Kemono Jihen (怪物事変)

This is the first time we've gone on an excursion with everyone.

But I grew up in the mountains, so I'd have rather gone to the beach.

Ah, Kabane-kun, want some chocolate?

You sure seem to be enjoying yourself, aren't you?

And this isn't an excursion.

Shiki, congratulations. You're going to see your parents.

It's not like I'm going to get to see them.

We might be able to track them down, that's all.

What's going on? I thought you said you didn't care about your parents.

Did you have a change of heart or something?

Stop grinning at me!

The truth is, I do actually care about them.

I've just been running away from this,

afraid of what to do if there was a harsh reality in store.

But I'm fine now.

I have this place, a-and friends, too...

And hey! Don't you say anything to them!

"Episode 7: Home"

"Episode 7: Home"

The place where we're going is where you were born, right?

"Episode 7: Home"

And we're going to meet up with your uncle there.

And we're going to meet up with your uncle there.

Yeah. Before I came to stay with Inugami-san,

I lived in the city with my uncle.

And before that, I lived around here with my mom.

"Ye Olde Daikoku Mercantile"

"Ye Olde Daikoku Mercantile"

Wow! There's so much stuff here!

"Mogami Goods"

Wow! There's so much stuff here!

I'm going to the inn to get us settled.

You guys do whatever you want to pass the time.

Okay!

Hmm, which one should I get?

You're already buying souvenirs?

"The Legend of Nishikigumo"

Kabane-kun, what do you have there?

Some kind of book.

Oh, that's a famous old folk tale around here.

What kind of story?

"Once upon a time, not too far from here,

there was a poor young man by the name of Shige.

One day, as Shige was returning home from work,

there was a spider going through the food at his place.

The kindhearted Shige shared his food with the spider,

saying "There isn't much here, but make yourself at home."

The next day, when he awoke,

beautiful golden spider webs extended throughout Shige's run-down shack.

Shige sold the spider silk, became rich, and lived happily ever after."

Hmm...

You'll find stories like that everywhere.

Shiki, is something the matter?

No...

That kid was looking me over hard.

Huh? That's surprising.

I didn't think you were the type that children found endearing.

What did you just say?!

"Delivery available"

"Delivery available"

Oh, here you are.

Shiki, I just happened to run into Tademaru-sensei.

Huh?

It's a little earlier than we planned on.

Hey, Shiki, long time!

Uncle!

How long has it been? Ever since you left, you don't write very often.

Huh? How cold!

Oh, can it.

...Shiki...

Let me start from the top.

I'm Tademaru Akio. I'm Shiki's father's younger brother.

I'm also a bit of a folklorist.

Folklorist?

A scholar.

Huh? Amazing!

Ha-ha, just a small-time one.

Also, despite being all human, Uncle knows about us Kemono.

Huh?

I have no intention of jeopardizing your existence.

Inugami-san would be angry with me if I did.

Are you Shiki's friends?

They're simply the people I work with.

Hmm? Huh?! Why do you say it like that?!

Is that all they are?

Inugami-san, would you be quiet?

Kabane-kun, let's eat all of Shiki's share of the snacks later.

Wow, talk about surprises!

Imagine, little Shiki growing up to be so even-tempered...

What kind of child was Shiki?

Oh, he was so rambunctious, I didn't know what to do with him.

Always getting into fights. I was right to let Inugami-san take him in.

Uncle! Those stories aren't the reason why we came here!

Sorry, sorry.

You're here about your mother, aren't you?

Back then, I was still a student, and I tagged along with my brother,

who was researching the folklore of Kinshigo,

when we went into those woods.

Folklore?

The Legend of Nishikigumo. You don't know it?

That old tale?

I thought it was made up.

Old tales are one kind of folk material.

Much of it springs from things that happen in people's lives.

So maybe the origins of The Legend of Nishikigumo were based on something.

With that thought, my brother and I went into the woods...

...and Shiki...

...that's where we encountered your mom.

I've told you everything up to now, right?

But from here on are some things that I've kept from you.

Let's step away.

Hmm? Oh, mm-hmm.

I hope Shiki is all right.

I think he'll be fine. He had a determined look on his face.

Okay... Ah, Shiki!

How come you guys are the only ones who get ice cream?

I want some, too.

How did it go, talking about your mom and dad?

Hmm? Oh, yeah, well, you know...

They're dead. Both of them.

But you don't have to look so depressing.

Honestly, I had the feeling they were. It wasn't that great a shock, really.

Uncle told me...

Your dad passed away while you were still inside your mom's tummy,

and your mom got sick and passed away when you were five.

The reason why you're carrying the trauma that you are

is likely because you saw your mom's dead body up close.

I really am sorry. I couldn't bring myself to tell you.

To be honest, it's a relief. It's like a weight's been lifted from my shoulders.

I'm glad we came here.

Thanks, Inugami-san.

I hope you find your parents, too, yeah?

Shiki, you're not acting like yourself.

Huh?

You're unusually cheerful.

I don't think it's natural. It's as if you're trying too hard--

Shh! No, Kabane-kun, don't say that right now!

Shiki is doing the best he can to put on a brave face!

The truth is, he's fighting back tears! We have to pretend not to notice!

We do?

Yes, we do!

--What... --Now, now.

Shiki, where's Tademaru-sensei?

Oh, I left him by the river bed. He said he wanted to be alone.

He looked like he was getting ready to cry.

I see.

"Mannen-ya Inn & Spa"

This is so awkward. The other two aren't talking.

But what do I even say at a time like this?

--Wah! The full monty! --Hi there. Forgive the intrusion.

Huh? Aren't you...?

Nobimaru. I wish you would have said something if you were going out of town.

It took quite some doing for me to catch up to you.

Who's this guy?

Ah, it's just us in here at the moment, right?

Okay, I guess there's no need to hide anything.

A kitsune?!

Please don't worry. Even among kitsune, I'm the least of the least.

I can't even hide my ears and tail.

Least of the least?

You didn't seem that way to me.

Well, let's put that aside for now. What's the matter?

You all seem to be feeling down about something.

What would you say to going out and exploring the local area after this?

I hear there are fireflies at the waterfront.

Wow! Amazing! How pretty! I've never seen fireflies before!

Hey, Shiki, aren't they pretty?

I guess. This isn't my first time seeing them.

...Shiki...

Hmm? Is something the matter?

No, it's nothing.

Hey, let's go and look at them even closer! Come on, come on!

--It was worth it to suggest we come here. --Yeah, over here, over here! Amazing!

--Nobimaru, thanks. You were right, I don't think we were in good spirits. --Yeah, over here, over here! Amazing!

--Nobimaru, thanks. You were right, I don't think we were in good spirits. --Look!

--Nobimaru, thanks. You were right, I don't think we were in good spirits. --Isn't it pretty how this firefly moves around?

--Nobimaru, thanks. You were right, I don't think we were in good spirits. --They all move the same.

But I didn't know what to do, so this was very helpful.

I'm honored. I overheard about Shiki-kun while I was spying on you.

This is fortunate for you, isn't it?

Hmm? Fortunate?

Oh, am I mistaken?

Both you and Shiki-kun are looking for your parents, right?

If Shiki-kun's parents were still alive, while your parents were dead,

that would upset you, wouldn't it?

Would you be able to sincerely congratulate Shiki-kun?

What would I be upset about? I don't understand what you mean.

You don't? I guess you aren't ready for that yet.

You're a tough case. You aren't giving me much to take advantage of.

Shiki, did you find something?

Hmm? Oh, no, it's not that big a deal.

It just seems like I've seen this tree before.

When I was a kid, I used it as some kind of marker...

Let's see, at the haunted tree, turn right!

At the monkey rock, turn left!

What could have suddenly come over him?

I don't know. But I think something is up.