Dreams Fade To Mist

My thanks be to you, oh Cat Deity! Meeting Aldo enabled me to embark on this pilgrimage and come to a time with real samurai! Thank you for bringing Aldo into my life, oh Cat Deity!

Come on, that's going a bit over- board, don't you think?

Nah! Time travel may be normal for you, but it sure ain't for me!

I feel like I'm dreaming! I never thought I'd get to experience a miracle like this! I'm honestly so glad you came into my life, Aldo!

Well, the pleasure's been all mine.

So where to next? There's a dojo nearby that specializes in swordsman- ship, if you're interested?

Really? What school of sword, Huh?

*huff* *huff*

Ah!

Watch out!

Miss, are you okay?

I-I think so... Thank you.

Heh... So pretty...

Did you say something?

Nope, not me! Anyway, you looked like you were in a hurry there, miss. Is something wrong?

Well...

There you are!

She seems pretty scared of you. Mind if I ask how you two know each other?

What are you, Westerners? Just stay out of my way, okay?

Why were you following her?

None of your business. Now stay out of this, Westerners.

Okay, if you're not gonna talk, you leave me no choice.

Nyanmaru! Deploy screens around our friend here. Project the "present" with a five second delay.

What are you...

It's a secret.

Agh... My eyes!

Now you two, follow me!

Think a little trick like that will hold back a Mi samurai?

Okay, let's get out of here. We should go somewhere with lots of people. You'll be safe from him there.

O-Okay... Izana, maybe?

We should have lost him by now.

Yeah, I don't see any signs of him following us.

Good...

Thank you so much for your help, kind travelers. My name is Sayo. Would you mind if I asked your names?

I'm Aldo, a traveling swordsman. And this is...

Oboro... My name is Oboro. I'm a samurai. Or that's what I call myself, at least.

A samurai?

What is it?

It's just... I always think of samurai as being so scary and intimidating...

But Sir Oboro, you have such a kind face. I never would have expected you to be a samurai.

Oh, I'm no sir or anything. I'm nothing that fancy.

Well, that doesn't matter. My dear late brother always told me to be respectful to those I'm indebted to.

So Sayo, why was that guy chasing you?

Um... Forgive me, but I'd rather not drag the two of you into my affairs.

Don't be silly! I'm more than happy to get dragged into your affairs! I wanna really get to know you.

Huh?

Oh, erm, not like that! Not in a weird way or anything. It's just... I'm worried about you, that's all!

I see...

Would you mind telling us what's going on? Maybe we can help you.

......

Okay, but promise me one thing. If, after hearing what I have to say, you decide you want to stay out of this, forget everything I said, okay?

I'm the daughter of someone, um, influential, I guess you could say. That's why they're after me. They want me dead.

Like that man from before?

Yes. So you're better off staying away from me...

Oh no!

Wha, !

Phew. I thought that was my pursuer.

I'm so sorry! It wasn't very ladylike of me to cling to you like that.

N-Not at all. I...um...I'm just glad to be of service.

You are a very earnest man, aren't you?

...Ouch!

Did you get hurt?

I-It's just...my foot's been hurting a little since we ran.

Hmm. I think you've sprained your ankle.

Shigure!

Honestly, Aldo. If you've come all the way to Izana, you should at least come say hello.

A friend of yours, Aldo? 'Cause there's something about this guy...

I thought everyone around these parts knew about the fool from the Itto-Ryu clan.

Wait, you're from the Itto-Ryu clan? That's awesome!

Haha, so you have heard of us? Well, that is a relief.

Um, who are you?

I thought everyone around these parts knew about the fool from the Itto-Ryu clan.

Wait, you're from the Itto-Ryu clan? That's awesome!

Haha, so you have heard of us? Well, that is a relief.

I'm Shigure, and most would say I'm a bit of an eccentric. Even the smallest things have a connection, wouldn't you agree? Now, what is your name?

Oh, right. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Oboro. I have so many questions for you, but first, do you know where we can find somewhere to sit down?

For the young lady? Hmm... The tearooms should suit that purpose.

I was just feeling thirsty anyway. Come on, follow me.

Here you go, Sayo. This damp towel should help cool your ankle down.

Um...

Sorry, it's all I have on me. But it's clean, I swear!

No, it's not that... It's just, it's such pretty fabric. I don't want to ruin it.

Nah, don't worry about that! B-But if you don't want it, I don't wanna force it on you either...

It's just, the sooner we cool down your ankle, the quicker it'll start to heal. So if you don't mind...

I-If you're sure, then okay. I'll gratefully accept.

They're both so awkward, it's making me uncomfortable just watching this. But you know, I feel like I've seen this girl before.

You know her?

Hmm... No, I wouldn't go that far.

Grr! I can't remember why I recognize her!

Anyway, let's forget about that for now. Oboro, you said you had questions for me? It's rare for someone to seek my knowledge. So what are you looking for exactly?

You said you were part of the Itto- Ryu clan?

That's right. I'm the first son of the Fugen Itto-Ryu Dojo, and the greatest catch in the whole of Mi!

So this is for real? Whoa, this is so cool! I hardly know what to do with myself!

I'm so over-the-moon, I feel like I could bungee jump off one of the floating islands!

Haha! I have no idea what you're talking about, but I like you! You seem like fun.

Oboro here is a Fugen Itto-Ryu practitioner from the future. That's why he's so excited to meet you, Shigure.

The future? And I take it we're not talking about a couple of days here?

Nope. I know it sounds hard to believe, but I was actually born hundreds of years from now.

You're right, that IS hard to believe. And yet, you don't look like you're lying.

I had hoped that Itto-Ryu would last into the future, but to continue for hundreds of years?

I had hoped that Itto-Ryu would last into the future, but to continue for hundreds of years?

It's a miracle! It means the future me managed to find a wife and birth a child!

I had hoped that Itto-Ryu would last into the future, but to continue for hundreds of years?

This is incredible! If my father knew this, he'd burst into tears of joy!

So you like swords, huh?

I love 'em! I only started learning at first 'cause I wanted to look cool like the samurai in the movies... But then I got hooked, and now I'm a professional swordsman. I know I'm a massive disappointment to my parents 'cause they wanted me to go into politics like them... But I have no regrets. This is what I wanna do.

Living your own life...

You took up the sword because you wanted to... Not because you had to?

I love it! It's Oboro, right? Come to my dojo! I'd love to introduce you to my father.

O-Of course!

......

Sayo? Is something wrong?

Sorry, I was just a little shocked by what you said.

I never realized it was possible to decide how you want to live your own life.

Yeah, that's normal in my era. It's pretty much taken for granted.

Look, no one else is ever gonna take responsibility for your life, right? It's up to you to decide how you spend it. Even if you make the wrong choice, at least it was YOUR choice.

That sounds like a wonderful way to live your life. I wish I had that kind of freedom...

Wait a minute...

Here you go!

Are these dango? Thank you so much.

Yep, and I put some mustard and ketchup on there.

Oboro! You're not seriously gonna make her eat that, are you?

They look so...vibrant. Are they really that bad?

No, they're great! Sure, they're an acquired taste, but I love 'em!

Sayo, don't feel you have to eat them, okay?

I-I know. But since Oboro has gone to so much effort, I'll...I'll try it...

Hngh!

Wh-What a...unique...flavor.

You know... *giggle* It's actually quite delightful. I've never tried anything like this before.

Right? I knew you'd like it!

I'm glad it put a smile on your face.

Hey, did you hear? There's a load of vagabonds running loose on the Inanari Plateau​.

Huh?

Remember that household that fell to ruin a few years back? Well, I hear they're connected to them.

Oh yeah, I remember them. They were suspected of trying to start a rebellion, right? How stupid. What'd they think would happen, going against his lordship like that?

......

They went against the person they were sworn to serve? I wonder what was going through their heads.

Huh? Sayo?

Sayo! Wait!

Ah, it's starting to make sense...

Aldo, I know why I recognize her now.

......

Excuse me, I'd like to get past...

'Fraid that's not going to happen. Not with the castle's samurai blocking the way. He's here to capture those baddies plotting against his lordship.

Now spit it out! Where are your accomplices?

As if I'd tell you! Maybe you'd be willing to sell out your friends, but I've got standards!

Agh!

......

You think you can compel me with pain? Well, think again!

Stop this at once!

You don't get to talk to us like that, pipsqueak.

Can't you see he's badly injured? If you keep hurting him, he'll die.

A criminal's life has no value. Why should anyone care if he dies?

Unless this good-for-nothing is a friend of yours?

No, I've never met him before.

Then why are you interfering?

Well... (I know this era has its own way of doing things and I really shouldn't get involved. But I...)

It just doesn't sit right with me. I don't like to see anybody getting hurt, that's all. Whatever the reason, it's never okay to hurt others.

It's just a basic principle of mine. I can't look the other way when someone may lose their life!

All right, enough talking. If you insist on getting in our way, we'll just have to...

Wait a minute! I know you. You're the man who let the girl escape earlier! So that explains it! You're with the rebel scum.

Rebel scum? What are you talking about?

Oh please, don't act all innocent with me. I know your game now. As you're probably aware, she is the princess of the clan who once plotted a rebellion against our lord. Though his lordship was gracious enough to release her, she seems to have forgotten about this kindness... And villain that she is, she is now planning to commit the same crime as her father.

No! Our master had no such plans! He was simply trying to express his opinion to his lordship! Same goes for the princess! She was always against this plan. She didn't do anything wrong!

Just tell me where she is! Where is your leader? Where is the girl intent on turning our land to chaos?

I dunno whether the same move'll work twice, but it's worth a try. Nyanmaru, if you will...

Is that...

Well, that certainly saved me some time.

Stop! Leave the princess alone! She's a good person. She doesn't...

Grr, quit struggling!

Please... Save the princess...

I was sure this was the way...

Oboro!

I heard about Sayo from Shigure. I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner.

If anyone's apologizing, it should be me for acting on my own. But what are you doing here, anyway?

Shigure says Sayo may have headed toward the Temple Ruins. He says he's seen someone who looks like her around that area before. I figured here would be my best bet at finding you.

Yeah, I do think Sayo is through here. Let's go in after her.

My family fostered this vengeful ghost to fulfill their wishes.

If I release this in Kurosagi Castle, I can defeat Lord Genshin, my father's enemy. As the sole survivor of my family, I am the only one who can be entrusted to take on this duty.

If I run away, everyone's sacrifices will have all been for nothing. But...

Whatever the reason, it's never okay to hurt others.

......

Sayo!

Oboro, Aldo, what are you doing here?

I was told that you were in league with the rebels. But that's a lie, right?

No, it's no lie. My whole family was executed for opposing their lord. It is up to me to finish what they started.

As princess of a samurai family, as the only one of us left, it is my responsibility.

Sayo, you're talking like this is your duty.

You don't actually want to do this, do you?

What I want isn't relevant.

To live one's life acting as expected by others is the fate of a woman in my position. It's what I was born to do. As someone from the future, I wouldn't expect you to understand.

You're right, I don't understand. You're nobody's tool, Sayo. You don't need to wear yourself down for anyone. You don't have to put yourself through pain for them. Everybody should get to live for their own happiness. Everybody.

To live for your own happiness... No, that isn't allowed.

If your life here is suffocating you, then come to the future with me.

The future?

Rebel princess, I have finally found you!

And I might have known I'd find the two of you here! Looks like you are her allies after all!

No!

Oh, vengeful ghost! Vanquish the intruders!

Gh...!

Why is it attacking us?

I don't know who you are, but I admire your desire to protect the Land of Mi.

What are you talking about?

But you cannot stop me. I want you all gone! Now!

......

Lady Sayo, you are under arrest. I will have to restrain you.

No need. As a samurai's daughter, I will not do anything to disgrace myself now that I have been defeated.

What are you going to do with her?

Rebelling against one's superiors is a serious crime. We'll have to await further orders, but things don't look good for her.

Wait! Sayo doesn't...

You insolent man! Do not insult me by attempting to show mercy!

Let's go. This has taken up more than enough of our time.

......

Is that the towel you lent to Sayo?

Aldo, you mind if I pick your brain about something? If I chase after Sayo, it'd be a waste of my kindness.

But the thing is...as bad and as stupid as that choice is, I want to make it anyway.

I don't care if they think I'm an accomplice. I don't care if they arrest me. I just don't want to part like this.

Then let's go after her. They couldn't have gotten very far yet.

No, no, I'm not dragging you into this, Aldo. I'm doing this alone.

But...

I'll be fine! Look, I know I said I was fine with being arrested, but I'm not exactly planning to get caught.

You know me! I'm pretty great at running away. We'll meet up later, okay?

Sir Samurai, this looks as good a place as any.

For what, exactly?

You're going to kill me, aren't you?

My, my, princess, you're smarter than you look. There I was thinking you'd dream of being rescued.

Me, I have no reason to dream of anything at all. For someone like me, my mere existence can be enough to fan the flames of rebellion.

This is my duty. I won't apologize for that.

A samurai is a sad existence indeed.

She must be around here somewhere...

You again?

Where's Sayo?

Huh?

No! Wh-Why...

You...came...after...me...

J-Just hold on for me, okay? I-I'm gonna try to stop the bleeding. And then I'm gonna get you to a doctor...

I'll ruin...your pretty fabric...

Don't worry about that. We just gotta... We just gotta stop the bleeding. And then... Then I'm gonna take you to my time, okay? A wound like this...i-it'll heal, definitely...

That's...good... I wonder...what will I do when I get to your time?

You can do anything you like. Anything at all. In my time, everyone is born free. You can do whatever you like. Be whoever you like. Live for your own happiness.

Do you have any dreams, Sayo?

Dreams? No, none...

There's no point in dreaming... They'd never come true anyway...

But that was before. It's different now. Whatever your dream is, I'll make sure it comes true.

That's...so kind...

But...it doesn't matter now... I got to choose...what I wanted to be...

Sayo?

Oboro, today was...the first time... I ever chose something...for myself...

I wanted to be...like you...

Was I cool...do you think?

Yeah. You were the coolest, Sayo.

I'm so...glad...

N-No...

No...!

Have you said your goodbyes now?

What will you...

I have to take her body with me, as proof that the criminal is deceased.

Criminal? But Sayo didn't do anything wrong!

......

A samurai must never go against their master's orders. If ordered to eliminate the figurehead of a rebellion, he has no choice but to obey.

That's what it means to be a samurai? That's what I've always looked up to?

If so, then I...