01x05 - What You Want to Protect.

[bunniefuu]

[GRACE]

I, Grace, have a dream.

[GRACE] To surround myself

with certified hotties.

[GRACE]

Spending the rest of my days

in the lap of luxury

on Santorini Island!

[all laughing]

[GRACE]

But first things first.

[GRACE]

To earn my way.

[GRACE]

I gather and exploit intel,

then k*ll, k*ll, k*ll!

[GRACE]

Now, finally,

my long-awaited dream

is almost within my grasp.

[GRACE]

And she is my golden ticket.

[GRACE] If I manage to take

Xue's head as a trophy.

[GRACE]

I'll be living the sweet life,

drowning in hunks and cash!

[laughs]

Meaning your days are numbered,

Xue.

[insects chirping]

[Hitoyoshi shudders]

'Scuse me, Ms. Yuki.

It makes it kinda

hard to fall asleep

when you're hovering like that.

[YUKI]

Apologies,

but we have no way of knowing

when that fiend will make

her next attempt, Master.

[YUKI]

Furthermore.

If there's even a moment

of inattention on my part

it would be enough

for her to k*ll,

dismember, and bury you.

[HITOYOSHI]

Great.

[HITOYOSHI] Now I'm getting

sliced and diced?

That's why

until I can find out

more about that woman

I shall act

as your constant bodyguard.

[HITOYOSHI]

Yeah, thing is

I'll never get

my beauty sleep like this.

I've got it.

Allow me to suggest

a sleep-friendly compromise,

Master Hitoyoshi.

'Kay?

[shudders]

Lending you my lap

would restrict

my movement too much,

but this should suffice.

[HITOYOSHI]

Ugh.

[HITOYOSHI] Why can't I just

say no to her, ever?

[Hitoyoshi gasps]

We should really be more

worried about you, Ms. Yuki.

It seems much more likely

that she's here

to hurt you and not me.

Hurt me.

Hurt me?

[HITOYOSHI]

What's she going through?

[HITOYOSHI]

Anxiety?

If someone at her skill level

attacked me in my sleep.

I would easily annihilate them

with one hand.

[HITOYOSHI]

With one hand?

[YUKI]

At school,

I was only equipped

with a small knife,

so I'm grateful

that I was still

able to frighten her

into submission.

Oh, I guess that explains

the close contact.

I'm certain that

even she is not foolish enough

to attack me directly.

[HITOYOSHI]

She sounds so confident.

[HITOYOSHI]

Is she really that strong?

[YUKI]

I have no idea

how she found out

my true identity.

[YUKI] I fear my past

is catching up with me.

And now I've managed

to drag you into this mess.

But still,

there is no need

to worry yourself, Master.

[YUKI]

As you know,

this is my foremost

area of expertise.

No matter

what danger comes our way,

I will protect your life

at all costs.

[YUKI] As the person

who taught me what kindness is,

you are irreplaceable.

[HITOYOSHI]

Still,

I can't help but worry

something bad

will happen to you, Ms. Yuki.

[HITOYOSHI]

I know I can't protect you

but you're irreplaceable

to me, too.

Is that so?

Then I will bear that in mind.

[groans]

I've gotta pop

open a window or somethin'.

It's way too hot!

[YUKI]

For your safety, allow me.

[YUKI] We cannot dismiss

the possibility of a sn*per.

[HITOYOSHI]

This must be what it's like

for celebs

with bodyguards and stuff.

[sniffs]

[gasps]

Sauce! It's the sweet aroma

of Katsuda's Sauce!

Say what?

Maybe the neighbors had

a midnight snack attack

or something.

- Yeah.

- No. It's close.

[YUKI]

Accounting for the wind,

the scent must be coming

from our front gate.

[YUKI]

I'm sure of it!

[gasps]

[GRACE] You've truly

lost your touch, Xue.

[whimpering]

[GRACE] I would have assumed

it was beneath you

to fall for

such an easy little trap.

[GRACE] You got distracted

by this pretend family

and started

making dumb mistakes.

To think you were once called

the White Wolf

of the Dragon's Nine.

[GRACE]

Now, now, not so fast.

[GRACE] We both know

even you can't k*ll me

before I claw this pathetic

kid's eyes out of his head.

So just be a good girl and

Do you understand what

will happen to you

If you lay so much

as a finger on him?

i will make you

suffer so much,

you'll wish for a

death that never comes.

So, are you

ready to accept

the consequences

of your actions?

[gasps]

What do you know.

It would appear the infamous

White Wolf has not completely

lost her fangs just yet.

Not that it makes any lick

of difference to me, you see.

I came here to end your life,

and I don't stop

until I get what I'm after.

[GRACE] But I know I couldn't

k*ll you in a thousand years

with just my strength alone.

[GRACE]

That's why I'll be borrowing

your friend here for a while.

[GRACE] Meet me at the school

tonight at 2 A.M

[GRACE] I guarantee his safety

but only until then.

[MENTOR]

You were born to k*ll.

[MENTOR]

Such is your fate.

[MENTOR]

The stench of death

will forever cling to you

like a shadow.

[MENTOR]

Try to deny it,

but you will always be Xue.

[YUKI]

My mentor.

[YUKI]

He was right after all.

[YUKI] If I had never come

into Master Hitoyoshi's life,

he would have never been

faced with such danger.

[YUKI] I somehow knew

this was only a fleeting dream.

[MENTOR]

You don't see

the humanity

in those around you.

[MENTOR]

You're just a brutal k*ller.

[MENTOR] For someone

with your unique disposition,

this is the only way to live.

[YUKI]

I will k*ll that woman

and eliminate every last trace

of what transpired.

[YUKI] After I have ensured

Master's safety,

I will flee the country,

and everything

will resolve naturally.

[YUKI]

After that,

I will resume my life as Xue.

[YUKI]

Without me around,

he will

[wind blowing]

[YUKI]

Without me around?

[curtains rustling]

[HITOYOSHI]

I know I can't protect you

but you're irreplaceable

to me, too.

[YUKI]

No.

[YUKI]

That's not right.

[YUKI]

I can't go.

[YUKI]

My only wish.

What I want

more than anything is

[door shuts]

[leaves rustling]

[wind blowing]

[Grace humming]

[exhales]

There!

Look at you!

You're so cute!

Gotta say, being strung up

really suits you.

[HITOYOSHI]

No, it freaking doesn't!

[GRACE]

Ooo, picturing it,

you'd look best

in full bondage gear.

[GRACE]

Shall we try that next time?

[HITOYOSHI]

Isn't one kink enough for you?

Hey.

How come

you're not more afraid?

Huh?

[GRACE]

I have your tiny little life

in the palm of my hand, boy

and I could end it quick

at any moment.

[GRACE]

Your existence means so little,

I could crush it on a whim

and it would be gone

just like that.

You realize you only have

Xue to blame

for this precarious situation

you're in right now!

[GRACE]

How does it feel

to know your life is in danger

because of her?

Don't you despise her?

[GRACE]

Doesn't it make you sad?

Aren't you disappointed in her?

[grunts]

No.

And I'll admit it

I'm scared senseless.

But it's fine,

'cause Ms.Yuki promised

that she would protect me.

And that means something.

So right now,

I choose to believe in her.

Right.

[GRACE]

That's so boring!

[GRACE] But you've got

more guts than I thought.

[GRACE] You still look

like a hamster, though.

[GRACE]

I guess that makes sense.

[GRACE]

Not just anyone could tame Xue.

[GRACE] In truth, I don't care

whether you live or die.

So long as I k*ll Xue

with my own two hands.

So, no hard feelings

if you end up

catching a stray, 'kay?

That is not especially

comforting, y'know!

And you keep on

mentioning this "Xue".

Is that supposed

to be Ms. Yuki?

Huh?

You're that close

and she still never shared

her true identity?

All I know is that

she's a maid now

and was a former assassin.

That's all you know?

[GRACE]

Oh, dear.

[GRACE]

Hate to break it to ya.

But she's a monster.

[gasps]

[GRACE] There are plenty

of dangerous characters

in my corner of the world,

but Xue was

something else entirely.

[GRACE]

She was a ruthless m*rder*r

without a shred of mercy.

[GRACE] A butcher

who lived only to k*ll.

[GRACE]

A beast among beasts.

[GRACE]

Fourth of the Dragon's Nine,

Xue the White Wolf!

Um. So,

what is the Dragon's Nine?

[GRACE] The most powerful

clan of assassins in the world,

which gathers and trains

prodigies from

across the globe.

[GRACE] Conspiracy theorists

would tell you

that they're responsible for

every major shakeup

in recorded history.

[GRACE] But such power

and influence comes at a price.

[GRACE] There are countless

groups that oppose them.

And that's why

I want to secure Xue's head

as my personal trophy.

Then my reputation

will skyrocket,

and I'll be able to

score the highest paying gigs

and make

all my dreams come true!

[grunts]

[HITOYOSHI] Um,

who are we talking about again?

Ugh!

Like I said, it's Ms. Yuki.

It really doesn't

sound like her.

Ms. Yuki goes to high school.

She jumps and falls

and goes from expressionless

to hyper emotional.

She's naive by nature

and loves tonkatsu sauce

to an inconceivable degree.

I know, I couldn't believe it

at first either!

For a while, I thought

she simply looked like Xue,

but after three weeks

of reconnaissance,

it became apparent

that she was actually

the White Wolf

of the Dragon's Nine!

[GRACE]

While you two were jabbering on

about marriage on the porch,

I very nearly shot both of you

down right then and there!

[HITOYOSHI]

Oh, yeah,

that whole convo went

way out of pocket.

[GRACE]

Stop blushing!

[grunts]

[GRACE]

I'm beginning to understand.

[GRACE] There's something

truly off about you.

[GRACE] No normal person

would be able to stay calm

in a situation like this,

let alone carry on

a civil conversation

with someone

who's threatened to k*ll them.

[GRACE] There's something about

this hamster that's special.

[GRACE]

Some rare quality

that was able to thaw

Xue's heart of ice.

[GRACE]

To tame the k*ller.

[GRACE] This couldn't have

worked out better!

[GRACE]

People become weaker

the more invested they are

in protecting something.

[GRACE]

Child's play.

[GRACE] No one in our trade

would be naive enough

to overlook this advantage.

[GRACE]

Assassins aren't held back

by trivial things like honor.

[GRACE] Their special bond

will pave my way to victory!

[clock ticks]

[footsteps approaching]

[GRACE]

Come to me, monster.

♪

[GRACE]

Your time has come.

[GRACE] Die so that

my dreams can come alive!

[GRACE]

Cutting my b*ll*ts in half

like a cheesy action movie.

[GRACE]

No worries.

[GRACE]

I can take the heat!

[g*nsh*t fires]

[clanking]

[explodes]

[GRACE]

Order up!

One barbecued maid

hot 'n ready!

[Hitoyoshi shudders]

Ms. Yuki!

[Grace laughs]

[GRACE] Oops, I didn't

overcook her, did I?

Well, it'll take more than

one measly trap to k*ll Xue.

[GRACE]

There she is.

[knife clangs]

[chuckles]

♪

Oh Ms. Yuki!

I'm so glad you're alive!

[YUKI]

It goes both ways, Master!

[YUKI]

I shall save you right away!

Man, this is bogus!

First you go

and dodge my landmines,

then you have the nerve

to give me the cold shoulder!

That isn't very polite

and it's not normal at all,

y'know

Xue.

[GRACE] The way

you're attacking me head on

makes it feel like

you're not taking this

seriously enough

Xue.

Oh, my mistake.

You're going by

"Ms. Yuki" now, aren't you?

[GRACE]

You kept your true identity

a secret

from hamster boy, right?

Perhaps you still feel guilty

for all the blood you spilt

as the infamous Xue,

the youngest person in history

to join the ranks

of the Dragon's Nine!

If he found out

who you really are

he would kick you to the curb

in a hot minute.

[grunts]

You wanted to be normal,

isn't that right?

But I'm afraid

you'll never be able to--

[YUKI]

Are you quite finished talking?

[YUKI] Tomorrow is a school day

for Master Hitoyoshi.

[YUKI] Staying up any later

would be bad for his health.

So, I shall end this quickly.

[gasps]

Enough about

"Master Hitoyoshi"!

Is that all you can think about

at a time like this?

[YUKI] There's also Miss Riko

and Mochita

and Katsuda's Sauce never

really leaves my mind.

[GRACE]

That makes no sense!

[GRACE]

My,

you really aren't

taking this seriously.

[breathes shakily]

[HITOYOSHI] Ms. Yuki seems like

she's on high alert.

[GRACE]

Or is it something else?

Maybe the great Xue is

too cold-hearted to care

whether or not this little

rodent loses an arm or two.

[whimpering]

[GRACE]

Lookie here!

[GRACE] I've still got

some fun surprises in store,

so please stay tuned!

[Yuki gasps]

[laser beaming]

[gasps]

Um.

These look like laser sights.

[GRACE]

Nailed it!

[GRACE]

As you can see,

if you resist

even a little bit,

your master here will have

a lot of pants to donate!

[GRACE]

So why don't you be a good girl

and let me beat you

to death already.

[GRACE]

Whoa!

[GRACE] How did she do that

without a moment's hesitation?

[MENTOR] Xue the White Wolf

never lets her prey escape.

[scoffs]

Unbelievable.

Is this your skewed

version of "normal"?

It's clear

that you never really cared

about the boy's life

to begin with!

[GRACE] You had me going

for a while there!

[GRACE]

If you're that determined,

I'll put some nice, big holes

in his limbs for ya.

[GRACE] Then you can

hang him up as decoration!

[shots]

[clanking]

Too late!

[b*ll*ts deflect]

[gasps]

[gasps]

[GRACE] She used her knives

to deflect the b*ll*ts?

[GRACE] I screwed up by adding

lasers to make it scarier!

[GRACE] But how could I have

anticipated a stunt like that?

[GRACE]

This isn't over yet!

[glass shatters]

No!

Anything but my phone!

[GRACE]

The youngest

of the strongest clan

of assassins.

[GRACE] The ruthless Fourth

of the Dragon's Nine.

[GRACE]

Xue, the White Wolf!

Your game is over.

[grunts]

[thud]

[Grace groans]

[thuds]

[GRACE] If I don't act quick,

I'm dead meat!

[GRACE] My only option is to

create a diversion and escape!

[GRACE]

You don't think you can k*ll me

and live happily ever after, right?

[GRACE] No matter

how much you fight it,

you'll never be Ms. Yuki!

[GRACE]

You're Xue!

[GRACE] Deep down, you know

that better than anyone!

How big of a fool are you?

You're deluding yourself

if you think you can just

walk away from a job like ours.

[GRACE]

And that goes double

for the talented ones

like yourself!

[GRACE] Even if you strike me

down here and now

others will follow in my wake

trying to make a name

for themselves.

Do you intend

to k*ll every last one?

[GRACE] Is that

what you consider "normal"?

Ms. Yuki.

Right you are.

[YUKI] In the past,

that was my idea of "normal".

[YUKI]

The more I k*lled,

the more I was valued.

[YUKI] That was all I knew

how to do.

[YUKI] I thought a life like

that was the only path for me.

[YUKI]

But everything has changed.

[YUKI]

I won't k*ll anyone anymore.

[YUKI]

And what's more,

I won't let anyone die

because of me.

[YUKI] No matter

what happens from here on.

I'll do my best to protect

this precious "normal" life

I've found.

The one I choose

of my own free will!

[wind blowing]

[breathes shakily]

[MENTOR]

Xue the White Wolf

never lets her prey escape.

[MENTOR] She will chase you

to hell and back.

[MENTOR]

No matter where you hide,

she will find you

and then emerge

from the darkness

to slit your throat.

[MENTOR]

The most formidable

and ruthless assassin.

[GRACE]

All those rumors.

[GRACE] The chilling stories

passed around

about her exploits

and methods of k*lling.

[GRACE]

But in the end,

the truth is something else.

Are you okay?

I'm fine, really.

Promise.

[GRACE] She's just a naive

yet willful woman.

[GRACE] One who won't stop

until she gets what she wants.

[GRACE]

It was true then.

[GRACE]

And it's true now.

[GRACE] That means, if she had

really wanted me dead,

she could have easily k*lled me

from the beginning.

[chuckles]

[laughs]

Oh, man.

I really thought

I was a goner there,

what a huge relief!

[GRACE]

Guess I get to live after all.

[GRACE] Those two

are simply fascinating!

[Grace chuckles]

[insects chirping]

[HITOYOSHI]

Gotta say,

today was more thrilling

than expected.

That said, I never doubted

for even a moment

you'd come to my rescue,

Ms. Yuki.

- Master Hitoyoshi.

- Huh?

[insects chirping]

[YUKI]

I cannot apologize enough

for what I've done.

[YUKI]

I put you in danger.

[YUKI] What happened to you

back there was

all my fault.

[insects chirping]

[YUKI]

If you so please,

I will not argue.

[clothes rustle]

[YUKI]

I shall

disappear at once.

[insects chirping]

[YUKI]

Really.

[YUKI]

Just say the word.

[insects chirping]

[chuckles]

[HITOYOSHI]

Say, Ms.Yuki?

[gasps]

I was hoping

you could maybe teach me

some self-defense moves.

[gasps]

[HITOYOSHI]

I'm supposed to be

the man of the house,

after all.

I'd like to be able

to help you out

at least a little bit!

[gasps]

♪

Of course.

It would be my pleasure.

♪

[insects chirping]