Episode 16

"The birdcage is still here. And so are we. The people we were supposed to protect aren't there anymore and our wings are still being repaired, but we believe that the ten of us will all be able to fly again soon. Until then, we'll make it through on our own."

- Futoshi Days of Our Lives is the sixteenth episode of DARLING in the FRANXX.

Plot
Zero Two files down her horns.

At Cosmos, one APE says their parasite reserves have dwindled to 60% after the last battle. Another asks if they didn't go too far blowing those plantations up. The Vice Chairman says that the end justifies the means. Humanity now has control Gran Crevasse. He says Hringhorni's construction has entered the final phase. Papa says that he sent two messengers and it will likely be their final warning to them. One says that there is no need for two keys.

Futoshi says that, in the battle of Gran Crevasse, their plantation was left in ruins, but they're still living in Mistilteinn. They stand by and wait for their next mission. One month has passed since they were given those orders. He says that the damage to the plantation has affected the water supply system, and they had to restrict their electricity usage. Their caretakers are gone too. Though food supply is delivered once a week.

Zorome spots a ship and says that it's Papa but is disappointed to see it land somewhere else.

Futoshi, Kokoro, and Miku do the laundry. Zero Two suddenly bangs a spoon against a pot. Kokoro and Miku discuss that she's on messenger duty this week. Goro finds a note among the boxes and puts it in his pocked.

Mitsuru and Hiro inspect Cerasus' water sources. Mitsuru says that it's turning foul as well. Hiro says they should try and filter it. Mitsuru says that their water supply could stop at anytime as he stands up. They're interrupted when Zero Two bangs on the pot and says that breakfast is ready.

Ichigo serves up their rations. When Zorome complains, Ichigo takes his rations and says he doesn't have to eat it. Ikuno enters and offers to help, but Ichigo says that it's fine and asks if her fever went down. Zero Two places her forehead on Ikuno and says that she's 36.7 degrees (a normal body temperature) but tells her not to push herself.

They pray for Papa before they eat, though Zero Two eats anyway. Zero Two lists off the chores and Miku, smiling, notes that she's meticulous.

As the stamen eat, Futoshi stops. Hiro asks if he's okay. Futoshi lies and says he's dieting. Zorome laughs and pinches his stomach, saying he isn't cut out for it.

Nana and Hachi call Dr. FRANXX. The doctor asks if they had made contact with the children. When Hachi confirms they hadn't, Dr. FRANXX is happy. He says that if they intervene with the children, the whole project will be ruined. Nana says she doesn't understand and that their efforts will have been in vain. Dr. FRANXX notes that she's inflexible and she's been down the road, too. He compliments Hachi and hangs up. Nana gets a headache.

Goro says it's been a month as he and Hiro look at the cans. Hiro asks if he wants to get back in the FRANXX. Goro says that, even though they were fighting and could die anytime, not fighting makes them all fidgety too. He says that he thought Hiro was the most obsessed piloting the FRANXX.

Mitsuru went to the greenhouse and asked Kokoro to cut his hair. She was confused, questioning where that request came from but upon seeing Mitsuru timidly look down, she merrily accepted. As she cuts, Mitsuru wondered what he was hoping for with Hiro. He admitted that he was wrong and was probably using his grudge to carve out a niche for himself and now he has nothing.

Kokoro tells him to look up and giggles when he looks. He asks if he looks weird, and she says he looks handsome. She says that, if he understand, he can start over. He smiles and says her saying that makes him feel like he can do anything, she's kind and gifted with her hands. Kokoro was touched to hear that. She unconsciously gets down on her knees and kisses him. Mitsuru was quite surprised, but did not say anything. Kokoro, embarrassed, apologizes and ran away.

Hiro and Zero Two walk together. Hiro says that Goro must have gotten child fever last week. Zero Two curiously looks at a plant. Hiro explains that they're sakura buds. He says that they're a really pretty color, like her hair. She giggles and says she wants to see them.

He asks how she felt about their lives and she says they're having fun and would like to live like that forever. He scooches closer to her and is about to hold her hand, but she suddenly remembers that she was supposed to go bathing with the other pistils. She tells him not to peek.

The girls bathe in the river. Miku asks if they seen Mitsuru's hair as she washes Zero Two's hair. Ikuno says that he looks pretty good. Zero Two sees a fish and is about to get it, but Miku stops her. Miku says that her hair's a pretty color, and Zero Two says that Hiro said so too. Miku pours water on her head and asks if they always talk about corny stuff. She tackles her and pushes her into the water. When she says that she'll wash hers, she notices that she has grey hair.

The parasites meet in their living room and Ichigo says that they have five sources they can use for drinking water. Mitsuru says that only two of them are only usable with filtering. Ikuno asks if they can repair the circulation system themselves. Hiro says that Mistilteinn doesn't have the equipment. Futoshi says that their access to the elevator is restricted too. Zorome asks why they don't send a letter to Papa and ask him to fix it. Goro says that he doesn't think there'd be a point. The parasites sadly reflect on their vulnerability, so Zero Two says that they should cook their own food.

Hiro agrees with her, and Mitsuru agrees with him, remarking how there are cookbooks in the library. Kokoro says that maybe they could do it then. They all agree, except for Zorome who pouts.

When Futoshi starts a fire, he tries to show Zorome. Zorome asks if he's not dieting. He eventually becomes enthused as well. Miku and Ikuno make dough. Kokoro makes a salad and Mitsuru reads a cooking book. Ichigo welcomes Hiro, Goro, and Zero Two back from fishing. Zorome and the rest are impressed with the 11 fish that she caught. Goro caught 9 and Hiro, awkwardly smiled and scratched his head, saying he didn't catch any. Zero Two says she'll teach him later. The others want to try fishing as well.

Goro asks Ichigo how she is, and she says that the mood really changed. She happily watches as Zero Two tells the rest how to fish. Ichigo says that Hiro was right about her being a normal girl. She says she wants whats best for her and Hiro.

Before they eat, they all marvel at how they were able to cook. Though Ichigo's about to pray, Zorome starts eating and says why should they when they did everything themselves. He says it's good as Miku tries Kokoro's salad. When she says it's good, Kokoro is happy and she and Mitsuru smile at each other.

Zorome is happy at what they've accomplished and tries to get Futoshi to eat. Futoshi accidentally drops the food and Mitsuru asks if he's okay. As he picks glass, Zorome tells him to quit forcing himself. Zorome begins helping. He says that he knows Futoshi is forcing himself to eat and throwing it back up. Though Futoshi denies it, Zorome grabs his collar and begins crying. He says he has to eat to survive. Futoshi forces himself to eat and Hiro puts his hand on his back.

Zorome asks why Papa isn't getting in touch as he cries. Miku begins crying as well.

Futoshi says that, even after seeing what happened to squad 26, he was sure it wouldn't happen to him.

Mitsuru says that as pilots, there's a limit to their lives. Miku cries as she says that she was worried too, but too scared to speak up. Ikuno and Goro agree. Goro says that he'd been writing to Nana and Hachi to let them know how they're doing, but they never accepted them. Hiro says it's fine if they were cast aside by Papa as long as he's with them and there's more to their lives than piloting. Futoshi starts crying and says he's hungry. They all laugh and Zorome says he suits being fat.

Futoshi says that they cried and laughed more than ever before.

That night, Kokoro and Miku sleep together. Zero Two draws pictures in her room of the book they read together. When Hiro says that it's a sad story, she says that it was her first "pretty thing." She met him and wanted to have something beautiful with him. She realizes now what it means to be human and they embrace.

They hear a klaxosaur scream as another horned girl is shown.

Appearances

 * Hiro
 * Zero Two
 * Ichigo
 * Mitsuru
 * Zorome
 * Futoshi
 * Miku
 * Kokoro
 * Ikuno
 * APE
 * Klaxosaur Princess

Links

 * Official Website

Episodio 16 Odcinek 16