| Azami | ...Well, I definitely didn’t see that one coming. But it’s such an uncommon name that I doubt it could be anyone else. |
| Taichi | Agreed. I was so surprised.... Ah, but make sure you keep this a secret between you and me, A~chan. |
| It’s so embarrassing I’m going to take this to my grave. |
| Azami | Ah, gotcha. |
| Taichi | But my first crush was watching me all this time, huh... How I was at my worst, and how I changed from there on. |
| I ruined the costumes during our debut performance, apologized, and helped out with costume making starting then.... |
| I tried to change in this troupe... he saw all that. Thinking about that gives me really mixed feelings. |
| Azami | Are you going to tell him about your past? |
| Taichi | Nope. I’d be embarrassed if he remembered my tiny crybaby past, and I’m really happy we get along now. |
| Azami | But now that you know, there’s one thing you have to do. |
| Taichi | Eh? |
| |
| Taichi | Y-Yuki-chan! |
| Yuki | ...What is it? |
| Taichi | U-umm, could you come watch our performance on the first day? |
| Yuki | I was already planning on going to the first day along with everyone in Summer Troupe. |
| Taichi | I-I see! Um, when you watch us, I want you to tell me everything you think without holding back! |
| Yuki | ...Sure, I don’t mind. |
| Taichi | Please, thanks! |
| Yuki | ...What a weird stupid doggie. |
| |
| Taichi | .... |
| Banri | Why are you making such a weird face? |
| Taichi | Woah! |
| Banri | You’re really freaking out. |
| Taichi | I think anyone would be surprised if someone sneaked up on them like that! |
| Banri | So. Are you still anxious? |
| Taichi | Not really, it’s more like, now that we’re finally at the first day, I’m just super nervous.... |
| Omi | Taichi, look up. |
| Taichi | Eh? |
| *Snap* |
| ——. |
| Banri | Our in-house photographer brought his camera all the way back here? |
| Omi | I can’t lose a single photo opportunity, you know. |
| Come on Taichi, smile. |
| Taichi | Eh, ah—-. |
| *Snap* |
| Azami | Tight smile. |
| Banri | Is that really a smile? |
| Omi | ...Well, it’s the first day, so I’ll forgive you with this.[1] |
| You looked troubled all through every practice for this performance. It hurt us to see you struggle and push yourself into a corner, Taichi. |
| We all want to see your usual smile, Taichi. Both us and the audience. We want to keep this moment and remember today as a happy day. |
| Right, guys? |
| Juza | Agreed. |
| Izumi | A smile suits Taichi-kun the most! |
| Sakyo | You need to be easygoing and loud like a brat, Nanao. |
| Banri | Otherwise we’re not Autumn Troupe. |
| Azami | Your easygoing face helped calm my nerves during the last performance. |
| Taichi | Easygoing, easygoing... Well, if you guys insist, I guess I have to! |
| Let’s laugh lots, make the audience laugh, and then all laugh together again! |
| So we can remember this day, this moment in time... as the happiest day ever! |
| Autumn Troupe | Yeah! |
| *Buzz* |
| Chan | “Hah!” |
| Han | “You’re wide open right here.” |
| Chan | “Nwah!” |
| “Agh, I’m still no good!” |
| Han | “You’re going to become the sage, right? Don’t get discouraged so easily.” |
| Yun | “It’s obviously impossible for Chan to become the sage.” |
| Chan | “What was that!” |
| Han | “Unless you quit slacking off, it’s impossible for you too, Yun.” |
| Yun | “I’m not interested anyway.” |
| Chan | “You’re just saying that because you know you can’t become the sage~.” |
| Yun | “What was that?” |
| Izumi | (...Yup, Taichi-kun and Omi-kun’s action scenes are looking sharp from the start. All three of them have their character dynamics down, too.) |
| Chilong | “Oi. Who’s the sage here.” |
| Han | “?” |
| |
| Chan | “Who are you?” |
| Chilong | “My name is Chilong. I’ve got no business with grunts. Bring me the sage.” |
| Han | “Unfortunately, he’s out right now. I’ll listen to you instead.” |
| Chilong | “Hmph. How unfortunate for you. Hand me the scroll for the secret technique, Tai Chi Manju Fist.” |
| Chan | “The Tai Chi Manju Fist—!!” |
| Yun | “Isn’t that the secret technique passed down only among sages? Why does he know....” |
| Han | “I can’t hand the scroll over to an unqualified person.” |
| Chilong | “Then I’ll have to steal it.” |
| Han | “—hh.” |
| Chan | “H-he’s fast—.” |
| Yun | “That guy’s strong....” |
| *Whoosh* |
| Han | “Uugh....” |
| Chan | “Han-aniki!” |
| Chilong | “Done already?” |
| Han | “Kuh—.” |
| Chan | “I guess we have to—.” |
| Han | “Stop. It’s not possible for you guys.” |
| Chan | “But—.” |
| Izumi | (Juza-kun’s Chilong has a great presence in both his fighting and his acting.) |
| Chilong | “So this is the secret technique scroll. Losers should just sit back and suck their thumbs.” |
| Chan | “You piece of—!” |
| Yun | “—I’ll crush you.” |
| Han | “Chan, Yun, stand back!” |
| Chan | “ —hh.” |
| |
| Izumi | (Han takes responsibility for letting Chilong steal the scroll right before his eyes by quitting the dojo.) |
| Chan | “Master! Please avenge Han-aniki! He’ll be turning over in his grave unless we do something!” |
| Sage | “Don’t go killing him like that. He just quit the dojo.” |
| Chan | “It’s all that Chilong guy’s fault! If we can get the scroll back—.” |
| Sage | “If Han didn’t stand a chance, there’s nothing I can do either.” |
| Chan | “But—!” |
| Yun | “Dammit...” |
| Chan | “Are you telling us to just give up!?” |
| Sage | “Become strong. Stronger than Han.” |
| |
| Izumi | (With the sage’s words, Chan and Yun commit to growing stronger, spending every day training from morning to midnight....) |
| Chan | “Taah!” |
| Yun | “Yah!” |
| Chan | “Haaah!” |
| Sage | “That’s enough.” |
| Chan | “Pant, pant....” |
| Yun | “Sigh....” |
| Sage | “Well done—you endured the strict training.” |
| “I have nothing left to teach you two. You are both qualified to use the Tai Chi Manju Fist.” |
| Chan | “—R-really!?” |
| Yun | “Even if we’re qualified, we’re still missing the actual scroll.” |
| Sage | “You two might now be able to overcome Chilong, who defeated Han.” |
| “The one who defeats Chilong and brings back the Tai Chi Manju Fist scroll will be the next sage!” |
| Chan | “I definitely won’t lose to you, Yun!” |
| Yun | “That’s my line.” |
| Izumi | (Sakyo-san is a boss-like figure again, but this time he’s a little more aloof, and he’s playing dumb for comic effect.) |
| (He strikes a perfect balance with the Chan-Yun combination.) |
| |
| Chan | “Okay, but there’s nothing I can do if I don’t know where Chilong is.” |
| “Ah, man. Guess I’ll drop by Han-aniki’s place. It’s been a while.” |
| |
| Han | “Welcome.” |
| Chan | “Long time no see, Han-aniki~!” |
| Han | “Oh, hey Chan. Your buddy is already here.” |
| Chan | “Huh? My buddy?” |
| Yun | “...Tch.” |
| Chan | “Ah~! Why are you here, Yun!” |
| Yun | “That’s my line. You’re probably here because you have no idea where Chilong is. You're so incompetent.” |
| Chan | “I don’t want to hear that from you!” |
| Han | “Chilong? You guys are looking for Chilong?” |
| Chan | “Whoever crushes him and gets the scroll back will be the next sage.” |
| Han | “Chilong....” |
| Yun | “Han-aniki, do you know anything about him?” |
| Han | “Do I know anything? Of course I—.” |
| Thug | “Hey hey, we’re barging in!” |
| Han | “Hm?” |
| Thug | “Cough up your dues already, Mister Owner!” |
| Han | “This store has never been in your debt. I don’t plan on paying any protection fees.” |
| Thug | “You fucker—!” |
| Chan | “Han-aniki!” |
| Han | “—Hah!” |
| *Thwack* |
| Thug | “Gah.” |
| Chan | “Amazing, Han-aniki!” |
| Han | “I can handle this much even after leaving the dojo.” |
| Thug | “D-dammit! Hey, bring that guy in!” |
| Yun | “?” |
| |
| Shin | “Here to interrupt.” |
| Chan | “What’s with that guy...?” |
| Shin | “Nothing personal, but this is my job.” |
| “—Hah!” |
| *Whoosh* |
| Chan | “—!!” |
| Yun | “He’s fast.” |
| Han | “Gu—h.” |
| Shin | “Make sure you have the money ready next time.” |
| Han | “Dammit....” |
| Chan | “Wait up!” |
| |
| Yun | “You’re the ones who should pay up for getting in the way of our delicious lamian meal.” |
| Shin | “Aah?” |
| Chan | “I’m your next opponent!” |
| Yun | “Hah!” |
| *Thump* |
| Chan | “Hey! Don’t attack him before me, Yun!” |
| Shin | “—gh.” |
| Chan | “Aiyah!” |
| *Thump* |
| Han | “When did they... become so strong...?” |
| Shin | “Tch.” |
| Chan | “Out of the way, Yun! I’ll finish him off!” |
| Yun | “Stand back, Chan.” |
| Chan | “What was that!?” |
| Yun | “You’re in the way!” |
| Chan | “You’re in the way!” |
| Shin | “Hah!” |
| *Thwack* |
| Chan | “Woah!” |
| *Thwack* |
| Yun | “Kuh.” |
| Shin | “Hmph.” |
| Chan | “Oww... this is your fault!” |
| Yun | “It’s because you got in the way.” |
| Chan | “What was that!?” |
| |
| Shin | “Train your brats better. I’ll come to pick up the money tomorrow.” |
| Han | “....” |
| Chan | “Dammit... If I lost to that guy, I have a long way to go before beating Chilong....” |
| Shin | “...Chilong? Are you thinking of fighting Chilong?” |
| Chan | “Do you know Chilong!?” |
| Shin | “Hmph. Chilong is leagues stronger than me. Save that sleeptalk for your sleep.” |
| Chan | “Ah, hey, wait—!” |
| Han | “Are you okay, Chan, Yun?” |
| Chan | “Han-aniki, that guy said he knew Chilong—!” |
| Han | “Of course he does. Chilong is the boss who controls this entire area, after all.” |
| Chan | “Eh!?” |
| Han | “I ended up here chasing after him too. His territory was small at first, but now he’s expanding his reign in many directions.” |
| Yun | “Chilong is the boss....” |
| Chan | “So that means if we defeat that guy who just came in, we can get to Chilong, right?” |
| Han | “Are you guys... serious?” |
| Chan | “Of course! I’ll avenge you, Han-aniki!” |
| Han | “You’re right... If you guys go as you are now, then maybe....” |
| “Chan. Yun. Let me give you a word of advice. Work with each other. Then you have a chance at victory.” |
| Chan | “Eeh~!? With Yun!?” |
| Yun | “I absolutely refuse.” |
| Chan | “Same here! I’m gonna defeat Chilong before Yun does!” |
| Yun | “That’s my line.” |
| Han | “Sigh. So this is how it goes after all....” |
| |
| Izumi | (The next day, Shin and the thugs visit again and leave Han’s shop in ruins....) |
| Han | “Kuh....” |
| Shin | “You should’ve just handed us the money.” |
| Thug | “You put us through all this extra trouble.” |
| Chan | “Ah~!! What are you guys doing!?” |
| Yun | “This is awful....” |
| Chan | “I won’t forgive you for ruining Han-aniki’s shop!!” |
| Yun | “What are you gonna do if we can’t eat lamian anymore!” |
| Shin | “We’re busy doing our job. You brats should enjoy your little brothers’ quarrel.” |
| Chan | “Shut up! Don’t make fun of us!” |
| Yun | “Don’t get in my way this time, Chan.” |
| Chan | “That’s my line!” |
| Izumi | (Taichi-kun and Azami-kun have been doing action scene after action scene, but they’re not getting tired at all; in fact, they’re getting sharper and sharper.) |
| (They’re perfectly in sync, and Banri-kun is speeding up his movements as Shin in response. This is really good!) |
| |
| Shin | “Tch... I messed up.” |
| Chan | “Pant, pant... Look at that! I won!” |
| Yun | “Hmph.” |
| Thug | “D-dammit, let’s go!” |
| Chan | “Wait! Take us to Chilong!” |
| Thug | “Aah? Why the hell should we take you to—no, this is perfect. I’ll take you there, just as you wish.” |
| Han | “Chan, Yun, are you serious about this?” |
| Chan | “Wait for us, Han-aniki! We’ll avenge you for sure!” |
