Natsume's Book of Friends (夏目友人帳)

I've seen strange things from time to time

since I was a kid.

The fish weren't biting today either.

I am so hungry.

Let's go pick some akebi fruit for dinner.

Halt.

Be straight with me. Have either one of you seen a mortal

make his way through here?

And not just any mortal.

It's the grandson of Reiko Natsume

and current keeper of her book. Where is he?

Lie to me and I shall devour you both,

right along with him.

W-We haven't seen him!

We know nothing!

Huh. Where in the world could he have gone?

Ah, he looked so tasty, too. Curses.

Lost 'im.

A human!

Most of the strange things I see

are spiritual beings, or what people refer to as yokai.

The Book of Friends belonged to my late grandma.

She was incredibly powerful and cocky enough

to challenge every yokai she met to a duel.

When she won, she'd make the losers

write their names down for her to keep.

Those pages are like contracts,

and the one who owns them can control the respective yokai.

Many yokai want that power,

so I have to do a lot more running than most people.

I shouldn't walk in winded.

Huh?

A cup? What's it doing out here?

You get back here right this second!

It's not cool to hide under someone's house!

Takashi?

Um. Hey, how's it going?

Fairly well.

My shopping trip ran long, but I got everything.

Are you doing okay?

Uh! Yeah, I'm great.

Drop something?

I thought I saw a rat scamper in there,

must've imagined it.

Ah. Rats aren't a problem for us, though,

at least not when you have a protector like Lucky Boy.

Yeah, true.

Look at you.

There's actual dirt in your dirty blond hair.

Oh, by the way, we're having sukiyaki tonight.

Nice! Can't wait!

Close call. Gotta be more careful about

doing stuff that comes off as weird.

If there really is a rat,

then I'll have to pick up some traps the next time I'm out.

No. I'm pretty sure we're still rodent-free.

Maybe it was one of the neighbor's puppies.

It's possible.

Well, more importantly, would you like seconds?

Uh... Sure.

After I lost my parents,

I was passed from one relative to another,

but the shuffling stopped when the Fujiwaras took me in.

I don't just live here, it's my home.

Oh, that thing? Kagejawan's the name.

Been living under this house for about two weeks.

Two entire weeks? You can't be serious!

Do your job! Are you a bodyguard or not?

Calm your dumb mind.

Ooh! Looks like I'm a winner!

Go down to the store and fetch me another one!

Master!

Okay, so once in a while when a well-made cup

breaks and gets tossed out,

it absorbs the earth's energy and becomes a Kagejawon.

Because of their association with humans,

they often get lonely and take up residence under their homes.

You're telling me that they miss people?

Yes. They even run around to warn

the inhabitants of impending doom, should it arise.

And if they're feeling particularly noble,

then they may endure whatever that misfortune is

in your stead.

Basically, they're harmless, right?

They wouldn't hurt a fly.

It'll leave on its own once it gets bored.

Leave it be.

I see why you don't care.

This bodyguard deal's a means to an end.

I only care about the yokai with the power

and desire to steal the Book of Friends,

'cause if you have it till you die, I'll get it next!

Good evening.

You're Lord Natsume, are you not?

Please give my name back to me.

When I inherited the Book of Friends,

I decided to return the names my grandma took

to their rightful owners.

I visualize their form,

open the book while concentrating, and say...

Spirit that acts as my guardian, reveal thy name unto me.

The saliva and breath of someone

from my grandma's bloodline are both necessary

to release the names.

I am eternally grateful.

And every name I return leaves me drained.

You fool!

There goes another page and would-be servant!

They come without warning,

then leave the same way.

My life pretty much revolves around them.

Will I ever be strong enough to change that?

I hear something.

Sounds like footsteps.

What the--?

Yes. They even run around to warn the inhabitants

of impending doom, should it arise.

Is the house in danger right now?

Oh, no!

Almost.

Hm?

It's running around!

Inside voice! Not like it's my fault!

Will some kind of disaster really strike?

Or has it already started?

What's eatin' ya, Natsume? International playboy problems?

Nah. It's nothing like that. I just didn't get much sleep.

Gotcha.

Hard to sleep when you're up late looking at smut rags.

Well, you would know.

Wait, what're you two boys gabbing on about over here?

It's an AB chat, so C your way out.

'Scuse me? I'm his friend.

And there are no secrets between friends.

I've made a few friends

since coming to this town.

That's one difference between me 'n' Grams.

Making friends was never her forte.

I think that might have something to do with

why she picked fights with all the yokai

she met throughout her life.

Huh?

Oh, that smarts! Ahh, where'd my cane go?

No worries, ma'am, I gotcha!

Your cane fell right over here. Think you can stand?

Oh dear, you're too kind.

Most would just pass on by since they can't see me.

Uh-oh. She's a yokai!

I sense an extremely powerful

aura about you, sonny!

Let go!

Impeccable timing.

My sight's been failing me more and more.

But you! Your eyes are so good that they can detect yokai!

I need help finding a very formidable yokai

that let me borrow a mirror several long years ago.

I don't know its name,

but I know other yokai feared it because of

the destruction it would leave in its wake.

Someone with your ability

should be able to find it, though!

Put those eyes to use and help!

No way!

I'm sorry, but that's your problem, not mine!

Oh. You see yokai, so surely you know

how things work when you refuse one.

Or am I about to teach you that lesson?

I just don't want any trouble, and who you're looking for

sounds like trouble with a capital T.

There's a chance it'll find our home, and I can't risk that.

Unfortunately, I've taken a liking to you.

Either you agree to lend me a hand, or be cursed.

No!

Meet me here tomorrow, sonny.

If you don't come, I'll kill you!

Master Kittycat!

What did you do this time?

I picked up the cane of a yokai.

Hey! Hey!

Did you seriously get yourself cursed yet again?

Who dares pick on the prey of the mighty and noble Madara?

It was an old lady.

Like a kooky hag? Oh, those are the worst!

Op! Don't go succumbing to the curse, Natsume!

She said something that struck me as odd,

but what was it?

Something random.

Is this the misfortune the teacup monster

tried to warn me about?

You aren't going to bloom this year either?

How sad.

If you wither away, I'll have nothing to look forward to.

Don't worry. I'll come up with a plan to save you.

Wait and see.

A dream? Don't think so.

It felt more like a memory to me.