Kemono Jihen (怪物事変)

Master, you work as a detective, too?

That works out perfectly.

I'm not a master.

And that's my own personal stuff. Don't drink too much of it.

Come to think of it, I don't know the reason why half of the office is a bar.

He says it's a relic of the past.

Apparently, before he took us in, he ran the detective business with a partner.

The bar was supposedly his partner's pursuit.

Inugami-san says he isn't interested in it, though, and leaves it unattended.

A partner?

We don't know what they're up to now.

And don't ask Inugami-san about it. It's a sensitive subject.

All right.

Whatever, just listen to me, please.

There's this woman that I like,

"Episode 4: Mission"

There's this woman that I like,

"Episode 4: Mission"

but I don't know anything about her.

Like her real name, or her contact information.

You sure she just doesn't like you?

No, that's not true! She's extremely nice!

I want to find out more about her.

If only I could tell her how much my heart aches for her...

It must be love, right?

Yes! Love!

Love?

"Koi."

I need to go use the restroom.

It's back there.

I love koi. The koi at the park are especially plump and tasty.

Not that kind of "koi"!

It's kind of nice, isn't it? We should be supportive.

I love a good love story!

And what's wrong with it? Shiki, you were born out of the love

of your human father and Kemono mother.

Cut that out! It's gross!

Born out of love?

Hmm? What's the matter, Kabane?

Akira said that hanyo are born out of love between humans and Kemono.

If I learn about love, I might come to understand my parents better.

If I go with that gentleman, will I be able to find love?

"There's so much I could say, I don't even know where to begin...."

"There's so much I could say, I don't even know where to begin...." That depends on you. If you're up for it, I can leave this case to you.

"There's so much I could say, I don't even know where to begin...." Please, let me do it.

Okay. Then Shiki and Akira, you two offer him some support.

Support?

And you, the kitsune girl...

It's Kon.

Kon... You said that you wanted Kabane's head, didn't you?

If you help out with our job, I'll give it to you as a reward.

--Really? --Whoa, Inugami-san!

Are you being serious? You do have something in mind, don't you?

Don't worry, don't worry. Besides...

...it's better to have a girl along if you want to learn about love, right?

You're just amusing yourself, aren't you?

Sir,

if my associates will do,

we can assist you with your romantic troubles, cheap. What do you say?

They're children, though. This won't work.

I promise you, we will accomplish our mission.

That's not what the issue is.

Well, whatever. Okay, is tomorrow all right?

My name is Yoruno. Tomorrow night near Shinjuku Station's east exit...

Sorry about that. With the mouse around, I couldn't help myself.

I'm collecting them. Sometime, when I can see my girl privately,

I'm going to give them to her as presents.

I'll be in the restroom!

Oh my, so this is feline possession.

Feline?

It's the work of a nekomata.

A Kemono that turns into an attractive man or woman to seduce people.

I suspect this love will prove to be fruitless.

Is love something that grows on trees?

Hmm, you might say that.

I caught these mice. Give me the head.

Okay, Kon, let's review what the job actually is.

Whew, that was terrifying.

Akira...

Why don't you sit this one out?

Huh? But why?

You don't handle the scary and disgusting stuff so well, right?

If Shiki and Kabane get caught in a tight spot,

can you help them if you're facing something scary?

W-Well, I...

You can help me with my office work tomorrow. Okay?

Am I just in the way?

No, not at all. If we face something cute, you'll be our anchorman, right?

That is true!

I'll do my best with the office work.

I have some cute labels I've been saving! They have alpacas!

You don't have any tanuki?

"Kabukicho"

She works over at that establishment.

That's for mature audiences!

Mature?

It means to be ripe or fully grown.

I read it in a newspaper.

What's the woman's name?

Mao-chan.

This is her.

We're going in.

Hold it!

Why? Don't stop us.

You guys are acting way too fast!

It's an establishment for adults, so children can't go inside.

Oh, is that right?

Besides, her shift should be just about over.

But it's the strangest thing. I've waited for her outside like this before,

but I've never seen her.

A cat.

This is a nekomata's doing. That explains it.

Do we catch it and eat it?

You dummy, that's our target.

Are you Mao-chan-san?

I'm sorry if we startled you.

We're from the Inugami Strangeness Counseling Office.

Inugami?

Dealing with a cat like this is ridiculous.

Oh, the Kemonoist? I've heard stories about him.

Is there something you need from me?

Our client, Yoruno-san, said he has fallen in love with you,

and that he wants to know more about you.

Th-That's Mao-chan's voice, coming from a cat...

Oh, you? I see now.

Boo!

Mao-chan!

You didn't have to go and hire a detective.

I was about to have you join their ranks before long.

It's pretty tough for a cat to get by in the city, you know.

But don't worry. I'll make sure to look after you.

Those cats...!

Former customers. Just like the fellow over there.

But it's funny. If you aren't a cat, then you haven't been entirely seduced.

It isn't seduction.

Huh?

It's love.

Love? Ha-ha, that's a real shame!

As you can see, I'm a neko--

Caught you.

When did you manage that?!

Amazing.

I know.

Here's your subject. State your terms.

It doesn't seem real, but you really are Mao-chan, aren't you?

Um, these are some mice that I caught for you. Would you accept them?

Before I met you, I was someone who had nothing.

I didn't have any friends, or any interests, and was all by myself.

I just went through the motions every day.

But Mao-chan, you're the first ray of light I've ever had.

Please turn me into a cat. I want to live for you.

I have no attachments to my life as a human.

Did that fulfill the client's request?

Who knows? But given the way things went...

Well, there were those human-faced cats, too, so we'd better report that.

I'm not leaving until I have your head, Kabane.

Oh, that's right.

What are you planning to do about that, Inugami-san?

All right, I promised.

Okay, Kon, close your eyes until I say to open them.

Very well.

Let's see...

I guess this will work.

I have it, all right. Thanks for your cooperation.

Sure. See you around.

She's going to figure it out in no time.

Oh, what does it matter? She's not a bad kid.

So, did you find out anything on the love front?

Yes.

Pocket tissues?

I got them on the way back. I'm giving them to you.

Love is a lot like light.

Inugami-san, you showed me that life can have meaning.

Put another way, I think that's light.

Also, apparently, people give others things that will benefit them.

Tissues are handy, so I believe they will benefit you.

How deep in the bubble have you been living?

Shiki and Akira, I think you're also somewhat lights.

I'll get something for you soon.

I like things that are sweet, or cute.

Well, whatever.

Huh?!

Those two got together?!

Yeah.