Konohana Kitan (このはな綺譚)

There are so many people!

Yuzu.

-- Yuzu! --

Careful not to get too distracted.

I don't want you getting lost, okay?

Right. Sorry. I'll stick close.

Coming through!

Everybody out of the way, unless you want to be seriously hurt!

Move it, missy!

Oh. Pardon me. Sorry.

Hmph!

This being your first time in the city,

you must be so curious about everything.

Uh-huh!

The cherry blossoms here are so beautiful.

Look ahead, Yuzu.

You can see it. We're almost there.

This is it.

The hotel and hot spring where you'll be working

starting today. Konohanatei.

So... Is this her?

Little fox kid that you said wants a job here?

Yes.

Well. She doesn't look like much.

but since you and I have known each other a while.

I'll take her on.

--Kiri. -- Yes, boss? I'm here.

This is our head manager, Kiri.

She'll teach you how we do things here.

I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Kiri.

I look forward to working with you.

All right! That's enough sentimentality.

Time to get to work.

Natsume! Satuski!

She's here. Yay!

Girls. This is Yuzu.

Let's get her started.

You heard her, Natsume.

Go on and get the new girl all cleaned up.

That's just Satsuki for ya.

Don't take it personally. You'll get used to it.

So pretty.

She reminds me of Sister Bikuni.

Okay, clothes off.

[screams

Come on. Don't be so shy.

Really. I can wash myself!

Oh, my. Such big breasts for a small girl.

Hold still. Or this will take a lot longer.

What are you scrubbing me with?

--Is that a rock? -- Stop squirming!

It's just a pumice stone.

--I really want to get out now! Morons.

Next, we'll get you dressed.

I've prepared some kimonos for her that I think

will go well with her hair and eyes.

You're really on task, Ren. Excellent.

Look at her! She's so cute!

And you can call me Ren.

Good to be working with you.

Why, thank you.

Good to be working with you, too.

Though it's only been a few seconds.

Ah--

Is she serious?

Does she really not understand a turn of phrase?

I was just being polite!

What's wrong with you, you silly fox?

Thank you, Ren.

You can get back to your usual work, now.

-- -- Yes, Kiri.

She has to be slow or something.

There's more?

Hush now. Just come with me.

Take a look out there, Yuzu.

After the shrine to the gods, Konohanatei is

the second highest point in the entire city.

So what you see is a rare privilege

we're very lucky to have.

It's amazing!

The city's so big,

and there are so many people down there.

I've never seen anything like it.

You and Sister Bikuni always lived way out

on your own, didn't you?

Yes..

Heh.

And now that that's over with.

You'll be partnered up with Satuski here

till you know the ropes. Happy working, ladies!

Hold on.

Shouldn't she be apprenticing under Natsume or Ren?

Why should I be the one?

Oh? Don't think you can handle it, huh?

If our brilliant Satsuki isn't up to the task,

what shall we do?

Hey. I never said I couldn't--

I'm sure your older sister isn't having

any difficulties supervising and instructing the staff members

she's working with right now.

Hmph!

Let's go, shrimp. There's work to be done.

Okay. Coming!

Welcome, gentlemen.

Hello, Kiri. Is the boss well?

She is, indeed. Maybe too well.

Think we might be able to eat a little early?

Of course. Not a problem at all.

An early dinner it is.

Hurry up and finish that. We have guests.

Pardon me, ladies.

Is this the way to the outdoor baths?

Yes, sir.

They are located just at the end of the path there.

Please relax and enjoy your stay.

Yes. Please enjoy your stay.

Idiot.

Always make sure you're on your feet when a guest approaches.

I'm sorry.

Remember, the guests are what's most important.

So never get in their way.

Got it. Understood.

A big group of unexpected guests

sure is a pain.

Wow, that looks a lot cleaner.

Oh. Thank you.

But be sure not to polish it too much,

or you'll slip.

Huh?

I went overboard..

Oh, my! What an excellent bath!

He shrank!

Are you hurt, sir...?

Is anything broken?

No, dear.

Are you injured at all, child?

I'm truly, deeply sorry, sir!

We'll let the manager know what happened and come by later

to make a proper apology.

That won't be necessary.

I'm sure the little one there was hurt far worse than me.

I'm sorry. That was all my fault.

Just be more careful from now on.

Apologizing won't always fix everything.

Yes, but...

Shouldn't I tell Kiri and go see the guest later, by myself?

You're missing the point, moron.

We all share responsibility for what happens here.

Regardless of who messed up, I did what needed to be done.

Okay. Thank you for having my back.

You're always so fiercely independent, Satsuki.

I never knew you had such team spirit.

I was saving my own face, not hers.

Where any guests are concerned,

if one staff member here makes a mistake,

it's everyone's mistake.

I know, someday, I'll be quitting this place,

but until then, I'll do my job.

Truly, I'm fine.

No apologies necessary.

Thank you, sir.

And what about you?

Are you all right? No broken bones, I hope.

No! I only have a little bruise on my bottom.

--That's all. --

Dear me. You poor girl.

That sounds painful.

Here. Use this compress.

It will make you feel better.

That's very kind, sir.

Are you a pharmacist?

Please, sir. You must let us pay for that.

And we'll buy other medicines as well.

It's the least we can do as a token of apology.

Can we afford that?

A token of.. apology?

Yes.

We would like to make amends by helping your business.

But medicine is to help the injured or treat the sick.

It's not something you should buy as a way of apologizing.

-- Actually... --

If you would like to help my business,

there is something.

This is a very special medicine,

used to treat a wide variety of ailments.

Sugar candy?

And I'm afraid I don't have enough

of the stardust I need to make more.

Stars are so high.

Could you knock some down for me?

But that's just ordinary candy.

Does he think we're that naive?

With all due respect, sir. What you are--

Of course, sir!

We'll knock some down for you as soon as it gets dark!