Kiyohime

Lips to Lips

Kiyohime:
M. A. S. T. E. R.


Fujimaru 1:
!?


Fujimaru 2:
Yes!?


Kiyohime:
Oh, please don't cry out so!
It is I, your Kiyohime, Master.

Kiyohime:
...I too have just woke up.
Do you know where we are?

Kiyohime:
At any rate, let us walk.
Look, Mash is here as well.

Mash:
...I can't get in contact with the Doctor.
Anyway, let's take a walk around.

Kiyohime:
Yes, you're right. Let's wander around. This too is one of the delights of travel–Or so it seems.

Kiyohime:
Well, to be honest, I have never taken a real trip.

Kiyohime:
When I chased after Lord Anchin, that most certainly could not be called a trip.

Kiyohime:
Now, then. Shall we begin walking?
I wonder what sort of things await us.

Kiyohime:
It sure is a little exciting, isn't it?
Hehehehehe.

Mash:
...Enemies!
Kiyohime, get ready for battle!

Kiyohime:
...
...

Mash:
...Umm, Kiyohime?

Kiyohime:
Oh, my! Just when I was expecting romance, such a horrid encounter! Dear god! What have I done to deserve this?

Kiyohime:
...Oh, right. I do have a vague idea of what it might be.
Most of my behavior in life could be the cause.

Kiyohime:
Hmm... I do deserve this. But for this trouble to be imposed upon my Master simply won't do...


Fujimaru 1:
Our trip has only just begun.


Fujimaru 2:
Don't be so hard on yourself.


Kiyohime:
Thank you, Master!

Mash:
...If Elisabeth were here, she'd probably joke about this.

Fou:
Fou...

--BATTLE--:

Kiyohime:
Ahh, such a magnificent view.

Kiyohime:
Oh, yes.
...About that trip.

Kiyohime:
The only thing that I saw was his back. That dreamy back. He abandoned me and simply ran away–

Kiyohime:
...But just so you know.
I did think back on my actions.

Kiyohime:
Yet, still, even so.
Why didn't he utter a single word of apology.

Kiyohime:
If he can not do that, he could at least yell at me–


Fujimaru 1:
That would be tough.


Fujimaru 2:
That's never happening.


Kiyohime:
But why? I am not the type that would slit her wrists at the slightest reproach.

Kiyohime:
However, my chat-room friend, Tamamo, told me,

Kiyohime:
"You know, your understanding of why Anchin left you is wrong at the most basic level."

Kiyohime:
"He didn't want to stay away from you, in fact, he liked you a little, just a little."

Kiyohime:
"However, your love for someone who only liked you a little is too heavy. Too much is as bad as too little."

Kiyohime:
"With you it's either love or hate, one or zero.
You really need to change your digital way of thinking!"

Kiyohime:
That is her opinion of me...


Fujimaru 1:
You were too lovely.

Kiyohime:
Because I'm lovely–
So he didn't want to say anything harsh to me?

Kiyohime:
I see...


Fujimaru 2:
That's a man's pride.

Kiyohime:
A man's pride?
That is a matter that I am unable to comprehend.

Kiyohime:
...Such a pathetic man.
Putting on pride and running away...


Kiyohime:
...Well. I am still completely unable to comprehend the heart of a man.

Kiyohime:
Tamamo tells me to trust her on matters between men and women. She says she can give me the perfect answer because of what she's been through–

Kiyohime:
Those are the kinds of things she says...
But for some reason, I just can't trust her.

Kiyohime:
It seems to me she's the type that would turn to mush the moment a handsome man gazed at her seriously.

Kiyohime:
She's usually open about her feelings, but once the man makes a move on her, she'd freeze up and get swept away.

Kiyohime:
She always says, "It's so easy to control a man."
But in reality, it's more like, "Serving obediently is true happiness."

Kiyohime:
In the Holy Grail War that we're in right now, perhaps it's a good idea to have an offline party sometimes.

Kiyohime:
Everyone knows she's a shut-in, so I don't know if that Osakabe-hime would show up.

Kiyohime:
Oh, dear me! I'm sorry.
I'm doing all the talking.

Mash:
No, I'm quite fascinated by what you're talking about.
Chat-room buddy... Offline Party...?

Kiyohime:
I want to hear more about Master.
How were you born, and how you've lived your life–

Kiyohime:
What's your favorite food?
And what's the food you dislike?

Kiyohime:
What's the type of woman you like?
What's the type of man you like?

Kiyohime:
What your schedule is like every day?
Where do you wash first in a shower?

Kiyohime:
Your height, weight, eyesight, grip strength, speed, endurance, lung capacity, whether you've run a marathon...

Kiyohime:
Oh! I forgot one very important thing.
Are there any temples that you're acquainted with–

Kiyohime:
If possible, I'd like to hear about them.


Fujimaru 1:
What would you do if I told you that?


Kiyohime:
It's a secret.
Hehehehehehe...

Mash:
Master, your face has become stiff...

Kiyohime:
Oh, my!
Such a nice aroma.

Kiyohime:
...But wait, it seems there're some creatures who would dare to splatter the stench of blood in this beautiful forest.

Kiyohime:
Come out!

Mash:
Lamia...!
Be careful, Master!

Kiyohime:
My, they're snake monsters.
How hideous.

Kiyohime:
...Wait, you and I both have a similar appearance.
Then the hideous thing here is–

Kiyohime:
Your nature as a mere beast.
Perhaps it's because you only care about your appetite...

--BATTLE--:

Kiyohime:
...Ahem!
Master, would you mind averting your eyes?

Kiyohime:
You see, I'm not used to being looked at.
Thank you so much.

Kiyohime:
Oh, my! Such a large cavern...
It's so mystical.

Mash:
...A cavern like this seems like the best place for a dragon to keep its treasure in...

Mash:
But obviously there's no dragon here.
Yet, I do sense something.

Mash:
Master, be careful.

Kiyohime:
It's exactly as Mash says.
Please stay behind me.

Kiyohime:
Do not fret. No matter what sort of monster it may be, I shall protect you.

???:
–I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Excuse me, my dear self. May I ask you a question?

Kiyohime:
Wha...

Kiyohime (?):
Do you really think you're qualified to be a Servant?

Kiyohime (?):
You who killed the man you loved out of hate, spite, and fury? Can you really swear to protect your next Master?

Kiyohime:
You're...me?

Kiyohime (?):
Impossible! Utterly impossible!
Because you are just a lowly beast.

Kiyohime (?):
Quit showing your pretty self, and expose your hideous form. If you think you'll be loved then, you're kidding yourself.

Kiyohime (?):
Does a soldier show the one he loves what he's like when he cruelly slaughters on the battlefield?

Kiyohime (?):
People express their love by hiding something.
But in your case, it is deception–

Kiyohime (?):
By deceiving, don't you think you are forcing a human to love a beast?

Kiyohime (?):
It's true, is it not? You, even after revealing your true identity, shamelessly–

Kiyohime (?):
You pursued him!

Kiyohime:
No... I never... Did...

Kiyohime (?):
Now then, Master.
You must discard this creature.

Kiyohime (?):
Someday, this woman will reveal her true self over some petty lie, and sink her fangs into your neck.

Kiyohime (?):
It is much more sensible to reject that woman.


Fujimaru 1:
Never!


Fujimaru 2:
I refuse to.


Kiyohime:
Master...

Kiyohime (?):
I see. You are very kind.
Just like that Anchin was.

Kiyohime (?):
But can you look upon Kiyohime's miserable, hideous form and still say that–Why don't you try?

Mash:
Master, stand back!

Kiyohime:
...Master ...I will protect you!
That's the truth, it's not a lie!


Fujimaru 1:
I trust you.


Fujimaru 2:
I know.


Kiyohime:
...Thank you!
Here I come, impostor–!

--BATTLE--:

Kiyohime (?):
–Hmph! You will regret it someday.
These are my own words, so you know it's the truth.

Kiyohime:
...Whew.
Master, may I ask you one question?

Kiyohime:
...Please, I beg of you. Do not lie about this.
Master–Am I, hideous?


Fujimaru 1:
Not at all.


Fujimaru 2:
Not one bit.


Kiyohime:
What?
But, I mean... When I transform...

Kiyohime:
I transform into a hideous dragon.
I thought it might be a hideous sight...


Fujimaru 1:
It's so reliable.


Fujimaru 2:
It's so cool.


Kiyohime:
–My, how cruel!
You certainly are not lying...

Kiyohime:
Ah...ha, ahahahahaha!
Me? Reliable and cool?

Kiyohime:
Those are not words of praise for a maiden!
You are such a cruel Master!

Kiyohime:
But, I'm fine with it.
I can't stand a lie–

Kiyohime:
But the words of that imposter, I will turn them into lies.

Kiyohime:
A girl–who accepted no lies and burned her love with crimson flame. I will show you just how determined that girl can be.