Fates Supports/Saizo Hinoka

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C Support

Hinoka: Who's there? Show yourself!

Saizo: I'm impressed, Lady Hinoka. For all my stealth, you detected me almost immediately.

Hinoka: I thought it might be you. You have a very distinctive presence.

Saizo: I could say the same for you, Lady Hinoka.

Hinoka: Hahah...we've known each other so long, and you've never changed in all that time. So, what's got you skulking around at this hour?

Saizo: Lord Ryoma entrusted me with a secret letter. I have instructions to deliver it to you at this specific time.

Hinoka: Ryoma sent this? What's it about?

Saizo: I don't know. It's not my place to read his mail.

Hinoka: All right. I'll give it a look, then. ... What the...? Hmm, OK.

Saizo: ...

Hinoka: Thanks for delivering this letter. You've done well, Saizo.

Saizo: Thank you. I must return to my master now.

Hinoka: So soon? Aren't you curious about what was in the letter?

Saizo: No. My part in this is done. Farewell, Lady Hinoka.

(Saizo leaves)

Hinoka: Hmm...

B Support

Saizo: Greetings, Lady Hinoka.

Hinoka: Ah, Saizo. Do you have another letter from my brother?

Saizo: Indeed. Here it is.

Hinoka: Ah... ... I see...

Saizo: ...

Hinoka: Hmm...understood.

Saizo: Farewell, then.

Hinoka: Saizo...do you really not care what the letter was about?

Saizo: Not in the least. I do not presume to make Lord Ryoma's business mine. If I had orders from Lord Ryoma, I would read it. But I don't.

Hinoka: I suppose. But you've served my brother, and the whole royal family, for a long time. If it was me, I'd be miffed at not getting to know what these exchanges were about.

Saizo: We see things differently, then. ... Lady Hinoka... The way you talk seems almost as if you're eager to reveal the letter's contents to me.

Hinoka: N-no. I'm not...

Saizo: Understood. My apologies.

Hinoka: Anyway... I've written up a response. Please see that Ryoma gets it at the specified time.

Saizo: I will ensure that Lord Ryoma gets it, even at the cost of my life.

(Saizo leaves)

Hinoka: *sigh* Saizo...

A Support

Hinoka: Saizo... I have to apologize.

Saizo: For what, Lady Hinoka?

Hinoka: For using you as a messenger between my brother and I. But there was a reason for it. The truth is...one of the Hoshidan nobles told Ryoma something alarming. He accused you of passing information to the enemy, Saizo.

Saizo: What?!

Hinoka: In the end, it was revealed as a hoax the noble concocted to sow distrust. He was a traitor, with plans to overthrow the royal family. I never liked the man. He should be in a cold, dark place by now.

Saizo: I...I see...

Hinoka: Ryoma came up with the idea of having you deliver those letters as a test.

Saizo: Lord Ryoma was testing me?!

Hinoka: Don't blame him for it. We can't ignore accusations like that, however unlikely. We had to do something to get to the bottom of it. There were several nobles on the war council suspicious of you, not just one.

Saizo: I see...

Hinoka: But you must know that Ryoma and I were absolutely convinced of your innocence.

Saizo: And that's why you kept asking if I had read the letters? To confirm my loyalty?

Hinoka: Basically, yes.

Saizo: In that case, I am truly sorry. I have wasted your and Lord Ryoma's precious time.

Hinoka: It's not you who needs to apologize. The whole business with the letters was pointless, political pageantry. We're the ones who should say we're sorry for putting you through it.

Saizo: Don't be ashamed, Lady Hinoka. Tell me: If I had broken the seal on the letter, what would you have done?

Hinoka: I'd probably have cut you down where you stood.

Saizo: Just what I'd have done if I were in your shoes. I believe that you and Lord Ryoma made the right choice. Far from being upset, I'm proud, knowing that I've proven my loyalty beyond a doubt.

Hinoka: Hoshido is blessed to have loyal retainers like you, Saizo. We are grateful for your continued service.

Saizo: Thank you for the kind words, Lady Hinoka.

S Support

Saizo: Lady Hinoka, do you have a moment?

Hinoka: Saizo...I'm very sorry about the other day. I can hardly look at you without feeling ashamed for what we did.

Saizo: You have a big heart, Lady Hinoka.

Hinoka: Huh?

Saizo: Several times when I carried letters, you asked if I was curious about their contents. Was that your way of hinting to me that I was under suspicion?

Hinoka: Yes...I couldn't tell you outright, but I tried to warn you.

Saizo: You didn't need to extend that courtesy to someone under suspicion. But...that act of kindness was what I fell in love with.

Hinoka: Wh-what?! Love?!

Saizo: Yes. I'm sorry to spring this on you. And I understand your surprise. But I came here because it needed saying. Granted, I can't be with you. We are worlds apart, socially. Even telling you of my feelings is dangerous for a man in my position. Despite this, I needed you to know. Forgive me, Lady Hinoka.

Hinoka: Saizo... I can't forgive you if you've done nothing wrong. I love you too.

Saizo: Wh—?!

Hinoka: I fell for you when I saw the depth of your loyalty to Ryoma. I know that Ryoma is your master and therefore your highest priority. But I hope one day I can worm my way into your heart and take his place.

Saizo: Lady Hinoka...I am very moved by this. Nothing has ever stirred such emotion in me as what you just said. If you will have me, I vow to place you above all else in my heart.

Hinoka: Thank you, Saizo. But it's all right if my brother stays your top priority until the war ends. Right now, we both need to look after him, for our country's sake.

Saizo: Agreed!

Hinoka: Let's help Ryoma lead the world to peace so we can get there all the sooner.

Saizo: No duty could be more welcome.