01x12 - Borne Back Ceaselessly into the Past

[bunniefuu]

[ATSUSHI] Do I smell... miso soup?

[sniffs]

[ATSUSHI gasps]

[KYOUKA] Good morning.

Huh?

[ATSUSHI] Why are the two of us roommates?!

We just don't have any more space.

Seriously?

[OSAMU] She was happy to do it.

Ordered to.

[ATSUSHI sighs]

[OSAMU] You understand, Atsushi.

No, I don't.

Well, the poor girl has no family.

She's all alone in the world.

The Port Mafia might send assassins for her.

That's true.

You must protect her.

I understand. I'll do my best!

[OSAMU chuckles]

[DOPPO] Instead of messing with Atsushi, why don't you

write up your report about being captured, Dazai?

[OSAMU] Heh, heh, heh. Atsushi...

Yes?

[OSAMU] I want you to write a report for me.

Huh?!

It's going to be all about the person

who placed the bounty on your head.

[ATSUSHI] You know who that is?

[OSAMU] Going off the Port Mafia's records,

it looks like it was the leader of

an American organization of the gifted called The Guild.

I thought that they were just an urban legend.

It's said their members hold key positions in finance,

politics, and the m*llitary, allowing them to utilize

their vast influence for nefarious purposes.

What would a group like that want with Atsushi?

--[helicopter whirs] --[ATSUSHI] Huh?

[OSAMU gasps]

[door opens]

You've all gotta come see this!

--[tires screech] --[horns honk]

Guess our report'll have to wait.

Heh.

How nice to finally meet you, President Fukuna...

Uhh... Fuzuka?

Fukuzawa.

That's it!

Oh, we parked our chopper on a nearby highway.

Was that all right?

What is it you wish to discuss?

You've journeyed across the world to come here.

Speak your mind.

My, this is a rare specimen.

I don't recognize this style of porcelain.

What is the brand of this set?

Royal Blanc? Or perhaps El Zelga?

It's from the ceramics store next door.

[sips] My apologies.

Please call me Francis, old sport.

I insist.

I'm the leader of The Guild.

We're headquartered in North America.

I personally own three conglomerates, five hotels,

an airline, a university--

Mister Fitzgerald...

[FITZGERALD] Hm?

[YUKICHI] I've received reports that you issued

a bounty to encourage the Port Mafia to att*ck us...

Are they true?

Yes, that was a big mistake on my part.

To think such a famed criminal group

would be so incompetent.

To make amends, I bring you a business proposal.

You've got a nice little company here

and it's in an attractive neighborhood.

As such...

...I'd like to buy it from you.

Don't misunderstand.

I could buy every piece of property

that you can see from here.

It's not the building I'm interested in.

I want one thing...

And that is?

What do you think?

I want your Gifted Business Permit.

[FITZGERALD] You see, for a group of gifted individuals

to open a business, they need permission from a special branch

of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Those fools are about the only ones you can't buy with money.

We are a secret society that officially doesn't even exist.

There's something in this city that we want.

We'd rather not rile the Ministry while we look for it.

The permit will allow us to--

I refuse.

Come now, is this not enough?

Very well then... I'll add this.

It's a limited edition model,

made to order with pink diamonds.

[YUKICHI] I'm afraid there's no amount of money you could offer

that would entice me to give up our permit.

[FITZGERALD] Hm?

It is a symbol of hope.

Not just for our members, but also for that of Master Natsume,

without whom this agency would not exist.

Our permit is not for sale to the highest bidder.

It is not a plaything for the idle rich.

So you believe there are things money can't buy.

That's the boring mantra of the poor.

If your employees "vanished," I make a bet your little Agency

would cease to function.

Any by then it would be too late to change your mind.

I'll take that into consideration.

We're done here.

For now...

Escort our guests out, Kenji.

--[door opens] --[KENJI] Understood!

This way, please.

[FITZGERALD] I'll leave a message for you

in tomorrow's paper.

Consider it carefully, old sport...

I always get what I'm after.

--[elevator dings] --[doors open]

That's a really cute hat.

You think so? Thank you very much, Miss!

[elevator dings]

[LUCY] Well? Whaddya think?

[JAMES] It's great, but you'd look better in burlap.

Why you!

Hmph!

[FITZGERALD] First, there was one...

[DOPPO] Hey! Did you hear what happened?!

Yeah, it's on the news.

[TV REPORTER] As we reported earlier...

A seven-story building has completely vanished overnight.

According to one of our sources,

the building was used to house a front company

for the notorious Port Mafia. While details...

So this is the message...

No one's seen Kenji since yesterday.

I'm really starting to worry about him now.

So they'll get rid of anyone,

whether it's us or the Port Mafia.

Huh...

Junichirou, I don't want you out there on your own.

Work with Atsushi to find Kenji.

Dazai, you'll be with me. We'll consult the President.

We don't know what kind of powers they have.

If you encounter them, retreat immediately.

Right.

[JUNICHIROU] Naomi, you should head back to the Agency.

It's too dangerous.

If they can make whole buildings disappear,

it doesn't matter where I am.

--[OUGAI] Elise? Where are you? --[NAOMI] Right, Atsushi?

[ATSUSHI] I... guess.

[JUNICHIROU] Hey, man!

You know my sister isn't gifted like you or me!

--She's gotta go! --[OUGAI] Please, answer me!

Just a minute!

I seem to recall someone promising

to do anything I asked.

Yeah, but that was yesterday when you were--

--[JUNICHIROU yelps] --[OUGAI] This isn't funny!

[JUNICHIROU] Let's not talk about it.

[NAOMI chuckles]

[JUNICHIROU] I still think that you should go back.

[NAOMI] Oh, really?

Would it help if I reminded you of how we...

--[ATSUSHI] Hm? --[JUNICHIROU] Mm?

[JUNICHIROU] Naomi?

No, It can't be...

[JUNICHIROU] Naomi! Where are you?!

Where did she go?!

Is this how they att*ck?

But I... I didn't sense that anything was off.

Naomi!

[ATSUSHI] Wait! It's too dangerous!

Where could you be, Elise?

Oh, I'm in big trouble now...

Give her back to me!

[JUNICHIROU] Found you!

[JUNICHIROU pants]

[JUNICHIROU yells]

[LUCY] Let's play a game!

[JUNICHIROU, ATSUSHI gasp]

[OUGAI gasps]

[LUCY] I'd like to welcome all of you to Anne's Chamber!

My goodness!

There's so many of you here, I'm a little embarrassed.

I'm not very good at public speaking.

But still, I have to explain what's going on to everyone!

You're all probably really confused

about how you even got here.

If it were me, I'm sure my heart would be--

Where is Naomi?

Oh, I'm so sorry. Allow me to explain that first.

Your agents are over in that room.

[JUNICHIROU] Kenji... Naomi!

Damn! Naomi!

It won't open without a key.

Unlike that door...

[ATSUSHI] They're all frozen.

Has time stopped?

[LUCY] My name... is Lucy.

I created this world with my ability.

But don't worry, you can leave whenever you want

through that white door.

But unfortunately your companions will be trapped here.

What is it that you want?

[LUCY] That's easy.

I just want you to play in this room with my friend.

Say "hello," Anne.

--[ATSUSHI shudders] --[JUNICHIROU growls]

[LUCY] Anne loves to play.

She's a bit needy, but she's just so cute!

[CROWD screams]

I forgot to mention about the door!

If you leave, then you'll forget everything that's happened here!

Do you understand?

Oh, man... There's only three of you left?

It's not safe here. You need to run.

But the girl I'm looking for might be here.

She's beautiful, just like a little angel.

Have you seen her anywhere, perhaps?

[ATSUSHI] Sorry, I'm afraid I haven't.

[OUGAI] I see...

Her name is Elise.

Ever since we've been separated,

I have no idea what to do with myself.

She might be just behind that door.

If she is, I'd never forgive myself for running.

So I'm going to stand my ground.

I understand.

[LUCY] The rules are simple.

Play a round of tag with my dear Anne.

If she tags you, then you lose the game.

But if you open the door using that key before she catches you,

you win, and I'll return the hostages.

Well then? Who wants to give it a try?

Can two people play at the same time?

[LUCY] But of course!

It's much more fun if we all play together.

[ATSUSHI] We'll win if we use Junichirou's Light Snow ability

to project illusions.

Are the two of you ready?

Yeah.

Ready...

[LUCY] Go!

[ATSUSHI] She's fast!

[LUCY giggles] Caught you.

One down!

Junichirou!

Aaahhh!

[LUCY] We've made another friend!

Aren't you happy, Anne?

Huh? What's that? You still want more?

All right, then...

[ATSUSHI gasps]

[LUCY] Incredible! I wanna see more.

[ATSUSHI gasps]

[LUCY] You have such a strong and useful ability...

You must have been highly valued from the moment you were born.

I know that you're an orphan.

I grew up in an orphanage, too.

I still remember the cold.

After using freezing rags to clean

for hours and hours on end, my fingers would ache for days.

Everyone shunned me 'cause of my ability.

They all thought that I was some kind of freak.

I heard that when you were taken,

the Agency was desperate to find you.

How wonderful.

It must've been because of your great ability.

That's not--

[LUCY] That's the reason why The Guild took me in.

[ATSUSHI sighs]

[LUCY] But there's no room for error in The Guild.

If I fail in this mission,

I'll be tossed aside like a used napkin.

Then I'll be all alone again.

Tell me...

Why are you special? How come I'm not special?

It's not fair!

You should know how I feel more than anybody else!

You deserve to stay here forever!

[ATSUSHI grunts]

[ATSUSHI] I need to unlock that door with this key.

[ATSUSHI] I win!

Kid! Be careful!

Huh?!

Aah!

[LUCY] You shouldn't throw away your chance at escape.

Weren't we supposed to win if I used that key?!

[LUCY] That's right. If you could open the door.

I don't know how to use this key, either.

It's a complete mystery to me.

[ATSUSHI] So there was no way to win in the first place.

[LUCY] The real game starts now.

You're obviously really good at tag...

...but I wonder just how much longer you'll last?

[ATSUSHI] There's nothing I can do.

I'm gonna be caught.

There's no way for me to fight back. It's hopeless!

[ATSUSHI] My only hope is that Dazai will show up!

[LUCY] You're gonna leave your friends behind?!

[ATSUSHI] Even in this impossible situation,

he'd think of something.

I can't do anything!

[OUGAI] Don't do it, kid.

Face your enemy.

[ATSUSHI yelps]

I wouldn't advise escaping in this situation.

Uh, assuming...

...you're willing to trust the words

of a simple neighborhood physician, of course.

[ATSUSHI] Huh?

If we're to believe that girl's words,

you'll forget everything once you leave through that door.

You won't remember the enemy's guile,

or your friends being in danger,

leaving you completely vulnerable.

Let me teach you something.

Using game theory, the optimal strategy is to

launch a total counteroffensive,

catching your opponent by surprise.

Then you crush your enemy.

I don't think I can do it.

[OUGAI] An arrogant opponent is likely

to make the biggest mistakes.

And if I heard correctly,

those friends of yours behind that door...

Didn't they work hard to find you when you were kidnapped?

[ATSUSHI gasps]

[ATSUSHI] That's right.

They all saved me.

[LUCY] Enough chit-chat!

Are you ready to keep playing our game?

I think it's time for me to make my move.

Yes. I think that's your best option.

[LUCY] It wouldn't be fun any other way.

But sadly... It's too late for you!

[ATSUSHI grunts]

There's two?!

Well, it's only fair, since there are two of you!

[ATSUSHI] Oh, sh*t!

[ATSUSHI screams]

All done here!

Looks like you're all alone, mister.

So, what are you gonna do?

It's all thanks to you that the weretiger didn't run away

in the first place.

I guess I could let you go as a sign of my appreciation.

Then again, I really wanna see your expression

when Anne catches you.

Why don't you try it?

[LUCY gasps]

[LUCY] Wait... What's happening?

My legs are shaking so much, I can't move.

This feeling of pure evil...

Even Anne is being affected by it!

[OUGAI] It's hopeless.

I'm afraid... you've already lost.

Look at the door.

[LUCY gasps]

[LUCY] What?! But I know I shut that door...

So how?

[ATSUSHI] You've made one mistake.

This fight was two against one from the beginning!

[LUCY gasps]

[ATSUSHI] The moment this door opened,

Junichirou used his ability to create a false door.

[LUCY] Impossible...

You were able to resist the force pulling you in

with just your arms and legs alone?

[ATSUSHI] You give me too much credit.

I'm not powerful and I'm not popular.

My life has been filled with all sorts of misfortune.

That's why I understand your feelings of resentment

all too well.

I don't want you to lose the only place you can call home!

I don't want you to fail!

But I'm weak and inexperienced,

and just can't think of any other way!

[LUCY gasps]

[LUCY] A ribbon?!

It looks like it finally came into use.

--[ATSUSHI grunts] --[LUCY yelps]

Undo your ability and let everyone go!

If you don't, I'll throw you into this room.

[LUCY gasps]

[ATSUSHI] Without a key, this door won't open.

That means if you're imprisoned here,

no one will ever be able to free you

and you'll be trapped in this room

even if you release your ability.

Am I wrong?

You can't...

Our powers aren't for controlling people.

I understand that better than most.

Are you willing to be trapped here forever?

Because not even death will save you in this place!

But... I can't afford to fail my mission!

[ATSUSHI] I'm going to let go.

You'll only have that split second

before the door closes to decide.

Please no! Don't do it!

[LUCY screams]

--[horns honk] --[ATSUSHI grunts]

[CROWD murmurs]

[ATSUSHI sighs]

[ATSUSHI gasps]

Lucy! Listen.

If I can help you in any way--

[LUCY grunts]

Wait!

[ATSUSHI sighs]

--[ATSUSHI yells] --Oh, Elise! There you are!

Are you okay?!

Wh-Where've you been? I was so worried!

You just up and vanished...

I thought that if I suddenly disappeared,

it would make Rintaro worry.

I really just wanted to see him cry.

[OUGAI] That's so cruel, Elise!

You're lucky you're so cute!

[ATSUSHI] Uh!

Hey, Kyouka.

Did you come to get me?

I was worried.

Thank you.

[OUGAI] I believe we'll be taking our leave now.

[ATSUSHI] I wanted to thank you for your advice earlier.

You said you were a doctor, right?

Ex-doctor.

I'm just a simple old man in charge of a small group now.

Remember...

[ATSUSHI] Huh?

An optimal solution exists in any situation,

regardless of the difficulty.

You must not forget that,

especially in times of confusion.

Right.

Farewell.

There's always an optimal solution... yeah.

--[KYOUKA shudders] --[ATSUSHI] Huh?

Hey, what's up? What is it?

Kyouka? What's wrong?

[OUGAI] I had a good time today.

Though I must admit, I really wanted to use my ability

to decimate my enemies like I used to.

You're too old for that!

Hey now!

That may be true, but...

[OUGAI laughs]

[OUGAI] So this is a Guild assassin?

Yes.

[OUGAI] Apparently the Agency isn't the only one

in a skirmish with The Guild.

It seems I should take my own advice.

We need an "optimal solution."

The Agency and The Guild...

Those who dare to oppose us and incur our wrath...

...will die.

[OSAMU] Sakunosuke Oda, Ango Sakaguchi, and me...

The three of us would often drink at that watering hole.

That's how we always spent our nights back then.

And that's when it happened.

[OSAMU] Next time on Bungo Stray Dogs ,

episode : "The Dark Age."

In the end, everything in this world exists solely

to help us k*ll time until we finally die.