On That Back
It's so beautiful!
This is my first time seeing a scenery like this.
True. There weren't any landscapes like this near the Hiryuu Castle.
Such radiant colors.
It's almost like the princess's hair.
Hm? Is something out there, Sinha?
A building...
There's... a signboard...
A signboard? What's on it?
Jeno wants to know too!
Welcome to Secret Hot Spring Inn. Please enjoy your stay.
Wha-? She fell asleep?
Um... We have some inquiries...
Do you have rooms available?
Whyyy, yes, yes, we do indeed! 300 rin a night for each occupant, yes.
Oh! That's really cheap!
That includes meals, yes.
Wait. You will catch a cold if you fall asleep here.
Seems good, huh?
People aren't likely to come across an inn deep in the mountains like this.
No other... customers...
Yay, hot spring!
This means outdoor baths and washing each other's backs!
Your skin's gonna be all smooth, Miss!
Yes!
I see.
A hot spring deep in the mountains.
And outdoor baths, on top of that.
This can only lead to the obligatory-
Mixed baths!!!
--are not available in this inn, thank you.
Our baths have water continuously flowing from the source.
There you have it.
Too bad, huh, Hak?
What's too bad?
This is my first time at a hot spring!
This feels great!
The water's so white.
I wonder if it contains minerals.
In any case, it sure feels like it'll really make your skin smooth and silky!
Smooth and silky skin!
This is paradise!
Jeno, hold still.
I'll tie your hair for you.
Everyone! Hurry up and come in the bath with us!
Youngsters sure are fast.
Oh! Green Dragon
So I guess you have
scales on your body too...
Nope, none...
Hurry up and join us!
Yona-chan's on the other side, right?
She must be lonely by herself. Guess I'll go and keep her compa-
Hak, you do know I'm kidding, right?
My bad, my hand slipped.
Is it your first time at a hot spring, Blue Dragon?
You should take off all your clothes!
And that includes your mask!
Shut
Sinha-kun! Come now, open your eyes!
It's okay! It's perfectly alright!
Sinha. You should just paralyze that idiot's heart and send him to that other world.
Is something wrong, Gija-kun?
Oh, nothing.
I won't be joining you.
Do you hate baths?
Oh, no. I like baths... but...
Grin
So everything's fine then! These kinds of things are all about companionship, you know.
What are you doing? Stop!
There, there, there.
Are they fighting?
I said stop!
Likely just more harassment.
What are you being all shy about?
For some reason
That scar's... not from any of our battles, is it?
It's not.
Don't mind it.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Oh. Where's Gija?
He's feeling unwell so he said he's gonna rest.
What? Is that so...
That didn't look like a recent scar.
It must be at least 10 years old...
That looked like...
Dragon claws...
Could it have been self-inflicted?
No, no. Gija's not the type to do that.
The only other person who would have dragon claws would be...
The previous White Dragon.
Did you say something?
Oh. No, it's nothing!
I won't be joining you.
A wound inflicted by his predecessor, huh?
That's certainly something you wouldn't want to show off to other people.
He's always acted by the book. I always thought he had a pampered upbringing...
But it looks like he has a very human side to him as well.
Well...
It seems... I may have encroached upon a deeper wound than I first thought.
Gija-kun?
I'm not going to tell anyone about this.
So go and secretly take a dip in the hot spring after sundown, alright?
It's... It's fine.
I don't want to go.
This is serious.
Gija-kun's normally always so positive you can't help but think he's an idiot.
For that Gija-kun to be this stricken...
Predecessor... huh?
I shouldn't meddle any further than this.
Gija?
What's wrong? Did you get dizzy from the bath?
No. I haven't gotten in the bath.
Oh? Why?
That's... Well...
I told him not to.
He looked a little pale.
Oh, did you?
You don't pick up, do you? Match my story, will you?
Now that you mention it, he does look a little pale.
It might be better if you lie down for a bit.
I'm... fine.
Really?
But don't push yourself too hard, alright?
Jeaha, do I reek of sweat?
No. Not that I can tell.
The princess smelled really good.
I'm ashamed of not having taken a bath myself.
Then take a bath already.
Right. Well, then, I shall splash some water on myself with that.
What? Wait-
With that?
But he'll easily be seen over there...
Well. I guess even if his scar is seen, it'll be his fault for being an idiot.
Alright. It'll be a little cold, but I should be fine here.
Huh?
What're you up to, droopy-eyes?
I thought I'd do some calisthenics.
And you, Hak?
I was going to drink water.
I see.
Then I'll bring you some later.
No need. The well's right there.
Yona-chan fresh from her bath was really cute!
Are you okay with not seeing her?
What are you hiding?
Huh?
Looks like there's someone there.
Oh! It's just some old stranger.
Oh?
Swoosh
Swish
Jump
Oh no!
My jump will be too high with my leg!
I'll take his attention with these!
Are you picking a fight?
No way.
This is also a part of my calisthenics.
Hm?
Well, then.
I guess I'll also do some calisthenics myself.
Ah. This is an exciting development but now Hak won't be going away with this.
I need to lead him away from where Gija-kun is.
Oh! Yona-chan just collapsed over there!
What?!
Hey. She's not there.
She was inside the guest room.
I caught a glimpse of her just now.
But you can't see the inside of the guest room from here.
When it comes to Yona-chan, my vision rivals that of Sinha's.
Oddly enough, that actually sounds convincing.
Alright then, let's go. We can just ask granny for your water.
Oh no. I don't have a dry towel with me.
Hold it.
The princess is right there!
WOW 😱
WOW! 😱
I'm almost at my limit...
How's Gija-kun?
Oh, good. It looks like he's done.
Oh, sorry about that. I guess I was imagining it.
Seriously.
Sorry, sorry.
Ah, it really does feel gross to put clothes on when I'm still wet!
As an apology, let me teach you some calisthenics!
You bastard.
If you insist that much, then I'll be happy to join you.
I'll try my hand at this calisthenics of yours.
That's great! Let's become gorgeous together, Hak!
This is going to be tough, but it'll buy enough time until Gija-kun leaves.
Are you sparring? Please let me join you.
WTH
Why are you here?!
So you're the old stranger?
Old stranger?
And with your back exposed to boot! It's exposed!!
You should put on some clothes.
Oh, but I don't have a towel to dry myself with.
Do you have a towel-
Here! Just dry yourself with this!
What? No, I can't do that. Your clothes will get wet.
Seriously, you're such a pain!
Gija!
We heard you were feeling unwell. Are you alright now?
Are you hungry?
Oh no. A more troublesome bunch incoming.
No other way. Time to run!
Hey!
Yes! He really is unwell so let's let him rest!
Jeaha!
Gija? What's wrong?
He's... He's here!!
He?
Who?
He's followed me even here.
Jeaha. Please.
You want us to get away from here, right?
Please... Please kill him!
Um... You know... You're showing your back...
Yes. Feel free to strike off my back along with it!
Um... Your back...
This guy... This guy also got in my way earlier at the bath.
Hurry!
Gija-kun... Don't tell me...
So you didn't get in the bath because you saw this spider?
YES!
Hot springs are the best.
You got rid of the spider for me too. I'm grateful, Jeaha.
You were exhausting.
You should've just told me about the spider from the start.
Don't go playing people around for such worthless things.
That scar on your back probably has some worthless story to it too, doesn't it?
Scar?
Oh. This was made by my father, who was my predecessor.
It was right after I was born.
Your... Your predecessor was your father?
How could you talk about that so cheerfully?
Why is there a need to be grim about it?
Back in the village, I was only allowed to meet with my father under surveillance.
Let go! I said let go!!
What have you done?!
The White Dragon? What do you mean the White Dragon?!
Kija, it's alright. Everything's alright.
What are you saying?
I'm the White Dragon. It is I who will meet the King-
Former White Dragon!
From now on, this child is the child of the heavens, the Holy White Dragon.
Whoever threatens this child will be deemed guilty of sinning against God!
You must not. Please return to your room.
But Granny, Father-
I will not allow it.
This scar by my Father's hand is the one and only proof of his burning wish...
His burning wish to someday serve his King.
As one of the Four Dragons, I shall carry that burning wish carved into my back and live with it.
Is your own wish also contained within this great wish of the many past dragons?
Back then, I carelessly said things even though I knew absolutely nothing about him.
Carrying the regret of his father and all the past White Dragons without breathing a word of complaint,
and having the will to atone for their feelings with all of who he is.
You appear to be a much greater person than I gave you credit for.
What's wrong? You've gone quiet.
Nothing. I'd like to apologize for once ridiculing and calling you a puppet.
Oh. That's of no importance now.
Whatever anyone says, my feelings of wanting to serve the princess will not change.
I understand that now.
No matter how many wounds it takes, this back has decided to keep moving forward.
I see.
You truly are worthy of calling yourself the White Dragon.
Father...
That day, just as how ripe fruit falls from its tree in one quick motion, I suddenly understood.
This was the day my father would die.
Granny, I would like to see my father.
I haven't caught even a glimpse of him for three months now.
Please. Let me see him even for a moment.
You must not, White Dragon.
The former White Dragon is currently in poor health.
Please endure for a little longer.
Father is up there.
Father...
We don't need to exchange any words.
Just a glimpse... Just a glimpse would be enough.
Good. No one is here at the moment.
He has lost so much weight...!
Fath-
Who... is it?
Is someone... there?
Is it you, Granny?
Granny... Look...
My hand...
No matter how you look at it, this hand is now a mere human hand.
Those strong dragon claws are now nowhere to be found.
That godly power I was once so proud of is now gone.
I... stole that power.
So... Granny...
Now...
Would it be alright for me to touch that child now?
Just once. Just one last time.
May I be forgiven and granted a chance to touch him again?
Granny...
I'm sorry...
I just keep troubling you.
No matter how old I get, I'm still such a child.
Someone like me...
After all these years, I have no right to touch that child-
Granny...?
I wonder why I didn't think to prepare any words at all.
Father...
There is so much...
There is so much I want to tell you!
Gi... ja...
After saying my name one last time, my father never opened his eyes again.
White Dragon...
Please find it in your heart to forgive your predecessor.
Granny...
I say this with all honesty.
There was never anything for me to forgive.
Hey.
Fancy seeing you here. Can't fall asleep?
I got this from Granny.
Since you're here anyway, want a drink?
Well, this is a rare gem. You never invite me.
Did the bath make you dizzy?
No way.
Yes. This is truly good spring water.
It does feel great to maintain the cleanliness of one's body.
Yes!
You seem to be in a fantastic mood, Gija-kun.
Slept well?
I suppose I did.
Oh! White Dragon and Green Dragon! Bathing together so early in the morning!
Don't leave out the Yellow and Blue Dragons!
The Four Dragons have now gathered.
Good! Why don't we have a deep discussion about the ideal way of living of a Dragon?
That'll dizzy you.
The Four Dragons are like brothers.
You can tell me anything!
You are one troublesome relative.
We're not dragons, but can we join in?
Of course! Come here.
Morning baths feel great too, right?
Oh? Is the Miss alone in the room?
No, the princess is also-
Hak!
There isn't any soap here.
Can you throw one over?
Sure thing.
Just one would've been enough!
I'd like to go back there someday.
With everyone!
That'd be nice.