The Angel's Lake — Part 2

 is the forty-eighth chapter of Natsumi Mukai's +Anima manga.

Synopsis
The townspeople of Fantale see Cooro's black wings; they accuse him of being a messenger of death and start throwing rocks at him. Nana Alba helps him to run away and they hide in a tent. The owners of the tent, the Alalran Troupe, come in and find them. Cooro explains about the townspeople throwing rocks at him, and Miranda cleans up his wound. They allow the children to stay. Cooro asks to borrow a costume from Alan so that he can disguise himself. As Cooro and Nana walk through the town they overhear about the angel having warned the townspeople about Cooro. They continue and meet up with Husky and Senri.

An Astarian researcher writes and sends a report about the angel; suspecting him to be a fourteen-year-old swan +Anima.

The children find the angel watching a performance by the Alalran Troupe, his focus solely on Miranda. Husky makes a beeline toward him, and attracts attention. The angel turns and recognises Cooro and Nana behind Husky; he runs away. Outside of town, Senri manages to cut him off and he falls to the ground, scared. Husky begins his interrogation, wanting to know why he would sell out Cooro and demanding he tell the truth to the townspeople, but only gets his name, Cyranova, before Cooro steps in. Recognising that Cyranova is suffering, and is able to calm the situation. Cyranova explains that he was an only child in a merchant's family, but after his parents died his uncle put him to work, denying breaks and food. Cyranova became a +Anima and became the angel before he knew it. He feels like he has a place there only because he is an angel; that his real self doesn't matter to anyone. Cooro tries to comfort him, but he walks away to think by himself.

The children find Miranda practicing her angel performance in a field. Nana approaches her and questions how she feels about the angel.

On a foggy day by the lake, the townspeople are worried that the angel hasn't appeared for a while. Cooro knows he is on the other side of the lake and goes to check on him. Cyranova is preparing for his appearance when he is approached by two researchers. They offer him a way to make use of his abilities, but don't give him a choice and try to take him away to a carriage. Cyranova tries to resist so they drug him. Cooro and Senri arrive and free Cyranova who tries to fly away but falls into the lake. Husky is able to save him while Nana knocks out the researchers with her Ultrasonic Screech.

In the woods, the children light a fire for Cyranova to dry off. Cyranova questions why they helped him, and Cooro tells him it was because he didn't want to go to the research facility.

Later along the side of the road, Cyranova waits while the Alalran Troupe approach. He asks to join them, and they accept him.