01x02 - What It Means to Connect

[bunniefuu]

That act of joining lips

was unknown to us.

She called it a kiss.

Commence connection.

Since the Klaxosaur attack

had interrupted it,

a much more low-key induction

ceremony was held the next day.

This time, there was no sign

of Papa or the Adults.

I can't remember what happened after

I boarded the enormous FRANXX, Strelizia.

But I believe that

those events were no dream.

I flew with my own power.

I'm not a hatchling any longer.

So I will no longer run. That I swore.

PARASITE RESIDENTIAL AREA - MISTILTEINN

PARASITE DORMITORY

Meow.

Are you from around here, kitty?

Ichigo?

Hiro?

You didn't have to wait out here for me.

Then don't disappear first thing

in the morning.

You may find it uncomfortable,

but you're living here again now.

Act like you belong.

I hear Naomi is okay.

They took her to the hospital.

Yes. I heard it too.

Were you the one controlling that FRANXX?

I don't really remember.

That's why I want to ride again.

To make sure.

Again?

That girl's not in our unit, you know.

It doesn't matter.

As long as I get to ride.

Look, I've heard the rumors.

None of her past partners have

ridden more than three times with her.

None made it out in one piece.

I don't know if that's true,

but I think it's best to avoid her.

But if I can't ride,

it's no better than if I had left.

Hiro.

Hey, get in here, Hiro.

That girl is in our dining room.

What is she still doing here?

ZERO TWO

What a peculiar person.

KOKORO

She must like sweet food.

MIKU

I wouldn't call her a person. You know

Stop that.

ICHIGO

We owe her our lives.

IKUNO

I wonder

if she really has Klaxosaur blood.

And I thought

there were no single-digit codes.

The rumors painted a different picture.

GORO, FUTOSHI

A shame, for someone of her beauty.

HIRO

She has already recovered

from those injuries.

Oh, yes.

ZOROME

I had the privilege

of seeing you in action.

How about the privilege of riding with me?

I'll perform better than that crybaby.

MITSURU

Why don't you and I

Hey, what gives?

My good blazer!

You should do something about this!

This is deliciously sweet.

Let's share it.

I'd like you to tell me something.

Was I truly able to ride with you?

You rode wonderfully.

I was quite charmed,

my darling.

-"Darling"?

-"Darling"?

-Wait, what does that mean?

-I'm not sure either.

Hey, don't just ignore me!

So it's true.

I was able to ride back there!

Okay, that's enough.

Miss Nana.

I will be resuming my duties

from the Garden as your caretaker.

For formality's sake,

I am Nana, from APE HQ,

now assigned to the 13th City Unit.

Sweet! Lucky us!

Miss Nana.

Yes, Ichigo?

Will she be staying here?

We are still awaiting orders from HQ

regarding Zero Two.

Her activities will generally be separate.

As such, come along now.

Oh, I was just thinking

it looked comfortable here.

Hang on!

Zero Two!

I want you to let me

ride your FRANXX again!

I need to make sure that

I'm afraid that's not for you to decide.

You will receive further orders

from Papa and the Adults.

Until then, be patient.

From Papa?

Why him?

So what was she all about?

We can't have you

acting out of turn like this.

I was just eating with my darling.

Keep your contact with the Parasites

to a minimum.

They're too delicate for someone like you.

Talk about a suffocating place.

Reports confirm

one Mohorovicic-class at 13th City.

It was defeated at the hands of Strelizia.

With fuel reserves depleted to 54 percent,

it is currently moored in the vicinity,

requesting a Kissing with 26th City.

Approved.

Understood.

The kissing is scheduled

for 175 hours from now.

We've received word that

Strelizia has been staying in 13th City.

Another of that girl's whims.

Professor shouldn't indulge her so much.

Even so, it's true

that judging by the numbers alone,

this appears to be a rare case,

with no signs of physical aging.

Code 016. Yes, that Child.

This cannot be.

His abnormality's cause is unknown.

Intercourse with such

a specimen will sully its blood.

We must retrieve it at once.

Yet we saw its brilliant performance

in that battle.

It is well worth investigating.

Let us observe for now.

I still can't believe

you took on that Klaxosaur.

What was it like?

I don't remember the experience.

But I remember the feeling.

I see.

Either way, I'm glad you're staying.

You might just perform better

in real scenarios.

You beat us to it!

I'm walking here!

And you didn't ride before us in my eyes.

You stupid crybaby!

Why are these so small?

So tight!

I hope I get used to the feeling

of connecting soon.

It's so different

from the training machines.

You whole body goes limp,

and it feels like all your insides

are getting churned up!

There, can you feel it?

Stop. Don't remind me.

Was it that bad for you?

It did feel kind of funny,

but I don't know.

If anything, I thought

it felt comforting.

Like being with somebody.

Seriously?

Wow

If only my numbers were

as high as yours, Ichigo.

You must have high compatibility

with Goro too.

The elites of the two-digit club.

Aren't you the perfect pair?

Much appreciated.

Speaking of elites, how about that Hiro?

Not only does he bring home a girl,

but then she starts calling him darling!

Those two might have something going

What was that for?

I will serve as your mission commander.

However, in the field, you are

to follow the leader unit Delphinium.

Understood.

Why does she get to be the leader?

We will begin the training exercise.

This will be your first exercise

using real units.

Stay calm, focus on responding to your

partner, and let your body do the rest.

Now let us commence the connection.

There it goes!

Don't make those noises!

I can't help it!

Even tiny divergences between your hearts

can greatly affect your capacity.

It's important to trust

and open yourselves to your partners.

Are you okay?

I'm fine. Keep going.

Did I do all right?

Yes, you were just fine.

We're so perfect for each other!

Don't go gaga for each other over that.

Remember, I was the fastest.

Especially you, two-digit club.

Don't you forget it.

Pace yourself there.

Need I remind you

that we're on the same side?

Says the loser!

Hey, don't be so rough!

What?

Are you okay?

Thanks.

The boys have the initiative

with the controls.

Don't push the girls,

who are deeply linked to the FRANXX.

Bossy.

All units,

follow Delphinium's lead and advance.

-Roger!

-Roger!

I was able to ride that time.

If I could have another chance

with Zero Two and Strelizia, I

An activation test in a real machine?

MOBILE UNIT DOCKS

It's hard to get the hang of connecting.

It's just

Hey. Tell us.

Why Hiro?

Hiro?

Are you talking about my darling?

There you go calling him that again.

I'm grateful to you

for defeating that Klaxosaur.

However, I want you to stay away

from Hiro from now on.

Why?

You're not a member of our unit.

You won't be here permanently,

so don't give him false hopes.

What?

So who are you to my darling?

I'm the leader of this unit.

Hey

Nice and sweet.

I think I like you.

Can we really learn to fight them?

Those Klaxosaurs.

Like the FRANXX that Hiro rode did.

For the record,

that doesn't count as riding.

You think a failure like him

could have controlled it?

But we saw it moving.

And he seems to have grabbed

Papa's attention.

Well, from what I heard,

that Pistil, Zero Two,

has the unique ability

to control a FRANXX by herself.

You both saw that quadruped form.

In other words,

Hiro was just taken along for the ride.

Yes, see?

He didn't beat us to it in my eyes.

So he'd better not

get a big head about it!

Bullseye! Go, me!

Sorry, man.

I didn't think you couldn't dodge it!

Back from your private session

with the training machine?

That's what you deserve.

You crybaby who had to have a girl

take him for a ride!

What? You want to go?

Zero Two said I rode.

The real thing isn't like

the training machines!

Give me another chance,

and I'll prove I can ride!

I'd like to see you try!

Hey! What's going on here?

Easy!

Break it up.

Let me at him!

Come on, stop!

-Screw you!

-Calm down!

You're just a failure!

Don't mind him.

Just give me a chance, and I'll prove it.

Hiro.

It's from Miss Nana.

Me, in a mock battle with real units?

Yes, that's right.

Depending on your performance,

you may be chosen as a Parasite.

Way to go!

Your partner will be

I'll do it.

Zero Two?

He's my darling after all.

Excuse me, please.

Let me be his partner.

Ichigo?

She's not a member of our unit.

And based on Hiro's aptitude profile,

I should be a suitable partner as well.

By the same logic,

it doesn't have to be you.

You already have Goro as a partner.

Now you want to ride with Hiro too?

That's enough talking.

Zero Two, HQ has not issued permission

to use Strelizia.

We'll have to ask someone here

to help Hiro for this test.

That's no fun.

But that's fine.

I'm still getting over my injuries.

What? Wait

So I'll let you have him.

Go ahead and do it together.

Be gentle with my darling.

In that case, Ichigo, the task is yours.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey, wait!

Do we have any volunteers

for their opponent?

Us!

Hey, let me have a say!

I'm going to prove my prowess

to those two.

-We'll do it.

-Then that's that.

The battle will be tomorrow morning.

Excuse me!

We would like to do it

as soon as possible!

Zorome is still sour

about that tussle earlier.

Sorry. I know Ichigo is your partner.

The preparations are complete?

Yes. I'll be on my way.

Right. See you later.

Hiro, don't worry about it.

She's just willful like that.

I won't let this chance go to waste.

I know. If anyone can do it, it's you.

Listen up, crybaby!

We're going to settle the score,

once and for all!

With him as her partner,

I might just beat our top-scoring leader.

You're welcome to try.

Either way, this isn't about winning.

Miku is just as fired up about this.

It's not about winning.

I'm going to prove

that Hiro can ride a FRANXX.

Hiro, you just focus on connecting.

I'll handle the rest.

Got it.

Let the mock battle begin.

We're good to go!

Focus.

It'll be all right.

I'm just as capable

of drawing out Hiro's power.

This feeling

I'm entering Ichigo's consciousness.

That's it. Keep going.

I got you!

Oh, give me a break.

We did it!

Way to go, Hiro!

-Wow!

-But

the real test comes next.

I remember it.

This is the feeling!

Here we go, Hiro!

Right!

Bring it on!

What

What the heck?

They stopped?

No. Why?

This can't be

Time out! Give us three minutes!

-What?

-What?

Hey, what gives?

Why did it cut out? Move!

Damn it. This shouldn't

I got it to move then!

-What's wrong?

-I don't know. It just suddenly

-Is it my fault?

-I don't think so.

What was different

when you did it with her?

I don't know that either.

I don't remember.

Calm down. Take it slow.

You might remember something.

The kiss.

What?

It might be the kiss.

Kiss? What's that?

She put her lips against mine.

That's when my vision

was filled with light and

Are you serious?

Amid everything that was happening,

that's what you were doing?

I didn't do it!

She did it the moment I got on.

I didn't understand what it was,

but Zero Two said

it was something special.

All right. I'll do it.

It's embarrassing, so close your eyes.

Hang on.

Otherwise, we won't move, right?

-Well--

-To that end, this is nothing.

But

Be quiet.

Ichigo, you're shaking

Hey, hasn't it been three minutes by now?

It sure has.

We have no obligation to keep waiting.

Too bad for you, but we're bringing it.

Well?

I don't feel a thing.

I don't think it worked.

Come on, this is too easy!

Hiro, try again

I guess this proves I'm the best!

Heck, if you want, I'll even ride

your Delphinium with you!

What?

You pick this moment

to start flirting again?

I swear, one of these days

What?

Trust between partners

directly affects control sensitivity.

Should the balance be disrupted

What's happening all of a sudden?

Ichigo. Report your situation.

Ichigo?

Get us up already!

Shut up! I'm trying!

Don't, Ichigo!

It's dangerous for you

to attempt solo control!

Damn it all!

She just doesn't know her own limits.

As both machines are unable to fight,

the mock battle is concluded.

The sensation of her quivering lips,

their softness, the guilt,

and that memory of the moment

of flight slipped between my fingers,

binding me to the earth once more.

Yes, as if I was being entangled

in invisible cords.

I'm sorry.

Don't apologize.

That was terrible.