KEIO YEAR 3 (1867)
Long time no see.
How's life been treatin' ya?
What are you doing here?
Yeesh, not much of a welcome. You got beef with me or what?
I wouldn't put it that way.
Well, I'm here to treat you to a cup o' tea.
You came all the way from Kyoto for that?
Yup.
Anyhoo, you'll let me in, won'tcha?
I gotta say, your digs are as bland as ever.
Gone from hunter to kidnapper, eh?
That's my daughter.
Huh?!
Your daughter, really?
Hi there, lil' missy. What's your name?
Nomari.
Sorry if I spooked ya, Nomari-chan. But I got some business with your daddy here.
Such good manners. Hard to believe that you raised her.
Right?
Shucks, I wasn't expecting ya to just agree with me!
What's this?
A natsume tea caddy. Well-crafted, ain't it?
Except that nobody seems to care for it.
So it's just been sittin' and gathering dust.
It's the hydrangeas, I'd bet.
Hm?
Hydrangeas can change color based on the soil they're grown in.
Therefore, many people consider these flowers to be a bad omen that represents treachery and fickleness.
Oh? Go figure!
Or so I was once told.
Still, this is a solid piece of work.
It'd be a shame to just let it go to waste.
So here I am, hopin' that you'd be willing to use it to make us some tasty cups o' tea.
You think I know how to make tea?
Well, shoot. That's my bad!
I ain't cultured enough to know the first thing about how to perform a proper tea ceremony, myself.
I don't suppose ya know anybody that could?
Well, there is one person who comes to mind...
Oh, that's great!
Then let's go. We can all chew the fat over some tea.
Then catch up on ghost and demon news, too.
Wow, look at how big this sweet pea has gotten!
Oh, stop it. You saw her just the other day, Dad.
Huh?
Well, yeah. But kids grow extra fast whenever you're not looking.
Like by a head or two every day!
Trust me, Ofuu. I still remember the days when you were all teensy-weeny!
Enough, Dad.
Oh! I should hurry and make her a cup of tea.
Gosh. Looks like Nomari-chan's already stealing hearts, eh?
Yep. Although, I think it's more that my dad is just a lovesick puppy.
Ofuu. Will you watch her?
Sure.
Have a good time, Daddy.
Have fun!
See you later.
Just putting it out there, but I bet that soba chef knew how to perform a tea ceremony, no?
Maybe so.
Well, life's complicated.
Both people and towns...
something's always different whenever you see them.
They change in the blink of an eye, even if you never notice.
And if that's making ya feel a little lonesome, well...
maybe it's just a sign you're getting old?
Hell if I know.
Jeez. You sure ya don't got beef with me?
Oh, hey! Wanna do some hanami?
Your friend who can help us make tea lives this way, right?
I know a spot along the way.
Hanami? You mean look at cherry blossoms?
Yup!
But they're not in season.
Oh, pshaw.
Whaddya think? Pretty classy looking shop, eh?
Where are the cherry blossoms?
Don't fret.
Nice. This is good stuff.
Ya look confused.
C'mere. Feast your eyes on this one.
This is bizen ware.
It's made with only clay and fire. No glaze whatsoever.
Looks pretty rustic, eh?
But these cups are great for sake cuz they enhance the aroma and make it taste extra smooth.
That's fascinating.
Hah, I knew that'd get your attention!
Over here is kutani ware.
The lavish aesthetics are their big selling point.
Flowers, birds, landscapes...
They're just as much beautiful paintings as they are dishware.
It was actually a goldsmith who founded kutani ware, so it shares a bond with the Akitsu style.
Well? Pretty interesting stuff, huh?
Learning the history behind these makes me see them in a new light.
Glad to hear it!
But ya gotta be careful.
These can turn people into connoisseurs who take on enough debt to ruin their lives over a single plate.
I'd never get in that deep. I have a daughter to care for.
Hope that stays true!
This is what I came here for.
Nabeshima ware. A plate decorated with enamel cherry blossoms and a brushwood fence.
A real beaut, ain't it?
You're right. This is a good spot for hanami.
Every piece here is filled with the hopes and dreams of the craftsman who made it.
And the best part? These flowers never go out of season.
They've been the same since 100 years ago.
And'll stay the same for 100 more.
Shucks! Beggin' your pardon, good sir.
Sorry to bug ya with my silly request.
Akitsu-dono, was it? That's okay.
Tea ceremonies are not exactly my forte, but I know how they're done.
Besides, I enjoy partaking in a leisurely cup of tea from time to time.
My apologies. Neither of us have experience with tea ceremonies.
I hope you'll forgive any mistakes we make.
Nitpicking over proper etiquette runs counter to the primary essence of tea.
Please, don't be so tense. Just enjoy yourselves.
Okay. Please wait a moment.
Here you are.
Delicious.
I'm glad you think so.
Aren't we supposed to drink from the same cup in turn?
That's one way of doing it.
But in the interest of socializing, I thought it best to prepare a separate cup for each of us.
Here. Please enjoy, Akitsu-dono.
Thank ya kindly.
I must say, I'm really struck by your generosity, good sir.
Oh, think nothing of it. I gladly consider any friend of Jin-dono's as a friend of mine.
Make yourself at home. I don't even mind if you sit cross-legged.
Shucks, I don't wanna be that audacious!
Mmm! Tasty!
Long way down.
Ready? Three, two, one... go!
Come on down, Jinta!
O-okay!
Hey, that actually felt pretty good!
I know, right?
It's your turn next, you two!
Suzune-chan!
Let's go!
S-sure...
We'll do it together.
Three, two, one, go!
Isn't this fun, Suzune-chan?
Yeah!
Congrats on your first jump, Suzune-chan!
I wanna go again.
Sure! Let's go!
Me, too!
Me three!
C'mon, everybody!
Ya know, I reckon the tea tastes even better thanks to this caddy.
Indeed. It's a beautiful piece.
You've got great taste!
This here's actually the work of a fairly distinguished craftsman.
Wow!
Is something the matter, Jin-dono?
No.
Though I'd argue that calling Somegoro my "friend" is a bit of a stretch.
Yeesh. You're always so mean to me.
But I reckon it's hard for anybody to be as chummy as the two of you seem to be!
I'm happy that's the impression you get.
He's a good friend who I've known longer than any other.
Oh? That's funny, cuz this yokel ain't near prestigious enough to earn that kinda praise. Trust me!
Social status makes no difference. Though, I realize it's unfair for a samurai like me to claim that.
But even so, I cherish the bond that I've forged with Jin-dono.
And hopefully, we can maintain it for many years to come.
Chitose-chan, look at these!
Wow! How pretty!
What's the matter, Chitose-chan?
Oh, it's nothing.
Shall we go?
All right.
Really? Well, we should go together next time!
Sure!
You're right. Hopefully, we'll stay close.
Yes. Indeed.
Akitsu-dono. I understand you hail from Kyoto.
I sure do.
How are things going lately?
In Kyoto?
Let me think.
Well, we've had a feisty bunch of visitors comin' from Satsuma, Choshu, and the like.
Things are kind of a mess!
Beggin' your pardon. Did my answer rub ya the wrong way?
Oh, not at all.
Shucks, that was tasty. I'm mighty grateful!
Same here.
Getting to relax in such good company was a rare treat for me.
Toodle-oo!
Jin-dono.
If you don't mind, could we spar sometime soon?
Why the sudden interest?
No reason. Just want to get some exercise.
I'll gladly spar with you.
But don't hesitate to ask if you need help with something.
Right.
I will. When the time comes.
You're lucky to have him as a friend.
I suppose.
So, what did you really come here for?
Exactly what I told ya before, silly.
Just wanted to chat and have some tea.
And we finished all that.
Now it's time to talk demons.
Like I told your samurai friend, things have been getting dicey.
Demons are poppin' up like mushrooms, even in Kyoto.
And now, a nasty rumor's been going 'round the exorcist community.
It's weird how they keep proliferating,
so people believe there's some kinda demonic kingpin in control.
Somegoro Akitsu.
Has anybody described this kingpin? Like maybe their hair color?
Nah. Nobody's actually seen 'em in person.
Could be a hulking monster or some kinda she-devil...
Can't be sure yet.
So, whatcha gonna do?
Good question.
Well, it's only a rumor. Ain't no proof yet.
But ya better keep that nugget in the back of your mind.
Duly noted. Sorry for all the hassle.
Aw, it's fine. Just a simple "thanks" will do!
I really did want to have tea with ya.
And we covered the demon news. Plus, I even took care of my little ghost problem.
I'd call that a satisfying day!
Well, toodle-oo!
Somegoro Akitsu.
We're done with tea and demons. But I've yet to hear about this "ghost" problem.
Like I said, it's all taken care of!
I was plannin' to send it off by myself, but...
This natsume here was shunned not just for the hydrangea design,
but also cuz strange phenomena occur in its presence.
It got passed 'round like a rotten potato.
Until, finally, it's last owner passed away.
Nobody ever used it in its lifetime. Then it got left to rot in an abandoned house.
The poor thing. I mean, just look at how adorable it is.
Okay, but what about the ghost?
The emotions infused in this tea caddy brought it to life.
As an Akitsu, I couldn't just toss it out.
So I brought it along to give it a proper goodbye.
It was mighty interested in you, by the way.
Enjoyed its first time doing hanami, too.
It also loved seeing all the different porcelain and pottery displayed in that shop.
A truly fulfilling day.
The tsumogami shaman who can turn the emotions of objects into demons.
This method of exorcism is unique to you, I suppose.
Swinging a flashy blade around isn't the only way to dispel spirits, ya know.
Sometimes the key to making them move on is to befriend them.
That's rich coming from a guy who just attacked me without even trying to talk it out.
Different strokes!
Alrighty. Goodbye for real.
Maybe next time we can have sake over tea, eh? At my place!
Nomari-chan was well behaved while you were away.
That's good.
Hey, sweet pea. How's it taste?
Um, it's plain.
Yep. There's no doubt that she's your kid, pal!
Nomari.
Who'd a thunk the big bad demon hunter was such a doting dad!
Say what you will.
Well, I sure as heck ain't one to talk.
Thanks for da food!
Nicely done.
Daddy!
What's gotten into you?
Whaddya say, pal? Nothing quite like having a daughter, eh?
Yeah.
Fathers can't help but fret over their kids. I get that now.
By the way, have you considered that she might need a mother figure, too?
I got the perfect candidate. You can have my Ofuu.
Come off it, Dad!
But I'm serious, Ofuu.
We can talk about this later.
You haven't been in the best shape lately. Why not call it quits early and get some rest?
Oh, worried about little ol' me?
It's more that I can't clean the table off if you just sit there forever.
Ouch. Feels like Ofuu's been on a real mean streak lately.
Will a day come when Nomari starts treating me like that, too?
Gosh, it's a little early to be worried about that.
Oh, Jinya-kun. You've really changed!
Have I?
I see.
I'm glad it seems that way.