House of Five Leaves Subs from Funi
Sir Seinoshin...
Your mother asked me to give this to you.
I'll pour some tea.
Don't lie, Yaichi.
Mother would not do such a thing for me.
It...
...wasn't like the Saegusa Family adopted me because they wanted me...
Foolish son! Stay outside and cool your head!
Heiza...
Sir Seinoshin is growing smarter by the day.
He'll make a great heir. So the future of the Saegusa Family is secured, huh?
I hope his mother will acknowledge him as the heir soon too.
Come to think of it, when I saw Seinoshin today, he looked down.
He was told that the scar from his burns was disgusting.
By his mother?
She said it in front of him.
So it's gotten him quite down...
He thinks that the burn scar might be the reason he isn't welcomed.
What a cruel old hag...
Heiza...
So what did his father have to say?
He said, "Leave him be".
Sir Seinoshin.
Your mother is not feeling well, so she's a little unstable emotionally.
It's definitely not because of the burn scar.
Mother likes pretty things.
Sir Seinoshin.
This way.
Please have a look.
It's lovely and quite gorgeous.
So, please have confidence.
Confidence?
Your burn scar has the same shape as this maple leaf, right?
Seinoshin.
Are you feeling down?
I'll give you a lesson.
Yes sir.
Yaichi.
Yes?
We need to prepare for a party. Madam is pregnant.
If they hired a ronin, then we can hire one too.
It'll make them think twice before attacking us.
Let's hire a bodyguard.
In name only.
In Name Only
Yoshino-ya Cotton Wholesaler
Please wait.
What do you mean by saying I don't have to show up anymore?
Like I said, it means that today is your last day as my bodyguard.
It's been only two days since I came here on the job broker's referral.
Are you saying that you don't need a bodyguard anymore?
Well, a new person has been referred to us, so...
P-Please tell me why.
You're undependable, so...
I wonder what I should do with the tofu for that ronin.
Looks like he was turned down again.
Shall we bring him something?
But he doesn't like it when we get close to him, does he?
Anyway, we haven't seen the general store owner's idiot son lately, have we?
Oh, really?
I don't have any food.
I have to find a job.
Job Broker
I don't have any openings for bodyguards.
Not even a single one?
I've got tons of jobs for day laborers though.
I am a samurai. I thought I told you that I can't take that kind of job.
Sir Akitsu. If you're picky, you won't even be able to earn enough to buy rice.
Undependable, huh...?
What a beautiful woman....
To think that I got scared by a gangster and ran...
Those rice dumplings looked delicious.
If you're hungry, anything tastes good.
Udon
Soba noodles
Is it really okay to accept your kind offer to treat me?
Go ahead and eat your fill.
How did you become a ronin?
Did your fief get dissolved?
No... My lord dismissed me.
Edo and gloomy faces don't go together.
Don't get too caught up thinking about it.
My name is Yaichi. What's yours?
I am... Masanosuke Akitsu.
I talked to you because I have a favor to ask.
A favor?
I'm looking for a bodyguard right now.
What would I be doing?
I want you to protect me. I'm currently in a bit of trouble.
So I thought I'd need a bodyguard or something.
Watch where you're going.
S-Sorry.
"Sorry?" That's pretty cocky.
I'm not being arrogant...
This guy's a real wimp.
So he just looks impressive?
Are those swords just for decoration?
Well, it is true that he bumped into you.
Since he's got high aspiration, he's always looking up.
So the faces of ronin far below don't come into his view.
What'd you say?! Let's take this someplace else.
I have no business with you.
Well, we have business with you.
What're you so worked up about?
That "far below" stuff is an insult to samurai!
I'd take you up on a drink, but I'll pass on a worthless fight.
We wanna take it easy, right?
Master Yaichi!
Uhm...
If you don't mind, could you tell me about this trouble you are in?
Have you gotten scared now?
It's not that. I was just wondering if it has something to do with a woman.
No. But, well... I won't force you.
So, what're you going to do?
Once I've accepted a job, I see it through.
Ume.
See you next time.
Yep.
You've treated me all through the day.
Don't worry about it.
Now... accompany me a little longer.
What business do you have in a place like this?
I'm meeting with the source of my trouble.
Just stand firm behind me and intimidate him. It won't take long.
You're from the Five Leaves?
His bodyguards aren't with him. Be careful.
Stay back, or you'll be in danger!
He's strong!
You'll pay for this!
I didn't give them deep wounds.
I'm surprised. You're strong.
I don't get why you were dismissed.
Ah... Please stop. It's embarrassing
I-I don't like to draw attention... so people's eyes make me...
So the problem's that personality of yours, huh?
Isn't this a little different from what we agreed on? You play dirty.
I'm sorry. It was a mere impulse.
I-I've got the money.
Please give my son back. He's my precious heir.
You get stingy with the payment and hire ronin.
And you call your son "your precious heir"?
Well, we do have our own way of doing things too.
We'll return your stupid son soon.
Let's go.
What on earth is that package?
Ransom money.
We kidnapped the son of a big merchant. This is the ransom for him.
I should raise your pay, huh?
Then... does this mean that it is you who is the rogue?
I kidnap people for a living.
I'm a robber.
I like you.
I'll have you join my group.
You've accepted this job once.
A samurai's word is his bond, right?
What should I do?
Hello.
You were at the tea house the other day...
Ichi wants you to come.
So... you are also one of them?
I don't remember becoming a member.
What're you saying? You did take the money, didn't you?
You've already used it, right?
Oh my...
What? So you haven't touched the money?
Here, rice and some pickles.
He's one of us. His name is Umezo.
Welcome.
Shall we go upstairs?
We're going to borrow the room upstairs, okay?
Keep quiet, okay?
Ume's daughter is sleeping, so be quiet, okay?
Well, sit down.
You took the money.
Don't you wanna join us?
No.
Then you're in our way.
Just kidding.
Well, it's like I hired a bodyguard as a matter of form.
I decided to find someone cowardly and softhearted.
I didn't think such a ronin existed, but I found one so easily.
Well, be my company.
I had you come today because I wanted to sit down and have a drink with you.
Just how long are you going to sleep?
Get up already!
Looks like I fell asleep.
I'm sorry. My dad is so fussy.
It seems like Ichi went home during the night.
So his daughter is a fine young lady.
You can't hold your alcohol?
No...
So, you're not gonna be a member of the Five Leaves?
Y-You know about it?
Yes.
After all, I'm the reason they started the group.
No job for me again.
I heard from that tavern owner's daughter...
At her workplace, she was treated terribly by the owner's son.
Her father was furious and said he'd kill the son.
But you stopped him and suggested kidnapping.
She said this was where it all started.
We made good money and were able to get back at them easily.
She also said...
...that you still sometimes kidnap people who belong to flawed families.
Chivalrous robbers?
I don't think that I'm doing a good deed in the least.
Are you stuck on being a samurai?
It'd be more fun if you ditched that idea and became a commoner, you know.
I... have my personality issues,
so I'd like to train myself in Edo first and then get into government service again.
It might seem boring to you, but...
I just want to live aimlessly. I'm not gonna say anything about others' lives.
You're so relaxed...
I kind of admire you for that.
I sent that money to my family back in my hometown.
My younger brother got into debt.
Although both he and I were called into service,
if he, too, gets dismissed, my family will no longer...
Boring.
Why did you tell me about your family?
If you need money, why don't you work with us for a while?
Take your time and think about it, we've got time..
Yes...
That composure...
I'd like to smile like you do.
If you try, you'll find there's nothing stopping you.
To be
continued
Now, about the next episode of House of Five Leaves...
Next Episode Preview
Yaichi speaking.
I try to look cool, but there's no denying that the winter in Edo is cold.
Don't tell anyone, but I need long johns and a bellyband.
And no matter what people say, hot sake at Ume's place is something else.
Well, the next episode is...
Make Love to Me
"Make Love to Me".