Small children like to keep their favorite dolls and blankets nearby.
Why?
It helps them feel safe.
She's eating the blanket!
They're often called security blankets.
Take them away, and sometimes the child will go into a panic.
What a wail...
She must be bursting with emotional energy due to being robbed of something precious.
I'll have to help them out again, huh?
I wonder if I can...
I don't want to go to school today.
I like art class, and I promised my friends I'd trade cute stickers with them.
I can't wait to go.
But I still don't really want to go.
Why?
Good work, Kurumi-chan.
If we ever need help again, we'll be counting on you.
What do I do, Albrecht?
I don't know if I can help those amazing people.
If I can cross the road without stepping outside the white lines,
I can do a good job helping them!
Here we go, Albrecht.
You sure are out of shape.
That's why Koito-chan leaves you behind.
Look, it's Kurumi-chan.
Kurumi-chan!
Morning.
I'm falling...
Look out!
What is this?
Kurumi-chan, are you okay?
Kurumi-chan!
What the hell is this?!
Kurumi-chan!
I'm falling!
Can't you fly?!
I forgot.
Haruhiko!
Where am I?
Hey, Haruhiko, are you okay?
I'm alive?
Thank goodness.
Looks like we've ended up somewhere bizarre.
Haruhiko, look... It's Kurumi-chan.
Albrecht!
Where are you?!
She's freaking out.
Kurumi-chan!
Onii-san...
There she is!
Gotcha.
You there!
I trust that you are Princess Kurumi, survivor of the Kuma-McLaren family.
Prince Salmon, heir to the Higuman family, awaits you.
Now, come peacefully.
Come!
A fluffy...
...bear?
What's going on, Haruhiko?
I've got this... I'll summon Marchosias!
I left my sketchbook behind!
Kurumi-chan!
Albrecht!
Now—
Captain...
Captain!
Princess...
I have arrived.
Whoa, smooth voice!
You...
Who are you?
Albrecht!
Albrecht?
You are Albrecht, mightiest knight of the Kuma-McLaren family?
Listen, Higuman henchmen.
I, Albrecht, shall protect the princess.
I shall protect her with my very life!
Let's scram.
Yes, sir.
Princess Kurumi, we'll get you next time.
Albrecht...
Forgive me. It is my deepest failure to have left your side.
From now on, I shall serve the Kuma-McLaren family and you—
I'm talking to Albrecht! It's like a dream come true!
Princess...
What in the world is going on?
I'll explain later.
First, to my hideout.
Delicious.
I'm glad you like it.
Please drink to your heart's content, Princess.
It contains the Kuma-McLaren family's secret honey.
Why don't we start there?
What is the Kuma-McLaren family?
The distinguished Kuma-McLaren family has ruled this forest for generations.
Earlier, those soldiers called Kurumi-chan a "survivor."
One day, a clan known as the Higuman attacked this forest from the north.
The dudes from earlier?
Yes.
Unable to thwart their sudden invasion, the king and queen met a tragic end.
We lieges gathered our might to save the princess.
We planned to temporarily hide ourselves,
and one day restore the Kuma-McLaren family to its former glory.
Alas, our arch-nemesis, Prince Salmon of the Higuman family,
began to speak of marrying Princess Kurumi.
We lost track of the Princess during our escape from Prince Salmon's men.
Dear travelers,
I have no words to thank you for protecting the princess!
Travelers?
I guess that's how the story goes.
Are you keeping up, Kurumi-chan?
You've been by Kurumi-chan's side this whole time, Albrecht?
Indeed.
Always, ever since she was born.
Who goes there?
You lot...
Princess!
Princess, you're safe!
Princess...
Princess!
We shall remain forever loyal to you.
Princess!
The princess is tired.
She will rest for a while.
Good.
Princess, we're so happy to have met you.
What do I do, Albrecht?
I can't be a princess...
You are our princess, Princess.
I'm not... I just can't be!
I can't do it.
Now, Princess, take this.
During our escape, you dropped it.
The Golden Rake, the Kuma-McLaren family heirloom,
will protect you evermore.
Now, I shall patrol the area a little.
Albrecht...
Looks like you have a lot on your shoulders, Princess Kurumi.
Done.
It's cute!
Thank you.
I see...
This place must be the world within Kurumi-chan's mind.
Inside my mind?
Yeah.
In the real world, you were under some kind of pressure.
So you escaped into the world in your mind.
You have special abilities, so such a thing happening isn't surprising.
Still... Why did the world in her mind end up like this?
That's the thing.
I want you to talk about yourself so we can find some hints.
Okay.
First, what's your favorite animal?
Bears.
Where were you born?
Kumamoto Prefecture.
Where do you wish you could go?
Kumano Kodo.
Whom do you admire?
Minakata Kumagusu.
What's your favorite food?
Bear paws.
You eat them?!
Huh...
And your name?
Kumamakura Kurumi.
Bears everywhere.
That's why the world in your mind is filled with bears.
I bet your mind's filled with chicks with huge boobs—
Oh, and I'm reading a story about a heroic bear prince right now.
I get it.
That's why everything is like a fairytale.
This is inside of my mind?
You came here to escape the real world,
but you're still within your own mind, so your troubles are reflected here.
If we ever need help again, we'll be counting on you.
Is there something on your mind?
Well...
We're under attack by a massive Higuman army!
Prince Salmon stands in the vanguard.
I heard Kurumi-chan's taking the day off.
I wanted her to help us with the Phantom-hunting job we got today.
I wonder if she's afraid of fighting Phantoms.
After all, she is still in fourth grade.
That girl will be fine.
She isn't used to fighting yet, but I think she's strong inside.
Why are you here, anyway?
Himeno-sensei called me.
Anyhow, that Kurumi girl can fight. She just needs to get over her mental hang-up.
Is that the guy who's trying to wed Kurumi-chan? Prince Salmon?
Yes.
Salmon du Higuman III.
Princess Kurumi!
Wait for me.
Please accept my salmon-roe red heart!
I hate salmon roe.
Dear travelers...
Yes?
I shall stay behind to buy time.
Please take the princess somewhere safe.
No way.
Come with us, Albrecht!
Or I won't go. It's too dangerous.
Princess, stay calm.
We've set a trap in the forest.
We can hold them back for a while.
Albrecht!
Princess...
Good, let's go!
What is this? A trap?!
Nice!
Kurumi-chan!
Let's run while we can.
Bye-bye, bears!
You'll pay for this!
We're saved...
Does it hurt?
I'm sorry, Princess.
Albrecht...
Seems there's a strong bond between Kurumi-chan and Albrecht.
We've been together since I was a baby.
Albrecht's always been by my side.
I wish I could play with them.
I'll do my best.
Can I join you?
Sure.
Come over here.
And then, I slowly learned to talk to people.
That's such a nice story!
What?
What the...
Hey, there's something coming!
What the heck?!
It's that bear again.
What an unbearable pain in the neck.
Kurumi-chan!
Princess, please escape.
I shall handle this...
Albrecht!
Kurumi-chan, hurry!
This is bad!
Boop.
Princess Kurumi!
Princess...
Please run. Quickly.
I...
I'll go.
You mustn't, Princess!
I can do it.
You've protected me until now.
Now it's my turn to protect you.
Even if it costs me my life.
It'll be okay.
No, Kurumi-chan.
I can't let you!
If this really is the world inside my mind, I think that means I have to fight.
All right.
Let's go with her.
You wait there, Onii-san.
I have to do this...
This way, Princess Kurumi!
Princess Kurumi, become my bride.
Now, come hither.
Become my queen.
For the glory of the Higuman family.
I decline.
What?
I decline!
Kurumi-chan...
I will fight.
As a member of the team.
And to protect my dear Albrecht.
The rake!
That rake is said to purge the Kuma-McLaren family of misfortune, gathering good fortune instead.
It's also called the Golden Bear Hand.
The legend is about to be reawakened.
Here I go.
Fool!
Danger
Alert
I admit defeat!
I'll take my leave now.
Good for you, Kurumi-chan.
Yes.
Albrecht!
Thank you, Kurumi-chan.
Kurumi-chan!
Are you all right?
Yes.
We're back!
Why?
I guess we made it back
because Kurumi-chan overcame the pressures she'd been facing.
Albrecht...
Kurumi-chan?
What were you going to say in the other world? Something about what was weighing on you.
It's okay now.
Thank you, Onii-san.
Let's go.
Sorry I'm late!
Haruhiko...
Haruhiko-kun!
Kurumi-chan?
You're here!
What were you doing all this time, Haruhiko?
Sorry, something came up.
It's fine.
You can explain later.
We have a request to take down a Phantom.
We'd like your help as well, Kurumi-chan.
Kurumi-chan's been through a lot.
She's exhausted, so we—
No!
I'm fine.
I'll do my best!
Looks like you got over your hang-up.
Let's go, then.
Okay!
Let's go, Albrecht.