The curtains are sunset- colored
Look, the evening sun reflects off
This is behind the stage
Where the dolls finished with their acts
gossip quietly
At a place unknown to anyone
You're quite the poet
I have a feeling it's almost time
I see.
That's fine
If your embrace
...will end it all.
will end it all
Long ago, I heard of something like it.
Chapter 8
Like a Curse One Cannot Escape—
A means to slow the progress of his curse.
A means?
How does it work?
He steals the hearts of unrelated beings.
But...
Ah,
that explains why I can still feel love, yet...
There's a sadness left behind that I just can't ignore...
Correct.
Sovereignty was constantly feeding on the hearts of his owners,
and measuring their love from within.
Killing Organ activates when a certain limit is reached.
Wouldn't the love of other people activate it?
Foolish, human.
Feeding on the love of others is what temporarily distorts his ability to measure love.
I figured he was feeding on the hearts of others so he could stay with me.
He could've just run,
but he decided to show himself to you.
You kept us confused by switching places,
in addition to delaying the mechanism's activation.
Why did you limit yourselves to the school, then?
Because it only works with the strong feelings of love that come with puberty.
So we were completely fooled.
We believed Sovereignty got away,
and you two called me out to give the impression that we were right.
I met you as Sovereignty,
and Sovereignty was keeping watch over us.
But someone got in the way...
I'd like to ask one thing.
What is it?
She knows we're trying to undo her curse,
so why did she run?
Instead of striving for some unreliable method of delaying activation,
why don't we all try to lift—
Lift the curse?
To both Sovereignty and myself,
the curse and our love are one and the same!
If you were to lift the curse,
what would become of my feelings?
Do you want to lift it and make it all a lie?
Even if the cause is a curse,
I can't just toss them out the window!
Because...
Because you're human, right?
I don't really understand, either,
but human emotions, like love, aren't exactly logical.
Love...
There are many things I don't quite understand.
So if I said something hurtful,
I apologize.
Re... Really?
Looks like she can't handle the heat.
That's unexpected!
Have some rice crackers, too, if you want.
I'm sure Fear won't stop you.
N-No, thank you!
Don't think you can befriend me, human.
Sovereignty said...
Sovereignty said that Fear was a great girl.
That it pained him to betray her.
He also wanted to apologize for hurting the girl with glasses.
I-It's not like I'm saying this for any reason.
That's all.
I see.
So she said that?
Anyway, Yachi.
What're we gonna do now?
We haven't solved anything yet.
I'd like to speak with Sovereignty, Shiraho.
I gave him a cell phone yesterday...
but what are you going to do?
I have a plan.
Can't you tell me what you're going to do?
Is it time yet, Kirika?
About.
You ready, Konoha-kun?
Yes.
They didn't tell me anything, man.
Looks like I'll be observing this one.
Honestly. I find this...
Hold out your hand, Haruaki-kun.
Now,
Sovereignty should be here soon.
There's no way he would!
She will.
I told her that if she didn't,
then Shiraho would die.
I'm sorry!
What are you doing, Konoha?!
Stop!
So you really don't care about humans, do you, tool?
What a shame, because he really won't come.
She will.
What are you...
doing to...
Shiraho...?!
So you've come, doll.
It's just as I said on the phone.
This whole thing's a pain in the ass,
so I'll just destroy you and put an end to it all.
This human was just bait.
This isn't what you promised!
What the hell, Fear?
Konoha! Prez!
We can't just kill one for the other!
I know how you feel, Yachi,
but we have to do this.
Destroy me...?
Looks like you're already partially destroyed.
I can already see that impurity you've been hiding.
That impure body.
You just want to hold Shiraho 'til she dies, eh?
I get it.
I totally do.
She's a cutie.
I want to kill her, too!
I am Fear-in-Cube.
I've ten times more ways of sending people to frenzy than you.
Learn from me, doll.
Here's what's going to happen.
I'm going to kill you.
I'm going to enjoy killing you.
And, since I'm done with her,
I'm going to kill Sakuramairi Shiraho, too.
Boy, oh boy, this is awesome.
I can't wait to see her face, cringed from pain, stained with tears,
how she'll scream in horror, beg for forgiveness, and die.
I won't let you!
I just won't!
You'll never fucking kill Shiraho!
19th Mechanism.
Drilling Helix Form: Man-Perforator.
Curse calling!
Give up, already.
I'm going to drill Shiraho next!
I won't let you!
I speak as a king.
Every doll summoned here shall join my army.
Obey! Obey!
Weak. Too weak!
Did you think these stumps could do anything?
18th Mechanism.
Stretching Frame Form: The Rack-Duke's Daughter!
Curse calling!
Instead of drilling you, I'll tear you apart.
That is, until you split into five!
Stop it!
Please, stop it!
Please, don't kill Sovereignty!
Please!
Please, don't kill him...
Not Sovereignty, please...
Please, please.
I'll do anything...
Anything. Just, please...
Stop...
Just stop, I'm begging you...
I'll do anything, really.
I'm begging you.
You can kill me instead!
Don't kill Sovereignty!
What's wrong, Sovereignty-Perfection-Doll?
Don't kill her!
Have you had enough?
Of course not.
I know you haven't.
So call upon every last bit of your curse.
Unleash every single blade within your body.
If you love Shiraho,
if you feel it's true love,
if that is your curse,
then show it all to me!
Is that everything?
Shiraho...
Is that really everything?
Shiraho...
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry...
You finish it.
You know what to do, right?
Yeah.
Konoha?
Yes.
Sword-kill Counter!
Sovereignty!
Shiraho...
I never thought I'd see you again.
I wanted to hug you.
It may be a curse,
but these are my true feelings.
So...
I wanted to hug you.
I know.
Like a Curse One Cannot Escape—
No! No! No!
No!
I'm not letting her go!
Fear-chan would give our team a huge boost in cuteness!
Well,
if Fear's okay with it, then that's fine.
Besides,
I gotta go see the superintendent.
T... Tell me something, first.
What the heck is a sports... festival?
Wow! Is this that discommunication thingy?
A calling for cultural information?!
Well, simply put,
it's an event where cute girls like you jump around and give everyone a show!
Was it?
Absurd.
That's just Kana's wish.
C'mon, Fear-chan!
It's for our dance team!
Kinda like a "I want you!" thing.
Well, Fear does seem to be fit.
Indeed.
Dancing is easy, too.
Okay!
I'll do it! Just let go of me!
Yahoo!
Fear-chan
Practice starts tomorrow!
We'll meet at the pool, near the tracks.
Remember, we're in it to win it!
Winning
You're late, human.
My bad.
There was a lot going on, like with that sports... festival thing.
Sports festival?
What's so fun about that stupid event?
You know what a sports festival is, Shiraho?
O... Of course.
It's common sense.
Common sense?
Really?
Please, come in.
The superintendent is waiting.
Now, now.
Allow me to give my thanks, Haruaki-kun.
To you two as well, Fear-chan, Konoha-chan.
Now, Shiraho-kun,
I want to talk to you about what's been going on.
I'll need you to apologize for knocking out the students.
Your only punishment is coming to school and studying hard.
As of now, you're the person I hate most in this world,
you pervert.
Some may find pleasure in being insulted by beautiful women.
Just kidding.
Now,
I have two reasons for showing you what I'm about to show you.
One, a lack of workers.
I needed an assistant for Zenon-kun.
The other, is her taste.
I think you already know,
but she really likes cute things.
She has such a passion, one would call it love.
Sadly, that doesn't really suit her.
So in her place, she superimposed—
Superintendent.
The tea is ready.
Okay!
Enough with the chit-chat.
Zenon-kun, if you would?
Yes, sir.
Ex... Excuse me.
S-So that's what he meant.
Oh no...
It's all sticky...
I'm sorry, Zenon-san.
I'm such a klutz.
That's fine,
but there's one thing I cannot accept.
Wh-What is that?
Perfect.
Math Preparation Room
Victory!
Our team will be the victor ! !
Taishuu Private School
Regardless of rain ! !
Sports
Festival
Sports
Festival
～ With the bonds we've made in our hearts ! !
Leap into the blue sky ! ! ～
Regardless of rain!!
Taishuu Private School
Leap of youth ! !
Thanks for the cake.
Shiraho-kun?
One more thing.
Just remember that your father thought of you as precious.
I don't understand.
Why do you think he brought Sovereignty here despite his ailments?
Perhaps you should acknowledge his intention of helping you?
He was just foolish.
Really?
I've only met him occasionally for small talk,
but every single time, he'd bring you up.
Ah.
Let me tell you something important.
You were in a famous theatrical group by your mother's recommendation, right?
I heard your performance mesmerized everyone in the audience.
Not really.
I just did as my mother told me.
Didn't your father come see you?
Just once.
Toward the beginning.
My father never had much interest in me.
You're wrong.
He asked your mother to let you stop acting.
He saw the real you.
He just wasn't good at expressing how he felt.
So, try to remember that.
I don't care.
Ow!
I'm so sorry, Konoha-san!
Don't worry about it.
I'm fully recovered.
I know a lot of dolls,
and I've had my energy drained before.
I'm kind of used to it, you see.
B-But...
If you truly are in need of love,
just talk to me.
I'll treat you to a meal.
I'll be fine.
At least, I think.
But thank you, anyway.
This was inside of me.
You need it, don't you, Fear-chan?
A token of my gratitude.
An indulgence disc?!
Will you be okay?
So she's still cursed,
but Killing Organ is no more.
So, now...
I'm "cursed" to fall in love and hug the person.
I think that sums it up.
Are you, too?
Yes.
More so than anyone else.
I've been for a while, after all.
What's wrong, Fear?
Well...
Just, when I think about Sovereignty and Shiraho,
my chest feels a bit gloomy.
I feel happy,
embarrassed,
and envious all at once...
What does it mean?
You're starting to understand something you hadn't before.
Maybe.
You go on ahead.
I have to talk to Sovereignty.
Eh?
Girl talk!
Don't you get it?!
Girl talk...?
Just remember that your father thought of you as precious.
Ah!
What?
Oh, uh...
I was just surprised that Sakuramairi-san smiled.
Smiled?
Yeah, yeah.
Oh! I'm sorry!
You were just so pretty,
and I kind of got a bit nervous, and...
Go ahead and say I didn't seem very sociable.
I'm not good at talking with others.
Re... Really?
But I don't dislike people like you.
Awesome!
So I get to be your first friend, right?
Let's talk about something like friends would, 'kay?
Erm, well...
What should we...
Oh, I know!
Do you know the rumor going around recently?
The people who've been fainting recover faster when their crush visits them.
Oh?
And, and.
Ah.
I'll be direct, it's about love.
Do you have a boyfriend?
I do.
yawarakana tsukiakari ga terasu utakata no yukigane
The soft moonlight lights up the fleeting snow
kachikanda chiisana te wo awase sukitooru machi ni hohoemu
Holding my small, blistered hands together, I smile at the lucent town
sayagu toki wo subete tsutsumikonde tada somaru yoru ni tokihanate
It wraps around the rustling leaves of time, and releases it all into the dyed night
furisozoku shiroi hanabira kokoro wo sotto hodoiteku
The white blossoms showering down slowly undo the knots of my soul
te no hira de toketa setsuna wo miseru
I watch the moment as it melts in my palm
ao no nai sora no kanata ni yuku saki no hikari utsushite
At the far end of the blueless sky, they reflect the light of where we've yet to go
madoi mo tomoseba ii
Why not light up my doubts as well?
musunda hana yo
O knotted flower
ima ni todoke to
Please come back today
I have something I want you to tell me.
Yeah, yeah.
Could you... steal it from me...?
So...
you want to know whether or not it's inside you?
Yeah.
Let's see, I'd have to say...
Maybe, maybe not.
What the? That doesn't help at all!
Which do you want, Fear-chan?
Do you want to have it, or not?
I... I just wanted to check!
I don't know!
That's it! End of the discussion!
Forget I asked!
Looks like you have a long road ahead of you.
Here's some advice for the future.
Our experiences may differ,
but time isn't what's important.
I'm cheering you both on.
Good luck!
Both... of us?
Chapter
"Some thing Ecce ntric About She who Retur ned"
9
Chapter Nine.
Something Eccentric About She who Returned.
Watch it or I'll curse you!
If you don't tune in next time, I'll curse you!
Artist Kokonoka