TSUKIKAGE RAN Kaze ga touge wo... The wind came down...
TSUKIKAGE RAN
...orite kita. ...the mountain peak.
Tamoto yurashite... It rustled my sleeve...
...sugitetta. ...and passed me by.
Onna hitori no... Are you gossiping about me?
...tabiyuku wake wo The woman who travels alone?
Uwasa shiteruka, yanchana suzume. Mind your own business, mischievous sparrow.
Nanoru namae wa... The bigger a name to call oneself...
...arudake jama yo. ...the more a nuisance it is.
Aru wa kimama to... What I have is freedom and...
...tomo no osake. ...my companion, sake.
SUDDENLY I WAS A MOTHER
Castle towns are great! It's a lot more lively here. Just lively!
There's a lot more slender girls here, too!
Hey, waitress! I'm still waiting for my shiruko!
Right! Coming right up!
I hope so. I've been waiting forever!
I have your shiruko. Sorry about the wait!
Here it comes!
What's this?
Did someone forget their parcel?
I wonder what's inside?
Huh?!
WHAT?
A baby?!
- Hey, lady, it's a baby! - My, how sweet.
You think so? No, that's not what I mean!
Oh, my! What a perfect little pee-pee!
What? Really? I've never seen one before...
That's not what I mean! This! I found this! Here!
Don't be silly, miss. Didn't you bring the baby here from the beginning?
What? I did?
Your mommy is making a funny joke, little boy!
It's not a joke. I'm so pure, I make flowers blush!
Missus! Now that you've had a baby, look after it until it's grown!
No, wait. You see...
This is a real mess...
POLICE
After all, I'm not your mother.
If I leave you here in front of the police station...
...I'm sure they'll find your real mother for you. Okay?
Bye, little one!
I don't believe this!
I wasn't talking about you. Hey, what's wrong with you?
"Wah, wah" doesn't tell me anything!
Come on, you have to tell me. What's wrong? Did you pee?
No pee... Is it a toothache? No, you don't have teeth yet.
And you're too young to have debt collectors on your back...
Oh, I know!
You're hungry, aren't you! I'm right, aren't I!
So, how should I go about feeding you?
Hey, don't cry. I'm the one who wants to cry...
The wind is quite refreshing. It's quite pleasant...
Pleasant weather such as this makes one crave a bit of good sake...
...but unfortunately, though I have leeway in my heart, I have no such leeway in my wallet.
Where is that girl when I need her?
Didn't I have a little left?
I do!
Aw, is it empty already? Utterly inexcusable!
Oh, it's Meow!
What are you doing?
Sister!
What have you got there?
Th- This is a baby!
That's right. It's a baby.
"That's right, it's a baby"? Where did it come from?
I found it.
You FOUND it?!
Wh- What is it?
At last, a life of poverty has become intolerable and you finally flipped...
...and without stopping to think of the consequences...
...you haven't started to take up kidnapping, I trust?
What are you saying?! Do I look like the kind of woman who would do that?!
Of course. That's why I said it.
Argh! Now I'm ticked off!
Oh, no. There, there. Don't cry, don't cry...
It's been crying nonstop the entire time. Is it okay?
I know. I think he's hungry. Say, sis! Can you give milk?
You didn't have to hit me...
You can spare a little, can't you?! Stingy!
You can't even look after yourself properly. How do you expect to look after a baby?
You should just leave that thing somewhere.
What is this woman saying?! Do you call yourself a human?!
Cold women like you without blood or tears are the type who abandon babies.
That's what can happen if you drink nothing but sake every day. Aw, horrible, horrible!
Did you say something?
Not a word!
Oh, fine then. I can't ignore the problem.
Oh! That's my Tsukikage Ran! Talk about a quick change of heart!
Come on, he's so heavy, he's killing me. It's your turn to hold him.
What are you talking about? Forget it!
It's the baby I can't ignore. For the time being...
...let's find lodgings in which to settle down.
TRAVEL LODGE SUZUYA
Hey, stay still. Hey... Why do you move like that?
Hey, wait!
Good grief. All done.
Sis, I could only find washed rice water. Is that good enough?
Why are you asking me? Don't ask me!
Come here, Mametaro, time for your food.
Mametaro?
That's right! His name is Mametaro! Isn't it a good name?
Really?
The bean fattens in the field, and if it's green, it's a green soybean...
...if it bears fruit, it's a soybean. Soybeans become bean curd, leaving behind curd lees.
Curd lees? I see. That does sound good!
You're going to become a fine person, like a bean!
Look, he's drinking it, sis!
That is all well and good, but he's spilling more than he's drinking.
Hey, you, don't get it on my clothing, all right?
I'm not spilling that much.
He's spilling from the bottom!
Oh, oh! He's leaking!
Yes, an oddly-dressed woman did have a baby with her.
Peek-a... BOO!
If you show such a horrible face to him so suddenly, of course he's going to cry.
Let me see the tyke.
Look! You're flying, you're flying!
Huh? Look, look, Mametaro...
What, what? Is something wrong? Mametaro, Mametaro...
Mame? Bean lees, bean lees, Hey, hey, come on now...
Sis, let me see him. I think he's more afraid of you.
Yes, kids definitely are honest. Isn't that right, Mametaro?
Utterly inexcusable!
Still... I wonder who he belongs to? From what I can see...
...the basket and sheets are not cheap.
We can't travel with a baby, so it's probably best we find the mother.
Miss, are you going out?
I will return by evening. Please let those two above sleep until my return.
An oddly-dressed woman...
She's on to us!
Hi!
Where are you going in such a hurry?
If you have business with me, I'll respond if you simply stop me in the street.
So, you're not only impolite, you are also violent.
Now it's become troublesome.
Wh- What do you mean you're leaving?!
What about the baby?
You and I changed the same baby's diapers together, remember?!
I can't play with women and children forever.
You're a woman, too!
Fine! I won't ask you anymore!!
Mametaro, let's live strong together, just the two of us.
You got it!
We can make a life together without YOUR help!
Oh, really? Knowing you, you'll probably make him wear diapers on his head...
Diapers on his head?!
...and you'll probably leave him to die somewhere.
You should stay put here so you can keep an eye on him.
I don't need your help, you coldhearted woman!! Get lost!
I'm pissed off now! That stupid... sake-swilling woman!!
- Hey, you... - Yeah? What can I do for you?
Where's the mansion that bears this family crest?
Oh, this is the crest of Lord Matsuzaka's house!
Matsuzaka?
Are you on your way to visit Lady Oyu, too?
Lady Oyu?
You can't blame her, after what happened.
They say the kid was spirited away or something like that, but I don't think so.
Spirited away?
Yeah, I'm talking about the family heir.
It's definitely a plot of the wife!
Oyu the mistress gave birth to an heir first...
...and I wouldn't be surprised if that devil-like wife did something about it.
Look, the Matsuzaka house is over there.
Oh!
That samurai's name is Beninosuke, and he's the wife's... you know what.
In broad daylight! The nerve of that guy! Cats and dogs would show more restraint!
Don't you agree?! Huh? She's gone!
Lady Oyu, it's me, Yuki.
Ma'am...! Please don't strain yourself!
Yes... Thank you.
Um, I came to deliver this to you from Madam Matsuzaka.
This medicine is supposed to be full of nourishment.
Now that the boy is gone, what good will come of prolonging my own life?
I'm sure Young Tamachiyo is unharmed...
How I have dreamed he is unharmed... ...but dreams never come true.
I am tired of dreams. I wish I could be put out of my misery.
Ma'am!
Please forgive me, Lady Oyu!
I am the one who took Tamachiyo. I was ordered by Madam Matsuzaka...
Do you mean the boy is safe?
Yes!
Hmm. We can't keep things mild forever, now can we, Beninosuke?
Ma'am.
I suppose we shall clear away all the nuisances in one stroke.
Good idea.
Meow...?
Excuse me, miss, but have you seen the slightly odd happy-go-lucky of a girl...
...with a baby on her back who is staying in this room?
Oh, if you mean her, she went out for a walk.
A walk? Where?
I don't know.
That idiot. I told her not to leave here.
I guess she's not the type to take a hint.
The sun is shining...
Mametaro is a good boy...
You like pinwheels, don't you, Mametaro!
You appreciate things of taste, just like me!
Do you want to be an artist or a performer when you grow up?
Or a scholar perhaps?
That's fine with me. I won't stop you from being what you want to be.
Thank you, Mother. I'm sure I'll make you proud.
But you know, Mametaro. When you find a girlfriend...
...show her to me right away!
I'll make sure she's right for you.
You're the most important thing to me, Mother. I won't marry anybody!
No, no, you can't do that! And I want you to have a cozy marriage.
I want you to live alone with each other without your old mother puttering around.
What are you talking about? Families are supposed to live together!
You make me so happy, Mametaro!
Ah! Your mother's eyes have become dim. I think my time has come!
Mother!
I suppose death comes to us all.
Come now, please hold my hand. It's too lonely to die alone.
Mother! Mother! Thank you for raising me! Thank you...!
Ah...! I'm happy to have been given a son like you, too...
Mother!!
That sounds wonderful...
Right, Mametaro?
Oh, you fell asleep.
The sun is shining...
Young Tamachiyo!!
Young Tamachiyo, thank God you're okay!
- Who the heck are you?! - Lady Oyu!
Tamachiyo...
Tamachiyo, you're unharmed...
What is this? What is this?!
That baby is Young Tamachiyo.
Tamachiyo?! Wh- What are you talking about? This boy's name is Mametaro...
I beg you, please return Tamachiyo!
Who the heck are you?!
This is young Tamachiyo's mother.
His mother...?
Wh- What are you talking about? Is there something wrong with you?
This boy is... This boy's mother...
...is me!
Young Tamachiyo!
Yuki!
What're you doing?!
Oh... Tamachiyo!
Tamachiyo...
What're you doing?!
- Meow! - Sis?!
Move!
Sis, why did you stop me...?
Do you intend to hold a baby with blood on your hands?
The master has returned!
Welcome home, lord.
Yes... Anything happen while I was away?
No, everything is as you left it.
Wh- Who dares?!
Guards!!
What is it?
Move it, you! Can't you see you're in my way?!
What's the meaning of this?!
Oh, there he is, Meow. That's the dimwitted lord of the house.
Ooh, so that's him!
That is definitely a dullwitted face.
Wh- Who goes there?! Where is your respect?!
Oh, the dullwit speaks. Meow, say something back to him.
You got it, sis.
Hey, hey, hey, hey! You dumb old man Matsuzaka!!
O- Old man?
Have you forgotten the face of your own child, you stupid old man?!
Oh, my...! Can it be?! Tamachiyo! You're Tamachiyo!
But how can my Tamachiyo, who was spirited away, be here?!
Damn you, Beninosuke... You botched the job!
That's why you're dense! Your wife over there knows all about it, so go ask her!
Ask my wife? Why?
Why, huh? You're getting absolutely nowhere, old man!
That's why your wife plays you for a fool all the time!
If your mistress bears your heir, the wife will make the maid kidnap it!
She will play with your baby's life in order to protect her own selfish luxury!
She is a bitch who is a disgrace to women everywhere!!
Wh- What?! Is this true?!
Woman! Why are you keeping silent?!
The fact that Mametaro here is alive and well is ultimate proof!
Curse that face! I never wanted to see it again!!
- Wife! - Just a slap.
Good lord... I can't believe my wife would do something so horrifying...
Hey, old man!
Oh, Tamachiyo! Thank god you're okay!
You're the only family this kid has left. From now on, you have to protect him.
That's...
...a parent's duty.
- Sis, let's go. - Right.
What's wrong? You don't look very happy, Lady Meow.
You know... I think I finally feel the urge to settle down...
...set up house, and experience a little of life's small happinesses.
Hoh...? But you know, you need a man in order to settle down...
...and in your case, the odds of your finding a man are quite low...
...so don't you think it's unwise to set your aims so high?
How can you say that?! Now I'm pissed off!
I'm not walking with you ever again from now on!
Go wherever the hell you want, you dregs of a woman!
Hey, wait, you! Say something!
Hey...!
Wait up, sis!
The next episode of Tsukikage Ran is: "I Was A Target Before I Knew It."
Don't miss it.