Episode 11

## My Mother's Legacy

**My Mother's Legacy** (母が遺したもの, *Haha ga Nokoshita Mono*?) is the eleventh episode of the *My Happy Marriage* anime series.

## Synopsis

Why did Miyo's mother, Sumi, marry into the Saimori family and seal away her beloved daughter's Dream-Sight? The story traces back to a few years before Miyo was born. The management of Tsuruki Trading, which backs the Usuba family, faced financial difficulties back then. Sensing the crisis endangering the Usuba family's survival, it was the Saimori family that proposed a marriage proposal with Sumi in exchange for a substantial amount of funds. Yoshirou, however, rejected and turned it down, but...

## Summary

Yoshirou Usuba explains why Sumi Usuba married into the Saimori family and sealed off Miyo Saimori’s supernatural abilities to Miyo. He states it all started several years before she was born. They were backed by the Tsuruki Trading company, which carried a massive debt. To alleviate the debt, a marriage proposal involving Sumi and Shinichi Saimori was brought into question. Yoshirou rejected their offer, but Sumi accepted them without consulting Yoshirou, leading to an argument between them.

After the marriage occurs, Yoshirou confirms they cut off their means of communicating with Sumi. Yoshirou takes Miyo outside to show her cherry blossom tree and reiterates that she possesses Dream-Sight. Miyo touches the tree and she sees the past. Shinichi's father reminds his son that he must have a child with Sumi who has the Usuba’s supernatural ability. Sumi gives birth to Miyo and realizes she possesses Dream-Sight.

One day, Sumi overhears Shinichi speaking with his family. Shinichi tells them he hasn’t confirmed if Miyo has the Usuba’s Gift because she’s still an infant. His father urges him to act swiftly because the Saimori family will be downgraded. He suggests Shinichi have another child with Sumi in case something terrible happens. Sumi starts coughing blood and realizes she doesn’t have much time left. Sumi tells Miyo she’ll have to live on without her but seals her power away to prevent the Saimoris from misusing it. Miyo’s taken aback by everything.

Meanwhile, Yoshito Godou, Kiyoka Kudou, and other members of the Special Anti-Grotesquerie Unit are fighting Grotesqueries. They plan to exterminate every single one of them. Thereafter, Miyo awakens from her slumber and Arata Usuba greets her alongside one of the Usuba servants. Arata realizes Miyo no longer has terrible nightmares based on her healthy complexion. He hands Miyo a shrine maiden costume Dream-Sight wielders used to wear and asks her to wear it. Despite recovering from her issues, Miyo states she can’t stop thinking about Kiyoka.

Miyo and Arata eat a meal together. Miyo asks Arata to return her cherry blossom kimono to her, but he refuses. Miyo asks Arata if she can speak with Kiyoka because she feels she is wrong about everything. Arata says he won’t allow Miyo to leave because he’s waited years to see Miyo and feels happier about life. He vows to protect Miyo because it’s his duty. Arata explains his role to Miyo for a bit and begs Miyo to stay here with them because he doesn’t want to cede this mission to someone else. Later, Arata contemplates his time with Miyo in his office. He thought Miyo was like him, a person who lost the will to survive.

Kiyoka and his allies defeat the band of Grotesqueries. Suddenly, a Grotesquerie emerges from the treetops and attempts to harm Yoshito. Kiyoka pushes Yoshito aside to slay the spirit but gets harmed in the process. He faints afterwards.

In the morning, Yoshirou asks Miyo how she’s been feeling. Miyo asks Yoshirou if she can see Kiyoka again, and he says he can’t allow it. Yoshirou says Miyo reminds him of Sumi and apologizes for not doing anything to help her during her time at the Saimori household. He asks Miyo to rely on them for support. Miyo starts questioning things and lets out things that have been bothering her. Yoshirou shares some family wisdom with Miyo and concludes that he’s happy to be meeting her.

Miyo and Yoshirou revisit the cherry blossom tree. Miyo touches it to peer into the past. We return to the moment when Sumi seals Miyo’s ability away. Miyo sees Sumi and Sumi tells her she loves her, resulting in Miyo crying in the present. Arata arrives and informs the two about Kiyoka’s injuries. Arata says Kiyoka hasn’t regained consciousness yet, worrying Miyo. Arata tries stopping Miyo, but she tells him she will see Kiyoka again no matter what.

Arata says he’s not the one forcing her to stay here. He reveals he made a deal with the Emperor. The Emperor helped them retrieve Miyo, in exchange, he wants Arata to prevent Miyo from communicating with anyone else with supernatural abilities. Arata says he doesn’t know why, but warns Miyo that it’d be unwise to disobey his orders. After thinking it over, Arata says he’ll allow Miyo to see him. However, he’ll be accompanying her on her trip.

Yoshirou has no complaints and grants the two permission to see Kiyoka. Yoshirou’s servants hands Miyo her cherry blossom kimono and she and Arata flee to see Kiyoka. Miyo arrives and rushes to Kiyoka’s aid. Arata says she can use her Dream-Sight to awaken Kiyoka from his slumber, but there’s a chance it won’t work.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Yoshirou Usuba
* Miyo Saimori
* Sumi Saimori
* Shinichi Saimori
* Arata Usuba
* Yoshito Godou
* Kiyoka Kudou
* Emperor
* Yurie
* Hazuki Kudou
* Kazushi Tatsuishi

## Adaptation Notes

* The episode starts with a thorough description of Tsuruki Trading's slump, whereas in the original novel no details are given.
* There are additional scenes featuring Yoshirou and Sumi in front of and within the Usuba estate discussing her choice to accept the Saimoris' proposal. In the novel, Yoshirou's reference to Sumi going to the Saimori's is brief, characterized by a grimace and a poignant expression as he recalled that period, without delving into the details.
* Yoshirou invites Miyo to touch the cherry blossom tree in the garden of the residence to witness Sumi's past. This never happens in the novel and the scenes Miyo witnesses are also entirely exclusive to the anime, including Sumi's wedding, childbirth, the use of her Telepathy ability on Miyo, and the sealing of Miyo's abilities. In the original novel, Miyo learns about the past solely through verbal explanations from Yoshirou. Additionally, there is no cherry blossom tree present at the residence in the novel.
* Yoshito is seen battling Grotesqueries at the Burial Grounds. In the novel, Yoshito isn't present there, as Kiyoka left the command at the operational headquarters to Yoshito while he joined the front lines himself. During the battle in this episode, Yoshito uses pyrokinesis against a Grotesquerie, whereas the novel never depicts Yoshito using any particular Gift in the series. Kiyoka is also seen saving Yoshito from a Grotesquerie, leading him to come into contact with a grudge and losing consciousness. In the novel, the person Kiyoka saves is a random unnamed unit member from his troops.
* After changing into the shrine maiden costume, Miyo touches the cherry blossom tree again, leading to the complete breaking of Sumi's seal. Miyo cries when her mother appears in front of her and expresses her love for her. This sequence of events does not occur in the novel. Instead, Miyo harbors mixed feelings about her mother ever since learning that Sumi was responsible for sealing her Gift. Sumi's actions had a detrimental impact on Miyo's social standing after her passing, and Miyo's challenging childhood experiences were a result of her mother's decisions. As a result, Miyo finds it difficult to forgive Sumi.
* Arata rushes to Yoshirou and Miyo in the garden to relay the news about Kiyoka. However, in the novel, Arata barges into the room where the two are present. Upon noticing Miyo, both Arata and Yoshirou exit the room, engaging in a hushed conversation further down the hallway near the stairway. Curious, Miyo follows them to eavesdrop on their discussion.
* When Arata attempts to prevent Miyo from running away, she struggles, causing his glasses to fall. This cools her emotions and momentarily halts her escape. In the novel, Arata does not wear glasses. What causes Miyo to pause is his tearful expression when she turns around. He pleads with her to stay and questions if he isn't good enough for her, wondering why she wouldn't be just as content with him.
* Before Miyo departs, Yoshirou gives her the cherry blossom kimono back to change into. In the novel, he never does this. Instead, she hastily leaves in the shrine maiden clothing she is already wearing, which is the outfit Kiyoka later sees her wearing when encountering her in the spiritual world.
* The episode omits the conversation between Arata and Miyo during their car ride to the Kiyoka's house. In the novel, Arata comforts Miyo by expressing his belief in Kiyoka's strength and assuring her that some spirits won't be able to harm him. He also warns her not to torment herself, as her Dream-Sight powers could become uncontrollable outside the Usuba barrier. Miyo appreciates his concern and reflects on how reassuring it feels to have Arata by her side, considering him a dependable and upstanding individual.
* The episode ends with Arata and Miyo going to the Kudou main estate. In the novel, Kiyoka is staying in his own house. The main estate does not appear until later in the story.
* Upon arriving, Miyo and Arata enter the room where Kiyoka is lying, finding everyone present and Yoshito in tears. In the novel, their arrival takes a different turn. The two stumble upon Yoshito and Kazushi physically fighting in the entryway. When they pass the two to enter the room, only Hazuki and Yurie are present in Kiyoka's room.

## References

1. ↑ STORY I Official Anime Website
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4  Novel, Volume 2 Chapter 3
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4  Novel, Volume 2 Chapter 4
4. ↑  Novel, Volume 3 Chapter 1