02x02 - The Yuki-Onna's Dilemma

[bunniefuu]

He pushed me...

But why, Hayato?

There's no way I'll be able to climb this.

I'm gonna die...

This is how it ends for me.

Oho.

You're still alive.

It appears as though your companion pushed you.

You climbed all the way up here with someone so treacherous.

You must not be very smart.

As I lay there dying...

I saw a white illusion.

I have no idea why he'd push me. He was a trusted friend.

You can't possibly be saying that right now.

What are you?

You're far too mean to be the last illusion I see before I die.

Honestly... I even took on the form your kind seems familiar with.

Do humans nowadays not know what a Yuki-Onna is?

I mean... I always figured Yuki-Onna were more beautiful.

Hey! You have some nerve saying that in the situation you're in!

What does it matter?

Leave me here and I'll eventually freeze to death.

So what difference would it make if a Yuki-Onna k*lled me?

It hasn't even crossed your mind to ask for my help?

Well, Yuki-Onna k*ll humans, don't they?

Tell me...

Have you never read Yuki-Onna by Koizumi Yakumo?

The young man in that tale was saved by a Yuki-Onna.

On the other hand, what's a Yuki-Onna doing reading anything by Koizumi Yakumo?

Yuki-Onna are known to take on human form

and mingle among them every now and then.

Koizumi Yakumo wrote about that, as well.

This should get you through the night.

It'd likely cause a commotion if the one who took a tumble

were to show up at the foot of the mountain before the day is done.

I shall escort you around evenfall tomorrow,

so rest a while for now.

Why are you helping me?

Well... You're young, and...

rather beautiful.

That was a joke.

You have fine features, but look at that scowl.

You look a bit stern.

If you manage to get down the mountain safely,

you should read some of Koizumi Yakumo's works.

Any time someone goes missing,

the search efforts cause a commotion in these mountains.

And sometimes,

they even try to renovate the mountains to prevent further incidents.

Meaning I'm better off saving you myself.

By the way, do you have any money?

Yeah, a decent amount.

Then give me half of that.

If you have no money at all,

you'll have a rough time once you get back down, so I'll spare you.

Not a bad price for saving your life, eh?

What's a yokai going to do with money?

The food and liquor you humans make as of late are quite tasty.

But you cannot acquire them without money.

I have the ability to take what I want without being seen...

But then the shops would go under.

If I carelessly wreaked havoc in your world,

I'd just be digging my own grave.

I must respect this rule.

But asking for a little bit in cases like this can't hurt.

She's actually respectable... for a yokai.

The thought of k*lling me and taking all of my money didn't cross your mind?

Would you like me to change my mind and do that right now?

No...

In that case...

You're probably ready to apologize for saying that I'm not beautiful.

The Yuki-Onna from the story is far more charming and refined.

I thought about k*lling you if you gave me an empty compliment...

But I guess you didn't fall for that.

Hey, don't try setting any weird traps now.

I'm joking. Survive until the morn.

I'm not going to feel responsible if you freeze to death.

It wasn't an illusion?

I... survived?

Hello!

Ah, so you survived.

Ow! Ow, ow, ow...

What? Where does it hurt?

Everywhere.

All right... How's this?

Don't fall.

Down the mountain we go!

Wow...

I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but do not tell your parents, siblings,

wife, or children about me.

If you tell even a single soul, I will come to k*ll you, no matter where you are.

So if I ever want to die, I just need to tell someone about you.

Your life is being saved here. Stop talking as though your future is grim.

I'm kidding.

I'll keep this secret.

Not that anyone would believe me if I told them I was saved by a Yuki-Onna, anyway.

Masayuki fell head-first off a ridge near the summit.

He fell into a pile of snow, and I couldn't see him anymore.

I should've gone back and searched for him.

Now, don't go blaming yourself for this.

We'll send out a search party tomorrow morning.

M-Masayuki?!

Why... How are you alive?

He pushed me off the ledge.

I was sure I was going to die,

but I miraculously found a path down the mountain,

and managed to survive.

Please apprehend him immediately.

We got testimony from the suspect.

He said he just couldn't help himself.

A woman he was in love with had a crush on you,

and she had asked him to help her with asking you out.

He was jealous of you, but he wanted the best for the woman.

Yet when he talked to you...

Who's that?

The fact that you had no interest whatsoever pushed him over the edge.

If you were to die and he got close to the woman while she was grieving,

he thought he could then make her his.

Those were the thoughts that crossed his mind.

Well, that's a pathetic reason.

It's hard to believe

that's the reason my friend from high school tried to k*ll me...

No...

Perhaps I'm the only one who considered us friends.

The Complete Works of Koizumi Yakumo

Hayato's parents would like you to accept monetary compensation.

They seemed to have no intention of backing down from this offer.

Their family is quite wealthy. If you want this to be over with quickly,

you're better off just accepting their offer.

All right. I'll let you handle the trial, as well.

It'll just be awkward if I ever have to see Hayato again.

I'd prefer not to see him.

There are truly terrifying things in this world.

The Complete Works of Koizumi Yakumo

I'm never going mountain-climbing again.

Eleven Years Later

Ah, I see...

Honestly... I even took on the form your kind seems familiar with.

So that's what's going on.

Long ago, as I lay dying in the mountains,

I met a woman who thought of herself as quite a beauty.

Hand-crafted Soba

She called herself "Yuki-Onna" and saved me with her ayakashi powers.

And thanks to that, I'm alive today...

But sometimes I can't help wondering if that was

actually a dream or reality.

Wait, wait, wait!

Did I not say that I would k*ll you if you told anyone?!

I was just reminiscing with someone else who was there.

You still haven't read Koizumi Yakumo's story?

The Yuki-Onna was furious with the man in that story when he broke his promise.

I read it.

In that story, the man told his wife, not realizing that she was the Yuki-Onna.

But I'm telling you all of this knowing very well

that you are the Yuki-Onna from back then,

so it doesn't count as telling anyone else.

Isn't that what you call sophistry?

Be that as it may,

I'm surprised you could tell I was that Yuki-Onna from your past.

Your face and pale skin are the same. I wouldn't mistake you for anyone.

Ah, I guess I can't hide my beauty.

It's nothing to brag about.

Would you like me to drag you back to the place where you lay dying?

That wouldn't be so bad, actually.

I'm surprised you recognized me, as well.

It's been over ten years. I'm sure my face has changed with age.

You're the only human I remember saving recently.

Besides, we ayakashi don't just distinguish you humans by physical appearances.

Soft Serve

Each of you has a presence and color that does not change so easily.

Huh...

Soft Serve

I always felt bad that I never got to return the favor.

I'm a working adult now with a little more money to spare.

I can buy you a few dozen orders of soft serve if you'd like.

I don't really need a few dozen of these, but...

It is difficult for me to acquire human money these days,

and prices on everything have gone up.

I still get nervous going into human shops.

They yammer on about point cards and days with special deals...

I know nothing of your calendar, so it all confuses me.

Though if you were to go in with me, I could pick out what I want at leisure,

and I wouldn't get confused.

I started renting a house on the outskirts of town this month.

It's a perfect place for you to eat in peace, as well.

Ah! Does that mean you can cook?

They do say some dishes taste best right after they're made.

Yeah. I learned how to cook after my divorce last year.

Now that I get a closer look, you do seem rather pale.

I have a strong mistrust of other people.

My wife, whom I trusted deeply, had a lover,

and I was almost k*lled yet again.

In the end, we divorced.

This happened last June.

Also, the company I started right out of college

was swallowed up by a bigger company three months ago due to a colleague's betrayal.

As the president, of course, there was no place left for me there.

I was betrayed by my friend, my wife, and my colleague, and then I lost my job.

I can't trust people at all now.

I felt like there was no one else I could talk to

except a yokai.

That's why I got my affairs in order as much as possible and moved here.

I never expected to just happen to run into you here, though.

That means you're probably just barely getting by, doesn't it?

You won't get the best of me.

I see she's as sensible as ever.

I lost my position as president, but that doesn't mean I lost my personal fortune.

I have enough money to live comfortably for the next thirty years or so.

You should've told me that first!

That means you're plenty blessed.

Not to mention, you survived almost getting k*lled twice,

so you must be rather lucky.

Men who have money and can't trust others

are always the bad guys who end up punished in folktales.

You're so pitiful.

I'd like some fine liquor. And I want to eat some fish from the sea.

If I can make that a part of this deal, I wouldn't mind lending you an ear.

I'm about to go grocery shopping.

You can put whatever you want, as much as you want, in the cart.

If there's any dish you'd like to eat, I'll cook it for you.

Yuki-Onna then started coming over at night, two or three times a week.

Masayuki! Take me to the grocery store today!

I want to pick just the right ingredients!

In that case, let's head to a bigger commercial facility outside of town.

If I keep taking you around town here, they'll start to remember your face.

A car? Wow! I've never been in one before!

Low Prices Every Day!

Saury

Our Top Pick

Black Sea Bream

Shrimp Gratin

Ginjo sake is the best kind of sake!

Beer is great, too, but I prefer happoshu.

Hey...

Are you sure you're okay with just curry udon?

That's fine. In fact, that's specifically what I want to eat.

That's pretty cheap.

I don't know what ingredients are expensive or cheap.

But you probably shouldn't eat this with that kimono on.

Eating curry udon in white clothes is taboo.

What are you talking about? This is what a Yuki-Onna should look like.

It's delicious!

This roux is different from the one you use for rice!

Why isn't it getting on your clothes?

Four Months Later

Right now?

I'm home alone.

I've just been a shut-in, as usual.

I see.

I'm planning on having a drink and reading until dawn.

President...

I'm not the president anymore.

Please excuse me. Muroi-san...

What is it?

I'll be waiting for you to start a new job.

Right...

Well, I'm gonna hang up. I'll leave the rest to you.

Right. Goodnight.

This warmth when it's freshly fried is irresistible!

I prefer eating this with salt rather than the sauce.

A Yuki-Onna who likes heat...

In folktales, they say your kind melted from the fire in hearths,

or from hot tea.

Your body's not affected?

When are these folktales from?

If that was all it took, a Yuki-Onna wouldn't survive a year.

People say and believe that Yuki-Onna mixed with humans

and produced many children.

I'll be damned if I melt just from eating tempura.

I have a question...

Are there other yokai like yourself that have blended into our society unnoticed?

I'm sure there are.

But getting involved with humans in any way can lead to trouble,

so most keep their distance.

Not all supernatural beings are stronger than humans,

and it's more peaceful if both sides leave each other alone.

Since humans don't fear or respect how the world is, they are quite dangerous.

But you coming here to visit me doesn't cause any issues?

Some of my kind have warned me to stay away.

Though some say it might be better to have

one of us stay close to learn more about humans.

Though I have asked our lady if I am taking advantage of you too much.

"Lady"?

Yes.

She is the goddess of wisdom to those of us

who call ourselves ayakashi, yokai, ghosts, and demons.

Of course, our kind have disputes, as well,

and sometimes, we cannot solve those problems on our own.

There are also those who are troubled by what humans do and seek resolutions.

Those are the times when we rely on our lady.

I've only had the honor of meeting her twice,

but I am in awe at her accomplishments and how wise she is.

So she's someone you yokai consider a god... She must be a special kind of monster.

No, our lady is a human.

She stands between humans and the ayakashi,

and is tasked with maintaining order in the world.

Her human perspective is vital to us.

It was us who made that human into a goddess.

So what did your lady say about you spending time with me?

She said she did not mind, as long as I kept out of sight of other humans

and was careful not to let you take advantage of me.

We can help out humanity every once in a while,

but she said we must not let our powers influence the world of man too much.

Well said. Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders.

She also said that if any trouble arises, I should freeze you to death and flee.

That's an awfully violent solution, lady.

By the way, how are things going with your neighbors?

Well, I am a shut-in from out of town with a scary face.

My neighbors are scared of me, so they avoid me.

I don't think they see me as an upstanding member of society.

Since I never see anyone, I may have forgotten how to speak

If I didn't have you around.

Oh, please. You just had a phone call earlier.

One of my former subordinates was just keeping me in the loop.

Are you sure she doesn't miss your talent?

Yeah, well, she's the only one.

Even a single ally would prove useful if you were to start over.

Plus, you look far livelier now than you did before.

And I don't mind keeping you company until your spirits lift a bit.

I'm pretty content, thanks to all the delicious foods I get to eat...

Hm... Perhaps I'm benefiting too much from this.

I know!

It has been some time since you left your former wife, has it not?

If you'd like, I could keep you company at night, as well.

Do yokai lack any kind of morals?

Besides, if I had to rely on you to that extent,

then I'd truly be pathetic.

As they say, "Shameful is he who spurns a woman's invitation."

Ah, or are you an ass man?

Could you please let me retain a little bit of dignity here?

I'm no different from a dead person right now.

I'm not fit to be with you.

Besides, I don't think your lady would allow our relations to go that far.

She said she was fine with it, as long as we use contraceptives.

Maybe we can't trust this lady after all...

Sep.

Ooh! Maybe that's the hitsumabushi we ordered!

Hey, Masayuki!

I'll watch this! Go and answer the door!

They'll have to redeliver it if you don't!

Right.

Coming.

You must be Muroi Masayuki-san.

Yes...

Are you aware that

Harada Miharu-san, the woman you divorced last year, has been m*rder*d?

Yikes...

Is that your new client?

This is actually my messenger.

My client is actually a Yuki-Onna who lives up in the mountains.

A Yuki-Onna?

A Woman's Body Found by the Riverbank

On the night of September th,

a woman named Harada Miharu was found beaten to death,

but none of the news sites have much information.

Not many documents on it, either.

So what does the Yuki-Onna have to do with this m*rder case?

Well, the police have a prime suspect in this case.

According to the Yuki-Onna, this person has an alibi and can't be the culprit.

So she'd like us to help him out.

He has an alibi, but he's the prime suspect?

Well, the only one who can back up his alibi is this Yuki-Onna,

so neither of them can mention her to the police.

Why aren't you back yet, Masayuki?

It'll burn if you don't come back soon!

Hey, Masayu—

Is something the matter?

Er, no...

Oh?

You have a pet rabbit?

To be continued