Episode 04

"We're always fighting our fears. We might end up dragging down our partner. We might end up failing to move our FRANXX correctly. We might become unnecessary. Will we be able to overcome our fears someday?"

- Ikuno Flap Flap is the fourth episode of DARLING in the FRANXX.

Synopsis
After the previous battle, Mitsuru regains consciousness, but suffers great damage to his body. Besides, he shows a strange fear of Zero Two. "Partner killing", rumors stuck to Zero Two. The partner who got on with Zero Two surely drops his life at the third time - Hiro heard many times about that rumor. It is the same as not being able to ride FRANXX. But if you ride with Zero Two, it may not be fine without safety. Hiro shaking between the two emotions. Meanwhile, from the APE headquarters against Zero Two, a notice called "Return from the 13 cities to the front line" arrives.

Plot
Papa announces that Klaxosaur activity has increased, and large ones are showing up everywhere. An APE says the Nines are dealing with them for now, but they still have other tasks to complete. One asks how long Strelizia will be allowed to goof off, now that Hiro's aptitude has been ascertained, they have no reason to leave it there. Marmoset says that it isn't wise to let her mix with tainted stamens any longer. One says that they will have to ready a new stamen. The Vice Chairman says that there are many parasites who want to team up with her.

Shaking in bed, Mitsuru is terrified and says that Zero Two is a demon who will kill him. Futoshi walks in, has a glimpse of Mitsuru, and takes Mitsuru's food away. The other parasites wait outside. Futoshi says that he has not touched his food at all and maybe he should eat it so it does not go to waste. Zorome says that he'd been like that since the battle.

Hiro walks in and asks what happened with Zero Two. He says that she tried to completely devour him, including his blood, his flesh, and his soul. Though it was normal initially, she eventually was out to kill him. When Hiro reaches out to him, he suddenly grabs Hiro's collar and says that she had a smile on her face all the time.

Kokoro yells out to Mitsuru and Futoshi tells him to calm down as he hands the tray to Zorome. Mitsuru says that it will happen to Hiro too, if he decides to ride with her again and is out of mind. Futoshi holds him back and lays him back into bed where he seems to have fallen unconscious and pants heavily.

Futoshi and Zorome play with a ball as Hiro watches. Ichigo asks if he still wants to ride with her. She says that she cannot trust Zero Two, especially after what happened to Mitsuru. She says that if the rumors are true, Zero Two will eventually kill him. He says at least he would be useful. She is frustrated, but says that she is the leader, has to steel herself and will not stop him from riding with Zero Two again.

Zorome tells Futoshi to eat less, or he will get fat. He gets mad at being called fat, so Zorome calls him it again. Futoshi throws food toward Zorome.

Zero Two rides in the elevator with Hachi and Nana. He tells her that she does not have free rein just because she has to kill klaxosaurs. Nana says they almost lost Mitsuru because of her. Zero Two says that as long as she has Hiro, she does not care and the rest are sure to die soon anyway. Nana says that the kids are her fellow pilots, even if they belong to different units. She smiles and says the weaklings are a nuisance no matter how many there are. Hachi says they were specially chosen unit and she only feels that way because she is special.

She becomes annoyed (and feels offended) and asks if he means that she is not human. He says that he is talking about her abilities. He says that 016 (Hiro) will not be given permission to pilot. Nana says that HQ ordered her back to the front lines.

Hiro trains and thinks about Zero Two, the injuries on Mitsuru, and the rumors. He pilots the training unit and keeps running. The other members of Squad 13 discussed Hiro and Zero Two, as well as the partner killing rumor. Miku says Zero Two is not human because she posses klaxosaur blood. Ichigo says Hiro is well aware of all these rumors and situations but he still wants to ride with Zero Two. Ichigo reminds every one that if things do not change, they could also die at any time. Ichigo says that they need to defeat klaxosaurs without Strelizia and cannot mess up again so as to survive. Ichigo asks others to help her and work in a team. Every one, except Ikuno, agrees promptly. Ichigo requests Ikuno for help once more. Ichigo puts her hand with smile on the left shoulder of Ikuno. Ikuno's face slightly turns red.

To prepare for the kissing with Plantation 26, Plantation 13 switches to mobile setup. At the FRANXX dock, Zero Two stares at Strelizia. Hiro sees Zero Two and hides hastily.

Hiro bathes and thinks about the rumor again. Zero Two appears and says she found him. She walks into the water and rubs his chest. She asks Hiro to run away with her. She tells Hiro that he is her only partner and as long as he is with her, nothing else matters. Seeing her horns, he gulps. She asks if he thinks she is a monster as well. Before he can respond, an alarm sounds.

They detect a worm-type klaxosaur heading towards Plantation 13. Mitsuru tries to get up, but struggled. Ikuno tells him to grab on, and he refuses. Eventually he leans on her anyway.

Hachi says that they have only detected one, but there may be more in hiding. He tells them to connect.

Mitsuru says he hopes Ikuno can connect. She says she can and they connect after Ikuno touches on her left shoulder where Ichigo touched during the discussion. The FRANXX advance forward.

Zero Two and Hiro go to the command room in their suits. Nana tells them they aren't deploying Strelizia. The FRANXX momentarily stop it, but another one grabs Argentea. Hiro and Zero Two watch and Zero Two says that they should help and asks who landed in the transport plane.

A group of escorts arrive and Nana says to do as they say. She says she's returning to the front lines. A man says they want to leave while the FRANXX are keeping the klaxosaur occupied. When he touches her shoulder, she sends him flying back. They begin aiming their guns at her.

She puts her hand on his cheek and says that she has to go, even though she felt like things would work out with him. When she puts her head against him, she hurts him with her horns. She says "Bye-bye" before following them out. Nana then says that the order was from Papa and the rest. He asks if the partner-killer rumors are true. She answers that she's a special pistil who must keep fighting on the front lines and that she takes a toll on the stamen who become partners with her. She answers that she isn't simply human. He suddenly runs out and Nana calls out to him.

As Zero Two walks through the hall, she turns and looks behind her. A soldier points his gun and asks her what's wrong. She answers nothing and keeps walking. Hiro comes to a passage he cannot cross and yells to her. She stops briefly but then continues. He says that he was afraid of riding together and he still is, but because he lacked resolve, not because she isn't human. When he first met her, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Though he had been moping, he felt like he could fly with her. He realized that he never really cared about riding the FRANXX, but about riding with her. He asks that she doesn't leave.

Zero Two stops and smiles. Though two soldiers order her to keep going, she says she can't leave after that. She manages to take one of their guns and break through his glass. She stands close to him and says that nobody's ever said such embarrassing things to her before. He says it was a first for him too. Smirking, she asks if he wants to ride her and he answers, embarrassed. They dance through the gate together. Zero Two pulls him along and they board Strelizia.

Nana appears on screen and orders them off, but Zero Two ignores her and hangs up. She asks Hiro if he's okay and he is nervous about piloting. She encourages him and they successfully connect.

They fly through the air and Hiro is happy to be able to pilot. They discuss their feelings of connection and Zero Two says they're a perfect fit. They zip to where the other parasites are struggling and quickly save them. Ichigo is reluctant to rely on her. When Hiro challenges this, Mitsuru seems offended. Ichigo agrees and tells everyone where to focus. Strelizia rips it from the ground and reveals it was actually one long klaxosaur. Strelizia stabs its core, destroying it. Hachi announces that they neutralized it and to return to base.

Nana wonders if she was always planning it all along. Hachi says that the numbers prove that Hiro is compatible with Strelizia. He wonders how Papa and the rest will react. They plantation begins to move.

Hiro narrates that he always dreamed of the day he could take flight, but now he may have found a pair of wings to call his own. Even if they destroy him, he can at least fly once more.

Appearances

 * Seven Sages
 * Mitsuru
 * Futoshi
 * Zorome
 * Kokoro
 * Hiro
 * Ichigo
 * Zero Two
 * Nana
 * Hachi
 * Goro
 * Miku
 * Ikuno

Links

 * DARLI-FRA

Episodio 4 Odcinek 4 Взмахи крыльев