"I'll hold another banquet."
"I'll hold banquet after banquet, forever unchanging."
"I may be lonely right now
but everyone is waiting for me
on the other side of that promise."
That was in the long-distant past.
The original memory, forgotten by everyone.
The original promise.
Wow! It looks like it'll be another hot day,
even though it's mid-September already!
All right, Mom, you look after things here.
See you after school!
I have plenty of time today, so why don't I take a walk around the area?
The air feels so nice!
A new discovery: there's a house here.
How cute!
Well, now!
It's not too often I see a girl around here.
H-Hello! I'm sorry! I was looking around without permission!
Go right ahead.
But wouldn't a young person like you find this place boring?
No, not at all! These zodiac knick-knacks are adorable.
Ah, yes. They're a favorite of mine, too.
It's another set without a cat, though.
Cat?
Oh! Are you thinking of the cat from the old zodiac folktale?
Yes!
My mother used to tell me that story all the time.
Once upon a time, God told the animals:
"I invite you to the banquet I shall hold tomorrow."
But the Rat, who loved to pull pranks, lied to his neighbor the Cat,
Listen, sir. Let me tell you the news
Why, thank you
and told him the banquet was the day after tomorrow.
On the day of the banquet, the Rat rode on the Ox's back,
then leapt easily down to arrive there first.
After him came the Ox, the Tiger, and all the rest,
and they all feasted merrily until dawn.
Welcome to the Banquet
All of them except the deceived Cat.
Tohru! Why the heck are you crying?
That poor Cat!
Okay, I've decided!
I'm going to quit being a Dog and be a Cat instead!
*She's trying to say that she'll switch her birth year from the Dog to the Cat
My, my.
I wonder what face he'd make if he heard that.
Pardon?
Anyway, so you were born in the Year of the Dog?
That makes me feel close to you. After all, I'm a Dog-
...too.
Lay off the inappropriate flirting.
Are you all right, Ms. Honda?
Did my cousin pull any funny business?
S-Soma! Good morning!
That really hurt!
Did you pack a dictionary or something?
Two, in fact.
Good morning.
Oh, do you two know each other?
This is Ms. Honda. She's in my class.
I'm Tohru Honda. It's a pleasure to meet you!
Oh. Well, I'm Shigure Soma, Yuki's cousin.
Say, what brings you here?
Um... I live nearby.
You live near here?
Huh...
I'll be going, then!
Ms. Honda?
Yes?
Since you're here, why don't we walk to school together?
What?
Ms. Honda, what is the meaning of this?!
U-Um...
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Yuki's second-year representative,
Motoko Minagawa!
P-Prince Yuki?
Prince Yuki core principles!
Never steal the prince's personal effects!
Never invade the prince's home!
Never speak to the prince without someone else present!
"Prince Yuki" is the club dedicated to praising, loving, and protecting
the prince who has graced our school with his presence.
Ms. Honda!
You have publicly signaled your revolt against our well-disciplined club!
Now let's have a clear explanation of why you arrived at school with Yuki today!
Scary.
Speak!
It was a coincidence...
That's right. Yuki Soma's handsome features
have won him a "prince of the school" position already in his freshman year.
If "coincidence" was a good enough excuse, we wouldn't need the police!
That's right!
I bet you're getting a big head just because Yuki was nice to you-
Hey, you. Don't you dare use those dumb excuses to pick a fight.
Wh-What's your problem? You delinquents think threats solve everything!
I'll use evil waves to
[censored] you.
Uo, Hana, you saved me.
You poor thing. That was some bad luck!
Hanajima, don't actually do the wave thing.
Home Economics Room
I gotta say, though, you sure don't come to school with the prince every day.
It made me very nervous.
Soma is too beautiful.
You know...
I find his waves quite strange.
Here comes Hanajima's Wave Report.
Strange in what way?
That's the thing. I'm not sure.
True, he is a little mysterious.
When a second-year confessed her love to him a while back and tried to hug him,
Yuki!
He was scared the heck out of her, he sent her flying.
A Princely Scuttle
I didn't know that.
I wonder why.
You three!
Move your hands, not your mouths!
Ah...
What?
We're done already, moron.
Don't you talk big! I know Ms. Honda did all of that!
The rice is done, too.
Sheesh.
Teacher, mine went wrong!
Hey, Tohru. I'm going shopping with Hanajima after school.
Wanna come?
Sorry, I have to work today.
Right, you promised to pay your own tuition, didn't you? That's rough.
But you work almost daily.
That shouldn't be necessary just for tuition, surely?
Here, extra-large.
Thanks.
I'd like to start living alone after I graduate, though.
That's why I have to start saving now!
You're gonna make me cry! Eat up, Tohru. Build your strength!
Yes, ma'am!
Tohru cooked this, not you.
You're still staying at your dad's parents' place, right?
Yes!
Are they feeding you okay, at least?
They better not be squeezing all your wages out of you.
Delicious.
I can't tell her.
If Uo knew I was living in a tent,
she might charge into my grandfather's house on her motorcycle.
Soma!
Thank you for this morning!
Nonsense. I apologize for Shigure.
Oh, no, he's a very nice person!
He even showed me his zodiac knick-knacks.
That's right, you were saying something about being a Cat?
I was an odd child.
Mm-hmm. The Cat is an idiot.
Bad-tempered, too.
Ms. Honda, did you know
that the zodiac animals actually began as part of the sexagenary cycle?
They were used as numerals and clock divisions,
then later yin-yang and elemental relationships were folded in with them.
That's when they became fortune-telling tools.
The math never left room for the Cat to begin with.
I think that's for the best anyway, though.
What's so good about being allowed to join the zodiac?
The Cat is such an idiot.
So... are you saying you hate cats, Soma?
Oh, I'm sorry! I have to go to work!
Ms. Honda.
Yes?
You look under the weather.
It's still so hot, too. You should be careful of your health.
When I was three, my dad got sick and died.
After that, my mother worked and worked to support us.
Household Accounts
Tohru! Your mama is hungry for sukiyaki today!
Household Accounts
♪ Sukiyaki! ♪
My mother protected me.
She was always so powerful and cheerful.
I never thought someone like her
would die in an accident.
Everyone argued over who should take me in.
In the end my grandfather was the one to do it.
Dinner is ready, Grandpa.
Thank you, Kyoko.
He's living on a pension now, and I didn't want to be a burden.
I'm Tohru, Grandpa.
What did you cook today, Kyoko?
So, I promised to pay my own tuition and living expenses.
Hotpot. Also, I'm Tohru.
That all happened in May.
Kyoko, I'm supposed to go live with my daughter's family for a while
while this house is being renovated.
My plan is to have them house us during the renovation,
but their place is so small.
If you have a good friend you can stay with, that'd be better for you, too.
Uo lives in a tiny apartment, and the Hanajimas are a family of five.
There's no way I could stay with them for months.
But...
I understand!
That's right, I'm going to live alone eventually anyway.
This is a good chance for me to learn to endure that harsh life!
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Even if the only housing I can afford is a tent that I bought on sale!
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Slugs
Ants
Even if typhoons like the one a few days ago threaten to blow me away.
Never give up! Anywhere can be home once you get used to it! Anywhere!
Our jobs have been so much easier since that girl started.
You said it.
Eating out or getting delivery every night really gets old.
You make dinner, then.
You only complain when I do.
Anyone would complain about pickled radishes in their curry.
And you may be smart, but household stuff is the one thing you suck at.
Two untidy men living alone really need a woman's help.
Say, isn't that Tohru?
What's she doing here so late?
I heard her mother died. Maybe she moved out here?
No, the Somas haven't rented any of this land outside the family.
I'm home, Mom.
I'm sleepy, but I need to finish my worksheets before tomorrow.
Uh-oh, I feel dizzy.
I'll wash my face to pull myself together.
It's not that funny, Shigure.
I thought something was strange.
A tent... She lives in a tent...
The Somas own all the land in this area.
Um, would you please let me live there for a little while?
I'll leave as soon as the renovations are over.
I don't have much money, but I'll pay what I can.
Please.
That's a dangerous spot.
The soil is soft near the cliff, and there are pervs around.
Finally done laughing?
And a girl can't just live in a tent for months, anyway.
It's all right! I'm used to the slugs now!
I promise, I've got more than enough strength and willpower!
So please-
Ms. Honda?!
She's got a fever.
Well, I'll go get some ice.
Uh-oh, where would it be?
It's the Sea of Decay.
Nice analogy!
See, what did I tell you? Part of the cliff just crumbled.
Huh? U-Um, how can you tell?
Hmm?
Let's call it animal instinct.
Oh...
Enough joking.
Don't you have the exact location?
Could it have been
near my tent?!
Surely not!
Well? Where was it?
Oh, no! My mother's picture is inside the tent!
Mom!
Ms. Honda, calm down.
But my mother is-
What do I do? I have to get her out. She can't breathe in there.
Let's come back when the sun is up.
Your mother would suffer even more if you got hurt.
Right?
I'm sorry.
I've lost my home again.
Is it painful?
No. I know something more painful.
What's that?
Tell me.
I missed the chance to say, "See you when you get back."
The morning of the day my mother died,
I'd stayed up almost all night studying for a quiz.
I couldn't wake up.
That's the only morning I didn't say it.
I always said it except for that one morning.
I said I'd work, that I didn't want to go to high school.
But my mother said...
I only have a middle school diploma.
But I wish I'd gotten to try the "high school girl" thing.
So you go enjoy the high school life I didn't have.
She was the best mother, and I didn't manage to say "See you when you get back"...
I didn't even get to see her leave for work.
I'm an idiot. Who cares if I fail a test or have my home blow away?
It was my mother that I should have prioritized.
So I want to at least
graduate from high school.
The school Mom wanted to go to.
I don't have time to be resting because of this fever...
This is a surprise.
She's always so cheerful at school, looking like she hasn't got a care.
She's amazing.
Amazing how?
I thought I'd broken free of the Somas.
But if I really hated them, I could've just gotten a tent like Ms. Honda
and gone off someplace where they wouldn't find me.
I'm realizing that I'm spoiled.
Calling Tohru amazing is an insult to her, you know.
True.
Can you take things from here?
Don't tell me you're going to dig that up?
Want me to come along? That's a lot of work to do alone.
Alone?
Just who do you think you're talking to?
See you when you get back.
Tohru.
You've got a fever again!
You don't have to burn yourself out helping with the housework, you know.
Just be you, Tohru, and live at your own pace.
You'll catch up eventually.
Mom...
I can't afford to be snoozing! I have to dig Mom out!
Good morning.
How do you feel?
I, um... G-Good morning!
Here, your photo.
I think I got all the rest of your things, too,
but could you check if I missed anything?
Huh?! You moved all that dirt by yourself?!
Of course not.
Then, how...
That's a secret.
I'll bring your things upstairs, okay?
I know it's a mess, but we do have an empty room on the second floor.
You can just stay here until those renovations are done.
I couldn't possibly!
The bedroom doors are lockable.
That's not what I meant!
Tohru, do you like chores?
Like cleaning and cooking, for example?
Um, yes, I do.
Welcome to the Soma household!
You room isn't aired out, so open the window, yeah?
Oh, and I'd better get you a copy of the house key.
No, wait! I can't do this to you!
It would be causing you too much trouble!
We don't consider it trouble, so just accept the offer.
You don't have anywhere else to go anyway, right?
But if I'm going to impose on you, please tell me the Soma rules and customs!
Never mind that.
Just be you, Ms. Honda, and live at your own pace.
Here in this house.
Just be you, Tohru.
Soma really is a mystery.
Are you sure about this? She's a girl.
You're asking now?
It'll be fine, as long as she doesn't hug me.
It is a little stuffy in here.
Yuki, open the window.
Oh, is this really all right?
Okay.
It feels too good to be true.
I'll go get the vacuum.
O-Okay.
Wait a second.
Come to think of it, where are Soma's parents?
Huh?
Yo.
You ready for your beating, rat-boy?
How about you give it up already?
Since you're weak.
Why, you...
You're gonna get hurt if you think I'm the same fighter I was last time!
Here I come!
W-Wait, please-
Slip
Yuki! Was that Kyo I heard?
I-I'm so sorry! Are you all right?!
Oh, boy.
He turned...
That idiot.
...into a cat.
I-Is this my fault?!
Well... You see...
I-I hit him wrong somehow and turned him into a c-cat?!
Anyway, he needs a hospital!
Ms. Honda?!
Tohru?!
Let's make a wreath on this feast day
A great love wraps this lucky day
You awkwardly gaze at me and look away quickly
Yet you talked to me over and over again
I need the morning to come
Take things slow and steady
Where should I begin?
It excites me
Someday, I'll be sure to live up to you
Baby
Being here, I learned something
The feelings I want to protect is not wrong
Our ties are what unites us
Everything changes
Everybody changes
Please stay as you are
And stay right here
Right here
They're All Animals!