That day was a perfect, clear autumn day.
At Lucien's recommendation,
I was on my way to do some research for Miracle Finder...
At least, that's what I thought.
So? Are you going to tell me where we're going now, Lucien?
You want to know that badly?
Well...
I mean, you're the one who said there was a mystical, mysterious place.
That's why I'm here, all ready to go!
Wait a second... Were you lying?
Um, well... Will you allow me to explain?
You've been announcing one popular topic after another lately.
Your company is on the rise.
Well, thank you.
Producing a number of shows
while simultaneously working as company president...
You've been incredibly busy.
Well, we need to dig in and work hard right now.
However, there is one problem.
It seems you haven't noticed,
but your talented, dependable employees cannot be fooled.
They came to me to talk about you,
saying they're glad you work so hard, but they're worried you might collapse.
Honestly...
They all worry too much.
A moderate amount of rest is necessary for any manager.
When the time comes to make important decisions,
you need your brain to be working at optimum performance levels.
Which is why...
I was hoping that you'd come on a picnic with me today.
That way, they'll feel better, and I'll get to have a nice day off.
All right.
Then, just for today, I'll forget about work and enjoy myself.
Thank you, Lucien.
But... it really is a mysterious place.
The place we're headed is a place where you can see a very special view.
What waited for us beyond this beautiful scenery?
At that moment, only Lucien knew the answer.
But even he never could have imagined what was about to happen.
"It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place."
~The Red Queen Hypothesis~
In this world, there exist unique powers known as "Evol,"
which are possessed by a very few.
Among them, some chose to fight their fate, to fight the world.
This is the story of these young "Evolvers."
Mr. Love: Queen's Choice
"Beyond That Dream"
Where we're headed is still a ways off, right?
Are you sure this is where we should get off the bus?
The weather's nice. Let's walk a little.
You wanted to see the scenery, right?
"At first, he was just like a hundred thousand other foxes,
just a fox.
But then we became friends,
and now he is the only one like him in the whole world,
a very special fox."
The Little Prince, right?
"The gold of the wheat will remind me of you...
And the sound of wind passing over the wheat fields
is something I'll grow to love..."
Oh, look!
See? Doesn't it seem like a fox might sit there?
What's wrong?
It looks like it's hurt and can't walk.
It's not a stray.
It's just a kitten, so it can't have come very far.
We have to find its owner!
Just wait. We'll take you home.
Lucien, look after this little one.
I'll go ask the people over there.
Excuse me!
Oh, thank you.
Aren't we lucky you were saved by such kind people, Mii-chan?
Now, please come in. I'll make some tea.
Oh, don't go to any trouble for us.
No need for modesty. Come, now.
All right.
How beautiful...
Thank you.
Did you make all of these?
Yes.
Oh! Let me give you a present as thanks.
Oh, no! I couldn't accept something so lovely for nothing...
What are these?
They're charms. Ones that grant good luck.
Would you be willing to teach me how to make them?
Of course! Now, which one would be best...
Um, the simplest one, if you could...
So... this goes like this, and...
Huh?
One more time!
I heard that you ran into some trouble while investigating your old high school.
They told you that, too?
It seems you're looking into something quite dangerous again.
Knowing you, you must have been chasing after the truth
as hard as you could.
That said, I'm not sure if knowing the truth always brings happiness.
You may regret it if you run into danger or learn things you were happier not knowing.
Thank you, Lucien, for worrying about me.
But... I don't think I'll feel that way.
It's true that it might be dangerous,
but it's far better than never knowing.
After all...
No matter how cruel the truth is,
you can't overcome it unless you know it, right?
If you don't, no matter what you do, nothing will change.
You can't move forward.
I couldn't stand that.
If there are Evolvers suffering, I want to help them.
I don't want anyone else to fall victim like Papa did.
I want to stop Black Swan.
Aw, I messed it up again!
Let me see it. I'll untangle it for you.
It's fine! I'll do it myself!
Really? Then, please, take your time.
I'll do my best!
Don't push yourself so hard when you're with me. Take your time growing up.
Shaw.
Was it you who called me out to this place?
Yeah, I have a warning for you.
A message from Black Swan.
They say, "If you value your life, stop interfering."
Wait, you're with Black Swan?!
Don't misunderstand. I haven't joined them.
It's just that they're worth using.
I took this job on in return, that's all.
Don't you touch her!
I'm sure there's still more fun to be had, but should we call it quits for today?
I don't think you'll be able to protect anything that's important to you, but...
Well... if you really want to protect her, you'd best leave the force immediately.
What do you mean?
Don't you know what happens to the people you capture?
They use pretentious words like "protective custody" and "crime deterrent,"
but the Task Force is just a bunch of executioners.
You should be very careful...
so they don't execute you, too.
Mr. Love: Queen's Choice
There we go.
I did it!
Congratulations! Well done. It's outstanding work.
Thanks!
Here, Lucien. It's a present.
What?
I know it's after the fact, but thank you for all your help with Miracle Finder.
If you hadn't been on the show, we wouldn't have been able to continue.
When we first met, you asked me to show you my color, didn't you?
When I think back on it now, that was the first spark.
You're the one who pushed me forward.
This is just a token of my gratitude.
Keep it for good luck, if you'd like.
You mean this is why you redid it over and over again?
Yes!
Though it still didn't turn out so good...
True. I couldn't call this well-made.
But I love it.
It makes me very happy. Thank you.
It really is beautiful!
So is this that "special view" you talked about?
No.
Wow... It's amazing!
Do you... remember this place?
Huh?
Why do I... suddenly feel... sleepy...
I know you'll be able to remember...
the truth you're searching for...
and the promise we made that day, sealed up in that jar.
Huh?
Did I... fall asleep?
It seems smaller than it was before...
Am I imagining it?
That girl...
Hello!
Hello.
Did you come here to draw?
Yeah. I come here to draw every day.
Let me see!
That's amazing...
That's amazing!
I love your drawings!
How old are you? What's your name?
I'm going to be five soon!
Oh, and I can even write my name now.
See?
What's your name?
I'm Lucien.
Lucien?
Do you remember?
Huh?
Wait... What's going on?
Who are those children?
It's so strange.
It's nostalgic somehow, as if I've seen this before...
And that boy says he has the same name as you, Lucien...
I did it!
Here, this is for you. It's a little crooked, though.
Thank you.
Will you come here tomorrow, too?
Yes.
Yay!
But this promise...
Wh-What is this?
Hello!
Hello. Are you waiting for the boy?
Yup.
The boy from yesterday.
He did say he would come back.
I don't think he's coming, though.
What? Why?
I can see tomorrow.
What?
And I saw today, too.
No matter how long I wait, he doesn't come.
I just fold cranes by myself.
My dreams always come true.
Yours do, too, don't they?
That's why... you'll wake up soon.
What... What are you saying?
Soon, he will be gone, and he won't come back.
What?
Where is this?
Look out!
He's still alive!
Lucien?
Are you all right?
Lucien... What just...
You were sleeping here the whole time.
What?
You must have been more tired than I thought.
After you get home, you should rest.
W-Wait...
There was rain, and I saw an accident...
But that boy was...
You were dreaming.
Lucien...
I'm sorry. I feel bad, but I can't see you home.
Drive, please.
It can't be... I mean, that was...
All of that... it was a dream?
possesses an Evol allowing teleportation.
says Black Swan was using parents as hostages.
currently held under restraint.
Further whereabouts unknown
I hear you failed at awakening the Queen, Ares.
"People evolve through their interactions with other people."
That's your theory, isn't it?
Humanity is endowed with a social nature,
so it has created a cooperative community and evolved.
That is the simple truth.
We must be able to take advantage of it.
Very well.
We shall soon see whether your theory proves true.
The time has come.
Further whereabouts unknown
whereabouts unknown
No matter how cruel the truth may be,
the Queen is fighting with all her might to move forward.
Just as we expected...
No, with even greater speed.
According to the plan, I would invite her into the dream world
and bring back her memories.
It wasn't a complete awakening,
but I am certain that power is beginning to blossom.
Is that why I couldn't keep things in check?
It's the first time I thought I wouldn't be able to control her.
As a result, that dream...
The boy who lost both his parents in that accident,
and was the only one to survive it,
became the first manmade Evolver through the work of that organization.
And as a side effect,
he lost his emotions and all the color from his world...
or so he thought.
New Message Lucien, are you okay?
"The gold of the wheat will remind me of you...
And the sound of wind passing over the wheat fields is something... I'll..."
Lucien, are you okay?
You seemed a little off. I'm worried.
I'm fine.
I'll be busy with experiments for a while. Sorry.
If the boy I saw in the dream was Lucien...
Has he lived all alone this whole time?
Soon, he will be gone, and he won't come back.
Could it be... this time, Lucien's facing some kind of danger?
Lucien is an Evolver.
It's possible he could get caught up in danger.
I don't know what Black Swan is plotting,
but I won't let them do that.
Morning!
President!
There's big, huge news!
H-Hold on, Kiki-chan.
Anna-san? What's all the excitement about?
An incredibly big break for us just dropped in our laps!
A big break?
HBS is looking to produce a variety game show in countries around the world,
and their first location is here in Loveland City!
And...
they came to us to form a business partnership!
What?!
By "HBS," you mean the HBS?!
The one with the highest variety show viewership in the US?
That huge American TV company?!
That's why it's huge news!
It seems that exclusive interview with Key was very popular in America, too.
They want to work with the producer, meaning you!
You're kidding.
This is unbelievable!
"A ground-breaking variety game show everyone will want to watch,
welcoming guests from every walk of life!
And the first, celebrated guest will be...
Appearing like a comet, he built one of the biggest conglomerates from the ground up,
the young prince of the financial world, the darling of the age...
The man talked about more than any other,
the CEO of LFG"?!
An abhorrent place, eating away at my heart...
So that your mind and emotions will be resolute,
I will wipe away your fears.
Episode seven,
"Connected Memories."
"Connected Memories"