[no audio]
[melancholic music]
[child] Read me "Little Red Riding Hood."
Please read it to me!
[music fades]
[chuckles]
Shall we go in?
[girls laughing]
-There's no way! -I'm telling you, it's true!
-That's crazy! -No kidding!
Doesn't this character over here
look like someone we know?
[girls laughing]
See it now?
Thanks!
Teacher, Misaya hit me on the back again!
[knocking on door]
It's nice to meet you.
You must be Kokoro.
My name is Mrs. Kitajima. May I sit down?
According to our records, you're currently attending
Yukishina Junior High School, is that right?
Yes.
I went there for junior high too.
Oh.
[melancholic music]
[Kokoro] Sometimes I have this dream.
A transfer student shows up, and they're talented and cool.
They notice me out of the whole class.
They come up to me,
and then with a smile as warm as the sun,
they go, "Kokoro, long time no see.
Good to see you."
Everyone's breath is taken away.
[indistinct chattering]
[Kokoro] I keep on wishing for something like that to happen.
[girls laughing]
[music continues]
[Kokoro] But it won't come true.
It's just a fantasy.
[birds chirping]
-[man] All right, I'm off. -Have a good day, sweetheart.
Hey, Mom? My stomach's hurting.
Hurting how?
The same way it always does.
Can you describe it to me?
It just hurts.
That means you're not going.
So you're staying home. All right then.
[phone beeping]
[Kokoro] I mean, I want to go, but I can't.
Good morning to you as well.
I'm calling about my daughter, Kokoro Anzai.
I know it was supposed to be her first day,
but unfortunately, she's not feeling too well.
[Kokoro] I'm not lying. My stomach really does hurt.
[birds chirping]
[clock ticking]
[birds chirping]
[door thuds]
[letterbox creaking]
[Kokoro gasps]
[gate creaking]
It's Moe.
[magic humming]
[humming continues]
[Kokoro gasps]
[ethereal music]
[Kokoro whimpering]
[girl] Hey, wake up.
Come on, wake up.
[Kokoro groaning]
Welcome, Kokoro Anzai. We've been waiting for you.
Wha--what?
Huh?
[triumphant music]
[music continues]
[waves crashing]
A castle?
Yes, congratulations!
You have been cordially invited
as one of our honored guests.
[gentle music]
[Kokoro yelps]
[suspenseful music]
Hold it!
Let me go home!
Enough! Silence!
I've been through this with six others today.
Frankly, I'm sick and tired of it!
You're the last one, and it's already four PM!
[groans]
Let's just get this over with.
[Kokoro] Let go!
I don't care! Please let go of me!
Aren't you the least bit curious?
That's a real castle.
Not to mention, I'm exceedingly articulate
and strong for my age.
You've stepped through the looking glass,
into the pages of a fantasy novel.
Have you no sense of adventure?
I don't!
Even if your wish came true?
I suspect an ordinary girl like you
must have something you'd like to wish for.
A wish?
[gentle music]
[doors creaking]
[grand music]
[Kokoro yelps]
[doors creaking]
[doors thud] [Kokoro whimpers]
The others await you.
[pensive music]
Hey, how's it going?
You sure kept us all waiting.
We heard that you'd be the last one to arrive,
according to her.
I'm the Wolf Queen.
Okay, then the Wolf Queen told us.
She said that there needed to be seven of us here.
We've been waiting.
About an hour now.
So what exactly is this place?
Why are we here?
Same story as us.
Our mirrors started glowing,
and when we walked through, we were here.
I arrived here first.
The others appeared shortly after.
As for this place, we got a brief explanation,
but honestly, I'm a little lost.
Huh? You still don't get it?
-Not really. -Me neither.
[Wolf Queen sighs]
This is the last time I'll say it, so listen closely.
Somewhere in this castle
is a small hidden room that cannot be entered.
The wishing room.
If you can find a way to get into that room,
a wish will be granted.
[intriguing music]
However, there is a condition.
Only one out of the seven of you may enter.
My Little Red Riding Hoods.
She calls us that.
We're all lost Little Red Riding Hoods.
Huh.
If you wish to enter into that room,
you will need to have a key.
Starting today, until March 30th of next year,
you may search for the key hidden somewhere in this castle.
Only then may you ask in earnest
for whatever wish you desire.
Huh? I don't get it.
Me neither. I still have a lot of questions.
How exactly do you grant wishes?
What's with this key? Why even bring us here?
Where even is here?
Enough! No more questions!
Well then you should've explained things better.
Why were we chosen in the first place?
You don't believe in dreams, do you?
Can't you all just appreciate
that you're the stars of the story?
You even get your own room here in the castle!
So rejoice, you're the lucky ones.
You don't have to talk to us like that, you know.
For real.
Then tell me your wish. There must be something.
[Kokoro gasps]
Well, whether you have one or not,
it's first come, first serve.
Once someone finds the key and their wish is granted,
it's game over.
The castle will close
and the paths connected by the mirrors will disappear.
However, I'm not forcing you
to search for the key while you're here.
Excuse me?
Does that mean we're allowed to come here anytime?
There are limits.
You can come from nine to five PM, Japan time.
Nine to five PM? Like City Hall?
[Wolf Queen] Whatever you may think,
this rule must absolutely be followed, no matter what.
If you do not leave by five PM,
a wolf will eat you.
You'll eat us?
No, it's a real wolf. It's frighteningly big.
If you don't believe me, see for yourself.
I promise you'll be eaten.
Also, even if only one among you breaks the rule,
everyone in the castle that day will share the same fate.
You'll all be eaten.
Well anyway, as long as you obey this one rule,
you may come and go as freely as you please.
-As we please? Huh. -[clock chiming]
[Wolf Queen] Uh-oh, it's 4:30 already.
Tell me, did any of you
look around the castle while you waited?
[cheerful music] [fire crackling]
Huh.
We do not have the time for a full tour today,
but it's a lot nicer than your homes, don't you think?
Girls, here!
[Ureshino] Do you mind?
[Masamune groans]
I'll be back shortly.
Why don't you introduce yourselves?
She's gone!
Is she a ghost?
I don't know.
I'll start. My name is Aki, junior high, third year.
Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you as well. -Hello.
-Hi. -Hey there.
-Hi, everyone. -Hm.
My name is Kokoro. I'm a first year.
It's very nice to meet you.
My name is Fuka, second year.
It's nice to meet all of you.
I'm Rion, first year. Hello.
And my name is Subaru. I'm a third year.
Hi, nice to meet you all.
Masamune, second year.
Oh yeah, it's the same name
as the famous general, sword, and sake brand,
and yes, it is my actual name, so don't ask.
Ureshino.
Which characters?
Well, it's actually my family name.
It's a combination of the characters
for happy and for field.
First year.
So we're all in junior high?
[wolf howling]
What's that?
-I'm back. -[gasps]
[both screaming]
That sound means it's 15 minutes to five.
Better leave or you'll be eaten.
[Ureshino whimpering] [Masamune grunting]
Well, all right then.
Tell us how to get back home.
[ominous music]
[Ureshino whimpering]
Look for your name.
Found it.
[magic humming]
Huh?
[finger tapping]
[rain pattering]
[magic humming]
[Kokoro] I haven't managed to get myself back to the castle.
I wonder if the others are there right now.
[letterbox squeaking]
You should come over sometime.
Really? I will.
Wow, that red umbrella is so cute.
I think it suits you.
So, did you finish the homework?
-[Moe] Yeah. -[girl] Come on, let's go.
[giggles] Figures you did.
[girl 2] That umbrella of hers really is cute.
[Kokoro] There is one,
one thing that I wish would come true.
I'd do anything for it.
[magic humming]
Come on!
Ah, dammit!
No luck, huh?
Ugh! I keep dying every single time!
It'd be cool if we had a TV.
Then we could battle each other, Subaru.
No electricity.
Seriously, you two? We're in a magical castle.
There's no need for a TV.
Says you.
[Aki] What do you think this is?
[Fuka] Some kind of game?
There's no power to run it.
Could be manual.
Huh? Sounds boring.
What are those? Shogi puzzles?
Old school.
-I think it's interesting. -[sighs]
[melancholic music]
[music continues]
[door creaking]
[gentle music]
[door creaking]
[Kokoro gasps]
[music continues]
[Kokoro laughs]
[bed thumps]
[Moe] Feel free to borrow whatever you'd like.
[Kokoro] Really?
My dad buys them for me whenever he goes to Europe.
He's a professor for children's literature.
Thank you.
Hey, good to see you. It's your first time back.
Oh, my name's Kokoro.
Yeah, I remember. Headed back already?
Mmm.
Bye!
Hey, Kokoro!
You guys, Kokoro's here!
We waited for you.
Glad you made it back, Kokoro.
-Long time. -Yo.
I...
I haven't had any time to visit.
Oh, okay.
We've all been coming quite a bit since that first time.
We mostly get together around this time in the afternoon.
Though I probably show up
a little later in the day than all of you.
You're pretty early today.
I have practice, soccer, but not today.
-[magic humming] -Someone else is coming.
[gasps] Good to see everyone!
Kokoro's here!
[chuckles]
Now it's all seven of us.
[Aki] I'll be in my room if you need me.
Wait, Aki! Where are you going?
I only just got here!
By the way, I brought some of my mom's special cookies
for you to try, they're really good.
Take a hint.
I can't watch.
[Kokoro] I guess I missed out on things while I was gone.
But they were happy to see me.
I'll go again tomorrow.
[clock ticking]
[magic humming]
-[Aki] Hey, Kokoro! -Huh?
Come, over here!
Boys are in there. They're too annoying to deal with.
Though it's more Ureshino than the other three.
Come down with us.
[cheerful music]
We spend a lot of our time in here,
and you can't beat that view.
[tea pouring]
Check it out, I found these beautiful teacups here,
but no running water to make tea or a working stove,
so you have to bring your own drinks.
Here, have some.
Thank you very much.
Delicious. Is this strawberry tea?
That's right. I'm glad you like it.
I sure do.
Have you looked around the castle a little?
[Aki] You don't have to be so nervous.
We have, but just a little bit.
The day after we first arrived,
Fuka and I did some exploring.
We even went all the way up to the tower.
The castle's completely surrounded by water
with no land in sight.
We also spent some time looking for the key, but no luck.
I was wondering...
If they find the key, then...
Oh, how are your rooms? Mine's really nice.
Yeah, mine is really cool too.
Fuka even has a piano in hers.
[Kokoro] I wanted to ask them what their wishes were.
[inaudible dialogue]
[Kokoro] But I couldn't.
To be honest, I wouldn't want them to ask me, either.
[classical music]
[Masamune grumbling]
[inaudible dialogue]
[Kokoro] Coming to the castle was a lot of fun,
whether I'm hanging out with the others or by myself.
All of them come here almost every day.
I wonder if they're skipping school just like me.
But no one asks or even admits to it.
In a way, it's kind of comforting.
Wow, they're pretty tasty, don't you think?
Here, take a few more.
You don't have to be shy about it.
Hey, Kokoro!
[cheerful music]
Why don't you come over here with me? Right this way.
Don't just stand there. Have a seat next to me.
These are some of my mom's cookies.
Please go on, have as many as you'd like.
I saved the prettiest ones just for you.
-Thanks. -You think that move works
on the other girls he's tried it on?
[chuckles softly]
So I wanted to ask you,
do you have a boyfriend or someone you like like that?
[Aki giggling]
-Hey, you. -[Ureshino screams]
So what, you decided to switch your focus
from Aki to Kokoro now?
Wolf Queen, it's been a while since we last saw you.
Well, come on. Why are you lazing about?
Shouldn't you be looking for the key?
I don't think it's here.
[Wolf Queen] Maybe you're not looking hard enough.
Well, I guess it doesn't matter
if none of you have any wishes.
Ureshino's got a wish, that's for sure.
Kokoro, look deep into my eyes. Oh, please!
You didn't hear any of that, right?
It's so stupid.
[girls laughing]
It's so stupid. Drop dead!
[insects chirping]
[magic humming]
I went home for a bit to have some lunch,
but now I'm back, so...
The others are playing games upstairs.
Hey, since we're great friends and all, Fuka,
do you happen to have a nickname you go by?
Maybe Fufu or something like that.
I don't. My mom just calls me plain old Fuka.
Yeah, guess I can see that.
Oh, oh, one more question!
I can't, too hard.
I need a break.
[magic humming]
Nobody's here. That's a first.
What's this?
-[Subaru] Kokoro. -[Kokoro yelps]
Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.
Mm-mm. I didn't know anyone was here.
I'm pretty sure that everyone else
is busy over summer break.
Oh, really?
Masamune is with his parents.
Fuka said that she has two weeks of seminar
this time during the afternoons,
and Ureshino goes to cram school somewhere.
Oh.
[Kokoro groans]
[Rion] Yo!
[gentle music]
Going home?
Mm-hm.
It seems like the others haven't been coming much.
Maybe it's because of summer break?
I think they all have summer seminars or something.
Seminars, huh? What's that?
[Kokoro] It's like a class where they review
what they taught you during first term.
Wow, everyone is so studious.
Are you going, too?
Huh? Mm-mm.
That's a relief. [laughs]
[Kokoro] This is nice. I feel better now.
Don't worry, I'm not upset.
I think it's great that you're finally going out
and getting some fresh air.
I was just surprised to find
that you weren't at home when I stopped by.
Why did you come back home? To spy on me?
No, of course not.
My plans changed last minute,
and I thought we could have lunch together.
I don't want you to monitor me.
Mrs. Kitajima!
You know, the teacher you spoke to
at the alternative school.
She was asking about you.
She reached out.
She was hoping that the two of you
could talk together again.
She knows you can't go back to school,
but she knows it's not your fault.
There has to be some reason behind this.
It's what she keeps telling me.
-That's why... -[door clicking]
Oh, that's your dad. He's home early.
Hey, why don't we all sit down toge--
[magic humming]
[laughs] Summer break, right?
Yeah, but summer break is pretty much over.
Yeah, good point.
Aren't you afraid the teachers will get mad at you?
Everybody's going to be on edge
if you walk into school with your hair dyed like that.
Well yeah, but I don't really care.
Hm.
I think it looks good on you.
Maybe I'll try something like that.
Hey, maybe all three of us should try it.
[both] Huh?
Although, if I make Fuka do something silly like that,
somebody here might get upset.
You already gave Fuka a gift earlier, am I right?
Mommy's special homemade cookies.
[Masamune laughs]
Listen up!
Next term, I've decided that I'm gonna go back to school.
-[all gasp] -I was being polite before,
so I didn't say anything till now,
but everyone who comes here,
none of you go to school, right?
You can't go to school, am I right?
It's so stupid! Even you, Aki!
You were acting all worried.
What will the teachers think, huh? What a joke!
Don't talk like that.
Why not? All of you guys treated me like a joke.
You always do. You laugh at me right in my face.
No, that's not true.
Although, maybe it is true.
Like it was okay to make fun of Ureshino.
I'm sick and tired of it!
All of us are the same! We're losers, outsiders!
None of us have any friends!
You're all the same, and you as well!
You're the same too! And you, Fuka!
Kokoro, you, all of you are the same!
Ureshino, you need to calm down.
[grunts]
Why don't you tell us what's going on with you first?
What's the reason you stopped going to school? Go ahead.
Why did I...
I didn't. I still go to school.
[all gasping] [somber music]
-Liar! -I'm not lying.
Although the school isn't in Japan.
I actually go to a boarding school in Hawaii.
Hawaii?
Like, Hawaii Hawaii? That's pretty far away, isn't it?
Yeah, but that doesn't matter.
Wait a second,
the Wolf Queen said something the first day.
She said the castle's hours were nine o'clock in the morning
till five o'clock at night, Japan time.
I was wondering why she mentioned the time zone.
Are you, like, rich or something?
No, it's actually nothing like that at all.
The school itself was pretty easy to get into,
and we mostly focus on training and playing soccer.
You're studying abroad for soccer, really?
Yeah.
Why didn't you tell any of us?
You think you're better than us? Is that what it really is?
No, of course I don't think that.
At first, I thought everyone else here was studying abroad
the same as I was, but then everybody started talking
about afternoons in Japan.
I honestly couldn't tell if you were going to school or not.
I came later because of the time zone.
I don't care! None of it matters!
I'm gonna do what the rest of you couldn't.
I'm gonna show you all that I'm different.
I'm going back to school next term! I'm leaving!
[somber music continues]
Are you all right?
Yeah, the bandages are a little overboard.
It isn't as bad as it looks, though.
Ureshino, want to play?
How about it?
Play with us, okay?
Come on.
Whoa, I can't believe that happened to him.
But it is Ureshino.
I guess I can't be too surprised about it,
you know what I mean?
He said after he started middle school,
his new friends got him to pay for things constantly,
and it looks like things
just continued to escalate from there.
I know what it sounds like,
but they weren't bullying me or anything like that.
I hadn't seen them all in a while.
Things were kind of awkward,
so I thought I should apologize to them, and I did.
Sounds like they should be the ones apologizing.
According to the teacher, they were all worried about me
the whole time I was out, but when we talked,
all they said is that I'm useless
if I didn't pay for things.
That's when I snapped and shoved one of them,
and they shoved back.
Oh boy.
I guess this is a safe space for all of us, even Ureshino.
-I wanted to ask. -Hm?
[stammers]
Well, I...
I noticed you haven't come to the castle in a while.
Why is that?
Hm. That's true.
What?
-I have a boyfriend now. -Huh?
[Aki] Keep it a secret. [laughs]
[melancholic music]
[door thuds]
[paper rustling]
It's been a while. Are you doing well?
Yeah.
Come in.
I can't stay long, so we can talk right here.
I thought about waiting for your mother
so that the three of us could speak together,
but I figured it'd be best
if just the two of us talked first.
And your mother and I talk every now and then.
It would be nice to have you start coming to our school
at some point once you're feeling up to it.
Um...
You said something to my mother
about it not being my fault.
Did you really say that? It surprised me.
Why?
I said it because you're fighting every single day.
Isn't that true?
[music swells]
-Can I visit again sometime? -Sure.
This is some of the tea I like to drink.
I thought that you might like to have some.
I hope that you'll take it.
-Yes, thank you very much. -I'll see you later.
[door thuds]
[fire crackling]
Since all seven of us happen to be here today,
I think it's time to talk things over.
What should we do from here?
It's October, so we've only got six months left.
And we still haven't found the key yet.
We've looked pretty thoroughly.
Masamune and I both searched together.
I spent a day searching by myself.
Masamune snuck up on me in the dining room.
You were focused on your search.
That's why you didn't hear me come in.
You waited till we all left, so that way,
you could search for the key all by yourself every day.
[Masamune] Except I couldn't find it,
so I think we should work together to look for it.
[Aki] We may be rivals, but if we find it,
I figure we could just decide whose wish gets granted
by drawing straws or rock paper scissors or something.
I'm a little surprised to hear this, Aki.
I didn't even know you had a wish,
or that you were so keen on this, Masamune.
I mean, doesn't everyone have
a wish or two that's important to them?
-I'm in. -Me too.
But if we're gonna do this, how about we promise one thing?
Even if one of us finds the key,
let's not use it until late March.
Good idea. It would suck to lose this place.
Yeah. What do you think?
Okay then, let's figure out who goes where.
[pots clanging]
-Nope. -Aki did tell us
that she searched the kitchen pretty thoroughly.
Even so, we might be able to find something she missed.
What's this?
I was wondering what that cross was for.
I noticed it earlier.
Ah!
Are you okay? Your arm hasn't healed yet?
Yeah, but it's feeling a lot better,
except when I stretch it.
Huh.
Hey, Fuka?
Before, I said a lot of weird stuff because I was angry,
but I really like it here.
Staying at the castle is fun.
So you won't be going back to school, then?
No, I won't.
But the other school I go to has a really great teacher.
The alternative school?
The teacher there is always checking in on me
and asking me what I want.
When I talk, she really listens.
Wow.
[clock chiming]
Crap.
Hey!
Time's up, guys!
No luck, huh?
Well, there's nothing else we can do today.
Let's find time to search again.
[clapping]
What marvelous solidarity.
Hi there. We meet again, Little Red Riding Hoods.
Out of nowhere, as usual.
You all seem to be having a lot of fun together.
I had to see for myself.
I hope this won't be a problem.
We can search for the key together, right?
Yes, cooperate.
It's lovely to see.
One more thing. I forgot to mention it before.
[all gasp]
[Wolf Queen] When you find the key and a wish has been granted,
all your memories of this place will vanish.
You mean--
This castle and all your time spent here
will be forgotten.
You won't remember each other, me, or anything else.
On the other hand, if no one's wish is granted
by March 30th, you'll keep your memories,
and you'll all continue to remember
the time you spent here.
The choice is up to you.
Whatever you decide.
To be honest, speaking for myself,
I'm fine if I lose these memories.
I'm fine with that.
Because we wouldn't have met otherwise.
You know what I mean?
Aki, does your wish really mean that much to you?
I...
Hm?
So, there's this girl, Sanada,
who's been a big problem for me.
[melancholic music] [inaudible dialogue]
Right when school started, this pretty transfer student
named Moe Tojo joined our class.
She lived across the street from me,
and we became friends pretty quickly.
[music continues] [inaudible dialogue]
Sanada's really popular. She's not shy.
She's always surrounded by people
who want to be her friend.
Even the teachers couldn't help liking her.
What is it?
You know, I hate ugly girls. Girls like you.
[gasps]
Are you happy now?
[girls laughing]
Did you really think that Ikeda would ask you out?
Well, I guess you thought wrong.
Seriously, Ikeda would never
actually fall for a girl like you.
It's so stupid. Drop dead!
[Kokoro] That boy, Ikeda, back in elementary school,
he told me once that he had a crush on me.
But it was just the once.
Then when we started junior high,
Sanada started dating Ikeda.
That wasn't even the worst of it.
[doorbell ringing]
[ringing continues]
[Sanada] Kokoro, are you there?
[gasps]
[ominous music] [door rattling]
[Kokoro] There wasn't just a couple of people
outside my house.
It looked like a whole group.
-[Sanada] Come on out! -[girl] Yeah, make it quick!
-[Sanada] Don't hide! -[girl] We know you're in there!
[Sanada] Let's try the backyard. We can check the windows.
[girl 2] You better come out, or we'll trash your garden!
[girl 3] What's she even doing in there?
[girl 4] She's too scared to come out!
[girl 5] Kokoro, come play with us!
[girl 6] Come out, come out, wherever you are!
[girl] You shouldn't be eyeing someone else's boyfriend!
[girl 4] Sanada has something to say to you!
-[girl 3] Don't be such a baby! -[banging door]
[girl] It won't open!
[Sanada] Ugh, she's totally in there.
Get out here, you stupid coward!
-[girl] Get out here, chicken! -[banging continues]
[girl 2] Come on, show yourself!
[Kokoro] Mom, Mom, Mom!
[Sanada] That girl, how could she? [sobbing]
[girl] Sanada, please don't cry.
Stupid girl came onto her boyfriend.
[girl 2] She deserves what's coming.
-[Sanada] I hate you! -[girl 2] Stop hiding!
[girl] Open up!
[Sanada] Why aren't you coming out?
I won't forgive you!
[Kokoro] Hate me all you want.
Don't forgive me, because I will never forgive you, either.
I panicked.
To be honest, I thought they were really going to kill me.
Before I knew it, the whole house was dark,
and it was all quiet outside.
It wasn't long until my mom came back home.
But I couldn't tell her what happened. I don't know why.
And because of all that,
I eventually stopped going to school.
[melancholic music]
You're safe, okay?
You've been brave for so long.
Well done.
[whimpering]
[Kokoro] I wanted to tell somebody.
I wanted somebody to listen to me.
I thought if it wasn't for Sanada,
everything would be easier.
I wanted to find the key
and wish for her to disappear from this world
so I'd never have to see her again, but I...
I don't want to lose my memories of all of you.
I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.
[Kokoro sobbing]
Despite everything that happened,
we continued to look for the key.
Have you tried to work this?
Oh, that.
None of us have been able to figure out what it is.
I think I might know.
[crank clunking]
Then...
[coin clinking]
[melancholic music]
-Is this a music box? -Mm.
[music continues]
Hey, what's going on in here?
How's it doing that?
Rion figured out how it works.
It's "Träumerei."
Ah.
This must be an antique music box. It's lovely.
[Ureshino gasps] Aki, what's wrong?
[Aki breathing shakily]
-Are you okay? -What's wrong?
-She showed up like this. -Aki?
Sorry. I'm fine, you guys.
What?
That school uniform.
It's Yukishina's.
Hm. So, you figured it out.
Yeah, it's surprising.
All seven of us go to the same junior high school,
Yukishina in Minami Tokyo.
Right, I got sent to boarding school
before entering junior high.
If I stayed, that's the school I would've gone to.
There are a lot of us here,
and we're all not going to our junior high school.
Maybe if you talked to each other more,
you Little Red Riding Hoods
would've figured this out a lot sooner.
Oh, well.
You seem to be enjoying all of this.
Oh no, I am not one
to have such wicked motives in my heart.
Then explain all this.
Just what is it you want from us?
Nothing to speak of. I don't want anything from you.
This place and the chance to find the key
is all that I offer to you seven.
Nothing more and nothing less.
[Kokoro] They're all here.
We're together in the same town.
It makes me feel better, for some reason.
Oh my gosh.
Up till now, I couldn't tell you.
[sighs]
I wanted to, but I just couldn't.
I had no idea at all.
Look, Mom, this wasn't just some argument we had.
It was so much worse.
Then we'll fight, okay?
You and I will fight this together, Kokoro.
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I should've noticed.
Thank you.
Kokoro, it's been a while. You well?
Well, I'm happy we can finally speak.
I've been asking about you.
Mrs. Kitajima, wasn't she supposed to be here as well?
This is simply a school issue. I don't see the need.
I've already spoken with Sanada.
I'm happy to clear up any misunderstanding.
-[Kokoro] Misunderstanding? -How's this?
We could set up a meeting between you and Ms. Sanada
to talk things out.
-[girl] Hey, look up here! -Hey, Mr. Hottie!
[girls chattering, giggling]
[Sanada] We're up here!
You know, Mr. Ida's such a dumbass.
For real.
[girls laughing]
You know, she's the kind of girl
that's easy to misunderstand,
and I know you've been having a tough time yourself, Kokoro.
However, Sanada said she's sorry, and she's worried about--
I seriously doubt she's sorry,
and if she really is worried, it's only because a teacher
scolded her for what she had done.
What she's scared of is the teachers
thinking badly of her and nothing else.
Kokoro, I'm not so sure that--
Mr. Ida, shouldn't you start
by asking Kokoro what happened
and getting her side of the story?
If that other girl was able to do so,
shouldn't you be doing the same for my daughter?
Yes, of course, although I do believe
the two of them should be able--
That's quite enough.
The next time you come, I should like
the first years' administrator or the principal
to accompany you as well, is that understood?
[bright music]
[all gasping]
It's beautiful.
Homemade? From a girl?
Kind of. My mom.
She makes one every year.
She visits for Christmas. She's flying back now.
Already? That's quick.
Two nights, three days. She's pretty busy.
Oh, I see.
All right, let's dig in already!
Yeah, let's eat!
Hey, why don't we invite the Wolf Queen?
-Good idea. -You called?
Every time!
Christmas cake. My mom makes it every year.
[Aki] We've got the Christmas version
of the Wolf Queen today.
-[Ureshino] Sure do. -[Kokoro] It's really cute.
Hang on, can you eat with your mask on?
No, I can't eat here.
You can cut me a piece. I'll eat by myself.
I never thought you'd say yes.
Who would've guessed that the Wolf Queen likes cake too?
[all laughing]
Hey, I've got something I need to ask you guys.
Do you think you could all come to school
for the third term for me,
even if it is just for a day or two?
My folks, they want me to transfer
to a different junior high,
even though I thought
going to that other school was enough for them.
You go there, to the alternative school? Really?
[Masamune] Yeah, I mean, sometimes.
They've got this one cool teacher there.
Hold on, which teacher? A woman?
And is her name Mrs. Kitajima, by chance?
-[Masamune and Ureshino] Yeah! -[others gasp]
Wow, really?
Problem is, it isn't exactly a real school.
We don't study all that much.
So private school, then.
Your folks have no faith in public school teachers, right?
Yeah, my dad is really well connected.
He's gonna set something up for me, so.
My parents and I have talked about it, too.
That somewhere else might work out better, right?
I'm worried.
If I transfer, what if I can't come back to the castle?
[all gasp]
[Masamune] So I talked to my dad.
I told him I want to go back to Yukishina,
at least for the third term.
But you'll just--
Just come for the first day!
That's all I'm asking you to do!
Please!
You don't even have to go to class.
We can meet in the nurse's office or the library.
Maybe it's not a coincidence we all go to the same school.
Maybe we're supposed to look out for each other.
[birds chirping]
It's okay, you didn't have to take the day off from work.
Are you sure? I can go with you.
Mm-mm, I'll be all right. Well, I'd better go.
[mother] Please take care.
[door thuds]
[Kokoro] I didn't come here just for school.
I came here for my friends.
Huh.
It's Moe.
[somber music]
But why?
Huh?
[Kokoro gasps]
[paper rustling]
[Sanada] Dear Kokoro Anzai, I heard from Mr. Ida
that you'll be coming to school tomorrow,
and he said I should write you a letter, so here it is.
Ms. Anzai, why do you hate me?
All I want to do is meet with you and talk things over.
I guess I can understand
if you're still heartbroken over Ike.
However, you should know that over the summer, we broke up.
If you still like him, maybe I can do something to help you.
[Kokoro] Come on, guys, please be here!
[music intensifies]
[music fades]
Ms. Anzai?
[melancholic music]
[Kokoro gasps]
-What's wrong? -[school bell ringing]
[students chattering]
Was Masamune here?
He's a second year.
Maybe someone named Fuka?
How about Aki or Subaru? Those two are third years.
Calm down, Ms. Anzai. What's this about?
And there's a first year, Ureshino.
His name's not that common, so you must know him, right?
I'm afraid I don't. There's no first year with that name.
What?
-[music intensifies] -I might know the others,
if you can tell me their last names.
[Kokoro] Last names?
I don't know Aki's last name, or Fuka's.
[Mrs. Kitajima] Kokoro?
Mrs. Kitajima!
[girls laughing]
[music fades]
[Kokoro groaning]
What are you doing here?
Your mother told me that you'd be here today,
so I thought it would be best if I checked in on you.
Oh, I see.
Looks like you're feeling better.
You were so pale when I got here.
This is yours, right? You were clutching it in your hand.
I'm sorry, I read it without asking.
I don't want it. [sobbing]
I spoke to Mr. Ida about what happened.
He was out of line.
I should've spoken to him
about your situation from the beginning.
Instead, you've only been hurt more. I'm sorry.
I saw her just before.
Moe Tojo was there, but she ignored me completely.
No hello, no it's good to see you.
She walked right by and said nothing.
What if it was her?
Was she the one who put Sanada's letter inside my cubby?
Could it be that Sanada asked her to do it?
After all, she was the one who'd stop by my house
every day to drop off school notices.
What if she hates me now? What do I do?
Don't worry. We know what happened.
That's because somebody stepped forward and told us.
It was Ms. Tojo.
Huh?
When she saw you, maybe she was just caught by surprise
and didn't know what to say.
But there's one thing you can trust,
and it's that your friend is clearly concerned about you.
Is she really? Is that true?
[Mrs. Kitajima] Mm.
Huh.
[magic humming]
Hey, Rion.
The others haven't shown up yet?
I only just got here.
I had a break during soccer practice, but nobody's here.
Oh, so how'd it go?
Hm.
Huh.
We couldn't meet up.
I'm not sure why, but no one came.
No Masamune or the others.
But the really weird thing is, the nurse told me
that none of them go to Yukishina.
Huh?
But how?
I don't know.
That's why I came here to ask them about it.
What if everything in this castle, even these mirrors,
what if it's not real?
What if all of you don't actually exist?
Just thinking about that scares me.
[somber music]
I'm real, okay? I'm really here.
That's no lie. The others, they have to be real too.
Something must have kept them away.
This castle, along with the fact that we all met here,
I think it has to mean something.
Also, we're all dealing with stuff. That can't be random.
Does that mean you are too, Rion?
Well.
So if you end up finding the key,
what is it that you would want to wish for?
What I'd wish for...
is my sister.
I'd wish for her to come back.
The year I started elementary school, she got sick and died.
My sis...
Sorry, I know stuff like this is hard to hear.
I wasn't going to tell anyone.
Truth is, for a while, I was set on finding the key.
But now I'm not so sure.
[Kokoro] Compared to him, my wish is so petty.
I should probably get back.
Oh, I should go too. My mom is waiting for me.
-It feels like a fake out. -Huh?
The Wolf Queen. Are we really Red Riding Hoods to her?
[magic humming]
[fire crackling]
Kokoro, why didn't you show up?
I did. I was the only one who did show up.
Huh, that's what the others said. Right, Fuka?
I swear to you, I was there.
So was I.
Me too.
We didn't meet, did we?
Well, the nurse told me
that there were no first years at school named Kokoro.
I asked too.
I thought she might know you,
since your name's so unusual, but she didn't.
Ugh, what is going on?
There's more.
I checked in on the class
that Masamune is supposed to be in,
except they told me
that there was nobody there with that name.
Masamune's not here yet?
We waited for Masamune to arrive.
We waited the next day, and the day after,
but he didn't come.
And just as we thought he'd never come back,
he finally showed up.
There's only one explanation.
Each of us is an inhabitant of a different parallel world.
[mysterious music]
A different parallel world?
Like the ones that pop up a lot in science fiction?
Some video games are about that.
Yeah, so basically,
these worlds each have a different Yukishina Junior High,
and we're all going to our own schools.
We may be in the same room now, but we're from other worlds.
I'll show you.
This'll help you understand.
Let's say that the universe started off as one big tree,
and the worlds each of us come from are like its branches.
Since they all grow from the same trunk,
they're a lot alike, but slightly different, too,
which is why Subaru's not in my world,
or why Kokoro and Fuka aren't in Aki's.
We can't meet up, then. So that's why.
Maybe. It's kind of like the story in G-World.
"G-World"?
Huh? I mean Gate World.
You've never heard of it?
Professor Nagahisa's new game. It's selling like crazy.
I have a friend who knows him.
They even let me test out the new game, so.
Nagahisa?
Professor Nagahisa Septuplet.
He's the genius game director over at Unison.
Man, really? You guys don't even know the basics.
I've heard of that one, G-World.
It was such a huge hit, they made it a movie.
-No, they didn't! -They didn't?
Hey, I know you're listening! Come on out, Wolf Queen!
After all, one truth prevails, so they say!
-[Subaru] Who says that? -What is with all the racket?
Come on now, you heard me. Am I right or what?
-Not at all. -Huh?
All this time, and the only thing you could come up with
is some half baked video game premise.
You should hit the reset button.
But then how come our realities are slightly different
from each other, and we can't meet up in the outside world?
So, parallel worlds is the only answer, right?
What makes you think you can't meet? I never said that.
[all gasp]
So we can meet?
Work it out for yourselves already. Think.
I gave you a hint at the start of all this.
I also left you more than enough clues about the key.
About the key?
Actually, I found something under my bed.
It's some sort of cross symbol. What does it mean?
There's something like that under my desk, too.
I just thought it was some sort of emblem.
There's one in the bath.
It stuck out, since there's no running water.
I checked and saw it there.
I saw one in the oven the other day.
There's another one in the dining room cabinet as well.
You're right. I saw one.
It's inside the closet in my room.
Six so far.
But there could be even more of them.
Are these also hints?
Think about it.
This castle and its mysteries
are all part of the mission you've been given.
Forget finding the key and stay until the end,
or find the key
and grant your wish.
You're free to choose.
[door thuds]
[paper rustling]
[Kokoro crying]
[fire crackling] [piano music in distance]
Still no sign of it, the key.
And we're quickly running out of time.
Looks like I can only play video games here
for another two weeks.
You know, if it wasn't for you showing me,
I never would've realized how cool video games can be.
I'm amazed at how advanced they are now, it's crazy.
You finish them faster than me.
RPGs, fighting games, it doesn't matter.
That's just not fair at all.
Well, it really made me interested in computers.
I want to study them properly, so I decided to go back.
[all gasp]
About a month ago, I took an entrance exam.
I wanted to get into a part time tech school,
and I got accepted.
You studied to get into a tech school?
Yeah, more or less.
I had no idea.
Looks like I'll be switching schools.
Whoa, really?
My dad was able to find me a pretty decent private school.
I took the entrance exam, got in yesterday.
Good for you.
Actually, I'll probably transfer schools too.
While my dad has to stay in Japan for work,
he and Mom talked, and we'll be looking at schools overseas.
You're studying abroad, that's amazing.
I'm torn. I still don't know what I'm going to do.
My parents are telling me I should transfer, too,
but I just can't decide.
Fuka's been playing the piano a lot more often lately.
I know, she mentioned to me
that she's enjoying it a lot more, too.
I wonder if she's going to stick with it
and keep playing piano.
Who knows? Maybe she will.
As for me, I'll repeat.
Everybody says that I should do the year all over again.
I didn't do any studying. No surprise there.
[Aki sighs]
So sorry I got here late.
Oh, it's all right.
Kokoro wanted to get a burger, so we came early.
How are you? Is this okay?
Mm-hm.
I thought meeting somewhere more lively
might be a nice change of pace.
Tell me if it's too much.
As for your future school plans,
I've already met with your mom a couple of times.
I also had a chance to speak with your dad.
-You talked with my dad? -Mm-hm.
We wanted to discuss your options,
and to figure out what would be the best path for you.
Mm-hm. You could switch to another school.
It would be in an adjacent district nearby.
Or you could stay at Yukishina
and then switch into a different class than Sanada.
I could do that?
Yes, I've spoken to all of the school administrators,
and they've all said they've made it their top priority.
And will they also be doing something
about Sanada's friends?
You're referring to Toyosaka and Maeda
from your class, correct?
Oh, along with Nakayama, of course.
They'll all be switching classes as well.
Oh, and we'll also be getting you
a new homeroom teacher, if we can.
And what about Moe Tojo?
Ms. Tojo will be transferring schools again.
You know that her dad's a college professor, right?
I heard that he'll be teaching
at a college in Nagoya starting in April.
We can visit schools in the neighboring districts.
Although if you don't want to,
there's no need to go back to junior high.
Your mom and I are both of the opinion that school
isn't necessarily the answer, and you don't have to go.
You could just attend the Classroom of the Heart,
or other options.
[mother] You're not alone.
We'll work together to figure out what's best for you.
Okay.
[woman over speaker] Thank you for visiting
Minami-Tokyo Careo Mall.
[inaudible dialogue]
So cute.
Want one?
Yeah. Hey, let's go to the convenience store.
I want to buy snacks.
Of course.
[Kokoro] Tomorrow will be our last day.
I'm all prepped for the farewell party.
This is what I think.
There have been others who couldn't go to school like me,
and just like me, they met the Wolf Queen
and spent time at the castle.
No one ever finds out about it
because when their wishes are granted,
all of their memories of that place fade away.
Whether my wish gets granted or not,
I'm grateful the castle in the mirror exists.
Truly grateful.
[knocking on door]
Can I come in and clean?
But Mom, what about work?
Someone's coming by. They'll be cleaning our AC system.
I figured I'd pop into work later in the afternoon.
Can I come in?
Let me do it.
[magic humming]
[door shuts] [gasps]
Huh?
[birds chirping] [Kokoro breathing heavily]
[chirping continues]
Do you want to come over?
[cheerful music]
Good thing I bought two of these.
Which would you like?
Let's see. This one.
I wanted to thank you for writing that letter.
By the way, is it true? You're transferring schools?
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
When I saw you that day at school by the cubbies,
I wanted to say something, but then couldn't.
Things were still awkward for me.
Awkward?
Recently, Sanada's group had turned on me.
That's why if they had found out I talked to you,
they might have done something to you, too.
But what happened?
I'm not completely sure.
For some reason, they all thought I looked down on them,
and they really didn't like that.
They said I tried to steal Nakayama's boyfriend,
that I'm a guy stealer, and also a homewrecker.
I had enough. I did look down on them all.
They're so shallow.
All they care about, all they ever talk about, is boy stuff.
None of them care about school, and they're all immature.
They'll be the same in 10, 20 years.
Still living their shallow lives.
-Whoa, Moe. -What?
I'm surprised, I don't think
that I've ever heard you talk like that before.
-Too harsh? -Not at all.
I'm glad.
I guess since now I'm the primary target of their hatred
instead of you, they'll probably start acting friendly
with you if you come back.
That way, I'll feel isolated.
But that's so mean.
That's just how they are. It's so stupid.
I mean, it's only school, right?
[Kokoro] It's only school?
-Don't let them win, Kokoro. -Huh?
Kids like those girls are everywhere.
There might even be some at my next school as well.
But when something happens, from now on, I'll speak out.
I think you should do the same.
Yeah.
If someone's being hurt by others,
I want to try and help, if I can.
Yeah.
Hang on.
This picture of a wolf.
[Moe] It's "The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats."
Seven goats?
I'm so sorry, I promise I'll give it right back.
It's quite okay.
I'm not moving for another two days.
Thank you! Bye!
[glass shattering]
[Kokoro gasps]
Oh no, but why?
How did...
Wolf Queen, tell me, what's going on over there?
Answer me!
[unsettling humming]
[Rion] Kokoro.
Rion?
Kokoro.
What happened to you guys? What's going on?
It's Aki, she's broken the rule.
It was past five, but she didn't leave the castle.
A giant wolf ate her.
And it's coming to eat us too.
We share her fate.
We ran home, but we instantly got sucked back in.
And now we can't go back. We're trapped.
-Ah! -What is it? What's wrong?
[wolf howling]
[magic whooshing]
[ominous music]
Guys, no! Please wait!
Kokoro, listen! Find the key and save Aki!
I found this! I think it might be a clue!
-The key, it's-- -[wolf howling]
[somber music]
[Kokoro] Aki, why? Why'd you go and break the one rule?
Don't worry, you'll be all right.
I'll save you and the others.
I'll make sure of it.
[music intensifies]
[glass tinkling]
[music fades]
[Kokoro gasps]
["Träumerei" playing]
[Kokoro gasps]
Oh.
[music ends]
[gasps] [dramatic music]
[music continues]
[Kokoro] The first little goat hid under the table.
[magic whooshing]
Fuka.
The second hid under the bed.
The third inside the closet.
The fourth hid inside the kitchen stove.
The fifth inside the cupboard.
The sixth under the washtub.
[music ends] [Kokoro breathing heavily]
Wolf Queen, can you hear me?
As for the hiding place of the seventh little goat,
no one would ever find it, never reach it.
While the other six little goats were busy hiding,
the last little goat was able to leap into it.
[dramatic music] [magic whooshing]
It has to be there.
That's where the wishing key is hidden. Right, Wolf Queen?
[magic humming, whooshing]
[music continues]
[magic whooshing]
[music intensifies]
[music continues]
[music fades] [gears clanking]
[key tinkling] [Kokoro gasps]
[magic humming]
[Kokoro gasps]
[magic whooshing]
[boys] Brag-a-mune!
-Come on, you're full of it. -[boys] Brag-a-mune!
[boy] Little creep. Stop making all this stuff up!
[Masamune] You know, a friend of mine actually made this game.
No, really, my friend makes video games.
[man] It's not his fault.
Public schools are no good, anyway.
He doesn't have to go to school!
[unsettling music] [Masamune sniffling]
There's no way they wouldn't have come!
I know how you must feel, but there has to be a reason
your friends couldn't make it today.
[Kokoro] Mrs. Kitajima?
-[boy] Hey, it's him. -[boy 2] For real.
Why'd he show up?
[boy 3] Look at him, he's pigging out.
[boys laughing] [bird calling]
Looks like it's a migratory bird.
I wonder if he can rejoin his friends.
-[mother] Haruka. -Hey, Mom.
Oh, Mrs. Kitajima, you came here too.
Your friends haven't come yet? Have you been waiting long?
[music continues] [hairdryer blowing]
Come now, Subaru, hurry up and eat already.
I mean seriously, look at his damn hair.
Both you boys are just as hopeless as your father.
[hairdryer blowing]
[music continues]
[playing bright piano music]
Incredible, your daughter's a prodigy.
[discordant piano music]
[furious piano music]
[unsettling music continues]
[inaudible dialogue]
[audience applauding]
[discordant piano music]
[Fuka grunts]
[both sobbing]
[Kokoro] Mrs. Kitajima. Fuka saw her as well.
[inaudible dialogue]
[playing gentle piano music]
Aki, is something wrong?
The piano, do you like it?
Like it? It's more...
I guess I love it after all.
Wow, you're studying a lot, aren't you?
"Knock, knock, knock. It's your mother, dearest."
"You liar! You're the wolf!"
"No, I'm your mother."
"Your voice sounds nothing like our mother's!"
[melancholic music] [inaudible dialogue]
Listen, Rion, if I pass on and go to heaven,
I'll do something for you.
If you tell me one of your wishes,
I can ask God to grant it when we meet.
My wish is to go to school with you, sis.
Huh? But you'll be going to elementary school.
And I'll be starting junior high.
[Rion] Then you'll have to wait for me.
Rion, thank you.
I'd really like it if we had the chance
to go to school together.
[Rion's mother sobbing]
You're lucky you're so healthy, you know that?
[music continues]
[magic whooshing]
Grandma, this is Atsushi.
He's my boyfriend.
[music continues]
[door rasping]
[zipper whirs] [door rasps, thuds]
[Aki gasps] [dark intense music]
What?
[zipper whirs]
[door rasping]
[door thuds]
[Aki whimpering]
[father] Your mother won't be home for a while.
[Aki grunting]
Atsushi, please help me!
[both grunting]
[music continues]
[Aki breathing heavily]
H-E-L-P, 4379...
Come on, work!
Who are you calling? Sneaky brat!
[magic humming]
[Aki breathing heavily]
[somber music]
[Wolf Queen] Are you all right?
But how did you...
You used my mom's mirror.
It was urgent.
[dramatic music]
[Aki sobbing]
[music continues] [Ureshino gasps]
Aki, what's wrong?
[Kokoro gasps]
[music continues]
[inaudible dialogue]
[music continues]
Nobody's coming.
I don't fit in here at school, and I can't go home either.
What am I supposed to do?
If I had the key, I'd wish...
I'd wish that he'd die.
I don't have anywhere left to go. I don't want to go back.
[somber music]
-[Fuka] She's not here. -[Ureshino] Aki, where are you?
-[Subaru] Aki! -[Rion] Aki!
[wolf howling]
Ah! We're out of time!
Let's go. We have to leave now, or else.
[music continues]
[magic humming]
[clock chiming]
What the... Why?
[glass cracking]
[glass shattering]
[wolf howling]
[wolf snarling]
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
[wolf growling] [intense music]
[growling]
[Aki screams]
[all gasp]
[wolf howling]
Kokoro, listen! Find the key and save Aki!
The key! It has to--
[wolf snarling]
[Kokoro screams]
[music fades] [gears clanking]
You saw it?
Wolf Queen, you're here.
Where's Aki and the others?
They were eaten. They shared the same fate.
What happened to them is out of my control.
Once a rule is broken,
there is nothing that can stop what's coming.
This place is built on that condition.
Every action comes with a price.
It's not fair!
Because you weren't in the castle then,
it did not apply to you.
Your life was spared.
Each of the symbols you have gathered
are their grave markers.
That's why you were able to see fragments of their memories.
How you use the key is up to you. It's your choice.
We can meet again. There's a way, right?
That decision is now in your hands.
You will find Aki in the wishing room.
[magic humming]
[lock clicking]
[door creaking]
[Kokoro inhales]
My wish is...
[uplifting music]
...for Aki to be saved from her fate.
Undo the fact that she broke the rules, please!
[magic humming]
[woman vocalizing]
[music continues]
[Kokoro] Aki, don't run! Come back this way!
We can meet again!
We'll try hard, grow up, and help each other!
So please, you've got to live!
[music continues] [woman continues vocalizing]
Come find me in the future! Years from now!
I live in a time after you've grown up!
We all come from different times!
Each one of us is a student at Yukishina Junior High,
but in our own year!
[inaudible dialogue]
[music continues] [woman continues vocalizing]
Kokoro, I'm so sorry.
It's okay, none of that matters now.
-[Rion] Aki! -You're all right!
[Fuka] Aki, come back to us!
Everyone here is waiting for you!
Come on, Aki!
You're going to be okay!
You're all here.
Aki!
[music continues] [woman continues vocalizing]
Here we go! Pull now!
[all straining]
[gentle music]
[Aki sobbing]
[woman continues vocalizing]
[Aki continues sobbing]
I'm really sorry. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry.
Aki.
You're okay.
I'm so glad!
[Aki breathing shakily]
[Wolf Queen clapping]
Bravo, everyone.
Wolf Queen.
[melancholic music]
Whoa, if that's true,
Subaru and Ureshino are 42 years apart.
[Kokoro] They are.
I can't believe you're from 2027.
I mean, it's like you're from the world of tomorrow.
What year were you born in?
2013.
So that means you're eight years younger than me.
Um, yeah, I am.
So it happens even in your time.
They're still there, kids just like us.
But you know, if they have this castle,
they can help each other, even if they forget it all.
[all] Mm.
[music continues]
Interesting, it looks like we're all seven years apart.
[Fuka] You're right.
[Aki] Hang on, what about here?
There's a 14 year gap between you and Rion and me.
I wonder why.
The year would be 1999.
Maybe there was supposed to be someone else,
but for some reason, they couldn't make it.
Mm-mm. I don't think so.
In the story, there's only seven little goats,
and we're seven years apart.
It kind of feels to me
like the number seven means something.
Anyone looking at us
would just see regular junior high kids,
but some of us are from the far future,
and some are from the past.
It feels kind of weird.
It honestly makes me wonder
how we never realized it before.
Although Kokoro and Rion are from the same year.
Except that Rion wasn't a student
at Yukishina Junior High.
Maybe it's because
that's where I really wanted to go to school.
I was hoping to stay in Japan and make friends there.
Maybe that's the reason.
And to meet you, Kokoro.
Perhaps.
But we're all different ages.
I don't think we'd ever recognize each other.
Not that it matters.
We're going to be losing our memories, anyway.
[all sigh]
You finally stopped talking.
So does that mean it's time?
We really can't stay?
Unfortunately, the castle will be closed beginning today.
It will be as if nothing had happened.
Go and collect your things.
Time's up, huh?
Got to hurry.
My sheet music and textbooks.
My makeup set.
Nagahisa Septuplet's game.
Big sis.
[melancholic music]
The castle was set to close tomorrow,
which is the anniversary of your death.
You know, if I had the key,
I was planning on wishing that you'd come back to us.
And all this, it looks just like it. Your castle dollhouse.
The one missing from 1999 is you, isn't it?
You were supposed to go to Yukishina, but couldn't.
At first, I was thinking that my late sister
had somehow come back to see me.
But now I know.
You come here directly from your hospital room.
Right now, as I'm talking to you,
you're lying in your bed next to six year old me.
You've been spending your last year with all of us here.
This dollhouse was a home, one that you created.
The reason that you look like a little girl
is because that's when you were healthy,
back when you were six or seven years old.
I'm right, aren't I?
Big sis!
It's time.
[waves crashing]
[clock ticking]
[melancholic music]
Subaru Nagahisa.
Akiko Inoue.
Rion Mizumori.
Kokoro Anzai.
Fuka Hasegawa.
Haruka Ureshino.
Earth Masamune.
What? So Masamune is your last name?
Earth. Huh, that's your name?
I don't want to hear it, Gen X-er.
And Ureshino's first name is Haruka.
I know it makes me sound like I'm a girl,
but I have to say, I've gotten to like it.
[Masamune] Subaru...Nagahisa.
As in the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades.
Hey Fuka, if we ever meet again in the outside world--
We wouldn't know each other, if we did meet.
Even so, I know I'll fall in love with you
at first sight, and so...
You know, I'm going to make video games.
Huh?
So go and brag about me.
[music continues]
Kokoro, thank you for saving me.
Mm-mm.
[music swells, turns uplifting]
Aki, I...
It's okay. I'll be waiting for you.
I'll be there 14 years in your future. Come and see me.
Of course I will.
Take care. See you guys.
-Bye. -[Fuka] Mm.
See ya.
I hope someday we'll get to meet again.
[Ureshino gasps]
See you.
Bye.
Mm.
[music continues]
Big sis, I swear I'm going to make things work.
I'll speak up for myself and what I want to do,
and for the things I don't want to do, including to Mom.
If it isn't too much to ask, could you grant me one favor?
I want to remember all this, everyone I've met here,
including you, Wolf Queen.
I guess not.
[Wolf Queen] I'll see what I can do.
[Rion gasps]
[music swells]
[machine beeping]
[beeping continues]
["Träumerei" playing]
[young Rion] Big sis,
I know you'll be there when I go to school.
We'll be going to school together.
[Wolf Queen] Thank you.
Goodbye.
[girl] Teacher, I have a question!
Good afternoon, Ms. Inoue.
Sorry, force of habit.
Or rather, Mrs. Akiko Kitajima.
Oh, is that a new nametag?
-Yeah, how's it look? -[woman] It's lovely.
-Your ring, that is. -[Aki chuckles] My ring?
[knocking on door]
It's nice to meet you. You must be Kokoro.
My name is Mrs. Kitajima. May I sit down?
According to our records,
you're currently attending Yukishina Junior High School.
Is that right?
Yes.
I went there for junior high too.
Oh.
You'll be fine.
Huh?
[uplifting music]
[Aki] You'll be just fine,
so keep on growing, Kokoro.
[mother] Any requests for dinner tonight?
[Kokoro] How about cabbage rolls?
[mother] Cabbage rolls. Okay, got it.
Don't push yourself too hard.
If it's too much, just come home.
Bye.
Take care, honey.
[music continues]
[woman vocalizing]
[girls giggling]
[indistinct chattering]
[music continues] [woman continues vocalizing]
Hey!
Good morning.
Huh?
We're in the same class, isn't that right?
My name's Mizumori, Rion Mizumori.
Come on.
[music continues]
[melancholic music]
[vocalist singing in Japanese]
[music continues]
[music fades]
[no audio]