Episode 4

## That Absurd Switch

**That Absurd Switch** (理不尽なあのスイッチ, *Rijinjina Ano Suicchi*?) is the fourth episode of *The Marginal Service* anime series.

## Synopsis

There have been multiple terrorist attacks in the Shibu district, and even the base of Marginal Service has been targeted. Due to the targeting of the base, “Marginal Service” has begun investigating the possibility that the “Borderlanders” are responsible for the attacks.

Robin and Bolt are examining a massive amount of footage of the crimes. On the other hand, Brian and Zeno, who are trying to obtain information about the “Borderlanders”, go to talk to Isabella Thorn, who has a high connection to the Rubber Suits. Brian learns about the treatment that the “Borderlanders” receive while they are there.

## Summary

At home, Brian comes out of the bathroom and hears on the news that there was another bombing incident and wonders if its going to be work for Marginal Service, however Zeno denies it. Brian is surprised to see Zeno is his apartment and wonders how he got in. Zeno then shows him that he broke the door, which angers Brian, who states that the landlord may kick him out since he is also behind the rent.

The two leave for work and in while traveling in the car, Brian asks Zeno on how he joined the Marginal Service. Zeno then reveals he was fed up with his work as a detective and owned Theodore a favor. Brian had done a bit of research on Zeno and knows that he is called "Perfect Order". He wonders why he was fed up with his work, but Zeno refuses to explain.

At the Marginal Service office, Theodore explains that in the last month there were three bombing attacks on major government facilities and there is no doubt that they are Borderlander terrorist attacks. As they lost their funding and Rubber, Theodore believes that they started behaving more radically and may have a grudge against the Marginal Service. Peck then comes in bringing a package that was delivered to them, but is surprised to see its flowers. Moments later, the flowers explode, blowing Peck's arms, who freaks out telling everyone to find his hands so he can reattach them. The team then moves to a nearby cafe, where Zeno explains that it will take them a hour to restore the office. Cyrus and Lyra will then investigate articles left on the scene, while Bolts and Robin will check the surveillance camera. Brian wonders what he will be doing and Zeno tells him that they will be talking to "that" woman.

Zeno and Brian then visit Isabella Thorn, a Borderlander and former security chief at Rubber's Mansion. Zeno states that she was fired and is now unemployed. As they enter her place, Brian wonders if they should at least ring the bell, but in that moment, Isabella attacks them. Brian tries to explain they just want to talk, but she doesn't care as they are trespassing. As she transforms in her true form, Zeno states that transformation without permission are prohibited and quickly knocks her down. While speaking with her, they receive a call from Cyrus, who explains that the bomb was remote-controlled and there was a small camera in the pot, and since there are no casualties, they must have been activating them when its safe. Since flower petals were found on the other bombing places, he assume they also used flowers. Brian then notices a fresh flowers pot at Isabella's place and seeing her approaching it, he quickly jumps pushing her away as the bomb explodes.

After that, Isabella wonders why he protected her as such a bomb won't kill her and also wonders if he doesn't hate Borderlanders. Brian is sure of that and explains that he only learned of their existence two weeks ago and doesn't believe everyone is a bad guy. Isabella then states that Izuna Ren might be behind the bombings. He used to live in this slums until a month ago and was doing tough jobs at a freight company's relay station. His hobby was tinkering with machines and Isabella saw him with something like a bomb. She believes he is a good man at heart and may have send her the bomb to clear her of any suspicion. Zeno doesn't believe that as its just her bias based on her attachment to Izuna. Isabella then states Zeno is also bias against Borderlanders as he is always hostile towards them. Before leaving, Brian wonders if Isabella has a place to go and she explains that the slums are full of empty houses. As she also leaves, Brian promises that one day her kind will be able to live with smiles on their faces.

Looking for Izuna, they find out that he is a Borderlander, who was an aspiring physicist, but had to give up because of money troubles. They find his new place and as they enter, they see a Buddhist statue. They hear the door behind then locking and Brian attempts to unlock it, but the handle transforms and binds his hands. Zeno attempts to help him, but the lock changes again and binds both of them. The statue then activates turns magnetic and the two are stuck to it. The two then see a bomb is being activated, that uses balls mechanism. In the first moments, Zeno loses all hope, as he recalls how past. The two start to think on how to escape and seeing a lock on their "handcuffs", Brian picks out a needle and manages to pick it open, and stop the bomb from exploding. However, the statue then reveals it has one more ball and throws it at the bomb mechanism, activating the bomb. Luckily for them, the bomb was a bluff and it only played a Rubber's song. Thinking that the objective wasn't killing them and if Isabella's bomb wasn't intended to clear her out, Zeno manages to figure it out and contacts Theodore.

At the office, Theodore tells the rest about Goshiki Fudo, a shogun who tried to erect a barrier around the capital few centuries ago. Advised by a famous monk, he build five Fudo, temples to Acala, located in Meguro, Mejiro, Meaka, Meki, and Meao, and those locations coincide with the bombing locations. They believe the explosions were some sort of ritual and connecting the locations, reveal another location, Kami-no-Miya Stadium.

At the stadium, Izuna comes to deliver another flower-bomb basket. Brian and Zeno are waiting for him there. Izuna then explains that there used to be a small stele here and wonders if they know what was engraved on it. Brian states they did their occult research and reveals it was as Stele of Tengu. Izuna confirms and then transforms into his true form that looks like a tengu. He explains that his ancestor was a collaborator of High Priest Tenkai, who put up a barrier using the Goshiki Fudo. He proceeds to explain that the humans describe them as myths and legends, burying them in history. While the bombing was indeed meant to make their presence known, his true objective was to protect. Redevelopment and land rezoning, causes Japan's original landscapes to be lost. Izuna believes that Rubber wanted him to use Goshiki Fudo to protect those. He reveals that Rubber gave him an unreleased song and its lyrics implied that they need to cause the bombings. Zeno had enough listening to Izuna and tells him to shut up and then arrests him. Brian agrees that they need to arrest him and that its their job to capture Borderlandrs, but he also believes its okay to do something that makes them smile. He activates the bomb, which is a five fireworks in different colors. Moments later, the land shakes and a monolith appear in the middle of the stadium. Izuna guesses its a monolith to mark the presence of Borderlanders.

The next day, the team scolds Brian as what he did may have caused a far worse situation. Peck then comes in with another package, which explodes, blowing him to pieces. Zeno then states its safe to say that they are being targeted.

## Gallery

### Episode 4 Official Trailer

オリジナルTVアニメ「THE MARGINAL SERVICE」～第4話「理不尽なあのスイッチ」Web予告～

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Brian Nightraider
* Zeno Stokes
* Theodore Tompson
* Bolts Dexter
* Cyrus N. Kuga
* Robin Timbert
* Lyra Candeyheart
* Peck Desmont
* Isabella Thorn
* Izuna Ren