We pick up from before as Kengo loudly asks in shock what the hell is going on with the underground arena. The place is totally decorated for Valentine's, which you note in amazement and say it's going in hard with the holiday season. Kengo is baffled that the fighting arena he used to go to has turned out like this now, though he collects his thoughts after a moment to say you guys should go ask Claude for an explanation for all this. You decide to take the moment to ask Kengo about his new clothes, comment he looks good in them, or coo over them and say you're crushing on him again. B and C get an extra line where Kengo is surprised but pleased by your reaction. But either way Kengo answers he figures he should psych himself up for a bit, though it might look weird to you. Then he says this isn't the time to be talking about that and urges you to come with him.
Over at Claude's office, Claude is having a good time as he welcomes you guys and tells Kengo he could hear him yelling from there. Kengo is unamused as he asks Claude what the big idea is and says he thought Claude suddenly joined the circus or something. Snow thanks you guys for coming despite the cold outside and says he's made some hot chocolate. There's marshmallows if you want, and he suggests you drink it before it cools. You accept it and enjoy warming up with the drink as you thank Snow, and you can even say it's making your nose run.
Kengo also accepts his hot chocolate and says it's warming him up from within. Snow mentions he added some spice to the hot chocolate and is happy if you guys like it. Claude decides to move the conversation along and asks what you guys thought when you looked at Ikebukuro today. Kengo is thrown off for a bit and answers that it looks different now as opposed to the time it was called the City of Violence. The streets are full of Valentine's decorations now, and everything's changed.
Claude agrees with that point and notes that Kengo has changed too. Kengo is surprised by this comment, so Claude points out that back when Kengo was one of the Rankers he only believed in power and tried to win all by himself. Now he's got himself a partner to go forward with, and what do you call that if it isn't change? Kengo looks annoyed by this but doesn't say anything in response, and Claude adds that he's not disapproving of this. He didn't hate how Kengo was back then either though. To change is to reject the choice to not change, a choice between one of two options. Claude's about to say more on that before he decides there isn't a point to talking about it and asks you guys to forget it, then asks what you think of the place.
You answer that the public order seems to have gotten better and that there's a lot more normal people around. Very Valentine's. Claude says that's right as Ikebukuro is going through change that has never happened before, and the city has plans to get more gorgeous than the street fights that used to happen. The underground arena is also opening up for a public event, which Claude plans to set up as a gateway to success for new unseen powerful warriors. That is his main goal, and Claude says he's come to think that it's fine for Ikebukuro to change too. All roads lead to Ikebukuro, just like a certain emperor outside the walls had set up their kingdom once upon a time in a land far far away.
Claude sits back down pumping his fist and breathing hard, and Snow wastes no time in passing Claude some water. You comment that Claude has made his point and note that Snow's attention to detail is impeccable. Kengo decides to not care about Claude's principles and position for the moment and asks why he asked the two of you to come see him. Claude explains that he's come up with an additional plan to make things even livelier, and he proclaims the name of the plan to be the Valentine Colosseo.
You react in surprise to Claude announcing this event and ask if he's
sponsoring it. Claude talks about how the origins of Valentine's comes
from the ancient Roman empire. It's how he got the idea for the event's
name, and he brags about how it just doesn't express the greatness of it
all well enough with just words. But anyways he wants you two to join
in on it, and he guarantees it'll be a once in a lifetime experience.
Kengo looks unsure about the suggestion, so he asks Claude for further
details.
Claude: No
Kengo: WHY
Claude explains that his refusal to explain the details is because it'd make things not fun and that surprises are necessary. Kengo is pissed about this and accuse Claude of enjoying things, and you say that Claude is always hiding things, agree that surprises are important, or say you already had an idea of what'd be happening when you heard the word colosseo. Loud cheering reaches the office at this point, which draws Kengo's attention as he asks about that. Claude looks at the time and figures That Strong One is showing his stuff now. He ends the event conversation here, then commands Snow to walk you guys out. You guys might even get to see what's up if you go now. Snow acknowledges the order, and Claude says he'll be waiting for a favorable response.
Out in the hallway, Kengo complains to himself about how things really changed that much and that all he cares about when it comes to Valentine's is the chocolate. But when he thinks on it some more, he admits that it's true that he's changed. You ask Kengo if something is wrong, but Kengo brushes it off as nothing. You decide not to ask into it and turn to Snow and ask if he can tell you anything about the event.
Snow apologizes and says he isn't allowed to talk about what'll be happening for the event. All he can say is that Claude's intentions aren't to mess with you guys. Kengo demands an explanation and says it's too unreasonable to be holding out like this between allies. Snow presents a pamphlet for the event and suggests you guys take a look at it when you go home, shocking Kengo and prompting him to say he should have brought this out earlier. Snow mentions that a lot of strong people are expected to participate, and he promises that it'll be a once in a lifetime experience like Claude said. Kengo asks if that means he can fight some powerful people if he's saying all that, but Snow plays coy as he declines to answer that, then prompts you guys to look at the new strong warrior people have been cheering over.
Over at the arena, said fighter is using his hefty sword to break through his opponent's defenses, which intrigues Kengo. He comments that the dude is definitely strong based on his footwork and notes that his dual wielding skills is good enough that his swords seem to be moving as one. Snow talks about this fighter being promoted to a Ranker recently and is a dual greatsword fighter. He's about to say his name when you recognize Fergus out in the ring. Snow is mildly surprised you know him already and says strong people are connected to one another. He also says that Fergus is expected to join the Colosseo and suggests that in itself would make joining in worthwhile to Kengo.
Kengo doesn't give an answer, and Snow says the battle looks like it's over now, so he'll take you guys to the exit. Midway through that thought he notices that you seem preoccupied, so he asks you what's wrong. You say you exchanged glances again with Fergus and ask if he's looking at you. It's noted that he's definitely looking at you amidst all the cheering that shakes the arena.
Outside in Ikebukuro, Kengo complains about wanting to fight him and says he knows he got pulled in, but he suggests going back to the dorm to look at the pamphlet. He also comments on how crowded the city is and says the place really did change. You agree with the point and say it changed a lot since your first visit to the place as now people look like they're having fun, and there are even some surprising people in the crowds.
A bunch of people walk by, and among then turns out to be Seth. He freezes upon noticing you, and he's noted to be carrying a huge bag full of chocolate bars that takes both his hands to carry. You try to talk to Seth as you comment on running into someone unexpected and the load of items he's carrying. Seth gets mad in his surprise as he asks why you're here since he specifically came all this way to avoid being seen by anyone he knew. He quickly denies that he came to buy chocolate or that he's come to get ingredients for chocolate making. He's the number one most famous gangster of Roppongi man, he's a total badass d'ya hear!? Seth goes quiet for a moment before cussing Valentine's out and calls it stupid. He proceeds to turn around and stalk off in a huff, only to immediately bump into someone, apologize for doing so, and pick up the things that fell over. Kengo is baffled by the behavior and asks you what's up. You shrug, say you didn't have time to comment, then suggest leaving him alone.
Time jumps ahead to the point after you and Kengo get back to Shinjuku and have told the others about your day. Ryouta takes an interest as he welcomes you back. He agrees that Ikebukuro has changed and says that in his younger school years he was too afraid to get close to the place. He then pours the two of you some tea before asking if the two of you will join in on Claude's event or not. Kengo says he'll decide after reading the pamphlet, and by reading the pamphlet he means throwing the thing at Shirou and making him read it to him instead.
Shirou is irritated as he questions the point of reading it when it'd be you and Kengo participating and not him. Ryouta points out that Shirou is still looking at it even if he's saying that and calls him a nice guy, so Shirou insists he's only doing that because that's how he is. Kengo prompts Shirou to get on with it and says that's what his glasses are for. Shirou fires back that he wears glasses because his eyesight is bad. But anyways, Shirou says he's looked it over now and starts to talk about the event when he makes a dramatic pause. Kengo and Ryouta prompt him to go on, so Shirou reveals that the pamphlet says precisely jack all on the colosseo.
You react in shock and disbelief about this, as does Kengo who comments on how tight lipped the Berserkers are no matter what event they're in. Ryouta asks what is written in the pamphlet then since it's fairly big as they go. Shirou answers that the thing is almost all about Claude, and it goes far enough to include an interview of him with a picture. Ryouta then notices that the thing also includes a foldout poster and asks if this is supposed to be a fanbook or something.
You ask Shirou what's the remaining part of the pamphlet about. He tells you that it barely mentions the qualifications for participation and that the event will take place in Ikebukuro, but he's surprised when he looks closer. Kengo is glad the pamphlet says something about the event, then asks Shirou whereabouts in Ikebukuro it's supposed to happen. After looking a bit more, Shirou says Ikebukuro is all it says in terms of location. Kengo is baffled at this given how huge Ikebukuro is alone. You express your own disbelief, say Claude's being too confidential about this, and are surprised he got anyone to join like this.
Shirou says that since this is Claude you guys are talking about, there must be some sort of plan to it all. He then sees that there's a requirement to join in too and reads it aloud, and this condition is that every participant must bring a special chocolate meant for one person they'd give it to. Kengo is shocked speechless at this, and Ryouta halfheartedly comments about how it's a Valentine's event so chocolate would be expected. Everyone save for one person nods. Kengo however quietly grumbles to himself at Claude about this.
That night, a young man sees a dream he's always been seeing once again. There, underneath the shining sun is the the beloved somebody he cares for standing in water. The man thinks to himself, "oh, this dream again." This is the dream where all he can do is look on affectionately. A sense of certainty spreads within him, saying that if he reached out he would gain something and lose something. Fergus mac Roich's heart quivers, on the verge of tearing apart. But then he suddenly realizes something and asks why he keeps seeing this dream. Why this unclear, indistinct vision? Why this unforgettable beauty of a person he doesn't remember?
Fergus then abruptly wakes up in his room, and as he looks up at a
familiar ceiling he comes to a certain conclusion. He talks to himself
about the same repeating dream and the vague, beloved someone that he
sees, and he figures that this must be a hunch about love before
deciding it must be a prophecy instead. Fergus then asks himself why he
seems to instinctually choose not to reach out for them. He asks what it
is that awaits him, what is it that is going to happen to himself.
Fergus then loudly shouts out asking for somebody out there to tell what
sort of youth is waiting in the future for him. After the other dorm
students complain about him waking them up, Fergus tries to go back to
bed. He finds himself unable to go back to sleep though, and he asks if
this excitement is also a part of youth. The episode then ends by saying
the Ikebukuro Valentine's event is about to begin soon.
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