Ashi Girl (アシガール)

This is the story of the tumultuous life of one particular foot soldier.

That person single-mindedly charged through the Sengoku wilderness

all so they could continue to protect the person they held dear in their heart.

But that person had a secret.

That foot solider was actually a high school girl born in the Heisei era.

Run away. The city warden is coming to arrest you.

You've been suspected of kidnapping Wakagimi!

It's an infection.

Then Yui's going to be left alone to wait all by herself in the Sengoku era?

I'm going to survive until Wakagimi comes back for sure!

Bring it on!

This place is full of the memories of when Wakagimi and I came here on our first date.

Mm! It's sweet!

Is this going to be where I die?

Then I want to call out his name just one last time.

- Wakagimi-sama!! - Wakagimi~

- W-Who's there?! - You're..!

- Badger? - Gramps!

What are you doing?

It's needless to ask.

It's already been 10 days since Wakagimi disappeared.

My hopes have already been exhausted.

Following after Wakagimi is the only thing left I can do.

- Here?! - Yes.

When I put Wakagimi on a horse for the first time when he was a young boy, this is where we rode to.

This is a favorite place of his.

- His favorite place? - Yes.

- It's my favorite, too! - Is that so?

Well, that's how it is. Now if you'll excuse me...

- No! You can't kill yourself! - Hey! Stop that!

- Give that back! - Wakagimi is coming back!

He'll be back on the next full moon for sure!

- Full moon? - Wakagimi is definitely still alive!

No matter what anyone else thinks, you of all people need to believe that the most, Gramps!

You want us to harbor a foot soldier that's been chased out of the castle in our home?!

What are you even thinking, Father!

Well, about that, you see, even though we've all given up hope that Wakagimi is safe and sound,

this person is the sole being that still believes he's alive.

You're actually going to believe in a child's nonsensical joke that Wakagimi is going to return on the night of the full moon?

- It's the truth though. - Even if it's just a joke, that's of no matter to me.

- Father! - In either case, I've already made my resolve

that if something were to happen to Wakagimi I would cut my stomach and follow in his footsteps.

So what's wrong with letting me dream for just half a month longer!

I'm going to wait for Wakagimi to return.

- You're impossible to talk to! Koheita! - Yes, sir.

Surely, you're not going to tell me that even you believe in this little kid's jest?

I don't.

However...

Ever since I was 7 years old, I've served at Wakagimi's side from the time he was a young boy.

I don't wish to have to serve another master after all these years.

Koheita...

I completely understand! I feel the same way!

Ever since I first met him, I haven't been able to think of anything other than Wakagimi-sama.

Let's believe!

Let's all have faith and wait for Wakagimi together!

For the love of Hagi, just what in the world are you anyway!

- Ahh. Abuse! - Cease, you half-witted clod!

The widower head of a family is losing his temper with a mere child!

- Shame on you! - Koheita's papa is single?

Indeed. Koheita's mother passed away 3 years ago.

My widower status shouldn't have anything to do with this!

You're acting unsightly, Father!

- Let me go, Koheita! - Father!

Not too bad. The badger actually looks like a woman!

I've been a woman this whole time.

What do you think? Like this, no one will be any the wiser.

This is only until the full moon.

That's good enough for you, right?

Indeed.

We'll start by showing you how to wash things correctly.

Put your heart into it and work hard, Fuku.

Bring it on!

For now, I've at least secured a place to eat and sleep.

Kame, where are you? Where did you go?

Who might you be?

I deeply apologize. I'm not used to this castle so I've gotten lost.

Are you perhaps our guest from the Matsumaru clan?

Yes. My name is Ako.

I was under the impression that you had already returned to your home realm.

- And you are? - I am Nariyuki.

You're Tadakiyo-sama's Aniue-sama! Please pardon my disrespect.

You need not pay it any mind.

However, the fact that you came all this way and your betrothed's whereabouts are unknown is truly...

I've been admiring all the pretty flowers so I haven't felt the need to distress over it.

These flowers won't blossom.

The roots were drowned in water.

Being exposed to a strong wind after being over-watered causes them to become like that.

If they're put back under the peaceful sun where they originally were then perhaps...

Go back to your parents' side.

That's what best suits a sweet and innocent princess like yourself that doesn't know what it's like to endure the elements.

Here we go.

These, too.

...Okay.

Ugh...Geez, enough already!

I've been doing nothing but washing things all day long!

It was way easier when I was just a foot soldier!

Fuku, the master of the house is calling for you.

I'll ask you this one more time. You said you have no idea where Wakagimi might be, correct?

Yes.

Then why were you at Yoshida Castle that night?

You were seen there by a number of the other retainers.

That's...well...I overheard something.

Overheard? Overheard what?

Then tonight, at Yoshida Castle Tadakiyo will be...

Is that true?!

I immediately ran to confirm it for myself,

but I was attacked and lost consciousness.

By the time I woke up and went to Yoshida Castle, Wakagimi-sama had already been struck.

And when I came back here Nyokobou had already completely disappeared.

Why are you only telling us this now!

I was scared of someone targeting my life if I just recklessly talked to anyone about it.

- And also... - You feared it would cause Nariyuki-sama to be suspected as well.

Well... Something like that, yes.

Did it seem like Nyokobou was following orders from Nariyuki-sama?

I'm not sure about that.

You're not sure? So you're not saying no.

Were there any suspicious clues? For instance,

did Nariyuki-sama show any behavior that was unusual of him?

Do you have some kind of business with Nyokobou?

You don't need to hold back. You can tell us.

There were none.

Heed my words well. Right now, everyone at the castle is searching for you.

If you're caught, they're not going to let you off scot-free.

Don't reveal what you just told us to anyone else.

And just keep out of trouble and behave as you've been doing.

No matter what may happen, you must not ever reveal yourself outside of here.

I didn't necessarily keep quiet just out of concern for Aniue-san.

But even so...

Brother was left in the care of a temple when he was young

so he knows all sorts of things that I don't because I lived in the castle all my life.

I can't bring myself to say anything incriminating about him when I know Wakagimi likes him so much.

I hurried back from the mountains as soon as I heard your call.

I just happened to think of you and wanted you to drop by.

It's nothing that need cause you distress.

I was out searching for Wakagimi-sama.

I see.

This is the first time we've spoken like this since you came to the castle.

- Yes, sir. - How are you finding life in the castle?

Thanks to Wakagimi-sama, it's been very pleasant.

I heard that you do flower arranging?

There's nothing else that I can do.

Due to having a weak body since I was young.

Oh? A weak body?

Did you contract some sort of illness?

I was given poison.

Poison?

By who?

Who can say? I was too young at the time to remember.

Ever since then. my body has been frail and I've lived a quiet and simple life.

Violence and heroism are not suitable for a body like mine.

Hence, I wish for Wakagimi-sama to be brought back home as soon as possible.

Is that so?

Well, I've disrupted you.

So indeed, I see.

Alright! Let's go all out again today and wash the day away!

You're all fired up first thing in the morning.

At long last, tonight's the full moon!

Today's the day Wakagimi-sama is going to return!

There must be some kind of ruckus going on out front.

A woman is being dragged in by an official out front!

A woman? Shall I take care of that for you?

I heard it's the mother of that wanted foot soldier called Yuinosuke or whatever.

They must want to interrogate his mother about where he is.

How terrible. Just how badly do you think they'll torture her for it?

Not a chance! This is a direct order from the master of the house.

You cannot leave this room.

Mother!

Yuinosuke's whereabouts are not something that I am privy to.

Also, although you just informed me that Yuinosuke is a spy for Koyama

surely that must also be some sort of misunderstanding.

What are you saying?

Yuinosuke is only a poor peasant child,

however, even so, he is someone that chose to put his life on the line to go to battle all because he wanted to be of use to Wakagimi-sama.

He would never, under any circumstances, take part in a plot to harm Wakagimi.

That's true. Yuinosuke was the one that lead Wakagimi's horse

and helped us charge through the enemy's line after all.

He's a fool, but he doesn't seem like someone that would betray Wakagimi-sama.

I beg of you once more to please reconsider this investigation.

Why, you! You dare tell us officials what to do!

Even if you're a woman, that can't be forgiven! Lock her up!

- Yes, sir! - Please stop!

Yuinosuke.

My greatest apologies!

I tried to stop him but he's incredibly fast.

I'm sorry, Mother. This is all my fault.

You fool!

Mother...

I went through all this effort to help you run away and you shamelessly revealed yourself anyway.

Did you think doing this would make me happy?

No. I knew that you would definitely scold me for it.

I knew it, but even so, I couldn't just keep quiet and hide!

Because if I didn't have you anymore

I...I...

Fool. You shouldn't cry where others can see.

I'm sorry!

I'm so sorry!

Yuinosuke.

So then, where have you been all this time?

Well, here and there...

Um...What's going to happen to Mother?