The Bird
Rakka, are you up?
Yes.
We're all in Kuu's room.
OK, I'm coming.
Do you like them?
Yes.
Good.
Every one of us will take something as a memento.
Is the bed OK for you?
Do you want anything else?
Those.
There.
There you go.
Oh, it's so cold.
Good thing you got a proper bed before it snows, isn't... it...?
How are your wings?
Do I have to keep using the medicine and hide them forever?
The walls' power weakens in winter...
so we become more susceptible to the evil effects.
So until winter ends...
I wonder what the Haibane are?
Everyone says that both the walls and this town exist for us.
But the Charcoal Feathers are born suddenly...
and disappear just as suddenly.
I don't know why I became a Haibane.
I'm here but can't remember anything.
And if I'm to disappear someday without accomplishing anything...
what's the meaning of my existence?
You know, I once felt the same way.
I think there is a meaning.
Only you have to find it.
Come on, walk in single file!
Rock! paper...
Scissors!
Hey!
You'll fall into the river walking on the edge like that!
Oh, no.
It's because Taku pushed me!
This is the last time we'll see it like this.
We'll have snow soon.
Then everything will be covered in pure white.
As white as being in the clouds.
We have to get ready before winter comes.
In the clouds...
My dream in the cocoon felt like I was in the clouds, too.
Oh yeah, your sky dream.
You know, I don't remember what happens after that, either.
Even though I think I met something very important there.
At times I almost remember something, but I'm afraid.
As if...
Hey, don't get so far ahead!
Reki! Come on!
I'll be by your side.
I went down the wrong road because I lost Kuramori.
But no matter what happens, I will be by your side.
What?
Oh, no!
I told you to be careful!
Walk in a straight line in the middle of the road.
Straight, OK?
Everybody, fall in!
About face!
Man, the lengths are all inconsistent.
We have to redo the hems.
Oh, no.
Don't give me that look.
I deserve a commendation just for finding ten of the same style.
I guess.
OK then, I'll give you a hand.
Rakka, pick winter wear for yourself while you wait.
We won't take long.
Send them in after taking off their coats.
OK.
I can't get it on.
I told you to take your coat off first!
Oh, come on! Not all at once!
Sorry about that.
Hey, stop fumbling around! You'll get hurt!
Ouch! Hey, stop pulling my beard!
I'll finish taking the measurements. Why don't you go and wait outside?
I think I will.
Thanks.
I'm not good with kids.
Got used to the town yet?
You must be surprised at how early winter comes around here.
This one.
Alright.
You need shoes, too.
Huh? But...
It must be cold in those sandals.
It'll snow soon.
How about these?
Well, but...
Be my guest!
A Haibane should always be in high spirits...
with a smile on her face.
Why?
Well, how should I put it?
Since I was a kid, my mom kept telling me...
the Charcoal Feathers are the ones who received blessings from above.
So you're like a good-luck charm.
Well, no offense.
Blessing? But I'm not...
Oh, don't mind that.
It's only what we townsfolk believe.
Here.
Oh, but my notebook...
there's only one sheet left...
Well, so consider the boots...
let's say...
a New Year's present.
A little too early, huh?
I don't know what happened...
but things will get better at some point.
No, they won't.
I'm a failure as a Haibane.
Huh?
This coat!
Oh, coming.
Let's see.
Do you have this in different sizes?
Oh, this one comes in only one size.
A little Charcoal Feather!
She's so cute!
Oh!
Wow! She's for real!
Look, a little Charcoal Feather! So lucky!
Something good will happen today!
Knock it off, you're bothering her.
Oh, no I'm not. Right?
Don't touch me!
Huh?
Hey!
That was a big fall you took, miss.
Thank you.
Excuse me...
Thank you very much.
Here, you dropped this.
I don't belong anywhere.
My existence should be erased from the world.
Calling... me?
That's the Western Woods.
He really is calling me.
The air feels different.
What is this?
You wanted to show this?
You called me for that?
My existence should be erased from the world.
A dream I had somewhere, sometime?
But... it's cold.
That's right, it was back then.
You can't.
But thank you.
I see, it used to be underwater here for a long time.
That's strange...
I should be afraid, but...
Are you the one who called to me?
You've taken the form of a bird now...
but it feels like I had known you from somewhere, a long time ago.
Where's Rakka?! Is she back?
What happened to her?
Hey, do you think she's...?
It's different from Kuu's time!
Rakka hasn't...
Weren't you with her last, Reki?
Sorry. I messed up.
She's not a kid who needs a guardian.
But should we go look for her?
Or wait?
It's still not too late to be out.
But it's better to go look for her now...
than to wait until the middle of the night and panic.
Even if it turns out to be needless worry.
Alright, then.
You're not thinking she's running away like this, are you?
She's not as stupid as I am. But the situation is similar.
To that time?
Oh, sorry.
It's OK.
Let's go!
Forgive me. I wish I could do more for you.
I can't even remember my name.
They say the Charcoal Feathers are all like that.
So I can't remember who you are.
Except that you're somebody Precious to me.
I was always Ionely.
And I thought nobody would grieve, even if I was gone.
So I wanted to disappear.
But you were by my side.
You became a bird to go over the walls...
and let me know that I was not alone.
I...