01x02 - The Head Minister

[bunniefuu]

[tense music plays]

I need more!

No matter how many women I seduce,
it's never enough.

Is there no unrivaled beauty out there
who can quench my desire?

[woman] There certainly is, Lord Kaneie.

Who goes there?

[tense music continues]

[Kaneie sputters]

[music fades]

[rock music plays]

ONMYOJI

[rock music continues]

[music stops]

EPISODE TWO:
THE HEAD MINISTER

[Seimei] Well, that didn't take long.

-[Hiromasa grumbles]
-[jaunty music plays]

[Seimei] The way you spoke the other day,

I thought that was
the last I'd see of you.

It would have been,
but I didn't have a choice.

And all because you won't show up!

Now, now. What are you going on about?

[Hiromasa] You know full well
that the chancellor, Lord Kaneie,

summoned you to his residence
three days ago.

Yet the messengers' words
fell on deaf ears.

Lord Kaneie asked me personally
to come see you about this.

But you seem more concerned
with drinking sake!

Oh dear, is that all?

What do you mean, "is that all"?

When it comes to women,
that man is without any restraint.

And lately, he seems to be
pursuing every woman who catches his eye.

I'm certain that he merely wishes for me
to deal with one in particular

whose ire he has drawn.

I will not take on such an assignment.

Not for a man as salacious as he.

Uh...

[jaunty music continues]

What is in that parcel there?
A gift for me perhaps?

Hardly. It is, in fact, the client.

-[Kaneie] Curse you, Seimei!
-[Seimei] Hm?

You scoundrel!
I heard every word you said.

What a nuisance.

[lively music plays]

[Kaneie grumbles]

-[Hiromasa] Lord Kaneie...
-What?

How did you come to end up in this state?

[grunts]

Loath as I am to admit,
it involves a certain woman.

-[Seimei] What did I tell you?
-But not just any woman!

An unrivaled beauty.

[Hiromasa] Who is she?

Surely you must have
heard of the tale by now.

[Kaneie] Years ago, a man defeated the
demon of Suzaku Gate in a sugoroku match

and won an exquisite, unrivaled beauty.

You speak of Lord Haseo Ki, don't you?

The literary scholar who was said to be
the most gifted writer in the capital.

Yes.

"Once in my life, I would like to lay
with such a ravishing woman as she."

That was what I thought.

Stay here and keep watch.

[tense music plays]

[music fades]

[male voice] Lust is akin
to poison filling one's bowels.

Would you not agree, Kaneie?

[gasps]

[tense music plays]

[male voice] You thirst after a woman,
do you not?

Th-That's right.

But not just any ordinary woman.

I seek a beauty so unmatched
she seems godly.

[male demon] I know the one you mean.

[male demon] If you win,
I will give you the woman you desire.

A masterpiece which I've assembled

from only the finest parts
of a thousand beautiful women.

But firstly,

we must discuss the terms of what sort
of gift you will give me if I win.

[Kaneie] A gift?

Haseo Ki wagered his literary talent.

What will you gamble with?

Does this gift you speak of
have to be a talent?

What if in the case I lose,
I gave you all my riches instead?

I care not for those things.

A gift is something unique only to you.
One which you cherish.

If you have no such gift to wager,

then we might as well
call this whole game off.

[Kaneie] My body!

Your body?

This flesh which cannot be sated no matter
how many women I share my bed with

is my gift.

If I lose this game to you,
I will offer up my body as payment!

Now that's interesting.

Lord Kaneie, does that mean
you lost the match?

-[Kaneie] Nay.
-Oh, so then you won it?

[Kaneie] Nay.

I don't understand then.

But I do.
You drew the demon's ire by swindling him.

How dare... I would never!

[Kaneie grumbles]

All I did was...

[dice rattle]

[tense music plays]

[Kaneie grumbles]

What now? It's your move to make.

[sputters]

[tense music continues]

[Kaneie grunts]

[Kaneie] I-I've changed my mind!

[Seimei] So you ran away?

Not so! I returned
to the safety of my home.

Anyway, I may not have won,
but technically I never lost either,

yet that demon has left me
in this sorry state of affairs.

[Kaneie cries]

My sympathies, Lord Kaneie.

Are we sure this isn't a good thing?

This demon you met,
you sought him out of your own volition.

Keeping your head after backing out
of a game you agreed to

sounds quite fortunate to me.

[Kaneie grumbles]

Seimei!

Please, you must help me!

I was told that you exorcised
a Demon Princess the other day.

The Suzaku Demon
should be no trouble at all for you.

But this demon
has no interest in k*lling anyone.

Purging creatures that pose
no direct threat is of no interest to me.

In that case, what if you were
to defeat that demon at sugoroku

and win back my body?

Gambling is not within the purview
of an onmyoji.

As disciples of the stars, spells
that can affect demons is one matter,

but we cannot use spells
that would ensure victory in sugoroku.

Am I to remain in this form
for the rest of my days?

Please, Seimei, just help the gentleman.

I will do whatever you ask to assist you
if you agree.

Hm. Why go to such lengths for him?

Nothing specific.

But when there's someone on your doorstep
in need of help,

wouldn't anyone do
whatever they could for them?

What is it?

[sighs] If you insist,

I will go to Suzaku Gate
and negotiate with this demon.

[gentle music plays]

[gulps]

[Seimei] I don't recall
inviting him to stay at my place.

The chancellor always seems
to do as he pleases.

What else would you have him do?

He can't exactly let his wife and children
see him as he is now.

Speaking of which, have you figured out
how you'll bargain with that demon?

Sugoroku is half-dependent on luck.

Meaning, to be sure to win, I must cheat.

Is that so?

But tricking a demon in such a game
would be nigh impossible.

[Hiromasa] Hm.

That is why
I'm going to change the game itself.

[music fades]

Why have you stopped?

A few nights ago, I happened
to be strolling by this area here

and I heard the sound of a flute nearby.

Hm?

[Hiromasa] It sounded so beautiful.

[gentle flute music plays]

[Hiromasa] I marveled at who could be
the one that was playing it.

I was never able
to put a face to the performance.

But what a fine performance it was.

[Seimei chuckles]

-[Hiromasa] What's funny?
-Nothing.

You have no grasp of poetry,
but are taken by a flute.

I suppose appearances can be deceiving.

[Hiromasa grunts]

[footsteps crunch]

You wish to wager for that man's body
In a match against me.

Did I hear you correctly, Seimei Abe?

That's right.

But it will not be a sugoroku match.

[Suzaku Demon] Sorry.
I won't accept any other game with you.

Humanity's true nature only emerges
during games of luck.

And I want to see
the anguish on their faces

when their personal desires forsake them.

By now, you must have a plethora
of gifts you've won from humans.

If you never use them,
is that not a waste of your fortune?

Not in the slightest.

Using the gift is hardly necessary.

Having them is satisfaction enough.

It's a shame
you weren't interested in my proposal.

I would have been willing
to wager all of my skills as an onmyoji...

Uh... You wouldn't?

But alas, I suppose I shall take my leave.

[Suzaku Demon] Wait!

I'll accept your challenge after all.

[Seimei] We shall play
tomorrow night, then.

Any qualms if I choose the game?

None at all.

I already have
lots of seized gifts to wager.

And once I've beaten you,
I'll use your onmyoji skills.

Perhaps I'll transform you into a fly.

[chuckles]

[Hiromasa] Question.

[Seimei] Hm. Yes?

Why do I have to be
the one to play the match?

You said you'd do whatever I asked.

Yes, I did, but still...

[upbeat music plays]

-[Seimei] I believe it's your turn now.
-[Hiromasa] Oh, right.

[upbeat music continues]

[Hiromasa groans]

[upbeat music continues]

[yells] I don't like shell-matching!
Can't we play something else?

Huh?

I hate this too!

Uh...

Come on!

Whoa! [groans]

[music fades]

[Hiromasa] I'm terrible at games.

Ah, poor Lord Kaneie.

At this rate,
he'll be a talking head forever.

I swear I'm trying,
but I can't seem to win.

Try this chant. "I believe I can win."

Is that all I have to do?
Is it like a curse?

Telling yourself that phrase
is one kind of curse.

You see, curses cannot exist
of their own accord.

Be it words,

a ceremony,

or even music,

a curse can only take shape when it has
been placed in a suitable vessel.

Um,

I can't say I understand
what you're talking about.

Well, I expected as much.

Hm?

We have a guest.

[man] Look at you, Father.

[grumbles] What possessed you
to come here, Michinaga?

Locking yourself inside your room
for days, then suddenly leaving?

I am not the only one
who thought that behavior odd.

So I pressed your aide for some answers.

Listen well, Michinaga,
do not speak of this to anyone.

Heaven only knows what would happen

if the emperor
were to catch wind of all this.

[Michinaga] You should worry more about
what Mother will do if she finds out.

[Kaneie grumbles]

[Michinaga] Lord Seimei, Lord Hiromasa,

I am fully aware
that my father is a lecherous old fool.

Even so, please help him.

[Kaneie grumbles]

Of course.

[tense music plays]

[Michinaga] Farewell.

[tense music continues]

Let's play again.

I think this time, I might win.
I will win!

Right, let's go with this one.

Aha! I got it!

Now to match another pair. Let's see.

[Seimei] You shouldn't have been
so eager to help.

Huh.

[tense music continues]

[Hiromasa] Yes! Another victory!
I'm starting to get the hang of this.

Stay focused. "I believe I can win."

I can win this for sure!

I'm surprised you two decided to show up.

Well? What kind of game
have you chosen for us to play tonight?

-We've chosen...
-[Seimei] Sumo.

Uh, sumo?!

Oh no! Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no! Oh...

[Hiromasa groans]

Once upon a time, I claimed
a gargantuan man's gift for sumo.

Are you sure about this?

[Seimei] Yes, no problem.

What?

It's a problem for me, Seimei!

-[Seimei chuckles]
-Uh... Uh...

-Uh...
-[magical chiming]

Stop stalling!
Let's get this game started already.

Indeed. Let us proceed.

[tense music plays]

[growls]

Make this a fair fight.

-And begin!
-[Hiromasa yells]

[both grunt]

[Hiromasa groans]

[Suzaku Demon growls]

[Hiromasa groans]

[tense music plays]

[grunting]

[Hiromasa yells]

[Hiromasa groans]

[tense music continues]

Huh? [whimpers]

I was hoping for a challenge.

But a victory is a victory.

As agreed, I'll be taking
those gifts of yours.

-You have not won yet.
-[Suzaku Demon] What?

[Hiromasa] You were right. I found it!

[gasps] Is that
what you were really after?

What's going on here, Seimei?

When researching the Suzaku Gate Demon,
I read that those who encountered him

always heard the sound
of a flute playing beforehand.

Give it back. That flute is mine.

[Hiromasa gasps]

This demon would lure others to him
with his playing.

After doing so,
he'd challenge them to sugoroku.

So those dulcet tones
were coming from him?

He likely stole that gift
from someone as well.

[Suzaku Demon] No, you're wrong!

This gift, this talent
for playing the flute,

it belongs to me.

SUZAKU GATE

[beautiful flute music plays]

[crowd chatters]

There he goes with that toy again.

[man 1] It's no wonder
he can't pass the Imperial exam.

[man 2] Playing a flute
because he lacks the gift of poetry!

-[beautiful flute music continues]
-[crowd laughs]

[Suzaku Demon] Day in
and day out, I played.

But I never felt satisfied. I needed more.

More and more gifts!

[sinister whooshing]

That's why I became a demon.

I left my homeland behind as well.

So that's it. I see.

That is why he didn't challenge you
to a match that night.

Not long ago, there was someone
who paused at the sound of your flute

and began playing along
with you. Remember?

Are you saying he was that person?

[gentle music plays]

[Suzaku Demon] Preposterous. This is
another one of your tricks, isn't it?

[Seimei] If you don't believe me,
perhaps you will after you hear him.

-Meaning I should play?
-Mm-hm.

Hold on. Try playing on my flute instead.

It's a special one
that's been with me many years now.

Without a gift, it's Impossible to play.

Very well.

We shall see what happens.

[gentle music continues]

[music fades]

[Hiromasa plays the flute]

[gasps]

[flute fades]

[gasps] You're right.
This flute is special!

[flute music plays]

[Seimei] Want to play?

Why don't you perform along with him?
You may find what you desire.

[flute music continues]

[music fades]

[flute music plays]

[music fades]

[Hiromasa] Is that Lord Kaneie?

But I ended up losing
the sumo match against you.

Are you sure about this?

I am. I've been satisfied.

I understand now.

What I truly yearned for
was not the gifts of other people,

or even recognition of my own gift.

Then, what was it?

[chuckles] No matter. I have lost.

[Hiromasa] Wait a moment! What about this?

[Suzaku Demon] That flute
is named Two Leaves.

I've decided to leave it in your care.

[tranquil music plays]

You planned on having me play this flute
from the very start, didn't you?

[Seimei] Yes. But if your playing had
fallen flat, I would have been in a bind.

[tranquil music continues]

[Hiromasa] You were willing to risk your
gift as an onmyoji on a stunt like that?

You are a strange one.

Ah, well, I knew you had
at least one outstanding quality to offer.

You make it sound like playing the flute
is the only outstanding quality I have!

Saying it out loud
is the first step to acceptance.

[Hiromasa] Excuse me?

[tranquil music continues]

[Seimei] By tomorrow,
you should be as you were.

[Kaneie grunts]

Excellent work, Seimei.
You have my utmost praise!

[Michinaga chuckles]

I cannot thank both of you enough.
But I shall try.

No need. I hardly did anything.

Lord Kaneie, harboring desire
is something you cannot help.

But if left unfettered, it will cause you
to lose sight of what is truly important.

Some have become demons over it.

Please keep that in mind.

Yes, I shall.

Let us return, Michinaga.

Oh yes, there was one thing
I had meant to ask.

[Hiromasa] Hm?

The tale of Lord Haseo Ki,
it is not on the lips of many nowadays.

Why'd you bring it up?

There was a mouse.

It told me the story
and said it was entirely based on truth.

A mouse, you say?

[woman] Mm.

He's a fascinating man, that Seimei.

Maybe it's time for another game.

[gentle ballad plays]

[music fades]