Mushishi Zoku Shou

They seem strange and alien.

Primitive and peculiar,

they are unlike any flora or fauna known to us.

Since time immemorial,

men have feared these misshapen entities,

which came to be known as "mushi."

Mushi

Mushi

And we broke

Everything that was right

We both enjoyed a good fight

And we sewed

All the holes we had to breathe

To make the other one leave

And I loved

The way you looked at me

And I miss

The way you made me feel

When we were alone

When we were alone

And I'll shiver like I used to

And I'll leave him just for you

And I'll shiver like I used to

Mushi-Shi

Mushi-Shi

Just for you

Like I used to

Whenever he drank, my father would tell me this story.

I wonder how many years it's been now.

One evening, on his way home from a neighboring village,

he found himself lost.

He walked and walked until he lost sight of the road,

but just when he was at a complete loss...

Finally!

Thank goodness.

That's where the road must be.

Huh? I wonder where that light is coming from.

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The Banquet at the Edge of the Forest

As he drew closer,

an indescribably alluring scent of sake wafted toward him.

With that scent compelling him to sit down and take a sip,

he snuck into the gathering to do just so.

The sake he'd smelled gleamed like pure gold.

Rokusuke.

Oh, I'm over here!

You've done a fine job.

You can head home for the day and relax.

Thank you.

Oh, um, Brewmaster?

Hm?

I was wondering if I might take home a bit of this year's sake.

Oh, of course.

I'm certain your father will be impressed this year.

When I was young, whenever Dad brewed sake,

I'd have to take it to the neighboring village, much like I'm doing now.

During those times,

the moment I stepped onto the mountain path,

I felt like there were things clinging to me everywhere.

Whoa...

Phew, that was close.

By the time I finally reached the village,

there was always noticeably less sake.

The brewmaster confronted me about it one day and scolded me rather harshly,

but my father never once reproached me because of it.

When you were in the mountains, did it feel like something was clinging to you?

It did! There was stuff all around me that I couldn't see,

and before I knew it, some of the sake had disappeared.

Really!

I see.

Those things that clung to you love good sake.

They must have found our brew to be to their liking again this year.

But even tasting this good, it's still a far cry from that golden sake.

Golden sake?

I've told you about it before, haven't I?

That shining, golden sake...

I'll never forget how it tasted.

I've been trying to get my sake to taste like that ever since.

Sake is a living thing, you know.

If I open up my senses and listen to what it's saying,

I'm certain it'll respond to me someday.

Sake can speak?

Yeah.

If you intend to brew sake yourself one day, be sure to remember that.

I've finally done it, Dad.

Yeah, it's perfect!

Whoa!

I'm tripping all over myself, for some reason.

Am I drunk already?

Huh?

Where am I?

I must've taken a wrong turn somewhere.

I should retrace my steps.

What?

What is this? Are these hairs from a wild animal?

Wai—

Hey!

Stop!

Hey, where are you taking it?!

Get back here.

Give me that!

Huh? I wonder where that light's coming from.

Why are they in a place like this?

What are you doing?

Um, well...

Oh, you have kouki.

No need for you to be shy, then.

The sake's shining.

Does that mean this is...

the sake Dad told me about?

I don't remember ever meeting you before.

You a new mushi-shi?

Huh?

Uh...

So they'll go away if I give them some sake?

"Mushi-shi"? Is that what these people are?

Hey, Ginko.

I've got some good mushi cigarettes this time.

You don't say.

Want a few in exchange for some kouki?

What, are you out?

I don't have much left myself, though.

Come on!

I'm sure you can spare at least a drop!

All right, then... in exchange for all your cigarettes.

What?!

Isn't that a bit too much?

Well, you're the one who ran out of kouki.

Come on, man, don't be like that.

Hey, you!

That's right. I'm talking to you.

That's kouki you've got in there, isn't it?

Can't you spread the love a little?

Actually, this is...

That jug looks nice and heavy.

Quit being so stingy.

If you're not interested in mushi cigarettes, I've got other goods too.

This cup looks so familiar.

Oh, that caught your eye?

I was told that it's a very famous piece.

I traded a cup of kouki for it back in the day.

You've got quite the eye, young man.

You forgot to mention that when you tried to pawn it, you found out it was a piece of junk.

You jerk!

This belonged to Dad.

Come on, Ginko!

Why don't you just shut your trap?

Dad used to carry this around everywhere.

What gives you the right to interfere in my business?

Can I have this?

What? You'll give me some kouki for that?

Eh?

Well, can't say I have a problem with that.

Thanks a lot.

You're welcome.

He's not going to drink it?

Actually, now that I notice it,

not one person here is drinking the shining sake.

What in the world could it be for?