Tomoe Gozen
My Heart Shall Never Forget That Rising Sun
Mash:
Okay, that's all for today's simulator training.
Great work, everyone!
Tomoe Gozen:
And to you, Lady Mash.
Tomoe Gozen:
That goes for all of you as well.
You all worked very hard today.
Jack:
Hehe. So we did good?
Nursery Rhyme:
Oh yes, very good. I could see how hard you were working right from beginning to end.
Jeanne Alter Santa Lily:
Well of course. My mentor always said that a job done right is its own reward!
Jeanne Alter Santa Lily:
Anyway, now that we're done here, it's time for snacks, right? Then let's go to the cafeteria!
Tomoe Gozen:
Good idea. But aren't you forgetting something?
Tomoe Gozen:
What is it that Lady Nightingale always tells you to do after getting back from a simulation or Rayshift?
Jack:
Huh?
Jeanne Alter Santa Lily:
Um...
Tomoe Gozen:
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Go on, let me hear you say it!
Jack & Lily:
Wash our hands! With soap and water!
Nursery Rhyme:
Oh yes, washing your hands is very important!
Nursery Rhyme:
Uncle Emiya and Boudica would be very cross with us if we picked up a doughnut with dirty hands.
Tomoe Gozen:
Yes, I'm sure they would. So make sure you wash properly, and don't forget to scrub under your fingernails, okay?
Children:
'Kaaay.
Tomoe Gozen:
Very good. All right then, off to the washroom.
No dawdling.
Children:
'Kaaay!
Mash:
I'm impressed, Tomoe. There aren't many Heroic Spirits who are so good with children, not even in Chaldea.
Mash:
Do you have some sort of trick or technique?
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh no, it's nothing special.
I'm just used to dealing with children.
Tomoe Gozen:
Besides, the little ones here are so well-behaved that it's really no trouble at all.
Tomoe Gozen:
Even when they were playing around in the simulator, they never failed to respond to Master's commands.
Tomoe Gozen:
I hope you'll tell them what a wonderful job they did, Master.
Fujimaru 1:
You're right, I should.
Fujimaru 2:
You first, Tomoe. Thanks for all your help.
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh, no, I didn't mean me. I meant–
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh, right. You did say “first,” didn't you?
Thank you, Master. That's very kind of you.
Mash:
Okay, I'm going to sort through all this training data and go report it to Da Vinci.
Mash:
Please feel free to take the rest of the day off, Senpai.
Mash:
You've been training nonstop since the morning, and it's just as important to rest as it is to work hard.
Mash:
You could go relax in your room, or play something in the rec room... Whatever you'd like to do to relax.
Fujimaru 1:
Make sure you don't go burning yourself out either, Mash.
Mash:
Thank you, Senpai.
Fujimaru 2:
Okay then, let's meet up in the cafeteria once you're done.
Mash:
Are you sure? I won't be done until the evening...
Mash:
Oh! I didn't realize you were inviting me to dinner at first. Sounds good!
Mash:
All right then, see you later!
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
...Hmm.
Tomoe Gozen:
...Hmm, hmm!
Tomoe Gozen:
Now I get it!
Tomoe Gozen:
Master, Master. I hope I'm not being rude, but I couldn't help but notice how well you and Lady Mash get along.
Tomoe Gozen:
I think it's just wonderful.
It warms my heart to see it.
Tomoe Gozen:
So, um...on a related note, Master...
Tomoe Gozen:
I realize it is very improper of me to ask this of someone so young...
Tomoe Gozen:
...but, um, I couldn't help but wonder how many you left behind in your hometown?
Fujimaru 1:
How many what?
Tomoe Gozen:
W-well...um...
Tomoe Gozen:
I speak of...s-suitors.
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh, but of course, I know very little of modern customs, so I won't be so crass as to ask if you are yet wed!
Tomoe Gozen:
At any rate, what is your answer? Naturally, you are still young, so I know there is every possibility that you have not yet had such experiences.
Tomoe Gozen:
But I have also heard from Lord Zhuge Liang that it is not uncommon for today's young people to engage in courtships at an early age, so I thought that you might be one of them.
Tomoe Gozen:
S-s-so how about it? Is there anyone, um,
special you left behind in your hometown?
Tomoe Gozen:
O-or are you still pure and unsullied?
Fujimaru 1:
“Unsullied,” huh?
Fujimaru 2:
What do you mean by “unsullied”?
Tomoe Gozen:
O-oh, w-well, I-I just meant, um...
Tomoe Gozen:
I-I certainly have no intention of prying, but after seeing Lady Mash serve you so devotedly, well...
Tomoe Gozen:
...I simply couldn't help but wonder how it is she thinks of you.
Tomoe Gozen:
After all, Master, while you are essentially a general leading the charge in the battle for humanity, you were by no means born and raised in Chaldea.
Tomoe Gozen:
As such, I figured it was well within the realm of possibility that you might have family, friends, or suitors back in your homeland.
Fujimaru 1:
“Suitors”?
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh, right. Nowadays, I believe they are called, um, “lovers”?
Fujimaru 2:
By “suitors,” I assume you mean “lovers”?
Tomoe Gozen:
Y-yes, that's right.
I believe that is what they are called nowadays...
Fujimaru 1:
Nope. No way. No how. Nuh-uh. Negative.
Fujimaru 2:
Of course not!
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh!
Tomoe Gozen:
You're so skilled at commanding so many different Heroic Spirits that I was sure you must have a suitor or three waiting for you back home...
Tomoe Gozen:
But I suppose you really are too young for this sort of discussion after all!
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh gosh, oh gosh!
I-I-I'm so terribly sorry, Master!
Tomoe Gozen:
I should have known you would be more conscientious than that! Please forgive me for ever thinking otherwise!
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
...U-um, could I ask you one last thing just to make perfectly sure, Master?
Tomoe Gozen:
You, um, wouldn't happen to have any children back home, would you?
Fujimaru 1:
Definitely not.
Fujimaru 2:
Can't say I do, no.
Tomoe Gozen:
Right. Of course...
Tomoe Gozen:
It's just that, you get along with the childlike Heroic Spirits so well that I thought you might have had prior experience raising one... And since you are a general from modern times, I didn't think it was outside the realm of possibility.
Tomoe Gozen:
But I see now that I was being very foolish.
I hope you can forgive me...
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Fujimaru 1:
Hang on. Is this because you wanted to talk to a parent?
Tomoe Gozen:
...Y-yes, that's right.
Fujimaru 2:
I'm pretty sure there're some Heroic Spirits here who've been parents.
Tomoe Gozen:
...Yes, that's true.
Tomoe Gozen:
I've already learned a great deal from my discussions with Lord Tajima and Lady Marie.
Tomoe Gozen:
We may all be from different times and places, but thanks to them...
Tomoe Gozen:
...I know now that there are fleeting, precious things in this world that remain the same in any age.
Tomoe Gozen:
Which is exactly why I...
Tomoe Gozen:
I wanted to talk to someone who is raising a child right now. Not that I expect I could be of any help to them...
Tomoe Gozen:
I just...wanted to ask them something.
Tomoe Gozen:
Even a single question would have been enough...
Tomoe Gozen:
But no, I could never make such a selfish demand. Especially given the circumstances we are all facing at the moment.
Tomoe Gozen:
All right, Master, I will see you tomorrow. Please feel free to call on me if you wish to do any more training or tactical planning!
Tomoe Gozen:
As always, I, Tomoe Gozen, will be there to aid you.
Fujimaru 1:
Hold up.
Fujimaru 2:
Actually, I was hoping we could talk a little more.
Tomoe Gozen:
O-oh?
Fujimaru 1:
I was hoping you could tell me about your family, Tomoe.
Fujimaru 2:
This seems like a good chance for you to finally tell me about your family.
Tomoe Gozen:
.........All right.
Tomoe Gozen:
Please watch your step, Master.
Tomoe Gozen:
We may only be in the simulator, but it is still all too easy to lose one's footing in the forest at night.
Tomoe Gozen:
Although the injuries we suffer here may go away once we return to reality, a Heroic Spirit still could never bear it if they were to let their Master come to harm.
Tomoe Gozen:
Here, this way.
Tomoe Gozen:
Will this area suffice?
Tomoe Gozen:
Thank you, Master. You are too kind to come all this way just to listen to me talk about myself.
Fujimaru 1:
Don't worry about it. I just thought this would be easier for you.
Fujimaru 2:
I just figured it'd be better to get away from the prying ears in the Command Room.
Tomoe Gozen:
...Very true.
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
Let's see, how much did I tell you about my family before...
Tomoe Gozen:
Well, I am Lord Yoshinaka's–
Tomoe Gozen:
...I am the daughter of Nakahara-no-Kanetoh, foster-father of Kiso Yoshinaka. As such, I knew Lord Yoshinaka from youth.
Tomoe Gozen:
I remember he and I got along far better than I ever did with my brothers, Kanemitsu and Kanehira.
Tomoe Gozen:
Well, I suppose I should say half brothers,
as we had different mothers.
Tomoe Gozen:
Now that I think of it, my mother's blood in my veins is most likely where my oni power comes from.
Tomoe Gozen:
Though I've also heard that some modern-day legends claim I was born when my mother was impregnated by the power of the dragon god residing in the Tomoe River's deep waters .
Tomoe Gozen:
Whichever it was, perhaps that is the reason why I never spent much time with my brothers.
Tomoe Gozen:
Instead, I spent most of my time in the Kiso Valley with Lord Komaoumaru–Lord Yoshinaka that is.
Fujimaru 1:
So you and Yoshinaka were friends ever since childhood.
Fujimaru 2:
So you were together pretty much your whole lives then.
Tomoe Gozen:
Yes, we were.
Tomoe Gozen:
Even when I became more onilike, and these monstrous horns started to poke out of my forehead...
Tomoe Gozen:
...Lord Yoshinaka was the only one who never batted an eye at it. All he did was tell me:
Tomoe Gozen:
“Now I see. So that is where your Monstrous Strength comes from. Then there is no need to hang your head in shame.”
Tomoe Gozen:
“You should be proud. With strength like that, you are more than worthy of being my right-hand woman.”
Tomoe Gozen:
...Right before he tipped his head back and gave a delightful, boisterous laugh.
Tomoe Gozen:
Now, let's see... This next story takes place after I had become one of Lord Yoshinaka's wives.
Tomoe Gozen:
There was a woman I talked to shortly before the Battle of Kurikara...
Yamabuki Gozen:
(Sigh) Oh, Lady Tomoe.
How can you be both so strong and so weak?
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
Am I...truly helping Lord Yoshinaka?
Tomoe Gozen:
As an archer, I cannot hold a candle to my brothers, the Kiso Elite Four. As a woman, you and Lady Fuyuhime are far more beautiful than I could ever hope to be...
Tomoe Gozen:
And as his wife, I have not yet even been able to provide him with a child...
Tomoe Gozen:
On top of all that, these protruding horns serve as a constant reminder of my inhuman nature...
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
So I cannot help but wonder if I will ever be able to accompany Lord Yoshinaka to the destination he seeks...
Yamabuki Gozen:
Come now, our dear Tomoe, you should know better than that. Don't let those horns stop you from holding your head high.
Yamabuki Gozen:
Both Lady Fuyuhime and I have every confidence in you. And need I remind you that I too have known you since we were both children, just as Lord Yoshinaka has?
Yamabuki Gozen:
We are all Lord Yoshinaka's wives. Ordinarily, that would likely mean we would be competing amongst ourselves for his favor.
Yamabuki Gozen:
And truth be told, Lady Fuyuhime and I dislike each other a great deal as a result of that.
Yamabuki Gozen:
But you, Tomoe...our dear Tomoe... You are different.
Yamabuki Gozen:
You are the only one of us who can fight. The only one who can stand by Lord Yoshinaka's side even on the battlefield.
Yamabuki Gozen:
While the rest of us can do little more than pray for his safe return, you have the power to actually protect him.
Yamabuki Gozen:
And what could be more fortunate than that?
Yamabuki Gozen:
So we are all counting on you to help Lord Yoshinaka in ways that we simply cannot.
Yamabuki Gozen:
No ordinary wife or concubine can be of help out on the field of battle, but you can be by Lord Yoshinaka's side wherever he goes.
Yamabuki Gozen:
As for your oni horns, so what!? Once you put on a matching headband, no other soldier will so much as look twice!
Tomoe Gozen:
Lady Yamabuki...!
Tomoe Gozen:
I... I had no idea you felt that way about me...
Tomoe Gozen:
...All right. I've made up my mind.
Tomoe Gozen:
I swear to you here and now that I will fight by Lord Yoshinaka's side on behalf of every woman who loves him!
Tomoe Gozen:
And should the worst come to pass, and he meets his end on the battlefield, I am prepared to be with him in his final moments on all of your behalfs as well!
Yamabuki Gozen:
...Tomoe.
Tomoe Gozen:
Yes!?
Yamabuki Gozen:
Don't you know better than to think about losing a battle before it's even begun!?
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh, r-right! I'm sorry!
Tomoe Gozen:
...We ended up winning the Battle of Kurikara by an overwhelming degree.
Tomoe Gozen:
Lord Yoshinaka fought magnificently against the Taira clan's massive army, and led us right into the city of Kyoto.
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
But unfortunately, things do not always go as planned. Once Lord Yoshinaka had finally gained the position of Seii-Taishogun...
Tomoe Gozen:
...he lost his life soon after when Minamoto-no-Yoritomo ordered Minamoto-no-Noriyori and Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune to kill him.
Tomoe Gozen:
And, I... I...
Fujimaru 1:
You weren't able to be there for him in his final moments.
Tomoe Gozen:
No... I wasn't.
Fujimaru 2:
...
Tomoe Gozen:
...I was unable to be there for him in his final moments.
Tomoe Gozen:
I failed to keep the promise I had made to Lady Yamabuki.
Tomoe Gozen:
Before his death...Lord Yoshinaka told me to live.
To carry on no matter what.
Tomoe Gozen:
I only learned that there was a deeper meaning to his words later, when I discovered I was pregnant with his child.
Fujimaru 1:
You mean...
Fujimaru 2:
Asahina Saburou Yoshihide?
Tomoe Gozen:
Yes. That was Yoshihide.
Tomoe Gozen:
Though I pretended I had had him with Lord Wada Yoshimori, I never had any doubt that he was actually Lord Yoshinaka's son.
Tomoe Gozen:
...Shortly after Yoshihide was born, I decided to raise him as a normal woman. And I did.
Tomoe Gozen:
By then, my oni horns had vanished from my forehead, and there was no sign left that I was anything other than human.
Tomoe Gozen:
Once Yoshihide was all grown up, I prayed for Lord Yoshinaka's soul to rest in peace and lived out the rest of my life as a normal human.
Tomoe Gozen:
Obviously, I had no idea about this until I became a Heroic Spirit, but I am told that even my corpse appeared to be perfectly ordinary.
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
You know, I always thought that I had lived my life by suppressing my oni urges, but now, I am not so sure.
Tomoe Gozen:
If I had been there for Lord Yoshinaka's final moments...
Tomoe Gozen:
...my grief and rage may well have ended up turning me into a true oni, one more apt to devour my son than raise him.
Tomoe Gozen:
And if that's true...that would mean Lord Yoshinaka saved me in more ways than one.
Tomoe Gozen:
Wait. What am I doing!?
Tomoe Gozen:
O-oh gosh, I'm so sorry, Master. I didn't mean to go on and on about Lord Yoshinaka like that!
Tomoe Gozen:
How strange... I had every intention of telling you about my family–especially Yoshihide!
Tomoe Gozen:
How strange... Where did I go wrong?
Tomoe Gozen:
D-does this mean I can't even mention Lord Yoshinaka without getting completely sidetracked!?
Tomoe Gozen:
U-um, perhaps I should start over at the beginning...
Tomoe Gozen:
But no, wait. Even back then, I was still good friends with Lord Komaoumaru, so–
Fujimaru 1:
It's okay. I got it.
Tomoe Gozen:
A-are you sure?
Fujimaru 2:
You still love Yoshinaka and Yoshihide even now, don't you?
Tomoe Gozen:
I...
Tomoe Gozen:
Yes! Yes, of course I do!
Tomoe Gozen:
Ahh, Master. [♂ Lord /♀️ Lady} Fujimaru. I wish Lord Yoshinaka and Yoshihide had had a chance to meet you.
Tomoe Gozen:
If they had...I am certain you would all become as close as family yourselves.
Tomoe Gozen:
After all–
Tomoe Gozen:
What's going on?
F：Da Vinci:
Hey guys! Sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid I've got some bad news!
F：Da Vinci:
The idiot who was supposed to be monitoring the simulator decided to run a virus scan even though you guys were in there, and now it thinks you're malware that needs to be deleted!
F：Da Vinci:
And it's decided to do that by sending some exceptionally powerful monsters your way. They're sort of functioning as antivirus software.
F：Da Vinci:
We'll try to shut them down as soon as we can, but I'm afraid you'll have to hold out on your own in the meantime!
G：Da Vinci:
Hey guys! Sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid I've got some bad news!
G：Da Vinci:
The idiot who was supposed to be monitoring the simulator decided to run a virus scan even though you guys were in there, and now it thinks you're malware that needs to be deleted!
G：Da Vinci:
And it's decided to do that by sending some exceptionally powerful monsters your way. They're sort of functioning as antivirus software.
G：Da Vinci:
We'll try to shut them down as soon as we can, but I'm afraid you'll have to hold out on your own in the meantime!
Fujimaru 1:
Wow, I can't remember the last time we had a human error like this!
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh gosh, oh gosh. I guess there really is no such thing as a perfect system...
Fujimaru 2:
Don't worry, we'll figure something out.
Tomoe Gozen:
Right you are, Master.
Tomoe Gozen:
Very well then. However long it takes to resolve this situation, be it half a day or a full twenty-four hours...
Tomoe Gozen:
...I, Tomoe Gozen, shall see that no harm befalls my Master whatsoever!
Tomoe Gozen:
Have at you, foul beasts!
--BATTLE--:
Tomoe Gozen:
There!
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
...I don't see any more enemies. There certainly were a lot of them, but it would seem that was the last of them.
Fujimaru 1:
Looks that way. Nice job.
Fujimaru 2:
You did great, Tomoe.
Tomoe Gozen:
...I do not deserve your kind words, Master. You would never have been in danger if I hadn't asked you to come here.
Tomoe Gozen:
For that, I am terribly sorry.
Still, now that all is said and done...
Tomoe Gozen:
I think...I do feel a little better!
Tomoe Gozen:
Thank you so much for listening to me, my new Master.
Tomoe Gozen:
I... Strictly speaking, I am not actually Tomoe Gozen.
I am simply a shadow of her cast by humanity.
Tomoe Gozen:
Even this body you see here now is from the time when she spent her days on the battlefield.
Tomoe Gozen:
While I do still have precious memories of the life she lived, my duty now is to keep you safe.
Tomoe Gozen:
There is nothing more important to me now than ensuring you are able to live out your days in health and peace!
Tomoe Gozen:
As such, I doubt there is anything to be gained from looking back at my past like this, so...please, just forget this whole thing ever happened.
Tomoe Gozen:
From here on, I promise I will do my very best to never subject you to this shameful side of me again!
Fujimaru 1:
Not at all. I'm glad you told me about this.
Tomoe Gozen:
...Thank you, Master.
Fujimaru 2:
...So what were you gonna say before we were interrupted?
Tomoe Gozen:
Oh, yes. Well, um, after all...
Tomoe Gozen:
...
...
Tomoe Gozen:
...After all, you also fight for something bigger than yourself.
Tomoe Gozen:
And in that sense...I see a great many similarities between you and Lord Yoshinaka.
Tomoe Gozen:
I truly believe you have the same inner spark as he did. One that shines with the same light and promise as the rays of the morning sun.
Fujimaru 1:
The morning sun, huh...?
Tomoe Gozen:
Absolutely!
Fujimaru 2:
I think you might be giving me way too much credit.
Tomoe Gozen:
Not at all, Master! I assure you, I meant every word!
Mash:
There you are!
Mash:
Thank goodness you two are all right!
We finally managed to shut down the virus scan!
Tomoe Gozen:
Thank you, Lady Mash!
Tomoe Gozen:
Not to worry, [♂ Lord /♀️ Lady} Fujimaru is safe and sound!
Tomoe Gozen:
Wait right there!
I shall bring [♂ him /♀️ her} back in no time at all!