Miss Miyo, isn't it?
How do you do, my dear?
I-I'm sorry for inconveniencing you!
Come now. It's what any proper person would do.
That was… I didn't mean to trouble you.
I'm so terribly sorry, sir.
There's no need to apologize.
Main thing is that I'm glad to see you're not hurt.
Thank you. But it was all due to my carelessness.
Thank you so very much, sir. I'm glad you were kind enough to step in.
Hey, Miyo, let's get out of the sun for a while.
Right.
Please take good care of yourself.
Now, I'll leave you to your day.
Miss Miyo, are you sure that you're feeling alright?
Yes. I'm sorry if I worried you.
You have to take better care of yourself, Miyo.
Right.
Yes, Miyo, you need to be careful.
You have…
no idea just how special you are.
MY HAPPY MARRIAGE
EPISODE 9 DROWNING IN DREAMS
Miyo!
Shh!
Why would she push herself that hard?
So there were remnants of a gift-user
and they were only there during her nightmares?
How feasible does it sound to use a supernatural ability
from a remote location?
Only an Usuba could do something like that.
But there should've been a crack in the barrier if that had happened.
It's unlikely to have been outside interference.
This is speculation
but the mounting evidence supports my theory.
I think it's connected to her Usuba heritage.
Miyo is an Usuba? Is that true?
There's a strong case for it, with a handful of clues to go off of.
A wedding for a Sumi Usuba marrying into the Saimori house.
I suppose it just feels strange.
I never would've thought she could be one of the Usuba.
Although Miyo wasn't born with the gift,
hypothetically, if the Usuba family blood is in her veins,
there's a chance her body could be having some kind of adverse reaction to it.
That doesn't make sense.
Why would it be a problem now?
I wish I knew.
By the way, it was the only other possibility I could think of.
Does she know anything about the Usuba family gifts?
Miyo lost her mother. She was too young to ask questions.
I doubt she's even aware of her Usuba family.
Even so…
Even so?
Even if I asked directly,
she may not want to talk about it.
She's been guarding her emotions.
Trying to hide her feelings more than normal.
I'm sure she just doesn't want us to worry about her.
But I still wish she'd give us the option to.
Huh?
What? Hey, what's wrong?
You catch sight of a bear in there?
Hm?
Uh… Argh!
A civilian attack.
We think it was a Grave Grotesquerie.
Go on, Godo.
It was in the woods near the Forbidden Land.
They found a man in a rough way.
Currently, he's unconscious in a comatose state.
Based on symptoms he's showing,
and the Grave's condition, it looks like Grotesqueries.
They've already reached the populated area this early?
Our predictions for their movement were way off.
The Ministry of the Imperial House can't manage this.
It's only a matter of time before they infiltrate the capital.
I hate this…
Why won't these nightmares ever stop?
They keep playing over and over.
I'm far from refined like Miss Hazuki.
I feel like I'm sliding backward.
She significantly decreased my study hours since I collapsed.
I'm wasting the perfect opportunity to learn from her.
I'm sorry, I'll be working tonight too.
Alright, I'll prepare you a lunch,
then I can deliver it to you.
No, it's all right. You should take it easy and rest.
Miyo.
Uh, yes.
How are you feeling? Are you sure you're doing okay?
I'm perfectly fine.
Please don't feel the need to worry about me. It's all right.
All right then.
Uh, sorry, Godo just called for me. I have to go.
Okay. I hope everything at work goes well.
Based on what we've seen, it looks like they're heading straight for the capital,
and they'll descend like a plague.
Have we heard anything from the Ministry yet?
We're still trying to get them to act.
But they're slow to decide and aren't measuring up to the task.
Then we'll establish a perimeter around the capital.
Request urgent permission to take action.
You're gonna sweep it in one fell swoop, aren't ya?
I'll go reach out to the Ministry as soon as we're done here.
For now, prepare for deployment, Commander.
Yes, sir.
The imperial capital will be under our unit's protection.
Wow!
Looks delicious!
I had every intention of coming in and making the food for us today,
but I went to the kitchen,
and everything was already prepared, ready and hot.
That's a lot of work when you aren't fully recovered.
It's fine. I'm feeling much better now, so…
please don't worry about that and enjoy.
Thank you for the food.
Mm! It's so good!
Cooking is one of Miss Miyo's many skills!
She's so very talented with all that she does.
You really are, Miyo.
I couldn't make a tasty dish like this to save my life.
What? I'm sure that's not true.
I mean it. I'm actually a terrible cook.
What?
Even at girls' school, my grades in cooking class were awful.
I would burn whatever I grilled,
and things were too salty, too spicy…
Even holding a knife.
My only skill was cutting my finger and not noticing what I'd done.
Oh, well…
And that made for such a challenge whenever you got married.
Hey, I told you not to drag up the past.
I honestly regret how all of that turned out.
You do?
That's right.
It is by far the biggest regret that I have in life.
I regret the way my marriage ended.
I got married pretty quickly, at only 17.
Since I was born as the daughter of the Kudos,
I was prepared for a political marriage.
But my husband was a kind and good man.
I was truly happy.
However,
I didn't get along with his family very well.
Basic chores were not my strong suit, and I was immature at the time.
I was pretty far off from their version of an ideal wife.
My husband would normally comfort me.
But there was one time
where we both got emotional while talking things out.
After a big fight, we decided to divorce.
But after that, I went to my parents' house and cooled down,
and I got hit with a wave of regret.
I couldn't just go back.
There were a lot of things to consider.
In the end, I felt as though I had lost so much.
And maybe… I haven't tried as hard as I should have.
So that's what you regret the most in your life?
Hey, Miyo.
Uh, yes.
I admire you.
You see the things that you're not good at,
and you don't run away or make excuses for them.
You stand up and face them.
Huh?
Thank… thank you.
So I hope from now on that you can prioritize how you feel.
If you take that time, then you can avoid having regrets
-like mine. -Huh.
Think about what it is you want for yourself.
What's your version of an ideal life?
Oh, I'm not really sure how to answer that.
I think I want…
to become a wife that would be a good fit for Lord Kudo,
to be like Miss Hazuki by becoming a refined lady.
I wish I was someone like that.
Miyo?
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking…
It had never crossed my mind.
I've never tried to picture what an ideal life could be.
However, there is one thing that I'm certain of.
And what is that?
This is the place I want to be.
Right by Lord Kudo's side.
I love the way you talk about him when he's not here.
That is one lucky man!
It was rough.
Took more leg work than you could imagine.
Found every Sumi in the capital.
Well, if Sumi Usuba is one of them, then it's well worth it.
Listen, it's great that we got it narrowed down to women named Sumi,
but there's no way of telling which one is the right one.
She's our only lead.
The only hope we have of reaching out to the Usuba family.
Any information is better than none.
Please continue investigating.
Would it be all right if I join you?
Yes.
-Miyo. -Huh?
It's been…
I wanted to say I'm sorry
that work's been so busy that we haven't had time to talk.
Oh, no. Your work is very important. I don't mind at all.
Miyo,
are you sure that there's nothing bothering you?
No. I'm fine.
Is that so…
Uh, what is… What's Miss Hazuki like?
Do her mannerisms change when she talks to you?
Oh, I suppose you and I haven't really talked about many personal things.
Would it be all right if I asked you about it?
My sister and I, our relationship has never been bad.
Well, you're already aware of how loud she is,
which gets on my nerves every now and then.
It's less about "like" or "dislike".
Those kind of feelings don't really apply to our relationship.
Huh.
We grew up in the same environment together,
so we always know what the other is thinking.
We don't speak with restraint.
Our personalities may not align,
but I think as she is, she's a good person.
Does any of that answer your question?
It does.
What a wonderful person to have grown up with!
I haven't had someone like that in my life.
Miyo…
…why don't you sit a little closer?
What? Sit? Okay.
If you're feeling lonely, then tell me.
If you're in pain, then say that it hurts.
Huh…
I can't know what you're feeling if you don't say.
I…
I'm not feeling lonely though.
You aren't? Because I feel lonely.
You're saying that you aren't lonely?
I…
really am.
Why didn't you say that from the start?
I…
It's okay to tell me how you really feel,
know that I'm going to be there for you.
Don't think that it's selfish.
You can tell me anything. I'll listen to all of it.
Thank you.
Don't feel guilty for seeking comfort.
We're family now, are we not?
Part of that is supporting each other through thick and thin.
Lord Kudo is very kind.
But still…
If I really want to become Mrs. Kudo,
I can't use him as a crutch. I must be strong.
These are my problems.
If I can't handle them on my own,
how could I ever support a whole family?
Is anyone home?
Yes.
Sorry for making you wait.
How can I help you…
Ah!
You were the man who…
Hello. It's lovely to see you.
I wasn't sure how things had gone.
Hopefully, you've recovered since that day.
Oh, yes. I feel much better now.
That must've been a shock. Thank you so much for being there for me.
Oh, come now. No need to thank me for any of that.
Regardless, I was here to see a Mr. Kudo.
Oh, no. He's actually at the office.
Huh? That's strange.
I was told that he was off duty today.
He's very busy at work.
He told me that he was called in at the last minute and had to go.
Is that so? That's unfortunate.
I apologize I didn't call in advance.
Arata Tsuruki is my name. Pleasure!
Oh, right. I'm Miyo Saimori.
Yes, I know. I'm quite well aware of who you are.
Me?
It was the talk of the social scene.
A rumor that had everyone's ear.
The infamous Mr. Kudo has finally found himself a suitable fiancée.
Oh…
Although, I suppose the rumors
of his "frozen tundra" personality were right.
Why would you say that?
Miss Miyo,
I'm afraid that you appear to be absolutely exhausted.
Hm?
Yes, I noticed it in town. This is the result of neglect, isn't it?
Now,
it is unacceptable to force you to work to the point of fatigue.
I… None of what happened is Lord Kudo's fault!
Having you push yourself until you collapse.
There's something wrong with that man!
If he understood your true worth, he wouldn't do this to you.
Absurd! As if you aren't a lady already,
expecting you to learn the proper ways to behave,
yet offering nothing!
How do you know about that?
Why would this be so important
that he'd force a person into this educational gauntlet?
Please don't say such things!
I was the one who wanted to learn all of these at once.
Lord Kudo is only cooperating after I begged him to.
Please don't say such awful things!
Are you all right?
Yes. Yes, it was nothing.
I apologize. What I've said to you is out of line.
I shall take my leave now.
I should as well. I'm terribly sorry.
My attitude has been extremely rude today.
I should have been forthright from the start. Well…
I have an offer for you.
A unique role that only you could ever fill.
Please feel free to reach out at any time
if the interest strikes you.
SPECIAL ADVISOR ARATA TSURUKI
Have a good day!
A role that only I could ever fill?
He's late, isn't he?
Whether he's Ministry staff or not,
it's disrespectful to have you waiting on him like this.
It's not a problem.
We can proceed with our preparations for the operation regardless.
You're looking pretty tired there.
Don't concern yourself.
After things are handled here, I plan to go home.
Glad to hear it!
Poor Miss Miyo. You should go home for her sake.
Right.
Permission was granted.
Authority will now be transferred to Commander Kudo,
and you are free to act as you see fit.
Thank you. We will start the large-scale sweep operation.
We need to get this under control quickly
or further damage could strike the capital.
Thank you again for your help.
Goodness! I can't say how sorry I am for being late today.
The impression was that you were off duty.
I mistakenly ended up at your home while trying to find you.
I even had the pleasure of getting to meet your fiancée, Miss Miyo.
What a thoughtful and well-mannered greeting I received.
She seems to be brimming with affection for you.
Though, I find myself with less admiration for how you treat her.
She's a wonderful woman.
What?
I notice that she's starting to look frail.
Her health wastes away a little more each day, doesn't it?
She and I have crossed paths on a previous occasion.
She nearly collapsed on the street when she was in town,
and thankfully, I was nearby.
What did you say?
You don't know a single thing about her, do you?
Is Miss Miyo so inconsequential that she's invisible?
Actually, you don't even care, do you?
The fact that you weren't there for her when she needed you
is more than enough proof of that.
Right. You don't like small talk, do you?
If you face any difficulties,
please feel free to contact me at a moment's notice.
I would be happy to help you
if there's anything that I could assist you with.
This is strange, boss.
Out of all the Sumis I've come across thus far,
there's only one who doesn't have a birth certificate,
and they're not registered to a household.
The name is "Sumi Tsuruki."
SPECIAL ADVISOR ARATA TSURUKI
Tsuruki…
Miyo!
Ugh…
Miyo?
I told her to rest, but she's…
Miyo.
Uh… Oh, you're home already.
Uh, welcome back home.
Sorry that I wasn't at the door.
I-I should have greeted you.
Lord Kudo?
Miyo! Miyo, why?
Why what?
Why did you get so thin?
Why did you not tell me that you collapsed?
But, but I was okay.
Do you think I don't know about the nightmares?
Hearing you suffer through them every night?
How many times have I told you?
Just talk to me, you can lean on me.
Even after all this time, you won't.
Am I really so untrustworthy that you can't?
No! That's not it!
I didn't want to bother you if it was something I could handle alone.
You've spent all this extra time working.
I didn't want to trouble you.
It seemed like you were already so busy and tired, I just couldn't do it.
How am I the one who seems too tired
when you can't even tell when I get home?
If this is how it was going to end up, I never should've even given you
the opportunity to study in the first place.
Lord Kudo, that was cruel!
That wasn't… I didn't mean…
I never meant to talk to her like this.
I just…
I just wanted to be here with…
Miyo!
I did the worst thing I ever could've done to her.
With this,
that was the same kind of treatment as the Saimoris.
I'm awful! That man was completely right.
Ugh.
SPECIAL ADVISOR ARATA TSURUKI
Tsuruki is going to tell me everything.
That's it. I have to end this.
I'll do whatever it takes to end her suffering!