like.
It's way too early for that!
Sorry, I got carried away.
What's up with this weird vibe?
Seriously, give me a break!
She's totally controlling the room.
Sorry, my phone!
But she's a nice mom.
Hello?
Kawakami-san, listen carefully.
Ichijo-kun's mother has been reported missing.
The report was filed by her current husband.
Apparently she started acting strangely and went missing around a week ago.
Missing?
I also called Ichijo-kun at home, but he wasn't picking up.
Do you mean...
Enigma has that kind of ability?
Then...
Then,
his mom...
You're Enigma.
Mom!
Haruhiko, she isn't your mother.
She's Enigma!
Sensei just called.
She said that Enigma can also take over the human mind.
No.
Mom...
I was going to see how far I could take it, but I guess this is it.
You've been taking over people's bodies.
No wonder I sensed something odd.
Haruhiko, your abilities are certainly interesting.
You can summon Phantoms on command.
You can get into people's minds and memories.
But you suck at using them.
They could be the ultimate abilities, if you'd only use them effectively.
Haruhiko, run!
I'll take those abilities!
Reina-chan...
Koito-san?
Mom, stop!
Haruhiko!
I've taken his abilities.
Enigma!
These abilities are wasted on a human.
I'll put them to good use...
Haruhiko-kun!
Miss!
Haruhiko!
They're unconscious.
Get them to the hospital!
Ruru...
Ruru!
Ruru, what's wrong? Not you too!
Ruru...
Ruru!