01x07 - Liveliness

[bunniefuu]

[birds chirp]

[Seimei] Mm.

[rock music plays]

ONMYOJI

[rock music continues]

[music stops]

EPISODE 7:
LIVELINESS

[Hiromasa] I hope he likes
what I'm bringing over.

Why, perhaps he'll even exclaim,

"What a truly thoughtful gift
from you, Hiromasa!"

I'd like to hear him say that once.

[jaunty music plays]

[Hiromasa grunts]

Wait a second.

Come to think of it,

I don't believe I have ever heard Seimei
call me by my name before.

Whoa! Pardon me. Are you all right?

[jaunty music continues]

[Hiromasa] Odd to see a child here.

Uh...

[magical chiming]

[jaunty music continues]

[Hiromasa] A scale?

[music stops]

I can't take a break just yet.

[Hiromasa] Oh. Have I caught you
in the middle of something?

[Seimei grunts]

[Hiromasa] What's that insect?

That is what I'm trying to find out.
I was asked by the priest of Henjo Temple.

-Uh...
-Each morning, he's found scads of them.

[groans]

[Seimei] All dead, in the main hall.

[Hiromasa] That's pretty ominous.

Still, it's nice to see you
helping that priest out,

and you're not even sulking about it.

[Seimei] Don't mistake this as charity.

He offered me rare sutras from India
in return for my aid.

-Uh... Uh...
-[Seimei] So...

Why have you come here?

Now, look,

I have a name, you know.

Can you not remember what it is?

Hiromasa Minamoto,
Emperor Daigo's grandson.

Why do you ask this?

[grumbles] I ask
because you never seem to use it.

-No?
-[Hiromasa] No.

To tell the truth,
I didn't come with anything pressing.

The weather has been
rather dry lately, though.

So I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask

if there was anything
you could do about that.

-[Seimei] As a matter of fact, there is.
-[Hiromasa] Really?

Indeed. I just need to find
the proper time

based on the clouds and wind,
then perform a five-day ritual.

After that, a day of rain should come.

What's the difference between that
and letting it happen naturally?

The short of it is, there isn't.

It's best the weather governs itself.

[sighs] Then you could have
just said that.

-[Seimei chuckles]
-[Hiromasa] Oh.

By the way, I bumped into some boy
in front of your gate just now.

Did he come to ask a favor of you as well?

[Seimei] He did.

He wanted a talisman
to help his mother get through childbirth,

so I gave him one.

Tomorrow morning, something special
should happen by the Kamo River.

[Hiromasa] What is it?

[Seimei] Something so rare
it is seen once a century.

What say you? Care to come and see it?

-[Hiromasa] Really?
-I need to pass the time until morning.

Between you and these things, I find
your company somewhat more preferable.

[sighs]

[Hiromasa] Is it so difficult
to sound like you want me to join you?

[Seimei] Two-hundred-sixty-two in all.

What a strange number.

Are you not going to come and join us?

Not yet. Start without me.

I came to drink with you.

There's no point
in drinking all by myself.

Hm.

[Hiromasa] This place is always so quiet
whenever I come to visit.

You really don't mind
living here all alone, do you?

[Seimei] I told you,
humans are solitary by nature.

[Hiromasa] Well...

[gulps]

You say that, but your Shikigamis
look an awful lot like humans.

Sorry, what was that?

Uh, nothing.

The fact is,
since the day you crossed my path,

being alone is a fleeting memory.

Hm? Are you teasing me again?

[Tsuyuko] Lord Seimei!

Which part of this garden
did you say gets the least sunlight?

I know that voice.

[sighs]

[Tsuyuko] Oh! You're here too,
Lord Hiromasa?

[Hiromasa] Princess Tsuyuko!

[giggles]

[jaunty music plays]

Since our last mission,

whenever she happens upon
a rare bulb or seed,

she insists on coming here
and planting them herself.

That's rather charming.

-Milady...
-[Tsuyuko] Hm?

-[Hiromasa] Is Kuromaru doing well?
-Yes! He's right here.

[Tsuyuko giggles]

[Hiromasa] Uh, he's so much smaller
than before.

[Tsuyuko] Lord Seimei helped me with that.

Since he is always with me, Father did not
want anyone mistaking him for a man.

I'm all done.

By next fall,
you'll have gorgeous blue flowers blooming

that look like a noble's headgear.

[Hiromasa] What kind of seeds
did you plant?

They're aconites.

A-Aconites?! Are you sure it's safe
to plant something that dangerous?

Aren't they poisonous?

Yes. But if you boil the roots just right,
it makes a fantastic heart medicine.

Mm. Is that true?

To be precise, flora isn't inherently
poison or medicine.

The one who makes use of it
determines which they become.

Now I see. In a way,
you're a lot like that flower.

-Hm?
-[Hiromasa] I'm serious.

As long as people treat you properly,
you can be good and helpful.

[laughs] He has a point.

You were like a medicine for all of us.

-You saved Kuromaru's life.
-[Seimei groans softly]

They're so pretty!

I've never seen ones like these.

[Hiromasa] Why are there so many
of the same kind though?

What do you mean?
These are all completely different.

What?

[Tsuyuko] See? These two are similar
in that they both have two legs.

But this one's wings are a bit crooked.

And this one's color is a little lighter.

My word!
Now that you mention it, you're right.

[Tsuyuko] Wait, these two
actually do look the same.

[Hiromasa] They do. And look.
So do these two over here.

-[Tsuyuko] You're right!
-They're going to make a mess of them.

Another visitor? Aren't we popular?

Hello there! I brought some fine sake.

We have a total of nine
square-winged insects with three legs.

Insects with square wings and three legs,
total number counted nine.

I had a chat with Hiromasa.

He said the two of you
are seeing a phenomena tomorrow?

We are. Is that a concern for you?

No. On the contrary.

Despite being well liked, the boy doesn't
have many he can call a close friend.

[gentle music plays]

I'm just very happy to see you
relying on him like this, Lord Seimei.

[gentle music continues]

[Atsumi] Right, Hiromasa?

Hm? What was that?

Never mind.

Are the two of you having fun over there?

I wouldn't mind if we switched places.
I'm ready to have a drink with Seimei...

There is still work to be done here.

Yes... Ma'am.

[gentle music continues]

[Atsumi] Lord Seimei, I'm counting on you
to look out for Hiromasa.

[Seimei] Are you certain
you wish to place such trust in me?

You are aware that members of the court
refer to me as the fox child.

-Perhaps it is not wise to...
-[Atsumi laughs]

What foolishness!

I believe in what's before my eyes.

Not some unfounded rumors.

That night when we saw Lord Tadami,
was it not you who protected us all?

[Seimei grunts softly]

[Atsumi] Hiromasa was worried about you.

He said that you have a tendency
to distance yourself from others.

[gentle music continues]

-[crunching]
-[Tsuyuko yelps]

-Huh?
-[Hiromasa] I... I'm so sorry!

Uh, my legs must have fallen asleep.
I didn't mean to step on It.

Huh?

Where'd it go?

Hm.

Stand back.

[Hiromasa] Uh...

[Tsuyuko] Hm?

[intriguing music plays]

[Atsumi] Hm.

[Tsuyuko] "Emptiness"?

[Atsumi] So it says.

Is it because the insect was hollow?

Or, it's describing how we feel
after all the counting we did.

Or how the oaf who stepped on it
has quite the empty skull.

[Hiromasa grunts]

Regardless, it's clear
we must crush the others as well.

All 262 of them?

Well, you've already crushed one of them,

so that just leaves 261.

What a waste.
They're such beautiful creatures.

To solve this mystery,
we unfortunately have no choice.

Two-hundred-and-sixty-two.

That number sounds familiar.

Two-hundred-sixty-two words perhaps?

[Seimei grunts]

The one he crushed,
when adding up all of the same type,

there were 21, yes?

That's right, 21 of them in total.

As I thought.

Mitsumushi! Mitsuyo!

[intriguing music continues]

I'm sending a letter to the Temple.
Are you ready?

You know I have to ask. What's going on?

You will find out in due time.

[music fades]

[Hiromasa] Princess, I had no idea
you and he were already acquainted.

Lord Atsumi and I
are kindred green thumbs. Right?

Yes. Although most of the time I feel more
like your pupil in the ways of botany.

I don't think I have ever heard of a court
noble who cultivated his own plants.

Lord Atsumi is a remarkable man
who has expertise in almost everything.

And not just music,
but poetry and kemari as well!

That's hardly everything.

Now then, who would like some more sake?

It's wonderful to finally
be spending time with you all.

Right, Lord Seimei?

[Seimei] Hm.

You are indeed correct.

You don't look like you believe that
for even a second, Seimei.

[Atsumi and Tsuyuko laugh]

[Hiromasa] By the way,
what is it that we're waiting for exactly?

A reply from Henjo Temple.

[Hiromasa] I see. But Henjo is that temple
far off in the Sagano Mountains, isn't it?

How could they reply at this hour?

[gasps]

[gasps]

As I thought.

[Hiromasa] Hm?

[Seimei] Those insects we counted
are actually the Heart Sutra.

[Atsumi] Ah, that makes sense!
Hence, "emptiness"!

I'm not seeing
how those things are connected.

Same here. I don't understand at all.

[Seimei] Hm. Allow me to explain.

This sutra is a scripture
from Mahayana Buddhism.

It has 262 words.

In total, the word "emptiness"
is found within it 21 times.

So then all of these insects,
they're words from that scripture?

Is that what you're saying?

Indeed. I had written to Henjo Temple
to inquire about it.

[intriguing music plays]

[Seimei] They replied that all the words

in the Heart Sutra
that was in their library

had disappeared without a trace.

[intriguing music continues]

[sighs] The scroll had lain dormant.

And as a result,
its words transformed to draw attention.

So that's why.

[Atsumi laughs]

Now that's a story
you don't hear every day!

As long as the priests recite the sutra,
those insects will no longer appear.

And that brings this case to a close.

And the insects here?

We may as well discard them.

Unless you want them?

I do! Thanks so much, Lord Seimei.

You know, the fact that you are
so knowledgeable about even Buddhism,

it just proves
you are great at everything!

Not at all.

[sighs] Try hard as I might,

all my efforts in mastery
have fallen short.

[gentle music plays]

[Atsumi] Not just with the flute,
but everything I've attempted.

You're being too hard on yourself.

I wish I was good at other things,
not just playing the flute.

Oh, come now, your talent for the flute
is what helped protect Kuromaru, remember?

He did what?

Kuromaru was about to be taken,

but thanks to his playing, Lord Seimei's
barrier went up just in time.

[Atsumi] Amazing.

[Seimei] Apparently the sound of his flute
has some kind of special power.

It complements my spells.

[Hiromasa] Surely that has
more to do with the instrument.

It is a demon's flute.

Yes, however,
it still needs skill to play.

Well, I honestly think I just got lucky
and happened to be a good match.

[gentle music continues]

Oh, since we're on the subject,

if you don't mind, Lord Hiromasa,
would you play for us?

[Hiromasa] It'd be my pleasure!

Come on. How about a duet?

What?

[Hiromasa] It's been ages
since we played together.

Ah, sorry.

Unfortunately, I didn't bring my flute
with me today.

Oh, you didn't?

All right.

[music fades]

[flute music plays]

[music stops]

[woman] You're bringing
insects home again?

Oh, don't fret. These ones here
aren't even alive anymore.

That is not what I was concerned about.

[Atsumi] Well,

I should also make my way home now.

[Hiromasa] All right.

But the next time we all drink together,
you be sure to bring your flute,

so they can hear you play.

Fine. If you so wish it.

[gentle music plays]

[Hiromasa] Around this time of year,

we usually would have seen
a lot more maple leaves downstream.

[Seimei] Well, I'm sure
that will change eventually.

[Hiromasa] Huh?

[Seimei chuckles]

Why do you insist on sounding so cryptic?

It's far more entertaining this way.

Is it now?

Well, anyway, I very much
enjoyed myself tonight.

I can tell.

-[Seimei chuckles]
-Wh-What is it?

[gentle music continues]

[Seimei] I was just thinking,

the very first day you came to visit me,

it was a mistake to answer
when you called my name.

Huh?

If you decline to answer it, that voice
has no more power than the wind.

But if you do answer it, then a curse
named "connection" is created.

Curses again? Can't you speak plainly?

All I'm saying is, since meeting you,

many unwelcome connections
have come into being as well.

I don't think
there's such a thing as that.

Take today.

We solved the case
because of everyone here.

[gentle music continues]

Seimei, you've got a tongue on you
sharp enough to cut granite.

And yet, despite your manners,

there are more people in this world
than you realize

who are genuinely fond of you.

[gentle music continues]

Honestly, if you cannot hold your sake...

[Hiromasa snores]

[music fades]

Unbelievable.

Mitsumushi. Mitsuyo.

Would you please escort this one to bed?

[Hiromasa] I can't even remember
when I fell asleep last night.

[Seimei] Actually, you should thank
Mitsumushi and Mitsuyo.

I understand they had a difficult time
hauling you into bed.

Oh. Please give them my apologies.

So, what is it we're going off to see
so early in the morning?

Does it have anything to do
with that boy who visited you?

[water splashes]

-It's here.
-[Hiromasa] Huh?

[Hiromasa gasps]

My word! Wh-What are those?

They're dragons.

[Hiromasa] Amazing.

[Seimei] I did say you'd witness
a once-in-a-century spectacle, did I not?

[serene music plays]

[Hiromasa] Don't tell me
that boy was actually a...

[Seimei] He was indeed.

[serene music continues]

[Hiromasa] It's raining!

[Seimei] That mother dragon
is the deity of these waters.

Because she was in the midst
of her once-in-a-century birth,

she must not have had the time
to let it rain.

[Hiromasa] Seimei, does this mean that you
knew the reason for the drought all along?

[Seimei] Yes.

You're simply unbelievable.

So then you could do
something about it, after all.

[serene music continues]

[Hiromasa] Beautiful, isn't it?

[Seimei] It is.

[serene music continues]

[music fades]

[Seimei] I must say,

I wish you could have seen the look
on your face when you saw the dragons.

When you go out of your way to keep me
in the dark, what do you expect?

Huh?

[Hiromasa] Uh...

Steel yourself.

[foreboding music plays]

[music fades]

[Seimei] Who are you?

[masked demon] A man
who became a demon due to jealousy,

Seimei Abe.

If you begrudge me, you'll need to be
more specific. Name yourself!

[suspenseful music plays]

Wh-What is that thing?

-[Seimei] Ready your flute for my spell.
-R-Right!

[insect buzzes]

Gods of the seas,
banish chaos and expel evil.

[Seimei chants]

[flute music plays]

-[Hiromasa gasps]
-What's wrong? Don't stop!

[Seimei gasps]

[sinister music plays]

[Seimei gasps]

[sinister music continues]

[Hiromasa gasps]

Are... Are you all right?

[gasps] You! What have you done to him?

Stop! Come back!

[sinister music continues]

[Hiromasa] Seimei...

[music fades]

Seimei!

[gentle ballad plays]

[music fades]