AYAKA (AYAKA ‐あやか‐)

Hey! Are you still with me?

Yeah.

I'll keep you safe, I swear. Come on.

We're almost at the ferry, Yuki.

Stay calm, everyone!

There are more ferries on the way!

Old man!

Thank goodness! Are you hurt? Where's Momoko?

She's leading evac from the south,

and she told us to go on ahead without her.

Good call. Jingi, go get on the ferry with Yukito.

I can't! Haruaki and Aka are...

They aren't here. Mister Yanagi went after them.

-Master. -That's right.

We've no choice, but to assume the worst if he doesn't return.

Guess you've run out of patience, huh?

Held out long enough, to be fair.

Gotta know when to fold and walk away, as the folks here put it.

All right. Looks like this is shaping up to be my final gig.

Hey, Haruaki! Why...

Master.

Master.

I've never heard of you, Mister Inou.

Ah, this dream again.

Over and over without fail.

Underwater, and all alone. But I'm not scared at all.

In fact, I feel more at home here beneath the waves

than on the surface with strangers.

What was that?

Dear students,

congratulations, middle school graduates.

When you leave this auditorium,

I hope your hearts are full from the three years...

-Sounds good. -Ready...

-Nice! -Please go out with me!

No thanks, bye.

Wait, please come back!

-Yo, he just got rejected. -What did you say?

Yukito.

Yes, ma'am?

Congrats on your graduation.

I heard you'll be moving out after this?

That's right. Any day.

I'm leaving foster care and heading back to my hometown.

A friend of my late dad is taking me in,

so I've got a guardian over there now.

Well, I'm happy for you, but I find them selfish.

This guardian abandons you, and then decides to take you

back after how many years? Are you certain about this?

Sure. It makes no difference in my life anyway.

Thank you. You've done so much for me.

Wait!

Most of my life, I grew up in a foster home,

after my father died when I was five.

The people around me were all nice.

I wasn't mistreated by anyone.

So I can only blame myself for ending up alone.

-What's up with that guy? -He's trouble for sure.

-Kinda hot, isn't he? -Stop, he's too old!

Falling asleep, here. Where is he?

Oh! Graduating too, aren't ya?

-Cheers! -That's not my class!

Oh, my bad.

Who the hell is he?

What's the hold up, man? I'm running out of booze, here.

Yo, yo! Been a while, yeah?

It's you, all right! Ya had a growth spurt?

So what's up?

Yeah, you're drunk.

Don't be shy! It's time to live it up! Thirsty?

I think you've got the wrong person.

Huh?

Yukito Yanagi, right? That's you, ain't it?

Lay off. I'm not him.

Cut the crap. You and I both know you're lying, dude, okay?

I'm not your "Dude!" Bye.

The hell?

What is up with him?

Yo, wait up!

Hey, man. I know you're Yukito. Don't go ignoring me.

For the last time, no, I am not.

Oh, well. You asked for it.

Hey! Wait!

Why don't you go for a ride?

A what?

Blast off!

Come on.

He pushed me!

My clothes are too heavy. This is it.

I'm gonna drown. Shit, shit.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

No, not again!

Calm down! Stop! Stop, stop!

In the darkest shadows, pure is my soul.

Yeah, you're Yukito.

Did you get me to stop?

Okay, time to bounce.

Where are we going?

Empty is the vessel, for that is its purpose.

What?

Where... Where am I?

Water?

The sea?

Good morning, sunshine!

Where are you taking me?

Deep breaths. Let's calm down.

Who would stay calm while they're being kidnapped?

Oh, yeah! Congrats on graduating!

How 'bout a little sip?

I'm too young. Which isn't the point!

Are you gettin' fed up with Jingi's mischief, kid?

He's infamous for it back on the islands, too!

-The islands? -You heard him!

This boat will be our ticket home to the Ayaka Islands.

'Our' ticket?

Oh, don't tell me you and I are from the same town.

You bet!

By the way, we can get your stuff shipped

from foster care later.

I've got you covered, so relax.

You're gonna catch a cold if you don't change clothes.

Did your bag eat my bag?

Look, someone tell me what is going on here.

Old man Inou should've filled you in.

I mean, I got a letter.

I'm guessing you know my father's friend,

and you're picking me up on his behalf?

Pretty much.

Jingi Sagawa's the name.

You can call me Jingi!

Back in the day, I was basically your older bro.

I don't have a brother.

Your old man?

Master was like a father to me,

which makes us like brothers, you know?

Just how drunk are you?

You're seeing a train too, right?

We use the Marine Liner to hop between islands.

Neat, huh? Ain't it Aya-kastic?

Aya-what now?

Look! Land ahoy.

You know...

What?

Something about this place feels strange.

Welcome to the Second Island of the Ayaka chain.

You know, you called this place

home until you turned five, Yukito.

Right.

Up we go.

Take ya back?

To where? Most of my childhood is a blur.

Yukito!

-Hello, down there! - Hey!

It's been too long!

Oh, thanks for the ride back!

We figure it's the least we can do.

You've grown so tall, Yukito!

Sorry. Do I know you, miss?

Oh, my, where are my manners?

I'm the landlord of your old home.

My name's Momoko Amamiya.

Once upon a time, we lived together as a family.

Oh.

And as mayor of Ayakashima City

and your new guardian, I, Sanji Inou, welcome you.

Did you receive the letter I sent you?

Ah. Yeah.

Welcome home, Yukito!

We're thrilled to have you here!

Thank you.

Jingi refused to have anyone greet you before he did.

Be honest. Was he a handful?

No, I was on my best behavior! Right?

Charming, right? Even if a little off the map.

It's nice.

Try First Island if you're looking for things to do.

It's less rural, but not by much.

What's wrong? You good?

I thought I saw something fly by.

Thanks for having me.

Home, sweet home, am I right?

Feel free to drop your bag anywhere

and make yourself comfortable.

Okay.

Look around. Does anything seem familiar?

Nope.

Not even your old man?