01x05 - Exposed

[bunniefuu]

I stand in secret silence KARAOKE I scream into the darkness! But the pain never ends! Your time is up in ten minutes.

Would you like to extend it?
Ah, I'm done.

These karaoke rooms are my sanctuary.

A place of tranquility on my way home from work.

We await your next visit.

I can never let anyone see it My secret place.

RAGE Protein! Okay! That's it for today's yoga class! Protein! Let's work up a good sweat again next week! Oww Sore muscles?
It's quite hard if you're not used to it.

Yeah, I guess I won't put on excess muscle from training here, will I?
What do you mean?
Well, that instructor leaves yoga to his assistant, and all he does is muscle building.

He keeps saying "protein".

No matter how you look at it, he's a yoga instructor in name only.

So "Meat head.

" Is that what you want to say?
No, no! I didn't mean that! Retsuko, he may not look it, but he's an amazing person who went through strict training in India.

Protein! Here's the proof! Since I've been coming here, my upper arms have become so defined.

Look! That's not reassuring! Why do you come to yoga, Retsuko?
Uh, well You see It's because you want to be beautiful, right?
Yes, well, something like that.

I can't say it's to help me find a marriage partner so I can quit.

What now?
Want to go for dinner?
Sounds nice! How about that restaurant we've been to before?
The one with the yummy quiche.

I'm tired of that place.

Grilled meat, then.

I'll get fat.

You're coming, right?
Okay?
Let's go! There's so much I want to hear about.

I'm sorry.

I'm going home.

I have some leftovers in my fridge that I need to use.

Oh dear I see Protein Retsuko it seems that she's ignoring us.

Maybe.

She's refused to go out with us three times already.

It's got me down Think about how I feel having to accompany you every time you go to drown your sorrows.

What's keeping Retsuko so busy?
Not some man, right?
Probably not.

Did Retsuko tell you that?
She doesn't talk a lot about herself.

And I don't ask.

So, you're just guessing?
An educated guess.

Huh?
STARTING MY YOGA CLASS Who is that?
It's a picture that someone took in their yoga class.

Don't you think the person in the background looks like Retsuko?
What are you saying?
Retsuko normally goes straight to the station after work.

But twice a week, she heads in the opposite direction.

She's going somewhere near the office.

It's twice a week so it's probably some kind of lesson.

She's been feeling sore lately, so it must be something physical.

Since she's not the gym type, I guessed it was either Pilates or yoga, and when I searched, I found this photo.

You're scary.

I wouldn't want to be your enemy.

It had to be done.

Retsuko wasn't going to tell us.

They were kind to invite me, but I turned them down.

I'm glad that I became acquaintances with them, but They're people from the office, after all.

It could be awkward being asked some questions.

I can't do it.

I'll do it! It's tight! I really can't open it! "Tsubone's unopenable jars.

" So she still hasn't opened it?
My goodness Retsuko, perfect timing.

Could you open this jar for me?
Mind you, it's really tightly sealed.

I'm sure a go
-getter like you would be able to.

Ah! I opened it.

Retsuko, you're really something! Huh?
Why?
You were like King Arthur back there.

Have you taken up body building?
What?
That's strange.

It was definitely a photo from a yoga class.


-Is something wrong?

-No, just thinking out loud.

Are they angry that I turned them down the other day?
Next time I see them, I'll apologize.

I wonder if Retsuko really does hate us after all! She just declined once! Let's try inviting her again next time.

Protein Protein! That's all for today's yoga class! Protein! Let's work up a good sweat again next week! Instructor Another good class today.

Protein Ah, yes.

Thank you very much.

Protein.

Retsuko! Let's go to the station together.

Huh?
You're not stopping anywhere today?
Right! Today we're just going home! I'm sorry about the other day, turning down your invitation That's okay! Water under the bridge.

Retsuko, what line do you take?
Oh, the Den
-en
-toshi line.

Which line do you two take?
KARAOKE RECEPTION 2ND FLOOR I haven't done karaoke in ages! What?
Neither have I! What?
! Washimi, do you feel like singing, by any chance?
Yeah But, Gori, we were going home, remember?
What do you say Shall we check it out and decide?
Let's just take a look.

Hey! Wait! Welcome.

Party of one A room for three.

I thought you said you were just going home today?
! It's been too long! This is rather nice.

Do you do karaoke often, Retsuko?
No Not much Why don't we order some drinks for now?
Who wants a beer?
I do! I can't be drawn into their trap.

Uh, I'll have Oolong tea.

Two beers and a cup of tea.

Copy that! Front desk.

Two beers and an Oolong cocktail, please.

She's spiking the tea with alcohol! There's no need to be so nervous.

Outside work, there's no office hierarchy.

We're all women.

Because we're yoga buddies! Yoga buddies?
Friends on a journey of self
-discovery, opening chakras, and becoming one with the universe together! That's yoga buddies! I don't think it's that big a deal! Free your mind! Anyway Do you want to sing?
Yay! I wonder what Retsuko's going to sing for us.

I'm really curious.

Some old
-school hip
-hop?
Or some J
-pop?
Oh, I'm into death metal.

I can't say that! I have to get through this somehow.

I don't have much of a repertoire.

I only know the chorus of this song.

Oh, I'm wasting our time.

You two please sing first.

We have three hours, take your time and choose.

I've been dragged into a long battle! I've brought your beer and the Oolong cocktail.

I can't do this one This one's too teenage This is out of my range.

This one is depressing.

She's a tough one.

Probably the type of girl who is always on her toes.

Don't worry.

The instructor told me.

Protein This note will guide us to the right answer.

What is that number?
I don't know I wonder what the instructor is trying to tell us.

Protein! What should I do?
Which one to sing?
What do I do?
Retsuko That's enough.

Give it to me.

SEND These karaoke rooms are my sanctuary REQUEST RECEIVED where I can be my true self.

That's why I have to keep it a secret.

That's what I've always believed.

This is all I ever sing! This is my soul! All death metal 'cause it makes me whole! Death! Metal! Death metal forever! You'll hurt your throat doing it that way.

Clench your vocal chords, and Again, how do you "clench" the vocal chords?
! I don't understand at all Your time is up in ten minutes.

Extend it, please!