Back at the village.

"Yawnnn," Miku woke up with a yawn, stretching her arms.

"Huh, why is this floor so soft?" she muttered, feeling an unexpected warmth beneath her sole.

"I must be imagining things."

What she didn’t realize was that it wasn’t the floor that was soft; it was Felix’s neck beneath her foot, as he had fallen asleep on the ground.

Miku walked out of the room, leaving Felix sprawled out, bubbles forming at the corners of his mouth as he lay unconscious.

As she stepped into the hallway, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I see you're awake, Lady Miku," came a voice from just outside the door. It was Granny Satomi.

"Good that I found you here," Miku replied curtly, narrowing her eyes at the older woman.

"Oh, you were searching for me, m'lady?" Granny Satomi inquired.

"Yes," Miku said sharply. "You are behind all this, right?"

"I am not sure what you mean, m'lady," Satomi responded.

Miku's voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "I know you too well; you can't fool me."

"I don't know what future you saw," she continued defiantly, "but I need you to stop at once. If you don't, I will throw you out of this village myself."

"I will decide my future for myself. I don’t need your power," she added coldly before walking away.

As Miku departed, Granny whispered to herself, "I can’t hide anything from you, can I? But I can’t stop interfering."

Granny then entered the room where Felix lay unconscious.She knelt beside his face, then grabbed Felix's cheek and twisted it strongly.

"Ahhh!" Felix quickly sat up, holding his cheek.

"Kai, I told you—" He blinked rapidly before realizing it was Granny.

"Oh, it's you, Granny."

"Good morning, Felix," she replied as she stood up.

"Good morning," he responded groggily. "What are you doing here so early in the morning?"

"And where were you yesterday?" He pressed further.

Granny chuckled softly. "I was outside the village buying supplies."

"And the reason I’m here is that I wanted to tell you something important, come with me"

[After a few minutes]

"This is the reason?" Felix asked incredulously as he pounded rice using a heavy wooden mallet in the kitchen.

"Today is your Nagareboshi." She said.

Felix paused mid-strike. "Nagareboshi? What’s that?"

"It's a ceremony we hold when a new samurai is appointed. After three days of judging them, we officially grant them their title."

"It's a tradition that we have upheld for hundreds of years."

"But aren't I a temporary samurai?" he asked, pausing his work.

"Even though you're a temporary samurai," Granny explained patiently, "you still need to perform this ceremony."

Felix wondered, "Why is she so eager to perform this ceremony?"

Granny continued, "I still remember when the villagers wanted to become samurai in large numbers; it could be quite difficult to manage them."

Felix nodded slowly. "So every samurai is appointed by their own village?"

"Yes," Granny confirmed. "If we try to bring in outsiders, that's considered a crime." She leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, "But samurai from their home village can still betray their clans. That's why we judge them for three days."

"Your Nagareboshi begins the moment you are first selected, and the ceremony marks its conclusion."

"I understand, so... the reason I am making these mochi dumplings is because it's a tradition to eat them on the day of the Nagareboshi?" Felix asked, pausing his work.

"No, no! I just needed some help," she chuckled lightly. "Continue pounding and turning the rice until it becomes a sticky mass." She pointed at the rice with enthusiasm.

"Any moment now..." Granny Satomi thought, as if waiting for something.

Just then, Felix tried asking her, "By the way, where is Kimik—"

"Look at you, working hard in the kitchen!" Felix was interrupted by a familiar voice from the kitchen entrance. It was Ryota, his face lit up with a warm smile.

"Ryota? What are you doing here?" Felix asked, surprised. "And how did you get in?"

"At least say good morning," Ryota replied.

"Oh, sorry," Felix said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.

"I entered because the door was open."

Just then, Kai, Jun, and Suzu appeared behind Ryota like shadows emerging from the dawn light.

"What are all of you doing here?" Felix asked incredulously.

"Lady Satomi invited us," Ryota explained. "She said today was your Nagareboshi ceremony. I didn’t expect Lady Miku would even allow it."

"About that," Lady Satomi said.

Everyone's face turned towards her.

"She doesn’t like doing this ceremony," Granny said matter-of-factly.

"And furthermore, I haven’t even told her."

"P-Please, Lady Satomi! Don’t joke like that!" Ryota exclaimed nervously.

"I am not joking," she replied with a deadpan expression that left no room for doubt.

"Okay then! We should be going then—right Suzu?" Ryota suggested hesitantly while glancing at her for support.

"Wait!" Felix shouted suddenly. "We can do this." He crossed his arms defiantly as determination sparked in his eyes.

"If Granny has brought up this topic and invited Ryota and the others," he thought resolutely, "there must be some reason."

"I have a plan that we can use to convince her," he announced confidently.

"I’m with you!" Kai shouted enthusiastically.

"We too!" Jun and Suzu chimed in unison, raising their fists in solidarity.

"I shall also help," said Granny Satomi with an encouraging smile.

"Sigh…Why do I always end up in these situations?" Ryota muttered reluctantly. "Fine… I’ll help."

"Then here’s the plan…" Felix whispered urgently into their ears as they leaned closer together in conspiratorial huddles.

"Wow! I never knew you could make such an in-depth plan!" Suzu exclaimed with wide eyes.

"He's my sensei after all!" Kai said proudly.

"Uhhh… You know that she hates you the most?" Ryota pointed out incredulously.

"I know," Felix replied with a determined grin. "But we can’t back down now after coming this far."

Meanwhile, in Miku's room, she stared impatiently at some files scattered across her desk.

"Why hasn't that old lady brought me my breakfast yet?" she thought irritably while tapping her foot against the wooden floorboards.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from outside her door: "Lady Miku! Lady Miku! Lady Miku!"

Miku went to the door and opened it.

"What's this?" She asked Ryota.

"Why are you holding that idiot in your arms?" She asked as she saw Felix unconscious in Ryota's arms.

"M'lady, he is not waking up, no matter what I do," Ryota said with exaggerated despair.

"What nonsense are you saying?" Miku said.

"Hmmm... I know why," came a voice from behind Miku.

"Lady Satomi?" Ryota made a surprised look.

"Do you know what has happened to him?" Ryota asked with a desperate look.

"Indeed, it's because of m'lady," Satomi replied.

"What?" Miku questioned.

"Yes, m'lady, but don’t worry; it’s not your fault."

"Explain yourself right now," she demanded, narrowing her eyes at Satomi.

"FELIX, YOU'RE GONNA GET US KILLED," Ryota thought frantically as sweat beads formed on his forehead.

"M'lady, have you heard the story about the samurai who fell into eternal slumber?" Satomi asked dramatically.

"No," Miku replied curtly.

"Then let me explain. Once upon a time, when the Yotsuba clan leader was your great-great-grandmother, she disliked performing the Nagareboshi ceremony. One day, all her samurai fell ill and entered an eternal slumber.

"She then decided to perform the ceremony at last, and the samurai were awakened."

"I don't believe what you're saying," Miku stated firmly.

"It's true! Even I heard that story from my grandma!" Ryota chimed in eagerly. "And look—proof is right here!" He gestured dramatically at Felix’s unconscious form.

"Put him on the floor," Miku commanded coolly.

"Pardon me, m'lady?" Ryota looked confused.

"I do not like to repeat myself," she said coldly with an icy glare that could freeze lava.

"Y-Yes..." Ryota slowly lowered Felix to the floor as if handling fragile glassware.

Miku stepped closer and inspected him critically before lifting her leg menacingly.

[Smack]

She kicked Felix's stomach with her heel with all her might.

"Okay, so what is the cure?" Miku asked calmly.

"You will need to perform the Nagareboshi ceremony, m'lady."

"Come with me; I will show you the procedures."

"Take him to his room," Miku ordered Ryota.

"Yes, m'lady," he replied obediently while looking more than slightly terrified. Then Miku walked into the room with Granny Satomi beside her.

"Psst... Hey Felix," Ryota whispered urgently as he leaned closer. "Are you alive?"

Felix opened his eyes slowly. "Where am I? Who am I? Who are you?"

"Hey, it's me—Ryota! Don't tell me you've lost your memory."

"Oh yes! Ryota... I guess I'm still alive then."

"Yes! You are! If that kick had been inches lower, you'd have been out of this world for sure!" Ryota exclaimed with relief flooding his voice.

"And that’s how it’s done," Satomi concluded her explanation to Miku.

"Fine," she replied curtly.

"And you are certain he will awaken from that?"

"M'lady, don’t worry about him; he will be fine."

"Who said I was worrying? I just need him for the clan meeting."

"I apologize for overstepping my bounds; I shall take my leave now."

"And another thing, m'lady," Granny said before leaving.

"What is it?" Miku replied impatiently.

"We currently don’t have any samurai uniforms for him; without proper attire—"

"I'll take care of that," Miku interrupted decisively.

"As you wish, m'lady," Granny Satomi said before she left. Miku then moved to a corner of the room where an old wooden trunk sat and opened it.

Everyone else was in the kitchen.

"Okay, everyone! It’s almost time for the ceremony!" Ryota announced with enthusiasm.

They all moved to the big room where they had previously held the meeting with Miku. She was seated on the elevated tatami floor.

Ryota placed Felix directly beneath Miku as he pretended to be unconscious to trick her into performing the ceremony.

As the sun began to set, Felix lay in front of Miku, with Granny Satomi and the others gathered in the room.

Miku stepped down from her elevated position, her voice resonating powerfully through the room. "We gather here today to witness the Nagareboshi of this temporary samurai."

She placed her hand gently on Felix's head and began concentrating Zor energy; a brilliant yellow aura enveloped her.

"Wait… now that I remember, Felix’s use of Zor energy was different; his healing aura was dark yellow for some reason. Was I imagining it?" Ryota pondered anxiously.

"I didn’t notice it before because I was astonished by how he wielded Zor energy that day. I know I promised him I wouldn’t ask about his past… but truly, who is he?"

"Cough," Kai signaled.

Felix slowly opened his eyes. "Where am I?" he said in a low voice.

"He woke up!" Suzu exclaimed dramatically as she wiped fake tears from her eyes.

"Rise," Miku commanded firmly.

Felix stood up next to Miku.

Granny Satomi approached with one of Miku's katanas.

"Kneel down on one knee," Granny said to Felix.

Felix complied without hesitation. Miku then lifted the katana slowly and deliberately, placing it first on his right shoulder and then on his left shoulder in a ceremonial gesture filled with gravitas.

Miku's voice cut through the silence. "Now, recite the oath of the Yotsuba clan!"

"What?" Felix asked, as if he didn't know what was happening.

"Just do it," Granny Satomi urged gently but firmly.

Miku began the oath, and Felix repeated each line:

"I pledge my life to the Yotsuba clan and Miku Yotsuba."

"My spirit to the village, and my heart to God."

"May my actions bring honor, my words bring wisdom."

"And my presence bring peace to those I protect."

"Should I falter, may the heavens strike me down."

"And should I succeed, may they grant me strength."

"With this," Miku declared with conviction, "I bind you to our clan. Rise, Samurai of the Yotsuba."

Felix stood tall at last. Miku picked up a large square cloth nearby and unfurled it to reveal a pristine white kimono adorned with a striking red Kalanchoe flower symbol—the emblem of their clan.

"This will be your uniform for the audience with the shogun. Return it to me when we come back," she instructed firmly.

"Yes, I will," Felix replied earnestly as cheers erupted around him.

"Even after knowing it, I still can't believe that she actually gave her father's kimono to him," Granny thought.

Kai rushed forward with an exuberant grin plastered across his face. "Sensei! You did it! How do you feel?"

Felix smiled back—a mix of relief and wonder illuminating his features. "I feel honored… I guess," he replied softly while placing a hand on Kai's head.

Granny Satomi nodded approvingly from her place among them. "The ceremony is complete! Now let the feast begin!"

Everyone moved toward the door of the room.

"Don’t think this changes anything; you’re still an idiot in my eyes," Miku whispered to Felix.

"And from this moment forth," she proclaimed with an air of undeniable authority, "you shall refer to me as Lady Miku."

Felix met her gaze steadily and replied with determination in his voice: "I understand. I'll prove myself worthy of this honor—this I promise you… m’lady."

As Miku prepared to leave without joining them, Jun approached her with wide innocent eyes.

"Miss! Why aren’t you coming with us?" he asked earnestly.

"Because—"

"Please join us!" Jun pressed further with an irresistible expression that melted hearts around him.

"I shall then," Miku said.

"All your tricks worked; I guess you really know her well by now," Granny whispered to Felix as they walked toward the kitchen together.

"I can't believe Felix's plan was a success. The unconscious acting, not allowing Granny Satomi to give her breakfast, and using Jun's innocent face—if he can manipulate Lady Miku, I can't fathom what other things he can do," Ryota thought.

"Dear, do you think...?" Suzu whispered as she walked while holding Ryota's arm.

She then leaned closer to Ryota's ear and murmured, "Murmur..."

"No, no, that's impossible," Ryota replied.

"Hee-hee," Suzu giggled at his response.

"Man... It's gonna be so boring without Sensei," Kai told Jun.

"You're only worried because I am going to get stronger," Jun replied with a smirk.

"Hey!"

They walked through the corridor, which had an open balcony that provided a breathtaking view of the night sky.

"Look! Shooting stars!" Kai shouted suddenly.

Everyone turned their heads toward the celestial spectacle—a dazzling cascade of shooting stars streaking across the starry sky.

Felix's gaze shifted toward Miku. "Even she is enjoying this," he thought as he saw her fully focused on the shooting stars.

"It feels kind of strange, but I can’t quite figure out why," he mused, unable to pinpoint the source of his feelings.

"Do I actually feel nice being a samurai? Yeah… I guess it must be that; it feels very unique, though."

"I don't think I have ever felt this before."

"Father, I know you're watching from heaven," Miku thought wistfully. "I promise I will do everything for this clan."

Granny Satomi smiled knowingly at both Felix and Miku from afar.

"I hope you are ready to face the long journey ahead, Felix Diaz, embracing both the joys and the challenges that await you."