The Imperial Council?
This morning, the ministers' cars entered the imperial palace one after another.
I guess the old fools who fell behind came to give us a warning.
It's clear they're here to keep Prince Takaihito and my unit in check.
However,
if the Gifted Communion has also wormed their way into the government,
they might even use this meeting to their advantage.
Since Prince Takaihito is being cautious himself,
the one who can probe around is…
Yes.
I'm sure everyone is currently under scrutiny
of Prince Takaihito's hawk eyes.
I, Takakura, will track down the traitor as the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
It won't be so easy.
Among the ministers,
there are many who do not think well of me serving in place of our Emperor.
Merely being opposed to me would not make them a traitor.
Even so, Usui will definitely come.
He will sneak up on us cunningly.
But that has not happened yet.
There must be something we can do.
Right. Therefore, in that situation
you're the only one I can rely on.
Please leave it to me.
MY HAPPY MARRIAGE
AN EVENING BANQUET AND DISTANT SNOW
In other words,
even if the Emperor had been kidnapped--
Minister of the Imperial Household. The leader of the anti-Takaihito faction.
I can sense a clear hostility towards Prince Takaihito.
The ones being sheltered may be commoners,
but they're ability-users from a renowned family, correct?
If anything, that's reassuring.
Minister of Education.
Is it flattery to avoid the military receiving the budget?
Usuba, was it?
I'd like to see their ability--
Minister of Communications.
He seems to have an intention to side with us,
but that kind of behavior gives an opening for the enemy to exploit.
…the nation is shaken by some…
Minister of the Army. The Cabinet's most vocal anti-supernatural ability.
No, we can't let our guard down.
Minister of the Navy.
These two are like cats and dogs.
They're always preoccupied with power struggles.
They're not seeing the point.
Anyway, supernatural abilities are nothing more than a relic of the past.
Now we have cutting-edge weapons based on science.
The Gifted Communion is no match for our military strength.
For someone who failed abysmally by letting them kidnap Mikado,
you sure talk big.
To begin with, the army is in charge of the imperial palace's security.
Isn't this a liability issue?
Don't you dare blame it on us!
It all started
because the navy demanded security for that ridiculous annual navy review,
leaving us undermanned!
What?
They're simply playing into Gifted Communion's hands.
Lord Takakura,
don't you have anything to say?
You've secured your position at such a young age and earned His Majesty's trust.
I'd love to hear your opinion.
This is ridiculous.
Now, now, everyone.
Lord Takakura is quite right.
Either way, the Gifted Communion is a mysterious organization.
Now should be the time we unite as one under Prince Takaihito, no?
Though you say that…
I have heard all of your opinions.
I apologize for pushing my plan through without your approval.
However, revealing everything won't simply improve this matter.
The future is not that easy to control.
I'm sure everyone has their reasons.
But regarding this case, our strategy
is to strengthen our defense at the Imperial Palace.
That's the best option at this point.
Focus our defense in one place.
It's Miyo. Did you call for me?
Come on in.
There she is. The star of the day.
Don't just freeze up over there. Come sit here.
O-Okay.
Now, the reason I asked you all to gather here tonight is this.
Since we're all living together under one roof,
I thought it'd be nice for us ladies to have some fun chatting together.
Let's call it the Ladies' Soirée!
Ladies'…
Feel free to talk as much as you want.
You may call me Takako, if you'd like.
Welcome, Princess Takako.
I hope you'll have some fun tonight.
There's one more person joining us.
One more?
Miyo, good evening!
Oh, Kaoruko!
She's in the old capital right now.
So we're using a special ability for her to join us remotely.
Oh, are you drinking already?
Yup, Kaoruko Jinnouchi here. And I'm already drinking.
Geez, we haven't even filled our glasses yet.
Now then, shall we start too?
Kiyoka told us repeatedly not to get his precious fiancée drunk.
So, you're drinking this instead of alcohol. Okay?
Now,
let the Ladies' Soirée begin!
Cheers!
-Cheers! -Cheers!
And you know, Kiyoka was smaller than me back then…
Hazuki.
She held this soirée to help me relax.
I can't help but think that I'm very blessed.
Goodness sake.
Princess Takako has fallen asleep when things were about to get wild.
He did drink quite a lot.
Well then, I will take my leave.
Good night.
Oh, yeah.
I wanted to ask you something, Kaoruko.
What's going on with you and Godo?
What's this all of a sudden?
I'm just asking what you think of Godo.
As a man.
What? I think nothing of him.
He's just a senior I respect.
Really?
He can be a little frivolous, but he's pretty good-looking
and he's one of the successful ones.
I thought you'd get along well with him.
Mr. Godo is not the problem, I just…
You just?
I want to stay away from love for a while.
What? Why?
I think love is similar to alcohol.
It feels good when you're drunk,
but you also sort of lose sight of yourself.
It involves the other person too.
I found out my weakness through love.
Love is scary.
Scary, huh?
I think I understand what you mean.
Miyo?
Oh, I'm sorry. But I'm scared as well.
Because falling in love, and feeling attached to someone
will probably change the person you are.
I guess it's my turn to speak as your life mentor.
-Huh? -Huh?
You know I'm divorced, right?
If I'm not wrong, your ex-husband is Major General Okaito.
I'm over it now,
but I regretted it back then.
Because we were in love.
You said the divorce was due to a big fight you had.
Yeah. What other people thought, our own assumptions, and pride.
Looking back, we were distracted by such trivial things.
and before I could say something as simple as "You are important to me,"
it became too late to make things right.
How foolish, right?
My point is, if it's someone you don't want to let go of,
it's important to express your love and to create an unbreakable bond.
Life is short, you know.
There's no time to be scared.
Don't be afraid to charge forward.
This is the advice from your awkward but loving sister.
I…
She's right!
I'm rooting for you too!
I need both you and the Commander to live happily ever after.
Oh, my.
Thank you for joining us until late. Good night, Kaoruko.
Good night…
She's such a good girl, isn't she?
Yes.
I'm proud to call her my friend.
I haven't had this much to drink in a long while.
It was a very enjoyable evening.
Moreover, I get to talk to you properly.
With me?
That's right.
With you, who possess a similar ability to mine.
The Divine Revelation is a blessing, but also a yoke.
Because I can see a glimpse of the future,
the stone I cast is merely a ripple in the water
and only a few people understand what those ripples signify.
Those who know the future must fight against loneliness.
Loneliness?
Unless you confront the overwhelming power and the loneliness,
you won't be able to accomplish your duty.
Miyo Saimori.
Yes.
Do you like snow?
Snow?
I used to like it.
As a child, I would rush out to the garden to play when it was snowing.
Now, however, I cannot simply be happy about it.
Does the snow signify something?
Yes.
Cherry blossoms disturbed by the snow
will bring the nightfall.
I'm glad we were able to have dinner together.
Me too.
Miyo, is something wrong?
N-No.
It'll be cold again tonight.
Please be careful not to catch a cold.
Thanks.
Well, I'm off.
Take care, sir.
Please.
Don't let it snow.
Miyo.
Arata.
Are you worried about Mr. Kudo?
Yes.
I hear supernatural abilities can get stronger or weaker
depending on the strength of your emotions.
The strength of my emotions?
That's right.
If that's true,
your emotions will be a powerful weapon to you.
I'm sure the frustration of being able to do nothing but wait is becoming your fuel.
Do you think so?
But still, I wonder what is holding back your awakening.
I don't know.
If there's something you can't share with Mr. Kudo,
you can talk to me.
I will destroy everything that's troubling you.
That's…
One of the ministers' official cars.
There was a meeting at the Front Hall today.
What is he doing here?
Well, greetings, Mr. Usuba.
Forgive me, but I believe you're the Minister of Education.
What brought you to Prince Takaihito's personal residence?
My secretary got lost, so we wanted to ask for directions.
Isn't that right?
My apologies.
Then if you turn back and drive back to where you came from,
you'll be able to find your way home.
I see.
By the way,
I thought you might feel constrained being confined in the Palace like this.
Given the current strong opposition to supernatural abilities,
there are many who don't think well of this treatment you're receiving.
What are you trying to say?
I heard that Usuba's special ability is to meddle with people's psyche.
It works on anyone, correct?
Show them.
How about using your powers for me?
I must ask you to leave.
Is this not enough? What a greedy young man you are.
Secretary.
I asked you to leave.
If you're going to disrespect us further…
Minister Hasebe!
What are you doing here?
Though you are a minister, under the current circumstances,
please refrain from taking selfish actions within the premises.
How dare you talk to me that way!
You're the selfish ones who invited these sneaky monsters into the Imperial Palace
without our permission!
Now, now, sir.
It'll be a problem if we cause a bigger fuss.
Please forgive us.
I've caused a big uproar by taking a wrong turn.
Please leave this instant.
Yes, of course we will.
Thank you for your hard work.
Well, goodbye then.
Miyo, are you all right?
Y-Yes.
Good grief, troublesome matters never seem to end.
Arata.
I was scared to death when Lord Takakura told me about it.
Are you sure you're not hurt?
I'm all right.
You don't have to ask me so many times.
I can't help it.
Anyway, for tonight--
Huh?
Did my bedding always look like this?
I bet it's Prince Takaihito.
He's set us up.
Oh well, I'll sleep on the floor tonight.
You use the bedding.
What? That won't do, sir.
If that's the case, you take the bedding.
Are you asking me to sleep in the warm bedding all by myself?
I think that would be better.
Stop joking around.
I want you to use the bedding. I'm putting my foot down.
Unless you use the bedding, I'm not going to sleep either.
Why did it end up like this?
You can't sleep?
N-No.
Then, shall we chat until you're able to sleep?
Okay.
Have you had any trouble since you came here?
No. Everyone has been very kind and open.
I feel nothing but blessed.
I see.
Is there anything you want to ask me?
Um…
Have you ever felt that your job is too hard?
I've never felt the job itself is hard.
Not even once?
There have been hard times due to military affairs.
I do feel regret when my colleagues get injured or fall in a battle.
Even so, I've never felt that this role is too hard.
Is that so.
What about you?
It's been a few months since you've become my fiancée.
Do you have any regrets?
No, I have no regrets about it at all.
That's good.
This may sound selfish,
but I'd like to hear more of what you have to say.
Um…
S-Sir…
Yes?
Have you ever felt
the feeling of love before?
Love, huh?
I've never been certain
if anything I've felt was love or a romantic feeling.
But now I know.
I deliberately remained insensitive to the feelings others directed at me.
Maybe I was terrified to confront them properly.
That's how you protected yourself, isn't it?
How about you?
Aren't you afraid of something, too?
Sir?
Am I not reliable?
That's not--
Miyo, I'm no longer the man I used to be.
I wish to have more in my life.
If possible, I even want to fall deeper in love
with no one else but you.
M-My apologies.
It's fine. I'll be waiting.
Good night, Miyo.
Good night.
Subtitle translation by: Aya Kudo