She is, in short, the incarnation of the sea.
Surfing, sailing, fishing, jet skiing, scuba diving...
Whatever you'd call a "marine sport," she's a natural at it.
Any competition she enters, she wins.
No one else even comes close.
And her knowledge is just as impressive.
From nautical expertise to oceanography...
she can go toe-to-toe with professionals in any field.
As someone once joked...
"The only thing she's missing is gills."
A Unicorn.
The Mermaid Queen...
Mai Otohime!
Hey. Nice to meet ya.
It wasn't exactly a coincidence that I wound up judging the ramen contest.
I came here for a reason,
but my other self was standing around all fidgety in the hall,
and someone called out to her.
Though when you tried to make me eat Noren Mitsuoka's nightmare ramen...
I thought I was gonna die before I even got to make my entrance.
Wh-What is with this girl?
What reason?
A Unicorn here to talk to Ogami? Which means...
C'mon, after everything that's happened so far, you've figured it out, right?
A Mitsuoka duel!
Let's throw down, you and I, Juzo!
What? Wait, no, more like, we knew it!
Huh?
HUH...?
Hold on, how would that even work?
A Mitsuoka duel is basically a fight to decide Noren's boyfriend, right?
If a girl challenges him... Wait. Can she?
She can.
I read through the guidelines, and nowhere does prohibit women from dueling.
It just says the person who dates her has to be male.
If Juzo wins, he keeps his right to be her boyfriend.
If I win, Juzo loses that right, but I don't gain it, either.
Meaning the position becomes vacant.
And if that happens, other people can duel to fill the vacancy.
It's like when there's a title up for grabs in boxing or whatever.
Huh?
Then there's no benefit for you, Otohime! What are you even doing this for?
Bingo! Honestly, the duel thing was just my way into the conversation.
I don't really care either way.
Even I get nervous jumping straight to the point, y'know.
When I saw that futsal match against Tenma Tendo, something hit me like lightning!
Everyone's handwaving it away because of the news about Tenma getting hurt...
but you can't fool me.
Juzo...
You're actually incredible, aren't you?
And then the other day, you saved me from that accident, right?
That's when my other self felt the same way, too!
Like, completely! One hundred percent in love!
I like you, Juzo!
Go out with me!
What?
Huh?
More trouble...
Wait... Huh?
I mean, even if he's not into me,
any guy should be short-circuiting at least a little right now, right?
But he's not excited at all! He's wilting! Is this guy for real?
Okay...
Let me make sure I've got this straight.
You want to beat me in a duel so that Mitsuoka and I will break up,
and then date me once I'm single. Is that right?
Even if I were single, I wouldn't go out with you.
The truth is, there are...
a lot of circumstances around why I'm dating Mitsuoka right now.
But I'm not actually planning to date anyone.
I'm sorry.
Nice! That coolheaded side of you is nice, too!
And I love how you instantly grasped the situation and give me a clean answer!
Like I said, the duel part doesn't really matter!
I'm not giving up!
I'll keep coming at you as many times as it takes until you like me!
Wha...
Wait a second!
What do you mean, "The duel doesn't matter"?
Technically, he and I are dating right now!
Huh? I'm only trying to make you break up through a duel...
because I thought that'd be a little more civilized.
But really, why should I care whether the guy I like has a girlfriend?
Either way, I'm gonna make my move.
And I'm confident I can make him fall for me.
All it comes down to is choosing whoever seems better. Whoever seems superior.
Male or female, that's how animals work.
Oh, so that's the kind of girl she is.
A carnivore woman!
Besides, Juzo just said he doesn't actually plan on dating anyone.
So, it's not like you two are in love, right?
That makes this even more my business and mine alone.
Maybe I was a little too honest.
You've got a lot of nerve, talking like that!
It is not just your business, dumbass!
- Then duel me, Mai Otohime! - Huh?
By your logic, if I duel you and win, that proves I'm superior, right?
If that happens, don't you dare make another move on Ogami!
Noren?
What's this all of a sudden?
But hey, I do prefer things to be simple!
Fine by me! If I win, I get Juzo!
And you never butt in again, Noren Mitsuoka!
It isn't fine by me!
How did this turn into a duel over me?
I just said I was sorry, didn't I?
C'mon, it's a duel! No big deal!
It can just be for show at first,
but I'll have you wrapped around my finger in no time.
Noren! You don't have to duel her, either.
All I have to do is keep turning her down.
I promise I won't fall for it, so it's fine!
I know!
I know you probably won't get any weird ideas.
But even if you don't feel that way...
watching her do that right in front of me over and over doesn't sit right.
Uh, Boss?
Is this gonna be...
okay?
All right, it's settled!
Now, the duel lets us choose the contest and the number of participants,
but I still have to formally challenge Juzo. That part's the bare minimum.
So! It'll be a three-person contest. Juzo and Mitsuoka versus me.
As for the event, hm...
How about surfing?
Bring it on!
Whoever rides the best wave wins.
I'll send you the detailed rules later.
See ya, Juzo! Better get ready for me!
Hey!
So, the next opponent is Mai Otohime.
I can't believe they ended up having a duel after all, and in this form!
Surfing, huh?
Noren, have you ever done it?
Nope. Not once.
Then why did you say, "Bring it on"?
Noren, do you always just charge straight ahead like this?
What about you, Ogami?
This couple's hopeless! They're gonna get wiped out instantly!
Hey, come to think of it...
Hm?
Second-years and third-years, gather round!
PSST... PSST...
Noren... Ogami...
You two are our precious juniors.
And as the home ec club, we obviously want to support you.
But at this rate, you two don't stand a chance.
You need muscle training! I mean, special training!
And luckily for us...
next Monday is our school's founding anniversary.
Add Saturday and Sunday, and that gives us a three-day weekend.
Which means...
We can do an beach training camp!
Yay.
Now I've got more stuff to think about before training camp.
Coffee, Boss?
I would've brought you some if you'd asked.
It's fine.
I just finished my homework,
and I've got stuff on my mind, so I was gonna come here anyway.
B-B-Boss, haven't you been way too nice lately?
Hold on. Are you about to die or something?
Why would I be?
Nothing has been building up to that.
I mean...
before you turned back into a kid, you were a lot harsher.
There was more than one target, you moron! Do your damn research!
And if I got the wrong kind of cigarette, you'd clock me.
How many times do I gotta tell you I don't smoke menthols, you idiot?
You were running me like some live-in yakuza apprentice!
You beat every lesson into me!
This coffee's lukewarm!
No, I never...
I totally did. Sorry.
Well, I dunno. Looking back on it, yeah.
I didn't realize until you said it...
but maybe the older girls in home ec have rubbed off on me in a lot of ways.
Now you've made this awkward to talk about.
The truth is, there's something I need to ask you about before training camp.
Ask me?
LIFE PATHS SATURDAY, JUNE 27th
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE
A parent-teacher conference?
That thing with the teacher, student, and parent?
Man, just when you've got that surfing match coming up.
What am I gonna do about a parent?
DING
I got it, boss! There's a perfect way to handle this!
Huh? Seriously?
Just leave it to me!
Oh, right. No club today.
Wanna stop somewhere?
Tell me the rest of that story.
Buy me a large fries and nuggets!
- Hey, we're best friends, right? - Huh? Where's this coming from?
You here for a parent-teacher conference, too?
No. I'm waiting for Noren.
I feel like, through that ramen showdown...
we understand each other on a much deeper level!
No, we absolutely do not!
More importantly, Noren's mother is coming today.
I must offer her my greetings!
Huh? And what are you gonna say?
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mother."
"I am Shin Kohazame, the man who will someday have your blessing..."
"to marry Noren."
Yeah, no. You lost the duel.
For now, I'm the fiancé.
What?
Then at least let me catch one tiny glimpse from inside the ceiling!
Stay in there and never come out again, you freak!
Oh... You here for a parent-teacher conference, too?
MINE IS ON A DIFFERENT DAY. I AM WAITING ON MY BROTHER...
I see.
Also, you guys sure are close.
Huh?
Oga, you're not going home?
Nah, today I have a meeting with my teacher and...
Oh, parent-teacher conference?
Wait, Oga's parents will be coming here soon?
Then we gotta say hi!
First impressions are important, y'know!
No, you don't! Go home!
Whoa!
Huh? Rindou?
Wait, what? Oga, are you friends with Rindou?
Huh? Oh, uh, we sort of played a sport together the other day.
Or, well, "golf," I guess!
I DID IT
He talks with flip cards? That's adorable!
She is really into this.
And wait, his drawings are actually good!
Hey, I like cats! Draw me one!
That got realistic all of a sudden!
Not what I expected, but it's still cute!
Okay, I'm actually really happy right now!
Let's go.
What were you talking about?
Meow...
I see.
Wait, was that his brother who just understood "meow"?
Yeah. They don't look much alike, though.
He really is so cool!
For real? You think?
That aside, is Nekota gonna be okay?
Oh!
I've got it, Boss!
That face... He thought of something.
He's going to ask someone to play my parent, isn't he?
He better not have asked Eri!
Juzo!
Sorry to keep you waiting!
You showed up in drag?
And why is the outfit just decent enough to make this awkward?
I don't even know how to react!
If you'd gone all-out terrible, I could've just smacked you!
Is that Oga's mom?
Huh? She doesn't really look like...
I mean, that's pretty different from what I pictured.
Oh my. Are you Juzo's friends?
Thank you so much for always looking after him!
Uh, yes.
Nice to meet you.
What kind of mom were you picturing?
Are you stupid, you...
"Stupid"? What kind of child talks to his mother that way?
Is this a rebellious phase? Honestly!
Don't worry, Boss!
No matter what happens, I'll play the perfect mom to the end!
I'm a professional!
None of this is getting through to him!
Here you go, girls!
Take some candy!
Catch! Catch!
Uh, thanks.
Thank you.
That's not a mom! That's an Osaka auntie!
Thank you for waiting!
Mrs. Ogami, come on in.
Thank you!
I'm Juzo's mother.
Thank you for meeting with us today!
Huh? Oh, yes. Please, have a seat.
She's strangely young, and they don't look anything alike!
Um, excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to be Juzo's older sister, would you?
Oh, goodness, Professor! Aren't you a flatterer!
So, Professor, how is my boy doing? Is he getting along all right at school?
Uh, yes, I would say so.
I don't see any problems with his conduct.
He takes class seriously.
Juzo, that's a glowing review!
Mommy's so relieved!
- Knock it off! - However...
...there is one issue.
An issue?
Hey! What did you do?
Oh, no! I wouldn't call it a serious issue!
But first, is it okay to smack him like that?
Oh, my!
One thing that does concern me slightly is that every now and then...
is the way he talks and acts is oddly middle-aged, I suppose.
Oh, goodness, really?
I wonder where he gets that from!
- Honestly, this child! - Ow!
Well, thank you so much!
It was a pleasure meeting you!
Likewise.
Thank you for coming in today.
Take care.
When we get home, I am absolutely kicking his ass.
Huh?
Noren?
Oh, Ogami...
Oh my, Juzo! Another friend?
Goodness, every girl you know is so cute!
Cut it out with that act already!
This is Ogami's mother? She's completely different from what I pictured.
Hello there! I'm Juzo Ogami's mother.
Thank you for looking after my son!
It's nice to meet you. I'm Noren Mitsuoka's mother.
Your son takes very good care of her.
Oh! You're from overseas?
You're so beautiful! And your Japanese is wonderful!
Oh, not at all! I still have so much to learn!
- So, this is Noren's mother. - No, it really is excellent!
- She's more normal than I expected. - Where are you from?
Canada.
Oh, my!
Canada?
- The Canada where maple syrup... - There's no resemblance.
- ...comes out of the faucets? - Nothing like that!
Well, Boss, we somehow got through that!
So?
How'd I do as your mom?
Incredible.
So good I want to murder you.
Right?
I actually put a lot of thought into the makeup.
And I really worked out the character, too!
Nekota, go home without me.
Huh?
I wanna be alone for a bit.
He is still only a first-year...
but I'd like to start discussing his future.
There's no rush to decide, of course,
but if you're considering high school and higher education,
it's always best to start preparing early.
My future, huh?
For a middle-aged guy like me, it should be completely irrelevant,
which is probably why it stuck in my head.
Master wants to become a doctor.
So, he'll go on to high school, then college.
Noren...
will probably open a ramen shop someday.
Though I doubt she'd say that at a parent-teacher conference.
And Tenma said...
he was gonna go pro in three sports, right?
Knowing him, he might actually pull it off.
Honestly, school is fun.
But sometimes...
they seem so full of possibility, I can barely stand to look at them.
They've got futures ahead of them,
and I'm an old man who doesn't.
What's all this, Ogami?
You're looking awfully wistful out here.
As usual, you give off a very non-seventh-grader vibe.
Oh, Big Sis!
What are you doing here?
I could ask you. Why are you here at this hour?
Oh, that's right. Ryo said you had a parent-teacher conference.
Yeah. Did you have one, too?
Nah, I'm a third-year, so mine was guidance counseling.
What kind of high school I want to go to, how am I handling entrance exams...
That sort of thing. I have to start deciding.
So, I suppose I came out here to get lost in thought myself.
So, are you gonna go to a cooking school or something?
Huh? Why would I?
I'm planning on going to a regular academic high school.
Huh? That's not what I expected!
You're not going to pursue the path of cooking?
What does "the path of cooking" even mean?
I like cooking, sure...
but that doesn't mean I want to become a chef.
Besides, I don't think you have to lock in your whole life right now.
Are you thinking everyone's supposed to have some dream or goal already?
I mean, I do think the way my little brother and Tenma live is cool.
But personally, I'd rather not decide yet.
Once I get to high school, I'll have more options.
Once I get to college, I'll have even more.
I want to choose how I live from all of those possibilities.
Isn't that one of the reasons why we study?
Well, I'm not nearly as good at it as my little brother.
Wait. Could there actually...
be one?
Huh?
It's bad for a hitman to come to school?
Back then, it still hadn't clicked.
No matter how this turned out,
I figured once I got my old body back, I'd just go back to being an assassin.
Until now, I've only been studying because it's fun.
GRAMMAR: SUBJECT AND PREDICATE
But...
if I set a goal and kept working toward it...
could I have one, too?
A life where I'm not an assassin...
A future...
Huh?
Wait, are you crying, Ogami?
No.
The sunset's just stinging my eyes.
What are you, an old man?
No! Huh? As if!
Well! Anyway, my point is, let's enjoy all kinds of things while we can!
Not just studying, but club stuff, too!
That beach training camp we talked about is gonna be a blast for everyone!
Huh?
Club President? Ogami?
Oh, Noren!
Are you here for some brooding time, too?
Huh?
Brooding?
Give that duel everything you've got! That's what the training camp is for.
R-Right!
The ocean...
And we'll have someone coming along who knows a lot about surfing.
Huh? Who?
You'll find out when we get there!
Uh, y-yes, ma'am.
When am I gonna turn back to normal?
Or am I stuck like this forever?
Well, there's no point sitting around thinking about it.
What happens, happens.
Hell, this could be interesting.
I'm used to trouble!
And I'll blast right through every last bit of it!
KILL BLUE SEASON 2 CONFIRMED!!