Episode 05: The Pirate Girl

## Plot

**Spoiler warning: *Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)***

Haku and Kuon are out cleaning the streets. Haku, complaining about the aches and pains of manual labour, is looking on enviously at a passing palanquin when a blue-haired girl runs by, pursued by a blond-haired archer in a mask. Haku's brief curiosity is interrupted by Ukon—whose fault it is he's out in the street.

That evening, they all take a break in the baths: Haku with Ukon; Kuon at first all by her lonesome.

Haku remembers how the latter hired him and Kuon. Ukon offered a job as "agents" to protect the Imperial Capital, and although Kuon suspected that among his motivations was the fact that the two travelers could be easily cut loose in case of disaster, she was easily convinced with a big bag of gold. This didn't resolve Haku's concerns, but as far as Kuon was concerned, it sounded like fun.

Haku remarks that he'd expected more danger on the job, but Ukon reassures him there will be more of that sometimes. The two hear Nekone joining Kuon in the other room, and the two have obviously become fast friends. Ukon explains that he'll leave Nekone with his new agents, both to help them and for the sake of her growth.

Back in their lounge in the inn, Kuon and Haku review the work in their queue—more simple odd jobs than anything cloak-and-dagger. Haku suggests blowing them off and taking it easy with Ukon's advance payment, and is therefore devastated when Kuon tells him that she spent the whole sum securing their accommodations at the Hakurokaku. Nekone enters just in time to justify it, arguing that said inn is a very secure place suited for the confidential nature of their work. Haku retorts that all the two really want is to enjoy the bath.

Before joining Nekone to plan for their upcoming work, Kuon saddles Haku with an impressive stack of books and writing implements to study with, so that he can learn to read and write.

Haku does odd jobs in the daytime and studies by night. Kuon sees Haku's fast progress and increases his courseload, and Nekone sees the same and does so again. thinking that *this* might be part of what Ukon saw in him. As his energy starts to flag, Rulutieh brings him some tea, and suggests that he take it easier, but her admiring gaze compels him to hit the books again.

Soon Haku really is dead tired, and he begins an eloquent appeal for a break to Kuon that she preempts by suggesting one herself. It's only after Haku happily departs that Ukon arrives with a job to interrupt Kuon's relaxation...

In the market, Haku buys a well-earned kebab. Just when he's about to bite into it, the blue-haired girl stumbles into him from behind and Haku drops his snack. He falls to his knees after it, muttering about the five-second rule, but at a shout from afar she pushes him down again, splattering mud on his face—and narrowly avoiding the arrow that goes thudding into the nearest wall. The blond-haired archer steps forward and warns: If the two try to run, his next shot won't miss. Haku is too upset over the state of his snack to listen to much that anyone is saying.

The archer demands that the girl come with him and she refuses, saying that she's rather die. She grabs the dejected Haku's arm and declares her desire to live with him. The archer draws his bow, whispering about his duty. It's pointed at Haku. The girl suggests he run.

Back at the inn, Kuon and Nekone depart to look for someone, leaving Rulutieh to inform Haku when he returns of the details of their mission.

Haku and the girl, meanwhile, have escaped from the archer. The girl, who introduces herself as Atuy, apologizes for getting him involved, though she remarks that she liked his face better from behind. It emerges that she's a runaway, and her father must have sent her pursuer, but she announces her firm intent to go find love. Despite his best efforts to ditch all this trouble, Haku finds himself agreeing to show her around the Capital.

Atuy produces a book of romantic Capital activities. The two visit a lovers' bridge, buy some candy from a kindly old man, and stop before an impressive set of gates. Atuy blushes frequently throughout.

Kuon and Nekone, at the same time, are closing in on their target, but apparently whoever they're looking for was seen with someone suspicious...

As Atuy and Haku walk to one last location, they hear the townspeople remarking on the help they've received from a mysterious stranger, who Atuy elaborates is the famous Righteous Man—said to be an agent of the Mikado, or the right hand of the Imperial General of the Right.

Unfortunately, this talk is interrupted by yet another arrow when the masked archer catches up to the pair. He once again demands that Atuy come with him, but the two remark that they can't trust somebody who does not show his face, and the archer lets slip that he's here at his big brother's request. Nekone and Kuon find Haku and Atuy. The archer calls out to Nekone, who denies having any such shady acquaintances. The archer removes his mask and identifies himself as Kiwru.

It turns out that Ukon also asked Kiwru to search for Atuy, and Atuy was the person Nekone and Kuon were searching for too. Atuy, for her part, turns out to be a proper princess: the daughter of Soyankekur, the owlo of Shyahoro. Utterly unrepentant about her quest for love, she nonetheless agrees to return to her accommodations.

Ukon and Haku share a drink by the moonlight. Ukon compliments Haku's efforts, and Haku identifies Ukon as the Righteous Man, an alter-ego who can help with small problems that the Imperial Shield Oshtor can't. The latter admits it, and pours him another drink. Haku agrees to stay on in his role until he gets a better offer.

Kiwru joins the team at Ukon's request, to mixed reactions and Nekone's disdain, but as his announcement concludes, Atuy slides open the door for a neighborly move-in greeting. Her room at the inn will be right next door.

***Spoilers end here.***
## Gallery

Haku and Kuon on cleaning dutyUkon hauls out a handsome up-front paymentA masked Kiwru pursues AtuyHaku accompanies Atuy on her search of loveNekone fails to recognize Kiwru with his mask onKuon watching over Haku and Ukon's friendly meeting
## Characters

*By order of appearances*

* Haku
* Kuon
* Atuy
* Kiwru
* Ukon
* Nekone
* Touka
* Karulau
* Rulutieh

## Trivia

* The name of the inn, "Hakurokaku", is named after Hakuowlo.
* Touka was briefly shown working at the inn.