We're on a journey to bring spring to Yamato.
Luckily, we haven't run into trouble so far,
but we can never be too careful.
So, we'll be staying with the Agent of Summer while we're on Iyo.
We... will?
There are only four Agents in Yamato. You may find a lot to say to each other.
That's something to look forward to.
Plus,
the Agency won't monitor us as closely with another season watching.
I can get Lady Hinagiku away from things that disturb her,
whether that's people from the Village or insurgent attacks.
I won't lose her again.
I'll take back the time we lost.
Do you think I can... become friends...
with the Agent of... Summer?
Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring
I had friends at school, a happy family at home, and a big sister I adored.
I assumed things would just go on like that.
Then everything changed.
Why me?
Sakura,
look, a... bunny.
Yes, Lady Hinagiku. I see it.
Puppies... and kitties, too.
What an outrageous pairing.
And birds... and squirrels.
This is paradise, Lady Hinagiku.
I'll take your picture here later.
Give me something to soothe my soul.
I'm glad to see you don't mind animals.
I am the Guard of Summer, Ayame Hazakura.
Would you like me to prepare rooms for the rest of the spring security detail?
That won't be necessary.
We've asked them to accompany us at a distance.
You must be tired. Please, rest easy.
Sakura, isn't... this room lovely?
I'm glad you like it.
We appreciate your hospitality.
Thank you... very much, Ms. Hazakura.
Please, Lady Kayo, call me Ayame.
The Agent of Summer's family name is also Hazakura, so it gets confusing.
I'm sorry. I should have explained.
Lady Ayame and the Agent of Summer are sisters.
One sister serves... the other?
Hinagiku and Sakura... aren't sisters, but they are... like sisters.
Kind of... the same?
I would never presume to call myself my lady's sister.
Hinagiku thought... since Sakura is her friend... it would be nice.
But you... don't?
So... sorry.
No! I'm all for it!
I'll stick with you through thick and thin,
sometimes as your friend, sometimes as your sister, sometimes as your sword!
You... mean it?
With all my heart!
I'd heard how close you are, and I see the rumors are true.
Well...
I'm a bit jealous. I'm stuck serving my spoiled little sister.
Spoiled...?
Yes,
like you wouldn't believe.
I had hoped that we would have a chance to greet the Agent of Summer.
She's resting right now.
Hopefully some other time.
Episode 3: A Glimpse
They're all friendly, so feel free to cuddle them if they come nosing around.
So many... animals.
But... why?
The Agent of Summer wields Life Operation,
the power to speak with and control animals.
I wish I was the Agent... of Summer.
I'm sure talking with animals is fun, but summer has its own challenges.
Feeding and caring for them eats into our already tight budget.
More... pictures?
I always wish I could put more toward dressing my Agent.
I know, right?!
An Agent's wardrobe showcases her retainer's skill!
By the way,
aren't kimono awfully expensive?
The world of kimono is perilous.
And yet...
just see how charming she looks with no expense spared!
All my struggles to make ends meet are worth it for this!
How inspiring!
I'd love to follow your example, but my Agent prefers Western dress.
Well, at least it keeps costs down.
Y-You know, Hinagiku doesn't... need to wear kimono.
A suit would—
Don't be ridiculous, Lady Hinagiku!
Lady Kayo! I'm sure you would look lovely in a suit as well,
but a kimono suits you far better!
You... think so?
Absolutely!
Congratulations on manifesting spring on Iyo.
You must be tired after so many rites.
I'll get you something to snack on.
I'll help.
Lady Hinagiku, would you mind waiting here?
Okay.
Well then, Lady Kayo, if you'll excuse us.
Mr. Bun...?
Hello... Mr. Bun.
My name is... Hinagiku Kayo.
Might you be the... Agent of Summer?
Can Hinagiku... help you?
Is it because Hinagiku... speaks funny?
I'm Ruri.
Ruri, the Agent of Summer.
H-Hinagiku is... Hinagiku.
What did my sister say about me?
A-Ayame?
She said you were... resting because you weren't... feeling well.
That's it? She didn't say anything else?
No.
I knew it. Ayame doesn't care about me.
Sh-She does ca—
She went to welcome the Agent of Spring without telling me, for one thing.
But you... weren't...
Feeling well? I'm fine.
I just stay in here 'cause I'm mad, to annoy her.
I mean, she has it way easier than I do!
You know, Lady... Summer, Hinagiku doesn't want... to sound rude,
but Hinagiku is—
Ruri?
Lady Hinagiku! I've been looking for you!
S-Sorry.
Ruri! Come out and apologize!
I-It's, um, all right.
Get out here now!
Stop running whenever something doesn't go your way!
Ayame, please,
she only said... hello. Really she... did.
Lady Ayame, it's all right. My lady isn't hurt.
Please forgive me for losing my temper.
I simply couldn't stand how selfish she's being.
Please don't... let it bother you.
I couldn't bring myself to tell you the other day,
but Ruri shut herself in her room and hasn't left it in three months.
You could say she's on strike.
On strike? But why?
I'm getting married, so I'm going to resign as her retainer.
My sister doesn't like that at all.
Sakura, are you planning... to get married?
What?!
N-No, I'm not!
My one wish is to serve at your side as long as I live!
I have neither plans nor desire to marry!
N-Not even... if Itecho asked you?
Huh? Why bring him into this?
S-Sakura, you're... scaring me.
And, when you were little... you thought Itecho was...
Those feelings are ten years old now.
They went into the trash, through the waste treatment plant,
and into the incinerator.
They... did?
That's right.
Oh no... And after...
Lady Hinagiku?!
Sorry... Sakura.
I'm simply glad you're not hurt.
How is Lady Kayo?
She does have a slight fever.
Days of manifesting spring must have exhausted her.
That's only natural.
Fortunately, a leyline that heightens divine power runs through this land.
Please rest easy until you set out for Teishu.
Thank you very much.
Oh, by the way...
I got permission to use the kitchen, so I'll make you porridge.
Please rest here.
Would you mind if... Hinagiku asked you... to put egg in it?
I never mind doing anything for you, even when you don't have a fever.
Please, ask away.
Ms. Himedaka.
Lady Ayame?
I'm sorry you have to see me dressed like this.
Oh, please don't mind me.
Umm... Can I help you?
No. I was just thinking you seem like a good cook.
Anyone can make this. It's only porridge.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I never have.
Other people have always done all that for me.
But I should learn now I'm getting married, shouldn't I?
I ought to at least know how to make my husband porridge when he's sick.
Would you like to make some together?
Now we just wait, although I'll add an egg at the end, since Lady Hinagiku asked.
May I ask about, um, the Agent of Summer?
It's simply mortifying, having my lady go on strike.
Well, I mean...
My sister has thought of me as her property ever since we were little.
My marriage and resignation makes her feel like someone is stealing me from her.
She can't accept that I'm not hers.
Still, I'm amazed your Village allowed it.
Summer does things a bit differently.
The Agent of Summer's family sees them through childhood.
Once they come of age, their future spouse supports them for life.
Even if I didn't marry, Ruri's future husband would take over as her Guard.
Then, the Agent of Summer is getting married, too?
They've already been introduced and engaged.
Ruri does have feelings for him.
She knows as well as I do that getting married will make us both happier,
and that we've come too far to turn back.
She knows, but she holds it against me.
I'm sorry. I've said too much.
I suppose you don't have to worry about this sort of thing.
My lady went on strike once, too.
When Lady Hinagiku first returned to us, she refused to leave her room.
It took two years for her to resume her duties.
Insurgents kidnapped her and kept her imprisoned all that time.
It's only natural that her mind would suffer.
The Village of Spring stopped looking almost immediately.
They were waiting for Lady Hinagiku to die.
As soon as one Agent dies,
the gods choose another from among us clans of the four seasons.
You don't mean...?
That's right.
When Lady Hinagiku dies, a new Agent will emerge automatically.
So, they abandoned her.
Waiting for her to die was easier and less risky than searching.
At the same time, the fact that a new Agent was never chosen
proved that Lady Hinagiku was still alive.
But the people in the Village just...
Lady Hinagiku knew everything.
When I saw her again, she was refusing to live, let alone manifest spring.
Everybody wanted... "me" to die, didn't they?
So, now Hinagiku will... die. What's wrong... with that?
Still, I can hardly blame her.
They called her a goddess, squeezed all they could out of her,
then called her defective when she wouldn't do what they said.
And they tried to kill and replace her when they didn't need her anymore.
Seeing the way the world treats them like parts to keep the seasons turning...
Some Agents have likened themselves to "cattle":
kept penned up and denied their freedom.
I think I know what you mean.
No one ever asks to become an Agent of the Four Seasons.
You can't go to school, or make friends, or have fun.
You don't get to do ordinary, everyday things.
Others decide everything for you.
You're not even allowed to say no.
It's suffocating.
But we still do it. We work so hard.
But all it gets us is neglect and grudges and complaints.
"More this, more that."
People even try to murder us.
I don't manifest summer because I like it.
I honestly couldn't care less.
I only call summer to make Ayame happy!
Excuse me. I mean my sister is always saying that.
Lady Ayame, do you believe that the Agent of Summer is simply being childish?
What do you mean by that?
You just told me that Lady Ruri only calls summer for Lady Ayame—for you.
The Agents manifest the seasons with their hearts.
Perhaps she feels you support her emotionally in a way no one else could.
Support she needs to perform the miracle of keeping the seasons turning
in this cruel, callous world.
So, even though she has someone else to love, she still can't bear to lose you.
If you treat her pain like a selfish tantrum,
I don't think you'll ever find a way to solve this problem.
Thank you, Ms. Himedaka.
Knowing that some people understand the Agents as well as you do
makes me feel a bit better.
No, I should apologize.
I've yet to meet the Agent of Summer myself, but I spoke like I knew her.
No, I needed to hear that.
I think I've wanted someone to say it for a long time.
Ruri,
show me summer.
Even if it's too late to change anything,
I want to see your summer.
I wanted permission to keep liking her.
I like the summer you give me.
Because... I love her.
Umm...
Oh, it's, uh... It's nothing.
It looks like your fever's gone down.
Insurgents?
I haven't heard anything from the Agency.
Sakura.
Network Service No Internet Connection
Don't worry, Lady Hinagiku.
I promise I'll keep you safe.
Let's go downstairs and join the others.
Target located. Proceeding to capture.
Sakura!
Next Time: Morning Calm