Construction Chronicles of the Heartbroken Carpenter 4

Things start off with Takemaru bringing around some logs and working on the temple restoration. He comments on something feeling off, like he’s missing something as he stares at the corner roof decoration tiles.

Motosumi walks over saying he’s surprised at how fast it’s going. Takemaru talks to him about his thoughts, then apologizes as he says that’s not what he asked him over for. He has something important he wants to say so he wants him to get everyone together for a meeting.

Motosumi asks if it’s so important and says he’s explaining Setsubun to the kids right now. Takemaru says it’s related, so he rolls with it and calls the kids over. When they do, Takemaru apologizes. Motosumi is confused and asks if he snuck a snack between meals or something. The red boy complains, but only because he wants to join in on sneaky snacktime.

It turns out that Takemaru did do that and apologizes for it, but then he realizes that’s not what he wanted to talk about. Motosumi tells him to get on with it, saying he isn’t mad and that he figures it can’t be so bad. Takemaru then asks if they have any plans for Setsubun.

Motosumi doesn’t have anything set but does have the idea to pretend to be an oni and have beans tossed at him. But with the oni babies there that’d be awkward. Takemaru then suggests the mochi throwing party, which Motosumi likes since no one should get hurt that way. The other boy asks if this means they’ll have a lot of mochi and whether this will make things easier for Motosumi.

Motosumi is surprised by this and asks if the kid’s idea of growing beans earlier was him worrying about their pantry. He calls himself pathetic for that, then asks where this party would be. Takemaru tells him he’d like to do it there if possible. He also says Motosumi doesn’t need to worry about tools and materials since that’s taken care of. Also this is your idea and he wants to go with it.

He also admits you guys have already planned on having it there without Motosumi’s input, then gets onto his knees to apologize for also going along anyway. He just thought if people could see that party with oni being included, maybe things could change a little.

Takemaru says he’s fine with being feared, but he worries about how other oni would handle it. Motosumi then asks what he’s supposed to be mad about. Then he tells Takemaru to close his eyes and clench his teeth. He braces himself, figuring he’ll be punched. Motosumi pulls at his cheeks instead.

Motosumi then sighs about how all oni are giant babies. Takemaru tries to protest that he’s older, but Motosumi asks him why he isn’t grouping himself with other oni. He says he loses himself and goes on indiscriminate rampages, remembering the time he was drawn and quartered by town officials.

Flashback to that time occurs and of interesting note, whatever they’re calling Takemaru is redacted. He talks about incurring the fury of someone he doesn’t know, but he accepted it because he says he is a terrifying oni. He swore vengeance many times over for the other oni who have died, and the bloodshed continued. It went on and on, until his head literally cooled down after being chopped off.

Takemaru then says he really is a fearful oni and says humans don’t stand a chance when he gets angry. Motosumi asks if that’s why he’s fine with being alone and if he thought he didn’t notice. Then he brings up that Takemaru plans on skipping out after fixing things as he’s already started packing up.

Motosumi says he’s gonna deck Takemaru. Takemaru says that’s impossible only for Motosumi to somehow drill into him and boast he’s scarier than any oni. He then calls Takemaru a big baby and nothing to be afraid of.

Motosumi also warns Takemaru that his knuckles hurt so he ought to keep that in mind. Takemaru tries to protest that he’s been causing him problems, but Motosumi says lots of guys around him have guilty conscience, himself included. Motosumi also adds that he can’t be a delinquent if he’s afraid of the world, then calls Takemaru dumb.

Motosumi talks about how Takemaru has taught him about the oni babies, so he has no reason to be mad with him. He thanks him saying he’s making a fun Setsubun possible for them, then notices the babies trying to babble and pull at Takemaru’s clothes.

Takemaru turns around in shame, telling them not to look at him. Motosumi starts talking about the oni in thing, then remembers that you came up with it. He comments that he only just met you but hasn’t talk to you much, so he suggests doing so at the mochi party and calls out for someone’s opinion.

Oniwaka shows himself but stays quiet. Motosumi says he was staring for a while and demands to know what his deal is. Oniwaka says he was passing on an invite, though it seems unneeded now. Motosumi then asks why he was watching them then.

Oniwaka keeps quiet again, so Motosumi remembers this happened before too and asks if there’s a connection between them. He’s actually heard of Oniwaka all the way over there in Asakusa from Ikebukuro.

Oniwaka then decides to say he has a warning for him. That is, he should stop carrying every fate recklessly, especially that of an oni’s. They’d grow uncontrollably powerful, and eventually the weight of it all would crush him.

He’s in the middle of his warning when he stops midway to ask why Motosumi isn’t saying anything. Motosumi starts laughing, which baffles him. He also asks if Oniwaka was worried about him, calling him awkward and commenting on how rumors are bunk.

Oniwaka leaves in a huff, which does cause Motosumi to question if that was a bad thing to do. The babies start fussing, which eventually interprets as asking to let them try standing. He doesn’t, since he says they can’t even sit up right or something.

Title card pops up, and this chapter is called The Conclusion of Oni In.

Things tune back to the day of the mochi party as the gang starts showing up at the temple. You comment in amazement on the job done, and Motosumi shows up saying he recognizes a lot of people here. Shirou politely congratulates him about the fix up and thanks him for having them over. You can as well or greet him.

Motosumi asks you guys to tell him if he can help with anything since the kids have been excited for today. Shirou asks to borrow the kitchen then and leaves the other things to you. Takemaru then shows up and asks that someone strong help him with carrying tools and stuff.

You greet him and congratulate him on the job well done, which he’s proud of even if he’s rooting his own horn. Moritaka is impressed and says it’s like it’s all new, and Ryouta asks about the ornamental tiles on the roof. Takemaru explains they’re onigawara, which he likes to add to buildings he makes as a sort of signature.

Moritaka says he’s heard of those tiles being used to ward off evil in parts of Wa no Kuni, and Ryouta finds them impressively scary. He says oni are cool again and turns to Touji, who’s too embarrassed to say anything.

You can either say Takemaru is cool or say Touji is cool too. In A Takemaru blushes and tells you not to look at him much. In B Touji is exasperated you’re doing this too. Either way Takemaru says he still feels like something is missing.

Kengo walks in at this point to ask if there’s anything he missed with Takemaru’s stuff, and Touji is surprised at how motivated he is. Touji then volunteers to take food to the kitchen and asks Ryouta to help him. Ryouta agrees and asks what sorts of foods Touji likes as they go. It’s stuff with soy sauce by the way.

Suzuka rides in at this point with Kagutsuchi, and the two of them greet you guys. You either comment on her riding her motorcycle, say you’ve been waiting for Kagutsuchi, or welcome the two of them. Suzuka picks Kagutsuchi up herself and puts him down, telling him to be careful. He thanks her and says he’d have been fine without that. You then comment that Suzuka is being oddly nice and whine that you want her to be nice to you too.

Either way Suzuka snaps at you for joking around and says she can drop you like a ton of bricks anytime. Motosumi sees Kagutsuchi, and the two are surprised to see each other. Kagutsuchi thanks Motosumi for the invite, and he in turn asks if he’s doing okay.

You ask about them knowing each other. Motosumi says he invited Kagutsuchi to come live with him once, and Kagutsuchi says he turned him down to live with a dojo master since he wanted to become stronger. Motosumi knows some bits about Kagutsuchi’s story and cries a little about how he’s separated from his parents but still tries to be stronger. Then he notices Suzuka.

She asks why he’s looking at her funny, so you say she’s crying and ask if she’s alright. Alternatively you can say it’s so beautiful. Going with the former she’s surprised to find that she is and doesn’t seem to know why.

Takemaru says she’s pretty before stopping and saying he’s seen this before. Suzuka blusters and threatens to hit someone if you’re making fun of her. Takemaru starts saying that it really is someone else he’s thinking about than the terrible and barbaric Suzuka.

Suzuka pulls out her swords on Takemaru and beats on him. Oniwaka shows up complaining about the noise and the oni. He seems ready to blow things off when he sees Kengo all ready to make mochi while almost naked. You can either comment that Kengo’s plenty ready, tell him not to catch a cold, or say he looks *so* cool.

 Going with A, Kengo laughs and says you have to yell when you’re making mochi at full power. He then tells you to hang on until he makes the best mochi ever. Oniwaka cuts in having stripped down to dispute this declaration. You can then either be shocked that he’s doing this, say you’ve been waiting for this, or say he looks cool too.

In any case Kengo is surprised and asks where Oniwaka came from, saying he’s got it covered. Oniwaka brags that as someone who was raised in a temple he knows a lot about mochi and that Kengo should sit his ass down. Both seem ready to throw down over this, while Takemaru is baffled they have no issues with being dressed in so little. He also says he doesn’t get humans.

The red oni walks in dressed in a school uniform commenting on the noise and says he’s here to you. You welcome him and notice he’s in uniform partway through speaking to him. He explains via flashback that Mononobe told him about how Transients have to be part of a school because that’s the law. He can’t overlook him as a teacher if he isn’t, but then he offers to get him enrolled there if he wants.

The oni says he’s now a first year student at the school and has a room at the dorm now. Apparently he’s getting hand me downs from a graduating student. You either comment on him being your kouhai now, say you should have talked with Mononobe earlier, or say you can go to school together now.

In any case the oni says he’ll always serve by your side and says he’s happy you called him over for Setsubun. You can either exchange formalities, ask him to stop calling you Master, or say oni in again. Going with A if it matters, he wonders if he should call you senpai instead.

Moritaka comes back to ask about bringing over a mortar and hot water to the garden. Takemaru asks if you guys brought his mallet and mentions it’s been soaking all night.

Outside the two kids are back and talking. The boy is astonished that Takemaru did fix up the temple, and the girl says he may be better than their big brother. The boy insists their brother is the best, then asks if he’ll really help.

Back inside Oniwaka and Kengo are pounding out the mochi. You either cheer them on, comment on how much mochi is being made, or say the view is great. In any case Ryouta comes over to being ehoumaki to everyone and offers to switch places to help with the mochi making. Not the mallet pounding, but the throwing hot water into the rice during it.

Ryouta asks Moritaka what he should do, so he explains. Ryouta also asks Kengo to slow down until he gets used to the rhythm, and then they get to it. Moritaka compliments Ryouta’s teamwork, and Motosumi says everyone’s good with their hands.

He also asks that the kids be allowed to help with things near the end since it takes time to do things from scratch. You comment on him being so focused on the children or compare him to a father. Going with A or B he seems to take offense at being called a house maker, then tells you to sit down. You then either express shock at that you’re apparently being shaken down, say you don’t have any money, or just squat down because that’s what Japanese hoodlums do.

Going with A again, Motosumi denies that he’s trying to extort you, saying he just wants to talk. So he asks how you thought up of saying oni in. You either tell him that you have oni friends, you like oni, or that it just came to you.

Going A in case it matters, he says he sees and thought it was a crazy idea. He then thanks you because the kids like festivities like this, and they haven’t had so much fun in so long. They’ve always been holding back for his sake. You then either ask if it’s because they’re unrelated to him or say they’re smart.

Either way Motosumi says he doesn’t think being blood related matters for anything. He’s then surprised that he’s saying this and says you’re good at talking. To change the subject he asks you to tell him about yourself, whether about school or other things. You agree and ask to come again when there’s a chance.

Motosumi agrees, and the children all run over and ask him to play on the balance beam with them. Elsewhere that rando swordsman from before is having terrible luck with finding a job despite all his efforts. The place that he was working at before laid him off because they don’t need humans at the moment, which he blames on oni being more suited for construction work.

His apparent joblessness is also resulting in his younger siblings being teased at a minimum by others their own age. Said siblings walk in and ask how his search is going. He apologizes and says it’ll still take a while, asking if they’re hungry. The boy says the older brother ought to be even more hungry since he keeps giving his food to them.

The sister decides to bring up that a nearby temple is making mochi that day, and that someone there said they could come if they wanted to. The swordsman says they should go when the kids go quiet, prompting him to ask what’s up. The sister admits that it was an oni who invited them.

Back at the temple, you guys start with the party, which involves throwing mochi at the guys from on top of some scaffolding. Shuten says you guys could play catch with the mochi, and Ibaraki suggests they have a contest to see who can get more.

Shuten actually saw this coming and brought a glove. Ibaraki initially says this is overdoing it but then says it’s so cool how Shuten goes all out even when playing around. Suzuka prompts you to throw some mochi her way, and when you do she turns to Kagutsuchi and tells him he needs to keep up with her minions she brought along. Kagutsuchi jumps up to grab a piece and cheers over it.

Suzuka says he shouldn’t settle for just one and suggests he treat this as training. At this point the mob family trio shows up, with the swordsman freaking out a little about there being so many oni around. He and Kagutsuchi also recognize each other from the other day, and Kagutsuchi asks why he’s there.

Suzuka is hostile to him, and you ask what’s going on. She explains the thing that happened at the park, which the guy admits responsibility for. He’s willing to accept whatever retribution that brings him, though he begs that his siblings get some mochi whatever happens.

You recognize the kids as the ones throwing beans before. They flinch and stay quiet. Suzuka starts drilling into the guy, and you can try to stop her or leave her be. She snaps at you if you try, and either way Kagutsuchi asks to speak for himself. When he says he’s sure he wants to do this Suzuka backs off.

Kagutsuchi introduces himself and asks the guy why he hates oni. The guy says he’s a temple builder who lost his job when oni showed up. They’re more physically suited to do it, though the guy says his skills are on par. But anyways they no longer had the money to buy food.

Kagutsuchi sympathizes, and the the guy admits to taking it out on someone else, so he won’t protest what happens to him. Kagutsuchi decides to forgive him then. Suzuka asks if he’s sure and says it’s okay to take revenge, and he says he understands what it’s like to lose control of yourself and hurt someone else. It hurt and it made him afraid, but he wants to be strong enough to control himself.

Suzuka decides to accept this and tells him to do as he likes. You can either say Kagutsuchi is strong, comment on Suzuka picking up the bad guy role, or pat Kagutsuchi on the head. In B there’s extra dialogue where Suzuka calls you thoughtless and says she can’t ever like you as she smiles.

Anyways Kagutsuchi says that thanks to you guys things were sad and difficult at first, but thanks to you he feels happier. Also he says he blushes hard when you pat him on the head and wonders why he isn’t blowing out fire.

Suzuka turns back to the swordsman and says she’ll think a little better of him for coming to apologize. Takemaru speaks up to say that he’s had beans thrown at him too, so he has room to demand compensation too. You can either protest or stay quiet. Motosumi tells you to keep quiet if you try to say something.

Rando swordsman starts buckling but admits he has a point, then begs that his younger siblings are left out of it and he takes the punishment. Takemaru asks if he’s afraid, but the guy can’t bring himself to answer. Takemaru then rushes at him, but rather than attack him he gently pulls at his cheeks.

Takemaru then compliments the guy as being brave, more than he was back then. He then looks at the guys hands and comments on the callouses there, saying he can tell he’s a builder who’s probably good with delicate work. He asks if he’s ever worked with onigawara, then invites him to help with his job since he needs more people around. The guy agrees after some surprise and processing it all.

The younger kids are thankful about this too, and Takemaru asks what they think of his work. They agree that it’s cool and apologize for throwing beans at him. Takemaru says they also should apologize to someone else and brings Motosumi over. They apologize to him too, which he accepts and says they should get some mochi if they’re hungry.

Scene then shifts to Kamata some time later as Takemaru goes back, with Kurogane attempting to greet him but unable to say anything out of fear of being brushed off. Takemaru initiates instead saying he’s back, and Kurogane welcomes back in surprise. Kurogane then runs to Amatsumara proclaiming that Takemaru doesn’t hate him after all.

Amatsumara comments that Takemaru finally opened up and asks how the job went. He says it went okay, so Amatsumara suggests having sekihan (red rice, generally a special occasion dish) for dinner tonight. Takemaru says he’d prefer something else, probably something without mochi in it.

Takemaru then goes to his work room and fires himself up, saying all he needs now is a significant other to make his dream home. He resolves to show off his good side to better find one, and the event story ends.