Epilogue: Even If This Body Were To Fall at Musashi

Hahahaha! Go on, sing! Drink up! It's all on Master's tab, anyway!

Well then, don't mind if I do! Here, Kippoushi, let me top you off.

Wahahahaha! Appreciate it, Hektor.

By the way, I noticed Honnoji International seemed to up and disappear when I wasn't looking. How the hell'd that happen?

It really felt like my Smashing Senbei was gonna be a big hit!

The first drink imbibed after a hard day's work truly feels as though it seeps right into your core, doesn't it? Though of course, this atmosphere is a bit too...lively to enjoy any sense of elegance.

Yeah! I'm pretty sure some hero from China or wherever said that when the drinks come out, you've either gotta dance or sing!

In fact, if it'll get you all dancing, I wouldn't mind breaking out my shamisen!

S-Senpai? What's going on in here? There seems to be a lot of, um...drunken revelry?

Oh, hey! It's the war conch Shielder Servant! Good timing!

You've gotta show me how you wield a war conch and a giant shield at the same time. I've been wondering about it since we last met!

W-well, um...

？！

O-oh. I see...

Man, I still can't believe you're here at Chaldea too now, Takasugi.

Yup, here I am, the shadiest guy of the Bakumatsu, in the ethereal flesh. Now that I'm here, I'm not gonna let you have all the fun!

This guy sure likes to give you a hard time, huh, Ryouma.

Bleeegggh!!! I-I can't drink another drop...

Come on, Okada, is that all you've got? You haven't had enough booze to make Tanaka so much as blink!

Wh-what was that!? Okay then, give me another round! I'm not losing to Shinbei of all people!

Hahahahaha! You're still just as gullible as ever, aren't you!? But that's why I've always liked you more than Sakamoto!

You like Izo? Are you insane?

I couldn't help but notice that this wine seems familiar. May I ask where you came by it?

...

？！

Oh, sorry. I was just reminiscing.

Takasugi always had a way of lighting up the room. He's been like that ever since I first met him in Edo.

Gotta say, I was really jealous of that.

Sakamoto...

C'mon, Sakamoto, knock it off with the creepy smile.

This, right here, is exactly why nobody trusts you. You're ruining the vibe, too.

Oh. Sorry about that. Guess I'd better get out of your hair then.

Don't be ridiculous. I swear, this is your whole problem.

Wh-what do you mean?

We're all part of Team Chaldea now, right?

So come on, help celebrate my arrival by having a drink with me.

Takasugi...

Okay then, maybe I will.

Go on, Master. You drink up, too.

Oh, right. You're not legally old enough to drink in this time, are you?

Well, at least you can still enjoy the food. Or how about a dance? I can play the shamisen while you tear up the dance floor.

？！

Hell yeah! Now you're talking!

Don't worry. No matter how long or short your life is, whoever has the most fun with theirs wins.

So I'm gonna make damn sure I enjoy the hell out of your Chaldea!

Here you go. Enjoy.

...

You there, mean-looking guy.

No, wait. I recognize you. You were Lord Yoshida's right-hand man, Lord Emiya Alter, right?

Is this seat taken?

Yes. Get lost.

You hear that, Zanzaburo!? It's ours for the taking! Come on, this way!

Chug, chug, chug, zan!

Bartender, I'll have a whiskey with water, and Zanzaburo here will have one on the rocks. Oh, and could we get some daikon radishes and eggs, too? Thanks.

...Did you not hear me?

Now, now, don't be like that. This Singularity's going to be gone soon, anyway.

So why can't I relax until you head back to Chaldea?

Besides, I ran myself ragged working behind the scenes this time. The least you could do to thank me is buy me a drink, no?

...Well, aren't you the cheery little vagabond. Fine, drink if you want. Just leave me alone.

(Sighhh) You and I sure got the short end of the stick this time around, didn't we?

Didn't I just say to leave me alone?

You sure did! All right, a toast to Lord Yoshida Shouin.

...Cheers.

...

...By the way, who's inside that warrior monk costume?

Pfft! Wh-where did that come from!?

Zanzaburo's his own thing! There's no one inside him!

(Snooore... Snooore...)

？！

...Hm? Oh, is it morning already?

Man, guess I got a little carried away yesterday. Sorry about that. Okada threw up all over the cafeteria, so I couldn't sleep there.

That's why I came here to share your futon. No big deal, right?

If you want, I can recite something about killing crows or whatnot. My dodoitsu poems are pretty famous, at least in Japan.

Good morning, Senpai. That was quite the party you had yesterday, wasn't it?

Huh? What are you doing here so early, Takasugi?

Oh, don't mind me. It's no big deal.

All right, since it's a special occasion and all, I think I'll start off the day with a little hair of the dog.

I'm sure that director guy won't mind if I "borrow" a few more bottles from his wine closet.

He, um, certainly marches to the beat of his own drum, doesn't he, Senpai?

Oh, right, I almost forgot. Here.

？！

Yup. It's a Holy Grail, along with some of Takasugi Industries' famous Restoration Manjyu in lieu of a proper gift.

Consider it a little something to commemorate the start of our business collaboration.

And hey, now that I'm here, you'd better believe I won't let you get bored. You can count on Takasugi Shinsaku to keep things interesting.

？！

Hah! Well, listen to you.

Even if my life ends on the Musashi Plain, the Yamato spirit will still remain.

Yeah, you're right. The best way I can think of to honor Shouin-sensei...

...is to make things extra fun!