02x08 - Old Nines

[bunniefuu]

Would you please tell me...

more about the Owl?

There was a ghoul once, named Kuzen.

Like so many ghouls do,

in order to survive, he devoured people,

and he even slaughtered the ghouls who were his companions.

All the while cursing his fate... powerfully... in solitude...

Stories about Kuzen began to spread far and wide,

and one organization set their sights on him.

They decided to enlist him into their organization.

He did as the organization ordered him,

k*lling both humans and ghouls alike.

That is what his job became.

Kuzen remained, as before, alone.

The organization did not work out to be a home for him.

One day, Kuzen ran into a certain human in an old coffee shop.

Would you like another?

You're always in the same seat, drinking the same coffee.

Without sugar, isn't that right?

Mr. Kuzen, you have trouble reading kanji?

Well then, I can tutor you.

I...

Come on.

Although he was alone, and never opened his heart to others,

for some reason, he let her into his heart.

However...

It must have been hard, being alone for so long, right?

She accepted him.

So, the way things are headed, the baby...

Unless a miracle happens, any child of a ghoul and a human...

It will need nourishment, right?

It's all right.

A miracle will happen.

She did perform a miracle.

At last, the joyous event took place.

However, the joy did not last very long.

Ukina!

Kuzen came back alive.

However, the child was already gone.

And so, time passed,

and the ghoul they called the Owl, who hated the whole world, appeared.

The one-eyed Owl...

Yes... My child.

Snow, huh?

I had a dream

It was of the time we were born

We lived such a beautiful life

in a city of wombs

We clapped our hands and smiled

We drank the paint dry

The colors of the rainbow changed

We started wanting to be held

I couldn't walk alone anymore

We smiled at each other

We gave our love to toys

I wish we could destroy

the untouchable children using simple words!

The prost*tute spat fire

In a faraway city, somebody d*ed

Moving?

Mm-hmm. They said they were renovating the whole building.

Hmm... Oh,

well, Touka, why not live with us until the construction is done?

Thanks, but I'm going to crash at a relative's place.

Aw, I thought I was going to be able to cook for you every day.

Sorry.

Snow?

Huh? Oh, you're right!

I wonder if it will accumulate any.

Good question.

I sure hope it does, you know?

Yeah.

Ah, Nishiki, look! It's snowing!

No wonder it's so damn cold.

It's cold, after all.

You could just wait at home until I'm done with work, couldn't you?

That's okay.

We're almost to Anteiku.

Once I drop you off at Anteiku, I'll wait at home.

I sure don't get women.

It's these times that are important.

Yeah, well, maybe.

Ah, it really is starting to come down.

Looks like you were right to bring an umbrella, huh?

Geez, why are we so damn busy?!

Still, to have this many customers come in...

It's delightful, isn't it?

All right, well, until Touka comes back, we'll manage as best we can!

Hinami, you man the counter. Let me handle the hall!

Mm-hmm.

W-What about me?

Roma... don't break any dishes!

Miss Irimi, three Americans, please.

--Okay. --Mr. Koma!

Four blends, on the double!

Very well.

Touka, once you graduate from college, what will you do?

Huh? We haven't even passed our exams.

Then, what if I ask it like this:

Touka, what are your dreams for the future?

Dreams for the future?

I've never really thought about it.

What about you, Yoriko?

To become a cook!

That's nice. I'm sure you'll be prosperous.

He-he, thanks! So, Touka, what do you dream of becoming?

--My dream, huh? --Mm-hmm!

They're not really dreams, but there are a few things I'd like to try.

Like what? Tell me!

Being a school teacher, or running a coffee shop.

A coffee shop? You mean like Anteiku?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, yeah? A coffee shop?

It's like, a coffee shop is a place where people naturally gather.

Mm-hmm.

I kind of like the idea of that.

I'd work at your place, Touka!

Okay, sure.

I read over your report.

Do you have any conclusive evidence?

Your instincts?

Man...

You're not Kureo, are you?

It's possible that the th Ward investigators have been made.

I've picked out some new men and staked the place out.

Leave it to you, Maru. You work fast.

You knock that off.

I gotta say, that was one damn busy day.

Hinami, are you okay? You must be tired.

Uh-uh, that was fun.

Oh, come to think of it, Roma...

This is the first time you finished without breaking any dishes, isn't it?

I broke two dishes!

Well, as busy as we were, only breaking two is a real feat.

M-Mr. Nishiki, you're being so nice!

B-But why? Are you after me?

Huh?! Don't get so full of yourself starting with that damn nonsense!

Still, it really has been a while since we were this busy, huh?

Yeah. We were this close to calling in Anteiku's ultimate w*apon.

Anteiku's ultimate w*apon?

Who's that?

That would be...

Speak of the devil...

Ultimate w*apon? You're kidding.

Yeah, couldn't be.

It's true. Though this was a long time ago.

Mr. Yomo once worked at Anteiku?

Unbelievable.

He was really good at making coffee.

Mm-hmm.

But his customer service, on the other hand...

Touka, are you finished packing?

Uh-oh! I still have a little left to do.

We'll take things from here.

Thank you very much. Let's go, Hinami.

Mm-hmm.

Is that right?

Yes.

What about you, Mr. Yoshimura?

I have some loose strings to tie up.

I'd like to ask you to watch over the others.

Very well.

Mr. Seido...

Hmm? Oh!

Things seem different than usual. Has something happened?

Oh, I'm not really sure. They haven't told me anything.

Hmm? Okay.

Sorry, but I'm in kind of a hurry.

Big Sister, it's still coming down!

Looks like it may pile up.

Okay, Yomo, it's up to you now.

Right.

Touka...

Right.

Sir, if you need anything, I'll be glad to pitch in.

Me, too!

Wow... I think we'll get some accumulation tonight.

Why, come right on in.

Would you mind if I joined you?

Of course not.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Sure.

That's good.

Thank you very much.

Is this... you know... because you're using different beans?

That is also true, of course, but more than that,

the way they are roasted and brewed,

and even the water used can change the flavor.

Oh, yeah?

My own private philosophy...

is that the most important thing, even more than where beans are from,

is how you approach each of them.

Approach?

Yes. Your approach must vary, depending on the bean.

Just because some beans are expensive,

if you brew them without care, they will not turn out well.

The opposite is also true. Even cheap beans can become flavorful,

if you carefully brew them to bring out their special qualities.

Indeed. That's profound.

Not at all.

That was delicious.

Thank you very much.

Oh, it's on the house.

Oh, but I couldn't...

Well then, if you insist.

Thank you, that was delicious.

It's snowing.

I can't wait.

The shop is now spic and span.

All the documents have been disposed of, too.

Thank you.

Okay, go ahead.

Yes! I've been waiting for this.

Thank you very much.

I'm going to miss them.

We'll stick with you to the very end.

Or perhaps you're discontent with that?

Ukina, in the end,

my wish did not come true.

I ask for your approval to implement the mission

to exterminate the Owl.

And the target location?

Yes, sir. A shop in the th Ward,

by the name of "Anteiku."

The seasons die off, one by one

The sounds of their demise take to the wind

A sober man in a bustling city

It's too unromantic to look up at the moon here

It's as though I'm living as a translucent shadow,

unsure if I can still call who I am me

Will the clouds part if I sing in the rain?

I'm a dried-up life amidst a boisterous summer

Salutations; this is a break-up verse

to my loathsome past

I'm filled with lament and wracked with grief,

but though the sun may not shine

my song still goes on

The seasons come back to life, one by one

"Next time: 'City In Waiting'"