Both of you, stop!
Mr. Masaru!
For yourself... right?
That's right. It's for myself.
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
#2 Promise
Hey there beautiful, you did a great job beating up my puppet.
But you're out of luck this time.
Pulcinella's strength and construction are in a completely different league.
I don't know if you're after his money or what, but it ain't funny.
Stand back.
-You keep out of this. -What?
Where am I?
What happened to me?
Shirogane, Narumi!
I'll give you plenty of good oil once you kill the boy, Pulcinella.
Our client will pay us heartily for that.
Client? Who hired you?
Stand back. I'll protect Mr. Masaru.
By myself.
How wonderful. I usually only get to kill humans.
It'll be nice to fight a puppet for a change.
Here we go, one on one!
I see you're quick.
But take this!
Shirogane!
This punch has the force to demolish concrete walls.
Impossible! What is this puppet?
Get back!
It can't move? Unbelievable.
Her puppet's holding Pulcinella down with just one hand.
You see, Mr. Masaru?
This is what your grandfather's Arlequin can do.
Les Arts Martiaux!
Damn it. Defend yourself!
Swirling Tiger!
What the... It's on a whole different level.
But...
Shirogane!
Mr. Masaru!
You... What a dirty trick!
Exactly. We live in a dirty world, beautiful.
I assume it's obvious, but one wrong move and...
I was too busy fighting and didn't notice them.
It's all my fault.
Sorry, but it's all a part of my job.
Do it.
This ain't funny, you jerks.
-You...! -Take this!
I'm out of luck today.
We'll meet again.
-Wait for us! -Damn it!
You okay, Masaru?
I couldn't win. Not on my own.
What's going on... What happened here?
This is just...
You really banged this place up.
A man can't get a night's sleep here.
I'm sorry. It's all my fault.
The train, and now this hospital...
I mess up everything I touch.
But I don't know what to do...
Masaru. First up, stop crying.
And then, laugh.
How could I laugh now?
You did nothing wrong. Besides...
if you don't laugh, I'll die.
What do you mean?
Physiological dysfunction caused by third party parasympathetic dominance.
ZONAPHA syndrome...
Yeah, I got it too.
Just like my old Grandpops.
A disease?
It's not contagious!
Miss.
Humans have a sympathetic nervous system and a parasympathetic nervous system.
When the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant, people are relaxed.
ZONAPHA syndrome is where the body is affected by the parasympathetic nerves.
What do you mean?
When the body senses that people close by aren't relaxed, it causes an attack.
When that happens, the trachea contracts, causing breathing difficulties.
Excruciating pain is felt in every nerve.
Damn it, it's starting.
What if you approach someone who's already laughing?
No, that doesn't work for some reason.
I have to make them laugh. Uh-oh, it's getting worse.
Is it funny?
Nah, sorry.
Miss?
I've never been someone who laughs a lot.
Bah, you guys are useless.
I'm going out to make someone laugh.
Narumi!
Leave him alone, Mr. Masaru.
But he's the one that saved us.
I might not be able to do much,
but I want to help him in return.
Laugh...
Laugh...!
How's this? Will this make you laugh?
Then, how about this?
Laugh! Don't run away!
Somebody, help!
Speak up. How can I make you laugh?
I'll do whatever you say.
Come on!
Idiot!
How can they laugh when you're scaring them?
She's right. I'd panicked from the pain.
Mr. Masaru came looking for you because he was worried.
You don't deserve it!
-But... -No "buts"!
What's going on?
Maybe they're comedians, putting on an impromptu act.
Yeah, she's dressed weird.
-But... -No duck faces either.
All right, get him girl.
Come on, man.
That was close...
Good for you, Narumi.
You two are a perfect match.
I do not want to be a perfect match with him.
Yeah, same here.
Narumi.
I'm sorry you had to bring me here.
It's nothing. They might come for you again if you go home.
But jeez, who's behind all this anyways?
Do you think it could be a relative?
I don't know.
I only became a part of the Saiga family 3 years ago.
I haven't met all my relatives.
3 years ago? But you're Saiga's son, right?
But my mom was what they call a "mistress."
Where did you learn that word?
I used to live alone with my mom when I was little.
She used to work hard for little money every day.
When she died, a lawyer came to take me away.
That's when I first met Dad.
The Saiga family took me in after that.
Hey, Narumi?
How much does a proper grave cost?
Huh? I don't really know.
I wasn't at all interested in the inheritance.
I just wanted...
to build Mom a grave.
What's wrong, Narumi?
Nothing.
Here you are.
Damn it.
How am I supposed to act around him after hearing that?
Eat up, Masaru.
Fix those wounds with nutrition.
Eat your vegetables too. Here, I cut your casserole.
You got some here.
Stop. He can't eat in peace like that.
I will care for him. You shut up.
I've figured out Masaru, but her...
She calls herself Shirogane, but is that even her real name?
She said she'd protect Masaru, but who knows what she's really after?
It was delicious. Thank you, Shirogane.
Really? Oh thank you!
Dang, she's pretty.
I hate her guts, but she looks beautiful when she's taking care of Masaru.
Fine, I'll give her that.
Whatever her deal is, one thing for sure is she's hot.
A lot happened today.
Though I bet nobody at the Saiga household is worrying about me.
Shirogane?
You must be having trouble washing yourself.
Let me help you.
Wait, no! I'm fine!
Oh yeah.
He can't wash himself with that arm.
Hey Masaru. Let me wash your back...
No, I, I just...
I didn't think you'd be in here.
Am I being a busybody?
Damn it.
Getting all distracted over nothing.
Come on, concentrate.
Narumi.
Is that a martial art?
Yeah, I learned it when I was in China.
Wow, in China?
You grab the opponent's arm and hit the face.
Then, you step in and go for the leg.
Impressed?
Wow. I wish I were strong like you.
Then I wouldn't be so scared to death like I am now.
Listen here, Masaru.
It's the same for me.
I was scared too when I fought those puppets and bad guys.
But how can you fight when you're scared like that?
I don't know. I just wanted to.
But hey, I know how you feel.
I was a weakling like you as a kid. I was bullied all the time.
Really? You were like me?
Then could I become strong like you?
That's what I've always wanted.
To be strong.
If I were stronger, they'd listen to me.
If I were stronger, I'd be able to smile all the time.
An album?
Yeah, I was going to burn it, but you can take a look.
But don't tell anybody. It's bloody embarrassing.
This is you?
Y-Yeah...
This is me crying, not wanting to go to school.
This is me crying because I hated milk.
And the sports festival. I finished last, of course.
There, you laughed.
You're the only one I can make laugh for now.
You need to keep laughing for me so I don't die.
Want to give it a shot?
Really? You'll teach me?
But I'm weak and clumsy. I'm no good at PE.
You dork, you saw the pictures. I was scrawny too.
But I wanted to become strong.
You and I are alike.
You mean, I can become strong like you?
Yeah, even stronger than me.
There you are, Mr. Masaru.
I borrowed your shirt.
Fine. Whatever.
Sorry for what happened back there.
What about it?
It happens all the time at the circus.
Did you think I'd care?
But you know, I'd rather have you forget about it.
You must be tired, Mr. Masaru. Time to get some sleep.
-Yeah, yeah. -Um, Narumi?
Will you stay with me until I become strong?
Will you stay and not leave me like Mom did?
Sure thing!
Why'd I say that?
He and I live in different worlds.
Who am I to encourage him like that?
Learn martial arts? Yeah, right.
But I'd hate to be separated from him.
Bathroom...
I'll go with you.
No, I'm fine!
I wonder if she isn't sleepy.
Mr. Masaru!
It's so easy to kidnap a single little brat.
S-Shirogane...
Damn it, Arlequin is in the other room!
Let go of Mr. Masaru!
Shirogane!
Masaru!
-Narumi! -I'm coming for you!
Amateurs are so easy to put out.
Come on. There's no time to play around.
-Narumi! Shirogane! -Mr. Masaru!
Damn it. Call the cops.
Forget it.
Calling the cops will just take you more time.
You...!
How dare you! You're with the kidnappers!
Who are you? Where did you take Mr. Masaru?
You sure are as hot as ever.
Hey, easy now.
We're not the ones that kidnapped the boy. They're more like our rivals.
What the hell does that mean?
Speak.
First, let me introduce myself.
I'm Eiryo Ashihana.
You know the situation concerning that boy, right?
It all started when the boy inherited the entire Saiga fortune.
There're certain people who don't like it.
We're the Slaughter Team, hired to kill the boy.
You're serious? You were really going to kill a kid?
Sure, that's how we earn our living.
You bastard!
Then who kidnapped Mr. Masaru?
They're the Kidnap Team.
We're the Slaughter Team, hired to kill the boy.
And they're the Kidnap Team, hired to kidnap the boy.
We're hired by different people.
You know them?
Of course. We're all of the same family.
Funny, eh?
We puppeteers have split into 2 factions and are trying to outwit each other.
Who hired the Kidnap Team?
Let's just say, a certain somebody who wants to adopt the boy.
The boy is being taken to the Saiga villa in Karuizawa.
I tried to stop them by crashing into them but failed.
I'm heading over there now, but how about you?
Do we have a choice?
Oh yes, let me tell you one last thing.
That villa is a Karakuri mansion, full of the late Saiga's heinous puppets.
Plus, it's protected by the family's most seasoned puppeteers.
I exist to protect Mr. Masaru and nothing else.
Shame on you, all you people!
Trying to kidnap and kill a young innocent child.
He's doing his best to live like any other boy!
Wait for me Masaru, I'll save you.
In my heart, I kept praying Shirogane and Narumi would come.
But I didn't know back then,
that it was only the beginning of the fear that was closing in on me.
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