Ballad (Na mo naki koi no uta) (BALLAD 名もなき恋のうた)

Her again...

That's weird.

She's wearing a kimono, like a princess.

You're totally not the 'princess' type.

Why not?

Don't ignore us.

You ratted on us, didn't you?

You deserved it.

Shut up, you dog!

Stop it!

Teacher!

Fooled you, huh?

You're the fool, Kawakami.

You idiot.

Get out of here.

He's running away!

Weakling!

Loser.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

Give me courage.

You're not listening to me.

Why give up your photography

to help your friend with his company?

But, Misako, he asked me to help him.

But why do you have to quit your job?

Who said I was going to quit?

You did.

I didn't.

I said I'm taking a break from photography to focus on his business.

That means you're quitting.

What?

Did I mention the word "quit"?

Shinichi, did I?

Leave Shinichi out of it!

Listen.

If you're unsure about your role in this family,

that is completely meaningless work.

What I need from a husband is...

It's her again...

Off to school?

Dad, are you sick of photography?

Did you know this tree is called "The Great Oak of Kawakami"?

That's our name.

Cool, huh?

Answer my question.

Kids don't need to worry about stuff like that.

Why not?

What is this?

What is this?

What's going on?

A festival?

Awesome...

Ijiri, you demon! Don't move.

Wow,

Who's there?

Damn!

The Iwatsuki clan! After them!

From another time?

He speaks of strange things.

That explains his queer dress.

If what he says is true,

I owe him my life.

Matabei,

do you believe him?

Could he be a spy of Iwatsuki?

Or... Okurai?

Please... Untie these ropes.

Kid.

If you value your life, provide some proof!

Here.

How strange!

Are you a goblin's child?

No, I'm a human child!

I swear!

What's all this noise about?

Princess Ren!

The lady in my dream.

Dream?

Did you just say "dream"?

You saw me in a dream?

Answer her truthfully.

Yes, I did...

I saw you by a lake.

A lake?

You were praying by a lake...

The dream brought me here.

So you came to grant my wish?

Huh?

Interesting.

Stay here for a while.

Jiromaru, look after this child.

I beg you to reconsider.

And... Please don't call me Jiromaru.

That's my childhood name.

My samurai name is Matabei Ijiri...

Are you denying my request, Jiromaru?

Why me?

Bunshiro, you watch the kid.

Oh, right.

Your mom will know what to do.

The princess asked you to do it.

You have to own up to it.

Come on, ask Osato for me.

I must decline.

The Princess is a headache, too.

She relies on me for everything.

She feels close to you.

Fool!

It's because we grew up together.

That's all.

When my father served the Lord,

I was often tasked with entertaining her.

I see.

Actually, I was at her beck and call.

That's different from "feeling close".

I am only her servant.

Nothing more.

But...

she really is beautiful.

Many generals have asked for her hand,

but she's declined them all...

She's such a willful princess.

So she's "hot".

"Hot"?

A lot of people like her.

Many people like her...

You're right.

She is very well loved in Kasuga.

Here we are.

Your house is in the castle?

Good thing your commute is short.

Commute?

No packed trains...

Father, mother.

Bunshiro, Young Master.

Welcome home.

I'm taking care of him for a while.

He's not at school either?

What should we do?

He's never cut school before.

I found this at the Great Oak of Kawakami.

What's this?

"Dad, Mom, don't be shocked.

I'm writing you from the Tensho era.

I'm guessing it would be hard for you to come get me.

But don't worry too much.

I'm doing fine. Shinichi."

What does he mean, "Tensho era"?

Feudal Japan.

When Nobunaga Oda began his rule.

Nobunaga?

What's that mean?

I have no idea why he wrote this crazy letter.

But this is pretty old parchment.

It's not anything from this era.

This may sound strange,

but what if this really was from the feudal age?

What?!

What if something happened and he really is in feudal Japan?

That's crazy.

But how?

Well...

I don't know, but...

It's an elaborate joke.

You know how he gets into these things.

What motivation would he have to do this?

Your room's kind of sparse.

I'm the only one living here.

What about your family?

All dead.

My mother from illness.

My father and brothers in battle.

I see...

Is there a Mrs.?

Mrs.?

A wife.

Listen, Shinichi!

I'm a samurai!

With a wife or child, I would have something to lose.

Then I wouldn't be very effective in battle, right?

Such noble words.

This man is feared on the battlefield as Demon Ijiri,

but he's a pushover when it comes to women.

Impertinence!

Then hurry up and take a bride!

What a shame if the Ijiri name ended with you.

If your father were alive,

he would say the same thing.

What are you talking about!

Who do you think you are?

I understand.

Go.

I know, so let go.

What a nuisance!