Hey, what the hell ya doin'?
Where did that bitch go?
- She's messin' with us. - Don't let her get away!
What's wrong, Sakura-san?
You've been antsy this whole time.
I-I ain't being antsy.
I'm just fed up because I'm being dragged out on my day off.
You're just hyped because you're hanging out with your friends on your day off, right?
Am not!
I see! I understand how you feel, Sakura-san!
I said I ain't!
Besides, Tsubaki-san is thanking us for lifting Ito-san's spirits!
To be able to go to a place that Tsubaki-san recommends!
According to my intel, Tsubaki-san loves all kinds of sweets.
I wonder if it's that kind of shop?
Nire-kun, you're the same as always.
Sheesh.
What is it, Sakura-san?
I've been wondering for a few minutes now, but what's with your face?
Did someone beat you up?
Th-This? I tripped. Right, Suo-san?
Tripped? Was Suo with you then?
Come on now, why don't we just hurry on over?
All right, don't push me!
Is this the right way? We've been walking for a while now.
Oh, we turn here, then head straight for a little bit!
Nire-kun, do you really have the right directions?
Huh? Yes, it should be correct.
Okay, but we're in the red-light district now.
KEISEI STREET
Hey, wanna play?
We'll keep it cheap! How about it?
But the map says it's just up ahead.
Good evening!
Master, would you like to stop by?
M-Master?
You lookin' for a bar?
Oh, we're fine. We're minors.
Hold on, both of you!
What now?
What's wrong, Nire-kun?
Let's head back for now!
I'll confirm the location with Tsubaki-san.
And go back the way we just came? You've gotta be kidding me! Let's just go.
Wait! For real! This isn't a place that high school students should frequent,
and this isn't Furin turf, remember?
You say it ain't Furin turf, but...
it's just a bit more brightly lit for a few extra floors.
A-A girl fell from the skies?
She definitely did.
A-Are you okay, Sakura-san?
Wh-What the hell.
Um...
A-Are you okay? I'm really sorry, I was in a panic.
- Are you hurt anywhere? - S-Stop. Don't pull!
That's actually more painful.
Both of them seem all right.
You're the one who's hurt.
And your dress is ripped.
Oh, you're right. I'm bleeding.
Wait! My necklace is gone, too! Oh, no!
Why are you panicking so much? I mean, to jump down from a place like that.
Th-That's right. I'm in a hurry, so if you'll excuse me!
Hey!
Damn, you're makin' us work hard.
No matter how hard we work, the money we get ain't gonna change.
You get it?
The job is just to bring over one chick.
It's not worth the effort.
S-Suo-san, these people...
Yeah.
No doubt that they've come chasing after this person.
Who the hell are they? Know 'em?
I don't! These people are—
What if she does?
So what if she does know us, huh?
This brat's got no manners.
Normally, I'd slap you down but I got no time right now.
Hand over the bitch.
Or else...
I-I'll go.
I'll go with you, so please don't cause a scene.
Or else, what?
So many guys chasing after one ragged woman, and dares to say, "Or else"?
Or else, what?
One damn guy after another, gettin' in my way.
This really isn't worth the pay!
Suo, you and Nirei stay by the woman's side.
U-U-Um...
I-I'm fine.
I will protect myself.
I'll stay with the girl.
The two of you should simply look forward.
What the hell are you—
Sakura-kun.
That's what Nire-kun is saying. Let's trust him and leave it to him.
I'll have his back, if needed.
Like delegating the people around you who can act on your behalf.
Believe in them.
All right.
I'm trusting you, Nirei.
Okay, Sakura-san!
Quit yer yappin'! I said I ain't got no time!
Eat it, damn brats!
Damn brats!
Damn it!
You little punk!
Will he really be okay?
Crap!
Let's trust him and leave it to him.
Outta my way, damn shrimp!
Don't close my eyes.
Draw in the enemy as close as I can.
Nire-kun, now!
CAFÉ POTHOS
See ya tomorrow!
Nire-kun.
Can I walk back with you for a bit?
Y-Yes, of course.
I'm glad Sakura-kun is better now.
I've never seen him smile like that before.
Right.
Suo-san, I've never seen you panic like that, either.
You really must hate natto.
Huh? When was I in a panic?
I mean, earlier, you were so...
Well, anyway...
Nire-kun, you're the one who seems to be down right now.
You've been acting weird since this morning, so I was wondering what's up.
When I visited Sakura-san's place, I said that I wanted to be helpful when he's in trouble.
But when I saw Sakura-san talk in front of everyone today, I had a thought.
"Ahh, he's someone who can keep moving forward, even in times of trouble."
Which means, there's not much that I can be helpful with.
Because of the way I am right now, Sakura-san doesn't need me.
- That's not— - But...
At the same time, I thought...
that's not what I want.
I...
I want to be there.
I want to be at Sakura-san's side, and help him reach that top spot.
On the day we first met, Sakura-san told me that I wasn't lame.
I want to be someone who isn't embarrassed by that.
If Sakura-san is going to keep moving forward, I have to move forward as well.
Suo-san!
I know this is unreasonable, but please...
Please teach me how to fight!
Please, I beg you.
My goodness. Your self-worth is all over the place.
Huh? What was that?
More so than how to fight,
we need to start with how to protect yourself.
Th-Thank you so much!
Let's work hard together.
You should buy a lot of band-aids and pain relief patches.
Nire-kun, you need to know how to protect yourself.
I did say that,
but I think it'd be better if you could defeat your opponent while protecting yourself, right?
Y-You can do something like trying to look left while looking right?
You become a roly poly!
I'll show you. Can you put that notebook away?
Nire-kun, try to punch me.
Huh? I-I can't do that.
It's fine.
Come on, hurry.
When someone throws a punch, they always aim for the face.
So if you suddenly duck...
You disappear from their field of view.
Furthermore, they focus on your face and thus aren't looking at their feet.
So they can't deal with a sudden obstruction.
Which means...
they have no choice but to fall down face first.
Are you okay?
H-Huh?
Suo-san, please say something first.
Sorry, sorry. I thought it'd be better if you experienced it first.
But...
If it's just curling up,
even I might be able to do it.
Let's see, if I suddenly crouch...
Yup. That's the spirit.
But in doing so, there is one condition.
Huh? Like what?
Never, ever close your eyes.
Yow!
I think we need to practice that first.
W-Will I be able to do that?
S-Stand up! Stand up! Beside you!
I'm sorry.
This kid is still in training.
I told you not to close your eyes, right?
But still, a job well done.
Can you keep going?
Yes! I'm all right!
Sheesh.
Whatcha laughin' at, punk?
If he can do something like that...
he shoulda said something!
What's with this guy?
I've got ya!
A-Amazing.
U-Umm...
A-Are you okay?
Nire-kun?
I-I'm sorry. I felt so relieved, that I couldn't stand.
No need to apologize. You did very well for your first time.
Right, Sakura-kun?
Huh? M-Me?
More like, were you the one who taught him such a risky move?
That's right. The roly-poly tactic.
Roly-poly.
Well, when Suo-san does it, it looks a lot more stylish.
My performance was rather unstylish.
N-Not really.
I don't think it was unstylish, you know?
B-By the way, who are these people?
Th-They seemed to be chasing after you.
Oh, um, actually...
Sakura-kun, are you okay?
No problem.
Is he with those assholes?
Either way...
he's on a whole other level.
H-Hold on...
Is it you guys?
The assholes hunting Shizuka down?
Wait, you've got it wrong.
Shizuka says she's gonna work in this town.
Come on!
Wait, you're all beaten up!
P-Please listen to me!
Inexcusable.
What you did to Shizuka's flawless skin...
That's not it! This is...
You're dead—
Listen to me!
I'm truly, terribly sorry!
I didn't know you guys saved Shizuka, and I...
I...
If times were different, I'd atone by slashin' my gut!
No, but I could at least take a finger off...
No one cuts their fingers off anymore, either.
Geez, Kan-chan, I'm always telling you not to jump to conclusions.
Y-Yes'm.
The other day, you went flying out just from hearing the fire truck.
AD NAUSEUM AD NAUSEUM
Yes.
When the pub staff was apologizing for their mistake, you thought it was a brawl.
I'm sorry.
He's looking totally dejected.
No matter how many times you tell me, my body springs into action without thinking.
I'm really sorry about this.
Oh no, I'm just glad we worked out the misunderstanding.
B-By the way...
who exactly are the two of you?
Oh, sorry!
I'm Kanji Nakamura. And she is...
Shizuka Narita.
Shizuka is a singer.
And I work at the bar where she sings.
You were a singer?
That's why you're in a dress.
Her voice is tremendously beautiful.
When she's on stage, she's just like an angel.
What? Oh, stop it!
An angel?
Kan-chan, you always come to my rescue, so I really appreciate you a ton!
D-Dummy! Appreciate? You're exaggerating!
- They get along so well. - I appreciate you too, Shizuka!
- I don't think it's just friendship, it seems. - Shizuka, you're my angel!
Stuff like this is happening way too much lately.
Oh, what's wrong, man? Your face is beet red.
You're one to talk.
Huh? Is that so?
Sheesh.
You are as impatient as always.
How many times has it been this month?
And you're fawning over her and not paying attention.
That's why a weakling like that almost landed a surprise blow on you.
I wholeheartedly apologize.
Th-There are a lot of people again.
It's fine.
They're all on our side.
The ones you knocked out, and all the guys scurrying around on our way here.
I hope that's all of them.
Oh, I didn't knock 'em out.
These guys here did.
What?
I don't know who you are, but it seems our chairman has troubled you.
Chairman?
Yeah. We're a group that's pretty well known in this town.
People call us Roppo Ichiza.
I act as the chairman of the group.
R-Roppo Ichiza?
What? Why the yelling?
I-I mean, Roppo Ichiza of Keisei Street is a super-brawler team!
They solve problems with their fists and had many clashes with Furin before the unification!
Huh? Furin, you say?
C-Crap! I hadn't heard they clashed with Furin recently, so I dropped my guard!
This is bad! What to do, what'll we do?
Man.
You kids are from Furin?
No wonder why you're strong!
And you...
You covered for us, even though we just met.
You're strong with your fists, but also really compassionate.
I like ya, Kid!
I-I wasn't coverin' for ya or anything earlier.
Not being honest? You acting tough, huh?
You were just in my way of punching him!
Um, if you're from Furin...
are you acquaintances with Tsubaki-chan, perhaps?
Huh? You know Tsubaki-san?
Actually, we came here today to meet up with Tsubaki-san.
Oh, so that's what it was!
Of course I know. I mean, we both perform on the stage at our pub!
On stage?
Lookin' good!
Tsubaki-chan!
S-S-So cool!
Wow, amazing!
What the hell is this?
NIGHT STREET
Keisei Street feels different from Furin's shopping street and from Shishitoren turf.
It's so flamboyant!
Why do they light things up so much around here?
Perhaps they want to stand out more than the other shops nearby?
Reminds me of Tsugeura.
I kinda get what you're saying.