Fukigen na Mononokean

By "our next job," you mean when I went to deal with Jomatsu-san,

and you were off somewhere else?

You just went to discuss the job, right?

Yeah.

Which means we're going to exorcise that yokai today?

I wonder what kind of yokai it is.

I'm getting changed. Wait here.

Okay.

Abeno-san seems more dispirited than usual.

Hanae, what's our client like this time?

I haven't yet heard what kind of yokai hired us, either.

Isn't this next job from a human and not a yokai?

Not a yokai, but a human?

I don't know anything else about it, though...

They've been indirectly involved before,

but this is the first time a human has come directly to us.

Mystery 9 "The Marked Difference"

Wow...

What a huge house.

Welcome! Huh?

There's two of you today?

This is my assistant.

My name's Ashiya. Nice to meet—

This way.

Sorry we couldn't talk properly the other day.

My mom suddenly came home.

It's fine.

This girl is our client?

The room we'd like you to exorcise is this way.

It's my room.

That's where the mysterious phenomena are happening?

That's right.

A room where mysterious things happen, huh?

Um, what are these?

This "forbidden room" couldn't be more obvious!

They're sealing talismans I put up.

I did some research online and stuck all kinds of them on.

I don't think they worked, though.

I see.

I'm taking them off.

But I worked so hard to put them up!

So that's it.

Is there something in there?

There's a ghost?

What's it like? What kind of ghost?

I was a little dubious,

but there's actually something in there.

Abeno-san, what's inside?

Hairball, come.

Um, what should I do?

Hey, what is it?

Make sure she doesn't come inside.

What's in there?

Okay...

I want to watch you exorcise it! Let me see!

Hey, listen...

Could you move away from this room?

What? I won't get in the way.

Let me watch.

Well, you know, exorcisms require focus.

Plus, it could be dangerous.

Aww! I wanted to watch!

Are you enjoying this situation?

Wh-What?

Ashiya-san, right?

Yes.

What does an exorcism involve?

Well, it varies case by case...

Can you sense spirits, too?

You can, right?

After all, you're his assistant.

Um...

You must have had scary experiences, right?

What's the scariest thing that's happened to you?

I visit paranormal spots all the time.

The one I went to the other day was...

E-Excuse me.

What?

Exactly what kind of supernatural phenomena have been occurring?

Sometimes different parts of the room rattle and shake,

even though I'm not doing anything.

It must be a poltergeist, right?

A polter...?

How long has it been happening?

Hasn't he told you anything?

Not really.

He must not expect much from you.

What do you think he's doing?

Can I take a peek?

Is this what human clients are like?

Maybe this is why Abeno-san seemed so depressed.

Anyway, I wonder what kind of yokai is inside.

Who are you?

Mom, welcome home.

He's an exorcist.

H-Hello.

Is she glaring at me?

Did I do something rude?

Unbelievable!

You actually went and hired one after I told you not to?

But I'm paying them with my own allowance, so what's the problem?

No one said you could waste your allowance!

I'm not wasting it!

They're real-life supernatural phenomena!

This is ridiculous!

There's no such thing!

Th-This isn't good.

If they make a scene now...

There is too!

You're just imagining things!

I-In any case, please calm down.

Well, there's no point in arguing about it out here.

I'm having my daughter make some tea.

Y-You didn't need to do that.

Are Abeno-san and Fuzzy okay?

You...

Y-Yes?

You're a student, aren't you?

I'm in my first year of high school.

The boy in my daughter's room is the one

who came the other day, isn't he?

Is he a student, too?

Yes. We're classmates, technically.

Can you actually exorcise anything?

Honestly, I don't believe in this kind of thing.

Right...

I get it.

She's not glaring at me.

She just doubts us.

I have trouble understanding unscientific things.

You do this because you believe you have a sixth sense, right?

S-Something like that.

I can't exorcise anything, so I more or less assist him.

But you're familiar with the exorcising procedure, right?

This conversation is starting to go in a bad direction.

I'm sorry. I should go help him now.

You're trying to run because you can't answer, aren't you?

That's not true at all.

Then explain it to me.

Explaining it will be hard,

but I guess I just need to convey that we're doing a job.

Well, you see, to exorcise something means...

I'll say it one more time!

Abeno-san opens portals to the Underworld

and sends yokai through them!

Only Abeno-san can open those portals!

People who can't see yokai can't see the portals, either!

What? Can't you explain it more scientifically?

I'm screwed!

In any case, she didn't understand any of it, but I did explain it to her.

Besides, as long as the mysterious phenomena stop,

she shouldn't have an issue, right?

This time I'll run for it.

Um, I really do need to go help him now.

Is it all right if I go?

Fine, I understand.

Then...

Listen, you.

Don't you think you should quit this job?

Since I hired them, I should watch them work.

What good is a job that you can't even explain?

Do your parents know what you're doing?

I don't know your motivation for doing this job,

but if you don't want to be doing it,

I can introduce you to some proper jobs.

Doing this kind of thing with that man

will take you off the right path.

So—

Move.

Do you get what I'm saying to you?

Abeno-san will exorcise the yokai

and make the mysterious phenomena stop.

You can trust us.

Seriously.

An earthquake?

Only this house is shaking.

Could it be...

Hey!

Abeno-san!

You! What are you doing here?

Abeno-san!

What happened?

Where have you been?

Sorry. I got stuck talking to her mother.

Hairball, do you know where it went?

It escaped?

Just when I nearly had him,