What's the latest?
His Majesty must be inside.
The Imperial Villa…
It's Usui.
There's no doubt he's involved in this scheme somehow.
Has there been any communication from them?
No, not a word.
This is a perilous endeavor for him.
What could be so important?
This is Usui.
This could all be a trap, like the one that got Godo.
Mr. Kudo, if all of this is indeed a trap…
Kudo!
What is it, Major General?
Prince Takaihito has had a revelation.
Your fiancé is in imminent danger as we speak.
Ah, it appears the gang's all here.
I'll admit, I wasn't expecting such a warm reception.
I've come here for you, Miyo.
How did you get in?
I don't understand.
The barrier we set should not be so easy to break through.
I thought I saw a small bird flying just now.
Perhaps a trick of the light.
H-how can this be?
The barrier has been compromised.
And now we're all trapped inside, unable to escape.
Here's a query for you.
What you just saw now, was it reality?
Perhaps it was only an illusion.
What are you saying?
What you see with your own eyes is entirely subjective.
You may believe it to be reality, but can you trust that?
Just get to the point!
Where is your commander now?
I've noticed he's absent.
I am the one he fears the most and yet he's nowhere to be found.
Perhaps fear got the best of him and he ran off with his tail between his legs.
Save your nonsense.
I think that it's awfully mysterious that your barrier is inverted now.
Are you insinuating the commander betrayed us?
Well, if he didn't, just who invited me in?
Not to worry, I'll answer that.
Thank you very much for your cooperation…
Kaoruko Jinnouchi.
Jinnouchi…
Enough of this act!
That is impossible!
It was… me.
I was the one who compromised the barrier we set.
Jinnouchi, what are you saying?
Usui, he took my father as hostage,
and so he coerced me to tamper with the barrier.
He tortured my father in front of me,
and I saw how much pain he was in.
I couldn't bear to let it continue.
I'm a failed soldier.
I'm terribly sorry!
Oh, Kaoruko…
But would I really torture your father like that?
You certain your eyes were not just deceiving you?
Tell me, is it not a little peculiar that you were there?
Don't play games!
After everything that you've done, my father definitely was…
Captain, I think he's telling the truth.
I trained with Instructor Jinnouchi in the dojo a few days ago.
He seemed like his usual self then.
Kaoruko Jinnouchi, are you that confident in the truth of your memories?
Just how certain are you?
But you… my father…
It can't be…
Was it all really just an illusion?
It can't be…
I can't…
That means that…
that I did all this…
Miyo…
Come over here.
Come with your papa and everything will be alright.
Your father is the one reality that you can trust.
You villain!
What are you doing?
A damn Gifted Communion?
On guard!
-Stop this now! -Huh?
How is there grotesquerie in here?
My, my, not getting along?
Everyone, stay calm!
This is Usui's ability!
Begone!
None of you here can oppose me.
Silence, now!
Even the slightest doubt can lead to your demise on the battlefield.
You should know that by now.
Fear can be understood, but it's still hard to beat.
Miyo…
All the pests are out of the way now.
I don't think so.
Kaoruko!
I'm stopping you here and now.
Overcoming your fears to rejoin the fight, I'm impressed.
You won't come anywhere near her!
A performance enhancing ability.
He's toying with her.
Jinnouchi is a very capable warrior.
She's losing the sword fight.
-No! Kaoruko! -No, stay back!
Just watch.
This next strike will take you down.
Is this all you've got?
This is…
just like the dream I had.
So what I saw then…
was the future.
That was my power.
My Dream-Sight.
If only I had told Lord Kudo about my vision…
This could have ended without anyone getting hurt.
I am the one that man wants.
Because I am the only one in the world with the dream sight ability.
But…
I still don't understand a thing about this power.
What should I do?
What can I do?
All right, Miyo.
Do you think that you can be a good little girl
and come along with your father now?
Absolutely not!
I will never cooperate with someone
who can hurt people and laugh like it's nothing!
And in any case, you are certainly not my father.
You are Sumi's child after all, Miyo.
That is the same thing as being my daughter.
I understand that my mother was a very important figure in your life.
However, even if you take me from this place,
it isn't the same thing as saving her.
I know that you would have liked to save her, but…
she's not here anymore.
You have a comeback for everything, girl.
Then so be it.
We'll just have to do this the hard way.
Step away from my fiancée!
Lord Kudo!
You detected my little diversion.
How silly to expect anything less.
Unfortunately for you, we have someone who can see the future.
Is that right?
Naoshi Usui, this ends here and now!
Not today.
I am afraid I'm just getting started.
Did he escape?
Miyo!
Are you alright?
I'm sorry for this.
I'm so glad to see that you're safe.
Miyo, everything's all right now.
Please do not push yourself too hard.
Lord Kudo…
I beg you.
Jinnouchi, stay with me!
Kaoruko…
Major General!
We've investigated inside, but couldn't find any traces of a struggle.
Is that so?
It was a red herring after all.
What if the Usabas put out the story about His Majesty's abduction?
It's possible that they're colluding with Usui.
I can't believe it.
I want to believe that's not the case.
Prepare to leave now!
The investigation is over!
Yes, sir!
-Major General, sir. -Hm?
I have a request just for today.
I would like to do my own investigation.
You intend to investigate on your own?
Yes, sir.
I empathize with you.
But doing this will change nothing about the bias against the Usabas.
Even so, sir, please.
Hey, Grandfather?
What is the role of the Usaba family?
We keep supernatural ability users in check.
We strike down the evil ability users.
This role is an important one that only the Usabas can play.
Grandfather?
Why is it that I'm forbidden from making any friends?
Because those are the rules, my boy.
The family rules are much more important than our lives.
But still, though, I want to have some friends of my own.
Usabas would do well not to get involved with other ability users, young one.
You have the potential to become the next head of the family.
Respect the rules and stay the course.
And then whenever the maiden of Dream-Sight appears,
you, Arata, will become the sword that protects her.
The sword that protects the maiden of Dream-Sight?
You will protect the maiden at every moment
and at times be the one to cut down her enemies.
It is an important duty,
and it's one that only you can perform.
To be Usabas, to be hollow,
without evil ability users,
we can never fulfill our purpose.
That is why I wanted her, Miyo.
But in the end, I am still hollow.
The truth is what I want to protect
doesn't even exist.
What's the matter?
Little boy Usaba.
Naoshi Usui!
If your heart is aching, I may understand why better than anyone.
Shut up and get down on the floor!
You remind me of myself from years ago.
I told you, hold your tongue!
You believe that protecting Miyo is your responsibility,
that it is your duty, despite knowing that she'll never be yours.
But my dear boy, she does belong to you.
Cut the bullshit!
I could help you, you know.
I can show you a way to make your life a little easier.
I won't listen to anything you have to say!
Raise your hands and surrender!
Arata Usaba…
the Gifted Communion is waiting for you.
Vigilance against the Gifted Communion
has been even higher since the attack.
What I'm allowed to do within the quarters is more limited than before.
And as for my first friend, she's also nowhere to be found.
Excuse me.
At present, this is the only location that I could possibly think of
where we could speak without interruption.
Um, then… what is this about?
I apologize!
Huh?
Um, uh, you…
you can stop bowing now, please.
I know now that I was entirely wrong about you.
When you face Naoshi Usui and I witnessed your valiant and dauntless spirit,
I recognize my mistake immediately.
You being a woman and your connection to the Usuba has no bearing on anything.
You're a truly courageous person.
Oh, no, I'm not very…
From now on, I will work to shape this organization
into one valuing people and focusing on their merits.
For Jinnouchi's sake, too.
Excuse me.
Regarding Kaoruko, what is going to become of her?
It is likely she will receive a severe punishment.
But she was only trying her best to protect her family
and she worked with the Gifted Communion because she was forced to.
It's true.
That is why I intend to make a request
that will hopefully reduce the severity of her punishment.
Huh?
Jinnouchi is strong.
She's an indispensable soldier and our unit can't lose her.
Right.
Hoo-wee, Hazuki, you've outdone yourself!
The commander could never dream of hosting a party like this one!
You just had to invite the noisy one, didn't you?
Mr. Godo, have your injuries healed already?
They sure have!
I'm sorry to have caused you concern.
Good evening.
Mr. Arata, it's been a while.
Miyo, you've been well, I hope?
I have.
You also seem to be doing well.
Yes, I've been well.
Thank you for extending me this invitation today.
Goodness me, you're not feeling jealous again, Kiyoka?
I am not jealous.
Sure, sure.
Now that everyone has arrived, why don't we have another toast?
Cheers!
How come you're not drinking anything with us, Miyo?
Oh no, I actually don't drink alcohol.
-What! -Sorry, Miyo,
for dragging you into this chaos.
I'm sure you'd rather end the year quietly.
Oh, I don't think this is chaotic.
I had been hoping that I would see Big Sister.
And anyway, this is the first fun end of year I've ever had.
I see. If that's the case, then I'm glad.
Tonight's got quite the bite, doesn't it?
Miyo darling, could you fetch some charcoal?
Of course.
I'll go get it right now.
Huh?
Is that really you?
Hi, Miyo.
It's been a while.
Hi, Kaoruko.
Have you been doing well?
Mm.
I came to tell you, it was decided that once the hearing's over,
I will be returning to the Old Capital.
So I came to say goodbye to you.
Goodbye?
Why are you leaving?
Well, the commander had a discussion with the higher-ups,
and so I was given special permission to leave.
Lord Kudo did that?
Captain Mukadeyama, too.
He also put forward a written request for my punishment to be reduced.
I've been counting all of my blessings, you know.
Even though I betrayed all of you and I…
But that was because…
-Someone like me… -Huh?
…Isn't worthy of the privilege of your friendship, Miyo.
But you know, even so,
from now on I'll be making every effort to redeem myself from my sins.
So when I am fully atoned for everything that I've done,
would you consider being my friend again?
It would be my honor.
Thank you.
Huh?
Oh, it's snowing!
The first snow that falls in the bleak winter
may also bring dark clouds to those who feel it.
I am sorry.
My actions shall inevitably cause you some hardship.