I've always wondered,
why does it take so long for women to get ready?
Men don't realize how difficult it is for women to get ready!
At least, that's what Hozuki and Bonbori said.
Ah...
Sorry for the wait!
You certainly kept us waiting.
Now look here!
Men don't realize...
how difficult it is for women to get ready. Right?
Wh-What's with you?
Seriously...
Sorry.
You look fantastic.
We've never gone to a festival with such a large group before, right?
Right?
I'm so excited.
Everyone here?
Lord Amaryoju!
We have some business to take care of,
so we won't be able to join you.
Here, enjoy yourselves.
Aren't we a little old for pocket money?
Bye!
They seem to be having fun.
Yes.
When they first came here, they had such frightened eyes.
They have you to thank for creating this place for them.
I was desperate to keep their power under control,
and to keep them hidden from the Village of Oracles.
You were the one who presented me with the solution.
I can never thank you enough...
Don't...
It's been quite fun,
living here with everyone.
Those girls are meant to smile.
And toward that end...
Yes.
Creeping Shadows
Wow!
So many stalls!
That's right.
I heard that they erected a maze outside the grounds.
My, I'd love to see what it's like.
Right, Sir Ganryu?
Ooh, I wanna try some of that!
Hey! We have to visit the shrine first.
Okay...
Kid, want some?
Fluffy!
Oh, my.
Thank you very much.
Sweet!
Apricot Candy
Dad, I wanna try that one!
These people are...
It's yummy.
Gimme! Gimme!
The people here are very nice to spirits,
Here.
thanks to Lords A and Um.
Lords A and Um?
They're wonderful people.
Big and gentle.
Was that a compliment?
Huh? Guardian lions?
Feel free to heap praise on us in a louder voice!
Lords A and Um!
It's been so long since we last met.
Yeah, and you folks are still annoying.
Oh, what?
Hey!
Don't touch me with those sticky hands!
Cotton candy!
Someone gave me cotton candy!
Huh?
Hmm?
Oh?
Is that your steady?
H-He's not!
He absolutely, most definitely is not!
Huh?
Oh? Is that so?
Hey, chief.
You make Zakuro cry, and I'll bite your head off!
I said that he isn't!
Hurry up!
It's not safe to run so fast.
Make Zakuro cry, huh?
Now, let's race to see who finishes first.
The winner gets squid pancakes.
Come now, Sir Ganryu!
Huh?
Let's go in.
Wait!
Hurry, Sir Ganryu.
Say...
Want to go together?
Then it wouldn't be a race.
Zakuro?
No cheating, Agemaki.
Right...
Really...
It's all because of what Lords A and Um said.
I might be lost...
Are you mad about something?
Why do you ask?
Well...
I wanted to apologize if I'm the cause.
Why are you apologizing?!
You didn't do anything wrong.
Sorry...
Are you stupid?
It's a festival.
I've been looking forward to this.
I'm not really mad.
Mm.
This is a wonderful place.
Huh?
The humans all look happy.
Yes.
Everyone worships Lords A and Um,
so they're nice to us, too.
I was under the impression that you hated humans.
Huh?
I don't really hate humans.
Let's go.
Everyone else is probably ahead of us by now.
Uh-huh...
Hey...
Let's talk.
Mm...
I-It's starting to get warm.
You can let...
At first, I was scared of you.
I already knew that.
But I'm not anymore.
I knew that, too.
In that case,
did you already know...
How I feel about you...
U-Um...
Ah, Zakuro!
How I feel about you...
His eyes...
His voice...
Have never been so...
Ah, Agemaki's so slow!
Slow!
Oh?
Where's Zakuro?
She probably hates me now.
Huh?
Something must have happened.
Hmm?
We should let him be alone.
I need to get married and settle down.
You have to find someone first.
Rangui?
Byakuroku is no longer of any use,
so I went myself.
Honestly...
Half-spirits are worthless.
And?
As instructed, she was taken to a back room.
I see.
Then you should take Byakuroku with you.
What?
You'll need an attendant.
B-But...
That dirty little half-spirit...
The correct response would be,
"Yes, sir!"
Yes, sir...
Sister!
You've been summoned by Lady Rangui!
You're so lucky...
Lady Rangui actually requested to see you.
Say, can I come with--
No!
She only asked for Byakuroku.
Understand your position, Daidai.
It's nothing to be envious of.
Liar.
Hey, guess what!
I love Mother more than flowers and candy!
How long will that last?
Huh?
Forever!
Forever and ever, Mother.
Mother...
Mother... Mother...
Mother?
Mother... Mother...
No! Mother!
Mother... Mother...
Mother...
What is this...
How are you feeling?
You're the one from the other day.
We had to resort to rough measures.
Please forgive us.
Who are you?
Where are we?
What is the meaning of this?!
There's no need for such haste.
At long last, the time has come.
I have sought to be alone with you for a very long time.
I believe that you harbor no ill will toward me, yes?
Huh?
Lieutenant Hanadate?
That is merely a false name.
My true name is Omodaka.
Omodaka?
The accursed blood, coursing through my veins,
yearned for blood that was similarly dark.
For you, Zakuro.
Two who are disgraced come together.
We will finally join as one...
No!
Wait!
Byakuroku...
Y-Yes!
I want you to look after Zakuro
and report on how she's doing.
Understood.
Um...
Please forgive me!
I didn't mean to see your face!
There's no resemblance.
Huh?
No resemblance at all...
How cruel is fate.
What?
Zakuro isn't back yet?
Did she go somewhere else?
I'll go look for her!
Agemaki?
Zakuro...
Zakuro's gone...
We know!
That's why...
Gone...
Mamezo!
He's asleep?
This is what happens when an artifact spirit gets
too far from its master.
She's at least a day or two away!
Huh?
But it hasn't been that long yet.
Oh?
Why is everyone standing here?
Lord Amaryoju, Kushimatsu...
Where's Zakuro?
Why would Lieutenant Hanadate do this?
No... His name is Omodaka.
When he came in,
I didn't want him near me.
How I feel about you...
So you were one of Lieutenant Hanadate's...
One of his people...
People?
Don't be absurd.
We are merely tools.
Huh?
Ah, wait!
I need to get back to Spirit Affairs.
I'm sure that everyone's worried about me.
And if I get too far away from Mamezo...
You sound confident
that they all love you.
Not exactly...
But we've been together since we were little.
Since we were kids...
I also...
I also have Daidai!
Are you okay?
I'm not like you.
When I use my power,
my body suffers...
That means...
Once your power is restored, you should feel better.
I'll share some of mine.
You...
Well?
I am a tool...
I don't know why you feel that way,
but you should stop saying that.
What's your name?
Byakuroku.
It's almost time.
Here, Lord Omodaka and that girl will...
I understand,
but it still tears me apart.
Get your hands off me.
You're just a filthy demon.
Don't get too cocky!
Hey, half-spirit!
Your kind doesn't belong here!
I-I'm just...
I summoned her here.
Lord Omodaka...
U-Um, I have a report.
Hey...
Y-You mustn't!
My touch will defile you!
I sense Zakuro's power.
Magnificent, as expected.
So much power, despite the seal.
Zakuro, it is very clear.
You are an extremely rare maiden...
Perfect for bearing my child.
Zakuro...
The Village of Oracles?
Yes...
Zakuro is most likely there.
Where is it?
We have to go save Zakuro!
You won't be able to reach the Village of Oracles.
Why not?
It hovers outside of reality.
Kushimatsu, what do you mean?
The Village of Oracles
is where half-spirits are born.
No use...
The Black Widow?
I was so worked up...
So...
So desperate!
You're a butterfly...
A butterfly that flutters around Lord Omodaka!
Sucking his nectar,
with your venomous wings...
I'll devour you!
Devour you!
I'll pluck your wings,
plunge a stinger in your gut...
And consume... Consume you whole!
Curse you...
What's all the noise about?
The Black Widow...
Hey, the girl's gone!
We must tell Lord Omodaka!
Zakuro!
Hurry it up!
Stupid half-spirit--
Stop it!
You're...
She's the one!
Go get Byakuroku!
Are you okay?
Huh?
Do you understand now?
We half-spirits are no more than tools.
Neither human nor spirit.
Flawed by nature.
Though females like us are considered lucky.
Since male half-spirits...
don't even look human.
Wh-Why would this...
We were born in the image of a half-spirit with incredible power.
Zakuro...
Zakuro... Zakuro...
No.
No... No...
Zakuro!
I've always longed to be alone with you,
my younger sister of fair lips and bright eyes.
Accursed half-spirit of terrible power.
Next time: Hollow Touch.
Hollow Touch.
Join as one and be bewitched, Zakuro.