- Shanao
- Shungen!
- Shanao
- Thank goodness...
- Tomomori Taira
- Oh good, they made it. Now they can escape to a place far away from Kyoto.
- Tomomori Taira
- And yet, you're still here. How does it feel to be the only one left?
- Shanao
- You think I was abandoned?
- Tomomori Taira
- All I said is that you're the only one left. Either way, I think it's for the best.
- Tomomori Taira
- But you didn't really think you could get away with it, did you?
- Shanao
- ...!
- Tomomori Taira
- You are the son of Genji, wherever you go, that fate will follow you.
- Tomomori Taira
- The name, the power, the path you must follow—you must bear it for the rest of your life.
- Shanao
- Shut up!
- Tomomori Taira
- You can't escape it, child of the Genji. I've told you many times before.
- Shanao
- Shut up!
- Shanao
- ?!
- Tomomori Taira
- You knew what you were doing. I'm sure you were thinking about it for a long time. That's why you hesitated in your strikes.
- Shanao
- What's...
- Tomomori Taira
- You wanted to be caught, didn't you? And now, I've given you what you wanted.
- Shanao
- I...I don't want that!
- Tomomori Taira
- I wonder. You haven't fought against your fate, you've only tried to escape it.
- Tomomori Taira
- From the fate of Genji, from your own fate, all you've done so far is try to escape...
- Tomomori Taira
- Shanao, I for one don't think it's so bad to surrender to the winds of fate...
- Tomomori Taira
- Come to me. Be as the petal that surrenders to the winds of fate and give yourself to me.
A boat was crossing the lake, and I could see Kichiji, Benkei, and Shungen. Everyone else seemed to be safe as well! There were no other boats. The Heike could not follow us.
I swung my sword with all my might, putting all my weight in the blow. Just then— Softly, Tomomori took a step forward, slipped into the gap, and grabbed my wrist.
By the time I realized it, it was too late. His movements were swift, and his grasp was soft - yet I could not move freely.
I felt trapped by his eyes that peered into me. Desperately I stared at him, looking for a way out.