Karakuri Circus

What happened to your body?

But it's you, Grandpa. You're alive!

Don't move, Sadayoshi!

How loathsome.

The more you look and act like Masaru, the angrier it makes me.

But I am Masaru!

You fooled me for a long time even after you became my son.

I realized too late.

Dad hasn't taken control of my brain!

When I realized what sins you were up to, I wanted to at least save poor Masaru.

But to no avail.

I shall ask you two questions.

The first one being, have you found the soft stone, Sadayoshi?

Let it bloom or let it wither

The setting sun ignites the horizon

And the gears turn

When the horn blows, the flames dance

The story waits for no-one

Off they go, the gears are churning

A red past chases after you

The jester's smile

What's behind the mask?

You can't erase the scars

No matter how they burn

Let it bloom or let it wither

The setting sun ignites the horizon

Alone in the depths of the night

Let out a cry that can cut through fate

That's the cue to begin

The curtain is rising, it's time to dance

Everybody sheds tears at the end

So hold them in now and keep going

Until the day the curtain falls

The gears will keep turning

#16 Encounter

What's a soft stone? I don't know what it is.

I knew you'd say that.

By repeatedly downloading your memory and soul,

you've become able to live on forever in others' bodies.

Yet, you still want the soft stone more than anything.

Let me tell you where it is then.

Along with all I experienced.

I was wrong in trying to just kill you.

You should be killed only after you witness the harm you have caused.

And when you have done so, I will ask you the next question.

To see what is going through your mind at that moment.

W-What is that?

It is my blood. My memories are dissolved in it.

Drink that blood.

And experience for yourself all that I went through.

Inside of me...

Grandpa's memories... They're flowing in.

"MIURA DOJO"

I... I...

Stop!

Good work, Shoji.

Come to the back. Yae will make you some tea.

Yes, sir.

Master wants you to marry Yae and take over the dojo.

But I'm no good with women.

Excuse me, where's the doc?

My master has fallen sick.

Master!

Forgive me, but duty calls so I must go.

Yes, go.

I was learning swordsmanship at Nagasaki's best dojo while working as a doctor.

Dr. Bai Yin was the man who taught me medicine.

I was a child then...

Take the medicine twice a day. Use clean cloths.

Oh, thank you.

What an amazing doctor.

He came from a faraway country.

I heard he can speak Japanese already. He sure is smart.

Wow, what kind of magic is that?

What's your name, boy?

Shoji.

Hey!

How dare you talk to Dr. Yin like that!

What have you done! Those are his precious tools.

Stand up!

Wait a minute.

Tools and medicines are not human.

What sense is there in harming a human for breaking a healer's tools?

If you must make him take responsibility, take my head first.

Dr. Yin!

And so, I became Dr. Yin's apprentice.

Dr. Yin taught me many things besides just medicine.

I've never seen anything like this before.

Look carefully, Shoji.

That is what the world is.

A new world was opened up to me thanks to Dr. Yin.

Whoa, a puppet?

It's not finished yet?

It was an old dream of mine to make it.

Not going to finish it?

Let's finish it together then.

This is my name, "Bai Yin."

This is how you'd read your name in Japanese.

Shirogane.

Shirogane, huh?

So this is the famous pleasure district.

This way, Doc.

You'll be fine now.

How do you feel? Can you get up?

Thank you for everything.

The heart stops willing to try as you grow older.

Just take it easy for a while.

Oh, and don't play around too much now.

Can't help it.

I will make the medicine, so if you'll find these ingredients.

Excuse me.

How beautiful...

Tohno-dayu, you came.

May I see that?

Of course.

Head clerk, you don't need to find the second one, the red gentian root.

May I ask why?

I hear it's used often for swollen lymph nodes.

But it takes time for the body to absorb and doesn't do much.

I could prepare an even better medicine for you.

Don't be like that now.

You're shaming the poor doctor.

What is shame when it comes to helping others?

Am I right, Doctor?

You're right.

What's with this woman?

Now, I have other guests to attend to.

-Forgive me, Doctor. -Oh, don't worry about it.

I apologize for her rudeness.

Do raise your head, I really don't mind it.

But what is she?

Her knowledge of medicine is incredible.

I shall tell you then. You and I go back a long way.

I know you can keep a secret.

People call her the other-worldly courtesan.

Can you guess why?

No.

She is not from this land.

Her name is Angelina.

About a year ago, as I was on my way home...

I had another attack.

I thought my time was up.

She was like a heavenly maiden.

She saved my life.

But what really surprised me was...

she volunteered to be a lady of pleasure.

It's been a year since I made it to this country.

The number of countries I have hitherto traveled.

Ever since that day...

Now, go wherever you wish, Angelina.

Why so suddenly?

How am I to live away from here, away from my people?

Take this with you.

Aqua Vitae?

Have somebody drink it.

A man who will spend his eternity with you.

Shiroganes use their whole lives to destroy automata.

But what if you could spend that time on something else?

Then there may be some meaning to this cursed body.

I haven't a clue what you mean.

What are you telling me to do, Teacher?

Mother!

I knew not for what to live after that day.