Asumu
Please sit in a well-lit room, at a comfortable distance, when watching.
I, Adachi Asumu, am a third year middle school student preparing for my high school entrance exam.
I intended to focus on studying and not see Hibiki until the test was over,
but...
I can't shake this uneasiness,
and I haven't been able to study at all.
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Volume Six
Beating Soul
If you're going in, hurry up and do it.
Ah, sorry.
Come on in!
Welcome!
Oh!
H-hello.
I expect you would have gone home if I hadn't spoken up?
No, not at all...!
Well, have a seat!
I'll, uh... sit here...
Ummm...
Oh! Right!
Hibiki!
...Yes.
Ah, he just left a little while ago!
Some work suddenly came up and he had to step in to handle it.
Okay...
Anyway, since you've come all this way, have some tea!
Sure.
Wound
Cold...!
Ow... ow ow...
Ow...
Oww...
These millet dumplings are the pride of our shop!
Did you know that you can only get these in Tokyo?
No.
I bet!
Today, you get a food sampler, on the house!
Eh? Is it okay?
Yup, absolutely!
Thanks a lot!
Mochida Hitomi
Ah, it went to voicemail.
Seriously?
Uh... did you get a stomachache?
This is Mochi, aka Mochida.
I kinda doubt that's what happened, but...
- Lemme have that for a second!
Don't tell me you went home without saying anything!
I told you not to do that, didn't I?! You're such a—
- Gimme!
That's cold, Adachi! C'mon, get out here!
Well, there you have it.
So you better give us a proper answer later!
Our millet dumplings are pretty good, right?
Yes!
Well, once again...
Welcome!
Thank you for having me.
So, are you doing alright?
Yes.
Unfortunately, Hibiki is out on a job...
Yes, I heard.
Come to think of it...
You're taking Jounan's exam, right?
Y... yeah.
Jounan's history questions can be quite difficult.
Yeah...
You know, a college classmate of mine teaches there.
His name is Kazami.
Really?!
It's quite a good school.
Seems like it!
Ah... your tea must have gotten cold.
I'll bring you a fresh cup.
Ah, thank you!
...Hibiki!
Man, it really got me good!
Why did you choose Jounan?
Um... there's no particular reason...
Its rankings and other stuff made it seem like a good choice...
Well, even if you're told to make a firm decision about your future,
it's still difficult to do so at your age.
Yeah.
To be honest, I was considering a place like Jouhoku, since I wanted to play in the band...
Hm?
Their band has won national competitions.
Ah, so that's why.
For now, though, I'm going to work hard to pass Jounan's exam.
Right, getting in is the first step.
It's all a matter of just going for it.
That's true.
Hello!
Hey there, Hibuki!
It's Ibuki, branch chief!
Hm? That's what I said.
I seem to be called Hibiki, Ibiki, and all manner of things whenever I come here.
Oh, really?
Kasumi isn't here today.
I see...
Oh! Long time no see! Welcome!
Oh, what a shame!
Where would Kasumi be today?
Well, Zanki was defeated by a Bakegani.
Really?!
Yeah. Seems he was taken to the hospital.
So, Kasumi and Hibiki went to Boso in his place.
I see, Zanki was...
Oh... who's the kid?
He was there in Yakushima when Hibiki fought that Tsuchigumo recently.
It's Kasumi!
Hello!
Hello? The Bakegani got Hibiki with its foam.
What?! Ah, yeah. Okay...
Right... I'll give the phone to Dad.
Hello? It's me.
Sorry, it looks like Hibiki will be back a bit late tonight.
Ah, okay... I should go, then.
I'm really sorry. Come by any time!
I will. Thank you for the food.
That's good...
Yeah. Is that what he's saying?
Right, right...
Got it. Ibuki is right here, so he'll bring you one.
Man, they just ain't biting.
You've gotta hold out until the tide changes.
Evil spirit
Thanks.
Owowow...!
It doesn't hurt, I'm fine!
Alright.
- And now... - Uhh...
The monster seemed to be slowly heading north, so...
Okay... I guess we'll focus our search up here, right?
Roger! Then...
Are you heading out to Hibiki?
Huh?
I'm bringing him a taiko drum, so I'll give you a lift.
Sure...
You're Takeshi, right?
Oh! No, I'm Asumu... Adachi Asumu.
Haven't heard that joke in a while!
Really believable, too.
Well, let's go.
You must be worried about Hibiki's injuries.
Hibiki's injured?!
This is Adachi. Please leave a message.
Ah, hello? It's Mochida...
I'm in Meiaka right now...
You better call me back when you get this! Hmph!
Number 6 is no good.
Hello!
Yo, Ibuki!
...Hello.
Ahh, boy!
Asumu, why are you...?
Well... I thought it'd be bad if your apprentice weren't here, since you're injured and all.
Apprentice?
Me?!
Hibiki's?!
Isn't he?
No!
Not at all.
I'm not.
Then, he's your...?
Recent acquaintance...?
Neighbor?
Friend, right?
Yup.
Um... Hibiki, are you injured...?
It's no big deal, see? Nothing to worry about.
Ow! Ah... doesn't hurt a bit!
Hey, good job! You got it here in one piece!
No problem! Glad I could be of help!
And... I got to see Kasumi while I was at it.
Hey! What're you whispering about over there?
Nothing!
Nothing really.
Oh, but thanks. I mean it.
Sure thing.
Well, if you'll excuse me.
Do your best out there.
Yup!
Shall we get going then, Asumu?
Ah... sure.
I could take you back, if you'd like?
It's in the neighborhood, after all. You'd have to wait a bit, though.
You sure, Asumu?
Yeah!
Later, then.
Say, why don't you come watch the next time Hibiki and I exterminate a Makamou together?
A "Makamou"?
Oh... sure!
Sorry you ended up getting involved in this again.
Don't be.
Actually, I should be the one apologizing... coming out here...
Nah! I don't mind.
Um... is your injury really okay?
Absolutely! I've trained for times like these.
Hibiki...
Hm?
I thought I'd also try doing some training...
But...
If it's not giving you results yet, just train more.
Besides, if training were that easy,
where would that leave me?
I've trained a lot with this,
so you're not going to overtake me that easily.
Okay! I'll train even harder!
Good! That's the spirit!
A hit, huh?
Alright.
Well, I'm off to go fight a monster for a bit.
Ah... could you wait just a little longer?
Um! I'll go back by myself.
There's no need to hold back on my account.
No, I can go alone.
Alright. See you in Shibamata, then.
Yes!
Hibiki.
I'm going to work hard, so... you work hard, too!
I will!
I'm counting on you!
Okay... let's do this.
Ah, hello? It's Mochida...
I'm in Meiaka right now...
You better call me back when you get this! Hmph!
Sorry I ended up leaving early.
Tell Katsuo and Kiko I'm sorry, too.
I'll work hard again tomorrow!
Alright...
Here goes.
I'm not done yet!
Ow...!
Just gotta go for it!
Alright!
That was tough!
Ow... ah, doesn't hurt.
Beating Soul
It is as if you are wholly transparent
As if everything is passing through you
Is that not how it feels?
Boy! If you are going to journey...
Then you must have clear skies in your heart!
Hit the beat! Keep your beat!
Seek out the places that move your heart!
Hit the beat! Keep your beat!
Find what no one else can do!
That is your resonance!
Let us squeeze you a bit.
I'm going out to visit Hibiki now.
Only once you've honed your mind and body through training...
...can you become an Oni.
Volume Seven
Exhaling Oni
Volume Seven: Exhaling Oni.