"So this one's 1450 yen, condition 'D'  and 'A'..." "This has got to be wrong." "This one's shabby." "Yeah." "We should tell them." "Excuse me?" "Excuse me?" "Sorry." "These Ramones albums?" "This one's 3800 yen and this one's 1450." "How come?" "This one's in bad shape." "Yeah." "The Ramones..." "Is it some kinda mistake?" "Ah, this?" "This one's a color vinyl." "Oops, it doesn't say so." "Sorry." "So it's a D, but it's more expensive 'cause it's got color?" "That's right." "But it's not like, rare?" "No, it's not." "But it is a col or vinyl." "Yes?" "So what?" "Then get the regular rated A. It's good for value." "Regular, huh..." "Okay, we'll take the color, but can you replace the cover?" "Yes." "I mean, no." "You just said yes." "It's our motto to..." "to maintain balance." "Yin and Yang." "Yin and Yang." "Exactly." "All right, we'll take the color vinyl..." "But we're short of cash..." "We're short of cash." "Can you keep it for us?" "Only for 1 week." "No problem..." "Okay..." "Bye!" "Bye!" "Tsutomu, You should at least know the Ramones." "Sorry, rock's not my thing..." "You know Oasis?" "Like hell I do!" "Oasis..." "Oasis..." "What's up with you today?" "Got lucky?" "Yes, sir!" "Great!" "You know what, I'll let you leave early then." "I'm excited too." "We're going camping tomorrow." "Can't wait..." "It's not a new car..." "Tsutomu?" "I did it!" "I did it!" "My Mizuno!" "What happened?" "This kid tried to blind me." "Wow..." "I did it!" "I did it!" "My sweet Mizuno!" "I'm home!" "It's hot in here." "Yes!" "Ooh, yes!" "Mizuno..." "Mizuno..." "We talked." "T-A-L-K-E-D." "T-A-L-K..." "Talked!" "Bliss!" "Who is it?" "Will you keep it down?" "I'm sorry." "It's always too loud, your TV." "I'm really sorry." "It's my ear..." "But we're talking normally, aren't we?" "Yes, but I've got hearing problems" "I'm sorry!" "Off!" "Off!" "Off!" "'pay phone'" "Hello?" "What's up?" "Shiba?" "I'm at Horagai having a drink." "Wanna come?" "Now?" "I've got to work on my piece..." "Mizuno's here, so I thought I'd better give you a call." "Well, it's a pity." "Mizuno's there?" "Wanna talk?" "Oh, no!" "I'll be there." "In ten." "That fast?" "Okay, we'll be waiting." "Oh, and when you come, bring some cash." "Again?" "How much?" "20,000 yen." "We need the dough." "Remember, Mizuno's here." "Okay, I'll bring the money." "Thank you, thank you." "Not again..." "That's it." "What's wrong?" "The blade's no good." "Try sharpening it." "Nah, it's a goner." "Let's go to the store." "Try sharpening it." "You've skipped class." "You're free, right?" "You got money?" "Give me back my 10,000." "What are you talking about?" "I never borrowed any money." "I lent you my 'Hustler', remember?" "Hustler?" "Oh, 'Hustler'..." "And?" "Well... it was okay." "I'm so glad." "Why?" "It cost 20,000 yen." "Minus the 10,000 I owe you and you still owe me 10,000." "You found it at the Base." "10,000 yen." "S-seriously?" "S-seriously." "Tsutomu?" "Tsutomu?" "Kaori." "Are you off for the day?" "No, but I'm going back once." "My carpet arrived." "Huh?" "I'm going home once." "Oh..." "I guess it's nice." "To be living nearby." "So, what's up with the Fishing Club?" "Don't know." "You better ask Masuyama." "Oh, him?" "Yup." "Do you know the secret of plaster figures?" "The secret?" "I realized when I was working on my sketches." "You know how they're well-defined?" "Guess it's natural since they're Westerners, but that means they've got strong contrasts." "Didn't it feel good working on them?" "I was never good at faces," "But I did like drawing the shades in the foreheads." "Yeah?" "Well, stronger contrasts mean stronger blacks and whites." "And that's when I realized why Western people are more definitive and better at saying yes or no." "I sort of get it, I guess." "But you've got a high-bridged nose." "Like a Western person." "Thanks..." "Gabacho!" "What's that?" "You don't know?" "No." "Gabacho!" "..." "No?" "I'm not into cartoons..." "Oh..." "By the way, Mizuno was saying..." "Mizuno?" "That you paired up for PE." "We sure did." "For a tennis match, mixed doubles." "A dream come true... 3-0." "Sorry!" "Try to keep your elbow straight." "Got it." "Straight knees..." "Game." "That's it for today." "Not easy..." "With practice, you'll get better." "Yes, Mizuno." "Mizuno..." "Mizuno..." "Mizuno..." "Tsutomu?" "Yes?" "I'll be late for class..." "Sorry." "See you later." "Yeah." "Straight knees..." "Straight knees..." "Straight knees..." "Straight knees..." "Straight knees..." "Straight knees..." "Mizuno..." "Hello?" "Are you on Earth time?" "Shiba!" "Sorry, I'm on my way." "And the 20,000?" "And the 20,000." "20,000... yen, right?" "Is Mizuno still there?" "We're thinking of changing bars, so you'd better come soon." "I'll be there in a flash!" "See you there..." "This is Dad's insurance money." "Keep it for emergency." "Okay, Tsutomu?" "Forgive me, mom." "Shut the fuck up!" "Hi." "Where's Mizuno?" "In the back." "Hi, Tsutomu." "Where is she?" "Where is she?" "Ah, delicious." "Where is Mizuno?" "Where is she?" "Are you listening to me?" "Where is Mizuno?" "You got the 20,000 yen?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "Where's the 20,000?" "Where's Mizuno?" "James..." "What's go ing on, Tsutomu?" "Sorry..." "You're disturbing the others." "Try to keep it down, okay?" "The usual." "Thanks." "Did it again..." "Hey, I'm with Traci Lords now, wanna come?" "Traci who?" "Oops, sorry." "I'm actually at the bowling alley with Mizuno." "Really?" "The Apollo in Kodaira." "Remember Tsutomu, straight elbows." "I'm on my way!" "'Rebel!" "'" "Call me Fukuda!" "No Nukes!" "Hi, Tsutomu." "Are you listening to me?" "!" "Huh?" "Yes, Yes, I am." "Nuclear power plants are no good for Japan, understand?" "Yes." "You do?" "!" "I do, so will you stop pulling my ear?" "!" "What this country and xxx are doing is..." "Let's attend a public hearing" "You're hurting me!" "Hey Shiba?" "Shiba?" "!" "Boom!" "Kaboom!" "BOOM!" "KABOOM!" "BOOM!" "KABOOM!" "Tsutomu." "Hey, Tsutomu." "What?" "Wake up." "See the girls next to you?" "Ask them to join us." "I can't..." "I'll give it all back." "Huh?" "The 20,000." "Do you know how much I love him?" "My baby gecko?" "For starters, ask them if they're models." "No way..." "That'll get you going." "Get me going?" "!" "Can't be that easy." "I can't do it." "Okay..." "I hated myself." "Hi." "Two." "Take a seat." "There you go sweetie." "You're joking!" "Now!" "Two dry martinis." "Ouch!" "Um... hi." "You're kinda cute." "You've got that right, ladies." "At the age of 22, he's still a cherry boy." "No, really?" "!" "Yes, really." "Hey, why don't we move to a larger table, huh?" "Sit down ladies." "He also has this dream." "His dream of dreams of dreams of dreams..." "He has a crush on this girl called Mizuno, who appeared in his dream one day." "She takes her clothes off and says, "I'm yours", but when she spreads her legs..." "What?" "Hey, don't!" "Nothing." "Nothing?" "There was nothing." "A cherry boy's dream!" "because he hasn't seen what it looks like!" "because he doesn't know what to do!" "By the way, I'm a virgin too." "No way!" "A virgin with a tattoo?" "No virgin has tattoos." "Speaking of which..." "What's your name?" "Masami." "I got this tattoo for you, Masami." "Yeah, sure." "What's this ring anyway?" "I should have stayed home and finished homework..." "Oh, I'm sorry!" "Can I get a towel, please?" "Um, I'm fine." "No, it'll leave a stain." "Don't worry, I'll wipe you clean." "I'm really okay..." "Here you go." "Men!" "What's he like?" "What's he like?" "There's not much to say." "Tell me." "Well... he's a bit like Kazuhito..." "Big nose, huh?" "What about his penis?" "Stop it!" "Doncama!" "Doncama... ouch!" "Kill'em." "What?" "Make those fags shut up." "Got a problem?" "What's wrong?" "They're making fun of us." "Don't mind them." "They're everywhere these days." "Huh?" "Did you say you were troubled by the increasing number of gay population, Tsutomu?" "No I didn't..." "Tsutomu?" "You're troubled?" "No, I'm not!" "You did mention it was highly distressing, no?" "I did not!" "You think it's highly distressing, Tsutomu?" "Well, I'm distressed too." "Why me?" "Why me, God?" "It happened a year ago and I've been distressed ever since." "Yasu, are you okay?" "Last month, on my 42nd birthday, I told my family, gathered my stuff and left home." "Good for you." "Now, I seem to be getting breasts." "It's because of the hormone shots." "One of the many side effects caused by reincarnation, right?" "Reincarnation?" "What are you talking about?" "Fuck reincarnation!" "What?" "!" "What's'reincarnation'?" "Oh that?" "It's not a highly popular concept in Japan." "See, the soul..." "My waist is thinner and  my tummy... the fat balance seems to be shifting." "... male, then female, then male... it's repetitive..." "I'm a woman!" "I'm a woman!" "Can't one be a man forever?" "Or a woman?" "I'm a woman!" "No, you're just ugly and old." "Hideki..." "Adieu." "Yasu!" "Wait!" "Let me go." "Hey!" "Good bye!" "Did you say this wasn't a place for fags, Tsutomu?" "Did you say that your ass was much prettier than his face?" "Shiba..." "How dare you!" "I was this close!" "I'm gonna kill you!" "Can I get a refill?" "You wanna make fun of us?" "And more of this?" "We're going to settle this boy!" "Will you guys take it outside?" "My pleasure!" "First up!" "Me next!" "Gabacho!" "Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes!" "He's going to beat us up if we can't jump over the Frog." "I'm doing it!" "You're a second grader." "Use the bridge over there." "Yeah, I'll go with you." "I'm jumping!" "Gabacho!" "Tsutomu, it's your turn!" "Do it, Tsutomu." "C'mon, hurry up!" "Hey you, do you play any sports at all?" "I used to practice kendo in high school." "Perfect." "A kendo duel, it is then." "I'm game!" "How about next Wednesday?" "7 AM at the gym." "Fine!" "A duel!" "A duel." "A duel?" "A duel." "A duel?" "I can't move..." "Yes..." "No..." "Yes..." "No..." "Yes..." "No..." "Yes..." "No..." "Done!" "Let's see!" "Like it?" "Well... this side's a bit longer." "Definitely." "Yes, No, Yes, No..." "Yes, No, Yes, N..." "Okay!" "Feels great, bro!" "It's a duel." "No way..." "I feel totally refreshed!" "Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes  No!" "Hey, by the way..." "Do we have to apologize?" "Sort of." "But I had a "no"..." "If not, prepare for crunchy French toasts." "Ouch..." "Oh, yes..." "I want soft French toast with eggs melting on top." "You got it." "Right then." "Hello?" "Anyone home?" "... yo." "I've gotta take the day off." "I don't want no duel." "I mean, what if I get hurt?" "Wait a sec, I should call Mizuno." "She might even comfort me." "Yeah, this could be my big chance..." "Oh my God..." "Oh my God..." "I should go to work." "And go see her during my break." "Hold your horses!" "Closed July 7 and 8 We're off camping!" "Shiba?" "Hey, Tsutomu." "What's up?" "KENDO FOR BOYS" "What's this?" "20,000 yen will do." "Can't be that much." "Tsutomu, this isn't about money, you know." "Okay..." "I hear you..." "Thanks." "But I don't have that much on me right now." "Not to worry." "Not to worry." "You can pay me anytime." "Oh, and your due I?" "Show'em what you're made of, huh?" "And watch your ass!" "Leave me alone!" "Gotta get this right..." "Hey, how's it going?" "I'm on my break, so I thought I'd pop in..." "Will this do?" "How's the dress?" "I need to think." "After all, this is only my 100th fitting." "Take your time." "Mickey, I don't have all day!" "Then go." "Yeah?" "I'm off, then." "See ya tomorrow at the site!" "I'll be there." "Thank you." "Tsutomu." "Hey..." "We I come." "I'm off today." "Busy?" "So-so." "But I'm on my own since Mizuno's not here." "Oh, she isn't?" "Unfortunately..." "Ah, well..." "It wasn't important anyway." "I've got to fight this gay guy in a duel next week." "A gay guy?" "Yup." "I was having a drink at the bar with Shiba last night." "And this gay couple came in." "One thing led to another," "And well, one of them, Hideki, got really pissed off." "Before I knew it, it turned into this Kendo duel." "What did you do to him?" "Nothing." "It's Shiba's fault." "He's anti-gay." "Makes fun of them." "So you like gays?" "Not in that way." "I mean, some of them can be pretty strange, but it's got nothing to do with their personalities." "They're just around, you know." "Honey, this is your lucky day!" "Ring it up!" "I'm buying it!" "She's the fitting room goddess." "Goddess?" "Thank you." "Ah, I feel relieved." "At last, your first buy." "Now, be nice, darling." "Congratulations!" "What are you talking about?" "Why don't you talk to Mickey about the duel?" "It takes a gay to know a gay, no?" "You two, I do have ears." "Sorry." "Besides, I'm not gay." "I'm simply experimenting with transvestism." "And the way you speak?" "this too." "I'm trying to experience the female psyche." "See, it suddenly hit me a year ago that eventually, the human race will transcend gender." "So I thought I'd check out how it feels to be a woman, since I already know enough about being a man." "How soon is "eventually"?" "How should I know and what's the point of knowing?" "Just go with the flow, honey." "Anyway, what did you want my advice on?" "He has a duel with a gay guy." "With a queer?" "A Kendo match." "Kendo?" "I figured you could give him tips on how to fight a gay..." "But I guess that's not your turf." "Queer, huh..." "Wait, I've got just the queer!" "A gay Kendo expert!" "Wow..." "I'll draw you a map." "MY LIFE AS A WOMAN" "It's nearby?" "Kunitachi." "Oh, that's close." "Okama (= gay) Mechanics?" "You know them?" "The name's so weird, it's difficult to forget." "And it's close to Mizuno's place." "It is?" "Hey, how do you know Mizuno?" "Um, she and I are... are..." "What?" "!" "Friends." "Friends?" "What about you, then?" "She's sort of like my personal stylist." "For fittings?" "Oh, shut up." "But to tell you the truth, I have a crush on Kaori!" "Oh my God, did I just say that!" "?" "Intre!" "Intre!" "Intre!" "Intre!" "Intre!" "I'll show you the way." "I know the area." "Oh, hey!" "Wait a minute!" "Don't worry, I've got the map." "And you need to mind the store." "Mickey, can you look after it for a while?" "Huh?" "Well, yes, but..." "you're going with him?" "Pretty please?" "For me?" "Well..." "As long as you've got the hots for Mizuno." "Sure, okay." "Is you're butt okay?" "Yup." "You two, wait!" "Stop!" "Get off!" "Now!" "Damn it!" "So, what do you think about Mickey's gender theory?" "Huh?" "About us eventually losing our genders?" "Oh that." "Well..." "I think it's easier if men are just men, and women are just women." "Do you know the secret of men and women?" "Another one of your "secret" series!" "Men..." "And women need to work together..." "To create a real beat." "But who knows about the future?" "The future is in our hands." "And that's why we need to be totally focused." "Focused, huh..." "So, Mizuno lives around here?" "Found it!" "Okama Mechanics." "OKAMA MECHANICS" "Right then." "What, you're splitting?" "It's getting pretty late." "I'd better bail Mickey out." "But why a cab...?" "Hello?" "Hello?" "You're..." "Hey, I know you." "My name's Tsutomu Shirai." "I'm Hisatomi Tanaka." "And I'm Asahina Tanaka." "Sorry if we scared you this morning." "Ah, that's okay." "Come on, Hisatomi." "I... was a bit hard on you yesterday." "I'm sort of... sorry." "Oh, no." "I'm sorry for disturbing you." "Sorry." "Now, now, now." "Shake hands and make up." "Shake hands... and make up." "So what brings you here?" "Oh, um... actually..." "Oh, Tsutomu..." "I mean, really..." "We're not queers." "I'm sorry." "We've got company?" "Mr. Okama here owns the shop, hence..." "Okama Mechanics!" "I've heard of a Hokama up in Okinawa." "So what?" "Sorry!" "So, you two really modelled for this book..." "What a coincidence!" "In any case, all you can do is practice till the big day." "Yes, coach!" "1-3-5-7-2-4-6-8... 1-3-5-7-2-4-6-8..." "Never doubt what you're doing." "To the right... right, right..." "Now, step, step, step, step..." "No..." "I don't want no duel..." "No." "No." "No." "No..." "No..." "I don't want no duel..." "I don't want no duel..." "No duel..." "No duel..." "Don't want no duel..." "Don't want no duel..." "No..." "I don't want no duel..." "Shiba'll be pissed if I don't show up..." "Rise and shine!" "Hey, Kaori..." "Where's Mizuno?" "She said she'd come if she could wake up." "Women are off limits." "Oh, come on." "Hideki's a woman according to him." "It's a duel between two men." "Tsutomu..." "Wear this for good luck." "Thanks." "Womanhood" "Those who laugh at queers  shall pay for it by tears." "But I never laughed at you..." "Tsutomu gets a handicap since he's a beginner." "Agreed, Hideki?" "Whatever." "You're filming this?" "Entertainment for the fishing club party." "Huh?" "If Tsutomu gets one point, he wins." "If he gives up, then Hideki wins." "Begin!" "Ouch!" "Ow!" "I give up!" "I give up!" "I give up!" "I give up!" "I give up!" "I give up!" "You don't sound that desperate." "I can't take any more..." "Begin!" "Wait a sec!" "Wait!" "Wait!" "Is that it, Tsutomu?" "I competed through high school." "You don't stand a chance." "The "Never give up" spirit, huh?" "1-3-5-7-2-4-6-8" "What on earth...?" "1-3-5-7..." "Cut it out!" "1-3-5-7-2-4-6-8 1-3-5-7-2-4-6-8" "1-3-5..." "Is that some sort of chant?" "You're freaking me out." "There!" "1-3-5-7..." "What?" "Oh, stop it!" "What is it?" "What is it?" "That was awesome." "The biker brothers told me  that kendo was just like dance." ""Nothingness"" "That is the key." "But to understand that special something  about kendo and dance in just three days..." "Now, that's impossible." "Ow!" "Watch where you're aiming, kid!" "There goes the man in me..." "What a scare!" "Don't you do that again!" "Well, this is a man's duel." "I can't go back there." "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Gone shitting" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "Shiba!" "I give up!" "I'm gonna kill you!" "Jump Tsutomu!" "Come on!" "Come over here!" "Come on over!" "Come on over!" "Hurry up!" "Over here!" "If you're not jumping, I am." "I'm gonna jump!" "I'm gonna jump!" "And I'm gonna make it!" "No matter what!" "Frogs leap!" "Frogs jump!" "Frogs leap!" "Frogs jump!" "Gabacho!" "Cho!" "Cho!" "Cho!" "You almost made it." "Now, you jump, Tsutomu!" "Jump!" "Even he did it!" "Jump Tsutomu!" "Jump Tsutomu!" "Jump Tsutomu." "Mizuno...?" "Jump!" "Be a man and jump over The Frog!" "C'mon jump!" "Don't be afraid!" "Jump as high as possible!" "Now!" "Jump now!" "Jump now!" "Jump over it!" "0uch!" "How dare you?" "!" "Doncamma!" "Gabacho!" "Oh, no... my tooth..." "Excuse me!" "Coming..." "Coming..." "I couldn't move for three whole days." "I wanted to see Mizuno, but I couldn't make it to the campus." "Apparently, Hideki's injured tooth was false." "He left a message at the bar saying  he was sorry for beating me up." "He was a nice guy after all." "Don't you just love it?" "I've got about  20 of them in different colours." "I've got 30." "Oh, that's nice..." "That would be 2,000 yen." "Shiba called me at home." "He's planning to release the duel footage on an indie film label." "And asked me to pay 20,000 yen for it." "I almost told him to get off my back.." "... but agreed heartily when he offered  a picture of Mizuno in her undies." "He's probably lying again." "But I couldn't care less." "Oh, yes!" "You're the man!" "That's it..." "That's good..." "Excuse me..." "Yes?" "I want everything." "Huh?" "Every record in the store." "Every record?" "That too." "That one's already been sold." "Name a price." "But it's reserved." "Till when?" "Um..." "let's see... oh, actually  today." "Till today." "Two guys wearing the same clothes..." "The Reservation Brothers!" "Huh?" "They're famous around here." "Oh..." "They won't come back." "So sell it to me." "But I can't." "I think I'll wait a bit." "We made a promise." "A promise?" "A promise." "A promise, huh?" "A promise..." "Ichiro?" "I'm gonna take my break." "Oh, sure." "Here. 10 minutes, okay?" "Got it." "I haven't dreamt of the River Frog since the duel  though I don't think I would've been able to make that leap." "I'm pretty sure that dream has something to do  with me becoming a real man  but I didn't care anymore." "I can make that jump when I'm ready." "A glimpse under the skirt makes me much happier anyway." "If I'm blessed with such fortune once in a while  that really is enough for me right now." "HOUSE  THE END" "It's been a month..." "Promises..." "I hate promises..."