Days Long Gone

Y-You're so strong!

Go back and tell Lord Genshin. He should be focusing his men on reinforcing his defenses, not sending them out to kill tacticians like me.

Lord Genshin sure has been on guard against you ever since that incident in Kurosagi Castle.

I'm sorry for getting you involved in this, Aldo.

I wouldn't think of it like that. If not for you, we could have ended up with an intercontinental war on our hands. If anything, I should be apologizing to you for being such a burden.

This is nothing compared to my regular work.

You know, I never thought to ask before. What does a strategist actually do day-to-day?

I advise on military positions and tactics in emergencies, but I'm more like a jack-of-all-trades day-to-day.

What, so you give advice and deliver stuff? That kinda thing? Not what I was expecting...

I specialize in domestic affairs and diplomacy. Don't come to me for event planning or anything.

You must be pretty busy...

My position does come with a fair amount of stress. That's why my travels with you are proving such a good break. You know my secret, so there's no need to be on my guard around you.

Shion...

And, now that you know about my past, you practically have no choice but to support me.

Wait, did you tell me that story just to manipulate me?

You sure you want me to answer that? But I didn't lie to you. I really would sacrifice anything for my sis...

Hm?

What is it?

I felt like I was being watched. Am I imagining things?

I don't see anybody here.

Perhaps my nerves are just shot from this constant barrage of assassins Genshin's been sending me.

Then why don't you take a little rest?

There's a teahouse on Vermilion Road that sells the most delicious dango.

There's a teahouse on Vermilion Road. The view is really lovely, and it sells all the usual refreshments. It's a great place to take a break.

There's a teahouse on Vermilion Road. Why don't we go there?

A teahouse, eh? Sure. Let's go there.

That was delicious. Garulean food is so unique yet so tasty.

I'm glad you like it! It's nice to hear you praising my country's food.

Shame we couldn't buy any dango.

Yeah, they said their flour shipment didn't arrive, so they weren't able to make them before opening.

B-But this place is meant to be all about the tea, so I guess it's a good thing...

Hm? She said she'd make them as soon as she could...

Delicious tea and beautiful scenery. Could you ask for anything more?

Shame we couldn't buy any dango.

Yeah, they said their flour shipment didn't arrive, so they weren't able to make them before opening.

(If these dango are so amazing that they make little kids cry, then maybe we were better off not trying them...)

She said she'd make them as soon as she could...

Delicious tea and beautiful scenery. Could you ask for anything more?

Shame we couldn't buy any dango.

Yeah, they said their flour shipment didn't arrive, so they weren't able to make them before opening.

She said she'd make them as soon as she could...

Delicious tea and beautiful scenery. Could you ask for anything more?

Oh, did you know there was a cat café in town?

A cat café? Does it sell stuff for cats or something? Like fish and balls of yarn?

No, it's like a regular café with tea and cakes, but with cats as well. It sounds like paradise, though I've yet to visit myself.

It sounds like you don't get many days off.

No, that's not why. It's just...if I got rejected by even sociable cats, I think I'd lose all hope in the world.

Then I guess we shouldn't go...

You know, I've noticed something about you. Your whole personality changes when it comes to cats.

It's because I don't have to act like someone else in front of them. There aren't many people I can let my guard down with. Just you, cats, and my sister.

Excuse me. Have you seen a man of this description around here?

Yeah, I know him, he bought some dango just now. He might still be out back.

Sounds like our little break's being cut short. I wonder who he sent this time...

Found you!

Prepare to die, shameless usurper of my brother's name!

Huh? Akane?

So you researched my name, did you? Impressive. But this ends here, imposter!

Akane, wait!

Don't try and stop me, Aldo! What kind of sister would I be if I stood back and let this imposter impersonate my brother?!

You've got it wrong! Shion only pretended to be Shion to teach Genshin a lesson! It's kind of complicated to explain, but Shion didn't do anything wrong! He isn't a bad person!

Brother? Wait, you're Shion's sister, Akane?

I am, and I look up to him more than anyone in the world. Which is why I have to punish this imposter for what he's doing! I'll cut him down in a single stroke of my blade! So hand him over!

You've got it wrong! Shion only pretended to be Shion to teach Genshin a lesson! It's kind of complicated to explain, but Shion didn't do anything wrong! He isn't a bad person!

Brother? So the other Shion, the one who serves Lord Genshin, he's your brother, Akane?

I am, and I look up to him more than anyone in the world. Which is why I have to punish this imposter for what he's doing! I'll cut him down in a single stroke of my blade! So hand him over!

Wait! Shion only pretended to be your brother to teach Genshin a lesson! He's not the bad guy you think he is!

Wait! Did you just say "brother"? So you're this Shion guy's sister? If you are, then please listen. Shion didn't pretend to be your brother for anything bad.

He only did it to teach Genshin a lesson. And his name really is Shion, too. And, um...

Wait! Did you just say "brother"? So you're this Shion guy's sister? If you are, then please listen. Shion didn't pretend to be your brother for anything bad.

He only did it to teach Genshin a lesson. And his name really is Shion, too. And, um...

Do you have anything to add, Shion?

I know she isn't my Akane. But she looks just like her...

And I just want my little sister to be happy. So if she wants to kill me, maybe I should let her.

That's insane! Just explain the situation to her!

So you didn't steal my brother's name? Your name really is Shion?

That's right. I have never claimed to be "Shion of the Fugen Itto-Ryu clan." But since we seem to look so similar, Genshin and the others all mistook me for him. It wasn't my fault.

(Well, you did actively dye your hair to look like him...)

So it's just a chance resemblance? Come to think of it, you do really look like him. I'm glad I noticed that before I cut you down!

Indeed, you were most impressive.

She almost killed you!

Ah, that was just a sweet little misunderstanding. She really cares for her brother.

Huh? Are you being sarcastic? Isn't this the point where you put on a smile and say something scary?

Glad as I am that we've got to the point in our friendship where you can say such things to me...

I don't recognize myself in that description. I'm always lovely.

No way! This can't be right!

I couldn't help overhearing. Is something the matter?

A really cool-looking samurai came by for some dango before. I gave him the product and saw him out. But I checked just now, and... Look...

Is that...a leaf?

Yes! I could've sworn he gave me real money, but now it's most definitely a leaf!

Counterfeit money made of leaves? The work of a specter, perhaps?

What kinda wretch uses leaf money to swindle someone out of their dango! I'll make him pay for this!

That's all well and good, but we don't even know what he looks like!

And she's gone already.

The crook... He was a purple-haired man who looked quite like the eastern gentleman.

I see. Thank you for telling us.

Aldo, we must go after her. She should still be on Vermilion Road.

There she is!

Wait, there's someone in front of her...

The imposter pretending to be my brother wasn't that doppelganger from before, it was you! I will not allow you to bring shame to my brother's form with this dango thievery! Prepare to die, scum!

Ngh!

Yaaargh! Somebody help me!

Is that...a raccoon?

So it was a specter after all.

I don't really get what's going on, but this is our guy all right! Now then...

No, wait! There must be an explanation for all this. We should see what it has to say!

No! I will cut it down!

A sound judgment. There's no reforming scoundrels like him.

Cut it out, Shion! Honestly, what's gotten into you? What happened to that calm, levelheaded guy I knew?

I just...really value her opinion.

(I get the feeling I can't expect much from Shion today.)

Still, you can't do this! We haven't even confirmed that this raccoon is our dango thief!

Dango, eh? Yeah, I bought some dango. Paid for it too, with this leaf money.

......

There. He confessed.

Very well...

Wait! Why did you take the form of that person before?

Why? I mean... Who sells dango to raccoons? I had to take human form to get my snacks. So I transformed into some guy I saw near the teahouse.

That sounds plausible enough. So you really didn't mean any harm by it?

Nope! I came across an old Mitarashi Dango skewer in my burrow... Just the sight of it, and I could practically taste that lusciously thick sauce, that chewy texture.

(Judging from the reaction of the customers back at the teahouse, they must be pretty addictive...) (To each their own, I guess.)

And that made you want to eat some dango from the teahouse?

Yup. Strange, isn't it? I completely forgot I'd ever even eaten those dango until I saw that skewer.

I know the feeling! I'm so forgetful. On special occasions, I can mistake the bang of fireworks for an enemy attack and draw my blade on impulse! I've even drawn my katana at my brother and Shigure.

Sure, I guess that could happen...

Ah!

What is it?

I dropped my dango! After going to all that trouble to buy them...

Well, you didn't exactly buy them did you? You stole them. In human society, you can't buy dango with leaf money.

Y-You can't? S-So I stole them?! What am I gonna do? That lady must be so mad at me!

Don't worry. If you apologize to her and end your life before her, I'm sure all will be forgiven.

Wait, that's a bit of an over- reaction, don't you think?!

Why don't you just apologize normally? Explain what happened to her.

I agree. And then give her this. I'm sure she'll forgive you this once.

Whoa! It's so shiny! It's even shinier than an acorn!

I'm so happy for you! You'll be able to stuff yourself with dango all year long with that coin!

All year long?! But that's insane! You two sure like taking things to extremes.

The money is of no matter to me. My position pays me more than I could ever need anyway.

Whoa! So all I've gotta do is say I'm sorry, and I get to gobble down all the dango I want?! Okay, I'm getting you all some, too! Come on over to my place in the Cat Shrine and we can eat together!

......

Those dango sure were delicious.

They really were.

(I'm so glad they sold plain dango!)

Shion, are you okay?

Yeah...

I was kinda surprised when you said not to eat the dango.

Haha... They just looked a little spoiled...

Look at me!

You caught me off guard before, but I'm actually a pro at disguises!

That's incredible! Can you turn into anything?

Darn right I can!

Then do a straw dummy! Pretty please!

Oh no. I don't like where this is going.

I'm not very good at standing around... So help me out with my sword training, will you?

Eeep!

You want a straw dummy? Then why don't I give you a few? Much better than getting this raccoon to act as one.

You know... I can't help but notice that you seem pretty indulgent over Akane.

I do?

You mean you aren't even aware?!

She just looks so much like my own sister... And... Now that you mention it, my sister did used to get mad at me, claiming that I spoiled her.

Yeah, I think I can see that.

I told you about how I was spirited away, didn't I?

You mean when you went through the wormhole and saw your future? And your sister...

Yes. Over a decade has passed, yet I still remember it as if it was yesterday. I still remember the feeling of the heat fading from her body, her life draining away. I imagine that's why I'm so eager to give her everything she wants now. I'd give her my whole life. I just want her to live, to be happy.

Shion...

I know she isn't my sister, but when I look at her, I just can't leave her alone. My sister would probably tell me off for being overprotective...

You there, in the battle dress. Shion, I presume.

That raccoon's turned into Shion again?

No. That really is my brother.

Huh? What's he doing here?

Oh, that you, Aldo? I have business with this man.

That raccoon's turned into your brother again?

No. That really is my brother.

Huh?

So you're Shion.

(That hair, that face, that katana... That's me from another world, the man I saw in my dreams as a child.) (How ironic...)

So what can I do for you?

I came to give you the death penalty at the behest of my lord.

The death penalty? And what crime am I supposed to have committed? All I did was show his lordship the right path. I did nothing deserving of judgment. If anyone here is guilty, surely it is you, not I? It is evident what your mission would have led to. Why didn't you protest?

Hey, that's not fair! Shion's loyal in his own way!

You don't need to defend me. It won't change the fact that I'm a fool with neither loyalty for his lord, nor honor as a samurai.

Shion...

A samurai is the sword of his lord. I just do as he wills.

How laudable. Samurai and tacticians have very different definitions of loyalty.

I have no wish to discuss loyalty with you.

No? Fair enough... If I hadn't let go of my mother's passion, father's will, and teacher's sword, I could see myself being you.

But I'm happy as I am now. I have no wish to be a puppet that lives to follow his master's orders.

As you wish. Then allow me to carry out my orders.

You certainly are strong. No other samurai in the land could hold a candle to you.

And you have quite the discerning eye. It's like you can read what I'm about to do next.

But even so, you never give me an opening to attack. It seems we're at an impasse.

Uh-oh! I've gotta stop them.

Just leave it to me!

Consider it payback! Hiyaaah!

Whoa!

Oops, it's gone out of control!

Akane, run! The tornado's heading your way!

Pah! It's barely even a breeze! I can smash through it!

Don't be crazy! That's never gonna work!

Are you okay, Akane?

Never better. Thanks Shion, thanks Shion's lookalike.

Thank goodness! That was so stupid of you! Why would you think you could take on a tornado with nothing but a katana?!

Only a novice misjudges his opponent and overestimates his own ability. I know I've told you that before. What in the world possessed you to do that?!

A samurai never turns their back on an enemy! So no way was I gonna do that in front of you!

I-I'm really sorry. I was just trying to save the dango guy. It's been so long since I've used this technique, I kinda forgot how to do it.

Thank you for trying to help me. But a power you can't control is simply chaos. It will only bring harm.

As my brother said to me, you've gotta keep on training and studying, all the time. If you practice every day, maybe you'll get the hang of it again.

Though I fall asleep every time I open up a book, so studying isn't exactly going so well for me...

A sword may end up a kitchen knife. Skills you don't use will weaken day by day. Take care not to lose them.

Like I did with sword fighting...

I'm not so sure about that. I recognized your stance, the movement of your feet. I know a practitioner of the Fugen Itto-Ryu "sword of strength" technique when I see one.

Ah!

...You have a good eye. But that was a long time ago. I'm so rusty, it is less than useless to me now.

Unused skills will weaken. I don't intend to dispute that. But something you've practiced so much will never truly be forgotten. Its core will always remain with you. The way you fought proved that. You may not wield a sword, yet you have not lost your sword-fighting ability.

......

If the opportunity ever presents itself, I would like to duel with you while you wield a blade.

Wait... So you're not going to kill me?

How could I? You are beyond my talents, and that's all there is to it. Now if you will excuse me.

Brother! Wait! I'm coming with you!

Thanks, guys. You too, Mr. Raccoon. It was fun training with you.

Beyond his talents? Nonsense. He could have killed me, for sure. The fact that he didn't implies he never intended to in the first place. He proved his loyalty to his lord, yet retained his honor as a samurai. His can't be an easy life...

Well that's just how he is. He says so little that it's easy to misunderstand him, but he's actually a really earnest, compassionate guy.

There's somewhere I'd like to go. Would you come with me?

Of course. Where did you have in mind?

Somewhere very special to me, in the Inanari Plateau.

You're going? That's a shame...

I'll come see you if I'm ever in the area again. Now, we'd best be going.

Okay! See you later!

The Fugen Itto-Ryu Dojo... Just seeing this sign, and the memories come flooding back.

You used to come here then?

Yes... I abandoned the way of the sword when I saw that terrible future, so it was only for a short time. But the teachings of Fugen Itto-Ryu remain within me still. That's what he...what Shion said.

I've been wondering something... Whenever you're lost in thought, you touch your weapon. Did you pick that up in your katana-learning days?

Haha, you noticed that? It's one habit I simply can't seem to shake.

My whole life has been about killing the future in which Akane dies. To find out what I must do for the future to change, and to know that it has changed. Without even knowing how to go about it, I dedicated myself to the art of war and climbed to this position. Mine is a goal without an end, which is why I abandoned everything of no use to me. At least, I thought I had.

So you hadn't actually?

No. Shamefully, those things I thought I'd let go of remained within me all this time.

Perhaps it's impossible to ever truly let go of something.

Remember what the raccoon said? How seeing the skewer made him remember the taste of the dango? Even if you throw something out, the memory will remain. Even if you forget something, it's not gone. And much like that, sword fighting is something that will always be a part of you.

That makes sense to me. You know, I really liked it when I was younger. And I still do. I guess it was never going to be possible to let go of something I liked that much.

It's no mean feat what you've set out to do.

So I don't really think you've got to throw out everything that isn't your goal itself.

If it's too much for you alone, then you can always ask me. Two can carry so much more than one.

Thank you. Though, you know what I would like to throw out? All those letters piled up on my desk.

But you'd get in so much trouble if you did that!

Teehee... I was only joking.

Next time I need a break, maybe I'll try wielding a sword again.

I want to at least be good enough to avoid making a fool of myself if I ever duel with Shion again.

Make sure to tell me if you ever do try. I'd love to see you sword fighting.

Why, so you can make fun of me, knowing I won't be up to scratch?

I'm not so sure if that's true. Your confidence is written all over your face.

Well I guess that's because I got Shion's seal of approval already.

(Even if not the figure I saw in my dream, my parents' and my mentor's teachings live on in me.) (And I'm happy with that.)

(Someday, when I have done what I set out to do, I will once again take up my sword...)