01x06 - The Lady Who Loved Insects

[bunniefuu]

[man 1] She is such a strange one.

[man 2] Most unladylike.

[woman] It's eerie.

[man 2] The only things
she loves are insects.

[man 1] Some say she is ugly as a bug.

[woman] Bug Princess.

-[man 1] Bug Princess.
-[man 2] Bug Princess!

[man 3] Tsuyuko,

the key to unlocking a woman's happiness
lies in marrying a fine man.

Is that so, Father?

And who declared that as true?

[rock music plays]

ONMYOJI

[rock music continues]

[music stops]

EPISODE 6:
THE LADY WHO LOVED INSECTS

[inaudible speech]

[Michinaga] Pardon me, Lord Seimei.

I have come here
to request a favor of you.

The answer is no.

Uh, but you have not yet heard it.

I'm too busy.

All right, I will return another day,
but with Hiromasa in tow.

[Seimei] Wait.

You may state your business.

[jaunty music plays]

[Michinaga] Thank you again
for your generous assistance

regarding my father's case.

[inaudible speech]

[jaunty music continues]

[Michinaga] I am here today
on behalf of Lord Saneyuki Tachibana,

who would like to consult with you
about his daughter, Princess Tsuyuko.

[Seimei] That princess?

Yes. Most of what I know
about her is second-hand,

but apparently she's always
been rather peculiar.

[woman 1] Please, my lady,
come out of there!

Why do you think stones are so round?

-[woman 1] Princess!
-[woman 2] Come down!

Why are there trees that never dry up?

[Saneyuki groans]

I wonder how
the colors of things are decided.

Where does all this water come from?

If I study the birds,
can I learn to fly too?

[jaunty music continues]

[woman 1] My lady,
what are you doing over there?

[Tsuyuko gasps] Look! Isn't it adorable?

[woman 1 screams]

[Michinaga] She has
a peculiar interest in caterpillars,

and has even been keeping them as pets.

[Seimei] She seems quite endearing.

To some.

Although the court gossip
is less than kind.

Some spitefully call her
the "Bug Princess."

Though of age,
she doesn't pluck her eyebrows,

wear rouge, or stain her teeth.

Her father is afraid
no man will show interest in marrying her.

Thus, he was quite desperate
and sought help.

From Doman, that is.

From Doman?

I will do anything if it helps my daughter
to stop obsessing over insects.

I beg of you, please help me!

[Doman] Such a heartfelt plea
for your daughter.

Truly, it stirs
the very depths of my soul.

There's a chance that this
may cause your daughter some displeasure.

Do you still wish to proceed?

If it's for her own good,
then I have no other choice.

[Doman] In that case, give her a kodoku.

[Saneyuki] What is that?

[Doman] Normally, you'd place
a thousand insects inside a single vase

and allow them to devour each other
until only one remains.

But in the case of your daughter,
an alternative method is called for.

First, place an empty vase
underneath your daughter's room.

[Saneyuki strains]

[Doman] Keep the lid off
and leave it for ten days.

[Saneyuki sighs]

[tense music plays]

Hm? There doesn't seem
to be anything inside!

Hm.

[Doman] After ten days,
place the lid on the vase, bury it,

then wait another ten days.

[Saneyuki sighs]

[Doman] If you do all that...

[Saneyuki yelps]

[vase smashes]

Goodness, it's an insect!

[Doman] Give that to your daughter

and I guarantee she will never want
to keep an insect for a pet ever again.

[Tsuyuko] Father, it's...

[Saneyuki] Yes, go on. Does it revolt you?

It's the most adorable thing
I've ever seen!

What are you saying, dear?
Look closer at it!

It has the most ghastly coloring.

[Tsuyuko] I see a silky-smooth body
with adorable spots. So exquisite!

Ee, wha...

[Tsuyuko gasps] I know!

From this day forward,
I will call you Kuromaru!

[Michinaga] Since then, Kuromaru
has only grown by the day.

-[woman screams]
-[gasps] What's wrong? What happened?

[woman] Th-Th-There!

Huh?

[rain splashes]

[thunder crashes]

[Kuromaru slurps and squeaks]

[Saneyuki gasps]

Fine then.

I will look into the matter.

Here I thought I was free of favors
and that troublesome man.

[suspenseful music plays]

[man] Brooding over Seimei, are we?

Beg pardon?

Who are you?

Yasunori Kamo, at your humble service.

I am a senior disciple of Seimei Abe.

[Hiromasa] Uh, ah, is that so?

And before you introduce yourself,

I am already fully aware of you and your
tumultuous relationship with Seimei.

You've seen how vexing
he can be first-hand.

It was the emperor's order
to have Tadami Mibu exorcised,

but he could have done so with more tact.

The emperor, you say?

[Yasunori] I thought for sure
you would have learned of that by now.

I must say,
as the one who assigns him his tasks,

his flagrant irreverence
has tried my patience.

After all, without the protection
of those in high authority,

he would be nothing more
than a frightful creature

abhorred by all who encountered him.

You would do well
to distance yourself from that man.

[man 1] This is where the notorious
Bug Princess lives. Wanna see?

[man 2] Not a chance!

If I catch her eye,
they'll probably force me to marry her.

[Seimei] Where is the princess?

-[woman] Uh, a-actually... Milady!
-Yes?

-[boy 1] Lady Tsuyuko!
-[boy 2] Look what we found!

Ah.

[Tsuyuko giggles]

Look at this one!

I found it when I was
over at the Shinsen-en Temple!

Well, aren't you considerate, Kerao.

This praying mantis is different
from the ones we usually find here.

What do you think
about mine, Lady Tsuyuko?

This little one has an inverted shell.
Nice find, Amehiko!

[child groans softly]

[Tsuyuko] By the way, Inagomaro,

that insect that you found
over by the river,

I went and named it
Splishy-Splash. [chuckles]

You did that just for me?

Oh my! Who are you?

[Kuromaru squeaks]

[Seimei] It is quite large.

He's just magnificent, don't you think?

I can't wait to see what he's like
after he's transformed.

He is what's called a sekisanko,
which are nefarious by nature.

[Tsuyuko] Sekisanko?

[Seimei] A spirit insect
born from kodoku magic.

Once matured, it kills humans with curses.

Who does it target? Anyone?

[Seimei] The person
who raised it determines that.

Whoever you feel hatred toward.

[Tsuyuko] But there is no one
I feel that way about.

[Seimei] You may think so,
but every human has a deep, dark place

lurking within them.

And this vicious spirit has a way
of sensing these hidden feelings.

Let me exorcise him before he matures.

Now hold on a minute!

You shouldn't be so hasty to judge him.

Kuromaru is very precious to me.

I realize that may not be
something you understand.

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

Then perhaps, if you don't mind,

you'd let me be here
for its metamorphosis.

Would you oblige me that?

Yes, of course. You won't regret it.

Thank you, sir.

[Seimei] Incredible.

[Tsuyuko] What?

Why, these are rehmannia.

-How did you grow this plant?
-I can show you.

Uh...

There.

-It's written in here!
-[Seimei] I've never seen that book.

I wrote it all by myself.
I keep records of what I've found.

Would you happen to want
some rehmannia bulbs of your own?

I would.

-[gasps]
-[Kuromaru squeals]

-[Tsuyuko gasps]
-[Seimei chants]

Wait a moment!

He wasn't attacking us.
He's just releasing his silk.

He's cocooning himself.

Then it will emerge

by tonight.

[Atsumi] Your playing was lovely.

-[Hiromasa] Lord Atsumi.
-This heat is unbearable.

Is that the same flute
I heard you playing the other day?

It is. It is called Two Leaves

and, believe it or not, it was given to me
by the Suzaku Gate demon.

This was back when Seimei and I...

A demon's flute, huh?
Would you allow me to play it?

Yes, of course. Go right ahead.

[Atsumi blows]

Hm? Uh...

How baffling. You can play this?
I can't get a note out of it.

Oh. I can show you how.

[flute music plays]

Interesting. So Lord Tadami's exorcism
was decreed by the emperor.

Even so, it doesn't sit well with me.

When Seimei shows apathy towards someone,

it feels almost like
he's directing it at himself as well.

They say the closer the bond,
the more difficult forgiveness becomes.

[woman laughs]

You are fascinating, aren't you?

What brings you here today, Lady Doman?

Doman? I know of you!

The onmyoji from Harima Province.

I have something
I'd like to show you, Hiromasa.

I think you'll find it quite interesting.

[gentle music plays]

[Tsuyuko] I don't dress
like a proper lady.

But it's not because I'm unhappy
being a woman.

It's just hard to move about
in feminine clothing,

which makes going out quite the hassle.

-That is understand...
-[Saneyuki] Lord Seimei!

-I welcome you to our humble...
-[Tsuyuko] Go away!

Seimei told me all about you and Doman.

Uh... I'm so terribly sorry, Tsuyuko.

[Tsuyuko grunts]

Oh? [sighs]

I realize I have burdened you enough,

but please watch over
my daughter, Lord Seimei.

[gentle music continues]

[Tsuyuko] Turning to an onmyoji
out of fear that I couldn't get married...

[Tsuyuko sighs]

Staying cooped up at home doesn't suit me.

Is it so wrong to want to go out
and learn all there is to learn?

[Seimei] That is simply
the way that you are.

Father means well.

I know he's just trying to look after me
and make sure I'm happy.

But I want to be myself.

[gentle music continues]

It's not like either of us
want to hurt the other,

but we always seem to end up arguing.

I thought...

I believed that despite
what everyone said,

you had some shred of kindness
in your soul.

[bell jingles]

Sake by moonlight?
I hope you saved a little bit for me.

[Seimei] Why are you here?

[Doman] Are you
addressing that question to me?

Or to the man at my side?

[Seimei] Do not play coy with me.

[Doman] Once the sekisanko has hatched,
I intend to make it my Shiki.

[Seimei] To what end?

I'll use it as a curse.

There's something rather special
about this one here.

[Tsuyuko panting]

You won't! You're not getting Kuromaru!

When you see how sinister it looks
after it hatches,

you will beg me
to take him off your hands.

I've raised Kuromaru since the beginning.

I don't care what he ends up looking like!

[Doman] Oh?

Would you still feel that way after
knowing what he's truly made of, I wonder?

-[Tsuyuko] What do you mean?
-Is it not kodoku?

[Doman] It is, but in this case,
I didn't use insects.

I made him out of your ill reputation.

[Tsuyuko] What?

Those cruel words
from the people who gossiped about you,

hurled insults and called you names,
cannibalized each other,

giving birth to your Kuromaru.

[Tsuyuko gasps]

[man 1] Did you hear
about the Bug Princess?

They say she uses insects
to scare off men.

[man 2] How unseemly for a woman.

[man 1] No man will want her as a bride.

[Doman] You nurtured it with love,

and now it's going to k*ll
someone you hate in return.

No. He wouldn't!

Why did you have her raise it
instead of you?

Because it's so much more fun
this way. Why else?

After feeding on her grudges,

who knows what kind of nefarious specimen
it'll turn out to be.

But I don't have
any grudges like that towards anyone!

Having those callous remarks
thrown at you, they hurt, didn't they?

[Tsuyuko gasps]

[woman 1] To think a girl her age
is still chasing after insects.

-[woman 2] Ghastly, is it not?
-Indeed.

[Doman] Didn't it ever make you cry?

That girl clearly
is not right in the head.

Without question.

[Doman] Have you never resented anyone?

-[man 1] It's unsettling.
-[woman] Horrifying.

[man 2] She's only capable
of loving insects.

[Doman] Don't you ever wish
you could get revenge?

[court nobles chatter]

[nobles] Bug Princess!

[man] Bug Princess!

Never! Those people
don't know what I'm like.

They don't know who I really am!

Yes, that makes me sad.

It hurts.

But no matter what any of those people
say about me,

I won't allow it to change me as a person!

Nor should it ever.

What about when it comes to your father?

[Tsuyuko] What about him?

[Doman] His emotional distress
is also part of Kuromaru.

You must have certain feelings
towards your father.

[Saneyuki] Tsuyuko,

you know all I want
is for you to be happy, don't you?

You don't need to worry. I already am.

[Saneyuki gasps]

[Saneyuki cries]

-[Tsuyuko gasps]
-[Saneyuki cries]

[Tsuyuko gasps]

[Tsuyuko cries]

[Doman] I thought so.

Once it's hatched,
it may try to k*ll your father.

No! He would never.

Not him.

Lady Doman,

I will not let you have the sekisanko,
no matter how it emerges.

[Tsuyuko] Lord Seimei.

You wish to keep it for yourself?
Is that what you're saying?

No. If it is indeed evil,
I gave my word that I would exorcise it.

These were the terms
Princess Tsuyuko felt comfortable with,

and I will abide by them.

There you go.

But that would be so boring, right?

Come now. Don't tell me that you're taking
Lady Doman's side in all of this.

[Hiromasa] What? Me? No!

You're going to g*ng up on me, are you?

Very well, then.

I'll just have to take it by force!

[Seimei chants]

[Doman grunts]

Hurry up, play your flute!

Wait, now?!

Do it!

[flute music plays]

[Seimei] Hm.

[flute music continues]

[magical chiming]

[flute music continues]

My, that Hiromasa continues to be
a fine source of entertainment,

wouldn't you agree?

Breaking this one
isn't going to be so easy.

[magical chiming]

Kuromaru?

[music stops]

[all gasp]

-[Tsuyuko] Huh?
-[uplifting music plays]

What is this?

Such beautiful rays of light.

No. This can't be right.

A sekisanko is a tool for m*rder.

Its physical form
is a manifestation of that dark nature.

But this one is different.

[uplifting music continues]

[Tsuyuko] Kuromaru!

[uplifting music continues]

[gasps]

[uplifting music continues]

The love from Princess Tsuyuko
must be responsible for its creation.

Then I want no part of it.

-[Saneyuki] Tsuyuko...
-[Tsuyuko] Uh...

[Saneyuki] Is that your insect?

[Tsuyuko] Yes, Father. He is.

He's lovely. Wouldn't you agree?

[Tsuyuko gasps]

Yes! [chuckles]

[laughs]

This little one

is my beloved!

[music fades]

[gentle music plays]

So it was the emperor's orders.

What was?

Your exorcism of Lord Tadami.

Indeed.

Hm.

I said a lot of things out of anger.
But I was ignorant.

Please forgive me.

No need for apologies.

I don't think you were wrong
for speaking out.

To be honest,
what you said had some merit.

Enough for me to take notice.

Uh...

[Seimei] What concerns me now
is having a drink.

I'm sure you could use one too.

Hm.

Yes!

[Seimei] Onward then.

[Hiromasa] Onward.

[foreboding music plays]

[music fades]

[gentle ballad plays]

[music fades]