Episode 9

**Mikoto and Mikoto** is the 9th episode of *Peach Boy Riverside* anime series, but the 12th episode chronologically.

## Summary

Once upon a time, in a far away land, lived an old couple - a man and a woman. One day the man went to the near mountain to gather firewood, while the woman went to the riverside to do the washing.

Years later the same couple is seen saying goodbye to their son. He receives as a farewell gift an old katana and his favorite dumplings to eat while travelling. The young man tells his father that the sword surely must be expensive and hesitate to take it but his father replies that it is dangerous out there as he can encounter dangerous creatures. It is revealed that his name is Hiko.

Later in the episode Hiko is seen travelling when he bumps into a hungry Dog. He gives him one of the dumplings his mother prepared for him but is shocked when the Dog suddenly speaks and thanks him, saying that because of his ability he is being ostracized by his own kind and even attacked by humans, because of what he has to pretend half-dead in order to get some food. The animal tells Hiko that he is a kind man and asks if he can join him on his adventure.

After a while they sit to rest near what looks to be a teahouse. Dog asks his newly found companion if he is really looking for his real parents. Hiko confirms and adds that he wants to ask them why they put him in a basket and then sent him floating the river. Suddenly one of the villagers runs near them, shouting that there is an Oni attacking the town. Hiko and Dog decides to check what is going on but then they find a huge Oni killing and eating every villagers in its path. The young man stays in front of the Oni as a statue, frozen in fear but then shout at him to stop. The Oni ask him who is he and why he dares to defy him. Mikoto tries to tell his name but because he is scared he stutters. The monster attack Hiko but much for everyone surprise he manages to survive. He then draw his sword and cut the Oni in half, saying his name is Peach Boy. The villagers surround him and thanks him for saving their village.

Rumors of him killing an Ogre spread across the land, leading to Hiko stop looking for his biological parents and kill Oni instead. He decides to head to an island called the Ogre Island and to kill the leader of the Oni, whose base is there, as he thinks by killing him he will end the battle. Hiko kills all the Oni on the island but just before he finish the boss, the Ogre warns him that his demise will bring the Kinshin. After the fight was over the land was finally free and Hiko is proclaimed as a hero. He builds a house deep in the mountains and start living there until one day an Oni named Gaki appears at his doorstep. He tells Hiko that even though he was Oni, he fell in love with a human woman and together they had a child, but then one night he killed his wife. He tells the Peach Boy that he has left his son with people he trusts and ask him to kill him. Later that day Mikoto travels to the near village and finds Mikoto tied up to be publicly berated. He set him free but the villagers tell him that he is a monster and deserves to die. Hiko then takes Mikoto to his house but Mikoto tells him that he is afraid of living and asks him to end his life. Hiko then tells Mikoto that he has killed his father and therefore he has every right to avenge him. Mikoto out of anger get his katana and try to strike but fails. Hiko says that one day he will be strong enough to kill him and adds that until then he will be taking care of him.

And so Hiko's life with Mikoto began. He teaches him how to read and how to hunt. One night they are seen having a bath when Hiko asks Mikoto for his name. The young boy says that his name is stupid so Hiko allows him to use his own for himself.

But their carefree life is about to end as one night a large horde of Oni appears nearby, announcing their arrival to the Kinshin, revealed to be the God of Laws Nobrega. Meanwhile Hiko senses their presence and tells Mikoto that it is finally time for his coming-of-age. Mikoto tells him he won't do what Hiko wants from him and runs outside. Later that night Mikoto is seen running in the forest when Dog stop him and tells him not to go any further. Mikoto though continues on his way, only to see Hiko laying on the ground mortally wounded and Nobrega near him. As Hiko is dying he tells Mikoto that he will have to learn to accept himself and others and entrust him with his katana, as a mean for him to protect himself and find a way to smile everyday with pride. Just before Hiko takes his last breath, his powers transfers to Mikoto and his teacher dies with a smile on his face. Suddenly Nobrega uses kihou but Mikoto stops it. He then gets closer to the Oni and cuts his hand, before killing him, this way taking revenge for his master death.

In the end of the episode Millia is seen carrying the unconscious Mikoto on her back.

## Characters In Order of Appearance

1. Hiko (Debut)
2. Dog
3. Gaki (Debut)
4. Yaki
5. Nobrega (Debut)
6. Millia