Taisho Year 84
The Great Tokyo Disaster
A large spirit pulse rendered all spirit engines across Japan useless, bringing an end to the age of steam.
Sakura Revolution -Maidens in Bloom-
That was the day Japan died.
Sixteen years later
Taisho Year 100 Tokyo, the Imperial Capital
New Imperial Theatre
Seriously,
you should've just stayed down.
If you insist on getting in my way,
then begone.
That's all I have to tell you, Mr. Yoshitaka Oishi.
I want you to go meet this girl.
Shino Sakura...
Me, of all people?
Yes.
The Aoshima family caring for her is aware of the situation.
Take that letter, and that sword
and give them to her.
Umm,
you're talking about your daughter, right?
Yes.
I don't mean to be rude, but is there a reason why you chose me?
Well...
because Kimikage has taken an odd liking to you.
Huh?
And that you're too gentle a person to be doing what you are right now.
I'm only here because you led me here...
Of course, your special eyes are a factor as well,
but I'm saying they aren't the only reason.
You are the right person.
Take good care of my daughter.
I see you've chosen the impostor.
Prana!
The rebels Yoshitaka Oishi and Nadesico Sakura.
Wait!
They've been lying to you!
The targets shall be punished!
Go with him.
Yeah, I'm in pursuit.
Roger, I'll take him down when he surfaces.
You won't get away.
318 km from Tokyo
Oh no!
Kimikage, are you alright?
Are you alive?
Where did you go?
Gimme a meow or something!
Where did you come from?
U-Um...
You were kind of stumbling around frantically so I missed my chance to make myself known...
I'm sorry!
I- I see. I should be the one to apologize.
I'm just looking for something...
Oh man I really hope you didn't get crushed.
Hey, why are you two already acting like you're friends!?
Ugh.
But he's a really smart cat!
He's the one who took me to you.
As long as he's safe, I guess.
So, um, what business do you have with me?
Huh?
I mean, I'm the person in your photo!
I guess you must be my stalker!
What? No, of course not!
Well I am looking for you,
but I have to meet a Ms. Aoshima first.
Oh, so you're here to see Gram - Kirin Aoshima!
Gram?
Wait, Kirin Aoshima... Where have I heard that name...
Wasn't she a famous person or something?
Gram used to be the Top Star of the Imperial Theater Revue!
Even now, she's still a really beautiful and cool person!
Dancing and singing in front of a big crowd on stage...
She's super awesome!
A former Top Star of the Imperial Theater Revue, huh...
So, can you take me to where she is?
Sure!
Should we bring that thing behind you along?
If it isn't too much trouble...
What an absolute cutie!
God's such a nice person to give poor old me this gift from the heavens.
Thank God!
Hey, Shino, you won't believe this.
Daddy made me wake up super early to help him with his boat repairs.
Uh-huh.
He always says nice things to butter me up.
Stuff like "Fuuka, you're a genius!" "I couldn't have fixed this without your help!"
How can you say no after hearing that stuff?
I ended up reeking of oil and sweat, but it's always like this.
Uh-huh.
But today's a day where I'm actually glad that happened.
For fate has brought me to you!
Shino, can you understand why I'm so excited over this?
No.
Well for starters,
The Taisho era was built on steam technology.
But the Great Disaster turned all the spirit engines into scrap, throwing the entire country into turmoil.
But the government succeeded in developing a new energy source,
and they set up transmission towers to send this energy all over Japan,
rebuilding the country's infrastructure to be centered on Tokyo.
Meaning that in our current society where everything is running on the new energy source, this kiddo...
It's not using a spirit engine, but a super-retro steam engine!
And I know there's more to you than meets the eye!
There's something about you that screams "new technology".
I want to take you apart right now...
Shino, that man's an acquaintance of Gram's, right?
I wonder if Gram will let me mess with it if I ask nicely.
It should be fine if I put it back together afterwards.
I hope I'm not being too much of a bother...
This island's pretty nice.
Cherry blossoms?
The trees are blossoming!
Thank goodness, the cherry trees here are still alive!
The tower's effects don't reach all the way here.
Huh?
Thanks for the lift.
Sure.
Let's not waste any time! C'mon, hurry up!
Hey Gram, we've got a guest.
So, do you think I can get a look at...
Is something wrong?
You haven't said a word, and you look a little scary.
Is it because of that man?
It's nothing, don't worry about it.
See you later, tell Kirin I dropped by.
I bid you welcome.
My name is Kirin Aoshima.
I'm Yoshitaka Oishi.
I come bearing a message from Nadesico.
Shino, greet the man.
My name is Shino Sakura, it-it's a pleasure to meet you!!
Huh? S-Sure, and I as well.
Her restless personality is a bit of a handful sometimes, I hope she was not disrespectful.
Not at all. Outside of a little misunderstanding...
She thought I was a stalker, someone suspicious.
She's always been a bit delusional and slow on the uptake.
I'm sure she just didn't realize the true meaning of the word.
Don't think too badly of her.
I guess that somewhat makes her like her mom.
Let's move on to the question at hand.
Oh, yes. Here's her letter.
I see.
I can see that this letter was really penned by Nadesico.
"Send Shino off to Tokyo."
She hasn't changed at all. All she thinks about is herself.
It was the same when she left Shino here with me.
What do you plan on doing when you leave here with Shino?
Well...
She knows nothing about the world.
Why her mother fights, what she's trying to accomplish,
or what is even happening outside this island.
You're asking her to fight and risk death.
I see that you're not willing to promise that you'll protect her.
Well, it's not like you're here of your own volition.
I understand.
Gram, thank you.
Mr. Oishi, I'll follow you.
Please, take me to Tokyo.
Hey, what's happening?!
Oh my god, my garage's totally wrecked!!!
You need to get inside, now!
O-Okay!
You should go somewhere safe too. Why are you even on my shoulder?
Oh come on. Just remember to run away if things get dicey.
Mr. Oishi!
They followed me here, run away while I'm stalling them!
Hurry!
Fighting a demon with just a sword is pretty reckless of me.
But...
There are times when you have no choice but to face things head on!
Mr. Oishi!
Shino-kun!
Mr. Oishi, I'll do the fighting!
Right here!
Shino-kun!
I'm not finished!
What're you doing?!
Sorry.
I thought everything would work out as long as I found you...
That all my problems would be solved.
I didn't know what any of this meant.
It didn't even cross my mind until Ms. Aoshima asked me.
That I, a man with no will who can't fight,
was about to tear you away from your peaceful life and drag you recklessly into battle.
I'm not the right kind of person for this.
Sorry.
Don't cry, Mr. Oishi.
I'm prepared to do what it takes.
I've been waiting for you all this time.
For this day.
Let me do the fighting. I have enough willpower for the both of us.
Is that not enough?
I'm a failure of a Japanese man.
Take this sword,
that your mom gave me.
Mom...
Shino Sakura will fight!
Shino-kun!
She trained every day without rest, motivated only by the words that this was "preparation" for the future.
I doubt that even the most skilled of fighters can best her swordsmanship.
It begs the question of who the real demon is here.
Dual swords?!
Cherry Blossom Twin-Sword Blade-Drawing Technique!
SOUTE!
OUKA SENRIN!
Shino-kun!
Fuuka!
Ouchie!
Fuuka, it hurts everywhere...
Of course it does, you really pushed yourself.
C'mon, show me your legs.
Owww!
Goodness, how noisy.
Ms. Aoshima, the energy that revived and is supporting the country...
is actually weakening the hearts of the people and turning them into demons.
Even though I was chosen, I didn't know how I could contribute since I couldn't fight.
But I'm done with hypotheticals.
I will fight alongside Shino-kun.
I will protect her.
I will train,
and protect her until the very end.
Very well.
May you never forget those words.
Yes.
I leave Shino in your hands.
Umm, Fuuka-chan...
What's that luggage for?
I'm comin' along too.
I've got Gram's permission.
Yay, we get to adventure together!
You know it.
And you'll be fighting baddies, so the more people on your side, the better.
Fuuka, Shino...
become strong.
Have a nice journey.
Okay! We'll be back!