Kanji Tatsumi

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...
> You came here at Kanji's request...

Man, I'm starving for some Chinese!
But if I eat and then go home, I can't
finish Mom's food... She serves so much,
you'd think I have five brothers.
She's tryin' to make my stomach burst.

Aren't you Kanji Tatsumi?
What are you doing here?

Can't you tell?
Hey, you're a cop. What do you mean,
what am I doing?

Just what I said. There's been quite
a commotion around here lately.

Well maybe if you did your job,
things'd get quieter, huh?

Y-You need to fix that attitude...
...Oh well. Just don't pull anything, got it?

I didn't...

*sigh* I'm gonna eat somewhere else.

Asshole...
The cops're always like that. Soon as they
spot me it's, "Whaddaya doin'?" "You look
suspicious," and alla that bullshit...
Meh, I'm used to it...
......

Sorry for gettin' you mixed up in this,
Senpai...
I really am just a troublemaker.
For you... and for Mom.
She's always apologizing for me.
She's been sprouting more and more
white hairs...

I-I know, but... It's just kinda
awkward...

> Kanji looks troubled...

Y-Yeah, huh?

> Kanji is nodding earnestly...

But...
Wouldn't a parent be happier if her kid
didn't cause trouble...?

> Kanji is mumbling...

Filial piety, right? I don't really know
what to do...
...Or so I thought.

I'm gonna use this power I got
to make this town peaceful!
I've been causing nothing but trouble,
but now I can finally return the favor!
So let's get to it, Senpai!

> You can feel Kanji's enthusiasm...
> You feel you understand Kanji
even more...

...Hey Chief, the food ready yet?

Huh? You ordered something, Kan-chan?

I told you not to call me Kan-chan!
And I did order: liver-leek stir fry
and pot stickers!
Tch! I'm gonna tear your store apart
so fast you won't have time to file
for insurance!

Oh, uh, well...

I'm gonna tear it apart and rebuild it
twice as good! I-I'm gonna RENOVATE
your ass!

...Sounds good to me.

> You went home after eating at Aiya.

Filial piety, right? I don't really know
what to do...
I thought solvin' the case would make things
better, but it ain't enough...

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad the
killer's behind bars.
I hope I've been able to repay this town
what I owe a little with that.

> Kanji laughs with embarrassment...
> You feel you understand Kanji
even more...

> Central shopping district...
> You came to Tatsumi Textiles...

Gotta warn you--there's nothin' fun here.

Hey Ma, I'm home...
......?

She ain't here. What's she doin'
leaving the store open...?

Kan-chan! There you are!

Your mother's in the hospital!!

The hospital...?
......

Y-Yessir!

Huh...?
Oh, y-yeah... I need to go... and see...

I only heard from a customer, but she's at
Inaba Municipal Hospital!
Hurry, go!

Y-Yessir!

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Inaba Municipal Hospital...

Ma!!
You all right!? You were taken to the
hospital!? Someone do this to you...!?

Goodness, but you look pale.

Never mind me!! What about you...!?
...Huh?
You're okay?

I wasn't taken to the hospital.
I took someone.

Huh...?

The poor thing got hit by a bicycle
right in front of our shop.
He hit his head, so I had a doctor
examine him.

He said there's no damage,
thank goodness.

The one who hit him was a boy from your
school. When he saw the poor child fall,
he ran away.
Why don't you find him and give him
a little scolding?

Cut the crap!!

You've got no idea how I felt!

Haha, I'm fine.
Your mother isn't kicking the bucket
that easily. It's not like you to get
so worried over such a little thing.

Shut up, you old cow!!

......
Sorry. Looks like it was no big deal...

Well, yeah, but...

> Kanji still looks embarrassed...

Y-Yeah? If it's not just me, then...
I guess it's okay.

> Kanji still looks embarrassed...

Haha... Yeah, no kidding.

> Kanji still looks embarrassed...

I thought I faced alla my bad parts
back there...
But not everything can change just
like that, huh...?

Oh, uh... Sorry for draggin' you around.
If I'd been by myself, I mighta been
even more scared... Hah.
Hope I can repay the favor.

> It seems you were able to
support Kanji...
> You sense his trust in you...

...I'm goin' home.

That boy...
We were both going home... He didn't
have to run away like that.

Oh... You're -kun?
You came to our store with
Yuki-chan, right?
I've been hearing a lot about you
from Kanji.
"Senpai this" and "Senpai that"...
He must really like you.
I'm sorry to have made you both come
all the way here. He hates hospitals,
you see...

His father... my husband died here.
Kanji happened to be somewhere else
when he collapsed...
So I think he was scared today.
Haha, but it's good to see you.
He's always had trouble getting along
with people. He didn't have any friends
like you before.

Oh, he told you?

No... He was so cute when he was young.
When was it that he began to wear scary
clothes like that...?

That's part of it. He's become clumsy,
inarticulate... and cowardly.

He would always rather play house
instead of catch, or go to home ec
instead of P.E.
So he never had any male friends, but the
girls didn't accept him either.
After a while, he started getting into fights
every day and bleaching his hair...

I was worried about him... But lately,
he seems to be having fun.
Please take care of him.

> You feel you understand Kanji
a bit more...
> You parted with Kanji's mother and
went home.

> The hill overlooking town...
> Kanji took you here...

I've always liked this place.
Being able to see my house and school
and everything from up here...
It makes me feel small.
......

Uhh... When you met Ma at the hospital...
She say anything about me?

That's what I thought...
Well, you already know everything
about me. I got nothin' to hide.

> Kanji has an embarrassed smile on
his face.

...You don't gotta lie to me.

> Kanji is sighing...

Huh--Wha--That ain't nice!

> Kanji is sighing...

Wish I could quit being afraid of hospitals.
I gotta get stronger...

Huh?
That kid... He was with Ma at the
hospital...

Yo kid, what're you doin' here
by yourself?

Uh... Ummm...
Nothing...

Then how come you look like you're
gonna cry?

I... lost a doll...
I lost the knit rabbit doll that
Sana-chan let me borrow...
Taka-kun said it was girly and
stomped on it...
It got all dirty... And he said,
"If you're a man, then throw it away..."
I... threw the doll in the river...
And it got washed away...

Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
*hic* What should I do!? I hafta
give it back to Sana-chan...
She liked that bunny... And I... I...

......
So why are you here? You ran away?

*sniff* *hic*

...Ya dumb kid!

Waaaaaaaaaaah!!

C'mon! Don't just stand there!!

Oh, uhh... I'm gonna go now.

You got it all wrong! I'll kick your ass!
I'm gonna go look for the doll.
There are spots a kid can't reach.
We might still find it, right?

> Kanji is smiling...

Huh? Really!?

> Kanji's eyes are wide open...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Samegawa riverbank...

I-I'll help...

You shut up. Stay where you are so
you don't get in the way!
Senpai, make sure he doesn't come in
after me!
Whoa, this is cold.

> ......
> Despite his efforts, Kanji was unable to
find the bunny doll...

I-I'm sorry...
I'm going to apologize to Sana-chan.
Even if she's mad, I'll say I'm sorry...

Uh, yeah, well, if you do find the rabbit,
make sure you give it to her...

Yo, hold up.
What kind of rabbit was it? Spill it.

Just tell me!

Alright, I got it.
You apologize to this "Sana-chan."
You're the one who "threw it away."

It might not be the same, but I'll get you
a new one...
So let it go with that.

M-Mister...

Who you callin' mister!?

Geez... I'm still in high school.
This's the prime of my youth!
...Do I really look that old? Maybe it's
the eyebrows...
......
Oh... Anyways, sorry 'bout dragging you
into this...

Looks like it got washed away...

> Kanji looks bitter...

The hell's with that attitude!? I was
working my ass off out there!

> Kanji is fretting...

...So you heard me, huh?

> Kanji seems really embarrassed...

It was like I understood how he felt.
Wanting to be accepted, afraid of
being left out, doing stuff that you
shouldn't...
Then taking the one person you shouldn't
make cry and making 'em bawl...
So... Y'know, I thought maybe I could
help him.
Was I going too easy on him?

> Kanji has an embarrassed smile on
his face...
> You feel you understand Kanji
a bit more...

Ah... hmmm?
Guh, I feel like sneezing but it won't
come out. This sucks...
It looks like I'm catching a cold...
I better head home.

> You parted with Kanji and went home.

> Kanji is looking in the river...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> The hill overlooking town...

> It seems Kanji called the boy here...
Here's the stuff I promised ya.
N-No complaining, okay...?

> Kanji handed the boy what appears to be
a bunny doll...
> ...It's complete with clothes, a ribbon,
a hat and an umbrella.
> It's... very elaborate.

Whoa!!
This is incredible! Where'd you buy it!?

Huh...? Wh-Who cares!?

But I want one too!

Oh... Well, I got one for you.

> Kanji handed the boy another bunny...
> ...It's complete with clothes, shoes,
a cap and a soccer ball.
> It's... very elaborate.

For me!? Thanks!!
But where'd you buy it...?

Er...

Er...
......
I-I made it...

Gaaaaaaah!
What're you tellin' him for!?

You... made this?

Y-Y'got a problem with that...?
If ya think it's so creepy, then give it--

Wow! You're so cool!!

Hey, can you make me something else!?
Mom loves this kind of stuff!

Huh? S-Sure...

You promised!
I'm gonna go give this to Sana-chan!
Thanks, Mister!!

I'm not that old, dammit...
......
Hah, he said I'm cool...

Yeah, but it's not like sewing's good
for anything...

> Kanji seems embarrassed...

Hah, well, what does he know? He's just
a kid...

> Despite his words, Kanji looks happy...

But y'know... It ain't a bad feeling.
"Thanks," huh...?
Ahhh, it was nothing.

> Kanji, with his embarrassed smile,
looks more mature than usual...
> You feel your relationship with Kanji
has grown yet deeper...

...This is a great place, huh?
The wind is different up here...
Never noticed before.

> You talked with Kanji for a while
and started back home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Samegawa riverbank...

I can't get this place outta my head.
I keep wonderin' if that rabbit the kid tossed
out mighta washed ashore around here...
If he finds it now, he'll just feel bad.

...Not that I'm wading in today or anything.

Hey, Mister!!

There you are!
Sana-chan was really happy!! I've been
looking for you ever since!

Look, kid, quit callin'...
Ah, forget it.

Can you make some more, Mister?
My mom really wants one!
Sana-chan's mom does too!
They said they'll pay you!

Pay me!?
I don't need that... I-It ain't like
I'm a pro at this.

My mom wants a cat, and Sana-chan's mom
wants a dog.
And my teacher wants a pink alligator.

A pink alligator? Ohh, like the one in that
storybook, huh...?
F-Fine, then... I'll get around to it sometime.

Yay! Thank you! Remember, you promised!

Strange situation I got myself into, ain't it?

Good...? I don't really know.

> Kanji is tilting his head...

Hmmmm... I don't really know.

> Kanji is tilting his head...

Hahah... Now ain't the time to be
getting into knitting, huh?

> Kanji is smiling wryly...

When I was in elementary school, I fixed
a classmate's bag this one time.
Thinking back... I guess I liked her.
I only did it to make her happy, but...
The next day, all the girls were makin'
fun of her.

...She cried.
I didn't understand why, but y'know...
I thought I'd done something wrong.
So I never thought... I'd be thanked for
doing this stuff.

Haha, it feels good.
Hearin' "thank you"... I like it!

> Kanji is laughing sheepishly...
> You feel you understand Kanji
even better...

Oh... Well, I gotta jet.

I have to go to Okina Station.
To the, uh... f-fabric shop. I'm outta
material, so...
L-Later!

> You watched Kanji go and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Samegawa flood plain...
> It seems Kanji called the boy here...

Here.

> Kanji placed a bunch of knit dolls
on the table...
> Each one with different clothing and
accessories...
> They're... very elaborate.

I can have these!?

Y-Yeah. If you don't need 'em, I guess
you could just toss...

Thank you!!

Oh, yeah! Mom said...
You should at least be paid for the
materials... She gave me some money.

I-I said I don't need it!
I look like I'm in this for the money to you!?

Mister, you're from Tatsumi Textiles,
right?

Oh, uh, nothing!

Huh? Big bro?

Ooh, dolls! These are so cute!!
What are these!?

Uh, well...

This man made them!

That's amazing! You're really good!

She looked straight at me when he
said "this man"...
H-Hey, Nanako-chan...
Don't go around telling everyone, okay?
It's kinda embarrassing...

Why? I think it's cool you can make
things like this.
I want to learn how to make them, too.

Oh... Well, maybe next time...

That okay with you, "big bro"?

Huh...?
Th-That ain't what I meant! I'll kick
your ass six ways to Sunday!
Th-Though... I do kinda think of you as
a big brother...
Wait, it's not like that either!!
That joke's been used to death!
What the hell're you making me say,
dammit!?

> Kanji is panicking...

For... For reals...?
Er, I-I ain't that good at teaching...

> Kanji is panicking...

M-Me? Teach you...?
Er, I-I ain't that good at teaching...

> Kanji's face is thoroughly red...

Oh, I was on my way to Emi-chan's house!
Teach me next time! Bye!

I'm going to show these to Mom!
Thank you, Mister!!

...I think I kinda understand now.
A little, anyway.
About what "strength" really means.
I used to think it was doing what needed
to be done, like a man...
So I thought, for me, that was catching
this damn killer. And I mean, that's
important too, but...
There's something else I gotta confront
too, ain't there?

My weak heart...
When I met that "other me" in the
TV world... I really hated knowing
it was me...
I thought I should change, but now...
I feel like I haven't changed a bit...
So I started to panic...

My past...
Yeah. I still ain't snapped out of it.
The stuff that "other me" said inside
the TV world... That girl I made cry
a long time ago...
I haven't gotten past any of it...

That's 'cause you're already strong inside...
...But I ain't.
When I met that "other me" in the
TV world... I really hated knowing
it was me...
I thought I should change, but now...
I feel like I haven't changed a bit...
So I started to panic...

> Kanji is muttering to himself...

It ain't that easy to become strong, is it...?

> Kanji is looking far into the distance
with a relieved look on his face...
> His face shines with a gentleness
you've never seen before from him...

I'm takin' off.
Mom saw the stuff I made...
She's been hassling me about selling 'em
at the shop.
The hell's a textile shop gonna do
with stuff that's already been knit?

> Despite his words, Kanji seems
happily embarrassed...

> You parted with Kanji and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

...I think I kinda understand now.
A little, anyway.
About what "strength" really means.
I used to think it was doing what needed
to be done, like a man...
That's what I thought while we were chasing
the culprit, too. I thought catching the
damn killer was what needed to be done.
There's something else I gotta confront
too, ain't there?

Chie-senpai says the steak bowl here
is great.
And hey, she's the expert.

You're Kanji Tatsumi, right? I'd like to have
a word with you.

Huh? Yeah, well I wouldn't.

...Come with me.

Senpai...

> Kanji looks happy...

S-Smooth, Senpai...

> Kanji looks happy...

Ah... You're the kid that Tatsumi's
been hanging out with lately. I see.
So you're in cahoots...

So what if we hang out? What's it to you?

...You know there's been a group of
teenage bullies lurking around here,
don't you?
We got a tip saying you've been threatening
a child at the hill and the flood plain.

Threatening? Child...?
Oh, him.

Hmph, so you admit it. Not a shred of
remorse, either.

Oh? So tell me... What was he doing?

Er, that's...

> Kanji is hesitant to say...

S-Senpai!!

> It seems Kanji doesn't want you to tell...

You two are going to have to come with us
down to the station.

Now wait a sec! Senpai has nothin' to do
with this!

Oh, Mister. What are you doing?

You know these boys, kid?
Can you tell me how you know them?
I don't think they're being straight with me.

The hell are you telling that kid!?
You call yourself a cop!?

Did this boy ask you for anything?
For instance, did he claim he lost
his money?

You lost your money, Mister?
You can have some of mine!

Just as I thought...

That ain't...

Oh, but I came today to give you the
cookies Mom baked as thanks.
I was going to sneak in and leave them at
Tatsumi Textiles, but here you are.

"Thanks"...? Thanks for what?

He made me a bunch of dolls,
like a bunny and cat.
He's real good!

Dolls!? And you're saying Tatsumi
made them?

What a load of... There's no way you're
getting me to believe that.

Senpai...
I get it now. What I need to do...

> Kanji nodded firmly.

It's cool, Senpai. This is my problem...

> Kanji has a determined look on
his face...

Yeah, Senpai. I got it!

> Kanji nodded firmly.

Awright, listen up, punks...
There ain't any lying about it.
I made the kid some dolls. What with
the ones for his friends and his mom,
it was eight all told!
And lemme warn you... They're so cute,
they'll give you diabetes--the instantly
fatal kind!
So what, you want me to teach you how
to make 'em!? Huh!?

What...?

You 'bout to say that ain't like me, right?
Go ahead and laugh, dammit!
Like I care. I'm used to being pointed at.
And what's most important is, I ain't gonna
make this kid or Senpai a liar!

Hey you! That button's falling off!
I'm gonna sew it back on, y'hear!?

Officer...? What are you doing with
my Kanji?

Oh--Well, Ma'am, there've been several
cases of bullying around here, so...

Kanji had nothing to do with them.

Mom...

He would never do such a thing.
He may be stupid and short-tempered,
but he's a strong and gentle child.
Why, just the other day, he showed me
his dolls, and he told me I can put them
up for sale...

Y-You old bag! What're you saying!?

W-We apologize. If you'll... excuse us...

M-Mom... You'd believe me over the
police...?

You would never do such a thing.
A mother knows.
I need to prepare dinner now...
Don't go stuffing yourself at Aiya
before coming home.

I...

Mister... Are you crying?

N-N-No! I ain't crying!
This is... snot! I got a cold!
You wanna catch it!? Huh!?

> It seems Kanji has grown a bit...
> You feel your relationship with Kanji
has grown yet deeper...

Senpai... I-I... think I'm gettin' a sore throat
with my cold...
Dammit... M-My nose won't stop runnin'...!

> You waited for Kanji to calm down,
then went home.

> The hill overlooking town...
> Kanji brought you here, saying he wanted
to talk someplace quiet...

The other day... I went to visit Dad's grave.
It's the first time I went on my own...
Well, I had a lot to tell him.

About you, about everyone...
And... that I found my own answer to
what he said.

> Kanji is smiling gently.

Up to now, I never could look Dad
square in the eye... Eh, you know
what I mean.
While he was living... After he died...
I feel like I was runnin' away the whole time.

> Kanji is smiling sadly...

H-How was it...? Well... uhh...
I felt like I could finally face him.
...A little late, though.

> Kanji is smiling sadly...

Dad told me somethin' right before he
died: "If you're a man, you have to
become strong."
I felt like he was telling me I wasn't
a real man. Pissed me off.

So, I changed my looks and pushed myself
away from people...
Fighting gangs, thinking I was protecting
Mom... Tryin' to catch this killer...

I thought alla that was how I was
becoming strong.
That I was really making up for all
the trouble I caused...
I was drunk off my "power"...

But... That wasn't it. That ain't what
Dad meant...

I still don't really get what bein' "strong"
means, but I'm gonna start by not lying
to myself.
No more being scared of everyone,
hiding my hobbies, staying away
from people...
Anytime, anyplace, I'm gonna bust
right through as my own self!
That's the way to deal with that "other me"
in the TV world.
As long as there's someone like that
snot-nosed kid to accept me, I ain't
afraid of nothing!

Sir! It's all thanks to you!

> Kanji is smiling gently...

I should, huh? The more people who
understand me, the better.

> Kanji is smiling sheepishly...

Huh? You even listening to me?

> Kanji is depressed...

That means I'm gonna stop pretending
I don't like what I like. No more
twistin' myself up in knots.
How'd you say it... Live how I wanna?
It sounds kinda selfish... But that's
what I'm gonna do!

> You felt Kanji's firm resolve...
> You feel your relationship with Kanji
has grown yet deeper...

Oh yeah. We're gonna put those dolls
of mine up for sale at the shop.
They were a big hit with that kid and
his mom...
They called me just to say "thank you"...
Heheh, I got a kick outta that.
Oh, I gotta go buy supplies... I need to jet.

> You parted with Kanji and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

So, I changed my looks and pushed myself
away from people...
Fighting gangs, thinking I was keeping
Mom safe, and even tryin' to catch the
killer... I was just bein' stubborn...

> Your room...
> You brought Kanji here at his insistence...

Sorry for bargin' in like this...
I thought it'd be a good place...

Oh, first though...
There's one more thing I figured out.

Rise stopped by our store the other day...
She said the dolls were cute, so I told her
I made 'em.

Then she said that was creepy...
It kinda stung, but I kept on showing her
the other stuff I made...
And in the end, she said, "Maybe you're
an amazing guy after all."
It pissed me off the way she said it,
but that aside...

I get it now... This is what he was
talking about...

I've just been throwin' in the towel
all this time.
Of course no one could understand me...
I been keepin' my distance outta fear.

So I decided that I'd do things my way,
no matter how tough, but...
It ain't just about hanging out with guys
who understand you and telling the rest
to get bent...
You gotta make an effort if you want
people to understand you. I wasn't
even trying.

Not just about my hobby. But like,
when the police suspected me...
It didn't even cross my mind to try
to tell 'em my story. I let 'em think
whatever they want.
And because of that, you, Ma, and that kid
all got dragged into it.

I didn't put in the slightest effort to
try and make 'em understand...
It's easier for me to act tough...

> Kanji is smiling wryly...

So from now on I got two rules:
Rule one! Be myself. Rule two!
Get people to understand me.

I want you to have this, Senpai.

> You obtained .

This thing's me being me.
Now I can say it straight out...
That "other me" is me.

> Kanji's strong will that allowed him
to accept and overcome his weakness has
awakened his heart's true power...

This... For reals...!?
I get it... So I've become a little
"stronger," huh...?
You're my hero, dude... And my best bud!

> You can sense Kanji's straightforward
feelings...
> You feel a tight bond between you
and Kanji...

So, as far as gettin' other people to
understand me...
Today I'm holding the "Oven Mitt
Puppets 101" class, right here!

Don't worry, even you can do it!
It'll be reeeal cute!
Believe me!

> You spent more time than you planned
with Kanji...
> ......
> It has gotten dark, so you said goodbye
to Kanji...

> Kanji's Persona has been reborn...!
> Take-Mikazuchi has transfigured into
Rokuten Maoh!

Oh, hello -kun.
I heard you're leaving tomorrow.
You know, Kanji's been acting all sad
and lonely lately.

Sh-Shut up, you old bat!!

I told you not to speak to me that way!
Anyway, have you told him about the
handicraft class?

Thank you for being such a role model
for my son, -kun.
Come visit here sometime, all right?
Goodbye now.

Y-You didn't hear what she said,
did you...?

Ugh...

Ugh...
Th-That too, but...
I meant about the handicraft class.

See, a buncha customers liked those
knitted dolls we sold, and they asked me
how to make 'em...
S-So... I-I'm gonna hold classes on
how to do it...
......
L-Laugh it up, why don't you!?

Ugh... I didn't expect you to laugh
for real...

...Senpai.

Ugh... That hurt, Senpai...

It was my decision, though.
If people wanna learn, and if I can
teach 'em... Hell, why not, you know?
I-I'm still kinda embarrassed, though...

But, uhh...
It kinda feels good to do something for
other people...
...Heh.

It's only 'cause of you that I could
face up to who I am, Senpai.
...Thank you very much!!

> Kanji has a refreshing smile on his face...
> You feel a solid bond between you
and Kanji...

Are you gonna say goodbye to the
others later?
...Well, it ain't like this is the last time
we'll see each other.
Our friendship ain't just on the surface...
Funny how we got the murder case to
thank for that.
...We put an end to that stuff, right?
Adachi's in the slammer, and the fog is
all cleared up...
...It's all thanks to you, Senpai.
......
Yo Senpai... When you go, don't turn back
around, okay?
......
See ya.