Drama CD - Dramatic Precious Final Stage

[onlygirlshavewings]

Dramatic Precious Final Stage - Dreamless Life
Dramatic Precious Final Stage ~Dreamless Life~
Version 1.2 August 5, 2000 (the not-quite-edited version)
trans. by Jey Kama


[Aya's dream]
[waves crash among the breakers]

Shion: Ran...

[he slowly pulls the katana from its sheath]

Shion: The time has come to finish it all.
Aya: Shion...
Shion: Come to me!
Aya: [rushing] Taa~~!!!

[boots pound at the sand, the blades clashing and screeching]

Shion: Ran, prepare yourself!

[a savage downstroke]

Aya: Guaaa!!!

------

[waves gently lapping on the shore]

Kikyou: Poor little thing... to be this broken...
Aya: [weakly] Who...?
Kikyou: Hm, Shion left you with no choice, but he is not someone you can win against, no matter how much you
improve. Even I lack the courage to face Shion in battle.
Aya: Kikyou... What do you want? ... I have nothing to say to you...
Kikyou: Well, this is how you greet people... Didn't you call for me?
Aya: I did...?
Kikyou: Because... I'm the only one who can understand yourself, Ran-kun.
Aya: Don't...
Kikyou: The world brims with the unexpected. Shion alone believes he follows the true path of the swordsman... but in
truth, that man is no different from you or I.
Aya: Same as what?
Kikyou: The same. We are sheer killers, all.
Aya: No! That's wrong!
Kikyou: Hn? What's wrong?
Aya: [wavering] Shion's not just a killer...
Kikyou: Ooh? I'm surprised at you. Do you still believe in Shion?
Aya: I want to believe... but... I don't know...
Kikyou: Isn't it a bit strange that he keeps on killing, yet keeps up good conscience at the same time? Shion is human.
He craves the letting of blood... Just like you and I.
Aya: I don't... I don't crave blood or anything else!
Kikyou: [laughs] Hehheh... you yet say that? If not for desire, then why do you kill?
Aya: I...
Kikyou: A dream... of the future? Was that what you were going to say?
Aya: A dream...?
Kikyou: What was it that Shion told you? Eichinkukai, the desire to drown in endless despair. He dreams to mire in
Hell, therefore he kills. Heh... as usual for him, the words are well-written, but to an ordinary person like me, they
mean nothing.
Aya: I... don't have any dreams... none...

[the sound of the waves fade away]

[flowershop trailer. inside. night]

Aya: [awakens, startled] Ah!? ... [deep breath] ... another... dream...

[he grabs his sword, and bares it]

Aya: (M) Shion... Before, I lived with revenge to sustain. You told me to cast it away... And now that I've gotten it, I
have nothing else to live for. No point in life, no dreams. Only one last thing...

[he swipes the blade quickly from side to side]

Aya: (M) I will settle the score with you! So I can discover your true motives... and my own. I will, even if it costs me my
life. Shion!

[he brings the blade down hard on the sliding curtain]

------

[Tokyo. Kurasuma's residence]

Kurasuma's Wife: [screaming] What... who are you?! This is the Vice Commissioner of Justice Yoshirou Kurasuma's
home. Whatever you do, the police will be flying at your throats! Husband! Husband!!

[a card flies sheer and slices her throat]

Kurasuma's Wife: Uuuh...!

[she collapses in a pile and dies]
[a door opens from within...]

Kurasuma: Setsuko! Setsuko!! You... you're...!!
Rindou: Yoshirou Kurasuma. There is no need to foretell your fate.
Shion: Prepare yourself.
Kenta [3 yrs. old]: Papa!!

[running into the room, Kenta latches onto Kurasuma's leg]

Kurasuma: Kenta!
Shion: Hm?
Kurasuma: Kenta! Get out of here!
Kenta: [crying] Papa!! Papa!!
Kurasuma: Kenta...
Shion: ... Kurasuma, the boy will be spared if you move away from him and give up your life.
Kurasuma: Shion, Rindou! Don't you know what Nakatsugawa's real motive is? The La Mort organization he formed to
replace Kritiker isn't just a covert investigations unit, it's a killing corps. Already they've murdered most of the Kritiker
personnel nationwide.
Shion: "La Mort"? I've never heard of it before.
Kurasuma: Only Weiß has the license to kill. Kritiker may not kill and must avoid conflict. This rule was the minimum
standard set in the fight against darkness. However Nakatsugawa gathered killers and established them all around
the country, intending to dominate the Japanese economy and political system with violence.

[a soft click as he loads his pistol]

Shion: Idiotic...

[he swiftly brings the barrel to bare]

Kurasuma: Kenta, get out!
Shion: Haah!!

[he brings down his katana]

Kenta: Aaahh!!!
Kurasuma: Guaaa!!!!

[the gunshot fires uselessly]

Kurasuma: Guh...

[the gun falls from his hands as he collapses]

Kurasuma: Kenta... I'm so sorry... [dies]
Rindou: What a man... to load a gun under the cover of his own son's body.
Shion: A man with a gun is no swordsman's opponent.
Rindou: Hmph, whatever you say, Shion. You didn't even hesitate to slay the little boy. So this is your embarkened
enlightenment?
Shion: Is this sarcasm?
Rindou: On the contrary, utter admiration.
Shion: Meeting Buddha to kill him, meeting one's ancestors to despise them, meeting Lohan to forget him, meeting
God to destroy him, you will still find salvation. I've come this far believing that, but salvation is still so far away... so
far away...

[Opening theme. Sweet Nothing (Koyasu)]

------

[Narita Airport]
[the bustle of the lobby]

Aya-chan: Bye!! Write me when you get there!
Sakura: [despondent] Sure...
Aya-chan: This's so great, Sakura-chan! I want to be studying in Paris, too...But without a junior high record, I haven't
a chance, so I'd better keep at the part-time school! [noticing] Huh? What's the matter? You don't seem too excited...
Sakura: No... I just feel like I'm letting you down...
Aya-chan: About what? Oh, you mean about the store? That's OK! We'll just be missing some of the guy regulars
without you around.
Sakura: I'm not worried about the shop, you're always on top of things...
Aya-chan: Then... about my brother?
Sakura: Yeah...
Aya-chan: Actually, I was really surprised when you told me you were going to Paris. I was happy you cared so much
about my brother, but I was also worried that you would never be happy...
Sakura: Never be happy? What do you mean?
Aya-chan: Well, even if you wait until you're old and gray, I really wonder... really wonder if he'll come back... and...
though you've never really told me in detail... he's not a very good person?
Sakura: No! That's not true at all! Aya-san... Aya-san's a wonderful person! That's all there is to say!
Aya-chan: O...okay...
Sakura: Aya-san saved my life. He looked after me. He's really a kind, gentle man. You've got to believe that,
Aya-chan!
Aya-chan: Okay... [brighter] Sorry, I didn't mean to bring this up. Ah! Oh no! The plane's almost departing! Bye,
Sakura-chan! Take care!
Sakura: You too, Aya-chan!

------

[the rumble of the jet engines]

Sakura: (M) Aya-san... I don't want to forget you... no, I couldn't possibly forget about you. But I'm done waiting for
you. It hurts too much to live only with your memories... if I let this continue, I don't think I could make anything of
myself... So, Aya-san, you can forget me, but never forget about Aya-chan. Please go back to her, please, Aya-san!

[the plane gains altitude and soars away]

Sakura: (M) Good bye... Aya-san.

------

[Kamakura. In front of the Tsuruoka War Shrine. Flowershop Trailer]
[crowds of tourists]

Schoolgirls: "Hii!!" "Aya-san!!" "Heeeeey!!" "Aya-sa~n!"
Ken: Sorry, but Aya's got his hands full right now. Whaddabout me?
Schoolgirl A: Huh? Well, okay... then here! I want these adorable flowers!
Ken: Okaaay!
Schoolgirl B: Say, Ken, are you guys going to stay in Kamakura?
Ken: Dunno. But for now, we're smack dab in front of the Tsuruoka shrine. The police're always sniffin' annoyinly
around when we set up the trailer.
Schoolgirls: "Whyy?!" "Why can't you stay here?!"
Ken: Here ya go, 1500 ye- er, nah, 1000 yen's fine. I'll give ya one stem for free.
Schoolgirl A: Wo~~w, thanks!! Forget about Aya, from now on, I'm a Ken's biggest fan!
Schoolgirls: "Whaaa!!!" "No fair!!" "Well, that's more Aya for me!" "Hahahah!!"

[they leave]

Ken: Thanks! Come anytime!!
Youji: ... Ken... you've been freakishly cheerful lately.
Ken: Wha'? ... Huh, well, now't you mention it... ever since we left Kurashiki, I felt like this huge weight's been lifted
offa me.
Youji: After Azami... and Ayame...?
Ken: Thanks to them, I'd seen how much further I could fall from where I'd fallen. Honestly, I was relieved...
Youji: [doubtful] Relieved?
Ken: Yeah, they had the same kinda future as us, so we'll... I'll fall in the same way. We'll be murderin' killers, and just
be killed by someone in turn.
Hehh... Can't help thinkin' that that wouldn't be such a bad thing...
Youji: You...
Ken: Heh, worry not. I've not killed anyone outside th'missions, at least... not yet.

[Aya steps out the trailer]

Aya: Get inside. He's figured it out.

[the beeping of electronics]

Omi: After restoring the three compressed files that were sent via that signal and running them through Kritiker code
decryption, I finally got it back to it's original MPEG file state. Well, it's got to be a video file. But finally, I need to
decode the password.

[he hammers away on the keyboard]

Omi: OK, let's play it back!
Youji: [whistles] Phew, we'd be screwed without Omi.

[small patch of static]

Kurasuma: [on video] Members of Weiß, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Yoshirou Kurasuma, otherwise
the Vice Commissioner of the Ministry of Justice.I gave you your orders after the passing away of Shuuichi Takatori.

Youji: Look! We can see his face finally!
Omi: Yeah...

Kurasuma: [on video] In all honesty, these duties carried a heavy burden. With a single word, people would die. I
believed that... no matter how heinous the crime,there was nothing more precious than life itself. I couldn't give the
orders to kill so easily and without hesitation as Mr. Shuuichi and Saijou Takatori could...

Ken: Ch', what's he tryin' to say?

Kurasuma: [on video] Following the defeat of SS, I had planned to gradually reduce the duties of Weiß, and finally
dismantle it. However, Kyousuke Nakatsugawa had nursed opposition. He had established killing groups all across
the country, so that he could dominate the public world with violence from underneath. This scheme must be stopped
by all means! These are your final orders! Kyousuka Nakatsugawa, Shion, and Rindou, take care of these three!

Omi: Shion, Rindou... Finally.

Kurasuma: [on video] Men, thank you for your stalwart efforts. I am probably dead upon receipt of this message.

Omi: Eh?!
Youji: What?!
Ken: Then Shion'n... musta...

Kurasuma: [on video] On the conclusion of this mission, you are free from Weiß. I want you to live your lives anew.
This is... my message!

[the recording ends in static]

Omi: New lives...
Youji: So Kurasuma's dead... it's not hit the news yet.
Omi: And Birman told us to... protect him...
Ken: But we're lousy guardians. Just like Manx said, Weiß wasn't trained to protect. We just kill.
Aya: Yes. We must kill those who killed him, that is our duty.
Omi: Yeah, I guess, but... how meaningless...
Ken: Hmph, but starting new lives? He musta been daydreamin' in that last request.
Omi: Ken-kun! How can you say that?!
Youji: There're no ruby slippers to click an' be ordinary salarymen, y'know.
Aya: Indeed. We... these hands have taken away how many tens of lives. A new life? There is none for such as we.
Omi: No! You can't just give up like this! We're... we're killers. We bore this sin. But... that doesn't mean we have to
continue Weiß our entire lives!
Youji: I sure will. Asuka's ghost's gonna haunt me my whole life...
Omi: Youji-kun...
Ken: I don't know how to do anythin' than kill people. Hehheh... don't want to do anything else, either. If these orders'd
never've come, I would've gone merc. I'm continuin' in Weiß.
Omi: You guys... what're you all saying?! I killed my own brother with these hands... I doubt my sin's any heavier than
any of yours, but... I don't want to keep looking behind! Life is full of potential. The future isn't determined!
Aya: Omi... if you can truly live some other way, then you should leave here at once.
Omi: What...

[Kanazawa. Saijou's home]

Saijou: Heheheh... [cackling] Hohohoho.. hahahaha!!! [coughing]
Uno: Master!
Sano: Are you well?
Saijou: [cough] ... Mamoru... Mamoru... you came to Kanazawa to ask me this?
Omi: Of what?
Saijou: About Kikuno and Shuuichi. Huhahah... of course! Only natural. When I heard about it, I thought it was rather
strange. Hehheh... Shuuichi, did you think you could deceive me? As your father, I thought you were a little overly
serious but what you did, you did well. Kikuno was also Kikuno. Her face was the classic paragon of virtue...
[coughing] But... whether Reiji or Shuuichi was your real father, what does it matter, Mamoru? Neither are in this world
anymore.
Omi: But, it's important to me!
Saijou: Hmm... Then let me ask you this. You use the name, Omi Tsukiyono now. Did you make that name yourself?
Omi: This name... Uncle Shuuichi gave it to me.
Saijou: As I thought... Then perhaps Shuuichi gave you that name, hoping you would come here, to Tsukiyono
Castle, to lead the Takatori clan onwards.
Omi: Then Uncle Shuuichi is really...
Saijou: If it sets you at ease, believe what you will.
Omi: I...
Saijou: At any rate, you are my progeny, and the sole remaining successor to the Takatori clan. Mamoru, I mean
nothing bad, but do not return to your friends.Among them, you have no future.
Omi: Future...?
Saijou: Yes. Recalling and preserving the past will accomplish nothing. The dream of the future is all-important, and
now you have a splendid future ahead of you, the head of the grand Takatori family and leader of this country. This is
what Shuuichi would have wanted for you.
Omi: But... Uncle Shuuichi put me in Weiß... he taught me to be a killer!
Saijou: Mamoru, are you ashamed of your time in Weiß?
Omi: No... sin is sin, and it's nothing good... but I'm not ashamed. It was something that just had to be done!
Saijou: Right! You are truly a Takatori. Perhaps you killed a hundred, or maybe two-hundred men, but you will not be
obstructed by mundane pangs of guilt. Well, Mamoru? Those who stand above the rest must in time lower themselves
to cold-blooded determination. You must have the enormity of will that can, if necessary, kill a man without hesitation.
Your experience in Weiß will no doubt aid this, your future.
Omi: Is that so...
Saijou: Mamoru. Kurasuma is dead, and Kritiker is in ruins. Nakatsugawa will be finishing off your friends, maybe
today, maybe tomorrow. The only place for you is here.
Omi: Please wait! You just said... I have to return! I can't just stand by and watch my friends get killed!
Saijou: Mamoru... [tiredly]

[same location. corridor]
[chirping of birds. Nakatsugawa walks quickly]

Nakatsugawa: Master! What... what is the meaning of this!?
Saijou: Ooh, well, if it isn't the CEO of the Bank of Japan himself, Nakatsugawa. Isn't this fall turning beautifully?
Nakatsugawa: All the capitol you lent me is vanished! Are you behind this, or was is the Hatonosu family or perhaps
the Shirasagi Group that persuaded you?
Saijou: Look over there, at Mt. Utatsu. The autumn wind will start once the Koucha mountain river begins to swell.
Nakatsugawa: Master! I also have a situation to think about!
Saijou: Enough already, if you cannot grasp elegance, nothing great can be accomplished. If you've actually a brain
to think with, then you would understand just why Shuuichi and I prohibited Kritiker from combat. Why did you break
that rule?
Nakatsugawa: If you can't investigate and do a little dirty work at the same time, you might not get the job done on
time. Times have changed.
Saijou: Then let us let old age play its part.
Nakatsugawa: [greatly angered] How long do you intend to withhold funding? Don't you want to finish off those boys?
Saijou: You're the one who wants to finish them. I'm still so young, I've got the whole future waiting ahead of me to be
haltered by an old revenge.
Nakatsugawa: Hmph, complete nonsense! Maybe you -are- going senile. When you belittle me, I look at you and feel
disgusted.
Saijou: Trueee... Oh, I'm hungry. Uno, Sano, please being some breakfast. Would you care to join me?
Nakatsugawa: I see, now. Well, if this's the attitude you're going to take, then screw civility. I refuse to at the moment,
but with my connections, I'll tell you that there would be no difficulty in crushing the vaunted Takatori clan. I'll be
waiting for your apology. Excuse me!

[he stalks away]

Saijou: Hnn.... Is this satisfactory, Mamoru?

[Omi pulls away from the brush]

Omi: Yes...

[Asano River. Shore]

Rindou: So you want us to nail Saijou?
Nakatsugawa: That's right. He will only prove a hindrance to our activities should we let him live. We ought to start a
new organization and let Saijou's disappear like an antique relic.
Shion: A new organization...? Nakatsugawa, what is La Mort?
Nakatsugawa: Huh?
Shion: I heard it was an assassination unit.
Rindou: Or possibly, are we that deposit box?
Nakatsugawa: Shion, Rindou. You two have performed splendidly in your
capabilities. However, alone you two cannot accomplish anything on such a large scale. From now on, your game are
just bigshots like Saijou.
Shion: What are you planning to do with the killing squads stationed around the country?
Nakatsugawa: Don't bother yourselves with the details, and leave the organizing to me.
Shion: We parted from Shuuichi Takatori and Kurasuma's like so that we would never again be used by the Takatori
clan, mundane politicians, and bureaucrats alike. Let those who work in darkness, work from the darkness.
Involvement in mundane politics is a road leading only to disaster.
Nakatsugawa: A road?! You think to lecture me?!
Shion: Yes, if you've ears to hear with.
Nakatsugawa: Shion! Just concern yourselves with the target! Are you going to kill Saijou or not?!
Shion: Sorry, but it has not been long since the death of our comrades. I must refuse this mission.
Nakatsugawa: What?!

[Shion walks away]

Nakatsugawa: Wait, Shion! What are you doing!?
Rindou: Heh, no need to get so angry. Even on my own, I can handle Saijou. It's somewhat past the fact, but... I've got
my own reasons to target the geezer that I'll leave unmentioned. Looks like his luck's finally run to ground.

[Saijou's home. Omi's room. Night]

Uno: We shall take our leave, Mr. Mamoru.
Sano: Your change of clothes are over here.
Sano/Uno: Good night.
Omi: Thanks... er, can you wait a bit?
Uno: Yes! [loaded pause, then softly] Oh, Mr. Mamoru... you've finally decided...
Sano: Please ask anything of us. We will do anything for you.
Omi: No, er... nothing specific... it's just... why do you live in this house? I've been wondering how you came here...
but you seem like slaves more than maids. Do you really need to attend me like this?
Uno: We are slaves.
Omi: What?!
Sano: We were sold when we were three years old. That was when the master purchased us.
Omi: How horrible! How could he've...
Uno: The horror were the parents who sold us.
Sano: The master raised us. He employed the finest coaches to teach us
literature, sports, and martial arts. In this house we are not without freedom.
Omi: But... slaves... But you... you have your own lives. Don't you have any dreams for the future?
Uno: [giggle] Hehheh... if you ask that, Mr. Mamoru, it is that you do as the master asks and to use us as you desire.
Sano: That is our dream.
Omi: Why...

[the beep of a pager]

Uno: Please excuse us. The master is calling.
Sano: [shocked] Uno, what is happening?!
Uno: Emergency! Something happened to the master?!
Omi: Wha'?

[Saijou's bedchamber]

Rindou: Saijou Takatori, I've finished writing most of the book. However, the final page is a blank slate, so I've come to
you again.
Saijou: The final page?
Rindou: What else could it be? The death of Saijou Takatori, patron of the Takatori clan!

[a card screeched through the air]

Saijou: Nn!!

[he jumps to avoid it]

Rindou: Hmm! Still spry, but you can't dodge my cards forever!

[more cards fly through the air]
[Saijou is grazed by several]

Saijou: Uun... Waah!!!
Rindou: I had once intended to write somewhat scandalous story, but my partner was murdered, and I too should
have been dead. It's all thanks to you that I'd fallen into this occupation. It's grand karmic irony, Saijou, to be here with
you now. Die!

[he sends a killer card flying!]

Uno: Master!

[she flings herself in its path, taking a horrible wound]

Uno: Uuhh...!!
Rindou: What?!
Sano: Uno!
Uno: Sano... quickly, to the master...
Rindou: Outta the way!!
Uno: [enraged] Taaaaaaaa~~~!!!

[she unfurls her whip and lashes at Rindou]

Rindou: You won't interfere!

[he leaps to avoid the whip...]

Rindou: Haah!!

[he hurls several cards, all which strike Uno]

Uno: [screams] Aaaah!!!! [dies]
Sano: Uno!!
Rindou: Prepare yourself, Saijou!

[he hurls more cards]

Sano: No...Master!!

[she throws herself in their path, intercepting all]

Sano: Aaahhh!!
Saijou: Sano!
Sano: M...master... here we...

[she collapses]

Rindou: St... stupid fools! You're in uniforms... why did you shield Saijou?!
Sano: [whispering weakly] He is... our reason for living...
Rindou: What?!
Sano: Master...
Saijou: Sano...
Sano: ...We apologize... that we could not... repay our great debt to you... We were... very happy... [dies]
Rindou: Reason for living? What?!
Omi: Rindou!!
Rindou: Wha'?!

[Omi cuts loose a dart that strikes Rindou!]

Rindou: Uhhh!!! ... k'... huh...heh...hehheh... I see... So that's why? I expected as much of you, Mamoru Takatori, to
sacrifice the maids to protect Saijou... an act of cold blood worthy of the Takatori clan!.. uhh...
Omi: I...
Rindou: Mamoru Takatori, I'll foretell your fate.
Omi: What?! [nervous]

[Rindou cuts the deck, and pulls out a card]

Rindou: [surprised] This is... strange... it should have been Death, butinstead... the Emperor? Hahhah... don't make
me laugh... who's the... emperor... [dies]
Omi: Rindou...
Saijou: [sobbing] Uuhh...
Omi: Are you all right?!
Saijou: They're just scratches, but poor Uno and Sano... my poor girls... Mamoru, did you embrace the two?
Omi: Wh...what?! No!
Saijou: I see... that's a great pity. I had dreamed of the day that you might take one or two to wife.
Omi: I... wouldn't do that...
Saijou: Mamoru, those who stand above the rest lead lonesome lives. Those I might have turned to have all died out,
all sacrificed in time. But nonetheless we must endure... Look at me, all my sons and successors, all dead before my
time. And now, even Uno and Sano... Only I have endured to this age... [choking with tears] Mamoru... I have only
you... Don't leave me! Please stay here with me!... Mamoru!!
Omi: Grandfather...

[...the closing of a chapter]

------

[Kamakura. Inside the flowershop trailer]

Youji: Dammit, it's no go.
Ken: What's with the computer?
Youji: Omi installed some kinda password lock. Without it, we can't access eitherthe database or the Internet.
Ken: That damn Omi... just sent us a single postcard with "The rindou is plucked" on it. Ain't he coming back? ... or
maybe he's gone for good?
Youji: It's best for him if he doesn't come back...

[Aya opens the door and enters]

Ken: Aya, you got anything?
Aya: I've looked, but all I can find is his official Bank of Japan agenda. How about you?
Youji: Well, the computer's useless, so there's nothing coming from Kritiker. We've no leads to locate Shion.
Ken: Aya, don't you have any ideas?
Aya: Hmm...

[A mountain shrine. Inner graveyard]
[autumn insects buzz]

Shion: [talking to the graves] You've rested... nine years now...

[Battlefield. Shion remembering]
[an explosion, rattling of machine guns]

Shion: Our platoon invaded that country as the advance troops of the PKF. You three died, casualties of war, when
we engaged with the rapine absolutist army. Our Defense Minstry did nothing to try to stop the killing... But when the
situation threatened to become a political disaster, we were written off having been killed in an accident during
summer leave...

[A mountain shrine. Inner graveyard]
[a priest enters]

Priest: Oh, Shion. So you have returned again this year.
Shion: Sir... visiting their graves once a year is all I can do for them.
Priest: Why don't you voice the truth? For them, you were killed... presumed so, anyhow, even your family was
hunted. Out of necessity, you staged your own death and went into hiding... The price of that sacrifice was enough... I
think that they would have thanked you.
Shion: Do you think so?
Priest: But how do you feel about your living family? This year, on the day you died, your wife and her second
husband, and then your daughter came here to visit. She should be graduating from high school this spring...
Shion: Sir, please, say no more. As long as they are happy, I am well.

[the insects chirp during the interlude]
[the priest's quarters. a bell tolls]

Priest: Why don't you try living here? You heart will be at peace.
Shion: I...

[he bares his katana]

Shion: I threw away my wife, threw away my child, threw away my name, and lived by this sword.
Priest: And... have you found enlightment through the blade's path?
Shion: Nothing... except that life is full of earthly passion. In its duration, I have made friends, lost friends, betrayed
and been betrayed, become bound into insignificant plots, all distant from enlightment I seek. I think that withdrawing
into a temple would contradict my original path.
Priest: Original path...
Shion: The path of the sword. In this world, there are many who have already fallen into Hell while still alive. They
draw comfort understanding this, but they are also on the threshold of true enlightenment... Haaah!!

[he slashed through the sliding door]

Enemy A: Guaaaaa!!!

[the sliding door splinters, revealing a member of La Mort]

Priest: What is this?!
Shion: Sir, get down!

[the doors from all four sides come crashing down]

Enemies: "haaaaah!!!!" "Die!!"

[one hurls himself at Shion with a Seiryuu sword]

Shion: Haah!!

[Katana and Seiryuu blade meet]

Shion: Hmph, so you're Nakatsugawa's killing lackeys?

[he shifts grip, and slices]

Enemy B: Waaaa!!
Shion: Using a Seiryuu blade? I tremble with terror, where did you learn to use it?

[he brings it down]

Enemy C: Guaaaaaa!!
Enemy D: Shion!! We've no need of old-fashioned coots like you!
Shion: Hehheh, so I'm an ancient relic like Saijou?
Enemy E: Leave the rest to us, the La Mort, and go kindly to Hell!

[katana and Seiryuu blade creak and shoot sparks]

Shion: I'll listen only if you can defeat me.

[he slices again]

Enemy D: Guaaaaaa!!!

[again]

Enemy E: Uwaaah!!

[he continues killing]

Enemies: "uwaaah!!" "Gaaahh!" "Aaahhh!!"

[a silence settles over their fallen bodies]

Priest: [frightened] Ohhh...
Shion: Sir, are you injured?
Priest: I'm... I'm fine, but...
Enemy A: Please... please... a doctor...
Shion: Worry not, this is a temple. Only a short distance away is also a grave.

[he finishes the man off with a peremptory slice]

Enemy A: uuhh.. [dies]
Priest: How ... how cruel... Shion, even if you adhere to the strictest
discipline, you cannot attain enlightenment without a heart of mercy!
Shion: Sir... I apologize for all the trouble.

------

[Akasaka at night. an alley]
[the bustle of the commercial district and a shamisen can be heard]

Ken: It's that restaurant? ... it's crawling with Nakatsugawa's subordinates.
Youji: I can only see five guys. Supposedly there's five more. What should we do?
Aya: Let's watch the situation for a while.
Ken: Shit, let's jus' go in an kill'm!

[Ken walks forward a bit]

Aya: Ken, stop!

[Enemy F (a La Mort) suddenly drops before Ken]

Enemy: Stop! Where are you going?!

[Ken's bugnuks clank to the fore]

Ken: Yaa~~~!!!!
Enemy F: Who are you?!

[a Seiryuu sword blocks Ken's bugnuks!]

Ken: Uuh..!
Enemy F: K'...!!

[three more, all armed with Seiryuu swords, come running in]

Enemies: [shouting]
Ken: Damn!! ... K'...

[Seiryuu swords whistle at the perimeter, some crashing into Ken's bugnuks]

Youji: That stupid ass!!

[Youji runs out]

Youji: Gotcha!!

[his wires wrap their blades, tearing some from their hands]

Enemies: Waaah!!!

[Aya bursts from concealment]

Aya: Taa~~!!!

[he meets with Seiryuu blades]

Enemies: "Eei!!!" "Die!!"
Aya: [struggling] Haa.... k'...! [attacking] Tah~!!

[the swordfight continues]

Shion: [abruptly at Aya's side] Ran, I'll leave these to you.
Aya: What?!
Shion: Haa!!!

[he disappears, leaping into the air]

Aya: Shion?!

------

[inside a restaurant]
[a ceramic click as he pours sake from the pitcher into the cup]

Nakatsugawa: A drink on me. Today's your grand debut.
Candidate (for Prime Minister): V...Very kind of you.
Nakatsugawa: And now you are destined for the Prime Ministry seat.
Candidate: Mr. Nakatsugawa, how on earth did you persuade Kimiyoshi's faction of this?
Nakatsugawa: Simple. Everyone values their lives, no?
Candidate: That means... you...
Nakatsugawa: Hahha! It's nothing you need worry about. Just make sure to follow my instructions and you'll be able to
handle any sort of political strife.
Candidate: Then... I'll leave that aspect to you.
Nakatsugawa: Heh... Public authority and underground power. When implementing both means, there's nothing you
can't do. Reiji Takatori was destroyed for risking his neck, but I will be more than just a name behind the scenes...

[the sliding door is shoved open]

Shion: Nakatsugawa, so this was your intent?
Nakatsugawa: Shion!?
Shion: You are no different from Shuuichi and Saijou Takatori. No, even worse. For your vain political ambitions,
Azami and Ayame, even Rindou, lost their lives...
Nakatsugawa: Just... just wait, Shion. You misunderstand! I never gave the order to attack you; that was an
independent action by La Mort. Aren't... we friends? Comrades? Just hear me out! Just---

[he cuts him down]

Nakatsugawa: Aaaaaagh!!!! [dies]

[the sake cup clatters to the floor as he crumples]

Candidate: [gasp] Aah...! Aa... I... I'm not involved with him! I know nothing! Don't hurt me, please---!

[...and him, too]

Candidate: Guaaaa!!!

Shion: Hmph... With this, my earthly ties are cut. Now, only one last thing...

------

[Aya's dream]
[roaring waves]

Aya: [panting hoarsely] haa...haa...
Shion: [echoing from all directions] Ran!
Aya: Where are you? Shion, where are you?!

[he slices thin air all about him]

Shion: [an echo] Ran...
Aya: There you are!!

[a killing stroke]

Girl's scream: Aaahhhh!!!!

[the waves suddenly fall silent]

Aya: A...Aya?! No, Aya~~!!
Aya-chan: [echoing] Murderer...
Aya: Eh...
Kikyou: Murderer, monster, blackest of beasts...

[the waves start washing in again, softly]

Aya: Kikyou... you again?
Kikyou: I am at your side, Ran-kun.
Aya: Why? How?
Kikyou: I am here because you came you me. I've been so lonely, waiting for you all this time.
Aya: So I'm... dead?
Kikyou: You cannot win against Shion. You know this, yet nonetheless you intend to challenge him. Or quite frankly,
you are asking Shion to grant you death, justlike how I was 'saved' by you.
Aya: I'm going to fight him to ask him just what he did these last two years... ask myself that... just that. I'm not wanting
to die.
Kikyou: Just what he did, living as a murderer? ...Hmph, what a pointless question. Well, if not, what will you do from
now on, Ran-kun? You have no reasonto live, no dream. Don't you see what suffering is ahead of you? Unless,
perhaps... you have regrets?
Aya: Regrets... I have none... none of them...

[the waves recede]

------

[Kitten in the House. Morning]

Aya-chan: [whistling cheerfully]

[the doorchime jangles as the door opens]

Aya-chan: Hello! Welcome!
Shion: Mm.... [looking around]
Aya-chan: ? ... um, are you looking for anything in particular?
Shion: Those... "Ran" orchids there.
Aya-chan: Oh, these? These are 30,000 yen [about $285 *ouch*], but we have one that's smaller for 5,000.
Shion: The larger one is fine. Please box it.
Aya-chan: Yes sir! That's 30,000 yen, please. Thanks for your business!

[she opens up the register]

Shion: ... Miss, do you work this store by yourself?
Aya-chan: [while wrapping the flowers] Yes, well, pretty much.
Shion: Pardon my asking, but do you have family?
Aya-chan: Well, I have an older brother, but he left for somewhere... Here you go.
Shion: Thank you...
Aya-chan: ... um... sir...? Is there something the matter?
Shion: Uh, no, sorry. I was just thinking that my daughter would have been about your age...
Aya-chan: Oh... your daughter died?
Shion: Hehheh, no, I'm the one who died.
Aya-chan: Huhh??

[the door chimes as he leaves the store]

Aya-chan: Strange man...

------

[Kamakura. Flowershop trailer]
[unwrapping the package]

Ken: Huh? Th'hell's this?
Youji: Looks like some present from a girl.

[opening the box...]

Aya: These are... "Ran" orchids...
Youji: What kinda moron would send flowers to a flowershop?
Ken: Hmm, there's a card inside.
Youji: Or a map? This island's got an X marked through it... Looks like the coastoff Yokosuka.
Aya: It's Shion...
Youji/Ken: Huh?

------

[among the island's boulders and crashing waves]

Shion: (M) Ran... come to me quickly. I have only last wish remaining to me: the freedom from all binding me to
experience that instant of unadulterated swordsmanship! How about it, Ran? Do you have the strength to create that
split second with me? We shall test the fruits of your labor, whetted on the lives of men these last two years!

[the waves roar deafeningly]

------

[the motorboat speeds along]

Ken: Y'sure that was a challenge from Shion?
Aya: Absolutely. He's been... waiting for me.
Youji: Look, it's that small island over there. Used to be a base for overseas work. Until twenty years ago, the
American navy at Yokosuka used it, but now it'sderelict.

[the boat engine cuts once it reaches its destination]
[the three leave the boat and stand on the shore]

Ken: Looks like he's not here yet.
Aya: No, something's not right.
Youji: Do you know what it is?

[Aya starts walking into the island center]

Ken: Hey! Aya!
Youji: Well, let's just follow...

[Youji and Ken also follow]

Ken: This road's weird...
Youji: The navy probably excavated these rocks to pave the roads with. The islandlee's completely bare.
Ken: Rock walls on either side. They'd be tough to scale...
Youji: To make this road the only way to invade or flee.
Ken: That Aya... does he really think he's got a chance?
Youji: I dunno. He's facing the danger square'n the eye, but inside...
Ken: Shion's not someone we can win against.
Youji: I agree, so we should use Aya as a decoy.
Ken: A decoy?
Youji: While they're fighting, we wait until he's turned away. Then I'll wire up Shion's katana, and you nail him from
behind.
Ken: Got it...

[a voice shouts out from the stone walls]

Shion: Ran! You kept me waiting.
Aya: Huh?

[he reveals himself]

Shion: Then... the time has come to finish this once and for all!
Aya: Shion. Karasuma is dead. Nakatsugawa as well. Does this fight have any meaning?
Shion: There is no thing as war with meaning. Rindou, Azami, Ayame... and Birman,Manx, many died in this war.
Theirs were arbitrary, meaningless, futile deaths. And when I get rid of you last remainders, everything will finally be
over.
Ken: Selfish prick...
Shion: Where is the other?
Aya: We are all here.
Shion: I see. If you, too, cleanse yourselves, then I will let you free.
Youji: The heartless shouldn't say such things. Not only did you kill
Kurasuma, but his wife and kid, too. The white hunters only hunt the darkest of black beasts!
Shion: Heh heh...I won't deny that.

[slowly unsheathes his katana]

Shion: Come to me.
Aya: Shion...

[Aya also pulls out his blade]

Aya: Taaaa~~~~!!!

[pounding on the turf, he meets blades with a crash]

Youji: (quietly) Ken!
Ken: I know!

[Youji and Ken run in opposite directions]
[meanwhile, the clash of blades continues]

Aya: Guh...
Shion: Ran... there's something you should know!
Aya: What?!
Shion: I've survived awful terrors these last two years... This child's play won't win against me!
Aya: Shut up!

[the clang of steel]

Aya: Ah! [bleeding]

[Youji flings his wires]

Youji: Yaah!

[The wire flies! They wrap around Shion's katana]

Shion: Hn?

[the wires tighten and pull at the blade]

Youji: Ken! Now's our chance!
Ken: Daaaa~~~~!!

[He runs towards him]

Shion: [contemptuous snort] Huh. ... Ha!

[the wires snap]

Youji: [shocked] Aaah?!
Shion: Hah!!

[the sword cuts down]

Ken: Waaah!! [a deep wound]
Aya: Ken!
Shion: You are done for!
Youji: Ken!

[While running, he flings his wires again]

Shion: Hah!

[dodging away, he meets Youji head on!]

Youji: Ah?
Aya: Youji, run!
Shion: It's too late!

[the blade slices]

Youji: Waah!
Aya: Youji!
Youji: Ungh...

[he falls to the ground]

Shion: Hmph, these two are too slow to react. Soon they will feel no more pain.
Aya: Wait! Shion, wait!
Shion: What, will you plead for their lives?
Aya: I want... to fight you one on one.
Shion: What?
Ken: (weakly) Don't... Aya...
Shion: ...Fine. I accept your challenge to fight one on one.

-------

[the waves roar among the boulders!]

Shion: Ran, I give you one last chance. If you recant your life and throw down your soiled blade, I will forgive you.
Aya: What about you? Will you'll shut yourself up in some mountain shrine, and live in peace?
Shion: I was told the same thing by a shrine priest a few days ago. Hehheh, I wouldn't mind living my remaining days
with tea and flowers. However, it is my solemn duty to lead away those like who who have erred to Hell. I could not
carry out my mission of mercy cloistered in a shrine.
Aya: What mercy is it to murder!?
Shion: And you, for what reason do you kill people? What do you desire from it?
Aya: I don't have any desires!
Shion: Then, do you crave bloodshed?
Aya: Not for any reason!

[he runs, striking, and the blades lock]

Aya: Does your kind of mercy mean killing children? Shion!

[the two clash as loud as the roaring waves]

Aya: You're no different from those who love killing!
Shion: Hah!!

[he slices]

Aya: Uhh... Hah!

[the blades ring again and again]

Shion: Ran! Look not at just the facts. Look at the essence of the soul!
Aya: Hah!!

[the blades ring quickly]

Shion: Nrgh... [hesitating]

[Aya's quick blade strikes down!]

Aya: Taaa!!!

[he readies a strong blow!]

Shion: Ooh!

[he leaps away]

Shion: I have you!
Aya: Ku...!

[the battle blazes on!]

------

Ken: Youji...You still... alive...?
Youji: Unfortunately... yeah...
Ken: Look... at Aya's style... It's... different from before...
Youji: Yeah... no, that was how he fought... before. He's... returned to then...
Ken: Now that you... mention it... Shion has... too.

------

Shion: Very good, Ran! That's how! You've improved much in these two years!
Aya: K'..
Shion: But can you deal with this?!

[the blade sweep shears the air]

Aya: Ha!

[quickly, he blocks it]

Shion: Good! If you can that, then this?!

[at the chance, he reverses and swings]

Aya: Ugn!!

[he blocks it again]

Aya: Yaah!

[and swings in return]

Shion: Ooh? Wonderful. You've gotten much better!
Aya: Shut up!!

[and again]

------

Youji: Teacher and student... with the same techniques, wouldn't the teacher win...?
Ken: Aya's... much younger... If this drags out... wouldn't... his endurance...give him the edge...?
Youji: Dunno... but I think... this's more a trial of spirit... than endurance...

------

[as the fight continues, Aya's katana grazes Shion]

Shion: K'...
Aya: How does it feel to be wounded...?
Shion: Hmph!

[the swordfight plays on]

Shion: So regretful... I'm so truly disappointed...
Aya: What?
Shion: With just those techniques... with all that training... I thought you might be able to surpass me... But...!

[Shion attacks hard]

Aya: Uunh!!
Shion: ...You can go no farther!

[again and again Shion attacks]

Aya: K....uh...
Shion: Taaa!

[The blades meet, but...]

Aya: Waah?!

[Aya's sword shatters and falls to the ground]

Shion: Haaah!!!

[One slice!]

Aya: Gwaaa!!!! [heavily wounded]
Youji/Ken: Aya!!
Shion: Ran... ...face your end!

[a single gunshot]

Shion: Wha?!.... it.... can't be...

[he falls to his knees]

Shion: To... use a gun... in these circumstances...

[he collapses]

Aya: That's because... I'm just a murderer...
Shion: Hehheh... so a murderer is someone able to... use both sword and gun...
Aya: You're obsessed with your katana. In a one on one fight, you would forget about everything else...
Shion: Heh... hehheh... Ran... I sought enlightenment... through the blade. But...this blade... was really all my earthly
desire! I wanted to throw everything away, but I couldn't throw away my sword... I thought... the activities of this
common world... was what disturbed that search for peace... but really, the true barrier... was within myself... Ran, this
is your victory...You're so much closer to that peace than I ever was...
Aya: I... haven't found either peace of mind or the path of the sword.
Shion: Then, you are able to. No desire. No aim. No dreams or hopes. Isn't that precisely... that emptiness of heart?
But... if you're going to use a gun... study it more. I won't die from this wound quickly. Hn!

[with a lurch, he takes his sword and lurches upright]

Aya: Hah?!
Shion: I can still do it... If I felt like it, I could still be your opponent...but... let us end this.
Aya: Shion...
Shion: Mu'!

[with sudden movement, he impales his own stomach!]

Aya: Aah!

[he cuts in deeper....]

Shion: Gh.......
Aya: Shion!!!

[Aya holds Shion in his arms (ed. ;_;)]

Aya: Shion...
Shion: (weakly) ... Ran.... I met your.... sister...
Aya: Eh...
Shion: I ... also had a daughter about her age... but I threw her away, too...so... foolish of me... Ran, you're still so
young... it's too soon for you to ...devote yourself to killing ... Go back to your sister! ...while you are still alive.... She's
been... waiting for you... for so long.... so very...

[he dies (ed: T_T)]

Aya: Shion...

[the waves crash the shore again and again]

Aya: K'... uhhh....

[suddenly coughing up blood, he collapses]

Youji/Ken: Aya!!

------

[at the Kitten in the House: outside]
[the wind whistles as it blows]
[upstairs]

Aya-chan: [murmuring in her sleep] u~~n...

[suddenly a crash as something falls]

Aya-chan: Huh? Who's there?

[a long silence]

Aya-chan: No... it couldn't be?!

[she flings herself from her bed, running downstairs and pushing open the store door, the bell chiming]

Aya-chan: Oniichan?!

[but the wind only passes by]

Aya-chan: It... must have been my imagination...

[faraway, the siren of an ambulance can be heard]

Aya-chan: Oniichan... please come back soon. No, if you can't, that's all right, but please be alive! Oniichan!!

[ending song: Epitaph (Seki)]

------

[the quiet murmur of waves]

Kikyou: (echoing) Ran-kun.... Ran-kun...
Aya: Who's... calling me....
Kikyou: I'm so delighted, Ran-kun. Finally, we can be together again.
Aya: Kikyou... Did you come for me?
Kikyou: Let's go. Shion has already arrived, and is waiting for you.
Aya: Aah...
Kikyou: Mmm? What? Why are you hesitating? It couldn't be... that you still wantto kill people, is it? Is it that you want
to experience more the Hell that is to live?
Aya: No... I'm...
Kikyou: I'm?
Aya: I'm...

[the soft lapping of the waves drown out the sounds]

...Weiß, but...

------

After-recording

Hello, um, this is Ken's voice, Tomokazu Seki. Everyone, thanks for listening. Well, first, this four-part Dramatic
Precious series is now completed, but this is the first project of its kind in almost three years in Weiß. It was pretty
hard, but I think it was pretty thorough? Now for my thoughts, hm... Something like... oh, how to say it... I was really
driven around farther than I'd gotten previously. I was able to take roles that I'd never been able to do before, done a
lot cool stuff with girls... um... In such a short period, we were able to get a lot done, with the results, well... First-class
voice actor Tomokazu Seki had a worthy partner in diligence by the name of Ken, or something like that. I'm sure I'll
get another chance to act in Weiß, and when that time comes, there'll be another. You'll be hearing more of Ken in
the future, so look forward to it! Yeah! I'll be looking forward to it, too. Thanks!

This is Youji's actor, Shinichirou Miki. Er... thanks for coming back to listen. I've been with Weiß for a long time, but it
looks like Youji and my villainous reputation's finally cracked. So far, I've solely been voice-acting anime characters,
but if you've listened to Youji... and Aya, Ken, and Omi, I think they've matured a lot through their conflicts, and
maybe that was a good thing, because while they were doing that, I've matured somewhat, too. To continue... hmm...
I'm not going to lose to Youji, so we'll grow up together from our Weiß days. I'm grateful to everyone involved in this
project, and really really hope that I can keep hanging out with Youji and Weiß. It was a great ride, and thanks.

This is Omi's Yuuki Hiro. Er... What do you think, having listened to this series? Do you think Omi can continue his
unhappy life with the last of his family? I'm just the actor, but I worry about him as much as Omi does himself.
Whenever I comment, I'm saying something like "I don't want Omi-kun to be happy." I'm sure that the rest of the Weiß
members want at least Omi to end up happily, but I'm also sure they don't think that'll happen. Well, ok, that was a
joke. Um... thanks to everyone who's followed the Weiß project all along, and I treasure it among the productions I've
been involved with so far. Thank you very much.

Hello, all Weiß fans, this is Shion's voice actor, Katsuei Mori. Eh, once again, in Weiß's long history, Shion has
embarked upon yet another oddball role. Now that the series is completed, what do you all think about this one man
named Shion? From the first time I picked up the script, I knew this would be a difficult role, very difficult. It troubled
me, just how to play his part. Even until the very end, I was groping in the dark, and maybe I did it... maybe not...Well,
it wasn't easy, but I'm very grateful to Koyasu-kun for creating this challenging role for me. I am happy that Weiß, and
the role of Shion from another Weiß, is close to the hearts of everyone listening. Thank you.

This is Aya's Takehito Koyasu. Well everyone, first of all, congratulations for listening this far, and secondly, thank
you very much. About this Dramatic Precious series... well, ever since I started wading through that which is Weiß in
my head, we've populated the world with... a second Weiß, various people under that name... er... nurses and
politicians, lots of power-hungry people. Let's say that if I didn't try something out in my head, the production would
take hold and do it anyhow. Now we have completed the 4-part Dramatic Precious series, and I am very pleased with
the result. However, there are many things that people who have listened to us from the very beginning might be
better off not having heard. Maybe there are those kinds of people listening. If you are among them, I extend my
deepest apologies. I'm very sorry, everyone. But I'm glad you know. Now that I think about it, I created this world on
the premise of anguish. So Weiß must continue to fight. It's very cruel, but this series is about how living can be this
cruel. However, I know you will watch over Weiß until the very end, indeed, I created Weiß for this very thing. This was
a great production. The cast were great, the staff was great... but even among them, I wonder if there are some who
think that the series was great... wonderful... without this last installment. If there are still those people who think that,
maybe there will be a new spin on this world, but what I want to say in the end is: please, never lose your gentleness.
Thank you very much.