Stay well, Nike.
Sure. You guys, too.
Take care of the kid!
Make sure to come back and see us again some time, okay?
We'll definitely be back again!
It okay, Father. I see you.
You really need to get Grandma to—
Kara-nee! That's enough.
It's okay now.
That's unusual. The morning sun's out.
Is the sun trying to tell me to come home
since I'm leaving for the Sun Kingdom today?
But there's something I still have to do.
The kid? He went to see the sluice gates with Kitora.
Really?!
I was shocked, too.
When he learned Kitora was an engineer, they were like peas in a pod.
They got all excited talking incomprehensible jargon to each other.
I wanted to ask him to come with me because I feel anxious,
but I guess I'm acting like a child.
Forgive me, Nike-sama.
Your grandmother doesn't want to see anyone.
Just a few words! Can't you at least let me say goodbye?
Forgive me.
Nike!
Hey, Nike!
Wait, Livi? I thought you went to the sluice gates.
We've gone and returned.
But what are you...
Grandma?
She wouldn't let me in.
I guess I'll have to leave without seeing her.
It can't be helped.
Don't be a fool.
She's indulging herself by saying she doesn't want to see you.
Are you the sort of person to go along quietly with that kind of self-indulgence?
You're right.
Thanks, Livi. I'm going.
I'll go and tell Grandma everything I want to say!
Hold this!
Hey!
You don't have to come along with me!
What are you saying? When you look as anxious as you do...
There's no convincing him.
Don't you think you're being a bit stubborn?
When the favored child leaves the nest, one cannot simply remain ca—
Understood.
Favored child? Please.
Of all the children I raised, the most troublesome was Nike.
She was always reckless, never knowing her own limits.
She always ended up choosing the path that would hurt her the most.
Yet she also cried often.
Obstinacy and inferiority complex incarnate.
You were supposed to jump!
I did jump! You're the one who forced your way through!
I'm not looking for a battle of wits—
Grandma!
Wait!
Grandma! Listen to me!
Please!
You can stay there if you want. Just listen.
I'm leaving with Livi today.
This is more of my own will than when I first left the principality.
I think what you're worried about is reasonable.
Living in the outside world is
probably more dangerous than I thought it would be.
If I stay in the principality,
I can live a peaceful life with all of you forever.
But Grandma, you told me something, back when I couldn't call the rain.
"Take pride in what you do."
"The things that shake your color make you who you are."
"That will be your truth."
Ever since I met Livi, I've grown to love singing
and living, more than ever before.
He's shaken me and given me color.
That's why...
I want to keep living with him.
That is my truth.
Please... stay well.
For everything you've done for me,
thank you so much.
Hey, old woman.
I think I can picture your expression right now.
"Oh, why did I run away?"
"I might not ever hold her again!"
Quit being so stubborn already.
If you're going to miss her, just say so!
Get out of here, you obnoxious brat!
Oh, is that it? Why don't you drop dead, then?!
Though I understand at least a little of how you feel.
The person I want to see...
I can never see again.
Homecoming
I guess the old woman didn't come, after all.
It's okay now, Livi.
I don't have any more regrets.
Listen... about your grandma.
The truth is—Nike?
What's that...
Hey... is this...
Yeah.
No question.
Grandma!
Farewell Rain.
It's such a warm rain.
I've never seen or heard it before.
"Farewell Rain?"
I heard it's a song for people leaving this country.
What is she singing?
The old language.
"You who leave this cliff... beloved child..."
I will pray for you from here.
"For your light... your happiness..."
When you lose your way... and you travel into night...
May the song and the rain guide you!
No!
Don't blow!
A little longer...
Just a little longer...
Grandma!
Cry away. It's clear to me, too.
This wind, and this air.
It's mourning its loss of you.
Acknowledge that.
You're so fortunate.
kodoku na itami, mune ni kakaete
The pain of solitude, carried in my chest
kodoku na itami, mune ni kakaete
The pain of solitude, carried in my chest
kokoro no tobira tozashitekita
I closed off the door of my heart
kokoro no tobira tozashitekita
I closed off the door of my heart
itetsuku kimochi
The iced emotions
itetsuku kimochi
The iced emotions
sotto tsutsunde tokashita no wa
were melted in the gentle embrace of
sotto tsutsunde tokashita no wa
were melted in the gentle embrace of
sono yasashii nukumori
the kind warmth of your heart
sono yasashii nukumori
the kind warmth of your heart
nagai nagai yoru ga owari wo tsugete
You're the light that shines among a sunrise
nagai nagai yoru ga owari wo tsugete
You're the light that shines among a sunrise
hikari terasu asa ga hajimaru youni
And brings an end to my sleepless nights
hikari terasu asa ga hajimaru youni
And brings an end to my sleepless nights
tonari de warau kimi wo toushite
I take a glance at you as you smile
tonari de warau kimi wo toushite
I take a glance at you as you smile
ima kanjiteru utsukushii mono tachi ga
And I can suddenly feel all the beautiful things
ima kanjiteru utsukushii mono tachi ga
And I can suddenly feel all the beautiful things
Sekai wo irodoru yo
Filling my world with color
Sekai wo irodoru yo
Filling my world with color
sagasou futari de
Let's go search together
sagasou futari de
Let's go search together
sagasou bokura no shinjitsu
Let's go search for our own truth
sagasou bokura no shinjitsu
Let's go search for our own truth
You stupid bastard!
Oh?
Oh, welcome back! You're quite early.
You can explain this, can't you?!
E-Explain what?
Why is the court full of girls?!
Bard's
Flower Garden
s
Bard's
.
Castle
.
Let me go, Nike! It will be the death penalty for him this time!
So mean! I would've had it all cleaned up in three days.
You liar!
Your Majesty! Bard-sama hasn't done anything wrong!
That's right!
He's actually been doing very well!
Jaina?
It's true that we watched his degradation of public morality,
and talked about what a louse he was behind the scene,
but he is bearing all of the country's most important affairs.
The number of women is evidence of the burden the prime minister bore.
Regardless,
there is a great deal we need you to do,
Sun King.
Your Majesty! Princess Nike!
Change your dress immediately!
There are ambassadors from over ten countries waiting for you!
s
Bard's Style of Entertaining
.
What?!
As long as they were here, I thought we could deal with them all at once.
You've gotta be kidding me!
But I worked so hard to double the audiences!
Princess Nike, you've put on weight!
We'll help, too!
You stand back!
Sunya, don't be mad!
So scary!
What's wrong?
Nothing is wrong!
All because she got brushed off.
She doesn't have to take it out on us.
Yeah!
What was that?!
Sorry!
Idiot.
Bard's fault, huh?
Majesty, to the audience chamber at once!
We're going to get as much done as we can today!
Serves you right!
You bastard!
Save the anger for later!
He won't be sleeping tonight, I guess.
It's all because he went along with my selfish request.
Sorry, Livi.
It's backlash from being together for so long, I guess?
I want to see him
I'm not going anywhere! Untie me!
About Erad Canyon,
it would expedite things if I went there personally, wouldn't it?
That might be best.
I'm not changing the tariffs on the iron ore. Can you get them to accept that?
I will try.
Livi-chan!
Princess Nike!
You have another urgent audience today!
Let us help!
Huh?
Huh? H-Huh?
Is this the longest we've ever been apart?
It's so strange.
As king, he feels so far away.
It's not like something has changed.
What's changed is...
Me...
Nike-chan!
B-Bard!
What'cha spacin' out about?
What are you grinning about?! This is all your fault!
That's so mean!
I delayed the work to try to give the senior statesmen a workout!
It's like no one understands.
Whatever.
So what's with the "I'm so lonely by myself" pose?
When you were on your trip, did you do it?
You can tell your older brother.
They didn't do it.
How can this be?
What's going on here?
Does our king still have no interest in that?
In that case,
shall we use our power
to see it done?
Sorry to hear it.
It's stupid, right?
I envy Livi.
It's not stupid to cry because you love someone so much.
It just shows how badly you've fallen for them.
To have met someone who makes you feel that way...
And to have found a world that doesn't feel complete when you're by yourself.
It's fine. Loneliness like that doesn't make you weaker.
It's power that allows you to go to a bigger place, in which you can be the most free.
Princess Nike...
She must be lonely.
Uh-huh.
Allow me to resolve this!
Really?!
It's perfect!
For Livi?
Yes, I'm so busy, and I'm understaffed!
Would you help me, Princess Nike?
Oh, so busy!
I don't know what to do with myself!
I-I'm supposed to bring Livi his meal.
Jaina asked.
His Majesty is on a tour of inspection right now.
I-I see. Never mind, then.
I am to join him immediately.
Is there something else you need?
How is he? He must be tired, I guess.
Oh... I suppose he is.
I guess he would be. It's tiring by yourself.
Doing everything by yourself...
Shall I pass on a message to him?
N-No, thank you. Nothing at all.
What?
Hi-yah!
What a bunch of useless men you are!
Really stupid!
Sob, sob!
I always want to see him.
I want to be somewhere I can hear his voice. I want to touch him.
But when I can't have that... it hurts... so much.
The sadness born today
Soars high into the sky
The sky awakens and stirs the wind
My chest trembles
I want to protect you
I want to touch destiny
The tears you have shed... the hole in your chest
I want to fill it with happiness
It's a tender rain
May this song that I sing
Reach you wherever you are
No matter how far apart we may be
I believe that it'll reach you
Singing in the rain
The drops of the rain
Will shine beautifully
And when the sadness is all washed away
The world will come to life again
Please come, the tender rain
Come, tender rain
Livi taught me before.
If you slip out the backyard, you come to this place.
I'll come here with him next time.
I'm not afraid of the times I can't see him.
When I feel pain in my chest, my song grows...
The scenery feels closer.
The next time I see you...
I will, once again...
Fall in love–
Fall in love.
anata wo omou yonde
Thinking about you, I call out your name
anata wo omou yonde
Thinking about you, I call out your name
subete nagedashite demo
I'd throw away everything to be with you
subete nagedashite demo
I'd throw away everything to be with you
aitakute aitakute
I just want to see you
aitakute aitakute
I just want to see you
nemurezu ni nukumori sagashiteru
Unable to sleep, I'm seeking your warmth
nemurezu ni nukumori sagashiteru
Unable to sleep, I'm seeking your warmth
tooku hanaretettemo itsudatte
Even if we are far apart
tooku hanaretettemo itsudatte
Even if we are far apart
onnaji sora wo miageterun dakedo
We still look upon the same sky
onnaji sora wo miageterun dakedo
We still look upon the same sky
honto wa ne
To be honest,
honto wa ne
To be honest,
soba ni ite hoshii no
I want to be by your side
soba ni ite hoshii no
I want to be by your side
dakedo ima kujikesou dayo
But I feel like I'm going to break down
dakedo ima kujikesou dayo
But I feel like I'm going to break down
nomikomu tameiki de
My chest hurts
nomikomu tameiki de
My chest hurts
mune ga itai yo
from the sigh I'm suppressing
mune ga itai yo
from the sigh I'm suppressing
anata mo onaji kimochi de irukana
And I'm wondering if you feel the same way, too
anata mo onaji kimochi de irukana
And I'm wondering if you feel the same way, too
hitori ja naindayone
Feeling that I am not alone now
hitori ja naindayone
Feeling that I am not alone now
I got back first thing in the morning.
I didn't tell Neil and the others, of course.
shinjite mite norikoerareru destiny
You'll overcome it; just believe in destiny
shinjite mite norikoerareru destiny
You'll overcome it; just believe in destiny
Everyone must be in a panic about now.
How did you know I was here?
Intuition.
futari no mirai tsukamu tameni
So that we can grab the future for the two of us
futari no mirai tsukamu tameni
So that we can grab the future for the two of us
That's some amazing intuition.
I wanted to see you.
ima ga aru to shitte iru kara
We'll continue to live on
ima ga aru to shitte iru kara
We'll continue to live on
It was painful... not seeing you.
donna yoru mo dakishimeteruyo memories
While holding onto these memories as the nights go by
donna yoru mo dakishimeteruyo memories
While holding onto these memories as the nights go by
It's the thing I hate most.
Same here.
asu ga kuru madeni mata egao ni nareruyone
So that I can smile before the morning returns
asu ga kuru madeni mata egao ni nareruyone
So that I can smile before the morning returns
The rain, the wind, and the sun...
You bring them all with you.
Every time our eyes meet.
tsunagu ashita wo ame to misu
The water and rain that's taking us to tomorrow
tsunagu ashita wo ame to misu
The water and rain that's taking us to tomorrow
You bring the world to me.
Original Story:
Shiina Dai
Serialized in Hakusensha's "Hana to Yume" Comics