01x08 - Contract

[bunniefuu]

Did lips, painted with poison, just come to my room?

It seems as if my mind and body are melting with your kiss.

Hateful self, years old Hateful self, years old

Your heart is so beautiful it's almost nauseating.

Why would you kiss someone like me, who can't do a thing?

Hmm?

Hateful days, years old Hateful face, years old

L-L-L-Like a black swallowtail butterfly,

I want to fly on magnificent wings!

P-P-P-Please don't say it's ridiculous!

That kind of life is good...

It's good! (L-L-L-Like a black swallowtail butterfly...)

Once in a while, this, rather than sake, is also good.

Relaxing...

You are, anyway.

Just how much do you have in that treasure warehouse of yours?

Let's see...

A lot?

If it's just gonna pile up, pile it up,

if you're just gonna shut it up, then shut it up.

Don't you know just bringing it outside is a pain!?

Geez!

Ah! I can't believe you have all these ceramics just piled up on each other!

At least wrap them up in paper!

This isn't packed in kimono wrapping paper!

Do you not have any camphor, either!?

Geez!!

And, what is this!?

Mokona!

Don't play in this stuff! It's dangerous, you know!

Ah... You'll damage it, hitting it that hard, so, gently...

Huh?

I-It's moving...

Probably because it doesn't want to get hit.

The butterfly, that is.

No, it's just... The patterns on normal carpets don't move.

I got it as payment for a job way back...

If I let it escape, it'll become just a plain old carpet.

Is all the stuff here like that?

What do you mean by "like that"?

I told you, didn't I?

That my treasure warehouse was a treasure mountain.

If that's the case, then how about treating it better!?

I do maintenance from time to time.

Like this?

It's fine.

This place is like a vacation spot for those things that could be procured,

so that they are available for the changing of hands when needed.

Vacation?

People and things share the same affinity with their fellow creatures.

If it is good, then everything goes smoothly. If not...

--Excuse me... --Mm?

I was interested in the items you have lined up in your garden...

Ah, I'm studying folklore at my university.

I go around visiting antique shops and individual homes.

I understand there are many things people won't part with,

but I can study just by looking.

That's why I just stopped by.

That's fine.

After all, it was inevitable that you would come here.

What drew you in?

This.

What is this?

What do you think it is?

Well, it can't be a kaleidoscope, right?

Because you can't look inside it...

Is there something inside?

Yes.

Could I take this with me?

I have no idea why,

but I was drawn to it at a glance.

I'd advise against it.

Is it valuable?

No.

But, if you want it anyway, promise me this...

Never open that tube.

Is that lady gonna be okay?

You think she'll keep the promise about not opening it?

Who knows...

Watanuki, you didn't even realize that tube was there, did you?

No, not at all.

At least there's a strong seal on it.

Is it something that terrible?

Then, wouldn't it be better to contact her and tell her that exactly?

I could, but when it's time to open, it will open.

If not, it won't.

I doubt that woman listens to anything anyone says, though.

Huh?

I-I'm sorry!

Huh? It's you!

--Huh? --You're the part-timer from that shop yesterday, aren't you...

--Oh! --So you're a student here.

Starting tomorrow I'll be practice-teaching here.

Such mysterious fate.

--Yeah. --That kind of stuff happens to me a lot!

Whatever it is certainly seems to have a strong pull on me.

Umm... Uh.

This drew me in, too.

I still don't know what's inside,

but I think it's something with a history.

Ah... About that...

Yes? Ah! Professor.

Yes, now I'm searching for materials for my thesis.

What's that tube?

Well...

--I don't really know, but Yuko-san says not to open it. --Sure. No problem. Leave it to me.

--She seems to be eager to open it, though. --Yes. It'll all be recorded.

--Huh? Why's that? --That's right. Yes. I understand.

--Saying she doesn't know "yet" means she's planning on finding out eventually. --That's right. Yes. I understand.

Uh!

Yes. It'll definitely be on time!

Bye, then.

--Umm... --I've got to get going.

--Until next time! --Uh... Hey...

Wait!

Huh?

I'm sorry.

It opened!

Dry wood?

No... This just might be a Monkey's Paw!

A Monkey's Paw?

I've seen them in books.

A fetish that grants wishes.

A-Ah... But... It might not be the real thing.

I had no idea!

Until now, I just thought I had an inexpensively bought lucky find...

That I'd just found some rare secondhand article...

This is good luck, I'm sure of it!

That's right!

I should test this right away to find out if it's the real thing.

I think it'd be best if you didn't...

How's this?

Let it rain from here until tonight.

And so, this rain...

Yeah.

Well, with that, something like this would be easy.

You mean, it's the real thing?

However, the compatibility isn't good.

By compatibility, you mean between the lady and the Monkey's Paw?

I doubt she recognizes it, though.

She overestimates herself.

If they're not compatible, what will happen?

That depends on her. However...

Surely it will be like a tumbling stone...

Good morning! Huh?

Good morning, Watanuki-kun!

Good morning, Himawari-chan! So, did something happen?

--Well, you see, it seems the water in the pool has disappeared. --Huh?

"Music Preparation Room"

Once more... Just once more, I'll test it out.

Something impossible to realize...

I know! That mirror I saw before at the Sakaue antique shop.

Something with such history and they wouldn't sell it to me

no matter how much I'd pleaded.

I want that.

Ah! There's no doubt. This is the mirror! Amazing!

Two of the fingers are broken.

Could this mean that every time a wish is granted,

one of the fingers is broken?

I'd advise against it.

No problem. I'll show you I can handle this properly.

Yes? Oh! It's been too long!

Yes, I thought it would head your way.

It flew away from here the day before yesterday.

Isn't the butterfly just more comfortable in your shop...

I see, the Yata Mirror has...

Even though that isn't something that just anyone can become the owner of....

All right. That's it for today's lesson.

Next time we'll be starting from the Middle Ages.

Together again today?

You sure seem to be enjoying yourself.

You could tell?

I was able to get a mirror I've been wanting for a long time.

Mirror?

I think it's a copy of a famous one,

but no matter how much I asked, they wouldn't let me have it.

Oh?

I asked the Monkey's Paw for it.

Huh!?

It was amazing!

Shortly after I wished for it, the mirror appeared.

I was surprised!

Like I thought, this is the real thing.

See.

It seems that whenever a wish is granted, a finger is broken.

Since two are broken, that means I have three wishes left.

But, that's...

The story goes that terrible things happen in the end

to the guy who uses the Monkey Paw.

But that's a story about someone else.

I'll be fine.

Yes. One will find more knowledge of it with the place

and the reason for its disappearance.

Please wait just a little longer.

The stone has already begun to tumble, after all.

Something cannot be born from nothing.

Invariably, for fulfilling a wish, reparation or compensation is required.

Then, for that rain before, the pool water...

...was probably used. Yes.

The mirror?

I got a call from the owner of an antique shop I know.

A precious mirror without parallel in this world

suddenly disappeared from her shop.

Is it okay like this, you think, for that lady?

No matter what you say, it will have no effect.

But...

So, Watanuki, when will we be able to eat that roll cake?

Oh no! The sponge cake in the oven!!

Roll cake! Roll cake!

The tumbling stone can't stop itself, you see.

It can only continue tumbling.

To the end of the slope.

Yes. It feels like I've fallen behind, but I'll definitely finish in time.

No, there's no reason to worry.

Yes.

No,

this is too conventional.

--...want that... --Let's go!

This thesis decides my future.

I want to continue with the study of folklore!

With a subject with more impact...

Something that will astonish everyone, that no one else has written about...

--Good work! --Himawari-chan!

Aren't you two fast!

You saw? Ah... But he was just a fluke.

Moron. I was just keeping you company.

What was that!? Who was all "Let's run together, no pulling ahead"!?

Looks like they're having fun.

Yes? Yes. Yes!

Thank you so much!

Yes! Yes.

Bye, then.

What happened?

My professor praised the thesis I'd submitted.

This is magnificent, above college level, he said.

Good for you!

He even said he'd talk to a publisher for me right away.

If the reaction there is good, too, I could be published soon!

That's great!

This is all thanks to the mirror and materials the Monkey's Paw gave me.

With that, I was able to write about the Yata Mirror.

The Yata Mirror? The goddess Amaterasu's?

Now I have two wishes left.

I have to treat them carefully.

It looked like the Monkey's Paw you showed me was frightening...

But it's all right, then...

Because my luck's strong.

I was able to acquire the Monkey's Paw in the first place

due to the strength of my luck.

--But, really... --It's okay.

It might be bad for anyone else, but I'm special.

Only those with heart are able to see a companion

and change their attitude.

That thing has neither sentiment nor compassion.

That's why it's exceedingly utilitarian and awfully severe.

She doesn't realize that fear.

And so the stone continues to tumble.

And all the while, the velocity increases.

Crap! What should I do? I totally overslept.

"Not Stopping" "Train stopping at every station: :"

Today is the final day of teaching practice

and I have to give lessons in front of the teachers.

Shortly, on platform number one,

a limited express train will be passing through.

I'll be late if this keeps up.

Geez! There might as well be an accident or something.

If that happens, they'll issue a certificate of lateness.

If I turn that in, they'll let it pass.

Don't tell me...

That was counted as a wish!?

"Staff Room"

"Staff Room" I'm sorry.

"Staff Room"

Ah... Sensei?

--Huh!? --That's different.

You can tell?

It's not like I can see like you.

I mean that her appearance is different.

Now that you mention it, she does seem kind of down.

I get the feeling it's not the sorrow of finishing training.

There's only one left!

To think that it granted a wish from just a little thinking...

Hello? Professor? Huh?

Wait a minute, please...

I didn't steal anything!

Certainly I was in the library that day...

But I wouldn't steal someone else's materials!

It's the truth!

It's just coincidence that our themes are similar!

Couldn't the one that was submitted before not have been the original?

They submitted their notes? Two weeks ago?

Please wait, Professor! What about publishing...

This morning's fall won't become my fault too, right...

I pushed the one beside me...

That would mean the police are...

No! No more! Stop it!

Do something! This is your fault, isn't it!

Erase everything from before me, right now!

What's the matter?

--The key won't work? --No.

It should be open during the day.

That's odd...

Huh?

I wonder why...

I see. Glad it came back.

Okay. Bye.

You've come back...

The stone has stopped, huh.

Though it was broken...

People will want to open something even more if they've been told not to.

They are indifferent to anything but themselves

when it comes to retribution from broken promises.

Nothing is special, separate from anything else.

Hello.

But...

Your wish was granted, wasn't it.

This feeling is welling up for the first time.

The transparent ring connects, yes, our eyes meet, baby, it's you.

Unto the coloring of the sky, reincarnation is beginning.

The lamp of my heart is lit, the door of insight is opening.

More than glossing things over, I'd rather have your real intentions.

Reserve is the password, someday we'll solve it.

This feeling is welling up for the first time.

Pulling my arm, facing each other, don't be afraid, call a name...

Even I will certainly be reborn.

Falling, crying, feeling, everything for a reason.

While working it out, it twists and comes apart...

The various ornamental threads of fate.

A lie so that something is not lost...

What can you lose by lying?

The various frayed threads of deception...

Entwined like the written character for "wild goose".

Next time, Holic, "Pinky Promise".

Shall I grant your wish?