The girl he had a crush on moved away
hajime haruno regretted never having told her, nor talked to her
Not that it was going to make any difference,
as he knew he never had the guts to confess anyway
And all this self criticism made him
regret even more
THE TASTE OF TEA
Sachiko!
What?
The tea's getting cold!
Or it could be
Like this
Yeah the hands
Like this
And
That could work
The hand and
I like it
Remember that pose, okay? I'll go get the camcorder
Okay? Just a sec
Go
It's a bit
different than before
It was like this, and then you went
You know, I'm thinking This pose?
I think I'll go with this
That?
Isn't this better?
Early July, I make my way into a field of blooming sunflowers,
Facing the golden sunlight as they set my heart on fire
Are your eyes ablaze? Are your ears ablaze?
Is your soul ablaze?
It recalls the words of Buddha in the primordial Sutta Nipata scriptures
For a long time, nothing burnt me I spoke to no one,
answered to no one Being a daughter, a mother a wife
and a human being kept me busy, made me forget
The color of the burning sky, the smell of the warm earth Who is that calls?
Why am I not running, now that I've been released in the field?
Right, then Another poetry recital from the vice principal
Now, Murakami, anything on behalf of the student council?
Yes
Um this is what we decided at our last meeting
1 Don't pick fights with Yamaguchi
2 Don't throw stones at his house
Sachiko haruno was wondering
When on earth was that giant version of her going to disappear?
And whenever she wondered, there was a story she always remembered,
as she was doing now, a story told by her uncle
You know that pond you often go to?
That area used to be a forest
Folks here called it the haunted forest
And so well
dunno, maybe kids these days don't believe in haunted forests but
I guess
You guess ? Anyway, er Oh, yeah
So I was in 6th grade
No, in 5th about 5th grade
In the haunted forest?
Right, where I took a shit outdoors for the very first time
Shit outdoors? Yep
For some reason there were lots of wild chickens out there
maybe they flew the coop, dunno, but kinda having no money,
I used to go there to find eggs, y'know?
And on that day of my first outdoor shit, I didn't go to the bathroom all day
Even after school, I was wandering about, looking for a good spot
I ended up going to the forest, but still couldn't decide where to do it
It's surprising how much you struggle in spite of wanting to go for it, y'know?
Anyway, I soon came across this egg
It was half buried in the ground, like somebody had tried to hide it
It was weird, but somehow gave me the impetus And I badly needed to go
So, I did it, right then and there
Because I'd kept it in for so long, it was quite a dump
I felt great afterwards, till I noticed how dark it had gotten
I suddenly felt scared and went home But on the way back, I started thinking
What the hell was a huge egg like that doing there?
And why did someone try to bury it?
And on top of that, why did I have to shit on it?
Normally I'd have brought it back home, a big egg like that
And thinking like that made me feel really miserable
But I let it pass for the day
After that I kept going back to look for it, but it just
disappeared
It's not like I wasn't familiar with the forest, y'know?
But I couldn't find it
So I finally gave up looking
And that's when this guy showed up
What guy?
A guy covered with tattoos, bleeding
You mean, like a ghost or something?
Yeah, maybe
God
He'd be watching me at every turn
It was freaky He'd be there whenever I let my guard down
Like when?
Like when I'd be cleaning up at school
Raking the school yard cleaning out the chicken coop
You were cleaning 24/7!
Shut up! He also appeared when I was studying, right here in this room!
And when I visited the shrine
Anyway, he'd show up, no He'd just be there, watching me
But why was he covered in blood and tattoos?
Beats me
Wonder why Anyway he was all bloody, tattooed
And had shit on his head
Shit?!
Yeah Shit blood and tattoos
Wait, does that have anything to do with you shitting in the haunted forest?
Dunno probably not
Anyway, so this guy Hey, it's a pretty good story, right?
Yeah weird but cool
So he's watching me, till one day, he suddenly disappears
Disappears?!
I was working on the horizontal bar
Practicing all day, while he stared on
I'd sorta gotten used to him by then
So I thought what the heck and kept practicing
Then, when I finally got around the bar,
he disappeared
Just like that
Sachiko often wondered if the best way to get rid of the big Sachiko was to do
a backflip on the horizontal bar
however, something held her back, kept her from practicing
One of the key points being
that the man watching her uncle was a total stranger covered in blood,
whereas the person watching her, was herself
Perhaps his case wasn't so useful in solving her problem, she'd conclude,
every time she remembered his story
Anyway, there actually was another episode even Ayano didn't know about
Something which happened right about the time he managed his first backflip
Boss!
Hey
What the hell
Skull fracture?
No See this and this? Guy's been shot
It's a yakuza case?
Yes
Shit
Is that like, for calligraphy?
Are you kidding? 'Course not!
Hey, look at me Yes
How do I look?
Nice
And this? What do you think?
Awful Killed, buried and crapped on
Didn't happen at the same time
How do you know?
You have to ask?
He didn't die a skeleton did he?
And what of the miraculously fresh shit?
Decomposition first, then came the shit
Oh
Better check the shit out as well then
Yes You do it
Here
Around that time, Ayano did a successful backflip in the schoolyard
And the ghost of the dead yakuza who had been stalking Ayano,
was finally set free from the stench and from this earth
In light of how it returned a lost and angry soul of a yakuza to afterlife,
one could say, Ayano's shi ahem, droppings did have certain merits
Wouldn't you agree?
I like you I like you a lot, hajime
PS I'll be waiting at Romanchi after school today
Romanchi
I felt up Aizawa's breasts!
No way! Which hand? Which hand?
This hand? You perv!
How did she react?
She was wearing a bra And they were firm Firm!
Wait wait wait You're pissing off Matsuken
Apologize, man Apologize
I'm sorry
But how did she react?
Like, y'know?
You lucky bastard!
Boing!
Aw I'd kill for that!
But who'd you pick as a wife?
I'd go for Kazumi Furune from Class B
No way! Kazumi? I like her, too
Huh? Really? Get your own!
I've liked her since first year
Me too
She gave me a gift on Valentine's Day
How about you?
Me? Linda
In first year?
You like 'em young?
You watch your mouth!
I DO like 'em young!
Jailbaits?
Uh oh Entering dangerous territory!
Young works for me
I'm all for it if it's Matsuken
Aw what a loss man!
Here he comes!!
Hurry up!
Make sure he doesn't see you!
Legs out! Head in!
You've gotta seduce him!
Hey Hajime!
Not even listening
Ah well
It's all your fault
Me? It's yours! You and your ugly legs!
Ugly and gross
Excuse me but I'm the one who had to shave my legs till I was raw
Well, man I think it looks pretty sexy
Not sexy, but like, nice and smooth!
What's nice about 'em huh?
Touch 'em
Feels like sandpaper!
What, you like him?
Yeah he does!
Not like that Not like that
I just like smooth legs! End of story
Anyway, we're way off topic
We were talking about Hajime
One month had passed since the girl moved
And he was on the brink of female phobia
There were two reasons for this,
Namely'The Soba Noodle Shop Incident' and'The Convenience Store Incident'
'The Soba Noodle Shop Incident'
Set B, please
What's wrong? Huh?
What?
Nothing
We don't have to, y'know?
You're saying that now?
We don't need to go
Whatever
What do you mean whatever?
Huh?
What?
I'm not forcing you
I'll go!
Why?
What do you mean?
I don't want you to feel pressured
I'm saying I'll go!
It'll be over before it starts
Hey
Will you really love me more?
I love you just the way you are
So I don't need to go?
Give it a rest, okay?
Sorry
You said you wanted it too
I wanted to make you happy
I did some research, read up on it
They say it feels totally natural
You mean when men squeeze them
Don't talk like that!
No I mean when women 'wear' them?
All I care about is if you'll love me more and more and more!
Don't make light of this
But that's all that's been running through my head!
Don't worry It won't feel strange
It won't?! Of course it'll feel weird!
It's fine, apparently
But
You've said you wanted big breasts too
Big tits
Don't you want 'em?
Yeah
Let's go It's time
It'll be fine
Should I call my mom?
No, that's not necessary
She might worry
She'll be fine
Maybe you could call her for me?
No way! That'd be too weird
Uh uh Too fucking weird
Here you go
'The Convenience Store Incident'
Hey, what's up?
My girl needed pantyhose
Oh Hey, did she hit you again?
Can you tell?
You're black and blue
No bone fractures
That's what you say And your ribs? They've healed?
Still hurts when I breathe
But no sweat, eh? Tough guy
I've gotten used to it
Used to it?!
Yeah
Your girlfriend's scary
Oh she's not
What the
What is it?
Look at me, this way Look over here!
It's nothing
C'mon lemme see Your nose is crooked
It is not
No, seriously See, it's crooked
It's not
It's crooked!
It's not
It's fuckin' busted!!
Yeah, she got me good
And what about her? I mean does she ever hurt her hands or what?
Dunno she wears leather gloves
Scary!
Nah I'd better get going or she'll be pissed
See ya
Bye
It's my birthday
What to do?
My birthday song
What to do?
My birthday
Good morning
Morning
Good morning, boss
Sit, boy
You brought Aki? I told you not to
No real dogs Pets aren't allowed in this building
Hey, are you listening to me? No pets! None whatsoever! So don't bring them!
Would you like some tea?
Yes
You're just like a triangle
Why, oh, why? Why, oh, why?
Why are you a triangle?
Why, oh, why? Why, oh, why?
Why are you a triangle?
Because I am a triangle?
Why are you a triangle? Why are you a triangle?
To a good game
I'll go first
Here's your tea
I have mine
Really? Then I'll drink it
That was some wind! Err Miss ?
Suzuishi
Oh, yes Suzuishi Well, why don't we start over again?
Go ahead
Uh I'm Aoi Suzuishi
Miss Suzuishi?
Yeah?
'Yes' Nothing else you'd like to add, like where you're from?
Sorry I'm Aoi Suzuishi I previously attended Yoyogi High
'Aoi' as in'blue' in kanji?
It's actually in katakana
And your favorite color's blue
Moron!
You?
No, you !
Ah, you're beautiful
Cut it out!
Um where should I sit?
Kakinuma, you can go home
Phew! Really?
Fetch a desk
You could've just said so
Wait till the desk comes
In the meantime let's start
We're having a popquiz today
Not fair!
Consider it last week's review
You have 15 minutes
And just like that, hajime was in love again
So, it's a school holiday?
Nope
Uncle
Yeah?
What?
What is it?
What's wrong?
This is stupid
No Trespassing
Shit
Another one!
Another one?
Here goes
Wow, this guy's amazing!
Sonoda!
Bro needs ya!
Wait a minute
What are you doing?
Please?
Where did you two go together?
Hey, Aoi?
Have you decided?
Yep
Which club?
The'Go' club
`Go'? Are you serious?
Yep I like Go
Really?
Never played?
No
It's kinda fun
Um, could you leave? We're trying to clean up here?
Can't you see we're talking?
And we're sweeping
So?
Leave? Alright
You played Go at your former school?
Yeah
I'm not that good though
Go!
Hajime!
Go!
Go Club!
Yes!
Go!
Go Club!
Go!
Hey
Uncle Ayano!
You're full of energy
Wanna play Go?
Nah
I'm exhausted! Where's mom?
Shopping With Grandpa
Man I'm so tired
I rode my bike all the way from school
Oh
I can't breathe!
The Go club!
Who the hell are you?
Stay back baby
Don't worry
Get your hands off my girl!
Show me what you've got!
Piece of cake
l'm the Go Man!
Go Man!
I'm gonna take the bike to the station
Okay
Hey, you're late
Yeah
School club?
Nah, my bike
What about it?
I went home on my bike, but decided I'd need it tomorrow morning
So I brought it back
I see
Excuse me, sorry
Let me through Sorry
So what do you think?
Of what?
Of this?
Good vibe?
What vibe?
Well, I was wondering Oops
Be careful
Sorry C'mon look at me
I am looking What is it?
Don't I look weird? Out of place?
But we had to wear them to carry them, right?
I know that but
We could've taken a cab
Which is what I said
Don't pull!
But you'll hit it again
I won't
At least yours isn't as bulky, Rokutaro
Don't call me that
Huh?
I'm not Rokutaro when I'm wearing this
You're upset? If anyone, I'm the one who should be upset, period
Period huh?
Anyway, yeah, that is a dickwat outfit
So I do look weird? Me and my costume?
Yes
Looks funny? Incredibly
Incredibly?
A disgrace to The Meteor Power Force
'Meteor Power has reached ritical point!'
'That is possible! Totally possible!'
'What is your opinion?'
Should we do it here?
Let's do it!
'And now! Deep within your eyes!'
'Turn on the Meteor power!'
'It's already on, sir!'
'Kids these days '
'Call it evolution '
Your tears are the signal, the signal
The twinkling signal, yes, the signal
Bright sky filled with your soul's energy
Starlight Connection!!
You want some shithead?
Huh?
Are you making fun of me?
Sorry! Sorry! Please don't damage it!
Yasuda!
Let go of me!
Home run!
Been getting your hands on boss's money, Yasuda?
Get in there!
That really happened?
All true
Pretty scary stuff
Right in front us too
That's way too creepy!
Gave me goose bumps!
Don't exaggerate
But it's scary, sis!
How?
Execution!
Execution?!
You're doing good
Aggressive, aren't we, Hajime?
Wanna play? Think you're smart enough?
Hurry up
Just a moment
Not bad For an airhead
Shut up, will you?
We're serious
Sorry
Ok, I'm leaving
Right
Bye, then
I'm leaving too
Bye
Mr Todoroki?
I'm off tomorrow
Oh, really?
Please don't call my house like you did last time
I told my husband that I'll be working here all night with you
Oh
You know what I mean?
Yeah
Don't call me at home tomorrow like last time
Are you listening?
Are you listening to me?
Yes
Bye then
hello?
Your wife's having an affair
Who the hell is this?
Moun tain, oh my moun
Oh, hey
I thought you left
Go out with me!
Wait! Wait ow!
Stop it! Stop! Don't hurt me!
Don't hurt me!
Ow
Stop it!
Ow
Why'd you do that for?!
Bitch!
Haruno
Where's Little?
He's um still in Brazil
Oh
Still working on his art?
Yeah he's been back and forth
Oh, really?
Does he have a show? Like now?
Yeah, over there Maybe, that is
Right
How have you been?
Me? Okay I'm still a sound mixer
Oh
So how's business?
You have to ask?
Oh, guess that's the way it is
Right
I'll open that for you
Jammed
Happens sometimes
Your hands
Nah it's ok
I'm just y'know, really glad
Huh?
I mean, you look well and I'm glad
I and I'm glad about your marriage too
I'm over you, really
But since I never made it to your party or to our class reunions
Thought you might've felt awkward But I guess you didn't
I did worry
Really worried
I called so many times
Really?
Oh right
But I'm glad too
Huh?
You look well too
Me? Yeah, totally Good as can be, yeah
Well um
Congratulations on your marriage
I really mean it, honest
This is embarrassing
Congratulations!
Thanks
Sorry, my hands were dirty
Oops! What am I doing?
Thanks
I shouldn't keep you from work
No no no
So, good luck Which may not be the appropriate word here, but
Want some tea?
No, that's okay I've gotta
You have to go?
Yeah
Nebuta dance!
Sumo wrestler!
Give them a break, Grandpa It's the weekend
I love squid!
I'm home!
She's back
Told you
I'm relieved
Squid
Where's my squid?
No squid, Grandpa
She wasn't with Ayano?
Dad!
Hi
I'm hungry
Coming right up
Where'd you go?
Here
Want natto beans?
Can you pass it honey?
Excuse me
You're distracting me
Why don't you ask him directly? Yeah? You think?
Look, I really couldn't say
Ask Ayano directly, okay? I'll have him call you when he gets in
Where did Sachiko go this morning?
Dunno
No He'll do it if you ask properly Look, I'm busy now
I'll get him to call you Want to talk to him?
No
So, he'll call you Yes Bye
Grandpa!
What did he want?
He wants Ayano to make his CD
His CD?
He's a manga artist, not a musician