Original subtitles

On His Back

Ah, it's so beautiful!

I've never seen anything like this before.

Indeed, it's a sight you don't see near Hiryuu Castle.

Such vibrant colors.

Almost like the hair of our princess.

What? Do you see something, Sin-ha?

A building...

with a signboard...

A signboard?

What does it say?

I want to know too!

Welcome to the Hidden Grove Lodge.

I hope you have a pleasant stay.

What? She fell asleep?!

Excuse me, I'd like to ask you something.

Do you have any free rooms?

Yes, yes, we do!

300 rin a person.

Oh, that's quite a deal!

Full board included.

You'll catch a cold if you sleep here.

It doesn't seem like we'll have any trouble here.

This deep in the mountains, there's no one to hide from.

There are no other guests.

A hot spring!

We can wash each other's backs in the open-air bath!

Your skin will be all smooth and silky, young lady.

Yeah.

I see.

A hot spring deep in the mountains.

And there's an open-air bath.

This calls for the traditional-

Mixed bathing!

Well, it's not allowed in this lodge.

The hot water flows directly from the source.

There you have it.

Too bad, right, Hak?

What is?

This is my first time at a hot spring!

It's really nice!

The water is kind of white.

Maybe it has medicinal properties.

Well, it does feel like it'll make your skin smooth and silky.

Smooth and silky skin!

Heaven on earth!

Zeno.

Stand still.

I'll tie your hair.

Come join us, guys!

Kids always jump in first.

Come on, Green Dragon, come in here.

Does he have scales on his skin?

Nope.

Yona is on the other side, right?

Yeah.

She must be lonely there by herself.

Maybe I should go-

Have a sense of humor, Hak.

My hand just slipped.

Is this your first time at a hot spring, Blue Dragon?

Just take off all your clothes!

And you have to take your mask off too!

Squeeze

Sin-ha, open your eyes.

Come on, it's completely fine.

Sin-ha, just stop his heart and send him to the next world.

What's the matter, Ki-ja?

Nothing. I just won't be joining you.

You don't like bathing?

I do enjoy bathing, but...

Grin

Then come with us.

It's more fun when everyone's there.

No! Stop it!

Come on, don't be shy!

They seem to be arguing about something.

Stop!

No need to be shy.

Jae-ha's harassing him.

What are you so shy about showing?

Anyway

That's not a battle scar, is it?

No. It's nothing.

Excuse me.

Huh? What happened with Ki-ja?

He said he's not feeling well, so he's resting.

What? Really?

It didn't look like a recent scar.

It must be at least ten years since he got it.

It's almost as if it's from...

the dragon's claw?

Could he have done it to himself?

No. He doesn't look like the type to hurt himself.

The only one who'd have the dragon's claw other than Ki-ja would be...

The previous White Dragon?

Did you say something?

No. Not really.

I won't be joining you.

A wound from the previous dragon, huh?

I can understand why he doesn't want it seen.

I thought he was just a kid from a pampered upbringing who did everything by the book.

But he also has this very human side.

Hm... I guess I touched a wound deeper than I realized.

Ki-ja.

When the sun sets, go to the hot spring in secret. I won't tell anyone.

Thank you, but no.

I don't want to go.

This is serious.

Ki-ja is normally ridiculously positive and strong-willed.

And this has thrown him into a deep depression!

The previous dragon, huh?

I shouldn't pry into it any further.

Ki-ja?

What's the matter?

Did you stay in the bath too long?

No. I haven't gone in.

Oh? Why not?

Well...

I told him not to.

He didn't seem well.

Did you really say that?

You're so dense.

Back up my story here.

Yeah, he does seem a bit pale.

Maybe you should lie down.

I'm... all right.

Really?

Don't push yourself too hard.

Jae-ha, do I smell of sweat?

Nope. I don't smell sweat.

The princess smells really pleasant.

I'm embarrassed that I haven't gone into the bath.

Then why didn't you?

All right, then I'll wash myself with that.

Wait, what?

With that?

The chance of someone seeing you there...

Well, if someone sees his scars, it's his fault for standing around stupidly.

All right.

It'll be a bit cold, but here no one will see.

What are you doing, droopy eyes?

Just some calisthenics.

What about you?

I came to drink some water.

Oh, I'll bring you some later.

You don't have to. The well's right there.

Yona's pretty cute, fresh out of the bath.

Maybe you should go see her.

What are you hiding?

What?

I think I see someone over there.

Oh, it's just some old man.

Really?

Crap!

With my legs, I jump too high!

This should catch his gaze!

You looking for a fight?

Not at all.

That's just part of my calisthenics.

Oh?

Then maybe I'll do some calisthenics too.

Damn. This is kind of a fun development, but it won't make Hak go away.

I have to lead him away from Ki-ja.

Oh! Yona's fainted over there!

What?!

She's not there.

She's inside the room.

I just caught a glimpse.

There's no way you can see inside the room from here.

My eyesight is as sharp as Sin-ha's, but only when it comes to Yona.

Oddly enough, that sounds pretty convincing.

Come on, let's go.

We can ask the old lady for water.

Oh, no. I don't have a dry towel.

Wait a minute!

The princess is right there!

Whoa!

I can't really do much more.

Ki-ja... Oh, thank goodness.

Looks like he's done washing.

Oh, sorry, I guess I saw something else.

Give me a break.

I said I'm sorry.

No. It just doesn't feel right to wear wet clothes.

I'll teach you some calisthenics as an apology.

Why you...

If you're so insistent, I'll go along.

Calisthenics, right?

All right, let's build these handsome bodies together, Hak.

This is kind of awkward, but I have to buy time for Ki-ja to move away.

Are you having a bout?

I'd love to join in.

Why?!

Why did you come?!

Are you the old man at the well?

What old man?

And you're showing your back too!

It's showing!

Just put some clothes on.

Well, I don't have a dry towel.

I need to wipe the water off with something.

Just use this!

No, I can't use your robe.

What will you wear?

I'm really starting to get annoyed with you!

Ki-ja!

I heard you're not feeling well.

What's wrong?

Are you hungry?

Man, here come a swarm of other people to complicate things!

We have one option: escape!

Hey!

Yeah, he doesn't look well. Let's let him rest.

Jae-ha!

What happened, Ki-ja?

It's him! He's here!

Him?!

Who?

He finally reached me!

Jae-ha, I have a favor to ask of you.

To get you out of here, right?

Please...

kill him!

You know, we can see your back like that.

I don't care if you cut up my back in the process!

But your back...

He... He's the one who prevented me from entering the bath.

Quickly! Quickly!

Ki-ja, are you saying you didn't go into the bath because there was a spider?

Yes!

Ah, a hot spring is a wonderful thing.

I'm really grateful that you got rid of that spider for me, Jae-ha.

Being with you tires me out.

If you had a spider problem, you should've just said so at the outset.

You shouldn't toy with people over trivial matters.

I bet those scars on your back are from something stupid, aren't they?

Scars?

Oh, those are from my father, the previous dragon.

Right when I was born.

Was the previous dragon your father?

How can you be so cheerful about it?

Why should I be gloomy?

In the village, I was only allowed to see my father in the presence of guards.

Let go!

Let go of me!

How could you do this?!

The White Dragon needs a healer!

White Dragon?! What do you mean, White Dragon?!

Ki-ja. It's all right. You...

There, there.

What are you talking about?

I'm the White Dragon!

I'll serve the king!

Lord Previous Dragon!

From now forward, this child is the avatar of god, the White Dragon.

Hurting him means disobeying the gods!

It's a heavy sin!

You mustn't!

Please return to your room.

But, Granny, I want to-

You mustn't!

These scars are the only time my father touched me.

They hold the heat of my father's desire to serve the king.

As one of the Four Dragons, I hold that fervor etched into my back, and I live by it.

Does this great wish of the past dragons include your own thoughts too?

Back then, I was talking without knowing anything.

You're carrying the regrets of your father and all the White Dragons before him on your back,

and you're determined to resolve them with your own life.

You're an admirable man.

What's the matter?

You went silent all of a sudden.

I want to apologize for calling you a marionette once.

Oh, that. It's already behind us.

No matter who says what, my desire to serve the princess won't change.

I realize that.

Your back says that no matter what scars you have to bear, you'll stick to your purpose.

I see it now.

You are truly worthy of the White Dragon's name.

Father.

That day, like a ripe fruit falling to the ground,

the realization hit me.

It was the day my father would die.

Granny, I'd like to see Father.

I haven't so much as caught a glimpse of him for three moons.

Please allow me to see him.

You mustn't, White Dragon.

Lord Previous Dragon is unwell these days.

Please show some patience.

Father is up in this house.

Father...

Even if I don't get to speak to you...

at least... I wish to see you.

Good.

There's no one around at the moment.

You've become so thin.

Fath-

Who's there?

Is someone there?

Granny, is that you?

Granny, look.

This hand...

It's now a human hand without a trace of anything else.

That powerful dragon claw is completely gone.

That proud godly strength is gone.

I have taken that power from you.

Say, Granny,

can I...

can I touch him now?

Can I be allowed to touch him just once before I die?

Granny,

I'm sorry.

I'm going to cause you trouble again.

I've never really grown up inside.

There's really nothing I can do for him at this point.

Granny?

Why didn't I prepare something to say?

Father,

there are so many things I want to talk to you about.

Ki-ja...

After whispering my name,

Father never opened his eyes again.

White Dragon.

Please forgive Lord Previous Dragon.

Granny...

truly... there is nothing I cannot forgive him for.

Yo!

What? You can't sleep either?

I got this from the old lady.

You wanna join me for some?

This isn't like you, Hak, inviting me to drink.

Did you stay in the bath too long or something?

Pour the cups.

Yes, this hot water is truly fine.

Keeping your body clean feels really good.

Yes!

You seem to be in a good mood today, Ki-ja.

Did you sleep well?

Yes, I suppose.

Oh, White and Green Dragon.

We're starting the day together.

Yellow and Blue Dragon want in too!

All four Dragons together.

Let's talk about what it means to be part of the Four Dragons.

Don't let it go to your head.

The Four Dragons are like brothers.

You can tell me anything.

Such pain-in-the-butt relatives... seriously.

We're not Dragons, but can we come in too?

Of course. Come on in.

A morning bath feels nice, doesn't it?

Oh, is the young lady alone on her side?

No, the princess-

Hak!

There's no soap left here.

Can you pass me some?

Sure.

One would've been enough.

utaou te wo toriatte ima wo ikiteru nara

Let's sing! We live together and help each other

saa owaranai uta wo koko de utaitsuzukeyou

So let's keep singing the endless song here

kasoku shiteku hibi de maigo ni nacchau ka no

Will I become lost in the days that pass ever faster?

jibun rashisa miushinawazu ni itai

I don't want to lose sight of what makes me, me

suteki na yume wo miru tame ni

Because to reach that wonderful dream

egao mo namida mo hitsuyou dakara

We need both laughter and tears

okaeri to mukaete kureru nakama ga soko ni ita

I have friends who welcome me among them

watashi wa mou hitori ja nai

I'm not alone anymore

takusan moratta yasashisa wo kaeshite ikitai no

I'd like to return the immense kindness you've shown me

tonari de matte ite ne

So stay by my side

te to te tsunaide iyou

Let's walk hand in hand

Wouldn't it be lovely if we came back here again, all of us?

Yeah.