Episode Title:
The Imperial Capital.
Episode Description:
A young girl is informed that ‘they’ have arrived. She then laments how she can’t stop worrying about her brother. Meanwhile, at Hakuroukaku, the group enjoy their feast to celebrate their arrival at the capital when the young girl, revealed to be Nekone, gatecrashes the party, who seems to be quite popular with the audience. Nekone approaches Ukon and as she interrogates him, Haku is dumbfounded to find out they are siblings. After the siblings briefly catch up, Ukon suggests it is time to try out the inn’s famous baths which electrifies Kuon. At the bath, Nekone questions Kuon’s relationship with Ukon whilst Rurutie is happy Kuon considers her as a friend. On the other side of the bath, Ukon asks Haku what he is going to do now that he has reached the capital but Haku is lax about the whole situation and instead jokes if Nekone is really his sister. Then Maroro reveals that Nekone is actually a genius who was refused the title of scholar due to her young age. With the conversations on both sides intensifying, the topic turns to the relationship between Haku and Kuon but the two hints their relationship is platonic with Kuon being nothing more and nothing less of a guardian for Haku. The next morning, Nekone offers to guide Haku, Kuon and Rurutie around the capital. As the group tour the capital, it is revealed Yamato was built by the emperor centuries ago who is still alive and rules the country. The group reach a lively bazaar when all attention turns to the arrival of Oshutoru who appears to have the people of Yamato in his favour. The group then decide it is time to move on to the main event: finding Haku a job since he is living off Kuon ever since they first met. Immediately, Haku is forced to work at a restaurant and, to his dismay, straight away has to deal with rowdy customers. However, Haku is able to keep the customers at bay surprising Nekone. Later on, with Kuon and Rurutie having returned back, Haku is confronted by Nekone on how he is able to trusts others so easily; Nekone’s solitary past is unveiled with Ukon being the only person beside her the entire time, which explains why she is so affectionate of him. Haku explains to Nekone venturing to the unknown is exciting and that it is a waste to not enjoy it, which coincidentally is exactly what Ukon had told Nekone in the past. Later on at night, having completed his shift, Haku reunites with the group and surprises everyone when he is not able to read an invitation letter sent to him by Ukon. The group accompanies Haku to the meeting point but is surprised to find Oshutoru instead. Oshutoru informs Haku that he wishes to be his patron, on account of Maroro’s highest recommendation. He then removes his mask revealing to be Ukon all along with Oshutoru being his actual identity. Haku is unable to respond to what he just witnessed. The episode ends with Kuon, Rurutie and Nekone enjoying the inn’s famous bath.
