Paradox Paradigm.
The Garden of sinners
Tomoe... Please die...
May I...help you?
Right. It sure is a strange case. There was no body after all.
A crazy, habitual intruder goes to a police station about a fake crime?
That's what I thought, too. So, I looked into it.
His accounts were too detailed to just be a made-up, bogus crime.
I talked to his neighbor, but he claims nothing happened and all was well.
So, that's the story. Well, it sure was strange.
Why did the intruder go to that unit?
Technically, he's homeless.
So, he often goes to nearby condos, finds an unlocked unit and sleeps there.
Some people leave their units unlocked.
He, then, picks up some cash, too. It's his same old trick.
Anything special about this case?
Oh, no. I'm just curious.
One more question. The bodies were just the couple, right?
According to our records, they have a son.
Yes. I see. No... Thanks for your time.
OK, then. Thank you.
What the heck?
What are you reading?
It's just a cheap intruder's report.
What's up with you? You're not even assigned to it.
What kind of case is it?
Well, the thing is...
Hey, we've found the second body!
You mean that leftover food case?
Yeah, hurry up!
Hey, put your hobby on hold and get pack to work!
I know. I know.
Tomoe... Enjou, eh?
Daisuke!
I'm coming!
Takayuki Enjou Kaede Enjou
Tomoe Enjou
Ouch!
Hold it!
You sure can run fast, as usual!
You're in my way!
Now that you quit school, we're strangers to you?
Answer me, Tomoe!
What are you doing, you idiot?!
Wait up!
Efijou!
I'm gonna kill you!
Efijou!
Ha! Even this is not gonna kill you.
Don't you think you got carried away, our little Tomoe?
You don't care about us anymore? I only asked for petty cash.
That was totally uncool. Hey!
I was kind enough to wake you up from your nap on the street.
But you return the favor by punching me and running away?
Kill...me...
Don't come this way.
I told you not to come this way. Didn't you hear me?
Hey, you!
What a blockhead!
Isn't this yours?
Hold on...
Please wait! Could you...?
What? You didn't lose anything else.
Don't worry. They're not dead.
Or, did you want me to call for help?
No!
Why?
Anyway, could you take me somewhere that no one will see me?
You want me to harbor you? That's not gonna happen.
There's no place in town where no one will see you.
Your home is the only place where others won't see you.
I'm asking you because I can't so home!
Or, are you gonna take me home with you, idiot?!
Sure.
You're so simple.
I killed someone.
Tomoe...Please die...
Hey. .-
What?!
You don't look like it.
It's true! Not very long ago!
I used a kitchen knife to mangle the guts.
I'll be an instant celebrity in the morning!
Is that why you're dressed like that?
I thought it was just fashion.
The blood splashed back. That's all.
You're not afraid?
Should I be?
I'm really a murderer.
No big deal.
Because I am, too.
You are, too?
All right. Follow me.
Hey!
Why did I say such a thing?
It's not news yet...
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key duplication, lock installations, security systems at affordable prices
A key...
Tomoe...Please die...
You've come again today?
Wanna eat that? I don't like cold stuff.
Why did you take me in?
You have no place to sleep, right?
Use this place for a while.
Mikiya won't come. anyway, for the time being.
Are you serious? Are you in trouble or something?
You're kinda strange.
I'm in trouble? That may not be too far off.
But if you're a murderer, why do you care?
Listen! I'm a male and you're a female. And, you're letting me spend the night!
So? Wouldn't a guy go somewhere else if he wants to do a woman?
Well, the point is...
I'm using this place to sleep. Is that all right with you?
Yeah. I'll let you know if you get in my way.
I almost forgot...
Here.
You said you didn't' have a key last night.
I replaced it with a new one.
L-low'?
I used to work for a moving company. I sneaked in and stole it.
I told you I didn't need it.
A home without a lock is not a home.
What's your name?
Shiki Ryougi.
I'm Tomoe Enjou.
This concludes the evening news for October 16th.
Tomoe...Please die...
Damn it!
Ryougi, you're back?
Even you won't work.
I went out to kill someone.
But I couldn't find anyone to kill.
I thought you might be a good target. But it doesn't work. It's meaningless.
I thought I was gonna die for sure.
I wanna feel that I'm actually alive. I'll kill someone someday for no reason.
What's the matter, Ryougi? Get a hold of yourself.
I'm strong and sound. I felt like this last summer. Same thing back then...
Hey, Ryougi, do you have any friends?
I do.
You do? You have a friend?
That makes it easy then. Go see him and dump all your worries on him.
You'll feel much better!
I don't have one right now. He's gone far away.
He's so selfish!
He'd come here only as he pleased. He only gave me his phone number.
He was sick in bed for a month last summer!
I don't know why I let it bother me.
I guess I can't help you then.
Did you say something?
Nothing!
Did you meet him in high school?
Yeah. He's like a poet.
Did you stay out late at night because of him?
No, I'm just...
I guess I just enjoy killing people.
Nonsense!
You're not like that!
This concludes the evening news for October 18th.
They haven't been discovered yet?
Ryougi. . . ?
Who the hell is that guy?
I was being followed?
Oh, really?
No one comes to mind?
I don't have such an entertaining friend.
Take out the trash tomorrow, okay?
Don't you see how concerned I am for you?
Why do you have to worry about me, Enjou?
Why...?
I don't want you to be in harm's way.
I'm asking you "why".
Because I'm...
I'm in love with you, moron!
There's no way you're in love with me!
Did that guy in the red coat cast a spell on you?
No way! I'm serious about this.
You're the first person I thought was pretty and that I can relate to.
You're the real deal! I'll do anything for you!
Oh yeah...?
Then.“
Will you die for me'?
Please die...
Sure. I'll die for you.
Might as well...
The murder of your parents?
I keep having dreams.
It's the same dream every night. I was scared.
The dream of myself getting killed.
I hear my parents arguing and then the sliding door opens.
My mother's standing there.
I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...
They were worst parents!
Every day was hell.
That dream was gonna come true sooner than later.
That's why...I automatically stabbed mom when she opened the door.
Did you know that human organs are warm?
That's why you killed her? What an idiot.
You wound up choosing a harder path.
When I first met you, were you hopeless and empty and suicidal like now?
I could set the death penalty. I'd rather die for you. It's more meaningful.
No, thank you. I don't want your life.
So, Enjou. Where is your home?
Why bother asking? It's Unit 405 in a condo somewhere.
That's not what I meant.
I'm talking about the home you miss.
Forget it, if you don't get it.
Enjou, you should've protected your everyday life.
See ya. Use this room next time you feel like it.
I guess I can't stay...
anymore...
This is the evening news for November 9th.
More updates on the Defense Agency...
It's been a week.
Enjou? Long time no see.
Do you like ambushing in the dark?
Ryougi...I...
Hold on a sec.
Let me finish putting this together.
All right. Let me hear you.
I might've lost my mind. I thought I'd killed her.
So, your morn is alive.
It makes more sense, since it hasn't made the news.
How could it be? I know I killed her for sure!
The living one has to be fake!
Go check it out.
What?
In Unit 405 at a condo somewhere that you told me about.
You'll feel better once you find out. I'll come with you.
This is it.
What the heck is this?
So, are we really going?
We won't find out anything unless we go.
It's twisted.
It's the end unit.
How long ago was it when you last came to my room?
Eight days or so.
The timing is just too perfect...
Give me the key.
Ring the bell. If no one answers, something is wrong. We'll just leave.
Forget the bell. Let's go inside.
Or, I'll miss the mechanism.
Hey, Tomoe's not home yet? It's already 8PM!
His workday was over an hour ago. Today's his pay day.
He'd better bring home his share to give us.
Where the hell is he wandering about?
Well, I don't know.
If he can pay back a moneylender, he should give money to his father!
He never gives me a penny. It's all because you babied him.
Who does he think he owes his life to?
Well, I'm not sure...
What is this?
What is this?!
Since we didn't push the button, the guest supposedly never came.
Tomoe! Where the hell have you been? Come over here.
Hey, go set him.
Why don't you go'?
I'm tired.
Is this a dream?
It's reality.
Are you disobeying me?
Enough is enough. It's all because you caused an accident.
You're blaming me?
It's all because you're too proud.
We keep moving every time word gets out.
What the hell? Don't you understand how hard I'm trying?
Tomoe's working because you don't!
But he never gives us money!
He was paying his own tuition, but he wound up quitting school!
I didn't tell him to quit.
It's no different than forcing him to.
Dinner's not ready yet?
Don't! Please stop!
Please don't!
Keep quiet and watch.
Tomoe...Please die...
Let's so. We're done here.
Hey, what do you mean? We're done here?!
I'm...I'm dead there!
You'll wake up in the morning.
What?
There was no blood, right?
You are born in the morning and die at night. It's a cycle. That wasn't you.
It's you that's alive now.
Wh...why?
I don't know. Move on to the next.
Next?!
Where else are we going?
To where you really live.
Something minor got me thinking.
You told me you lived in Unit 405.
But Mikiya mentioned your name last.
He's very methodical. He'd never switch orders for no reasons.
So, the Enjou family must be in the last unit on the 4th floor, which is 410.
I don't get it! I'm living in a different unit?
You take it granted that you'll get to your unit by going straight from the elevator.
Y...yeah...?
The signage was changed and the exit was moved.
It was the beginning of it all when that elevator started operating.
Everything was a trick to reverse it all.
The big noises are nothing but a bluff.
It's turning halfway so that the people inside wouldn't notice.
The staircase here is a spiral, right?
What about it?
The staircase was probably moved according to the elevator.
So, I was living without noticing that the exit was on the opposite side?
That's impossible! Why wouldn't I notice? Besides...
This place is not normal.
It's surrounded by generic, blocky apartments. They all look the same.
The inside is divided by walls and weird patterns are carved into them.
It's too much for your psyche.
It's a bounded field.
Major abnormalities are not noticed as there are no minor abnormalities.
So, this is my real home?
Technically, for a month after you moved in until the elevator started operating.
After that, you were in the other unit.
L-low in the world...?
But why? Who did it for what purpose?
Above all, why do you know all that?
Beats me. But I know the guy who designed this place.
Let's open the door. Home for the first time in six months.
Where's the light switch? Is this it?
Enjou...Enjou! Face reality.
They've been dead for six months or so.
Look closely. Did you really...?
Enjou, dodge!
What the...?
Ryougi, you...
They're not humans, just stupid, suicidal puppets.
It makes me nauseous! Let's go.
H-Hey!
What the hell is going on?
Stay back here.
Awesome...
Ryougi! In front of you!
When did you...?
I can't...
see through him.
I know you.
Right. It's been two years since our last encounter.
You can't kill even if it's me?
You are...?
A magus, Souren Araya, He Who Kills Shiki.
How ironic. This side was supposed to be completed later.
You created this condo. What's the meaning of this?
This is a simple experiment.
Then, all this repetition is your taste?
Repeflflon?
Enjou, it looks like the residents' last day is being repeated in this building.
The day of death...
I told you that you die at night and you're reborn in the morning.
This side is the morgue and normal daily life takes place on the other side.
I don't know what magic is used.
I've created a world that completes a cycle in a day.
I wondered if a man would face a different death in the end and...
if the spiral might go out of order when the same death is repeated million times.
But the result hasn't changed so far.
I see. So, it's not just for Enjou that the same death is being repeated.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be a good enough experiment.
All these people were dysfunctional to begin with.
They all killed each other within a short month.
It's because of this condo that you put in place.
You pushed their backs after all.
Then, you transferred their brains into puppets.
Puppets? Transferred?
Then...what am I?
Why are you trying to kill me'?
Neither Kirie Fujou or Fujino Asagami were effective.
What?!
She chose death and you chose life in the face of death.
She enjoyed murder, annihilating life, while you respectfully performed killing.
You probably know by now...
that they are your fellows and killers completely opposite from Shiki Ryougi.
I've prepared them just for you to offer as sacrifices.
Why you...
Tomoe Enjou was a nice surprise. It saved me time.
Shiki Ryougi. "Nil" is the very source of your chaos impulse.
Face your darkness and call up your name.
You're the main cause!
Fugu. . . Kongou. . . Dankatsu...
I, Souen Araya, will collect your body.
Tafien
Too inexperienced. Buddha's ashes are embedded in my left hand.
You can't see my death spot even with your Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Well, you don't need your face.
Or, should you lose your eyes first?
No. You should've finished me off just now.
A bounded field is just a boundary. There is NOTHING that I cannot cut.
Oh?
But there are two more left.
Too late.
You don't know when to give up.
You'll get lost in the netherworld, Shiki.
Why...?
My origin is "quiescence."
I've lived over two hundred years...
you cannot terminate...
Shit. ..Shit...
What the hell's going on? What the hell...?
Huh? Shiki put a lock on?
Paradox Paradigm.
The Garden of sinners
So, my name is Mikiya Kokutou.
What does a license qualify you to do?
It's nothing but an ID and it's just as bad as a contract.
That's not nice. I spent a whole month at a boot camp in the boonies to get it.
I never went to driving school.
Took the test cold?
Well, it's hard to picture you in driving school.
Hey, that's rude.
I was a student back then.
Oh, yeah. You once were a teenager, Miss Touko.
They're my old acquaintances.
I couldn't remember their faces anymore. So, I pulled it out of my photo album.
There's a school in London.
Yeah?
I heard that he used to be the priest of a heresy.
His abilities were imperfect but he had the biggest ego ever.
I kinda liked him for his audacity.
I used puppets and he used souls to reach the original core of humans.
I gave up but I'm sure he's still at it.
I hear that the Master excommunicated those who explored the origin of humans.
Listen, Kokutou.
Avoid that guy at all costs.
Hello, Aozaki. Long time no see. How have you been?
Cornelius Alba, Abbot Elect of the Schponheim Monastery.
To what do I owe the honor of your presence?
If you've come to chit-chat, then I respectfully ask you to leave.
You, too, entered my world without advance notice.
I didn't come say hi, because you had company.
Oh? That condo was your workshop?
Then, I need to revise my opinion of you.
Don't undervalue me.
Only my exclusive skills can prepare puppet bodies and keep the brains alive.
That condo is an ultimate bounded field with a mechanism...
to contain the magical experiment within.
There's only one person who could put such a thing into practice.
Miss Touko, when did you come back?
A while ago.
The art exhibit seems to be going Well. Have you finished the client list?
Yes.
Azaka, didn't I tell you not to use your magic in public?
I'm sorry.
Is it bad if others find out about it?
Sure. It doesn't work as well.
Magi don't share their discoveries with others.
So, you study just for your own sake? That's just as bad as zero value.
Shiki...
There is a purpose. The ultimate goal for magi is...
to reach the Vortex of Radix, also known as the Akashic Records.
It's the root of all phenomena, the causes of all things, or the so-called truth.
Some say, all events of this world, past, present, and future are recorded there.
I'm not interested in such a thins.
It's total nonsense to pursue something that may or may not exist.
It's not even funny.
Even if this world exists, whom would one meet there?
Someone did reach it. That's exactly how we found out what it was.
But no one who has gone there has ever come back.
Every magus who managed to reach it in the past perished.
Either way, the endless goal and a colony that will never be rewarded...
the world calls them magi.
Shiki, are you a boy or girl?
Shiki!
Azaka, what was that for?
I did you a favor because you two are kind of wishy-washy.
I asked the question to find out if she's going out with you as a girl or a boy.
Stop getting funny ideas! There's no reason to talk about it.
Besides, it wouldn't change my feelings toward her either way.
You love her regardless of her gender?
Yeah...I guess so.
That's twisted!
Miss Touko, please stop her.
You're the best.
Anyway, Kokutou...
Yes?
You don't really care if Shiki is male?
Well, if I had my say, I'd prefer that she's a girl, but...
Well, there's no problem, then.
No problem?
Right. Shiki is a girl for sure.
But the way she talks...
It's subconscious behavior to compensate for the deceased male Shiki.
Maybe she wants at least you to remember him.
That's heart-warming.
Kokutou, do you know the Yin-Yang symbol?
The semi-circular teardrop-shaped curves in black and white represent yin and yang,
light and darkness, positive and negative, and male and female.
The small holes on each side are contradictory spirals conflicting with each other.
This polarity is called "ryougi" in the Theory of Yin-Yang.
Every person possess preferences that are characteristic of the opposite sex.
The Ogawa Condo is the embodiment of the Yin-Yang symbol, duality within one.
Kokutou, do you know the Ogawa Condo in Kayami-Hama?
Is it in the whole complex that was built on reclaimed land?
Yeah, I was involved with its construction long time ago.
I happened to hear some odd stories from a detective I know well.
So, you want me to do some investigation. Right?
I'll come with you.
Compile a list of the residents there and find out where they lived before.
It's not a money maker. So, take your time.
Yes.
By the way, Kokutou...
Yes?
You really don't care if Shiki is male?
That's odd. There's no underground parking space.
Let's so.
Good morning, Shiki. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
I hear it's gonna be clear for a while.
Mikiya, who did that to you?
Ah, Mr. Akitaka!
You were out last night. I stopped by on my way home and saw him.
He asked me to give this to you.
He said something about "Kanesada"...
As in Kuji, the Nine Character Seals?
What is that?
Do you wanna see it? It's very rare and you don't get to see it that often.
Shiki, it's an ancient sword.
Don't take it out here, or the bound field will be shattered.
Tsk! All right.
So, Kokutou, you are tardy today.
I'm sorry. Anyway...
The Ogawa Condo is the most high-end condo above all the others in the area.
As you can see, it actually consists of two half-moon-shaped 10-story buildings.
It's very unique.
It was supposed to be a company housing. The bottom two floors are spa facilities.
They're not currently used.
There are 10 units on each floor on the east and west sides.
There are parking spaces on the ground and in the basement.
A new owner took over and made it public. The residents started moving in this year.
The elevator wasn't operating until May or so.
Kokutou, that's your imagination.
Let's move on.
The two buildings are connected only by the lobby in the middle.
You can't get from one building to the other if you are on the second floor and up.
You must go through the lobby.
This is creepy architecture.
The human psyche goes out of whack so easily with minor elements,
such as wall colors and staircase placement.
Those who use them every day would be affected more dramatically.
When you exit the elevator, you'll see units 406 through 410.
Huh? This is odd.
It's 401 through 405.
I wonder if the drawing had errors.
How do you get to the West Tower?
You have to go behind the elevator.
It's a weird design. They should've connected the exteriors.
And, what are we doing on the 4th floor?
Are we calling on a family that's supposed to be dead?
Where did you hear about it?
I told you. From a detective I know well. You, too, right?
Go ahead and check it out. I wanna use the elevator by myself.
I'll meet you one floor up. Use the stairs to go there.
You might Wanna close your eyes.
Later.
The East Tower has units 1 through 5.
The West Tower has units 6 through 10.
The third floor is occupied by Sonoda, "empty", Watanabe, "empty",
Itsuki, Takemoto, "empty", Haimon, "empty", and Toenji.
The fourth floor is occupied by...
"empty", "empty", Sasaya, Mochizuki, Shintani...
"empty", "empty", Tsujinomiya, Kamiyama...
Enjou.
Touko, let me see the list.
I thought so...this is such a rare name. You can't find it anywhere else.
I'm gonna get going. Is there any vehicle I can use?
There's a backup 200cc motorcycle.
Promise me you won't take the Harley for a ride.
I haven't finished detaching the side car.
All right. Mikiya, I'm taking the sword.
Shiki!
What is it, Mikiya?
Oh, nothing. I'll stop by tonight. So, I'll see you then.
You're weird. I'll be home tonight. See you later then.
Huh? Shiki has a lock on.
Ah! Mr. Akitaka!
What's wrong? You have worry written all over your face.
Well, it's nothing.
Don't tell me you're lovesick.
What?
The lock.
The door used to be unlocked except while she was sleeping. Right?
Doesn't it bother you?
I'm rather relieved. She may be strong but she's a girl after all.
You're worried because she's a girl.
There mighfve been an "encounter" while you were gone for a month.
According to Akitaka, nothing like that seemed to happen.
Surprisingly enough, she seems to have done her own laundry.
It might be her new beau in this pile.
What?
You're can be so naive.
Anyway, you got this much overnight? Wanna seriously consider becoming a PI?
You'd be in high demand.
I'd never make it.
I got info on only 3O units out of 50.
Excuse me, is this...?
Yes, this is the Enjou residence. Who are you?
Oh, sorry. Wrong house.
Huh?
I can't wait any longer!
There you are. Now let's so downstairs.
Kokutou, look down. I'll give you a little quiz.
O...K. I just need to look down?
Here's the question. What floor is this?
What? It's still the 5th floor?
I see. So it was the 6th floor earlier.
Correct. You thought you went up one floor, but it was actually two floors.
What a tricky design.
You know, high-rises are strange.
The higher you so up in the elevator, the harder it is to figure out where you are.
If one manipulated the buttons and switched the floor numbers,
you wouldn't be able to tell whether you were on the 4th floor or the 5th.
The only way to verify where you live is...
the directory in small print in the lobby.
Units, rooms and ordinary everyday life can easily become "out of the ordinary".
Let's so check out the lobby in the East Tower.
Both towers have a lobby on the ground level.
They both have vaulted ceilings...
actually, you designed the East Tower lobby, Miss Touko.
What are you doing?
Just to be safe...this would be a good spot to put in the mechanism...
By the way, did you notice?
The staircase was moved.
What?
Not the columns, just the staircase. Didn't you see the scratches on the wall?
The staircase was moved? That's absurd!
It's like a "rocket pencil", you know.
What the heck is a rocket pencil?
You don't know what that is?
No. I have no idea.
You can't buy them anymore?
It's a pen with stackable tips that requires no sharpening.
Then, you think the staircase was pushed up with a piston or something?
Probably, in order to slide the exit of the spiral.
It then switches its north and south.
Who did that...for what purpose?
Now, let's go home.
You really don't know?
Rocket pencils were popular when I was a student.
Parking Ticket
She said she'd be home at night...
Sorry to make you wait.
You're very late.
This concludes the evening news for November 9th.
Let's so.
About yesterday...
I looked into it more afterwards.
Yes?
You were disappointed that you got info on only 3O units out of 50.
But the investigation ended there after all. The others are fictitious families.
Census records of long deceased families were recycled and fabricated.
Oh, yeah?
But it's all been used for the residents in the East Tower.
I wonder what that means. Hey, are you listening?
Yes. By the way, weren't you supposed to turn left back there?
Man, that was an unexpected waste of time!
Huh? What's the matter?
Kokutou.
Hold on to it.
There's a guest inside, but ignore him and don't even say a word.
What?
Then, the guest will leave without noticing you.
Aozaki, I'm keeping the "Supreme Ultimate".
You took the "Supreme Ultimate" into the "Supreme Ultimate"?
But the Deterrent Force will be in effect.
The unified consciousness of us humans and the stars,
and the desire to perpetuate our own universe will converge...
and manifest in various forms.
That's the counter force, called the Deterrent Force.
A hero is one of the examples, who emerges as the hero of the times.
Magi made countless attempts in the past to approach the Vortex.
They were all annihilated by the Deterrent Force.
The Deterrent Force? That pest won't work.
Because I'm simply following the existing path, not creating one.
Using the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception?
Araya wound up losing his life trying to capture Shiki Ryougi.
What about Shiki?
What the hell did you do to Shiki?
I remember him from yesterday. You do have an apprentice, Aozaki.
Now I have more to look forward to.
I guess it wouldn't do any good to say, "That's not true."
It might've worked way back when...
We're not in school anymore. So, should I consider this a declaration of war?
Let's just settle our long-time discord.
I look forward to seeing you again.
See you later.
Welcome to my Gehenna.
Hail to the highest-ranking puppeteer.
Congratulations, Alba.
You do that all the time! That's how you undervalue me!
There is no value here that you can easily understand.
What was that all about?
It means Shiki was abducted and has been locked up.
Where?
Probably the 10th floor in the West Tower because Shiki is a Yin, being female.
What's the meaning of this?
Sniki's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception were awakened in the accident two years ago.
She can also interpret the death lines reflected in her mystic eyes.
Aozaki!
Bring out Araya already!
Death lines are frays of objects.
Being able to see them means understanding the truth about the objects, which means...
The Vortex of Radix...?
Right. Shiki's body is connected to the Vortex through her mystic eyes.
There's no doubt that they are after the Vortex of Radix.
Alba may be an exception though.
They?
I've come all the way here because I was told that I could kill you!
Aozaki!
Is this what you wanted?
What karma...My getting involved with something like this after so long.
Well, I guess I had a feeling when I decided to get involved with Shiki.
Keep this for me. It's some awful tobacco handmade by a Taiwanese craftsman.
That's all I've left.
Dream...
Everything is recorded in the Vortex.
Shiki might be having a dream in the Supreme Ultimate.
A dream called the history of this world,
and our records of this very moment.
Well, don't you worry.
Magi are the type of people who deeply empathize with their families and pupils.
I'll bring home Shiki tonight. So, hang in there.
I can't wait any longer!
Who the hell are you?
Paradox Paradigm.
I canfi save anyone.
If I don't have that ability, I'll at least record their death explicitly.
Collect deaths!
Is this a dream?
Me and a dream, eh?
Araya...
Souren and Cornelius Alba...eh?
You have some pain?
It's nothing.
I don't understand how, but it looks like we were both dragged into the same event.
As absurd as it sounds...
So, what are you going do?
I owe a favor to Ryougi. I've gotta rescue her.
Not that. I'm talking about your parents.
Which do you think are real, in unit 405 or unit 410?
That has nothing to do with this!
Of course, it does.
That condo is designed to easily provoke mental derangement.
If so, the designer is liable.
You said you had killed your parents in fear of the dream of getting killed.
But, was it your own will?
Did you really kill them?
What if they had been dead to begin with?
I did it. I still remember how it felt when I killed my mom.
What about your father? You might have killed only your mother.
Leave me alone! I know I'm right! I saw the corpse!
It doesn't really matter now. I wanna rescue Ryougi.
I know Shiki matters to you, but you must look after yourself, too.
Shut up! You'll never understand what I'm going through!
Aren't you planning on dying by rescuing Shiki?
I have nothing left!
No one protected me and I couldn't protect anyone!
The least I can do is to fulfill my promise that I'd die for her!
You'll never get it.
All right, then. Let's go rescue Shiki.
But I need to make one stop first. Come with me, Tomoe Enjou.
Why do you know my name?
I told you to bring out Araya from the get-go.
O-ken!
Finally, I get to see you.
It's been so long, Aozaki.
Yeah. Neither of us is too thrilled about this reunion though.
Alba might've been too presumptuous.
He doesn't seem to be able to give up his obsession with you.
And...? Will you be able to open the Vortex in this condo?
All the people I gathered here died in various ways. It's a microcosm.
By repeating all their deaths, I thought I'd reach the door to the Vortex.
But I couldn't locate the door.
That's why you looked to Shiki?
Right. In order to keep her attention away from the Deterrent Force,
I used Kirie Fujou and Fujino Asagami...
and made her aware that her body was a door to the Vortex.
But, how are you going to open it?
I will take over her body.
What? Don't tell me...
you plan to transfer your brain to Shiki's body!
What abominable taste! Why do you wanna so that far to open it?
You may find nothing there. The universe may collapse.
I forgot the reason long ago.
My wish is about to come true.
I'll consider all that get in my way the Deterrent Force.
Ha! I guess I have no choice but to fight.
Araya, what do you seek?
True wisdom.
Maya, where do you seek W?
Only within myself.
Go!
Shit! How many did it take?
The captured pieces are gone.
A puppeteer is defeated when his puppet is defeated.
That's what you used to say in the school days.
I haven't changed my belief yet. Anyway, I'm quite impressed.
You can freely squash the space at will just like in your own body.
So, I had already jumped into a giant magical entity.
If you were this prepared, why did you let Shiki corner you?
I'd crush her if I got serious.
I hope it won't come back to bite you.
Araya, there are three elements that terrorize people. Do you know them?
One. A monster should not talk.
Two. A monster's identity should never be revealed.
Three. A monster is meaningless if it is not immortal.
Make sure you finish off with one blow. This is called a surprise attack.
Finish off with one blow. Right? I learned a valuable lesson.
That was a puppet...?
Of course. But you are real.
These heartbeats are real.
How unfortunate. I valued you with good reason.
We once competed to reach the Vortex.
Frankly speaking, I had feelings for you.
But you became corrupt.
You may be right.
But, I've been enjoying life as known as...
the spiral called ordinary everyday life that is the accumulation of...
countless miracles and coincidences.
That's why I wanted to protect it, if I could.
Araya, what do you wish for?
I don't wish for anything.
Ha! How pathetic.
I see. It was a demon of the magic lantern.
It's a dream...?
Me and a dream, eh?
Araya! You broke your promise!
You said you'd let me kill Aozaki!
You had failed. So, you can't blame me for bringing her down.
Bringing her down'? Don't make me laugh.
She's still alive. Don't let your guard down. Make sure you finish her off.
Aozaki is a vixen that once was called "Disgraced Scarlet."
You idiot! You blurted out what you should never have, Cornelius.
What?
Take it with you. I have no opinion on how you'll handle it.
I graciously accept it. She's finally mine!
So, I can do whatever I like with it?
Do as you please.
Your fate is already determined after all.
Why...this place...?
When I was investigating the Ogawa Condo, I looked into the past residences, too.
You moved around a lot, but you had lived here till you were eight,
which means this is where you were born and raised.
MW"
real...home...
Tomoe!
Yeah?
Come over here. I wanna give you something very important to keep.
Dad...
What's this, Dad?
It's our house key. Don't lose it.
You're a boy. Protect your mother with that.
Protect with a key?
Right. You'll be safe when your morn or I are not home.
Keys protect family members. The key is the proof that we are a family.
All right. I'll take good care of it.
I'll protect our home!
Way to go. You're a good boy,
Tomoe.
I was let so at work today.
Why? I thought it was going well.
They asked for my driver's license. Damn it!
I wish it hadn't been revoked for DUI.
I should start working.
No. I'll manage somehow.
I don't wanna put any burden on you and Tomoe.
Darling.
What? A car accident?
But my husband doesn't have a license. What happened to the other driver?
I was told I had to have a license.
Listen, my parents have offered to pay for the damage.
It'll be all right.
We'll start over.
Leave, murderer!
Leave! Kill yourself, murderer!
Damn! No one will forgive me!
They found out somehow. We need to move from here again.
Nothing will change no matter where we go. They'll tell me to get out.
Tomoe said he quit the track and field team at school today.
He always came home with bruises and scratches. He must've been bullied.
He has done nothing Wrong. It's all my fault.
He even gives us money from his paycheck.
He's a fast runner. He's mature and grounded, unlike me.
He deserves...
an ordinary life!
I was...
I was stupid!
I was in the wrong. Everyone was suffering,
but all I could think of was myself!
No matter how hard...I should've tried to help them...help my family...
I never paid attention to them!
Where's your home?
You were referring to this, Ryougi?
I had a home, didn't I?
I'm sorry. I know your ill fortune, but I have no words I can offer you.
But if you say you have nothing left,
what's most important for you now is yourself and...
the ordinary life you supposedly had.
Ryougi and you... I'm surrounded by weird guys.
All right. I'll fight for my own sake.
I always have done that.
Yeah. I knew you'd say that.
Shiki is on the 10th floor of the West Tower.
While I go in through the front door, distracting them,
you go rescue her.
Go into a manhole nearby, follow the sewer and get to the underground parking area.
That's probably the place where they call a workshop.
Are you a PI?
I have all the tools ready.
Give that sword to her.
We'll start at IOSOPM.
Let me thank you in advance. Oh, I don't even know your name.
Mikiya Kokutou.
I see. It does sound like a poet's name.
Take this.
What's this?
Just keep it.
From now on, you're gonna have to protect her.
When this is all over, we shouldn't see each other.
We won't seek each other, either.
If one of us causes the other to die, we don't wanna feel guilty. Right?
She doesn't need me.
For her or me, someone like you is a much better match.
See ya!
Farewell.
Yap! I'll start over from scratch when this is all over!
Ah, what perfect timing! I was just about to come see you.
Is that steam?
I've...come back...?
Isn't this well-done? I'm quite fond of it.
This head is still alive.
See? She can still cry. I can still hear her voice, too.
Aozaki, what shall I do?
I'm about to kill your little darhng boy.
Oh, dear! What a shame!
Unfortunately, you can't do anything about it!
I get it. This is what it's all about.
These are all connected to the units above.
That's an awful thing to do.
It hurts, you know?!
It has to be here. Somewhere in here!
It's dangerous to stab someone.
Dangerous! Dangerous!
Dangerous! Dangerous! Dangerous!
It's always the same!
When we were in the Academy, only I deserved all the honors.
But the big shots were taken in by your attitude.
You treated me as if I were inferior, and that arrogance of yours convinced them so!
Aozaki!
Ah! That was painful.
How painful was it? Well, it was so painful that I almost cried.
Ha! I guess Aozaki wasn't exactly a good mentor.
Did you know...
that Aozaki was given a red, one of three colors representing...
highest honors, granted by the Academy?
She would've preferred blue, as "Ao" means blue. What a vulgar color!
It was because she entered the Academy to seek revenge on her little sister...
for taking away her family heirship. She's nothing but a corrupt coward!
Tomoe ENJOU
I get it. I am...
I knew I was fake, but...
to see it with my own eyes is tough.
Araya let me so, as he saw that I was fake and not able to do anything.
You're just a fake puppet.
I had mercy on you, as your body was going to perish eventually.
Why did you return?
You...
You're not gonna say "I'm supposed to be dead", Cornelius.
You're supposed to be dead!
Why are you here?
I came as soon as I could. But it was late.
Of course, I'm replacing Touko Aozaki.
Replace? Then, you're a puppet?
No, you're definitely the real one!
No! But...
The one I killed was undoubtedly...
But that contradicts...
What in the world...?
Hey, Cornelius.
I completed a puppet that was an exact replica of myself a few years back.
Nothing more, nothing less.
The puppet had identical capacities as I.
When I looked at it, I wondered if I no longer even needed to exist.
I see. You've returned to rescue Shiki Ryougi.
How foolish! Why can't you see that that emotion was programmed into you?
What did you say?
Certainly, you did get out of this spiral.
But, remember...
When did you wake up?
Why were you attracted to Shiki Ryougi?
Why did you seek help from a girl you didn't know?
No, that's not true...
Nothing about you is real.
There's only one fact that I attached to you when you escaped.
It was an unconscious imprinting...
that you'd take an interest in Shiki Ryougi.
Give me a break!
Even if we assume that it is true, and if you can truly achieve that,
we would seek to reach higher levels!
Technically, if the puppet is identical to me, it'd reach the next step anyway.
See? The results are the same.
I get it! Araya kept you alive...
to keep your alternate from getting activated!
What you did earlier was painful, Cornelius.
The one I've know until now is...
No...
Are you the original?
Do you believe there is any significance in asking me that question?
I know all too well that I am fake.
But...
I may own no past, but I own a passion!
I really loved Ryougi!
I may be fake, but my feelings are real!
I enjoyed being with her.
If you're the one who gave me the chance, I'll be happy to thank you for it.
Am I fake, Araya?
I no longer need to tell you. Bring it on, if you wish.
I'm not going anywhere.
I will kill you, Araya.
To tell you the truth, I didn't necessarily despise your hatred toward me,
because it meant and proved that Touko Aozaki indeed existed.
I wish this spiral was a paradox.
But you called me by "that" name.
This is more than enough for me for now.
I've made it a rule...
I've annihilated everyone who called me the "Disgraced Scarlet."
I'm not killing you for RyougTs sake.
I'm killing you for my own sake!
My parents...
weren't bad enough to deserve such deaths!
They weren't guilty enough...
to deserve such horrible deaths!
You fool!
You cannot accomplish anything, as your origin is "worthlessness."
I existed here...
You've been defeated, eh, Alba?
This is what I expected.
Being a Peeping Torn? What a bad taste!
Insolent mouth... I can tell you're the real one.
Do you want to fight again then?
No, thanks. I'm at a disadvantage in this building.
Are you sure? The demon hiding in there might just be able to defeat me.
I was defeated the moment I was killed.
If someone were to block you, it wouldn't be me.
Are you expecting the Deterrent Force to kick in even now?
Unfortunately, it won't work.
That's what the bound field is for.
Bound field...?
Listen, Araya, the original purpose of this building was...
the embodiment of the Yin-Yang symbol in order to win over the Yin-Yang. Right?
Correct.
I've created this alien universe to completely seclude Shiki from outside.
Araya, you've made a fatal mistake!
There is no mistake.
Right. It's not about you.
You did right as a magus.
You threw Sniki into a bound field known as a shielded space.
That, in itself, was perfect.
But such a thing won't work on her.
We, the magi, are threats to logic,
but Shiki is the Grim Reaper to non-logic.
You should already know that through your experiences.
Souren Araya.
If you wanted to lock up Shiki, you should've tried a concrete box.
She will easily rip through the bound field that's only confining the space!
Enjou, don't you have a girlfriend?
If I had one, I wouldn't be hanging out at a place like this.
You look handsome enough to be popular, though.
Your emotionless compliment doesn't sound sincere.
All right, Touko.
I'll be out for a while.
Sure.
Mikiya, I'm taking the sword.
Shiki!
What is it, Mikiya?
Oh, nothing...
I'm gonna get going. Is there any vehicle I can use?
There's a backup 200cc motorcycle.
Promise me you won't take the Harley for a ride.
I haven't finished detaching the sidecar.
I might've lost my mind...
Shiki put a lock on...?
Kokutou, do you know the Ogawa Condo in Kayami-Hama?
Beats me. But I do know the guy who designed this place.
Mikiya, I'm taking this sword.
Shiki!
Let me finish putting this together.
I don't have one right now. He's gone far away.
He's selfish.
That's not nice. I spent a whole month at a boot camp in the boonies to get it.
It must hurt, Araya, as this building is your body.
And it's being cut inside!
Impossible!
Incomprehensible...
How can you move with that body?
How did you wake up with that wound?
Why couldn't you remain in coma just for a few more minutes?!
Shiki Ryougi!
Tomoe Enjou, eh?
I didn't seek anyone's help.
I woke up on my own.
There was no reason for Enjou to come here.
But he is the one who destroyed you.
I don't know why...
I know I can duel with you at the most extreme level, but I can't smile about it.
Oh, I know. It's not that I want to kill you.
It's just that I can't stand your very existence.
Shuku!
Why, you!
Now I see! It's autosuggestion.
You've altered yourself by giving yourself a weapon.
You deceived me. You didn't battle Fujino Asagami in earnest, then.
At long last, I can face you, Ryougi!
Shuku!
You fool!
Even this doesn't stop you?
I will never let him get away.
I may have to destroy the whole building to stop her.
This isn't good...
Ryougi...
Shiki!
Now you look like a girl your age.
Your bound field saved Shiki.
You failed again this time.
Why do you run yourself into ground?
Why do you so desperately seek the Vortex of Radix?
Humans are hopeless.
It's so long ago... You can't save the whole mankind.
If so, how can the unsaved people be saved, if that's possible at all?
There's no answer.
But, if you could open the Vortex and terminate the world,
you could record all deaths up until the end of the world and examine them.
If you could re-examine all that were unrewarded or unsaved in the new light,
those who died meaningless deaths could then be exonerated.
You'd be able to determine what their happiness was.
What in the world are you?
I'm no one. I just want a conclusion...
that the very ugliness of those ugly, filthy, disparaged humans,
is the value of the humans that is recorded in history after they are...
long gone. That would help me feel at peace.
You want to eradicate foul humans for your own sake.
But I was interrupted just a step away from succeeding.
What poor losers! Humans don't know when to give up.
It was an unexpected event that Tomoe Enjou had escaped this spiral.
You had put up a civilization bound field to shield the view of the Deterrent Force.
The field already had too many holes at that stage.
You were defeated by Tomoe, a single person who represents family love.
Let me tell you something.
A psychologist has defined what's called the mass unconsciousness.
It suggests that the bottom of human consciousness all leads to the same well.
It's where all the egoism of the entire world is supposedly stored.
It's called Araya-shiki in Buddhism.
What?
What an ironic paradox of the world.
Your name and the name of the one you despise make up a profound word.
This body has reached its limit.
Start from scratch, then?
I don't have...
a spare body.
Maya.
What do you seek?
True wisdom.
Maya, where do you seek W?
Only within myself.
Maya, to where are you headed'?
Of course...the end of the spiral...
of this paradox world.
What's up with that wimp?
I met you and saw an impossible dream.
It is an eternity that passes in a second.
I'm calling because I want to protect you.
Stretched fingers are trembling.
I embrace you as you are.
All we can do is helplessly cry out
that we are still alive until we run out of strength.
That's all.
Sweetness of despair will reach you and me.
Shatter it and start running right away
to the end of the world.
I'm calling because, if my struggling song in the distance
can turn your face to the sky,
I'm no longer alone.
Even such a mechanical vessel
was filled with naked truth,
to the extent that it overflows.
Waving our hands at the speed of light,
through an infinitely bright desert,
we kick time away and run.
I face the wind, waving a torn flag.
I travel this path without you for my own sake.
To the end of the world...
I want to see you.
You are dear to me.
I want to see you.
You are dear to me.
I'm calling because the proof I was here
probably still exists in your eyes.
I'm calling because we're defying the closing spiral
while we cry, scream and vanish.
We are alive.
We are here.
I'm calling your name. Esta vitia
I'm inviting myself in. Ah, you are awake.
What are you looking at? I'm not gonna share with you.
Hey, intruder!
I don't want some boil-in-bag food, even if you beg me to take it!
That's good to know.
By the Way-
What?
Miss Touko told me about that condo.
The demolition starts today.
She made arrangements to have the corpses taken away in advance.
It's all over.
Hey, Kokutou.
The key .
What?
I don't have the key to your room.
It's kinda unfair, you know.
November, 1998
Paradox Paradigm.
Preview of the Next Episode
Do you remember what is requested of you?
To discover and eliminate the magus who manipulates fairies and terrorizes...
the students in the Reien Girls School.
Very well.
But then, Azaka, you'd need eyes to be able to see the fairies.
Come on! I am the victim this time.
January, 1999
I can already tell that it'll be full of ups and downs.
It's not the resemblance, rather...
Rather. . .?
Who are you?
What does the magus want?
I'll never forgive you even if you cry and beg!
I don't know who you are, but I'll bring you down hard!
Time to work.
To tell you the truth, I love things that are very unique.
Oblivion Recorder "Fairy Tale"