We are Shadow Garden.
Pl-please, don't kill me!
We are Shadow Garden.
Kono subete ima kakete
Tada risou ni todoku made kono te nobashite
Me no mae ni nobiru sentakushi
Zen to aku to no haguruma wa yuku
Tada hitotsu no ketsumatsu e
Nanimo kamo guuzen no Choice
Soshite mata tsugi e no aizu
Kanousei no genkai made
Sono yukusaki o mitsumete
Only one, hoka ni mo iranai
To the one, dake misuetetai
Yuzure wa shinai shinnen to
Ketsui kono mune ni himete
Highest, highest, I'm going on
Shinjitsu yori shinsou no kage o yuke
Highest, highest, I'll carry on
Ze ga hi demo saa, nozomu nara kokou ni tsuranuke
#6: Pretenders
So? How did things go with Princess Alexia?
I told you, we broke up and that was that.
You didn't even smooch?!
Nope, not once.
What a waste.
You're hopeless.
Fine, since you're such a wimp, I know a place of business that can help.
A place of business?!
Not that kind of place!
I'm talking about Mitsugoshi! The one everyone's talking about!
They sell all kinds of stuff no one's ever seen before!
They have this thing called chocolate, and it's tasty as hell!
Oh, I get it! You're saying we use that to get girls to...
Cid!
Come on, Cid! Cid!
Let's go!
Please, let's go!
Okay, we'll go.
Yesss!
I mean,
I am curious about what this world calls chocolate. I knew you wouldn't let us down!
First, take a look at this.
Is that an artifact?
And it looks like it's in usable condition.
After the incident the other day,
we confiscated it from a facility belonging to an organization
that calls themselves the Cult of Diablos.
But we don't know anything about it.
And so,
Sherry Barnett, we would like to ask you, the most brilliant mind in the kingdom,
to decipher this artifact.
B-but I'm still only a student...
No researcher in this field is better than you.
The rumors have spread to neighboring schools. I've heard of you at the Academy for Dark Knights.
It's a good opportunity.
You should take it.
Father?
One day, you will travel the world with your research.
Speaking as Assistant Principal of the Midgar Academy of Science,
I think it's a good idea.
But...
Have faith in yourself.
If anyone can do this, you can.
All right, I will!
I doubt this will be necessary,
but just in case, I will assign the Crimson Order to keep watch over you.
"Crimson"?
Is that the new order of knights you recently established, Iris?
They are a small order as of yet, but they are knights I can trust.
You can count on us.
Iris...
I want to help.
Alexia?
But...
I have to know.
What do they want?
Who are they really?
Very well.
But promise me you'll stay out of danger.
Thank you so much, Iris.
Wow, these crowds.
Current wait time to get inside is 80 minutes.
She said it's 80 minutes.
So what do we do?
I think we can make it back to the dorms before curfew,
but there are those rumors about a killer going around after dark.
Killer?
That's stupid! Po, you're stupid.
We have three Dark Knights on our team.
G-good point.
So what's this about a killer?
Fancy architecture that's modern somehow.
It reminds me of my past life.
Everyone in line is in the upper class.
I couldn't feel more out of place if I tried.
Hello, sir?
Excuse me, but may I have a moment of your time?
I was hoping you would be interested in taking a survey.
Me?
Yes! We'd really appreciate your feedback.
I'll take a survey!
Me, too!
We only need one guest, thank you.
It's just like a department store from my old life.
Chocolate, coffee...
I've never seen any of it in this world before.
What is the deal here?
Hey, I thought there was a survey?
We have long awaited your arrival at our establishment.
Gamma? So this is your store?
Yes, my lord.
I took it upon myself to recreate, in what meager way I could,
part of the wisdom that you have shared with me.
Oh, I see.
Now that she mentions it,
I think I did used to tell them random things from my old life
that I called the wisdom of the shadows.
Do you want power?
But it was just little things.
Like, for chocolate, I'd say, "If you take bitter beans and throw a ton of sugar at them,
it's delicious once hardened."
Is it our brains?
Is it the difference in our intellect?
It's so good to finally see you again, my lord.
But Gamma here is pretty smart.
I would even say she's the smartest of the Seven Shadows, but...
...she has absolutely no athletic ability.
Pl-please, come sit.
You got blood on your face.
Yes...
Yes, I love it.
I feel like a king, like I've truly become the Eminence in Shadow.
How did Gamma manage to build this expensive set?
Your reward.
Take it.
It reminds me...
of the beautiful light of life that saved me from the pain and despair.
I'm not worthy of this honor.
I'll remember this day for the rest of my life.
So, would you say this shop of yours is turning a decent profit?
Yes!
We currently have franchises in the major cities in and outside of the kingdom.
And we are using a mail order system to expand our influence to more remote regions.
For the organization,
we have approximately one billion zeni at our immediate disposal.
A bil-
Is that not enough, my lord?
No, uh...
She used my knowledge to build all this without me, and made a crapton of...
No, calm down. She did build this giant set for me.
I should be happy with that.
But I mean, if she's made this much money, I mean...
And I believe I know why you have honored us with your presence.
This is about the incident.
Yes...
The killer who has appeared in the Royal Capital,
the fools who don darkest black and claim to be Shadow Garden.
We are currently investigating the situation, but we have yet to apprehend the perpetrators.
But I swear to you, we will put an end to their misdeeds.
Oh yeah, Po and Skel were saying something about a killer.
A killer?
I have an idea who it is.
I'll look into it.
Incredible! You've already arrived at the answer?
No, with your wisdom, my lord, I should have expected it.
Step forward.
This girl is Nu, the newest of the Numbers.
She hasn't been with us long, but even Lady Alpha acknowledges her skill.
Please use her as you see fit.
It is an honor to serve you.
I'll call if I need you.
Oh yeah! I would like to buy some chocolate.
Give me three of your cheapest packages.
Chocolate?
I shall procure you some of our highest quality.
At a 100% discount!
A hundred percent? That's, like, free!
Sweet!
Oh, you!
Come on! We're not gonna make curfew!
It's all Cid's fault! Flirting with the survey lady!
I'm sorry, okay! And I gave you chocolate!
But man, I can't believe Alexia would go around killing people indiscriminately.
I guess she finally lost it.
She never made sense before.
But she's a princess; she has it all.
What would make her do these things?
Hey, hurry it up!
We're gonna miss curfew!
Poop...
I gotta poop...
I can't hold it anymore.
If I don't go right now,
it's gonna come down my pants while I'm running.
That is pretty serious.
A choice between honoring the rules and his personal honor.
Leave, go on without me.
I don't want anyone to see this.
B-but, Cid...
We understand.
We'll never tell anyone you took a dump outdoors!
Man to man, you have my word!
I don't care what anyone says, you made the right choice!
I'll always believe that!
I can't hold it any longer!
Please, just go!
We'll never forget you, Cid!
Even if you do poop outside, we'll always be your friends!
Go!
Just go!
Okay then.
Alexia, it doesn't really bother me if you want to be a homicidal maniac.
If that's how you want it, you do you.
But if you're going to claim to be from Shadow Garden, that's a different story.
Sorry, but I don't plan on letting that go unpunished.
Enough! Give it up!
We are Shadow Garden.
That's all you ever say.
Is this really what the so-called Shadow wants?
Huh?
Time to end this.
Oh, I see your friends have arrived.
You would do this to a delicate maiden?
That's not very nice!
We are Shadow Garden.
You're...
Fool who assumes the name of Shadow Garden,
you will pay for your crime with your life.
Wait!
Tell me, what do you want?
What do you use all that power for?
What are you fighting against?
Stay out of it.
Wait, come back...
Don't tell me you thought you could get away from me.
Brilliant.
Well done, Lord Shadow.
To think anyone could apprehend them so quickly.
Please, let me handle the rest.
I shall get information from them.
Don't mess it up.
I won't.
Damn it all...
You're dead!
I...
am not as forgiving as Lord Shadow.
I've lost contact with the puppet and two others.
So the killer has gotten himself killed.
What do we do about it, Mr. Gaunt Knight?
Nothing.
We've learned the whereabouts of the item in question.
Retrieving it is our top priority.
Anyway, I'm glad you're all right.
And you're saying that the killer is not from Shadow Garden,
but is from a different organization that falsely assumed the name?
That's what Shadow told me.
I met someone from Shadow Garden
when I was defending the Royal Capital from those simultaneous attacks.
And you said her name was Alpha?
Iris?
It's nothing.
The other reports have all confirmed what you've said:
they possess enormous combat power.
But I can't learn any more than that.
Shadow was fighting against the Cult of Diablos.
Then I suppose that is our best lead.
We may find something when the artifact is deciphered.
Iris...
Shadow Garden or the Cult of Diablos?
Who do you think is your real enemy?
Both.
I won't allow anyone to wreak havoc in my kingdom.
Look! That's him!
The guy who crapped his pants while running home.
Th-that was bad luck yesterday, huh?
I-it was really rough.
I dunno, I think today's trial is gonna be much worse.
A-anyway!
Did you bring the crap- I mean chocolate, from yesterday?
I guess.
Awesome! Operation Gift Giver!
I can't wait!
Umm, I have cho-cho-chocol-luh-luh for you.
Wow, I can't believe he went for an upperclasswoman!
Nothing less from my hand-picked, natural-born background character.
Hey...
you got something to say to my betrothed?
No, I, uh...
C'mere, my friend, and let's have a little chat...
Oh, but I'm keeping the chocolate.
What?!
What? You got a problem with that?
Uh, no, um...
Help me!
I guess we're done here.
Yup.
I will not follow in Skel's footsteps.
I've learned all about her, from her friendships to her favorite food!
Her times, routes, and number of steps walking to and from school!
The length of her skirt, the color of her underwear, and her bust, waist, and hip measurements!
I am Po Tato, and you will behold my glorious victory!
Yahoo! My fair lady!
It's the guy who's been stalking me!
I'm not... Cid!
A stalker?
Well... You stupid spud-head!
I guess I'll just give this to the first girl I come across. This boy has been following me around for days!
And this background character event will come to an end.
I knew it.
This code is very much like the one my mother was researching.
Here.
You can have that chocolate.
Uh, um...
That's the boy who...
I wonder what this is?
Father!
Well, well, you have some chocolate.
Chocolate?
It's a high-end confection that's very popular these days.
A boy handed it to me this afternoon.
Oh, really?
He must have meant it as a gift to you.
It's what we call love at first sight.
Love at first sight...
What are you going to tell him?
I'm sure he's waiting for your answer.
But... But I...
Your research is important,
but you also need to learn how to interact with others.
That's what school is for.
So? How goes the deciphering?
I've only just gotten started, so...
Yes, of course.
I'm sorry.
Father!
I'll call a doctor right away!
I... I'm fine.
I'll be fine.
I've been feeling so much better lately.
I'm lucky to have such a good daughter.
I'm the lucky one.
If you hadn't adopted me when you did...
Your mother was an excellent researcher, too.
You can do this.
Thank you, Father.
Akenai yoru nante nai tte iu keredo
Akenakute ii to, sou omotteta
Kakushitai kizuato datte
Wasuretai kioku mo minna
Taiyou wa zenbu terashidasu kara
Ryuusei o sagashi
Samayottetanda yo
Anata to deau toki made
Sora ni matataku ano hoshi ga
Tsunaida kibou no michi no saki e yukou
Mou mayowazu ni susumeru
Kurai yoru o koeru inori o oikaketeku
Tatoe mada todokanaku tatte
Tsutaetai kara
Arigatou