Original subtitles

All fine? No objections?

In they go.

There! The dice are cast!

Even!

Even!

Even!

No bets on odd? None at all?

Odd.

All bets accounted for.

Come on, odd! Odd!

Four and two. Even.

You've lost 50 ryo in all.

What are we gonna do now, young master?!

You already gave them your kimono and sword! You've got nothing left!

Indeed, young master. How will you pay?

We can hook you up with a lucrative job, if you like.

No, you need not bother.

I will leave him as collateral.

You monster!

YATAGARASU

The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

The Ravine

Yukiya.

Clean the gambling hall once you finish up here.

Right.

And when you're done cleaning—

I know, I know. Dry the bedding from the brothel, right?

If you know, pick up the pace.

Hang in there, Yuki!

I will!

What a good worker.

The men say he's too good to leave as collateral.

But he's been here a month and a half now.

Don't you think his young master must have abandoned him?

Working hard, I see.

I finally got my funds in order. I know I've kept you waiting.

Y-Young master.

Young master!

D-Damn it.

Your Highness, where are we going?

We've been climbing for a while now.

I can't take much more—

We're here.

Hey there.

Welcome back, sirs.

Where are we?

In the basement of the Watchful Moon.

We asked the owner to leave it unlocked for us.

So this is the red-light district?

The passage runs all the way here from the gambling den in the Ravine?

Such tunnels run through the Central Mountain like an anthill.

Most have outlets behind bushes in the wild or under temples and houses of—

Oh, right. So they're secret escape routes for court ravens who sneak out at night.

Rumor has it a ton of guys have gotten lost and died underground.

Be careful if you use them.

Oh, and Yukiya... I've learned my lesson.

I placed a terrible burden on you.

Oh, it wasn't that bad.

I'd like to recompense you today.

Master, I'm booking the whole house tonight.

Certainly, sir.

Gather all of your prettiest girls—

I really wish you wouldn't!

It happened just the other day.

Some guests at a brothel in the Ravine looked like they didn't belong.

Coming through!

The nerve of some people!

They ask for me by name, then don't even let me pour their drinks.

Have you heard that Natsuka has backers?

Oh, I get it. This is...

a meeting of Natsuka's backers.

If I may, Sir Rokon...

Would you at least tell us the purpose of this gathering?

What do you mean by, "Let anyone who cares to explain himself come forward"?

Does Lord Natsuka know of today's meeting?

I haven't informed Lord Natsuka. It isn't worth his time.

I called you all here for just one reason: to uproot the rot for all to see.

Isn't that right, Kazumichi?

Kazumichi?

You can forget about attending to the Prince after this!

Do you realize how hard I worked to arrange that?

Kazumaro's father backs Natsuka?

Why would a northern court raven do that?

I heard the Southern House was behind his faction.

Wh-Whatever do you mean, Sir Rokon?

A month and a half ago, you plotted to have ruffians assassinate the Prince.

And your scheme failed miserably.

Even giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you acted for Lord Natsuka,

you still committed a fatal blunder you can't fix.

Wh-What? I know nothing of this matter.

Why, this is the first I've even heard of an attack on His Highness.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Don't think you can fool me, Kazumichi.

I have proof.

You dosed the brigands with poison.

It was in the drinks you bought them "for courage" before the attack.

However, one ruffian couldn't hold his liquor.

He refused the offer of a drink.

But seeing his comrades all fall around him broke his nerve.

Seeking sanctuary, he ran to a temple. Clear Mirror Temple, if you can believe it.

What if he had run to a temple in the Prince's pocket?

He'd be living proof leading back to you, and even Lord Natsuka would face blame.

How would you have taken responsibility if that had happened?

I... I would have... I would have...

How many times did I tell you?

"Whatever you do, no rash moves."

"And if you do make one, do it right."

What are you doing?

Sir Kazumichi, are you all right?

I know that court raven. Isn't he Lord Natsuka's aide?

Atsufusa. I didn't see you here, so I assumed you had something to hide.

You must be mad.

If the Northern House learns of this, they'll turn on us altogether.

Fool. That's why I'm doing this in secret.

Do you, a bodyguard, have that authority? We must defer to His Lordship.

Explain all this fuss, Rokon.

Why, Lord Natsuka.

I was merely asking the man behind the blunder we discussed to explain himself.

You needn't concern yourself.

Sir Rokon is invoking your illustrious name to commit brutalities.

All your efforts to win over the Northern House may come to naught.

No, worse than that—

Lord Natsuka, you must know that I have given my all for you.

Won't you please trust me?

Very well.

Kazumichi, something's been puzzling me.

Would a coward like you really take such a big risk?

Are you sure no one put you up to it?

No. No!

Out with it, Kazumichi.

I just thought, with the Prince out of the way,

Lord Natsuka would become our next kin'u.

I simply wished to help.

You've been using Lord Natsuka's name to borrow money.

And not only have you not paid it back, you've been extorting hill ravens, I hear.

Sir Kazumichi would never...

Did you think I wouldn't find out?

I've also heard you started panicking recently

because your son lost you favor with the Northern House.

Did you think Lord Natsuka would pay off your debts if you killed the Prince?

And that he'd forgive all your other crimes?

Lord Natsuka!

Have mercy! I beg you, spare me!

Please spare me! Sir Atsufusa! Sir Atsufusa!

Watch closely, all of you.

See what happens to those who defy Lord Natsuka's will.

How gruesome.

Atsufusa.

Rokon stepped forward to dirty his hands.

This matter would not have resolved itself otherwise.

I see.

So a rogue court raven did it.

They'll blame Kazumichi's death on robbers or cutthroats,

and I doubt that ruffian is still alive.

Any more digging seems like a waste of time.

Um...

I'm not sure I really follow, but where does Lord Natsuka stand in his own faction?

I mean...

Natsuka issues no orders himself.

The others champion him and do what they imagine he wants.

That's how his faction operates, making it hard to get a clear picture.

So that's how it works.

Anything else to report?

Well, I was thinking someone must have masterminded the attack.

A mastermind?

Like Rokon said,

Kazumichi didn't seem clever enough to poison his henchmen ahead of time.

I thought maybe Lord Natsuka had ordered it, but going by what you just said...

Well, you don't have much evidence.

I guess not.

And Kazumichi didn't name names, even when being threatened by Rokon?

Right.

What about the Empress?

Very likely, but we can't prove it.

If only Kazumichi were still alive.

Well then, good night.

You may not need me to tell you this,

but if you feel the least bit of guilt for Kazumichi's rash acts, it is misplaced.

He would have done much the same sooner or later.

You need not let it bother you.

Right.

Oh, and you impressed the Ravine-dwellers.

"The boy can work," they said. "Take your money back. Just let us keep him."

I refused, of course.

Um, Your Highness?

Yes?

Do you mean to say you'd already paid them?

Yes. They'll do anything for me, so long as I pay.

I knew it.

Hm?

You knew all along, didn't you? About Natsuka's backers meeting there.

That's why you abandoned me in the Ravine like that.

Didn't I tell you that was why?

Not one word!

I thought you'd sold me off for real!

I slaved from dawn to dusk!

Why do you always keep me in the dark?

Why don't you ever tell me the plan ahead of time?

Sorry about that.

Do you think you can buy me off with these?!

Cherry Blossom Palace

Do you think His Highness will finally visit this time?

Autumn Hall

Of course he will.

Tanabata is one of the most crucial steps in the rite.

The ladies vying for the Crown Prince's hand have spent a year

sewing kimono that match their own to give to him.

They hang their gifts outside their halls.

If His Highness wears one, it is said to bode well for the lady who sewed it.

So Tanabata cannot go forward without him?

Of course, professionals do the actual sewing.

The ladies only add the last stitch, if that.

Only our lady would actually do it all herself.

You there.

Stop twittering and get to work.

Yes, ma'am.

Kikuno.

Y-Yes, my lady?

Has His Highness written?

No, not yet.

I see.

His Highness must be busy. I am sure none of the other ladies have—

Ow.

Are you hurt?

You always overreact, Kikuno.

Now, go. You're distracting me.

His Highness will surely come on Tanabata.

I know His Lordship wrote to the Prince, strongly requesting his presence.

Spring Hall

All done.

And well done.

His Highness will be delighted.

But I only added one stitch.

Is there not more I can do? I could help decorate.

I appreciate the offer, my lady, but no.

Please relax and play your koto.

My lady.

A royal lady-in-waiting wishes to see you.

Royal?

Samomo!

I am so glad to see you.

Forgive me. I know you must be busy preparing for Tanabata.

Hardly. In fact, I was bored.

I feel like no one expects much of me.

Surely you jest.

No, I mean it.

But I cannot blame them.

Coming to the palace has highlighted how little knowledge and skill I have.

I have no right to be here.

I disagree.

You are beautiful and kind, Lady Asebi.

You would make a wonderful consort.

Samomo...

Please take heart.

I have brought a gift from Princess Fujinami.

My! A nagon koto, and a magnificent one.

I believe its name is Drifting Cloud.

Drifting Cloud?

Princess Fujinami wants me to have it?

She says she spoke of you to a certain person, who granted permission.

Who might that be?

Someone of high birth. She said no more.

Cherry blossoms and mist.

Drifting Cloud?

When was it?

The boy wore purple.

Of course! Why didn't I realize?

Only the most noble members of the Royal House may dress in purple.

Then, that boy must have been... the Prince?

I came to the palace so I could see my first love again.

What are you frowning for?

I just received a threat.

Y-You got a what?!

So, basically, "I shall overlook Your Highness's sloth thus far."

"But whatever happens, no matter how grave,

you absolutely must visit the Cherry Blossom Palace on Tanabata!"

Hey, isn't this...

Yes. From the Lord of the West.

Jeez, don't scare me like that.

That man has no doubt that I will wed his daughter,

so he wants to make me visit her and seal the deal.

"S-Seal the deal"?

By wearing her kimono, of course.

S-Still, Tanabata, huh?

You really can't sit this one out, can you?

Your Highness?

I don't want to go.

Atsufusa?

I beg of you!

Let me speak with His Highness!

I realize the impertinence of my request, but please!

Natsuka's aide, Atsufusa.

This unexpected visitor asks a favor of the Prince.

On Tanabata in the Cherry Blossom Palace,

the tune Asebi plucks on her koto makes waves in women's hearts.

Next time: "A Tanabata Invitation."

A Tanabata

Invitation

YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Illustration: Natsuki