House of Five Leaves Subbed by ☭ Commie ☭
Houju Powdered Medicine
Here you go, the usual drug.
Here's the money.
This is quite the tip.
I do know many "bad patients,"
but none are as on guard as you are.
Looks like your business is thriving.
Don't get nosy.
And of course, not a word to anyone.
I'm counting on you.
Here.
Th- Thank you.
I can't hear you.
Well, don't be so harsh on him, Ume.
You don't have to be kind to someone who isn't planning on joining us, Ichi.
Eat.
Seriously, you're such a softy.
I'm struck speechless.
And yet you speak.
He leaves around the time this place starts getting busy...
Where am I going?
Yeah...
I'm just going home.
Where do you live?
If you need to talk to me, you can go to Ume's place.
Well,
I was just trying to make conversation.
That so?
I don't know anything about this man, so...
Katsura-ya
Huh?
It's an establishment in the unauthorized brothel district in Fukagawa.
I can be found there.
Why?
Because that's where I live.
Please don't tease me.
See ya.
Ichi, where'd you run off to?
Keep us company too every now and then.
You sure take some long walks these days.
You went to see one of your other girlfriends, didn't you?
Mister...
Oh? I haven't seen you before.
Ah, well... Uhm...
Oh, you're cute.
Uhm, that man...
Oh, you mean Ichi?
He's a bodyguard for Katsura-ya over there.
Bodyguard?
Even though he isn't a samurai?
He's also a freeloader, too, I hear. Well he's a nice-looking man, isn't he?
I heard that instead of soliciting customers,
the women of Katsura-ya are frantically trying to sneak into bed with him.
Oh, I want him to make love to me, too!
Make Love to Me
I'm even more confused now. It's true that he seems skillful and strong.
Many of his words and behaviors weigh on my mind, too. What is it about him?
I see. So you're not sticking to the bodyguard jobs anymore?
Job Broker
You're doing the right thing, Akitsu.
I've got tons of jobs for day laborers.
What're you dawdling like that for?
Move!
What?
It's faster if I do it.
Masa!
Hm?
If you get hungry, you can always head on over to Ume's place.
What? But...
I've already talked to him, so don't worry about it.
So you're not even good at heavy labor?
How're you to earn your meals like that?
Well, uhm...
Why don't you just join us?
Well, but...
Geez...
Ume, you split the miso soup. Why don't you get a new bowl for him?
Okinu, get a new bowl of soup for him.
Huh? Okay!
I'm sorry, Mister Samurai... for dad's behavior.
Oh, hi, Matsu!
Oh, Matsu. It's crowded today. Have a seat here.
Ume's got a scary look to him, right?
So aside from regulars, people stay away from here.
Matsu is a regular, too.
Seriously...
That darn Ichi... He shouldn't be so softhearted.
Even if we take care of this broke freelancer, we get nothing out of it.
This is ridiculous.
Dad, women will hate you if you bad-mouth Ichi.
Humph!
He's as popular as an actor, you know. Right, Otake?
He's a nice-looking guy, so...
Freelancer...
I'm letting you eat free.
Help me out with tomorrow's shopping.
O- Okay.
Uhm... just how far are we going?
Who is it this time?
No one special, just the son of one of the Shogun's direct retainers.
Don't freak out over every little thing.
We made him take a sleeping drug and stuffed his ears, but as a precaution,
maintaining silence is an ironclad rule while transferring the hostage.
Before I even notice, I end up helping you out.
I told you that you were helping me out with shopping, didn't I?
Oh? So he wasn't a new member?
Well, his joining is pretty much a done-deal.
What?
Ichi is kind to you because he anticipates it.
Well, that's...
It's not out of kindness.
He fully intends to drag you into our business.
If you think that Yaichi is a nice guy, that's a huge mistake.
He's no softy.
I wonder when that man Yaichi will show his face here.
I've asked him several times, but he doesn't seem to be keen on it.
Well, I'll bring him some time soon.
Ume is an old acquaintance of mine.
I started helping him out… though all I do is keep the hostages for a few days.
Speaking of softies, you certainly look like one.
This business probably isn’t for you
If you don't wanna be dragged into it...
you should get away from them while you still can.
Listen. If you're gonna join us, let me tell you one thing.
If you hit on Otake, I’ll kill you.
I- Isn’t that something you should tell Yaichi?
Ichi?
Well, I thought that might be the one reason why you dislike him.
I don't dislike him.
But I don’t trust him... I can't really get him.
Shouldn't comrades trust each other?
He’s smart.
I don't trust him, but I have confidence in him.
But...
Oh no... It's all gone.
Here you go!
Thanks, Okinu.
Otake, that's it for today, okay?
Ume, give me some, too.
Another cup.
But in any case... I’m completely in their circle of friends.
The boat ride today was fun, Masa...
Masa, let’s drink together.
Ah, I- I can’t drink much.
You don’t wanna drink with me?
Hey, freelancer!
Y- Yes sir!
Come to the kitchen and help me!
Oh, Masa. You’re now his full-fledged helper, huh?
Yaichi...
You’re a samurai and yet also in charge of pickles?
Ume, I’m leaving it here.
Could this be the ransom for that man we brought to elder’s the other day?
You’ve got good instincts. I just got back from the pick up.
Be here at 11 o’clock tonight.
Although they’re kidnappers, I wonder if they avoid taking risks.
I- I’m sorry!
What’re you doing!?
This is your fault, Matsu, for coming in without saying anything!
Geez... What a waste of pickles.
Matsu! This seat is open!
Dad and that man don't get along that well.
Doesn't he come here for Otake?
I don't know.
So the police don't know about the Five Leaves?
It’s partially because we know who to threaten, so...
If they discover our identities, we’ll be a step ahead of them and leave Edo.
Ichi is late, isn’t he?
What’s going on tonight?
We’re gonna divide up the money.
Money?
Then I’ll leave.
Don't you want money?
Well, I didn't do anything, so...
By that argument, I didn't do anything this time, either,
except pick some maple leaves.
Maple leaves?
We... put this in the letter and send it to the one we’re threatening...
together with the name of the Five Leaves.
Where’s Masa?
He went home.
Maybe I'll go and take him out again tomorrow.
Don't get so involved with him.
Actually, you’re surprisingly fond of him as well, Ume.
See? A leaf with five points. This is the sign of the Five Leaves.
So I just have to find some and pick them up, right?
If you join us, the Five Leaves will be complete.
Otake, Yaichi... Ume and Elder...
If I join them, it’ll be five people.
I’ll go buy some rice dumplings.
Please stay here and pick up some leaves.
I’m at the mercy of Otake all the time these days.
It’s chilly! I should get my padded kimono out soon.
A samurai is picking up leaves?
What an odd sight. Did a woman ask you to?
Yes...
Are you... really a samurai?
I- I am a samurai!
You’re a funny man.
Even just the sight of you huddled up picking up leaves is funny, though.
Here.
We don't need a leaf with seven points.
Oh, Matsu!
On your way to deliver tobacco pipes?
I’m on my way back.
Tobacco pipes?
Matsu makes metallic ornaments for a living.
This...
The one I promised you...
Ah, a hair ornament? So you made it for me?
Wow, it’s pretty! Thanks, Matsu!
He doesn't even try to make eye contact with me.
I wonder if he’s ignoring me.
What?!
Matsu gave Otake a hair ornament?!
Yeah.
Dammit! That jerk! How sneaky!
This is your share.
I- I...
You didn't do anything, so you get one ryo. Use it for yourself.
Uhm...
You can pay your tab with that, you know.
Do you guys... already think of me as one of you?
Who knows...
Humph. You're in charge of pickles here.
But you know our identities.
So just accept it as hush money.
Don't worry. Just take it.
If you stay away from here...
you’ll never have to be troubled, though.
Do you feel comfortable being here?
Yes, I do.
I’ve never had a place to go in Edo to spend time with others like this.
I’ve got this personality, too.
I didn't have friends even when I worked for my fief government.
--I’m sorry to hear that!
You must have been lonely, Mister Samurai.
Y- Yes?
No, I shouldn't call you Mister.
You’re already one of us. Please continue to visit here... Masa!
I- I will!
Now, let’s drink! Bring sake!
Okay!
Katsura-ya
How did it look, Matsu?
It doesn't look like they’re gonna report to the police.
What about the returned hostage?
He was relaxing at home. I’ll continue to keep an eye on them for a while.
Matsu... He’ll join us.
That freelancer?
Even without my trying, he’s rapidly getting himself more and more involved.
He’s interesting.
It’s not like you, Ichi.
It’s not just because he’s skillful and strong that I want him in our group.
I don't get bored of watching him.
So I want to keep watching him for a while to see what kind of man he is.
What kind of man?
It’s not like me, huh? I know that more than anyone else.
To be
continued
Now, about the next episode of House of Five Leaves...
Next Episode Preview
Umezo speaking.
Being in a service industry, I have to deal with many different things.
Including a pathetic freelancer that comes in for free meals.
But since I’m so timid, I can’t even complain.
Well, the next episode is...
Gradually
Get him Involved