Episode Title:
Roses Have Thorns.
Episode Description:
In the past, Ruri was born and raised in a little town tucked deeply in the mountains of the Kantō region. After her father and grandfather went bankrupt, her family home burned to the ground mysteriously. Her mother and father both disappeared shortly after. Her grandmother married into the family, though it is unsure if it was from a previous divorce or death. After being infatuated by cinematic monsters during her childhood, Ruri apprenticed as a special effect makeup artist under Tenjin Zakuroya in hopes of getting closer to her grandmother. Her success led her to meet Yodogiri, who offered to turn her into a pop idol. In the present, Yodogiri contacts Kisuke, whose father was killed by Ruri long ago, although Kisuke remains indifferent about this. For previously providing information on Ruri, Yodogiri wants to cash in a favor from Kisuke. Mikado and Kyohei walk together as they discuss about the corruption of freedom within the Dollars. At Shinra and Celty's apartment, since Celty is more knowledgeable about the Dollars, she eventually finds the forum of the Dollars that is dealing information about Ruri. A flashback reveals that Ruri was forced by Yodogiri to attend a party for their sponsors. It is also revealed that Kisuke's father was a sponsor. However, after following his father to one of these parties with intentions of blackmail, Kisuke saw Ruri and fell madly in love with her. In the present, Shizuo, Kasuka and Ruri are escorted outside the apartment, unknowingly being watched by Kisuke from a distance. Seiji and Mika come by Shinra and Celty's apartment to help, and Mika proves her skills as a former stalker by picking a locked door. Kasuka and Ruri meet with Max Sandshelt, who shows Ruri a photo of her surrounded by men wearing opera masks. In the past, Kisuke's father and his men cut Ruri's arm with a scalpel, in which the wound healed instantly. Ruri learned that Yodogiri approached her because the blood of a monster was coursing through her veins. After Yodogiri killed Ruri's father when he resurfaced, it was then that Hollywood was born and bent on revenge. In the present, Anri is left responsible for taking care of Kasuka's cat Yuigadokusonmaru and parts ways with Seiji and Mika. Masaomi Kida, who has been living with his girlfriend Saki Mikajima, returns to Ikebukuro to find Shizuo, who flicks Masaomi on the forehead as closure for getting him shot by the Yellow Scarves before. Shinra is beaten up by Kisuke, who appears as a delivery guy.
