Natsume Yuujinchou Roku

Natsume Yujin-cho Roku

Dang it.

We're holding our study session on the mountain this year?

I wish we could've gone to the sea.

They're making us study, so who cares either way?

I care!

The best moments of youth come in the gaps when you're not studying!

Right, Natsume?

You'd rather go to the beach and set off fireworks, right?

I heard we can set fireworks, if we get permission.

That's not the problem!

Wait!

The water's so clear, huh?

Every year, the school holds a study camp for volunteers

for three days and two nights.

Even if it's mostly studying,

during cleaning time, we clean not just the school building,

but we go out and clean the riverside and mountain itself.

It's pretty relaxed and fun.

We split up into a group and were asked to

clean a small shrine on the other side of the river.

What do they worship here?

Oh, I've heard.

Take a look.

Let me see.

You, too, Natsume and Tanuma.

You okay, Natsume?

Yeah.

It's in good shape, for one thing.

You don't really feel anything yourself, do you?

Nope.

Hurry.

Excuse me.

Masks?

What

Flows

See those masks?

This is called Four Mask Hill.

Huh.

So that's why there are four masks.

Four Mask Hill?

Even though there's only three?

That's right.

It's Four Mask Hill, but there are only three masks.

Everyone else only sees three?

So one of them's a youkai?

I heard this from my brothers, so I don't know reliable it is,

but they say the god of the mountain once lived here.

Then he moved up the mountain,

and four of his followers stayed here to protect the mountain and the mountain god.

That's the story.

That's kind of romantic.

How?

They don't seem evil or anything,

but masks are always kind of creepy, huh?

Yeah.

Let's finish cleaning up.

They are a little creepy,

but if they're youkai that protect the mountain god,

as long as we don't make contact with them, we should be fine.

No way, Nomiya-sensei!

We're eating meals separate from the girls? Seriously?

The girls are eating in the new building up the mountain,

and the boys are eating in the old building here.

The cafeterias are cramped, you see.

So why did we come here?

The boys and girls are taking turns with the baths.

What?

Sensei, the boys are being perverted.

Sasada, why you—

What?

Keep your mouth shut!

It's true, right?

It's started to rain.

Wow, the river's overflowing.

It's a flood.

This building might flood, too.

Hey, don't say that.

Maybe it really will...

Hey, stop making a fuss.

Get ready to sleep.

Sensei, we'll be okay here, right?

The new building's on high ground.

If we have to, we can evacuate—

So we'll be with the girls?

You idiot!

There's not a trace left of that rain from yesterday.

The water's gone down, but stay away from the river.

Okay.

All right, time for morning self-study.

I'll be in the night watch room.

Okay.

Nya— Nyanko-sensei?

What's wrong, Natsume?

I'm going to the bathroom.

Hey, Nyanko-sensei!

What are you doing here?

How'd you even get here?

I snuck into your bag, of course.

No wonder it felt heavy!

I heard there's a sake spring around here and I'm looking for it.

But after that big rain, I can't find it.

Help me.

I'm here to study.

Jeez... make sure nobody sees you, Sensei!

How embarrassing would it be if they saw me taking my cat to a study camp?

It's a little late for that.

You always worry about little things like that—

What's wrong, Sensei?

A boat.

After a rain like that?

Idiot! Don't look at her!

That woman kept her face under the water as she slowly passed by in her boat.

I don't think she was human.

There you are, Natsume.

You were in the bathroom a long time so we came to look for you.

You slacking off?

Huh, Natsume, that cat...

This is...

What a pain.

Just this once.

Huh, it's not a cat.

I saw a stray cat...

Is that a boar piglet?

That's right. It's a boar piglet.

Huh? A boar piglet?

Hey, you kids!

It's study time!

Oh, crap!

You can laugh if you want, Tanuma.

I have to tell Taki about Nyanko-sensei's boar piglet version.

Please don't.

It'd turn into a mess.

Yummy Nyanko-sensei!

Stop it...

Yeah.

Anyway, that boat...

It seemed like it was just going down the river.

I don't have to worry about it, do I?

Natsume, you done with the text?

Yes, sensei—

Natsume?

Tanuma doesn't see it.

What's wrong. Are you okay?

Yeah...

That's one of the masks from Four Masks Hill.

Okay, you are done.

Um, Nomiya-sensei.

Are you feeling sick at all?

Like you have a headache, or you're feeling drowsy?

No, not really.

Sensei, it's not fair that we're the only ones who have to do this!

Why are you complaining when you skipped study hall?

We were looking for Natsume!

And Natsume finished already.

So I guess I'm the only one who can see that mask?

If Tanuma is fine, it's probably a wimp.

Leave it alone.

But would it attach itself to someone's face for no reason?

It's a little creepy.

Sure it's creepy,

but it doesn't have the power to control him,

so it may as well not exist, right?

Well, whatever.

If you're that worried, I'll take a look at this mask.

Thanks...

That's pretty kind for you, Sensei.

I'm more bored than I thought.

Where's Nomiya-sensei?

Sensei, did you hear the sound of water?

What is this feeling?

I hear something like a river.

Like the river that thing was flowing down...

Natsume Yujin-cho Roku

Is that because of the rain yesterday?

But why now?

I have to tell the teachers...