01x03 - "Cha no yu" no kai

[bunniefuu]

Please excuse my silly stories...

Actually, do you mind if I brag a little instead?!

Recently, I got myself a new girlfriend!

Oh, not this girl...although
she is a mighty fine one.

She's a little too much for me to handle...

Or so my personal scenerio writer tells me!

Just kiddin, it was my
Bro that told me that.

Hello? Tora-volta??

My name ain't Tora-volta!

Quit calling me each time
you're on break, stupid!

I keep tellin ya that I'm busy!

Is it a chick??

Yeah, sorry.

Huh?! What's it to you??

Hello?

Gin gin, it's you!!!

Alright, pause it right there!

This is my girlfriend.

Cute, ain't she?

Actually, isn't she SUPER cute?!

Her name is Risa, and she
works at a shop in Urahara.

I keep tellin ya that I'm busy!

You're the one that called...

What?! That's none of your concern!

Huh?! Alright, talk to
you later...I gotta go.

Was that your girl?

Yeah, sorry.

Ughhh...girls are such a
pain in the ass aren't they??

May I sit more comfortably?

Thanks...

Oh yes, and my Bro, Tora-volta.

He's a great looking guy, but
he's got no sense of humor at all.

And yet, he decided
to become a Rakugoka...

Twenty thousand yen, sir?

Think about it...if he keeps payin back ten thousand a
month, he won't be able to pay everything back til 2008!

That means that you gotta
keep at it until 2008, too!

Boss is saying this for your
sake, so go tell him that.

I'll give ya twenty thousand
yen per rakugo story.

Got any problems with that??

Well, you could just learn 2 stories
a month, and pay ten thousand each...

That makes it even more
impossible! Don't underestimate me!

Well, I don't mind at all.

Twenty thousand a month, huh...?

That's tough...

Hey I know! Why don't you just give me the whole sum
in advance, and I can teach you rakugo at your own pace!

Don't get so carried away!!

This is the Shishou's son, Ryuji.

Welcome!

He's a genius at rakugo, but
he's got zero sense of style.

Do you have any more weird clothes?
Preferably something less than 1000 yen.

Get outta here!!

We ain't no costume store, okay?!

Oh, Mr. Camera-man, won't you please
pan a little more to the right?

Stop!

Oh, she's so cute!!

Oh I'm sorry, I just can't
help talking about myself.

I just love myself!

Well, I think I deserve it.

Seems like I don't have much
on-screen time in this episode.

What's up with this atmosphere?

Was I supposed to say something?

Oh right...

Tiger and Dragon!

"Cha no yu"
(Tea Ceremony)

Shishou! There's a weird guy in the
audience today! Please be careful.

That tall bald guy?

Yes!

Where is he sitting?

In the middle of the front row.

He just sits there reading instead
of listening to our performances!

Hey! That was MY car!!

Oh! I'm sorry! Then mine...

Yours is the orange car, idiot!
I just told you a few minutes ago!

Ya made a booboo! Each one
of ya pay up 1,000 dollars!!

1,000 dollars??

Pay up!!

I only have a million dollar bill!

Give me a million each then!

Kotora! You're up!!

If ya don't pay up, I'll sink ya
to the bottom of the Sumida River!

What?? It's just a game!!

He's a champion of an amateur rakugo contest,
but he thinks he's some top-notch rakugo critic.

But he's famous among the rakugo fanatics to have
a keen eye for up-and-coming rakugo prodigies.

I wonder who he came to watch today??

Could it be me??

It might be me!

I've had the privilege of watching
your rendition of Manju Kowai.

Oh, really?

You're ahead of any other younger
rakugoka when it comes to vigor.

And your pacing was especially
good during the climax of the story.

You also had the ability to turn a potentially
offensive joke into something genuinely funny.

It was a performance uncommon
for a rakugoka in training...

If ya have any problems
with it, say it to my face!!

He's praising you! Praising you a lot!!

However, if you were to ask
me, that's not rakugo at all.

It sounds more like some punk's idle talk!

Gee, thanks.

THAT time he was dissin you!

If you don't have the confidence in telling classical rakugo
stories, why don't you tell your own original ones?

What you did was a disgrace to rakugo...

No, it was plagiarizing a classical work.
You're a thief!!

Won't you just put the soba down, already?

Why, if it isn't the second son of
Hayashiyatei Donbei, Kotatsu-san!

I'm sorry to disappoint, but
I've retired from that business.

I'm glad to hear that! You wouldn't have
gotten any better than you already were.

Someone compared your rendition of "Shinagawa
Shinju" with that of the master Shincho.

However, if you ask me, you're lower than
a slug that clings to Shincho's tombstone!

I'm already retired, so nothing
that you say affects me at all!

Here is my business card.

I've written a review of your performance on my
website, so please read it to further your studies.

You here again, Aoshima Yukio?!

It's Awashima!

Ahh! Ew! What is this??

Oh, it's my soba...

Jumptei-Jump a.k.a. Awashima Yukio...

Interesting...

I heard he's very skilled at telling rakugo.

The famous Master Shincho asked him if he
wanted to become his pupil, but he refused.

He told em he was already a
top-notch rakugo storyteller!

Wow...

That's incredible, Kotora.
You have a fan.

Well then...

That's my piece...

All I did was touch it.

"Kotora will be the up and
coming performer of the year."

"Actually, he's already ARRIVED!!"

"You all have great taste!"

"He looks like he'd be good in bed."

How the hell would you know?!

It's not me! That's what people wrote!

What am I to you guys...talking about me
coming and sh*t. Am I some chick's period?!

You gotta think of somethin even
wittier! You're an up and coming star!

Oh, I'm sorry...

Well, if you become famous and take over my
dad's name, I won't have to worry about it.

Me? Take over Shishou's name??

I'm leavin, Ugly Cow!

Former-ugly cow!

That's better.

You better keep watch of the store!!

It's not like we'll have
any customers anyway.

Is business bad as usual?

Very bad.

All we sold today was
one stupid tin badge.

If we aren't picked up by some magazine
or something, we'll surely go broke.

He's here!!!

Wha-wha??

Who-who?

Boss Kataoka!

He's the God of street fashion!

He's collaborated with famous
sneaker companies and sold millions!

Recently, he's discovered
some up-and-coming stars!

He's even started famous restaurants!

He even collaborated with
photographers to make his own photobook!

And that cafe that they just
built was designed by him too!

There were so many celebrities
at the opening party!

There's even a rumor that Boss was the
one that made up the word "collaborate"!

If the Boss pin-points you, you're
without a doubt gonna make it big!

So what is it that he really does anyway?

Shhh...

I guess we won't make it big after all...

I'll go rough him up a bit and bring him here.

No, don't!

Hello.

Welcome...!

I will ask again once more.

Are you sure I'm the one you want?

Yes.

Why is it that you wouldn't study under Master
Shincho, but you want to study under our shishou?

Because we have conflicting personalities.

My, isn't that bold of you, you
Old Giant Grandfather's Clock!

It's 3 o'clock!

I also figured that since your other pupils aren't
very good, it would be easier for me to succeed.

What did ya just say?!!

No, no. Save that for later.

So, you're willing to
start from the very bottom?

We gotta think of a name for you...

Um, there's Donta, Donkichi, Dontsuku,
Donburi, and you were...Donguri (chestnut)?

It's Udon, sir.

You're the one that named him!

How about Chandongon?

No!

He turned it down..!

I'm sorry, but I already have the name
of Jumptei-Jump that my fans love me by!

Oh, and I have a question!

What is it?

It's not directed at you!

Who is that young lady?

Huh? Oh, I don't really know actually...

I am Megumi.

Nice to meet you!

What's wrong? He turned red!

Are you a virgin??

Shut up!

Are you really??

Well after all, rakugo is my lover...

Awww, how cute!

Oh sh*t, we're gonna be on tv!!

Your eyes automatically turn into those of a street
fashion producer when you enter a store like this!

I hate being labeled like that.

All I do is walk the streets and
feeeel the vibes of what'll be big next.

Sorry, I generally hate
being categorized by people.

I can't understand a word he's sayin.

I TOTALLY understand what you mean!

Oh, this will be big!

For real?!

This is definitely good...!

What's so good about this sh*t?

I find this uncool style very refreshing.

This is good!

Isn't it?! But they don't sell at all!!

You got a business card?

I sure do!

Did you guys hear?
The Boss is here!

Oh my god!

Oh, this is Chibi-T who
runs a record store nearby.

We'll be having a party at my club
soon, so why don't you stop on by?

I'll put your name on the guest list.

I don't believe this!

I'm here to just break down all the
barriers between art and fashion and music...

I wanna collaborate with the guys
that I see have something special.

What do you think, Ryu-chan!

I'd be honored!!

Ryu-chan will do it for sure!!

What about rakugo?

Alright, I'll contact you.

He completely ignored you, didn't he, Bro?

Holy sh*t!

I spoke with the Boss and
gave him my business card!!!

Ryu-chan, this'll be your big break!!

It's a collaboration! A festival
of famous collaborations!!!

I don't really get what's
going on, but I'm happy for ya.

No rakugo, though.

I'm back!

Welcome home.

Ma? Ma?!

Mom??!

What's wrong?

What the hell is that?

Why is he there??

He's gonna be a pupil here for one month.

So he'll be your roommate from today.

Him?!

Thank you for letting me use your bath!

Whaddya using their bath for?!

Tora-chan! You're home late today!

Do you want some beer??

Hey! Go home! Go back to
your company dormitory!

Can you get me a beer, too?

Mom, you're just too nice!

This house is full of
un-related strangers!

Oh, I ain't blood related either...

Cheers!

Hey, Tora-chan!

Can I go over there??

Course not, stupid!

Hey, Tora-chan...

Are we going out?

No, we're not!

But we did it twice!

Shaddup, you're gonna wake him up!

Don't worry, he's a virgin.

Isn't that funny? It's the first time I've
ever seen a real virgin with my own eyes!

Go to sleep already! Don't ya
gotta get up early tomorrow?

Wow...

I'm Taninaka from Dragon Soda...

Oh, come on in.

Excuse me!

Did you get my e-mail?

Yes, sir.

But are you sure you want me??

I looked around at other shops, but
they were all too nice and boring.

There's a sense of poison to your designs...

Here's a sample of the flyers...

"Burning Dragon Night"?!

Sound good, doesn't it!

We do a rave at a club in Aoyama every week, and then
we bring in magazines and stores into the picture...

I want you to design
some wrist bands for me.

It'll be like what you need in
order to get in. The "ticket."

So they can't get into the event without
buying a wrist band from my store...

Is that what you mean??

Yup, exactly.

Could you just design a couple
samples for me in your Ryu-chan style?

I've ARRIVED!!

Let's eat!

The miso soup is so good today!

Megumi-san's family sent us these green
onions that they grow on their own farm!

No wonder the green onions
are so nice and slender!

Are you seriously thinking
of living here permanently??

Hey you, Master Shonen Jump!

Say good morning to everyone!

You're not eating breakfast today?

No, thank you.

Who are you calling Shonen Jump?!

How dare you talk to Bro like that!

Hold it, Kotora.

Awashima, it's all part of your training to eat with
everyone and sit through your brother's lame jokes.

I'll have some coffee then, please.

My brain works slower
when I eat in the morning.

Oh really...

Kotora...

What?

Maybe we should start
working on a new story soon.

Hold it a minute...

Quit looking!

Oh, sorry.

Could ya please teach me a real
funny one like "Manju Kowai"?

Shall we try "Cha no yu"?

What's "Cha no yu"?

There once was a man who was obsessed with harboring
his money, and did not have a single hobby...

Stop it, Rakugo-4-Eyes!

You're making my food taste bad!

So what's it about??

Well, a man like you who's obsessed with money,
decided that he wanted a hobby after he grew old...

So he takes up tea ceremony, which
no one in the neighborhood enjoys...

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'll be telling it today,
so listen carefully.

Yea.

I'm sorry if I offended you...

Don't worry about it...

What story will you be
telling, Awashima-kun?

I'm still at the bottom, so
perhaps I'll tell "Manju Kowai."

You're goin on stage already??

You're too soft on him, ya big pillow!

Enough with your stupid
jokes, and just finish eating.

Alright, alright.

I have a tearful reunion
special to sh**t today.

I won't be needing to think very
hard, so I'm eating breakfast!

There once was a man who was obsessed with harboring
his money, and did not have a single hobby...

He's telling "Cha no yu", ain't he?

He retired and turned his
business over to his son...

I make it big as a fashion designer!

Hey!

He's telling "Cha no yu"!!

What?!

Sadakichi!

Yessir!

Sadakichi, Negishi is so lonely
compared to Kuramae, isn't it?

That punk!

He's trying to compete with you, Shishou!

Should we drag him off the stage?

Hold on a second.

It won't hurt to size up the competition.

She was plucking the koto!

You don't pluck a koto, you play it!

Well, she assumed that no one was watching, so
she put on fake nails cause hers were too short...

Then she closed her eyes like this and...

Sir, instead of smoking cigarettes
all day, why don't you take up a hobby?

Well, there is something that
I was interested in taking up...

What is it?

The art of tea ceremony.

Oh! The one where you stir the
bowl around and drink the tea!

Yes, but I learned it so long ago...

I forgot how to do it.

Forgot what?

All of it.

I bet you never learned
how to do it to begin with!

Of course not, Sadakichi!

I would remember if I did it again.

Hmmm...

I'm pretty sure that you put some
green powder into this bowl...

Perhaps it's green soybean flour?

Oh, yes! Green soybean flour!

See, I told you I could do it!

And now you stir it around a bit...

We can eat our meal soon!

Yes, yes...we'll eat our soba soon.

As you stir it like so, it should foam.
Hmmm, that's odd...

That is odd.

When the young master at Kuranma
did it, it foamed really fast.

Oh! Maybe I forgot to add in
some medicine that makes it foam.

Perhaps the bark of a soapberry tree!

That's right! The bark of a soapberry tree!!

It's starting to bubble a whole lot.

Now we don't even have to stir it!

Then you just take some of
this, and put it in here.

Have a sip.

Oh, you first sir.

Drink up.

You needn't hold back
during a tea ceremony.

Oh, well, I don't know
the proper manners...

Oh! Of course!

I hadn't taught you the manners yet.

You put it on the palm
of your hand like so...

And then you turn it like this 3 times.

Oh you turn it?

And then you bring it to your mouth.

But there are so many bubbles, that you have
to kind of blow them to the other side.

And then you...!

It's such a refined taste...

Drink!

Now!

This guy puts up a pretty powerful act!

You think so? I don't like it.

Ain't it a refined taste!?

Yes, sir.

I didn't realize that refined
things gave you an upset stomach...

Oh, so you can finally appreciate
refined tastes too, now!

I'm sorry.

Shishou, do you plan on
telling a different story?

We've been waiting for you, Shishou!

Hooraay!

Thank you all for coming
to see me perform again.

There is a beautiful word in the Japanese
language, "furyu" which means elegance...

Wow! It's so up-and-coming!

Now this is really good!

You know how most sweat bands are
made out of a towel-like material?

Well, I decided to go with mesh instead!

Oh, so it's a sweat band that doesn't
soak up sweat, huh? That's awesome!

Well this word "furyu" is such a great thing
to those that understand its true meaning....

But to those who have no clue,
it's nothing more than a nuisance...

Hey! Don-chan is telling "Cha no yu", too!

There once was a man...

See! It's "Cha no yu" again!
What's going on?

...obsessed with harboring his money,
and did not have a single hobby.

Sir! Excuse me a moment!

Oh! Well if it isn't the
master of the tofu store...!

Hello!

Quit your talking and hurry up!!

I know!!

You seem to be in a real rush.

Yea, you've been real kind to me
over the years, but we're movin house!

What?? I'm moving too!

What?? But your business
is doing so well!

You're doing real well yourself!

Hear me out...

Yea?

I got a letter from the big boss,
and he invited me to a tea ceremony.

What?! You too??

You got the letter too??

Yeah! You know how tea ceremonies have so
many tedious rules and a set of proper manners?

I didn't want to be embarassed in front
of everyone for not knowing them...

But I figured, if I pass on it today,
he'll just invite me again the next day...

So I might as well just move out...

I even had to sit through
a family meeting about it!

Old grandma said that I may shame our
entire family with my tea ceremony antics...!

I decided to move to a town were
tea ceremonies wouldn't haunt me!

Don-chan's storytelling is the best, after all!

I bet the teacher next door
has receieved a letter as well!

Oh! I'm sure at least HE knows the
proper manners to a tea ceremony!

Excuse us!!

Oh! My, my...

Excuse us!

You seem quite busy right now.

Well you see, I have to
move for a silly reason...

I bet ya received a letter
from the big boss, didn't ya?

You don't want to make a fool of
yourself, so that why you're moving, right?

How did you know that??

You don't know how to perform
at a tea ceremony either?

Well, I do know how to drink
from the cup, but that's all...

That's great!

We won't have to move, after all!

But there's still so much
more that you need to know!!

It'll be fine!
Let's go!

And so, the 3 decided to go and watch
the retiree, and just copy what he did...

But the retiree had been planning to
just copy what his 3 guests did.

Neither party could be trusted!

Go ahead.

Ohh...so we're supposed to tighten our
face and roll our head around like that.

You're next.

It's such a refined taste.

We're home!

Oh, long time no see!

Hey! You're here!

Look! We're collaborating!

THE Boss Kataoka is producing these!!

Are you serious?

He gave me an official offer! If he likes my
designs, he'll order 2,000 of these per month!

Wow! That's great!

Shishou! Take a look!

We can wear them when we go to bars
in Ginza and use them to seduce women!!

Where's Awashima?

He's upstairs.

I'll be right back.

Don-chan! Why don't you at least
tell Ryuji what you think of these?

No, it's okay!

Oh? What are these...?

Not bad at all.

What a refined taste.

Are you making fun of me?

I sure am.

What's the point of giving my
opinion of someone's stupid hobby?

I keep tellin ya that it's
not just a stupid hobby!!

Then do everything on your own
instead of depending on everybody else!

You're always so damn old-fashioned...!

Stop it! Ryuji! You too, Shishou!

What?

Sayuri-chan is crying!!

What?

Nevermind, she's not.

I'm sorry, I'm new at this,
so I got the timing wrong...

Kotora, you were able to listen to two different
renditions of "Cha no yu" today. What did you think?

Can I tell ya the truth?

Yea, go ahead.

I laughed more during
Ashimaro's peformance...

But the one I would want to listen
to again was yours, Shishou.

Oh is that so? I see...

Well, as you can see, a classic story can
change completely depending on the storyteller.

That's what makes classics so interesting.

There's no right or wrong to it.

So Kotora, it all depends
on how you'll arrange it.

No, I ain't gonna arrange it.

What?

After listening to this guy, I realized that being
young or inexperienced aren't legitimate excuses.

This time, I wanna do my
best with classics as it is...

No, I WILL do my best.

Oh, I see.

Do your best.

Anyway, so Awashima-kun...

Yes?

I'm sorry to say this, but I haven't
got a single thing to teach you.

Shishou.

You have the skills, that's for sure.

I'm impressed that you've
made classics your own...

But you don't seem to have the right
attitude towards wanting to learn.

I don't have free time to waste on
someone that has no interest in learning.

I'm sorry, but I'll have
to ask you to leave, please.

Thank you very much, sir.

Hey! Wait a minute!

Your "Cha no yu" was really entertaining.

That's all I wanted to say.

Let's have a race!

To see who'll become a main act first.

What?

I'll come by to watch you again.

Alright.

Everyone just wants to eat
the youkan sweet bean jelly!

It's a waste of money to spend so much
on the dessert for the tea ceremony.

They decided to make their own cheap sweets
by boiling a sweet potato with sugar and honey.

They didn't have any sesame oil, so they
coated it with some lantern oil instead.

It came out looking fine,
but what an awful taste.

They called it "Rikyu Manju" and...
(rikyu = blackish green color)

It says, "Kotora's done for!"

"I'm seriously disappointed. Now
it's just plain old classical rakugo."

"I was stupid for ever
thinking he had talent..."

"But I bet he's good in bed."

Who the hell do these guys think they are??
They don't know what they're talkin about!

You think your chance has finally arrived, and
then it's all over... JUST like a girl's period.

I still don't really understand
the punchline to that story.

The guests who eat the sweets go to the bathroom and
throw them out the window into the rice paddy outside.

Then it hits some farmer in the face, and the farmer
says, "Oh, they're having another tea ceremony."

Is that funny??

Well, it does make sense.

What does?

Every guest that came to the tea ceremony had been pretending
to eat the sweets, but was really throwing them away instead.

Well, the farmer had been witnessing this a lot of times,
so that's why he said, "Oh, they're having another one."

You're good.

What? You only got the story now??

Why would you go all the way to the
bathroom just because it tasted shitty?

If I'm given shitty food, then I
tell em straight up that it's sh*t!

Otherwise, it won't do em any good.

Whaddya guys think of this??

It's lame.

What's with him?

Seems like Kataoka-san
won't approve his designs.

He's without a doubt, an amazing guy...

But he won't ever give
me his sincere opinon.

Everytime we have a meeting, all these people I
don't know come in and start saying this and that.

He keeps telling me "Oh! It's so up and coming!"
or "It's awesome!" so it boosted my confidence...

But in the end,
nothing's been decided on.

I'm just confused now.

You know what? I know I'm lame! But I'm
still real particular about my designs!

I feel like if I keep this up, I'll end up
making something that I'm not happy with.

He told me that this
was "totally awesome!"

I think I might be getting confused too.

What do you mean?

I figured that I would never get good if
I just kept doing what's easiest for me.

So, I decided to follow the rules religiously,
and then they tell me that I'm done for.

Han-chan? Do you think the
oden you make is delicious?

Of course! Don't ya think tonight's one
is the best I've made this whole year??

Humans are such simple creatures...

What?

Even if the oden tastes like sh*t, you still eat it
when the person who made it is so confident.

Can I have that brown thing that looks
like it's been sittin on the bathroom floor?

It's kinchaku fried tofu!

Watching Brother Donta makes me think...

Is something up with him?

How do you feel, Donta-san?

Sisters that were separated for so many years...!!

Well, you said that Bro actually loves
rakugo, but he doesn't do it right now.

He appears on TV to make himself famous, and all
he can do is dream about doing rakugo in the future.

He's overdoing it.

Yeah.

I don't know whether to stay with my original
stories and then move on to classical works...

Or just stubbornly push through
with classics like Shishou does...

I don't know which is better.

Alright, let's go to a
whore house or something!

Why?!

I figured that's what a yakuza
might say in a situation like this.

Sorry.

I'll hang in there a little longer.

Oh! I forgot...

Megumi's cell phone number.

Noo! Now's not the right time!

It's all right!

No!

Com'on!!

No!

Why not?!

No, really!

Just hold on to it! Stupid!

No!!

Ow!!

Dammit!!

That doesn't cut it!

No points for you!!

Uchimura-san would never
like you with that reaction!

Who the hell is Uchimura??

It's Ryuji from Dragon Soda.

I brought more wrist band samples.

Oh sorry, can you come back tomorrow?

I'm the only one here right now.

It's YOUR opinon that I want to hear.

I made it so it's like the Urahara
Dragon is engulfed in flames!

It works as a pass to get inside, and it's made
out of sturdy fabric that's fit for regular use.

How much is it gonna cost?

Well, it's for an entrance fee, and it's
only a wrist band. So...3,500 yen each!

That'll put you in the red!

That's fine!

As long as Dragon Soda
is your featured store.

Alright. Let's go with this one then.

It's really up and coming and awesome!

Alright!

Tiger, tiger, jirettaiga!

Yay!

Anything of refined taste is nothing but a
nuisance to those who don't understand what it is...

"Cha no yu" again?!

These things called fads are such a pain.

Just awhile ago, anything cool would
have been considered "radical"...

But nowadays, people use words like
"up and coming" and "awesome."

That means you viewers who've come to see this
"up and coming" rakugo, are totally "awesome!"

The shopkeeper Ryu....

We've been waiting for this!

I never said anything yet!

Whaddya laughing at?!

Well, the shopkeeper Ryu had finally gotten a customer,
someone who you would call a producer in these times...

Well, he decided to produce
this event called "Dragon Night."

To make things more interesting, he decided that they would
wrap a piece of cloth around the wrists of those attending.

This would be the biggest
break that Ryu ever had...

And he tried to make the best
wrist sash that he could think of.

I'll be back, former-ugly cow!

However, Ryu had absolutely no money,.

And on top of that, his father's a
stubborn man up to his neck in debts!

The only person he could depend on,
was his older brother, Anrakutei BONta.

Keep this a secret from Dad.

Bro...

Well, you saved my ass the last time.

Ya gotta let me act like your
older brother once in awhile.

But...this...?

Don't underestimate a celebrity!

This ain't enough!!

Oh yes. That's my thank you letter.

Please read it.

His last resort was his employee, Risa.

This, is my girlfriend.

Pleased to meet you.

What's your name?

It's Risa.

Oh is that so? Risa-chan?

You've found yourself a real cute girl!

You, yourself are very hip and handsome!

How old are you?

54.

Whaaat?? You look so young!

You don't look your age at all!!

You're so young!!

How much do ya need?

Alright, so he's got the money,
and he's got the design...

He goes to seal the deal, and about 10 days
later, he recieves the finished product...

Huh?

What's wrong?

What the heck is this??

It's totally different...

The Producer had asked someone
else to re-design the product!

Ryu could not accept this, and went
straight to the Producer to state his claim!

Sir! Sir!! Sir!!

What is the meaning of this?!

I don't understand!!

Oh, sorry.

I just had it fixed a little.

How can you say you fixed it a
little?? It's totally different!!

Well, we couldn't make enough of a profit off your
design, and it's my first time working with you...

So I asked her to help because
she's good at designing.

You could have at least said
something to me about it.

Oh, sorry. I'll definitely do so in the future.

But I think this is all for the better!

It's a huge hit among
the people around here.

Something like this isn't
uncommon in our field of business.

Well, his client was in fact the most powerful
producer in Edo, and he was already deep in debt.

So Ryu had no choice but to bear
with it, and returned to the shop.

As Dragon Night approached, the shop that had been
empty for so long was now filled with customers.

Everyone claimed it was "up
and coming" and "awesome."

This is incredible, Ryu-chan!

The Boss is effective after all!

I know this must be hard on you.

But as long as you keep the new customers...

Right?

Kenta-kun!! Long time no see!!

Megumi-chan!!

How have you been??

Good!!

It's Ryuji!!

Do I have to wear a
name tag or somethin?!

Where's Tora-chan??

I'm supposed to meet him here.

He ain't here yet.

This isn't very like you, Ryuji-kun.

What?

It's so normal and undistinguishing.

It's lame, but I like this one better!

Right??!

The other one sucks, doesn't it??

Thank you Meg...!

Yay! Kenji-kun!!

Hug me!!

What are you doing, Ryu-chan?!!

Ryu-chan?!

What's going on?

I'm leaving these with you.

Here's everything we made up til now.

I've thought it through, and I can't stand the idea
of a product I didn't design selling at my store.

What are you talking about?

Who do you think got
you all those customers?!

It's fine! I don't mind if I
don't have any customers at all.

See ya.

Hey!

Why don't ya just go and collaborate
with some other lame ass guy!

So Ryu turned down such a great
opportunity, just to prove his point.

This is the end of the story...

However, one stupid man that heard this
story, decided he wanted a part in it too.

Hey, sir...this won't do...

What?

Why not? I bought this at Dragon Soda.

Sorry, they don't even sell
the real thing there anymore.

Why the hell not?!

I thought this was DRAGON NIGHT!!

What's going on?

Hey, do ya remember me?

Ohh! I met you at Ryu's shop.

Tell him I said hi.

Hold it a second...!

Just tell me one thing.

What?

Back when you looked at Ryuji's clothes and said
they were "up and coming," were ya tellin the truth?

Did I say that?

Well, it was all in a day's work.

Everytime you say something's gonna make it big
or is done for, someone out there is affected.

Ya know why?

It's because they're desperate!!

They desperately wanna become someone, or make
somethin cool, or create somethin interestin...

They're wearing their
bodies down tryin to do that!

That's why you better take
responsibility for your own words..!

Well, sorry bout that.

Oh, I have a good tip for ya.

I heard rakugo's the up
and comin thing right now.

"Invitation ticket"

I won't ever be able to
be like my big brother.

What?

But I won't ever be like my old man either!

I'll design what I like and make
them sell! Straight forward, ain't it?

Me, too.

I'll make people laugh with
the stories that I wanna tell.

You're straight forward, too.

Am I?

You sure are.

Yup, you are...

Hey, who said you could
join this conversation?!

Why not??

And so in Aoyama, every Saturday would be "Dragon
Night," an event that lasted till the morning.

Well, there was a temple nearby, and all
the youngsters passed by after the party.

Early Sunday morning, when the
priest was sweeping the grounds...

Who needs this sh*t!

It's so lame!

Oh, must have been Dragon Night again...

Yay! I don't really know what's
goin on, but that was great!

Here's your green tea float!

I'm still real curious about that shopkeeper
Ryu and that stubborn father with a debt of his!

That's without a doubt gotta be...

I told ya before that I won't
disclose that information!

Here's the lesson fee for this month.

Thank you.

I heard Awashima-kun found a good teacher.

He came to watch me today.

His teacher's name is Takadatei Babahiko.

That was great!

...a.k.a. The Praising Babahiko. He's just
famous for flattering his pupils too much.

That's such a great smile!!

Well, you don't always have to
be strict with your students.

Oh! I have even more good news!

What is it?

Dontsuku's being promoted to 2nd billing,
and so we thought of promoting you, too!

I'm gonna get 2nd billing?!

It's just gonna get even harder
from here, so do your best!

Shishou.

You're wearing this wrong.

Oh yeah.

It's too small. It doesn't fit on my wrist.

Where's this month's money?

I just wanted to hold it a little longer.

I've grown quite attached to it.

Don't get carried away!

I'll sink ya in the Sumida River!!

Hey...where's the envelope?

Oh no! I forgot again!!

We're going to Sumida River...

No! I don't wanna go!!

Come on, we're goin!!

Nooo!!