| Narrative: |
While they didn't know the reason why they were being chased by the Seikintou, Shuurei and the others escaped to the #1 brothel of the red-light district - Kougarou. Saiunkoku's Emperor - Shi Ryuuki's reunion with the beloved Shuurei was most heart-warming.
|
| Title: |
An Unexpected Surprise
|
| Shuurei: |
And? Why are you here? |
| Ryuuki: |
I came to see him. |
| Shuurei: |
To see Eigetsu-kun? |
| Ryuuki: |
Because I'd heard that Shuuei had taken him under his protection and brought him here. |
| Kochou: |
Ran-sama was called from my chamber in the middle of the night because the boy had gotten entangled with some hoodlums. |
| Shuurei: |
So the one who'd left your rooms in the middle of the night was Shogun Ran?! |
| Kochou: |
He's got a lot of nerve to do that to me, doesn't he? |
| Eigetsu: |
Umm... did I have anything stolen from me? |
| Shuuei: |
Hmm, you're a completely different person compared to yesterday, aren't you?
But then, yesterday...
|
| Man: |
It's the Seikintou again |
| Man: |
That little boy's got serious trouble. |
| Yougetsu: |
What? The one who loses the drinking bet agrees to pay all the expenses. That and they're to pay ten gold pieces as well. |
| Seikintou1: |
As if! How can some twerp like you drink that much?! You cheated. |
| Yougetsu: |
You're the ones who insisted on seeing who could drink more. How could I've cheated? Getting treated to free alcohol was fine but it would've been nice if it could've been better stuff. |
| Seikintou: |
You little brat! We'll strip you of all ya got and dispose of you. |
| Shuuei: |
Hm? |
| Yougetsu: |
1, 2, 3... |
| Shuuei: |
Not bad. |
| Yougetsu: |
Barely 10 gold pieces. |
| Shuuei: |
That's...
|
| Shuuei: |
When I found you after that, you were half asleep and absolutely insisted on the top brothel of the capital so I brought you here. It didn't seem like anything had been stolen from you either. |
| Eigetsu: |
But... |
| Ryuuki: |
What is it that you're missing? |
| Eigetsu: |
Uh umm... an official wood token. It seems they targetted me because of it since they said they'd been collecting a lot of them. So it could be that others... |
| Kouyuu: |
Collecting them?! |
| Ryuuki: |
Really?! |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes. The people just now... |
| Man: |
Kochou-neesan. |
| Kochou: |
What? |
| Man: |
Apparently one of the Seikintou have come in... |
| Kochou: |
What was that? |
| Man: |
It's that kid that often comes to see Lady Shuurei... |
| Shuurei: |
Santa!?
|
| Shuurei: |
You idiot, Santa!
What's the meaning of this?! |
| Ryuuki: |
What's their relationship with one another?
|
| Shuurei: |
Why'd you join the Seikintou?! |
| Seiran: |
They're childhood friends. |
| Keichou: |
Shut up. |
| Shuurei: |
I won't shut up. |
| Seiran: |
In the past he'd often hit upon her ladyship... I had a hard time getting rid of him. I'd even thrown him into the river in winter once but... that he'd still been hanging around... |
| Keichou: |
But I'd gain a reputation. I wanted something I could boast about and be admired over by the girl I like... That and get back at my love rival... |
| Ryuuki: |
What's that supposed to mean?! |
| Shuurei: |
What are you talking about Santa? For starters, I don't know who this girl is that you like, but you're way off base in thinking that way. At least in my case, if someone said to me, "I'm a gang leader now. Wahahahahaha! Aren't I great?" I'd cut all ties with him on the spot.
And? Does it seem like you're going to be able to get back at that love rival after having become part of a gang?
As I thought. |
| Keichou: |
Sorry. |
| Eigetsu: |
And, is my token at the Seikintou's base? |
| Keichou: |
Yeah. But, it seems like they intend to move their base here |
| Kouyuu(?): |
When? |
| Keichou: |
Tonight. |
| Shuuei: |
So they're going to bring those tokens with them and move here, huh? How convenient. |
| Kochou: |
A moment, Ran-sama. The Seikintou are our prey. |
| Shuuei: |
The situation has changed. If possible, I'd like to be entrusted with it. |
| Kochou: |
That's not possible. We have to pay them back otherwise it won't put things right. |
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan? |
| Shuuei: |
Then, how about if we add the condition of only until we get back what we're after? |
| Kochou: |
I suppose that would be all right. However we might bait them, they'd only have lasted another few days anyways. |
| Shuuei: |
Shuurei-dono. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? Yes? |
| Shuuei: |
Kochou's one of the gang leaders, and she's the leader in control of the red-light district. She's the indomitable woman who controls the underground from the shadows. |
| Boss: |
So that's Kougarou huh? |
| Thug: |
Boss. |
| Boss: |
Hm? |
| Thug: |
Isn't it awfully quiet? |
| Boss: |
Hmph. They're probably scared. Let's go, guys! |
| Kochou: |
That's far enough! |
| Seikintou: |
Boss!
Boss! |
| Kochou: |
How well you've come, you shameless fools! If we gave an inch, you'd take a mile. Consider it just desserts for having done as you pleased in our territory. No mercy. Tonight, the bosses of the capital have come full force and surrounded the area. |
| Boss: |
What was that?! |
| Kochou: |
You'll regret having stepped foot here. Now. Get them!
|
| Shuurei: |
To think that Kochou-neesan's one of the bosses... |
| Keichou: |
Thank goodness I didn't take her up on her offer... |
| Shuurei: |
You idiot. As if she'd keep company with you. |
| Kouyuu: |
Hey! Be quiet! Sheesh! |
| Eigetsu: |
Um...
I'll go too afterall. It's a very important item. If I don't have it, there's no point to my having come to the capital. |
| Kouyuu: |
Can you fight? |
| Eigetsu: |
No. I'm really weak. |
| Kouyuu: |
I'm weak too. About all I can do is search any unconscious thugs. |
| Eigetsu: |
Kouyuu-san! |
| Kouyuu: |
Shuurei, you come too. |
| Shuurei: |
Okay. |
| Kouyuu: |
You and Eigetsu are to stay where I can see you. |
| Keichou: |
What about me? |
| Kouyuu: |
I don't care about you.
|
| Boss: |
This isn't how...
As long as I've got this, there's no worries about money. |
| Shuurei: |
Hmm, it's not here. |
| Boss: |
I'll take you as hostage and get out of here. |
| Eigetsu: |
Shuurei-san! |
| Keichou: |
Shuurei! |
| Boss: |
So you're the one who ratted on us! |
| Keichou: |
Waah I'm sorry! Or rather, let go of Shuurei! |
| Eigetsu: |
Shuurei-san! |
| Boss: |
You fucking brats!
|
| Yougetsu: |
My turn is it, Eigetsu? |
| Eigetsu: |
Yougetsu, save Shuurei-san. |
| Yougetsu: |
Hmph. I don't know about that.
|
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun! Eigetsu-kun!
Eigetsu-kun! |
| Boss: |
Shut up already! |
| Shuurei: |
Kouyuu-sama! |
| Kouyuu: |
Are you all right?! |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. |
| Boss: |
You bastard!
Why you...
You little... |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun! |
| Boss: |
Brat!! |
| Yougetsu: |
I'm not Eigetsu. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Yougetsu: |
I'm Yougetsu! |
| Shuurei: |
Yo-yougetsu?! |
| Kouyuu: |
So this is the one Shuuei saw?!
Alcohol?! |
| Shuurei: |
More than turning nasty when drunk, he's a completely different person! |
| Kouyuu: |
Here they are! Gather them up, Shuurei! |
| Shuurei: |
Okay!
These... are tokens for the kaishi exam! This isn't funny Seikintou! |
| Yougetsu: |
Oy! |
| Kouyuu: |
Shuurei! |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei! |
| Shuurei: |
Ryuuki! |
| Yougetsu: |
Woman! Be more careful of what's happening around you!
This was special... because Eigetsu asked it. Don't expect it to happen again. That and Eigetsu's token isn't here. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Yougetsu: |
Out of alcohol. |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun!
|
| Kochou: |
He fights really well. |
| Man: |
He did pretty good didn't he? |
| Man: |
Our gang'll take him |
| Man: |
As if. We saw him first. |
| Ryuuki: |
I'm afraid we have a prior claim on him. |
| Man: |
Who the hell're you? Your name? |
| Ryuuki: |
Ryuuki.
I'm Shi Ryuuki. |
| Man: |
The same name as the Emperor huh? I s'pose we'd have to obey now wouldn't we? |
| Man: |
But we're the ones who saw him first. |
| Ryuuki: |
No. We had our eye on Eigetsu as soon as he accepted this. |
| Man: |
This sort of kid's a Kaishi examinee? More than that... Damn those Seikintou. |
| Shuuei: |
Next time, it would be nice if you'd take action a little sooner. |
| Ryuuki: |
As a result we'd ended up getting involved unexpectedly. To think that they'd been stealing the exam tokens which are more important to examinees than their own lives and blackmailing them...
You should be well chastised. |
| Old Man: |
Are you wanting something from us for your troubles? |
| Ryuuki: |
It's only right, isn't it? |
| Old Man: |
I have no intention of bowing down to the seat you hold. |
| Ryuuki: |
You mean to me personally then? |
| Old Man: |
Correct. To you who'd covered for our mistake before it was too late. That and our heartfelt apologies for not having upheld our end of our agreement. |
| Shuuei: |
It seems that the crime bosses owe him one for what has happened today. But, they've also found him worthy of giving their vow to as well.
It's an unexpected surprise. |
| Eigetsu: |
Is that my exam token? |
| Ryuuki: |
It isn't. Shuurei, did you find it? |
| Shuurei: |
It's not here. The other Eigetsu had said it wasn't here but... he fell asleep before he could say where it was.
Eigetsu-kun? |
| Eigetsu: |
I'll drink some sake. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh?! But you can't drink alcohol right?! |
| Eigetsu: |
I'll let Yougetsu out so please ask him where he put it!
Ow ow ow ow |
| Shuurei: |
You can't do that. |
| Eigetsu: |
It's not possible to get another one made! I have to find it! |
| Shuurei: |
I know. I know how you feel but... |
| Ou: |
Um... Excuse me. Pardon the intrusion. |
| Shuurei: |
Santa's father! |
| Ou: |
My. Shuurei-san it's been a while. Our foolish son is always imposing on you. Umm, is there a To Eigetsu-san here? |
| Eigetsu: |
Eh? That's me... |
| Ou: |
Yes, yes! You. Thank you very much for your order last night. We're most honoured to have the youngest accomplished gentleman in history to pass the regional exams at the top of their year make use of our services. |
| Eigetsu: |
My exam token! Yougetsu'd... rather I'd...? |
| Ou: |
Have you forgotten?
|
| Yougetsu: |
I made too much of a ruckus. Most likely there'll be trouble later. Please deliver this along with the sake. Because he's a dim fool and is likely to lose it in the turmoil. To the #1 brothel in the capital. Late tomorrow night will be fine.
|
| Ou: |
That's what you'd said, isn't it?
And this is the sake you'd ordered. You have very discerning taste. This is a top grade item that even the Emperor would seldom have the opportunity to drink. It costs 10 gold and 30 silver pieces. |
| Shuurei: |
No wonder your wallet was so light. |
| Ou: |
Now then. When our third son who's sleeping blissfully over there wakes, kindly tell him to walk home on his own accord. We hope you'll patronize our shop again in the future. |
| Ryuuki: |
To Eigetsu of Seika Village in Koku Province. Your sponsor is Suikyoudouji. At twelve, you passed Koku Province's provincial exam at the top of the year. This year, at thirteen, you're taking the kaishi exam. I'm glad you found your token. Pass the exam well and join us. |
| Eigetsu: |
You're...
Yes! |
| Ryuuki: |
You too... we'll be waiting.
|
| Kochou: |
Today's your last day, isn't it Shuurei-chan? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. Thank you for everything. |
| Kochou: |
I told you I had something for you, right? |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Kochou: |
A full set of make-up and how to use it. |
| Shuurei: |
But, I don't wear make-up... |
| Kochou: |
You promised right?
Remember, it's a promise. Otherwise, I'll tell Kou-sensei and Seiran that you've been working in the red-light district. |
| Shuurei: |
Come to think of it, Kochou-neesan. Did you know about father and them? |
| Kochou: |
? Ah.
A little after you'd first started working here, he'd come here on his own. |
| Shuurei: |
Father knew about my working here?! |
| Kochou: |
Bowing his head so politely. "Take good care of my daughter." |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? Huh?! |
| Kochou: |
"My daughter lost her mother recently..." |
| (Shouka:) |
(No doubt there will be many things that will come up that I, as a male, can't understand. Please take good care of her.) |
| Kochou: |
And after that, Seiran came... And he said the exact same thing as Kou-sensei and left.
I couldn't help laughing. |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran did?! So that's why he knew about Kougarou. |
| Kochou: |
All done. Take a look.
Remember. Make-up is a woman's battle armor. When you're heading into battle, make sure to wear it. If you do, you'll never be able to cry. If you cry, your make-up will fall apart. Regardless of how light the make-up, the results would be disgraceful. So regardless of how difficult things are, you absolutely won't be able to cry. You're going, aren't you? To fight. Do your best. I'm proud of your courage and determination. |
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan. |
| Kochou: |
Hey! No crying. Remember. Whatever anyone may say to you, take pride in being a woman. Even if you climb onto the same stage as men, you're not to become a man. As a woman, you're going to do what you, only as a woman, can do.
If anyone bullies you, tell me. If that man comes to the red-light district, we'll give him a rough time and kick him out. |
| Shuurei: |
It's not funny when you say it. |
| Kochou: |
That's because I'm serious. And it's not just me. Kou-sensei and Seiran too. There are lots of people who care a great deal about you. Go. No doubt, you'll become a wonderful woman.
|
| Shuurei: |
I'm going to fight with all I have.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Could it be, that I'm making a mistake? Shuurei'd said she wanted to become an official. If that does end up happening, no doubt, Shuurei will carry out that duty. Yes. As an official. I feel like that's different from what I'm wanting. Nearby, and yet further away... that's how it seems... |
| Shuuei: |
Your Majesty. Regardless of the situation, it doesn't change how difficult it is to turn another's feelings towards oneself in the least. Just what does it mean if Shuurei-dono becomes an official? It doesn't change a single thing that Your Majesty must do, does it? |
| Ryuuki: |
You're right. You're exactly right.
|
| Crowd: |
A woman's taking the kaishi?!
Not to mention there's a kid too. |
| Eigetsu: |
We both seem to be getting treated like some rare animal. |
| Shuurei: |
I wonder if another rare animal's shown up.
This... it couldn't be...?! Ryuuren?! |
| Ryuuren: |
Hey, spirit friend Shuurei. |
| Shuurei: |
It's been a while, hasn't it?
This is Shogun Ran's younger brother. He's also taking the Kaishi test. This is To Eigetsu-kun. Um... we're friends right? |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes. |
| Ryuuren: |
Friend. A friend of Shuurei's is a friend of mine.
To Eigetsu, you're also my spirit's friend.
Just look! Even the snow is giving it's blessing to our friendship and our bright futures. So let's go. To the Kaishi exam. To battle.
Let's go.
Let's play a valiant melody. |
| Eigetsu: |
Let's pass. Without fail. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. Absolutely. |
| Eigetsu: |
Let's go then.
Ah, that's right. You're make-up's very beautiful. |
| Shuurei: |
I know it's poorly done, so you don't have to be so polite about it. |
| Narrator: |
This year's national exam results surprised everyone. Leaving the many other examinees behind, and taking the top "Jougen" spot was To Eigetsu - 13. The youngest person to pass at the top of the year. Second passing in the "Bougen" spot was Ran Ryuuren - 18. A most eccentric person. And third, passing as "Tanka" was Kou Shuurei - 17. In the winter of the third year of the Jouchi reign, the first female official of Saiunkoku appeared. |
| Trailer: |
The dream I'd thought wouldn't come true, has come true. I'm going to take my first step towards becoming an official. I wonder what my first assignment will be? Eh?! Cleaning the bathrooms?!? |
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