Otoyo, have you gotten used to working at the soba restaurant now?
Yes. The owner is a very nice person.
It seems, because Jirokichi-san asked her, she hired me although business is tough.
Does the owner have a crush on Jirokichi-san?
I really can't tell that kind of things.
You'll be able to tell soon, Otoyo.
See, you are talking nonsense, so...
Though poor, a woman can be happy if a good man loves her.
What are you talking about?
Rather, I want to make a living by myself.
If that's possible, I can cure your illness too, Mother.
Moreover, it is thanks to Nezumi Kozou-san that I can be here.
Lying around will make you cold.
Why don't you sell sweet wine for a change?
Then I will be even colder.
You can drink it yourself.
You sell it to make people warm, right?
But that wouldn't make me money.
Then what else can you do to make money?
Be quiet!
You are making Otoyo-chan work!
Stop saying silly things!
Oh, speaking of Otoyo-chan...
there was somebody in front of her home.
In front of her home?
Yes, he was staring at the house. It was a suspicious young man.
Oh, perhaps it's a bug (secret admirer).
A bug, huh.
Even a bug can move around more than a nezumi (rat).
Nezumi is...
The quieter he is, the better.
Nezumi, Edo wo Hashiru - Episode 02 [A Takki.us Fansubbing Project]
Hi, Jirokichi-san!
Hi!
Hello!
Hey, Amazake-ya!
Welcome, Jirokichi-san. But now, we are full.
Hey, not ready yet?
Coming!
May I sit here?
What? You guys were interested in her?
By the way, I don't see you here often, Sister.
He's talking. He doesn't usually talk as much as we do.
What would you like?
The same as hers.
Dry, right. One dry soba, please.
Alright!
What's your name? Where are you from?
What? Is it that unusual for a woman to eat soba alone in a place like this?
Yes, it is. A good-looking woman like you is rare around here.
Oh, my. He talks well! Bastard!
What's rare?
Oh, Owner. Dry soba, please.
Are you saying a good-looking woman is rare around here? Jirokichi-san, are you blind?
What?
Owner! Impossible, impossible!
It's impossible to win against that person!
Shut up! It's impossible to win against that person!
I am Chigusa (thousand herbs).
I see. Owner, she's Chigusa-sama.
What chigusa! In any case, I am dokudami (poisonous herb)!
Dokudami is used for medicine.
Because of its strong scent, people tend to think it is poisonous.
However, its name started because it has a detoxifying quality.
I can't tell if you are praising me or digging at me...
I haven't had such a delicious soba for a long time.
Oh, is that so? She's nice! Please come here often from now on.
Indeed, Edo's soba is the best!
Sister, you weren't in Edo for a while?
I've been away for some time, and came back only recently.
I see.
What do you want?
Sorry to have kept you waiting, Jirokichi-san!
Here it is!
What are you doing? Heizou!
Ah, Owner, does that palanquin bearer still come here?
Yes, he seems to be madly in love with Otoyo-chan.
I hope she doesn't get a bad bug.
Somebody was slashed!
What? What? Let's go!
What? What? What? Where?
You are curious too?
I am a doctor.
I don't like to see someone who has been slashed.
Right... Even more so, I don't like someone who slashes people to achieve his own desires.
You've just slashed a person, have you?
I won't escape, nor will I hide. Keep quiet!
In that case, will you drop that sword?
I cannot do that!
I won't harm you. Don't worry.
Are you a samurai?
As you can see, I am not a samurai.
Why did you slash somebody?
I failed.
What?
Do you work here?
No, I am just a customer.
Then, please apologize to the owner of this place.
That I have made a mess.
He's gone.
Well, move, move! Excuse me!
Oh, Captain Tokugorou.
He's dead.
What's this? He's dead.
Hey! What are you doing there?
I am a doctor.
I was taking his pulse, but he has passed away.
A doctor? You're just a woman.
Is it okay for her to work at a soba shop?
What? Is it okay for her to work at a soba shop?
Hey. Where are you from?
I am Ryouan's daughter, Captain Tokugorou.
What?
Hey, hey. I don't know whether it's Ryouan or Takuan (pickled radish) but you cannot do this without permission...
You, fool!
You don't know who's Doctor Ryouan?
I am sorry!
Doctor Ryouan took care of me to death.
Captain, you can't be taken care of to death by a doctor...
Shut up, bastard! Fool!
Well...
My memory of you was when you were still this little...
I came back from my studies and decided to fill my father's shoes.
Oh, I see.
However, since this guy's dead, we'll be taking care of him now. Right?
Yes, Sir.
The culprit is over there.
Oh, I see... What? What are you saying, bastard!
Over here.
Hey, Jirokichi! Where is the culprit?
Over there.
Eh?
What? Oh, my.
Oh, my, my, my.
Oh, my.
Hey, Sada.
Oh, my God...
Is he alive?
It seems he's completely dead.
Wow, it's awful. It seems he's completely dead.
Otoyo, you are here.
What? Yes.
Is he the culprit?
It seems.
Jirokichi. Do you know him?
Oh, my God!
The kitchen is covered with blood. What should I do?
He was apologizing to you, Owner.
Even so, it doesn't make any difference.
What should I do? I cannot run my business!
What should I do???
You're too loud! What should I do???
I understand your feeling, but be quiet! I can't hear him!
Move! Move, move! What happened, Tokugorou?
You left the dead body outside.
Surprisingly, the culprit is here.
What should I do? What on earth!
I told you! You're too loud!
You're the one who is loud!
Oh, sorry.
Master Hayasaki, the culprit committed suicide here.
Oh, my. I even hired a server. I cannot make my living!
Shut up!! Who found the culprit?
Otoyo and I.
Otoyo, are you feeling ill? Well, it's understandable.
Tell me exactly what happened then.
Yes, Sir.
Who killed my husband?
Sure. A merchant who sold 'karakara' did it with a sword...
A merchant killed my husband?
My husband was a sword-fighting instructor...
Because it was a merchant, he must have been caught off guard.
It seems that when they passed each other, he was slashed with a sword from the back like this.
If he wasn't given a chance to draw his sword, even a great swordsman would not stand a chance.
Did you say that the merchant committed suicide?
Yes. He ran into a soba shop nearby,
and this guy named Jirokichi who happened to be there saw his last moments.
Why did he kill himself?
I don't know,
but he said "I failed" before he died.
"I failed"?
For certain, I heard so.
"I failed..."
Madam, can you think of anything that might...
...cause someone to hold a grudge against Mikawa-sama?
No.
In that case, your husband might be killed because of a mistaken identity.
Well, could it have been a theft?
A theft?
Well, my husband was found with nothing in his pocket.
So I wonder if he went out without even bringing money.
Didn't the culprit say anything else?
Except for "I failed", he didn't say anything notable.
Hey, what about Otoyo?
Otoyo was with the culprit until the end, wasn't she?
Didn't you hear anything from her? Could it be that the culprit wasn't completely dead?
Well, I don't think so.
Otoyo?
Otoyo, are you still bothered by it?
What?
It's understandable when you see somebody die in front of you.
But it's nothing to do with you.
Better forget about it soon.
Yea.
Otoyo-chan? Otoyo-chan?
Kosode-san.
Are you alright? It was such a terrible incident.
I went to the soba shop just now. People were still making a fuss.
That's why I dropped by here.
Anything happened?
What?
Oh, no. I mean...
Are you really okay?
Otoyo-chan was still badly shaken.
Poor thing.
It seems that the dead samurai belonged to the Matsunuma clan. Have you heard anything?
What do you mean by 'anything'?
Rumour or something.
There are many samurais practicing at the same dojo as yours.
I've never heard of any rumour about the Matsunuma clan.
Then, that's fine.
Something's bothering you?
Don't you know who on earth was the one who killed him?
I don't know, but I think he was originally a samurai.
If he went so far as to disguise himself as a merchant to kill him,
it could be that he intended to attack a person in the same clan...
Well, it's none of my business any further.
Where is the house of the Matsunuma clan?
The main house is in Asakusa Torigoe.
Wow, you know well.
Otoyo-chan.
I thank you for coming, but this place being like this,
I cannot open my shop for a while. I am sorry but...
I'll ask you to come back when I can hire you again.
Alright...
I am sorry.
Don't be.
Is Otoyo-chan home?
Oine-san, I'll open.
Brother! Brother!
Kosode, go to the landlord and borrow a cart.
Where are we going?
I'll take her to a doctor. Doctor Ryouan's place.
Don't be silly. Doctor Ryouan died last year.
A new Ryouan has come. Let's go!
Alright.
Oh, the bug.
Oh, good timing.
Palanquin bearer, what is your name?
Heizou.
Heizou, listen to me. When Otoyo comes back here,
tell her that her mother is at Doctor Ryouan of Houzan Temple. Do you understand?
I'm counting on you. Alright!
OK. Hold it tight. Now, go!
Alright. OK. Hold it tight. Now, go!
It's pulmonary tuberculosis. At a fairly advanced stage.
Pulmonary tuberculosis?
It's a lung disease.
Can't she be saved?
Does she have a family?
Otoyo. The girl who works at the soba shop.
I see. Jirokichi-san, you're a playboy, but very kind.
You shouldn't judge a man from his appearance.
I see. Brother, even you can be soft on women.
What is it?
Your mother was taken to Doctor Ryouan of Houzan Temple.
What?
Who took her?
A guy called 'Amazake-ya'.
Jirokichi-san did?
What's the matter?
Heizou-san, why did you come to our row house?
It's a medical herb. I've been wanting to give this to you.
It's too late now.
Get on me. Let me carry you at least.
Now, hurry!
What's the matter?
Your mother will be fine.
I stole money.
Yesterday, I stole the wallet of the guy who was killed.
Even if I cure my mother with such money...
I'll definitely be damned.
You won't be. You won't be damned.
God gave it to you because he couldn't bear to watch.
I don't have a father either. If my mom, brother, or sister gets sick,
I will have no choice but to steal money.
In that kind of situation, can money just fall in front of you?
God gave it to you.
You won't be damned.
Don't worry. I'll protect you.
Mother!
Otoyo... I am sorry.
It's alright. Don't worry!
Listen to what Doctor Chigusa says.
Well then, I'll take my leave.
Heizou-san!
Thank you.
I must have been heavy.
No...
What? Were you carried all the way here?
For me, it's a piece of cake.
I guess so.
Well, then.
Oh, no. I didn't think he was such a good bug.
Otoyo-chan, stay overnight here too.
What? Is it alright?
Sure.
Let's eat something together later.
Good for you, Otoyo.
Yes.
I am so hungry.
Shall we fix something after getting home?
Yea.
Heizou?
Heizou! Heizou!
Heizou!
He was on the way back home after taking Otoyo to the doctor, right?
Yes.
But it's too elaborate for a tsujigiri.
After being slashed in both legs, he was stabbed once in the back.
On top of those, he was slashed in the neck.
This was done with deep hatred.
Captain!
Heizou!
Brother! Heizou!
Brother!
Heizou! Brother! Heizou! Brother!
Brother! Brother!
What?
What's this? It's terrible.
Kosode, don't let Otoyo come back here.
Yea.
Heizou-san was...
Can't be... Why?
I don't know why.
But my brother said it's better that you don't go home for a while, Otoyo.
Jirokichi-san said so? Why?
I don't know well yet... but please listen to him.
Doctor Chigusa, can I count on you?
It's alright with me just to let her stay here.
I'll come and see how you are doing on the way back from my dojo.
What on earth have you gotten yourself into?
How's it?
As I expected, he is a stranger.
I see.
Hey.
Well, perhaps he will be buried today.
Thanks for your trouble.
Sure.
It's you, Jirokichi.
Mister, he is the one who witnessed the suicide.
You, it's good timing!
This is the chief retainer of the Matsunuma clan.
Matsunuma clan?
He saw the man who killed Mikawa-sama.
But as I expected, he was a stranger.
That guy said "I failed", right?
Yes, Sir.
At the last moment, was he alone with you?
No.
Mister, there was a girl named Otoyo at the soba shop.
The one who was left alone with the guy was the girl.
But he was already dead at that time.
Hey, is Otoyo still at Doctor Ryouan's place?
Not sure.
Don't say "not sure", you bastard!
Well, I'm leaving now.
Thanks for coming!
Thanks!
Jirokichi, what brought you here?
Well, I'm done now.
What?
The Matsunuma clan?
Right.
Their house is in Asakusa, close to your family's, right?
Yea, though the sizes of our houses are so different.
Of course, they are a daimyo's family.
Don't you know anything?
Perhaps the merchant who slashed him with a sword was a samurai.
A samurai pretending to be a merchant? For what?
In order to perform his loyal duty, one is willing to abandon the samurai status.
If that person is the second or third son of a samurai family like me,
he may work to that extent for the clan.
Was it necessary to go that far?
Right now, it seems there is a family feud in the Matsunuma clan.
A family feud?
It's a strife over succession.
Strife over succession?
Our lord has many concubines besides his wife,
but he had no child whatsoever.
When he finally gave up and was going to adopt his younger brother's son,
one of his concubines gave birth to a son.
Some people in the clan thought it was suspicious.
That child is...
...my husband's.
Your husband who was killed...?
Yes. That concubine had a fiance before.
Mikawa Senhachiro, who became my husband,...
...was that fiance.
The two were...
...having an affair.
Jirokichi, the reason I disclosed the shame of my family this much...
...is that I have a favour to ask of you.
I want you to find the proof.
The proof?
It's his wallet.
In my husband's wallet, there should have been
a letter from the concubine to my husband, which proves their affair.
Maybe the person who attacked him just didn't notice the contents of the wallet.
There was such a letter inside the wallet...
Because you did not see the wallet,
the girl named Otoyo may have it.
Please take this Otoyo girl to me.
I beg you!
Otoyo has the wallet?
It would be too late if the other side gets hold of it.
The other side means those who doubt the child is the lord's, right?
Could they be led by the chief retainer?
Hey, is Otoyo still at Doctor Ryouan's place?
Not sure.
Well, I'm leaving now.
Otoyo is in danger!
Who are you?
Where is the girl? Bring Otoyo here.
Alright.
Doctor...
I have no choice.
This way.
Otoyo-chan, run!
Mother!
Otoyo, run away now!
You, stand up!
Otoyo-chan!
You!
That's enough!
Stop now!
Jirokichi-san.
I am sorry to have caused you trouble, Chigusa-san.
Chief retainer, if you get what you're looking for, that's enough right?
Otoyo, do you have the wallet of the deceased?
Otoyo!
I am sorry! I wanted to cure you, Mother...
A love letter in which the concubine pledged her love to the samurai who was killed...
Not being able to find this, the samurai who killed the guy thought he had failed.
Therefore he committed suicide so that his identity could remain hidden. Is that so?
That should satisfy you. We won't tell anyone about this.
So please leave Otoyo alone.
Fine, but this person's eyes are damaged.
It was only vinegar for treatment. I can cure him in no time.
Ah, wait...
The Matsunuma clan was split into two over the concubine's son.
Heizou was also killed because of the love letter.
Otoyo.
Heizou never told where you were until his death.
Otoyo...
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I've brought him.
I've brought you Nezumi Kozou.
Jirokichi... You are the Nezumi Kozou.
You were the one who killed Heizou, weren't you?
You went to the row house yesterday to catch Otoyo.
What is it?
Your mother was taken to Doctor Ryouan of Houzan Temple.
However, Heizou was there.
So you followed them,
but even with Heizou carrying Otoyo on his back, you couldn't catch up with them.
Therefore, you had no choice but to wait till they came back.
Heizou came back alone.
You asked Heizou where Otoyo was,
but he did not tell.
I don't know.
Of course you know! I saw you two going together.
I have to see that girl, Otoyo, by any means.
I really don't know.
Why don't you tell? Tell me! Tell me now!
You slashed his leg and threatened him.
In spite of that, he didn't say anything.
After that, because he saw your face,
you could not let him live.
Are you going to die for that girl?
Do you want to get killed?
Even if I die,
I won't hand Otoyo over to you!
Fool!
Heizou was truly in love with Otoyo until his last moment.
You must have hated that affection.
Just like how you hated your husband who kept the love letter carefully out of his earnest affection toward the concubine.
I believe only you knew that letter existed.
You were the one who told the chief retainer about it, weren't you?
However, after your husband was killed,
you started to think you don't want to disclose the letter to the public, which would put you to shame as his wife.
The chief retainer finally got hold of the love letter that you couldn't find in spite of your frantic search of Otoyo's house.
Shut up!
If you don't take my side,
I will tell that police captain the true identity of Nezumi Kozou.
You should know a little by now.
What?
For the chief retainer who got hold of the love letter,
you are the last person...
...who knows the secret of Mikawa Senhachiro's murder.
Mother also went to the same place as Heizou-san.
I have no purpose to keep on living like this.
Otoyo, Heizou will be sad if you don't live.
Your mother, too.
But, how should I make amends?
If you keep thinking of Heizou-san, then live on for the sake of others.
If you want, work under me.
Doctor Chigusa.
Live on hard for the sake of somebody.
Yes, M'am.
Brother! The lord of the Matsunuma clan died!
What do you mean by "died"? Can't you use more polite words like "passed away"?
It doesn't matter.
Who's going to succeed him?
I wonder if the son of the concubine has lost his chance because of the love letter.
More importantly, are we safe?
We know how they got the love letter.
The love letter is not necessarily useful.
If it is useless, they won't kill us to silence us. Don't worry.
You're carefree as always!
I am hungry, so hurry up with the chow!
Hey, what's with the 'chow'?
Al~right.
[Translation by Marie]
[Timing, Edit, QC by Mich]
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