A message sent to Yuki through a clay pot.
The entity that created the "rule" that is Fushi.
Destroy that, and the mystery behind Fushi's life may be solved.
I'll do it.
Watch me do it!
Fushi asks a certain human for help.
Number One
Hey, where's my seat again?
Huh? Er... it's right there.
Thanks.
Hey, Mizuha, is there anything bothering you?
I'll help you any way you need.
Told you.
She's coming.
Hey, is it really that weird seeing me getting along with Mizuha?
Not really. Also, what?
We never said anything.
I know!
Let's all go on a date together.
You two, me, and Mizuha.
We can be even better friends that way.
Let's go.
Give it some thought!
Funa.
Why weren't you at morning practice?
You had me worried.
What do you mean, "Huh?" Are you all right?
You've changed these days.
I don't see you with Saki and the others.
Has something happened?
I guess I do look weird, huh?
Yeah. Did you get in a fight or something?
I don't know how to get closer with them.
They keep running away before we can really talk.
I see.
Those three are always together because it makes them feel stronger.
Talk to them one-on-one and they'll be different.
Makes sense.
Thanks!
And come to club!
Everyone misses you.
Remember that people are worried for you even if they don't say anything.
Hey, Saki...san?
Did you give that date some thought?
What? Ew. Why would I?
Why not?
Do you hate me?
Or is it because you hate Mizuha?
Both.
Why?
You have no filter.
Mizuha has too much filter.
That's why I don't like you.
Bye.
Er... Hey...
Here!
Take this.
Huh?
Will this make us friends?
Obviously not!
Hey.
You can have this.
Why?
I thought it might let us make up.
Why are you even thinking that?
Aren't we better off being friends than not?
Friends?
You went one way.
I'm staying here.
That's all there is to it.
Friends? What are you talking about?
It's all about where you are.
And I'm going that way.
W-W-Wait!
Mizuha made this hair accessory for you.
For "me"?
Er...
For you, Nagisa-san.
Wow. Creepy.
Kasabe-san.
You can have this.
Isn't this the thing Mizuha was wearing?
Yeah. She said she's giving it to you.
Why would you tell me this?
You were shitting on Mizuha more than anyone.
And now you're pretending to be buddies with her?
Dunno.
But you're pretending to hate Mizuha, too.
Q-Quit talking out of your ass!
You can have this.
It's from Mizuha.
Tonari-senpai.
You got one of those, too, huh?
Huh? Yeah.
She didn't want to at first, but she did it for me.
Right?
We each got one, too.
You made these, right, Mizuha-senpai?
Thank you very much.
Huh? Who gave them to you?
Funa-senpai.
Here.
Come.
Mizuha!
The first-years love that accessory—
Just come here.
You're having fun, aren't you, Fushi?
What are you doing in that form?
I couldn't bring back your family, but I thought maybe if I were at school...
I don't know what you're talking about.
I wanted to make a place where you could be happy.
So that you wouldn't think about wanting to die.
A place where I could be happy?
And your idea was to throw these things around?
Lying that I made them?
I should have done it another way.
I guess lying about it was offensive to you and everyone I gave it to.
You cared for me.
So much that you took over Funa's body for my sake.
You became her, all for me.
I appreciate it.
It's almost like you've accepted me and the Nokkers and everything.
I never thought I'd hear you talk about the Nokkers like that.
Are you Mizuha?
Or are you the Nokker pretending to be Mizuha?
Can't you tell?
I'm Mizuha.
That day you rejected me, Funa-san's Nokker told me...
about us and about the Nokkers.
When I got home, my left hand started moving on its own.
Mom and Dad seemed happy when they saw that.
It made me realize I must be special after all.
It seems your mind's been corrupted, as well.
I'm sorry I couldn't save you.
But I'll keep trying.
I don't want it to be the Nokkers that save you from your suffering, but you yourself.
I hate the Nokkers, but that's not all.
I just... well...
I don't think it's right to have the Nokkers take your pain on your behalf.
You still haven't accepted yourself.
It's like the wound under your bandage has never healed.
It seems like you haven't truly recovered from your wounds.
It's not a big deal, Fushi.
The Nokkers are like flu medicine.
They give you relief when you're in pain.
That's all.
Not a big deal?
Can't we get rid of that Nokker, then?
I don't know...
If you're going to relieve my pain instead, then sure.
Of course.
I'll do my best so I can do that.
Do it now.
I don't hate being controlled by you like that.
Wow, Mizuha, I never knew you were so horny.
I always thought you were strait-laced. Yikes.
Huh? What was I... I don't know.
Apologize.
Apologize for killing me.
Sure, I felt like dying.
And I was talking shit about you.
There wasn't really anything wrong with me dying.
But that doesn't mean you should have killed me, does it?
Sorry, but it wasn't me who killed you.
Oh, you mean that Nokker thing?
You're telling me you have one of them in you?
It did seem like you were enjoying it.
Blissful, maybe?
I was watching the whole time.
Watching?
Yeah. I was a ghost.
I could see right into your room.
Some of the things you were saying were pretty disgraceful, too.
But I didn't mind it.
Lots of surprises.
And some things that made me happy.
Remember that people are worried for you even if they don't say anything.
Turns out my life didn't suck so much that I needed someone to kill me.
I'm glad I died so I could find out.
Not that I'm grateful to you for killing me, though.
How's this if you don't want to apologize?
We both know each other's secrets.
I think we'll have plenty of stuff to talk about.
Not as friends.
Though, you don't have to do that if you don't want to.
Shake on it?
Mizuha.
How's that? I got her good, right?
Got her?
I thought you brought me back to life because you wanted my help.
No, it's so that you wouldn't get taken.
Say what?
I don't really get it, but that makes me feel warm inside!
Sorry. I feel like I got you mixed up in all this.
No, it's fine.
I messed up again.
It didn't work out at all after all that effort.
Hey...
Could I have that hair accessory, Funa?
Oh, er...
Huh?
There's one here.
Sorry, will this work?
Thanks.
Hey, sorry for shouting earlier.
I don't mind.
Hey, could I come over next time?
Er...
Let's talk about guys and stuff again.
Okay.
And your idea was to throw these things around?
There you are.
Are you okay?
About what happened...
Can we still be friends?
If we can, could you tell me what you still haven't told me?
Hey, d-don't do that!
You're already in love with someone else.
I know we're both girls, but...
I do love you, Hanna.
Do you love me, Hanna?
I... I do, but...
So it's okay, then.
I... don't know about that...
You don't mean it that way, right?
I wonder what I mean.
Wanna do it again?
You're being weird, Mizuha.
I thought you liked Fushi-kun.
What makes you think that?
It's pretty obvious.
Sorry for making you jealous.
But I don't.
It's more that he likes me.
Oh, he does?
I did notice he cared about you, but...
What makes you think that?
I saw what he was doing.
That's not very convincing.
I saw what he did earlier.
Or... I was listening, I guess.
Aoki-kun would have loved hearing what I did.
Yuki-kun knows.
What? H-He does?
Everyone's worried for me because they love me.
Are you sure you're okay?
If there's anything I can do to help make you happy, I want to do it.
Can I be your number one, then?
Wait, what?
My number one?
Like a trophy?
No.
Sorry, I don't get it.
You're so dull and boring. You know that?
That's why you made that weird handicrafts club by yourself.
Wouldn't someone like you be happy to have a flawless girl like me as a friend?
That's how you felt?
Yeah. You didn't?
You're so good at that. Wow.
Thanks.
You can have this if you want.
I want that one.
It's my birthday today.
It is?
Come on, let me have that one. Please?
You're hopeless, aren't you?
Fine.
Okay.
It's your birthday gift, then.
Thanks!
Yay!
It's a bit too flashy for me, but maybe for you...
The prettiest, most accomplished girl in my grade talked to me kindly.
How's that?
Looks good.
I'm so happy.
Screw this.
Wait, Hanna! No!
Fushi...
That's the end of another day.
I gotta do more starting tomorrow.
Down with the Nokkers.
But how?
Hey, Mimori.
Long time no see.
Fushi-san.
How's Hirotoshi doing?
He's all better now after the Foundation people filled him up with needles.
Yeah? That's great.
What's that?
Secret skill: Attention Grab-no-jutsu.
You make one and show it off, and people respect you and you become popular.
Hirotoshi-san taught me.
Teach me how to make one!
Okay.
Are you getting along with the kids at school?
It's back to normal now.
Normal?
Yeah.
Mimori, let's play dodgeball.
What's wrong? You're being weird.
Mimori changed again.
Man, she was better the way she was before.
Now that I've gone back to how I was, no one talks to me anymore.
How's your mom?
No real difference.
Yeah?
But it's okay.
I think I can hold up this time.
What can I do to be as strong as you?
Strong?
I don't think I'm strong.
It seems like you're doing better, though.
At least, that's how it looks to me.
I'm glad, then...
that the Nokker took my body.
You're glad?
Yes.
If the Nokker hadn't taken my body,
I wouldn't have come back after I died at school.
I guess so, but...
Let's start over.
But the Nokker tried to use your body.
That's not true.
I was using it.
And I won.
It's done.
Wow, it's so shiny!
March would be blown away.
I wonder what she's up to now.
And you say you won't return home until you've wiped them out.
Will that be in two hundred years?
Four hundred years?
March?
Oh, she's, uh... my family.
Your sister?
No, more like...
my mom?
You call your mother by name, huh?
My family's a bit weird.
Like Gugu, who always wears a mask.
Gugu?
My big brother, I guess.
You'd be shocked if you saw him.
My friends live with me, too.
And my... coworkers, I guess you could call them?
Lots of animals, too.
That sounds fun.
I hope everyone's happy right now.
Mimori, let's go home.
I gotta go.
Okay.
What about you? Are you enjoying your life at home?
I'm going to start enjoying it.
Look, Mom.
What's that? Did you pick it up somewhere?
I made it. It's a mud ball.
Don't bring it inside, okay? It's dirty.
Fushi!
Mizuha.
I think Hanna hates me.
Did I do something wrong?
What happened?
I don't know.
I can't say it.
Please don't blame yourself, though.
Fushi...
You really are kind.
Yeah. You'll be okay.
I'm sure it'll be okay.
Oh, right.
Put your hand out.
You can have this.
I made it just now.
It's not very good, though.
What's this?
Secret skill: Attention Grab-no-jutsu.
You might be able to make up with Hanna if you learn to make one.
It's late today, so I'll teach you how to make one another day.
Bye.
Wait, Fushi.
This isn't it.
Fushi, wait!
You haven't solved anything!
I'm still crying, see?
Yeah.
What do you mean, "yeah"? Why are you leaving?
Sorry, what should I do?
March, I'm home!
Check this out!
Whoa, what is this? It's so shiny!
It's a mud ball.
Wow! You made this, Fu-chan?
That's right, March.
I'll teach you how to make one.
It'll make everyone love you.
Really?!
Thank you, Fu-chan!
I'm so happy!
Please don't hate me.
Okay.
Well, see you tomorrow.
Where are you going?
Home, of course.
The Nokkers dwell inside those who are eager to die.
That's what the Nokker said.
There's so much good food to eat.
Plenty of sturdy homes.
So many fun things.
There isn't even any time to be sad.
Why would you want to die?
I honestly can't understand why anyone would want to die in a world like this.
I'm sure March and Gugu and everyone else thinks the same.
That this world is way happier than when they were exhausted from fighting.
I'm home, guys!
Welcome home, Fu-chan!
It's awfully quiet.
He made a workshop.
I'm happy for you, Kai.
And there's Gugu's bodybuilding stuff.
Isn't this...
Who are you?
Are you okay?!
Be strong!
Eko?
March!
What happened?!
Dam?
Hang in there!
What does "dam" mean?!
Gugu! Bon!
Are you here?!
Tonari!
Keep it down.
You just got home. Why all the screaming?
Has something happened?
March and Eko are...
Relax.
A tutor just taught them how to hold chopsticks and how to write and stuff.
She tried to write "Don't"?
I'm busy studying. Keep it down.
Studying?
We have finals next week.
Finals?
No more making blades without a permit. Got it?
Kai...
Don't make the same mistake twice.
Gugu! Hairo!
What's happened to you?
I don't think they're happy.
Preview
Can a peaceful world with no fighting be an ideal one?
Gugu's homesickness and Hairo's true feelings...
In learning of his friends' wishes, Fushi becomes troubled.
Where One Belongs