01x09 - Father

[bunniefuu]

KAMICHOFU ODEON CINEMA

[dramatic music playing over speakers]

Darling, I always think of you.

[man] Please don't, my dove,

if you really love me.

[door creaking]

[Sanae] Huh?

Hi Sanae.

[Sanae gasping]

[opening theme music playing]

AKUMA KUN

EPISODE 9 FATHER

MILLENARIANISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

[whimsical music playing]

[Akuma groaning]

[yawning]

[door opening]

[door closing]

[Akuma] Hmm?

[Mio] Good morning.

Do you have any idea

what time it is, sleepyhead?

You're in the way.

[Mio sighing]

- [Akuma] Get out of--

- [Mio] Listen!

He came back.

- [Chusuke moaning]

- [music stops]

[Akuma gasping]

[indistinct chatter]

[footsteps approaching rapidly]

[Mephisto III gasping]

[Mephisto III] Who who who

- Use your words.

- [Mephisto III] Who is that? Is he--?

Yes. This is my dear husband

who went missing years ago.

Hiroki.

- [seagulls warbling]

- [contemplative music playing]

[Hiroki] Five years ago.

I stirred awake.

[Hiroki groaning]

[Hiroki] Washed up on a beach

that I didn't recognize.

[tense music playing]

[Hiroki] I couldn't remember anything.

Who I was, how I got there.

I wandered, frightened and

completely lost.

Who am I?

What happened to me?

[Hiroki's breath shuddering]

[Hiroki] Huh?

[Hiroki shuddering]

The only thing I felt sure of

was that I was being chased

by something I didn't want catching me.

I roamed endlessly.

The other day,

I was in a store and saw the streets

of Kamichofu playing on a television set

and I came

here as if drawn by a magnet.

[Hiroki shuddering]

[Sanae] It's all right.

That nightmare is over now, Hiroki.

[Mephisto III crying loudly]

[Mephisto III] It's over!

It can't be over if it never started.

[Mephisto III] Farewell, my dear Sanae!

You never had her in the first place.

All right. Pull yourself together.

No more tears.

Sanae patiently waited half a decade

for her husband to come home.

There's a happy end to this tale.

For Mio, especially.

Huh? Wait.

Mio wasn't at her house

when we were there earlier.

Hmm? [gasping]

You call that a happy ending?

Huh?

That big jerk abandoned us

three days before I was born.

[Mephisto III] I don't think that's right.

He told us someone was chasing him.

I know I could never leave my family

without a good reason.

- [Mio] A reason. Right. Good point.

- [melancholy music playing]

Whether I can forgive him

depends on his reason.

I want you to figure out what that was.

Look, Mio. I don't think that's wise.

Yeah. All right. I'll look into it.

- Come on!

- Do a good job.

[Mephisto III] Do you honestly think

it's a good idea to take her request?

You know how Mio can be.

And she already hates her dad.

- [Akuma] She doesn't hate him.

- [Mephisto III] Yeah, she does.

[Akuma] Didn't you notice?

She was trying to look her best.

Yes, and?

She's already forgiven her father.

She merely wants a reason

to justify letting him off the hook.

If that sounds off the mark,

feel free to tell me.

I'm not well-versed in the modalities

of parent-child affection.

[Mephisto III] Huh.

Hmm. You know, I like your hypothesis.

Good reasoning.

[indistinct chatter]

[man] Huh?

If I wanted to borrow money,

I certainly wouldn't come to you.

So, is this a field trip?

Would you please tell us what you know

about your client, Hiroki Kazama?

Starting with what he was like

when you last saw him.

As well as what's been happening

with his loan during his absence.

[Akuma] Hmm.

Sorry, fellas, but I'm afraid

that information is private.

[Mephisto III] Oh. You must be a newbie.

Huh?

Shut your mouth and bring me Rakutomi.

- [man] Who do you think you are?

- [man 2] Show some respect!

[man 3] Why you little

Just give me one good reason, punk!

Back off now, dumbasses!

But Mr. Rakutomi, I--

[Rakutomi seething]

[men groaning]

Oh, hey, you guys. What's up?

[Akuma] I'm surprised

you haven't had that repaired.

Do you have any idea how

much it would cost me?

Demon claw marks, very decorative.

[Rakutomi chuckling]

I'm hoping you'll handle it.

Kick its butt next time, okay?

Now, about your questions

All that dude ever did was work

on his precious film scripts.

He said the movie industry had been

poisoned by commercialism,

and he was gonna, like,

tear the whole thing down, brick by brick.

He talked a big game, if nothing else.

[Sanae] Stop!

- [man] Hey, big shot!

- [suspenseful music playing]

You've fallen behind on your payments.

You got a plan to make things right?

[Hiroki] My child will be born soon.

I'm crafting a masterpiece dedicated

to the soul of my unborn daughter.

Now quit distracting me,

or I'll k*ll you.

- [objects clattering]

- [bodies thudding]

- [Hiroki roaring]

- [man] What do you think you're doing?

- [men grunting]

- [glass shattering]

[Sanae crying]

- [blows landing]

- [men struggling]

[car engine starting]

[Hiroki groaning]

[Rakutomi] And, up to this point,

his story was a pretty common one.

- [tires screeching]

- [car crashing]

[sirens wailing]

[Rakutomi] But after that,

some pretty heavy-duty sh*t kept happening

to people who crossed him.

I gave up on trying

to get my money back from him.

Bad times.

If only I'd known you guys

back when this was going on.

That was definitely the work of a demon.

Without a doubt.

[folk music playing]

[Mephisto III] So far

in our investigation,

we've interviewed shady loan sharks,

movers and shakers in the film industry,

as well as Hiroki's friends

and acquaintances,

yet none of them seem

to have the foggiest idea

of who might be chasing him.

But

A demon.

Right. They all mentioned that.

How it seemed like he was possessed

by a demon whenever he was working.

Sometimes making a deal

with a demon is worthwhile,

if it'll help you create a masterpiece.

He wouldn't be the first artist to try it.

Sounds like a terrible idea,

if you ask me.

[waiter] Here you go, fellas.

What would an artist sacrifice

in exchange for making a masterpiece?

[train tracks rattling]

[Sanae] This is his office.

[door opening]

[sinister music playing]

[light switch clicking]

[Mephisto III gasping]

That was a film script.

[objects clattering]

[Hiroki yelling]

[Hiroki] No!

After everything I've sacrificed

for my art, this can't be all I've done!

[panting] What's the matter?

[Hiroki groaning]

[Hiroki grunting]

[Hiroki sighing]

[Hiroki grunting]

Hiroki?

He left home that night and disappeared.

He's been gone until now.

It hasn't been touched since he left?

No. Hiroki valued his privacy.

He didn't like strangers

in his office. But now

Now what?

Since Hiroki came back,

he hasn't shown any interest

in coming here.

KAMICHOFU ODEON CINEMA

[Sanae] He says this room frightens him.

Darling. I always think of you.

Please don't, my dove,

if you really love me.

[dramatic music playing over speakers]

[rain pattering]

[ominous music playing]

[Hiroki grunting]

[sinister music playing]

[Hiroki shuddering]

[sinister music swelling]

[Hiroki] Huh.

[music stops]

[door beeping]

The first present

I've given you as a father

is just a snack from a convenience store.

[Mio] Hmm.

I'm sorry things turned out this way.

I don't deserve

to be the father of a good kid like you.

I'm sorry.

[Mio] Hmm.

I'll be on my way tomorrow.

[whistle blowing]

[Hiroki] I don't think it's wise

for me to stay here much longer.

I have this terrible suspicion

that if my memories were returned in full,

I'd end up hurting you and your mother.

That's why--

- [Mio] Mio.

- Huh?

That's the name Mom gave me.

She said it was the name

my father has chosen for his little girl.

And, you know,

you just brought me a present.

So, please?

[Mephisto III] End the investigation?

- [papers rustling]

- You're sure this is what you want?

Very well. Then all that's left

[Mio] Huh?

Is to end this.

[ominous music playing]

[Akuma] The legend of the bargain

at the crossroads.

It's about a musician

who sold his soul to a demon

to learn superhuman playing techniques

in a single night.

The name of the musician

was Rodrigo Jackson.

The contract he made was done

at a crossroads.

What is this all about, anyway?

NO TITLE (TENTATIVE)

[Akuma] I pieced together

a script you wrote.

Take a look at it.

[grunting] No. I refuse.

[Akuma] Why?

[Hiroki shuddering]

I don't really know.

- I just feel like I can't read it.

- [Akuma] Do it.

I won't!

If I read it, then that means that

Right.

Read this, and your memories

might come flooding back.

[Hiroki gasping]

[Hiroki] Hear my call!

I offer my immortal soul,

or whatever you may desire!

Just grant me the ability

to write a masterpiece,

so that my work will go down in history!

[sinister music playing]

[Hiroki grunting, groaning]

[Hiroki shuddering]

Hiroki?

Stay back.

With your memory restored,

the contract that was once hidden

in the depths of oblivion

has once again become valid.

[Hiroki grunting, straining]

Everyone stand back!

[Hiroki screaming]

[intense music playing]

[both shuddering]

[demon exclaiming]

Behold! Supernatural Lightning Shock!

No? Then how about some fire?

Just like you predicted, Akuma Kun.

Legba, the Master of the Crossroads,

is being protected

by the power of the contract.

What contract?

[Legba] His desires were satisfied.

In accordance

with the terms specified in our agreement,

the price must be paid.

He is under my authority

in accordance with our contract.

And I will claim what I am owed.

[both shuddering]

Rodrigo Jackson

once made a similar deal with a demon.

It was said a black hellhound pursued him

the rest of his life.

The strain of which ultimately led

to his early death.

If we let this spirit maintain

his authority over Hiroki,

then he's bound to suffer the same fate.

[Mio grunting, panting]

[Sanae] Mio, stop!

[Mio grunting]

[Hiroki gasping]

Get out of here, monster!

[Legba] The price must be paid.

I await what is mine.

Fair enough.

But

- [Mephisto III] Hey!

- [music stops]

[Hiroki gasping]

[Mio] Huh?

[Sanae gasping]

[Akuma] A proper script

is only complete

when "The End" has been written.

You'll find this document is incomplete,

which means the contract

has not been fulfilled.

Therefore,

the price set does not have to be paid.

[Legba] In accordance with the contract--

You have no authority until he's done.

- [upbeat folk music playing]

- [Legba seething]

[Legba] I expect

what has been promised to me immediately!

[Legba roaring]

[Mephisto III] Arcane Defense Barrier!

[Hiroki shuddering]

[Mio] Daddy.

From this point forward,

we get to decide how the story plays out.

Mephisto!

[grunting] Electro Punch!

[Legba groaning]

[Akuma] Elohim, Essaim. Elohim, Essaim.

I entreat thee to heed my call.

And bestow Potestate Diaboli unto thee.

Take this! Machine g*n Punch!

[Legba grunting, groaning]

[Legba screaming]

[Sanae shuddering]

[Legba groaning]

[Legba shrieking]

[music fades]

[Mio shuddering]

[Hiroki breathing heavily]

[Mio sighing]

Mio! Hiroki!

[crying] Mio, how could I--?

My sweet girl.

Mio?

You are okay now.

[Hiroki sobbing]

I'm glad he's able

to get his memories back.

Hopefully, he can put

this whole sordid affair behind him.

We finally get a happy ending for once.

[Akuma] Hmm.

[Hiroki, Sanae, and Mio singing]

Mother crow, why do you squawk so? ♪

- Because high on the mountain ♪

- [emotional music playing]

[Hiroki, Sanae, and Mio singing]

I have seven precious children ♪

How darling they are to me ♪

"Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute cute" ♪

The mother crow cries out to me ♪

"Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute cute" ♪

Cries out the mother crow ♪

See the old nest on the mountain high ♪

Behold these children you find ♪

They are dear with pretty round eyes ♪

How darling they are to me ♪

[Hiroki, Sanae, and Mio laughing]

[music fades]

[Sanae snoring softly]

[Mio snoring softly]

[softly] Daddy.

[Hiroki crying]

[somber music playing]

[Hiroki] For my child, for the girl

about to be brought into this world,

with what time I have left,

I have to make something--

A masterpiece. A masterpiece!

I cannot stop until something

that will stand the test of time

bleeds out onto the page!

My legacy!

[thunder rumbling]

[Hiroki] You fool.

What have you done?

His desires were satisfied in accordance

with the terms specified in our agreement.

[Hiroki] Mio, it was your life

I sold for greatness.

Hmm?

Is your plan to walk away from everything?

You know everything

I'm going to do, don't you?

But you could prove me wrong.

You make a deal with Legba,

run away before it could be fulfilled,

then return out of the blue

only to disappear again?

My hypothesis is

that all fathers are selfish.

Well, as a father,

I couldn't be more of a failure.

You refuse to uphold

your end of the bargain

precisely because you're a father.

Maybe you're right.

Although, I doubt it.

You do realize your wife and daughter

both want you to stay.

I don't deserve to enjoy a life with them.

What do they deserve?

Do you need to deserve to have a family

to fulfill your obligations as a father?

[grunting] Deciding on your own

whether you deserve a family is selfish!

Be better than that!

Don't go!

[dramatic music playing over speakers]

Mio, I'm sure

he'll come back again someday.

[Mio sniffling]

[Mephisto III] Uh

[Mio whimpering, crying]

[Mio crying, sniffling]

[music fades]

[ending theme music playing]

[Komorineko]

Oh, brother bat, why do you cry so? ♪

[Hyakume] The forces who cause

suffering in the human world

really make me upset!

[Komorineko] No. All Legba did

was fulfil Mio's dad's wishes.

Pretty innocent if you ask me.

[Hyakume] Yeah. I guess he's not bad.

[Komorineko] He's a go-betweener!

[Shingo] Are otherworldly beings

the true cause of suffering?

Or is it the desire of humanity?

A profoundly difficult question.

Desire and envy dwell

in the hearts of each one of us.

The question is whether a person

thinks it's okay to hurt others

in order to achieve their goals.

That's what creates conflict.

[Hyakume] Once we're finally able

to achieve the Millennium Kingdom,

that kind of conflict will disappear.

[Shingo] Hmm. I don't think that simply

getting rid of desires and envy

will necessarily lead humanity

to the Millennium Kingdom.

[Hyakume] Oh, uh, is that right?

This is pretty difficult to understand.

[Komorineko] To be fair,

Youaltepuztli said

he didn't understand either.

[Shingo] Well, no matter how difficult

it may be to comprehend,

much less achieve,

what's important is focusing

on seeing your goal through to the end,

and never giving up.

I know Ichiro understands that, too.

[Hyakume] You're right!

I won't give up either.

[Komorineko] "Never give up" is

the official motto of us Twelve Apostles.

[Hyakume] It's almost Christmas.

I hope that Mio and her dad

can enjoy the holiday together

one of these days.

And I will revive

the entire Hyakume race someday!

I'll never give up my dream!

[Komorineko] Someday.

Someday I'm gonna record

an official Komorineko song!

[clearing throat]

Hang in there, Komorineko ♪

Yeah!