01x04 - The Goddess of Victory

[bunniefuu]

E-Excuse me!

I was about to get on with my weigh-in...

Wh... Why are you waving that
disgusting thing in our faces?

I had to put off a lot of weight.

So I was taking off my briefs just to be on the safe side.

This is a title match. You need to act like it.

You have both passed the weigh-in.

You really cut it close.

The guy said I passed, didn't he?

Can we have you gentlemen shake hands for tomorrow's match?

Sure.

Let's make this a good one, okay?

A Kodak moment!

H-Hey!

I'll pass.

Why?

I would have acquiesced if we were like-minded people.

However...

That man is not worthy

to receive my handshake!

He's not a boxer as far as I'm concerned.

The Frog Punch?

I'll squash it the moment he tries that asinine move.

You need to hit the tapes again.

You really think I'd show up to a title match

without a little something up my sleeve?

Is it a new move?!

You developed something deadlier than the Frog Punch?!

It's just another weird little trick that won't work against me.

"Weird little trick"?

I know I've won and lost my share of matches.

But I've learned from my experiences.

And you'll see how much I've
learned come our title match.

You'll soon realize that I always do my homework.

I didn't become the champion by chance.

I've also fought my matches in a simple, straightforward fashion.

You may fool around with your "homework," but I'm

an actual workhorse.

This is gonna be great!

sh*t!

"I'll squash your
Frog," he says?

That smug prick!

I lost again.

Wish I was a boxer who had nice footwork.

He swooped around like a bird avoiding my punches.

This little guy's just like me.

He can't fly even if he wants to.

Guess that means you'll have to bounce up.

This is it!

The idea may have been juvenile,

but I mastered my Frog Punch with confidence!

I ain't gonna lose!

I won't let him squash my Frog!

Itagaki!

Kimura-san! Senpai!

Gosh, nothing's better than fluids and sweets after a weigh-in!

Don't eat too much, or it'll
affect your match tomorrow.

Take it easy, got it?

Right.

Now then,

how did Aoki do?

Wow, you should have been there.

It was like both of them were out for blood.

So things did get rocky. I had a
feeling it would come to that.

You knew all along, didn't you?

They're too much alike.

They are?

They've both won and lost a fair number of fights.

Even their records are similar.

They're alike in a whole lot of ways.

Now I get it.

Are you sure?

They're a veritable odd couple. I just don't see it.

What do you think, Senpai?

Ow!

Hey, focus!

Weren't you even listening?

Sorry, it's that.

Huh, is that Imae?

He's with a woman!

Come on! We can't eavesdrop on them!

Kacchan, you've made weight, haven't you?

I made something to give you nourishment.

I don't want it.

But...

Why...

Why did you come to see me?

Now's not the time!

I'm sorry I broke up with you!

But I'm not naturally gifted!

When it came down to you or boxing...

one of you had to go!

Kacchan...

Every time I remember you,
I immediately hit the sandbags.

And now I've finally made it to the top!

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry.

Sachiko.

Forget you ever knew me.

Boy, what a downer.

I know.

I knew this wasn't a good idea.

They must both still love each other.

But he made a very hard choice.

She even made him food. How heartbreaking.

How could he break up with
such a raven-haired beauty?

You're right. He's nothing like Aoki.

See?

I was wrong!

They're very much alike!

Aoki's the only maniac who'd
share that taste in women!

If... If you can't say something nice...

I'm home!

Did Masaru come back?

Masaru.

That champion, Imae, had the same aura as me.

He even called himself a workhorse.

I know damn well...

how powerful that word is.

He's learned from all his mistakes, just like me.

He didn't become a champion
by doing things half-assed!

I thought I had prepared for the worst.

But now I'm scared!

Come here, Masaru.

I got your courage right here.

Tomiko...

I still can't see anything but a joke of a boxer.

But he did fight hard for his winning record.

All those moves he created after losing his matches,

they're the real deal.

He really does do his homework.

He might even land a Frog Punch.

What's his new move?

Get a grip on yourself!

You chose boxing over a life with Sachiko!

You've sacrificed everything, even companionship, in order to become the champion!

And you're afraid of losing it
all to this damned joker?!

Not on my watch.

Have you calmed down, Masaru?

Yeah.

God, you're so soft.

I don't shake with fear whenever I'm with you.

You fill me with courage.

Tomiko.

Will it make you happy if I take the belt?

Of course! I'll be so proud!

I'll be dating the champion!

Um, but still...

Champion or not, you're still my Masaru.

You're a wonderful woman, you know that?

But hold that thought.

I'll make you the proudest woman alive.

I don't need anybody rooting for me.

I will not give up my belt!

Here's to my first and maybe
last chance to take the belt.

And if it is my last chance, then so be it.

Once the sun sets and day turns to night,

they will ring my bell

of destiny!

You're looking good.

I have to for my rookie title matches.

I can't afford to slip up.

My dad said he's coming to watch.

It won't look good if I lose.

So the master will make his arrival, eh?

I need to make my proper greetings.

Well, we do have a full house tonight.

I'm raring to go.

You've got me to thank for the packed arena!

Aoki-san!

Man, you're late!

We needed you here to be on standby!

This is the first time I'm headlining.

I need time to steel myself!

Strange.

What do you mean?

I thought you'd show up pissing your pants. Why are you so damn calm?

Are you really Aoki?

G-Get out of here! Of course I am!

What're you hiding?!

H-Hello, everyone!

T-Tomiko-san!

You were holding hands the whole time?

I wanted to calm his nerves.

Last night, you guys didn't...

bump uglies, did you?

Why the silent treatment?!

We told you that'd just waste your stamina!

I'm sorry!

He took another blow!

Is his opponent that good?

N-No,

something's clearly wrong with Manabu-kun!

Go get him!

Ma-Na-Poot!

Ma-Na-Poot!

Ma-Na-Poot!

What the?!

Eww!

Dammit! My body's not moving right!

Did I eat and drink too much yesterday?

Itagaki! Quit standing around and move your feet!

Mana-

What the? Is Itagaki struggling?

It'll be all right, Masaru.

T-Tomiko...

Tomiko...

You're so needy, Masaru.

Tomiko...

He's brought a woman to his title match?!

I've never felt so angry before a fight!

Tomiko, I'm fine now.

It's almost time for my match.

I'm gonna hit the head.

So you're confident enough to bring a date?

You saw us?

That woman's too good for me.

My girlfriend was a good woman as well.

"Was"?

I broke it off with her.

I needed to focus on boxing.

Unlike you, I do not enter the ring capriciously.

Tonight, I will show you how my
adherence to boxing eclipses yours.

Why are you laughing?

Now I get it.

So that's why you constantly look like you're about to pop a vessel.

You kicked her to the curb?

Your goddess of victory?

I'll show you how powerful a guy can be when she's looking over him.

Then show me, damn it!

Y-You stupid twat!

Finish up before facing me!

Only 30 seconds remain in this tumultuous 4th round!

Will Itagaki be completely dominated?

Now!

There goes Itagaki!

He lands a counter!

He's done it!

He gets in a powerful KO at the very last minute!

Itagaki Manabu comes out on
top in this fierce struggle!

You did it, Manabu-kun!

Good grief.

You did great, Mana-poot!

Christ Almighty, don't scare us like that!

Ow! Oww...

You were way down on points.

But you came from behind with a KO.

I was really worried there.

Aoki-san! I won!

Wh... What...

...on earth are you doing?

I, uh, had a little accident, but she's taking care of it.

as*h*le!

You trying to pollute our sacred sport?

Keep your hanky-panky out of the locker room!

No, we weren't...

Yow!

I warmed up the crowd for you.

Go and win it for us!

Right on!

I'm fully prepared for this.

And I got my goddess of victory.

Good luck, Masaru.

My bell of destiny is ready to ring!

What's with you guys?

I thought you looked really dashing.

Me too.

I think you might actually win this.

You sorta looked like you'd kick a*s.

Was that supposed to encourage me?

Come out if you're ready!

The stage awaits you, Aoki!

Hell yeah!

Knock ‘em out!

Yeah!

We now bring you the main event!

The Champions Carnival, the Japanese lightweight title match!

Of all the Champions Carnivals we've had this year, this one ranks as one of the most unique crowd-pleasers!

Aoki! Aoki! Aoki!

And speaking of Korakuen's crowd-
pleasers, here's Aoki Masaru,

sporting the Victory Frog on his back!

What kind of performance will he give us in his first title match?

Aoki! Frog the hell out of him!

That's what I'm here for!

The spotlights look brighter than usual.

I've finally made it.

I've always wanted to savor this moment even just once.

Don't worry, Tomiko.

I got this.

I will come out of this ring...

as the champion!

The challenger points his arms toward...

the champion, Imae Katsutaka!

He's always made it a point to remain levelheaded,

but in this second title defense, will he retain his cool against a maverick?

Whoa there!

He's up in his face!

But the challenger doesn't flinch!

Are they already battling it out?!

Aoki!

Imae.

Hey!

The two fighters separate.

Sparks are flying all over the place as we wait for the bell!

So that's Aoki-kun?

I hear he's been looking after my son.

Aoki!

Frog him and knock him out!

You better Frog him!

This is where I come in.

If you throw a Frog Punch, you'll leapfrog to victory!

You call that a gag?

That sucked, old dude!

That... was perfect!

What the hell was that?

Was he rooting for you?

This is why I hate these comedy shows!

Imae!

Don't get angry!

Keep your cool like you always do, you hear?

Understood.

Must concentrate on keeping my belt.

Concentrate... maintain composure.

Maintain composure.

Imae's really concentrating on the match.

And here I am tingling from all the tension.

I can feel his pressure from here.

Once he takes the initiative, there's no going back.

Trip him up before he establishes his rhythm!

You're talking to the master of tripping up boxers.

I'll put everything I have on the mat.

I'll come in flying once the bell rings!

sh**t, I thought Aoki'd be a lot more jumpy than this.

He's turned defiant, in a good way.

He has his w*r face on.

I know he'll make it happen.

They're putting in their mouthpieces and getting into their stances.

The only thing that can cut through this heavy, ominous thunderhead is...

the bell!

The champion, Imae Katsutaka, takes on the textbook upright stance.

This consummate professional controls his matches using steady, precise jabs.

Facing him is a real maverick, the challenger Aoki Masaru!

His ever-evolving offensive attacks have delighted both the young and the old from start to finish!

The champion hunkers down and shows no signs of attacking while the maverick hovers around.

The challenger dives in!

No wait, he doesn't!

He maintains his distance!

What're you doing?! Frog him already!

There's no fight if you don't trade fists!

Yeah! Kick it off with a Frog!

This is his first title match!

At least let him build up momentum!

Calm down.

They are rooting for him, you know.

Quit acting so damn important!

I thought your fights were supposed to be screwed up! You're starting to bore me!

Th-That was not a cheer!

It is coming from someone we know.

Whose side are you on anyway?!

But Takamura-san is right.

He needs to start punching even
if the fight does get screwy.

There's... no opening.

Opening?

Aoki's a seasoned veteran, you know.

He may not be hitting yet,

but he's been juking and weaving trying to establish his own pace.

Yet it looks like Imae's even more professional than advertised.