01x02 - Ame to Muchi to Kisu to Ha to

[bunniefuu]

I went and became an adult

We're two sides of the same coin,

with you still a kid

I went and blurted out the words

I'll never be able to take them back

There's nothing righteous

about unrequited feelings,

so let things stay as is

In the gaps between the seasons

that whiz by,

I was crying,

and I bet I always will

You don't believe, do you?

In despair? Being moved?

Unable to take it anymore, the night

that had turned white now turns black

Nothing's going to change

ever again? I just don't know!

I've been clinging to this moment

no matter what,

and I pray that today

my wish will come true

DON'T STOP

I won't forget the adultish heart

I stole from you ever again

Because neither the me that grew up

nor you will ever change

It's okay

Because I still haven't forgotten

the adultish heart I stole

Because even though I've changed,

I'm still me

Regrets, hopes and prayers,

Children, me,

I don't understand any of it

You can believe in wishes coming true,

but who I am will never end

BRATTY BEANS

EPISODE 2:

CANDIES, CANES, KISSES, AND BLADES

So, this is what the boys' dorm

is like inside.

I've never been in here before.

I guess it's a little messy.

Sorry about that.

It's Fuyumura

a girl, in street clothes

is in our room.

Look at what Sanda dragged in.

I got you some you-know-whats.

I bought them in bulk.

Just in case.

Wow, really? Thank you!

That's all I came for. Later.

This is a matter

of alarming importance!

Why would Fuyumura come to see you?

What do you mean?

She came by to drop off

these Bratty Beans, that's all.

But why?

Because I love these things.

So, why is Fuyumura bringing you

your favorite thing?

What do you mean, why?

Look, it's almost time for dinner!

He's right.

Hey, guys!

Let's have a race to the cafeteria!

On your marks, get

Sanda!

Utagawa, grill him!

What's the story

between you and that girl?

I'm sorry, I'll have to run it past

my talent agency before I can comment.

What's the name of your agency?

My roommates and I

are always goofing around

but we're treated

as national treasures all the same.

As it stands today in Tenshi year 5, there

are roughly 50,000 citizens under age 15.

That's a mere 0.1%

of the population of Japan.

Here at Daikoku Welfare Academy,

we handful of kids are monitored

and protected in all aspects

of our lives and education.

So, then I say

Good afternoon.

Utagawa, you're the only student who

has yet to turn in his Math II handout.

Oops! I forgot all about it!

Sorry, Teach!

It's only natural that adults

would be deferential to kids.

I guess it was the opposite in the past

with kids showing deference to adults,

which is why I think we're pretty spoiled.

Can you believe this?

Is it just me or are our meals

getting crappier every year?

It's because the country

is getting poorer every year.

We can't complain.

I'm just thankful

that meat is still on the menu today.

Right, Sanda? Huh?

Yep. Kids really are

life's greatest treasure.

Yo, Sanda, what's gotten into you?

C'mon now! Dig in, you guys!

Lately, these guys have been so cute,

I could die.

Lately, something

about Sanda's been a little

Yep!

Right? Isn't he acting weird?

I'll cut out the bad meat for you,

so make sure you eat it all.

Knock it off!

Fuyumura came by this morning

in those sexy street clothes,

and you didn't bat an eye!

What's the deal with you

acting all weird and mature lately?

What have you done with our childlike,

stupid and annoying Sanda?

Fuyumura was in her street clothes?

Oh, hey, you're right.

What kind of outfit was it?

No, it's more than that.

It didn't even register with me

that Fuyumura wasn't wearing

her school uniform.

I mean, Fuyumura isn't a member

of the opposite sex to me anymore.

I just see her as a child.

Hang on, does this mean

Am I turning into Santa

on the inside, too?

Sanda, are you okay?

Huh?

A-Amaya!

Sorry about earlier.

I guess I made things weird.

How are the guys?

Don't worry about them.

They went to the bathroom.

They're freaking out a little, that's all.

They feel like if they see

a friend growing up

that means they ought

to grow up, too.

These days, everyone wants

to stay a kid forever.

You're perfectly normal, Sanda.

Thanks for saying that.

I wish the others were

as understanding as you, Amaya.

Well, that's because

I know your secret identity.

Hmm?

Hey!

Let's go hit the baths! Huh?

Hey, don't crash out on us!

Are you okay?

Don't worry, I'll wake him up.

We'll catch up.

Really?

We'll hold you to it, Pretty Boy!

Quit your lollygagging, Sanda!

Where am I?

Th-The science lab? I-Is anybody there?

-Somebody help!

-Would you please stop shouting?

What do you think is gonna happen if

somebody sees you looking like that?

Fuyumura?

What are you doing here?

I came to here.

This guy standing here

has an unexpected violent streak, huh?

The people who blew up the science lab

have no room to talk.

He arrives accompanied by reindeer

to grant the wishes of children.

An old man with a white beard

who wears red clothes.

The legendary Santa Claus.

He really exists.

A-Amaya!

I apologize for the rough treatment.

I had no choice.

How did you know my secret identity?

When you two caused that ruckus here,

everybody ran and hid.

But I stayed and saw everything.

Who wouldn't stay and watch?

What a screwup!

I have to admit, I was shocked.

That the class clown was hiding this

as his secret identity.

What's your game,

tying us up here like this?

Tell my secret to the world?

Sell me off somewhere?

As far as my demands go

I don't really have any.

Huh?

Did you think that all kids

want something from you?

You really ought to study up more on what

makes modern kids tick, my good Mr. Santa.

I'm enjoying this moment of having

other people under my thumb, that's all.

Being seen by a kid on your naughty list

was a spot of bad luck.

Still, though

as a 14-year-old,

I can do anything I want.

According to the Youth Protection Act,

if a minor kills someone,

it isn't even a crime

if the other person is an adult.

There have even been cases

where a minor brutally k*lled someone

and then went right back to classes the

next day as if nothing had happened.

So, with that said,

what shall I do with you?

Isn't that right, Grandpa?

Maybe so, but I'm still 14 on the inside.

If I'm the one you're after,

let Fuyumura go!

Forget it!

Lay one hand on Sanda,

and you'll regret it!

Oh, now this is interesting!

You so rarely see a scene

of an adult and a child

having such faith in each other

these days.

Let's do this, then.

Sanda and Fuyumura

If you kiss each other right here,

I'll set both of you free.

Huh?

It's pretty straightforward.

Wh-What?

A kiss? That's all you want?

Not just a little peck on the lips.

Lean in

and reeeally suck some face!

b*stard! You're just messing with us!

Sanda! Pucker up and plant one

on me! Tongue and all!

We'll put an end to this crap!

Amaya!

We're roommates, but I never had a clue.

How rotten you are deep down!

You're trying to make me

cross the one line I won't cross?

Huh? I don't get it.

What kind of line is this?

Fuyumura's a child!

Santa would never lay a hand on a child!

Huuuh?

You just said you're 14

on the inside, didn't you?

But I'm Santa Claus!

The Santa Claus genes in me

won't let me break that taboo!

And I'm not about to let you

get tossed into a cell

before you keep your promise to me!

Now kiss me!

I'm not kissing you!

What'll it be?

If you don't do it soon,

somebody's gonna come!

Kiss me, damn it!

Dammit!

I take back what I said!

Kids who are cruel or violent

-or self-centered

-Kiss me!

aren't the least bit cute!

In which case, I'm not gonna be

the model Santa Claus, either!

S-Sleigh runners?

It's time for a spanking

you little b*stard.

You're just a source

of endless entertainment, aren't you

my good Mr. Santa?

I suddenly find myself

in possession of lethal weapons

capable of k*lling someone

in the blink of an eye.

Didn't you say that Santa

would never lay a hand on a child?

Disciplining me with feet that have

sleigh runners sticking out of them

is a little disturbing.

I'm gonna have to agree

with Amaya on this one.

Santa doesn't lay a finger on children.

But if that's true

why did I sprout these sleigh runners

that are sharp as swords?

I had no idea that Santa Claus's abilities

were so violent.

This makes me a damn k*lling machine!

Sanda

What's this?

This won't do at all,

students loitering in a place like this.

H-Headmaster

I was under the impression

that this science lab was made off-limits.

What have you been up to in here

all by yourself?

Myself?

Is something the matter?

Uh, n-no, sir. Nothing at all.

Your skin is as smooth

as a freshly peeled hard-boiled egg.

Youth truly is the most precious thing

in this world.

My true age is the subject

of many whispered rumors

among you students, right?

I have no intention of hiding it.

This year

I will turn 92 years of age.

By having near lethal levels of hyaluronic

acid and collagen injected into my face,

I maintain my youthful appearance

and demonstrate by example

the value of youth in modern Japan.

And yet here you are,

wasting away your precious teen years

in this desolate place.

What an immoral student you are!

There's no telling what would happen

if the headmaster caught sight of me

looking like this.

His extreme hatred of adults and obsession

toward children are famous in this school.

Hifumi Oshibu.

Headmaster of Daikoku Welfare Academy.

His hands alone

are those of a 92-year-old.

The absolute ruler of this place,

who wholeheartedly believes

it is this academy's students

who will rebuild Japan one day.

With the school's motto

as "Trauma-Free Curriculum,"

based on his belief

that the traumas we experience in life

break down a child's psyche,

he guards the students,

always keeping a close watch

on their every move.

You were all by yourself

in a place like this.

Does the fact that you are unable

to fall in line with your fellow students

mean that you are harboring

emotional trauma of some sort?

N-Not at all!

I am completely free of trauma!

No, I can see it in your face.

You are burdened with something.

I don't have any trauma!

Every day is a happy one!

If that is the case,

why are you being so defensive?

I'm not being defensive!

I just wanted to learn the truth,

that's all.

I'm not sure if you can tell.

At this moment, I am rather vexed.

My facial muscles have gone necrotic

as a result of too much plastic surgery,

so doing this is the only way

I can convey my emotions.

Children who lie are just as loathsome

as children who bear emotional trauma.

I see that I have no option

but to bring you in to set you straight.

To the semi-basement.

W-Wait!

Headmaster!

Please let go of me!

I haven't done anything!

The semi-basement

I thought it was just a rumor.

There really is a class

where they put the problem children.

Sanda?

I'd rather that you didn't struggle so.

Youthful appearance aside,

I am a 92-year-old man.

No! I don't want to go

to the semi-basement!

Please, sir!

SCIENCE LAB

Let the boy go!

One good thing has come from

my Santa Claus abilities being triggered.

And that's that I've realized something.

That there is something

very wrong with this school.

What on earth? Why would you do that?

That hurts

I assume.

After so many reconstructive surgeries,

the skin of my face no longer bleeds.

But discovering you on school grounds

is rather more important.

Allow me to call for backup.

I never expected you to really show up,

but I'm not frightened in the least.

It is my duty to protect children.

What a coincidence. So is mine.

The answer to why my body

is so dangerous was staring me

right in the face all along.

I'm sorry, did you just carve

your initial into the floor?

It's to let me

protect these little b*stards

from crappy adults like you!

Your shaggy white hair

The lines etched all over your face

Pale lips and sunken cheeks

And dark eyes that lost

their luster long, long ago

I don't condone trespassing, even less so

when it's an ugly old man doing it.

No, your body is just as old and ugly.

Hardly, my flesh consists

of extreme rejuvenation.

Do you think some mere doddering

old fool is fit to serve

as headmaster of

Daikoku Welfare Academy?

Answer me this, then. What did you have

for dinner the day before yesterday?

If you can't answer within five seconds

it will prove that your rejuvenation

has had no effect on your brain.

Five!

Four!

-The day before last?

-Three!

Hang on.

Two!

-Braised fish? Or was that yesterday?

-One!

Hold on.

Zero!

Time's up!

-It was boiled tofu!

-Old dude food.

He hit me right where it hurts.

I expect no less

of the all-powerful old man, Santa Claus.

You're too damn heavy!

It's stupid that you have to be pulled

to get anywhere!

So, sue me!

They sprouted for the first time just now,

so I haven't exactly had time

to get the hang of them!

He wouldn't follow us

up onto the dorm roof, right?

That was a close call!

Fuyumura!

You threatened me and Sanda.

You knocked us out with a stun g*n,

tied us up and blackmailed us.

Now that you've learned

Sanda's secret identity,

I have no choice but to k*ll you.

All you had to do was keep

your mouth shut. This is all on you.

Fuyumura, dial it down!

It's not like

It's not like I wanted to do it.

I'm on a mission, so I had to.

Ah, Amaya, a word of advice

as your roommate.

Those pretty-boy puppy eyes you break out

to make people feel sorry for you

I don't think they are going to work

on Fuyumura.

-Get out of my sight!

-Wait, wait, wait!

It's the truth!

I want Sanda Santa Claus to start

making his rounds again!

Huh?

My family runs an old-school cake shop.

It's about to go belly-up.

It's no surprise, in this day and age.

There are fewer and fewer children.

And the country is getting poorer.

You follow me?

The Daikoku Welfare Academy building

used to be a huge department store.

Everything in this country

is in a downward spiral.

But if people learned

that the real Santa Claus existed

If they learned

that the legends were true

then the observance of Christmas

should take root in this country again!

And then my family would bounce back.

We'd be able to make lots of cakes

and sell them to everyone

just like we did in the past.

We could talk about how December

is our busiest time of the year!

It's the strangest feeling.

In this day and age, when no one

believes in Santa Claus anymore

just these two kids believe in me.

The power of two kids who believe!

Why do I feel so much power

flowing into me from just that?

There's no way to tell

if that's true or not.

We can't trust you!

You should at least trust me

more than an adult.

You saw what the headmaster

was like, didn't you?

We ran away from him together, right?

Kids eventually grow up and become adults.

Everybody's the same

in that they can't be trusted.

Everybody in this country

is eventually gonna turn into an old freak

like Headmaster Oshibu!

I can't trust anyone!

Fuyumura!

What Amaya said is true.

I can see it.

Clear as day.

Huh? Is that a Santa Claus power?

With presbyopia

it's easier to see things

far away than up close!

There's a sign to the south.

It says "Amaya Party."

Close, "Patisserie."

Huh? It's not a power,

it's just old-guy vision?

It's not like I've mastered

my abilities or anything.

But I guess you could call this

one of them.

Getting old isn't all scary stuff,

Fuyumura.

I give you my guarantee.

Sanda, thank you

for believing me! I mean it!

Look, before you ask me for anything,

there's something important

I have to test first!

Fuyumura, do you have

any Bratty Beans on you?

Good.

What happened today

stays between us three.

I don't want any more people

to learn my secret identity.

Headmaster Oshibu

might have his eye on us now.

As long as you keep your word,

I'll protect you to make sure

nothing happens to you.

I won't tell anyone.

Good.

Now you, Fuyumura.

Then it's a promise!

Fuyumura, who wants me

to help her find her classmate

And Amaya,

who wants me to start making rounds

again as Santa to help his family

As long as they need me,

my secret is safe with them.

I have to wonder, though

-How did Fuyumura know my secret identity?

-Look! I have a cut on my forehead!

Jeez!

Sanda! What do you think will happen? What

am I gonna do if I have a bald spot there?

Don't be such a drama queen, Amaya!

But it kinda hurts.

Yes, I'm quite certain.

He even signed his initial in

a huge letter in the floor before leaving.

An "S."

A huge man with a white beard

and sleigh runners on his feet

And that keen insight

There is no room for any doubt.

It is the man that your team

has been so desperately searching for.

It's Santa Claus.

It's time for the St. Nick Pursuit Unit

to go into action.

When I'm feeling antsy,

full of muddled emotions,

I sometimes just stand there,

or sometimes I shout

at the top of my lungs

When I'm feeling indecisive,

full of emotions that ebb and flow,

the diary I grumble and complain to

is tucked away in a closed drawer

How's it gonna turn out?

Not knowing, I just cry

I bet that's how it is, right?

Out of desperation, a lie

Really, how's it gonna turn out?

I wish I could stay in my dreams

I wish I could stay,

could stay, could stay

When I'm feeling antsy,

full of muddled emotions,

I sometimes just stand there,

or sometimes I shout

at the top of my lungs

It's ironic that it's only once

you've grown up

that you realize

you can't stay a kid forever

There are even times

that I get depressed

thinking about these days

I find myself in,

but once they've passed me by,

will I look back and miss them?

How's it gonna turn out every day

I'm shouting every day