...Thoughts ruminate in Ichiban's mind the closer they come to Inazuma. It's hard for him not to think about them; after all, Inazuma was his home for the better part of his life, for better or for worse. The issue is that the memories in question are ones that are deeply personal to him; coupled with the thrashing that Lumine gave him before, his mind is a whirlwind of different things that leaves him unsure of what to think. His mind drifts back to a conversation he had a long time ago, before he had christened himself with a name...
"You know, I... I know it's a bit odd for me to say, but... I've been thinking lately, and I think what I really want in my life is to be someone like you."
"Someone like me, huh? Are you sure that's what you really want? Katsuragi and I are teaching you what we are so you can be better than us, you know!"
"Come on, I'm serious...! Hahaha... I know it's silly, but—but I want to believe that there's a place for me in this world, just like there's one for you guys, you know? I'd like that more than anything else, I think."
"You say that like you're not one of us already. No matter what happens in the future, there's always going to be a place for you in Tatarasuna."
"...Do you really mean that?"
"Absolutely. And if things change, then I hope that you take everything you've learned here wherever you go, so you can find all sorts of new and wonderful people who accept you like we do—"
Ichiban didn't even notice he was biting his lip so hard until he heard the sound of wood splintering. Just like the Shogun does, he has his own routine where he applies veneer and polish to his lips, face, skin, what-have-you much like one applies foundation and lipstick. He'd need to reapply it again to hide what he had done to his lips... He really is a mess, and it's only going to get a whole lot worse...
Finally, Beidou's mighty commands rock the boat as she looks out to the island of Ritou ahead of them.
"GET READY TO DOCK, AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S READY TO DISEMBARK!"
"...It seems that we're almost there."
Ei says, having accidentally snuck up on Ichiban and giving the poor puppet a heart attack. She gently puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him a reassuring smile.
"Are you ready to come home?"
"...About as ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
Ichiban sighs, standing up straight and looking to Inazuma.
He could only hope that things went as smoothly as they could while they were here...