[drama CD summary] Tenkohen 1 Track 1/3
TODAY, FOR A CHANGE OF PACE, I'M TRANSLATING/SUMMARIZING DRAMA CDS INSTEAD.

The track begins with a little girl humming to herself as she plays. A man's voice cuts through her song. We're going to call him "Rapist Voice," because that's what he sounds like.
Rapist Voice: Little girl...
Girl: Huh? Who are you?
Rapist Voice: [chuckles] Hey, would you listen to a request?
Girl: I can't! I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.
Rapist Voice: I want you to listen.

A wind rushes through, and when the girl next speaks, it's in an oddly detached voice.

Girl: What kind... of... request?
Rapist Voice: Look, you can see that small shrine over there, right? Open that door.
Girl: My mom said... I'm not supposed to go there...
Rapist Voice: Open the door and break what's inside.
Girl: Break what's... inside...

We hear the girl slowly approach the shrine and open the door.

Rapist Voice: That's right... what a good girl.
Girl: Break what's inside...

There's a shattering noise, and a worried woman rushes in.

Woman: Kayo-chan?! What's wrong?! Snap out of it, Kayo-chan!

Just as the girl wakes up and recognizes her mother, who scolds her for entering the shrine, it all goes to hell.

???: It's open... it's open! With this, I'm free!

The shrine shakes with power, and the woman screams. The Rapist Voice sounds amused as he observes the scene. It looks like he released whatever was inside to draw someone else out to seal it... he laughs maniacally, cementing his role as a villain.

---

Seimei: Ohhh... what a clear dream. And this form is... The one who called me here is... it was you after all, Wakana.
Wakana: Dear... I'm sorry. My power wasn't enough.

Wakana, her voice shaking, apologizes for not being enough to send "that child" back properly. Seimei tells her not to worry. It turns out that she had to bargain with the management of Meifu for Masahiro's return to the world of the living--specifically with a "Takamura-dono." He was able to rig it so that Masahiro could come back to life, but not without a sacrifice. In return for his life, the thing closest to importance to his life had to be left in Meifu. If she tries to return it to him, both Wakana and Seimei will be sentenced to the Eighth Hell. Wakana begins to cry, upset that Masahiro had to sacrifice something so important.

Seimei, sounding pained, tries to comfort her by saying that Masahiro isn't so weak as to give up over something like that, so she shouldn't cry.

Wakana: Ne, dear... If I say this, you might get mad, but... To be able to meet the child I didn't think I'd be able to... to be able to embrace him... I was happy.
Seimei: Wakana...
Wakana: I'm sorry. But I was very happy.

A wind blows, and Wakana says that she has to return. Seimei asks if she'll be all right by herself on the banks of the river, with Meifu's oni around, and she says that she'll be fine. It's a dark and lonely place, but she'll wait for him.

Seimei wakes, and apologizes to Wakana for not being able to join her yet.

---

Late at night, in a place full of crickets, Genbu chases after Taiin. He says that Masahiro will worry if they're not back soon, but Taiin grumbles, wondering what the Shinshou are doing on such a peaceful mountain. She dumps on him the stuff they've bought, leaving him to stumble after him.

It turns out she's not happy about having to stay somewhere close to Touda.

Taiin: Hey, where is Fujiwara no Michinaga's manor? I heard it was in a mountain castle's village...
Genbu: Yeah. It's over that north mountain. Apparently by that gulf. It's a day's journey on foot, but... there's no way Masahiro can do that yet.

Taiin comments that until Narichika gets there, they'll just have to manage somehow.

---

Meanwhile, Masahiro stands outside and mutters about how time seems to be passing very slowly.

Genbu: MASAHIRO! If you stand out there, you'll get cold!
Masahiro: Genbu? Where are you?
Taiin: [gives a small blast of wind]
Masahiro: Ah, I saw that. Welcome back. You were a little late, so I was waiting.
Genbu: Sorry.

Masahiro waves the apology off, saying he couldn't sleep anyway, and turns his attention to what they brought back.

Genbu: Masahiro. Kouchin and the others are inside?
Masahiro: Ah, yeah. I think Rikugou left to keep watch, though. [small laugh] I guess it's a little inconvenient after all. I know that everyone is nearby and I can hear your voices, so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but...
Taiin: Masahiro...
Masahiro: "Not being able to see"... is this, huh.
Genbu: Masahiro... I know about Kouchin and Rikugou, but... where is Touda?
Taiin: [gasp]
Masahiro: Saa... Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him for a while.
Genbu: Is that so.
Masahiro: But I think he's close. Since I saw a white tail this morning, and... [sigh] It's mysterious... I can't see Genbu and everyone or ayakashi, so why can I just see that white form...

---

Later, Masahiro sees a familiar shape walking down the hall.

Masahiro: ...Mokkun...
Touda: Did you want something?
Masahiro: Ah-- no-- that's--
Touda: Then don't look at me. It's disagreeable.
Masahiro: I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--

Touda leaves.

Masahiro: It's... natural. Because... I wished for it. "It's better if you forget it all. It's better if you don't remember the painful things."
Mokkun: [in Masahiro's memory] What's wrong, Masahiro?
Masahiro: Forget...
Mokkun: Are you worried about something? What is it, what is it? I'll listen.
Masahiro: Forget...
Mokkun: Masahiro! Masahiiiiro-kun!
Masahiro: The Guren that knew me is gone.

Masahiro says that that's his punishment for being so selfish. Not just losing his kenki ability... but not being with Guren, as well.

Masahiro: But... even with that... I...
Kouchin: Masahiro.
Masahiro: --Kouchin?
Kouchin: Can't you sleep?
Masahiro: ...no. Because I keep dreaming.

Masahiro comments that Taiin and Genbu don't seem to want to be around, but Kouchin and Rikugou are different. Kouchin says that it's because Rikugou isn't really able to be understood by anyone, and she's not afraid of Touda. She says that only Masahiro and Seimei aren't really afraid of Touda--he sends shivers down the spines of everyone else. The Touda now is like that, and it's boring. She doesn't like men without emotions.

Masahiro: I wonder if Gure-- ........ Touda wants to go back to Grandfather.
Kouchin: ...probably.

Masahiro sounds like he's holding back tears.

---

The next morning.

Masahiro: The one over there is... Rikugou?
Rikugou: Yeah.
Masahiro: Taiin and the others are...?
Rikugou: They're preparing breakfast. It looks like today they're aiming at fish. Are you okay now that you're awake?
Masahiro: ...ah... yeah.

He stops suddenly as Touda walks by with a derisive snort.

Rikugou: Touda.

Touda keeps walking, and Masahiro makes a sobbing noise. Kouchin is Not Amused by this, and says that seeing something like that really pisses her off.

Kouchin: Masahiro? You look pale. Are you going to be okay?
Masahiro: [quietly] No... I'm fine. Ah-- besides that, Rikugou, you've been wearing that for a while, that red thing. A magatama?
Rikugou: It's something left in my charge.
Masahiro: Hmmmm... now that I think about it, I never asked. About the seal at Chigaeshi--

He's cut off by a truly unearthly howl. Kouchin comments that it's coming from the north. Masahiro senses a strong youki, and an aura of water.

Kouchin: Yeah. It's fast.
Rikugou: It's here.

With a roar, a the ayakashi smashes through the wall. Rikugou goes after it, and Kouchin checks on Masahiro. She says it's an ayakashi she's never seen before. Masahiro, of course, can't see it at all, but says that it seems like there are a lot. Rikugou tells him otherwise. There's only one, but it's so fast that there seems to be many. Kouchin leaves Masahiro to Rikugou and attacks. Masahiro angsts about not being able to do anything, since he can't even see the ayakashi.

Touda: What kind of a situation is this? [transforms into his true form] And that's Seimei's grandson? Kou. You're in my way.
Kouchin: Touda...
Touda: Disappear. You're an eyesore!

The ayakashi burns up in Touda's hellfire.

Masahiro: [quietly] Guren...
Touda: --why do you know that name?! Someone like you... can't call that name!

Masahiro sounds like he's been physically struck. The novel describes this scene as his heart shattering. At that moment, Taiin and Genbu return.

Taiin: Is everyone okay?!
Genbu: What was that youki? --Masahiro? What's wrong?! You're pale!

Masahiro makes a choking noise, and collapses. Taiin screams and Kouchin runs to his side. In his mind, Masahiro hears Mokkun's voice.

Mokkun: Names are things that have meaning.
Masahiro: Mokkun...!
Mokkun: I give you permission to call my name.
Masahiro: Guren...!

---

Touda: Is there something wrong?
Kouchin: Touda. That's Seimei's grandson.
Touda: So it seems.
Kouchin: Don't say that kind of thing!
Touda: ...Kou. I'm here because you said it's Seimei's orders. Because you said that kid is Seimei's grandson. There's no reason I have to be careful.
Kouchin: He's just a child. I know that you hate children, but there's no reason for you to use such sharp-edged words.

Touda comments that it's strange to see Kouchin so attached to a child, and she mutters that for him to say that...

---

Taiin: Masahiro, are you really okay?
Masahiro: Yeah. I was just a little tired.

She tells him not to worry them like that again, and to say something if he's not feeling well.

Masahiro: [to himself] What am I doing? Even though I understand I can't call him that... That name... is an important treasure he received from Grandfather... I... to say I can't call it... I understand in my head, but... when I see that form, it just slips from my lips. [sounds as though he could cry] I... I want to see Akiko...

---

Meanwhile, Akiko is worried about Masahiro. Seimei, seeing this, says that he'll give her a spell to clear up her worry. In a dream, she sees Masahiro.

Akiko: Are you all right?
Masahiro: ...Akiko...!
Akiko: I learned a spell.
Masahiro: A spell?
Akiko: Seimei-sama gave it to me. A spell to meet someone you want to meet inside a dream. Ne, what's wrong? Is it something that you can't tell me?
Masahiro: ...sorry.
Akiko: It's okay. I thought it'd be good if I could do something, but...
Masahiro: I'm sorry. It's... I'm sorry.
Akiko: Um, I'll wait for you, so. If you're fine, then it's okay.
Masahiro: Mm.
Akiko: If you're not pained, and you're not injured... and you don't forget me, then I'm happy.
Masahiro: ...yeah. I'll come home.
Akiko: I'll be waiting.
Masahiro: I'll absolutely come home, so...

Masahiro wakes up.

Masahiro: The scent of... Japanese yew...?

Kouchin comes in to check on him. He says he's okay, but seeing him, she asks what's wrong.

Masahiro: There's... something I've always wanted to ask. The Touda I don't know and everyone hates... why is he so different?
Kouchin: I think... he met someone who trusted him. Before then, he was just strong, and more stubborn than Seiryuu, and more standoffish than Rikugou.
Masahiro: That's... the Touda everyone knows...
Kouchin: Yeah. Even when he became Seimei's shikigami it was the same.

She says that Touda changed, though. But it wasn't when he received his name from Seimei.

Kouchin: Thirteen years ago... a baby was born. That's why Touda changed.
Masahiro: Thirteen years ago?
Kouchin: That's right. The one who changed him was you, Masahiro. Through thirteen years passing.
Masahiro: Thirteen years...
Mokkun: [in Masahiro's memory] Don't give up~ don't lose~ Seimei's grandson~!
Masahiro: Then... if thirteen years pass... if the same number of years pass... will Touda look at me again? Look straight at me, and call my name... like before... together...
Kouchin: ...that's right.
Masahiro: If I wish for that... I wonder if it's okay. I... I...
Kouchin: Masahiro...

Masahiro begins to cry.

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