Drama CD Volume 3

This is the drama CD of the third volume of Darling in the FRANXX. It contains three story plots.

Part I: Nines
The 9’s receive maintenance from Dr. FRANXX and discuss Squad 13. They have soil and other elements of Mistilteinn to show Alpha, who berates them for bringing the elements without quarantining them. One of the elements is candy that belongs to Zero Two. Alpha is not interested because the 9’s don’t need to eat, sleep, and use the bathroom like humans. Nevertheless he and the others try pieces of candy and Alpha reacts positively to its sweetness. Alpha is curious how humans can endure such ‘temptation’. Epsilon becomes intoxicated by the sugar and dances while Beta and Gamma try to have fun while intoxicated too. Alpha becomes irritated at his comrades and the doctor concludes the 9’s inherited Zero Two’s characteristics. He also concludes, without the 9’s knowing, the old stench of human behavior has begun to spread.

Papa asks Dr. FRANXX what he is planning and the doctor replies nothing but he has gotten good results for letting the 9’s interact with others. He leaves after saying he is still monitoring the children and taking his eyes off them once will cause problems. The APE council discuss how they don’t understand emotions. Alpha says they don’t need warmth but all they know is that they are the 9’s and they were chosen by Papa for follow his highest orders.

Part II: Nine Children and a Baby
Zero Two reverts to an infant and the squad is tasked with the hardship of tending to her while trying to figure out how help her return to normal.

Zero Two can barely speak words and Hiro seems to make out a little what she says although he is confused because she doesn’t understand what he is saying. Zero Two starts crying out ‘Mama’ and latches onto Kokoro. They think she may be hungry and try feeding her one of Futoshi’s bread but she doesn’t eat it. Mitsuru recalls reading a book in which newborn animals drank breast milk from their mothers. None of the girls but Kokoro are willing to try this and they all convince Kokoro not to and instead give Zero Two normal milk.

Nana and Hachi watch all this and struggle how to deal with this situation, which leads them to get into an awkward moment between them. Hachi confused by how he feels and Nana calls him an idiot. The squad wonders if they should feed Zero Two sweets but worry she will cry. Miku tries tickling her to make her laugh and she stops crying. They spend more time entertaining her until they are worn out. Zero Two spends the rest of the night clinging to Hiro. She mentally recalls seeing everyone’s smile and that day was her treasure, and she doesn’t want Hiro to let her go.

Part III: At That Time, You...
Nana reports it has been 62 days since Hiro and Zero Two left through the gate passage, the soil from Mistilteinn has been implemented at the Bird Nest, and klaxosaurs have returned from space and dove into the ground. Hiro and Zero Two are content with traveling in space together but dream of what their lives would have been like as a married couple, such as taking a bath and eating a delicious breakfast. Zero Two asks Hiro if he still wants to get married and he attempts to recite the wedding vows but she tells him he doesn’t need to because they already promised to be together forever. Hiro talks about how they discuss casual topics he read from books to pass time and Zero Two says they should imagine making something delicious to eat. However, Hiro says he doesn’t have the desire to eat and sleep, and Zero Two realizes his body has been constructed into a klaxosaur, which makes her sad that he will never be human again. Zero Two alerts him that VIRM is approaching them and they fight the fleet. After eliminating the fleet, Zero Two says she feels stronger with him but she regrets only that he can never recover his previous body.

Hachi reports that 252 days have passed since the gate passage, many parasites have begun to have children and receive the treatment needed, and Strelizia has not been re-registered since disappearing. Hiro realizes Kokoro will be giving birth soon and he wonders what Mitsuru will name the baby. He feels pain due to the damage and magnetic storm they’ve endured. Zero Two asks him to tell her if he hurts but he says she feels the pain as well. She tells him they have a long way to go but they must do so slowly. Hiro agrees as long as they are together.

Nana reports that 702 days have passed since the gate passage, Goro has found new elements near Mistilteinn and fossilized klaxosaurs in the ocean, and all of APE’s previous systems, including the code numbers, have been suspended. Ichigo leaves after meeting with Nana and is surprised by Goro, who returned from his traveling to surprise her. He is surprised that she is finishing Zero Two’s picture book and Ichigo says she realized Zero Two believed she would never return but Ichigo wants to finish for her. Goro worries she is pushing herself and she admits that, although she is scared, she accepts their fate and they are all linked through Hiro and Zero Two’s bond. Goro tells her she was not the only one who cared about them because everyone loves them.

Zorome tells Miku that he is thinking about leaving the Bird Nest and starting a school for the next generation of children. Miku is confused but acts like she doesn’t care and they get into a brief argument. When she tries to leave, Zorome gives her a necklace with a fragment of Argentea and shows he has one as well. Miku is mad at him for riding Argentea without permission but he brushes this off and says this is their bond. Zorome explains, since Hiro have all of the parasites names, he wants to do something for the children by becoming a teacher, and asks Miku to start a school with him. She cries.

Mitsuru helps move supplies to Ikuno’s office and she says she will be asking for Dr. FRANXX’s notes on the FRANXXs. Mitsuru tells her to take it properly despite its advantages and not to push herself. She laughs and explains how she wonders why they are humans. She points out to Mitsuru that so many things happened to him and he is a dad now. She tells him that she is happy for him because he has someone he loves and she asks him not to tell anyone about her plans because she wants to be who she is. She also says she intends to live with everyone as long as she can.

Ai calls out to Futoshi and Kokoro asks her to call him ‘Uncle Futoshi’. Futoshi is still amazed that Kokoro is a mother and he tells her the children will be starting school soon. He then tells her that he is planning to leave so he can pursue his new dream of becoming a baker. He explains that he wants to give the new children delicious bread for them to eat. Kokoro compliments him and she thanks him for always being there for her when she felt she didn’t do anything for him as a partner. Futoshi tells her to smile and he credits her for changing Mitsuru just like Hiro and Zero Two did for the others. He also credits her helping him grow up and she thanks him.

Nana and Hachi look at the stars and think about Hiro and Zero Two fighting while everyone is building a new community. Hachi says the children are destined to become humans and Nana says she hopes everyone’s feelings reach those two. In space, Zero Two asks Hiro to rest for a while before they reach the enemy zone. Hiro says he is fine despite both taking damage. She convinces him to rest because, as they are the Jian, they can’t do anything without the other. Hiro finally falls asleep. Zero Two is sad that She can not stop Hiro and wishes things had been changed but she believes he is strong enough to hold on for a bit longer. The squad goes outside during nighttime and looks at the stars, wondering about Hiro and Zero Two. Goro mentions until recently, none of them were able to make it in their own without Hiro. After shouting encouragement to the sky for Hiro and Zero Two to do their best, Ichigo orders everyone to return because they have so much to do tomorrow. In space, Hiro wakes up and tells Zero Two that he had a dream of their friends living good lives and of another dream in which the two of them meet in a distant future. However, Hiro believes it is their hope. Zero Two replies that no matter what destiny they face, they will meet again.