"Yeah!" "All right!" "I did it!" "Huh?" "Maple-colored Love" "If you listen closely, you should be able to hear" "The faint voice calling out to you" "Yes, deep within the thick woods of three thousand worlds" "Someone is screaming out to pry open the night" "Secret world, let's go to help beyond the veil" "Close your eyes and fly towards an invisible world" "Of the past, of the future" "Secret world, secret world" "Yoko, isn't this tea getting thinner and thinner?" " I had to recycle a bit." " It's almost completely clear." "'Cause I didn't use that many leaves." "This isn't any different from just drinking hot water." "Right, Haruka?" " This is an exceptional cup of tea." " It's all perspective." " Ah, what a delicious cup of tea." " You're so, so, so cheap!" "Don't like it?" "Get off your butt and write!" "Without money, there's not much I can do." " No!" "It's not fair!" "Not fair!" "No, no!" " Just write something, OK?" "Then maybe you'll be able to get some nicer tea!" "It's a miracle I've been able to keep our finances in order all this time." "Pardon me." "Sorry to have kept you waiting, sir." "Oh..." "You're..." " What are you doing here, miss?" " This is quite a coincidence." " More like a wish granted." " Excuse me?" "Well, I had wanted to see you again." "Huh?" "I never thought that the young man Yoko told me about would be the owner of Fushimi-ya." " She mentioned me?" " Sure." "She said she ran into a nice fellow out on a walk, and it put her in high spirits." " You don't have to tell him all that." " Embarrassed?" " What is with you?" " Oh, it's OK." "Huh." "Here." "Please have a little tea, sir." "Thank you, miss." "The aroma's... quite pleasant." " It's good." " Huh?" "Serious?" "So, what brings you here?" "Um, well, as I'm sure you're probably aware," "Fushimi-ya has been a fabrics dealer since before the Meiji Era." "It happens that the moment I took over the company, white snakes began appearing throughout the shop." "It's been too much for the employees, and one by one, they've just resigned." "Some people have begun to circulate rumors that Fushimi-ya has been cursed by these white snakes." "Well, that's nothing to worry about." "The white snake is a guardian deity of fortune and wealth." " Having them in your home is a good thing." " Is it really?" "Yes." "And in fact, I envy you." "We've never seen any white snakes in this house, have we?" "I understand about the snake being a guardian and all, but my concern is that soon I won't have any employees left." "We're already having trouble with the household chores." "I don't know how I can help you there." " Hey, I know." "Why not hire me?" " What?" "I just so happen to be looking for a job, so if I get paid for the work..." " Of course." "Would this be all right?" " It's OK with you, isn't it?" " If that's what you wanna do..." " It's all set." " Thank you so much!" "This'll be perfect." " Not at all." "You're very welcome." "[Fushimi-ya Fine Cloths]" "Father, this is Yoko, and she's going to be helping out with the work around here." "Then let me warn you in advance." "Trying to seduce Yoshio is a waste of your time." "Father, how rude of you!" "What kind of thing is that to say to a new hire?" "It happens all the time." "For goodness' sake, open your eyes." "They're all after your money." "Yeah, but Yoko isn't like that." "As if you know." "Listen, Yoshio, you're my eldest son, and..." "Excuse me, sir." "I don't fully understand this, but you don't have to worry about me." "Yoko." "I will be glad to work for the wage you have offered." " I'm truly sorry about my father." " What are you talking about?" "What he said about you, thinking you were after my money and all that." "Oh." "I don't concern myself with that." "Would you mind holding this a moment?" "I'll give it my all!" "Yoko!" "Sorry, do you mind?" "I'm working." " Oh, sounds like it's going well." " Yeah." "The pay is good, and Yoshio's a really nice boss on top of that." "Oh?" "Just what are you looking at me for?" "Would it be all right if I lived there for a little while?" "They're looking pretty short-handed." " It's fine with me." " Thanks, Kantaro." "They've already given me so much stuff to do around the house." "Maybe you'll end up becoming his wife, Yoko." "A real-life Cinderella." " Like Cinderella, huh?" " Mm-hmm." "If that happened, I wouldn't have to write all these manuscripts, and I could devote myself to monster research." " I see." "You're hoping to freeload." " What else is new?" "No, I really hope you find happiness." "I just thought I'd find some myself while you're at it." "Whatever." "But you know, humans and fox spirits really just don't mix." " Is something the matter?" " Oh, Yoko." "We've always had strong ties with that dealer, but now he won't buy wholesale from us." "Western clothes are what's in these days." "Fabric merchants have been suffering." "But it's all right." "Fushimi-ya won't go down." "We've already got our sights set on a new international wholesaler." "In fact, I'm going to see him right now." "I'll make something especially nice for dinner." "I'll be looking forward to it." "See you." "Yeah, see you later!" "That sure was close." "This meal is really delicious, Yoko." "Fried tofu is my favorite dish." "You know, I think it's becoming my favorite too." " I'm so glad you like it." " Oh." "Almost forgot." "I found this at a curio shop I happened to pass by." "I thought it might look good on you." "But I..." "A small token of my appreciation." "Well, thank you." "I will take good care of it." "Yoshio, have you taken the food into the parlor like I asked you?" " No, not yet, Father." " Lazy fool!" "Go do it now!" "Do you want to spoil her good mood?" " I'm sorry." " Are you trying to bring ruin to Fushimi-ya?" " Why don't you ever let me carry it?" " It's no problem." "I can handle it myself." "Come on." "This is part of my job too." "Fushimi-ya" "Let go of it!" " Hey, what's going on?" " You need to understand." "This must be carried by the head of Fushimi-ya." "I've been curious ever since I came here." "Who is in the inner parlor?" "It's my mother." "But if you wanna know the truth, she and I aren't even really related." "Please excuse me." "I'll be right back." "You've come late tonight." "I beg your forgiveness, Mother." "Why not take a little break?" "Oh, what are all those scraps for?" "These are some cloth samples of the kimonos we sell." "I was thinking we might create some new business with these." "I'm trying to come up with a product that the foreigners would be interested in buying." "Oh, wow, that sounds interesting." "Oh, sorry." "Was I being too nosy?" "Not at all." "You seem to have developed feelings for that new employee." "However, the owner of Fushimi-ya will under no circumstances take a bride." "I trust that you have not allowed that rule to escape your memory." "No, I haven't." "I am the one you are to worship, and you shall heed nobody's word but mine." "Fushimi-ya has been protected in this way for generations." "If you do not wish for this house to fall into ruin..." "Yes, I promise to do as you say, Mother." "What's wrong?" "You don't look so well." "Sorry." "It's nothing, really." "I'm just feeling a bit tired right now, but I'll be OK." "Well, be careful." "You don't wanna overdo it." "The truth is, this store will keep doing fine even if I do nothing at all." "A god protects this shop." "Pretty much anyone could manage the place." "It was only by chance that this family happened to adopt me." "Up until recently, I never felt that it was any sort of problem." "But I'm beginning to think it is now." "I just wanna prove myself and make a success of Fushimi-ya on my own." "Not with the power of some god, but with my own abilities." "You know, the reason I feel this way now is because..." "Well, I owe it all to you, Yoko." "What are you trying to do?" "I'm talking about Yoshio." " What exactly are you up to?" " What do you mean?" "Don't act like you don't know!" "He will not take a wife!" " I have no idea what you're talking about, sir." " Still playing dumb, eh?" " Father, you stop this at once!" " No, you stop, you idiot." "Are you trying to bring Fushimi-ya out to ruin?" "Sir, please stop this!" "There, you see?" "It's this girl's fault!" "Get her out of here now!" "I'm sorry..." "But it is neither my wish nor is it my intent to send Yoko anywhere." "Please stay with me, Yoko." "It's a good thing there are so many bugs here, isn't it?" "Straighten things up while I'm at the publisher's." " Why should I?" "You people made this mess." " You can eat all the bugs you like." "I'm counting on you." "There are many things I wanna straighten up, but there's nothing I can do about it now." "The god that protects this shop?" "Only my mother knows about it." "If we don't obey the law that it set forth, we will be stricken with a terrible curse." "I'm doing this to help him." "Kantaro, I apologize." " Why help him?" " Because he's in trouble." "Just don't do anything rash." "You are dealing with a human." " Yes, I know that." " If you know.." "I shouldn't." "But he's so lonely, Haruka." "I'm sorry." "Something he can sell to foreigners, you say?" " What do you think, Rosalie?" " I know nothing regarding such things." " I guess it is kind of hard." " Sorry." "Nothing comes to mind." "Well, all right." "Sorry, you two." "What is it, Rosalie?" " Covers." " Covers?" "Sofa covers didn't even cross my mind." "You're amazing, Yoko." "A friend of mine came up with the idea." "Sorry, it wasn't me." " But it was you who told me." " Oh, look at me." "I'm blushing." "We're not only getting orders from abroad, but from domestic buyers, too." "In fact, I think we have enough orders for us to launch a whole new business." "Thank you." "Please continue to stay on and help me like this." "Yoko..." "There's something I'd like you to try on." " What's this?" " It's been passed down through generations." "It's lovely." "It was made to be worn at the owner's wedding ceremony." " A wedding?" " Yeah." "But I..." "I, uh..." "You see, I..." "You are dealing with a human." "I know." "I know." " I can't do it." " I only want you to wear it." "Can't I see how it looks on you?" "Well, what do you think?" "Yoko, you look... so beautiful." "Yoko!" "Yoko!" "I'm begging you, Mother, please help her!" "Impossible." "Breaking the rule has sealed the girl's fate." "No, it isn't like that!" "How pitiful." "Do you take me for a fool, boy?" " Give up, Yoshio." " But I don't wanna give up." " For the shop's sake." " Do as Gihei tells you." "Let this girl's death be a lesson to you and renew your vow to me." "I alone have been the wife of Fushimi-ya for generations!" "Do as I say, and I'll continue to protect this house." "That's enough!" "Yoko and I are leaving!" "Let Fushimi-ya crumble to dust!" "Yoshio!" "Is that your answer, then?" "You stupid fool!" "Lady Shirotae!" "There are plenty who can serve as Fushimi-ya's owner in your stead." "So now you must die!" "Just in time." "And just who are you?" "It seems this one is possessed by an evil spirit." "Mister Ichinomiya, hurry!" "Save Yoko!" "Listen, I'm all right, so go help Yoshio!" "Please, Kantaro, now!" "Haruka!" "The white snake is the living embodiment of the water god." "I am in control." "Your lightning is useless!" "Such is Lady Shirotae's power." "So Fushimi-ya's future is assured." "Now watch closely, Gihei." " You OK, Haruka?" " This is what becomes of traitors!" "Haruka!" "Aim for the hairpin!" "Yoko, please hang on." "Lady Shirotae!" "Die!" "Suffer and die!" "That's right - die!" "You stinking monsters are the ones to blame!" "If only monsters didn't exist!" "I wish all your filthy kind would perish!" "[Fushimi-ya]" "I'm going to Kyoto to start things over again." "I'd like to rebuild the business again, but this time on my own." "Yoko..." "I'd really like you to join me." "You see, I want you by my side, so we can..." "Yoshio, do you really hate monsters?" "Well, naturally." "Fushimi-ya's mistake was to ally itself with a monster." "I do not plan to make the same mistake." "You will come with me, won't you?" "Please, Yoko?" "I can't." "Why not?" "Because..." "Because the truth is..." "I'm a monster too." "Yoko!" "I used lots of new tea leaves for ya." "It's bitter." "In the town at night, I found myself calling out to you" "I found myself calling out to you" "Though we're far apart" "I won't fall prey to loneliness" "When we feel there's someone on our side" "We all change" "Becoming stronger, stronger, stronger" "The unseen power invites hope" "The unseen power is the courage you gave me" "What will Kantaro's next case be?" "A performance by Shokiku Ayanokoji, one of the most popular musical storytellers of our time, gives rise to a most unusual incident." "During the investigation of the case, Shokiku's star pupil, Yuri, develops quite an interest in Haruka." "Then the cursed ballad captures Haruka's heart." "Next time on Tactics, "Female Minstrel:" "The Teller of Demonic Tales.""