P-please, take your time...
I was so nervous...!
Good work.
Still, I was the one who was nervous.
Why did Master request you out of all of us...?
Um... was she a special guest?
That was Major Otome Okunomiya.
When Master was in the military, they were in the same unit.
They were what you'd call comrades in arms, I suppose.
That was an entirely unfamiliar automata...
Yup, right?
You see, I actually just made her.
And so I wanted to give you a look at her, Otome baby.
Could you stop it with the "Otome baby?"
Huh?
This is a proper military inspection, you know.
Well, I'll get to it eventually...
You never change, do you?
You were surely in great demand after quitting the military,
but you decided instead to go and open a cafe using dolls.
We're doing pretty well here, you know.
It didn't look that way...
At any rate, I came here today to give you a warning.
What, that I should get serious about proper skincare?
No. About your use of dolls.
As a result of the ceasefire agreement with Lobelia,
military use of dolls was firmly forbidden.
And it was decided that all mechanica would be disposed of.
I know all that, so you don't have to go making such a scary face.
Still, there are some out there who are displeased by that fact.
The Imperial Line Faction...
Soldiers obsessed with war.
The repeated incidents of dolls rampaging lately are surely no coincidence...
Otome baby...
you're a little close.
The Imperial Line Faction is monitoring you.
Try not to do anything to stand out.
I just want to see what possibilities those girls hold.
It's just around lunchtime, so come eat.
Buriki wa kishimi
Oto o kanadeta
Hanabira no mau kisetsu he to mukau
Rinne suru
Mangekyou
Zutto mawatta
Kirakira to kagayaiteta
Sore wa subarashii hibi de
Mabushisugiru hodo hikaru
Omoide da
Nani mo kamo ga kiesari
Nokosareta tsuchi ni mebuku
Kibou no inochi to
Naruyou sasageru
Buriki wa kishimi
Inochi o moyasu
Hanabira no mau kisetsu he to mukau
Episode 2: Playing Alongside the Moon
Mechanica mustn't go outside
No good
Don't do it
Oh my...
How splendidly done...
Please eat up while it's still warm.
I shall accept this kindness.
Hey, stop staring.
I'm sorry. I was just so curious...
They seemed to be enjoying it, don't you think?
Yes, very much so!
Houkiboshi's omelets are superb, and Master has given them his seal of approval.
It was really cool how everyone was cooking together like that.
But how were they all able to move the same way?
What do you mean...? They were linked.
Linked?
It means controlling mechanica.
Right now this one is on autopilot,
but if I do this...
Welcome to The Black Cat Cafe.
A-amazing...
I'm controlling her right now.
Can I do that too?
When it comes to dolls, you have generations and lineages,
and you can only do it if that all matches up.
To explain things simply,
the first generation were the Oka models.
First Generation
We belong to the second generation.
We were made with reproductions of the Oka model logic systems.
First Generation
Second Generation
Third Generation
Fourth Generation
This girl belongs to the third generation,
based on a reproduction of my logic systems.
That's why I'm able to give her orders.
I-I see...
It would be good if you had subordinate units too, but still...
Let's try asking Master.
I do have one prepared.
Here you are.
What is it...?
This is a pet-type mechanica I developed a while back, Inaba.
Of course, I reproduced new logic systems for it.
So cute...!
Since Inaba is a pet-type, it falls outside of the treaty and can go out front.
It should be easy to use, making it perfect for practicing.
I'll give it a try!
Inaba!
I can see how this is going to go...
Houkiboshi, could you show Haizakura how it's done?
Houkiboshi?
What's the matter?
We're out
of eggs.
Didn't we have goods delivered this morning, though...?
Karasuba, we received a telegram from the distributor.
It seems they're out of stock and won't be able to deliver them for the time being.
Huh? That's an issue...
If we can't get eggs, does that mean we can't make any more omelets?
No cakes or
pudding either.
What should we do?
There might be some at the market.
That's true.
Then shall we have someone go out shopping?
Ah, me!
I want to be helpful!
Gekka, go along with her.
Understood.
Inaba and I can handle it on our own.
Haizakura, hurry and get ready.
Hey, hey, where are we going?
The Second Ward of the capital, to the Shinganji market.
Yamanote Castle
The Black Cat is located in the Fifth Ward.
Ward 5
On the opposite side of Yamanote Castle is the Second Ward.
Ward 2
That's where the largest marketplace in the capital is located.
Yamanote Castle...
Look out ahead of us.
Ooh, so that's Yamanote Castle?
What's there?
The Imperial Palace, Imperial Diet,
Central Bureaucracy, State Guest House,
and the Grand Capital Theater.
You sure are knowledgeable, Gekka!
It's just that you don't know anything, Haizakura.
I'm sorry...
There's not especially any need for you to apologize.
But you've been acting coldly, so I thought maybe you were angry...
It's because I can't smile.
You can't...?
I'm broken.
Extra, extra!
The continental expeditionary force has finally started to return home!
Continental Expeditionary Force has Begun Return Home
Now I know why we were unable to purchase eggs.
What do you mean?
With the returning troops there are more people around,
which means more demand for valuable goods like eggs.
Let's look for them!
It would just be a waste of time...
Hmm? Hey, you two.
Are you perhaps dolls...?
Yes, we're dolls!
Ooh, dolls.
You don't see many around these parts.
Hey, cut it out. It's dangerous to get involved.
I don't recognize you. What unit do you belong to?
Unit...? No, I'm not part of any unit.
Then what is your purpose?
Well...
I can sing songs!
Songs...?
Right!
Um, um...
Search for the reason you were born into this one and only world we have
Echo, my voice, beyond the horizon, to those days we spent together
With that first cherry blossom pink I color, I feel I can grow a bit stronger
I wish you happiness on your endless journey, with flower petals and a smile
That's enough loitering, Haizakura.
Ah, right...
Don't say that! Sing more for us!
You should sing another one like that next!
I'm sorry, but...
You there! What's this commotion about?!
Let's get out of here before things get troublesome.
Here.
You don't mind?
There will be a commotion if we're found.
It would be better to just kill some time for now.
Thank you!
It's so good!
Red bean paste...
It tastes different.
Ah, so you can tell after all?
I've been using powdered eggs, since you just can't get ahold of fresh eggs right now.
Are they not selling them, sure enough?
Nobody's got any.
Apparently a peddler sells them occasionally, but I've got no clue where to find them.
I see...
Can we not make omelets with powdered eggs?
We can, but they wouldn't be good.
Is it really that different?
Proper omelets are something special.
They're all light and fluffy, and sweet, with a real richness to them...
It's something you want to eat at least once before dying.
That's what I've been told.
Someone you know said that?
Indeed.
Then that's all the more reason to give our all looking for them.
After all, that person may stop by too!
There's no way they'd come.
Why is that?
It doesn't seem that we'll find any eggs.
Let's give up and head back to the cafe.
H-hold on!
Let's try looking for a bit longer!
It would be a waste of time.
No it wouldn't!
They might come back, right?
Actually, I'm sure they'll come back.
And if there aren't any omelets then, they'll be disappointed.
Then how exactly should we search?
We may find a hint to go on if we talk to the townsfolk...
And if it just ends in a commotion like before?
Um, um...
Ah! I've got a good idea!
Let's try asking Chiyo!
This way!
Is the peddler really coming?
Of course!
You can tell by when the train comes.
You're amazing, Chiyo!
Um... ah, that's the train!
Oh no...
We may not make it in time from here.
Do they sell out right away after all?
Yeah, they always go in a flash!
Oh no! We need to hurry!
Are you okay, Haizakura?
Hold it together.
Haizakura. Um... Chiyo.
Hold on tight.
We're flying...!
We have omelets
Thank you for waiting.
Ooh, so this is an omelet...!
Can I really eat it...?
Of course! It's our thanks for helping out.
Thanks! Time to dig in!
Ah... Pure bliss!
Ooh, this really tastes the part.
It's delicious, isn't it?
Hey, Gekka.
Won't you have some with me?
It's thanks to you that we were able to buy the eggs.
I'm fine...
Come on, have some!
We're on duty...
Just have a bite.
Here, say "aah."
It's delicious.
What business do you have here?
I wanted to talk to you, but you weren't anywhere to be found.
Did you ask Houkiboshi or something?
Yes, she told me you were always up here at nighttime.
You don't rest up in your room?
I feel on edge.
But why?
We were able to buy eggs today, and everyone was so happy with the omelets too.
That's not it...
I was always assigned to reconnaissance missions.
Recon...naissance?
I belonged to the first reconnaissance unit under the 447th division.
The division suffered a high percentage of losses,
and was always suffering from a shortage of soldiers...
However, morale was always very high even so.
Everyone always talked about winning the war
and returning back home alive.
Before operations, I would always take mechanica with me and patrol the battlefield.
For nighttime reconnaissance, you only have the light of the moon to rely upon.
And sometimes, we got ahold of valuable information.
Even if we were found by the enemy, I needed to make it back, no matter what.
No matter what it took, I had to return alive.
If the reconnaissance failed, we would pay a severe price.
If the main forces advanced without me bringing back proper information,
a tragic fate would surely await them.
That's why I can't feel at ease at night.
But... but... that's not your fault, Gekka.
You're crying again?
That's a waste of coolant.
But I just can't stop...
Are you damaged as well, Haizakura?
Oh...?
Y-you activated!
I can't understand why...
What?
You smiled just now!
U-um...
I think you should just forget about those painful memories.
You're a wonderful doll who's so helpful to everyone, Gekka.
So I think you should take up a different role instead.
A different role?
Like... Like singing!
That's impossible.
You could do it!
Even if I could, how would that even be any different than a record?
It would be totally different!
Come on, sing with me!
Inaba's moving!
I linked, Gekka!
Is that so?
Let's sing!
We should go ahead and get some rest.
The town drifts to sleep,
the moon awaiting in the sky...
What business do you have here?
You won't get away.
Spread out!
Time to finish it.
You're tenacious.
I think you should take up a different role instead.
A different role...
How foolish.
It seems a mechanica of unknown origin was found.
It was a reconnaissance unit.
So was that the work of the Imperial Line Faction?
That's uncertain.
However, it was supposedly completely destroyed.
It could have been a falling out, or perhaps...
I told her not to fight...
What was that?
Nothing.
Um, what is the Imperial Line Faction?
A group that uses dolls to threaten the peace between our empire and the world at large...
They're a truly unforgivable lot.
Kirakira shita machinami A sparkling townscape
Shiranai kaze no kaori An unfamiliar scent in the air
Kitai to fuan ga mazatta awai nioi A faint aroma, filled with hopes and unease alike
Shiranai "michi" no saki fumidasu toki wa When I step foot down an unfamiliar path
Sukoshi yuuki ga iru kedo I feel just a bit of courage
Tooku kara miteru dake de wa But I’m just looking far ahead
Kizukenai mono ga aru kitto Surely something I don’t realize is there
Hiru no sora hissori ukabu shiroi tsuki no you ni I rise quietly into the midday sky, like the pale moon
Hibi ni hisonda suteki sagasou Searching for that wonderful something hidden in everyday life
“Kiseki” to iu hikari terashi mitemitai keshiki he Shine on, you miraculous light, upon the sight I seek
Tokei mawari susundekou yo zutto... Let’s keep on moving clockwise, never stopping...