I like the circus.
It amazes people and makes them smile.
But I didn't know back then,
that there exists a different kind of "circus."
One that spreads terror, not delight.
Before dawn, when the stars paint the sky
I am searching for the thing I lost
With a restless heart Under the sun yet in the dark
I patch together little prayers to light my path
I don’t need anything, as my hands are full
My hands are full of emptiness
Please, just once, nod for me
Just once, reach out to me like the mirror
I will live for that single moment, that single second
All the rest can just burn away
What’s right for me is for me alone
Whatever the path, I'll follow it to you
This feeling grows and grows, deep inside my heart
For one single reason
I continue to climb up on the stage
#1 The Curtain Rises
It's time to get warmed up.
Coming.
Step right up, step right up. It's the famous Straw Circus.
It's lots of fun.
Only 3 stations from here.
At the department store parking lot.
Come see Straw Circus!
Step right up, step right up. It's the famous Straw Circus.
I'm sorry.
Um, will you take me to the circus?
What, a runaway boy?
He looks well groomed.
There must be a reason behind this.
Stop, it's none of your business.
Don't be a busybody.
Huh? Come on...
Stop making me feel bad.
Hey, you.
Not now, not another seizure!
I've got to make somebody laugh. Anybody!
Laugh, please!
D-Damn it, I'm a goner now...
I...
Phew, that was close.
You there. Wait, let me thank you.
H-Help...!
Kidnappers?
Nobody else noticed it. They've blocked him from view.
What now?
They might be taking the runaway boy home.
Aww, jeez. I'll just apologize if I'm wrong!
Hey, you!
Were they kidnapping you?
Righty then, you're all going to the cops!
Oops, I went too far.
Ow...! He's as strong as hell.
What?
He dislocated his shoulder.
It's not dislocated?
Who the hell are these guys?
Let's run!
Yeah, great idea.
Jeez, who were they? They didn't even feel my punches.
And they're as strong as hell.
You look a lot scarier than I imagined you.
Shut your face. Who got me into this mess anyways, huh?
Sorry.
Shoot, another attack.
I really am sorry.
Laugh.
All because I spoke to you...
Just laugh.
Laugh, or I'll knock your brains out!
I don't understand!
There, good.
I'm Narumi Kato. You?
Masaru Saiga.
I'm in 5th grade, sir.
Sir, huh? You from a rich family or something?
So, what the heck is going on?
Those men have been chasing me around ever since my dad died.
Ain't got no dad, huh?
Have you ever heard of "Saiga Group"?
What, Saiga?
That huge IT and automobile company?
My dad was the CEO.
Really? That's pretty awesome.
You really are from a rich family.
So the CEO of a huge company dies,
and some strange men are after the son.
I hate to ask, but how did your dad die?
They said it was a car crash on the highway.
Something got caught in his tires.
What was it?
A puppet-like thing.
And I remembered what my late grandfather once told me.
This is amazing, Grandpa.
Surprised?
All the men in the Saiga family line have a room like this.
Dad too?
Of course.
For some reason, all Saiga men develop a keen interest in these.
Puppets with clockwork innards that make them move just like humans.
We call them "Karakuri puppets."
This must be why the Saiga Group excels at precision instruments.
The Saiga family's property amounts to several billions.
And it will all be yours someday.
Yeah, Dad told me that before. I don't really get it, though.
No, of course not.
Nor the difficulties it may cause you one day.
What do you mean?
Masaru, listen well to what I have to tell you.
If your dad should die before you grow up and strange things begin to happen...
take that case and run away.
Shirogane will protect you.
Who's Shirogane?
I don't know.
But Grandpa said he or she'd always be at the circus closest to me.
So that's why you were trying to get to the circus.
But you should go to the cops and not the circus.
Those men might be after your inheritance.
No...
-He jumped on too, eh? -Narumi.
I know what you're after.
You asked for it now.
Have a taste of the martial arts I learned in China.
He's so strong.
Hands off, you bastard!
Damn it.
I've got to get him someplace safe.
What now?
Are you crazy?
They're puppets?
Narumi, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I dragged you into this.
The bear costume...
it looked so big and strong.
I thought you might be able to save me.
That's why I came to you.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Narumi...
I should've died alone instead of dragging you into this.
Don't give up. You didn't do anything wrong.
If you need help, shout for help.
If you're angry, speak out.
Fight, struggle, do what you can. And if all else fails...
I guess all you can do then is smile.
Narumi!
Narumi...
That name... Shirogane?
Shirogane.
It's no use. There's no proof he or she even exists.
I don't even know what he or she looks like.
Don't give up!
Shirogane!
Shirogane?
Mister Masaru, stand back.
Arlequin!
Woah. Amazing.
Is she...?
Are you Shirogane-san?
Are you okay, Mister Masaru?
Yeah. I mean, thanks.
I'm so glad to finally be with you again.
I can't breathe.
Forgive me.
That's a pretty cool puppet.
It brings back memories.
Your grandfather called it Arlequin.
Your grandfather hired my mother when you two were in France.
She was your nanny.
But I've never been to France.
It was 7 years ago, when you were only 4.
So you must not remember.
I was 11 then, too.
Your grandfather saved my mother and me and gave us a proper living.
Ouch...
Damn, what are these things?
You're okay!
Wait!
Who are you?
She isn't Japanese.
Silver eyes.
Even her hair is silver.
But who cares about that. This woman thinks I'm the enemy.
I was hired to work for this circus. And who are you?
Masaru, don't trust her.
What is this puppet?
Puppets were what attacked Masaru, you know.
Mister Masaru's grandfather taught me to handle puppets.
He told me to protect him should anything happen.
I practiced with this Arlequin then.
What is there to distrust?
Then where were you when Masaru came running to me?
He was all alone!
I... I was...
Shut up!
Both of you, stop!
Mister Masaru!
No, Mister Masaru...
Forgive me.
I'll call an ambulance.
No, it's not safe here.
What are you going to do?
I'll take him someplace safe.
Fine, I'll go with you then.
No, this doesn't concern you anymore.
I will protect him.
Return to your safe life.
Oh well.
She doesn't seem like Masaru's enemy.
Besides, she's right. It doesn't concern me.
Gotta stay out of these messes.
I've got enough on my hands already.
Like how I'll die if I don't make people laugh.
I guess they're going to keep causing disasters like these,
just to get their hands on Masaru.
How could I ever make people laugh with that weighing on my conscience?
Besides, if things like these continue...
there'll be less and less people who will laugh for me.
You blew it? But he's just a boy.
Yes, but there were a couple of intruders.
Intruders?
One was just a passerby. A normal person.
But the other was one of us. A puppet handler.
You don't mean...
Don't worry.
I'll finish my job.
But to do so, may I use "Pulcinella"?
Hey, you.
I knew it, you dumbass. What are you doing?
What were you going to do, huh?
The hospitals were closed. I want to go to the emergency room but...
Duh, it's Sunday. And no taxi would stop for someone dressed like that.
Thinking you can do everything by yourself.
Come on.
Don't touch that!
This is my town. I know a doc nearby.
Think of Masaru! It's our fault he's like that.
Come on.
"SUGANO HOSPITAL"
Darn you, calling on me at all hours all the time.
Thanks, Doc.
The bumps aren't much but he got 5 stitches in his arm.
I won't ask what happened, but take it easy.
Thank you so much.
It's nothing.
She's a real hottie.
Your late grandpa would be proud.
It's not like that.
We hate each other if you must know.
That boy doesn't think so.
I'll be upstairs. Let him sleep awhile before going home.
Don't forget his meds.
Yeah.
Why did you come for us?
You still don't trust me, huh.
Rest easy. It wasn't for you or for Masaru.
I did it for myself.
If I ignored him, I wouldn't be able to sleep nights.
I only think about myself, got it?
And what you said before is dead wrong. My life is far from safe.
I wanted to set that straight!
Listen here, I've got this disease...
Arlequin!
I couldn't care less about your disease,
but I understand your reason for coming.
For yourself.
Right?
That's right.
It's for myself.
I didn't know it then.
But for Shirogane, Narumi, and me,
the colossal wheels of destiny were slowly beginning to turn.
Fly up high, Marionette
Turn to ash, gracefully
My only purpose in life was to fight
Why am I so angry even I dump my humanity
Without you, I can’t smile anymore
I assume that I am to be blamed
Like a puppet that can’t smile naturally
I feel like someone is pulling my strings
What am I even living for?
I was hurt, and thought that nobody would understand
But you came along, and took me in your arms
I felt my tangled arms and legs
become free
Fly up high, Marionette
I think now I can reach you
Before I met you, I was empty
Now I have something I'd give my all to protect
You taught me how to feel, the feeling of sorrow too