amatsuki 97

amatsuki 97

45
Text: [Chapter 97]
Text: [Out From The Mud]
Text: [Sweetfish & Rice]

46
Toki: Thanks
SFX: [*clap*]
Toki: For the food!
Hizame: Now,
Hizame: Let's eat.
SFX: [*talk talk talk*]
Toki: It's good~!
Toki: [And once again, it was time to eat.]
sFX: [Mm!]
Toki: [And then we'd have to figure out how to make it back to the Rajoumon Gate.]

47
Toki: [I couldn't believe how much food there was.]
(SFX: [*roar*])
(Bonten: No...)
(Bonten: I don't think that's what he's trying to do.)
(Bonten: He's not trying to simply burn the illusion.  It could still be remade.)
Toki: [And since we smelled that giant clam cooking in the fire,]
Toki: [We were so hungry that once we made it to safety, we totally gorged ourselves until our stomachs were about to explode.]
SFX: [*uggggggghh owwwwww*]
Toki: [...Well, two of us did, anyway.]
Toki: [We had to rest and regroup so we'd be ready for whatever happened next.]
Toki: What are we going to do?
Toki: It looks like the paths we took through the torii gates...
SFX: [*chew chew*]
Toki: Were both dead ends.

48
(Demon: If you want to follow those bloodstained priestesses, come this way.)
(SFX: *jingle*)
Toki: The path of the priestesses took us through the mirror maze...
Toki: So I guess we could have taken that way back, but we kinda broke it.
(SFX: [*CRASH*])
Toki: If we could just find another torii gate, we could probably connect to another one that would take us back.
Toki: After all, there's more than one torii gate that leads to the outside.
Toki: We've used them a couple of times.
Toki: The path of the dead took us to the Inugami's village,
Toki: But that's as far as it went.
(SFX: [*gush*])
(Demon: But...)
(Demon: If you want to retrieve the remains of the dead from the Yakou, come this way.)
Toki: If only the village weren't gone now...
Toki: We can't just retrace our steps and go back through the toori gates.
(Demon: Let me pass...)
Toki: Hm...

49
Toki: I guess we've got no choice but to keep going on the path of the priestesses and see where it goes.
(SFX: [*rustle*])
(Toki: But when we came through the torii gate earlier, the path lead back to Rajoumon...)
(Kon: Yeah, this is weird.)
Toki: If we try to take the other path, it will only lead us back to the village...
Bonten: But wait...
Bonten: Before, when I chose the path of the priestesses,
Bonten: The Yakou said...
Bonten: That we'd find the priestesses at the end of it.
Bonten: I think.
Toki: Oh!
Toki: You're right!
Hizame: So perhaps we haven't yet reached the end of that path.
Toki: You think we can get out that way?
Toki: [Eh?]
Hizame: Most likely.
Bonten: I'm convinced that the priestesses are being hidden somewhere on the demon paths.

50
Bonten: The demon paths aren't just useful for moving around quickly.
Bonten: They're also removed from normal space and time.
Toki: Huh?
Hizame: [Hm...]
Hizame: Your younger brother's tree is located on a sacred mountain, right?
Hizame: Before, there was a path running directly from there to Edo Castle, wasn't there?
Hizame: It's strange that important places are so well connected.
Toki: Um, could somebody explain this to me...?
Toki: [I need a map!]
Bonten: Wait.
Toki: Huh?
SFX: [*sigh*]

51
Bonten: .....
Bonten: .....
Toki: ...?
Bonten: .....
SFX: [*blink*]
Bonten: We passed through Takebashi.
(Note: Takebashi is a district of Tokyo that's very close to the Imperial Palace and Ueno Park.)
Bonten: And Yushima Tenjin Shrine.
(Note: Yushima Tenjin Shrine is a shrine to the god of learning and the god of sports - it's close to Ueno Park and Tokyo University, so it's popular with students seeking good luck on their exams!)
Bonten: And Shinobazu Pond.
(Note: Shinobazu Pond is a lake located within Ueno Park.)
Bonten: Then Toshogu Shrine.
(Note: There are several "Toshogu" shrines dedicated to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, but the one in Ueno Park is one of the most famous.)
Bonten: Then we passed through forest for a while.
Bonten: Then Kaneiji Temple.
(Note: The grounds of Kaneiji Temple used to cover much of modern-day Ueno Park, but most of the temple was destroyed in the 1860s.  The most famous part of the temple is the 5-storied pagoda, which still stands in Ueno Park.
Bonten: I think.
Hizame: So we're in Ueno?
SFX: [*shock*]
Toki: !?
Toki: Eeeh!?
Toki: You mean...
Toki: We were in Ueno all along!?
(Note: Ueno is a very well-known part of Tokyo, but Toki never recognized the Amatsuki-verse's historical version of his own home city.  He's not that smart...)
(Utsubushi: There's no need to worry, human.)
(Utsubushi: He's simply exhausted from lack of sleep.)
(Utsubushi: If Bon doesn't sleep, he can't support his body.)
(Utsubushi: He's just resting now.  He'll be fine.)
(Utsubushi: It will be a few days...)
(SFX: [*whoosh*])
(Utsubushi: Before he'll be able to wake up.)
(Utsubushi: It's best if he just rests quietly for now.)
Text: [The Five-Storied Pagoda of Heaven's Seat]

52
Bonten: Well, obviously.
Toki: I didn't know!!
Toki: [I'm just a freshman!!!]
Bonten: Don't you have any sense of direction!?
Toki: Does that mean your pagoda is around here, too?
Toki: [Those other temples and shrines were too far away to recognize!!]
SFX: [*nod*]
Toki: No way!!
Toki: [We're pretty close to where Shamon-san is!!!]
Toki: [It's probably too far to walk, though...]
Hizame: Oh my...
Hizame: But is it really wise to go so far from your home?
SFX: [*giggle giggle*]
Toki: Huh?
Bonten: Tsuyukusa isn't tied to his tree anymore,
Bonten: So we have a lot more freedom to move, now.
Bonten: I didn't expect humans like you and Rikugou to understand.
Hizame: I see!
SFX: [*giggle giggle*]
Toki: Oh!
Toki: I get it!
SFX: [*surprise*]
Toki: I wonder if he was keeping that a secret from her?

53
Toki: So anyway, it's like this?
Text: [Imperial Palace]
Text: [Edo Castle]
Text: [(1)Takebashi]
Text: [(2)Yushima Tenjin]
Text: [(3)Shinobazu Pond]
Text: [Ueno]
Text: [Tsuyukisa's Tree]
Text: [(4)Toshogu Shrine]
Text: [Heaven's Seat]
Text: [5-Storied Pagoda]
Text: [(5)Kaneiji Temple]
Toki: I think I've got it...
Toki: In my time, this whole area is part of Ueno Park!]
Toki: The path of the priestesses must end around there!]
Toki: [Wow, the demon paths are so freaky...]
Toki: [It felt like we were walking forever, but in reality, we only moved a few kilometers...]
Toki: [Uwaaaah!!]
Toki: [Finally, it felt like we were making progress again.]
Bonten: Heh... I'm surprised.
Bonten: I didn't think you were smart enough to make a detailed map.
Toki: Huh?
Toki: Oh, well,
Toki: I caught a glimpse of Beni-san's map before...

54
Toki: [I thought back then that even in modern maps,]
Toki: [You could still see the shadows of Old Edo.]
(Beni: This is a map that doctors use to make their home visits.)
(Beni: See, it's a map of Nihonbashi.)
(Beni: Here's the)
(Beni: And here's our)
Toki: [But thinking about it...]
Toki: [Made me suddenly feel wistful...]
Toki: And, well...
Toki: I know Ueno pretty well.
(Suou: [I've got a place in Ueno.])
(Suou: [I'm building me a little house there.])
Toki: A long time ago...
Toki: I kinda wanted to live there one day.
Toki: Or something like that.
Toki: .....
Toki: ...Ueno?
Suou: Yeah!
Suou: There are a lot of trees there,
Suou: And it's pretty quiet and safe...
Toki: Is Chitose going to live with you?
Suou: !?
Suou: Are you crazy!?
Suou: There's no way she would!

55
Suou: Um, well, I mean...
SFX: [*blush*]
Suou: I wanna get settled before I start a family,
Suou: But it sure is a nice dream!
Toki: .....
Toki: Um...
Toki: Can I...
Toki: Can I come stay with you too?
Suou: Huh?
Toki: ...Is that a no?
Suou: No, it's just... kind of a big decision, you know?
SFX: [*sniffle*]
Toki: .....
Suou: Hey...
Suou: .....
Suou: Oh, come on...
Suou: Shit...

56
Suou: Sure, what the hell!
SFX: *laugh*
Toki: That sure brings back memories...
Toki: But I can't remember where in Ueno we were going to live...
Bonten: Rikugou?
SFX: [*shock*]

57
Toki: Oh, sorry!
Toki: It's just that this neighborhood is really famous in my time!!
SFX: [*wahaha*]
Toki: There's a zoo and everything!
Toki: I went there on a trip in elementary school...
Toki: ......
Bonten: .....
Bonten: That's right.  There is a zoo.
Bonten: It's famous for the pandas...
Bonten: Right?
Toki: Um...
Toki: Yeah... I'm surprised you know about that.
Toki: ...
Toki: Haha...
Toki: It almost sounds like you've seen it yourself.
Toki: Um... have you been to the zoo?
Toki: That's...
Bonten: No.
Bonten: But I've seen it.
Bonten: I think.

58
Toki: [What?]
Toki: ...Hey, Kon?
Toki (2 bubbles): Does the Ueno Zoo...
Toki: Exist in this time, too?
Toki: I didn't think it was around in the Edo Period...
Kon: I....
Kon: HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW!?
Toki: ...Kon?
Kon: .....
SFX: [*gasp*]

59
Kon: Um... never mind.
KOn: I guess...
Kon: I guess I just don't remember anything about the Ueno in our world.
Kon: But there's nothing like that in the Ueno here.
Toki: ......
Toki: ...Kon?
Toki: I'm worried...
SFX: [*shock*]
Toki: Did something happen while we were separated?
Toki: You've been acting weird, you know?
KOn: ......
Kon: Toki...
Toki: ?

60
Kon: Which...
Kon: Is more important to you?
Kon: This world or that world?
Toki: Eh?
Toki: .....?
Toki: You mean...
Toki: Amatsuki or the real world?
SFX: [*twitch*]

61
Kon: No... I mean... I know you want to go back to your world...
Kon: Of course it's important to you...
Toki: Well, yeah, I want to go home...
Toki: But how can you think that means that Amatsuki isn't important to me!?
Toki: I've made so many friends here... I've made so many memories.
Toki: Do you think I'd be doing all of this if Amatsuki wasn't important to me?
Toki: What's wrong, Kon?
Toki: You're not acting like yourself!
Toki: Back then...
Toki: Something happened to you!!

62
Toki: What's bothering you!?
Toki: Please, talk to me!!
Kon: .....
Toki: I promised that I would protect you!

63
Toki: [I know that "Shinonome" and "Kon" are different people.]
Toki: [But that doesn't make *you* any less important to me.]

64
KOn: Haha...
Kon: Haha!
Toki: Kon?
Kon: Hahaha...
Kon: It's nothing...
Kon: Haha...
Kon: Don't worry about it.
Toki: Huuuh?
Kon: Sorry.
Kon: I'm fine.
Kon: Really.
Toki: Ehhhh!?
Toki: What do you mean!?
Toki: I was really worried about you!!!
Kon: Yeah?
Toki: [I don't understaaaaaand!!!]
Toki: [Arrrggghh!!]
SFX: [*roll roll roll*]
Bonten: Rikugou!

65
Bonten: So what do you think?
Bonten: Should we go to Ueno?
Toki: Um...
Toki: Yeah!
Toki: I mean, we can't go back on the path of corpses.
Toki: So I guess we have to keep going, right?
Bonten: ...Fine.  We'll be meeting up with Tsuyukusa soon.
SFX: [*glance*]
Bonten: Oh boy, it's like a reunion.

66
Bonten: It's almost time...
SFX: [*flap flap*]
SFX: [*pull pull*]
Utsubushi: I got it!!
Utsubushi: [Here, eat this worm!]
Hashita: [Ew...]
Hashita: There's no way in hell I'm eating that.
Hashita: [Gross...]
SFX: [*stare*]
Utsubushi: You don't want it?
Hashita: No thanks.
Utsubushi: Um...
Utsubushi: Hashita?
Hashita: What?
SFX: [*rustle*]

67
Tsuyukusa: Here, are you hungry?
Hashita: Haha, I guess I am!
Hashita: Thanks,
Hashita: Tsuyukusa.
Tsuyukusa: .....
Hashita: What?  Oh, I guess you're not used to me yet, huh?
Hashita: It's okay, I still feel like I'm dreaming, too.
Hashita: It *is* safe to eat the food here,
Hashita: Right?
Tsuyukusa: [What do you mean, "dreaming!?"]

68
Tsuyukusa: Whatever.
Tsuyukusa: I think Toki and the rest are going to meet up with us soon.
Tsuyukusa: It's been a while since I've seen them.
Hashita: I see...
Hashita: ...
Hashita: Meeting up...
Hashita: Yes.
Hashita: ...
Hashita: Well, at least I know that Toki is real.
Hashita: Everything else has to be a dream.
Hashita: Or is it?
Hashita: I wonder if I'll run into any other familiar faces...
Hashita: It's like fate is bringing us together, huh?
Tsuyukusa: ?