Horii Kisuke "Climb on the Pedals" 98 Thanks. Come again. (fwsh) Not too friendly are ya, Ichi-san. 99 My gramps never taught me how to smile. (Only how to make takoyaki) No no... c'mon now. (That's not how it works) Just pull your mouth up, like this. (Basics of customer service) Oh yeah. We had an order for you. (From Gramps) (flip) (Ack!) Ignoring me!? Counting on you, Mikawaya Mart. (plop) It's "Nishino Liquor Store". (Thanks) I've known Ichi-san, who's clearly unsuited to customer service work, (I'll have a takoyaki) (Comin' right up.) (No, ya gotta say it with some PUNCH!) for about a week now. 100 Climb on the Pedals Horii Kisuke 101 One week previous... Welcome! Nishino Liquor Store. (clack) (rattle) Right this way. Oh yeah, I heard Gen-san strained his back, right? Said he would send his grandkid over... Hi. I'm the grandkid. Kobayashi Ichi. 102 (Gasp!) Oh! Y-Yeah! Hi! It's very nice to meet you! I'm Ren, the daughter here at the liquor shop. (flail flail) Thank you. How polite. (bow) While her grandfather, Gen-san, is recuperating, (Gramps, are you OK?) (Durn thing is killin' me...) (throb throb) Ichi-san came on her summer break to help out with the shop. (sshhhhhh) She's 16, same as me, but she's so responsible. She thinks about her family. And she can run the shop all on her own. But... she doesn't know how to smile. She's too serious. (The customers are the only ones smiling) 103 I really enjoyed talking to her anyway. I went to see her every day. Look! Ain't they cute? They did a Pengarade* at Mount Tenpo last winter break. *Penguin Parade Wow. They are cute. (Ooh...) 104 I never have been to that aquarium.* [Note above panel:]*Osaka Aquarium, known as the "Kaiyukan", one of the largest in the world. Really!? Not even on a school trip!? (Like in elementary school...) Didn't go to school here. And nowadays I spend all my free time on club stuff. Oh, but I've heard about that huge Ferris Wheel nearby. Ever been on it? (siiip) Uh... Yep, true. That does exist. Oh, hey! Next time, let's go see the penguins there! It's only half an hour to Mount Tenpo! While you're here for summer break... 105 Hey, can I get a takoyaki? Oh... right away. Wait... why am I getting all frantic? (That'll be 500 yen) (Thanks) Maybe I'm just annoying her. No way she'd want to go, right? This Tuesday... The shop'll be closed. How about then? 106 Great!! We just arranged a meet-up. That's all. So why I am so happy? Why is my heart racing like this? Oh. [sign:] Nishino Liquor This reminds me of something. 107 That field trip in elementary school. (wheeze) I'm sorry, Ichi-san. It was all my idea, too. (wheeze) (wheeze) Guess I never graduated elementary! Not your fault. Just use today to rest up. I'm really sorry... Take care of yourself, Ren. 108 Tomorrow... if my fever goes down... I'll go apologize. I wonder what she's doing now. Getting ready for tomorrow? I... (pant pant) don't get to see her today. I... really really want to. 109 [sign:] Closed Today I cleaned the shop, Gramps. All done. Ohh, thanks a lot. I thought you might take a rest today. Well... It's the last time, so... (flash flash) 110 Huh? (Text message?) How long did I sleep? Oh, (beep beep) there's a voice message. (click) ........Oh. Um. It's Ichi. Ichi-san!? (jump) Never have left a voice message before... (Mutter...) She's doing some kinda soliloquy! (Oh,) I hoped to tell you in person, but, Gramps' back is all healed now. 111 So, I'll be leaving town. What? Hold on a... It was a short time together, but thanks for every- (click) Why? (clench) So casual about it... She didn't even finish before she hung up... Well, that's in character for her... But is she just gonna go off and forget about me? No, please... Anything but that... 112 Not happening!! (wheeze) Th... thank heavens... I made it... Ichi-san... Little late, but... Wanna go see the penguins right now!? Huh? But your fever... I slept it off!! There's a cold compress on your forehead... 113 This is our only chance! Come on! 114 (whrrrr) I'm surprised at myself. At how desperate I get... when it comes to Ichi-san. You OK? Switch places? Nah, I got this! Since I know the way! (squeeze) My heart's been pounding the whole time. (pant pant) And it's not because of the fever. 115 It's because... I'm in love with Ichi-san... (crackle) HEYYYYY!!! (JOLT) You two on the bike! Geh! (The cops!?) Pull over! Ren!! Owh... What!? [something unreadable in the corner...] 116 Let's lose 'em. ... (slam) Hold on tight!! (zooooom) Wh- Hey! You can't sit two per bike!! We're sorryyyy!!! 117 (S-) Sorry... and sorry... and sorry again... Ichi-san... (wheeze wheeze) (sign:) Closed No Entry Never thought they'd stop lettin' people in an hour before closing time... (wheeze wheeze) I'm such a dummy. (My cold compress fell off somewhere too..) (wheeze) Here. Th... Thanks. (Yoops) It's a shame about the penguins, but... This was... (Heh) fun in its own way, wasn't it? 118 (ba-dump) Ooh! Ya really think so? I haven't had many chances to go out anywhere with someone like this. It was fun getting chased by that patrol car. (And we shook 'em...) (shake shake) No no, once was already too much for that. (We're not doing it again) Next time I'm here we'll have to come earlier. Will you... invite me again? 119 ...Of course! I want to talk more with her. I want to know more about her. I want to see her smile again. Oh, yeah. Since we came all this way, how 'bout a ride on /that/? Bweh!? 120 (Hoo...) I knew it's the biggest in the world, but... seeing it up close is somethin' else. No! No! No! No! Absolutely not! Huh? I'm not good with heights! I'm sorry! Oh! There's no need to worry about that. Huh? I'm /also/ not good with heights. (They're crazy scary) (whump) (jab) How does that help me at all!? If I'm with you... I know it'll be fun. 121 Yeah. I feel the same way about you. And there are so many other things I still need to tell you.