Samurai Love Ballad Party Part 33 - Sanada Nobuyuki Act 2
I remember not being a fan of Nobuyuki so let's see if his Act 2 will be better hahaha, apparently I really liked the heroine though! But honestly, I love the heroine in most routes, she's always strong, kind, brave and cute. I agree that when you're with a capable partner, the most important thing is to be their foundation and always be there for them to prop them back up when they're about to fall apart. Maybe she's not a "lady" from a samurai family, but there's no one else who knows Nobuyuki as well as she does. It was actually really demoralising to see the heroine so straightforwardly ask Nobuyuki about how he looked quite concerned after talking to Jinpachi last time, so she was worried about him, and he just completely cut her off and said she doesn't need to know or worry about it. It's probably something to do with him choosing to marry her so he doesn't want her to get hurt, but the way he handled it really hurt me because she tried so hard to be his support and help him but he just completely brushed her off. I feel like the heroine is always the one actually doing things to protect this relationship and make it work. She knew she needed to run away and make him find her so that he would properly face her and his problems, and I'm glad she told him this was a frustrating part of him lmao. I can understand why Nobuyuki felt like he couldn't tell her considering Shingen not appearing as he should have is a big deal, especially if something has happened to him, meaning the Sanada would lose their lord and their clan's lives could be in jeopardy, but all he needed to say to her was that something has happened, he can't tell her yet because of how serious it is, but once he can, he will, and she wouldn't be so worried about him bottling things up again.
It was hard to watch Yukimura so dejected after the loss of Shingen, but now that Masayuki and Nobuyuki think that the Sanada clan should side with the Oda, Yukimura is understandably angry seeing that it feels like a betrayal to the Takeda. Oh, and now Nobunaga is gone so everything is just happening all at once, that's tough on everyone. I'm also surprised that Nobuyuki wants to do the wedding now but I guess it will be a show of resolve that they intend to keep going no matter what and that they won't give up on them and their people. Lmao when Yukimura said he was nervous and Saizo reminded him that he's not the one getting married🤣🤣 It's sweet that their wedding also gave hope to Yukimura and I love how supportive he is of the heroine becoming Lady Sanada. I'm glad Nobuyuki apologised to the heroine for using their wedding as a means to an end but as the new lady, the Sanada's morale is just as important, and they want to get married regardless so it's a good and happy thing either way.
It's such a crazy and difficult time for the Sanada. They've lost their lord and are unsure who to support and give their allegiance to. Do they prioritise their pride, their feelings, the one who is most likely to win and attain Divine Rule or do they risk everything for the ones they believe in? It's hard to choose because it's not only their lives but also the lives of all the servants, retainers and the people of their land. It was so cruel when Masayuki and Yukimura chose to side with the west aka Uesugi and Ishida combined forces, and Nobuyuki chose to side with the east aka the Tokugawa forces. Loyalty would make them go for the Uesugi even if they have lesser forces because the Sanada have always been on the other side fighting against the Tokugawa, so it'll be hard for Nobuyuki, but regardless, choosing the Tokugawa will always be a difficult decision. Not only are they considered an "enemy" so they won't give Nobuyuki a great welcome to go to their side, but having to now become the enemy of Masayuki (their father) and Yukimura will be hard to face. The only thing going for them all is their desire to keep the Sanada clan alive, so regardless of which side wins, the Sanada line will remain, and honestly, that's always been their goal with Yukimura and Nobuyuki so it was inevitable for this to happen. Nobuyuki's life was always protected at all costs to keep the Sanada alive, whereas Yukimura was always the "disposable" one, but it just breaks my heart to have to watch the family split apart like this because they genuinely love and care for each other, but their priority will always be the survival of the clan rather than themselves and their wills.
The other sad thing is that Nobuyuki will now always live with the reputation that he betrayed his father and his brother to side with the enemy. Those on his side won't look at him fondly and would hesitate to trust him considering he was able to betray his own family, whereas those who were once on his side would never forgive him for going to the Tokugawa. It's a difficult path and it's also a very sad one regardless of the result. This is probably the only route where I'm like, heroine, you need a baby now!!😂 She needs to continue the Sanada bloodline considering all the sacrifices people are making for it lol. I like how Nobuyuki got rid of that guy who openly hated him during war councils and even tried to attack the heroine and made her so scared when Nobuyuki wasn't around. He's quiet but ruthless and I like that. I felt so terrible for the heroine when Nobuyuki had to go prepare for war, so the heroine was left as basically the lord in charge while he's gone, and had to make the decision of whether to open the gates for Masayuki (Nobuyuki's father). She's not even a part of the war strategies and doesn't know about what is happening and yet she had to make the difficult decision of turning away her father-in-law who has only been kind to her. It was a test but it was a difficult test and I feel so bad for her.
I'm glad Jinpachi took the heroine to see Masayuki. It's most likely the last time they'll really ever get to see and talk to each other, and for him to not only check on how Nobuyuki is but to ask her to keep taking care of Nobuyuki for him. It's sad but fitting that Masayuki gave his dagger to the heroine to give to Nobuyuki because he's basically handing down the Sanada clan to him. It was inevitable but it honestly broke my heart when it was reported that Masayuki and other loyal retainers died, and then Ieyasu wanted to punish Yukimura harshly after winning the war. When Nobuyuki actually begged and asked for Ieyasu to spare Yukimura, I cried😭 Nobuyuki has always kept his composure no matter what he had to face, but he couldn't endure the idea of his brother also dying after knowing Masayuki's now gone. It's just too sad. I always wondered whether the decision to keep Yukimura alive was truly the best for him since he basically has to live as a farmer and be monitored forever. Yukimura grew up knowing he would die in battle and would think of that way of dying to be the "right" way and one that he could accept, so rescuing him in a sense robbed him of the warrior's death he has always expected. I'm glad Nobuyuki is doubting himself because I honestly can't decide what's right or wrong either. Living shouldn't ever be something we should give up on, but I also can't deny that to Yukimura, that might not even be considered living so what's the point? I love how well the heroine complements Nobuyuki. Everything that he lacks and doubts, she charges forward and decides with her heart for him so that he would have the least regrets. Ignoring everything else, she only focuses on what Nobuyuki wants and I think that's the wife he needs to support him. Too bad they got caught by Ieyasu, but they got his placid approval so hopefully it's more positive than expected?
It was nice to watch over everyone reunite, chat and drink together like old times but it broke my heart when Yukimura and Nobuyuki talked, and Yukimura apologised for making things difficult for Nobuyuki and how he forced Nobuyuki to be in such a position all his life, when really, it's not like Yukimura's position is super great either. I loved Yukimura's determination and Nobuyuki's acceptance of his resolve to see things through his own way even if it'll lead to his death. Yukimura has chosen his path and is determined to die for his beliefs and that's not something anyone can or should stop. It was sad when Jinpachi returned from watching over Yukimura's last moments, and then Saizo appeared to give Yukimura's headband to Nobuyuki. Even if he understands that Yukimura had chosen his path and that he would have loved to die on the battlefield like this, it must be difficult for Nobuyuki to think about how he's lost the most important people in his family. I love how Nobuyuki got to return to Ueda and rebuild the land the Sanada once took care of🥲 It was desolate, but it was so sweet when cherry blossoms finally bloomed and Nobuyuki felt that him surviving was the best way to show that the Sanada once lived. It's hilarious how Nobuyuki noticed the heroine was most likely pregnant before she did, and instead of telling her of that possibility, he goes around and does research on how to care for a pregnant woman and other stuff instead of actually taking care of her🤣 Poor heroine was in jail with how Jinpachi kept watching over her🤣 But I'm glad it ended that way, I think ending the story with a new life to carry on the Sanada line just as Masayuki, Yukimura and Nobuyuki have always worked towards is a fitting end and I'm happy for them.
Overall, Nobuyuki's Act 2 felt like one of the best, if not the best Act 2 imo and I wasn't even a fan of the guy in his Act 1 story! The beginning was a bit frustrating with how Nobuyuki refused to communicate with the heroine properly about the issues he was facing, but the best part about Nobuyuki's route is that because he's such a person, the heroine is very proactive, very straightforward and charges straight ahead to get answers from him. She's not passive and fights for their relationship and I love that. However, the true highlight of the route was when Nobuyuki went his separate ways from his father, Masayuki and his brother, Yukimura. The pain of choosing a different path just to prioritise the highest chance of survival for the Sanada clan above their own personal feelings was demonstrated really well and I feel like you could really feel how much everyone wanted to be together and fight to the death together if that's what it meant, but they couldn't do that because their lineage shouldn't die with them. I loved how important the heroine's support for Nobuyuki was during this time and how when he felt like he couldn't do something like meet Yukimura because it's too risky etc, the heroine blasts through with her thoughts that what's most important isn't always balancing pros and cons but following what your heart wants and not having regrets, and it was sweet to see how she really complements him. Yukimura's story was also really sad and I loved how they explored his desire to die on the battlefield where he always thought to die instead of living but not really living, I felt that it was really understandable. Anyway, I really loved this route and the story because it felt very complete and honestly felt like a lot of things happened and progressed at a good rate, I enjoyed it a whole lot even though it was super sad but also kind of hopeful🥺