For Some Day in the Future

You're so stubborn, Suzaku! Why don't you understand? I want to create a world where everyone can get along!

A world with no discrimination, whether demon, human, machine, or sorcerer! A world where everyone can smile! A world without war!

I understand your dream perfectly well.

But you need to learn to understand reality!

If you, as lord of this land, were to enter another land and plead with them to end all wars... What if they didn't listen to you? What if they turned their swords against you?

That would lead to the very thing you're trying to prevent! It would lead to war!

We won't know unless we try!

......

Besides, I'm worried about that rumor about the Lands of Mi and Shin heading for war... I have to do something before that happens!

Ah, so this is all my fault for telling you about that rumor...

Please, Tsukiha. Don't you see what folly this is? A summit between our three nations will never work!

But if we don't do it, nothing will change.

......

We could never hold a summit on such short notice, but I suppose we could still have one-on-one meetings.

So you mean... Individual discussions between the Land of Ro and the Land of Mi...and the Land of Ro and the Land of Shin?

Yes, that could work! Okay, there's no time to waste! Let's get moving!

Wait! We are talking about an important international meeting here. It is not so simple. It would be one thing if our lands had a history of friendly relations, but... Well, we need to prepare.

Prepare, how?

Before you and the other lords can meet, you must let us aides do our thing. It just so happens that I've recently received a secret proposal from a counterpart regarding just that. They want to meet up to discuss the Land of Ro's plans for the future.

So basically...you want to talk with people from the Land of Mi and the Land of Shin?

In a nutshell, yes. I would request your permission to allow these representatives into our land. We're only talking about a very small number, and I'll make sure my people keep an eye on them. But if you disapprove of the idea...

No, I love it! Of course I approve!

I'm glad to hear it.

When will they arrive? I'd love to be there and...

No, that is not a good idea. As our lord, you shouldn't come anywhere near these meetings.

What?! Why not?! That's so unfair!

This is supposed to be between aides, remember? Breaking our promises now will just backfire!

Sorry to interrupt.

They will be arriving shortly.

Understood.

Wait for me to report back to you. And don't tell anyone else that I'm meeting someone from another land.

Urgh! A new potential ally has shown up, and I'm not even allowed to see them? Just because I'm a lord... ......

Wait. Then...if I wasn't lord, I'd be allowed to go? And I know just the girl to ask about a disguise! That girl who manages the Cradle Tower storeroom!

Okay, let's go see if she can help!

You're looking for...a ninja outfit?

That's right! I remember you saying you were really into fashion. And you told me that there were loads of clothes stored away up here.

I can't believe you remembered that!

But...a ninja outfit? If you don't mind me asking...why?

Because ninjas can get close to people without them noticing! Listen, I can't say any more than that, but I REALLY need this outfit! You gotta help me!

Hmm...it sounds serious. Then I'd better get serious, too! Okay, we'll find you the perfect outfit in here somewhere.

No one will know your own tastes better than you, so why don't you help me look?

Now, THIS screams ninja to me...

Oooh, these flower embellishments are SOOO pretty!

I-I don't know, it's pretty loud for a ninja outfit...

And check out the floral pattern on this one! So cute!

But that's even more in-your-face than the first one! (Maybe what she's looking for isn't an actual ninja outfit...) (But a ninja-like outfit...)

Okay, I'm gonna try this one on!

I know I've already asked this, but I'm so curious! Why exactly do you want to dress up as a ninja?

Actually, it's all because of Suzaku, ahhh! No, I didn't just say that! I'm real sorry, but my lips are sealed!

(It's because I want to follow Suzaku to infiltrate his secret meetings. But I can't tell anyone about them!)

(Suzaku? What could he have to do with this? Ohh... I think I see now...)

Then I'll be waiting out in the corridor while you get changed.

What if she wants to dress as a ninja... Because she wants Suzaku to see her in a different light? Could it be that she...has feelings for Suzaku?!

But everyone's going to react to the princess's new style! She'll cause an uproar before she even gets to reveal her new look to Suzaku! I can't let that happen!

Suzaku needs the chance to tell her his true opinion, without everyone else's praise to influence him! I have to tell everyone not to comment on her new look!

Okay... That should be everyone. Now to wait for the Princess to finish changing...

I'm reaaady!

What do you think?

You look gorgeous, Princess! I'm sure that Suzaku will, Ah, no! We'll say no more about that!

(It seems like she wants to keep that a secret, so I should follow suit.)

You look so different like this! You're almost unrecognizable.

Really?!

Really! You look so cute!

Success! Now, I've gotta go find Suzaku!

I think that's a great idea.

...... Usually, people come up to greet me all the time...but no one's reacting to me at all.

This is working even better than expected! I must truly look like a totally different person. This ninja disguise was such a great idea!

Hey there!

Huh?!

Have you seen Suzaku?

U-Um...I think I heard him say he was heading to the inn...

Thanks!

Whew...it was so hard to pretend not to recognize her. But my, how cute she looked! Suzaku will be so surprised to see her.

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the Land of Ro is strongly opposed to war. However, if the Land of Mi were to attack my country, that would inevitably lead to a huge conflict.

You need to consider what you would do in that eventuality. Because to get yourselves involved halfway through...

Yes, I know.

Not so long ago, I never would have imagined sneaking into the Land of Ro like this. I must confess, I was surprised to receive papers from you in secret.

I didn't think you had it in you.

Well...

I suppose I have the Land of Mi's tactician to thank?

Wha?! Yes, I admit it. I did ask for his help in this one matter. However, Ro would never join Mi to attack Shin. If nothing else, please believe that at least.

So you say... Well, I will pass this on to my people.

You're leaving already? Why don't you at least pay a visit to our famous hot springs before you go?

I might just do that, yes. It can't hurt to get to know your land a little better before I leave.

I wonder if Suzaku's still at the inn? Only one way to find out!

No one's here. I guess the meeting hasn't started yet. Okay, time to put my new ninja look to work! I'll just hide somewhere and watch over the whole thing.

Like, if I hide here...

And who might you be?

I was under the impression that this meeting would be with Suzaku...

Meeting with Suzaku?

Ahh, right! You must be the outlander here for the meeting! I'm this land's...ummm....

Ninja!

...... So if you don't mind me saying, that would make you Suzaku's... subordinate?

Yes, that's right! I really wanted to befriend you, so I decided to join the meeting!

Befriend me? In that case...

Let us talk openly. I am Shion, the tactician of the Land of Mi. Maybe you've heard of me?

Yes, I've heard the rumors! So it's you...

Let me cut to the chase... Would you like to become a citizen of my land?

I... Ah, I think I see what you're saying. If we were all citizens of the same land, there would be no need for fighting.

Yes, that's exactly it! I'm so glad you understand!

My reports were right about you...

Huh?

Now, what if I told you I'd killed people from the Land of Ro? Would you still want me to join you?

I...

Even if so...it wouldn't matter, as long as you were willing to turn over a new leaf as one of my citizens.

And if I told you I had no intention of turning over a new leaf?

Then I'll just have to persuade you!

Heh... It is one thing to hear the reports of your persuasiveness, quite another to experience it firsthand. It is plain to see how it was that your land managed to avoid the outbreak of war. As long as you are here, the chances of your land rushing toward war are low indeed.

And what about the Land of Mi?

I'm afraid I can't speak for my whole country... But if you want my personal opinion? Being a tactician is about more than just waging war. It is our role to lead our country to victory. Sometimes, that comes by avoiding war rather than waging it.

So...you're saying you don't want to fight, either? You just keep getting better! Now I HAVE to make you my citizen!

I'm very sorry, but I have my own reasons for wanting to remain in my country, as I'm sure you can understand. No matter how hard you try, you will never persuade me.

Yeah, I can see that. You've sure got a will of iron... But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me!

I'll bear that in mind. Now, I understand that you also have a visitor from the Land of Shin. Don't you want to meet them yourself?

Absolutely! If I can just find them!

I believe she was headed for the hot springs.

The hot springs? Got it! Thanks.

Oh, and, um... about what you said before... About killing our people...

Don't worry, that was just a lie. I only said it to gauge your response.

Oh, I see... Hey, if you have the time, you should check out our hot springs, too. They'll wash all your fatigue away!

Thank you, ninja.

What an unusual lord...

You must be the tactician of the Land of Mi. I must thank you for proposing this secret meeting. Your cooperation made it possible for me to speak with the general from the Land of Shin.

And was that discussion fruitful?

To an extent. I was at least able to convey the Land of Ro's dedication to peace, which is a step forward.

Indeed. Speaking for myself, seeing your resolve firsthand has been meaningful. Personally, I do not want war to break out. It's my job as tactician to ensure it doesn't.

......

But if it comes to it...

I only really came here to check out what resources they had going for them... But I've gotta hand it to them. This is actually a pretty nice hot spring.

You think so?! I'm so glad you like it!

Welcome to the Land of Ro! You must be the representative from the Land of Shin who came to see Suzaku! I'm... Um...

I'm a ninja who works for Suzaku! I thought I'd come see you to get to know you better!

I am Hozuki. As Suzaku has likely already informed you, I serve as general to the Land of Shin.

And you are... Yes, I see...

You know me?

Yes, an aide of Mi's tactician came to let me know that the...ninja of this land would be coming to see me.

Awesome, that makes things so much easier! But first...I'm getting in!

Curious... Most would not put themselves in such a vulnerable position before a foreign general...

Hey, there's no need to speak all formal with me, you know? I'm just a ninja after all.

I know you have it in you; I heard the way you were talking when you thought no one else was here.

...... Yes, "just a ninja"... Very well, no more formalities.

Awesome!

So, was there something you wanted to ask me? I'm guessing you didn't come all the way here just for a soak in the hot springs.

Yeah, um... Will you become a citizen in my land?

Um, what?! Has she forgotten her humble ninja act already?!

Hm? Did you say something?

Nope, nothing at all. But I'll have to refuse. I pledged allegiance to the lord of the Land of Shin, and I will never betray that. You have some nerve making such a bad joke to the general of a foreign land, you know.

But it wasn't a joke. I'm being serious.

So, what's your angle? You lure me over to your side, then you attack Shin or Mi?

No, I would never do anything like that! I want to create a world with no war and no discrimination, where everyone can get along! That's why I want you to join us!

...... *sigh* She's serious. She's actually serious.

So, um... Do you want war?

Nothing drains a nation's resources like war. It's not something we'd get into lightly.

That's such a relief to hear! I don't wanna fight either.

Then Suzaku wasn't lying when he said that the Land of Ro wouldn't join Mi on an attack against us? I'm glad I got to confirm that point. This has been a good talk.

She rejected my offer of citizenship... But at least I now know that the Land of Shin doesn't want to go to war, either.

That general...she sure drank a lot while she was soaking in the hot springs... Drinking that much can't be good for you...

I mean, she said it was fine. So maybe it is...

Anyway... I should probably get back to the castle.

Ah! Suzaku!

You're back...

Listen, I...

I thought I told you to wait! Was that so much to ask for?!

Urk!

We'll discuss this in the Lord's Chambers.

Don't you have any awareness of what it means to be a Lord?!

...... (Ugh... My leg's falling asleep...)

Can you imagine what went through my head... When the Mi tactician told me he met a "ninja" who looked just like you?! Or when the Shin general told me you'd gone to see her?! Do you have any idea how worried I was? I told you that the preliminary discussions were to be between the aides, NOT the lords!

B-But that's why I went as a ninja instead! I thought it was a pretty good disguise, actually.

Well, you thought wrong!

Honestly! This is what I get for leaving you to do your own thing. Trouble. Every time!

But you sometimes leave our land to check out the other nations, right? Well, no one would ever recognize me dressed like this. So I wanna go with you next time. I want to do whatever I can for my land.

*sigh* Forget it. For the time being, I'll stay by your side, and we can carry out your lordly duties together.

We'll work together for the good of our land without going anywhere. I take it you don't have a problem with that?

N-Nope...

Whew... I've been listening to everyone's appeals for ages... And you've been here by my side the whole time...

I've been watching you act as lord of the land. I have to admit, you're doing well. Above all else, the people seem to really count on you. More than I ever expected.

Keep praising me like that, and you're gonna make me blush!

I notice you've taken to wearing that outfit recently. Do you like it?

Because...I mean...it really suits you...

I figure, if I'm gonna dress the part, I might as well learn the ways of the ninja as well. You never know, I might need to infiltrate a foreign land at some point!

Right?!

Um, Suzaku? Do you think that a summit between the three lords will ever happen? Because I know now...there are those from both Mi and Shin who don't want to go to war, either.

Even if some don't want war, it's not always enough to stop the tide. I doubt it will be so easy to...

Bad tidings! We've just received a report...

...That the Lands of Mi and Shin have gone to war!

WHAT?!

War has broken out?

I can't believe this! We have to do something! Right, Suzaku? We have to find a way to stop this war!

No! You shouldn't do anything.

Huh?

For now, the Land of Ro must remain neutral. What if you left and something happened to you? What would become of the Land of Ro then? Our land is only united because of you.

If something were to happen to you...

But I can't just sit back and do nothing! I'm sure everyone would understand!

Oh dear! While I'm dressed like this, no one will realize I'm Tsukiha!

I explained it to my attendants and those who came for appeals, but there are still so many who don't know.

Lady Tsukiha! You've been working so hard at the castle, I feel like it's been forever since I last saw you! So this is the famous outfit, eh? Teehee, what did Suzaku have to say about it?

My, you look pretty as a picture. I'm sure Suzaku had lots of nice things to say about it.

Well...he did say it suited me...

Heehee! And so he should!

Princess! Did Suzaku like your new outfit?

Yes, it sounds like it went over really well.

Hey, that's great!

Wait...you all recognize me? Even in this outfit?

Of course we do! What kind of citizen of Ro wouldn't recognize their own princess?

But before, no one seemed to recognize me when I walked through town...

Ah, we wanted Suzaku to give you his honest thoughts first. That's why we pretended not to recognize you.

We'll always band together for your sake!

Our land only exists because of you! So we want to do whatever we can for you.

You guys... ......

Right. Thank you...

Looks like you preempted me.

I can't allow you to leave. Especially not to stop the war.

Don't worry. I won't go.

You...won't? You're serious?

Of course! It's just like you said. I...I'll stay here for now, as a neutral leader.

This is unusually reasonable of you.

It's just, I understand now. The people of this land really care about me.

If something were to happen to me... It would throw everyone into disarray and wreak havoc on this nation.

I can't let that happen.

Indeed. It's not that I don't care what happens to the other nations. And it's not like I want this war to take place.

It's just that the Land of Ro...and you...are so very important to me.

But I...I'll never give up. Someday, things will change. And when that happens, I'm gonna fight.

But until that day, I will protect our land.

And until that day, I vow to be here to protect you.

(I know that not everyone in this world wants to fight.) (So when the time comes to fight for this world...)

(I will be right there at the front!)