01x11 - Your Prayers are Gods' Prayers.

[bunniefuu]

[HITOYOSHI] When the snow falls

onto the lights,

it blurs them and makes them

sparkle even more.

It's such a magical sight.

That's another reason

why I love the snow

as much as I do.

[chuckles]

Uh, oh.

Did I say something

super weird?

Not quite.

Hmm?

I was just so happy to hear

you say you love me.

Thank you, Master.

I know that you were only

referring to my namesake.

But even so, it felt

wonderful to hear it.

[Yuki chuckles]

[HITOYOSHI] What's this?

♪

[HITOYOSHI] Huh?

♪

[HITOYOSHI]

The definition of love.

What is it?

When I was younger,

I once confessed to a girl.

Someone I spent

lots of time with.

I'll never forget

what she said.

[HITOYOSHI'S FIRST CRUSH 11A]

That's very sweet,

but what you're feeling

isn't love.

You just want companionship,

that's all.

[HITOYOSHI] Right away,

I knew it was true.

At the time,

I was desperately lonely.

It felt as though

being with her

saved me from my solitude.

That was why I'd confessed.

After that,

we never hung out again.

I imagine my ill-conceived

confession must have hurt her.

And her response hit me harder

than a regular refusal

would have.

Now I'm wondering

if what she said was true

and that feeling

wasn't really love.

Then what is it

I'm feeling now?

This warmth. What is it?

♪

EPISODE 11: YOUR PRAYERS

ARE THE GODS' PRAYERS.

[groans]

[YUKI] Good morning,

Master Hitoyoshi.

[HITOYOSHI] Good morning.

I'm such a royal idiot!

What was I even thinking?

Ms. Yuki's been having

nightmares,

and before I could stop myself.

Well, if you really don't wanna

sleep alone

just say the word!

[HITOYOSHI] Why did I do that?

I hate past me

with a fiery vengeance.

He sucks!

I haven't managed

a single wink of sleep.

I'm about to die of exhaustion.

And we're basically

always together

because of winter break,

so the timing

couldn't be worse!

Um, Master,

is there something

keeping you awake?

Not a thing!

I was so excited to dive

into the winter cleaning,

I simply couldn't wait

a second longer.

[HITOYOSHI] Oh, man.

That excuse was criminally bad.

♪

[grunts]

[HITOYOSHI]

I can't take this anymore.

I have to put a stop to it.

Not just for me, but for her.

[HITOYOSHI'S FIRST CRUSH 11A]

I'm sorry, Hitoyoshi.

[HITOYOSHI]

But, if I tell Ms. Yuki

how I feel,

nothing will come of it.

I mean, right?

♪

[YUKI] Mopping.

I haven't faced this demon

since I first arrived.

HORRIBLE BLUNDER

I lost that battle

horribly then,

but today is my shot

at redemption.

These floors shall sparkle!

Maybe then,

Master will cheer up.

Ms. Yuki! Got any more

trash for me?

[HITOYOSHI]

Deja vu.

I could never apologize enough.

[HITOYOSHI] No worries,

I know this small beast

is actually the one to blame.

Hey, you! Don't cause trouble

for Ms. Yuki!

She's two-and-oh

against the mop.

Guess some things never change.

I cleaned the bathtub

this morning,

so feel free to take a nice,

hot

[heartbeat]

Huh?

[YUKI] Yes, Master?

[gasps]

[HITOYOSHI]

Oh, um, a bath.

Right, in fact.

I'll go run it for you.

[HITOYOSHI] Ms. Yuki's

always been this way.

Though she's matured

as a person,

she's still as genuine

and sincere as ever.

That's been a constant.

And she somehow makes us

all feel like one big family.

I've always found her way

of being so comforting.

What we have,

it's so precious.

How could I risk ruining it?

Hitoyoshi, I'm sorry.

Let's be honest,

you're probably just lonely.

[HITOYOSHI] I never want to

feel that way ever again.

And, Ms. Yuki, I don't want her

to leave me, too.

[knocking]

[YUKI] Master Hitoyoshi,

is something wrong?

Huh?

[YUKI] You've been acting

noticeably strange

since this morning.

Have you contracted

some manner of illness?

Nope! I'm good.

I was just in a hurry

to fill up the bathtub, so

[HITOYOSHI]

Jeez, I know that face.

That's her, "My lap is ready

and waiting" expression!

You really shouldn't be

doing that

when my feelings

are all twisted up, lady!

[HITOYOSHI] And now

she's tossing in

puppy-dog eyes to boot?

I've gotta get out

of this, stat!

'Bout that. I've been chewing

on this for a while.

That whole lap sitch.

It's kinda super embarrassing.

[HITOYOSHI] It's not normal!

A high-school boy would never

ask a girl to do that for him.

I mean, unless he had

more courage than sense.

I see. You've finally

gotten fed up with me

and my clumsiness,

haven't you?

No way! That's not true!

[YUKI]

It's completely understandable.

[Yuki weeping]

I make mistakes.

All the time.

[gasps]

- Ms. Yuki. Your eyes.

- [YUKI] Huh?

What? My eyes.

They suddenly feel all hot

and there's liquid

coming out of them, too!

[YUKI] Are these

[HITOYOSHI] Sorry!

I didn't mean to upset you!

I swear on everything that

I'm not fed up with you!

I made her cry.

What do I do? What can be done?

I've got nothin'!

I'm stumped here! Oh, man.

This whole thing is my fault.

Oh! I know! The bath!

I don't want you

to catch a cold,

so go enjoy your bath.

Yes, you're right.

[YUKI]

I shall do just that.

[gasps]

♪

[HITOYOSHI] Wait.

What is wrong with my brain?

I sent her off to the bath?

That was the worst

possible move!

Seriously, what was I thinking?

I made things even more

awkward between us.

♪

[HITOYOSHI] Ever since

Huh, you forgot

the daikon radishes.

Well, luckily, we can

make do without them.

Okay. I'm so sorry.

[HITOYOSHI]

Her tears flow freely

through the dam I broke.

To be honest, I have no

freakin' clue how to fix it.

Forgive me.

[gasps]

[HITOYOSHI] So I've just been

trying my best

not to upset her.

[growling]

- I'm so sorry.

- Huh?

[HITOYOSHI] It's taking up

all of my attention.

I'm sorry, really.

[HITOYOSHI] Right. That one's

definitely not your fault.

Now, if only to stem the flow,

I'll even forgo sleep.

Hey! Trouble sleeping?

Indeed.

Sixty-one sheep,

sixty-two sheep,

sixty-three sheep,

sixty-four sheep

[HITOYOSHI] Two sleepless

nights later,

an exciting day

has finally arrived.

One-thousand ninety-four,

one-thousand ninety-five,

one-thousand ninety-six,

one-thousand

[HITOYOSHI] Today we'll be

celebrating New Year's Eve.

So sleepy.

At least I was able to

clean up my room,

thanks to Ms. Yuki.

I'll try my best to do

better next year.

♪

DECEMBER 31ST (FRI.)

Wow.

[YUKI] Warm and soft.

I have an idea.

Perhaps I should pick up

something for dinner

during my walk.

Master Hitoyoshi?

[YUKI] It says,

"I'll be back in a bit."

[Agemochitaro panting]

♪

I'll see ya next year, yeah!

[FEMALE FRIEND 11B]

Bye! Happy New Year!

♪

WE WILL BE CLOSED

UNTIL THE NEW YEAR.

SINCERELY, MANAGEMEN

KATSUDA SIDE

DISH STORE

[FEMALE SOBA STORE CLERK 11A]

I'm sorry.

We're already

sold out of New Year's soba.

[MALE CUSTOMER 11A]

My bad.

[indistinct chatter]

[yawns]

♪

Come one, come all.

It's our year-end sale!

Get your New Year's

osechi boxes here!

[YUKI] This rush. All because

the year is ending.

♪

Say, ya got a good eye,

young lady!

That's a high-quality

roast beef there.

How many grams ya need,

sliced or not,

and do ya like freebies?

Ooo I got ya.

[panting]

[Agemochitaro whining]

[YUKI] Master Hitoyoshi,

I have returned home.

[HITOYOSHI] Welcome back!

By the way, I picked up

something for dinner

while I was out walking.

[HITOYOSHI] Oh! Did ya really?

I've made plans.

Y'know I was thinking we could

have your fav, okonomiyaki.

With somethin' special.

[HITOYOSHI] Ta-da!

I scored us some primo

roast beef!

[weeping]

[YUKI] Roast beef.

[HITOYOSHI]

Ms. Yuki! Cheer up.

[HITOYOSHI] Well

Your beef is way different

than mine.

Seeing as how mine is sliced

and yours isn't, y'know?

[HITOYOSHI] Hoo boy,

what a feast!

Oh. Please don't feel like

you have to eat it all, okay?

Okay.

Let's eat

while the eatin's good!

Yes, indeed.

♪

- [weeping]

- It's delicious.

Oh, yeah! So tasty!

'What am I doing in this world?'

[HITOYOSHI]

How awful.

I just can't stop

making her cry.

[Agemochitaro snoring]

[HITOYOSHI] I've gotta try

to keep it together.

[sighs]

After all, my dad

gets home tomorrow.

♪

[snoring]

♪

[doorbell rings]

[RIKO] Ms. Yuki! Big Brother!

Happy New Year!

Time for our New Year's

shrine visit!

Oh, hi.

Good morning, Ms. Riko.

Hope you're ready

for our big day!

[RIKO] Let's go!

One problem.

[YUKI] I was just calling out

for him, but to no avail.

So he's in zombie mode?

Indeed.

He is utterly exhausted.

Well, that's gonna be

a big problem.

And why would that be?

[RIKO] Don't tell me

he didn't fill you in!

He's a New Year's baby.

Which means today

is my big bro's birthday!

- [YUKI] Master's birthday?

- Yup!

And that's why it's a family

tradition to meet up

after the shrine visit

every New Year.

[YUKI] It's his birthday.

I mean, we don't usually hand

out presents or anything.

So I guess he doesn't

technically have to be there

[screams]

[YUKI] I didn't know

it was Master's birthday.

[RIKO] Why do your tears

sound like a raging river?

Ms. Yuki, I just realized

I've never seen you cry before!

I know. I'll explain.

[YUKI] Apparently,

a metaphorical dam

of sorts has broken within me.

[RIKO] That sounds bad!

[YUKI] Because of that,

I am now liable

to start crying for any reason.

So perhaps I should

stay home, too.

Gotcha!

Don't worry about it!

I was gonna ditch you guys

to hang out with friends

anyway, so we're good.

[RIKO]

'Kay, catch ya later!

[door slide closes]

[snoring]

- [cellphone vibrates]

- Huh?

[YUKI] Ms. Naka?

Oh dear, it says,

"Will you and Yokoya be coming

to the shrine today?"

FORMER ASSASSIN, CURRENTLY

SPEAKING TO A TEXT MESSAGE

"I may just stay home."

JANUARY 1ST (SAT.)

[YUKI] She said,

"I'd really like it

if we could visit together."

Visit the shrine together?

♪

[NAKA] Oh! Ms. Yuki!

I wish you a Happy New Year!

I'm so glad you made it!

Your outfit's adorable!

Are you here alone?

Yes.

In truth, I'm not familiar

with this

"New Year shrine visit"

tradition.

[NAKA] Huh? So you don't know

how to pray at a shrine?

I don't.

I lack experience in this area.

[NAKA] On New Year's,

it's traditional

to visit a shrine

and tell the Gods

your wishes for the year.

[YUKI] How fascinating.

♪

[YUKI] Huh?

What are those white papers?

[NAKA] They're fortune slips.

Each one has got a fortune

on it for the year ahead.

So would you like

to try your luck?

[YUKI] Please.

[NAKA] Being able to help

someone out

by explaining something

they don't know.

It's almost like we're friends.

Oh, wait, we are friends!

[Naka giggles]

[NAKA] Great luck for me--

[gasps]

[NAKA] Whoa!

She just cried a river!

How is that possible?

Hey. You can't stop crying.

So, maybe you'd like

to sit down?

[weeping]

[Yuki sniffles]

[YUKI] My lost thing will stay

lost and "pass to another".

It's over.

My Master

and I will be separated.

I refuse to believe that!

You see, he's been acting

so different lately.

I really don't know

what to make of it.

[YUKI] He's been quite distant.

I'm not sure what changed

between us,

but I'm scared.

[Yuki sniffles]

[YUKI] What if it's only

a matter of time

before Master no longer

needs me.

[NAKA] Aww!

[YUKI] And then I won't be able

to stay by his side anymore.

When I think like that,

I just [sniffles]

I can't stop my tears

from flowing.

[weeping]

[YUKI] What will become of me

if Master starts to hate me?

[NAKA] Listen, I get it.

There have been times

when I couldn't stop

my tears from falling.

[sniffles] There have?

For sure. It was back

when I was little.

I was devastated

after my mother passed away.

[gasps]

[NAKA] Oops! I didn't mean

to make you sad again!

I'll tell you what got me

through it.

I remembered something

comforting my mother

once told me.

[NAKA] We cry when we need

to let out

our sadness trapped

deep inside of us,

so let your tears fall

as they come.

I bet I know the reason

why you can't stop crying.

All of the sad feelings that

you've kept bottled up

inside for so many years

are finally flowing out

all at once.

[NAKA] Please believe me.

Crying is nothing to be

ashamed of!

Go ahead.

Whenever the pain is so

overwhelming just cry

and cry and cry

until it all goes away.

It won't last forever.

One day you'll get

your smile back!

Because that's what happened

with me.

Ms. Naka.

So let's settle down a bit

and go say our prayers.

We can ask the Gods to fix

that fortune of yours!

[NAKA] I'll teach you

how to pray at the shrine.

Bow twice.

Clap twice.

[claps]

♪

[YUKI] Ms. Riko, Ms. Naka

and Master Hitoyoshi,

they're always

looking out for me.

I wish to stay with them.

Not just this year,

but forever.

[cellphone vibrates]

INCOMING CALL - DAD I'VE

GONE TO THE SHRINE. -YUKI

[cellphone ringing]

♪