I just want to quietly draw manga Chapter 346(2in1)

3rd October 2022

Today was the day of the final episode.

Code Geass had become a modern cultural phenomenon in a fast-moving world where people usually forget what they watched last week. Yet somehow, this one had held everyone's attention for six months straight. The series had pulled in viewership numbers unlike anything in recent years. Code Geass far surpassed them, drawing record-breaking audiences and dominating conversations across the country. Its overall rating was 9.5, with an average of 9.6 per episode, and two episodes even hit 9.9, making them some of the highest-rated episodes.

And tonight would mark the end of Season 1.

Throughout the day, Code Geass dominated every platform so completely that it felt like a festival was unfolding across the country. Hashtags like #CodeGeassFinale trended worldwide hours before the broadcast. News segments teased, "Feels like the old days again." One anchor on a late-evening program said, "Whether you've followed from episode one or joined halfway through, tonight's broadcast is something no anime fan will forget."

As the final episode drew closer, an unusual stillness settled across Japan. From train stations to crowded convenience stores, everyone seemed to be talking about one thing. TV anchors spoke with the same excitement as the fans. Students rushed out of cram schools, and office workers packed the trains, their phones lighting up with reminders and fan messages. City lights reflected off shop windows displaying Code Geass merchandise, while in cafés, every other screen replayed key moments from the previous episode.

In Akihabara, several electronic stores had set up giant screens outside, and a crowd had already gathered, some wearing Zero masks. Across Japan, cafés and bars were packed with people waiting for the premiere.

It wasn't just Japan. Overseas, anime forums and community servers buzzed with anticipation. In some countries, it was already midnight, yet people stayed awake to watch the live broadcast. As the broadcast time approached, that global stillness deepened, stretching across cities and time zones.

Back in Yuuya’s living room, his friends had already gathered on the couch. Since this was the final episode, they decided to watch it together, and Yuuya had offered his place. With only fifteen minutes left before the broadcast began, the room was filled with quiet anticipation, the same kind of energy that was rippling through the entire country.

Daiki leaned back against the armrest. “After this episode, we’ll have to wait six months.”

Kaito sighed. “I know, right? I just hope those online predictions about a cliffhanger aren’t true.”

As Yuuya came in with snacks, setting them down on the table, Miwa glanced at the spread. “You didn’t have to do that, you know. We won’t even be able to eat and watch at the same time.”

Yuuya shrugged. “We’ll have them after watching the episode.”

Kaito laughed. “Who are we kidding? After this episode, we’ll all be online, typing or reading reactions. One thing’s for sure, people will be talking about it for a while.”

"Sit down, everyone," Daiki called out. "The episode's about to start."

With one minute left, Yuuya brought out some plates, washed his hands, and made it back just in time as the episode began.

Across Japan and many countries where the timezone matched, millions of people were glued to their screens, waiting for the episode to start.

The previous episode had been full of action. A new player had joined the war. Dalton, Princess Cornelia’s trusted general, had appeared at the last moment and stabbed her under Lelouch’s Geass control. The man who called himself V.V. had revealed the power of Geass to Suzaku, and he had been right in front of Nunnally. Jeremiah was still alive. So much had happened, and judging by the ongoing war, this episode was expected to be just as action-packed. There was so much information packed into each moment that they didn’t even have time to eat their snacks. They had to focus carefully, even when the action was intense.

As the episode began, Cornelia was injured while Lelouch exited his Knightmare without his mask. Seeing Lelouch behind the mask, Cornelia was shocked. She asked him if he was the one who had killed Euphy and Clovis.

Lelouch asked, “Sister, were you the one who killed my mother?”

Cornelia said, “No.”

“Then who was it?” Lelouch demanded.

Cornelia didn’t answer, indicating that she didn’t know either.

Lelouch questioned her further since she had been assigned as Lady Marianne’s guard, his mother, and wasn’t there when the attack happened. Cornelia replied that Lady Marianne had personally ordered her to withdraw her escort because she had insisted there was no danger.

Lelouch frowned. “Are you saying Mother knew she would be attacked that day?”

Just as Lelouch was questioning the Geassed Cornelia, C.C. yelled from his Knightmare, “Hey, get back in here! Your sister is being kidnapped! They’re heading to Kamine Island!”

As Lelouch turned toward his Knightmare, Jeremiah emerged from underground in his own Knightmare. Lelouch quickly entered his, and Jeremiah attacked, forcing them away from the battlefield just as the opening theme began to play.

Yuuya broke the silence. “The recent episode’s animation has improved, right? I’m not just imagining it?”

Kaito nodded. “No, I think so too. The animation quality’s gone up. How’s that even possible when the earlier episodes already looked this good?”

"I think Schneizel had a hand in the murder," Daiki said, crossing his arms. "Because I'm sure he wasn't acting alone. My guesses have been wrong the whole show, but I think Schneizel's involved somehow. But I also think V.V. might be the one who killed her."

Miwa shook her head. “I don’t think it’s either of them. If they gave us that kind of hint this early, it wouldn’t hit as hard later. I think we’ll see a new character revealed as the real culprit.”

The opening finished, and the episode continued with Lelouch battling Jeremiah while moving toward Kamine Island, where Nunnally had been taken.

Meanwhile, as Lelouch moved toward the island, the Black Knights began losing their commanders and the battlefield became chaotic.

Kaito gestured at the screen. “If they don’t win without him, then I don’t care what anyone says. Lelouch gave them the perfect opening and advantages. He even took out Cornelia, with Suzaku chasing him.”

Daiki groaned. “There are so many insufferable characters. Like Ohgi. He knew she was Britannian, but just because she lost her memory, he started dreaming about marrying her? Now look what that’s led to. They make so many frustrating choices, I can’t deal with it.”

"But that's what makes Code Geass what it is, the morally ambiguous choices," Yuuya said. "Nobody's perfect, and it elevates the story. Though yeah, I've seen people online getting frustrated at those choices."

Daiki nodded. “I know, but it’s still so frustrating.”

As Lelouch was flying over the sea toward Kamine Island, Nina was inside an old Knightmare. She stepped out with a detonator in her hand, demanding to know where Lelouch was.

Meanwhile, Lelouch reached Kamine Island. As they were about to enter, they were suddenly pulled into C.C.’s world. A series of flashbacks played before they emerged again, only to find Jeremiah had caught up to them.

As the fight turned against them, C.C. said, “Go after Nunnally. Leave him to me.”

She turned her head toward Lelouch. “Win, Lelouch. Over your own past, and over the outcome of your actions.”

Then she leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

Kaito said, “I don’t know who to root for. Honestly, all three of them are so good. I can’t choose a single partner.”

Daiki laughed. “I know, right? Normally I don’t condone harems, but for this one, I’ll allow it.”

"Who are we kidding? It's Muzihiro," Yuuya muttered. "In his stories, there aren't any happy romances. I'm telling you."

Miwa replied, “Maybe he’ll turn over a new leaf. The way he’s been writing so many stories lately, he has to start writing at least one happy romance. He can’t just write tragic ones all his life.”

As Lelouch entered the cave, he reached a massive door. Just as he placed his hand on it, a bullet struck near his hand. Suzaku had arrived, gun in hand.

“Turn and face me. Slowly,” Suzaku said.

As Lelouch turned, he said, “Euphy vi Britannia killed innocent Japanese people. You don’t want to fight for that kind of nation, do you?”

Suzaku stepped closer. “The Geass power of yours is very convenient, isn’t it? Arrogant coward. That’s your true nature.”

Suzaku then called out to Kallen, who was hiding. “Don’t you want to know Zero’s true identity too?”

Suzaku fired at the mask. It cracked and split open, revealing Lelouch’s face. Lelouch started bleeding from his head.

Kallen was frozen in shock. Suzaku said quietly, “I didn’t want to believe it.”

Lelouch said, “Yes, I am Zero, the man who leads the Black Knights, who challenges the Holy Britannian Empire, the one who holds the entire world in his hand.”

Kallen, still in disbelief, said, “You used us, the Japanese people? You used me?!”

Lelouch replied, “And as a result, Japan will be freed. You certainly can’t complain about that.”

Suzaku said, “I should have arrested you when I had the chance.”

Lelouch looked at him in surprise. “You knew it was me?”

Suzaku said, “I wasn’t sure at first, so I convinced myself it wasn’t true. But I wanted to believe in you. And yet you were lying to us, to me, to your sister Euphy, and to Nunnally!”

Lelouch shouted, “Yes! And now Nunnally’s been kidnapped! Please, Suzaku, can’t we call a temporary truce? I need your help! Together we can save Nunnally! There’s nothing in this world that you and I can’t do together!”

Suzaku yelled back, “Don’t be a fool! If you’d joined Euphy first, we wouldn’t be here! If you and Euphy had joined forces, the world could have been—”

Lelouch cut him off. “That’s all in the past. Over and done with.”

Suzaku’s voice shook. “Past?!”

Lelouch said coldly, “You killed your own father, didn’t you? Wallow in remorse when you have time for it!”

Suzaku raised his gun. “No, you’re hopeless!”

Lelouch looked at him. “What?”

Suzaku’s hand trembled, his whole upper body shaking. “I know you. In the very end, you’d betray the entire world the same way it betrayed you. I’m not going to let your sick, twisted dream be realized.”

Seeing there was no way out, Lelouch grabbed the bombs strapped to his chest. “You fool! You think ideals alone can change the world? Fine, then go ahead, shoot me! Set your aim on this liquid Sakuradite! If my heart stops, this vial will explode. You’ll both die with me!”

“Damn you!” Suzaku shouted.

Lelouch tried to negotiate. “Listen, I’ll make a deal with you. I want to know who told you about Geass. Did they abduct Nunnally?!”

Suzaku yelled, “Nothing that happens now is any of your concern! Your very existence is a mistake! You need to be erased from the face of the Earth! I’ll take care of Nunnally!”

“Suzaku!” Lelouch shouted in anger, pulling out his own gun.

“Lelouch!” Suzaku screamed back, both of them pointing their weapons at each other as the scene cut to a back-to-back shot between them.

Daiki, Miwa, Kaito, and Yuuya were all half-raised off the couch, frozen. The tension had built beyond words, and no one had spoken for the past ten minutes.

And then the episode ended, the ending theme starting to play.

Immediately, all of them shouted loudly, “F**k!”

Their voices reached the neighbors, and their neighbors shouted the same. Soon, the whole building was yelling “F**k,” and it didn’t stop there. From apartments, dorms, cafés, and crowded watch parties across the globe, the same word echoed.

[Who would you choose?]