02x12 - Those Who Fight Back

[bunniefuu]

The window is...

This isn't the Star Bearers' responsibility!

It happened on the adults' side of the passage!

Silence!

I will deal with everything!

This is an order:

Forget everything that happened here!

The letter of consent for the handover...

Was this all planned
from the very beginning?

With things as they are,
I can't lay the blame on the children!

Curse it!

That blasted Barbara!

Who's there?

In the face of sadness, we shall smile

To live is to be a marionette

Once your heart gets into the swing...

Would you like a coffee?





I can't seem to dance very well

Pain and resentment, and sadness, too...

Mix them, knead them...

And then a good night kiss

Shall we Dance? We shall dance

Despair and desire. This is the life!

Shadow Life!

Don't puzzle over things unnecessarily

Let's become one

How nice [How nice] How nice [How nice]

Humans... Being human... It's so nice

Those Who Fight Back

Mistress Maryrose?!

No, it can't be.

Kate, who possesses memories of the past.

Emilico, who has broken free
of the brainwashing.

I have high hopes for both of you.

You...

Why have you entered
Kate's rooms uninvited?

I saw your battle with Maryrose last night.

Kate, the methods by which you overcame
every difficulty were magnificent.

However...

Even Maryrose, whom you found so formidable,

stood no chance against Edward, even with
the element of surprise during her transfer.

Now you understand the tremendous difference
in strength between adults and children.

With your strength yet undeveloped,

you stand to be swallowed
by the malice of this house.

Given your keen intellect,
you must already realize this yourself.

Last night, she recounted
events of the past for us.

Christopher's fate...

was truly regrettable.

But there was one thing
which stood out to Kate.

One thing that Maryrose didn't tell us.

After Christopher k*lled himself...

where did the living doll he left behind go,
and what became of him?

Anthony.

Now all of the questions concerning the second
phantom disturbance have been answered.

Maryrose's phantoms can't move well enough
to open the door to the soot pipes.

You were her accomplice, weren't you?

Correct!

I took the liberty of asking Maryrose
to keep my identity secret in your talks,

but you still arrived at the answer.

Magnificent.

Aren't you worried about Maryrose?

No.

She and I have known
each other for a long time,

but in the end, we didn't
share the same views.

After all, once Maryrose
received her invitation,

she planned to throw herself off the balcony
to declare her refusal to be fused, right?

I have no interest in those who do
not have the will to keep fighting.

But when you heard her plan,

you frantically thought up ideas
to help Maryrose and Rosemary escape.

By using your powers,

you could pad soot with air
to give it the elasticity of a cushion.

If you could catch them with that
at the bottom of the cliff,

their chances of survival
would greatly improve.

Not that we know
how it worked out in practice.

That said, while she had stocked up
enough soot to destroy the hallway,

there wouldn't have been enough
to create a cushion, too.

I'm in awe of you, Kate.

The remaining soot needed...

you supplied yourself.

And it was an incredible amount.

The willingness you demonstrated
to step up and save those in trouble...

It shows that you have
the makings of a leader.

To make me feel that way
in just two days is quite a feat!

Kate didn't do it to receive recognition.

If there was any chance they could be saved,
Kate had to try! That's all!

If you've known someone for a long time,

wouldn't you try to find any
possible means of saving them?

If nothing else,
Maryrose trusted Christopher!

What about you, Anthony?

I am human.

There are limits to what those
who are not shadows can do.

"If I'm to be caught
and k*lled in any case,"

"then I want to at least
strike back at the house."

I do respect Maryrose and
Rosemary feeling that way.

And I was the one who carried
the soot over the soot pipes.

When I heard your escape plan, I even
readied food and other things for them.

You are full of mysteries.

After Christopher k*lled himself,

how did you escape and return here?

And where have you been
hiding all this time?

What is it that you're after?

I believe our goals are the same.

For that purpose, you must
become even stronger,

and we need more information.

If you would become my student,

then the day when we
command the children's wing

and stand against
the house will surely come.

You need me.

Wait! Where are you going?

H-He disappeared!

But there isn't an exit.

How could he have?

Maryrose didn't call Anthony her ally.

"Our goals are the same." That may be true.

But something is nagging at me.

Anthony...

What is he thinking?

Mistress Maryrose and Rosemary...

I'm sure they're alive and have
escaped to somewhere safe, right?

Yes.

Let's believe in them.

Kate still has things
she wishes to think over,

but she'll do that tomorrow.

Good morning!

Today, it's even brighter
than usual outside.

Oh! Mister Bird!

A dream?

That's the first time
I've dreamed since I came here.

It must have been a dream from
when I lived in the village...

from before I was brought to Shadows House.

The me who lived in the village
woke with light shining down on her.

Could a life like that truly have existed?

When you're made to sleep in a little box,

it makes you begin to think
that you really are a doll.

Emilico!

Didn't you hear the summoning bell?

Hurry up and come out!

I'll be right there!

After I return from the morning cleaning,

I clean Mistress Kate's rooms.

Then I help Mistress Kate dress.

After that is my work as her face.

Sometime during the morning
is the Star Bearers' report,

and in the afternoon,
I have to attend to Mistress Kate.

When we return to her rooms in the evening,

I tidy up and ready things for her to sleep.

After Mistress Kate retires for the night,
I eat supper and finish any mending.

Then I can finally go to sleep.

It's what I've done all this time.

But... for some reason,
I feel like I'm suffocating.

It's tough being so busy
every day, isn't it, Mia?

Honestly. Are you still saying such things?

We are tools of Shadows House.

We mustn't fret over trivial matters.

Don't think about anything
other than what we've been told.

Exactly.

That is how an exceptional
living doll behaves!

Since our team has lost one member,

I've become leader,
as I've been here the longest!

This is the hall of cleaning implements.

This is where we living dolls gather.

When someone is lost,
someone else replaces them.

No one thinks about the ones who are gone.

In this moment, are you excited
about your life in this house?

The veiled dolls have lost their masters
and wear mourning clothes.

How do they feel being here?

Or are they made to forget even that?

When I was under the
coffee's brainwashing effects,

I never experienced these painful emotions.

If you drink it, you don't have to think,
and you can just be happy.

Good morning! Mistress Kate...

There's a rag meant
for the floor on the table.

Someone started this without telling me?

Why? And where is Mistress Kate?

Good morning, Emilico.

Kate started cleaning before you arrived.

When living dolls are brought to the house,
they're made to live a harsh life

to keep them from thinking
about things, right?

Kate wants to help Emilico
as much as possible.

Because Kate wants Emilico
to be bright and lively!

Thank you so much!

Then first, let's fix your apron.

What? Have the ties come loose?

Wow!

To think you can use soot powers that way!

A dream?

What kind of dream was it?

I woke with sunlight on me
and went to open a window myself.

The outside gave me such a sense of freedom
that I felt like I could go anywhere...

but that was when I woke up.

Could that be a memory from your past?

Or was it just a dream?

In any case, it may be a good sign.

The effects of the coffee have grown weaker.

But because of that, I keep drifting off
and thinking about things I shouldn't.

Emilico.

Huh?

You are free to think about anything,
even things you shouldn't,

because you're human.

I let myself be bound
by the rules of living dolls!

Even though you're not brainwashed anymore,
it's hard to know what to do, isn't it?

"Serve Shadows House as a living doll."

To make it harder to break
the coffee-induced brainwashing,

a cyclic life where you aren't
treated as humans was devised.

A room where no sunlight enters.

A box for a bed.

A workload that allows no time for thinking.

Insufficient sleep.

As you lose your human emotions,
you cease to be conscious of your own life.

The living doll's transformation
into a mere tool is complete.

And then, you will end up
accepting fusion with a shadow.

I'm so sorry, Mistress Kate!

What?

"If I'm going to have to
feel these things..."

"Then maybe it would have been better
for me to drink the coffee."

I couldn't help thinking it.

The coffee is meant to numb you
to the harshness of your life.

Without it, Emilico,
you must be suffering greatly.

But now I am able to clean
together with you, Mistress Kate!

And I can eat at the same table as you!
It makes me very happy!

It's time to go the great hall, isn't it?

We have information to report.

For the time being, all debuts
and invitations have been postponed.

What? Really?

Please, don't worry.

It is only for as long as it takes to repair
worn-down areas in the Passageway of Glory.

"Worn-down areas"?

Edward...

So that's how he dealt with that incident.

And now, as the number of people
in the children's wing has changed again,

we will reexamine the
composition of the teams.

Oh, Sarah can become a team leader at last!

Since our team has lost a member,
perhaps we'll get someone new!

Is it not possible that a team leader
will be picked from another team?

Sarah has contributed greatly for a long time,
so Sarah will definitely be the leader.

Come here...

Isabelle.

Isabelle and Mirabelle will join team ten.

Th-That can't be right!

The twins will be our leaders?

And Mirabelle is absent from
this very important briefing session!

Do not interrupt unnecessarily.

As they have all received punishment,
they are no longer worthy of being leaders.

And the reason Mirabelle is absent...

is because a living doll
has been disposed of.

Belle!

Someone has fallen victim
to this house yet again!

Oh, w-well, then...

What a relief. Of course
that's the way of it.

As a result,

Elizabeth will transfer to team nine
and be promoted to leader.

And as hopes are high that this
newcomer will pass her debut,

we also plan to add her to the team.

And the leader of team ten...

will be you,

Kate.

Barbara?

This is Barbara's
acknowledgment of you, Kate.

The letter of consent Barbara drew up
on your advice proved to be useful.

Show us what more you can do
in the future as team leader.

And it is likely that we we will make use
of your wisdom again as an advisor.

Barbara has high hopes for you.

Mistress Kate has become our team leader!

Gaining Barbara's trust is
a tremendous step forward,

not to mention the
promotion to team leader.

Kate can put it to use
in recruiting more allies.

And it seems like we'll be able to
obtain information through the Star Bearers!

No.

The coffee's effects have accumulated
within the Star Bearers for too long.

Investigating them would seem suspicious.

First...

We start with the members
of our team, right?

Yes.

We must take this opportunity
to unify our team,

while avoiding drawing attention.

Emilico, let's do our very best!

What? What is it?

I'm so happy that Mistress Kate
is finally receiving recognition!

If I know Mistress Kate...

She'll easily be able to make
allies and lead the team, too!

Mistress Kate is our team leader!

Mistress Kate is our team leader...

Does that mean that I'm team leader, too?!

Huh? What should I do?

What did Rosemary do?

Oh! It would be terrible for me to be late!

I'm sorry!

So, our team leader
is late on her first day.

Well, then! Let's start the morning cleaning!

Your hair is mussed from sleeping.

Hey...

One of us isn't here yet.

Belle! It's time for morning cleaning.

No!

I don't want to go!

I won't, ever!

Ow!

Huh? What's wrong?

She might think that she
has to clean the soot pipes.

Oh.

It's all right. It's just regular cleaning.

It isn't scary at all!

Our team leader has been entrusted
with what seems to be a difficult task.

Emilico is late again this morning.

And yesterday, Belle ended up
running back to her room.

It really is too soon
for Emilico to be team leader.

Oh! Mia, Lou, good morning!

Why are you being so easygoing?
If we're late—

Mia...

It looks like Emilico arrived
before us and started cleaning.

I've gone ahead and organized our toolbox!

When yesterday you didn't
know how to do anything?

I remembered that Rosemary would look
at the blackboard every morning!

I saw that the cleaning schedule
for each team is written there.

All right, team ten! Move out!

It seems you understand a
little of your job as team leader now,

but what are you planning
to do about Belle not coming?

This morning, I went
to see how she was doing.

I don't think that Belle should
push herself too hard yet.

I'd like to give her time to rest.

What?

The amount of cleaning we have to do
can't be completed with just three of us!

If we let Belle rest and try
to continue our team's assignments...

in the end, you, as team leader,
will have to take responsibility, Emilico!

Our team will be treated
as incompetent again!

No, we will complete our cleaning.

Because I'll do the work of two!

You can't do two people's
work on your own, Emilico.

I'll work harder, too.

Thank you!

Belle is already broken.

All of this hard work will be for nothing!

Ta-dah!

Today, I brought a stuffed doll that I made!

If you have this, you won't feel lonely.

I'll leave a letter here, too!

Everyone in team ten
wrote something for you.

For the morning cleaning...

To start with, just making an appearance
will be enough, all right?

Mia, morning cleaning isn't
for a little while yet.

I—

You're about to go to the
team leader meeting, aren't you?

And I expect you'll request
that they dispose of Belle.

She hasn't come out of
her room for three days.

I've reached my limit.

If things continue this way,

the whole team will have
to take responsibility.

And then Lou and I will become
targets for disposal, too.

I trust you know that.

Regarding the newly-appointed team leaders...

Team nine's Liz is doing well.

The problem is...

team ten!

According to reports,

you are continuing your assignments
with one member missing.

The reports say all their cleaning has
been properly completed, though.

Completing their cleaning
doesn't make everything all right!

Failing to function as a team violates
the rules of the house!

Sunshine...

You have not gained my approval.

But Mistress Barbara is the one
who decides on the team leaders.

She also decides who will be disposed of.

I must report to her the evidence
upon which she makes those decisions.

Why hasn't Belle shown herself?
Is she already broken?

She is not broken!

Are you listening?

If those who can't abide by the rules in the
children's wing are left to their own devices,

it causes problems for Mistress Barbara.

When they were cleaning the soot pipes...

I once saw the Belles
with faces filthy from soot.

It must have been so difficult.

And one of them even ended up breaking.

That does not serve as justification for—

But in spite of that...

Belle's room is clean!

She's definitely cleaning it!

Right now, Belle is

serving as the face of both Mistress
Isabelle and Mistress Mirabelle.

She's cleaning both of their rooms,

so she can't think about anything
outside of that. That's all!

Please don't speak of
disposing of her so easily.

Belle is a member of my team.

I won't lose another team member...

ever again!

Traveling through a jumbled labyrinth...

Over and over

This lonely utopia...

I have no more need of it

A vanished smile

Promises are lies, too

Everything is pointless,
isn't it? And yet...

Even misshapen as I am, I keep searching...

For shadows of recollection

Roses whose love has rotted...

Lock their feelings away

That silhouette from back then...

I've kept on chasing it...

Even if pale, frozen thorns

Pierce my heart over and over

Until I can take that hand

Again and again

I'll wish on a star

Everyone who lives in the children's wing...

had a life they used to live.

The more than fifty children
who live in this wing right now...

were all brought here to die.

They're unable to rely on anyone.

But the truth is that they're
all just victims of the house.

If they would only open their eyes,

they'd become allies who would
stand against Shadows House.

Shadows House...

is wrong!