Zero POV

[Cerasus commences kissing with Chrysanthemum. Squad 13 watches this from Mistilteinn]

Zero: (Thoughts) When Zero Two and I first met, I told her, "a kiss is a very special thing." After I told Hiro what it was, he wondered if the adults kiss and who likened plantations making contact to a kiss.

[We watch as the plantations connect]

Zorome: What is "kissing"?

Miku: How do you not know?

Zorome: What do you know, Miss I Know Everything?

Miku: (Stutters) It's when two plantations get stuck together.

[Kokoro laughed. It was kind of funny]

Ikuno: It's the transfer of magma fuel reserves from one plantation to another through a large pipe.

[I was impressed with Ikuno's knowledge]

Zero: Very good, Ikuno. I'm impressed.

[Ikuno slightly smiled. She tried to hide it but I saw it]

Zero: The fuel is essential for both the adults and us to live. The FRANXX can't be operated without it. Since it's a large scale transfer of magma energy, it could attract a large number of klaxosaurs.

[As I finish saying this, I see Futoshi and Zorome get nervous. That was funny]

Hiro: Don't worry. We have Strelizia and Mark XLIV. We'll be fine.

Ichigo: Although all we need is Mark XLIV.

[Ichigo has so much faith in me. That's so sweet]

3rd Person POV

[The next day, a grand ceremony was conducted with the utmost solemnity. The children of Plantation 26's FRANXX squad attended but seemed more calm and composed compared to Plantation 13's. Zero and Hiro also attend the ceremony however Zero Two does not. The mayor encourages the parasites to be strong in the battle against the klaxosaurs for the fate of the plantations]

Zero: (Thoughts) Being treated like VIPs boosted our morale even though we knew about the battle that was approaching.

[At the boarding house, Goro wakes up and puts on his uniform]

Goro: Hiro, do you feel okay? You don't look so good. Let me feel your head.

Hiro: Okay?

Goro: You're burning up.

Hiro: I feel okay.

Goro: If you say so.

Zero POV

[Later that day, we all talked about our exciting experience at the ceremony and the upcoming battle. We all have our fears but put our trust in the Strelizia and Mark XLIV being able to lead us to victory.We are happy to see Hiro function and feel normal both in and out of the Strelizia despite the rumors of Zero Two potentially killing her partners after riding with her]

Hiro: Thank you for all of the support. May I officially be a part of the group?

[The group agrees and we welcome Hiro to our squad. I looked at Kokoro who was looking away. I looked where she was looking and saw Mitsuru become angry and leave. The next morning, I run into Ichigo as we head to breakfast]

Zero: Good morning, Strawberry. Did you sleep well?

Ichigo: I did. How about you?

Zero: Likewise.

[Ichigo looks at my collar]

Ichigo: You messed up your collar again. Let me fix it.

[She fixes my collar]

Ichigo: You always have trouble with this.

Zero: How do you know that I'm not doing it on purpose knowing that you would fix it?

[Ichigo blushes. I just laugh inside]

Ichigo: Well...uh...

[I wrap my arms around her and pat her head]

Zero: I'm just messing with you, Strawberry.

[We head into Mess Hall, where Zero Two happily embraces me]

Zero Two: Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?

Zero: I did. Thank you.

Zero Two: My day is going well.

Zero: Why is that?

Zero Two: Because you're here with me.

[She takes me to the boys' table and sits in Futoshi's seat]

Zorome: Gross. What is a girl sitting here for?

Kokoro: Well, if the boys don't want Zero Two to sit with them, Zero can sit with us.

Miku: What? You're crazy!

[Everyone prays for Papa, but Zero Two and I eat anyway]

Zero Two: Do you want some of this, darling?

Zero: Honey soaked toast. You have such a sweet tooth.

Zero Two: I have my reasons.

Zero: Okay. Give it here.

Zero Two: Nope. Say, "Ahh!"

Zero: Ahh!

[Zero Two feeds me the toast. I will admit, I have a serious sweet tooth as well]

Kokoro: Umm...Zero...would you like a bite of my breakfast?

Zero: Uh...sure.

[I walk over to Kokoro who feeds me a piece of her breakfast. We just laugh]

Miku: Kokoro, you get influenced so easily.

Zero: Well, I find that very cute.

[Kokoro blushes]

Miku: Gross!

[I give Zero Two a tour around Mistilteinn]

Zero: Our whole day is scheduled. Waking up, bathing, sleeping, and everything else is laid out for us including our clothes and our food.

[We look out the window and see the rain]

Zero: It's raining. It's a funny thing.

Zero Two: How about you make it rain?

Zero: People believe that Papa decides that. So naïve. That's the tour.

Zero Two: Thank you for showing me around. I'm happy to be living here.

[As she says this while jumping on Goro's bed, he and Zorome come in]

Zorome: Gross! Get out!

[I glare at Zorome]

Zorome: I mean get out...please?

Zero: Let's go, darling. We're not wanted here.

Ichigo POV

[Nana has just told me about the situation. I hate it]

Nana: Zero Two will remain here for a while with the permission of Papa.

[After she says this, it makes me want to punch something]

Ichigo: I guess Hiro is a parasite now?

Nana: It's very likely. Now make Zero Two feel at home.

[I leave and see Goro waiting outside for me. He seriously needs to take a hint. We enter the elevator]

Goro: Hey.

Ichigo: Hey.

Goro: Have you noticed Hiro's mood ever since he started piloting Strelizia?

Ichigo: You shouldn't be focused on that. You need to focus on the upcoming battle.

Goro: You're starting to sound like him!

Ichigo: Like who?

Goro: Like Zero!

Ichigo: Well...good.

Goro: Look. I'm your partner. Not him. So we need to get along.

Ichigo: We do get along unless you hurt someone that I care about.

3rd Person POV

[In the greenhouse, Mitsuru is talking to himself]

Mitsuru: Why me and not Hiro?

[He takes pills. He chokes on them]

Mitsuru: What's the difference between us?

[Mitsuru notices that Kokoro, who wanted to irrigate the plants, was watching him]

Kokoro: I saw you walk in and wanted to know if you were okay. I want to help since you never lean on anyone.

Mitsuru: Are you pitying me?

Kokoro: No! That isn't my intention!

Mitsuru: Leave me alone.

[Mitsuru leaves. Kokoro looks sad. A voice is heard]

???: That didn't go well.

[Kokoro turns and sees Zero walking her way]

Kokoro: Hey, Zero. What are you doing here?

Zero: I like plants. They're really interesting.

[Kokoro hears this and her eyes light up]

Kokoro: Well, would you like to come here when you can and we can talk about them?

Zero: Sure.

[Zero smiles at Kokoro who blushes and runs away. In the attic, Ichigo prepares Zero Two's room]

Zero Two: I don't want to be in this room. I want to sleep with my darling.

Ichigo: Well you can't.

Zero Two: I can't or you won't let me?

Ichigo: There are rules and you must follow them.

Zero Two: You're so bossy.

[As the parasites prepare for the battle, they learn from Squad 26 that their different FRANXX designs were unique to their squad]

Zorome: So, have any children over where you guys are become adults?

090: What?

Squadmate: (Whispers) I don't think he knows.

090: None that I have heard of.

Zorome: Aww man.

Futoshi: It's okay, Zorome.

090: You all have nicknames? Tell me, was it Absolute Zero who came up with them?

Futoshi: Of course. He's named our whole squad.

090: He's widely known among the children. Your uniqueness is strange but what's the point when your bound to die someday?

[When Goro enters his room, he finds Hiro clutching his chest on the floor]

Goro: What's wrong?

[He finds Hiro's chest has a blue tumor]

Goro: Has that been there since you rode with Zero Two?

[Hiro doesn't answer]

Goro: I'm getting help.

[Zero walks over]

Zero: Don't. He'll be fine.

Goro: I guess you know what's going on?

Zero: What if I do?

Goro: Then you should help him!

Zero: I said he'll be fine.

Hiro: He's right, Goro. I'll be okay.

[At headquarters]

Nana: Hiro has an abnormal yellow blood cell count. I'm amazed that he's still alive.

Hachi: That's the opposite reaction that other riders with Zero Two had.

Nana: It's dangerous to let him ride again.

Hachi: It may be true but we need Strelizia.

[Hiro downs a glass of water and chokes on it]

Goro: Hiro, please don't ride Strelizia again.

Hiro: No. I will ride again.

Goro: It will kill you!

Hiro: When I pilot I feel alive. I'm willing to risk it all.

[Hiro smiles and leaves the room]

Goro: He's an idiot.

[Zero approaches]

Zero: It may seem that way.

Goro: Why aren't you doing anything? You're his friend! Why don't you do something?

Zero: Because at the end of the day, it's his decision. It doesn't matter what I say.

[Klaxosaurs are detected and an hour later a meeting is held]

Hachi: There are 100 to 150 and they are expected to arrive at 33 hours from now. Squad 13 will act as backup.

Zorome/Miku: That's insulting!

Hachi: Strelizia and Mark XLIV will be fighting with you and you are positioned closet to the pipe.

[Squad 26 is horrified. Nana comes in with Zero, Zero Two, and Hiro]

090: We can't fight alongside Strelizia. She doesn't care about her allies. Her reckless fighting style left us stranded during a joint operation 2 years ago. She is also the reason why my partner died.

Zero Two: Weaklings die. It doesn't matter.

[090 approaches Zero Two. Zero steps between]

Zero: Stand down.

090: Yes, sir.

Zero: I'll keep her in check.

090: I hope you do so, sir.

[As they walk home, Squad 13 express their distaste in being backups]

Goro: Strelizia shouldn't participate in the battle.

Ichigo: We need her. Having Mark XLIV won't be enough.

Goro: Did you really just say that?

[Goro has trouble sleeping as Hiro writhes in pain. Goro goes outside and sits on a step sadly. He notices Zero Two and Ichigo walking off together]

Ichigo POV

[Outside of the greenhouse, I'm talking to Zero Two]

Ichigo: You need to stay in line during the mission. I'm in charge and you will listen to my orders.

Zero Two: You are so bossy. I'm leaving. I'm going back to my darling.

[How dare she say that to me. Can't focus on that now]

Ichigo: Promise me that you and Zero won't be too hard on Hiro.

Zero Two: It was his decision to ride with us. If he dies, it wouldn't be a big deal.

[How dare she!]

Ichigo: How can you say that? You'll just use him and throw him away?

Zero Two: Are you just talking about me or are you including Zero in this too?

[What is she talking about?]

Ichigo: What?

Zero Two: He is just like me you know. Horns and all.

[She's lying!]

Ichigo: That's not true! You're lying!

Zero Two: It's very true. My darling and I are one and the same.

[HOW DARE SHE!]

Ichigo: Don't compare yourself to him!

Zero Two: It must be painful knowing that the person that means the most to you isn't really human at all...

Ichigo: You aren't human!

[I slap her causing her limiter to fall off. Zero Two's eyes and horns turn red]

Zero Two: Ichigo was it? Answer me this...what is "human" to you?

[It starts raining, so Zero Two looks up. I walk back, Zero tosses me a towel]

Zero: You'll catch a cold.

Ichigo: Did you see everything?

[I hope he didn't]

Zero: I did.

[Silence]

Ichigo: Are you human or are you like her?

[I have to know]

Zero: What do you think?

[You're human]

Ichigo: I know you're human.

Zero: What you would say if I said that I wasn't?

[That's not true]

Ichigo: Then I would say that you're lying!

Zero: Well, Ichigo, I am like her. If you were to continue to pilot with me, you would die.

[I face Zero]

Ichigo: That's a lie! You're not a monster!

Zero: But I am.

[Zero moves his hair and reveals his blue horns. I gasp]

Zero: What are you going to do?

[I run to Zero and plants my lips on his. I pull away quickly]

Zero: You don't know what you're doing.

Ichigo: That may be true but I know that you'll be there to teach me. Monster or not. I don't care. You told me that you'd always be there for me. I'm going to hold you to it.

[He wraps his arms around me and plants his lips on mine. I honestly don't know what's going on but I don't want it to end]

Zero: I will always be there for you.

3rd Person POV

[The next morning, Zero Two and Hiro stand by the lake]

Zero Two: Everything smells nice after it rains. It reminds me of when we first met.

Hiro: Did you meet Zero the same way?

Zero Two: Actually, I don't remember how we actually met. I feel like we've known each other forever.

Hiro: You mean you really don't remember? Does he?

Zero Two: I don't know. I never asked him.

Hiro: Well, I want to thank you two for being in my life. It's because of you two that I can ride.

[Zero Two unzips Hiro's uniform]

Zero Two: Only darling and you can be my partner. No one else could ride with me more than three times.

Hiro: Why do I feel like Zero knows something that he's not telling me?

Zero Two: He has his reasons.

[Silence]

Hiro: The tumor is painful but it's also beautiful.

Hiro: Does he have one too?

Zero Two: I do not know.

[Silence]

Zero Two: Do you want out of the ride?

Hiro: No. I'll ride with you two again.

Zero Two: Well, darling and I are happy to have you.

Zero: (Thoughts) If the wings we grab are to snap one day, we will still take flight because that is why we're here.