01x04 - Mission

[bunniefuu]

Master, you work as a detective, too?

That works out perfectly.

I'm not a master.

And that's my own personal stuff.

Don't drink too much of it.

Come to think of it, I don't know

the reason why half of the office is a bar.

He says it's a relic of the past.

Apparently, before he took us in,

he ran the detective business with a partner.

The bar was supposedly his partner's pursuit.

Inugami-san says he isn't interested in it,

though, and leaves it unattended.

A partner?

We don't know what they're up to now.

And don't ask Inugami-san about it.

It's a sensitive subject.

All right.

Whatever, just listen to me, please.

There's this woman that I like,

"Episode 4: Mission"

There's this woman that I like,

"Episode 4: Mission"

but I don't know anything about her.

Like her real name, or her contact information.

You sure she just doesn't like you?

No, that's not true! She's extremely nice!

I want to find out more about her.

If only I could tell her

how much my heart aches for her

It must be love, right?

Yes! Love!

Love?

"Koi."

I need to go use the restroom.

It's back there.

I love koi. The koi at the park

are especially plump and tasty.

Not that kind of "koi"!

It's kind of nice, isn't it?

We should be supportive.

I love a good love story!

And what's wrong with it?

Shiki, you were born out of the love

of your human father and Kemono mother.

Cut that out! It's gross!

Born out of love?

Hmm? What's the matter, Kabane?

Akira said that hanyo are born out of love

between humans and Kemono.

If I learn about love, I might come to

understand my parents better.

If I go with that gentleman,

will I be able to find love?

"There's so much I could say,

I don't even know where to begin."

"There's so much I could say,

I don't even know where to begin."

That depends on you. If you're up for it,

I can leave this case to you.

"There's so much I could say,

I don't even know where to begin."

Please, let me do it.

Okay. Then Shiki and Akira,

you two offer him some support.

Support?

And you, the kitsune girl

It's Kon.

Kon You said that you wanted

Kabane's head, didn't you?

If you help out with our job,

I'll give it to you as a reward.

--Really?

--Whoa, Inugami-san!

Are you being serious? You do have

something in mind, don't you?

Don't worry, don't worry. Besides

it's better to have a girl along

if you want to learn about love, right?

You're just amusing yourself, aren't you?

Sir,

if my associates will do,

we can assist you with your romantic troubles,

cheap. What do you say?

They're children, though. This won't work.

I promise you, we will accomplish our mission.

That's not what the issue is.

Well, whatever. Okay, is tomorrow all right?

My name is Yoruno. Tomorrow night

near Shinjuku Station's east exit

Sorry about that. With the mouse around,

I couldn't help myself.

I'm collecting them. Sometime,

when I can see my girl privately,

I'm going to give them to her as presents.

I'll be in the restroom!

Oh my, so this is feline possession.

Feline?

It's the work of a nekomata.

A Kemono that turns into an attractive man

or woman to seduce people.

I suspect this love will prove to be fruitless.

Is love something that grows on trees?

Hmm, you might say that.

I caught these mice. Give me the head.

Okay, Kon, let's review

what the job actually is.

Whew, that was terrifying.

Akira

Why don't you sit this one out?

Huh? But why?

You don't handle the scary

and disgusting stuff so well, right?

If Shiki and Kabane get caught in a tight spot,

can you help them if you're

facing something scary?

W-Well, I

You can help me with

my office work tomorrow. Okay?

Am I just in the way?

No, not at all. If we face something cute,

you'll be our anchorman, right?

That is true!

I'll do my best with the office work.

I have some cute labels I've

been saving! They have alpacas!

You don't have any tanuki?

"Kabukicho"

She works over at that establishment.

That's for mature audiences!

Mature?

It means to be ripe or fully grown.

I read it in a newspaper.

What's the woman's name?

Mao-chan.

This is her.

We're going in.

Hold it!

Why? Don't stop us.

You guys are acting way too fast!

It's an establishment for adults,

so children can't go inside.

Oh, is that right?

Besides, her shift should be just about over.

But it's the strangest thing. I've waited

for her outside like this before,

but I've never seen her.

A cat.

This is a nekomata's doing. That explains it.

Do we catch it and eat it?

You dummy, that's our target.

Are you Mao-chan-san?

I'm sorry if we startled you.

We're from the Inugami

Strangeness Counseling Office.

Inugami?

Dealing with a cat like this is ridiculous.

Oh, the Kemonoist? I've heard stories about him.

Is there something you need from me?

Our client, Yoruno-san,

said he has fallen in love with you,

and that he wants to know more about you.

Th-That's Mao-chan's voice, coming from a cat

Oh, you? I see now.

Boo!

Mao-chan!

You didn't have to go and hire a detective.

I was about to have you

join their ranks before long.

It's pretty tough for a cat

to get by in the city, you know.

But don't worry. I'll make sure

to look after you.

Those cats!

Former customers.

Just like the fellow over there.

But it's funny. If you aren't a cat,

then you haven't been entirely seduced.

It isn't seduction.

Huh?

It's love.

Love? Ha-ha, that's a real shame!

As you can see, I'm a neko--

Caught you.

When did you manage that?!

Amazing.

I know.

Here's your subject. State your terms.

It doesn't seem real, but you really

are Mao-chan, aren't you?

Um, these are some mice that I caught for you.

Would you accept them?

Before I met you, I was someone who had nothing.

I didn't have any friends,

or any interests, and was all by myself.

I just went through the motions every day.

But Mao-chan, you're the first

ray of light I've ever had.

Please turn me into a cat.

I want to live for you.

I have no attachments to my life as a human.

Did that fulfill the client's request?

Who knows? But given the way things went

Well, there were those human-faced cats,

too, so we'd better report that.

I'm not leaving until I have your head, Kabane.

Oh, that's right.

What are you planning to do

about that, Inugami-san?

All right, I promised.

Okay, Kon, close your eyes

until I say to open them.

Very well.

Let's see

I guess this will work.

I have it, all right.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Sure. See you around.

She's going to figure it out in no time.

Oh, what does it matter? She's not a bad kid.

So, did you find out anything on the love front?

Yes.

Pocket tissues?

I got them on the way back.

I'm giving them to you.

Love is a lot like light.

Inugami-san, you showed me

that life can have meaning.

Put another way, I think that's light.

Also, apparently, people give others

things that will benefit them.

Tissues are handy,

so I believe they will benefit you.

How deep in the bubble have you been living?

Shiki and Akira, I think you're

also somewhat lights.

I'll get something for you soon.

I like things that are sweet, or cute.

Well, whatever.

Huh?!

Those two got together?!

Yeah.

They just stopped by and

dropped off a gift and this photo.

She said she has enough to get by on,

and is safe and comfortable now,

and now, the two of them are living together.

Oh yeah, and those cats with men's faces

should return to normal in a week.

Yoruno-san seemed delighted.

Are you serious?!

I don't get life sometimes.

Kabane-kun is something else.

He just got here, and he's already

resolved a number of things.

But by the same token, I'm

You've become Kabane's apprentice?

That's right! You can leave any case

you like up to me and my master!

How did this happen?

Yesterday, there was a roach in the bathroom,

and when Akira broke down crying for his help,

Kabane came in and

got rid of it outside. Once he did,

he was like, "Kabane is so amazing"

and "he always comes through,"

and when I asked what that meant

about him, as his senpai,

for some reason, this happened.

Hmm

Just let us handle anything!

There is one job that just came in.

It's something I was going to

take Kabane with me on,

but Akira, if you're up for it,

I can let you have it.

Really?

Yeah. There's a river that flows under Shibuya,

and right now, they're doing

some work to divert it.

But many construction workers

have been meeting unnatural deaths.

The case is to investigate the cause.

Unnatural?

The Shibuya River is so covered up

by buildings, it's nearly a sewer.

I'll pass on that for sure.

There you have it. It will be scary

and disgusting, not to mention dirty.

Are you sure you can do this?

I don't have any problem with that.

I don't have any problem with it, either.

But I'm feeling a little out of sorts,

so can I take a quick bath first?

You have a huge problem with this!

This is hopeless.

I think you'd better call it off.

Perhaps

Word is that the victims were all found

as skeletonized remains.

I have a pretty good idea who the culprit is.

The Shibuya River had

some indigenous inhabitants.

First there were buildings

built over it, covering it up,

and now it's being broken up and diverted.

It shouldn't be any surprise

that this would incur their anger.

Kabane-kun!

Sorry to keep you!

Who are you?

Oh, come on. It's me! Akira!

I won't have any trouble with the dirty

and gross stuff dressed like this, right?

Okay, off we go! Let's wrap this up quick,

then go to a café for some tea!

Hold on, Akira. It's dark in there,

and the ground is slippery,

so if you can't see where you're going--

Ouch!

Akira, are you okay?

Ooh, this is dark and scary

First, let's find these indigenous inhabitants

that Inugami-san mentioned.

Hopefully, we can find a friendly resolution.

Huh? You want to be friendly?

Akira, hold it in. If you shout,

you might provoke the creatures here.

They could attack us.

Wild creatures generally keep to themselves

if you don't do anything to them.

I don't know if Kemono are the same, though.

Really?

Really.

Because they're nibbling at you like crazy.

Not a problem.

A-Amazing, Kabane-kun. I noticed this

when you took care of the roach, too,

but you let them go without k*lling them.

I don't k*ll them unless

they don't give me a choice.

When I have to k*ll, I do.

They only attack for the same reason,

so I think of it like we're

both in the same boat.

You really are something else.

You know what? As it happens,

you kind of remind me of Brother.

Brother?

Mm-hmm.

My twin brother. I came to

Inugami-san's place to find him.

We're what are called yuki-onoko, you see.

Our whole clan lives deep in

the mountains of Aomori.

Our snowy village has a mysterious system,

where it's all female,

and males are only born

once every hundred years.

Maybe that's the reason why

all the other villagers looked at us warily.

I was a weakling who did nothing but cry,

so Brother was always trying to cheer me up.

Don't you become tainted. I will keep you safe.

Once we grow up, we'll leave

the village behind and live together.

Isn't that cool?

But as we were fleeing the village,

we got separated, you know?

But, since I'm alive and well,

I have to believe Brother is okay, too.

If you're a snow Kemono, does that mean

you can control snow and ice?

Huh? Oh, mm-hmm. Yes, I can,

but it requires a lot of focus,

so I'm not that good at it.

About all I can do is

freeze the water's surface.

That's still incredible. I'd like to see that.

You would? Okay, maybe I'll give it a quick try.

I haven't done this in a long time,

so I'm not sure I can do it.

Oh, I can't. If I freeze the river,

the creatures inside it will die.

I guess you're right.

Aw, well that's too bad.

I thought I might actually

earn a rare compliment.

Akira

Behind you.

Ew, what is this?!

Akira, I'm sorry.

I said that wild animals won't attack

if we don't do anything to them,

but there is an exception.

Huh?

That would be when they're hunting prey.

A t-t-tanuki! No way! How come?! How cute!

Come give me a hug!

So fluffy!

He's a male.

He doesn't appreciate this!

Hmm? What's this?

"To Akira and Kabane

--Inugami"

Hmm? What's this?

"To Akira and Kabane

--Inugami"

It's a letter from Inugami-san.

"To Akira and Kabane

--Inugami"

Is that a bottle of blood?

Is that a bottle of blood?

Did Inugami-san ask you to bring that here?

"I found something out, so I'm letting you know.

The indigenous inhabitants

down there are frog Kemono.

Moreover, they are the perpetrators

of the unnatural deaths.

They are frog Kemono who have

become aberrant after eating people.

They've lost their intelligence,

forgotten their pride,

and attack people out of instinct.

If they are not wiped out, they will pose

a danger to those outside, as well.

The two of you handle them for me.

You can use that blood to attract them."

"I'm counting on you."

All right. I'm okay with that.

Huh? Y-You're okay with what?

Do you mean fighting them?

Akira

if you don't feel up for this,

I'll walk you to the exit. What do you say?

Huh? I mean, fighting for me is

absolutely out of the question!

Those stinky, slimy, mucky things!

I will 100 percent,

without a doubt, pee my pants!

Still Still

Life here in Tokyo is so glitzy and fun,

I'd completely forgotten

You want to work here?

I want to get stronger

while I search for Brother.

Strong enough to get Brother

to count on me. So please!

I-I'll do it.

I may not be much help, but I've had it

with being the odd man out!

We're in far enough that any trouble

we start won't spread to outside.

Ready?

I have to do something, too-- Wah!

Tanuki-chi!

What do I do? What do I do, what do I do?

I have to focus, but I'm so scared,

I can't even think straight.

Akira!

Kabane-kun!

It's all right. I can grow back

whatever gets eaten.

B-But this is because of me

Because I'm so weak

Akira

Don't waste your energy.

I am strong. You are weak.

Let the strong take care of

all the painful and scary matters.

You don't have to do a thing.

No, that's not what I want!

Kabane-kun is my friend!

I want to I want to

be of some use, too!

Huh? Is this ice? Did I do this?

Akira

Wah! Sorry, Kabane-kun! This is all my fault.

That was incredible.

Huh?

You got them all with that.

Mm-hmm!

Oh, hold on, hold on, Kabane-kun.

We have to take a picture.

A picture?

Yeah. To commemorate me going for it!

I mean, Shiki is never going to believe this.

Ah, the camera is right here. Look this way.

Kemonoist, sorry about the thankless job.

Those former kin of mine

were devouring not only people,

but had started going after

their own young and eggs, as well.

Now their souls can rest in peace. Thank you.

I'll be back again. This time, to bury the dead.

Okay, here goes! Smile, smile!

"Next time"

"Episode 5: Intrusion"