22 - The Ephemeral, Pale Cherry Blossom

Source: Crunchyroll
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:00] ---
    Otobe
[00:01] ---
    April 1869. After waiting for the snow to melt,
    the Imperial Army finally appeared in Ezo.
[00:11] ---
    Fire!
[00:16] ---
    In order to intercept the enemy troops
    that landed in Otobe,
SIGN    Otobe
SIGN    Futamata Pass
SIGN    Sea of Japan
SIGN    Goryokaku
SIGN    Hakodate
SIGN    Matsumae Pass
SIGN    Kikonai
[00:19] ---
    the former Bakufu army sent Minister Otori-san
    to the Matsumae Pass to the southwest of Hakodate.
SIGN    Otori's Division
[00:25] ---
    Vice Minister Hijikata-san was sent as the commanding
    officer to the Futamata Pass northwest of Hakodate.
SIGN    Hijikata's Division
[00:32] ---
    Listen, this is the final showdown.
[00:32] ---
    Futamata Pass
[00:36] ---
    We have more bullets than we will need.
[00:38] ---
    Don't worry about wasting them.
[00:40] ---
    Fire like mad once the battle begins!
[00:42] ---
    Just don't throw your lives away.
[00:44] ---
    Sir!
[00:46] ---
    Once this battle is over,
    I'll let you drink to your hearts' content!
[00:49] ---
    So work hard to see that happen!
[00:51] ---
    Yeah!
[01:00] ---
    Identify yourself!
[01:01] ---
    Are we under attack?
[01:04] ---
    What is the problem?
[01:08] ---
    Are you not Kazama?
[01:12] ---
    Kuroda, huh?
[01:14] ---
    Great. You can take me to Ezo.
[01:19] ---
    Chief Kuroda, shouldn't we do something?
[01:21] ---
    Leave him be.
[01:23] ---
    Even if you ganged up on him, you could not win.
[01:46] ---
    Hakuoki
    Demon of the Fleeting Blossom
    Record of the Jade Blood
[01:49] ---
    Ikusen no mirai yori mo
[01:56] ---
    Isshun no ima wo tsuyoku ikitai
[02:03] ---
    Naraku no hotori de sae mo
[02:08] ---
    Kakete yukeru anata to nara
[02:12] ---
    Mau kaze no gotoku
[02:16] ---
    Aragaenu jidai no yaiba ni
[02:17] ---
    Kizu tsuite taorete nao
[02:19] ---
    Yume ni mishi hikari wo shinjite
[02:21] ---
    Hisakata wo aogite
[02:22] ---
    A, waga mi ni a, kaete mo
[02:25] ---
    Anata wo mamoreru nara
[02:29] ---
    Hageshiki kaze ni nare kono inori
[02:36] ---
    Sadame kaeru hodo ima sugu
[02:42] ---
    Yoake no kaze ni nare kurayami no tobira
[02:50] ---
    Koji akeru kaze ni
[02:58] ---
    Charge!
[03:00] ---
    Follow me!
[03:02] ---
    What?! Cover for Takigawa's division!
[03:09] ---
    We did it!
[03:10] ---
    We were so overwhelming that
    it made 'em lose their nerve!
[03:13] ---
    Takigawa!
[03:15] ---
    What the hell were you doing?!
    You gave me a heart attack.
[03:20] ---
    But...
[03:22] ---
    you did good out there.
[03:24] ---
    I was confident that you would back us up, Hijikata-san.
[03:28] ---
    You little...! Don't let this go to your head.
[03:31] ---
    We're winning one skirmish after the next!
[03:33] ---
    We did it!
[03:34] ---
    Our formation in Futamata is invincible!
[03:36] ---
    We'll never lose as long as we've got
    the Army Minister with us!
[03:40] ---
    Hijikata-san, a messenger from
    headquarters is here to see you.
[03:50] ---
    Episode 22
    The Ephemeral,
    Pale Cherry Blossom
[04:02] ---
    Chizuru.
[04:03] ---
    Yes?
[04:05] ---
    Prepare to retreat.
[04:08] ---
    We're preparing to retreat?
[04:10] ---
    Yeah. They broke through Otori-san at Matsumae Pass.
[04:15] ---
    Although we're still unscathed,
[04:16] ---
    we won't be able to return to Hakodate
    if they cut off our retreat.
[04:21] ---
    Is that right...?
[04:23] ---
    And here everyone worked so hard. It's a pity, isn't it?
[04:29] ---
    Hijikata-san?
[04:35] ---
    Hang in there, Hijikata-san!
[04:40] ---
    Are you okay?
[04:42] ---
    It looks like my body is gettin' worse for wear.
[04:46] ---
    I hope it holds up... just a little longer.
[04:52] ---
    Don't... Please don't say,
[04:56] ---
    "just a little longer"!
[05:04] ---
    Please drink some.
[05:07] ---
    Please. I will be okay.
[05:16] ---
    I'm so sorry.
[05:36] ---
    Benten Fortress
[05:37] ---
    May 1, 1869. Hijikata-san left Futamata Pass
    and retuned to Goryokaku.
[05:43] ---
    He visited Benten Fortress,
[05:45] ---
    where he was reunited with Otori-san, Shimada-san,
    and the members of the Shinsengumi.
[05:50] ---
    Long time no see, Commander Hijikata!
[05:52] ---
    Oh, Shimada! I'm glad to see you're well.
[05:57] ---
    Hijikata-kun, Matsumae Pass fell
    due to my own shortcomings.
[06:03] ---
    I'm sorry.
[06:05] ---
    Breaking up our forces was a bad idea.
[06:08] ---
    It wasn't your fault.
[06:11] ---
    Oh, I heard that a group called the Mikuni
    Division just joined forces with us.
[06:16] ---
    That means there are still some who haven't forsaken us.
[06:19] ---
    Hijikata-kun...
[06:21] ---
    Whining won't get anything done.
[06:24] ---
    We should add them to our ranks and
    focus our forces on the fortress and Goryokaku.
[06:31] ---
    Yes, we should.
[06:33] ---
    Please leave Benten Fortress to us!
[06:36] ---
    As long as the will behind the
    Shinsengumi's banner of truth still burns,
[06:40] ---
    we will continue to fight alongside you,
    Commander Hijikata!
[06:43] ---
    Watch it! Don't forget that Otori-san
    is the commanding officer in charge of this fortress.
[06:49] ---
    Th-that goes without saying, but-
[06:51] ---
    No, this time I will raise the Shinsengumi's flag.
[06:56] ---
    Problem solved, right?
[06:59] ---
    Truth
[07:00] ---
    If we fight with the Shinsengumi's standard flying,
[07:02] ---
    I get the feeling that the warrior spirit we believe in
    will not falter and we will be able to persevere in battle.
[07:11] ---
    The Minister of the Army is acting superstitious?
[07:13] ---
    You gotta keep it together, Otori-san.
[07:18] ---
    Protect Benten Fortress.
[07:23] ---
    What?
[07:24] ---
    It's a handshake. Unfamiliar with it?
[07:29] ---
    Yeah!
[07:38] ---
    Yukimura-kun!
[07:41] ---
    Shimada-san!
[07:42] ---
    Hey, I'm glad to see you're doing well.
[07:44] ---
    Same goes for you.
[07:46] ---
    But honestly, to think that the former Merciless
    Vice Commander would be so beloved by his men.
[07:52] ---
    Hijikata-san has certainly changed.
[07:58] ---
    Tensions grew with each passing day.
[08:00] ---
    May 7, 1869. We were suddenly
    thrown into a naval battle.
[08:05] ---
    The Imperial Army's warships
    charged into Hakodate Bay.
[08:09] ---
    The former Bakufu army's warships put up a good fight,
    but they were outnumbered.
[08:14] ---
    We were left with no choice but to rely on the infantry.
[08:17] ---
    Three days later, on May 10th, the former Bakufu soldiers
    shared their final drinks together like true warriors.
[08:27] ---
    I'm going to leave your tea here.
[08:35] ---
    If they are going to strike, it will probably be tomorrow.
[08:38] ---
    Sir...
[08:41] ---
    Chizuru, are you sure-
[08:43] ---
    I am going to stay with you, Hijikata-san!
[08:50] ---
    Please let me stay with you.
[09:04] ---
    I hardly look cool when I'm always making you say that.
[09:07] ---
    Huh?
[09:13] ---
    The one I want to protect the most is you.
[09:17] ---
    I think I'm in love with you.
[09:22] ---
    I used to think I didn't care if I died once
    I fulfilled my duty to lead the Shinsengumi.
[09:28] ---
    But now I have a reason to live.
[09:32] ---
    Thank God.
[09:34] ---
    I am so happy that you want to live...
[09:43] ---
    Stay by my side forever.
[09:47] ---
    I won't let you go even if you try, so bear that in mind!
[10:02] ---
    On the following day, May 11th,
    before the sun had fully risen,
[10:07] ---
    the Imperial Army had commenced
    an all-out attack on Hakodate.
[10:12] ---
    Shimada-san, Otori-san, and the Shinsengumi,
    who had barricaded themselves in Benten Fortress,
[10:17] ---
    were attacked from the rear and
    completely cut off from the outside.
[10:21] ---
    Prepare my horse!
[10:22] ---
    Sir!
[10:24] ---
    I am going to Benten Fortress to offer my help.
[10:27] ---
    Chizuru, aren't you coming?
[10:29] ---
    Sir!
[10:36] ---
    Enemy attack!
[10:38] ---
    Aim!
[10:40] ---
    Fire!
[10:42] ---
    Outta my way!
[10:55] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[10:59] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[11:08] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[11:10] ---
    Hijikata-san! Hijikata-san!
[11:13] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[11:18] ---
    Hijikata-san! Hijikata-san!
[11:23] ---
    Chizuru... are you okay?
[11:25] ---
    I am!
[11:27] ---
    Things will get bad if they come in pursuit...
[11:29] ---
    Get out of here, Chizuru...!
[11:32] ---
    You got it.
[11:45] ---
    Hijikata-san, I don't sense any enemy soldiers.
[11:47] ---
    You should be able to rest here for a while.
[11:50] ---
    We need to use this chance to stop the bleeding.
[11:52] ---
    Yeah... Please do.
[12:01] ---
    Hijikata-san, as soon as you've recovered enough
    to move, let's go back to Goryokaku.
[12:08] ---
    Hijikata-san?
[12:10] ---
    Hijikata-san, are you listening to me?
[12:12] ---
    Y-yeah... I'm listening.
[12:16] ---
    It will be okay. Shimada-san and
    the others won't go down without a fight.
[12:21] ---
    I'm sure they're waiting for us.
[12:23] ---
    Of course they are...
    The Shinsengumi's name isn't just for show.
[12:32] ---
    Hijikata-san? Hijikata-san, can you hear me?
[12:37] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[12:39] ---
    Don't shout. I can hear you.
[12:46] ---
    What should I do?
[12:48] ---
    What should I do?!
[12:50] ---
    At this rate, Hijikata-san will...!
[13:02] ---
    I won't let you die!
[13:10] ---
    Please live, Hijikata-san!
[13:14] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[13:21] ---
    Hijikata-san...
[13:23] ---
    Did you hurt yourself again?
[13:28] ---
    It will heal in no time.
[13:31] ---
    That's not the problem.
[13:34] ---
    What man wants to make the woman
    he loves taste pain and suffering?
[13:39] ---
    Figure that much out for yourself!
[13:43] ---
    I don't want to see the man I love in pain, either.
[13:51] ---
    Shut up.
[13:56] ---
    Someone will notice we're here before much longer.
[13:59] ---
    Let's return to Goryokaku through the back route.
[14:01] ---
    Okay.
[14:18] ---
    How beautiful...
[14:34] ---
    You look good next to cherry blossoms.
[14:37] ---
    Huh? You think so?
[14:40] ---
    I think they look better with you, Hijikata-san.
[14:44] ---
    The first day we met back in the capital,
[14:47] ---
    the snow dancing around you...
[14:50] ---
    ...looked like out-of-season cherry petals.
[14:55] ---
    Let's enjoy looking at them again next year, okay?
[15:08] ---
    So you're still alive.
[15:10] ---
    Kazama-san?!
[15:12] ---
    I've come to put an end to everything.
[15:14] ---
    I swear by my pride that I will
    be rid of this thorn in my side.
[15:18] ---
    I never thought you'd come all the way to Ezo.
[15:21] ---
    It would have been quite
    a waste of time if I had already died.
[15:24] ---
    Please don't do this! Hijikata-san is severely injured.
[15:31] ---
    Keep quiet and watch.
[15:32] ---
    But...!
[15:34] ---
    If someone is willing to lose everything over a fight,
[15:37] ---
    as a true warrior, I should accept the challenge.
[15:41] ---
    That's...!
[15:43] ---
    Supposedly I will stray from
    the way of the devil if I meddle with him further.
[15:51] ---
    Hijikata-san...
[15:53] ---
    I...
[15:55] ---
    I will fight for what I believe in.
[15:58] ---
    I will win so that I may live!
[16:05] ---
    Very well.
[16:08] ---
    Win to live, huh?
[16:10] ---
    The more power you use, the shorter your life becomes.
    You furies are nothing more than mere fakes.
[16:16] ---
    Pure-blooded devils are on a completely different plane.
[16:20] ---
    It is your fate to die.
[16:23] ---
    You are just like cherry blossoms
    the way you rush through life.
[16:28] ---
    I ain't trying to rush through life!
[16:30] ---
    I just had a bunch of people who needed me.
[16:35] ---
    The way of life for the Shinsengumi's
    ideal warrior is severe!
[17:16] ---
    I can't stand it anymore.
[17:18] ---
    Those Bakufu cowards... you pain-in-the-ass devils...
[17:23] ---
    You say I'm a fake? So what if I am?
[17:27] ---
    This whole time, we've been treated
    like a band of fake samurai.
[17:33] ---
    But no matter what, our convictions will not bend.
[17:38] ---
    Whether fake or not, persistence will make it true.
[17:43] ---
    So if I, a fury, can defeat you, then I...
[17:47] ---
    We can become real!
[18:06] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[18:48] ---
    I have things that I must protect!
[18:51] ---
    That's why I can't lose, not even to a devil!
[19:06] ---
    The name "fury" that belongs to those fakes
    does not match the way you live your life.
[19:19] ---
    You are already a devil.
[19:23] ---
    I shall bestow a devil name upon you.
[19:27] ---
    You are "Hakuoki."
[19:32] ---
    It's not like I've been fighting to earn
    your recognition as a devil.
[19:38] ---
    I can't play for much longer. Is that okay?
[19:43] ---
    Naturally. I shall finish you off in one strike.
[20:24] ---
    Hijikata-san!
[20:37] ---
    But I have always acknowledged your abilities.
[20:39] ---
    Akane sasu yuuhi ga
[20:41] ---
    In the end, was I of any... help?
[20:44] ---
    Terasu yokogao wo mitsume
[20:47] ---
    As I am remaining in Aizu,
    please give me permission to raise our banner.
[20:50] ---
    Sotto negau moyuru sora yo toki wo tomete ite
[20:52] ---
    So I'm going to leave Hijikata-san
    in your hands, Chizuru-chan.
[21:00] ---
    Come on, Toshi. It's about time you let me be at peace.
[21:03] ---
    Kanashimi wo seoite hitamuki ni susumu anata
[21:05] ---
    You should smile because it's a time like this.
[21:07] ---
    It's okay. I'm certain he will protect you.
[21:11] ---
    Unlike Kondou-san or Hijikata-san,
    it was never my dream to become a samurai.
[21:14] ---
    Kanau naraba oikakete yukitai kewashiki kono michi wo
[21:17] ---
    What are you doing, Vice Commander?
[21:21] ---
    As our leader, you're our head, our limbs.
[21:27] ---
    Tooku, tooku nagaruru kumo
[21:27] ---
    Please tell Toshi-san.
    I'm sorry my strength wasn't enough.
[21:32] ---
    I want him to forgive me for not being there to the end.
[21:34] ---
    Tatoe ima ga hakanaku to mo
[21:39] ---
    Good morning.
[21:39] ---
    Soba ni itai
[21:40] ---
    Did you sleep well?
[21:42] ---
    Kono kokoro wo someyuku hi wa tokoshie dakara
[21:54] ---
    Kizuna dake shinjite
[21:59] ---
    I see. You came from faraway Edo
    in search of your father. That must've been tough.
[22:09] ---
    Hijikata-san...
[22:23] ---
    Truth
[22:24] ---
    Hijikata-san, can you see it?
    It's the banner of truth that everyone carried.
[22:54] ---
    Chizuru...
[22:56] ---
    
[22:56] ---
    The End
[22:58] ---