01x05 - Your Thorn, My Badge

[bunniefuu]

26TH PLANTATION: CHRYSANTHEMUM

13TH PLANTATION: CERASUS

This city will now commence

the Kissing with 26th city.

A kiss is something special.

Zero Two taught me that when we first met.

Do Adults kiss? I wonder.

And if so, who was it who likened

the meeting of two plantations to a kiss?

So what is a Kissing anyway?

You've been standing there with no clue

what you're watching?

Shove off, stupid!

Like you know any better.

What?

It's when two plantations link up, right?

That's not all.

The plantations transfer magma fuel

between each other via that pipe.

Both we and the Adults

need that fuel to survive.

It even powers the FRANXX.

Great. One less thing to worry about.

Don't be so sure.

Quite a bit of fuel is being transferred.

I heard it will attract

droves of Klaxosaurs.

No joke?

Droves?

-We'll be fine.

-What?

As long as we work together.

We even have Strelizia to count on now.

Hiro.

True enough.

Hiro is right.

The ceremony was grand and formal.

The Children of the 26th Plantation

FRANXX Unit were also in attendance.

All of them seemed

far more poised than us.

Children!

The vile Klaxosaurs shall as*ault us

in numbers, seeking our magma fuel.

The fate of both our cities rests on

the shoulders of you Parasites!

You are strong!

We have faith that

you shall bring us victory!

We were all giddy

after receiving such a welcome.

But at the same time,

we were acutely aware

of the magnitude of the battle

we were about to face.

Come on, Hiro. Time to get up.

Rise and shine already.

Are you feeling okay?

You were burning up.

I'm perfectly fine.

In fact, my body feels light as a feather.

You're not just saying that?

Of course not.

I could even go for a workout right now.

All right.

Yesterday's ceremony was so amazing!

I could barely fall asleep

from the excitement.

Their team's leader

looked like such a sweetie.

Is that the sort

you'd want to ride with, Miku?

Better than our boys, at least.

Don't you think?

I can't say. It doesn't interest me.

Such a stick in the mud.

Having the Adults' high expectations

sure gets you pumped up.

Yes. It's nice to be needed.

Children! You are strong!

We have faith that

you shall bring us victory!

Of course,

I'll be the one bringing it home!

If anyone, that would be Hiro.

What?

That's a good point.

He really saved the day

in the last battle!

Though, how's your condition?

My condition? Right. Perfectly normal.

Good for you!

Guess that "third-time death" rumor

was just nonsense.

That, or you two are unusually compatible.

Thanks.

But that victory was a team effort.

The fight was harrowing but satisfying.

If I can ride again this time, I hope

you'll let me fight alongside the team.

Don't get too full of yourself.

So you got lucky one time.

Don't be so dismissive.

-Zorome.

-Yes?

I'll do my best not to drag you down.

Here's to the team's future.

Right.

Oh, what the heck.

Just don't screw up next time.

So eager to please.

Shut up! Look, I was just

You know, seeing as

I'm the team's ace, I have to

Yes, of course.

Food!

Time for food!

Hiro, hold up a second.

Your shirt collar was bent.

Okay.

Honestly. Will you ever learn

to dress neatly?

You were sure quick on the uptake

when I signaled you in the last fight.

I've known you long enough.

I had a feeling you would come through.

I'm flattered to have your trust.

Of course, I was prepared to lecture you

if you had messed up.

No mercy?

Anyway, I was wondering--

Oh, darling! Morning!

Good morning.

Over here!

Hang on!

What is a girl doing on this side?

Hey, that's my chair.

You heard him! Scram!

Quiet, now.

Hurry up and sit down.

We need to say grace.

But my chair

Why don't you sit over here, Futoshi?

Can I?

May Papa never go thirsty.

May his heart be ever at peace.

-Amen.

-Amen.

Here, darling. Open up.

Okay.

-How is it?

-Right. It's good.

You can have all of mine

How lucky. I'd like to experience that.

Why not ask your partner?

I don't know. I'd rather have

someone cute like Kokoro

It looked fun!

Well gosh,

you hopped on the bandwagon fast.

Again.

Our lives here are regimented,

from waking up to bathing, to sleeping.

Even our clothes and meals

are arranged for us.

This whole forest was made for

us Parasites to optimize our scores.

Including the dome over the sky?

Probably.

But it still rains, even with the roof.

It rains?

Yes. Water comes down from the roof.

Seriously? I want to see!

Make it happen!

What?

I can't do it.

Papa and the Adults control

No. I want to see it now.

Do it.

But

By the way, why do you suddenly

want a tour of the place?

Why else?

I'm planning to live here too!

What?

What?

What's a girl doing here?

Keep out of the boys' wing!

Sorry! We're on our way out.

Come on, Zero Two.

Okay.

Look at them, holding hands.

Zero Two will be staying here

for the time being.

Papa has given his approval.

Then is Hiro officially a Parasite?

Arrangements for that are still underway.

I doubt there will be an issue.

Ichigo, get along with Zero Two.

Thoughts?

On what?

On Hiro today.

Well, it's the most

I've seen him smile in a while.

Yes.

But what if he was just

putting on a cheerful act?

Is that what he told you?

No, but he's not the sort

who would be honest about that.

Look, if you could tell him--

Goro.

It's nice you're worried about Hiro,

but try to think of us first.

What do you mean?

This next battle will be the toughest

we've ever faced.

I can't fight at my full potential

if my partner is full of doubts.

Why is it just me?

What does Hiro have that I don't?

Mitsuru?

Yes?

Oh, well, I saw you come in here.

Are you all right?

You seem unwell lately.

I feel fine.

Is there anything I can do?

I know you don't like relying on

What is this? Pity?

I didn't mean

Please leave me alone.

This room is yours to use as you like.

I wanted to stay with my darling.

You'll be staying here for a while,

won't you?

Then you should obey the rules.

Don't expect any special treatment.

And please take care of Hiro.

I don't need you to remind me.

My darling belongs to me after all.

Hiro doesn't belong to anyone.

You're awfully high and mighty.

Why, thank you.

Hey, Goro!

Your FRANXX come in

quite a variety of shapes.

What do you mean?

We always assumed that was normal.

Goodness, no.

Ours have nearly identical

bodies and weapons.

It makes it easier

to coordinate as a team in battle.

Wow.

I heard you were

a hastily-assembled test team.

Is this also your first Kissing?

Yes.

I see.

Our team is more experienced.

Feel free to ask us

if you have any questions.

Me!

Me! I have a question!

So has any Child from your team

ever become an Adult?

Become an Adult?

Oh, that's what you mean.

Not from our team, at least.

Well, have you heard any rumors?

I'm afraid not.

Darn.

You're sure hung up on that, Zorome.

I'm not as simple-minded as you, Futoshi.

How peculiar.

Your nicknames.

It was Code 016, yes? He started it?

You know about Hiro?

Yes. He's well-known among the Children.

You're an unusual bunch.

Your machines are eclectic, and you call

each other by nicknames, not code names.

I wonder what the purpose of all that is.

Hiro?

What is this abnormally high

yellow blood cell count?

It's a miracle he's still alive.

Indeed.

An exact opposite reaction to the other

Parasites who rode with Zero Two.

Isn't it dangerous to let him ride again

before we know the cause?

However, we cannot afford to

sit Strelizia out in the coming battle.

This time will make it three.

Come on, Hiro!

What's wrong?

It's nothing

Like hell it's nothing!

Are you hurt?

How long have you had this?

Since you rode with Zero Two?

Hey!

You can't ride Strelizia again.

That's not your choice.

You know the risk of riding again!

Goro, I feel an incredible purpose

in my life right now.

It's been a while

since I've felt this way.

I want to make this mission succeed.

I don't want this to end in failure. So

You want me to ignore this?

Yes.

So you're not going to tell anyone?

Yes.

Not even Ichigo?

Yes.

You!

I'm sorry.

You

You're such a fool.

An hour ago, Klaxosaur signatures

were detected at a distance of 3,000.

There are an estimated 100 to 150.

About 150?

That number is expected to increase.

Enemy contact is projected

to occur 33 hours from now.

We cannot complete the Kissing

before then, even if we rush.

As such, we will set up

a defensive perimeter here.

The 26th Unit will cover the front lines.

The 13th Unit will hang back as a backup.

Wait, backup?

This battle promises to be chaotic.

We can fight more cohesively

if it's just our team.

What

In other words,

they think we'll get in the way.

Your top priority is to defend the main

pipe connecting the two plantations.

As such, we will position a FRANXX

capable of fighting alone here.

Do we have such a FRANXX?

We will be positioning Strelizia here.

Strelizia, he said?

What is the meaning

Apologies for being late.

Code 002!

What's the word from Papa?

We have approval.

Hiro will ride Strelizia

as Zero Two's partner.

That seems like our best available option.

-Yes, sir.

-Wait a moment!

We cannot fight alongside Strelizia.

The mission plan is final.

But that girl pays no heed to her allies!

We cannot entrust our rear

to someone like her!

Code 002, I'm sure you know

what I'm talking about.

What do you mean?

Our joint offensive two years ago!

Thanks to your heedless, reckless

combat, we were cut off from our allies.

And I lost my partner!

I can't say I remember.

Weaklings die. That's all there is to it.

I will control Zero Two.

That's my role, as Strelizia's Stamen.

What gives? Treating us like dead weight.

But it's true.

We're no more than an ad hoc team.

Even so, it gets on your nerves.

I have to agree with them.

Strelizia shouldn't be deployed

for this

I'll do it.

Let's show them what we can do!

You guys aren't going to just let

what they said go, right?

Yes.

Listen to the man, Goro.

Don't get all pessimistic on us!

What do you think, Ichigo?

We need Strelizia.

What are they

I won't say anything

regarding the 26th Unit incident.

But please refrain from

any independent action in this mission.

I'm the leader,

so you are to follow my orders.

Ordering me around again?

You sure are high and mighty.

Hey! I'm not done yet.

What?

Don't push Hiro too hard.

My darling was the one

who asked to ride with me.

I know.

So please don't let him do anything

he can't handle.

You want me to let you have him?

But you tried and failed once

with my darling, didn't you?

This isn't about me!

Then don't involve yourself.

Are you just using Hiro?

My darling belongs to me.

You know he might die!

That's right.

If he does, that's that.

You monster!

It's true, you're not human!

Human?

Not human, am I?

Well then, let me ask.

What exactly is human to you?

You'll catch a cold.

Thanks.

I had something to do.

Right.

Were you watching?

Yes.

I don't know what to do.

I'm the leader, one of his oldest friends.

Yet nothing I did could help Hiro ride.

Nothing I did could stop him.

But now, he has her.

And Hiro himself has

But I

Something's wrong with me.

Ichigo?

I can't take this!

I can't. My mind is all a mess.

I don't understand!

But

Hiro

Ichigo.

Hiro.

What was I

It sure smells nice after it rains.

Make it rain again.

Oh, right. You can't, can you?

I don't know. Not yet.

This was where we first met.

Thanks to meeting you, I'm here.

I'm able to ride a FRANXX.

That's right. Only I can be your partner.

You know, don't you, darling?

Not a single partner has ridden with me

more than three times.

Yes.

It's painful, isn't it? Torturous?

But it's so beautiful.

Well?

This is your last chance to get off.

I'll ride.

Though the wings I sought

and obtained may someday break,

I will take flight nonetheless.

For that, I believe, is my purpose here.