Natsume's Book of Friends (夏目友人帳)

Where is she? Where did she go?

Come out, you despicable woman!

You can run, but you can't hide!

Where on earth did that vile woman go?

I'm aiming for a part-time job at the beach!

Nice. Just think of all the

babes in bikinis you'll meet.

Yep! Cuties crossin' my path at every--

Uh... Natsume? What are you doing?

What do you think?

Huh?

Never mind.

Is everything okay with you?

I mean, 'cause you're, like, covered in dirt.

I'm good. But more importantly,

is there a shrine somewhere close by?

Huh?

Pretty sure there's one that way.

Just past the thicket.

Thanks!

What is with you, man?

'Kay, bye.

I wonder why he's in such a hurry.

That gust came outta nowhere.

And it was super strong.

What's weirder: the weather or Natsume?

I'm not sure.

He's barely spoken a word since he transferred here.

Which makes it near impossible to talk to the guy.

"What are you doing?" Ha.

They're lucky they can't see what I can.

Halt and face me!

Seeing strange things has been the norm for me

ever since I was a kid.

These creatures are what people call "yokai."

I never did care for them, and once I moved here,

they started bothering me way more,

justifying my aversion even further.

But anytime they rear their heads,

I just have to get to a shrine and then they--

Caught you!

I finally caught you! Reiko!

Reiko?

Now give it back.

Now! Right now!

Hold on. Think this through.

Don't want her saying your name, do we?

Let's tear out her tongue so she can't utter a word.

Her tongue?

Ouch!

No! She's getting away!

That really hurt!

Curse that wretch!

I don't understand why this happens.

It's not like I want to see them.

Wait, Takashi.

We only need three place settings for dinner.

Huh? Just three?

But what about your guest?

He's speaking nonsense again today.

I wouldn't worry, he does it for attention.

Well, I wish he'd stop.

Creeps me out when he says stuff like that.

Look, over there.

Over where?

Nobody's here but us, Takashi.

You're just not looking close enough!

It's right there, by the flowers!

It's dressed in white! And staring back at us!

I promise you!

It's really there.

I'm sorry, I don't see it.

Oh, great. Guess I broke it.

At long last.

The barrier that once sealed me has been destroyed.

Barrier?

Uh-oh!

Crap! No good!

Here we go.

Impudent human!

How dare you not quake at the mere sight of my form!

Not afraid?

I'm just used to it is all.

Hmph. Such cheek.

Know your place.

What-ho.

Huh?

You-- You're Reiko Natsume, yes?

I finally caught you! Reiko!

I see.

See what? Talk sense when you speak.

Reiko Natsume's the name of my grandma.

Ah. You're fruit from her family tree.

Upon closer inspection, 'tis evident you are in fact a male.

Shouldn't have to look that close in order to tell.

Unlike humans, we don't concern ourselves

with notions as inconsequential as gender discrepancy.

Anyway, you knew my grandma?

Yes, she used to live around here.

From what I recall,

she was exceptionally beautiful, too.

And like you, she was capable of

perceiving supernatural things as well.

But the humans that surrounded her

were not gifted with the same sight,

thus no one she knew ever truly came to understand her.

She was always by herself throughout her life.

Perpetually and utterly alone.

Alone.

As a result,

she eventually began to involve herself with yokai instead.

Do you know of the Book of Friends?

That rings a bell.

Oh, I think my grandma--

It's gone.

Oh! Welcome back, Takashi!

Hey there, Missus Fujiwara.

My goodness, your face is as pale as a ghost!

Huh?

Are you feeling sick?

No, I feel perfectly fine.

You mean perfectly covered in dirt!

How on earth did you get so filthy?

I, um... I just tripped on my way home.

So you fell?

Did you fall hard?

Did you hurt yourself?

If so, I'll patch you up!

I told you I'm fine.

If anything, I feel bad for worrying you.

Honest! I'm fit as a fiddle!

Glad to hear you're okay.

Though if something does happen, you be sure to let me know!

You got it.

Thanks for always lookin' out.

Nothing wrong with a little mischief,

but don't take it too far.

Fair enough.

I could never tell her I was chased by a yokai,

unless I was trying to freak her out.

The less she knows about that stuff, the better.

I lost my parents when I was a kid,

and ever since, I've gone from one relative's house to another.

A few people who took me in weren't even related by blood,

but since they still had some kind of connection to me,

they felt inclined to open their doors.

About a month ago,

I started calling this place my home.

As fate would have it,

my grandmother once lived here, too.

She's another family member of mine that passed away,

and much like me, she had the unique ability

to see things that appeared invisible to others,

and was shunned because of it.

I could've sworn I saw it somewhere.

Ah, here it is.

Is this what that Lucky Cat meant?

What are these? Scribbles?

You should hand that over.

An article of that significance is

not something for you to possess.

Give me the Book of Friends, or I'll take it!

Huh?

Takashi? What was that noise just now?

Uh, it was nothing! I'm moving some furniture!

Oh. Well, I'm going shopping.

Make sure the house is still here when I get back!

Right. Have a good trip!

Contemptable mortal!

Release me this instant!

Wait, give me the Book of Friends!

No, no, no.

First, get me out of here,

and then give me the Book of Friends!

I'll leave him be for a while.

Get me out!

How many times are you going to make me say it?

Once you eat that, go home.

Generous for a freeloader, eh?

Says the stupid stray. Shut up.

That's no way to address a being such as I!

While I have gotten used to this body,

it is not my true form.

Cats aren't anywhere near as graceful as I,

the very epitome of elegance!

Wait, so you only look like a kitty?

Wonderful, your ears seem to work.

You're definitely a cat.

I'm most certainly not!

I've just had this form for so long,

I've grown accustomed to it!

Well, whatever form you take,

make sure it takes you outta here.

The last thing I want is trouble.

I refuse to leave you.

Huh?

Why would I go now that I've confirmed

you're the one who holds the Book of Friends?