Do you want some coffee?
There's soup as well.
How long do you intend to keep that gloomy face on?
Do you want to karao-
I guess not.
Are there any games?
This is terrible.
Benika-san, is this a job I can even handle?
I predicted that something like this would happen.
I've failed many times.
Do you think I'm angry because of that?
However, in the future...
Could it be you want to leave this job?
I'll do anything I can do.
But I feel like this is a job I cannot handle.
They even found Samidare Apartment.
Wasn't that a matter of time, though?
But I can see that who we're up against is far, far more powerful than I had imagined.
I'm sure they're dreadful.
You wanted a big job, right?
You wanted me to recognize you, right?
I can't fight against an enemy I don't know, though.
You mean the Kuhouins?
Murasaki too.
Is Murasaki...
Is she really a Kuhouin?
I heard that the Kuhouins don't have a girl.
Who said that?
I want to know the truth.
Just who is she?
Murakami Ginko told you?
There wasn't anyone named Murasaki on their family tree.
You're a hopeless child.
What is going on?
Murasaki is a child of the Kuhouins.
Her father, Kuhouin Renjou, is the head of the Kuhouins, a plutocratic family.
But...
She was...
She was born from mingling between the Kuhouins themselves.
The Kuhouins can only give birth to children by mingling amongst themselves.
Does that mean...
When women born into the Kuhouin family become adults, they are forced to live in the Inner Sanctuary.
It is a place where noise from the outside cannot even reach.
That is the Inner Sanctuary.
In six years, Murasaki would have been treated as an adult.
Six years?
She has thirteen years left until she is twenty, though.
In the past, she would have become an adult even earlier.
In six years, she would've been a woman who had already given birth to children by the first and second son of the family.
You mean that siblings get married to each other?
No.
After giving birth, they are not allowed to even become their wives.
They are hidden from society and live within the Inner Sanctuary until they die.
In order to hide the fact that they give birth to children from within their family,
the man marries a woman from the outside,
and the married woman becomes the child's mother and raises it.
I'm surprised that women from the outside would even come in.
Entrepreneurs want a name for themselves.
Distinguished families need assets.
Well, marriages of convenience used to take place in the past.
But the Kuhouins are slightly different.
They have no money problems.
In that case, the women are just tools.
The married women and Murasaki, a woman born into the Kuhouin family, are all tools.
From the very moment Murasaki was born, she became a woman that did not exist.
That's how it is?
From the very beginning, Murasaki was given a fate she could not fight against.
She has a life where she cannot decide anything for herself.
As I promised Murasaki's true mother, Souju,
I took her outside.
So I wonder, what is she thinking?
What does she want to do?
Murasaki said she doesn't want to go back to her home.
If that is her will, I want you to help her.
But this job is too big for me.
I don't believe that.
We haven't lost anything yet, and Murasaki believes in you too.
You've become a man that someone can believe in.
The problem is here on out.
I...
Cannot protect Murasaki?
I...
I will protect Murasaki.
Just as I promised,
I will protect Murasaki.
I'm going to have you two leave the country tomorrow.
I'm having Yayoi go too, so you can contac-
Benika-san.
Could I take Murasaki back to Samidare Apartment before that?
Why?
She hasn't bidden proper farewell to Tamaki-san and Yamie-san yet.
Even though you know that place is dangerous now?
Farewells are important.
I want her to do things like that properly too.
No matter what?
If I can't even do something like this, I won't be able to protect Murasaki in the future.
In the course of a person's life,
they must make many choices.
Whether that choice is right or wrong, no one knows.
That's why people believe that the choices they make are the right ones.
You mean to live positively?
There's nothing behind you after all.
Yes.
That is why people are interesting.
They're interesting, you know.
I will believe in my intuition.
And I will believe in you.
I'm against this.
You don't need to do anything.
I can't do that, though.
I won't give them reinforcement either.
Can I ask you a question?
What is it?
Murasaki-san is a person that must be protected, right?
Yes, that's right.
Then why?
Shinkurou said himself that he wanted to do it.
It was rare, but he gave me his own opinion.
I understand that he finds those things important,
but this is a job!
That's right. It might be impossible for him, depending on whom the Kuhouins send.
But...
Even so, I will believe in Shinkurou.
But then, Murasaki-san will...!
I'm letting Shinkurou do it.
He wants to do it with his own strength.
If it's your order, then.
I'll be taking them to Samidare Apartment then.
Benika-sama.
If any enemy appears before me, it is my job to fight them, right?
Yes, that's right.
I will return to my usual spot, then.
You're so scattered.
Happiness won't come to you.
Well then, we'll be out by morning.
Be as quick as you can about it.
Yes.
Yayoi.
Yes.
Sorry for being selfish.
I don't mind.
This is my job, after all.
You just don't understand.
Rare doesn't mean it's good, you know.
Ah, I understand that.
I like it more raw.
How indecent.
What is?
Stop with that kind of talk.
I like it well done.
Right?
Isn't the fire too strong?
What? Do you have a problem with my hot plate?
No, it's not that, it's just clearly too stro-
Hold it.
If you like it rare, then we need better meat.
I have some of those Shimofuri ones.
The store worker said not to grill it too much.
Are you serious?
Shimofuri?
I hear these are the tastiest,
but they're full of fat.
Do you think they tricked me?
Over half of it is white.
You were tricked, boy!
That's right, that's some terrible meat!
So I was tricked!
I can't believe they did it just because I always buy cheap meat.
How unfortunate!
It's expensive meat, too.
I'll bear with the fat-filled meat and eat it.
I'm fine with it too!
No, you two eat the red meat.
It's bad for your health.
What are you saying?
You're treating us to so much already,
so I can't ask for anything more!
We don't have much of a future left, so we can't eat red meat.
You two youngsters should eat them!
That fat-filled meat is enough for us.
Is it just my imagination, or does this all stink of a lie?
Don't grill it too much!
Because it's good meat?
Thanks for treating us.
Take care of the hot plate.
I'll make sure to scrape off all the charred meat.
Today was fun too.
See you tomorrow.
Okay.
Well then, good night.
Good night.
Ah, good night.
That was strange.
What is?
This welcoming mood.
It's the first time, huh?
Yeah.
It's kind of scary.
Yeah.
I won't cry, though.
I don't want to be like my mother.
Your mom?
My real mother that gave birth to me.
She was really kind, but weak.
That's why she died.
Murasaki.
She died and left me behind.
I don't want to die like my mother.
I want to...
You want to?
I want to live more freely.
You can.
If it's you, I'm sure you can do it.
I want to become strong like you and live freely.
I'm still weak.
Shinkurou...
I didn't have confidence in myself, and I had no one to rely on.
That's why I changed myself into someone with a monstrous body.
Monstrous? What is that?
You may see it one day.
Are you strong because you have that?
I got it because I believed that, but...
I always see this one dream.
Is it a scary dream?
Because of terrorists, not only did my parents die before me, but many other people.
That terrible dream always, always comes to mind.
It's impossible to forget it.
I can't forget it because I don't have true strength.
I can't forget, either.
I just can't forget about my mother.
But dead people are no longer in this world.
No matter how much you cry, they won't be found anywhere.
My mother is nowhere.
And neither are your father and mother.
The people that you and I loved are no longer around.
You and I both became alone.
But then I met you.
There'll be two of us if we're together.
You and me, the two of us, huh?
That's why it's not lonely anymore.
Murasaki...
I will protect you.
Shinkurou?
My mother kissed me a lot.
When I asked her why,
she said that you kiss people who are important to you.
Important people...
She said, "When you find someone important to you, give them a kiss."
You're an important person to me.
Who's there?
It's me.
How did you get in here?
That's a trade secret.
You can't stop smoking?
It's impossible.
Then you should at least smoke lighter ones.
Hey, you know why I came, right?
Yes.
You can't stop it though.
Ryuuji is already on his way.
Ah, him.
He strongly believes in the laws of the Kuhouins.
Do you believe in them just like your son?
Permitting Ryuuji's actions is my answer.
Even if the daughter you're trying to recover is not the same daughter you once knew?
What do you mean?
You know, it's not like I wanted her to live outside forever.
She will change.
She will change along with my precious pupil.
It's futile.
The laws of the Kuhouins are absolute.
I'm tired of hearing that.
I even thought you would do something more.
My pupil may have unreliable traits to him,
but he is more reliable than your son.
I see.
Shall we test him, then?
Let's.
Would you like to bet on it?
Very well.
Looking great there.
What is it?
What? Is there a fight?
Wearing shoes inside is prohibited here, you know.
Was it?
Not like it makes a difference.
There's a shoe rack downsta-
Sorry, the shoe rack was full.
There weren't any slippers either.
Think you can forgive us?
She said no.
Yayoi-san!
Run away!
Shinkurou!
Murasaki.
What a filthy room.
I'm amazed you were able to endure this place, Murasaki.
Who are you?
Could you introduce me to him?
That person is Kuhouin Ryuuji.
My brother.
He is?
How long did you intend to continue living here?
For a while.
For a while?
You should know very well that it is not allowed.
I understand.
It wasn't your will, but rather that woman Benika's, that misled you.
I don't intend to blame you as your brother.
Yes.
I know full well that you were unable to go home by yourself.
That's why I came for you.
What are you saying?
Murasaki wanted to go outside!
She doesn't want to go back to her home anymore!
Shinkurou!
Shinkurou, is it?
Just who are you?
Benika's subordinate or something?
I'm her pupil.
I'm here to protect Murasaki.
Protect?
Is that so, Murasaki?
Don't worry.
I'll take care of these guys!
Shinkurou!
Let me ask you again.
Murasaki, tell me what you are supposed to do as a Kuhouin woman.
You don't need to do anything, Murasaki! I'll...
I'll protect you!
Shinkurou...
Answer me, Murasaki.
I want to confirm your will.
I...
Depending on your answer...
He may lose his life.
Murasaki...
Answer.
As a Kuhouin woman,
I am to give birth to Kuhouin children.
And?
For that purpose, I am fated to enter the Inner Sanctuary,
and to live for the Kuhouins.
No, Murasaki.
You don't want to do that, do you?
And for that purpose, what must you do now, Murasaki?
I have to return to the Inner Sanctuary.
Murasaki!
No, what's wrong?
It's okay, Shinkurou.
This is farewell.
Why are you giving up?
I...
Cease your foolish actions.
It's just as Murasaki explained herself.
She is a woman fated to give birth to my children, as I am her brother.
Shinkurou...
Murasaki...
Farewell.
Murasaki...
Thank you for everything.
Murasaki, walk with your own will.
Prove that you have accepted your fate by yourself.
Murasaki!
It was fun.
Murasaki...
Next on kurenai:
Accustomed Fear.