Original subtitles

Seika 32 (2021)

Musashino First Library, Tokyo

(Kantou Library Base)

There was once a girl who really looked up to the Prince Charming who had once saved her.

So much so that she went again her parents' wishes and joined the same profession.

But as for who her Prince Charming was...

She can't remember the one most important thing: his face.

A normal person would at least remember his face.

Well, call that an idiosyncrasy of hers if you will...

Or would that be her weakness? Or simply her being bird-brained?

Bird-brained?

Birds barely remember things for three steps.

Sounds like someone else I know.

So? Did she find her Prince Charming?

She may have found him... Or maybe not.

The one thing she does remember is the feeling of his hand on her head.

And now she's found a hand that feels exactly the same.

What did you do? What have you done this time?

I didn't... I wasn't...

Liar. You're looking obviously suspicious.

This is how I normally look!

You idiot! Be careful!

Let go of me!

This must be the first time I've seen you get thrown with your guard down, Doujou.

Don't you have a clue? As to why Kasahara-san is acting so weirdly.

That's what I want to know. What the hell is up with her?

That's so silly.

I mean, what if...

I mean IF...

What if Instructor Doujou really is...

Really is the... You know... The one who saved me?

You know... What if?

Your Prince Charming?

I can't believe I've said such an embarrassing thing in front of him so many times!

Don't make fun of my Prince Charming!

Prince Charming?

Someone from the Library Defence Force saved me once.

He was super cool, just like an ally of justice!

I really respect him a lot, and I like him.

Ahhhh I want to die just remembering it! I want to kill myself!

Kill me now...

Before you die, why don't you ask him straight out?

I can't do that!

Then you just have to pretend to still be as clueless as you've been all along.

I mean, you might have gotten the wrong person...

Wrong person?

You don't even remember his face.

Are you sure you tell just based on the memory of how his hand felt?

Even if you say that...

So, when are you going to come clean about being the Defence Force member from back then?

She's come this far chasing after you, Doujou, without knowing so much as your face or your name.

She's braved your hellish training and sports a million bruises from working her ass off everyday.

Doujou, I wouldn't be surprised if even you found that chivalry of hers irresistible and...

The hell I would.

Don't even classify her as "female."

Even if you don't want to classify her as such, I think you might end up doing so all the same.

All the more now that she's physically closer to you.

It's not a matter of distance.

So it's a matter of...

Time?

96!

97!

98!

99! Go all the way down! All the way!

99!

99!

Next! Lunges!

I'll leave this to you.

Marie-chan.

Are you here to study?

I see.

93!

94!

96!

Kasahara!

Yes?

I promise I won't laugh at you or anything. Just get changed, right now.

They're here! From Ibaraki!

Long time no see!

They're Kasahara's parents. They came all of a sudden from Ibaraki.

Wh... Why... Why are you two here out of the blue?

She's too nervous.

What do you mean why?

Because you haven't come home even once since you started work, of course!

Ah... I've been busy with work.

How busy can a clerical job get?

Yeah, it is... Work is pretty tough...

Ah, I'm in a clerical post at the General Affairs Department.

The same department as Shibasaki over there.

Are you an idiot!? Since when were you in the General Affairs Department?

You've been in the Library Defence Force ever since you joined!

And the Task Force, too...

But they wanted to stop me from even joining the Library Corps at all...

If I told them I was in a combat-type occupation, they'd definitely oppose!

So I ended up lying that I was just a clerk...

Tell them the truth right away.

I can't. If they find out, they'll drag me home for sure.

That isn't something a self-respecting adult should say.

That's because you don't know my parents like I do, Instructor Doujou.

Nothing will come of your hiding things from them.

Sometimes, it's precisely because they're family...

That there are things we can't tell them, and things that they just won't understand.

Let's leave whether or not you should tell them the truth aside...

Why don't you have your parents join the library tour?

It'd be a good opportunity for them to learn more about the Library Corps, don't you think?

What?

Oh no, no, no...

I can't... I really can't.

In the first year of the Seika Era (1989),

A certain law was passed.

Seika 1 (1989)

It would later be known as a bad law of the times.

The Media Enhancement Act is Passed

That was the Media Enhancement Act.

It was a law meant to regulate any forms of media that violated human rights,

Or threw public order and morals into disarray.

This censorship law was enforced by the Media Enhancement Secret Service.

They were also known as the Media Enhancement Corps.

After the passing of the Media Enhancement Act, the Media Enhancement Corps began to take up arms in the form of guns.

They took up arms and enforced the censorship with an iron fist.

All forms of media were subjected to censorship,

And the people lost their freedom of expression and their right to knowledge.

In the midst of this, the ones that rose up

Were the libraries under local administration.

TN: based off the real "Statement on Intellectual Freedom in Libraries" in Japan

They legislated the Library Freedom Declaration,

Seika 16 (2004)

The only organization who resisted censorship, The Library Corps, is established

And established the Library Corps.

They became the one and only organization that would stand against the Media Enhancement Corps' unfair censorship.

We do not fight for the sake of fighting.

We fight to protect.

Fire!

By protecting books, we protect the freedom of the people.

That's what the Library Corps is all about.

Essentially, one of the most basic tenets of human rights is intellectual freedom.

Libraries provide the facilities and resources for that very purpose.

The Library Corps believes that the Media Enhancement Act violates intellectual freedom,

And that's why we fight against the censorship by the Media Enhancement Secret Service.

Shibasaki-san is such a charming girl, isn't she?

The Library Corps is divided into the General Affairs Department, which handles day-to-day operations,

And the Library Defence Force, which is our self-defense force.

Furthermore, the Task Force is an elite squad consisting of

The best of the best from the various divisions of the Library Defence Force around the country.

Compared to the rest of the Library Defence Force,

The Task Force undergoes combat training of an entirely different rigour.

This Task Force must be a pretty rough bunch, huh?

Not really...

Although rare, there are times when censorship disputes occur during our library opening hours.

When that happens, library users are directed to take cover in our bomb shelter.

Such censorship disputes are strictly regulated by combat laws,

To ensure that no members of the public get injured.

So please do not worry.

The windows throughout the library are made of bullet-proof glass,

And are capable of withstanding even a shot from a long-distance rifle...

The Media Enhancement Corps have been causing many traffic interferences nationwide.

It seems there have even been instances of them seizing books that haven't been censored.

Let's put out a written protest. I'll contact the Library Association and let them know.

It might be good to use a joint signature to warn them not to mess around.

Please do that.

I somehow have a really bad feeling about their movements of late.

Me too, so I've sped up work on the establishment of that new department of ours.

Soon, huh?

It'll be our trump card against their sly tactics.

Not that it's a department we can openly talk about, given its nature.

Excuse me.

I'm doing some research... Could you tell me where the encyclopedias are?

Follow me, please.

What are you researching?

Book burning.

Book burning?

The burning of books?

Yes.

You never told Mum that you were working in such a dangerous place.

Well, the attacks never enter the library building itself, so...

Can't you get transferred to somewhere further in the backroom, where it's safer?

Everyone works at the same place, Shibasaki whom you saw just now, too.

Well, that's because Shibasaki-san is mentally prepared for it.

Excuse me.

Are you Doujou-san?

Iku's superior?

Yes.

Thank you for taking care of our daughter.

She's always writing in her letters about how she has a really respectable superior.

Hey, you didn't have to tell him that...

If you're about to go for your lunch now,

Why don't you join us?

Please don't stand on ceremony.

We just thought we'd come see our daughter's workplace since we were coming to Tokyo to sightsee.

So you'll be here for a while?

About 10 days.

10 days!?

What's with that loud voice! How disgraceful.

Hey, Iku... About your job at the library...

I know I shouldn't say this in front of your superior, but...

I really can't understand it.

I mean, they're just books. Why do you have to go so far for books that...

I...

I'm not working so that you'll understand me, Mum.

I'm working for myself.

You should always check the index first.

Index?

If you just look at the "book burning" entry, all you get is an explanation of what book burning is.

But if you look at the index...

I see! It directs me to related entries!

Rather than going straight into the entries, You can search from multiple angles at once.

I never knew that!

The experts always give the best answers. When it comes to books, that's us librarians.

Let us know any time if you need help.

Excuse me...

Could I know your name?

I've don't think I've ever heard the full story,

But why did you want to join the Library Corps, Iku?

I want to know, too. Even when you were fresh out of school,

You were so fixated on joining the Library Corps.

When I was in high school, I was at a bookstore...

Hand it over!

No!

I wanted to buy a copy of the last book of my favourite series.

What are you hiding?

But it was a censored book,

And the Media Enhancement Corps were about to seize it.

Want me to call the police?

Call the police if you want! I'll go to the police with this book if I must!

Shut up! Let go!

Just then, someone from the Library Corps saved me.

"Thanks to you, This book was saved from the bonfire,"

He told me.

That's why I...

What kind of person was he?

It was a man, right?

What kind...

I can't remember his face or his name at all.

He's like your Prince Charming, huh?

What are you talking about?

This sounds just like the premise of some romance novel, doesn't it?

No it doesn't!

Anyway, that's why.

I thought to myself that I wanted to become a protector of books, too.

I see.

That's a good reason.

I'm sorry that you had to watch such an ugly family squabble.

Your father seems to have understood.

Well... My father has always been on my mother's side.

He's never stood by me against her, ever.

Well, today was a little different, though.

But my mother's always been like that, so we never could get along.

I see. But you do share the same vocabulary.

Things like romance and Prince Charmings...

Ugh, I'm sorry. I really am.

Our family likes to run our mouths off with embarrassing things like that.

Whatever the case,

Tell them the truth ASAP.

Excuse me, you dropped this.

Nakazawa-san.

Your card.

"Thank you very much."

Not at all.

Kasahara-san, is something the matter?

Ah, umm...

Is this your first meeting? This here's Marie-chan.

She lives near my family home.

I see...

Kasahara-san. I told you about her before.

She's almost completely deaf, And whatever her hearing aid can't pick up,

She has to lip read, or use her smartphone.

Well, it's not like she can't speak if she actually wants to, though.

"I've always wanted to meet you. Komaki-san said you were an interesting person."

Interesting?

I kinda told her about your military prowess and stuff...

- What's the next number again? - Next up is #800.

Literature, huh?

This novel is a little different from the books I usually recommend.

Give it a go.

TN: This is a play on the name of another novel by the same author, "The Raintree Country / World of Delight." "Hirokawa Yuu" is also a play on the author's name, Arikawa Hiro.

"World of delight / The Rain that Falls on the Silk Tree" Hirokawa Yuu

Ah, Marie-chan suffered sudden sensorineural hearing loss in her first year of high school.

She ended up with post-lingual deafness.

She had to take a year off school, so she's now a senior at high school despite being 19.

Ever the fountain of information, aren't you?

There isn't a morsel of information I don't know.

That's scary.

She comes often, even on weekdays, to study.

Apparently, she doesn't attend the more difficult lectures since she can't hear.

Hey.

What?

Instructor Komaki and Marie-chan look good together, don't they?

I agree.

I know, right?

I said the same thing to Instructor Doujou, but...

No way in hell! She's just a high school student.

... Said that blockhead.

Hmm... Sounds like you can talk to him normally now.

Your Prince Charming.

I was wrong.

What?

There's no way my Prince Charming could be such a blockhead!

The real one is definitely kinder, And minus the wrinkles between the eyebrows...

Anyway, it's not him. I know it.

So now your strategy is to keep telling yourself that?

Did you say something?

And then Saki-chan and Micchan became friends again!

Did they? That's great! You're amazing!

And, and, Komaki-niichan!

Marie-chan, I'm sorry, actually I've got an appointment today.

Tell me another day, okay?

Okay.

That book I was telling you about earlier? I found it in the library!

I don't have the slightest bit of romantic interest in her.

Thank you.

Good work.

Excuse me.

Do you have any book recommendations from the special corner over there?

Umm... Umm... Well...

Umm...

Well...

First off, would you prefer to read something light?

Or something that delves into detailed historical investigations?

Something you can just read through quickly in your time here today?

Or something you can continue reading at your neighbourhood library back home?

Can you actually remember what books are also available at Ibaraki?

You should at least remember a few series with complete sets throughout the country, right?

A book that can only be found here, then.

If you want one which you can read in a relatively short time,

I'd recommend this one.

How did you pick that one just now?

You can get an idea of the number of words in the book based on its format and shape.

In addition, if you look at the number of entries in the table of contents,

You can figure out approximately how many words are crammed into each chapter.

If you'd just put your bibliology lectures to practical use...

Get Shibasaki to give you a crash course later.

Okay.

Doujou-san.

How is my daughter doing as a librarian?

Does she have what it takes?

She's finally into her second year on the job. She has to work hard from here on out.

I guess I don't have what it takes, huh...

If I'd praised you and said that you run fast, or that you've got guts...

The conversation would've naturally shifted to the Library Defence Force, wouldn't it?

All these, please.

Good afternoon.

Oh, hello.

Umm, I'm writing a report about the library right now...

And I was wondering if I could consult you on it...

Oh?

Shibasaki-san, if you wouldn't mind...

Could we have lunch together during your break, or something?

I promise you I don't have any weird intentions...

But I would't want to disturb you with questions while you're working...

There's a restaurant a short way from here...

Is that so.

Eh? Where's Shibasaki?

She just left. With a man.

A man? Who?

I don't know.

Umm... Is this a bother?

Just now, I said I didn't have any weird intentions... I lied.

My intentions are getting weirder and weirder.

It's still lunchtime, you know.

I'm sorry.

But I wasn't lying when I said I was writing a report on the library.

I work as a curator at the History and Culture Museum at Hachiouji.

We're collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

TN: The Edo period (1603-1868) was when Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate and their Daimyou.

To collate information on the history of banned books since the Edo period.

TN: The Sengoku period (1467-1603) was the warring period leading up to the unification of Japan by key players Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Back then, history books on the Sengoku period were strictly controlled,

Especially those that dealt with the topic of the Tokugawa Clan.

I'm back.

Good work.

Yo.

Oh, what a surprise!

He brought souvenirs!

TN: Miyoshino is a traditional Japanese sweets store in Hiroshima, and dango are traditional Japanese dumplings.

Dango from Miyoshino.

That's an even bigger surprise.

You like them, don't you?

Well... The bean paste in this is absolutely...

Bean paste, huh?

This person has always been like this!

He never remembers what people like!

You're too picky!

When we bought the curtains for our room, too, He was all, "we'll get your favourite colour," but...

Isn't your favourite colour blue?

But you got them in dark blue!

No wonder our room became so dark and gloomy!

Stop digging things up from decades ago.

Origuchi-san, could the person you used to cohabit with,

And whom you were possibly going to marry be...

So, what's up today?

Yes, ma'am!

I've heard that lately,

The Media Enhancement Corps have been seizing books that aren't even on the censorship lists.

What do you mean?

Umm...

Essentially, the Media Enhancement Corps have always been enforcing censorship

In accordance with the Media Enhancement Committee's ideas of "offensive" media, right?

To put it plainly, by setting their own definitions of "offensive,"

They have the authority to seize any literature inconvenient to their purposes.

As a result, publishers had no choice but to impose voluntary restraints or go into the red.

They practically weren't putting out any books.

That's true...

And magazines who would write articles while prepared for the backlash like we are?

There's almost none left.

However, recently, the methods they've been using when seizing censored material has been crass.

It makes it look as if they're simply blindly censoring material.

Perhaps the rumour is true after all.

Rumour?

The rumour goes that the Media Enhancement Committee

Has been trying to greatly expand the number of banned words.

They've already written up a draft, apparently.

But if the list of banned words gets any longer than it already is...

There's no way the public will keep quiet about it.

But public opinion can be easily influenced.

All it takes is a small incident,

And they can tip public opinion in favour of their censorship ideas.

You're right.

Making a mountain out of a molehill...

That's exactly how those guys work.

(Unknown Number)

Hello?

Yo.

Why are you using an unknown number?

If you knew it was gonna be me, you wouldn't pick up, would you?مپ م‚چ

Why don't you join one of our meetings, just once?

If you'd just sit down and listen to what we have to say, I'm sure even you'd understand.

That this is the only road left.

If you stay in the Library Corps forever, you...

A story about a hearing-impaired girl who falls in love?

Komaki-san recommended this?

Wow... I didn't think Instructor Komaki read romance novels.

Here you go.

Instructor Komaki and Marie-chan...

I think you two look good together!

"Komaki-san only thinks of me as a little sister."

"He's so nice to me because I am a child, and because I am disabled."

Girls make friends really quickly, huh?

Well, Kasahara-san in particular is a good person inside-out, after all.

Since her actions and words match up like that,

Anyone would feel safe around her.

If only Shibasaki was that simple...

Shibasaki-san?

When I entered the Corps, someone told me

That Second Class Komaki had been seeing someone for a long time.

Oh, yeah... I was dumped, pretty long ago, too.

Excuse my rudeness.

No, it was my fault.

Really?

Yeah.

Thanks to that, I received a huge bombshell from that girl.

A ticking time bomb, at that.

Sounds dangerous...

Figuratively speaking, of course.

By "time bomb..."

Do you mean it'll explode when the time limit is up?

Well...

Who knows?

What about this sound? Can you hear it?

Now what about this sound over here? Can you hear it?

What about this sound? Can you hear it?

Komaki-kun.

Support Guidebook for Hearing Impairment and Post-Lingual Deafness

"Apparently, people with post-lingual deafness rarely use sign language. Many of them practice lip-reading."

Blue.

Marie. Marie.

Smile. Smile.

That's right! Smile!

Why don't you try talking to them?

"I'm scared, because I can't hear my own voice. I wouldn't know if I'm speaking properly."

Why did you suddenly break up with me?

Marie-chan is like a little sister to me.

She's suddenly saddled with this handicap and is suffering!

Isn't it natural that I want to help her?

I don't have the slightest bit of romantic interest in her.

Kasahara, descending!

What's up with her?

Her parents aren't coming today, apparently. They're going to some art museums or something.

Descending!

TN: the proverb is actually "a fish in water"

She looks as happy as a monkey in water.

That's just weird on so many levels, don't you think?

Kasahara, descended!

An alert has come in from the guards on patrol!

The Media Enhancement Secret Service are about to attack the building!

The bomb shelter is this way!

This way, please!

Expected time of arrival is 1525 hours! Everyone on high alert!

Listen up! Everyone to your positions!

Yes, Sir!

Get yourself up to the sniping spot on the roof!

Yes, Sir!

Where's Chief Genda?

He's en route to a meeting with the Library Association.

How many vehicles have they got?

About that...

Just one, apparently.

Just one?

Yes.

HQ to C01, As far as we can see,

The route towards Musashino First Library currently remains unobstructed.

There is no change to the planned route. I repeat.

Where is Librarian Second Class Komaki Mikihisa?

It's that guy over there.

We're detaining you on suspicion of violating Media Enhancement Code 237.

You're suspected of violating the rights of an underage disabled person.

An underage disabled person?

You recommended an inappropriate book to a hearing-impaired person, didn't you?

You're talking about Marie-chan, aren't you?

What was inappropriate about that book? I know that girl.

There's no way that girl would have lodged a complaint against Instructor Komaki.

Kasahara.

The matter at hand isn't an ordinary complaint case.

This isn't about whether or not the victim lodged a complaint.

Take him.

Yes, Sir!

What are you doing!?

We'll detain you too, for obstructing justice.

Kasahara-san, it's okay.

I'll go.

Doujou, don't tell that girl about this.

We have to gather the facts and come up with an action plan immediately. Get hold of Chief Genda.

Yes, Sir!

I'll contact Marie-chan.

Don't.

Don't tell her.

Why not?

What if something happens to Instructor Komaki and...

Mum, this is...

Doujou-san.

This girl is resigning as of today.

I won't let her work a job that requires her to wield a gun.

We're going home.

Cut it out!

Instructor Komaki just got taken away!

This isn't the time to be thinking about myself...

I'm worried about you.

I only have your best interests at heart...

Please excuse my wife's actions.

No, not at all.

You'd better apologize, too.

It's really alright...

The art museum was closed, so...

I'm sorry.

Well then, excuse us.

I'm sorry for the trouble caused.

And umm...

Thank you for stopping me.

Do you get it now?

This is the result of you lying to them all this time.

But you know what irks me the most, Kasahara?

It's the fact that it seems as though

You took on this job with shit for resolve.

This is so strange. Kasahara looks so small today.

It's just because she's far away.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

What's with her?

She looks like a scared little puppy that's been yelled at by its owner.

So, how did Komaki become a suspect?

It all started with some idle classroom chatter.

Hey, hey, hey...

That book that Nakazawa-san is reading?

If I'm not mistaken, it's a book about a hearing-impaired girl, isn't it?

That book was a novel about a hearing-impaired girl who fell in love.

Is the book interesting?

"A librarian recommended it to me."

Isn't that terrible?

What? What?

The librarian who loaned her that book is sooo insensitive!

It's as if he's trying to remind her that she's disabled.

Poor Nakazawa-san.

And so, everyone agreed that Nakazawa-san was pitiful,

it came to the ears of a teacher who is particularly passionate about banning "harmful" books.

When the Media Enhancement Committee,

Which has always tried to sully the image of the Library Corps, found out,

They decided to villainize Librarian Second Class Komaki.

That's just terrible.

All Instructor Komaki did was recommend a book.

And all Marie-chan did was read it.

We should let Marie-chan know about this.

What would really be pitiful is being kept in the dark about this.

We can't.

That would be akin to telling her that it's her fault that Komaki was taken.

That's just a matter of how you phrase things and...

We can't let an underage member of the public

Get involved in this battle between the Library Corps and the Media Enhancement Corps.

She's already in knee-deep.

Chief! We can't not let her know.

The guy she likes is in danger!

What "guy she likes..."

Shut up, you blockhead!

People who don't understand a woman's heart should just stay quiet.

I don't want to hear about what a woman thinks from you!

I may be big but I'm still a woman. It's just that Instructor Doujou is small.

We're not talking about height here.

You started it by saying I wasn't a woman.

I'm sure Marie-chan would want to know.

That's just what you think.

Komaki wouldn't want that!

Where the hell does her crazy audacity come from?

She's a real pro at pissing Instructor Doujou off.

I personally agree with Second Class Doujou.

I think we should respect the wishes of Second Class Komaki.

I support Kasahara.

I won't go along with some lame male ego trip.

This is the book in question.

In this novel, the protagonist is hearing impaired.

A man from the Library Corps forced a young, underage, hearing-impaired girl to read this book.

According to the announcement by the Media Enhancement Committee,

The man possibly harboured malicious intent when he recommended the book to the girl.

This is definitely way off the mark.

Shibasaki, tonight, let's hold a strategy meeting.

We were told to wait on an answer from the Legal Department, weren't we?

And I've got something on tonight.

A date? With that curator guy?

Kind of.

What kind of guy is he?

He's a pretty decent specimen of the male gender.

If you were to compare him to Tezuka, who'd win?

Why Tezuka?

Because you once said he was a good specimen.

Specimen?

Well, Tezuka's not bad either.

But if I were to rank them, then it'd be Asahina-san, I guess?

Eavesdropping is just repulsive.

I just happened to be here.

Is this really the time to be going on a date?

Why not? After all, there's nothing else I can do.

Oh, are you jealous?

Why would I be?

At least act a little jealous, won't you?

You want me to be jealous over you?

I just wanted to try saying it.

Tonight, we're going to spend a romantic evening together...

Unravelling the history of banned books.

Banned books?

It's the project Asahina-san is in charge of at the museum.

We've got common interests, and he's sincere, kind, and gentlemanly.

There's absolutely nothing to complain about.

Well, excuse me.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Shall we head up to Tachikawa first?

Yeah, but before that, continuing from where we left off the other day...

Umm...

TN: Joururi is a type of traditional Japanese narrative music, sometimes performed with dolls (Ningyou), and Kabuki is a traditional Japanese dance-drama.

How did the Ningyou Joururi and Kabuki scripts manage to satirize the shogunate,

And yet manage to escape censorship back in the Edo period?

The only one who'd want to hear about something like that is you, Shibasaki-san.

Really? But it's so fascinating.

"I just finished reading it. Can I ask you something? Is this book..."

"I just finished reading it. I'll tell you my thoughts about it when I next see you.

(Marie-chan)

Sign and acknowledge what's written on this memo.

You made a disabled girl

Read a book with discriminatory content

With the intention of causing her psychological harm.

Isn't that right?

The situation isn't going to change just because you stay silent.

No matter what you say...

That disgusting story of yours is nothing but a pack of lies.

It doesn't matter what the truth really is.

As long as someone is named a suspect, society will always think him guilty.

Even if he manages to clear his name later,

Society would have already stopped caring by then.

All that will remain in their minds is a negative impression of the Library Corps.

If you understand, then sign this now.

We'll let you go as soon as you do.

Sorry to disappoint, but I can't ever give in. No matter how many times you ask me to.

You shouldn't exert yourself so much. Just sign it already!

This constitutes obstruction of justice!

We'll have to restrain you now.

Bookstore after bookstore has started pulling "The Rain that Falls on the Silk Tree,"

"To all customers, we apologize for the inconvenience but Hirokawa Yuu's novels will no longer be sold in our store."

The book that started this whole fiasco, off their shelves.

They're anticipating it getting censored in the near future.

Even for the libraries, the Education Committee has put in a request.

They want us not to openly display the book on our shelves,

Because it's a discriminatory book that might be a bad influence to children.

That's just retarded.

Exactly.

Of the people who are complaining about this book, how many of them have actually read it?

They couldn't care less...

"Library Corps member causes physchological harm to underage girl"

"Publishers of 'The Rain that Falls on the Silk Tree' receive steady stream of complaints"

About what this book is actually trying to say.

If more such opportunities arise to ban "bad" books,

It might not be long before their plan of expanding the list of banned words becomes reality.

To go this far to warp the ideas of the public...

Just what kind of country are those guys trying to create?

(Unknown Number)

Stop using unknown numbers, would you? What do you want?

The Library Corps are in a pretty unfavourable position right now, huh?

If you've got nothing else to say, I'm hanging up.

Let's make a deal.

I'll release your precious senior.

If you accept my terms, of course.

The Media Enhancement Committee falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.

How would someone from the Ministry of Culture have the authority to do that?

Oh, I can do it.

All I ask is that you come join our side.

When you've made up your mind, give me a call.

How's Mum?

Still angry.

I didn't tell your mother,

But I knew all along...

About what kind of work Iku was doing in the Library Corps.

I'm surprised you could tell from a picture like this.

Of course I can, you're my daughter.

I thought if she saw you at work,

You mother might accept it just a little.

There's no way she would.

That person...

Always wanted an obedient and cute daughter.

Though she should have known that was impossible...

Since I was always running around in the mountains with my brothers.

Your mother is just worried about you.

I never asked her to worry about me.

Iku, when you were a child, you fell while climbing rocks with your brothers

And had to get seven stitches on your head, remember?

Your mother was so pissed.

"Iku's a girl!" She said.

"What if she got a scar on her face?"

She's always saying things like that...

You could have died if you'd fallen badly.

That's where it all began.

You mother's strictness towards you.

You might not remember something from so long ago,

But to a parent, their children will forever be children.

As your father, too,

I...

Don't want my daughter to have a dangerous occupation.

"Where is Komaki-san?"

"He hasn't replied my texts for days."

"Did something happen?"

We've refuted the accusations as groundless,

And requested for Second Class Komaki's release.

The Media Enhancement Committee still hasn't responded?

Yes.

They're probably planning to max out the detainment limit of 7 days.

Today is day five?

I'm worried about how Komaki is doing.

They might not even be giving him any food or water.

That's against the law.

They're behind closed doors, without any surveillance.

Even if we raise a hue and cry later, neither the police nor the judiciary system

Will intervene into a battle between the Library Corps and Media Enhancement Corps.

Shall we barge in there and take him back by force, then?

No! If we trespass into their territory, we won't have anyone to blame if someone gets killed!

Then you can just sit here and sip your tea.

What other choice do we have!?

Chief!

This is Nakazawa Marie-chan.

I've told her everything.

Nice.

Kasahara, you...

"I'll do anything. Please save Komaki-san."

You'll do anything?

Really?

Then, Nakazawa Marie-san,

Allow us to sue you for defamation.

Next up, this is really big news.

Indeed.

A member of the Kantou Library Base Library Corps

Has been detained under suspicion of violating the rights of an underage handicapped girl.

That alone is big news.

But now, that very same Library Corps

Is suing the victim!

Unbelievable.

Ooh! Things are heating up!

Burn, burn, burn!

Good work today.

Yeah.

How's did it go?

They fell for it, hook, line, and sinker!

TN: Shinsesou is a magazine in the Toshokan Sensou universe, and Chief Genda's ex-lover Origuchi is a reporter there.

I let it leak that Shinsesou got a face-to-face interview with the much-talked about high school girl.

Attendance List for Shinsesou's Combined Press Conference

The media who were hemming and hawing because she's underage jumped on the bandwagon in a hurry.

A combined press conference will be held for all the various media companies.

The protagonist will, of course,

Be the pitiful little high school girl

Who's being sued by the Library Corps.

In other words, under the veil of a press conference to condemn the Library Corps,

The girl will plead the innocence of the Librarian who was detained?

Yes. Sounds pretty brazen, doesn't it?

But if word gets out,

The Media Enhancement Secret Service would definitely interfere, right?

Well, we've considered that possibility.

I heard they're holding the press conference at the hotel nearest to Shinsesou.

Just to be safe, the Task Force has been deployed to stand guard at her house, too.

I suppose it'll work out.

Well, worst comes to the worst,

There may be one or two casualties.

Aren't you afraid?

What?

To someone like me...

Who spends his days surrounded by four walls, with only old books for company...

I'm scared out of my wits every time a battle breaks out.

Sometimes, Shibasaki-san seems so far away.

As if if something were to happen...

You'd surely simply shove me aside and forget all about me.

But even so, I can't bring myself to hate you, Shibasaki-san.

I probably couldn't, ever.

I'm right here... For now.

The Media Enforcement Committee is here.

Will you at least hear us out?

If you let the media see her face,

She'll be all over the news nationwide.

And so what about it?

We're simply concerned about your daughter's welfare.

Please consider calling off the press conference and...

Please leave.

Would you please reconsider?

They move fast.

It can't have been too hard to put two and two together

That this press conference is really for the Library Corps to vindicate ourselves.

The real problem is what comes tomorrow.

What methods will they use to hinder us...

Until her arrival at the press conference venue?

There's no mistake about the information I received from Shibasaki Asako.

The Crown Hotel in Shinjuku.

I've received confirmation that the conference will be held here.

Good bye.

The Hachiouji History and Culture Museum is conducting an inquiry into the history of book banning since the Edo period...

Because these banned books are considered of historical significance...

With the assistance of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology...

Inquiry spanning over three years...

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology...

In-charge: Asahina Shuuji

In-charge: Tezuka Satoshi

"Tezuka Satoshi"

Wake up.

Sign it.

There's no need to go so far in your duty as a member of the Library Corps.

If you just acknowledge this, everything will end.

That I...

Gave her that book with the intention of hurting her...

Like hell I'd acknowledge a joke like that.

You guys will never understand...

Why I gave her that book.

You book burners would never understand.

Neither do I have any intention of telling you why.

Why did you suddenly break up with me?

Marie-chan is like a little sister to me.

You're misunderstanding the situation.

A girl I've known since she was tiny is suddenly saddled with this handicap and is suffering!

Isn't it natural that I want to help her?

I don't have the slightest bit of romantic interest in her.

At least for me, as a fellow human being, I can't just leave her alone...

You're right.

You're a kind person.

But... I just can't stand it.

I mean...

I know it.

If anything happens to that girl,

You'd always prioritise her needs.

Even if you married me,

You'd still continue to prioritise her needs.

And that's because...

Get him back on the chair. Break time's over.

"Everyone will protect you, Marie-chan. Don't you worry."

It's the fact that it seems as though

You took on this job with shit for resolve.

"I'm fine. I'm just worried about how Komaki-san is doing right now."

If only you'd just signed your acknowledgement.

We will now be transferring you to the Media Enhancement Committee HQ.

Let's go.

The Media Enhancement Secret Service are on the move.

Good work.

The seats at the back, please.

Okay.

The seats in the middle rows.

Got it.

Itagaki-kun.

I'm on it!

Hold on tight!

This is C132. We've lost the Shinsesou vehicle.

This is C101. Don't panic. We know where they're headed.

We will arrive at the destination of the Shinsesou vehicle shortly.

This is C101 to HQ. The Censorship Unit has arrived in Shinjuku.

We will lockdown the press conference location, The Crown Hotel Shinjuku.

The Shinsesou vehicle is expected to arrive shortly.

We've received intel that a large number of censored books have been brought into the hotel.

We will be locking down the hotel during the course of our investigation.

There they are! Over there!

This is C132. We have spotted the Shinsesou vehicle!

We will be recommencing pursuit. I repeat.

We have spotted the Shinsesou vehicle and will recommence pursuit.

(Asahina Shuuji)

Sorry, I've got the press conference coming up.

About that... I have to apologize.

What?

The press conference isn't going to start, no matter how long you wait.

The first floor has been locked down by the Media Enhancement Corps.

You'll understand if you look outside.

I'm sorry.

Actually I...

Was deceiving you all along.

Outside?

I see the ocean.

What?

The Rainbow Bridge against a blue sky makes a perfect backdrop for a press conference.

"Shinsesou Press Conference"

The Shinsesou vehicle has arrived.

I repeat, the Shinsesou vehicle has arrived.

Detain anyone related to the press conference.

It's empty!

Where did they go?

Huh? Didn't you hear?

The press conference venue was changed in a hurry to a hotel in Odaiba this morning.

Ummm... I'm just going to go cancel the reservation...

Excuse me... Gosh... I wonder how much the cancellation fee is going to be, huh!

Excuse me.

All the best.

I'll show you the way. This way please.

Let's go.

"Shinsesou Press Conference"

My recommendation.

If anything happens to that girl,

You'd always prioritise her needs.

Try reading this one next.

And that's because...

That girl will soon become an adult.

She'll become prettier and prettier...

And there will come a day when excuses like

"She's just a child," or "she's disabled," just won't be able to cut it anymore.

Uhh... We have arranged for this press conference

Because the girl herself told us that she wanted everyone to hear this from the horse's mouth.

Without further ado,

Please go ahead.

Uh...

Umm...

I...

Can't hear my own voice...

But can you hear me properly?

I'm Nakazawa Marie,

The one being sued by the Library Corps

For defamation.

But I...

Never had any intention of complaining against the Library Corps.

I want everyone...

To hear the truth.

That's why I gathered you all here today.

When I was in my first year of high school,

I suffered sudden sensorineural hearing loss in both ears.

I lost my sense of hearing.

When I lost the ability to hear sounds,

It felt as though...

My life's story had been snapped shut.

The librarian

Who is currently being detained for questioning

On suspicion of violating Media Enhancement laws

Was the very person

Who gave me hope.

Ah, this one! I recommend it.

He recommended me so many books,

And to me,

Each and every one of those books

Were like keys that reopened

My closed-off world.

Yet among those books, this one book

Is particularly special.

I really enjoyed

Reading this book.

I really love this book.

But all of you said

That allowing a disabled girl like me

To read a book where the protagonist also is a disabled girl...

Is an act of discrimination.

Who decides what is discriminatory?

It's already past 1530 hours.

The maximum detainment limit of seven days is up.

It'd be illegal to detain him any longer than this.

You're probably trying to transfer him to your HQ while you do the paperwork to extend his detainment.

But we won't let you.

We'll have you return Komaki to us!

Do I...

Not have the freedom to read books that I like?

Now who's the one discriminating who?

Komaki!

I'm sorry, Komaki.

What?

I'll just apologize first.

This book

Is a love story.

The girl in this book

Married the guy she loved.

She was loved as a woman in her own right,

Not merely out of pity or contempt.

Books may be books,

And this story may be nothing more than an empty dream.

But reading this book...

Made me happy.

It gave me joy.

How can you say that

I was hurt by this book?

All those claims

Are nothing more than unfair and false accusations.

Stop!

Let's go.

I'm surprised you used force.

News that the Library Corps are a brood of violent hooligans

Will be splashed all over tomorrow's morning news.

Just you watch

As public opinion is turned on its head.

... On suspicion of violating Media Enhancement laws

Was the very person who gave me hope.

He recommended me so many books, and to me,

Each and every one of those books

Were like keys that reopened

My closed-off world.

The girl in this book

Married the guy she loved.

She was loved as a woman in her own right,

Not merely out of pity or contempt.

I want to protect books, just like that person.

That person?

I thought to myself that I wanted to become someone like that.

A person who protects books.

I thought to myself that I wanted to be just like him,

Saving books that would otherwise be unfairly seized.

So, if I do get to work in the Library Corps,

I don't want to work in the General Affairs Department but in the Library Defence Force.

Can I think...

Of myself as that protagonist?

It's really been troubling me that I can no longer see you as a child.

It's time. Let's go.

What?

Your parents are returning to Ibaraki today, aren't they?

You weren't intending to go?

We'll just end up quarreling.

Your mother...

She was looking through the bookshelves in the library with a nostalgic look in her eyes.

On the west side of the second floor...

The children's books section.

I told you before.

The reason why I joined the Library Corps.

The last book in the "The Country of Beginnings" series.

I really, really wanted to read it.

And ended up fighting with the Media Enhancement Corps because of it.

The first book in this series was

"A Little Story about The Country of Beginnings."

A book you bought for me way back when, Mum.

I'd forgotten all about it.

That the one who first taught me

The joy of reading books

Was you, Mum.

I want to protect them.

Books,

And the freedom to read them.

Even if you have to put your life on the line for them?

Why does it have to be you, Iku?

The world ended up in this sorry state because everyone tries to push the job to someone else.

Someone has to do it.

And that's why I chose this job.

I'm sorry, Mum.

I'm sorry I didn't grow up into the daughter you wanted.

But...

That's who I am.

Library Defence Force, Task Force member...

Kasahara Iku.

Can I see it?

You once asked me

If your daughter had what it took for the job.

I did.

Library Clerk First Class Kasahara possesses a pure and strong determination to protect books.

That motivation of hers has become the flagship of the Library Corps.

So Iku is needed?

Yes.

She's a precious existence.

A precious subordinate.

Thank you very much.

Attention! Salute!

To the right! Right!

Advance!

Asahina got to know the guys from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology

Through the project that they collaborated on, and joined "Project Future" under that man,

He was so absolutely taken by the ideals of the Project and that man's charisma,

That he became their spy.

That's also the reason why he tried to get close to me.

But he seemed rather hesitant, so I thought I might be able to get information out of him instead...

I'll continue to keep an eye on him.

I'm looking forward to the work you'll do as a member of the Secret Intelligence Division.

Of course.

The ideals of "Project Future"

Are absolutely incompatible with the Library Corps.

All the more so if the Media Enhancement Committee is involved in it.

Representative of "Project Future..."

Tezuka-kun's older brother,

Tezuka Satoshi.

I know you're a dog of "Project Future."

You can tell my brother.

That I'll never quit the Library Corps, no matter what happens.

I'll never join "Project Future."

Don't ever come back.

And don't come close to Shibasaki ever again.

Just tell Shibasaki-san one last thing for me.

This late in the game...

Sooner or later,

Another ember will begin to smoulder within the Library Corps.

A huge ember

Not even comparable to this time.

Is that a threat? Who'd believe you?

It's up to the hearer to either weasel more information, or kill off the information source.

Knowing her,

She'd probably laugh at you and say that it's always better to have more information.

Just like with an index.

Index?

Too bad, I was hoping to get a little bit more information out of him.

Since when were you...

Well.

It's good to know that you're not about to betray us, at the very least.

Did you know he was a spy?

Who do you think I am?

You've got your hands full with that irritating brother of yours, too, don't you?

You even know about him?

Just how much information do you have?

Umm...

Thank you very much.

I'm glad I got to tell her properly.

It'd be good if she eventually comes to understand.

Yeah.

What were you talking to my father about at the train station?

He wouldn't stop singing your praises afterwards.

He kept saying stuff like, "I feel safe entrusting my daughter to someone like that."

It'd be a pain to have you entrusted to me.

They said you were a good superior.

What's wrong? You're acting weird.

I'm not acting weird!

Liar! I mean,

You're the one acting weird.

Are we done?

That's what Instructor Doujou...

Forget it.

It's not because Instructor Doujou is anyone particularly special.

But I'm going to do my best as a member of the Library Corps!

I'll do my very best!

It's good enough that you've got that determination.

Yes!

Do your best.

It's definitely him.

Definitely.

You actually did like him, didn't you?

If I looked so convincingly like a girl in love, then my mission was a huge success.

The truth is,

I can never be like Kasahara or Marie-chan.

If it's to get intel, I'm willing to do anything.

I'd go out with as many men as I need to. I'd kiss them if need be.

I'd probably even sleep with them.

Hey!

If she knew I was this sort of person,

Would that stupidly pure and honest girl

Come to hate me?

She'd probably get angry at you.

Even if she found out that what kind of person you really were,

I don't think she'd hate you.

She'd probably get all angry and tell you to value yourself more.

I'd be angry too.

I wasn't up to the task after all.

I'm sorry that I couldn't be of use to Tezuka-san.

How was Shibasaki Asako?

Is there a chance that she's part of the new Secret Intelligence Division?

I don't think so.

She's nothing more than a strong-willed girl.

Even now,

I still believe in the ideals of "Project Future."

I hope...

That one day, there will be peace on earth.

Afternoons are so wearisome.

One person has left.

It's good for a person to know when to make his exit and leave things to the rest.

Thanks to that sappy press conference,

Public opinion is now in favour of the Library Corps.

The Library Corps have won too much in this respect.

Yeah.

We can't achieve a balance.

The future that "Project Future" envisions...

For that reason too...

We have to diminish the amount of power the Library Corps has.

Even amongst the elite Task Force,

There's one in particular who stands out...

A most vulnerable rose among the thorns.

This is only the beginning.

Chamomile - Resilience in Suffering

subtitles by shikashitsuji

The Library Corps, who fight to protect freedom.

Don't you think it's silly to risk your lives to protect freedom?

Is our existence meaningless, then?

Their aim is the annihilation of the Library Task Force.

Tell them.

There are people waiting for you.

We'll protect it to the end. Every single time.

This world is worth protecting.

Even if it means my life.

Even if I'm not around...