Original subtitles

At the end of the 20th century: In opposition to a marked rise in city crime and its increasingly vicious nature, the Metropolitan Police established within itself the Anti-Vicious Crime Heavily Armored Mobile Special Investigation Unit. Police men and women of superior intellect and physical strength, who had a particularly strong sense of justice, were selected and made its members.

Armed with special reinforcement gear and heavy firearms, they were known as the "Watchdogs of Hell: Kerberos," and began their courageous challenge against the criminal underworld.

However, in their fervent hatred of evil, their actions were quite severe. Their almost-cruel investigation activities became the target of strong public criticism. During this tense atmosphere, an incident occurred where a misdemeanor offender was beaten to death by a Special Investigation Unit member. This triggered the inevitable dissolution of the organization. The complete History of the criminal Law Enforcement Organization by Hyohe Shiozawa chapter IV: Strife against vicious crimes Appendix: The Glory and Downfall of the Kerberos (excerpt)

An Omnibus Promotion Film

From the central control office...

... a level one emergency situation has been declared in the metropolitan area.

As of 1200 hours, an unrestricted investigation will commence.

I repeat.

From the central control office...

... a level one emergency situation has been declared in the metropolitan area.

As of 1200 hours, an unrestricted investigation will commence.

To all patrolling units on alert...

... the criminals who stole a Special Investigation Unit vehicle...

... and are on the run have been identified as...

... the members of the Central Management District First Platoon...

Kouichi Todome, Souichiroh Toribe, and Midori Washio.

Their rank is senior detectives.

Each wears reinforcement gear and carries heavy firearms.

They may attempt to flee the country.

Shoot to kill on sight.

I repeat.

Shoot to kill on sight.

They were last sighted on Coast Highway 109, at Interchange 3.

Are you OK?

They broke through a picket line...

... and are currently suspected to be in hiding near C17 Terminal.

I repeat.

Shoot to kill on sight.

They were last sighted on Coast Highway 109, at Interchange 3.

They broke through a picket line...

... and are currently suspected to be in hiding near C17 Terminal.

They aren't shy about broadcasting info on the civilian lines.

The amount of idiots who want to be famous...

...for taking our heads will surge when they hear this.

Leave the escaped watchdogs to the street kids...

...and the master himself doesn't have to dirty his hands.

Doesn't matter either way.

Or, are you saying that it's worth being shot...

... if the shooter was your friend yesterday?

We knew it since we decided to refuse to disarm and escape.

By the way...

...about the chopper picking us up.

Remaining rounds: thirty.

Remaining rounds: five.

Remaining round: one.

Inside my gut, that is.

Came right through a gap in my armor.

Bad break.

That settles it.

After hearing all those gunshots, there will be more of them, soon.

Midori and I will hold them here and buy time.

You go!

How do you expect me to do that!

Koichi!

We turned against our comrades, broke the chains, and escaped!

For what?

We didn't get this far so we can all die together!

Midori and I can't move anymore!

Go, Koichi.

And come back, you hear me?

Midori.

Go on.

We'll wait for you here.

Go!

Where are the other two?

They...

... Midori and Ao aren't coming.

They can't, now.

We could wait a little longer.

Do you want to?

They're the ones who have to wait.

Until I return...

...they'll be waiting.

Let's go.

Produced by Shigeharu Shiba Daisuke Hayashi

Screenplay Kazunori Ito Mamoru Oshii

THE RED SPECTACLES

June 15, 1995 The Metropolitan Anti Unit became subject to dissolution as per Metropolitan vicious crime Heavily Armored Mobile Special Investigation Police Order No. 209.

August 1, same year After a 45-day siege, the entire Special Unit Fifth Platoon surrendered. The Metropolitan Police declared that the "Kerberos Riot" incident had concluded.

Photography: Yosuke Mamiya Lighting: Yoshimi Hosaka

November 2, same year Midori Washio (25), a former Special Investigation Unit senior detective, was arrested at a friend's house where she had been in hiding.

December 19, same year Soichiroh Toribe (27), a former Special Investigation Unit senior detective, was arrested after a gunfight at his lover's house, where he had been in hiding.

Music: Kenji Kawai Effects : Yasufumi Yoda

June 15, 1996 The first trial for the "Kerberos Riot" was called into session. October 21, 1997 The separate trial for the "Kerberos Riot" concluded. April 28, 1998 All accused members of the "Kerberos Unitary Group" were found guilty. An appeal to the higher court was dismissed.

Editing: Seiji Morita Adjustments: Kunio Kuwahara

At large as of June 15, 1998- Former Special Investigation Unit, First Platoon senior detective, Koichi Todome (28)

Director: Mamoru Oshii

Three years later

To the Oriental Hotel.

Well?

Take a left onto Pier Street!

Oh, number 13, Port Town.

Summer, 1995.

On melting asphalt roads, people walked...

... leaving impressions of their footsteps behind.

It was extremely hot...

You alone?

You don't take singles?

No, as long as you pay, I don't care if you're a dog.

Want me to get someone?

By "someone" you mean a massage parlor girl?

Or Ambassador Magma?

Either one.

No, neither.

No?

No!

You sure?

Then you're...?

Ah, forget it.

Don't kill him. Make sure you capture him alive.

Yes, sir!

Go!

The lost, lost little kitten Where is your home

She can't tell where her home is She can't tell what her name is

Meow-meow-meow-meow Meow-meow-meow-meow

Dogs, live. Cats, die.

Hello?

It is ten o'clock.

'Tis but an hour ago since it was 9, And after one hour more it will be 11;

And so, from hour to hour we ripe and ripe.

William Shakespeare, from As You Like It...

...Act Two, Scene Seven.

What about it?

My, that was quite a surprise.

You falling from the sky with a bang like that.

Let me guess, you're...

I'm just a passing tourist.

Well, sure you are, if you say so.

But your eyes are those of one who abandoned this town once...

...for a reason and came back after a few years.

To accomplish something.

But you'd better be careful.

This town isn't the town you once knew.

In the few years you were away, its corruption has advanced steadily.

Look, Mister.

I keep wondering if it's because its people rot...

...the town rots as well, or because the town rots, the people rot as well.

Which do you think is the case?

I dunno.

Not good.

Such an apathetic attitude is not good.

Communication is the first step to deeper understanding between people.

If you keep your mouth shut like that...

Hey, aren't there any stand-and-eat soba shops around here?

Owned by a lone middle-aged man with dark past...

...where sorrowful men come to find one bowl worth of warmth...

...that kind of place.

Didn't you know, Mister?

Stand-and-eat soba was outlawed two years ago.

What?

Those shops are the place where youngsters, wanting to get away...

...gather late at night.

And the owners tend to have dark and secret pasts.

Considering those two aspects...

...they were deemed to violate public order and standards of decency.

Well, there probably was a large potential for a public opposition...

...but anyhow, the kind of people who flock around stand-and-eat soba shops...

...have no possibility whatsoever of unifying.

The Stand-and-Eat Snack Sales Prohibition Ordinance...

...or SESSPO for short.

SESSPO?

Beef bowls, too?

Of course it applies.

Convenience stores?

Until sundown.

Why?

Like I said, they've gone rotten.

Stop the car!

"Ginji the Moon-Viewing! "

Where is he?

I don't know!

I don't know!

You can't fool me!

I really don't know!

Ouch, it hurts, stop, ah!

I don't know!

I really don't know!

Stop it!

What are you doing?

Spit it out!

You stupid piece of shit!

Spit it out, now!

You stupid piece of shit!

Where is Ginji?

Ouch, what mediocrity.

Ouch.

Do you remember now?

Do brothers or friends not exist in a small restroom?

No such thing!

You stupid piece of shit!

Hey you.

You know an underground stand-and-eat soba shop.

Anything but that... mercy, big brother.

No brothers or friends exist in a small restroom!

Why don't you wash your face?

You.

Let me buy you a bowl.

Soba Udon

"Angel egg."

They don't have it?

Nor "moon-viewing."

You can't get "moon-viewing" or "angel egg" any more.

Lots of things have happened since you disappeared.

The traffic light has changed to muddy blue.

It may never turn back to clear red again.

Nobody stops for you.

Both the town and the people have changed.

And so have I.

"Ginji the Moon-Viewing" became just old plain Ginji...

...when "moon-viewing" disappeared from the menu.

Yet, as soon as the sun sets, I find myself coming to a place like this.

Not being able to forget the taste of the past.

But I'm the lucky one.

I still get treated to soba like this once in a while...

...and see an old friend's face, too.

The others?

Ushigoroh the Beef Bowl, Amataroh the Baked Red Bean Pastry...

Sabu the Medium Hot...

Tetsu the Hamburger, Mami the Crepe...

Where and how they are now?

Not even rumors get through this town.

Why did you come back?

Soichiroh Toribe...

Midori Washio...

It's not as if you quit your other profession as well, is it?

Have I ever caused you any trouble before?

No.

That's the problem.

Take care of yourself.

Koichi!

As someone once said, a true friend is the one you play with.

No, those two aside...

... if you want to cherish your memories...

...don't meet them.

Out of order

Occupied.

Hey, come out!

Hey, please, come out!

No brothers or friends exist in a small restroom.

Now, it's time for some wake-up exercises.

Let's pump up the energy!

Hold out your fingers, and do bend-and-unbends.

Bend, unbend, bend, and unbend.

As if you were thrusting them forward.

And elbow-stretching.

Let's see some energy!

Are you awake, Koichi?

Straighten your backs, and do some kick-ups.

Higher! Higher!

How's your stomach?

Where am I?

What am I doing here?

Who are you?

Alright, then.

Let's say I'm in the same trade as you were before.

Therefore, this is an interrogation room.

You, having eaten for the first time in three years your favorite food...

...stand-and-eat soba, suffered from symptoms of acute diarrhea.

But you couldn't overcome your own sense of public morality...

...and fainted in agony in the end.

A good citizen found you unconscious in the theater restroom and called us.

So here you are.

Now, let us begin.

Former Metropolitan Anti Vicious Crime Heavily Armored Mobile Special...

... Investigation Unit senior detective Koichi Todome.

A.K.A. "Koichi the Last Blow."

Currently on the wanted list for charges of violating...

...the Civil Servant Practice Code and illegally possessing weapons...

...a violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Law.

Interfering with policemen in the fulfillment of their duties...

Violating the Immigration Control Law.

Violating the Anti-Subversive Activities Law, among others!

The only man who, when the Special Investigation Unit was dissolved...

...refused to disarm and managed to flee the country.

What did a man such as yourself return for?

Summer, 1995.

On melting asphalt roads, people walked...

... leaving impressions of their footsteps behind.

It was extremely hot...

I see, you intend to remain completely silent.

I am talking, aren't I?

I have no interests in the dusty memories of your past.

What I want is information.

Information?

On what?

If I knew, I wouldn't be asking.

To begin with, I never trust people with the initial N.

You think, "So, he's an N," and then before you know it...

...he's lying down and is now a Z.

And in an outrageous case, he then flips over and becomes an S.

Really, it's horrible.

My initial is none of those.

Then talk.

At last, you seem to be willing to talk.

What are you thinking?

What am I thinking?

I'm the one asking questions! You're to answer me!

Make sure you get that right.

If you insist on being uncooperative, I will have to treat you to a drink.

But, if possible, I'd like to avoid that.

And your answer is?

Threats won't work on me.

It's not exactly a stirred martini, but have some anyway.

Alcohol helps protect a lot of things.

Except secrets.

Nothing to munch on?

Pinch your nose instead.

Drink, drink.

Hold on, hold on.

Shochu, give me shochu!

Sho...

We don't have soba-shochu, but we do have wheat-shochu.

Wheat! Wheat!

How about that?

How about that?

Wine!

Give me some wine!

Are you a fountain?

You fountain man!

Give me some of the more expensive booze!

The bulb's dead!

Hang on a second, hey!

I'm throwing up now.

I'm throwing up now.

I'm throwing up here.

My dead grandma told me to throw up here!

Hold it!

I can't.

Hurry!

Here you go!

Straighten your backs, and do some kick-ups.

Higher!

Higher!

One more game.

You should call it quits now.

Go home and sleep.

Hey, man.

When playing games, you have to know when to quit.

You should call it quits now.

Come on, just one more game.

I have mercy in my heart, you know.

Feed it to a dog, then!

My nest egg.

Some hundred thousand yen.

Stripping to the fuzz on your behind is mercy as well.

You wish.

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey man, what kind of joke are you playing at, eh?

You're blaming the wrong man.

Over there!

It's been a while.

Ao.

Koichi.

Who the hell are you?

Get him!

Koichi!

Wake up, Koichi.

Koichi!

Now, it's time for some wake-up exercises.

Let's pump up the energy!

Hold out your fingers, and do bend-and-unbends.

Bend, unbend, bend, and unbend.

As if you were thrusting them forward.

And elbow-stretching.

Let's see some energy!

Got a headache?

If you want a drink, help yourself.

Beer's in there.

Want something to eat?

Yeah.

Ao.

Don't call me that!

Don't call me by that name.

The man who used to be called that is gone.

He doesn't exist anymore.

Why?

Tell me, what happened during the time we were apart?

Why?

That's right, you weren't here.

What those of us who remained in this town went through.

You couldn't have known about it.

I...

...had to escape all alone and survive in a foreign land...

...without even a friend to talk to.

Dreaming of the day you would return here, gritting your teeth...

I know.

We...

We were the same.

When you returned, things would be all right.

And the days of battles will start again.

We believed that blindly.

That's why, we never lost our hope, even while living as fugitives.

And even when we were arrested.

But we were wrong.

In cold solitary cells, the first month passed in hope...

the second month passed in yearning...

Then everyone started to realize.

That we were, after all, left behind.

I didn't mean...

Maybe not.

But, after taking off the reinforcement gear...

...we were more fragile than a crab that just finished molting.

One by one, we dug a hole fit to our own shell and burrowed into it.

No more hurt. No more desperation.

But since then, hope has been forever lost.

And, that's when we were released without warning.

Underdogs don't require cages, you see.

The series of events were treated as dirty laundry and hushed up.

Nobody remembers it now.

Before submitting to their power...

...we sought a new shell to replace the reinforcement gear.

So we have no right to shout blame at them.

It was too late.

It was way too late.

If we were wrong to wait for you...

... knowing you would probably return someday...

...then you may be equally guilty, for dreaming about returning to this town.

On that day, we separated after making a pledge to meet again...

But we couldn't separate without it. So maybe that makes us jointly guilty.

Soichiroh.

No, Ao.

Listen to me.

To tell the truth...

... Koichi.

Yeah.

I beg you, don't tell me any more.

Such talk is poison to me now.

Sorry to say this, but this tastes awful.

It's the Cat brand.

That's all you can get nowadays.

But, Koichi.

Eh?

Whatever the truth may be, they think you abandoned your comrades.

Don't forget that.

What you owe, you must pay back at some point.

The time might be getting close.

What do you mean?

Who told you where to find me?

Ginji.

I knew it.

Ginji is Bunmei's lapdog.

Bunmei is a detective with the Security Police...

...who has a strange obsession for hunting down...

...the remaining Kerberos members.

He's a big jerk.

In exchange for his protection...

...Ginji became a spy for the Security Police.

Ginji...?

Well, whether you believe it or not is up to you.

But, if you think that earning a living...

...as a professional stand-and-eater...

...is still possible these days without backing...

...you're out of your mind.

Besides, this much is true.

He's the one who sold-out Midori and me.

Well...

Anyway, don't trust anyone.

Especially women.

Are you talking about Midori?

I can't tell you.

But if you see her, you'll both regret it.

Especially you.

What's wrong?

Sorry, but where's the bathroom?

Out in the hallway, at the far end.

Hey, try not to make a mess.

That hag of a landlord is really fussy.

Ao...!

Ao...!

Now, it's time for some wake-up exercises.

Let's pump up the energy!

It seems you're awake now.

Hold out your fingers, and do bend-and-unbends.

Is that chair a comfortable place to sleep?

Before you, many have slept and awakened in that chair.

I believe you had a nice dream.

A dream?

I left here, and...

... I know I was with Ao.

How long have I been here?!

You have a poor memory.

You're not in a position to ask questions.

I already told you.

Midori!

Now, let's continue, shall we?

That woman by your side looks a lot like a woman I once knew.

We used to terrify criminals.

We, the glorious Kerberos First Platoon 's "Devil's Trio."

We always moved as a team.

The reason we were called Plungers was because Ao and I...

...could plunge into any death-trap.

Risking our lives solely because of her incomparably reliable backup.

The three of us as one.

Our combination play was perfect.

As if we were the incarnation of that three-headed dog on the emblem...

...the watchdog of hell, Kerberos.

Don't look away.

A dog is supposed to be faithful to its master.

A dog is supposed to know who his master is.

What are you so hung up about?

Why are you so stubborn?

Is it pride?

You want to prove how gritty you are?

I'll tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a magnet living some place.

Its neighbors were grains of iron sand.

"Iron sand" doesn't mean "iron courage," mind you.

It's sand made of iron.

One day, a few grains of the iron sand came up with the idea...

...to go visit the magnet, and told it to the others.

Other grains nearby overheard it and joined the conversation.

And, after a while, all the grains were arguing over the issue.

Grains of iron sand don't argue.

This is an allegory.

The grains of iron sand continued to argue.

As they talked, what started out as a vague wish...

...was now heightened to an impulse.

Also, they, without realizing it, were inching toward the magnet.

The argument continued endlessly, and one of them voiced an opinion...

...that the magnet was their neighbor and therefore it was their duty to visit it...

...and that they should have visited it long ago.

As they talked, they moved even closer to the magnet...

...and yet didn't even realize that they were moving.

At last, those that lost their patience won...

...and with an insuppressible urge, they cried, "It's pointless to wait!...

... Let's go today! Let's go now! We're going now!"

Forming a cluster, they moved quickly, and at the next moment...

...they were clinging to the magnet from all directions.

The magnet laughed and laughed.

Because the grains of iron sand thought...

...they paid the visit on their own volition and never doubted it.

Do you see?

In short, things such as free will are nothing but an illusion.

Yes...of course, I'm the magnet, and you're the iron sand.

You might think you're resisting, but in truth, without knowing...

...you're inching toward the direction I want you to go.

Well, calm down a little and think about it.

What if the magnet's neighbor hadn't been iron sand but sugar?!

Without visiting the magnet, it would've been eaten by ants.

C'mon, what are you doing?

Right there, I'm telling you.

Put it down, man.

Alright.

Thanks.

You're doing it wrong, right there.

See, that's why you keep losing 'em.

OK, come on.

Hey, do you really know what you're doing?

There.

Oh, man.

Oh! Ma'am, can we help you?

You're doing such a good job.

I thought I'd make you a midnight snack.

Yeah!

Do you like it?

Oh, no, there, there, come now, try not to spill so much.

How are your wounds?

I went to see Ao.

Soichiroh sold you out.

He's being supported by Bunmei these days.

Did you hear that he's earning a living by gambling?

No.

Though I could guess.

Think about it.

Do you think that earning a living as a gambler...

...is still possible these days without backing?

Though Soichiroh isn't the only one.

Ginji, too.

And you?

Well, am I?

I already got rid of the guards.

If I kill you here, nobody will know what I've done.

Including Bunmei.

Look, I want you to tell me.

Am I your enemy?

Or friend?

Which am I?

Of course you're my friend.

If I'm your friend...

...then why have I become Bunmei's woman?

That's because...

...things got out of your control.

Out of my control, and therefore I've become Bunmei's woman.

But today, I'm your friend and comrade, is that it?

Uh-huh.

Cut the bull.

I betrayed someone once, and then betrayed myself.

How can you trust someone like that so easily?

Because... I believe in you.

I couldn't believe...

...that you would return, no matter what.

I had believed you would, once.

I had believed and kept waiting, but in the end, I couldn't any more.

That's because...!

I mean...

Nobody is 100% perfect.

Everybody has a white canvas in their hearts.

But this color white, if you see it in the shade...

...could look gray or it could melt into black.

And so it has sort of an obscure nature.

If you really think about it...

...white actually means it's already been dyed that color...

...so maybe I should say transparent instead, but then...

Anyway, "to live" is synonymous with "to dye,"...

...and therefore, um, therefore...

That's right.

That's your...

that was the logic we hated the most.

Good or evil.

Friend or foe.

Black or white.

Making those decisions without being sentimental...

...that's how we enabled ourselves to turn into the Watchdogs of Hell...

...and continue killing people.

Maybe I should kill you, after all.

Can you kill me?

Ah, how confident.

What is that confidence?

I was feared as "Midori the Crack Shot."

I was a tough-looking chick in those days of constant killing.

But maybe I concealed feelings toward someone...

...that I couldn't confide in and was aching inside.

Someone like you. Is that what you think?

It's absolutely true, but...

Maybe I should die!

Don't be stupid!

Women always come out on the losing end.

I don't give a damn about being born a woman...

...but the world is set up that way.

I'm sorry.

You fool. Don't apologize.

That makes me all the more miserable.

I'm sorry.

Why did you come back?

I'm no longer your comrade, no longer your friend.

I don't deserve to fight by you.

It took me so long to convince myself to think that way.

Finally, I've become capable of thinking that way, and...

Why did you have to come back now?!

Midori, to tell the truth...

I can't.

What your thoughts were, what your plan was...

...and what you put in that suitcase, I don't know any of that, but I can't!

Are you leaving?

I can't cause you any more trouble.

Don't stare at me like that.

I can't look back at you.

The lost, lost little kitten Where is your home

She can't tell where her home is She can't tell what her name is

Meow-meow-meow-meow Meow-meow-meow-meow

The little kitten keeps crying The dog policeman is at a loss and goes:

Bow-wow

I vivisected that guy to find out where Ginji was.

A dream?

It can't be!

How many times do you have to repeat it before you're satisfied?

You!

Dangerous articles are not allowed in the theater.

Laws must be obeyed.

Sit down.

How much time has passed?

For me?

Or for yourself?

You're such a troublesome man.

Midori.

Where's Midori?

Well, she is a different matter, at the present time.

But you can see her in the past right here and now.

I, Midori Washio, have committed many crimes up to this day.

I hereby confess all my crimes.

I, despite my position as a public servant...

... was intimately involved with another Unit member, Koichi Todome...

... for some time...

... and being affected by his individualism and adventuresome ideals...

You...!

... disobeyed the Special Investigation Unit dissolution order...

What did you do to Midori?!

Shut up and watch.

You have an obligation to watch this.

If you hadn't come up with such a stupid idea as to flee the country...

... she might have been spared from being pushed to the wall so hard.

...and violating the Antisubversive Activities Law.

Moreover, upon participating in the rebellion...

... I committed the crimes of stealing a vehicle, inflicting damage to property...

... violating the Traffic Control Law, violating the Anti-riot Law...

... and interfering with policemen in the fulfillment of their duties.

Furthermore, against the private citizens...

... who cooperated to quell our rebellion...

... I committed the crimes of assaulting and inflicting injuries...

... as well as murder.

I am guilty of all the said crimes.

An imperfect human body is incapable of overcoming anything.

Everything vanishes, and only history remains behind.

There is nothing you can do.

I, Soichiroh Toribe, as a member of society...

have committed a number of crimes that should have never been committed.

I hereby confess all my crimes.

They betrayed you.

But you must not hold a grudge against them.

... and on top of that, together with co-conspirators...

Haven't you ever heard the story about the ogre saved by a fisherman?

The ogre was shut up in a jar, and it swore to itself...

"Whoever helps me out of this jar...

... I will make him enormously rich for the rest of his life."

Then, a hundred years passed, and the ogre thought...

"Whoever helps me out...

... I will grant him every single supernatural power there is."

However, after four hundred years, the ogre was still in the jar.

It started thinking that it will only grant three wishes to its rescuer.

But finally, a thousand years passed...

...and this is what the ogre thought...

"If anybody helps me, I will eat him alive!"

I am guilty of all the said crimes.

I am sincerely grateful for being arrested...

...before committing any more crimes.

Thank you.

Why?

Why do you bear such constant enmity against us?

Man is neither an angel nor a beast.

However, unfortunately, while he wishes to act like an angel...

...he actually behaves like a beast.

A condition to be a courageous soldier is not to be overly courageous...

...as someone once said.

You were overly diligent in carrying out your job.

A mistake must be corrected.

I will not be brainwashed.

Never.

You still don't get it?

Three years ago, you three pledged to meet again and then split up.

Because of that pledge for reunification...

...those two suffered and underwent a conversion.

There was no need for me to do anything.

That summer three years ago...

...when you three pledged to reunite and then separated...

...your defeat was already decided.

Stop it!

Oh, there's a UFO.

What?

Oops.

There is no master of failure.

Every man is an ordinary man in front of failure.

Pushkin, from The Captain's Daughter.

Give me one minute, please.

Kenji Suzuki, the Red and White Singing Contest!

I am disappointed in you.

Rather than a long, pointless life...

...an immediate death could be better in some cases.

Let me give you a little present.

Shoot, if you dare.

The barrel will explode and blast your arm away.

Koichi, run!

Ao.

We're still a team.

I'll handle this! Go!

You, don't move!

Go, now!

Go and finish the things I couldn't!

Go!

This time, it's loaded.

Midori.

You can find the exit, I know it.

I'll handle this. Run!

How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over?

In states unborn and accents yet unknown!

William Shakespeare, from Julius Caesar,

Act Three, Scene One.

Mister, why don't you say something?

Is that a line spoken after Caesar was killed?

That's right.

My personal history happens to contain a lofty day that matches it.

What meant more than Caesar to Rome was lost on that day.

Oh?

I'd love to hear about that.

Driver.

Yes?

Time passes...don't you agree?

I guess.

Wrong!

Absolutely wrong.

Time simply stands still, and only we change.

Yes, it was...summer, 1995.

On melting asphalt roads, people walked...

...leaving impressions of their footsteps behind.

It was extremely hot...

What's so funny?

Well, but Mister...

...it was raining that day, wasn't it?

The organization, once known as the Watchdogs of Hell: Kerberos...

...feared by criminals.

The Anti Vicious Crime Heavily Armored Mobile Special Investigation Unit...

...carried out as originally scheduled on the central office ground.

However, there was one member who did not show up at the venue at all.

Against his fellow members' protest, he took a set of protect gear...

...and all alone, in rain, deserted and kept running.

Who are you?

The protect gear he took with him is still, to this day, missing.

Who are you?

"Red Devil," a.k.a. "Koichi the Last Blow."

That was his name, wasn't it?

The only one waiting was me.

Shoot!

And just like that.

As if he didn't even realize that he was shot.

That's how he died.

What was he thinking?

Probably having some egocentric dream or some such.

Bring him out.

Yes, sir.

Bend back and do some half-twists.

Little one.

Little one.

And a big one.

OK.

And a big one.

Not again.

When is the real protect gear going to turn up?

This is unbearable.

Too true.

To the airport, right?

Summer, 1995.

On melting asphalt roads, people walked...

... leaving impressions of their footsteps behind.

It was extremely hot...

Summer, 1995.

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on. "

William Shakespeare, from The Tempest. Act Four, Scene One.

What kind of dream is the one you're going to meet, Miss?