First Lieutenant Joshua Michiru Otori/Bond Story

*Second in command in the 47th Special Ranger Division and confidant to their leader. His resourcefulness shines both on and off the battlefield. From "Loyal Retainer."*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

Edelfied Chushingura

 **Akira:**Up until now, we Edels and my fellow students have tackled numerous stages together.

 **Akira:**"Beauty & the Beast", "The Epic of Perseus", "Andromeda's Love" and countless more. We poured our heart and soul into every single one and were able to improve.

 **Akira:**Every stage play was symbolic of Siegfeld – of Edels. It was all for "Elysion".

 **Akira:**The same goes for the next stage. We'll give it our heart and soul – our everything.

 **Akira:**Even if it's a script written by the "Reina Kuon". ...That is all from me.

**Girl A:**Reina Kuon...?!

**Girl B:**The popular playwright and Siegfeld graduate, Reina Kuon, who has worked on numerous big hits both domestically and internationally, will be working on the Edels' stage play...?!

**Girl C:**That's such an honor, but...Kuon-sensei's plays are on an entirely different level and not one that students can handle—

 **Mei Fan:**Attention, please. Next, the student council vice president, Michiru Otori, will explain further.

 **Michiru:**All right, how is everyone feeling right now? Excited or worried?

 **Michiru:**Looks like half-and-half or slightly more worried.

 **Michiru:**...Reina Kuon-sensei. She is a graduate of Siegfeld Institute of Music and also a world-class playwright. An up-and-coming genius who has already received numerous global awards at a young age.

 **Michiru:**The play is extremely difficult. If the results are not up to her standard, it will not be performed.

 **Michiru:**I was also really nervous when I first heard about Kuon-sensei wanting to write a play for the Edels.

 **Michiru:**As Edels, there is no reason for us to not accept. We'll be able to reach even further heights...!

 **Michiru:**Everyone, now's not the time for worrying. Us Edels are prepared.

 **Michiru:**............

 **Michiru:**All right, I see a lot more determination in your eyes now. I'll explain the script that was written for us.

 **Michiru:**The title is "Loyal Retainer". This might sound familiar to some of you.

 **Michiru:**That's right, "Loyal Retainer" is a play adapted from "Chushingura". It was also written specifically for us Edels.

 **Michiru:**The story is set in a fictional modern nation. The characters aren't samurais, but young officers.

 **Michiru:**It's based on the forty-seven ronin, so there are a lot of roles with names.

**Girl C:**...!!

 **Michiru:**I see a lot of enthusiasm. Let's make this into a play that will meet Kuon-sensei's expectations!

 **Mei Fan:**Everyone's morale was boosted as we geared up for the "Loyal Retainer".

 **Akira:**Just as you had planned, Michiru.

 **Michiru:**Hm-hmm♪ Only you two here? Good work with the school assembly earlier. The response from everyone was great. And also—

 **Michiru:**Ta-dah! Kuon-sensei's finished script has arrived! I'll pass these onto you two first.

 **Akira:**It's here at last.

 **Akira:**...As expected of Kuon-sensei to write a script that describes Siegfeld and Edels in this way.

 **Michiru:**The backstory also reflects Siegfeld's system and culture. It's also got plenty of elements from "Chushingura"...! This is an amazing script!

 **Mei Fan:**I didn't know much about the original "Chushingura", so I looked it up, but...I'll make sure to deepen my knowledge before we begin rehearsals.

 **Michiru:**Is "Chushingura" not very well-known over there?

 **Mei Fan:**Not really. ... Oh, but I have watched an adaptation that pays homage to it! The highlight was a confrontation with a dragon!

 **Michiru:**There are movie adaptations like that, but this time it's different. I'll pick out a few so let's watch them together.

 **Mei Fan:**Yes, please!

 **Mei Fan:**This sure is an intense script! I can't wait to see how we'll portray the elite 47th Special Ranger Division members.

 **Mei Fan:**The 47th Special Ranger Division officers hear about the news of their superior's death. But it was an inexplicable mystery...

 **Michiru:**Their superior's mysterious death and being ordered to disband as a part of someone's scheme. Followed by the members being subjected to disciplinary action...

 **Mei Fan:**However, the members who had suspicions about their trusted superior's death decided to take action and find out the truth on their own!

 **Mei Fan:**The loyalty towards their superior and unity to protect their pride resembles Siegfeld's culture, led by Frau Platin.

 **Mei Fan:**I could really identify with the members in the scene where they get back on their feet... I was really moved...!

 **Michiru:**Heh heh, sounds like you'll probably enjoy watching the original "Chushingura" too.

 **Mei Fan:**The movie I saw was impressive too, but this story of the troops' loyalty towards their superior is so gripping.

 **Akira:**That's the reason why "Chushingura" is so well-loved. The foundation of humans surpasses time – the crux of morality doesn't waver, but simply changes to adapt to the times.

 **Michiru:**Let's make it into a stage that will show a side of Siegfeld that's different from "Elysion"!

 **Mei Fan:**Yes! Definitely!

Useless Confidant Joshua

 **Akira:**............

 **Michiru:**Akira♪

 **Akira:**...Oh, Michiru.

 **Michiru:**You've read the script for "Loyal Retainer", right? How was it?

 **Akira:**Yes, let's see...

 **Akira:**It feels like a new "Chushingura" that was made for us. Reina Kuon isn't called a world-class playwright for nothing.

 **Michiru:**What do you think about your role? The useless Klaus Ward, leader of the 47th Special Ranger Division, who is suspicious of their superior's death and plans a revenge.

 **Michiru:**Pretending to drink his life away since the division was disbanded and fooling his division members while pushing forward with preparations for the revenge—

 **Akira:**The same position as Oishi Kuranosuke in Chushingura.

 **Akira:**He's often called the daylight lantern as it serves no purpose. One who was the most sad and suspicious about their superior's death.

 **Michiru:**Even in theater and movies, Oishi Kuranosuke is always played by stars with a dignified presence. It matches you perfectly.

 **Akira:**In that case, Klaus' right-hand man, Joshua Kanet, is also the perfect role for you.

 **Akira:**The second in command in the 47th Special Ranger Division and Klaus' confidant. A talented person who is always aware of the members' actions and pulls all the members together instead of Klaus who usually takes a back seat.

 **Akira:**A jack of all trades. From strategy planning and map making to obtaining weapons for the raid—

 **Akira:**Just like you – Frau Platin's confidant, Frau Saphir.

 **Michiru:**Haha. But it's not only me. After doing some research, I found Mei Fan, Yachiyo, and Shiori also match their roles very well.

 **Michiru:**What we talked about during the interview that Kuon-sensei took time out of her busy schedule to do was utilized.

 **Michiru:**The interview itself was really short, so I feel like she must've done a lot of research outside of that and watched a lot of our past performances.

 **Akira:**However... It's not such an easy story where we can simply act as ourselves.

 **Akira:**There's something missing from the main role. If we hadn't picked it up, no matter how wonderful the script is, it would just be wasted.

 **Michiru:**It lacks the finishing touch. Of course, Reina Kuon-sensei's play wouldn't be so straightforward.

 **Akira:**Feeling eager?

 **Michiru:**You're the same too. You can't fool me.

 **Akira:**Heh heh, we'll be the ones to bring this play to life for the first time. Of course there would be some pressure.

 **Michiru:**Oh, you're really such a stage-crazy...

 **Akira:**Ngh... Aren't you the same?

 **Michiru:**That's true, but there's something even more worrisome!!

 **Michiru:**Seeing as it's a script by a well-known playwright, it's the perfect chance to show the public what we're about. It's a great turning point for the Edels!

 **Michiru:**I want to bring the Edels one step further with this play.

 **Michiru:**So I've got to do what I can behind the scenes in terms of promotion. We have to make this a success.

 **Michiru:**Notifying our seniors as a current Edel, figuring out the announcement timing and method...

 **Michiru:**My head is spinning already!

 **Michiru:**...Which means it's gonna be a rough schedule starting from tomorrow. Here's a list of the tasks that need to be done before the show. Oh, and this is a milestone.

 **Akira:**...You would put even Yoshida Chuzaemon Kanesuke, the model for your role as Joshua, to shame.

 **Michiru:**Well, the mission's success lies on Oishi Kuranosuke's execution.

 **Akira:**I suppose I can't afford to be useless like Klaus or Oishi Kuranousuke.

 **Michiru:**Of course. All right, here's a detailed schedule of the day!

 **Akira:**This... It even has meal times and bedtimes on it.

 **Michiru:**Of course! We need to maximize the time that we have. "Do your best and let the heavens do the rest"!

 **Akira:**Even your role helps you prepare for your character... You're as crafty as always.

 **Michiru:**If it's for the stage, I'll utilize anything. Because I'm a Stage Girl♪

 **Michiru:**When I heard that Kuon-sensei will be writing the play, I was shocked but excited at the same time to find out what kind of play it'll be.

 **Michiru:**Joshua Kanet, a formidable soldier and key figure in the shadows who is also the brains behind the 47th Special Ranger Division.

 **Michiru:**It's like I left my soul in Joshua when I was preparing for the role... It feels like the line between Joshua and Michiru is disappearing.

 **Michiru:**All the other Edels are also pouring their heart and soul into this play, so look forward to it♪

## Notes

1. ↑ The referenced movie appears to be *47 Ronin*, a *Chūshingura* adaptation starring Keanu Reeves.