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

I see. Thank you for your report.

Yes, prioritize what the two of them want over the Agency.

Is Hinagiku all right?

She's been crying.

I want to go to her right away.

I know how you feel,

but we've been told to stay put until we get a handle on the insurgents.

I can't believe they attacked the Autumn Palace and kidnapped Nadeshiko.

It's like ten years ago all over again.

Damn it.

How many times did I tell you to wake up early and get ready?

The Summoning of Seasons is just a chance for Agents to get to know each other.

It's more than that.

By spending time with Winter, the first of the seasons, new Agents recreate myth.

The ritual marks the end of a year of training

and their emergence as full-fledged Agents.

Through it, the FSA and the Villages build inter-organizational...

The sun's out. Don't see that every day.

The previous Agent of Spring passed away at the perfect time.

She did finish manifesting her season before she died.

That left a whole year for training.

But do you think it's true what they say?

Who knows?

Either way,

I hope this one lives longer than her predecessor.

I think that's enough chit-chat.

Hey, the Agent of Spring is a girl, right?

Do you think I can get along with her?

Rosei, look at it from her perspective.

She has to spend a whole month in this place she's never been before.

Be nice to her.

Besides, she could end up being your friend for life.

I haven't made one friend in my life so far.

What am I, then?

Y-You're my caretaker, and my retainer,

so you're more like my big brother.

I guess that's true.

All the more reason.

There are only four people in Yamato, including you,

who understand your struggles and sorrows as fellow Agents.

What do I need friends for?

I've done just fine without them.

Fine. I won't force you.

But stop looking so surly. It's rude.

This is just my face!

The Agent of Spring, Lady Hinagiku Kayo, and her retainer, Miss Sakura Himedaka

have now arrived!

Lord Winter,

I am delighted to receive this audience.

My spring.

"My spring."

I suppose teaching the Kangetsu style to an outsider would be against the rules?

No, there's no rule about that.

But, well, it might rub the Village of Spring the wrong way.

And it's an awfully brutal sword style for a girl.

Why should the Village object when it will help me guard Lady Hinagiku?

And worrying about me being a girl seems outdated to me.

Still, I wouldn't want to put you in a difficult position.

Could you teach me in secret? I'll learn by watching you.

No, I mean...

If I teach you, I'd like to do it the right way.

It's just...

Mr. Kangetsu, you're talking in circles.

Remember to talk to Lady Hinagiku!

You're lending it to a girl! At least dust it off first!

Q-Quit nagging me!

Hurry up and put it on, or Itecho won't shut up.

R-Right.

Do forgive me.

If you're cold,

why don't you just make it warm? You are the Agent of Spring.

I'm not supposed to do that sort of thing outside of practice.

Just call it practice, then.

B-But it would be hard to make it spring just right here,

and it isn't time to manifest spring yet, anyway, so...

I'm sorry.

WILT

No, don't be.

Listen, you don't have to take this so seriously.

Want to go somewhere else?

No, I want to watch Sakura, since she's working so hard.

If I'm not in the way, I mean.

FWUMP

FLINCH

You're not in the way or anything. Just...

FUME

I wouldn't be much a retainer if I let him get away with treating her like that.

Sorry, Sakura.

He's pretty much never talked to a girl his age before, and he's not used to it.

Dear me.

Would you look at that.

Umm... Lord Rosei,

can you make anything you like with the arts of Winter?

Yeah. I can make swords, and bows, and spears in no time.

Could you make a flower? Or a star?

Flowers and stars...?

A... A flower?

I'm s-sorry. That was silly of me.

Forgive me.

I've never made one, but I can try.

I'm not done yet. Wait a sec.

I did it.

It's supposed to be a quince flower. They bloom every year in our garden.

It's cold. And so pretty.

Thank you so much!

May I show it to Sakura, Lord Rosei?

Wh-What's up?

This is a daisy. It's the flower I'm named after.

Would you like it?

Whoa.

Awesome! That's so cool!

N-No, what you did was much cooler!

So, that's how you do it.

All I do is freeze things, so it's a first for me.

Thanks, Hinagiku.

You're welcome, Lord Rosei.

R-Rosei?!

What are—

When have you ever tried to be that considerate?

Hey! Watch it!

I'm glad you're getting along with Lady Hinagiku.

You sure like hanging out with Sakura yourself.

What? Are you jealous?

As if!

Being called "master" is embarrassing, but Sakura is a natural with a sword.

Her future looks bright.

Lord Rosei,

let me help you.

No, don't. The oil's dangerous.

Oh, but—

It's not safe.

Could they be any more obvious?

Let's eat over there. I'll get the food.

But I want to help, too.

In that case, Lady Hinagiku, would you mind carrying the drinks?

It smells lovely.

What is it?

Amazake. It's sweet and warming.

Amazake... I've never had it before!

Thank you so much!

That's a first crush for sure.

Mr. Kangetsu,

have you seen Lady Hinagiku?

Yeah. She and Lord Rosei just—

What?!

You left them alone together?!

GLARE

And I guess this is jealousy.

What do you think of the two of them?

What do you mean?

Cool it with the death glare.

I've never heard of two Agents getting married,

although I believe there's a precedent in the mythic past.

If it's what Lady Hinagiku wants...

But... hmm... I don't know.

I see.

Are you going to get married, Mr. Kangetsu?

No. At least, I don't have any plans to.

I see.

Can I look yet?!

No, not yet!

Can I look yet?!

Now you can look!

Have you gotten used to things here?

Yes.

So that's it.

I thought Lady Hinagiku reminded me of her predecessor,

but I didn't realize...

Yes. Lady Kobai had an affair with the head of the Kayo family,

and became pregnant with Lady Hinagiku.

Lady Kobai passed away after the Kayos took Lady Hinagiku,

so she wasn't with her at the end.

She left a note entrusting Lady Hinagiku to Mr. Kayo.

That explains her family name.

Wait. When you say she left a note...

Yes.

They think it was suicide.

Hinagiku...

Right then,

I wanted to make sure nothing else happened to make Hinagiku sad.

I wanted to keep her safe.

That's how I felt.

Hey, Hinagiku! I found one!

I wanted to show you something you can only see on Enishi.

Thank you very much.

They're so cute.

They are, aren't they?

I'll tell Sakura about them, too.

Sakura, look!

Are you hurt?!

Lady Hinagiku?!

Call for backup!

Yes, sir!

I... I'm fine.