[Masashi] An Imperial conference?
This morning, I saw vehicles driving in carrying ministers to the palace.
The audacity of these witless geezers to bluster in unannounced.
What is clear is their wish to place some limitations
on the Prince and our unit.
It's concerning.
If the Gifted Communion has managed to infiltrate
the highest levels of government,
they'll be using this conference to their advantage.
Prince Takaihito is conducting himself carefully now.
He's sure to perform an investigation.
Agreed.
[tense instrumental]
[Kiyoka] As we speak, His Highness is observing with a watchful eye.
Yes, Prince Takaihito's "hawk eyes".
As the Lord Keeper, I, Takakura, shall identify the traitor.
[Takaihito] It will not be as easy as you say.
Among the serving ministers,
there are currently many who are not taking well
to my assuming His Majesty's place.
Judging traitorship merely by their animosity toward me will be challenging.
Nevertheless, Naoshi Usui's arrival is assured.
He will slither his way in.
Indeed, however, that future has yet to come.
There must be some action we can take.
Yes, and that is precisely why, Takakura,
you are the only one I can trust.
Entrust it to me.
[theme music]
That may be so.
But even if His Highness was abducted, I still have…
[Takakura] The Minister of the Imperial Household.
As expected from the leader of the anti-Takaihito faction,
his hostility for the Prince is evident.
I understand your concerns.
But while these people are merely commoners,
they are still from prestigious families known for their supernatural abilities.
We ought to make an exception this time.
[Takakura] The Minister of Education.
Always lobbying for the budget to not be allocated to the military.
[man] You mentioned the Usuba.
I should like to see their ability for…
[Takakura] The Minister of Communications.
He supposedly intends to side with us.
But behaving in that manner leaves gaps open for the enemy to exploit.
-There is always an impact… -[Takakura] The Army Minister.
He leads the cabinet's faction against supernatural abilities.
Nonsense. You mustn't be careless.
[Takakura] The Navy Minister.
Full of animosity towards the Army Minister.
And always distracted by power struggles.
He never sees things for what they are.
Regardless, supernatural abilities are antiquated now.
These days, we have cutting-edge weaponry developed with science.
This Gifted Communion simply cannot compete with an army as strong as ours.
[scoffing]
For someone who just made the critical error of
allowing the Emperor's abduction,
I must say, that is quite the claim.
The Imperial Palace's security is under army jurisdiction.
A liability, if you ask me.
How dare you say this!
If I'm not mistaken, it was your navy that requested more guards
after you held that preposterous annual naval review!
Your vanity left us understaffed!
Why, I oughta…
[sighs]
We are playing right into the hands of the Gifted Communion.
[Army Minister] Lord Keeper Takakura.
You seem to have thoughts to share.
You received your role at a young age,
and now you've even garnered the favor of his highness.
I would be most obliged if I could hear your opinion.
This is no laughing matter.
[Minster of Education] Now, now, everyone.
Lord Privy Seal Takakura is right.
Let's not fight amongst ourselves.
The Gifted Communion is
a dangerous, unknown organization that requires caution.
Should we not take this opportunity to unite under the command of His Highness?
[ministers murmuring]
[man] That's a good point.
[Takaihito] I have listened carefully to your thoughts.
I will push this measure forward
without unanimous consent, and for that, I apologize.
However, to change the future for the better will require far more
than merely revealing the details and facts.
Surely you all have your reservations.
Even so, regarding this matter,
our strategy will be to fortify the defenses at the palace.
That is the best we can do for the time being.
Concentrate our defenses in one place.
It's Miyo.
Did you call for me?
[Hazuki] Come in.
[gasps]
There she is, our lovely leading lady of the evening.
Come on, don't just stand there. Sit with us.
O-okay.
[soft, pleasant instrumental]
[clearing throat]
Now then, given that we will all be living under the same roof for a while,
I have gathered all of us here tonight to have a bit of fun together.
You know, just us girls.
And it will be called…
Ladies' Night!
Ladies' Night?
You may speak whatever comes to mind.
What's more, you are welcome to call me Miss Takako if you would like to.
[chuckling]
Yes, yes, welcome Lady Takako.
Please do enjoy yourself tonight.
Also, we have one more special guest attending.
We have another guest?
Hello, Miyo. Good evening.
[gasps] Is that you, Kaoruko?
Since she's in the old capital now,
she'll be joining us remotely with a little bit of magic.
Hold on, are you drinking already?
Yes, I'm Kaoruko Jinnouchi and I'm already drinking.
My, my, we've yet to pour our first drink.
[Yurie] Well then, shall we join her and get started?
Now, Kiyoka was very insistent that we not get his precious fiancée drunk.
So Miyo, instead of alcohol, here you go.
All right, here's to a most wonderful Ladies' Night.
Cheers, everyone!
[all] Cheers!
[all laughing]
Well back then, I was still the taller one
between my brother Kiyoka and I, if you'd believe it.
[Miyo] Big Sister prepared this entire party to help me feel more at ease.
I feel so completely and utterly blessed.
-[Takaihito snoring] -[Hazuki] Oh my,
just when things were getting good, Lady Takako has fallen asleep.
[Miyo] She did do some heavy drinking after all.
Well, then I shall excuse myself now and head on to bed.
Sleep well, Yurie.
Ah, that's right,
there was something I wanted to ask
-our Kaoruko. -[Kaoruko] Hm?
Kaoruko dear, how are things with you and Godo?
[spluttering]
Wh-what are you-- W-why would you ask me that?
I am merely asking what your thoughts are on Mr. Godo,
-as a man I mean. -[Miyo gasping]
What? I don't--
I don't have any thoughts like that at all.
He's just my senior and I have respect for him.
Really?
You know, between us girls,
I'll admit that while he does have a little bit of a shallow side,
he is really handsome
and he's also quite successful on the squad,
so I thought you two'd get along.
What I think of Mr. Godo doesn't matter anyway.
What do you mean?
Romance is not something I'm looking for right now.
What? Why ever not?
Because being in love, it's just like drinking alcohol.
It is pleasant while you're drunk,
but it's easy to lose track of yourself in the process.
The other person's feelings are also a factor, and what's more,
love made me aware of a weak side of myself.
So love is… frightening.
Frightening, indeed.
I think I understand what Kaoruko is saying.
You too, Miyo?
Oh, I was just-- I-- what I mean is, I'm also frightened.
Love is a feeling of attachment towards someone else, and…
and I know that those feelings can change people.
I have a few years on you, so let me share some advice.
[Miyo & Kaoruko] Huh?
[Hazuki] You are aware that I'm divorced, right?
[Kaoruko] Right, and your ex-husband is General Okaito?
I am at peace with it now, but, uh…
I had many regrets back then.
After all, well, we were truly in love.
Huh?
Wasn't it that you got divorced after a big fight?
Yes, that's right.
We were distracted by the perceptions of others.
We made selfish assumptions, we were stubborn.
It all feels so insignificant now.
I wasn't able to say something as simple as, you matter to me,
and before I knew it…
we had reached the point of no return.
I was foolish.
My point, dear, is that to stay close to someone,
you must communicate your love
and create a bond with them that is unbreakable.
Our lifetimes are very short, Miyo.
We cannot afford the luxury of fear.
[gasps]
So take faith and forge on ahead.
This is the advice your flawed sister has for you.
Yes, well, I…
-[Kaoruko] Exactly! -Huh?
I, for one, am cheering on the both of you.
I want you, the Commander, and Miyo to all live a lifetime of happiness…
Well, goodness me.
Thank you for staying up this late.
Get some rest, darling.
Good night to you, too.
Kaoruko is a good one, isn't she?
Yes, she is.
I'm very proud to call her my friend.
[Takaihito] I outdid myself drinking this evening.
Huh?
This was a night very well spent indeed.
And now I have the privilege of speaking with you at leisure.
Did you need something?
[Takaihito] Not particularly, no.
But it is nice to know that we have similar abilities.
You understand that the gift of revelation is both a blessing and a curse.
As we can see fragments of the future,
a stone thrown into the water causes merely a tremor.
And those who can draw meaning from the resulting ripples are few.
We who know the future must wrestle with loneliness.
Loneliness?
If one does not face their overwhelming power alone,
one cannot fulfill their duty.
Miyo Saimori.
-Yes? -Tell me,
do you happen to like snow?
Do I like snow, Your Highness?
There was a time I liked it.
I recall that as a child, whenever it snowed,
I would gleefully run to the garden to play.
But these days, I can no longer find any joy in it.
[gasps]
Did something bad happen, your highness?
[Takaihito] Yes.
Thrown into disarray by the winter snow,
cherry blossoms drop the curtain of night.
I'll get going.
I'm glad that we could have dinner together.
Me too.
[Kiyoka] Miyo, is something the matter?
N-no, not at all.
Tonight will be chilly.
Please take care of yourself.
I don't want you to catch a cold.
Thank you.
I'll be home before long.
[Miyo] I'll see you when you return.
Please, don't let it snow tonight.
-[Arata] Miyo. -Huh?
Mr. Arata.
Are you feeling worried about Kudo?
I always worry about him.
An ability's power is said to grow stronger or weaker
depending on the intensity of one's feelings.
They're influenced by my feelings?
[Arata] Yes.
If we assume that to be true…
your feelings can become a strong weapon one day.
Thus, your having no recourse but to wait is at least encouraging, I imagine.
[Miyo] Hmm.
I see. That makes sense.
Even still, I cannot help but wonder
what could possibly be preventing your ability from awakening.
I wish I knew.
If there is something that you cannot say to Kudo,
I can lend an ear instead.
[Miyo gasps]
If anything dares to trouble you, I shall be the one to destroy it.
[gasps]
[car approaching]
Wait, isn't that…
It's the private car of one of the ministers.
They were all gathered for a meeting in the front palace earlier today.
[Miyo] Why would they be here?
How fortunate it is to see you here, Mr. Usuba.
Pardon my intrusion, sir, but I presume you are the Minister of Education?
These are the private quarters of the prince.
Please state your business.
My secretary lost his way, you see,
so I'd hoped we could find someone to ask for directions.
Right?
Yes, I am terribly sorry.
In that case, I advise that you turn around
and follow the same road that brought you this way
and promptly return home.
Is that so? I see.
By the way, are you faring well while locked away in the Imperial Palace?
It must be suffocating.
Given the current state of animosity towards those with supernatural abilities,
some would say this treatment is more than what you deserve.
Just what is it that you would like to say?
Correct me if I'm wrong,
but do the Usuba's abilities not interfere with people's psyches?
Your powers are effective on anyone, are they not?
Ah.
Let me make you an offer.
Why don't you make use of your powers in service to me?
I must ask you to leave.
Oh my, is this not enough?
What a greedy young thing you are.
In that case, I'll…
[shouting]
[Arata] I believe I told you to leave.
If you endeavor to insult us any further…
-[Takakura] Minister Hasebe! -[gasps]
What are you doing?
While you may be a minister, given the current climate,
you ought to refrain from doing as you please within the palace grounds.
How dare you speak to me this way!
These deceitful monsters wouldn't even be in the palace in the first place
if not for your brazen idiocy!
You are the ones doing as you please!
[secretary] Let us remain calm, sir.
This getting further out of hand will spell trouble.
[Hasebe growling]
My apologies for the disturbance here.
Had I not taken the wrong road, we would have avoided this.
It's my fault.
Again, I must ask you to leave.
Of course, of course.
Just as you say.
Your efforts are appreciated.
[secretary] Well, until next time!
Miyo, are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine.
Honestly, our troubles never seem to ease, do they?
Mr. Arata…
My blood ran cold when I got Lord Takakura's message.
Are you really not injured?
I am all right.
You needn't ask me so many times.
I can't help but worry for you.
Anyway, as for tonight--
Has my futon always been made up like this?
This must be Prince Takaihito's doing.
Clearly a scheme of his.
You needn't worry.
I will sleep on the tatami.
You can use the futon.
That will not do, Lord Kudo!
If anything, I think you should sleep on the futon!
You expect me to enjoy the cozy comforts of the bed by myself?
Yes, I think it is much better that way.
You-- you cannot be serious.
I am very serious.
If you refuse, then I'll be angry.
And I refuse to rest if you do not use the futon.
[Miyo] How did it turn out like this?
[Kiyoka] Can you not sleep?
Uh. No, I can't.
In that case, we could talk for a little while until you fall asleep.
Oh, okay. All right.
[Kiyoka] Since coming here, has anything been bothering you?
[Miyo] Oh, not at all.
Everyone has taken such great pains to look after me.
It makes me feel incredibly blessed.
[Kiyoka] I see.
Is there anything you would like to ask me?
[Miyo] Well, um…
Lord Kudo, has there ever been a time in your life
when you found your job to be difficult?
I do not believe I have ever found the work itself to be difficult.
Not even once?
[Kiyoka] Things connected to my military life
have been challenging at times.
And of course I always regret when my subordinates have fallen in battle.
That being said, I have never once considered my role to be a burden.
I see. I understand.
[Kiyoka] What about you?
It's been some months since you became my fiancée.
Do you regret it?
No, of course not.
I don't regret it in the slightest.
Is that so?
It may be a selfish thing to ask,
but I'd like to hear more from you.
Your thoughts.
Oh, well…
Look, Lord Kudo, uh…
Hm?
What about feelings of romance?
Have you ever been in love with anybody?
Have I been in love?
Looking back, I don't recall having any feelings of love or romance.
But now I understand…
that I was numbing myself to any prospect
of reciprocating such feelings.
Perhaps I was too afraid to take an honest look at any of the candidates.
I see. That makes sense.
Doing that was how you were protecting yourself.
What about you, Miyo?
Do you harbor any apprehensions about love?
Lord Kudo?
[Kiyoka] Do you not trust me?
[gasps] That isn't--
[whimpers]
[gasps]
Miyo, please know that I'm not the man I once was.
I am no longer afraid of my emotions.
If possible, I wish to dig deeper than I ever have before.
With you, Miyo.
No one else.
[Miyo] I-- I'm so sorry.
It's all right.
I'll be here when you're ready.
Good night, Miyo.
[Miyo] Good night.
[outro music]