Original subtitles

December 25th 15:27

With the success of yesterday's Operation 21st, the Sadogashima Hive was destroyed.

The Next Day

Luckily, due to evacuation warnings that were announced early on,

there have been no casualties in the aftermath.

The government has announced that all BETA have been eliminated from Japanese soil.

In the capital, Her Majesty Koubuin Yuuhi

offered a moment of silence for the soldiers who fell during the battle.

The official memorial will be held tomorrow at the Budokan.

We offer this salute to the spirits of

Captain Isumi Michiru and Second Lieutenant Kashiwagi Haruko!

Humanity's in your hands.

Nippon Budokan • Ceremony Commemorating the Battle of Sadogashima

They call it a memorial...

But the commander and everyone else's bodies are all gone.

They went with Sadogashima, when the G-Bomb hit...

In Memory of the Fallen Soldiers of the Battle of Sadogashima

Imperial Royal Guard Ikaruga Takatsugu

Imperial Royal Guard First Lieutenant Tsukuyomi

Kamiyo Tatsumi

Tomoe Yukino

Ebisu Minagi

Imperial Japanese Army First Lieutenant Komaki Sayoko

Imperial Japanese Army First Lieutenant Isumi Marika

Akira!

I'm so glad you made it back all right.

The World Moves On

You and the others have saved Japan!

Thank you.

Thanks to... us?

But I didn't do anything.

Akira?

I couldn't manage to do anything.

Akira?

Ministry of Home Affairs Isumi Yayoi

Yayoi-chan?!

Welcome home, Akira.

Yayoi-chan!

It's such a relief to see you back and in one piece.

Yayoi-chan...

That reminds me...

Were you able to get ahold of Michiru-chan?

Michiru... isn't coming.

There's something I need you two to see.

What is it?

Is that from Michiru-chan?

Here!

What was that for?

Come on! Let's read it.

Ugh...

Death Notification

A death notification?

Death Notification

"Name of deceased..."

At 3:27 PM... Captain Isumi Michiru... was killed...

"Isumi Michiru"?

What is this?

It says the cause of death was an accident during TSF flight training.

That's a lie!

It has to be a lie.

Michiru-chan can't be dead.

Why did it happen while I was on a mission?

How could a weak pilot like me survive...

when Michiru-chan died, and not even on the battlefield?

Why did she have to die?!

It's a lie! It has to be!

This is satellite footage of where Sadogashima used to be.

A forty-kilometer radius around the blast's epicenter has been wiped clean.

The operation was, more or less, a success.

But the damage to the Sea of Japan's coastline

between the Oga and Noto peninsulas was worse than expected.

There were no casualties because of the advance warning,

but low-lying areas have been flooded and rendered unusable.

There's no projected recovery timeline.

As a result, the Empire has pulled the secondary defense line back twenty kilometers.

They're arranging an interim setup.

Still, Japan's avoided a major strategic threat.

In two weeks' time,

an operation against Target 20 on the Korean peninsula will be announced.

Make sure to train as much as you can in the simulator until then.

Yes, ma'am!

This was a difficult mission,

and you did a splendid job with its success.

I am proud of each and every one of you.

But at the same time, there are no words to express my sadness at the loss of

Captain Isumi and Lieutenant Kashiwagi.

Yet, as gradual as the gains may be,

mankind has made definite steps towards victory.

I continue to expect great things from you all in the future.

Lieutenant Hayase.

Sir!

You are hereby named commander of Task Force A-01.

Thank you, sir!

Arrangements for reinforcements will be made as soon as possible.

The unit is in your hands.

Understood, sir!

Captain Isumi...

In lieu of a speech, I wanna make something clear to all of you.

It doesn't matter if she's gone or not, this unit is still the "Isumi's Valkyries."

That name isn't changing even with me in charge, got it?

Anyone got a problem with that?

No, ma'am!

Don't ever forget the Valkyrie spirit that she and Kashiwagi

spent their lives demonstrating!

Isumi squadron, recite squad motto!

Carry out your mission at all costs!

Fight to your very last breath!

Make your death count!

Make your death count!

Use today to get as much rest as you can.

Dismissed!

Yes, ma'am!

What's wrong, Meiya?

Takeru...

I keep thinking about what the captain said to me.

I'm apparently a sword without a sheath.

She was likely worried that, after having my security removed and my status revoked,

that I would be fighting to find a place to die.

You knew about that?

It seems you did, too.

There is no need to fear.

I am now in a position where I am free to fight as I see fit.

Meiya...

My only concern

is whether I'll be able to find a reason for fighting, like I had in the past.

I...

I wish I could have spoken with the captain more.

What is it you are fighting for now?

I've got a short-term reason,

and another one that'll matter more after mankind achieves victory.

After victory is assured?

Yeah. I guess you could say I'm trying to get back

as much of what's been lost or destroyed as possible.

And the more immediate reason?

I told you about the girl I met during my special missions, right?

You did.

Well, completing those special missions is the more immediate goal.

I see. Completing your mission, saving humanity,

and then regaining that which you have lost, eh?

Yep.

If I don't want to be outdone by you...

I'll need to find something myself soon.

Huh? Where is every—

Takeru! You did good, kiddo!

I'm glad to see you made it back!

I'm back, ma'am.

Making it home safe and sound is the best thing a soldier can accomplish.

You still haven't eaten lunch yet, right?

It's on the house, so eat for Michiru-chan and Haruko-chan too, all right?

Ma'am?!

You about to eat, Shirogane?

Yeah. You too, Suzumiya?

I just finished.

Now I'm organizing Haruko's stuff.

I see.

I'm the only one left from when our class was assigned, so...

It's kinda gotta be me, y'know?

Suzumiya—

How about something to drink, Akane-chan?

My treat!

Really?! I'll take a synthetic orange juice, then!

Sure thing! What about you, Takeru?

I think I'll have the synthetic whale combo, tatsuta-fried.

Nah, I was asking about your drink!

Your lunch is synth ginger-fried pork and synth chop suey on rice!

I know it's a special occasion, but two entrees?

Those were the captain and Haruko's favorites.

I'll take the synthetic green tea, then.

Coming up!

Seriously?

Hey, Shirogane...

You and Mitsurugi were with Haruko, right?

I'm wondering what she said in the end.

But if it's classified, forget I asked!

She was really awesome.

Her unit was damaged in battle, and was leaking propellant.

So, she told us she wouldn't be coming with us, because she'd be in the way.

Meiya tried to get Kashiwagi to board her own TSF....

But Kashiwagi said it was a waste of time, and to cut it out.

And that Meiya's job was to keep my unit safe.

So she flew back the direction we came from.

She did it so that we'd focus on the mission.

That sounds like her.

I asked Lieutenant Suzumiya about it.

Afterwards, a bunch of BETA surfaced near the Susano-O.

And she...

It's not fair, Haruko.

It just isn't!

I appreciate this, Shirogane.

Thank you for telling me about her.

Of course.

Sorry. I gotta go.

It's too much. Gonna go cry on my own.

Welcome back.

I'm back, Kasumi.

How is she?

She's waking up.

Sumika?

Takeru-chan?

That's right. Kasumi's with us, too.

Welcome home, Sumika-san.

Takeru-chan...

When I got close to the island, I could hear your voice.

I knew where you were the whole time.

I see.

But when I tried to go see you,

they got in the way, so I got rid of them.

You were really amazing. You saved us!

But Takeru-chan... you didn't love me anymore.

What are you talking about? There's no way I'd do that.

Then why did you do that?

I didn't know what to do!

I can't stand you leaving me again, Takeru-chan!

I'm not going anywhere, I swear!

No, no, no...

Sumika!

Sumika, look at me!

You know what I'm thinking, don't you?

I love you. I'm going to stay with you.

You can tell, can't you?

It's true...

Thank goodness.

You're probably just tired after working so hard.

Go ahead and get some rest.

Okay?

Takeru-chan, hold my hand.

You're so warm.

She's fallen into a deep sleep.

I thought she had gotten more stable lately.

No, Sumika-san isn't confused this time.

Did you see something?

Sumika-san thought that you were in love with another girl.

And she was very frightened.

Me? Why would she think that?

The results of the 00-Unit's reading

during Operation 21st were even better than I had hoped.

We now have stub mapping data for every hive on the planet,

along with the kind of numbers they have.

That's amazing!

With another week, we'll have more detailed information, too.

Sumika was able to get all that in such a short amount of time?

Based on what we know about intel transmission between hives,

we'll need to hit Target 20 within two weeks, ideally.

Before they realize mankind is going on the attack, right?

The only problem is that the UN brass have suddenly gotten cold feet.

Did something happen?

Alternative V advocates have used the outcome of the mission

to claim that Operation 21st was a failure.

Making a big stink about how we should have just G-Bombed the island instead.

But the whole point was the reading. Doesn't that mean it was a success?

Well, obviously I can't just tell them that, can I?

What do you mean?

I'm trying to lure the remaining Alternative V proponents out into the open.

The people making the fuss right now are a perfect example.

We'll use the data we've gained to neutralize another hive,

and then go public with our intel on all the other hives around the world.

That'll shut them up for good.

There are people who see what happened to Sadogashima

and now think that G-Bombs should be avoided as much as possible, too.

We just need to get the UN over their defensive approach to the war...

for the sake of what comes after that.

Nicely done, Touko.

Thank you.

That was the Kreutzer Sonata, right?

That's by Rachmaninoff, right?

Sorry, no. It's Beethoven.

Hey, it's okay.

This piece...

The captain complimented my playing of it before.

I didn't know that.

I can't believe I'm supposed to replace her.

It's one hell of a responsibility.

And you're trying to raise the pressure, I see.

You'll be fine, Mitsuki.

Well, it's not like I've got an alternative.

Where are the others?

The girls from 207B are digging a grave for Sergeant Jinguuji.

Akane is organizing Lieutenant Kashiwagi's belongings.

I asked Lieutenant Usuki if she wanted to join us, but...

She's probably not ready yet.

She only ever opened up to the captain, after all.

I think the captain meant something special to her.

That goes for all of us.

The captain was like that for everybody.

Michiru-san...

An attack on the original hive...

I wouldn't get excited just yet.

To make sure it actually happens,

we need to execute this next operation perfectly.

But Sumika...

I don't think she's in any condition to fight right now.

You can relax.

Her vitals are more stable than they were before the mission.

Then do we know why she crashed?

Not quite.

But what we do know is her ODL had degraded abnormally quickly.

ODL?

It's the fluid that circulates through the 00-Unit's brain.

It's supposed to last for 72 hours,

but had degraded faster than I thought possible in only 12 hours.

What caused it?

Hard to say. You have any ideas?

She was worried about you leaving her for someone else?

Does that seem like something?

She was observing you from the moment she entered the combat zone.

Do you remember what you would've been thinking?

What I was thinking?

Takeru...

You and Mitsurugi?

I couldn't tell you if it was a memory from a previous loop or a fantasy...

And in a combat zone, of all places.

Anyway, I'd say there's a strong likelihood that is what caused her ODL to degrade so quickly.

Would it really affect her that badly?

I'm guessing between her hatred for the BETA and that jealousy...

It was enough to cause some sort of overflow.

Then it's my fault.

Okay, stop right there.

Are you seriously about to start acting like a whiny brat and run off again?

No! But still...

You've done a fantastic job, seriously.

You accomplished something incredible in very little time.

You got the 00-Unit ready for action in under ten days.

I don't get that sulky look. That's a major accomplishment!

You ought to be more proud.

But Sensei, the people who died on the mission...

Let me ask you, then:

Let's say that thought never crossed your mind. Isumi and Kashiwagi didn't die.

But what if you died instead?

That wouldn't...

I guess I can't say for sure, can I?

Even if you start another loop,

there's no guarantee that it'll go any better than this one has.

This moment that we're living in

is the best possible future, the one Isumi chose for us.

She didn't die as a result of some coincidence.

She made a decision that brought us to this state of affairs herself.

This stuff about her saving Japan or whatever?

Isumi's death goes far beyond whatever you're thinking.

So don't get the wrong idea.

Heave-ho! Heave-ho!

Hey!

We've got it!

Everything set?

Ready to go.

Well done, everyone.

Now Sergeant Jinguuji can join the captain.

Yep!

Sakaki, you need to learn to relax.

You manage that, and you'll be able to tap into the potential you've got.

Thank you very much, ma'am!

Captain Isumi...

Sakaki, I know it won't be easy, but show the others the way.

They're counting on you, leader.

Sergeant Jinguuji... Captain Isumi...

Like them, and my father... I'll do whatever is best.

Ayamine.

You might seem cool at a glance,

but I can tell how intense and strongly you feel underneath that.

And that you think showing people how you feel is weakness.

That's not true, though.

Relying on others, and having them rely on you, isn't as bad as you think.

I need to rely on my comrades...

Yoroi, your cheery nature is a real asset to the squad.

But you're a little too self-absorbed.

It's important to listen to what others have to say sometimes, alright?

Thank you so much, Captain!

Tamase, I think the way you're considerate for others,

and the group dynamic that makes, is wonderful.

But you tend to freeze up when the focus is on you.

It wouldn't hurt you to be a little more selfish.

I'll work hard to be a little more selfish, ma'am!

Mitsurugi, for someone with true resolve,

sacrificing their life to protect someone else is probably easy.

And making that kind of sacrifice in defense of another is a noble act.

But it's the kind of thing that can only be done once.

If you choose to die,

then you need to make sure you trade your life

for the greatest gain possible.

Yes, ma'am.

You're like a sword without a sheath.

The captain was our commanding officer for only two weeks, and yet...

I know what you mean.

Her words to us at the end

were clearly aimed at troubles that each of are carrying.

Even if Sergeant Jinguuji had talked to her about it,

she must've really been paying close attention to us.

Yeah.

I think that, within five years,

we need to be as good as she was, or we won't be able to face her.

Five years?

Well, she was five years older than us, right?

Which is why we need to catch up in the meantime.

That's right!

Five years, huh?

A good point.

I'm sure we'll manage by then.

Sakaki Chizuru — Ito Miku —

Ayamine Kei — Saeki Iori —

Mitsurugi Meiya — Nanami Karin —

Tamase Miki — Tanaka Takako —

Yoroi Mikoto

Takeru-chan!

There you are.

Sumika-san wanted to come out here.

I'm not sure why, but this spot makes me feel nostalgic.

I see.

Takeru-chan?

I've finally managed to take one step forward.

Toward saving the world... Toward fixing the things I've wrecked...

Toward recovering the things I've lost.

And... toward being with Sumika.

A Fairy Tale about Love and Courage

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.