"Let us begin. Gather around the box... and take the hands of the people sitting beside you. Once we cast the spell... and blow out the candle... Lord Hachinari will be summoned into this box. In the darkness... we'll each ask a question... and then have him leave. Please don't let go of your hands until then." — Hitomi Kisaragi, Chapter 117.
| Chapter 117 | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Release Date |
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| Kanji Title |
クイーンのお招きにより 前編 |
| Romaji Title |
Kuiin no omaneki ni yori Zenpen |
| Chapter |
117 |
| Volume | |
| Pages |
40 |
| Story Arc |
By Invitation of the Queen |
| Chapter Guide | |
| Previous Chapter 116 |
Next Chapter 118 |
| List of Chapters | |
Chapter 117, titled By Invitation of the Queen First Part (第百十七話 クイーンのお招きにより 前編, Daihyakujuunanawa Kuiin no omaneki ni yori Zenpen) is the one hundred seventeenth chapter of the Natsume's Book of Friends manga series. It is the first part of the two-parter arc, "By Invitation of the Queen."
In Japan, it was first published in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine LaLa in May 24, 2022 (LaLa July 2022 issue #573, No. 7), and was then collected and released into Volume 29 in January 4, 2023. In North America, it was released in February 6, 2024 by Viz Media.
Summary[]
One night, Takashi Natsume, Nyanko-sensei and Kaname Tanuma end up helping a lost young woman, Misa Kuromine, who is looking for a mansion in the woods. She has been invited to an occult salon's séance hosted by a famous former actress, Hitomi Kisaragi, the "Queen of the Occult." As the five salon's ladies needs seven people to make a ritual in order to summon a yokai into a box, Lord Hachinari, the boys ends up being cornered to stay. But as the lightning strike and the power get cut in the middle of the ritual, the box gets opened and it is possible Lord Hachinari might've actually been summoned for real and is now roaming around the manor.
Plot[]
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Receiving the salon's invitation.
Someone received an invitation in their mailbox. They say it is just a piece of card stock, but when they opened the envelope, it was like there was suddenly a bouquet of flowers in the room. Then, the silhouette of a woman with long black hair welcome a group of people, telling them to take their seats as they are going to "begin."
Elsewhere, Takashi Natsume and Nyanko-sensei just climbed into a bus. Sensei remarks that Kaname Tanuma isn't there, and Natsume mentions it's weird as Tanuma said he would meet them here when he'd be done helping his father. As the bus reaches its stop, Natsume guesses Tanuma didn't make it, and Sensei says they should just go ahead — they're attending an event where the streets and riverbank are light up with bamboo lanterns. Tanuma told them the view would be best from this hill, so Natsume decide to wait here, even though Sensei complains the next bus won't be here for another hour. Natsume then points out they can see the lights from here, and looking over at the streets he thinks that the lights are so pretty they seems magical. The boy then says they should go see what it's like and invite the others next time, but at this moment Tanuma arrives. He apologizes and explains that cleaning up the charity bazaar took a while, which is why he missed the bus. Natsume says he's glad it wasn't anything serious, but then asks him how he made it here as the next bus won't be here for another hour. Tanuma mentions someone gave him a ride because they were going in the same direction.
Natsume and Nyanko-sensei watching the event's lights.
Tanuma joining Natsume and Nyanko-sensei.
The lost young woman asking Natsume and Tanuma for help.
Suddenly, they hear a rustling and see a young woman in a dark dress kneeling in the woods. Tanuma asks her if she's okay, and she replies that her invitation just got blown away in the wind so she tripped when she tried to pick it up. Then she looks at them, and suddenly explains she was invited to a mansion but can't find it. It's getting dark and she's lost, so she asks the boys if they could help her find it. Natsume thinks about how it seems far away, but they can't just leave someone in trouble when it's dark so they agree to take her to the house. As it's starting to rain, Tanuma finally spot a roof in the woods although Natsume can't see it at first, and the woman declares it must be the manor. As Natsume says they should go over there then, the woman hesitates and seems about to ask something, but in the end only thank them. The four of them reaches the door, but as the rain's getting harder the woman asks the boys if they want to take shelter inside. Tanuma tries to refuses, but then the door opens.
Shinobu greeting Misa Kuromine, Natsume and Tanuma.
Clara scolding Shinobu.
A woman wearing a suit with short hair greets them, saying they must be the last guests and asking them if they have an invitation. The woman in the dark dress shows her her invitation, upon which is written "Misa Kuromine." The other woman comments that it's a lovely name, before saying she's a guest too while pulling out her own invitation. She introduces herself as Shinobu, a writer well-known in the industry. Natsume wonders what she means by "industry" and that she looks more like an escort (an"host," in Japanese) even though she's a woman. Shinobu gives them her card, before noticing Nyanko-sensei and asking what "that furry antithesis to my glorious aesthetics" is. Natsume replies he's a cat, just as someone from inside ask Shinobu what she's doing and to let them in already. The one speaking looks like a young girl wearing gothic Lolita fashion, and she scolds Shinobu for letting the rain blow in. Shinobu apologizes to the girl that she calls "Arisa," then pushes the boys inside before they can refuses. Arisa protests, asking Shinobu to not use that name and to call her "Clara" here. Shinobu complies with a wry smile, before another woman explains the girl is also a guest — a fortune telling fan and a famous tarot card diviner, "Clara of Sakai Alley." The woman then adds that she's Amamiya, who applied here as a general participant. Clara exclaims that she's glad the boys came, as only three of them arrived in time and she was worried they wouldn't get enough people. Amamiya says they're now seven, including "the Queen." However, Tanuma retorts that they were just dropping off Misa Kuromine, so they need to go now.
Amamiya and Clara getting excited that they can finally do the ritual.
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The four lady guests shocked when Tanuma and Natsume tells them they can't stay.
The women are shocked to hear this, then complains that the boys can't leave, as they cannot "do this" with only five people. Clara says they don't know what they're missing, as this is "Kisaragi Manor," and now that they're here they might as well take part. Misa asks them if they've ever heard of Hitomi Kisaragi, which Tanuma recognizes as being from "some movie." Clara explains she's a legendary actress known as "the Queen of the Occult," and this manor is her villa. Shinobu adds Hitomi starred in an iconic horror movie, "Left waiting," which was then followed by a string of hits, and so Hitomi then continued to be a monumental presence in the horror genre. She then became interested in the supernatural, like fortune telling, divination and communicating with spirits, so she started to host fan meetings where people also interested in the occult could come. It was called the "Kisaragi Salon" and was extremely popular. The salons were held at the manor, so it came to be called Kisaragi Manor among the fans. However, Hitomi then retired from acting when she got married and also stopped the salons. Clara adds excitedly that it was until tonight at least, where that "legendary" event will finally be held again, and so people famous in the industry were invited as special guests.
Hitomi Kisaragi coming down the stairs.
Natsume thinks about her comment about "communicating with spirits," while Amamiya adds that not everyone is here though, and Shinobu remarks that the invite was an honor, but it was on short notice. Tanuma asks what's the thing they can't do with only five people, and Clara replies that apparently, Hitomi got a ahold of a "yokai-summoning box," but it needs seven people to conduct the ritual, which is why they need the boys. As they try to protest once more, someone suddenly greets them and thank them for coming: it is Hitomi Kisaragi, coming down from the stairs. She says she really appreciates them indulging her "capricious capacity for amusement" and that she knows they're going to have a wonderful time tonight. All the women looks excitedly at her, while Shinobu comments that she's so beautiful. Hitomi declares that everything is ready and that everyone should take place. The women insists once again that the boys participate, and Natsume consult Tanuma and Nyanko-sensei about it: he thinks this is weird, but Sensei says there's no worries as they're all just amateurs. Tanuma says he's actually curious, so if it's okay with Natsume he'd like to stay. However, Sensei then add that it does feel odd, as there's a history of "dubious activities" here.
Hitomi then present the "Hachinari Box": she won it at an auction, and it is said to be a yokai-summoning box. Hitomi wanted to try it out right away, which is why she's starting the salon once more. Shinobu says she'd only heard about it, and Clara adds she didn't think it actually existed. She explains that it can do something close to what a Ouija board can, although Shinobu add that they're not contacting the dead, they're summoning yokai. Hitomi says that if they succeed, Lord Hachinari will be summoned into the box and he will then answer questions through the door.
Hitomi presenting the Hachinari Box.
Natsume wonders if that's possible — he's able to see yokai, but everyone else here are just regular people. Even so, they're still accepting this as fact, and are giddy with anticipation. He thinks about how strange this is while glancing around. Hitomi tells them to gather around the box and take the hands of the people besides them. Once they'll cast the spell and blow out the candle, Lord Hachinari will be summoned. Then they'll each ask a question, and have him leave — she asks them to not let go of each other's hands until then. As they start the ritual and Hitomi mutters the spell, Natsume wonders if it's true and something do gets summoned what kind of questions are the women going to ask; what Tanuma is going to ask, and what would he himself ask?
The members of the salon performing the ritual.
Hitomi finishes the spell while saying "We beseech you to come forth," and just then a loud lightning struck. This blew out the candle, and plunge the entire room in the dark. Everyone starts panicking, but Hitomi asks them to stay put until they light another one, and she goes look for other candles. Tanuma asks Natsume if he's okay, and Natsume who's slightly freaked out replies he doesn't like thunder, to which Sensei calls him a chicken. Shinobu calls out Arisa and asks if she's okay, and Arisa retorts to call her "Clara" while saying she's fine. Tanuma then asks Natsume what it means for the ritual, but before he can respond Hitomi comes back with new candles.
The Hachinari Box opened.
Just as everyone gets relieved, Amamiya suddenly points out that the box's door is opened. Clara enthusiastically wonders if that means the ritual was a success and if Hachinari was summoned and opened the door, but Amamiya retorts that would mean he's out of the box now. Shinobu says someone must have just bumped the table, and Hitomi declares they have enough candles for everyone now. She however adds that the power is now out, but she thinks it'll be restored soon, so they should take a break. She still has a gas stove, so she can still make tea and propose everyone to join her in the drawing room.
As the boys gets a moment of privacy, Natsume asks Sensei if he sense anything from the box, but Sensei only replies the whole place is peculiar and he can't tell if there's more or less of something. Natsume complains about it, and as Sensei gets angry at him for it Tanuma tries to calm him down. Natsume then hears some clinking and asks worriedly what it is, but Tanuma says it must just be Hitomi in the kitchen. Natsume thinks about how he can't let himself get swept away in the moment, as if something happens, he'll be the only one able to see what's really happening.
Misa telling Hitomi how she's happy she resumed the salon.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Hitomi is alone making tea. She suddenly grabs a cup of tea and stare at it for a moment, until Misa calls out to her. She asks if she can assist Hitomi with the tea service. After Hitomi thank her, Misa says she was happy that she resumed the salons. Hitomi smiles and says she knows.
Shinobu saying she doesn't believe the box is real but still wanted to check it out.
In the drawing room, Shinobu supposes they'll have to redo the ritual once things settle down, as the power outage interrupted it and hopefully they'll do it right this time. Clara protests that the door was open, and Shinobu argues back once again that someone must've bumped into it. Amamiya says they might laugh at her, but she thinks Lord Hachinari has come out of the box — she said she heard something, like voices or footsteps; like someone else was there. Clara says she felt the same, as someone yanked on her hair. Shinobu gets worried about her, almost calling her "Arisa" again, and asks if she's okay, though Clara adds it might've been someone who snagged on her hair because of the surprise. Shinobu then asks Natsume if he noticed anything, but Natsume replies he didn't. Tanuma says that Lord Hachinari could only came out of the box if the ritual succeeded, but they were interrupted — and Clara says she hates to admit it but in her surprise she let go of the hands. Amamiya says she did as well and can't remember if that was before or after Hitomi was done with the spell. If it was before, they can assume the spell was suspended, but if it was after it might've summoned Hachinari. Amamiya starts to panic, saying that because the circle was broken Hachinari escaped and that means he's somewhere in the house. Shinobu says they all need to calm down, and that they're all imagining things. Because of her job, she knows that often people are just exaggerating out of nothing; but she admits sometimes some things are authentics, and that's why she wanted to check if the box was real or not. She concludes that they should just redo the ritual properly this time.
Clara talking about her suspicions about Tanuma, Natsume and "Misa Kuromine."
After that, Clara approaches the boys and ask them discretely who they really are and what are their reasons for "sneaking in." Natsume gets angry at her and says she's the one who stopped them from leaving, and Tanuma adds with a smile that they were just trying to help Misa. Clara reacts to the name, then asks them if they're not "in cahoots with her." Clara knows Misa Kuromine: she's a famous dealer of divinition tools, though she hardly ever appears in person. She's seen her once, though, and that's not what she looks like. She wonders if the person the boys brought in just has the same name, but if so then who is she really.
Tanuma and Natsume questioning "Misa Kuromine."
Just then, Hitomi and Misa comes back with two plates of tea. Amamiya apologizes for not helping out, and Shinobu says it's an honor to be served tea by "the Queen herself." Clara asks Shinobu for three sugars in her tea, while Hitomi says it might take a while before the power returns; so she'll suspends the séance for now and the guests are free to make themselves at home and explore the manor. Shinobu gushes over Hitomi's generosity and beauty again and Clara points out nothing phazes her, while Amamiya states that it's not everyday they get invited to Kisaragi Manor, so she should go explore. Shinobu asks her if she needs an escort, and Amamiya says she's fine now thanks to Hitomi's tea and apologizes for panicking earlier, as it's not like she really saw anything. Shinobu then decides to go to the powder room, and Clara says warily she'll go with her, quickly running after her. Misa tells the boys they're free to look around as well, as there are beautiful rooms full of exotic collections. Natsume asks her if she's been here before, and Misa doesn't answer. Then Tanuma declares that her invitation wasn't addressed to her, surprising Natsume, as Misa still keep quiet. Tanuma then says that this place is such a huge mansion, and wonders if Hitomi really lives here by herself. They are suddenly interrupted when a scream resound throughout the manor.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Takashi Natsume
- Madara
- Kaname Tanuma's Father (mentioned)
- Kaname Tanuma
- Kishibe
- Misa Kuromine (mentioned)
- Shinobu Matoba
- Clara
- Rieko Amamiya
- Hitomi Kisaragi
Afterwords[]
- ""Ghosts in a mansion" is one of my favorite tropes. I feel this chapter made sense because of the usual preexisting flow of the story. I wanted to stuff in more things, like Natsume being intimidated by the room full of women but not getting distracted because Tanuma was by his side. Even in a simple story unrelated to the main plot, having two focus characters meant there were things that only Natsume or Tanuma noticed. It was fun and difficult to work on."
Trivia[]
- This chapter marks the introduction of Clara as well as of Shinobu Matoba — although the real identity of the latter will not be revealed until Chapter 123.
- This is first time the future-telling ability of cartomancy is mentioned in the series.
- This is the first time Misa Kuromine is mentioned.
[]
| Volume 28 | Volume 30 | |
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| Chapter 116 • Chapter 117 • Chapter 118 • Chapter 119 | ||