■ Chapter 21: Two Tears to Put Meaning in Loneliness
Mashiro’s brother committed suicide by overdose when she was a 3rd year JH student.
Her brother was just one year older than her.
Both of her parents were in the military and had high hopes for their son, who seemed to be the best at everything, unlike Mashiro.
Mashiro’s real name has three syllables, similar to her code name “Mashiro”.
Just when Mashiro thought that her prestigious family didn’t need her (she was the “black sheep”), she received the acceptance letter to join a training camp for the Special Abilities Private High School from which individual students would be selected to enter the school. She participated in the camp for half a year until the final results were released the following winter.
Sometime around then she got a phone call from her family about her brother. She goes home and sees her brother laid out on the floor with a towel over his face–somewhat typical display of the dead. She goes up into her room and discovers that her brother completely trashed it, cutting open her stuffed animals, pillows, her bed; destroying everything else in the room; spray painting things like “DIE BITCH FUCK OFF” etc. Which Mashiro was off at the training camp and doing her best, her brother was losing it because finally Mashiro was getting some praise from her parents… and she felt that she had taken his place in their eyes.
Mashiro wakes with tears streaming down her eyes. She’s in a hospital room. Her whole right arm is wrapped in bandages. She gets up and bumps into the bedside cabinet, causing a glass bottle to fall off and break. She opens the door and walks away, trailing her IV bag behind her… and the handle on the door is utterly broken. (Her physical strength is going nuts).
Kuroi has a talk with Asagi, who apparently seems to have forgotten everything that happened in France. Kuroi tells him that Kikyou is alive but is in a coma. The whole thing in France transpired three weeks ago. Asagi asks if Kuroi erased Mashiro’s memory this time, and he says that he didn’t. He couldn’t. Kuroi always thought that he could do anything with his powers, but when Mashiro’s involved, he… Asagi mentions that Kuroi’s talking rather mysteriously to which Kuroi raises his head with tears streaming down his face, “Isn’t that what love is?” When Kuroi leaves, Asagi types up something quickly on his phone. It’s his inside report on Mashiro…and he sends it to an email group called the “Project White”.
■ Chapter 22: Toward the Raging Flames
Momoka visits Kikyou in the hospital and realizes that she was the culprit before.
4 hours earlier, Kurumi finds Momoka playing cellphone games in the library. As they talk, Momoka mentions that Yanagi has been absent from school since the trip to France (he’s apparently resting up). Kurumi was told from the school principal to edit the video footage she recorded during the mission to France but her computer isn’t working right and she can’t open the file. It turns out that Momoka knows a thing or two about computers and helps her out. The scene cuts out as Momoka is shocked at something that she sees in the video… a figure standing behind Kikyou.
Back to present time, Momoka is outside Kikyou’s hospital room looking in at her through the big glass window. Akane comes in and mentions that Momoka’s soaking wet from the rain. She says that it was Kikyou who killed their mom and dad by fire. Akane asks if she could be wrong, and Momoka says no. Akane gets livid and is about to storm into Kikyou’s room but Momoka stops her. The doctors have said that Kikyou will never “move” again, that she’s brain dead. Momoka had been living for the day when she could avenge the death of her parents but now the one who did it is terminal… she doesn’t know what to do. She bursts into tears and embraces Akane, who takes out her lollipop and gives it to Momoka. “I’ll protect you, Momoka.”
Akane storms into Rokusho’s office. She accuses Rokusho for intentionally allowing Momoka to see the video that would reveal who really killed their parents. Akane then vows to kill her for making Momoka cry. Tokiwa appears and tells her that their parents weren’t indiscriminately killed. He explains that they are from the city of Miyata. Rokusho says that everything is connected: Tokiwa, the deaths of their parents, and this cursed school. Lastly she says that their parents were killed for the real reason why the school even exists.
■ Chapter 23: The Curse of Project White
Mashiro is riding on a train, thinking how she’s been having more and more gaps in her memory. As she sits with nothing but dark and gloomy thoughts on her mind, she inadvertently crushes a railing on the train and her hand begins to bleed. She knows she’s losing control of her powers.
As she’s hurrying along, she’s stopped by two men who say that they saw her on the train and were worried. They look at her hand and tell her that she’d get in trouble if word gets out that she destroyed public property. They ask her to come with them some where quieter to talk…and maybe do some other stuff…
Next we’re back to the scene with Momoka & Akane in Rokusho’s office. Rokusho tells them that in order to discuss the reason why their parents were killed, she must explain how the city came to be. The Miyata car manufacturer was established in the small city of Shirotae (white). After the war, Miyata became the top leading car manufacturer in all of Japan, from which point the company changed its name to simply “MIYATA”. At the same time, the small city of Shirotae also changed its name to Miyata in order to further develop Japan’s leading industrial city. There was a plan to construct the “Shirotae Resort” just outside of the city. However, even though it started out as a big project to promote personal health, the plans were delayed and the entire project came to a stand still. The only part of the plan that actually came to fruition was the Miyata General Hospital. That just happened to be the same hospital where Momoka & Akane’s parents worked… the hospital where “special abilities” were created. Tokiwa says that he used to work for the Miyata pharmaceutical company but both that company and Miyata General Hospital worked with a single goal in mind: Eternal youth and immortality. It was originally a project to allow the Miyata founder, Miyata Seijirou, to live forever.
Project White went through as scheduled as a cover for the illegal research on eternal life. They used illegal drugs and other treatments on a pregnant woman. They were murdered due to that unjust prosecution. Akane says that she will then kill the old man Miyata, but he apparently died 20 years ago. Although there were many sacrifices, the project still failed. Rokusho continues to explain that Project Shirotae Resort is now known as simply Project White (Shirotae), but they don’t know who’s giving the orders or who’s even working for it. All they know is that the project is still progressing, creating more special abilities, and has become the central pillar in Japan’s national defense.
Apparently even Rokusho herself was affected by this project and lost her right leg in the process. She also says that they are all fighting the same enemy; those whose parents were killed for the project, those who try to escape, those who fall victim to the project. There are still many people in the school that are connected to the project…
Back to Mashiro…
Mashiro screams and pushes back against one of the men as he tries to grab her, but his arm is twisted and broken in several places (Mashiro’s strength super powered up) and the other man takes out a knife. Just then Kuroi shows up. The man asks him who he is and he replies, “I am a knight to protect Mashiro. Ah, no, I think ‘Prince’ is more like it.” The then asks the two men who gave them their orders, but the man with the broken arm takes out a gun. Kuroi toys with them a little and they slowly back away… straight into oncoming traffic… Both men are struck by a large semi.
Kuroi then says, “Mashiro, I’ll say it one more time. This is my job.”
Back with Rokusho and gang…
Rokusho says that creating special abilities means money. Multiple countries around the world want it: USA, Russia, etc. She says that until they can destroy both Project White and the special abilities, there is no escaping this curse, and that’s including those connected to the project who are hiding in the shadows at the school as well as the main leader behind it all.
Lastly, the chapter ends with Mashiro sobbing into Kuroi’s chest as she digs her nails into his hand, drawing blood. “Kuroi-kun, I’m scared… I’m scared… I’m so scared!”
■ Chapter 24: White (Belyy)
This chapter begins the Siberia Arc with the characters Rosavi, Krasnyy, and Siniy. The first we see them, the trio is engaged in a training exercise involving destroying multiple drones with their combined powers. They have the typical Attacker, Gunner, and Scanner abilities, but they are able to connect their thoughts in order to attack as one. They form the “Color Squad”:
- Krasnyy (Red): Commander (male, long hair)
- Siniy (Blue): Attacker (male, short hair)
- Rosavi (Pink/Rose): Supporter (female, short hair)
Back at headquarters, their training exercise is overseen by a woman with long, blonde hair named Khaki (brown), who is likewise under the command of Seryy (gray). The mission was to test their skills out on the battlefield and to determine whether they could act more efficiently than a typical army squadron that is not psychically connected to each other.
After the exercise, they get a complete physical. Just incase, Khaki gives them all a stabilizer to “calm” their abilities. Krasnyy and Siniy say that they feel great, and Rosavi says that she has no problems either, but Khaki notices that Rosavi’s arm has been injured… to which all three of them reply in unison: “I got hit during the assault. It’s not a problem.” Khaki draws Rosavi near and tells the boys that the one who’s injured is Rosavi, not them. “She’s the only girl in the squad. You need to protect her.” The three are told that the final test will be held the following week, so they need to rest while they can.
While the kids leave, Khaki and Seryy discuss the upcoming final test and the strange display of speaking in unison, but they don’t have a clear understanding of it.
Then we get a weird aside by a new character in a mask who introduces himself as Belyy (white), an integrated personality of the three. Basically, he’s a unique personality that was created when the three connected their thoughts together. He explains that he came into being three years ago when they were given the drugs to give them special abilities. No one has figured out that he’s there, controlling the three of the kids as one, and if anyone finds out… He says that he’s trapped in a cell and is hoping that if everything goes well with the upcoming test, that he will be set free. And so he must be discrete…
After every training exercise, the trio’s sex drive sky rockets and they must seek release. The three of them enter a linen closet and go at it. And the masked guy is there, explaining how he knows their every pleasurable spot…
Later that night after they’ve returned to their shared quarters, Rosavi ducks under the covers and turns on a flashlight, looking at a magazine ad for some trip to the ocean. She looks at it longingly and says, “It must be so nice…!”
■ Chapter 25: Red (Krasnyy)
The chapter begins again with the masked head of Belyy being all creepy and controlling the other three in the palm of his hand. He again mentions that he was created in the experimental “Project Garden Observer” on special abilities. He mentions how the research facility on a solitary island in the snowy wasteland in Siberia is their “home”. The only way out of this cell is by completing the experiment and militarizing their ability.
The three are put into a millitary exercise where they attack a bunch of drones and their accuracy and speed as well as their vital signs are recorded the whole way and a bunch of people from the GRU, SVR, and other dignitaries watch from a darkened room.
Belyy controls them through the exersize and they manage to break a bunch of records until Rosavi starts to lag behind. Belyy mentions how her physical condition is bad and the reason why she’s lagging behind… and that female bodies are shit. He tells the other two boys to change formation to allow Rosavi to fall back, but then all three of them begin to freak out, recognizing “someone’s voice”. Plus, a fourth brainwave is picked up by Khaki as she observes their vitals.
Just then a stray bullet wisps past Siniy and pierces through Krasnyy’s head, killing him as the other two scream like crazy, their screams alone destroying the remaining drones. Khaki quickly calls off the exercise as the scene pans over to the room of dignitaries and we see Rokusho and her assistant with glasses… She thanks everyone for allowing her to witness such an amazing achievement before returning back to Japan.
After Krasnyy’s death, it upsets their connection and Siniy and Rosavi begin to regain their individual thought while Belyy grows more and more confused about his own identity.
In their confusion, Siniy and Rosavi are overcome by the unsettling feeling of losing Krasnyy and they both fall over, vomiting. In such moments, they would have always given into their sexual desires to make everything better, and Siniy gropes Rosavi and tries to have sex with her, but she stops him, something that confuses them both… as well as Belyy.
Eventually, their connection is broken and Belyy begins to waken. Apparently, three years previous, there was an experiment to connect Belyy mentally with the other three… and he has been connected with them ever since. His body, however, remained in a sort of stasis, asleep in a rectangular box with computer cables coming out of it.
“I’ve been cut off from the other two…! Where…am I? It’s so dark!! What happened to me!? What…am I…!?”
Both Khaki and Seryy look down into a dimly lit computer room where Belyy’s physical body lie. Seryy explains that they know everything and have been observing him since the beginning of the experiment three years ago, when Belyy “connected” with the others. He gestures to a computer monitor where Belyy’s funky mask-face is displayed along with the words “AI Belyy”.
■ Chapter 26: Blue (Siniy)
The chapter opens with Khaki explaining “Project Garden Observer” as a plan to resonate brainwaves together in order to enhance their link and amplify their abilities. The “Color Squad” exists within this project and utilizes the clones Krasnyy, Siniy, Rosavi, and Belyy. We see a close up of Belyy’s face entirely covered in a mask with multiple cables and tubes stringing out of it. Apparently, when special abilities manifested in him, he fell into a brain dead state. The splendid aspect to the Color Squad is how they’re able to so perfectly link up their brainwaves in order to act as one, and this is where the secondary plan comes into play:
Project Observer’s Neighbor
They intended not to link brainwaves together, but rather utilize a single AI and apply it militarily. First, the AI is connected to Belyy through a sub-cranial implant at the base of his skull, and through him, he is able to resonate with a small squadron like the Color Squad. The AI then observes their attack patterns. Belyy… or rather the AI begins to question who or what it is when Seryy and Khaki show him a video from one of the past experiments. Seryy tells the AI that its progress has far exceeded their expectations and want to give it one more task…
Later, Rosavi and Siniy had been moved to separate isolated observation rooms and Siniy communicates telepathically with Rosavi through the wall separating them. Rosavi tells him that they aren’t supposed to use their ability to resonate with each other because of the “severed connection psychological exam”, but Siniy mentions that it’s been a week and how he feels like he’s going to die of boredom, not to mention the loss of Krasnyy. But Rosavi mentions that he’s not the only one… Belyy. She says how it’s felt like a dream, that the three of them were Belyy, but that the memory of him had finally come back. She mentions that after losing Krasnyy, their link has weakened. Through linking their separate abilities together, they were able to greatly strengthen their attacks, but now, it’s only a matter of time… That’s when Rosavi says that she can hear everyone’s voices… and she has something important to tell him.
The next scene is back in the director’s office. Seryy states that the two projects will be merged into one, single plan, but Khaki seems to retaliate, mentioning the uncertain or unfavorable fate of “the children”.
The next moment we see a secondary “reading” for the previous two projects:
- Project Garden Observer = Project Clone Soldiers
- Project Observer’s Neighbor = Project AI Initiative
Seryy says that it’s all her fault since she tried to hide the fact that Belyy had advanced to such a level where he could control the other three, and so Project AI Initiative didn’t supersede Project Clone Soldiers. At any rate, he says that it’s difficult for the project to continue, especially after the lost of Krasnyy. But Khaki is super adamant that the project continue, stating that if the problem was just because of the loss of Krasnyy then all they need to do is get another member who can resonate with the others. She even brings up another girl’s profile on her tablet as proof.
Next, we’re back in the isolation rooms with Rosavi and Siniy. Rosavi fondly places her hands on her stomach and mentions how she can hear the voice from there as well, indicating that she’s pregnant.
Rosavi: What can we do? If we do nothing, this child will also… [fall into their grasp]
Next, we get another funky aside by AI Belyy. He explains how he would do anything for the other three if at some point he could be free of his cell. He shows us his “real body,” a large computer server, and the “shadow of his former self”, the braindead yet still alive physical body of Belyy. He puts a hand on the large server and mentions how it’s a bit too big to put in your pocket and take a stroll… Then suddenly the lights around the scene begin to flash off.
AI Belyy: …… Rosavi… Siniy… There’s no answer. They won’t answer me. This is a cell and I’m alone.
The next page is a mess of text illustrating the turbulent state of his mind, fixating on reconnecting with the others. It’s a scene that sort of reminds me of the “Access Denied” scene in Lawnmower Man.
In the next scene, Khaki comes to Rosavi’s room, saying that it’s time for her medication… but Rosavi knows.
Rosavi: Then why do you also have anesthesia?
Khaki: Anesthesia? It isn’t an anesthetic. What are you talking about…?”
Rosavi: Liar! You’re planning on using this child, aren’t you… as the next “me”.
Rosavi thinks that because of the immense destructive power that they wielded after Krasnyy’s death that her child would also have great potential. Khaki continues to play dumb, but then Rosavi explains that she can hear everyone’s voices: the dude on the other side of the wall, the people in the adjacent room, the flow of air, the movement of lips, and even the vibration of people’s vocal cords.
That’s when Khaki pounces on her with a syringe as she pleads for her to cooperate, that it will only take a short while and then she can be free. But then Siniy uses his powers to cut the electrical power as the room is thrown into darkness. He rushes in and takes out the few guards in the room and finally puts Khaki into a hold by twisting her arm behind her back.
Siniy: Why not come on a picnic with us, Khaki?
The next scene shows Rosavi and Siniy looking the most excited and happy we’ve probably ever see them…because they obviously think that they’ll be able to get out of the facility with Khaki’s help. But she just chastises them, saying that there is nothing but a snowy wasteland in all directions for more than 100km. All cars and other vehicles are controlled remotely, so she wouldn’t even be able to get them to work. Siniy says that won’t be a problem as he sits atop one of the drones and begins to rewire it. He says that it should be good enough to get out of the area and from there they can walk to the nearest town. Siniy smiles and extends a hand to Khaki as he thanks her, but she merely slaps his hand away before going on a shouting tirade:
Khaki: This isn’t a joke! What do you think you can do when you get out of here? Just how do you think you can go on living? You’re just stupid children who don’t know anything! Children should just act like children and listen to their parents! Children who go against their parents, children making babies, you make me sick!
And just in that instant, Khaki is riddled with bullets. Both Rosavi and Siniy reach out to her while the surrounding soldiers try to find out who fired. But then we hear AI Belyy’s voice…
AI Belyy: It’s not fair. Where do you think you’re going, just the two of you? It’s not fair. It’s not fair. Take me with you. Alright… Siniy! Rosavi!! We will always be together, right!?!?
Just then the whole area is surrounded by mechanical drones including a remote controlled helicopter…
■ Chapter 27: Rose (Rosavi)
The opening of the chapter shows a young Rosavi, Krasnyy, and Siniy just after their surgery to set the implants in their necks. They’re outside, looking up to where a large swallow’s nest used to be. They wonder what would happen to the little chicks and wonder who could have done such a thing… maybe the director.
Flashback to the present situation, AI Belyy continues to attack the soldiers as Seryy thinks to himself that it would be near impossible to capture the two of them alive, so his next decision couldn’t be avoided. He calls on his men to kill Siniy and capture Rosavi alive.
When AI Belyy hears this, he goes a bit insane and kills more soldiers. He says that they can’t kill Rosavi or Siniy because they are his body. This is also when Seryy realizes that it’s Belyy/the AI that’s controlling the machines. The real body of Belyy convulses violently as white foam billows from the mask over his mouth.
AI Belyy: We’ll connect… connect… connect…!! Ahahah hahaha hahahahaha!! We’re friends! We’ll be together forever!! Who needs people who cannot connect? It’s all extraneous. Die! Die! Die!
AI Belyy proceeds to shoot up the entire director’s office and all the people there, including the director Seryy himself.
In the meanwhile, Rosavi, Siniy, and Khaki seem to have escaped the majority of the gunfire, and Khaki even talks jokingly with Siniy, making him think that she’s okay.
Khaki: It hurts… C’mon, be more gentle, would you… Boys are always so rough…
Siniy: If you’re talking like this, then I guess you’re okay! We’re almost to the infirmary.
Khaki: The swallows…
Siniy: Huh?
Khaki: Their disposal… I did it.
Siniy: Khaki, what are you…
Khaki: I’m… sorry…
Rosavi: Kha… ki…
Siniy: No… She was just telling jokes…
Rosavi: She wasn’t speaking. We just tuned into her brainwaves. Khaki’s already…
And that’s about when AI Belyy again laughs incessantly, rejoicing in Khaki’s death.
AI Belyy: The one who’s imprisoned us is dead! Ahh, this is such a great feeling!!
Then Rosavi shoots her rifle to cover Siniy as he rushes at the drone and commandeers it with his own bioelectric current. He then turns the drone toward the helicopter and fires at it.
AI Belyy: You’re so mean! I’m on your side!
Siniy: How can you say that when you were the one controlling them all! Spewing whatever garbage you want– unforgivable! It’s unforgivable, Belyy!
Rosavi then gets struck in her upper thigh by a stray bullet and falls to the ground. She thinks about how she could have dodged it before, but now…
AI Belyy: Are you alright!? Rosavi, I’m sorry! But it’s your fault! The both of you were going to run away and leave me behind! I can’t move from here. So many cords are connected to me… this damn heavy body… this cell!!
AI Belyy: Even still, where are you going!? You’re going to leave me behind?! We need to connect……!! For ever… and ever… for eternity!! You two belong to me!
Although Siniy tells Rosavi to get back while he sets up a diversion, Rosavi says that she can still do something to help. He then tells Rosavi to get on a drone and run circles around the helicopter to draw its fire; Siniy will drive the drone remotely, but then Rosavi is confused when the drone suddenly drives her completely away from the area. It was his plan to protect Rosavi while he handles the AI Belyy helicopter.
Then Siniy takes a huge dose of a drug that amplifies their powers all at once. Even though she’s far away now, Rosavi can still feel what’s going on and she knows that he took a single, massive dose of drugs. Sensing Siniy’s brainwaves and feelings, she hits the drone to take her back. She knows that this place will be his deathbed. Through their connection, Siniy says:
Siniy: Rosavi… you are so amazing… You will be a mom… That’s why…
And at the same time, he screams at AI Belyy as a ton of energy comes radiating from his head:
Siniy: If you want me so badly, then you can have me… my BRAIN!!!
Siniy rushes forward and attacks the helicopter while AI Belyy laughs at the pathetic attempt. But then his control over the helicopter seems to falter. He feels like there is something wrong with his body… to which we see Seryy plunge a large pipe through the real Belyy’s heart.
Seryy: It’s…all over… Let’s go…together…
He activates a self-destruct mechanism to destroy facility to conceal its top secret information.
Seryy: At the very least, this is my atonement… As a parent (adult), at the very least…
Next we see AI Belyy freaking out as he hears the self-destruct voice countdown the time remaining as well as Siniy continuing to fight the AI Belyy helicopter. And then…
BOOM!!
Next we see the masked AI Belyy surrounded in white light.
Belyy: Siniy… Rosavi… I’m sorry.
Rosavi: Belyy?
Belyy: I knew it… Shattered things can never be put together again… That’s what it means to be independent. I knew… Well, I’m gonna go…
Rosavi: Wait! Belyy! Where are you going!?
Belyy: My cell is no longer here. That’s why, you too…
Rosavi comes back to her senses and finds herself on the snowy ground in the middle of a blizzard. She gets up to try to reactivate the drone, but she only gets an error message on its screen. Falling to the ground, she thinks of the others.
Rosavi: I can’t move… any more… Siniy… Krasnyy… Belyy… They’re all gone. I’m… alone.
Just when she seems to have lost all strength and hope, she sees a white swallow flying by. Shocked, she sits up to see where it went, but nothing is there. It was just an illusion. But… with a hand on her stomach, she remembers that she isn’t alone. With great effort, her leg bleeding profusely, she gets to her feet. Although her tactical suit has a heater that will last for another 30 minutes, with nothing within 100km in either direction, her odds of survival are slim. Even still, with every step into the white landscape she talks to her unborn child.
Rosavi: Let’s go see the ocean, together. Where do you want to go?
■ Chapter 28: The Shining Future Rests Upon Your Shoulders
TBC
■ Chapter 29: The Idiotic Past Lies at Our Feet
TBC
