01x10 - Akuma to Ryuu to Haha no Hi

[bunniefuu]

In a small cave in the forest,

a dragon egg was laid.

And this egg

was hatched by a mother cat who happened
to come to the cave to give birth.

The mother cat treated
the baby dragon like her own,

raising him along with her kittens.

Under the mother cat's love,

the baby dragon and the other kittens
became like real siblings,

growing up healthy and happy together.

However, one day,

the mother cat was summoned
by human magic.

She only had time
to tell them to get along

and never to fight

before she disappeared.

As time passed,

the baby dragon grew up
to be a fine adult dragon.

He followed the mother cat's instructions,

viewing the forest cats as family,

and continues to protect them to this day.

[THE CAT AND THE DRAGON]

[THE DEMON, THE DRAGON, AND MOTHER'S DAY]

I bit his tail.

I can do it too.

It's so hard.

Seriously. You shouldn't bite his tail.

Heave-h*.

It's about time you all got down.

No.

I still want to play.

These kids are so naughty.

Uncle.

Did Mom use to climb on you too?

She didn't just climb on me.
She even bit me.

She was incredibly mischievous.

Did you use to climb on your mom too?

Well,

rather than climbing on her,

it was more like I was hiding myself.

It seems we have a guest.

It's an old man with horns.

It has been a while.

Who is he?

He's my older brother.

I brought some gifts.
Let's all eat together.

It looks delicious!

Thank you.

Brother, it's rare for you
to visit during the day.

That's because I'm on vacation.

Even so, you came all this way.

Did something happen to Mom?

Well, it does have
something to do with Mom.

If you don't mind,
can we talk somewhere else?

Sure.

I really can't get enough of this.

Right.

I can't believe we're eating silver vine
at our secret base in broad daylight.

It's nice to indulge like this

every once in a while.

The fruit is so delicious.

It's refreshing

but leaves a deep, sweet aftertaste.

No, the leaves are way better.

They're smoky and have a rich texture.

True connoisseurs prefer the fruit, okay?

No, it's definitely the leaves.

Whatever. To each their own.

Hey, be careful not to eat too much.

Ten leaves at most.

You too, Brother. Ten fruits at most.

Staying healthy is important.

I know.

So what did you want to discuss about Mom?

Is her health failing?

No, Mom is the same as ever.

She's still energetic despite her age.

Well, how should I put it?

Do you know how in human culture,

they have things called "anniversaries"?

Yes.

That's why I go to the festival
in the royal capital once a year.

Then you must know

they have all kinds of special days.

I think there's a Founding Day,

and they celebrate saints' birthdays too.

The town cats told me about them.

I heard that among those days,

there's one called Mother's Day.

Mother's Day?

Actually, back at the magic school…

I'm starving.

Is there any food in the kitchen?

It's smoked bacon.

It looks delicious.

I'll ask them for some.

Wait. Where did all the ladies go?

And then I made
a matching pouch, drawstring bag,

and socks for my daughter's uniform.

Matching outfits are so lovely.

When my son came back from fishing,

he brought home a rock this big.

Gosh, you should use it
as a pickling stone.

That style is called
"coordinated outfits" now.

Gosh, look at you acting all young.

Well, I'm technically
the youngest one here.

Come on. Stop it.

Right. My child
often brings things home too.

Like acorns or cicada shells.

That's right.

Sometimes, a bunch of pill bugs
will crawl out of his pockets.

That scared the life out of me.

No matter how many times I hear it,

the way those ladies talk
sounds like high-speed chanting.

It can't be helped.

You won't understand a parent's heart
until you become one yourself.

Mom.

Is she really that close
with the ladies here?

True. They say children never know
how much their parents care.

But last Mother's Day,

didn't your child give you
a necklace as a gift?

How lovely.

I'm so jealous.

My child only ever makes me tea.

It's nice enough
that he shows he cares like that.

My child doesn't do anything at all.

They won't even say thank you.

Oh, dear.

But Mr. Demon is always so kind.

That's quite a surprise.

Exactly. You're all so lucky.

I'm so envious.

So you didn't get to eat
the bacon in the end?

Right.

Because all I could think about
was getting out of there.

Wait. That's not the point.

I know.

I mean, I get what you're saying,

but what exactly is Mother's Day?

What kind of holiday is it?

It's a day to thank your mom,
held once a year.

Why only once a year?

Shouldn't we be grateful
to our parents every day?

Have you ever actually
expressed your gratitude to Mom?

No.

See?

You're not trying to get me
to help plan Mother's Day, are you?

Simply put, yes.

I think I'll try some of these fruits too.

But that's human culture.

We don't have that custom.

You're too naive.

[The word for "naive" sounds like "sweet"]
Yes, it's definitely sweet.

No, I'm not talking about the silver vine.
I'm talking about you.

Our mom said

she was envious of them.

"Remember to air out the room."

"Go buy some things for me."

"Where are you taking me
on your next day off?"

That's already quite something.

She's our mom, you know.

Well, I don't really get that part.

Anyway, she's unreasonable.

Think about it.

I'm sure she'll come after you too.

"Today is Mother's Day.
Don't you have anything for me?"

After saying that,

she might throw a fit
and give you a harsh scolding.

That scene

suddenly flashed through my mind.

Right?

That's why

I came to Novice Forest specifically
to brainstorm with you.

So we just have to thank Mom together

on Mother's Day?

No, that might not be enough.

Humans seem to give presents too.

Presents?

Like giving flowers or something.

Flowers?

What would she do with those?

Eat them?

Well, they're not inedible.

But mice and insects
probably taste better.

Brother,

wouldn't it be better

to ask the people at your school
what to do for Mother's Day?

No. I can't ask them.

"Goodness. What are you
asking the teachers?"

"They're very busy."

"Teachers."

"I'm so sorry. He's always like this."

It would definitely turn out like that.

Then we can't come up with a plan.

What are you saying?

Don't we have a group
of excellent companions?

What's wrong? What happened?

Is there a festival today?

What?

No? Or maybe a banquet?

What nonsense are you talking about?

Because…

If he wasn't invited
to the castle for a party…

That was really delicious.

What? You've had bacon before?

Of course.

I've had something like bacon before.

I didn't expect you to eat human food.

Right.

I'm invited to a festival once a year.

Have you had soup too?

Of course I have.

So do you know which cat knows the most
about human customs and culture?

The first one
who comes to mind is Haibuchi.

He's very knowledgeable.

But it's better not to ask him.

Why?

I can't explain it well, but…

"They can make such delicious food."

"Humans are truly amazing."

"You can't eat this
in the forest, can you?"

"It's a system built on mutual trust."

"If we don't interact with humans,"

"we wouldn't get to see the fireworks."

Anyway,

he'll slip in extra bits of knowledge
between the lines,

trying to make me
more accepting of humans.

He's quite skilled at it.

What's this? My whiskers feel itchy.

They've been walking toward us
for a while now.

Who's that black monster next to him?

He's the one I mentioned before.

Greater Demon, the one who serves
as a dungeon boss at the magic school.

Greater Demon?

Isn't that the king of monsters
who can cause disaster-level damage?

I heard he's Lord Cat-Dragon's brother.

He's a very approachable and kind teacher.

This place is about
to become a living hell.

No, it won't.

As I said, he's a very kind teacher.

Let's ask our friends to help mediate.

I see. Understood.

For something like this…

You can leave it to us.

Monaruka, how have you been?

It has been a while, everyone.

Well, thank you for coming to greet us.

Sorry, but there's something
we want to ask.

You two suddenly showed up in town.

The humans were scared to death.

You shouldn't eat too much silver vine.

You have to know when to stop.

Can't you use magic to sneak in quietly?

Well, this is embarrassing.

I thought I wouldn't be noticed
if I stayed in my cat form.

Maybe it's because I haven't seen
my brother in a while,

so I got a bit carried away.

I'm sorry.

So what brings you here?

Good question. Actually…

I see.

That's a relief.

So that's the situation.

Specifically, what should
we do for Mother's Day?

I didn't expect you to ask about that.

I didn't know you cared
about Mother's Day.

For things like this,

wouldn't Haibuchi know best?

If you ask him,
he'll probably talk your ear off.

I think people usually give presents.

Or help out with chores.

Some make tea for their parents
or go for walks together.

Give flowers.

My human friend gave flowers.

But we don't really understand
why they do that.

It's probably
to make the other person happy.

I see.

Understood.

But our mom,

she'd probably prefer mice or bugs.

As for the rest,

you two should go back and discuss it.

More than anything, it's the gratitude
you feel for being raised by her.

You're right. Thank you.

I'll find a way to repay you all someday.

Food would still be better, right?

True, but food is a broad category.

Even if she looks young,
she's getting on in years.

It's best to choose
something easy on the stomach.

But Mom has probably eaten
every human delicacy.

That makes it even harder to choose.

Should we ask Anne Rossa in secret?

Come to think of it,

when she came back
from Novice Forest the other day…

And then I finally met
that boy with wings.

I was so surprised at
how dependable he has become.

He's also taking great care
of the forest cats.

I felt so proud of him.

She has been praising you everywhere.

That's…

Right.

Mom found some raspberries
in the forest back then.

She looked so happy.

Now that you mention it,

there aren't any raspberries
around the Magic School.

Raspberries it is!
- Raspberries it is!

They look delicious.

All right. It's decided.

By the way, when is Mother's Day?

I think it's in 15 days.

That's coming up soon.

Well then, Brother,

let's use this time to get ready.

Okay.

[MOTHER'S DAY]

My brother said
there's no school on Mother's Day.

No wonder no one is around.

Let's see. His dungeon is…

You're here.

What's that?

Raspberries.

No, not that.

I mean, that thing holding them.

Do you mean the basket?

This way, you can carry a lot at once
without using magic.

Convenient, right?

Is that a human tool?

Don't look so disgusted.

Now, put the ones you gathered
into this basket.

This thing…

How did you get it?

I just went to a human shop and bought it.

I see.

So you have human currency.

And did you go looking like that?

Of course not.

I transform into a human
whenever I go to town.

Transform into a human…

Listen.

Can't you show humans a little goodwill?

Brother, where did you pick
all these raspberries?

I went to the mountains,
the coast, the valleys…

I gathered some from all over.

Thank you for all your hard work.

But the ones from the forest
are still the best.

Exactly.

I still think cats belong in the forest.

After all, cats are meant
to grow up in the forest.

Creatures nurtured by the forest.

Come on.

Don't the kids find you annoying
when you keep saying things like that?

Yes, they do find me annoying sometimes.

But I'm never going to change.

Mom.

Look. Your winged son is here too.

Mom, it has been a while.

Gosh. What are you doing here?

It's rare to see you here.

You gave me quite a surprise.

I'm so happy.

Mom can't stop smiling
just from seeing her little boy.

Gosh. Are these raspberries?

Why are there so many?

I heard that today
is a holiday in human culture

called Mother's Day.

His raspberries are from the forest.

Mine were gathered from other places.

Go ahead and try some.

Thank you.

I'm so proud of you both.

These smell like grass and trees.

These have a faint scent of water plants.

They must have grown near a river.

Hey, for next Mother's Day,

come back here so we can celebrate.

She looks really happy.

Yes.

This is so wonderful.

What filial children they are.

Wait a minute.

Neither of them is married yet.

Why is that?

Is it because they can't hunt well enough?

Actually, I only learned this
after going to the Magic School.

Dragons and demons this age
aren't usually ready to leave the nest.

If they can't hunt properly,

then it's my responsibility.

Looks like I'll have to re-train them.

All right, you two.

Come hunting with me.

What? Right now?

What about the raspberries?

We'll have the raspberries
as a snack after the hunt.

Now, keep up!

Something even better than a gift

is for my children to live
safe and healthy lives everywhere.

That's true filial piety.

But it might take them a long time

to understand how I feel.

Wait for us, Mom!
- Wait for us, Mom!

[THE FINAL DESTINATION]

[MONSTERS AND MAGICAL BEASTS
AREN'T MUCH OF A THREAT TO THE CATS.]

[ESPECIALLY WITH MR. WING AROUND.
THEY'RE BASICALLY QUITE SAFE.]

[TO BE CONTINUED.]