LOST SONG Episode 4: The Song of Depravity

The day begins with Seria and the other girls preparing for school, a seemingly normal morning. Yet, Rui remains behind, a spectral presence among the living, declaring herself deceased and above education. Settai oversees their departure with a weary calm. This domestic scene quickly establishes the unusual parameters of their lives.

While helping in the kitchen, Seria uncovers a shocking truth: Rui and Settai are not biologically related. Rui then begins to unravel her traumatic past, describing a secluded island village where 'pure brides' were sacrificed. She was not the intended victim but a replacement, her original face lost to forced surgery, a chilling detail that emphasizes her stolen identity.

Rui clarifies the mechanics of the sacrifice, where brides vanished, not to a god, but to vengeful spirits. She herself became possessed by these entities, transforming from victim to a vessel of spiritual rage, her eyes glowing with an unsettling intensity. Her account details her rampage through the village, terrifying the locals and forcing the nobles to send assassins to eliminate her.

Just as assassins closed in on Rui, Settai intervened, rescuing the small, broken girl from the burning remnants of the village. Back in the present, Rui expresses profound gratitude to Settai, crediting him with teaching her language, reading, and giving her a name. She confides in Seria that Seria's voice is the first 'real song' she ever heard, a sentiment that bonds them deeply.

Rui watches Seria practice singing, admitting she wishes to be strong enough to sing like her. This inspires Seria, who later resolves to train with fierce determination, driven by her connections to Rui, Settai, and her father's legacy. Settai, observing her intense physical efforts, advises against mere muscle, emphasizing the need for spiritual focus and historical knowledge. He directs her to the shrine's archives, where Seria finds unexpected joy among the old, physical books.

Seria becomes deeply engrossed in her studies within the archives, even missing a celebratory meal with the others. A montage shows the passage of weeks, depicting Seria diligently taking notes, tending the garden, and shopping with Riku. The group shares a moment of unity during a moon-viewing ceremony, showcasing their strengthened bonds and Seria's growing confidence in her spiritual abilities.

Settai and Yotesu plan a mission to reclaim territory from a 'Great Ghost' in the MiucS zone. Their goal: infiltrate a spiritual recreation of Edo Castle to subtly manipulate Shogun Iemitsu's preferences. Yotesu insists that Seria's unique spiritual possession ability is key. A brief, humorous flashback shows Settai in an elaborate Edo-period disguise, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

The team manifests at the entrance of the vibrant spiritual Edo Castle. Seria, dressed as a humble servant, is nervous as Settai reminds her that physical force is useless here. Spirits of Caesar, Antonius, and Okita arrive, offering conflicting advice on how to approach Iemitsu. Then Cleopatra dramatically appears, offering her 'feminine charm' to Seria, overwhelming her with the sheer force of historical personalities.

Seria and Rui begin their infiltration as low-ranking servants, performing menial chores with diligent perfection. They are summoned before the formidable Kasuga-no-Tsubone, who, despite her skepticism, assigns them to the Shogun's private bathhouse. As Seria prepares for the intimate duty, Cleopatra offers whispers of guidance. In the steamy chamber, Seria kneels and scrubs the bored Shogun's back, the air thick with tension and vulnerability.

A montage shows Seria excelling at various castle duties, earning respect and the cautious approval of Kasuga-no-Tsubone. The Shogun, Iemitsu, begins to notice her more closely during his daily routines. During a formal inspection, Iemitsu stops before Seria, asking for her name, a pivotal moment signifying his unexpected intrigue and the success of her strategic performance.

Seria is summoned to the Shogun's private inner chambers, where he becomes aggressive, causing her to panic as her spiritual defenses are suppressed. Outside, Settai and Yotesu sense her distress and race toward the palace. Inside, the spirits of Caesar, Antonius, and Cleopatra argue over the best course of action, their spectral shouting match adding to Seria's mental strain and terror.

Settai and Yotesu breach the inner palace, fighting past spiritual warriors. Inside, Iemitsu chillingly reveals he knew Seria was a girl and a 'fake' boy all along, intrigued by her spiritual aura, not her disguise. As he prepares to 'examine' her, Okita's spirit fully manifests through Seria, drawing a spectral katana. The Edo world begins to crumble as Settai and Yotesu burst in, grabbing Seria and leaping from a window, escaping the collapsing spiritual domain.

Back at their modern shrine, the group gathers around a fire pit, celebrating their hard-won victory and the successful placement of the Kiseki stone. They joke about the mission's dangers, their bonds visibly strengthened by the shared ordeal. Later, Seria finds an old graduation photo of Settai in the archive. Seeing his youthful face, she whispers a heartfelt 'thank you,' realizing the depth of his protection and care for her.