02x02 - Winners and Losers

[bunniefuu]

Dear God, Buddha, and my Goddess…

please answer this prayer,

as inconsequential
as a pebble on the roadside.

This year for sure, let me become
someone who draws everyone's attention…

and let me find a girlfriend!

Are you all right, Taiyo?

You didn't have to force yourself
to come to school.

No, if I don't go,
I won't have enough attendance days.

And I am a high school student.

But…

I know!

You should have that energy drink
that Big Bro Kyoichiro drank!

Your eyes!

Whoa! You gave me a heart attack.

They're shining like crazy!

They're like headlights!

Mutsumi, you need to calm down.

Do you have no idea?

Look, see that? You're Blooming!

What…

What the heck is going on?

You've got to suppress it
before anyone sees you!

Huh?

Th-They're not going back!

Taiyo! Just calm down for now.
- What? Huh? Wait!

What's going on here?

Ouch!

Actually, it doesn't…

Hey, Big Sis Shion, can you have someone
come fix the utility pole on 7th Street?

Listen, Taiyo, don't you think
you should stay home today after all?

No, I'm going.

There's also something
that Big Bro Kyoichiro asked me to do.

Huh?

MISSION: YOZAKURA FAMILY

MISSION 29
WINNERS AND LOSERS

You know that manga
I lent you the other day?

Yeah, I read it!

Well, did you get to the part
about Minister Chocokoro?

Yes! That was so intense! I almost
burst into tears, I was so moved!

Ms. Nakamura?

Here you go.

You dropped this.

Thanks.

Um…

who are you again?

But we're classmates!

My name is Sosuke Michibata.

I'm a professional spy.

TARGET AGE - 15 As proof, I've
got a Bro nze Spy license,

and I can decipher the code

for the Spyboy binding
in a mere second.

What's that?
Is it okay to read that in the classroom?

Nothing to worry about.

Why? Because I'm…

extremely unnoticeable.

It's not like these guys
are the bullying type.

The reason this is happening
is because they don't see that I exist.

It's a given wait staff won't notice me.
- Excuse me?

And on the train, people mistake me
for an empty seat and sit on me.

I was asked my name first…
- Who are you?

…when I got rejected.

But this lack of presence is perfect
for infiltrating and espionage.

So even a wuss like me has managed
to survive in the underworld.

Morning!

Hey, long time no see!

How have you been?

Damn! Did he come to school
all lovey-dovey with his sweet wife again?

He was even ranked first
in the upcoming Rookie Spy Rankings.

Is he flaunting the fact
that he's a winner?

Whoa.

Hey, were we leaning on you?

Sorry! Um…

Who are you again?

Hey, Taiyo…

Huh?

Whoa! You gave me a heart attack.

Asano brought an adult mag to school!

What a perv!
- I am not a perv!

It's okay, Taiyo.
You're just being a boy.

What the heck is this?

Serves you right,
Mr. Spy with the Perfect Life!

I use my spy skills
to spice up my mundane daily life.

Cheating on tests
by listening to others write.

A STRANGER IS TALKING TO ME.
Hacking into my crushes' private accounts.

And for guys who bump into me
but fail to apologize…

I set traps!

NEWSPAPER DEPARTMENT
That's the secret to my success.

Taiyo, are you all right?

Seems like your morning's
been a series of ordeals.

I know, right?

First I forget my textbook.

Then a magazine that's not even mine
gets confiscated,

and I'm the one who gets yelled at.

Since you have no privacy at home,

I guess it's not easy for you
to read stuff like that.

Did you not hear a word that I said?

Hey, Taiyo, is it true?

You went on a honeymoon
with Ms. Yozakura?

Huh?

Tell us, is it true
what they're saying about you?

You, too?

Oh, please.

Where did you hear that?

There's an article about it in the paper,
and everyone's talking about it.

Right?

Yeah. Though it's all pretty dubious.

A secret love child and an affair?

Who wrote this garbage?

Ugh.

What's the matter?

I think I know who's behind this, but it's
going to be really tough to catch him.

Wait, does it have something to do

with the favor Big Bro
asked you to do this morning?

Watch out!

Whoa!
- Whoa!

Huh?

Taiyo!

Eyes! Ball!

Head!

Whoa!

My eyes!

That ball hit me in the eyes,
and it hurts like crazy!

What's with the time lag?

That's not where it hit him.

I think I'll go to the infirmary!

Mutsumi, was that…

Taiyo!

Oh, darn, it's sold out again.

Hey, that's…
Year Two, Class D, Number 18.

Bust 90. Waist 60. Hips 85.

F-cup…

Yuri Toyomitsu!

You, there!

I'll give you my melon bread if you like.

Seriously? Thanks!

BREAD'S COST

Good for you, Kosuke.

You were craving that, right?

We can go halfsies!

By the way, who was that?
Is he in our class?

Don't ask me. I have no clue.

Die, b*stard!

Give me back my money, damn you!

You miserable couple!

"Thanks", my a*s!

Don't you dare pay me!
Are you serious, damn you?

Delete the b*tch! Delete the b*tch!

Oh, man, I want a girlfriend!

I want to be noticed!

I want to live my best life!

Being married to the idol of the school,
Mutsumi, must be so awesome!

I've only ever spoken to her once.

Thank you for picking it up for me!

Oh.

ACTUALLY JUST ONE WORD

I wonder what it's like to be married?

Do they hold hands and stuff, maybe?

Honey, good luck on your mission.

Wait… where's my goodbye kiss?

Oh, my! What a clingy child you are!

Smack.

Stop fantasizing about my wife.

What do have we here?

Is that you, classmate Asano?

Tell me, what brings you here?

Come on, it's no good playing dumb now.

You should know this if you're a spy,

but I received an order
from the eldest Yozakura son,

who's the vice principal here.

There's this hopeless piece of crap named
Michibata, who abuses his spy techniques.

Dispose of him.

So he said.

I had so much trouble finding you,
since you have no presence.

I became aware of you for the first time
because of this task.

And I realized that in this world,

there are spies beyond salvation,
like you.

Don't give me that look of pity!

For starters, delete those secret photos
of Mutsumi, all right?

You would even take away
one of the few things that I live for!

Just as I thought,
guys like me have no rights!

You do know that taking secret photos
is a crime?

I don't really get it, but you
shouldn't belittle yourself like that.

We're both spies, aren't we?

Both spies?

Just cut the crap, will you?

Listen up. You can claim
that this world's all about equality,

but it's all lip service.

This world will always be split into two.

Either you're liked or disliked.

Either you're rich or poor,
a genius or mediocre.

Someone like you, trained in cheat mode
by the Yozakura family…

a "winner" spy who gets to act
lovey-dovey with his sweet wife…

will never even perceive a loser like me.

He vanished in a flash,
faster than Stepping on Flowers.

You're wrong.

I haven't vanished at all.

It's just that I'm too unnoticeable
for you to perceive.

Heat Haze.

By suppressing my breathing, my heartbeat,
my presence to the limit,

I can make myself imperceptible to all.

I'm overwhelming Taiyo Asano himself?

Huh.

What was that? I just sensed
a really vulgar presence.

Are you trying to k*ll me, dumbass?

No way! He can't possibly see me!

Whoa!

Did he just trip over his own trap?

Hey, are you okay?

Jeez, give it up already.

It was you who gave that info
to the newspaper, right?

Why would you make up all those stories?

Because…

Because I thought
that if I talked about you two…

then people would make a fuss over me.

Is that how you want to live your life?

I'm sorry! I just did it on an impulse!

Please forgive me!

You and I are both spies,
and we're friends now, right?

How convenient for you.

Well, if you promise
never to leak info again,

I'll absolve you with this.

Ah! My true friend!

Uh…

What? So you were
behind it all, Michibata?

I truly regret my actions, and…

How did you know my name?

What do you mean?

You picked up my eraser for me, remember?

Did you forget?

Huh? Goddess?

Normally, it wouldn't be possible

to remember me
over a trivial thing like that.

So how…

Don't tell me…

there's a chance?

IDIOT

Taiyo, zap him to the max.

As you wish.

Make sure you delete everyone's photos.

And fix that wall
so it looks brand-new, okay?

I'm so sorry.

Very good.

SHION'S ROOM
WORKING

Hey, which would I look better in?

A LET'S BREAK UP C DID YOU GAIN A LITTLE
WEIGHT? Let's see, the next choices are…

C, I guess.

A, I guess?

You're both wrong!

But she said she's been eating
too many snacks lately.

Not in so many words
is the way of a young girl!

Well, Mutsumi's my one and only.

Stop mixing up real life with this game!

The question is, why are you here?

Would it be all right to call you Big Sis?

Denied.
- Huh?

Seriously, what are you doing here?

Still, gotta hand it to you.

A guy knowing how a girl's mind works,
that's impressive,

ARE YOU THAT INDIFFERENT?

Who cares what you're wearing
once you have it on?

That's where you're wrong, Shion!

Program or not,
these girls are love itself,

suffused with the feelings and passion
of countless people.

You could even go as far
as to call them real-life girlfriends!

Where did that come from?

Anyway…

it's important to understand the feelings
of the characters you're targeting!

First off, for actual experience,
go on a date with me.

Hey, a colleague just summoned me.

But I do like idiots.

Hey, Shion. Hello!

KENJI JUNIOR HIGH FIRST YEAR
DOESN'T LIKE MILK

Huh? A kid?

He's actually tops at gathering info
and analyzing data.

Hey, Kenji. What's up?

Come on, what do you mean, "What's up?"

You promised to take me
to the direct sales store

in the black market tomorrow.

Hey, my bad. Forgot to contact you.

I figured as much.

Don't worry.
I'll take you there like I promised.

Oh, wow, thank you so much!

What an honor, going on a date with you!

What do you mean, "date," you little pest?

Since I've only ever seen you
in your everyday clothes…

I'll be looking forward
to your date outfit!

Yeah, yeah. See you tomorrow at noon
on Sherlock Street.

If you're late, you'll owe me
a billion gacha stones, okay?

It's been a while since I went outside.

Guess I'll take a bath.

A bath! I'll rinse your back!

You will not!

Maybe I'll gift the Cyber Town geezer
some modified memory.

Where'd I leave my wallet?

I'll wear my usual shirt.

I'll be looking forward
to your date outfit!

Damn that Kenji,
saying weird stuff like that.

Guess it's true
that kids these days are precocious.

Seriously…

Just switching out the design's
not going to make a difference.

Should I go with this?
Something somewhat feminine?

Is that better?

Nah, this won't do for the black market.

It's not even my style.

My old high school uniform?

No, no, no, no, no.

DAY OF THE DATE

Sosuke, why are you here again?

Because I want to see
Shion's date outfit. What else?

Straight answer, huh?

Hey, Mutsumi, give me a hand.

How do you put on a bra again?

So anyway…

since normally, I hardly ever
give a thought to clothes,

I'm in this major rut,

and I'm not even sure
about underwear anymore.

Yo, Kenji!

Whoa!

I'm starting to think,
who needs clothes anyway?

Thank goodness you haven't
caused any incidents yet!

I get it!

Just leave it to me, Big Sis.

As the head of the Yozakuras,
steeped in tradition and heritage,

I'll use my polished taste to propose
the perfect date outfit for you!

Mutsumi.

Little do you know, Mutsumi!

You can't coordinate a date outfit
without the male viewpoint!

Why don't you leave it
to this gal-game master

who's conquered countless women?

All you want is to make me wear those!

Fine by me!

My outfit for Big Sis
will win unanimous approval!

So will mine!

Hey, wait a-- Whoa!

And so!

Dazzle Them!

The Battle to Coordinate
Shion's Date Outfit!

How did this happen?

Hey, Taiyo! Do something about this!

I'm sorry.

I don't want to stop Mutsumi
when she's having fun.

Damn you, devoted husband!

I'll go first!

First impressions are important
when it's your first date.

While adorning her with glamor, it will
bring out a woman who's one rank higher.

Yes!

A Victorian dress
from 19th-century England!

Sorry, Mutsumi! Absolutely not!

It's the marriage of glamor and demureness
befitting a lady!

I mean, I totally can't breathe.

As an approach, it's not bad.

Not really enough fleeting glimpse-ism.
A seven!

Since it's your proposal, Mutsumi…

You guys!
Your scoring standards are impure!

My turn!

For younger men,
older women are beyond reach!

I give you some high-level coordinating,
leaving traces of grownup sex appeal

while fusing it
with accessible femininity!

Gym clothes and bloomers!

This is just your fetish, isn't it?

Bashfulness is the ultimate spice!

Now then, let's play Sports Day together!

Die.

The proponent's evil intentions
are only too obvious, so zero!

She saw right through me!

Sure, it's cute,
but since Mutsumi says so…

Ah! Thanks, Taiyo!

So naive of you.

Your ideas are no better
than cosplay level.

If we're talking about grownup sex appeal,

there's one thing that you need
to nail down first and foremost!

A kimono!

Allowing you to pull off
both formal and casual looks easily!

Yamato Nadeshiko's ultimate weapon!

Maybe for a matchmaking session
or a festival,

but I'm just going to the black market!

The nape of your neck
is so graceful. Approved!

That struck a chord?

Since Mutsumi approves…

Hey, hold up, Taiyo! Damn it!

All you've done is agree with Mutsumi!

Don't ignore the male libido!

Form your own opinion, b*stard!

Don't be like that, Sosuke.

I just want to always be
on Mutsumi's side, that's all.

Taiyo!

Thanks! Get a room!
- Thanks! Get a room!

All right, let's keep rolling!

Hold up!

This is all in the same vein!

Hmm…

since her usual super-sexy attire,

exposing her shoulders, neck, and ribs,
has an impact,

changing it up all of a sudden
seems unnatural, huh?

Yeah, I'll wear it in front of you.

An unsettling difference
from her normal outfit.

There should be a hint
in her everyday, familiar attire.

I know what it is,

the familiar fashion
that suits you well, Big Sis Shion…

And it's…

your family's clothes!

I'll accept every part of you.

Wait, why am I Bis Sis?

I see. If it's her own family,
it fits--

No way does it fit!

Then how about Big Bro Kyoichiro?

Stop it!

If I were like him, I'd throw up!

All right, then wear Shinzo's clothes.

Huh. This isn't that bad.

Do you want to get arrested?

You should borrow
some of Mutsumi's clothes.

Sorry. It's a little tight
around the chest.

No! She's exposing all kinds of stuff!

Kengo Cat Food Featuring…

me!

Just move away from eroticism!

Please use cat-speak!

Die!
- Meow!

I've had enough of this!

So anyway, I'm so wiped out.

ELECTRONICS BLACK MARKET
CYBER TOWN

Your family sounds like a lot of fun.

So does that mean that you're wearing
what they finally decided on?

You actually look pretty ordinary.

Though it is lovely.

You're still such a novice.
You know that, Kenji?

I realized that I just had to think of it
like equipment parameters in a game.

That was how I was able
to settle things in a flash.

Fashion, coordinating…
I don't really care.

In both real life and games,
you should just wear what you want.

Huh?

Knowing that you agonized so much
for my sake kind of embarrasses me.

Shion?

Ow! Why did you hit me?

Whoops, sorry. My equipment bugged out.

When it's the ultimate equipment?

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