Original subtitles

Natsume's Book of Friends

[7]

Why are you trying to stop the ceremony?

Because I want the Miharu to disappear.

Welcome. Welcome.

What is Matoba doing?

The

House

Where

a

Promise

Remains

There's probably a trap in this room that thins out the air.

I'm worried about Natsume and the others, and the ceremony, too.

We need to get out of here.

Matoba-san?

Oh, yes.

This does seem bad.

We need to find a way to break the spell.

True.

But the spell itself is a trivial one.

The Miharu family's spells are simple to break,

as long as one knows the source of the curse.

Unfortunate.

If we were truly trapped in here,

Natsume-kun might have simply disposed of the creature for us.

Matoba-san, you...

And you, Natori, should take more advantage of the tools available to you.

Those who can, should.

And those who cannot, should simply stay away.

How long will he pretend to be ordinary, I wonder.

Matoba-san,

have you never wanted to quit being an exorcist?

Ah.

It seems that is the source of the spells in this room.

Natori, can you do the Paper Dropping dispel?

Paper Dropping?

Yes.

That should be sufficient to break it.

And that strange spell that seems to affect only you, as well.

Can't you see the many curses written on the walls to harm intruders.

They're all simple, and out of date.

But it seems they affect those who leave themselves vulnerable.

Well, Natori?

If you can't do it, shall I handle it all for you?

I've no interest in the weak.

Never let me see you again.

A storeroom?

Are you okay?

I need to interfere.

Exit... Exit...

Wait! Why do you want to stop the ceremony?

You want them to disappear?

Do you hate the Miharu family?

I was sure this had something to do with Matoba,

but it seems to be something to do with the Miharu.

All exorcists are up to something nasty.

Yes, it's the kind of place where they felt the need to build a trap door.

But the Miharu clan is...

Do you mean it? You'll listen?

To my story...

Yes, I will.

The box is full and does not allow escape.

That which is imperfect is not a box.

It has corners, but not four sides.

Begone, begone.

For you are paper!

And there's the real exit.

Well done.

Now, let us hurry.

Do you know Masakiyo?

Masakiyo?

Yes. The cruel, merciless Miharu exorcist.

I lived quietly in a small shack in the yard

of a big mansion on the other side of the mountain.

But one day,

a large yokai came to live in the mansion's storehouse.

Yokai that bring disaster with them gathered as well.

The people in the mansion cried all the time.

I c-cried, too. I was so scared.

The people in the mansion called many exorcists,

but none could get rid of them.

Then one day...

Run! Run!

The Miharu are coming!

Masakiyo! The cruel and merciless Miharu exorcist!

I was too scared to move.

The powerful yokai weren't afraid at all,

but when Miharu came, he destroyed them with ease.

And that's why you hate him?

But...

Welcome. Welcome.

Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll take over.

You're late, boss.

Where were you?

I'll tell you later.

The Miharu are fascinating.

Hey! Where's Natsume?

I don't know. Probably looking for whoever's trying to stop the ceremony.

It's here!

Now, we'll have to see who comes.

I can't forget the horror I saw then.

Miharu destroyed them one after another, without mercy.

And then...

I was found too, but...

Begone.

I've no interest in the weak.

Never let me see you again.

He let me go.

Then why?

I must repay him for saving my life.

Ever since then...

Wait! Tell me your wish!

I followed Masakiyo everywhere,

but he refused to look at me. Or answer me.

I think they call that stalking.

I continued to follow him, hoping that someday I could repay my debt.

Masakiyo never smiled.

He always looked so stern.

But just once, I saw him cry...

I wish the Miharu household would just stop existing.

I was happy.

I had heard his wish.

But even if I tried to destroy the clan,

perhaps because of the pillars, I failed utterly.

So I realized...

If I angered the pillars, it would destroy the Miharu.

That's right. I have to stop the ceremony.

Wait! You...

Wait!

I won't let you interfere with my interfering!

Hiiragi!

Let me go!

Gyah!

Hurry! Hurry!

Wait!

Natsume, the exit is this way!

Thank you, Hiiragi!

Hmph! She doesn't seem to understand that

Masakiyo and the Miharu aren't even around anymore!

Where's Natori-san?

This strange mansion stops me from sensing him.

Let's hurry.

We have to stop it before it gets too far.

Yeah.

Now, come this way.

Who is it?

No way to know.

We'll know when it enters the pillar room.

I don't know why the Miharu would want this thing in their house, though.

It gives off a terrible aura.

It'll be bad news if it's angered.

I'm amazed it's still here, with the family long gone.

This monster doesn't even understand that.

There it is!

Matoba-san!

Then that's....

I'll interfere with you!

Make it in time!

I'll interfere with you!

Make it in time!

Get any closer to the procession, and I'll exorcise you, One-Eye.

Natori-san...

You okay, Natsume?

Natori-san...

I'm glad you're safe.

Yeah, you too.

Let's keep watch in front of the pillar room until the ceremony is over.

Yes.

Was that the intruder?

Yes.

But,

the reason it's doing it is...

Please, enter.

They've entered the pillar room.

After they chant a spell around it,

it will then assume its true form,

and the one who invited it in will read its name and offer it a cup of sake.

If it then drinks from the cup, the ceremony is complete.

Thank you, Natsume.

Now that we're here, let us fulfill our role.

Yes.

It's begun.

Let me through!

He told me what you said.

Masakiyo-san and the Miharu are gone.

Making the ceremony fail won't repay the debt like you hope.

That's not true!

The Miharu household is right here!

Masakiyo wanted it gone. He said...

He was crying! That strong Masakiyo...

He was bent over, and sobbing.

I wanted to make him feel better, but he wouldn't look at me.

So I must grant his wish!

Out of my way! I'm going to anger the pillar!

No!

Natsume!

If you go inside that circle, it will hurt you!

Let me go! Let me go, child!

What Masakiyo-san wanted gone is gone!

The Miharu and Masakiyo-san are both gone from this place!

You can't repay your debt!

You're lying!

Masakiyo is...

The Miharu household is right here.

I need to repay him. He spared me.

When I... When I'm so weak...

Where? Where?

I am here.

Bobozukin, take this sake.

You are the pillar, and our protector.

I shall protect you.

To repay you for inviting us in when we were starving,

we shall protect this home.

Neither storm nor fire nor water nor mountain shall destroy this house.

It's over.

The ceremony is over.

Natsume!

Idiot! That's what happens when you cling to an angry yokai.

Natsume! Natsume!

Hey! Let me repay you! Hey!

Don't make me repeat myself.

Begone.

I'm not allowed to spare any yokai.

Never let me see you again, unless you want to be exorcised.

You spared my life.

I will repay that debt.

You were almost exorcised because of humans,

and your life was only saved by a human whim.

What debt do you owe?

You're free.

Go where you like.

Live as you like.

Then I will stay by your side, even if you cannot see me.

Masakiyo-san!

At least tell me why!

It is something beyond your understanding.

Now go!

And never think of me again!

I wish the Miharu household would just stop existing.

I'm sure he felt he couldn't force her to bear the burdens he did,

but he couldn't abandon his family.

You saw what was in my heart.

I failed to understand.

But if the Miharu disappeared, Masakiyo would...

But yes... it's too late.

Too late for everything... for everything...

There was something else he said, right?

"You're free. Go where you like."

"Live as you like."

And so the Miharu ceremony ended successfully.

Natori, I appreciate your help.

You saved us.

You saved me.

I don't know if I could've gotten out of that room without you.

So this time, we're even.

This house won't trouble us for some time.

To inherit something, and bear its burdens...

The true weight of such a thing is greater than I can know.

But for now, this is what I think:

A heavy burden can be shared.

Where did that One-Eye go?

Who knows?

Maybe it has a home to go to,

or it left on a journey.

I'm so tired.

Sensei, you didn't do anything this time.

Hurry, Natsume! Before someone takes all those sweet loquats!

Hey, you forgot the flag in the yard!

Matoba-san!

Hello, Natsume-kun. Thank you for your help.

It all turned out okay, just as you said.

I do feel pity for the three pillars, though.

Even with the family gone, they come to keep their promise.

It's funny, but also troublesome.

For just a moment,

I wondered if he was jealous of the lengths they went through to keep their promise.

For the sake of his family, Matoba-san can't make promises.

Is something wrong?

No.

Things worked out, but I don't know about next time.

We'll see whether it's Shirotsumenokimi or Akanie.

Well, there'll be a new head of the family then,

so it's not my problem to worry about.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

If you truly desire to welcome them, as you did today.

Cheer up, please.

How strange.

Did I look like I needed cheering up?

But I appreciate the kindness, so I'll take it.

This loquat is from the Yorishima household, yes?

When I was a student, I would always stare at them.

Just once, when Natori and I were looking at them,

Yorishima-san gave us each one.

Mine was sweet and delicious.

My long-held desire had been fulfilled.

But Natori seemed to get a bad one.

He had a strange look on his face as he ate it.

I think, perhaps,

that he wanted to give it to Natori, and I was simply there.

But I got the sweet one,

and Natori showed Yorishima-san a face like he wasn't enjoying it.

Even something so small still turns into a mess.

Matoba, we're ready to go.

Oh, I'm afraid I said something strange.

There was no point to that story at all.

Anyway, I'm sure we'll meet again, Natsume-kun.

Meow!

Well done.

Why did the Miharu die out?

They should've been safe with those powerful gods protecting them.

Perhaps inviting the three pillars is what caused their decline.

There are things people can't control.

I don't mean the yokai.

I mean ourselves.

I think that people like you who can have such strong powers,

like Sensei and the Book of Friends, and not use them... are rare.

Don't be stupid!

I'm horribly overworked!

Perhaps at first, it was just someone who wanted to protect their home,

and three yokai that helped them, but...

Even something so small still turns into a mess.

Natsume?

I'm sorry for getting you involved in more exorcist problems.

I'll give you these, too. So cheer up.

Did I look like I needed cheering up?

Natsume's Book of Friends [7]

Preview

Tell Me Your Name

I know where it is. The first sheet.

Is that important?

Maybe I'll plant flowers in the garden.

You're such a softie. But thank you.

Would you please tell me your name?