Ep. 8: Matsu Investigates Stolen Tickets and Becomes Captive

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Ume quits Five Leaves while Matsu stops visiting her tavern. During a visit to smith Kikuya, staff report stolen wooden access tickets. Kikuya suspects competitor Ootsuya. Matsu investigates Ootsuya’s premises at night but is captured. Masa and Ume search for him, finding Kikuya, who reveals he paid for Matsu’s child’s medical care and shared his suspicions about the missing tags. To rescue Matsu, Masa secures employment as a bodyguard for Ootsuya, aiming to gain access and free his friend from captivity.