Can't determine that first kanji in this "grassy style" calligraphy. Thought it might be 之, but that doesn't make sense here.

Moonspeaker said:

Can't determine that first kanji in this "grassy style" calligraphy. Thought it might be 之, but that doesn't make sense here.

It's 乞.

henmere said:

It's 乞.

Much obliged. And hey, its usage here is even a fixed phrase, though with a needless extra "!" in the middle. I barely had to change my translation note.

Just fixed the artist after checking the pixiv sample.