Ah. Hey!
Ito, you'd better watch out!
Oh!
How rude!
Ito! Ito...
Stop it!
Ito!
Lady Sayo, there's nothing wrong.
Tani! Don't soil my palanquin with blood!
Yes, M'am! Now, let's go!
Ito! Ito! Ito!
Ito! Ito...
What do you want from me?
I apologize for my impoliteness.
Kosode-sama, I presume.
Me? Anything I can do for you?
Yes.
Kosode-sama, I've heard you are a very fine sword-fighter.
What?
Who are you?
Excuse me for the late introduction. I'm Seikichi, manager at a sundries shop called Mishimaya.
I'm Jirokichi, Kosode's older brother.
You are Kosode-sama's brother, Sir?
He's not a person who needs to be called "Sir".
You don't have to say that.
I need to ask both of you a big favour!
I'm sorry to ask you so suddenly,
but I am wondering if you can send Kosode-sama to Ohoku for service. Ohoku: a living quarter of the Edo castle where women who serve the Shogun reside; All men except the Shogun are prohibited in this section.
Ohoku?
Me?
Excuse me. Oh, it was terrible.
I am soaking wet.
Welcome!
Hey, give me a bottle of sake.
Sure.
How about soba?
I'll have it later.
Sure. Well, it's really raining hard.
Jirokichi-san, Kosode-chan. Give me a few more minutes, please.
Owner, it seems we'll have an important conversation. Take your time.
Important conversation?
So don't come here.
I got it! Kosode-chan's marriage arrangement, isn't it?
That's right! Moreover, it's from a splendid place.
Kosode, don't answer her.
Where? Where is the man from?
You are making a difficult story more complicated!
What do you mean?
Hey! Sake!
Oh, yes. Right away.
Are you saying you want Kosode to be a maid in Ohoku?
Just for a while. I need her sword-fighting skill.
It's not peaceful. Anything happening in Ohoku?
If you could come to Mishimaya tomorrow,
I'll explain the details there.
Then, see you tomorrow.
Hey! No sake yet?
Too late! Yes!
Ah…wait a...
Don't need it anymore!
Hey, hey!
Ah...eh...what!
Oh, is it settled?
No, not yet.
What can I do for you?
You rude bastard!
I have no business with a common man like you!
Wait a second.
That's the ronin at the soba shop.
Nezumi, Edo wo Hashiru - Episode 06 [A Takki.us Fansubbing Project]
Thank you very much.
It's here.
I'm Kyuzaemon of Mishimaya.
I am sorry that our manager Seikichi made a very difficult request this time.
Because we sell Ohoku goods such as red-white cosmetic powder, lipsticks etc,
through that connection, my daughter went to serve at Ohoku.
Mishimaya-san, your daughter has become an Ohoku's maid?
Yes.
I was hoping that after she served at Ohoku and learned manners,
she would come back home and marry this Seikichi in the future.
However, the Lord saw her and...
...she has become an 'elder'.
She's become the Shogun-sama's concubine.
Yes. Now she is called Lady Murasaki.
Then, are you saying, in order to protect her,
you want to send my sister to Ohoku?
My daughter is pregnant.
Next month, our lady... Lady Murasaki is going to a temple to worship.
When she goes outside,
she may possibly be attacked by somebody.
Once before, a pregnant 'elder' was attacked too.
Therefore, we would like Kosode-sama to be beside her.
But aren't there samurais guarding her palanquin?
Well, what shall I say...
Do you mean that you cannot trust those samurais?
Exactly.
In that case, only a maid can stay close to her and protect her.
In short, you want to hire Kosode to be her bodyguard.
That's right.
But even if it is a low-ranked maid,
can somebody like me be hired at Ohoku?
You cannot serve the lady directly, but if it is a room maid who serve elder maids,
even common girls can be one.
In that case, if you don't mind, I'll be your foster parent.
Am I going to be adopted by you, Mishimaya-san?
Yes.
Thanks for your business.
Thanks.
Here.
Was it okay to accept?
Don't you wish that too, Brother?
I didn't mean...
You are bothered about that manager named Seikichi, aren't you?
What do you think about him?
He's not an ordinary man. When we first met him,
I felt like a samurai was following us.
Yeah.
At least, I think he is a person who's been practising sword-fighting a lot.
For what reason would a merchant practise sword-fighting?
You want to know that, don't you?
Brother, you think it's also Seikichi who killed that ronin, don't you?
It's better we stay away from this, but...
Although it's always the case that you can't stay away.
Well, 10 days would be sufficient to understand something.
That's why you asked them to wait for 10 days?
But who would attack the 'elder'?
Don't you want to investigate that too?
I can't put my dear sister in danger before my very eyes, so...
You don't mean it!
Yes, I do!
Hmm. It's good!
OK! Practice! Practice!
What? Are you going to serve at Ohoku?
Yes. As a bodyguard of a concubine.
Does it mean somebody is plotting to kill the concubine?
Or the baby in her tummy.
She's pregnant?
We don't know who is plotting though.
I see.
Hey, can you look into that?
What? Me?
It's totally impossible. It's Ohoku.
That's right. I was just saying it.
Nobody can tell anybody what happens in Ohoku.
That's the rule. Outsiders won't be able to know anything at all.
Oh my. Then I guess it's also against Ohoku's rules for me to tell everything like this to somebody who's unrelated.
It's sad to be called 'somebody who's unrelated'...
What? Can you look into it?
Impossible!
That's right...
However, it is not unrealistic.
What?
It's always the case that concubines are hostile to each other, fighting for the Shogun's affection.
Yeah... Ohoku is a despicable place, right?
It worries me... that you are going to such a place.
I'll be fine. I'll only mind my own business.
That's why I'm worried.
What?
Alright. You may enter.
OK?
Yes, Sir.
Is there anything missing?
Everything we ordered is here.
Seikichi-san, I don't think you would make a mistake.
Or, is there anything else?
I'd like to send Lady Murasaki what we have talked about.
Have you found that said thing?
Yes. I think I can deliver it in about 10 days.
Understood. I will surely accept it.
Please do so.
Lady Murasaki would thank you.
Teacher!
Oh!
What are you doing? Did you come for me?
I thought you would not like it if I visit you in this kind of attire.
What are you talking about? Come in, please.
No, no. It's difficult inside.
Understood. Then, come here, please.
I am sorry.
You've asked Seikichi-san for money?
Who are you?
I'm Jirokichi of Amazakeya.
What are you doing for Seikichi-san in return?
Do you teach him sword-fighting?
Why do you want to know?
I am worried about Seikichi-san.
I'm afraid he would die some day for doing that.
It's too much for me...
...seeing a ronin exploiting a hard-working merchant.
How rude! I never taught him for money.
This is the second time I borrowed money from Seikichi.
Because I was unable to pay for my wife's medicine, I had no choice but to ask him.
I cannot tell right away the reason for the high fever,
but unless the fever goes down, it's life-threatening.
That's why I was going to buy some medicine.
Rather than that, I have a better medicine.
Here it is.
What's that?
It's a pig's stomach.
Inside there is liquid medicine.
I'll insert this tube to her anus,
and squeeze this to dispense the medicine.
To her anus?
Doctor Chigusa is a great doctor who has learnt Western medicine in Dejima, Nagasaki.
So please rest assured.
Great, Otoyo. Now you can say such a thing.
It's useless just to say it, though.
Otoyo-chan, lay her body sideways and support it firmly, will you?
Yes.
Excuse me.
Here we go.
We're saved, thanks to you.
No, I didn't do anything.
Are you asking me about Seikichi because you're truly concerned for him?
Well, I happened to have gotten myself involved, so...
I am concerned, too.
It's not something I should tell people, but I'll tell you.
I heard that Sekichi lost his parents early. He was working for Mishimaya,
taking care of his sister who was 4 years younger.
Sister?
Fortunately, the owner of Mishimaya liked him very much.
So he could live there with his sister.
To ease the loneliness of losing both parents,
he was keeping a puppy for his sister.
That puppy jumped in front of a noble person's procession.
His sister, who chased it, was killed by an escorting samurai.
Could it be that Seikichi-san learnt sword-fighting to take revenge on that samurai?
It was after he turned 18 that Seikichi came to me.
Around that time, he apparently started going to Ohoku for business accompanying Mishimaya's owner.
There, Seikichi saw that samurai.
A samurai of Ohoku.
For 10 years since then,
Seikichi visited me almost every day after dusk,
and every day, he practised sword-fighting wholeheartedly.
And in no time, he made a remarkable progress.
Before I realized, to see him grow up may have become a joy in my life.
That may be why I've neglected worrying about his future.
Seikichi-san may be trying to attain his goal in the near future.
Dear Seikichi-sama, I am no longer able to see you again.
Please forgive me that my behaviour has led us to such a fate.
Please reproach me, who broke our promise and got pregnant with the Lord's child.
I don't blame you if you resent me.
At this point, I sincerely hope that your long-cherished wish would be fulfilled.
Watch out for fire, please!
So Seikichi-san is trying to avenge his sister who was killed by a samurai of Ohoku.
That's right.
Nobody would approve such a common person's revenge, though.
Does it have something to do with the visit to the temple this time?
It may be that Seikichi-san and the lady loved each other from the bottom of their hearts.
What? What do you mean?
In that case, Seikichi-san must be suffering, too.
I don't really get it,
but anyway, the Shogun-sama has many concubines, I heard.
Well, my peer at the Dojo investigated a rumour for me.
A rumour?
Among the concubines, there is one called Lady Osayo, whom the Shogun-sama cared for deeply.
That person has only given birth to princesses,
so she is violently jealous of young concubines who may give birth to a successor son.
According to the rumour, there are some concubines who were made to miscarry; others were even killed.
But Seikichi-san was saying he could not trust the escorting samurais.
Is the concubine able to persuade the samurais to join in her plot?
The concubine's parent could.
Parent?
That Lady Osayo's father is,
I heard, Lord Shigeoka Iki, who is the newly appointed top of the Shogun's retainers,
and he is among the closest to the Shogun-sama.
Now it makes sense.
Shigeoka-sama, here's something from Lady Osayo.
"About My Successor"!? It's our Lord's living will, isn't it?
Yes. I heard it was given to Lady Osayo by our Lord.
I wonder if this document is a fake.
I really don't know.
Now, what is my daughter, I mean Lady Osayo, saying?
Well, in return for entrusting it to you,
she wants you to kill a pregnant 'elder'.
Again?
Her jealousy is troublesome.
Who is the 'elder'?
She is called Lady Murasaki. Originally she was a daughter of a merchant, Mishimaya, who has business with Ohoku.
It seems that through her maid, she has been communicating with the shop's manager who comes to Ohoku.
I was spying on the manager's move,
but a ronin whom I had hired for that purpose was killed by somebody.
There is no need to be afraid of a merchant. Do it properly.
Yes, Sir.
Hey, Nishihara!
Oh, it's you.
Your wife...
...is sick, I heard.
You must need money.
I'm not going to rely on you.
Don't be so unfriendly. I came to talk about money-making business.
It cannot be a good one.
I need to gather skilled sword-fighters.
I need your swordsmanship. If I fail, I'm going to lose my life.
Are you saying you want me to kill someone?
We have good backing.
Don't worry. We won't get caught.
For that, each of us will be paid 30 pieces of gold.
30 pieces of gold?
How is it?
Here's the down payment from me.
You can treat your wife and you don't have to owe a doctor anything.
Where is Nishihara-dono?
He left, leaving this.
A piece of gold? Nishihara-dono left it?
He told me to take care of his wife for a while with this.
How did you get that piece of gold?
Did you borrow from Seikichi-san again?
No, that was...
...a down payment for a job.
A job? What kind of job is it?
Kosode-sama.
As promised, 10 days have passed.
I've come to fetch you.
I'll go change clothes.
That's enough.
You have great skills, Seikichi-san.
If it's possible,
you would want to be beside the lady, wouldn't you?.
Answer me just one thing.
For you, is Lady Murasaki the one you want to protect in earnest?
Or are you using her for some reason?
I want to protect her at the risk of my life.
Understood.
In that case, I'll protect her in your place.
Weigh it!
Yes, Sir!
You eat fish on Parents' Day.
That's why you're short. Who's behind you?
San-chan.
Wrong!
I want to protect Kosode. For that, would you tell me the whole story now?
That's why you're short. Who's behind you?
Because I found out the palanquin procession that killed my sister belonged to Ohoku,
I became keen on my shop's business, in order to find that samurai.
For that, I wanted to go to the castle soon.
The owner of Mishimaya suggested for me then to marry his daughter.
The lady loved you too, right?
She was too good for me.
I told her honestly,
that I could not be happy until I avenge my sister.
In that case, why don't we investigate the samurai and avenge her together.
After that, we will live happily for her.
My lady...
To do so, I will serve at Ohoku.
In order to marry you, Seikichi-san.
In this way, I came to know that samurai called Tani Ichinosuke worked for a concubine.
Don't soil my palanquin with blood!
Yes, Ma'am.
Then, at the coming visit to the temple,
are you going to attack the procession?
There, I'll kill Tani Ichinosuke.
In front of the lady.
I was waiting for this opportunity for a long time.
Even if you succeed, you cannot get away with it.
Of course, I am aware of that.
There may be one more ironic thing.
What?
Your teacher accepted a strange job offer.
Teacher! Please give me that job!
What?
Please make a proposal to that ronin that you'll change places with me.
I'll pay you the 30 pieces of gold.
From the beginning, I don't think you will get paid 30 pieces of gold.
If you take on such a job, they are planning to erase you without a doubt.
The one who's manipulating those guys is...
...Tani Ichinosuke.
Your enemy!
I see. Then...bring this with you.
You cannot go there unarmed.
Teacher...
Who are you?
Villains! Kill them!
Seikichi-san?
You bastard!
Kosode-dono!
Take care of the lady, please. Get away quickly!
Understood. Hurry!
You are Mishimaya's manager. What are you thinking?
To avenge my little sister.
I remember now. You are the boy from that time.
How impudent! You are just a common man!
I'll send you to your sister's place.
You...
I'm Nezumi Kozou.
You are...
I thought you are not just a simple person.
No, I am just a simple thief.
I stole these 30 pieces of gold from this samurai's boss.
Give them to your teacher, please.
And...
I stole this too.
Not here!
My Lord's living will! Living will... L-Living will...
I can't tell whether it is fake or real.
Because of the petty plot, the lady was attacked.
Soon when the commissioner for shrines and temples comes here and sees this,
the plot will be disclosed.
In that case,
the lady will be safe.
It was my greed to take on a revenge.
For that greed, I lost a precious thing again.
I am responsible for ruining the lady's life.
However, your sister can rest in peace now. She must be pleased.
Thinking that way, go on living, praying for the lady's happiness.
I'm home!
Kosode.
I immediately asked to be dismissed. Oh my, I am hungry. Is dinner ready yet?
Kosode. You don't need to come back here.
What?
I asked Mishimaya's owner to let you live as his adopted daughter.
From today, you go back there.
What do you mean?
If you remain as my sister, someday you'll be unhappy.
What Nezumi does is nothing but Nezumi's greed.
Sooner or later, I had to cut off ties with you.
I beg you, please leave here.
No. I'll stay here.
Kosode!
Brother, if you get caught...
Then...
Then, I will kill you.
I won't allow anybody else... anybody in the government to kill you.
That's what I'm prepared for.
Kosode...
Therefore, please tell Nezumi to rest assured.
[Translation by Marie]
[Timing, Edit, QC by Mich]
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