Original subtitles

This is our new friend starting today, Natsume Takashi-kun.

I'm Natsume...

Takashi.

Nice to meet you.

Be sure to get along with him, everyone.

Okay!

Hey, where do you live?

Do you have any siblings?

What's your blood type?{why tf are gradeschoolers asking this question}

That hat's really cool.

Wanna trade with me?

Huh?

I'm not wearing a hat.

Who are you talking to?

Th-The hat's talking!

Hat? Stalk?

Was someone with a hat stalking you, Natsume?

Huh?

Oh, uh...

I was just had a dream about when I was a kid.

You were sleeping all through homeroom, weren't you?

I'm pretty sure the teacher noticed.

Natsume, Nishimura.

Let's go home.

Yeah.

Ever since I was little, I've seen strange things every now and then.

Things other people can't see.

They're probably what people call youkai.

What?!

So you didn't know about Sasada's speech competition either?

Speech competition?

Oh, come on. You don't have to bring that up.

Sasada's participating in a prefectural competition!

We were talking about going to cheer her on.

Really? That's incredible.

Kitamoto, Tanuma, wanna come with us?

Sure, sounds good.

I'm in.

We should invite Taki-san too and all go together!

Come on, give it a rest already!

Nomiya-sensei is on the competition committee, and he just asked me to compete so he wouldn't look bad.

So, did you decide on a topic yet?

Well, that's...

still a secret.

Oh? Sounds to me like you still haven't decided!

Yes, I have!

Are you sure?

I'm not a slacker like you.

See you.

Bye.

Later.

It's so hot.

Let's get some ice cream on the way home.

This is bad.

I'm being followed.

Could they be after the Book of Friends?

Ah, sorry.

I think I forgot something.

I have to go back.

What, did you forget to pack your bag while you were still half-asleep?

Seems like it.

See you!

Yeah!

See you later, Natsume.

Did I lose it?

Oh, what do we have here?

You're Natsume of the Book of Friends, are you not?

Oh no!

I am told that the one in possession of it can control the ayakashi whose names are written within.

It is most fortuitous that I found you here!

Now, hand over the Book of Friends!

Stop!

A pincer attack?

Now then...

give it to me.

Who goes there?!

Get off me!

Curse you!

That one belongs to me.

Begone!

Hmph!

Weakling.

Nyanko-sensei!

Jeez.

I saw you running off in a hurry, and then I find you in this mess.

Thank you, Sensei.

The bodyguard fee won't be cheap.

Or so I'd like to say, but I'll spare you this time in exchange for a fried shrimp.

Oh, right.

Thank you too.

Hey! Are you listening, Natsume?!

Hey...

You're Natsume-sama... right?

Y-Yeah.

I am one who goes by the name of Monmonbou.

I have come to beg you to return my name,

Natsume-sama of the Book of Friends.

Just so you know, I'm not Reiko.

That much I can tell.

Natsume Reiko-sama would never be captured so pathetically by an ayakashi that weak.

Reiko has passed away.

This is her grandson.

Is that so?

So, you want your name back?

Let's go somewhere else.

Are you able to leave the wall?

Well, in that case...

Recently there's been word that Natsume-sama has returned here, giving back names.

So I traveled three months from far away to come here.

Oh? Where did you come from?

I hail from the town of Gochoumachi.

Huh?

Gochoumachi?

Really? Even Natsume could walk there in under half a day.

You see, I traveled here by following the walls.

Seems like you're able to walk outside walls just fine to me.

Yes, but you see, I am of a rather shy disposition.

Shy?

I feel more comfortable inside the walls.

I am alone, unseen by all and without fear of being attacked by other ayakashi.

Has Reiko-san been to Gochoumachi before, then?

Natsume Reiko-sama only visited for a short span of time,

Even inside the wall, I heard rumors of a terrifying human who was beating up other ayakashi.

My grandmother, Natsume Reiko, possessed vast spiritual power,

and she would challenge any ayakashi she came across.

It's Natsume Reiko!

Run away!

She'll pick us off and eat us!

As proof of her win, she'd make them write down their names on paper

which she collected.

A bundle of contracts that can force ayakashi whose names are called to oblige unconditionally:

The Book of Friends.

Having inherited it from Reiko,

I am chased by ayakashi seeking its power,

and I come across ayakashi who wish to have their names returned.

My days have been hectic ever since.

You who protect me, show me your name.

I return your name,

Monmonbou.

Hold up!

Isn't that her?

The scary girl who moved here recently.

Just look at her.

Her legs are covered with scratches.

Oh no, she's talking to herself!

That's so creepy!

You've been hiding and watching, haven't you?

I could tell.

Say, would you like to fight me?

She challenged me to play a human game called "Wall Tag",

but Reiko-sama wasn't aware of the rules either,

so we decided that if she could drag me out of the wall by sunset,

we would count it as her win.

You're fast at running away!

I underestimated you!

I've got y—

Here.

It's my win!

Perhaps having these experiences one after another made her give up on interacting with people.

Thank you very much.

I will now return to Gochoumachi.

Take care.

I also lost my parents,

so I was passed around by my relatives,

but I ended up in the care of the kind Fujiwaras.

Shigeru-san, would you like some more rice?

Thanks, about half is fine.

Okay.

Have some sides too.

This is really nice.

Oh, Takashi.

Did you already eat all of your fried shrimp?

You sure are a quick eater.

Huh?

Yeah! It was so good that I couldn't help myself.

There's still some left, so do help yourself.

All right.

Then I'll have one more please.

At first I wasn't sure how to interact with them,

and there were times I acted distant or didn't know what to do.

But little by little, we've started to become more like a family.

Takashi-kun, could you go on an errand for me?

Sure, Touko-san.

Where to?

It's in Gochoumachi, so it should take you about 20 minutes.

Gochoumachi?

I was supposed to return this,

but I have to go to a town meeting instead.

Got it.

I'm off!

Have a safe trip.

Be careful!

Okay!

You look like you're in a good mood, Sensei.

The mid-ranks said they found some rare sake, so I'm off to do a bit of tasting.

Huh?

You're not coming with me?

Sure aren't.

Don't go meddling in things that don't concern you while I'm not around.

I'll be back for dinner, so leave some of Touko's cooking for me!

Jeez, always doing as he pleases.

Landmarks from Monmonbou's memories are still around.

Isn't this slope...

Oh my.

Oh!

Here.

Thanks!

Here you are.

Thank you.

What's the matter?

Oh, nothing.

You just resemble someone I once knew.

Though back then it was a bell.

I must have imagined it.

Thank you for helping me.

Sorry, but...

Hm?

You wouldn't happen to know someone called Natsume Reiko, would you?

Huh?

Just who are you?

I'm Natsume Takashi.

Reiko is my grandmother.

My!

So she has a grandson?

Here, come in.

Thank you for inviting me in.

I'm home.

Do we have a guest, Mom?

Yes, that's right.

He's the grandson of an old acquaintance.

Really?

Um...

Welcome.

This is my son, Mukuo.

Hello.

I see.

So she passed away.

Yes.

So my grandmother lived around here too.

Back when I was still in middle school,

it was the talk of the town that a weird older girl had moved here.

My friends gathered all kinds of stories about her,

and we'd all watch her in secret on the way home from school, hoping to see something unusual.

Ah, we were just so curious about this older girl.

But she left as quickly as she came.

Really?

What was your grandfather like?

Huh?

I'm just curious what kind of person Reiko-san married.

Oh, I actually don't know either.

I lost my parents when I was young,

and I was never told anything about my family.

I see.

So I was hoping to hear from someone who knew my grandmother.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help.

But just once...

Huh?

Oh, no, it's nothing.

Oh my.

What was that noise?

Oh dear, what a mess.

I was planning on preparing some tea for our guest...

I already made some tea.

Right?

Huh? Really?

Uh, yes.

Oh, what will I do with you?

Oh dear!

Come on, Mom...

Ouch.

A-Are you all right?

It's always like this.

My son's just so clumsy.

I inherited it from you.

You think so?

Yes, no question.

That's my mom's workshop.

She's a paper cutting artist.

Really?

Want to see?

Wow!

Look, this one won her an award at an exhibition.

It's nothing impressive, though.

I started helping her recently, but I'm still so bad at it.

I'm sure you'll surpass me in no time.

That's impossible.

I'm no match for you, Mom.

You met a human who knew Reiko?

It was a strange feeling.

In the memory, well...

She wasn't very nice toward Reiko-san.

But she had a family like anyone else,

and it's difficult to accept that even I found it heartwarming.

You sure like to make things complicated.

Anyway, Natsume, the smell of an ayakashi is coming from you.

Where'd you pick that up?

Huh?

Oh, I saw a weird one on the way home.

I'm surprised you could tell.

I hope you haven't picked up a strange curse again.

If you're that worried, why don't you come with me to see if it's dangerous, Sensei?

Why do I have to go out my way for something like that?

You're my bodyguard, remember?

I'm not going, and that's final!

Next is Sasada Jun-san, a sophomore from Konai High School.

Her speech is titled "Memories of the Old School Building."

Up until last year, there was an unused building at our school.

An old, wooden building filled with the memories of those who studied there before us.

We never had a single class in that building.

But it holds a single memory precious to me.

Sasada spoke of her memory of a ayakashi she met in the old school building.

I lost a memento from my mother and returned to the old school building alone,

desperately trying to find it.

But then, someone showed up to help me.

Sasada mentioned nothing of it being an ayakashi, instead retelling the story as if it was a human.

She wasn't able to see his true form directly,

but even so, they were able to understand each other to some extent.

The place from my memory no longer exists.

All things with a form are fated to break,

and memories of them may gradually fade and then one day disappear.

Even so, this experience helped me understand the kindness of others,

and I was able to slowly change how I interact with them.

That change is a small ripple that will expand even further with time.

I realized this is what makes the world spin.

Every time I see the empty space where the old school building once stood,

I will reflect upon that again.

Sasada-san, congratulations on winning bronze.

Your closing words really touched me.

Thank you, Taki-san.

I thought you were just angry all the time,{agreed}

but stuff like this goes through your head too, huh?

What do you mean, "angry all the time"?

Thank you, Natsume-kun.

Huh?

Sure.

Natsume?

Yuuki, what's up?

Yuuki?

Could you be that\h Yuuki?

No way...

Are you really Natsume?

Yeah.

From elementary school—

Come on, Yuuki. Let's go.

Coming.

Who was that?

Some old friend?

I know someone from that school. Want me to ask about him?

No, it's fine.

What's wrong, Natsume?

Your stomach not agree with something?

I'm not you, Sensei.

I was just lost in thought.

Hmph!

I bet you're just worrying about something pointless as usual.

I met someone I used to go to school with today.

Oh?

And just like that brat Shibata, I bet he was extremely nasty about it,

reminding you of everything bad that happened back then.

No, not quite.

But...

True, it wasn't exactly a pleasant memory.

Isn't that him?

The liar boy.

I heard that he's always telling lies.

Make sure to stay away from him.

"Daisuke the Liar"!

You're an impostor, aren't you?

Huh?

You're not actually human.

Yuuki would say strange things, so he didn't fit in well at school.

He would talk to me from time to time,

and at some point we ended up walking home together.

Is Natsume an alien too?

Whoa, for real?

Daisuke, welcome home.

That's not my real mother.

It's an alien.

Stop spouting nonsense and go inside.

Hey, so...

You can see them, right?

I can see them too.

The ghosts.

The child I was, I took Yuuki for his word.

That town had mountains that people rarely visited,

and according to legend, housed a waterfall where youkai lived.

Yuuki suggested we go and have a look.

Wow!

That's it?

Huh?

Do not touch that!

That is the flow of human life.

If someone like you touches it, the flow will change.

Each and every stream of water rules over encounters and partings, the very fate of humans.

Be careful.

The world of humans is a frail thing, where even a small action like that can change it.

Let's try hitting the wall.

Maybe some water will come out.

No, don't!

Soon after that I once more transferred schools,

and we never saw each other again.

Sheesh.

I told you not to meddle in things that don't concern you, but you never listen.

I'm not trying to meddle.

I'm just a bit concerned about the youkai I saw before.

That's what meddling means!

Got it, Natsume? I'm just helping out this once.

Yes I'm thankful, Sensei.

Hey, Natsume.

I can smell something sweet and delicious.

Let's take a detour.

We can't.

I don't have much allowance left this month.

How irresponsible can you be?

Whose fault do you think it is?!

This is all because I bought you a meat bun from Nanatsujiya for today's bodyguard fee!

What was that?!

Are you trying to lay the blame on me?!

Seriously, Sensei... There's no helping him.

Hey.

Mukuo-san?!

Huh?

Could it be that you don't know how to ride?

Yeah.

Do you know how, Takashi-kun?

I'm not very good at it, but I'm practicing.

We're the same, then.

Let's both keep at it.

Absolutely.

But how come you were practicing out there?

My mom will see me if I practice near my house.

Oh, hold on a minute.

Here we go...

These dumplings look as delicious as those from Nanatsujiya, if not more.

Is there nothing I can do to make Natsume buy some for me?

Oh man.

Do you see that thing?

What's that round lump of mass supposed to be?

Seems like it's wanting some dumplings, but it's basically a nice and plump dumpling itself.

Calling it a pig would be rude to pigs!

You there! Who do you think you're talking about?!

Run away!

Don't you run!

How impertinent for a pig cat!

He's fast for a pig cat!

Hold it right there!

Oh, would you stop moving about!

I hope you guys are prepared!

NOOOOOO!!

That store was kind enough to put one of Mom's paper cuttings on display.

Oh.

I know.

Why don't you come over and watch her make one?

Are you sure?

I'd love to.

It's always just the two of us.

So if I went away...

Huh?

That always crosses my mind, and then I feel like I have to stay.

Oh...

There's a small shrine down this way belonging to a deity named Nanten-sama.

Okay.

There's a legend that he will alter any misfortune you come across,

so she would always go there when something had happened.

Not just hardships, but good things too.

She would go there to relay anything and everything.

I'm done.

You can't see anything in the parts that were cut away, but...

Wow!

I just love seeing something appear where there was nothing.

Here, for you.

A present.

Huh?

Are you sure?

I know it was made a bit impromptu.

Thank you so much!

Hey! Stop running!

You're not getting away with this!

Oh, this is too bothersome!

Going on a rampage for the first time in a while made me thirsty.

I'll make Natsume buy me one of those fizzy drinks.

Thank you for having me.

You're welcome back anytime you like.

Sure.

Bye, then.

Sensei!

Hey Natsume!

Where were you loitering?

You're way too old to be getting lost.

That's what I should be saying, Sensei!

That youkai didn't appear today.

But Natsume, you have the smell of an ayakashi coming from you again.

Huh?

It must've been hiding in the vicinity.

Huh?

Sensei, you've got something on you.

It looks like some kind of seed.

I'm home!

What's wrong, Natsume?

What is that strange tree?!{nice car}

Why are you asking me\h that?

Any ideas, Sensei?

Don't tell me it's the seed from yesterday!

On closer inspection, doesn't that fruit resemble you a bit?

It looks nothing like me!

Don't compare my pretty, calculated form to some crude, wild fruit like that!

What should I tell Shigeru-san and Touko-san?

What's wrong, Takashi?

Why are you staring at the sky?

Is there something there?

Huh?

They can't see the tree?{is he thinking inside of a tube?}

Uh, no...

I was just admiring the clear skies.

Indeed.

It looks like we're in for a hot day.

I'm going now.

Me too.

Bye!

Have a good day!

Sensei is at home, so it should be fine.

But what if it's a harmful tree?

I hear there are ayakashi trees that grow after coming in contact with ayakashi energy.

Did coming into contact with me expedite its growth?

But still,

the more I look...

the more delicious it seems.

It'd be dangerous to leave it around and have it grow even larger.

I might as well...

just eat it here and now!

Yummy, yummy!

What?!

You ate the fruit growing on the tree?!

It was truly delicious.

Are you all right, Sensei?

Don't worry, ayakashi fruit is nothing unusual.

And as a result the tree disappeared.

This is cause for celebration if anything!

Well, that may be true...

See, that's what you get.

Shouldn't you try to keep still, Sensei?

Sensei?

Sensei, calm down!

You can't talk?

I hate to admit it, but they're kind of cute.

Takashi-kun?

What's going on?

You'll be late!

Okay!

I'll be right there!

What do I do?

If Touko-san finds these...

My!

Nyankichi-kun had children?

And three at that!

This'll become a headache.

Sensei, just stay put for a bit.

Here, your lunch.

Thank you.

Did you hear something?

No, nothing.

I'm off!

Bye!

I really can't just leave things like this...

I don't have a choice!

This is no laughing matter!

Oh, Madara-sama, what an unfortunate form you've taken on.

Unfortune smiles upon you.

I'm sorry, Natsume.

But this is just too...

This certainly took me off guard.

This only happened due to your endless gluttony.

If he got food poisoning from eating an ayakashi fruit, I'm sure he will get better soon.

Is that how it works?

It'd be a huge help if we could at least figure out where the seed came from,

but if he can't speak...

Why don't we try having Madara-sama return to his original form?

No good, huh?

Ah! I'm going to be late!

Anyway, please take care of Sensei until I'm back from school.

Understood!

You can leave everything to the Natsume Gang, the Dog's Circle!

We'll see if we can figure out a way to turn him back.

I will lend you my help.

Thank you!

Now then...

Natsume!

You almost didn't make it.

Get to your seat, quickly.

I'm sorry!

Nishimura!

Here!

What happened? You oversleep?

Yeah, a bit.

Ready, and...

That didn't work.

Here, here, here, lid.

Here we go.

All done!

Great, I'll take care of this.

How unfortunate.

Pitcher!

Wind up!

Throw!

I hoped he'd go back to normal from the impact...

No change, no change.

Now then, what should we try next?

Oh no! They're running away!

Hey, hold on! We're doing this for your sake!

Wait! Wait, wait!

What?!

One of them ran away?!

Indeed.

We looked for him all over, but we just couldn't find Number 1.

Which one's Number 1?!

This is Number 2, and this is Number 3.

This is bad.

Where could he have gone?

We are terribly sorry, Natsume-dono.

In any case, he probably can't turn back without all three being together.

I'm sure he'll come back sooner or later.

It's Madara we're talking about here.

There's no need to worry.

That's true.

Understand, Number 2, Number 3?

You have to stay put when we get home.

Make sure you don't let Shigeru-san or Touko-san see you.

Natsume!

Oh, Tanuma.

Nishimura said you left in a hurry to take care of something.

What's up?

Is it something youkai-related again?

Yeah, the thing is...

Let's talk over there.

What?!

There are two of Sensei!

And they're tiny!

There's actually one more.

There are three?!

How did this happen?

Well...

I see.

That is pretty worrisome.

It's Sensei we're talking about, so I'm sure he'll figure something out himself, but...

Natsume.

I'll help you look for him.

Thank you, Tanuma.

All right, see you tomorrow.

Yeah.

Bye.

I'm happy I could tell Tanuma everything.

Just the fact that he knows what I can see is very reassuring.

Come again!

Huh?

Was that Nyanko-sensei just now?

But he looked kind of small...

Nyanko-sensei!

Look, it's tiny!

It's so weird!

Look at that.

Isn't that Natsume's cat?

Huh?

I don't think so.

Natsume's is way larg—

No, wait.

That's Natsume's...

...ugly cat.

Taki-san?

Sensei!

There he is.

Hey...

Where do you think Number 1 went off to?

I never thought being unable to communicate with him would make me so anxious.

Sensei!

Number 3!

Where is Number 3?!

Number 3?

Where are you?

Stop hiding! Come out!

Don't tell me he went downstairs.

Stay where you are, Number 2.

Good morning, Takashi.

Oh, good morning.

Good morning, Takashi-kun.

Breakfast is almost ready.

Good morning, Touko-san.

N-Number 2!

Oh, Nyangorou.

You're back.

Huh?

Good morning, kitty cat.

You're up early today.

Oh?

You're rather clingy today.

Um...

Touko-san, Shigeru-san...

Don't you find anything odd about Nyanko-sensei?

Huh?

Odd how?

Well, his size for one.

You're right.

It does seem like he put on more weight again.

Another one ran away?!

This time it's Number 3.

Now this is troublesome.

What an annoying piggy cat.

Pig-pig-piggy-cat!

Could everyone help me look for him around here?

I will have my followers help too.

We will not stop until we have found them both.

We're doing this too!

Yeah!

Natsume!

Huh?

Tanuma!

Tanuma is helping us look for Number 1 as well.

Anyway, I'm counting on you.

Just leave it to us.

Number 3 disappeared too?

And that's not all.

Things are a bit strange.

Shigeru-san and Touko-san seem to think that this is how large Nyanko-sensei was to begin with.

Huh? What could that...

Hey!

Tanuma! Natsume!

Good morning.

Oh, the ugly cat.

I saw him yesterday.

What? Really?

Yeah.

We weren't sure at first, but that was definitely your cat.

And then a girl was chasing him...

Uh, I can't remember her name...

Right right, that girl!

Huh?

What was her name again?

You know, the cute one in class 5...

She's friends with Sasada.

Are you talking about Taki?

Yes, exactly!

How could I forget her name?

Taki?

Don't you find this strange?

I can't imagine Nishimura or Kitamoto would forget Taki.

Actually, my memory of her is getting a bit fuzzy too.

I'm supposed to know about Taki, but it's like she doesn't feel real.

What?!

Tanuma, could you try asking around in your class and see if they remember Taki?

Sure.

This is where I first met Sensei.

You're quite a precious human, to not bumble at the sight of me!{taken directly from the first episode. looks like they re-animated and re-recorded it}

Aren't you Natsume Reiko?

Do you remember, Sensei?

Oh, Natsume-dono!

Impeccable timing!

The kappa on the other side of the river said they saw a piggy cat like Number 3 walking that way this morning.

Really?

Thank you.

I believe Number 1 headed in the same direction...

Toward Gochoumachi?

Hinoe, Mustache.

Could you take care of Number 2?

It'd be bad if we got separated far away from home.

Sure, I don't mind.

But where are you going?

Well...

I'm going to find where the seed came from.

Maybe I can figure something out.

Could the scrambled memories of my friends also be related to Sensei's disappearance?

But how come it doesn't affect me or the ones in Yatsuhara?

Could it be that if all three disappear, even I will forget about Sensei?

You there.

A mere child of man who's able to see us?!

Have you seen a fat, round cat like this?

It's the gluttonous pig cat from before!

That's it!

Could you tell me where you saw him?

Takashi-kun!

Are you here to visit again?

Oh, no.

I'm here on a different errand.

Aw, I thought I'd get to see Mom smile.

Sorry.

You know...

Mom wants to see something the naked eye can't see.

She wants to express something beyond the colors and forms of this world.

She said that's why she picked up paper cutting.

But with how she is, I just can't leave her alone.

I'll worry about her if I'm not around.

Right...

She's always been rather introverted,

but she's strong inside.

Her relationships didn't always work out,

and she had me without ever getting married,

so someone has to stay by her side.

Well, I'm going this way.

Come visit again sometime.

Sure.

Perhaps he takes after his mother.

There's something inexplicable about Mukuo-san, just like Yorie-san.

Thinking back, I'm pretty sure Sensei came out of the woods.

So this path connects to that slope.

But is it actually true?

The elder's familiar really was sighted here?

A well-informed exorcist I know told me.

There's no mistaking it.

Exorcists!

It's been more than ten years since the elder died. The poor thing.

If his familiar is here, perhaps the legendary ayakashi the elder was after is here too.

I just hope we can find it before the Matoba clan gets word of this.

Matoba...

Never forget.

Even on days when I don't appear in the reflection of your eyes,

you appear in the reflection of my heart.

Okay!

Natori-san, that's a wrap for you!

Great work!

Good job.

Thank you.

Excuse me, Natori-san.

You were supposed to have the day off tomorrow,

but do you mind if I schedule an interview?

Sorry, tomorrow would be difficult.

Could we do another day?

Understood. I'll see what I can do.

I believe your ride is here.

Thanks.

Let's go.

I never managed to find Sensei in the end.

I'll go look for him again tomorrow together with Tanuma.

I'm home.

Huh?

And who are you?

Huh?

What's the matter, Shigeru-san?

Who is that boy?

I-It's me, Takashi!

Natsume Takashi!

Touko-san!

Shigeru-san!

What?

But Takashi-kun is right there.

You're an impostor, aren't you?

Sensei?

Sensei, where are you?!

You're here, right?!

Come out!

Sensei!

Sensei!

Where did you go?

Sensei!

I asked a few people about Taki,

but they all said they didn't know who that is.

I see.

I'm starting to feel the same more and more.

Maybe there's some kind of youkai who steals memories,

and when I imagine it trying to erase Taki from everyone's memories,

I just get scared, Natsume.

Tanuma...

Sensei!

Yorie-san and Mukuo-san's house...

It couldn't be.

All right, Tooru-chan. Look after the house while I'm away.

Oh, Takashi-kun.

Yorie-san—

My, he looks just like our Nyanko-sensei.

Huh? Nyanko-sensei?

Yes, that's the name of our cat.

Auntie, I can go and buy food for Sensei instead—

Taki!

Taki!

Huh?

Who are you?

Natsume-kun...

and Tanuma-kun.

I'm sorry.

But I feel like I know you guys.

I can at least tell that you're not suspicious.

Taki, why are you here?

Tooru-chan and I are related.

She found Sensei for us.

That's right.

I spotted Sensei and ran after him...

Wait!

Sensei!

Huh?

Why...

am I here?

Oh?

Is something wrong?

You found Sensei for us!

Wait, aren't we related somehow?

I'm Taki... Tooru.

Auntie...

So we decided to have her stay here until she feels better.

We've already contacted your parents, right?

Yeah.

What do you think?

Just...

...a little...

...bit further.

Oh right, Natsume.

Why don't we take Sensei out for some fresh air?

G-Good idea, Tanuma.

Sensei, you just spoke, didn't you?

Why was he able to earlier?

Maybe...

We've had...

...a terrible time.

Wh-Wh-Wh-Why?!

I see.

Apparently...

...we can speak normally...

...when placed like this.

I'm not sure I'd call that normal.

Sensei, how did this happen?

Apparently some strange...

...property was dwelling in the tree...

...that fruit grew on.

Strange property?

That's...

probably my fault.

Mukuo-san?

Natsume, do you still...

...not get it?

He's the source...

...of the smell...

...that you brought home...

...with you before.

Huh?

He's...

...an ayakashi.

What?!

I'm sorry.

I've caused trouble for that girl as well.

So you're the very person...

...responsible for imbuing...

...the tree with that...

...strange power.

We had an awful experience...

...thanks to you!

Please explain what's going on.

I'm... not the real Mukuo.

Her son,

Tsumura Mukuo,

died eight years ago.

I was placed under a jinx,

and I'm fated to walk the land of humans.

Jinx?

I originally served a mountain god,

and in order to inform them about the lives of the villagers,

I was granted the power to mimic the appearance of humans.

But one day I committed a sin,

was punished,

and forced to wander.

For example, if I came upon a new place and spoke to someone,

I would become someone who used to be there.

Uh,

you're...

Oh, if it isn't Hiro-san.

Welcome back.

At times I would become a real person who used to live there,

and other times someone completely fictional.

Rather than altering memories,

it's as if the world itself completely changes for duration that I'm there.

But if I leave, everything goes back to how it was before,

and everyone forgets about me.

They all forget, no matter how close we were.

Now that's an...

...outrageous jinx.

That mountain god must be...

...tremendously powerful.

Be careful.

The world of humans is a frail thing, where even a small action like that can change it.

Natsume?

Oh, I'm fine.

However...

Ayakashi, as well as those who can see them like Takashi, are unaffected.

So that's why my memory didn't change.

Yeah.

So, to avoid the attention of exorcists, I made sure to never stay in one place for too long.

No,

that's not it.

More than exorcists,

I was worried I'd become attached if I stayed somewhere too long.

Having tired of my fate,

I decided to end it all, to become part of this tree.

And so I entered the hollow.

Grandpa, who lives in this house?

It belongs to Nanten-sama.

Nanten-sama?

That's right.

Even if misfortune befalls us, he will alter it into something better.

That's why he is called "Nanten-sama".

The god of that shrine had already left for elsewhere long ago.

But she believed in the legend that her grandfather told her only once.

So she always came to talk about all of her experiences, good or bad,

and I would always watch her.

But...

I'd never seen her like that before.

It looked to me as if she was about to disappear.

I became curious about what'd happened to her...

I left the hollow and chased after her.

And then...

There was an ayakashi there.

You're safe, Mukuo!

Welcome home.

That's when I understood.

Her only son had just passed away in a mountain-climbing accident,

and in that moment, I'd become that son.

The presence of that ayakashi also bothered me.

In order to protect her,

I decided to stay as Mukuo for a while.

An ayakashi fated to roam aimlessly...

I never noticed, since I'd just stayed cooped up.

But my jinx may have possessed this tree.

That fruit...

...taking after...

...my pretty figure...

...must've been...

...a result of your...

...ability to mimic others.

That means, Sensei, you were also affected by the jinx.

But why did he split into three?

The three fruits...

...must've picked up...

...slightly different parts...

...of my personality...

...and something went wrong.

And because that girl came here with one of the cats,

she ended up affected too.

Jeez, your gluttony even got Taki involved.

What?!

What?!

What can we do to turn Taki back to normal?

Both Taki and Sensei have people waiting for them back home.

This is my fault.

So I'll have to fix it somehow.

Do you have something in mind?

If I return the jinx of that tree and the cat, then probably...

That's possible?

It will require power from me, but it should work out.

After all, the jinx was originally part of me.

But first,

we need to get all three cats here.

We thought so too...

...which is why...

...we all tried...

...to come here.

Will the third one come here if we wait, then?

That should...

...be the case, but perhaps something...

...happened to him?

Why didn't the three of you just stick together?!

It's because he\h wouldn't stay put.

It's because he\h wouldn't stay put.

Hey you!

Stop fighting among yourselves.

You shouldn't copy me!

You're the one that shouldn't copy me!

A-Anyway, let's split up and look for him, Natsume.

What did'ya say!?

What did'ya say, huh!?

What did'ya say, huh!?

Hm?

Take one of us...

...each to look.

Huh?

We can recognize...

...his presence if we get close.

Gotcha.

We'll find him and come back here!

See you in a bit!

Yeah!

Just as he might be able to form relationships,

he leaves the place behind.

He roams, unable to form any real bonds.

But Mukuo-san finally found a place for himself.

If I were to leave the Fujiwaras,

and Shigeru-san and Touko-san forgot about me...

But to Yorie-san,

would her years spent with Mukuo-san all have been a lie?

I guess...

I can't stay here any longer, huh?

Oh dear, were you always this clumsy?

S-Sorry.

Don't worry.

You'll get better with practice.

Here, hold down closer to where you're cutting...

Okay.

Mom...

If he was coming here from Yatsuhara, this is the path he would use.

That's...

Natori-san!

Natsume!

Why are you here?

That's what I'd like to ask you, Natori-san.

I see.

Nyanko-sensei ate an ayakashi fruit and turned into this.

Sorry, sorry.

How dare you do that!

Natori-san, are you here for work?

Yeah, I'm looking for the familiar of a deceased exorcist.

With this.

You wouldn't happen to be referring to someone called "the elder," would you?

How did you know that?

Don't tell me you're meddling in things you shouldn't again.

I'm not meddling!

I just happened to overhear some exorcists talking about him close to here.

All right.

That familiar's name is Habaki,

and we recently found out it's in this area.

The elder's family asked me to set it free.

I'm here to relieve it from its duty as a familiar.

I also heard that the ayakashi he'd been chasing might be here.

Yes, the elder was somewhat of an eccentric,

and he spent years chasing a youkai that might not even exist.

I don't know if that's it,

but I saw an ayakashi wearing a strange mask flying through the sky.

Where did you see it?

Near the fire watchtower.

Hiiragi.

Yes, I'll go and look.

Thank you, Natsume.

That's probably Habaki.

It's probably still searching for that ayakashi, not knowing the elder passed away.

As for the other ayakashi,

I hear it's cruel and blends in with humans, only to steal their memories of time spent together.

Do you have someone in mind, Natsume?

No.

I have to go and look for Sensei.

All right.

I'll let you know if I find him.

Thank you.

See you.

Yeah.

See you, Natsume.

That masked youkai was not after Yorie-san,

it was after Mukuo-san.

Would it have been better to tell Natori everything?

But...

explaining everything would've felt like tattling.

As if I was betraying Mukuo-san.

He just keeps getting away.

Just keeps hopping away.

Though I do feel sorry for Natsume-sama,

why don't we just have Madara-sama live on in his current state?

We'll hold a gathering to go all-out reminiscing about Madara-sama!

We'll drink!

Yeah, we'll drink!

Pardon.

Huh?

Were you just speaking of Natsume-sama and Madara-sama?

As I was traveling along the walls on my way to the town of Gochoumachi,

what do I see if not a small Madara-sama bouncing along, passing me.

And then...

Huh?

Where did you come from, kitty cat?

Mommy! I found a kitty!

What?

I did my best to follow them...

Over there.

Oh!

That is none other than Number 3!

Being trapped in a human house...

Poor Madara-sama.

Poor thing.

Eh...

Poor scrub?

Anyway, we have to rescue Madara-sama for Natsume-sama's sake!

What do we do? What do we brew?

Well...

Oh!

Now that's an idea!

Quietly, quietly...

Quickly, quickly...

Carefully...

...open.

Mommy.

There are frogs on the kitty's head.

What?

Froggies, don't run!

Wait!

Madara-sama!

Come here, quick!

This way!

Kitty, no!

It's dangerous outside!

What?!

There are two kitties!

Nyanko-sensei!

Ponta!

Where are you?

Oh! Nyanko-sensei!

Hello.

It's right there, Master.

Well done, Hiiragi.

Here I go.

Borrowing the power of the land, I command you.

The chains of wind, the binding light, come forth!

Oh, there it is!

Oh no!

Sasago, Urihime, Hiiragi!

Oh, it ripped.

For places that are difficult to cut, try bending the paper instead.

Okay.

Like this?

Yes, exactly.

Oh, Mukuo!

Hi.

You come over here too.

We'll do it together.

Sorry.

I have somewhere I need to be.

Really?

Goodbye,

Mom.

Have fun, Mukuo.

Natsume!

Tanuma!

Number 2! Number 3!

What a relief.

Tanuma, thank you.

Let's hurry.

Yeah.

Exorcists.

Huh?

I'm sure it flew this way.

Over there! Look!

Oh, there it is!

Hurry after it!

What's wrong?

You stay with Taki.

A dangerous youkai might be attacking.

Got it!

Don't do anything dangerous, Natsume!

Mukuo-san!

Takashi-kun.

Thank goodness.

You found them all.

Yes.

More importantly, Mukuo-san.

Exorcists are coming!

Huh?

The masked youkai is coming this way.

The exorcists are chasing after it.

After that ayakashi?

Why?

It wasn't after Yorie-san.

It was a familiar chasing you!

I see.

I had no idea...

Its exorcist master has already passed away,

and it remained behind with the order still in effect.

Takashi-kun, could I ask you a favor?

Of course.

I'd like my name back.

Huh?

My name is there in the Book of Friends.

I'll take on the full extent of the jinx, and then leave this place.

That way everything will be back to how it was.

But then Yorie-san will forget about you.

That... can't be avoided.

Are you going to leave Yorie-san behind all alone?!

I see what's going on.

Natori-san!

So he's the memory-stealing ayakashi.

Please wait!

He's not the kind of cruel youkai you're imagining!

You think?

But isn't he deceiving that Yorie you spoke of even now?

That may be the case,

but the eight years that he lived with Yorie-san were precious to the both of them.

Wouldn't stealing that from her be the real cruelty here?

It's fine, Takashi-kun.

This was never something permissible from the start.

So...

So it's time to return Mukuo to her.

There it is! That way!

Wait!

After it!

That takes care of the nuisance for the time being.

Are you sure you shouldn't be exorcising that ayakashi?

I was only asked to take care of the familiar.

Besides,

the reason the elder chased after that ayakashi wasn't necessarily to exorcise it.

Master, I'm going on ahead.

Yeah, I'm counting on you!

Thank you, Hiiragi, Sasago, Urihime!

You who protect me, show me your name.

I return your name,

Honokage.

Hey, you there.

Why are you hiding yourself in there?

I know about you.

You're always hiding in there, right?

Can you see me?

In my own form?

Of course I can.

Your feathers are beautiful.

I see.

Thank you.

I originally dwelled in a relief carved on the shrine of a mountain god.

I copied the forms of those who came to pray,

to show to the mountain god as part of my duty.

In my happiness of meeting a human other than exorcists who can see me,

I recounted to Reiko how I came to be here.

After I finished talking, this is how she responded.

I like the sound of that!

No one remembers you.

Huh?

I don't want anyone to remember me.

Anyway, how would you like to fight me?

If you lose, write your name on this paper.

After I wrote my name, Reiko never came here again.

Even so,

I decided to remember her.

Even if she forgot me,

I wanted to remember her.

Yippee!

Sensei!

What's going on here?!

Just calm down, will you?!

Oh no!

Natsume!

Natsume!

Natori-san!

Thank goodness.

Hold on.

I'll get you some help.

No...

Just start the ceremony to break the contract!

Natsume!

Sensei, thank you.

You sure are troublesome.

You always find trouble.

I owe you one.

Let's hurry back now!

You don't have to tell me that!

Natori-san!

Good work, everyone.

Leave the rest to me.

Listen, your Master has passed away.

It's time to be free.

I recite in place of the one who spun the laws of the world.

Lift the spell, release the provisional name, and return it to whence it came.

I here bear witness to the unraveling of the ties of your contract.

Takashi-kun.

The grief that I held back

will be her burden to bear and overcome.

I'd be happy if you watched over her in my place as she does that.

I definitely will.

Maybe it was no jinx after all.

If not for it, I would never have experienced such peaceful days.

I will probably never return to the world of humans again.

This is...

H-How cute.

Master, what's happening?

It seems Natsume and the others did their part.

This must be the power from the tree seeping out.

Just look.

It's disappearing.

Hm?

Great job, everyone!

Good job!

Silver grass and dragonflies, huh?

It sure is fall.

Fall, fall!

It seems we haven't had enough to drink.

Let's drink!

Oh?

What's going on?

Taki.

Tanuma-kun!

Huh?

What am I doing here?

I spotted Nyanko-sensei, and then...

Huh?

Welcome back, Natsume.

Natsume-kun!

Taki.

Thank goodness.

I'm sorry.

I...

Nyanko-sensei!

I missed you so much!

Wait!

Nyanko-sensei!

Wait, wait!

Just let me hold your for a bit!

All right, got you!

So fluffy!

Yorie-san?

I'm coming in.

Yorie-san?

Oh, Takashi-kun.

What's the matter with me?

This isn't like me.

I suddenly remembered Mukuo.

Isn't it strange?

It's been over eight years already.

Taki's memories are back to normal.

In return, all memories concerning Honokage have disappeared from Taki and Tanuma's minds.

Yorie-san turned into simply a passerby who helped Taki.

I now have a place to come home to.

A place dear to me.

My.

So Reiko-san kept it all this time.

Yes.

Reiko-san...

Back then, people would find her a bit scary.

I'm really sorry.

But, you see, to us middle schoolers, she also seemed dreamy.

Huh?

Reiko-san was a very strong woman, and she was a bit older than us,

so everyone looked up to her from afar.

Looked up to her?

That day, I just got so nervous, and without thinking...

Why in the world did I act like that?

All I had to do was say thank you.

You know, the reason I started paper cutting...

Look here.

Is this...

It's Reiko-san.

There was something about her that made me think maybe there's a world she can see that we can't.

As I look out on the world through the holes in the paper,

I feel like perhaps I can see something too.

Perhaps a simple wrong turn caused Reiko-san to give up on involving herself with others,

humans and ayakashi alike.

But there are people who still remember Reiko-san.

At the edge of those small ripples Sasada talked about,

I am there too.

What's that?

Huh?

Oh, I thought I saw it recently.

A bird soaring across the sky.

For some reason, I found myself thinking "That is Mukuo."

It feels like he's always been by my side.

But I'm fine now.

The reason he was always smiling is because he wanted to show his smile to Yorie-san.

It seemed as if Yorie-san's grief landed softly.

I asked Kitamoto to contact Yuuki for me, and we decided to meet.

It kind of bothered me.

We ended on an awkward note.

Me too, Natsume.

I'm sorry.

I can't actually see ghosts or youkai at all.

Yeah.

I did get a bit angry at your lies,

but I was happy.

Natsume...

I transferred schools a lot, would sometimes say weird things, and was unable to make friends.

But you spoke to me, Yuuki.

You tried to get to know me, even if it meant telling lies.

That's why...

I see.

You don't have to tell me if you can actually see them or not, Natsume.

But if there really is something only you can see,

I wish I could've seen the same things you do.

Yuuki...

I'm sorry for what I did back then.

And...

thank you.

You get angry over lies, but then you smile happily.

I just don't understand you humans.

There are still a lot of things I don't understand either, Sensei.

So right now I just want to learn more about both humans and ayakashi.

Well, have fun with that.

It'll just be for the short while until I take the Book of Friends off your hands.

I'll see where fate takes you.

Heave ho!

As if to signal the end of summer,

They quietly bloomed on the side of the road

Unstained by the sun, nor blown by the wind

Blue, blue, bellflowers

Afraid of being hurt

I built a wall around my heart

But now you've taught me the warmth

Of having someone by my side

This isn't goodbye

I'm just off to a place unknown, far away

Even if we're separated

I'll still live in your memories

Hidden in the night,

I'll head to an unknown place, far away

Even if I get lost

The warmth of my memories

Will always light up the present

I heard voices from a festival in a distance

And I'd tell myself it didn't concern me

But I didn't want to see that separating wall

Reminding me of such lonely days

I never chased after anyone

Sometimes I would even tell lies

But being able to protect things here

Makes me feel happy

This isn't goodbye

It's lonely not being able to face each other

But having a place to call home

Can turn that loneliness into strength

"I want to be loved", but really I was struggling

All because I felt that kindness

That embraced my loneliness and tears

This isn't goodbye

Even if we never meet again

I'm sure that

As long as we're smiling

Our hearts will be connected

This isn't goodbye

I'm just off to a place unknown, far away

Even when we're apart

The warmth in my memories

Is something I'll never ever forget