Original subtitles

Uninstall.

Back then, the greatest shock to our reality...

was that our lives were so primitive and simplistic, it was laughing in our faces.

Even covering my ears, the truth slipped through my fingers and left me confused.

Where in my frail body am I supposed to hold the strength to stand?

Uninstall. Uninstall.

Right now, I can't even begin to understand...

how the countless lives on this planet are essentially one.

Uninstall. Uninstall.

It looks like I'll have no choice but to act as a soldier who knows no fear.

Uninstall.

Uninstall.

What did you tell your parents?

I told them the truth.

We'd like to catch the next bus...

Let's go together.

Please.

Let go of her!

You guys!

Tanaka-san!

Get away from those kids!

Get away from them!

Hesitation

Tanaka-san!

Who were they?!

No one would act so obvious!

It looked like they were armed, too.

Then shouldn't we have chased them down?

Are you all okay?

Kanji-kun's...

I'm fine.

Kana-chan! Are you all right?

Yeah.

Do you think you could all walk to my apartment from here?

Yeah.

Good evening.

Long time no see, children.

Did something happen?

We were just assaulted not too far from here.

Are you serious?!

Yes, sir. There were five men who all looked to be in their thirties.

They were also armed.

Was anyone hurt?

No, sir.

Thank goodness.

Tanaka-san, there's actually something I'd like to talk to you about.

Of course, I don't mind if the children join us.

They're very tired right now.

Seki-kun, I'll leave the kids with you.

Yes, ma'am.

Kanji-kun, would it be okay if everyone went to your place?

Sure.

I'll bring the car around.

Tanaka-san, won't you be coming?

I'll be there in a little bit.

Even though you're still so young...

you're really strong, aren't you?

Tanaka-san...

Have you found out anything about Onii-chan's mom yet?

I'm sure I'll come across the information sooner or later.

Really?

Yeah.

As soon as I find out, you'll be the first to know.

I promise.

Seki-kun.

Please hurry with the car.

Ah! Yes, ma'am!

When do you plan to give them some bodyguards?!

Shortly.

We're working as fast as we can.

You're acting so casually about it, but that could have turned out badly back there!

Please have a seat. Let's calmly discuss this like adults, shall we?

Who exactly were those men?

They were probably sent from foreign corporations.

Why?

There's a good deal of financial interest in the wireless energy technology used to transfer power into Zearth.

Electrical utility stock prices would begin to soar with that technology.

In other words, power companies are only interested in not having to lay wire anymore?

I can't believe the children are put in danger over something like that!

The military wouldn't have to worry about the replenishment of supplies anymore.

It would revolutionize the world.

Wait a second...

How did those men even know what the children look like?

Why has that information been leaked?

That's something I'd like to ask you.

You're the one who told me we should reveal this information to the public.

We'll increase the children's bodyguards as soon as we can.

I promise you that.

But in exchange, we'd like you to cooperate with us on a certain issue.

To collect more data, we'd like to install hacking chips into the children.

Y-You must be joking!

Do you plan to turn the kids into some experimental guinea pigs?!

It's so we can find the key to releasing them from their contract.

Professor Yoshikawa's hoping you'll be willing to help.

I can't trust that woman.

Essentially, the Cognitive Robotics Research Institute only wants Zearth's technology, right?

That may be true, but I still believe it's necessary if we're to find the key to freeing the children from the contract.

The cost of this research would normally be enormous.

The Research Institute won't do anything without receiving something in return.

It's all about give and take. Wouldn't you agree?

Can you say the same to those children who sacrificed themselves to fight?

And what of all the loyal crew members who died in the battle at Shinagawa?

Sasami-san, we don't ask for anything in exchange for our lives in battle, do we?

Well, yes, of course, but...

Captain Tanaka, wouldn't you say your personal circumstances are a little different?

What are you talking about?

We were also careless.

We should've done our homework when you volunteered to be part of this operation.

At the very least, I'd say you've gotten a little too involved out of personal interest.

Or am I mistaken?

Calling it "personal interest" is going a bit too far...

Hello? This is Club 9.

It's Tanaka.

I'm nearby, so...

Understood. We'll be waiting.

I'm starving.

Should we go get something?

Ah... I have a lot of cup noodles at my place.

Really?

Kana-chan, you really know what hits the spot!

Hey, Kana-chan.

About what you asked Tanaka-san before...

She's been really busy lately. If you'd like, I'd be more than willing to help you out.

Ushiro, we're coming in.

Welcome.

Water's good enough.

As you wish.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

They've certainly turned completely around.

President...

The last person in that position was willing to sacrifice everything necessary to do something about that monster.

But it's completely different this time around.

By using Zearths technology, they're talking about founding an entirely new industry.

Their main point this time is how it would transform the framework for an East Asian National Security Council.

Are they considering using it to strengthen their military power to conquer other countries?

I don't think they're that stupid.

But the financial world's intentions are as clear as day from this report.

In a way, you could say they're a lot dirtier than any politician or bureaucrat.

Yes...

And there's nothing of the children written in here at all.

It's too cruel.

Misumi. They're only doing what they're supposed to be doing.

Don't get worked up over it.

In the end, the strongest will always win.

We want to do all we can for you, but our Hobashiri Group went as far as we could just by getting this report.

I'm sorry to always ask so much of you.

Though you know, our small group hasn't been crushed yet because of the sacrifices you and Ichiro have made for us.

And now that his forgotten memento has been caught up in this whole mess...

there's no one in this group who wouldn't be willing to give his life for you.

Why don't I send you Tamotsu as another bodyguard?

Do you remember him?

Yes.

I'm sure he'll be thrilled once he sees the faces of you and that child, all grown up.

But let me at least say this.

This is on a different level from the little disputes from before.

If you know you have no chance of winning, give up.

Just forget everything.

You can always give birth to another child.

I'm worried about you, too.

And with that child who got caught up in all of this, if you die on me too...

I won't be able to face Ichiro in the afterlife.

Seki speaking.

How are the children?

They just boiled some hot water for their cup noodles.

Kirie-kun's also here.

I see. I'm heading over that way now.

Also, Tanaka-san...

About the issue of Ushiro-kun's mother...

Kana-chan told you about it?

Yes.

Why won't you just look it up for her?

You'd only need to order the record from the national family census, right?

Wouldn't that be illegal?

What are you talking about, after all we've been through?

Seki-kun, umm...

Yes?

She asked me to take care of it, so please don't worry about it. Okay?

Okay...

Well, I'll be outside waiting for you.

I... really don't want to fight, after all.

How can you say that now?

I... don't want to die.

Neither do I.

But how are we supposed to quit?

Anyway, I don't think we should be fighting either.

You all saw it, didn't you?

The enemies are the same as us. Humans.

I'm going to try talking to my dad about this again.

Anko, would you be able to get your dad to cooperate with us, too?

My dad?

Let's leak our information to the media.

But why?

This is a worldwide problem, so don't you think we're carrying too much of the burden?

Seki-san and Tanaka-san and everyone else are helping us!

We might be able to get even more support if we could get this on TV.

What kind of support?

That's...

The rules won't let us run away.

That's why we've all fought so far, right?

And Kirie-kun's battle might begin any minute now!

What's Kirie-kun supposed to do?!

That's... Kirie-kun's own problem, and his own choice.

I... was intending to fight.

It's not fair! You're contradicting each other!

It sounds like you're all just trying to survive despite Kirie-kun becoming a sacrifice!

That sounds about right.

That wasn't my intention...

Could one of you be the one not contracted?!

No way!

I've thought you were acting pretty suspicious for a while now.

I mean, you're the daughters of a bigshot politician and a famous television announcer!

Your fathers are the ones who'd benefit from using the information about Zearth!

Wait a second!

What?

That's so obviously not the case!

Sorry I took so long.

Tanaka-san.

This place looks pretty fun.

Komoda-san, would you let me meet with your father?

Also, Tokosumi-san, I'd like to meet your dad as well.

I'm going to leak our information to the media.

Tanaka-san?!

Tanaka-san...

If you want to put us on Dad's program, it'll be hard to bring the topic to him without any proof.

I have the proof right here.

Top secret government information.

The Cognitive Robotics Research Institute's results have been documented in here.

T-The Research Institute?

Tanaka-san! The Cognitive Robotics Research Institute is involved in this?

Yes, that's right...

Does that mean you're one of their accomplices?

What do you mean by that?

We were just talking about it.

If we know who stands to gain something from this, we might be able to tell who's not contracted.

Ushiro-kun, I want you to learn to believe in people more.

That's enough, Ushiro.

The rest of you, too.

The one who'd gain the most from Zearth's information would be my mother.

What?

My mother is the head professor of the Cognitive Robotics Research Institute.

I get it now!

They're both named Yoshikawa!

Really?

The results of an analysis of Zearth would be tremendously valuable to the Institute.

That's why I'd be the most suspicious person here, I guess.

Haven't you heard anything about this from your mother?

My mother is a workaholic and doesn't even come home.

I haven't seen her in a while.

I'm shocked...

Though I can't blame you for suspecting Komo and Anko.

And anyway, whoever's not contracted, what more could they even do?

It doesn't really matter who it is.

Hey, Kanji-kun...

Does that mean that your mom doesn't know you're involved with Zearth?

I'd be willing to bet she doesn't.

She's that type of woman.

Then let's go see her!

What do you mean?

This is what we needed! Let's all go to see her tomorrow!

Professor Yoshikawa is the key to learning how to release you all from the contract!

Once she finds out her own son is involved, I'm sure she'll start deeply caring and be willing to help!

Hello, Katsuragi-san?

Yes. Regarding the hacking chip... I'm headed to the Research Institute right now with the children.

Please prepare for our arrival, so we can get in.

Welcome, everyone.

I'm Yoshikawa Mitsue, the chairwoman and head professor of the Cognitive Robotics Research Institute.

It's a pleasure to meet you all.

Kanji!

Why are you...?

See? This is my mother for you.

Professor Yoshikawa.

Your son is one of the children burdened with the fate of this Earth.

Really...?

I'm terribly ashamed. I've been so busy with my research lately that I haven't been able to return home.

I see you've grown a little taller again.

Could you tell us the results of your research so far for these children?

Yes.

Please come this way.

E-Even our chairs are there!

I tried reproducing the thought control system.

Though I'm sure you're all much more familiar with it than I.

This is...

From Maki's...

This is something I've pulled from Seki's thoughts.

Amazing...

We've managed to solve one portion of Zearth's program.

We can reproduce what someone has seen... their memories.

Seki-san.

Yes.

This is a simulation.

I'm having Seki-san move it right now.

However, we cannot yet transfer matter...

until we can figure out how the energy transmission technology works.

And in order to do that, we'd like to ask that you children collaborate with us.

To further access the depths of Zearth, we'd like to install chips within each of your bodies.

Would there be any problems from a health standpoint?

Of course not.

Won't it leave a scar?

We can prepare it so it won't.

Professor Yoshikawa, in exchange for these children cooperating with you, we also have a condition.

Please find the key to releasing them from their contract.

If we can understand how Zearth was constructed, it shouldn't have anything to do with them anymore, right?

Well, of course...

I'd like to save this boy first.

If you'll help us with this, we'll be more than happy to work with you.

We all feel the same way.

Professor.

Please use this technology not for the financial world, but to save the children.

I won't allow anything else.

I know what you're thinking.

Once our contract has been nullified, you're worried about who will gather your information.

How can you say that?!

You have me completely wrong!

Very well, Tanaka-san.

I promise you.

We will use all of our power to release the children from their contract.

Ah! Quit it!

Tanaka-san.

What is it?

I sort of see this situation as you straying further from the military's command, and acting on your own.

Is that correct?

That was my intention from the very beginning.

Vermillion. We clung to life with all of our strength.

Vermillion. We never stopped to think how disgusting that was.

Because you were so straightforward...

when you said you couldn't see your chair,

I was worried because you looked about to snap, like a branch in winter.

You ran off that day,

throwing a crumpled ball of paper at me.

When my fingers traced the words "please remember me,'

I loudly cried out into the setting sun.

Vermillion. We clung to life with all of our strength.

Vermillion. We never stopped to think how disgusting that was.

We never stopped to think how disgusting that was.