Hell Teacher Nube 69

The powers of a youkai are unpredictable, but some have greater "influence" than others. When one of the most controlling has an encounter with a certain student, she may finally get everything she wants, both good...and bad!

Vol. 9: Youkai Ohaguro-Bettari
#69: Swindler Youkai!? Nurarihyon

7.
Narrator: According to “Seijou Kaidanroku”, this youkai suddenly appears without previous notice. Without being sensed by the family where he entered from, he is unawaringly there. Its form is like a drab traveling monk.
(TN: “Seijou Kaidanroku”, which literally translates into “Ghost Story Records of the Holy Castle”, is a collection of ghost stories published in, around and about the city of Kagashi of Ishikawa Prefecture. Kagashi is notable now as one for its temples and hot springs, particularly the Yamanaka Onsen)
Narrator: It goes into a stranger’s house as it pleases and behaves like it is the master of the house. This brazen, proud youkai is called by people
Narrator: Nurarihyon
(TN: We’re going to go a bit further into Nurarihyon with the chapter and the Youkai Encyclopedia, but I do want to state this one thing: the basis of all Nurarihyon legend is actually in Wakayama Prefecture, which is on the Kii Peninsula on Honshu, which is on the Pacific Ocean. Considering that the previously mentioned “Seijou Kaidanroku” is based out of Ishikawa Prefecture in Chuubu, which is on the Sea of Japan…well it could be another Nurarihyon legend but it does feel weird)

8.
Miki: Well, papa, the Famicon at the toy store in 2nd Chome is cheap.
*Annotation: This is a parody of a dangerous commercial that actually aired 3 years ago in the Chuubu region.
(TN: Well at least Makura/Okano was right about keeping it in Chuubu based on the “Seijou Kaidanroku” info prior)
Miki: Well, papa, buy me that! (heart)
Miki: Well~~if I had a papa, ufufu…
Kyouko: Wh…what is that Miki dreaming about…

9.
SFX: Ki—n ko—n ka—n ko—n
Nube: Alright, that will be all.
Miki: A—ah, what, it was a dream—and yet I was finally having a dream of a kind, long-legged gentleman who could buy me anything. (It was like a fairy tale…)
(TN: “It was like a fairy tale” is a term only found in Japanese of “maerchentic”, a derivation of “maerchen”, a Japanese loan word from German used for “fairy tale”)
Kyouko: You were calling him papa.
Hiroshi: Um—well, Nube, today was your pay day.
Kyouko: Isn’t there a sponsor called Nube for us?
Nube: Chi, you did remember?
Nube: Al—right, today I’ll treat you to Oobanyaki, as I was planning on taking the plunge on.
(TN: There are a couple peculiar cultural references here that I have to get into regarding Nube’s line here:
-First, Nube makes a mention of “planning on taking the plunge”, which is in reference to a term of “Kyomizu no Butai kara tobioriru”. This literally means “to jump off the stage of Kyomizu”, which is in reference to a folklore that those who jump off the stage of Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto and survives after plunging 13 meters, then their wish will come true.
-Secondly, in connection to Kyoto (or Kansai in general), “oobanyaki” is the Kansai equivalent of Imagawayaki, a dessert made similar to a waffle (though no waffle iron pattern) with a filling inside, usually azuki bean paste but others like potato or mayonnaise could be inside as well. Imagawayaki/Oobanyaki could potentially be also known as “Taiyaki”, but those are only in reference to the ones baked in the shape of a fish)
Students: Waa
Miki: Going home, going home (Ke, that dampened me)

10.
Miki: A—ah, can’t I somehow get a rich gentleman who can buy me western clothing and rings and anything…
(TN: Miki specifically states the gentleman would buy her “youfuku” or “Western-style clothing”)
Miki: I’m home.
Miki: Huh, mother, are you watching TV?
Miki: Ara, a bath so early? She shouldn’t soak the floor.
Miki: Ah—it’s so untidy~~if you’re reading a person’s manga, then I want you to return them to normal.
Miki: Eh? Sushi? We have some?

11.
Miki: Aah, you’ve opened father’s valuable brandy.
SFX: Toku toku toku
Miki: !
Miki: Wha...ah, who are you!? What are you doing entering into a person’s house as you please!?

12.
“Nurarihyon”: Don’t you know who I am?
Miki: I don’t have a reason to know, you filthy—oldie--! If you don’t get out quickly, I’m calling the police.
Miki: Ah, father!? It’s terrible; there’s some strange bald old man in the house. Eh?
Mr. Hosokawa: He’s there already? That man is the president of for a large company that is a client of my company. I raised interest with a conversation on his Go hobby earlier. He’s coming to play Go at the house today. Since your father is going to be going home in a while longer, you shouldn’t be careless with him until then.
(TN: While this is essentially Mr. Hosokawa’s only means of appearance in the entire series, the game that he and the “president” is supposed to be playing is the board game of “Go”, a notable game in Japan involving two players trying to take and capture each other’s territories with stones of their own color, either black or white in a two-player game)
Miki: Um—

13.
Miki: I’m so~~rry for a while ago, Sir-Pre-Si-Dent. (heart) I’—m Miki. May I sit next to you? (A—cheerful reckoning)
(TN: This was a really tough term to figure out, but basically it’s like this: Miki makes a saying here of “Meirou Kankei”, with “Meirou” being “cheerful” and “Kankei” as “accounts”, “bill” or “reckoning”. The expression is somewhat tied in an expression regarding the young giving respect and treat to the elderly or older people, akin to the nurturing waters of Yourou Falls take cares of the elderly. I know I probably screwed this up but this is as close as I could get from what I’ve researched)
“Nurarihyon”: Do you know who I am?
Miki: Your uncouthness is said easily, presi – dent—(heart)
“Nurarihyon”: Are you honoring me?
Miki: Of course: you’re a god, a Buddha, the man above the clouds! (heart) (to herself) Kekeke…if I enchant this dwarf just like this, then I’m certain this president will speedily give me spending money…
“Nurarihyon”: A god? Hmm, right, right.
SFX: Niho—
“Nurarihyon”: You suit me. I will buy you something.
Miki: Eh, really!? (to himself) I’ve done it--!!

14.
Miki: What will I buy with it!? A cashmere coat, A Van Cleef watch, a game system~~that and this~~
(TN: “Van Cleef” is in reference to “Van Cleef & Arpels”, a notable jeweler and watch-maker)
SFX: Waku waku | Toko toko toko
President: Hosokawa-kun is a rank-holder in Go—this will be fun.
(TN: “Rank Holder” is in reference to the term “Yuudansha”, which is a rank-holding person such as in a game like Go)
Caption: The Real President
SFX: Nyu
President: Hi—a monster—
Miki: Ah, dear old man, hold on~~
(TN: The “Dear Old Man” part is merely Miki saying “ojiichama”, with the “chama” being a softening of “sama”; but instead of calling him “grandfather”, I decided to go with something that shows a bit more respect but softness to show her buttering the youkai up)
SFX: Gacha
Miki: Buy me that—buy me this—
“Nurarihyon”: Yes yes.

15.
“Nurarihyon”: First we’ll buy some clothes.
Miki: Eh—at that expensive boutique!
Miki: Are these fine? Are these fine?
“Nurarihyon”: Buy as many as you want.
Miki: A—n, I’m ha~~ppy even if I’m already dead~~
“Nurarihyon”: All of your items are bad. Your floor is also dirty.
Salesman: Yes.
Woman 1: What is that old man?
Wolman 2: It’s like it’s his own store…
SFX: Hiso hiso (whisper whisper)
Salesman: In all, it will be 358,000 yen. (Can this old man really pay for these…)
“Nurarihyon”: Who am I?
Salesman: Huh?
“Nurarihyon”: Who am I?
SFX: Paaaa…
Caption: Mind Assassin: I’m sorry, Kazu Hajime-sensei.
(TN: The ability being shown here as well as the apology is tied to the manga series “Mind Assassin”, created by Hajime Kazu and which ran in WSJ in 1994-1995. (at the same exact time as this chapter of Nube) The ability, which according to that manga was developed by Nazi Germany, involves touching the top of a person’s head, literally destroying the memories and the spirit of the person who is touched.)

16.
Salesman: Y…you are the master of this store…the…owner.
Storekeepers: Thank you very much.
Miki: Eh—that store was your store—ama—zing.
“Nurarihyon”: Naturally.
Miki: Dear old man—give me this and that, all of them—
Toy Store Owner: Please take these things that I’m giving you.
“Nurarihyon”: Naturally.
Store Worker: That man is the director at the main office.
Miki: Dear old man really is rich. How dreamy (heart)
“Nurarihyon”: Naturally.
Worker: That person is the largest shareholder of the amusement park. Treat him politely.
Caption: This is Nurarihyon’s ability: wherever he goes, he is self-importantly entertained and unawaringly completely becomes the master there.

17.
Nube: Bake lots and lots of them. Because they’re still eating all these.
Sign: OOBANYAKI
Oobanyaki Salesman: Hey.
Hiroshi: Deli—sh, freshly-made oobanyaki are the again—the best~~
SFX: Hagu hagu
Kyouko: This is far and away better than eating a full-course meal at a high-class restaurant!
Kyouko: Huh…
SFX: Hyuu~~~

18.
Kyouko: Full course…old man…Miki~~~
Nube: Wh…what? What are you saying crying uncontrollably…
SFX: Hiku hiku
Nube: !
Miki: That was delicious, dear old man. Where are we going next?
“Nurarihyon”: It—was—
Nube: Miki—what’s with that dangerous part-time job in spite of being a grade-schooler?
Miki: Ah: this is bad, it’s teacher.
Miki: There’s a deep reason for this…ah, old-man…
SFX: Toko toko toko
Miki & Nube: !!
SFX: Zu

19.
Kyouko: He slipped into the wall!?
Hiroshi: What…exactly is that old man!?
Nube: He’s Nurarihyon……
Miki: Eeh?
Nube: A swindler-like youkai who can rudely enter anywhere and uses the things of a house as he pleases, with an attitude that’s like he’s it’s master.
Miki: You’re lying! That old man is rich and can buy anything…
Nube: Therefore you’ve been deceived.
Nube: I’m certain cruel eyes before long will
Voice: There she is! That girl

20.
Chef: How dare you run without paying for food?
SFX: Dododododo
Salesman: Give back those clothing!
Miki: Eeh?
Nube: It seems the effect of his youryoku has expired.
Miki: Stop that, stop that everyone: I was treated to these by the old man~~(Kya--)
Nube: Please hold on: this girl has just been deceived.
Miki: Save me—dear old man—
“Nurarihyon”: I am here. Let go of that girl.
Nube: Nurarihyon is saving Miki!?

21.
“Nurarihyon”: Who am I?
Shopkeeper: Who are you; a swindler!
Chef: An eat-and-run criminal!
Toy Store Manager: A sneaking thief!
Voice 1: A shameless old man!!
“Nurarihyon”: Don’t you know me?
SFX: Gogogogogogogo
Voice 2: We’ll push you to the police!
“Nurarihyon”: Who am I----!!
SFX: Ka
Nube: Uwa!

22.
Nube: Give up! You swindling youkai!
SFX: Pou
Nube: !! This youkai, no, he’s…it can’t be.
Sign: Alcohol: Hashimoto Spirits
(TN: “Spirits” is in reference to “Shuten”, which is literally “a shop that sells alcohol”)
SFX: Tan!
SFX: Fu
Nube: !!

23.
Nube: He ran into that kamidana.
(TN: “”Kamidana”, which translates into “household Shinto shrine” is a small Shinto shrine usually kept in a house)
Hiroshi: Where did it go!
Kyouko: Get out.
Kyouko: Nube, quickly take it out!
Hiroshi: He’s inside!
Nube: No…give it up.
Hiroshi: What!?
Nube: Do you know of what’s called “Maroudogami”? Long ago, there were kamidana in every home, gods came to them as guests, utilized treats and offerings and were welcomed. The gods protected this home. They were the hidden master and were honored.
(TN: A couple things:
-“Maroudougami” literally translate with it’s kanji as “Visitor God” or “Guest God”
-“Treats” is in reference to “gochisou”, which in particular is a “feast” where one is treating someone else; thus it’s usage in “gochisou-sama deshita”, an expression used in gratitude for a meal given to you by someone else after eating it)
“Nurarihyon”: Who am I?
Nube: However, these gods were forgotten at present and kamidana too have decreased; the homes where Maroudogami can come and go from have become few and they were thought of as youkai who has the face of a master of a stranger’s house.
Nube: Nurarihyon, you are

24.
Nube: A god.
SFX: Niko
SFX: Shu~~~

25.
Shopkeeper 1: Now that he mentions it, there were kamidana in every house.
Shopkeeper 2: A god who protected a home? We haven’t thought of those recently—
Shopkeeper 3: That was the form of a god we had forgotten about…
Chef: Nothing I can do: we’ll give up thinking of having a punishment for the food, but
Shopkeeper: You have to give back the returnable things like the clothes and the toys.
Nube: We’re quite sorry for this.
Nube: That person was kind to just Miki due to you honoring him and giving him kindness. It wasn’t good that you merely took luxuries, but you’re admirable in your respecting the elderly.
Miki: Ha ha ha
Miki: Al—right, I know the way to seduce old men from this! When I become an adult, I’ll make a great number of greatly-rich old men my papas and live in happiness--!
Nube: What are you thinking about--!
Kyouko: There isn’t anything we can do after all for Miki—

26.
RETURN OF THE GREAT YOUKAI ENCYCLOPEDIA

#7: Nurarihyon

He’s a comparatively well-known youkai, but there isn’t much literature left on him. Toriyama Sekien drew him in a form of an old man whose head was large like a balloon and was a peddler, but the “Nurarihyon” introduced in pictures and manga since then generally have followed this image.

This youkai’s characteristic is to be idle and elusive, appearing suddenly in an unexpected place. He comes there when the housewife is preparing dinner, takes and drinks tea and smokes cigarettes as he pleases. Due to being too impressive, no one suspects him and don’t search for him. And thus, in a little while, he again leaves off aimlessly just like when he came. He can also walk through town, but no one of the people he passes realizes that he’s a youkai. He’s a mysterious youkai whom no one knows where he comes from or where he returns to. According to another report, Nurarihyon is said to be the supreme commander of the Youkai Corp, but that too is caused by his unapologetic personality.

(TN: A couple notes:
1. Strangely enough the words that make up “Nurarihyon” were both in the explanation and could explain him perfectly: the “nurai” is based on the Japanese word “nuraikurai”, which is here used as “idle”; “hyon” is used here as “unexpected”; thus “idle and unexpected” perfectly defines the youkai.
2. The “supreme youkai commander” comment probably is better looked into through the more recent WSJ manga “Nurarihyon no Mago” by Hiroshi Shiibashi. While it isn’t directly about Nurarihyon himself, it does use that facet as key to the plot.)

TN: First off, I'd like to start this post-script with an apology to those of you here who saw the word "Nurarihyon" and assumed this was the latest script of "Nurarihyon no Mago". Unfortunately while there is a Nurarihyon in this chapter...it's actually the mid-1990s WSJ series "Hell Teacher Nube". But hey, I hoped all of you liked the chapter regardless, even if Rikuo and such aren't in this.

As for the chapter itself...well, you could sort of think that Miki may have finally met the perfect youkai for her...except for the whole "mental obliteration" ability and all the stuff she nearly stole. In fact, while some would probably expect this chapter to be a typical "Miki does crap and everyone pays the consequences" chapter, the fact that Miki actually got what she wanted due to accidentally calling Nurarihyon a "God" from the start played an interesting aspect about it. In a weird way, her greed ended up leading her to being nice and sweet to the youkai without any real realizations of what it's real intention was and that everything she was getting was coming with a cost, let alone the fact that it was a god and not...you know, her dad's potential client. (strange though we never meet Mr. Hosokawa but he probably has to be lucky considering the wife he won) I did think the storekeeper's sentimentality was a tad forced....but at least the resolution actually turned out strong: return what she had to but it's too late with the food since it was already eaten and essentially went to a god who loves hospitality. But hey...I probably would have just gone with Nube's Oobanyaki festival myself.

BTW: does anyone find it weird that this was chapter 69 and Miki was the main character...let alone her "hostess" concepts for the whole thing? Coincidence...? You make the call.