[soft piano instrumental]
[brush rustling]
[exhaling]
[men chuckling]
By the way, did you see?
That Jinnouchi girl was in the kitchenette cleaning.
Yeah, if she'd just keep to modest things like that,
I'd find her so much more attractive.
I don't like her one bit.
That female doesn't know her place.
She certainly took you down quite handily.
Don't take it so hard.
Yeah, why are we the ones helping her pass time until she gets married?
It's such a pain.
[man chuckling]
It's ridiculous.
[Miyo] Excuse me.
May I have a word with you?
I've heard that your unit operates based on merit,
and that women can participate if their capabilities are deemed acceptable.
Is this not the case?
If you speak badly of someone like that, you're not united,
and does that not diminish the strength of your unit?
We risk our lives every day for the sake of our fight.
We do not need to hear opinions from someone who doesn't know anything.
Relax.
Women have no stamina, no muscular strength.
Do you expect females to fight with us when that's the case?
Women should keep to the places where they belong.
If you are so determined to prove she has no skills,
then you will need to best her in a match before you can claim that.
[grunting]
[gasps]
[growling]
What did you say to me?
Oh, Kaoruko…
Tanaka, why are you using your fists to salute Miss Miyo?
Let go!
Wha-- wait…
Are you okay? You're not hurt?
Yes, I'm completely fine.
Okay, what a relief.
Gosh, he has the worst temper.
I'm sorry.
In our unit, there's only a few like him.
Right.
Goodness sake, it's so frustrating.
Huh?
Why don't we clean the water station later?
Come with me this way.
Oh!
[Kaoruko] Wow, sweet buns!
It may be early, but why don't we take a little break?
I can make us some tea.
Please go ahead and help yourself.
[Kaoruko giggling]
[sighing]
This is delicious!
Where did you buy these buns from?
Oh, I didn't.
I made them myself.
Incredible!
There's really nothing in the world you can't do, Miyo.
That's not the case at all.
But I am so very happy to hear that you're enjoying them.
[giggling]
I've never had sweets in the quarters before.
I feel a bit bad for the other soldiers.
And that is why this tea time will have to be a secret between you and me, Kaoruko.
Huh?
Could you please stop staring at me?
[Kaoruko laughing]
You are so cute, Miyo.
Thanks for this.
Mmm!
[Miyo] I hope that this makes Kaoruko feel better.
Even if it's just a little.
[theme music]
[man] My, my, my.
Is that young Kiyoka I spy?
Fancy running into you here.
Goodness me, are you not well?
I'm in no mood for your foolishness.
I'm clearly visiting my subordinate here.
Oh, is that so?
And I suppose then that this young lady here
is the one rumored to be your fiancée.
It's, uh-- It's nice to meet you, sir.
My name is Miyo Saimori.
Nice to meet you. I'm Jyakuji Unan.
Did you know I'm one of the physicians at this hospital.
Pleasure's all mine.
[whimpering]
Miss Miyo, I see that you've been working hard on your chores outside in the cold.
Please do make sure that you take care of yourself.
I will.
[nurse] Doctor Unan?
Where are you?
The minister is asking for you.
Goodness me, I'll need a nap after this.
He may not look it,
but that man you see over there is my maternal relative.
He is also a renowned healer.
There's no doubt he's skilled, but…
his personality isn't for everyone.
[gasping]
[Miyo] My chapped skin is healed!
[Godo] Come in!
-Oh, Commander! -[gasping]
You came to visit me!
Sweet Miyo as well!
[Tatsuishi] Well, you're popular all of a sudden today, Godo.
[Godo] What are you talking about today?
I happen to be very popular always.
No need to be defensive.
I for one went through significant trouble to visit you today.
Mr. Godo, how are you recovering?
Are you feeling well?
Those scoundrels with the Gifted Communion
really did a number on me, I have to say.
I am feeling pretty ashamed of myself.
But hold on to your hats!
Once I'm back on my feet,
you had better believe I'll round up every last one of them!
We hear you, tough guy.
Why don't you give it a rest?
[Godo] Why I oughta!
Hey, Commander?
Hm? Lord Kudo…
Oh, I forgot something I need to speak with Unan about.
I'll return shortly.
That was odd. What's with him?
I know why.
He must be feeling responsible for my injury.
Huh?
If I'm right, seeing me reminded him of a few things that happened…
in the past.
What do you mean by that?
It concerns my father and the Commander.
Many years ago now, my father was the Commander of this unit.
At the time, he was serving as a subordinate
to Mr. Kudo, our current Commander's father.
He took a shine to Commander Kiyoka Kudo.
My father recognized Lord Kudo's supernatural abilities early on,
and did his best to persuade the now Commander to enlist in the unit.
I believe that those who have power
have a duty to improve the world using what they've been given.
That is what I believe.
Kiyoka, join and fight with me.
This power has never been something that I desired for myself.
[Godo] Year after year, my father's abilities weakened.
Had he found someone to take his place…
he might have been able to retire.
Not long after that, while on a mission…
[indistinct weeping]
Those who are given power… have a duty.
I suppose seeing me injured like this
must have brought up some painful memories.
-[Miyo] I'm sorry. -Huh?
I don't think it was my place to ask you something like that.
Don't be silly!
After all, you are the Commander's fiancée.
You should want to know more about his life, Miyo.
Do you honestly think so?
Yes. I think he would be happy
if you went to him directly and asked about it.
Asking directly?
You know what else?
He also owes you an explanation about Jinnouchi too.
About Kaoruko?
[Godo gasping]
Oh, uh, it's…
It's a little too late for that, Godo.
If you're concerned for her, give her the respect of saying it clearly.
Tatsuishi!
Kaoruko Jinnouchi…
was a former candidate to be the fiancée of Mr. Kudo.
Huh?
[Kaoruko] It's true.
I guess it's for the best.
I knew I never deserved to be your friend.
I truly never wanted to hurt you.
[gasping]
Kaoruko was almost engaged to…
[gentle woodwind instrumental]
[Tatsuishi] Kaoruko Jinnouchi…
was a former candidate to be the fiancée of Mr. Kudo.
[Miyo] Kaoruko was…
It's true.
But the arrangement did not last very long from what I've heard.
But even still, it would be better if you got an explanation from
the Commander himself.
[Miyo] A former fiancée…
And so, that means…
[Kiyoka] I'm sorry.
Huh?
[Kiyoka] It's embarrassing, but…
Seeing Godo in the hospital like that…
It was unsettling for me.
I didn't want you to know that I was so shaken.
Oh…
[Kiyoka] Did you speak with Godo?
I did speak with him a little.
[Kiyoka] This saber is something Godo's father left to me.
Those who are given power have a duty to improve the world
using what they've been given.
[gasping]
But back then, I was against my family at the time,
so I didn't stop to understand his meaning.
And due to that, I lost someone very important to me.
Lord Kudo…
[Kiyoka] Talking about myself is not something I'm skilled in.
I regret that I made you worry for no good reason.
[Miyo] I…
There are so many more things about you that I would like to know.
Lord Kudo, if I knew more about what's happened in your life…
Would that bother you?
Not at all.
There's not a thing that I don't want you to know.
[Miyo] Kaoruko…
I heard that she was one of your marriage candidates.
I would like to know if you and Kaoruko were in love.
Why would you think that, Miyo?
Because Kaoruko is a kind person.
She's beautiful.
And then she…
[gasping]
I'll say it clearly.
The only fiancée that I have ever accepted is you, Miyo.
Then and now, Jinnouchi is a talented subordinate of mine.
She is nothing more and nothing less to me.
I…
Are you sure?
[Kiyoka] Believe me.
I do.
I'm sorry if I worried you.
It's my fault for not telling you before.
I'll try to be more open with you from now on.
To help you keep your mind at ease as much as possible.
I would like that very much.
[eerie instrumental]
[gasping]
[glass shattering]
[gasping, grunting]
[whimpering]
[chuckling]
[gasping]
[breathing heavily]
What just happened?
[gasping]
[Miyo] Kaoruko, good morning.
Hello, Miyo.
Oh, this timing's great.
I went to Mr. Godo's infirmary room yesterday.
And I bought some dumplings on the way back.
Will you have some with me?
I can get some tea started.
[Kaoruko] I'm sorry.
I can't eat with you.
What?
It's not something that I'm… qualified to do.
Qualified?
[Kaoruko] Yesterday, I actually went to visit Mr. Godo, too.
And I happened to overhear…
when Mr. Godo was telling you
that I was once the Commander's fiancée-to-be.
[exhaling]
[Miyo] I see.
But if you were there, then you should have come in.
I couldn't have done that.
And it's because…
I really was in love…
with the Commander.
[Miyo gasps]
[Kaoruko] I never told him my feelings,
so it was completely one-sided.
When I was assigned to the Imperial City again, I was miserable.
Returning to a place
with a man I once loved and with people who don't think well of me.
But then…
I met you, Miyo.
I did feel uneasy at first.
But as I spent time with you, I came to like you a lot.
Even when others talked behind my back or bullied me,
if I just remembered the kindness you showed me,
I felt that I could make it through.
And yet, in spite of that…
somewhere in my heart, even now there's a part of me
that cannot let go of how I felt about him.
While my feelings are still so unsettled,
your kindness and your friendship are things that
I am completely undeserving of.
I'm so sorry to have kept this from you.
Kaoruko?
Turn around and look at me.
I would hate it if you made Lord Kudo the sole reason that
the friendship between us can't continue.
But Miyo, I…
[gasping]
[Miyo] And…
[gasping]
Even worse than that would be if you and I…
couldn't be friends at all.
I don't think romantic love is of a higher value
than the love between friends.
You're the first female friend I've had in my whole life.
You are so precious to me.
Am I truly worthy enough to be your first female friend?
Of course you're worthy enough!
Miyo, my friend!
[sobbing]
[Miyo] From now on, let's keep talking about all kinds of things.
Whether it's your worries or anything else, I want to hear it.
[gasping]
[Kaoruko sobbing]
Huh?
[tires squealing]
The Emperor?
What has happened here?
What's become of the gatekeepers?
[breathing heavily]
This has to be Usui's ability!
[Mukadeyama] What did you say?
His Majesty!
Right now, Arata Usaba is pursuing him.
I will go to the grounds now.
I'll go too!
Negative.
I need you to remain here.
You'll be protecting the quarters.
As for you two, I'll be leaving the quarters immediately.
Use the utmost caution.
We will!
Please be careful as well, Lord Kudo, and come back soon.
Jinnouchi, I'll leave Miyo to you.
Yes, sir!
[tense instrumental]
Hm?
[gasping]
[screaming]
[gasping]
[gasping weakly]
[Tanaka] Squad Leader, what are we here for?
[Mukadeyama] We have put up powerful barriers around all quarters,
but we need to remain cautious.
The dojo has no blind spots.
We'll have eyes in every direction.
Be sure not to act of your own accord unless I've given you a command and--
[gasps]
[soldiers murmuring]
Settle down!
No one move from your position!
[tense instrumental]
[gasping]
[Usui] Ah, it appears the gang's all here.
I'll admit, I wasn't expecting such a warm reception.
[outro music]