I think you need a little more downtime in your life, Jinya-kun.
Why? Do I really seem that stressed out to you?
More like broody, I suppose.
You always seem to push yourself too hard.
Yeah. That might be true.
I'm only living for one thing. The purpose that I must fulfill.
I don't know what this "purpose" of yours might be, but you should still let yourself relax on occasion.
Isn't life boring when you do nothing but pursue your goals?
Even so, it's all that I have.
Sorry.
I don't think I can take your advice.
What a shame...
Know what these are called?
No.
Winter daphnes.
The flowers start budding in fall, then survive winter to bloom in spring.
Such a strong fragrance.
It's nice, isn't it?
Blooming winter daphnes are the harbingers of spring.
And the flowers over there are...
Chickweed.
Boiling the stalks makes for a good stomach medicine.
In Kadono...
In the village I used to live in, it was a popular cure.
A childhood friend of mine took it all the time.
She had a bad habit of eating sweets at every opportunity.
And overeating would give her stomach aches, so I had to make sure she got the medicine.
She sounds like a rather... amusing individual.
There was hardly a time when I wasn't dancing to her tune.
There's clearly more to your life than you think.
You enjoy eating soba, appreciate the beauty of flowers, and have fond memories of the past.
It's just that your obsession with this "purpose" has made you blind to everything else.
You must never believe that's all you have, okay?
Please stop and live in the moment from time to time.
Although you don't realize it, there are flowers blooming all over.
Once you look around, you'll be sure to find many sights that you've never seen before.
Well, here we are.
Seems your father stayed up to wait for you.
He's too overprotective.
I imagine it just comes with being a parent.
Oh? Then how do you explain why you concern yourself with me?
It's a mystery.
I appreciate you escorting me back home.
Sure.
Teach me more about flowers sometime, would you?
Huh?
Preferably when the sun is out.
Okay!
Shucks. What a nice lady.
Mosuke. You followed us?
Whoops! I better get back to searching for the slasher.
La-da-dee, la-da-dum, la-da-doo!
N-nooooo!
Wh-what on earth? What just happened?!
You should stay still. Unless you prefer dying.
Mosuke!
Sorry. I let it get away.
That's okay. I wasn't expecting it to be so tough, either.
I'll stay on its trail.
I might at least be able to find where it sleeps.
Don't do anything risky.
I'll keep my distance even if I find it. I'm not interested in dying.
You take care of that young lady, okay?
Hey, you.
What's wrong?
Need some help...
Jeez. I can't get up, okay? So give me a hand.
Thank you.
Sure.
That cold and snippy attitude of yours brings back memories.
You haven't forgotten me, have you?
Wait, Natsu-dono?
Oh, good. So you do remember me.
You weren't as big back then.
Well, obviously. People can grow a lot in three years.
But you still look the same as always.
I'm immune to getting old, you see.
Most women would put you in the doghouse just for saying that.
Is walking out this late a habit of yours?
Don't be ridiculous.
I was just coming home after making a delivery to one of our good patrons.
Working late, then?
Yeah. Repaying a bit of kindness.
You've changed, Natsu-dono.
Really?
You have a more natural smile now.
Thanks.
Well, it just goes to show that I'm moving on from being a kid.
Oh, please. You're still a long way from adulthood.
Eeek!
D-don't scare me like that!
I go out of my way to check on you and this is the thanks I get? Talk about rude.
Oh! Jinya?!
Zenji-dono. Nice to see you again.
So, what's the story with you two? Is this a love affair?
Natsu-dono was attacked by a serial killer.
Huh?
W-whoa, what the-?!
This is no time for idle chit-chat!
Q-quick, let's call for an officer!
What good would that do? They can't help against demons.
Demons?!
It's one that I've been hunting for some time now.
Natsu-dono getting attacked was just an unfortunate coincidence.
More demons?
Yeesh, it's like meddling in crazy stuff is all you know how to do.
Well, excuse me for existing!
I wasn't talking about you, milady!
So, how are you making a living these days?
The same as always. As a demon-slaying ronin.
Should you ever need my help, you can find me at a soba shop in Fukugawa called "Kihei."
I'll give you a discount.
Not for free?
Obviously.
Since your escort is here, I'll be on my way.
Thank you for saving me.
Oh, hold on, Jinya!
If you're after demons, you should check out Teramachi in Yanaka.
They have a temple that was abandoned after the head priest passed away awhile back,
but people have been hearing a woman's voice coming from it every night.
Now rumors are flying that some kinda demon is living there.
What is it called?
I think it was... Mizuho temple.
I'm pretty sure I went in the right direction, but I guess not.
It's close!
Hatsu!
That's the one.
That's the demon I need to kill!
MIZUHO TEMPLE
Must go...
So, you're the bastard who murdered my wife.
You just eat them bones and all, huh?
Whatever. That's not important.
Must go home...
I don't care.
None of it matters!
You son of a bitch!
Am I just going... to die here?
Without getting my vengeance?
I'm such a failure.
Mosuke!
I really went and made a pathetic mess of myself...
You found the slasher?
Yeah. It was here, eating women whole.
That piece of shit...
It's the same one... the one who killed my wife!
Wait, it ate them?
Jinya-san, do me a favor...
This here sword... was forged in a place called Kadono and is supposed to work like a charm against demons...
Please take it... and avenge my wife... for me...
All right.
But I would like your power in exchange.
Sure. Anything for a friend...
If you can make use of me, then by all means...
You're a demon disguised as a human? Really?
Go figure.
And so what?
Huh? Well...
My heart still feels the same as always, no matter if you're demon or human. I love you.
I have heard your wish.
And will see it done.
When I first became cognizant...
I was already in this demonic body.
I knew I needed to kill men.
Because that was the reason I was born.
From then on, I was just constantly searching.
For who? I don't know.
I have to hurry.
I must go home.
To where? I don't know.
But there was one thing I was sure of.
I couldn't go home like this.
Bye, Yunagi. See you again soon.
Yes. You're welcome back any time.
So I went out to abduct more women.
I knew I needed to feed upon women.
Because they had what my demonic body lacked.
I must eat a lot and then go back home...
Such a garish kimono. A prostitute perhaps.
I think I heard her name was "Yunagi."
Whatever. That's not important.
I want to go home. Soon.
Back to where... I belong.
Surprising that you'd return to this lair after it was discovered.
It seems that your intelligence is as primitive as your looks.
Your power is rather problematic.
But I have help this time!
You also... feast?
"Invisibility." That is the name of the power I will use to end you.
Demon.
I wish to know something if you can answer.
Since the very beginning, I've heard the number of bodies left by the serial killer didn't add up.
You would always kill men on the spot, but abduct the women to eat here in your lair.
The discrepancy makes perfect sense. However...
It doesn't explain why the body of Mosuke's wife was left behind.
If you were truly the killer Mosuke was looking for, then his wife should have been devoured without a trace.
So who exactly are you?
Need body...
Can't go home... without body...
You asked me earlier if I also "feast."
The answer is yes.
I feast upon other demons, much like how you ate those women.
And now, I will consume your power.
Your power is "Dart." A temporary speed boost, eh?
Activating it allows you to "kick" through the air in a quick burst of speed.
I see. This will prove useful.
I've figured out your power.
Now, what of your soul?
I must go home.
I must find a body. I can't look like this.
Hurry. Must hurry.
Must find it. Must go home.
You are...
I need to get back to him!
What is your name?
Ha...tsu...
Just wait, I'll be home soon!
All that you really wanted... was to go home, wasn't it?
Mosu...ke...
You poor thing. There was never a chance of that happening.
Ya know, we haven't seen much of him lately...
Jinya-san.
You're right.
He hasn't come back since I said he could marry you.
You never said that!
But actually, I ran into him the other day when I went out to Asakusa.
And we chatted for a bit.
Is that so?
He said he would stop by for some soba once his business was finished.
Oh really? But I heard the slasher suddenly vanished and the killings stopped.
So isn't his job done?
Jinya-kun said it wasn't over yet.
Why's that?
Because there were more demons to hunt.
Yo. Things have quieted down. Ready to go on the prowl again?
Let's find a younger one this time.
We should get another bitch like the last one. The married kind.
Jeez, you're such a sicko.
Oh, come on! You know it's way more exciting to ravish those prim and proper types.
That last bitch wouldn't stop struggling and yelling her man's name until the end.
Oh, yeah. "Mosuke! Mosuke!" Was it?
Mosuke.
Rest easy knowing that your wife has been avenged.