The Rescue (血酒天牢)

Tonight, the curtain opens,

premiering the holy story written by a girl with the divine pen.

The brief heat haze shows humans on the verge of life and death.

Is it an unfading hope, or an inescapable despair that meets their eyes?

What story are you writing, Shakespeare?

Um, a king of a kingdom is loved so much, that it turns into hate.

It's the truth.

I get it. Humans continue to live, questioning themselves what love is.

There's nothing more pathetic and beautiful than that.

Oh! The king is consumed by love, but he gets something great in return.

Oh? What would that be?

Immortality.

What's going on?!

I don't know! Better yet, where are we?!

Aw, I feel sorry that you're in a panic.

Who is it?! Show yourself!

I'm looking forward to this even more.

Loki!

The cast is complete.

All that's left is to show them a sweet dream

with the story you'll write, and it'll be perfect.

Okay!

After that, despair is the only thing that waits.

Oww...

What is this? Midori? Aoto?

W-What?

The greatest test stands in the way of the children:

A drama playing their sweet fantasy.

A labyrinth, where returning to reality

or losing themselves in a dream, is up to them.

It's show time.

Loki! This is enough!

I don't know what kind of charade this is, but I'm out.

Huh?

I partly want to leave them be and enjoy this,

but you have a wonderful script ready for them, right?

Of course! But, before that—

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

I shall merely play my part.

My task is your destruction.

Who is this guy?

Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello.

They're the star actors in our theatre group.

It'll be a masterpiece for sure!

Oh, but Shake, while your masterpiece is also great,

I'd like a story that is familiar yet has a surprising twist.

Ugh, you sure have lots of requests.

But, okay! I am a professional, after all.

What?!

Huh? What's going on?

Once upon a time, there was a girl with a blazing heart.

Her name was Akane.

Huh...? What?!

Then there's Midori, who attempted to assassinate a tyrant, but failed,

resulting in her imprisonment.

What is this?!

Okay, I'll make it easy to follow, like you've requested.

The ill-fated handsome boy, Aoto. identifies his doom with the last leaf.

The tears of sadness roll down his ever so empty eyes.

On the other hand, Akane lived a peaceful life with a father she loved.

However, one day...

Father will be back soon! Oh, I cannot wait!

My mouth moves on it's own. And what is up with this dress?!

Stop laughing, dammit! This is ridiculous!

Father?

Who the hell?

I'm sorry for always making you feel lonely.

But that ends today. Let me introduce you to your new family.

Seriously?

Oh, my.

That other dress was bad enough, but what is up with this?

Huh?

D-Damn these guys! I'm gonna make them pay!

Good, it's getting interesting.

Right? I can't stop writing!

Back to Midori. She's still imprisoned as her execution day draws near.

Hello?

And Aoto still suffers from his sickness.

Then one day, a letter of invitation changes Akane's fate.

The prince is throwing a ball to find his bride?

Akane gets excited, but suddenly hangs her head.

And then she yells!

A ragged girl like me can't go to a fancy ball!

A dusty attic is fitting for an ugly girl such as me.

What's with these lines?!

But then, in front of poor Akane appears...

Let me grant you your wish.

Who are you?

I am a wizard!

This part is boring.

Oh, you don't like wizards?

I know one, but he's as dull as they come.

Then what should I do?

Oh... What?

We need to get out of here.

Huh?

It's been a while, Akane.

D-Dad?!

Now what?!

Anyway, the ball at the castle began.

Princess, please dance with me.

Huh?

Hey...

It's me.

Now, the imprisoned Midori

promised her best friend that she'd return by sundown of the third day

and she headed to her hometown.

Midori runs, over the hills and across the valley.

Is it the unwavering faith that motivates Midori? Or is it...

This is boring, too. It's unbearable.

What?!

She's just running.

Well, what do you want me to do?

Ah!

Hey.

The play stopped. Now's our chance.

Let's go, Akane!

Huh? They're escaping!

That's great. Plays are interesting because they go off script.

lmprov is the theatrical spice.

But what will you do from here on?

It'll be the highlight of the show.

A special play that only our actors can do!

Akane in Othello's arms, Midori in Macbeth's,

and Aoto holding Hamlet's hand, they all die.

Great! I was counting on a crazy story like that. I'm completely on board.

When the last leaf falls I too must go.

Please don't say something so sad.

Sad or not, fate is fate. You cannot change it.

Wow, he's good. Especially his facial expression.

Right? Good looks are more important than anything!

Big brother, what's wrong?

Brother!

Loki can't reach us here.

We're good now.

You throw a mean punch. You've grown so much.

Why?! Why did you fake your death?!

When mom and I heard you died, we...

Damn you!

Akane...

Midori.

This is...

Huh?! Is that you Elena?!

Brother, you should go back to bed.

Yeah...

Long time no see, big brother.

That day, I had to disappear for the greater good.

But I still regret leaving you behind.

Ready?

Yeah!

You wanna?

Play catch?

Please wait, Elena!

Ah!

Jeez. See? You need me, Midori.

Where have you been? I've been looking for you.

I'm sorry, you must have felt lonely. I'm sorry.

Elena...

I'm sorry, Midori. I am.

I wanted you all to myself.

I wanted to keep you in our world, just the two of us.

That's why, that day...

You're not to blame, Elena. I'm also—

We're finally back together, so please, let me see you smile.

I can't really smile.

That tickles.

I love you, Midori. You're my only friend.

If I have you, I don't need anything else.

Brother, you won't even say my name?

Or are you so surprised you can't speak?

I'll go first, then. I'll tell you what I've done since the day we parted.

After that day, I've been to many places.

I met many people. At times, it was kind of fun,

other times, I saw a cruel world that makes you want to grimace.

But my heart remains unmoved.

I was always curious about you, brother.

You never said a word when our parents abused you so much.

But at the same time, I knew that I was the only one that could understand you.

And you're the only one that can understand me.

If only I reached out to you at the time...

A sweet temptation tugs the boy's heart.

Wishfully starting to grab that hand, he sees himself in the past.

But the boy could not ignore the strange feeling.

Who are you?

We have to go to this year's summer festival together.

We'll wear the same kimono, like old times.

Yeah.

Hey, Elena. I need to properly...

Don't apologize. I don't want to hear it right now.

Okay.

To tell you the truth, I've been wishing you'd apologize.

"Sorry I looked aside. Sorry I left you alone."

But...

I realized after I couldn't see you anymore,

that I wish for your happiness from the bottom of my heart.

Because I love your smile.

Elena...

So I'm the one that has to apologize, for making you feel bad.

You're still my number one, Midori!

I still kept this.