KAEI YEAR 7 (1954)
Greetings, samurai. Buy me for the night, would you?
I'll have to pass.
Please, you must. I'm begging you.
It hurts. My b-body is in so much pain... so, please! You must buy me!
I will not.
Goddammit! Son of a bitch! Why not?! Why won't you buy me?!
I'll kill you!
It hurts! It hurts so bad! Goddammit!
My name is Jinya.
Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch!
Would you be kind enough to give me yours?
How unfortunate.
It hurts! Goddammit!
Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch!
I'll kill you!
Seems your reputation as a demon hunter holds up.
Here is your payment.
That girl was a courtesan in Yoshiwara. Albeit a low-class one.
She was trapped in a brothel, made to have sex, caught syphilis,
and then got tossed out once her heart and body were broken.
Before long, she became a demon who just slaughtered men under the cherry blossoms.
Far too tragic, don't you think?
So you hired me out of pity for her?
More like affinity.
Honestly, there's a good chance I end up like her one day.
And knowing that, I couldn't just leave her be.
You have my thanks, ronin. Sorry to burden you with this.
What makes you think it's a burden?
My job is all about reading how a man feels from his expression.
But I must say, you have the look of a lost little boy.
Who are you, exactly?
You can call me Harlot. I'm Harlot the harlot.
Names don't need to be any more complicated than that, right?
Say, ronin? If I ever turn into a murdering demonic bitch who haunts the cherry blossoms,
do me a favor and kill me, okay?
I can't pay you, though.
I'm not interested in working for free.
Well, shucks. Aren't you cold?
All right, see you around.
What a strange woman.
There are so many people here! I guess a divine day of celebration gets everybody out!
Let's be careful not to get separated.
Right.
You know, I can't imagine letting the guys get a glimpse of me.
Not in this outfit.
Oh, come on. It's a festival.
Besides, none of the guys even bothered to show up!
Well, I know that Jinya-san and Miura-sama were too busy with work to come.
But it's a shame Zenji-san didn't show up since he was the one who invited us...
"Every good merchant knows that holiday events are prime business opportunities, fool!"
My dad really gave him an earful.
Anyways, it's not every day we get a festival around here, so let's just call it a girls' day out.
Okay.
Summer really is in full swing!
Speaking of, why do they call these "lantern plants"?
Part of it has to do with the bright red color. Some say the name comes from the fact they look like little flames.
There are many theories, but apparently nobody is sure of the actual origin.
Huh.
You can write the name with the kanji for "demon" and "light."
Since the husks are shaped like lanterns, one theory is that demons light them up so they can work at night.
Oh, quit it! You'll ruin their beauty for me!
Do you hate demons?
You'd have a harder time finding someone that doesn't.
Good point.
I've been attacked by demons twice now.
And I honestly don't think I would still be alive if it wasn't for him.
Are you talking about Jinya-kun?
We first met about 4 years ago. He served as my bodyguard, although only for two nights.
When I saw him slicing off a demon's arm, I was struck by a childish thought.
"Wow, this guy is a master swordsman straight out of the storybooks."
You're really keen on Jinya-kun, aren't you?
I didn't mean it like that!
I mean, I do think of him like a character from a fairy tale.
Except...
I wish I had an answer.
I'm not sure why I'm doing it, myself.
When I saw him in that moment, he looked far from being a master swordsman and more like a fragile soul.
So, I realized we're not all that different. And it gave me peace of mind.
You can't call those romantic feelings. It would be rude to women everywhere.
Fair enough.
I've noticed that Jinya-kun has a bad habit of trying to avoid the reality of his own feelings, unfortunately.
Hey, Ofuu-san...?
Pardon me there, ladies!
Can I interest you in anything?
Oh, Akitsu-san!
Hello there, Ofuu-chan. Feel free to take a look.
Who is this guy?
He's been a regular patron of our soba shop since last year and always orders delivery.
He hails from the capital in Kyoto.
Somegoro Akitsu. Nice to meetcha, lil' missy.
What? There's no way that you're Somegoro Akitsu.
Huh?
Somegoro Akitsu is one of the most popular and respected metalsmiths of our time.
Don't let the name bother you.
I'm the daughter of a merchant, so names hold a lot of weight with me.
Are you really selling goods that live up to the work of Somegoro?
Well, I suppose they're not bad.
Harsh critic. Alrighty, then.
How about these?
Decorative shells! They look quite old, but certainly well made.
Girls around your age usually have a boy or two they're interested in.
Just use these shells as a gift and they're guaranteed to fall for you.
Yeah, well, I'm not interested in anybody like that!
Oh, don't listen to her! She's just being coy.
The truth is that she's into someone but can't bring herself to say it aloud.
Not fair, Ofuu-san!
Ain't you a cutie-pie?
Let's see. How about this instead?
It's a netsuke shaped like a puffy sparrow. Pretty adorable, ain't it?
Made it myself.
It certainly is cute! But a far cry from Somegoro quality.
Pretty snarky, ain'tcha?
Say what you will, but I think this is the perfect fit for lil' missy like you.
Didja know that in China they say sparrows become clams?
They do?
Yep. The sparrows go into the sea and turn into clams. Or so the superstition goes.
It's how they explain why sparrows vanish in late fall, 'cuz they went into the sea to become clams.
And so what?
I figured a sparrow would be more your speed, seeing as how you're too young for the clam shells.
Now who's being snarky?
Hey now, I didn't mean it as an insult.
A puffy sparrow built to survive the cold is what you need right now.
Just remember, the heart is ever-changing.
Hopefully those feelings of yours become a right proper clam one day.
Whatever, that means nothing to me.
But since it's pretty cute, I'll buy one.
That'll be 90... No, wait, I'll make it 80 mon for you.
You make it sound like that's not pricey somehow.
Well, I am trying to make a living after all.
Here! I'll throw in a little extra!
Huh? Wait, this is a real Somegoro kanzashi!
How did you get this?!
It's something I scored for dirt cheap. I'll just chuck it later if you don't want it.
You've gotta be kidding!
Then take it off my hands, okay?
I'm sure this hairpin would be happier with you, lil' missy.
Really? All right.
Anything for you, Ofuu-chan?
I'll have to pass.
Shucks. Got a tight hold on those purse strings, don'tcha?
Well, thank you. Shall we get going, Ofuu-san?
Sounds good to me.
Goodbye, Akitsu-san. We'll be taking our leave now.
Sure. Enjoy your time at the festival!
What's your name?
Kikuo...
Ah, thank you very much!
Now I can finally sleep easy at night!
It's nothing.
Here is what we agreed upon.
Appreciated.
Oh, that's right! Would you care to have some of our specialty sake?
We had a really good batch lately. And it's one that we haven't put on the market yet.
YUKI-NO-NAGORI
No thanks.
Oh, shucks. That's a shame.
Now, if you'll please excuse me.
Thanks again! You're a real lifesaver.
I'll definitely ask for your help again should any new problems arise.
Looks like you came out unscathed.
Interesting. Didn't realize you cared.
Of course I do. It wouldn't sit right with me if the intel that I sold you led to your death.
Here's your cut.
Pity for the prostitute? No, that's clearly not it.
Something else must be causing that gloomy look on your face.
I killed someone I didn't want to. That's all.
But sparing them wasn't a choice for you, was it?
By God, you're easy to figure out.
Ah, that reminds me.
There have been rumors going around about a man who exterminates demons.
And I don't mean you.
He's some kind of spirit medium who can control shikigami.
Spirit medium?
I hear they use some kinda dog or bird spirits to take down demons.
But that's just pillow talk. I'm not sure how much of it is true.
See ya, ronin.
Be careful not to let your rival steal all the good jobs from you.
Jinya-kun!
Thank God you're here.
Well, Natsu-san has been acting strange...
Natsu? What happened?
Oh, how I have longed to see you, dear brother.
Natsu?
Thank the stars! After all this time, I have finally found my way back to your side.
What the hell is going on with you?
Please don't! I want to stay with you!
This all started after she put on a hairpin that she bought yesterday...
She suddenly went very quiet.
Where is my dear brother?
A kanzashi...?
Pardon me, Natsu, but I need you to show me that kanzashi.
Of course, dear brother.
Thank you.
It's nothing but a regular hairpin... right?
Well, here's an idea. Whaddya say we just break the thing?
No. We shouldn't do anything careless.
May I have it back, dear brother?
Sure. I'm sorry.
Yay!
Watch it, Natsu!
We just can't help but come here, can we?
Hey, Jinya!
And... milady?!
What exactly is going on here?!
Care to explain this, Jin-dono?
Hold on! Before you even answer that, we gotta break this up!
What is your problem? Please stop!
C'mon, now. Don't be silly, milady!
Who do you even think you are?!
This is downright crazy. Right, Jinya?
Yes, indeed.
Where did she buy that kanzashi?
We went to the Hozuki festival yesterday
and bought it off a gentleman by the name of Somegoro Akitsu
who'd come from Kyoto to sell his wares.
Huh? Somegoro Akitsu?!
I guess we start by finding him.
That's ridiculous! You must've heard wrong because he's long dead.
Wait, really?
Yeah. Somegoro Akitsu was a craftsman who put out work decades ago.
He was known for combs and kanzashi. Plus, katana accessories and the like.
His metalwork is pretty famous. It's difficult for even our shop to get stock of his stuff.
That reminds me, Natsu-san said this kanzashi was a Somegoro piece when she looked at it.
Then, does that mean...?
You better not tell me that Somegoro suddenly came back from the dead and is traipsing around as a demon.
Nah, that can't be the case.
How would you know, pops?
Because I've met Akitsu-san before.
He's no demon. That guy's human, no doubt.
That's all I need to hear. I trust your judgement.
Seriously? C'mon, Jinya.
You've never met him, right? Then how can you just buy into this so quickly?
Well, that doesn't leave us much to work with...
Akitsu. I'm just going to have to find this guy.
Please let go.
Nuh-uh! Not after I finally found you.
I am never going to leave your side again, dear brother!
Sorry. But I have no idea what you're talking about.
Huh?
I don't know why you cling to me. Or why you call me your brother.
None of it makes any sense.
Why should a bird need any reason to perch itself by a flower?
It is simple. I merely wished to be at your side, dear brother.
And after many ages, my wish has been granted.
Now joy fills my heart.
I'm afraid that I must go. Will you watch the place for me?
Then I shall accompany you.
Have no fear. I'll be back soon.
So please just wait here.
Okay.
Good girl.
Sorry, but she's in your hands now, Zenji.
What?
Jin-dono seemed rather accustomed to dealing with her...
You said it.
Big brother.
Pretty sunset, ain't it?
I'm bettin' there'll be a beautiful moon out tonight.
Which means, it's gonna be prime time for drinking some sake.
Do you have business with me?
Huh? You're the one who's got business with me, ain'tcha?
They say you've been lookin' all over for me.
After I heard a big and tall fella had business with me, I wondered what it was about, but...
The answer to that is obvious. Since demons only come after me for one reason.
There have been rumors going around about a man who exterminates demons.
I suppose I should ask. What is your name?
Who, me?
I'm Akitsu.
Somegoro Akitsu the Third, actually.