Drama CD - Dramatic Precious 2nd Stage

[onlygirlshavewings]

Dramatic Precious 2nd Stage - Tearless Dolls
Dramatic Precious 2nd Stage ~Tearless Dolls~
Version 1.1 July 27, 2000.
trans. by Jey Kama

[Tsukiyono Castle : Saijou's private temple]
[Saijou Takatori speaks to the mannequins in the form of his dead sons and their families]

Saijou: Oooh... Reiji... Reiji... you undutiful son... Shuuichi... you were, as well, Shuuichi... You are all gathered here,
but how could you die before your father? ... Hirofumi... Masafumi... uuhh... [sobbing] my darling, darling boys... even
you. And Ouka! Ouka, knowing no impurity, how one so pure as you have also died? I wanted Takatori children... I
wanted the Takatori bloodline to survive long and prosperously. Oh, my mother, forgive me! The grand Takatori clan
you had hoped for is doomed... mother...

[the sound of something small]

Saijou: [turning] Who's there?!
Uno: Ah... um...
Saijou: Oh, it's only you, Uno and Sano...
Sano: Master, please, you must rest.
Saijou: Come here.
Sano/Uno: Yes, sir...

[the twins approach silently]

Saijou: Uno, you kneel there, and Sano, you, over here.

[the sound of rustling clothing...]

Saijou: Haa!
Uno: [fondled] Aa~h!
Saijou: Hmh!
Sano: Aah!
Uno: M... Master... let us... touch your body.
Saijou: Hmph! What are you saying? I need your youth and vitality. Don't die yet. Don't die!
Sano/Uno: Yes, sir...
Saijou: Haaa... haa.... Mother! Mother! Lend me your power. That boy...that boy... please, bring that boy to me!
Mamoru! Mamoru! Come to me, Mamoru! Oooh, Mamoru!!!

------

[Opening Theme : Sweet Nothing (Yuuki)]

------

[Kyoto : Arashiyama]
[the bustle of the tourist area]

Sakura: [running up] Aya-chan, Aya-chan!
Aya-chan: Sakura, try one of these cherry mochi cakes! They're great, a little different than the ones you can get in
Tokyo! [ed. mochi = rice-pudding cakes with filling]
Sakura: I asked around and I was right! There -were- four guys selling flowers near the Togetsu bridge!
Aya-chan: Really?! Oniichan was really there?!
Sakura: Yeah, about two months ago... they've left since then, though...
Aya-chan: Eh? [disappointed sigh] Oh...
Sakura: [gloomily] What should we do?
Aya-chan: Well... since we're in Kyoto, let's go see the Golden Pavilion!
Sakura: The Golden Pavilion? You've already seen it on field trips!
Aya-chan: But... we've nothing else to do... and I always looked forward to middle-school field trips, but I wasn't able
to go...
Sakura: [small] Oh. [realizing] Ooh... well, since we're here, we might as well look around, I guess.
Aya-chan: It's OK?
Sakura: Yeah, let's go, Aya-chan!
Aya-chan: OK! Let's get on that bus!

[she runs off]

Sakura: Aya-chan, wait up!
Aya-chan: Hurry, hurry!
Sakura: (M) Aya-san... your sister's lively and well... Where are you now? Are you off on your dangerous work again?
But please, do one thing for me, and come back... for her sake... and mine... Aya-san!

------

[Kanazawa : Nagamachi. The Swordsmithy]

Aya: (M) Shion... I thought you've given this katana to me to remember you by, but...

[the inner door opens]

Swordsmith: Forgive me for making you wait.
Aya: Here it is...
Swordsmith: Let me inspect it.

[he unsheathes the sword]

Swordsmith: Ooh...!

[the sword blazes in the light]

Swordsmith: Incredible... a breathtaking sword. [marvelling] But...
Aya: As you can see, the scars are deep. I hope you can repair it.
Swordsmith: I must refuse.
Aya: What?
Swordsmith: It is unusual for a blade to have this much damage, like a blade that was used in the era of war.
However, these are not scars that old.
Aya: Yes. That's why I came here. A certain someone told me that in Nagamachi in Kanazawa there was not an
artisan, but a swordsmith who worked with live swords.
Swordsmith: A certain someone, you say?
Aya: Yes, from an Ikebana master. [ed. ikebana = traditional Japanese flower arrangements]
Swordsmith: Hmm... well, it would be regrettable to let such a masterful sword go to rust...
Aya: Will you do it, then?
Swordsmith: The cost will be far greater than purchasing a new sword...
Aya: I'll pay any price.
Swordsmith: ...Then give it to me.

[the blade returns to its sheath]

------

[Kanezawa : flowershop trailed in front of Kenroku Park]
[noise of the city]

Ken: [to himself] Tch, don' get worked up!

[he crushes a flower in his hand]

Youji: Hey, don't mash the flowers. They're merchandise!
Ken: Who cares? The flowershop's not my real job.
Youji: Hey... [annoyed]

[Omi walks towards them]

Omi: Business looks pretty thin, huh?
Youji: Omi, you've been loitering around the park again?
Omi: Yeah... supposedly this's the first time I've been here, but it feels familiar...
Ken: Familiar?
Youji: Hey, a pretty customer's coming... Oh? Even better, twins!

[Sano and Uno approach]

Sano/Uno: Please excuse us.
Uno: Where is Mr. Tsukiyono?
Sano: Are you Mr. Tsukiyono?
Youji: [dumbfounded] "Tsukiyono"?
Omi: Err... I'm Omi Tsukiyono...
Uno: Oh!
Sano: It's you!
Omi: Errr?
Uno: Please, we would like to purchase a hundred white carnations.
Omi: White carnations? We only have around twenty stems in stock at the moment. Our shop's only this trailer.
Sano: Then would you please bring them tomorrow?
Uno: Please bring them to Tsukiyono Castle, at the foot of Mt. Utatsu.
Omi: Tsukiyono Castle?
Sano: It is easily found. Everyone in Kanazawa knows where its whereabouts.
Uno: Thank you.

[the twins leave]

Youji: Omi, where'd you pick up those two?
Omi: I dunno! I've never met them before.
Ken: But "Tsukiyono"... they knew your last name.
Omi: This is... weird...

[flowershop trailer : command room]

Birman: So you're all familiar with this city, now? Well, your orders...
Aya: Wait. Have you found anything yet about that past incident?
Birman: We've investigated... but found absolutely nothing...
Aya: Shion was the leader for Kritiker in Sendai! You must know something!
Birman: All of Kritiker's records from that time were destroyed. Neither I nor our current commander know anything
about that man.
Aya: Then Manx knows. She came to Sendai under the name of Erika.
Birman: Manx... She's overseas on a top-secret project. She can't be contacted.
Aya: Birman... you're not concealing from us, are you?
Birman: Will you hear your orders, or won't you?
Aya: What?!
Omi: ... Just start, Birman.

[the recording begins]

Karasuma: [recording] In Kanazawa, women and girls aged 5 to 20 have been disappearing this past year, one after
another. The results of investigations have established that these people entered the place
popularly called Tsukiyono Castle, at the base of Mt. Utatsu, and never returned.
Omi: Tsukiyono Castle...
Karasuma: [recording] Because of the wealth of indirect evidence, it is assumed that the disappeared persons were
killed inside this mansion. Tsukiyono Castle used to be a vacation home for the Takatori clan, but presently, the
retired Saijou Takatori has taken it for his private residence.
Omi: Eeh?!
Aya: Takatori!!
Ken: Takatori... th'Takatori we know?!
Youji: Who's Saijou!?
Karasuma: [recording] More than two-hundred people move freely through that vast estate. Doubtlessly, among
those are assassins. Unfortunately, Saijou Takatori's political power is still in good health, so the Kanazawa police can
do nothing. Therefore this is your mission: wipe out the assassins nestled in this mansion. That is all!

[the recording ends]

Aya: Why do I keep hearing the name Takatori...
Youji: Omi... this Saijou Takatori guy...
Omi: Reiji Takatori and... Shuuichi... Persia's father.
Ken: That means he's Omi's... grandpa?
Omi: I didn't think he was still alive... He'd be almost ninety now...
Aya: Do you remember him?
Omi: Yeah... I must have met him... when I was young.
Birman: Saijou Takatori's responsible for the large expansion of the Takatori Group. It is said that he used to be the
Don of the Japanese politics, manipulating the set as he pleased. However, when he retired, he left his corporation
and political legacy to Reiji and has never appeared in public since. It's rumored that he collapsed from a stroke
ten-some years ago, and is now bedridden...
Aya: But why Takatori now? What could the commander be thinking?
Birman: What he thinks is none of your concern.
Aya: What?!
Birman: Think. Making the judgement is the commander's job. Yours is only to execute it. That's the rule.
Aya: I know, but...
Youji: Birman, who are these two hundred people moving in an out the mansion?
Birman: Saijou is a patron for Kaga's traditional crafts. There are various workshops for Yuuzen silk dyeing, Wajima
lacquer, Kutani porcelain, and others Kaga crafts located in the estate. [ed. Kaga Yuuzen silk is known for its
many-colored handpainted patterns. Wajima lacquer are wooden implements finished with over a 100 layers of
lacquer for a rich finish. Kutani porcelain is prepared with special glazes that allow extremely fine lines for painting.
Yuuzen, Wajima, and Kutani are the towns where the techniques originated.]
Ken: This Saijou sounds pretty suspicious.
Omi: So our target's... Saijou Takatori? A bed-ridden old man...
Birman: First, we must discover whether he is the target or not.
Youji: Well, that's great. We've got a flower delivery to the Castle tomorrow.
Ken: 'S some pretty damn good timing.
Omi: Yeah...

------

[Tsukiyono Castle : At the gate. Next day]
[a heavy gate grinds open]

Uno: [through a speaker] Please enter.

[Omi scoots on through]

Omi: So this is it...

[he turns off the engine, and pulls out the flowers]

Kana: Wow, lookit all the flowers!

[Kana (age 5) sprints over to Omi]

Omi: They're carnations.
Kana: "Careshons"?
Omi: Yep, car-na-tion. Do you live here?
Kana: Yepyep, I'm Kana...
Uno: Mr. Omi Tsukiyono...
Sano: Thank you for coming home.
Omi: Huh?
Uno: [to Kana] You're the child from the doll workshop, no? They are all looking for you.
Sano: You should return.
Kana: Okay. Byebye, sir!
Omi: [cute] Byebye...!

[the kid patters away]

Uno: Mr. Tsukiyono, please follow us.
Omi: Umm... these are the carnations you ordered.
Sano: Please give them to the master personally.
Omi: The master?
Uno: He is in his temple.

------

[same location : Saijou's private temple]
[the door opens with a creak]

Omi: [to himself] Well, there's probably a Buddha in his temple...

[exquisite shock]

Omi: Ouka?! What're you doing here? ... What, no... this is a... doll?

[an electric wheelchair approaches]
Saijou: [unable to speak] Uuooo...!
Omi: You're...?!
Saijou: Mamoru... oouu.... Mamoru! Oouu...aaahh...
Uno: The master says he apologizes for being in a wheelchair.
Saijou: Uuuuhh.... oouuuuuhh.... uuu...
Sano: He has been waiting for this meeting.
Saijou: [sobbing] Mamoru...
Omi: He... knows about me?
Uno: Please place the flowers before the shrine.
Omi: Huh? Oh, right...

[he walks there]

Omi: (M) What is this?! Masafumi and Hirofumi? Uncle Shuuichi... all wax statues? But only Ouka looks... almost alive...


[he stops and arranges the flowers]

Omi: Um... what's in this box on the shrine?
Sano: This temple used to be a shrine dating from the Edo Period. Inside is the image of the Wife Maya.
Omi: Wife Maya...
Sano: She is the Mother of Creation.
Saijou: Mamoru, uu!
Uno: Aah! Master!
Sano: Are you unwell? Bring his medicine!
Saijou: Mamoru! Mamoruu!! [he coughs loudly]
Uno: Mr. Mamoru Takatori!
Sano: We beg you to stay with the master!
Omi: You knew about me... and called me here?
Uno: The master has always cared much for you.
Omi: I'm not Mamoru! I'm Omi Tsukiyono!
Sano: The master does not have much longer...
Omi: Eh...
Uno: He wished to see you before he died.
Sano: Just one week, no... just for three days. Please stay in this mansion!
Sano/Uno: We beg of you!
Saijou: [weakly] Mamoruu...
Omi: I...

[same : bath room]

Omi: [relaxing in the tub] Huhh... I came here to poke around, but ended up staying over. That's okay, though... How
much do they know about me? Do they know about Weiß... but... what a nice bath, like one of those huge ones in
those fancy hotels. But why... do I have this feeling... that I've looked up at the ceiling of this room, in the tub, before...

[a memory]

Omi (age 5): Kyahahahah!!
Mother: Stay still! Mother's trying to wash you...

[it ends]

Omi: Mother... So... I was in this house with my mother... but when?

[the door opens with a creak]

Uno: Mr. Mamoru...
Omi: Ah?! What're you~
Sano: We will wash your back.
Omi: No, that's all right! I can do it myself!
Uno: No, we shall, or the master will scold us.

[the two enter the tub]

Omi: AAAH? What're you getting in for?!
Sano: Please leave it to us.
Omi: Hey! WAIT!!

[loud sloshing of water]

------

[Kourinbou (Kanazawa's commercial district). Evening]
[Youji lights a cig with a snick of a lighter]

Youji: Huhhhhh....
Azami: Huh? Why, it's Youji!
Youji: Azami? What're you doing here?
Azami: It's getting a little hard to manage that bar in Gion. We heard there was a nice location here in Kourinbou, so
I'm here with Ayame to check it out. And you, Youji? What're you doing standing here?
Youji: Nothing much... Just here hanging out with one of the guys from the flowershop, but he saw this church and
staggered in. Too bad I don't have anythin' to do with God or Buddha.

[Kanazawa Catholic Church]
[music from a pipe organ]

Ken: (M) Reiko... My hands aren't shaking anymore. After I killed you with these hands... When I joined Weiß, I'd
resigned myself to Hell. When I'd even killed my best friend from childhood for a mission, though, I knew I was already
there. Here, now, is Hell. But I was naive. I haven't even stepped over Hell's real threshold yet...

Ken: [talking now] Heh... It looks like Hell's got several layers. I'd like to hit the bottom, but I'll fall as far as I can get. As
far as I can... anywhere is fine.
Ayame: Wasn't Hell bottomless?
Ken: [surprised] Who's there?!

[quiet footsteps]

Ayame: I heard that this church was built during the Meiji era. Look up, aren't the stained glass windows quite
beautiful?
Ken: I've heard your voice before...

[the door whispers open]

Youji: Hm? The master's here, too?

[Youji and Azami walk in]

Ayame: Mm? Youji? How strange to find you here.
Azami: He's working the flowershop at Kenroku Park.
Ken: Youji, you know these guys?
Ayame: We're friends. To see you here in Kanazawa... what a splendid coincidence.
Azami: Or perhaps not so coincidental?
Ayame: Hehheh... perhaps God brought us together?

[a bar in Kourinbou. at night]
[a piano plays quietly]

Ken: [sucking down the liquor] Guu...

[he sets the glass down with a clunk]

Ayame: Hooo! What youth, to drink that much!

Ken: Hmph...
Youji: When'd you learn to drink like that?
Ken: I drink. [he tosses down more] I'm not a kid an'more.
Azami: People grow.
Ken: They also fall.
Ayame: Well said, but if we're going to fall so far, we might as well enjoy each day to the utmost, no?
Ken: I've... nothing I enjoy...
Ayame: What're you saying? Just do what you feel like doing. Drinking, gambling, fooling with women... If you don't
care about the future, you're free to do anything. Greed'll bring the beast out of you.
Ken: A beast? Heh... that sounds good.
Youji: Well, just don't fool with women... you'll get nothing but grief.
Mama: Welcome! I've not seen you for so long...
Azami: Hey, Mama! Business is looking good for you.
Mama: Hehheh, I've a lot of debt, too. So what brings you to Kanazawa? Sight-seeing?
Azami: We came to be your competitors. Well, we're thinking about whether to open shop here.
Mama: Oh, I'm scared. And these?
Ayame: Youji and Ken. They're both Azami's lovers, so you'd better not touch them.
Mama: Oooh, I understand. That box! It's your... violin...
Azami: Well, I feel lonely without it in my hand.
Mama: Then... would you play it? It's been a while...

------

[Azami plays his violin]

Youji: That Mama and Azami seem to get along pretty well.
Ayame: She used to be a high-class prostitute in Kyoto, and'd taken a liking to Azami. He'd never returned her
feelings, though.
Youji: But that's so wasteful!
Ayame: Azami's always been a strange one.
Youji: Master, have you known him for long?
Ayame: Yes... we grew up in the same institution.
Ken: Institution?
Ayame: I liked to pick fights... Whenever I got into trouble, Azami would rescue me.... even now, when we're grown...
Listen to Azami's playing. With his touch for pitch and timbre, he could have gone professional... but foolishly, he
stayed with me, and quit the Music Academy.
Ken: He went that far for a friend...
Ayame: Hmm... [to himself] but honestly, it's a little depressing...
Youji: Master, were you delinquent?
Ayame: Yes, since I was born. My father was a killer. His killing only ended when he was killed himself... and my
father's blood flows in my veins.
Ken: But... what the kids become has nothing to do with the parents.
Ayame: Yes... Azami always says that I should not take the world's prejudices and narrow views for the truth. But... my
body feels it... my father's blood.

[the music finishes]

[Saijou's home : a corrider. 1AM]
[the clock resounds]

Omi: Ergh... where should I start looking, in such a huge place? But geez... those two girls... I thought they were even
going to follow me to bed!

[same : the private temple]
[the door opens with a creak]

Omi: Yeah... I keep thinking about this room...

[Omi's footsteps pad quietly, then stop]

Omi: Ouka... why do only you look so vibrantly alive...?

[he touches the doll tentatively]

Omi: Cold... but, feels like real skin... or I'm just imagining things...

[walking a bit further]

Omi: No... Masafumi's statue's feels like the real thing. Hirofumi's, too.

[walking a bit more, then stops]

Omi: She said the image of Wife Maya was in this box...

[it opens with a creak]

Omi: [gasping in surprise] ... Beautiful... just like mother... From my memories, yes, this is mother!
Saijou: The mother of the Takatori clan!
Omi: Eh?

[Saijou walks towards him]

Omi: Saijou...

Saijou: That photograph was found just after the war ended... After the pandemonium of the Showa era, the Takatori
nobility threw their power into munitions production and foreign enterprises, dashing far ahead of the times, as after
the defeat, those quickly disappeared. Around that time, I decided to return home to Kanazawa, our shrine fallen to
neglect without a priest. All that was left was that picture. I knew it was my mother, felt it. Death had separated her
from me when I was very young. Mother... my mother... succeeded the Takatori clan when she was 16. As a woman,
on her own, she nursed our ruinated house back to health, a strong, splendid woman. But the mother from my
memories was young, beautiful, gentle... I swore, by this image, that I would follow in her footsteps and restore the
Takatori clan. I purchased an entire region, placed the shrine within my home, and placed her image in the place of
worship in Buddha's stead. After cornering the market, the Takatori clan flourished grander than that known before
the world in its group enterprises. So verily, this is the Mother of the Takatori. Protecting the house of Takatori, laying
down the grand bloodline of Takatori, the Mother of Takatori. She is my mother, and at the same time, she is the
Mother who birthed Reiji and Shuuichi. And, Mamoru, she is also your Mother.
Omi: My...!
Saijou: Mamoru!

[he embraces Omi tightly]

Omi: Aah...!
Saijou: Mamoru... I'm so glad ... so glad you are finally home!
Omi: I...

[he separates himself from Saijou]

Omi: I'm not a Takatori! I threw away that name!! no... I threw away my father, Reiji Takatori.
Saijou: You cannot throw it away. This arm~ [he grabs Omi's arm]
Omi: Aah!
Saijou: This nose. These ears! All of these, they're all Takatori. Through your entire body flows the blood of a
Takatori. Why did you come back into this room? Your Takatori blood brought you here!
Omi: Why is it... that you pretended you couldn't speak or walk?
Saijou: Hmph... well, I didn't want to be suspicious of my own grandchild, but it was a precaution. I wouldn't want an
arrow suddenly shot at me.
Omi: Wha'!
Saijou: But... for what reason did you return?
Omi: Saijou... just... how much do you know about me?
Saijou: Shuuichi told me everything.
Omi: Eh?!
Saijou: Shuuichi, I, and even that idiot Reiji never forgot you. You were... an important family member.
Omi: Family...
Saijou: Mamoru, I won't demand outright that you succeed the Takatori family, but... stay in this house two, three
days, and think about it. No, remember it. You came here often to visit and play... along with Kikuno.
Omi: Mother?!
Saijou: I remember it as if it were only yesterday... While the cherries blossomed, you went together to Kenraku
Park... and with Shuuichi.
Omi: With uncle Shuuichi...
Saijou: Well, I am going to sleep. You... if there's something you're looking for, you are free to explore. This is your
home, too, after all.

[he walks away]

Omi: [softly] Grandfather...

[the Swordsmith's home]

Swordsmith: Welcome. Please come inside.
Aya: Did you finish the katana?
Swordsmith: Yes, but... one of my special clients saw your sword on his way out and took a liking to it. Please forgive
me, but he asked if it were for consignment.
Aya: It's not for sale.
Swordsmith: Of course, and that is what I told him... yet, he wishes to meet you. He is waiting in the tea room.
Aya: Eh?

[same : outside the tea room]

Swordsmith: He is inside here.
Aya: Fine...

[he begins to walk in, but stops suddenly]

Aya: (M) What... What is this tension cracking the air? Nothing smelling of murder... but...

Shion: [from inside] How long will you stand there? Enter!
Aya: Uuh...!

[the door slides open. After he walks in, it slides shut]
[the sound of hot water pouring from pot to pot, then from pot into a cup. the tea is mixed, then set down]

Shion: What are you waiting for? It's not poisoned.
Aya: [grits his teeth] K'...

[he grabs the tea cup]

Aya: [drinks it down]

[slams the cup down]

Shion: [laughs coolly] Hmph. Well, this katana...

[he picks up the naked blade]

Aya: Hn...! [nervous]
Shion: Calm down. This tea room was made narrow enough not to wave a sword about.

[slowly, he sheathes it]

Shion: Hmm... you did well, coming here to have it repaired, but... this sword has swallowed too much blood.
Apparently, even the mastersmith can't erased these scars.
Aya: Shion!
Shion: Ran, do you remember what I told you when I gave you this sword?
Aya: You said... if you must draw it, only draw it to let others live...
Shion: Oh, so you did remember? Nonetheless, you disregarded it.
Aya: And what about you!? I... I believed you would have been the last to be a murderer!
Shion: A sword meant for killing becomes a sword that can let others live... that was one of my ideals. That was the
first thing I taught you then, while you were burning for revenge. However, that was not my only ideals. A swordsman,
alone, even having found emptiness, cannot -not- draw his blade. "A sword that kills others -is- a sword that lets
others live". You must see this first to understand.
Aya: Semantics. Doesn't that just make you a murderer?
Shion: That can be said. That, can also -not- be said. At any rate, someday you too will understand.
Aya: I've no interest in listening to your word-play. You've deceived me already all these last two years.
Shion: The one who deceived you was Shuuichi Takatori. I had already been called to join Weiß when you arrived in
Sendai... You were dispatched to fill in my vacancy. However, as you were the colt still running too wild for Kritiker, I
didn't have a reason to leave Sendai. So there was that half a year. I still hadn't said anything, but then I gave you the
sword and began preparations to cover my tracks. Then there was that incident. Because of my negligence, I took
heavy wounds, but I managed to slip out during the explosion. Shuuichi Takatori chose to tell you that I was dead.
After the deaths of many members of Kritiker, he believed it was necessary to enlist a powerful Weiß.
Aya: Persia... asked you to join Weiß?
Shion: Hmph, so you really do know nothing. Supposedly, the first Weiß that was called together were annihilated
during a mission. Shuuichi Takatori became the commander after that, and called together a new Weiß team... Us.
Aya: And so... we are...
Shion: I suppose you're the third Weiß. Eventually, we the second Weißand the second-in-command realized that
Shuuichi Takatori was really fighting Reiji Takatori. Of course, we knew that the Takatori Group had well surpassed
the limits of atrocity... but this was a feud between brothers. We would not risk our lives nor take others' for the sake
of the Takatori clan's shameful infighting, so we and the second-in-command broke away from Shuuichi Takatori. We
went off on our own, and Shuuichi continued Weiß, and called you. However, this he called to task only young,
immature men around 20, to ensure he would never have to deal with a revolt again.
Aya: I see... Rindou, that reportage writer, is he one of you?
Shion: You observe well.
Aya: I saw him with your flower arrangement in Kyoto.
Shion: I know. I was watching from the shadows.
Aya: Eichinkukai. A desire to drown in endless despair... He said that was your dream of the future.
Shion: Heh, a true play on words. Well, Ran, what is your dream of the future?
Aya: Eeh...
Shion: Shuuichi Takatori was a horrible man, to have led you down this path at such a young age, robbing you of
your futures...
Aya: I... would be content having my revenge. Persia allowed me to do attain that.
Shion: But now, after attaining your revenge, why are you still in Weiß?
Aya: Well...
Shion: Why don't live peacefully with your sister?
Aya: There's no way I can do that... now...
Shion: ... I see. If that's so, Ran, you ought to be with us.
Aya: Huh?
Shion: You would only be a fool to obey Karasuma's orders.
Aya: Who's Kurasuma?
Shion: What, you don't even know your commander's name? Yoshio Kurasuma, the Commissioner of the Ministry of
Justice, just a bureaucrat. He is too interested in developing the police system to use Kritiker and Weiß effectively. He
was just one of Shuuichi's flatterers, an insignificant man.
Aya: I've seen the aftermath of your work. You killed even the underlings and the women present with them.
Shion: In a mission, you empty your soul and concentrate only on the cutting. Anything to annihilate the target. That
is how we work.
Aya: We only kill those our orders say to.
Shion: Hmph. So you mindlessly kill according to Kurasuma's orders?
Aya: It's better than mindlessly killing everyone in sight.
Shion: Perhaps we have... become numb to murder. Heh, or perhaps this is a disease caught from our profession?
But at least we can scrutinize our orders and missions before acting upon them. We are controlled by no one. Ran,
listen well. Emptying your soul and letting another decide for you are completely different things. When you empty
your soul, you transcend yourself and become your own absolute master. Open your eyes,
Ran. Don't become one of Kurasuma's puppets.
Aya: No matter what you say, I will have nothing to do with your ways.

[he stands and slides open the door]

Shion: Wait!

[as Aya turns]

Shion: ... This is your katana.

[a clank of the sword in its sheath as he hands it to Aya]

Shion: Ran... We will target Kurasuma soon. Until then...
Aya: Until then...!

[the door slides shut loudly]

------

[Saijou's home : lobby]

Uno: Master...
Sano: Rindou, a reportage writer, wishes to see you.

[footsteps]

Rindou: I'm Rindou, said reportage writer. You're Saijou Takatori?
Saijou: [rude anger] Uuooo!!
Rindou: Oh? That's all right. I'm delighted to finally meet you in person.
Saijou: Hmmmph! AAaa, aaa....
Uno: He has read all the documents you kindly sent.
Rindou: Well? I think it would sell great! All the hidden stories about the Takatori clan's politics, business activities
and coverups, finally written to see the light of day. Even a few luscious romantic scandals.
Saijou: Uaaa... aaa... uuu...
Sano: However, it is impossible to publish this kind of book in Japan.
Rindou: Hahhah! That's true. Seven or eight years ago, if I remember right, for some reason two reporters for a major
newspaper were fired after trying to write about the Takatoris. One ended up killed, and the other, after sustaining
critical wounds, ended up missing...
Saijou: Hnn!
Rindou: But now the Takatori clan's asunder, and can't wield power like they used to.
Saijou: Uaaa.... uuu?
Uno: What... do you want?
Rindou: Well, I'm a journalist. I want to write a best-seller, but I've a lot of unverified information. Many parts in those
documents are just speculation, and I'd like your cooperation to make it somewhat more valid. In exchange, I'll only
publish the book after your death.
Saijou: Hmph!! ... heh... hahahahah!!

[Saijou's home : courtyard. dead of the night]
[an owl hoots]

Omi: (M) There's nothing particularly strange about the Yuuzen dye and Wajima lacquer workshops, but... while I was
looking at this Kaga Yuuzen dyed with pastel flowers, an image of a gentle-looking woman in a kimono appeared in
my mind. Mother... This mansion. This garden. I can feel your presence lingering in each and every blade of grass
and tree.

Omi: Huh?

[someone jumps past him]

Omi: Who's there?!

[Omi also runs towards them, and he attacks this chance stranger with his fists!]

Rindou: Ku'!!
Omi: Eaa!
Rindou: Haah!

[the sounds of movement and fist-fighting continue]

Rindou: [sharply] Wait!

[he grabs Omi's wrists]

Omi: Uu!?
Rindou: You're... Mamoru Takatori, aren't you?!
Omi: How...?! How do you know about me?
Rindou: Hehheh... I've Saijou's permission to explore the mansion.
Omi: In the dead of the night?
Rindou: I enjoy looking at the moon.
Omi: [coolly] The moon isn't out.

[same : the doll workshop]
[Rindou and Omi stop walking]

Rindou: So this's the doll workshop... Are there dolls in Kanazawa's tourist stores?
Omi: Well, Kaga Hyakumangoku has many traditional crafts. Why are you dragging me along?
Rindou: Don't be so stubborn. Why don't we take a peek?

[he unlocks the door with a snick]

Omi: [whispering] Is that a skeleton key?
Rindou: It's a journalist's best friend.

[opening the door, they enter]

Kana: Who's the~re?
Rindou: Oh no!

[Kana lopes towards them]

Omi: You're...!
Kana: Hey, it's the flower-guy!
Omi: You... you live here?
Kana: Uh huh...
Omi: You're always awake at this hour?
Kana: Uh huh. Mama always comes home late.
Omi: Where's your mother?
Kana: I dunno. Mama is always poor, so she only brought me here.
Omi: Huh?
Apprentice A: Who's there!?
Omi: Ah!!

[Apprentice A and B come running]

Apprentice B: Who th'hell're you?! How'd you get in here?
Rindou: I'm a journalist. Saijou's given me permission to investigate the premises.
Apprentice A: Investigate?!
Apprentice B: No one from the main domicile can enter the workshops without as they please! Get out!
Iwafuji: What is this?

[Iwafuji makes an entrance]

Apprentice A: Err... Master Iwafuji, these people broke in. They appear to be guests from the main building.
Rindou: We were just taking a walk. Well, we'll get out of your way. Hey! Let's go.
Omi: Huh? Oh, yeah...

[Omi and Rindou leave]

Kana: Byebye, mister!
Iwafuji: Hmph. You two, don't let this kid get out again!
Apprentice A/B: Yes, sir!
Apprentice B: Com'on!
Kana: Ouch!! That hurts!
Iwafuji: Hey, don't be so rough. I paid a million yen for that.
Apprentice B: Apologies, sir! [to Kana] Come quietly!

[Apprentice B and Kana leave]

Apprentice A: [tentatively] Master...
Iwafuji: What is it?
Apprentice A: Must we... is it truly necessary to use such a small child?
Iwafuji: Hmph. Are you feeling sorry for her?
Apprentice A: I...
Iwafuji: Why, do you think, did we keep it here for more than two weeks?
Apprentice A: Well, her body was covered with bruises from her mother's abuse. We waited for them to disappear.
Iwafuji: Correct. But, in addition, it was to supplement your training. If you cannot restrain your compassion, you will
not excel as a craftsman.
Apprentice A: Master...
Iwafuji: So you must turn away from these diversions from your true goal. You must give everything for your work,
no... for art itself.

[next morning. Saijou's house, a hallway]
[the buzz of the electric wheelchair amidst chirping birds]

Nakatsugawa: Good morning, sir.
Saijou: Well, what do you know? The president of the Bank of Japan himself, Nakatsugawa. What can you need of an
old man like me?
Nakatsugawa: About that matter I asked about a few days ago...
Saijou: What was that?
Nakatsugawa: Sir. The Alzheimer's act won't work with me.
Saijou: Hmph. Money? Just have the Bank mint whatever you need.
Nakatsugawa: Kurasuma is pressing me, remaking the entire infrastructure of Kritiker, Crashers, and Weiß in the
country. This will take a lot of funding to match them, wouldn't you agree, sir?
Saijou: I cannot forgive the youngsters who killed Reiji, Hirofumi, and Masafumi.
Nakatsugawa: Shion's group will deal with those.
Saijou: ... Uno and Sano will give you however much you require.

[their voices are now heard from a radio]

Saijou: But the one named Omi Tsukiyono must come to no harm.
Nakatsugawa: I understand.
Rindou: [softly] Kyousuke Nakatsugawa... I don't trust him...

[Shore of Asano River.]

Nakatsugawa: Shion, why are all four of you here?
Shion: We followed our marks to this city.
Azami: Saijou Takatori lives in Kanazawa. However, I doubt that they have connections to him.
Ayame: As a matter of fact, the boys seem completely ignorant. They don't even know who commands them.
Rindou: But meanwhile, we've found that you are connected with Saijou.
Nakatsugawa: Oh, that? I thought you already knew. You see, Saijou was the original commander of Kritiker,
Crashers, and Weiß, and I'd been second-in-command. Unfortunately, then Shuuichi Takatori inherited the network.
The nature of the missions changed, and you and I left to work on protecting this country's public order from the
underside. Since Saijou was the original commander, it's only natural that I'd ask him for help.
Ayame: But I thought we split from Shuuichi Takatori in order that we have no ties to the Takatori clan.
Shion: Nakatsugawa, sure you know that while Saijou was backing Reiji Takatori, he also supported Shuuichi. To rely
on someone like that is only asking to be taken advantage of.
Nakatsugawa: All I want from Saijou is money. Just money. He and his precious family are doomed, and no concern of
mine.
Azami: But it seems... that you promised him that we'd deal with the boys.
Nakatsugawa: It doesn't matter. If we're against Kurasuma's faction, then we cannot avoid conflict with them.
Shion: True...
Nakatsugawa: Of course. And when that time comes, you mustn't hold back.

[flowershop trailer]

Youji: Where the hell's Omi? He hasn't tried to contact us since he went off to Saijou's mansion.
Ken: The Takatori mansion... Maybe Omi's just gone home.

[a crash as the door slams open]

Youji: What the...?!
Omi: [grunts under the weight]
Aya: Omi, what are you carrying?
Omi: It's a doll.

[he sets it on the floor clumsily]

Ken: You br'... what... it's Ouka!?
Youji: And life-sized, to boot... Omi, don't tell me you made this?!
Omi: You think I could?! It was in Saijou's place.
Aya: She almost looks... alive.
Omi: Yeah... Saijou's got every one of his dead family enshrined like this in his temple, but Ouka's was the finest
made... The maids told me that the others' remains were so burnt that they couldn't make them the same way, but
Ouka's body they sent to the doll workshop to serve as a model of some sort...
Ken: Doll workshop?
Omi: They make Hyakumangoku dolls. It's a pretty obscure style, but famous for their detailed realism which the
artisans at Kaga perfected from techniques imported from Europe in the Momoyama period. [ed. late 16th century]
Back then, they were highly prized by nobles and wealthy merchants. Nowadays, they're bought mostly by overseas
collectors.
Youji: But she looks -too- real, which bugs me...
Omi: Me, too. I felt there was some secret waiting here, so I brought it.
Ken: What kind... of secret?
Aya: Get away from it.
Ken: H...hey... Aya?!

[snicking the katana, and unsheathes and cuts all in one motion. the doll's arm drops to the floor]

Omi: Aa... Aya-kun! Why did you..?!
Youji: Wait, look at where he cut it...
Omi: What...
Youji: It's packed with wax, but... there's also bone... and caked blood...
Aya: I'm sorry, Omi... but somehow, this is the real Ouka.
Ken: Or, her preserved body, in other words?
Omi: Of course...!
Youji: Now I get it... those missing girls... they must have been made into dolls, and sold overseas.
Ken: So our villains must be that doll workshop artisans.
Aya: But Saijou is the one who supports them.
Youji: Well, at least now we know our targets.
Omi: Wait! I'm sure grandpa doesn't know about this!
Youji: Grandpa?
Omi: ... Saijou... he's just an old man living in the past with memories of his family... He's got nothing to do with this...
Aya: Can you say that with certainty?
Omi: Well...
Youji: The police can't get in because Saijou's protecting them. There's no way he's not involved with this.
Ken: Omi, just sit back this one out, 'cause I'm gonna kill Saijou myself!
Omi: You can't! I need to find out more. Please, everyone! Just wait a little longer. Please!

[he throws open the door and runs out]

Aya: Omi!

[Omi's motorcycle screeches away]

Youji: You don't think he's gonna tell Saijou to run?
Ken: Damn it... let's just go kill'm now!
Aya: Hmm... [lost in thought]

[the purr of the bike]

Omi: (M) Mother! My mother... what should I do? They all want to kill grandfather... Saijou... but I don't think he's an
evil person. No, it doesn't matter whether he's good or evil, he's family! The only living, blood-relative left to me in this
world. I killed my brothers under uncle Shuuichi's orders, but now, it's too much! I can't kill my grandfather in this city,
full of your memories!

[the bike howls and speeds away]

[Saijou's home. The Doll workshop, outside. Night]
[machinery and tools rattle from within]

Omi: The lights are still on in the workshop...

[silently, he slips inside]

[inside the Doll Workshop]

Kana: [moaning slightly] Nnn....
Apprentice A: Master, should I increase the dose of anesthesic?
Iwafuji: No, it's fine. We've already emptied four liters of blood. She can feel no more pain.
Apprentice B: Then I shall begin the wax injection.

[the machinery awakens with a whine]

Kana: Mommy...

[the door opens with a crash]

Omi: [enraged] Stop right there! [he throws his darts]
Apprentice B: [injured] Aaugh! What's going on?!

[Omi runs]

Omi: Let her go!

[he kicks Apprentice A hard]

Apprentice A: Argh!!
Iwafuji: No, you will stop, or I'll chisel this girl's brains out.
Omi: No...
Apprentice B: Stupid fool!

[he decks Omi with a heavy tool]

Omi: Waah!

[he collapses unconscious among broken shards of glassware]

[Saijou's home. A corridor]
[Aya, Youji, and Ken infiltrate the grounds]

Ken: Well, aren't we gonna go look for Saijou?
Aya: No... First, the doll workshop.

[Uno and Sano come running]

Uno: Who is there?!
Sano: We will allow no intruders!
Youji: Er, sorry, but I'm a mite too busy to take you out on dates.
Sano/Uno: Haaaaaa~!

[they attack with long chain whips]

Youji: Guh..!
Ken: Shi'!
Aya: K'...

[They turn to face the girls]

Youji: I don't particularly enjoy being whipped!
Ken: Shit... then it's down to this!

[he snaps out his claws]

Aya: Stop, Ken! They've nothing to do with the mission!
Ken: I'm gonna kill who'ver works f'Saijou!
Aya: Stop!
Ken: Get outta the way, Aya!

[a whip snaps at Ken and Aya]

Aya/Ken: Aaugh!

[several cards fly and snap the whips]

Sano/Uno: [surprised] Aaah!!

[Sano and Uno whirl around]

Youji: These're... tarot cards?

[Rindou perches on the branches of a tree]

Rindou: A bad plight, boys. But then, kids wouldn't know better.
Aya: You!
Rindou: Well, then, let's read your fortunes.

[he cuts the deck a few times, and pulls out a card]

Rindou: Lovers? Look's like someone's idea of a bad joke. All right, then, today I'll be nice. You're friend's inside that
building over there.

[he slips away]

Ken: He disappeared...
Youji: Weird guy...
Aya: Let's hurry!

[inside the Doll Workshop]

Omi: [quietly] Uhh....
Iwafuji: Hm, you're awake?
Omi: [with a start] Wha'!?

[the ropes which hold him creak]

Iwafuji: Hehheh... I've only made girl dolls until now. It's time for me to expand my repertoire into boys. I think you
would sell very well.
Omi: That girl... what did you do with her?!
Iwafuji: She's been drained of blood. We're just waiting for the special preservative wax we injected in her to solidify. A
nice piece of work, she is.
Omi: How can you say that?!
Iwafuji: Isn't it wonderful that Art can grant eternal life? Mt. Utatsu used to be a graveyard. In the old days, the artisans
would create their dolls from the unidentified bodies thrown out here, but corpses easily degrade. However, a year
ago I perfected this technique. If begun while the bodies are still alive, it allows them to endure in beauty for a long
time.
Omi: Does Saijou know anything about this?
Iwafuji: Saijou? Hmph, I don't care about that stupid old man. Well then,let's begin.
Omi: [gritting his teeth] K'...

[a wire whips through the window, scattering glass, and wraps around Apprentice B's neck]

Apprentice B: Gah! What now?!
Youji: We'll show you -our- craftmanship.

[he pulls on the wires]

Apprentice B: Gwaaaaah!!!

[the door opens with a crash]

Ken: Taaaaa~~!! [running in]
Apprentice A: Help! Murderers!
Ken: [growling] Aren't you murderers too!?

[he displays his claws]

Apprentice A: Waah!! [sobbing] Don't kill me, please! I just did what the Master told me to do! I won't do it anymore,
so don't kill me! I don't want to die!
Ken: Shaddup!!

[he chops down savagely]

Apprentice A: Aaaaa!! Mommy!! Help... I don't wanna die... mom....
Ken: Dieeee!!!!!

[he punches him down several times]

Apprentice A: Guaaaaaa!!!

[he keeps punching, blood spraying, giggling psychotically]

Omi: Ken-kun...
Aya: Omi, don't move. ... Haa!

[Aya brings down his katana, neatly cutting the ropes]

Omi: [shocked] Aya-kun!
Aya: Use this.

[he hands over Omi's bowgun]

Omi: Aa! [fumbling it a bit]

[he draws back a bolt]

Iwafuji: W..Wait! If I die, the dollmaking techniques die as well! You'd destroy a tradition?!
Omi: A tradition that steals lives... shouldn't even last a generation!

[he looses the bolt into the man's heart]

Iwafuji: Gaaah!! [dies]
Youji: ... So that's it.
Omi: 'That's it'...? Then you're... Saijou's... not...
Ken: No, now it's Saijou's turn!
Aya: [sharply] Wait, Ken. We should hear Omi's decision.
Ken: Whaaa~~t?!
Aya: Omi is one of Weiß. He should decide what Weiß will do.
Omi: Aya-kun...
Ken: [grunts] Hmph.
Aya: Omi, what should become of Saijou Takatori?

[Omi sucks in a breath]

Omi: Saijou Takatori is not involved with this mission. This mission is done!
Aya: ... Very well.
Youji: Okay, let's get outta here.
Ken: [struggling to calm himself] Yeah...

[the four leave, and Saijou slowly walks onto the scene]

Saijou: Mamoru... so you really left...

[Sano and Uno run in]

Sano/Uno: Master!
Saijou: Sano, Uno, dispose of the bodies and burn the workshop.
Sano/Uno: Yes sir!
Sano: And master Mamoru?
Saijou: He will return. He is... a Takatori, after all. Mamoru! I'm waiting for you... Mamoru!

[Ending : Epitaph (Miki)]