01x05 - Are You Lovesick?

[bunniefuu]

[bird chirps]

Hm.

-[man] Why?
-Huh?

[man] Tell me why, Tadami!

[chuckles]

[rock music plays]

ONMYOJI

[rock music continues]

[music stops]

EPISODE 5:
ARE YOU LOVESICK?

I hear Seimei Abe failed
to exorcise Tadami Mibu.

What do you expect from a lowly fox-child?

I'm rubbing this in his face
the next I see him.

It seems he's better at pleasing
the emperor than casting spells.

[sighs] People have been gossiping
about what happened last night.

[Seimei] Let them talk.

You're not at all concerned
about these baseless rumors?

Not even a little bit?

"They bother me,"

is something that you might
hear someone else say.

Sadly, no such emotion exists in my soul.

If it did, though,

the curse I'd wield against the gossips
would be fearsome.

You and your curses.
Is that all you can think of?

Well, if it doesn't bother you, good.

Don't tell me you were worried about me?

[Hiromasa] Mm-hm.

You really are strange, you know that?

[Seimei] Back to the matter at hand,

we've discovered
that Lord Tadami's bitterness

Is not related to Lord Kanemori's poem.

We now also know he was in the company
of a suspicious-looking man.

[Hiromasa] Right.

It's a decent start, but it looks like
I need to do some more investigating.

Is it possible?

[creature roars]

[suspenseful music plays]

[creature growls]

[Seimei] What a graceful entrance,
as always.

[blows]

[suspenseful music continues]

[creature roars]

[Seimei] That should do.

[man] Your Shikis
are just like you, Seimei.

Completely useless in every way.

Am I wrong?

[Seimei] Lord Yasunori.

[Yasunori] Thanks to all of that commotion
last night,

news of Lord Tadami
has reached the emperor.

He has decreed that Tadami is to be
exorcised by any means necessary.

If his orders are so sacred,
my senior disciple,

then you are more than welcome
to go forth and exorcise him yourself.

[Yasunori] As one
who directly serves the emperor,

I do not waste my skills on trifles.

Bothersome matters are your profession.

Listen well, Seimei.

This is a command from the emperor.

Without the protection
of the court nobles,

those of your ilk are no different than
the demons and spirits which you purge.

Don't ever forget
you are indebted to my father,

Tadayuki Kamo, for taking you in.

[Hiromasa] Lord Tadami's father
is a poet himself.

If we speak with him, we might learn
why Lord Tadami starved himself to death.

Hmm. You may be right.

Although, was it necessary
to drag me way out here with you?

I am Tadamine Mibu.

Since you are a poet, I would like
your honest opinion about something.

Of course.

We found a number of poems by your son

which had distinctly
different handwriting,

as you can see here.

For whatever reason, the poems
written in this style resonate more fully.

My question is, can handwriting alone
affect the quality of a poem?

I suspect you already know
the answer to that, Lord Seimei.

Well, I don't,
so could you please clue me in?

The truth of the matter is

not all of Tadami's poems
were actually composed by Tadami himself.

They weren't?

He never had any true talent for poetry.

Yoshino Mountains...

The color of blue shows that spring is...

Shows that spring is...

He did adore poetry, nonetheless.

That is how that demon manipulated him.

A demon?

Several years ago, there was a point

where his work had improved by leaps
and bounds seemingly overnight.

[Tadamine] I decided to follow him.

And that's when I saw it.

[Tadami] On the Yoshino Mountains
The color of blue shows spring is...

[sighs] I just can't get past this part.

In my imagination, I can see it all,
but I have no idea how to phrase it.

In that case,
what do you think of this passage?

Is the arrival of spring
As noted by light blue

Why the Yoshino Mountains
Are of the same hue?

That was magnificent. Truly!

Make use of it in the poetry contest.

[Tadami] Would it really be all right
to do so though?

[Poet Demon] Of course!
Now is not the time to be timid.

[Tadamine gasps]

Don't even think about quitting.

For I will not allow it!

I see.

I was so terrified of that demon,

I couldn't bring myself
to tell anyone about what I had seen,

including my own son.

Then his poem about love for the contest
was likely not his either.

It pains me to admit, but I think that one
was also the handiwork of that demon.

[Hiromasa sighs]

Well, that was a surprise.

Yes. In all honesty,
I suspected the father.

[Hiromasa] Maybe after he lost the contest
with the poem the demon gave him,

the demon chased him into an early grave.

It's awful.

[Hiromasa] He deserved so much better.

Well? Are you going
to hunt that demon down tomorrow?

That's who you should be trying
to exorcise instead of Lord Tadami.

Tadami is to be exorcised
by any means necessary.

[Seimei grunts]

[Hiromasa] Hello! Are you here?

[Seimei sighs] You really are too innocent
for this world.

How? By calling out?

[Seimei] A demon
who takes advantage of humans

wouldn't just blithely show themselves
when you call to them.

No, I suppose not.

So then? How do we get him to appear?

[Seimei] Recite this.

[Hiromasa] As evening transformed to night
I woke before too long

So as not to miss the cuckoo's song

Where'd this poem come from?

[Seimei] Lord Tadami.

It's terrible, isn't it?

"I got out of bed
so I could hear a bird sing"?

And that's all there is to it.
Completely void of substance.

You don't need to be so harsh about it!

Wh-What's happening?

-Whoa!
-[wind howls]

[Poet Demon] The one devoid of substance
is you, Seimei Abe!

[Hiromasa] My word!

That indescribable feeling
when hearing a bird's heartfelt call.

A philistine like you
could never understand such bliss!

[Seimei] So it was you who composed
this poem in Lord Tadami's stead.

It was also you
who drove him to his death, wasn't it?

What do you mean?

Who has died?

Do not play dumb!

You had to have known
after the poetry contest.

Lord Tadami fell ill and then he died!

Clearly you punished him
for losing with a poem which you wrote!

Tadami died, you say?

[Seimei] Yes.

His grudge turned him
into a vengeful spirit.

And more recently,
he's appeared as a demon.

[Poet Demon sobs]

Oh, Tadami.

I had no idea.

How could this happen?

-What?
-[Poet Demon cries]

[Poet Demon] I never imagined
that he was dead.

I've been on this mountain,
waiting for him to return.

[Seimei] Waiting for him?

I admit it's me he resents.

But you're mistaken
if you think that I k*lled him!

Tadami was my only friend.

[Poet Demon] The only one
I ever had. [cries]

I have no reason to live.

[Poet Demon] Let me guess.

You're frustrated with your lack of talent
for poetry, aren't you?

How did you know?

[Poet Demon] I've been watching you.

You sit under this tree day after day
clutching your head in despair.

How tragic. To think even a demon
pities my absence of talent.

No wonder I can't win the contest.

Please, leave me be!

[Poet Demon] The mist covered fields
Have flowers hidden away

Yet the cherry trees are blooming
Plain as day

[Tadami gasps]

[Poet Demon] Tell me.
Do you know this poem?

Of course I do!

I've read the Manyoshu so many times
I can recite it all from memory.

The one who wrote that poem was me.

But I'm certain for that poem,
the author was anonymous.

Unlike the poem, I am unknown to all.

To think that such a fate befell me!

My obsession with that injustice
was so great I became a demon in death!

[Tadami gasps]

[Poet Demon] Do you wish
to win the poetry contest?

[gentle music plays]

Yes!

-[ice cracks]
-[Tadami gasps]

[Tadami screams]

[Poet Demon] In that case,

I will aid you
in accomplishing your goal, Tadami.

[gentle music continues]

[Poet Demon] In the beginning,
my only intention was to use him.

I wanted to see if my skills in poetry
were still relevant in this age.

However...

[Tadami] I'm so envious.

It never would have occurred to me
to open with a line like that.

Your talent for poetry
is truly extraordinary.

Nay. This poem came to fruition because of
your fondness for the Yoshino Mountains.

You may not have talent,
but you have the passion for poetry.

This poem belongs to both of us!

[Tadami] If you insist,
then it was a team effort!

[both laugh]

[Poet Demon] We competed with works
that Tadami had imagined and I composed.

I savored having my poems being recited,
and Tadami gained repute.

[sighs] The poetry contest last year
should have gone just as well.

[Poet Demon] And yet...

[reciter] Word of my love has...

Wait! That's not my poem.

Did Tadami write it?

And my poem is being read here today.

I remember him saying that!

[Poet Demon] For that pivotal moment,

he used a poem
which he had composed all by himself.

[Seimei] Moments ago, you said
it was you whom Lord Tadami resented.

Or am I mistaken?

-No.
-[Seimei] Explain then.

[Poet Demon] That was
a splendid poem, Tadami!

But I still wasn't able to win.

Nay. You were the victor.
That other poem was stolen.

Yes. I was aware.

[Poet Demon] I'm sorry, Tadami.

I could have used my demon powers to
alert the emperor about Kanemori's poem.

Yet I did nothing.

It matters not. A loss is a loss.

But now that you are able
to compose poems like that,

we can combine our abilities
to tackle the next poetry contest!

-I can't do that.
-Hm?

[Tadami] Our collaborations are over.

But why? Explain yourself!

Because I have to win.

[groans] To think that Tadami was
so single-mindedly fixated on winning.

I had no idea.

[cries]

I couldn't deliver him a victory,
so he became a demon.

In the end,
why did you choose not to intervene?

The poem that Kanemori submitted
against Tadami. I was the author.

What?

[Poet Demon] The "Word of My Love" poem

is the sole masterpiece that Tadami
spent his entire life creating.

I had to know whose poem
would be chosen. His or mine.

Because he was my dear friend. [cries]

I have a favor to ask.
Could you take me to him?

The resentment he harbors towards me,

no one but I can pacify it.

[Tadami] Word of my love...

Word of my love, word of my love...

Word of my love
Has soon spread far and wide...

[Tadami gasps]

Though I only started loving her
And kept it all inside

That poem will last
a thousand years, Tadami.

[Tadami cries]

[Tadami] So bitter.

[Tadami cries]

-It didn't work!
-[Tadami] So bitter.

This time, his lamentation is different.

It's you.

Why have you come here?

He's your friend.

[Poet Demon] I asked Seimei
to bring me to see you.

[melancholy music plays]

[Tadami] The onmyoji. And you, I've met.

Yes, last year at the palace
for the poetry contest.

Oh, that's right.

My mind has been so foggy of late,
but I remember meeting you now.

[Hiromasa] What about the people
you attacked? Do you remember any of that?

I did what now? Are you certain?

[melancholy music continues]

I'm sorry, Tadami.

This happened to you

because I did not speak up about that poem
when I had the chance.

You did not need to.

[Hiromasa] "Although I hide it

-The feeling is quite clear upon my face..."
-[Tadami gasps]

"My love makes people ask
Who holds this special place?"

-Wait! That poem is...
-[man 1] Exquisite!

[Tadami] I admit I was surprised
when Lord Kanemori submitted your poem.

But honestly?

[Poet Demon gasps]

[Tadami] It made me happy.

I was able to compete in earnest
to see which of our poems would win.

And as it happened, I lost.

"Word of My Love"
was the first poem I wrote

that even I could tell
was something truly special.

And yet I still wasn't able
to reach your level.

[gasps]

I had no choice
but to follow in your footsteps.

And if I turned into a demon, then
I could compete with you as your equal.

That is what I believed.

You starved to death
over something like that?

I did. For my one true passion.

So then that is why
you refused to compose poems with me?

[inhales] Yes.

All I ever wanted
was to stand alongside you.

Not as your friend, but your equal.

In that case, we can enter more contests.

You stayed behind in this world after all.

So we can be a team
and compete once again!

-[Tadami] I can't do that.
-But why not?

[melancholy music continues]

[Tadami] Inside my soul,
there's nothing left.

[Poet Demon gasps]

[Tadami] Word of my love...

[melancholy music continues]

[Tadami] I no longer feel
that spark of passion.

I'm gradually losing the ability
to remember why I'm even here.

The only thing that comes to mind
is the phrase, "Word of my love."

In the end, I couldn't even be a demon.

I resent that I can't remember
my own verses,

let alone compose poetry.

That's why you're bitter.

As things stand, I request
you exorcise me. Please, Lord Seimei.

Do you even understand
what it is you're asking him to do?

To be exorcised means being
removed from this world for eternity!

[Tadami] If I must remain
a pathetic vengeful spirit,

I don't wish to stay here a moment longer.

He's not evil. Isn't there something
you can do to help him?

[Seimei] There is.

[Seimei chants]

-[Seimei chants]
-Seimei?

[Poet Demon gasps]

-[Seimei chants]
-No, don't!

-[Hiromasa grunts]
-[Seimei chants]

-Noted by light blue...
-[Poet Demon] Wait, Tadami!

Why the Yoshino Mountains...

Don't go yet, Tadami.
We can still find a way!

Are of the same hue...

Even if that spark is gone right now,
I swear I'll get it back for you!

[Tadami] The arrival...

Whether hundreds or thousands of years
matters not! [groans]

[Poet Demon breathes heavily] If the two
of us can just work together again,

-we can write a poem that stirs your soul!
-As noted...

[melancholy music continues]

-By light blue
-[Poet Demon] Don't go, Tadami!

I promise you, Tadami.

I promise you'll be able to feel the
beauty of the mountains awaiting spring.

I know it!

[melancholy music continues]

[music fades]

We can keep creating our poems, you and I.

[uplifting music plays]

Truly...

I would like nothing more.

[uplifting music continues]

[music fades]

[Poet Demon] Tadami...

[melancholy music plays]

[music fades]

[Poet Demon groans]

Tadami...

[melancholy music plays]

[Poet Demon] Why? Just when I thought
the two of us were reunited at last.

[cries] Why did you have to go
and leave me behind?

[magical whooshing]

Whoa! [grunts]

Don't interrupt my spells. I've told you...

How could you? I thought
you weren't going to exorcise him!

You know full well
I never made such a promise.

You saw it. He wanted
to compose poems again with that demon!

Why did you do it?

He explicitly told me
he wanted to be exorcised.

If I had waited for him to change
his mind, I would have been unsuccessful.

I did what needed to be done.

[breathes erratically]

I thought...

I believed that despite
what everyone said,

you had some shred of kindness
in your soul.

But maybe they were right all along.

You're not human, are you?

You are callous!
You don't know the human soul.

You're horrid!

[Hiromasa breathes rapidly]

[Hiromasa grunts]

[flute music plays]

[music fades]

That song... You can play it?

Lord Atsumi.

It took me years to learn how to play it,

yet you were able to do so
after one listen?

It was such a beautiful song.

I thought it would be nice
to play it for Lord Tadami.

Certainly.

I knew you were remarkable.

-[Hiromasa] You were right, by the way.
-Hm?

Those who try to master something,
some really do turn into demons.

But Tadami, why did he do it?

Why did he wish to be exorcised?

I realize this may be
a difficult concept to grasp.

[gentle music plays]

[Atsumi] But to continue
living in this world,

knowing you lack any true talent...

for some, that can be
even more cruel than death.

[gentle music continues]

[Poet Demon] Is the arrival of spring

As noted by light blue

Why the Yoshino Mountains
are of the same hue?

[gentle music continues]

[music fades]

[gentle ballad plays]

[music fades]