One More Reason

["Raijin-7 rocket engine test firing number 43! Firing in five minutes! Clear the test area! I repeat, clear the test area!"]

At an artificial islet just off the coast of the imperial capital of Hitachi, the test site of the most advanced rocket engines was preparing for the last test before it is approved to be used in the space program.

"Oho! Even from afar, it really is enormous!"

"Will it finally be finished now?"

From his palace, the imperial family as well as the shogun's family bore witness to the last test firing of the rocket on the test site that will also act as the launch site of the spaceship in the near future courtesy of the newly established Imperial Academy of Space and Aeronautics.

The reason for Hitachi being chosen wasn't simply to show off the megaproject to everyone but because of its geographical features where most of it are surrounded by water which can absorb explosions in case of a failed launch as well as the fact that it was of equal distance between the five prefectures that are major members of the project.

First, there was Shinka prefecture that lent their enormous metal production capabilities to the construction of the spaceship and satellite hulls. It was said that this extended the remaining contracts of Shinka-based metal factories to produce steel, copper and many other metals that was used in production of war implements before and are now being used for the spaceship.

Second, there was Hashidate prefecture that lent their economic power and influence to the project, opening their myriad of connections to secure material, manpower and transportation capabilities to the project. They even led the conversion of the islet off the coast of Hitachi from a lighthouse to the headquarters and launch site of the space project.

Third, there was the Shogunate capital province of Yamato that led the creation of the interior of the spaceship. Taking inspiration from both the old and new spaceship interiors that they know of, Shogun Sora and both Furutani Garou and Azusagawa Maya designed the interior to make best use of the very limited space that it has. 

In the end, they said that they're tempted to make an amusement park around the idea of living in space due to the novelty of their design, much to the chagrin of Hiroshi who immediately told them to "stop playing around". Nevertheless, he found their design to be excellent and approved for its integration with the spaceship.

Fourth, there was Mizuki prefecture that harnessed all of its resources and manpower to produce a state-of-the-art computer for the space mission. This computer, adorably named by Rin as "Mirai" from her favorite anime in the old world as "Magical Mirai", was a true work of art. With 32 gigabytes of RAM, 24 terabytes of storage utilizing solid state drives and powered by a CPU that can process 724 million computations per second, it was a juggernaut computer that miraculously can fit inside a randoseru-sized box and weighs just shy of 10 kilograms. 

(T/N: Randoseru is the backpack used by elementary schoolers in Japan, usually of bright colors to make the little ones visible amongst the crowd.)

The fabrication process for the entire thing was all done by Rin's AI that has been named for convenience's sake as Chitosedori or Dori for short, a name that meant a 1000-year-old crane. This computer unit was said by Dori to be just a bit lower than its own and is so painstakingly complex and sensitive that a speck of dust inside the circuit board or a strand of hair that can short-circuit two electrical terminals would render it useless. Because of this, it insisted to have the entire production process be made exclusively by itself to minimize errors and contaminants. Additionally, it was only able to make 3 of these computers due to a lack of readily available pure silicon for the microprocessors, one for the spaceship, one for the satellite and one to be left in earth to power mission control.

Lastly, there was Kiko prefecture that handled the production of the rocket engines and heat-resistant materials for the spaceship. Being the beating heart of the nation's most advanced industries, no effort, funding or brilliance was wasted on every part of the fabrication and production of the engine and the parts. In the 8 months since the mission was green-lit, 7 iterations of the rocket engines were created for the "Raijin" program, culminating to the creation of the Raijin-7 engines that at full power, showed its monstrous strength to the onlooking audience in its last test firing.

Inside the control building, the technicians all looked attentively on their panels, monitoring the engines that are steadily climbing onto their most powerful output.

"Thrust climbing at 10 million newtons… 12 million newtons… 16 million… 20 million and still climbing!"

"Engine output now past the halfway mark! Requesting permission to throttle to full power."

"Permission granted!"

"Aye-aye! Full output engaged!"

"Thrust climbing past 30 million newtons!"

"Engine health?"

"A-okay, sir! No temperature variance and vibration is within negligible range."

At the imperial palace and the bay walk of Hitachi province, the test firing caught everyone's attention regardless of whether they want to or not.

*GYAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH---!!!*

"KYAAAAA---!!!"

"W-W-WOAH!!!"

"W-Waaah! O-Okaa-sama!!!"

Even from 10 kilometers away, the shockwave of the test firing as well as the deafening roar of the rocket engine made the onlookers to be afraid of the sight. However, for a few among the audience, their hearts were beating faster in excitement of what is happening.

"Huhahaha!!! Let's go-!!!"

"B-By the gods! S-such power-!!!"

"Heh! You really outdid yourself this time, Hiroshi!"

After 240 seconds of continuous full output, the rocket engine was slowly powered down until it finished its final test. 

"Ladies and gentlemen… We've done it!"

"Woohoo!"

"Alright!!!"

At the main monitor of the control room, the following were displayed:

[Maximum thrust achieved: 40 million Newtons]

[Launch: Green-lit]

By the early evening, the bulletin boards and television news shows all carried the same message:

["Lift off imminent!!! The first space mission is soon to happen!"]

By the late summer when the monsoon rains have been predicted to calm down, the pieces of the spaceship finally met at the launch site at the bay area of Hitachi province.

The spaceship and satellite hull from Shinka, the interior of the spaceship from Yamato, the computers from Mizuki, the 36 Raijin-7 engines that was returned to Kiko to be assembled into their bunches and all of these were being carried by specially made cargo ships of the newly established Edogawa Marine Transportation Company.

Only a year after the meeting where he set it as the goal for everyone, the space mission is now beginning to amalgamate into its final step.

"This decision is final… I will do this alone."

However, a new problem arose not on the side of the project but in the people that partake in it.

"H-hold on, Iwasawa-sama! We still need-"

"In case I can't return, you can either decide to continue having Chiyo to lead you or return the power to the Akizuki clan. Legally speaking, Chiyo is now part of Clan Iwasawa and has the right to inherit my position, if that isn't possible, you can either have Minori or Hisako back on-"

*PYAK-!*

A sharp slap hit Hiroshi's face and made him fall to the floor.

"You… YOU IDIOT!!!"

"…"

"For how long… how long are you going to insist on doing this and hurting all of us?!!"

The one that hit him was no other than Kusanagi Kyoko, the lord of Shinka and one of his closest friend, ally… and for some time, admirer.

"K-Kusanagi-sama… Please calm-"

"Silence, Mitsuhide! Don't pretend that you're not affected by his lunacy too!"

From her hip, she took out katana from its sheath, shocking everyone in the room.

"K-Kusanagi-sama!"

"Lord Kusanagi! I implore you to put that weapon back!"

"SILENCE!!! I will have none of your drivel! Draw your weapon, Hiroshi! Show me your mettle!"

Despite her challenge, Hiroshi simply stood up and raised his hands in a display of giving up.

"Y-You! You dare disrespect me!?"

"…"

"Have it your way then! Prepare to die!!!"

"AAAHHH!!!"

"Kusanagi-dono!"

"D-Don't shoot!!!"

As soon as Kyoko leapt to strike Hiroshi down, the entire room became embroiled in chaos as Nobisuke ordered his soldiers to not shoot Kyoko and Mitsuhide threw herself towards her master to try and stop her attack.

"Kuh-!"

"…What's wrong, Kyoko?"

"Kih!"

"If it will please you… then strike me down."

However, she stopped just skin-deep from eviscerating Hiroshi's head from his neck. Her sword, the very same blade that Hiroshi once gifted her as a birthday gift, was now stained by his blood that faintly trickled from the shallow cut.

"You… You knew that I can't… then why… Hik-! Why do you still insist to do this…?!"

"…I don't know either. But somehow, I feel that nothing matters anymore."

Although it was buried from the attention of everyone outside of those who were present there, the words that Hiroshi spoke clearly showed his mental state for those around him.

At the smoking area behind the stables of Naka castle, some soldiers who saw the incident between Hiroshi and Kyoko talked about it while spewing out cigarette smoke.

"What he said back there… "somehow, nothing matters anymore". I wonder why he still carries that pain in his heart and mind."

"…That is not something for us to wonder, rookie. We… we're just here to do our best to help our master."

"…Is that so, sir?"

Although the spaceship and all of its contents are already prepared, the final list of its crew is still non-existent. While there is a list of Otherworlders who are ready to set foot in the mission, all of it are being barred by Hiroshi who insists that he alone will perform it.

Unable to admit that the delay of the launch was all happening because of Hiroshi's obstinance, the statements given by news reports has been a myriad of reasons such as "impure methane fuel that didn't come premium from wagyu cows" or "birds pecking on the ship's hull after mistaking it for a tree".

In the end, the final launch date was set before autumn sets in and the weather changes, making the launch impossible to properly perform. Still, Hiroshi remains unmoved with his demand to be the sole member of the mission's crew.

"We have to stop him now, Sora… that kid is overstepping his bounds."

"Right. This is getting difficult for everyone. His subordinates cannot speak to him equally so we're asking you to do it for us."

"I understand… I'll try to talk him out of it tomorrow."

Upon the insistence of both his subordinates and friends, the Shogun met with Hiroshi during his morning walk by the imperial garden. 

"Still looking haggard? You seem to be unable to rest properly these days, Hiroshi."

"Between the two of us, I'm actually surprised that you're the one that can sleep properly given what you saw while we're in coma."

"Well… comfort comes with surrounding yourself with love and care. Even hell is silenced by the power of love, as the priest said during the last church service."

As the two are walking through the garden, they talked about things casually like close friends.

"Is that some kind of proverb? I see that you've quit being an unbeliever now after seeing the real deal with your own eyes."

"I never said that I didn't believe… it's more like that my belief was not that strong. And while yes, what I saw down there did convince me to cleave closer to my faith, what really convinced me to dedicate what little remains of this second chance that I got for the good of humanity is an epiphany that I had while watching you since back then."

"An epiphany from me? That sounds questionable."

"It's exactly because its questionable to you that it convinced me, Hiroshi."

Sora faced Hiroshi and told him something without any sense of reluctance.

"Back in the old world when I knew that my time was running out, I received an offer from Ephraim that I was tempted to accept."

"And… what did he offer to you?"

"A good dream, if I must call it as that."

Sora told him that Ephraim offered him a peaceful death where he can meet his wife again, live the life together that they missed and die together in warmth and bliss. To put it simply, Ephraim offered Sora a happy dream until he dies.

"By your tone, you seem to not have accepted it."

"Exactly. While I must admit, the offer was nice and his intentions was pure, somewhere in my heart, I knew that it isn't something that I should take."

"Why so?"

"Because I don't want to give up on reality."

Sora's answer struck Hiroshi and made him stop walking.

"…I've been looking for Chiasa for decades at that point and while everyone was telling me to give up, I only ever stopped when the world has become far too dangerous, and my body has degraded to such a weak state that I was stuck on a hospital bed. Yet, I didn't give up on believing that there will come a time when we will be reunited and can spend our days in love and bliss."

"…"

"You're not ignorant of the crimes that we committed in this new world as we believed that we should be the ones to shape the fate that this world will take. To this day, Haguro remains hostile to the Shogunate and a few other provinces has only been convinced to not turn on the Bakufu by their fear of breaking the unification of the country. Of those things, we have no excuse… and I know that somehow, I have to atone for those things one day."

"Then you should understand my reason for---"

"I don't Hiroshi. Not even close."

After being abruptly cut mid-sentence, Hiroshi was silenced by Sora's retort.

"Mourning and atoning for the things you have done, either intentionally or unintentionally, is something that you have to do without inconveniencing those around you. While it is difficult for you, it is much more difficult for everyone else."

"I didn't ask for anyone to share this burden, I can-"

"That's not how any of this works, Hiroshi. No true friend will leave you with your burdens when they know that you can't handle it."

"…"

Sora, seemingly satisfied with what came out of this conversation, walked forward, leaving Hiroshi with a few words.

"Your burdens are supposed to be solved, Hiroshi. Not coddled around so it can burden you more. At this point, you should look into freeing yourself from the monster that you're raising before it becomes big enough to swallow you whole."

Three days after that conversation, for the first time in three years, the dining chamber of Naka castle finally became complete upon the attendance of its long absent master.

"The eggplant omelet tastes good… was this the one that you made, Hisako-hime?"

"Ehehe! I'm glad you liked it, Shimura-san. I've been hard at work, trying to perfect that one."

"Don't just focus on the omelet now, Kurayama-san's Sukiyaki is exquisite as well… Mm! Did you change the recipe on this one?"

"Oh! I'm glad you noticed, Chiyo-sama. I did change the recipe by adding oyster sauce and caramelized onions to the marinade of the beef."

"Mmm! No wonder it tastes a bit sweeter and more supple."

"Thank you for the compliment, Himeji-sama."

"…Everyone…"

The entire table was enjoying the food and complimenting the cooking of those who volunteered to bring their dishes to the dinner table. Everything would've seemed normal until Hiroshi broke his silence which caused the others to cease talking.

"I want to ask you something before I make an announcement."

"What is your question, Kou-sama?"

"Was… Was I a good leader and friend to all of you before?"

His question made everyone a bit uneasy but they remained calm and answered their master.

"You were the best Daimyo that I have ever met, Iwasawa-sama. It is and will forever be my life's greatest honor to have served you as your subordinate and your friend whom you trusted all this time."

Nobisuke's answer was followed shortly by Kotori who didn't let herself be beat by the other.

"You are the only master that I would ever entrust my life, service and legacy for, Iwasawa-sama. My victories are your victories, and your words are my greatest treasures… As I have done before and will forever hold onto, I dedicate my life's work to you."

Everyone else followed, starting with Hisako who thanked him for taking care of her and letting her learn more about the world. She was followed by Minori (Kuro) who thanked him for trusting him with his life and giving him an opportunity to reunite with his sister. This all happened so on and so forth until there was only one person left to give her words.

"I… I have told you everything that I desire to say, Hiroshi. You are my soulmate, my most precious person and my greatest strength. It was because of you that I have continued on in life… both here and in the past."

"Chiyo-sama…"

"I know… I know that there is somehow still some pain and loss in your heart. So much so that you can't take to face us until you have resolved it. Even after all of this time, I am still willing to give you time and space to sort it out… but as I have reminded you again and again before, if ever it becomes too painful and unbearable, tell us so we can carry it with you."

"…"

"We all love you, Hiroshi. Tell us if you need us."

Moments after he received all of their replies, Hiroshi finally told them why he wanted to hear their words for him.

"I still insist to join the crew of the space mission. Save for the fact that it was basically designed by me, making me the principal designer who knows it from tip to toe, there is also that fact that I still have something to atone for that I know can only be done if I do this."

"Then at least let us join you, Iwasawa-sama!"

"We wish to stay beside you, master!"

"…There lies the reason why I don't want any of you to join me."

Hiroshi's reply to their wish to join him was met with a question from Nobisuke.

"What is that reason, Iwasawa-sama?"

"If something happens to me, I want you to continue running Kiko for me, as you have been doing for the past three years."

Just as he said those words, someone stood up and gave him a firm reply. It came from the one who seemed least likely to give out such a response.

"Unfortunately, Iwasawa-sama, that cannot happen."

"What do you mean by that, Tatsu-kun?"

"While it's true that we have run Kiko for the past three years by ourselves, it was largely done without a hitch by the existence of your influence with the public and your status as one of the great unifiers of Japan."

"…"

"If… and I sincerely wish that it will never come to pass, that you would end up dying during that trip to space, your death will also spell the impending doom of Kiko's stability and influence."

Tatsu's answer made everyone hold their breaths in fear of that possibility. While it was true that they trusted the brilliance of their master's creations as they have done for so long before, they also know from both the words of many Otherworlders, as well as the failed rocket launches that happened during the testing phases of the project, that a single mistake can end the life of the spaceship's crew.

"We implore you Iwasawa-sama… we already know that you will not give up on joining the crew of the mission and we will not stop you for that, the least that we ask is for you to have someone else together with you in the mission."

"Y-you know that I cannot do that, Nobisuke. If I bring someone else, I may never be able to forgive myself if they don't survive."

"Then we shall do everything that we can and fervently pray that nothing like that would ever happen."

Three days later, the launch was attempted again. Experts of many fields gathered in the mission control center's meeting room to look at all the information they have at hand. Taking the lead of the ground control was no other than Furutani Garou, who was given the job since he was a pilot and one with experience managing people. The familiar faces on the room were Azusagawa Maya, Mizuki Rin and Amanogawa Chiasa.

"The spaceship is ready, yes?"

"Yes, sir. We've filled the fuel and oxidizer tanks and the payload are all ready."

"Speaking of which, is the payload ready to be operational too?"

"Yes. Dori-kun has checked everything and said that once it is put into orbit, the codes it put on it would kick in and make it operational."

"Good… How about the life-support system of the ship?"

"We've put the hydrolysis machine for oxygen production and both internal and external spacesuits for the crew of five. We haven't loaded all the food and water yet since there is no set launch date for now."

Just as the launch date was mentioned, the doors of the room were gently opened by a member of the space agency who brought with him a thick roll of paper.

"Sir! The meteorological data from all weather stations are here! We've collated them into this sheet."

"Alright, spread it over the table for everyone to see."

Everyone looked at the records given by the weather stations placed all across the country. As it was late summer and autumnal equinox was approaching, the weather is becoming unpredictable. To add to that, once autumn fully sets in, they will miss the opportunity to make the launch easier and safer by using the earth's natural tilt during the summer solstice.

"Tch! It will be cloudy and rainy for the next following days…"

"Damn it...!"

"No shot, huh?"

The news that it would be cloudy and rainy until it was too late to launch devastated everyone in the room and later on, everyone that was told about it in the evening news.

{"Unfortunately, the weather wouldn't allow for a launch until autumn comes and it becomes a more complex and unsafe affair. We have requested for further answers by former shogunate general and currently, mission control director Furutani Garou, but he is yet to answer to our request… In other news---}

"Darn it! At this rate, it would be too late!"

"A-Are we going to be alright, darling?"

"Haah… of course we'll be alright. We have lord Iwasawa and the shogunate with us… but protecting us would be more difficult if they can't launch out soon."

The news that the launch cannot happen until the spring equinox next year brought worry for the civilians who knew too little about how exactly the satellite would help them but trusted the wisdom of their leaders that this is instrumental to their safety.

"W-Where is Iwasawa-sama?"

"He's… he's in his room, Chiyo-okugata-sama…"

That night in Naka castle, the common sight of Hiroshi joining his subordinates and family during dinner was once again broken as his seat was left empty.

"Chiyo-sama…"

"I know… For now, let's eat. It's bad to leave food to cool down. I'll make sure to teach that to Hiroshi later too."

Although he wasn't alone with not appearing for dinner, as those who have their own families have informed that they would like to have a meal together with their family for once, and those who are away on their duties cannot make it back in time, Hiroshi's absence bothered those who was there to see it.

"Chiyo-dono. If you would allow, I would like to talk to Iwasawa-sama before you meet him later."

"Kotori… Why do you want to talk to him?"

The sudden request from Kotori earned not only Chiyo's surprise but also those around her. However, the female general didn't budge a change of expression and told her honestly why she wanted to meet her lord.

"I wish to seek Iwasawa-sama's wisdom about a pressing matter. Don't worry, I will not take long."

"I see. I don't have any right to deny your request. He is your master and you are his retainer… and besides, despite everything that happened, we are still friends, Kotori. No need to be bothered about it."

"I… I thank you greatly, Chiyo."

Later on, after Kotori took a bath and changed her clothes to appear with respect for an official inquiry with her daimyo, she was led by the chief chambermaid, Kurayama Kaguya, to the room of their master at the highest floor of the castle.

"Iwasawa-sama. General Himeji Kotori is here for an inquiry meeting with you."

"…Enter."

After they received the permission of Hiroshi, Kotori entered his dark bedroom, lit only by the bright summertime moon. There, she saw that the entire place was thrashed.

The charts and blueprints that used to cover the walls were torn indiscriminately. The L-shaped table that used to be his workbench filled with all kinds of scale-figurines and prototypes of his inventions was hacked and broken including the objects on it using an axe that was stuck on the floor.

"W-What happened---"

"Disappointment… that's what happened here."

At the balcony of the bedroom, Hiroshi was seated on the floor alongside several bottles of alcohol. His his back leaning on the rusted and faulty railing that seems to be moments apart from being torn off.

"I-Iwasawa-sama!"

Not caring if it would ruin her clothes, Kotori lunged towards her master and pulled him back into the room, just in time before the railing snapped and could've taken him down as well.

"O-Oh… that was quick of you… Hehehe… You really have good reaction time, Kotori-kun…"

Kotori didn't even need to hear Hiroshi speak, the number of bottles and the odor that he is exuding out was enough for her to know that he was very drunk. So much so that he can't even form a proper sentence.

"K-Kaguya-dono! Call Chiyo-sama right here now!"

"Y-Yes!"

Minutes later, Chiyo arrived to see Kotori and Kaguya tending to the drunk Hiroshi. Wiping clean his body that was covered with the odor of alcohol that he has inadvertedly poured on himself while he is drunk.

"What happened to him?"

"Looking at those bottles, he must've swiped some alcohol from the castle cellar and enjoyed it by his lonesome here. Kotori-sama managed to pull him back just in time before the railing of the balcony snapped by its rusted edges and could've taken Iwasawa-sama with it."

"Oh dear… Kaguya-dono, please take a new set of sheets and a mattress, he seems to have wet himself."

"R-Right! Chiyo-sama, if you may?"

"Yes. Leave him to us. Wait, while you're at it, take an adult diaper too for him so this won't happen again."

"Understood."

Once Kaguya left the room, Chiyo carefully undid the belt on Hiroshi's pants and prepared the cleaning towel with slightly soapy water on it. Noticing what Chiyo is doing, Kotori stood up and turned away from them.

"…You don't need to stay silent about it, Kotori-chan. There's no hiding the fact that we have history as love rivals."

"It's exactly because of that reason why I don't want to bear witness to things that should only belong to you two."

While Chiyo was wiping down the mess that Hiroshi left on his lower half, Kotori maintained her eye contact away from the two. This caused Chiyo to tell her that she can be vocal about things if she wants to.

"Back there during dinner… you said that you wanted to inquire Hiroshi about something. Since he's out of it right now and maybe even tomorrow, I guess you can't have a proper talk with him."

"It's simply how it is, Chiyo-dono. I can await once he is in better health."

"Or you can just ask me about it yourself. I'm just here, you know?"

"I… I don't doubt your wisdom, but I just say that you and Iwasawa-sama has some differences in opinions."

Although Kotori insisted to just keep her question to herself, Chiyo eventually managed to convince her to tell her question to her.

"I wanted to ask Iwasawa-sama if he is willing to receive another member of the mission's crew. He said that he'll be taking the Shogun and Maya-sama as members of the crew, but he didn't include anyone else."

"You want to join?"

"I am. If it's possible."

"You should already know that not even I managed to get in. This reminds me of that time when all three of them went to the same place and vanquished our enemy."

"Right… it's them three again."

As Chiyo finished wiping Hiroshi, and Kaguya arrived with the new sheets and the diaper, they tended to him until he and the bed he was on was clean and he can rest his drunkenness away properly.

"I'll tend to him tonight. Leave him to me."

"Understood, Chiyo-sama. Well then, please just call for the servant in the hallways if you need anything."

It was already late at night and Hiroshi was sleeping his drunkenness away calmly. At the foot of the bed, which is near his broken table, the two women talked about things without the usual honorifics or formal tones. As they have said before, they were friends before they were rivals and people of different social status.

"Don't you… feel afraid of Iwasawa-sama?"

"Of course, I do. During this past three years, there was not a time when I didn't fear for him and what he may end up doing during this depressing time of his life."

"How can you still let him do worrisome things like this then?"

Chiyo looked at the charts and blueprints ripped to shreds, the table and its contents broken and hacked using the axe and the many bottles of alcohol that lined the balcony.

"…Probably because I know that he needs to recognize that there is a problem that he can't solve by himself and that we are here for him."

Upon hearing her reply, Kotori said one thing before leaving that caused Chiyo to be both confused and worried.

"If that is so, then I guess I can act on my own as long as it will be to the benefit of Iwasawa-sama and Japan."

"What… do you mean, Kotori?"

"…If we can't launch the satellite, then I will lead us to a sure victory… no matter how much it costs our foes."

Little did Chiyo know that Kotori has already put everything in place and the last thing that awaits is her own move.

"Iwasawa-sama's enemies are my enemies. If this peaceful method will not work…"

Now, the launch has gained another reason for it to be done.

"…then I will use the only one that always works!"