01x01 - My Fateful Encounter with You.

[bunniefuu]

[railway signal clanging]

[train horn blares]

[train chugging]

[railway signal clanging]

[machine whirring]

[bells jingle]

[footfall]

[bells jingle]

[street traffic hums]

[crickets chirping]

[bells jingle]

Yokoya.

[doorbell ringing]

[gasps]

[groaning]

[doorbell ringing]

[doorbell ringing]

[HITOYOSHI] Hold up.

Just gimme a minute, okay?

[crickets chirping]

Alrighty, let's see now.

How can I help you?

[gasping]

Allow me to apologize

for imposing on your time.

I have a favor

I must ask of you.

Won't you please employ me

as your servant?

[HITOYOSHI] Out of the blue

a maid appeared on my doorstep.

[bells jingle]

[wings fluttering]

♪

[street traffic hums]

[plastic crinkling]

Sorry my parents

aren't home right now,

so the place is a mess.

It's fine.

Oh, you must be thirsty, yeah?

Please, don't trouble.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[sighs]

[HITOYOSHI]

I let her in without thinking.

[clanking]

[insects chirping]

Did she really come here

looking for housework?

I just hope

she's not pushing some scam

or part of something shady.

[fizzing]

I'll humor her a little

and then send her packing.

So, um

since you're

a professional and all,

tell me about your prior

maid experience and stuff.

Like, what kind

of work do you do?

Well, let's see

I mainly perform

assassinations.

Keep in mind,

it's only against those

who have wronged

my master in some fashion.

[YUKI] As it happens,

my master was the one

who recommended

I come here to seek work.

[whimpering]

Right, that's a funny joke.

- In fact, you almost fooled me.

- Hm?

- What joke?

- [whimpering]

[HITOYOSHI]

Red flag!

I gotta find a way

to get her outta here

without pissing her off.

[insects chirping]

Never mind.

Can you maybe expand

on that last part

about your master

sending you to my house?

Is there some kind

of connection to my family?

Hm.

There most certainly is.

You're the grandson of a woman

who for a time used to freeload

off my master's child's

wife's cousin's second son's--

- [thwacks]

- That's a pretty loose tie!

[HITOYOSHI]

Gah, I'm an idiot!

I interrupted her

and swatted her!

Great, she looks upset.

Emergency subject change!

So, uh, assassination sounds

like a fascinating career.

What sorta methods

do you specialize in?

[insects chirping]

[gasps]

[thumping]

[whimpering]

[thumping]

[YUKI]

Are you impressed?

[HITOYOSHI]

More like terrified.

In truth, I don't often

throw these while practicing,

but this should do.

It was the most practical way

to demonstrate my skills

without a living target.

[HITOYOSHI]

That's nice.

I don't have anyone

I need assassinated.

Um, unfortunately

as for that referral,

I honestly have no idea

who this master of yours is.

Um, I don't really understand

why you're here,

so I can't accept your offer.

I'm sorry.

[insects chirping]

[bell jingles]

[YUKI]

I see.

I truly do apologize

for troubling you.

I'll be on my way at once.

[wings fluttering]

[footfall]

[door opens]

[door closes]

♪

That was just a dream, right?

♪

Huh?

[street traffic hums]

[footfall]

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

That's a pretty loose tie!

[railway signal clanging]

[YUKI] I had no business

daring to hope like that.

Where else can I go?

[train chugging]

[gasps]

♪

[machine whirring]

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

Hey, Ms. Servant!

Wait, you forgot something!

[sighs]

[engine revving]

[horn blowing]

[brakes squealing]

[MALE DRIVER 1A] Geez!

Watch where you're going!

[engine revving]

- [panting]

- Just a dream.

That was close,

I hope you're all right.

- [panting]

- I am, but only thanks to you.

Sorry, I'm flustered.

I've never saved someone's

life like this before,

only the opposite.

My my heart

won't stop pounding.

[breathing heavily]

Ah, here, this is yours.

[gasps]

[bell jingles]

[YUKI]

Thank you for returning it.

[footfall]

[sighs]

Ms. Servant!

[gasps]

[HITOYOSHI]

I-I could really use someone

to chip in with cleaning.

I think you can help me out?

Yokoya.

[whimpering]

We'll start here.

The knife is said

to be the first tool

ever employed by mankind,

simple enough

for a child to use,

and yet, in the hands

of a practiced wielder,

can end any target's life.

[HITOYOSHI]

Whoa, back up!

I know I said something

about needing your help,

but I meant with cleaning

and scrubbing!

Y'know, things that don't

require spilling blood.

[YUKI]

Cleaning, scrubbing.

Understood, cleaning a "mess,"

I'm on it.

[HITOYOSHI] Pretty sure you

don't understand what I said!

- What else could it mean?

- Take a guess.

Notice how I'm living

in a certified dump?

[HITOYOSHI] The mess may

be because of me, but still!

[YUKI]

Now I get it.

There must be a body bag

amidst the rubbish.

[HITOYOSHI] You've really

got a one-track mind!

I need you to do what I won't,

trash, vacuum, laundry!

What I need is a housekeeper!

Housekeeper.

[sighs]

[HITOYOSHI] Patience, man,

she saved your life.

And she seems nice

for an assassin.

Does that mean

if I can "housekeep"

you would agree

to let me work for you?

[insects chirping]

Yokoya.

[gasping]

[HITOYOSHI]

What even happened?

I literally just

gave her those supplies!

Is she made of clumsy?

[gasps]

Please forgive the mess,

I swear it won't happen again.

[YUKI] I, I'll clean

this up right away.

[HITOYOSHI] [gasps]

Ms. Servant.

[YUKI] I should not

have worried you like that.

I will refrain

from further humiliation.

- [groaning]

- [HITOYOSHI] Aye-yai, yai, yai.

[HITOYOSHI]

Can I ask you something?

You wouldn't happen

to be extremely clumsy?

[gasps]

[sighs]

[YUKI] I feel awful

for having failed you.

After those blunders,

I'm guessing

you no longer want me.

[groaning]

[gasps]

Wrong.

[HITOYOSHI] I know you have

no experience with all this.

♪

[gasps]

But it's never too late

to learn new things.

I'll lend a hand.

Deal?

So I hope you'll agree to stay.

I can't do it without you.

[gasps]

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

It's a miracle!

You can see the floor again!

It looks so tidy in here!

I could never find the

motivation to do it on my own.

You're a real lifesaver,

thank you!

[chuckles]

[gasps]

Yikes, look at the time!

So much has happened,

I forgot about lunch.

Oh, by the way!

Any chance

you know how to cook?

- [groaning]

- [HITOYOSHI] Well, never mind.

I've gotcha covered!

Ya boy's got the ultimate

dinner menu in mind!

Feel free to get

cleaned up while I prep.

[gasps]

[water rippling]

♪

You're a real lifesaver,

thank you!

[water rippling]

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

I'm Hitoyoshi Yokoya.

Just your average

high-school sophomore.

I'm getting all the

juice squeezed out

of my parentless summer.

But right now,

I'm a pile of nerves.

Earlier, a maid

came a-knockin',

claiming to be an assassin.

That part's okay.

♪

[door opens]

[whimpering]

It's this bath situation.

Knowing her, she's gonna

carelessly saunter out here

wearing just a teensy towel.

- [YUKI] Pardon.

- I'm innocent!

Thank you for letting me

bathe first.

My lost youth!

♪

It's okay.

No need to force yourself

to help out.

I insist.

No one is better

at knifework than I am.

[sighs]

♪

[exhales sharply]

[YUKI]

I have shredded the cabbage

into tiny, little pieces!

- [HITOYOSHI] That you have.

- [plastic crinkling]

All that's left

is the instant miso soup

and unboxing

our tonkatsu side dish!

- [YUKI] Tonkatsu?

- Yep!

Don't tell me you haven't

heard of its splendors.

Sorry, I do recall

eating something

like that in the past.

But I have

little interest in food,

so I find it difficult

to remember specifics.

[YUKI] I've always

considered food as something

one ingested solely

for the purpose of survival.

That's why I've never cared

about its taste or form.

No more!

That's not okay!

Behold.

Beneath this cheap plastic

is an experience

that will rock your world

to its core!

Ta-da!

[HITOYOSHI]

Founded 60 years ago,

the Katsuda Side Dish Store

is our shopping district's

crown jewel!

At the break of dawn,

Mr. and Mrs. Katsuda

lovingly craft cheap-yet-tasty

side dishes.

Rumor has it

even celebrities sneak by

for the occasional nibble!

And without further ado,

Katsuda's tonkatsu!

[YUKI]

Oh.

That's seriously your reaction

after my epic setup?

[YUKI]

Indeed.

I hope you enjoy

your single serving.

[laughs]

It's a quick fix!

[HITOYOSHI]

Intense focus.

A steady hand.

And the deed is done!

I present dinner for two!

So eat up, Ms. Servant

That reminds me,

I've been meaning to ask

what your name is.

About that.

I don't have a name.

[YUKI]

I have always simply answered

to whatever my employer

wishes to call me.

To that end,

you may address me

however pleases you most,

Mr. Yokoya.

That a fact?

Well, uh I dunno,

how about I just stick

with Ms. Servant for now?

Turns out naming people

isn't my strength.

[sighs]

[YUKI]

How very strange.

Somehow, I never really cared

about what name

I was called until now.

[HITOYOSHI]

It's time!

- Let's destroy this food!

- I will try.

Aaah!

[chomps]

[HITOYOSHI]

Ooh, yeah, I'm a genius!

[chomps]

[sighs]

[crickets chirping]

There! So?

[YUKI]

As usual, I can't distinguish

whether it tastes great

or if it's awful.

Although

♪

I feel warm.

- Tasty?

- Quite so.

I daresay it's delicious.

[laughs]

That's amazing!

[YUKI]

What is this warmth?

From the bath, the meal,

and him as well.

Oh, so I hope you don't mind.

Your room's at the end

of the hall upstairs.

[YUKI]

Oh.

I hooked you up

with some fresh sheets

and pillowcases and all that

so you should be good to go.

[HITOYOSHI] If I missed

anything, just holler.

Did you really

prepare a room for me?

Mm-hm.

[gasps]

[YUKI]

Name.

I don't have a name.

[MENTOR] You've passed

girl with skin white as snow

and a heart just as cold.

Your name shall be

[YUKI]

I don't have a name.

Now I understand.,

that's why I lied.

I don't want him calling me

something that evokes coldness.

Um, whoa.

Y'know, it's against the law

to eat tonkatsu dry like that.

If so, I plead ignorance.

It's a mockery

without tonkatsu sauce.

Voila, a Katsuda Side Dish

Store original!

Tonkatsu sauce?

[chomping]

[gasping]

[whimpering]

- Is your world rocked?

- [YUKI] It is.

[chuckles]

[YUKI]

Blessed Tonkatsu sauce.

[crickets chirping]

[dog barking]

[grunting]

[sighs]

Ah?

[groaning]

[HITOYOSHI] It's been a good

while since I had that dream.

[stomach rumbling]

I hear ya, it's ramen time.

[metal clanging]

[HITOYOSHI]

What?

There's someone in the kitchen!

I mainly perform

assassinations.

- [echoing]

- [whimpering]

[HITOYOSHI]

Nah, that can't be it.

Hm?

[gasps]

[crickets chirping]

[whimpering]

[YUKI]

Oh, um, I I was just

- I sincerely apologize!

- Easy.

It's fine in fact

it's a huge load off.

[whimpering]

[HITOYOSHI] Were you feeling

hungry, Ms. Servant?

I was kinda peckish myself.

[YUKI]

Well, I suppose

I was thinking about

how uncertain

our time on Earth is

and it would be a shame

if I died tomorrow

without tasting this

incredible sauce once more.

So super true, I have an idea.

[gasps]

[HITOYOSHI] I dub thee

"pseudo sauce fondue!"

[chuckles]

Ah, the ingredients may

not be special, but who cares?

Let's have a feast!

♪

[gasping]

[YUKI]

Precious tonkatsu sauce.

[HITOYOSHI]

I'm getting the feeling

it's all about the sauce

for you, yeah?

Uh-huh.

Pardon, but I was wondering

if you had some sort

of nightmare, Mr. Yokoya.

Why do you ask?

It's just when I left my bed

to partake of the heaven sauce,

I heard anguished groaning,

and the sound was coming

from your direction.

[gasps]

I considered

the very real possibility

of an assassination attempt

and allowed myself

into your room.

[HITOYOSHI]

How is that a real possibility?

Then you saw me, right?

♪

Hm.

[HITOYOSHI] [sheepish]

How embarrassing.

[HITOYOSHI] Did I say anything?

Yes, you called

for "Mom" a lot.

[whimpering]

♪

- [YUKI] I had one, too.

- Huh?

A most impactful dream.

[YUKI] A bottle of tonkatsu

sauce spoke to me.

[HITOYOSHI]

Come again?

[YUKI] It whispered,

"I am large that you may

have your fill

and never run out.

Enjoy to your heart's content."

But as I was leaning in

for a taste,

I woke up and it was gone.

Oof, one of those

close-yet-far dreams.

- [YUKI] Still

- Huh!

♪

It was a first for me.

[YUKI] Until tonight,

I had only ever dreamed

about k*lling

or perhaps being k*lled.

And I never felt any sort of

emotion while I was dreaming.

The same was true

when I woke up, as well.

That's why this night

was special for me.

It was the first time

I wanted to keep dreaming.

It's not fair.

I'm so sorry.

You deserve better than to have

a nightmare on a day like this.

I wished I could do something

to fix it for you.

But I couldn't.

As much as I wanted to,

I couldn't think

of a single way to help you.

It made me feel

rather sad and unfulfilled.

There's no need to worry.

I just have

that dream sometimes.

Mom, no, where are you going?

Come back, Mom!

[HITOYOSHI]

Truth is

back when I would wake up

crying as a kid.

The only thing

that got me back to sleep

was laying my head

on my mother's lap.

- Pretty embarrassing, huh?

- Huh?

Laying upon a lap.

♪

[YUKI]

There you go.

[gasps]

[YUKI] Please rest

your head on my lap.

Huh?

[HITOYOSHI]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

I did that when I was a child!

Now, I'm a high school kid

who knows morals

and standards and stuff!

And besides an adolescent

boy has no business

Huh?

[YUKI]

So it's true, I'm not

[MENTOR]

You are a born k*ller

and will never

be anything more.

[YUKI]

It seems

I'm not

No, I'm cold.

[grunts]

[gasps]

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

Soft.

- You're warm!

- Really?

Oh, you are, too.

[YUKI]

Um Mr. Yokoya?

[HITOYOSHI] Uh, y'know,

you can just call me Hitoyoshi.

[YUKI]

Right, understood.

[HITOYOSHI]

That should do the trick.

♪

Will you have sweet dreams now,

Master Hitoyoshi?

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

Yes, thank you.

♪

This story is about

how a lonely maid

finally found a family