This 2 is a coefficient.
To produce an algebraic expression, you combine like terms.
So, for this equation...
- A (x + c)... - Uh...
- ...this is the distributive property. - Huh?
- And this 2... - What?
WIPE YOUR OWN BUTT SATURDAY, APRIL 25th
Huh?
There's something in class you don't understand?
Even going back over everything we've covered so far didn't help.
So, that's why you were acting weird in class!
By the way...
how are you at math?
I suck at it!
Yeah, figures.
Ah! In that case...
Huh? Studying?
So, when stuff like X and Y starts showing up, you get all mixed up.
Please, Eri! Teach me!
No way!
I'm juggling work and housework as it is,
and I'm also trying to figure out how to turn you back to normal.
I can't argue with that.
But there must be something you can do!
It's not like he's actually dumb.
Just ask your teacher for help.
That's what school is for, right?
It's just...
the teacher's a little younger than me, so it's feels awkward to ask.
What?
Either drop that pointless proud act, or deal with it yourself!
She hung up on me.
LIBRARY
No good.
I don't get it!
- You multiply this by both... - If I don't learn this...
...then I won't understand the next class, either!
At this rate, I'm just gonna fall further and further behind!
What am I supposed to do?
Are you looking something up?
You're Ogami, right?
I've seen him in class before.
Uh, let's see... Shiraishi...
Yep, Ryo Shiraishi!
Okay, I see.
This is probably a problem that goes back even earlier.
Huh?
You probably never really got the hang of the arithmetic and formulas...
in elementary school, so now it's all mixing together and confusing you.
Come to think of it, I did spend all my time fooling around back then.
I know!
I come here to study pretty often, too!
Why don't we study together?
Huh?
MODERN MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH 1
MATH QUIZ
QUIZ JUZO OGAMI
I got a perfect score on the math quiz thanks of you!
Thanks!
No, it's because you worked hard and relearned the basics, Ogami.
Damn, I'm so freaking happy!
Seriously, thank you so much...
Master!
Huh? What's with "master"?
I can never thank you enough!
But first, let me buy you a drink.
Why do you suddenly sound like an old man?
How about over there?
Sorry!
Watch where you're going, brat.
- Let's go. - Stopping by...
- There's an open table over there. - ...a family restaurant on the way...
...from school? Cocky little shits.
Wasting their parents' money.
Punks think the world's a joke.
No, seriously, it's amazing!
While teaching me every day,
you were studying just as much, if not more yourself.
And it's not just that you're serious about it.
It feels like you've got some kind of goal you're aiming for!
Don't tell the class, okay?
The truth is...
I want to become a doctor.
That's incredible!
What's the difference if people know?
Well, it's just kind of embarrassing.
When I was little, my mom got sick and died.
And on days when my dad wasn't around, my grandma took care of me.
But lately, my grandma's health has gotten worse.
So, I decided.
I want people like my mom and grandma to live longer.
So, I decided to become a doctor.
That's all.
Grandmaster!
I got promoted again? Please, stop with that!
I'm touched!
I'm nowhere near that!
What brought this on?
No, honestly...
I really meant that.
I say I'm bad with kids.
But maybe that's because...
I've never really treated them as individuals.
At the very least...
he's way more admirable than I am.
Listening to you two this whole time...
Aiming to be a doctor these days? I mean, aside from being a waste of money,
it just makes me wonder if you're plain stupid!
Huh?
What you're saying is so out of touch with reality.
You really oughta look at the data more.
Maybe I should just punch him.
No, you shouldn't get violent!
And you, too, glasses.
Stumbling over schoolwork in your first year of middle school?
That's just dumb, honestly!
And then trying your ass off when you're clearly not cut out for it?
At that point, you're just advertising how stupid you are.
I mean, being dumb is one thing, but—
Thanks for the advice.
But we've had enough.
Wha...
I went out of my way for your sake!
What you're saying has nothing to do with why I want to become a doctor.
Moreover, even if you were technically right,
I think there's something wrong with you as a person if you call others idiots....
simply because they don't agree with you.
And I don't want someone like that laughing at my friend's hard work!
Listen—
That's enough.
You're being loud.
You really need to mind your own damn business.
- Jeez. - Gross.
- In the first place... - He's getting destroyed.
...what do you do for a living?
All of you go to hell!
So you really do speak up when it counts!
I've got a whole new respect for you!
I just kind of lost my temper.
That really wasn't good, was it?
It was awesome!
Goddamn kids!
Make a fool outta me?
As I pass by...
I'll nail 'em with my killer kick!
And send 'em splashing into the river!
I bet he's thinking crap like that.
Good grief.
Boss!
Yeah, I know.
I'm just gonna teach him a little lesson.
That's going a little too far, sonny.
You need to cool off.
Then learn a thing or two...
- ...from my master. - Huh?
Oops.
Here.
You forgot something.
Your precious laptop.
Mind your own damn business!
Huh?
Did something just fall in the river?
Who knows?
She may not look it, but she gets lonely easily.
Kozu—
It's me.
Mornin'!
This place is a total dump, Boss!
The living room's filthy, too!
I haven't called the housekeeper in a while.
Just clean it yourself!
No can do. I've never done that before.
Men don't do that kind of stuff, you know.
Boss...
that wasn't funny.
Huh?
What year do you think it is?
Seriously, update your values already!
Keep that in mind, okay?
Yeah, yeah, I got it.
Who wants to join our club?
Oh, club activities, huh?
TENNIS CLUB
I guess they did say clubs were starting up this week.
TEA CEREMONY CLUB
Have you decided what club you're joining?
SCIENCE CLUB BADMINTON CLUB
Hm...
I'm gonna pass on the athletic clubs.
Huh? Why's that?
Hey!
Sorry! Throw it back over here!
You okay?
- I'd stand out... - Hang in there!
- ...way too much in this world. - What the heck was that?
Oh, what club?
I'm thinking maybe kendo.
Huh?
I actually did it a little before.
I just like it, and I want to do my best balancing it with my studies, too.
Master!
What about you, Ogami?
Oh, I figured I should probably avoid any of the athletic clubs.
Then maybe a cultural club?
Looks like there are all kinds.
Huh?
HOME ECONOMICS CLUB
A home ec club?
It says cooking, sewing...
and laundry and cleaning, too.
It's probably all girls anyway, right?
For real, Boss, again?
Hm? Hey...
I can't just let that one slide, Ogami.
Sis!
Huh?
You're Master's big sis?
Yep. And I'm the president of the home ec club you were just talking about.
My little brother's told me about you.
Still, what are you, a newly-arrived time traveler or something?
Sure, there are all kinds of differences between men and women.
But that's beside the point.
If you're alive, you eat, so you cook.
You make trash, so you clean it up.
That's why...
you should learn to wipe your own butt.
That's all there is to it.
"Wipe your own butt"!
I see!
So, if she phrases it like that, you get it, huh?
And once you can do it yourself, then having someone do it for you is fine, too.
If you understand how much that's worth, you can appreciate it properly.
All right!
We've got a trial club session today, so come by!
Huh?
Yeah, I'd better see you there!
No, I...
If you don't come, I'm not letting you borrow Ryo anymore.
What?
Not Master...
To think she'd threaten a legendary assassin...
HOME EC ROOM
WELCOME TO THE HOME EC CLUB TRIAL! FEEL FREE TO TAKE LEFTOVERS HOME!
All right, since today is just a trial session...
we'll keep things simple and make rice balls and miso soup!
Okay!
There are actually quite a few guys here, too.
Now then...
since we've got the venue, how about a little contest?
Huh?
If it turns out to be boring, you win.
As part of club activities, I'll take care of your day-to-day needs...
for the next six months.
Huh?
She's pretty damn confrontational.
And if I lose?
You join!
If you end up having fun, no complaints, right?
Damn, that's good.
FEEL FREE TO TAKE LEFTOVERS HOME!
You can take home whatever's left over!
And if you had a good time, we'd love to have you join the club!
So, what'd you think?
Uh...
How can I put it? It was...
okay.
Huh? Boss?
I see!
Well, too bad!
No, I mean, it's not like it was boring,
so let's call it a draw.
Nuh-uh!
The contest isn't over yet.
Huh?
See...
I mean, that was petty!
Just because you don't wanna lose!
Huh?
You were going, "This is damn good!" about the miso soup, weren't you?
No, that's not it!
It was good, sure.
It really was, but I was kinda like, "Okay, that's enough."
What?
Honestly, it just didn't move me enough to make me want to join the club.
You want the leftovers from what I made?
Huh? Really? Sweet!
No.
Actually, I'm good.
Huh?
More importantly, you're heading to the lab for your checkup, right?
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH 1
Hello?
Yeah? What's up?
Hey, what's with the surprise food delivery?
What brought this on?
And the home ec club? How in the world did that happen?
Oh, shut up. Besides, I haven't joined yet.
Kozue and I ate it earlier.
Thanks.
It was good.
Yeah?
Good.
Here, Kozue.
You wanted to say something, too, right?
It was really good...
Papa.
Thanks.
Hey, sorry.
Let me correct something.
Huh?
I said you should learn to wipe your own butt, but cooking's different.
The rice balls and miso soup you made...
Have someone who's important to you eat them.
You see...
making food for yourself is one thing...
but making it for someone else is a hundred times more fun!
The miso soup was a little salty, though.
Oh.
Is that right?
Why does your voice sound weird?
Oh...
I've got a cold.
Was that Eri?
Yeah.
Damn.
I think I might've lost.
The very next day...
CLUB ENROLLMENT FORM - YEAR: 1, CLASS: E-3 NAME: JUZO OGAMI | CLUB: HOME EC
you joined on the spot.
Talk about a fast decision!
Yeah, yeah.
Well, if it helps fix some of your bad habits, then—
Yeah, yeah.
I said no!
Aw, come on!
Looks like you're as popular as ever.
Huh?
CLUB ENROLLMENT FORM - YEAR: 1, CLASS E, NUMBER 19 - NAME: NOREN MITSUOKA
Wait, Mitsuoka, you too?
Huh? Me, too?
Why would you be joining?
Well, it's complicated.
But why you, Mitsuoka?
I just thought...
maybe I could do more at the ramen shop.
But don't you dare tell anyone!
And don't get too chummy with me, either!
Yeah, yeah.
Same as ever, huh?
That's just how she is.
From Eri?
Huh?
Boss, this is bad!
What is it?
The way to get you back to your original form!
For real?
I'll give you the conclusion first!
You need to marry Noren Mitsuoka!
What the hell are you talking about?
I'm telling you—
I heard you.
That's exactly why I'm asking what the hell you're talking about!
It's supposed to be about getting me back to normal!
THE PERSON WHO MARRIES NOREN MITSUOKA WILL INHERIT THE COMPANY
Just a minute ago, Mitsuoka Pharmaceuticals...
put out a pretty insane announcement!
What?
An announcement like that would get nothing but backlash!
What possible upside could there be?
What they're really after is still unclear.
If that were all, it'd still feel like somebody else's problem...
but do you remember what that kidnapper said?
"We don't know what it is exactly, but there's no doubt that she has it."
Actually, that, too...
is apparently circulating behind the scenes as highly credible information.
To sum it up, if you want to learn the secret of that wasp,
threats and brute force won't work.
The only way is to inherit the company.
Which means...
becoming Noren Mitsuoka's fiancé.
That's your new mission, Boss!
As if I could do that!
A divorced guy pushing 40 becoming a middle schooler's fiancé?
Man, maybe I should just confess my love to her!
Not a bad idea! If you actually got with her...
you'd be the president of Mitsuoka!
Being a gold digger is the dream!
"Being a gold digger." I love the sound of that!
Yeah, I guess it would be impossible, huh?
Don't ever say that again, even as a joke.
NATSUKIYA RAMEN
Aah, so good! As long as I'm eating ramen here,
I can forget all about everything!
What the hell is he talking about with this fiancée stuff?
There's no way an old guy like me could do something like that.
I might be back at square one with getting my old body back,
but whatever happens, happens. Screw it!
Thanks for the meal!
Much appreciated!
- Ogami, you never change. - Hmm?
Oh...
Sounds like things have been rough for you.
I heard people have been coming on to you even more than before.
Well, I'm just here for the ramen, so...
Noren, you can head out now.
Ah, okay.
This sucks!
Why would your dad do something like that?
How should I know? He barely ever comes home lately!
And honestly, I never want to see his face again!
What the hell is his problem?
Idiot!
Right, Ogami?
You're not even listening!
Hm?
Oh, yeah, that really sounds rough.
Don't ask me about it and then stop listening halfway through!
No, for real...
I totally get it.
Yeah, right!
Anyway, about tomorrow's English—
Already changing the subject?
This is kind of nice, actually!
Ah, crap!
This is the kind of pointless back-and-forth...
I want to have with friends.
Maybe I can do that in club.
Huh?
That kind of friend!
Oh, yeah.
Not that I'm saying you're that kind of friend, though.
Wha...
It's finally club time, Boss!
Yeah!
Gotta learn to wipe my own butt!
Is that really the right energy to bring into this?
Hm?
Sis...
Hey, we've got a bit of a problem.
What?
We've been flooded with applicants.
Most of them are here because of Noren.
Joining home ec, too?
Wow, what a coincidence!
Oh, like hell it is!
Actually, I've always loved home ec!
"Loved home ec"? What the hell does that even mean?
Tama, could you get Hashikan for me?
Shut up already!
Let me make one thing clear!
I already have a boyfriend!
It's Juzo Ogami right here!
What?