Narumi.
The first place I went to find out who I am...
was the apartment I used to live in with my mom.
I'm home!
Mom, I got another perfect score on a test...
Mom...?
Let it bloom or let it wither
The setting sun ignites the horizon
And the gears turn
When the horn blows, the flames dance
The story waits for no-one
Off they go, the gears are churning
A red past chases after you
The jester's smile
What's behind the mask?
You can't erase the scars
No matter how they burn
Let it bloom or let it wither
The setting sun ignites the horizon
Alone in the depths of the night
Let out a cry that can cut through fate
That's the cue to begin
The curtain is rising, it's time to dance
Everybody sheds tears at the end
So hold them in now and keep going
Until the day the curtain falls
The gears will keep turning
"IN MOURNING"
#15 Back to the starting point
Mom was a mistress, so I was the only one at her funeral.
A lawyer appeared and took me away.
That was when I first met Dad.
But you know what, Narumi?
I just can't remember.
I'm glad you came, Masaru.
I can't remember...
Dad's face.
Are you in good health?
What sports do you not like? What are your favorite foods?
I began to live with Dad.
But nobody wanted an illegitimate child.
I cried all the time back then.
Now, now. Boys shouldn't cry like that.
Who is it?
I'm Shoji Saiga, your grandpa.
At least, from now on I am.
It's huge!
There!
Faster, faster.
This is amazing, Grandpa.
For some reason, all Saiga men develop a keen interest in these.
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.
Oh, wait!
It was just as Grandpa said before he died.
After Dad died in the accident and everyone found out I inherited everything,
I was pushed into traffic.
And things fell from above.
It wasn't long after,
that I met Shirogane and you, Narumi.
And everything began to happen.
Stop, please!
"KARUIZAWA"
This is where it all started.
The Karakuri mansion that used to be Dad's.
I learned a lot of things here from you Narumi,
and became who I am today.
But it's all gone.
Narumi.
You, boy.
What are you doing?
Sorry, I scared you huh?
I'm the caretaker here.
Not that there's much left after the fire.
Geez.
Then why do you still work here?
Well, the late Mr. Saiga already paid me to.
So, who are you?
I... I'm...
the adopted son.
What!
Tell me your name!
It's Masaru. Masaru Saiga.
Come with me.
To think you'd actually come.
Um, what's going on?
It was about 30 years ago, I think.
Your late father asked me a peculiar favor.
He said a boy named Masaru would come here.
And I must give him this.
30 years ago?
Wait a minute.
But I came here by coincidence, by my own free will.
How did Dad know...?
There's a letter, too.
To the current Masaru.
If you are reading this,
it means there was a glitch in the memory transfer.
Go back to the room.
Here is the symbol.
What does he mean, memory transfer?
What glitch?
In case the memory transfer could not be completed...
I am leaving this room intact.
Dad's voice.
You came here. That means you want to know more about yourself.
Why are you in this situation?
Why did your father leave his fortune to an adopted son?
That's right.
The brain scan and download were initiated
from the outermost layer of brain cells, but must have gone wrong at some point.
An imperfect regeneration such as this was always a possibility.
What are you talking about?
So I'm leaving this voice recording to stimulate your memory.
I don't get it.
You are not Masaru Saiga.
It's true that you once were.
But now, you're a different person with the memory and personality of another.
Wait...
Dad...?
All information in the brain can be converted to electrical impulses
and downloaded to another brain.
So I am speaking not to Masaru Saiga, but to myself.
I didn't leave everything to Masaru.
I left it to myself, Sadayoshi Saiga.
Yes, he said his name was Masaru.
I think he headed for the mansion.
Sadayoshi Saiga has become Masaru Saiga.
It's all part of a larger plan with a single aim.
They're all mine.
But I'm me, Dad.
I don't have your memory.
To stimulate the complete restoration of my memory
I will explain the download process.
Above one chair is a scanner to extract the information from my brain.
Next to the other is a computer with programs based on my daily activities.
Both sets of data are downloaded into a bio-chip implanted in your brain.
And then the "you" that is "me" is complete.
You are me.
You're lying.
It's not true, I won't believe it!
Oh yes, I will leave some marionettes just in case.
They're much better than the old Saiga marionettes.
Much more useful.
You mean...
You took me in after Mom died...
And left me your fortune...
And cared for my health when we first met...
all so you could use my body?
Current Masaru.
You have grown strong. You are smart, too.
I'm proud of you.
Now remember. You are Sadayoshi Saiga.
Remember.
Who am I?
What...?
What a transformation you've undergone, Sadayoshi Saiga.
Wait...
If you ever survived and acquired Masaru Saiga's body,
we were told you'd come here.
It's just as Master Shoji said.
Master Shoji? You mean Grandpa?
Who are you?
You're good at acting like a kid.
But we know that you downloaded your brain into that child.
This is going to be your grave.
You mean, you're...
Yeah, we're puppeteers of Kuroga Village.
We owe much to Master Shoji. And so we will kill you for him!
No, I'm...
I don't want to hear it!
I will leave some marionettes just in case.
They're much better than the old Saiga marionettes.
It won't open. Why?
Open up, please!
What are you doing, Master Sadayoshi!
The finger holes by the keyhole are open now.
Put your fingers in them, remember?
Who said that?
You can't escape now.
Hurry up and put your fingers in them!
Be prepared. I'm going to crush you!
He can move it?
Fight back!
It's heavy...
You have to pull with all your strength to move Goyellemes.
He beat Shogetsu?
So this is the puppet Sadayoshi built by himself for himself.
Damn it.
Phew, you did it Master Sadayoshi.
Where's that voice coming from?
I'm Gryphon. You made me.
If an error occurred, you might have problems recovering your memory.
I'm here to help.
Gryphon?
Are you okay?
Sorry, I let him get a marionette.
But now we have proof that he's Sadayoshi.
You're right. No regular kid could control a puppet.
I guess Goyellemes is too heavy.
Here they come! Gotta get a different puppet.
How about it? Captain Nemo is a lot lighter, eh?
Yeah, but it's so wobbly.
Make a circle with the right middle finger and draw it into your left palm.
-Impossible! -Let's get out of here.
Well, well.
Seems like your memory hasn't revived at all, Master Sadayoshi.
Um...
Oh yeah. I have to chase them. There's so much I have to ask.
What Dad was. Why they're after him.
You got a ride right over there.
There's another puppet, remember?
What is this?
The finger holes are behind his head.
Jump on!
Hang on tight.
Really? He's awake?
Yes, it's been 9 months.
How is he?
Don't worry, he's stable.
Sorry for worrying you, people of Kuroga.
Not at all.
We are greatly in your debt.
We will do anything for you.
Where is Sadayoshi?
The man who was my son by social standards.
Has he died?
We got a report today that a boy appeared at the Karuizawa villa.
He said his name was Masaru Saiga.
Are you positive it's him?
We've sent some experienced puppeteers to confirm it.
But no regular boy would have any business going there anyway.
Which means...
What a catastrophe!
You mean he survived?
And now...
he has downloaded his brain into Masaru.
Poor Masaru...
I'm sorry Grandpa couldn't protect you.
Village chief, may I ask you a favor?
There is something I must ask that man.
We don't want to guide him to our village. Let's change routes.
No, keep going. I just got a call from the chief.
Master Shoji has awakened and wants Sadayoshi brought to him.
Like this, maybe?
What precarious piloting, Master Sadayoshi!
Don't talk to me now, I'm doing the best I can.
Besides, I'm not Sadayoshi. I'm Masaru.
Yeah, I'm beginning to think so too.
But maybe he just hasn't awakened yet.
I did it. It's flying, Grandpa.
I told you. The secret is in the length of the kite tail.
Masaru, don't let it get to you that you're not a true Saiga child.
Soar high, just like that kite.
You're shying away again.
Listen well. You must say everything you wish to say.
There you go.
It's so high!
It's just too sudden. He was in such good health.
I heard he got lost trekking in the mountains.
It's him, the mistress's boy.
Lucky him. Once Sadayoshi takes the reins, he'll be a CEO's son.
Grandpa...
Grandpa...!
You're alive!
Stop right there, Sadayoshi!
Grandpa?
Avoiding the crowds, I walk in the dark
And wait with bated breath in the wings
My expression is calm while I scream inside
On the verge of being torn apart
I dance and beckon you to join me
As a shadow swings across the stage
I tell myself this is the last time
But I can't seem to cut myself free
Too scared to stop for a moment
My impatience hides the cries of somebody left behind
Nobody notices the shadow standing in the sudden rain
Somewhere far away, a memory of you is saying goodbye
I stand here watching, no longer able to reach you