Part B Scene 2

We now switch to Aramaki's vehicle, where we see Kusanagi driving. Takeda is in the passenger seat while Aramaki is in the back. No one speaks. They continue to drive until they reach a military checkpoint. The guard stops them and Kusanagi rolls down her window. The young soldier speaks.

Guard: "Please step out of the vehicle for inspection."

Kusanagi glances at Aramaki, who simply nods. They all then climb out of the car. Aramaki speaks to the guard.

Aramaki: "Aramaki, Public Security Section 9. I am currently en route to meet with Chief of Staff Shinobi."

The guard looks at Aramaki and speaks. Kusanagi and Takeda glance at each other.

Guard: "Mister Aramaki, I need to see your identification and clearance in order to allow you to continue."

Aramaki simply nods as he grunts. He hands the guard his identification. The guard inspects it. After an awkward silence, the guard hands him back his identification and speaks.

Guard: "Everything checks out. Sorry for the inconvenience. Move along."

Aramaki responds as the three of them get back into the car.

Aramaki: "Thank you."

Kusanagi then continues to drive. After a moment, Takeda speaks.

Takeda: "We'll be hard pressed to finish this case if we have to stop at every checkpoint that we come across."

Aramaki simply grunts and Kusanagi continues to drive. They reach the Defense Agency, where they see Shinobi speaking with General Kyoto. Kusanagi parks the vehicle. Takeda checks his watch and silently grunts to himself. Shinobi glances over and finishes speaking with Kyoto. She then walks over and climbs into the back seat. Aramaki speaks.

Aramaki: "Madam, what is going on?"

Shinobi speaks as Kusanagi drives away.

Shinobi: "Something's come up, Daisuke. All will be explained soon enough."

Kusanagi and Takeda glance into the rear view mirror at Shinobi, who is looking out of the window. Takeda speaks to Kusanagi via encrypted cybercom.

Takeda: "Something tells me that Kaneren has something to do with this."

Kusanagi responds.

Kusanagi: "Probably."

They continue to drive with no one speaking. Kusanagi looks out of the windshield at the sidewalk. Many people are walking in the same direction with GSDA soldiers patrolling the streets. They then come to another checkpoint, where another guard stops them. He is about to speak, but Shinobi flashes her identification at him. He salutes and Kusanagi continues to drive. After a moment, Takeda suddenly speaks.

Takeda: "Stop the car."

They all look at Takeda, who is looking out of the window. He speaks.

Takeda: "Please, stop the car."

Kusanagi then slows down and stops. Takeda doesn't wait and exits the vehicle. Kusanagi, Aramaki, and Shinobi then climb out of the car to see Takeda walking. Shinobi is shocked to see the little girl from Tokyo alone on the side walk. Sakura looks over to see Takeda. She smiles and runs to him, speaking in an excited tone.

Sakura: "Daddy!"

Takeda smiles and responds, kneeling down and catching Sakura in his arms.

Takeda: "Hey! There's my big girl!"

Aramaki and Kusanagi are extremely surprised. Kusanagi watches Takeda and Sakura. She speaks.

Kusanagi: "Takeda's a father?"

Shinobi watches Takeda and Sakura with concern. Takeda picks Sakura up and holds her in his arms. They are both smiling and Sakura is talking to her father. Aramaki looks at Shinobi, who is staring at the roof of the car, as if lost in a void. Kusanagi simply closes her eyes. Aramaki speaks to Shinobi.

Aramaki: "Chief of Staff, what is it?"

Shinobi ignores him and looks up at Takeda and Sakura. She squints her eyes shut and turns away. Aramaki speaks to Kusanagi, who glances at Shinobi.

Aramaki: "It all makes sense now."

Kusanagi is about to speak to Shinobi, but Aramaki stops her.

Aramaki: "Leave her be, Major."

Kusanagi simply nods. Shinobi then climbs into Aramaki's vehicle and closes the door. Kusanagi looks to see Shinobi slumped with her head in her hands. Kusanagi looks at Aramaki and speaks.

Kusanagi: "What now chief?"

Aramaki doesn't look at Kusanagi as he speaks.

Aramaki: "I don't know."

Aramaki speaks to Takeda.

Aramaki: "Mister Takeda."

Takeda looks at Aramaki. Sakura has her eyes closed and is resting her head on Takeda's shoulder, sleeping. Aramaki continues.

Aramaki: "This little girl is her daughter, isn't she?"

Takeda simply nods his head. Aramaki grunts and looks away for a moment. He speaks.

Aramaki: "She's your daughter too."

Takeda simply looks away. Aramaki grunts. Shinobi then steps out of the vehicle. She looks at Takeda as he glances at her. Shinobi walks over to Takeda and Sakura. Takeda speaks.

Takeda: "Her name is Sakura."

Shinobi simply nods. Kusanagi and Aramaki turn away, but continue to watch. Sakura wakes up and speaks to Takeda.

Sakura: "Are you going away again, daddy?"

Takeda simply smiles at Sakura. She looks at Shinobi and immediately recognizes her. Sakura smiles at Shinobi, who gives her a broken smile. Takeda sets Sakura down. Shinobi then kneels down to her eye level. Takeda speaks.

Takeda: "Sakura, do you know who this is?"

Sakura looks up at her father. Takeda speaks as Sakura looks at Shinobi.

Takeda: "Sakura, this is your mommy."

Sakura and Shinobi simply watch each other for a moment, each with a neutral expression. Sakura then runs to Shinobi and hugs her. Shinobi takes Sakura in her arms and hugs her back. Shinobi closes her eyes with a few tears. Takeda glances at Kusanagi and Aramaki. They return the glance. After a moment, Shinobi opens her eyes and looks up at Takeda, who turns away. Shinobi then picks up Sakura and holds her in her arms. Shinobi looks over at Kusanagi and Aramaki. She speaks as Sakura lays her head on Shinobi's chest.

Shinobi: "It's not safe for her out here."

Aramaki responds.

Aramaki: "It would be best if Warrant Officer Kobayashi looked after the girl for now."

Takeda turns and looks at Shinobi, who glances back. Takeda speaks.

Takeda: "Will I ever see our daughter again?"

Shinobi responds.

Shinobi: "Yes."

Shinobi looks at Sakura and speaks.

Shinobi: "Sakura?"

Sakura looks at Shinobi. She continues.

Shinobi: "Mommy and daddy have to go away for a little bit, okay?"

Sakura seems scared and speaks as she buries her head into Shinobi's uniform.

Sakura: "No!"

Shinobi hushes Sakura as Kusanagi watches them with serene eyes.

Shinobi: "It's gonna be okay, sweetie. You get to stay at mommy's house with mommy's best friend, okay? I promise, you're gonna like her."

Takeda then walks over to Sakura and Shinobi. Sakura looks at Takeda with sad eyes. Takeda speaks.

Takeda: "Sakura, everything's gonna be fine. I won't leave you again, okay?"

Sakura nods her head. Shinobi looks at Aramaki and Kusanagi. She speaks.

Shinobi: "We need to stop at my residence first."

Aramaki nods. Shinobi speaks to Takeda.

Shinobi: "Tak- I mean, Masahiro. Could you tell Masako that I need to meet with her at home?"

Takeda simply nods and turns away, walking towards the car. He glances back at Sakura, who is sleeping in Shinobi's arms. The episode ends here.