Agents of the Four Seasons Dance of Spring (春夏秋冬代行者 春の舞)

It's inevitable.

You're going to face countless hardships.

Running doesn't mean you've lost.

You must stay alive.

- Watch out! -

Sakura!

Because someday, your flowers will bloom again.

Get her out of here! Hurry!

No!

Sakura!

Endure it, and wait for your chance.

- -

Lady Hinagiku.

I've got you.

Thank you,

Sakura.

It's so pretty.

Hinagiku always loves winter.

-Do you really?' -Huh?

Sakura, is there a reason why you don't like it?

You could say that.

There is work to be done.

But can Hinagiku

see Lord Rosei to apologize?

What are you saying, my lady?

It's Winter who owes you an apology.

Because Hinagiku isn't the same.

Not anymore.

Hinagiku is worried

Lord Rosei will be disappointed. So--

There is no point in dwelling on it.

You're perfect just the way you are, my lady.

Do you honestly think

someone still needs Hinagiku, even now?

Absolutely.

You are Lady Hinagiku Kayo.

You're the Agent of Spring.

Our whole country needs you.

We're terribly sorry, Miss, um...

Sakura Himedaka,

guard of the Agent of Spring.

Miss Himedaka, I apologize.

We're not exactly prepared for a visit from an agent.

We haven't received anything about this

from the Four Seasons Agency.

By design.

This is her first rite since her return.

-It's been some time. -

She wishes to avoid any unwanted attention.

I see.

I must ask,

do you have the Agency's support on this?

We're late! Just close off Mount Ryugu

and let us be on our way!

An alert has been issued

regarding the Mount Ryugu area.

The mountain is now off limits.

If you are currently on Mount Ryugu,

please begin your descent immediately.

Is that the goddess of spring?

She looks like a regular person.

Leave her alone!

Ryugu. Isn't it supposed to be a warm place like the tropics?

There's so much snow covering everything.

Well, the seasons have been out of balance

for a long time.

So it's because there hasn't been a spring

for 10 years now.

It's been too cold.

Yes, but it's not your fault, you know.

If the rite goes as planned today,

it'll fix everything.

And that's exactly what we're here to do.

Are you sure it'll work?

Of course! Positive.

The rite's very powerful.

Even though Hinagiku is doing it?

My lady, you promised to do whatever is necessary

to keep hold of me.

Do you remember?

Huh?

That's right.

Hinagiku will do whatever it takes

to remain by your side.

Even make spring bloom.

Even make the snow melt.

Here, Lady Hinagiku.

The trail gets quite steep up ahead,

so let me carry you.

Mm.

Would you really prefer to walk?

Hinagiku has heating packs.

The cold isn't the only problem, though.

We can't have you tiring yourself out

before the rite begins.

But, Sakura,

you're here to protect Hinagiku.

Yes, my lady.

Hinagiku's guard shouldn't tire herself either. Okay?

If only we had known you were coming,

the city would have been happy

to carry the goddess in a litter.

A litter?

A holdover from the past.

Apparently, this place still adheres

to some ancient customs.

Hinagiku will walk by herself.

Riding in a litter sounds absolutely mortifying.

If just the thought is enough to embarrass you,

we will be sure to avoid it.

Now, it's finally time to get to work.

Are you ready?

Yes, Hinagiku is ready.

As the Agent of Spring, she'll go!

Hang on to that fighting spirit.

Right.

I'll lead you to the ritual site ahead.

You'll do just fine.

Don't be scared.

We've made it here, at last.

That's what the Four Seasons Agency is planning?

You want to gather 500 people

to watch the seasons change,

and march Hinagiku in front of them

-to do the whole thing? -

Do I have that straight?

Manifesting the seasons is a secret and sacred rite.

-It's not a damn stage show! -

The Agency and the village.

I'm sure they've both got people

scrambling to find us by this point.

But I don't care.

All that matters

is Lady Hinagiku's confidence going into the rite.

I'll keep her safe from any insurgents,

even if it kills me!

Wait, Sakura.

Yes? Is something wrong?

Should I carry you now?

No, but... over there.

They gave a clear warning earlier

that the mountain is off limits.

This is odd.

That's true. But maybe they're lost.

And if they are,

Hinagiku would like to help them.

Hey, you in the hat! Hold it!

Come back! Listen to me, kid!

So what brings you all the way up here

to the mountains today, Nazuna?

Shoveling snow.

Huh? You can shovel all the snow you want back in town.

Get out of here.

Look, we're about to go perform a ritual

up on Mount Ryugu.

The snow's going to melt fast.

It might even cause an avalanche.

The mountains aren't safe right now.

A ritual?

Yes, that's right.

It's one to call spring.

Hmm. Spring, huh?

What's that?

Wait, do you not know about spring?

Nuh-uh.

Hold on, kid. How old are you?

I'm gonna be 12 soon.

It has been 10 years.

I guess it's no wonder she doesn't remember.

It's a season.

You know the other three?

There's summer, autumn, and winter.

There's an order, a cycle.

But there used to be a fourth one.

That's what spring is.

That's what the ritual's for? You're calling spring?

Yes, exactly.

You stand before my lady Hinagiku Kayo,

our proud nation's one and only Agent of Spring.

Oh, an agent.

I know what they do.

It's winter out because the Agent of Winter

called the season.

Yes. You're quite knowledgeable.

'Cause we covered it in class.

Like, the four seasons, and agents,

they travel around when it's time to--

Hey, I remember now!

They mentioned spring in the lessons!

I think.

Hinagiku imagines they did.

Ah. I'm not gonna fall for some trick.

If you're really the Agent of Spring,

show me proof you're a goddess.

You little--

Okay, that's fair.

Watch closely.

Hinagiku can prove it.