Fire up, Mantou Fist!/Episode 9

Fire up, Mantou Fist!
Episode 9

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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. 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!”
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