Episode 2

### Animation Direction

Noriyuki Imaoka (Chief), Mayumi Hidaka, Ryouma Ebata, Tomoaki Kado, Masahiro Yamanaka

**What It Means to Be Empty** (空っぽの意味, *Karappo no imi*) is the 2nd episode of *Gleipnir* anime series.

As the mysterious attacker closes in, Clair discovers something about Shuichi's costume form... And that changes everything.

## Short Summary

Shuichi and Clair are suddenly attacked by a "collector" seeking coins. Contrary to Clair's willingness to fight, Shuichi decides to run with her. Shuichi wonders about the mystery around the coin, but Clair tells him that their attacker wants to kill them. Clair believes there must be meaning about Shuichi's appearance. She notices a zipper on his back and as she opens it, she sees there is nothing inside of him. She figures she can enter and control Shuichi from inside and then defeats their attacker.

## Long Summary

Hikawa had found a golden coin and later heard some first-years talk about weird vending machine. As Hikawa wasn't going to qualify for the national tournament, she went to the vending machine and after using the coin, Alien came out thanking her for finding his coin and granting her a wish. Hikawa then became faster than her teammates, but her arms and legs transformed. Realizing she won't be able to compete like this, she went looking for another coin. She wasn't able to find one, but saw Clair holding one and followed her and Shuichi to Clair's apartment.

Hikawa beats Shuichi, telling him that she only planned to take the coin, but as they saw her face, she may need to kill them. Clair pepper sprays Hikawa and wants Shuichi to fight her, but Shuichi uses the opportunity to escape with Clair. Shuichi wonders how Clair knew Hikawa was an enemy and Clair explains its only natural when someone appears that way on your balcony to be an enemy. She explains him that Hikawa know their faces and where Clair lives and will be trying to kill them. Clair sees a zipper on Shuichi's back that even he didn't knew about. She thinks there is meaning behind it, believing his true power may be inside, but as she opens it up, she is surprised that there is nothing inside of Shuichi. Clair then figures that she can enter inside of him and become one, and convinces Shuichi about it. As she enters, both sense the feelings of the other, their hatred, anger, anxiety.

Hikawa finds them and wonders where Clair went and starts unleashing series of kicks on Shuichi. Clair finally gets used on controlling Shuichi's body and starts fighting back, easily overpowering Hikawa. She grabs Hikawa's leg and threatens her she will break it, unless Hikawa tells her more about the coin, and what to do with it. Hikawa realizes that is Clair's voice, but refuses to answer her. Clair then twist and breaks Hikawa's leg. Clair then lifts Hikawa by the head and points Shuichi's gun at her back and shoots, killing Hikawa.

A week passes and Shuichi had continued his normal life, like nothing had happened. Clair calls Shuichi to talk and tells him that since nothing had happened, no one know about their identities. She recalls the sensation and feelings she had while in Shuichi. He didn't want to do anything with her anymore, but she wonders if Shuichi can fight on his own as she is sure there are more monsters like them and he is too kind. She believes that if they are together, they can defeat anyone. Clair knows that things will only become worse from here on and promises Shuichi that if something happens to him, she will die with him. Shuichi suggest he wants to die now and Clair goes and jumps from a high place, but Shuichi manages to catch her. Clair tells Shuichi, she is looking for her sister, who is a monster like him and had disappeared after killing their parents.

Half a year earlier, the Alien speaks with Elena Aoki, asking for her help on finding the coins and promising to grant her any wish. Elena wonders if she can use her wish on someone else and the Alien thinks she can. That excites Elena, as there is someone she wants to be with.

## Characters

* Hikawa
* Alien
* Clair Aoki
* Shuichi Kagaya
* Abukawa
* Nana Mifune
* Elena Aoki (flashback)