Ayaka (Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds)

Yukito, you okay?

Y-Yeah.

I promise I'll keep you safe.

Come on, we're almost at the ferry. Hang in there.

Don't panic, please! There will be more ferries!

Hey, old man!

Jingi! I'm so glad you're safe!

Where's Momoko-san?

Leading the evac back there.

She told us to get on the ferry first.

I see. Yes, you two should get on.

But Haru-nii and Aka-nii are still...

I know. Yanagi went to get them.

Master did?

But...

If Yanagi doesn't return,

that means...

Hah. You've got no patience.

But, well, I guess you did hold out well.

As they say, you gotta know when to fold and walk away.

Guess it's time for one last job.

Hey, Haruaki! Why, you...

Master...

What's happening?

Are we gonna be okay?

I've never seen anything like this.

Master...

House Tranquility

Episode 1: Why Don't You Go for a Ride?

To Yanagi Yukito,

Inou-san? Who's that?

Ah, this dream again.

I have this recurring dream.

I'm all alone, underwater.

Strangely, it feels pleasant.

As someone who avoids getting close to people,

I'm probably more comfortable here.

Huh?

What was that?

My dear students.

Graduation

Congratulations on graduating.

Graduation Ceremony

I hope you treasure the experiences you've had in these three years of middle school—

See in you high school, bro.

Let's take a selfie!

I've always liked you!

Dude, are you crying?

Sorry, I can't. Bye.

What?!

Let's party after this.

Sounds good.

I'm in.

Yo, he just got rejected.

Shut up!

Yanagi-kun.

Sensei.

Congrats on graduating. You'll be moving soon, yes?

Yes. I'm leaving the foster home and going back to my birthplace.

A friend of my late father has decided to become my guardian.

I see.

But I can't help but find it all a bit selfish.

They leave you alone all these years, and suddenly tell you to come back?

Are you okay with that, Yanagi-kun?

Yeah.

Wherever I go, I doubt my life will change.

Thank you for everything, Sensei.

Yanagi-kun...

After my father died when I was five,

I grew up in a foster home.

The people around me were all nice,

and I wasn't treated badly at all.

It's really my own fault that I'm all alone.

What's with that guy?

He looks crazy.

Isn't he kinda hot?

No way.

Strong Z

Damn, what's taking so long?

Oh, hey, congrats on graduating!

I-I'm not in that class!

Whoops.

What the hell?

Hope he gets here soon. I'm running out of booze.

Oh?

Hey! It's been a while!

You've gotten so big!

How you been doing?

You reek of booze!

Let's celebrate our reunion! Have a swig!

I think you have the wrong person.

Huh?

You're Yukito, right? Yanagi Yukito?

N-Nope.

What?

Oh, come on. Don't lie to me.

You're totally Yukito.

I'm not! Goodbye!

Huh?

What was with that guy?

Hey, wait up.

You're Yukito, right? Don't ignore me.

I'm telling you, I'm not.

Oh?

Well, you forced my hand.

Huh?

Wh-What?

Why don't you go for a ride?

What does that mean?!

Yukito, taking off!

Now, then...

What's his deal?

My clothes feel so heavy.

This is bad... I'm gonna drown.

Shit, shit...

Shit, shit, shit...

No, not again!

Calm down, calm down!

Stop! Stop, stop!

Even in the shadows and the dark, my soul remains pure.

Yeah, you are Yukito.

Did you stop that?

Let's get going, then.

Huh?

Go where?

An empty vessel serves its purpose by being empty.

Where am I?

The sea?

Why?!

Oh, hey, you're up?

Where are we?!

Well, calm down first.

Who could stay calm in this situation?!

Oh, yeah, congrats on graduating.

Feel like a drink?

I'm not of legal drinking age...

Wait, screw that!

Looks like you want off Jingi's wild ride.

He's known for his craziness on our islands, too.

Islands?

The Ayaka Islands.

Your new home from now on.

What? So you're from the islands where I was born?

You got it.

We'll get your stuff shipped from the foster home later, so don't worry about that.

For now, here.

You've got a change of clothes, right? You're gonna catch a cold like that.

What is with that bag? What the heck's going on?

Didn't old man Inou tell you all about it?

I did get a letter...

So, you know my father's friend, and came to pick me up?

Pretty much.

I'm Sagawa Jingi.

Call me Jingi-san!

I'm somewhat of an older brother to you.

"Somewhat"?

Since your dad...

Master was a father figure to me.

What are you talking about?

To Second Island

A train... over the sea?

That's the Marine Liner. It links the Ayaka Islands.

How do you like it? Ain't it Ayakastic?

"Ayakastic"?

Look, we're almost there.

You know...

Hmm?

This island's got a strange air about it.

This is Second Island, part of the Ayaka Islands.

You lived here until you were five.

Ayaka Islands

Right...

Come on, this way.

This take you back?

Not really. I don't remember much of my childhood.

Yukito-kun!

Hey!

Welcome!

Yukito-kun♥

It's been so long!

Cheers for coming to pick us up.

Thanks, Jingi-kun.

You've grown so big, Yukito-kun.

Uh, and you are...

I'm Amamiya Momoko.

The landlord of your childhood home.

We once lived together like family.

Right...

I'm the mayor of Ayakashima City.

The name's Inou Sanji. Your guardian.

Did you read my letter?

Y-Yes.

Welcome back, Yukito-kun!

Welcome!

Yukito-kun♥

Welcome to Ayaka Islands.

Thank you.