[MISUZU] I'm so lucky to be blessed
with such an adorable daughter.
Just do what I say, and everything...
- [static crackling] - ...will be fine.
[Hinagiku gasps, trembles]
I can't tell you how long I've waited for this day.
[gasps]
But... But Hinagiku...
She isn't...
Please let go.
[gasps in pain]
I'll hunt down every person who tried to protect you,
and kill them all.
[♪ melancholic music playing]
How could you?
No.
- No. - [door slams]
Please, Mother.
[water lapping]
Stop it.
Don't.
I can't take any more.
You can still keep going, right?
[PAST HINAGIKU] No. I can't.
[PRESENT HINAGIKU] You're going to die?
I am.
I'm ready to die now.
[PRESENT HINAGIKU] All right. Then...
LET'S GO. I'LL SEND YOU HOME
[♪ opening theme song playing]
AGENTS OF THE FOUR SEASONS: DANCE OF SPRING
[SAKURA] Why?
Why did they abandon her?!
[♪ mystical music playing]
[Hinagiku singing in Japanese]
[SAKURA] Her voice doesn't waver when she sings a love song.
[Hinagiku singing]
[Hinagiku panting]
[SAKURA] You must be tired after so many rituals.
[♪ lighthearted music playing]
Please, have a seat.
You should sit, too, Sakura.
My lady, we only have one chair.
[HINAGIKU] Then...
Is there room for Hinagiku
on your lap?
[exclaims]
[birds chirping]
[HINAGIKU] The snow.
Hmm?
Isn't it beautiful?
Hmm.
Do you think Lord Rosei is well?
[SAKURA] I couldn't care less either way.
He doesn't deserve your concern, my lady.
Sakura, you really shouldn't say things like that.
The girl from before,
the old Hinagiku,
she had strong feelings for him, so,
even now,
the new one...
can't help it.
Does that mean your feelings aren't really yours?
In a sense,
the current Hinagiku feels
as if she doesn't fully belong here.
Like she's squatting in someone else's home.
It's your home as long as you live there.
[HINAGIKU] But it isn't,
not really.
It belongs to her.
REIMEI 10
[SAKURA] You're calling off the search?
Seriously?
It's only been three months.
And we know Lady Hinagiku is still alive.
You're telling me you're willing to just let her die?
[gasps, yelps]
We have to keep looking, please!
- [banging on door] - Let me in!
You can't do this!
[crying] Don't abandon her! Open the gate!
- Please! You can't give up! - Sakura!
[Itecho panting]
[sniffles] Lord Itecho.
REIMEI 15
[SAKURA] What did you say?
[ROSEI] They've decided to give up the search.
It's over.
We tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen.
[sobs]
[SAKURA] Nothing but traitors.
You're abandoning her, too, Lord Itecho?
But you promised me,
didn't you?
- [ITECHO] Please. - [slaps hand off]
[SAKURA] You promised that you would save her.
You promised you would save both of us!
[Sakura panting]
The Village,
Rosei,
Itecho.
Useless, all of them.
I don't understand.
Why?
Why did they abandon her?!
[punching]
[sighs]
What could you possibly want from me?
If you're not going to look for Lady Hinagiku,
there is no reason for me to be here!
[SPRING CHIEF] The Agent has returned.
Huh?
[SPRING CHIEF] Agent Hinagiku
made her way back to the Village.
She's been under our care for the past six months.
- [wind howling] - [♪ dramatic music playing]
However...
[Sakura panting] Lady Hinagiku!
Lady Hinagiku!
She's finally back!
She's finally home.
The girl who saved me.
The girl I care about
more than anything in the world.
Lady Hinagiku!
[whimpering]
I can't believe it's true.
It's me!
It's Sakura Himedaka!
[footsteps]
Sakura?
[crying] Yes, my lady! It's your Sakura!
[crying]
Lady Hinagiku.
[crying]
I hope you can forgive me.
I'm so sorry.
[crying] I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you!
I've been trying to find you this entire time.
[crying]
[HINAGIKU] Sakura.
Are you really Sakura?
[crying]
I missed you, Lady Hinagiku!
[HINAGIKU] Your hair, what happened to it?
It used to be so black, but it's graying.
[SAKURA] I was lost without you.
You were...
You were gone and I never stopped searching.
[HINAGIKU] You never stopped searching?
[SAKURA] Not even for a single moment, my lady.
You tried to locate Hinagiku,
no matter what happened to you.
Apologies.
I'm the one who should be sorry.
I swore to protect you,
and I failed to when it mattered most.
[HINAGIKU] You don't understand.
She's sorry because...
Hinagiku...
is already dead.
But you're...
[sobs] You're not dead. You're here.
The original Hinagiku died.
This one is different.
She's not the person you knew before.
How are you different?
[HINAGIKU] The old one,
well,
she couldn't endure anymore,
so she went away.
The new one isn't the Hinagiku you remember,
the one you searched for.
She's a replacement.
The way you talk has changed,
but you're still the same person inside.
I know it.
She's not the same.
No one believes it,
but Hinagiku keeps telling them it's true.
Sorry, Sakura.
It's okay.
You can go now.
Wait, what do you mean I can go?
[HINAGIKU] Everyone was waiting for her to die, right?
It's obvious,
and that's what she'll do.
It won't be long until this Hinagiku dies,
and then it's over.
So leave her alone.
Thank you for caring,
but it's time to leave.
Go find your happiness.
Please, Sakura.
[SAKURA] She wants me to go back to a normal life?
To forget about her?
Leave all this behind and be happy?
Stop it! Shut up!
[thuds]
I don't want that.
I don't need it.
I already know how I wanna spend my life.
And it's with her.
No way. I'm not leaving.
There's only one place I can call home.
I won't go back on my word.
I have sworn my life to yours.
I'll always find my way to you.
I'm sorry it took me so long this time.
It won't happen again.
I'm here,
and nothing could convince me to leave.
EPISODE 6: A PLACE TO CALL HOME
[♪ melancholic music playing]
[approaching footsteps]
[ITECHO] We have a report from Todo's team.
Lady Hinagiku's manifestation went well.
No complications to speak of.
Also...
I pressured the higher-ups into giving me this.
She returned two years ago.
Apparently, she escaped the insurgents on her own.
Turns out,
the Village of Spring and the FSA hid that fact
until they were sure she could successfully call the season.
[scoffs]
According to this,
she changed a lot since she was taken.
Complete mental collapse and a new personality.
They decided their best bet was to call Sakura,
to aid in Lady Hinagiku's recovery.
[ROSEI] She may not be the same person she was before,
but I still...
REIMEI 18
[SAKURA] Lady Hinagiku.
Your body will give out if you don't eat.
It's fine.
You already know that Hinagiku is waiting to die.
Yes, I know,
but I can't accept that.
Lady Hinagiku,
I hate to nag you about it,
but you're putting your life at risk by refusing your duty.
The Village is always watching.
Spring won't come to Yamato unless you summon it,
or someone else does when you're gone.
Sooner or later,
they'll have no choice but to kill you
and let the next Agent take your place.
I'm worried that they might already be considering it.
Probably,
but Hinagiku doesn't mind that.
She'll give them what they want.
You don't even care about Hinagiku.
The girl you really care about is gone, forever.
[gasps]
It's okay. She's not here.
And Hinagiku is someone else.
You don't have to be sad when she dies.
[SAKURA] Lady Hinagiku, it's Sakura.
Excuse me.
[gasps]
[♪ suspenseful music playing]
- Lady Hinagiku! - Huh?
[grunting]
- [ripping] - [winces]
Sakura?
- [grunting in pain] - [ripping]
Stop it.
You'll get hurt.
[sobs]
[laughing]
It's funny.
When we first met all those years ago,
and the guards found out that I was sneaking in,
you cried when they were dragging me away.
You shut yourself in your room.
You wouldn't leave.
You said you'd only do your duty
if they let you see me again.
[laughs]
The Village elders were practically
pulling their hair out.
[laughing]
I'm sorry, I'm just reminiscing.
You don't remember any of that, right?
[Hinagiku breathes shakily]
No. She does.
[gasps]
[tree creaking]
That girl's memories.
They're still here,
inside the new Hinagiku.
[Sakura gasps]
Sakura,
Hinagiku
is sorry.
You shouldn't have to guard the new Hinagiku.
She... She isn't the girl you cared for.
She never will be.
She can't bring her back to you.
And she's so sorry for that.
She's gone now.
[sobbing]
No.
My lady Hinagiku has finally come home to me.
She's doing her best to keep living inside of you.
- [Hinagiku cries] - So please, please let me stay.
[Hinagiku crying]
[SAKURA] I'll keep saying it.
To me, you are everything.
Even if you can't see who you are inside,
trust me when I say I can.
I know you.
You're Lady Hinagiku Kayo.
Um, okay.
Then is it all right if she cares for Lord Rosei?
[gasps]
[HINAGIKU] It sounds strange, right?
Hinagiku is a different person,
but it seems like her feelings
for Lord Rosei are the same.
They never died.
So, you see,
Hinagiku
wants you to help her...
meet him again someday.
[♪ sentimental music playing]
[sobs]
[SAKURA] Why?
Why did they abandon her?!
You know it was Winter's fault that you were taken.
[HINAGIKU] No, it wasn't.
It was the insurgents.
They abducted her.
[SAKURA] Fine. Then Winter left you for dead.
We can't trust them after what they did to you.
[HINAGIKU] That's not true.
Be honest.
[SAKURA] I am being honest.
Sakura,
maybe it's easier if you keep telling yourself
Lord Rosei and Brother Itecho are the bad guys,
but it's clear they're not.
[SAKURA] Rosei!
Itecho!
[HINAGIKU] Hinagiku understands,
but she doesn't think this is helping.
You can't go around inventing enemies for yourself.
Deep down, you know that, don't you?
They did their best
to protect you and Hinagiku, right?
It'll only make things worse
laying blame on other people.
Please, Sakura.
Stop hurting yourself like this.
- [SAKURA] "If... " - Don't worry.
Hinagiku will always like you
even if you can never let it go.
[SAKURA] "...you give up your hatred... "
But it hurts Hinagiku to see you suffer.
[SAKURA] "It will weaken you."
I've spent years searching for you.
"If you're weak, you can't be her blade."
Spring and Winter,
they gave up on you, but I kept looking.
"If you lose your edge, you can't protect her."
I can't afford to forget about my anger.
I have to hold on to it,
that bitter hatred.
"You can never protect her,
your charge,
your lady."
Lady Hinagiku, you don't get it.
But some people,
they can't keep going without hatred.
If I can't protect you,
that's the end of both of us.
You're all I have.
Lady Hinagiku.
What is it?
It's my duty to serve you,
so I'll do my best.
But in return,
can I ask for you to tell me that you love me?
It'll give me the strength to keep going.
[SPRING SERVANT] How long are we supposed to wait?
You're as useless as we thought!
REIMEI 19
[SPRING CHIEF] A year has passed,
and the Agent still won't perform the rite.
We've given you enough time.
You are relieved of your duty once again.
[SAKURA] We were just getting started.
I finally got her to trust me.
I thought this was my chance to repay her kindness.
Nobody but me knows the first thing about her.
Lady Hinagiku is still the same person.
She's broken, but she can be fixed.
I can't let her go. Lady Hinagiku is my goddess!
My lady,
again I failed you.
[cries]
[gasps]
That smell.
Spring?
- [Hinagiku panting] - [SAKURA] Lady Hinagiku!
I'm here!
Your Sakura isn't going anywhere!
Lady Hinagiku!
[panting]
[HINAGIKU] Sakura!
Please, stay here.
Don't leave!
Hinagiku needs you!
[SAKURA] I need you, too, my lady.
More than anything.
No matter what happens, it can't end like this.
[HINAGIKU] The world is so scary.
[sobs] But Hinagiku will keep living, so,
please, stay with her so she can be strong.
I swear, I won't leave again.
Your Sakura's here to protect you.
You don't need to worry anymore.
[HINAGIKU] Hinagiku will say it
as many times as you want.
[SAKURA] I know it's silly,
- even selfish and shallow. - [HINAGIKU] Hinagiku
loves you.
[SAKURA] But I still hate him,
and it hurts to know your affections
lie with someone I can't stand.
So, as long as you're still mine...
She really loves you.
[SAKURA] ...I want you to say it.
[SKAURA] I want your love,
for you to look only at me.
[HINAGIKU] She loves your kindness,
and she loves your short temper.
[SAKURA] You're the only reason I have any hope.
[HINAGIKU] Hinagiku loves you so much.
[SAKURA] These words of love
mean more than you could know.
It feels like the worst parts of me
are somehow being forgiven.
She loves you, okay, Sakura?
You'll be all right.
Lady Hinagiku, I... I love you too.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I love you.
I wish it was in a normal way.
I wish I could be this close to you forever,
closer than anyone.
You and me.
But the love I have for you
is the only love I have to offer.
Then Hinagiku will keep saying it,
as long as it takes.
Hinagiku loves you.
Don't ever forget that.
She loves you.
[SAKURA] I won't forget.
I love you, too.
For now, I still need my hatred,
my selfishness.
I can't let go yet.
I'll protect you for as long as I live.
[HINAGIKU] Okay.
[♪ closing theme song playing]
Sakura, Hinagiku loves you more than she can say.
[SAKURA] I know the love we share isn't romantic,
it's deeper.
With a purity that goes beyond platonic feelings.
Almost... like faith.
It may be a little broken,
but that doesn't make it less real.
EPISODE 07: DUSK