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?!
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!
"And the first, celebrated guest will be...
the CEO of LFG"?!
This is the set?
Amazing... That's a leading American TV station for you.
Your company is accepting funding from LFG.
Don't act surprised over this.
We're getting ready to start recording.
CEO, if you could come this way, please.
Don't let them look down on you.
I'm amazed you got him to agree.
It's because I was able to use the name "HBS."
He's not the type to be swayed by that.
We have confidence that in terms of planning and bargaining capacity,
no other company can beat us.
After seeing these results, all I can do is nod in agreement.
Heck yeah!
The truth is, it wasn't nearly so simple.
In order to get Victor to consent to appearing on the show,
I researched things like estimated profits and benefits, and assembled reports.
When I submitted them, they came right back.
Report on Projected Gains and Potential Market Movement as a Result of Appearing on HBS's Variety Show Miracle Entertainment
It was just day after day of being called an idiot.
Then, just before the deadline I'd agreed on with HBS...
I see. I'll appear on the show.
Really? Thank y—
You won't change your mind later, will you?
My word is more certain than any contract.
I had always planned to accept this offer.
Huh?
It's plain as day that appearing on this show would be a plus for LFG.
We researched HBS, as well. There was something I wanted to look into.
Then why...
I tested you to see how persistent you would be.
This experience should prove useful in other situations.
I'm going to make sure this show is a success!
Plus, if one of the games could embarrass Victor...
Um... Are you all right?
Huh? Yes.
I believe we confirmed this with you in advance,
but the show will be an escape game in which
the contestants must escape this building using both brains and brawn.
What is this?
It's sort of a really oppressive feeling...
It's very scary.
For this episode, we've got high-performance cameras set up throughout the set,
but there won't be a single staff member present.
Not even one?
A picture is worth a thousand words.
While the CEO is getting ready, want to give it a try?
Me? Really?
I thought if you understood the flow, you might feel more at ease.
That's true...
Whether the feeling I had in that moment was a premonition
or fear from the memories I'd lost, I don't know.
The only thing that's certain
is that there was no way to escape the truth behind it.
"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
"Connected Memories"
Please, head inside.
Um... I don't think I...
It's all right. Now, go!
Huh?
Has it started already?
Hey, wait a minute!
Please!
So they're saying I have to escape from here?
What... was that?
I can't!
Let me out of here! Someone, please!
Victor!
Victor...
Are you stupid? You're not some lost child.
Why are you here?
I was nearly locked up, too.
What do you mean? What about the filming?
This show will never be broadcast.
What?
I should never have accepted the offer.
Wait! I don't understand!
We'll talk after we get out of here.
What's going on?
Again...
They're real?
Don't worry.
This way.
This place is...
What's wrong?
Again...
This room... This building... I know them.
You...
An Evolver...
Can you keep going?
It's all the same as last time.
Why?
Look out!
Victor!
I will never let you go again.
From this moment on, I will be your shield!
Mr. Love: Queen's Choice
Stop crying already.
I'll give you some good snacks.
Snacks?
I'll bring them tomorrow.
Victor...
You're awake.
I'll get the doctor.
Her progress is excellent.
She can be discharged in a week.
I wanted to talk to you about that.
They said it isn't all that bad.
But it seems they need to run some tests.
You should expect to spend at least two weeks here.
That long?
You were asleep for a week. Accept it.
Were you here the whole time?
Of course.
It's my fault this happened.
Back during that kidnapping case, we were together, weren't we?
You remember?
Just a little, about you.
But why would HBS...
I'm sorry.
You've been asleep for quite a while. It's a natural reaction.
Let's talk while we eat.
I'd like some fried chick—
No.
Did you make this for me? Specially?
Never mind that. Hurry up and eat.
Huh?
It's fine if you don't want it.
N-No, I'll eat it! I'll eat it!
It's delicious!
Victor gave me a simple timeline of the events leading up to now.
Seventeen years ago, he was rescued from the institution.
From that day, when we were separated, up until today, he searched for me
and pursued the identity of the perpetrator.
He learned there was an organization called "Black Swan" behind the kidnappings,
and that they were currently among HBS's largest investors.
Hoping to find more clues,
he accepted the request to appear on the show.
You mean filming the show was a trap Black Swan set for you?
That's what bothers me.
If I was their target, there was no need to set up something so complicated.
Me?
I thought about that.
But if you were their target, it's strange that we're able to talk like this.
Why did they do it, then?
What were they trying to accomplish by faithfully recreating
the events of seventeen years ago?
What changed because of that incident?
What happened there?
My memories came back.
My power went out of control.
Out of control?
While you were unconscious, I wasn't able to keep my power in check.
Even considering my highly emotional state, that has never happened.
I've seen the same thing happen to someone before.
It seemed like they didn't understand what was happening, either.
What were the circumstances?
I was... about to be killed...
Don't think about anything. Just get some rest.
Leave everything to me.
Wait!
Never mind. Just behave yourself.
~One Week Later~
What?!
Our company went to HBS to protest?!
Of course we did!
They let our precious president get hurt!
Then the CEO of LFG came in to mediate...
Vict—The CEO did that?
Instead of dealing with our small company,
he said it would be more convenient in many ways to deal with LFG.
And he said that it hasn't been safe lately,
so he installed security officers in our building.
Will you bring my tablet for me later?
~Another Week Later~
Hello? Kiro?
Congrats, Potato Chip Princess! You're being discharged today, right?
That's been put off another week.
Apparently, they still have tests to run.
Oh...
Then you should take the chance to rest as much as you can!
You've been working hard this whole time, after all.
I wish I could, but...
Right! I have to tell you, too, Kiro.
The pictures from that time we were trapped
were of the place I was held when I was kidnapped.
How did you...
I remembered. Just bits and pieces, though.
Kiro! Rehearsal's starting!
Oh, for crying out loud...
Sorry. I have to go.
Okay.
I'm safe for now, so don't worry.
Let's meet up in person and talk about it.
All right.
Don't do anything crazy, okay?
~Another Week Later~
You know, rage is not just psychologically damaging.
It's harmful to one's physical health, as well.
But this is the second time!
Look.
They bloomed on my veranda today.
What a beautiful bellflower.
They don't usually bloom this time of year, do they?
To think it would on the exact day I come to visit you.
One small miracle found.
I'm sorry.
You took the trouble to visit and everything...
And before, too, the way you looked after me...
I just want to find out what Black Swan's objective is as quickly as possible.
And you never waver in that feeling, do you?
If anything, it's stronger than it was before.
You think locking her up like that is in her best interest?
Outsiders can keep their opinions to themselves.
No matter how you try to run, the truth will reach out its own hand to you.
There is no way to stop it.
Not even with your power.
Are you unhappy with my methods?
I'm scared. Very scared.
Of leaving things to me?
No, not that!
I'm part of this...
But I don't know anything. That scares me.
Let's go out for a little while.
It's beautiful.
When I want to ease my worries, I look down at the city like this
and think over the things I've accomplished so far.
You can do anything you want, just the way you want, with no trouble.
I didn't think you ever worried about anything.
I'm not talking about work or my daily life.
Right now, what I'm worried about...
is whether or not I'll be able to keep you safe.
Seventeen years ago, you saved me.
This time, I was supposed to protect you. And yet...
Besides the incident, I remembered one more thing.
The boy who saved me from an accident when I was little...
It was you, wasn't it?
It's true that I saved you.
But you saved me first.
You kept me safe.
To think you'd be cheering me up...
I understand the danger of what I'm trying to do.
And I know that if you protected me, I'd never have to confront that danger.
Even so, I don't want to hide behind you.
That's not who I am.
That's right.
You've always been that kind of person.
That's why I...
I know what's inside! It's pudding!
See?
How'd you know?
I saw it yesterday. You made it for me, right?
It's delicious!
It's the best pudding I've ever had!
It's delicious!
It really is the best I've had.
I'm looking for someone.
There was a possibility that this may lead to a clue.
Seventeen years.
For seventeen years...
Victor has been thinking about me and worrying for me.
It's been so long since I was home!
There's something I want to tell you concerning the Task Force. Let me know when's a good time.
The Task Force?
I wonder if something happened involving Evolvers.
What was that?
To think someone would be hurt without my knowing...
When the things I believed in began to crumble away...
I firmed my resolve to grow stronger.
Episode eight,
"Room 404"
"Room 404."