Then I'll allow you to take care of this.
Yes, ma'am.
Oh, I'm going with these sandals today.
What a wonderful idea!
It matches the buckle on your sash.
Ladies!
We're going out on business.
Don't get carried away.
Yes, sir!
All right, we'll be moving out!
Moving out!
Good luck.
Do take care.
Let's go, then.
Yes, sir.
Off we go.
Ah! So, plenty of business, eh?
Zakuro, you're in the way!
Move!
Please!
Move the other way!
Move it!
Tragic Past
Oh, come on!
Why?!
Susukihotaru and her partner are out, as well...
Why is it we, alone, have no work to do?!
It's just a simple inquiry.
There's no point in sending everyone.
But-
Zakuro, when did you become so passionate about your work?
I-It's not like that...
I just don't like that we're the only ones without anything to do...
Spirit Affairs Report
Then you should start with yourself.
Huh?
I cannot trust you to do your job,
when you're constantly bickering with your partner.
Agemaki!
Lift me up high!
U-Up you go!
No fair!
I'm next!
Hey, lift me up high!
Here you go.
Hey, big guy!
You're getting the hang of living with spirits.
No fair! No fair!
I-I suppose...
"Ensuring smooth relations with the spirits."
Lift me up!
That's one of the important tasks I have, as a member of Spirit Affairs-
Playing with kids doesn't count toward fulfilling your duty.
Za-Zakuro?
I want to do my job!
But you're completely useless...
Might he have a job for us?
You can't say that for sure...
That must be it!
Let's go!
Wait! Zakuro!
Zakuro stole Agemaki!
Ah! Wait!
I've come here today because... Well...
I'd heard this was the place that handled peculiar spirit activity.
So...
U-Uh...
They almost caught us!
You're too excited.
So then...
A number of our village girls have disappeared.
And these aren't isolated incidents...
Something strange is happening.
Some of the villagers wonder if the girls have been spirited away.
What's wrong, Zakuro?
Yes!
I'll go!
Now, Zakuro.
We haven't finished talking yet-
Aren't we taking this job?
He can fill in the details later!
Wait until Susukihotaru and the others return.
Please.
Please, Kushimatsu.
The scenery's flying by!
Uh, Kushimatsu sent these lunches.
And I bought these oranges at the station...
Then I'll be waiting at the village.
To be honest,
I don't want to send Zakuro on this job.
Why not?
Though I did notice Zakuro's peculiar behavior.
Considering that you are Zakuro's partner, I probably ought to explain...
...how half-spirits are born.
What?
When pregnant human girls are spirited away,
they return carrying half-spirits.
The girls, said to be possessed by fox spirits, are shunned.
Upon birth, the children are immediately taken away.
So, Zakuro and the other girls were...
That's awful.
And they always look so cheerful...
That is because they have each other.
However, that is not enough to heal some wounds.
Zakuro trusts you.
Are you certain?
That's why she pushes herself so hard.
She wants to be accepted.
I'm ready.
I'm counting on you.
The sales lady said that this year's oranges
are especially sweet and soft.
Here.
Hey! Big guy!
Could you peel one for me?
C'mon, man! C'mon...
Ah! I love the outdoors!
Look, Zakuro.
The air is delicious-
Let's go.
Air won't fill the stomach.
Big guy!
Could you stop touching my behind?!
You know you like it.
Really, thank you for coming out here.
Our village is so isolated,
we can't offer any appropriate lodging.
This was the best we could manage.
Please make yourselves at home.
Huh?
Ooh! This is mighty titillating!
Wait...
Then I'll excuse myself.
What?!
Feeling better now?
How can you be so calm?!
Have you no shame?
If it's the only available room, we have no other choice.
Now, look here!
Okay, then...
Wh-What are you doing?
What?
I'm changing into my pajamas.
Don't take your clothes off in front of a girl!
Don't cross this line.
If you cross it,
I'll stab you!
I get it!
I wouldn't do anything to disgrace the Imperial Army!
Really?
Kushimatsu says there's nothing scarier than a man who's lost control.
Kushimatsu...
Mamezo's allowed over there?
Mamezo is a friend.
He's still male...
What are you mumbling about?
Anyhow, I won't do a thing!
You're much scarier than I could ever be...
W-Wait!
I didn't mean that spirits are scary!
I was referring to you specifically...
Er, that's not what I meant, either...
I mean...
You're probably right.
No human would ever want to touch a half-spirit.
That's not what I...
Where are you going?
You're being overprotective.
What are you looking at?
You're awake?
Why have you been tiptoeing around me all day?
Huh?
Kushimatsu probably said something to you.
Yeah.
What did she tell you?
How half-spirits are born...
My mother was spirited away twice.
Once, before I was born,
and again, after I was older.
What?
And...
The second time, she never came back.
Zakuro...
That's why, when I hear of girls being spirited away, I get so worked up.
It makes me think that perhaps I can learn something about my mother...
Ah...
I'm sure that...
...wherever she may be, your mother is doing well.
And she thinks of you.
Ah, sorry.
I have nothing to back my words.
But I truly believe them.
Thank you...
Huh?
For peeling the orange for me.
S-Sure.
But it really was sour.
Sister.
Yes...
We've searched most of the area,
without turning up a single clue.
Those children are related to the mayor.
They've probably never seen a half-spirit before.
Kids are fascinated by anything that's scary.
That doesn't appear to be the case here.
Huh?
There!
Look!
Why are you grinning?
Huh? I'm not.
A moment ago.
I noticed that you seemed to be having fun.
The kids here are too friendly.
They don't hesitate before playing with a half-spirit.
If the kids in the city got to know you,
I bet they'd want to play with you, too.
Anyway, I asked them about the girls being spirited away.
Oh, you were actually doing your job.
Of course I was!
Hey!
Bye-bye!
Ah.
Come...
Huh?
Hmm? Zakuro?
Poor thing. You're all alone.
Come.
Zakuro!
The girls who disappeared heard a voice, calling them...
The same voice you just heard?
I-I didn't...
Come on! Let's search somewhere else!
Stay away!
Zakuro...
Come.
Zakuro!
T-Too fast...
Is that a fox?
The girls, said to be possessed by fox spirits...
Zakuro!
Come. Come.
Come...
F-Finally caught up...
Oh?
Where'd that fox go?
Huh?
I'm so glad you're safe.
So, you really could hear that voice.
Huh?
Ah!
I...
There's a cave here?
First things first.
Here.
Oh, right!
Here's a saber.
And an orange, if you'd like it.
Since I was in a hurry, this was all I could manage...
What is it?
Nothing!
Heh! They went in.
Now we simply-
S-Sister!
A fox spirit?
Who sent it?!
We're leaving, Daidai!
Wh-What is this place?
There's a terrible stench.
Huh?
Hey!
Watch your hands!
This is...
Come. Come.
Hey, I'm hearing that strange voice again.
No.
I-I can also hear it this time...
Come!
Behind you!
Come.
Those girls weren't spirited away.
They were eaten by this thing!
I'm borrowing this!
This saber isn't sharp enough to finish the job!
Mamezo!
A deed hid 'neath the name of spirited away.
Were spirits all so evil,
none would cling to this world.
Prepare to be bewitched!
I-I won't go easy on you!
Give me a hand!
R-Right.
Bravo, bravo-
I don't need you to sing!
Huh?
Here's your saber!
Didn't you say that this wasn't sharp enough?
Do you recognize this foul odor?
Huh?
It's coming from the humans he's eaten.
He's storing them inside his body and letting them rot.
That's right...
I love to smell the rotting corpses of women and children.
I also love the sound of children, screaming in fear.
And their tears make the perfect seasoning!
Women are best when they're with child.
Damn you!
Wait!
Don't charge in!
Hmm?
Oh, it's a man.
Men don't taste very good.
Oh, well...
Don't forget that there's also a girl here.
I'm all pooped now!
What? You slept through half of it.
Well, let's go report to the mayor!
You look like you're in a daze.
I'm just reflecting that it's always you who saves me...
That's not true.
Huh? What was that?
Oh, I just remembered! You said something about a fox?
Oh, right.
I thought it was responsible for the girls being spirited away.
But now that I think about it...
What?
It was a very beautiful fox.
Is that true?
Yes. There's no doubt about it.
It was a half-spirit.
A half-spirit used an illusion of girls being spirited away as bait for Zakuro.
I see.
They've finally made their move.
Say, Zakuro...
Did you really spend the night with Agemaki?
Wh-Wha-
She's an adult now! An adult now!
That wasn't it-
Don't play dumb, Zakuro!
A man and woman all alone, in a small room?
If nothing happened, something's wrong with you two.
What?!
And they were sleeping on beddings right next to each other.
Mamezo!
According to the almanac, the day before yesterday
was perfect for marriage and for making things.
Making what?
My! That's so lovely.
Right?
Wrong! Wrong!
You've got it all wrong!
A preview?
I see.
The next episode involves a struggle over a certain blade.
No, that isn't completely accurate.
I should say
that you'll find out if you watch.
Next time:
Timid Distance.
Expect to be bewitched by us.
Timid Distance
See you next episode!!