What's this?
Hey, are you all right?!
You didn't hit your head?
You didn't break any bones?
You look so thin.
Maybe you've snapped a bone or two?
Well, nii-chan?
Does it hurt anywhere?
Are you hurt?!
You're the one that's hurt, you idiot!
Stop! Don't come near me!
Eh?
Now that you mention it, I do feel kinda—
Markings in a Water Channel
You're making me dirty!
Damn it!
Get off!
Okay, that's stopped the bleeding.
This is made from the sap of the Rehmannia root.
It helps clot blood.
Is it okay?
Ah, y-yeah.
You should use honeysuckle to disinfect it.
If there are any bruises, burn some leopard plant, and stick it on the bruise.
These plants sacrificed themselves to cure you.
So you'd better thank them.
What?
No doubt about it! You say some great things!
I like you!
But what were you doing up in that tree?
You're not really at an age to climb trees for fun.
Obviously!
I'm looking for something.
What are you looking for?
Ah, I know! You were trying to catch a sparrow or something.
Did it run away from you?
If you don't mind me, I'll give you a hand.
Do you live around here?
Yeah, and I know lots of the local people.
I know what happens around here quite well.
Then I don't suppose you'd know...
whether anything strange has happened around here.
Anything strange?
Like a house fire of unknown origin, cracks in the ground, or problems at a wood shop.
Huh?
Those sound pretty outrageous.
Well, I haven't heard of anything like that from ordinary people,
and merchants would regard it as a bad omen and keep it secret...
Ah, hold on...
Maybe that place...
You remember something strange?
Well... something probably happened...
That's fine for now. Tell me!
I don't mind telling.
But, how does this relate to what you're looking for?
Are there complicating circumstances?
I don't really mind.
But if I don't find that shop soon, people are going to get killed there.
That was impressive.
No! That was snoring!
That's not any less embarrassing.
There was only tofu, miso, and rice left in the kitchen,
so this was all I could make.
Here, eat.
No!
I'm busy reflecting on my sins.
I'm being taught a lesson through the pain of hunger!
Ah, but the savory scent of the miso...
No, no, stop, stop!
And yet you're still holding it firmly in your hands.
What happened to your bottomless stomach?
I said something I shouldn't have.
I didn't need to talk to Toki about myself, but I just...
Once you trust someone, you start telling him everything about yourself.
Wh-Wh-Who does?!
What does it matter? He really likes you.
You can rely on him a little, can't you?
Hey, am I wrong?
I thought he was a weak person with no self-consciousness,
who simply followed those around him.
That's why I couldn't bring myself to like him.
But he kept getting involved in so many things without a reason.
He created his own way of finding his place... and for other people as well.
Even though he doesn't seem able to resist outside influences,
sometimes I see a strong core, like a beam supporting the house.
He's very sensitive to the feelings of others, so he thinks before he speaks.
He provides answers to people seeking them.
So he doesn't give in to his weakness and collapse under pressure.
He never forgets to watch himself, and just does what he needs to, without stretching himself.
That's why he thinks ahead.
I think it's a great secret to life.
That's the kind of strength you felt from him.
His weakness and lack of power have both been turned into courage.
That's who Rikugou Tokidoki is.
Well, it's a lifestyle you can never master, because you're so impetuous and self-centered.
If you mock me, I won't forgive you!
Give me seconds!
You just ate a ton!
What happened to repenting?
In Rousseau's words:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a major philosopher and writer of the Enlightenment. The quote is from Emile.
"We are born, so to speak, twice over:
First into existence,
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a major philosopher and writer of the Enlightenment. The quote is from Emile.
and then into life."
Ruso? Rusou?
It means that you're born the first time just to exist,
and your second life starts when you find a purpose in life.
People like you live for the sake of living,
but people like Toki need a reason to live.
It's what you'd call a dilemma to envy.
That's just unhealthy.
If you just go for a run in the garden, you'll feel better.
People who need a reason to live...
People who would just feel better after a run.
There are all kinds of people, so misunderstandings and collisions occur.
And that's why we must rely on one another, to better understand and then to help each other.
Even though he was a wandering priest, that Rusou guy said things that are pretty difficult to understand.
Kuchiha is spelling Rousseau phonetically with the kanji 流僧, meaning flowing priest.
But anyway, that was a nice talk.
It's "Rusou" written with the kanji for flow and priest, right?
His name fits him perfectly.
As expected from someone in the same occupation as Shamon-sama!
How admirable!
Just shut up and eat.
Why...
Why will no one save my master?
You damned... humans!
And with that, we're out of tea.
Empty here too.
Really? I wanted to have some too!
Hey, why are you here?
Oh, did I interrupt your private time?
I'm so sorry.
I was lured here by this amazing smell.
Yeah, right.
You really came here just to listen to what we were talking about.
As I thought, you're nothing but a snoopy old man.
You knew from the start that he wasn't normal, right?
Well, if I'd said something, you two would've been on your guard.
Shamon didn't approve either.
Of course I knew.
I also knew that Tokidoki was the Blank Page from Higan.
And that you are just like him, too.
Me too?
Yes.
As far as we know, you were the first Blank Page in this era.
But in your case, because no one came before you, you waited to see what would happen.
Then in a sudden surprise, you were no longer the Blank Page.
But ever since the "stranger" appeared,
holes have started appearing all over heaven's net.
You were obviously the cause.
Ah, this is lukewarm.
But when we finally realized we could use you, it was too late.
We found out that in the year you'd been here,
you'd become useless.
Teiten found you and then bound you to heaven's net,
and just like for us, the time of your death has already been decided.
But even if we can't use you anymore,
there are a lot of people we can use, so it doesn't matter.
Princess, a medicated bath is being prepared!
Shinshu-chan.
What's the matter?
The Princess...
Save the Princess!
Just like you just saved that girl, get rid of the curse!
Eh?
I must get rid of Ginshu-san's curse?
You're the only one that can save her.
Brother!
Yes, yes, good girl.
Everything is all right now.
The Princess has done nothing wrong.
The Princess protected me!
Hey! Shinshu!
It's you again?
Man, how in the heck do you get in here?
It's really strange that she likes us.
Well, I'm pretty bored, so I don't mind.
So, what should we play today?
I don't know who they are, and they're gruff, but kind too.
Eh? Then as your guardian, I'd better thank them.
You'll go and meet them?
Of course.
Will you let me join you?
I guess I'll have to!
That's where it went all wrong.
To think you were actually his sister...
Leaving the barrier so carelessly really was bad luck.
You can die together!
Shin... run...
No!
It was my fault!
The Princess did nothing wrong.
It was all because I was an idiot.
I fell for their trick, so it was my fault.
I'll accept any punishment.
Please!
I have to say something.
I understand your feelings.
But, I don't have the confidence.
Move.
No matter how many times I try, nothing happens.
It doesn't work like it did back then.
I became scared,
because I was torn between people's expectations and my own power, which I couldn't understand.
I'm sorry, Shinshu-chan.
It's okay. Thank you.
In spite of your name, you're a real crybaby.
But even I have times when I need to cry.
Don't tell that to anyone.
But, being weak isn't necessarily a bad thing.
When your weak self can't do anything,
you need to get help from someone else,
whether it's an enemy or a friend.
The rest is based on your strength.
When I lived in an overtly normal world,
I thought I couldn't do anything.
But based on a single change, I thought I could do anything.
What awaited in Amatsuki, the world where impossible things can happen,
were high expectations from others and responsibilities.
I can't use my power because of the weak feelings I currently have.
And I need to get help from someone else.
That might cause you to be frightened,
but I'll do something about it.
I have to rely on you.
Please, Bonten.
Princess.
How are you feeling?
If the pain is too much to bear, perhaps it is better to return to the doll.
The pain is no longer terrible.
Although it binds me to my life, that body is a doll, after all.
Once I enter it, fear and pain, even joy and happiness, become unreal.
I have my life, but one day I may no longer be myself.
Princess.
That is what I fear.
Please, stay strong.
If our Princess loses faith, what will we do?
It's all right, Tsuruume.
For now, I can't leave that girl alone.
You really are rash.
Since we're meeting face to face for the first time, it's nice to meet you.
I guess that's true.
How dare you!
Calling us to a place like this!
Are you trying to kill us?
Calm down, Utsubushi.
But this is a surprise,
calling us into the middle of enemy headquarters, and even destroying the barrier.
Barrier?
What? So you didn't even know there was a barrier?
The power of the Hakutaku?
You should not let logic be blinded by ignorance.
So?
What do you want, calling me out here?
I want to remove the curse on the Princess.
Tell me its cause.
I refuse.
Y-You liar!
You called me here to make such a pointless request?
I'm not your encyclopedia.
I already told you,
if you choose me, I'll tell you everything.
You haven't chosen anyone yet.
If you don't choose, I won't give you anything.
I like this world.
If you oppose me, I won't show you any mercy.
Shinshu-chan!
Idiot! All ayakashi should just disappear!
I hate them!
Remove the Princess's curse, you cowards!
How dare you!
If that thing in a priestess outfit is what you call a human,
then there are no monsters here.
From our point of view, humans are the cowardly monsters.
That's enough, Utsubushi.
We have other things to be doing anyway.
Sorry, but we'll take our leave.
If you wish to return to Higan, you'll have to do better.
I want to go home,
but there are things I need to do before that.
Oh well,
this one's on the house.
If you want to know the truth behind the curse,
then all you need to do is come where I'm about to go.
Bring that girl along with you.
To Nihonbashi, where the fox is crying.
If you trust me, then I'll meet you again there.
Once you complete what I ask you to do,
you'll then have to choose between the Princess and me.
If you decide on the Princess, you can do whatever you want, without my help.
His help, huh?
It's okay now. They won't come back.
I'm sorry for putting you through that.
He doesn't look like the kind of guy who tells cheap lies,
so maybe...
Even if it was for Shinshu,
you summoned the tengu inside this barrier...
That was the only clue I had.
I'm sorry.
I want to go back there, to Higan.
So I can't be your power forever...
but at least let me find a way to break your curse.
Break my curse?
And that's why you want to take Shinshu outside the barrier?
Hmm... but how much can we trust them?
The information came from the tengu, right?
What proof is there that this isn't a trap?
Then I will accompany them.
First of all, I promise to protect Shinshu.
From anybody, and everything.
Then I'll remain here.
If by chance it is a trap, then I'll accept any punishment. You can do what you like.
Then there should be no complaints.
Very well.
We will send Tsuruume with you.
Please watch over Shinshu.
Princess!
You will leave tomorrow morning.
We will prepare anything you might need for the journey.
Please, take care.
Yes, thank you!
To Nihonbashi, where the fox is crying?
Wait!
It's pointless to go this late at night!
Shut up!
Which way at the next corner?
Right,
but it'll already be closed at this hour!
See?
Who... the hell are you?
Who knows?
Th-Th-That frightened me.
Who the— Where did you come from?
Are you from Amaza?
Yes.
Where is your master?
When I was asked what these silver droplets were,
I answered "dew" and disappeared.
You...
I've been waiting for you.
I knew you'd come.
Next Episode
Falling Daybreak
Episode Seven: Falling Daybreak